Derrick Henry is set to take another big step toward a return.The Tennessee Titans designated the running back for return from injured reserve Wednesday, clearing his way to practice again.He's still a long shot to play in the Week 18 finale against the Houston Texans, sources told ESPN's Dianna Russini.Tennessee placed Henry on injured reserve in early November after he underwent foot surgery. The team now has 21 days to activate him.The Titans have remained hopeful that the star back could return for a playoff run since he was sidelined. Henry ranked first in the NFL with 937 rushing yards prior to his injury.The 28-year-old Henry would be the latest addition to a surging Titans side. Wide receiver A.J. Brown returned from IR in Week 16 while Julio Jones was activated off the COVID-19 list Monday.In the driver's seat for the AFC's No. 1 seed, the 11-5 Titans could lock up a first-round bye and home-field advantage for the postseason with a win in Week 18.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.With one week left in the 2021 campaign, we analyze where every team is at entering the season finale.1. Green Bay Packers (13-3) Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 1The king is back. For the second postseason in a row, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will be the NFC's top seed. Now, Rodgers and Co. can get some much-needed rest before they begin to defend home soil.2. Los Angeles Rams (12-4)Previous Rank: 4It wasn't pretty, but the Rams battled back to defeat the Ravens and continue their five-game win streak. But to be serious players in January, they'll need Matthew Stafford to get it together. The veteran has accounted for six turnovers over his last two games.3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4)Previous Rank: 3The reigning champs barely squeezed past the Jets. Facing the fallout from the Antonio Brown saga and a laundry list of injuries, the Buccaneers will have to reach deep if they want to repeat as Lombardi winners.4. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)Previous Rank: 2With the No. 1 seed no longer in their possession, the Chiefs won't have an easy path to the Super Bowl barring a Week 18 miracle. They better hope they don't run into Joe Burrow or Ja'Marr Chase again.5. Buffalo Bills (10-6) Kevin Hoffman / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 6The Bills are one win away from their second straight division title, but they'll have to get through the pesky Jets. A victory would give Buffalo a four-game win streak and all the momentum needed for the postseason.6. Tennessee Titans (11-5)Previous Rank: 9The Titans have all the makings of a team ready for a championship run. They control their own destiny for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and are getting healthy at just the right time. The final piece of the puzzle is the possible return of Derrick Henry.7. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)Previous Rank: 10All Joe Burrow does is win. It's only taken him two years to lead the Bengals to their first division title since 2015. And with Ja'Marr Chase by Burrow's side, it looks like Cincinnati can keep up with anyone.8. Arizona Cardinals (11-5)Previous Rank: 8The Cardinals have cooled off down the stretch, but Kyler Murray's solid performance against the Cowboys on Sunday proved the one-time MVP candidate won't let his team go down easily.9. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)Previous Rank: 5The Cowboys didn't put on a very convincing case against the Cardinals. A team that's struggled with consistency for the majority of the second half of the season, Dallas will have to find a way to ditch its Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine.10. Indianapolis Colts (9-7) Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 7The Colts slipped up in Week 17 but can still clinch a wild-card appearance with a road win over the Jaguars. The only problem? Indianapolis hasn't won in Jacksonville since 2014.11. New England Patriots (10-6)Previous Rank: 11Bill Belichick has done a marvelous job transitioning the Patriots back into an AFC contender after missing the postseason last year. Following a loss to the Bills in Week 16, New England showed its offensive firepower Sunday, dropping 50 on the Jaguars. There may be new faces donning the uniforms, but it's the same hoodie dominating in Foxborough.12. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)Previous Rank: 13The Chargers will have to fly to Las Vegas for a date with the Raiders before they can think about the playoffs. Brandon Staley has to hope his team's Vegas excursion ends in glory rather than regret.13. San Francisco 49ers (9-7)Previous Rank: 14Kyle Shanahan has led a resilient 49ers squad to a 9-7 record despite a 3-5 start. His job isn't finished yet, though. With his team on the postseason doorstep, San Fran still has everything to play for against the Rams in Week 18.14. Las Vegas Raiders (9-7)Previous Rank: 17It's now or never for the Raiders. After everything the team has endured, Las Vegas can book just its second postseason appearance since 2003 with a win over the Chargers on Sunday night.15. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 16It's a job well done for Nick Sirianni. The Eagles sideline boss became only the second rookie coach to earn a playoff berth after starting the year 2-5 or worse.16. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1)Previous Rank: 20Ben Roethlisberger got the perfect Heinz Field send-off Monday night after beating the Browns. But this chapter isn't over yet. The Steelers are still fighting for a playoff spot.17. Baltimore Ravens (8-8)Previous Rank: 15The Ravens did as much as they could considering the multitude of injuries they've faced this season, but they ultimately unraveled down the stretch. Still, John Harbaugh and Co. should take comfort in their body of work this year.18. New Orleans Saints (8-8)Previous Rank: 18The Saints have had four different quarterbacks start a game this season, yet they still have a decent postseason shot. While it may seem like a disappointment to not already have been invited to the dance, Sean Payton has extracted the most from an injury-ravaged team.19. Miami Dolphins (8-8)Previous Rank: 12All good things must come to an end. The Dolphins saw their seven-game winning streak and playoff hopes disappear in Sunday's blowout loss to the Titans.20. Minnesota Vikings (7-9) Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 19Another year, another season where the Vikings were good but not quite good enough. Minnesota has now missed the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons.21. Cleveland Browns (7-9)Previous Rank: 21Cleveland looked like it had no interest in playing spoiler against Pittsburgh on Monday night. Even more puzzling, Nick Chubb received just 12 carries against a historically poor Steelers run defense.22. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)Previous Rank: 23The Falcons were eliminated from postseason contention Sunday, but the 2021 campaign wasn't all bad. Kyle Pitts became the first rookie tight end to hit 1,000-plus yards since 1961, while cornerback A.J. Terrell emerged as a defensive cornerstone.23. Denver Broncos (7-9)Previous Rank: 22Another difficult season is coming to a close in Denver. Despite their 7-9 record entering Week 18, the Broncos have won just two games all year against teams that have either clinched a playoff berth or remain alive in the chase.24. Seattle Seahawks (6-10)Previous Rank: 25Russell Wilson saved one of his best performances of the season for the home finale against the Lions, throwing four touchdowns to zero interceptions. Time will tell if that was Wilson's last appearance in front of the Seahawks faithful.25. Chicago Bears (6-10) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 26Don't look now, but the Bears have an opportunity to finish the season on a three-game win streak if they can defeat the Vikings in their Week 18 finale. But would that be enough to cool Matt Nagy's sizzling hot seat?26. Washington Football Team (6-10)Previous Rank: 24The collapsed railing at FedEx Field on Sunday served as a great encapsulation of Washington's season. The team has now lost four straight following a 6-6 start.27. Houston Texans (4-12)Previous Rank: 27Davis Mills laid an egg against the 49ers on Sunday, but he's done a decent job since taking over as the starter in Week 14. Mills has one more game - versus the Titans - to make a lasting impression for the offseason.28. New York Jets (4-12)Previous Rank: 30The Jets once again hung tough with a superior opponent, going blow-for-blow with the Buccaneers before succumbing to defeat. Robert Saleh's squad can clearly rise to the occasion. The next step is doing that on a weekly basis.29. Detroit Lions (2-13-1)Previous Rank: 28Detroit won two more games than many would've expected over the course of 2021. But the Lions began 2022 by allowing a 50-burger to the Seahawks, so hopefully it's all up from here.30. Carolina Panthers (5-11) Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 29The Panthers will head into the 2022 offseason with a lot more questions than answers. What's the plan at quarterback? Can Christian McCaffrey stay healthy? And, most importantly, is Matt Rhule the right man for the job?31. New York Giants (4-12)Previous Rank: 31A fifth straight loss triggered a lengthy and passionate speech from Joe Judge about his club. Now, if only he could figure out a way for the Giants to show some passion on the field.32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)Previous Rank: 32The season can't end fast enough for the Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence's three-interception game against the Patriots was just the latest dud in a string of poor performances.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens said he should "absolutely" be on a short list of wideouts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers audition to replace Antonio Brown."If you think about where they are in the season, they don't need me for a 16-game season. Three-to-four games at the max," Owens said on the "Getcha Popcorn Ready with T.O. & Hatch" podcast. "So, yes, I feel like I can go in, I can contribute at a high level and can be productive."Owens pitched the idea of coming in as a third-down or red-zone weapon.The 48-year-old also added he's been working out throughout the season and revealed that an unspecified owner told him to stay in shape in case an opportunity presented itself."I know I can play the game. Would I love the opportunity to be on that list ... to show these guys that yeah, I can come in and contribute? The body of work speaks for itself."Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians announced Brown was no longer a member of the team after the wideout walked off midgame Sunday, though his termination has yet to be officially filed.Tampa Bay also lost wideout Chris Godwin to a torn ACL in late December.Owens was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 after recording 15,934 receiving yards and 153 touchdowns over his career. He last appeared in an NFL game in 2010."Who's to say that I can't go out there and do?" Owens said. "You can't tell me what I can't do if it's never been attempted ... let me go out there and show you."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Tomlin dodged a losing season for a record-breaking 15th straight year after a Monday night win pushed the Pittsburgh Steelers to 8-7-1.However, as Tomlin made clear Tuesday, the accomplishment isn't important to him."Our agenda, this year, is to get into (the) single-elimination tournament and then pit our skills against others in that single-elimination tournament in an effort to win the world championship. That's our mentality every year," Tomlin said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.He continued: "And so, with that mentality, it's just certain hardware that you expect to pick up along the way. And if you don't, you'd be seriously disappointed. That's just an expectation that we have here in Pittsburgh."Monday night's victory over the Cleveland Browns pushed Tomlin past Marty Schottenheimer, who recorded 14 consecutive non-losing seasons from 1984 to 1997.The prime-time contest also likely marked the final home game for longtime Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The veteran passer has been Tomlin's starter since the coach joined the organization in 2007.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts challenged the NFL to take action Tuesday after fans in Washington tumbled before him near the FedEx Field tunnel two days ago."I would like to know what safeguards the NFL and the Washington Football Team are implementing to prevent this from ever occurring in the future," he wrote in a letter to the league.Hurts was uninjured when a guardrail collapsed, sending several fans to the ground - and nearly onto him. The incident occurred after Hurts led the Eagles to a 20-16 victory over Washington to clinch a playoff berth.Here is the full letter, courtesy of the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala:

Stop what you're doing and tease the Washington Football Team down to -0.5.We needed to get that out of the way because things move quickly in the final week of the NFL regular season.In Week 18, the volatility in the point spread is apparent all over the board. Unlike in Weeks 1-17, we want to use that volatility to find an exaggerated point spread due to a "must-win" narrative and get even more value by moving the line six points further from what the spread should be. The tricky part is reading the tea leaves about who will play.Normally, we want certainty and solid market lines to build our teasers. The closer the outcome to the original point spread, the more likely any teaser leg is to cash. If we can capture key numbers as part of that, then we have viable teaser legs.Not all teaser legs are created equal. The biggest mistake novice bettors make is teasing through zero because they're wasting valuable price points on a number the game probably won't land on: a tie. So, how can we maximize the six-point move? How can we get what we're paying for at -270 per leg?Let's use what might be my favorite off-the-radar game this Sunday, the meaningless matchup between Washington and the New York Giants, as an example:SPREADODDSWFT -6.5-115WFT -6-138WFT -5.5-145WFT -5-150WFT -4.5-163WFT -4-175WFT -3.5-180WFT -3-240WFT -2.5-270WFT -2-275WFT -1.5-280WFT -1-290WFT ML-300The alternative spread gives you the Football Team -2.5 at -270. Would you rather that, or the -0.5 that a teaser leg provides at the same price? What about Washington -0.5 at -270 versus the moneyline of -300? That's value.Teaser basketLet's look at the mathematically optimal plays available to pair or group together for Week 18:TEAMSPREADTEASER LEGCowboys-7-1Bears+2.5+8.5Browns+3+9Lions+2.5+8.5Washington-6.5-0.5Buccaneers-8-2Patriots-7-1Falcons+4.5+10.5Cardinals-6.5-0.5Raiders+2.5+8.5Getting out of the 4-seed in the NFC means evading the Cardinals or Rams in the first round and not having to go to Green Bay in Round 2. So the Cowboys could use a win, especially coming off of a loss to Arizona. The Eagles just clinched a playoff spot and caught a handful of COVID-19 cases Monday. Taking Dallas down to -1 is a good start to your Week 18.Then there's a selection of +2.5-point underdogs that can get teased up to +8.5. The Bears +8.5 seems like a good idea against a Vikings team that already seemed checked out.The Browns were -2.5, then lost ugly to the Steelers, and then confirmed Baker Mayfield is out Sunday, and now the Bengals are -3. There's no guarantee that Joe Burrow plays, as the 4-seed in the AFC isn't the worst place to end up with the Titans poised to be No. 1. A Case Keenum-led Browns team is interesting getting 9 points in the home finale.Teasing the Lions up to +8.5 against Green Bay in hopes that Aaron Rodgers sits the game out entirely? That's a little dicier. In fact, if Rodgers is announced as out and the line flips to the Lions as favorites, teasing Green Bay is the play.As for the tease-down options, Washington is a no-brainer against the Giants, who are likely starting Jake Fromm and are arguably the worst team in football at the moment. The Buccaneers at -2 are a steal if Tom Brady plays. Meanwhile, the Patriots have motivation, but a decent Dolphins team is probably not getting enough respect at this number.The Falcons have nothing to play for, while the Saints do. That's creating at least two points of line value on Atlanta. Teasing the Falcons gets the number up over 10 points, which is absolutely a good idea against Taysom Hill.Although I was on the Cardinals last week, I don't trust them against a Seahawks group that, at the very least, has shown a willingness to finish the season strong.Lastly, the game of the weekend on Sunday night offers another chance to tease up to +8.5. However, Brandon Staley plays a highly volatile brand of football and the Chargers already blew out the Raiders once this season, so I'd rather take Los Angeles at -2.5.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.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield confirmed Monday that he'll undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder."I'm going to get my shoulder fixed," Mayfield said, according to Dan Scifo of The Associated Press. "I want to be able to come back next year at 100%. That's been decided. When it's happening has not been decided."Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that Mayfield will not play in the Browns' season finale, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Backup Case Keenum will likely start against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The Browns have already been eliminated from playoff contention.Mayfield, 26, has been playing through the nagging injury since Week 2 of the regular season and has worn a harness to keep his shoulder from popping out of place. Mayfield has also dealt with left foot soreness and a right knee contusion.Cleveland's signal-caller was sacked nine times in the Browns' 26-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. He finished the contest throwing for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions."It's not gonna always be pretty or smooth, but I'm a fighter," Mayfield said postgame, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter. "If anybody ever questions how much I want it, just turn on this tape. It wasn't pretty, but I kept going, kept swinging; that's who I am, and that's what I will continue to be."Mayfield will enter the offseason seeking a long-term extension. The Browns picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract that will pay him $18.8 million and keep him with the club through the 2022 season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Metro Nashville Police Department cited Tennessee Titans edge rusher Bud Dupree for misdemeanor assault Tuesday following an altercation at a local Walgreens on Sunday evening.The incident took place hours after the Titans' victory over the Miami Dolphins. Dupree recorded one tackle in the win.Police said a group of individuals engaged in a verbal argument with a male employee before leaving the store and re-entering with Dupree. The linebacker grabbed the employee - identified as 20-year-old Greg Butler - and his phone, prompting a physical altercation, according to the police citation."Due to the victim being assaulted, the defendant is being charged with assault - fear of bodily injury," read the citation.Police ordered Dupree to report for booking in three weeks.Dupree is in the first season of a five-year, $82.5-million contract with the Titans. Originally drafted 22nd overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015, the 28-year-old has three sacks for the AFC South champions.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams expect running back Cam Akers to make his campaign debut Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers after a miraculous recovery from an Achilles tear in July.On his weekly show, head coach Sean McVay announced Akers' return to the field following what doctors initially diagnosed as a season-ending injury."I think you let him go," he said on the Coach McVay Show Monday. "He did a great job these last couple weeks. To say that he's not ready, I don't know that I’d be accurate - I think that he's ready. I think he probably would've been ready to go last week."McVay credited the 22-year-old's mental toughness and commitment to rehab for creating his opportunity to return after a significant injury."This is a special guy who's a special player. And having him back will definitely give us a boost. What that workload looks like and how it works, I can't answer that quite yet. But I do expect him to contribute in some form or fashion on Sunday against the Niners."The second-year rusher injured his leg while working out last July. However, the Rams activated Akers from injured reserve on Dec. 25, indicating that he could return for a postseason push.The Florida State alum rushed for 625 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2020 while also adding 11 receptions for 123 yards and a score.Los Angeles has relied on Sony Michel and Darrell Henderson to carry the load for most of the 2021 campaign. Henderson is currently on IR with a knee ailment.The 12-4 Rams can clinch the NFC West with a win over the Niners or an Arizona Cardinals loss in the final week of the regular season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's never too early to bet on the NFL draft. Even with the 2022 event months away, if there's a market available, there's an opportunity to begin building your valuable draft portfolio. The best part is no one knows anything right now. Many of the teams that will own the top picks are still trying to figure out who will be in the building, with turnover at head coach and other primary decision-making positions.The fun part about this No. 1 pick market is that unlike 2021, the pick hasn't been predetermined for three years as it was when Trevor Lawrence went to the Jaguars. So while the odds might suggest it's a two-horse race to be selected first overall, a lot can happen in Las Vegas.Player to drafted firstOddsAidan Hutchinson-110Kayvon Thibodeaux+110Kenny Pickett+1000Evan Neal+1000Malik Willis+2000Matt Corral+2500DeMarvin Leal+2500Derek Stingley Jr.+5000Sam Howell+5000Carson Strong+6000Kyle Hamilton+6500George Karlaftis+7000Drake London+7500Jameson Williams+7500Tyler Linderbaum+7500Charles Cross+7500Desmond Ridder+9000David Ojabo+9000Kenyon Green+10000Ikem Ekwonu+10000Nakobe Dean+10000Garrett Wilson+12000Kaiir Elam+13000Chris Olave+13000The one thing the odds suggest is that the top pick won't be a quarterback, which creates numerous possibilities. That's the case for two reasons:

The Washington Football Team will reveal its new name and logo Feb. 2, the team announced Tuesday."We can finally say that we are in the homestretch of our rebrand journey," team president Jason Wright said. "We know this has been a long process - one with a lot of pieces and details - and we appreciate you sticking with us."Wright didn't give any indication as to what the new name will be but did eliminate both the Wolves and Red Wolves from contention."Understanding the weight and importance of our team name, and excitement around other name options - both internally and within our fan base - we didn't want to risk going down a route that could be dotted with legal hurdles," Wright added. "The prospect of years of litigation wasn't something that we wanted you, our fans, to have to bear as you begin to embrace a new brand."Washington dropped the Redskins moniker after facing pressure from the public and sponsors who considered the term racist against Native Americans. The franchise had used the name dating back to the 1930s. It's gone by the Washington Football Team since July 2020.The NFC East club previously announced it wouldn't adopt the Warriors as its new nickname because of how closely it relates to Native American themes."We are confident that this identity is one that our team and our fans across D.C., Maryland, Virginia and beyond can rally behind for another 90 years and more as we continue to cheer on the Burgundy & Gold in this next chapter," Wright said.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll isn't concerned with the speculation linking quarterback Russell Wilson to a potential offseason trade."The kind of conversations we have behind the scenes are not in line with the rumors. Not at all," Carroll said Monday, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. "We've been talking, we've been together and connected throughout this whole season. That's why it's easy to dismiss those (reports) at this time."Carroll's quotes came hours after Seattle's 51-29 victory over the Detroit Lions in what was potentially Carroll and Wilson's last home game together.Many within the NFL feel that the longtime coach and quarterback won't be together again in 2022, sources recently told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 6-10 Seahawks have already been eliminated from the playoff picture. This season marked the first time Seattle has posted a losing record since Wilson was drafted in 2012.Rumors regarding a Wilson trade first emerged prior to the 2021 season when the veteran passer expressed disappointment with the number of hits he's taken in recent years.Wilson said Sunday he hopes the victory over the Lions wasn't his final home game for the Seahawks, according to Matt Calkins of the Seattle Times.Seattle finishes its season Sunday on the road against the Arizona Cardinals.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Although Cooper Kupp has a chance to break multiple single-season records Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver believes those achievements would deserve an asterisk."We're in the longest football season ever played," Kupp said Monday, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. "What the guys did that set those records - Mike Thomas, Randy Moss with the touchdowns, what Calvin Johnson did with yards - what those guys did in 16 games, it wouldn't seem right for those to be broken in 17 games. It wouldn't hold the same weight to me as it does for guys who did that in 16-game seasons."The NFL added one extra week to its regular-season schedule in 2021, jeopardizing numerous single-campaign records. Those marks include Thomas' 149 catches with the New Orleans Saints, set in 2019, and Johnson's 1,964 receiving yards with the Detroit Lions, set in 2012.After 16 games this season, Kupp is 12 catches and 136 yards shy of breaking those respective records."I just have incredible respect for what those guys were able to do, what they were able to accomplish, what they were able to produce for their teams in those 16 games," Kupp said.Kupp's 138 receptions and 1,829 yards through 16 games would rank third and fifth all time in a single season, respectively. Still, he'll look to establish new records in Week 18 against the San Francisco 49ers.The Pro Bowl receiver has also caught a league-leading 15 touchdowns. However, he'd need more than just one extra game to flirt with the record 23 touchdowns Moss caught in 2007.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We've finally reached the last week of this turbulent NFL season, which has taught us that no team is good and anything is within reach. That includes the end-of-season awards, some of which are as unpredictable now as they were before the campaign started.We've got you covered with the odds and best value play for each of the top awards still on the market, starting with the biggest prize of all ...Most Valuable PlayerPLAYERODDSAaron Rodgers-400Tom Brady+500Joe Burrow+1000Jonathan Taylor+1600Cooper Kupp+2000Josh Allen+5000Patrick Mahomes+5000Kyler Murray+8000Matthew Stafford+10000Dak Prescott+10000Justin Herbert+10000Derek Carr+25000Ryan Tannehill+25000Jalen Hurts+5000It feels like this award was decided in the public's mind three weeks ago after Tom Brady's lousy showing against the Saints, despite Aaron Rodgers posting a worse stat line in his loss to New Orleans in Week 1. Still, Rodgers has come on strong over the last six weeks, throwing for 298.5 yards per game with an 18-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio to lead the Packers to the NFC's No. 1 seed.My money is still on Brady, who has the edge in passing yards (4,990) and touchdowns (40) and has led the Buccaneers on five game-winning drives, second-most in the league. It's also worth considering voter fatigue after Rodgers won this award in 2020 with significantly better numbers than what he'll post this season. He'll likely win this again, but I'll take my chances with the GOAT at these odds.Value: Brady +500Offensive Rookie of the YearPLAYERODDSJa'Marr Chase-225Mac Jones+175This has effectively been a two-man race since the season's opening weeks when Ja'Marr Chase set the league on fire with four touchdowns in his first three games for the Bengals, and Mac Jones proved to be the only effective rookie QB from this year's heralded class.Really, it's a one-man race, especially after Chase's record-setting 266-yard, 3-TD performance Sunday - setting all-time rookie marks for receiving yards in a game and season (1,429). It doesn't hurt that three of Jones' worst starts of the campaign came within the last month amid a Patriots slide.Value: Chase -225Offensive Player of the YearPLAYERODDSJonathan Taylor-110Cooper Kupp-110Aaron Rodgers+5000Deebo Samuel+5000A non-QB will win OPOY for the third season in a row, which is only fitting after the phenomenal campaigns we've seen from these two stars. Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 500 more yards than the next best back, and he's been the catalyst for this surging Colts team. Meanwhile, Rams receiver Cooper Kupp is 11 catches and 135 receiving yards away from matching NFL single-season records.This will ultimately come down to value versus statistical resume. While both players have excelled in each, Taylor's case is based on how he's carried Indy to an 8-3 record over the last 11 weeks, while Kupp's candidacy is heavily rooted in his quest for the record books. This award tends to favor those with gaudy (and potentially record-breaking) numbers, which should give Kupp the edge.Value: Kupp -110Defensive Player of the YearPLAYERODDST.J. Watt+150Micah Parsons+200Aaron Donald+750Robert Quinn+1000Myles Garrett+1200Trevon Diggs+1600Nick Bosa+5000Darius Leonard+5000Derwin James+10000Jalen Ramsey+10000Chris Jones+10000Bobby Wagner+10000Kevin Byard+10000J.C. Jackson+10000This was essentially a dead heat between T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett - and Trevon Diggs, to a lesser extent - for much of the year until Micah Parsons burst onto the scene a month ago as the heart of the Cowboys' dominant defense.Can a rookie really win DPOY? We haven't seen it since Lawrence Taylor in 1981. Parsons has been stellar and is a lock to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, which could hurt the linebacker's chances to sweep the board if voters prefer to spread the wealth. Pass-rushers have won eight of the last 10 DPOY awards, and Watt's elite stat line (17.5 sacks, 31 QB hits, three forced fumbles, three recoveries) should be enough to seal the deal.Value: Watt +150Comeback Player of the YearPLAYERODDSDak Prescott-140Joe Burrow+110Nick Bosa+6500Carson Wentz+10000The NFL's most ambiguous and unpredictable award got even crazier over the last two weeks, as Joe Burrow threw for a combined 971 yards and eight touchdowns and launched himself into the MVP discussion. Dak Prescott has been impressive in his own right, tossing seven TDs over the last two weeks. However, Burrow ranks ahead of Prescott in most passing statistics with one week to go.So, is it about the narrative or stats? While Prescott's comeback story from a broken leg is the platonic ideal for this award, Burrow is too hot to fade here. Don't be surprised if voters use this as a way to express their appreciation for the Cincinnati passer without wasting an MVP vote.Value: Burrow +110COACHODDSZac Taylor+150Matt LaFleur+175Mike Vrabel+350Bill Belichick+2000Nick Sirianni+3500Sean McVay+4000Kliff Kingsbury+5000Frank Reich+5000Mike McCarthy+5000Sean McDermott+5000Rich Bisaccia+5000Brandon Staley+8000Andy Reid+8000Bruce Arians+10000Sean Payton+10000Kyle Shanahan+10000This was Bill Belichick's award to lose just three weeks ago when the Patriots were riding a seven-game win streak and owned the top spot in the AFC standings. Since then, New England has lost two of three games, while the Bengals have soared amid a three-game win streak to clinch their first AFC North title in six years.Cincinnati finished in last place in the division for three straight campaigns following two third-place results before that, making a compelling case to bet Zac Taylor. Still, I'm hesitant to play such short odds on Taylor, Matt LaFleur, or any of these coaches with similarly impressive candidacies, especially in a market so prone to personal biases.Call me a fool, but I'll happily take Belichick at 20-1 odds and hope voters reward the three-time winner for arguably his best coaching job yet.Value: Belichick +2000C 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.

Police arrested Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs for driving under the influence Monday in Las Vegas, according to a news release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department obtained by ESPN's Paul Gutierrez.Witnesses told police they saw Hobbs asleep at the wheel of a car on a parking lot exit ramp. Officers responded to the call at around 4 a.m. and arrested the first-year player after he failed field sobriety tests.Hobbs' attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, said their client shouldn't have been charged with DUI."The facts and circumstances related by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to the news media leave serious concerns that this does not qualify as a DUI under Nevada law," Chesnoff and Schonfeld told TMZ Sports.Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia addressed the incident Monday."I don't have all the information on that, but I feel good about saying they've been hit over the face with distractions and things of that nature," Bisaccia said. "We're very cognizant of the city we live in, so I'll leave it at that, and we'll see what it looks like at the end of the week."The Raiders drafted Hobbs in the fifth round last April. The Illinois product has started nine games this season, including Sunday's 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans have activated Julio Jones off the COVID-19 list ahead of a crucial Week 18 matchup against the Houston Texans, the team announced Monday.Jones missed Tennessee's Week 17 win over the Miami Dolphins while on the reserve. He's also battled a recurring hamstring injury this season. Limited to just nine games thus far, the veteran has amassed 376 yards on 26 receptions, though he's still searching for his first touchdown.The team also activated linebacker Jayon Brown and tackle Kendall Lamm off the COVID-19 list.With a win Sunday, the Titans can clinch the AFC's No. 1 seed, giving them a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.Tennessee has won three of its last four games and looks to be rounding into shape before the postseason. Wideout A.J. Brown rejoined the lineup in Week 16, while the club is also awaiting the possible return of running back Derrick Henry.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fletcher Cox, Dallas Goedert, and Jason Kelce were among 12 Philadelphia Eagles players placed on the COVID-19 list Monday, the team announced.The trio is among roughly a dozen players on the team to test positive, though they all have a chance to return in time for Saturday's game against the Dallas Cowboys due to the updated COVID-19 protocols, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Cox has registered 3.5 sacks this season while Goedert is currently second on the team in receptions (56) and receiving yards (830).Genard Avery, Marcus Epps, Jordan Howard, Avonte Maddox, Rodney McLeod, Boston Scott, Alex Singleton, Jack Stoll, and Nate Herbig were also placed on the reserve group.The Eagles have already clinched a playoff berth ahead of Week 18, though the matchup against the Cowboys could play into wild-card seeding.Philadelphia is 9-7 under first-year coach Nick Sirianni.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants head coach Joe Judge defended his team following its fifth consecutive defeat in Sunday's 29-3 loss to the Chicago Bears.The coach vented for over 11 minutes during his postgame presser after being asked why fans should have faith in the organization turning its fortunes around."This ain't a team that is having fistfights on the sidelines," Judge said, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "This ain't some clown show organization or something else."He added: "The toughest thing to change in a team, in a club, is the way people think. You understand that? That is the toughest thing. You can get new players. You can have your damn locker room all you want. You have to change how people think."With starting quarterback Daniel Jones out for the season, Mike Glennon struggled to spark the Giants' offense on Sunday. He completed just 4 of 11 passes for 24 yards and two interceptions to go with four fumbles.Because New York surrendered four sacks, it gained a total of -10 passing yards, marking the fewest passing yards any team has had in a game since the San Diego Chargers in 1998.Judge led the Giants to a 6-10 mark in his head coaching debut last season. The team currently sits last in the NFC East at 4-12.New York has struggled offensively through most of the season. Judge fired offensive coordinator Jason Garrett after Week 11, but the team has scored 10 points or fewer in three of its past six contests since Garrett’s departure.The Giants will take on the Washington Football Team in their season finale on Sunday.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown refused to re-enter Sunday's game against the New York Jets because of an ankle injury, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The 33-year-old had been dealing with the injury for weeks. Brown reportedly told Tampa Bay's coaching staff that he would not take the field because he did not feel he was healthy, Rapoport said.However, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said Monday that Brown didn't tell coaches he was injured and it was the wideout's decision to leave the field, according to The Athletic's Greg Auman.Arians asked Brown to go back in the game while the Buccaneers were driving the field with 3:30 left in the third quarter, according to NBC Sports' Peter King. "Nope, I'm not going in," Brown said, according to Arians.The Buccaneers' coaching staff reportedly then threw him off the sideline and cut him from the team, according to Rapoport.Arians told King he was "very" angry with Brown, who walked over to the bench and began taking off his jersey and shoulder pads. Teammate Mike Evans attempted to stop Brown from leaving, but the receiver "had that look in his eye that I haven't seen for a long time," said Arians.

The NFL announced that the win-and-in matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders will be flexed to Sunday Night Football in Week 18.Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos will collide in the early prime-time slot Saturday before the Dallas Cowboys meet the Philadelphia Eagles later that night.Day Matchup Time (ET)SaturdayChiefs at Broncos4:30 p.m.SaturdayCowboys at Eagles8:15 p.m.SundayChargers at Raiders8:20 p.m.The Chargers and Raiders will both enter Sunday night with a 9-7 record. Los Angeles took the first meeting, defeating Las Vegas 28-14 at home in Week 4.However, the Raiders carry momentum into the final week of the season. Rich Bisaccia's side is in the midst of a three-game winning streak after defeating the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and Cleveland Browns.As for the Saturday doubleheader, the Chiefs will need a win to keep any hope of securing the AFC's top seed alive. The Tennessee Titans overtook Kansas City for the No. 1 seed following the Chiefs' dramatic loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.The Eagles and Cowboys will add another chapter to their divisional rivalry with both sides already having clinched playoff berths. Philadelphia has earned a wild-card appearance while Dallas has locked up the NFC East, though a win for either side could shake up playoff seeding.The league also released a finalized timetable of its afternoon Sunday slate for Week 18.Matchup Time (ET)Steelers at Ravens1:00 p.m.Bengals at Browns1:00 p.m.Packers at Lions1:00 p.m.Titans at Texans1:00 p.m.Colts at Jaguars1:00 p.m.Bears at Vikings1:00 p.m.Washington at Giants1:00 p.m.Seahawks at Cardinals4:25 p.m.Saints at Falcons4:25 p.m.Jets at Bills4:25 p.m.49ers at Rams4:25 p.m.Patriots at Dolphins4:25 p.m.Panthers at Buccaneers4:25 p.m.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL Playoff Picture is a weekly look at the teams jockeying to secure their shot to make it to Super Bowl LVI.AFCSeedTeamDivisionRecord1Titans (y)South11-52Chiefs (y)West11-53Bengals (y)North10-64Bills (x)East10-65Patriots (x)East10-66ColtsSouth9-77ChargersWest9-7x = clinched playoff berth

With the Cleveland Browns eliminated from the playoffs and the Pittsburgh Steelers all but eliminated, the 2021 season's final edition of Monday Night Football has lost a lot of its luster.Instead of a meaningful football game with postseason implications, this matchup has become a testimonial to Ben Roethlisberger for his probable final game at Heinz Field. Here's how we're betting Browns-Steelers:C Jackson Cowart: Under 42I've been betting against each of these offenses for weeks, and I see little reason to stop doing so here.The biggest appeal is fading the Steelers in what'll likely be Ben Roethlisberger's final game at Heinz Field. It couldn't come at a better time: The Pittsburgh passer has thrown for 307 yards combined in his last two games and has paired seven touchdowns with six turnovers in his last five starts, leading his team to a mere 17.4 points per contest in those games.The Browns have mustered 17 or fewer points in eight of their last 12 games and own a bottom-10 scoring offense (19 ppg) in that stretch, with perhaps their worst effort coming in a 16-10 loss to the Steelers in Week 8. Even if this one isn't that low scoring, it'll fall well short of this number.Alex Moretto: Pat Freiermuth anytime TD (+280)Do I have to?This is a game I want no part of betting or watching. The narratives write themselves, with the Browns officially eliminated from playoff contention Sunday and this likely being Roethlisberger's final game in Pittsburgh. That's hardly enough to warrant a bet, and I just can't get there on the Steelers at this price.Instead, I'll take another narrative-y approach that at least has some value. I believe Pittsburgh will do its best to give Roethlisberger every chance to go out with a bang, which means plenty of passing attempts in close. Pat Freiermuth has become a favorite red-zone target for Big Ben, recording six touchdowns in the past eight games. He'll get a lot of looks here against a Browns team that's surrendered four tight end scores in its last five contests.Matt Russell: Steelers -1If you want to put your betting faith on Baker Mayfield to win in Pittsburgh on Monday night, more power to you. But the Steelers are the one NFL team in which I'm willing to buy in on the narrative.A Mike Tomlin squad with its back against the wall, the Steelers' 19-game MNF home winning streak, and, most recently, Roethlisberger's probable last home contest, are all things that I'd normally scoff at. However, in this case, I just can't imagine the Steelers not playing their best game. In fact, I'll be very impressed if the Browns, after just being eliminated from playoff contention, win in this spot.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Antonio Brown's time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has come to an end in bizarre fashion.The wide receiver is no longer a member of the Buccaneers, head coach Bruce Arians announced after Sunday's 28-24 win over the New York Jets.The announcement came after Brown ran off the field and left the game midway through the third quarter after showing frustration on the sideline.Brown also threw some of his equipment into the stands before exiting while the Bucs' offense was on the field. Some of his teammates - including wide receiver Mike Evans - tried to stop him from leaving.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced wide receiver Michael Gallup is believed to have torn his ACL in Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals and will miss the rest of the season, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.Gallup will undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm the injury.The fourth-year wideout suffered the injury on a second-quarter touchdown reception. He immediately grabbed his left knee before exiting and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.Injuries have plagued Gallup for most of the 2021 campaign. He missed seven games with a calf injury suffered in the season opener before returning in Week 10.Gallup is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason. He has recorded 35 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns across nine games this year.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ja'Marr Chase put up a historic 266 yards to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to a 34-31 playoff-clinching victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.Chase's 266 yards broke both the NFL rookie record for receiving yards in a game and the Bengals' single-game franchise record.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will require surgery on his injured thumb but is leaving it for the offseason, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Garoppolo reportedly chipped a bone and tore a ligament in his right thumb versus the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. He won't be available for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans with his team vying for a playoff spot.Injuries have derailed Garoppolo in two of the previous three seasons and led the 49ers to draft a successor in Trey Lance in the 2021 NFL Draft. Nate Sudfeld will back up Lance while Garoppolo is sidelined.The 49ers are optimistic that Garoppolo will return for the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Garoppolo has thrown for 3,494 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season while completing 60% of his pass attempts.Garoppolo didn't practice at all in Week 17.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians aggravated his ruptured Achilles tendon this week, he told Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.Arians currently has a partial rupture that would likely require immediate surgery if it fully ruptures, according to Glazer.The 69-year-old initially suffered the ailment during a Week 13 win over the Atlanta Falcons but has been able to coach through it. He's worn a walking boot and used a scooter at practice.Arians told Glazer that he's unsure if he'd be able to coach on the sideline if he undergoes surgery during the season, but he will do what he can in order to finish the rest of the Bucs' year.Arians became the oldest head coach to win the Super Bowl after beating the Kansas City Chiefs last February.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is inactive Sunday versus the Los Angeles Rams, sidelined with an ankle injury for the third consecutive week.Tyler Huntley will fill in as the starter after missing Week 16 while on the COVID-19 list. He'll have wide receiver Marquise Brown, who is active despite missing practice time with an illness.Jackson hasn't played since leaving a Week 14 loss to the Cleveland Browns with an ankle sprain. The Ravens are 1-2 this season without Jackson, who also missed Week 11 with an illness.Baltimore is reeling down the stretch, losing its last four games to drop out of the playoff picture entering Week 17. Jackson, who earned his second career Pro Bowl selection this year, has thrown 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions across 12 appearances.Cornerback Anthony Averett (ribs/chest) and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (foot) are among the Ravens' other inactives.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts activated quarterback Carson Wentz off the COVID-19 list ahead of their Week 17 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, the team announced.Wentz gained final medical clearance Sunday morning and will start for Indianapolis, head coach Frank Reich said.The quarterback was originally thought to be lost for Sunday's game due to his unvaccinated status. However, the NFL's modified COVID-19 protocols gave him an opportunity to return in time.In his first season with the Colts, Wentz has led the club to a 9-6 record with 3,230 passing yards and 25 touchdowns to six interceptions.Indianapolis also returned T.J. Carrie and right tackle Braden Smith off the COVID-19 list for the Week 17 contest.The Colts are in position to clinch a postseason birth with a victory over the Raiders.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 has finished among the top seven each of the last seven years. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 17.Half PPR

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers expect wide receiver Mike Evans to play against the New York Jets in a limited capacity due to a hamstring injury, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Buccaneers listed Evans as questionable on the injury report. The 28-year-old missed Week 16 and played only 17 snaps the previous week before leaving versus the New Orleans Saints.Evans enters the penultimate week of the regular season with 899 yards and 11 touchdowns. He needs 101 yards over the final two games to record an eighth consecutive 1,000-yard campaign to begin his career.Tampa Bay, meanwhile, begins Week 17 as the NFC's No. 4 seed despite being tied for the conference's second-best record at 11-4.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers and star wide receiver Davante Adams haven't had any contract talks since discussions broke off in late July, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Adams is scheduled to become a free agent in March but is more likely to receive the franchise tag, Rapoport reports. The tag would keep Adams off the market and give him and the Packers time to work out a long-term deal.The 29-year-old, who earned his fifth straight Pro Bowl nod in 2021, has once again been among the league leaders in every major receiving category this season. He ranks second in receptions (106), third in yards (1,362), and third in touchdowns (10) entering Week 17.Adams recently said Aaron Rodgers' future with Green Bay will influence his decision but "won't be the be-all and end-all." Rodgers could look to move on after unsuccessfully angling for a trade following the 2020 campaign.The eighth-year veteran wanted to become the highest-paid wideout in the NFL when he and the Packers last discussed an extension. Arizona Cardinals star DeAndre Hopkins owns the top annual average salary at the position, earning $27.25 million per year. The franchise tag is estimated to come in at around $20 million for pass-catchers.Green Bay drafted Adams in the second round in 2014.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings' path to the playoffs got a lot more difficult when Kirk Cousins tested positive for COVID-19, while the Green Bay Packers' path to the NFC's top seed suddenly looks a lot easier.Here's how we're betting Vikings-Packers:C Jackson Cowart: Vikings under 14.5 pointsI'd love to fade conventional wisdom here and play the over for an offense that has bested this total in 14 of 15 games this season. But I'm running out of reasons for optimism ahead of Sunday.The Vikings scored 17 points in their last game without star wideout Adam Thielen, who suffered a season-ending injury in last week's loss to the Rams. They'll also be without Cousins, who tested positive for COVID-19 this week and won't suit up Sunday.That leaves this game in the hands of journeyman Sean Mannion, whose career passer rating (57.5) and adjusted net yards per attempt (2.97) would rank dead last among 32 qualified starters if stretched across this season. He'll be making his first start in two years in frigid conditions at Lambeau Field, without his top receiver, and with star rusher Dalvin Cook still battling an illness. Good luck, Sean!Alex Moretto: Packers -13Often times we see line overreactions when teams are missing their starting quarterbacks, with many of the league's signal-callers overrated by the market. That's not the case here whatsoever. Cousins isn't without his deficiencies, and he's faced heavy criticism, but, truthfully, he's had an excellent season and is easily the hardest player for the Vikings to replace given the drop-off on the depth chart.Mannion is not the answer for Minnesota. The Oregon State product hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2019, starting a meaningless Week 17 contest for the Vikings in which he completed just 57% of his passes for 126 yards and two interceptions. He's never thrown a touchdown in 74 career attempts while tossing three interceptions. Even with Cook and Justin Jefferson's help, it's hard to see Minnesota finding any sustained success here on offense. The Packers can stack the box to stop the run, inviting Mannion to beat them - which he won't.Meanwhile, Green Bay will find plenty of success through the air against a Vikings secondary that continues to struggle. This will be a very one-sided affair, and I'm not too worried about the backdoor, either. Sunday night's game is a revenge spot for the Packers, and with the NFC's No. 1 seed in their grasp, don't expect them to let up at Lambeau.Matt Russell: Vikings +13Before the inevitable struck - a positive COVID-19 test by Cousins - I wrote about the Vikings' chances to stay close and potentially beat the Packers again at Lambeau in the upset of the week. While an outright win seems considerably less likely, nothing about my handicap of the game hinged on Cousins.Since I think Mannion can turn around and hand the ball off to Cook and occasionally throw to Jefferson in single coverage, I'm content with taking the Vikings. I think this line is an over-adjustment stemming from the absence of a quarterback who most don't like all that much anyway.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is apparently disappointed with his investment in head coach Matt Rhule.Tepper reportedly is "unhappy" and "embarrassed" after giving Rhule a seven-year, $62-million contract to become Carolina's head coach in 2020, sources told The Athletic's Joseph Person.Rhule, who was hired to rebuild the Panthers, has done little to keep his end of the bargain. Carolina finished 5-11 last season and is 5-10 entering Week 17 this season, despite a 3-0 start.The 46-year-old defended his track record following a lopsided 32-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16."I believe it's 1000% working, I just know no one can see it, and I apologize," Rhule said last Sunday.The head coach also told reporters earlier this week that Tepper had expressed "nothing but confidence" about him moving forward, according to team reporter Darin Gantt.The Panthers have struggled with stability since making a Super Bowl appearance during the 2015 season. The club will have failed to finish with a winning record in five of the last six seasons following the conclusion of the 2021 campaign.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We went 1-1-1 against the spread on our NFL best bets a week ago, our first .500 mark of the season. Here are our favorite plays for Week 17:Rams (-5.5, 46.5) @ Ravens, 1 p.m. ETThe Ravens getting demolished by the Bengals last week may have been one of the most predictable results of the entire season, given the state of this Baltimore roster. And it won't get any easier this week against one of the most explosive teams in the league.The Ravens are still decimated on defense - especially in the secondary. They are already missing star cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (pectoral) and Marcus Peters (knee) and could be without top available corner Anthony Averett (ribs), too. That's particularly discouraging after this group allowed a staggering 525 yards through the air in last week's loss to Cincinnati.This Rams offense ranks third in yards per attempt (8.0) and has thrown for 8.4 yards per attempt in 11 personnel while running the most plays in the league out of that look. The Ravens are allowing an NFL-worst 8.4 yards per attempt versus 11 personnel and were torched last week by three-receiver looks all game long. Expect Matthew Stafford to have a field day against this beleaguered Baltimore roster.Pick: Rams -5.5Lions @ Seahawks (-7.5, 41.5), 4:25 p.m.It's hard enough to lay the points in a game that, technically speaking, doesn't mean anything for either side. It's even more difficult given how these two teams have played as of late.The Lions seemed to turn a corner after their Week 9 bye, losing by eight or more points just once in seven games amid a 6-1 ATS run. That includes last week's four-point loss with backup quarterback Tim Boyle, who'll likely start again in place of injured starter Jared Goff (knee). He should be flanked by leading rusher D'Andre Swift - a key addition against a Seahawks defense allowing the most receptions (110) and receiving yards (1000) to opposing running backs.Conversely, Seattle blew its third double-digit lead last week and has won by eight or more points only three times this season, including just once in the last two months. There simply isn't enough to separate these two clubs in a mostly meaningless affair.Pick: Lions +7.5Panthers @ Saints (-6.5, 38), 4:25 p.m.These two teams have scored 35 points in the last two weeks combined, and each ranks among the five worst teams in total yardage. So while this total profiles as the second-lowest of the season, it's well worth betting this game to fall below this meager number.The Saints offense has fallen apart in recent weeks, averaging 13 points per game since Week 12 after last week's 20-3 loss in Ian Book's pro debut. New Orleans has gone 5-0 to the under in those contests. While Taysom Hill is back, he'll still likely be without both starting tackles a week after the Dolphins sacked his teammate eight times, the second-most allowed by any team this season.Meanwhile, the Panthers gave up as many sacks (seven) as they had third-down conversions in last week's 32-6 loss to the Buccaneers, which also marked Carolina's fifth game in its last seven with fewer than 300 total yards. This offense hasn't passed for 300 yards in a single game this season, making it alarmingly one-dimensional against the Saints' No. 1 run defense, per DVOA.Since 2018, games with a total of 38 or lower have gone 14-9-1 (60.9%) to the under, including 1-0 this year with the Saints' offensive debacle last week. This one won't be quite so ugly, but don't be surprised if the scoreboard isn't much kinder for either offense on Sunday.Pick: Under 38C 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.

The 2021 NFL calendar was filled with twists and turns. With 2022 upon us, it's time to reflect on the year's 10 biggest stories.10. Antonio Brown's vaccination card Simon Bruty / Sports Illustrated / GettyBrown appeared to leave his drama in the past when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. The 33-year-old kept himself out of the spotlight while helping the Bucs win Super Bowl LV and quietly re-signed with the club in April 2021, but it was only a matter of time until "AB" resurfaced.On Nov. 18, Brown's former personal chef - who was suing him for unpaid work - said the star wideout had submitted a fake COVID-19 vaccination card to Tampa Bay to skirt the NFL's protocols. Brown's lawyer refuted the claim, saying the receiver was fully vaccinated.The league investigated and two weeks later handed out three-game suspensions to Brown and a pair of others for misrepresenting their vaccination status. Brown's lawyer maintained his client's innocence but chose not to appeal the NFL's punishment. Brown later settled the ex-chef's lawsuit.9. Cam Newton returns to Carolina Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyFrom 2011-19, Newton was the inimitable charismatic face of the Carolina Panthers. That all changed in 2020 when Carolina hired a new coach in Matt Rhule, who released Newton while he was rehabbing from injury.Newton eventually took a one-year deal with the New England Patriots and re-signed for a second year in 2021. But when New England shockingly cut him at the end of the preseason, Newton faced an uncertain future in the league.The former MVP spent two months waiting for a call, watching from afar as clubs signed and cycled through various quarterbacks. Finally, his phone rang, and a familiar number popped up on the screen. On Nov. 11, the same team that released Newton two years earlier signed him as an injury replacement for Sam Darnold.The Panthers' all-time leading passer made his season debut three days later, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals. In true Newton fashion, he celebrated by shouting into the cameras, "I'm baaaaaack!"8. 49ers trade 3 firsts for No. 3 Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / GettyFive years ago, John Lynch shocked the NFL world when he acquired quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo from the Patriots for a second-round pick at the trade deadline. Garoppolo led the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl LIV and won 22 of his first 30 starts, but injuries derailed his 2020 campaign and led the club to envision alternatives.A month before the 2021 draft, Lynch pulled the trigger on what promised to be a career-defining trade, agreeing to send a whopping three first-round picks to the Miami Dolphins for the No. 3 overall choice. The 49ers used the pick on Trey Lance, a raw passer loaded with physical tools."From Day 1, we've been very up-front with Jimmy," Lynch said after the draft. "When I went to Jimmy, I told him the truth. Like, 'Look, we have made a decision that we're going to pursue a quarterback this offseason. You know, Jimmy, when you've played, you've been tremendous, and the record speaks to that. We feel like there's room for growth. The biggest thing has been it's hard to keep you on the field.'"Garoppolo has retained the starting job in 2021 but figures to be on the move in 2022.7. The Hoodie's revenge Bryan M. Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyNew England endured its first losing season in 20 years in 2020, and Bill Belichick clearly wasn't interested in revisiting that path. So on the eve of free agency in March, he instructed Patriots owner Robert Kraft to get his checkbook ready.Within a 20-hour period, Belichick spent $239 million on free agents with nearly $160 million guaranteed. His spree secured the likes of Matthew Judon, Jonnu Smith, and Hunter Henry and strayed from his usual approach of waiting out the market for discounts. A month-and-a-half later, he drafted a new field general in Mac Jones to serve as the primary piece of his retooling project.New England went into the 2021 campaign with renewed expectations. After a 2-4 start, the Pats went on a seven-game win streak to reestablish themselves as contenders. Belichick's signature game took place in Week 13 when he led the squad to a prime-time win over the Buffalo Bills with his rookie signal-caller attempting just three passes amid blustery conditions.6. Rams go all in - repeatedly Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / GettyThere was no chance Jared Goff wouldn't return as the quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. The former No. 1 pick was coming off his third trip to the playoffs in four years and was about to begin a four-year, $134-million extension. But when Matthew Stafford told the Detroit Lions he was ready to move on, the ever-aggressive Rams couldn't help but inquire.Then, a stunner: Days before Super Bowl LV, Los Angeles sent Goff and two first-round picks to Detroit for Stafford. The deal - which began as a pipedream given the Rams' tight cap situation - instantly became one of the biggest quarterback trades of all time.General manager Les Snead didn't stop there, either. He pulled off another shocker at the trade deadline, acquiring star edge rusher Von Miller from the Denver Broncos. Miller had spent his entire career in the Mile High City up until the deal.L.A. signed former Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. soon after. The Cleveland Browns had just released Beckham after his father posted an 11-minute video on Instagram of quarterback Baker Mayfield failing to get the ball to his son while he was open. The Rams beat out the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and New Orleans Saints for Beckham's services.5. Deshaun Watson Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / GettySeven days into the new year, NFL Network reported that Watson was upset with the Houston Texans for excluding him from their search for a new general manager. Publicly, the Texans insisted everything would be fine. Privately, Watson's relationship with the organization appeared to be worsening by the day. By the end of the month, the star quarterback had demanded a trade.Initially, Houston was defiant in its intention to keep Watson. Only 25 at the time, Watson was already among the league's best quarterbacks and was under contract for five more seasons. The NFL world waited with bated breath for the situation to unfold, but then a bombshell dropped."As a result of a social media post by a publicity-seeking plaintiff's lawyer, I recently became aware of a lawsuit that has apparently been filed against me," Watson wrote March 16 on social media. "I have not yet seen the complaint, but I know this: I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect. The plaintiff's lawyer claims that this isn't about money, but before filing (the) suit he made a baseless six-figure settlement demand, which I quickly rejected. Unlike him, this isn't about money for me - it's about clearing my name, and I look forward to doing that."Twenty-one additional women went on to file lawsuits against Watson, all saying he committed sexual assault or misconduct during massage sessions. Ten women filed criminal complaints. While trade rumors resurfaced around the deadline, no deal came to fruition. Watson sat out the 2021 campaign, and his future on and off the field is in limbo.4. TB12 wins with the Bucs Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyFor years, we wondered whether Belichick or Tom Brady was more integral to New England's dynasty. In 2021, we learned the answer was Brady.Brady captured his seventh Super Bowl in his first season with the Buccaneers, leading Tampa Bay to a rout of Kansas City at Raymond James Stadium in February. Brady had encountered some hiccups early in the 2020 campaign, but by the time 2021 rolled around, the Bucs looked like a well-oiled machine.The longtime veteran won three road playoff games en route to the championship for the first time in his career, notching wins at Washington, New Orleans, and Green Bay. He also won the title from a wild card spot - another first in his illustrious career - and at 43 years of age, he broke his own record as the oldest quarterback to win the Super Bowl.Brady went 21-for-29 against the Chiefs, throwing for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He tossed two of the touchdowns to former Pats teammate Rob Gronkowski, who came out of retirement to join him in Florida.3. Raiders unravel Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / GettyJon Gruden, Henry Ruggs, and Damon Arnette were supposed to be Raiders cornerstones. Gruden was in the fourth season of a 10-year, $100-million coaching contract, while Ruggs and Arnette were first-round picks in 2020. All three departed Las Vegas under shameful circumstances in 2021, leaving the team to pick up the pieces.Gruden resigned in October after the Wall Street Journal published emails he sent to former Washington Football Team executive Bruce Allen that contained racist, homophobic, and misogynistic tropes. The NFL discovered the emails - which were sent between 2011 and 2018 - while investigating Washington's workplace culture. Gruden filed a lawsuit against the NFL after stepping down, claiming the league tried to assassinate his character in retaliation for his derogatory messages about commissioner Roger Goodell.The Raiders released Ruggs in November after authorities charged him with reckless driving and DUI resulting in death. The wide receiver was allegedly alcohol-impaired and traveling 156 mph when he rear-ended 23-year-old Tina Tintor, sending her vehicle into flames and leaving her and her dog dead.Las Vegas waived Arnette shortly after Ruggs when a video of the former brandishing firearms and uttering death threats surfaced on social media. The cornerback later latched on with the Dolphins' practice squad.2. The Urbanization of Jacksonville Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyUrban Meyer said he spent a full year studying the NFL before accepting Shad Khan's offer to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars. A three-time national champion at the collegiate level, Meyer made the long-awaited jump to the pros a year after stepping down at Ohio State to get his health in order. Rumors had linked him to league openings in the past, but none of those opportunities were quite like the one Jacksonville presented.Meyer touched down in Duval County on Jan. 14, inheriting a team equipped with cap space and the first overall pick in a draft that featured heralded quarterback prospect Trevor Lawrence.But it took almost no time for Meyer to muddy his shoes. In February, he hired Chris Doyle as his director of sports performance. Doyle, who Iowa previously let go after the school investigated allegations of racism and bullying, resigned from Meyer's staff one day into his tenure amid backlash. Meyer went on to make several more errors - here are the lowlights:

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Friday that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is doubtful to play Sunday against the Houston Texans due to a thumb injury, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Trey Lance is expected to start under center in Week 17, Rapoport adds.Garoppolo hasn't attempted passes at practice this week, but Shanahan said he's "holding out hope" that the veteran signal-caller may be able to play after testing his thumb Saturday, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic.San Francisco also activated quarterback Nate Sudfeld from the practice squad Friday.The 30-year-old Garoppolo is 8-6 as a starter this season. He's completed 68% of his passes while tossing 19 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.Lance has started one game in 2021, replacing an injured Garoppolo in a Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The 2021 third overall pick only went 15-for-29 with no touchdowns and one pick, and he hasn't attempted a pass since.The 8-7 49ers, currently the No. 6 seed in the NFC, enter Week 17 with a 74% chance of making the postseason, according to FiveThirtyEight.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson "has a chance" to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams despite missing his second straight practice with an ankle injury, head coach John Harbaugh said Friday.Jackson, who was officially listed as questionable for Week 17, practiced Wednesday but was seen limping throughout the session. He then sat out Thursday and Friday. Tyler Huntley will start for a third time this season if Jackson can't play.The Ravens' chances of winning the AFC North are slim after the team fell to 8-7 last week with its second loss of the year to the Cincinnati Bengals. But Baltimore is still in the thick of the AFC wild-card race.Josh Johnson was forced to start the blowout defeat against the Bengals with Jackson ailing for a second straight week and Huntley on the COVID-19 list.Huntley, 23, has impressed in two starts and three further appearances this season. He's completed 68.8% of his passes for 743 yards and three touchdowns against one interception while adding 168 yards and two scores on the ground.Jackson, meanwhile, has struggled with turnovers after an MVP-caliber first half of the campaign. The 24-year-old has thrown for six touchdowns against eight interceptions and hasn't found the end zone as a runner over the last five games.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, Boone discusses the latest injury news, the recent players added to the COVID-19 list, and his advice before Week 17.

The Washington Football Team placed running back Antonio Gibson and guard Ereck Flowers on the COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced Friday.If Gibson is unable to play, Jaret Patterson and Jonathan Williams will lead the NFC East club's backfield. Meanwhile, Jamil Douglas could step in for Flowers.Gibson leads Washington in rushing yards (891) and rushing touchdowns (six). He is also third on the team in catches (41) and fifth in receiving yards (289).Washington enters Week 17 with just a 7% chance of earning a wild-card spot amid their three-game losing streak, according to FiveThirtyEight.Ron Rivera's squad needs to win its last two games and hope for significant help to beat out teams like the Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins will miss Sunday's pivotal contest versus the Green Bay Packers after testing positive for COVID-19 as an unvaccinated player, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The team confirmed it has placed Cousins on the COVID-19 list.The Vikings enter Week 17 as the No. 8 seed in the NFC, one game out of a wild card. They'll be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose to the Packers and one of these two scenarios comes to fruition:

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is likely to miss his second straight game after being listed as doubtful due to a knee injury, head coach Dan Campbell announced Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Tim Boyle will likely get the start in Sunday's matchup with the Seattle Seahawks if Goff can't play.Boyle completed 24 of 34 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown against one interception in last week's 20-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. His lone turnover came in the red zone with Detroit driving to win the game.It was the 27-year-old's second start of the campaign after a poor performance in relief of Goff in Week 11; Boyle threw two interceptions and just 77 yards during a 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns.Boyle is out of contract this offseason and is fighting for the right to be Detroit's No. 2 moving forward.Goff, 27, has produced an inconsistent first season with the Lions following a blockbuster trade from the Los Angeles Rams, who acquired Matthew Stafford in the move. Goff has thrown for 3,007 yards and 17 touchdowns against eight interceptions in 2021.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 17 rankings.StartJalen Hurts, Eaglesat Washington Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyHurts has been a top-13 fantasy quarterback in 12 of his 14 outings this season, including a QB3 finish against Washington in Week 15.Washington allows the most fantasy points to quarterbacks, locking Hurts in as one of the five best plays at his position in Week 17.Boone's projection: 261 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 34 rushing yards, 1 rushing TDOther QBs to start

Sunday might be Russell Wilson's final game in Seattle, but he's hoping that isn't the case.The quarterback is the latest Seahawks player to openly consider his future after linebacker Bobby Wagner recently expressed uncertainty over returning next season."For me, I know you guys asked Bobby (Wagner) about, 'Could this be last last game?' and this and that, and all that. I know for me, personally, I hope it's not my last game (in Seattle)," Wilson said Thursday, according to Gregg Bell of The News Tribune. "But at the same time, I know it won't be my last game in the NFL."Wilson is under contract through 2023, but his long-term future in Seattle has been called into question after his name floated in trade rumors last offseason.The Seahawks have struggled to get any momentum this season due to inconsistent play and injuries, limping to a 5-10 record. A finger injury sidelined Wilson earlier this campaign, and he's compiled just a 2-5 record since returning from the ailment. His 219.9 yards per game is his lowest mark since 2018, while his 18 touchdown passes stray from his usual production."It's' been a tough season, man," Wilson said. "You think about Jamal Adams, you lose a guy like that, the other guys we've' lost along the journey to some tough injuries. You think about all the COVID situation, it's challenging. It's been challenging."Wilson and the Seahawks will close out a disappointing 2021 campaign with a home game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, followed by a road Week 18 matchup versus the Arizona Cardinals.Copyright © 2021 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 has finished among the top seven each of the last seven years. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 17.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.Half PPR

Devin Hester, DeMarcus Ware, and Andre Johnson are finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, along with 12 other modern-era candidates eyeing gold jackets.The selection process began with 123 nominees. The group was trimmed to 26 semifinalists in November. Here are the finalists:PlayerPositionYears ActiveTeamsAndre JohnsonWR2003-2016Texans/Colts/TitansDeMarcus WareLB2005-2016Cowboys/BroncosDevin HesterKR/PR2006-2016Bears/Falcons/Ravens/SeahawksPatrick WillisLB2007-201449ersSam MillsLB1986-1997Saints/PanthersZach ThomasLB1996-2008Dolphins/CowboysJared AllenDE2004-2015Chiefs/Vikings/Bears/PanthersRichard SeymourDE2001-2012Patriots/RaidersBryant YoungDT1994-200749ersLeRoy ButlerDB1990-2001PackersReggie WayneWR2001-2014ColtsTorry HoltWR1999-2009Rams/JaguarsRonde BarberCB1997-2012BuccaneersTony BoselliOT1995-2001JaguarsWillie AndersonOT1996-2008Bengals/RavensHester is perhaps the most intriguing candidate on the ballot considering his excellence on special teams but minimal contributions on offense or defense. The former Chicago Bears star had 19 career return touchdowns, including a record 14 on punts. He famously returned the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts.Ware is up for enshrinement after putting together a storied career as a pass-rusher with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. He retired with 138.5 career sacks, good for ninth on the all-time list. Ware led the NFL in sacks in 2008 and 2010 while with the Cowboys, and he helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50.Johnson starred for the Houston Texans when the franchise was struggling to establish itself after its inception in 2002. He led the league in receiving in back-to-back seasons in 2008 and 2009 and eclipsed the 1,500-yard mark three times total.The 2022 class will be announced Feb. 10.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We've kept celebrations to a dull roar because Week 16's 3-2 record closed with the one-time underdog - and eventual favorite - Miami Dolphins beating up on a dismantled Saints roster. As a result, whether you profited was dependent on when you read this article and what you were willing to wager.Betting the NFL this December has required midweek adjustments. By now, you've learned the premise of our weekly one-unit long shot, which means you've possibly even started picking your own plays in this choose-your-own-adventure series. In the spirit of giving, I'll also provide you with an alternative option for each pick this week.How it worksWe parlay five underdogs together in 10 different three-team parlays. Using every combination of a three-team parlay is called a round robin, so we're going to use a total of 1.1 units to make 11 different bets: 10 three-team parlays and one five-team parlay, each for .1 units. If three teams pull off the upset like in Week 8, Week 10, Week 11, and Week 16, you'll likely double your money. If four teams win, as they did in Week 3, you'll connect on four separate parlays and will be very pleased with the return. If all five teams win, as they did in Week 1, then it's back into the pool, swimming in gold doubloons like heirs to the McDuck fortune.Who to playGiants +215Let's start with a premise play. It worked last week with Chicago over Seattle, and now we'll bet against the Bears. When two teams with nothing to play for meet and one of them is a touchdown favorite, we bet the underdog and take our chances.It helps that the Bears weren't deemed good enough to stay within a touchdown last week, but now they're expected to win by more than one? Sure, the Giants might now be the worst team in an NFL that includes the Jaguars, but New York's defense is at least capable - it held the Eagles to three first-half points last week. In what should be a low-scoring game, we'll see if getting away from New York helps the Giants.Alternative route: Lions (+250) over SeahawksTexans +500You know we like to include a big underdog in our weekly collection, and the basic handicap here is we're arguably getting a +500 payout on the team with the better starting quarterback.The Texans won last week, finally landing on Rex Burkhead as their primary rusher with Royce Freeman providing the complementary touches, and now they'll get Brandin Cooks back. This will make life easier on Davis Mills, who we've successfully backed multiple times in the prop market this season and is finally getting positive media attention.More importantly, we've seen how the 49ers' offense has stalled when Trey Lance plays. He's already seen more action than San Francisco might've expected, with Jimmy Garoppolo in and out of the lineup. Garoppolo appears to be out again, and while San Fran's supporting cast is much better than Houston's, the underdog will be live if Lance can't get his teammates the ball.In a season where the Jaguars beat the Bills, the Buccaneers were shut out, the Lions beat the Cardinals, and the Texans defeated the Chargers, scoffing at any team winning is a mistake.Alternative route: Falcons (+650) over BillsPanthers +240Here's another premise play. If a team is in a "must-win" game, it must not be very good. Sure, the Panthers are bad and may have very well quit on their coach, but at +240, this is a shot worth taking. Sam Darnold is back in as the starter, and while that's not exciting, it's an upgrade over Cam Newton.Darnold did just enough back in September to give the Panthers a 26-7 win over the Saints, and New Orleans' quarterback situation has since deteriorated. Lost in the return of Taysom Hill is that the Saints still only scored nine points in his previous start. Both these teams have good defenses with bad quarterback situations, which makes this matchup feel much more even than the odds suggest.Alternative route: Cardinals (+205) over CowboysVikings +240In my upset of the week, I wrote about the Vikings' path to success in their previous win over the Packers. I think they'll replicate that here, as Green Bay hasn't shown it's capable of stopping what Minnesota does best.Alternative route: Broncos (+220) over ChargersSteelers +160All paths lead to this being Ben Roethlisberger's final start in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are playing in what the future Hall of Famer admits is likely his last home game. Maybe that emotional boost is enough for you. If not, perhaps Pittsburgh's 19 straight Monday night home wins are sufficient. Or maybe Mike Tomlin's impressive history as an underdog is what does it. Either way, with their playoff hopes still glimmering, the Steelers will step up against Baker Mayfield and Cleveland's run game to close out an enticing weekend for underdogs.Here are how the odds look this week:PARLAYODDS (Approx.)NYG+HOU+CAR+6300NYG+HOU+MIN+6300NYG+HOU+PIT+4800NYG+CAR+MIN+3500NYG+CAR+PIT+2700NYG+MIN+PIT+2700HOU+CAR+MIN+6800HOU+CAR+PIT+5200HOU+MIN+PIT+5200CAR+MIN+PIT+2900NYG+HOU+CAR+MIN+PIT+56700Who are your five underdogs for a football betting lottery ticket?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 © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich admitted he's been in contact with retired quarterback Phillip Rivers but said Sam Ehlinger will start in Week 17 if Carson Wentz can't come off the COVID-19 list."If (Wentz) clears his fifth day, that would be Sunday, and in theory, he would be available for the game if he clears," Reich said, according to ESPN's Mike Wells. "He will be in meetings virtual, so if he does clear, he can play. At this point, Sam is our starter. I'm excited for Sam."Wentz was originally thought to be lost for Sunday's contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, the NFL's updated COVID-19 protocols reduce the quarantine period from 10 days to five, making it possible for the passer to return for the game.The uncertainty surrounding Wentz sparked discussion about the possibility of Rivers coming out of retirement to play for his old club. While Reich confirmed talking to the 40-year-old, he noted he had nothing to report."You guys know I'm close to him," Reich said. "We talked all year long. Did talk to him fairly recently. He was on vacation with his family. I have talked to him about our situation here but nothing to report and no other further comment at this point."Rivers led the Colts to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance in 2020, his final year in the NFL.Reich threw his support behind Ehlinger ahead of the pivotal Week 17 bout."I think Sam is made for moments like this," Reich said. "He has that special it factor. Has really good quarterback skills. Has continued to improve. Excited about the opportunity this week to prepare, and we'll see how the week plays out."The Colts approach the Week 17 bout in the AFC's fifth seed at 9-6, while the Raiders are chasing a playoff spot at 8-7.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers left his future open again Wednesday, saying he isn't ruling out retiring after the 2021 season."I'm just enjoying this season for this season, and I think playing next year will definitely be in the thought process," Rodgers said, according to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.He added, "(My decision) won't be something that I drag out for months and months. ... Once I commit - and if it's committing to move forward here - it'll be a quick decision."The 38-year-old said he would consult with loved ones, as well as Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, team president Mark Murphy, vice president Russ Ball, and the coaching staff.Rodgers skipped mandatory minicamp in June due to disputes with the Packers' front office, leading to trade speculation.He eventually returned to Green Bay for training camp in July on a reworked deal that could help set up his departure from the franchise in 2022.However, the reigning NFL MVP said he isn't necessarily thinking about playing for another franchise next year."I do appreciate a lot of the things I've seen from the team that are directly related to conversations we had in the offseason," Rodgers said. "I've enjoyed being a part of conversations that directly affect my job. ... Brian has taken a lead on that and I do appreciate the way our relationship has grown."The 10-time Pro Bowler is the favorite to be named MVP for the second straight year. He won the award in 2011, 2014, and 2020. He completed 68% of his passes for 33 touchdowns against four interceptions in 14 games this season.Green Bay currently owns the NFL's best record at 12-3.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a string of big swings that missed for one reason or another, we got back in the win column with a little luck last week. Full disclosure: When we backed the Bears to beat the Seahawks, it was with an eye on Justin Fields starting and Andy Dalton as the backup plan. Instead, the quarterback carousel left Nick Foles with the start. He turned back the clock with a last-minute victory, and we got back above +5 units for the season on our weekly moneyline underdog bet.As we land on the season's penultimate week, let's look to Sunday night for a substantial upset in a rematch after our underdog won the first meeting.The SpotThe Packers beat the Browns last Saturday and have their eye on the top seed in the NFC, while the Vikings lost to the Rams on Sunday and have their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. While both teams have something to play for, there's a difference between fighting for your season and playing for a potential week off.Vikings' offense vs. Packers' defenseFor Minnesota to win, the recipe is simple: Cook up what the Browns did last week, but hold the copious interceptions from the quarterback. Baker Mayfield throwing the ball to the other team couldn't have been all that surprising, but reputation aside, a similar performance from Kirk Cousins would be.Though Cousins has thrown four interceptions in his last three games, he only has seven on the season. Six weeks ago, Cousins had 341 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. For his career, he has a 110.4 passer rating and an 18-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio against Green Bay.More important in mirroring what the Browns did on offense is the health and success of Dalvin Cook. The Vikings tailback has averaged 5.0 yards per carry against the Packers in his career and had dominant performances the last two times these teams met at Lambeau Field. As seen last Saturday, the Packers' run defense isn't any better than in past years. In fact, at 4.8 yards per carry and tied for worst in the NFL, it's as bad as it's ever been.Packers' offense vs. Vikings' defenseAaron Rodgers is awesome; against the Vikings, against everyone. But this is a game in which he should get limited opportunities if Minnesota can score early and get a lead with long drives against Green Bay's defense. That was the case last week when the Packers only scored 24 points. They'll need more than that here.Despite their excellent record, the Packers have struggled to start strong this season, rarely leading after the first quarter. It's a lot easier to come back or take the lead late against the Bears, Lions, Seahawks, and - when Mayfield throws four picks - the Browns.More to the point in our weekly search for value, we're getting a +240 price on a team that I'll bet has a lead at some point in the first half. That lead will probably be a touchdown since last week marked the first game this season that didn't see the Vikings with a seven-point advantage.We're getting close to a touchdown here, and the moneyline is high anyway, in part because Adam Thielen is out for the season. But we're not making this bet based on Minnesota's versatile passing game. Justin Jefferson is certainly enough for Cousins, but a win will come on the back of Cook. The Vikings will find strength in an early lead, and a second-half push from the defense will allow them to hang on for their second win over Green Bay this season - and keep hope alive in Minneapolis.Pick: Vikings +240Matt 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 © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.