Giants without a prayer

JANUARY 8: Damarious Randall #23 of the Green Bay Packers makes an interception in the fourth quarter during the NFC Wild Card game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. ORG XMIT: 690738049 less GREEN BAY, WI – JANUARY 8: Damarious Randall #23 of the Green Bay Packers makes an interception in the fourth quarter during the NFC Wild Card game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on January 8, … more Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the first half of an NFC wild-card NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis.

Hail Mary touchdown play key in Green Bay Packersa win over New York Giants

Rodgers overcame a sluggish start and finished with four touchdown passes, including a momentum-swinging 42-yard heave to Randall Cobb at the end of the second quarter, to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 38-13 win Sunday over the New York Giants in an NFC wild-card game. Rodgers was 25 of 40 for 362 yards, continuing a remarkable run of quarterback play that helped the Packers win their final six games of the regular season to take the NFC North.

The Latest: Packers’ Nelson officially out of the game

By JASON DEAREN Associated Press Relatives of the man who police say opened fire with a gun at a Florida airport report he had a history of mental health problems and was receiving psychological… The brother of a man accused of killing five people at a Florida airport questioned Saturday why his brother was allowed to keep his gun after U.S. authorities knew he’d become increasingly paranoid and was hearing… A Pennsylvania woman whose dismembered 14-year-old daughter’s remains were found in the woods last fall has been charged along with her boyfriend with killing the girl in what officials are calling a… A woman whose teenage daughter’s dismembered remains were found in the woods last fall has been charged along with her boyfriend with killing the girl in a “rape-murder fantasy” the couple shared, a prosecutor said… Bell ringing and a human embrace event Sunday marked the solemn … (more)

Roethlisberger hurts ankle late in playoff win

… Even short of that, maybe call a handoff? The Steelers head coach deserves to be asked about this. According to Yahoo Sports’ Eric Adelson, Roethlisberger was in a walking boot after the game. The Steelers head to Arrowhead Stadium to face the …

Dupree should be suspended for this cheap hit

Dupree should be suspended for this cheap hit Bud Dupree should be suspended for this disgusting cheap shot on Matt Moore Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2i7ELwI Football, at its best, is an exhilarating game. The ultimate test of mind, body and spirit.

NFL playoff | Steelers vs. Dolphins: How they match up

Steelers receiver Antonio Brown reacts after making a catch during the second half of a game against the Ravens on Dec. 25. Steelers receiver Antonio Brown reacts after making a catch during the second half of a game against the Ravens on Dec. 25. In order to prepare for Sunday’s wild-card game against Miami, the Steelers practiced this week with fans on and the doors open at the team’s indoor practice facility. The goal was to simulate the anticipated blustery game conditions at Heinz Field, where the temperatures are expected to be in the teens.

Lions were capable of entertaining, just not contending

Remember when Darius Slay stole back the ball against Philadelphia? And Matthew Stafford rifled that touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin against Washington? Or when Matt Prater hit that 58-yarder as time expired in Minnesota? And then Golden Tate flipped into the end zone in overtime? They came back to win eight games in the fourth quarter or overtime, an NFL record. Their odds of doing that were more than 1 in 32 billion.

Could Eagles target Giants’ Victor Cruz in free agency?

There is a strong possibility that the Giants will release wide receiver Victor Cruz this offseason, as he holds a cap hit of $9.4 million next season, but only $1.9 million in dead cap space if he was released. Cruz, a career Giant, could take less money with the Giants to stay, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Giants were open to that as well at a much lower number.

Richardson shows the flash in Seattle’s romp of Detroit

With the emergence of Doug Baldwin, the arrival of Tyler Lockett and a list of injuries that slowed his development, Paul Richardson was seemingly forgotten as one of the pass catching options for the Seattle Seahawks. Richardson’s acrobatic 2-yard touchdown reception was the beginning of Seattle’s 26-6 romp over Detroit in the NFC wild card game on Saturday night, sending the Seahawks into an anticipated matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.

Rawls, Seahawks run past Lions

Seattle advanced to an NFC Divisional Playoff game at Atlanta after winning its 10th consecutive home postseason contest. The Seahawks haven’t lost a postseason game at home since 2005.

Game balls for Texans after playoff win over Raiders

The Pro Bowler Clowney chased an excellent regular season by making a spectacular tipped interception at the Raiders’ 12-yard line, then returned it three yards to set up the 4-yard Lamar Miller touchdown run that gave the Texans a 10-0 first-quarter lead. Hopkins caught five passes for 67 yards, including an acrobatic 38-yarder on the sideline that set up his own 2-yard touchdown catch, giving the Texans their 20-7 halftime lead.

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The Vikings might have their quarterback of the future — at least that’s how coach Mike Zimmer has evaluated Sam Bradford’s play in 2016. Vikings players packed up their lockers at Winter Park in Eden Prairie on Monday at the end of the regular season.

Osweiler returns to lead Texans over Oakland 27-14

Brock Osweiler finally looked like the player Houston spent $72 million on, throwing for a touchdown and running for another to lead the Texans to a 27-14 wild-card playoff win over the Oakland Raiders on Saturday. Osweiler, benched on Dec. 18, got his job back this week with Tom Savage out with a concussion, and played his best game of the season to give the Texans their first playoff victory since the 2012 season.

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The Denver Broncos general manager tweeted Saturday that he “spent the morning with Kyle Shanahan in Atlanta. He’s very bright coach who’s had a tremendous year and has a great future.”

Rodgers, Cook among top story lines of wild-card weekend

Aaron Rodgers, Connor Cook among top story lines of wild-card weekend Can a rookie QB win for Raiders? Can Packers stay hot? These and other issues. Check out this story on mynorthshorenow.com: http://usat.ly/2jeIq9k We asked the USA TODAY Sports NFL staff the following question: What is the top story line of wild-card weekend? Their responses: What can be a bigger story line than the matchup between two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks dueling on the frozen tundra? Well let’s just say I’m intrigued by the X-factor of the least-compelling matchup of the weekend.

Left tackle Penn out for Raiders against Texans

Star left tackle Donald Penn is out with a knee injury for the Oakland Raiders in their AFC wild-card playoff game against the Houston Texans on Saturday. With Penn out, the Raiders will look to Menelik Watson to protect rookie third-string quarterback Connor Cook’s blind side in his first NFL start.

Lane Johnson Files Complaint Against NFL, NFLPA

With the Eagles entering the offseason after a 7-9 year, let’s look at the best stories from around the web from the past week. Offensive tackle Lane Johnson has officially filed a complaint against the NFL and the NFL Players Association in federal court over his suspension this season, writes ESPN.com’s Tim McManus .

NFL Wild Card Weekend 2017: Updated Odds, TV Schedule and Predictions

Let’s take a look at the odds and TV schedule for the weekend and offer some predictions in the form of news articles that may or may not appear in sports sections around the country over the coming days. kicked a game-winning 28-yard field goal with 1:37 remaining as the Houston Texans defeated the Oakland Raiders 16-13 on Saturday afternoon.

NFL 2017 Wild Card preview: Saturday’s schedule, TV, live streaming

Rookie Connor Cook, the former Walsh Jesuit High School standout from Hinckley, Ohio, will become the first quarterback ever to make his first NFL start in a playoff game on Saturday, leading the Oakland Raiders against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game. On Sunday, the Miami Dolphins are at the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC, and the New York Giants visit the Green Bay Packers in the NFC.

Time for Steelers to live up to talent level

The Steelers are a 10-point favorite against Miami as they get set to host the Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card on Sunday . A team that boasts a top three quarterback, running back and wide receiver, as well as one of the top offensive line’s in the NFL should be a big favorite in its home building against a warm weather team playing in 19-degree weather with a backup quarterback.