| NFC NORTH |
| GREEN BAYThe Packers are taking flight as QB JORDAN LOVE dials in his deep balls. Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com: Jordan Love’s down-the-field throws used to have a “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” feel to them. This one had too much air under it. The next one didn’t have enough. Lately, however, they’ve been just right for the Green Bay Packers quarterback. The midseason return of Christian Watson from last season’s ACL surgery certainly has helped, but the speedster hasn’t been the only player on the receiving end of Love’s deep throws. Since Week 8, when Watson made his season debut, Love has completed 13 passes that traveled 20 or more yards in the air. Seven different players have caught them. Watson has the most (five), followed by Romeo Doubs (two), Dontayvion Wicks (two) and one each by Matthew Golden, Bo Melton, Luke Musgrave and Savion Williams. Four of those — two by Watson, one by Melton and one by Wicks — have gone for touchdowns. In Weeks 1-7, Love did not have a single touchdown pass on a ball thrown at least 20 yards downfield, according to ESPN Research. He has thrown two interceptions on such throws since Week 8 after not having one in the first seven weeks. These aren’t just chuck-and-duck throws on go routes but rather a concentrated effort to stretch the field. “Not all of them are going to be perfect, there were a couple that were left short, but he also made a couple of really nice throws,” coach Matt LaFleur said this week. “I would say that’s an area that from the time he got here to where he is now, that … has been significantly improved over time.” |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASQB DAK PRESCOTT won’t change his mindset any when he roots against the Eagles. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott doesn’t need any extra reason to root against the Eagles. At 6-6-1, the Cowboys could still wind up as the NFC East champions this season, but winning their remaining games won’t take care of that on its own. The Eagles are 8-5 despite their current three-game losing streak, so they’ll need to continue dropping games if the Cowboys are going to leapfrog them before the end of Week 18. Prescott said that the team’s current situation isn’t giving him any extra motivation when it comes to pulling for Philly’s opponents. “I just got to go win every game,” Prescott said, via Jon Machota of TheAthletic.com. “That’s all I can control. I’m gonna root against them regardless, whether we were in this position or not.” The Cowboys face the 5-8 Vikings on Sunday night and the Eagles will host the Raiders earlier in the day. The Eagles will then face the Commanders twice in the final three weeks, so the help the Cowboys need may not be coming. We think the Commanders will play the Eagles tough and a split is not out of the question. |
| PHILADELPHIALess than a year after he performed splendidly in the postseason and Super Bowl, the Philly Faithful have turned their wrath on QB JALEN HURTS. Charles Robinson of YahooSports.com says he is not going anywhere: In late October, when the Philadelphia Eagles were hosting a private meeting with a local program for at-risk youth, general manager Howie Roseman took time to sit down and speak to the gathering. The organization in attendance was Youth Mentoring Partnership, which aims to connect young members of the Pennsylvania community with local mentors who can provide guidance on a wide spectrum of life frontiers, from scholastic and physical fitness to mental health, career tutelage and social engagement. One of the group’s “pillars” is to create goals. That’s part of what Roseman chose to focus on while speaking to attendees. “Setting goals gives you a clear picture of where you want to go,” Roseman told the group. “You may not get there in a straight line — everyone makes mistakes — but what matters is how you grow and the lessons you carry forward.” It’s a message Roseman has shared many times and in many ways while leading the Eagles. That wisdom has been earned in all manner of decisions — from making or refusing to make a coaching change, bringing in challenging players or letting go of key pieces of the team, winning and losing Super Bowls and, perhaps most importantly, surviving the journey through the highs and lows that weave from one decision to the next. Through it all, Roseman often takes a line that is rarely straight. This is what I think about when it comes to this week’s furor surrounding quarterback Jalen Hurts, which feels like it has reached a crescendo of knee-jerk reactions over the past month, from being vehemently booed by Eagles fans at Lincoln Financial Field, to sports talk radio fodder about benching Hurts for backup Tanner McKee, to national talk show conversations about whether Hurts could even be traded by the franchise this offseason. Even for a Philadelphia fan base that runs notoriously hot and cold — not to mention a media contingent that can quickly trade pens and pencils for axes and knives — this has gotten off the rails. Before we get into that end of it, consider that Roseman has been with the Eagles for 26 years. He saw the abyss of quarterbacks that occurred between the height of Donovan McNabb and the positioning of Hurts as the team’s long-term franchise QB. There was a void that included all manner of attempts at finding a Super Bowl-winning star at the position — from trades, to signings, to engineering an aggressive draft maneuver to land Carson Wentz. Finding a legitimate winning quarterback who can either lead a team or follow it to success consistently is a cruel and anxiety-ridden process. When a resolution that proves it’s an answer and not just a stopgap, you stick with it through thick and thin. That’s what Hurts represents to Roseman. He proved it when he lost in the Super Bowl following the 2022 season and then clawed his way back alongside Roseman’s 2024 creation and captured both the Lombardi and the game’s MVP honors. With all of that in mind, I don’t see Roseman risking going back into a quarterback abyss just because there are problems right now with both Hurts and the Eagles’ offense. If anything, it’s more likely Roseman would work another extension with Hurts that could create some more salary cap space rather than trading him and throwing a grenade into his current cap table. Here’s where things are at on the field: Yes, Philadelphia’s offense is struggling and Hurts is coming off a turnover-laden loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the team’s third defeat in a row. And yes, there’s some late-season slippage here that understandably creates white-knuckling in the fan base, with reminders of the catastrophic end to a disappointing 2023 season. But everything that is happening now isn’t simply a function of Hurts’ limitations as a passer. And this isn’t 2023, because the Eagles’ defense and special teams are playing at a level that could win a Super Bowl if each was properly complemented with an offense. Let’s tick down the list on offense, shall we? First, the line, which has been the bone marrow of everything that has made the Eagles great since Hurts was paired with head coach Nick Sirianni, isn’t right. From right tackle Lane Johnson to right guard Landon Dickerson and center Cam Jurgens, the offensive line’s performance has been undercut by nagging injuries all season. That includes key backup offensive tackle Myles Hinton, who has been on injured reserve since August and is only now nearing return. The reality of the line being hobbled for much of the season has exasperated issues with running back Saquon Barkley, who came into this season already carrying over a massive spate of usage last season, which topped out at 482 touches in the regular season and playoffs. Be it the line’s performance or sheer fatigue — and it could be both — Barkley’s decline in efficiency and explosives has had an impact on Hurts, too, both in terms of how the scheme has been called and how defenses have approached the Eagles. And inside of all of that, you have offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who is in his first season of calling plays. That’s a lot of moving parts. And they’re all moving around the quarterback, who is now being pointed at as the crux of the problems. Mind you, none of this is meant to absolve Hurts’ hand in this. He bares his own percentage of responsibility, from his limitations when it comes to throwing in the middle of the field or anticipating open windows before they develop, to his sometimes-curious rhythms with No. 1 wideout A.J. Brown. But even Brown — who has showcased frustration with the offense multiple times this season — gave Hurts some grace coming out of the loss against the Chargers, a game that saw the quarterback turn the ball over five times, including a forced throw into traffic in overtime that ended the game with an interception. “I think all of us have a hand in that pocket,” Brown said of Hurts’ turnover spike. “We are trying to get better. Obviously as the quarterback, he’s going to get a lot of stuff for it. But we in this thing together. Like today, that [interception] across the middle, I’m more than capable of making that catch. You can’t put that on him. He was under pressure and it ain’t gonna be perfect.” That theme hasn’t played well in Philadelphia this week, but Brown is right. And you can take it a little further too: Hurts is 27 years old and this weekend’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders will be his 100th, including 88 previous starts split between the regular season and playoffs. He is what he is at this point, and his limitations are what they are. Unless the Eagles suddenly have the inclination to turn the clock back to 2022 and make him more of a consistent dual threat quarterback again, the skill set has been cemented. Of course, the Eagles have long recognized that Hurts running the football is both a dangerous and depreciating asset, which is why they paid Barkley to come in be the spine of the rushing attack. This doesn’t mean the offense can’t improve, of course. Greg Cosell, one of the best game film analysts orbiting the NFL for the 40+ years, said this week on his “Inside the Tape” podcast that what he saw from Hurts against the Chargers was actually encouraging for the Eagles. “[They had] four strong concepts, they had flood concepts — they had concepts,” Cosell said. “They had concepts that present defined reads and throws for the quarterback. It was the best game of the season in terms of what they did in the pass game from a concepts standpoint.” If Cosell is right — and I don’t know him to be wrong when it comes to what he’s seeing on tape and measuring against the rest of the league — it signals there are some signs of expansion ahead. Signs that as the game is called, Hurts may be doing more rather than less. Unfortunately that happened in the teeth of a rough loss that triggered the fan base and brought out Hurts’ critics in droves. Go back to Roseman’s words and focus it in that light. Mistakes will be made. How you grow from them is what matters. The line to success isn’t always straight. That’s the kind of message that has typified Hurts’ entire football career. And when this season draws to a close, it’s likely 2025 won’t be any different. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| ATLANTALet’s count the things the Falcons overcame to win at Tampa Bay on Thursday night – the first was penalties. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: The Falcons beat the Buccaneers on Thursday night despite a stunning display of penalties, the likes of which the NFL had not seen in years. Atlanta committed 19 accepted penalties for a total of 125 yards on Thursday night. That’s the most accepted penalties in an NFL game in nine years. The last time a team committed more penalties than that was October 30, 2016, when the Raiders committed 23 accepted penalties. That game was also against the Buccaneers, and the Buccaneers also managed to find a way to lose that one, 30-24 in overtime, despite all their opponents’ miscues. On Thursday night the Bucs committed just four accepted penalties, for 25 yards. But they lost 29-28 despite the huge advantage in penalty margin. Morris was proud that his team, which has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, fought hard to win, despite the penalties. “We’ll clean up the penalties and do what we have to do, whatever that is,” Morris said. Morris was seen screaming at a TV camera at the end of the game, and he said afterward that he was yelling about the penalties. He knows they were a problem for his team on Thursday night, but he also knows his team overcame a lot to get a big win. Then, there was an amazing fumble recovery, – Smith again: The Falcons trailed 28-20 with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when receiver Darnell Mooney fumbled. Six Buccaneers players surrounded the ball, and it looked like the Bucs were about to recover and that the Falcons’ best chance of a comeback had just been fumbled away. Instead, Falcons center Ryan Neuzil, who was far behind the play at the time the ball came out, sprinted downfield, jumped into the pile and ended up with possession, a crucial fumble recovery that kept the Falcons’ drive alive, leading to a touchdown and ultimately a 29-28 win. It was an extraordinary play from Neuzil, whose teammates and coaches said afterward that they couldn’t believe what he did. “I jogged off the field, I said there’s no way we recovered that ball. I just jogged off. Someone said, ‘No, we might have it.’ I said, ‘How?’” Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said after the game. “Our offensive line coach [Dwayne Ledford] preaches covering. So when the ball is thrown and the rush stops, you are to run forward. You don’t know where or why but you are to run forward. They coach it. They do it so much that when we’re in walk-through, just walking through plays, after every play they walk forward to train the muscle memory. Neuzil covered tonight. If you watch the tape, they do it a lot, more than most guys I’ve played with. When you cover like that, it saved the game. I’m so happy for Neuz making that play. It’s classic o-lineman to just do their job, not make it about them, and be in the right spot and make the play because they’re doing what they’re coached to do.” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Neuzil made exactly the kind of play he told his players before the game he needed them to make to find a way to win. “Effort. Effort,” Morris said. “We talk about covering for our offensive line, you run down the field and do the things that’s required. To watch him do those things, finish and get the ball back for his football team. We talked before the game about playing for each other, and that is the absolute definition of playing for each other when you run down the field and you recover a fumble like that and you get the ball back and continue to give us a chance.” Offensive linemen don’t get enough credit for their big plays. Neuzil deserves the praise he’s receiving for a huge play on Thursday night. Then with 4th-and-14 and 45 seconds left, QB KIRK COUSINS converted with a pass to WR DAVID SILLS V – who had earlier dropped a sure touchdown. Sills V, who was into his prominent role with WR DRAKE LONDON out, had career-best numbers of 6 catches and 78 yards. The Sporting News on Sills: With the thinning out of the Atlanta Falcons’ WR depth chart due to Drake London’s injury, David Sills V has gotten a lot of action. And for college football fans of a certain age, his name is very familiar. That’s because Sills is the guy, once upon a time, who was offered a quarterback scholarship by USC’s Lane Kiffin when he was in just seventh grade. Sills committed in seventh grade, too. Given all the time that had to pass between then and college, it’s no surprise Sills didn’t stick with USC all the way through. In 2014, four years after he committed, he decommitted and ended up choosing West Virginia. He arrived in Morgantown still a QB, but it didn’t take long for Sills to decide to play wide receiver instead. He had a brief stint at El Camino College before returning to WVU. He led the country in touchdown catches in 2017, then led the Big 12 in TDs in 2018. Sills went undrafted in 2019. He spent time with the Buffalo Bills, then the New York Giants and Denver Broncos before joining the Falcons this season. Sills caught a touchdown in both Week 12 and Week 13, his first two NFL TDs. |
| TAMPA BAYKevin Patra of NFL.com on the aftermath of Thursday night’s collapse: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were livid to the expletive degree following Thursday night’s 29-28 collapse to the Atlanta Falcons that saw them drop a 14-point fourth-quarter lead and relinquish the lead in the NFC South. A generally even-tempered coach Todd Bowles dropped several F-bombs when describing his team’s play following the loss. “It’s inexcusable. You don’t make excuses,” he said via the team’s official transcript. “You got to (expletive) care enough where the (expletive) hurts. You got to (expletive) care enough where the (expletive) hurts. It got to (expletive) mean something to you. It’s more than a job, it’s your (expletive) livelihood. How well do you know your job? How well can you do your job? You can’t sugarcoat that (expletive).” Bowles wasn’t done ripping his team’s play down the stretch, putting the onus on the players to hold themselves accountable. “It was (expletive) inexcusable,” he continued. “There’s no (expletive) answer for it. No excuse for it. That’s what you tell ’em in the locker room. Look in the (expletive) mirror.” Bowles’ rant reads like a man who knows his job is on the line with three weeks left. The Bucs entered Thursday night’s game with the inside track on the NFC South, facing a Falcons squad that was eliminated from contention. Tampa turned a one-point halftime deficit into a 28-14 fourth-quarter lead; however, they let it slip away. All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, like his coach, was steaming after the loss. Wirfs called the loss “(expletive) insane” and “embarrassing,” per NFL Network’s Sara Walsh. “I hope everyone sits and lets this (expletive) stew,” he added. The collapse was a total team effort. The defense couldn’t get a stop late, allowing Kirk Cousins to dice them up for 373 yards and three touchdowns. The injuries in the secondary certainly hurt, but the Bucs’ inability to generate pressure without blitzing is an Achilles’ heel that reared its head. Cousins ripped apart Bowles’ blitzes, going 10 of 17 for 122 yards and a TD with just one sack, per Next Gen Stats. The offense finally looked back on track with the return of Mike Evans (6/132) and Jalen McMillan (2/38) to the lineup. Baker Mayfield’s 277 yards passing marked the first time he’s gone over the 275-yard passing mark in a game since Week 5. However, the Mayfield’s fourth-quarter interception gave a Falcons team that couldn’t get out of its own way, life. The turnover led to a score that cut the Bucs’ lead to two after a missed 2-point try. Then, with a chance to ice the tilt, Mayfield threw behind rookie Emeka Egbuka. The Bucs punted at the two-minute warning, setting up Atlanta’s game-winning drive. Mayfield shouldered the blame for the loss, defending the defense that allowed ATL to put up 476 yards. “It falls on my shoulders,” Mayfield said. “Can’t turn the ball over, can’t have that interception. And then just got to hit Mek in stride on that third down. Listen, you can say what you want about being up two scores and the defense right there, but we have to be better on offense, and it comes down to how I play. This one’s going to haunt me. This falls on my shoulders.” The positive for Tampa is that they can still make Thursday’s loss moot. Facing the division-leading Carolina Panthers twice in the final two weeks, including a pivotal Week 16 match, gives the Bucs a chance to overcome their errors and return to the playoffs. “We’ve got to get up and go to work tomorrow, no matter how bad today looks,” said Bowles. “You’ve got to put it behind you, and we’ve got to win the last three games. We know that.” The Buccaneers (7-7) have lost five of their past six games after a 6-2 start. Bowles’ team is .500 or worse following Week 15 for the third time in the last four seasons. Each of the past two times, the Buccaneers went on to win the NFC South. To do so again, the Bucs need only beat the Panthers twice. |
| AFC WEST |
| LAS VEGASAfter a decent relief performance, it looks like QB KENNY PICKETT gets to play his hometown Eagles, who are also one of his former teams. Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com: For a second straight day Thursday, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith did not practice due to right shoulder and back injuries, and sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Kenny Pickett is expected to start Sunday against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Raiders coach Pete Carroll said Pickett has been receiving first-team reps with the idea that he will take Smith’s place. Aidan O’Connell, who has been the team’s emergency third quarterback, would serve as the backup in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, Carroll didn’t specify whether Smith’s injury would be long term, instead calling the 35-year-old quarterback “day to day.” Despite Smith’s inconsistent on-field production, Carroll added that health will be the main factor in deciding if he remains the starter. “As a competitor, [Smith] wants to get back out there as soon as he possibly can. And he will,” Carroll said. Smith injured his shoulder and suffered a cut on his right hand during the third quarter of the Raiders’ 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos last weekend. The shoulder injury forced him to go into the locker room at the end of the quarter, with Pickett playing the entire fourth. Pickett completed 8 of 11 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders acquired Pickett from the Cleveland Browns in August after O’Connell was placed on injured reserve because of a right wrist injury. Pickett was drafted in the first round by the Steelers in 2022 and spent his first two seasons in Pittsburgh before he was traded to the Eagles in March 2024. He is 15-10 as a starter. This will be his second start in the past two seasons. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown to lead the Eagles past the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 last season. |
| AFC NORTH |
| BALTIMOREThe Ravens have retained the services of DT TRAVIS JONES. Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com: – The Baltimore Ravens reached a three-year extension with Travis Jones on Thursday, avoiding a grievance on whether the starting nose tackle would become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The extension for Jones is worth $40.5 million and keeps him under contract through the 2028 season, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal with Jones got completed before Thursday’s hearing where the NFL Players Association had filed a grievance over Jones’ contract status. Jones, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, was not scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent because of failing to report to training camp by the mandatory date which stopped him from accruing a full season, a source said. If Jones’ grievance had occurred and failed, he would have been a restricted free agent in 2026. “The sides found a solution that was suitable despite the challenging circumstances,” a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Asked if there was motivation to get a deal completed before the hearing, Jones said, “We just wanted to get the deal done. We got it at the right number. I’m happy we got it out of the way.” Jones, 26, has enjoyed a breakout season, making an impact against the run as well as the pass. His six tackles for loss are tied for the team lead. His 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits already tie a career high. The Ravens needed Jones to take on a bigger role after losing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike to a season-ending neck injury in Week 2. Jones has played in a career-high 67% of Baltimore’s defensive snaps this season. A third-round pick in 2022, Jones has totaled 136 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five sacks in his four-year career. “‘Big Trav’ is an ascending player and having him continue to man the middle of our defense is very exciting,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “I think Travis Jones is one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the NFL for what he does and the amount of snaps he plays,” Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “He’s earned it. He works his butt off. On his off days, he’s in the weight room. It’s real neat to see guys get rewarded for the work they put in over time.” This is the latest extension for the Ravens this month. Baltimore signed tight end Mark Andrews to a three-year, $39.3 million extension on Dec. 3. |
| PITTSBURGHLung discomfort has sent EDGE T.J. WATT to the hospital. Brayan DeArdo of CBSSports.com: T.J. Watt was taken to a Pittsburgh area hospital for further evaluation of his lung after experiencing discomfort at the Steelers practice facility on Wednesday, the team announced. Watt did not practice on Thursday and his status for Pittsburgh’s upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins is in question. “I’m a little bit cautious about what I say, because I am not a medical expert,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Thursday. “But to make a long story short, he was experiencing some discomfort when he was at the facility [Wednesday}. So, we took him to the docs and they’re going through some procedures. He stayed overnight in the hospital. “He has a lung situation that’s being addressed. I think he has some testing and so forth ahead of him this afternoon, and that’s all I know at this juncture. He and I communicated last night, he was comfortable, and that’s all I have really at this point.” Tomlin said he learned of Watt’s situation when he was in the team’s cafeteria on Wednesday. While he doesn’t know when or what prompted Watt’s discomfort, Tomlin does not think that it is anything that would have led to him being on the team’s injury report. “Not to my knowledge at all, particularly in game or after the game, nothing,” he said. The 31-year-old Watt is in the middle of his ninth season with the Steelers, who selected him with the 30th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONJavier Loya, a minority owner of the Texans, has been suspended. Jasmyn Wimbish ofCBSSports.com: The NFL has announced an indefinite suspension and a $500,000 fine for Houston Texans minority owner Javier Loya for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, according to the Houston Chronicle. The punishment comes after a years-long investigation into rape and sexual abuse allegations from 2023 in Kentucky. Loya was charged with one count of first-degree rape, five counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of third-degree sexual abuse after an arrest warrant was issued on May 10, 2023. In the spring of 2024, Loya accepted a misdemeanor charge of “harassment with intent to annoy,” and the seven sexual assault charges against him were dropped. The allegations stem from two parties he hosted at his home in Louisville in 2022. “In March 2024, Texans minority owner Javier Loya entered an Alford plea in the commonwealth of Kentucky,” the NFL said in a statement. “With the full support and cooperation of the Texans, the league has subsequently conducted an investigation, following which the commissioner determined Mr. Loya’s actions violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Mr. Loya has been suspended indefinitely from the League and will be eligible to apply for reinstatement no earlier than June 2026. He also has been fined $500,000. Mr. Loya has no involvement with the club or league affairs since being charged in the spring of 2023.” The Texans also released their own statement on the matter. “The Texans cooperated with the NFL’s investigation and fully support the suspension of Javier Loya, one of our outside limited partners,” the Texans wrote in the statement. “This behavior has no place in our organization or our community. Since charges were first filed, Mr. Loya has been prohibited from participating in any club or league activities. That will continue indefinitely in accordance with the NFL’s decision.” This isn’t the first time Loya has been the subject of league investigation. In 2008, he was investigated by the NFL after accusations were made against him being involved in high-stakes gambling, which was not allowed during that time. Loya has been a Texans minority owner since 2002, the franchise’s first season. Loya is unhappy. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: The NFL has suspended Texans minority owner Javier Loya indefinitely, and for a minimum of six months, along with a $500,000 fine. Loya disagrees with the outcome. “I have cooperated fully with the league from the moment this matter arose,” Loya said in a statement from The Voice Society, a P.R. firm. “All charges against me were dismissed over a year ago, and I have remained transparent, respectful, and forthcoming throughout the process. “Although I voluntarily stood down from all team and league activities for more than two and a half years, I respectfully disagree with the NFL’s decision. I have always conducted myself with integrity, and I am grateful that the legal process ultimately resulted in the dismissal of all charges. “I will continue to cooperate to address any remaining questions directly with league leadership, and I look forward to seeking reinstatement and returning my full focus to supporting my family and the Houston community.” The most serious charges against Loya were indeed dismissed. He accepted a misdemeanor charge of “harassment with intent to annoy.” Loya may apply for reinstatement in June 2026.– – -Meanwhile, it is one week at a time for Coach DeMeco Ryans and the Texans. DJ Bien-Amie of ESPN.com: Coach DeMeco Ryans had a message for his team in the locker room after the Houston Texans had just defeated the reigning AFC-champion Kansas City Chiefs in prime time on Sunday: This is what we’re supposed to do. The moment punctuated a five-game win streak, and yes, players were happy to take down the team that ended their season in the divisional round of the playoffs in January, but the loudest sound in the visiting locker room at Arrowhead Stadium was simply music, signaling that it was just another game. And so, Houston (8-5) moved on with another win in the books, and Week 15 has become all about the Arizona Cardinals (3-10) as the Texans try to keep pace in the race for the playoffs. “You never play a doubleheader in football,” Ryans said. “It’s always one [game] at a time, and we work all week. We got six days to work that leads up to whenever that game is, and we put our all — coaches, players, staff — we put all of our effort into the upcoming opponent.” But that’s Ryans’ philosophy — one week at a time. It’s helped keep his team on track, and his hyper focus has even been noticed at home. “Sometimes my kids may ask, ‘Dad, who do we play next?'” Ryans said. “I’m like, ‘Oh, I don’t know. I really don’t know who we play next.’ You guys tell me who we play next because I can’t do anything about the next opponent until we handle the one that’s facing us right now.” Ryans’ ways have rubbed off on his team and the players view each week as an opportunity to get better. They also know that they play in NFL and that anybody can beat anybody. So they prepare for each game with that mentality. “Any given Sunday you can win or lose,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “These are the best football players in the world, top to bottom. Every team has dogs. Every team has great coaches. I think if you’re coming with a mindset of establishing who you want to be, because it’s never really about the other team, it’s all about what you guys have going on. If we can do that, week in and week out, we’ll be all right.” After an 0-3 start, Houston is on pace to become the fifth team since the NFL expanded its playoff format to 12 teams in 1990 to start 0-3 or worse and make the playoffs. It would also become the first since switching to the modern format of 14 teams in 2020. The Texans currently sit in the seventh and final spot in the AFC playoff race, but they also are one game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars who lead the AFC South. Even though the defense has been dominant throughout the season, the Texans’ offense has struggled, averaging 12.6 points per game (ranking last) during the winless start. However, since Week 4, Houston is averaging 24.5 points per game (14th), and its defense took its game to another level — as it ranks first in points allowed per game (15.7). For the season, the Texans allow the fewest points (16) and yards (266.3) per game, as well. When asked how the Texans are able to keep their focus, safety Jalen Pitre stated that they were “keeping the process the same every week.” “[We’re] watching the film the same type of way every week and going through it that way,” Pitre said — adding, “I think that keeps you grounded and focused going in, week in and week out.” Though the Texans are hosting a Cardinals team Sunday (1 p.m. ET, Fox) that has already been eliminated from postseason contention, they won’t overlook them. Just a few weeks ago, Houston barely squeezed by the Tennessee Titans (2-11) — relying on a game-winning field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn as time expired. That’s why Stroud said going into the game, “I think we’ve got to be on our A-game if we want to get this win.” “This is a great challenge for us,” Stroud said. “I think it’s a great defense, a great team. I think [Cardinals quarterback] Jacoby Brissett is playing really good ball. Michael Wilson, their offense — [Trey McBride], Marvin Harrison Jr. — I think offensively they’re playing some good ball as well.” The Cardinals provide another chance at preparation, another week to get better — as do their final three opponents as the season’s end is near. But if the Texans can keep trending upward, Ryans has already laid the groundwork for what he hopes can be a successful playoff run for his team. |
| INDIANAPOLISWe’re not sure this is an exclusive list, but Paul Hembekides of ESPN.com says QB PHILIP RIVERS will be at least the 5th grandfather to play in the big pro sports, the second in football: Paul Hembekides (Hembo)@PaulHembo Because I’ve been asked a dozen + times today re: Philip Rivers… Played as grandfatherBrett Favre (2010)Julio Franco (2007)Gordie Howe (1979)Stan Musial (1963) Rivers and the Colts other QB, RILEY LEONARD have a neighborly past: Rivers also has ties to Riley Leonard, the quarterback who he’s likely to backup in Week 15, or start in place of if Leonard misses the game due to a knee injury. Leonard’s parents live five minutes away from Rivers’ house in Fairhope, Alabama, where he worked out in the potential Hall of Famer’s backyard ahead of the 2024 college football season with Notre Dame. Of course, with Leonard literally in his backyard, Rivers tutored the young quarterback as he threw passes to his Fighting Irish teammates. Roughly a year later, the Colts selected Leonard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Shortly after the Colts selected Leonard, Rivers told “The Last Word” that he was impressed by Leonard’s leadership skills, saying, “I thought that said a lot about him being a teammate to those guys at Notre Dame, how much they enjoyed being around him and respected him and how they interacted with them.” Only 22,000 people live in Fairhope, which sits on the east side of Mobile Bay. Two quarterback the Colts. |
| JACKSONVILLEIf you have somehow made the playoffs of your Fantasy league with QB TREVOR LAWRENCE, it looks like you will have him in the first round. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: It doesn’t look like the Jaguars have anything to worry about with quarterback Trevor Lawrence for Sunday’s game against the Jets. Lawrence was listed as a full participant in practice on Thursday. He was a limited participant due to an ankle injury on Wednesday. Left tackle Walker Little (concussion), defensive lineman BJ Green (knee), and safety Andrew Wingard (concussion) also moved up to full participation. Wide receiver Parker Washington (hip), tight end Quintin Morris (ankle), and left guard Ezra Cleveland (shoulder) remained limited participants. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead (hand), defensive end Travon Walker (knee), and cornerback Jarrian Jones (neck) were all full participants for the second straight day. |
| TENNESSEEThe radio sideline reporter for the Titans has lost his seat on the plane. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: In a season featuring few reasons to mention the Titans, a team sideline reporter has made a headline for mentioning something he heard on the Titans’ plane. Via Ben Axelrod of AwfulAnnouncing.com (citing Paul Kuharsky), Will Boling has been removed from the team’s charter flights going forward. Boling’s offense was to share something he’d witnessed on the trip home from Cleveland after a Week 14 win. Boling had shared, per Axelrod, that Titans defensive end Arden Key commandeered the plane’s intercom system to tell his teammates to ignore comments quarterback Cam Ward made after the victory. “On Monday, I told a story about a comment I heard on the Titans’ team charter,” Boling said in an appearance on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville. “And I want to apologize for sharing something that should have remained private and totally off the record. I totally understand the team plane and bus are sacred places for players, for coaches, for members of the organization. I take full accountability. I broke their trust with that team by sharing details that were not mine to share. Moving forward, I will work to regain that trust. I sincerely apologize.” Trust, as they say, is earned in drops and squandered in buckets. Still, it seems Boling has learned a valuable lesson about zipping it, especially since it seems to be a transgression less about malice and more about naiveté. Especially since what he shared was fairly innocuous. It seems that Ward was down because the Titans nearly squandered a big lead while his numbers were mediocre in the win. Nick Suss in the Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward says he doesn’t regret his somber tone following the Titans’ 31-29 win against the Cleveland Browns. The Titans (2-11) snapped a seven-game losing streak on Dec. 7 and set a season high in points on the trip to Cleveland, but Ward was less than thrilled. Coming out of a game where he completed only 50% of his passes and threw for just 117 yards (4.2 yards per attempt, his third-worst mark of the year), Ward backtracked on his season-long pledge that winning is the only thing he cares about, saying instead that he didn’t think he personally needed the win that much and there’s not a huge difference in his mind between winning and losing because winning obscures mistakes. Given the opportunity to walk back or elaborate on some of his comments on Dec. 10, Ward said he still feels the same way after watching tape and processing the game. “Winning, losing, they’ve both got a price,” Ward told reporters. “They’ve both got a price to pay. It just depends on which one you want to be a part of.” Ward expanded. He said there’s a standard good teams play up to, a way to finish games so wins aren’t contested. He spoke particularly critically of the way the Titans played the fourth quarter in Cleveland. With 8:24 left in the game, their special teams blocked a punt to give the offense the ball on the Cleveland 29-yard line. The Titans ran the ball three times for 6 yards and settled for a field goal to turn a 28-17 lead into a 31-17 lead. Roughly four game minutes later, with the Titans now leading 31-23 following a Cleveland touchdown and failed two-point conversion, the Titans took over possession again. Three more run plays, zero yards gained, punt. Ward didn’t attempt a pass in either of the Titans’ final two offensive possessions, and neither gained a first down. “Looking at the iPad during the game, I just see little things I’ve got to be better on,” he said. “Us as a whole offense. Especially in the fourth quarter, it wasn’t our best ability of football. Everybody, we’ve got to continue to build on it and get better at it.” |
| THIS AND THAT |
| MOCK DRAFTThis from Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus: * The Rams trade up and take care of their future: The Rams got a gift last year when they traded back with Atlanta and picked up a future first that now sits in the top 10, and there may be no better use of it than going all-in to secure their quarterback of the future. They’d likely need to part with at least their two first-round picks to move up to No. 1. * Cowboys target star playmakers: Jeremiyah Love is a total-package, three-down back who brings difference-making ability as both a rusher and receiver. Romello Height is a late bloomer and more of a designated pass-rusher, but his 20.7% pass-rush win rate is one of the best marks in the class. With Week 14 in the books, wins by the Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints have shaken up the top of the draft order, creating a brand new landscape for 2026 NFL Draft projections. Here’s how a fresh mock draft could look come April if this order holds. 1. *TRADE* LOS ANGELES RAMS (VIA NYG): QB FERNANDO MENDOZA, INDIANAI have yet to do a mock draft with trades, but now that we’re into December, it’s hard to believe the New York Giants’ best plan for the 2026 NFL Draft involves staying at No. 1 overall — not with Mendoza playing like a quarterback who could command that spot from a team desperate for help under center. The Rams got a gift last year when they traded back with Atlanta and picked up a future first that now sits in the top 10, and there may be no better use of it than going all-in to secure their quarterback of the future. They’d likely need to part with at least their two first-round picks to move up to No. 1. 2. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: QB DANTE MOORE, OREGONLas Vegas must find a new quarterback option for 2026, whether Geno Smith is on the roster or not. Moore’s accuracy and ball placement have been outstanding for a quarterback in his first year as a full-time starter. He’s young and very promising, and with the Raiders now sitting at No. 2, they have a legitimate shot at landing him. 3. TENNESSEE TITANS: EDGE ARVELL REESE, OHIO STATEThe Titans’ Week 14 win over the Browns might prove costly, as they not only fell out of the top spot but also dropped out of No. 2, which could eliminate their trade-down options. Reese is a hybrid on-ball/off-ball linebacker, so his numbers and grades won’t jump off the screen because of how many roles he plays in a given game. But he’s explosive and twitchy with serious pound-for-pound strength, allowing him to stack and shed offensive linemen who often outweigh him by 60 or more pounds. His most impactful NFL role should come off the edge. His draft conversation will mirror last year’s discussion around Georgia’s Jalon Walker — and I like Reese more than I did Walker. 4. CLEVELAND BROWNS: WR JORDYN TYSON, ARIZONA STATEComing off a very promising game — albeit in a loss against the Titans — let’s say Shedeur Sanders shows the Browns enough to avoid a massive trade-up for a quarterback at No. 1 and instead explore a draft strategy that doesn’t involve taking one. When healthy, Tyson is an absolute stud. He has a separation rate above the 80th percentile against both zone and man, and he would immediately step in as WR1 for the Browns. The concern, however, is that Tyson has been injured in all four years of his college career, and that will cloud his draft range. 5. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: ED RUEBEN BAIN JR., MIAMIWith the Saints’ win over the Buccaneers, they drop a few spots in the draft order, but they still land a premium player here. Over a two-year sample, Bain has earned elite grades as both a run defender (90.7) and a pass rusher (90.6). At 6-foot-3 and between 270 and 280 pounds, he can play nearly every spot along the defensive line, and his high-percentile size is something the Saints have gravitated toward in the past with their defensive linemen. 6. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: ED CASHIUS HOWELL, TEXAS A&MThe Commanders defense is in a bad place right now, and it starts up front. Howell will face plenty of skepticism about his draft range, given his very short arms for the position, yet he has earned pass-rush grades above 90.0 in three straight seasons, with win rates above 19.0% over that same span. 7. NEW YORK JETS: WR MAKAI LEMON, USCEven if Jordyn Tyson were still on the board, if the Jets were the team taking the first wide receiver in this draft, I bet it would be Lemon. What Lemon may lack in overall size and straight-line athleticism, he more than makes up for with quickness, football IQ and competitiveness in every area — contested catches, blocking, yards after the catch and more. He has the mentality of a receiver Aaron Glenn would pound the table for to complement Garrett Wilson. 8. ARIZONA CARDINALS: OT FRANCIS MAUIGOA, MIAMIMauigoa plays right tackle for the Canes and carries strong grades in power run blocking, which fits exactly what the Cardinals need. Arizona must upgrade its offensive line from what it has seen in 2025, and Mauigoa can help at either tackle or guard. 9. *TRADE* NEW YORK GIANTS (VIA ATL, LAR): WR CARNELL TATE, OHIO STATEOutside of limited snaps in the Grambling game early in the year, Tate doesn’t have a single-game receiving grade below 72.0. He’s as consistent as they come with refined route running and strong hands, and his addition would form an outstanding duo with Malik Nabers in New York. 10. CINCINNATI BENGALS: DT PETER WOODS, CLEMSONThe Bengals have drafted a defensive lineman in the top 50 in each of the last three drafts, yet they still need more impact along the front. Woods didn’t deliver the season his potential suggests, but his ceiling remains very high. Safety Caleb Downs could also be a strong possibility here, depending on how Cincinnati views first-round value at the position. 11. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: S CALEB DOWNS, OHIO STATEDowns is one of the best players in this draft class and will likely be a consensus top-five prospect on big boards. But how high do you draft a safety? Kyle Hamilton went No. 14 overall, and Antoine Winfield Jr. was a second-round pick — and both are among the best in the league. Minnesota could easily covet a player like Downs, especially given how versatile he would be on the back end of a Brian Flores defense. 12. MIAMI DOLPHINS: TE KENYON SADIQ, OREGONCornerback would be tempting here, especially with Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy still on the board. But with Tyreek Hill suffering a major knee injury, it has become clear the Dolphins don’t have enough around Jaylen Waddle in the passing game. Sadiq hasn’t stuffed the stat sheet this season, but his athletic potential and versatility should still be prioritized. He’s impressive as a blocker and has posted separation rates above the 90th percentile both overall and against single coverage, showing he’s getting open even if the Ducks’ offense doesn’t run through him. 13. BALTIMORE RAVENS: DT KAYDEN McDONALD, OHIO STATEI don’t usually love using a top-20 first-round pick on a non-pass-rushing defensive tackle, but for the Ravens and McDonald, I’m making an exception. Baltimore’s issues on the interior of its defensive line need to be addressed, and the 6-foot-3, 330-pound McDonald has earned a 92.3 run-defense grade this season. 14 . KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: CB JERMOD McCOY, TENNESSEEThe Chiefs have struggled in the secondary this season, and Jaylen Watson and Josh Williams are set to hit free agency. They drafted Nohl Williams last year, and he could step into one of those outside spots, but if they have a chance to land a player with McCoy’s size-speed-talent profile, I could see them taking it. McCoy hasn’t played this year due to an ACL tear, but if the medicals check out on his recovery (and if he declares), he brings true one-on-one coverage ability, highlighted by his 89.5 coverage grade as a sophomore in 2024. Running back — such as Jeremiyah Love — could also be an option, but Kansas City can address that later. It’s much tougher to do that at cornerback. 15. DALLAS COWBOYS: RB JEREMIYAH LOVE, NOTRE DAMELove is a total-package, three-down back who brings difference-making ability as both a rusher and receiver. He has earned rushing grades above 85.0 behind both man/gap and zone schemes and has forced an impressive 56 missed tackles this season. His draft range starts in the top 10, but if he makes it to the Cowboys, I can see them sprinting the card in. 16. CAROLINA PANTHERS: LB SONNY STYLES, OHIO STATELike safety, linebacker in the first round can be a touchy subject because plenty of starters across the league weren’t acquired with premium picks or salary-cap resources. You can make an exception for Sonny Styles. The former safety now sits around 245 pounds and has outstanding instincts in both run defense (90.3) and coverage (87.7). He has often been asked to operate as the lone second-level defender in Ohio State’s defense and has produced very few negative plays in that role. He’s worth a top-20 pick in this year’s class. 17. DETROIT LIONS: ED DAVID BAILEY, TEXAS TECHBailey might be in the Nik Bonitto mold, but let’s be honest — every team in the NFL would love a Bonitto-type player. Bailey brings that same designated pass-rush ability, posting a 95.0 pass-rush grade on true pass sets with a 21.6% pass-rush win rate this season. 18. NEW YORK JETS (VIA IND): DT CHRISTEN MILLER, GEORGIAAfter grabbing a wide receiver in the top 10, the Jets could turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball, specifically the interior, where they are still trying to fill the void left after the Quinnen Williams trade. Miller isn’t the pass rusher Williams was, but he is a stout, reliable run defender with an 88.3 run-defense grade this season. He also owns a pass-rush win rate above 11.0%. 19. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: WR DENZEL BOSTON, WASHINGTON The Steelers need to figure out their 2026 quarterback situation first and foremost. But with Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore now off the board, and with it feeling increasingly likely that Arch Manning and Ty Simpson return to school, I’ll have them addressing another major offensive need at wide receiver. The Steelers have had no dependable option outside of D.K. Metcalf this season, and that’s exactly what the smooth-moving 6-foot-4, 210-pound Boston can be for them. He has earned an 87.1 receiving grade this season with an impressive 89.8 receiving grade against man coverage. 20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: ED T.J. PARKER, CLEMSON The Bucs would love to get their hands on linebacker Sonny Styles from Ohio State if he falls to them, but he didn’t in this scenario — and he’s likely the only first-round linebacker they’d consider. They also have a major need for a true one-on-one pass-rush winner off the edge. It hasn’t been the best year for Parker, but at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, with run-defense and pass-rush grades above 76.0 and a 15.4% pass-rush win rate, Tampa Bay will take that kind of all-around player. 21. HOUSTON TEXANS: OG VEGA IOANE, PENN STATEThe Texans’ offensive line has looked better at times since the start of the season, but they shouldn’t take these past few games with a makeshift group and assume everything is fixed. Ioane was one of the best pass-protecting offensive linemen in college football this past season, earning a 90.9 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets. 22. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: OT KADYN PROCTOR, ALABAMAThe Chargers’ offensive line has been a letdown this season, even with the context of their two starting tackles missing most of the year. Proctor, the super-sized tackle for the Tide, plays left tackle in college, but I like him best as an interior player due to his potential as a people-mover and his ability to hold up when he can fight defenders in a phone booth. 23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: CB MANSOOR DELANE, LSUThe Eagles have two stud cornerbacks in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, but whoever has filled the third cornerback spot has been picked on over the past two years. If they were able to snag Delane, who earned an 89.1 coverage grade in the SEC this past season, to complete their nickel cornerback trio, it would give them a top-tier unit. 24. CHICAGO BEARS: S A.J. HAULCY, LSUThe Bears defense has been incredible this season with a league-best 27 takeaways. But their two starting safeties, Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard, are set to hit free agency. If they don’t bring one or both back, they could look to that spot if a player like Haulcy is available. He delivers big hit power and has some of the best instincts at the position, highlighted by a 12.8% forced incompletion rate. 25. BUFFALO BILLS: EDGE JOSHUA JOSEPH, TENNESSEEThe Bills need a true WR1, but with those options off the board, they could pivot to the defensive line. Joseph has earned a 91.2 pass-rush grade on true pass sets this season with a 20.6% pass-rush win rate. That’s the kind of juice they need up front. 26. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: KC CONCEPCION, TEXAS A&MWithout Deebo Samuel, it feels like the 49ers are missing that go-to yards after catch receiver. They are using running back Christian McCaffrey a lot for that, but it’s not quite the same as scheming things up for a receiver. Concepcion is averaging more than 7.0 yards after the catch this year and has that kind of acceleration and athleticism. 27. CLEVELAND BROWNS (VIA JAX): OT CALEB LOMU, UTAHAfter landing a difference-making wide receiver near the top of the draft, the Browns must shift their focus to the offensive line. Additions at either offensive tackle or the interior would be welcome. Lomu is a young, ascending tackle prospect with all the physical tools to develop into a starter. 28. DALLAS COWBOYS (VIA GB): EDGE ROMELLO HEIGHT, TEXAS TECHThe Cowboys’ defensive line has improved as the season has progressed — adding Quinnen Williams certainly helps. Height is a late bloomer and more of a designated pass-rusher, but his 20.7% pass-rush win rate is one of the best marks in the class. 29. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: OG GENNINGS DUNKER, IOWAThere aren’t many spots where I would put Dunker in the first round, especially since I believe he’ll need to move inside to guard to be an impact starter in the league. But he’d fit like a glove in Seattle’s zone-blocking scheme. He has an 86.0 run-blocking grade on zone concepts this season. 30. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: DT CALEB BANKS, FLORIDABanks was viewed as a top-20 player before the season began, but he has missed most of the year due to a foot injury. As long as that recovery checks out, the 6-foot-6, 330-pound defensive lineman should still be a top-32 pick thanks to his rare combination of explosiveness and power. 31. *TRADE* NEW YORK GIANTS (VIA LAR): CB AVEION TERRELL, CLEMSONAfter landing a difference-making wide receiver with their first of two selections in Round 1 via their trade with the Rams, I have the Giants turning to cornerback. Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons corner A.J. Terrell, is on the smaller side at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, but he’s feisty and physical, evidenced by his eight forced fumbles in college. He can play inside or outside, similar to Andru Phillips. 32. DENVER BRONCOS: C.J. ALLEN, GEORGIAThe Broncos are one of the most talented teams in the league, as evidenced by their league-best record right now. Linebacker could be an area for them to target at the back end of the first round, given how strong this 2026 linebacker group appears. C.J. Allen is a physical, true middle linebacker who has earned an elite 91.0 run-defense grade this season. |
