The days of running backs being the headliners at the NFL draft are long in the past with the league’s shift to more passing leading to quarterbacks, pass rushers and pass blockers dominating the top of the draft each year.

The Atlanta Falcons have run out of time to control their path to the playoffs after mismanaging the clock multiple times in an overtime loss at the Washington Commanders.

Michael Penix Jr. won his debut as Atlanta’s starting quarterback, thanks largely to a defense that returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns to hand the hapless New York Giants their franchise-record 10th straight loss, 34-7.

Kirk Cousins threw his first touchdown pass in five weeks and the Atlanta Falcons did just enough to beat the struggling Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 and keep pace in the NFC South race.

Sam Darnold threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns, both career highs, and the Minnesota Vikings pulled away from Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons 42-21 for their sixth straight victory.

Kirk Cousins threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns to help the Atlanta Falcons take sole possession of first place of the NFC South with a 31-26 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Atlanta Falcons had plenty of opportunities to beat Kansas City but miscues and trouble converting on third down helped the Chiefs hold on for a narrow 22-17 victory.

Patrick Mahomes threw a pair of touchdown passes and Kansas City's defense made a couple of late stands to keep the Chiefs unbeaten with a 22-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

The long wait for the first running back to be drafted is over.

Now that Bill Belichick is out as coach of the New England Patriots after 24 seasons, the question turns to where will the six-time Super Bowl champion go next.

Bijan Robinson outshined top overall pick Bryce Young in their NFL debuts, leading the Atlanta Falcons to a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in the season opener.

Second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder is key to the Atlanta Falcons' hopes for a winning season.

Bijan Robinson has a new number with a big Atlanta history, a newly signed contract and huge expectations no rookie Falcons running back has faced in recent years.

The Texans got two of the best players in the NFL draft in the first three picks.

For one night at least, running backs got some of the glory in the pass-happy NFL.

Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr. decided they had unfinished business at Alabama, even if it won’t include another shot at a national championship.

Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is one of three Southern California players to be selected to The Associated Press All-America team.

Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams is The Associated Press college football player of the year.

Kendre Miller rushed for 138 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown in the third quarter that broke open a tense defensive struggle, and No. 4 TCU beat No. 18 Texas 17-10 to clinch a berth in the Big 12 championship game.

Spencer Sanders threw for 391 yards and hit Bryson Green with the game-winning touchdown pass with just over three minutes left to lead No. 11 Oklahoma State past No. 20 Texas 41-34.

Trey Wolff kicked a 20-yard field goal in overtime to give Texas Tech a wild 37-34 victory over No. 22 Texas.

Alabama stars Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr. are among four players from the top-ranked Crimson Tide selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America team.

Iowa State running back Breece Hall is The Associated Press Big 12 offensive player of the year for the second year in a row.

Jalon Daniel hit Jared Casey on a scrambling pass for a 2-point conversion in overtime and Kansas stunned Texas 57-56 Saturday night to snap their eight-game losing streak this season and a 56-game losing streak in Big 12 road games over the past 13 years.

Tanner Brown’s fourth field goal of the game gave No. 12 Oklahoma State its first lead and quarterback Spencer Sanders’ scrambling 10-yard touchdown run sealed a 32-24 victory over No. 25 Texas on Saturday to keep the Cowboys undefeated.

Kennedy Brooks ran for 217 yards and two go-ahead touchdowns in the fourth quarter as sixth-ranked Oklahoma beat No. 21 Texas 55-48.

The move by Texas and Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference is generating plenty of chatter in the Big 12.

Some Southeastern Conference defenses are flexing their muscles after 2020 being a defensive coordinator’s nightmare.

Steve Sarkisian has yet to make his debut in the Big 12, but the new Texas coach was asked on Thursday to ponder life in his next league, the Southeastern Conference.

Texas quarterback Casey Thompson (8) looks for a receiver during the second half of the team's Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game against Colorado, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in San Antonio. 20 Texas overcame an injury to senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger and beat Colorado 55-23 in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Tuesday night. Ehlinger missed the second half after sustaining a shoulder injury in second quarter. Thompson started the second half in place of Ehlinger and led Texas to a touchdown on its opening possession. Texas: The Longhorns found a capable replacement for Ehlinger in Thompson.