AP National Sports

By The Associated Press Aside from COVID-19 concerns there appears little in the way preventing the Buffalo Bills from matching or building off their breakthrough season. The Bills return 10 starters each on offense and defense from a team that won its first AFC East title since 1995 and made its deepest playoff run in

By The Associated Press The defense led by Chase Young is the biggest reason to believe Washington can again contend for the NFC East title and make the playoffs. The unit ranked second in the NFL last season and could be even better with the addition of first-round pick Jamin Davis at linebacker and return

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Phil Mickelson is returning for his 13th consecutive Ryder Cup, this time without his clubs. Mickelson fills out the roster of five assistant captains to Steve Stricker for the American team that tries to win the cup back from Europe at Whistling Straits later this month.

By The Associated Press New York Giants co-owner John Mara was on point saying his team looks better on paper heading into its second season under Joe Judge. The Giants went 6-10, finishing a game behind NFC East winner Washington. They went 5-3 in the second half. The roster is deeper. Receiver Kenny Golladay, tight

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer SEATTLE (AP) — There have come a few tipping point moments in the tenure of Pete Carroll as coach of the Seattle Seahawks. The 2021 season is shaping up as another of those pivotal seasons. After an offseason of drama, including questions about Russell Wilson’s future in Seattle, the

By DEBORA REY and MAURICIO SAVARESE Associated Press BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Argentina’s national team expects to keep its Premier League-based players for all three of its upcoming World Cup qualifiers, in defiance of English clubs which recommended they not travel. Coach Lionel Scaloni says he is not aware of any deal to release members

By The Associated Press The Eagles are rebuilding with rookie coach Nick Sirianni, second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts and a young roster. Playing in the lowly NFC East could keep the Eagles somewhat in contention but the team has too many holes to compete for a playoff spot. Finding out if Hurts is the long-term answer

By JENNIFER PELTZ and JAKE SEINER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mets acting general manager Zack Scott was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated, hours after attending a fundraiser at team owner Steve Cohen’s house. Scott was arrested on a DUI charge around 4:15 a.m. Tuesday in suburban White Plains, New

By The Associated Press The hiring of coach Robert Saleh set off a wave of optimism throughout the New York Jets facility, with several players remarking how much they respected the coach’s approach and philosophy. Now those good vibes need to transfer to the field. The Jets have a rookie quarterback still learning his way

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt is dealing with a knee injury, leaving his status for a Week 1 visit to Buffalo uncertain. Tuitt did not practice with his teammates at all during training camp, though coach Mike Tomlin declined to go into specifics about why Tuitt was sitting out. Defensive coordinator

By The Associated Press The Patriots spent a lot of money this offseason to put their 7-9 finish in 2020 without Tom Brady behind them. They also are giving the keys to the offense to a rookie with Mac Jones set to start at quarterback after Bill Belichick’s surprise release of Cam Newton. Tight ends

By The Associated Press A 30-point loss in the 2020 season finale at Buffalo suggests the Miami Dolphins have lots of ground to make up to contend for the AFC East title in coach Brian Flores’ third season. Much depends on the development of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who went 6-3 as a rookie starter last

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Washington will remain the Football Team this season but has higher expectations after winning the NFC East at 7-9 in Ron Rivera’s first year as coach. After bringing in 38-year-old “FitzMagic” quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to start, Washington is straddling the line between winning now and

CINCINNATI (AP) — Nick Castellanos drove in six runs with a grand slam and a two-run shot in the first two innings, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 12-2 to split a doubleheader. Cincinnati rocked starter J.A. Happ and regained a half-game lead over San Diego for second in the NL wild-card

By The Associated Press The pressure is on Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer after a 7-9 finish in 2020. They each received a contract extension last year but have won only two playoff games in seven seasons together. The Vikings are in win-now mode with a $31 million salary

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Justin Herbert and Brandon Staley have created plenty of buzz around the Los Angeles Chargers. Whether both can help lead a turnaround after two disappointing seasons remains one of the more intriguing questions in the AFC going into the Sept. 12 opener at Washington.

By The Associated Press The Chicago Bears gave their frustrated fan base a big jolt of excitement when they traded up nine spots with the New York Giants to draft Justin Fields with the No. 11 pick. The former Ohio State star showed promise during the preseason. But he is set to open as the

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Steve Wilks is the new defensive coordinator at Missouri, where he replaced Ryan Walters after his departure for Illinois. Wilks has been in the NFL since 2005, working in defensive backfields and as the defensive coordinator at a number of stops. He spent one season

By The Associated Press The Detroit Lions seem set up for a fourth straight double-digit loss season. First-year general manager Brad Holmes and first-year coach Dan Campbell will need more than a year to turn around a team that lost a lot under former general manager Bob Quinn and ex-coach Matt Patricia. Detroit’s defense was

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer The New York Islanders finalized most of their offseason work in one day by signing four players to multiyear contracts. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin got a three-year deal for $12 million, homegrown forward Anthony Beauvillier got three years and $12.45 million, deadline pickup Kyle Palmieri got $20 million over four