In win-now culture of NFL, patience can still be a virtue

In this Dec. 14, 2014, file photo, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, right, and son Stephen Jones talk with head coach Jason Garrett before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stuck with Garrett despite one playoff berth and winning record in his first five full seasons and now his team is the top seed in the NFC.

Tony Romo expected to play in Cowboys’ final game

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to play Tony Romo in the final game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer and Adam Schefter. With a 13-2 record, the Cowboys have already secured a first-round bye in the playoffs with the NFC’s top spot.

As sales of Cowboys gear soar, some consumers say team dropped the ball

Even as the world’s most valuable sports franchise enjoys a record-breaking year for merchandise sales, more than a dozen consumers are still fuming about a sales fumble from Christmas just past. Fans and would-be buyers of Dallas Cowboys merchandise took to social media, and spoke with The Dallas Morning News, to vent about lost orders, canceled orders and goods that didn’t make it onto Santa’s sleigh in time for the gift-athon holiday.

Bucs want to finish strong, despite only slim playoff hopes

Tampa Bay’s slender playoff prospects are not foremost on Jameis Winston’s mind heading into what’s likely to be his team’s season finale against the Carolina Panthers . What matters more to the young quarterback is the Buccaneers not only finish strong against the defending NFC champions, but play with a fervor that doesn’t reflect the disappointment of letting a potential postseason berth slip away.

Smith, Ravens seek a rare upbeat ending in Cincinnati

What feels like the end of the road for Steve Smith isn’t at all what he or the Baltimore Ravens expected. They were mere seconds away from taking control of the AFC North when the Steelers snatched it away from them, scoring a touchdown with 9 seconds left for a 31-27 win that ended Baltimore ‘s chances last week.

Raiders-Broncos finale represents a role reversal

Spoiler is an unfamiliar role for Von Miller and Chris Harris Jr., who get to see what it’s like to play for nothing but pride Sunday when the Denver Broncos host the Oakland Raiders . The Broncos were eliminated from playoff contention last week, so they won’t get a chance to defend their Super Bowl 50 title.

KC seeks AFC West title; Chargers face possible SD finale

Already in the playoffs for the third time in four years, Alex Smith and the Chiefs need to beat the Chargers and have the Denver Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders in order to clinch the AFC West title and a first-round bye. The games kick off at the same time, and it’ll be tempting for the Chiefs to check the antiquated Jumbotron at the aging stadium for Raiders-Broncos updates.

Dolphins’ Matt Moore at ease in starting gig vs Patriots

Quarterback Matt Moore hadn’t started a game since 2012 when he was elevated to the top spot on the Miami Dolphins’ depth chart following an injury to Ryan Tannehill in Week 14. Moore always understood he was one injury away from overseeing an offense again. So, when he finally was called, he was prepared to step in and step it up.

Patriots: Cyrus Jones hoping he gets another shot

Cyrus Jones remains confident in his abilities as a kick returner, even if the decisions of the coaching staff indicate that their confidence is not necessarily mutual. A chance to return kicks or punts on Sunday at Miami, to Jones, would just be a chance to break a season-defining play.

Steelersa Brown asks Jetsa Marshall to pay up on car bet

Antonio Brown is in the driver’s seat in his car bet with Brandon Marshall, so he’s looking for the Jets receiver to turn over the keys. Marshall felt so confident during the summer that he was going to have a big season, he issued a friendly challenge to the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver on Twitter: If he had more yards receiving, Brown would give him his Rolls-Royce.

Two days after Rex Ryan was fired, Bills seemingly face uncertainty over QB Tyrod Taylor’s future

In addition to deciding which coach presents the best chance to snap the Bills’ 17 straight seasons of playoff-less football in January, the organization’s offseason checklist appears to include whether or not quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be in the fold beyond this season. Taylor, seemingly a Rex Ryan favorite, could be facing a uncertain future in Buffalo just months after agreeing to a five-year contract extension.

Cowboys Unlikely To Play Romo in Season Finale

The Dallas Cowboys could rest many of their starters in Week 17 after clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but are unlikely to play backup quarterback Tony Romo. Team owner Jerry Jones declared after Dallas’ 42-21 win over the Detroit Lions on Monday night that he does not want Romo to take a snap this Sunday.

Steve: A fitting Saints finale against arch-rival Falcons

Sunday, January 1st, 3:25pm on 870AM / 105.3FM Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA Saints +7 Under / Over: 56 This Saints season will conclude the same as the previous two; minus a spot in the playoffs. 2016 however does feel a little different since the defense has gotten better, as well as there being a stronger commitment to running the football.

Why Odell Beckham Jr. is conflicted about Redskins game

Here are the Giants, preparing for their regular-season finale against the Redskins, knowing a much more highly anticipated game awaits them in the first round of the playoffs, site undetermined, opponent undetermined, importance very much determined. “It’s hard to not look past this game, knowing what’s at stake and the position we’re in, can’t move up, can’t move down,” Beckham said Wednesday after practice.

Goff has chance to avoid 0-7 rookie year as Rams’ starter

Goff has chance to avoid 0-7 rookie year as Rams’ starter Jared Goff is down to his final chance to end his rookie season as a winning quarterback Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2iGpX5h THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Jared Goff is down to his last chance to end his rookie season as a winning quarterback.