The Latest: Rams surge to 30-13 lead over Seahawks in fourth
The Los Angeles Rams are leading the Seattle Seahawks 23-13 early in the fourth quarter. The Los Angeles Rams have taken a 20-10 halftime lead over the Seahawks in their wild card game at Seattle. Metcalf to cut the Los Angles Rams' lead to 13-10 in the second quarter of their wild card game. The Buffalo Bills are taking a 17-10 lead over Indianapolis into the fourth quarter at Buffalo. Washington won the middling NFC East despite a 7-9 record to earn a home wild card game.
Four takeaways: It’s time for a hard reset for Jaguars
(Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars’ 2020 season ended Sunday with a 28-14 loss to the Colts in Indianapolis. Instead of noting my four biggest takeaways from the game, I’m going to shift to my four biggest takeaways from the season. It’s time for operation tabula rasaAfter a season like the Jaguars have just completed, a hard reset is needed. But considering their role in the past season, and in truth, for the past three seasons, it’s time to wipe the slate clean and start over. At its best, an NFL team can bring a city together, increase commerce in the hometown, and give residents a rallying point.
Jaguars end worst season ever with 15th straight loss
(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The worst season in Jaguars history is over. The Jaguars wrapped up their 2020 season in familiar fashion on Sunday, with another loss, this one 28-14 to the Colts. It was the worst season in Jacksonville’s 26-year history, eclipsing a 2-14 effort under Mike Mularkey in 2012. It was the ninth loss of the season by 10 points or more, and the fourth straight game in which the Jaguars weren’t even competitive. But he couldn’t move the Jaguars with much consistency, was sacked six times and lost a fumble that set up a 1-yard Taylor touchdown run.
Steelers rally past Colts to end skid, lock up AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) makes a catch past Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (26) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. And even as the Steelers spent the first half against Indianapolis seemingly in a full-out sprint to get to the offseason as quickly as possible. It revived Pittsburgh's floundering season and delivered the Steelers the AFC North title. The defense kept Philip Rivers, rookie running back Jonathan Taylor and Indianapolis out of the end zone in the second half. “When we had everything to play for, we just didn’t have all the answers in the second half of a game we had to have.
Hilton, Taylor lead Colts' 44-27 rout of fading Raiders
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (34) jumps over Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)LAS VEGAS – Frank Reich found himself regularly amazed while he watched everything his Indianapolis Colts accomplished in their first trip to Sin City. He also marveled at the breakaway speed of Jonathan Taylor, who outran the Raiders' entire secondary on a 62-yard TD sprint. Moreau eluded two defenders on a 47-yard catch-and-run TD shortly before Agholor's 21-yard TD reception put the Raiders up 14-10 early in the second quarter. BIG CATCHMoore blew both teams' minds with his interception in the second quarter.
Ravens set NFL record for 20-point games with win in Indy
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)INDIANAPOLIS – Lamar Jackson fast-tracked the Baltimore Ravens' latest record-breaking achievement. He opened the second half with an up-tempo game plan that got Indianapolis' defense out of sync. After punting on their first five possessions and watching the defense score the Ravens' only points of the first half, Jackson switched it up. “I’m glad we did," Harbaugh said when asked about going fast in the second half. Linebackers Darius Leonard and Anthony Walker also were injured in the second half.
Mertz, No. 14 Wisconsin rout Illinois 45-7 in Big Ten opener
14 Badgers beat Illinois 45-7 on Friday night to open the pandemic-delayed Big Ten football season. Mertz became the first-team quarterback after returning starter Jack Coan underwent foot surgery on Oct. 7, leaving him out indefinitely. After Illinois fumbled the ball away on the game’s second play from scrimmage, Mertz hit fullback Jason Stokke for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Mertz responded to Illinois’ touchdown by throwing a 34-yard completion to Ferguson and then hitting the senior tight end again for a 14-yard score with 1:06 left in the half. After Illinois went three-and-out on its next series, Mertz threw deep and found Danny Davis for a 53-yard touchdown pass with 28 seconds left until halftime.