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NFL

Packers Sack Lions. 29-22

November 23, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

DETROIT – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Jordan Love passed for 268 yards and three touchdowns and the visiting Green Bay Packers surprised NFC North leader Detroit, 29-22, on Thanksgiving Day.

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Christian Watson caught five passes for 94 yards and a touchdown for Green Bay (5-6). AJ Dillon gained a combined 81 yards rushing and receiving, while Jonathan Owens scored on a fumble return.

Detroit’s Jared Goff passed for 332 yards and two touchdowns but also lost three fumbles. David Montgomery rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown, while Amon-Ra St. Brown caught nine passes for 95 yards (8-3).

Detroit has lost seven straight on Thanksgiving Day.

The Packers led 23-6 at halftime.

Both teams scored touchdowns on their opening drives. Love connected with Watson on a 53-yard pass on the Packers’ first play from scrimmage. A 10-yard pass from Love to Jayden Reed completed the possession.

Goff connected with Sam LaPorta on a 7-yard scoring strike after the same connection produced a 31-yard gain. Riley Patterson missed the extra point, leaving Detroit down 7-6.

Green Bay answered with a 75-yard drive, completed by Love’s 10-yard pass to Tucker Kraft.

The Packers stretched their lead to 14 points when Goff fumbled while getting sacked. Owens scooped up the ball on one bounce and scored from 27 yards out. Anders Carlson missed the extra point.

Carlson made a 43-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Detroit scored on its first possession of the second half on Montgomery’s 6-yard run.

The Lions attempted a run on a fake punt later in the quarter and it failed, giving Green Bay the ball on Detroit’s 23. Watson caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Love on third down. A two-point conversion try failed, leaving the score at 29-14.

Goff threw an incompletion on fourth down deep in Green Bay territory midway through the fourth quarter.

Goff connected with Josh Reynolds on a 12-yard touchdown pass and hit LaPorta for the two-point conversion but there were only 41 seconds left. The Packers recovered the onside kick, essentially ending the game.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: Detroit Lions. Green Bay Packers, NFL

Thanks! Commanders Visit Dallas Today

November 23, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

DALLAS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders enter their NFC East Thanksgiving Day matchup in vastly different mindsets.

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While the Cowboys (7-3) are rolling toward their third straight playoff appearance, the Commanders (4-7) are on track for their seventh consecutive non-winning season.

With speculation flying about a potential pink slip for coach Ron Rivera on Black Friday, especially if Washington lays another egg on national TV in Dallas, there’s one overarching storyline entering the game.

Rivera hit perhaps the nadir of his tenure in Washington on Sunday when the Commanders committed six turnovers in a 31-19 loss at home to the lowly New York Giants.

Peppered with questions about his future and the team’s lack of improvement over his four seasons in D.C., Rivera stuck to his one-game-at-a-time mantra Monday.

“What I try to do is just focus in on what’s important today and that’s really just preparing to get ready for Dallas,” Rivera said.

Throughout this season, Rivera has emphasized the development of second-year quarterback Sam Howell and his role as a long-term building block.

But against the Giants, Howell threw three interceptions, including a fluttering pass that Isaiah Simmons returned 54 yards for the game-clinching touchdown with 16 seconds left.

“It’s not like we got outplayed. We just didn’t take care of the football. We were moving the ball up and down the field,” Howell said. “We literally beat ourselves.”

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: Dallas Cowboys, NFL, Washington Commanders

A.J. Dillon Active vs. Packers

November 23, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

DETROIT – Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon is active for today’s road game against the Detroit Lions.

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Dillon, who is nursing a groin injury, was one of five players listed as questionable on the injury report.

While Dillon is expected to play on Thursday, fellow running back Aaron Jones was listed as inactive due to a sprained MCL. Joining Jones as inactive for the Packers (4-6) are cornerback Jaire Alexander, wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, safety Rudy Ford, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, tackle Caleb Jones and tight end Josiah Deguara.

As for the Lions (8-2), they listed the following players as inactive: Defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs, cornerback Steven Gilmore, wide receiver Antoine Green, guard Jonah Jackson, defensive lineman Brodric Martin and linebackers Julian Okwara and Trevor Nowaske.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: Detroit Lions, NFL

Ross Places Dolphins on the Block

November 21, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

MIAMI – (Staff and Wire Service Report from a News Post by Sportico) – Billionaire Stephen Ross is exploring options to sell a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium and the F1 Miami Grand Prix, according to a report from sports business site, Sportico.

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Ross reportedly has been talking to multiple investors since earlier this year, according to a Sportico source.

It is possible that Ross could decide not to sell at a later date, according to the source.

The talks are reportedly intended to provide Ross with capital to invest in new sports ventures.

Ross is worth $8.64 billion, according to Bloomberg, but Forbes pegs his net worth at $11.6 billion. He is the principal owner of the Dolphins which, including team-related businesses and real estate holdings, are worth $5.24 billion, per Sportico.

In 2022, the Dolphins had revenue of nearly $600 million and an operating profit of approximately $128 million.

He is also the principal owner of Hard Rock Stadium, which had total revenues of $129.8 million, according to Fitch Ratings.

Ross also owns the Miami International Autodrome, which runs around Hard Rock Stadium and had exclusive rights to host the Miami Grand Prix through the 2032 season. The Formula 1 Grand Prix was held there for the first time in 2022.

In addition to The Related Companies, a real estate development company he founded in 1972, Ross is also the 2012 co-founder of a private investment firm, RSE Ventures, which covers sports and entertainment, media and marketing, food and lifestyle, and technology.

Ross has been active in real estate development and philanthropy for four decades. His other holdings include the Miami Open tennis event as well as investments in the Equinox gym chain and SoulCycle.

Ross is the third NFL owner looking to sell a minority franchise stake. New Washington Commanders owners David Blitzer and Josh Harris need to divest their stakes in the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Los Angeles Chargers have a 24 percent stake available.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL, Sports Business Tagged With: Miami Dolphins, NFL, Sports Business

Eagles Land Big Win at KC

November 21, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

KANSAS CITY – Philly QB Jalen Hurts rushed for two touchdowns and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to beat the host Kansas City Chiefs 21-17 on Monday night in a Super Bowl rematch.

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D’Andre Swift rushed for a touchdown and had 107 scrimmage yards (76 rushing, 31 receiving) as the Eagles, who own the best record in the NFL at 9-1, won their fourth straight game. DeVonta Smith caught six passes for 99 yards, including a long one that set up the winning score.

Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdowns but also threw an interception and finished with just 177 passing yards. He completed 24 of 43 passes for the Chiefs (7-3). Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and Justin Watson had touchdown receptions.

The Week 11 showdown was a rematch of the highly competitive Super Bowl LVII. The Chiefs won the game 38-35 thanks to Harrison Butker’s game-winning 27-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining.

Hurts was 14-of-22 passing for 150 yards and one interception on Monday. He was harassed repeatedly in the first half when he was sacked five times, but the Eagles didn’t allow a sack in the second half.

Chris Jones and Trent McDuffie each had two sacks for the Chiefs. Kelce had seven receptions but just 44 yards.

Philadelphia moved ahead for the first time at 21-17 with 6:20 remaining.

The touchdown was set up by Hurts’ 41-yard pass to Smith to the Kansas City 1-yard line. The Eagles then called for the “Tush Push,” and Hurts received the usual extra help while plunging in for the score.

The Chiefs later took over from their 9-yard line with 2:49 remaining. Kansas City had second down from its 49-yard line when Mahomes threw deep but Marquez Valdes-Scantling dropped the pass despite being open inside the Philadelphia 5.

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Later in the possession, Mahomes’ pass on fourth-and-25 was incomplete and the Eagles took over with 1:28 left and ran out the clock.

The Eagles pulled within 17-14 when Hurts scored on a 10-yard keeper on third-and-5 with 4:05 left in the third quarter.

Mahomes threw two touchdowns to help the Chiefs hold a 17-7 halftime lead.

Kansas City got on the board when Mahomes tossed a 3-yard scoring pass to Watson with 5:34 left in the first quarter.

The Eagles knotted the score on Swift’s 4-yard run with 31 seconds remaining in the opening period.

The Chiefs scored 10 points in the final two minutes of the half. Mahomes hit Kelce on a 4-yard touchdown pass with 1:45 left and Butker booted a 43-yarder as time expired.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: Kansas City Chiefs, Monday Night Football, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles

NFL Round-Up

November 20, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

DETROIT – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – David Montgomery scored on a 1-yard run with 29 seconds remaining and the Detroit Lions rallied from a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit to pull out a 31-26 victory over the visiting Chicago Bears.

Montgomery, a former Bears running back, rushed for 76 yards. Jared Goff, who threw a season-high three interceptions, engineered two fourth-quarter scoring drives and finished with 236 yards passing and two touchdowns for Detroit (8-2).

Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who missed the previous four games with a thumb injury, passed for 169 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 104 yards. DJ Moore caught seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown for Chicago (3-8).

With his team down 26-14, Goff hooked up with Jameson Williams for a 32-yard score with 2:59 remaining to cut the deficit to five. Detroit forced a three-and-out to set up the game-winning 73-yard drive. Goff completed a two-point conversion pass to Sam LaPorta following Montgomery’s TD.

Aidan Hutchinson forced Fields to fumble, and the ball was kicked out of the end zone, resulting in a safety with 22 seconds left.

Broncos 21, Vikings 20

Russell Wilson lobbed a go-ahead, 15-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton with 1:03 to go, and Denver held on to beat visiting Minnesota.

Sutton leaped for a catch in the back left corner of the end zone, and it marked the first touchdown for Denver (5-5), which had settled for five field goals. Wilson completed 27 of 35 passes for 259 yards in the Broncos’ fourth consecutive victory.

Joshua Dobbs completed 20 of 32 passes for 221 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Minnesota (6-5). Dobbs also rushed for a touchdown for the Vikings, whose five-game winning streak ended.

Browns 13, Steelers 10

Dorian Thompson-Robinson guided Cleveland on a last-minute drive and Dustin Hopkins made a 34-yard field goal with two seconds left to send the host Browns past Pittsburgh.

Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round draft pick this past April out of UCLA, made his second career start with Deshaun Watson out for the season due to a shoulder fracture. The rookie went 24-of-43 passing for 165 yards and an interception for Cleveland (7-3).

Jaylen Warren had nine carries for 129 yards and a long touchdown for Pittsburgh (6-4). He also had 16 receiving yards, meaning Warren accounted for 145 of the Steelers’ 249 total yards of offense. Kenny Pickett completed 15 of 28 passes for just 106 yards.

Cowboys 33, Panthers 10

Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns and Dallas benefited from two scores in a 10-second span early in the fourth quarter to defeat Carolina at Charlotte, N.C.

Tony Pollard ran for a touchdown and finished with 61 yards on 12 carries as the Cowboys (7-3) won for the fourth time in their past five games. Prescott finished 25 of 38 for 189 yards.

The Panthers (1-9) threatened to make it interesting, pulling to within 17-10, before Pollard’s 21-yard touchdown run with 13:58 left. On Carolina’s next snap, DaRon Bland intercepted Bryce Young and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. Young was 16-of-29 passing for 123 yards with a touchdown.

Packers 23, Chargers 20

Jordan Love threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs with 2:33 remaining, and host Green Bay held on for a win over Los Angeles.

Love completed 27 of 40 passes for a career-high 322 yards and two touchdowns for the Packers (4-6). Christian Watson caught Love’s other touchdown pass and Jayden Reed rushed for a score. Green Bay lost running backs Aaron Jones (knee) and Emanuel Wilson (shoulder) to injuries during the game.

Justin Herbert completed 21 of 36 passes for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Chargers (4-6). Keenan Allen finished with 10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. Los Angeles lost an important starter when pass rusher Joey Bosa hobbled off the field without putting weight on his right leg.

Texans 21, Cardinals 16

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud survived his first career multi-interception game and Houston withstood a ragged second half to beat visiting Arizona.

Stroud passed for 336 yards and two touchdowns, but two of his interceptions were in the red zone. Those turnovers helped offset strong efforts from rookie receiver Tank Dell, who had eight catches for 149 yards and a touchdown, and running back Devin Singletary, who rushed for 112 yards and a score.

After closing to within five points on a Kyler Murray 1-yard TD run with 2:52 left in the third quarter, the Cardinals (2-9) could not get over the hump, finishing 3-for-10 on third downs and 1-for-4 on fourth downs. Murray passed for 214 yards and rushed for 51 in his second start of the season.

Jaguars 34, Titans 14

Trevor Lawrence was 24-of-32 passing for 262 yards and two touchdowns to go with two rushing scores as host Jacksonville beat Tennessee.

Calvin Ridley caught seven passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns for the Jaguars (7-3), who have won six of their past seven games.

Will Levis went 13-of-17 passing for 158 yards and two touchdowns in defeat for the Titans (3-7), who have lost three straight games overall and all six of their road contests.

Dolphins 20, Raiders 13

Tua Tagovailoa passed for 325 yards and two touchdowns, Jalen Ramsey intercepted two passes and Miami earned a victory over Las Vegas at Miami Gardens, Fla.

Tyreek Hill had another huge outing with 10 receptions for 146 yards and one touchdown for the Dolphins (7-3). Hill entered the day as the NFL leader in receiving yards (1,076) and touchdown catches (eight). Tagovailoa completed 28 of 39 passes and was intercepted once.

Aidan O’Connell completed 24 of 41 passes for 271 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions for the Raiders (5-6). Davante Adams caught seven passes for 82 yards and a touchdown for Las Vegas, which is 2-1 under interim coach Antonio Pierce.

Giants 31, Commanders 19

Tommy DeVito threw three touchdown passes and the New York defense forced six turnovers in a victory over Washington in Landover, Md.

With Washington driving late in a bid for a potential game-winning touchdown, Isaiah Simmons picked off a fluttering pass by Sam Howell and ran 54 yards for a game-clinching touchdown with 16 seconds left. Howell completed 31 of 45 passes for 255 yards and a touchdown.

Saquon Barkley caught two of the touchdown passes from DeVito and rushed 14 times for 83 yards as the Giants (3-8) won for just the second time in their past nine games, with both wins against the Commanders (4-7). In his second career start, DeVito weathered nine sacks to complete 18 of 26 passes for 246 yards without an interception.

49ers 27, Buccaneers 14

Brock Purdy threw for three touchdowns and Brandon Aiyuk had a career-high 156 yards receiving and a score to fuel San Francisco to a victory over Tampa Bay in Santa Clara, Calif.

Purdy completed 21 of 25 passes for 333 yards and Christian McCaffrey found the end zone again after seeing his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown (including playoffs) come to an end at 17 last week. Tight end George Kittle had eight catches for 89 yards and a touchdown for the 49ers (7-3).

Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield completed 29 of 45 passes for 246 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Mike Evans had a 1-yard touchdown reception and Rachaad White added a 1-yard rushing TD for the Buccaneers (4-6), who have lost five of their past six games.

Bills 32, Jets 6

Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes and Buffalo avenged a Week 1 loss to New York with a victory in Orchard Park. N.Y.

Playing his first game under new offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who replaced the fired Ken Dorsey on Tuesday, Allen completed 20 of 32 passes for 275 yards with an interception. Buffalo (6-5) stayed 1 1/2 games behind AFC East leader Miami.

New York quarterback Zach Wilson was 7 of 15 for 81 yards with a touchdown and an interception before he was benched for backup Tim Boyle late in the third quarter. Boyle couldn’t generate a spark, either, going 7 of 14 for 33 yards with an interception for the Jets (4-6).

Rams 17, Seahawks 16

Lucas Havrisik kicked a 22-yard field goal with 1:31 remaining as Los Angeles rallied to defeat Seattle in Inglewood, Calif.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith returned from an injury to guide Seattle (6-4) into field-goal range in the final seconds, but Jason Myers’ 55-yard attempt missed just right. Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) and Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) both left with injuries in the first half and didn’t return.

Smith was 22-of-34 passing for 233 yards and a touchdown. Matthew Stafford was 17-of-31 passing for 190 yards and a touchdown for the Rams (4-6), who snapped a three-game losing streak. Royce Freeman rushed 17 times for 73 yards.

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: Detroit Lions, NFL

NFL: Week 11 Previews

November 19, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

CLEVELAND: Week 11 of the NFL season will begin to separate the serious playoff contenders from the mediocre middle of the pack.

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Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) at Cleveland Browns (6-3): In pursuit of AFC North-leading Baltimore, already a Week 11 winner, the Browns and Steelers are leading with defense. That’s especially true with Cleveland turning to rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is out for the season after being injured last week. DTR is an electric athlete who makes his second start under better circumstances than the first, a 28-3 loss at Baltimore. He learned less than three hours before kickoff against the Ravens that he’d be the first-team QB, and threw three INTs while being sacked four times. Cleveland’s defense is built to be a great asset to any quarterback. The Browns are getting their second look at Kenny Pickett and the Steelers, who won the Week 2 matchup 26-22. T.J. Watt’s 16-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter was the difference. Each team has won four of its past five games.

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Chicago Bears (3-7) at Detroit Lions (7-2): The Lions play five of their final eight games against their three NFC North rivals, beginning with a home matchup against the last-place Bears on Sunday. The Lions are seeking their first division title since 1993, back when it was known as the Central division and included the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “If you aspire to win a division, you have to win your division games,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. “That’s the bottom line here.” The Lions hold a 1 1/2-game advantage over Minnesota, which has won five straight games. They’ll play the Vikings twice in the last three games of the season. Detroit’s task against Chicago might be a little more difficult with the return of QB Justin Fields. He has recovered from a right thumb injury that cost him four games. Detroit’s offensive playmakers piled up big numbers in the 41-38 thriller over the Chargers last week. QB Jared Goff threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Amor-Ra St. Brown caught eight of those passes for 156 yards and a score. The 1-2 backfield punch of former Bears starter David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 193 yards and three touchdowns.

Los Angeles Chargers (4-5) at Green Bay Packers (3-6): Los Angeles is optimistic the playoffs are possible despite losing three of its past five games. The Chargers are coming off a 41-38 setback on a last-second field goal to the Lions. Chargers QB Justin Herbert said he and his teammates remain confident. The team scored a season high in points last week, however it also surrendered a season high in points. To catch Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City, the Chargers must slow down Packers quarterback Jordan Love. He passed for 289 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie wide receiver Jayden Reed hauled in five catches for 84 yards and a score for his best performance of the season. The Packers have a 10-2 advantage in the all-time series. Winning close games isn’t Green Bay’s forte this season and the Packers gave up a second-half lead and lost 23-19 to the Steelers last week. Of six defeats this season, four were one-score games they fumbled on the road: at Atlanta (25-24), at Las Vegas (17-13), at Denver (19-17) and last week.

Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) at Miami Dolphins (6-3): The Raiders are 2-0 since firing Josh McDaniels and handing the keys to Antonio Pierce, who has quickly energized the squad. The visit to Miami is the only road contest during a six-game stretch for the Raiders. “We were fortunate that my first two games were at home,” Pierce said of the shift since he replaced McDaniels. “Now we are on the road. It’s good to go through adversity. (Miami) is a good football team.” Miami leads the AFC East by 1 1/2 games over the Buffalo Bills and has outscored opponents by averaging 31.7 points per game. The Raiders average 17.2 points this season. Rookie speedster RB De’Von Achane had seven touchdowns before missing the past four games and could be ready to return from a knee injury. Miami dropped two of its past three games, but the setbacks were to last season’s Super Bowl teams (Chiefs and Eagles). Raiders RB Josh Jacobs is rejuvenated under new leadership. He rushed for a then-season-best 98 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-6 win over the Giants in Pierce’s coaching debut and another season high with 116 yards in last Sunday’s 16-12 win over the Jets.

New York Giants (2-8) at Washington Commanders (4-6): Rookie Tommy DeVito gets the call again for the Giants and he draws the Commanders’ defense, which allowed Seattle to score on its final three possessions in a 29-26 loss last week after blowing a late lead against the Eagles prior to that. The Commanders went from No. 3 in yards allowed in 2022 to the fourth-worst entering Week 11. New York has lost seven of its last eight with the lone win coming at home over Washington, 14-7, on Oct. 22. Despite that defeat, the Commanders are a double-digit favorite for the first time since 2017. Health woes continue to haunt the Giants, who are depending on RB Saquon Barkley to move the chains and keep the offense in the game. Playing behind a patchwork offensive line, DeVito has been sacked 11 times the last two weeks. Washington’s offense is a bright spot and the Commanders are closer than ever to being convinced QB Sam Howell is the franchise passer they’ve coveted for years.

Dallas Cowboys (6-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-8): If an ideal time for 2021 first-round CB Jaycee Horn’s return from injury existed, this might be that spot. The Cowboys are the lone team in the NFL this season that has reached the 40-point level in three different games. “This past month, we’re hitting on all cylinders,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said. While Horn (hamstring) coming back from IR isn’t certain, the Panthers do expect pass rusher Brian Burns in the lineup on Sunday. But Dak Prescott could be hitting another level. He threw for 404 yards last weekend against the New York Giants, giving him three consecutive games above the 300-yard mark. WRs CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks both eclipsed the 150-yard receiving mark last week, and the Cowboys ran for 168 yards. Lamb is the first player in NFL history with three straight games of double-figure catches and 150-plus receiving yards. The Panthers called a reverse at play-caller this week. Head coach Frank Reich will return to calling plays after handing those duties to Thomas Brown last month.

Tennessee Titans (3-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3): Jacksonville’s five-game winning streak come to a halt with a 34-3 dismantling by the San Francisco 49ers last week. Jacksonville surrendered three passing touchdowns to Brock Purdy, while Jaguars’ QB Trevor Lawrence tossed a pair of interceptions and was sacked five times. While head coach Doug Pederson said he’s sure the team will “bounce back,” he also admitted Lawrence (knee) isn’t healthy. The loss to the 49ers marked the first multi-interception game of the season for Lawrence, who has been picked off six times while throwing nine touchdowns through nine games. He’s completed 67.3 percent of his passes this season 2,120 yards. The Titans lost back-to-back road games to the Steelers and Buccaneers, spinning their tires in the running game. Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears combined for just 42 rushing yards last week. Rookie Will Levis, in his third start, completed just 19 of 39 passes for 199 yards and an interception. The Titans seem to be getting a bit healthier ahead of their first meeting of the season with the Jaguars, who won the winner-take-all regular-season finale in 2022.

Arizona Cardinals (2-8) at Houston Texans (5-4): Above-.500 in November for the first time since 2019, there’s an unrecognizable element in the air in Houston: playoff talk. QB C.J. Stroud has the Texans squarely in the postseason conversation with eight games to play, but head coach DeMeco Ryans said the challenge is to focus on the game in front of them. Up next is a critical fight with the division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3) on Nov. 26 on the Texans’ home turf. Stroud leads the NFL with 291.8 passing yards per game and is sixth with a 101.0 rating. He is the linchpin of an offense scoring 24.1 points per game — 10th in the league — and averaging 372.5 yards per game, good enough for sixth. Arizona is better equipped to put up points in Kyler Murray’s second game back from his 2022 ACL injury. The Cardinals rank 31st in opponent quarterback rating (101.0) and 29th with an opponent completion percentage of 69.1. The statistics point to Stroud rolling again, especially if his offensive line continues to sweep a pristine pocket clear of obstacles. Houston allowed one sack over 41 dropbacks in a 30-27 road victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last week. Of importance in that mission, left tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) has been fighting to practice.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) at San Francisco 49ers (6-3): A rematch of the 49ers’ 35-7 win in the same stadium last December pits a pair of teams that snapped losing streaks last week. The Bucs halted a four-game losing skid with a 20-6 triumph over the visiting Tennessee Titans last Sunday. The Buccaneers now find themselves a half-game behind the New Orleans Saints for first place in the mediocre-at-best NFC South. San Francisco, which also played last week’s game in the state of Florida, ended a three-game slide with a 34-3 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 49ers remain tied with the Seattle Seahawks atop the NFC West. The Buccaneers have a tall order ahead in San Francisco, which ranks tied for third in the NFL in points scored per game (28.0) and tied for second in points allowed (15.9). The trade deadline addition of DE Chase Young produced some scary flashes of dominance last week. Christian McCaffrey, who has made himself at home in the end zone of late, saw his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown come to an end at 17 games (including playoffs). But he scored three TDs in the win over Tampa Bay last season.

New York Jets (4-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-5): Too early to be dubbed an elimination game, but peering ahead at the remaining schedule for both teams might make one wonder. Status quo wasn’t working for the Bills, who fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey following a 24-22 loss at home to the Broncos that featured four turnovers and a pair of last-minute penalties that set up Denver’s game-winning field goal. The Bills can’t afford to stall out, already 1 1/2 games behind Miami in the division and currently behind the wild-card teams in the AFC. The next five weeks bring games at Philadelphia (8-1), the bye week, at Kansas City (7-2), versus Dallas (6-3) and at the Los Angeles Chargers (4-5). Curbing turnovers — Josh Allen has 15 this season — becomes the task of new coordinator Joe Brady. Jets head coach Robert Saleh’s defense has clamped down on Allen the way few teams have in recent years. It forced four turnovers in Week 1 (three interceptions, one fumble), but New York’s offense has gone 36 possessions without a TD.

Seattle Seahawks (6-3) at Los Angeles Rams (3-6): The Rams are coming off a bye and QB Matthew Stafford is expected to return to the starting lineup after missing one game with a sprained ligament in the thumb on his throwing hand. The Rams won the first meeting between NFC West rivals, outscoring Seattle 23-0 in the second half in Week 1 to win 30-13. The Seahawks are tied atop the division with the 49ers and hoping for more consistent play from QB Geno Smith. Smith was 9 of 11 on the final two drives against Washington last week but could be without WR Tyler Lockett (hamstring) this week. The Rams have lost three consecutive games. Stafford returns for the Rams after missing a 20-3 loss at Green Bay on Nov. 5, but rookie WR Puka Nacua (knee) might miss his chance for an encore against Seattle. Nacua had 10 catches for 119 yards in the September matchup.

Minnesota Vikings (6-4) at Denver Broncos (4-5): In the primetime spotlight for the second consecutive week, the Broncos might warrant a little attention thanks to a three-game winning streak including a win over the Chiefs and a pair of two-point wins (Bills, Packers). Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell might be thinking “hold my beer, Sean Payton” as he heads to the Rockies with a five-game winning streak while overcoming the loss of key players including quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring). The Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints (27-19) last Sunday and could get a big boost with Jefferson back from injured reserve. QB Joshua Dobbs, acquired from the Cardinals to replace Cousins, won his first start with the Vikings last week after leading a late rally the week prior at Atlanta. The anticipated Sean Payton Effect might be showing through in Russell Wilson’s performance. His 104 passer rating is significantly higher than the 84.4 clip a season ago. Wilson has completed 67.9 percent of his passes for 1,806 yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions. The Broncos’ running game, another Payton staple, is picking up the pace in the second half of the season. Javonte Williams has led the way with 436 rushing yards to go along with 109 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Sunday Night Football on NBC

Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-2): Whether dubbed Super Bowl 57.5 or the Kelce Clan Reunion, there’s been nothing swift about the success of the teams that battled for the Lombardi Trophy in February. The Eagles have the NFL’s best record. The Chiefs lead the AFC and swept the last four meetings with the Eagles, including 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12. Chiefs coach Andy Reid is the winningest head coach in the history of both franchises, logging 140 victories (including playoffs) for the Eagles from 1999-2012 and 136 since taking over the Chiefs in 2013. Nine months ago in Glendale, Ariz., it was all about QBs. Patrick Mahomes, playing on an injured ankle, threw two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and set up the winning field goal with a gutsy 26-yard scramble. He won his second Super Bowl MVP award. Jalen Hurts was just as effective. He completed 27 of 38 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown and rushed 70 yards for three touchdowns. He used his legs to pick up the game-tying score — and the two-point conversion — with 5:15 remaining. Both are in the MVP conversation again in 2023. Hurts has completed a career-high 68.9 percent of his passes for 2,347 yards with 15 touchdowns but also eight interceptions. He has seven rushing TDs.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: NFL

Cincy’s Burrow Out for Season

November 17, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

CINCINNATI – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will miss the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury, head coach Zac Taylor announced Friday. Taylor said Burrow likely will need surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist.

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An MRI on Friday morning revealed the severity of the injury for Burrow, hours after he exited the Bengals’ 34-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter. Burrow bent over in obvious pain after throwing a 4-yard touchdown to Joe Mixon with 5:49 remaining.

Burrow said he felt a pop in his wrist on the TD pass but was in discomfort before that play.

He said “everything that I’ve seen so far is that surgery is going to be needed.” He plans to discuss options.

The NFL is investigating the team’s reporting of Burrow’s injury status going into the game.

Burrow said on Friday he wore a compression sleeve on his wrist but was not injured until Thursday night.

“This is a completely different thing,” he said. “It’s not uncommon for guys to wear compression sleeves on the plane. When you go up to that altitude, things can swell up. This is a completely new injury.”

Burrow said he sees a lot of himself in backup Jake Browning. They are good friends, and Burrow spent part of his Friday afternoon watching film with Browning to help begin preparing him to start next week.

“No moment is too big for him. He’s a guy that’s going to continue to get better,” Burrow said.

Taylor informed the full team in a meeting on Friday.

“Disappointed for Joe,” Taylor said. “You’re around this guy every single day. You see what he puts himself through to prepare himself. To make sure he’s at his best. The players, the coaches, the organization as a whole weighs heavy on the quarterbacks.

“I told him he’s going to have a long career, this is one of the many parts of adversity you’re going to go through in your career. I think this team will respond the right way.”

Cincinnati (5-5) will look to respond against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 26, presumably with Jake Browning under center. Browning took over for Burrow and completed 8 of 14 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown on Thursday.

Taylor said he isn’t worried about the injury toll and whether it is compounding for the 26-year-old Burrow.

“If he was a normal human being, you’d worried about. He’s not,” Taylor said. “He’s just built a little bit different. That’s why I’ve got confidence he’ll respond from this the right way, the right time. That’s just part of how Joe’s built.”

Before exiting, Burrow was 11-for-17 for 101 yards and the touchdown to Mixon.

Burrow has compiled the lowest passer rating since his rookie year in 2020. He has completed 244 of 365 passes (66.8 percent) for 2,309 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow

Banged-Up Ravens vs Bengals on TNF

November 16, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

BALTIMORE – (Staff and Wire Service Preview) – Two teams reeling from Sunday losses at home will try to regroup and claim a key AFC North win when the division-leading Baltimore Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night.

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The Ravens (7-3) blew a golden opportunity to put more distance between themselves and the Steelers, Browns and Bengals, losing leads of 17-3 and 31-17 at home to Cleveland in a 33-31 loss. The setback snapped a four-game win streak.

Cincinnati (5-4) also had a four-game win streak snapped when they fought back from a 27-17 hole in the final three minutes, only to watch rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud lead Houston down the field for a game-winning field goal.

“We live, we grow, we get better. Every team is tested, and we’re getting tested. So I’m excited for (Thursday),” said Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who enters Thursday just one touchdown shy of matching Todd Heap for the team’s all-time mark of 41.

The game against Cincinnati marks the end of a three-game homestand for Baltimore while Cincinnati is in a stretch of four games where Thursday is the only road contest.

Baltimore claimed a 27-24 victory at Cincinnati in Week 2.

Zay Flowers needs just one catch for 51 on the season, which would break a tie with Torrey Smith for the all-time Ravens rookie record. On defense, Ravens safety Geno Stone leads the NFL with six interceptions.

The Bengals’ defense is looking for a better effort after surrendering 17 plays of at least 20 yards in Sunday’s loss to Houston.

Both teams are also dealing with a multitude of injuries heading into a game on only three days of rest.

Ravens starting right tackle Morgan Moses (shoulder) has missed two straight games while Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey (ankle), starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and linebacker Trenton Simpson (concussion) left Sunday’s loss to the Browns and did not return.

“I think we’re dealing with it right now. We’ve done a good job of that,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the injury woes. “We’ve been on the road (a lot). We’ve (played) very tough teams in very physical games, and I feel like our guys have handled it very well.

“We have to continue to do it. That’s probably the main point right now: It’s how we handle that and how we approach it. Our job is to handle it better than our opponents do.”

The Bengals lost star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a hyperextended left knee when Houston receiver Noah Brown rolled into him on the play before the game-winning field goal.

Hendrickson is expected to miss Thursday’s game, while Hendrickson’s bookend, edge Sam Hubbard, is dealing with a right ankle injury and missed last Sunday’s loss.

Rookie receiver Andrei Iosivas suffered a knee injury but finished the game Sunday against Houston.

The Bengals also missed the services of star receiver Tee Higgins, who is nursing a hamstring injury suffered Nov. 8 in practice. He also sat out last Sunday’s game vs. Houston.

“You’ve got to cram a whole game plan into really about two and a half days,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “And so the team’s got to understand that. We walked off the field Sunday, it was a Wednesday afternoon, post-practice is really the point of the week you’re at. And so, you’ve got to get your bodies right after a physical long game like we had.

“Baltimore had the same thing. I mean, it really similar styles of games that were just played. And our guys have to get themselves ready and our coaches have to do a good job preparing them in a short span this week.”

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, NFL, NFL Thursday Night Football

Patriots Waive Troubled CB Jack Jones

November 13, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots are waived second-year cornerback Jack Jones, his agent confirmed.

“I certainly we want to thank the Patriots organization for drafting Jack,” J. Tooson said in a statement to NFL Network. “Jack is an immense talent and looks forward to making an immediate contribution on his next team as soon as Sunday.”

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A fourth-round pick out of Arizona State in 2022, Jones has played only 121 defensive snaps in five games (no starts) this season.

Jones reportedly missed a team curfew before the Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders and played only 10 snaps in Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany.

He has recorded 42 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defensed in 18 career games (two starts).

Jones returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers Oct. 2, 2022, at Lambeau Field.

–Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL, Patriots

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