Photo highlights from the 14th week of the NFL season.
This gallery was curated by AP photo editors.
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As Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson, right, celebrates, Rams running back Kyren Williams, center, bulls past Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson, left, to score a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws as he is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is introduced before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) celebrates with fans after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
As Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson, right, celebrates, Rams running back Kyren Williams, center, bulls past Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson, left, to score a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Kansas City Chiefs fans react late in the second half of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) intercepts a pass against Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Tennessee Titans linebacker James Williams Sr. (52) blocks a punt attempt by Cleveland Browns' Corey Bojorquez (13) in the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon celebrates a fumble recovery against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (26) intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver John Metchie III (3) at the goal line during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) sacks Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) in the end zone for a safety during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Snow falls as the Buffalo Bills line up for a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) celebrates his fumble recovery against the Atlanta Falcons with teammates, including cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Fans call out before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) celebrates his touchdown catch as team staff check on him for a potential injury in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (24) carries against Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Christian Izien (29) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Christian Izien (29) celebrates after stopping the New Orleans Saints on fourth down in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) runs with the ball past Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter (49) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass during warmups before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Green Bay Packers fan Wayne Sargeant tailgates before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Spectators are silhouetted during the national anthem before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon poses for a photo with fans before an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a pass under pressure from Tennessee Titans linebacker Arden Key, right, in the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams gestures during warmups before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) catches a touchdown pass as Tennessee Titans cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. (39) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Snow falls as the Buffalo Bills line up for a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Miami Dolphins celebrate after a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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AP photography: https://apnews.com/photography
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws as he is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is introduced before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) celebrates with fans after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
As Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson, right, celebrates, Rams running back Kyren Williams, center, bulls past Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson, left, to score a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Kansas City Chiefs fans react late in the second half of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) intercepts a pass against Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Tennessee Titans linebacker James Williams Sr. (52) blocks a punt attempt by Cleveland Browns' Corey Bojorquez (13) in the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon celebrates a fumble recovery against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (26) intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver John Metchie III (3) at the goal line during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) sacks Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) in the end zone for a safety during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Snow falls as the Buffalo Bills line up for a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) celebrates his fumble recovery against the Atlanta Falcons with teammates, including cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Fans call out before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) celebrates his touchdown catch as team staff check on him for a potential injury in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (24) carries against Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Christian Izien (29) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Christian Izien (29) celebrates after stopping the New Orleans Saints on fourth down in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) runs with the ball past Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter (49) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass during warmups before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Green Bay Packers fan Wayne Sargeant tailgates before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Spectators are silhouetted during the national anthem before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon poses for a photo with fans before an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a pass under pressure from Tennessee Titans linebacker Arden Key, right, in the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams gestures during warmups before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) catches a touchdown pass as Tennessee Titans cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. (39) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Snow falls as the Buffalo Bills line up for a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Miami Dolphins celebrate after a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Senegal has an unlikely new hero, and he did not even play in the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final won by his country.
In a bizarre turn of events, Senegal’s second-choice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf spent long spells of Sunday's match protecting the towels used by starting keeper Edouard Mendy from repeated attempts by ball boys to snatch them.
Diouf's efforts have been praised by fans as being almost as crucial as the extra-time winning goal scored by Pape Gueye, which secured Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations title.
Goalkeepers often keep towels close to them to wipe themselves and their gloves, especially in wet conditions such as those during Sunday’s final in Rabat.
Diouf had a crucial role on the sidelines, fighting off the assaults. At one point, he was chased by ball boys along the touchline. Some videos also show him lying flat on the pitch, shielding one of the towels, while a young man tries to wrestle with him.
In other footage filmed from the stands, Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi can be seen throwing one of Mendy's towels over advertising boards. At another moment Morocco midfielder Ismaël Saibari tried to prevent Diouf from handing a towel to Mendy.
Praising the tireless work of the second-choice goalkeeper, one social media user wrote on X: “Yehvann Diouf’s work, guys. You’ve earned the respect of an entire country. SOLDIER.”
Diouf made light of the situation, later posting a picture of him biting on his medal and holding a towel, with the caption: “Here it is (the medal and the towel).”
Speaking to reporters after the match, Diouf said he did not understand why the opposing side got so obsessed with the towels.
“Maybe people read something into those towels, but in any case they were only used to dry the gloves and the face when it’s raining,” he said. “I was just as surprised as you were, but like the team as a whole, we stuck together, and Edouard was able to get the towels he needed.”
AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
A ball boy throws a towel used by Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A ball boy attempts to grab a towel from Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf as he holds it for Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A ball boy attempts to grab a towel from Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf as he holds it for Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Morocco's Ismael Saibari tries to prevent Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf from handing a towel to Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy dries his face while Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf waits to collect it from him, during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy, right, approaches Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Díaz before he took a penalty during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy saves a panelty from Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Díaz during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy saves from Morocco's Ismael Saibari during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw and Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy, center, celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy clears the ball in front of Morocco's Abdessamad Ezzalzouli during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)