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Diggs Facing Felony Charges

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing a felony charge of strangulation or suffocation and a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery.

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The charges were announced Tuesday morning in Dedham (Mass.) District Court with Diggs’ attorney, Michael DiStefano, calling in via phone, according to a Boston 25 News report.

DiStefano reportedly sought to have the police report sealed so that the details are not made public. He also shared that Diggs has made a financial offer to the alleged victim in an effort to end the dispute.

The judge is expected to make a ruling on whether the details will be impounded or not ahead of Diggs’ scheduled arraignment on Jan. 23.

The alleged incident in question occurred Dec. 2, the day after New England’s 33-15 win over the New York Giants on “Monday Night Football.”

“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs. Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon,” the Patriots said in a statement. “We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”

The team did not share an update on Diggs’ status for Sunday’s Week 18 home game against the Miami Dolphins. The four-time Pro Bowl receiver could be placed on the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt List and be ineligible to play depending on what the league learns about the alleged incident.

Diggs, 32, signed a three-year, $69 million contract which includes $26 million guaranteed with New England in March. In his first season with the Patriots, he leads the team in catches (82) and receiving yards (970) with four touchdowns in 16 games (all starts).

New England (13-3) enters the final week of the regular season in second place in the AFC, although it could claim the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and homefield advantage to the Super Bowl with a win on Sunday paired with a Denver loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

As of now, Diggs’ arraignment is scheduled for two days before the AFC championship game. However, the judge is considering moving the arraignment to March in order to not conflict with the potentially ongoing Patriots season.

–Field Level Media

Pro Football Hall Finalists

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Kraft and Belichick Both Up for Enshrinement in 2026

CANTON – (Wire Service Report) – Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Drew Brees and Eli Manning and one of the most clutch kickers in league history, Adam Vinatieri, are among 15 finalists up for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

The Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee meets prior to Super Bowl LX, and any players selected will be revealed February 5 during the “NFL Honors” broadcast in San Francisco.

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Brees, Manning, Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and edge rusher Terrell Suggs (Ravens, Cardinals, Chiefs) are among the candidates up for debate by the Selection Committee in February.

Four other players — Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Vinatieri — reached the committee’s Final 7 for election with the Class of 2025 and were automatically advanced in the 2026 class.

Holt and returning finalist Reggie Wayne (Colts) have been finalists seven times and this is the fifth year Anderson is among the group openly debated for election.

Former Cowboys safety Darren Woodson (fourth time as a finalist) is in his 18th year of eligibility. He’s joined by first-timer and former Dallas tight end Jason Witten. Brees, Fitzgerald, running back Frank Gore (five teams in 16 seasons) and former Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams are also first-time finalists. Williams has been eligible for six years.

Up to five “Modern Era” players for the Class of 2026 can be elected by the Selection Committee, which requires a minimum positive vote of 80%.

Seniors category finalists Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood, coach finalist Bill Belichick and contributor finalist Robert Kraft are candidates for the Class of 2026 with voting held separately and a maximum of three of these five finalists can be elected.

Between four and eight total enshrinees can be elected in a given year according to the Hall of Fame bylaws.

Willie Anderson, a right tackle with four All-Pro seasons for the Bengals, has been eligible for 13 years and this is the 12th year for Holt. Holt had 920 career receptions for 13,382 yards and 74 TDs and caught at least 80 passes in eight consecutive seasons with the Rams.

The 2026 Modern-Era Finalists (positions, years and teams):

Willie Anderson, Right Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
Drew Brees, Quarterback — 2001-05 San Diego Chargers, 2006-20 New Orleans Saints
Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-16 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver — 2004-20 Arizona Cardinals
Frank Gore, Running Back — 2005-14 San Francisco 49ers, 2015-17 Indianapolis Colts, 2018 Miami Dolphins, 2019 Buffalo Bills, 2020 New York Jets
Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-19 New York Giants
Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-18 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-19 Indianapolis Colts
Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts
Kevin Williams, Defensive Tackle — 2003-13 Minnesota Vikings, 2014 Seattle Seahawks, 2015 New Orleans Saints
Jason Witten, Tight End — 2003-17, 2019 Dallas Cowboys, 2020 Las Vegas Raiders
Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-19 Baltimore Ravens

–Field Level Media

Maye Tosses 5-TDs in 42-10 Win

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EAST RUTHERFORD – (Wire Service Report) – Drake Maye completed 19 of 21 passes for 256 yards and five touchdowns to lead the visiting New England Patriots to a 42-10 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.

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Maye completed his first 11 attempts and tossed TD passes to tight end Austin Hooper (2 yards), running back Rhamondre Stevenson (22 yards), wide receiver Stefon Diggs (3 yards), tight end Hunter Henry (13 yards) and wide receiver Efton Chism (10 yards). It was Chism’s first NFL touchdown.

Maye, who was pulled in the third quarter after his fifth TD pass, became the fourth Patriots quarterback to pass for at least five touchdowns in a game, joining Tom Brady, Steve Grogan and Babe Parilli.

Stevenson also scored on a 1-yard run to help the Patriots (13-3) improve their road record to 8-0. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson led the New England ground attack with 82 yards on 19 carries.

New York quarterback Brady Cook completed 18 of 32 passes for 152 yards with one interception in the loss.

Breece Hall scored New York’s only touchdown on a 59-yard run. The TD helped trim New England’s lead to 42-10 with 14:51 to play. Hall gained 111 yards on 14 carries and became the first Jet to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a season since Chris Ivory in 2015.

Nick Folk added a 39-yard field goal for the Jets (3-13), who have lost four games in a row and six of their last seven.

The Patriots were up 14-0 after one quarter, 35-3 at halftime and 42-3 entering the fourth.

New England outgained New York 344-77 in the first half, when the Patriots had a 23-3 edge in first downs.

The Patriots finished the game with a 440-307 advantage in total yards, and had twice as many first downs as the Jets (28-14).

New York defensive back Qwan’tez Stiggers recorded a game-high 10 tackles.

–Field Level Media

NFL Week 17 Previews – Sunday 1pm

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Arizona Cardinals (3-12) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bengals -7, Total 53.5

There hasn’t been a lot to celebrate for either team this season, but the Bengals are not complaining about Joe Burrow finding his groove last week. The Bengals enjoyed arguably their best all-around performance of the season last Sunday, scoring 35 straight points to wipe out an early 14-10 deficit in a 45-21 rout of the host Miami Dolphins. The Cardinals lost their seventh straight, a 26-19 home setback to the Atlanta Falcons, last Sunday and are fixed on figuring out what’s needed to compete next season. The Bengals answered their first shutout loss since 2017 – and their first with Burrow as quarterback – by posting their largest scoring output of the season. The Bengals lead the NFL with 11 takeaways since Week 12. Defensive end Myles Murphy and safety Jordan Battle, both third-year starters, teamed up for Cincinnati’s first takeaway against Miami. Jacoby Brissett has consistently produced since taking over the starting spot for Kyler Murray. He has 200-plus yards and at least one TD pass in each of his 10 starts this season. He has helped TE Trey McBride reach 100-plus receptions for the second consecutive season. McBride can become the first NFL tight end with back-to-back 110-catch seasons with one reception Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) at Cleveland Browns (3-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Steelers -3, Total 34.5

The Steelers might be AFC North champions before midnight Saturday — if the Ravens lose at Green Bay — but the plan for Pittsburgh is to win the final two games, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. The gameplan might be different given the subtraction of WR DK Metcalf, who serves the first of his two-game suspension for grabbing a fan at Detroit. QB Aaron Rodgers called for other wide receivers to “step up” when called upon the next two games. Metcalf has been targeted 99 times and caught 59 passes for 850 yards, while all other Pittsburgh wideouts combined have been targeted 90 times with 56 receptions for 665 yards. Even without Metcalf, a huge boost might be on the way in the form of pass rusher T.J. Watt, who practiced Wednesday for the first time in two weeks. Watt has been sidelined since a procedure required to recover from a punctured lung. Watt’s presence is newsworthy for rookie QB Shedeur Sanders, who makes his first start against a division opponent. The Steelers held the Browns to three field goals in a 23-9 victory in their first meeting this season but haven’t won in Cleveland since 2021. Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins landed on injured reserve with a broken leg and dislocated ankle sustained last week, ending his season after rushing 34 times for 69 yards the past three games. Sanders is 1-4 as a starter but had the Browns in position to take down the Buffalo Bills last week before succumbing in a 23-20 defeat.

New Orleans Saints (5-10) at Tennessee Titans (3-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Saints -2.5, Total 39.5

Rookie quarterbacks are front and center on Sunday with Cam Ward starting to show why Tennessee drafted him first overall in April. Ward has three consecutive two-TD games and completed a career-high 75% of his passes against the Chiefs last week. New Orleans rookie Tyler Shough delivered a 300-yard game in the Saints’ 29-6 thrashing of the Jets last week. Ward was the headliner in a rookie class that leads a youth movement in Tennessee. Titans WR Chimere Dike, a fourth-round pick, has set himself apart by leading the NFL in all-purpose yards (151.3 per game) to earn a starting spot in the Pro Bowl. Shough has completed 66.4% of his passes for 1,792 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. His passer rating is 86.5.

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) at Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Jaguars -5.5, Total 48.5

Jacksonville demoralized the Colts in a 36-19 win in Florida on Dec. 7 and has already clinched its first playoff berth since 2022. The Jaguars, winners of six of the past eight meetings with Indianapolis, have won five consecutive games to surge ahead of the AFC South pack while the Colts have lost five in a row. Philip Rivers took over the QB1 job for the Colts since Daniel Jones tore his Achilles in the loss at Jacksonville earlier this month. Signed off the couch to start the last two games at age 44, Rivers had Indianapolis in the game for four quarters at Seattle and on Monday for two-plus quarters before the 49ers pulled away. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence ran his interception-free streak to four games. With three touchdowns in the win, he set a career high with 26 touchdown passes this season. While 2025 first-round pick Travis Hunter played just seven games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury and 2024 first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr. has battled injuries and not followed up his breakout rookie season, Jacksonville’s receiver-by-committee approach has worked well with five different leading receivers in the team’s last five games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) at Miami Dolphins (6-9)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Buccaneers -5.5, Total 45.5

The Buccaneers have won four consecutive division titles since 2021 and are in must-win territory at Miami after being bounced from the NFC South lead by the Panthers last week. Tampa has won six of the past seven meetings with the Dolphins, who are going with Quinn Ewers at quarterback for the second consecutive game because of Tua Tagovailoa’s turnover issues. The Bucs have lost each of their past three games by four points or fewer. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield faces a Miami defense that excelled during the team’s recent four-game winning streak that provided a brief sliver of hope to make the playoffs. In two games since, the Dolphins have allowed 73 points; opponents have scored on 11 of their last 18 possessions with 10 touchdowns. Miami allowed four consecutive touchdown drives to open the second half last week in a 45-21 loss to Cincinnati. The prior week, the Dolphins allowed four consecutive touchdown drives from the end of the first half into the third quarter in a loss to Pittsburgh. Ewers was effective early and then struggled toward the end of his first start last week. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards but threw two interceptions with no touchdowns.

New England Patriots (12-3) at New York Jets (3-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Patriots -13.5, Total 42.5

The Jets are cooking up a top draft pick and have been out of the playoff chase for weeks as a familiar, crippling problem struck for first-year coach Aaron Glenn: the franchise still doesn’t have a quarterback. Justin Fields (knee; IR) and Tyrod Taylor were not successful getting the Jets’ offense off the ground and undrafted rookie Brady Cook has been given a shot this month to prove he can bring value to the team going forward. The Patriots are more than settled at the position with Drake Maye delivering MVP-caliber production in his second NFL season. The No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft leads the league in completion percentage (70.9) and New England is 7-0 on the road this season. Cook has passed for 527 yards and one touchdown with six interceptions in three games this season.

Seattle Seahawks (12-3) at Carolina Panthers (8-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Seahawks -7.5, Total 42.5

Seattle has won five consecutive games and the Panthers are riding high after a statement win over reigning NFC South division champion Tampa Bay last week, but the challenge on Sunday could be not looking ahead to bigger fish in Week 18. The Seahawks play at San Francisco in the regular-season finale, which could decide the NFC West and determine the No. 1 seed in the conference. The Panthers, leading the division after a 23-20 win over the Buccaneers last Sunday, are at Tampa next week with a playoff spot on the line. Panthers QB Bryce Young drove the Panthers down the field for a go-ahead field goal with a little more than two minutes remaining last week. It was the 12th game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime in three seasons for Young — the most of any QB over that span. The Seahawks can win the division this week in Mike Macdonald’s second season — and for the first time since 2020 — but won’t know anything about their final playoff positioning until the 49ers (11-4) and Rams (11-4) take the field. Seattle took control of its playoff destiny when it overcame a 16-point deficit to defeat the Rams, 38-37, in overtime last week, grabbing the division lead in the process.

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NFL Week 17 Previews | 4pm Games

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New York Giants (2-13) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Giants -1.5, Total 40.5

Losing this game has all kinds of value, with the chance to take the lead in the chase for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft in play. Neither coach wants to discuss that treasure or a 14th loss to echo conversations underscoring the failures it took to get here. Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart is doing his best to showcase enough potential to enter the offseason as the incumbent starter. The game between teams with matching 2-13 records is just the third in NFL history where both are at least 11 games under .500, and the first such matchup since 1991. Dart did not have a pass attempt until under two minutes remained in the first half of a 16-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week but was sacked five times while completing 7 of 13 pass attempts for just 33 yards. Three starting offensive linemen, including left tackle Andrew Thomas, were idle early in the week due to injuries. The Raiders nearly broke free from their doldrums last Sunday after taking a third-quarter lead on the road against the Houston Texans, only to fall 23-21. Last year’s 4-13 record allowed Las Vegas to select running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall draft pick, and he continued to show his promise against the Texans with a 60-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter and a 51-yard TD run late in the game.

Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) at Buffalo Bills (11-4)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bills -1.5, Total 44.5

The Bills are one game behind the Patriots in the AFC East race with two games left and need to prove to themselves that they can stop the run. Cold temperatures, a chance of precipitation and a heavy dose of Saquon Barkley are all in the forecast for the Week 17 clash at Highmark Stadium, where Buffalo is 6-1 this season. Barkley has rushed for 332 yards with three touchdowns in the last three games to top the 1,000-yard mark for the fifth time in his career. The Eagles are averaging 4.9 yards per carry during that span, which included an overtime road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a shutout of the Las Vegas Raiders and a 29-18 road win last weekend against the Washington Commanders. The Bills have won four straight games to keep the pressure on the Patriots despite their struggles against the run. Buffalo ranks 30th in rushing defense (144.3 yards per game) and allows a whopping 5.4 yards per carry — second-most in the NFL to the New York Giants (5.5). Nobody has allowed as many touchdowns on the ground (24) as the Bills. After allowing a season-high 246 rushing yards (and four TDs) in a Week 15 win at New England, Buffalo surrendered 160 yards on the ground in a 23-20 escape at Cleveland last weekend.

-Field Level Media

Filed Under: NFL

NFL MNF Preview: Rams at Falcons

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ATLANTA – (Wire Service Preview) – With slim NFC West hopes still alive, the visiting Los Angeles Rams return to action after an extended break when they face the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.

In order to clinch its second straight division title, Los Angeles (11-4) needs to beat Atlanta and the Arizona Cardinals, while the Seattle Seahawks (12-3) and San Francisco 49ers (11-4) must lose at least once each across the final two weeks.

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The Rams’ odds of earning the NFC’s lone postseason bye took a hit last time out, as they squandered a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit in a 38-37 overtime loss to Seattle on Dec. 18.

With everything to play for still in front of the team, Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay is eager to remove the bad taste the Week 16 loss left.

“We did get a chance to get caught up on rest, but at the same time, as a competitor, you’re ready to get back at it,” McVay said. “I couldn’t have been more excited to get back in the building and get around our players and start our preparation.”

The Rams lead the NFL with 30.5 points and rank second at 396.7 yards per game, paced by the favorite to win league MVP in quarterback Matthew Stafford. The 37-year-old leads all players with 4,179 passing yards and 40 touchdowns.

The Rams have allowed 36 points per game across the last two outings, leaving McVay’s defense with a challenge on Monday night — mainly that of stopping dynamic Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.

“Oh, he’s unbelievable,” McVay said of Robinson. “It’s a tremendous impact and you have to be aware of him, but they’ve got great skill everywhere. (Quarterback) Kirk (Cousins) does a great job running the show. They can beat you in a variety of ways. Every time they touch the ball, they’re a threat to score.”

Atlanta (6-9) was eliminated from postseason contention for the eighth straight year on Dec. 7, but have won consecutive games for just the second time this season. The Falcons host Los Angeles for the first time in six years and head coach Raheem Morris knows they have their hands full with the Rams’ high-octane offense.

“These guys are a problem. We know these guys,” Morris said. “Start with ‘Weapon X’ (Stafford). The quarterback, he’s a problem. Obviously, Sean McVay calling it for those guys. And then, you know, Puka’s (Nacua) a dog in every right. Leads the league — I don’t know what he leads the league in. Probably everything. … You’re talking about one of the best teams, if not the best team in the National Football League.”

Nacua’s 1,592 receiving yards rank second in the NFL, while teammate Davante Adams’ 14 receiving touchdowns lead the league.

In another disappointing campaign, the Falcons can hang their hat on playing well in the national spotlight. Atlanta is playing its fifth prime-time game, winning three of its first four ahead of the final regular-season edition of “Monday Night Football.”

“In prime time, we’ve gone out and found different ways of winning, whether it was Buffalo, whether it was Minnesota, whether it was Thursday night versus Tampa,” Morris said. “Those are the type of games you want to be able to put together week in and week out. If we can find ways to be consistent in doing those things, I think that will really help us.”

Robinson leads the NFL with 2,026 all-purpose yards while being named to his second straight Pro Bowl. Cousins has thrown for five touchdowns across the Falcons’ rare winning streak against the Buccaneers and the Cardinals.

Atlanta cornerback Mike Hughes (ankle) was a DNP on Thursday’s estimated practice report. Wide receiver Drake London (knee), tight end Teagan Quitoriano (hamstring), edge rusher James Pearce Jr. (neck) and corner Clark Phillips III (triceps, illness) were limited.

The Rams’ estimated report listed Adams (hamstring) as a non-participant along with offensive linemen Alaric Jackson (knee) and Kevin Dotson (ankle), defensive end Braden Fiske (ankle) and cornerback Josh Wallace (ankle).

–Field Level Media

NFL Week 17 Previews – Saturday

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Houston Texans (10-5) at Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chargers -1.5, Total 39.5

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Denver’s win in Kansas City on Christmas night gave the Chargers added incentive to win Saturday night. If Los Angeles loses to Houston, the Broncos are AFC West champions. If the Chargers win, they go to Denver next week with a chance to claim the division — and at least one home game in the playoffs. Justin Herbert threw just three interceptions during the 2024 regular season before topping that total in a miserable playoff performance against the Texans. Houston walloped the visiting Chargers 32-12 in the AFC wild-card round last season, picking off Herbert four times. Los Angeles has won four straight games and seven of eight and clinched a playoff spot when the Indianapolis Colts lost to the San Francisco 49ers. The Texans have won seven straight games and would clinch a playoff berth by beating the Chargers. They are one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South, thanks in large part to their harassing defense. Houston pass rushers Danielle Hunter (13 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (11.5) are enjoying big seasons.

Baltimore Ravens (7-8) at Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Packers -4.5, Total 40.5

The Packers insist the late-game collapse and overtime loss at Chicago last week won’t dampen their spirit with the NFC North division title still in play. They’re a confirmed playoff participant after the Lions’ loss on Christmas Day at Minnesota and the Bears still have to play at San Francisco, where a loss equates to high stakes in Week 18. For the Packers to stay in that conversation, they’ll have to take care of business against the Ravens. Baltimore is hanging on by a thread in the AFC North and a loss hands the division title to the Steelers. A win kicks open the door to a possible playoff path — through Pittsburgh. Those teams play in Week 18. Quarterback health is a hot topic in the lead-in to this week’s game. Lamar Jackson (back contusion) has been banged up off and on since September. The Packers had their top quarterbacks leave Chicago hurt, but Jordan Love (shoulder/concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder/illness) practiced Thursday in a limited capacity. Tyler Huntley, who won his only start of the season against the Bears in Week 8, would get the start if Jackson can’t play. After missing practice all week, Jackson is doubtful.

Filed Under: NFL Tagged With:

Pats in Playoffs and “Digg It”

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BALTIMORE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England quarterback Drake Maye completed 31 of 44 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns as the Patriots improved their road record to 7-0 by beating the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 on Sunday night. In doing so, New England clinched a spot in the NFL’s AFC Playoffs.

New England (12-3) trailed 24-21 until Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 21-yard run and Andy Borregales kicked the extra point with 2:07 to play. The Patriots recovered a Baltimore fumble on the second play of the ensuing drive and ran out the clock.

Derrick Henry rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries for the Ravens (7-8).

New England’s Stefon Diggs had nine receptions for 138 yards.

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The Ravens played most of the night without quarterback Lamar Jackson, who left the game because of a back injury with 1:16 remaining in the first half and did not return. Backup QB Tyler Huntley was 9-of-10 passing for 65 yards.

New England running back TreVeyon Henderson also missed the second half with a head injury.

The Ravens struck first on Henry’s 21-yard touchdown run with 12:21 left in the first quarter. It was the 10th opening-drive score the Patriots have allowed this season — tied for most in the NFL — and the seventh time they’ve given up a touchdown on their opponents’ first drive.

It was 7-7 after Maye tossed a 1-yard TD pass to Hunter Henry and Borregales kicked the PAT with 11:17 remaining in the second quarter.

Borregales put the Patriots up 10-7 on a 45-yard field goal with 5:39 left in the first half. Baltimore tied the game on Tyler Loop’s 36-yard field goal with 1:03 remaining in the second quarter for 10-10 at halftime.

Borregales kicked a 41-yard field goal to give New England a 13-10 advantage, but Zay Flowers regained the lead for the Ravens with an 18-yard TD run. The PAT put Baltimore in front 17-13 with 4:35 left in the third.

Henry’s second TD run came from 2 yards away with 12:50 to play in regulation. Loop’s PAT gave the Ravens a 24-13 advantage.

New England answered with a 37-yard TD pass from Maye to Kyle Williams, and was within 24-21 after Maye completed a pass to Stevenson for the two-point conversion with 9:01 remaining in the fourth.

–Field Level Media

NFL Week 16: 1pm Game Previews

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Buffalo Bills (10-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-11)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bills -10.5, Total 41.5
Series Rewind: The Browns have the 13-10 edge all-time (counting playoffs), but Buffalo has won three of the past four and five of seven in the series. However, it’s been since 2012 that the Bills won in Cleveland, falling short there in 2013 and 2019.

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The Bills have at least 10 wins for the seventh straight season, the longest streak in franchise history. Next in their sights is seven straight years with a playoff trip; the Bills need one more win along with a loss by either Houston or Indianapolis in order to punch their ticket. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen leads the league’s top rushing offense (158.5 yards per game) and third-best scoring offense (29.4 ppg), as he has totaled 37 touchdowns to this point, 25 passing and 12 rushing. Dawson Knox had two touchdown receptions in last week’s crucial win over AFC East leader New England, and he could see additional playing time if fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid is hindered by his knee injury. Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will face a tall task in challenging the Bills, who boast the second-stingiest passing defense (169.5 yards per game) in the NFL. Sanders’ fifth career game and fourth start was his worst so far, with 177 yards and three picks in last week’s 31-3 loss at Chicago. The Browns are not playoff-bound, but one storyline worth watching is Myles Garrett’s shot at breaking the single-season sacks record. He collected 1.5 sacks last week to boost his season total to 21.5, one shy of the record shared by Michael Strahan (in 2001) and T.J. Watt (in 2021).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (7-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Buccaneers -3, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: The Buccaneers walloped Carolina 48-14 last December and swept the 2024 season series to run their dominance in the series to nine wins in the past 10 games.

Since the start of the 2021 season, the Buccaneers can claim ownership of the South, holding at least a share of the division lead for 73 of the 87 weeks with four consecutive division titles. Carolina last won the division in 2015 but the Panthers share first place in the NFC South, matching Tampa Bay’s current 7-7 record with three weeks — and two games against the Buccaneers — left in the regular season. “We’re in the same position we’ve been in the past two or three years,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said of a tight race. “We have an opportunity. We still have everything right in front of us. … We’re playing meaningful games in December.” The Panthers might be early arrivals to the postseason conversation under second-year coach Dave Canales. Wins over NFC contenders — most recently beating the Los Angeles Rams, 31-28, on Nov. 30 — has helped shift the narrative. Canales and the Panthers are well aware of the final step necessary to realize a postseason goal: beat the division champs. The Buccaneers have won five consecutive meetings and during their 9-1 string over the past five years, Tampa outscored Carolina by 124 points (287-163). The Buccaneers have won only once since October, so their 1-5 record coming down the stretch has been troublesome. They’ve lost to NFC South rivals New Orleans and Atlanta in their past two games. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, a former Panther, was coached by Canales in Tampa before the Panthers hired him away in 2024. Mayfield should have a nice selection of weapons to work with after last week’s return of wide receiver Mike Evans. Coming back from a collarbone injury, Evans hauled in six catches for 132 yards in the Atlanta game and already had the Panthers’ full attention.

Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) at Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Cowboys -1.5, Total 49.5
Series Rewind: The Chargers have won their past three road games in the series. Their last road loss against Dallas came in 1990 when the Cowboys played in Irving.

The Cowboys must win their three remaining regular-season games and have the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles lose all three of theirs to avoid missing the playoffs for the second straight season. The outlook isn’t looking good after Dallas allowed 78 total points while losing back-to-back games to the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Dak Prescott leads the NFL with 3,931 passing yards while closing in on his fourth career 4,000-yard campaign. Tony Romo is the only Cowboys quarterback currently with four such seasons. Prescott ranks third with 26 touchdown passes, and he has been intercepted 10 times. Wideout CeeDee Lamb is 24 yards shy of his fifth straight 1,000-yard season. The Chargers are red-hot with six wins in their past seven games. Los Angeles can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Cowboys along with some help from either the Las Vegas Raiders (against the Houston Texans) or San Francisco 49ers (vs. the Indianapolis Colts). The Chargers allowed just 239 yards in last week’s 16-13 road win over the Kansas City Chiefs. It marked the third straight game and sixth in the past seven that the Chargers gave up 20 or fewer points. Justin Herbert (3,191 yards) will play for the third straight week after undergoing left hand surgery.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) at Tennessee Titans (2-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chiefs -3, Total 37.5
Series Rewind: Andy Reid is 3-9 all-time against the Titans. Tennessee interim head coach Mike McCoy is 2-6 all-time against the Chiefs.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid isn’t in a tinsel-tossing mood days after losing Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending knee injury last Sunday. While Mahomes gets busy attacking post-surgery rehabilitation with a goal of getting on the field in September, the Titans are eager for any advantage to help further rookie QB Cam Ward’s development. Tennessee has been outscored by a league-worst 169 points with 24 fewer touchdowns than its opponents. The Chiefs have a three-game losing streak and lug the emotional letdown of losing Mahomes and what was left of faint playoff hopes last week in a 16-13 heartbreaker to the Chargers. Gardner Minshew takes the reins for the Chiefs with questions around the formation due to injuries at the wide receiver position. He went to TE Travis Kelce consistently in his cameo subbing for Mahomes last week. Kelce is 203 yards shy of 1,000 yards for the season and 13 receptions away from hitting 80 for the 10th year in a row. The Titans have their highest two-game point total of the season — 55. Kansas City put up 23 total points the past two weeks and was held under 275 total yards by the Chargers and Texans.

Minnesota Vikings (6-8) at New York Giants (2-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Vikings -2.5, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: What a difference a year makes. Minnesota opened the 2024 season with a 28-6 win against the Giants at MetLife Stadium when the starting QBs were Sam Darnold (Vikings) and Daniel Jones (New York).

A couple of 22-year-old quarterbacks go head-to-head as Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy makes his ninth NFL start and New York’s Jaxson Dart makes his 10th. The Vikings have followed up a four-game losing streak with two straight wins against the NFC East, with McCarthy throwing five touchdowns and just one interception in victories against the Commanders and Cowboys. The Giants have lost eight in a row and are 0-2 against the NFC North with losses to the Bears and Packers. Dart leads all rookie QBs in TD passes (13) and ranks second in passing yards (1,802). Vikings star Justin Jefferson hasn’t caught a touchdown pass since Week 9 and hasn’t topped 100 yards since Week 5. New York first-round pick LB Abdul Carter is coming off a monster game vs. Washington and is looking for his third straight game with a sack. Giants LB Brian Burns is second in the NFL with 13 sacks. McCarthy has been sacked 24 times in eight games.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) at Miami Dolphins (6-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bengals -4.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The Dolphins lead the all-time series 18-8, but the Bengals won the most recent game in the series (27-15 in 2022) and have won three of the past five over Miami.

While Cincinnati and Miami were both eliminated from playoff contention with their losses last week, they’re approaching that news in vastly different ways. The Dolphins are benching starting QB Tua Tagavailoa, who has a league-leading 15 interceptions and had just 65 passing yards through three quarters of Monday’s 28-15 loss at Pittsburgh. Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round pick in April’s draft, will make his first career start against the Bengals. He came off the bench to complete 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards in his first career appearance Oct. 19 at Cleveland. He’ll likely be helped by breakout running back De’Von Achane, who has 105-plus scrimmage yards in six straight games and a touchdown in 10 of his last 11 home games. The Bengals, on the other hand, are sticking with quarterback Joe Burrow despite not having any remaining postseason stakes. Cincinnati was shut out for the first time in a Burrow start last week, falling 24-0 at home to the Ravens. In his first three starts back from a toe injury that sidelined him for nine games, Burrow has 770 passing yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. With 132 yards last week, receiver Ja’Marr Chase became just the second player in NFL history (along with Randy Moss) to amass 6,500 receiving yards and 50 touchdown catches in his first five seasons.

New York Jets (3-11) at New Orleans Saints (4-10)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Saints -5.5, Total 40.5
Series Rewind: These teams have faced off just five times in the past 20 years. New Orleans has won four of those games, including the past two, to claim an 8-6 lead in the all-time series.

While both New York and New Orleans are nearing the end of underwhelming seasons, they probably feel a bit differently about the rookie quarterbacks they’ll start in this week’s matchup. Saints second-round pick Tyler Shough enters coming off back-to-back wins over division opponents, the team’s first multiple-game winning streak of the season. After rushing for 55 yards and two scores Dec. 7 vs. Tampa Bay, Shough completed a career-high 75% of his passes for 272 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 20-17 win over Carolina. New Orleans is 3-4 when Shough starts after it was 1-6 with Spencer Rattler at the helm. With 52 more receiving yards, Saints running back Alvin Kamara would become the fifth player in NFL history with 5,000 rushing and receiving yards in his career. Jets rookie QB Brady Cook has been forced into action due to injuries to Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields. He had a touchdown and three interceptions in his first career start last week vs. Jacksonville and has thrown 339 yards and five interceptions in his first two games. Jets coach Aaron Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks this week after the defense allowed 48 points in the loss to the Jaguars. New York is 30th in scoring defense (28.4 points per game) and last in takeaways (three), with no interceptions this season.

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NFL Week 16: Late Game Previews

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Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) at Denver Broncos (12-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Broncos -3.5, Total 46.5
Series Rewind: The Broncos have won four of the past five games to take an 8-6 lead in the series. The road team has won the past four times Denver and Jacksonville faced off.

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The Broncos became the first AFC team to punch their playoff ticket with last week’s 34-26 win over Green Bay, their 11th straight to tie the franchise record. Things don’t get easier from here with a Jacksonville team that has won five straight games coming to town this week. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a career-high five touchdowns and ran for a sixth in last week’s 48-20 beatdown of the Jets. After he had 11 interceptions in the first 11 games of the season, Lawrence has nine TDs and no picks in the past three games. Jacksonville has scored 35-plus points in three of its last five games. While the Jaguars have a one-game cushion in the AFC South, Denver has a one-game cushion in the race for the AFC No. 1 seed with its win last week paired with New England’s loss to Buffalo. Broncos QB Bo Nix tied his career high with four touchdowns last week, as Denver outscored the Packers 20-3 over the final 25 minutes of the game. The Broncos’ defense leads the league with 58 sacks, 10 more than any other team and just off the pace of breaking the Bears’ NFL record of 72 sacks in 1984. Jacksonville’s defense had three interceptions last week to bring its season tally to 18, second in the league.

Atlanta Falcons (5-9) at Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Falcons -2.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The Falcons are 1-9 in the desert, including a wild-card playoff loss in the 2008 season. Since the Cardinals left St. Louis in 1988, Atlanta’s lone win at Arizona was a 34-14 victory on Sept. 30, 2001.

Arizona is on a six-game losing streak and hasn’t won a home game since Week 2 against the Panthers. Atlanta has won two of its last three road games, including a 29-28 win at Tampa Bay in Week 15. Both teams are playing out the string with backup quarterbacks, with 37-year-old Kirk Cousins leading the Falcons against journeyman Jacoby Brissett and the Cardinals. Cousins turned back the clock with a season-high 373 yards and three TDs against the Bucs, while Brissett leads the NFL with 2,708 passing yards since replacing Kyler Murray in Week 6. Bijan Robinson has been a bright spot for Atlanta, leading the NFL with 1,858 yards from scrimmage, and TE Kyle Pitts is coming off an epic 11-catch, 166-yard, three-touchdown game at Tampa. Cardinals counterpart Trey McBride just became the first tight end in NFL history with back-to-back 100-catch seasons. Falcons edge James Pearce has recorded a sack in six straight games, two shy of the NFL rookie record (Jevon Kearse, 1999).

Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) at Houston Texans (9-5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Texans -14.5, Total 37.5
Series Rewind: The Raiders routed Houston 38-20 in 2022 when they had Derek Carr (241 passing yards, one TD), Josh Jacobs (143 rushing yards, three TDs) and Davante Adams (eight catches, 95 yards) on the roster.

The Texans are currently in possession of the final AFC wild-card spot but have their eyes on overtaking the Jacksonville Jaguars and winning the AFC South. Houston has rattled off six straight wins and registered a season high for points last week with a 40-20 rout of the Arizona Cardinals. C.J. Stroud passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns with Nico Collins collecting two of the scoring receptions. The Texans also have allowed 20 or fewer points in five straight games behind the best all-around defense in the NFL. Defensive ends Danielle Hunter (12 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.5) are each enjoying big campaigns. The Raiders have been big disappointments in Pete Carroll’s first season as coach and are tied with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants for the league’s worst record. Las Vegas has dropped eight consecutive games, twice losing 31-0, first to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 and to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Kenny Pickett passed for just 64 yards and the Raiders had just 75 total yards and seven first downs. Rookie Ashton Jeanty has rushing outputs of 31, 30 and 35 yards over the past three games. Linebacker Devin White (149 tackles) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (10 sacks) have been shining standouts during the dismal campaign.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) at Detroit Lions (8-6)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Lions -6.5, Total 51.5
Series Rewind: The Steelers have won five of the past six meetings, but the most recent game in 2021 went to overtime and ended in a 16-16 tie.

The rapid release of Rams veteran QB Matthew Stafford stunted the Lions’ pass rush last week, prompting similar concerns for head coach Dan Campbell as the Lions hit Week 16 knowing there’s only one possible way into the postseason: win three consecutive games and hope for chaos to strike the seven teams ahead of them in the NFC playoff picture. Both coaches referenced expectations for a physical game won in the trenches this week. The Lions put up 34 points in a loss to the Rams last week and there’s as much power as there is pomp in the Detroit scheme. Pittsburgh gears up for Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has 1,100 rushing yards, 494 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns in 2025. The Lions average 131.1 yards per game on the ground and the Steelers are giving up 120.9 rushing yards per game as part of the league’s 28th-ranked defense in total yards allowed (383.3 per game). Aaron Rodgers and his snappy delivery make pressuring the pocket a long day’s work but Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson leads the NFL in pressures. He’s getting help from a group he dubbed “castoffs,” which includes the team’s leader in catches, No. 2 running back Kenneth Gainwell. The Steelers are likely to emphasize Jaylen Warren and Gainwell due to the balance they can bring an inconsistent offense. Gainwell had 126 yards from scrimmage Monday in the Steelers’ win over the Miami Dolphins on Monday.

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