Manning, Harbaugh learn from sons, too

NEW YORK | The patriarchs of the NFL's first families of quarterbacks and coaches are anything but interfering dads. In fact, Archie Manning and Jack Harbaugh are just as influenced by their successful sons as their boys are by them.

Bring on beef in draft, starting with OT Fisher

NEW YORK | NFL teams bought in bulk early in Thursday night's draft.

Security ramped up for this week's NFL draft

NEW YORK | The NFL is increasing security for this week's draft at Radio City Music Hall, with everyone subject to screenings, including use of metal detectors and pat-downs, and searches of personal property.

Owners pass 2 rules changes

PHOENIX | NFL owners approved two rule changes Tuesday to enhance player safety. They might not vote on a proposal to ban offensive players from using the crown of their helmets against defenders.

Bears nab left tackle, tight end as free agency begins

The Chicago Bears agreed to terms with T Jermon Bushrod on a five-year contract today. Also today, tight end Martellus Bennett agreed to a four-year contract with the Bears, leaving the Giants after one season, and defensive tackle Henry Melton signed his franchise tag tender at $8.45 million.

Champs Evermore: Ravens hold off 49ers' rally try

NEW ORLEANS | From blowout to blackout to shootout, Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens had just enough power to survive one of the most electric Super Bowls ever.

SUPER BOWL: Meet the key players in Super Bowl XLVII

Projected starters and key players for the Super Bowl:

Ravens-49ers: Which brother wins?

NEW ORLEANS | The San Francisco 49ers never have tasted defeat in a Super Bowl, going 5-0. It's the most impressive mark for any franchise in the big game.

Ravens' hard-hitter Ed Reed on making NFL safer: I'm with Obama

NEW ORLEANS | Unlike several players at the Super Bowl, Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed agrees with President Obama that football needs to be made safer. Reed wants to be part of the solution, too.

Ravens upset Patriots to make Super Bowl

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. | Joe Flacco outdueled Tom Brady, throwing three touchdown passes in the second half and leading the Baltimore Ravens to their first Super Bowl in 12 years with a 28-13 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday for the AFC championship.

Brady in way on Lewis' last ride

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. | You again!

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: Home sure is sweet to Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. | Home sweet home. Sure works for the Patriots in the AFC title game.

Patriots beat Texans 41-28, Ravens up next

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. | Tom Brady idolized Joe Montana as a kid in the Bay Area. Now, he's surpassed his hero for postseason wins.

Ravens top Colts 24-9 in AFC wild card

BALTIMORE | The Baltimore Ravens wanted one long final ride for Ray Lewis.

Some bests, worsts of NFL season

The MVP, Coach of the Year and Comeback Player awards will be handed out by The Associated Press the night before the Super Bowl. On national television. Hosted by Alec Baldwin.

Five Bears, two Colts make Pro Bowl rosters

NEW YORK | Sensational comebacks have Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson headed for the Pro Bowl.

Bears' Tillman a halfway front-runner for NFL awards

It's been a terrific half-season for Matt Ryan, Marshawn Lynch, J.J. Watt and Charles Tillman.

AP source: Union could challenge Tagliabue role

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. | The NFL players' union might challenge former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue replacing Roger Goodell as the appeals officer in the Saints' bounties case.

NFL, union try to change culture on concussions

NEW YORK | A high-profile rookie quarterback gets slammed in the side of the head and his Super Bowl-winning coach describes him as "shaken up."

Browns sale to Haslam approved; Holmgren to leave

CHICAGO | Mike Holmgren won't be finishing the job he went to do in Cleveland.

Patriots, Saints, Packers in last place

There is something wrong with this picture: Patriots, Saints, Packers and Peyton Manning all at the bottom of their divisions. And things won't get better for either New Orleans or Green Bay, who meet Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Flags by replacements, regular refs about the same

NEW YORK | The numbers say there isn't much difference in the NFL with replacement officials. Comments from players and coaches say otherwise.

Game of the Future: NFL 2017

NEW YORK | Laser technology to help officials. Computer chips in the football.

Are you ready for some NFL 2012?

One thing the NFL hopes everyone notices is the youth wave, particularly behind center where 10 starting quarterbacks are in either their first of second pro seasons.

No talks between NFL, union as season nears

NEW YORK | Officially — at least in their comments — NFL players and coaches aren't concerning themselves with refereering.

NFL to use replacement officials for Week 1

NEW YORK | The NFL will open the regular season next week with replacement officials and said it was prepared to use them "as much ... as necessary" afterward.

NFL offseason busier than ever, not in a good way

NEW YORK | Bounties and bans. Replacement refs and rules changes. Tebow and Manning.

CBA helps NFL teams with player health

Blistering heat, drenching humidity and ultraphysical work. Hardly ideal conditions.

Officials say NFL planned lockout

NEW YORK | The NFL's on-field officials say the league is paying lip service to player safety by contacting replacement officials.

No trading down for Rams in second day of draft

NEW YORK | Fleener's name on the second day of the NFL draft, Oregon running back LaMichael James picked up the phone with a call from San Francisco, Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson was selected by Seattle and Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw was picked by Baltimore.

Free agency helps, draft the key

NEW YORK | The haul in free agency and through trades has strengthened the Broncos, Bills and Bears. Now comes the lifeblood of any NFL team: the draft.

Bills land Mario Williams

NEW YORK | Megatron and Mario, the richest players in the NFL.

Colston stays with Saints, Bears sign backup to Cutler

Marques Colston is staying put in New Orleans. Brandon Marshall is headed to the Bears, who also found a backup for Jay Cutler.

Martin, 4 linemen make Hall of Fame

INDIANAPOLIS | Curtis Martin has gone from the mean streets of Pittsburgh to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Super Bowl abounds with unsung heroes

INDIANAPOLIS | For every Drew Brees and Ray Lewis, there is a David Tyree or Larry Brown. Not only do superstars win Super Bowls, super nobodies are heroes, too.

Patriots in Super Bowl, beat Ravens 23-20

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. | Tom Brady waited out the final tense minutes on the sideline and somehow his fourth-quarter leap into the end zone held up, sending the New England Patriots back to the Super Bowl.

Turnovers, the great equalizer

Protect the ball or go home.

Championship pedigree shows for Brady, Eli

The playoffs have a way of bringing out the pedigree in NFL quarterbacks. Simply take a look at the fingers of Tom Brady and Eli Manning to recognize it.

Whitner's hit on Saints' Thomas was legal

The helmet-to-helmet hit by San Francisco safety Donte Whitner that sent Saints running back Pierre Thomas to the locker room early in Saturday's NFC playoff game was legal.

At 8-1, 49ers turn to conquering NFC West

Now that the San Francisco 49ers have established their dominance over most of the rest of the league, it's time to put away their division.

Jets a tough matchup for Patriots

A month ago, everything favored the Patriots in their divisional brawl with the Jets. New England won, handing New York its third straight loss.

Struggling Chargers have huge challenge today

If the Chargers have any sort of hangover from their demoralizing loss in Kansas City, they better get rid of it quickly. On Sunday, the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are in town, bringing with them the NFL's only undefeated record.

There is losing and there is LOSING

There are losers, and then there are the hopeless, hapless, possibly even historic losers.

Key NFC game lands in Philly

It's only Week 8, yet the future of one contender/pretender could be decided in the NFC East. The loser of Dallas' visit to Philadelphia will be at a distinct disadvantage in the wide-open division. And as the Cowboys and Eagles have proven this season, both are capable of falling apart.

Room at the top for everyone

Let's see, the usual suspects already are on top of their divisions through three weeks: the Packers in the NFC North, Saints in the NFC South, Chargers in the AFC West.

Vikings have mastered losing big leads

Anyone searching for the secret to success in the NFL can find it simply by recognizing what not to do.

NFL says it's serious about illegal hits

NEW YORK | Players ranted about the NFL's crackdown on illegal hits last season. Some even questioned if the league was heading toward touch football.

Bears' Dent enters Hall of Fame

CANTON, Ohio | Prime Time has come to Canton — with an extra touch of gold. And a black do-rag.

NFL, players working to finish CBA

NEW YORK | With yet another deadline approaching, NFL players and owners still are debating drug testing, benefits and the player conduct policy disciplinary process as they work to complete the collective bargaining agreement.

NFL preseason, when it begins, could look ragged

NEW YORK | As lawyers for NFL players and owners spend the weekend trying to put the lockout to rest, many fans wonder when pro football will return. And when it does, just how ragged will the preseason look?