Stephon Gilmore
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and head coach Bill Belichick leave the field after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Latest loss reveals just how deep Patriots' problems run

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 26, 2020 04:38 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passes against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
San Francisco 49ers at New England Patriots 10/25/2020

Oct. 25, 2020 05:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Titans outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen, left, and head coach Mike Vrabel watch players during NFL football training camp in Nashville, Tenn. The NFL and the NFL Players Association found instances when the Titans failed to wear masks at all times and were “insufficiently clear” to players about not meeting or working out once the facility closed in a review given to the team Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, a person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press. But the person familiar with the review says there was no discussion of any discipline for an individual including general manager Jon Robinson, coach Mike Vrabel or any players, and there was no discussion of punishment, including forfeitures or draft picks.  (George Walker IV/The Tennessean via AP, Pool, File)
Sidelined by COVID-19 bigger issue for NFL players, coaches

By Teresa M. Walker Oct. 23, 2020 10:43 AM EDT

49ers' Garoppolo returns to New England to face former team

By The Associated Press Oct. 22, 2020 11:22 AM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO (3-3) at NEW ENGLAND (2-3) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT, CBS OPENING LINE — Patriots by 5 ...

Cincinnati Bengals' Tee Higgins (85) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Rock Ya-Sin (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 7

By Brandon C. Williams Oct. 21, 2020 02:07 PM EDT

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, center, bulls his way to the goal line and a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Mistakes too much for Patriots to overcome in 18-12 loss

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 18, 2020 07:35 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (91) and outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Steelers continue domination of Browns in Pittsburgh 38-7

By The Associated Press Oct. 18, 2020 05:10 PM EDT

Denver Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson, left, tackles New England Patriots running back Damien Harris in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
McManus' 6 FGs lift Broncos over Pats in COVID-delayed game

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 18, 2020 04:37 PM EDT

FILE - A passer-by walks past a New England Patriots football team logo near the Patriots ProShop at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots went back to work Saturday, Oct. 17, one day after a fifth player on the team tested positive for COVID-19 and one day before their twice-postponed game against the Denver Broncos.(AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Patriots place 3 more on COVID-IR but Broncos game still on

By The Associated Press Oct. 17, 2020 09:23 AM EDT

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (34) celebrates with teammates after Rodgers returned a kickoff for 101-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
AP source: Patriots cancel practice, positive COVID-19 test

By Barry Wilner Oct. 16, 2020 08:19 AM EDT

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio talks to officials during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J.Maybe the third time will actually bring a kickoff between for the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. After having their original Week 5 matchup twice postponed because of a mini outbreak of coronavirus cases on the Patriots that saw four players including quarterback Cam Newton and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore test positive, the teams are hopeful they will finally meet this week. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Patriots, Broncos try again to play twice postponed game

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 15, 2020 05:23 PM EDT

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton looks to pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Mass. Maybe the third time will actually bring a kickoff between for the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. After having their original Week 5 matchup twice postponed because of a mini outbreak of coronavirus cases on the Patriots that saw four players including quarterback Cam Newton and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore test positive, the teams are hopeful they will finally meet this week. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Newton, Gilmore return, putting both on track to play

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 15, 2020 03:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2020, file photo, members of the Tennessee Titans take part in the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, in Minneapolis. Tennessee will not be returning to the team's facility Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, after two more players tested positive in the NFL's first COVID-19 outbreak, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The Titans had no positive tests Monday or Tuesday for the first time after six consecutive days of positive results. A third straight day was necessary for the team to be allowed back in its headquarters.(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
NFL does major juggling of schedule due to coronavirus

By Barry Wilner And Teresa M. Walker Oct. 11, 2020 09:28 AM EDT

Injured Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay takes part in drills during NFL football practice Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Lindsay: juggling, uncertainty just part of 2020 NFL season

By Arnie Stapleton Oct. 10, 2020 04:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, file photo, the entrance to the Tennessee Titans' practice facility is shown in Nashville, Tenn. A person familiar with the situation says the Tennessee Titans have their second straight day without positive coronavirus tests, giving them the potential to reopen their facility Wednesday after the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. The Titans had no positive tests Monday and continued that trend Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Titans back at work, not talking about COVID-19 outbreak

By Teresa M. Walker Oct. 10, 2020 08:57 AM EDT

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio walks the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. The Broncos play the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Fangio: We all knew NFL season would be jumbled by COVID-19

By Arnie Stapleton Oct. 09, 2020 02:27 PM EDT

FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, file photo, the entrance to the Tennessee Titans' practice facility is shown in Nashville, Tenn. A person familiar with the situation says the Tennessee Titans have their second straight day without positive coronavirus tests, giving them the potential to reopen their facility Wednesday after the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. The Titans had no positive tests Monday and continued that trend Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
AP source: Jets have presumptive positive COVID-19 test

By Teresa M. Walker And Barry Wilner Oct. 09, 2020 10:38 AM EDT

Houston Texans NFL football interim head coach Romeo Crennel runs his first practice leading the team Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at The Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
High-powered Browns take on stingy Colts in showcase game

By Barry Wilner Oct. 08, 2020 11:51 PM EDT

New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu, bottom, and safety Juan Thornhill (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Chiefs ride suddenly stingy defense as Raiders visit Sunday

By Dave Skretta Oct. 08, 2020 05:17 PM EDT

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio walks the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. The Broncos play the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 11. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pats prepare to host Broncos in shadow of positive tests

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 08, 2020 04:52 PM EDT