MIAMI — We are not officially past the point of no return, but we’re speed walking toward it.

The Miami Dolphins are a poorly built football team that is injury depleted, error-prone, lacking leadership, and most importantly, toughness.

These problems, which many of us suspected were issues coming into this season, can’t be argued based ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Here's a new topic: Do the Steelers need a No. 2 receiver?

Actually, it is a new topic, at least in this sense: The Steelers defense cannot be trusted, thus making it imperative they double down on offense.

I'm still in shock Mike Tomlin saw fit Tuesday to point out that his defense made a "necessary stop" late in the Bengals ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The words Patrick Mahomes shouted at the line of scrimmage aren’t suitable for publication here. You know that.

He used the F-bomb twice in the span of three words, butchering both the language and our ability to print it. But here’s the gist of the message: Trying to draw the opponent offsides never works.

The faux ...Read more

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Somewhere through their dueling analysis and misguided words is the hope Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa keep their relationship intact. It won’t be easy while walking the plank the rest of this season.

But their bond has been one of the few good aspects of the past few, disappointing ...Read more

ATLANTA — Former Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, who was released Tuesday, signed with the New York Giants practice squad Wednesday, according to a league source familiar with the transaction.

McCloud played with the Buffalo Bills when current Giants coach Brian Daboll was the offensive coordinator. Also, Chad Hall was with the Bills ...Read more

NEW YORK — The concern over Tom Brady’s roles as the lead analyst on Fox’s NFL coverage and a Raiders minority owner seems to have dissipated.

At least to those who matter most — NFL owners. It was a non-topic at their fall meetings this week.

“You guys have written about that already,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said.

When asked ...Read more

NEW YORK — Former Raiders coach Jon Gruden’s lawsuit against the NFL moved closer to a public trial earlier this month.

Despite the ongoing legal battle, commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday he can’t prevent Gruden from coaching in the league again.

“If he’s offered a job and gets a job coaching in the NFL, that’s not ...Read more

CHICAGO — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since straining his hamstring Sept. 28 against Kansas City.

That’s particularly relevant to the Chicago Bears, who will take on the Ravens at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Baltimore.

Since injuring his hamstring, Jackson missed two games and the ...Read more

NEW YORK — A day after New York Jets owner Woody Johnson criticized his play this season, Justin Fields took the high road.

The fifth-year quarterback, who was not aware of Johnson’s comments until Wednesday, said he will not reach out to Johnson, nor does he expect him to do the same. However, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn noted he discussed...Read more

DENVER — Sean Payton said he didn’t intend for his comments about the New York Giants’ quarterback situation after Sunday’s win to be taken as a slight to Russell Wilson.

The former Broncos quarterback, benched earlier this year by Giants coach Brian Daboll in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart, clearly didn’t see it that way.

He took to ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to practice Wednesday in Owings Mills for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury nearly a month ago.

The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player jogged onto the field late in the open portion of the session. After loosening up, he dapped up fullback Patrick Ricard, hugged offensive ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Mike Evans has elected to have surgery on his broken right collarbone in the hopes it could help him return to the playing field more quickly, perhaps before the end of the regular season.

The Bucs Pro Bowl receiver also suffered a concussion while attempting to make a catch in the second quarter of Monday night’s 24-9 loss at...Read more

NFL WEEK 8 THURSDAY PICK

VIKINGS (3-3) at CHARGERS (4-3)

Line: LAC by 3 1/2.

Cote’s pick: LAC, 24-20.

TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.

The NFL’s Week 8 kickoff in prime time gets two quality(ish) teams that are playoff hopeful but haven’t always looked it, with both coming off losses, albeit to good opponents in the Eagles and ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs’ next opponent was dealt some bad news Wednesday.

Multiple outlets reported that Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss the Commanders’ “Monday Night Football” game against the Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Daniels left the Commanders’ game on Sunday at Dallas because of a ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Chicago’s football franchise is no longer the sad news Bears.

They aren’t going to win a Super Bowl title in 2025, but Chicago is good enough to cause a lot of problems for the Ravens on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in a “must-win” situation for Baltimore.

Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, only four teams have started the ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — After the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX, Jeffrey Lurie told some NFL folks close to him that his greatest concern for the upcoming season had little to do with the talent level that would return, even with personnel losses looming. He didn’t worry about the salary cap, though it presented gnarly challenges, nor did he worry about ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — Nothing about the way the Raiders’ season has gone has changed wide receiver Jakobi Meyers’ mind.

He still prefers to be traded.

“For sure,” Meyers said Tuesday when asked whether his offseason request still stands. “I’m a professional at the end of the day. I’m just trying to play good football. If I’m here, I’...Read more

DENVER — The NFL isn’t budging on its stance to suspend a key member of the Broncos’ defense.

On Tuesday night, NFL spokesman Michael Signora announced that the league upheld its one-game suspension of Dre Greenlaw, a day after multiple sources told The Denver Post that Greenlaw would appeal the suspension.

The Broncos will now be down ...Read more

DENVER — Hasn’t Broncos Country seen enough of this sheet show? Sean Payton’s offense had 10 plays inside the Giants’ 10-yard line this past Sunday. Eight were passes.

Six of those plays inside the 10 took place before the Broncos eventually scored. The first five of those particular six were throws. Three of them fell incomplete, ...Read more