MINNEAPOLIS — If the Jan. 4 game is fullback C.J. Ham’s last as a Viking, he’s not going to miss the opportunity to absorb every moment.

What a fitting end it could be: a home game against the rival Green Bay Packers with more relatives and friends — about 30 — expected at U.S. Bank Stadium than the Duluth native typically hosts.

...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles were going through their ball security drills at practice Thursday when running backs coach Jemal Singleton chimed in.

Many starters will get the day off Sunday in the season finale vs. the Washington Commanders. So Singleton wanted to offer a reminder: For some Eagles who will take the field Sunday, their last time ...Read more

FOXBORO, Mass. — A fierce debate is raging for NFL MVP, with one more game for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and Rams QB Matthew Stafford to make their cases to voters.

Stafford’s candidacy took a big hit Monday night, when the 11-5 Rams fell on a national stage, 27-24, to the Falcons in a contest in which Stafford went just 22-of-38 with...Read more

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Sometimes Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel walks around the team facility carrying a wooden baseball bat in menacing fashion. Occasionally McDaniel will take the bat to a team meeting. The bat has meaning.

“I think it’s a reminder to be violently present in everything you do,” fullback Alec Ingold said. “I think it�...Read more

CHICAGO — In the navy and orange afterglow of Sunday’s shootout loss to the San Francisco 49ers — the kind of ballgame your father’s Chicago Bears and his father’s aren’t accustomed to being in — there was a sentiment that the offense truly has arrived.

Caleb Williams, who has made significant strides in the second half of the ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned for a second consecutive practice Thursday, but Baltimore still had notable absences.

Wide receiver Rashod Bateman and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy both missed a second consecutive day. Bateman was out with an illness, while Van Noy is dealing with a quad injury.

Jackson said that he ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson emerged from the field house like a phoenix Thursday in Owings Mills, his back contusion protected by a flak jacket and teammates and coaches energized by his presence on an otherwise bitterly cold afternoon.

The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s full participation in practice for a second ...Read more

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Here’s the news: Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross hired ESPN analyst and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman weeks ago to consult with him in a search for a general manager, according to a team source.

It is a genuine search, too, one that will cover the league and go wherever needed. Interim GM Champ Kelly will be ...Read more

RENTON, Wash. — The Seahawks will again be without starting left tackle Charles Cross for Saturday night’s battle for the NFC West title against the San Francisco 49ers as he was listed as out on the team's official game status report released Thursday.

However, there is a chance that Cross' backup — Josh Jones — will be able to play, ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — As safety Quentin Lake played through much of the final year of his rookie contract, he said he did not worry about whether he would come to terms with the Rams about an extension.

If he took care of business on the field, everything would work out.

On Thursday, that manifestation came to fruition.

Lake signed a three-year ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — The frustration was at full boil, spilling over onto the sideline last Sunday when running back Bucky Irving began jawing with the Bucs offensive linemen after another stalled series against the Dolphins.

That’s when Tristan Wirfs stepped in. The Bucs Pro Bowl tackle was inactive due to a toe injury, but he sent Irving away ...Read more

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins are bringing in a new quarterback before the end of the 2025 season, with an eye on 2026.

The Dolphins are signing former North Dakota State star Cam Miller, poaching him off the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad, Miller’s agency announced Thursday.

Miller threw for 9,720 yards, 81 touchdowns and ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned for a second consecutive practice Thursday, but Baltimore still had notable absences.

Wide receiver Rashod Bateman and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy both missed a second consecutive day. Bateman was out with an illness, while Van Noy is dealing with a quad injury.

Jackson said that he ...Read more

RENTON, Wash. — If the Mike Macdonald biography ever comes out, the ghost writer will likely earn his money. The Seahawks coach's no-nonsense approach to the job usually includes no stories at his news conferences.

But Wednesday, when asked if the season has gone as expected or deviated from what he envisioned, he offered a yarn from early in...Read more

BALTIMORE — The Ravens on Thursday waived guard Ben Cleveland, who was set to return from a three-game suspension this week.

A 2021 third-round draft pick by Baltimore, Cleveland played just three snaps this season and was a healthy scratch in three games. On Dec. 8, he was suspended three games without pay for violating the NFL’s substance...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Left tackle Trent Williams still might play in the 49ers’ regular-season finale Saturday night against Seattle. And he might not.

“We’ll see,” Williams said Friday after not practicing all week because of the first hamstring strain of his illustrious career.

The NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed will be on the line at ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Rams moved to keep one of their core players with them for the future, signing safety Quentin Lake to a three-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday.

The deal includes $25.7 million in guarantees, said a person with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity because the terms were not announced.

"I'm ...Read more

Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups and makes his predictions for Week 18 of the NFL season.

All lines and over/under numbers are according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Last week, Farmer posted a 9-7 (.563) record. Through the first 17 weeks of the season, he is 164-92 (.641).

Using point spreads with the scores Farmer ...Read more

Enjoyed a solid all-round Week 17 with double-digit wins both straight-up and vs. the betting line. In this strangest of seasons — who’d-a-thunk the Chiefs would be lousy and the Jaguars real good? — we’ll take that, thanks. The gain of five against the spread gave us a fighting chance to get up over .500 for the season with another big ...Read more