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Well, well, well: the New Orleans Saints are still alive in the NFC South title race, but the same can’t be said of the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. The dirty birds are the first NFC South team to be eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, dropping them to 5-10 on the season. They’re out of the hunt.
And the Carolina Panthers are still alive after upsetting the Detroit Lions, and interim head coach Steve Wilks has them playing surprisingly well. They won’t be a pushover in the Saints’ regular season finale.
Every team but Atlanta is sitting at 6-9 or better, but nobody has a winning record. And that keeps the Saints in play with two more games left on their regular season schedule. We’ll get a better idea of their standing within the division after the Tampa Bay Tom Brady’s square off with the Arizona Fightin’ Trace McSorley’s on Sunday night, but for now the NFC South shapes up like this:
Remaining games: at Arizona Cardinals (4-10) on Sunday, Dec. 25; vs. Carolina Panthers (6-9); at Atlanta Falcons (5-10)
Remaining games: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8); at New Orleans Saints (6-9)
Remaining games: at Philadelphia Eagles (13-2); vs. Carolina Panthers (6-9)
Remaining games: vs. Arizona Cardinals (4-10); vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8)
Oklahoma Sooners included in top 10 for 5-star DT David Stone
Oklahoma Sooners make top 10 for 2024 five-star defensive tackle David Stone.
There's one thing that NFL teams coached by Doug Pederson can take to the bank: he will have them ready to play on short work weeks. | 2022-12-25T01:35:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFC South standings update: Falcons are first to be eliminated from playoff contention | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfc-south-standings-falcons-first-002913679.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfc-south-standings-falcons-first-002913679.html?src=rss |
With Week 16 underway, NFL teams are giving that final push to try to book a spot in the 2022 NFL playoffs.
They were joined in Week 15 by the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys. The Cincinnati Bengals are the only team to have clinched a berth in Week 16 so far.
Among the seven playoff-bound squads, Minnesota, San Francisco, Kansas City and Buffalo are the only ones to have locked up their divisions so far.
Here is the 2022 NFC playoff picture heading into Christmas Day:
What are the playoff scenarios for Week 16?
Several more teams can lock up a playoff spot in Week 16.
Chargers clinch playoff berth with...
Giants clinch playoff berth with... | 2022-12-25T01:36:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Which teams have clinched a berth in the 2022 NFL playoffs? | https://sports.yahoo.com/teams-clinched-berth-2022-nfl-234013671.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/teams-clinched-berth-2022-nfl-234013671.html?src=rss |
Terrell Edmunds inactive for Steelers Saturday night originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
Kobe Brown played in 100 basketball games before taking on No. 16 Illinois in the Braggin’ Rights game. Missouri beat the Fighting Illini in St. Louis, 93-71, with the senior forward posting career-highs of 31 points and eight assists to go along with five rebounds and four steals. It was the most points a Tiger had ever scored in the Braggin’ Rights game, topping Doug Smith’s 30 in 1990. | 2022-12-25T01:36:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Terrell Edmunds inactive for Steelers Saturday night | https://sports.yahoo.com/terrell-edmunds-inactive-steelers-saturday-235611047.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/terrell-edmunds-inactive-steelers-saturday-235611047.html?src=rss |
It isn’t often that you see a team extremely effective in one-score games over the course of a season. Winning those games consistently is very unstable and isn’t something you can count on.
Well, nobody told the 2022 Minnesota Vikings.
With Saturday’s 27-24 win over the New York Giants, the Vikings won their 11th game in the 2022 season by one score and that sets an NFL Record. Before this season, only two teams in NFL history had won 10 such games in a season: the 2019 Seattle Seahawks who went 10-2 and the 1978 Houston Oilers who went 10-3.
You can’t count on the Vikings to win those games forever, but the work and focus that Kevin O’Connell’s staff has put into situational football is what has made the difference this season. | 2022-12-25T01:36:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | Vikings set an NFL record with Saturday’s win vs. Giants | https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-set-nfl-record-saturday-004628675.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-set-nfl-record-saturday-004628675.html?src=rss |
Justin Jefferson’s tour de force of a 2022 season continued in spectacular fashion in the Vikings’ 27-24 victory over the New York Giants on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
His 12 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown gave him 10 games of more than 100 yards receiving and helped him break Randy Moss’ single-season franchise record for receiving yards (1,632 in 2003). That mark fell on Jefferson’s second catch of the game — a 25-yard reception from Kirk Cousins in the first quarter — as he finished with 1,756 yards in his first 15 games.
Jefferson’s brilliance, as is often the case, came when the Vikings needed him most and even though everyone among the 66,919 in the stadium knew he was going to get the ball. The Giants were helpless to stop him.
New York had tied the score at 24 with 2 minutes, and one second left in the fourth quarter. The Vikings began the following drive at their own 25. Facing a third-and-9 from the Minnesota 26, Cousins completed a 16-yard pass to Jefferson. Three plays later, the Vikings were at their own 41 after Cousins was sacked for a 7-yard loss and it appeared overtime was inevitable.
Cousins completed a 17-yard pass to Jefferson for a first down at the Giants 42 and then spiked the ball to stop the clock with 4 seconds left. Greg Joseph’s franchise-record 61-yard field goal made him the hero, but he never gets to attempt that kick without Jefferson’s magical hands.
The Vikings are in their 62nd season and Jefferson’s exploits have put him in a position to make this statement: He has had the most impactful season for a non-quarterback in franchise history on the offensive side of the ball.
Moss’ rookie season in 1998 and his 2003 performance are top candidates, as is Cris Carter’s 1995 and Adrian Peterson’s remarkable 2,000-yard rushing season in 2012.
Moss caught 69 passes for 1,313 yards with 17 touchdowns in the Vikings’ 15-1 season in ’98, and then had 111 receptions for 1,632 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2003. That 1998 team was a scoring machine, but Moss also was part of a trio that included Carter and Jake Reed. Each had their role and was dangerous. In 2003, Moss’ greatness didn’t result in a playoff berth as the Vikings finished 9-7.
Carter’s 1995 was similar to Moss’ 2003. Carter had 122 catches for 1,371 yards and 17 touchdowns but the Vikings finished 8-8. Peterson was a one-man show for a 2012 team coming off a 3-13 finish, but those Vikings finished 10-6 before losing in the wild card round at Green Bay.
Peterson became only the seventh running back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards (he finished with 2,097) and had 12 rushing TDs. He also caught 40 passes for 217 yards and another score.
So why should Jefferson be atop this list? Because his heroics have come during a 12-3 season in which the Vikings already have clinched the NFC North. What about Moss’ 1998? Opponents had to often pick their poison that season because of all the Vikings’ playmakers. The talent around Jefferson isn’t nearly what Minnesota had at the time and yet he still makes the clutch plays when they are needed.
Jefferson in many ways often plays the role of Carter and Moss, making a dynamic catch on one play and going over the middle to make a difficult grab the next. Adam Thielen has been slowed this season and Sunday he was largely a non-factor, catching one pass for 6 yards. Tight end T.J. Hockenson had a game-high 13 catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns, but Hockenson doesn’t scare defenses. Jefferson puts fear in them.
What Peterson did in 2012 was incredible. Covering that team for the Star Tribune, Peterson lifted what was a mediocre team that had Christian Ponder at quarterback. His season comes the closest to remaining ahead of Jefferson until you look at the difference in records.
Many of the national experts see the Vikings’ success as an unsustainable fluke and maybe they are right. The Vikings are now an NFL record 11-0 in one-score games. But what’s not a fluke is when Cousins and Jefferson go to work on a drive like the one that ended with Joseph’s field goal. That drive wasn’t a fluke, it was Jefferson’s greatness that decided the game.
Successful NFL teams often only make sense when there is a quarterback that can be pointed to as the reason for success. Think Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow. Cousins has proven to be clutch when it matters and there is no denying that’s played a huge role in the Vikings’ turnaround from a non-playoff team the past two years to a club that’s headed for the postseason.
But Jefferson has a Michael Jordan presence to him on the football field. Cousins, serving as his point guard, just needs to get him the ball as often as possible. This isn’t normal in the NFL. Cousins and others have previously talked about the fact that forcing the ball to a receiver is a recipe for disaster. Most of the time, they are right.
But Jefferson isn’t just a receiver. He’s the straw that stirs the drink for an offense that often needs his special abilities. Don’t feed Jefferson the ball, even in difficult situations, and you’re going to lose games. Making sure he gets the ball is how you get to 12 wins and counting.
Former Detroit Lions great Calvin Johnson holds the NFL’s single-season record of 1,964 receiving yards in a season. Jefferson is now 208 yards away from that mark with two games remaining. Even if he doesn’t reach the record, Jefferson’s impact on the Vikings’ offense moves him above some fellow all-time greats.
The Caesars Entertainment “Emperor Package” includes a five-night stay at the Nobu Sky Villa in Vegas and dinner with chef Nobu Matsuhisa. | 2022-12-25T01:36:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | Zulgad: Justin Jefferson’s incredible season moves him past Vikings greats | https://sports.yahoo.com/zulgad-justin-jefferson-incredible-season-003749334.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/zulgad-justin-jefferson-incredible-season-003749334.html?src=rss |
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II forces a fumble against New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger. / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
You knew Greg Joseph’s 61-yard, game-winning field goal attempt was up and good well before it was actually up and good. That’s just the way things have gone for the Giants in recent years. Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley and Wink Martindale’s defense gave the Vikings, one of the league’s best, everything they had. They came up just short, losing 27-24.
There was good news for New York, though, in the gut-punch defeat. The teams they couldn’t afford to win lost. The Seahawks fell to the Chiefs and the Lions were walloped by the Panthers.
So the Giants' path to the postseason is no different than before Joseph’s kick sailed through the uprights: Win one more and they’re in.
“I look at it as let’s get ready for the Colts,” Brian Daboll told reporters.
You have to give the Giants credit. The lack-of talent lamented throughout the course of this season is very real. Despite it, they continue to find themselves in just about every game they play. That was no different against Minnesota, the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a record of now 12-3.
Jones completed 30-of-42 passes for 334 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Receivers Richie James (eight catches, 90 yards), Isaiah Hodgins (eight catches, 89 yards) and Darius Slayton (four catches, 79 yards) finally got going. Barkley was his normal marvelous self, rushing 14 times for 84 yards and a 27-yard touchdown on a fourth down carry to tie the game late, while also catching eight passes for 49 yards.
It was one of the offense’s best games, and the Giants' defense did everything they could to match. But they, much like the majority of the NFL, simply had no answer for Vikings’ all-world receiver Justin Jefferson, who caught 12 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. The final catch and final 17 yards set up Joseph’s game-winner on the game’s final play.
The game might have been different had Daniel Bellinger not fumbled in the first half or Jones not thrown that interception in the second. The Giants are not skilled enough to overcome issues like that. Still, their coaching had them in it through the end.
“Tough game,” Daboll said. “Give them credit. They made a few more plays than we did.”
The Giants would have loved to win this game – obviously. It would have clinched their playoff position on Saturday. But, considering what happened with Detroit and Seattle, the loss isn’t nearly as catastrophic. The Vikings were the last truly challenging game on New York’s schedule. Now their postseason fate hinges on them taking care of business against two teams they should take care of business against.
The Colts are up first. The Giants host them next Sunday at MetLife. Indy just turned to its third quarterback of the season — Nick Foles. Not like it should matter. Not only do the Colts lack talent, but their coaching situation is a complete mockery with ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday serving as head coach. Daboll and his staff should be able to scheme circles around Indy.
If things go haywire there, though, the Giants conclude the season on the road in Philadelphia. The Eagles are not like the Colts. They are immensely talented and incredibly well-coached. They’re one of the few teams this season to give the Giants a true whooping. But Philadelphia figures to have everything wrapped up by that point. The Giants won’t be playing the Eagles’ varsity roster.
“I think our focus was on today and winning the game today,” Jones said. “The fact we didn’t do that is certainly disappointing. We’ll reground and see what we can do better.”
The fact this is the Giants' reality is somewhat incredible. New York had all the makings of a team entering a complete rebuild this summer. Instead, Daboll hasn’t just coached this team into playoff contention, but one almost certainly getting in.
Granted, no one in East Rutherford is letting themselves think about that yet. It wasn’t the talk heading into the Vikings game. Nor will it be heading out. Barkley told reporters after the game he wasn’t aware of the results of the Lions or Seahawks games until they told him. That’s the way Daboll likes it.
The Giants have stressed all season the need to take things one game at a time. That’s exactly what they’ve done to this point.
It’s a good thing they have.
Now they’re one game from the postseason.
Three of the 12 High Limit Sprint Car Series races will pay more than $30k to win, fulfilling a promise from Brad Sweet and Kyle Larson to add high-dollar events.
Festivus, for the rest of us: The story behind the 'Seinfeld' holiday
Actor Jerry Stiller had so many career highlights and so many great moments on "Seinfeld," but one stands out so much it's now a holiday: Festivus. | 2022-12-25T02:24:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants let one slip, but are still in control of their playoff fate | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-let-one-slip-still-234303730.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-let-one-slip-still-234303730.html?src=rss |
Stephan Bonnar has died.
The UFC announced the news Saturday, Christmas Eve, and cited heart complications at work as the cause of his death Thursday. Bonnar was 45.
“Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon,” said UFC President Dana White in a statement. “His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. The fans loved him, related to him and he always gave them his best. He will be missed.”
A legend in the world of mixed martial arts, “The American Psycho” Bonnar served as one half of the fight many credit with turning a then-struggling UFC around. Although he lost that bout at “The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale” against Forrest Griffin, it’s impact was felt for generations to come. Eventually, the bout was inducted into the fight wing of “The UFC Hall of Fame” in 2013.
Bonnar competed 26 times a professional with 15 of those fights for the UFC and one for Bellator. He made his pro debut in 2001 with his UFC debut eight fights later. Bonnar entered the promotion at 7-1 and though he lost the fight to Griffin, he won his next three under the promotion’s banner.
He split his next four at 2-2 with losses to Rashad Evans and Forrest Griffin, and subsequent wins over Mark Nickals and Eric Schaefer. Bonnar then entered a three-fight skid with defeats to Jon Jones, Marc Coleman, and Krzysztof Soszynski. He won a rematch against Soszynski, then defeated Igor Pokrajac and Kyle Kingsbury.
A loss to Anderson Silva in a makeshift UFC 153 main event was his final bout for the promotion. Bonnar parted ways with the promotion after a failed drug test and claimed retirement. However, he reentered competition to fight Tito Ortiz for Bellator in 2014 and lost by split decision.
Bonnar was in the headlines intermittently following his final MMA bout. In 2019, he competed for Impact Wrestling after a two-year build on the independent pro wrestling circuit. In 2020, Bonnar briefly reentered the MMA circuit as a cornerman for fellow TUF 1 contestant Diego Sanchez. In April 2022, Bonnar had more struggles outside the cage when his house burnt down.
Throughout the MMA community, Bonnar was a legend. Many fighters, promoters, fans, and loved ones flocked to social media Saturday to mourn the loss of a UFC pioneer and recall their best memories. | 2022-12-25T02:24:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar dead at 45; MMA community mourns | https://sports.yahoo.com/ufc-hall-famer-stephan-bonnar-233056732.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ufc-hall-famer-stephan-bonnar-233056732.html?src=rss |
Despite their current 15-18 record, along with injuries to vital star players like Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins, the Warriors' chances to finishing first in the Western Conference aren't aren't in bad shape.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr spoke with 95.7 The Game's "Damon & Ratto" on Thursday and discussed how the tight conference standings benefit his team.
"There's depth across the West, but that's a good thing for us because, as you said, everybody is kind of beating each other," Kerr said. "Even though we're where we are in the standings, we're not too far behind where we need to be. So there's plenty of time for us to get going." | 2022-12-25T02:24:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | Why struggling Warriors benefit from loaded Western Conference, per Steve Kerr | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-struggling-warriors-benefit-loaded-213332262.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/why-struggling-warriors-benefit-loaded-213332262.html?src=rss |
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones is doing things we haven’t seen in the NFL since Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
Some might hate that comparison, but the body of work doesn’t lie. And now, Jones is building his own body of work to back it up. The rookie third-round draft pick intercepted a pass from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and returned it for a touchdown in Saturday’s Christmas Eve game.
Jones is now the only NFL player that has a receiving touchdown, punt-return touchdown and pick-six all in the same season over the course of the last 45 years.
The only other player that carries that stat line is Sanders.
Marcus Jones is the first NFL player in at least 45 years to have a receiving TD, a punt-return TD and a pick-six in the same season.
The only other player in the Super Bowl era to have all three **in his entire career** is Deion Sanders. https://t.co/HHN1SE4rd2
It’s important to keep in mind that Jones has done all of this in only his first NFL season. He isn’t even close to reaching his ceiling as a player at this level, and he’s already being compared to one of the league’s all-time greats.
We could one day look back on the 2022 NFL draft and say without question Jones was the biggest steal on the board.
The Bergers are wrong about how NC voters feel about voter ID
Gene Nichol: I’ve been reading judicial opinions for 50 years. I’ve never seen anything like Justice Berger’s latest dissent. | Opinion
A jury has decided Tory Lanez's fate after he was accused of shooting Megan Thee Stallion's feet in July 2020. | 2022-12-25T03:03:59Z | sports.yahoo.com | Insane Marcus Jones stat gives life to Deion Sanders comparisons | https://sports.yahoo.com/insane-marcus-jones-stat-gives-015202007.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/insane-marcus-jones-stat-gives-015202007.html?src=rss |
Perry: Bourne proves what he's capable of a little too late originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
FOXBORO -- During a year when the Patriots have been desperate for offense, the case of Kendrick Bourne’s playing time has been more than curious.
Seldom used in certain games -- he played just 11 snaps in a loss to the Raiders last week -- Bourne made it clear that he is one of New England‘s top offensive playmakers on Saturday. He recorded his first 100-yard game of his career, and along with quarterback Mac Jones, he helped breathe life into the Patriots offense in the second half against the Bengals.
Did Bourne feel as though he proved anything in his latest outing, despite his team’s 22-18 loss?
Phil Perry's Report Card for Bengals-Patriots
"Not at all, man," he said. "Just being ready. That’s the biggest thing. Nothing to prove. Just being ready when my coaches call me. I’m happy they still believe in me. And no matter how it looks, or what it sounds like, they believe me."
At times, it has looked like the opposite is true. Bourne seemed to first run afoul of the Patriots coaching staff during joint practices with the Panthers in August. He was pulled off the field for an equipment issue at one point, and he later found himself engaged in a fight that got him kicked out of practice. He barely played in the season-opener against the Dolphins, but as soon as he entered the game, Jones found him for an explosive play.
When the Patriots receiver group is healthy, Bourne typically finds himself down the depth chart. Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton and Nelson Agholor have all played more than Bourne in recent weeks.
He told NBC Sports Boston that following his commentary on the Patriots offensive schemes in the aftermath of a loss to the Bills in Week 13, he was spoken to by his bosses. He showed flashes against the Cardinals the following week with Meyers out due to a concussion. But against the Raiders in Week 15, with Meyers back, he was an afterthought in the Patriots game plan.
It appeared as though his first snap against the Bengals on Saturday came in the second quarter, when he took a hand-off for a 29-yard gain. Bourne later reeled in a scramble-drill touchdown, an acrobatic 28-yard gain along the sideline and a 32-yard seam pass in traffic.
Why have his opportunities been relatively few and far between, Bill Belichick was asked after the game?
"No particular reason," Belichick said.
Clearly, Mac Jones has faith in Bourne, which makes his lack of playing time this season even more confounding.
"He’s a great teammate," Jones said, "and he's one of my closest friends. Every time I've seen him, he's had a smile on his face, even in a situation like that at the end of the game where we're trying to fight back and there's a lot of pressure, he's in there smiling, like, ‘Let’s go do that.’
"When you see that from a guy, and I'm saying the same stuff in the huddle, I want to look for a guy like that, who wants to compete and play, and play with effort. He's one of those guys."
Bourne’s outspoken nature and bumpy camp may have thrown his 2022 season off track. But not finding a way to utilize his talents more consistently may end up as one of this coaching staff’s biggest regrets in a year when they find themselves near the bottom of the league in terms of offensive efficiency.
His Christmas Eve performance was an eye-opening reminder of what Bourne can do when given an opportunity. | 2022-12-25T03:04:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | Have the Patriots mismanaged Kendrick Bourne this season? | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-mismanaged-kendrick-bourne-season-013040629.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-mismanaged-kendrick-bourne-season-013040629.html?src=rss |
The Green Bay Packers need help to make the postseason, and a bunch of it arrived via delivery on Christmas Eve.
Individual losses by the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, New York Giants and Washington Commanders on Saturday all could have helped the Packers’ increasingly hopeful playoff chances. Instead, the Packers unwrapped the perfect Christmas Eve present: losses by all four teams.
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Seahawks, the Carolina Panthers beat the Lions, the Minnesota Vikings beat the Giants and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Commanders.
The four teams are all ahead of the Packers in the NFC standings. But for how much longer?
The Dallas Cowboys also beat the Philadelphia Eagles, increasing the chances of Week 18 meaning something for both clubs.
The pathway to the postseason is starting to look truly viable for the Packers. With a win over the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Christmas Day, the Packers would improve their playoff chances into the range of 30 percent, per The New York Times and FiveThirtyEight.
The Seahawks, with eight losses, and the Lions, also with eight losses, no longer factor into the Packers’ scenarios, given Matt LaFleur’s team wins out over the final three games. And now the Packers only need one more loss by the Commanders or two more losses by the Giants to sneak by either team. And remember: the Packers only need to pass one of the Commanders or the Giants, not both.
Of course, the important business comes tomorrow. The Packers need to beat the Dolphins or the help provided on Saturday doesn’t mean much.
Will the Packers, after getting the perfect gift on Christmas Eve, find a season-changing win in Miami in their stocking on Christmas?
NFC Wild Card race entering Christmas
5. Dallas Cowboys (11-4) clinched | 2022-12-25T03:04:31Z | sports.yahoo.com | Playoff hopeful Packers unwrap perfect present on Christmas Eve | https://sports.yahoo.com/playoff-hopeful-packers-unwrap-perfect-013231917.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/playoff-hopeful-packers-unwrap-perfect-013231917.html?src=rss |
Rivera declines to name starting QB after benching Heinicke originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera declined to name a starting quarterback moving forward following Saturday afternoon's loss to the San Francisco 49ers, a contest in which starter Taylor Heinicke was benched in favor of Carson Wentz.
"We're going to evaluate the tape, we'll talk about those things and I'll make a decision next week," Rivera told reporters in San Francisco when asked if Wentz will be the team's QB1 for the rest of the season.
"I'll make [the decision] early, too, because whoever is going to start is going to get the chance to work," the head coach added.
Rivera later emphasized that while his decision will come quickly, it will still be a long, thought-out choice that he makes.
"It's not going to be a knee-jerk [decision]," he said. "It's going to be something, at the end of the day, I really do believe gives us the best chance to win football games, get into the playoffs and see what happens."
The head coach made the move to Wentz midway through the fourth quarter with the Commanders trailing by 16 points after Heinicke's last two drives ended with a fumble and an interception, respectively.
Wentz, albeit facing soft coverage from the 49ers, led Washington on an 11-play, 82-yard touchdown drive in his first action since Week 6. The seventh-year veteran finished 12-of-16 for 123 yards and a touchdown on the day.
"I thought he had pretty good command of what we were doing," Rivera said of Wentz's play. "He stood tall in the pocket, made a couple of quick decisions, got the ball out quickly a couple times and he threw some good balls."
Heinicke, visibly frustrated after being taken out of the game, was one of the first players to congratulate Wentz following his touchdown drive and continued to show support for his teammate when speaking after the game.
"No one felt like there was going to be any drop off when he [came] in. He showed it," Heinicke said. "He came in and put together a great drive and hits a nice ball to Curtis [Samuel] for a touchdown. Carson's a great player and he's shown it in the past. I think he's going to continue to do so."
Heinicke said he wasn't surprised that he was pulled from the contest, citing the numerous hits he took throughout the afternoon and that his final two possessions running the offense ended in turnovers. "I get it," he said.
Initially, Heinicke excelled. He was in control of the offense in the first half and the Commanders dominated time of possession over that span. Heinicke's effort over the first 30 minutes -- 8-of-11, 89 yards, 1 TD -- was among his best halves of the season.
"I thought he played pretty good," Rivera said. "A lot of things that happened weren't necessarily his fault. We were trying to run the ball and we have to be a little bit more effective. ... We can run the ball better. When we did ask him to throw, he was pretty good."
Wentz said after the game that he thought Heinicke played well, too, and that he felt for his teammate in the moment.
"This league is crazy," Wentz added. "Thankfully Taylor and I have an awesome relationship. I've been supporting the heck out of him and he's done the same for me all year. A lot of things are out of our control."
Rivera said part of the reason Heinicke was taken out was they didn't want San Francisco to "just tee off" on the quarterback in what were obvious passing scenarios. By putting in Wentz, the coaching staff also got its first chance in over two months to evaluate him in real, live action against another team.
"It was an opportunity for us to see where Carson was," Rivera said. "Carson did a nice job, drove us down and threw a touchdown pass. We're in a pretty good situation right now."
When Rivera named Heinicke the team's starter following Washington's Week 11 win in Houston, much of the reasoning had to do with the fact that Washington was winning games. The Commanders went 5-1 in Heinicke's first six starts, but have since gone 0-2-1 over the past month.
The decision to move back to Wentz at quarterback first seemed like a possibility last week against the New York Giants, the first matchup Wentz suited up for since injuring his finger. However, Heinicke ended up playing the entire contest and turned in mixed results in Washington's 20-12 loss to their division rivals.
With Rivera declining to name a starter moving forward, both quarterbacks were kept in limbo about the team's plan for the position to finish the year. They're each prepared for whatever direction Rivera chooses.
"We'll both be ready for whatever comes our way," Wentz said. "We'll both prepare and be ready for whatever and have each other's back at the same time."
Heinicke admitted the week-to-week process has been tough but remains focused on controlling "what I can control."
"I just try to roll with the punches," he said. "If I'm starting, I'll give it my all. If I'm not, I'll try to be the best backup I can be. I'm going to continue that and see what happens next week."
Despite the Commanders' loss, the franchise still controls its playoff destiny with two weeks to play. Washington holds the No. 7 seed in the NFC after both Detroit (7-8) and Seattle (7-8) lost on Saturday, too. The Green Bay Packers (6-8) can enter the playoff race with a win on Sunday over Miami.
"To still have control of our destiny means a lot, especially where we started this year and everything we've gone through as a team," Wentz said. "To still have a chance, in control of our destiny, means a lot with two left. I think we're excited about it."
Alex Ovechkin scored with a minute to play Friday against Winnipeg; his 802nd career goal passed Gordie Howe for No. 2 among NHL players. | 2022-12-25T03:04:43Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ron Rivera declines to name starting QB after benching Taylor Heinicke | https://sports.yahoo.com/ron-rivera-declines-name-starting-021500726.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ron-rivera-declines-name-starting-021500726.html?src=rss |
The number of flu hospital admissions fell for the second week in a row, according to a national surveillance system run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It looks like for this first wave of (flu) activity, maybe we've seen the worst of that,” said the CDC's Lynnette Brammer, who leads the government agency’s tracking of flu in the United States. CDC data indicates flu activity last week was high or very high in 45 states.
Coldest temperatures of year put farmers, emergency managers and travelers on alert | 2022-12-25T03:05:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Winners and losers from NFL on Christmas Eve: Vikings win on FG; Eagles' No. 1 seed on hold | https://sports.yahoo.com/winners-losers-nfl-christmas-eve-015818576.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/winners-losers-nfl-christmas-eve-015818576.html?src=rss |
Everything the Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said after losing to the Dallas Cowboys 40-34 at AT&T Stadium on Saturday. All quotes are courtesy of the Philadelphia and Dallas media relations departments.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni
On if he feels it’s a missed opportunity to put a bow on the season by giving up ten and seven point leads early in the third quarter and the middle of the fourth (by turning the ball over).
Yeah, as far as the turnovers, we can’t give a good team like that the ball four times and expect to win the game. It put the defense in a tough spot. So [I’m] disappointed in the turnovers, disappointed in some of the things we’ve got to do better coaching. Disappointed in some of the third down conversions by Dallas, but credit to them. Part of that is that they’re making plays, too, and they’re forcing it. That’s a good football team but we can’t help a good football team beat us by giving the ball away.
On having a chance to do the same thing next week that they had a chance to do this week (win home field) with at least one report saying the quarterback’s going to be the same. Does he see this as something they can build upon eight days from now?
Yeah, we’ll correct all the mistakes we made in this game because we made plenty of them. Playing, coaching, we made plenty of mistakes that we’ll learn from. That’s what I love about this team is that we’ll learn from our mistakes, and we’ll just crave to get better. So, we’ll get better from that, we’ll see what happens as far as everything. I thought Gardner played a good game. On the first interception, I thought it was a really good play by 27 (Jayron Kearse). Hats off to him, he’s a good player. The second one, the ball was in both of their hands and the guy came away with it, so Gardner played a really good game. But, like I said, we’ll go from here. We’ll see what happens. Like I said, with Jalen, never put anything past him. We thought he even had a chance to play this week and we’ll see next week, but we’ll take that one day at a time and we’ll see, and we’ll get better from this game.
On what the issue was on the 3rd-and-30 conversion.
We didn’t make a play and the guy did. It’s really as simple as that. T.Y. Hilton made a really nice catch. Dak made a really nice throw, and we didn’t make the play. They did and we didn’t.
On if this outcome will affect whether Jalen plays next week.
If Jalen’s ready to go, Jalen will play. He’s our starting quarterback. If he’s ready to go, then he’ll go. Again, like I said, that’s nothing against Gardner because I thought he played a really good game, but if Jalen’s ready, he’ll go.
On the team’s still controlling its own destiny.
You know, you don’t think about that yet. We’ve got to take these lumps that they gave us and that we created ourselves, and then sit on them for a little bit. Because when you sit on them for a little bit, and you identify what happened and what went wrong, that’s how you get better. And that’s all we crave to do is just better. We’ll think about the Saints after we fix the problem with this game, because I know the Saints are a good team, but we’ve got to fix the problems with this game. There’s a process, there’s steps, after you lose a game, after you win a game. The steps are: get in there, watch the tape, figure it out, what went wrong, coaching playing, fix it, and then move on. So that’s what we’ll do. We’ll have to stick with this a little bit. The main goal is we’ll get better from it.
On losing Avonte Maddox.
Yeah, Avonte’s a really good player. We’ll see what’s going on with him. Again, good offense. Kellen Moore, good offensive coordinator. Coach McCarthy, good offensive mind. That was a good offense, and any time you’re without one of your players, of course it’s going to affect you a little bit, but we have a lot of faith in our backup. But, like I said, we’ll have to see the tape and see what went wrong. I have some ideas, obviously, with some of the things I’m talking to you guys about, but I really want to dive into the tape and get better from that.
On what the message was to the team.
Hey, we win together. We celebrate together, and we pick each other up together. Everything’s together. Together, together, together. There wasn’t one phase that let one phase down. It was offense, defense, coaching, everything. We’re in this together and the teams that stick together through the ups and downs of the season are the teams that continue to grow together. So, let’s go. We’ll figure it out. Let’s get better from this one and get better from it.
Colts name Sam Ehlinger backup QB
Sam Ehlinger has been named the backup QB. | 2022-12-25T03:25:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | Everything Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said after losing to the Dallas Cowboys | https://sports.yahoo.com/everything-philadelphia-eagles-coach-nick-022301070.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/everything-philadelphia-eagles-coach-nick-022301070.html?src=rss |
The season isn’t quite over for the Raiders, but it’s close. After dominating all game long, the Raiders found a way to lose another close game. This time, it was to the Steelers 13-10 in Pittsburgh
The Raiders took an early lead in this game, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive. They converted a 3rd and 16 to keep the chains moving and it was Hunter Renfrow who scored the first touchdown of the game.
From that point, it was a pretty sloppy game that had turnovers from both quarterbacks on back-to-back drives. There were several dropped passes, missed field goals and a ton of miscues.
The offense for the Raiders really stalled in the second half. Despite multiple drives with great field position, Derek Carr took some bad sacks and the offense just couldn’t get out of their own way. They never scored in the second half after taking a 10-3 lead going into halftime.
Carr finished the game with three interceptions and they never had a drive of over 20 yards in the second half. It was another half to forget for Carr.
Pittsburgh took their first lead of the game with 46 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was a 12-yard touchdown to Kenny Pickett on first down after barely converting on fourth and inches on a QB sneak. Pittsburgh went nearly the length of the field to take the lead.
The Raiders lost to key defenders in this game as both Chandler Jones (elbow) and Denzel Perryman (shoulder) were both quickly ruled out of the game. Neither player looks like they will be available anytime soon for the Raiders.
The Raiders will host the San Francisco 49ers on New Year’s Day at 1:00 PM ET. The 49ers are still fighting for the No. 2 seed in the NFC, so they’ll certainly have something to play for next week. The Raiders can be eliminated by Sunday with wins by the Chargers and Dolphins. | 2022-12-25T04:35:43Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders fall in another close game, lose 13-10 to Steelers | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-fall-another-close-game-041116225.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-fall-another-close-game-041116225.html?src=rss |
Purdy jokingly says Kittle 'stole' 34-yard TD from McCloud originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Brock Purdy could have said he meant for the 34-yard touchdown pass to go to George Kittle, but the 49ers' quarterback didn't.
After San Francisco's 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday at Levi's Stadium, the 22-year-old jokingly revealed that the first of Kittle's two touchdown receptions wasn't intended for the All-Pro tight end.
"I saw George go gown in the middle, but I was just trying to keep the ball really down towards the middle, to the left side of the field for Ray-Ray to run away from the corner that he beat," Purdy told reporters after the win. "And then all of a sudden, George, like, hit second gear and, like, stole it, basically. But, yeah, it was intentionally supposed to go to Ray-Ray."
Purdy amazingly says George Kittle "stole" his first touchdown from Ray-Ray McCloud 😂 pic.twitter.com/onRvK3ZllF
For what it's worth, Kittle has no regrets taking the touchdown away from McCloud.
“Why?" Kittle said when asked by reporters after the game. "Because I grinched it. No, I think I've had five touchdowns taken away from penalties, so I'm going to get them whenever they're available.”
“Wide open space," Kittle said. "I think the other safety was outside the opposite hash mark and the other guy was not even on the field basically. I was like, well, I'm not going to run and get covered. That doesn't sound like a good idea. It was funny too because [49ers Head] Coach [Kyle] Shanahan ran that route on Wednesday. He coached it on Thursday morning. He goes, even if there's space, you got to run across the field so the post is wide open. I was like, touchdown is what it is.”
McCloud, who had a 71-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to get the 49ers on the board, didn't have any hard feeling towards Kittle for stealing the touchdown.
“I saw him a little early and said something like, ‘Dang, George, where you going?’ " McCloud told reporters after the game. "But he was a little closer than me, so I wasn't going to out jump him to go get it and then the ball is all over the place. I'm a team first guy; you know what I'm saying? It’s not a me and win, it’s all about getting that ‘w’ at the end of the day.”
While the first touchdown wasn't intended for Kittle, Purdy and the 49ers' tight end hooked up for a 33-yard score later in the third quarter as the chemistry between the two players continue grow on and off the field.
RELATED: Brock Purdy is 'complete package' as 49ers' long-term QB, Greg Papa claims
Next up for Purdy and the 49ers will be a matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on New Year's Day at Allegiant Stadium.
Andre Drummond with an alley oop vs the New York Knicks
Andre Drummond (Chicago Bulls) with an alley oop vs the New York Knicks, 12/23/2022 | 2022-12-25T06:04:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Brock Purdy jokingly says George Kittle 'stole' Ray-Ray McCloud's TD | https://sports.yahoo.com/brock-purdy-jokingly-says-george-030831572.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/brock-purdy-jokingly-says-george-030831572.html?src=rss |
Bosa might have locked up DPOY with two-sack performance originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA — Nick Bosa had another performance worthy of the Defensive Player of the Year Award in the 49ers' 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday at Levi's Stadium.
The All-Pro pass rusher recorded two sacks of Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke and almost got another one on Carson Wentz after the veteran took over Washington's offense halfway through the fourth quarter.
Later, on a two-point conversion attempt, Bosa again brought Wentz to the grass. Oddly, per NFL rules, that tackle does not count as a quarterback sack statistically, but a failed conversion.
Bosa has not only earned the respect of his defensive counterparts, but of players on the offense. After the game, George Kittle shared how happy he is that the defensive end is on his team, and thus not needing to line up across from him on the field.
“I think today secured his defensive MVP,” Kittle said. “I don’t know how it doesn’t. If you look at what he does every Sunday compared to everyone in the league, whether it’s offense or defense, I don’t know why he isn’t in the MVP conversation too.”
Bosa now has racked up 17.5 sacks this season, surpassing his career best of 15.5 from 2021. The Ohio State product has his eyes on the biggest prize of the season — the Super Bowl, but he does have personal goals as well.
When asked if he thought the all-time NFL single-season sack record of 22.5 by New York Giants Michael Strahan in 2001 was attainable, Bosa didn’t flinch, though he currently has a more franchise-focused goal.
“Maybe,” Bosa said of Strahan's record. "It’s not the main thing on my mind, but I’m kind of eyeing the 19.5 more than that. Aldon.”
Bosa is referring Aldon Smith, whose 19.5 sacks in 2012 stand as the highest single season total in franchise history. Bosa is now tied with Fred Dean, who notched 17.5 sacks in 1983, passed Tim Harris, who recorded 17.0 in 1992 and Charles Haley, who recorded 16.0 in 1990.
Kittle believes that Bosa’s performance on the field is a thorn in the side of opposing offenses, but what it does for the 49ers on both sides of the ball could be seen as even more impactful.
“He’s better than everyone else,” Kittle said. “He’s a better athlete, he’s stronger, he’s faster. He is so smart, the moves he does, he’s so creative. His effort is always there and when Bosa gets a sack it ignites the entire team.”
Bosa has two more regular-season contests to meet his goal catching Smith. The edge rusher has recorded a sack in all but two contests that he has appeared in 2022 — Week 5 and Week 14. Bosa will attempt to move closer to his goal when the 49ers heads to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on New Years Day. | 2022-12-25T06:05:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | Nick Bosa's two-sack game might have locked up Defensive Player of Year Award | https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-bosas-two-sack-game-020253256.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-bosas-two-sack-game-020253256.html?src=rss |
The Las Vegas Raiders' defensive end sustained the injury in the second half during a collision while rushing Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. He left the field on a cart before the Raiders ruled him out. The extent of the injury wasn't initially clear. The Steelers rallied to win the game, 13-10. | 2022-12-25T06:05:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders fall to Steelers in frigid cold, lose Pro Bowler Chandler Jones to elbow injury | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-fall-to-steelers-in-frigid-cold-lose-pro-bowler-chandler-jones-to-elbow-injury-030729319.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-fall-to-steelers-in-frigid-cold-lose-pro-bowler-chandler-jones-to-elbow-injury-030729319.html?src=rss |
Raiders vs. Steelers highlights Week 16
Watch the highlights from the Week 16 matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Celebrating Christmas Eve in New York City
The cold didn't stop some New Yorkers from going on with their Christmas Eve rituals, from ice skating at Bryant Park to staying true to tradition at St. Patrick's Cathedral. | 2022-12-25T06:05:29Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders vs. Steelers highlights Week 16 | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-vs-steelers-highlights-week-043624540.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-vs-steelers-highlights-week-043624540.html?src=rss |
The moment Washington head coach Ron Rivera opened the door last week for a possible quarterback change that change felt inevitable.
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke was playing well in Washington’s Week 16 game against the San Francisco 49ers, throwing two touchdown passes until he was sacked early in the fourth quarter, fumbling and giving the 49ers the football deep in Washington territory.
Washington’s defense held the Niners to a field goal. On their next possession, facing a second-and-7, Heinicke drops back to pass and is under pressure. Instead of holding onto the ball and taking the sack, Heinicke throws the ball into the waiting arms of 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward.
Just like that, it was the end of Heinicke.
On the next series, Carson Wentz took over, leading the Commanders on a touchdown drive, but the 2-point conversion failed, and Washington still trailed by 10 points.
Washington’s defense allowed another touchdown, effectively ending the game.
So, where does that leave the Commanders heading into Week 17?
According to Rivera, he doesn’t know yet.
“No, we’re going to evaluate the tape and talk about those things, and I’ll make a decision next week,” Rivera said. “I’ll make it early, too, because whoever’s going to start is going to get the chance to work.”
He knows who is starting next week against the Cleveland Browns, and it’s not Heinicke.
When Rivera opened the possibility of a quarterback change last week, you got the sense he was ready for a change but needed the perfect time to make that change. Heinicke gave him that chance.
The Commanders have a clear path to the playoffs: Win the final two games, and they are in. For Rivera, this decision will be all about who he believes gives the Commanders the best chance to win.
Heinicke did his job this season, but it was clear there was a limit on how far he could take the offense. Wentz has his own limitations. However, Rivera is banking on a healthy Brian Robinson Jr. to give Wentz something he didn’t have in his earlier stint under center.
Were any Falcons players snubbed from the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl roster?
WATCH: Dennis Allen awards game balls to the Saints equipment staff
WATCH: Dennis Allen awarded game balls to the Saints equipment staff after an all-in effort vs. Browns | 2022-12-25T06:05:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ron Rivera not ready to name a starting quarterback for Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/ron-rivera-not-ready-name-045807393.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ron-rivera-not-ready-name-045807393.html?src=rss |
Live to fight another day. This seems to be the motto of the Pittsburgh Steelers for much of the 2022 season. With Pittsburgh’s 13-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Eve, the team improves to 7-8 and keeps the hopes of the streak alive.
What streak is that? Since head coach Mike Tomlin took the job in 2007, he has never had a sub-.500 season. On its own, this is one of the more remarkable streaks in the league when you consider just how hard it is to win year after year in the NFL.
Granted, the job isn’t finished by any means and the Steelers need to win the last two or at worst get one win and one tie to keep the streak alive but hope remains. And truth be told, this streak matters to the players. This might not be the year Pittsburgh makes a deep playoff run but keeping Tomlin’s streak alive is part of what is pushing them. Pittsburgh travels to take on the Baltimore Ravens next week and wraps up the year at home against the Cleveland Browns. | 2022-12-25T06:05:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Steelers comeback win keeps Tomlin’s streak alive | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-comeback-win-keeps-tomlin-043739077.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-comeback-win-keeps-tomlin-043739077.html?src=rss |
There is plenty for Raiders players to be frustrated about right now. They just watched another first half lead slip away. But even in times like these, you rarely hear players air their frustrations the way Josh Jacobs did after the game.
And everything he said was justified.
Josh Jacobs frustrated at another come-from-ahead loss: "It's bullshit. It's on us. Everybody wants to talk about the defense, but they made their stops when they're supposed to. We have to help them out. … and I am tired of saying that." #Raiders
The defense helped the Raiders hold the Steelers to three points most of the game and held a one-score lead until the final minute. There’s no question, they did their part to get the win.
It was the offense that scored all of three points after the opening TD drive and zero points in the second half. Derek Carr throwing three interceptions didn’t help either.
Steelers were stopping the run but …
"We still had opportunities to make plays," Jacobs said. "I felt we were close and about to get a big one and we went away from it.
"The passing game was working early … but to win these games in the cold, you have to run the ball."
Carr probably shouldn’t have been putting it in the air as much as he did. The Steelers were stopping the run, that’s true. But Jacobs was only given 15 carries, seven of which came in the second half. While Carr threw twice as many passes (30). That’s not how you expect a game in 14-degree weather to go.
"I'm tired of dealing with this … Everyday I come here and bust my ass and I see the guys busting their ass and the result is not there.
This statement sounded very much like a goodbye. Jacobs is the NFL’s leading rusher and he is headed for free agency this offseason after the Raiders didn’t pick up his option. He literally said he’s tired of dealing with the same issue he’s dealt with for his entire career with the Raiders.
It’s a shame, really. But can you blame him? | 2022-12-25T07:39:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Josh Jacobs goes off after Raiders loss to Steelers ‘I’m tired of dealing with this’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-jacobs-goes-off-raiders-060303647.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-jacobs-goes-off-raiders-060303647.html?src=rss |
For about 30 minutes on Saturday, it felt like the Washington Commanders had a good chance of defeating the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately for Washington, things fell apart in the second half, and the 49ers rolled to a 37-20 win.
Washington’s defense allowed 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy to complete easy throws in the middle of the field, leading to two George Kittle touchdowns. Meanwhile, on offense, a pair of turnovers in the span of three plays from Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke led to his benching.
Yet, despite everything, Washington was still in the game late because the Commanders defense held the 49ers to a pair of field goals on the turnovers. Carson Wentz entered the game for Washington and quickly led them on a touchdown drive. However, the Commanders failed on the two-point conversion, effectively ending the competitive portion of the game.
Washington sits at 7-7-1 on the season but remains in control of its own destiny.
Which players stood out? Here are five players who stood out in Saturday’s loss to the 49ers.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (38). Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
The game didn’t begin well for rookie wide receiver Jahan Dotson. Heinicke threw deep to Dotson, who allowed 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir to get behind him, but Dotson lost the underthrown ball in the sun, squandering a chance at an easy touchdown.
Dotson didn’t let that get him down. He would go on to catch six passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. If not for offsetting penalties, he would’ve had well over 100 yards, as one catch was taken away. Dotson is a star in the making and the Commanders should be thrilled with him.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) celebrates with wide receiver Cam Sims (89) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Terry McLaurin got off to a slow start in the first half through no fault of his own. However, one drive in the third quarter proved McLaurin’s value. Heinicke found McLaurin for an incredible 51-yard catch in traffic to set up a first-and-goal. He scored a touchdown two plays later. McLaurin caught four passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. The Pro Bowler thrives every week, regardless of who plays quarterback.
RB Brian Robinson Jr.
Brian Robinson Jr. #8 of the Washington Commanders carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
A look at Brian Robinson’s stats, and you quickly see he averaged less than three yards per rushing attempt. Robinson rushed for 58 yards against the 49ers, most in the first half. Every time he touched the ball, San Francisco defenders were waiting. Yet, somehow, Robinson fell forward for positive yardage. Robinson had some good runs. The 49ers knew it was coming, but Robinson would still manage positive yards. This wasn’t Robinson’s best game, but he was going against the NFL’s top run defense and ran hard. Despite Scott Turner’s playcalling, Robinson had a positive performance against the 49ers. He kept them honest enough to open up things in the passing game.
Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Chase Young didn’t record a sack. However, his return resulted in a few positive plays for Washington’s defense, despite a limited number of snaps. Young made two stops and knocked a ball down at the line of scrimmage. One of his stops resulted in no gain, while the other saw him chase down Christian McCaffrey from behind, holding him to four yards. It was a good day for Chase Young, and the Commanders are excited to see what Young can do in the final two games.
Jamin Davis #52 of the Washington Commanders on the field during the fourth quarter in the game against the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Jamin Davis wasn’t perfect against the 49ers, but he finished with eight tackles, including one for loss. Davis gets better and better every week. He plays more comfortably each week. Davis has improved so much against the run this season. He is aggressive, trusts his instincts and is rarely out of position. Outside of one run, the Commanders were terrific against Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Shanahan’s running game.
The next step for Davis is to make game-changing plays. | 2022-12-25T10:40:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Which 5 Commanders stood out in the loss to the 49ers? | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-commanders-stood-loss-49ers-101536223.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-commanders-stood-loss-49ers-101536223.html?src=rss |
Dec 12, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) celebrates with Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Ben Simmons returned from a leg injury two weeks ago. The Nets were playing Atlanta at home, looking to close out a successful homestand.
They won that night to finish 6-1 in a pivotal seven-game stretch at the Barclays Center.
They were in a good place, but Simmons didn’t want to make too much of the team’s strong play over the previous two weeks.
“It it’s still early. We know we have a long way to go,” he said that night. “A lot of guys in and out, the rotations changing a lot. But it’s the same focus, building day by day.”
The day-by-day approach has worked well since that night. If the Nets had built a foundation in that homestand, they’ve added a great ground floor since.
They’re 5-0 since that Atlanta game. They’ll carry a seven-game winning streak into Friday’s game against Milwaukee.
Overall, they’ve won 11 of their past 12.
It’s not a stretch to say that the Nets are playing the best basketball in the NBA right now.
There are many factors behind Brooklyn’s success. Three of them? Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Jacque Vaughn.
The team is 18-7 since Vaughn took over for Steve Nash.
Dec 9, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn coaches against the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter at Barclays Center. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
They are fourth in net rating under Vaughn. The Nets are also sixth in offensive rating and ninth in defensive rating since Vaughn took over.
Irving’s averaging 24 points, four rebounds and four assists under Vaughn while shooting 50 percent from the floor.
Durant is playing some of the best basketball of his career at the moment. He’s averaging 30 points per game on an astounding 56 percent shooting. He’s hitting 63 percent of his two-point shots, including 56 percent of his attempts between 5-19 feet.
With Durant and Irving leading the way, the club has established itself as an unselfish group.
The Nets are top six in assist percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio under Vaughn.
“We’re an efficient team,” Durant said earlier this month. “Mid 20s, 30s in assists, that’s just our game now so I expect us to do that. So we continue to move the ball, we’re gonna find good shots and I think we’re always looking for a better shot… We got to keep doing that.”
The Nets have done plenty of that lately. And it has changed the outlook on their season.
GOOD TIMES FOR KD SHOE
Timothy Goodman doesn’t work in basketball. But if you’re a basketball fan in New York, you’ve probably seen his work.
Goodman is an artist based in NYC; he’s highly acclaimed in his field. (The NBA equivalent of a multi-time All-Star, in my opinion).
Goodman’s work has been on buildings, clothing, books, magazine covers and galleries in New York and all over the world. He’s worked with the New York Times, MoMA, McDonald’s, West Elm, The New Yorker and dozens of other brands with a large local footprint.
If you don’t know Goodman by name, you’ll probably recognize one of his most recent New York-based projects. Goodman designed the art featured on Kevin Durant’s most recent shoe, the KD15.
Dec 18, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A detailed view of the shoes worn by Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The design is based on the court Goodman created with the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation. The court – at PS 152/315 in Canarsie - features terms/phrases like ‘determination’ ‘effort’ and ‘it’s cool to care’ on the blacktop.
“The connection to that project was important,” Goodman says.
The words on the court weren’t solely from Goodman. Goodman and PS 152/315 students worked together on phrases and designs for the court before Goodman started painting the blacktop.
Some of the same designs and phrases can be seen on the KD15s.
Goodman and the team at Nike wanted to give the shoe a distinctly New York feel and he accomplished it by incorporating the PS 152/315 blacktop.
This was the first basketball shoe for Goodman, who has a graphic novel out next month. Durant’s side asked him to work on their court after seeing his work with Bleacher Report (a 40-foot mural depicting the NBA’s top teams). That led to the opportunity to design Durant’s latest shoe.
Goodman credits everyone involved in the shoe’s creation for giving him the chance to create without restraint. He hopes that this can spur other brands to allow independent artists to create their own work for the company rather than having their ideas co-opted by a company’s in-house designers.
“This was important to me and I really appreciate the opportunity to work this way,” he said. “I hope we can follow this path (more often).”
Goodman also hopes that his work can help bring to life the sense of kindness, community and love that was lost a bit while we were all locked inside during the pandemic.
Goodman grew up in Cleveland but has lived in New York for nearly two decades. He quickly adopted the Knicks – and, later, the Nets - as the teams he roots for. Now, the biggest star on the Nets – and arguably in the NBA – is wearing a shoe he’s designed. It’s a turn of events that’s still hard for Goodman to grasp.
“Just surreal,” he said.
The top NBA performances by a rookie player on Christmas Day
From LeBron James to Wilt Chamberlain, Rookie Wire took a look at some of the best Christmas Day performances by first-year players.
Greetings, everyone, and happy holidays. It's me again. It was exactly six months ago, halfway to Christmas, that I shared a part of my cancer story, especially how it pertains to my love of sports. I was diagnosed in January, and I wrote in June that I was determined not to let the disease take my games away from me. The response I got was so heartwarming and I thank you all for that. It was ... | 2022-12-25T11:31:19Z | sports.yahoo.com | Nets’ recent success has them back among best in NBA | https://sports.yahoo.com/nets-recent-success-them-back-201447022.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nets-recent-success-them-back-201447022.html?src=rss |
The Buffalo Bills went to Chicago with the opportunity to secure their third straight AFC East title and hold onto the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a victory over the Bears.
With a 35-13 win on Saturday, they did exactly that. Buffalo improves to 12-3, matching the Kansas City Chiefs for the best record in the AFC, but Buffalo owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The Bears led 10-6 at halftime
The Bears’ opening drive ended with a touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Fields to a wide open Dante Pettis in the left corner of the end zone.
Quarterback Josh Allen answered right back with a 24-yard pass to tight end Dawson Knox. Knox landed hard on the catch and was slow to get up, but was able to do so on his own and was evaluated at the medical tent.
He was able to make it back to the sideline to watch Allen throw a 19-yard touchdown to Gabe Davis in the end zone. The point-after was no good, and Chicago later kicked a field goal to take 10-6 lead into the break
Just before the touchdown, Dawson Knox came out of the medical tent. Also, one of the big sideline coats for the Bills blew all the way across the field to the Bears sideline. It is windy!
Bills running back Devin Singletary ran for a 33-yard touchdown, his longest of the season, to open the second half. Buffalo went for the two-point conversion and Allen found wideout Khalil Shakir for the score.
Later in the quarter, Dane Jackson knocked the ball loose from Bears RB David Montgomery. Defensive tackle Tim Settle recovered the fumble at the Bears' 35.
This put the Bills in position for James Cook to run for a 27-yard touchdown. The Bills led 21-10.
The Bears weren't able to answer and settled for a 35-yard field goal from Cairo Santos, their final score of the game.
After Josh Allen scrambled for a 4-yard touchdown and nothing from the Bears, Knox scored his second touchdown with a minute left in the game.
Late @Dawson_Knox TD extends the @BuffaloBills lead, 35-13.
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/GpUr7UISpf pic.twitter.com/JKhnBlRu0k
The Bills made it happen in 7 degree weather with below-zero wind chills. Their next challenge will be figuring out how to make it back home for Christmas, with the Buffalo Airport now scheduled to be closed until 11 a.m. Monday due to "extremely challenging conditions."
The Buffalo Bills are the AFC East champions. (Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports) | 2022-12-25T11:31:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL Christmas Eve: Bills clinch AFC East, maintain AFC No. 1 seed | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-christmas-eve-bills-clinch-afc-east-remain-on-track-for-afc-no-1-seed-210957945.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-christmas-eve-bills-clinch-afc-east-remain-on-track-for-afc-no-1-seed-210957945.html?src=rss |
Sep 5, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (4) at Yankee Stadium. / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets are concerned about Carlos Correa's physical, two league sources confirmed to SNY's Andy Martino.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal was first to report the news that New York had raised concerns about the star's surgically repaired lower right leg.
The team is not currently responding to questions about the status of the 12-year, $315 million deal it agreed to with Correa early Wednesday morning. And Correa's agent, Scott Boras, was not immediately available for comment.
However, at Carlos Rodon's introductory news conference on Thursday, Boras, Rodon's agent as well, was asked about the situation revolving Correa's health and the issues that arose.
"There is no current issue with Carlos' health whatsoever," Boras said. "There's been a lot of discussions about backs and ankles. There's nothing about him that is currently any form of medical issue. All the conjecture and evaluation of him has been about physicians using their crystal ball for years to come."
The reason both the Mets and Giants have had pause over Correa's physical is due to the arthroscopic surgery he underwent in June 2014 to repair a fractured right fibula and minor ligament damage he suffered in the minor leagues as a 19-year-old.
Although Correa has never once went on the IL with right-leg problem, he did make reference to the hardware in his leg after a game on Sept. 20 where it appeared he injured that leg on a hard slide, saying "he just hit my plate" and that it "just kind of felt numb."
He missed no time after the incident.
Correa initially agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract with the Giants, however, it fell through after the team flagged an issue with his medicals. The result was a stunning, late-night move by the Mets, who swooped in with their own mega-deal.
Of course, the other part of this story stems from Mets owner Steve Cohen publicly addressing the deal before the physical took place, telling the New York Post, "We needed one more thing, and this is it."
Because of that, it would be difficult for the Mets to back out of the deal completely if they really are turned off by Correa's physical as public comments on pending agreements might persuade an arbitrator to side with the player in a grievance.
Although, the two sides could agree to a restructuring of the deal which could include language saying that some of the money would not be guaranteed if Correa misses a set amount of time with a specific leg problem, but Boras would likely fight any attempt to alter the deal. | 2022-12-25T11:31:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Sources: Mets concerned with Carlos Correa's physical | https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-mets-concerned-carlos-correas-173421290.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-mets-concerned-carlos-correas-173421290.html?src=rss |
The 13-game USC football regular season didn’t end the way the Trojans hoped it would, but the larger journey was a memorable thrill ride and an autumnal drama which restored a proud football program and offered a lot of hope for the future.
USC football not only returned to the upper echelon of college football; Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy, giving USC a nation-leading eighth stiff-arm trophy winner. The Trojans exceeded preseason polls and projections by making the Pac-12 Championship Game. USC beat both UCLA and Notre Dame for the first time since 2016. The Trojans reached a New Year’s Six bowl game, the Cotton Bowl. The Trojans won 11 games for the first time since 2017 and just the second time since 2008. There was a lot to be thankful for this year, and only one team — the Utah Utes — figured out how to beat the Men of Troy. USC hopefully learned from those two defeats in the attempt to take the next step and make the College Football Playoff in 2023.
We discuss the 2022 USC season at Trojans: Wired. Ian Hest produced the show: | 2022-12-25T12:13:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2022 USC football regular season in review | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-usc-football-regular-season-102936522.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-usc-football-regular-season-102936522.html?src=rss |
Gardner Minshew falls just short vs. Cowboys originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
It’s hard to ask any more of your backup quarterback than to throw for 355 yards and two touchdowns, put up 27 points on a top-10 defense in its own stadium and drive the offense inside the 20 with a chance to win in the final minute.
Gardner Minshew gave everything he had Saturday in Dallas. It just wasn’t quite enough.
“Man, we lost, so that sucks,” Minshew said. “You always want to do your job well enough to win, and I feel like I didn’t do it. Obviously, disappointed. Things to grow on, things to build on, but a lot to clean up.”
Minshew, making his first start of the year, put up 27 points against a defense allowing 18 per game and 15 per game at AT&T Stadium.
He fired two touchdowns to DeVonta Smith, threw 19 first down passes – the Eagles’ most this year and matching their 7th-most in the last 20 years – and hit on seven completions of at least 20 yards (and two more for 19 yards).
The biggest mistake he made was targeting Quez Watkins five times, two of which turned into ugly interceptions.
Those were among four turnovers the Eagles committed.
The Eagles have committed eight turnovers in their two losses and nine in their 13 wins.
They’re now 1-21 since 2008 when they’re minus-three or worse in turnover ratio. The one win came against the Texans in 2014.
“We shot ourselves in the foot,” Minshew said. “You can’t turn the ball over four times and expect to beat a good team. You can’t stop yourself.”
It’s a shame the Eagles lost because the offense did some really impressive things.
They piled up 442 total yards of offense - 2nd-most against the Cowboys this year and most against Dallas in regulation since the Eagles had 477 in Dallas in 2020. And they held the Cowboys without a sack for only the second time this year.
DeVonta Smith made a couple miraculous catches and picked up his third 100-yard game in the last four week, increasing his season totals to 79-for-1,014. A.J. Brown was 6-for-103 and is now over 1,300 yards this year. They have 17 touchdowns between them.
“It was awesome,” Minshew said. “All the guys fought their tails off. Those are the ones that hurt, when you fight like that and come up short. But I know there’s not a group I’d rather step out there with, and I’m really grateful for the effort they gave and the fight that they had.”
Minshew’s 355 yards are the most against the Cowboys since Derek Carr threw for 373 in overtime last November. The last QB to throw for 355 yards against the Cowboys in regulation in North Texas was Philip Rivers of the Chargers in 2017, when Nick Sirianni was the Chargers’ receivers coach.
“Just trying to win, man,” Minshew said. “Any time you step out there, that’s all it is. There’s a ton of guys who’ve put in a lot of effort into this season and I don’t want to let them down. I’ll do everything I can for them to win and get that first seed in the NFC East.”
As difficult a day as it was, the Eagles still had a chance in the closing minutes.
Minshew drove the Eagles from their own 25-yard-line with 1:41 left to the Dallas 19 and a 1st-and-10 with 34 seconds left.
But the Eagles just couldn’t punch in the game winner.
“We have some really good guys who can go get the ball, we’ve got a great offensive line that can protect us,” he said. “It was just a matter of getting a couple chunks and giving ourselves a chance. We did, and then we didn’t capitalize when we got there.”
Minshew may get another opportunity to start depending on how Hurts’ sprained right shoulder heals. If Hurts isn’t at practice on Wednesday, there’s a pretty good chance it will be Minshew against Sunday at the Linc vs. the Saints, when the Eagles get another opportunity to lock up top seed in the NFC.
“Jalen’s been awesome, just helping me getting up to speed with what it really feels like with these guys in a game. He’s got a lot of experience playing Dallas, and I was able to lean on that.
“But really I’ve learned from Jalen the last two years. He’s doing some really incredible stuff out there and to be able to watch him not only in games but every day in practice, I’ve learned a ton from him. Really grateful to him and the role he played this week.” | 2022-12-25T12:18:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles backup QB Gardner Minshew falls just short vs. Cowboys | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-backup-qb-gardner-minshew-110700020.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-backup-qb-gardner-minshew-110700020.html?src=rss |
How the heck did the Eagles give up a 3rd-and-30 in Dallas? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Eagles had the Cowboys right where they wanted them.
After back-to-back sacks in the fourth quarter from Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat, the Cowboys were faced with a seemingly impossible 3rd-and-30 from their own 29-yard line.
If you skipped watching the game to enjoy Christmas Eve with your family, now would be the time to stop reading.
The Cowboys converted it.
Dak Prescott aired out a deep ball to 33-year-old T.Y. Hilton, who had been a Cowboy for less than two weeks, and Hilton came down with it for a 52-yard gain.
A few plays later, the Cowboys scored to tie up the game in their eventual 40-34 win.
“Man, it’s just wild there,” veteran cornerback Darius Slay said. “Coach made a call. People just gotta do their job, really, man. Good throw by Dak, good catch by him. But if everybody just do their job, that play would have been stopped easily. That s— there, that was mind-blowing.”
Yeah, mind-blowing indeed.
The ProFootballReference play finder goes back to 1994 and this is the longest 3rd-down conversion the Eagles have given up since it began. So at least 28 years.
In fact, there have been just eight conversions on 3rd-and-30+ during those 28 years league-wide. This just doesn’t happen. And it happened to the Eagles in the fourth quarter against their most-hated rival on Sunday afternoon in North Texas.
On the play, Slay was trailing in coverage and backup nickel cornerback Josiah Scott was late giving help over the top.
Slay took to Twitter on Saturday evening to defend himself.
Scott, who was only in the game because Avonte Maddox suffered a toe injury, explained that the Cowboys used a quick-snap as the Eagles tried to communicate what was coming among the members of their secondary. It caught them off-guard.
When asked about his assignment on the play, Scott said, “Deep half.”
The rough part for the Eagles is that after allowing the Cowboys to convert on 6-of-8 third-down opportunities in the first half, they were much better in the second. The Cowboys were just 2-for-7 in the second half.
Unfortunately, one of them was an absolute dagger.
“We didn’t make a play and the guy did,” head coach Nick Sirianni said. “It’s really as simple as that. T.Y. Hilton made a really nice catch. Dak made a really nice throw, and we didn’t make the play. They did and we didn’t.”
Of course, there were more problems than just that 3rd-and-30. Prescott ended up completing 77% of his passes for 347 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception on Saturday.
It felt an awful lot like some of those games from the Eagles defense in 2021.
And Prescott’s stats against zone coverage, via NFL Next Gen Stats, did nothing to alleviate that: 24/24, 300 yards, 3 touchdowns.
Still, even after all that went wrong on Saturday, if the Eagles just found a way to get off the field on 3rd-and-30 — or if they didn’t turn the ball over four times — they would have probably walked out of AT&T Stadium with a win.
They have a big game against the Saints at home on New Year’s Day in a week.
“They made a play. They get paid to make plays too,” Fletcher Cox said. “They made a play and we gotta move on from that. We can let that 3rd-and-30 dwell on us, affect our season. We still got two more games to play.” | 2022-12-25T12:18:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles’ doomed by disastrous 3rd-and-30 conversion in Dallas | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-doomed-disastrous-3rd-30-110800793.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-doomed-disastrous-3rd-30-110800793.html?src=rss |
The biggest reason the Eagles blew it in Dallas originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
ARLINGTON, Texas — Miles Sanders knew what was coming and he opted to just get it over with.
Still in full uniform and standing by his locker, Sanders took ownership for his major blunder on Saturday afternoon in the Eagles’ 40-34 loss to the Cowboys.
“Fumbled. Gotta hold the ball,” Sanders said. “Bad situation. Fumbled at the wrong time. I take full responsibility. Nobody’s fault but mine.”
Sanders’ fumble came with 2:19 left in the fourth quarter with the Eagles down three. His turnover was the fourth of the game for the Eagles. It’s pretty darn hard to win a game with four turnovers.
So it’s pretty amazing the Eagles even had a chance to pull it out at the end.
“Yeah, as far as the turnovers, we can’t give a good team like that the ball four times and expect to win the game,” head coach Nick Sirianni said. “It put the defense in a tough spot.”
The Cowboys kicked a field goal on the ensuing drive after that Sanders fumble and ended up scoring 20 of their 40 total points off turnovers.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why the Eagles lost this one.
Sure, giving up a 3rd-and-30 didn’t help. Letting Dak Prescott complete 77% of his passes wasn’t ideal. But if the Eagles were able to score on one of their drives that ended in a turnover, they probably beat the Cowboys on Christmas Eve.
“It’s simple,” Sanders said. “We can’t win no game turning the ball over four times. Simple as that. Still got a lot of stuff in front of us, but really wanted this one.”
In addition to the Sanders fumble on Saturday, there was also a botched hand-off from Gardner Minshew to Boston Scott that was credited as a fumble lost to Minshew. And the backup quarterback also had two passes intercepted while targeting Quez Watkins.
The Eagles have lost just two games this season and they’ve turned the ball over four times in each of those losses — to the Commanders in Week 10 and to the Cowboys in Week 16.
On the season, they have a total of 17 turnovers and 8 of them (47%) have come in their two losses. After turning the ball over just twice in their first seven games, the Eagles have coughed it up 15 times in their next eight games.
After their blazing start in turnover differential, you figured there would be some regression. But they just can’t pile up like they did on Saturday. Do this in the playoffs and your season’s over.
The Eagles did a lot of good things on offense Saturday. They had 442 yards of offense. They didn’t punt once. They were moving the ball at will. But the only drives that didn’t end in scores were the four that ended with turnovers. That was the difference in this game.
“It’s pretty standard in this league,” center Jason Kelce said. “If you turn the ball over, you’re going to lose more games than you win. I think you gotta take care of the football.”
The Eagles are now 70-194-9 (.273) all-time in games when they turn the ball over four times. Under Sirianni, they’ve now lost all three such games.
“That’s a good football team,” Sirianni said of the Cowboys, “but we can’t help a good football team beat us by giving the ball away.” | 2022-12-25T12:18:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles’ turnovers kill them in crushing loss to Cowboys | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-turnovers-kill-them-crushing-110800442.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-turnovers-kill-them-crushing-110800442.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants fell to the Minnesota Vikings in heartbreaking fashion on Christmas Eve.
They watched on as a 61-yard field goal — the longest in Vikings history — sailed through the uprights as time expired. Not only was it another loss, but it kept them from clinching their first playoff berth since 2016.
The Giants still remain very much in control of their playoff fate and in a potential playoff preview, they went toe-to-toe with the NFC’s second-best team. But they take no solace in that — these aren’t the 2007 Giants and they aren’t interested in moral victories.
“Tough game,” head coach Brian Daboll said following the defeat. “You never feel good after a loss.”
The Giants are now 1-4-1 in their last six games and have seen their 7-2 start evaporate. They can’t afford to look ahead and they can’t afford to be satisfied with any loss, regardless of how close it was.
And they’re not. Which is a good thing for these Giants because it represents a further culture change. They want to win, they expect to win and they are disappointed when they don’t.
“We’re disappointed we lost for sure. I think in terms of the playoffs and how that positions us, I think our focus was on today and winning the game today. The fact that we didn’t do that is certainly disappointing, and we’ll regroup, see what we can do better and look forward to playing better next week,” quarterback Daniel Jones said.
This group doesn’t want to back into the playoffs, they want to punch their ticket outright. And they only have two more opportunities to do that — Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts and Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ideally, the Giants get the job done next Sunday afternoon. | 2022-12-25T12:18:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants aren’t satisfied with moral victories, nor should they be | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-aren-t-satisfied-moral-115544960.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-aren-t-satisfied-moral-115544960.html?src=rss |
With the playoff berth to be had, the New York Giants couldn’t get the job done in Week 16. They were defeated, 27-24, by the Minnesota Vikings, who connected on a franchise-record 61-yard field goal as time expired.
Despite the loss, the Giants actually saw their playoff odds increase thanks to losses by the Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions.
Guards Nick Gates and Ben Bredeson continued their rotation with Gates getting the larger share (barely) this week. Meanwhile, wide receiver Kenny Golladay continues to see precious little time on the field.
Safety Landon Collins played 33 snaps on Saturday and he again made an impact. He should see meaningful time over the final two weeks of the season. | 2022-12-25T12:18:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants-Vikings Week 16: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vikings-week-16-offense-105557073.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vikings-week-16-offense-105557073.html?src=rss |
Mike Tomlin pays tribute to Franco Harris after Steelers beat Raiders originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
Pope Francis used his Christmas message Sunday to lament the "icy winds of war” buffeting humanity and to make an impassioned plea for an immediate end to the fighting in Ukraine, a 10-month-old conflict he decried as “senseless.” Francis also cited long-running conflicts in the Middle East, including in the Holy Land, “where in recent months violence and confrontations have increased, bringing death and injury in their wake.” | 2022-12-25T12:18:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mike Tomlin pays tribute to Franco Harris after Steelers beat Raiders | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-tomlin-pays-tribute-franco-112837699.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-tomlin-pays-tribute-franco-112837699.html?src=rss |
It was an awesome sight to see many of the Pittsburgh Steelers players enter Acrisure Stadium on Saturday night wearing the classic No. 32 jersey of the late Franco Harris. Harris passed away earlier this week and on Saturday the team retired his jersey.
After the Steelers 13-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Mike Tomlin, back in his No. 32 jersey, was asked whose idea it was to have the players wear the jerseys. Tomlin said it was tight end Pat Freiermuth’s idea to honor Harris. When the Steelers drafted Freiermuth, it was Harris to announced the pick and both men played their college football at Penn State.
If it was Freiermuth’s goal to go out and make Harris proud, he definitely succeeded. Freiermuth was vital in the team’s comeback win. Freiermuth made multiple clutch catches on the team’s game-winning touchdown drive.
The Steelers honored Harris and the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception at halftime. | 2022-12-25T12:18:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mike Tomlin said it was Pat Freiermuth’s idea for Steelers to wear Franco Harris jerseys | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-tomlin-said-pat-freiermuth-051107704.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-tomlin-said-pat-freiermuth-051107704.html?src=rss |
The Miami Dolphins' Marv Fleming catches a pass from Bob Griese against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1971 AFC divisional playoff game played on Christmas Day.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS: Give yourself the gift of sports news delivered daily to your inbox
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL on Christmas Day: History of pro football games on Dec. 25
Canada's Western Hudson Bay polar bear population has fallen 27% in just five years, according to a government report released this week, suggesting climate change is impacting the animals. Every autumn, the bears living along the western edge of the Bay pass through the sub-Arctic tourist town of Churchill, Manitoba, as they return to the sea ice. This has made the population not only the best studied group in the world, but also the most famous, with the local bear-viewing economy valued at C$7.2 million ($5.30 million) annually.
NFL 2022 Week 16 injury report roundup: Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips questionable
Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season kicked off on Thursday with a win by the Jaguars and it continues with 11 games on Saturday and three more on Sunday. Injury reports for all of those games appear below. The Colts and Chargers play on Monday night and those teams will hand in their final [more] | 2022-12-25T12:18:59Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL on Christmas: One of the greatest playoff games in league history was played on Dec. 25 | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-christmas-one-greatest-playoff-110103990.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-christmas-one-greatest-playoff-110103990.html?src=rss |
Detroit’s recent run of wins put the Lions in position to secure a playoff berth. Saturday’s humbling 37-23 loss in Carolina definitely provided a big hit to that postseason potential, but the Lions aren’t dead yet.
None of the paths to the postseason matter if the Lions don’t win their final two games, at home against Chicago and then Week 18 at Green Bay. There is a mathematical technicality where the Lions could get in by winning just one of those, but that contrivance seems quite unlikely.
After Saturday’s action, the Lions are 7-8. So are the Seattle Seahawks, who lost 24-10 to the Chiefs, Seattle’s fifth loss in six games. Those two teams are looking up at both Washington and the New York Giants, who hold the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds (the top seven get in) in the NFC.
New York lost to Minnesota when Vikings kicker Greg Joseph nailed a 61-yard field goal as time expired. The Giants are now 8-6-1. Washington is 7-7-1 after losing to the San Francisco 49ers.
Somehow, Detroit has to wind up with more wins than two of those three teams. The Lions do not have the tiebreaker with the Seahawks thanks to the 48-45 win by Seattle back in Week 3.
Remaining schedules, with records through Saturday:
Detroit – Bears (3-12), at Packers (6-8)
Seattle – Jets (7-8), Rams (4-10)
New York – Colts (4-9-1), at Eagles
Washington – Browns (6-9), Cowboys
There are combinations where Detroit can win both of its remaining games and still miss the postseason, too. Remember, the Lions have to pass two of those three teams in the win column.
The New York Giants lost their Week 16 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Here are the snap counts on offense, defense and special teams. | 2022-12-25T12:19:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | Playoff picture: Bad Lions loss hurts but Detroit still has life | https://sports.yahoo.com/playoff-picture-bad-lions-loss-112538084.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/playoff-picture-bad-lions-loss-112538084.html?src=rss |
Yes, we are living in a world where the Minnesota Vikings are 12-3. No, it’s not a Christmas miracle, it’s our actual reality.
In the first 15 games, the Vikings have been up and down in getting to an .800 winning percentage. The one thing that they have done is break records.
The Vikings continued that on Saturday against the New York Giants and broke multiple records in the final home game of the 2022 regular season.
Vikings receiving yards in a season
One of many records that superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson has broken this season came in the 15th game and he surpassed Hall of Famer Randy Moss in doing so. In 2003, Moss had a tremendous season with 1,632 yards and Jefferson broke that on his first catch of the day. He is on pace to break Calvin Johnson’s receiving yards record of 1,964. He currently has 1,756 yards on the season and is less than 250 yards away from the first-ever 2,000-yard season.
Vikings receptions in a season
Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates the win against the Indianapolis Colts after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. With the win, the Minnesota Vikings clinched the NFC North. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings have a tremendous lineage at the wide receiver position and Jefferson is already proving to (potentially) be the best of them all. He caught his 123rd pass on the season, breaking the 122 receptions that Cris Carter hauled in during both the 1994 and 1995 seasons. Carter went to social media after the game to congratulate Jefferson on his accomplishment.
Most one score wins
There are quite a few metrics that are unsustainable and one of those is being successful in one-score games. It is something that many analysts and pundits have criticized the team for and have lauded the fact that it isn’t sustainable. I don’t think the Vikings care much about that, as they became the first team in NFL history to win 11 one-score games. It’s a pretty impressive feat to be so successful in close games, but the focus on situational football has been the key.
Nov 21, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) celebrates his game-winning field goal during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings have had some consistent issues at the kicker position and that is also been the case this season. Kicker Greg Joseph has been much-maligned this season but he came through big in the Vikings’ 27-24 win on Saturday. He made all three of his extra points and both field goals, but the 61-yarder to win the game was both a career and franchise record. He didn’t just kick it, but he hit it with gusto and had a few yards to spare.
Most game-winning kicks
Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) kicks a 46-yard field goal out of the hold of Ryan Wright (14) as New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata (93) and defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) attempt to block it in the fourth quarter during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Saints 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings haven’t just had issues at the kicker position. Joseph has also made up for it by coming up big in clutch moments. To go along with his 61-yard game-winning kick, Joseph has four other game-winning kicks and his five kicks are a franchise single-season record.
Most wins in first season as head coach
After last Saturday’s win against the Indianapolis Colts, the rookie head coach record belongs to Kevin O’Connell as he surpassed Dennis Green with his 12th win on the season. O’Connell might not get a lot of votes for the Coach of the Year Award, but the job he has done this season is something that deserves appreciation. | 2022-12-25T12:19:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | The Vikings set multiple records in Week 16 win vs. Giants | https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-set-multiple-records-week-113549811.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-set-multiple-records-week-113549811.html?src=rss |
🗣 "We keep coming to work."
MERRRYYYY CHRISTMAS, H-TOWN. pic.twitter.com/LRFBLYQxri
Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith is a big believer in his football team.
For just the second time this season, Smith gathered his team around a victorious locker room huddle and had a small talk, congratulating his players on their effort following a 19-14 win over the Tennessee Titans Saturday in Week 16 at Nissan Stadium.
“You keep coming to work,” Smith said. “We understand what’s happened this year, but you’re fighting every day. We said we have a three-game season. Nobody — I wouldn’t want to play this football team right now. This is a good football team. Like every game, it’s going to take all three phases, and that’s exactly what we did.”
The Texans generated two interceptions of rookie quarterback Malik Willis. In addition to keeping Derrick Henry below 150 rushing yards — a positive given he had tallied at least 200 rushing yards in each of his past four games against Houston — the defense also forced a fumble of the two-time NFL rushing champion.
Houston won the turnover battle. Houston won the game.
“Tomorrow you’re with your families,” Smith said. “Monday you’re off. Tuesday you’re off. We’ll see you Wednesday.” | 2022-12-25T12:19:18Z | sports.yahoo.com | WATCH: Lovie Smith says Texans ‘keep fighting every day’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-lovie-smith-says-texans-113031032.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-lovie-smith-says-texans-113031032.html?src=rss |
Josh Jacobs unloads after disappointing loss in Pittsburgh originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
Meanwhile, it's also an important thing to save for retirement. Now, there are a number of different tax-advantaged retirement plans you can use to save for the future. You could put money into a traditional IRA and get a tax break on your contributions. | 2022-12-25T13:01:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | Josh Jacobs unloads after disappointing loss in Pittsburgh | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-jacobs-unloads-disappointing-loss-122806872.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-jacobs-unloads-disappointing-loss-122806872.html?src=rss |
The New England Patriots fell to 7-8 on the season in Saturday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and their playoff hopes were crushed in the process.
The first half of the game was the Joe Burrow Show, but the Patriots defense managed to shut out the Bengals offense in the second half, providing opportunities for the Patriots to sneak back in.
However, the team ultimately fell 22-18 to an 11-4 Bengals team that looks poised to make a deep playoff run. With two games left, the Patriots could play spoiler for the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills, or they could simply use those games as a chance to develop some of the younger players on the roster.
Here are the three stars that stood out on Christmas Eve.
First Star: Marcus Jones
Marcus Jones is clearly the Patriots’ best rookie, and it’s by a longshot. Mr. Do-It-All had a 15-yard reception, 69 yard interception return for a touchdown, tallied 14 total tackles in the game, covered some of the game’s elite receivers at a high level and recovered a fumble.
Jones was drafted to be a return man, but he was also voted the most versatile player in college sports last season. So he was always a player that screamed Patriot. The triple threat also handled his typical return duties with three returns for 65 yards.
He contributed on all three phases and was the spark that started the comeback, even if it fell short in the end.
Second Star: Kendrick Bourne
Bourne was finally released from the Patricia dog house he entered earlier this season and immediately showed why he was the Patriots’ most explosive weapon in 2021, and one of Mac Jones’ favorite targets.
He had six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 29 yards on the ground for one carry. It was about time the Patriots coaches allowed the seemingly healthy Bourne to touch the field, and it paid off huge for the team.
It is still mind-boggling to me why he hasn’t been involved more all season, as he is one of Jones’ favorite targets and arguably the best route-runner/separator they have on the roster.
Third Star: Matthew Judon
Matthew Judon is a staple for this Patriots defense and notched another sack on Saturday, bringing his total to 15.5 on the season. Judon also forced the fumble late in the game that Marcus Jones recovered, while he dropped in coverage on Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase.
He has proven week in, week out that even if he doesn’t light the world on fire sack-wise, he can make impacts in many ways, instilling fear in the opposition.
A legitimate case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year could be made for the elite Pro Bowl defender.
33 fun details you may have missed from 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery'
The murder mystery, now available on Netflix, is filled with tributes to previous films and clues for the final revelation. | 2022-12-25T15:16:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | 3 standout stars for Patriots in Christmas Eve loss to Bengals | https://sports.yahoo.com/3-standout-stars-patriots-christmas-140410876.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/3-standout-stars-patriots-christmas-140410876.html?src=rss |
The Washington franchise is no stranger to quarterback controversies. Whether it was Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen, Jay Schroeder and Doug Williams, Gus Frerotte and Heath Shuler, Brad Johnson and Jeff George, or Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins, there seems always to be a quarterback controversy in Washington.
The Commanders benched Taylor Heinicke in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the 49ers and replaced him with former starter Carson Wentz. While Heinicke was upset, he was the first person to congratulate Wentz after his touchdown pass. Heinicke also praised Wentz after the game.
Wentz also spoke to the media after the game, and he too praised Heinicke. Wentz admitted he wasn’t sure where head coach Ron Rivera would turn, but he would support Heinicke if he were the choice, and Heinicke would also support Wentz.
“This league is crazy,” Wentz said. “And thankfully Taylor and I have an awesome relationship, and I’ve been supporting the heck out of him, and he’s done the same for me all year. A lot of things are outside of our control. We control what we can and try and go play and be the best we can be. I know he’s been doing that all along and I’m trying to do the same.”
Wentz knows that one of the two will be disappointed when Rivera names the quarterback for Week 17.
“We’re both mature,” Wentz said. “We’ve both seen a lot in this league. We both had very different journeys. I think that the fact we can learn from each other, talk through that and just be real and be honest. And also still support each other. I think that’s cool and unique. I think it’s not like that everywhere. Because you’re right, there’s one guy out on the field, and usually, there’s one guy playing in an entire game. I’ll be ready for whatever happens, and I know he will be too. And we’ll have each other’s back.”
Wentz and Heinicke have handled this entire season extremely well. When Rivera named Heinicke the quarterback once Wentz was ready to return, Wentz was the ultimate professional. If you remember, it was said that Wentz wasn’t a great teammate at his two previous stops, a notion that many of his former teammates have disputed.
Regardless of who is under center for Washington’s two final regular-season games, the Commanders have a lot to play for. Win both games, and they are in the playoffs. For whichever quarterback starts, it’s a chance to show the coaches they should be back next season.
The House passed a massive $1.7 trillion government funding bill, sending it to President Joe Biden, with aid to Ukraine and an overhaul to election law. | 2022-12-25T15:16:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Carson Wentz thankful for the relationship he has with Taylor Heinicke | https://sports.yahoo.com/carson-wentz-thankful-relationship-taylor-140103898.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/carson-wentz-thankful-relationship-taylor-140103898.html?src=rss |
Check out Bills Wire’s Week 16 report card for the Buffalo Bills (12-3) following the team’s 35-13 win over the Chicago Bears (3-12):
The conditions were not favorable for a strong passing attack on Saturday. Still, the two interceptions that Allen threw were a bit concerning, as they indicated some lapses in judgment. Even so, Allen took what the defense gave him for most of the afternoon, completing 15-of-26 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Allen added a rush on the ground as well.
Devin Singletary and James Cook carved up the Bears defense. It was a day made for the ground game, and the duo came through. Singletary rushed 12 times for 106 yards, while James Cook ran 11 times for 99 yards. Both players had a touchdown on the day.
The unit gets some flexibility in the grade, as the cold conditions limited the aerial attack. Gabe Davis and Dawson Knox each had three catches and a touchdown reception. Stefon Diggs had a quiet afternoon, catching only two passes for 26 yards. Even with the cold conditions, it seemed the receivers could not create separation on a consistent basis to help out Allen.
Offensive line:A-
The offensive line pummeled the Bears in the trenches. It was the best that the unit has looked all season. The offensive line group created seems for Cook and Singletary to run wild. Buffalo ran for a season-high 254 yards. The pass protection was good as well, although the passing attack did not seem completely in sync during this game.
Buffalo won the battle in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball as well. David Montgomery had a few decent runs, but the Bills defense largely bottled him up. The group also did not allow Justin Fields to run wild, keeping the athletic quarterback in the pocket. AJ Epenese and Ed Oliver registered sacks.
Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds kept everything under control in the middle level of the defense. Both players were solid against the run. Edmunds held his own in pass coverage as well. The Virginia Tech product recorded a game-high nine tackles. Milano showed once again that he is a force for the Buffalo defense.
The secondary did a solid job keeping the Bears from gaining any positive momentum through the air. Outside of the Pettis touchdown reception and the Jones Jr. big play, the Bills did not surrender anything big to Fields through the air. The Jaquan Johnson interception was a nice way to conclude this game for the group.
The weather wreaked some havoc on the Bills special teams game. Tyler Bass missed a field goal and a PAT. Nyheim Hines muffed two returns. Buffalo’s coverage unit, while not impacted by the weather, did allow multiple long returns in the game. Sam Martin, for his part, bombed punts in the afternoon. Martin averaged 53.7 yards per punt.
Coaching: A-
The first half was a bit rugged for the Bills, as the team did not have a particularly clean half of football. However, Buffalo dominated in the second half. McDermott’s challenge play was a great call. Ken Dorsey stuck with the run game, which proved to be the strength of the team on this day. | 2022-12-25T15:17:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Report card: Bills top Bears, 35-13 | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-card-bills-top-bears-143229454.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-card-bills-top-bears-143229454.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants were left heartbroken on Christmas Eve, falling to the Minnesota Vikings, 27-24, on a last-second, franchise-record 61-yard field as time expired.
The defeat dropped the Giants to 8-6-1 on the season and 1-4-1 over their last six games. It also left them without their first playoff berth since 2016, which they will have to fight for next Sunday.
Whose stock is up and whose is down after the Week 16 loss? Let’s take a look.
Stock up: Graham Gano
When Graham Gano isn’t dealing with a serious illness, he’s automatic. Mr. Automatic, if you will.
Gano connected on all three of his field goals, including one from 55 yards out, and his sole PAT on Saturday. He also boomed each kickoff into or out of the endzone, preventing the Vikings’ solid return unit from even having a chance.
Remind us again why Gano isn’t in the Pro Bowl?
Evan Neal is very clearly labored due to a shoulder/arm injury but we can’t allow that to be an excuse. He’s struggling against the opposing pass rush and his footwork leaves a bit to be desired.
We maintain that Neal will eventually round into shape and become a solid right tackle, but his rookie season has not gone according to plan. He’s a weakness along the OL and you see his name mentioned during game broadcasts far too often. That’s not a good thing for an offensive lineman.
Neal struggled again on Saturday and although the official numbers and grades aren’t out yet, they’re probably not going to be good.
Stock up: Daniel Jones
Yes, Daniel Jones threw an interception on Saturday. And no, it wasn’t anyone else’s fault. It was behind the receiver and should have been avoided.
He was not perfect.
But outside of that one throw, DJ played arguably his best game in weeks and maybe of the entire season. He was squeezing balls into tight windows, moving the offense up the field, and displayed an impressive pocket presence to go along with good footwork.
The Giants were able to keep pace with the Vikings’ high-powered offense because of Jones.
Stock down: Micah McFadden
Micah McFadden has plenty of potential but he and other ILBs have become somewhat of a liability. That is especially true in coverage, where McFadden frequently seemed out of position.
The box score will show eight tackles, which was good for second on the team, but he left entirely too many plays out on the field.
This is an area the Giants absolutely must address this offseason.
The Giants very clearly need a WR1 this offseason but the time has come to consider giving Isaiah Hodgins a multi-year deal. He has quickly built a rapport with Daniel Jones and has proven an ability to make an impact each week.
That was true again on Sunday when he lined up across from Patrick Peterson and managed to haul in eight receptions on 11 targets for 89 yards and one touchdown. He now has three touchdowns in the last four games.
Hodgins is a good complimentary receiver, runs good routes, and is only going to get better.
Stock down: Richie James Jr.
It was a hard decision to put Richie James Jr. in the “stock down” section but despite his eight receptions for 90 yards, he also had two drops. Both cost the Giants and led to the end of offensive drives.
James also had two fumbles against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8, which cost the team dearly.
Still, James has outperformed expectations this season and come on strong in recent weeks. But he desperately needs to avoid these unforced errors and become more reliable. | 2022-12-25T15:18:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Stock up, down after Giants’ 27-24 loss to Vikings | https://sports.yahoo.com/stock-down-giants-27-24-145503992.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/stock-down-giants-27-24-145503992.html?src=rss |
'That's Dirty Dan':A Grinch to Cleveland, Saints' Daniel Sorensen haunts Browns in INT duel with Grant Delpit
"Yeah, we've had too many games that we haven't been able to close out this year," All-Pro left guard Joel Bitonio said. "I mean, it's really too many count, Jets, Falcons, Chargers, this game. I mean there's four or five games. They're NFL games, they're close, but good teams find a way to win those close ones and find a way to close the door. And we haven't done that enough this year, which you can see in our record."
That record, after Saturday's loss, is 6-9. Thus is assured yet another losing season for a franchise which has now posted such a record in every year but three since returning to the league in 1999.
However, as the bookend games of the Browns' home schedule showed, there was a different path available for them to take. It didn't require them to do anything except that which has been so difficult for them to do.
"Especially in the red zone we've got to find a way to come away with touchdowns and stuff and sustain drives," All-Pro right tackle Jack Conklin said. "When we get a lead, we need to build on that, we need to find a way to do that and we need to do a better job sticking together and not getting to those three and outs and sustaining drives, keeping the ball, helping the defense by staying on the field and really just comes down to finishing the drives."
The final one, which reached the New Orleans 15, resulted in three incompletions and a fourth-down sack with 19 seconds left to seal the Browns' fate.
Amari Cooper acknowledged after the loss to New Orleans that the core muscle injury which he's been fighting through since prior to the Dec. 11 game at Cincinnati impacted him. On a day when the temperature at kickoff was six degrees with a real feel of minus-16, it would've been understandable if it completely sidelined him.
That wasn't going to be the case, though, for the veteran receiver.
"I mean I think just going out there and realizing that, yeah you've seen guys do it on the TV before in those crazy games, but it's really not that different," York said. "You just gotta stay warm on the sideline and yeah, your range is probably taken down a good 10 to sometimes 20 yards depending on what side you're going at. But just going out there and being able to do it, it feels good."
Saints' Taysom Hill, Alvin Kamara win rushing dual with Browns
“I mean, I think we did a good job against what they presented that," Johnson said. "Like you said, that one drive kind of got us. But I think besides that, I think we did a pretty good job. So I don't think there was anything about adjustments. I think they just had a good series of plays and they moved the ball and scored.”
Those two helped New Orleans rush for 152 yards on 39 carries as a team. The Browns, meanwhile, ran for 124 yards on 34 carries, led by Nick Chubb's 92 yards on 24 rushes.
"Once, I think fourth quarter we had a try and drive and score, so we had to pass ball a little bit more," Bitonio said. "But no, I mean we want to be a great running team. We have investments up front and in the running back room. In a day like today, it's cold out, windy, hard to throw the balls, you guys can tell, so I think we're trying to run the ball and they're trying to stop the run. It didn't always work out. We had a few big ones that popped, and try and make some plays, but it's just finding a way for each guy to finish their block for one more second to try and spring one free."
That's because the Saints perfectly executed a double-dip around halftime. They ended the first half by kicking a 23-yard Will Lutz field goal to pull within 10-3.
"Yeah, cause offense will leave you some type of points going into the half," linebacker Reggie Ragland said. "So you going to do your best to try to not give him none. And we gave him a few plays but at least it was a field goal instead of a touchdown. … So you just gotta come out knowing that you going to be on defense again and not let 'em get no points. And unfortunately we let 'em get points."
Then, getting the second-half kickoff, New Orleans marched down to tie the game at 10-10 on Hill's run. Momentum would never seem to get back on the Browns' side.
“Yeah, like you said, you wanna win the toss and defer," Johnson said. "I think everyone knows in the league. They doubled dipped and put us in a bad situation, so we gotta try to get off the field that before the half." | 2022-12-25T16:05:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Browns end home schedule same as they started it, with a deflating loss: Takeaways | https://sports.yahoo.com/browns-end-home-schedule-same-110022208.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/browns-end-home-schedule-same-110022208.html?src=rss |
Most of the New, Non-Military Money for Ukraine in the Spending Bill is Cash for Zelensky's Government, Not Humanitarian Aid
"The central cause of January 6th was one man, former President Donald Trump, whom many others followed," the House committee investigating the attack wrote in its final report. "None of the events of January 6th would have happened without him."View Entire Post › | 2022-12-25T16:05:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Joseph’s winning field goal stretched him and Vikings to their limits | https://sports.yahoo.com/joseph-winning-field-goal-stretched-022200324.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/joseph-winning-field-goal-stretched-022200324.html?src=rss |
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Airlines canceled nearly 2,700 U.S. flights as of Saturday afternoon after a massive winter storm snarled airport operations around the country, frustrating thousands of holiday travelers. There were flight delays within, into or out of the United States totaling about 6,200 as of Saturday afternoon, according to flight tracking website FlightAware, which showed total U.S. flight cancellations at around 2,700.
"I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is I can still feel my face right now. The bad news is I kind of wish I couldn't."View Entire Post › | 2022-12-25T16:05:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Nearly everything went right for Packers' playoff chances Saturday; here's what they still need | https://sports.yahoo.com/nearly-everything-went-packers-playoff-140234631.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nearly-everything-went-packers-playoff-140234631.html?src=rss |
Phil Longo was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at North Carolina when the Tar Heels offered Mabry Mettauer a scholarship. Longo has since been hired as Wisconsin's offensive coordinator, and Mettauer has committed to the Badgers for 2024.
Mabrey Mettauer, one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2024 class, announced Saturday he has committed to UW.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin gets commitment from touted Texas quarterback for 2024 class | 2022-12-25T16:05:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | Wisconsin gets an oral commitment from a touted Texas quarterback for the 2024 freshman class | https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-gets-oral-commitment-touted-180104590.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-gets-oral-commitment-touted-180104590.html?src=rss |
Jon Wilner keeps tabs on Pac-12 basketball as well as Pac-12 football. There are bowl games to preview later this week, and there’s a lot of recruiting and portal action to monitor, but conference play in college basketball gears up later this week. That includes the Pac-12. The nonconference season is over, and that means it’s time to take stock of where the league sits after the first seven weeks of the season.
Here’s Wilner with some facts and figures:
“The Pac-12 is just 5-4 in head-to-head competition against the Mountain West and 6-4 against the WCC. Those records account for USC’s victory over Colorado State and Arizona State’s blowout loss at San Francisco on Wednesday night,” Wilner wrote.
From a six-inch black-and-white television to a first present at age 16, here are some Christmas stories to warm the heart. | 2022-12-25T16:22:19Z | sports.yahoo.com | Pac-12 basketball did not separate itself from the Mountain West and West Coast Conferences | https://sports.yahoo.com/pac-12-basketball-did-not-141207241.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/pac-12-basketball-did-not-141207241.html?src=rss |
ESPN will televise both of the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs play the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes in the CFP semifinals on Dec. 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Peach Bowl game will be played in Atlanta, Georgia.
The No. 2 Michigan Wolverines play the No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs in Glendale, Arizona, in the other CFP semifinal match-up. The Fiesta Bowl’s kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. ET.
ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Holly Rowe, and Laura Rutledge are commentating the CFP semifinal game. Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy, and Katie George will have ESPN radio coverage of the game.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit will commentate the Georgia-Ohio State game. Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia defeated LSU, 50-30, in the 2022 SEC championship game. The undefeated Bulldogs face Ohio State, who is coming off a 45-23 loss to Michigan.
Both Georgia and Ohio State are coming off poor defensive performances. A lot changes over the course of four weeks, so it will be interesting to see what adjustments the coaching staffs make. | 2022-12-25T16:22:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | TV, commentators set for Georgia-Ohio State | https://sports.yahoo.com/tv-commentators-set-georgia-ohio-152502137.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tv-commentators-set-georgia-ohio-152502137.html?src=rss |
Thank goodness for Rochester/
Or at least their airport.
On Saturday, Christmas Eve, the Buffalo Bills (12-3) got an early gift: The AFC East title in 2022.
The Bills defeated the Chicago Bears (3-12). The celebrations of the 35-13 win didn’t last long… or perhaps they rolled through the night.
That’s because the team had to change their travel plans since the Buffalo airport ended up being closed until Monday at 11 a.m. due to weather. The Bills were stranded in Chicago until at least Sunday.
While the Buffalo airport was locked up, head coach Sean McDermott revealed that Rochester became the team’s new destination.
In an effort to get home for the holidays, the Bills moved their travel plans. Their new flight was Chicago to Rochester and then a drive home… pending travel bans on driving being lifted as well.
WATCH: Bills' James Cook scampers for score vs. Bears | 2022-12-25T16:49:59Z | sports.yahoo.com | Here’s how the Bills ended up altering their post-Bears Christmas travel plans | https://sports.yahoo.com/bills-ended-altering-post-bears-152733051.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bills-ended-altering-post-bears-152733051.html?src=rss |
Davis Mills knows the type of work the Houston Texans have been putting in since his return as starting quarterback.
In Week 14, the Texans took the Dallas Cowboys down to the wire, requiring the eventual playoffs qualifiers to need a 98-yard drive to win the game.
In Week 15, Houston grappled with the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs into overtime. The Texans’ mistakes cost them 30-24.
Houston trailed the Tennessee Titans 14-10 in the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium on Christmas Eve, but they weren’t going to let another close game slip away.
“These guys have been fighting so hard week in, week out, all season,” Mills said. “We just haven’t gotten the results we wanted, but we feel like really these past couple of weeks and the tail end of the season we’ve put a lot of good efforts up, put a lot of good stuff on tape. Just have to find a way to finish games, and today that’s what we did.”
Mills completed 17-of-28 for 178 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while taking just one sack against the Titans. The second-year signal caller mounted a comeback as Houston scored nine unanswered points to post a 19-14 victory and snap a nine-game losing streak.
However, it wasn’t just Mills and the offense playing stellar in the fourth quarter. Rookie linebacker Christian Harris and rookie safety Jalen Pitre each intercepted rookie quarterback Malik Willis on his last two drives to end the game. Rookie linebacker Jake Hansen had a key forced fumble of Derrick Henry with 13:53 to go in the game that sparked Houston’s comeback.
Said Mills: “Really all three phases, offense, defense, special teams making plays in and out of the game to make sure we came out with the win.”
The Texans have won three of their past four games at Nissan Stadium and are on a two-game winning streak.
Texans WR Brandin Cooks says ‘it is win or lose with my guys’
Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks said that the team are "his guys" and they always will be regardless of the outcome. | 2022-12-25T16:50:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | Davis Mills says Texans found a way to finish against the Titans | https://sports.yahoo.com/davis-mills-says-texans-found-161023290.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/davis-mills-says-texans-found-161023290.html?src=rss |
Cam Garrity
New England Patriots rookie CB Jack Jones, who has had a sensational rookie season, and looks like one of the 2022 NFL draft’s best corners, tweeted a cryptic tweet Saturday morning that could be taken as a shot.
It is no secret that the offensive coaching staff has been criticized by fans and media all season long, with some tongue and cheek comments from some players in interviews.
But Jones tweeted what many read to be a shot taken at someone on the Patriots coaching staff.
NEVER PLAYING BALL AND TRYNA TELL ME HOW TO TACKLE IS WILD. https://t.co/3iX6zRJwpE
— Jack Jones🏄🏽♂️ (@presidentjacc) December 24, 2022
If Jones is talking about a coach for the Patriots, who could he possibly be talking about in a post like this?
Could it be defensive backs coach Mike Pellegrino?
Pellegrino has been with the Patriots for the past eight seasons and has spent the past four years as a cornerbacks coach. Coincidentally, he has never played in the NFL. In fact, he’s a former college lacrosse star and Major League Lacrosse pro.
With all the uncertainty and criticism from fans, media, and some players about the coaching structure on offense, it is hard not to believe this was a shot at the Patriots corners coach. But in defense of Pellegrino, the Patriots corners always seem to be well-coached and have been in the top-half of the league statistically each year he has been a coach.
This is pure speculation, as Jones could be referring to a high school coach, college coach, or even fans trying to give advice on his tackling, which due to his frame is still developing at the NFL level.
Jones went on to praise head coach Bill Belichick publicly, so there is no ill-will there for the rookie CB that was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Best head coach ina game what you saying ?
Even if Pellegrino wasn’t the target of the shot, it still shines a light on the Patriots’ coaching decisions, where many coaches are given chances for positions they have never played or coached, which is a frustrating structure for those still searching for answers for what happened in 2022.
NASA's uncrewed Artemis 1 moon mission is full of passengers, we take a look at some of the strangest items hitching a ride here. In a throwback to the famed Apollo program, NASA officials are letting a very special dog out. | 2022-12-25T16:50:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | Did Patriots CB Jack Jones call out positional coach in cryptic tweet? | https://sports.yahoo.com/did-patriots-cb-jack-jones-152023539.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/did-patriots-cb-jack-jones-152023539.html?src=rss |
This was a game Super Bowl teams don't lose originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
There were maybe 12 moments in that game Saturday night where if the Eagles made a play -- got a stop, finished a sack, gained one more yard, recovered a fumble, protected the ball -- they win the game.
None of those 12 moments went their way, and now they've got to crank it back up and beat the Saints or the Giants to lock up the No. 1 seed.
They've made life much more difficult for themselves, and they only have themselves to blame.
When you're up 10 points over your fiercest rival with five minutes left in the third quarter, you win that game.
When you record back-to-back sacks to put a team in 3rd-and-30, you don't allow a 52-yard pass, no matter who's in the game.
When your big-play receiver has five passes come his way, he doesn't let defenders out-muscle him for interceptions twice.
When you're down three with 2:19 left, your Pro Bowl running back doesn't fumble for no apparent reason inside your own 25-yard-line.
When you pile up 246 yards in a second half against a top-10 defense, you score more than 14 points.
The Eagles' costly mistakes Saturday weren't limited to the players.
When your third-string running back hasn't had a carry in two weeks and has never taken a handoff from Gardner Minshew in his career, maybe don't pick late in the third quarter in the biggest game of the year for the first one?
When you get a monster weapon like Dallas Goedert back in the lineup after a five-week absence, maybe give him more than three targets ... especially when Quez Watkins had five.
When you can essentially lock up the No. 1 seed just by stopping a 3rd-and-30, for crying out loud, you find a way to stop a 3rd-and-30. That's a play that shouldn't happen in a thousand years.
All year, the Eagles have played like winners. Winning plays at winning moments. They've won a few blowouts, but coming into Dallas they were 6-0 in one-possession games, which is the sign of a true championship contender. They've been finding a way all year.
Saturday, they didn't make those plays, and they actually did the opposite -- they made losing plays. In their biggest game in a few years, they came up shockingly small in the most important moments.
The Eagles did a lot of things well Saturday night in North Texas. DeVonta Smith looked like Mike Quick out there. The D-line became the first in NFL history with six sacks in four straight games and they did it against a team that hadn't allowed six sacks in two years. The O-line didn't allow a sack to a front that was second in the NFL in sacks. Josh Sweat had another monster game with 1½ sacks and a ridiculous pick-6. Two more sacks for Haason Reddick.
There's an awful lot to like about this Eagles team, and by winning 13 of their first 14 games, they've given themselves a cushion where they can afford to blow two 10-point leads against their biggest rival on Christmas Eve and still control the NFC.
I have little doubt that they'll beat the Saints at the Linc Sunday with or without Hurts. The Saints are pretty good defensively and Andy Dalton has played fairly well, but they're 1-6 on the road, 6-9 overall, 0-4 against winning teams.
And if that doesn't happen, bring on the Giants.
But I don't even want to look that far ahead.
But they've got to make sure that the mistakes we saw Saturday don't happen again. Or a season with so much potential is going to be over way too early. | 2022-12-25T16:50:18Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles' loss to Cowboys was a game Super Bowl teams don't lose | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-loss-cowboys-game-super-162100286.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-loss-cowboys-game-super-162100286.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants fell to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, 27-24, in stunning fashion on Greg Joseph’s 61-yard field goal at the final gun.
The loss dropped the Giants to 8-6-1 on the season.
Here is what we learned in Week 16.
The playoffs are still in play
The scenarios for a Giants’ clinch went their way on Saturday, except for the part where they were supposed to win.
Seattle, Detroit, and Washington were all beaten, meaning the Giants will remain in the 6th seed for another week.
But…since there are only two games remaining, all the Giants have to do is win one of their last two games (versus Indianapolis and Philadelphia) to snag a playoff berth.
Not enough points again
The Giants came into this game averaging a sliver over 20 points per game. Their high score on the season is 27 points with their lowest total being 13.
They scored 24 points on Saturday and ended up on the short end against a defense that had been allowing nearly 30 points per game over the last month.
Miscues galore cost the Giants on the scoreboard. A fumble in Minnesota territory by tight end Daniel Bellinger killed one drive. Daniel Jones threw an untimely interception to kill another. A blocked punt deep in the Giants’ end led to a Vikings touchdown.
Penalties, dropped passes, and dropped interceptions also altered the course of the game. The bottom line, the game came down to the final possession, as many games this year have, and they were beaten with no time left.
The Giants proved they belong
Despite the many miscues, the Giants showed the league they belong in the postseason conversation. They outgained the powerful Vikings, 445-353, and matched them 23-23 in first downs. The 445 yards of offense is a season-high for the Giants.
However, they were only briefly in the lead at 13-10 and later tied the score at 24 on Saquon Barkley’s 27-yard run with two minutes left in the game.
But their lack of depth exposed them again as they failed to close the deal, leaving the door open to get beat late in the game again. In the next few weeks, they should get some help in the secondary with the return of cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and safety Xavier McKinney.
A star emerges
The Giants’ wide receiver situation was a mess most of the season. That is, until Isaiah Hodgins showed up. The in-season waiver wire pickup has become a reliable playmaker for the Giants and is gaining a solid rapport with Daniel Jones.
“I think he does a really good job,” said Jones. “He’s where you expect him to be, and he does a good job getting open and making plays. A lot of credit to him. He’s a smart player. He’s a dependable guy. He’s done a good job for us.”
Hodgins caught eight of 11 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. Hodgins has scored a touchdown in three of the last four games.
Jalen Green with a 2-pointer vs the Dallas Mavericks
Jalen Green (Houston Rockets) with a 2-pointer vs the Dallas Mavericks, 12/23/2022 | 2022-12-25T16:50:31Z | sports.yahoo.com | What we learned from Giants’ 27-24 loss to Vikings | https://sports.yahoo.com/learned-giants-27-24-loss-155530562.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/learned-giants-27-24-loss-155530562.html?src=rss |
It’s been a crazy holiday season for the Bills and Western New York.
Weather conditions have caused travel bans and altered plans for the team and area alike. In the midst of that madness, it might have been tough to watch the Bills’ 35-13 win over the Bears.
The victory clinched the AFC East title, so you’ll want to catch all the action… or see it once more.
See the attached YouTube clip above for all the highlights from Week 16. | 2022-12-25T16:51:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | WATCH: Full highlights of the Bills’ 35-13 win over the Bears | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-full-highlights-bills-35-160943230.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-full-highlights-bills-35-160943230.html?src=rss |
Cincinnati Bengals right tackle La’el Collins will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL during the team’s win over the New England Patriots.
According to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, an MRI on Sunday revealed the extent of the damage and the recovery timetable is seven months.
It’s a stunning, unexpected turnaround on the Collins injury news. He passed the on-field ACL test during the game and it sounded like only his kneecap shifted, suggesting he wouldn’t miss extensive time.
Instead, the veteran who has battled back issues since the summer will now have to rehab well into the offseason in an effort to make it back for next year. He’s under contract through 2024, but there is an out built into it for this offseason.
With Collins out, the Bengals will keep leaning on Hakeem Adeniji to fill the void. This ends the streak of the Cincinnati starting five leading all offensive lines in snaps played together. | 2022-12-25T19:50:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bengals OT La’el Collins suffered torn ACL and MCL | https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-ot-la-el-collins-192412098.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-ot-la-el-collins-192412098.html?src=rss |
Carolina Panthers fan wears a grinch costume in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium.
Jared Goff (16) of the Detroit Lions walks off the field after the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' playoff path needs help after loss to Carolina Panthers
D’Onta Foreman knew the Carolina Panthers' offensive linemen meant business when they walked into a meeting room following Friday's walkthrough practice. To Foreman, it meant the linemen were focused — and ready to bounce back from a disappointing showing the week before. Foreman ran for a career-high 165 yards and a touchdown and the Panthers racked up a franchise-record 320 yards on the ground behind a dominating performance up front to beat the Detroit Lions 37-23 and keep their NFC South title hopes alive. | 2022-12-25T19:50:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | Detroit Lions need help to make playoffs after blowout loss to Carolina Panthers | https://sports.yahoo.com/detroit-lions-help-playoffs-blowout-184118248.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/detroit-lions-help-playoffs-blowout-184118248.html?src=rss |
Turning Points: The moments that changed Whitworth's, Annika's and Inkster's careers
2022 Golfweek Awards: Best Moment of the Year — Tiger Woods’ walk up the Swilcan Bridge
It’s tough to reach consensus on some year-end awards, but Woods crossing the Swilcan Bridge was a slam dunk.
WWE SmackDown Results (12/23/22)
WWE SmackDown Results December 23, 2022 Report by Lovell Porter […] | 2022-12-25T20:38:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kathy Whitworth, the winningest player on the LPGA and PGA tours, dies at 83 | https://sports.yahoo.com/kathy-whitworth-winningest-player-lpga-133016453.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/kathy-whitworth-winningest-player-lpga-133016453.html?src=rss |
Team governor Mark Cuban promised he would erect a statue in Nowitzki's honor when the team retired Nowitzki's No. 41 jersey earlier this year, and this moment delivered on that promise. The statue features Nowitzki's iconic one-legged fadeaway that helped him become one of the best players in NBA history. Nowitzki averaged 20.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in his 21-year career.
The artist who made the statue, Omri Amrany, also designed a few sculptures of other NBA legends, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal. Details on the statue include the shoes and jersey Nowitzki wore during the Mavericks' title season in 2011 as well as a phrase that reads, "Loyalty never fades away," at the base.
“It’s 21 letters for my 21 years here," Nowitzki told ESPN's Tim MacMahon.
Dirk Nowitzki’s speech giving thanks to everyone who helped him throughout his 21 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks after the statue is u unveiled. pic.twitter.com/KvOEx9GGZ1
Nowitzki currently sits sixth on the NBA's all-time scoring leaderboard with 31,560 points and has been named to 14 All-Star rosters, 12 All-NBA rosters and won an MVP and a Finals MVP. He'll be eligible for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
Dirk Nowitzki's statue honors the Maverick legend's iconic shot. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | 2022-12-25T20:38:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mavericks gift Dirk Nowitzki an awesome statue of himself for Christmas | https://sports.yahoo.com/mavericks-gift-dirk-nowitzki-an-awesome-statue-of-himself-for-christmas-191751466.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mavericks-gift-dirk-nowitzki-an-awesome-statue-of-himself-for-christmas-191751466.html?src=rss |
The Denver Broncos (4-10) will face the Los Angeles Rams (4-10) on Sunday, Dec. 25 at 2:30 p.m. MT. The Christmas Day showdown will be nationally televised on CBS and fans can stream the game on fuboTV (try it free). The Broncos-Rams game will also air on Nickelodeon.
After playing the Rams, Denver will have another road game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 before wrapping up the season at home against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18. | 2022-12-25T21:19:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Broncos vs. Rams: Live game updates from Twitter | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-vs-rams-live-game-203018842.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-vs-rams-live-game-203018842.html?src=rss |
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has had an incredible start to his tenure in South Florida, as he set the team’s single-season record for receiving yards just 14 weeks into the year.
Now, during their Week 16 matchup with the Green Bay Packers, Hill has set Miami’s record for receptions in a single season. The record was previously held by wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who brought in 112 catches back in 2017.
While both the player and team are focused on the team’s success, it’s still a pretty cool milestone for Hill to earn in his first 15 games with the Dolphins. | 2022-12-25T21:20:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill sets another franchise single-season record | https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-wr-tyreek-hill-sets-203325132.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/dolphins-wr-tyreek-hill-sets-203325132.html?src=rss |
On Saturday night at a frigid Solider Field, the Buffalo Bills clinched their third-straight AFC East title.
Following their 35-13 win over the Chicago Bears (3-12), the Bills (12-3) took a moment to reflect on the achievement… full well knowing this is just the next step, but hopefully not the final one.
“Good to win. Really happy for the organization. Three AFC East Championships in a row, that’s hard to do,” Bills head coach, Sean McDermott said after the game. “It’s hard to get one, let alone three in a row. So, I’m just very grateful for the effort and our fans also that showed up today.”
Three division wins in a row seemed almost unfathomable back when McDermott arrived in Buffalo in the midst of the historic playoff drought. Times have changed and the Bills have gone from ‘in the hunt’ to the hunted.
“It’s a different feeling every time you go on the field because you know… everyone’s momentum is coming at us, you know, that way,” McDermott continued. “As opposed to trying to climb early on like we were. We won some of those and we lost some close ones, so I know what that feelings like. But you gotta keep that feeling too a little bit from that ‘humble and hungry’ approach. Even though you’re the one… we’re in a different position now, but still you gotta keep playing with that chip on your shoulder, coach with that chip on your shoulder and really put the work in.”
While the Bills remains stuck in Chicago due to a blizzard impacting travel back home, McDermott said the team would take time to enjoy the win.
“Ya, I think tonight I’d rather be with my family like we all would, but to be able to take a breath and like you said, reflect on what it’s taken to get here and listen, it’s more than one person, right? It’s all the people back home who aren’t with us,” McDermott told reporters. “We’re thinking of them and so appreciative of what they bring to our organization and so grateful. It’s not just the football side, it’s all the parts of our organization working together as one.”
Quarterback, Josh Allen seemed even keel when discussing the team’s division title. While it is a proud moment for the team, there’s still more work to be done.
“Ya, obviously it’s the next progression in our goal,” Allen said. “Playoffs, division title. We know what the next one is. So, got a couple more games to put our best foot forward and just try to go execute to the best of our ability.”
The, “next one,” Allen is referencing is of course capturing the first seed in the AFC and securing homefield throughout the playoffs. A position the Bills currently find themselves in with two weeks left to play.
“That’s the goal,” Bills safety, Jordan Poyer said during his postgame press conference. “We want teams to come here in the playoffs, in front of our fans… I guess not here, Buffalo in front of our fans. And like you said, we gotta take it one game at a time and go 1-0 next week.”
When asked how important is is to secure the top seed, Poyer didn’t shy away from the truth.
“In the past, we’ve obviously seen what it’s like to have to go on the road and win playoff games,” Poyer continued. “But it is important for us to get that homefield advantage. Get the crowd at home in cold weather games… not a lot of people wanna come to Buffalo in late January, early February. So, we’re gonna take it one game at a time.”
While the Bills are currently tied with the Kansas City Chiefs at 12-3 in the conference, Buffalo holds the tiebreaker thanks to their head-to-head win earlier in the season.
With two games to go, the Bills most likely need to win both their games to ensure they get the No. 1 seed.
One misstep and Buffalo would likely need to go Kansas City to get the ever elusive Super Bowl. A path that, based on recent history, they’d like the avoid. | 2022-12-25T21:20:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Following AFC East title, Bills know job is far from over | https://sports.yahoo.com/following-afc-east-title-bills-194949069.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/following-afc-east-title-bills-194949069.html?src=rss |
The Miami Dolphins were unable to stop their losing skid, as they were defeated by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, suffering their fourth loss in a row.
Tua Tagovailoa made some impressive throws, including one long touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill. However, he also threw three of his worst interceptions of the season. On top of that, Raheem Mostert also turned the ball over with a fumble, really restricting what they were able to do.
Hill, recorded four receptions for 103 yards in the contest. He also set the team’s single-season record for catches in a season, breaking a mark once set by Jarvis Landry (112).
Jaylen Waddle was probably the most impressive of Miami’s offensive weapons. He brought in five catches for 143 yards and one touchdown, including an 84-yard score that really showcased his speed.
Miami’s defense was put in poor positions over and over, with short fields, but they also got an interception of their own, the first of undrafted rookie cornerback Kader Kohou’s career, and held Aaron Rodgers and company to 26 points despite that.
Kicker Jason Sanders started the game out strong, making his first two attempts but missing his third from 48 yards out. The miss ended a streak of 10 straight, as it appeared that he had corrected his issues earlier in the season. | 2022-12-25T21:20:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Instant analysis from Dolphins’ Christmas Day loss to the Packers | https://sports.yahoo.com/instant-analysis-dolphins-christmas-day-210254104.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/instant-analysis-dolphins-christmas-day-210254104.html?src=rss |
The victory pushed Green Bay's postseason probability to 27 percent, per FiveThirtyEight. It also gave the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, and New England Patriots a greater likelihood of making the playoffs with two weeks left in the season.
This was a tale of two halves to Tagovailoa and the Dolphins.
Miami looked poised for another big offensive outing after Tagovailoa finished 9-12 for 229 yards and one touchdown that included huge passes to Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. But second-half defensive adjustments by the Packers curbed Tagovailoa, who completed just seven passes only 81 yards and the three picks. Hill, who caught three passes for 84 yards in the first half, only caught one more pass for 20 yards the rest of the game.
The Dolphins final five possessions of the game going back to the second quarter were a fumble, missed field goal and then Tagovailoa's three interceptions.
It was a vintage game for Rodgers, who looked every bit the back-to-back MVP in this game despite a season's worth of frustrations leading up to the matchup.
He completed 24-38 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown but also threw an interception in the end zone. Rodgers completed huge passes to set up the Packers' scoring drives, though, including a long pass to veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis (who caught the first-half touchdown). | 2022-12-25T21:20:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers upset Dolphins to shakeup multiple playoff races | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-upset-dolphins-to-shakeup-multiple-playoff-races-211421849.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-upset-dolphins-to-shakeup-multiple-playoff-races-211421849.html?src=rss |
Police officers responded to a call about a shooting in the area around 11 p.m. and found a man behind a business with a gunshot wound.
The Ravens closed in on a playoff berth, doing their part with a 17-9 victory over the Falcons. They officially clinched when the Patriots lost to the Bengals. The Ravens are 10-5, and the Falcons fell to 5-10 and were eliminated from playoff contention after losing six of their last seven. Baltimore ran for 184 [more] | 2022-12-25T21:21:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | Report: La’el Collins tore his ACL and MCL | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-la-el-collins-tore-192858427.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-la-el-collins-tore-192858427.html?src=rss |
Christmas weekend could not have gone any better for the Green Bay Packers.
Every team they needed to lose in Week 16 did and the Pack went into Miami and downed the Dolphins, 26-20, on Sunday.
The win was Green Bay’s third straight and shifts it back into the NFC Wild-Card race at 7-8.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, fell to 8-7 and have lost four in a row.
Miami led 20-10 but Green Bay scored the final 16 points of the game.
Mason Crosby kicked four field goals, including two in the final quarter that proved to be the difference.
The Packers’ defense menaced Tua Tagovailoa into three interceptions, including a game-sealing pick by Rasul Douglas with 94 seconds left. | 2022-12-25T21:21:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Resurgent Packers deal Dolphins fourth straight loss | https://sports.yahoo.com/resurgent-packers-deal-dolphins-fourth-210859950.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/resurgent-packers-deal-dolphins-fourth-210859950.html?src=rss |
Stone is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. However, he transferred to IMG Academy to play for one of the nation’s most prestigious high school football programs in the country.
As a sophomore, he tallied 52 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. His strength and stature are two traits that can set him apart at the next level. It will be interesting to see how his recruitment unfolds.
Roll Tide Wire breaks down Joseph Stone’s recruiting profile.
Where should I go? https://t.co/zzdEEwX7Fm
— David “Stoney” Stone Jr. (@iamdavidstonejr) December 23, 2022 | 2022-12-25T21:49:25Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2024 5-star DL Joseph Stone lists Alabama as a finalist in his recruitment | https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-5-star-dl-joseph-212244926.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-5-star-dl-joseph-212244926.html?src=rss |
The Green Bay Packers came back from 10 points down to beat the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The win improved Green Bay’s record to 7-8 after 15 games and kept the door wide open for a run to the postseason over the final two games.
What did the 26-20 win in Miami do for the Packers’ playoff hopes? A lot, especially after getting help on Saturday.
Combined with the losses by the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants and Washington Commanders on Christmas Eve, the Packers now have an increasingly feasible path to the postseason.
The most likely path requires home wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions and a tiny bit of help over the final two games. But if the Packers win both games and get to 9-8, the team’s chances of making the postseason skyrocket.
The New York Times gives the Packers an 87 percent chance of making the playoffs with wins over the Vikings and Lions. FiveThirtyEight’s prediction machine gives the Packers a 90 percent chance at 9-8.
Two wins by the Packers and one more loss by the Commanders or two by the Giants would be enough to get Green Bay into the postseason. The Panthers and Lions no longer factor into the scenario should the Packers win both remaining games.
The Packers hit a fork in the road on Christmas but found the winning path. A loss in Miami would have put the Packers on the brink of elimination and severely complicated the path forward, but the win over the Dolphins will inject real life into the team’s playoff hopes entering the stretch run.
The Packers have won three straight games and received almost all the necessary help to get into this position. Now, LaFleur’s team is close to controlling its own destiny. Win two more games to stretch the win streak to five, and the Packers are likely headed to the postseason.
The initial report of Christmas sleet on the Space Coast was logged by the National Weather Service Melbourne station at 9:55 a.m. | 2022-12-25T22:54:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | What does comeback win over Dolphins do for Packers’ playoff chances? | https://sports.yahoo.com/does-comeback-win-over-dolphins-213858266.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/does-comeback-win-over-dolphins-213858266.html?src=rss |
The Green Bay Packers were down 20-10 and facing a rampaging Miami Dolphins offense hell-bent on extending the lead to 17 points before halftime when veteran defensive lineman Jarran Reed made what might be the biggest play of Green Bay’s season.
On Christmas Day, Reed channeled his inner Grinch and stole the ball away from Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert late in the first half, sparking what would become a comeback victory for the Packers at Hard Rock Stadium.
Talk about a turning point for a team fighting to make the postseason.
The forced fumble and ensuing recovery by Reed on 2nd-and-2 allowed the Packers to kick a field goal before halftime and then tie the game at 20 with a touchdown drive on the first drive of the second half.
It was also the first of four Packers takeaways, including three interceptions in the second half. Jaire Alexander’s pick set up a field goal, De’Vondre Campbell’s interception took away a late scoring opportunity and Rasul Douglas’ takeaway ended the game with under two minutes to go and the Packers up six.
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AwrcEGB7Ry pic.twitter.com/A6VxmwHPYh
Reed got the turnover train rolling and completely changed the contest. The Dolphins had scored on four of their first five drives and were in possession of the ball at the 49-yard line up 10 points. The Packers offense had turned the ball over on downs on consecutive drives, including a failed fake punt, and the Dolphins offense had the dagger drawn with a chance to go up three scores in the first half.
But Reed stripped Mostert, recovered the fumble in Dolphins territory and altered the momentum of the game the rest of the way.
In fact, the Dolphins wouldn’t score another point, and the Packers rattled off 16 straight to create the season-saving comeback win. Now 7-8, the team’s chances of making the postseason – especially with two more wins – went up considerably.
Reed signed a one-year deal to join the Packers this offseason. It included a base salary of just over $1 million with less than $2 million in guarantees. With one huge play on Christmas, Reed made the decision worth every penny for the Packers. | 2022-12-25T22:55:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jarran Reed’s takeaway provides turning point of Packers’ comeback win over Dolphins | https://sports.yahoo.com/jarran-reed-takeaway-provides-turning-215416551.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jarran-reed-takeaway-provides-turning-215416551.html?src=rss |
During Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos, the NFL announced some scheduling news about the Rams’ next game. The league is moving Rams-Chargers in Week 17 out of the Sunday night slot, with the Steelers-Ravens game taking that spot.
The Rams and Chargers will now play at 4:25 p.m. ET on January 1 on CBS. With the Rams being out of playoff contention, it makes sense that the NFL would rather have a more meaningful game in prime time for the second-to-last week of the season.
Rams-Chargers was expected to be a great matchup before the season began, but the Rams have struggled with injuries and issues on offense all year, limping to a 4-10 record through 14 games.
💪: The #Steelers at the #Ravens has been flexed to Sunday Night Football on @SNFonNBC. Meanwhile, #Rams at the #Chargers was moved to 4:25 pm ET on CBS. | 2022-12-25T22:55:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL flexes Rams-Chargers out of Sunday night slot in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-flexes-rams-chargers-sunday-223654420.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-flexes-rams-chargers-sunday-223654420.html?src=rss |
The Green Bay Packers scored 16 straight points after falling behind 20-10 to stun the Miami Dolphins on Christmas Day and keep hopes alive for a run to the playoffs over the final two weeks of the 2022 season.
Matt LaFleur’s team upset the Dolphins 26-20 and has now won three straight games.
The Packers intercepted Tua Tagovailoa three times, including Rasul Douglas’ win-stealing pick with just under two minutes to go.
The game-changing play for the Packers came right before halftime: The Dolphins led by 10 points and were driving for more, but Jarran Reed created and recovered a fumble, starting a stretch of four takeaways for the Packers defense that allowed Matt LaFleur’s team to kick three field goals and score a touchdown and engineer the comeback.
The upset victory improved the Packers’ record to 7-8 and moves Green Bay to within a half game of the final wildcard spot in the NFC.
The Packers will finish the season with home games against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, two NFC North rivals that beat Green Bay earlier in the season. In addition to two more wins, the Packers need at least one more loss by the Commanders or two by the Giants.
The Dolphins averaged 8.4 yards per play and got 100-yard receiving days from both Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, but turnovers provided the great equalizer. The Packers didn’t allow a single point in the second half.
Aaron Rodgers completed 24 of 38 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown, A.J. Dillon scored a touchdown in his fourth straight game and four different players caught a pass of at least 20 yards.
On defense, Reed and Preston Smith both had sacks, and Douglas, Jaire Alexander and De’Vondre Campbell created interceptions.
Keisean Nixon produced a 93-yard kickoff return before exiting the game with a groin injury. He wasn’t the only important player to exit: Christian Watson has a hip injury that kept him out of the second half, and right tackle Yosh Nijman left in the first half with a shoulder injury and didn’t return. | 2022-12-25T22:55:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers stun Dolphins, complete Christmas comeback in Miami to keep season alive | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-stun-dolphins-complete-christmas-211518561.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-stun-dolphins-complete-christmas-211518561.html?src=rss |
After gift-wrapping a first-quarter interception for Josh Sweat, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott admitted that he felt a sense of deja vu as he chased the Eagles defensive end all the way to the end zone.
“Yeah, I was chasing him down, and I go, ‘Is this really happening?'” Prescott told reporters Saturday night.
Prescott shook off that early pick-six and led the Cowboys back from not one but two ten-point deficits to hand their division rivals from Philadelphia just their second loss of the season. But the Christmas Eve contest started off with Prescott getting a hauntingly familiar visit from the Ghost of Interceptions Past.
It was just six days prior that a Prescott pick was returned by the Jacksonville Jaguars for a stunning walkoff win in overtime. And after a week of rumblings in the media wondering what’s wrong with Dak, the veteran found himself once again chasing down a defender… this time on just the offense’s fifth snap of the game.
“He’s a long guy,” Prescott explained of the Eagles’ 6-foot-5-inch starter. “Big, obviously, tall arms. I guess I just misjudged his length. And he made a great catch. I don’t know if he’s had an easier interception and return than that one. As I said, as I was chasing him down, I was like, ‘Is this happening again?’ Oh well, boom, they scored. Let me get back on the field and lets’ just get this thing back rolling.”
And roll Prescott did. Of his 18 first-half passes, only one other didn’t find its intended target. He eventually ended the day with three touchdowns and a season-high 347 passing yards to take his career record against NFC East teams to 27-6.
“I don’t know if you can respond any better,” said Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy in his postgame press conference.
“I don’t know how else to say it: that’s who he is. Adversity is something that he eats for lunch. He doesn’t blink.”
Not blinking when confronted with a challenge is a common theme for the Cowboys under McCarthy, a trait he expressly seeks in all his players. And it’s something Prescott says he’s been doing his whole life.
“That comes from, I guess, [being] a kid. When you are a younger brother, you get beat up and you take a lot of losses, and the only way to keep going is by responding. It is by showing whatever happened last play really doesn’t matter, it’s all about the next play. That’s who I am. We have Chad [Bohling, Cowboys mental conditioning coach]… who talks about just staying neutral [through] the good, the bad, whatever it is. Thinking about the next and controlling the next. That’s all you can really do.”
Prescott said that after the pick-six that put the team down by 10 less than six minutes into the game, he forced himself to remember that dwelling on the mistake wouldn’t change it. So he came right back onto the field and led the team 75 yards on a touchdown drive.
McCarthy credits the team’s response in moments like that to his quarterback’s even-keeled demeanor.
“That’s such a huge part- I think it’s a huge part- to be successful in group dynamics. When you work with people in a large setting like this and you have a bunch of guys that are up and down based on the day, that’s very difficult. This guy? Dak’s the same person every day: in the fire, at practice, in the class[room]. I just think it speaks volumes to his approach. Puts in a tremendous amount of extra time. He believes in himself; he believes in this team. And he wears it on his sleeve.”
“I’m never worried about Dak,” running back Ezekiel Elliott told media members after the win. “When it comes down to crunch time, he’s going to go make that play.”
He made several, actually, as did the playmakers around him, on both offense and defense. And while the script felt like it could have been setting up as the latest sequel in a series of blown leads and games not closed out, Prescott and the Cowboys managed to hold on for a critical win that keeps hope alive for a division crown.
“As we’ve talked about all year long,” Prescott said, “that is our manta: resiliency. I think tonight was a great example of that. Down 10 in the first half, able to respond. Down 10 in the second half, able to respond. They score, we score, just back and forth. Defense gets a turnover, allows us to finally take the lead late in the game. Then they go out there again and get another turnover and then finish the game off. This is a bunch of guys that are focused as hell, taking it one play at a time.”
And even though the Week 16 win doesn’t qualify as a true Christmas miracle, the lessons learned may end up being the gift that keeps giving as Prescott and the team continues building toward their own reason for the season. | 2022-12-25T22:55:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | ‘Is this really happening?’ Dak Prescott shakes off early pick-six ghost in Cowboys win | https://sports.yahoo.com/really-happening-dak-prescott-shakes-214547016.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/really-happening-dak-prescott-shakes-214547016.html?src=rss |
The New Orleans Saints kept their playoff hopes alive a little longer by knocking off the Cleveland Browns this week, but their odds are still very slim: according to FiveThirtyEight’s projections, the Saints have just a 6% chance of making the playoffs this season with their 6-9 record.
But there’s one important game left to play in Week 16’s slate, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveling to face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday night (kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC). The Buccaneers have a slim lead on the NFC South division title, but their 6-8 record makes that lead tenuous at best.
If Tom Brady’s team wins on Sunday night and improves to 7-8, the Saints are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs — but their odds fall to 4% at FiveThirtyEight. But if the Buccaneers lose and fall to 6-9 themselves, New Orleans gets a big boost, moving into a three-way tie with the Bucs and Carolina Panthers (though Tampa Bay owns the tiebreaker) with a 15% shot at reaching the postseason. And in the unlikely event of a tie, the Saints still benefit from the Buccaneers’ 6-8-1 record with playoff odds of 14%.
So root for a Bucs loss or tie on Sunday night. That’s probably unlikely with Arizona starting third-string quarterback Trace McSorley in this game, but Tampa Bay has been far from special this year. At times they’ve even looked vulnerable. Maybe the Saints can finally catch a break. Stranger things have happened, right?
Everything you need to know about how to tune in to Sunday night's game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals | 2022-12-25T22:56:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | How will Sunday night’s Bucs-Cardinals game impact the Saints’ playoff chances? | https://sports.yahoo.com/sunday-night-bucs-cardinals-game-220409229.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sunday-night-bucs-cardinals-game-220409229.html?src=rss |
The Steelers are still technically alive in the playoff race but barely. The Miami Dolphins' loss on Sunday meant the Steelers couldn't be eliminated in Week 16. The Ravens could be without quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has been out with a knee injury. It's a great rivalry but not an incredible Week 17 game.
The drama centers around the Ravens' pursuit of the AFC North championship. If they lose on Sunday night, the Bengals can clinch the division by beating the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. If the Ravens win or the Bengals lose, the AFC North will be decided when those two teams play in the finale. | 2022-12-25T22:56:37Z | sports.yahoo.com | Week 17 prime-time flex: Ravens-Steelers moved to Sunday night, Rams-Chargers is out | https://sports.yahoo.com/week-17-prime-time-flex-ravens-steelers-moved-to-sunday-night-rams-chargers-is-out-224017219.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/week-17-prime-time-flex-ravens-steelers-moved-to-sunday-night-rams-chargers-is-out-224017219.html?src=rss |
Challenged by Shanahan, 49ers' defense believes it can improve originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers' defense has been a dominant force in 2022 but after their 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday, the group believes they still have not realized their full potential.
The defensive unit is ranked at the top of the league in most statistical metrics, including allowing an average of only 15.3 points per game, which is the lowest in the NFL by far. The Buffalo Bills rank second allowing 17.5 per game.
While not taking away from the win, Washington’s 20 points did not sit well with several of the 49ers' defensive leaders, including nickel back Jimmie Ward.
“I'm very proud of the guys,” Ward said after the game. “I gave up a cheap touchdown at the end. I didn't like that. But I’ll watch film and figure out what I can do better on that play. Other than that, we end up making more plays than what they made on offense and we pulled off with the win”
Fred Warner, who led the team with 13 total tackles, eight of which were solo, now has notched his fifth consecutive season registering 100-plus tackles. The team captain believes there is still more work to do and views a shutout as the primary goal in every game.
The 49ers' defense forced two turnovers-on-downs, including a goalline stand at the beginning of the second quarter when Washington had four chances to get into the end zone from inside the 5-yard line. The Commanders came away from their 17-play, 79-yard drive empty handed.
“I think all game we had opportunities to really snuff them out,” Warner said. “I think about that first half just playing more assignment sound and getting more knock back in the run game, getting off on third-and-longs.
“Second half, they got us on a couple of the deep balls. But even then, I think we had opportunities to keep them out of the end zone. We have to do that. It's always a learning experience. You're always growing, you're always trying to find ways to get better and find ways to win. So we'll look at it hard and we'll be better from it.”
It's easy to argue that Nick Bosa is having the best season of his young NFL career as he racked up two more sacks, setting a new career high with 17.5, which also leads the league. He also had an additional takedown of Washington quarterback Carson Wentz on a two-point conversion that doesn't count as a sack.
The Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner said coach Kyle Shanahan still called out the group throughout the week leading up to their contest with the Commanders.
Dre Greenlaw has been a key contributor for the defense while having a Pro-Bowl caliber season, though he wasn't selected for the event. He leads the 49ers with 118 tackles -- 79 solo, three for a loss while also recording two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Like his teammates, Greenlaw wants more from himself and the defensive unit going forward knowing that they have a lot more football left to play.
“We have plenty of room to improve,” Greenlaw said. “It always looks good on the scoreboard when you get the win, but you have to be hard on yourself as a team in order for us to be great and take that step. We have to stop them from scoring. When you allow them 20 points, you don’t like it. You have to do better.”
Coming off their eighth straight win Saturday, the 49ers have an extra day to rest and prepare for their Week 17 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders on New Years Day at Allegiant Stadium. | 2022-12-26T00:22:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers' defense, challenged by Kyle Shanahan, believes it can improve | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-defense-challenged-kyle-shanahan-194832556.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-defense-challenged-kyle-shanahan-194832556.html?src=rss |
They will replace the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers who were supposed to play on prime time. Pittsburgh lost to the Ravens 16-14 in Week 14. The Ravens have already secured a playoff spot but are jockeying for position in the AFC while the Steelers continue to cling to the slimmest of hopes to be a wild card. | 2022-12-26T00:23:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | Steelers vs Raiders Week 17 flexed to prime time | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-vs-raiders-week-17-225707273.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-vs-raiders-week-17-225707273.html?src=rss |
The woebegone Cleveland Browns are hoping to goose their social media presence with a touch of Jake Paul magic. The team, last in the NFL’s AFC North standings at 6-9, is hoping the huge YouTube star and undefeated boxer can turn their season to solid gold with his knack for promotion. He has more than […] | 2022-12-26T01:12:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Report: Red Sox 'willing to listen' to Chris Sale trade offers | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-red-sox-willing-listen-231000240.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-red-sox-willing-listen-231000240.html?src=rss |
Brock Purdy is shocking the NFL with how he's performing for the 49ers despite entering the season as the third quarterback on San Francisco's depth chart.
While Purdy did express his gratitude with words through the media, the rookie signal caller also backed it up after the 49ers' win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday with a token of appreciation to Lance by giving him a thoughtful Christmas gift, which was a sweater that included a picture of the No. 3 overall draft pick as a child.
After Lance and Garoppolo went down with foot injuries this season, there were questions about whether the 49ers' Super Bowl LVII aspirations were done, but the Iowa State product has shown that he can make plays on offense and ride arguably the best defense in the NFL.
As Purdy continues his role as the 49ers' starting quarterback, Lance and Garoppolo will remain his biggest cheerleaders and supporters. | 2022-12-26T01:57:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers QB Brock Purdy gifts Trey Lance adorably special Christmas sweater | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-qb-brock-purdy-gifts-233812457.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-qb-brock-purdy-gifts-233812457.html?src=rss |
For a team that scored a total of 52 points in their last three games combined, it was completely out of the blue for the Rams to put up 51 against a stout Broncos defense.
With just two games in the Rams’ season remaining, we take a look at six things we learned from Sunday’s win in Inglewood.
Baker Mayfield looks comfortable in Sean McVay's offense
On Sunday, Mayfield looked like he’s been in the Rams offense all season. Yet, this was just his third game with Los Angeles and he was as sharp as he’s ever been. Mayfield completed 24 of 28 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns before getting the rest of the game off, getting pulled with about 10 minutes left. He’s certainly making a case to earn a starting job with another team next season if he doesn’t want to return as the Rams’ backup.
Rams find success leaning on their RBs
It’s been tough sledding for the Rams’ running backs all season, ranking 30th in rushing yards this year. But against the Broncos, Cam Akers blew up for 118 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries – all season-highs for the Rams running back. Kyren Williams added 18 yards on six carries, Malcolm Brown had 19 yards on two carries and as a team, the Rams finished with 158 yards on the ground. That hasn’t been a recipe for success in Los Angeles, but it worked to perfection on Sunday.
Bobby Wagner owned Russell Wilson in first game against him
Wagner and Wilson were teammates for 10 years in Seattle and on Sunday, they squared off for the first time. It’s not hard to see which player won that matchup. Wagner sacked Wilson once and also picked him off in the first quarter, making two big plays against his former teammate. There’s no bad blood between them despite Wagner saying how excited he was to sack Wilson back in August, but you can rest assured the All-Pro linebacker was thrilled with his performance.
Defense continues to create turnovers
The Rams had a dry spell on the turnover front from Week 3 to Week 11, creating just one takeaway in those eight games. But in the last five games, the Rams have created 12 turnovers, including four on Sunday against Denver. They picked off Wilson three times and also intercepted Brett Rypien once, which was returned by Cobie Durant 85 yards for a touchdown to cap off the 51-point outburst. Turnover margin is a big factor in team success, and the Rams won that battle by four against the Broncos.
Tyler Higbee comes alive late in an otherwise quiet season
Higbee came into this week with just 482 yards in 14 games, never topping 73 yards in a single contest. But against the Broncos, he erupted with nine catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns, giving him three total scores on the year. He was the Rams’ leading receiver, picking apart the Broncos’ defense by finding holes in the zone and beating their defenders when matched up man-to-man.
Cobie Durant should've been playing all season
I mentioned Durant’s pick-six earlier, but that was just one great play made by the rookie corner. He also had a spectacular interception in the first quarter, leaping to make the grab against Wilson to set up the Rams’ initial touchdown of the afternoon. He didn’t play a single defensive snap from Week 8 to Week 12, but in the last four games, he’s finally getting some reps and he’s playing well. This was the best performance of his career, with the 85-yard pick-six being the icing on the cake. | 2022-12-26T01:57:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | 6 takeaways from Rams’ dominant win vs. Broncos | https://sports.yahoo.com/6-takeaways-rams-dominant-win-013436271.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/6-takeaways-rams-dominant-win-013436271.html?src=rss |
The Dolphins entered Sunday with an 83% chance to make the playoff, per FiveThirtyEight’s playoff predictor. They exited with a 67% chance.
Dolphins fans might refuse to look back this far, but it was actually Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers who threw the first interception in the close Christmas Day game.
On the ensuing drive, the Dolphins appeared to settle. With his team alternating between the run and pass, Tagovailoa successfully found three different receivers for a double-digit gain each on the drive. Remnants of the rhythmic explosive game that had dominated the first half — Tagovailoa had actually completed 9-of-12 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown before halftime — seemed to trickle in.
McDaniel argued against blaming the Dolphins’ entire four-game streak on Tagovailoa’s ball security. Tagovailoa surrendered three costly second-half turnovers in a 33-17 Dec. 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. But he didn’t throw an interception in subsequent losses to the Los Angeles Chargers or Buffalo Bills, his one fumble on a strip sack recovered by a teammate.
With two AFC East games rounding out the Dolphins’ regular-season slate, the road will not get easier. The Dolphins face the New England Patriots then the New York Jets, teams who entered this week ranked eighth and fourth in total defense, respectively. The Patriots' 16 interceptions also tie for second-most in the league.
All three teams are vying for AFC wild-card spots, and the Dolphins’ 8-7 record is just one game better than their counterparts.
Miami’s first-year head coach implored his team after the game to ensure “these situations manifest ... improvement.” | 2022-12-26T01:57:59Z | sports.yahoo.com | Do the Dolphins have a Tua Tagovailoa problem? | https://sports.yahoo.com/do-the-dolphins-have-a-tua-tagovailoa-problem-004437958.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/do-the-dolphins-have-a-tua-tagovailoa-problem-004437958.html?src=rss |
Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams was a Christmas nightmare for the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos found themselves trailing 31-6 at halftime and they weren’t able to pull off a comeback in the second half as the Rams coasted to a 51-14 win.
Denver quarterback Russell Wilson had his worst game as a Bronco, completing just 15-of-27 passes for 214 yards with one garbage-time touchdown and three bad interceptions. Wilson was also sacked six times in the loss.
Brett Rypien replaced Wilson in the fourth quarter and promptly threw a pick-six.
It was a game to forget for the Broncos, but wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (100-plus receiving yards) and tight end Greg Dulcich (one touchdown) stood out in the loss.
After an ugly loss in L.A., Denver is now set to go on the road to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 before wrapping up the season at home against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18.
People take part in the annual Christmas day swim on Lowestoft beach, Suffolk. Source: PA | 2022-12-26T01:58:11Z | sports.yahoo.com | Rams embarrass Broncos 51-14 in Christmas Day blowout | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-embarrass-broncos-51-14-003341549.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-embarrass-broncos-51-14-003341549.html?src=rss |
Surely, everyone saw this one coming. Everyone expected the Rams to absolutely steamroll the Broncos and their top-five defense on Christmas Day.
The Rams, who hadn’t scored more than 23 points since Week 6, put up 31 first-half points against the Broncos and cruised to a 51-14 win at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, improving their record to 5-10 despite remaining out of playoff contention.
It was a shocking result for a Rams team that has fielded one of the worst offenses in football all year, and despite the season being all but lost, Los Angeles showed a ton of heart and effort in this win over Denver.
Here’s a quick recap of how the game went and where the Rams go next.
The Rams got off to a scorching hot start against the Broncos, putting up 17 points in the first quarter alone. That’s more than they’ve scored in four of their last eight games, and their most first-quarter points since Week 6 of the 2017 season against the Jaguars.
Turnovers helped set up the Rams’ first two touchdowns of the game. Cobie Durant picked off Russell Wilson, which led to Tyler Higbee’s second touchdown of the season, while Bobby Wagner’s interception set up Cam Akers’ touchdown, his fourth in the last four games.
Baker Mayfield started the game a perfect 11-for-11, looking incredibly sharp out of the gates. He’s still getting a hang of the Rams offense after joining the team earlier this month, and it’s easy to see his growing comfort in Los Angeles.
Larrell Murchison, who the Rams added just two weeks ago, was a monster in the first half of his first game with Los Angeles. He had two sacks in the first 25 minutes alone, looking explosive in his No. 52 uniform, which was recently vacated by Terrell Lewis, who was cut.
Cam Akers had by far his best game of the season. He rushed for 118 yards on 23 carries, also adding two catches for 29 yards receiving.
This was also the offensive line’s best performance of 2022. There were gaping holes for Akers and Kyren Williams to run through, while Mayfield also had plenty of time in the pocket. It’s a big reason the Rams were able to move the ball so consistently throughout the game.
The defense was flying around the field, making plays all afternoon against Wilson. They picked him off three times, sacked him six times and generated constant pressure on the quarterback despite missing Aaron Donald and A’Shawn Robinson. Larrell Murchison and Michael Hochet were a big part of that. The icing on the cake was Durant’s 85-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter, the Rams’ fourth interception of the day.
… Akers scored a 2-yard touchdown with 1:06 left in the first half to make it 31-3 Rams. The game was already getting out of hand before that touchdown, but that one really put it over the top by giving the Rams a 28-point lead, their biggest of the season.
The Broncos tried to claw back with a field goal before halftime to make it 31-6, but they were never going to have a chance to win this game after falling behind by four touchdowns.
No. 3 star: Baker Mayfield – 24-for-28, 230 yards, 2 TDs
No. 2 star: Tyler Higbee – 9 catches, 94 yards, 2 TDs
No. 1 star: Cam Akers – 23 carries, 118 yards, 2 TDs
Durant’s interception early in the game really set the tone for the Rams in this one. He picked off Wilson to set up the first touchdown of the afternoon, but that wasn’t even his best play of the day.
Late in the fourth quarter, he intercepted Brett Rypien on an out route and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown to give the Rams 51 points, nearly matching their total from the last three weeks combined.
The Rams will gear up for an all-LA matchup on New Year’s Day. Previously scheduled to be in the Sunday night slot at 8:20 p.m. ET, the NFL moved Rams-Chargers to 4:25 p.m. ET next week, so it won’t be a prime-time battle like it was originally supposed to be.
That’s because the Rams are out of playoff contention, sitting at 5-10 on the year with two games remaining.
The Chargers will be coming off a short week after playing the Colts on Monday night, so the Rams will have a slight rest advantage in Week 17. | 2022-12-26T01:58:18Z | sports.yahoo.com | Rams embarrass Broncos, 51-14: Instant analysis of Week 16 win | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-embarrass-broncos-51-14-003419481.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-embarrass-broncos-51-14-003419481.html?src=rss |
It was an offensive explosion at SoFi Stadium on Sunday afternoon, and shockingly, it was the Los Angeles Rams who were the ones putting up all the points. They came out of nowhere and scored 51 points against the Denver Broncos, who entered the week with a top-five defense.
They cruised to a 51-14 win at home, their fifth victory of the season – and by far the most shocking. Here’s a look at the most notable performances on the Rams’ side, and it was all studs and no duds.
Is Cam Akers back to being the player he was in 2020? He sure looked like it against the Broncos on Sunday, rushing for a season-high 118 yards. He became the Rams’ first 100-yard rusher of the season, also scoring three touchdowns for the first time in his career. Denver had no interest in tackling him and Akers took full advantage with an outstanding performance at home on Christmas. It was good to see him get involved as a receiver, too, catching two passes for 29 yards.
Wagner said back in August that he wanted to sack Russell Wilson and send him home unhappy on Christmas – half-jokingly, we assume. Well, not only did he sack Wilson, but he also picked him off in the first quarter to set up a Rams touchdown. Being Wilson’s former teammate, Wagner probably loved the performance he had against the Broncos on Sunday. He’s been the Rams’ most consistent player all year and that remained true this week.
Stud: Larrell Murchison
Murchison just joined the Rams a couple of weeks ago after being claimed off waivers and this was his first game being active. He delivered with a career-best performance, finishing with 2.5 sacks on Wilson to go with five tackles. No. 52 has belonged to Terrell Lewis for the last couple of years, and in one game, Murchison nearly matched Lewis’ career-high in sacks in one season (3.0).
Mayfield looked so comfortable in this offense on Sunday. He started the game by completing his first 11 passes of the game for 112 yards and a touchdown, finishing the afternoon with an excellent stat line of 24-for-28, 230 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t make any costly plays or turn the ball over, operating the offense as it was designed to. For a guy in just his third game with the Rams, Mayfield looked like he’s been playing in Los Angeles for years.
Stud: Tyler Higbee
It was a quiet season for Higbee up until last week when he scored his first touchdown. Then on Sunday, he erupted. He caught nine passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his season total to three and giving him the franchise record for career touchdowns by a tight end. Higbee could’ve had another short catch, too, but he dropped it in the flat, which has been a problem for him all year. He was suddenly unguardable and the Broncos had no answer for him in coverage.
Studs: Cobie Durant and Jalen Ramsey
It’s a mystery as to why Durant didn’t get more playing time earlier in the season after picking off Marcus Mariota in his Week 2 debut, riding the bench for most of the year after that – along with battling an injury. But against the Broncos, he came up with a spectacular leaping interception to set up the Rams’ first touchdown of the day. Later on in the fourth quarter, Durant jumped a route and picked off Brett Rypien, returning it 85 yards for a touchdown to give the Rams 51 points.
Ramsey didn’t have a pick-six like Durant, but he did have one interception. He picked off Wilson on a deep shot to the end zone, recovering after Greg Dulcich got behind the defense. Ramsey also pressured Wilson once on a blitz and continued to play well as a run defender, showing he’s still a premier cornerback.
Studs: Rams’ offensive linemen
Let’s give the Rams’ offensive line some credit in what’s been an awful season for just about everyone up front. This was their best performance of the year, creating massive holes for Akers and protecting Mayfield almost perfectly in the pocket. The Broncos only landed one hit on Mayfield all game, which shows how well the offensive line played. Oday Aboushi was great in the running game and the tackles, Rob Havenstein and Ty Nsekhe, thrived in pass protection on the edge.
Duds: None
In a 51-14 win, there really weren’t any notably poor performances on the Rams’ part. The Broncos sure had a bunch of duds in this one, led by Wilson, but this is a Rams site so we’re focused on the winning side only.
L.A. picked a perfect day to go dud-less for the first time this season, spending Christmas steamrolling the Broncos. | 2022-12-26T01:58:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | Studs and duds from Rams’ 37-point win over Broncos in Week 16 | https://sports.yahoo.com/studs-duds-rams-37-point-010405400.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/studs-duds-rams-37-point-010405400.html?src=rss |
Can you say 50 burger?
Thanks to Cobie Durant’s late pick-six against the Broncos, the Rams became just the second team all year to score 50 points – and it’s just the first time they’ve topped 50 points since their 54-51 win over the Chiefs in 2018.
With Brett Rypien in at quarterback, Durant jumped the out route and picked off the pass, returning it 85 yards for a touchdown to cap off a spectacular game by the Rams.
This one wasn’t close at any point after the Rams went up 10-0, but to see them put up 51 points is shockingly impressive. | 2022-12-26T01:58:43Z | sports.yahoo.com | Watch: Cobie Durant’s 85-yard pick-six caps off 51-point day for Rams | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-cobie-durant-85-yard-003207648.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-cobie-durant-85-yard-003207648.html?src=rss |
Kevin Payne, who was an executive with two Major League Soccer teams and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021, died Sunday. U.S. Soccer,MLS and D.C. United, which won four MLS titles and two U.S. Open Cups during Payne's tenure, put out statements confirming his death. The Washington Post reported that Payne died in Charleston, South Carolina, from a lung illness. | 2022-12-26T01:59:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Coaches Poll Top 25 Projection College Basketball Rankings Prediction Week 8 | https://sports.yahoo.com/coaches-poll-top-25-projection-232234306.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/coaches-poll-top-25-projection-232234306.html?src=rss |
Josh Wells is OUT for the remainder of the game (knee). pic.twitter.com/zS1v2pUrtv
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost yet another offensive lineman to injury.
Offensive tackle Josh Wells went down early in the second quarter with a knee injury, and had to be carted off the field. He was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game, which is never a good sign.
Wells was starting in place of the injured Donovan Smith, which leaves third-stringer Brandon Walton protecting Tom Brady’s blind side for the remainder of Sunday night’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. | 2022-12-26T03:28:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bucs OT Josh Wells (knee) carted off, won’t return vs. Cardinals | https://sports.yahoo.com/bucs-ot-josh-wells-knee-022232565.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bucs-ot-josh-wells-knee-022232565.html?src=rss |
McSorley is 10-of-21 for 79 yards in his first NFL start. He also lost a fumble on a sack by Anthony Nelson. Brady is 12-of-20 for 87 yards and an interception in the 331st start of his career.
Cardinals, Bucs tied 6-6 at halftime originally appeared on Pro Football Talk | 2022-12-26T03:28:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cardinals, Bucs tied 6-6 at halftime | https://sports.yahoo.com/cardinals-bucs-tied-6-6-030013366.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cardinals-bucs-tied-6-6-030013366.html?src=rss |
New York Jets fan cheers before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
In the season of giving, the Jets got a big present this weekend to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Following New York’s disappointing 19-3 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night, head coach Robert Saleh said, "There's still a lot to look forward to this season, [but] thinking playoffs is farfetched."
Since he said that, the Jets saw the New England Patriots lose, the Cleveland Browns lose, the Tennessee Titans lose, and the Las Vegas Raiders lose on Christmas Eve before Jolly Old St. Nick delivered on Sunday a Miami Dolphins second-half collapse in 26-20 defeat to the Green Bay Packers.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Jets. But, having said that, New York’s troubles are not quite out of sight.
For those keeping score at home, the Jets (7-8) are back in position with a simple path to the postseason with wins in their final two games of the season at Seattle and at Miami and the Patriots failing to win both of their remaining games.
Saleh and Co. need New England (7-8) to lose or tie either next week at home to Miami (8-7) or in Week 18 at Buffalo. And fortunately for Jets fans, the Bills could still be in a fight for the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a bye with the Kansas City Chiefs and may not be resting starters in the regular season finale.
Yes, the Jets – even with the four-game losing skid – are still very much in the hunt. | 2022-12-26T03:28:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jets' playoff hopes gifted big boost on Christmas | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-playoff-hopes-gifted-big-230446005.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-playoff-hopes-gifted-big-230446005.html?src=rss |
On Nov. 27, the Green Bay Packers were left for dead after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles and falling to 4-8.
Fast forward almost a month, and the Packers are exiting Christmas Day needing only three individual results to clinch a playoff berth.
In an incredible turnaround, the Packers have won three straight games – including Sunday’s comeback victory over the Miami Dolphins – and received help from all the right teams over the last month of football.
Even at 7-8, the Packers are as close to controlling their own destiny as they are on the precipice of elimination.
Three results: two wins, and one Commanders loss.
In an alternate scenario, the Packers only need four results: two wins, and losses by the New York Giants to the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.
There are even reasonable ways for the Packers to lose to the Vikings in Week 17 and still make the playoffs at 8-9.
It’s fair to say things are looking up for the Packers, who started 3-1 but then lost five straight games and seven of eight during a nightmare midseason stretch.
The Packers can’t clinch a playoff spot next week. It will take all 18 weeks to determine if the Packers are playing postseason football. However, the Packers can be eliminated with a loss to the Vikings and either a Commanders win over the Browns or a Lions win over the Bears.
Packers 26, Dolphins 20: Breaking down Green Bay's Week 16 win | 2022-12-26T03:29:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers need only 3 more results to clinch playoff spot in NFC | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-only-3-more-results-031336465.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-only-3-more-results-031336465.html?src=rss |
Poole, who still had a team-high 32 points, picked up his second technical and was sent to the locker room with 9:20 left in the game.
Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. made a 3-pointer, and Poole appeared to say something in the direction of one of the referees, who quickly assessed a technical foul. On the Warriors' previous possession, Poole was looking for a foul call on a drive to the basket.
The ejection was the first of Poole's career, and now gives him eight technical fouls this season.
Jordan Poole is ejected for second technical and now has eight Ts on the season. The great @WarriorsPR stat man Darryl Arata confirms it is indeed the first time Poole has been tossed in his career.
The Warriors as a team were assessed six technical fouls in the game, including one each on Draymond Green, Steve Kerr, Jonathan Kuminga and Klay Thompson.
Jordan Poole scored 32 points — highlighted by emphatic one-handed slam off a pass from Draymond Green in the third — to outduel Ja Morant before being ejected, and the Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies 123-109 on Sunday night in a rematch of the Western Conference Finals won in five games by Golden State. Morant scored 36 points while debuting his first Nike signature “Ja 1” shoe for the Grizzlies’ first Christmas Day game.
Joel Embiid, James Harden single out De’Anthony Melton in win over Knicks
Joel Embiid and James Harden single out De'Anthony Melton after the Philadelphia 76ers knocked off the New York Knicks. | 2022-12-26T04:15:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jordan Poole ejected from Warriors-Grizzles Christmas Day game | https://sports.yahoo.com/jordan-poole-ejected-warriors-grizzles-031936962.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jordan-poole-ejected-warriors-grizzles-031936962.html?src=rss |
Tampa Bay trailed 16-6 in the fourth quarter, but a Tom Brady touchdown pass to rookie running back Rachaad White trimmed the lead to just three points, and a 42-yard field goal from Succop tied things up with 2:27 left in regulation.
Brady finished the game with 281 yards and a touchdown through the air, overcoming a pair of costly interceptions in Arizona territory earlier in the game.
The Cardinals forced overtime against the Bucs despite starting third-stringer Trace McSorley at quarterback, with Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy both out due to injury. The Penn State product finished his night with 217 yards and an interception through the air, adding 14 yards rushing.
Despite another lackluster performance from the offense for most of the game, this win keeps Tampa Bay in first place int he NFC South, with a chance to clinch back-to-back division titles and a third straight trip to the playoffs with a win next week against the Carolina Panthers. | 2022-12-26T06:29:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bucs complete another late comeback, beat Cardinals 19-16 in OT | https://sports.yahoo.com/bucs-complete-another-comeback-beat-050919522.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bucs-complete-another-comeback-beat-050919522.html?src=rss |
While all four teams are currently in playoff position with two weeks remaining, Saturday’s results clinched the top wild-card seed for Dallas. The Cowboys will, at the least, be the No. 5 seed once the dance starts. Their victory also allowed “at the least” to remain a thing. The club isn’t yet out of the hunt for better things.
Current NFC Playoff Seeding
Race for No. 1 Seed
The Eagles need just one win in the final two games to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC East and the conference’s lone bye week. That’s because while the Minnesota Vikings could still tie them in overall record, the Eagles early-season win over Minnesota would be the first tiebreaker.
The Vikings would have to win out while the Eagles lose out in order to claim the No. 1 spot.
The 49ers would have to win out, with the Eagles losing out and Minnesota losing a game to earn the bye week.
And as for the Cowboys…
Cowboys still alive for the division and here's how pressure works on the Eagles
This combination of things would give Dallas the No. 3 seed at a minimum and is far fetched on its own. Dallas should win their final two games, despite being on the road as long as they have a reason to try in each. That last part, a reason to try, is high-key important.
Thanks to their win Saturday, Dallas kept Philly from clinching. The Eagles would have LOVED to be able to use the next two weeks to go into playoff prep mode, but they absolutely can’t just yet. They would’ve preferred to give Jalen Hurts and his shoulder two weeks of rest, but because things nothing’s secured, they’ll need to play him and other guys who are nicked up but able to suit up.
If they had things locked up with two weeks to go, they could have sat a handful of guys in Week 17, a different set of guys in Week 18, taken the bye and been as healthy as possible for the divisional round. That isn’t possible now, they have to go all out to win at least one of these next two weeks.
But wait... there's more
With the Cowboys playing on Thursday, a loss to the Titans gives the Eagles the division. While not the overall clinching they’d be looking for, that’s still some release of pressure. But if Dallas wins? Then Philadelphia is really feeling the pressure. They have to defeat the Saints on Sunday or else they’ll have to suit up everyone in Week 18 to clinch the division against the Giants.
And while the records say they are favorites over both the Saints and Giants, each of those teams could be playing for their seasons in those matchups. The Saints can still make the playoffs as the NFC South champions.
The Giants are likely to clinch a playoff spot in Week 17. They play at home, against Indianapolis and if they win, they’re in. But if they lose, they’ll have a win-and-in game in Week 18 against the Eagles.
So while Dallas has just a 3% chance of all of that happening, there’s certainly an explainable path for that to occur.
Dreaming the big dream
Let’s say that 3% chance comes to fruition. The Cowboys take down the Titans on Thursday, followed by the Saints upsetting the Eagles on Sunday as they sniff a division championship. At the same time, the Colts pull of an upset of the Giants to make New York care about Week 18, where they pull off the win and make the Eagles a paltry 3-3 in the division. Dallas takes down Washington to move to 5-1 in the East and wins it off of tiebreakers.
All of that would “only” give Dallas a home game in the wild-card round. It would “only” give them a 29% chance at the No. 1 seed. To get all the way to a bye week, Dallas would still need help.
Minnesota has to lose on the road to either Green Bay in Week 17 or Chicago in Week 18 AND
San Francisco would have to lose either on the road at Las Vegas or at home to Arizona.
Green Bay is hot right now, and the Vikings do nothing but play in close games (except against the NFC East when they get blown out the water). A close game against Aaron Rodgers trying to will his team into the playoffs?
The Raiders are a Jekyl and Hyde organization and could upset the 49ers just as much as they could lose by 30.
Path to No. 1 Recap
All in all 7 things have to happen for the Cowboys to win the NFC and earn the bye, a 0.8% chance according to FiveThirtyEight.
Dallas beats Tennessee in Week 17, Washington in Week 18
Philadelphia loses to New Orleans in Week 17, NY Giants in Week 18
Likely requires NYG to lose to Indianapolis in Week 17
Minnesota to either lose to Green Bay in W17 or Chicago W18
San Francisco to either lose to Las Vegas W17 or Arizona W18
If they don't...
Again, Dallas is locked into at least the 5 seed. They will face the NFC South champion, on the road, as that division is locked into the 4 seed. | 2022-12-26T06:29:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cowboys clinch top wild card, here’s how win puts playoff pressure on Eagles | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-clinch-top-wild-card-045705539.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-clinch-top-wild-card-045705539.html?src=rss |
The Buccaneers offense was awful for almost all of Sunday night’s game in Arizona, but they were able to do just enough to wipe out a Cardinals 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. After James Conner ran for the first touchdown of the night with just under 11 minutes left to play, the Bucs answered [more] | 2022-12-26T06:30:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | WATCH: Bucs beat Cardinals on walk-off field goal in overtime | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-bucs-beat-cardinals-walk-052559972.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-bucs-beat-cardinals-walk-052559972.html?src=rss |
NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” was supposed to feature the Chargers-Rams game on Jan. 1 at SoFi Stadium.
But executives decided to flex them out of that time slot. So instead, they will kick off at 1:25 p.m. PT and be shown on CBS.
Sunday Night Football will show an AFC matchup between the Steelers and Ravens instead.
With the Rams (5-10) already eliminated from the playoff picture, the Pittsburgh and Baltimore game will present two teams still in the playoff hunt.
The Bolts can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Colts on Monday night. | 2022-12-26T11:53:43Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chargers vs. Rams flexed out of ‘Sunday Night Football’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-vs-rams-flexed-sunday-015657787.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-vs-rams-flexed-sunday-015657787.html?src=rss |
Former Vol Morgan Cox was selected for the 2023 Pro Bowl.
Cox, a long snapper for the Tennessee Titans, was named to the AFC team when the NFL announced its Pro Bowl selections.
It will mark the fifth time Cox has been selected to the Pro Bowl and his first appearance as a member of the Titans. He formerly played for Baltimore.
Cox was a Pro Bowl selection in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020. He was an All-Pro in 2020.
A graduate of Evangelical Christian School in Cordova, Tennessee, Cox walked on to play for the Vols and received a scholarship prior to the 2008 season.
The Collierville, Tennessee native was a member of the SEC All-Academic Team from 2006-09.
The 2023 Pro Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 5 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. | 2022-12-26T11:53:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Morgan Cox selected to 2023 Pro Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/morgan-cox-selected-2023-pro-111651762.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/morgan-cox-selected-2023-pro-111651762.html?src=rss |
South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattle celebrates the Gamecocks' 31-30 victory over Clemson on Nov. 26.
And it could be another gift of sold-out crowds at TIAA Bank Field this holiday season. Fans will again pack hotel rooms, eat, drink and enjoy a merry season with their favorite football teams.
Between the Jaguars’ victory over the Dallas Cowboys in front of a sell-out crowd at TIAA Bank Field on Dec. 18, and another expected packed house Jan. 7 or 8 when they play host to the Tennessee Titans in a game that might well decide the AFC South title, the 78th annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl will add potentially another sold-out game to a December and January to remember in Jacksonville.
As of late last week, less than 2,000 tickets remained. If there are tickets left, they can be purchased at taxslayergatorbowl.com or secondary markets such as ticketmaster.com.
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman (center) led the Irish to victories in eight of their last 10 games, after an 0-3 start to his career that began in last year's Fiesta Bowl.
Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) throws against Marshall during the first half of their game in South Bend, Ind., on Sept. 10.
South Carolina punter Kai Kroeger is second in the nation in punting average at 46.83 yards per attempt.
Jackson linebacker Grayson Howard is all smiles during his signing day ceremony. He's headed for South Carolina.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 78th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: What to know about South Carolina, Notre Dame
The Cougars scored all 17 points of the second half, including a touchdown with 20 seconds remaining to rally past the Ragin' Cajuns.
With more cases of COVID-19, flu, RSV and a host of other illnesses being reported across the nation, Methodist Medical Center provided this info/. | 2022-12-26T11:54:58Z | sports.yahoo.com | 78th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: What you need to know as Gamecocks, Irish begin their preparations | https://sports.yahoo.com/78th-taxslayer-gator-bowl-know-100312857.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/78th-taxslayer-gator-bowl-know-100312857.html?src=rss |
Indianapolis Colts players spent the early part of this week revealing the unvarnished truth about their historic loss at Minnesota. Just nine days after allowing the largest comeback in NFL history and three weeks after yielding the second-highest fourth-quarter point total in league history, the Colts hope to use Monday night's prime-time slot to stage a memorable rebound against the Los Angeles Chargers. “Like any week, whether you have a great game or the worst game, you've got to learn from it, aim to get better and put your best foot forward,” veteran safety Rodney McLeod Jr. said. | 2022-12-26T11:55:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colts vs. Chargers betting odds, picks, predictions, NFL Draft position | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-vs-chargers-betting-odds-100624044.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-vs-chargers-betting-odds-100624044.html?src=rss |
David Shovein
In a dialogue that started as soon as the offseason began, the Jays and D'Backs finally agreed to a massive deal on Friday – the Diamondbacks sending Daulton Varsho to the Jays in exchange for Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Varsho, 26, had a breakout offensive season with the Diamondbacks in 2022 – slashing .235/.302/.443 with 27 homers, 74 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 592 plate appearances. That type of production – especially from a player that was catcher-eligible – is phenomenal from a fantasy perspective, even with the drag on batting average. With the Jays, he'll play the outfield almost exclusively – which leads to even more upside in the playing time department, though it's likely that this will be the final season that he's eligible behind the plate. It shouldn't be surprising if Varsho is the second catcher off the board in fantasy drafts after J.T. Realmuto.
Varsho is also a phenomenal defender – and he'll patrol an outfield that also includes Kevin Kiermaier and George Springer – forming perhaps the top defensive outfield in all of baseball.
In addition, the Diamondbacks also land a right-handed hitting outfielder to balance things out. Gurriel, 29, saw his power completely fall off a cliff during the 2022 season, but still hit a respectable .291/.343/.400 with five homers, 52 RBI and three stolen bases in 493 plate appearances. In terms of his fantasy value, he sees a major drop in his surrounding cast with the move from Toronto to Arizona, and gets a negative shift in home ballpark again. He's fine as a mid-round filler in the outfield, but should be treated as more of a complimentary piece on fantasy rosters rather than a building block.
However, like the Giants before them, the Mets also found something in Correa's physical that gave them cause for concern. According to Ken Rosenthal and Dan Hayes of The Athletic, their concern centers around Correa's surgically-repaired right leg – and is likely the same issue that the Giants identified.
When all is said and done, it's likely that the two sides will work through this issue and eventually get the contract ironed out. If that's not the case though, chaos would ensue. Would that mean Boras would once again try to open up dialogue with the Twins? There are reports that he attempted to do so after the deal with the Giants fell through and the Twins were still unwilling to alter their initial proposal – and indicated they would put a greater emphasis on his physical exam after the Giants' findings. If that's not the case – and the Mets and Giants are off the table due to their concerns – it's unclear what the next step would be. Perhaps it would be Correa settling for a shorter-term, high AAV deal elsewhere.
Kimbrel stumbled some last year, losing his grip on the Dodgers' closing role down the stretch, but he still had a respectable 3.75 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 72/28 K/BB ratio across 60 innings, with peripherals that were a little better than those numbers. He's a relatively low-risk gamble for the Phillies, who don't have a settled ninth-inning situation for the moment.
If Kimbrel reverts to form, then the Phillies should have a very strong seventh- and eighth-inning situation with Seranthony Domínguez and José Alvarado setting up. If Kimbrel isn't the solution, it's a matter that can easily be addressed at the trade deadline.
After failing in their pursuits to land Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa this winter, all the Giants had to show for their offseason prior to the weekend was their signing of Mitch Haniger. While it was a terrific move to add a powerful right-handed bat to the middle of their lineup, it wasn't the type of transformative move that could change the club's trajectory the way one of those superstar signings could have.
The Giants got back to work on Friday, signing free agent outfielder Michael Conforto to a two-year, $36 million pact. Per Buster Olney of ESPN, the agreement includes an opt-out after the first year. It's an interesting deal for multiple reasons, including the fact that Conforto is represented by Scott Boras, who is also Carlos Correa's agent. However, the two sides were able to put any sort of frustrations aside in order to get a deal done.
Conforto, who turns 30 in March, didn't play at all in 2022 due to a shoulder injury which required surgery in April. Apparently that's not enough to scare off the Giants in this instance. Still, it's easy to see the potential upside with a player who owns an .824 OPS (124 OPS+) for his career. He should settle in as the club's everyday left fielder and really lengthens the Giants lineup.
MLB Quick Hits: The Diamondbacks acquired Diego Castillo from the Pirates for right-hander Scott Randall… The Cubs officially announced their two-year, $19 million contract with left-hander Drew Smyly… The Yankees signed Wilmer Difo to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training… Robert Murray of Fansided reports that the Padres are “strongly in the mix” for right-hander Johnny Cueto… The Rangers claimed Nick Mears off of waivers from the Pirates… The Rangers designated speedster Eli White for assignment… The Tigers claimed left-hander Zach Logue off of waivers from the Athletics… The Cubs claimed Anthony Kay off of waivers from the Blue Jays and designated Alfonso Rivas for assignment… Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that the Angels, Padres and an unnamed team from the American League East are interested in right-hander Nathan Eovaldi… The Royals signed right-hander Nick Wittgren to a minor league contract… The Diamondbacks brought in Phillip Evans on a minor league pact with an invite to big league camp… The Dodgers signed outfielder Steven Duggar to a minor league deal… The Angels signed Kevin Padlo to a minor league deal… The Tigers signed Kervin Castro to a minor league contract… The Cubs brought in Nick Neidert on a minor league deal… Former White Sox prospect Courtney Hawkins signed on with the Softbank Hawks of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball… The Phillies signed outfielder Garrett Whitley to a minor league contract… The Dodgers added left-hander Bryan Hudson on a minor league deal… The White Sox are looking at internal options to start at second base, with Romy Gonzalez the most likely candidate to fill the role… Mark Payton signed with the Seibu Lions of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball… Jon Heyman of the New York Post notes that teams have been checking in on the availability of left-hander Chris Sale.
The Diamondbacks and General Manager Mike Hazen took a different approach to the trade that landed them catcher Gabriel Moreno.
Dax Harwood: Cash Wheeler Is The Most Underrated Wrestler In The World And Completely Unselfish
Dax Harwood has high praise for his best friend Cash […] | 2022-12-26T11:55:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jays land Daulton Varsho in Blockbuster Deal | https://sports.yahoo.com/jays-land-daulton-varsho-blockbuster-050945674.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jays-land-daulton-varsho-blockbuster-050945674.html?src=rss |
Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. EST at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. ESPN will televise the matchup.
The Vols are playing in its first Orange Bowl since 1998.
Tennessee will play in the Orange Bowl for the fifth time in program history and has a 1-3 record in the game.
The Vols first appeared in the Orange Bowl in 1939, following the 1938 season.
The Vols defeated Oklahoma, 17-0, in the program’s first official bowl game. The victory would culminate a national championship season for Tennessee.
Rice defeated Tennessee, 8-0, in 1847. The only scoring during the contest was in the first quarter. The Owls held Tennessee to 137 total yards and five first downs.
In 1968, Tennessee played the Sooners again. Oklahoma earned a 26-24 victory.
It its most recent appearance in the Orange Bowl, Tennessee lost to Nebraska, 42-17. The contest was Peyton Manning’s final game for the Vols. Tennessee would finish the season 11-2, while the Cornhuskers would finish 13-0 and split the national championship with Michigan. | 2022-12-26T12:15:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tennessee’s all-time results in Orange Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-time-results-orange-bowl-112344227.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-time-results-orange-bowl-112344227.html?src=rss |
Sunday was supposed to be a big day for Suns guard Devin Booker, who was back in the lineup after missing three games with a sore groin. There was no explicitly stated minutes limit for the All-Star guard, but unfortunately, we never reached the point where we'd find out. Booker exited the Suns' game against the Nuggets after playing four minutes as he aggravated the groin injury. More will be learned about the severity of Booker's injury on Monday, and it's time for fantasy managers to seek out alternatives should he be sidelined for an extended period.
Landry Shamet (16%) and Damion Lee (3%) are the players most impacted by Booker's injury, as one of those two filled the resulting void in the starting lineup during the three games prior. Shamet has been the better fantasy option recently, offering 5th-round value in 9-cat formats over the last week, and he was the first guard off the bench Sunday night. Shamet finished with 31 points, two rebounds, six assists, and seven 3-pointers, while Lee (18 points, eight rebounds, and four 3-pointers) was also productive offensively and on the glass.
Shamet is the player fantasy managers should target even before the Suns provide an update on Booker, as he could also see time at the point when Chris Paul needs a break. Lee shouldn't be approached with similar urgency in fantasy leagues, but there's value to be had there.
DiVincenzo was back in the starting lineup after missing Wednesday's loss to the Nets, and he played well in the Warriors' win over the Grizzlies. Playing 31 minutes, he accounted for 19 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers, shooting 7-of-12 from the field. Over the last two weeks, DiVincenzo is one of two Warriors producing at a top-50 level, with Stephen Curry being the other. Obviously, Curry is out due to a left shoulder subluxation, and he'll miss at least two more weeks. Andrew Wiggins (groin) could be back soon, but fantasy managers who have DiVincenzo rostered should hold onto him. And even if Wiggins is back for Tuesday's game against the Hornets, that's the first half of a back-to-back. So it isn't too late to add DiVincenzo, even with Golden State having three games in Week 11.
Quickley wasn't an "add" before Sunday's game against the 76ers, but there was an important injury-related development during the Knicks' defeat. Starting point guard Jalen Brunson appeared to injure his right hip during the fourth quarter, checking out with a little less than five minutes remaining and not returning. Quickley finished with a modest line, playing 22 minutes and scoring 11 points with one rebound, one assist, one block, and two 3-pointers. But he's in a spot where he'll be asked to do more if Brunson isn't available for the beginning of the Knicks' three-game trek through Texas, Tuesday night in Dallas. Miles McBride, who played six minutes on Sunday, and Derrick Rose (DNP-CD) would also be in line for an increase in playing time, but neither is worth adding.
While Thomas Bryant essentially flamed out in Sunday's loss to the Mavericks, playing 19 minutes, Reaves' fantasy value was secure. He played 29 minutes off the bench, scoring 16 points with two rebounds, two blocks, and two 3-pointers. Reaves was one of two Lakers reserves to hit double figures Sunday afternoon, with Russell Westbrook being the other. L.A. continues its road trip Tuesday in Miami, which gives Reaves a shot at solid fantasy value despite continuing to come off the bench. At a minimum, Reaves is worth rostering due to the Lakers' lack of offensive firepower.
With P.J. Tucker still limited due to a right-hand injury, it was a near-even split between him and Niang in minutes played. "The Minivan" picked up the slack offensively, scoring 16 points with two rebounds, one blocked shot, and four 3-pointers. As long as Tucker is playing through the pinched nerve in his hand, Niang will have value. Niang is providing 13th-round value over the last two weeks, and while that isn't much to write home about, he has been more productive than Tucker during this stretch.
While Khris Middleton (knee) is sidelined, Milwaukee has flexibly handled the fifth starter spot. Jevon Carter and MarJon Beauchamp have made starts in Middleton's absence, and it was Connaughton's turn to fill the void on Sunday. He played 30 minutes in the Bucks' loss to Boston, accounting for 15 points (5-of-9 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers. A solid performance from Connaughton, but it should be noted that that game's opponent has heavily influenced Mike Budenholzer's decisions regarding who starts. Connaughton's combination of size/strength/athleticism made him the best option to start against Boston, even if the Bucks did not win the game. Milwaukee begins a three-game Week 11 Wednesday night in Chicago.
Bullock has gotten off to slow starts in the past, and this season was no different. But his Christmas Day performance was solid, with Bullock scoring a season-high 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting. He also accounted for three rebounds, four assists, one blocked shot, and four 3-pointers in his 35 minutes on the floor. Dallas scored 51 points in the third quarter, but Bullock was one of the few who didn't benefit from the Lakers' porous defense, as he took just one shot from the field during that period. Dallas being down multiple wings, most notably Dorian Finney-Smith (groin) and Josh Green (elbow), means Bullock will be on the court for longer stretches, even if the shots aren't falling. With matchups against the Rockets and Spurs in Week 11, now would be a good time to "kick the tires" and see what Bullock can provide.
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Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers address their recent slow starts following a win over the New York Knicks. | 2022-12-26T13:29:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Devin Booker aggravates groin injury | https://sports.yahoo.com/devin-booker-aggravates-groin-injury-123945875.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/devin-booker-aggravates-groin-injury-123945875.html?src=rss |
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