Titans fire Whisenhunt as head coach

The Tennessee Titans have fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt less than two years after signing him to a five-year contract, the NFL team said on Tuesday.
The Titans lost 20-6 to the Houston Texans on Sunday, their sixth straight defeat.

Smith sees himself as Jets' QB 'for a long time'

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- Geno Smith is unfazed by all the critics and doubters.

There are lots of them, for sure. There's a growing contingent of fans and media who think Smith's time as a New York Jets quarterback is over - no matter what happens Sunday in the season finale at Miami.

Smith has news for you: He believes he's only getting started.

Jackson seeks to spark Bills' pedestrian run game

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- It's no secret to Fred Jackson that the Buffalo Bills have struggled running the ball this season.

Little did the veteran running back realize how historically bad the production has been. Jackson was taken aback when informed the Bills are in jeopardy of setting a franchise-low over a 16-game season heading into their final game at New England (12-3) on Sunday.

Dalton sick as Bengals get ready for Pittsburgh

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Andy Dalton was sent home with the flu on Wednesday, one of four Cincinnati Bengals who missed a rain-soaked practice as they prepared to play the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North title.

The Bengals (10-4-1) expect Dalton to be fully recovered by the time they go to Pittsburgh (10-5) for a Sunday night game that will decide the championship and

Cutler realizes Bears could be in for changes

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Jay Cutler is ready for just about any scenario next week after the Chicago Bears' dismal season comes to an end.

He understands changes could be coming, that coaches could be gone and so could he. Cutler says that's ''part of it.''

Everything coming together for Tannehill

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Everything seems to be coming together for Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill
.
With one game remaining in his third season under center, his numbers in all significant categories are up. So is the confidence his coaches have in him.

NFL pass-rushers turn to martial arts tactics

DENVER (AP) -- Denver defensive end DeMarcus Ware considers himself a mixed martial artist on the football field.

Ever since his rookie year in 2005, he's spent as much time in the offseason working on his handwork with a second generation Bruce Lee student as he has working out at a traditional gym.

Panthers-Falcons Preview

While most six-win teams have turned their attention to next year, the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons surprisingly enter Week 17 with everything on the line.

These NFC South rivals are set to go toe-to-toe for the title in the NFL's weakest division, with Sunday's winner advancing to host a playoff game and the loser going home.

Placekickers who punt, punters who place-kick

A brutal hit while having a punt blocked sidelined San Diego's Mike Scifres with a broken left collarbone.

In came placekicker Nick Novak, charged with one of the most important roles in special teams. He hadn't punted since high school and barely practices it as a pro.

Broncos have NFL-high 9 Pro Bowlers

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- First-timer Chris Harris Jr. is among the Denver Broncos' league-leading nine Pro Bowlers, including Peyton Manning, whose 14th selection is tied for the most ever among NFL players.

''Oh man, that's what happens when you win

Manning leads NFL-high nine Broncos into Pro Bowl

New York (AFP) - Peyton Manning was named to his NFL-best 14th Pro Bowl to lead a league-best nine Denver Broncos players into the annual all-star game, the NFL announced.

The superstar quarterback, who won a Super Bowl title with Indianapolis, lost in last February's title game against Seattle but hopes to lift the Broncos back to the championship

Rodgers getting better, should be ready for Pack vs Lions

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Fighting back sniffles in front of his locker, Aaron Rodgers sounded at times like he would be better off resting up in bed.

But a lingering illness didn't keep the quarterback from Packers practice Tuesday. It doesn't sound like a strained left calf will keep him from playing in Sunday's showdown against the Detroit Lions, either, for the NFC North title.

Jets' Ryan believes 'one day' he'll win Super Bowl

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- Rex Ryan still believes he'll be a championship-winning coach in the NFL. Whether he gets another chance with the New York Jets remains to be seen.

Ryan says Tuesday he's confident ''one day'' he'll ''definitely'' win

Florida St.-Oregon Preview

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- - Jameis Winston won the last Heisman Trophy. Marcus Mariota has won the award this year.

And on New Year's Day, the two most decorated quarterbacks in college football will go head-to-head in the Granddaddy of Them All.

Defending national champion Florida State (13-0) will face

Kansas St.-UCLA Preview

While Kansas State came up short in its attempt to earn a share of the Big 12 title, UCLA can't forget its stumble with an opportunity to advance to the Pac-12 championship game in the regular-season finale.

Both squads will seek redemption in the Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2 when the 11th-ranked Wildcats and No. 14 Bruins try to reach 10 wins in what's likely to be Brett Hundley's final game for UCLA.

Washington-Oklahoma St. Preview

Oklahoma State needed a miracle play in its last game to clinch bowl eligibility.

It got the play. The Cowboys no longer have the player.

They'll be without Tyreek Hill when they face Washington in the Cactus Bowl on Jan. 2 in Tempe, Arizona.

Trailing Oklahoma by a touchdown with under a minute to play Dec. 6, Hill returned a punt 92 yards for the tying score, setting up the Cowboys (6-6) to win 38-35 in overtime. Two days later, Hill was named to the AP All-Big 12 team.

Arkansas-Texas Preview

Charlie Strong and Bret Bielema were hired to help Texas and Arkansas rebuild their programs. A trip to the Texas Bowl certainly doesn't get them back in the national spotlight, but it's a step in the right direction.

The former Southwest Conference rivals meet Monday night in Houston, with the Longhorns looking to give Strong a bowl victory in his first season in charge and the Razorbacks trying to end their breakthrough year with another big win.

Georgia-Louisville Preview

Bobby Petrino's return to coaching at Western Kentucky in 2013 did not end with a bowl invite despite an 8-4 season for the Hilltoppers.

Prowling the sideline again at Louisville, however, has him back in a familiar place.

Petrino leads the No. 20 Cardinals into Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Dec. 30 for a tough Belk Bowl matchup with 13th-ranked Georgia.

In its fourth year since a six-year stint as the Meineke Car

Notre Dame-LSU Preview

LSU and Notre Dame realize elite teams play for national championships.

Both teams, though, had flaws that landed them in Nashville, Tennessee, for the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30.

There were points during the season when the 22nd-ranked Tigers (8-4) and the Fighting Irish (7-5) could have been those elite squads. LSU opened with

Missouri-Minnesota Preview

Having surpassed expectations again, Missouri will try for an unprecedented feat in program history in the Citrus Bowl.

The 16th-ranked Tigers will face a Minnesota team that's trying for a rare nine-win season in its first New Year's Day game in 53 years.

After losing 13 starters, Missouri was picked to finish fourth in