BARRY WILNER
Buffalo Bills' Taiwan Jones (25) celebrates with Dion Dawkins (73) after an NFL divisional round football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 17-3. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Still playing: Bills, Bucs risen from Super Bowl droughts

By Barry Wilner Jan. 18, 2021 02:40 AM EST
In the 1990s, the Bills buffaloed their way to four successive — if not

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne celebrates after a run during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Gutsy or insane? Depends on the outcome of tough calls

By Barry Wilner Jan. 17, 2021 08:50 PM EST
Gutsy or insane? Depends on the outcome.

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Jones reacts after running for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Tight games this weekend, with one upset projected

By Barry Wilner Jan. 15, 2021 01:47 PM EST
Aaron, meet Aaron. And Aaron. Aaron Donald, the unanimous

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters (24) is chased by Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kalif Raymond (14) after Peters intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter to seal the Ravens' win in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. The Ravens won 20-13. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
On Football: Defenses rise to task in NFL postseason

By Barry Wilner Jan. 11, 2021 02:32 AM EST
The lasting memory of the offenses for Seattle, Tennessee and Chicago this

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Browns advance, Brees to meet Brady, Lama Jackson a winner

By Barry Wilner Jan. 10, 2021 04:35 PM EST
The NFC divisional round will give fans a third-time treat: another meeting

Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) celebrate his touchdown during the second half of the team's NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Brady and Bucs, plus Bills and Rams win NFL wild-card games

By Barry Wilner Jan. 09, 2021 05:22 PM EST
Old hat for Brady, new thrills for Buffalo. And a defensive

FILE - Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (32) plays against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., in this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, file photo. Baker was selected Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, to The Associated Press All-Pro Team. (AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)
Donald, Kelce unanimous AP All-Pros; Rodgers, Henry chosen

By Barry Wilner Jan. 08, 2021 12:02 PM EST
Dynamic defensive star Aaron Donald and unstoppable tight end Travis Kelce were

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown as Houston Texans' Jacob Martin (54) chases during the first half of an NFL football game in Houston. The Titans play the Baltimore Ravens in a wild-card playoff game on Sunday. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Bucs and Browns reach territory Tom Brady visits annually

By Barry Wilner Jan. 08, 2021 10:51 AM EST
Let's see: Tom Brady and his six Super Bowl rings versus a 7-9 division winner.

NFL awards 13 new grants under Inspire Change initiative

By Barry Wilner Jan. 08, 2021 09:00 AM EST
The NFL expanded its social Justice initiative Inspire Change on Friday by

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in NFL football's Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, Calif. Manning, in his first-year of eligibility, was selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2021 on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
No surprise: Peyton Manning a Hall of Fame finalist

By Barry Wilner Jan. 05, 2021 06:02 PM EST
Peyton Manning, no surprise, is among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
NFL playoff field: powerhouses, pretenders and a 7-9 team

By Barry Wilner Jan. 04, 2021 02:49 AM EST
From the rested in Kansas City and Pittsburgh to the relieved in Cleveland,

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield celebrates after the team defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Welcome to the postseason, Cleveland. Cleveland? Yep

By Barry Wilner Jan. 03, 2021 05:17 PM EST
Welcome to the postseason, Cleveland. Cleveland?

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
A season often in doubt to end on time, no cancellations

By Barry Wilner Jan. 01, 2021 02:58 PM EST
During the summer, with baseball just returning from its hiatus and the NHL and

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches the game-winning touchdown as Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27), free safety Jordan Poyer (21) and strong safety Micah Hyde, left, defend during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 32-20. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
On Football: From 2020's best play to its weirdest moment

By Barry Wilner Jan. 01, 2021 11:13 AM EST
The Associated Press will hand out its individual NFL awards on the night

FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry , left, runs past Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Henry led the NFL with 1,540 yards rushing last season before running the Titans to their first AFC championship game in 17 years. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
NFL races go down to the wire in AFC South and NFC East

By Barry Wilner Dec. 31, 2020 06:06 PM EST
As the calendar turns to 2021, the NFL is experiencing pretty much what it

FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Browns strong safety Andrew Sendejo (23) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) after a pass reception during the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns added starting safety Andrew Sendejo and rookie tight end Harrison Bryant to their lengthy COVID-19 list, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
NFL cites outside influences for recent positive tests

By Barry Wilner Dec. 30, 2020 01:36 PM EST
The NFL cites outside influences for the most recent set of positive

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) takes the hand off from quarterback Andy Dalton (14) in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. 2020. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Week 17 is a tough chore for picking wins and covers

By Barry Wilner Dec. 30, 2020 12:43 PM EST
One of the worst chores in Week 17 in the NFL is figuring out who will go full

FILE - The Baltimore Ravens walk past the team logo in the end zone during warmups for the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game against the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans, in this Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, file photo. The Baltimore Ravens were fined $250,000 by the NFL for violating COVID-19 protocols, a person with direct knowledge of the punishment told The Associated Press on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
AP source: NFL fines Ravens $250,000 for COVID violations

By Barry Wilner Dec. 28, 2020 10:17 AM EST
The Baltimore Ravens were fined $250,000 by the NFL for violating COVID-19

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
On Football: Playoff picture clears up -- and muddles, too

By Barry Wilner Dec. 28, 2020 02:06 AM EST
If they're singing anything in Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Seattle, it could be

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone argues a call with side judge Dyrol Prioleau (109) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 24-20. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
On Football: NFL coaching carousel about to start spinning

By Barry Wilner Dec. 25, 2020 02:38 PM EST
Three NFL coaching jobs already are open, and another three or four soon could