Jameis Winston
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) walks off the field at the end of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 42-21. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Steelers face long-overdue reboot as Roethlisberger exits

By Will Graves Jan. 17, 2022 12:45 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons running back Mike Davis (28) is hit by New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) causing Davis to fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Saints weathered adversity in 2021, competitive to the end

By Brett Martel Jan. 10, 2022 06:54 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates a 1-yard touchdown by running back Darrel Williams during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Brady, Rodgers, Mahomes make unusual season feel normal

By Rob Maaddi Jan. 06, 2022 04:48 PM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Jan. 05, 2022 10:00 AM EST
Jan. 6 1951 — The Indianapolis Olympians beat the Rochester Royals 75-73 in six overtimes, the longest game in NBA history. 1976 — Ted...

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) celebrates with outside linebacker Demario Davis (56) and middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (5) after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. The Saints won 18-20. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Saints gratified to close tough season with meaningful game

By Brett Martel Jan. 03, 2022 07:17 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, left, throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Brady, Buccaneers thriving despite losing big-name receivers

By Fred Goodall Jan. 03, 2022 06:43 PM EST

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule talks with quarterback Sam Darnold during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Saints aim to boost playoff prospects vs. reeling Panthers

By Brett Martel Dec. 30, 2021 08:13 PM EST

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2021 04:08 PM EST
Jan. 4 1970 — The Minnesota Vikings become the first expansion team to win the NFL title by beating the Cleveland Browns 27-7 in 8-degree temperatures...

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, left, celebrates with outside linebacker Demario Davis (56) after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. Allen was filling for Sean Payton as head coach after Payton was diagnosed with Covid-19. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Saints' Hill, Davis, 9 others are back, Williams to reserve

Dec. 29, 2021 08:20 PM EST

New York Jets middle linebacker C.J. Mosley, left, tackles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Lawrence, McCaffrey, Jones headline 2021 All-Absent Team

By Mark Long Dec. 29, 2021 05:35 AM EST

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Saints focused on playoff push after outbreak set them back

By Brett Martel Dec. 28, 2021 06:31 PM EST

FILE - New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book warms up before the team;s NFL football game against the New York Giants in New Orleans on Oct. 3, 2021. The rookie out of Notre Dame, selected by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, is expected to take his first regular season NFL snaps on Monday night against Miami. A COVID-19 outbreak affecting more than a dozen Saints players including quarterbacks Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian left the Saints little choice but to elevate Book to a starting role this week. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle, File)
Saints' Book hails 'unbelievable opportunity' to make debut

By Brett Martel Dec. 24, 2021 07:29 PM EST

Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) reacts after grabbing an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Not much for certain playoffs wise as NFL enters Week 16

By Barry Wilner Dec. 23, 2021 11:59 PM EST

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) gestures at the end of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins defeated the Giants 20-9. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Dolphins, Saints weathered skids on way to high-stakes clash

By Brett Martel Dec. 23, 2021 08:21 PM EST

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) aims a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/WIlfredo Lee)
Lawrence-Wilson showdown diminished by Jags, Jets struggles

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Dec. 23, 2021 02:15 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) leaves the field with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich after the team lost to the New Orleans Saints during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Saints frustrate Brady again, beat SB champ Buccaneers 9-0

By Fred Goodall Dec. 19, 2021 11:38 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Breshad Perriman (16) reacts after scoring on a 55-yard touchdown pass against the Buffalo Bills during overtime of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Brady, Bucs look to clinch NFC South against nemesis Saints

By Fred Goodall Dec. 16, 2021 07:00 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs past Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
First place in AFC West at stake when Chiefs, Chargers clash

By The Associated Press Dec. 15, 2021 01:09 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) talks with an official during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Analysis: 7 teams who have let fans down bigtime in 2021

By Barry Wilner Dec. 10, 2021 03:37 PM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) works in the pocket against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Saints' Hill seizing starting QB role, damaged digit and all

By Brett Martel Dec. 08, 2021 08:24 PM EST