The NFL’s new kickoff rule hasn’t been quite as “dynamic” as promised, but Giants returner Ihmir Smith-Marsette made a dynamic play on Sunday. Smith-Marsette has been named NFC special teams player of the week after his 100-yard kickoff-return touchdown in the Giants’ 45-33 win over the Colts. It tied for the longest kickoff return under this season’s new rules. There …

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 07: Carson Beck #15 of the Georgia Bulldogs lays on the ground after an injury as Barryn Sorrell #88 of the Texas Longhorns grabs for the ball during the second quarter of the 2024 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) Georgia Bulldogs quarterback back Carson …

The Dolphins stayed alive in the playoff hunt by beating the Browns last Sunday and linebacker Tyrel Dodson helped make it happen. Dodson led the team with 15 tackles and he had one hit on Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Dodson also picked off a pass by Thompson-Robinson during the 20-3 win. The NFL announced on Tuesday that they have named …

After a perfect season and a conference championship in their first season in the Big Ten, the Oregon Ducks earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, and now Dan Lanning’s squad will begin their title pursuit coming off a first-round bye. However, the CFP bracket ultimately did them no favors, as they’ll take on the No. 8 …

A low block on Sunday from Packers tight end Tucker Kraft sent Vikings linebacker Pat Jones II out of the game with a knee injury. On Monday, Packers coach Matt LaFleur defended the maneuver. Via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, LaFleur called it a “totally legal play.” “It’s part of the game,” LaFleur told reporters. “So, if you don’t want to …

NEW ORLEANS − You didn’t have to look too far or think too hard to see the irony. When Notre Dame football met the media Monday in advance of the Allstate Sugar Bowl matchup with Georgia on New Year’s Day, Irish players were arranged at round tables of six by position. All the quarterbacks sat together. All the running backs were …

Pearsall praises Deebo’s mentorship in rookie 49ers season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area SANTA CLARA — After Ricky Pearsall’s breakout performance in the 49ers’ 40-34 loss to the Detroit Lions, the rookie wide receiver credited veteran Deebo Samuel as an influential mentor on his path. After overcoming incredible obstacles during his rookie season, Pearsall was a bright spot …

Miami fired defensive coordinator Lance Guidry after two years with the program, coach Mario Cristobal announced Tuesday. The decision comes after Guidry’s defense struggled in a 42-41 loss against No. 18 Iowa State in the Pop Tarts Bowl.   The Hurricanes, who went 10-3, ranked a respectable No. 27 nationally in total defense, but 46th in yards per play allowed. …

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be playing to win the NFC South in Week 18, which means there’s plenty left to play for — good news for fantasy football managers. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) Congrats, fantasy football manager! You did it! You made it to the final week of the fantasy season, which means you’re just …

GLENDALE, Ariz. − Much of this Penn State football Fiesta Bowl locker room was a back-slapping, photo-posing, cigar-smoking celebration deep in this desert night. The Nittany Lions, indeed, had just reserved their place in the College Football Playoff semifinals, winning for a school-record 13th time. They earned their shot at another big-time opponent, on a grand stage next week in …

Yes, Jon Gruden’s name has been percolating for weeks as a potential candidate in the coming coaching carousel. At one level, it’s no surprise. Beyond Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, there are no no-brainer candidates for 2025. At another level, it’s stunning. Gruden has an active lawsuit against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. …

No. 11 Alabama faces off against Michigan in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl, which serves as a rematch of the 2024 Rose Bowl Game. When these teams last played, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy diced Alabama to the tune of 221 yards and three touchdowns to win 27-20 in overtime en route to a national championship. Both teams are quite different than …

The Steelers brought three players back to practice on Tuesday. The team announced that they have designated linebacker Cole Holcomb, defensive lineman Logan Lee, and wide receiver Roman Wilson for return. Holcomb is on the physically unable to perform list and the other two players are on injured reserve. Holcomb is recovering from a 2023 knee injury. He had 54 …

Texas football returns to Atlanta after competing in the SEC championship game there on Dec. 7, and this time the fifth-seeded Longhorns are playing in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal against No. 4 Arizona State, the Big 12 champion. Can the Longhorns (12-2) cool off a red-hot Sun Devils squad that has soared to rare heights under second-year coach Kenny Dillingham? Arizona …

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s right elbow injury will likely end his 2024 season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on a Tuesday conference call that Purdy will probably not play against the Cardinals in Week 18. Purdy injured his elbow in Monday night’s loss to the Lions and had an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. Shanahan described the …