The New York Jets placed rookie wide receiver Elijah Moore on injured reserve Saturday with a quad injury, the team announced.The Jets are hopeful Moore will only miss three games, according to The Athletic's Connor Hughes.The first-year wideout didn't practice this week due to the lingering injury.The 2021 second-round selection has tallied 43 receptions for 538 yards and five touchdowns this season.Moore's absence is another tough blow to a Jets offense that recently lost receiver Corey Davis for the remainder of the season following core-muscle surgery.Receivers Keelan Cole, Braxton Berrios, and Denzel Mims will likely be in line for more snaps Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans activated wide receiver Julio Jones from injured reserve for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team announced Saturday.The Titans also removed Racey McMath and safety Dane Cruikshank from the reserve group.Jones missed the last three contests due to a hamstring injury.The two-time All-Pro has played in just six games with the Titans since being acquired from the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason. He's tallied 21 receptions for 336 yards in 2021.Jones recently returned to practice this week after the club added him to the designated-to-return list Monday.Running back Derrick Henry (foot) and A.J. Brown (chest) remain sidelined.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams placed running back Darrell Henderson on the COVID-19 reserve Saturday, the team announced.Henderson is unlikely to face the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football as a result. He needs to test negative twice on both Sunday and Monday before he's cleared to play.Head coach Sean McVay said Saturday Henderson was feeling sick during practice and went for COVID-19 testing, according to Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper. Los Angeles placed him on reserve hours later.Henderson, the Rams' leading rusher this season, already entered this week battling a thigh injury that sidelined him in last Sunday's victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was active against Jacksonville but didn't play any snaps.The 24-year-old tops L.A. with 648 yards (4.6 per carry) and five touchdowns on the ground this year. Henderson's also caught 27 passes for 172 yards and three scores.The Rams expect Sony Michel to carry the load at running back if Henderson remains out. The former first-rounder racked up 121 rushing yards and one touchdown versus the Jaguars in Week 13.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. were activated from the team's COVID-19 list, the team announced Saturday.Both players are on track to play Sunday against the New York Giants, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Los Angeles placed the pair on the COVID-19 list Wednesday as close contacts.The Chargers already ruled out Keenan Allen from Sunday's contest after he registered a positive COVID-19 test Monday.However, quarterback Justin Herbert will have at least one of his top receiving options this weekend against a Giants defense that's surrendering 242 yards per game.Williams will headline a Chargers receiving corps that features rookie Josh Palmer and Jalen Guyton. The 27-year-old pass-catcher has hauled in 55 receptions for 854 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021.Harris' availability is welcome news after the Chargers listed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. out this week as he remains in the league's concussion protocol.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Another 6-4 week helps us creep closer to the magic number of 60% (77-55-1) on the season thanks to strong results from our quarterback props. So we'll focus on the position here in Week 14 as we look to stay successful.Dak Prescott under 0.5 interceptions (-115)Prescott's production hasn't been ideal since returning from injury, with his best statistical game coming in the Cowboys' Thanksgiving loss to the Raiders, but this contest sets him up for success. Washington has just six interceptions all season. While Washington has been able to win games with its bend-but-don't-break, disciplined defense, Prescott should find some room in the secondary courtesy of a healthy offensive line that will go up against a defensive line missing Montez Sweat and Chase Young.I expect the Cowboys to shut down Taylor Heinicke thanks to Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory bolstering the pass rush. If the Cowboys don't find themselves in a shootout, Prescott won't need to force throws late and will play a clean game.Kareem Hunt over 52.5 rushing + receiving yardsI have to believe the Browns looked at the tape from their visit to Baltimore and thought to themselves, "Why didn't we get the ball to Kareem?" Hunt returned from injury and should have been used as an intermediary in the passing game, as Baker Mayfield struggled to push the ball downfield in a 16-10 loss.With two more weeks to prepare for the rematch at home, I expect better success on the ground and a more concerted effort to target Hunt out of the backfield. He'll sail over his prescribed yardage.Taysom Hill under 194.5 passing yardsObviously, there's the possibility that mallet finger, or another malady, will prevent Hill from finishing this game. Even if he makes it through 60 minutes, I doubt the Saints will want him throwing the ball a lot after what we saw last Thursday against Dallas.I expect this contest to be close with two conservative game plans, resulting in the Saints focusing on the run game with Hill and Alvin Kamara, who's back from injury.Cam Newton over 30.5 rushing yardsThere are a few forces conspiring for a winner here. Maybe it's Newton's struggles or the Panthers firing offensive coordinator Joe Brady, but there appears to be a desire to focus on the run game from head coach Matt Rhule.The Panthers won the teams' first meeting without production from the quarterback aside from Sam Darnold getting out of the pocket and contributing in the run game. The Falcons give up yards on the ground to QBs, and the Panthers will lean on Newton to finish off a win.Davis Mills over 216.5 passing yardsBacking the Texans' offense to do anything is risky, but Mills will get the rest of the season to show what he can do. Mills has the talent and should have the opportunity in this game against the Seahawks' underwhelming defense, which has a handful of new injuries to deal with. Houston could very well be behind and throwing late, which should help Mills clear the relatively low number here.Dontrell Hilliard anytime touchdown (+225)While they limped into the bye, the Titans may have found something with Hilliard. Twelve carries for 131 yards against the Patriots is an attention-getter, even if he split carries with D'Onta Foreman.There should be more than enough carries to go around, as I expect the Titans to beat the Jaguars easily coming off their bye week. With Hilliard priced higher than Foreman and Jeremy McNichols, he's worth a bet.Derek Carr under 258.5 passing yardsI'm buying in on the Chiefs' defense while remaining wary of the prices we have to pay to back their offense. So, in thinking this might be a closer game than the first matchup played in the Las Vegas' cozy confines, I'll bet that Derek Carr isn't able to hit the big play and that the Raiders have similar success on the ground that the Broncos did last week in Kansas City. All that adds up to Carr's yardage falling short.George Kittle over 66.5 receiving yardsDid you see this guy in Seattle last week?! I know that's a basic attitude to have in handicapping, but Kittle appears as healthy as he has been all season and was a menace to the Seahawks' secondary. It helps his production when the 49ers are without Deebo Samuel, which seems to be the case again this week. But even if Samuel's there to take some targets away, this number is too low for the premier tight end.Jared Goff under 207.5 passing yardsThe Lions go from a dramatic first win indoors to an outdoor game in Denver after being ravaged by the flu all week. This spells disaster for Detroit. Jared Goff's never performed well in the elements, so we'll fade his production Sunday.Josh Allen over 297.5 passing yardsIf you've ever played a round of golf in the rain and then come out the next day to play in perfect conditions, you gain a new appreciation for not having to worry about the elements. That will be the case for the Bills' offense in a plus-matchup against the Buccaneers' secondary in Tampa. In what should be a shootout, Allen will throw for 300 yards.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.

This is going to sound counterintuitive just days after the New England Patriots attempted the fewest passes in an NFL game in 47 years to defeat the Buffalo Bills on the road, but "establish the run" is still a phrase that deserves to die.Bill Belichick's game plan worked on a night when the swirling winds made it difficult to throw downfield. But there's nothing sustainable about the approach, and there isn't much to take away from New England's win.If anything, the way the Patriots won says more about New England's defense and Buffalo's offense. Yes, the Patriots rushed for 222 yards on 46 carries, a robust average of 4.8 yards per carry. But the Patriots also scored just 14 points and picked up only 10 rushing first downs. Sixty-four of those rushing yards came on a single play. The fact is, the Bills twice had the ball in the red zone over the last eight minutes but came away with nothing. Buffalo's multiple self-inflicted mistakes played a huge role:

Questions about head coach Urban Meyer's long-term status with the Jacksonville Jaguars have surfaced.Tensions have grown within the organization following multiple run-ins between Meyer and players and other coaches in recent weeks, sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Jaguars owner, Shad Khan, does not appear to be seriously considering a change, Pelissero reports.There's growing frustration with Meyer's behavior following his comments that shifted blame to players and coaches amid the team's 2-10 start.Running back James Robinson was benched following a fumble on the opening drive of Jacksonville's 37-7 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams last week. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence shared his belief that Robinson needs to see more time on the field."I'm playing the game and stuff happens on the sideline with coaching decisions," Lawrence said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco. "I don't really get into that, but I know and I voiced my opinion: James is one of our best players and he's got to be in the game. I think we're all on the same page, so there's no confusion there."Players reportedly vented to their Rams counterparts that Meyer has not treated them like adults.Receiver Marvin Jones reportedly became so angry with Meyer's criticisms that he left the facility and had to be convinced by other staff to return.Meyer found himself in hot water earlier this season when a video of him at a bar with a woman who was not his wife went viral. The coach apologized for being a distraction following the incident.The Jaguars have lost four straight games and are averaging 10.7 points per contest since their bye in Week 7. They play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We finished just 1-2 against the spread on our NFL best bets in Week 13, highlighted by the Lions' win over the Vikings but foiled by a crazy ending to the Ravens-Steelers game. Here are our best bets for Week 14:Raiders @ Chiefs (-10, 48), 1 p.m. ETThe Chiefs defense went from being a liability to a strength seemingly overnight, but the results have sustained for weeks now, and the under has been cashing week in and week out for this group.Kansas City has allowed just 11.2 points per game since the start of November - the third-fewest in the NFL. The Chiefs also recorded 12 combined sacks over that span and held all five opponents to 250 passing yards or fewer. That includes a dominant Week 10 showing against the Raiders, who mustered just 14 points thanks in part to a wholly ineffective ground game.That showing was no fluke, as Las Vegas has scored 16 or fewer points in four of its last five games. The Raiders won't do much better Sunday if their offensive line can't diffuse this surging Chiefs pass rush.Pick: Raiders under 18.5 pointsSeahawks (-8.5, 40.5) @ Texans, 1 p.m.I've been as critical of Davis Mills as anybody since he made his pro debut in Week 2, and I never thought I'd find myself betting him a few months later. But plans change when a team as uninspiring as the Seahawks is priced as massive road favorites.Seattle has no business laying this many points on the road after just one victory since October, which was fueled by a fake-punt touchdown and an improbable goal-line stand. We still haven't seen any cohesion from the Seahawks' offense since Russell Wilson's injury, making it hard to buy into a blowout victory in any spot.Fittingly, the Texans have stayed within nine points - or won outright - in three of their last four games, while Seattle has just two wins by nine or more points this season and none since Week 8. Don't get caught laying this many points on a team that hasn't earned it.Pick: Texans +8.5Bills @ Buccaneers (-3.5, 54), 4:25 p.m.The Buccaneers have hovered between -3 and -3.5 since before the Bills' loss Monday night when Buffalo allowed the Patriots to run roughshod with little resistance. This line didn't make any sense before that game, and it makes even less sense now.What exactly have we seen from the Bills in the past two months to justify pricing them as near-equals to the defending champions? Buffalo has lost four of its last seven games and is 1-4 this year against teams with a winning record, and we haven't seen this thin secondary tested since losing star cornerback Tre'Davious White for the season.Meanwhile, the Bucs have cruised to three straight wins and rank No. 1 in DVOA with a 4-1 ATS record as favorites. This is the best team in the league and deserves more respect from oddsmakers against a club that hasn't proven itself among the NFL's elite.Pick: Buccaneers -3.5C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Chargers will be without their No. 1 target in Week 14Head coach Brandon Staley announced Friday that wide receiver Keenan Allen won't play Sunday against the New York Giants, according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper.Allen tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, and the team won't activate him from the reserve group in time.The 29-year-old leads the Chargers with 124 targets, 86 receptions, and 929 yards through 12 appearances this season. Allen's also scored four touchdowns.Staley also said he expects wide receiver Mike Williams and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. to face the Giants, according to the Orange County Register's Gilbert Manzano.Williams and Harris were recently placed on the COVID-19 reserve list as close contacts, but they've since tested negative multiple times.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As pandemic news continues to dominate headlines, it's shaping the NFL market as well. A few Week 14 lines have shifted due to COVID-19 updates, while others have gone in a direction that might make novice bettors nauseous.Falcons @ Panthers (-2.5, 41.5)The Panthers opened at -3, and bettors jumped on the Falcons under the premise that Cam Newton and Carolina don't deserve to be a full field goal favorite over any team with a pulse. Why are the Panthers favored at all?Atlanta was an 11-point home underdog last week, while Carolina was a 1.5-point road favorite in its last game. If we took the jerseys off and just looked objectively at those closing lines, we can understand why the edge goes to the latter.Secondly, the Panthers already beat the Falcons - in Atlanta - without any production from the quarterback. Can Newton match Sam Darnold's 13-for-24, 129-yard effort in that victory? Even with the low bar we've set for him, I think he can.Ravens @ Browns (-2.5, 42.5)This line wouldn't be more than a point off of PK, but it's moved off the opener of Browns -1 because it's a nightmare schedule spot for the Ravens. Cleveland has only had to worry about Baltimore for three weeks, and while the loss in Charm City hurt, the Browns get an unheard-of second straight chance at Lamar Jackson. Meanwhile, the Ravens had a knock-down affair in Pittsburgh in between. Grab the -2.5 before it goes to -3.Cowboys @ Washington Football Team (+4.5, 48)This game has bounced from the opener at Cowboys -4.5 to -3.5 before returning to its original position as big bettors battle with a split interpretation of where the value lies. I'll bet on Dallas here, with a finally healthy defense and an offense that matches up nicely with Washington's weaknesses.Jaguars @ Titans (-8.5, 43.5)I thought I dreamed the Titans opened -11 in this game. That's how briefly it was available before moving to TEN -8.5.No team needed a week off more than Tennessee as the squad dragged its way to the bye. Now that the Titans have gotten over the ridiculous Adrian Peterson experiment, they can use a multi-faceted run attack to mimic their offense with Derrick Henry. If the club can run for 200+ yards against the Patriots, it can do the same against the Jaguars. With Ryan Tannehill becoming more efficient and the defense well-rested, Tennessee can put pressure on Jacksonville to support oddsmakers' opening line.Raiders @ Chiefs (-10, 48)The Chiefs got bumped from -9.5 on Thursday when limits increased, but that's not warranted after they probably shouldn't have scored bettors the cover on Sunday night. The Raiders can score, and with a couple of defensive adjustments learned from other teams, Las Vegas can hang in by avoiding the critical turnovers that felled both the club and the Broncos in Kansas City's last two matchups.Saints @ Jets (+5.5, 43)The Jets opened as 6-point underdogs, and that quickly moved as bettors used their early-week dollars to point out the Saints' lack of wins since pulling out a victory when Jameis Winston went down against the Bucs. I have this closer to NO -3, so there's some value left here, but maybe we'll see another +6 by kickoff.Seahawks @ Texans (+8.5, 40.5)The Texans have cut Zach Cunningham after suspending Justin Reid, both for locker room-related issues. That's a sign the team's inner-workings are a disaster, so the Seahawks are the favorite by more than a touchdown - a wild circumstance in and of itself. Steer clear of this contest.Lions @ Broncos (-10, 42)The Lions are coming off their first win and then, in true Detroit fashion, have had the flu ravage the locker room this week. Now the club heads outdoors to Denver - already a reason to like the Broncos with the line opening -8 - so the boost to -10 is designed to slow down the ATS betting and teasing of Denver under a field goal.Giants @ Chargers (-10, 43)We may be looking at a Jake Fromm NFL debut, and the line has moved from +10.5. All it took was almost hourly Covid-19 updates from the Chargers, who put a handful of starters in jeopardy of missing Sunday's game. This is another one you can skip and not feel like you're missing out on anything.49ers @ Bengals (+1.5, 49)Joe Burrow didn't practice due to the much-publicized pinky finger issue and less-discussed knee soreness, moving the Bengals from short favorites to small underdogs. This shift opens up the possibility of a Cincinnati teaser leg, which might be even more valuable once we're 100% sure Burrow is good to go.Rams @ Cardinals (-2.5, 51.5)Beware of the early move off +3. The Rams opened there, and despite the assumption that bettors would file in on the Cardinals for more than a week, oddsmakers were quick to shift Los Angeles to +2.5. Will the +3 come back? I'll be hoping it does before kickoff Monday night.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.

New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon will start Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers after clearing concussion protocol Friday, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.Starting signal-caller Daniel Jones was ruled out. He continues to deal with a neck injury that sidelined him for the Giants' 20-9 defeat to the Miami Dolphins last week.New York will also be without wide receiver Kadarius Toney (oblique) and cornerback Adoree' Jackson (quad) in Week 14.Glennon passed for 187 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions in the loss to Miami. He's believed to have sustained the concussion against the Dolphins, but he didn't leave the game.Third-string quarterback Jake Fromm, who received first-team snaps in practice this week, will serve as Glennon's backup. The 23-year-old recently signed with the club after being on the Buffalo Bills' practice squad.The Giants (4-8) sit last in the NFC East with five games remaining.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos will honor former wide receiver Demaryius Thomas during Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.Head coach Vic Fangio announced Friday that there will be a pregame moment of silence and video tribute, according to KOA 850 AM's Brandon Krisztal. Broncos players will also wear helmet decals of Thomas' No. 88.Thomas was found dead Thursday at the age of 33 in his home in Georgia. Preliminary information suggests his death may have resulted from a medical issue, Roswell police said.The Georgia Tech product played eight-plus seasons in Denver, recording 9,055 yards and 60 touchdowns on 665 receptions. He also helped the Broncos reach the Super Bowl twice, including their Super Bowl 50 victory over the Carolina Panthers.Denver's current roster includes 10 of Thomas' former Broncos teammates, according to The Athletic's Nick Kosmider.Thomas retired from football in June.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell won't face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday due to a concussion and knee injury, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports.Mitchell tops the 49ers with 759 rushing yards and five scores on the ground through nine appearances this year. The sixth-round rookie also missed three games earlier this season due to multiple injuries.The 49ers will likely rely on running backs Jeff Wilson and Jamycal Hasty with Mitchell sidelined. Rookie runner Trey Sermon was recently placed on injured reserve with an ankle ailment.San Francisco is still hopeful that Deebo Samuel will be back in Week 14. The star wide receiver is listed as questionable after missing last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks with a groin injury.Samuel is having a career year in 2021, catching 56 passes for 1,001 yards and five touchdowns through the first 11 games. He's also had a big impact in the running game, finding the end zone five times.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas Raiders have ruled out tight end Darren Waller for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to injuries in both his knee and back, the team announced Friday.The Pro Bowler has been on the sideline since Las Vegas' 36-33 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Waller is reportedly dealing with a strained IT band that is causing discomfort to the outside portion of his knee.Waller remains the Raiders' second-leading receiver with 53 receptions and 643 yards to go along with his two touchdowns on the season.Las Vegas also ruled out Jalen Richard, Carl Nassib, and Patrick Onwuasor for Sunday's contest.In more positive news, neither cornerback Trayvon Mullen nor defensive tackle Darius Philon was listed on the injury report. Both players could be available Sunday.The Raiders enter the AFC West matchup with a 6-6 record and currently sit in third place behind the Los Angeles Chargers.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions placed running back Jamaal Williams on the COVID-19 list, the team announced Friday.Detroit is already without starting running back D'Andre Swift due to a shoulder injury.Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike are likely to fill in for the injured backs Sunday against the Denver Broncos.Williams rushed for 71 yards on 17 carries against the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 5, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara wasn't listed on the injury report Friday after being a full participant at practice this week, putting him on track to play Sunday against the New York Jets, according to Amie Just of NOLA.com.Kamara missed the last four games due to a knee injury. He was "real close" to playing last week, but a hamstring ailment kept the star rusher sidelined, head coach Sean Payton said Friday, according to Jori Parys of WGNO-TV.The four-time Pro Bowler leads the Saints with 840 scrimmage yards and seven total touchdowns despite appearing in only eight games this season.Veteran Mark Ingram, who carried the load at running back for New Orleans while Kamara was sidelined, was recently placed on the COVID-19 list and his status for Sunday is uncertain.The Saints enter Week 14 trying to snap a five-game losing streak.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins running back Myles Gaskin has tested positive for COVID-19, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Since Gaskin is fully vaccinated and the Dolphins are on their bye, it's possible he'll return for Miami's next game Dec. 19 against the New York Jets, Pelissero adds.Gaskin has recorded 526 rushing yards on 154 attempts for three touchdowns this season. He's also caught 45 passes for 217 yards and four scores.Salvon Ahmed could receive a heavier workload if Gaskin misses any time.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt could play next week against the Tennessee Titans after tweaking his groin early in the third quarter of Thursday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Watt recorded one tackle and one quarterback hit before exiting for the night. He entered the game with a league-leading 16 sacks and four forced fumbles despite missing two games.The 27-year-old dealt with a groin injury earlier in the season, and he's also missed time in a number of games while battling knee and hip ailments.The Steelers began Week 14 leading the NFL in sacks, but they've struggled to generate pressure when Watt isn't on the field. Pittsburgh later ruled out fellow edge rusher Alex Highsmith from the prime-time game due to a knee injury.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans will look to the future in the final stretch of the regular season.Rookie quarterback Davis Mills will start for the remainder of the campaign, beginning with Sunday's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, Texans head coach David Culley announced Friday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.Culley said Tyrod Taylor was upset by the decision to bench him."I wouldn't have liked it either, but this is a production business," Culley said, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.Mills went winless in six starts earlier in the season while Taylor was sidelined due to injury. The third-round pick produced 1,406 yards and seven touchdowns against eight interceptions while completing 65.5% of his passes.Taylor suffered ligament damage in his left wrist in Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, but Culley previously said the injury wouldn't factor into his decision.The veteran signal-caller struggled over his last four starts after returning to the starting role, throwing just two touchdowns against four interceptions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool drew the ire of fans when he celebrated a fourth-down catch with his team driving to tie the game in the final minute of Thursday's matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.Claypool made a first-down signal while kneeling despite the Steelers needing to spike the ball with no timeouts and just over 30 seconds remaining. Teammate Trai Turner ran to Claypool but inadvertently knocked the football away while attempting to rush the receiver back to the line of scrimmage, costing Pittsburgh precious seconds.The Steelers finished the game with a missed end-zone shot to tight end Pat Freiermuth four plays later. They likely would've had time for one more attempt if not for the error from Claypool, who was also benched in the first quarter after a personal foul.While Claypool acknowledged he let his team down against the Vikings, he also seemed to blame Turner for wasting time."Definitely, I've got to be better," Claypool said, according to Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review."I got tackled near the hash, did my little first-down point, went to hand the ball to the ref," Claypool added. "He just got there. Even if I got right up and looked for him, he wasn't there. He ran down the field to come get the ball. The ball got knocked out of my hands. That is what cost us time. But I definitely do have to be better. I knew the situation."

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 14 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 14 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.StartTaysom Hill, Saintsat Jets Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyEarly in the week, we weren't sure whether Hill would be able to play through the finger injury he suffered last Thursday versus the Cowboys. However, he's been a full participant in practice and is ready to go.Despite throwing four picks against Dallas, the Saints' dual-threat QB still delivered a strong fantasy performance thanks to 101 rushing yards and a pair of passing touchdowns.He should face little resistance from a Jets defense allowing the fourth most fantasy points to quarterbacks, including multiple passing scores in eight straight games. Consider Hill a low-end QB1 for Week 14.Boone's projection: 238 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 67 rushing yardsOther QBs to start

Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was found dead in his home Thursday at the age of 33, according to police in Rosewell, Georgia.Police say preliminary information suggests his death may have resulted from a medical issue.Thomas, a Georgia native, played three seasons at Georgia Tech before making the jump to the professional level after his junior season in 2009.The Broncos selected him in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft the following spring. After flashing his skills through his first two years in Denver - including a game-winning 80-yard touchdown to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime of his first playoff game - Thomas took his game to another level upon Peyton Manning's arrival in 2012.Thomas quickly emerged as the Hall of Fame quarterback's No. 1 target, and he'd go on to post three straight campaigns of at least 1,400 yards and double-digit touchdown scores.In total, he amassed an impressive 9,055 yards and 60 touchdowns across eight-plus seasons with the Broncos, earning four Pro Bowl appearances along the way.Thomas played in two Super Bowls with Denver over that stretch, winning the second over the Carolina Panthers at the end of the 2015 campaign.The Broncos traded Thomas to the Texans ahead of the 2018 trade deadline, and he played seven games in Houston before moving on for a one-year stint with the New York Jets the following offseason.Thomas officially retired from football this past summer after playing in 125 career games, posting 9,763 yards, and scoring 63 touchdowns.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings nearly blew a 29-point lead on Thursday Night Football, but held on for a 36-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, bouncing back after becoming the first team to lose to the Detroit Lions this season.More to come.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 14.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.Half PPR

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is officially active for Thursday night's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.A dislocated shoulder suffered in Week 12 sidelined Cook for last Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. He was listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup but received first-team reps in practice, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Minnesota reportedly initially expected Cook back for the Week 15 matchup with the Chicago Bears, but an intense rehab on his shoulder pushed him ahead of schedule. Cook will use a harness to protect his shoulder, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Cook missed time earlier this season due to an ankle injury. He's rushed for 773 yards and four touchdowns across nine games in 2021.Alexander Mattison got the start in last Sunday's loss to the Lions, rushing for 90 yards on 22 carries. He's filled in admirably in the three starts he's made this season in place of Cook, going over 100 rushing yards in two of them.The Vikings are looking to get back on track against a Steelers team that has allowed an average of 130.9 rushing yards per game.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We finished 1-2 on our NFL totals a week ago thanks to a flurry of irrelevant scoring between the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears in what was supposed to be a game marred by bad weather. So much for the assist from Mother Nature.Here are our best bets for Week 14:Ravens at Browns (-2.5, 42), 1 p.m. ETThis Baltimore Ravens' offense is running out of excuses for its poor play, and at a certain point, we should take its production at face value. Baltimore has scored 19 or fewer points in four straight weeks, while quarterback Lamar Jackson has thrown three touchdowns to six interceptions in that span.The last time we saw the Cleveland Browns was in their 16-10 loss to the Ravens in Week 12, which marked the seventh time in their last nine games that they scored 17 or fewer points. Cleveland ranks in the bottom 10 in scoring (18.7 PPG) since the start of October, while the Ravens (22.2) haven't been much better. This profiles as a classic first-to-20 type of contest that we've seen so often in the AFC North.Pick: Under 42Raiders at Chiefs (-9.5, 48), 1 p.m.It's always a bit unsettling betting against Patrick Mahomes, either against the spread or on the total. But we've simply seen too many dominant performances by this Kansas City Chiefs defense to ignore the value on the under.Since the start of November, Kansas City has allowed just 11.2 points per game - the third-fewest in the NFL - thanks in part to a resurgent pass rush that has recorded 12 sacks in those five games. It hasn't come against an easy schedule, either: the Chiefs held the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Dallas Cowboys to a combined 30 points to close out November before limiting the Denver Broncos to a mere nine points a week ago.Yes, Las Vegas' defense is a concern, especially after it allowed 41 points to the Chiefs the last time they met. But don't expect an encore: since 2017, teams that score at least 41 points in the first meeting have averaged 24.4 points in the rematch, with 10 of those 18 games going under.Pick: Under 48Seahawks (-7.5, 41.5) at Texans, 1 p.m.Which of these two offenses do you trust to score on Sunday? Is it the team with an injured quarterback and no semblance of a run game, or the one with a rookie quarterback coming off a shutout?If it wasn't for a 73-yard touchdown run on a fake punt, the Seattle Seahawks would have finished with fewer than 270 total yards for the sixth consecutive game, which aligns almost perfectly with Russell Wilson's finger injury. He's averaged just 211.5 passing yards with a combined four touchdowns, three interceptions, and three fumbles since returning to action, leading his team to a pedestrian 14.5 points per game in those four starts.That's still better than what likely Houston Texans starter Davis Mills has done in eight games, during which he's tallied seven touchdowns with eight interceptions and a brutal 30.4 QBR, which ranks 30th out of 32 qualified passers. Houston has gone under in eight of its last 10, while Seattle is 9-2-1 to the under on the year. Both marks will improve on Sunday.Pick: Under 41.5C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans were awarded former Houston Texans linebacker Zach Cunningham on waivers, the team announced Thursday.The Texans released Cunningham on Wednesday, even though he was in the first season of a four-year, $58-million contract. Houston had benched the fifth-year pro in Week 13 and cited his failure to meet unspecified standards upon waiving him.A tackling machine throughout his career, Cunningham had 67 of them in 10 appearances for the Texans this season. He's never had fewer than 90 tackles in a campaign, and he recorded over 100 solo tackles in 2020 for the first time in his career.Tennessee will inherit the remainder of Cunningham's contract, meaning he's tied to the Titans through the 2024 season.Cunningham, who turns 27 on Sunday, is scheduled to count for $10.5 million against the salary cap in 2022, but his salary is only guaranteed for injury, according to OverTheCap.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Russell Wilson told reporters Thursday that rumors of his potential offseason departure from the Seattle Seahawks are a "non-story.""My hope is not just to fulfill (my contract with the Seahawks, but) hopefully I get to play here for 20 years of my career," Wilson said when asked if he wants to remain with Seattle.In response to the tweet by reporter Jordan Schultz on Wednesday, Wilson added: "I did see it because somebody sent it to me. That's not in my head right now at all. I didn't say that, either. I'm focused on what we're doing here."Wilson suffered a finger injury in Week 5 and subsequently underwent surgery for the ailment. He missed the first games of his professional career as a result but returned for a Week 10 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.The Seahawks went 0-3 following his return from injured reserve, though they bounced back in Week 13 with a win over their NFC West rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. Wilson completed 30 of 37 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns to one interception in the victory.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We've gone from a week with nothing but short underdogs to a week with numerous teams that have long odds to win. The former is never good when putting together a football betting lottery ticket. The latter is only great at the start of the season when we can take advantage of uncertainty.Had this week's games been played at the start of the season, the Cardinals and Bengals might have been home underdogs. Meanwhile, the Giants and Bears would have at least an outside chance of winning at full health. This week's card shows how difficult it is to come by live underdogs, which is why we always like to get the wins early in the season.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, and Week 11, you'll likely double your money. If four teams win, as they did in Week 3, you're connecting 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 playRaiders +350Fundamentally, the strategy for this bet should be two long shots and three reasonably priced value plays. Of the group available as big underdogs, the Raiders are the only team with the offensive capability to keep up with their more lauded opponents.The scoreboard in the previous matchup was unflattering for the Raiders and DeSean Jackson, whose fumble made the fourth quarter very interesting. Las Vegas went into Arrowhead last year and handed the Chiefs a rare home defeat. Getting Darren Waller back would really help them produce a similar result. At +350, we've got to juice this up with something so we'll fade the Chiefs, as their offense still doesn't seem right.Jets +185The Jets' offense looked just spicy enough to work through the first half against the Eagles. However, we're going up against a Saints team that I have a hard time believing should be favored by close to a touchdown against anyone. With Taysom Hill still rife with mallet finger and some starters returning, this number is too high and the Jets are live to win outright.Bills +150I wrote in the upset of the week about how highly I rate playing a team coming off a high-profile loss. The Bills should feel some relief playing in normal conditions, even though Tom Brady and the Buccaneers are not ideal opponents. Still, the Tampa Bay matchup is the only one that would price Buffalo as legitimate underdogs.Bengals +110I'm open to alternatives in this spot, as I'm aware the Bengals aren't the underdogs to which we're accustomed. However, around even money, Cincinnati is serviceable as part of a parlay.Other options here include the Ravens (I like the Browns to win the game), Washington (the +170 moneyline price is too short for their win probability), the Falcons (ditto), the Texans (Davis Mills), the Lions (are they going to win a second straight?), the Jaguars (yikes), and the Bears (beating Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau - best of luck).Joe Burrow missing practice on Wednesday - what would you expect from a guy whose finger wasn't facing the right direction Sunday? - has moved the Bengals to plus money. We'll assume he plays and that the Bengals should be favored.Rams +115You'd expect a long line of people to bet the Cardinals, but the first move in this game is off the key number of -3, down to Rams +2.5. I'm hoping to see that +3 return for the Rams but that first move is an indicator Los Angeles is live to get revenge in Arizona.Here are how the odds look this week:PARLAYODDS (Approx.)LV+NYJ+BUF+3200LV+NYJ+CIN+2500LV+NYJ+LAR+2700LV+BUF+CIN+2200LV+BUF+LAR+2300LV+CIN+LAR+1800NYJ+BUF+CIN+1400NYJ+BUF+LAR+1500NYJ+CIN+LAR+1200BUF+CIN+LAR+1000LV+NYJ+BUF+CIN+LAR+14000Who 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.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is sure his side will come out victorious against the Washington Football Team on Sunday."We're going to win this game," McCarthy said Thursday, according to Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News. "I'm confident in that."However, McCarthy isn't concerned his remark will be bulletin board material for Dallas' division rival."What am I supposed to say? I fully expect to win every game I've ever competed in," McCarthy added.The Cowboys enter the Week 14 showdown at 8-4. Washington sits in second in the NFC East with a 6-6 record, meaning a win Sunday would put the team a game back of the Cowboys.Dallas has lost three of its last five contests, while Washington is on a four-game winning streak.Washington swept the Cowboys last season, though Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott didn't participate in either contest due to injury.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers got a big win in Week 13 and look to maintain their momentum when they visit a Minnesota Vikings team looking to recover from an embarrassing loss to the previously winless Lions.Here's how we're betting Steelers-Vikings:C Jackson Cowart: Vikings -3 (-115)On the surface, it's hard to feel inspired betting either side in this one: The Vikings found a new way to blow a lead in last week's stunning loss to the Lions, while the Steelers are just one week removed from one of the biggest blowout losses of the season.Dig a little deeper, though, and it becomes hard to argue these teams are on the equal footing this line suggests. Minnesota ranks 11th in DVOA despite a losing record and a rash of injuries, while Pittsburgh ranks 23rd and has posted the fourth-worst net yards per play (-0.7) in the league, sandwiched between the lowly Jaguars (-0.67) and Lions (-0.99).It's easy to make the case that the Steelers are the NFL's worst team with a winning record and the Vikings are the best with a losing record. Bettors shouldn't let opposite performances in Week 13 scare them away from betting the better team in a clear get-right spot at home.Alex Moretto: Vikings -3 (-115), under 43.5There have been several times this season when finding a favorable bet for a prime-time game has been extraordinarily tough. That's not the case for this one, though, as I'm struggling to choose between the side and the total. Spoiler: I love both.After the depleted Vikings lost to Detroit on Sunday courtesy of three missed two-point conversions, I was actively rooting for the Steelers to beat the Ravens despite not having a cent on the game. I got my wish, and the lookahead line came down. The result is an outstanding buy-low on the Vikings combined with a sell-high on a Pittsburgh team that left everything on the field against its bitter rivals just four days ago.There's not a lot to like about this Steelers team, which was always going to save its best for a home game against the Ravens. Pittsburgh's offense is moving in mud - it's inconsistent through the air and can't create lanes for Najee Harris on the ground. The Vikings haven't played inspiring defense over the past few weeks, but they're finally getting healthy.Patrick Peterson, Anthony Barr, and Eric Kendricks are set to return alongside Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson, two players who also just came back from injuries. The Vikings have yet to have all five on the field this season. With this unit back to full strength, Mike Zimmer can get creative with his blitzes and third-down defense - which is where Minnesota is at its very best - in a tantalizing matchup against one of the league's worst offenses.As the Vikings get healthy on defense, they're trending the other way on offense. I doubt Dalvin Cook plays, while Adam Thielen and Christian Darrisaw certainly won't. But Alexander Mattison isn't much of a downgrade from Cook, and K.J. Osborn and Tyler Conklin continue to step up for Kirk Cousins. Cousins is playing impressively consistent football and won't have much trouble moving the ball and controlling the clock against an underwhelming Steelers defense. Needing a win to preserve their playoff hopes, the Vikings control this one on both sides of the ball from start to finish in a comfortable 24-13 win.Matt Russell: Over 43.5 (-110)I rarely bet a total, let alone make it my top play on a game. But since my colleagues are all over the Vikings, I'll bet my belief that neither team will do much to stop the other.These squads are among the worst run-stopping teams in the league, and while the Steelers' offensive line is truly offensive, I consider Harris one of the top running backs in the league. More importantly, I think Ben Roethlisberger is better suited to climate-controlled environs at age 39. With Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and Pat Freiermuth all bona fide weapons in the red zone, I expect Pittsburgh to score 20-plus points.The low total might stem from the expectation that Cook and Thielen both miss this game, but I think the Vikings can move the ball through screens, rollouts, and extra protection for T.J. Watt. Both teams convert in the red zone and have kickers capable of scoring from distance, so I'll take the over on a total below the league average.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants quarterback Jake Fromm acknowledged the difficulties of potentially starting Sunday versus the Los Angeles Chargers with less than two weeks to absorb the team's offense."It's a lot to learn," he told reporters Wednesday. "You're just preparing for a final test where you didn't show up for any of the classes, but it's fun."Fromm joined the Giants on Dec. 1 with Daniel Jones ailing from a neck injury. He served as the backup to Mike Glennon in Week 13, but the latter entered concussion protocol after losing to the Miami Dolphins, leaving Fromm as the only quarterback remaining.The Giants are optimistic Glennon will be cleared in time to face the Chargers, but Fromm will draw the nod if the veteran isn't available."Learning is what I like to do," Fromm added. "I love football, love scheme. For me, it's really fun."The Buffalo Bills drafted Fromm with a fifth-round pick in 2020. The Georgia product spent time on the Bills' practice squad but never saw game action.New York signed Clayton Thorson to the practice squad Tuesday to serve as another layer of quarterback insurance.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.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Kyle Borgognoni of The Fantasy Footballers joins Boone to discuss the important fantasy questions heading into Week 14.

We don't like to brag - that's what the money is for - but last Thursday was particularly fun. Ezekiel Elliott almost ruined our night, but he narrowly stayed under his yardage total for a dramatic winner. The real thrill, though, was cashing Lil'Jordan Humphrey anytime touchdown at +850 for our second straight "TD that probably won't happen" winner.With the Vikings hosting the Steelers on Thursday Night Football in Week 14, there's only one musicologist who can help us keep our groove: the artist forever known as Prince.Purple RainI like the Vikings in this game, but at his advanced football age, in a "Sign o' The Times," Ben Roethlisberger might be better suited to playing indoors. Fortunately, we can combine these theories for our player-usage prop as we try to improve to 6-3 in this midweek venture.The Vikings will be able to run on the Steelers, which should create an even divide between passing and rushing success for Minnesota. The Vikings' run defense isn't great, but the potential returns of Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks at linebacker combined with Pittsburgh's inability to create lanes for Najee Harris should force Big Ben to use his arm. Minnesota allowed Jared Goff to throw it around, so Roethlisberger shouldn't have trouble clearing a relatively pedestrian number while a frustrated Harris applies for "Emancipation" from the Steelers' offense.Pick: Ben Roethlisberger over 258.5 passing yardsA TD that's definitely going to happenI won't be causing any "Controversy" in saying the Steelers don't have anyone to cover Justin Jefferson. At this point, almost no team does, as Jefferson is starting to look like "1999" Randy Moss out there.With Adam Thielen out on a short week, we can confidently expect Kirk Cousins to increase Jefferson's red-zone target share while also taking a few "Uptown" shots from deep. Connecting on just one such try would see Jefferson join Randall Cobb, Nyheim Hines, and Dalton Schultz in our "Little Red Corvette" of tongue-in-cheek guaranteed winners.Pick: Justin Jefferson anytime touchdown (+100)A TD that probably won't happen ... but maybe it doesIt wasn't cause to splurge on "Diamonds and Pearls," but Humphrey's touchdown last week made it two in a row and put us in the black for these long shots at 2-6 (+8 units)."Let's Go Crazy" and make a prediction: Cousins will check down to a fullback. C.J. Ham has just 12 receptions this season, but he's had catches of 27, 16, and 19 yards over the last five games. In a coach's mind, that equates to success. Those 12 catches have also come on 12 targets; Ham has yet to drop a pass this season. In a coach's mind, that equates to reliability.If the Vikings get near the goal line, the Steelers might triple-team Jefferson or focus on Alexander Mattison - prompting Cousins to tell Ham in the huddle, "U Got The Look."Pick: C.J. Ham anytime touchdown (+1200)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.

The Los Angeles Chargers added wide receiver Mike Williams and cornerback Chris Harris to the COVID-19 list Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.They join wide receiver Keenan Allen on the COVID-19 reserve.Williams and Harris are both unvaccinated, increasing the likelihood they'll sit out Week 14 against the New York Giants, reports Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times.The Chargers placed Allen, their top pass-catcher, on the COVID-19 list Monday after he tested positive. However, head coach Brandon Staley said he's hopeful the wideout can be activated in time to face the Giants.Nonetheless, the Chargers face the possibility of hosting the Giants without their top two receivers in Allen and Williams and a defensive starter in Harris.Allen and Williams have combined to haul in 141 receptions for 1,783 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Unproven youngsters Jalen Guyton and Josh Palmer would be in line to replace the duo if they're still on the COVID-19 list come Sunday.Harris has 26 tackles and one interception on the year.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We speculated last week that there could be some value in backing the Falcons at +400 against the Buccaneers. After all, they had stayed within three points of Tampa Bay heading into the fourth quarter in three straight meetings. Sure enough, the Falcons were down by three late in the third quarter on Sunday. Like in previous matchups, they let an against-the-spread cover slip through their fingers - specifically, Russell Gage's fingers.We're still ahead on the season (plus-4.9 units), but it's no coincidence that there are fewer outright upsets because market realizations and teams' motivations have changed since September. This week, we're looking at a more immediate reaction to find a modest upset on the card as the Bills head to Florida to take on the Super Bowl champions.The spotI'm not overly comfortable with betting against Tom Brady again. Wins over the Giants, Colts, and Falcons have the Bucs back on everyone's radar, which validates us rating Tampa Bay No. 1 in the league despite many early-season overreactions anointing various other teams. One of those teams was the Bills after their big road win over the Chiefs and various comfortable destructions of the dregs of the NFL.Now, the football world is selling on Buffalo after an embarrassing performance from the offense and coaching staff on Monday Night Football. This has created a market that has pushed the line to Tampa Bay -3.5/moneyline +150, which is just high enough to qualify as a bona fide upset.Bills offense vs. Buccaneers defenseLet's look at this logically. We're disappointed that the Bills didn't throw the ball more, didn't spread out the Patriots and use Josh Allen in the run game, and generally used their running backs less. But that all happened because the Patriots excel in games that are a grind. Shouldn't we be excited that Buffalo's downfield passing offense will be unrestrained in what should be perfect conditions in Tampa Bay?The Buccaneers pride themselves on stopping the run, so shouldn't we be confident that the Bills will change their game plan to throw more against a thin Tampa secondary?To me, this is a perfect fit for the Bills' offense to show what they would have wanted to do on Monday if it weren't for gale-force and snow-squall winds.Bills defense vs. Buccaneers offenseIf you hadn't heard, Mac Jones only threw it three times. Brady will throw it a little more than that. While Tre'Davious White's absence will be more relevant in a game like this, the Bills' defense is less likely to get pummelled on the ground based on volume. For all the hand-wringing about the yards Buffalo gave up in the run game, the Patriots were bound to break some long rushes with the number of attempts they had. It wouldn't have been as much of an issue if the Bills had scored first to put pressure on the Pats.This will be a more typical game for Buffalo, where there isn't a decisive coaching disadvantage and unfamiliar circumstances due to the weather. Instead, the Bills can put together a more standard game plan focused on getting pressure on Brady, playing the game straight up with good traction underfoot.Most importantly, with a more consistent environment, I can trust my ratings more. Since those ratings rely on the concept of a neutral field void of weather advantages and radical game plans, I still have the Bills as a top-three team in the NFL. The gap between them and the Buccaneers doesn't warrant a point spread over -2.5, so the moneyline at anything above +150 odds is a value for Sunday's showdown.Pick: Bills moneyline (+155)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.

Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, head coach Pete Carroll announced Wednesday, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN.Adams was hurt in Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers. He underwent surgery last offseason for a torn labrum in the same shoulder, though Carroll added that this tear is not as bad.The star safety was "very emotional" upon learning of the injury, Carroll said.Adams had started every game thus far in 2021, recording 87 tackles and a career-high two interceptions.The Seahawks acquired Adams from the New York Jets prior to the 2020 season for a package that included two first-round picks. He's racked up two interceptions and 9.5 sacks over 24 appearances with the team.The 26-year-old inked a four-year, $70-million extension with Seattle this past offseason.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints placed running back Mark Ingram on the team's COVID-19 list following a positive test, The Times-Picayune reports.His status for Sunday's game against the New York Jets is uncertain.Ingram is the second Saints player to be added to the reserve group after defensive Cameron Jordan also tested positive for the virus Monday.Ingram returned to the Saints' backfield last week after missing one game with a knee injury. He rushed for 28 yards on 10 carries in a 27-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.He has rushed for 233 yards and one touchdown since New Orleans acquired him in a late-October trade with the Houston Texans.With Ingram's availability in jeopardy, the Saints will hope star tailback Alvin Kamara will return to the field for the first time since sustaining a knee injury against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 7.Kamara missed his fourth straight game in Week 13 after being listed as questionable against the Cowboys. The four-time Pro Bowler is expected to return to practice on Wednesday.Tony Jones Jr. will likely see time in the backfield if Ingram is unavailable Sunday. Ty Montgomery and Adam Prentice could also receive carries.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said he will rejoin the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday following a stint in the COVID-19 protocols, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.McCarthy tested positive prior to last Thursday's game against the New Orleans Saints and was forced to miss the contest as a result. But he insists he's feeling great and "ready to go" ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Washington Football Team."I'm just thankful that it is behind me and, frankly, I can get back to my job full time," McCarthy said.Multiple Cowboys players and staff members spent time in the protocols recently, though McCarthy said the club is "back to a pretty normal protocol."Dallas is in the driver's seat in the NFC East with an 8-4 record, though Washington is lurking just behind at 6-6.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of our seven teaser legs last week was ruined mere hours after publication, which is why we teach novice bettors that it's less about the teams and more about the numbers. As soon as the Daniel Jones injury news hit, it should've been clear that a Giants teaser was no longer in play as the line rose with Mike Glennon starting at quarterback.The only other loser of the group came on the game's final play in Detroit, as the previously reliable-to-lose Lions pulled out the victory with no time remaining on the clock. If you can't trust them to lose, who can you trust?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 the Seahawks' visit to the Texans on Sunday as an example:SPREADODDSSEA -7.5-110SEA -7-125SEA -6.5-145SEA -6-163SEA -5.5-175SEA -5-180SEA -4.5-185SEA -4-200SEA -3.5-205SEA -3-270SEA -2.5-300SEA -2-315SEA -1.5-320The alternative spread gives you the Seahawks -3 at -270. Would you rather that, or the -1.5 that a teaser leg provides at the same price? What about Seahawks -1.5 at -270 versus the moneyline of -340?The answers are obvious, but we'll need some options to pair with Seahawks -1.5, which is why we turn to the teaser basket for the best options to capture as many key numbers as possible.Teaser basketLet's look at the mathematically optimal plays available for Week 14:TEAMSPREADTEASER LEGFalcons+2.5+8.5Ravens+2.5+8.5Seahawks-7.5-1.5Broncos-8-2Bills+3+9Rams+2.5+8.5Even if I lean towards the Panthers, Browns, and Cardinals as -2.5 home favorites, getting any of their opponents at +8.5 is definitely worth the -270 price.As road touchdown favorites, the Seahawks feel a lot like the trap we fell into with the Vikings last week, except the Texans are the unlikely trappers instead of the Lions. Do you feel lucky? At least the Broncos have the benefit of a legitimate home-field advantage and the assumption that Detroit is unlikely to win two games in a row after a 360-day gap between its last two victories.Lastly, the Bills can be teased up through the key numbers we look for, but there are two considerations. If you like the Bills, then you might be able to get them at +3.5 (-110), which is the better deal. The other reason not to tease Buffalo is that if you catch the Buccaneers on the wrong day, they can blow you out, and -270 is a hefty price to pay to get Tom Brady'd right in the heart.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.

Minnesota Vikings receiver Adam Thielen was ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to an ankle injury, the team announced.Thielen sprained his ankle during Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions and was unable to finish the contest.The 31-year-old has caught 64 passes for 686 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns this season. Thielen and teammate Justin Jefferson have formed a formidable duo in 2021, with the latter accruing 78 receptions for 1,209 yards.Linebacker Anthony Barr appears set to return after not receiving an injury status, while Dalvin Cook is questionable with a shoulder ailment. The team will also be without rookie offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw due to an ankle injury.The Vikings were defeated by the Lions in dramatic fashion in Week 13, losing on a walk-off touchdown to fall to 5-7. Minnesota's loss gifted its division rivals their first win of the year.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has been medically cleared from his rib injury and will start Sunday night's game against the Green Bay Packers, head coach Matt Nagy announced Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The prime-time bout will mark Fields' first appearance since he fractured his ribs in a Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.Chicago rolled with Andy Dalton in the rookie's absence, and the veteran passer led the team to a 1-1 record.Nagy has maintained that Fields is the starter when healthy.The No. 11 overall pick took over the Bears' starting job in Week 3 and compiled a 2-6 record. He showed signs of picking up steam before the rib injury, throwing for a personal-best 291 yards in a narrow Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.Fields has tossed four touchdown passes to eight interceptions while adding two rushing scores. Meanwhile, the Bears sit at 4-8 after losing six of their last seven games.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans are releasing linebacker Zach Cunningham, head coach David Culley confirmed Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790."We have standards," Culley said Wednesday about the decision to waive Cunningham. "I didn't feel like those standards were being met consistently. It wasn't tough at all. It's about the team. It's not about one individual player."Cunningham was benched during Houston's 31-0 loss against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Culley said postgame that it was because the 27-year-old was late for a scheduled COVID-19 test, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop."I got a locker room full of players who understand what our standard is," the coach said, according to Wilson. "They look at me cross-eyed if I'm not practicing what I'm preaching."Cunningham was also sidelined for the Texans' Week 2 matchup against the Cleveland Browns for recurring tardiness. Culley said he'd warned the player that any further team violations would result in his exit.The linebacker signed a four-year, $58-million contract with Houston in 2020 but agreed to restructure his deal in March. Cunningham will be subject to the league's waiver process and will carry a $275,000 cap hit for any team that claims him, according to ESPN's Field Yates.The 2017 second-round pick racked up 570 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks through five seasons in Houston. He has tallied 67 tackles and four tackles for loss across 10 appearances in 2021.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.In an effort to help you find trades that could improve your fantasy team, we present the Trade Value Chart.You can use this chart to compare players and build realistic trade offers. Values are based on 12-team leagues.Follow the links below to see the trade values and rest of season rankings for each position.Trade Values

The Washington Football Team placed tight end Logan Thomas on injured reserve due to a knee injury, ending his season, the club announced Wednesday.The move will rule out Thomas for the remainder of the 2021 campaign because it will be his second stint on IR this year.Washington reportedly feared the tight end tore his ACL and MCL following Sunday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. However, head coach Ron Rivera said Monday that tests indicated Thomas avoided an ACL tear but still suffered knee damage.Thomas' 2021 has been injury-riddled, with him also missing time earlier this year due to a hamstring ailment. He will end the season with 18 catches for 196 yards and three touchdowns in six games.Washington also placed pass-rusher Montez Sweat on the COVID-19 list Wednesday after he tested positive, and he'll be out the next 10 days because he's unvaccinated, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. Sweat hasn't played since Week 8 due to a fractured jaw.Copyright © 2021 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.This week, we identify the biggest game left on every team's schedule.1. Arizona Cardinals (10-2) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 1Week 14 vs. Rams: Arizona has a commanding two-game lead over the Rams at the top of the NFC West, and a win Monday would virtually lock up the Cardinals' first division title since 2015.2. Green Bay Packers (9-3)Previous Rank: 2Week 15 at Ravens: A trip to Baltimore is the toughest challenge remaining for the Packers, who might have to go undefeated the rest of the way to have a shot at the NFC's No. 1 seed.3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3)Previous Rank: 3Week 15 vs. Saints: The most challenging opponent left for Tampa Bay is probably the Bills in Week 14, but the Buccaneers could be in a position to clinch the NFC South in two weeks versus the Saints. New Orleans has won all three regular-season meetings between these teams since Tom Brady arrived in Florida.4. New England Patriots (9-4)Previous Rank: 4Week 16 vs. Bills: This AFC East rematch could very well decide the division, and it should shed light on how good the Patriots and Bills really are after atrocious conditions marred their first encounter.5. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4) David Eulitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 5Week 15 at Chargers: The Chiefs can practically coast to another division title if they take care of business against the Chargers.6. Los Angeles Rams (8-4)Previous Rank: 9Week 14 at Cardinals: The NFC West is still within the Rams' reach, but a loss to the Cardinals this week would all but seal the division title for Arizona.7. Dallas Cowboys (8-4)Previous Rank: 10Week 16 vs. Washington: The Cowboys have a two-game lead over Washington in the NFC East, but these teams face each other twice over the next three weeks. Either matchup could feature in these rankings, but Dallas should be able to clinch the division title with a Sunday Night Football win in the second game.8. Buffalo Bills (7-5)Previous Rank: 6Week 14 at Buccaneers: The Bills have feasted on bad teams all year. The Buccaneers represent an opportunity for Buffalo to show it can hang with the NFL's elite.9. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)Previous Rank: 7Week 15 vs. Packers: It may not impact the standings as much as other contests, but this tilt against the Packers will show Ravens whether they can still contend for a Super Bowl with Marlon Humphrey on the shelf.10. Los Angeles Chargers (7-5) David Eulitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 14Week 15 vs. Chiefs: L.A. already has a win against the Chiefs, and another would put the Chargers in the driver's seat to win the AFC West - assuming they top the Giants the week before.11. Tennessee Titans (8-4)Previous Rank: 11Week 17 vs. Dolphins: The Titans have a favorable schedule down the stretch, but a slipup over the next few weeks could turn this contest with the Dolphins into a pivotal one.12. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)Previous Rank: 13Week 15 vs. Patriots: The Colts have one signature win, and it came against a Bills squad that has looked shaky against better teams. The week after a bye is the perfect time to get another signature victory.13. Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)Previous Rank: 8Week 16 vs. Ravens: The Bengals could vault to the top of the AFC North with a win over the Ravens. Cincinnati will likely be favored at home.14. San Francisco 49ers (6-6)Previous Rank: 12Week 15 vs. Falcons: San Francisco isn't contending for the division anymore, but it's definitely alive in the wild-card race. The 49ers currently own the No. 7 seed in the NFC but are only one game ahead of the Falcons; this head-to-head matchup could have huge playoff implications.15. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 19Week 18 at Ravens: Expect the Ravens to seek vengeance after Pittsburgh beat Baltimore in Week 13 - especially if they have a chance to dash the Steelers' playoff hopes.16. Cleveland Browns (6-6)Previous Rank: 17Week 17 at Steelers: Both teams figure to be fighting desperately for their playoff lives by the time their Jan. 3 matchup comes around.17. Miami Dolphins (6-7)Previous Rank: 20Week 16 at Saints: The streaking Dolphins can't afford to lose any games to struggling teams, and no squad is currently struggling more than the Saints.18. Washington Football Team (6-6)Previous Rank: 21Week 14 vs. Dallas: Washington is only two games behind Dallas in the NFC East. The two rivals haven't faced each other yet this season, so a win Sunday would let Washington control its destiny in the division.19. Denver Broncos (6-6)Previous Rank: 18Week 16 at Raiders: Not only would a win over the Raiders help the Broncos in the playoff race, but it would also help them avoid finishing last in the AFC West for a second straight year.20. Las Vegas Raiders (6-6) Chris Unger / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 16Week 15 at Browns: The Raiders will face several teams ahead of them in the wild-card hunt down the stretch, including the Browns, who are as vulnerable as any of the contenders.21. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)Previous Rank: 23Week 15 vs. Washington: Washington is currently the NFC's No. 6 seed, but the Eagles could potentially steal that spot if they sweep the series against their division rivals. Philadelphia faces Washington twice in three weeks after its Week 14 bye.22. Minnesota Vikings (5-7)Previous Rank: 15Week 14 vs. Steelers: With the Rams and Packers still on tap, Pittsburgh probably isn't the Vikings' toughest remaining opponent. But Thursday's matchup is definitely the most important one left for Minnesota; the team needs to quickly forget its embarrassing loss to the Lions and must likely run the table to have a realistic shot at the playoffs.23. Seattle Seahawks (4-8)Previous Rank: 26Week 15 at Rams: Can the Seahawks make the playoffs? It's highly unlikely, but their remote chances depend on winning all five of their remaining games. The schedule isn't particularly frightening; the Rams are Seattle's only opponent above .500 before a Week 18 meeting with the Cardinals.24. New Orleans Saints (5-7)Previous Rank: 22Week 14 at Jets: A game against the Jets isn't usually one that teams circle on the calendar. But the Saints desperately need to snap their five-game losing streak to have any chance of saving their season.25. New York Giants (4-8) Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 25Week 17 at Bears: New York and Chicago will likely finish among the NFL's worst teams, but this matchup has special significance for the Giants, who should be happy regardless of the outcome. New York owns Chicago's 2022 first-round pick and is on track to have two top-10 selections next year.26. Atlanta Falcons (5-7)Previous Rank: 28Week 14 at Panthers: Atlanta should treat each remaining game as its last. Beating Carolina on Sunday would move the Falcons ahead of the Panthers in the playoff hunt and tie their season series.27. Carolina Panthers (5-7)Previous Rank: 27Week 14 vs. Falcons: Carolina has tougher games down the stretch, but those likely won't matter if the Panthers don't beat the Falcons this week. Carolina and Atlanta currently have identical records; a loss will be a big blow to either team.28. Chicago Bears (4-8)Previous Rank: 24Week 14 at Packers: The Bears don't have any must-watch games left on their schedule, but a classic prime-time meeting with the Packers will surely be special.29. New York Jets (3-9)Previous Rank: 29Week 16 vs. Jaguars: The Jets would love to see Zach Wilson outduel Trevor Lawrence in a battle of the top two picks of the 2021 draft.30. Detroit Lions (1-10-1) Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 32Week 18 vs. Packers: Detroit can head into Week 18 with the 2022 first overall pick locked up, so Lions fans will look forward to potentially playing spoiler with a rivalry win against the Packers.31. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)Previous Rank: 31Week 15 vs. Texans: The Jaguars' clash with the Texans should have significant draft implications for a pair of teams stapled to the bottom of the conference standings.32. Houston Texans (2-10)Previous Rank: 30Week 17 at 49ers: Houston will have a chance to play spoiler against the 49ers, and that's about all the Texans have to look forward to for the rest of the season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Dallas Cowboys head coach and New York Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett is on the radar for Duke's head coaching vacancy, reports Steve Wiseman of The News & Observer.The Blue Devils reportedly have also shown interest in East Carolina head coach Mike Houston, Army coach Jeff Monken, Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, and Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko.Duke plans to announce its new sideline boss by the end of the week, reports Wiseman.The school began looking for a new head coach after parting ways with David Cutcliffe last week following 14 seasons.Garrett has never coached at the collegiate level. The 55-year-old began his coaching career as the Miami Dolphins' quarterbacks coach in 2005 before joining the Dallas Cowboys as offensive coordinator in 2007. The team eventually promoted him to head coach in 2011, and he spent nine seasons on the job, posting an 80-64 regular-season record.Garrett began the 2021 campaign with the Giants, who fired him on Nov. 23 after less than two seasons.Duke finished the regular season on an eight-game losing streak after starting 3-1.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If a team wins a game in 50-mph winds, did it really happen?That's the question facing bettors after the New England Patriots ran all over (literally) the Buffalo Bills in Monday's blustery 14-10 victory, which propelled their title odds to +700 amid a seven-game win streak that's carried them from a 2-4 start to the AFC's top seed.TEAMODDSTampa Bay Buccaneers+550Kansas City Chiefs+650New England Patriots+700Green Bay Packers+750Arizona Cardinals+800Buffalo Bills+1100Dallas Cowboys+1200Los Angeles Rams+1200Baltimore Ravens+1500Tennessee Titans+2200Los Angeles Chargers+2800San Francisco 49ers+4000Cincinnati Bengals+4000Indianapolis Colts+4000Cleveland Browns+5000Philadelphia Eagles+10000New Orleans Saints+10000Minnesota Vikings+10000Washington Football Team+10000Denver Broncos+12000Las Vegas Raiders+15000Pittsburgh Steelers+15000Seattle Seahawks+20000Miami Dolphins+25000Chicago Bears+50000Atlanta Falcons+50000New York Giants+50000Carolina Panthers+50000Jacksonville Jaguars+100000New York Jets+100000Detroit Lions+100000Houston Texans+100000It's hard to draw too much from this week's victory for New England, which attempted just three passes and ran for a season-high 222 yards. Still, the Patriots continue to find ways to win behind the NFL's second-best offense (32.1 PPG) and top-scoring defense (10.4), and they have the inside track in the AFC East by gaining a game on the Bills.So, are the Patriots really title contenders? Oddsmakers seem to think so. New England enters its Week 14 bye priced as the third-best team in the league behind last year's Super Bowl participants - the Buccaneers (+550) and Chiefs (+650).Even after Monday's 2-for-3 day, Mac Jones is still the heavy favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year and has the third-best passer rating (106.1) of any starter during the team's winning run. Bill Belichick is also the clear favorite for Coach of the Year and is closing in on yet another 10-win season, even with Tom Brady in another zip code.The Bills (+1100) are still firmly in the mix after Monday's loss, slotting just behind the Packers (+750) and Cardinals (+800) and ahead of a bloated group of mid-tier clubs. Is it time for concern, though? Buffalo has lost four of its last seven games and is 1-4 against teams with a winning record, with heavyweight clashes against the Bucs and Patriots coming during the next three weeks.The Ravens (+1500) are also feeling the heat following another uninspiring performance in Sunday's 20-19 loss to the Steelers, who hadn't won since Week 9. Baltimore has the third-worst point differential of any team with a winning record (plus-22) and will have to make up ground without star corner Marlon Humphrey, whose injury could serve as a fatal blow to an already-thin secondary.C Jackson Cowart is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter (@CJacksonCowart) or email him at cjackson.cowart@thescore.com.Copyright © 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 14.Updated rankings (including Standard and PPR) will be released Thursday, with the final version coming down Sunday morning.Half PPR

Here's a current look at the best five candidates for the main honors:Coach of the Year5. Brandon Staley, ChargersFirst-year head coaches often have the inside track for this award, and Staley is certainly the cream of the rookie crop. The Los Angeles Chargers haven't been the most consistent team in the NFL, and Staley's decision to have Joe Lombardi be his offensive coordinator remains questionable. But the head coach has L.A. firmly in the fight for the AFC West crown after a dominant win over the Cincinnati Bengals.4. Mike Vrabel, Titans Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyTwo straight losses for the Tennessee Titans, including an embarrassing defeat to the lowly Houston Texans, have led to Vrabel falling from one of the favorites for Coach of the Year. But we still can't forget the bench boss led the Titans to consecutive wins over the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, and New Orleans Saints while also losing star rusher Derrick Henry in the middle of that stretch.3. Matt LaFleur, PackersLaFleur scored a huge win going into the bye week with a statement victory over the Rams. Since their season-opening loss, the Green Bay Packers have won nine of 11 contests, with those nine wins being tied for most in the NFC over that span. And compound Green Bay’s run with the fact that they haven't had Jaire Alexander's, David Bakhtiari's, or Za'Darius Smith's services for either the majority or all of it. Adversity has come at the Packers, but LaFleur has built a resilient squad.2. Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKingbury’s chances of landing COY looked to be in harm’s way with the extended absences of Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. However, the offensive guru put together a masterclass, guiding the Arizona Cardinals to a 2-1 mark during their three-game stint on the sideline. After a dominant victory in Week 13, which saw Murray and Hopkins return, Kingsbury has his foot on the gas for a potentially extraordinary finish.1. Bill Belichick, PatriotsWe saw another prime-time masterclass from Belichick on Monday, who coached circles around Sean McDermott to further strengthen his grip on the division and the conference. With a masterful retooling of his roster, the Patriots' leader has erased any lingering doubts from 2020 and proved he is still the best coach in the game. Belichick owns three COY awards but somehow hasn't won since 2010. A fourth would tie him with Don Shula for the most in NFL history.Offensive Rookie of the Year5. Najee Harris, SteelersHarris, one of the favorites for this award entering the campaign, has been a workhorse for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the running back will likely need an epic finish to stand a chance to win. While Harris' volume stats look good - 779 rushing yards, 387 receiving yards, seven total touchdowns - he's averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and has only two runs of 20 yards or more.4. Kyle Pitts, Falcons Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyAside from a lack of touchdowns, Pitts has been everything critics hyped him up to be during the draft process. He ranks third among tight ends with 709 yards and 14.5 yards per catch despite playing on an Atlanta Falcons offense that's far less talented since Julio Jones' trade and Calvin Ridley's decision to step away from football.3. Jaylen Waddle, DolphinsWaddle hasn't been the explosive weapon with the Miami Dolphins that he was at Alabama, but that's more the fault of the team's scheme than any limitations the wideout has at the NFL level. He ranks 14th in receiving yards with 849 after a strong November in which he caught 38 of 46 targets and helped the Dolphins save their season with a five-game winning streak.2. Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport / GettyChase has cooled off considerably after a ridiculous start to the campaign, allowing the No. 1 spot - as well as a touchdown or two - to slip from his grasp. However, the Bengals receiver is just 42 yards away from a 1,000-yard season and is still tied for fourth in touchdown receptions with eight and fourth in yards per catch with 17.4.1. Mac Jones, PatriotsJones is surrounded by the best infrastructure a rookie quarterback could ask for with the New England Patriots. If that wasn't obvious before, it is now after he just won a prime-time game while completing just two passes. But the former Alabama standout is still playing incredibly solid football, especially compared to his draftmates. Quarterbacks have a history of winning this award, and Jones is a lock now that New England seems set to claim the AFC's top seed.Defensive Rookie of the Year5. Asante Samuel Jr., ChargersSamuel has lost a bit of steam after missing the last two games due to a concussion, but he hangs on to a spot on the DROY rankings. The 22-year-old has put up two interceptions, seven pass defenses, and a 62.5% passer rating allowed when targeted, per PFR. The L.A. Chargers will be hoping that he returns sooner rather than later.4. Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPhillips has been an instrumental part of Miami's resurgence. Not only does he lead all rookies in sacks (8.5), but no player in the NFL has gotten to the quarterback as many times as Phillips since Week 11 (six). While he’ll have to continue his torrid pace to have any shot at Defensive Rookie of the Year, it looks like the Dolphins have found a player who could lead their defense for years to come.3. Odafe Oweh, RavensOweh isn’t leading the 2021 class in sacks, but he’s shown a tendency to make an impact when it matters most. He’s gotten to the quarterback five times and has notched three forced fumbles, with all three coming in victories for the Baltimore Ravens. Oweh's pass-rush grade ranks second among all first-year edge rushers, and he also grades higher than Phillips, per PFF.2. Patrick Surtain, Broncos Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyDespite still being a rookie, Surtain continues to be the crown jewel of the Denver Broncos’ cornerback group. Surtain followed up a two-interception performance last week with another pick in Week 13. The Broncos have managed to get to 6-6 thanks in large part to a dominant defense that has benefited from the young corner's play.1. Micah Parsons, CowboysParsons may be in his first year, but you certainly wouldn’t be able to tell from watching him play - the Dallas Cowboys linebacker looks like a seasoned pro in the middle of his prime when he’s out there. After an impressive first half, Parsons has smashed through any idea of a rookie wall, putting up 7.5 sacks, nine tackles for a loss, and 14 QB hits over his last five games. At this pace, the league might as well get a headstart on etching his name onto the DROY award.Defensive Player of the Year5. Aaron Donald, RamsDonald falls into a rare category of players that can make the extraordinary look ordinary. That’s exactly what’s happened this season as the All-Pro lineman reached seven sacks and 17 quarterback hits. Unfortunately, his box score stats don’t do his contributions justice, but Donald ranks as PFF’s highest-graded interior defensive lineman for the 2021 campaign.4. Matt Judon, Patriots Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBelichick poured a load of money into free agency last offseason, and his wisest decision undoubtedly looks to be handing a massive contract to Judon. While Judon flew under the radar during his time with the Ravens in previous years, he’s become a front-row attraction in Foxborough. Not only has he set a new career-high in sacks (12.5), Judon trails only T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett in the AFC in that category.3. Trevon Diggs, CowboysDiggs' side of the field shouldn’t be labeled an island - it feels much more appropriate to compare the cornerback's area to shark-infested water. Field generals who take the bait often get bit by Diggs' superb ball skills. With his interception in Week 13, Diggs became the first player to record nine interceptions in his first 12 games of the season since Everson Walls in 1981.2. Myles Garrett, Browns Stephen Maturen / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe DPOY honors are going to come down to the wire, and Garrett has almost guaranteed he will be one of the finalists with his play this campaign. Garrett brings two solid points for his case: Volume and consistency. He not only has 14 sacks, but he’s also recorded at least a 0.5 sack in 10 of 12 games this season. Now coming off a bye week, don’t be surprised to see Garrett make a strong push to the end to leapfrog the No. 1 candidate on our ranking.1. T.J. Watt, SteelersThe fight for the top spot is going to be a slugfest, with two titans in their primes trading blows until the campaign is over. There's not much separating Watt and Garrett, but the Steelers linebacker has simply done more with less. The 27-year-old leads the NFL with 16 sacks - an incredible feat considering he’s already missed two games. Watt's also added four forced fumbles and 16 tackles for a loss for good measure. Garrett will have to give it all he has, with the award being Watt’s to lose as the league enters its closing stretch.MVP5. Jonathan Taylor, ColtsDak Prescott, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Justin Herbert all have an argument to claim the No. 5 spot. But all four have been inconsistent this season, and each fails to clearly stand out over the others. So instead, we're giving love to Taylor after an extraordinary stretch. The Colts running back - who earned back-to-back AFC Offensive Player of the Month awards - has put up 1,034 rushing yards, 266 receiving yards, and 16 total touchdowns since Week 4 to get Indy back into the playoff picture after a 0-3 start.4. Matthew Stafford, Rams Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyStafford enjoyed a red-hot start to his first season with the Rams, winning seven of eight while putting up some of the best numbers of his career. But L.A. and Stafford came back down to earth in Weeks 9-12. The team lost three straight games to likely end its hopes of a playoff bye, and Stafford threw more interceptions (five) than he had in the previous eight games. But the quarterback bounced back against the Jaguars and still ranks second in touchdown passes (30) and third in QBR. If he can outduel Kyler Murray on Monday, he will be back in the race.3. Kyler Murray, CardinalsMurray faces an uphill battle to claim his first MVP award, with his rivals likely to overshadow the volume of his production following a three-game absence. But the youngster was clearly at the head of the pack before being hurt, and his competition hasn't created an unassailable lead. While Murray doesn't have the gaudy numbers, he does boast elite efficiency, leading the NFL in touchdown pass percentage (7%), yards per attempt (8.9), and completion percentage (72.7%). If Arizona can secure the No. 1 seed and Murray puts together a few big-time performances, voter fatigue with the next two candidates could cause the decision-makers to turn to the Cardinals star.2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / GettyRodgers' production is far from his MVP campaign a year ago, but the veteran once again has his side in contention for the NFC's No. 1 seed and the division all but wrapped up. The future Hall of Famer might only be tied for seventh in touchdown passes (23) and 12th in passing yards (2,878), but he's also been his usual mistake-free self, boasting just four interceptions. The controversy surrounding Rodgers' one-game absence due to COVID-19 could impact his case, but if he can get the Packers to the top of the conference, he'll stand a good chance of winning back-to-back awards.1. Tom Brady, Buccaneers Brady is the favorite to win his fourth career MVP - a miraculous feat considering quarterbacks rarely play average football beyond 40, let alone sit among the best players in the league. In a relative down year for the position, the legendary signal-caller leads the NFL in both passing touchdowns (34) and passing yards (3,771) while ranking second in QBR and fifth in passer rating. Brady's 10 interceptions are unusual for him, but it doesn't really hurt his candidacy as the number's in line with the other top quarterbacks this season outside of Rodgers.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.