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Archives for October 24, 2024

NFL Thursday Night Football Preview

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LOS ANGELES – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Los Angeles Rams host Minnesota on Thursday night seeking consecutive victories for the first time this season, while the Vikings try to rebound from their first loss of the campaign. Los Angeles (2-4) snapped a two-game losing streak by beating the visiting Las Vegas Raiders 20-15 last weekend. Meanwhile, Minnesota (5-1) dropped a back-and-forth 31-29 affair to division rival Detroit on a field goal with 15 seconds remaining.

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ODDS AND TRENDS
The Vikings are about a field goal favorite on the road by most sportsbooks.

The line is 3.0 points at BetRivers, where the Vikings have been backed by one-sided action with 79 percent of the spread-line money and a lopsided 93 percent on their -150 moneyline.

The public jury is certainly still out on Minnesota. After suffering their first loss of the season in Week 7, the Vikings have received only 4 percent of the total money wagered on the NFC championship at DraftKings, where they’re being offered at +650 to reach the Super Bowl. That’s the same percentage that have backed the Rams as +5000 long shots.

The Over/Under for Thursday night’s game is 48 total points at BetRivers, with the Over backed by 65 percent of the money.

PROP PICKS
–Cooper Kupp Over 6.5 Receptions (-130 at DraftKings): This has been the most popular player prop at DraftKings with Kupp expected to play for the first time since Week 2. Kupp had 14 receptions on 21 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown in the season opener, and had hauled in four catches on six targets before leaving the Week 2 loss to Arizona.

–Justin Jefferson Anytime TD (-143 at BetRivers): Jefferson reaching the end zone on Thursday night has drawn the most total money (1.5 percent) and bets (4.5 percent) of any player prop at the book. He has a touchdown in all but one game thus far, two weeks ago against the Jets in a game where Jefferson was targeted 14 times.

INJURY REPORT
Both teams are hoping to get key playmakers back for this contest.

For the Rams, Kupp is expected to play. Kupp participated in full at practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, while fellow receiver Puka Nacua was limited both days due to a knee injury after having his 21-day practice window opened up. Still, NFL Network reported Thursday the Rams are “optimistic” Nacua is ready to play, which would require a decision to activate Nacua off injured reserve.

Defensive end Braden Fiske (back) was limited Wednesday and linebacker Troy Reeder (hamstring) has been ruled out.

This week could also mark the return of tight end T.J. Hockenson for the Vikings. The veteran has been sidelined since late last season, when he tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said it was “very much a possibility” that Hockenson could return against the Rams, although his workload could be limited. He was limited in practice this week and listed as questionable on Wednesday.

“It’s early,” O’Connell said as the Vikings returned to practice this week. “We’ll make that determination as these next couple of days (go by). As we put together game plans, we want to have a good feel for that.”

Hockenson caught 95 passes for 960 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) for Minnesota last season. His return would give quarterback Sam Darnold another top target in the passing game alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

Aaron Jones also said he felt good to play on short rest despite a hip injury that has nagged him for a couple of weeks. Jones racked up 116 total yards (93 rushing, 23 receiving) and a touchdown against Detroit.

“No problems out of it,” Jones said. “I’ll continue to stay on top of it on my end and do everything to check the boxes so I don’t end up back in that situation (with the injury).”

Linebacker Blake Cashman missed the Vikings’ practice this week because of a toe issue and has been declared out against the Rams. Hockenson and Jones were among those limited on Tuesday, although Jones was a full participant on Wednesday.

SCUFFLING RAMS NEED STAR WRs
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will look to improve upon his 83.6 passer rating against a physical Vikings defense. Stafford has thrown for 1,392 yards and three touchdowns, with four interceptions this season.

Kyren Williams is the Rams’ biggest threat on offense. He has rushed for 436 yards and eight touchdowns in six games (all starts).

Tutu Atwell leads the team’s receiving unit with 23 catches for 332 yards. Demarcus Robinson, Kupp and Williams each have a receiving touchdown.

THEY SAID IT
“I’m aware of it, but at the end of the day, I mean, I’m going to be where my feet are. That’s all I know. I have a job to do here. And I take a lot of pride in giving everything I can for the guys in this building and being able to step on the field knowing that I prepared the best that I can.” — Kupp on rumors he could be traded ahead of the Nov. 5 deadline.

PREDICTION
This has the feeling of a do-or-die game for the Rams, who could look to trade Kupp and other veterans should they fall further in the NFC West. The Vikings are coming off a loss, but were toe-to-toe with the high-powered Lions. Los Angeles enters with the 26th-ranked defense, which even Kupp’s return can’t mask against a Minnesota offense averaging 333.2 yards per game. — Vikings 27, Rams 23

–Field Level Media

Wizards Focused on Deconstructing?

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WASH DC – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Washington Wizards kick off their 2024-25 season Thursday night with a home game against the Boston Celtics. The Wizards finished last season 15-67 — the worst record in team history — and the rebuild is ongoing.

Washington’s offseason additions include first-round draft picks Alex Sarr (No. 2), Carlton “Bub” Carrington (No. 14) and Kyshawn George (No. 24). The Wizards also added veterans Jonas Valanciunas, former Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon and Saddiq Bey, although Bey is expected to miss much of the season while he recovers from a torn ACL.

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Brogdon will also miss Thursday’s game because of a torn thumb tendon.

“If we’re really to think about it — the phases of the rebuild — there’s the deconstruction phase. There’s the laying-the-foundation phase. There’s the building it back up, and then there’s fortifying what you build,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said during the team’s media day. “We’re still focused on deconstructing and laying that foundation.”

Jordan Poole, who is entering his second season with the Wizards after being acquired from Golden State, is expected to play more point guard this season. Poole’s role as a ball handler increased when Brian Keefe replaced Wes Unseld Jr. as the team’s head coach last January.

“Being able to get into transition, building confidence into my teammates — it’s something I’ve always been able to do, especially with the ball,” Poole said. “Guys are open, just get them the ball and try to put them in situations to be successful.”

Defending NBA champion Boston opened its season Tuesday with a 132-109 victory over the visiting New York Knicks. The Celtics tied an NBA record by making 29 3-pointers in the win.

Al Horford made the 29th 3-pointer with 8:54 to play, but Boston missed its next 13 shots from behind the arc to end the game. Boston tied the record set by the Milwaukee Bucks against the Miami Heat in 2020.

“It’s almost like we got jinxed or something,” Boston’s Jaylen Brown said. “When we were just playing, having fun, playing our style of basketball, everything was going in. And then once the crowd got into it and we started hunting them, we couldn’t even hit the broad side of the barn. Everything was off. We got a bunch of great looks and it was like a lid on the basket.”

Jayson Tatum made eight 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 37 points. Boston also received multiple 3-pointers from Derrick White (six), Brown (five), Jrue Holiday (four), Horford (three) and Sam Hauser (two). Payton Pritchard connected on the other 3-pointer.

“The biggest thing I’m proud of us is the mindset of the guys,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We weren’t stuck in the past. … We were physical on defense and were together on offense. It’s a great start.”

Washington hasn’t won 50 games in a season since 1979, which was the last time the franchise advanced to the NBA Finals.

“This is the best team I’ve been around in terms of chemistry, camaraderie and character since I’ve been in Washington,” Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma said.

–Field Level Media

NYJ at NE: Somebody’s Got to Win

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) A 1-6 start has New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo questioning his team’s toughness. Mayo believes there still is time to flip the script, though, and New England will have a chance to do just that when it faces the New York Jets on Sunday on the Pats’ home field in Massachusetts.

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After an all-out disaster in London last weekend, the Patriots were called out by Mayo following a 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, with their first-year coach declaring them a “soft football team across the board.”

More conversations went on behind closed doors between Mayo and his players, and while he wouldn’t share exactly what was said, he is confident that New England will be playing inspired football against the Jets (2-5).

“We’re on to the Jets,” Mayo told reporters on Wednesday. “We’ve had those conversations. I’ve always looked at that as an opportunity to go out there and prove everyone wrong. Once again, going back to a chip on your shoulder, we’ve all had those chips on our shoulders at times that have gotten us through. So, this is no different.

The opening line was reminiscent of a line used by former coach Bill Belichick when the Patriots blew a game in their glory years and were next playing the Bengals at Cincinnati

“Obviously, once again, we are struggling as a team. Our record is what it is. It’s about what we can do to get better.”

New York also is out to turn things around after a 37-15 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week pushed its losing streak to four games. Star wideout Davante Adams, acquired in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 15, was reunited with Jets signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, but he hauled in just three catches for 30 yards.

Mayo doesn’t think Adams will be nearly as quiet in his second game with New York.

“He’s a good player, obviously has a great rapport with the quarterback,” Mayo said of Adams. “I expect him to be more involved, even though he was involved the first game.”

Adams, now in his 11th NFL season, already considers himself a vital piece of the Jets’ offense and is willing to do anything he can to help New York get out of its funk.

“Regardless if I just got here, I’m a leader of this football team,” Adams said. “Whether or not every single person in there sees it that way, that’s how I see it and that’s my responsibility and that’s something I take seriously.”

There is a chance that Rodgers might not be throwing to him on Sunday, as knee and hamstring injuries limited the 40-year-old quarterback during practice on Wednesday.

Cornerback Michael Carter II (back), edge rusher Will McDonald IV (shoulder), linebacker Quincy Williams (neck) and offensive lineman Morgan Moses (knee) also were limited. Wide receiver Allen Lazard (chest) and safeties Tony Adams (hamstring) and Ashtyn Davis (concussion) were among those held out.

Linebacker Anfernee Jennings, who is working through shoulder and knee issues, was one of six Patriots who missed all of practice on Wednesday. Receiver Ja’Lynn Polk remained on the sideline because of a concussion.

New England had another six players who were limited, including safety Kyle Dugger (ankle).

The Jets and Patriots met back in Week 3, when New York cruised to a 24-3 victory ahead of its current four-game skid.

–Field Level Media