Some NFL veterans prosper as business season begins
FILE - San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)As the NFL opened its business year Wednesday, veterans Trent Williams, A.J. The Seahawks addressed another need, agreeing to terms with tight end Gerald Everett on a one-year deal. Ad— Kansas City agreed to a $5 million contract for next season with three-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long, who will come out of retirement. — New England brought back center Ted Karras on a one-year, $4 million contract.
Brady-led Bucs top Lions 47-7 to end 13-year playoff drought
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, in Detroit. The Bucs (10-5) set a franchise record with 588 yards and snapped the NFL’s second-longest postseason drought behind Cleveland’s 18-year run that can end Sunday. RECORD WATCHBrady has thrown a franchise-record 36 touchdowns and set a personal record with 348 yards passing by halftime. Tampa Bay set team records in points (34) and yards (410) in the first half. Lions: Stafford left the game with an ankle injury after he was 2 of 3 for 17 yards on his only possession.
Prater's 59-yard FG lifts Lions to 30-27 win over Washington
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)DETROIT – The Detroit Lions leaned on their dynamic duo for comebacks and they came through again. Matthew Stafford directed the final drive with just 16 seconds left to set up Matt Prater's 59-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Lions to a 30-27 win over Washington on Sunday. Prater made a go-ahead, 37-yard field goal with 2:42 remaining. It made a field goal and had a punt, missed field goal and Terry McLaurin's fumble on the possessions. In the second half, Washington got into the end zone on 82- and 84-yard drives and had the ball midway through the fourth quarter down a touchdown.
Trubisky throws 3 TDs in 4th to help Bears beat Lions 27-23
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford throws against the Chicago Bears in the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)DETROIT – Mitchell Trubisky perfectly lofted a 27-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Anthony Miller with 1:54 remaining and the Chicago Bears held on to beat the Detroit Lions 27-23 Sunday. Trubisky threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to help Chicago come back from a 17-point deficit. It looked familiar to Lions fans: Detroit opened last season by blowing an 18-point lead at Arizona and settling for a tie. Late in the game, Lions fans likely would've filled the facility with a chorus of boos.
Florida-Georgia an elimination game for SEC East, playoff
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Florida-Georgia game has become an elimination game -- and not just in the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division. The winner of the Florida-Georgia game has advanced to the league's showcase event nine times in the last 13 years. Greenard, the team's best defensive player, played one series against LSU and missed the team's last game against South Carolina. The Bulldogs lead the SEC and rank fifth nationally in rushing defense, allowing a measly 85.7 yards a game. The Gators have won six games under Mullen after trailing in the fourth quarter, including three (Miami, Kentucky, South Carolina) this season.
Georgia offense needs strong ground game vs Gators
D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs rushes during the first half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. RELATED: Florida-Georgia game staying in Jacksonville through at least 2023 |Countdown is on for Bold City Bash, Florida-Georgia game |Landing demolition will force Florida, Georgia fans to party elsewhereThe running attack has been the only constant for a slumping Georgia offense. After throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble against South Carolina, Jake Fromm threw for only 35 yards against Kentucky in the rain. Following the loss to South Carolina, Swift asked for more creative play-calling by Georgia coaches. "I thought South Carolina had a good plan, played really hard, made plays when they needed to make plays,'' Mullen said.
Georgia enjoys strong start with run-first winning formula
Three former Georgia running backs -- Chubb, Todd Gurley and Michel -- rank among the NFL's top 20 rushers this season. Swift, a junior, is rated among the top running backs eligible to be taken in the 2020 NFL draft. The strong running game has helped Georgia wear down opponents. In each game, Georgia wore down its opponents with its relentless ground game. "I don't think you look for greener pastures at Georgia,'' Smart said.
No. 3 Georgia holds off No. 7 Notre Dame 23-17
Georgia wide receiver Lawrence Cager (15) makes a catch for a touchdown against Notre Dame cornerback Troy Pride Jr. (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 23-17. 7 Notre Dame, it was another big-game loss but a performance that should bring more respect. Then, on third-and-7 from the 15, Notre Dame brought a blitz and Fromm coolly lofted one toward Cager along the left side of the end zone. Desperate to cut into the deficit, Notre Dame called a flea-flicker play. A two-touchdown underdog, Notre Dame took advantage of a huge turnover by Georgia punt returner Tyler Simmons to grab the lead.