Bernie Kosar doesn’t start with, “Hello,’’ on the other end of the phone.

He starts “It’s almost not believable — it’s Disney-type stuff.”

He’s on the ninth floor of University Hospital in Cleveland, and tells how he was being discharged last Sunday when told they finally had a liver for him. A 21-year-old Cleveland Browns ...Read more

SEATTLE — In the Seattle Seahawks’ season-opening, 17-13 loss to San Francisco on Sept. 7, Jaxon Smith-Njigba provided a preview. In his first game without DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, the 23-year-old excelled, torching the 49ers for nine catches and 124 yards. Smith-Njigba earned 13 of his team’s 22 targets, and his teammates combined ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have cured their inability to run the football, something they were determined to do.

And, between Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, they have been mostly responsible for the explosive plays in their offense. Good thing, too.

They haven't had that in their passing game, particularly from their...Read more

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Just came here to say: Matthew Stafford > Drake Maye for MVP.

Stafford > Jonathan Taylor.

Stafford > everyone.

There’s no one doing it like the Los Angeles Rams’ 37-year-old, 17th-year QB, who doesn’t want to label it this way himself, but who is, in fact, playing the best football the best of his long, illustrious...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Brock Purdy threw an opening-drive touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings, duping all into thinking this “Monday Night Football” affair would be a Brock-Is-Back showcase and a San Francisco 49ers’ blowout.

Then Purdy got intercepted on the 49ers’ next drive. And the next. And the next.

The 49ers overcame that ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Another week, another new injury for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

This time it’s his toe. Jackson was listed with the injury on the team’s first injury report of the week, which was an estimation after Baltimore held a walk-through Monday evening.

He was one of four players not to practice and coincidentally ...Read more

CHICAGO — Even the always-optimistic Calvin Austin III didn't want to discuss the Pittsburgh Steelers' 31-28 loss Sunday to the Chicago Bears. He just felt as if he had nothing positive to say after the Steelers let another one get away.

It's their fourth loss in six games since pounding the Cleveland Browns made them 4-1. At that point, ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed themselves to exhale just a bit Monday after learning that quarterback Baker Mayfield’s left shoulder injury is not as bad as they had feared.

An MRI revealed a sprained AC joint but no fracture or structural damage, the Tampa Bay Times confirmed. His availability may come down to pain ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed themselves to exhale just a bit Monday after learning Baker Mayfield’s left shoulder injury may not be as bad as feared.

The team believes the quarterback has a sprained AC joint but no fracture or structural damage. It will know more after he undergoes an MRI later on Monday.

“That’s the ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is in the concussion protocol after reporting symptoms during the Vikings’ travel home from Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, coach Kevin O’Connell announced at his news conference Monday.

McCarthy’s availability for the Vikings’ trip to Seattle to face the Seahawks next Sunday is unclear.

O�...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was scheduled for a tryout with the New Orleans Saints on Monday, according to multiple media outlets.

It is said to be the first tryout for the six-time Pro Bowl player since serving a 10-game suspension at the start of this season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

...Read more

LOS ANGELES — A crescendo is building, and the Los Angeles Rams might be best to ignore it.

So much can happen from week to week in the NFL — check out Philadelphia’s loss to Dallas— that the Rams can’t get too comfortable, even with the way they’re playing.

In the last five games, culminating with their 27-point stomping of Tampa ...Read more

MIAMI — The NFL bye week isn’t just a time for players to rest their bodies and get their minds off football. It’s also a time for each team’s front office and coaching staff to do a thorough self scout, an evaluation of their team, seeing what changes can be made to improve the season’s outcome in what’s left on the schedule. The ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly after Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.

The dismissal of their play-caller comes on the heels of another lackluster performance when the Raiders struggled to score and protect quarterback Geno Smith.

It was a continuation of the Raiders...Read more

ARLINGTON, Texas — For the first 30 minutes, the Philadelphia Eagles did everything necessary to win a key game in a hostile stadium. They looked like a team worthy of a title defense.

For the next 30 minutes, they did everything necessary to give it away. They looked like a team unworthy of even a division title.

Two lost fumbles.

Two huge...Read more

The New Orleans Saints were just the medicine the Atlanta Falcons needed to end their five-game losing streak.

Kirk Cousins was in command and led the offense on some good drives, and the defense held the Saints’ offense out of the end zone in a 24-10 victory Sunday at Caesars Superdome.

The Falcons (4-7) ended their skid and the defense had...Read more

CHICAGO — The Pittsburgh Steelers had one last chance Sunday, taking over at their 20-yard line with 1:29 remaining.

Needing a field goal to tie, quarterback Mason Rudolph marched the Pittsburgh offense to midfield, but his fourth-down pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker and fell incomplete.

The ...Read more

CINCINNATI — The New England Patriots extended their win streak to nine games in a 26-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but at what cost?

The Patriots saw the left side of their offensive line and their special teams captain leave Sunday’s win with injuries.

Rookie left tackle Will Campbell (knee) and rookie left guard Jared Wilson (...Read more