NFL

Vikings face key home game against Bears ahead of bye week

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The Minnesota Vikings will go for a season sweep of a division rival when they host the Chicago Bears on Monday night in Minneapolis. Minnesota (6-5) earned a 19-13 win in Chicago in Week 6. That ignited a five-game winning streak that ended last week when the Denver Broncos handed the Vikings a 21-20 loss. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell reportedly decided against allowing his best player — wideout Justin Jefferson — to return from a

Buccaneers, Colts clash with both teams eyeing late run

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When the calendar hits late November, it’s time for playoff-hopeful teams to start stacking wins. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts certainly fit that description as they play each other Sunday in Indianapolis. Despite being 4-6 after a 27-14 loss last week in San Francisco, Tampa Bay may be in a better position to make the postseason. That’s because they’re in the NFC South, where New Orleans leads the pack at 5-5. Get hot

Rams to ride maturing defense vs. Cardinals

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One week after the Los Angeles Rams’ defense bullied its way to a victory, it will square off on the road against a motivated quarterback in the Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray on Sunday at Glendale, Ariz. The Rams’ up-and-down ride of a year is back on the rise after a 17-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, which ended a three-game losing streak. Opening their season with low expectations from everybody but themselves amid

Ravens cruising, out to add to Chargers’ bruising

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The Baltimore Ravens look to build on being in the top seed position in the AFC when they face the wilting Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night at Inglewood, Calif. The Ravens (8-3) have won five of their past six games as they run into a Chargers’ squad that has lost five games by three or fewer points this season. While Los Angeles (4-6) is two games out of the final wild-card spot, Baltimore is

Titans look to shake off issues in clash vs. lowly Panthers

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The Tennessee Titans have a long list of problems, but that might not seem so extreme this week. That’s because the opponent is the Carolina Panthers. The teams meet Sunday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans (3-7) have lost three games in a row (all on the road), winning only once since the first day of October. “The attitude is that we all have to do a little bit more,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said.

Bengals, Steelers both transitioning heading into divison battle

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Two teams undergoing significant midseason change and turmoil meet on Sunday afternoon when the Cincinnati Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals (5-5) have followed four straight wins with two losses, including a painful 34-20 setback in Baltimore on Nov. 16. The loss to the AFC North rival Ravens was not only costly in the standings, but it was also devastating to Cincinnati’s playoff chances, as franchise quarterback Joe Burrow was lost for the season

C.J. Stroud, Texans put winning streak on line against Jaguars

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It’s starting to look like the Houston Texans are ahead of schedule with their rebuild. Houston is riding a three-game winning streak and will have a chance to take over first place in the AFC South on Sunday when it faces the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. After going 11-38 over the previous three seasons, the Texans (6-4) have found a formula for success behind rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive-minded first-year coach DeMeco Ryans, a former

Broncos, Browns try to keep winning streaks going

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The Denver Broncos and visiting Cleveland Browns will look to extend their respective season-high winning streaks at the other’s expense on Sunday. The Broncos (5-5), in fact, are seeking their first five-game winning streak since the 2015 season. Denver boasts a plus-11 turnover margin during its current win streak to reside at plus-6 for the season, which ranks tied for sixth in the NFL. The Browns (7-3) have overcome myriad injuries to win three in

Saints out to protect NFC South lead vs. Falcons

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The New Orleans Saints hold sole possession of first place in the NFC South. But that can change quickly — even as soon as Sunday when they visit the second-place Atlanta Falcons. The Saints (5-5) and the Falcons (4-6), who are tied with Tampa Bay, are both coming off bye weeks, which gave them an opportunity to evaluate themselves heading into the stretch run. New Orleans coach Dennis Allen said the Saints have been “a

Chiefs visit Las Vegas striving for new streak

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Costly penalties and drops from the receiving corps added up to defeat for the Kansas City Chiefs in their Super Bowl LVII rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. At 7-3, the Chiefs nonetheless lead the AFC West by two games and remain in position for home-field advantage as the regular-season stretch run nears. The coaching staff and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are encouraging the team to stay positive as the Chiefs prepare for Sunday’s visit