http://www.mail.com/organizations/3756-afc-south.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/organizations/3756-afc-south.html http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1762592-indianapolis-ready-to-face-texans-big-test.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Things are getting pretty simple in Indianapolis. Win one more game and the Colts are in the playoffs. Win the next two and Bruce Arians sets the NFL record for wins by an interim head coach. Win all three and they're AFC South champs with a home playoff game. The first hurdle is a big one: Sunday's game is at Houst... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:47:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1762592-indianapolis-ready-to-face-texans-big-test.html 2012-12-12T21:47:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1761914-bengals-recognize-eagles-quit.html The Philadelphia Eagles haven't completely given up on the season. They damaged Tampa Bay's playoff chances last weekend and get an opportunity Thursday night to do the same to the Cincinnati Bengals. It's a critical game for the Bengals (No. 16 in the AP Pro32). At 7-6, they are in the midst of the AFC wild-card race, tied with the Steelers and a game in... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1761914-bengals-recognize-eagles-quit.html 2012-12-12T20:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1759806-texans-win-colts-to-clinch-afc-south.html HOUSTON (AP) — Houston's blowout loss at New England exposed a variety of flaws, leaving the Texans with plenty to work on before they host Indianapolis on Sunday in a suddenly critical AFC South game. With a win, the Texans (11-2) can clinch their second straight division title. "We've got issues," coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday, a day after the 42-14 dr... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:42:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1759806-texans-win-colts-to-clinch-afc-south.html 2012-12-11T22:42:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757618-brady-throws-4-tds-patriots-top-texans-42-14.html FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Just another game for the New England Patriots. Just a wire-to-wire domination of the team with the NFL's best record. So when their 42-14 Monday night rout of the Houston Texans was complete, there were few big smiles and no loud music in the Patriots locker room. They've been here before — many times. "We've played in a countles... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:42:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757618-brady-throws-4-tds-patriots-top-texans-42-14.html 2012-12-11T07:42:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757374-patriots-rout-texans-42-14-key-afc-matchup.html FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady can't stop smiling these days. Or winning. Five days after becoming a father for a third time — something that brings the biggest grin of all to his face — Brady threw four touchdown passes, leading the Patriots to a 42-14 rout of the Houston Texans. If the game was a measuring stick in the AFC, New E... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 04:56:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757374-patriots-rout-texans-42-14-key-afc-matchup.html 2012-12-11T04:56:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757270-brady-throws-4-td-passes-pats-lead-texans-28-7.html FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes as the New England Patriots turned their much-hyped game against the Houston Texans into a mismatch, leading 28-7 after the third quarter on Monday night. The Texans (11-1) entered with the NFL's best record. The Patriots (9-3) had the AFC's third-best mark. But New England, with plenty of big... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 03:09:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1757270-brady-throws-4-td-passes-pats-lead-texans-28-7.html 2012-12-11T03:09:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755462-giants-cowboys-redskins-win-tight-nfc-east.html Winning was required to keep pace in the NFC East playoff race. Losing was all that was needed in the AFC North. The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants beat New Orleans with an offensive eruption fueled by David Wilson's record-setting performance. That 52-27 romp kept the Giants one game in front of Washington, which rallied to beat Baltimore ... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:22:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1755462-giants-cowboys-redskins-win-tight-nfc-east.html 2012-12-10T09:22:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1754736-luck-leads-colts-rally-beat-titans-27-23.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Adam Vinatieri is still winning games with his foot. Andrew Luck is still winning games he's not supposed to. On Sunday, the clutch kicker and hotshot rookie teamed up again, leading the Colts back from a 13-point halftime deficit for another come-from-behind victory, 27-23 over Tennessee. "Everyb... Mon, 10 Dec 2012 01:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1754736-luck-leads-colts-rally-beat-titans-27-23.html 2012-12-10T01:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1752056-texans-wr-johnson-asks-teammates-to-push.html HOUSTON (AP) — Andre Johnson sometimes has to tell his teammates how lucky they are to be on one of the NFL's best teams. For years, Johnson languished on terrible Texans teams. Now, the star receiver shares stories of the tough times, a reminder to appreciate this season and keep working for more. Johnson is the only player currently with Houston (11-1) ... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1752056-texans-wr-johnson-asks-teammates-to-push.html 2012-12-07T22:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1749628-schwartz-decisions-dissected-disappointing-year.html ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Over their last three home games, the Detroit Lions have been good enough to be ahead of some of the NFL's better teams — Green Bay, Houston and Indianapolis — with less than 2 minutes to go. They lost every one of those games, leaving the Lions with twice as many losses as wins with four games left — including Sunday night at Gre... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:24:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1749628-schwartz-decisions-dissected-disappointing-year.html 2012-12-06T22:24:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1746712-tebow-ribs-improving-throws-practice.html FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Tim Tebow hopes he's healthy enough for a happy homecoming. The New York Jets' backup quarterback is still recovering from two broken ribs that have kept him out of the last two games. The team is playing Tebow's hometown Jaguars in Jacksonville on Sunday — the first time he'll play there are a pro since his rookie season with De... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1746712-tebow-ribs-improving-throws-practice.html 2012-12-06T00:00:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1744868-jets-starter-sanchez-to-prove.html FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Mark Sanchez spent a few days after his miserable performance wondering what was next. The New York Jets quarterback had been benched, his coach tired of his mistakes, and there was no guarantee Rex Ryan would give him his job back anytime soon. "I knew at some point before I died, I'd start at quarterback again," Sanchez said We... Wed, 05 Dec 2012 22:35:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1744868-jets-starter-sanchez-to-prove.html 2012-12-05T22:35:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1743058-texans-1st-falcons-pats-tied-2nd-ap-pro32.html NEW YORK (AP) — An NFL version of No. 1 vs. No. 2 is set for Monday night when the Houston Texans visit the New England Patriots. The Texans remained first in the AP Pro32 power rankings Tuesday, while the Patriots inched up two spots into a second-place tie with the Atlanta Falcons. Houston received eight first-place votes and 376 points in balloting by ... Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:14:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1743058-texans-1st-falcons-pats-tied-2nd-ap-pro32.html 2012-12-04T21:14:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1739338-painful-cough-george-hw-bush-hospitalized.html HOUSTON (AP) — Former President George H.W. Bush remains Monday in a Houston hospital, where he is being treated for a painful, lingering bronchitis-related cough, and there is no timeline for his release, his spokesman said. Initially, aides had said the 88-year-old 41st president would be released from the hospital over the weekend. But he has a "naggin... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:01:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1739338-painful-cough-george-hw-bush-hospitalized.html 2012-12-03T16:01:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1739108-texans-clinch-playoff-berth-beating-titans-24-10.html NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Antonio Smith picked up the ball J.J. Watt forced Titans running back Chris Johnson into fumbling, and the Texans' defensive end ran from the Houston 37 all the way to the end zone. Smith walked around the end zone holding the ball up just in case he'd scored a touchdown. Officials insisted the play had been whistled dead after Smi... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:41:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1739108-texans-clinch-playoff-berth-beating-titans-24-10.html 2012-12-03T08:41:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1738566-andrew-luck-led-colts-rally-to-beat-lions-35-33.html DETROIT (AP) — Andrew Luck scrambled a bit to his right, saw nobody open in the end zone and decided to take his chances. He flipped the ball to Donnie Avery and hoped his 5-foot-11 receiver could win a race to the end zone. "I had no choice but to score," Avery said. "It was the slowest 11 yards that I ever felt like I ran." ... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:23:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1738566-andrew-luck-led-colts-rally-to-beat-lions-35-33.html 2012-12-03T08:23:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1739050-broncos-patriots-falcons-win-divisions.html If NFL executives really adore parity, they must be wincing at the early division clinchings by the Broncos, Patriots and Falcons. Not to mention the Texans securing at least a wild-card berth, with nearly all of December still remaining. Sure, there could still be some close races, particularly in the NFC North and for the wild cards. But after Sunday's ... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:14:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1739050-broncos-patriots-falcons-win-divisions.html 2012-12-03T08:14:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1738844-broncos-patriots-falcons-win-divisions.html On the first weekend of December, four teams made the NFL playoffs. With four weeks to go in the regular-season, New England owns the AFC East title, Denver has the AFC West and Atlanta won the NFC South. Houston has not clinched the AFC South, although it has a three-game lead over Indianapolis, but it secured at least a wild-card spot on Sunday. ... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 02:10:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1738844-broncos-patriots-falcons-win-divisions.html 2012-12-03T02:10:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1738774-list-untimely-deaths-nfl-players.html The apparent murder-suicide of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, 25, is one of a series of untimely deaths for current or former NFL players in recent years: — In July 2012, Tennessee Titans receiver O.J. Murdock, 25, was found in his car in front of his Florida high school with what appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds. — In May 2012, ... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:01:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1738774-list-untimely-deaths-nfl-players.html 2012-12-03T00:01:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1733578-turn-lights-turn-water-nfl-games.html NEW YORK (AP) — You can turn off the lights, turn on the water, or fire up the snow plow. No matter what, the NFL show goes on. Of course, disruptions may be cause for concern (blackouts). Or comic relief (sprinklers). Or confusion (bad calls). Right or wrong it all gets sorted out and the games proceed to a conclusion. So, after a computer glitch in Miam... Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:14:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1733578-turn-lights-turn-water-nfl-games.html 2012-11-30T09:14:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1729146-lions-suh-fined-30000-kick-purpose.html ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Ndamukong Suh's reputation for being a nasty player was born as an NFL rookie. Suh slammed two quarterbacks to the ground by grabbing their helmets two years ago, and his image became even more notorious last season when he infamously stomped on an opponent. Just when the Detroit Lions defensive tackle started to improve his abili... Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:42:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1729146-lions-suh-fined-30000-kick-purpose.html 2012-11-28T23:42:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1727368-texans-top-ap-pro32-rankings-gaining.html NEW YORK (AP) — The New England Patriots are moving up in the AP Pro32 power rankings, thanks to another second-half-of-the-season winning streak. While the Houston Texans remained on top for the third straight week, the Patriots jumped three places to fourth Tuesday in voting by The Associated Press' panel of 12 media members who regularly cover the league. Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:10:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1727368-texans-top-ap-pro32-rankings-gaining.html 2012-11-27T22:10:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1724736-nfl-wont-suspend-suh-low-blow-schaub.html DETROIT (AP) — Ndamukong Suh might lose some money for his low blow against Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. The Detroit Lions defensive tackle, though, will be able to play Sunday at home against the Indianapolis Colts. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tweeted Monday that the Lions have been notified that Suh won't be suspended for last Thursday's "incid... Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:15:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1724736-nfl-wont-suspend-suh-low-blow-schaub.html 2012-11-26T22:15:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1724820-nfl-playoffs-taking-shape-month-to.html Start the playoffs now. Well, just about. More than a month from the end of the NFL season, and nearly every division race is decided. Atlanta and Denver have four-game leads and can earn titles with victories Sunday, although the Falcons also need Tampa Bay to lose — coincidentally, to the Broncos, who don't need any help if they win to walk off with the... Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:34:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1724820-nfl-playoffs-taking-shape-month-to.html 2012-11-26T21:34:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1722912-purdue-quick-decision-to-fire-hope.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Purdue wants a football team that can get to the Rose Bowl and decided Danny Hope was not the coach to take the Boilermakers there. About 24 hours after winning back the Old Oaken Bucket against rival Indiana to become bowl-eligible again, athletic director Morgan Burke announced he had fired Hope and had made receivers coach Patrick H... Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:43:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1722912-purdue-quick-decision-to-fire-hope.html 2012-11-26T00:43:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1720324-nfl-to-examine-replay-rule-lions-texans-game.html NEW YORK (AP) — The rule that negated using video replay to confirm a Houston Texans touchdown "may be too harsh" and will be re-examined immediately, NFL director of football operations Ray Anderson said Friday. Anderson, also co-chairman of the competition committee that suggests rules changes to the owners, said a change could come this year. The NFL t... Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:27:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1720324-nfl-to-examine-replay-rule-lions-texans-game.html 2012-11-23T22:27:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1718890-suhs-left-cleat-hits-qb-schaub-belt.html DETROIT (AP) — The left cleat of Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh connected with Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in his groin area in their Thanksgiving game. It wasn't clear on replays Thursday whether it was intentional. "I really don't have anything to say about that play or that person," Schaub said. Suh was on his chest, taken down... Thu, 22 Nov 2012 23:31:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/football/1718890-suhs-left-cleat-hits-qb-schaub-belt.html 2012-11-22T23:31:00Z