![By FRED GOODALL TAMPA, Fla. — A rejuvenated Baker Mayfield says he’s focused on defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, not the future of a career he’s revived by leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the NFL playoffs. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 draft arguably has had his best season as a pro, guiding the resurgent Bucs (9-8) to what six weeks ago seemed an unlikely prospect — a third straight division title and a wild-card matchup Jan. 15 against the reeling defending NFC champion Eagles (11-6). Since joining Tampa Bay on a one-year, $4 million contract last March, […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24007733083981-2.jpg?w=132 "By FRED GOODALL TAMPA, Fla. — A rejuvenated Baker Mayfield says he’s focused on defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, not the future of a career he’s revived by leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the NFL playoffs. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 draft arguably has had his best season as a pro, guiding the resurgent Bucs (9-8) to what six weeks ago seemed an unlikely prospect — a third straight division title and a wild-card matchup Jan. 15 against the reeling defending NFC champion Eagles (11-6). Since joining Tampa Bay on a one-year, $4 million contract last March, […]")
Baker Mayfield focused on defeating Eagles in playoffs, not his future with Buccaneers
By FRED GOODALL TAMPA, Fla. — A rejuvenated Baker Mayfield says he’s focused on defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, not the future of a career he’s revived by leading the Tampa...
![By KRISTIE RIEKEN HOUSTON — Rookie C.J. Stroud became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game after throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns, and the Texans returned two interceptions by Joe Flacco for scores in a 45-14 rout of the Browns in a wild-card matchup Jan. 13. Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft last April, is also the highest-drafted rookie QB to win in the postseason. He picked apart Cleveland’s vaunted defense, throwing touchdown passes of 15, 76 and 37 yards At 22 years and 102 days old, he passed Michael Vick, who was 22 years, […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TNH-L-FBN-Browns-0113-02-5.jpg?w=132 "By KRISTIE RIEKEN HOUSTON — Rookie C.J. Stroud became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game after throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns, and the Texans returned two interceptions by Joe Flacco for scores in a 45-14 rout of the Browns in a wild-card matchup Jan. 13. Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft last April, is also the highest-drafted rookie QB to win in the postseason. He picked apart Cleveland’s vaunted defense, throwing touchdown passes of 15, 76 and 37 yards At 22 years and 102 days old, he passed Michael Vick, who was 22 years, […]")
![By ARNIE STAPLETON Lamar Jackson will miss out on wild-card weekend for a second straight year, and this time it’s for a much better reason. The Baltimore Ravens and their star quarterback earned the AFC’s top playoff seed and the conference’s sole bye with a dominant regular-season run just one year after uncertainty clouded Jackson’s health and future. Jackson missed the final five regular-season games and the playoffs a year ago because of a left knee injury, and Tyler Huntley started in his place when the Ravens lost to Cincinnati in a wild-card round game. That was followed by months of doubt […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TNH-L-FBN-Browns-Jets3-1228-01.jpg?w=132 "By ARNIE STAPLETON Lamar Jackson will miss out on wild-card weekend for a second straight year, and this time it’s for a much better reason. The Baltimore Ravens and their star quarterback earned the AFC’s top playoff seed and the conference’s sole bye with a dominant regular-season run just one year after uncertainty clouded Jackson’s health and future. Jackson missed the final five regular-season games and the playoffs a year ago because of a left knee injury, and Tyler Huntley started in his place when the Ravens lost to Cincinnati in a wild-card round game. That was followed by months of doubt […]")
![By Associated Press CLEVELAND (11-6) at HOUSTON (10-7) Jan. 13, 4:30 p.m., WKYC OPENING LINE: Browns by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. AGAINST THE SPREAD: Cleveland 10-6-1; Houston 9-8. SERIES RECORD: Tied 7-7. LAST MEETING: Cleveland beat Houston 36-22 on Dec. 24 in Houston. LAST WEEK: Browns lost to Bengals 31-14; Texans beat Colts 23-19. BROWNS OFFENSE: OVERALL (16), RUSH (12), PASS (19), SCORING (10). BROWNS DEFENSE: OVERALL (1), RUSH (11), PASS (1), SCORING (13). TEXANS OFFENSE: OVERALL (12), RUSH (23), PASS (7), SCORING (14). TEXANS DEFENSE: OVERALL (14), RUSH (6), PASS (23), SCORING (11). TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Browns minus-9; Texans […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TNH-L-BrownsJets-1229-49.jpg?w=115 "By Associated Press CLEVELAND (11-6) at HOUSTON (10-7) Jan. 13, 4:30 p.m., WKYC OPENING LINE: Browns by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. AGAINST THE SPREAD: Cleveland 10-6-1; Houston 9-8. SERIES RECORD: Tied 7-7. LAST MEETING: Cleveland beat Houston 36-22 on Dec. 24 in Houston. LAST WEEK: Browns lost to Bengals 31-14; Texans beat Colts 23-19. BROWNS OFFENSE: OVERALL (16), RUSH (12), PASS (19), SCORING (10). BROWNS DEFENSE: OVERALL (1), RUSH (11), PASS (1), SCORING (13). TEXANS OFFENSE: OVERALL (12), RUSH (23), PASS (7), SCORING (14). TEXANS DEFENSE: OVERALL (14), RUSH (6), PASS (23), SCORING (11). TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Browns minus-9; Texans […]")
![By RALPH D. RUSSO Two years ago, Nick Saban sat at the head of a long, cluttered table in the meeting room adjacent to his office and talked about how college football was rapidly changing in ways that would challenge the process he used to build the Alabama dynasty. “Whether we’re recruiting you or whether you’re on our team, your focus should be on development,” Saban told the AP in March 2022. “It’s my job is to create a platform where you have a chance to develop and be successful as a person and as a student and as a player. I’d […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24001814318200-1.jpg?w=132 "By RALPH D. RUSSO Two years ago, Nick Saban sat at the head of a long, cluttered table in the meeting room adjacent to his office and talked about how college football was rapidly changing in ways that would challenge the process he used to build the Alabama dynasty. “Whether we’re recruiting you or whether you’re on our team, your focus should be on development,” Saban told the AP in March 2022. “It’s my job is to create a platform where you have a chance to develop and be successful as a person and as a student and as a player. I’d […]")
![By KRISTIE RIEKEN HOUSTON — C.J. Stroud was blown away the first time he worked out with Nico Collins. Houston’s rookie quarterback knew immediately that the receiver was special. “I said: ‘You’re a superstar,’” Stroud recalled. Collins doesn’t remember the interaction but said that’s probably because Stroud is always encouraging him and providing positive feedback. “I really don’t, but I believe he said it … we always motivate each other, man,” Collins said. “I feel like that’s why things get kind of blurry.” As the Texans return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019 on Jan. 13 when […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24007056980509-1.jpg?w=132 "By KRISTIE RIEKEN HOUSTON — C.J. Stroud was blown away the first time he worked out with Nico Collins. Houston’s rookie quarterback knew immediately that the receiver was special. “I said: ‘You’re a superstar,’” Stroud recalled. Collins doesn’t remember the interaction but said that’s probably because Stroud is always encouraging him and providing positive feedback. “I really don’t, but I believe he said it … we always motivate each other, man,” Collins said. “I feel like that’s why things get kind of blurry.” As the Texans return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019 on Jan. 13 when […]")
![By KYLE HIGHTOWER and JIMMY GOLEN FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Bill Belichick had a vision of building the kind of sustained championship football team that had rarely been seen before in the NFL when he was hired by the New England Patriots. He walks away feeling like it was a job well done. The six-time NFL champion agreed to depart as the coach of the Patriots, ending his 24-year tenure as the architect of the most decorated dynasty of the league’s Super Bowl era. “It’s with so many fond memories and thoughts that I think about the Patriots,” Belichick said on […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24011639030074-1.jpg?w=132 "By KYLE HIGHTOWER and JIMMY GOLEN FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Bill Belichick had a vision of building the kind of sustained championship football team that had rarely been seen before in the NFL when he was hired by the New England Patriots. He walks away feeling like it was a job well done. The six-time NFL champion agreed to depart as the coach of the Patriots, ending his 24-year tenure as the architect of the most decorated dynasty of the league’s Super Bowl era. “It’s with so many fond memories and thoughts that I think about the Patriots,” Belichick said on […]")
![PARIS — Donovan Mitchell scored a season-high 45 points and the Cavaliers beat the Nets, 111-102, on Jan. 11 in the NBA’s third regular-season game in Paris. Mitchell had his 16th 40-point game in just two seasons in Cleveland. He added 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals, joining LeBron James as the only Cavaliers with at least 45 points, 10 boards, five assists and three steals in a game. He’d like to join James on the list of U.S. men’s basketball gold medalists when Paris hosts the Olympics this summer. “I’d love to come back and play in the […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24011769083779-1.jpg?w=132 "PARIS — Donovan Mitchell scored a season-high 45 points and the Cavaliers beat the Nets, 111-102, on Jan. 11 in the NBA’s third regular-season game in Paris. Mitchell had his 16th 40-point game in just two seasons in Cleveland. He added 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals, joining LeBron James as the only Cavaliers with at least 45 points, 10 boards, five assists and three steals in a game. He’d like to join James on the list of U.S. men’s basketball gold medalists when Paris hosts the Olympics this summer. “I’d love to come back and play in the […]")
![By MITCH STACY COLUMBUS — Max Klesmit scored all of his 18 points in the second half as No. 15 Wisconsin won its fifth straight, rallying to beat Ohio State, 71-60, on Wednesday night. A 3-pointer from Klesmit put Wisconsin up by 1 with 5:16 left. The defense kept the clamps on Ohio State as Klesmit kept shooting, scoring nine of the last 14 points for the Badgers (12-3, 4-0 Big Ten). AJ Storr had 15 of his 17 points in the first half for the Badgers, the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten. Jamison Battle had another […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24011136384610.jpg?w=132 "By MITCH STACY COLUMBUS — Max Klesmit scored all of his 18 points in the second half as No. 15 Wisconsin won its fifth straight, rallying to beat Ohio State, 71-60, on Wednesday night. A 3-pointer from Klesmit put Wisconsin up by 1 with 5:16 left. The defense kept the clamps on Ohio State as Klesmit kept shooting, scoring nine of the last 14 points for the Badgers (12-3, 4-0 Big Ten). AJ Storr had 15 of his 17 points in the first half for the Badgers, the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten. Jamison Battle had another […]")
![By RALPH D. RUSSO PHOENIX — NCAA President Charlie Baker says Michigan won the national championship “fair and square” and defended his decision to inform the school and the Big Ten during the season that the association’s enforcement staff was investigating allegations of an in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme. The top-ranked Wolverines beat No. 2 Washington to win the College Football Playoff on Monday night, capping a perfect season, the back half of which was shadowed by the NCAA investigation and led to the Big Ten’s three-game suspension of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. In a meeting with reporters, Baker explained why the NCAA […]](https://www.morningjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP24009187761267-2.jpg?w=132 "By RALPH D. RUSSO PHOENIX — NCAA President Charlie Baker says Michigan won the national championship “fair and square” and defended his decision to inform the school and the Big Ten during the season that the association’s enforcement staff was investigating allegations of an in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme. The top-ranked Wolverines beat No. 2 Washington to win the College Football Playoff on Monday night, capping a perfect season, the back half of which was shadowed by the NCAA investigation and led to the Big Ten’s three-game suspension of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. In a meeting with reporters, Baker explained why the NCAA […]")