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The Vikings offense has been cruising the last few weeks, and they’ve had various contributors alongside Justin Jefferson play well in KJ Osborn and TJ Hockenson. Well, the team announced today that they might be getting back another weapon for that arsenal as they activated the 21-day practice window for tight end Irv Smith Jr.
Smith Jr. was placed on injured reserve shortly after the trade for T.J. Hockenson. While most of Smith’s career has been injury-plagued, he is still a capable tight end in the NFL. With Smith getting healthy, it could be an even bigger boost for the Viking’s offense. Smith could benefit from the current weapons on the field for the Vikings to help get himself open, as he historically has trouble creating separation for himself.
Before suffering his high ankle sprain against the Arizona Cardinals, Smith racked up 22 receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
NEW YORK CITY — The game doesn’t have an official name and only a select few can play it one day a week. The rules are unwritten, and the champion hoists only bragging rights. The receiving corps on teams coached by P.J. Fleck have been playing this sort of hot-potato game since he was an assistant at Northern Illinois from 2007-09. It was a hit during his one year coaching receivers with the ... | 2022-12-28T21:53:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Vikings getting healtier, activate Irv Smith Jr’s practice window | https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-getting-healtier-activate-irv-205907913.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-getting-healtier-activate-irv-205907913.html?src=rss |
The time has come, standout wide receiver Keon Coleman has officially rejoined the Spartans basketball team. There was a slight delay in Coleman joining the team due to a groin injury he was nursing following the football season. Coleman practiced with the team on Monday, following a Christmas recess.
This will be the second season in a row that Coleman has joined the basketball program after the football season. He appeared in 6 games during the 2021-22 basketball season.
Keon Coleman is practicing with MSU hoops. Joined the team when they came back Monday from Christmas break.
Malik Hall is still on track to return
Michigan State football makes Top-5 for 2024 4-star safety Jacob Oden | 2022-12-28T22:02:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Keon Coleman joins Michigan State basketball team | https://sports.yahoo.com/keon-coleman-joins-michigan-state-183903065.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/keon-coleman-joins-michigan-state-183903065.html?src=rss |
Michigan State forward Malik Hall talks with coach Tom Izzo during the second half of MSU's 73-56 exhibition win on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Keon Coleman, right, drives to the basket as Michigan's Moussa Diabate defends during the second half on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State basketball's Malik Hall returns, Keon Coleman practices | 2022-12-28T22:02:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Michigan State basketball's Malik Hall expected back Friday, WR Keon Coleman practicing | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-basketballs-malik-hall-202239146.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-basketballs-malik-hall-202239146.html?src=rss |
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - MAY 28: Gervonta Davis in action against Rolando Romero during their fight for Davis' WBA World lightweight title at Barclays Center on May 28, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Davis was reportedly in custody as of Wednesday morning and had his bond set at $1,000, a jail official told ESPN. The details of Davis' arrest and the allegations against Davis have not been released.
Davis, 28, is a perfect 27-0 as a professional fighter. His next bout is scheduled for Jan. 7, when Davis will take on Hector Luis Garcia as part of a Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view event on Showtime. It's unclear whether the alleged arrest will impact that fight.
Davis' career has been marred by multiple arrests. He was arrested for aggravated assault in 2017 though those charges were dropped. Davis was also arrested in 2018 for getting into a fight in Washington, D.C. In 2020, Davis was arrested for alleged domestic violence against his former girlfriend. That case was discharged in December, meaning no punishment was imposed on Davis. That same year, Davis was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run and accused of fleeing the scene. Davis is set to go to trial on Feb. 16, 2023 after a plea deal stemming from the hit-and-run arrest was rejected in September. | 2022-12-28T22:15:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | Boxer Gervonta Davis reportedly arrested on domestic violence charges | https://sports.yahoo.com/boxer-gervonta-davis-reportedly-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charges-211327775.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/boxer-gervonta-davis-reportedly-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charges-211327775.html?src=rss |
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel hasn't revealed his plans for Week 17 yet. The Titans will take on the Dallas Cowboys on "Thursday Night Football," and the short week could affect how Vrabel approaches the contest. Star running back Derrick Henry has appeared on the injury report leading up to the game, and this could be a way for Vrabel to get Henry some rest before a winner-take-all Week 18 matchup.
That might wind up being Vrabel's strategy. A number of Titans were ruled out of the team's Week 17 contest on Wednesday's injury report.
Henry was listed as questionable due to a hip injury.
The Jaguars and Titans are in unique positions in Week 17. If both teams win in Week 17, they enter Week 18 with an identical record. The team that wins that game will finish the season with one more win, vaulting it to first in the AFC South standings. The same thing happens if both teams lose in Week 17. The Week 18 matchup will determine which team finishes the season with more wins.
Things get complicated if one team loses and the other team wins in Week 17, but here's why those scenarios don't matter. If the Jaguars go into Week 18 coming off a loss to the Texans, Jacksonville would be 7-9. If the Titans win in Week 17, they would have an 8-8 record going into Week 18. If the Jaguars manage to defeat the Titans in Week 18, both teams would have identical 8-9 records in the regular season. The Jaguars, however, would win the division because they beat the Titans in Week 14. Jacksonville would hold a 2-0 record over Tennessee on the season, giving the Jaguars the division tiebreaker.
Coach Doug Pederson discusses a play with quarterback Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 'Thursday Night Football' game between the Jaguars and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 22, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) | 2022-12-28T22:15:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jaguars coach Doug Pederson won't rest starters in meaningless Week 17 game: 'You play to win every game' | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-coach-doug-pederson-wont-rest-starters-in-meaningless-week-17-game-you-play-to-win-every-game-185131581.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-coach-doug-pederson-wont-rest-starters-in-meaningless-week-17-game-you-play-to-win-every-game-185131581.html?src=rss |
The captains of the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs put up some ludicrous numbers during their OHL days.
Connor McDavid's 2014-15 OHL season is one of legend. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
The OHL's most outstanding player that season scored 70 goals and 107 assists in 68 games for the Cornwall Royals. Ron Handy of the Kingston Canadians came the closest to Gilmour's tally, with 148 points (52 goals and 96 assists).
Gilmour's impressive 55-game point streak from Oct. 19, 1982, to Feb. 27, 1983 is an OHL record. The Kingston, Ont., native then moved to the NHL, where he earned two All-Star nods, a Selke Trophy and the 1989 Stanley Cup with Calgary over a 24-year career. He also holds Maple Leafs franchise records for most assists and points in a single season.
Drulia's season to remember came with the Niagara Falls Thunder. The then 20-year-old scored 52 goals in 47 games while also chipping in 93 assists to give him 145 points on the season.
Drulia's Niagara teammate, Fogarty led the league in scoring in 1988-89 with 155 points (47 goals, 108 assists) in 60 games. Fogarty racked up these numbers as a defenceman, earning the Canadian Major Junior Hockey Player of the Year award.
Lindros ruled the 1990-91 season with the Oshawa Generals. The exemplary power forward scored 71 goals (sixth most in OHL history) and 78 assists to finish on top with 149 points in 57 games — the third-best points-per-game mark ever. Gilmour's points tally was 21 more than the closest rival: Chris Taylor of the London Knights.
Lindros moved to the NHL and formed the famed "Legion of Doom" line in Philadelphia with John LeClair and Mikael Renberg. He was named one of the league's 100 greatest players.
McDavid finished third on the points list with 120, behind Erie Otters teammate Dylan Strome (129) and London’s Mitchell Marner (126). However, while Strome and Marner played over 60 games, McDavid's tally came in 47 games — that's a 173 point pace over a full season. With 44 goals, his goals-per-game average ranks seventh all-time, which is even more impressive when you factor in the era he accomplished the feat and the improved quality of goaltending.
McDavid hasn't looked back since. One of the fastest players ever to lace ‘em up, the 25-year-old is the best player in hockey, winning the Hart Trophy twice and the Art Ross Trophy four times, with a fifth looking likely this season.
He scored 62 goals and 83 assists for a haul of 145 points in only 58 games. That year, John Tavares came closest to Kane's tally, finishing at 134 with 72 goals and 62 assists in 67 games.
On his way to the extravagant goals tally, which ranks fifth all-time, Tavares broke Wayne Gretzky's OHL record for most goals by a 16-year-old. Tavares earned the Red Tilson Trophy for being the most outstanding player in the league and was named the CHL Player of the Year.
True to the Windsor Spitfires' name, Godden breathed fire during the 1980-81 season. He scored 87 goals and 66 assists to record 153 points.
John Goodwin of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds finished on top of the points list with 166, but Godden's 87 goals still stand as an OHL record. That season, Godden had more multi-goal games (24) than games without a goal (18). His longest goalless streak was a mere three games. He tallied 35 times on the power play and 10 more while Windsor was shorthanded. | 2022-12-28T22:15:40Z | sports.yahoo.com | Most dominant OHL seasons ever: Connor McDavid cracks top 10 | https://sports.yahoo.com/most-dominant-ohl-seasons-of-all-time-connor-mcdavid-john-tavares-among-top-10-players-215623952.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/most-dominant-ohl-seasons-of-all-time-connor-mcdavid-john-tavares-among-top-10-players-215623952.html?src=rss |
The Vikings' last-second 27-24 win over the New York Giants in Week 16 marked Minnesota's 11th win in one-possession games this season, which surpassed the NFL record the Vikings tied with the 2019 Seattle Seahawks and the 1978 Houston Oilers. Kirk Cousins also became the first quarterback to lead eight fourth-quarter comebacks a week after Minnesota completed the largest comeback in NFL history against the Indianapolis Colts.
Their success has been contentious for multiple reasons. The Vikings sit one game back from the NFC's No. 1 seed at 12-3 despite a paper-thin plus-five point differential on the season and the 25th-ranked DVOA, according to Football Outsiders. Minnesota has also been the biggest beneficiary of fumble recoveries this year with a league-leading plus-1.07 net win probability added, according to Tom Bliss, an NFL data scientist.
The Vikings also have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. They've given up the 28th-most points per game this season and the second-most yards-per-play. That doesn't leave much room for error on the offense, but somehow Minnesota has made it work. It's helpful having first-year head coach Kevin O'Connell lead the seventh-best scoring offense
In case you're curious, here's how the Vikings have managed to pull off improbable victory after improbable victory: five field goals, three touchdown passes, one touchdown run and two defensive stands. Say what you want about how it happened, but Minnesota knows how to win games.
The Vikings are in the playoffs and are knocking on the door of a first-round bye. So do these types of performances equate to postseason success? Or does luck eventually run out on teams that sneak past opponents in the regular season?
Five other teams won at least nine one-possession games (meaning eight points or fewer) since 2010. All five made the playoffs. Only one of those teams won the Super Bowl that year. Two lost in the divisional round, while the other two were ousted in the wild-card game.
2012 Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck led the Colts to an 11-5 record and a postseason berth in his first NFL season thanks to a veteran-laden team and a weak AFC. The Colts had a middling offense and defense, but seven game-winning drives by Luck that included four fourth-quarter comebacks helped Indianapolis go 9-1 in one-score games. They ran into a buzz saw in the wild-card round and were walloped by the eventual Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens, 24-9.
2015 Denver Broncos
The lone Super Bowl winner of the group, Denver won nine of its 12 one-score games thanks to the stingiest defenses in the NFL that season. The Broncos allowed the fewest yards-per-play and the fourth-fewest points-per-game with Super Bowl MVP Von Miller up front and defensive backs Aqib Talib and Charles Harris in the secondary. Peyton Manning didn't do much in his final NFL season, but he played well enough to score 24 points while the defense limited Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers to only 10 points.
Von Miller played a key role in the Broncos' 2015 success. (REUTERS/Stephen Lam)
2016 Oakland Raiders
Derek Carr turned in one of his best seasons in the NFL and helped the Raiders roll to a 12-4 record. Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree both finished with more than 1,000 receiving yards and the Raiders had the seventh-best scoring offense on the season. Defensively, the Raiders ranked near the bottom and that played a role — along with a devastating leg injury to Carr in Week 16 — in their 27-14 loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.
2018 Dallas Cowboys
Dallas benefited from the sixth-best defense in 2018 and a 7-2 record in their final nine games to win the NFC East and secure a home playoff match. Dallas eked past the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card game thanks to two fourth-quarter touchdowns but ultimately fell to the Super Bowl runner-up Los Angeles Rams in the divisional game, 30-22.
This Seahawks team helped create arguably the two most accurate tweets about any one football franchise, which included the "Let Russ Cook" meme (RIP). Seattle won 10 of its 12 one-possession games behind the ninth-best scoring offense in the league. Russell Wilson led five game-winning drives but lost to the Packers in a divisional game after rallying from an 18-point second-half deficit.
The Vikings could follow in the path of one of five other teams who won nine one-score games in a season. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | 2022-12-28T22:15:49Z | sports.yahoo.com | Vikings have won an NFL-record 11 one-score games. Here's how five other teams with similar luck fared since 2010 | https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-have-won-nfl-record-11-one-score-games-heres-how-5-other-teams-with-similar-luck-fared-since-2010-211040160.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-have-won-nfl-record-11-one-score-games-heres-how-5-other-teams-with-similar-luck-fared-since-2010-211040160.html?src=rss |
Gone for the better portion of two weeks, the Charlotte Hornets were hoping to finish their winding road trip off with a notable outing in San Francisco.
For obvious reasons.
“I thought 3-3 would have been great,” coach Steve Clifford said. “We’ve got two more good players to get back, but we’ve got our guys back so we are a lot better team. It’s going to take us a little bit to get more organized.”
That was apparent throughout the Hornets’ excursion out west, which concluded with a 110-105 loss to Golden State at Chase Center on Tuesday night, forcing them to settle for a 2-4 mark on a trek that featured plenty of ups and downs.
Like being on the wrong end of Nikola Jokić’s historic game, when the Denver center and two-time reigning MVP became the first player to collect at least 40 points, 25 rebounds and 10 assists in a game since Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1968. What about that night in Sacramento when LaMelo Ball provided a huge lift?
Or getting mauled by the LA Clippers. Don’t forget holding off LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. And running out of fuel in the second half against Portland.
These were 12 days filled with plenty of moments that taught Clifford a few things about his team.
“The reality is we’ve really had this group for this trip,” Clifford said. “Melo got back … Gordon got back … so these are first, I believe, maybe the third or fourth game that we’ve had what you could say in some regard would be our projected lineup. They understand that. And the whole thing is we’ve got to make progress.”
Here are six things we learned during the Hornets’ lengthy trip leading into a four-game homestand that tips off against Oklahoma City on Thursday:
Snoozing early is costly
Three of Charlotte’s four defeats were partially attributable to the Hornets (9-26) falling into hefty deficits early on. It forced them to play catch up.
With their small margin for error, that’s a disastrous formula. Having to climb out of an 18-point second-half hole like they did against Golden State necessitates a near-flawless performance, and that’s simply not in the Hornets’ makeup.
“Everybody always says you don’t have to watch an NBA game until the fourth quarter,” Clifford said. “And actually, if you’ve been around, it’s anything but that. The fourth quarter – and this is factual – is never the most important quarter. Never. I’ve been doing this 20-plus years. First quarter, second quarter, third quarter … every year if you look at it, a lot of ways you can say it’s the first quarter. Especially on the road. Right from the head it’s a big advantage.”
Kelly hurting
Add Kelly Oubre to the list of the Hornets’ walking wounded.
Oubre sat out against the Warriors, missing his first game of the season with a sprained left hand. He had been one of the few to avoid the injury bug, starting 34 games before recently moving to his expected bench role once the Hornets’ starting five got fully healed.
The Hornets had trouble making up for his lost production against Golden State. Oubre is averaging 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game and is also among the league leaders in deflections. The pain apparently was too much and he couldn’t give it a go versus his former team.
“Actually, it’s been for a while,” Clifford said. “You can see during the games he tapes it differently some games. They are trying to figure out the best way for him to play with it. I think he got jammed again (Monday) night, and so it’s been sore for a while.”
DSJ slowly progressing
Although Dennis Smith Jr. was listed as questionable for the second straight day, he once again didn’t suit up and now hasn’t played in five weeks, missing the past 16 games.
Similar to Cody Martin, Smith has increased his level of activity in the last week and is building up his stamina while participating in basketball drills. But the Hornets and Smith are being cautious with their approach in order to prevent him re-tweaking his sprained left ankle. It’s an injury that’s given him a bit of trouble dating back to training camp in September.
“I think he’s close,” Clifford said. “I think he wants to make sure, and we want to make sure, that when he comes back it’s not going to be something that’s lingering or not 100%. I think it’s really as simple as that. He did a lot (in practice on Sunday), he was sore (Monday. But I do think he is a lot closer.”
LaMelo’s growth and fouls
Ball is slowly finding his rhythm and still constantly fighting through foul trouble.
By recording 21 points, 10 assists and four rebounds against the Warriors, Ball fell just shy of extending his impressive streak. He had posted at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in his past five games, which represented the longest stretch in franchise history. The streak of eight straight games topping 20 points also is a career best.
Save for his foul woes, Ball seems to be rounding in a good all-around form after being relegated to spectator status for 24 games this season thanks to a sprained right ankle.
“He puts so much pressure on the defense,” Clifford said. “We play faster, obviously, when he’s out there. But I think the biggest thing for him going forward – and he’s doing a good job with it – is his pick-and-roll offense. He’s been super-efficient both in the middle of the floor and the side of the floor. He puts a lot of pressure on the defense.
“He can make every play, he can score himself, he can hit the roll man and obviously he sprays the ball to whoever is open. So, I think for right now that’s the biggest part of his development, and he’s doing a good job with it.”
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) passes the ball while defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels, right, and center Mark Williams (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Williams has some tools
There’s little doubt who’s serving as the backup center while Nick Richards is out.
Mark Williams got the nod over Kai Jones for the second straight night and the rookie had another one of those tantalizing sequences that displayed his promise. Williams stood his ground on Golden State center James Wiseman in the first quarter, blocking his shot near the rim and igniting a fastbreak punctuated when Williams took a feed from Théo Maledon and finished with a two-handed dunk.
He also had a teaching moment in the third quarter when he got whistled for an offensive foul for setting a bad screen, which wiped out a Théo Maledon 3-pointer. That preceded a nifty post move featuring some nice maneuverability.
The on-the-job training he’s receiving is invaluable.
“He’s super smart,” Clifford said. “This is just before watching the film, but he doesn’t blow a lot of sets, his pick-and-roll coverage tonight was solid again. But his talking and his understanding of what we are trying to do, which is really important at that position, was very good.”
Cranking up the tempo
Although they couldn’t shift it into gear against the Warriors, the Hornets are getting up and down the court. Walking the ball up is an infrequent occurrence.
In their past seven games leading into their date with the Warriors, the Hornets’ pace of 104.9 ranked tops in the NBA over that span. They had also attempted 98.9 shots per game, which was the highest in the league and six better than second-place Utah, and averaged 118.9 points after mustering only 109.4 per game in the initial 27 games of the season.
Pushing the tempo, which is aided by Ball’s return, is proving beneficial.
“Our team was built to run,” Clifford said, “so having him back, it gives us a chance to work on that, get better on that. Now we’ve got to make sure we get back on defense, too. We, for a while, were doing well with our transition defense.
“In the last stretch here – actually the last nine or 10 games – it’s been a big problem area. So, we’ve got to make sure we are running each way.”
Deandre Ayton has been on fire over the past five games with heavy scorers Devin Booker and Cameron Payne out, and he should have another big opportunity Wednesday against a bottom-10 Wizards defense.
The man suspected of shooting the other man made statements consistent with self-defense, according to Phoenix police.
Dunk of the Night: LeBron James
Dunk of the Night: LeBron James - December 27, 2022 | 2022-12-28T23:16:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Weary Hornets finally return home. Six things we learned during Charlotte’s six-game trip | https://sports.yahoo.com/weary-hornets-finally-return-home-093000420.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/weary-hornets-finally-return-home-093000420.html?src=rss |
The playoff picture is becoming clearer, but there still remains much to be sorted out for the 2022 NFL playoffs.
The Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC East and will host a home playoff game, as will the Kansas City Chiefs. Who is the number one seed has yet to be determined.
As for the rest of the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Los Angeles Chargers are assured a ticket to the postseason.
On the NFC side, the only division winners are the Minnesota Vikings (NFC North) and San Francisco 49ers (NFC West).
The Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles are the only playoff qualifiers outside of clinching a division in the NFC. Both are still vying for the NFC East, which has the added benefit of gaining the No. 1 seed.
Buffalo Bills (12-3) — lock up the No. 1 seed
Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Mon., Jan. 2, 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC
The Bills can clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win and a Kansas City Chiefs loss. The Chiefs host the 4-11 Denver Broncos on Sunday, and haven’t lost to their AFC West rivals since 2015. Nevertheless the Bills should get an idea of their part to clinch the No. 1 by Monday night.
Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) — win the AFC North
On the other side of the coin, the Bengals clinch the AFC North with a win plus a Baltimore Ravens loss or tie to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football.
The Bengals can also win the AFC North if they tie and the Ravens lose.
Just like the Bills, the Bengals’ path becomes clearer by kickoff on Monday night.
Miami Dolphins (8-7) — qualify for the playoffs
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots, Sun., Jan. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
The Dolphins are finally in the playoffs with a win plus a New York Jets loss or tie.
Miami can also qualify with a tie plus a Jets loss plus a Steelers loss or tie.
New York Giants (8-6-1) — qualify for the playoffs
Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Giants, Sun., Jan. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
All the Giants have to do to clinch a playoff berth is win. That’s it.
The more scenic routes include the following:
Giants tie + Seattle loss or tie + Washington loss or tie OR
Giants tie + Seattle loss or tie + Detroit loss or tie OR
Giants tie + Washington loss or tie + Detroit loss or tie + Green Bay loss or tie OR
There is even a scenario where if Seattle loses, Detroit loses, and Green Bay ties or loses, the Giants are in the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) — lock up No. 1 seed, win NFC East
New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sun., Jan. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
The Eagles win the NFC East with a win over the Saints, or the Dallas Cowboys lose or tie against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football.
The Eagles also clinch home-field advantage with a win. Other scenarios that give them home-field advantage are if they tie and the Minnesota Vikings lose or tie, or the Cowboys lose or tie plus the Vikings lose plus the San Francisco 49ers lose or tie.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) — win the NFC South
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sun., Jan. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
Just win. No one else needs to lose or tie.
Washington Commanders (7-7-1) — qualify for the playoffs
Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Commanders, Sun., Jan. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
Washington can clinch a playoff spot with a win, but they will also need a little help.
The Seattle Seahawks have to lose on top of the Detroit Lions losing and then the Green Bay Packers losing or tying. | 2022-12-28T23:33:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2022 NFL playoffs: Who can qualify and how in Week 17? | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-playoffs-qualify-week-225311662.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-playoffs-qualify-week-225311662.html?src=rss |
Shanahan believes Bosa has yet to reach his full potential originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Nick Bosa is playing the best football of his NFL career, but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan believes the star pass rusher can get even better.
“He’s still young, he’s not perfect,” Shanahan said Wednesday with a little laugh. “He’s got four personal fouls this year. I told him that’s why his Madden awareness rating is 99, not 100. So yeah, he could get better right there. He’s playing at the top of his game. I feel like we could sit him these next two weeks and my mind would be blown if he wasn’t the Defensive MVP.”
Bosa racked up his second NFC Defensive Player of the Week nod of 2022 for his dominant performance in the club’s Week 16 win over the Washington Commanders. The defensive end racked up two quarterback sacks, seven tackles and a forced fumble, as well as a sack on a two-point conversion (though that last one doesn't count in the game's official stats).
Bosa also was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November after amassing 19 total quarterback pressures, including three quarterback sacks, and 10 tackles -- five for a loss -- in only three contests, according to PFF.
Bosa shared after Saturday’s game against Washington that he has been watching more film, specifically tailoring his rushes for the players that he'll be facing. Previously, the Ohio State product would have a plan that was less opponent focused.
The 25-year-old also has made it a point to play on both sides of the defensive line, which keeps opposing offenses from planning for him on each play. Not knowing where Bosa's going to line up at times causes a double team for the lineman on the opposite side of the field.
“It’s extremely disruptive because it’s every play, it’s not just pass plays,” Shanahan said. “It’s not just third down. It’s run plays, it’s every situation. He always has a chance to make a play, and he’s gotten really good at moving around."
Bosa has benefitted from having a full offseason without needing to rehab from injury. Shanahan believes it has helped the pass rusher have more time on the practice field, which has led to increased stamina as the season has progressed.
The fourth-year veteran and team captain has racked up a personal-best 17.5 sacks with two regular-season games still to play, and he has his eyes on Aldon Smith’s single-season franchise record of 19.5.
"He’s been great," Shanahan said of Bosa. "[DPOY has] been his goal since he can remember making goals, and I know that was a big thing to him this year, how excited he was coming into camp healthy for one of the first times and him just saying how much more he wanted to do because he was healthy."
RELATED: Purdy reveals how facing Bosa in 49ers practice helps him now
Bosa and Co. head to Las Vegas to face off against the Raiders and backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who has appeared in three games for club this season but will make his first NFL start against the 49ers.
The former Auburn quarterback appeared in eight games for the New England Patriots from 2019-2020, and he'll have a tall task in facing off against the NFL's DPOY favorite on Sunday.
A massive storm has blanketed much of the U.S. with snow, slowing air travel during a peak season and causing tens of thousands of flight cancellations. The holiday meltdown at Southwest Airlines, however, has far eclipsed its competitors. By contrast, as of Wednesday afternoon, United Airlines had canceled just 11 flights scheduled for the day; while American Airlines had canceled 23, FlightAware said. | 2022-12-28T23:33:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers' Nick Bosa has yet to reach full potential, Kyle Shanahan believes | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-nick-bosa-yet-reach-223347004.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-nick-bosa-yet-reach-223347004.html?src=rss |
Alabama OC Bill O'Brien reacts to Patriots rumors ahead of Sugar Bowl originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
One of the best options for that role is Bill O'Brien, who knows the Patriots organization well from his time in New England from 2007 through 2011, including one season as offensive coordinator in 2011.
O'Brien currently works for the University of Alabama as its offensive coordinator. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport recently reported that O'Brien is emerging as a "strong option" to become the Patriots next OC. NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran added further reporting on Tuesday night's "Quick" Slants".
O'Brien was asked about his future on Wednesday during a press conference before Alabama's Sugar Bowl matchup with Kansas State on Saturday.
"The focus for me, and this coaching staff, and these players, has really been on these games that we're playing," O'Brien said. "This game coming up, the games we've played this year, the games we played last year. I think those things -- almost every year I've been in coaching, at least over the last 12 years for me, have come up a lot. And those are things that are addressed after the season.
"We are very focused on this game. We've been very focused on every game we've played this year and last year. It's kinda that time of the year when these things come up. I haven't spoken to anybody in New England since probably last April when I went by and saw those guys while I was up there. I wish them well in however many games they have left, but we're very focused on this game and coaching this team to the best of our abilities."
Bill O’Brien on reports linking him to New England/his future pic.twitter.com/L07V1VQmS6
— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) December 28, 2022
These offensive struggles are the main reason why the Patriots are 7-8 entering Week 17 and have a slim chance to reach the AFC playoffs. There's a decent amount of talent on this Patriots offense. They just need an offensive coordinator capable of unlocking that potential. O'Brien has a proven track record at the NFL and college levels, and his familiarity with the Patriots makes him an ideal candidate for the job. | 2022-12-28T23:33:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Alabama OC Bill O'Brien reacts to Patriots rumors ahead of Sugar Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-oc-bill-obrien-reacts-214637731.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-oc-bill-obrien-reacts-214637731.html?src=rss |
The Chicago Bears made a move to bolster their secondary for the final few games, claiming cornerback Michael Ojemudia off waivers from the Denver Broncos and waiving defensive end Taco Charlton on Wednesday afternoon.
Ojemudia was selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Iowa by the Broncos. He played in all 16 games his rookie year, starting 11 of them, and forced four fumbles. He played sparingly in 2021 and 2022, though, in part due to injuries. Over the course of those two seasons, Ojemudia appeared in just five games total. He was placed on waivers on Tuesday. He joins a Bears secondary that has been decimated with injuries to players such as Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor.
To make room for Ojemudia, the Bears waived Charlton, who had joined the team halfway through the season after spending the first half on the New Orleans Saints practice squad. The former first-round pick out of Michigan appeared in five games for the Bears, notching just three total tackles. | 2022-12-28T23:33:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bears claim CB Michael Ojemudia, waive DL Taco Charlton | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-claim-cb-michael-ojemudia-223726880.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-claim-cb-michael-ojemudia-223726880.html?src=rss |
The Kansas City Chiefs know that they’re going to have to expect the unexpected in Week 17 against the Denver Broncos.
Their AFC West rival dismissed HC Nathaniel Hackett earlier this week, promoting senior offensive assistant Jerry Rosburg to interim head coach. The Broncos also made changes to the special teams coordinator and offensive line coach.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Chiefs HC Andy Reid explained the unique challenge that the coaching changes present in Week 17.
“With the coaching changes, I mentioned to the team that you’re never quite sure what you’re going to see,” Reid said. “You’ve got to be ready for anything and everything and make sure you bring in the energy that you need to take care of business.”
Reid is familiar with Rosburg due to the time that he spent in Baltimore with John Harbaugh. Rosburg was a colleague of both Steve Spagnuolo and Joe Cullen, but they won’t be focusing so much on preparing for the coach as they will on Denver as a team. Reid says it’s important that you study the main things the Broncos have been doing and doing well.
“You hit the things — the primary things that they’ve been doing,” Reid said. “But you’ve got to keep your eyes open. You’ve got to be aware of any adjustments. There might be more sideline adjustments that you have to make or in-game adjustments that I might have to put on. So, we’ll see how it goes, but that’s where we’re at.”
As for Patrick Mahomes, he’s honed in on what he can do to perform better than he did in the Week 14 matchup against the Broncos. Even with the coaching changes, this is still the same team that came back from down 27-0 to force a closer-than-expected game.
“They played us tough this last one,” Mahomes said. “They gave us everything that we could ask for. We have to go out there and play our best ball. When you look at the tape, you see the talent that they have and how hard they play. So, for us, it’ll be a great opportunity to play a rival at Arrowhead and we have to find a way to get a win.”
Mahomes threw three interceptions in Denver in Week 14 and he hasn’t thrown a single interception in the games since. He’ll look to keep playing clean football this week.
“They did a good job of following my eyes and making plays on some balls that I was trying to throw into some tight windows,” Mahomes said. “So, I’ve got to make sure to just take what’s there and not try to force it. They’ve got great players that make a lot of great plays. So, for me and for this team, we’ve got to go out and play our best ball. We know that we have to play our best ball if we want to win.” | 2022-12-28T23:34:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chiefs expecting the unexpected against Broncos in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-expecting-unexpected-against-broncos-214217745.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-expecting-unexpected-against-broncos-214217745.html?src=rss |
The Arizona Cardinals should have quarterback Colt McCoy back on the field leading the offense at quarterback this weekend when they face the Atlanta Falcons on the road.
McCoy, who suffered a concussion in the second half of the team’s 24-15 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 15, missed their 19-16 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday, McCoy cleared league protocols Wednesday and is a full go for all football activities.
The Cardinals held a walkthrough Wednesday for their first work of the week and he was a full participant on the team’s first injury report of the week.
In three starts this season, the Cardinals are 1-2. | 2022-12-28T23:34:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colt McCoy clears concussion protocol, expected to start vs. Falcons | https://sports.yahoo.com/colt-mccoy-clears-concussion-protocol-230656180.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colt-mccoy-clears-concussion-protocol-230656180.html?src=rss |
Recruiting legendary linebacker Von Miller to the Buffalo Bills allegedly came at the expense of the other AFC East quarterbacks, including New England Patriots second-year quarterback Mac Jones.
Bills backup quarterback Matt Barkley claimed Allen sent out a “three-line text” to Miller highlighting Jones, Zach Wilson and Tua Tagovailoa as good reasons for him coming to Buffalo.
“You get to play these guys six times a year,” said Barkley, when remembering a conversation he had with Miller, via The Athletic. “Have at it. Why would you not want to come? I don’t know if that sold him or not, but it was a heavy pitch.”
The eight-time Pro Bowler joined the Bills, but his season was cut short due to a torn ACL.
Even more surprising, the AFC East ended up not being the cakewalk division many expected before the season started. That still doesn’t change the fact that the Bills have been a class above the rest.
It’s a narrative the Patriots clearly hope to change when the two teams meet in Buffalo for the regular season finale.
Michigan's early enrollee class has been making progress in limited practices that have been allowed. Nine early enrollees in total were able to join U-M in practices this weekend prior to the Wolverines' departure for the Fiesta Bowl. Head coach Jim Harbaugh have been utilizing the first few practices to get the young players up to speed with the college game. | 2022-12-28T23:35:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | Josh Allen allegedly took dig at Mac Jones to recruit Von Miller | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-allen-allegedly-took-dig-220808619.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-allen-allegedly-took-dig-220808619.html?src=rss |
The Los Angeles Rams released their first injury report of the week ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers and there are a couple of notable names that didn’t practice. While the Rams held a walk thru on Wednesday, Aaron Donald and Ty Nsekhe weren’t present for practice.
Donald continues to miss practice due to a high-ankle sprain as Sean McVay has shared the Rams don’t expect him to play again this season. Nsekhe missed Wednesday’s practice due to an illness, so it’s worth monitoring his status as he’s started in six straight games at left tackle for the Rams.
Besides Donald and Nsekhe, Brian Allen, Tyler Higbee, Ben Skowronek, and John Wolford were unable to practice. Higbee seems like he has the best shot to play on Sunday with the Rams giving him a rest day on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Chargers didn’t practice on Wednesday, but Austin Ekeler was limited in their estimation and Derwin James was a DNP. Sebastian Joseph-Day practiced in full ahead of his first game against his former team. | 2022-12-28T23:36:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Rams injury report: Aaron Donald, Ty Nsekhe DNP on Wednesday | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-injury-report-aaron-donald-224620489.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-injury-report-aaron-donald-224620489.html?src=rss |
Eliminated from playoff contention: HOU, CLE, ARI, ATL, CHI, DEN, IND, and LAR
No one in this group has announced that any starters will sit, though we can expect these teams to be cautious with their banged-up players. Some starters could take a seat in Week 18.
Extremely unlikely: PIT, NO, and LV
All three teams are still mathematically alive. However, 538's model gives these teams no greater than a three percent chance of making the postseason. The Raiders are so out on the 2022 season that they have benched Derek Carr, likely with the intention of keeping him healthy to cut or trade him early next year. Head coach Josh McDaniels mentioned some veterans taking a step back when he announced Carr's demotion. He didn't get into specifics, but this is a situation to monitor.
In contention: NYJ, TEN, SEA, NE, WAS, MIA, NYG, CAR, TB, and JAX
The Jaguars and Titans face off in Week 18 with the AFC South title and a guaranteed playoff berth on the line. This makes Week 17 nearly meaningless for both teams. The Titans have already listed Derrick Henry as doubtful despite him practicing this week. Doug Pederson has said he won't rest his starters in Week 17. A win does give the Jaguars a small out to a wild card bid even if they lose to Tennessee, so we can assume Pederson is being honest.
The Giants cannot win the NFC East but currently have a 91 percent chance to make the playoffs. That number only drops to 73 percent with a pair of losses to close out the year. They won't be resting any starters this week, but expect them to be cautious should any of their players get banged up.
Clinched the playoffs: LAC, BAL, SF, MIN, DAL, CIN, KC, BUF, and PHI
The Eagles need one win in their final two games to secure the first-round bye in the NFC. They could even get in with a pair of losses and some help. With Jalen Hurts missing practice on Wednesday, it looks like they will give Gardner Minshew another chance to earn them the bye. If he does, Hurts will sit in Week 18. The Vikings and the 49ers are the squads lurking in search of the bye. Both teams have a two-percent shot at getting the Wild Card Round off and will play their starters until that reaches zero.
Dallas has a remote chance of securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They need to handle their business over the next two weeks and for the Eagles to drop both of their remaining games. Even then, they could still be in a three-team runoff for the bye. Because of how many things need to break their way, the Cowboys will be cautious with their players. That includes Tony Pollard, who did not practice this week and is listed as questionable with a hip issue.
The Bills and the Chiefs have nearly narrowed the AFC to a two-horse race for the bye, though the Bengals still have an outside shot. Like in the NFC, expect all three teams to keep trying until the No. 1 seed is officially decided.
Everyone else in both divisions is simply jostling for home-field advantage scenarios. Don't expect many starters to sit this week, but Week 18 will be a different story.
The sacks are back for the Indianapolis Colts offense and, not surprisingly, so are the losses. Now, with two games remaining, interim coach Jeff Saturday is back to searching for solutions. Just when it seemed the offensive line was starting to gel after allowing 14 sacks in Matt Ryan's four starts, Nick Foles replaced Ryan as the starter Monday night and went down seven times in another ugly prime-time loss, 20-3 to the Los Angeles Chargers. | 2022-12-28T23:37:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Week 17 NFL Motivation Tracker | https://sports.yahoo.com/week-17-nfl-motivation-tracker-223648915.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/week-17-nfl-motivation-tracker-223648915.html?src=rss |
Duke limited UCF's offense and pulled away late for a 30-13 win in the Military Bowl.
Playing in their first bowl game since 2018, the Duke Blue Devils beat UCF to post just the seventh 9-win season in program history, and the third since 1941.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Riley Leonard ran for two touchdowns and threw for 173 yards, and Duke wrapped up an impressive first season under Mike Elko with a 30-13 victory over UCF in the Military Bowl on Wednesday. The Blue Devils (9-4) have won four consecutive bowl games, although this was their first appearance in one since 2018. Jordan Moore ran for a touchdown in the first quarter, and then Duke took control in the second.
Whether passing or running, the UCF offense has revolved heavily around John Rhys Plumlee this season. “Feeling a lot better,” Plumlee said recently. Plumlee and the Knights (9-4) will hope the break in their schedule was beneficial when they face Duke in the Military Bowl on Wednesday in Annapolis, Maryland. | 2022-12-28T23:46:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | College football bowl season winners and losers: Duke wins 9 games for the first time since 2014 | https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-bowl-season-winners-and-losers-duke-wins-9-games-for-the-first-time-since-2014-221359898.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-bowl-season-winners-and-losers-duke-wins-9-games-for-the-first-time-since-2014-221359898.html?src=rss |
PARIS (AP) Neymar was sent off in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-1 win against Strasbourg after the Brazil forward's second-half dive in the penalty area Wednesday in his first match since the World Cup.
Neymar, who was in tears after Brazil lost to Croatia in the World Cup quarterfinals, set up PSG's opening goal at Parc des Princes for countryman Marquinhos early on in a victory sealed by Kylian Mbappe's penalty deep into stoppage time.
On the latest episode of La Previa, hosts Asli Pelit and Boris Gartner talk about what 2023 has in store for sports businesses across the globe. The hosts focus on four main themes: the future of streaming services, women’s sports, sports teams for sale and whether Lionel Messi will come to play for Inter Miami […] | 2022-12-28T23:46:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Neymar sent off for PSG after dive in 1st game since WCup | https://sports.yahoo.com/neymar-sent-off-psg-dive-220316547.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/neymar-sent-off-psg-dive-220316547.html?src=rss |
Ron Devlin, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
Dec. 28—POTTSVILLE — Robert Herritt drove from Auburn to Pottsville on Tuesday to buy a pair of Red Wing work boots at Moore's shoe store in Mill Creek.
"I like to deal with local people," said Herritt, 83, a retired crane operator. "I believe in keeping your money close to home."
Sadly, the pair of Red Wings tucked under his arm as he left Moore's will be the last he'll buy at the popular shoe store.
After 41 years, Moore's is closing its doors for good at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Ruth "Pat" Moore has been managing the store since her husband, John, retired due to health reasons about a year and half ago.
"He's 82 and I'm 84," she said. "It's time to retire."
The Moores decided to close the business, once known to customers as "the sneaker place," and sell the building and a nearby garage.
All of the shoes are marked down 25%.
"We thank all of our customers for their loyalty," Pat Moore said, "and, most importantly, the memories and friendships we will take into retirement."
Both of them were unemployed when they started selling sneakers from a garage behind their home on Mill Creek Avenue in 1981.
John had been laid off from the Reading Railroad shops in Reading, while Pat lost her job when Phillips-Van Heusen shirts moved south.
"It was pretty much John's idea," she said. "We worked out of our garage seven days a week for 30 years."
For a time, the couple had a stand at Renninger's Farmers Market near Orwigsburg.
In 1987, they moved the store into its current location, a large storeroom at 120 Mill Creek Ave.
Pat Moore acknowledges that the business has done well, which she attributes to personal service and getting to know the customers.
The store offered customers an alternative to buying shoes in shopping malls or over the internet.
"You can't try shoes on when you buy them online," she said.
Moore's stocked hard-to-get brands, such as Carolina and Red Wing work boots.
"We've got steel toe, aluminum toe, composite toe and slip resistant boots," Pat Moore said. "And we stock shoes and boots up to size 15 EE."
Mark Belaus, 52, a Pottsville handyman, bought two pair of Carolina 7 1/2 EE work boots on Tuesday.
"I bought the last two pair they had," he said. "They should last me maybe two years."
After that, Belaus realizes, he'll have to find another place to buy work boots.
"I'm going to miss this place," he said. "They're nice people, they have good prices and they're close to home."
Tyler Livergood thinks he'll have to go to a major city to find size 13 D work boots after Moore's closes.
His preference was for Red Wings, but Moore's didn't have his size. He settled on Avengers, which he hopes will stand up to the rock salt he encounters on his municipal job.
"I love this place," said Livergood, 21, who lives in Frackville. "I'm going to miss it."
Moore's is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 5 p.m. daily through Saturday. For information, call the store at 570-628-5371.
Madonna’s 10-year-old twin daughters wear corsets and high heels for family Christmas photo
Madonna decided to forgo matching Christmas jumpers this year and instead dressed her 10-year-old twin daughters in waist-cinching corsets over the festive period. The Material Girl singer, 64-year-old, gave an insight into her family celebrations in London as she posed with four of her six children, David Banda, 17, Mercy James, 16 and twins Estere and Merry, 10. Madonna made sure that all eyes were on her in a furry onesie worn over a lacy black bustier, which she accessorised with a red and white Santa hat.
Actress Bella Thorne recalled an experience she had following an audition when she was 10 years old during an interview Tuesday.
If you've watched the murder mystery Glass Onion, filmmaker Rian Johnson's sequel to his 2019 hit Knives Out, then you likely realized who Edward Norton's character Miles Bron is meant to send up. The action of the movie begins when a group of long-time friends—and renowned detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig)—arrive (amid COVID) at Bron's private island for a weekend getaway. Twists, turns, betrayals, and backstabbings ensue; all the while, the movie continues to poke fun at Bron's bravado and
Inside ‘The Checkup With Dr. David Agus’: Ashton Kutcher, Nick Cannon & More Major Star Confessions
‘The Checkup With Dr. David Agus’ is streaming now on Paramount+. | 2022-12-29T00:08:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Moore's shoe store in Pottsville closing its doors at year's end | https://sports.yahoo.com/moores-shoe-store-pottsville-closing-235100312.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/moores-shoe-store-pottsville-closing-235100312.html?src=rss |
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) As the sacks and pressures keep piling up each week and the records and awards get closer to reality, Nick Bosa feels like a shooter who can't miss.
''I feel like I have an answer for every type of blocker at this point,'' Bosa said. ''Some better than others, obviously, but it's going well.''
''It's insane the level he's playing at,'' linebacker Fred Warner said. ''That's a big reason why our defense is performing the way it is because we know that it takes all 11, the rush and the coverage work together and knowing that he's on the field and has that opportunity to get home, you get stickier in coverage and you're able to sit on routes and he's just been playing out of his mind.''
''That's a dream,'' Bosa said. ''I've played this game since I was 7 years old, and I played D-line the entire way through. I've watched guys throughout the years and just wanted to be in that position. I finally feel like I'm kind of living out my dream.''
''I wouldn't want to be a tight end that has to play against him,'' Kittle said. ''He's better than everybody else. He's a better athlete. He's stronger, he's faster. He's so smart. The moves that he does, he's so creative. He's so good getting the offensive linemen's hands off of him. His effort is always there. When Bosa gets a sack, it just kind of ignites the entire team.'' | 2022-12-29T01:09:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers DE Nick Bosa making run at records, awards | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-nick-bosa-making-run-225546939.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-nick-bosa-making-run-225546939.html?src=rss |
It’s time. One could argue it’s past time. Nearing the end of his ninth season with the Raiders, Derek Carr has been benched in favor of backup Jarrett Stidham for the final two games of the season.
Head coach Josh McDaniels made the announcement Wednesday in the week following Derek Carr’s latest poor performance in what would be the Raiders fifth blown lead and second half collapse of the season. In addition, Carr and the Raiders have decided it best that he stay away for the final two weeks so as not to be a distraction.
Regardless of how you feel about McDaniels or where you choose to place the blame for the collapses this season, this was the right move. And it could very well mean the end for Derek Carr in a Raiders uniform.
Removing Carr from the lineup eliminates the possibility that he could be injured. And injury now would make it impossible to cut or trade him before his contract for next season becomes guaranteed on February 15. So, the Raiders are protecting their interests which is smart.
That being said, you can think the Raiders are not in good hands with McDaniels *and* realize Derek Carr was not going to take this team where it needs to go. Both can be true. And for Carr, he’s had a lot more time to show us what he is and is not capable of accomplishing.
Nine years is a long time. Longer than even some successful NFL players’ careers. It’s an especially long time for a quarterback who has never been successful to continue to be handed the keys to a team as the starter.
Most NFL quarterbacks are not given nearly the opportunity Derek Carr has had to lead a single franchise to success despite never actually doing so.
What Derek Carr did was come into a franchise that had years of failed experiments at quarterback, desperate for some stability at the position and gave them that stability. In his third season in particular – the year he was playing for an extension – he had his best season. One that ended in Week 16 with him breaking his fibula; which only seemed to have fans wondering ‘what might have been’.
For that reason, he very much deserved his NFL record extension and a chance to see what he could do.
That 2016 season feels like legend at this point.
Carr never had that level of success again.He never reached the 28 touchdowns he did in 2016 again. He never had as few as the six interceptions he had that season. The Raiders never reached the 12 wins they reached that season again.
In 2021, just when the chatter started to surround whether it might be time to move on from Carr, he helped rally the Raiders late in the year to win their last four games and make the playoffs. But it didn’t go any farther. Carr appeared in his first ever playoff game and the team still made a first round exit.
After the season, the team overhauled the coaching staff and front office. New head coach Josh McDaniels hoped to see his offense hit the ground running in his first year with his new team by keeping Carr and adding Davante Adams to the mix.
While Adams has still been Adams, he too often hasn’t been put in the best position to show off his All Pro skills. As evidenced by this stat.
Derek Carr threw 72 incomplete passes targeting Davante Adams for #Raiders. That's the most incompletions from a QB to a receiver in a season since 2016 when Blake Bortles had 78 to Allen Robinson and Jameis Winston had 77 to Mike Evans
Adams has been held below 30 yards receiving four times this season including each of the past two weeks. He had been held below 30 yards twice in the previous five seasons combined in Green Bay.
For years now, fans – and apparently Raiders brass as well – have preferred sticking with Carr for fear that there is no obvious upgrade out there. What they failed to note is that most elite quarterbacks weren’t no-brainer options when they were acquired. They were all risks. But necessary ones that ultimately panned out. Many times after other failed experiments.
If Carr has proven anything it’s that he cannot take an underachieving team and make them into a contender. Instead what we get are the annual excuses that ‘if only Carr had a great offensive line or a great running attack or better weapons or a great defense.’
As if this is a problem unique to the Raiders. Few if any quarterbacks get all the stars to align. The great ones lift the whole team up to their level.
Carr is who he is. He is a fair to middling quarterback in this league. That much is well documented. He has few secrets left. While most of the rest of the teams have either a quarterback who has proven capable of putting the team on his back, or is still young and developing.
The successful teams either develop a great quarterback or move on to the next quarterback long before nine seasons.
We came into this season saying Derek Carr has no excuses. And that’s still where we are. He has an All Pro wide receiver, a Pro Bowl slot receiver, a Pro Bowl tight end, the league’s leading rusher, and an offensive line that has played above expectations. The defense hasn’t been great, but you can’t blame them for these collapses when it’s the offense that is getting shut out in the second half.
Honestly, the excuses had all been exhausted long before this season. Not when you have to go back six years to find a time when Carr put this team on his back. The benefit of the doubt on that ended several years ago.
It’s time to let him go. If you can trade him, do so. If not, release him. Either way, move on. The unknown at this point is less of a risk than thinking Carr will suddenly be the difference between perennial underachieving and a playoff run. | 2022-12-29T01:09:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | It is the right decision for Raiders to move on from Derek Carr | https://sports.yahoo.com/decision-raiders-move-derek-carr-003440255.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/decision-raiders-move-derek-carr-003440255.html?src=rss |
The New England Patriots could be missing one of their best playmakers in all three phases of football in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
Electric rookie cornerback Marcus Jones is currently in concussion protocol, which puts his availability for Week 17 in doubt. It’s tough timing for the Patriots considering this matchup against the Dolphins is a mini playoff game.
All postseason hope ends if New England loses this game.
However, if they’re able to knock off the Dolphins, they’ll still have a realistic path to the playoffs regardless of what happens in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills.
But that’ll be tough to do without Jones, who has an offensive, defensive and special teams touchdown this season. It really is remarkable how important the third-round draft pick has become to the team this early in his career.
Regardless, it might have to be a next man up mentality for the Patriots in what will easily be their biggest game of the season. | 2022-12-29T01:09:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Electric Patriots rookie’s status in doubt against Dolphins | https://sports.yahoo.com/electric-patriots-rookie-status-doubt-234558444.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/electric-patriots-rookie-status-doubt-234558444.html?src=rss |
The Atlanta Falcons began the week of practice on Wednesday to prepare for their home game against the Arizona Cardinals. They released a short injury report to kick off the week.
Only three players were listed but all three were unable to practice.
OL Chuma Edoga (knee), TE Feleipe Franks (concussion), OL Elijah Wilkinson (calf)
Only Wilkinson is of note because he is the Falcons’ starting left guard. However, Edoga is his backup. | 2022-12-29T01:10:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Falcons have 3 DNPs in first injury report of Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/falcons-3-dnps-first-injury-234903526.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/falcons-3-dnps-first-injury-234903526.html?src=rss |
Don’t count on the Jacksonville Jaguars to make it easy for the Houston Texans to extend their winning streak in the series to 10.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson was adamant on Wednesday that the 7-8 Jaguars don’t consider their Week 17 matchup with the 2-12-1 Texans to be meaningless even though Jacksonville can’t win the AFC South until next week’s showdown with the 7-8 Tennessee Titans.
“There’s never a meaningless game,” Pederson said via Adam Stites of the Jaguars Wire. “Never, ever, ever. You play to win every game. The only way I rest players is if they’re hurt and can’t go.”
Nevertheless the elements surrounding the game in Houston provide a trap game element. The Detroit Lions are the most recent team surging in the playoff hunt to get whacked by a team with an inferior record. The 5-9 Carolina Panthers thumped the 7-7 Lions — winners of their past six of seven to that point — 37-23 on the road at Bank of America Stadium.
Pederson says the Lions falling apart in Carolina was a “wakeup call for us.”
Said Pederson: “It was on the road, we were in a dome, obviously it was cold weather there in Detroit. It’s supposed to be 80 degrees in Houston. It’s an AFC South opponent, and they beat us in Week 5. We’ve got to have a great week of preparation and we understand that, and we’ve still got some unfinished business.”
The last time the Jaguars beat the Texans was on Dec. 17, 2017, in a 45-7 thrashing at TIAA Bank Field. That was also the last time the Jaguars won the AFC South. | 2022-12-29T01:10:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jaguars coach Doug Pederson refuses to call Week 17 against the Texans ‘meaningless’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-coach-doug-pederson-refuses-002446413.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-coach-doug-pederson-refuses-002446413.html?src=rss |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Doug Pederson insists there's no such thing as a meaningless football game.
So Pederson has his Jacksonville Jaguars going ''full steam ahead'' as they prepare to play at rival Houston on Sunday, a game that means little to the team's postseason chances.
The scenario means Pederson could rest some starters against the Texans (2-12-1) and get banged-up guys as healthy as possible before a game that's essentially the start of the AFC playoffs.
But he made it clear Wednesday that he won't.
''There's never a meaningless game,'' Pederson said. ''Never, ever, ever, ever. You play to win every game. The only way I rest players is if they're hurt and can't go.''
Pederson and the Jaguars also don't want to lose the momentum they've created by winning five of their past seven games, including victories against four teams in the playoff mix: Baltimore, Tennessee, Dallas and the New York Jets.
''We're playing really good team ball,'' quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. ''Why would you want to jeopardize that at this point in our season? We're kind of hitting our stride.''
Although Jacksonville's season likely will come down to a winner-takes-the-division finale against Tennessee, the Jaguars still could make the playoffs with a win against Houston and a loss to the Titans. It's a small possibility that also would include Miami losing twice, the New York Jets losing to Seattle, Buffalo beating New England and Pittsburgh losing one of its remaining games.
''We've had a lot of firsts this season, which obviously has been good,'' Pederson said.
''Where we're going right now, how we're feeling, they're just in the way of where we need to get to,'' Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen said. ''I have never beat them. ... I think we left a lot out there the last time we played them.''
''You got to finish strong and that's the message,'' Lawrence said. ''We get to finish with two division games, so it's a great opportunity for us. ... For me, it's a game I definitely want to win and our whole team feels that way.
''It's another opportunity just to show who we are, to put our best foot forward, to play another complete game, to keep this momentum that we have. If you go out there and lay an egg, no one's feeling good about that, especially heading into the last week.'' | 2022-12-29T01:10:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jaguars playing starters at Texans, going 'full steam ahead' | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-playing-starters-texans-going-225547767.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-playing-starters-texans-going-225547767.html?src=rss |
The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars weren’t much different in Week 5.
The Texans were 0-3-1 and looking for their first full win of the season. The Jaguars were 2-2 and playing inconsistently.
Houston got their first win and extended their winning streak to nine over Jacksonville with a 13-6 victory on Oct. 9 at TIAA Bank Field. The Jaguars would four of their next five going into their Week 11 bye where they metamorphosed into a playoff contender while Houston did not earn their next victory until Week 16 at the Tennessee Titans.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence says the tape from Week 5 is difficult to watch.
Lawrence went 25-of-47 for 286 yards and two interceptions. The former 2021 No. 1 overall pick from Clemson even had two chances to lead Jacksonville on game-tying drives after Houston took the 13-6 lead.
“You learn a lot, and you see the growth and where we’re at now, individually where I’m at now and as an offense, the level we’re playing, it’s where you want to be,” said Lawrence.
Rookie cornerback Derek Stingley was a thorn in Lawrence’s side that game with seven combined tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception.
The Jaguars fell down as far as 3-7 heading into their bye week, but Lawrence would not alter a thing about it as the Jaguars used the setbacks to win four of their next five, improving their record to 7-8 and giving them a realistic shot to win the AFC South.
Said Lawrence: “You don’t want to go back and change any of it because I think that’s helped get us to here, but obviously for me, definitely want to play better and give us a chance to win obviously. That’s the goal every week from here on out. Every game is important. Really just put together a great game plan. These guys, they play really hard.”
The last time the Jaguars beat the Texans at NRG Stadium was Week 1, 2017.
Editors note: Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series debuts and celebrates the scripts of films that will be factors in this year’s movie awards race. On June 23, 2018, a young Thai soccer team and their coach became trapped in a cave when an early monsoon hit. Director Ron Howard became entranced by the harrowing 18-day ordeal to rescue […] | 2022-12-29T01:10:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence says his play against the Texans in Week 5 is ‘hard to watch’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-qb-trevor-lawrence-says-004516128.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaguars-qb-trevor-lawrence-says-004516128.html?src=rss |
49ers unfazed by Raiders' Carr-Stidham QB move for Week 17 game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
As the NFL world collectively gasped and then reacted to the quarterback fiasco happening in Las Vegas, the 49ers didn’t bat an eye ahead of their Week 17 matchup against the Raiders on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
Raiders coach Josh McDaniels announced Wednesday that the team will bench veteran QB Derek Carr for Jarrett Stidham in the final two games of the 2022 NFL season.
But it was business as usual in Santa Clara.
“We’re just going to continue doing our thing,” 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward said Wednesday (h/t KRON4’s Kate Rooney). “It’s not going to change on our end. We’re playing for the [No.] 1 or 2 seed, too. So we’re going to come out and still keep our foot on the throttle.”
Rookie quarterback Chase Garbers will serve as Stidham's backup, while Carr will be inactive and reportedly is leaving the team to avoid “being a distraction,” The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported, citing a source.
“No matter what quarterback is in, they’re going to run their system, they’re going to run their scheme,” 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw said. “They’re going to try to run the ball. They’re going to throw the ball. So for us, it’s just about being on our fundamentals and executing the way that we’re capable of.”
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan is familiar with Stidham’s play, and reacted to the Raiders’ move while speaking with reporters Wednesday.
“I know he’s a talented thrower,” Shanahan said. “We’ve seen him play before, not just at the Senior Bowl, I think we played him a couple of years ago. But he can make every throw, similar to Carr in that way. But he hasn’t been out there a lot so hopefully, we’ll confuse him, and make it tough for him.”
While it's unclear exactly why the Raiders made the major QB move given they haven't completely been eliminated from playoff contention, some have speculated that this could be Carr's final weeks in Silver and Black.
The structure of Carr's three-year, $121.5 million contract extension makes it easy for the team to move on from him after this season.
Still, Shanahan doesn't give in to any speculation and is proceeding with the week like any other.
"I don’t know why they’re doing it, but it doesn’t matter to me," Shanahan said. "We knew there was a possibility, just looking into it when we started on Monday. But I don’t worry about that with our guys. Our guys know one way to play and I expect to see them that way."
One thing you can count on, though, is that Shanahan and the 49ers are focused on winning their ninth consecutive game on Sunday. | 2022-12-29T01:10:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kyle Shanahan, 49ers unfazed by Raiders' Derek Carr-Jarrett Stidham QB change | https://sports.yahoo.com/kyle-shanahan-49ers-unfazed-raiders-000549001.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/kyle-shanahan-49ers-unfazed-raiders-000549001.html?src=rss |
The Chicago Bears need a divisional win in the worst way heading into their final games of the 2022 season and will face a very challenging opponent in the Detroit Lions in Week 17. Though the Lions are the better team by record, their head coach Dan Campbell showed a lot of respect for Chicago’s game in his comments to the media on Wednesday and made a point to single out Justin Fields for his game-breaking abilities in the running game.
In his opening statement to reporters, he gave his thoughts on all aspects of the Bears’ roster ahead of Sunday’s divisional showdown.
“[They have a] physical defense, high motor, they’re getting takeaways, punching the ball, scrape at them, they’ve been playing pretty good football,” Campbell explained. “They played good against Buffalo last week, and then offensively everything starts with [Justin] Fields once again, man, he’s dangerous and [Bears RB David Montgomery] 32’s a [heck] of a back in the run game. So, there again starts with the run game with these guys. Special teams unit is physical, so we know we’ve got our hands full.”
Clearly, Campbell isn’t taking his matchup against the 3-12 Bears lightly. His assessment of Fields and Chicago’s gritty defense were spot on, and indicate that he knows that the Bears could be a tough out, especially given that they have nothing to lose in their penultimate tilt of the season.
Fields and the offense will need to show signs of life early in this game to pull ahead of Detroit early. If they can’t secure a lead before crunch time in the second half, the Lions’ scrappy group of talent on both sides of the ball is liable to take over the matchup and do what they’ve done so well since Week 9 — manhandle their opponents with relentless precision. | 2022-12-29T01:10:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | Lions head coach Dan Campbell on Justin Fields: ‘He’s dangerous’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-head-coach-dan-campbell-003816601.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-head-coach-dan-campbell-003816601.html?src=rss |
But McVay didn’t seem too concerned about his team’s position heading into the final weeks of the 2022 season. In comments to the media after the Rams’ Week 16 win against the Denver Broncos, he told reporters that he is instructing his coaching staff and players to play with abandon and show him everything they can as the team looks to reload next year.
“[What] you saw yesterday was a great reflection of complimentary football all culminating at the right spots and in the right three-hour window of time,” McVay explained after the Rams’ blowout win. “Those are the things that you take some pride in and want to continue to see that reflected where (you say), ‘Hey guys, let’s play to the best of our ability. Let’s go cut it loose.’ Let’s continue to pour into guys that are getting opportunities that maybe we didn’t expect or anticipate, and some of these guys are really doing a great job of establishing themselves as key figures for years to come hopefully, and that’s kind of the approach that we’ll take for these last 13 days.”
Los Angeles has been plagued by bad luck and injuries all season, and it seemed that their chances at a Super Bowl repeat were unlikely from the very beginning of this most recent campaign. When quarterback Matthew Stafford went down in Week 10, it effectively sealed their fate as an early-out in the NFC playoff picture.
But that doesn’t mean all is lost. The Rams have a great chance to give more underrated contributors a chance to justify their spot on the roster next season. If McVay’s comments after their blowout win against Denver are to be taken seriously, fans should expect every member of Los Angeles’ 53-man roster to have a chance to show what they’ve got over the Rams’ next two matchups.
Williams says Suns 'checked all the boxes' before Booker (groin) returned; All-Star out at least 4 weeks | 2022-12-29T01:11:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Sean McVay on his message to players, coaches over final weeks of 2022 season: ‘Let’s go cut it loose’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/sean-mcvay-message-players-coaches-235713700.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sean-mcvay-message-players-coaches-235713700.html?src=rss |
RENTON, Wash. (AP) Tyler Lockett was back catching passes and participating in the Seattle Seahawks walkthrough on Wednesday barely a week after having surgery to stabilize a broken bone in his left hand.
''If you were watching walkthrough you wouldn't know anything was going on,'' Carroll said. ''He just went through and did everything in walkthrough. We'll be careful with him in practice and make sure that we find out what his limits are. But he looked great throwing and catching and all that stuff.''
''It's always valuable to have Tyler out there. But you always got to fight through adversity and last week was an adverse situation that we had to fight through it,'' Seattle wide receiver DK Metcalf said. ''Even though we sputtered in the first half on the offensive side, it was good to see us come out in the second half swinging and being able to run the ball.''
''This is a remarkable story and he's writing it right now for us,'' Carroll said. ''He's not even wavering.''
Dissly suffered what was first termed a knee contusion in the loss to the Chiefs, but turned out to be more significant. Carroll termed it an ''unusual injury that we have not seen before,'' at the top of Dissly's fibula and where it connects to the knee.
''It's serious enough that it's going to be a little bit,'' Carroll said.
Q. What do you think TCU does best on offense? CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR CLINKSCALE: Well, I think they are really good with running the ball in a sense. I think their running back is a very special player. | 2022-12-29T01:12:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Seattle's Lockett back catching passes, could play vs. Jets | https://sports.yahoo.com/seattles-lockett-back-catching-passes-230722751.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/seattles-lockett-back-catching-passes-230722751.html?src=rss |
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) When tight end Irv Smith Jr. injured an ankle in Week 8, the Minnesota Vikings quickly added T.J. Hockenson in a trade with Detroit.
''He's a huge part of what we want to do offensively and he's really fit with what we want to be as an offense,'' Minnesota coach Kevin O'Connell said. ''There's a lot of moving parts and a lot of responsibility on a guy like T.J. to be ready to be in a lot of different spots and have an impact, and he's been able to do that.''
''It's been incredible,'' Hockenson said. ''I really couldn't have picked a better place, and I really do appreciate and (am) very blessed to be here.''
''I was pretty comfortable with him from day one, having seen what he did in his pro career in Detroit,'' quarterback Kirk Cousins said. ''And then, right away with the confidence he gave me knowing that he was familiar with what we were asking him to do.''
''Just kind of being able to do my job when it's called, I think is the biggest thing,'' Hockenson said. ''That guy has a lot of trust in me and I've got a lot of trust in that guy.''
''I give (general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah) and his staff a ton of credit for identifying a player that can seamlessly fit in with his skillset based upon how we play and how we would try to use the player,'' O'Connell said. ''We had a lot of dialogue about that before the trade and then getting him here and learning more and more about him, learning the type of person, the makeup.''
''I think it's great for our team, the depth we have at that position with Irv coming back, and T.J.'s really emerging since we got him,'' O'Connell said. ''It'll be huge for us.'' | 2022-12-29T01:12:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | T.J. Hockenson proves perfect fit for Vikings' offense | https://sports.yahoo.com/t-j-hockenson-proves-perfect-234129194.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/t-j-hockenson-proves-perfect-234129194.html?src=rss |
Lovie Smith has coached great players in his NFL career, but he never had an opportunity to work with a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The Houston Texans hired Lovie Smith as defensive coordinator for new coach David Culley’s staff in January 2021. Defensive end J.J. Watt did not want to be part of a rebuild and was granted a release from the franchise that drafted him in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Watt signed with the Arizona Cardinals, who are 15-17 since his arrival with a 4-11 record in 2022. Watt posted to Twitter Tuesday that the 2022 campaign will be his last as he intends to retire after the season.
“I wish I had the chance to coach him, like every defensive coach would say,” Smith said. “I remember J.J. when he came out of the University of Wisconsin, knew about his career he had in college.”
Watt generated 101.0 sacks with the Texans in his 128-game career, and also added 282 quarterback hits, by far the most since 2011.
Said Smith: “Just what he’s done on the football field. First off, motor — he plays hard every down. It’s just one thing to play hard every down, but the production that he’s had. Taking the ball away, interceptions, fumbles for touchdowns.”
With two games to go in his stint with the Cardinals, Watt has tallied 10.5 sacks and 31 quarterback hits through 21 games, all of which he has started.
Smith believes that Watt, who will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2028, has no druthers regarding his life in the NFL.
“Just an unbelievable career,” said Smith. “I’m sure there’s no regrets that he has. Again, not many have done it the way he did.” | 2022-12-29T01:12:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Texans’ Lovie Smith says he wishes he had a chance to coach J.J. Watt | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-lovie-smith-says-wishes-000427642.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-lovie-smith-says-wishes-000427642.html?src=rss |
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) Austin Ekeler has already accomplished his primary goal of getting the Los Angeles Chargers back to the playoffs.
''It's nice to have a playoff spot wrapped up, but I still want to play. I want to continue to add on to what I've been doing throughout the entire season,'' Ekeler said.
''I'm getting the ball in different ways, and it's up to me to try to make something happen with it,'' he said. ''I don't really have a preference. However, I'm getting in the end zone is great.''
''He is just a total stabilizer. He got off to that little bit of a slow start, but then in Houston, he really hit that gear, and then he has been kind of going fantasy crazy since then in terms of the production,'' coach Brandon Staley said. ''You just can't say enough about him, the way he is running the football, the way he catches the football, the way that he protects the passer, and the way he does it day in and day out as a running back in the league.''
''I think he's a lot more powerful than people give him credit for. They get him out in the backfield, and he's on all routes. He's somebody you have to be conscious of,'' Wagner said. ''He's not like a traditional running back where you hand the ball off to him, and that's how he gets his touches. They're going to put you in different situations to kind of isolate linebackers and try to have one-on-one guys to try to make them miss.'' | 2022-12-29T02:45:29Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chargers' Ekeler 'going fantasy crazy' with NFL-best 16 TDs | https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-ekeler-going-fantasy-crazy-020741483.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-ekeler-going-fantasy-crazy-020741483.html?src=rss |
With Derek Carr out as starting quarterback, the Las Vegas Raiders are moving on without him in the locker room.
Meanwhile, his Raiders teammates including close friend Davante Adams have responded to the news.
Head coach Josh McDaniels announced on Wednesday that backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham was taking over for Carr for the last two weeks of the season. Not long after, multiple reports broke that Carr and the Raiders mutually agreed that he would step away from the team for the rest of the season to avoid being a distraction.
The news arrives with the 6-9 Raiders all but eliminated from the playoffs and Carr guaranteed $33 million next season in the event that he gets injured. After nine seasons as the Raiders starting quarterback, his tenure with the team is on the brink.
The news made an obvious impact in the Raiders locker room, most notably with Adams. The All-Pro receiver played with Carr at Fresno State and left the Green Bay Packers via trade last season to join his friend and college teammate in Las Vegas. Adams spoke about Carr's demotion on Wednesday while wearing a Fresno State hoodie.
"Obviously, I don't think anybody was excited about it in here," Adams said of Carr's demotion. "Him being one of my really good friends and the reason why I came here in the first place.
"I wouldn't be here right now if he wasn't here. ... Obviously I support my guy. We've got to finish the season up the best way we can possibly with all things considered at this point."
FILE - Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17), left, and quarterback Derek Carr (4), right, look on from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022 in Las Vegas. The chemistry the two had once shared figured to help the Raiders' offense becomes among the league's elite. That hasn't happened. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
The Raiders traded first- and second-round picks in the 2022 draft to acquire Adams from Green Bay. They then signed him to a five-year, $141.25 million deal. When prompted on Wednesday, Adams declined to address his future with the team. He also said that he's spoken with Carr since the news broke and planned to do so again later Wednesday.
Tight end Darren Waller, who's made a Pro Bowl catching passes from Carr and played seven season with his quarterback, also addressed the news.
"You've got to kind of take the emotions out of it and just realize that the only thing that's productive is to support Jarrett moving forward," Waller said. "Guys are excited about him being able to get an opportunity. So we're letting him know that we believe in him. ...
"Naturally it's tough. I believe two things can co-exist like believing in Derek. ... But also supporting Jarrett and moving forward with this week and preparing. I think the two things can co-exist."
Waller's words epitomize what promises to be a conflicted locker room for the last two weeks of the season. Carr's a well-liked player and longtime Raiders leader. He's also struggled this season while leading the NFL with 14 interceptions.
He's regressed while playing for McDaniels, who arrived in Las Vegas as an offensive guru. The first-year Raiders coach will face intense pressure to produce next season after falling short of expectations in 2022. He and general manager Dave Ziegler can't afford to get this decision wrong.
A disappointing regular season has suddenly morphed into what promises to be a dramatic and potentially chaotic offseason in Las Vegas.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg clapped back at professional kickboxer Andrew Tate on Twitter after Tate tweeted at her boasting about his collection of 33 cars. “Hello @GretaThunberg,” Tate wrote, tagging the 19-year-old Swedish activist on Twitter. “I have 33 cars,” he added before offering some specifics on his fleet of vehicles. “This is just the… | 2022-12-29T02:45:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Davante Adams responds as Derek Car reportedly leaves Raiders amid demotion: 'The reason why I came here' | https://sports.yahoo.com/davante-adams-responds-as-derek-carr-reportedly-leaves-raiders-amid-demotion-the-reason-why-i-came-here-014054570.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/davante-adams-responds-as-derek-carr-reportedly-leaves-raiders-amid-demotion-the-reason-why-i-came-here-014054570.html?src=rss |
There is some growing frustration surrounding the MVP award this year as the NFL regular season starts to wind down. Every year, a panel of 50 sports writers votes on who they believe is the Most Valuable Player in the NFL’s regular season year.
Historically, this award has gone to quarterbacks in the NFL. There have been exceptions throughout its history. For example, most fans will probably remember Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson winning it back in 2012 as well as defensive tackle Alan Page winning it in 1971. He was the only defensive tackle to win the award in league history.
When quarterbacks don’t win the award, it typically means another player really dominated that season. That sentiment brings us to the 2022 season.
Justin Jefferson has been on fire all season, and we’ve seen him break multiple records in Vikings history this season, and he’s on his way to potentially breaking two more NFL records this season.
Calvin Johnson’s NFL Record for most receiving yards in a single season-1,964 yards
Michael Thomas’ NFL Record for most receptions in a single season-149 receptions
As it stands today, Jefferson has 123 receptions for 1,756 yards with two games to go, but he hasn’t been in the conversation for MVP.
Former 1st round quarterback Robert Griffin III had some choice words about that this morning on Twitter.
Griffin III is absolutely right with his take. While Griffin III and myself believe that Jefferson should be considered for the MVP award, we have a recent example of why that probably won’t happen. Last season, Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp was just as dominant as Jefferson has been this season, including being close to breaking both Thomas’ and Johnson’s single-season records. Even with the season he had, he fell short and only received one of the 50 votes for NFL MVP in 2021.
Maybe Jefferson can break the mold this season. If he is able to break one or both of those records, it makes his argument more compelling.
Even if he doesn’t win the MVP, he’ll likely secure the Offensive Player of the Year award. Regardless of what happens, Vikings fans and Jefferson should be ecstatic about his performances this season and the future of Jefferson in purple. | 2022-12-29T02:45:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former 1st round QB thinks Justin Jefferson should be considered for MVP | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-1st-round-qb-thinks-010147715.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-1st-round-qb-thinks-010147715.html?src=rss |
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) Even though Tyler Higbee has spent his entire NFL career in one helmet, he didn't take a direct route to become the most prolific tight end in Rams franchise history.
Higbee then made up for some lost time on Christmas, making nine catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams' 51-14 rout of Denver. Higbee also topped 3,000 career yards receiving during the game while extending his own franchise records for receptions (299) and yards receiving (3,063) by a tight end.
''I'll get some time maybe after the season to think about it, but it's special,'' Higbee said. ''I've put in a lot of time, a lot of hard work, battled through some adversity and injuries, things like that. It's a special franchise, and being able to hold that is pretty cool.''
Higbee has responded with 15 catches on 19 targets for 132 yards and three TDs in three games with Mayfield, who succinctly described Higbee as a ''big, friendly target.''
''I know he's been a little bit banged up throughout the year, and I think he's feeling better now,'' Mayfield added. ''Hats off to him, the franchise record holder. That's really special. I did not know that he was that close to it. I'm happy to be here and to be a part of that.''
Higbee is the last remaining member of the Rams' first draft class after returning home to Los Angeles in 2016. He has had four consecutive 500-yard receiving seasons for Sean McVay's offense, even while his opportunities fluctuate wildly.
''I'm just trying to do my job and make the play when the ball does find me,'' Higbee said. ''It's always awesome getting into the end zone and being able to celebrate with the guys.''
A year later, Higbee and right tackle Rob Havenstein are the Rams' only offensive players to start all 15 games. He'll be back to work Sunday when the Rams play the Chargers.
''Obviously the season hasn't gone the way we wanted it to, but it just shows the resiliency of these guys going out and competing,'' Higbee said. ''Feels good to be on the right side of it.''
NOTES: Mayfield doesn't think it's the right time to contemplate his future: ''I'm a free agent after this (season), so I really haven't given it much thought. Just trying to roll with it one day at a time. But yeah, we'll see. It should be interesting, but all that doesn't start until March anyways, so we'll see how it goes.'' ... LT Ty Nsekhe (illness) missed the Rams' walkthrough. ... LB Bobby Wagner said DT Larrell Murchison was mostly quiet among his new teammates in the two weeks leading up to his two-sack performance against Denver. ''Then he goes out and gets a sack and starts dancing and starts talking, and we were like, `Yo, where's this? Where did this come from?''' Wagner said with a smile. ''He's put in a lot of work to try to understand the scheme and understand the nuances of the defense, and it was really fun to just watch him just have fun out there.'' | 2022-12-29T02:45:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | Higbee meshing with Mayfield, setting TE records for Rams | https://sports.yahoo.com/higbee-meshing-mayfield-setting-te-010853319.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/higbee-meshing-mayfield-setting-te-010853319.html?src=rss |
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Jerry Rosburg was more than three years into his retirement following a 40-year career as an assistant football coach when a phone call in mid-September interrupted his morning coffee as he sat on his lakeside deck in Florida.
''I'm humbled by this opportunity,'' Rosburg said. ''At the same time I'm confident I can do this job.''
''Who would sign up for this?'' Rosburg asked.
''Here I am.''
''I'm not trying to build a resume,'' Rosburg said. ''I haven't had a resume for 15, 17 years. I haven't needed one. So I'm not trying to enhance any kind of reputation that I may or may not have.''
''I just took the frustration a little bit too far,'' said Gregory, who also apologized on social media and said he wanted to be a ''part of the solution and not the problem going forward.''
''Brett's my boy,'' Risner said. ''One thing that's not been covered is me and Brett making up a minute later, and that's just how the media goes, which is fine. But on Sunday there's a lot of frustration losing 51-14 and we're both very competitive guys.''
''I wish I could have played better for him,'' Wilson said. ''I wish I could have played at the standard and the level that I've always played at.'' | 2022-12-29T02:46:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jerry Rosburg gets his head coaching chance after 40 years | https://sports.yahoo.com/jerry-rosburg-gets-head-coaching-004328886.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jerry-rosburg-gets-head-coaching-004328886.html?src=rss |
Even though Lovie Smith has a 3-0 record against Trevor Lawrence since joining the Houston Texans in 2021, the coach nevertheless believes the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback has demonstrated a large enough sample size to be defined as a “good football player.”
The Texans beat the Jaguars in Week 5 to send Jacksonville to 2-2. The Jaguars faded to 3-7 going into their Week 11 bye, but have won four of their last five to improve their record to 7-8 and have a realistic shot at wresting control of the AFC South from the similarly 7-8 Tennessee Titans.
Smith knows where Lawrence has stepped up his game since their last meeting on Oct. 9.
“He’s probably protected the football a little bit better,” Smith said.
The former 2021 No. 1 overall pick from Clemson has thrown just one interception since Week 9 and lost four fumbles. Compare that to Lawrence’s 14 touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns, and it is safe to conclude the young signal caller is far more beneficial than detrimental to his team.
“He’s mobile” said Smith. “He’s mobile right now. He’ll take off with the ball and get a first down when things break down. He can make all of the throws. He could last time we played. He’s a competitor, all of those things you see.”
The supporting cast for Lawrence has also improved. Running back Travis Etienne has 1,000 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Evan Engram has 68 passes for 732 yards and four touchdowns. Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk has 76 catches for 988 yards and seven touchdowns.
Houston takes on the Jaguars Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time for Week 17 at NRG Stadium. The Texans have not lost to the Jaguars since 2017, which was also the last time Jacksonville won the AFC South.
Kendrick Perkins, JJ Redick debate Sixers’ place in East title race
ESPN's Kendrick Perkins and JJ Redick debate the place of the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference title race. | 2022-12-29T02:46:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | Texans coach Lovie Smith defines area where Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has improved | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-coach-lovie-smith-defines-014438418.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-coach-lovie-smith-defines-014438418.html?src=rss |
Date: Dec. 31 (Noon ET)
Line: Alabama -6.5
Alabama (10-2): After losing in the national championship game to Georgia last January, a loaded Alabama team led by reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young was looking to return to that stage this season. Those dreams never materialized. Alabama started the season 6-0, but had close calls vs. Texas and Texas A&M before losing twice in a three-game span. The first loss came on the road to Tennessee in a thrilling 52-49 finish. Two games later, the Crimson Tide lost on the last play yet again. This time, LSU knocked off the Tide 32-31 in Baton Rouge via a successful two-point conversion in overtime.
With two losses, Alabama fell back in the SEC West race and LSU ultimately won the division. Without a chance to win the SEC title, Alabama became a huge long shot to make the College Football Playoff. And though Alabama closed out the regular season with three straight wins, Nick Saban’s team ended up finishing No. 5 in the final CFP rankings — one spot outside the four-team field.
With a national championship no longer on the table, many assumed the Tide’s top players would skip thebowl game and start preparing for the NFL draft. However, surefire first-round picks like Young and edge rusher Will Anderson will be on the field for their final college games.
Bryce Young and Alabama are set to take on Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Kansas State (10-3): KSU took a significant step forward in its fourth season under head coach Chris Klieman. The Wildcats have always been competitive since Klieman came to Manhattan from North Dakota State, but this year they leap-frogged to the top of the Big 12 and won their first outright conference title since 2003.
K-State had an early home loss to Tulane, but that was the team’s lone blip in a 5-1 start that included a 3-0 mark in conference play. Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez was the team’s quarterback for the first half of the season before an injury opened the door for Will Howard. Howard saw most of the snaps in a loss to TCU and a win over Oklahoma State before Martinez returned in a 34-27 loss to Texas.
At that point, K-State was 6-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The Wildcats have not lost since. Howard took the reins and led the Wildcats into the Big 12 title game with three straight wins to close the regular season. And in the Big 12 title game, K-State knocked off previously unbeaten TCU 31-28 in an overtime thriller to send the program to a New Year’s Six bowl game for the first time since the 2012 season.
Alabama: WR JoJo Earle, WR Traeshon Holden, OG Javion Cohen
Alabama QB Bryce Young: He was the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the country in 2020 and he has lived up to that billing. After sitting behind Mac Jones as a true freshman, Young stepped into the starting role as a sophomore and quickly emerged as one of the best players in the country. Young led Alabama to an SEC title in 2021 en route to winning the Heisman Trophy. He dealt with a shoulder injury at times this year and had nowhere near the amount of skill talent around him, but he still turned in an excellent season. Entering the bowl game, Young has thrown for 3,007 yards with 27 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He also has four rushing touchdowns on the year.
Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn: He is one of the best running backs in the country and he’ll get another chance to showcase his skills on a big stage. Listed at just 5-foot-6 and 176 pounds, Vaughn is a threat to take it to the house any time he touches the ball. Vaughn ranks 12th nationally with 1,425 rushing yards on more than 20 attempts per game. Vaughn also has 42 catches for 378 yards and 11 total touchdowns on the season. Vaughn has topped 100 yards in eight games this season. K-State is 8-0 in those games.
Deuce Vaughn leads Kansas State in rushing this season with 1,425 yards. He has hit the 100-yard rushing mark in three of his past four games, including in the Big 12 title game. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Alabama: With a win, the Crimson Tide would make it 12 consecutive seasons with at least 11 wins. Alabama is far more accustomed to playing in the College Football Playoff semifinals, but the program has not fared quite as well in non-CFP bowl games under Nick Saban. Alabama beat Michigan in the 2019 Citrus Bowl and crushed Michigan State in the 2011 Capital One Bowl, but the Tide lost both times it played in the Sugar Bowl without national title implications. In the 2008 season, Alabama got blown out by Utah. In the 2013 season, Alabama got blown out by Oklahoma. Saban doesn’t want that to happen again — especially in what’s almost certainly Young’s last game in an Alabama uniform.
Kansas State: This is one of the biggest bowl games in Kansas State history. It's the seventh time in program history that the Wildcats have played in one of the New Year’s Six bowl games. K-State is 2-4 in its six other major bowl appearances, including a 1-2 mark in the Fiesta Bowl. The Wildcats beat Syracuse in 1997 and lost to Ohio State and Oregon in 2003 and 2013, respectively. The 2013 Fiesta Bowl was the most-recent major bowl berth for the program. That season marked the last time K-State reached 11 victories in a season. K-State also has a three-game bowl winning streak vs. SEC opponents.
Sam Cooper: With Young playing, Alabama is going to find a way to put up plenty of points on the Superdome's fast track. At the same time, Kansas State is going to be really fired up to play in this game. K-State’s offense has been playing at a high level with Howard and can beat opponents with the downfield passing game or with Vaughn out of the backfield. This could turn into a shootout. Pick: Over 56
Nick Bromberg: An underrated part of this game is going to be the K-State pass rush against an Alabama offensive line that hasn’t been its usual dominant self throughout 2022. Young’s escapability could be huge here and he’ll likely make some off-script plays like he always does. I also think this game could be high-scoring, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the winner gets to 40 points. Pick: Over 56
Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks along the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Mississippi and Alabama in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Georgia's body of work this season on defense is a big reason why it's 13-0 and in the playoff again. It has 'recentered' after its LSU showing,
Games against lower-level competition this time of year stress college coaches to a high degree, and this year is no different for Chris Holtmann. | 2022-12-29T02:54:11Z | sports.yahoo.com | No. 5 Alabama vs. No. 9 Kansas State: Sugar Bowl preview, best bets | https://sports.yahoo.com/no-5-alabama-vs-no-9-kansas-state-sugar-bowl-preview-best-bets-131059225.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/no-5-alabama-vs-no-9-kansas-state-sugar-bowl-preview-best-bets-131059225.html?src=rss |
The No. 23 Auburn Tigers opened SEC play with a low-scoring, tight battle with the Florida Gators at Neville Arena in Auburn.
Florida’s Colin Castleton tied the game at 56-56 with 2:08 remaining in the game on a free throw. Auburn and Florida would trade baskets over the final two minutes, but a layup by Johni Broome would give Auburn the final lead, and a layup by Wendell Green Jr. at the buzzer would solidify the Tigers’ first SEC win of the season, as they defeated Florida, 61-58 on Wednesday night.
As has been the case multiple times this season, offensive production picked up drastically in the second half. The Tigers shot just 28.6% from the field in the first half, Auburn improved by making 48% in the second half.
That uptick in offensive productivity was due in part to the efforts of Green, Broome, and Jaylin Williams, who each scored 10 or more points in the second half. Broome did the most damage, as he ended the night with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Tigers struggled offensively to open the SEC slate. However, despite only shooting 8-28 from the field in the first half, Auburn led for most of the first half. Florida grabbed their first lead of the game at the 10:24 mark in the half, when Kowacie Reeves made a layup to give Florida the 14-13 lead. Auburn regained the lead thirty seconds later on a jumper by Johni Broome and would hold on to the lead until the 2:49 mark when Myreon Jones made his second free throw of the sequence to tie the game at 20-20.
The Gators led by as many as six points over the final three minutes of the half, but Auburn would cut Florida’s lead to 26-23 with one-second remaining thanks to a three-pointer by Wendell Green Jr.
The final shot of the first half swung momentum to Auburn’s side, especially to Green. Green, who scored only three points in the first half, surged to score 10 points over the first four minutes of the second half.
His quick start was instrumental in Auburn’s pursuit of its first lead in the half. Johni Broome[autotag] connected on a layup at the 17:23 mark to give Auburn the 32-30 lead, which erased a three-point Florida halftime lead.
Auburn will take its’ first SEC road trip next Wednesday when they visit rival Georgia for a 5:30 p.m. CT tipoff at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens.
ESPN's Basketball Power Index forecasts Auburn's SEC slate
Arkansas closed the chapter on its first part of the season, capping off the non-conference portion of the schedule (aside from Baylor) with a win over UNC Asheville to finish 11-1. The Razorbacks are in a great spot moving forward, as their NCAA Tournament resume and metrics are all very highly ranked. With the uncertainty of the roster situation unfolding - losing Trevon Brazile for the year and Nick Smith Jr.’s uncertain status - I wanted to wait as long as possible before officially putting my conference predictions out there.
Fresno County's first flu-related death comes as other counties across Central California are seeing more patients testing positive for respiratory viruses -- following the Christmas holiday. | 2022-12-29T03:29:18Z | sports.yahoo.com | Instant Analysis: Tigers edge Gators to earn first SEC win of season | https://sports.yahoo.com/instant-analysis-tigers-edge-gators-022313937.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/instant-analysis-tigers-edge-gators-022313937.html?src=rss |
At least this time against a ranked opponent, Todd Golden’s Florida basketball team had a chance.
But a turnover on the last possession by Colin Castleton – his third of the game – spelled the difference as the Gators lost, 61-58, against 24th-ranked Auburn.
The loss drops Florida to 7-6 on the year and falling short in the SEC opener on the road certainly was not unexpected. But the Gators led for most of the second half and had a last chance to win it… but unfortunately could not prevail when the game was on the line.
Bruce Pearl and Auburn Tigers are now 11-2 on the season. Here are the takeaways from Wednesday night’s defeat.
It was not a great offensive game for either team, but Florida getting six points from Castleton was a big part of the loss. So was three-point shooting for the Gators.
Florida went 3-for-19 from three so in the last two games the Gators have gone 5-for-41 on shots from beyond the arc. And yet, they keep shooting them.
Still, Florida had a chance after an [autotag]Alex Fudge[/autotag] steal of an entry pass. Golden called a timeout to set up a play for Castleton, but he fumbled the ball while driving the paint and it led to a Wendell Green Jr. uncontested layup at the buzzer.
Florida led at the half 26-23 thanks to a defense that held Auburn to 28.6% shooting and forced 11 turnovers.
Florida led despite making only 1-for-8 from three-point land. Florida also had eight turnovers in the first half. Green made a long three at the buzzer to close the gap, his first points of the game. He also scored eight of Auburn’s first 11 points of the second half.
The game was a contest between two coaches who know each other very well as Golden spent time on Bruce Pearl’s staff.
The Gators still are looking for a Quad 1 victory and this would have been a beauty to win in a very hostile environment. The good news was that Florida had a chance against a quality team, but they just couldn’t make enough shots.
Player of the game - Auburn
Johni Broome, who played high school ball in Tampa, is a 6-foot-10-inch transfer from Moorhead State. He gave Castleton a lot of trouble. More than that, he led the Tigers in scoring, rebounding and assists. He had 14 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. He also scored the game-winning basket. Other than that…
Player of the game - Florida
[autotag]Kowacie Reeves[/autotag] threw up some bricks including a three that never touched the rim. But he played hard, scoring 15 points to lead Florida and grabbing four rebounds.
There was this promise that Florida would be a better rebounding team this season, but this was not a game that showed it. Auburn won the rebounding battle 40-28 with 17 of those rebounds coming on the Tigers’ offensive end.
On the road, in an SEC game, you aren’t going to win many games getting outrebounded like that.
“I’m proud of this team. We’ve gotten so much better. Even spotting them the 7-0 lead, we kept battling. If we can stay together, I think we are going to get hot over the next couple of weeks.” – Todd Golden.
The Gators take another week off between games before facing Texas A&M in the first SEC home game for Florida. It will be A&M’s first conference game (the Aggies play Prairie View Friday night).
The Aggies have a 7-5 record with some bad losses (Wofford, Murray State) and began the night 104th in the NET Rankings. | 2022-12-29T03:29:43Z | sports.yahoo.com | Pat Dooley recaps Florida’s near upset of Auburn to open SEC schedule | https://sports.yahoo.com/pat-dooley-recaps-florida-near-025300194.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/pat-dooley-recaps-florida-near-025300194.html?src=rss |
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) Tennessee was expecting a challenging Southeastern Conference opener, and Mississippi provided a stiff test.
''It's going to be a grind every night,'' Volunteers coach Rick Barnes said. ''It's the kind of game we expected. They were tougher than us in the first half, but in the second half, we played well and did the things that have gotten us to this point. Overall, it's a real good win.''
''Starting the conference schedule with a `W' really means a lot to us,'' Vescovi said. ''It's a real confidence boost. Good road win.''
''Those two guards (Vescovi and Zeigler) were really good, maybe the toughest in the league,'' Mississippi coach Kermit Davis said. ''But this was typical Ole Miss and Tennessee. Our guys competed their tails off and Tennessee got it done at the end. Tennessee is impressive.''
''I told Jonas that I didn't need him to shoot like he was in the first half,'' Barnes said. ''I needed him to make the difference inside by being physical. ... That was big for us in the second half.''
Tennessee: It wasn't pretty, but winning the SEC road opener was the top priority. The Vols proved capable of grinding it out despite falling behind 31-21 in the opening 15 minutes. The defense and rebounding were the difference in the second half, limiting Ole Miss to 7 of 25 from the field.
''We aren't going to hang our heads, there is a long way to go,'' Brakefield said. ''We played hard and they did, too. They made the shots at the end.''
After ‘all the ups and downs,’ Tennessee sixth-year senior caps college career in Orange Bowl
‘A lot of times, I’ve just sat there and would think about how far we’ve come since I’ve been here. ... It’s been worth it.’
Bowl games don't mean what they used to, and there's no turning back now, especially with the College Football Playoff scheduled to expand to 12 teams. | 2022-12-29T03:30:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Vescovi leads No. 7 Tennessee past Mississippi 63-59 | https://sports.yahoo.com/vescovi-leads-no-7-tennessee-005610768.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/vescovi-leads-no-7-tennessee-005610768.html?src=rss |
No. 15 Oregon and North Carolina took the field with two of the game's best quarterbacks in Bo Nix and Drake Maye. The Tar Heels caught a big break when a Nix mistake turned into a worst-case scenario for Oregon.
The touchdown was Maye's third of the half. It was made possible courtesy of one of the most ridiculous interceptions of the season. | 2022-12-29T04:03:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Luck? Skill? Triple-doink interception sets up big swing in UNC's favor at Holiday Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/luck-skill-triple-doink-interception-sets-up-big-swing-in-north-carolinas-favor-at-holiday-bowl-032013786.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/luck-skill-triple-doink-interception-sets-up-big-swing-in-north-carolinas-favor-at-holiday-bowl-032013786.html?src=rss |
The Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday threw a curveball at their Week 17 showdown with the 49ers when they announced the benching of starting quarterback Derek Carr.
Carr’s relegation to the third-string QB for the Raiders, who are still in playoff contention FYI, opened the door for third-year signal caller Jarrett Stidham to make his first-career start.
Stidham’s 11 games since joining the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the Patriots in 2019 draft have been underwhelming. On 61 pass attempts he’s amassed a 52.5 percent completion rate, 5.6 yards per attempt with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Despite the change under center, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan still sees enough talent on the Raiders’ roster to knock off the 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
“I see some great players who can beat you,” Shanahan said. “hat’s why I think they’ve had a chance in so many games this year and they have been close. They’re just a few the ball bouncing a different way to be in locked in as a playoff team right now, so I know they’re sitting down their quarterback, who I think’s a real good player, but they also got three big time weapons there on offense. Their defensive end in Crosby is playing as probably the second-best defense player in the league. At least that I’ve seen this year. I think he’s been unbelievable, so they got some guys who can wreck games and you better be on your stuff regardless.”
The three big-time weapons on offense presumably refers to running back Josh Jacobs, tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Davante Adams. They also have slot receiver extraordinaire Hunter Renfrow who is an extremely tough cover on third downs.
That group was supposed to spearhead a playoff-caliber offense under the guidance of head coach and former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. While they’ve gotten good production from that group, Carr’s play left something to be desired with the coaching staff which led to the change under center.
For Stidham, that group will make his transition to the starting role at least a little bit easier, though it doesn’t necessarily guarantee his success.
The Raiders don’t have as much talent on the defensive side, but there aren’t many defensive ends better than Maxx Crosby (Nick Bosa is one of them, for the record). Crosby is good enough to wreck a game, and he’ll be a handful for 49ers right tackle Mike McGlinchey.
If Vegas’ stars show up, they’ll be tough to beat no matter who is playing quarterback. The 49ers are the more talented team overall though – they just have to avoid overlooking their final road opponent of the year. | 2022-12-29T04:21:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers, Kyle Shanahan not taking Raiders lightly despite QB tumult | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-kyle-shanahan-not-taking-030005818.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-kyle-shanahan-not-taking-030005818.html?src=rss |
Arkansas got the ball in the hands of its best offensive player, Ricky Council IV, in the final seconds against the Tigers, and he had a chance to win it for the Razorbacks in a one-point game in Wednesday night’s SEC opener.
But Council turned it over in the paint with two seconds to play as LSU took over. After some clutch free throws from Adam Miller and a halfcourt buzzer-beater shot that was a little bit too close for comfort, the Tigers eked out a 60-57 upset win over the No. 9 Hogs at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
It was a disastrous start offensively for LSU (12-1, 1-0 SEC) in this game. It made just one of its first 11 shots, and that didn’t get much better in the first frame. The team shot just 29.4% in the first half, but Arkansas (11-2, 0-1 SEC) was even worse at just 27.3%. The Tigers led by five points as they went into the locker room at halftime.
But Arkansas stormed out of the gates in the second half. It made six of its first eight shots to start the half, and that kickstarted an impressive effort in which the Razorbacks scored twice as many points in the second half (38) as they did in the first (19).
1-0 in SEC Play ✅ pic.twitter.com/tASoePAn2U
Davonte Davis (16), Council (13) and Jordan Walsh (13) all scored in double figures for the Hogs.
LSU was even better offensively, however. It shot above 50% in the second half as a team with big games from Trae Hannibal, who led the team with 19 points, and Derek Fountain, who scored 14. They made up for an off night offensively from leading scorer KJ Williams, who finished with just eight points and five rebounds.
In a game that featured seven lead changes and 10 ties, LSU prevailed to earn its first Quadrant 1 game of the season against an Arkansas team that entered with a No. 10 ranking in the NET.
The road doesn’t get a lot easier for LSU, as coach Matt McMahon’s team will hit the road to take on a Kentucky squad that currently ranks in the top 25 but lost on the road to Missouri to open SEC play.
LSU basketball will have its first test against an SEC foe under new coach Matt McMahon on Wednesday when the Tigers face Arkansas. | 2022-12-29T05:52:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Instant Analysis: LSU upsets No. 9 Arkansas in SEC opener | https://sports.yahoo.com/instant-analysis-lsu-upsets-no-043317615.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/instant-analysis-lsu-upsets-no-043317615.html?src=rss |
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers looked like they were playing for 2023 after a Nov. 27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles dropped the Packers to 4-8.
There was talk that Green Bay should bench Rodgers and play Jordan Love for the remainder of the season.
On the same day the Packers fell to the Eagles, the Washington Commanders defeated the Atlanta Falcons to move to 7-5. The Commanders looked like a shoo-in for an NFC playoff bid.
Now, one month later, the Packers have won three in a row and are 7-8, while the Commanders have lost two and tied one in their last three games. As a result, the Commanders hold a half-game lead over the Packers, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks,
If the Commanders win their final two games, they are in regardless of what the teams below them do. This weekend, Washington hosts the Cleveland Browns and Rodgers is quite aware of the Commanders’ opponent for Week 17.
In his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show Wednesday, Rodgers signed off his appearance with a “Go Browns” as McAfee applauded.
Washington’s fate is up to Carson Wentz, who will make his first start since Week 6. | 2022-12-29T05:57:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | Aaron Rodgers makes it clear he’s a Browns fan this weekend | https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-makes-clear-browns-053530325.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-makes-clear-browns-053530325.html?src=rss |
“I know as long as my mind stays in it, I can play at this level for a minute,” James said, via the OC Register’s Kyle Goon. “Now, that’s up to my mind … I’m a winner, and I want to win and give myself a chance to win and still compete for championships. That has always been my passion, that has always been my goal since I entered the league as an 18-year-old kid out of Akron, Ohio.
Now even though he’s thinking about the end of his career, James almost certainly isn’t going to walk away and retire altogether immediately. He’s said repeatedly that he wants to keep playing until his oldest son, Bronny, reaches the league and that he’d do whatever it takes to play a season with him. As Bronny can’t enter the NBA until the 2024 draft under the current rules, that means James has a few seasons left.
“I think about how much longer I’m going to play the game. I think about that I don’t want to finish my career playing at this level from a team aspect,” James said, via the OC Register. “I’ll still be able to compete for championships because I know what I can still bring to any ball club with the right pieces.”
LeBron James and the Lakers have lost five of their last six games following Wednesday's loss to the Heat. (Jasen Vinlove/USA Today) | 2022-12-29T06:01:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | LeBron James before 38th birthday amid Lakers struggles: ‘I don’t want to finish my career playing at this level’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/le-bron-james-before-38th-birthday-amid-lakers-struggles-i-dont-want-to-finish-my-career-playing-at-this-level-043742937.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/le-bron-james-before-38th-birthday-amid-lakers-struggles-i-dont-want-to-finish-my-career-playing-at-this-level-043742937.html?src=rss |
It's the most wonderful time of the year. I'm not talking about Christmas. I'm talking about the final two weeks of the NFL regular season, when teams' playoff fates are set and they begin managing workloads like they're Dirk Diggler. It makes survivor pools a bit easier to navigate for those who remain and have saved teams who are still fighting for postseason positioning.
Before we dig into Week 17's Oops All Best Bets, let's take stock of how we fared last week:
New York Giants (-6) vs. Indianapolis Colts
Indy's quarterback room is so dreadful, it's tough to tell whether the organization is tanking by starting Nick Foles again, or whether they think he gives them the best chance at winning. Losing out would ensure a top five pick — possibly in the top two or three — which would come in handy, considering the QB talent expected to come off the board early in the 2023 draft.
One thing we can be fairly certain of is that Foles is not a good quarterback. The Super Bowl MVP trophy sitting on his shelf was either the result of a glitch in the matrix or a collective fever dream. Whatever the case, he's no longer under the tutelage of quarterback whisperer Doug Pederson. His coach is Jeff Saturday, a man who barely eked out a winning record as a high school coach, and whose NFL team has been outscored 90-9 in the fourth quarter since he took over.
Foles performed terribly when pressured by the Chargers in his Week 16 start, posting a -1.20 EPA per attempt and a 25% success rate versus the blitz. New York blitzes at the league's highest rate (40.1%) and is tied with New England for the highest pressure rate (24.7%). This is an awful matchup for Foles, who's working behind an offensive line that ranks 32nd in ESPN's Pass Block Win Rate. The Giants are going to eat him up like Kirby.
Saquon Barkley is in a favorable position to feast on the offensive side of the ball, versus a Colts defense that's 28th in rushing success rate. New York can clinch a playoff berth with a win, so Brian Daboll will have extra motivation to reach deep into his offensive bag for this game.
Danny Ocean could assemble a heist crew with all the players Tennessee has ruled out for Thursday night's game. Six starters are already a no-go: quarterback Ryan Tannehill, offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, safety Amani Hooker, and linebackers Bud Dupree and Zach Cunningham. Running back Derrick Henry, linebacker Denico Autry, and cornerback Kristian Fulton are listed as doubtful to suit up in their starting roles. Nothing the Titans do in Week 17 will affect their playoff picture. Their only path to the postseason is by beating the Jaguars in Jacksonville next week.
Dallas, meanwhile, still has an outside shot at the NFC's top seed and a first-round bye if they defeat the Titans. Tennessee's offense scores the sixth-fewest points per drive, and that's with 12 games of Tannehill and 15 games of Henry. Once we dip down to QB Malik Willis and RB Hassan Haskins versus a Cowboys defense that ranks second in DVOA and is actually playing for something, we're en route to blowout city.
Jerry's team is the eighth-most popular survivor pick this week, at 3.19%.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants carries the ball during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on October 23, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs (-12.5) vs. Denver Broncos
The Chiefs sport the same record as the Bills, but Buffalo owns the tiebreaker and currently holds the AFC's top seed. Denver has lost 10 of their last 12 games, leading to the axe dropping on rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett after an embarrassing 51-14 Christmas Day loss to the Rams that was broadcast to the world on Nickelodeon. You know things are bad when Patrick Star is clowning your starting quarterback.
We often see teams rally around new head coaches after a firing, but that's usually done earlier in the season when teams still have hope. There's no rallying and no saving these Broncos. They hitched their wagon to an anchor and find themselves at the bottom of the league in points per game (15.5). Denver gets dunked on by a Patrick in back-to-back weeks here.
Las Vegas went from 6-point underdogs to 10-point underdogs on Wednesday after news broke that the Raiders are benching Derek Carr for the last two games of the season. Jarrett Stidham will be making his first NFL start in place of Carr, and it couldn't come at a worse time. San Francisco has one of the best defenses the NFL has seen in years, allowing just 15.3 points per game. Stidham is 32-for-61 passing in his career, with two touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 52.8 QB rating.
If the Bucs, Seahawks, and Commanders defenses couldn't stop Brock Purdy and the Niners offense, a Las Vegas unit that ranks 31st in DVOA won't be able to, either. San Francisco is striving for at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC, which would ensure them a minimum of two home games in the playoffs.
There's a very small chance the Jags could win this week, lose to the Titans in Week 18, and still end up making the playoffs. A lot of things would have to break their way for that scenario. It pretty much all comes down to their season finale versus Tennessee. They'll try to win this game, but 31.23% of the field is on them and they're only a 4.5-point favorite. Game theory dictates fading them unless a smaller percentage of your pool has them available to use.
Detroit Lions (-6) vs. Chicago Bears
Chicago isn't a good team, but they're good at running the ball. The Bears lead the NFL in rushing yards per game (179.7), which could be a problem for a Lions defense that was just gashed by the Panthers for 320 yards on the ground.
Los Angeles Chargers (-6.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Chargers clinched a playoff spot last week and have no chance at securing a home game in the postseason. Safety Derwin James remains in concussion protocol, while running back Austin Ekeler is questionable to play with a knee injury. I'd rather ride with a team that has more to play for than take the Chargers on a short week. | 2022-12-29T07:32:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL betting: Week 17 survivor pool picks | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-betting-week-17-survivor-pool-picks-070310676.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-betting-week-17-survivor-pool-picks-070310676.html?src=rss |
Christopher Bell 2022 season in review
Sean Montgomery
See more: Bubba Wallace, Erik Jones, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, Kevin Harvick, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suárez, Chris Buescher, Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott
Driver: Christopher Bell
Final 2022 ranking: 3rd
How 2022 ended: Bell made a remarkable run through the NASCAR Playoffs to the Championship 4, earning a title-race bid after winning must-win elimination races at the Charlotte Roval and Martinsville Speedway. In the championship race at Phoenix Raceway, Bell was out front for 27 laps but continued to fall back in the field with unfortunate pit stops, taking him off the pace of the top contenders. Bell and the No. 20 team rallied to finish 10th in the season finale but fell behind Cup Series champion Joey Logano and runner-up Ross Chastain to finish third in the overall standings. Still, Bell’s clutch run-of-form down the stretch left him with many memorable moments from his third season in the premier series — the best of his career to date.
Best race: Charlotte Roval. With respect to Bell’s incredible performance at Martinsville Speedway, among such a strong field of road-course ringers, the Roval win was seemingly against all odds. Bell did score his first career victory on the Daytona Road Course layout in 2021, but in a must-win situation at one of the most daunting circuits on the schedule, not many people picked the No. 20 team to advance to the next round. Stuck behind the leaders all afternoon, a masterful pit strategy from crew chief Adam Stevens on Lap 105 of the 112-lap marathon set Bell up with fresh tires to fight for a miracle. Confident and composed, Bell tracked down Kevin Harvick and made the pass, eventually sailing off into the sunset, Victory Lane and the Round of 8.
RECAP: Bell nets first of two playoff-saving victories
Stat to know: Four poles. Bell flashed some serious speed this season, earning the first four Busch Light Pole Awards of his Cup Series career. The impressive total equaled the sum of his three Joe Gibbs Racing teammates combined (Denny Hamlin with three, Martin Truex Jr. with one and Kyle Busch with zero) and tied the mark for most in the series this season (Kyle Larson and Joey Logano). Bell started on the pole for both of the races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Other notable highlights: Entering the season, Bell had led a total of 118 laps in his previous 72 Cup Series starts. His 573 laps led in 2022 shatters that total and was the ninth-most in the premier series. … Bell also set personal records in top fives (12) and top 10s (20) … Before this season, Bell had never made it past the Round of 12, making his Championship 4 run the deepest playoff run of his career. … Bell is the second driver that crew chief Adam Stevens has taken to the Championship 4 after first accomplishing the feat with Kyle Busch.
Quotable: “Yeah, I think the season was successful. To get to the final four is what every driver in NASCAR’s goals are. I’m very proud of that effort. With 40 or 50 to go, the last green-flag pit stop, we put ourselves in position to race for it. You can’t ask for much more than that. Looking towards next year, I think we have potential to be stronger yet, and certainly, we have room to improve at Phoenix. Yeah, I’m very content with where we ended the season and proud of the effort on this 20 car. I’m excited about the future with Joe Gibbs Racing.”
MORE: Relieve the Roval race in GIFs
Looking ahead: Joe Gibbs Racing was filled with rumors of shakeups and a new direction during the 2022 season, settling into the roster we know now. After the departure of longtime driver Kyle Busch, Bell steps into a much bigger role with higher expectations coming after a marvelous campaign. The No. 20 group proved that this is a race team with the credentials to race for a championship, right alongside series staples Martin Truex Jr. (the 2017 Cup Series champion) and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. Bell and Co. shattered predictions for his performance during the 2022 season by advancing to the Championship 4 but moving forward, that will always be the standard now for the talented young driver chasing his first Bill France Cup. Expect them to have a bit more consistency in their second season settling into the Next Gen car and perhaps raising the bar even higher. | 2022-12-29T08:02:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Christopher Bell 2022 season in review | https://sports.yahoo.com/christopher-bell-2022-season-review-101320226.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/christopher-bell-2022-season-review-101320226.html?src=rss |
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Jaelen House scored 26 points and Jamal Mashburn Jr. added 19 to lead No. 22 New Mexico to an 88-69 win Wednesday over Colorado State in the Mountain West opener for both teams.
''We just exploded offensively,'' Lobos coach Richard Pitino said. ''And we were getting stops. We were just making shots. We have not made a lot of shots this year, but we have not taken a lot of shots this year. ... You've got to step in and catch and shoot 3s. We have the ability to do it.''
''They want to pound it inside. They want to get to the glass. They want to attack you off the dribble,'' he said. ''You have to give them credit. They came ready to play. They buried shots. The first six minutes, that kind of tells the story. They beat us a different way than they have been beating other opponents. They're a good team.''
''This was an important game for me,'' House said. ''A lot of people have been saying that Stevens was better than me, and I just wanted to go out there and show them he's not better than me. I don't like that. I'm not taking nothing away from him, but this was personal.''
''They're good shooters,'' Pitino said of his squad. ''The bread has been buttered with others things, but good teams take what the other teams give them.''
''I'd be willing to bet a lot of money that we won't be the last team that loses in here,'' Medved said. ''So at the end of the day we have to keep perspective. We have to play better, but it's one loss and the train is going to move. And we have to pick ourselves up and get ready to play Saturday. The teams that are going to have success in the league are going to be able to move past winning and losing and get ready, and that's what we have to do.''
Delon Wright with an and one vs the Philadelphia 76ers
Delon Wright (Washington Wizards) with an and one vs the Philadelphia 76ers, 12/27/2022 | 2022-12-29T08:07:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | House, Mashburn lead No. 22 New Mexico over Colorado State | https://sports.yahoo.com/house-mashburn-lead-no-22-044027214.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/house-mashburn-lead-no-22-044027214.html?src=rss |
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) Mark Sears scored 20 points and No. 8 Alabama pulled away in the second half to beat No. 21 Mississippi State 78-67 on Wednesday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
''I'm proud of the team. Road wins are not easy to get in this league,'' Alabama coach Nate Oats said. ''We went on the road against a Top 25 team and were able to come out with a pretty convincing win. I think it speaks to what our guys were able to do, especially on the defensive end.''
''I can talk about this because I know what kind of man he is, but the elephant in the room - Tolu Smith missed 12 of our 18 (free throws),'' Mississippi State coach Chris Jans said. ''He's been shooting them so well. He struggled out of the gate but if you look game-by-game, he was much better the last few games than he was the first four or five games. I'm not sure what happened tonight.''
''We had 19 turnovers which was obviously not very good, but I thought we were able to overcome them,'' Oats said. ''They really hang their hat on how hard they play and how they rebound. For us to outrebound them, I thought our defense was better than theirs. I was proud of our guys.''
''We've got to play better. The first thing that I told the team is that they played better than us. They deserved to win,'' Jans said. ''We're going to watch the video, try to learn and grow, show them what we did well and didn't do well. We've got to move on. We are who we are and it's probably not going to change a whole lot.'' | 2022-12-29T08:07:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Sears scores 20, No. 8 Alabama beats No. 21 Miss St 78-67 | https://sports.yahoo.com/sears-scores-20-no-8-045947705.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sears-scores-20-no-8-045947705.html?src=rss |
Handwritten Lyrics Found In A Dumpster From A Teenage Drake Up For Auction With $20K Starting Price
Many came to first learn about Drake’s rap skills during his portrayal as Jimmy Brooks in the seventh season of “Degrassi: The Next Generation.” The following year, in 2008, the rapper left the show to focus on his music career. | 2022-12-29T09:08:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tatiana Suarez says she’s making UFC return in February, ending nearly 4-year layoff | https://sports.yahoo.com/tatiana-suarez-says-she-making-014505763.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tatiana-suarez-says-she-making-014505763.html?src=rss |
LEEDS, England (AP) Erling Haaland set a Premier League scoring record in Manchester City's 3-1 win over Leeds on Wednesday.
''For me, as a striker, I could have scored a couple more but that's life, what can I do? I have to practice more,'' Haaland told Amazon Prime.
''With my father in the (stands) over there, it's special,'' the 22-year-old Haaland said. ''I am happy today, it's a really special moment in my career... It's my craziest fantasy that I could be at Elland Road and score for Manchester City against Leeds.''
LEEDS, England (Reuters) -Erling Haaland continued his incredible season in front of goal with a brace to help Manchester City cruise to a 3-1 victory at Leeds United on Wednesday, ensuring the champions closed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points. The visitors had a hosts of chances in the first half, with Haaland twice denied by fine saves from home goalkeeper Illan Meslier, while England forward Jack Grealish blazed two efforts over from good positions. Back in the city of his birth, where his father was a player for Leeds, Norway international Haaland effectively put the game to bed early in the second half with a simple finish, before taking his league tally to 20 for the season in the 64th minute.
Kevin De Bruyne has thrice led the PL in assists, winning the nascent Premier League Playmaker of the Season Award twice (including a 20-assist season). | 2022-12-29T10:39:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | Haaland sets scoring record in City's 3-1 win over Leeds | https://sports.yahoo.com/haaland-sets-scoring-record-citys-235716271.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/haaland-sets-scoring-record-citys-235716271.html?src=rss |
PBJ puts fingerprints on Warriors' win, looks like he belongs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
“It's not easy,” said DiVincenzo, who was cleared to play and scored 19 points. “I think for him coming in, just tell him to be aggressive. Don't worry about anything else just be aggressive. Defensively, he was good. He was talking out there which is really hard for a young player in that environment to talk. We are on him every day about talking, and I think he did a great job tonight. We definitely needed it.”
“They arrived about an hour before the game,” Kerr said. “So, so it was . . . it's pretty impressive for them to keep going back and forth and then for Patrick to come in and play the way he did. It's exciting. He's got a lot of skill and he's not afraid.
Boston Celtics big man alum Shaquille O’Neal on being inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame | 2022-12-29T10:39:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | Patrick Baldwin Jr. changes Warriors' win vs. Jazz, looks like he belongs | https://sports.yahoo.com/patrick-baldwin-jr-changes-warriors-074934225.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/patrick-baldwin-jr-changes-warriors-074934225.html?src=rss |
Mar 7, 2022; Uncasville, CT, USA; UConn Huskies forward Dorka Juhasz (14) and forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) react after a play against Villanova Wildcats in the second half of the Big East Conference Tournament Championship at Mohegan Sun Arena. / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
With only seven players suited up, No. 8 UConn rolled past No. 21 Creighton 72-47 on Wednesday night thanks to the play of the Huskies’ two bigs, Aaliyah Edwards and Dorka Juhasz.
The two forwards combined to score 45 points and bring down 38 rebounds in the win, an effort that Geno Auriemma -- who returned to the sideline after missing the team’s last two games due to health and personal reasons -- was very pleased with.
“That was pretty amazing. Not only defensively but just our effort was really great,” he said after the game. “We talked about going into the game that we had a big advantage in the post and certainly Aaliyah and Dorka played into that. What they did was pretty remarkable.
“They didn’t get much of a breather, the two of them. [Creighton] are not an easy team to guard, you have to chase them all over the court. I’m really thrilled for them and proud of them tonight.”
As the Hall of Fame coach said, UConn came into Wednesday’s game looking to take advantage of their size. Edwards is listed at 6-foot-3 while Juhasz comes in at 6-foot-5, and Creighton had no answer on defense.
UConn's plan worked, leading to an early and sizable lead that UConn would not relinquish.
“I knew we had to play off our energy,” Edwards, who posted 23 points and 20 rebounds, said of the team’s quick start. “We made it known that we were going to be dominant the whole game.”
“From the start we were talking about that. Coming out of the second half… coming out even stronger and using our height advantage. It was the whole game,” Juhasz added. “In the second half we were mindful of finding those mismatches and feeding the ball inside and I feel the guards did a great job of finding us.”
UConn needed the offense Edwards and Juhasz provided because the team was missing so many players. Azzi Fudd missed her fifth straight game with a knee injury while Aubrey Griffin was out after testing positive for COVID and Amari DeBerry couldn’t make the matchup because of travel cancellations.
Despite missing so many bodies, UConn’s resilience showed against a ranked opponent on the road.
“It’s extra motivation,” Juhasz said of playing short-handed. “Whoever is playing today needs to be ready to play. We have pride in that. Make sure that we were going to dominate this game and I think we did a great job. There are a lot of circumstances happening to us but it shows our team chemistry is really good. It doesn’t matter how many people we have, we play our game and don’t take our foot off the gas.”
Edwards became the first player in school history to grab 20 rebounds since Maya Moore did it in 2010, and while that bit of history isn’t lost on her, the junior gives the credit to her teammates.
“It’s an honor to be up there with the big names,” she said. “As Dorka said, keeping our foot on the gas. Tonight was my night but it could be Dorka’s for the next game… It shows how resilient our team is and we don’t stop and we keep going.”
After the big win, Auriemma said he was glad to be back on the sideline especially with this particular group. He credits their infectious energy, but he also can't help but wonder what this team would look like if his stars were not sidelined with injuries.
“Feels good to be around this group. They have so much energy that they play with all the time,” he said. “And, you know, I keep thinking ‘well, what it would have been like if it were with Paige [Bueckers], Azzi, Ice [Brady] out there.’ We didn't have Aubrey today. So it's just fun to watch them play and see what they do.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be Geno without some criticism of his team, but he couldn’t help but show how happy he is to be coaching this team saying, “They’re infuriating sometimes with some of the things that we do, but they never stop. They just keep playing. I think Nika [Muhl] just pushes the pace all the time and forces us to play at her energy level. So, it's really neat to be around them.”
UConn moved to 10-2 and remained undefeated in Big East play after Wednesday’s win. They’ll look to continue their hot start to the season when they host Marquette on New Year’s Eve.
The death of a North Haven firefighter who died after responding to a fire at a multi-family home on Monday was considered natural, caused by a number of factors, including heart disease, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Wednesday. Matthias Wirtz, 46, issued a mayday while he was outside the home operating a fire engine at a two-alarm fire on Quinnipiac Avenue in North ...
Wednesday's results: Green, Tallmadge, Walsh girls basketball win
Akron-area high school basketball, bowling, swimming, wrestling, gymnastics results from the Week of Dec. 27-31.
Keon Coleman rejoins Michigan State basketball team | 2022-12-29T12:10:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | UConn's Aaliyah Edwards, Dorka Juhasz use size advantage to dominate Creighton | https://sports.yahoo.com/uconns-aaliyah-edwards-dorka-juhasz-052222509.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/uconns-aaliyah-edwards-dorka-juhasz-052222509.html?src=rss |
On Wednesday morning, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell sent a message to his players and coaching staff.
Having already digested the film, Campbell instructed them to forget about last Saturday's blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers and focus solely on Sunday's clash with the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. The Lions, facing adversity yet again, must return to their winning ways over the next two weeks if they want to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
"This is our recalibrate week," Campbell said Wednesday. "We're going to recalibrate because we were doing some good things. ... We just got a little out of line, so let's do a little realignment, recalibration and go back to work."
Jared Goff (16) of the Detroit Lions throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Quarterback Jared Goff, who hasn't thrown an interception (compared to 12 touchdowns) in the past seven weeks, echoed a similar message. He believes the Lions are built to bounce back.
"Recalibrate and respond," he said, "and find a way to get better and improve and beat Chicago."
The Lions, of course, started the season with a 1-6 record before winning six of their next eight games, putting them at 7-8 overall. They won three straight games in November (against the Green Bay Packers, Bears and New York Giants) and three straight games in December (against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets).
"The adversity we've been through this year is much greater than one loss," Goff said.
To advance to the playoffs, the Lions need to beat the Bears and Packers for a second time this season (and get help from other teams). Detroit has a 24% chance to make the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.com.
The Bears have lost eight games in a row, as well as 11 of their past 12.
"We're treating them like any other team," Goff said. "I don't care who it is. We were a team like that last year, and we felt like we could beat anybody. They feel the same way. So yeah, show up ready to play."
DAVE BIRKETT: Lions need help to make playoffs after blowout loss to Panthers
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs for a 67-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.
But the Bears, with a 3-12 record and a half-game from controlling the No. 1 overall pick, could easily play spoiler, thanks to the mobility of quarterback Justin Fields. The Lions topped the Bears, 31-30, in a Week 10 comeback but let Fields run for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
The Lions have struggled to contain running quarterbacks this season.
Fields is slated to play the final two games of the season despite having his foot stepped on and hurting his previously injured non-throwing shoulder in Chicago's 35-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He was held to 71 rushing yards by the Packers in Week 13, 95 rushing yards by the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15 and a season-low 11 rushing yards by the Bills in Week 16.
"The first tape you're going to turn on is your last game," Campbell said. "You'll always look at that one and see what was done well and what wasn't done well. And then you do have to go over the last few games. You need to look at what's been done. I think you combine the two, and then you have to understand how they're looking at it and where they feel like they can expose you."
Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates with running back Jamaal Williams (30) after Williams runs in a touchdown during the first half against the Giants on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J.
After watching film, Campbell tipped his cap to a seemingly underrated component of the Bears.
Chicago's defense — decimated by injuries in the secondary — has forced six turnovers in the past two games and 21 turnovers throughout the season. Ball security will be crucial for the Lions in their Ford Field finale.
"Last home game," Goff said. "We've had a lot of fun in front of our home fans this year, and this one, we expect to be the same. They'll be rowdy, and offensively, we want to score a lot of points for them and come out with a win."
Putting last Saturday's disappointment to rest, Goff laughed at the possibility that the Lions were shell-shocked by their recent loss and expressed confidence in a more favorable result this Sunday.
He doesn't seem fazed by the difficult task ahead.
"It's another game, and we will respond accordingly," Goff said. "We had a tough game. We didn't play well. We lost, and they played better than us. It's the National Football League. That's going to happen.
"Now, that doesn't mean we don't go back and look at it and see what we need to get better at, but we know every game is tough. We've won six of eight and need to find a way to win eight of 10. I feel good about it."
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions will 'recalibrate' vs. Bears with NFL playoffs at stake | 2022-12-29T12:59:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Detroit Lions will 'recalibrate, respond' vs. Bears with NFL playoffs on line | https://sports.yahoo.com/detroit-lions-recalibrate-respond-vs-110710958.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/detroit-lions-recalibrate-respond-vs-110710958.html?src=rss |
The great exhilaration of Saturday’s upset win over the Detroit Lions was met with a great loss for the Carolina Panthers. And now, that loss could linger.
On Monday, we learned that cornerback Jaycee Horn was to undergo surgery on his broken left wrist—an injury he sustained in the fourth quarter of the Week 16 triumph. The budding star exited the game after a tackle of Lions wideout Josh Reynolds and was seen wearing a cast and sling in the locker room afterwards.
Luckily, that procedure was a successful one—as interim head coach Steve Wilks told reporters on Wednesday that the first step of Horn’s recovery “went well.” Now, the team will reevaluate the 23-year-old’s health in 10 to 12 days, leaving the door open for a Week 18 return and/or a potential playoff appearance.
But, what if he’s not back?
Horn has been a huge part of the Panthers’ defensive success this year—grading out as one of, if not the very best cornerback in the entire league. Entering that Christmas Eve matchup, the second-year defender had allowed the fewest receptions (23), the fewest receiving yards (216) and the lowest passer rating (39.4) amongst all starting corners.
Unfortunately, guys like this don’t grow on trees . . . or out in the open market. So, even in the wake of the Josh Norman signing, there will undoubtedly be a dip in production against the pass and the run given how effective Horn was at both.
With a very real shot at an NFC South title, the Panthers must not allow this injury to cause an unraveling of the entire unit. Sunday’s showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will mark a big step-up moment for both CJ Henderson and Keith Taylor Jr.—who have had their respective struggles this year.
Norman will also likely see snaps immediately given his history with Wilks and understanding of this style of defense. Expectations, however, must be kept in check—because we’re not going to see the 2015 First-team All-Pro version of The Dark Knight on that field. The team can only hope to get a fraction of that, in the form of a solid veteran who can get his legs under himself early and help younger players adapt.
If the cornerback depth behind Horn can refrain from playing out and trust in the scheme they are in, this defense still has enough talent to ride into the playoffs. While the challenge ahead for the squad as a whole certainly seems cumbersome, there is little doubt coach Wilks and defensive coordinator Al Holcomb will develop a way to keep this train on the tracks. | 2022-12-29T12:59:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | What does Jaycee Horn’s absence mean for Panthers defense? | https://sports.yahoo.com/does-jaycee-horn-absence-mean-110032940.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/does-jaycee-horn-absence-mean-110032940.html?src=rss |
Josiah Scott still feeling confident after taking his lumps originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles have one of the best nickel corners in the NFL but Avonte Maddox has missed significant time this season with three separate injuries.
The guy filling in has been Josiah Scott. He’s done that with varying levels of success.
And on Saturday, Scott certainly struggled against CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys. But his confidence isn’t shot. In fact, that’s something he isn’t worrying about.
“That’s not a struggle for me at all,” Scott said by his locker on Tuesday. “You have your ups and downs as a football player. Nobody is ever going to be perfect, nobody is ever going to have a perfect game. It’s never a confidence knock at all.
“A bad thing may happen … so what? It’s the league. As a DB, you’re going to get beat at some point. Something bad is going to happen to you. It’s just how you respond do it. It’s always next-play mentality.”
That’s good news for the Eagles as they prepare to face the Saints this Sunday. Because Maddox is out again with a toe injury and as much as it might make sense to play C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the slot when he returns from his lacerated kidney, his practice window hasn’t yet been opened.
So it looks like the Eagles are going to put their faith in Scott for at least one more week.
Scott’s ability to move beyond a bad performance might come in handy.
“It’s an important quality for all DBs,” starting safety Marcus Epps said. “If you mess up at our position, everybody knows it, everybody sees it all the time. As opposed to other positions, you might not even see it. We’re always just out in the open for everybody to see when we mess up. Sometimes it might not even be somebody fault but you’ll see them near the play.
“It’s always about pushing on to the next play, good or bad. You gotta forget and move on. When you play DB, game-changing plays can happen like that, the ball can come your way any time and you’ve just got to be ready for it.”
It was Scott who was closest to the 3rd-and-30 conversion to T.Y. Hilton on Saturday afternoon. After the game, Scott explained that the Cowboys quick-snapped the ball and that showed as he took a rough route to the catch and failed to make a play. It was a huge moment it was a crushing mistake.
Scott in the game was charged with three catches for 76 yards by ProFootballFocus. And PFF ranks him as the No. 107-ranked cornerback in the NFL out of 121 qualified players.
On top of that, this week, fans and pundits have been very critical of Scott’s play.
Another thing most defensive backs in the NFL need? Thick skin. Scott has that too.
“The people that really matter are the people here in the building with me,” Scott said. “These are the people who see us go to work every day, the hard work and effort we put in. People on the outside don’t really know how much work is put in to what we’re trying to do. The long days and the early mornings that we do here. For the people in here to trust you is the biggest thing.”
The Eagles acquired Scott in a trade with the Jaguars in 2021 and he’s played in 27 games over the last two seasons. In 2022, he’s started four games and has played over 50% in seven of the Eagles’ 15 games.
And despite his most recent outing, it hasn’t all been bad. Scott picked off Aaron Rodgers in Week 12 and is fourth among Eagles defensive backs with seven pass breakups behind James Bradberry (15) and Darius Slay (13) and Gardner-Johnson (8).
Scott is a backup for a reason and he’s been filling in for one of the best slot corners in the league. That’s not easy.
“The pressure is a privilege to begin with,” Scott said. “But I don’t feel like it’s too much pressure because I don’t try to go out there and be [Maddox]. I try to go out there and be myself and bring my own nuances and tweaks to the defense. Play to the strengths that I bring to the defense. I don’t try to compare to him in that sense. He’s a really great player, really high IQ player, I talk to him all the time. But I try to just go out there and be myself.”
For at least another week or so, the Eagles will have to hope that’s enough.
December 29, 2022 / According to FMI reports, the global hydrogen truck market is expected to grow by nearly US$ 3.84 Bn by 2023. | 2022-12-29T12:59:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles’ Josiah Scott still feeling confident after taking his lumps | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-josiah-scott-still-feeling-120000072.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-josiah-scott-still-feeling-120000072.html?src=rss |
Eagles react to Johnson’s decision to put off surgery originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Lane Johnson is a tough guy and Wednesday’s news is just the latest example.
Johnson, 32, is going to delay his core muscle surgery and attempt to rejoin the Eagles in the playoffs.
“He's one of the toughest guys we've ever been around,” head coach Nick Sirianni said. “Obviously, it says a lot about how he cares about his teammates, who he is as a teammate, and you know he's in pain, that he's just going to do whatever he needs to do to get himself ready to play, and that's for his teammates.
“Speaks of his toughness and his desire to connect and how much all his teammates mean to him.”
While Johnson has played through injuries before, it’s fair to wonder just how well the star right tackle will be able to play with this particular injury. That’s why it’s so important for the Eagles to clinch that No. 1 seed, which comes with a first-round bye, to give Johnson an extra week of rest before the divisional round.
Johnson’s long-time teammate Jason Kelce had core muscle surgery in 2014 but felt uncomfortable comparing his experience 8 years ago to Johnson’s now. He said those types of injuries are all very different.
But he wasn’t the least bit surprised that Johnson will attempt to play through it.
“That’s who Lane is,” Kelce said. “Obviously, he’s a guy who loves to play football, he’s been here for a long time. He’s put everything on the line for this team for a number of years. Doesn’t surprise me one bit. We’ll see where he’s at in a couple weeks, how he feels, him and the trainers and the medical staff will all sit down and we’ll see.”
While Kelce didn’t want to compare injuries, he at least understands how important the core is to effective line play. He said “everything starts” with the core.
“The ability to anchor, the ability to generate power starts at your feet, at your core,” Kelce explained. “So I think it’s a major injury. It’s not anything to take lightly. Hopefully, he’ll be back out there and be able to play.”
Johnson is in his 10th NFL season and was just named to his fourth career Pro Bowl last week. Before this injury, he had been relatively healthy all season and returned to his elite form. In the previous few years, Johnson had been dealing with a lingering ankle injury.
But Johnson has also made it clear in recent interviews that his NFL career is winding down and he isn’t sure how much longer he wants to play. And that’s probably part of the reason this playoff run with a special team means so much to him.
“Doesn’t surprise me Lane’s going to do that,” left tackle Jordan Mailata said. “It’s a very selfless thing to do and we started this journey back in OTAs, we knew what we were going to sacrifice. He’s just the embodiment of that. It’s a reason why he’s a captain.”
Even if Johnson returns for the playoffs, the Eagles have two games left in their regular season and will likely need to win one to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They have a few options for that right tackle position in the interim, starting with the normal backup Jack Driscoll. But the Eagles could also use Andre Dillard at left tackle and slide Mailata to the right. As you’d imagine, Sirianni was not in a hurry to divulge their plan on Wednesday.
But he did make it clear that the Eagles will miss Johnson, whom he called the best tackle in the NFL.
When it’s time for the Eagles and Johnson to really make the decision, it’ll come down to how Johnson feels and what the doctors are saying about the injury and the risk to make things worse. Sirianni said they won’t sacrifice Johnson’s health to let him play.
But the fact that Johnson is delaying the surgery shows the plan. He expects to play again this season and through the injury.
That’s also a few weeks away at the earliest.
“We'll see where we're at when we're there,” Sirianni said. | 2022-12-29T12:59:45Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles react to Lane Johnson’s decision to put off surgery | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-react-lane-johnson-decision-120000954.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-react-lane-johnson-decision-120000954.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants have claimed offensive lineman Wyatt Davis, who had a cup of coffee with the team in September, off of waivers from the Arizona Cardinals.
Davis was signed to the Giants’ practice squad shortly after final cuts but was poached by the New Orleans Saints just a few days later.
The Saints waived Davis in early November, which is how he found his way to Arizona. They then waived him on Tuesday.
Davis was a third-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2021 NFL draft. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder had a stellar career at Ohio State and was named Rimington–Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2020.
The decision to claim Davis likely came with the future in mind. He will become an exclusive rights free agent in March, which will provide the Giants an opportunity to keep him at a cheap cost.
In order to clear room for Davis on their 53-man roster, the Giants waived fullback/tight end Chris Myarick.
In 15 games this season, Myarick had seven receptions for 65 yards and one touchdown.
Provided he clears waivers, it’s likely the Giants will re-sign Myarick to their practice squad.
Giants QB Daniel Jones talks playoff hopes ahead of Week 17 matchup with Colts | Giants News Conference
New York Giants QB Daniel Jones met the media on Wednesday to discuss the team's playoff hopes, and how they plan to remain focused in such a crucial game at home.
Giants Injury Tracker: Azeez Ojulari, Adoree' Jackson limited at Wednesday's practice | 2022-12-29T12:59:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants claim OL Wyatt Davis, waive TE Chris Myarick | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-claim-ol-wyatt-davis-115529379.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-claim-ol-wyatt-davis-115529379.html?src=rss |
Both teams are going in opposite directions, with the Bears eyeing a top draft pick and the Lions hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive. If they want to do so, they might need contributions out of these players. Here are five Detroit Lions players we’ll be watching on Sunday.
1. QB Jared Goff
Dec 24, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) looks over the defense during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The last time Jared Goff was getting ready to face the Bears, he was one of the more up-and-down quarterbacks of the league, throwing 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions through eight games. Since that first meeting, however, he’s been mostly on the up. Goff has 12 touchdowns and no interceptions over his last seven games. He’s eclipsed a quarterback rating of over 110 four different times and has the Lions playing good football these last few weeks.
Now he’s facing a defense that has no Jaylon Johnson, Eddie Jackson, or Jack Sanborn in the lineup due to injuries while also getting back a few key receivers from injury. This could be another big performance for the veteran quarterback as he looks to keep the Lions in playoff contention.
2. WR D.J. Chark
Goff and the Lions have gotten multiple receivers back after missing time due to injuries. One of them is DJ Chark, who was signed in the offseason away from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Chark missed six games in the middle of the season, returning in Week 11. Since then, he’s gotten more involved in the offense.
Over his last four games, Chark has totaled 318 yards with one touchdown on 16 catches. He eclipsed 90 yards receiving in all but one of those games and has formed a nice duo with Amon-Ra St. Brown. He’ll likely be active again on Sunday and it could be an opportunity for the Bears front office to scout him. Chark is a free agent at the end of the year and would be an intriguing option for the Bears this offseason.
3. WR Jameson Williams
Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams celebrates his touchdown catch against the Vikings during the first half on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, at Ford Field.
Another wide receiver that missed the first meeting with the Bears is Jameson Williams, who will be active this weekend. The first-round rookie returned from a torn ACL that he suffered in college and has been slowly getting involved in the offense. Williams has played four games but has only registered one catch. That reception did go for 41 yards and a touchdown, however.
Williams is still getting up to speed in the Lions offense but has a favorable matchup against the Bears banged-up secondary. With St. Brown and Chark likely drawing most of the attention, Williams could make an impact play or two. It will be interesting to see how (and how much) they use him.
4. TE Shane Zylstra
Dec 24, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) with the ball after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Before last weekend, many football fans probably didn’t know Shane Zylstra. After his three-touchdown performance against the Carolina Panthers, that has certainly changed. Zylstra had not done much of anything in his second season as a Lion, catching five passes for 23 yards and a touchdown prior to last weekend. He eclipsed that and then some last Saturday, catching five passes for 26 yards and three touchdowns.
Zylstra may fade into the background once again this weekend. He’s still playing behind Brock Wright and rookie James Mitchell. Still, one would think the Lions will want to rely on someone who can find the endzone like Zylstra just did. Why not keep an eye on him to see what else he can do?
5. S Kerby Joseph
Nov 20, 2022; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Lions star rookie pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson has been grabbing the headlines this year and rightfully so given his strong season. But another rookie on defense has shined bright and that’s safety Kerby Joseph. The former Illini standout was drafted in the third round and became an immediate contributor. Joseph became the starting safety in Week 4 and hasn’t looked back. He has 72 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions on the season.
The Lions’ passing defense hasn’t been stellar this year and Bears quarterback Justin Fields was able to find success against them earlier in the year. But Joseph is still someone to watch out for if they try and air it out. He’s someone who could be a nuisance for years to come. | 2022-12-29T15:09:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | 5 Lions players to watch Sunday vs. the Bears | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-lions-players-watch-sunday-132336509.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-lions-players-watch-sunday-132336509.html?src=rss |
The Raiders have sent home Derek Carr for the final two weeks of the NFL season. It was likely a financial move as his contract would be guaranteed in 2023 and 2024 should he get injured.
It appears that the Carr era for the Raiders has come to an end and they will be searching for a replacement this offseason. Here are five players that could replace him in 2023:
Tom Brady playing in Las Vegas with his former OC in Josh McDaniels? It could happen. Brady is a free agent and seems unlikely to return to Tampa Bay this offseason.
Mayfield has shown a lot over the last three weeks, but is it enough to warrant another shot at a starting job? Mayfield is a free agent and could be had fairly cheap.
Could the Patriots move on from Mac Jones before Year 3? It’s possible, especially if Tom Brady returns to New England. Jones could be reunited with Josh McDaniels as the two had a ton of success together in 2021.
How about another reunion? If the Packers miss the playoffs this season, they might be inclined to trade Aaron Rodgers and reunite him with former teammate Davante Adams. But out of all the names on this list, this still feels the most unlikely due to Rodgers’ contract and age.
If the Raiders are looking for a stop-gap option with upside, how about Daniel Jones? He’s having the best year of his career and will likely be on the free-agent market. | 2022-12-29T15:09:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | 5 quarterbacks who could replace Derek Carr in 2023 | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-quarterbacks-could-replace-derek-144503972.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-quarterbacks-could-replace-derek-144503972.html?src=rss |
Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon have put up impressive marks for rushing production in 2022
The Green Bay Packers have relied on their ground game to pick up valuable first downs and yardage this season amid Aaron Rodgers’ relatively unspectacular 2022 campaign. As one of the NFL’s premier running back tandems, fan-favorite rushers Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon have both eclipsed the 650-yard mark this year while scoring five touchdowns apiece, a feat only achieved by three other duos in franchise history.
The first time that this threshold was reached by a pair of Packers was in 1960 when Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor put together a stellar season en route to an NFL Championship berth. Taylor would go on to accomplish the same achievement in 1963 with Tom Moore, in a season where Green Bay would go on to win the NFL playoff bowl with an 11-2-1 record.
Only John Brockton and Donny Anderson would be able to reach the same heights in 1971, with a 50-year gap between the next instance when Jones and Dillon put up similar numbers in 2021.
While the 2022 Packers haven’t made much of an impact on the league this season, their dynamically prolific offense has been fun to watch all year, and the future seems to be bright regardless of their quarterback situation moving forward. With a ground game as effective as the one they have put together, Green Bay should be able to dominate opposing defenses who key in on the air attack, especially if they have deficiencies in their linebacking corps.
It will take more than a sustained commitment to the run for the Packers to compete for another title, though, and the team should look to continue stockpiling talent on both sides of the ball to get back above .500 in 2023. If they can do that, and especially if Rodgers returns to quarterback the team next year, their outlook for the new season should be positive.
LiveOne, Inc. (NASDAQ:LVO) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript
LiveOne, Inc. (NASDAQ:LVO) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript November 10, 2022 LiveOne, Inc. reports earnings inline with expectations. Reported EPS is $-0.04 EPS, expectations were $-0.04. Company Representatives: Rob Ellin – Chief Executive Officer, Chairman Aaron Sullivan – Interim Chief Financial Officer Operator: Good afternoon. Thank you for attending today’s LiveOne Inc., Q2 Fiscal 2023 […]
Coach Hubert Davis and UNC basketball got a holiday gift when five-star 2024 point guard Elliot Cadeau announced his commitment to the Tar Heels. | 2022-12-29T15:09:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon have put up impressive marks for rushing production in 2022 | https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-jones-j-dillon-put-141332553.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-jones-j-dillon-put-141332553.html?src=rss |
The Cincinnati Bengals don’t play the Baltimore Ravens until Week 18, a game often thought as the one that will decide the AFC North.
But the Bengals can actually clinch the division in Week 17 with some help from those Ravens.
Per ESPN, these are the clinching scenarios:
So the Bengals have to beat the Bills on Monday night and hope the Ravens lose to the Steelers. That’s not totally impossible — Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson continues to battle injury issues and the game between the two earlier this season was merely a two-point Ravens win.
Even so, ESPN numbers give the Bengals a 65 percent chance at winning the division and a nine percent chance at winning the No. 1 seed. They’ll need help to do either, hence the theme continuing to be one of simply taking care of their own business.
Reed’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:REED) Q3 2022 Earnings Call Transcript November 10, 2022 Reed’s, Inc. misses on earnings expectations. Reported EPS is $-0.03 EPS, expectations were $-0.02. Operator: Good afternoon, and welcome to the Reed’s Third Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call for the period ending September 30, 2022. My name is Justin, and I will be your […] | 2022-12-29T15:09:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bengals AFC North clinching scenarios for Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-afc-north-clinching-scenarios-142245183.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-afc-north-clinching-scenarios-142245183.html?src=rss |
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson is the team’s 2022 Ed Block Courage Award winner.
An award coordinated by NFL trainers and exemplifying players who show “professionalism, great strength and dedication” and have an impact on their communities, it’s one of the most important honors a player can reel in from a team.
“Logan is the ultimate professional and displayed the level of perseverance and courage that makes him the ideal recipient of this award,” said Bengals Director of Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer Matt Summers. “He battled through a shoulder injury during the 2021 season, but was still very productive on the field and led the defense in tackles and interceptions. Logan had offseason shoulder surgery, he was resilient in his rehab and has been a very productive leader on and off the field this year.”
Wilson played through a torn labrum last year during his breakout season, nearly winning Super Bowl MVP in the process.
That makes Wilson a natural fit for the award and based on how he’s continued to play this year, he might not be done collecting awards in future years, either.
DJ Reader won this award last year after overcoming various injuries to continue playing at an elite level. | 2022-12-29T15:09:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bengals LB Logan Wilson named 2022 Ed Block Courage Award winner | https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-lb-logan-wilson-named-143516648.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-lb-logan-wilson-named-143516648.html?src=rss |
Carson Wentz gets one more chance to be the Washington Commanders quarterback on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Head coach Ron Rivera named Wentz as the starter over Taylor Heinicke Wednesday, and the pressure will be on Wentz.
If the Commanders win their final two games, they are in the playoffs. They don’t need help from another team. And if Washington gets by Cleveland in Week 17, the Dallas Cowboys come to FedEx Field to end the season in Week 18.
Wentz is focused on the Browns, not the Cowboys or the playoffs.
“Obviously there’s a whole bunch of what-ifs that lie ahead,” Wentz said. “But at the end of the day, we know we’re in control of what we can. And the Browns are no slouch; you know, they’re a good team. Their defense plays fast. They got some playmakers over there that we have to account for that can make life really difficult. So they’re a good team. I’m excited that they’re coming to our place, that we get ’em at home and they present a tough task. Obviously defensively, they do some good things, and they’re similar schematically to what the Niners did to some extent kind of similar systems. So I think some of that recollection and kind of overlap can help us. Buy they’re a good team and a good defense that we gotta show up and be ready for.”
Wentz didn’t take the bait about looking ahead to a potential berth in the playoffs. He understands the significance of this game for him personally and for the entire team.
If Wentz plays well and leads Washington to a win, he can become a hero against the Cowboys to close the season and make the playoffs. It would also increase the likelihood he’d return for another season with the Commanders in 2023. | 2022-12-29T15:09:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | Carson Wentz focusing on the Browns, not the bigger picture | https://sports.yahoo.com/carson-wentz-focusing-browns-not-135636938.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/carson-wentz-focusing-browns-not-135636938.html?src=rss |
The Kansas City Chiefs will host their last home game of the regular season in Week 17 against the Denver Broncos.
By winning this game the Chiefs will finish 7-1 at home on the season and sweep the Broncos for the seventh-consecutive year. Kansas City beat Denver just three weeks ago by a score of 34-28, surviving a furious comeback by the Broncos after jumping out to a 27-0 lead.
The Broncos are trying to get to the finish line of a dreadful season. They own the second-worst record in the AFC at 4-11 and just fired their head coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday. They have promoted senior assistant coach Jerry Rosburg to interim head coach.
Check out our gameplan preview from when these two teams met back in Week 14. There you’ll find more specifics about the Broncos’ offensive and defensive schematics. Now, let’s dive into their Week 17 matchup.
With just two games left to play the Broncos’ offense isn’t likely to change much, if at all, despite the firing of Hackett. Usually, when a coaching change takes place the interim coach likes to go back to basics and keep things simple.
Quarterback Russell Wilson threw three interceptions last week and is having a difficult season overall, so I would expect Denver to run the ball early and often in this game. The one thing the Broncos did a decent job of in their blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week was running the football, racking up 104 yards with a 5.2-yard per carry average.
Wilson will surely take a couple of shots off play-action. He has been in a good groove with receiver Jerry Jeudy as of late, connecting with him 21 times over the past three weeks. Wilson and Jeudy both had their best performances of the season against K.C. in Week 14, hooking up for three touchdowns.
Chiefs’ cornerback L’Jarius Sneed shadowed Seahawks’ No. 1 receiver DK Metcalf last week, so it will be curious to see if Sneed does the same with Jeudy this week. Another focus for the Chiefs’ defense will be limiting Wilson’s running ability. In their last meeting, Wilson was able to keep drives going by rushing for a season-high 57 yards.
Interceptions were the Achilles heel for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense against the Broncos in Week 14. Mahomes’ three picks helped the Broncos mount a comeback in a game that K.C. should have won comfortably. Denver may be having a bad season but make no mistake that its passing defense is among the best in the league.
You can bet taking care of the ball will be at the forefront of Mahomes’ mind this time around. Despite the INTs, Mahomes made a lot of big plays in that game, finishing with 352 passing yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target lately has surprisingly been running back Jerick McKinnon, connecting with him 18 times for four touchdowns over the past three weeks.
McKinnon has been a thorn in the side for the Broncos, racking up 184 total yards and three touchdowns in his last two games against them. The Chiefs may as well continue to ride his hot hand, especially since the Broncos have a great secondary.
Two players the Chiefs’ offense didn’t have in the first matchup with Denver were receivers Kadarius Toney and Mecole Hardman. Toney will certainly play in this game as he returned two weeks ago, and Hardman is on track to make his return from injured reserve. Toney and Hardman are explosive playmakers and make the Chiefs’ red zone offense even more dangerous. | 2022-12-29T15:09:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | How the Chiefs should game plan for Week 17 vs. Broncos | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-game-plan-week-17-144558974.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-game-plan-week-17-144558974.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants sent out a letter on Wednesday evening ahead of their Week 17 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
In it, the team’s 10 captains thanked fans for their support this season and asked that they not only pack MetLife Stadium on Sunday but that they have the place rocking.
Dear Giants Fans,
On behalf of the entire team, we want to thank you for your tremendous support this season.
This Sunday is our regular season home finale against the Indianapolis Colts, and we need you there!
We started the season strong, and we want to finish the same way. There is no better feeling than taking the field at MetLife Stadium in front of the greatest fans in the world.
Giants Team Captains
The Giants have a chance to finish above .500 and clinch their first playoff berth since 2016. If they win in their home finale, they’re in. It’s as simple as that.
Given the importance of the game, it should come as little surprise that they’re urging fans to create a home-field advantage. Earlier this season, crowd noise factored into the outcome of several games and the Giants would like history to repeat itself this weekend. | 2022-12-29T15:10:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants captains send letter to fans ahead of Colts game: ‘Be loud’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-captains-send-letter-fans-145532493.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-captains-send-letter-fans-145532493.html?src=rss |
Christmas came early for right tackle Jack Conklin and his family as he received a new four-year extension worth $60 million from the Cleveland Browns before their game against the New Orleans Saints. Returning from his injured 2021 campaign and playing well, the Browns have created a window where they can maintain the same offensive line at least two years into the future.
He has stated Cleveland is his home, which is why he did not try to break the bank in free agency, signing before the offseason as well. The details have come out on Conklin’s deal as well, so we take a look at those here to break down the new contract of the Cleveland right tackle.
The basics of the deal for the Browns and Jack Conklin
For starters, this extension for Conklin is more truly a two-year deal than a four-year deal as he got $31 million guaranteed of the $60 million extension. This will keep him in Cleveland through the 2024 season when he will be just 30 years old. Who knows, if he continues to play well, the Browns may restructure the last two years of that deal to keep him around longer as well.
This deal is also structured to pass a chunk of Conklin’s bonus down the road to ease the cap hit every year. He has two void years in 2027 and 2028 where he will still get a small portion of his bonus despite not being on the roster.
However, the part of the deal that should be focused on is the impact it has on the salary cap in both 2023 and 2024 for the Browns.
How the contract looks in 2023
Cleveland Browns Jack Conklin
Sep 27, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) celebrates after running back Nick Chubb (not pictured) scored a touchdown during the second half against the Washington Football Team at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Conklin’s cap hit in 2023 will account for just three percent of Cleveland’s salary cap in 2023 with a tally of nearly $8 million charged against the cap. His base salary will be just over $1 million as he will get an additional $5.8 million in bonuses. As 2023 was set to be a void year for Conklin’s original deal, he will still get that money while also receiving an extra $2.8 million in bonuses from his new deal.
Again, Conklin will still get the other $7 million he is guaranteed, but the Browns have deferred that down the road in $2.2 million chunks from 2024 through 2027 to lighten the burden. Conklin can earn an extra $1 million in per-game bonuses based on his availability for the Browns.
The Browns would not be looking to cut him anyway after just extending him, but Conklin’s contract will not allow for the Browns to benefit from releasing him in 2023.
Browns Jack Conklin
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) rushes the pocket against Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) in the first half during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
The cap hit of Conklin’s deal rises from about $8 million in 2023 to $13 million in 2024. Again, he will get the $3 million in bonuses from the remaining void year of his original deal, plus a chunk of his signing bonus, his 2023 option that has been kicked down the road, and a piece of his 2024 bonus. The rest of his 2024 bonus has been structured to be handed out to him in portions of about $1.7 million through his void years spanning until 2028.
He can again earn an additional $1 million in per-game bonuses from the Browns in 2024 with a base salary of $4.5 million in two years. This accounts for about five percent of the Browns’ cap hit in 2024.
The Browns would not benefit from releasing Conklin in 2024 either.
Breaking down Conklin's deal beyond 2024
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) runs through a drill against Kendall Lamm (70) during practice at the NFL football team’s training facility Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Again, technically Conklin is under contract through 2026, but the Browns can cut him and save $15 million in both 2025 and 2026 after the 2024 season with a post-June 1 designation. They would still owe him his bonuses that have been kicked down the road, but his base cap hit would be eliminated.
Given how the Browns have structured his bonus, Conklin would still be owed about $4.5 million in both 2025 and 2026, but this is well worth it to create cushions of cap space in both 2023 and 2024 to maximize a two-year window to win a Super Bowl. The Browns would then owe Conklin about $3.9 million in his 2027 void year, and $1.7 million in his 2028 void year to pay out the finality of his bonuses.
Final thoughts on Conklin's new deal
The Browns are looking to capitalize on a two-year window with their current offensive line. By the end of 2024, the Browns will have an out on by then 33-year-old Joel Bitonio, left tackle Jedrick Wills’ rookie deal will expire, and Wyatt Teller has an out in his deal as well.
Houston Texans’ left tackle Laremy Tunsil is going to reset the tackle market this offseason as well, so inking Conklin to the 20th-highest-paid tackle well before he had the chance to enter free agency is a win for the Browns on paper. He could have gotten more had he tested the market, but Conklin has stated that Cleveland is his home.
His contract will be determined on the field, however, and Conklin has been one of the better pass protecting tackles in football this season. He has recovered from his injury-riddled 2021 campaign and has not missed a game for the Browns this season since returning in Week 3.
With the offensive line configured over the next two seasons (outside of the center position as Ethan Pocic is still set to hit free agency), it is up to the Browns to capitalize on this window they have created for themselves. | 2022-12-29T15:10:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Looking at the details of the Jack Conklin contract extension | https://sports.yahoo.com/looking-details-jack-conklin-contract-144646107.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/looking-details-jack-conklin-contract-144646107.html?src=rss |
With the Raiders benching Derek Carr for the final two games, it seems pretty unlikely that they will be able to win another game. And with a record of 6-11, that will mean the Raiders will earn a top-10 pick in next year’s draft.
But who might the team draft in Round 1? And what position makes the most sense for them?
In a recent mock draft by Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus, he had the Raiders picking at No. 9 in the 2023 NFL Draft. With that selection, the Raiders went with Tyree Wilson, a defensive end from Texas Tech. Here is what Sikkema had to say about the fit:
“The Raiders are a complete mess, and this pick could go in so many different directions. If they move on from Derek Carr, they’ll be in the quarterback market. But what we know for sure is they need defensive line help.
Wilson’s game may be inconsistent, but the 6-foot-6, 275-pound edge player brings a rare combination of size (7-foot wingspan), flexibility and explosiveness to the table.”
There is no doubt that the Raiders have to get bigger and more athletic on the defensive line. Maxx Crosby is the only one who can consistently make plays and he needs help. Wilson would be a perfect fit opposite of him as he can play the run and get to the quarterback.
But can the Raiders afford to spend more assets on their defensive line when they need help at so many other positions? Or, will they simply just take the best player available? That remains to be seen, but keep an eye on Wilson as a potential target for the Raiders. | 2022-12-29T15:11:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders select Texas Tech EDGE defender in latest PFF mock draft | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-select-texas-tech-edge-133226907.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-select-texas-tech-edge-133226907.html?src=rss |
Whoever plays for the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night will have their own motivation to play well. Even if it's to put something good on tape for 31 other teams, that is motivation. Simply betting against the team with "nothing to play for" no matter the spread is a bad strategy. Yet, we all know by now what the Titans' situation is this week.
Tennessee, in terms of the playoff race, has nothing to play for. If they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18 they're the AFC South champs and if they lose their season is over. Nothing that happens on Thursday night changes that.
That's why the Dallas Cowboys are 12.5-point favorites over the Titans at BetMGM for Thursday night's game. It was 11 on Wednesday but keeps rising. That's a lot of points in the NFL. It's rare to see any NFL team laying double digits on the road for a prime-time game.
But the Cowboys still benefit from a win, because they haven't yet been eliminated from the NFC East race yet. The Titans are playing for pride, momentum or whatever other intangible reason you can come up with. Their injury list lets you know what kind of lineup they'll have.
Week 17 Injury Report presented by @FBHealthPlans
#DALvsTEN pic.twitter.com/0skSt8HwQt
The other factor in the point spread is the Titans haven't played well in weeks. The reason the Jaguars and Titans will be playing for the division title in Week 18 is because Tennessee has lost five in a row. The Titans let the Jaguars back in the race. Rookie quarterback Malik Willis is filling in for injured starter Ryan Tannehill, and Willis clearly isn't ready. Willis has started three games and has yet to crack 100 yards passing.
It's hard to take the Titans and that's why the point spread is what it is. Maybe it's best to sit this one out, like most of the Titans stars will be doing.
There are three more college football bowl games on Thursday. Syracuse takes on Minnesota (-10.5) in the Pinstripe Bowl, Oklahoma faces Florida State (-10) in the Cheez-It Bowl and Texas (-3) plays Washington in the Alamo Bowl. Sam Cooper and Nick Bromberg of Yahoo Sportsbook shared their picks on the three pack of games.
There are six NBA games but just one college basketball game featuring a top-25 team, and that's Florida A&M at Purdue.
The best NBA matchup is the Los Angeles Clippers at the Boston Celtics. The Celtics seem to be coming out of their mini-slump and are 6.5-point favorites, but the Clippers have been very good if most of their players aren't on the injury report. The Clippers beat the Celtics 113-93 in Los Angeles on Dec. 12, which shows how good the Clippers can be.
The NHL has most of the league on the ice Thursday. Two of the top games will be the New York Rangers at Tampa Bay Lightning (-130), and the Los Angeles Kings at the Colorado Avalanche (-155). The Avalanche has struggled a bit during their Stanley Cup defense, and they're just 19-12-2 on the season.
I'll pick the Cowboys for my weekly picks in which I select every game, but it's a very tough game to figure out. I do have a stronger lean to the Kings in the NHL. They've been pretty good to bettors this season. I'm going to go with the Clippers as my best bet though, assuming Kawhi Leonard and Paul George play. It's a possible NBA Finals preview. | 2022-12-29T15:11:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | The Daily Sweat: Titans are sitting key players, but the line vs. Cowboys is huge | https://sports.yahoo.com/the-daily-sweat-titans-are-sitting-key-players-but-the-line-vs-cowboys-is-huge-144316310.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/the-daily-sweat-titans-are-sitting-key-players-but-the-line-vs-cowboys-is-huge-144316310.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants and the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts haven’t played very often over time but when they do, it’s usually an occasion.
In 2002, the Giants headed into their Week 16 game against the 9-6 Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis with an 8-6 record and needed to keep rolling in order to qualify for the NFC Playoffs.
The game pitted the Giants against a powerful Colts offense that sported such notables as quarterback Peyton Manning, running back Edgerrin James, and wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.
Big Blue would attempt to counter with their own stars: quarterback Kerry Collins, running back Tiki Barber, tight end Jeremy Shockey and wideout Amani Toomer.
The game was the shootout most expected but not until after the Giants jumped out to a 30-6 lead in the third quarter. The Giants rode a blocked punt and an interception to a quick 10-0 lead and then an 82-yard flea flicker to Toomer extended the lead to 17-3.
The closest the Colts would get was 37-27 with 4:44 left on a Manning-to-Wayne 40-yard strike. The Giants would answer with a 27-yard Collins-to-Toomer hookup to close things out.
Collins would out-pass Manning in the game, 366-365, on 23-of-29 passing with four touchdowns to Manning’s three.
The Giants held James to just 13 yards rushing while Barber ran for 60 and had two scores. Shockey caught seven passes for 116 yards but it was Toomer who stole the show, grabbing 10 of 12 targets for 204 yards and three touchdowns.
Toomer’s 204 yards receiving was the third-highest ever by a Giant in a single game at the time. Del Shofner had 269 yards against Washington in 1962 and Gene Roberts had 212 in a 1949 game against Green Bay.
The mark has since been tied by Plaxico Burress (204 in 2005 against the Rams) and eclipsed by Odell Beckham, Jr (222 versus Baltimore in 2016).
The victory moved the Giants to 9-6 on the season. They needed just a win over the Philadelphia Eagles the next week to clinch a playoff spot, which they picked up.
“It’s going to come down to the final straws and we don’t need to get sweaty palms,” Giants head coach Jim Fassel said. “We need to just get ready to go out and play another football game.”
Colts' Campbell: 'We need a win bad' against Giants
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell discusses facing the New York Giants this Sunday.
New York Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams is dealing with a very painful neck injury but intends to play through it. | 2022-12-29T15:11:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Throwback Thursday: Giants win shootout with Colts in 2002 | https://sports.yahoo.com/throwback-thursday-giants-win-shootout-135502972.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/throwback-thursday-giants-win-shootout-135502972.html?src=rss |
He pointed to how the Crimson Tide (10-2) has averaged about 40 points, and he's right. Alabama has averaged 40.8 this season heading into the matchup Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN) against Kansas State (10-3). That's actually a slight improvement over 2021, when Alabama averaged 39.9 points per game.
"I’m not going to analyze somebody publicly, good, bad or indifferent," Saban said in November. "We’re all working hard together. We’re all responsible for what we do. Do we need to play better on both sides of the ball? Absolutely."
On Wednesday, O'Brien also discussed the challenges of this season and if inconsistent receiver play has added to that. He hadn't spoken with reporters since August. Alabama only makes its coordinators available to reporters on one day early in preseason practices.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Bill O'Brien: What Alabama football offensive coordinator said about | 2022-12-29T15:17:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Alabama football OC Bill O'Brien responds to criticism | https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-football-offensive-coordinator-bill-224308361.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-football-offensive-coordinator-bill-224308361.html?src=rss |
3 Philadelphia 76ers coaches attended the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves matchup.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell served as offensive coordinator on coaching staffs that were pass-heavy on offense (Rams, 2020-21) and those that were among the most run-heavy (Washington, 2019). After the 37-year-old former NFL backup quarterback called 52 passing plays to 19 runs during the Vikings' win against the Giants last weekend, O'Connell said there's a middle ground he can better find. ... | 2022-12-29T15:17:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ex-Phillies second baseman Jean Segura signs with Miami Marlins | https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-phillies-second-baseman-jean-135237944.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-phillies-second-baseman-jean-135237944.html?src=rss |
"I tried to tell the guy to calm down and relax. We weren't going to get him thrown out of the game on the 1st try, and then he just kept going."
Monty Williams as two fans were removed.
"You just can't disrespect people like that while they're trying to do their job." #Suns pic.twitter.com/jEZJutj8fH | 2022-12-29T15:17:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Monty Williams calls for NBA to address courtside seating after bad fan reaction, ejection from Suns-Wizards game | https://sports.yahoo.com/monty-williams-calls-nba-address-064809899.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/monty-williams-calls-nba-address-064809899.html?src=rss |
The Dawgs are the favorites to go back-to-back, but they only need look to their own history to see the dangers of overconfidence
The Bulldogs rebounded, of course. Georgia fought its way back into the playoff using ferocious defense and opportunistic offense, and got its revenge on Alabama by pummeling the Tide in last season's title game. Still, second-and-26 lingers out there, a perpetual reminder that in college football, nothing is guaranteed.
And yet, this is right where things can get squirrelly. It's not all that long ago — about 355 days, give or take — that Georgia was thought of as an underachieving program, one that couldn't quite find the last pieces of the championship puzzle. SEC rivals Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Tennessee and Florida had all managed to win titles after Georgia's then-most-recent one, all the way back in 1980. When the nerds at Georgia Tech were able to give Georgia grief for winning a more recent national championship, things were very much amiss in Athens. | 2022-12-29T16:49:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | What if Georgia loses to Ohio State in CFP semifinal?? | https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-playoff-what-if-georgia-loses-153950436.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-playoff-what-if-georgia-loses-153950436.html?src=rss |
The Miami Dolphins ruled quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out of Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots and named Teddy Bridgewater the starter. The Patriots will prepare a little bit differently as a result with a new challenge lying in wait.
Bridgewater has appeared in four games for the Dolphins this season, throwing for 522 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Back in Week 4, Tagovailoa went down with a concussion, and Bridgewater replaced him in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he went 14-of-23 passing for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick spoke with the media about the sudden change in quarterbacks on Sunday, as transcribed by NESN’s Zack Cox.
“I’ve always had a ton of respect for Teddy,” said Belichick. “I like Teddy. Good athlete, good arm, smart kid, athletic. Presents a lot of the same problems that Tua does.”
This will be the first time Bridgewater has faced the Patriots as a starter. He was inactive for Miami’s contest against New England earlier this year and did not appear in the Minnesota Vikings game against New England back in 2014.
It will be intriguing to see how the Patriots defense performs with Tagovailoa out of the picture.
Top alley oops from Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Top alley oops from Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 12/27/2022 | 2022-12-29T17:11:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bill Belichick gives thoughts on quarterback change for Dolphins | https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-gives-thoughts-quarterback-160520039.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-gives-thoughts-quarterback-160520039.html?src=rss |
If you watch Bobby Wagner play, you’d never know he’s in his 11th season and 32 years old. He’s Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded linebacker in the NFL this season, looking every bit like the All-Pro he was in his prime with the Seahawks.
Wagner hasn’t said exactly when he plans to retire, but he signed a five-year, $50 million deal with the Rams this offseason, so he’s under contract through 2026, or his age-36 season. There’s no reason to doubt he’ll retire before then, either.
On Wednesday, Wagner shared his secret to staying ready for each coming season. He believes in staying active during the offseason, whether it’s lifting, biking, yoga or other various workouts to stay fresh.
He finds that the more time he takes off, the worse it is when it comes time for training camp and preparing for the next season.
“I work out a lot. I meditate a lot. I do yoga a lot. I hoop a lot,” Wagner said. “You just try to stay active. I think as you get older, there’s not really that time where you’re not active. I think the longer you take off the harder it is to get back in shape, so I don’t really take much time off. I might not lift as much early on, but I’ll still be running, I’ll be on the bike, I’ll do something to stay active. Then as my body recovers then I’ll start adding the weights and the intense workouts.”
Wagner may not have the same speed he once had earlier in his career, but he’s certainly not lacking athleticism or speed. And with his instincts as a middle linebacker, he’s consistently making big plays – as evidenced by his two interceptions and career-high six sacks this season.
He doesn’t have any concerns about staying healthy for an entire season now that he’s 32 years old, with the biggest challenge being Thursday night games, something several players have taken issue with over the years.
“No, I think the offseason, you prepare yourself for the duration of the season,” Wagner said. “My first, I don’t know, six years we were going really deep into the playoffs and so we were playing 18 plus games every time. It doesn’t matter whether it’s now or when I was younger, I think the hardest game to get ready for is that Thursday night game because there’s just not that much time to cram in all the stuff that you would normally do in the whole week for that Thursday game. So for me if anything has been a challenge it’s always that Thursday night game, but that’s always been a challenge and I would confidently speak for every player that it’s a challenge for everybody because it’s hard. Regardless of the game, you could have a 80 play game or 60 play game and then have to turn around and be ready by Thursday, which I think most guys start feeling good around that time. It’s always tough and I don’t imagine it getting any easier.”
The Rams are fortunate to have Wagner in their building, both from an on-field perspective and a locker room one. He’s a leader for this team, and that’s essential in a season that’s been so frustrating and difficult for the entire roster and coaching staff.
Hopefully in Year 2, the Rams can find more team success than what they’ve experienced this season.
UPDATE: 2 people taken into custody during SWAT standoff in Dayton | 2022-12-29T17:11:19Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bobby Wagner shares his secret for staying ready each season as he gets older | https://sports.yahoo.com/bobby-wagner-shares-secret-staying-151111313.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bobby-wagner-shares-secret-staying-151111313.html?src=rss |
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t have to wait until the actual postseason for the high stakes of a playoff matchup.
Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers could be their last home game of the year, unless they defeat their division rivals, thereby clinching the NFC South title and a home playoff game as the NFC’s No. 4 seed.
As they go through their preparations for a must-win week, the Bucs are well aware of what’s on the line:
Serena Williams tweeted that relaxing after stepping away from tennis is "harder than she ever imagined."
Immanuel Quickley with an and one vs the Dallas Mavericks
Immanuel Quickley (New York Knicks) with an and one vs the Dallas Mavericks, 12/27/2022 | 2022-12-29T17:11:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bucs know their playoffs start Sunday vs. Panthers | https://sports.yahoo.com/bucs-know-playoffs-start-sunday-150621787.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bucs-know-playoffs-start-sunday-150621787.html?src=rss |
It’s almost five years to the day since Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes made his first career start against the Denver Broncos.
Mahomes has come a long way since that game — his first career win — where he completed 22 passes for 284 yards and an interception. He’s now on pace this season to come close to the NFL’s single-season passing yards record and he’s a strong contender to earn his second league MVP award.
The Week 17 matchup against the Broncos brings a certain level of nostalgia. Mahomes reflected on his memorable debut after Wednesday’s practice with reporters.
“Yeah, it was cool,” said Mahomes. “First of all, it was cold. It was really cold, and being from Texas, I wasn’t ready for that cold weather in Denver that day. But it was just a great experience to be out there and playing. It was more gratifying that all that work I put in — I felt so much more advanced than I did in the preseason before just because of how much I’ve been in the building and going through the process. And I think that kind of just gave me another stamp of approval, ‘This is how you have to do things.’ And so, I think that was the biggest thing more than going out there getting the win, it was all that work that you put in the entire year without playing had paid off.”
The cameo during his rookie season set the groundwork for his eventual role as the full-time starter the following year. Mahomes entered the offseason with a firmer understanding of the pro level and utilized those instincts for his record-breaking 2018 season.
“It was like I learned like a new language just to that next training camp,” said Mahomes. “When I first got in the preseason that first year, I was so focused on getting us in the right position and getting the offense lined up and all that different type of stuff that I wasn’t even worried about what the defense was doing. I was just trying to go out there and make sure we were doing stuff the right way, whereas at the end of that last game and then into that next preseason, I was focused on what the defense was doing because I was so comfortable in the offense. I think that’s where you take the biggest step in quarterback position.”
Mahomes is on pace to break the passing yards season record but has his sights set on another Super Bowl title. The visit to Denver will continue to hold a special place in his memory, but it may be the victory needed to get the Chiefs the top seed they covet before the postseason.
The suspect was arrested Nov. 9 while he visited with one of the surviving shooting victims recovering at a hospital. | 2022-12-29T17:11:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reflects on first career start vs. Broncos | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-qb-patrick-mahomes-reflects-155843353.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-qb-patrick-mahomes-reflects-155843353.html?src=rss |
Eagles-Saints: 15 key players to watch on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field
The Eagles and Saints are prepping for an important Week 17 matchup that has postseason and NFL draft implications for both teams.
If Philadelphia (13-2) can get the win, they’ll win the division and clinch home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
The Saints are entering Week 17 with the 18th-ranked total offense in the league (337.1 yards per game) and the 15th-best passing offense (223.1 yards per game). Quarterback Andy Dalton — who played limited snaps against the Browns and threw only 15 passes — has won all three games he has played against the Eagles in his career, completing 65.9% of his passes (58 of 88) for 836 yards, six touchdowns, and an interception.
Dalton’s most recent start against Philadelphia came with the Cowboys in 2020, a Week 16 game in which he threw for 377 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in a 37-17 win.
Minshew completed 24 of 40 passes for 355 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions while adding a quarterback sneak for a touchdown in the loss at Dallas.
The top dual-threat running back in the NFL, Kamara rushed for a team-high 76 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in the Saints’ victory over the Brown. It was just his second rushing touchdown this season.
Sanders had not fumbled through the Eagles’ first 13 games but now has two in the past two weeks.
He’ll need to respond against a Saints defense that he’s had success against.
According to Pro Football Focus, Olave is the best Saints receiver in zone coverage, catching 38 passes for 590 yards and a touchdown, and Saints quarterbacks have a passer rating of 84.7, with three interceptions, when throwing to him.
Smith topped 1,000 yards for the season with eight catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Dallas.
Gannon will have to make defending the versatile Taysom Hill a priority on Sunday.
Hill has lined up at several offensive positions this season, throwing for 216 yards and two touchdowns, catching seven passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for 505 yards and six touchdowns.
The biggest surprise in Philadelphia’s loss to Dallas may have been the lack of targets for Goedert, who had three catches for 67 yards on only three targets in his return from injury.
The Saints have given up 30 sacks, the ninth-lowest total in the league, with James Hurst and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk allowing only seven combined sacks all season.
RT Jack Driscoll
All eyes will be on Driscoll at right tackle with Lane Johnson rehabbing a torn abdominal muscle.
Sweat has 11 sacks on the season and will have an intriguing matchup against Saints left tackle James Hurts.
Jordan has had 112.5 sacks since 2011 and he’ll be a player to watch against Jack Driscoll on the Eagles’ right side.
One of the top middle linebackers in the NFL, Davis is a three-time All-Pro, and this season, he has started all 14 games, one of only three Saints defenders to start every contest and leads the team in both tackles and sacks with 81 stops and a career-high 6.5 quarterback takedowns, to go with one interception, five passes defended and one fumble recovery.
CB Josiah Scott
With Avonte Maddox out and C.J. Gardner-Johnson on injured reserve, Scott becomes the Eagles’ most critical player in the secondary.
Dak Prescott feasted on the Philadelphia secondary because Scott makes it difficult to play man-to-man when the opposing offense’s best pass catcher moves to the slot.
S K'Von Wallace
With Avonte Maddox out again after suffering a toe injury, Expect rookie Reed Blankenship to stay at safety full-time while K’Von Wallace will be the sixth defensive back in dime packages.
A physical player who has a high motor, Wallace will play a critical role down the stretch. | 2022-12-29T17:12:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | Eagles-Saints: 15 key players to watch on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-saints-15-key-players-162600095.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-saints-15-key-players-162600095.html?src=rss |
Report: Two teams could compete with Patriots for Bill O'Brien originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
There's been plenty of buzz about a Bill O'Brien reunion with the Patriots, but apparently we shouldn't assume he's returning to New England.
The MMQB's Albert Breer cited the Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders as potential options for O'Brien if he leaves his post as Alabama's offensive coordinator to rejoin the NFL ranks.
Tennessee ranks 30th in the NFL in yards per game, so offensive coordinator Todd Downing could be on the hot seat, and Breer noted Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is "close" with O'Brien, who overlapped with Vrabel for two seasons in New England in 2007 and 2008.
Breer also wrote its his "understanding" the Raiders would have interest in O'Brien based on the relationship he has with head coach Josh McDaniels, who was the Patriots' offensive coordinator during O'Brien's first two years on New England's staff in 2007 and 2008.
"It may not be New England or bust for O’Brien," Breer wrote.
Tennessee and Las Vegas both would make sense for O'Brien, whose contract with Alabama expires after this season. But there's also a strong case for the Massachusetts native to return to New England, where he had success as the Patriots' offensive coordinator in 2011 and would get the chance to work with a young quarterback who wants to be coached hard in Mac Jones.
The bar is low in Foxboro after the offense looked dysfunctional under first-time offensive play-caller Matt Patricia, and if O'Brien can come in and help Jones get back on track in Year 3, he could gain serious credibility.
If the Patriots want O'Brien back in New England, however, they may have to act fast to avoid a pair of old friends swooping in to hire him first. | 2022-12-29T17:13:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL Rumors: Titans, Raiders could join Patriots in Bill O'Brien interest | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-rumors-titans-raiders-could-165000042.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-rumors-titans-raiders-could-165000042.html?src=rss |
Zach Wilson and Garrett Wilson / USA TODAY Sports/SNY Treated Image
It's no secret that the Jets have had their share of struggles over the past decade-plus. But the 2022 season has seen the Baby Jets, as head coach Robert Saleh affectionately called them, grow up right before our eyes.
From a busy offseason to starting quarterback drama, here are our Top 5 Jets stories from 2022...
5. Mekhi Becton season-ending injury following conditioning saga
Mekhi Becton came in to the 2022 season with plenty to prove. After playing just one game during his second pro season due to a knee injury, Becton came into the new season with questions circulating about his weight and conditioning.
To answer back, Becton wore a T-shirt reading “Big Bust” along with other demeaning descriptors to a June news conference, saying that he was going to make his doubters “eat their words” with his play.
But unfortunately for the 2020 first-round pick, Becton never got that opportunity, as he suffered an avulsion fracture of his right knee cap during training camp.
The Jets have obviously invested significant resources in Becton, and while the team certainly wants him to be their stalwart left tackle for the foreseeable future, the Louisville product has not been able to stay on the field the last two seasons, adding intrigue to what the future might hold for the one-time No. 11 overall pick.
4. Underrated addition of D.J. Reed
The Jets added a variety of players on both sides of the ball this past offseason. And while the group was headlined by drafting key rookies like Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, and adding offensive pieces like C.J. Uzomah and Laken Tomlinson, perhaps the move that flew under the radar the most was the addition of D.J. Reed in free agency.
Reed, who split his first four seasons with the 49ers and Seahawks, signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Jets in March. And while Gardner has generated most of the headlines during his lockdown rookie season, Reed has also been a revelation during his first year in New York. He's proven himself as an outstanding complement to Gardner, giving the Jets one of the best cornerback duos in the league.
The Jets have also gotten strong safety play in 2022, thanks to another astute addition in Jordan Whitehead and having a healthy Lamarcus Joyner, giving the Jets one of the best overall secondaries in the NFL.
Oct 9, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at MetLife Stadium. / Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
3. Breece Hall -- a star in the making
GM Joe Douglas and company knocked it out of the park with their three first-round selections, but the hot streak didn’t end there. With the 36th overall pick, the Jets selected Iowa State running back Breece Hall, the first of his position group to come off the board.
Hall’s rookie season began with his being part of a running back by committee, splitting carries and playing time with Michael Carter. But as time went on, it became clear that Hall was ready to be the bell cow in the Jets backfield. He scored touchdowns in four consecutive games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos, showcasing a tantalizing mix of power and explosiveness. His best game came against the Packers in Week 6, as he gashed the Green Bay defense for 116 yards on 20 carries (both season bests).
He was on his way to another outstanding performance against the Broncos in Week 7, when he rushed for 72 yards on just four carries, including a 62-yard touchdown, but his season unfortunately came to an end that day when he suffered a torn left ACL in the win.
Still, Hall rushed for 463 yards on 80 carries, averaging a whopping 5.8 yards per carry with four touchdowns.
The future appears very bright for the 21-year-old star in the making.
2. Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson providing instant impact
The Jets came into the 2022 NFL Draft with two first round draft picks, including a pick from Seattle acquired in the Jamal Adams trade. Then, thanks to some draft night wheeling and dealing, the Jets ended up moving back into the first round to make a third selection within the draft’s first 26 picks.
And it looks like the Jets hit on all three.
With the fourth pick, the Jets took Sauce Gardner out of Cincinnati and then addressed the offensive side by selecting Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson with the 10th pick. Both players came in and instantly looked to be playing like seasoned pros rather than rookies, and there’s a good chance that Gardner and Wilson end up winning Defensive and Offensive Rookie of the Year, respectively.
Johnson hasn’t been a slouch, either, despite playing in a much more limited role. The Florida State product, playing as a situational pass-rusher, has 2.5 sacks this season, but his playing time has jumped as the season’s gone on, and he’s also contributed on special teams.
Douglas had a prime opportunity to bring in an influx of young talent in the 2022 draft, and it seems like that’s exactly what he did.
1. Zach Wilson benched mid-season, future unknown
Whenever a team invests a first-round draft pick in a quarterback, there’s an expectation – fair or unfair – that he will be the new face of the franchise. And when that player is selected second overall, those expectations skyrocket even higher.
So when the Jets decided to bench Zach Wilson seven games into his second season and 20 games into his pro career, it sent a message that these Jets want to, and are ready to, win now.
Wilson led the Jets to five wins in his first seven starts of the season, but his 55.6 completion percentage and 4:5 TD-INT ratio were nothing to write home about. So after Wilson’s 77-yard passing performance against the Patriots, head coach Robert Saleh and the Jets brain trust made the bold decision to bench Wilson in favor for Mike White. With the Jets sitting at 6-4, Saleh said the decision came down to wanting Wilson to clean up some of his fundamentals, with the “full intent” being to play Wilson again in 2022.
Wilson did get his shot again when White suffered an injury, but it appears that Gang Green will look for another quarterback for 2023. | 2022-12-29T17:14:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ranking the Top 5 Jets Stories of 2022 | https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-top-5-jets-stories-145913011.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-top-5-jets-stories-145913011.html?src=rss |
The Seattle Seahawks added a familiar face on Wednesday, signing tight end Jacob Hollister to the practice squad. With tight end Will Dissly now placed on the injured reserve, Hollister will add much-needed depth to the roster.
Hollister originally signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and spent two years with New England before he was traded to Seattle in April of 2019. He played two seasons with the Seahawks before bouncing around the league.
For Seattle, Hollister appeared in 28 games with eight starts. The tight end has spent time with the Bills, Jaguars, Raiders, and Vikings – most recently a second stint with Las Vegas. | 2022-12-29T17:14:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Seahawks re-sign tight end Jacob Hollister to practice squad | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-sign-tight-end-jacob-150058669.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-sign-tight-end-jacob-150058669.html?src=rss |
At this point, we’re used to Tom Brady and ridiculous numbers.
Here’s another one the GOAT just added to his list: Brady has now spent more than half of his entire life in the NFL.
Yep, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 45-year-old quarterback has now been in the league longer than he hasn’t.
It’s still unclear whether or not Brady will return next year for a 24th NFL season, and he’s been playing at such a high level for so long, that it’s hard to be surprised when we see another incredible stat with his name attached. | 2022-12-29T17:14:49Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tom Brady has now been in the NFL for half of his entire life | https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-now-nfl-half-164008357.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-now-nfl-half-164008357.html?src=rss |
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been without rookie outside linebacker Travon Walker for the last two weeks, but his return isn’t far away.
“He’s close,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters on Wednesday. “Today will be a big day, as will each day this week as we get closer to game time.”
Walker, 22, was listed as questionable for a Week 15 game against the Dallas Cowboys before he was listed as inactive. Last week, the Jaguars ruled out Walker a day ahead of their Thursday night game against the New York Jets.
On Wednesday, Walker was listed as limited in practice.
The No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has 3.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and eight quarterback hits in 13 games this season. While he hasn’t been a consistent pass rusher so far as a rookie, the Jaguars are now thinner than ever at the defensive end and outside linebacker positions after losing Dawuane Smoot to a torn Achilles tendon.
“K’Lavon [Chaisson] will get more time, obviously Josh [Allen], Arden [Key], get Travon back, optimistic of that,” Pederson said when asked about the void left by the Smoot injury. “We’ve got those four guys that can and are going to have to fill that role.”
The Jaguars defense in 15th in the NFL in points allowed and 26th in total yards allowed.
The Patriot All-America Invitational is set for Dec. 29-31 at Wigwam Golf Resort in Arizona. | 2022-12-29T17:14:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Travon Walker is ‘close’ to return, says Doug Pederson | https://sports.yahoo.com/travon-walker-close-return-says-155341651.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/travon-walker-close-return-says-155341651.html?src=rss |
Instead of playing at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, the Rams and Chargers will now square off at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS. And as a result, the audience will be significantly smaller. Only a small portion of the country will get the Rams-Chargers game on TV, while everyone else will get Vikings-Packers – a game with much greater playoff implications.
Check the map from 506 Sports below to see if you’ll get the Rams-Chargers game on TV in your area. If you’re in the blue, you’re in luck.
The Rams will get Spero Dedes and Jay Feely on the call for this game in Los Angeles, which is technically a road game for the Rams. It’ll be the Rams’ last game of the season at SoFi Stadium this season because their season finale will be in Seattle against the Seahawks in Week 18.
The date and time of that game has yet to be determined.
The #Rams undertook a partnership with the LAPD to rename a local youth football team during their Week 16 win against the #Broncos
The elite New Jersey basketball team with a pair of Kentucky-bound player pulled away from Northwood, featuring UNC commit Drake Powell, in the second half. | 2022-12-29T17:15:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Here’s the TV broadcast map for Rams vs. Chargers in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/tv-broadcast-map-rams-vs-153547830.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tv-broadcast-map-rams-vs-153547830.html?src=rss |
Golden State is 3-0 on its current homestand with five more games to be played in San Francisco before the team hits the road again in mid-January. The start to the Warriors' longest homestand of the season has wiped away all bad feelings from their horrendous 1-5 road trip before the holidays and has continued a trend of their tumultuous 2022-23 NBA season.
"Honestly, I think that we need to grow closer when times get tough, and I think we will when the season goes on," guard Ty Jerome said Wednesday night after the Warriors’ win over Utah. “I think that’s probably one of the reasons why we’re struggling on the road. As a team, we have to come together.
"It’s easier when you’re playing in front of your home crowd. The other team goes on a mini run, and you can fight right back and the home crowd is there for you. On the road, you don’t have that energy to feed off. That’s when you really need each other. I think we have to do a better job of that on the road."
Jerome, one of the Warriors' two players on a two-way contract, has proven to be a main contributor off coach Steve Kerr's bench. In 30 minutes of action Wednesday night, Jerome scored 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds. He has played at least 20 minutes in the Warriors' last five games, averaging 12.2 points and 3.4 assists over that stretch while shooting 52.1 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from downtown.
Jerome believes Golden State's bench unit, which was scorned earlier this season for its poor play that spoiled many Superman-like performances by superstar Steph Curry, recently has gained confidence. Players like Jerome have needed to step up as Curry misses time with left shoulder injury and All-Star forward Andrew Wiggins recovers from an adductor injury and illness.
"Ty was fantastic," Kerr said Wednesday night. "He’s always getting us settled. He’s always under control. He’s a great shooter, really good passer, runs the pick-and-roll well. When he and James [Wiseman] are in pick-and-roll, James is doing a good job of diving. That allows Ty to get free for his little floater in the lane. He made a few of those tonight … Really effective, smart, tough player."
RELATED: PBJ puts fingerprints on Warriors' win, looks like he belongs
The Warriors have five more games on their current homestand -- and two against Western Conference teams ahead of them in the standings -- before having to worry about their road issues once again. For now, Jerome and the second unit will continue to focus on building an identity on the bench and trying to continue this newfound winning formula without Curry or Wiggins.
Top plays from Golden State Warriors vs. Charlotte Hornets, 12/27/2022 | 2022-12-29T17:45:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ty Jerome gives thoughtful answer how Warriors can solve road struggles | https://sports.yahoo.com/ty-jerome-gives-thoughtful-answer-160517605.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ty-jerome-gives-thoughtful-answer-160517605.html?src=rss |
The SEC slate opened in a great way for the No. 23 Auburn Tigers on Wednesday night.
In a low-scoring, back-and-forth affair, Johni Broome scored on a layup to give Auburn the 59-58 lead with 1:14 remaining in the game. For good measure, Wendell Green Jr. scored on a breakaway layup as time expired to give the Tigers the 61-58 win over Florida at Neville Arena.
Auburn is one of five SEC teams that earned their first SEC win of the season on Wednesday, joining Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and LSU in doing so. How does Auburn’s win over Florida affect its’ KenPom rankings?
The Tigers grabbed their second-straight win over a Power Five opponent, going back to Dec. 21’s win over Washington in Seattle. Because of this, Auburn remains one of the SEC’s best teams according to the data that makes up the KenPom rankings.
Here’s a look at where Auburn stands in the KenPom rankings following their 13th game of the season.
One game into SEC play, and Auburn is back in the top-20. The are the fifth-highest rated SEC program behind Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee.
Auburn remains in the fifties when it comes to adjusted offensive efficiency, as KenPom data predicts that Auburn will score 109.1 points per 100 possessions.
Defense continues to be a strong suit for the Tigers. KenPom places Auburn in the top-15 by allowing 89.2 points per 100 opponent possessions.
Auburn is considered to be a team that spends more time on defense, as they are expected to have 69.3 possessions per 40 minutes. In the win over Florida, the Tigers had 66 possessions.
Florida and Georgia overview
Florida’s loss to Auburn places them at No. 48 in the KenPom rankings, with their best strength being adjusted defensive efficicency. The Gators are projected to allow their opponents to score 92 points per 100 possessions, which is No. 35 in the country.
As for Auburn’s next opponent, Georgia, the Bulldogs are No. 99 in the KenPom rankings following a 78-72 win over Rider on Wednesday. Auburn travels to Georgia next Wednesday, Jan. 4, for an SEC matchup at Stegeman Coliseum. | 2022-12-29T18:38:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | How Auburn’s win over Florida affects its KenPom ranking | https://sports.yahoo.com/auburn-win-over-florida-affects-160031216.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/auburn-win-over-florida-affects-160031216.html?src=rss |
The Rams and Chargers will continue their fight for L.A. this weekend when they square off in Week 17, but this matchup is missing some of the excitement and anticipation we expected it to have when the schedule was released. The Chargers have already clinched a playoff berth and the Rams have been eliminated from contention, so there’s far less intrigue coming into this game.
Here’s a preview of Sunday’s battle at SoFi Stadium, which is a road game for the Rams.
Rams are 7-5 all-time against the Chargers
The Rams and Chargers have only met 12 times in history, and it’s the Rams who have the slight edge. They’re 7-5 all-time against the Chargers, outscoring them 325-313 in those 12 games. The last time they squared off was in 2018, a game the Rams won pretty comfortably, 35-23.
This will be the fourth time in the last five meetings that the Chargers are favored over the Rams, though the Rams have covered the spread in three of their last four against the Chargers.
Chargers have 2nd-most pass attempts, 5th-fewest runs
To say the Chargers offense is pass-heavy would be an understatement. They’ve thrown 636 passes and attempted just 351 runs, skewing toward the passing game in a big way. They rank second in the NFL in pass attempts and 28th in rush attempts, which is partly because of the lack of success the Chargers have had on the ground.
Surprisingly, they’re worse than the Rams when it comes to running the ball, and they have Austin Ekeler in the backfield. The Chargers have the second-fewest rushing yards (1,273) and average the second-fewest yards per carry (3.6) in the NFL this year. The Rams are 29th in each category.
Chargers allow 2nd-most yards per carry
Not only are the Chargers bad at running the ball, but they’re also terrible at stopping it. They allow 5.3 yards per carry, which is the second-worst average in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, the Chargers’ run defense grade of 35.8 is the fourth-worst in football, significantly worse than the Rams’ league-leading 90.0 grade.
The Rams have struggled on the ground all year but Cam Akers has come alive in recent weeks and now gets to face a terrible run defense in Los Angeles. Expect to see him used heavily on Sunday afternoon.
6 former Rams are currently with the Chargers
When the Rams look across the field to the Chargers’ sideline, they’ll see a bunch of familiar faces. There are five former Rams players and one former coach on the Chargers now: Gerald Everett, Sony Michel, Troy Reeder, Morgan Fox, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Brandon Staley.
Staley became the Chargers’ head coach in 2020 and in the last two years, he’s accumulated players who he was with as the Rams’ defensive coordinator. Everett, Fox and Joseph-Day should all play significant roles for the Chargers against their former team on Sunday.
Rams have only scored 9 fewer points than Chargers in last 10 games
It’s been a real struggle on offense for the Rams this year, ranking 26th in points scored – and that’s after putting up 51 against the Broncos. That game certainly helped the Rams’ season average, and now when you look at their last 10 games, they’re actually not far behind the Chargers in total points scored.
Since Week 6, which is a span of 10 games, the Rams have scored 201 points compared to 210 by the Chargers. They’ve also allowed just 11 more points on defense than the Chargers have in that same span. Obviously, scoring 51 points in one game helps, but it’s not as if the Chargers have lit it up lately. They’ve only scored more than 23 points twice since Week 6, which is the same number of times as the Rams have. | 2022-12-29T19:04:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | 5 stats and facts to know for Rams vs. Chargers in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-stats-facts-know-rams-181646475.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-stats-facts-know-rams-181646475.html?src=rss |
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman J.J. Watt surprised everyone on the team with the announcement that this is his final NFL season. He is going to retire from playing in the NFL after the season is over.
While Watt knew it was going to happen, teammates didn’t believe him and it was a shock when the news broke Tuesday morning.
Quarterback Colt McCoy did not hear it from Watt. He was sitting at breakfast with Watt when he saw the news on television, which led to a conversation about the decision.
“I sat down, and we were just talking shop,” McCoy said Wednesday. T’hen I look at the TV and it’s like J.J. Watt’s retiring. I look at him and I’m like, ‘What is this?’ He was like, ‘Yeah.’ Then our conversation went from there.”
McCoy had a message.
“We’ve got two more games, so don’t fully go there yet,” he said.
McCoy wants to see Watt give it a full effort in his final two games. The Cardinals are on the road this week to take on the Atlanta Falcons and close the season on the road against the San Francisco 49ers.
McCoy said it was his responsibility to try and keep Watt on task for the final two games.
“My job at breakfast sitting with him was to make sure he knows we got two more games left.”
Based on Watt’s play the last couple of games, that probably won’t be an issue. | 2022-12-29T19:05:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colt McCoy had a message for J.J. Watt after retirement announcement | https://sports.yahoo.com/colt-mccoy-had-message-j-172007242.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colt-mccoy-had-message-j-172007242.html?src=rss |
The Cowboys figured to be squaring off against a relatively inexperienced quarterback when they visit Nashville. But it turns out they’ll face someone with even less of an NFL body of work than the rookie they were expecting.
Tennessee will reportedly start newly-signed Joshua Dobbs at quarterback over third-round draft pick Malik Willis. That news comes from Justin Melo of The Draft Network just hours before the two teams’ Week 17 kickoff.
Dobbs was a fourth-round pick by the Steelers in 2017. He was with Pittsburgh for two full seasons, seeing action in five games before being traded to Jacksonville early in the 2019 campaign. After a year on the sideline, he was waived by the Jaguars and re-claimed by the Steelers. He got into the 2021 season finale for some limited snaps, his most recent paying time in the league. Dobbs started the 2022 season with Cleveland but was waived in late November upon Deshaun Watson’s return from suspension, then spent a few weeks on Detroit’s practice squad, and finally signed on to the Titans’ practice squad on Dec. 21.
Eight days later, it appears the ex-Tennessee Volunteer will be making his first-pro start for the Titans in a primetime matchup against Dallas and their top-10 pass defense.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has been complimentary of the 27-year-old’s work in getting a quick grasp on the playbook; offensive coordinator Todd Downing said just this week that “he’d be confident in using Dobbs if necessary … albeit with a pared-down scheme.”
Willis, the highly-touted rookie out of Liberty University, had been expected to make his fourth NFL start, filling in for veteran Ryan Tannehill, who is out with an ankle injury.
But if Willis is the Titans’ long-term plan at quarterback, he hasn’t done much to stake a strong claim on the job beyond this year. He is currently 31-of-61 passing for just 276 yards in eight game appearances. He has yet to throw an NFL touchdown, but has dealt three interceptions to opponents. Willis’s calling card is his dual-threat nature as a runner; he has 123 yards and one score on the ground on 27 attempts.
The career statline on Dobbs: 10-for-17, 45 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception, 39.1 passer rating, 6 rushing attempts, 31 rushing yards. | 2022-12-29T19:05:18Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cowboys to face QB Joshua Dobbs eight days after signing with Titans | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-face-qb-joshua-dobbs-181255523.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-face-qb-joshua-dobbs-181255523.html?src=rss |
Tennessee will be without their rushing leader in Derrick Henry. Now the Cowboys will also be without half of their one-two ground-game punch.
Running back Tony Pollard will be inactive Thursday night when the Cowboys face the Titans in Nashville, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Pollard is just 12 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard season, but has been a non-participant in the team’s practices this week due to a thigh injury. He is currently ranked ninth in the league in rushing yards.
Malik Davis, the undrafted rookie out of Florida, stands to get plenty of work alongside and in a rotation with Ezekiel Elliott. He’s logged 23 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown in his first season as a pro. He’s been in on under 5% of the team’s offensive snaps, but has seen over a third of the Cowboys’ special teams plays.
“Malik’s a true pro. I don’t know if I’ve ever run across a rookie that’s just as mature as he is. He just handles all his business, on and off the field,” Elliott told reporters this week as Pollard’s status was cast further in doubt with each day. “Any moment he’s had, he’s played really good football, special teams and at running back. Very smart football player. He’s got very good running instincts. He can block. He can do it all.”
Now with Pollard out, Davis will have a chance to do it in primetime against Tennessee’s second-ranked run defense. | 2022-12-29T19:05:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cowboys RB Tony Pollard to be inactive vs Titans | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-rb-tony-pollard-inactive-184506667.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-rb-tony-pollard-inactive-184506667.html?src=rss |
A Cleveland Browns alum is getting his first career start tonight under center for the Tennessee Titans as they have benched Malik Willis in favor of Josh Dobbs. As they are still neck-and-neck with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the AFC South crown, this is a huge move by the Titans as they enter a showdown in Week 18. Signing with the Titans just a week ago, Dobbs is now thrust into action.
Running back Derrick Henry is also doubtful in this game, so the Titans could be resting for their one-game playoff against the Jaguars next week. Regardless, the former Browns quarterback is getting his chance to shine as Dobbs is set to start a game for the first time in his career on primetime Thursday Night Football.
A California woman was saved after her car crashed off a 200-foot cliff on Christmas Day thanks in part to her iPhone's location tracking feature, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said. The woman likely crashed her vehicle driving home from a family gathering overnight on Christmas Day, according to a press release from the fire department. Family members grew concerned when they didn't hear from her on the morning of Dec. 26, so used her phone's tracking functionality to see it was located off the side of a California highway, the release said. | 2022-12-29T19:05:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former Browns QB Josh Dobbs getting the start for Titans vs. Cowboys | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-browns-qb-josh-dobbs-180245721.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-browns-qb-josh-dobbs-180245721.html?src=rss |
Entering Week 17, Alexander and Douglas are the only tandem of cornerbacks in the league to have four or more interceptions each. They are both also tied with Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland for the most fourth-quarter interceptions in the NFL with four apiece.
The Packers need a win in the worst way before the regular season ends, and against the Minnesota Vikings and middling quarterback Kirk Cousins in Week 17, they should have a fair shot at securing their eighth victory of the season to pull back to .500 heading into the final game of the season.
For their part, Alexander and Douglas will look to lock down the Vikings’ talented receiving corps led by sensational wideout Justin Jefferson, who currently leads the league in yardage. While it will be up to Aaron Rodgers and the offense to hold up their end of the deal and score enough points to keep Green Bay competitive on the other side of the ball, Alexander and Douglas could make a huge impact on the game if they can force a few turnovers.
Minnesota currently holds a 12-3 record, which is good for second place in the NFC playoff picture. It would take a miracle for the Packers to make it into elimination play this season, but a win over the Vikings would go a long way toward getting them in the hunt before time runs out. | 2022-12-29T19:06:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas are the only cornerback duo in the NFL with four or more interceptions | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaire-alexander-rasul-douglas-only-182951072.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jaire-alexander-rasul-douglas-only-182951072.html?src=rss |
The Tennessee Titans are getting a little weird in Week 17.
The Titans are already sitting many key players, since their Week 18 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars will decide the AFC South championship no matter what happens on Thursday night. But they have added a twist.
Joshua Dobbs, and not rookie Malik Willis, is expected to start at quarterback for the Titans on Thursday night. That was reported first by Justin Melo of the Draft Network and confirmed by multiple outlets.
It's an interesting decision for a few reasons, and it could impact that huge Week 18 game.
Dobbs was signed off the Detroit Lions' practice squad just last week. Dobbs has never started an NFL game and has just 17 passing attempts in the NFL. Those 17 passing attempts with the Pittsburgh Steelers have resulted in a 39.1 passer rating. Dobbs was with the Cleveland Browns this season until he was cut on Nov. 28.
Yet, the Titans have to be doing this for a reason. Perhaps it's to make sure Willis is healthy for Week 18, but you'd assume they'd want to get the rookie some extra reps. Willis has failed to reach 100 yards passing in any of his three starts this season. According to Doug Clawson of CBS, Willis is the first rookie QB to not reach 100 yards passing in his first three starts since 1978, when Doug Williams did it.
With Ryan Tannehill out with an ankle injury and unlikely to play against the Jaguars in Week 18, this looks like an audition for Dobbs. While it seems hard to believe that a player who was on the Lions' practice squad a week ago and has 17 career passes could be the choice to start with a division championship on the line, the Titans haven't gotten much out of Willis. They're on a five-game losing streak. They're desperate.
If Tannehill can play in Week 18, he's clearly the choice. If Tannehill is out as expected and Dobbs struggles on Thursday night, the Titans will have a difficult and unenviable decision. And if Dobbs plays well on Thursday, we might get a very unexpected starter for the AFC South championship game next week.
Joshua Dobbs, shown here with the Cleveland Browns earlier this season, is expected to start for the Titans on Thursday night. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | 2022-12-29T19:06:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Joshua Dobbs, signed off Lions' practice squad a week ago, expected to start at QB for Titans | https://sports.yahoo.com/joshua-dobbs-signed-off-lions-practice-squad-a-week-ago-expected-to-start-at-qb-for-titans-180740867.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/joshua-dobbs-signed-off-lions-practice-squad-a-week-ago-expected-to-start-at-qb-for-titans-180740867.html?src=rss |
The Chicago Bears could use a divisional win to cap off their disappointing 2022 campaign and will have a great opportunity on Sunday against the Detroit Lions in Week 17. Head coach Matt Eberflus has led his teams to mixed results against Detroit in the past with a 3-4 record against the Lions over the course of his career.
He was 3-3 as an assistant with the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Indianapolis Colts, and took his first loss to Detroit as a head coach earlier this season in his first matchup against the team. Given that his experience in Chicago has been his only stint as a head coach at the NFL level, Eberflus will seek to improve his career record against the Lions to get back to the .500 mark as the 2022 season winds to a close.
He’ll have a tough path ahead of him to secure the Bears their fourth win of the season. Detroit has surprised several opponents after their slow start to the year and is in search of their eighth win to get their overall record back to .500 to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Chicago, on the other hand, is simply playing for their pride. This failed 2022 campaign has been disappointing from the start, and if it weren’t for the magic being made by quarterback Justin Fields on the ground almost every week, Bears games would be nearly unwatchable.
Eberflus still has a lot to prove if he intends to hack it as a head coach in the NFL, and needs his team to show signs of improvement quickly to keep his job secure in the future. Though there haven’t been rumblings of the team moving on from him any time soon, Eberflus could find himself on the hot seat next season if the Bears continue to struggle.
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren has emerged as a finalist to become the next Bears president/CEO, according to ESPN. | 2022-12-29T19:06:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Matt Eberflus seeks to pull career record vs. Lions back to .500 in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-eberflus-seeks-pull-career-180945228.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-eberflus-seeks-pull-career-180945228.html?src=rss |
The Jacksonville Jaguars had high hopes for K’Lavon Chaisson when he was picked 20th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. The First Team All-SEC pass rusher had 13.5 tackles for loss in his sophomore season at LSU, helping the team to a national championship win before leaving for the NFL at age 20.
But near the end of his third professional season, Chaisson has just two sacks and has been relegated to backup duties in Jacksonville.
Now Chaisson has a chance — perhaps his last one — at proving he can be a productive part of the Jaguars defense. With Dawuane Smoot out for the year with an Achilles tear and Travon Walker nursing an ankle sprain, Chaisson is expected to see more opportunities in the final weeks of the 2022 season.
“You see the speed, you see the size, you see the ability — he can drop into coverage, he can rush the passer,” Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell said of Chaisson on Thursday. “There’s ability there. You can see why he was drafted there [in the first round]. It’s time for him to become the player that he was in college; he can become that player now.
“He’s a very intelligent player. He knows the system and he’s working on his craft daily. He had the setback with the injury, but now he’s back healthy, continuing to work. He’s just a guy that, given this opportunity, he has to take advantage of it. Hopefully, we’re looking forward to him doing it.”
Chaisson, 23, was on the field for only 31 defensive snaps in the first five weeks of the season before a meniscus injury landed him on injured reserve. He returned in Week 14 and has played 36 defensive snaps in the last three games.
In addition to Caldwell speaking highly of Chaisson on Thursday, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson had good things to say about the pass rusher on Wednesday.
“He’s worked extremely hard,” Pederson said. “He knows and he understands that even with a healthy Smoot his role was kind of a four-core special teams player, and he came back ready to attack that and be the best teams player he could knowing he was going to have limited reps on defense.
“Now his focus can sort of shift a little bit toward the defense and really make an impact in Smoot’s absence. This will be big, this week and next week and if we continue on, but he’s put himself in a position to do that.”
The Jaguars rank 28th in the NFL in sacks with only 29 through 15 games. | 2022-12-29T19:06:40Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mike Caldwell: It’s time for K’Lavon Chaisson to become the player he can be | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-caldwell-time-k-lavon-173435168.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-caldwell-time-k-lavon-173435168.html?src=rss |
The Rams’ offensive line is playing the best it has all season
For the first 12 games of the season, the Los Angeles Rams had a different starting offensive line each week. Injuries absolutely decimated that position group, with every starter except for Rob Havenstein missing at least two games.
The backups started to go down, too, from Tremayne Anchrum Jr. to Chandler Brewer. The Rams even set a record for the most starting offensive line combinations in a team’s first 12 games.
That’s why it’s hardly surprising that they were one of the lowest-graded offensive lines in the league for most of the season. That’s beginning to change, however. In the last four weeks, the Rams’ O-line has played better and more consistently than it has all season.
It’s no coincidence that during that stretch, they’ve actually had some continuity up front, which has led to improved play. Take a look at the chart below, which shows the Rams’ pass-blocking grade by week. | 2022-12-29T19:07:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | The Rams’ offensive line is playing the best it has all season | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-offensive-line-playing-best-170117330.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-offensive-line-playing-best-170117330.html?src=rss |
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