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NFL Previews: Week 8

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Week 8 NFL Capsules

Houston Texans (3-3) at Carolina Panthers (0-6): Carolina selected Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft and Houston took C.J. Stroud next. The rookie quarterbacks are the main attraction Sunday with each team coming off of bye weeks. The Texans beat the New Orleans Saints in their most recent game for their third win in their last four outings. The Panthers are still searching for their first victory under coach Frank Reich. Young is leading a different setup as offensive coordinator Thomas Brown has taken over the play-calling in place of Reich and plans to commit to running the ball and getting RB Miles Sanders more involved. The Panthers have been outscored by 74 points and have a net-TD total of -11. Only the New York Giants are worse (89, 13).

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Los Angeles Rams (3-4) at Dallas Cowboys (4-2): Health is on the side of the Cowboys, who come out of the bye week for their first home game in four weeks. After throwing three interceptions against the 49ers, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott completed 70 percent of his passes (21 of 30) against the Chargers in a 20-17 victory Week 6. He threw for a season-best 272 yards with a touchdown and no picks. The Rams are working to replace starting RB Kyren Williams (ankle) with a combination of Royce Freeman and Darrell Henderson and a goal of balancing a steady passing game. QB Matthew Stafford has been sacked 18 times, causing concern about his longevity if Los Angeles continues falling behind.

Minnesota Vikings (3-4) at Green Bay Packers (2-4): The Vikings were being escorted to the NFL cellar after an 0-3 start but with three wins in the past four games, they’re closer to the top of the NFC North after seven games. The Packers have lost three in a row and haven’t scored more than 20 points in four consecutive games. QB Jordan Love has posted a subpar 79.4 passer rating this season while completing 57.5 percent of his passes for 1,263 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven picks. Much of the Vikings’ recent confidence has come from the emergence of rookie wideout Jordan Addison, who has formed a fast connection with quarterback Kirk Cousins. Addison caught seven passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers, and he has six touchdown receptions in his first seven games.

New Orleans Saints (3-4) at Indianapolis Colts (3-4): Despite injuries (QB Anthony Richardson) and unrest (RB Jonathan Taylor), the Colts are the only team in the NFL to score 20-plus points in every game this season. First-year coach Shane Steichen said the Colts are 3-4 for one primary reason. “We need to protect the football,” he said. QB Gardner Minshew has four fumbles and four interceptions and the Colts have lost consecutive games for the first time this season entering Week 8. This will be New Orleans’ third game against an AFC South opponent in two weeks. The loss to the Jaguars was preceded by a 20-13 setback at Houston four days earlier. New Orleans wide receiver Chris Olave is expected to play against the Colts despite being arrested for suspicion of reckless operation of a motor vehicle on Monday night.

New England Patriots (2-5) at Miami Dolphins (5-2): The Dolphins’ five wins this season have come against squads with a combined 8-25 record and a lowly .242 winning percentage. The Patriots are one of those foes, as Miami notched a 24-17 road win in Week 2. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa passed for 249 yards, and Raheem Mostert rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns in that encounter. While Patriots coach Bill Belichick may have recorded his 300th career regular-season victory in last week’s 29-25 win over the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa is 5-0 when starting against the legendary Belichick. There were positive signs of life from a heavily scrutinized offense last week, capped by Mac Jones tossing a 1-yard scoring pass to former Dolphins TE Mike Gesecki with 12 seconds left. New England has scored 46 points over the past two games after tallying just 55 over their first five.

New York Jets (3-3) at New York Giants (2-5): It might not be the Aaron Rodgers-Daniel Jones matchup most wanted to see in the quadrennial regular-season showdown, but these co-tenants lock up in a game that will be important to any turnaround plans either franchise has for the 2023 season. With Zach Wilson in for Rodgers, the Jets’ saving grace has been a defense that has yielded just 19.8 points per game. Their eight interceptions are off the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen (three), Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (two) and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts (two). This week, they’ll get a close up with Tyrod Taylor while attacking an offensive line under serious ridicule for allowing 37 sacks in seven games. “I say they have a really good front four,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “Call it more than a front four with the amount of times they rotate in there. Two good cover corners (Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed). … This is a challenging defense to get ready for, and it shows.”

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2): Given the team’s minus-24 point differential, the Steelers are still questioned as a contender in the AFC. But they’re also a half-game out of first place in the AFC North and rallied to beat the Rams even as offensive production appears only in fits and starts. The Jaguars ride a four-game winning streak into Heinz Field, a run that coincides with a commitment to giving RB Travis Etienne the ball early and often. The Jaguars are in the top 10 in scoring and time of possession. Etienne leads the NFL in rushing attempts (127) and is fourth in rushing yards (504). Pittsburgh is still trying to find rhythm in the running game. Najee Harris has 300 yards on the ground through six games and just one touchdown.

Atlanta Falcons (4-3) at Tennessee Titans (2-4): The Titans scored 27 points in each of their two wins and haven’t topped 16 in any of their four losses. It could be up to rookie second-round pick Will Levis to help put points on the board Sunday with Ryan Tannehill dealing with a high ankle sprain. The Falcons won the road to jump into first place in the AFC South last week even without their bell-cow RB Bijan Robinson at full strength. Atlanta has been white-knuckling victories due to turnovers. QB Desmond Ridder fumbled three times in the red zone last week and has six total turnovers in the past two games. Levis has yet to throw a regular-season pass, pointing to a game plan that features RBs Derrick Henry and rookie Tyjae Spears. Henry has 98 carries for 425 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and three touchdowns through six games. He also has 11 receptions for 117 yards.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-1) at Washington Commanders (3-4): Philadelphia escaped the first meeting between these teams with a 34-31 overtime win and the Eagles made a big addition this week before a second spin with the Commanders this month. Hard hit by injuries at safety, the Eagles acquired two-time All-Pro Kevin Byard from the Titans to shore up the secondary. Now Philadelphia’s defensive line can focus on heating up the pocket around QB Sam Howell. He has been sacked 40 times through seven games, a record-setting pace that includes five takedowns by the Eagles in the Oct. 1 matchup. A.J. Brown caught nine passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Eagles in that meeting, part of his active streak of five consecutive games with 125-plus receiving yards. Howell was sacked six times in last Sunday’s 14-7 road loss to the New York Giants.

Cleveland Browns (4-2) at Seattle Seahawks (4-2): Seattle has held opponents to 30 total points in three games this month and the Seahawks have four wins in their past five games. The Browns, winners of three of their last four games, shift back to No. 2 QB PJ Walker with Deshaun Watson (shoulder) focused on rehabbing from his lingering injury. Walker hasn’t thrown a TD pass with the Browns and has four interceptions with a completion percentage of 50 and QB rating of 48.2, a signal the Seahawks are likely to see a lot of RB Kareem Hunt. Jerome Ford (foot) could play, but isn’t 100 percent. Slow starts have been a bugaboo for the Browns, who average less than three points in the first quarter this season. DE Myles Garrett (7.5 sacks) leads a Cleveland defense with multiple dominant outings, but the Browns allowed 38 points at Indianapolis last week. Walker came off the bench and led the Browns to a 39-38 comeback victory against the Colts and steered Cleveland past San Francisco, 19-17, the week prior.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-1) at Denver Broncos (2-5): Kansas City’s dominance of its AFC West rival can be summarized in a pair of active winning streaks: The Chiefs (6-1) haven’t lost in Denver since 2014, and they hold a 16-game winning streak over the Broncos (2-5) that dates to the Peyton Manning era. The Broncos last beat the Chiefs on Sept. 17, 2015 — a 31-24 win in Kansas City. Denver lost 19-8 at Kansas City two weeks ago. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is 12-0 all-time in the matchup with a 96.4 passer rating — part of a larger dominance of the entire division. Mahomes last lost a game in the division in Week 3 of the 2021 season (against the Los Angeles Chargers). Mahomes called playing any opponent twice in less than three weeks a “unique challenge,” but it’s the Chiefs who force a more dynamic level of preparation from opponents. Mahomes is more than capable of winning a shootout, but this season he has rarely been asked to outscore teams thanks to a stellar defense. Kansas City ranks second in the NFL in both total offense and scoring defense. Denver has two big dates coming up: the NFL trade deadline is Tuesday (Oct. 31), which falls in the middle of the Broncos’ bye week.

[Read more…] about NFL Previews: Week 8

NFL: Week 8 Picks

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EAST RUTHERFORD – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Nearly to the midseason mark in the regular season, we’re gearing up to maintain momentum after last week’s Eagles and Falcons betting victories.

This time, it’s the Battle for New Jersey between a pair of “New York” teams, the Jets and Giants.

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This is also an “eye test” game, with several factors to compare as these squads’ respective seasons continue to circle the drain.

As a betting experience, this matchup provides plenty of intrigue because, by and large, you just can’t trust one of these options.

We have our pick and a couple of bonus options ready to roll.

(Odds per BetMGM.com)

THE HEADLINER

Jets at Giants, 1 p.m. ET Sunday

https://bettinghero.com/digital-sports-desk/The line: Jets -3, total 36.5.

The lead running backs, Breece Hall of the Jets and Saquon Barkley of the Giants, are ranked No. 12 and 11, respectively, in yards per game.

Barkley has had the advantage of facing the Buffalo Bills, Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals over his past three games, while Hall has shown flashes of elite talent. Metrics also credit Barkley with more than 40 percent more yards gained over expected.

Both defenses will aim to slow the ground game, and that’s where the pass rush comes in.

The Jets have one and the Giants suffer in pass protection. This isn’t good news for backup Tyrod Taylor, who is set to start in place of Daniel Jones again Sunday.

A quick nugget from Action Network:

“The Jets have played the toughest schedule of QBs in the entire NFL – Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott and Josh Allen. Despite this tough schedule, the Jets are 10th in success rate and 12th in EPA per play allowed.”

The Jets are dialed in after a week off – which followed their upset of the Philadelphia Eagles – and if they are able to stuff the run, their pass defense could have a big day.

With a top-five defensive secondary in terms of coverage stats, the Jets aren’t likely to allow much from a very average Giants receiving group.

The Jets’ eight interceptions have come off the Bills’ Josh Allen (three), Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (two) and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts (two).

The pick: Jets -3.

THEY SAID IT

“I say they have a really good front four. Call it more than a front four with the amount of times they rotate in there. Two good cover corners (Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed). … This is a challenging defense to get ready for, and it shows.”

– Giants coach Brian Daboll on Sunday’s opponent, the Jets

BONUS COMBO

Who doesn’t like a good story? Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent may be the exciting blend of good story and serviceable player.

Bears at Chargers, 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday

The line: Chargers -8.5.

You didn’t think you needed to watch the “Sunday Night Football” game? With undrafted Bagent starting at quarterback for the Chicago Bears, you almost have to tune in with the World Series on a travel day.

The Bears are looking to go back-to-back after Bagent’s impressive debut last week.

Bagent, a product of Division II Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va., started in place of Justin Fields (right thumb) and completed 21 of 29 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown in Chicago’s 30-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

With receiver DJ Moore clicking, the Bears offense could do some business against a leaky Chargers defense.

And the Chargers don’t look like a team capable of covering this wide margin. Should be fun – for a while anyway.

The pick: Bears +8.5.

PROP CORNER

The good fortune Kirk Cousins found in leading the Minnesota Vikings past the San Francisco 49ers can’t continue.

In this road contest against the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings figure to begin more conservatively as the Packers employ lessons from last Monday night’s game tape (Cousins throwing everywhere – successfully).

The number is too high for a team that relied on a stolen 60-yard TD pass last week and remains without Justin Jefferson.

Prop play: Vikings’ Cousins under 250.5 passing yards (BetMGM).

–Field Level Media

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The Bills Are Back

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ORCHARD PARK – (Staff and Wire Service) – Buffalo QB Josh Allen threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another as the Bills held off a late comeback attempt to pick up a 24-18 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL’s Thursday Night Football offering.

Buffalo (5-3) led by 14 when the Buccaneers took over on offense with 10:05 left in the game.

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QB Baker Mayfield led Tampa Bay (3-4) on a 17-play, 92-yard excursion, making it a six-point affair when he found Mike Evans for a 24-yard touchdown and connected with Cade Otton for the subsequent two-point conversion.

But the drive ate up 7:21 of clock, and the Bills were able to chew off an additional 2:23. That left the Buccaneers with just 21 seconds to put together a game-winning drive, and they were unable to do so.

Allen completed 31 of 40 passes for 324 yards and an interception. He also ran the ball seven times for 41 yards.

Gabe Davis had nine receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown for the Bills. Khalil Shakir added six catches for 92 yards.

Mayfield threw for 237 yards and two TDs on 25-for-42 passing for Tampa Bay, which has lost three straight.

Buccaneers running back Rachaad White totaled 109 yards (39 rushing, 70 receiving), while Chris Godwin had five catches for 54 yards and a score.

Tampa Bay erased a 10-point deficit in a span of 54 seconds in the second quarter. Chase McLaughlin drilled a 57-yard field goal and, two plays after William Gholston picked off Allen, Mayfield found Godwin for a 3-yard TD.

But Allen capped the Bills’ next drive with a 22-yard scoring strike to Dalton Kincaid to send Buffalo into the break up 17-10.

The Bills added on with 10:40 left in the third quarter, as Allen tossed a 4-yard TD to Davis.

On Buffalo’s first drive of the contest, Allen completed 6 of 7 passes for 64 yards to help the Bills work down to the Buccaneers 19. However, the hosts had to settle for Tyler Bass’ 37-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

Allen made it 10-0 when he used his legs to get to the end zone from 13 yards out with 11:03 left in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Patriots Re-Sign QB Cunningham

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots re-signed quarterback Malik Cunningham and returned him to their practice squad Thursday while also signing wide receiver Jalen Reagor from the practice squad onto the 53-man roster.

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Cunningham, who joined New England as an un-drafted free agent out of Louisville, was signed to a three-year deal before the Patriots’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders two weeks ago. But the team released him on Tuesday, and he cleared waivers.

Cunningham, 25, played six snaps against the Raiders, four at wide receiver and two at quarterback. He took one sack in the 21-17 loss. He was a healthy scratch for this past Sunday’s 29-25 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Reagor, 24, has appeared in the past two games for the Patriots, catching one pass for 11 yards against Buffalo.

Reagor was a first-round draft pick (No. 21 overall) in 2020 by the Philadelphia Eagles and spent two seasons as a starter for them. He appeared in all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 and has 73 career receptions for 810 yards and four touchdowns.

It’s “ON” for Buffalo

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BUFFALO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Buffalo Bills have lost two of the past three games, so Bills’ players and coaches are eager to right the ship tonight when the club faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Upstate New York.

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The Bills (4-3) are coming off a low point of the season, last Sunday’s 29-25 loss to the New England Patriots. They trailed most of the game, took a 25-22 lead in the final two minutes and fell behind again when TE Mike Gesicki was on the receiving end of a 1-yard touchdown pass with just 12 seconds left.

Tampa Bay (3-3) is also scuffling, dropping a 16-13 decision to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday for its third loss in the past four games.

QUICK PICK
Buffalo has fallen a game behind Miami in the AFC East and enters Week 8 seventh in the conference playoff picture. The Bills are 3-0 at Highmark Stadium this year, their lone “home” loss coming against Jacksonville in London.

The line has moved from the Bills -7.5 points to -9.5 at BetMGM, where their spread line has been backed by 64 percent of the money. That’s because the Bucs have scored a combined 19 points in losing their past two games.

Prediction: Bills 28, Buccaneers 17

PROP PICKS
Bills QB Josh Allen Over 1.5 Passing TDs (-145 at DraftKings): This has been the most popular player prop at the book for good reason. Buffalo is relying too heavily on Allen to be the all-everything on offense, which has contributed to seven interceptions through seven games. However, he also has 15 touchdown passes, with multiple TDs in four consecutive games.

Bills TE Dalton Kincaid Over 37.5 Receiving Yards (-125 at BetMGM): With Dawson Knox and Quintin Morris sidelined, Kincaid is going to garner the lion’s share of the tight end snaps, leading to the Over on this prop drawing 99 percent of the money. Kincaid is coming off a season-high eight catches for 75 yards last week. Of note, Knox failed to top 17 receiving yards in each of his past six games, so the tight end has seen sporadic use in Buffalo’s offense this season.

THE NEWS
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield believes the Buccaneers’ problems are self-inflicted, and it’s up to them to get back on track.

“Looking at the mistakes that we’ve made, it’s things that we can control,” Mayfield said. “For us, it’s control what we can, fix those things and see where this thing can go.”

Mayfield was in the same draft class as Buffalo’s Allen in 2018. Mayfield was taken first overall by the Cleveland Browns before the Bills scooped up Allen with the No. 7 pick.

“Josh is a great guy. Tremendous athlete, great guy. He’s fun to watch,” Mayfield said. “Hopefully not too much fun on Thursday, but yeah, it’s always good to see him.”

INJURY REPORT
Tampa Bay receiver Chris Godwin was limited during Tuesday’s practice due to a neck injury, while Buffalo’s Knox will undergo wrist surgery and is out indefinitely.

“I wish I could tell you,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said of when Knox will be good to return. “Too early right now. The decision was just made to go ahead and get (surgery) done.”

Mayfield (knee) was also limited, while defensive tackle Vita Vea (groin), safety Kaevon Merriweather (ankle) and guard Matt Feiler (knee) missed Tuesday’s session.

Buffalo is missing tight ends Kincaid and Morris, while defensive tackles Ed Oliver (toe) and Jordan Phillips (back) were limited in practice along with linebacker Von Miller (knee).

KEY STAT
The Bills have a total of just 10 first-half points over the past three weeks. McDermott is hoping that trend changes on Thursday.

“We all have to do a better job, myself included,” McDermott said. “It’s putting the players in position (to succeed), then when in position, the players have to make the plays.”

THEY SAID IT
“Over the course of the season, you’re gonna have ebbs and flows, you may have performance lulls. We don’t want that. We want to be as consistent as we possibly can be from one week to the next. …

“We also know that the belief that we have in what we’ve established philosophically, the players that are in that locker room and the coaches that are informing the players, we just believe in each other.” –Bills assistant head coach Eric Washington

–Field Level Media

Patriots Stun Bills, 29-25

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Belichick Notches Win No. 300

FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England head coach Bill Belichick earned the 300th regular-season victory of his head-coaching career thanks to some late-game heroics from Mac Jones that lifted the New England Patriots to a 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Massachusetts.

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After New England (2-5) squandered a 12-point, fourth-quarter lead, Jones found Mike Gesicki for a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left in the game.

Belichick joins Don Shula (328 wins) and George Halas (318) as the only coaches in NFL history to reach 300 wins in the regular season.

Reaching the milestone didn’t come easy, as Josh Allen headlined a ferocious rally for Buffalo (4-3).

Allen connected with Stefon Diggs for a 25-yard TD with 5:32 left in the game before sneaking into the end zone from the goal line with 1:58 to go, giving the Bills a 25-22 edge.

But Jones then put together the game-winning, 75-yard drive that allowed the Patriots to snap a three-game skid.

Jones completed 25 of 30 passes for 272 yards and two TDs. Allen threw for 265 yards, two scores and an interception on 27-for-41 passing.

Buffalo’s Dalton Kincaid led all receivers with eight receptions for 75 yards.

Allen orchestrated a 10-play, 81-yard drive to begin the second half, capping it with an 8-yard TD pass to James Cook to cut the Bills’ deficit to 13-10.

Chad Ryland pushed the Patriots’ advantage to 16-10 with a 49-yard field goal at the end of the ensuing drive.

Jones’ 4-yard scoring strike to Kendrick Bourne with 7:36 left in the fourth provided New England with its 12-point advantage. The two-point conversion run failed.

Ryland made a 24-yarder with 7:36 remaining in the first half to put New England up 13-3, and that lead held until the break. Tyler Bass had the chance to make it a one-score game, but his 42-yard attempt sliced wide right.

The Patriots drove to the Buffalo 12-yard line on the game’s opening drive, but they had to settle for Ryland’s 30-yard field goal.

Jabrill Peppers picked off Allen on the Bills’ first offensive snap, though, and New England cashed in seven plays later, as Ezekiel Elliott rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 10-0.

Bass made good on a 36-yard field goal to pull Buffalo within 10-3 just 11 seconds into the second quarter.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Sunday Round-Up

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FOXBORO – (Wire Service Report) – Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick earned the 300th regular-season victory of his head-coaching career thanks to some late-game heroics from Mac Jones that lifted New England to a 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Massachusetts.

After New England (2-5) squandered a 12-point, fourth-quarter lead, Jones found Mike Gesicki for a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left in the game. Belichick joins Don Shula (328 wins) and George Halas (318) as the only coaches in NFL history to reach 300 wins in the regular season.

Reaching the milestone didn’t come easy, as Josh Allen headlined a ferocious rally for Buffalo (4-3). Allen connected with Stefon Diggs for a 25-yard TD with 5:32 left in the game before sneaking into the end zone from the goal line with 1:58 to go, giving the Bills a 25-22 edge.

Jones completed 25 of 30 passes for 272 yards and two TDs. Allen threw for 265 yards, two scores and an interception on 27-for-41 passing.

Browns 39, Colts 38

Kareem Hunt’s 1-yard touchdown run with 15 seconds left lifted Cleveland to a wild win over host Indianapolis.

The Browns (4-2) went 80 yards in 12 plays on the winning drive, aided by a pair of critical penalties. The Colts (3-4) were flagged for illegal contact that negated a fumble recovery with 38 seconds left, then committed pass interference to give Cleveland first-and-goal at the 1.

After P.J. Walker tossed three straight incomplete passes, Hunt broke the goal line’s plane on a run up the middle. Walker came on in relief of Deshaun Watson, who departed late in the first quarter. Watson was evaluated for a concussion during the first half, but the Browns said he cleared the protocol. After the game, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski named Watson the starter for next Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Falcons 16, Buccaneers 13

Younghoe Koo nailed a 51-yard field goal as time expired as Atlanta downed host Tampa Bay.

Despite losing three fumbles, Desmond Ridder threw for 250 yards on 19-of-25 passing for Atlanta. His 39-yard pass to Kyle Pitts helped set up Koo’s game-winning kick. With Bijan Robinson slowed due to an illness, Tyler Allgeier led the Falcons (4-3) in carries (21) and rushing yards (59) and added 53 yards receiving.

Baker Mayfield passed for 275 yards and a touchdown and added 32 rushing yards for the Buccaneers (3-3). His 31-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter helped set up Chase McLaughlin’s game-tying, 36-yard field goal with 49 seconds to play.

Ravens 38, Lions 6

Lamar Jackson passed for 357 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score as host Baltimore manhandled Detroit.

Baltimore scored touchdowns on its first four possessions while racing to a 28-0 halftime advantage. The Ravens racked up 355 yards before the break, including 255 passing yards by Jackson. Mark Andrews caught a pair of touchdown passes for Baltimore (5-2). Gus Edwards rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and had an 80-yard reception.

Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown and caught nine passes for 58 yards for the Lions (5-2), who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Jared Goff passed for 284 yards and was intercepted once. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 13 passes for 102 yards.

Bears 30, Raiders 12

D’Onta Foreman rushed for two touchdowns and caught a TD pass from Tyson Bagent, who was making his first NFL start, to boost host Chicago to a win against Las Vegas.

The undrafted Bagent, from NCAA Division II Shepherd, got the best of a matchup featuring backup QBs as Chicago (2-5) secured its first victory at home since Week 3 of 2022. Bagent was 21 of 29 for 162 yards and a touchdown, and Foreman rushed 16 times for 89 yards while the Bears amassed 173 yards on the ground.

Brian Hoyer was 17 of 32 for 129 yards and two interceptions for the Raiders (3-4). Davante Adams, who earlier in the week said he wanted to be more involved in the offense after back-to-back quiet weeks, had seven catches on 12 targets for 57 yards.

Giants 14, Commanders 7

Tyrod Taylor tossed two touchdown passes and the defense held firm as New York earned a win over Washington in East Rutherford.

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In his second start for the injured Daniel Jones, Taylor went 18-for-29 passing for 279 yards. The Giants (2-5) scored on offense for the first time since Sept. 21, ending a three-game drought. Their defense racked up six sacks and Leonard Williams blocked a field goal. Darren Waller caught seven passes for 98 yards and a TD for New York, and Saquon Barkley rushed 21 times for 77 yards while adding three catches for 41 yards and a score.

Sam Howell went 22-for-42 passing for 249 yards and an interception for the Commanders (3-4), who punted 10 times and had eight three-and-outs.

Steelers 24, Rams 17

Kenny Pickett threw for 230 yards and ran for a touchdown as Pittsburgh overcame a sluggish first half to pull off a victory over Los Angeles in Inglewood, Calif.

Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris each rushed for fourth-quarter touchdowns as Pittsburgh (4-2) erased a seven-point deficit over the final 15 minutes. The Steelers won despite scoring just three first-half points and gaining 91 yards of total offense before halftime.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 231 yards and a touchdown, while rookie Puka Nacua had eight receptions for 154 yards. Nacua delivered his fourth game of at least eight receptions and his third of at least 140 yards. Royce Freeman rushed for 66 yards on 12 carries for Los Angeles (3-4).

Seahawks 20, Cardinals 10

Geno Smith threw touchdown passes to rookies Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jake Bobo in the first half and Seattle held on to defeat visiting Arizona.

Smith completed 18 of 24 passes for 219 yards with an interception and Kenneth Walker III rushed for 105 yards on 26 carries. The Seahawks (4-2) played without star receiver DK Metcalf because of a hip injury, but the rookies came through with four receptions apiece.

Arizona’s Joshua Dobbs was 19-of-33 passing for 146 yards. Emari Demercado rushed for 58 yards on 13 attempts and made a team-high four catches. The Cardinals (1-6) forced three turnovers — as many as Seattle had in its first five games of the season — but were only able to turn those into three points.

Broncos 19, Packers 17

Wil Lutz kicked four field goals, including the decisive 52-yarder with 3:50 remaining, to help host Denver record a victory over Green Bay.

P.J. Locke notched his first career interception with 1:40 remaining as Denver (2-5) snapped a two-game slide. Russell Wilson completed 20 of 29 passes for 194 yards and one touchdown, Courtland Sutton caught a TD pass and Javonte Williams had 96 yards from scrimmage (82 rushing, 14 receiving) for the Broncos.

Jordan Love was 21-of-31 passing for 180 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the Packers (2-4), who lost their third straight game. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed had scoring catches for Green Bay.

Chiefs 31, Chargers 17

Patrick Mahomes completed 32 of 42 passes for 424 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, and Kansas City held on to beat visiting Los Angeles.

Travis Kelce finished with 12 catches for 179 yards and caught the go-ahead touchdown for the Chiefs (6-1), who won their sixth straight game. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco also caught one touchdown pass apiece.

Justin Herbert completed 17 of 30 passes for 259 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Chargers (2-4). Joshua Kelley ran seven times for 75 yards and a touchdown. The teams combined for five touchdowns during a frenzied second quarter, but Kelce’s 1-yard TD with 15 seconds left put Kansas City up for good.

Eagles 31, Dolphins 17

Philly QB Jalen Hurts threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third on Sunday night as the Eagles pulled away from the visiting Miami Dolphins in the second half for a 31-17 win. Hurts, who was 23-of-31 passing for 279 yards and an interception, snapped a 17-17 tie with a 14-yard scoring strike to A.J. Brown with 15 seconds left in the third quarter. Brown, who ran through an attempted tackle around the 10-yard line, caught 10 passes for 137 yards.

–Field Level Media

Big Bill Signed for Big Bucks

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wore Service Report) – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick signed a multi-year contract extension during the offseason, NFL Network reported Sunday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed for Belichick, whose Patriots have lost three in a row to fall to 1-5 on the season. New England has missed the playoffs in two of the past three seasons, leading to questions being raised about his future with the team.

Belichick, 71, has won six Super Bowl titles since becoming the Patriots’ head coach in 2000. The Patriots have missed the playoffs just five times in his 23 seasons prior to this campaign.

Speculation on Belichick’s future had surfaced repeatedly when New England’s record fell to 1-5.

His 299 regular-season coaching victories — accumulated with the Cleveland Browns (36) and Patriots (263) — entering Sunday’s games are third-most all-time in NFL history behind Hall of Fame members Don Shula (328) and George Halas (318).

–Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | Oct 22nd

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Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass

 

By TERRY LYONS, Editor in Chief of Digital Sports Desk

FOXBORO – The Dog Day Afternoons of the NFL season are fast upon us. The anticipation of early September pro football and the heat of the Summer of 2023 are long gone. They’re in the rearview, optimism be damned, as 38% of the 2023 NFL regular season is in the books. In their place, reality has set in for the New England Patriots’ and the cruel dose of reality is accompanied by a 1-5 record, a last place position in the AFC East, a three-game losing streak and a (-80) score differential in the six games gone by.

In Week Seven, the Buffalo Bills travel to New England while the NFL schedule-makers provide the Patriots with a road trip to play the Miami Dolphins in Week Eight. New England’s one-and-five record of the morning of October 22 can easily be one-and-seven by the time All Saints Day rolls around and the only Saint you’ll need to know is St. Jude – the patron saint of lost causes as it’s ugly and it could get really ugly.

New England Coach Bill Belichick, waxing reminiscent like his famous, “On to Cincinnati” monotone retort of late September, 2014, had only a “We’re getting ready for Buffalo” message for the media and fans of the Patriots.

Belichick delivered his plan this week in much the same manner as he did when his 2-2 Patriots team of 2014 went on to Cincinnati and won seven straight and 10 of 11 games en route to a Super Bowl win over Seattle that February, his fourth of six Super Bowl titles in the 21st Century.

Except, this season, the “We’re getting ready for Buffalo” isn’t flying with the fans in Foxboro, nor Fitchburg, nor Fall River. It’s not flying in Falmouth (Mass. or Maine) and it’s not flying with fans or players anywhere near the six States encompassing New England. Rumors of Belichick’s future are flying in every direction – mostly South – and they include a report from Monday Morning QB’s Albert Breer that stated Patriots team owner Robert Kraft has been in discussion of what a “post Belichick” world would look like “for a while,” (as in weeks/months or years) he wrote.

The Dog Days will do that to coaches in the NFL, but never before to Belichick, certainly since he took over the Patriots in late January of 2000.

The Dog Days also wreak havoc on NFL players from coast-to-coast. Let us count the ways as we peruse NFL Injury Reports leading up to Sunday, Oct. 22nd.

The Buffalo Bills have been decimated by injuries decimating their defense, including defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (torn pectoral muscle), cornerback Tre’Davious White (Achilles’)-out for season, and defensive tackle Ed Oliverruled out of the game this weekend because of a toe injury. The Buffalo Bills are also missing RB Damien Harris – neck, on the injured reserve list, and leaving the rushing duties to RB James Cook.

ALSO OUT – are QB Jimmy Garoppolo – back injury (LV Raiders), QB DeShawn Watson – strained right rotor cuff (Cleveland Browns), QB Justin Fields – thumb injury (Chicago Bears).

Injured with game-time decisions to play or not to play are the SF 49ers duo of RB Christian McCaffrey – oblique and WR Deebo Samuels – shoulder. Listed as questionable is NY Giants QB Daniel Jones – neck; New England RB Rhamondre Stevenson – ankle remains questionable on a lengthy Patriots injury listing; GB Packers RB Aaron Jones – hamstring; and Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf – hip.

Meanwhile, injured RB David Montgomery -ribs (Detroit Lions); RB Kyren Williams – ankle, (LA Rams); TE Pat Freiermuth – hamstring (Pittsburgh Steelers) are doubtful.

Let’s not overlook the big-name injuries earlier this season, including NY Jets QB Aaron Rodgers (Achilles’ – out for season), Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (severe knee – out for season), NY Giants RB Saquon Barkley (knee – questionable after missing a month), LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp – (returned last week after missing six weeks with hamstring injury), and Cincy Bengals QB Joe Burrow (calf) has been nursing his injury all season and just getting into form in mid-October.

What does it all mean?

Injuries are a huge part of the NFL season and each club has the “next man up” mentality to replace its fallen soldiers. Often, the opportunity supplied to a reserve or practice player is enough motivation to fill the hole admirably, but more frequently on offense rather than defense. The injuries to the defensive unit of the Buffalo Bills might’ve side-tracked a Super Bowl season. In the Bills’ AFC, Kansas City remains the favorite while the Miami Dolphins continue to impress. In the NFC, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Detroit all stand at 5-1 and will all will fight-it-out for the right to represent their conference come February. May the healthiest team advance.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: The World Golf Hall of Fame recently announced that NBA All-Star and champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors will receive The Charlie Sifford Award presented by Southern Company, which honors recipients for their spirit in advancing diversity in golf. Curry receive the award on June 10, 2024, at the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by CME Group held during the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst – not far from Curry’s alma mater – Davidson College in North Carolina. The Charlie Sifford Award was created in 2021 to honor an individual who personifies Sifford’s groundbreaking achievements through perseverance, confidence, respect, and adaptability.

MOST MARKETABLE ATHLETES: SportsPro, a sports marketing e-News and event company with a decidedly European tone, named its 50 most marketable athletes of 2023. Not surprisingly, Lionel Messi – the great Argentine striker who “wowed” the MLS crowds backing the Inter Miami CF club this year.

Here’s the Top 20:

  1. Lionel Messi, soccer, MLS Miami
  2. Lebron James, NBA, LA Lakers
  3. Alex Morgan, USWNT
  4. Giannis Antetokounpo, NBA, Milwaukee Bucks
  5. Megan Rapinoe, USWNT (recently retired)
  6. Mikaela Shiffren, USA Alpine Ski Team
  7. Lewis Hamilton, F-1 motorsports, British/Mercedes
  8. Simone Biles, USA Gymnastics
  9. Kylian Mbappe, soccer, PSG France
  10. Max Verstrappen, F-1, Belgium/Dutch, Red Bull
  11. Novak Djokovic, tennis, Serbia
  12. Coco Gauff, tennis, USA
  13. Stephen Curry, NBA, Golden State Warriors
  14. Naomi Osaka, tennis, Japan
  15. Lucy Bronze, soccer, Britain, FC Barcelona
  16. Robert Lewandowski, soccer, Poland, FC Barcelona
  17. Leah Williamson, soccer, Britain, Arsenal
  18. Aryna Sabalenka, tennis Belarussia
  19. Angel Reese, USA, college basketball, LSU
  20. Alphonso Davies, soccer, Ghana/Canada, Bayern Munich

Some Notes Worth Considering: Eight of the Top 20 were soccer players, marketable worldwide but limited in a great degree in the USA; Three of the Top 13 were NBA players; Angel Reese is the lone American basketball player; A total of “Zero” NFL, MLB, NHL nor PGA Tour players are in Top 20 and you had to dig to No. 29 for golfer Rory McIlroy and to No. 35 to come up with KC Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (and, no, he was not pictured with pop star Taylor Swift) and the Top 50 revealed no MLB nor NHL players.

SILVER SCREEN: Two motion pictures featuring endurance sports will entertain us from now through the Christmas holidays. Starring Annette Bening and Jodi Foster, NYAD dives into the story of Diana Nyad and her triumphs, friendships, and her will to dig deep into the human spirit. The movie is available via Netflix. … With a promotional lift in Boston via The Head of the Charles Regatta, another spectacular endurance story, entitled, “The Boys in the Boat” is an inspirational drama based on The New York Times’ No. 1 best selling non-fiction novel written by Daniel James Brown in 2013. The film, directed by George Clooney, is about the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the ‘36 Summer Olympics in Berlin. The movie reflects the true story of a group of underdogs at the height of the Great Depression as they are thrust into the spotlight and take on elite rivals from around the world as Nazi Germany surfaces beneath the Olympic flame. The movie rights were once owned by the Weinstein Group, but with Harvey Weinstein serving a life sentence behind bars, the rights were eventually acquired by Lantern Entertainment of Dallas who chose Clooney to direct. You heard it here first, watch NYAD on Netflix and find time to head to a movie theatre near you to see “The Boys in the Boat.” … Get the “Inside Look.”

Then, maybe, head out to Las Vegas and catch U2 performing at The Sphere where Van den Berg is filling-in for Larry Mullen, Jr. while the longtime U2 drummer, 61, recovers from undisclosed surgery with plans to return to the band. The price of a floor ticket for U2 is averaging $956.

TIDBITS: Former Celtics champion and basketball HOFer Kevin Garnett’s Big Ticket Sports is planning a joint-venture with Pro League Network to create str33t, a new 3×3 pro streetball-style basketball league. Str33t’s first series is expected to launch in early 2024, ahead of the Paris Games, which marks the second Olympics 3×3 basketball will be contested as an Olympic sport. … The league and USA Basketball’s efforts toward the Paris Olympics are not connected.

BREAKING GOOD? – Breaking is the only sport making its debut at Paris 2024. At the Paris 2024 Games, the breaking competition will comprise two events – one for men and one for women – where 16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls will go face to face in solo battles. Athletes will use a combination of moves and improvise to the beat of the DJ’s tracks. Breaking made its Youth Olympic debut at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in 2018. … Sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding were also selected by the IOC as demonstration sports for the 2024 Olympic Games.

PITINO EXHIBITION “W”in DOUBLE OT: St. John’s defeated Rutgers, 89-78, in double-overtime of the charity exhibition game, the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation. … St. John’s Nahiem Alleyne buried a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer to force double-overtime. He led all scorers with 19 points on Saturday at Carnesecca Arena. It was new coach Rick Pitino’s first game as St John’s head coach, but the “W” won’t count in the record books.

Lawrence Leads Jags Over Saints

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NEW ORLEANS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Ailing Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence threw a tie-breaking 44-yard touchdown pass to WR Christian Kirk late in the fourth quarter and the visiting Jaguars made a goal-line stand to win their fourth consecutive game, defeating the New Orleans Saints 31-24 Thursday night.

Embed from Getty Images

 

Lawrence, whose status was uncertain until pregame warmups because of a nagging knee injury, completed 20 of 29 passes for 204 yards and the one score. He found Kirk on a crossing route that enabled the Jaguars (5-2) to overcome a fourth-quarter comeback by the Saints (3-4).

Saints QB Derek Carr, who completed 33 of 55 for 301 yards, drove New Orleans to a first-and-goal at the 6 in the final minute, but threw four straight incompletions. Saints tight end Foster Moreau was wide open in the end zone when he dropped a third-down pass with 25 seconds left.

Down by 11 at halftime, the Saints drove to Blake Grupe’s 42-yard field goal on the first possession of the third quarter to get within 17-9.

Foyesade Oluokun made the Jaguars’ NFL-leading 16th takeaway when he intercepted Carr and returned 24 yards for a touchdown that pushed the lead to 24-9.

On the second play of the fourth quarter, Taysom Hill ran 1 yard on fourth down for a touchdown that reduced the lead to 24-16.

Jacksonville’s RB Travis Etienne Jr., who rushed for two touchdowns, was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the New Orleans 47 midway through the fourth. Three plays later, Carr threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas and connected with Alvin Kamara for a two-point conversion that tied the score with 6:38 remaining.

The Jaguars received the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards, scoring on Etienne’s 2-yard touchdown run.

The Saints moved into scoring range on the ensuing possession, but Grupe was wide right on a 51-yard field-goal attempt.

New Orleans recovered a fumbled punt at the Jacksonville 17 but could drive only 12 yards. Grupe kicked a 23-yard field goal to trim the lead to 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.

On the fourth play of the second quarter, Etienne ran 17 yards for a touchdown and a 14-3 lead.

Grupe added a 35-yard field goal and Brandon McManus answered with a 43-yard field goal, leaving the Jaguars with a 17-6 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media