PHILADELPHIA — In the Season 11 premiere of HBO’s "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Albert Brooks decides to host what he calls a “live funeral.” Brooks, in the episode, says attending five “real funerals” in a three-year span sparked a “different way of thinking about” the funeral. “The idea that people get together and friends get ...Read more

BALTIMORE — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson says that he doesn’t really pay attention to stats.

“I’m trying to win,” he said Thursday afternoon in Owings Mills.

Whether he notices them or not, the numbers continue to pile up, particularly on Monday nights.

For his career, Baltimore is 7-2 on “Monday Night Football” with Jackson...Read more

CHICAGO — The sky isn’t falling in Chicago, even though it might feel like it is.

That’s the message veteran safety Kevin Byard III wanted to get across to his teammates this week. As the saying goes, the NFL is a results-oriented business — and the Bears are 0-2 and coming off a 52-21 drubbing at the hands of the Detroit Lions. The ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The 49ers may be leaning toward having Mac Jones make a second consecutive start this weekend, but weren’t ready to declare their intentions on Thursday.

Starting quarterback Brock Purdy was on the field during the media window, along with Jones and No. 3 quarterback Adrian Martinez. The 49ers even had Purdy make his ...Read more

Here’s a look back at Week 2’s action and fantasy advice for the week ahead:

WEEK 2 RECAP

Packers 27, Commanders 18: With Jayden Reed breaking his collarbone in the win over Washington, I’m giving Romeo Doubs a slight edge over Dontayvion Wicks on the waiver wire, but both receivers should see a boost in target share with Reed sidelined....Read more

Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups and makes his predictions for Week 3 of the NFL season.

All lines and over/under numbers are according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Last week, Farmer posted a 14-2 (.875) record. Through the first two weeks of the season, he is 24-8 (.750). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer ...Read more

Had a better Week 2 after a tough go of it to open. That’s improvement and we’ll take it — but we’re far from satisfied. As the season settles in and finds its rhythm so does the knowledge of how the teams have evolved. That will begin to show in our records, both straight-up and vs. the Evil Betting Line. Had better, anyway! Last week ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers have long sought to build through the draft.

However, if the current production doesn't soon increase, it'll be impossible to ignore concerns about what appears to be a dilapidated — or in some cases nonexistent — structure.

Broderick Jones (first round, 2023) and Troy Fautanu (first round, 2024) are the ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Here are two moments from Sunday. Here are two moments that speak to why so many people who cover and follow the NFL are fixated on and frustrated by the Eagles these days.

Here’s the first: Late that night, the critic and media mogul Bill Simmons recorded an episode of his eponymous podcast. During his conversation with his ...Read more

FOXBORO, Mass. — Both quarterbacks will be using the same grip Sunday when the Patriots take on the Steelers.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye revealed Wednesday that, when he was in eighth grade, he Googled how Rodgers held the football.

“I’ve had the grip ever since,” Maye said smiling on Wednesday.

Maye told the Boston Herald last ...Read more

FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots are one step closer to having their top defensive player return to action.

Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez practiced Wednesday for the first time since injuring his hamstring July 28 in the first week of training camp. He wasn’t a full participant during the portion of practice open to reporters but did ...Read more

CHICAGO — Matt Eberflus first caught Ben Johnson’s attention in 2018.

When the Miami Dolphins, for whom Johnson was the wide receivers coach, played against Eberflus’ Indianapolis Colts defense, it was apparent how hard Eberflus’ defenders rallied to the football. A year later Johnson joined the Detroit Lions staff and later found ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The Raiders haven’t eased Ashton Jeanty in as a rookie. But they haven’t fully unleashed the running back, either.

Jeanty, last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up at Boise State, has 30 carries through two games. He had 11 rushing attempts in the Raiders’ loss to the Chargers on Monday and was given the ball on consecutive ...Read more

GREG COTE’S NFL WEEK 3 THURSDAY PICK

DOLPHINS (0-2) at BILLS (2-0)

Line: BUF by 11 1/2.

Cote’s pick: BUF, 30-20.

TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.

NFL’s kickoff to Week 3 seems at a glance like a mismatch. But the comically extreme national overreaction of most media, fans and small-plane renters to the Dolphins’ early season ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Brock Purdy returned to practice Wednesday as the 49ers gauge his availability for Sunday’s home opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

“He does have a chance,” coach Kyle Shanahan said.

There is also a chance Purdy serves as the backup quarterback if the 49ers give Mac Jones a second consecutive start, Shanahan ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The Raiders may not see star quarterback Jayden Daniels when they face the Washington Commanders on the road Sunday.

Washington coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Daniels, the reigning offensive rookie of the year, would not practice until at least Friday due to a knee injury.

Daniels, 24, was hurt late in the Commanders’ 27-...Read more