Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was named the NFL's 2021 Comeback Player of the Year on Thursday.Burrow received 28 votes, seven more than Dallas Cowboys signal-caller Dak Prescott. Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Derwin James earned one vote.After tearing his ACL and MCL as a rookie in 2020, Burrow led all passers with a 70.4% completion rate in 2021. He threw for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns against 14 interceptions through 16 appearances despite being sacked a league-high 51 times.Burrow struggled with turnovers early this season, tossing nine interceptions through his first eight games. However, the 25-year-old recovered in the campaign's second half and threw for 14 touchdowns to five picks from Weeks 9-17, helping the Bengals win their first AFC North title since 2015 before leading them to Super Bowl LVI.He's the fourth straight quarterback to be named Comeback Player of the Year after Andrew Luck (2018), Ryan Tannehill (2019), and Alex Smith (2020).Prescott was the preseason favorite for the award after suffering a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle in October 2020. He finished 2021 with 4,449 yards and 37 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.James didn't play in 2020 due to a torn meniscus.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year award at the NFL Honors show Thursday.Drafted fifth overall, Chase recorded more receiving yards (1,455) than any rookie in the Super Bowl era during a historic 2021 campaign. He also surpassed Chad Johnson's single-season franchise record of 1,440 yards.Chase beat out of the likes of New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, and Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater for the top rookie honor.After struggling with drops during the preseason, Chase exploded onto the scene in the regular season. He crossed the 200-yard mark in two games, including a rookie record 266-yard performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17.The tandem of Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow has propelled the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, the franchise's first championship appearance in 33 years. Chase has put up 279 receiving yards on 20 receptions during Cincinnati's postseason run.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons was named the unanimous winner of the Defensive Rookie of the Year award on Thursday at the NFL Honors show.Parsons is the first Cowboys player to win the award after leading all rookies with 13 sacks in 2021.Taken with the No. 12 pick, Parsons took the NFL by storm with his versatility. He played on the defensive line as a pass-rusher in addition to his typical role as a linebacker.The Penn State product was instrumental to a Cowboys defensive unit that allowed just 21.1 points per game, seventh best in the league. Parsons led the team in sacks, quarterback hits (30), and tackles for a loss (20).In addition to the rookie honor, Parsons also earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If it were up to San Francisco 49ers legend Joe Montana, the club would keep veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for a little longer.Garoppolo has been San Francisco's main passer over the last four campaigns, but the 49ers are expected to move on from the veteran signal-caller this offseason and give the starting role to Trey Lance."I think they keep Jimmy until you find somebody else," Montana said on "Slow News Day with Kevin Clark" on Thursday when asked how he'd manage the 49ers' current quarterback situation."I don't think Trey is ready to play yet, as myself and after talking to some of the players. It's one of those things that, if you can keep Jimmy healthy, he plays well enough to get you (to the Super Bowl)."San Francisco drafted Lance third overall in 2021.The North Dakota State product didn't do much as a rookie. He mostly logged situational in-game appearances through the first month of the season before starting in Week 5 and Week 17 in place of an injured Garoppolo. Lance was 1-1 and tossed two touchdowns against two interceptions as a starter.Meanwhile, Garoppolo posted a 9-6 record under center in 2021 while passing for 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. The 30-year-old helped the 49ers reach the NFC title game, though he finished the postseason with only two touchdowns to three picks.Despite having a 31-14 regular-season record with the 49ers, Garoppolo hasn't taken his game to the next level since joining in a trade from the New England Patriots. The former second-round pick has also struggled to stay healthy, missing 25 games since 2018.Garoppolo and Co. guided the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV, but they ultimately fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah has a wild celebration planned if Cincinnati wins Super Bowl LVI.Uzomah told reporters Thursday that he'll take a bath in chili - specifically Cincinnati's Skyline-brand chili - if the Bengals beat the Los Angeles Rams."I'm wearing swim trunks, but you put it in a swimming pool, I'll dive in there, and I'll eat my way out," Uzomah said.

The Super Bowl prop betting menu is famously extensive. While the obscure markets are fun and get a lot of attention, what's really beneficial about betting props is that you can hone a bet based on your handicap of a game or a player-usage situation.When it comes to Super Bowl LVI, I intended on betting the under on Joe Mixon carries. However, his total rushing attempts are lined at 16.5, which is a carry or two lower than I would've hoped for. Not wanting to walk away from a desire to fade his success against a Rams defense that's quietly allowed just 3.9 yards per attempt this season, I had to look for an alternative bet that was still mathematically viable.Joe Mixon longest rush under 13.5 yards (-112)In 19 starts throughout the regular season and playoffs, Mixon has had a run of 14 yards or more in 11 of them. At a long-rush success rate of 57.9%, that should translate to a price of -137. So, why is the over being priced at -112 with an implied probability of 52.8%?Since their bye week, the Rams' opposing tailbacks have recorded more than 180 carries over 10 games. L.A. allowed a rush of more than 13 yards only twice during that span. Across 292 regular-season carries, Mixon registered 13 breakaway runs for a 4.4% breakaway rate, per Playerprofiler.com. He has just two such rushes over 52 postseason carries for a 3.8% clip.With the Rams' defensive long-rush rate at 1% and Mixon's long-rush clip at 4%, we'll split the difference and assume Mixon is probable to have a long rush on 2.5% of his carries. At that rate, he'd need 40 attempts to expect a long rush Sunday. With 20 carries, he'd have a 50% chance for a run of 14-plus yards. With every carry under 20, his probability for a long rush goes down by 2.5%.MIXON RUSH ATT. LONG RUSH PROB.2050%1947.5%1845%1742.5%1640%1538.5%With this bet priced at 52.8%, without knowing how Mixon's workload will play out, anything at 18 carries or fewer provides an edge with the under hitting at 55% or better. This is enough for me to make this bet instead of taking Mixon to have fewer than 16.5 carries. It's also respectful of Mixon's ability to churn out better than four yards per carry, which would allow him to go over his game total of 62.5 yards on 16 rushing attempts.Number of Bengals to have a rush attempt: Under 3.5 (+175)This is all about price. A +175 payout implies that the Bengals will have three or fewer different players run the football 36.4% of the time. It's safe to assume Mixon and Burrow will have a rushing attempt, which means two more Bengals must run the football for us to lose. Since the over is the favorite, it should come as no surprise that there are two main candidates to take a handoff or a toss: Samaje Perine and Ja'Marr Chase.Strangely, based on recent usage, Chase is more likely to be tabbed for a run play. He only had seven carries in the regular season, but once the playoffs began, he had three rushing attempts against the Raiders alone and added one more in each of the next two rounds. Those five carries are four more than Perine, though, as the Bengals' backup running back and third-down specialist has just one rush this postseason.While there's a small chance a fifth candidate finds himself with a carry, this is essentially a bet that either Chase or Perine won't have a rushing attempt. If this was lined closer to 50/50, I wouldn't bet it. But if the odds approach +200, it's on my radar for Sunday.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"The Rams' rushing props ...""Yes!"That wasn't just my reaction to this assignment of writing about the betting market for the Rams' ground game - it was also my response under the assumption the sentence concluded with "over?"I wrote on Feb. 2 about how I'd look to grab Cam Akers over 64.5 rushing yards. This was in case the market jumped at the chance to take the Rams' primary tailback against a run defense that's struggled to make up for the loss of defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi.Obviously, when it comes to the Rams' run game, that's where it begins and ends for me. However, if you don't want to play the long game with Akers, here are three other ways to back him in Super Bowl LVI, along with two more bets on the Rams' potential success running the ball against the Bengals.Akers

Expect more alternative broadcasts on ESPN in the near future.ESPN extended its deal with Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions on Wednesday, adding an extra year of "ManningCast" to its schedule, the network announced Wednesday.Peyton teamed up with his brother, Eli, on 10 Monday Night Football broadcasts in 2021. "ManningCast" will now air through the 2024 season after averaging 1.6 million viewers per game in its debut year.The agreement between ESPN and Omaha Productions will also lead to the creation of alternative broadcasts - with other hosts - for UFC, college football, and golf."I've always loved talking football with my brother, and it was even more fun to do it while watching ESPN's 'Monday Night Football,'" Peyton said. "Eli and I are excited to sign on for another season, and the entire Omaha team is looking forward to producing MegaCasts that celebrate other sports.""ManningCast," which includes guests and celebrity appearances, was a huge hit in its first season and provided viral moments throughout the year.Amazon was reportedly interested in taking it away from ESPN after its initial deal expired following the 2023 season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL will head to Munich in 2022 for its first-ever regular-season game on German soil, commissioner Roger Goodell announced Tuesday.The league has committed to four games in Germany between 2022 and 2025, with two apiece in Munich and Frankfurt."We are very pleased to welcome Munich and Frankfurt to the NFL family and are excited to reward our fans in Germany for their passion by bringing them the spectacle of regular-season NFL football," Goodell said in a statement. "We look forward to staging our first game in Germany at FC Bayern Munich's fantastic stadium later this year and to exploring areas of broader collaboration with the Bundesliga."The NFL has four international games planned for 2022 in addition to the one in Germany. England will host three games, while Mexico will get one. The league didn't announce home teams for the international games.Germany has emerged as one of the hottest international markets for the NFL in recent years. An estimated 19-million NFL fans reside in Germany, while viewership across the nation has risen substantially since 2017.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Byron Allen, the chairman and chief executive officer of Allen Media Group, is preparing to bid on the Denver Broncos."NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft came to me in November of 2019 and asked me to take a good look at buying an NFL team," he said in a statement to Bloomberg's Kamaron Leach."And after serious consideration, I strongly believe I can help effectuate positive changes throughout the league. And for that reason, I will be making a bid for the Denver Broncos."If successful, Allen will become the first Black principal owner in the NFL. He's expected to bid with a group of investors behind him.The Broncos were put up for sale Feb. 1, almost three years after owner Pat Bowlen died. His family has held control of the team since his death, and the franchise is now worth an estimated $3.75 billion, according to Forbes' Mike Ozanian and Christina Settimi.The Carolina Panthers are the most recent franchise to change ownership, with David Tepper purchasing the club from Jerry Richardson for $2.2 billion in 2018.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Ray Garvin of Destination Devy and FTN Fantasy joins Boone to break down the top NFL prospects in the 2022 draft class.

The Rams made a point to augment their receiving corps with star power at the expense of future draft picks. Of course, their biggest star was the least likely to become one.Cooper Kupp was an MVP candidate this season, and I've written about the possibility of him winning Super Bowl MVP on Sunday. His totals and odds in the prop market reflect those high expectations.Meanwhile, the flashy name of the group, Odell Beckham Jr., has consistently surpassed his receiving yardage total during the playoffs, encouraging bettors to push that line up into the 60s for Sunday. The market is fully aware of what he and Kupp are capable of. As a result, we'll search elsewhere for some under-the-radar value with Rams pass-catchers.Van Jefferson longest reception: over 17.5 yards (-110)Van Jefferson's full game total is a modest 32.5 receiving yards, but given his recent game log, he'll need either a long reception or three catches to hit the yardage over. In his last seven contests, Jefferson's gone over that number just twice, catching a 35-yard pass in one game and a 41-yard pass in the other.Given his recent trend as a boom-or-bust option for Matthew Stafford, I'd rather back Jefferson to make just one catch for modest yardage. As the third option to Kupp and Beckham, he'll get the chance to stretch the field.First reception: Tyler Higbee (+1400)We haven't had much in the way of long-shot bets in our prop betting extravaganza, but we'll take a shot with a fun one here. If Tyler Higbee can't go, this bet gets refunded, so we'll play it on the premise that he starts. He's been a primary target of Stafford early in games, with 42 of his 60 grabs this season coming in the first half.Obviously, this may come down to who gets the ball first, but we've seen how conservative the Bengals' play-calling can be on early downs. That could force Joe Burrow to throw on a third-and-long after two run plays if Cincinnati receives the opening kickoff, which may result in a reception-less three-and-out.Higbee could provide an easy first throw for Stafford as the veteran works through some early Super Bowl jitters.Tyler Higbee anytime touchdown (+370)With Kupp priced as high as -200 to score, I'm looking to find other pass-catchers to record a touchdown. Barstool Sportsbook has Higbee listed at +370 for a score. When compared with some of the other payouts for Higbee, or the other options for Stafford, there's no better value - assuming Higbee is available for the Rams.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If you listen to some prognosticators leading up to Super Bowl LVI, you'd think Joe Burrow should expect to spend the better part of Sunday either lying flat on his back or running for his life. However, if we know the Bengals may be overmatched in pass protection, so does Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati coaching staff.When searching for viable prop plays for the Bengals' receivers, we'll factor in how both teams might adjust to the potential on-field matchups.Ja'Marr Chase under 79.5 receiving yards (-110)Jalen Ramsey has gained a reputation for much of his career as a shutdown corner despite not traveling around the field following an opponent's top receiver. This season, under new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, the Rams have been more apt to put Ramsey wherever he's deemed most useful, depending on the opponent.Ja'Marr Chase's rookie season started with highlight-reel plays catching numerous attention-grabbing deep balls. Since then, though, the long bombs have subsided, but Chase has shown an uncanny ability to fend off smaller defenders to win at the point of the catch.Ramsey has already admitted that he's asked the Rams' coaches for this matchup during the game-planning phase. He'll be the most physical defensive back Chase will have faced in this early stage of his career because the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Ramsey is arguably the most physically imposing corner in the game.With Chase now getting attention over the top from defenses and tough matchups on intermediate jump ball-style throws down the sideline, look for Burrow to either throw to Chase via shorter targets or look elsewhere. Both will result in a depressed yardage total for Burrow's favorite target since their days at LSU.Tee Higgins over 5.5 receptions (+110)Chase will be the wide receiver the Rams focus on slowing down, but he's not the only one who can do damage. If Ramsey sees as much of Chase as the cornerback hopes, that leaves the 6-foot-4 Tee Higgins matched against either Darious Williams (5-foot-9) or David Long (5-foot-11) in man-to-man situations.If the Bengals can't use their top receiving tight end C.J. Uzomah, look for Higgins to be the prime big body target underneath for Burrow. With the much-maligned Cincinnati offensive line having to deal with the Rams' defensive front, the expectation should be that the Bengals' staff drilled into their quarterback that he needs to get the ball out early. Higgins will be the beneficiary of that and, in situations where he draws Ramsey, has the size to box him out on slants and crossing routes.Samaje Perine over 8.5 receiving yards (-110)It's easy to assume that sacks will come due to the Rams' vaunted front-seven giving Burrow fits, but there's more to it than that. The Bengals may opt to spread out the Rams, going with a five-wide approach more than usual. That would see a running back lined up outside in most cases.Samaje Perine averaged 12 receiving yards per game this season, and he scored on a screen in the AFC championship. It may take just one catch, but I believe he'll grab at least two pressure-relieving throws from Burrow and clear this yardage total relatively easily. I especially think he'll top this total if Burrow is sacked often and finds himself in a few third-and-long situations, where Perine is the primary tailback. The 26-year-old running back recorded half his receptions this season on third down.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For each of the past three years, I've made it my personal and professional mission to provide the most comprehensive breakdown available - dedicating dozens of hours and thousands of words - on everyone's favorite Super Bowl prop bet: the length of the national anthem.The results have been promising. We cashed on performances by Gladys Knight (2019) and Demi Lovato (2020) before last year's duo of Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan flew past the closing total of 1:59. (Note to self: never bet under on a duet.)This year, rising country music star Mickey Guyton will take the stage in Los Angeles ahead of Super Bowl LVI, and oddsmakers don't expect her to be out there for long. So, as is tradition, here is everything you need to know - and then some - about betting this year's national anthem. Buckle up.History of the Super Bowl anthemLet's start with the most obvious storyline of this year's anthem: it's projected to be one of the shortest in Super Bowl history. In fact, the consensus opening total of 1:35 was just one second higher than the lowest betting total since oddsmakers started setting the over/under for this prop in 2007.Early money has pushed that as high as 1:40, but that's still the second-lowest betting total in the 15-year history of this prop bet. If she sang it in exactly 1:40, it would also mark the seventh-shortest anthem since 1990 and shortest since Kelly Clarkson (1:34) in 2012.Traditionally, low totals bode well for under bettors. Here's a look at how every singer has fared since '07 compared to their over/under:YEARSINGERTIMEO/URESULT2021Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan2:171:59Over2020Demi Lovato1:491:55Under2019Gladys Knight1:491:50Under2018Pink1:532:00Under2017Luke Bryan2:042:09Under2016Lady Gaga2:092:22Under2015Idina Menzel2:042:02Over2014Renee Fleming1:542:23Under2013Alicia Keys2:352:15Over2012Kelly Clarkson1:341:34Push2011Christina Aguilera1:531:54Under2010Carrie Underwood1:471:41Over2009Jennifer Hudson2:102:04Over2008Jordin Sparks1:541:47Over2007Billy Joel1:301:44UnderThere's very little precedent for a total this low, but past results give us an idea of what to expect Sunday. In the last 15 years, eight solo artists have closed with a total of two minutes or less (excluding last year's duet). The under went 5-2-1 in those eight anthems, with Clarkson pushing on the shortest total on the board.Guyton's age (38) hints at a short performance, as well. Of the 14 solo performances since '07, six singers were at least 38 years old. Five of them went under, as only Idina Menzel's lengthy 2015 performance (2:04) rewarded over bettors. (Mileage may vary on Knight's rendition in 2019, with her famed "double brave" causing headaches for bettors and books alike.)And what about the history of country music singers in this spot? That favors the under, too. Since 1990, four of the nine shortest anthem performances were courtesy of country artists, including two of the six clocking in at under 1:40. Even Luke Bryan, the last solo country artist to perform the anthem, checked in five seconds under his closing total of 2:09.Who is Mickey Guyton?Just like any Super Bowl bettor would study film on the Rams and Bengals, I've been grinding tape of Guyton's past performances ahead of her Sunday showcase to highlight any patterns or irregularities. (You're welcome.)We don't have a ton of past recordings to lean on, as Guyton is relatively new to the mainstream scene and has only belted the anthem a handful of times in front of a live audience. But they've all shared one thing in common: they're incredibly short.A year ago, Guyton performed the anthem at the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C. It was clean, crisp, and clocked in right around 1:25 - a full 15 seconds shorter than the betting total for Sunday:She also sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville in 2015, though the video starts just before she says "the dawn's early light." Still, even if you add five to six seconds to her total - which is how long it took for her to get to that line in her most recent performance - she still cruises through the song in roughly 1:30. See for yourself:Those sharp, speedy renditions are par for the course for Guyton, who has risen to fame behind her powerful yet direct style as a vocalist.Her debut album, "Remember Her Name," captures her journey as a Black woman in country music and America, and the rising star doesn't mince words - or notes - with the album's 16 songs averaging 3:10. That's roughly 20 seconds shorter than the average song on the Billboard Hot 100, according to a study from 2019, and well below the average mark for country music.She's also intimately familiar with the national anthem. Earlier this week, Guyton called it "my song" in an interview with the Los Angeles Times and said she sang it before every basketball game at her high school in Texas. She even earned a reputation for how quickly she flew through those performances."I guess they call me Quicky Mickey," she told Entertainment Tonight's Tionah Lee, "because I do sing the national anthem fast."As if that's not enough to stop reading and pound the under, take a look at her performing her breakthrough hit "Black Like Me" at last year's Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. She sang with a gospel choir behind her - much like what she has planned for Sunday's anthem - in a brisk 2:50.That's a full 40 seconds (!) shorter than the song's studio version. Even if you dock roughly 20 seconds for the intro and outro, she still trimmed at least 20 seconds in a punchy, powerful performance in front of a live audience. Don't be surprised to see a similar no-frills approach to the anthem Sunday.How long will the anthem take?I'll be the first to admit: when I saw the initial total for this year's anthem, my gut reaction was that the number was priced far too low and to bet the over accordingly. Clearly, others felt the same, as evidenced by the total climbing five seconds since it opened.However, a look at past years suggests that, by and large, oddsmakers know what they're doing with this market. Since 2007, the closing total has been within seven seconds of the actual anthem's duration in 10 of 15 years. Of those five outliers, three finished well under the market price, with last year's duet (2:17) and Alicia Keys' famously long 2013 performance (2:35) serving as the lone "over" performances that far exceeded the market.So what does that tell us? Oddsmakers priced this historically low for a reason. Guyton isn't known for embellishing tones in her work, and she's flown under 1:40 in every recorded version of the anthem. Given the early action, it might be worth waiting until closer to kickoff to fire off an under bet, but there's value in betting it now at plus money, too.Either way, it would be surprising to see Guyton go off script on the song that she says inspired her to pursue a career in country music. So whether it's now or later in the week, hit the under and enjoy what should be the shortest Super Bowl anthem this century.C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Unless Sean McVay and his Rams perform offensively like they did the last time they were in the Super Bowl, there will be scoring on Sunday. How much is debatable, but I'd like to think it will be more than in the 13-3 loss to the Patriots that we all suffered through three years ago.However many points we get, and whichever side you're on, there are plenty of individual bets or prop pool picks to sink your teeth into. Here's where I'm leaning on a handful of scoring props.Longest TD: Under 42.5 yards (-112)This bet doesn't mean there won't be a big play. It just means that if there is, it won't be a touchdown. I'm ruling out the rare special teams and long defensive scores. If there is a defensive TD, it will be due to the pressure of Matthew Stafford or Joe Burrow taking snaps with their back to their own goal line.The Bengals have shown a willingness to play their safeties very deep this postseason in an attempt to not get beat. Plus, much has been made about the state of Stafford's arm strength. For as great as Cooper Kupp is, his breakaway speed doesn't lend itself to creating long touchdowns over the top.The Rams are hoping to have Taylor Rapp back so that Eric Weddle - signed less than a month ago - won't have to play 100% of the defensive snaps. Ja'Marr Chase makes the big plays for the Bengals' offense, but his biggest plays have come from fending off a defender for contested balls, as he's had just two catches for more than 32 yards since Week 7. Meanwhile, Tee Higgins only has three receptions of over 42 yards all season.Longest field goal: Under 47.5 yards (-115)We've previously discussed why Evan McPherson kicking the longer field goal between him and Matt Gay is a good bet, so this might feel contradictory. However, as an individual bet, McPherson's success this season has sent this total too high. Meanwhile, the rationale regarding Gay remains the same, as I don't expect him to be asked to kick a field goal of 48 yards or more. With McPherson the main kicker to worry about, and his opportunity not guaranteed, I'll take my chances with this bet.1st TD total yards: Over 7.5 (-112)I don't think there'll be a long touchdown where someone breaks away from the defense and goes the distance, but I do believe both teams and their quarterbacks are quite capable of finding their top targets in the end zone from 8 yards or further.Stafford has Kupp or Odell Beckham Jr. running crisp routes, while Burrow has a cadre of big targets. Both offenses should find success in the mid-range game once they approach the red zone, with the Rams having a decent chance of breaking a run from 10-plus yards out against the Bengals' struggling run defense. Joe Mixon has shown he's capable of doing the same.Successful 2-point conversion: Yes (+265)This usually isn't a valuable bet, but I think there will be a number of stalled drives between the 10-yard and 30-yard lines. If we get early field goals then that creates a scoring scenario where a 2-point conversion becomes mathematically mandatory late. (If the game is played a touchdown at a time, where the margin is seven or 10, we're less likely to see a team attempt a 2-point conversion.)The second element is that the conversion needs to be made. We saw the Bengals draw up a perfect 2-point play in the AFC championship. The Rams have Kupp's ability in goal-line offense and a few tricks in their playbook, so the chances that these offenses convert are greater than the standard 50/50 proposition.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest.In an effort to help you find trades that could improve your fantasy team, we present the Dynasty Trade Value Chart.You can use this chart to compare players and build realistic trade offers. Values are based on 12-team PPR leagues.Follow the links below to see the trade values for each position. Rookie rankings will be added in the coming weeks.Dynasty Rankings & Trade Values

New head coach Dennis Allen's first order of business is finding a starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints."I think it's the most important decision that you make," Allen said Tuesday at his introductory press conference. "That's going to be one of the first things that we do, is we get together as a staff, as an organization, and evaluate that position."Allen kept it simple when asked what style of quarterback he and the Saints are looking for."There's a lot of different ways to do it, but we want a winner," Allen noted. "Just a winner, a guy that's got tireless work ethic, a guy that can help lead men. That's what I see in the quarterback position."The Saints have struggled to find the next face of the franchise following Drew Brees' retirement, with four different passers starting games last season.Jameis Winston entered 2021 as the team's starter and was serviceable before tearing his ACL in Week 8. Winston, who is due to be a free agent this offseason, threw for 14 touchdowns to three interceptions and compiled a 5-2 record.Following Winston's injury, New Orleans turned to Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, and Ian Book to close out the season. Siemian and Book went winless over five total starts, while Hill went 4-1 as the starter. However, the versatile Hill failed to show much promise, throwing four touchdowns to three interceptions with a 75.4 passer rating.Allen was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach after Sean Payton stepped down following a 15-year tenure as the team's coach. He takes over a Saints squad that missed the postseason for the first time in five years."I want to take those lessons learned (from Payton) and build on it, but I want to create my own legacy with the New Orleans Saints," Allen said, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans have agreed to contract extensions with head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Jon Robinson, the team announced Tuesday."I am proud to say that Jon and Mike will be leading our football team for years to come," Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. "I have seen the team improve on a yearly basis under their direction, and I know their singular goal is to deliver a championship for our fans."The Titans have finished with a winning record in every season since Robinson took over in 2016. Meanwhile, under Vrabel's command, Tennessee has posted a 41-24 record over four seasons.The duo reached new heights in 2021, securing the AFC's No. 1 seed by winning 12 games. However, the Cincinnati Bengals dashed the club's championship hopes in the divisional round.While the Titans have gone one-and-done in each of their last two postseason trips, they've earned a playoff appearance in three of the last four seasons.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots hired former New York Giants head coach Joe Judge as an offensive assistant, the team announced Tuesday.Judge was dismissed by the Giants after going 10-23 over two seasons.The 40-year-old returns to New England, where he spent eight years working as a special teams assistant (2012-2014) and then coordinator (2015-2019). Judge also served as the club's wide receiver coach in his final season before leaving for New York.The Patriots currently have a vacancy at offensive coordinator after Josh McDaniels was named the Las Vegas Raiders' head coach.The Raiders expressed interest in Judge as their special teams coordinator following Rich Bisaccia's departure, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia is joining the Green Bay Packers as their new special teams coordinator, the team announced Tuesday.The Packers fired Maurice Drayton on Sunday after a mistake-ridden season on special teams culminated in a poor performance from the unit in the divisional-round loss to the San Francisco 49ers.Bisaccia has 20 years of experience coaching special teams in the NFL and has been an assistant head coach with five clubs. He joined the Raiders in 2018 as their assistant head coach and special teams coordinator.The 61-year-old interviewed for Las Vegas' permanent head coaching position after leading the team to the playoffs following Jon Gruden's midseason resignation. The Raiders ended up hiring Josh McDaniels to fill the vacancy.Bisaccia also interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coaching position, which went to Doug Pederson.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints hired defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as their head coach, the team announced Tuesday.Allen replaces Sean Payton, who stepped away from football this year after coaching New Orleans for the last 15 seasons.Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores were other known candidates for the Saints job.This will be the second head coaching stint of Allen's career. The 49-year-old, who's been with the Saints since 2015, coached the Oakland Raiders for two-plus seasons from 2012-14, posting an 8-28 record.He previously served as the defensive line and secondary coach for the Saints (2006-10) and defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos (2011).Allen replaced Payton during the 2021 season in Week 15 when the latter was sidelined due to COVID-19. The Saints beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-0.New Orleans enters the offseason with several pressing questions. The Allen-coordinated defense ranked fourth in scoring last season, but the Saints' offense struggled in the first year without retired quarterback Drew Brees.Injuries forced New Orleans to start four different quarterbacks during the campaign - Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian, Taysom Hill, and Ian Book. Overall, the unit averaged only 21.4 points per game in 2021.The Saints enter the 2022 offseason approximately $76 million over the salary cap, according to Spotrac.With Allen's hiring, all nine NFL head coaching vacancies from the end of the regular season have now been filled.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With less than a week before the Rams face the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, we've already broken down the best way to bet the first touchdown scorer, the MVP, and the actual game. But what about anytime TD scorers?Sunday's total currently sits at 49.5, which suggests roughly six or seven touchdowns up for grabs in this year's Super Bowl. We could be in store for more, given that this matchup features two of the NFL's most explosive offenses.Here are the odds to score a touchdown at theScore Bet, along with our favorite values on the board:PLAYERODDSCooper Kupp-220Joe Mixon-110Cam Akers+100Ja'Marr Chase+100Odell Beckham+130Tee Higgins+175Tyler Higbee+220Kendall Blanton+230Van Jefferson+240C.J. Uzomah+250Darrell Henderson+250Sony Michel+250Tyler Boyd+280Drew Sample+350Ben Skowronek+400Rams D/ST+400Samaje Perine+400Bengals D/ST+500Joe Burrow+500Matthew Stafford+550Brycen Hopkins+700Mitchell Wilcox+700Chris Evans+1000Brandon Allen+1100John Wolford+1100Brandon Powell+1300Mike Thomas+1500Jake Funk+1600Trayveon Williams+1800Trent Taylor+1800Buddy Howell+2000Trenton Irwin+2000Stanley Morgan+2500Ja'Marr Chase (+100)It's a bit surprising to see Chase priced as a 50-50 bet to reach the end zone, given his nose for scoring touchdowns in the regular season. The standout rookie scored 13 times during the campaign with at least one TD in nine of 17 games (52.9%), but he's scored just once during the playoffs.And that TD came in the AFC title game when Joe Burrow turned to his favorite target in a crucial red-zone spot to tie the game late in the third quarter. That's nothing new - Chase led his team in red-zone targets (15) in the regular season, to say nothing of his ability to turn any slant or deep ball into six points.Yes, Los Angeles will likely try to erase Chase from the game plan. Who hasn't tried that? The Cincinnati wideout has averaged nine targets per game in the playoffs and will be a focal point of the offense in this franchise's biggest game in three decades. At even money, he's a great bet to score.Odell Beckham (+130)Nearly all of the attention in the Rams offense belongs to Cooper Kupp, and deservedly so. If you can stomach the -220 price on a Kupp touchdown, I can't fault you for it. But Beckham has been an integral part of this Los Angeles passing attack since joining the team in Week 10, scoring five times in eight regular-season contests with his new squad.The former All-Pro receiver registered season-highs in catches (9) and targets (11) a week ago in a 113-yard effort, bringing his playoff total to 19 catches and one TD from the wild-card round. That effort comes as Kupp's numbers have exploded, forcing defenses to account for the superstar on the other side.The Bengals secondary put on a show in the second half of the AFC title game, but the unit's still struggled to slow down opposing No. 2 receivers and will likely divert much of its attention to not letting Kupp win the game on his own. That leaves the door wide open for OBJ to reach the end zone.Kendall Blanton (+230)If you haven't heard the name "Kendall Blanton" before today, you aren't alone. The Rams tight end caught just seven passes during the campaign and was on the field for a total of 148 snaps, ceding the majority of the work at the position to starter Tyler Higbee.That all changed when Higbee went down in the first quarter of the NFC title game. With Blanton as the only active tight end on the roster, the 6-6 pass-catcher played a season-high 61 snaps and hauled in all five of his targets for 57 yards - both ranking third on the team behind Kupp and Beckham.Higbee's status is uncertain ahead of Sunday's contest, while backup Brycen Hopkins was inactive last week and has one career catch. That leaves Blanton in a prime spot to take over as the primary TE in this one, which creates plenty of value on a score at a rewarding price.C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio defended the team's hiring process during Tuesday's introductory press conference for new head coach Lovie Smith.Caserio said former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL "didn't really affect the process at all," per SportsTalk 790.He added that the Texans had conversations with Flores after he filed his suit last week.Flores' attorneys congratulated Smith, who is Black, on earning the role in a statement Monday but asserted that the lawsuit was "the only reason" Houston didn't hire Flores.Caserio also said the Texans weren't planning to hire former quarterback Josh McCown before a late pivot to Smith, the team's defensive coordinator and associate head coach from last year.McCown, Flores, and Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon reportedly were the three finalists for the vacancy.The Texans interviewed McCown last season before choosing David Culley and appeared to be trending toward hiring McCown this offseason after meeting with him again.But Smith, previously the head coach of the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, emerged as a late-stage candidate and won the job.Smith said he had "no hesitation at all" about accepting the role in the wake of Culley's firing after just one season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants are finalizing a deal to hire Don "Wink" Martindale as their new defensive coordinator, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Martindale, the former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator, is widely viewed as one of the NFL's best defensive minds. The Ravens announced they'd be parting ways with the assistant in a surprise move January.The 58-year-old led Baltimore's defense for four seasons after being promoted from linebackers coach in 2018.The unit ranked in the top three in scoring defense in each of Martindale's first three seasons before a significant regression in 2021 amid a slew of injuries.New Giants head coach Brian Daboll was interested in retaining Patrick Graham, last season's defensive coordinator. However, Graham opted to take the same role with the Las Vegas Raiders.Martindale reportedly beat out the likes of Sean Desai and Jim Schwartz to join New York's staff.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to interview ESPN commentator Louis Riddick for their vacant general manager position, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Riddick is currently part of the network's three-man booth for Monday Night Football.The 52-year-old last worked in the NFL as the Philadelphia Eagles' director of pro personnel in 2013 after beginning his career as a scout with Washington.He has interviewed for general manager positions in recent years with the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars, among others.The Steelers are in the midst of their first general manager search since 2000 after Kevin Colbert announced he would step down following the 2022 NFL Draft in April.Pittsburgh's other external candidates include the Indianapolis Colts' Ed Dodds, Los Angeles Chargers' JoJo Wooden, and Tennessee Titans' Ryan Cowden.The Steelers also interviewed two in-house candidates: vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan and pro scouting coordinator Brandon Hunt.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If Jalen Ramsey had his way, the Los Angeles Rams All-Pro cornerback would shadow Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase in Super Bowl LVI."Of course, that's what I'm asking for. That's what I want," Ramsey told reporters Monday, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "Whoever you think their best man is, put me on him. Let me help the team win this game. That's what it's all about."L.A. hasn't tasked the five-time Pro Bowler with shadowing one specific receiver often during the run to the Super Bowl.Ramsey's highest shadow rates this season came in Week 16 against Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson (58%) and the divisional round against Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans (69%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats.While Chase leads all Cincinnati pass-catchers with 279 receiving yards in the postseason, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd also pose challenges to the Rams' secondary. L.A. could opt for their top defensive back to play various coverages rather than tracking down one player.Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris says he's confident Ramsey will make an impact regardless of where he lines up on Sunday."Jalen is one of one, and I would put Jalen on anybody in the history of our game," said Morris.Meanwhile, one of Ramsey's opponents offered him respect ahead of Sunday's matchup."I think he's definitely, probably the best cornerback in the NFL," said Boyd. He added: "So, we've got to be at our best - any one of us - when we go out there and line up in front of him to figure out ways to win our matchup."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There are a lot of sports-betting lessons - not beating yourself up when you lose is one of the main ones. It's also good advice in life. Last week's AFC Championship Game had those of us backing the Chiefs feeling good for 29 minutes and 50 seconds before it all went sideways - but we've lived to talk about it.Whether on the field or in the sportsbook, getting stunned by the underdog can shake the foundation of your preparation. You ask yourself questions like, "Is there something I might have missed?"The Bengals shook the football world following their remarkable comeback in Kansas City and now look to complete the incredible fairytale as underdogs once again against the Rams in Super Bowl LVI. Can lightning strike a third time in these playoffs for Cincinnati in the underdog role?Bengals vs. Rams (-4.5, 48.5)The Bengals seemed poised to get run out of Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC championship but made adjustments to hang in and took advantage of the Chiefs' mistakes. Now we have to acknowledge the fact the Bengals haven't definitively been the better team in any of their three playoff wins, as evidenced by the yards per play battle:GAME CIN YPP OPP YPPvs LV5.05.4@ TEN5.46.8@ KC5.45.6While not an egregious discrepancy, winning playoff football games with an average offensive efficiency while allowing an above-average offensive efficiency isn't an ideal script for winning.While that's a red flag for the Bengals, it only matters if the Rams can put them in the same awkward position. Los Angeles was good enough for 6.6 YPP, 6.1 YPP, and 5.2 YPP in their three playoff games. The worst of those numbers came against San Francisco, whose defense was playing at its highest level of the season against a team it was familiar with.With all due respect to the Bengals' defense and the adjustments coordinator Lou Anarumo made to fluster Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' staff, I expect the Rams to be able to move the ball at better than six yards per play.All of this is reason enough for the Rams to be favored in the same way the Titans and Chiefs were before them.But how have the Bengals overcome deficits caused by sacks taken, an inconsistent running game, and trouble stopping the run?The answer during this playoff run: takeaways.GAME TAKEAWAYSvs LV2@ TEN3@KC2The Bengals' fourth-down stop against the Titans and the Chiefs wasting the final drive of the first half aren't credited as turnovers, but that's nine drives in three games that ended in catastrophe for the opponent. Meanwhile, the Bengals have just two turnovers this postseason. That will quickly make up for a yardage differential, but is that sustainable for a team that averaged 1.2 takeaways per game in the regular season?If Matthew Stafford continues his penchant for throwing interceptions, it might be. Despite lingering injuries causing issues with arm strength, the quarterback is too often willing to trust receivers to make a play on a deep ball, frequently getting intercepted down the field. Avoiding a negative turnover margin might be as simple as instituting a "stop doing that" policy.The Rams can accumulate yardage on the ground; they've shown a willingness to stick with that approach no matter the game script with 30, 24, and 23 tailback carries so far in the playoffs. That should work against the Bengals' run defense that's allowed 5.9 yards per carry in the playoffs - a result of losing Larry Ogunjobi in the wild-card game.With the best offensive line the Bengals have faced, the Rams' intermediate receiving options like Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham, and a healthy Tyler Higbee will have success if Sean McVay encourages a patient approach.For the Bengals' offense, you'll continue to hear about the Cincinnati offensive line and its struggles to protect Joe Burrow. The nine sacks allowed at Tennessee have shined light on that, and it's easy to see Aaron Donald, Greg Gaines, Von Miller, and Leonard Floyd having a relatively easy path to Burrow. Though that's built into the YPP numbers and any other advanced offensive metrics that Cincinnati has been able to overcome.The betsAs much as I think there's a path to a comfortable victory for the Rams, I'm still concerned about McVay and his inability to manage a game in a +EV way. Snap decisions on challenges and a conservative approach to fourth downs is not a combination I want when laying over a field goal. When the Rams win comfortably, they do so because of what McVay does before the game and not what he does during the game.As strange as it may sound, if you're going to back the Rams, I'd do so either via the moneyline or the alternate spread. Or both. As we get closer to kickoff, I expect money to come in on the underdog Bengals which should shorten the Rams moneyline, potentially below -170.Instead of the no man's land -4.5 line. I'd rather bet the Rams -9.5 (+160) because I want plus-odds on them winning comfortably. Laying -110 for the Rams to win by a touchdown in a close game doesn't appeal to me if we're relying on McVay to do everything right in the fourth quarter.As for the total, if the Rams are able to rush the quarterback like the Titans and cover better than the Chiefs in conjunction with moving the ball methodically, they should be able to close the game out in a way that will keep it under the total.Pick:

The NFL may not have seen the last of Tom Brady.The legendary quarterback left the door open for a potential comeback on the "Let's Go!" podcast, but he added that he feels good about his recent decision to retire after 22 seasons."I'm just going to take things as they come. I think that's the best way to put it. You never say never," Brady said Monday. "At the same time, I feel very good about my decision. I don't know how I'll feel six months from now. It may change, it most likely won't, but I try to make the best possible decision I can in the moment, which I did this last week."I think it's not looking to reverse course, I'm definitely not looking to do that. But, at the same time, I think you have to be realistic that you never know what challenges there are going to be in life. I love playing, I'm looking forward to doing things other than playing, that's as honest as I can be."Brady announced his retirement last week, stating that it was time to focus his "time and energy on other things." The former signal-caller further explained Monday that his decision had little to do with his age or confidence in his abilities."It's certainly not that I can't play or continue to play, but I think there's an important choice for me to make," Brady explained. "Everything certainly comes at a cost, and the cost is what am I missing out on other aspects of my life."As you get older, you experience things that are outside of this sport that demand a level of attention and energy that football has always gotten. It's time for me to commit to those types of things."The 44-year-old walked away from the NFL after throwing for a league-leading 5,316 passing yards and 43 touchdowns in 2021.The most decorated signal-caller in NFL history, Brady captured seven Super Bowls over his career with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady also holds the record for most career touchdown passes (624) and passing yards (84,520), among other feats.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brian Flores' attorneys released a statement Monday noting that Flores' lawsuit against the NFL prevented the former Miami Dolphins coach from landing a head coaching job.The statement specifically mentions the Houston Texans, who had Flores as one of their finalists before surprisingly hiring Lovie Smith on Monday."Mr. Flores is happy to hear that the Texans have hired a Black head coach, Lovie Smith, as Mr. Flores' goal in bringing his case is to provide real opportunities for Black and minority candidates to be considered for coaching and executive positions within the NFL," the statement reads, according to Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle."However, we would be remiss not to mention that Mr. Flores was one of the three finalists for the Texans' head coach position and, after a great interview and mutual interest, it is obvious that the only reason Mr. Flores was not selected was his decision to stand up against racial inequality across the NFL."Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL and three teams - the Dolphins, New York Giants, and Denver Broncos - over alleged racial discrimination in hiring practices last week. All three teams have denied the allegations against them.Smith wasn't among the three known finalists for the job. The candidates were retired quarterback Josh McCown, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, and Flores.However, Smith's name reportedly gained steam recently after the team decided not to hire McCown and Gannon over the weekend.All nine NFL head coaching vacancies from the end of the regular season have now been filled. The New Orleans Saints, who also interviewed Flores, were the last team to fill its vacancy, reportedly hiring defensive coordinator Dennis Allen on Monday.Miami fired Flores three seasons into his five-year contract on Jan. 10. The 40-year-old posted a 24-25 record over three campaigns with the Dolphins, who went 9-8 in 2021.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We've turned the corner in the two-week gap before Super Bowl LVI, overcoming the postseason lowlight that is the middle Sunday where everyone who watches the Pro Bowl complains that the Pro Bowl exists. Mercifully, we can now turn our full attention to the Rams and Bengals.I've broken down the general strategy for prop betting, how I think the game will go, and where there might be value in the MVP market. Before we get into how the players for each team might fair, here's a trio of game props that I'm betting for Super Bowl Sunday.Under 9.5 accepted penalties (+100)The first of three reasons why I think this is a bet might be the flimsiest, but hear me out. We just witnessed an entire NFL campaign where the narrative during multiple prime-time games was the officials' excessive involvement. Many of the flags thrown each season stem from one of the league office's points of emphasis, which was evident with the often infuriating taunting calls throughout the year.For the NFL's largest showcase, I'll be willing to bet the league has mentioned a preference for having the crew working the Super Bowl stay out of the limelight. In fact, after a Wild Card Weekend that was marred by strange officiating, all six subsequent postseason matchups have had no more than ten accepted penalties, and five of those games saw eight or fewer.This brings us to the most important point: The head referee for Sunday is Ron Torbert. The fact that Torbert isn't a frequently targeted name on social media each week is a great thing, and at 10.28 accepted penalties per game, his crew has thrown the third-fewest flags per contest. While the Super Bowl crew isn't the same one that Tolbert has worked with all campaign, I expect he will set a tone in the officials' room for how many flags we should see.The last point is the simplest. Los Angeles (4.4) and Cincinnati (4.5) accounted for the second- and third-fewest penalties per game during the season, including the playoffs. The Rams committed two penalties against the 49ers, and the Bengals had just four infractions in Kansas City.Team to make longest field goal: Bengals (+100)How is this even a 50-50 proposition? Maybe we're walking into some sort of a trap, and there's no such thing as a guaranteed winner, but in our search for value, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better edge all week.From what we've seen recently of L.A. kicker Matt Gay, he was pretty clearly nursing an injury when he came up short on a 47-yard field goal attempt in perfect conditions against the Buccaneers. The next week, he was short and off-center when asked to kick a long field goal against San Francisco.Meanwhile, Cincinnati's Evan McPherson has been ripping long kicks each week to not just put points on the board but also keep the field position battle in the Bengals' favor.Whether the kicks get made or not, at the very least, it seems like Cincinnati will be more interested in attempting long field goals with McPherson indoors at SoFi Stadium. The Rams, on the other hand, have to think twice about any attempts from 50+ yards.Team to have most punts: Rams (+108)That last point leads us to another bet. If L.A. is less willing to attempt field goals once a drive stalls between the 30- and 40-yard lines, then head coach Sean McVay will have a decision to make. For McVay, that choice often leans toward the more conservative play - in this case, a punt.The basic probabilities stemming from the Rams being the favorite suggests that L.A. is the better squad and thus less likely to punt, which is why we see plus-money odds. However, if playing better results in a fourth-quarter lead, you'll see McVay willing to punt on the Rams' failed drives to play field position. If facing a deficit, L.A.'s drives are going to end in either a score, a turnover, or a failed fourth-down attempt.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy owns an expiring contract, jeopardizing his future with the team, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Bieniemy has coordinated four straight top-six offenses with Kansas City but is still looking for his first head coaching opportunity. The 52-year-old has seemingly been stuck in the shadows of head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Bieniemy could still re-sign with the Chiefs, who have spoken glowingly of him throughout his ventures to become a head coach. He's worked for Kansas City since 2013, starting as Reid's running backs coach before taking over as offensive coordinator in 2018.A former NFL player himself, Bieniemy has interviewed for 14 NFL head coaching jobs over the last four seasons, including two this year, the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints, according to KSHB 41 News' Nick Jacobs.Bieniemy's two predecessors under Reid - Doug Pederson and Matt Nagy - both landed head coaching jobs after shorter stints as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator.The Chiefs have already bid farewell to quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka, who became the New York Giants' new offensive coordinator under Brian Daboll.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ahead of his first Super Bowl appearance, Los Angeles Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is seemingly indifferent to previous criticisms that he was a distraction.Beckham told reporters Monday during Super Bowl media day that he doesn't take satisfaction from proving others wrong."A younger me definitely would have, but I feel like I've come so far," Beckham said, per SNY. "I really know who I am. I know myself. I know what I can bring. I know all of the stories and all that. So it's tough to answer, but I don't really take satisfaction because it's not that deep for me. Because like I said, I just know who I am."I'm just happy that I'm in the position I am in, playing in a Super Bowl, hopefully being able to give one last effort, everything I have for this team to bring home that trophy."The star wideout landed with the Rams following a midseason release by the Cleveland Browns after his father released a video montage highlighting missed and errant throws from Baker Mayfield.Beckham, who critics also labeled a diva during his tenure with the New York Giants from 2014-18, reflected on how he feels the perception of him has changed over the years, though he admitted he could have been more mindful earlier in his career."It's just crazy to see how the narratives and everything has changed," Beckham added.Beckham has played a significant role in the Rams' march to Super Bowl LVI, recording 236 receiving yards in the postseason, including a season-high 113 yards in the NFC title game win over the San Francisco 49ers.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans hired associate head coach and defensive coordinator Lovie Smith as their new head coach Monday, the team announced.Smith, 63, will replace David Culley, who was fired after the Texans finished third in the AFC South with a 4-13 record."(Smith) is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL and an established leader," Texans general manager Nick Caserio said in a statement. "We had numerous discussions with countless coaches, executives, and players, and what revealed itself is that Lovie has both the leadership and people skills it takes to lead us forward. We both understand how much work is in front of us, but we embrace the responsibility and look forward to continuing to build a program that can have sustained success."Other finalists for the Houston job included Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores.Smith, the 2005 AP Coach of the Year, sports an 89-87 record as a head coach. He held the role with the Chicago Bears for nine years (2004-12) and with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two seasons (2014-15).The Texas native also coached Illinois from 2016-20.Houston also promoted quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton to offensive coordinator. Frank Ross will be retained as special teams coordinator.The Texans hold the third overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Looking to spice up your Super Bowl Sunday? You've come to the right place.From the football fanatic to the blissfully ignorant, this comprehensive Super Bowl LVI pool has something for everyone.Whether you want to compete against your family, friends, co-workers, or strangers on Twitter, it's designed to keep even the least interested viewers entertained from start to finish.Share it, send it, print it - whatever you need to do. It's been a long year; we all deserve to have some fun this weekend.The rulesAnswer every question. Most questions have just two possible answers, with the odd exception. Every correct answer is worth one point. Most points wins.If two or more entrants answer the same amount of questions correctly, the tiebreaker can be used to determine the winner.Easy enough, right? Let's do this.The ultimate Super Bowl LVI office poolEditor's note: Article will be updated with correct answers on Feb. 14.1. Will the length of the national anthem be over or under 99.5 seconds?2. Who will be shown first during the national anthem: Joe Burrow or Matthew Stafford?3. Will the result of the coin toss be heads or tails?4. Will Ja'Marr Chase's gloves at the start of the game be black, orange, or white?5. Will the first offensive play of the game be a run or a pass?6. What will be shown first during the game: Hollywood Sign or Hollywood Walk of Fame?7. Will the game's first accepted penalty be offensive or defensive?8. Will the team that scores first win the game?9. Will Peyton Manning bowl a strike in the Michelob Ultra commercial?10. Will the first touchdown pass be over or under 12.5 yards?11. Who will be shown first during the game: Kelly Hall (Stafford's wife) or Veronika Khomyn (Sean McVay's fiancee)?12. Will there be an interception or fumble first?13. Which team will be winning at halftime?14. Will the total points scored in the first half be odd or even?15. Who will sing first during the halftime show: Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, or Snoop Dogg?16. Will Eminem wear a Detroit Lions jersey at any point during the halftime show?17. Will the longest score of the game be a touchdown or a field goal?18. Will both teams score at least one point in every quarter?19. Will there be a missed field goal in the game?20. Will any player score two touchdowns in the game (not including passing touchdowns)?21. Will Burrow register more pass completions in Super Bowl LVI than the Boston Celtics do points in the first quarter of their game Sunday?22. Will any player register 100+ yards receiving in the game?23. Will a Bengals or Rams player lead the game in rushing?24. Will either coach win a challenge in the game?25. Will there be a score in the final two minutes of the game?26. Will the price of Bitcoin (BTC) be higher or lower at the end of the game than it was at the opening kickoff?27. Will the length of the game's last field goal be higher or lower than the age of the winning coach?28. Which team will win Super Bowl LVI?29. Will the liquid dumped on the winning coach be colored or clear?30. Will a non-quarterback win MVP?Tiebreaker: Total points scored in Super Bowl LVI?Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders have expressed interest in former New York Giants head coach Joe Judge being their next special teams coordinator, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.However, Fowler notes that Judge is remaining patient regarding his next opportunity.Judge, 40, was fired as the Giants' coach following a 4-13 campaign in 2021. He finished 10-23 during his two-year tenure with the franchise.The Raiders are seeking a replacement for Rich Bisaccia, who's reportedly expected to join the Green Bay Packers as their new special teams coordinator. Bisaccia also served as an assistant head coach. He was tabbed as the Raiders' interim coach last season following the dismissal of Jon Gruden.If Judge joins the Raiders, he'll be reunited with former New England Patriots assistant Josh McDaniels, who was named Las Vegas' new head coach last month. Judge worked as the Patriots' special teams assistant from 2012-14 before being promoted to coordinator from 2015-19.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kirk Cousins' future is the first major decision for the Minnesota Vikings' new leaders, and the quarterback apparently has a fan in his soon-to-be head coach.Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell - who will reportedly be confirmed as the Vikings' new coach after Super Bowl LVI - is high on Cousins and "conveyed a firm belief" in him during the interview process with Minnesota, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.Cousins is heading into a contract year in 2022, and his $45-million cap hit is the third-highest in the NFL.With the Vikings potentially eyeing a rebuild under O'Connell and new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, there's been speculation that Cousins could be on the trading block.The veteran signal-caller put together another strong statistical campaign in his fourth season in Minnesota, throwing for 4,221 yards and 33 touchdowns against seven interceptions.But the Vikings finished 8-9 to miss out on the playoffs for the third time since Cousins' arrival in 2018.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's how the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams stack up against one another at each position ahead of Super Bowl LVI:Quarterback Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIt's crazy how things can change during an NFL season.Matthew Stafford, in his first year with the Rams, was one of the NFL's most efficient quarterbacks and an early MVP candidate in September. But Stafford declined as the regular season progressed. He threw an NFL-high 17 interceptions, including three pick-6s.Joe Burrow's campaign was the opposite of Stafford's. Burrow led the league in interceptions midway through the season but started 2022 as one of football's hottest players.But both quarterbacks enter Super Bowl LVI trending up. While Stafford got back on track this postseason, Burrow picked up where he left off in the regular season.Here are both passers' playoff stats this year (3 games):Granted, Stafford shrugged off his mistakes and looks to be in sync with his weapons. But Burrow is a man on a mission. He's overcome every adversity thrown at him this postseason while finding ways to win games for Cincy.Advantage: BengalsRunning backsLos Angeles moved the ball well on the ground in the wild-card round but hasn't replicated that success since. The team is averaging only 2.9 yards per carry this postseason.Akers, who tore his Achilles earlier this year, has mostly struggled this postseason despite leading the Rams with 151 yards; his two lost fumbles late in the divisional round almost cost L.A. the game. If Akers isn't the answer, Los Angeles can turn to Michel or Henderson, who hasn't played since December due to a knee injury but could return for the Super Bowl.Things aren't much better for the Bengals, who've averaged only 3.8 yards per carry in the playoffs so far. Mixon had a career year with 1,205 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns during the regular season, but he's averaged under four yards per carry in the postseason. Still, the Pro Bowl rusher has topped 100 scrimmage yards over his last two games; Cincy will need a similar contribution from him Sunday.Expect both teams to try to establish the run early, as Mixon is one of the Bengals' best weapons and the Rams lead this postseason with 97 rushing attempts. Although neither club has caught fire on the ground in the playoffs, Cincy has the best running back of the group.Advantage: BengalsReceiversIf Super Bowl LVI doesn't live up to the hype, it sure won't be because of the pass-catchers. Both receiving corps have been a major reason for their respective team's success.It's hard to imagine Cincinnati without Chase. He put on an absolute show during the regular season with 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he already set the playoff record for the most rookie receiving yards (279). The Bengals also have another 1,000-yard receiver in Higgins. Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / GettyAs good as Cincy's pass-catchers are, the Rams' receivers are even better. Kupp is enjoying a historic campaign - he captured the receiving triple crown and recently became the only player ever to notch 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in a season, including the playoffs. No team has come up with a game plan to stop him.However, both clubs have questions at tight end, as Higbee and Uzomah are dealing with MCL sprains. They each still have a good shot at playing Sunday, though.Los Angeles' receiving group did take a hit after Robert Woods suffered a year-ending injury midway through the campaign. But Beckham turned out to be a spectacular in-season acquisition. He's caught 19 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown through three games this postseason.Advantage: RamsOffensive lineCincy's offensive line is its biggest concern. Burrow was sacked a league-high 51 times during the regular season, and things didn't get much better in the playoffs. The Tennessee Titans sacked him nine times, a single-game postseason record. Burrow was sacked only once in the AFC Championship Game, but that was mostly due to his ability to make jaw-dropping plays while running for his life.On the other side, the Rams' offensive line ranked first in pass-block win rate - which measures how often an offense gives up pressure within 2.5 seconds of the snap - during the regular season. L.A. also has a clear advantage over Cincy in both postseason pass- and run-blocking, according to PFF.Each line will face a tough front seven in Super Bowl LVI, but the Bengals haven't shown any signs they'll be able to hold their own against the Rams' disruptive pass rush.Advantage: RamsFront sevenNo one wants to face the Rams' front seven right now. Los Angeles has arguably the most disruptive interior lineman of all time in Donald, whose Hall of Fame-caliber resume is only missing a championship ring. When opponents focus on containing him with double teams inside, Miller and Floyd get favorable matchups outside. Miller, in particular, has two sacks and four tackles for loss this postseason.The Bengals' pass rush may not be as scary as the Rams' unit, but that doesn't mean Cincy can't wreak havoc up front. Just ask Patrick Mahomes, who was sacked four times in the AFC title game. Hendrickson and Hubbard each have at least 2.5 sacks over the past three contests.Cincinnati has a clear edge at inside linebacker with Wilson and Pratt, but Los Angeles still wins the front-seven battle due to its star power.Advantage: RamsSecondaryWhat Cincinnati's secondary has done this postseason is pretty remarkable. The unit did enough to beat the Las Vegas Raiders before handing Ryan Tannehill one of the worst performances of his career. After the Bengals looked dead in the first half of the AFC title game, Cincy's secondary made Mahomes look like an average quarterback. The team's six interceptions this postseason lead the NFL by a significant margin.Keep an eye on Hilton, who'll have to cover Kupp in the slot when the Bengals play man coverage. Hilton has been a key member of Cincy's defense, but he'll have his toughest challenge of the year Sunday. Harry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyThings will also be fun for Ramsey, the NFL's top cornerback. Los Angeles plays a high percentage of zone coverage, but when Ramsey is lined up on the same side as Chase - or when L.A. goes man-to-man - we'll have another must-watch cornerback-receiver matchup.Expectations were high for the Rams' secondary before the season due to its talent. However, the unit lacked consistency for most of the campaign before stepping up in the playoffs, allowing only 220.7 passing yards per game. Weddle coming out of retirement to join the team for the postseason also gave this group an extra spark.Both secondaries weren't flawless during the regular season, but they figured out most of their issues in January. The Bengals' defensive backs might be hotter right now, but the Rams' unit is more talented. This is a close call, but L.A. takes it.Advantage: RamsSpecial teamsMcPherson has been one of the main characters in the Bengals' Super Bowl run. The rookie kicker hit the walk-off game-winning field goal to send both the Titans and Kansas City Chiefs home, and he's now 12-for-12 on postseason field-goal attempts.Gay, who was more consistent than McPherson during the regular season, has already missed two kicks in the playoffs. Though the Rams have no big reason to be worried about their Pro Bowl kicker, McPherson has the edge as the hottest kicker in football right now.L.A.'s special teams unit struggled on kick returns during the regular season but has seemingly figured out those issues. Special teams is always unpredictable, but McPherson is the ultimate X-factor here.Advantage: BengalsCoaching MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images / MediaNews Group / GettyThis is one of the most interesting matchups in Super Bowl LVI.Zac Taylor began the season on the hot seat but quickly changed that narrative, guiding Cincy to its first AFC North title since 2015. He has an opportunity to prove the student has become the master Feb. 13 after working on Sean McVay's staff from 2017-18 before moving to Cincinnati.Meanwhile, McVay has already established himself as one of the NFL's top coaches and one of the game's brightest offensive minds at age 36. The 2017 Coach of the Year is headed to his second Super Bowl appearance after losing to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.The Bengals' coaching staff has done a tremendous job this postseason, especially defensively. However, the Rams have a significant coaching advantage with McVay, whose staff is also more decorated than Taylor's.Advantage: RamsCopyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah expects to play in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday despite dealing with a knee injury."It's the Super Bowl. I'm doing everything I can," Uzomah told reporters Monday, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "I don't really care too much about how I'm feeling, to be honest, when I'm out there."He added: "I'm not missing the biggest game of my life."Uzomah sustained the injury early during the Bengals' AFC Championship win over the Kansas City Chiefs and missed the remainder of the game. A postgame MRI provided optimism that he could be available following a week of rest.The 28-year-old pass-catcher has hauled in 13 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown during the Bengals' postseason run. Uzomah set career highs with 49 receptions, 493 yards, and five scores during the regular season.Cincinnati could turn to tight end Drew Sample if Uzomah is unavailable for the big game.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans completed additional discussions with associate head coach and defensive coordinator Lovie Smith regarding their head coaching vacancy, the team announced Monday.Smith wasn't among the known finalists for the Texans job, but his name gained steam in recent days, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Houston interviewed the 63-year-old Sunday night, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Smith and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores are now the two known finalists for the job.Flores was one of three candidates previously considered finalists in Houston along with retired quarterback Josh McCown and Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.However, Houston doesn't plan to hire McCown this year, a source told ESPN's Sarah Barshop. The team also informed Gannon on Saturday he won't be hired, reports Josina Anderson of CBS Sports.On Tuesday, Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL and three teams - the Dolphins, New York Giants, and Denver Broncos - over alleged racial discrimination in hiring practices.Smith already has experience as a head coach in the NFL. He previously coached the Chicago Bears (2004-12) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-15), posting an 89-87 record in the regular season.Chicago won the NFC North three times and appeared in one Super Bowl under Smith. He also posted a 17-39 record at Illinois from 2016-20 before joining Houston.Texans passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton is expected to be promoted to offensive coordinator if Smith is hired, reports Barshop.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara was arrested for battery resulting in substantial bodily harm on Sunday in Las Vegas, according to a release from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, obtained by Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.The arrest is tied to an alleged incident that occurred at a Las Vegas nightclub on Saturday. Police are still investigating the case.Kamara was in Las Vegas this week at the 2022 Pro Bowl and participated in the game Sunday afternoon.The 26-year-old's bail has been set at $5,000 and his initial court appearance is scheduled for Monday afternoon, according to police records, obtained by The Athletic's Katherine Terrell.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins hired San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel as their next head coach Sunday, the team announced.The two sides inked a four-year contract, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.McDaniel was a finalist for the Dolphins job, along with Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who the New York Giants named as their head coach on Jan. 28.He's interested in keeping several of Miami's defensive assistants under contract, including coordinator Josh Boyer, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The 38-year-old McDaniel, who is multiracial, is the first minority head coach hired in this cycle, meaning the 49ers will receive a third-round compensatory pick in 2022 and 2023 under the Rooney Rule, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.McDaniel joined San Francisco as its run game coordinator in 2017 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021, helping the team rank seventh in total yards and 13th in points.The Colorado native has worked alongside 49ers sideline boss Kyle Shanahan throughout most of his coaching career. McDaniel was an assistant for the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 and 2016 when Shanahan coordinated one of the NFL's most prolific recent offenses and helped the team reach Super Bowl LI.McDaniel was also the wide receivers coach for Washington's infamous 2013 coaching staff, which included Shanahan, current Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur, and Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay.The Dolphins began looking for a new head coach after firing Brian Flores three seasons into his five-year contract on Jan. 10.McDaniel will inherit a Miami offense with several question marks. The club averaged only 20.1 points per game in 2021, ranking 22nd in the league. The Dolphins particularly struggled to move the ball on the ground, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.One of McDaniel's main challenges will be helping develop quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has yet to meet expectations since being drafted fifth overall in 2020. Tagovailoa tossed only 16 touchdowns against 10 interceptions through 13 appearances in 2021 while averaging just 6.8 yards per pass attempt.Miami posted a 9-8 record in 2021 despite starting the campaign 1-7. The Dolphins haven't made the playoffs since the 2016 season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The AFC defeated the NFC 41-35 in the Pro Bowl, which returned Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby were named offensive and defensive MVPs, respectively.More to come.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs' stunning loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game remains in Patrick Mahomes' head."I'm still not over it," the star quarterback said Sunday at the 2022 Pro Bowl, according to The Kansas City Star's Sam McDowell. "I don't think I'll be over it until we're playing in another Super Bowl. I'll have to use that as motivation going forward."Kansas City looked on track to make its third straight Super Bowl appearance this year after taking a 21-3 lead over Cincinnati late in the second quarter. However, the Chiefs blew their 18-point advantage in the second half, falling to the Bengals 27-24 in overtime at Arrowhead.Mahomes - who threw two interceptions and was sacked four times in the AFC title game - already knows which mindset his team needs to have to get over the hump in 2022."We have to go through the process again. You start from scratch every single year in this league," Mahomes said. "You have to go in with the mindset of 'I'm gonna get better and better every single day' and hopefully give yourself a chance to be in the Super Bowl."Mahomes turned Kansas City into a juggernaut since becoming the club's starter in 2018. The Chiefs, who took home Super Bowl LIV, have also topped the AFC West in each of the quarterback's four campaigns under center, winning at least 12 games in each of those years.This season, K.C. became the first team in NFL history to host a conference title game in four consecutive campaigns.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson confirmed his commitment to Ryan Tannehill despite outside criticisms over the quarterback's 2021 campaign."Ryan's a pro. He knows how much he means to us. Traded for that guy. Gave him an opportunity to start. New contract," Robinson told the Nashville Tennessean's Ben Arthur. "I think it's pretty apparent where he stands with us. He's our quarterback. I don't know how many more times I gotta say it."Tannehill drew complaints after a three-interception performance in the divisional round resulted in the Cincinnati Bengals sending the Titans home. Errant passes were a frequent concern for the veteran last season as his 14 picks thrown were more than his previous two campaigns combined.Robinson attributed some of Ryan's turnovers to elements out of the quarterback's control."Nobody probably feels worse than Ryan," Robinson said. "Not to speak for Ryan about the amount of interceptions that went down this year and probably not all of them are on him."He added, "Sometimes, a (defensive back) makes a great play. Sometimes, a receiver may be off his spot. He may get pressured and the ball gets tipped. There's a lot that goes into those plays. But ultimately, the quarterback is the one who bears the blame for it."It was previously reported that the Titans would move forward with Tannehill after rumors linking Aaron Rodgers to the franchise were shot down.Tannehill, 33, is in the midst of a four-year, $118-million deal. He's due to account for $38.6 million against the cap in 2022 and would carry a $57.4-million dead cap charge if released, according to Spotrac.The Titans secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC after Tannehill led them to a 12-5 record last season. However, the loss to the Bengals marked their second straight one-and-done venture in the playoffs.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson said Friday that the team didn't pay him to lose games while in charge from 2016-18.Jackson previously suggested he was incentivized to tank, a claim the Browns said was "categorically false."The now-Grambling State coach tweeted that Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam offered him "a good number" to lose games in the wake of Brian Flores' accusations in his racial discrimination lawsuit that the Miami Dolphins tried to pay him $100,000 per loss."No, I was never offered money like Brian had mentioned," Jackson said, according to Jacob Lev of CNN. "I think this is a totally different situation but has some similarities."The Browns fired Jackson in 2018 after a 2-5-1 start to the season. He went 1-15 in his first campaign and 0-16 in his second."I was assured by Jimmy that things would change, and they would get things straight," Jackson said."I told Jimmy that what he was doing was very destructive, to not do this because it's going to hurt my career and every other coach that worked with me and every player on the team. And I told him that it would hurt every Black coach that would follow me. And I have the documents to prove this."Jackson added that his evidence "will come to light at the right time" when asked why he hasn't disclosed the documents yet.Cleveland has produced its best stint in 25 years following Jackson's dismissal. The Browns have gone 30-27 and snapped their postseason drought, thanks in large part to the assets gained from their poor 2016 and 2017 campaigns, which earned back-to-back No. 1 overall picks.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

During Doug Pederson's introductory press conference Saturday, the new Jacksonville head coach preached patience in his efforts to lead the Jaguars, who've long been one of the NFL's worst franchises."This is not an overnight fix. This is not, we're just going to snap our fingers and start winning football games," Pederson said, according to Justin Barney of News4Jax. "Our goal is to win football games, but we're going to do it one player, one coach, one person in the organization at a time."And I'll challenge our team, and I'll challenge our fans. It's about ownership. It's about support. It's about leadership. And that's what I'll bring. That's what I'll bring to the organization. And I'm not going to settle for anything less than a championship-caliber team."Jacksonville hasn't produced back-to-back winning seasons since 2004-05 and has won just four games over the past two years.The hiring of Urban Meyer and drafting of quarterback Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 overall last offseason were supposed to signal the start of a bright new era.But Meyer was fired toward the end of his first season after a series of controversies, while Lawrence tied for the most interceptions (17) and often looked overwhelmed by the speed of the NFL.The Jaguars will hope the arrival of Pederson, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, will provide much-needed stability to the franchise.However, the AFC South club won't enter the 2022 campaign with a completely clean slate. Embattled general manager Trent Baalke is set to return despite a movement from fans late in the season to force ownership to fire the executive.Baalke said he never believed his job was in jeopardy."I knew all along that I had a vote of confidence from Shad (Khan)," he said. "And as we went into the process, we had a plan, and there was no timetable to announce the next head coach."We went into it with a very open mind. We had a process that we were going to go through. We stuck to it, and at the end of the day, it was about getting it right. And we truly believe we got it right with Doug and have no doubt about it."Khan announced the team will look to hire an executive vice president of football operation to bolster the front office around Baalke. Former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman is reportedly the leading candidate for the job.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Josh McDaniels is adding one of the NFL's most respected assistants to his new coaching staff in Las Vegas.The Raiders are hiring New York Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Graham generated interest from multiple teams recently, including the Minnesota Vikings, who interviewed him for their head coaching job. The 43-year-old was one of the finalists in Minnesota and was expected to stay with the Giants after the Vikings reportedly hired Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell as their next head coach.The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly also requested an interview with Graham for their vacant DC job.Graham will replace Gus Bradley, who's reportedly headed to the Indianapolis Colts.The Raiders' defense allowed 337.1 yards and 25.8 points per game last season, ranking 14th and 26th in the league, respectively. The unit also struggled with only 15 takeaways and 35 sacks throughout the year.Las Vegas began putting together a new coaching staff after officially announcing general manager Dave Ziegler and coach McDaniels on Monday.Graham knows McDaniels from their time together on the New England Patriots, where he worked from 2009-15 in multiple roles. McDaniels enjoyed two different stints in New England (2001-08, 2012-21), mostly as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.With Graham's exit, new Giants head coach Brian Daboll loses one of the most prominent members of his staff.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite the recent rumors linking Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers to Nashville, the Tennessee Titans aren't moving on from quarterback Ryan Tannehill.Tennessee doesn't consider Rodgers to be an option under center, and the team plans to move forward with Tannehill, a source told Turron Davenport of ESPN.The speculation linking Rodgers to the Titans began after Jared Stillman of 102.5 The Game reported that Rodgers is building a home in Franklin, Tennessee, and is open to joining the Titans.The reigning NFL MVP was also subject to trade rumors last offseason after skipping some of Green Bay's activities amid a dispute with the franchise. He eventually reported for training camp on a reworked deal that reportedly could facilitate his potential exit from the Packers via trade.Rodgers said he'll take "some time" to decide on his future after losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.The three-time NFL MVP is expected to win the award for a fourth time this season after passing for 4,115 yards and 37 touchdowns against only four interceptions during the regular season.Meanwhile, Tannehill posted arguably his worst season since joining the Titans in 2019. The 33-year-old, who was 12-5 as a starter in 2021, tossed only 3,734 yards and 21 touchdowns versus 14 interceptions. He also threw three interceptions in Tennessee's divisional-round loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers are hiring Anthony Lynn as their new assistant head coach, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Lynn, most known for his four-season stint as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers from 2017-20, spent the 2021 campaign coordinating the Detroit Lions' offense.Detroit decided to part ways with the offensive coordinator after scoring only 19.1 points per game last year. Lynn called plays for the Lions over the first half of the season but lost the role to head coach Dan Campbell in the second half.Lynn, who reportedly had other offers from NFL and college football teams this year, is expected to be an important cog in the 49ers' running game, according to Schefter.The 53-year-old served as running backs coach for five different teams throughout his coaching career, most recently during a two-season stint with the Buffalo Bills (2015-16). He was also the interim head coach and offensive coordinator during one of his years with the Bills.Lynn played running back for the 49ers from 1995-96.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pro Bowl is back for the first time in two years after the NFL canceled last year's exhibition. This year's event takes place in Las Vegas, where the AFC (-1, 62.5) is looking to build upon a four-game winning streak over the NFC.Here's what to know before betting this year's contest at theScore Bet:Can AFC extend win streak?Since the NFL returned to its AFC versus NFC format in 2016, the former has dominated this matchup, winning its fourth straight with a 38-33 victory in 2019. This year's contest profiles as more of the same.The Pro Bowl is a passing exhibition above all else, and the NFC's aerial attack looks much different since the rosters were announced weeks ago. Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Davante Adams have all opted out, while Cooper Kupp will miss the event due to playing in the Super Bowl. Six of the team's original eight selections along the offensive line are absent as well.The NFC has suffered the most attrition on the defensive side of the ball, too, with six of the seven opt-outs hailing from that conference. Aaron Donald and Nick Bosa are out - a key blow to the NFC's pass rush - while Jalen Ramsey, Quandre Diggs, and Bobby Wagner are gone from the team's back seven.Many of those players were replaced by primarily run-stuffing stars, which doesn't do much good in an exhibition that has seen a 70% pass rate or higher in each of the last four seasons. Conversely, the AFC's secondary is loaded with ball-hawking stars, while Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt are easily the two best pass-rushers in Sunday's showcase.And then there's the AFC offense, which is as stacked as ever with Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes leading the way. The latter will have two teammates at his disposal in Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce - which could be the X-factor - and three of the NFL's top four rushers in Jonathan Taylor, Nick Chubb, and Najee Harris.It all adds up to an overwhelming advantage for the side that has already won four straight in this series. It's a wonder why the AFC isn't favored by more.Pick: AFC -1Will scoring return to normal?After these two sides combined for 71 points in the latest Pro Bowl, bettors have bumped this year's total to 62.5 - a steep overcorrection from the closing total (51) in that 2019 affair. Even though the over won handily in that one, don't let a single result distract you from the greater trend of recent contests.The Pro Bowl indeed used to be an offensive bonanza, averaging a combined 67.2 points from 2000-10 and an incredible 97.7 points from 2011-13. Then the NFL instituted a series of rule changes ahead of the 2014 contest to shorten the game and make defense more competitive - namely by allowing more diverse defensive coverages and running the clock after every incomplete pass.In a game predicated on passing, you can imagine the results. The next six contests averaged just 48.7 combined points, but the market struggled to adjust, as all six contests went under the closing total. By 2020, the total had settled into the low 50s before a surprising scoring display in Orlando.Now we find ourselves in a similar spot, with a total in the high 60s and a ruleset that doesn't support it. The play clock has been reduced from 40 seconds to 35 seconds this year, but the game clock still runs after every incompletion, and the NFL's new "spot and choose" rules could actually result in worse average field position for each side.The last four Pro Bowls have seen an average of 58.4 plays per side, which would rank 31st out of 32 NFL teams in the regular season. Yes, these teams tend to be more efficient per play, but they also run fewer plays than nearly every team in the league. Is that enough to reach one of the higher totals we've seen in years? The better bet is a return to normalcy for an exhibition that has produced a combined 63 points just twice in its last seven seasons.Pick: Under 62.5C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.