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NFL: Week 13 Previews

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NFL – Week 13 Previews

Indianapolis Colts (6-5) at Tennessee Titans (4-7)
The Colts presently occupy the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. That’s a big credit to the running game, including Zack Moss, who’ll start with Jonathan Taylor (thumb) on the shelf again. Moss has rushed for a team-high 672 yards and five touchdowns on 141 carries — all career highs. His best game came in a 23-16 win against Tennessee on Oct. 8, gashing the Titans for 165 yards and two scores on 23 attempts. The Titans are mathematically alive for a wild-card spot but probably need to win out. The Titans were able to snap a three-game skid last week, edging Carolina 17-10 as Derrick Henry ran for two touchdowns. He’s averaging 107.8 rushing yards in home games this season.

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Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) at New England Patriots (2-9)
The Patriots have won the past six meetings with the Chargers, but that might be the only streak New England wants to discuss these days. Mac Jones is being benched in favor of Bailey Zappe (2-0 career as a starter), with the Patriots seeking a spark offensively. New England is putting up 13.5 points per game and has a turnover margin of minus-8. The Chargers’ situation isn’t nearly as dire, but Los Angeles is starting to see its playoff hopes fade. Since back-to-back wins over the Bears and Jets, the Chargers have dropped three straight games, including last Sunday’s 20-10 setback against the Baltimore Ravens.

Detroit Lions (8-3) at New Orleans Saints (5-6)
Quarterback Jared Goff spent part of Wednesday running through ball security drills, and he wasn’t alone. The Lions lost three fumbles with one takeaway in a 29-22 home loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving Day, four days after struggling to a 31-26 victory over Chicago, when Goff was picked off three times. The Saints are tied for fourth in the NFL with 20 takeaways. But New Orleans is trying to move past a 24-15 loss at Atlanta last week and has its own issues in the red zone. The Saints were stifled by the Falcons last week, reaching the red zone five times without scoring a touchdown. While the Saints netted five field goals, two of the possessions inside the 20 ended in turnovers, including a game-changing pick-6 thrown by Derek Carr.

Atlanta Falcons (5-6) at New York Jets (4-7)
All the Jets want for Christmas is their No. 1 QB, but Aaron Rodgers might be weeks — or months — away from taking his next snap. It’s up to Tim Boyle to move the Jets toward the playoffs to keep Rodgers’ return this season in play. Boyle hit RB Breece Hall for a career-high seven catches last week. Atlanta’s record may not look much better than that of the Jets, but the Falcons are leading the NFC South after beating the New Orleans Saints 24-15 last Sunday. Atlanta is 3-0 against division competition and 2-6 against all other teams. Desmond Ridder took back starting quarterback duties last week after a two-week benching and completed 13 of 21 passes for 168 yards, a touchdown and two picks — including one near the Saints’ goal line.

Arizona Cardinals (2-10) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
Arizona arrives in full rebuilding mode, armed with the second-worst record in the NFL, and brings James Conner for a reunion with his old team after he missed more than a month with injuries. He has rushed for 526 yards on 104 attempts in eight games. The Cardinals were ripped by their own coach for their effort following last week’s 37-14 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. They’ll need extra effort to contain Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt, who is tied for the league lead in sacks with 13.5. The Steelers are leaning heavily on Watt and their defense to contend for a wild-card spot in the AFC and are currently second in the North division, 1 1/2 games behind the Baltimore Ravens.

Miami Dolphins (8-3) at Washington Commanders (4-8)
What in the world is Ron Rivera planning to do with the Miami Dolphins’ offensive machine after being blasted for an average of 38 points in the past two games? Dallas whipped Washington 45-10 last week, resulting in Rivera firing defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. The Dolphins average 30.8 points per game and the Commanders only hope might be matching Miami’s scoring output. Washington can move the ball. Sam Howell leads the NFL in completions (323) and passing yards (3,339) through the first 12 weeks of the season. The issue for the Commanders has been protecting Howell in the pocket. He’s on pace to shatter the NFL single-season record for times sacked.

Denver Broncos (6-5) at Houston Texans (6-5)
Don’t look now, but the Broncos are tied for the NFL’s longest winning streak at five games as they go head-to-head with potential wild-card competition in Houston. QB Russell Wilson’s next TD pass would push him past Dan Marino for second-most in his first 12 seasons (Marino had 328). The Texans are thrilled with the development of their own franchise quarterback, C.J. Stroud. He’s second in the NFL in passing yards and is the only rookie with four consecutive 300-yard games.

Carolina Panthers (1-10) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
For the second December in a row, the Buccaneers play the Panthers with an interim head coach at the helm in Carolina. Chris Tabor jumped into the head-coaching role Monday when Frank Reich was fired. The Buccaneers aren’t exactly in a groove, but they’re still squarely in the hunt for the division title behind a reclamation project well known to the Panthers, Baker Mayfield. The Buccaneers get two swings at the Panthers in the next five weeks, the second one being the Jan. 7 finale. Mayfield began last season with Carolina and lasted seven games, with the team posting a 1-6 record, before he was released.

Cleveland Browns (7-4) at Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
If you had Joe Flacco starting for the Browns on your bingo card, we need visual evidence. That’s the potential reality for Cleveland with Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion) iffy, setting up a matchup of 38-year-old Flacco and 35-year-old Matthew Stafford in L.A. The Browns (7-4) hold the No. 6 seed in the AFC, one game clear of the seventh-seeded Indianapolis Colts. In last Sunday’s 37-14 win against the Arizona Cardinals, Stafford passed for 229 yards and a season-best four touchdowns — two each to Kyren Williams and tight end Tyler Higbee. Williams has been the team’s top playmaker as a rookie despite missing four games with an ankle injury.

San Francisco 49ers (8-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)
The Eagles can clinch a playoff berth this weekend, a significant statement considering they are the sole team in position to secure a postseason spot with five weeks remaining in the regular season. In a return to the scene of last season’s NFC Championship Game, the 49ers are back to purring with Brock Purdy at quarterback, logging three consecutive wins to erase a three-game losing streak. Their last visit was marred by an elbow injury to Purdy as the Eagles cruised to the 31-7 win that elevated them into the Super Bowl. Come Sunday, Purdy is healthy and teammate Christian McCaffrey is flourishing, while Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is once again enjoying a solid season. Philadelphia owns the best record in the NFL after posting four straight comeback wins and recording five consecutive overall wins. San Francisco leads the NFC West after winning its past three games. Purdy was injured eight minutes into the playoff loss last season. He leads the NFL with a 70.2 completion percentage and benefits from McCaffrey, who leads the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns (16).

Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) at Green Bay Packers (5-6)
Kansas City has put plenty of pressure on opposing teams this season. The Chiefs, who lead the AFC West by two games over the Broncos, won Jordan Love’s debut NFL start in November 2021, 13-7. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 298 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Running back Isiah Pacheco scored twice on the ground, and Rashee Rice and Justin Watson notched one touchdown reception apiece. TE Travis Kelce has at least six catches in eight of his past nine games. The trip to northern Wisconsin will carry special meaning for Kansas City coach Andy Reid. He started his NFL coaching career in Green Bay, where he worked from 1992-98 as a tight ends coach, an assistant offensive line coach and eventually a quarterbacks coach. Brett Favre and the Packers won the Super Bowl during the 1996 season with Reid on the staff.

 

Patriots: Who is Calling the Shots?

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien perceives the QB call for the Patriots is coming from the top of the organization. In New England, that would imply owner Robert Kraft and not head coach Bill Belichick.

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Asked about Mac Jones’ hold on the starting quarterback job entering Week 13, O’Brien said he doesn’t have a deciding vote.

“I don’t make those calls. There’s a chain of command. The chain of command is Robert Kraft at the top, Bill Belichick and the assistant coaches are down here,” O’Brien said Tuesday.

O’Brien said the Patriots (2-9) aren’t zeroing in on individual roles but rather focusing on collective preparation for the Los Angeles Chargers. New England has lost four consecutive games and went 1-7 in October and November.

After throwing two interceptions in Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants, Jones was benched in favor of Bailey Zappe.

O’Brien said he is responsible for the lack of production from the Patriots’ offense, not Jones.

“Things haven’t gone great for him this year,” O’Brien said of Jones. “I don’t think that he’s the No. 1 guy to blame. If you want to blame anyone, blame me. I’m the one who designs it, and it’s not going very well.”

Jones has been benched in four games this season. He has 10 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and two wins.

Asked Monday on his weekly WEEI-radio if he expected to be the starter this week, Jones said, “You always ask me, right? I think the biggest thing for me is — that’s a result. I’m going to focus on the process this week. Focus on competing and getting better. That’s all I’ve ever done at every sport. I know that if I do that, we’ll be in good hands. That’s something I need to focus on as always. I do have confidence in myself, and I have confidence in the guys around me.”

–Field Level Media

NFL Round-Up: Eagles Improve

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PHILADELPHIA – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Philly QB Jalen Hurts rushed for a 12-yard touchdown in overtime to lift the Philadelphia Eagles to a thrilling 37-34 win against the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon.

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Hurts’ final score capped off an incredible performance in which he passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two more for Philadelphia (10-1). Jake Elliott drilled a 59-yard field goal to tie the game with 20 seconds in regulation, and DeVonta Smith finished with seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Josh Allen threw two touchdowns and rushed for two scores for Buffalo (6-6). Gabe Davis had six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, but he miscommunicated with Allen on a potential game-winning score in overtime that gave the Eagles a chance to come back.

After Tyler Bass hit a 40-yard field goal to put the Bills ahead 34-31 with 5:52 to go in overtime, Hurts led the game-winning drive with his feet and his arm. He scrambled for 27 yards, including the 12-yard touchdown, and he found Smith for gains of 17 yards and 11 yards as the Buffalo defense struggled to keep pace.

Ravens 20, Chargers 10

Lamar Jackson became the fastest quarterback to reach 5,000 rushing yards and Baltimore forced four turnovers while recording a victory over Los Angeles at Inglewood, Calif.

Zay Flowers caught a touchdown pass and also ran for one for Baltimore (9-3), which won for the sixth time in the past seven games. The Ravens possess the top record in the AFC heading into next week’s bye. Justin Herbert completed 29 of 44 passes for 217 yards with one touchdown and one interception for the Chargers (4-7), who lost their third straight. Keenan Allen caught 14 passes for 106 yards.

Jackson was 18-of-32 passing for 177 yards with a touchdown, and rushed for 39 yards on 11 carries. He has 5,011 career rushing yards in 82 games. The previous fastest quarterback to 5,000 was Michael Vick (104 games). Jackson’s rushing yards are fourth most by a quarterback, trailing Vick (6,109), Cam Newton (5,628) and Russell Wilson (5,232).

Broncos 29, Browns 12

Russell Wilson threw for a touchdown and rushed for another to lift host Denver to a victory over Cleveland.

Wilson threw for just 134 yards but added 34 more on the ground. Samaje Perine rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown for the Broncos (6-5), who recorded their first five-game winning streak since the 2015 season. Denver rushed for two touchdowns in the first 18:49 of Sunday’s game after finding the end zone on the ground just once in its previous 10 games.

Cleveland rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw for 134 yards and added his first career passing touchdown before exiting late in the third quarter with a concussion after a high hit from Denver linebacker Baron Browning. P.J. Walker came in and completed 6 of 13 passes for 56 yards for the Browns (7-4), who saw their three-game winning streak come to a halt.

Chiefs 31, Raiders 17

Patrick Mahomes passed for 298 yards and two touchdowns and Isiah Pacheco ran for a pair of scores as visiting Kansas City topped Las Vegas.

The Chiefs (8-3) covered at least 71 yards on each of its touchdown drives while sending the Raiders (5-7) to their second straight defeat. Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell was 23-for-33 for 248 yards and a TD, and Josh Jacobs rushed 20 times for 110 yards and a score. Meyers (six catches, 79 yards, one TD) and Davante Adams (five catches, 73 yards) were the Raiders’ top receivers.

Trailing 14-0 in the second quarter on the heels of Monday night’s loss to Philadelphia, Kansas City responded with 21 straight points to regain the advantage. Daniel Carlson kicked a 34-yard field goal with 2:09 left in the third quarter to pull the Raiders to within 21-17, but the Chiefs answered with a 39-yard scoring pass from Mahomes to Rashee Rice on their next possession.

Rams 37, Cardinals 14

Matthew Stafford threw a season-high four touchdown passes and Los Angeles won consecutive games for the first time this season with a lopsided victory over Arizona in Glendale, Ariz.

Tyler Higbee caught two TD passes and Kyren Williams added two receiving TDs of his own after missing the Rams’ past four games with an ankle injury. Williams added 143 rushing yards on 16 carries, including a 56-yard run in the third quarter. Stafford was 25-of-33 passing for 229 yards and one interception.

Kyler Murray was 27-of-45 passing for 256 yards and a touchdown for the Cardinals (2-10), who have lost eight of nine.

Jaguars 24, Texans 21

Josh Allen came up with 1.5 sacks to headline a strong defensive stand late in the fourth quarter, helping Jacksonville edge host Houston.

The Jaguars (8-3) led 24-14 after Brandon McManus made a 53-yard field goal with 11:20 remaining in the game. But the Texans (6-5) rallied, pulling within three when C.J. Stroud found Nico Collins for a 17-yard touchdown with 5:15 left.

After forcing a punt, Houston took over at its own 11-yard line. Allen dropped Stroud for a loss of 15 yards, but three plays later, the Texans found themselves at the Jaguars’ 37. That’s when Allen teamed up with Travon Walker for another sack. Houston would end up getting to 39, but Matt Ammendola didn’t have enough leg on a 58-yard field goal attempt with 29 seconds to go.

Colts 27, Buccaneers 20

Jonathan Taylor rushed for two touchdowns and Gardner Minshew added another rushing score as host Indianapolis held off Tampa Bay.

Taylor, who finished with 91 yards on 15 carries, pounded it in from the 1 with 7:30 left in the game to answer Baker Mayfield’s 23-yard scoring strike to Mike Evans. That gave the Colts (6-5) a 27-17 lead. The Buccaneers (4-7) responded with Chase McLaughlin’s 24-yard field goal at the 4:10 mark, then got the ball back at its 35-yard line with a chance to tie. But Mayfield was strip-sacked with 1:29 remaining, sealing the outcome.

Minshew completed 24 of 41 passes for 251 yards with an interception as Indianapolis stayed in contention for an AFC wild card. Michael Pittman was his favorite target with 10 receptions for 107 yards. Mayfield hit on 20 of 30 passes for 199 yards with two touchdowns to Mike Evans and one pick. Rachaad White rushed 15 times for 100 yards.

Titans 17, Panthers 10

Derrick Henry scored two rushing touchdowns and Tennessee clamped down on defense in the fourth quarter to defeat visiting Carolina in Nashville, Tenn.

The Titans (4-7), who played their previous three games on the road, snapped a three-game losing skid, while the Panthers are now an NFL-worst 1-10. Henry finished with 76 rushing yards on 18 carries, while rookie Titans quarterback Will Levis completed 18 of 28 passes for 185 yards.

Panthers rookie Bryce Young was 18-of-31 passing for 194 yards, with 23 rushing yards and a costly lost fumble.

Falcons 24, Saints 15

Bijan Robinson rushed for a touchdown and caught another as host Atlanta defeated New Orleans to move into a tie for first place in the NFC South.

Robinson had 91 of his team’s 228 rushing yards and added 32 receiving yards from Desmond Ridder, who returned from a two-game benching to start for the Falcons (5-6). Ridder completed 13 of 21 passes for 168 yards and was intercepted twice by Tyrann Mathieu.

Derek Carr passed for 304 yards for the Saints (5-6), who never reached the end zone despite five trips inside the Atlanta 20-yard line. Carr threw a first-quarter interception that Jessie Bates III returned 92 yards for a touchdown.

Steelers 16, Bengals 10

Tight end Pat Freiermuth had a career day, catching nine passes for 120 yards, and Najee Harris ran for 99 yards and a touchdown to lead visiting Pittsburgh to a key win over Cincinnati.

Playing with a new offensive coordinator and play-caller following the firing of Matt Canada, the Steelers (7-4) didn’t need to produce much to beat a Bengals offense missing Joe Burrow. Kenny Pickett completed 24 of 33 passes for 278 yards with Eddie Faulkner serving as the offensive coordinator and Mike Sullivan as the play-caller.

Jake Browning, in his first NFL start for Cincinnati (5-6), completed 19 of 26 passes for 227 yards with a touchdown and an interception in place of Burrow. The Bengals were held to 25 rushing yards on 11 carries.

Giants 10, Patriots 7

Tommy DeVito threw for 191 yards and a touchdown and helped New York win consecutive games for the first time all season, this one a squeaker over visiting New England in East Rutherford, N.J.

DeVito completed 17 of 25 passes for the Giants (4-8), who have turned to him following injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor. He lost a fumble on the opening drive and was sacked six times Sunday.

The Giants benefited from continued QB chaos for New England (2-9). After Bill Belichick kept the Patriots’ starting QB decision under wraps, Mac Jones tossed two interceptions in the first half and was replaced by Bailey Zappe after halftime. Zappe guided the Patriots’ lone scoring drive, then drove them into field-goal range in the final 3:15. But rookie Chad Ryland hooked a 35-yard field goal try wide left with three seconds left.

–Field Level Media

Patriots are Losers Again

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EAST RUTHERFORD – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Tommy DeVito threw for 191 yards and a touchdown and helped the New York Giants win consecutive games for the first time all season, this one a 10-7 squeaker over the visiting New England Patriots on Sunday in New Jersey.

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DeVito completed 17 of 25 passes for the Giants (4-8), who have turned to him following injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor. He lost a fumble on the opening drive and was sacked six times Sunday.

The Giants benefited from continued quarterback chaos for New England (2-9). After Bill Belichick kept the Patriots’ starting QB decision under wraps during the week, Mac Jones tossed two interceptions in the first half and was replaced by Bailey Zappe after halftime.

Zappe guided the Patriots’ lone scoring drive, then drove them into field-goal range in the final 3:15 of the game. But rookie kicker Chad Ryland hooked a 35-yard field goal try wide left with three seconds left, allowing the Giants to hang on.

Jones went 12-for-21 passing for 89 yards for the Patriots, who have lost seven of eight games. Zappe went 9-for-14 for 54 yards and one pick.

Xavier McKinney totaled 10 tackles and one of the three interceptions for New York. Jalin Hyatt had five catches for 109 yards.

Jones threw into triple coverage in the final seconds of the first quarter and rookie Deonte Banks made a running interception on the sideline.

Late in the half, the Patriots drove into New York territory. DeVante Parker caught a slightly deflected pass for 17 yards on third-and-15 to keep the drive moving.

But on third-and-4 from the Giants’ 23-yard line, Jones threw a pass straight to Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke, who returned it 55 yards to the New England 26.

Six plays later, DeVito threw left to Isaiah Hodgins, who stiff-armed his defender to the ground and beat another Patriot to the pylon for a 12-yard score, making it 7-0 1:53 before halftime.

The Patriots had one last three-and-out in the first half before Zappe took over in the second. He went 6-for-6 for 38 yards on his first drive, and Stevenson got New England on the board with his 7-yard touchdown with 8:02 left in the quarter.

Zappe wasn’t perfect for long. Early in the fourth quarter, his pass intended for JuJu Smith-Schuster was snagged by McKinney and returned to the Patriots’ 32. That set up Randy Bullock’s go-ahead, 42-yard field goal with 8:10 remaining.

The Patriots got one more chance and drove 33 yards in nine plays to set up Ryland’s game-tying attempt.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Week 12 Previews

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NEW ORLEANS – With Thanksgiving Day in the rearview, it’s “Winning Time” in the NFL is a team wants to remain relevant in a parity-driven league with plenty of football left to play. Here are the weekend previews for November 26:

NFL Week 12 Capsules

Falcons (4-6) vs. Saints (5-5): Desmond Ridder is back as QB1 for Atlanta, which is desperately trying to pull itself out of a three-game losing streak. Ridder will be up against a New Orleans defense without Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who was placed on injured reserve on Saturday due to an ankle injury. The NFC South has been the league’s weakest division, evident by the Saints’ status as the top team, but New Orleans could slip in the standings with a loss on Sunday.

Bengals (5-5) vs. Steelers (6-4): With star quarterback Joe Burrow set to undergo season-ending wrist surgery, Cincinnati is turning to Jake Browning under center. Browning has appeared in just two NFL games (zero starts), but the Bengals have faith in him, and he’ll be facing a Pittsburgh defense allowing the 10th-most passing yards per game in the NFL (239.9). Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) has already been ruled out for the game, too. The Steelers’ offense is also in flux, as offensive coordinator Matt Canada was fired on Tuesday.

Texans (6-4) vs. Jaguars (7-3): Houston has already beaten Jacksonville once this season, and another win would give the Texans first place in the AFC South. C.J. Stroud has the Houston offense rolling and has emerged as the clear frontrunner to win Rookie of the Year. He has formed a strong connection with fellow rookie Tank Dell, who has 20 catches for 319 yards and four touchdowns over the last three weeks. Don’t sleep on the Jaguars, though, as they’ve won six of their past seven games since their loss to the Texans on Sept. 24.

Colts (5-5) vs. Buccaneers (4-6): Although it sits two games under .500, Tampa Bay still has a shot to make the playoffs, but its offense has been scuffling. The Buccaneers have scored just 34 points over their past two games and will be looking to break through against a stout defense that held the Panthers to 13 points on Nov. 5 before suffocating the Patriots in a 10-6 victory on Nov. 12. Indianapolis linebacker Zaire Franklin has been a monster, posting the third-most tackles (117) in the league.

Giants (3-8) vs. Patriots (2-8): The days of New York and New England meeting in the Super Bowl are long gone, to say the least. The only team averaging fewer points per game than the Patriots (14.1) happens to be the Giants (13.5). New England coach Bill Belichick hasn’t even named a starting quarterback yet, and he’s essentially picking between the lesser of two evils with Mac Jones (2,031 passing yards, 10 TDs, 10 interceptions) and Bailey Zappe (104 yards, 0 TDs, one interception). For the Giants, Daniel Jones’ torn ACL has opened the door for Tommy DeVito, who could have New York playing inspired football after throwing for three touchdowns in a 31-19 victory over the Commanders last week.

Titans (3-7) vs. Panthers (1-9): Could this be the week Tennessee running back Derrick Henry turns back the clock? Henry has carried the ball 21 times for just 62 yards in the past two weeks combined, but he might be able to find some relief against a Carolina defense surrendering 129.4 rushing yards per game. Carolina’s secondary is also in disarray, as cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (hamstring) and C.J. Henderson (concussion) are doubtful and safety Sam Franklin Jr. (quadriceps) is questionable.

Cardinals (2-9) vs. Rams (4-6): Los Angeles snapped a three-game skid on the heels of its defense last week, as the Rams held the Seahawks to just 87 yards in the second half. Now Los Angeles will try its best to contain Arizona, which has yet to get the desired results from Kyler Murray from his first two games. Murray has thrown for 463 yards, one touchdown and two picks, but he should have some space to operate against a Rams defense that has just five interceptions and 21 sacks this season.

Broncos (5-5) vs. Browns (7-3): Perhaps no team has battled adversity better than Cleveland. The Browns are without starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and star running back Nick Chubb for the season, but Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Jerome Ford are doing just enough to back one of the best defenses in the league. However, Denver has rattled off four straight wins, and Russell Wilson has thrown seven TDs without an interception during that stretch.

Kansas City Chiefs (7-3) at Las Vegas Raiders (5-6): Sunday begins a stretch of three straight home games for the Raiders, who carry a four-game winning streak at Allegiant Stadium since losing to Pittsburgh in their home opener in Week 3. “That Black Hole has to be real,” Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce said. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have won five of the six meetings between the division rivals since the Raiders relocated to Las Vegas. They’re vowing to stay positive after being held scoreless in the second half of its 21-17 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl LVII rematch.

Buffalo Bills (6-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-1): A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts had an animated chat on the sidelines after a botched play led to a Chiefs interception in the second quarter last week. In spite of Brown’s one catch for 8 yards, the Eagles still won and stand a league-best 9-1. Like Brown, Stefon Diggs has been kept under wraps this month after topping 100 receiving yards in five of Buffalo’s first six games. The Bills didn’t need a big game from Diggs to smother the New York Jets last week and snap a two-game skid, but he could hold the key to torching an Eagles secondary that ranks 28th with 248.1 passing yards allowed per game.

Baltimore Ravens (8-3) at Los Angeles Chargers (4-6): Lamar Jackson is dealing with a left ankle injury sustained in the Ravens’ last game Nov. 16, but he wasn’t on the injury report this week and insists the ankle will be fine against the Chargers. Jackson won’t have top target Mark Andrews, as the tight end underwent ankle surgery this week. Still, the Ravens have won five of six as they run into a Chargers squad that keeps finding new ways to lose close games. Los Angeles has lost five games by three points or fewer this season, including last week’s 23-20 defeat at Green Bay.

Chicago Bears (3-8) at Minnesota Vikings (6-5): Minnesota’s five-game winning streak may have ended last week in a 21-20 loss at Denver, but the Vikings saved their season with that streak, which began with a 19-13 win at Chicago. The biggest question this week is whether folk-hero quarterback Joshua Dobbs will get to team up with star wideout Justin Jefferson for the first time. Jefferson (hamstring) is listed as questionable; he’s been out from Week 6 on, before Kirk Cousins was lost for the season and Dobbs was acquired. Meanwhile, Justin Fields said the Bears are “better than what we put on tape” in the first meeting with Minnesota, but Chicago must evaluate whether to stick with Fields long-term as the team is about to earn two high draft picks this spring.

–Field Level Media

Patriots Waive Reserve QB Grier

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Amid instability at the quarterback position, the New England Patriots are waiving Will Grier, ESPN reported Saturday.

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The Patriots signed Grier, 28, to the active squad from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad in September. He hasn’t seen any game action.

New England coach Bill Belichick has not named a starter for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. NBC Sports Boston reported Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe split the reps at quarterback during practice this week.

Zappe told reporters that he had not been informed whether he’d be starting.

“I’ve told everybody to be ready to go,” Belichick said Friday. “Hopefully, that’s what they’re all doing. I’m not going to announce starters at every position or whatever. Everybody will be ready to go.”

Jones was benched late in the fourth quarter of a 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 12 and replaced by Zappe. The Patriots had a bye this past week.

In 10 games this season, Jones, 25, has completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 2,031 yards with 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He’s been sacked 21 times and lost 127 yards.

Zappe, 24, has completed 10 of 25 pass attempts for 104 yards with an interception.

The Patriots are wallowing in last place in the AFC East with a record of 2-8 and look to be headed for the worst season since Belichick’s first with the Patriots when they finished 5-11 in 2000.

New England ranks 31st in the league with an average of just 14.1 points per game.

–Field Level Media

Patriots’ Starting QB? A Sunday Gametime Decision

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick plans to hold a decision on his starting quarterback until gameday.

“Will let you know on Sunday,” Belichick told reporters Tuesday morning, when pressed about whether he’ll stick with starter Mac Jones or turn to backup Bailey Zappe or No. 3 Will Grier.

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Jones was benched late in the fourth quarter of a 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 12. The Patriots had a bye this past week. Belichick and the Pats will face the NY Giants Sunday at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford.

Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien said Monday that Jones was still taking first-unit reps in practice but noted that the decision will ultimately be up to Belichick.

“Mac took the first-team reps. Bailey rotated in there. Will Grier rotated in there,” O’Brien said. “For me, I basically get everybody ready to play,” he said when asked if Jones was still the team’s starter. “At the end of the day, Bill (Belichick) will make that decision at some point and we’ll go from there.”

“It will be based on what I think is best for the team,” Belichick said of his QB decision. “…I’ve told all the players the same thing: be ready to go. So hopefully they will be.”

The Patriots are wallowing in last place in the AFC East with a record of 2-8 and look to be headed for the worst season since Belichick’s first with the Patriots when they finished 5-11 in 2000.

New England ranks 31st in the league with an average of just 14.1 points per game.

–Field Level Media

Patriots Waive Troubled CB Jack Jones

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

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

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

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

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

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

–Field Level Media

Patri_ts Lose to Colts in Germany

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Colts 10, Patri_ts 6

FRANKFURT – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Gardner Minshew passed for 194 yards, Jonathan Taylor scored the game’s only touchdown, and Indianapolis defeated sinking New England in Germany.

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The Colts (5-5) won their second straight game and enter their bye week at .500, while ensuring the Patriots (2-8) remained with the AFC’s worst record.

Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes and threw one interception. Taylor rushed 23 times for 69 yards, and Michael Pittman had a game-high eight catches for 84 yards for Indianapolis. The Colts intercepted Patriots quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe on consecutive possessions late in the fourth quarter.

 

Belichick Takes It One Trip at a Time

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FRANKFURT (Germany) – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Not to be confused with Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning, NFL fans in Germany will be treated to another matchup of popular NFL teams when the sub-.500 New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts play Sunday in Frankfurt.

After the NFL came to Germany for the first time last season, Frankfurt received a turn with games in consecutive weeks. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins 21-14 there last week.

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The Patriots (2-7), the designated home team, have international marketing rights in Germany and are a fan favorite there because of their German-born former offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer — not to mention their six Super Bowl victories from 2001 to 2018.

“It’s a unique opportunity,” said coach Bill Belichick, whose Patriots teams are 3-0 in international games all-time. “When it gets there, we’ll look forward to it.”

Owners of the worst record in the AFC, the Patriots are not at all playing like the dynasty of the past two decades, and while it may have been unthinkable a few years ago, the proverbial seat is getting hotter for Belichick as New England continues to lose.

A 20-17 defeat to the Washington Commanders was the Patriots’ fifth loss in six weeks. They’ll have their bye week upon returning from Germany.

Mac Jones steadied to some degree after a dismal early October. He threw for 220 yards and one touchdown against Washington and didn’t take a sack, but he was intercepted on the last drive of the game as the Patriots scored just three points after halftime.

“Just being consistent and trying to work together,” Jones said of the offense’s struggles. “We have some young guys playing, and just making sure we’re all on the same page and out there executing each week. Like I say, each week’s different and it’s important to understand what we need to do this week.”

This week’s task involves getting past an opportunistic defense. Kenny Moore of the Colts (4-5) scored two pick-6s in a 27-13 win over the Carolina Panthers last week. That ended a three-game losing streak that saw the Colts allow 37, 39 and 38 points.

Jones is tied for the league lead with nine interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.

As for the Colts’ offense, Gardner Minshew has been under center since rookie Anthony Richardson’s season-ending shoulder injury. But the Colts are a run-first team, and while Jonathan Taylor is the household name, Zack Moss ranks second in the NFL with 615 rushing yards this season.

“We know this stretch, this back-half stretch, is where teams have to bolster up,” Taylor said. “You’re either gonna go up or you’re gonna go down, so (the game will) do a lot in order to make sure that we can continue to trend upwards.”

Both the Colts and Patriots are practicing at home through Thursday and taking a flight overseas Thursday night, landing Friday morning Frankfurt time.

“We’re going over there on a business trip to go win a football game,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “That’s the message — it’s just a long road trip. Stay focused.”

One player not making that trip is Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson, who reportedly is being disciplined for reporting late to the team hotel last Saturday.

Jackson did not practice Wednesday and was ruled out along with left tackle Trent Brown (personal/ankle) and wide receiver DeVante Parker (concussion) as the Patriots departed for Germany on Thursday.

Defensive lineman Christian Barmore (knee), linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (hamstring) and cornerback Jonathan Jones (knee) made the trip but were limited in practice.

On Thursday, the Colts ruled out tight end Andrew Ogletree (foot) and cornerback Julius Brents (quadriceps).

–Field Level Media