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NFL: Patriots at Bengals Preview

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New England Patriots (9-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Patriots -6.5, Total 51.5
Series Rewind: The Patriots have won four of the last five meetings to extend their lead in the series to 18-10. The Bengals have not defeated New England in Cincinnati since a 13-6 victory on Oct. 6, 2013.

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A victory will give New England its 28th 10-win season, tying Pittsburgh for the second most since 1970 behind Dallas (29). The Patriots are 5-0 on the road this season, the only team in the NFL without a loss. New England’s eight-game winning streak is its longest since an 8-0 start in 2019. First-year head coach Mike Vrabel’s defense ranks No. 1 against the run (84.7 yards per game) and is facing a Cincinnati offense that is tied for 31st in rushing (81.4). New England’s Drake Maye can become just the fourth player ever under the age of 24 to record 10 games with at least 200 passing yards and a 100-plus passer rating. Bengals WR Tee Higgins has caught touchdown passes in nine straight home games, joining Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Cris Carter with that accomplishment, and steps into the No. 1 receiver role with Ja’Marr Chase suspended one game for spitting at Steelers DB Jalen Ramsey last week. The Bengals could also get TE Mike Gesicki back in the lineup from a pectoral injury that pushed him to IR. But which Joe will throw? Burrow or Flacco? Sidelined since Week 2, Burrow (toe) was a full participant in practice this week. Flacco has been playing through a right shoulder injury. A tight turnaround to Thursday’s primetime holiday game at Baltimore might weigh into the decision.

NFL Previews: Week 12

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NFL Week 12 Capsules

New England Patriots (9-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Patriots -6.5, Total 51.5
Series Rewind: The Patriots have won four of the last five meetings to extend their lead in the series to 18-10. The Bengals have not defeated New England in Cincinnati since a 13-6 victory on Oct. 6, 2013.

A victory will give New England its 28th 10-win season, tying Pittsburgh for the second most since 1970 behind Dallas (29). The Patriots are 5-0 on the road this season, the only team in the NFL without a loss. New England’s eight-game winning streak is its longest since an 8-0 start in 2019. First-year head coach Mike Vrabel’s defense ranks No. 1 against the run (84.7 yards per game) and is facing a Cincinnati offense that is tied for 31st in rushing (81.4). New England’s Drake Maye can become just the fourth player ever under the age of 24 to record 10 games with at least 200 passing yards and a 100-plus passer rating. Bengals WR Tee Higgins has caught touchdown passes in nine straight home games, joining Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Cris Carter with that accomplishment, and steps into the No. 1 receiver role with Ja’Marr Chase suspended one game for spitting at Steelers DB Jalen Ramsey last week. The Bengals could also get TE Mike Gesicki back in the lineup from a pectoral injury that pushed him to IR. But which Joe will throw? Burrow or Flacco? Sidelined since Week 2, Burrow (toe) was a full participant in practice this week. Flacco has been playing through a right shoulder injury. A tight turnaround to Thursday’s primetime holiday game at Baltimore might weigh into the decision.

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Seattle Seahawks (7-3) at Tennessee Titans (1-9)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Seahawks -13.5, Total 40.5

Series Rewind: Ten consecutive meetings between the franchises have been decided by eight points or less. The Seahawks won the most recent game in 2023 (20-17) and the Titans took the 2021 matchup in overtime (33-30), erasing a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter with two Derrick Henry TDs.

The Seahawks are 3-1 in the past four games despite 12 turnovers thanks to an edgy defense capable of morphing on the fly due to interchangeable parts, a high-level challenge for rookie QB Cam Ward. Ward takes the field Sunday with few consistently reliable options at wide receiver, but the Titans dare not roll out a predictable game plan against mad scientist Mike Macdonald. The Titans scored only one touchdown in seven of 10 games this season and aren’t built to throw punches with heavyweights during a roster rebuild. Seattle features the NFL’s leading receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and a two-headed running back rotation Macdonald said will soon push Kenneth Walker III to the top of the pecking order. Tennessee’s run defense has been user-friendly to the tune of 134.7 yards per game this season. Smith-Njigba has seven 100-yards games and at least 93 receiving yards in nine of 10 this season. TE A.J. Barner had 10 receptions last season as QB Sam Darnold tries to unearth a reliable second option in the passing game. Darnold is coming off of a four-INT game in Seattle’s two-point loss to the Rams.

Minnesota Vikings (4-6) at Green Bay Packers (6-3-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Packers -6.5, Total 41.5

Series Rewind: The teams split the past 12 meetings. Minnesota has won three of the past four.

Walking wounded has been a theme this season for the Packers, with continuity and consistency fleeting because of a revolving door on the offense line and WR corps. QB Jordan Love was banged up last week — he missed only seven snaps in the win over the Giants — and RB Josh Jacobs (knee) left the victory in the first half. Top targets Tucker Kraft (knee) and WR Jayden Reed (foot, clavicle) are on IR and current top receiver Romeo Doubs was limited most of the week with a wrist injury. Only the timely return of WR Christian Watson, who caught two TD passes last week, has kept the forward pass as an option. The Vikings must contend with pass rusher Micah Parsons for the first time since he was acquired by the Packers. Parsons posted 1.5 sacks last week and digs in against Minnesota’s inconsistent offensive line in Green Bay’s first look at QB J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy has been sacked 15 times with eight interceptions and six TD passes in six games and was picked off twice in consecutive one-score losses to the Ravens and Bears the past two games.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) at Chicago Bears (7-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Bears -2.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers has 24 wins in 29 career games against the Bears, all during his days with the Green Bay Packers. The Bears won the first 10 games in the series, all played before 1950 when the Pittsburgh franchise was the Pirates.

Division leaders most didn’t see coming try to keep a grip on the top spot and remain in the thick of the playoff chase. The Bears are delivering in close games and have a 5-3 record when trailing in the second half this season. Only the Denver Broncos (6-1) have been better at stemming the tide than first-year head coach Ben Johnson’s bunch. He is sharing credit with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for steadying Chicago after a horrific start. A nemesis from the past, Aaron Rodgers, strolls into Soldier Field compromised by a fracture in his left wrist. Rodgers and head coach Mike Tomlin insist he could still start for the Steelers on Sunday. Rodgers has owned the Bears to the point that he proclaimed, well, parenthood of Chicago from his time in Green Bay. The Steelers hold a slimming lead in the AFC North and are generally winning games when they don’t turn the ball over. The Bears lead the league with 22 takeaways and are first in the NFL in turnover margin (plus-16). Pittsburgh is second in the league with 18 takeaways and brings a unique, blitz-heavy attack against second-year QB Caleb Williams. Pittsburgh is 5-1 when they record a takeaway this season. Williams is responsible for keeping the ball out of the Steelers’ grasp and using his rotation at running back of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai to move the chains. The Bears still are susceptible to allowing explosive plays and are 29th in the NFL with 80 penalties.

Indianapolis Colts (8-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chiefs -3.5, Total 49.5
Series Rewind: Indianapolis has won the past two meetings and 15 of the last 19, and boasts a 3-1 postseason mark against Kansas City during the stretch.

Kansas City made a living winning tight games last season, but the Chiefs are 0-5 in one-score contests this season. That includes three losses by three points, a prime reason why Kansas City is a distant 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Denver Broncos in the AFC West. The Chiefs are outside of the wild-card race with seven AFC teams possessing more wins. Just last season, the Chiefs went 11-0 in one-score games during the regular season and added another in the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills. But ruling out a late run with Patrick Mahomes (18 touchdowns, six interceptions) and Travis Kelce (franchise-record 84 touchdowns) on the roster might be a mistake. The Colts could really stamp their arrival by winning at Arrowhead as they haven’t played in a single playoff game since 2020 and the trip prior to that was a Jan. 2019 loss to Mahomes and the Chiefs in KC. Indianapolis is one of the surprise teams of the league and possesses the lead in the AFC South. The Colts have flourished behind NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor (1,139 yards, 15 touchdowns) and quarterback Daniel Jones (15 TD passes) and has topped 30 points seven times, the latest coming in a 31-25 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10 prior to last week’s bye. Second-year defensive end Laiatu Latu has a team-best five sacks and is tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Jones’ recent turnover woes — four interceptions, two fumbles — could be a byproduct of the 15 sacks absorbed in the past three games. George Karlaftis leads the Chiefs with 5.0 sacks this season.

New York Jets (2-8) at Baltimore Ravens (5-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Ravens -13.5, Total 44.5
Series Rewind: The Ravens own a 10-2 all-time edge over the Jets. Baltimore’s last four wins have been by an average of 17.3 points.

Baltimore has recorded four consecutive victories and is suddenly just one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFC North. The Ravens gave up just 187 yards in last week’s 23-16 win over the Cleveland Browns and scored 13 unanswered fourth-quarter points. Lamar Jackson had a shaky game by hitting just 14 of 25 passes for 193 yards and two interceptions and also was sacked five times. Jackson is dealing with an ankle injury leading up to this contest. Derrick Henry had 103 yards and a touchdown while notching his fourth 100-yard game of the season. Lightning-fast CB Nate Wiggins has three of Baltimore’s six interceptions, while the defense has just 15 sacks. New York is going with veteran Tyrod Taylor at quarterback as the bid to have Justin Fields be a downfield passing threat has fizzled. Fields avoided turnovers with only one interception, but he was unable to threaten the deep third of the field without WR Garrett Wilson on the field. The Jets rank last in the NFL at 139.9 passing yards per game and 29th in total offense at 291.5, and Wilson won’t likely be back until December. Taylor has completed 62.3% of his 69 throws for 379 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. However, he has been sacked nine times. RB Breece Hall has 722 yards and is on pace for his first 1,000-yard rushing season. He fell six yards short in 2023.

New York Giants (2-9) at Detroit Lions (6-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Lions -10.5, Total 49.5
Series Rewind: The Lions have won four of the last five meetings to grab a 24-21-1 lead in the regular-season series with the Giants. Detroit won the only postseason clash, 26-7, in the 1935 NFL Championship Game.

Interim head coach Mike Kafka’s first road game comes in a city where the Giants haven’t won since 2013. New York hung tough with the Packers last week before falling 27-20, its fourth one-score loss of the season. Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart did not play at Green Bay and did not clear concussion protocol this week, resulting him in being out against Detroit. To pull off the upset, the Giants will need to finally force some turnovers — only the neighboring Jets have fewer takeaways this season. The Lions went 0-for-5 on fourth down in last weekend’s loss at Philadelphia but will likely remain aggressive against a New York defense that has allowed opponents to convert 9-of-13 attempts on fourth down. Head coach Dan Campbell, formerly a tight end in the NFL, took play-calling duties on offense the past two games with mixed success. Offensive line breakdowns appeared to be the difference against the relentless Eagles. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown has receiving touchdowns in three of his last four home games, Jahmyr Gibbs has a rush TD in three of his last four home games, and DE Aidan Hutchinson has a sack in three of his last four home games.

Cleveland Browns (2-8) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Raiders -3.5, Total 36.5
Series Rewind: This is the second straight season these teams will face off. Las Vegas won 20-16 last year, has won the last five and holds an 18-10 lead in the all-time series.

There are no real stakes for this matchup between two teams who have stopped considering the playoffs weeks ago and have a combined touchdown deficit of minus-21 this season. But on the Cleveland side, there’s some intrigue as Shedeur Sanders is set to make his first career start with Dillon Gabriel still in concussion protocol. Sanders, the Colorado standout who fell into the fifth round of this year’s draft, will be the Browns’ 42nd different starting QB since they returned to Cleveland in 1999. No Browns rookie QB has won his debut since 1995. Sanders completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception replacing Gabriel last week vs. Baltimore. Las Vegas’ offense continues to sputter with Geno Smith at the helm. The Raiders converted just 3 of 12 third downs on Monday vs. Dallas and are 7-of-27 on third-down conversions over the last two games. Smith is tied for the NFL lead with 13 interceptions, more than his 12 interceptions. But Las Vegas continues to flash some promising skill-position talent. Ashton Jeanty had just seven rushing yards last week, but had six catches and ranks third among rookies with 717 scrimmage yards this season. Second-year tight end Brock Bowers had seven catches vs. the Cowboys to reach 151 for his career, tied for the second-fastest player to reach 150 catches (24 games).

Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4) at Arizona Cardinals (3-7)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Jaguars -2.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: Jacksonville and Arizona have played just six times in the Jaguars’ first 30 seasons. Jacksonville won the first two games, but the Cardinals have won the four since, last coming away with a 31-19 road win in 2021.

With a 19-point blown lead vs. Houston followed by a 35-6 beatdown of the Los Angeles Chargers the last two weeks, you never really know what you’re going to get with this year’s Jaguars team. And yet, Jacksonville sits in playoff position as the No. 7 seed, a half-game ahead of the division-rival Texans, entering Sunday’s game at Arizona. The run game has been the Jaguars’ bread and butter when things have been going well under first-year head coach Liam Coen and that was certainly the case last week when Jacksonville ran for 192 yards and three scores against a stingy Chargers defense. Rookie RB Bhayshul Tuten, who led the team in rushing yards (74) for the first time, left the Los Angeles game late with an ankle injury and has been limited in practice. So have leading RB Travis Etienne (shoulder) and lead receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle), who has missed the last two games. For Arizona, even a career-high 452 passing yards from Jacoby Brissett last week couldn’t stop their extended skid. The Cardinals have lost seven of their last eight games since a 2-0 start and are 3 1/2 games back from the third-place 49ers in the NFC West. Brissett did that without leading receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix surgery), who will be out again this week. Brissett has certainly revitalized the Arizona passing game with 1,570 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in five starts since replacing Kyler Murray, who is out at least two more games. But it hasn’t translated into wins.

Atlanta Falcons (3-7) at New Orleans Saints (2-8)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Saints -1.5, Total 39.5
Series Rewind: New Orleans has prevailed in 11 of the last 15 meetings. The teams face each other again in Week 18.

Veteran Kirk Cousins is back as the starter after Michael Penix Jr. was lost to a season-ending left ACL injury during last week’s 30-27 overtime loss against the Carolina Panthers. The 37-year-old Cousins has mostly been a highly paid spectator while firing just 52 passes this season. He tied for the NFL lead with 16 interceptions in 14 games last season before losing the job to Penix. The Falcons have lost five straight games and coach Raheem Morris said the offense will be tweaked to fit Cousins’ style. Star running back Bijan Robinson had 104 yards against the Panthers for his third 100-yard rushing effort of the season. Top receiver Drake Lewis (810 receiving yards) will sit out with a knee injury. New Orleans is coming off a bye and knocked off the host Panthers 17-7 in Week 10. Tyler Shough, a second-round rookie, stood out in his second career start by passing for 282 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 70.4% of his passes and wasn’t intercepted, two facts that surely pleased coach Kellen Moore, one of the most efficient college quarterbacks ever during his playing career at Boise State. The New Orleans defenses will aim for a repeat showing after limiting the Panthers to 102 yards through the air and 175 total. Linebacker Demario Davis has a team-best 91 tackles.

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Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) at Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Eagles -3.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The Eagles have won the last three clashes, including 24-20 in this year’s season opener, but would need to sweep the next 13 regular-season meetings to erase the Cowboys’ 71-58 lead in the heated rivalry.

The Cowboys’ Dak Prescott is a sparkling 21-2 at home against NFC East opponents in his career, a .913 percentage that is the highest at home by any QB against his division since the 1970 merger. His last loss in Arlington in a divisional game was on Nov. 19, 2017 against the Eagles. Standout wideouts CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens face an Eagles secondary that has allowed only two touchdown passes during their four-game winning streak. Lamb had an uncharacteristic bout of drops in the Week 1 loss at Philadelphia, including on a potential game-winning drive late in the game. Philadelphia has compiled the best road winning percentage (.718) with a 28-11 record since Nick Sirianni became the coach in 2021, including nine wins in their last 11 away games. Jalen Hurts has thrown one interception in his last 16 regular-season starts and the Eagles have turned the ball over a league-low four times this season. Hurts had two rushing TDs against the Cowboys in the season opener, which came before Dallas acquired DT Quinnen Williams. Williams gives Dallas another big body between the tackles to resist the rugby-scrum quarterback sneak play. He had 1.5 sacks and five QB pressures at Las Vegas in his Cowboys’ debut last week. The Eagles have an X-factor on their side: They are 5-0 in their Kelly green throwback jerseys since bringing them back in 2023.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) at Los Angeles Rams (8-2)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Rams -6.5, Total 49.5
Series Rewind: Los Angeles leads the all-time series 19-10 and has won eight of the last 10 against Tampa Bay. But the Buccaneers won the last matchup in 2022.

Tampa Bay and Los Angeles enter Sunday night’s game as division leaders of the NFC South and NFC West, respectively, but without much room to spare. Los Angeles leads Seattle by just one game and San Francisco by 1 1/2 games while the Buccaneers have a half-game lead over Carolina. The Rams have been largely led by their offensive firepower this season, with Matthew Stafford throwing a league-high 27 touchdown passes through the first 11 weeks of the season. However, Los Angeles showed it is more than capable of winning in multiple ways last week when Stafford threw a season-low 130 yards and the Rams defense recorded four interceptions in a 21-19 win over the Seahawks. With a touchdown catch last week, Los Angeles WR Davante Adams became just the third player in NFL history (along with Terrell Owens and Brandon Marshall) to record 10-plus touchdown catches in a season for three different teams. This week’s game presents a third straight opportunity for Tampa Bay to come away with a win over a contending team. The Buccaneers lost the last two weeks against the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills to fall to the brink of falling out of first place in the division for the first time this season. This will be a trip of significance for Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield, who revived his career with the Rams in 2022 before signing with the Buccaneers as a free agent the following offseason. However, it was the ground game which led the way last week in Buffalo, as Tampa Bay racked up 202 rushing yards led by a career-high 106 yards from Sean Tucker with Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) out. Irving and WR Chris Godwin (leg) have a chance to return after missing multiple weeks.

–Field Level Media

No Go, Joe

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CINCINNATI – (Wire Service Report) –  Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow will not play for the Bengals on Sunday against the New England Patriots, according to multiple reports on Saturday. Burrow, who had surgery for turf toe on Sept. 19, practiced with the team the past three days, and coach Zac Taylor said he had a decision to make about the veteran’s readiness for the visiting Patriots (9-2).

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Now, the Bengals (3-7) are shifting gears, hoping he will be able to play against the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL’s primetime game on Thanksgiving.

Instead, veteran Joe Flacco, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, will start his sixth straight game. He sustained the injury in the Oct. 26 loss to the New York Jets.

Burrow played the first two games of the regular season and landed on injured reserve on Sept. 16.

“Everything is moving in a great position,” Taylor said Friday. “Now we just have to make a decision. You play a game Sunday, you play a game Thursday, you got to factor in all that stuff. He has tried to put himself in a position to be ready to go.”

The Bengals started his 21-day window for practice availability on Nov. 10, but Burrow would need to be added to the active roster by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to be eligible for Sunday’s game versus New England.

Burrow, 28, has played in 71 career games and has a 40-30-1 record. In his sixth NFL season, Burrow has completed 68.5% of his passes for 19,190 yards with 142 touchdowns and 46 interceptions.

He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and has twice been named Comeback Player of the Year after his return from serious injuries that ended his 2020 and 2023 seasons.

–Field Level Media

 

NFL Sunday Night Football: Preview

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Detroit Lions (6-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Eagles -2.5, Total 46.5
Series Rewind: Dan Campbell and Nick Sirianni have met twice since both became head coaches in 2021. Sirianni’s Eagles defeated Campbell’s Lions in Detroit in Week 8 in 2021 (44-6) and in Week 11 in 2022 (38-35).

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Sirianni is 10-0 against the NFC North, including the playoffs, and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is 10-1. In his past 15 regular-season games dating back a full calendar year to Week 11 in 2024, Hurts has accounted for 31 touchdowns (22 passing, nine rushing) with just one interception. In his last appearance on “Sunday Night Football,” Philadelphia star Saquon Barkley racked up 302 scrimmage yards (255 rushing, 47 receiving) with two TDs against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 last season. A.J. Brown has been quiet this season for the Eagles but has found the end zone in four of his past five Sunday night games. Lions quarterback Jared Goff has completed 77.6% of his passes with 10 TDs and just one interception in five road starts this season. Detroit has the NFL’s No. 2 scoring offense (31.4), powered by running back Jahmyr Gibbs (920 yards and 10 TDs from scrimmage) and wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (64 receptions, 693 yards and eight scores).

–Field Level Media

NFL Week 11: 4pm Game Previews

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Seattle Seahawks (7-2) at Los Angeles Rams (7-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Rams -3, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: Five of the past six meetings in the rivalry have been decided by six or fewer points, including overtime victories by the Rams (26-20 in Week 9 last season) and the Seahawks (19-16 in Week 18 in the 2022 season).

Seattle’s Sam Darnold (116.5) and L.A.’s Matthew Stafford (114.8) rank third and fourth in the NFL in passer rating, with Stafford leading the league in passing yards per game (269.7) and Darnold ranked No. 1 in yards per completion (14.0) and per attempt (9.9). Darnold’s top targets are longtime Ram Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who just became the third player in NFL history with 75-plus receiving yards in each of the first nine games of a season (Michael Irvin, Antonio Brown). Stafford’s primary weapons are Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, whose next catch will be No. 1,000 of his storied career. All those stars are facing two defenses ranked in the top five in scoring defense, with the Rams allowing 17.0 points per game and the Seahawks 19.1. Seattle has won a franchise-record 10 straight road games, including a 30-25 victory over Los Angeles in the regular-season finale last season at SoFi Stadium.

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San Francisco 49ers (6-4) at Arizona Cardinals (3-6)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: 49ers -3, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: The teams have traded season sweeps of late, the 49ers doing the honors in 2022 and 2023 and the Cardinals in 2021 and 2024. San Francisco looks to keep the trend going after its 16-15 win in Week 3.

Barring a late setback with his toe injury, Brock Purdy will make just his third start of the season and first since Week 4 for the 49ers. Purdy is 4-1 against Arizona with a 120.4 passer rating and a 9-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. San Francisco star Christian McCaffrey last week became just the fourth player in NFL history with more than 7,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards, joining Hall of Famers Marcus Allen and Marshall Faulk as well as Tiki Barber. In the 49ers’ 16-15 win in Week 3, no Cardinals rusher or receiver gained more than 44 yards. Arizona QB Jacoby Brissett has passed for at least 250 yards with multiple touchdowns in all four of his starts this season in place of the injured Kyler Murray. Trey McBride is on a historic streak as the first tight end in NFL history with five or more catches in each of his first nine games in a season.

Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) at Denver Broncos (8-2)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chiefs -3.5, Total 44.5
Series Rewind: The Broncos have taken two of the past three meetings after the Chiefs ripped off 16 straight wins in the series. Denver won 38-0 in Week 18 last year with Kansas City resting many starters.

The Chiefs’ streak of nine straight division titles is in jeopardy as they travel to Denver for a game that will either put the Chiefs back in the AFC West race or leave them battling for a wild card. If the Broncos win, they’d open a 3 1/2-game advantage over Kansas City with six games to go. The Chiefs went into their bye after losing by seven at Buffalo on Nov. 2. Patrick Mahomes is utilizing his legs more than previous seasons. Mahomes rushed for a career-high 389 yards in 2023, and this year he has 285 rushing yards in just nine games, on pace for 538 yards. Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs’ leading rusher, missed the Bills game due to a knee injury and didn’t practice Wednesday. The Broncos have stayed stout while missing cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year who missed the past two games due to a pectoral injury. He’s expected back after the Week 12 bye, while linebacker Alex Singleton is out after having surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. Leading rusher J.K. Dobbins sustained a foot injury against the Raiders; backup RJ Harvey would carry more of the load if Dobbins can’t go, as expected.

Baltimore Ravens (4-5) at Cleveland Browns (2-7)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Ravens -7.5, Total 39.5
Series Rewind: Jackson threw for four touchdowns when Baltimore blew out Cleveland 41-17 in Week 2. Each of the Ravens’ last three wins in the series have come by 24 or more points.

The Ravens have won three straight games — the last two with Lamar Jackson (hamstring) back as quarterback — and can reach the .500 mark if they finish off the regular-season sweep of the Browns. Jackson surprisingly has never had a 300-yard passing game against Cleveland but he has thrown three or more touchdown passes on four occasions and rushed for two touchdowns three times. Baltimore has outscored Chicago, Miami and Minnesota 85-41 during the three-game winning streak. Derrick Henry has three 100-yard rushing outings but was held to a season-low 23 yards on 11 carries by Cleveland in the mid-September meeting. The Browns are trying to learn as much as they can about rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel and he has topped 200 yards just once in five starts. Gabriel has thrown just two interceptions in 174 attempts but is completing just 58.6% of his throws. He has 869 yards and seven touchdowns. Cleveland star defensive end Myles Garrett is enjoying another big season and is tied for the NFL lead with 11 sacks. Garrett had 1.5 sacks against Baltimore in the first meeting. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger, a second-round pick, has been superb with a team-best 74 tackles.

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NFL Week 11: 1pm Game Capsules

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Green Bay Packers (5-3-1) at N.Y. Giants (2-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Packers -7, Total 42.5
Series Rewind: This is the third meeting in four seasons. The Giants have won the past two games against the Packers by a total of seven points. The decades-old rivalry includes five NFL Championship games, four of them won by Green Bay.

Green Bay is packing good-luck charm Micah Parsons, who is 8-0 in his career against the Giants from his time with the Cowboys. Parsons can introduce himself to first-game head coach Mike Kafka, who is at the controls of the Giants on an interim basis following the firing of Brian Daboll on Monday. Kafka won’t have rookie QB Jaxson Dart (concussion), but turns to Jameis Winston in their joint debut in new roles. Winston was the No. 3 quarterback behind Russell Wilson, who was demoted by Kafka this week. Now in his fourth season with the Giants, Kafka had the offense performing reasonably well. New York had Chicago down by 10 points last week but fell apart in the fourth quarter. WR Wan’Dale Robinson leads New York with 53 receptions and might get an opportunity to line up across from former Kentucky teammate Carrington Valentine, a corner for the Packers. Winston’s undoing in the past has been turnovers. He has the arm to attack vertically if protection keeps Parsons and Rashan Gary at bay. The Packers have only three interceptions this season. Scoring has been the moving target for the Packers and QB Jordan Love. In losses to the Browns, Panthers and Eagles, Green Bay totaled 30 points. They averaged 30.5 in their other six games (five wins and a 40-40 tie at Dallas) this season.

Carolina Panthers (5-5) at Atlanta Falcons (3-6)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Falcons -3.5, Total 41.5
Series Rewind: The Panthers enter having won consecutive games against the Falcons for the first time since 2014-15. Prior to that, Atlanta had won 13 of the last 18 against Carolina and leads the all-time series 37-24.

At seven years apiece, the Panthers and Falcons are tied for the second-longest active playoff drought, shorter than only the New York Jets. This week’s game feels important as both teams attempt to hang on the precipice of postseason contention this season. Atlanta enters on a four-game losing streak, with the last two defeats coming in heartbreaking fashion on a missed extra point at New England and an overtime loss to Indianapolis in Berlin last week. Second-year QB Michael Penix Jr. ranks 31st among qualified passers in completion percentage (58.8), while the offense has converted just 3 of 29 (10.3%) of its third-down attempts across the last three games. Carolina has shown higher highs of late, handing Green Bay just its second loss of the season on the road two weeks ago before laying an egg in Sunday’s 17-7 home loss to the New Orleans Saints, who previously had just one win. Bryce Young ranks 30th in the NFL with 168.2 passing yards per game for a Carolina offense that’s 15th of 16 NFC teams in scoring (17.7 points per game).

Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Steelers -5.5, Total 49.5
Series Rewind: The Steelers have dominated the all-time series with this AFC North rival, but the Bengals have snatched up the past two wins, including a 33-31 home win last month.

Two AFC North teams struggling for consistency meet for a rematch of a dramatic finish from mid-October. Joe Flacco outdueled Aaron Rodgers and led the Bengals’ game-winning drive in the final two minutes, capturing a 33-31 win on Evan McPherson’s 36-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining. Flacco finished 31-of-47 for 342 yards and three touchdowns, while Rodgers threw for 249 yards and four touchdowns but was intercepted twice. Last week, the Steelers managed just 10 points and 221 total yards in a prime-time flop at the Chargers. “I don’t need a pat on the back,” coach Mike Tomlin deadpanned. “We stunk it up. We’ll be back.” Flacco again practiced only once this week due to a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, but he’s been the least of the Bengals’ problems. They rank last in the league in total defense, rushing defense and points allowed, and defensive ends Trey Hendrickson (hip/pelvis) and Shemar Stewart (ankle) were pronounced doubtful to play early in the week. Pittsburgh, whose division lead has shrunk to one game, may be without cornerback Darius Slay (concussion) and linebacker Alex Highsmith (pectoral), among others.

Houston Texans (4-5) at Tennessee Titans (1-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Texans -5.5, Total 37.5
Series Rewind: After an 0-3 start, the Texans got their first win of the season in shutout fashion, 26-0, over the Titans back in Week 4. Houston has won five of the last six meetings to trim Tennessee’s lead in the all-time series to 24-23.

With a chance to pull itself back to .500 for the first time this season, Houston will again turn to Davis Mills at quarterback, with C.J. Stroud (concussion) ruled out for his second straight game. The good news for the Texans is that Mills sure seemed up to the task last week when he anchored a 19-point fourth-quarter comeback with three late touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) to fuel a 36-29 win over the Jaguars. He’s supplemented by a defense that leads the league in total defense (261.3 yards per game) and scoring defense (16.7 points per game). The Titans are coming off a bye week which they hope has set the stage for a strong finish to a challenging rookie season for No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. He still hasn’t thrown multiple touchdowns in a game this season and has more interceptions (six) than passing TDs (five) through his first nine starts. A return of receiver Calvin Ridley, who has been limited in practice this week after missing the last three games with a hamstring injury, would certainly make things a bit easier for Ward.

Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chargers -3, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: This will be the first time these teams face off since Jacksonville rallied from a 27-0 deficit to stun Los Angeles 31-30 in an AFC wild-card playoff game in January 2023. The Jaguars have won the last two games, but the Chargers lead the all-time series 9-5.

Los Angeles brings a three-game winning streak into Jacksonville as it remains right in the middle of the contested AFC West race, a game behind Denver and two ahead of Kansas City. While the Chargers have done that despite battling injuries, they received good news on that front this week. Star QB Justin Herbert, who is second in the league in passing yards (2,610), has been practicing fully after he was seen limping during last week’s win over Pittsburgh. Jacksonville, which was 4-1 in early October, is 2 1/2 games behind Indianapolis in the AFC South after blowing the largest lead in franchise history (19 points) last week at Houston. The team announced Tuesday that two-way sensation Travis Hunter Jr. was undergoing season-ending knee surgery, and top receiver Brian Thomas Jr. also appears questionable to return this week after he was limited in the team’s first two practices. That could make things hard for Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence, who has two TDs and two interceptions in the last three games.

Chicago Bears (6-3) at Minnesota Vikings (4-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Vikings -2.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: Minnesota has won eight of the past nine meetings, including a 27-24 road victory in Week 1.

Chicago is soaring with six wins in its past seven games after stumbling out of the gate. After Chicago’s opening loss to Minnesota, the Bears were walloped 52-21 by the Detroit Lions. But Chicago has rebounded well under first-year coach Ben Johnson and has scored at least 24 points in all six of its victories. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams has emerged and has thrown for 2,136 yards and 13 touchdowns against four interceptions. But perhaps the 14 sacks are the most impressive stat. As a rookie, Williams was sacked a league-worst 68 times. Safety Kevin Byard and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (team-best 80 tackles) are tied for the team lead with four interceptions. Minnesota has dropped three of four games and is looking for first-year starting QB JJ McCarthy to get more comfortable. He has been picked off six times in 108 attempts and has a meager 53.7 completion rate. McCarthy has thrown six scoring passes but has been sacked 15 times in four games. Star wideout Justin Jefferson hasn’t had a 100-yard receiving game since Oct. 5 and has ended up with less than 50 each of the past two weeks. He caught four passes for 37 yards with a long of 11 in last week’s 27-19 loss to Baltimore.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3) at Buffalo Bills (6-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bills -5.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: Josh Allen passed for two scores and rushed for one as Buffalo defeated visiting Tampa Bay 24-18 in Week 8 in 2023. Baker Mayfield tossed two touchdowns for the Buccaneers.

Two star quarterbacks from the 2018 draft class square off in this contest. Buffalo’s Allen is the reigning NFL MVP, while Tampa Bay’s Mayfield was the No. 1 overall pick of their class. Allen was the seventh overall selection and has passed for 2,139 yards and 15 touchdowns against five interceptions this season. However, not all is well for the Bills as they were whipped 30-13 by the lowly Miami Dolphins last week for their third loss in five games. Buffalo running back James Cook has been superb and ranks second in the NFL with 920 rushing yards. Cook and Allen have both run for seven scores. The Buccaneers also have slowed down and are just 3-3 after a 3-0 start. Mayfield has been a high performer and has thrown for 2,192 yards and 16 touchdowns and has been intercepted just twice. Star rookie Emeka Egbuka has been a force with 40 catches for 677 yards and six touchdowns. Tampa Bay could get running back Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot) back after missing the past five games. Buccaneers star nose tackle Vita Vea (back) is responding well to treatments. He was injured in last week’s 28-23 loss to the New England Patriots.

Henderson Leads Patriots Over Jets

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – TreVeyon Henderson found the end zone three times and the New England Patriots sailed to their eighth straight win, 27-14 over the New York Jets on Thursday night in Massachusetts.

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Henderson ran for a pair of 7-yard touchdowns during the second quarter and added a 6-yard scoring catch after halftime to put the Patriots (9-2) in firm control. Drake Maye completed 25 of 34 passes for 281 yards, and Henderson tallied 93 total yards (62 rushing, 31 receiving on five catches).

New England’s Stefon Diggs hauled in nine catches for 105 yards.

Justin Fields ran for a touchdown and threw for another for the Jets (2-8), who had a modest two-game winning streak ended. John Metchie III, in his second game as a Jet following a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles, had three receptions for 45 yards and a score.

The Patriots only led 21-14 entering the final quarter but soon tacked on two field goals by Andy Borregales (44, 26 yards). The latter kick was set up when Fields fumbled a low snap on the first play of a drive in the shadow of the Jets’ goalpost.

Fields took the Jets into the red zone on a late drive, but he was sacked by Elijah Ponder on third down and threw incomplete on fourth down. Fields connected on 15 of 26 passes for 116 yards and led the Jets with 67 rushing yards.

The Jets opened the game with a 14-play, 72-yard touchdown march, only for the Patriots to match it with a 13-play, 69-yard scoring drive.

New York converted four third downs on its opening drive before Fields hustled to the right corner of the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. New England converted a fourth-and-2 with Maye’s 7-yard completion to DeMario Douglas before Henderson notched his first rushing score of the night in the first minute of the second quarter.

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The Patriots forced three consecutive three-and-outs while adding Henderson’s second score to build a 14-7 halftime lead. Borregales missed a 45-yard field-goal attempt as time expired in the half.

Henderson plucked a pass out of the air in the back of the end zone to put the Patriots up 21-7 with 7:46 to go in the third quarter.

The Jets responded when Fields hit a wide-open Metchie for a 22-yard touchdown with 3:10 left in the third.

–Field Level Media

NFL Monday Night Football Preview

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GREEN BAY – (Wire Service Report) – A matchup that could prove a pivotal turning point in the battle for home-field advantage in the NFC closes out the Week 10 slate, with the Philadelphia Eagles facing the hometown Packers on Monday night.

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The Eagles (6-2) are comfortably leading the NFC East, while the Packers (5-2-1) are only a half-game ahead of Detroit and Chicago in the NFC North. Just as important, however, is that both are trying to keep pace with the 7-2 Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in the conference.

ODDS & TRENDS
Philadelphia is a consensus 1.0-point favor, with the spread sitting at 1.5 points at several sportsbooks Monday afternoon. BetRivers reported the Eagles being backed by 61% of the spread-line money at -1.0, while their -110 moneyline had drawn 73% of the money.

Green Bay has failed to cover the spread in five of its past six games, while Philadelphia has a seven-game winning streak against opponents with winning records.

The 45.0 total points line has seen heavy action on the Over, which has been backed by 85% of the money. Each of Philadelphia’s past five games against NFC teams have gone Over the total points line.

PROP PICKS
–Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Anytime TD (-107 at BetRivers): Hurts has scored five rushing touchdowns this season and enters with a streak of reaching the end zone at least once in seven consecutive Monday night games.

–Packers WR Christian Watson 40+ Receiving Yards (-156 at DraftKings): This has been the most popular player prop at the book, with the fourth-year receiver pulling in 85 and 58 yards worth of passes in his first two games back from a torn ACL. The concern with this prop is the unpredictable nature of who quarterback Jordan Love will target heavily in any given game, and Watson’s four targets in each of his first two games back hardly screams WR1 just yet.

INSIDE EDGE
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has averaged just 2.1 yards from scrimmage per touch in the fourth quarter this season, which is tied for worst in the NFL among 36 qualified running backs, according to Inside Edge’s Remarkable engine. Philadelphia’s running backs are also third worst in the NFL, having been stuffed on 26% of all rushing attempts this season.

THE NEWS
Philadelphia has won four of its last five games against Green Bay, including a 22-10 victory last season in an NFC wild-card game, when the Eagles intercepted Love three times. The Eagles also beat the Packers in the opener last season, 34-29, in the first NFL game played in Brazil.

Hurts threw four touchdown passes in Philadelphia’s Week 8 victory over the Giants, and Barkley ran for 150 yards, including a 65-yard TD, before leaving with a groin injury. Barkley practiced in full on Thursday.

Green Bay has been inconsistent since opening with dominant home victories over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. The Packers let a 10-point lead slip away late in a 13-10 loss at Cleveland in Week 3, then salvaged a 40-40 tie at Dallas with a field goal on the final play of overtime the next weekend.

The Packers subsequently won three straight after a bye, but twice they had to rally in the second half.

Green Bay moved the ball against the Carolina Panthers but turned the ball over twice, missed a field-goal attempt and converted just 1 of 5 red-zone opportunities into a touchdown.

DEFENSE SPENDING
The Eagles bolstered their defense at the trade deadline, acquiring outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins, cornerback Michael Carter II from the New York Jets and cornerback Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens.

“Talented guys that have played a bunch of good football in the NFL,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Thursday. “Each one of them bringing a different thing and bringing depth to our positions.”

Alexander, a former Pro-Bowl cornerback for the Packers, will not suit up against his former team as he continues to regain his form following a January knee injury.

INJURY REPORT
The Packers endured a crucial loss when tight end Tucker Kraft, who has a team-high six touchdowns among his 32 catches, sustained a season-ending knee injury against Carolina.

“Everybody has to pull a little bit more and do a little bit more,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “I would say that’s just not going to go on one position group. I mean, we need it from everybody from the guys up front to our runners, receivers, and our quarterbacks. So it’ll have to be a collective effort.”

Kicker Brandon McManus has struggled since missing two games with a quad injury. McManus, who made 20 of 21 field-goal attempts last season, is just 11 of 16 this season and 4 of 7 since returning, including 3 of 8 beyond 40 yards.

When McManus was out, free agent signee Lucas Havrisik hit all four field-goal attempts in two games, including a franchise-record 61-yarder. Havrisik is still on the roster, creating some uncertainty.

“We’ll kind of see where Brandon’s at in terms of his health and whatnot and go with who we feel like gives us the best opportunity to go out there and compete and win,” LaFleur said Thursday.

Eagles center Cam Jurgens (knee) will also miss the “Monday Night Football” contest. Cornerback Jakorian Bennett (pectoral), guard Willie Lampkin (knee/ankle) and linebacker Nolan Smith (triceps) have questionable tags.

Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) and defensive lineman Luke Van Ness (foot) are listed as out against Philadelphia. Offensive lineman Zach Tom (back) and receivers Matthew Golden (shoulder), Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and Savion Williams (foot) are questionable.

PREDICTION
Winter football is here, with temperatures expected to be in the low 30s and dipping into the 20s during the game. Look for both offenses to rely heavily on their ground games. The Eagles are starting to get Barkley untracked, which is bad news for the rest of the league, and Philadelphia has routinely risen to the level of its competition in marquee matchups such as this one. –Eagles 27, Packers 23

–Field Level Media

NFL Sunday Night Football Preview

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Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) at Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Chargers -2.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: The Steelers won 20-10 last season for their 11th win in the past 15 meetings, including the postseason.

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Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the least bit unnerved when Tuesday’s trading deadline came and went without the AFC North-leading Steelers adding a receiver. Now comes prove it time for the four-time NFL MVP with 520 career touchdown passes. The Steelers rank 21st in passing offense at 200.9 yards per game despite having the future Hall of Famer at the controls. Rodgers’ season high for passing yardage is just 249 and his season output of 1,692 yards is less than erratic Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward (1,760). Offseason acquisition DK Metcalf leads the team with a modest 29 receptions, 467 yards and five scoring catches. The Pittsburgh defense helped a bunch in last weekend’s taming of the Indianapolis Colts by recording five sacks and forcing five turnovers. The Steelers caused a sixth turnover on special teams. The Chargers look to attack that defense with Justin Herbert, who ranks second in the NFL with 2,390 yards. Ladd McConkey (524) and Keenan Allen (520) are both having solid seasons. The offensive line is beat up and that caused a deadline-beating trade for Trevor Penning from the New Orleans Saints. Penning worked out at both tackle spots on his first day in town. Joe Alt (ankle) joined fellow star tackle Rashawn Slater (knee) on injured reserve. Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (team-high 7.5 sacks) would like to cause issues for Rodgers.

NFL’s Tagliabue, Dead at 84

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CHEVY CHASE – (Wire Service Report) – Paul Tagliabue, who served as the NFL’s commissioner for 17 seasons, died Sunday morning at the age of 84. Per Tagliabue’s family, the apparent cause of death was heart failure complicated by Parkinson’s disease. He passed away at his home in Maryland.

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Tagliabue replaced Pete Rozelle as the NFL’s commissioner in 1989. He was succeeded by current commissioner Roger Goodell in 2006.

Under Tagliabue’s watch, the league signed what was then the largest television contract for the NFL, enjoyed 17 seasons of labor peace, and expanded to 32 teams after adding the Carolina Panthers (1995), Jacksonville Jaguars (1995), the reborn Cleveland Browns (1999) and Houston Texans (2002).

Tagliabue, who also ushered in an era of state-of-the-art stadiums, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2020.

“All of us in the NFL are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Tagliabue, whose principled leadership and vision put the NFL on the path to unparalleled success,” Goodell said.

“Throughout his decades-long leadership on behalf of the NFL, first as outside counsel and then during a powerful 17-year tenure as commissioner, Paul served with integrity, passion and an unwavering conviction to do what was best for the league.

“Paul was the ultimate steward of the game — tall in stature, humble in presence and decisive in his loyalty to the NFL. He viewed every challenge and opportunity through the lens of what was best for the greater good, a principle he inherited from Pete Rozelle and passed on to me.”

The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and Hurricanes Katrina in 2005 also came to pass during Tagliabue’s time as commissioner. He canceled the weekend’s NFL games in the aftermath of Sept. 11, and ensured the Saints would return to New Orleans after being dispatched to San Antonio during the 2005 season.

A native of New Jersey who captained the basketball team at Georgetown in college, Tagliabue is survived by his wife, Chandler, son Drew and daughter Emily.

–Field Level Media