By KYLE HIGHTOWER and ROB MAADDI AP Sports Writers Former Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels has agreed to become the New England Patriots offensive coordinator, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the contract was being finalized. This will […]
Kyle Hightower | AP Sports Writer
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Jayson Tatum scores 30 as Celtics break out of shooting slump in 121-94 win over Magic
BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and the Boston Celtics ran past the Orlando Magic 121-94 on Friday night. With freshman star Cooper Flagg and his Duke teammates looking on from the stands, Tatum, a former Blue Devils standout, went 12 of 21 from the floor to help Boston break out of a recent shooting […]
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New Patriots coach Mike Vrabel says he knew in ‘my soul that this is the place I wanted to be’
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — When Mike Vrabel began his post-NFL playing career as an assistant coach at Ohio State in 2011, he had thoughts of one day returning to the New England Patriots. He also knew that if that was ever going to happen, he first needed to leave Foxborough. “I think it was important […]
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New England hires former Patriots Super Bowl champ Mike Vrabel as its next coach
The New England Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel as their head coach. The team announced the hiring Sunday morning, a week after Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo following the team’s season-ending victory over the Buffalo Bills. Mayo finished 4-13 in his lone season. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, former Houston Texans offensive […]
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Domantas Sabonis has 23 points and career-high 28 rebounds as Kings rally to beat Celtics 114-97
BOSTON (AP) — Domantas Sabonis had 23 points and a career-high 28 rebounds and the Sacramento Kings used a fourth quarter rally to beat the Boston Celtics 114-97 on Friday night. The victory extended Sacramento’s season-high win streak to six games. It was Sabonis’ 33rd double-double of the season and 24th game of his career […]
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Patriots interview Lions OC Ben Johnson for coaching vacancy, the 4th candidate to meet with team
BOSTON (AP) — The New England Patriots could be on the verge of hiring their next coach after completing an interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Friday, the fourth candidate to be brought in as part of the search to fill the vacancy created by the firing of Jerod Mayo. The Patriots previously announced […]
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Patriots fire coach Jerod Mayo shortly after beating Bills to finish his lone season at 4-13
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots fired coach Jerod Mayo on Sunday after one season, beginning another reboot for the franchise just a year after it parted with longtime coach Bill Belichick. Owner Robert Kraft announced the firing in a statement shortly after New England closed its 4-13 season with a 23-16 win over […]
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Patriots beat Bills 23-16 to cost themselves top draft pick. Coach Jerod Mayo fired after game
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots concluded a bitter season on a high note. It wasn’t enough to save their coach’s job. Joe Milton III passed for a touchdown and ran for another in his professional debut, and the Patriots cost themselves the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft with a […]
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Playoff-bound Bills planning to rest most starters in regular-season finale vs. struggling Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The final meeting of the season between the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots doesn’t have any playoff implications. But both teams have plenty to play for. The Bills (13-3) enter the week locked into the No. 2 seed for the AFC playoffs following last week’s rout of the New York Jets. Typically, […]
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After lopsided loss, Patriots recognize an offseason roster overhaul is likely
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Following his team’s latest setback, a season-worst 40-7 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo didn’t hold his tongue about what continue to be New England’s most glaring deficiencies. “This is what I told the players, there’s really nothing good to take out of that game today. Just the lack […]
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Herbert tosses 3 TD passes and Chargers secure a playoff spot with a 40-7 rout of Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — As spontaneous celebrations rippled throughout the Los Angeles Chargers’ locker room after their resounding 40-7 win over the New England Patriots, coach Jim Harbaugh grabbed general manager Joe Hortiz and wrapped him up in a bear hug. “Love you!” Harbaugh said. “Love you!” Hortiz responded. “Great job! Let’s keep it going,” Harbaugh replied, […]
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Jaylen Brown scores season-high 44 points, Celtics cruise past Pacers 142-105
BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored a season-high 44 points, including six 3-pointers, and the Boston Celtics snapped a two-game skid with a 142-105 rout over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. Jayson Tatum added 22 points and 13 rebounds for Boston, which connected on 23 3s and never trailed. Brown also had four steals […]
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Patriots coach Jerod Mayo believes narrow loss to Bills shows potential of his young team
Several times following New England’s 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said he wanted to review the game film before making a final assessment of his team’s performance. He did, and on Monday he said the overarching feeling he was left with was one of pride. Going toe-to-toe with one of the best […]
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Zach LaVine scores season-high 36 points to help the Bulls hold off the Celtics 117-108
BOSTON (AP) — Zach LaVine scored a season-high 36 points and the Chicago Bulls used a fourth-quarter flurry to hold off the Boston Celtics 117-108 on Thursday night in the opener of a home-and-home set. The teams will meet again in Chicago on Saturday night. Ayo Dosunmu added 17 points and Nikola Vucevic had 16 […]
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Pritchard scores 27 and hits 7 3-pointers to help Celtics earn 20th win, power past Pistons 123-99
BOSTON (AP) — Payton Pritchard scored 27 points, and the Boston Celtics used a big second half to post their 20th victory and roll past the Detroit Pistons 123-99 on Thursday night. Pritchard finished with seven 3-pointers to continue to build his early case for Sixth Man of the Year honors. Derrick White added 23 […]
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Ja Morant scores 32 to help Grizzlies beat Celtics 127-121 and snap 10-game losing streak in Boston
BOSTON (AP) — Ja Morant had 32 points, nine assists and nine rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies snapped a 10-game losing streak in Boston with a 127-121 win over the Celtics on Saturday night. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 27 points and nine rebounds for Memphis, which won in TD Garden for the first time since […]
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Jayson Tatum scores 34, Celtics beat Bucks 111-105 to spoil Khris Middleton’s season debut
BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 34 points and 10 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics held on to beat the Bucks 111-105 on Friday night in Khris Middelton’s season debut for Milwaukee. Jaylen Brown added 25 points as the Celtics made 17 3-pointers to earn their 10th victory in 11 games. Damian Lillard finished with […]
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Patriots’ coaches enter bye week confident Drake Maye can be a franchise quarterback
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye’s arrival in New England coincided with a wholesale reset for the Patriots franchise following the departure of coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Mac Jones this past offseason. In his eight starts since assuming the reins from veteran Jacoby Brissett, the rookie quarterback has provided encouraging examples of what the […]
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Patriots turn their attention to the future after being eliminated from playoff contention
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots are focused on the future following their 25-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots (3-10) were officially eliminated from playoff contention with the loss Sunday, meaning that this week’s bye in many ways will begin the process of the coaching staff and front office evaluating the roster […]
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Richardson throws for TD and runs for 2 with 12 seconds left as Colts beat Patriots 25-24
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Anthony Richardson is getting used to having the ball in his hands in close games. And he’s learning how to win in those situations. Indianapolis’ second-year quarterback threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Alec Pierce with 12 seconds left and ran for the go-ahead 2-point conversion, and the Colts beat New England […]
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Colts begin final five-game stretch against Patriots with a chance to make a run at the playoffs
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Anthony Richardson has been through a bit of everything during his first two NFL seasons. He had his rookie year cut short after four games because of a shoulder injury last season. He dealt with a hip injury this season and then was benched for two games after he drew criticism for taking himself out […]
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Patriots heading back to the film room after their latest lopsided loss
The New England Patriots entered Sunday’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins feeling like they were a team ready to turn a corner after a season’s worth of struggles. A 34-15 loss in Miami revealed just how much more work is left to do before they can make that pronouncement. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye struggled to make sense […]
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Jaylen Brown scores 29 points before Celtics beat Timberwolves 107-105 with late defensive stand
BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored the Celtics’ first 15 points on five consecutive 3-pointers and finished with 29 points, before Boston withstood a late charge to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-105 on Sunday. Jayson Tatum added 26 points and eight rebounds to help Boston post a season-high fifth straight victory. Anthony Edwards had 28 […]
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Pats deal with familiar issues, late-game miscues in loss to Rams
Execution was a culprit in multiple key moments of the New England Patriots’ 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. It’s become a weekly and troubling refrain this season from first-year coach Jerod Mayo as he tries to simultaneously build a culture and inspire a roster that has yet to put together back-to-back wins this […]
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Tatum’s 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime gives the Celtics a 126-123 victory over the Raptors
BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime and the Boston Celtics rallied to beat the Toronto Raptors 126-123 on Saturday night. Tatum finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Jaylen Brown added 27 points. Al Horford and Derrick White scored 18 points apiece. Toronto has lost seven straight games […]