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Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely kicks the game-winning field goal against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 25, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (Matt York / Associated Press)
“If you play or practice on Christmas morning, there’s always a little bit of 'bah humbug' to it,” said Feely, who kicked for seven NFL teams from 2001-14. “Because you grow up and Christmas morning is so special. You’re with your family, you open presents, you do the same type of things every year. Then I remember getting to college and you’re stuck there at bowl practice and you’re like, `Well, this sucks.’ ”
Didn’t feel so bad, however, when "Mr. Missile Toe" nailed a 48-yard field goal with five seconds left to send the Cowboys packing, 27-26. Guess playing on Christmas wasn’t so bad after all.
Here's a closer look at some of the most memorable Christmas Day NFL games:
Hank Stram roams the Kansas City Chiefs sideline in December 1971. (Associated Press)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia sticks out his tongue as he runs off the field after a 23-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys 23-7 on Dec. 25, 2006, in Irving, Texas. (Matt Slocum / Associated Press)
Arizona Cardinals coach Buddy Ryan in December 1995. (Associated Press)
“We were told there was a Hollywood movie there, we weren’t told it was what would become `Jerry Maguire,’’ former Cardinals center Ed Cunningham recalled. “We had no idea it was a Tom Cruise movie. It was only when the movie came out that it was like, 'Oh, my God.’ ”
Chicago Bears' Tank Johnson sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre on Dec. 25, 2005, in Green Bay, Wisc. (Mike Roemer / Associated Press) | 2022-12-22T22:52:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL on Christmas Day: Some of the most memorable games of the last 51 years | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-christmas-day-most-memorable-211637553.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-christmas-day-most-memorable-211637553.html?src=rss |
Are Mac Jones’ on-field frustrations becoming an issue? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
At first, Mac Jones' visible on-field frustrations were endearing. But over the last couple of weeks, the New England Patriots quarterback may have gone over the top with his emotions.
Patriots greats Vince Wilfork and Julian Edelman both recently criticized Jones for his antics. Wilfork told NBC Sports Boston he's "tired of seeing" Jones' outbursts while Edelman ripped him on Inside the NFL for "waving off coaches" and making "pissy faces."
Jones didn't back down when asked about wearing his emotions on his sleeve, stating that he simply plays with passion. But are we at the point of diminishing returns with Jones' frustrations? Why hasn't Bill Belichick addressed them head-on?
Tom E. Curran, Phil Perry, and Matt Cassel discussed on a brand new episode of the Patriots Talk Podcast.
"What it tells me is that he's not really hearing from people behind the scenes to tell him to cut it out," Perry said. "And so, what does that mean? Does that mean Bill Belichick hasn't talked to him about it yet? Which would surprise me a little bit. Does it mean his teammates are OK with it? Because we've heard from some other players lately that it's starting to get a little old. I'm just wondering if everybody in the building is kind of OK with it. Because if they weren't, wouldn't they have said something to him about it by now?"
Cassel, like his fellow former Patriots, believes it's time for Jones to tone it down.
"You can't make it a routine. You can't make it a habit where week in and week out you're the focal point of everything that's going wrong," Cassel said. "You're showing that emotion and becoming this guy that doesn't look like he has the composure and the poise that you need to be the leader of the team. However, I know that he's a competitor and we've seen it throughout even last year. Look, he's a fiery guy and I get that. But at times, you've got to somehow find a way to reel that in a little bit and just say look, we've got to go out and do our job. When you do that, and also you don't play well, that's when a lot of people come out of the woodwork and start getting on you about it.
"But at the end of the day, it's interesting because a lot of people aren't commenting about it and it's probably something that they don't want to make a distraction. Coach Belichick, Patricia, those guys aren't going to come out and just call him out because again, what good does that do for your team, for your offense that already has a lot of questions to answer week in and week out just in terms of productivity? So for Mac Jones, I think it's just about getting back to work and maybe changing that approach a little bit and making sure you're right on what you need to be right on, because there's too many missed throws in this game for him to be able to go out and just be blaming other people."
Also discussed in the episode: How does a team respond to a heartbreaking loss like Sunday’s vs. the Raiders? The guys break down Joe Burrow and the Bengals and why they’re such a tough opponent for this New England team. And why fans can be cautiously optimistic that the Patriots can turn things around going forward | 2022-12-22T22:53:25Z | sports.yahoo.com | Patriots Talk: Are Mac Jones’ on-field frustrations becoming an issue? | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-talk-mac-jones-field-223000660.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-talk-mac-jones-field-223000660.html?src=rss |
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Safety Landon Collins has had two stints with the New York Giants.
''It's definitely humbling,'' Collins said. ''But I've always been that way and always been a worker, so it never changed. I never came here with expectations, anything like that. I came here to go to work and be back into the building.''
''Oh, man. Is this a blessing in disguise?'' said the 28-year-old Collins, who noted 2016 feels like ages ago. ''We get that opportunity again. We didn't get to finish what we did last time. So I see we're on that road to getting that opportunity again.''
''Everybody comes to work,'' he said. ''And the transparency that we have with one another and the coaches and stuff like that and just being honest with one another, keeping everyone accountable and making this thing work. It's just a fun ride right now.''
Pennsylvania officials say a newly built bridge to replace the one that collapsed earlier this year in Pittsburgh will open to traffic by the end of December. Gov. Tom Wolf and other state and local officials marked the announcement Wednesday by walking across the new Fern Hollow bridge and holding a ribbon-cutting. Wolf called the speedy work “the power of government working for the people in Pennsylvania.”
Our 10 Favorite Running Moments from 2022
This year was one for the record books in women's running. Between the half marathon and marathon U.S. records being broken not once but twice, and new levels of excellence reached on the track and trails, 2022 saw several big moments that will go down in history. The year started off with a bang when Keira D'Amato broke the American record in the marathon in Houston in January. | 2022-12-22T22:53:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Safety Landon Collins gets another chance with Giants | https://sports.yahoo.com/safety-landon-collins-gets-another-220648942.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/safety-landon-collins-gets-another-220648942.html?src=rss |
STORY: In a deal that accelerates the move of sports to streaming platforms from traditional TV and underscores football’s enduring allure, YouTube said it signed a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar deal to exclusively stream the National Football League's Sunday Ticket package of games in the U.S.
The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that YouTube – which is owned by Google – will pay an average price of about $2 billion a year to secure rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket franchise, a subscription-based service that allows viewers to watch all Sunday NFL games from anywhere.
YouTube said that, starting next season, NFL Sunday Ticket will be available as a paid, add-on package on YouTube TV and standalone a-la-carte on YouTube Primetime Channels.
YouTube will be taking over from DirecTV, which had the rights to Sunday Ticket until the end of the 2022 season.
In a statement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he was "excited to bring NFL Sunday Ticket to YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels and usher in a new era of how fans across the United States watch and follow the NFL," adding that the partnership was an example of "looking towards the future and building the next generation of NFL fans."
In March of 2021, the NFL said it reached long-term media deals with Amazon.com and major broadcast and cable companies that run through 2033. The deals could be worth over $100 billion, according to CNBC. Fox will air the Super Bowl in February.
Airlines have already cancelled thousands of flights across the country. | 2022-12-22T22:54:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | YouTube, NFL strike deal to stream Sunday Ticket | https://sports.yahoo.com/youtube-nfl-strike-deal-stream-214534058.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/youtube-nfl-strike-deal-stream-214534058.html?src=rss |
With winter storms sweeping through the midwest area, Wisconsin basketball decided to cancel their upcoming game against Grambling State. The matchup was originally scheduled for Friday, December 23 at the Kohl Center.
Here is what UW had to say regarding the decision:
“The Wisconsin men’s basketball game against Grambling State, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 23 at the Kohl Center, has been canceled due to weather and will not be rescheduled.
All ticket holders for Friday’s game will be notified via email with next steps once more information is available.
Patrons should retain their tickets and parking permits, as they will be valid for a potentially new game scheduled in place of this cancelation.
Wisconsin will be back in action on December 30 when they take on Western Michigan at the Kohl Center.
Edey missed Wednesday's game against New Orleans with an illness. | 2022-12-22T23:14:43Z | sports.yahoo.com | Wisconsin basketball cancels Friday’s game vs Grambling State | https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-basketball-cancels-friday-game-215516969.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-basketball-cancels-friday-game-215516969.html?src=rss |
Now that the first day of the early signing day is now in the rearview mirror, it is time to take a look at what some of the major publications think about the Gators’ latest brood. According to the On3 consensus, Florida cracked the top 10 in its recruiting rankings slipping into the final spot.
Here is what On3’s recruiting desk writer Drew Schott had to offer on Napier’s results thus far.
Top Commit: Gardendale (Alabama) defensive lineman Kelby Collins, No. 59 in On3 Consensus
Summary: Billy Napier and his staff sparked one of the top storylines of the 2023 cycle by flipping four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada from Miami on Nov. 10. Rashada gives the Gators a top-100 signal-caller to pair with a talented offensive class. Florida has signatures from four-star wide receivers Aidan Mizell and Eugene Wilson III, as well as four-star running back Treyaun Webb. The Gators also have a strong defensive back group with four-star cornerback Dijon Johnson, four-star cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson and four-star safety Jordan Castell. Recruiting the Sunshine State is a priority for Napier, but he has also landed pledges from out-of-state, including Collins. However, four-star EDGE Isaiah Nixon flipped to UCF on national signing day.
The Southeastern Conference has a total of four teams in the top 10, led by the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, followed by the LSU Tigers (No. 7) in addition to Florida. The Gators currently have 18 four-star and two three-star players committed in this recruiting cycle, making them the second-highest-ranking team without a five-star signee behind the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who ranks at No. 8. | 2022-12-22T23:43:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Gators crack On3 consensus’ top 10 teams in 2023 recruiting class rankings | https://sports.yahoo.com/gators-crack-on3-consensus-top-221038222.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/gators-crack-on3-consensus-top-221038222.html?src=rss |
"We had to look at it more for what our team is next year," Reds General Manager Nick Krall said Thursday. "We’re already paying him. Who is the best fit for our team moving forward. It was a tough decision. They are all tough decisions. They are decisions made about good people and they are career-altering decisions for them. I just think for us, we had to make sure we’re making the best decision for our organization."
"I called him a few hours ago and talked to him," Krall said. "Obviously, (he's) disappointed. He thanked me for the opportunity. He’s a professional guy and good person."
“We had conversations with him when we were talking to Luke," Krall said. "Frankly, I like Curt as a guy. He fits well on a team. He works well with the staff, it’s something we’ve known. He’s very good with the pitchers. (Pitching coach Derek Johnson) has comfort with him. David (Bell) has comfort with him. He’s a guy that can just slot right in and do what he needs to do and help our young starters get better. He also provides some offense, especially against left-handed pitching.”
"We are excited about this," Krall said, "because it allows you to put Tyler in the lineup just about every day."
Free-agent utility player Brandon Drury has a two-year agreement with the Angels that is worth $17 million, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. | 2022-12-22T23:47:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cincinnati Reds cut Mike Moustakas after Curt Casali returns on a one-year contract | https://sports.yahoo.com/cincinnati-reds-cut-mike-moustakas-191157994.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cincinnati-reds-cut-mike-moustakas-191157994.html?src=rss |
Santos once looked like a big part of the bullpen's future, and he was added to the 40-man roster at the same time as reliever Camilo Doval and right-hander Kervin Castro, all three of whom debuted in 2021. Castro was thought to be the safest bet of the three and Santos initially might have had the highest ceiling, but while Doval has developed into one of the best young closers in the game, the other two have been DFA'd in recent months.
Emergency Podcast as Mets agree to deal with Carlos Correa | The Mets Pod
Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo drop Episode 41 of The Mets Pod, as another big week brings the official introductions of Justin Verlander and Kodai Senga, as well as rumors of more moves to come.
AMC said the earlier talks were focused on the acquisition of certain theater assets of Cineworld in the United States and Europe, which would be financed partly through issuance of its preferred stock and debt financing provided by the lenders. AMC in August announced its preferred share APE as a special dividend for shareholders and a means to raise capital in the future. | 2022-12-22T23:47:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants acquire Kade McClure from White Sox in minor trade for Gregory Santos | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-acquire-kade-mcclure-white-223546397.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-acquire-kade-mcclure-white-223546397.html?src=rss |
How Wiseman, Warriors' youth fared in extended New York test originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
NEW YORK -- For the final seven minutes and 40 seconds of the Warriors' 132-94 38-point loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, Golden State's youth portion of their two-timelines plan was on display.
As the Warriors were being blown out, coach Steve Kerr went with a five-man group of extremely young, recently drafted players. The lineup consisted of Ryan Rollins (20 years old), Moses Moody (20), Jonathan Kuminga (20), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (20) and James Wiseman (21). They were a minus-13 in plus/minus, being outscored 19-6. What was clear was both inexperience and a lack of chemistry.
Over that near eight-minute stretch, the Warriors missed all five of their 2-point shots and were 2-for-6 on 3-pointers. They held the Knicks to only 2-for-6 from deep as well, but the Knicks missed only one of their five 2-pointers. While the Warriors had a 48.2 shot quality percentage, the Knicks were getting easy looks with a 60.9 shot quality percentage, per PBP Stats.
"Look, these young guys are working their butts off every single day in practice," Kerr said after the Warriors' loss to the Knicks. "We all want them to have success, so it's tough to see when things don't go well. At the same time, we have to keep our energy and our spirit up. But look, it's not an easy position to be in.
"They're all so raw, so young that they're not ready yet to figure out how to get each other shots. It's just a tough situation for them to be in and I'm just asking them to keep working and reminding them that things will get better."
With Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins already out, plus Donte DiVincenzo missing the game due to a non-COVID illness and JaMychal Green being placed in the NBA's health and safety protocols, the opportunity was there for the Warriors' youth to step up. Moody was handed the start, alongside Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. Of all the youngsters, Moody might have been best with 11 points, going 4-for-9 from the field and 3-for-6 on 3-pointers.
Kuminga led the bench with 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting with four rebounds and four assists, but also had three turnovers and three fouls, resulting in a minus-21. Baldwin went cold, making only one of his six shot and was a minus-11. Rollins played only seven minutes, but was a minus-13 after turning the ball over twice and missing both of his shots. Wiseman was a game-worst minus-29 in 22 minutes, scoring four points with five fouls and two turnovers.
Veteran center Kevon Looney tried to take some of the onus off the young players, pointing out that the starters didn't exactly light it up. Looney also noted how tough it is to enter the game in the fourth quarter after sitting for so long and pressing to make a strong impression. When he was young, he was surrounded by four vets, not players who aren't even old enough to legally have a drink.
What Looney also pointed to was how hard it can be playing at a storied arena like Madison Square Garden for the first time or at such a young age.
"The first time playing in The Garden, I remember how I felt playing here," Looney said. "I was a little nervous. I can only expect those guys to feel the same way. They could play better, but I feel like they're taking steps in the right direction and playing really well in Santa Cruz.
"To get some game experience is good for them. It's tough to get thrown in the fire like this at the end of a trip. We expect a lot out of them and I think they'll play better when they're number's called. It's a learning experience for all of us."
Poole, 23, still remembers his first time playing at the Knicks' home arena. It was the Big Ten Tournament when he played at Michigan and his Wolverines ended up winning the championship. He had some jitters, too, no matter the better result.
To him, Wednesday had to be an "amazing moment" for those five players. Stepping on the floor of The Garden is a dream of countless kids, and they can check it off their bucket list.
He has been in their shoes before. Pressing to make an impression is natural. When given an opportunity, it's all about making the most of it, one way or another.
"Personally, my approach was just to get to it," Poole said when asked of his mindset as a rookie. "Workout hard, practice hard. Whether you get two minutes in the game or you get 20 minutes in the game, personally just try and take advantage of the opportunity. Make the coaches play you. Not necessarily be perfect, but try and get minutes where they can't take you off the floor.
"There's a challenge in everything that you do, and credit to the young guys for just going out there, getting some experience, getting some minutes under their belt and getting on the floor."
Luckily for those young guys, there was another chance to show their worth 24 hours later.
The Warriors jaunted over to Barclays Center against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, looking to turn the page. With six players out, including Klay Thompson joining Curry and Wiggins as starters stuck to the bench, the cards were stacked against the Warriors and they couldn't defy the odds. A historically bad first half led to a 143-113 loss to the Nets, ending the Warriors' 1-5 road trip.
Kuminga was inserted into the starting lineup with Moody, Poole, Green and Looney. However, he scored only four points in 30 minutes, going 1-for-9 from the floor and committed four turnovers. Moody led the starters with 17 points, going 7-for-11 overall and 3-for-5 beyond the arc.
Rollins was the lone Warrior with a positive plus/minus in the 30-point loss, ending as a plus-2 over six minutes. He made his lone shot, as well as both of his free throws and handed out three assists. The stars of the night, though, were Wiseman and Baldwin Jr.
"Second half, I thought the young guys were much better than they were the night before vs. New York," Kerr said Wednesday night at Barclays Center. "It was good to see them get out there and execute and make some shots. Patrick Baldwin got hot there and obviously James was efficient. ... That was encouraging, but when you lose by 30, small consolation."
Wiseman finished with his first 30-point game in the NBA, scoring 30 points and going 12-for-14 from the field. He made his first eight shots, including his one 3-point attempt, and ended with six rebounds. The former No. 2 pick was aggressive, threw down several big dunks and his first shot of the night was a nice right-handed finish for the left-hander over Kevin Durant.
Baldwin Jr. caught fire for the Warriors late in the third quarter and into the fourth. The rookie made his first six shots and splashed his first five 3-pointers. On the night, he scored a career-high 17 points, which was the first time he has scored in double digits in the NBA.
Though the numbers are nice, Baldwin Jr. made it clear the impact is diminished in such a blowout loss. But a new sense of comfortability on the court and with each other was evident, especially after their tough showing the night before.
RELATED: Wiseman's big night brightens Warriors' uncertain future
"I think we're on that trajectory where we're learning how to figure out this league," Baldwin Jr. said. "It just sucks that we're losing, but it's important to learn through it all."
Finding positives from the Warriors' latest tough road trip isn't easy. They are what their 15-18 record suggests, though parts might be a bit of a mirage with the absences of Curry and Wiggins.
Searching for the good, the youth's one-day improvements were clear, especially from Wiseman and Baldwin. If they can build off that is to be determined, starting with a Christmas Day showdown against the Memphis Grizzlies. | 2022-12-22T23:47:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | How James Wiseman, Warriors youth fared in extended test vs. Knicks, Nets | https://sports.yahoo.com/james-wiseman-warriors-youth-fared-161542012.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/james-wiseman-warriors-youth-fared-161542012.html?src=rss |
ARIEL EPSTEIN: Happy holidays. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. I'm Ariel Epstein, joined by Minty Bets and Mark Drumheller. We're giving out some picks for the Christmas Day games because there's only three games on a football Sunday-- so bizarre-- before playoff time.
Anyway, each of us has a different pick for each of the three games. Starting with Minty, you've got game 1 between the Packers and the Dolphins. Who are you riding with?
MINTY BETS: Yeah, this one is kind of tough. But I think I'm going to be kind of square here. I mean, the Packers have been really inconsistent. And although Miami is on a losing streak, they should get back on track. This offense is really lethal. And I think Green Bay should struggle to defend against it.
Not to mention, the Packers have a weak O-line. They don't really have depth in their receiving corps. And they just don't have any chemistry. Miami is 5 and 1 straight up and 4 and 2 against the spread at home this season. So give me the Dolphins minus 4.
ARIEL EPSTEIN: I wish I was going to Miami this weekend instead of being stuck here in cold, frigid New York. Anyway, Broncos-Rams. The Broncos are on the road in Los Angeles, another warm-weather spot that I wish I was at that's not here. Anyway, no one cares. Mark Drumheller, what is your best bet in this game?
MARK DRUMHELLER: I took the Broncos here. I mean, what a game. It'll be a holiday miracle if we get too much scoring. But the total is just too low for me to get involved. Both offenses have been really bad this season. The Rams, 273 yards per game-- lowest in the NFL. And they only had 156 total yards against Green Bay.
So the injuries keep piling up. They put two more starters on the offense on IR this week. And I'm just not sure the Rams have anything left here, which is why I think the Broncos are the side. They get Russell Wilson back. He did throw three touchdowns against the Chiefs the last time he was out in the field.
And in a low-scoring game, converting red zone trips into touchdowns is huge. And that's something that Nathaniel Hackett and this Broncos offense has figured out. Denver scored touchdowns in their last six red-zone possessions. If they can continue to build on that, I think they can cover this short number. Give me the Broncos minus the 2 and 1/2.
ARIEL EPSTEIN: I'm going to continue this trend of not trusting offenses because, in the night game, we're not going to be blessed with a Christmas miracle of some amazing game. This game is going to be boring because, between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals, I don't trust either offense. What do you do when you don't trust either offense? You bet the under.
I trust the Bucs defense, at least I did in the first half last week until they blew the lead and the Bucs couldn't score. However, since I don't trust either offense, I've got to go bet this under of 40 and 1/2. The trends work in my favor, too, because the Buccaneers, when they're road favorites, 0 and 5 over/under. So hitting five unders when road favorites this year.
The Cardinals, when they're home underdogs, 1, 3, and 1 over/under. All these trends pointing to the under. Wouldn't surprise me, by the way this season's going, that our prime time Christmas game is going to be terrible and boring. Under 40 and 1/2 for the Cards and the Bucs.
Here's a recap of our picks for the Christmas Day games on Sunday. Minty is going to take the Dolphins minus 4. Mark's going with the Broncos laying the 2 and 1/2. I've got the under 40 and 1/2 in Bucs-Cards.
Bet $10 and win $100 when you wager on any event. Sign up at BetMGM.com/YahooSpecial. New customers only. Must be 21 or older. | 2022-12-23T00:23:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | Betting: Will Dolphins cover -4 vs. Packers on Christmas? | https://sports.yahoo.com/betting-dolphins-cover-4-vs-231857233.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/betting-dolphins-cover-4-vs-231857233.html?src=rss |
Linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) greets quarterback Russell Wilson (3) when they were Seattle Seahawks teammates. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
Russell Wilson (3) was traded to the Denver Broncos before this season. (Jack Dempsey / Associated Press)
“You could never touch him,” Wagner said of Wilson. “He said I would never catch him, so we'll see.”
Wagner, 32, has been one of the lone bright spots for the defending Super Bowl-champion Rams, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention in Monday's 24-12 defeat by the Green Bay Packers.
“Bobby definitely knows Russell probably as well as anybody,” Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said. “What he's capable of doing, what he's capable of not doing … some of the things he doesn't like, and all those types of things.
“But I'm sure Russell has the same type of stuff on Bobby Wagner. So those two have a nice little chess match.”
Linebacker Bobby Wagner (45) has been a significant leader on the Rams defense this season. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“To an extent,” Wagner said. “When you see somebody for 10 years, you kind of know what they like and what they don't like.
“But he's evolved as a player and especially as he moved there, there’s little things that he does differently. … Once you get going and you start hitting and all the other stuff, it slows down. The concepts that he likes and the things he likes to do will come to [the] surface and, hopefully, we’ll be able to take advantage of those things.” | 2022-12-23T00:23:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson set for first 'chess match' as opponents | https://sports.yahoo.com/bobby-wagner-russell-wilson-set-000155413.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bobby-wagner-russell-wilson-set-000155413.html?src=rss |
The Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1) and Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) released their initial injury reports Thursday as they prepare for the Week 16 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.
It’s a pretty small injury list for the Colts, but there are some important names on it, including a few starters.
CB Kenny Moore II continues to miss practice and hasn’t participated since injuring his ankle in Week 12.
CB Brandon Facyson appears to be ready to return after missing Week 15.
TE Kylen Granson is a new addition to the injury report compared to last week while WR Mike Strachan seems to be trending toward a return.
Here’s a look at the initial injury report for the Chargers in Week 16:
Infielder Brandon Drury has agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Right-hander Oliver Ortega was designated for assignment Thursday to make room on the Angels' 40-man roster for Drury, who hit a career-best 28 homers last season while playing for Cincinnati and San Diego. Drury excelled last season against left-handers, recording a .955 OPS and 12 homers. | 2022-12-23T00:23:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colts vs. Chargers: Initial injury report for Week 16 | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-vs-chargers-initial-injury-232934520.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-vs-chargers-initial-injury-232934520.html?src=rss |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Kevin O'Connell was an NFL prospect in the process of workouts and meetings when New York Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll arrived for a pre-draft session with the San Diego State product.
''I think the world of him. He's a tremendous leader of men, and schematically he's a good coach,'' said O'Connell, who was previously offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. ''You can see just by the way that guys play with great effort and are dialed into the details. He's done a tremendous job.''
''They don't flinch. I think that's a testament to coach O'Connell - and the rest of the guys on that team,'' Daboll said.
New York's front four - Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux - put plenty of pressure on Washington's Taylor Heinicke last week and will likely need to keep that up against Kirk Cousins to give the Giants a chance to win. The Colts sacked Cousins seven times, but he passed for 417 yards after halftime to fuel the rally.
''Kevin does a great job calling the offense. I said it's unfair: I'm the blue-collar guy going against Harry Styles,'' Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said, invoking the popular singer, songwriter and actor. ''He's a good-looking young guy, but I really like Kevin.''
''I told the defense he's one of the top two receivers in this league, and he's not number two,'' Martindale said. ''He's had a phenomenal year. Their whole offense has. It's one of those things that they throw the ball, and he could be in double or triple coverage, and he still catches it. I know it's fun for the fan to watch. It's not very fun for defensive coordinators.''
''We believe we're a good team. We're just going to keep focusing one week at a time and play as well as we can,'' Jones said.
''We know we put a lot of energy into that game. We accomplished what we needed to accomplish,'' Cook said. ''We've just got to carry over that second half.''
''These guys are fighting for playoff implications as well, so we know we're going to get their best shot,'' Peterson said.
EXCLUSIVE: HBO is not moving forward with a third season of Back On the Record With Bob Costas. “Bob Costas and his team have delivered insightful and quality sports programming with ‘Back on the Record,’ and we are proud of its multiple Sports Emmy nominations,” HBO spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “Bob is […] | 2022-12-23T00:24:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants-Vikings reconnects rookie coaches Daboll, O'Connell | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vikings-reconnects-rookie-coaches-222956700.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vikings-reconnects-rookie-coaches-222956700.html?src=rss |
What a difference 24 hours can make.
On Wednesday, LSU was the favorite to land five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks. The Tigers had multiple crystal ball predictions, and they were over a 90% favorite to land him per On3.
On Thursday, Ricks signed to play for Nick Saban and Alabama. The rich get richer. Alabama already had the No. 1 class in the country before the Ricks’ commitment. Now, the Tide will be in contention with Texas A&M for the best class of all time.
Ricks is a big loss for the LSU recruiting class, but the sun will rise again tomorrow. The only thing Brian Kelly can do now is beat the Tide on the field. He’s already done it once, but next year he will have to do it in Tuscaloosa.
I’m sure the LSU staff will look to the transfer portal for a few more players. We will find out about the rest of the transfers tomorrow, according to Brian Kelly. | 2022-12-23T01:14:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | BREAKING: LSU loses the Desmond Ricks sweepstakes to Alabama | https://sports.yahoo.com/breaking-lsu-loses-desmond-ricks-005140308.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/breaking-lsu-loses-desmond-ricks-005140308.html?src=rss |
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Though it’s something of a point of contention amongst some Michigan football players compared to others, the majority of Wolverines admit: last year, they were just happy to be in the College Football Playoff.
Then, the loss to Georgia happened, and Blake Corum, J.J. McCarthy, Donovan Edwards, Andrel Anthony, and Mike Morris lingered behind to see the Bulldogs receive their Capital One Orange Bowl trophy, set to advance to the national championship game.
So, what’s different about this team than last year’s? For one, the preparation feels different as the Wolverines ready themselves for TCU.
Thus, this game feels less like a bowl game to those preparing for it and more like a business trip, McGregor says. When it comes to any of the extras that may be thrown at them, they’re not quite as eager to partake, being of singular focus and mind.
“100%. Last year, it was like — people thought it was one and done, you know?” McGregor said. “And we got down there — and that was my first bowl game, so I didn’t really know what to expect. A lot of kids in our class, the 2020 class, we didn’t have a bowl game our freshman year. And then the freshmen coming in, they didn’t — that was their first bowl game. So that was majority of the team’s first bowl game. We didn’t really know what to expect, thinking it was gonna be a lot of fun. And I think we really had fun along the trip, but I think we were more caught up in — also bowl game, we’re excited to be here. And this year, we know what we have to do to win. We were here last year, like the guys said it last year as we were leaving the field: we’re coming, we’ll be back.
“So I think this year is definitely a more focused mindset. A more — we know exactly we got to do. It’s not about fun. We’re gonna have fun once we win the natty or win this game. It’ll be fun. So we’re definitely locked in this year, a lot more. And just the preparation and all that. So, you can really tell when you step in the building, you walk down the hall, you listen in meeting rooms.”
Michigan and TCU kick off at 4 p.m. EST in Glendale, Arizona. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with the winner advancing to the national championship game, which will be played at So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Jan. 9, 2023.
During the early signing period, Erik McCarty signs with the Oklahoma Sooners. | 2022-12-23T01:14:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Michigan football not focused on fun for the bowl game: ‘We’re gonna have fun when we win the natty’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-not-focused-fun-002352048.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-not-focused-fun-002352048.html?src=rss |
Corning Observer, Calif.
Dec. 19—In the spirit of the holiday season, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, through the Paskenta Nomlaki Foundation, is supporting the community by donating a total of $20,000 to three local organizations — the Red Bluff Chamber of Commerce, Corning Volunteer Fire Department, and Red Bluff Toys for Tots.
"As members of this community, we are humbled to support local organizations whose efforts provide direct assistance to those in need year-round," said Tribal Chairman Andrew "Dru" Alejandre. "We hope to bring joy to children and elders in our community, as well as boost the holiday spirit in the greater community."
Here are weather-related announcements connected to bitter wind chills in the forecast.
Atatiana Jefferson’s family relieved with sentencing, but say ‘fight is not over’
Ashley Carr, Atatian's sister, said she wanted the murder charge but is relieved with a stiff sentence for manslaughter. However, she says the fight is not over. She and her attorney say they'll continue to pursue federal and civil charges against Dean. | 2022-12-23T01:23:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians donates to local organizations during holidays | https://sports.yahoo.com/paskenta-band-nomlaki-indians-donates-045900255.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/paskenta-band-nomlaki-indians-donates-045900255.html?src=rss |
Julie R. Johnson, Corning Observer, Calif.
Dec. 19—In preparation for the Dec. 17 delivery of new toys and food by the Corning Volunteer Fire Department to more than 80 less-fortunate families in the community, individuals, groups, schools, organizations, clubs, churches and more have flooded the Fire Hall on Fifth Street with thousands of dollars worth of donations.
As an example, just one of the many donating groups, the Stony Creek Muzzleloaders on Dec. 14 delivered dozens of new toys and a $1,900 check to the Fire Hall, all of which was raised during the club's annual fundraiser event held earlier this month.
"We couldn't do this without the generosity of our community," said Corning Fire Chief Tom Tomlinson.
For more than five decades the town's volunteer firefighters have gathered, organized, wrapped toys, shopped and accepted donations to help those in the community who need assistance during the Christmas season.
Over that time, hundreds of families have benefitted from the community and fire department's kindness and holiday spirit.
The San Angelo Police Department is investigating a suspected accidental shooting of 16-year-old, according to a news release. | 2022-12-23T01:23:41Z | sports.yahoo.com | Toys, food donations flood Corning Fire Hall | https://sports.yahoo.com/toys-food-donations-flood-corning-045900946.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/toys-food-donations-flood-corning-045900946.html?src=rss |
“I just put to the side,” Greenlaw told NBC Sports Bay Area on Thursday. “You think about it, and allow it to fuel you, but I just put it to the side and focus on what I can do. Can’t focus on stuff you don’t get, because you’d living in the past. Got to look forward to next year.”
Coach Kyle Shanahan believes Greenlaw not getting named to the Pro Bowl is one of the biggest snubs of the season. The linebacker leads the team with 111 tackles — 75 solo and three for a loss. The Arkansas product also has registered an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
“To play at that level after not playing throughout the year, continuing in the playoffs, but just to really build his body up the whole right way throughout the offseason to get it fully healthy, to go through some of the stuff that he had to, to train the right way, to practice the right way and not lose his aggression, to not change who he is and to figure out how to get his body to be able to handle it to me is why he is reaping the benefits now.”
Greenlaw is looking ahead to the 49ers' matchup with the Washington Commanders on Saturday at Levi's Stadium, with the focus entirely on the task at hand. Still, one thing would help ease the pain of not being in the running for the Pro Bowl this season — winning it all.
“Congrats to my teammates, obviously, but I’d rather win a Super Bowl,” Greenlaw said. “If I win a Super Bowl then everything will go away.” | 2022-12-23T01:53:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | How 49ers' Dre Greenlaw can be vindicated after 2023 NFL Pro Bowl snub | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-dre-greenlaw-vindicated-2023-230444157.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-dre-greenlaw-vindicated-2023-230444157.html?src=rss |
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) The Buffalo Bills still have a few important goals to achieve before they turn their attention toward the biggest prize of all.
''We're facing a Chicago Bears team that is playing really good football right now and they play extremely hard,'' he said. ''I think Coach (Matt) Eberflus has done a great job of changing that culture, perhaps, at least from the outside looking in, in terms of how they're playing.''
The National Weather Service was predicting a high of 10 degrees with gusting wind - and that's after heavy snow on Thursday and Friday. The Bears' coldest home game by temperature was 2 degrees with a minus-13 wind chill against Green Bay on Dec. 22, 2008. The coldest by wind chill was minus-15 against the Packers on Dec. 18, 1983, when the temperature was 3.
He spent his five NFL seasons in the Windy City, playing cornerback on the the Bears' famed 1985 defense. Now in his sixth season on Buffalo's staff, Frazier has become accustomed to the gusts blowing in off Lake Erie that create havoc during Bills home games.
''Whoooo. I've played in some very, very windy games at Soldier Field. I don't know if I played in one quite like the one we had against New England a year ago,'' Frazier said, referring to a 14-10 loss to New England in which Patriots quarterback Mac Jones attempted just three passes because of the conditions. ''It would be close between the two.''
McDermott said the decision to leave Thursday would not disrupt the team's preparation. The Bills have become accustomed to revising their schedule. Last month, a lake-effect storm, which dumped seven feet of snow on parts of western New York, led to the team traveling to Detroit to play a ''home'' game against Cleveland.
''He's very dynamic in his route running, and it also helps having a quarterback (Josh Allen) that can throw the ball a million yards,'' Johnson said. ''I feel like their chemistry has definitely been building since he's been there.''
Though Brown had nine receptions for a career-high 181 yards, Johnson made him work for it. He broke up a season-high three passes. Diggs is third in the NFL with 1,299 yards receiving. Johnson was listed as questionable Thursday because of what Eberflus said was a ring finger injury. He's also been dealing with a rib issue.
''It looks good as far as going into the playoffs. It gives you multiple ways to win,'' said Diggs, who has a team-leading 10 touchdown receptions.
''What's really nice, too, is it's a different type of back,'' offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. ''I think there's a value in that, and having two different types of style runners like we're able to have here with D and him.'' | 2022-12-23T01:53:58Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bills try to clinch AFC East against Bears, eye No. 1 seed | https://sports.yahoo.com/bills-try-clinch-afc-east-001144944.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bills-try-clinch-afc-east-001144944.html?src=rss |
Young uses epic Star Wars reference to explain Purdy's success originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The 22-year-old QB has started just two games in his young NFL career so far, but both inspiring performances already have earned him an out-of-this-world comparison. Literally.
Former 49ers quarterback Steve Young joined KNBR’s "Tolbert & Copes" on Wednesday to discuss his first impressions of Purdy and used a unique analogy to describe the QB’s journey.
Purdy was elevated to starter after veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a foot injury in Week 13. In his first NFL star, he was almost perfect in the 49ers' 35-7 beatdown of the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then had another solid performance against their division rivals with a 21-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
"Scouts don’t know when [players] have the force," Young continued. "All they can do is measure you. That’s why there are so many first-round misses. Because they don’t know how to judge whether someone has the force. And then when somebody does, no matter where they’re drafted, you go, ‘Oh, you had the force? Who knew!’ I think that’s what is cool about young Brock." | 2022-12-23T01:54:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | Brock Purdy's NFL success explained by Steve Young's epic Star Wars reference | https://sports.yahoo.com/brock-purdys-nfl-success-explained-012412421.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/brock-purdys-nfl-success-explained-012412421.html?src=rss |
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The stakes for the San Francisco 49ers down the stretch of the season aren't particularly high after they clinched the NFC West last week.
''I think that's a big part of the mentality that we have to take is that we've got to go out and we've got to play our best,'' coach Ron Rivera said. ''We've got to get some things corrected and fixed and ready to go. We can't struggle in some of the areas that we have lately. Those things have to be addressed and they are being addressed.''
''It is somewhat of a measuring stick and it is a good opportunity to kind of see how we rank and how we stack up against people,'' Rivera said.
''I want to win all three games, so we're hot going in the playoffs,'' tight end George Kittle said. ''That's what I want. We have a rookie quarterback that needs all the reps he gets. I hope guys aren't asking for plays off. ... I hope pedal to the metal and we're out there trying to get better and trying to win football games because our offense wasn't pretty against Seattle.''
''There are some plays that we have in our offense that allows me to read somebody and get some stuff from my legs,'' Heinicke said. ''I feel comfortable with my legs. I feel like I can make some things happen. Obviously I'm a smaller guy, so when it's time to get hit, I'm trying to get down.''
''You got two hands on the ball,'' Rivera said. ''Two hands have to remain on the ball and protect it to the ground.''
''He was awesome,'' McCaffrey said about Rivera. ''I have so much respect for him. I know a lot of guys in the staff and he drafted me. He believed in me, gave me an opportunity. I'm always thankful for Coach Rivera.'' | 2022-12-23T01:54:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | Commanders cling to playoffs heading into meeting with 49ers | https://sports.yahoo.com/commanders-cling-playoffs-heading-meeting-234303631.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/commanders-cling-playoffs-heading-meeting-234303631.html?src=rss |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) First, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys lost to Jacksonville. Then, Philadelphia quarterbacking counterpart Jalen Hurts was all but ruled out with a sprained throwing shoulder.
''For me, the loss definitely dampers it,'' quarterback Dak Prescott said of making the playoffs. ''Now it's about building that momentum to feel confident about where we are at the end of the 17 games.''
''You have to do what you have to do to win this game, and that's always our sole focus,'' he said. ''You'll never get that out of me where I'm saying, `Hey, let's think about in three weeks here.'''
''If anything, it's about making a statement to ourselves,'' Prescott said. ''This is about ... proving it to ourselves in all three phases that we're a hell of a team and we can go get it done against one of the best teams in the league, whether they're in our division or not.''
''Not to brag, but I'm pretty mentally tough,'' Prescott said. ''I'm sure not hesitant or scared to say I'm struggling a little bit. So when something like that is happening, it's about knowing who you are.''
''No matter who plays quarterback for us, Dallas Goedert is a weapon for this football team,'' Sirianni said.
''I thought he's picked up the language very well,'' coach Mike McCarthy said. ''T.Y. has played a ton of football. It's more just getting on the same page with the quarterbacks.''
''We have to get him some touches early,'' Sirianni said. ''I think he's doing a really nice job of being decisive. I think he's doing a really nice job of being physical.'' | 2022-12-23T01:54:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | Dallas loss, Hurts injury take edge off Eagles-Cowboys clash | https://sports.yahoo.com/dallas-loss-hurts-injury-edge-232927478.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/dallas-loss-hurts-injury-edge-232927478.html?src=rss |
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Keisean Nixon has emerged as a pleasant surprise in the Green Bay Packers' otherwise disappointing season.
''Honestly I treat returns just like I did in Pop Warner,'' Nixon said. ''I just run fast. And I'm faster than other people.''
''He's tough, and I don't use that characteristic lightly,'' Rodgers said. ''There's just not the same amount of mentally, physically tough guys in the league, and he's one of them. He's a guy I wish I could've played a decade with because you can win with guys like that - smart guys who are mentally and physically tough who play with an edge, play with an attitude.''
''In junior college (at Arizona Western), I had all the confidence in the world,'' Nixon said. ''I feel like for a while, I kind of lost confidence. But being back in Green Bay, I feel like this coaching staff and these players, they're bringing it back out of me. I'm getting comfortable and I feel like I'm really in my groove right now in all phases.''
But it's on special teams where he really has stood out - particularly in this new role.
''He plays with a confidence that's not a fake confidence,'' Rodgers said. ''I think so many times you see certain players around the league who have kind of a fake confidence where, when it's going good, like a front-runner mentality. Kei doesn't have that. He's a bulldog. He's tough all the time. He plays strong. We love having guys out there who compete like that, and he does it every single day.''
''I know I'm probably going to get criticized for not playing him early, and that's fair,'' Packers coach Matt LaFleur said after the Rams game. ''We should have had him in there earlier, and we didn't. I don't think we knew what we had.''
''I've got supreme confidence, for one,'' Nixon said. ''Two, it's fun. I don't want to take it too serious. I think of everything like I did playing with my friends outside in Long Beach just playing streetball, for real.'' | 2022-12-23T01:54:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | Nixon providing unexpected spark to Packers return units | https://sports.yahoo.com/nixon-providing-unexpected-spark-packers-003153895.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nixon-providing-unexpected-spark-packers-003153895.html?src=rss |
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Back in November, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Miami's goal was to play in meaningful games in December and January.
''When you are in those months playing meaningful football, it is something unlike any other style of football that exists,'' McDaniel said. ''The beginning of the season pales in comparison to that environment.''
''We're about to play Aaron Rodgers, who has been in the league for years and arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play,'' safety Jevon Holland said. ''So what more do you have to focus on? This is a huge challenge, especially for me. ... Playoffs are playoffs. I've never been to the playoffs so I wouldn't know.''
''This is a really good football team that we're going against,'' Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. ''Obviously they're very hungry. They've got a lot at stake. We've got a lot at stake, and it should be a playoff-type game.''
''I think it leads to some creativity, quite honestly,'' he said, ''because you might see the same concept that you have that gets ran and it's like, OK, what wrinkle can I throw off of this, so I think there's pluses and minuses to everything.''
''I've made plays in this league for a long time and I've proven the player I am,'' Gesicki said. ''There's probably defensive coordinators that are going in and watching our film and have to put in time - or at least used to have to put in time - to `How are we going to affect the game plan with 88 out there?' In my opinion, yeah, I could help, but I'm just going to go about it in the most professional way I can.''
McDaniel said it's a ''failure to some degree'' that he hasn't gotten Gesicki more involved.
''I think any person in the locker room and every coach on the coaching staff would say no,'' he said. ''Just because they really believe in each other.''
''It's gonna be a fun show,'' Hill said. ''I'm gonna give people something to watch. It's gonna be very entertaining.''
''In all my 18 years, I've never once, until tonight, seen an opposing team's kicker kick away from one of our returners on purpose,'' Rodgers said after the Rams game. ''That's fun. That's pretty incredible.''
Senate votes overwhelmingly to confirm University of Akron Law School graduate as new ambassador. | 2022-12-23T01:54:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers, Dolphins meet on Christmas with playoff aspirations | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-dolphins-meet-christmas-playoff-231905363.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-dolphins-meet-christmas-playoff-231905363.html?src=rss |
Thankfully, it appears no one has been seriously injured. The Dallas Cowboys were notified that earlier in the day on Thursday, rookie defensive end Sam Williams was involved in a two-car crash that required him to be transported to the hospital as a precaution. Drafted out of Mississippi in the second round, Williams has been a solid performer for the Cowboys in his first season, appearing to be on an upward trajectory as he gains more game experience.
Williams, 23, apparently was hit by a vehicle that was turning at 2:15 pm on Preston Road just south of Clayburn Tollway. This was according to CBS-DFW.
Williams has three sacks and eight tackles for loss on the season. | 2022-12-23T01:54:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Report: Top Cowboys rookie involved in accident, taken to hospital as precaution | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-top-cowboys-rookie-involved-005359298.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-top-cowboys-rookie-involved-005359298.html?src=rss |
The season is officially over for New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona, who reportedly has a torn tendon in his foot.
It’s a tough loss for the team this late in the season. The long snapper is a specialty position that takes a lot of trust, and Cardona spent years building that trust with coach Bill Belichick and his teammates in New England.
He has appeared in 140 consecutive games for the Patriots. So not only is his season ending, but his incredible NFL streak will also come to an end in the Week 16 home game against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.
The Patriots are expected to turn to Tucker Addington on their practice squad to replace Cardona. It’ll be a tall task for the former Sam Houston State standout, who has yet to take an NFL snap.
He’ll have to do so with the Patriots on the brink of playoff elimination against what will easily be one of their toughest opponents of the season on Saturday. | 2022-12-23T01:55:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Season-ending injury claims Joe Cardona and his incredible NFL streak | https://sports.yahoo.com/season-ending-injury-claims-joe-013753676.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/season-ending-injury-claims-joe-013753676.html?src=rss |
ANDY BEHRENS: OK. We never have the opportunity to talk Thursday night football on "FFL." This is kind of fun. But it's happening this week. It's Jets. It's Jaguars. At the start of the season, we might not have guessed that this match-up would actually have a pretty great deal of importance. It's a big deal.
Vegas doesn't expect much offense here. The total is just 37 points. The weather should be nasty, at least in the second half of this game. Well, Matt, give me a player or match-up that interests you here.
MATT HARMON: Yeah, I'm really interested in the wide receivers in this match-up. I know there's weather talk. And, my god, I can't wait. Obviously, I'll miss the NFL season. I'll miss Fantasy season. I can't wait to stop talking about the damn weather, OK? I can't wait to never think about the forecast ever again and how it might relate to football. I just can't wait to shoot all that stuff into the sun, like we get to do at the end of every regular season.
But I know there's weather concerns. Still interested in the wide receivers, especially Garrett Wilson verse Zay Jones. Which guy is the better play?
I never thought I would be saying that at this point in the season. But these two guys, actually since week 13, have pretty identical numbers. Literally, they both have a 23.3% share of the targets in their offense. And they each have five red-zone targets as well. I mean, on paper, resume is the exact same.
Now, the talent gap between the two guys is pretty wide. I have been too disrespectful to Zay Jones. The guy is, like, a competent wide receiver three. He's a pretty-- despite that picture they just showed you of that ball almost clanking off his hands there-- he's a pretty solid player for the most part.
But Garrett Wilson's just a stud. If I'm starting a wide receiver from this match-up between these two guys, I feel really good about Garrett Wilson going against a beatable Jacksonville secondary tonight.
ANDY BEHRENS: Tank, talk to us about Trevor Lawrence, who's been surging against a pretty frisky Jets defense.
TANK WILLIAMS: It's crazy because, for so long, we just had to call this guy Trevor Lawrence because he had to deal with Urban Meyer and all that stuff last year. But finally, we can call this dude Sunshine, because he's balling again. He's looking like that cat that we saw down at Clemson. And I love to see it.
He had the Dallas Cowboys defense, which is one of the most formidable defenses in the league, last week. He throws for over 300 yards. He throws for four touchdowns. He brings his team back, and then they end up winning the game.
And I think we talked about it last week, how the Cowboys defense was overlooking the Jaguars and had their eyes set on Jalen Hurts. But, hey, Trevor Lawrence showed them that, you better see me and pay attention to me. And that's the most beautiful thing.
And now he has to deal with weather. He has to deal with Quinnen Williams. He has to deal with Sauce Gardner. I wish they were playing in the most pristine environment because I could see how he would really be able to perform against those guys, not having to deal with the weather.
But all that being said, he has to go out there and try to get a win against a really tough team to keep their playoff hopes alive. So I'm interested to see how he's going to be able to do that and then continue to ascend to being one of the better quarterbacks in the league.
ANDY BEHRENS: Personally, if you give me a chance to talk about Jacksonville, I am going to make sure that we discuss the heroic Fantasy achievements of one Evan Engram, who has surged to the tight end four on the season so far-- tight end four right now, as we speak.
Some might consider this an indictment of the position and not necessarily an indication that Evan Engram is good. But I'm here to ask, why can't it be both? Why can't the position be terrible and Evan Engram is OK?
Over his last three games, this man has 24 catches, 254 receiving yards, three touchdowns. He is giving you eight receptions a week. No other tight end is doing that. He has been a really steady play, at least over the last month or so.
And then you think about the conditions of this game. Obviously, it's going to be wet. It's going to be windy. We're probably not talking about a lot of deep downfield targets.
Well, Evan Engram has an aDOT of, like, 6.6. He's that short-area guy. I just think if any aspect of Jacksonville's passing game is in for a big night, it's probably going to be that Lawrence to Evan Engram connection that has been so good recently.
Last month, close to 66 million benefit payments were doled out by the Social Security Administration. Approximately 48.5 million of these Social Security checks were directed at the retired workers for whom the program was designed to financially protect during their golden years. According to national pollster Gallup, which has been surveying retired workers to determine their reliance on Social Security for the past two decades, roughly 9 out of 10 current retirees requires their Social Security income to cover their expenses. | 2022-12-23T01:55:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Thursday Night Football: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets | https://sports.yahoo.com/thursday-night-football-jacksonville-jaguars-001528731.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/thursday-night-football-jacksonville-jaguars-001528731.html?src=rss |
The Chicago Cubs bolstered their defense again on Thursday, agreeing to a $6.5 million contract with Gold Glove-winning catcher Tucker Barnhart. Barnhart's deal includes a $3.25 million salary for 2023 and a $3.25 million player option for 2024. Barnhart, who turns 32 on Jan. 7, is expected to back up Yan Gomes.
Lisa Wall, a spokesperson with AAA Hoosier Motor Club, provided several tips for driving in dangerous winter conditions. | 2022-12-23T02:50:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Report: Cubs, Tucker Barnhart agree to contract | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-cubs-tucker-barnhart-agree-203004804.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-cubs-tucker-barnhart-agree-203004804.html?src=rss |
The Jacksonville Jaguars took a first half lead against the New York Jets with a 16-play, 96-yard touchdown drive, but it may have proven to be a costly one.
Jaguars right guard and offensive team captain Brandon Scherff was injured near the goal line on a run play. After staying down and holding his right ankle, Scherff eventually limped off the field after being attended to by trainers.
Scherff was replaced in the game by Blake Hance and the team scored a one-yard rushing touchdown on his first play in the game. The Jaguars later announced that Scherff was questionable to return.
The Jaguars signed Scherff in the offseason to a three-year, $49.5 million contract. Prior to joining Jacksonville, Scherff spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career in Washington where he earned five trips to the Pro Bowl.
Jacksonville has avoided injuries along much of the roster, but has had issues along the offensive line. Starting left guard Ben Bartch was lost for the year earlier this season and left tackle Cam Robinson suffered a torn meniscus late in the team’s win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15. | 2022-12-23T03:25:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Brandon Scherff injury: Jaguars RG limps off with leg injury | https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-scherff-injury-jaguars-rg-020744656.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-scherff-injury-jaguars-rg-020744656.html?src=rss |
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) Derwin James is on his way back to the Los Angeles Chargers' lineup after returning to practice Thursday.
''It's going to be great to have him back,'' Staley said. ''I thought that he really lifted our team while he was away. He did a lot of things behind the scenes to help that group play well, and I thought it was important that we played well without him. Since he has been playing on this team, I think that it was the first time that we have really played at a high level without him out there. To get him back and be able to integrate him into our defense, it's just going to make us that much stronger.''
''The way I look at it, December football is playoff football,'' Chargers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day said. ''Right now, we're in it, and we're trying to continue the trend of winning so we can establish ourselves in the playoff picture. It's very important, and we don't take any team lightly, especially this team. They have great players on both sides of the ball.''
''It says a lot about the depth of our team that we have enough guys to be able to do it,'' Staley said. ''Kyle Van Noy and Khalil (Mack) have really led the way on the edge for us, but we've had quality contributions from so many guys, and it's been the same way in the secondary. I think Lo (Gilman), what he has been able to do for our defense, is really giving us confidence out there.''
''That's what we have to keep doing,'' Staley said. ''We have to keep bringing guys in and get them playing quality football.''
NOTES: Staley said the Chargers ''are still acquiring the facts'' about cornerback J.C. Jackson's arrest in Massachusetts on Monday. Authorities called it ''a nonviolent family issue.'' ... Joseph-Day (knee/back injuries) and CB Bryce Callahan (groin) were limited in practice. | 2022-12-23T03:25:37Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chargers close in on playoff spot against injuries, history | https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-close-playoff-spot-against-013534134.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-close-playoff-spot-against-013534134.html?src=rss |
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram started strong against the New York Jets on Thursday, catching five passes for 83 receiving yards in the first half.
That fast start was enough to secure Engram the Jaguars’ franchise record for receptions in a season by a tight end.
The record previously belonged to Kyle Brady, who finished the 2000 season with 64 receptions for 729 yards and three touchdowns. On Thursday, Engram recorded his 65th reception of the season and rumbled down the left sideline for a 36-yard gain.
After the first half, Engram had 693 receiving yards and four touchdowns on the year.
Engram joined the Jaguars in the offseason on a one-year, $9 million deal after spending the first five years of his career with the New York Giants. Last week, Engram told ESPN’s Michael DiRocco that he’s hopeful he can return to the Jaguars in 2023.
With just a little bit more production, Engram will likely own every single-season receiving record for a Jaguars tight end. And it’ll be hard for the team not to make keeping him in the offseason a top priority. | 2022-12-23T03:25:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Evan Engram breaks Jaguars record with fast start vs. Jets | https://sports.yahoo.com/evan-engram-breaks-jaguars-record-023539574.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/evan-engram-breaks-jaguars-record-023539574.html?src=rss |
Zach Wilson continues to struggle in a game where the Jets really needed him at his best. The offensive line is also getting abused and not doing Wilson and the running game any favors, as yet again, the rushing attack has been next to nothing. New York has a whopping four rushing yards. That’s not a typo. Four rushing yards. Michael Carter has three, Wilson has one, Zonovan Knight has zero.
On the flip side, the Jaguars really sucked a lot of life out of the Jets by going 96 yards on 16 plays in 8:15, culminating with a 1-yard touchdown from Trevor Lawrence…aka the quarterback the Jets were in line to get before winning two games in 2020 and dropping to No. 2 in the draft order, in case you hadn’t heard.
Let’s face it, there isn’t much to talk about. Wilson is 7/14 for 78 yards while Trevor Lawrence is 11/16 for 147 yards. It’s a mess and the Jets might as well play Chris Streveler at this point. The Zach Wilson experiment is a bust. He’s missing easy throws and isn’t seeing the blitz. He’s a mess, the Jets are a mess. Almost time to start thinking about 2023. | 2022-12-23T03:25:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jets offense playing like the preseason instead of the postseason, trailing 13-3 at half | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-offense-playing-preseason-instead-024519579.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-offense-playing-preseason-instead-024519579.html?src=rss |
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman did not mince words when talking about Patriots quarterback Mac Jones’ emotions through the past couple of games.
Jones has been getting more animated on the field, which is something Patriots legends and fans have noticed alike. The quarterback has endured his fair share of criticism over the last week, as the Patriots limp to the finish line of the 2022 regular season.
Edelman added his own thoughts to the topic and didn’t hold back. Jones has struggled this season, throwing only seven touchdowns to eight interceptions. On Sunday, he received worldwide attention for failing to tackle Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones, as the latter returned an interception for a touchdown.
Edelman appeared on Inside the NFL on Tuesday. He gave a passionate take on the interception play, as well as Jones’ behavior overall, as transcribed by Dakota Randall of NESN.com.
“Season’s on the line,” Edelman said on the latest Inside the NFL episode. “… You’ve gotta trip him. …He doesn’t practice all the antics after plays, and waving off coaches and all these little pissy faces and stuff. He doesn’t practice that and he does it. Why can’t he make the tackle?”
Jones will look for a bounce-back game on Saturday, when New England takes on the Cincinnati Bengals. The quarterback as well as the rest of the offense will have to be firing on all cylinders with playoff probabilities narrowing.
Rian Johnson has a message for any “Star Wars” fan who has complained about the bits of comedy in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”: “Slightly goofy humor” has always been an element of the franchise, dating back to George Lucas’ 1977 original. Johnson recently took part in a career retrospective interview for GQ and defended […] | 2022-12-23T03:26:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Julian Edelman didn’t hold back in criticism of Mac Jones | https://sports.yahoo.com/julian-edelman-didn-t-hold-024327927.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/julian-edelman-didn-t-hold-024327927.html?src=rss |
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner were drafted 28 picks apart by the Seahawks in 2012.
''Everything was pretty much live, and the checks and going back and forth, all of that was full speed - but the hitting wasn't,'' Wagner said with a grin. ''You could never touch him. He said I would never catch him. So we'll see.''
''When you see somebody for 10 years, you kind of know what they like and what they don't like,'' Wagner said. ''But he's evolved as a player, and especially as he moves there, there's little things that he does differently. But at the end of the day, once you get going and start hitting and all that other stuff, it slows down, and the concepts that he likes and the things he likes to do will come to the surface, and (I'll) hopefully be able to help take advantage of those things.''
''You don't want to just say, `I've already prepped for them, I know what they're about,''' Mayfield said. ''You still want to go back and run through all the new clips and see the different nuances.''
''That's always very tricky, because the Rams know that we know,'' Hackett explained. ''It goes back and forth. I think that's the chess game. In my past, I've gone through that and found all the answers out, and then it didn't help us at all. You want to utilize them, but not over-utilize them.''
''I do have a lot of love for a lot of people in that building,'' Stukes said. ''But at the same time, I want to go out there and dominate and I want to win.''
Nets’ Kyrie Irving not listed on injury report; expected to play Friday against Bucks
Kyrie Irving could play in Friday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. | 2022-12-23T03:26:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Wilson, Wagner meet as opponents when Broncos visit Rams | https://sports.yahoo.com/wilson-wagner-meet-opponents-broncos-021550624.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/wilson-wagner-meet-opponents-broncos-021550624.html?src=rss |
Ohio State ranks among the top programs in college football history, with a level of consistency unmatched by any other school. Not since 1922-24 have the Buckeyes had consecutive losing seasons.
Among the biggest reasons for OSU's continuous success has been its long list of ultra-successful coaches. Every coach from Woody Hayes to Jim Tressel has been elected into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Urban Meyer's three national championships, two at Florida and one at Ohio State, make him a near-lock when he becomes eligible. Current coach Ryan Day's 33-4 record has him on pace to join the club, though that's likely a long way away for the 43-year-old.
Here's a list of the winningest coaches in Buckeye history:
1. Woody Hayes (1951-78, 205 wins)
Jeff Logan on his coach, Woody Hayes: "Woody instilled the lesson that we had a responsibility far greater than winning a Big Ten championship."
To this day, Woody Hayes remains the standard by which all Ohio State coaches are measured. His victories are almost double any other OSU coach’s total. Hayes’ teams won 13 Big Ten titles and were consensus 1954 and 1968 national champions in that poll era. Hayes, whose hiring from Miami University was not universally applauded, was a character and often caricatured. His critics decried his conservative coaching philosophy and his temper tantrums. But his players revered him, knowing he cared deeply about preparing them for life and success after football. If Ohio State had a Mount Rushmore, he’s the first one on it.
2. John Cooper (1988-2000, 111 wins)
Ohio State coach John Cooper celebrates after his team scored their first touchdown against Arizona State at the 83rd Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1997.
Yes, we know his dismal record against Michigan (2-10-1) and in bowl games (3-8). But John Cooper racked up a lot of victories in Columbus. Ohio State hired Cooper from Arizona State, and after a subpar first season, the Buckeyes regularly were at or near the top of the polls. He built on what Earle Bruce had done modernizing the Ohio State offense. Cooper recruited and coached Buckeye all-timers Eddie George, Orlando Pace and Terry Glenn, among many others.
Ryan Day: Ryan Day estimates $13 million needed in NIL money to maintain Ohio State football roster
3. Jim Tressel (2001-10, 94 wins)
After the failures against Michigan under his predecessor, Tressel’s embrace of that rivalry made him a fan favorite from the start. His domination of the Wolverines clinched his status as one of the best coaches in Buckeye history. Some derided “Tressel-ball,” with its emphasis on field position and the kicking game, but the results spoke for themselves. He took Ohio State to three national championship games, winning the first one in a major upset over Miami in one of college football’s all-time classics. It looked like Tressel would coach at Ohio State as long as he wanted. Then came the tattoo and memorabilia scandal that cost him his job.
Jim Tressel: 2001, an Ohio State football odyssey: When the Buckeyes started dominating Michigan
4. Urban Meyer (2012-18, 82 wins)
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer watches his team during a punt return against Northwestern Wildcats during the 2nd quarter in the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis, Ind on December 1, 2018. [Kyle Robertson/Dispatch]
Meyer was the first Ohio State coach who was already as big as the program when he arrived. The Ashtabula native coached Utah to an undefeated season and won two national titles at Florida, one coming in a stunning rout of Ohio State. After a year off coaching, a refreshed Meyer led the Buckeyes to wins in his first 24 games. In 2014, he directed Ohio State to an improbable national championship in the first College Football Playoff despite losing two quarterbacks to season-ending injuries. Meyer took OSU back to the CFP in 2016 before stepping down after the 2018 season, which ended with a Rose Bowl victory.
Urban Meyer: ‘Do I have anything in my contract that says I don’t have to do this?’: Why Urban stayed
Urban Meyer: 'I had no idea what was coming': Urban Meyer still amazed at the 2014 Ohio State team
Urban Meyer: 'I kept thinking I let these players down': Urban Meyer on his OSU exit and new challenges
5. Earle Bruce (1979-87, 81 wins)
Ohio State Coach Earle Bruce offers words of advice to Buckeye star Keith Byars during a 1984 game against Illinois.
It’s a thankless task to follow a legend, but Earle Bruce was the right man for the moment. Bruce was a Hayes protégé and similar in philosophy. He was just as passionate, though not prone to the outbursts his mentor had. Bruce’s first team was his best. Not much was expected of the 1979 team, but it went undefeated in the regular season before being nipped by USC in the Rose Bowl to deny the Buckeyes a national championship. Six straight 9-3 seasons followed, which would be considered successful at most places other than Ohio State. After his firing the week before the 1987 Michigan game, Bruce’s team rallied behind him and pulled off a stunning upset. The lasting image of Bruce as OSU coach is of him wearing a fedora as players carried him off the field.
6. John Wilce (1913-28, 78 wins)
The longest-serving coach other than Hayes, Wilce led the Buckeye program into prominence. He coached Ohio State to its first three conference titles, and its first win over Michigan in 16 tries. That came in 1919 thanks to the heroics of the school’s first real star, Chic Harley. The following season, Ohio State went to the Rose Bowl for the first time. Wilce, who earned his medical degree in 1919, stepped down as coach nine years later to concentrate on his medical practice.
7. Francis Schmidt (1934-40, 39 wins)
Francis Schmidt was known for his innovative — and often unusual — offensive schemes as coach of the Buckeyes from 1934 to 1940.ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO
Schmidt propelled Ohio State into the modern age of college football. His teams featured an innovative offense featuring plenty of razzle-dazzle. Schmidt won two Big Ten titles. He might be most famous for his quirky personality and his elevation of the Michigan rivalry. Ohio State’s tradition of giving gold pants trinkets to the team following wins over the Wolverines started after he said Michigan’s players put their pants on one leg at a time just like Ohio State’s.
8. Ryan Day (2019-current, 33 wins)
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day prepares to lead his team on the field during the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium
Day had never been a head coach before he arrived in Columbus as quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator. But he impressed Urban Meyer and others so much that when Meyer was suspended for three games in 2018, athletic director Gene Smith bypassed former head coaches Greg Schiano and Kevin Wilson to name Day acting coach. The Buckeyes won those three games, and Smith hired Day to succeed Meyer late that season. Day’s teams have lost only four games. His 2019 team ranked among the most dominant in school history until its CFP semifinal loss to Clemson. The 2020 Buckeyes weathered COVID-19 to reach the national title game. With recruiting and development remaining at a high level, it seems a matter of time before Ohio State under Day wins it all.
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9. Albert Herrnstein (1906-09, 28 wins)
Herrnstein was the most successful of Ohio State’s early coaches, none of whom lasted too long. Herrnstein was a star player at Michigan under Fielding Yost. Ohio State hired him in 1906 and he led the Buckeyes to an 8-1 record, its best season ever to that point. The only loss came to Michigan, and his Buckeyes were 0-4 against his alma mater. For most of the rest of his life, Herrnstein ran a hardware store in Chillicothe.
10. Sam Willaman (1929-33, 26 wins)
Ohio State did not put forth its best effort in 1931 against Minnesota, and coach Sam Willaman (middle) took criticism from the press about it.
Willaman was a star fullback at Ohio State in 1911 and ’13. Hired by John Wilce in 1926 to be an assistant coach and eventual successor, Willaman took over in 1929. His last team was his best one. OSU went 7-1 in 1933, outscored opponents 161-26, and shut out five of them. The Buckeyes’ only loss was a 13-0 loss at undefeated Michigan. But that loss was his third in five games against the Wolverines, and Willaman resigned under pressure after the season to become coach at Western Reserve University in Cleveland. His career and life was cut short when he died following emergency intestinal surgery in 1935 at age 45.
Bill Rabinowitz covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at brabinowitz@dispatch.com or on Twitter @brdispatch.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football all-time winningest coaches: The top 10 | 2022-12-23T04:21:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Who are the top 10 winningest Ohio State coaches? Woody Hayes is No. 1, but who's next? | https://sports.yahoo.com/top-10-winningest-ohio-state-174128361.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/top-10-winningest-ohio-state-174128361.html?src=rss |
What Zach Wilson said after game
"Right now the feeling is I just got to put my head down and try to get better for these guys," Wilson said after the game. "That's kind of my message to them out there. I'm trying to give them everything I got. I'm trying to lay it out there for you guys and it's not good enough. I got to put them in a better position." | 2022-12-23T04:56:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Who is Chris Streveler? Meet QB who replaced Zach Wilson after Jets bench second-year passer | https://sports.yahoo.com/chris-streveler-meet-qb-replaced-035045168.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chris-streveler-meet-qb-replaced-035045168.html?src=rss |
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts haven't changed the game plan.
''It's no secret, we haven't converted in the red zone and ultimately, you've got to make plays in the NFL and we're not making nearly enough explosive plays and not making plays in the red zone,'' he said when announcing Matt Ryan was getting benched again. ''I feel like Nick will give us a better chance to go win these last three games.''
''I feel like you have to be able to match up with a lot of different styles in the league,'' coach Brandon Staley said. ''Miami and Tennessee could not be more different, but your defense has to be able to change and still perform at a high level. I think I've been able to see more of that.''
''He's come in at different times in his career and has been fantastic,'' Saturday said, noting Foles' title-winning run with Philadelphia following the 2017 season. ''I think he's very comfortable in this position.''
''We have to get the explosions, stay away from negative plays and score in the red zone,'' Staley said. ''That is the formula. Our guys have to really attack with that mindset.''
''We did some good things (at Minnesota),'' Moss said. ''There's obviously some things we could have cleaned up but you know, I think it was a good step for us as a team on the offensive side.'' | 2022-12-23T04:56:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colts still playing to win as Chargers chase playoff spot | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-still-playing-win-chargers-023020402.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-still-playing-win-chargers-023020402.html?src=rss |
The Jacksonville Jaguars inched closer to a spot in the playoffs with a 19-3 win over the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football.
While the Jaguars offense slowly grinded away at the Jets for much of the game, even finishing off a 96-yard touchdown drive early, the story was the ineptitude of the New York offense.
Zach Wilson, the player drafted one pick after Trevor Lawrence in 2021, was eventually benched after throwing for only 92 yards through nearly three quarters.
Here’s how the Jaguars’ smooth Week 16 victory at MetLife Stadium went down:
Jaguars MVP of the game: Evan Engram
Engram has emerged as a dominant force in the Jacksonville offense. After finishing with 162 yards and two touchdowns a couple weeks ago, Engram recorded another triple-digit game on Thursday.
With seven catches for 113 yards, Engram broke the franchise record for single-season receptions by a tight end and he’s now at a career-high in yardage with 723.
Jets MVP of the game: Chris Streveler
The offense couldn’t do a single thing with Zach Wilson at quarterback. The only points scored by the Jets in the first three quarters came on a field goal after a Jaguars fumble set up New York in the red zone.
It wasn’t until Wilson was benched in the final minutes of the third quarter that the Jets finally looked capable of moving the ball. It ultimately didn’t lead to a comeback, but Streveler still finished as the Jets’ leading rusher and provided the team its only spark.
Jaguars play of the game: Trevor Lawrence’s 1-yard touchdown run
It wasn’t exactly a pretty play, but Lawrence’s quick dive over the goal line capped a 16-play, 96-yard touchdown drive that set the tone for the game. The Jaguars could move the Jets defensive line all game and the New York offense couldn’t come close to keeping up.
It was over when the Jets’ first drive with Streveler ended after 16 plays with a turnover on downs. That ended the little hope that New York had left at a late-game rally.
Stat that says it all: Eight straight Jets drives ended without points.
The Jaguars offense was efficient, racking up 363 total yards on a cold and rainy night at MetLife Stadium. But Jacksonville left the door open by not turning that into many points. The Jets couldn’t take advantage, though.
Up next: The 7-8 Jaguars will travel to face the one-win Houston Texans. The two teams met in Week 5 and the Texans earned a surprising 13-6 win.
While the Jaguars will have a chance to get that loss back, there’s also a scenario where it could make sense for the team to rest its starters before Week 18.
Coach Swinney: Clemson football program was built in God's 'image'
'Fox & Friends Weekend' co-host Will Cain showcased his nephew, Harris Sewell, after he committed to Clemson to play football. | 2022-12-23T04:57:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jaguars 19, Jets 3: Jacksonville grinds out Thursday win | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-19-jets-3-jacksonville-040723473.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-19-jets-3-jacksonville-040723473.html?src=rss |
Wilson withered under the bright lights of a national spotlight on Amazon Prime and was benched in the second half in favor of Chris Streveler as the Jets fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars 19-3. The loss makes it all but official that the Jets will not be going to the playoffs after starting the season 5-2 and will extend the league’s longest postseason drought, which will reach 12 seasons.
It may not have been Wilson’s worst performance, number-wise, but being that it was a primetime game in December with playoff implications, it makes the performance that much worse. Wilson went 9/18 for 92 yards and an interception before head coach Robert Saleh finally made the swap to Streveler in the third quarter, perhaps a little too late, though. Wilson’s QB rating was 41.9. Even simple throws Wilson is missing.
Before the quarterback switch, there was nothing to talk about with the Jets’ offense, especially on the ground. New York had all of four rushing yards at halftime.
Head coach Robert Saleh said after the game he wanted to get the run game going and that’s what led to the swap at quarterback and not necessarily a benching of Wilson.
Robert Saleh on decision to bench Zach Wilson: “We were trying to get the run game going .”
He does not say it was related to Zach Wilson’s performance.
Said he then provided a spark so they stuck with him. #Jets
After Streveler came in, the Jets did get the run game going — “Snowballed, in a good way,” as Saleh put it — and at least made it to 66 rushing yards as a team. 54 of those yards came from Streveler, himself. The actual running backs, on the other hand, totaled just 11 yards, including -2 yards from Zonovan Knight. That is not a typo. That is a negative sign in front of the two.
Streveler went 10/15 for 90 yards but could have had a big touchdown pass but an off-target throw led to just a 30-yard completion to tight end C.J. Uzomah instead of a long touchdown.
The offense as a whole was just all sorts of messy, between Wilson, the offensive line and some drops from receivers, namely Corey Davis. The Jets were out-gained by the Jaguars 365-227, including 147-66 on the ground. Jacksonville also had almost double the number of first downs as New York, 19-10. It also didn’t help that the Jets went 2/13 on third down. The Jaguars were 7/16.
Another turning point of this game was on defense for the Jets, when they allowed a 96-yard, 16-play drive in the second quarter that took 8:15 off the clock. The drive ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Trevor Lawrence. That seemed to suck all the life out of the Jets.
New York scored a field goal on their first drive and then nothing after. Five punts, an interception at the end of the half, a fumble and two turnovers on downs. And with this being such an important game for the Jets, that’s your story of the 2022 New York Jets, who have now lost four straight and six of their last eight. A team that was once 5-2 has gone 2-6 since.
On the one hand, it’s nice for the Jets to have been playing meaningful games in December, On the other hand, the offseason will have plenty of moments where the Jets will be wondering “what if.”
The Jets close the home portion of their schedule with a whimper. They finish up the season with trips to Seattle and Miami and maybe salvage a winning season. The Jets will have to figure out their quarterback situation for those two games, but it’s probably safe to say that, like Pete Davidson and Cecily Strong to name a few, Zach Wilson will not be returning to the show. | 2022-12-23T04:57:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jets swap Zach Wilson for Chris Streveler as playoff hopes are just about down the drain in 19-3 loss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-swap-zach-wilson-chris-043842351.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-swap-zach-wilson-chris-043842351.html?src=rss |
One of the top defenders in college football is making the jump to the next level.
Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell is leaving school early to enter the 2023 NFL draft, and will not play in the Holiday Bowl.
One of the top off-ball linebacker prospects in this year’s draft class, Sewell is the younger brother of Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
It’s possible Sewell could sneak into the first round, but if he slips to Day 2, he shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called. | 2022-12-23T04:57:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Oregon LB Noah Sewell declares for 2023 NFL draft | https://sports.yahoo.com/oregon-lb-noah-sewell-declares-043302862.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/oregon-lb-noah-sewell-declares-043302862.html?src=rss |
PITTSBURGH (AP) December. Cold. High(-ish) stakes.
Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris' death on Wednesday - just two days before the 50th anniversary of ''The Immaculate Reception'' that gave Pittsburgh an improbable victory in the 1972 playoffs and three days before the Steelers were scheduled to retire his No. 32 - brought reality crashing into view.
''We're all heartbroken, but we do look forward to honoring him and his legacy this weekend,'' Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. ''And obviously, where our attention needs to be is on the preparation required to put together the type of performance that's fitting of a great man like Franco.''
They do, but just barely. Pittsburgh has won three of four to keep its wafer-thin postseason hopes alive. The Raiders enter with their own scaled-down version of ''The Immaculate Reception'' in their bizarre game-ending walk-off victory over New England last week, when defensive end Chandler Jones grabbed an ill-advised lateral by the Patriots and raced to the end zone as time expired while his teammates stood dumbfounded on the sideline.
''It was one of the wildest endings as far as the final play that I've been a part of,'' Las Vegas wide receiver Davante Adams said. ''So, I was kind of stuck for a minute just watching.''
''He would want us to be focused and go out and practice hard and go get the win,'' Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett said. ''So we're definitely playing for him this week.''
''Although I asked if we could get the indoor (cold),'' McDaniels said. ''They said it might shut the building down if we got 10 degrees. Look, it is what it is. I've had the reverse, where you're practicing in cold weather and you go south or west and you have to deal with temperatures you haven't practiced it in three months or in two months.''
''To me, this is football,'' he said. ''I think part of this is handling the conditions, being able to play in the conditions and able to think in the conditions.''
''I feel like (the game) has slowed down each week,'' Pickett said. ''Like I've been saying for the last couple of weeks, it's all about playing and getting reps and I feel good with where I'm at right now.''
''A lot is just being good at the mundane,'' Hollins said. ''Do something over and over and over again. It might be two times out of that 80 (plays) you're the focal point of the play, but you don't know when those two are coming.''
''When we're at practice, I get upset with him if I down it anywhere outside the 5-yard line,'' Hollins said. ''A lot of teams, the goal is inside the 10, but he's got the best leg in the league. So that 10 isn't good enough in my mind.'' | 2022-12-23T04:57:29Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders-Steelers will be bittersweet after Harris' death | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-steelers-bittersweet-harris-death-023336653.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-steelers-bittersweet-harris-death-023336653.html?src=rss |
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) Lamar Jackson is out for a third straight game, and Marcus Mariota is on injured reserve.
''It's going to be very cold, it's going to be windy,'' Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. ''We're just going to have to deal with the weather, the footing, the cold temperatures and execute and play our best game. It really doesn't matter. There are no excuses.''
''The reality is they're all must wins, but our focus is this challenge,'' Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. ''We were in the same spot last week where you get in all the bizarre scenarios around us, but most importantly we've got to find a way to win, and that's all that we're concerned about.''
''Last week, he was the most popular guy in Atlanta,'' Smith said. ''Now, he's played. That's always the case. An old coach told me that one time, there's nobody more popular than your backup quarterback until he has to play. It held true.''
Last week's benching of Mariota - even before he went on IR - and the move to Ridder highlighted the team's reliance on rookies.
Allgeier and London are the team's leading rusher and receiver. Linebacker Troy Andersen made his second start last week. Defensive end Arnold Ebiketie has two forced fumbles and 2+ sacks.
''Takeaways are important to every team, but for us, we emphasize it every week - taking the ball over,'' safety Marcus Williams said. ''It gives us an advantage. So, we just need to attack the ball this week, get some more takeaways and get our offense the ball back so we can get in the end zone.''
''It is nice where he hasn't taken 300 caries so far, and neither has CP,'' Smith said. ''I think that helps you so that we can continue to be productive in that area.''
MANCHESTER, England (AP) Erling Haaland scored his 24th goal of the season but it was Nathan Ake's first that clinched Manchester City's 3-2 win over Liverpool in the English League Cup on Thursday. Kevin De Bruyne, one of six City starters coming off World Cup duty, set up both goals and Riyad Mahrez scored just after halftime to help City reach the quarterfinals.
a Spectacular Goalie Save from New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders
(New York Islanders) with a Spectacular Goalie Save from New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders, 12/22/2022 | 2022-12-23T04:57:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ravens, Falcons may need to run -- even more than usual | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-falcons-may-run-even-024610396.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-falcons-may-run-even-024610396.html?src=rss |
One of the top blockers in college football is making the jump to the next level.
Syracuse offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron is leaving school early to enter the 2023 NFL draft, and won’t play in the Pinstripe Bowl.
An intriguing prospect who could be one of the first players off the board at his position, Bergeron is a well-rounded player with the length and athleticism to handle speed rushers, and the power and agility to be effective in the run game. | 2022-12-23T04:57:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Syracuse OT Matthew Bergeron declares for 2023 NFL draft | https://sports.yahoo.com/syracuse-ot-matthew-bergeron-declares-043836350.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/syracuse-ot-matthew-bergeron-declares-043836350.html?src=rss |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans are not used to losing, not with the NFL's second-longest active winning streak at six straight seasons.
''We're going to play together, we're going to play for each other and that's all that matters,'' Simmons said. ''I don't we don't care about the outside noise. And, you know, we're going to find a way to get a win.''
''We feel like we'll be healthier starting with that,'' Smith said. ''We didn't play our best ball last time, and we're playing better football right now.''
''(He's) hot Dameon Pierce, but when you come in in a backup role, to have that kind of production, it's pretty good,'' Smith said.
One plus? Communicating on defense should be easier. Byard said, ''We'll have the advantage, that's how I feel.''
''This is what I've found from being up north, people say you get used to it,'' Smith said. ''I never got used to it. Every day it was cold in Chicago, I was cold.'' | 2022-12-23T04:58:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Titans will try to end skid, stay atop AFC South with Willis | https://sports.yahoo.com/titans-try-end-skid-stay-023127807.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/titans-try-end-skid-stay-023127807.html?src=rss |
After the game, Jets coach Robert Saleh said Streveler was put in to give the team a spark. He had a couple good plays and the team just stuck with him. Streveler played the rest of the game.
Streveler is mostly a gadget runner at quarterback, but he gave the Jets' offense a little life early on. The Jets had three first downs when Streveler came in the game late in the third quarter, and he surpassed that total on his first drive. After four first downs, that drive ended with an incomplete pass on fourth down, but it was better than anything the Jets had done up to that point.
Streveler didn't lead the Jets to any points in the 19-3 loss but he did have 90 yards passing and 54 yards rushing. There's a question if he'll be considered for the start in Week 17 if Mike White hasn't recovered from injury. | 2022-12-23T04:58:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | With Zach Wilson struggling, Jets try QB Chris Streveler late in 3rd quarter | https://sports.yahoo.com/with-zach-wilson-struggling-jets-try-qb-chris-streveler-late-in-3rd-quarter-033056353.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/with-zach-wilson-struggling-jets-try-qb-chris-streveler-late-in-3rd-quarter-033056353.html?src=rss |
Zach Wilson dropped back, the Jacksonville Jaguars sniffed out a screen, and Wilson sidearmed it into the ground. The boos weren't that loud, but you could easily make them out on the broadcast.
The boos were loud by the end of the first half. With every poor offensive play, Jets fans voiced their displeasure. When Wilson's desperation pass at the end of the half was picked off, Jets fans were angry.
Thursday night's awful 19-3 loss to the Jaguars might not have been rock bottom for Wilson, because there was that horrendous game against the New England Patriots that got him benched for the first time this season, but it was really bad. Late in the third quarter, Wilson was benched for Chris Streveler, a run-first gadget QB. Jets coach Robert Saleh said he put in Streveler to give the offense, and particularly the run game, a spark. He had a couple good plays right away and the Jets stuck with him the rest of the game. The Jets had three first downs with Wilson playing. On Streveler's first drive, the Jets got four first downs.
Wilson is a struggling second-year quarterback, and he's in the wrong market for it. In 2021 there was some debate about whether Trevor Lawrence or Wilson should be the No. 1 pick — seriously, that happened — and it didn't seem so bad that the Jets had to settle for Wilson at No. 2. On Thursday night, and many days before that, the two quarterbacks look like they're not even playing the same sport.
For the Jets, they're again left wondering if there's any hope for a quarterback who was drafted No. 2 overall about 20 months ago.
Zach Wilson's struggles start right away
It was raining and windy at MetLife Stadium, but Lawrence didn't have much problem with the conditions. Wilson couldn't make simple throws. Wilson can scramble around and throw it a long way, and that gets some people excited, but he hasn't shown he can operate within the normal structure of an NFL offense.
Not yet anyway. There's time for him to develop. Injuries have set him back. But there's a reason all those Jets fans were booing. There was a reason Jets players were so excited to play for Mike White when White took over for Wilson a few weeks ago.
White is injured and that's why Wilson was playing again. The results haven't been much different for Wilson this time around.
It started on the first series. Lawrence fumbled and the Jets recovered at the Jaguars' 16-yard line. On third down, Wilson never saw safety Andre Cisco on a blitz and was sacked. There was no awareness on the play. Maybe that's being a young quarterback. You'd just like to see more progress by now.
After Wilson was benched Thursday night, you have to wonder if he'll have any more chances to play this season.
The difference in the Jets offense when Streveler came in the game was unmistakable. Streveler isn't going to be a regular NFL starting quarterback but he ran with toughness and purpose. The fans came alive for a bit. The offense had some juice, finally. That probably says more about Wilson than Streveler.
The Jets were in position to draft Lawrence before they won two of their last three games in 2020, including a huge upset over the Los Angeles Rams, and Jacksonville suddenly had the first pick.
Just imagine if the Jets had lost out and gotten Lawrence. There are a lot of good pieces in place for the Jets. They had a great draft this season. They were 7-7 coming into Thursday night's game, still in the playoff race, which was a testament to how good the rest of the roster has been around the quarterback position.
And at home, against a 6-8 Jaguars team, with their playoff future likely at stake, the Jets weren't even competitive. It was clear early in the game that the Jaguars were going to win. The Jets were putrid on offense. Lawrence looked good enough and the Jets weren't going to score enough to make it a game. The only time the Jaguars seemed to be in any bit of trouble was Streveler's first drive.
Not every quarterback needs to be a finished product in his second season. Some players need longer to develop. Wilson is 23 years old with 22 NFL starts. That's not enough to say for certain he is a bust. But the Jets have to be asking themselves the same question as everyone else: What signs are there that Wilson can become a competent NFL quarterback? | 2022-12-23T05:53:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | After Jets' bad loss to the Jaguars, Zach Wilson starting to look like a lost cause | https://sports.yahoo.com/after-jets-bad-loss-to-the-jaguars-zach-wilson-starting-to-look-like-a-lost-cause-040826149.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/after-jets-bad-loss-to-the-jaguars-zach-wilson-starting-to-look-like-a-lost-cause-040826149.html?src=rss |
Red Sox sign veteran utility man to minor league deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Red Sox added another versatile player to the mix on Wednesday.
Niko Goodrum, a six-year MLB veteran, was signed to a minor league contract. The 30-year-old has played every position except pitcher and catcher during his career.
Goodrum is among six non-roster invitees to the Red Sox' 2023 Spring Training roster. Also on the list are pitchers Norwith Gudino and Oddanier Mosqueda, catchers Caleb Hamilton and Ronaldo Hernández, and outfielder Narciso Crook.
Goodrum originally was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the second round of the 2010 MLB Draft. He made his big-league debut in 2017, playing 11 games for the Twins before spending 2018-21 with the Detroit Tigers. He played in 15 games for the Houston Astros in 2022.
In 376 career games, Goodrum has a .226 batting average with 42 homers and 152 RBI. The utility man has spent most of his time at shortstop (147 games) and second base (124).
Right-handed reliever Mychal Givens and the Orioles finalized a one-year, $5 million contract, a deal that includes a mutual option for 2024.
Veteran outfielder Michael Brantley signed a one-year, $12 million deal to remain with the Astros after missing more than half of last season with a shoulder injury.
There’s an adage coined by Los Angeles Clippers’ broadcaster Ralph Lawler that in the NBA the first team to 100 points wins. Never has that been less true than this season. Earlier this week, the Portland Trail Blazers got to 100 first against the Washington Wizards and lost 123-121, which looks like a typical score […] | 2022-12-23T05:53:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | Red Sox sign utility man Niko Goodrum to minor league deal | https://sports.yahoo.com/red-sox-sign-utility-man-200636073.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/red-sox-sign-utility-man-200636073.html?src=rss |
Nov 24, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the side line during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NFL prediction: Cincinnati Bengals vs New England Patriots
Cincinnati has been ordered to refund $3.3 million to people who paid to register their security alarms or paid fees for false alarms.
The Flint water crisis prosecutors will appeal the dismissal of charges brought against the state's ex-health director to the Michigan Supreme Court.
There’s a sucker born every minute and most of them are going to be placing bets. | 2022-12-23T05:53:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Williams: Prediction for Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots on Christmas Eve | https://sports.yahoo.com/williams-prediction-cincinnati-bengals-vs-040017896.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/williams-prediction-cincinnati-bengals-vs-040017896.html?src=rss |
Billionaire Mat Ishbia reached an agreement this week to buy a majority stake in the Phoenix Suns at a $4 billion valuation, a deal that put him in a league with Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer—in more ways than one. Not only did the price top the previous record of $3.3 billion that Joe […] | 2022-12-23T06:56:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Don MacLean: Harrison Ingram’s ‘change in mindset’ stood out in Stanford’s win vs. Loyola Chicago | https://sports.yahoo.com/don-maclean-harrison-ingram-change-054618929.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/don-maclean-harrison-ingram-change-054618929.html?src=rss |
Ask Papa: Purdy is 'complete package' as 49ers' long-term QB originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Is Brock Purdy the 49ers' long-term answer at the quarterback position? Greg Papa certainly believes so.
On the latest "Ask Papa" segment, the 49ers broadcaster was asked by NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco what he has seen from the rookie that leads him to believe Purdy has a chance to be San Francisco's long-term answer at the position.
"Everything," Papa said. "I can counter-ask and ask what have I not seen. He's the complete package ... I saw it from training camp.
"When you look at him, he has total command. Scripted, unscripted, tough on the road in a hostile environment. What more does he have to prove than to just go do it over a body of work of a career? I can't think of anything he's weak at. He's smaller, he does not have Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes' elite throwing arm, but he's got enough of an arm. That does not mean he won't have bad games."
Although Papa believes Purdy possesses the traits necessary to be an effective NFL quarterback, he recognizes that the Iowa State product is not perfect.
"So he does not have an elite throwing arm, he does not have elite size, but he has elite everything else," Papa explained. "And he has elite intangibles."
Purdy, who replaced an injured Jimmy Garoppolo, who replaced an injured Trey Lance, is the third quarterback the 49ers have started under center this season, and arguably the most productive.
Whether or not he is able to lead San Francisco back to the Super Bowl remains to be seen, however, Papa believes the 22-year-old has a good shot at taking over as the starter for the foreseeable future. | 2022-12-23T07:58:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | Brock Purdy is 'complete package' as 49ers' long-term QB, Greg Papa claims | https://sports.yahoo.com/brock-purdy-complete-package-49ers-065646489.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/brock-purdy-complete-package-49ers-065646489.html?src=rss |
The 2022 Philadelphia Eagles NFL’s best team. They have a 13-1 record, with their only loss as an odd misstep against the Washington Commanders in Week 10. The offense is explosive, diverse, and just about impossible to stop. The offensive line is the NFL’s best, and it isn’t particularly close. The defense has come around in 2022, especially the pass rush and coverage. And third-year quarterback Jalen Hurts has gone from a big maybe in 2021, to unquestioned franchise quarterback in 2022.
This team hasn’t faced a lot of adversity this season, but they’re about to get a dose of it. Hurts suffered a sprained throwing shoulder in Philly’s 25-20 win over the Chicago Bears last Sunday, and he won’t play in this Saturday’s crucial matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. So, it’ll be Gardner Minshew at the helm. In 2021, his first season with the Eagles, Minshew completed 41 of 60 passes for 469 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 104.8. He might have starter potential on a team with a less-defined quarterback situation, and he’s one of the NFL’s best backups, so that’s nice.
Minshew had run the scout team in practice throughout the season, which didn’t give him reps with the number-one guys, but it did allow him the opportunity to deal with the Eagles’ first-string defense — a defense that currently ranks seventh in DVOA, and second in the NFL against the pass, behind only the Denver Broncos.
“We’re all doing our jobs getting ready to play this game and we have full confidence in each other,” tight end Dallas Goedert said this week. “Gardner will do his job. He’s the man. We all love him. The best way we can support him is to play our best and that’s what we’re preparing to do. Nothing changes.”
Well, some things will change. But how can the Eagles maintain their offense — or most of it — without the quarterback who has become the defining player on that side of the ball? We’ve already hopefully debunked the canard that Hurts is a “system quarterback” who’s easily replaced, so now, it’s on to the other side of the argument: How should head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen arm Minshew with the best chance to take this team to 14-1 on the season?
The Eagles clinch the NFC East if they beat the Cowboys, and they wrap up the NFC’s one-seed and home field advantage through the playoffs with a win and a Minnesota Vikings loss to the New York Giants, so it’s a fairly important question.
Play-action is key.
Minshew has always been a plus-level quarterback with the benefit of play-action, and that bore out in the 2021 season. With play-action, he completed 11 of 16 passes for 172 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 143.8. Some of Minshew’s play-action passes were on quick screens, which elevated his completion percentage, but there was also this 36-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Goedert against the New York Jets in Week 13. The Jets — who had a much worse pass defense in 2021 than they do now — were in Cover-3, and when Minshew faked the handoff to running back Miles Sanders, the Jets stayed with their coverage plan instead of biting on it. Problem was, linebacker C.J. Mosley couldn’t keep up with Goedert on the deep over, and Minshew got the ball in there.
Get the man-beaters ready.
Trust the new (and better) targets.
When Minshew started against the Cowboys at the end of the 2021 regular season, his receivers were Greg Ward, Kenneth Gainwell, Jaelen Reagor, Quez Watkins, Tyree Jackson, Richard Rodgers, and the rookie version of DeVonta Smith. Not ideal. Now, Minshew has A.J. Brown, the fully developed version of DeVonta Smith, Watkins, Gainwell and Miles Sanders as the tunning backs catching passes out of the backfield, and Dallas Goedert, who the team activated from injured reserve after a shoulder injury.
That’s a significant improvement, especially up top. Smith is a much better receiver than he was in his rookie year, and the trade that brought Brown from Tennessee to Philadelphia has been a franchise-altering one.
Minshew will have the benefit of all that against a Dallas defense that is not what it was in the first half of the season. Minshew doesn’t have a howitzer for an arm, but he proved able to make deep throws last season, such as this 28-yard deep over to Watkins against the Jets.
Smith’s improvement is equally encouraging. He’s turned into a devastating receiver on seam routes, and when it comes time to make dangerous catches in traffic? Well, the 6-foot-0, 170 pound “Slim Reaper” isn’t afraid of the smoke at all. This 44-yard catch against Washington in Week 3 proved the point.
Run out of passing personnel.
(Chris Pedota-USA TODAY Sports)
While Minshew is a decent scrambler, he’s not equipped to replicate the Eagles’ quarterback run game with Hurts this season, which has been majestic. Hurts has run 156 times this season for 747 yards and 13 touchdowns. As we’ve detailed before, a large percentage of those runs have come out of 11 personnel (one tight end, one running back, three receivers), and that’s allowed Sirianni and Steichen to keep their offense static before the snap, and amorphous once the play is underway. Hurts has run 94 times out of 11 personnel for 529 yards and eight touchdowns out of 11.
So, that’s out the window here, but the most productive runner in the NFL out of 11 personnel is still on the Eagles’ roster, and that’s Miles Sanders, who has run 132 times for 760 yards and three touchdowns out of 11.
This 28-yard run against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 was a power run out of 11, with right tackle Lane Johnson pulling to block linebacker Quay Walker, and center Jason Kelce hitting the second level to deal with linebacker Kris Barnes. The Packers were in nickel to deal with the possible passing threat out of that personnel, but the thing about the Eagles’ offense as it’s constructed is that they can run with any concept out of any personnel grouping. It works better with Hurts, but Minshew can read a defense’s intentions and take it from there.
The Eagles are great with Hurts, but good enough to win without him.
It’s bean an interesting week for Minshew. As he discovered that he might be the starter this week, he was delivering a eulogy for Mike Leach, his head coach at Washington State in 2018. Now, it’s time to ramp up the preparation.
“With Zoom and the way you can video things, I mean, installs were videotaped,” Sirianni said Thursday. “Zoom was available to him when he was available. Obviously, we can FaceTime him and talk through with clips and everything.
“So, there a was ton of communication back and forth while still giving Gardner time to be able to do what he needed to do to honor his coach that obviously he was very close with. We wanted to respect that obviously as well, and he needed to be there.”
Now that he’s back with the team, Minshew seems ready to roll.
“Every time you take reps in practice, it’s a good thing,” he said. “It’s a different feel, a different group of guys you throw to out there. Getting the communication down with everybody, working on the timing with everybody, and knowing where they’re going to be, that’s the benefit. There are some really good guys out there. I’m here to do my part to help the team win.”
As the Eagles are set up now, Minshew shouldn’t need to do much more than that. | 2022-12-23T07:58:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | How the Eagles can win with Gardner Minshew at quarterback | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-win-gardner-minshew-quarterback-070111476.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-win-gardner-minshew-quarterback-070111476.html?src=rss |
Williams offers poetic metaphor on feelings about Commanders originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Trent Williams is focused on the 49ers' task at hand: Finishing the season strong and winning a Super Bowl.
In speaking to reporters in the locker room after practice on Thursday, Williams was asked if San Francisco's matchup with the Washington Commanders, his former team, at Levi's Stadium on Saturday is extra meaningful for the Pro Bowl left tackle.
His answer was poetic and rather beautiful, actually.
"I mean, it's so hard to go forward when you're looking back, right?" Williams said. "If you drove home looking in the rearview the whole time, you'd probably wreck.
"So I'm looking forward to adding another ring, and continuing to stack accolades, I just made my 10th Pro Bowl, looking at, hopefully, back-to-back All-Pro seasons. That's what I'm focused on, I'm not focused on turmoil or trials and tribulations I've overcome or anything like that."
Williams was traded from the then-Redskins to San Francisco before the 2020 season after a tumultuous tenure in Washington.
Since the trade, Williams has been selected to three Pro Bowls and was named an All-Pro in 2021 with the 49ers. A win on Saturday against his former team puts him one step closer to his ultimate goal. | 2022-12-23T07:58:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Trent Williams' hilariously poetic metaphor on feelings towards Commanders | https://sports.yahoo.com/trent-williams-hilariously-poetic-metaphor-060039709.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/trent-williams-hilariously-poetic-metaphor-060039709.html?src=rss |
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) The frustrated, rain-soaked New York Jets fans were flat-out tired.
''We were trying to change up to get the run game going,'' Saleh said, refusing to call it a benching. ''Obviously, I know Zach was struggling, but Streveler came in, ran a couple of plays and sparked the offense, got the explosive play and it just snowballed - in a good way for Strev.
''We just wanted to give him an opportunity for him to finish that drive. By the time we got it back, we said, we're already here, let's just keep going with Strev.''
''I just felt like I didn't have any rhythm out there,'' Wilson said. ''I was just trying to find some confidence out there on the field and just find something to get us going, a little spark. I had opportunities, and I've got to really connect on those.''
''Right now, the feeling is I've just got to put my head down and try to get better for these guys,'' Wilson said. ''That's kind of my message when I'm out there, that I'm trying to give everything I've got. I'm trying to lay it out there for the guys.
''And it's not good enough.''
''We haven't seen the last of him,'' Saleh said.
''I've got to look myself in the mirror,'' Wilson said. ''I've got to go back and watch this tape. You've got to be hard on yourself. You just say, `Why are we not moving the ball?' And that starts with me.''
''I don't blame them,'' Wilson said of the fans. ''We have a very passionate fan base and they're here to watch us score touchdowns and we're not scoring touchdowns. We're not getting first downs, we're not moving the ball. We obviously can't throw the ball.
''So, of course they're going to be frustrated.''
Buffalo prepares for second major winter storm
Nate Marton, Buffalo Dept. of Public Works Commissioner, talks about how they are preparing for this upcoming major winter storm, just about one month after a historic snowstorm hit the area.
Firefighters work to put out another blaze as structures are demolished at the site of the Knob Hill Apartments fire on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Meridian Township. | 2022-12-23T07:59:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Wilson's poor performance has Jets in quite a QB quandary | https://sports.yahoo.com/wilsons-poor-performance-jets-quite-055858796.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/wilsons-poor-performance-jets-quite-055858796.html?src=rss |
Can the Buffalo Bills (11-3) add to their win total against the Chicago Bears in Week 16?
In an effort to get more insight on the Bears, Bills Wire spoke to Alyssa Barbieri, managing editor for our friends over at Bears Wire, for this week’s behind enemy lines feature:
Q: We know Justin Fields is dynamic, but is there any way to stop him? Has anyone had success doing so?
That’s the million dollar question every team has been asking since Week 7, when there was a shift in offensive philosophy. And they haven’t found an answer. Fields has averaged 102.5 rushing yards during that span, and he hasn’t rushed for less than 60 yards since before the bye week. Teams have tried to spy him, but that hasn’t worked as Fields has used his elite speed to get the edge or hurt them deep in the passing game. There are teams that haven’t used a spy and have regretted it. Fields himself admitted that he knows he’s going to have to improvise to make plays this season, and I expect Saturday to be more of the same with injuries along the offensive line and at receiver.
Aside from Fields, who is the Bears’ biggest threat?
Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears’ run game as a whole has been impressive, so I’d say the duo of David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert, who’s making his return from IR this week, will pose a challenge. Herbert especially has been productive, averaging 6 yards per carry, the highest among active running backs. There aren’t a whole lot of playmakers on offense, particularly in the receiving game with Darnell Mooney out for the year. But a productive run game, with Fields, Montgomery and Herbert, has been a constant.
What’s the weather concern levels in Chicago ahead of kickoff?
Thanks for bringing that brutal weather with you! Just kidding. This is going to be one of those prototypical “Bear weather” games. Only, as you well know, the Bills are no strangers to playing in these kinds of conditions. While the worst of the storm is expected Thursday and Friday, Saturday is no walk in the park. It’s going to be a chilly and windy day on the lakefront, with a high of 12 degrees and winds 20 to 30 miles per hour (with gusts up to 40 or even 50 mph). Oh, and that sub-zero wind chill should make things interesting. To be honest, I felt like this is what the NFL had in mind when they scheduled the Bears and Bills to play on Christmas Eve – two teams known for their chilly weather conditions battling it out.
Defensively, will the weather help the Bills too? The Bears allow 143.9 yards per game on the ground
That’s a good question. I see the Bears offense benefitting from these weather conditions as we could see both teams have to rely more on the run game. Chicago has boasted the best run game since the start of the season, and teams know they’re going to approach things with a run-first mentality. But, as you mentioned, Chicago’s run defense hasn’t been the most reliable this season. With that said, they did a solid job limiting Eagles running back Miles Sanders last week. Still, this is a front seven that has weaknesses along the defensive line and just lost rookie linebacker Jack Sanborn for the year. There will be opportunities for Devin Singletary and James Cook, and even Josh Allen, to feast.
The Bears have been able to keep things close all season, even against some of the better teams in the league. It’s a testament to Matt Eberflus and the culture he’s instilled – a never-give up attitude and getting the most out of an underwhelming roster. The weather could also give Chicago an added advantage, as there could be a lot of running involved. With that said, the talent gap between the Bears and Bills will be apparent, and Buffalo should win out. Bills 27, Bears 21 | 2022-12-23T11:05:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Behind Enemy Lines: 5 questions with Bears Wire | https://sports.yahoo.com/behind-enemy-lines-5-questions-104514422.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/behind-enemy-lines-5-questions-104514422.html?src=rss |
Former New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur spent just one season with quarterback Daniel Jones, but it was more than enough to form an opinion.
Shurmur had faith in Jones the moment the Giants selected him sixth overall in the 2019 NFL draft, and that faith remains to this day.
“His first year, I think it’s fair to say that he did enough things that he had the ability to have a bright future,” Shurmur told NJ Advance Media. “Probably the only thing you could have been critical of when he was a rookie was his ability to take care of the ball. But as far as throwing the ball and running it and doing what you have to do as a quarterback, you had to walk away from that first year saying this guy really has a chance to be good.”
Jones did struggle with turnovers early on, but he’s essentially eliminated that issue here in his fourth season. He also has the Giants on the brink of the playoffs for the first time since 2016, and Shurmur is thrilled for his former quarterback.
“I’ve been really impressed by him,” Shurmur said. “He’s played some really fine games and done a great job of taking care of the football. He has been executing their offense and (the Giants’ coaches) are doing a good job of utilizing his ability on structured running plays. That’s when you have to be really, really conscious of taking care of the football and he has done that.”
Statistically, Jones hasn’t been able to recreate the same production he had under Shurmur. As a rookie, he threw for over 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns in just 13 games (12 starts). But, as the former coach noted, the turnovers are way down and that has lead to many more wins.
The progression and development comes as no surprise to Shurmur.
Former general manager Dave Gettleman always believed Jones was the guy. Now we know that Shurmur and Joe Judge did as well. Co-owner John Mara has echoed those sentiments, and it seems current GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll agree. But will that position change come the offseason?
The Giants declined Jones’ fifth-year option and he is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in March. | 2022-12-23T11:06:03Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ex-Giants coach Pat Shurmur praises QB Daniel Jones | https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-giants-coach-pat-shurmur-105556952.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-giants-coach-pat-shurmur-105556952.html?src=rss |
Pete Thamel of ESPN is reporting that Alabama’s senior special assistant to the head coach, Drew Svoboda has landed a coordinator role at North Texas.
Svoboda has spent the last two years in Tuscaloosa, first joining the program as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator in the spring of 2021 before taking an off-the-field role as the senior special assistant to head coach Nick Saban for the Tide’s 2022 campaign.
Svoboda is the second Alabama staff member to land a coordinator job at another program for the upcoming season. Safeties coach Charles Kelly was hired as the defensive coordinator at Colorado. Svoboda and Kelly are expected to remain with the Crimson Tide through the bowl game on Dec. 31. | 2022-12-23T11:52:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Alabama staff member Drew Svoboda lands coordinator job at North Texas | https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-staff-member-drew-svoboda-114513836.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-staff-member-drew-svoboda-114513836.html?src=rss |
4/5 As she already proved in ‘Phantom Thread’, Krieps is uniquely gifted in portraying women with an active disdain for polite society
The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher received a 194-game suspension, down from a 324-game issued by the league.
The amendment would have extended the policy until a proper plan is in place and funded resources along the U.S.-Mexico border. | 2022-12-23T11:56:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Plaschke: Should the Dodgers bring back Trevor Bauer? No. Not in a million years | https://sports.yahoo.com/plaschke-dodgers-bring-back-trevor-050445716.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/plaschke-dodgers-bring-back-trevor-050445716.html?src=rss |
The Washington Commanders hit the road for Week 16 with a trip across the country to face the San Francisco 49ers. The team may not say it, but this is a must-win game for Washington.
After blowing opportunities the last two weeks to pick up at least one win over the New York Giants, the Commanders now find themselves barely holding onto the No. 7 and final NFC playoff spot with three games remaining. Washington may control its own destiny but faces a difficult path to the playoffs.
That difficult path begins with the 49ers, who are 10-4 and have won seven consecutive games. Despite injuries to their top two quarterbacks, the 49ers continue to win with seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy under center.
What can the Commanders do to pull off the upset on Christmas Eve?
Here are keys to a Washington victory over the 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23). Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Easier said than done. Stopping a Kyle Shanahan run game is one of the more difficult tasks in the NFL. That became even more difficult when the 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera drafted McCaffrey in Carolina and knows all too well how dangerous he is.
The 49ers rank No. 9 in run offense, while the Commanders rank in the top 10 in run defense. This is a critical matchup. In McCaffrey’s first five games with the 49ers, he was held under 40 yards rushing four times. However, in the last two games with Purdy making his first two starts, McCaffrey has rushed for 100 yards each game. In six of his eight games with the Niners, McCaffrey has had at least six targets in the passing game.
Slowing down the 49ers begins with McCaffrey.
Keep the pressure in Purdy's face
Washington defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen are the best pair in the league. Allen will start in the Pro Bowl, while Payne is an alternate. The duo has combined for 17 sacks, and Allen and Payne are No. 2 and No. 3 in tackles for loss, respectively.
For the Commanders to win this game, they need to keep pressure in Purdy’s face. Force him into quick decisions, something he hasn’t faced yet in three appearances. Washington has the defensive line to give the 49ers problems.
Keep all three receivers involved
Washington has terrific skill players on offense. Pass protection and quarterback limitations have hampered the Commanders on offense. While Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz each do things well, one has strengths the other lacks.
Washington’s wide receivers [Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson & Curtis Samuel] are an elite trio. The Commanders will not be able to drop back and throw deep on the 49ers. They need a quick passing game and feature the perfect receivers to give San Francisco trouble. All three Washington receivers are great after the catch. Heinicke needs to be able to deliver the ball accurately and on time. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner needs to focus heavily on the quick passing game, as the Commanders will have trouble running the football on the top-ranked run defense.
Don't just abandon the run
The 49ers allow less than 75 yards rushing per game. Washington’s rushing offense has been a team strength over the last two months. The Commanders rank No. 11 in rushing offense. While Washington needs to throw the ball to win, it can’t completely abandon the run because the 49ers have been dominant against it. Brian Robinson Jr. has rushed for 290 yards in his last three games, and he rarely loses yardage. Robinson is the perfect back to have against a stout defense like the 49ers. It doesn’t mean it will work every time, but it keeps the threat of play-action alive.
Former Celtic Shaquille O’Neal’s 1994 FIBA World Cup highlights
Long before he would join the Boston Celtics in search of a ring as a backup big man in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career, NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal would represent the United States at the 1994 FIBA World Cup.
Game Recap: Jazz 120, Wizards 112
The Jazz defeated the Wizards, 120-112. Malik Beasley recorded 25 points for the Jazz, while Jordan Clarkson (23 points, seven rebounds) and Lauri Markkanen (21 points, five rebounds) added a combined 44 points in the victory. Bradley Beal led all scorers with 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists for the Wizards in the losing effort. The Jazz improve to 19-16 on the season, while the Wizards fall to 12-21. | 2022-12-23T12:36:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | 4 Commanders’ keys to victory over the 49ers in Week 16 | https://sports.yahoo.com/4-commanders-keys-victory-over-105741855.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/4-commanders-keys-victory-over-105741855.html?src=rss |
Former Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman died of kidney cancer at age 31 on Thursday. The Broncos released the following statement after the running back’s tragic passing.
We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of former Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman. A key contributor on the winningest four-year period in franchise history, Ronnie was part of two Super Bowl teams and led the Broncos in rushing during our Super Bowl 50 championship season.
Soft-spoken with a warm smile and quiet intensity, Ronnie was drafted by the Broncos in 2012 and grew into a dynamic player and well-respected teammate. He will be fondly remembered by our organization, which extends its heartfelt sympathies and condolence to the Hillman family during this difficult time.
Hillman rushed for 1,976 yards and 12 touchdowns during his five-year career in the NFL (four years in Denver). His 1,845 rushing yards with the Broncos ranks 16th on the team’s all-time list.
Kansas City Current sign Swedish forward with national-team experience to 2-year deal
Mimmi Larsson joins the KC Current ahead of the 2023 preseason, adding depth to the NWSL finalists’ attack as a speedy forward.
In a typical World Cup year, fans and players have at least a few weeks to recover from the wild adrenaline rush of mainlining so many high stakes games all at once. This year, however, Qatar moving the tournament to the (slightly) cooler months of November and December means that the delirious hangover from Argentina […] | 2022-12-23T12:36:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Broncos remember soft-spoken Super Bowl champion Ronnie Hillman | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-remember-soft-spoken-super-110052495.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-remember-soft-spoken-super-110052495.html?src=rss |
Sweat and Hargrave have mastered something they don’t like to run originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
What if Simon & Garfunkel didn’t like to harmonize? What if Venus and Serena didn’t like to play doubles? What if Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton Jr. didn’t like to execute the slingshot?
That’s what it’s like for Josh Sweat and Javon Hargrave when it comes to stunts.
Because the pair of Eagles’ defensive linemen are exceptionally good at them, but they don’t really call them all that much.
“We don’t like to run them,” Sweat said with a chuckle this week. “I’m going to be honest with you. We don’t like to run them because we know we can win 1-on-1. We have too much pride. A lot of the times we’ll look at each other throughout the year like, ‘Nah, nah, nah, let’s just work the straight rush, 1-on-1s.’”
But when they do use stunts? The results are impressive.
And that’s exactly what we saw from them on Sunday in Chicago. The Eagles as a defense had six sacks in that game and three of them came from Sweat and Hargrave executing stunts up front.
“Yeah, we’re very confident in our 1-on-1s, being able to get to the quarterback by ourselves,” Hargrave said. “But when you switch it up a little bit, it just throws the offensive line off.”
There are two basic kinds of stunts. There’s the T-E (tackle-end) and the E-T (end-tackle). On the T-E, the tackle crashes and the end loops inside and on the E-T, the end crashes and the tackle loops outside.
Take a look at the three sacks from this combination on Sunday afternoon:
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— NBCSPEagles (@NbcspE) December 22, 2022
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The linemen have autonomy when it comes to running these games up front. Hargrave said it’s really about the feel of the game. Sometimes, if the O-line is blocking them a certain way or if they feel like they can benefit from one, they’ll run it.
“I think our front has a pretty good feel for when to use certain tools,” Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon said. “ We set it up in a way that we say, ‘Hey, here is your tool bucket and you can apply these tools when this happens.’ We have a smart room. Those guys are smart and they've played at a high level and they've played a lot of ball.
“Then using those tools is one thing, but executing those tools is another thing. I think what you're seeing is our guys — that's why when you see sacks and things happen like that, Sweaty makes the sack. Well, Grave set him up, because he really made that stunt go, what Grave did to the guard and what in turn that does to the tackle when Sweaty is looping around there.”
Gannon said the Eagles just have to be smart about when they use stunts because if they deploy them too often, they can “get out of whack” up front. But he probably doesn’t have to worry about that too much because Sweat and Hargrave are already pretty judicious.
They might not run stunts a ton but the Eagles are successful with them. According to the Eagles’ Fran Duffy, the Eagles have recorded a sack on 21.6% of their stunts this season, the highest percentage in the NFL.
There are several reasons the Eagles have been so good on stunts. One of them is simply that they have good players. Another is they don’t run them all that often so they have the element of surprise. Lastly, they’re good at them because they pay attention to the details.
The most important thing on those plays is to make them look like regular rushes until the last second.
“It’s timing. You can’t make it look like it’s a game,” 13-year veteran Brandon Graham said. “You gotta make it look like it’s a regular rush. So your eyes gotta be everything. You gotta be looking at your man the whole time. It’s a feel. You know he’s coming in so once you see him then you go out. Sometimes, Josh goes first and sometimes it’s Hargrave first.
“Whoever’s the looper, has to make it look like he ain’t looping. Because as soon as you look inside, that’s when the tackle’s not going to take you serious and go off. Sometimes, it’ll get them in trouble.”
Graham said there are levels to it. Sometimes, he’ll fake it like he’s a looper and then hit the tackle with a bullrush. If you’ve been in the league for over a decade, it’s like playing chess out there.
The Eagles lead the NFL in sacks this season with 55 through 14 games and they’re pretty close to having four players with double digits — something that has never happened in the NFL before.
They’ve really hit their stride recently. In the last three games, the Eagles have 19 sacks. Everything has been working for them, including those games up front.
Between Sweat and Hargrave, which player asks for stunts more?
“It’s about even. But really non-existent for the most part,” said Sweat, still smiling. “But we need to do it more though!” | 2022-12-23T12:37:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles’ Josh Sweat, Javon Hargrave have mastered the DL stunt | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-josh-sweat-javon-hargrave-120000029.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-josh-sweat-javon-hargrave-120000029.html?src=rss |
Experts once again massively like the Cincinnati Bengals, this time in their Week 16 matchup with the New England Patriots.
That Saturday contest features a team that has won six games in a row against a .500 squad looking to rebound and keep slim playoff hopes alive.
Over at, NFL Pick Watch, which polls experts who make picks, a resounding 90 percent like the Bengals when making the pick in a head-to-head format. That number only drops to 84 percent when experts need to pick against the spread.
Not only is the disparity between the two teams quite large, the Patriots will be down a starting cornerback, wide receiver and long-snapper, of all things.
That doesn’t mean this isn’t a trap game or that the Bengals don’t need the win — they do in order to secure a playoff berth (pending the Thursday night game). But it’s easy to see why experts have no qualms about siding with them on the road. | 2022-12-23T12:37:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Here’s how experts pick Bengals vs. Patriots in Week 16 | https://sports.yahoo.com/experts-pick-bengals-vs-patriots-105530442.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/experts-pick-bengals-vs-patriots-105530442.html?src=rss |
Minshew ready to lead Eagles to cap emotional week originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Gardner Minshew will cap an emotional week by starting at quarterback for the Eagles in place of the injured Jalen Hurts against the Cowboys on Christmas Eve.
What better way to honor Mike Leach than balling out on Saturday?
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni announced on Thursday morning that Hurts (sprained right shoulder) is out for Saturday’s game against the Cowboys, but expressed confidence in Minshew.
“Gardner will be our guy and Gardner will be ready,” Sirianni said confidently.
Just a few days before, Minshew was excused from the Eagles’ walkthrough on Tuesday as he was down in Mississippi to deliver a eulogy at Leach’s funeral. Leach coached Minshew at Washington State and it was fitting that Minshew was able to speak some words about his late mentor.
“It meant a lot,” Minshew said. “Coach Leach has done a lot for my life. I just wanted to honor him and thank his family for everything they’ve done for me.”
It also seems fitting that Minshew, 26, will be able to honor his late coach by playing in a huge game on Saturday. Even without Hurts, the Eagles have a chance to clinch the division and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win over the rival Cowboys.
“I think it’s awesome going back to Texas, [Leach’s] old stomping grounds, being able to compete there in the wake of his passing,” Minshew said. “Every time I step out there, it’s Mike Leach’s legacy. The impact he’s had on me, I think I’ll always carry that with me.”
Sirianni, always big on connection, said it was important for Minshew to be there to honor his former coach.
But because Minshew missed that walkthrough in a short week, he’s had to work to catch up a little bit. The Eagles used Zoom and FaceTime to keep in contact with Minshew while he was in Mississippi. But he has now had two full days of practice, getting reps with the first team and feels ready to go.
“It’s easy to get up to speed when you’re around great players,” Minshew said.
This season, Minshew has played just a handful of snaps in mop up duties late in blowouts. But he does have significant NFL experience with 22 starts and a 41-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his career.
Last season, the Eagles called on Minshew to face the Jets after Hurts injured his ankle and Minshew delivered. He completed 20 of 25 passes for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Eagles’ 33-18 win.
The Eagles, of course, won’t be facing the 202 1Jets’ defense on Saturday; the Cowboys present a bigger challenge. But the Eagles are confident in Minshew’s ability to get the job done.
And, remember, it’s not all on him.
The Eagles still have one of the best offensive lines in football and boast a stable of talented skill players like Miles Sanders, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert and more.
“We got a lot of great dudes on this team,” Minshew said. “They’ve really done a good job of making me feel comfortable and getting me up to speed. The coaches have done nothing but show confidence in me. My job is just to go do what I can and help the team win.”
The Eagles’ top receiver this year is Brown, who was named to his second Pro Bowl on Wednesday night. This season, Brown has 74 catches for 1,201 yards and 10 touchdowns. Brown and Minshew haven’t gotten a ton of time together this season before this week, but they’ll probably be OK.
Minshew explained why in the simplest terms.
“He’s really good,” Minshew said. “So it’s nice. He gets open, he catches the ball. When you got those two things going for you, it’s quarterback friendly.”
The Eagles could have probably traded Minshew this past offseason or before the trade deadline, but they elected to hang on to him. The franchise values the backup quarterback position and games like the one on deck Saturday are the exact reason why.
For Minshew, this is a chance to prove himself again leading into free agency this offseason. It’s an audition of sorts. He could earn a job to compete for a starting gig. And if the Eagles win on Saturday and lock up the No. 1 seed, it would probably give him more playing time down the stretch if the Eagles elect to rest Hurts.
After an emotional week, Minshew would love nothing more than to win on Saturday in North Texas. But he’s just focused on the task at hand and not letting those emotions overwhelm him.
“I think you just go play the game,” he said. “There’s a job to do every play. Try to reset before every play, do that job and then stack those together.” | 2022-12-23T12:37:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Gardner Minshew ready to lead Eagles to cap emotional week | https://sports.yahoo.com/gardner-minshew-ready-lead-eagles-120000493.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/gardner-minshew-ready-lead-eagles-120000493.html?src=rss |
Washington 23, San Francisco 15 – Week 14, December 13, 2020
Washington scored two defensive touchdowns and held to defeat the 49ers 23-15 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ.
Trailing the 49ers 7-6 late in the first half, Daron Payne forced San Francisco quarterback Nick Mullens to fumble. The fumble was recovered by Washington’s Chase Young at the 49er 47-yard line and Young ran down the left sideline, scoring a touchdown, giving Washington a 13-7 lead with 58 seconds remaining in the half.
Washington led 16-7 in the last seconds of the third quarter, when Mullens and the 49ers at the Washington 24, saw safety Kam Curl intercept Mullens’ pass at the 24 and return it 76 yards down the left sideline for a second defensive touchdown and a 23-7 lead heading into the final quarter.
Alex Smith struggled to move the team much, as he himself struggled physically with an injury to his severely limited lower leg. Smith, unable to move in the pocket completed only 8 of his 19 passing attempts for a mere 57 yards.
Smith was then replaced by Dwayne Haskins who completed 7 of his 12 passes for 51 yards. It was not a pretty day for the Washington offense as the 49ers had more first downs (21-12), rushing yards (108-98), net passing yards (236-95), total yards (344-193) and time of possession (32:11-27:49).
However, Washington won the turnover battle (3-1), quarterback sacks (4-2) and scored those two defensive touchdowns. Logan Thomas led Washington receivers with 43 yards in six receptions. J.D. McKissic led Washington on the ground, gaining 68 yards on 11 carries. | 2022-12-23T12:37:40Z | sports.yahoo.com | When they last met: Washington and San Francisco | https://sports.yahoo.com/last-met-washington-san-francisco-114838959.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/last-met-washington-san-francisco-114838959.html?src=rss |
The surprisingly successful history of Eagles backup QBs originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Backup quarterback is one of the most important positions on any football team, and recent Eagles history sure bears that out.
Only once since 2005 has the Eagles’ opening-day quarterback taken every meaningful snap all year, and that was Carson Wentz in 2016.
Every other year, the starter has gotten hurt or benched.
But incredibly, the backups have done almost as well as the starters.
Going back to 2000, which is when the Eagles started the current 23-year run as one of the NFL’s winningest teams, Eagles opening-day starting QBs have a combined 173-114-2 record, which is pretty good – a .602 winning percentage.
But their backups are a combined 45-35 when forced to play, and that’s good for a .563 winning percentage, which isn’t much worse. And if it wasn’t for Mike McMahon, the backups' winning percentage would jump to .589.
As the Eagles prepare to face the Cowboys with Gardner Minshew, let’s take a look at the Eagles' backup quarterback performance every year:
Donovan McNabb started every game in both 2000 and 2001 and that’s the last time an Eagles QB has started every game in consecutive years.
McNabb suffered a broken ankle against the Cards at the Vet in Week 11 and although he finished the game – and threw four touchdown passes – he missed the rest of the regular season.
With the Eagles sitting 7-3 and in the running for the No. 1 seed, Koy Detmer took over and had the Eagles up 28-10 over the 49ers at Candlestick Park late in the third quarter when he suffered a season-ending injury of his own, a dislocated elbow.
He was replaced by third-stringer A.J. Feeley, who had never taken a meaningful snap. But Feeley put up 10 quick points, the Eagles won 38-17, and Feeley took over for the rest of the season. He led the Eagles to four straight wins and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
McNabb came back for the playoffs, but the backups – Detmer and Feeley – had gone 5-1.
McNabb again started every meaningful game, although Detmer started against the Bengals on the final day of the 2004 season after the Eagles had the No. 1 seed locked up.
McNabb suffered a sports hernia in the Eagles’ Week 9 loss to the Cowboys and was done for the season.
Mike McMahon was brutal in his seven starts, completing 45 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and eight interceptions. Somehow, the Eagles won two of those games, but McMahon went 2-5 and the Eagles finished a miserable 6-10.
McMahon’s 45.4 completion percentage was the lowest by an Eagles quarterback since Bobby Thomason’s 44.8 figure in 1952.
After the Mike McMahon debacle, Andy Reid knew he needed a better backup, and he signed former 49ers Pro Bowler Jeff Garcia, who was 36 but was certainly an upgrade.
As it turned out, McNabb got hurt again. This time it was a torn ACL suffered in a Week 10 loss to the Titans at the Linc.
Garcia, four years removed from his last winning season, turned back the clock and was terrific. After a 45-21 loss to the Colts in his first start, he won five straight games to get the Eagles into the playoffs after a 5-6 start.
Garcia won a wild-card playoff game against the Giants, and very nearly pulled off an upset against the Saints at the Superdome in the conference semifinal round. He threw 12 TDs and two INTs in his nine games after replacing McNabb and became the first Eagles backup to win a playoff game since Rodney Peete in 1995. But not the last!
By 2007, Garcia was with the Buccaneers, so when McNabb missed three games with a sprained ankle and injured thumb, Feeley – now in his second stint with the Eagles – got the call.
Feeley’s first start came in Foxboro against the 11-0 Patriots, and the Eagles were a 24.5-point underdog. But Feeley threw two TDs to Greg Lewis and one to Reggie Brown and with four minutes left the Patriots led by only three points at 31-28 and the Eagles were driving deep in Patriots territory. That’s when Asante Samuel picked off Feeley at the Patriots’ 20 to end the game and spoil the Eagles' bid for one of the biggest upsets in NFL history.
Feeley threw four interceptions the next week in a loss to the Seahawks at the Linc, and he never started another game for the Eagles.
Reid benched a struggling McNabb for Kolb at halftime of a Week 13 game against the Ravens, but Kolb did not play well, and McNabb didn't miss any starts.
McNabb’s latest injury was a broken rib suffered in the season-opening win at Carolina.
Kolb, a second-round pick in 2007, made his first two career starts and threw for 391 yards with two TDs and three INTs in a loss to the Saints and then for 327 yards and two TD passes in a win over the Chiefs. He remains one of only two QBs in NFL history (along with Kirk Cousins) to pass for 325 yards and two TDs in each of his first two career starts.
Kolb began the 2010 season as the starter but suffered a concussion on opening day when he was hit by the Packers’ Clay Matthews and lost his job to Michael Vick.
Vick, in his first significant action since 2006, went 8-3 with 21 TDs and six interceptions in 11 starts, although Kolb replaced him for three games and went 2-1 when Vick suffered a rib injury in a Week 4 game against Washington. Considering both Vick and Kolb were backups at different points, the Eagles' backups in 2010 went a combined 10-4 with 27 TDs and 10 INTs.
Broken ribs again sidelined Vick for three games in 2011. Vick got hurt in Week 9 vs. Arizona and Vince Young started three games – the last three games of his career. He beat the Giants in his first start but lost the next two to the Patriots and Seahawks, despite throwing for 400 yards against the Patriots.
Vick suffered a concussion in a Week 10 loss to the Cowboys and was replaced by third-round pick Nick Foles, who played well for a rookie despite the Eagles’ 1-5 record in his six starts. His last-second TD pass to Jeremy Maclin against Tampa gave Reid his 130th and final win as Eagles head coach.
Foles that year became the first rookie in NFL history to average 240 passing yards per game, complete at least 60 percent of his passes and average one interception every 50 or more attempts.
Despite Foles’ auspicious finish, Vick again was the Eagles’ opening-day quarterback. But he suffered a hamstring injury in a Week 5 game against the Giants and other than one game that Foles missed with a concussion that Vick started (and Matt Barkley finished), Foles played the rest of the season and finished with a historic 27-2 TD-INT ratio and a monster 119.2 passer rating, which has been surpassed only three times – twice by Aaron Rodgers, once by Peyton Manning.
Foles played well in a playoff loss to the Saints – 70 percent, two TDs, no INTs – and made his first and only Pro Bowl team.
Foles was the Eagles’ opening-day starter and had the Eagles at 6-2 when he suffered a broken collarbone in a game at Houston. He was replaced the rest of the season by Mark Sanchez, who went 4-4 in eight starts with 12 TDs and nine interceptions. At one point, he threw for 300 yards in three straight games, tying the franchise record shared by McNabb and Foles. Despite a 10-6 record, the Eagles didn’t make the playoffs.
This was Sam Bradford’s one year with the Eagles, and he missed two games in November after suffering a shoulder injury and a concussion in a Week 10 loss in Miami. Sanchez replaced him for losses to the Buccaneers and Lions by a combined 90-31 score. This was the sad final days of the Chip Kelly Era.
Rookie Carson Wentz started all 16 games and remains the only Eagles rookie QB to start more than seven games in a season.
You may remember this one. Wentz tore his ACL in a late-season win over the Rams at L.A. Coliseum and Foles, now in his second stint with the Eagles, replaced him. Foles won his two meaningful starts – against the Giants and Raiders – to clinch the No. 1 seed.
He then proceeded to have one of the greatest postseason runs in NFL history – 73 percent completion percentage, 971 passing yards, six TDs, two INTs and a 115.7 passer rating. He threw for 373 yards in the Eagles’ 41-33 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis and was named Super Bowl MVP.
This time, Wentz’s season ended with a back injury and once again Foles replaced him, going 3-0 to finish the regular season and then beating the Bears in the playoffs in the famed Double Doink game. The Eagles lost to the Saints a week later in the conference semifinals, Foles’ final game as an Eagle.
Wentz got hurt again, this time suffering a concussion when defensive end Jadeveon Clowney hit him late early in the Eagles' playoff game against the Seahawks. Josh McCown replaced Wentz – and tore his hamstring – and the Seahawks won 17-9. McCown never played again.
After Wentz got benched at halftime of a game against the Packers, Hurts went 1-3 in his first four career starts as a rookie. He’s been the starter ever since.
Gardner Minshew made one meaningful start in his first season with the Eagles, throwing two touchdown passes to Dallas Goedert in a 33-18 win over the Jets. Minshew joined McNabb and Wentz as the third QB in Eagles history to complete 80 percent of his passes for at least 240 yards with two or more TDs and no INTs.
Minshew again will replace Hurts in a late-season road game when the Eagles face the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium Saturday. | 2022-12-23T12:38:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | The surprisingly successful history of Eagles backup quarterbacks | https://sports.yahoo.com/surprisingly-successful-history-eagles-backup-120036749.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/surprisingly-successful-history-eagles-backup-120036749.html?src=rss |
The Chicago Bears will be spending Christmas at their home stadium Soldier Field, eagerly awaiting the big man in red to arrive. No, not Santa Claus, but Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills for a Christmas Eve showdown in the frigid elements.
After taking on the NFC’s best in the Philadelphia Eagles last week, they get a turn with one of the AFC’s best in the Bills, who are looking to keep their spot as the top seed with the playoffs just around the corner. The Bears, meanwhile, are playing for pride, development, and even draft at this point as the season draws closer to an end.
With temperatures likely in the single digits come kickoff, this game could become a battle of attrition. But that doesn’t mean we won’t see some impressive individual performances either. Here are our bold predictions for Bears vs. Bills.
1. Khalil Herbert rushes for 100 yards in his return
Oct 30, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
All signs point to running back Khalil Herbert getting his first game action since mid-November this weekend as he’s set to come off injured reserve. Herbert was on a tear before getting hurt, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. The Bills have a strong run defense, but with the Bears missing their top three receivers, they will likely lean on the running game more than usual.
Herbert will still split time with David Montgomery and Fields will of course get his carries in as well, but don’t be surprised to see Herbert break a big run or two to eclipse 100 yards on the ground in his return. Even if he’s playing behind a leaky offensive line.
2. N'Keal Harry sets a career high in receiving yards
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 04: N’Keal Harry #8 of the Chicago Bears makes a catch over Jaire Alexander #23 of the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on December 04, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
The Bears are already down Darnell Mooney. They won’t have Chase Claypool for a second week in a row. And now they will be without Equanimeous St. Brown. Those are essentially the team’s top three wideouts and after seeing the receiving corps last week without them, someone is going to need to step up. That’s where N’Keal Harry comes in.
Harry missed last week with a back injury but will return to the field on Saturday. Without Claypool or St. Brown, he becomes the clear X receiver on the outside and should see the most targets he’s had all year. That could mean a career game for him. Harry needs just 73 receiving yards to set a new career high and even going against a solid Bills pass defense, this week is as good as any considering the limitations in weapons.
3. Larry Borom proves to be a capable guard
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 11: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers is defended by Larry Borom #75 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 11, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
It’s been a rough second season for Larry Borom. The offensive tackle dealt with multiple injuries and saw himself lose the starting right tackle position back in November. But a new opportunity could arise that gives him a second chance on the line. The Bears will be without their two guards, Teven Jenkins and Cody Whitehair due to injuries, and need someone to step up in their absence. Borom could be the answer.
The Bears will likely start Michael Schofield at one of the spots, but the other is up for grabs and Borom could be the next man up. He had experience at guard in college and his frame might actually be more suitable for the position. I believe he gets the start and holds his own, perhaps opening the door for a position switch down the road.
4. Jaquan Brisker will be this week's defensive MVP
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 18: Jaquan Brisker #9 of the Chicago Bears reacts after breaking up a pass during the first half in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on December 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Though the stats won’t show it, the Bears defense played a superb game last week against the Eagles. They bottled Philadelphia’s offense up for most of the first half and did enough to keep them in the game, even if they did let up a few big plays. That same situation might be in play this week against the Bills, who could be overlooking the Bears in favor of the Cincinnati Bengals next week. If so, Jaquan Brisker will be a huge reason why that happens.
With stud rookie linebacker Jack Sanborn out for the season, the Bears once again have a hole in the middle of their defense. Someone who can help fill that void is Brisker, who has been stellar in his first season as well. He’s going to be everywhere on Saturday and should lead the team in tackles. He’ll be counted on to perform at a high level and should be the MVP for the Bears defense as they look to slow down the Bills.
5. Cairo Santos doesn't miss a kick
Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (2) before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
The cold will be bitter, the winds will be gusty, and the turf will be stiff on Saturday at Soldier Field. But even with all of those elements in play, there will be no missed field goals or extra points by Bears kicker Cairo Santos.
It hasn’t been the best season for Santos, who is tied with Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph for the most extra point misses with five. Two of those have come in back-to-back weeks. Santos has also missed two field goals, but it’s been the chip shots that have been giving him problems. The veteran kicker claims to have found a solution, however, changing his approach from the right hash mark to the middle. He knows what he’s doing and sounds confident this change is going to solve things. I’m inclined to believe him and predict he won’t have any problems on Saturday. | 2022-12-23T14:08:45Z | sports.yahoo.com | 5 bold predictions for Bears vs. Bills | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-bold-predictions-bears-vs-133015281.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-bold-predictions-bears-vs-133015281.html?src=rss |
The Los Angeles Rams are set to host the Denver Broncos on Christmas in Week 16 at SoFi Stadium. Both the Rams and the Broncos have been among the most disappointing teams this season, with both teams already being eliminated from playoff contention.
Following a loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night in Week 15, the Rams fell to 4-10 on the season, giving them the second-worst record in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Broncos improved to 4-10 in Week 15 after beating the Arizona Cardinals.
With the Rams and Broncos just looking to finish the season strong — and healthy — here are five players to watch in Sunday’s matchup on Christmas.
Baker Mayfield made his first official start at quarterback for the Rams in Week 15 versus the Packers. After leading the Rams to an improbable game-winning drive in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders while winning the NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, Mayfield didn’t have much success airing it out last Monday.
Ahead of unrestricted free agency in the offseason, Mayfield has three more weeks to audition for his next team. While the Broncos have failed to live up to expectations this season, they boast the No. 1 ranked pass DVOA defense, so throwing against them won’t be a walk in the park.
The Rams sustained another injury at the wide receiver position with Ben Skowronek now being ruled out for the rest of the season. Tutu Atwell has seen an expanded role in recent weeks, but with the Rams even thinner at wide receiver, he could see even more opportunities in the offense.
The second-year wideout has logged four-plus targets in three straight games and he’s recorded seven rushing attempts in that span. Atwell is dangerous with the ball in his hands, and with the Rams running out another different offensive line combination on Sunday, getting him the ball quickly could benefit the offense.
Besides Skowronek, the Rams also announced that Brian Allen will miss the rest of the season with a calf ailment. Coleman Shelton would replace Allen on Monday night versus the Packers and he’s expected to start at center on Sunday against the Broncos.
Having to make a change at center is especially notable for the Rams with Mayfield making just his second start at quarterback in Week 16. Shelton will be making his 11th start of the season and 13th career start on Sunday as he’ll be tasked with making sure he keeps Mayfield upright from the interior.
Injuries have been plentiful for the Rams this season and there hasn’t been a shortage of injuries on the defensive line. Aaron Donald and A’Shawn Robinson are sidelined, allowing a guy like Greg Gaines to see an expanded role in the interior.
Gaines has been fantastic recently, tallying a total of 19 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks in his last five starts. The fourth-year interior defender will look to continue his strong play on Sunday against the Broncos.
It’s easy to say that Jalen Ramsey is worth watching on Sunday, but it’s all about the young players for the Rams to conclude the regular season. After dealing with injury issues earlier in the season, Cobie Durant has logged 60 percent of the defensive snaps for the Rams in the last two weeks.
Regardless of whether or not Courtland Sutton suits up for the Broncos on Sunday, Russell Wilson will likely try to target Durant in coverage instead of going after Ramsey or Troy Hill. Considering the struggles of Denver’s offense, Durant could have a few opportunities to make some plays in Week 16. | 2022-12-23T14:08:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | 5 Rams to watch in Week 16 vs. Broncos | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-rams-watch-week-16-130018552.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-rams-watch-week-16-130018552.html?src=rss |
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol last week, but the team decided to rest him in Week 15 to be cautious.
After sitting out against the Arizona Cardinals, Wilson says he feels great this week going into a Christmas Day showdown with the Los Angeles Rams.
“I feel great,” Wilson said Wednesday. “[I’m] super aware. The medical team here did a great job. To be able to heal quickly and just to be able to get back on the field and be able to practice Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I was ready to roll. To give me an extra week and let those guys get in there — Brett [Rypien] did a great job stepping up and stepping in. I’m ready to rock and roll.”
Before sitting out last week, Wilson missed one game earlier this season with a hamstring injury. He also played through a shoulder injury earlier this year. The quarterback was asked Wednesday if he’s worried about mounting injuries if he continues using his legs to make plays.
“I don’t ever worry about that,” Wilson said “I’ve played 200 or something games. I’m not sure exactly the number in the NFL is. I have played a lot of pro baseball games, a lot of college baseball, and a lot of college football. I’ve made it through a lot. I’ve been blessed. A lot of 24/7 treatment, pretty much and having great people around you. It’s a lifestyle. You know this game is a physical game. I didn’t sign up for — and I’ve said this before — but I didn’t sign up for tennis. I signed up to play a physical game.
“You know you’re going to get hit; you know you’re going to battle. I’m not afraid to get in there and mix it up a little bit if I have to. I’ve been very blessed. I think baseball has helped me a lot to be able to get away, slide, move and do all those things. Just that experience [has helped]. I’m excited. I’m excited about this game right here. This is the one that matters the most.”
Wilson has completed 60.4% of his passes for 2,805 yards with 11 touchdowns against six interceptions in 12 games this season. He has also rushed 41 times for 215 yards and one score on the ground. The 34-year-old quarterback has been banged up at various time this season, but he does not seem to be concerned about his long-term health.
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) Haaziq Daniels had a short scoring run and threw a touchdown pass in Air Force's 30-15 victory over Baylor in cold conditions Thursday night in the Armed Forces Bowl. The game kicked off with a temperature of 13 degrees and a wind chill of minus 4 at Amon G. Carter Stadium, the home of TCU, Baylor's Big 12 rival. Baylor officials announced it was the coldest kickoff temperature in the history of the program based about 100 miles south of Dallas-Fort Worth in Waco. | 2022-12-23T14:09:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Broncos QB Russell Wilson feels great, not worried about injuries | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-qb-russell-wilson-feels-130028246.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-qb-russell-wilson-feels-130028246.html?src=rss |
Commanders ready for 'unpredictable' Brock Purdy originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders enter Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season in control of their own playoff destiny, even after a crushing loss on Sunday Night Football to the New York Giants this past weekend.
The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Burgundy and Gold, though. Next up on the docket are the scorching-hot San Francisco 49ers, winners of seven straight and one of the NFL's most talented teams from top to bottom.
San Francisco's 2022 campaign has been quite impressive for a variety of reasons, but perhaps the most stunning part is the lack of dropoff despite multiple injuries at the sport's most important position. Trey Lance, the Niners' Week 1 quarterback, has almost the entirety of the season with an ankle injury. Jimmy Garoppolo, the club's longtime starter who led San Fran to a Super Bowl appearance in 2019, is out indefinitely after suffering a foot injury three weeks ago against Miami.
Garoppolo's injury paved the way for rookie Brock Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 Draft, to take the reigns as Kyle Shanahan's signal-caller. And in three games of extended action, San Francisco is 3-0 with Purdy under center and the offense hasn't missed a beat.
"It's a great story," Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said. "The guy came in unphased [in a] big matchup against the Dolphins and just played lights out and hasn't looked back. I've got family out in the Bay Area and they were all talking about it. It's a great story for the young man and his family."
When watching the limited film of Purdy, the Commanders came away impressed with what he's shown.
"He's a solid quarterback, a pretty good player," safety Bobby McCain said. "You just got to be ready. It's more or less you have to see what he does, see how he plays and also, see what the coordinator -- which is the head coach -- see what he likes to do and see his tendencies as well."
Having just three games under his belt, there's not a ton of film on Purdy thus far. That adds to the challenge the Commanders' defense has this week trying to slow him down.
"[It's] unpredictable. You don't know what he's going to do," defensive tackle Jonathan Allen said. "I don't feel like he has a lot to lose, so he's just going out there and slinging it. With the coaching staff they have and the players they have, they just always put him in a good position."
Allen believes that if the Commanders are able to apply some pressure on Purdy early on, that can drastically impact the course of the game. San Francisco's offensive line is one of the NFL's best. In Purdy's two starts, he's been sacked just one time.
"Getting good interior push is going to be key to making him uncomfortable," Allen said. "I think the thing about a young quarterback is they haven't really experienced some of the things that can happen when you hold onto the ball to long or some of the negative things that come with playing quarterback. I think for us, we try to make him as uncomfortable as possible."
Purdy deserves plenty of credit for the success he's had this season, but he's not solely responsible for all of it. Shanahan is considered one of the best offensive minds in the game, while the Niners are loaded with talent at the skill positions, even with do-it-all wideout Deebo Samuel currently hurt.
Shanahan has stuck to his offensive identity with Purdy in the lineup, and the quarterback has played well in his system. The Commanders' preparation this week has been just as much about identifying what Shanahan's system does well as much as it has been about what Purdy excels at individually.
"Their offense remains largely the same and he's doing a great job executing and doing his job distributing," Del Rio said. "They've done a nice job. It seems very seamless. Obviously, he is well prepared and when his opportunity came up, he's played well for them."
Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke, also once considered an afterthought, can relate to Purdy's recent success.
When Heinicke first arrived in Washington in 2020, he was considered the team's "Covid quarterback" and kept separated from the rest of the QB room. But in a matter of weeks, Heinicke found himself in the starting lineup for Washington's playoff game against Tampa Bay. A stellar performance that evening against the Buccaneers is arguably the main reason why Heinicke is still with the organization today.
"Obviously not this game, but when I watch him, I'm rooting for him," Heinicke said. "The guy was Mr. Irrelevant. He's a shorter quarterback. A lot of guys didn't give him the chance, being drafted the last pick of the draft. I kind of feel that similarity towards him. He's doing a great job. You watch the film, he knows what he's doing. He throws a nice tight spiral. He's moving that offense well.
"Our defense got a tough task on their hands," he added. "Hopefully he can take a week off and not play as well.”
Purdy has hardly looked like a rookie, let alone a seventh-rounder, operating Shanahan's offense this season. This week, it's up to the Commanders to make him play like one | 2022-12-23T14:09:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Commanders embrace challenge of facing 'unpredictable' 49ers QB Brock Purdy | https://sports.yahoo.com/commanders-embrace-challenge-facing-unpredictable-140000698.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/commanders-embrace-challenge-facing-unpredictable-140000698.html?src=rss |
The 2022 season has been one of streaks for the Miami Dolphins. They began the year with three straight wins, followed by three consecutive losses, only to follow up with a five-game win streak and yet another trio of losses immediately after that.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a season in a number of regards, but the final loop is approaching. Starting on Sunday, the Dolphins will be one of six Christmas Day teams, as they host the Green Bay Packers.
The 8-6 Dolphins enter Week 16 ready for a home game against the 6-8 Packers. Miami is 10-5 against Green Bay in their all-time series, with the Packers winning four of the last five. Miami’s last win in this series was at Green Bay in 2010, and their last home win was back in 2000.
The Dolphins and Packers first faced off against each other in 1971. From that game through the mid-90s, the Dolphins went 8-0 in the series, and Green Bay’s first win against Miami came on September 14, 1997.
Back to the present, the Dolphins are in a position to earn a playoff spot without winning out, however, after three straight games without a victory, Miami could make life much easier for them, and shoot for anything other than the seventh seed. A seventh seed is a ticket to Buffalo or Kansas City, pending who earns the bye or the second seed.
Heading into Week 16, Miami would face the Chiefs, but could even move up to the fifth seed with a whole lot of luck and some losses from the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens.
For any conceivable shot at a fifth seed, would mean a doable road Wild Card game against the Tennesse Titans (as of now) or even a shocking thought of potentially the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Believe it or not, after beating the Jets on Thursday night, they face the Texans in Houston and will play the finale against the Titans, which could be for the division.
There’s also the mathematical possibility that the Cincinnati Bengals play up to the second seed, thus making the Bills or Chiefs a third seed, in which that team would face the sixth seed in round one, which could be Miami.
Without getting ahead of the Packers, the Dolphins must take care of business at Hard Rock Stadium, a place where they’re 11-1 in their past 12 games. They’re looking to go 12-1 at home for the first time since the mid-1980s.
That lone loss was without Tua Tagovailoa, when Skylar Thompson started against the Minnesota Vikings back in Week 6, only to be injured and have Teddy Bridgewater come in to finish the game.
Miami begins this vital stretch with the Packers, before traveling to New England next Sunday and concluding the regular season with a home game against the New York Jets, which could very well be a win-and-in situation…for both teams.
Here are some things to note heading into Sunday:
Tua Tagovailoa leading league in several key passer categories
In addition to being the NFL’s leader in passer rating (107.8), Tagovailoa is also the league leader in red zone passer rating (111.8). Additionally, he’s No. 1 in touchdown-to-interception ratio (24:5), yards per attempt (8.63) and yards per completion (13.33).
Tagovailoa is within striking distance of being Miami’s all-time single-season passer rating leader, as Dan Marino currently holds the record, posting a 108.9 rating from his historic 1984 campaign.
He’s second in the NFL in fourth-quarter passer rating (116.1).
On third downs, Tagovailoa has been magnificent, completing 65-of-99 passes (65.7%) for 962 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. His 134.3 passer rating in these situations is the third-highest third-down passer rating in a season since the NFL started to track passer rating by down in 1991.
His 9.72 yards per attempt on third downs this season is the second-best mark in the league.
In the fourth quarter, over his career, Tagovailoa has completed 166-of-237 passes (70.0%) for 16 touchdowns and six interceptions – good for a 105.2 rating.
Top target torching opponents
Tyreek Hill is having a record-breaking year in his first season in Miami. Already the Dolphins’ single-season yardage leader, passing Mark Clayton’s 1984 record, Hill is just four receptions away from being the leader in receptions as well. The record is currently 112, held by Jarvis Landry from the 2017 season.
This season, Hill has four games of 160+ receiving yards in just 14 games so far with the Dolphins. It’s the second-most in team history behind Mark Duper, who had six such games in 69 contests.
Hill has gone over 100 receiving yards in six games this year, with five of them coming in Miami’s seven road games. That’s tied for the second-most 100-yard receiving games in a season by a Dolphins player and just two shy of the team record of eight, set by Duper in the 1986 season.
Jaylen Waddle maximizing talent
Waddle is leading the NFL in yards per reception (18.0). This is nearly doubling his average from last season (9.8).
Waddle has five 100-yard receiving games so far in 2022. He and Hill are the only pair of teammates in Dolphins history to each have at least five 100-yard receiving games in a season. Hill has six.
Dolphins pass rush heating up
The Dolphins’ defense has combined for 15 sacks over the last four weeks. Jaelan Phillips has a five-game streak with at least a half-sack and four total in that span.
Nine different players have recorded at least a half-sack in the past four games, and four different Dolphins have had multiple sacks since then.
Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler continue to impress
Wilkins is leading all defensive linemen this season in tackles (81).
He’s also tied for sixth among league defensive linemen with 14 tackles for loss this season and has recorded a tackle for loss in 10 of his 14 games in 2022.
In Miami’s first eight games this season, Sieler had 24 tackles, a lone sack, three quarterback hits and one tackle for loss. In his last six games, he’s recorded 34 tackles, 1.5 sacks, six quarterback hits and four tackles for loss.
Random sprinkles
Since publically criticizing himself on the “off” season he is having, Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders is 9-for-9 on point after tries and 8-for-8 on field goal attempts.
Jevon Holland is one of 10 players this season with multiple interceptions, a forced fumble, a sack and 70+ tackles.
Kader Kohou has 681 defensive snaps, leading all NFL undrafted rookies this season. He’s also tied for or first among undrafted rookie free agents in tackles (63), forced fumbles (one), and passes defensed (six).
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told Hong Kong’s leader the city needs to further integrate with the mainland’s development plans and consolidate its role as an international hub. Most Read from BloombergChina Is Likely Seeing 1 Million Covid Cases, 5,000 Deaths a DayDonald Trump’s Taxes Reveal Big Losses: What We Learned So Far, in ChartsBankman-Fried Released on $250 Million Bond in FTX CaseChina to Cut Quarantine for Overseas Travelers From Next MonthChina Estimates Covid Surge Is I | 2022-12-23T14:09:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | Dolphins news and notes ahead of Christmas Day matchup vs. Packers | https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-news-notes-ahead-christmas-130023310.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-news-notes-ahead-christmas-130023310.html?src=rss |
The Seahawks listed running backs Ken Walker and DeeJay Dallas as questionable to play in Saturday’s game against the Chiefs because of ankle injuries, but that doesn’t sound like the best label for their chances of being in the lineup. Head coach Pete Carroll discussed the status of the two backs after Thursday’s practice and [more]
Kevin O'Connell was an NFL prospect in the process of workouts and meetings when New York Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll arrived for a pre-draft session with the San Diego State product. O'Connell landed with New England instead for the start of his short-lived playing career in 2008, but he developed an instant respect for Daboll that day that kept growing throughout their journeys across the league. Nearly 15 years later, they'll be strategizing against each other on opposite sidelines in Minnesota when the Vikings host the New York Giants on Saturday in a matchup of this season's two most successful rookie coaches. | 2022-12-23T14:09:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants’ Brian Daboll, Daniel Jones preparing for resilient Vikings | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-brian-daboll-daniel-jones-125536791.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-brian-daboll-daniel-jones-125536791.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants (8-5-1) head out to Minneapolis to face the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings (11-3) this Saturday in their most meaningful December game in years.
Here are five storylines we’re following headed into the Week 16 battle.
Giants can clinch a playoff spot
The Vikings are already in the playoffs, having clinched the NFC North last week. They are currently the No. 2 seed in the NFC and need to keep winning to stave off San Francisco and have a chance at catching Philadelphia (13-1) for the top seed.
The Giants are currently the 6th seed and with a win and some help can secure a spot in the postseason tournament as a wild card.
The scenarios are as follows:
Giants win and Washington and Detroit both lose
Giants win and Washington and Seattle both lose
Giants win and Detroit and Seattle both lose
Head coach Brian Daboll was asked what he thought about the idea of coming home from Minnesota a playoff team.
“I think we’re getting ready to try to win this game. That’s about it,” he said.
Kings of the close games
The Vikings are favored by four points in this game but many are expecting a close game. Why?
The NFL had had 133 games decided by eight points or less, the most one-possession games through 15 weeks in league history. The Vikings and Giants are two of this season’s best teams in that category.
Minnesota is a league-best 10-0 in one-possession contests, including last week’s historic comeback against Indianapolis in which they overcame a 33-0 deficit to win, 39-36, in overtime. The Vikings are just the third team ever to win 10 games in a single season by eight points or fewer (the 2019 Seattle Seahawks and 1978 Houston Oilers are the others).
The Giants are 8-2-1 in games decided by eight points or less, which is the second-most wins in one-possession games this season.
Pro Bowler and snubs
The Vikings had five players named to this year’s Pro Bowl games — quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Justin Jefferson, tight end T.J. Hockenson, linebacker Za’Darius Smith, and long snapper Andrew DePaola.
The Giants had two players named to the NFC squad — running back Saquon Barkley and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence.
Placekicker Graham Gano was named as a second alternate, tackle Andrew Thomas and center Jon Feliciano were both named third alternates and linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux is a fourth alternate.
Many believed Thomas should have been named to the Pro Bowl roster and even an All-Pro. Daboll was asked about the snub on Thursday.
“Again, the Pro Bowl, I think for any of the guys that get selected — whether you’re a starter, you made it (but) you’re not a starter, an alternate — I think that those guys appreciate that. Unfortunately, everybody can’t make it. But Andrew’s a good player for us. I’m glad he’s on our team, and I look forward to seeing him play here the rest of the way,” Daboll said.
Thomas handled the snub with class and professionalism.
“I think anyone that plays this game — they’re competitive and you want to receive accolades for it for what you do on the field,” he told reporters. “Just continue to get better. Got a lot of football left so, I look forward to that”
Players of the Week clash
Giants rookie linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his masterful performance on Sunday night against the Washington Commanders.
The fifth overall selection in this year’s NFL draft out of Oregon led the team with a career-high 12 tackles and had a career-best three tackles for a loss, his third career sack, his second-career forced fumble, and his first -career fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for leading that record-setting comeback last week against the Indianapolis Colts. Cousins passed for a career-high 460 yards and four touchdowns in the 39-36 overtime win.
Thibodeaux said last week that ‘prime time liked‘ him but this game won’t be seen coast to coast. Still, he appreciates the honor.
“You love recognition. When you’re doing the dirty work and you’re working hard, you sacrifice your body to glorify your soul. It definitely does feel good,” he said.
First-year coaches facing off
Both head coaches in this game — the Giants’ Brian Daboll and Kevin O’Connell of the Vikings — are experiencing success in their first year on the job.
Daboll and O’Connell, who know each other for years, have a mutual respect for one another. When O’Connell was a quarterback coming out of San Diego State in 2008, Daboll, then the Jets’ quarterback coach, worked him out.
“Showing my age but he’s done a really nice job with that team, they’ve won a lot of one-score games,” said Daboll. “Give credit to the players, but give credit to him and his staff too. They’ve got a lot of good coaches on that staff and to be where they’re at right now is a testament to him and his team. Smart player, really good guy, good family, he’s done a nice job for that organization.” | 2022-12-23T14:09:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants vs. Vikings: 5 biggest storylines for Week 16 | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vs-vikings-5-biggest-135508949.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vs-vikings-5-biggest-135508949.html?src=rss |
You might have heard, the Bills are getting a new stadium.
It’s not going to have a dome, either.
During his weekly appearance on the Kyle Brandt’s Basement podcast, Josh Allen made a statement in a big way regarding that idea. The Bills quarterback is very against the team having one.
“That’s a fairly soft take,” Allen said. “It’s football, man. It’s football weather.”
For more from Allen, see the attached KBB clip below: | 2022-12-23T14:09:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Josh Allen on Bills having a dome: ‘Fairly soft take’ (video) | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-allen-bills-having-dome-124553682.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-allen-bills-having-dome-124553682.html?src=rss |
14-year NFL referee Clete Blakeman and his crew are set to officiate the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 16 game against the Seattle Seahawks according to Football Zebras.
This is the second game that Blakeman has officiated for Kansas City this season, with the first game coming against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9. That game was the Chiefs’ most penalized game (10) this season up until last week’s 11-flag game by Carl Cheffers.
Since Blakeman was promoted from field judge in 2010, Kansas City has a 9-6 overall record in games officiated by Blakeman. That includes some pretty notable losses, where penalties played a big part like the AFC title game against the New England Patriots or the Los Angeles Rams game in 2018 when the NFL replaced Blakeman’s regular crew with an “All-Star” officiating unit.
Through 13 games this season, Blakeman’s crew has thrown the fifth-most total flags with 194 on the season, but they average the third-most flags per game in the NFL. This crew is right around the league average of dismissed penalties (26) and they also have a pretty even split of penalties called on the home (83) and away (85) team.
The penalties this crew calls with the most frequency are offensive holding (29) and false start (28). The Chiefs are near the top of the league in offensive holding (19), but they’re dead last in the league in false start penalties (5). Defensive holding (14) and defensive pass interference (14) are also among the lead penalties for this officiating crew, followed by illegal formation (8) and delay of game (8). Overall, Chiefs Kingdom should expect a second consecutive week with a lot of penalty flags on the ground. | 2022-12-23T14:10:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Referee Clete Blakeman’s crew assigned to work Chiefs-Seahawks game | https://sports.yahoo.com/referee-clete-blakeman-crew-assigned-134528132.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/referee-clete-blakeman-crew-assigned-134528132.html?src=rss |
The Jacksonville Jaguars offense is on a roll and Trevor Lawrence is leading the way.
After a dominant 19-3 victory for the Jaguars on Thursday, Lawrence joined the crew on the Prime Video postgame show. When former Chiefs and Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez asked about Jaguars skill position players like Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram, Lawrence was ready to gush about his teammates.
“We have a lot of guys who — we have a lot of really talented guys, for one — but we have a lot of guys that I just feel like have something to prove,” Lawrence told the crew at Amazon Prime after the team’s win. “They have that mindset and we’ve all really rallied around each other from the beginning.”
Lawrence certainly isn’t wrong. Etienne is a second-year back who missed his entire rookie year due to a Lisfranc injury, Kirk received a contract that was widely panned as an overpay, and Engram is on a one-year contract after earning a reputation for drops with the New York Giants.
There’s also Zay Jones, a former second-round pick putting up career numbers with his third NFL team, Marvin Jones Jr, a 32-year-old veteran on an expiring contract, and Jamal Agnew, a former defensive back seeking to become an offensive playmaker.
The Jaguars roster is full of players aiming to prove themselves, but that’s largely the nature of a team that finished back-to-back seasons with the NFL’s worst record. With four wins in the last five weeks, a lot of those Jaguars players are taking advantage of their opportunity. | 2022-12-23T14:10:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Trevor Lawrence: ‘We have a lot of guys who have something to prove’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/trevor-lawrence-lot-guys-something-134522971.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/trevor-lawrence-lot-guys-something-134522971.html?src=rss |
Tackett Curtis is ranked the 99th-ranked player in the 2023 class, the eighth-best linebacker, and the sixth-best player in the state of Louisiana.
At 6-foot-2 1/2 and 220 pounds, the USC commit is going to be a much-needed addition to what is an increasingly deep linebacker room. Curtis is not projected to start next season but could be a big player in the Pac-12 season because of his versatility. He can line up at LB and safety.
Curtis is one of the best linebacker prospects who has come through Louisiana in several years. He is a tackling machine espically in open space.
Curtis plays with outstanding instincts on the defensive side of the ball, and he improved in coverage over the past few years. The improvement he attained through hard work and dedication is what made Curtis the Louisiana Gatorade Player of The Year in 2022.
The Louisiana native has accumulated 195 tackles, 5 interceptions, 1,494 all-purpose yards, and 5 touchdowns over the past two seasons. His leadership on and off the field also got Many High School and Curtis a 2022 state title and a 13-0 record this season.
Because #USC has Shane Lee back and Mason Cobb in the fold, 4-star LB Tackett Curtis won’t feel huge pressure to be Superman right away. Depth is being built. https://t.co/URLtbyebNu
Newman has been facing a defensive onslaught so far. USC commit Tackett Curtis blows this up pic.twitter.com/glWi9wpZkf
— Mike Roach (@MikeRoach247) September 24, 2022
“There wasn’t a linebacker in the country we wanted more than Tackett Curtis. I think he’s the best inside linebacker in the country, there’s not one I would take over him.”@LincolnRiley is fired up about @curtis_tackett joining the #TrojanFamily! pic.twitter.com/diG7Wjw5FM | 2022-12-23T14:56:11Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tackett Curtis is bringing Linebacker U back to USC | https://sports.yahoo.com/tackett-curtis-bringing-linebacker-u-144500940.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tackett-curtis-bringing-linebacker-u-144500940.html?src=rss |
Shawn Michaels Shuts Down Return Rumors: 'I'm Happy With My Career'
Nothing gets the WWE Universe riled up quite like rumors of a fan-favorite Superstar returning for one last match. In this case, that Superstar just happens to be arguably the best wrestler of all time, Shawn Michaels. The Heartbreak Kid officially retired from WWE after losing to The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26 in 2010, but has had fans hot on his tail since that day begging him for just one more match. Mr. WrestleMania succumbed to the WWE Universe and did return for one final match, teaming | 2022-12-23T15:00:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | Deron Winn reacts to UFC release ‘after a freak accident on their property the week before Christmas’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/deron-winn-reacts-ufc-release-213638913.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/deron-winn-reacts-ufc-release-213638913.html?src=rss |
A white Christmas? Pshaw. We’re dreaming of a Big Blue Christmas, thanks to the unexpected yuletide pleasure of playoff clinching scenarios for the Giants looming here in Week 16 of the NFL season.
A few things have to happen, sure. The first is that the Giants (8-5-1), who currently hold the sixth playoff spot in the NFC, have to beat the Vikings (11-3) on Christmas Eve in Minnesota. Then they’re in if two of these three teams also lose: Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders.
Even if none of those teams lose this week, the Giants control their own destiny, because they’d clinch a spot if they win all three of their remaining games. One thorn, though – their schedule is the third-hardest one remaining in the NFL – they play the likely No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the NFC (the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings) sandwiched around a game with the Indianapolis Colts.
Whatever happens, there was a time not so long ago that clinching scenarios for the Giants seemed about as likely as a brand-new Ferrari, festive bow on the hood, sitting in your driveway as a holiday gift.
‘Tis the season indeed. Here are five things to watch this week to see if the Giants can hold up their end of those scenarios:
Kayvon’s encore
Kayvon Thibodeaux made the defensive play of the season (so far) for the Giants last week with his strip sack and fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Commanders. It was part of a dominating performance for the fifth-overall pick, who was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after making 12 tackles (nine solo), including three for loss. But, much like figgy pudding, it left us hungry for more. In other words, more presents!
This could be a good week for it. With Azeez Ojulari creating havoc outside with Thibodeaux and Leonard Williams and Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence in the middle, the Giants’ pass rush has been heating up. The Vikings have allowed 41 sacks this year – including seven in their comeback win over the Colts – which is sixth-most in the NFL. Could another game turn on a big Thibodeaux moment?
Does Danny drop dimes?
The Vikings are last in overall defense (399.2 yards per game), 28th in scoring defense (24.9 points per game) and 31st in both passing defense and yards per play. So maybe there’s an opportunity for the Giants’ offense to enjoy some added explosiveness, particularly in the passing game. Perhaps the hyper-efficient Daniel Jones is up to it, though the question for the Giants is always who is going to be on the receiving end of those passes. The Vikings have allowed 300-plus yards passing seven times this season, including five games in a row before Week 15, and allow an average of 278.8 yards per game passing, just about 100 yards per game more than the Giants average.
Saquon Barkley, another Giants Pro Bowler, could figure in big on offense, but the Vikings are better against the run (18th) than they are against the pass. Barkley is fourth in the NFL with 1,170 rushing yards, but Minnesota is good at slowing running backs – they have not allowed a 100-yard rushing to a back all season. Jones’ rushing has been an effective weapon this year, so that probably figures into the Giants’ plans, too.
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is just about uncoverable and might become the first player ever to have 2,000 yards receiving in a single season by the end of the year. Quote machine Wink Martindale, the Giants’ defensive coordinator, said he told his defense that Jefferson is “one of the top two receivers in the league and he’s not No. 2.” Exactly. Entering Saturday, Jefferson is first in the NFL in catches (111) and yards (1,623) and both totals are already career bests with three games yet to play. Yes, Calvin Johnson’s 2012 single-season yardage record (1,964) is in real jeopardy and Jefferson could take over Minnesota’s franchise record on his first catch – he’s only nine behind Randy Moss’ 2003 mark.
The 23-year-old Jefferson, who had 12 catches for 123 yards in the Vikes’ wild comeback victory over the Colts last week, has nine games this season with at least 100 yards receiving and he’s averaging 115.9 yards. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson has been declared out for the Giants, which means Jefferson’s presence heaps pressure on defensive backs such as Fabian Moreau and Cor’Dale Flott. Even slowing Jefferson down is a huge ask, but it’s probably vital if the Giants hope to win.
Offense intended
Jefferson is not the only Vikings’ threat, obviously – the team has averaged 25.1 points per game, eighth in the NFL, for multiple reasons. One that looms Saturday is feature back Dalvin Cook, a punishing runner who has 1,045 rushing yards, his fourth straight season of 1,000-plus. He’s also scored eight TDs on the ground and two others via receptions. He did not make the Pro Bowl this year, which he had the last three seasons. It won’t be good for the Giants if he’s possibly looking to work off any lingering frustration in Week 16. The Giants, meanwhile, allow an average of 150.4 rushing yards per game (third-worst) and 5.4 yards per carry (worst). That’s a purple-tinged matchup, eh?
Big brain battle
Both Brian Daboll of the Giants and Kevin O’Connell of the Vikings are thriving in their first seasons as NFL head coaches and their teams have probably outperformed their talents levels. So are we seeing the blooming of what could be a nifty NFC coaching rivalry? That would be fun. O’Connell has helped Kirk Cousins to a Pro Bowl season (24 TD passes) and the Vikings don’t seem to be out of any game – they rallied from a 33-point deficit at halftime last week to beat the Colts and earlier this season roared back from 17 down to beat the mighty Bills in Buffalo. Both coaches have had big success in close games – Minnesota is 10-0 in one-score games and the Giants are 8-2-1.
Giants Injury Tracker: Adoree' Jackson, Shane Lemieux to miss Saturday's game against Vikings | 2022-12-23T15:41:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | 5 things to watch as Giants face Vikings in NFL's Week 16 | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-things-watch-giants-face-150329719.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-things-watch-giants-face-150329719.html?src=rss |
On Christmas Eve, the Chicago Bears (3-11) will take on the Buffalo Bills (11-3) with a chance to play spoiler and delay Buffalo clinching the AFC East.
For the Bears, Justin Fields is inching toward the NFL record for most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback. It’s also a homecoming for defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, a member of the 1985 Bears.
Here are five things to watch in Chicago’s Week 16 matchup – and a final prediction.
After traveling to Detroit earlier in the season (to play a home game) and hosting the Dolphins in the snow last week, the Bills appear to be a magnet for bad weather. Experts in Chicago predict nearly six inches of snowfall before kickoff, along with 40+ mph winds.
Sunday is a big game for Buffalo. A win over the Bears clinches the AFC East for the Bills. So, Chicago will look to play spoiler in a cold, snowy, and windy Christmas Eve game.
Fields is 207 rushing yards away from breaking Lamar Jackson’s 2019 NFL rushing record of 1,206 rushing yards. On Sunday, Fields will take the field with 1,000 rushing yards despite missing one game this season due to injury.
Three games are remaining for Fields to break the record. To set the record, he only needs 69 yards rushing in the next three games (including Buffalo). Fun fact: Fields passed former Bears quarterback Bobby Douglass who is fifth-all-time with 968 yards rushing during the 1972 season.
The Bears are expected to activate Khalil Herbert off injured reserve ahead of Saturday’s game. Head coach Matt Eberflus said he expects Herbert to be active against the Bills after recovering from a hip injury, which sidelined him for the last four games.
The second-year running back has been the most effective runner behind Fields. Herbert has 643 rushing yards in 10 games, five touchdowns, and averages six yards per carry, the most among active running backs.
Establishing the run against Buffalo's defense
The Bills have the sixth best rushing defense in football, but they’re coming off a Week 15 win over the Dolphins where they surrendered 188 yards rushing. Miami running back Raheem Mostert rushed for 136 yards and averaged 8.0 yards per carry against Buffalo’s defense.
The Bears will look to do the same with the combination of Justin Fields, David Montgomery, and Khalil Herbert. Chicago is averaging 186.9 yards per game (best in the NFL) and 5.4 yards per carry. The Bills play a base defense with five defensive backs – it will be interesting to see how long they can run a nickel package against the Bears’ rushing attack in chilly Chicago conditions.
Bills defensive coordinator played for the Bears from 1981-85, winning Super Bowl XX as a defensive back on the legendary ’85 Bears team. Next time you watch the Super Bowl Shuffle, look for Frazier (#21) in the background dancing.
Frazier interviewed for the Bears vacant head coaching job last offseason, and there were reports that he was considered a frontrunner and his ties to the organization certainly helped matters. But, ultimately, the job went to another defensive mind in Matt Eberflus.
Final Prediction: Bills 26, Bears 19
The weather should help the Bears, and Justin Fields will continue to be a playmaker. But the defense will lose this game for Chicago. The Bears are asking Jaylon Johnson to cover Stefon Diggs with a club on his hand, and they’re also without cornerback Kindle Vildor. And for a team that was thin at linebacker, it’s only gotten worse as middle linebacker Jack Sanborn was placed on IR this week.
If Buffalo isn’t the best team in the NFL, they’re one of the best teams. Chicago will challenge them in the first three quarters, but they will fall short, allowing the Bills to clinch the AFC East. | 2022-12-23T15:41:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bears vs. Bills: 5 things to watch (and a prediction) for Week 16 matchup | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-vs-bills-5-things-140032013.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-vs-bills-5-things-140032013.html?src=rss |
The Indianapolis Colts have been officially eliminated from playoff contention after the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the New York Jets on Thursday night.
It was always a long shot that the Colts were going to make the playoffs after their start to the season and their recent stretch of games. It would have taken a historic set of events to get them into the playoffs.
The Colts have been all about making history this season but they’ve been on the wrong side of it almost every time in 2022.
With the Colts failing to make the playoffs, it’s the sixth time in eight years they’ve failed to achieve the objective. They haven’t won a divisional title since 2014, and the direction of the team seems non-existent going into the offseason.
The Colts still have three games remaining and are approaching a top-five pick in the 2023 NFL draft. With nothing else to play for, the Colts will soon begin their focus of making offseason changes to the front office, coaching staff and personnel.
Trevor Lawrence leaped for a TD and the Jacksonville Jaguars continued their push toward the playoffs with a 19-3 victory over the New York Jets on Thursday night. | 2022-12-23T15:41:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colts officially eliminated from playoff contention | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-officially-eliminated-playoff-contention-150738873.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-officially-eliminated-playoff-contention-150738873.html?src=rss |
Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew‘s last regular season start came against the Cowboys, but the stakes were very different in Week 18 last season.
The Eagles were resting players because they knew they would be playing on the road in the Wild Card round regardless of the result, but this Saturday Minshew will be starting in place of an injured Jalen Hurts with a chance to sew up the top seed in the NFC playoffs. On Thursday, Minshew said that neither the circumstances surrounding the game nor his lack of playing time this season will change his approach to the game.
“I’m going to do something I’ve done my whole life, play football and I’m going to do my part,” Minshew said, via the team’s website. “Just be me and play my game. I’m looking forward to it.”
Minshew’s last start with a full complement of teammates around him came in Week 13 last year and he went 20-of-25 for 242 yards and two touchdowns in a 25-20 win over the Jets. The Eagles would likely be happy to sign up for something along those lines on Christmas Eve.
Gardner Minshew: I’m just going to be me and play my game originally appeared on Pro Football Talk | 2022-12-23T15:41:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Gardner Minshew: I’m just going to be me and play my game | https://sports.yahoo.com/gardner-minshew-m-just-going-142805281.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/gardner-minshew-m-just-going-142805281.html?src=rss |
Dec 22, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) watches from the sideline after being pulled from the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at MetLife Stadium. / Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Wilson and the Jets' season seems to be on borrowed time after Thursday night’s loss to the Jaguars.
After another bad performance and suffering a brutal 19-3 loss that puts the season on the brink, the BYU product is just as dumbfounded as those who watched the game. When asked what gave him trouble on Thursday, the 23-year-old couldn’t give a specific reason.
“I don't know. I felt like I didn't have any rhythm out there,” he said after the game. “Just trying to find some confidence out there on the field and just find something to get us going, a little spark and couldn't get anything there, man.
“And I had opportunities and I got to be able to connect on those… but right now the feeling is I just gotta put my head down and just try to get better now for these guys. That's my message to them out there. I'm trying to give everything I got. I'm trying to lay it out there for you guys and it's not good enough and I got to put them in a better position.”
Wilson was given great field position in the first quarter after Quinnen Williams’ strip sack that gave the Jets a chance to pick up an early touchdown. What followed was a four-play drive totaling negative-three yards, and a field goal as a result.
From there, it would only get worse. Six more drives totaling zero points and less than 100 yards of offense. With the team down 13-3 in the third quarter, coach Robert Saleh pulled Wilson for practice squad quarterback Chris Streveler to give the run game a “spark.”
“We're not doing anything offensively. And I'm trying to figure it out, trying to help get the guys going. I'm trying to get myself a little bit of rhythm and we have nothing there,” Wilson said of his benching. “You can't blame them in that situation. You put Chris out there and he's obviously good with his legs and his arm and he was able to give us a little bit of a spark there.”
Wilson said that Streveler and him are “good buddies” and that he’s happy that he got the opportunity, especially since it was helping the team. He stayed ready to come in when Saleh called on him, but Wilson never saw the field again on Thursday.
Streveler finished 10-for-15 for 90 yards in the air and 54 yards on nine carries. The former second overall pick finished going 9-for-18 for 92 yards passing and an interception. He was also showered with boos from fans at MetLife Stadium for most of his time on the field, another thing Wilson understands.
“I don't blame them. We have a very passionate fan base, and they're here to watch us score touchdowns and we're not scoring touchdowns, we're not getting first downs. We're not moving the ball. We obviously can't throw the ball,” Wilson said. “So of course, they're gonna be frustrated.”
That frustration has been building ever since the team’s 10-3 loss to the Patriots in Week 11. After that game, Wilson was benched for Mike White so the quarterback could “reset.” Weeks later, and it doesn’t seem like much has changed, although the second-year coach thinks otherwise.
“I feel like he has gotten better, but obviously we got to go show it on the football field,” Saleh said. “It's a collective thing. Starts with coaching, but either way, it wasn't close to good enough today.”
Wilson agrees and he grew frustrated standing on the sidelines as Streveler was able to move the offense better than he was all game.
“I got to look myself in the mirror,” Wilson said. “I got to go back and I got to watch this tape and just…you got to be hard, you got to be hard on yourself and just say, ‘why are we not moving the ball?’ and that starts with me. I got to help this team be in a better position with the ball, whatever it is. I have to figure it out.”
Wilson may not have time to figure it out this year as the Jets fell to 7-8, and with two games left and being on the outside looking in. New York will have to beat the Seahawks and Dolphins to have any realistic chance of doing so, and may have to turn to White or someone else to try and sneak into the playoffs.
The actress reveals the mix-up that almost cost her the title role in the crime classic on its 25th anniversary. | 2022-12-23T15:42:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jets' Zach Wilson reacts to being pulled against Jaguars, fans booing: 'I don't blame them' | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-zach-wilson-reacts-being-141209899.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-zach-wilson-reacts-being-141209899.html?src=rss |
With Christmas just days away, Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. reflected on his selection to the 2022 Pro Bowl on Thursday in his comments to the media. In a year where fans and pundits have criticized his play, few thought that Brown would be awarded the honor, but he was chosen as one of three players at his position to represent the best of the best in the AFC anyway.
Speaking to reporters, Brown seemed aware of just how fortunate he was to have been selected, and was excited for his fellow offensive linemen, center Creed Humphrey and guard Joe Thuney, who will also represent Kansas City on the Pro Bowl roster.
“It’s just nothing short of a blessing to be able to have the opportunity to be voted in [by] my fans, coaches, and players for the last four years, man. You know it’s very special. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly. But I’m so happy for the guys in the room that had the opportunity to make their first ones with Joe [Thuney] and Creed [Humphrey]. [They’re] two guys that come in here every single day, head down, working hard, taking coaching very well, [and they] have a ton of love and commitment to the game and to this franchise [and] to our room. I’m very happy for those two.”
The Chiefs’ investment in their offensive line to protect franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes has certainly paid off. There was a legitimate argument to be made that right guard Trey Smith was a deserving candidate for a Pro Bowl selection as well, and Mahomes has rarely seen his protection crumble while he is in the pocket this season.
The rest of the NFL should start to take notice of the talent that Kansas City has acquired up-front, and model their collective offensive approaches to reflect the strategy that Andy Reid and Brett Veach have put together in search of their third Super Bowl berth in four years.
'It's nothing short of a blessing': Chiefs OT Orlando Brown on making fourth Pro Bowl | 2022-12-23T15:42:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Orlando Brown Jr. on Pro Bowl selection: ‘It’s just nothing short of a blessing’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/orlando-brown-jr-pro-bowl-152450544.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/orlando-brown-jr-pro-bowl-152450544.html?src=rss |
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a chance to break an NFL record tomorrow against the Seahawks.
Mahomes completed his final 20 pass attempts in the Chiefs’ win over the Texans on Sunday, meaning that if he completes his first six passes tomorrow, he will have completed 26 in a row, a new NFL record.
“I did not know that at all, and that doesn’t sound like me,” Mahomes told PFT after the game, “so that’s probably a one-time thing and I’ll just cherish that one.”
The current record of 25 consecutive completions is owned by four different quarterbacks: Ryan Tannehill, who did it over two games in 2015, Marcus Mariota, who did it over two games in 2018, Philip Rivers, who did it in one game in 2018, and Nick Foles, who did it in one game in 2018.
That odd collection of quarterbacks could all see their names wiped from the NFL record book on Saturday, if Mahomes connects on his first six passes.
Patrick Mahomes is six away from breaking NFL record for consecutive completions originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
Panthers CB CJ Henderson is trending towards starting in Week 16. But if he can't go, it'll be Keith Taylor Jr. in his place again. | 2022-12-23T15:42:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Patrick Mahomes is six away from breaking NFL record for consecutive completions | https://sports.yahoo.com/patrick-mahomes-six-away-breaking-142807977.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/patrick-mahomes-six-away-breaking-142807977.html?src=rss |
An opportunity to pull off their biggest upset of the season hangs in the balance on Saturday afternoon when the New England Patriots come face-to-face with the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.
The Patriots bit the dust in embarrassing fashion in last week’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. So they’ll desperately be looking for a turnaround effort against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and his bevy of offensive weapons.
However, they might have to do so shorthanded.
They’ve already ruled out cornerback Jalen Mills for the game, and both Jonathan Jones and Jack Jones are listed as questionable to play. This game could quickly turn into a disaster if the defensive backfield is filled with reserve players.
It still wouldn’t change the fact that this is a must-win situation for a Patriots team that has fallen off a cliff since their Week 11 win over the New York Jets.
Here’s how to the watch the game.
New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals
SiriusXM: New England (231) and Cincinnati (386)
SiriusXM App: New England (821) and Cincinnati (806)
Money line: Patriots +145, Bengals -170
Against the spread (ATS): Patriots +3, Bengals -3
LIVE: Follow unprecedented weather event in Mississippi
The temperatures in Mississippi are expected to remain below freezing through Christmas day. Follow live weather events here. | 2022-12-23T15:42:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | Patriots vs Bengals 2022 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-vs-bengals-2022-live-145247607.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-vs-bengals-2022-live-145247607.html?src=rss |
The Raiders had three Pro Bowl selections in 2022 and that included Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby. That seems like the right amount for the Raiders, who sit at 6-8 on the season.
But should any other player for the Raiders have made the Pro Bowl? The answer is yes.
In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, they listed the biggest Pro Bowl snubs. That list included Kolton Miller, who has allowed only three sacks all season long. Here is what the site had to say about Miller not making the Pro Bowl this season:
“Miller has developed into one of the top pass-blockers in the NFL after a rough rookie season, producing a pass-blocking grade of 80.0 or higher in each of the past three campaigns.
This year, he has allowed just three sacks, three hits and 22 hurries from 488 pass-blocking snaps. Compare that to Orlando Brown Jr., who made the squad ahead of him despite giving up four sacks, seven hits and 32 hurries from 616 pass-blocking snaps, and Miller clearly has a case to be in the squad.”
Miller was better last season, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t get some consideration for the Pro Bowl. But with the Chiefs having one of the best records in the league, it’s clear that the voters valued that more with Orlando Brown Jr.
While it’s ultimately not a big deal that Miller didn’t make the Pro Bowl, it’s nice to see him get some recognization as one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL. | 2022-12-23T15:43:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders LT Kolton Miller named Pro Bowl snub by Pro Football Focus | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-lt-kolton-miller-named-140935595.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-lt-kolton-miller-named-140935595.html?src=rss |
Welcome to the Detroit Lions Podcast for the lead-up into Week 16. This week’s show is a solo effort from Jeff Risdon, with co-host Chris being under the weather. We hope to be back together for the regular live show and stream following the Lions’ Week 16 game against the Panthers.
With it being a solo show, the focus is narrowed a bit. One of the primary topics comes from the Patreon Slack channel, the smartest Lions chat on the internet. The question was asked, “Has the Lions’ margin for error improved lately?”
There is a review of the Lions in the Pro Bowl and why the honor matters, as well as why it’s not always the most deserving players who get those nods. With safety DeShon Elliott ruled out vs. the Panthers, who steps up and gets the starting nod? There is more love given to the emerging Detroit defense, including one big reason why the Lions should be able to stop the Panthers pretty effectively. | 2022-12-23T15:43:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | Watch: Detroit Lions Podcast on the Pro Bowl, Panthers game and more | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-detroit-lions-podcast-pro-145609086.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-detroit-lions-podcast-pro-145609086.html?src=rss |
Baltazar Leguizamón hopes to become first Argentine NASCAR driver
Driver Baltazar Leguizamón hopes to become the first native of Argentina to make his NASCAR national series debut, with MBM Motorsports aiming to provide the opportunity.
Baltazar Leguizamon
The 22-year-old native of Arrecifes, a province 112 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, is hopeful to make starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2023, according to a press release from the team. Leguizamón won the 2018 Atlantic Championship Series title and earned a runner-up championship finish in the inaugural season of F3 Americas, also in 2018. Leguizamón has also competed in Top Race V6, an Argentine touring car series.
“I am really proud to be the first Argentinean with a NASCAR national series license,” Leguizamón said in a release. “It’s been a long way on my career living my dream in international motorsports. All the hard work is paying off right now.”
“This is huge for us, for my country, and for South America. It‘s my childhood dream beginning to come true.”
RELATED: 2023 Xfinity Series schedule | Catch up on Silly Season
The team’s release noted Leguizamón still needs to secure financial backing to set a definitive date for his debut, but the team implied it is targeting one of the eight road or street courses on the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule for Leguizamón’s inaugural start. Circuit of The Americas marks the first road course on the circuit on March 25.
“I am very thankful to everyone involved with this project: the NASCAR administration, Bruce Bohlander, and Carl Long of MBM Motorsports, who opened this door for me and is helping me into this,” Leguizamón said in a release. “We’ve won in seven different series, and we want to keep going at this very seriously.”
Daniel Suarez scored his first Cup Series victory in 2022, winning at Sonoma as one of the highlights of Trackhouse Racing's year. | 2022-12-23T17:37:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | Baltazar Leguizamón hopes to become first Argentine NASCAR driver | https://sports.yahoo.com/baltazar-leguizam-n-hopes-become-083605450.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/baltazar-leguizam-n-hopes-become-083605450.html?src=rss |
NASCAR TV Schedule: Dec. 26, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023
4 a.m., Greatest Races: 2011 NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (re-air), FS1
7 a.m., Greatest Races: 1985 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway (re-air), FS2
9 a.m., Greatest Races: 1990 Goody’s 300 at Daytona International Speedway (re-air), FS2
11 a.m., Greatest Races: 1994 NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 (re-air), FS2
7 p.m., Greatest Races: 2007 NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway (re-air), FS1
10 p.m., Greatest Races: NASCAR (re-air), FS1
1 a.m., Greatest Races: 2011 NASCAR Cup Series Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway (re-air), FS1
4 a.m., NASCAR Race Classic: 1997 Daytona 500 (re-air), FS1
9:30 p.m., NASCAR Presents: Beyond the Wheel, FS2
10:30 p.m., Greatest Races: 2001 NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway (re-air), FS2
1:30 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Best of Radioactive from Atlanta (re-air), FS2
12 p.m., ARCA Menards Series race (re-air), MAVTV
2 p.m., ARCA Menards Series race (re-air), MAVTV
12 a.m, ARCA Menards Series race (re-air), MAVTV | 2022-12-23T17:37:19Z | sports.yahoo.com | NASCAR TV Schedule: Dec. 26, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023 | https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-tv-schedule-dec-26-090054080.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-tv-schedule-dec-26-090054080.html?src=rss |
LAS VEGAS — The top two spots are likely to stay the same leading up to the 2023 NBA draft, with 7-foot-4 French center Victor Wembanyama as the favored No. 1 pick and G League Ignite point guard Scoot Henderson taking the No. 2 slot. Where it starts to get interesting is at No. 3 with a handful of options. Alabama's Brandon Miller is one of the best shooting wings in college hoops. Overtime Elite's Amen Thompson and Arkansas' Nick Smith Jr. are two of the best guards in the country. Villanova's Cam Whitmore has returned from a preseason thumb injury and is settling in well heading into conference play. He has been high on NBA draft boards since the summer.
There will be plenty of movement throughout the college season and into the draft on June 22. Here's the latest look at the 2023 NBA draft and Yahoo Sports' projections for the first round.
1. Detroit Pistons: C Victor Wembanyama
2. Charlotte Hornets: G Scoot Henderson
Henderson has been sidelined with a nose fracture and concussion for over a month and is planning on returning to the court soon. "I'm just taking my time and getting my rhythm back to get back on the court," Henderson told Yahoo Sports. Prior to being sidelined, Henderson was averaging 21.2 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. One of his most impressive outings was in a win over Santa Cruz where he recorded a career-high 16 assists and added 18 points and six rebounds in 35 minutes.
3. Houston Rockets: G/F Brandon Miller
4. San Antonio Spurs: G Amen Thompson
"Both Ausar and I know we’re not going to be able to get to the rim easily in the league, so we’ve been very intentional this last year working on our floater, working on our pull-up jumper off the dribble, getting more comfortable in those areas," Amen told Yahoo Sports. "I try to implement it in game situations too just to develop that habit."
5. Washington Wizards: G Nick Smith Jr.
Smith Jr. has been sidelined indefinitely with right knee management after missing the first six games of the season with a minor injury. Smith Jr. has done enough to shut it down, with scouts getting a solid look at the 6-foot-5 guard during high school all-star games and preseason play. Smith Jr. averaged 19.6 points in three games returning to the court and is a solid guard, particularly off the pick-and-roll option, making the right read whether that's the extra pass, a floater in the lane or taking the 3-point jumper if his man goes under the screen.
6. Orlando Magic: G Ausar Thompson
Thompson plays with incredible pace and is one of the best defenders in this draft class with his athleticism and timing on blocked shots. He's averaging 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game in the Overtime Elite league. While his twin brother, Amen, is more comfortable as a primary ball handler, Ausar is just as effective off the wing. "Amen is more on-ball, ball-dominant, like a point and I’m more comfortable coming off the wing," Ausar told Yahoo Sports. "I can run the point, but I feel like I can create more for myself and teammates off the wing."
7. New Orleans Pelicans: G Cam Whitmore
Whitmore had his best game of the season so far in a win over Penn where he posted 21 points and grabbed six rebounds in 24 minutes. The 6-foot-7 guard is a prolific scorer with great size who helped lead Team USA to a gold medal in the FIBA U18 Americas Championship this past summer. He's finding his rhythm after returning from a thumb injury and is one of the best guards in the Big East.
Mitchell's production off the block has been limited at Texas with the shooters the Longhorns have on the perimeter and has yet to attempt a 3-point field goal this season. Mitchell is a high-level rebounder, particularly on the offensive side of the glass and is a raw, athletic player who has a ton of upside as an NBA prospect.
9. Toronto Raptors: F Jarace Walker
10. Oklahoma City Thunder: G Gradey Dick
11. Golden State Warriors: G Keyonte George
12. Atlanta Hawks: G Anthony Black
With Trevon Brazile and Smith Jr. out for the Razorbacks, Black's touches on offense have significantly increased. The freshman out of Texas has great size and is getting more comfortable with the pace of the college game, averaging 12.5 points and only two turnovers in the last two games.
14. New York Knicks: G Jett Howard
Howard has great size for a perimeter guard at 6-foot-8. He continues to be consistent from behind the arc, shooting 41% from deep. Howard's lateral quickness remains an area of improvement, but with his size and skill set at just 19 years old, there's a lot to like about Juwan Howard's son as a possible pick in the back of the lottery.
16. Indiana Pacers: F G.G. Jackson
17. Chicago Bulls: G Dariq Whitehead
19. New York Knicks: C Kel'el Ware
20. Sacramento Kings: F Noah Clowney
21. Los Angeles Clippers: C Kyle Filipowski
22. Phoenix Suns: G/F Maxwell Lewis
23. Brooklyn Nets: G Brice Sensabaugh | 2022-12-23T18:00:59Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2023 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: After Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson, some movement in the lottery | https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nba-mock-draft-4-after-victor-wembanyama-and-scoot-henderson-some-movement-in-the-lottery-170450740.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nba-mock-draft-4-after-victor-wembanyama-and-scoot-henderson-some-movement-in-the-lottery-170450740.html?src=rss |
The Oregon Ducks were in the running down until the final days, and while it seemed like Dan Lanning might be able to pull off another massive flip from a 5-star prospect, in the end, David Hicks ended up staying put and signing with the Texas A&M Aggies on Friday.
Hicks, the No. 1 DL in the 2023 class, has been committed to Texas A&M since September of 2022, but he had taken a total of four visits to Eugene over the past year, including two in the past month. There’s a belief that he badly wanted to play for Lanning and the Ducks, but pressures to stay closer to home ultimately won out in the end.
Despite the inability to land Hicks, Oregon is still sitting pretty after the early signing period, securing the No. 11 class in the nation with the addition of 5-star EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei on Wednesday, and the signing of 5-star WR Jurrion Dickey. The Ducks briefly got 5-star S Peyton Bowen to flip from Notre Dame to Oregon on Wednesday, but he later announced on Thursday that he would be flipping to the Oklahoma Sooners, who were also in play for Hicks.
BREAKING: Five-Star DL David Hicks tells me he has officially signed with Texas A&M.
The 6’4 295 DL from Katy, TX is ranked as the No. 1 DL in the ‘23 Class.
The Aggies secure the top defensive lineman in back to back classes https://t.co/tOshnN8ijQ pic.twitter.com/4JTAon0gNc | 2022-12-23T18:05:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | 5-star DL David Hicks announces college commitment | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-star-dl-david-hicks-172537942.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-star-dl-david-hicks-172537942.html?src=rss |
We have said this a number of times over the course of 2022: Alex Grinch will own his mistakes. He’ll be the first guy in the room to admit he failed. He won’t hide or run from his failures. Yes, it’s not good enough to take ownership of failures if those failures keep happening. Alex Grinch can’t spend 2023 owning more failures. He needs to change failures into successes.
Yet, let’s at least acknowledge that Grinch blames himself more than his players. That’s the leadership and maturity one should want in a coach. Grinch will get the 2023 season to prove if he can be the leader Lincoln Riley and this team need. The process of improvement which is so central to USC’s growth as a program — in pursuit of the College Football Playoff and national championship contention on an annual basis — begins with Cotton Bowl practices leading into spring ball and the offseason.
Grinch talked to the media for the first time since the Pac-12 Championship Game. One of his key themes: Every individual being accountable for his role and his set of responsibilities.
“I think in some ways (guys were) just surprised by the football, surprised in the moment that ‘I’m the one that’s needed on that play.’ ”
“We’ve gotta have a better appreciation for our role,” he said. “Coaches, players, obviously the 11 guys on the field and most importantly, the one guy on the field is you. You’re the most important part of the puzzle and that’s one of the things we’re really trying to get across to the guys is ‘It’s 11 guys playing this one but you are the most important piece.’ ” | 2022-12-23T18:05:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Alex Grinch speaks publicly for first time since Pac-12 title game loss, preaches accountability | https://sports.yahoo.com/alex-grinch-speaks-publicly-first-174326794.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/alex-grinch-speaks-publicly-first-174326794.html?src=rss |
For the fourth time in his career, former Michigan State football star quarterback and current member of the Minnesota Vikings Kirk Cousins has made the Pro Bowl. Cousins is the only Spartan to make this year’s Pro Bowl roster, which was announced a few days ago.
Cousins currently has the 11-3 Minnesota Vikings’ offense operating at a high level, throwing for 3,818 yards and 24 touchdowns on the season thus far as they prepare for the playoffs.
A person familiar with the situation says Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins has agreed to a four-year contract extension worth at least $68 million. Jenkins’ contract has a base value of $68 million and could go up to $74 million. NFL Network and ESPN first reported the extension. | 2022-12-23T18:06:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kirk Cousins named to Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his career | https://sports.yahoo.com/kirk-cousins-named-pro-bowl-171715338.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/kirk-cousins-named-pro-bowl-171715338.html?src=rss |
2022 All-SEC wide receiver Dominic Lovett has transferred from Missouri to Georgia. Lovett recorded 56 receptions for 846 receiving yards and three touchdowns last season.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound receiver is a former four-star recruit from East St. Louis High School. Lovett and Mississippi State transfer Rara Thomas will help improve Georgia’s wide receiver room for the 2023 college football season. The duo has already signed with the Bulldogs.
Lovett is 247Sports’ No. 7 player in the transfer portal and the top-ranked wide receiver. Thomas is 247Sports’ No. 16 player and the second-ranked wide receiver.
Here’s a look at one of Lovett’s top plays from the 2022 college football season:
The talented wide receiver announced his commitment to Georgia football via Twitter:
What's next for Louisville football recruiting as Jeff Brohm builds his vision for the program? Here's a look at the Cardinals' to-do list. | 2022-12-23T18:06:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | All-SEC WR transfers to Georgia football | https://sports.yahoo.com/sec-wr-transfers-georgia-football-163921775.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sec-wr-transfers-georgia-football-163921775.html?src=rss |
Dear Santa: Please deliver Christmas gifts to these St. Louis Cardinals in need
No, Virginia, there isn’t a Baseball Santa Claus.
Or, at least, there isn’t one unless you’re a Mets fan, engorged with holiday delight as owner Steve Cohen deposits another $300 million present under your tree. For the fans of the 29 teams whose owners behave as though money is finite and they have budgets to attend (it’s not, really, and they don’t, really; all of that is fake), wishing for a Christmas miracle isn’t likely to be an excellent use of time.
If, however, the Cohen Claus tumbles off your roof and you find yourself in possession of a magical business card which doubles as an entrapping employment agreement, please do at least consider delivering some of these gifts to folks in and around the St. Louis Cardinals who might be in need.
Paul DeJong and Jake Woodford — a new team
Two players who seemed unlikely to be in the organization come the arrival of spring training are now overwhelming favorites to at least make it to the end of the year, increasing the likelihood they’ll be reporting to Jupiter as Cardinals. It’s not clear what either will be doing when they get there.
After a couple exciting series once he rejoined the club from the minors, DeJong continued his years-long offensive spiral that now has him relegated to a defense-first (defense-only) replacement at short who could also see himself sprinkled around the league. With $11 million in guaranteed money remaining on his contract, it’s difficult to find a new home for a player whose best hope for production is a wish and a dream that’s four seasons old.
Starting over might not help, but it’s hard to see how it could possibly hurt.
Woodford has the opposite issue — he succeeds at getting guys out, and it’s not clear that those in a position to influence his future have noticed. The Cardinals spoke about a need for him to refine his breaking ball during one of his many dispatches to Memphis, and he did so, and then he was buried on the depth chart.
His 2022 ERA was 2.23, his FIP was 3.13, and his WHIP was a whisper over 1.1. He may not miss bats, but he certainly outpitches the peripherals of others who rely solely on defense. It’s not clear he’s even the Cardinals’ seventh-highest option on the depth chart for starting pitchers heading into the holiday. Elsewhere, he’d be a solid 4, pushing a 3. He deserves a chance to show it.
John Mozeliak — an edit button
The most stunning takeaway from the team’s end of season press conference was the repeated pronouncements payroll would increase with little to no moderation in tone. The Cardinals, Mozeliak said, were financially healthy thanks to swarms of baseball’s best fans coming out to see living legends one last time, and the club was ready to flex that muscle.
It was a curious pronouncement, in part, because it was hard to see how they’d spend all that money even if they were so inclined. Signing Willson Contreras to the largest free agent deal ever for an entirely new player certainly helped, but the increase is marginal rather than of magnitude, and even then relies on a little bit of tricky accounting.
Perhaps when faced with a question he felt he’d already answered several times, Mozeliak would instead opt for circumspection. Then again, if you pledge an increase and just slightly clear the bar, it becomes someone else’s — it’s the writers, it turns out — problem to explain it.
Giovanny Gallegos — a Polaroid camera
Thanks to his Instagram posts, interested observers may have noticed the reliable fireman took his family on a whirlwind vacation through Europe this winter. Seemed like they had a great time, and Polaroids are back to being cool again, so I’m sure he’d appreciate it.
The baseball fan in your life — tickets to the 63rd Annual St. Louis Baseball Writers Dinner
We’re back! Come see the NL MVP, a parcel of Gold Glovers, and a handful of Hall of Famers up close and personal! Tickets are available online, and they’re the best kind of present — the kind you can buy at home in your pajamas because you forgot to buy something else.
Nolan Arenado — vindication of his foresight
Arenado’s decision not to opt out of the five remaining years of his contract was the expected path, but it was still met with relief throughout the organization. Given the rush to spend new CBA dollars by those flush with cash after a prosperous return to normalcy, it’s not hard to imagine his exceeding the $144 million he’s still owed on the open market.
Instead, happy with his team, reassured by the front office, and confident in what’s being built, Arenado is locked in. His commitment is to being part of a winner, and in declining to chase maximum money, his gamble is that he’s in the spot to make that happen.
For his sake and the sake of those invested either financially or emotionally in the St. Louis Cardinals, Baseball Santa would be better off by many reckonings if he simply allowed Arenado to be right.
St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the 2021 season. Arenado’s decision not to opt out of the five remaining years of his contract this offseason was the expected path, but it was still met with relief throughout the organization.
Allison Holker Shares Heartbreaking Selfie With Stephen "tWitch" Boss
Allison Holker opens up about missing her late husband Stephen "tWitch" Boss in an Instagram post, just a week after his tragic death. Take a look.
Jan. 6 committee releases final report, SBF out on $250 million bond, Bloomberg eyes new media holdings
Notable business headlines include the Jan. 6th committee releasing its final publication, Sam Bankman-Fried released on $250 million bond, Target recalling over 200,000 weighted blankets, and Mike Bloomberg eyeing the acquisition of Dow Jones and Wapo. | 2022-12-23T18:09:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Dear Santa: Please deliver Christmas gifts to these St. Louis Cardinals in need | https://sports.yahoo.com/dear-santa-please-deliver-christmas-120000740.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/dear-santa-please-deliver-christmas-120000740.html?src=rss |
Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer delivers against the Oakland Athletics on April 7, 2021. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)
It had been a quiet afternoon around Chavez Ravine.
For much of Thursday, it was business as usual for the Dodgers front office. Most club personnel were preparing for the upcoming holiday weekend, and some executives had already scattered with Christmas Eve two days away.
Team officials weren’t anticipating any major news — especially regarding the status of Trevor Bauer’s appeal of a domestic violence suspension, a decision the club didn’t believe would be known for at least several more weeks, according to people with knowledge of the situation unauthorized to speak publicly.
By 5 p.m. PST, however, everything changed.
Major League Baseball announced an independent arbitrator reduced Bauer’s original 324-game suspension to 194 and made the pitcher immediately eligible, thus giving the Dodgers 14 days to either release him or put him back on their roster.
Team officials had only been alerted about the ruling roughly half an hour prior, people with knowledge of the situation said, and some staff didn’t learn about it until MLB’s public announcement.
“We have just been informed of the arbitrator’s ruling,” the Dodgers said in a statement, “and will comment as soon as practical.”
Ever since Bauer was suspended in April, the Dodgers received little information about where his appeal process stood.
Still, some team officials had been bracing in recent weeks for the suspension to be reduced. Though Bauer hadn’t played for the Dodgers since June 2021, when allegations against him first surfaced, and his original suspension was set to cover the remainder of his three-year, $102-million contract with the team, the possibility lingered that he would be reinstated for 2023.
Now, it’s a reality.
And what exactly comes next remains unclear.
During his appeal, the prevailing industry belief was that the pitcher would never take the mound in a Dodgers uniform again.
Yet, as of Thursday night, club executives were still discussing how they would proceed, according to people with knowledge of the situation, and could wait to make a final decision until closer to the Jan. 6 deadline to either release Bauer or activate him.
The team would like to gather more information about precisely what led to the arbitrator’s decision. But confidentiality rules in MLB’s sexual assault and domestic violence policy, which was jointly negotiated by the league and player’s union, make it unlikely the Dodgers will learn much, if anything, beyond Thursday’s statement or receive a copy of the arbitrator’s final report.
Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer delivers against the San Diego Padres in spring training in March 2021. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
Some factions of the fanbase will be hoping the Dodgers release Bauer as soon as possible (which they can do starting Friday morning, once Bauer is officially reinstated by the league).
The arbitrator did affirm that the pitcher violated the league’s sexual assault and domestic abuse policy. And even at 194 games, Bauer’s suspension is the longest ever administered in the policy’s seven-year history.
But until the Dodgers officially sever ties with Bauer, his return to the team is at least a slim possibility.
The financial impact of Bauer’s reduced suspension will also soon begin to set in.
Whether or not the Dodgers release him, Bauer will still be owed $22.5 million this season. (That could drop to about $21.8 million if he is released and signed by another team on a league-minimum salary.)
That’s less than the $32 million Bauer was originally supposed to make in 2023. But even that reduced amount pushes the Dodgers’ estimated luxury tax payroll for next season, according to Fangraphs Roster Resource database, to just under $233 million — the threshold at which the league begins assessing luxury tax penalties.
After paying tax penalties the past two years, and facing an inflated 50% tax rate in 2023 for being a repeat offender, the Dodgers had previously seemed likely to stay below the $233-million tax line.
They had freed up more than $100 million in salary from last year’s team. They had made only a string of modest one-year signings so far this offseason. And though their lack of spending had netted an underwhelming cast of additions for next year, the long-term benefits of potentially resetting the tax now would have positioned them to spend big again next offseason, when Shohei Ohtani is set to headline the free agent market.
Bauer’s reduced suspension could complicate any such plans.
Staying below the tax line could box the Dodgers out from making other needed additions to the roster in 2023 — such as adding more pitching depth or a left-handed bat before the end of the winter, or trading for a shortstop or bona fide ace before the midsummer deadline.
On the other hand, if they do cross the threshold to complete their 2023 squad, the resulting penalties might make them less willing to pay a luxury tax again the following season, leaving the possibility of adding another lucrative long-term contract a year from now increasingly tenuous.
Bauer has continued to deny allegations brought against him by three women, two of whom reportedly testified as witnesses in his hearing. After his suspension was reduced Thursday, he tweeted that he “can’t wait to see y’all out at a stadium soon!”
He might not find a warm reception at Dodger Stadium, though.
Although he was one of the team’s top pitchers in 2021 before his suspension, going 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 17 starts, he had also been a polarizing figure even before being accused of sexual assault.
Those allegations also turned the pitcher into a pariah in his own clubhouse. Two people with knowledge of the Dodgers’ clubhouse dynamics at the time, who were granted anonymity to speak freely about the situation, said a majority of players on that 2021 team did not want Bauer back under any circumstances.
No Dodgers players have publicly come to his defense since then, either.
It’s all part of what could make Thursday’s news reverberate around the club for a long time.
The Dodgers might only have two weeks to decide whether or not to keep Bauer this season. But, even after 18 months of uncertainty and speculation, it will likely take much longer for the full fallout of the situation to become clear.
Staff writer Mike DiGiovanna contributed to this report. | 2022-12-23T18:09:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Dodgers surprised by timing of Trevor Bauer decision, now mulling next steps | https://sports.yahoo.com/dodgers-mull-trevor-bauer-decision-154340151.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/dodgers-mull-trevor-bauer-decision-154340151.html?src=rss |
Gannon is set to be this year’s Nick Sirianni, as the Eagles defensive coordinator will once again be the hot name on the coaching circuit.
Gannon had interviews with Denver, Houston, and Minnesota last offseason and with Philadelphia 13-1 and having a top-five defense, he’ll likely land a job early on in the 2023 cycle.
If Gannon does land one of the coveted vacancies, we’ve ID’d 10 potential targets that could lead the Eagles’ defense in 2023.
1. Eagles DB coach Dennard Wilson
Just 40 years old, Wilson got his start as a scout for the Chicago Bears in 2006 and he’s been climbing the ranks since then. Before joining Sirianni’s staff, Wilson was the defensive passing game coordinator for the New York Jets and helped develop Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye.
This season he’s leading a group that’s among the NFL’s best and he’s a huge part of Reed Blankenship’s development as a rookie.
2. Vic Fangio
A Scranton, Pennsylvania, Native, Fangio was fired last spring after a three-year run as the head coach of the Denver Broncos, compiling a 19-30 record.
A talented defensive coordinator, Fangio’s defenses are known for being aggressive ballhawks, and in 2021, Denver’s defense logged 12 interceptions.
He visited the Eagles training camp several times this summer and he’s a definite name to watch.
3. LB Coach Nick Rallis
As the linebackers coach, Rallis is responsible for the play of T.J. Edwards, Kyzir White, and Haason Reddick.
Still only 29 years old, Rallis is the brother of WWE Superstar Riddick Moss, now known as MadCap Moss.
Rallis joined Philadelphia’s staff after he finished his fourth season of coaching and 3rd as the Vikings’ defensive quality control coach in 2020.
Before joining the Vikings, Rallis spent the 2017 season as a graduate assistant at Wake Forest.
Another young hire, the 27-year-old Rallis, played linebacker at the University of Minnesota from 2012-16.
4. John Pagano Broncos LB coaach
Pagano has familiarity with Sirianni and he’s been the outside linebackers coach in Denver for the past three seasons but has previously served as a defensive coordinator with the Raiders and the Chargers.
Pagano worked with Sirianni from 2013-16 in San Diego.
5. Dave Borgonzi Bears LB Coach
Named the Bears linebackers coach after Matt Eberflus was hired, Borgonzi is familiar with Sirianni and has 14 years of coaching experience, including 10 seasons in the NFL with the Colts (2018-19), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-17), and Dallas Cowboys (2011-13).
Prior to this season, Borgonzi had helped develop Darius Leonard into one of the most productive linebackers in the NFL.
In 2019, the Colts’ defense finished seventh in the league against the run after allowing 97.9 yards per game. It marked the first time that the Colts, who ranked eighth in rush defense in 2018, finished the year ranked in the top 10 in run defense in back-to-back seasons since 1976-77. The Indianapolis defense also ranked in the top 10 in interceptions (15, seventh) and takeaways (23, tied-10th).
6. Kris Richard -- Saints DB coach/ Co-defensive coordinator
(AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
In 2021, Richard helped develop third-round draft pick Paulson Adebo, who was the only Saints defender to start all 17 contests in 2021, while tying for the team lead with three interceptions, second among all NFL rookies. Marshon Lattimore continued his improvement under Richard with a career-high 19 passes defended, ranked third in the NFL.
Richard took a break from coaching in 2020 and prior to that, he was the defensive backs coach in Dallas. Now an assistant with the Saints, Richard spent eight years with the Seahawks, the final three as defensive coordinator 2015-17, where his defenses ranked second, fifth, and 11th.
7. Gus Bradley Colts defensive coordinator
The Colts’ current defensive coordinator, Bradley has familiarity running both a 3-4 and 4-3 defense and is a couple of years removed from having the Chargers’ defense ranked third in the NFL in scoring defense. Bradley loves to pressure off the edge and the former NFL head coach could bring a different energy to Philly if Gannon departs.
8. Eric Washington -- Bills defensive line coach
Washington joined the Bills in 2020 as the team’s defensive line coach and was promoted to senior defensive assistant/ defensive line coach prior to the 2022 season. Previously, he was the defensive line coach (2011-17) and defensive coordinator for the Panthers (2018-19), along with holding various positions with the Bears.
Buffalo’s 2021 defense ranked first in the NFL in fewest points allowed per game (17.0) for the first time in franchise history and also finished first in fewest yards allowed per game
(272.8) and the fewest passing yards per game (163.0). With 19 sacks, Buffalo’s defense also fueled a 4-game win streak to finish the regular season
Carolina ranked second in sacks and fifth in quarterback hits under Washington after he took over for Sean McDermott.
9. Seth Joyner -- Former Eagles MLB
MANDATORY CREDIT: JEFF HIXON/ALLSPORT
Joyner is a weekly critic of the current defensive coordinator and would bring a wealth of knowledge about playing the linebacker position.
Joyner totaled 875 total tackles, 37 sacks, 21 forced fumbles, 17 interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns during 120 regular-season games in an Eagles jersey.
And he’s often bragged about turning Philadelphia linebackers into stars if he had six months.
10. Brian Flores -- Steelers Senior Defensive Assistant
Flores has over 14 years of coaching experience in the NFL along with four years in a personnel role (New England Patriots, 2004-07).
In three seasons in Miami, he led the Dolphins to a 24-25 overall record and guided the team to back-to-back winning seasons, and featured talented defenses that pressured the quarterback. | 2022-12-23T18:44:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | 10 early DC candidates the Eagles could target if Jonathan Gannon lands a head coaching job | https://sports.yahoo.com/10-early-dc-candidates-eagles-172714079.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/10-early-dc-candidates-eagles-172714079.html?src=rss |
The Cleveland Browns and Jack Conklin have struck a deal to keep the right tackle in the brown and orange uniform for four more years. Set to hit free agency after this season, Conklin has inked an extension that will guarantee him $31 million with an average of $15 million per year with the Browns.
James Hudson has not quite displayed the readiness to be a full-time tackle, so this deal makes a great deal of sense for the Browns. Conklin will be just the sixth-highest-paid right tackle, and 20th-highest-paid offensive tackle in general. And this is before free agency where those numbers will drop. Now they just need to extend Pro Bowl snub Ethan Pocic to retain every member of their offensive line in 2023. | 2022-12-23T18:44:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | Browns maintain continuity upfront by inking Jack Conklin to big extension | https://sports.yahoo.com/browns-maintain-continuity-upfront-inking-174229453.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/browns-maintain-continuity-upfront-inking-174229453.html?src=rss |
Well, it looks like Justin Layne won’t be joining the Carolina Panthers for Christmas.
As announced by the organization on Friday morning, the 24-year-old cornerback has not reported to the team ahead of their Week 16 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Layne was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Bears on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-2, 192-pounder was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2019 draft. He served mostly as a special teams piece, totaling 41 combined tackles and a fumble recovery over 43 games between 2019 and 2021.
Layne would be waived by the Steelers prior to the 2022 regular season on Aug. 30. He was then claimed a day later by the New York Giants, whom he played five games for, and was waived again on Nov. 14 before finding his way to Chicago.
As a result of his no-show, Layne has now been placed on the reserve/did not report list and will not be available for tomorrow’s game. Luckily for the Panthers, however, they should be at full strength after returning a clean injury report yesterday. | 2022-12-23T18:45:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | CB Justin Layne does not report to Panthers after being claimed on Wednesday | https://sports.yahoo.com/cb-justin-layne-does-not-161810847.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cb-justin-layne-does-not-161810847.html?src=rss |
December 23 is the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.
Current Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke about what Franco Harris and the play mean to the organization.
Tomlin said the player and play created a standard that exists today and every day for the franchise.
The Steelers will retire Harris’ No. 32 on Saturday when they play the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sadly, it comes days after the running back died at the age of 72. | 2022-12-23T18:45:58Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mike Tomlin on what Franco Harris and the Immaculate Reception mean to Pittsburgh Steelers | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-tomlin-franco-harris-immaculate-181125906.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-tomlin-franco-harris-immaculate-181125906.html?src=rss |
Christian Harris had a productive game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The third-round linebacker from Alabama generated 13 combined tackles and joined fellow rookie, safety Jalen Pitre, as the only rookie duo this season to each produce 10-plus tackles in a game.
According to Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith, there is a reason why Harris, who struggled initially in his rookie campaign, is starting to look more seasoned.
“Reps get you better,” Smith said. “Play time, game time, gets you better. Just being out there.”
Harris was on injured reserve and didn’t get to see the field until Oct. 23 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 6-2, 232-pound linebacker had a paltry tackle among the 38 snaps he played in the 38-20 loss at Allegiant Stadium.
However, Harris began to get more snaps over the coming weeks, and the results picked up.
“It’s hard to just put a player out there and expect them to play at a certain level early on,” said Smith. “But, the more they play, the better they get, and I think that will be the case, not for just Christian Harris, with all of our guys.”
Since Nov. 13 against the New York Giants, Harris has played at least 60 snaps a game on defense — save for Nov. 27 at the Miami Dolphins when an injury limited him to 15.
With the Texans’ final three games ahead of them, the defense is starting to take shape, and Harris is one of the centerpieces in the linebacking corps.
“We’re kind of locked in now with who we’re playing at all the positions,” said Smith. “Again, we think we’ll be the healthiest we’ve been going into a game, especially defensively. Hopefully that will pay off.”
The Texans visit the Tennessee Titans Christmas Eve to conclude their season series. On Oct. 30, Harris’ second game of his career, he logged seven combined tackles on 58 snaps.
Meteorologist warns people in South Dakota to stay at home amid extreme temperaturesNational Weather Service
#Bills aren't overthinking #Bears' Justin Fields: 'Fundamentals win' | 2022-12-23T18:46:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Texans coach Lovie Smith reveals why rookie LB Christian Harris has excelled | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-coach-lovie-smith-reveals-171726839.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-coach-lovie-smith-reveals-171726839.html?src=rss |
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