Drew Brees
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks at the sideline for instructions during a NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers play the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild-card game on Sunday. (AP Photo/Alex Menendez)
Brady, SB champions focused on Eagles, not personal success

By Fred Goodall Jan. 14, 2022 04:42 PM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Jan. 13, 2022 11:30 AM EST
(an. 14 943 — Montreal’s Alex Smart scores three goals in his first NHL game and leads the Canadiens to a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks. ...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Jan. 13, 2022 11:28 AM EST
Jan. 14 943 — Montreal’s Alex Smart scores three goals in his first NHL game and leads the Canadiens to a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Black Hawks. ...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) waves to fans after the team defeated the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Arians believes Brady is NFL MVP, and it's not a close race

By Fred Goodall Jan. 10, 2022 07:21 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

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) celebrates with fans after their win over the Houston Texans in an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex )
NFL Today, Week 18

By The Associated Press Jan. 09, 2022 10:07 PM EST

Carolina Panthers running back Ameer Abdullah (20) dives for yardage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Bucs beat Panthers 41-17, earn No. 2 playoff seeding in NFC

By Fred Goodall Jan. 09, 2022 08:08 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) waves to fans after the team defeated the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
The Latest: Raiders beat Chargers with playoff spot on line

By The Associated Press Jan. 09, 2022 12:08 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)
Havin' a record year: NFL marks set to fall in Week 18

By Barry Wilner Jan. 07, 2022 02:55 AM 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

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold scrambles in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
SB Bowl champs won't rest healthy starters vs. Panthers

By The Associated Press Jan. 06, 2022 12:41 PM EST

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

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) catches a pass for an 18-yard touchdown as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward (35) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
NFL Today, Week 17

By The Associated Press Jan. 02, 2022 09:29 PM EST

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014 in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger will run out onto the Heinz Field turf for the 135th and likely final time on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, when the Steelers host Cleveland. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Bye Ben? Roethlisberger eyes one last stand at Heinz Field

By Will Graves Jan. 02, 2022 02:46 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

New Orleans Saints' Cameron Jordan (94) celebrates with P.J. Williams (26) after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Slater, David 4th-time nominees for NFL sportsmanship award

Dec. 30, 2021 10:54 AM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Dec. 29, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Dec. 30 1956 — The New York Giants win the NFL title with a 47-7 rout of the Chicago Bears. 1962 — The Green Bay Packers beat the New...

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

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Dec. 25, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Dec. 26 1908 — Jack Johnson becomes the first black man to win the world heavyweight boxing title, with a 14th-round knockout of Tommy Burns in Sydney,...