| If The Season Ended Today Thru Week 10: NFC W-L Conf Last WeekDetroit North 8-1 6-1 1Philadelphia East 7-2 4-2 WC2Atlanta South 6-4 6-2 3Arizona West 6-4 3-3 4Minnesota WC1 7-2 3-2 WC1Washington WC2 7-3 5-1 2Green Bay WC3 6-3 2-3 WC3San Francisco 5-4 3-3 10Chicago 4-5 2-2 8LA Rams 4-5 3-4 9Seattle 4-5 1-4 12Tampa Bay 4-6 4-3 11 In the AFC: AFC W-L Conf Last WeekKansas City West 9-0 5-0 1Buffalo East 8-2 6-2 2Pittsburgh North 7-2 4-1 3Houston South 6-4 5-1 4Baltimore WC1 7-3 4-3 WC1LA Chargers WC2 6-3 4-2 WC2Denver WC3 5-5 2-4 WC3Indianapolis 4-6 3-4 8Cincinnati 4-6 2-4 9 It’s a lot better to be 4-6 in the AFC like the Bengals and Colts, than 4-6 in the NFC. The AFC lineup stayed the same last week. In the NFC, the Eagles moved into the division lead by half a game with the first WASH-PHIL meeting of the season happening on Thursday night. And, with their last-second win, the 49ers stayed a half game back of Arizona in the division and moved to within a game of the last Wild Card. As the playoff line (6-3 in NFC, 5-5 in AFC) indicates the NFC has a 30-23 advantage in the intra-conference series with the AFC. This despite the fact that the NFC South is 1-11 against the AFC (primarily vs AFC West). So the other NFC divisions are 29-12 against the AFC. The AFC’s big loser division is the AFC South which is 2-12 against the NFC (primarily the NFC North). So the other three divisions of the AFC actually have a winning record, (21-18) against the NFC. – – -Eight international games next year and NFLNerd has it all scoped out. NFL Nerd@NerdingonNFLWe’re about 6 months away from the 2025 NFL Schedule Release Here’s my first mock international schedule including cities & dates (mostly guesses) 1 – HOU at LAC – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Fri 9/54 – BUF at PIT – Dublin, Ireland – Sun 9/285 – LAR at JAX – London (Wembley) – Sun 10/56 – JAX at DEN – London (Tottenham) – Sun 10/127 – CLE at NYJ – London (Tottenham) – Sun 10/1910 – WSH at KC – Berlin, Germany – Sun 11/911 – CIN at MIA – Madrid, Spain – Sun 11/1611 – DAL at LV – Mexico City, Mexico – Mon 11/17 – fairly certain the Brazil game will be Week 1 Friday night again in 2025. I’ve heard keep an eye on Rio – no lead on when the Dublin game would be if it’s confirmed, but the Sunday just before the London games is my best guess – with two games played in both Munich & Frankfurt, I’m predicting Berlin gets the 2025 game – predicting Week 11 for the Madrid game as this comes during the FIFA International window – predicting Week 11 for the Mexico City game because games there have been played W11 in 2022, 2019, 2017, and 2016 |
| NFC NORTH |
| CHICAGOCoach Matt Eberflus says everything is on the table – except changing QBs. Michael Baca of NFL.com: There will be changes in Chicago following the Bears’ 19-3 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. What exactly that entails remains to be seen, however. Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Monday that he’s still in the evaluation process of an impending decision that will bring change to a struggling Bears (4-5) squad. “For the game last night and for going forward, I know what I said last night and we’re in the process of that right now,” Eberflus said. “We’re less than 24 hours after the game and we’re in the process of that. Obviously watched the game last night and evaluated that, came in this morning and I had my normal meetings, normal Monday process. Again, there’s gonna be a change, an adjustment to what we’re doing because we obviously lost three in a row. But there’s also the sight of we’re 4-5, we haven’t played our division yet, and we’re in the process of starting that this week in a big football game. So again, just in the process of getting that done. “There will be changes, adjustments being made. Again, I’m not going to disclose those right now. I’m not at that point in the process. Monday’s a long day in terms of the evaluation of everything, in terms of lineups, in terms of the coaching, in terms of how we need to do better in that coaching and how we need to do better in the communication in game, during the game, after the game, prior to the game. So it’s important that we take time to make those decisions and make the right decisions that’s for the Bears, best for the Bears going forward, for this week and going into the future. So I think that’s the most important thing that we do, that we have some steadiness here but also make the necessary adjustments and changes that we need to make, what’s best for the Bears going forward.” Sunday’s defeat extended the Bears’ losing streak to three, a span that began with a heartbreaker in Washington on a last-second Hail Mary. Since that fateful play, the Bears offense has struggled mightily, going 23 consecutive possessions without scoring a touchdown. According to NFL Research, it’s the longest such streak for Chicago since Mitchell Trubisky’s rookie season in 2017 (Weeks 6-8, 23 straight possessions). After scoring just 9 points in Week 9’s loss to Arizona, the Bears saw season-low totals in points (3) and total net yards (142) in Sunday’s home defeat to the Patriots. With his two starting tackles out with injury, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked nine times, the most taken by a player in a game this season. The protection issues were an extension from the prior week’s result, and allowing six-plus sacks in back-to-back games is something that hasn’t been seen in Chicago since 1993, per NFL Research. Eberflus did say on Monday that Williams will remain the starter in an effort to clear up any confusion, but how the Bears adjust going forward — through a roster or coaching adjustment, possibly to offensive coordinator Shane Waldron — will be determined in the coming days. “In-game communication, in terms of that, it’s got to be better,” Eberflus said. “The adjustments, the tactical adjustments need to be better with that on all sides. Everything’s on the table and it’s important that we look at everything and we take the time to get that done.” The Bears enter a crucial and challenging back-end schedule beginning Sunday against the Packers, their first divisional game of 2024 within a top-heavy NFC North. Eberflus’ changes will be known by then, but if those adjustments are successful is just another thing that remains to be seen. And on Tuesday morning, he did jettison Waldron. Liz Roscher of YahooSports.com: The Chicago Bears have finally made a change after this weekend’s awful 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots. The Bears announced Tuesday morning that offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is out after just nine games. Head coach Matt Eberflus made the final decision. “After evaluating our entire operation, I decided that it is in the best interest of our team to move in a different direction with the leadership of our offense. This decision was well-thought-out, one that was conducted deliberately and respectfully,” Eberflus said in a statement. “I would like to thank Shane for his efforts and wish him the best moving forward.” Thomas Brown, the passing game coordinator, will reportedly take over as offensive coordinator and play caller for the rest of the 2024 season. Waldron was hired on Jan. 23, 2024, as head coach Matt Eberflus’ handpicked offensive coordinator. His job was to reform the offensive strategy around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears’ first overall pick in the 2024 draft. And before their Week 7 bye, there were some successes. They had a 4-2 record and a four-game home winning streak. They scored at least 24 points in four of their first six games. There was room for improvement all around, but the offense was functional. The Bears returned in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders. Chicago’s defense did yeoman’s work keeping the high-powered Washington offense under 20 points, but Waldron’s offense, led by Williams, managed just 105 yards through the air, which led to only 15 points in the loss. The next two games were all but unmitigated disasters. They tallied just 241 yards of total offense and zero touchdowns in a Week 9 blowout at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals. Then in Week 10, they scored a single field goal against the Patriots, one of the worst teams in the league. By the end of that demoralizing loss, Waldron had watched his personally engineered offense go 23 straight drives without scoring a touchdown. So what do we know about Brown, Waldron’s replacement? He’s in his fifth season coaching at the NFL level after nine years at the college level. He’s in his first season as passing coordinator for the Bears after spending the 2023 season as the Carolina Panthers’ offensive coordinator. The Panthers weren’t exactly an offensive powerhouse a year ago with their own rookie No. 1 pick under center, Bryce Young. But after going eight quarters without a touchdown, Chicago needed to move on from Waldron. Right now, that might be the most positive thing the Bears have going for them. |
| DETROITThe 8-1 Lions deserve to be celebrated, but is the DB the only one who noticed that both of the big FGs by PK JAKE BATES, the 58-yarder to tie and the 52-yarder to win, each kissed an upright. The 58-yarder hit the right upright, then the 52-yarder caressed the left upright. And so the story is the Lions comeback – and not QB JARED GOFF’s five INTs. The margin in the NFL can be so close.- – -A Lions injury report – including updates on TE SAM LaPORTA, T TAYLOR DECKER and EDGE Za’DARIUS SMITH – from Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: Sam LaPorta injured his left shoulder in Sunday’s comeback win over the Houston Texans, but Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is “hopeful” LaPorta won’t miss more time with the injury. “It’ll be day-to-day but not — we don’t feel like this is something like, ‘Oh, man, this going to be a long, nagging injury,'” Campbell said. “I think we’ll get through it, I’m hopeful this week, but I can’t say that. He’s questionable.” LaPorta finished second on the Lions as a rookie with 86 catches for 889 yards, but hasn’t had the same impact while battling injuries this fall. A second-round pick out of Iowa in 2023, LaPorta has 25 catches for 366 yards in nine games since returning from a preseason hamstring injury. He had a season-high 66 yards on three catches Sunday, catching a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff early in the second quarter. LaPorta told the Free Press on Sunday that tests taken after the game revealed “nothing major.” He spoke as he dressed in front of his locker, where he gingerly used his left arm to help put on his socks. Campbell said left tackle Taylor Decker is “trending the right way” to return for this week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after suffering a shoulder injury in practice last Thursday that kept him out of the Texans game. In years past, the Lions have moved right tackle Penei Sewell to left tackle when Decker was out with injury. On Sunday, they used Dan Skipper at left tackle and kept Sewell on the right side, due in part to the timing of when Decker suffered his injury. “When the injury happened with Decker and feeling like there’s a chance he may not play, the hay was kind of already in the barn and so let’s leave Sewell at right, that’s where he took his reps,” Campbell said. “We got into Thursday and, man, we’re running, we’re in pads, live reps, we’re moving, and that’s where he got his reps, and then Skipper filled in at left tackle and got those reps there, and so, let’s not make the switch to where, ‘OK, Skip, I know you got those reps there, go to the right. Sewell, vice versa.’ We just felt like it was better to do that.” Goff threw five interceptions and the Lions struggled to move the ball much of the day against the Titans, but Sewell had several key blocks late to spark the comeback, including a block on a screen pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown that went for a touchdown. “He made some unbelievable blocks and, man, I thought our backs ran hard and I thought Gibbs set up a number of blocks, did a really good job on the perimeter,” Campbell said. “That one he almost takes it all the way down the sideline. He kinds of dips and sets up Sewell’s block and goes around the perimeter and barely steps out. But yeah, Sewell, he’s a – man, if we had two Sewells. One would be a tight end, just saying.” ‘Ready to roll’Veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith will make his Lions debut this weekend against the Jaguars after sitting out the Texans game five days following his trade from the Cleveland Browns. Campbell said he gave consideration to playing Smith despite his limited practice reps, but preferred to err on the side of caution. The Lions acquired Smith in a deadline deal Tuesday, then gave him Wednesday and Thursday off for personal reasons. “There was a thought about playing him, but we just felt like the right thing to do was just sit him this week,” Campbell said “We’ll let him get his bearing and, there again, that’s a game off his body and now we can go.” Smith was on the sideline against the Texans, where he was actively working with some of the Lions’ other pass rushers to decipher Houston’s protection calls. He said in a postgame interview on NBC that he “hate(d)” that Campbell gave him last week off. “He’s a veteran guy, he’s been around it and he’s wholly embraced the eight wins, ‘Hey, we got eight,'” Campbell said. “Look, it’s one of the reasons he’s been a good player. It’s not just the physical ability he’s got, he’s been around it, he’s seen it, he’s pretty instinctive, he understands the game. And so those little things that come up, you never know how that’s going to hit with one of our players in real time. So, man, those are good. Look, he’s — I know he just got here, but he’s in, he’s in it and he’s ready to go. I know he was chomping at the bit to play and he’s about to play, so he’s going to be ready to roll.” |
| MINNESOTAGreg Auman of FoxSports.com on the unusual nature of the Vikings win in Jacksonville: @gregaumanVikings got zero TD passes and three INTs from Sam Darnold today. They still beat the Jaguars 12-7. NFL teams getting that 0/3 combo had lost 13 straight and 43 of 44 coming in. Lone win? Bills over Falcons in 2022. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASThe Cowboys are not in a rush to bench QB COOPER RUSH. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: The Cowboys are sticking with Cooper Rush as their starting quarterback for Week 11, coach Mike McCarthy said Monday. McCarthy said after Sunday’s disheartening loss to the Eagles that the team would discuss starting Trey Lance against the Texans next Monday night. A day later, McCarthy said sticking with Rush was “definitely” an easy decision because of what Rush has done in the past while replacing Dak Prescott. Rush now is 5-2 as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback. Rush, though, lost two fumbles and completed only 13 of 23 passes for 45 yards. Prescott flew to New York on Monday to see a specialist about his torn right hamstring, but whether he needs surgery or not, the team’s starting quarterback will see his season end on injured reserve. That leaves Rush and Lance as options to start the rest of the season, and it’s likely Lance starts at some point this season, maybe even by Week 12. The Cowboys are 3-6 and going nowhere. Lance, who joined the Cowboys in a trade with the 49ers before last season, went 4-of-6 for 21 yards and an interception to finish Sunday’s loss. The Cowboys have also added QB WILL GRIER, once a hero at West Virginia, to their practice squad. He has time with the team dating to 2021 and 2022. Greg Auman of FoxSports.com on how unproductive Rush was on Sunday: @gregaumanCowboys’ Cooper Rush had 45 passing yards on 23 pass attempts today. No NFL QB has averaged under 2 yards per pass on 20+ attempts since Peyton Manning (35/20) in 2015. Before that, two from Cowboys’ Anthony Wright in 2000. Nobody else in last 30 years. As expected, they won’t be getting QB DAK PRESCOTT back. Jordan Dajani ofCBSSports.com: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a partially torn hamstring in the Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. While he was originally expected to miss several weeks, Prescott will now miss the remainder of the 2024 season. CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported this past weekend that Prescott was expected to undergo season-ending surgery on his hamstring. Jerry Jones announced during a radio interview on 105.3 The Fan that Prescott’s surgery is set for Wednesday. “His prognosis is wonderful. It just means we’re not going to have him for the rest of the year,” Jones said, via ESPN. Last week, NFL Media reported Prescott’s initial diagnosis was a partial avulsion of his hamstring tendon, meaning the hamstring was partially torn off the bone. Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan, (H/T The Athletic), that Prescott would be placed on injured reserve, but didn’t know if the QB would be sidelined four weeks, six weeks or the entire season. Prescott went 3-5 as the starter this season, and completed 64.7% of his passes for 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. On the first NFL Sunday of the year, the Cowboys signed Prescott to a record-breaking four-year extension worth $240 million with $231 million guaranteed following his career campaign in 2023, in which he led the NFL in passing touchdowns with 36. The Cowboys are behind the eight ball entering Week 11 at 3-6. Dallas is 9-9 without Prescott since drafting him in 2016. That includes an impressive 5-2 record with Rush. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| CAROLINADon’t look now, but the Panthers are a game out of 2nd in the NFC South with a two-game win streak. And the camaraderie is good per Kassidy Hill and Darin Gantt of Panthers.com: Dave Canales looked tired, in the way a 10-hour plane ride in the middle of the night across the Atlantic Ocean can make you. But encouraged and pleased nonetheless, in the way a 20-17 overtime win can make you. “That’s the type of football that can help us put us in position to have success and to win games, to be able to play in all phases,” Canales said Monday, back home in Charlotte. The trip, while long and perhaps at times tiring, came at the right time for the Panthers, at the midway point of the season and on a two-game win streak. Canales has harped before on using road trips to build chemistry on his young team. Having so much time thanks to the long plane rides and extra days in country meant he saw that chemistry grow exponentially. “Long flights, guys talking together, getting up, crossing the aisles, you could hear the noise and the games and, just kind of those connections,” Canales shared. “And then of course, being at a hotel, having guys go to lunch together, go to dinner together, build all those things, and to be able to stay at a nice hotel and for the guys to have, you know, just that time and the meal room, everything kind of sectioned off for the group to bond. “It’s special moments, and so, I was really, I was really happy about the way it came out.” Canales’ point wasn’t just coachspeak. It wasn’t uncommon to walk into a room in Munich and find the entire safety unit at a table together, meals long finished and laughter ringing out. Or players whose units and lockers mean they normally don’t cross paths, but they’d posted up in the lobby together, swapping stories and pictures from their day out in Munich, playing tourist when it would allow. And RB JONATHON BROOKS did not make his NFL debut. Canales was asked why he kept the rookie on the sideline. “Took in a lot of factors, watched him progress throughout the week and really just felt like it wasn’t time yet,” he replied. “And so, now we have two weeks before we play our next game, to be able to just get him in tip-top shape. And we gotta, again, see where Miles [Sanders] is at. But then we can make the decision going from there.” Brooks tore the ACL in his right knee while still playing for the University of Texas Longhorns last November. He did not participate in practices throughout the offseason and began the campaign on the reserve/non-football injury list. The 21-year-old could finally see the field on Nov. 24, when the Panthers return from their upcoming bye week to host the Kansas City Chiefs. |
| NEW ORLEANSZak Keefer in The Athletic on a foul note from Darren Rizzi’s head coaching debut: In New Orleans, Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi not only won his debut but also finished with the quote of the day. After a 20-17 victory over the Falcons, Rizzi admitted to clogging the toilet in the coaches’ locker room earlier that morning and thinking, “This is gonna be a crappy day, pun intended.” Turns out, it wasn’t. The Saints’ seven-game losing streak is history. |
| TAMPA BAYThese stats aren’t good for a defensive-oriented head coach: @NFL_DovKleimanAwful: The #Bucs defense over the last six weeks: • 32nd in scoring defense• 32nd in total defense • 31st in pass defense • 31st in opp. passer rating • 1-5 record Is this a coaching or a talent issue? (h/t @gregauman) The injury to T TRISTAN WIRFS could have been worse: @ScottSBucsHC Todd Bowles says All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs has a low-grade knee sprain and is considered week to week. |
| NFC WEST |
| ARIZONAA note from ProFootballReference.com: Pro Football ReferenceThe Cardinals have not allowed a touchdown in 2 straight weeks—it’s just the 2nd time they’ve done this since moving to Arizona in 1994. 💪 |
| SEATTLEYou would think a player who made 71 tackles in 9 games wouldn’t have to worry about his job. But in Seattle, LB TYREL DODSON is on waivers. Brady Henderson of ESPN.com: In another shake-up to their inside linebacker corps, the Seattle Seahawks waived leading tackler Tyrel Dodson on Monday. The move came after the Seahawks returned from their bye on the heels of five losses in the past six games that dropped them to 4-5 and into last place in the NFC West. Coach Mike Macdonald said last week that everything would be “on the table” as the team self-scouted over the bye. That included another change at inside linebacker, where the Seahawks previously swapped out Jerome Baker for Ernest Jones IV. Baker had been playing weakside linebacker, but Dodson moved there for the past two games to allow Jones to slide into the middle after Seattle acquired him from the Tennessee Titans for Baker and a fourth-round pick on Oct. 23. Dodson, 26, had started all nine games for the Seahawks after signing with Seattle in March. “We really appreciate T-Dot,” Macdonald said Monday. “He’s worked extremely hard, rehabbed throughout the offseason here. I think it was an opportunity for us when we kind of … took a step back and realized where we were at, it was the best thing for us to move forward that way, give the other guys in the room an opportunity to step up. I hope those guys grab that opportunity by the horns and take it and run with it, and then it gives Tyrel an opportunity to find another spot somewhere else so he can finish the year strong.” The Seahawks held the visiting Los Angeles Rams to 68 rushing yards and 2.8 yards per carry in an overtime loss on Nov. 3. But over their first eight games, the Hawks were allowing over 148 rushing yards per game (29th in the league) and 4.9 yards per carry (28th). The six rushes of 25-plus yards they yielded during that span were tied for third most. “I think you look at some of the plays that got out on us and some explosive runs that we felt like we could have played better at that level,” Macdonald said. “Again, I don’t want us to feel like we’re singling guys out. Obviously, it looks that way because of the roster moves we made. We made them for two completely different reasons. But the things that we need to improve on are really the entire defense. It just so happens that we made the move at linebacker.” Jones will take over as the Seattle’s defensive signal-caller, Macdonald said, while rookie fourth-round pick Tyrice Knight will get the first look at replacing Dodson. Second-year pro Drake Thomas could play in some packages, as well, per Macdonald. Dodson signed a one-year, $4.26 million deal with Seattle after spending his first five seasons with the Buffalo Bills. In nine games with the Seahawks, he recorded a team-high 71 tackles to go along with two sacks, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a pair of passes defensed. Dodson is now subject to waivers, as is any other player released after last week’s trade deadline. If he is claimed, the Seahawks will be off the hook for the $1 million that remains of his $2.25 million base salary, which is effectively guaranteed because he’s a vested veteran. Any team that claims Dodson also would take on the $240,000 that remains of the $510,000 he can make in per-game roster bonuses as well as the $1.25 million he can make in incentives. Macdonald said the Seahawks are still optimistic that wide receiver DK Metcalf will play Sunday at the San Francisco 49ers after missing the past two games with an MCL sprain. The coach also called it a “realistic expectation at this point” that right tackle Abraham Lucas will make his season debut in Sunday’s contest. Lucas, who has been on the physically unable to perform list all season while working back from knee surgery, has to be activated to the 53-man roster by Wednesday. This from Jon Macri of ProFootballFocus: @PFF_Macri#FFIDP – Tyrel Dodson has been one of the higher-graded coverage linebackers, per @PFF over these last two seasons (3rd in 2023, 11th in 2024). Seahawks do not have much depth at the position so might be something more to this story. Otherwise would make sense for him to get picked up by another team, but who knows. Tyrice Knight is likely to be the next man up next to Ernest Jones. Important to note, that Knight was not a full-time LB when he filled in earlier this season. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CLEVELANDESPN.com on T JEDRICK WILLS, Jr. getting more time off than he bargained for: Cleveland Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr.’s “business decision” to sit out a recent game with a knee injury might have backfired. Wills was recently benched in favor of second-year tackle Dawand Jones, who was moved from right tackle to the left side in hopes of improving a Cleveland line that has been beset with injuries. Wills said it was his decision not to play against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 27 after he hyperextended his left knee — the same one he had surgery on in December — on the game’s first play the previous week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Then, after the Browns (2-7) upset the Ravens with Jones at left tackle, Wills said coach Kevin Stefanski told him that he would no longer start but instead would serve as a “swing” tackle. He backed up both Jones and right tackle Jack Conklin for the Nov. 3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. A first-round draft pick in 2020 out of Alabama, Wills had started all 57 games in which he was healthy before the demotion. “It was pretty shocking,” he said Monday as the Browns returned from their bye week. “I mean, I decided myself. I made a business decision not to play after the Bengals game going into that Ravens game because I was injured. And then the next week is when I received the news.” Wills was asked whether the Browns misinterpreted his decision to sit out. “I’m not sure,” he said. “Maybe.” Wills understands the situation, but that doesn’t make it any easier on the agreeable 25-year-old. “I think upset isn’t a good word to use,” he said when asked about his feelings. “I would say it’s more frustrating. But, I mean, it’s not my decision. I can only do what I can do.” From their side, the Browns might have been making their own business decision in demoting Wills. He is in the final year of his rookie contract ($14.175 million), and it’s possible Cleveland’s front office no longer views him as part of its future. Jones, 6-foot-8 and 375 pounds, performed well as a rookie while replacing an injured Conklin, and the Browns might want to see whether he can be their left-side anchor. The team restructured Wills’ deal to make it more salary cap friendly, and if he doesn’t re-sign with Cleveland, the Browns will take a $11.8 million cap hit in 2025. “I’m not trying to say anything about [Wills],” Stefanski said last week. “I’m just trying to put Dawand out there and let him get better. Jed is still a player that we believe in, and right now he’s got to be ready to go.” |
| AFC SOUTH |
| TENNESSEEQB WILL LEVIS put up some decent numbers against the NFL’s best defense on Sunday. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: When Titans quarterback Will Levis spoke to reporters last week, he said he thought he’d “show improvement” in terms of his ability to operate the offense in his return from missing three games with a right shoulder injury. Levis’s return took place against the Chargers on Sunday and he went 18-of-23 for 175 yards and two touchdowns. That wasn’t enough to lead the Titans to a victory, but Levis id earn a good review from head coach Brian Callahan. “I did see progress and there were a lot of things I did feel positive about coming out of that game with Will, with where he is at,” Callahan said, via the team’s website. “Not turning the ball over, not putting the ball in harm’s way, being smart, running, sliding — all those things were improvements. . . . I saw growth in Will’s play in this game, I really did. There was improvement.” At 2-7, there’s little for the Titans to do this season beyond trying to find pieces to build around for the future. They’d love for Levis to be one of those pieces, so the hope in Nashville will be that the progress continues in the weeks to come. |
| AFC EAST |
| BUFFALORookie WR KEON COLEMAN will not be available for Sunday’s showdown with the undefeated Chiefs. Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com with that news and other Bills injury updates: – The Buffalo Bills will be without one of the team’s top wide receivers for the Week 11 game against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs as coach Sean McDermott ruled out rookie Keon Coleman on Monday. Coleman is dealing with a right wrist injury suffered in the Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins. The injury forced him to miss the team’s win over the Indianapolis Colts last week, but McDermott said that Coleman going on injured reserve is still not expected. The team’s bye week follows the game against the Chiefs. “We still feel, as far as I’m being told by the trainers, we still feel like he is improving,” McDermott said. “It’s just not a situation where we expect him back this week.” As far as other injuries for Sunday’s game in Orchard Park, New York (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), McDermott said that wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) and fullback Reggie Gilliam are “improving” and that “we’ll see how they do.” Cooper has missed the past two games with a left wrist injury. Another player the Bills will monitor this week is tight end Dalton Kincaid, who suffered a left knee injury in the second quarter against the Colts, and attempted to return to the game, but was ultimately unable to for more than two additional plays. “Thought I could go and just didn’t feel good enough to run and be able to go out there and protect myself,” Kincaid said after the game. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| 2025 DRAFT NEEDSESPN looks at each teams biggest need and identifies draft prospects that could help fix it: We asked NFL analyst Aaron Schatz and draft insiders Matt Miller and Jordan Reid to take an early look at the biggest offseason needs for all 32 teams. Schatz evaluated the positions each could target in 2025, while Miller and Reid picked a draft prospect who could fit with each organization. We also included each team’s potential first-round pick in April’s draft (based on the FPI’s projections) and 2025 salary cap space (per Roster Management System). Let’s start with the Cardinals and go in alphabetical order: Arizona CardinalsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Defensive back. Six-time Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker leaves a big hole if he departs Arizona when his contract is up in the offseason. Even if the Cardinals re-sign him, they could still use an upgrade at cornerback, as veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting has disappointed this season (one interception and 24 tackles). — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Starks would be the ideal replacement for Baker with his versatility as a slot cornerback or safety prospect. He also has six career interceptions, which would give the Cardinals a needed ball hawk on the back end. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 20Salary cap space: $91.8 million Atlanta FalconsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Edge rusher. The Falcons rank 26th in pass rush win rate (35.4%) and veterans Matthew Judon, Lorenzo Carter and James Smith-Williams are all free agents next offseason. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Scourton is a power rusher who has a knack for getting to the quarterback. He’s also a dependable run defender and would add another pass-rushing threat to a Falcons unit that desperately needs help on the edge. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 23Salary cap space: $1.8 million Baltimore RavensBiggest 2025 offseason need: Offensive tackle. Ronnie Stanley has rebounded from an iffy 2023 season, but he’ll be 31 years old next season and his contract voids after this season. His backup, Patrick Mekari, will also be a free agent. The Ravens ranked 10th in pass block win rate (63.8%) and fourth in run block win rate (74.3%) through Week 9. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State. He is out for the season with a knee injury, but he was playing as well as any tackle in the country when healthy. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder has elite movement ability and NFL power on the blind side. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 29Salary cap space: $10.2 million Buffalo BillsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Wide receiver. Amari Cooper is a late-season addition who becomes a free agent at the end of the season. If the Bills don’t re-sign him, quarterback Josh Allen will once again need a dependable No. 1 target who can stretch the field. Rookie Keon Coleman has an average depth of target of 13.4 yards on all passes but only 10.3 yards on his receptions. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Bond is an explosive all-around threat who could provide a dynamic receiving option for Allen. He’s a three-level type of receiver whose vertical speed could open up an offense that has struggled to generate explosive plays. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 30Salary cap space: minus-$11.9 million Carolina PanthersBiggest 2025 offseason need: Quarterback. In 22 starts, Bryce Young has thrown 12 touchdown passes with 16 interceptions and has a 59.8% completion percentage, leading Carolina to a 3-17 record as a starter. It’s clear the 2023 No. 1 overall pick hasn’t worked out, so this offseason will be the time to try again. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Cam Ward, QB, Miami. Ward is a playmaker who has the big-time ability to dial up velocity as a thrower along with the wheels to create big plays as a runner. He also has pro-ready size at 6-foot-2, 223 pounds. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 2Salary cap space: $47.4 million Chicago BearsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Guard. Teven Jenkins, a second-round pick in 2021, hasn’t quite lived up to his draft potential. Since landing in Chicago, he has allowed 17 sacks and posted a 72.4% run block win rate and 93.0% pass block win rate. Jenkins will be a free agent after this season, and the Bears may look to replace him in the draft rather than bringing him back. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama. Booker is dependable at both guard spots, as he could fortify the interior and add needed protection for franchise quarterback Caleb Williams. Booker’s strong base and natural power at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds project him as a Day 1 starter. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 13Salary cap space: $66.3 million Cincinnati BengalsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Wide receiver. Cincinnati isn’t likely to franchise-tag Tee Higgins again. Second-year wideout Andrei Iosivas has just 15 catches for 199 yards, though he does have four touchdowns. Even if the Bengals trust Iosivas in the slot, they’ll still need a new playmaker on the outside. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Burden has developed into a legitimate deep threat who can produce even when Missouri’s offense is struggling. He has the strength and start-stop speed to open the field opposite Ja’Marr Chase. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 15Salary cap space: $58.3 million Cleveland BrownsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Quarterback. Deshaun Watson’s stint in Cleveland has not worked out. Since the 2022 trade for him, he has started just 19 games and posted a 33.7 QBR with 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. Let’s assume the Browns understand the concept of “sunk cost.” — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado. With Watson out until at least the beginning of next season with a torn Achilles, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Sanders could step in immediately as Cleveland’s new signal-caller. His poise, anticipation and ball placement fit well with the Browns’ scheme. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 7Salary cap space: minus-$56.9 million Dallas CowboysBiggest 2025 offseason need: Guard. Future Hall of Famer Zack Martin will be 35 next season. His contract is up after this one, and it’s possible he will retire. The likely replacement on the roster right now is 2023 undrafted free agent T.J. Bass, who has three career starts, so the Cowboys should upgrade with new young talent. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU. Campbell plays left tackle for the Tigers, but scouts project the 6-foot-6, 323-pounder to play guard in the NFL. He has the movement ability and great recovery agility of a tackle but lacks the necessary length, with arms shorter than 33 inches. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 10Salary cap space: $412,000 Denver BroncosBiggest 2025 offseason need: Offensive tackle. Garett Bolles is a free agent in 2025 and will be 33 years old. The Broncos could replace him or bring him back for a year or two and draft a swing tackle to learn behind Bolles and right tackle Mike McGlinchey (who will be 30). There’s no need for a replacement right away, as the Broncos rank No. 1 in pass block win rate (76.1%) this season. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota. Ersery is a reliable and physical blocker who has shown steady improvement. Expect the 6-foot-6, 330-pound lineman to continue to climb up draft boards. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 16Salary cap space: $61.8 million Detroit LionsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Guard. Veteran Kevin Zeitler will be 35 and might have always been a one-year option. That would require the Lions to get some youth for the middle of their otherwise stellar offensive line, which ranks ninth in pass block win rate (64.3%). — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Dylan Fairchild, G, Georgia. A mauler at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, Fairchild fits the Lions up front and has great instincts in the pass and run game. He’s the most NFL-ready guard in the 2025 class. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 31Salary cap space: $55.4 million Green Bay PackersBiggest 2025 offseason need: Cornerback. Jaire Alexander has plenty left in the tank (minus-40.6% coverage DVOA, which ranks eighth) and Keisean Nixon has exceeded expectations (minus-35.9% coverage DVOA, 10th), but the Packers won’t likely re-sign Eric Stokes (plus-36.6% coverage DVOA, 85th of 89). This is a position where Green Bay needs depth, and it could add a young player to study behind Alexander and Nixon. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona. At 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Davis is a long, rangy corner who also has ball skills. He plays a lot of man coverage and can disrupt throwing lanes, making him a good fit in the Packers’ scheme. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 24Salary cap space: $45.9 million Houston TexansBiggest 2025 offseason need: Defensive tackle. Houston could use depth in the middle of the defensive line, especially if 30-year-old Folorunso Fatukasi doesn’t re-sign when his contract voids after the season. The Texans rank fifth in run stop win rate (33.6%). — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky. The presence that the 6-foot-6, 340-pound Walker provides would create more opportunities for the Texans’ pass rushers, as Walker would make an immediate impact at nose tackle. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 25Salary cap space: $9.5 million Indianapolis ColtsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Cornerback. Samuel Womack III has been surprisingly decent in the first half of the season with 11 solo tackles and five passes defended. But the Colts could really use a fresh young talent to play opposite Jaylon Jones. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame. Before Morrison suffered a season-ending hip injury, he consistently proved to be one of the best corner prospects. The 6-foot, 190-pounder is a technician with excellent feet and hips that help him make plays on the ball. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 14Salary cap space: $38.2 million Jacksonville JaguarsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Offensive line. Starting left tackle Cam Robinson was traded to Minnesota, and new starter Walker Little is going to be a free agent. It sure feels like the Jaguars could use a refresh at the position. And Jacksonville might need a guard to replace Brandon Scherff, who will be 34 with a contract that voids after this season. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas. Banks struggled in Texas’ loss to Georgia but has the footwork, agility and strength to be a high-level NFL starter. It helps that the 6-foot-4, 320-pounder comes to the league with three seasons of starting experience, making him ready to play immediately. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 6Salary cap space: $34.8 million Kansas City ChiefsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Defensive tackle. Chris Jones is great, but he can’t play two spots at once! Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel are all free agents in 2025. The Chiefs will need to refresh a defensive front that has helped them rank second in run defense DVOA this season. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss. The No. 1 recruit in the 2022 ESPN 300, the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Nolen is having his best college season. His first-step quickness and ability to take on blocks make him a wrecking ball on the interior. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 32Salary cap space: $18.1 million Las Vegas RaidersBiggest 2025 offseason need: Quarterback. Theoretically, sure, the Raiders could go into 2025 with Gardner Minshew (38.5 QBR) and Aidan O’Connell (48.0 QBR) competing for the job again. But should they? Not if they want to be a contender. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado. Sanders’ accuracy, toughness in the pocket and quick-strike ability as a thrower would put him in position to immediately be the Raiders’ starter. He’s the top QB on my board. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 3Salary cap space: $79.2 million Los Angeles ChargersBiggest 2025 offseason need: Nose tackle. Poona Ford and Teair Tart are both free agents after this season, and so is 5-technique lineman Morgan Fox. The Seahawks rank 23rd in run stop win rate (29.5%), so both youth and an upgrade would be helpful. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan. The 6-foot-3, 339-pound Grant is an anchor in the middle and extremely difficult for opposing blockers to move. He’s still working on using his skills to be a more effective pass rusher. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 21Salary cap space: $90 million Los Angeles RamsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Offensive tackle. Alaric Jackson took the starting left tackle job in 2023, his third season, but is he worth re-signing to a large contract, or should the Rams look elsewhere? He ranks 23rd among all tackles with a 90.5% pass block win rate. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas. Williams is in his first season starting at right tackle, but his tape shows fantastic agility and world-class strength. The 6-foot-5, 335-pounder is raw but has the highest upside of any tackle in this class. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 17Salary cap space: $49.4 million Miami DolphinsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Safety. Even if the Dolphins can re-sign Jevon Holland before he hits free agency, he’ll need a running partner, as veterans Jordan Poyer (34 next year) and Marcus Maye (32) are on one-year contracts. Poyer and Maye have combined for no interceptions and just two passes defensed through Week 9. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina. The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Emmanwori is a consistent wrap-up-and-finish tackler who also has plenty of range and versatility, allowing him to be a mistake eraser in the secondary. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 9Salary cap space: minus-$3.7 million Minnesota VikingsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Cornerback. The Vikings’ recent draft picks at this position have not worked out, and veterans Byron Murphy Jr. and Stephon Gilmore will see their contracts void in 2025. The Vikings rank No. 1 in pass defense DVOA, but there’s going to be a personnel overhaul in the secondary for 2025. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas. Barron has split time between safety, slot corner and outside corner and excelled at each spot. His three interceptions this season are a career high and have pushed the 5-foot-11, 200-pound into the Round 1 conversation. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 26Salary cap space: $61.2 million New England PatriotsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Offensive line. The 2022 Rams started 14 different offensive linemen, the most of any team since 1999. The Patriots are going to challenge that record. They rank last in both pass block win rate (48.6%) and run block win rate (66.3%). — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU. Campbell has primarily played tackle at LSU but probably projects best at guard in the NFL. He’s a tough, physical and rugged blocker who can help an offensive line that needs upgrades at multiple spots. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 1Salary cap space: $97.9 million New Orleans SaintsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Edge rusher. Chase Young is on a one-year prove-it contract, Payton Turner has never quite lived up to his first-round billing, and Cameron Jordan will be 36 next season. The Saints rank 28th in pass rush win rate (34.2%) and need to use the offseason to improve. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State. Carter has shown the first-step quickness and point-of-contact power in his first season as a full-time pass rusher to be ranked No. 5 overall on my board. The 6-foot-3, 259-pounder’s ability to win in space is ideal for the Saints. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 8Salary cap space: minus-$68.7 million New York GiantsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Offensive line. The issue here is specifically the right side, where 2022 top-10 pick Evan Neal hasn’t played well, Greg Van Roten is on a one-year deal and Jermaine Eluemunor (49th among tackles with an 85.9% pass block win rate) has a $9.25 million cap number for 2025. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas. Banks is among the most consistent blockers in the 2025 draft. His frame and feet help him mirror and match rushers while providing power to easily generate movement in the run game. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 4Salary cap space: $40.2 million New York JetsBiggest 2025 offseason need: Quarterback. You might have heard that the current starting quarterback of the Jets turns 41 in December. Aaron Rodgers ranks 22nd in QBR among qualified starters (52.9) with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions, but more importantly: FORTY-ONE. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU. The QB3 spot in this draft is wide open, and the 6-2, 200-pound Nussmeier’s upside could be tempting. He’s accurate on the go and from the pocket and plays with enough moxie to push the ball down the field. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 11Salary cap space: $26.9 million Philadelphia EaglesBiggest 2025 offseason need: Edge rusher. Josh Sweat will be a free agent in 2025, while 36-year-old Brandon Graham is likely to retire. We’re still waiting for Nolan Smith Jr. to look like a first-round pick. The Eagles will need to refresh a defense that ranks 10th in pass rush win rate (44.8%). — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia. Williams has returned to form after being slowed by an ankle injury in the season opener. The Eagles have drafted plenty of Georgia players in recent years, and the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Williams could be next. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 27Salary cap space: $9.9 million Pittsburgh SteelersBiggest 2025 offseason need: Quarterback. The Steelers could try to sign Justin Fields to a long-term contract, but otherwise he’ll hit free agency. Starter Russell Wilson is also a free agent, and he will turn 36 in 2025. Both quarterbacks have the same 53.9 QBR through Week 9, which would rank 18th in the league if they had the snaps to qualify. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas. The Steelers need a quarterback, and Ewers should be around when their pick comes up. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is only 21 years old and has soft-touch accuracy and enough arm to make every throw. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 22Salary cap space: $46.9 million San Francisco 49ersBiggest 2025 offseason need: Cornerback. Charvarius Ward’s contract will void in 2025, so he needs an extension or a replacement. He ranks 43rd out of 89 qualifying cornerbacks in coverage DVOA. Isaac Yiadom, Rock Ya-Sin and Ambry Thomas are also free agents. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina. Despite suffering a torn ACL in September, Revel is still among the top cornerbacks in the 2025 class. His length (6-foot-3, 193 pounds) and change-of-direction skills are among the best in this draft class. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 18Salary cap space: minus-$8.3 million Seattle SeahawksBiggest 2025 offseason need: Interior offensive line. The Seahawks rank 25th in pass block win rate (53.4%) and 29th in run block win rate (67.2%). They could try Olu Oluwatimi at the pivot again, but more likely they will need to re-sign or replace center Connor Williams and left guard Laken Tomlinson. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona. The 6-foot-5, 336-pound right tackle likely will kick inside in the NFL, where his blocking power is ideal in combating defensive tackles. Savaiinaea’s agility in working to the second level gives him Pro Bowl upside. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 12Salary cap space: minus-$24 million Tampa Bay BuccaneersBiggest 2025 offseason need: Inside linebacker. Wideout Chris Godwin leaving in free agency would be a huge loss, but at least the Bucs drafted Jalen McMillan as an heir apparent in 2024. One of these years, though, 34-year-old Lavonte David is going to retire, and there’s nobody behind him. Losing David means losing a lot of big plays, as he is consistently near the top of the league in defeats (a metric adding together turnovers, tackles for loss and plays to prevent a third-down conversion). He has 17 this season. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama. Campbell continues to ascend on draft boards. His range and playmaking ability make the 6-foot-3, 244-pounder a potential heir apparent to David. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 19Salary cap space: $17.9 million Tennessee TitansBiggest 2025 offseason need: Wide receiver. Tyler Boyd and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are going to hit free agency next offseason. Even if Treylon Burks (knee) can come back from injury, that first-round pick never worked out for the Titans. Burks has only four receptions for 34 yards this season and 53 receptions for 699 yards and a touchdown over three seasons. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Travis Hunter, WR, Colorado. The Titans are projected to have a top-five pick, putting them in range to take the best player in college football. Hunter’s speed, ball-tracking ability and knack for big plays make the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder a legit WR1. — Miller Projected first-round pick: No. 5Salary cap space: $55.8 million Washington CommandersBiggest 2025 offseason need: Edge rusher. The Commanders are a surprising fourth in pass rush win rate (49%) so far this season, but they could use some youth to rush the passer instead of another year of Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell on one-year contracts. — Schatz Draft prospect who could fit: Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas. While the Commanders are one of the biggest surprises in the NFL, their pass rush could use the 6-foot-7, 280-pound Jackson, who has 11 sacks over the past two seasons. He would provide an immediate boost off the edge. — Reid Projected first-round pick: No. 28Salary cap space: $75.8 million |
