Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Monday his team has spoken to free-agent quarterback Cam Newton amid an injury to Russell Wilson."Just so you know, we have talked to him. We're talking to everybody that could help us," Carroll told Mike Salk of 710 ESPN Seattle.Newton - who was shockingly released by the New England Patriots prior to the start of the regular season - announced Sunday he's vaccinated, meaning he's eligible to immediately sign with a new team instead of waiting five days.The former NFL MVP said he's received offers from unspecified teams and insisted his desire to continue his football career remains strong.Wilson is reportedly expected to miss at least a month after undergoing surgery for the middle finger on his throwing hand. Geno Smith stepped in for the Sunday night overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that dropped Seattle to 2-4.Newton had an uneven season with the Patriots in 2020 after spending the first nine years of his career with the Carolina Panthers. The 2011 No. 1 overall pick threw for a career-low 2,657 yards and eight touchdowns against 10 interceptions while adding 592 yards and 12 scores on the ground.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The difference between ratings and record is predictiveness. The Steelers started 11-0 last season, which had talking heads wondering if they might go undefeated. Since then, they are 4-8.Anyone with a basic understanding of predictive stats could have seen that coming; winning every game but not outplaying teams on a per-play basis is likely unsustainable.Sharp sports bettors use ratings to determine value going forward for betting against the spread. Below are my personal ratings featuring each team's current average expectation and its range - what a club is capable of, to the high and low sides, on a week-to-week basis.TEAMRATINGRANGEBuccaneers7965-85Bills7760-80Ravens7355-75Rams7260-75Chiefs7165-80Chargers6950-80Cowboys6945-80Cardinals6950-70Browns6755-75Packers6555-7549ers6355-75Vikings5645-70Saints5645-70Patriots5540-70Titans5450-70Colts5235-60Bengals5135-60Raiders5035-55Panthers4935-60Steelers4740-65Bears4635-55Eagles4530-55Broncos4540-60Washington4440-55Seahawks4040-75Dolphins3935-55Falcons3925-50Jaguars3730-50Giants3430-50Jets2725-40Lions2620-40Texans2520-40What to do about a blowout ... or 7Are any of the teams that scored blowout wins Sunday that much better than the squads they defeated? Or did most of the vanquished clubs just have bad games?The Chargers playing to the bottom of their range (and maybe below it) on the road against the Ravens was predictable after L.A.'s previous three games. Baltimore will run an opponent over on both sides of the ball if the opposition's not ready to go. That showing from the Chargers is also why we were slow to anoint Los Angeles, even if we have been higher on it than the market since before the season.The Rams, Bengals, and Colts are certainly better than the Giants, Lions, and Texans, but Los Angeles and Cincinnati caught already-bad opponents dealing with injuries en masse. Houston, meanwhile, lingered into the third quarter, but a poor offensive play followed immediately by a poor defensive play ended the game.The Chiefs played like the 65/100 version of themselves in one half against Washington and the 85/100 version in the other. Maybe we can bump them back up to 75, but not based on that win.What to do about the Cardinals and their victory over the Browns? If you're looking for ratings based on wins and losses, those are called standings. We're focused on predictiveness. Arizona got big games from its running backs, the defense, and the officiating crew. But we're trying to decide whether to bet on Arizona going forward, which means we need to look deeper.GAMEYPP FORYPP ALLOWED@ TEN6.23.9vs. MIN7.97.0@ JAX6.45.5@ LAR6.26.3vs. SF5.15.7@ CLE5.15.3Having backed the Cardinals as underdogs against the Titans and Rams, I'd like nothing more than to see this team as a surprise juggernaut loaded with big names. But it's been three games since Arizona outplayed a team on a per-play basis. What happens when it doesn't win the turnover battle?It's also time to finally downgrade Cleveland; the defense has shown it can't be trusted, and injuries are piling up on offense.The Raiders produced the day's final blowout and were impressive in doing so. The challenge for Las Vegas is to show the betting market that Sunday's victory wasn't just a dead-cat bounce following Jon Gruden's departure. The Raiders played to the top of their range at 55/100, while the Broncos must be dropped below 50 after their last three performances.Big BensBig Ben the clock provided the backdrop as two bad teams played bad football in London. We already knew the Jaguars were that team, but our worries about the Dolphins have now been confirmed. It's time to drop Miami to the league's lowest tier.Big Ben the quarterback, meanwhile, was his usual frustrating watch on Sunday night. But the Steelers' defense overcame some shoddy tackling to shine in overtime, with T.J. Watt saving the day. Despite the win, Ben Roethlisberger and Co. have to keep dropping. The Seahawks at 40 - the low end of their range - without Russell Wilson seems about right.Robbing the saloonLast week's ratings translated to the Cowboys as 1.5-point favorites on the road against the Patriots. The line opened at Dallas -4 and closed closer to -3. New England probably should have won before the game went to overtime, during which a backbreaking touchdown cost the Patriots both the game and the cover. Still, these are indications that the ratings are accurate - even if you were lucky enough to cash an ill-advised Cowboys ticket on Sunday.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After four wild finishes in their first five games, the Ravens entered Week 6 as a short but uninspiring option in the Super Bowl market. Now, after a dominant win against the upstart Chargers, they're among the favorites to win it all.Baltimore's title odds shortened from 12-1 to 10-1 after Sunday's 34-6 win over Los Angeles (20-1), which had been one of the biggest movers in the title market in recent weeks. The Ravens halted that momentum with ease, jumping out to a 17-0 lead and never letting up in the fifth-most lopsided result so far this season.It hasn't always been pretty for this group, which entered the year with question marks after injuries to the backfield and secondary. Sure enough, three of its first four wins came by a combined nine points, and the fourth was against a reeling Broncos team with an injured starting quarterback.But the Ravens looked like a team with few weaknesses - if any - in Week 6. They rushed for 187 yards with three backs recording at least eight carries and a score, and they held MVP candidate Justin Herbert to 195 passing yards and one touchdown while baiting him into just his fourth interception in his last nine games.Lamar Jackson (218 total yards, one touchdown) saw his own MVP stock take a slight hit thanks to a pair of interceptions, but he relied on a surging Ravens defense that has now held two opponents to six points or fewer this season. The only other team to do that is the Bills, whom Baltimore leapfrogged for sole possession of first in the AFC entering Monday night.The Ravens' win moved them into the top five on the Super Bowl oddsboard for the first time this year, highlighting a mostly quiet week of adjustments. The Rams (8-1) and Cardinals (11-1) inched closer to the NFC-leading Buccaneers (6-1) with sizable Sunday wins, while the Browns (18-1) and Chargers (20-1) lost steam in the title race after blowout losses. The Patriots (100-1) and Panthers (200-1) also saw their title odds balloon after overtime defeats at home.TEAMODDSBuffalo Bills+450Tampa Bay Buccaneers+600Kansas City Chiefs+700Los Angeles Rams+800Baltimore Ravens+1000Arizona Cardinals+1100Green Bay Packers+1200Dallas Cowboys+1400Cleveland Browns+1800Los Angeles Chargers+2000New Orleans Saints+3000San Francisco 49ers+4000Tennessee Titans+4000Denver Broncos+8000Minnesota Vikings+8000Seattle Seahawks+8000Indianapolis Colts+10000Las Vegas Raiders+10000New England Patriots+10000Cincinnati Bengals+15000Pittsburgh Steelers+15000Carolina Panthers+20000Chicago Bears+20000Miami Dolphins+20000Philadelphia Eagles+20000Washington Football Team+20000Atlanta Falcons+25000New York Giants+50000Detroit Lions+100000Houston Texans+100000Jacksonville Jaguars+100000New York Jets+100000C 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.

Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson announced Monday he'll return to the team after missing the last three games to focus on his mental health."I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and support over the last two weeks," said Johnson. "I appreciate the positive notes and messages as I've worked hard to restore my personal life. Depression and anxiety are things I've dealt with for a long time and have kept hidden from my friends and family. If you're reading this and struggling, please know that you are not alone."I am excited to rejoin my teammates and coaches. I'm grateful for the entire Eagles community and look forward to continuing to play in front of the best fans in the world."Johnson missed Philadelphia's Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with what the Eagles described as a personal issue. He was also inactive for a win over the Carolina Panthers and Thursday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.It's unclear if the 31-year-old will play during Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders.Jordan Mailata replaced Johnson at right tackle, while Andre Dillard came off the bench to fill in at left tackle.Johnson has started 102 games and made three Pro Bowls for the Eagles since being drafted fourth overall in 2013.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent quarterback Cam Newton released a video Sunday saying he's now vaccinated against COVID-19 and wants to resume his NFL career."Hell yeah, I want to still play football," the former NFL MVP said. "I still get that urge to go out and perform and do something that I've been doing since I was 7 years old ... I'm so much more than a football player, respect me as such."The New England Patriots surprisingly released Newton and named rookie passer Mac Jones their starting quarterback prior to the regular season.Newton declined to comment on his vaccination status in August, leading to speculation that it played a factor in his release.However, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick later said the signal-caller's vaccination status didn't affect the team's decision to move on.A few teams have been linked to Newton since he was cut. The Dallas Cowboys reportedly explored signing him upon his release."You're probably asking yourself, 'Don't nobody want Cam?' That's a lie. I've been getting offers, but the realization of it is, it has to be right," Newton said.The 32-year-old is years removed from his prime. Newton posted a 7-8 record with the Patriots in 2020 and tossed eight touchdowns to 10 interceptions, good for an 82.9 passer rating.Newton, the 2011 first overall pick, is a three-time Pro Bowler, but his last selection came in 2015.Unvaccinated players are facing strict COVID-19 protocols this season. Vaccinated free agents who sign with new teams aren't required to wait five days to enter the clubhouse.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Bills and Titans met almost exactly a year ago to the day, on a Tuesday night in Nashville, when 4-0 Buffalo was trounced 42-16 in its biggest loss of the season by far.Now Super Bowl favorites, the Bills will be out for revenge Monday night and hoping to avoid a hangover after a huge win at Arrowhead in Week 5. Here's how we're betting Bills-Titans.C Jackson Cowart: Bills -6I'm done betting against this Bills team, which looks like an absolute juggernaut in Year 2 after showing glimpses of that caliber in 2020. Entering Week 6, Buffalo ranked first in DVOA, first in points allowed per play (0.2), and second in points scored per play (0.5), and the Bills' ridiculous plus-108 point differential outpaces the league by a country mile.This group just showed its dominant form in a road beatdown of the Chiefs, who were held below 21 points for the first time since their Super Bowl loss to the Buccaneers and only the fourth time in the Patrick Mahomes era. Conversely, Josh Allen and Co. scored at least 35 for the fourth straight time and should shred a Titans defense that looked lost in its only two games against competent offenses.If Tennessee falls behind early, that will create a negative game script for Derrick Henry and force quarterback Ryan Tannehill to attack a Bills defense that leads the NFL with 15 takeaways through just five weeks. However you slice it, this simply isn't a good matchup for the home side.Alex Moretto: Titans +6We shouldn't exactly be rushing to bet against the Bills right now, and it's entirely possible this will end terribly, but this is one of my bigger bets of the week on what is a very inflated line and a good sell-high spot on Buffalo in a prime letdown slot.It's also a nice opportunity to buy low on the Titans, who are being written off thanks to a bad defense and struggling offense. The defense is admittedly not good, but it has shown signs of improvement over the last three weeks. The offense is good, though. Henry remains his dominant self - the Bills haven't seen a running back anywhere close to his level this season - and the passing attack has only struggled because of key injuries and will welcome back A.J. Brown and Julio Jones this week.I'm nowhere near sold on a Bills defense that's capitalized on an easy schedule and an uncharacteristic performance by the Chiefs' offense - four turnovers, costly penalties, and countless drops. Henry will set the tone as the Titans control the clock, keep their defense and Josh Allen on the sideline, and stay within the number. An outright win is not out of the question.Matt Russell: Titans +6We're all really down on the Titans, and I get it - an ugly defeat in Week 1, followed by the indignity of losing to the Jets, will do that. The defense has been disappointing, but its 6.2 yards per play against is tied with the Colts and slightly better than the Ravens and Cowboys - and nobody is wringing their hands about those teams because their offenses are making up for it.The Titans haven't had that luxury, with Brown and Jones shuffling in and out of the lineup during an adjustment period with a new offensive coordinator. Henry is light years ahead of the running backs the Bills have faced this season, so if Tennessee can get Jones back, it can score with Buffalo.The Bills are in a tough spot: It's their second straight prime-time game after they looked as good as could be in Kansas City. The Titans have the chance to change the narrative, and this game will be close down the stretch.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said he'll play Thursday night despite dislocating his shoulder against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.The Browns quarterback showed up to the postgame presser in a sling and told reporters his arm "feels like shit." He will undergo an MRI on Monday, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter.

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt left his team's 37-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday early in the fourth quarter with a calf injury and didn't return.Hunt was carted off with the Browns down 30-14. He racked up 66 yards on 14 rushing attempts and caught three passes for 12 yards before being sidelined.The injury could be another big concern for Cleveland's running game. Two-time Pro Bowl runner Nick Chubb wasn't available to face the Cardinals due to a calf injury.The Browns rushed for only 73 yards against Arizona, finishing a game with fewer than 100 rushing yards for the first time since Week 16 last season.Chubb and Hunt are arguably the NFL's top running-back duo. They combined for 818 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground through the first five weeks of the 2021 season.Cleveland also had an injury scare in Week 6 after quarterback Baker Mayfield spent time in the injury tent due to a left shoulder injury and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. went to the locker room in the first half to have a shoulder ailment evaluated.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Video contains coarse languageGreen Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers reminded Chicago Bears fans of his dominance Sunday because of a profane gesture in the crowd at Soldier Field."I looked up after the TD and saw a woman giving me the double bird," Rodgers said postgame, according to Mary Kate Burgess of WFRV Local 5. "So what came out of my mouth next, I couldn't tell you."Rodgers emphatically shouted "I still own you" at the Bears' faithful after a 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that essentially iced the victory for Green Bay.The win improved Rodgers' lifetime record against the Bears to 22-5 and gave him 10 victories in his last 11 trips to Chicago."I love this rivalry," he said, per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "It's been a lot of fun over the years. That's what I told (Bears quarterback) Justin (Fields) on the field. I said, 'Enjoy this.'"Rodgers went 17-for-23 for 195 yards and two touchdowns Sunday and added 19 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The 37-year-old said he thought pregame that he could be playing his final game in Soldier Field with the Packers, as his status in Green Bay beyond the 2021 season is up in the air."I don't think this is my last one, but I've enjoyed every single one of them," he said.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 6.Half PPR

The Seattle Seahawks are in uncharted waters as they visit hostile Heinz Field. Russell Wilson, who'd previously started 165 consecutive contests, is set to miss the first game of his 10-year NFL career. Seattle last started someone other than Wilson under center on Jan. 1, 2012, when Tarvaris Jackson took the snaps.Geno Smith has the task in prime time against a Pittsburgh Steelers team looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. Here's how we're betting Seahawks-Steelers:C Jackson Cowart: Under 43When I first saw this total, I was surprised it wasn't sub-40. Which team is going to push this one over - the one with the backup quarterback making his first start since 2017, or the one with the passer who's on the last leg of his NFL career?Start with the Seahawks, who managed just 10 points in the second half after Wilson left last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams with a finger injury. That puts the pressure on fill-in starter Geno Smith, whose teams have averaged 18.7 points in his 31 career starts. He's largely been the culprit for that low total, posting a career 30-37 touchdown-to-interception ratio with a 57.9% completion percentage and a 73 passer rating.Ben Roethlisberger hasn't been much better as of late, posting a passer rating below 90 in 10 of his last 12 starts. The under is 8-4 in those contests, with the Steelers scoring 17 or fewer points in half of them. This game will be lucky to break 40 points.Alex Moretto: Steelers -5We're about to see just how bad this Seahawks team can be without Wilson, and why it's wild he's never received an MVP vote. The defense is flat-out bad, the offensive line is weak, and there's no depth at the skill positions. Wilson masks a lot of issues on what is a shallow roster lacking talent all over the field. It doesn't help that the game also seems to have passed Pete Carroll by.Defensively, the Seahawks rank 31st in success rate and 27th in EPA per play. They're miserable against the run, having been gashed by Darrell Henderson, Trey Sermon, and Alexander Mattison in the last three weeks. Now they must face Najee Harris, who, like Derrick Henry, is getting stronger as the season wears on.Harris will rumble here and take the pressure off Roethlisberger, who'll make enough plays to Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool down the field to pull away from a Seahawks offense missing Wilson and Chris Carson. Smith looked good in relief last week, but playing in mop-up duty against a Rams defense in prevent is a lot different than facing a ferocious Steelers front with T.J. Watt back in full force. The former New York Jets passer has historically struggled under pressure, and he's going to see a lot of it Sunday night. This could get ugly.Matt Russell: Geno Smith over 19.5 completionsThis number is just too low for Smith, who's being priced as if he isn't even a professional quarterback.With not much of a run game to speak of, Smith should get safer throws schemed up for him. Backup quarterbacks are more likely to take the checkdowns given to them, and I expect that to be the case Sunday night. While he might not crack 200 yards, Smith should be able to get to 20 completions, especially if he finds himself trailing late.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's a bona fide heater, as a 6-3 week moves our player prop record to 21-8 over the last three weeks. Coincidence? Maybe. But the progression of the NFL season means a better understanding of teams and their deployment strategies.James Robinson over 71.5 rushing yardsThere are reasons to like Robinson this week - not the least of which is a Dolphins defense that's been sieve-like against running backs this season.The Jaguars will rely on Robinson during their trip to London and could have an opportunity to salt away their first win in over a year. Whether it's getting them into that position with a big day or acting as a closer, Robinson makes a run at 100 yards on Sunday morning.Davante Adams under 96.5 receiving yardsIt's never fun fading one of the top players at his position, but the Bears have recently done well against Adams, who's cracked 70 yards just once in the Packers' last four meetings with Chicago. That's because the Bears are able to rush just four, as they rank top five in the NFL in low blitz frequency. That enables them to roll coverage toward Adams and leave a safety on his side to prevent long completions.Davis Mills over 217.5 passing yardsIs Mills good? Starting your career by being thrown into the fire trailing the Browns, drawing a short week for your first start, and then facing a deluge against arguably the league's best team in the Bills is not ideal for first impressions.Mills and the Texans finally had a normal situation last week, with full prep and reasonable conditions against an average football team. The 22-year-old threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns against the Patriots.Now Mills gets a Colts team that Lamar Jackson shredded just six days ago. Whether Houston is trailing or finding early success, Mills should clear this expectation and build on his second chance to make a first impression.Demarcus Robinson anytime touchdown +400Here's an example of why measuring records can be unfair. This one's probably not going to win, as indicated by the juicy payout. But we'll take a shot here with Robinson against an utterly disastrous Washington secondary.Tyreek Hill is questionable with a quad issue, and Washington will give him its full attention if he plays. Either way, there will be opportunities for the rest of the Chiefs' wide receivers. Byron Pringle has shorter odds because he has more catches and touchdowns, but Robinson plays 70% of Kansas City's offensive snaps; Pringle has played just 32.5%. Mecole Hardman has also played less than Robinson and is +140 for a touchdown, so we'll target the bigger payout here.Donald Parham anytime touchdown +350Why not take another swing here? It's no coincidence the Chargers' red-zone offense improved once they started looking to Parham, who has two straight games with a touchdown.Mike Williams is shaky to play this week, so Parham might be the best big-body option for Justin Herbert. Herbert's confidence is high with the Chargers' little-known tight end, who's only played eight fewer snaps per game than more heralded teammate Jared Cook (+190 to score).Evan Engram over 32.5 receiving yardsSome might think this a conservative bet, but nothing is reliable when it comes to Evan Engram. Still, Daniel Jones should be looking to get the ball out quickly against the Rams, and there may be plenty of attempts underneath if the Giants are trailing. Engram can gobble up targets and crawl over this low total with few healthy alternatives at Jones' disposal.Sam Darnold under 255.5 passing yardsThe shine has faded from Darnold after the first three games of the season against vulnerable opponents. The Vikings won't pull away from the Panthers - that's not their style - so Darnold won't have to throw a ton while trailing. Carolina has to dial down the risky throws, and it won't have the bonus yards after the catch that Christian McCaffrey provides.Baker Mayfield under 31.5 pass attemptsWind is in the forecast off the shores of Lake Erie, which suits the Browns just fine. They had a trio of similar scenarios last year, and Mayfield threw 25, 22, and 20 passes in those contests. Nick Chubb's absence might suggest Cleveland will throw more, but the Browns have options behind Kareem Hunt to keep the ball on the ground against the Cardinals.Derek Carr over 6.5 rush yardsThe Raiders' offense will have a tough time against the Broncos without the voice that's been in Carr's ear for the last four years. Carr will be more hesitant with his reads and more likely to take off running for the sideline. Two scrambles should get this home.Mac Jones under 0.5 interceptionsThe Patriots won't test Trevon Diggs this week, and Josh McDaniels will put Jones in position for a clean game against the Cowboys. It won't be flashy, but Jones will do enough to give New England a chance to win by not turning the ball over.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 Carolina Panthers placed running back Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve Saturday, forcing him to miss at least three more weeks with a hamstring injury.McCaffrey last played in Week 3 when the hamstring ailment knocked him out of Thursday Night Football against the Houston Texans. The 25-year-old resumed practicing on a limited basis on Oct. 6, but a pair of missed practices to close out Week 6 suggested a possible setback.The Panthers are 0-2 this season without McCaffrey, who will sit out contests against the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons before becoming eligible to return.Carolina rookie Chuba Hubbard has led the backfield in McCaffrey's absence, rushing for 158 yards on 37 carries across two starts.McCaffrey, who posted over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in 2019 en route to an All-Pro selection, has missed all but six games since the start of 2020 due to injuries.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton is eligible to make his season debut against the Houston Texans after the team activated him from injured reserve Saturday.Hilton sat out the first five games of this campaign after undergoing offseason neck surgery. The Colts went 1-4 without him. Indianapolis designated him to return Oct. 13, clearing him to practice for the first time since the preseason.Hilton led the Colts in receiving last year with 762 yards and five touchdowns. The four-time Pro Bowler owns five 1,000-yard seasons, most recently hitting the benchmark in 2018.The 31-year-old will join a receiving core that also features Michael Pittman and Zach Pascal.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Lamar Jackson will have his No. 8 jersey number retired by the University of Louisville during a ceremony at the Cardinals' Nov. 13 home game against Syracuse, the school announced Saturday.The Baltimore Ravens quarterback was evidently surprised by the news:

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, quarterbacks coach Cam Turner, and starting defensive lineman Zach Allen will miss Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns after testing positive for COVID-19, the team announced Friday.Cardinals general manager Steve Keim also tested positive and won't make the trip to Cleveland, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The team had already lost star linebacker Chandler Jones earlier this week after placing him on the COVID-19 reserve following a positive test. Jones leads Arizona with five sacks this year.Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers will split head coaching duties while Kingsbury remains out.Joseph was the head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2017-18 before Arizona hired him as its defensive coordinator in 2019. He posted an 11-21 record in Denver.Kingsbury joined the Cardinals in 2019, and he's off to his best start with the team in 2021. Arizona is the league's only unbeaten club through five weeks and ranks fourth in points scored per game and sixth in total yards.The 42-year-old coach announced in September that the entire Cardinals roster is fully vaccinated.Despite Arizona's COVID-19 cases, the NFL doesn't plan to make any changes to the Cardinals-Browns game, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Arizona is reportedly under enhanced COVID-19 mitigation protocols and will be tested daily until the game. The club is expected to travel to Cleveland on Saturday.The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled for Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will miss at least three games after being placed on injured reserve as he recovers from finger surgery, the team announced Friday.The Seahawks also placed running back Cris Carson on injured reserve. He sat out the previous contest against the Los Angeles Rams due to a neck injury.Wilson's stretch of 149 consecutive regular-season starts will come to an end when he sits out Sunday's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The streak is the sixth longest by a quarterback in NFL history.Geno Smith will replace Wilson under center.The 32-year-old injured his right middle finger on his throwing hand in Seattle's 26-17 loss to the Rams on Oct. 7. He underwent surgery the following day.The earliest Wilson could return is in a Week 10 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We hit our lone side bet of Week 5, but were foiled on a pair of low totals. Can we get back on track in Week 6? Here are our best bets:Bengals (-3.5, 47) @ Lions, 1 p.m. ETHaven't the Bengals earned more respect than this? Cincinnati ranks 12th in DVOA, ninth in net yards per play, and seventh in PFF grade - while the Lions rank in the bottom six in all three categories. So why are oddsmakers pricing these two teams so competitively?Joe Burrow's careless mistakes cost his team in Cincinnati's Week 5 loss to the Packers, but don't expect him to make those same mistakes against a Lions defense that has only forced three interceptions all year. Detroit has also been miserable against the deep ball, allowing an NFL-high 9.3 yards per attempt and 13.7 yards per completion.Burrow has shown the ability to attack teams downfield behind a much-improved O-line, especially when targeting standout rookie Ja'Marr Chase. Burrow and Chase should have a field day in a comfortable Bengals win.Pick: Bengals -3.5Rams (-8.5, 48.5) @ Giants, 1 p.m.I've been on the Rams every week and came a late field goal away from hitting on four of their first five games. We are going back to the well against a struggling Giants team that is seemingly getting worse.New York showed signs of life in a Week 4 overtime win over the Saints but was trampled last week by a Cowboys offense that dropped 44 points. Worse yet, New York lost its three most important players on offense to injury: Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, and Kenny Golladay.Jones has been cleared to play this week, but Barkley and Golloday have been ruled out. Facing this juggernaut Rams team at full strength was already going to be a challenge for the G-Men. At this rate, a blowout feels inevitable.Pick: Rams -8.5Raiders @ Broncos (-4, 43.5), 4:25 p.m.I'm not sure how high this line would have to climb for me to feel comfortable betting the Raiders in their first game without former head coach Jon Gruden, who resigned earlier this week. Las Vegas is integrating a new play-caller on Sunday and is in a precarious spot after two straight losses.This game opened at Broncos -3 before money came in on Denver's side, and for good reason. Denver was gashed on the ground in recent weeks but its defense is set up for success against pass-happy Las Vegas, which has one of the weakest rushing attacks in the NFL.Denver's offense is at its best when mixing in a steady run game; that's a favorable approach against a Raiders defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed (134.4) and yards per attempt (4.6). All signs point to a rough start to the Rich Bisaccia era in Las Vegas.Pick: Broncos -4C 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 are set to welcome back Julio Jones ahead of their prime-time matchup against the Buffalo Bills.The wideout missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, but he was a full participant at practice this week and said Friday that he'll be ready to return on Monday Night Football."I'm going to be ready to go," Jones said, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. "I'm putting the work in each and every day to prepare myself for Monday night."Jones added, "I feel great," per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "I did everything I needed to do. ... Just keeping a clear head, staying positive, and let everything else take care of itself. I'm out here practicing. I'm out here flying around. I feel good."The 3-2 Titans own the NFL's top rushing attack. They've struggled to move the ball through the air, however, with their offense ranking 26th in passing yards per game.Though Jones' production has been unimpressive in 2021 - 12 catches for 204 yards and no touchdowns through three appearances - teammate A.J. Brown believes Jones' presence will be crucial as Tennessee faces the league's No. 1-ranked defense."With Julio coming back this week, it gives us an advantage because you have to respect him," said Brown, who returned from a one-game absence in last week's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. "We've got to make plays. That's what it comes down to."Brown tops Tennessee with 25 targets this year, but he has yet to meet expectations after leading the team in receiving in each of the last two seasons. The 24-year-old has racked up 130 yards and one touchdown on 10 receptions through four appearances.Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowler, joined the Titans in the offseason in a trade from the Atlanta Falcons.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has been cleared to play against the Los Angeles Rams, the team announced Friday.Jones was forced to leave last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter due to a concussion. He was limited at practice Thursday but was a full participant Friday.The 24-year-old has shown improvement early in his third NFL season, reducing his turnovers while posting a passer rating of 95.6, the highest of his career. He also leads the Giants with 197 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.Jones will likely be involved in the running game again versus the Rams, as Giants star running back Saquon Barkley was officially ruled out for Week 6. Barkley also left last week's contest prematurely after sustaining a low ankle sprain.The 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year, who has struggled with only 195 rushing yards (3.6 per carry) through five appearances in 2021, was considered week-to-week.Devontae Booker, who replaced Barkley in Week 5 and scored two touchdowns, is expected to carry the load at running back on Sunday.New York is welcoming wide receiver Sterling Shepard back in Week 6. Shepard hasn't played since Week 3 due to a hamstring injury.The 1-4 Giants, who won't have wideout Kenny Golladay against the Rams, also ruled receivers Darius Slayton (hamstring) and Kadarius Toney (ankle) as questionable for Sunday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Before Ted Lasso, there was Terry Smith. And English soccer's first American owner appeared to have a Lasso-esque plan ready to roll on day one.But, as Kevin Ratcliffe, then-manager of Chester City, explained to theScore, there was one problem: Smith didn't have a clue about soccer.Smith, a former backup for the NFL's New England Patriots, plunged into the world of soccer when he bought debt-riddled Chester City in 1999. He spent more time at the fourth-tier team's training sessions than in his office, filling his notepad while he inquired about the purpose of certain drills.Ratcliffe was mulling over a season-opening defeat to Barnet in the guts of the club's Deva Stadium when Smith's father Gerald - reportedly a key source of financing for the takeover - asked him for the whereabouts of someone named Keith."I said, 'Keith who?' He says, 'Keith, the manager,'" Ratcliffe told theScore.Ratcliffe thought quickly and mischievously directed Gerald to the dressing room for "Keith." The turn of events bought the actual manager a few more hours until he met the Smiths the following morning.A former defender who captained Everton during their greatest era, Ratcliffe felt "brain-dead" after that fateful meeting with Terry Smith and Gerald Smith. Ratcliffe irritated the younger Smith when he tried to excuse himself after four hours to spend time with his family on his day off."He got this scruffiest bit of paper that I've ever seen," Ratcliffe described, "flattened it out, and proceeded to write on it. He gave it to me and it was a written warning."Ratcliffe was already plotting his exit from the club, a process that included him safeguarding players' immediate futures with new contracts. The face-to-face encounter simply hastened his departure. He resigned shortly after the start of the 1999-2000 season, ending his first managerial role after over four years."If he was on fire on the other side of the road, I'd go and throw a log on him," Ratcliffe said of Terry Smith.Over his headChester City were on life support under their previous owner. Ratcliffe covered a £5,000 bill in 1998 to turn the stadium's water back on and allow a friendly match to go ahead. He paid himself back with the gate receipts.Former manager Kevin Ratcliffe Michael Steele - EMPICS / PA Images / GettyDarren Moss made his debut at 16 due to his obvious talent, but also, he suspects, because he was a cheap first-team option when his youth contract weighed in at just £42.50 a week.The state of the club's finances and the rather antiquated state of banking around the turn of millennia combined for a Mario Kart-style dash every payday."We'd get a cheque from the office after training and we'd all race down to the club's bank branch in the middle of the town center so that we could make sure that you weren't the last person," ex-Chester midfielder Nick Richardson recalled. "Whoever was last one there might not have got paid."For Smith to deliver his ambitious promise of First Division football, he needed to ensure the club was on surer financial footing. Dan Brooks - a linebacker for one of the successful teams Smith coached in the UK's American football circuit - was at a loose end in his native Canada when Smith invited him "to come and participate" in the Chester project."I marketed American football in a country where it really was not a priority. We had some success with that," Brooks explained of his experience before he was named Chester's commercial director. He also noted his position of marketing director for Frontierland, a theme park in the British seaside town of Morecambe that ceased operations in 2000.Despite the off-field uncertainty, Smith was a regular fixture in training from the beginning. Ratcliffe claims Smith was going over his head to dictate when training started and finished even before his takeover of the club was ratified, and the owner was regularly inviting out-of-contract footballers to try out at Chester's base."It was every week you'd get somebody come through the door," Moss said. "You'd be like, 'Fucking hell, who's this now?' And they'd be dreadful."Ratcliffe remembered an Icelandic trialist who Smith claimed could whip in dangerous crosses, was strong in the air, and was a good finisher."I'm thinking, 'What's he doing at Chester if he's got all these qualities?'" Ratcliffe quipped.Somewhat predictability, the trialist failed at Ratcliffe's basic crossing, heading, and shooting drills while the rest of the squad went through its workouts nearby. Shaun Reid, the younger brother of then-Sunderland boss Peter Reid, watched in disbelief, and delivered a line which riffed on the trialist's home nation sharing a name with a British discount frozen-food chain."Shaun shouted over to me, 'So, gaffer. We got the lad in from Iceland, when's the lad from Kwik Save coming in?'" Ratcliffe laughed. "(The joke) was right over Terry's head."Shaun Reid Neal Simpson - EMPICS / PA Images / GettyThe Icelander's unfortunate audition is one of Ratcliffe's many tales of Smith's transfer dealings. Ratcliffe says Smith signed an amateur player but paid him so little that he struggled to cover the one-hour round trip to training, while one American trialist had to stay the night at a local policeman's house when Smith reneged on a contract offer and abruptly ended the player's hotel reservation.Smith also apparently decided to sanction the £10,000 sale of Andy Crosby to Brighton & Hove Albion. Ratcliffe said he'd recently rejected an offer worth twice that amount from Brighton."His face just turned blue," Ratcliffe recalled of showing Smith the £20,000 bid he received via fax. "It just shows you, if you're not conversing with your manager, you're on a slippery slope."Ratcliffe thinks Brighton went behind his back because "they knew the state of the club."'He's going berserk'Smith sensationally succeeded Ratcliffe at the team's helm, trusting what he'd learned from around two months at the club's training ground."All coaching is 90% the same, regardless of the sport," Smith is widely quoted as saying after he assumed his self-assigned role."He loved to be in control of everything; hands-on with every single thing. I'd describe him as a bit of a control freak," ex-player Moss shared.Smith didn't seem to use much of what he observed at Ratcliffe's sessions."When Terry came in, the actual focus then shifted from 80% football and 20% set-pieces to 80% set-pieces and 20% football," former midfielder Richardson estimated. Players would wear numerous layers to contend with the increased hours of standing around in the wet English weather.It wasn't only the strong set-play focus that harkened back to Smith's American football roots. Moss said they played 11-v-11 gridiron in one session, where they threw the ball into the net instead of completing touchdowns. In an effort to boost leadership, Smith elected three captains: one each for defense, midfield, and attack. He also introduced prematch renditions of the Lord's Prayer - a ritual that would be unique in any British sport.Brooks, Smith's marketing man, credits his friend as the most prepared coach he encountered during his American football career, and Chester's unlikely manager was similarly meticulous in soccer. Moss remembered Smith would leave dossiers under each player's hanger ahead of a match, with details such as set-piece positioning and information on opponents included. Moss said he and his teammates understood Smith worked long hours to prepare the personalized playbooks. Steve Morton - EMPICS / PA Images / GettySmith's competitiveness was undeniable and spilled over into him testing his strengths against those of his players. Richardson said there were a few gym sessions when Smith challenged the squad to lift a "fantastical weight," but it would invariably turn into the players watching as Smith outdid everyone on the bench press."The bar would be bending," Moss added. "He was a strong fella, to be fair."But aspects of Smith's management clashed with his will to win.He was disorganized for someone who tried to fill many roles. Martin Nash, the younger brother of two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, was briefly on the club's books and remembers there being "shit everywhere" in Smith's car. Numerous people mentioned Smith's office was seldom used and full of unopened letters.And though the players were given little excuse to lapse on their set-piece routines, the nutritional preparation for games was counterproductive. There are accounts of McDonald's, pizza, and cookies eaten as prematch meals, while Richardson remembered beans on toast at a greasy cafe under the highway before a 5-0 cup loss at top-tier Aston Villa.The passionate yet rudderless nature of Smith's regime didn't foster respect among the squad. He became a bit of a laughing stock.Moss describes an incident when someone locked Smith in the gym for an extended period."The groundsman heard him banging and came back over to get the keys," Moss said. "He said, 'You're gonna have to get him out. He's going berserk!' I just remember Smith coming out and being red-faced - he was fuming. But he didn't know who (locked him in), so he couldn't put it on anyone.Another unidentified player slashed Smith's tires, and Richardson said defender Ally Pickering's slapstick impersonation of the manager was a popular dressing-room act.The poor relations between Smith and his players were unsustainable as the team sunk further into trouble.'He ran out of the dressing room'Smith eventually relinquished the reins in January 2000 amid heavy pressure from supporters, after one win, one draw, and eight losses over their previous 10 outings. He expressed disappointment at how certain players and backroom staff let him take the blame for Chester being rooted the bottom of England's professional pyramid, two points adrift of safety.Ian Atkins - a manager with a strong lower-league resume - was given the unenviable task of trying to keep Chester City afloat under the guise of director of football.Ian Atkins Steve Morton - EMPICS / PA Images / Getty"You were a manager because you ran the team, but Terry wanted that title as a manager," Atkins told theScore.The job title didn't matter to Atkins. Smith assured him he would be in control of the senior side, and Atkins subsequently oversaw a swift squad overhaul with the support of assistant manager Gary Shelton and well-connected physio Joe Hinnigan. Some players were discarded and seasoned professionals were brought in. The tactical approach became more pragmatic.Smith still wanted to be involved, though. He preferred to sit in the dugout alongside his coaching staff for matches, and he liked to warm up the goalkeeper before kickoff - even though Smith was often wearing a suit."Browny would take the piss," Moss said of his former club colleague Wayne Brown. "Browny would be in goal lashing balls so Terry would have to run after them. Rather than playing them back to (Smith's) feet, he'd zip them in, so he'd miscontrol it. He'd be collecting balls out the stands from the fans."But Atkins' approach worked. An embarrassing 7-1 home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in late February sparked a run of five wins and four draws in 12 matches, a spell in which Chester conceded only eight goals. Their fine springtime results remarkably put the Blues on course to avoid relegation on the final day of the season, but Smith was apparently unimpressed with the team's style of play."We were having less possession than the opposition but winning," Atkins said. "He couldn't believe that his team were playing so open and having a lot more touches and attacking, but getting walloped every week.""He loathed the fact that people were giving me credit, Joe and Shelts credit, and the players credit," Atkins added.In the end, the upturn in results wasn't enough. Chester City were relegated, plummeting out of England's professional leagues for the first time in 69 years.A lot conspired against them. One of Chester's players decided to join the Trinidad & Tobago squad instead of playing in his club's decisive final-day fixture. On the eve of that same match, another player was imprisoned for his alleged involvement in a fight outside a nightclub.Meanwhile, Ratcliffe, the former manager now in charge of Shrewsbury, was seeking £200,000 in compensation from Chester.And it was Ratcliffe's Shrewsbury who won on the final day, securing their Division Three status while Chester lost theirs."It was a great feeling for me in one way, but a sad feeling in another," Ratcliffe reflected. "Chester meant a lot to me."Ratcliffe celebrates a Shrewsbury goal Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe crestfallen Chester players took exception when Smith tried to offer his post-match thoughts."In the dressing room after the game, he started to pipe up and a couple of the lads went for him," Atkins said. "He ran out of the dressing room door and I've never seen him again."Atkins was already a popular figure with supporters and could've committed for another year with Chester, but felt he couldn't match his ambitions when Smith handled the club's operations. Graham Barrow, who was a fan favorite from his earlier stints as a player and a manager at Chester, was brought in to succeed Atkins, but Smith's regime was already disintegrating.Brooks is unsure what levels of abuse Smith dealt with from some fans. But the former commercial director told theScore that even he was in the firing line, as hosting press conferences and meetings with supporters had effectively made him "a secondary face of the organization.""I would get calls and people would be threatening my life and telling me to go home," said Brooks, adding that a window was smashed at his house following the club's relegation."I was looking over my shoulder. The threats and intimidation weighed heavily on me. I take things personally. I don't have as thick a skin as some people ... I didn't know if (the threats) were going to be followed through or not."Brooks had an agreement with Smith that gave him an option to leave at the end of his first season, and he snatched at the opportunity. Smith himself was looking to take off when Chester were consigned to non-league football, with Brooks helping arrange meetings with potential buyers. David Rawcliffe - EMPICS / PA Images / GettySmith eventually sold the club in October 2001 to Stephen Vaughan, a boxing promoter with links to infamous Liverpool gangsters. Vaughan was jailed for assaulting a police officer in 2013.Chester City went bust in 2010, three years prior to Vaughan's conviction, but a supporters' group launched phoenix outfit Chester Football Club later that year. They now play in the sixth tier of England's soccer ladder and protect themselves from shady investors by only inviting those who believe in the "ethos and the history of our club" to join the supporter-led ownership group.Smith's missteps, and those made by the owners that preceded and succeeded the American, can't be made again."He didn't realize what football meant to Chester City and the supporters. It was about him. Really, it was about him," Atkins concluded. "He didn't know football. He didn't know anything about the club. He didn't know anything whatsoever about players, how to win games of football."He didn't know anything."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Richard Sherman will miss a few weeks but avoid going on injured reserve after exiting Thursday's 28-22 win over the Philadelphia Eagles with a hamstring issue, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Sherman left the prime-time contest in the first quarter after pulling up following Quez Watkins' 23-yard reception.The three-time All-Pro signed with the reigning Super Bowl champions on Sept. 29 after several members of Tampa Bay's secondary suffered injuries.The 33-year-old made his first start with the Buccaneers against the New England Patriots just days after inking his deal.Sherman entered Thursday as the league's active leader in interceptions with 36. He's recorded 10 tackles and recovered a fumble through two games.Tampa Bay was already without starting defenders Antoine Winfield and Lavonte David, who were ruled out before Thursday's matchup.Dee Delaney replaced Sherman following the injury.The Buccaneers return to action on Oct. 24 against the Chicago Bears.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is set to return for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers after being left off the team's Friday injury report, per ESPN's Field Yates.Cook missed two of the past three contests with an ankle injury and played at less than 100% in Week 4.Alexander Mattison stepped into the starting lineup and performed well, rushing for 112 yards in Week 3 and 113 yards in Week 5.Cook, one of the NFL's top running backs, has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and has yet to play a full slate of regular-season games in five campaigns.The 26-year-old racked up 226 rushing yards and one touchdown in three appearances this season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is expected to return to the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, head coach Brian Flores announced Friday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Tagovailoa later declared himself "100% ready" to play after missing the last three games with fractured ribs, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.Veteran Jacoby Brissett stepped in for the sophomore quarterback but lost all three starts, dropping Miami to 1-4.Despite Miami's hopes of making the playoffs dwindling, Flores wants Tagovailoa to use a measured approach to his comeback."Take the plays that are there. If there's an opportunity for a big play, try to make it - don't try to force anything," Flores said. "It's not a one-man team ... My message to him is take it one play at a time, go through your progressions one play at a time and try to execute."Tagovailoa produced 1,814 yards and 11 touchdowns with five interceptions during an underwhelming rookie season. The former No. 5 overall pick threw for 202 yards and one touchdown against one interception while adding another score on the ground in Week 1.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb won't play in Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a calf injury, the team announced Friday, per ESPN's Jake Trotter.Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was noncommital when asked if Chubb will need to go on injured reserve and potentially miss at least three games.Chubb is the key cog of Cleveland's run-centric offense. His 523 rushing yards rank second in the NFL behind Derrick Henry and his average of 5.8 yards per carry is tied for third behind Tony Pollard and Lamar Jackson.Kareem Hunt will take over the starting role in Chubb's absence.Hunt has racked up 295 yards and five touchdowns through five weeks and is averaging a career-best 5.4 yards per carry.Cleveland is looking to bounce back from its second loss of the season against the undefeated Cardinals.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Trevon Diggs' interception streak could be at risk.The Dallas Cowboys cornerback will be a game-time call for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots due to an ankle injury, head coach Mike McCarthy announced Friday, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.Diggs has been one of the season's breakout stars over the first five weeks. He leads the league with six interceptions and has picked off one pass in every game.The 24-year-old sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday.If Diggs is unable to play in Week 6, Maurice Canady will likely take on an expanded role behind Anthony Brown and Jourdan Lewis.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles traded three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals for a 2022 fifth-round pick and cornerback Tay Gowan, the teams announced Friday.Ertz is seeking a new contract but has yet to engage in talks with Arizona, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Cardinals acquired Ertz reportedly with the idea of making him a featured part of the offense. The tight end has also told others in the past that Arizona appealed to him, according to Schefter.It was reported Thursday the Eagles were receiving trade interest for Ertz and fellow tight end Dallas Goedert amid a disappointing start to the season.Ertz requested an exit from Philadelphia during the offseason after eight seasons with the NFC East club, but the veteran reversed his decision before the season.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry will return to practice Friday following a three-game absence due to an MCL sprain, the team announced.The Browns now have a 21-day window to activate Landry from injured reserve after designating him to return.On Tuesday, Landry called himself "day-to-day" and suggested there was a chance he could suit up in Week 6."We've got three home games this next little turn, so it will be a perfect time somewhere in there if I can get back," Landry said, according to Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal. "At the end of the day, the team and myself and my camp, we're smart about the decisions about coming back or not and when that will be."Cleveland is set to host the undefeated Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. If Landry is unable to play against Arizona, his next chance to return will be a Thursday night matchup with the Denver Broncos.Landry had five catches for 71 yards in the Browns' season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He had one grab in Week 2 before exiting with a knee injury.Cleveland scored 42 points in a close loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5, but with Odell Beckham Jr. struggling to make a consistent impact, Landry would provide a significant boost if he returns for the matchup with the high-flying Cardinals.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and has finished among the top seven each of the last seven years. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 6.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.Half PPR

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 6 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 6 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.StartTaylor Heinicke, Washingtonvs. Chiefs Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyHeinicke had posted three straight top-12 fantasy finishes prior to a down game last week:

The Cleveland Browns look like one of the AFC's stronger teams through five weeks, dropping games to only the surging Los Angeles Chargers and reigning conference champion Kansas City Chiefs.However, Odell Beckham Jr., who missed the first two games of the season, is once again struggling to carve out a leading role in the team's offense. The wide receiver has just nine catches for 124 yards and no touchdowns in three appearances.Though Beckham wants to be more than a decoy for Cleveland, he's excited to be a member of a potential Super Bowl contender."I can't sit there and lie like I don't want the ball," Beckham said Thursday on 92.3 The Fan. "I feel like I'm a shooter (in basketball). I know I bring a lot of attention to defenses and other people are going to be open. You just have to live with that."The ultimate goal is to win the championship, and I feel like I'm in a great situation to do that. My main focus was to be healthy, stay healthy, get through a season."In his first season with the Browns in 2019 following a blockbuster trade from the New York Giants, Beckham racked up 1,035 yards and four touchdowns - solid numbers that still fell significantly short of his peak with the NFC East club.The 28-year-old's production dipped further last year. Beckham had just 319 yards and three scores before suffering a season-ending knee injury in late October.Beckham's lack of involvement in last Sunday's shootout loss to the Chargers - the wideout caught two passes on only three targets despite 32 pass attempts from Baker Mayfield - forced head coach Kevin Stefanski to defend the usage of his supposed No. 1 receiver."As I've mentioned before, he's a dynamic football player," Stefanski said after the 47-42 defeat, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. "He's very front of mind when we are game-planning and when we are calling plays. Sometimes the defense dictates if the ball goes elsewhere, and we are comfortable with that because we have good players elsewhere."Beckham is under contract through 2023 but the final two years of his deal contain no guaranteed money, giving Cleveland a potential out this offseason without incurring any dead money on its cap.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles have received trade inquires about their tight ends, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.The Eagles employ a pair of capable veterans in Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz. Tyree Jackson, Jason Croom, and rookie Jack Stoll are also on the team as depth.Ertz, a three-time Pro Bowler, has been hoping for an extension from the Eagles after nearly nine seasons with the franchise. General manager Howie Roseman has been reluctant to make a trade without getting the proper value for Ertz.The 30-year-old has spent his entire career with the Eagles, racking up 575 receptions, 6,238 yards, and 37 touchdowns.Goedert, the Eagles' second-round pick in 2018, has risen up the depth chart since joining the franchise. The 26-year-old has hauled in 15 receptions for 216 yards and two touchdowns over fives contests this campaign.The 2021 trade deadline is Nov. 2.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals claimed former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers off waivers Thursday, the club announced.Seattle parted ways with Flowers earlier this week after three-plus years together. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll explained it was time for a change when asked about the decision Wednesday, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.Flowers, who had been critical of the Seahawks' defensive scheme, lost his starting position after the third game of the season.The 26-year-old was drafted in the fifth round in 2018 and recorded three interceptions over 40 career starts. He'll hope to help the Bengals' secondary, which recently placed Trae Waynes on injured reserve due to a hamstring ailment.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett has full confidence in Geno Smith stepping up in place of injured quarterback Russell Wilson."We believe Geno can get it done," Lockett said Thursday, according to Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune.Wilson underwent finger surgery after last Thursday's game and is reportedly expected to miss four-to-eight weeks. Smith is set to take over while Wilson is sidelined, starting with Sunday's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.It will mark Smith's first start since Week 13 of the 2017 season."Things are going to be different, things are going to look different because Geno and Russ (aren't) the same people," Lockett said, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. "Geno is great at what Geno does, and so, we're going to do what Geno is great at doing."He added, "It's not really about how is it going to look, or is it going to different, or is it going to look the same. It's just about being able to make things that best suit the person that's going to be out there in the game."While Wilson won't be playing, Smith says the longtime Seahawks passer is continuing to find ways to help the team. He's still preparing 15-page scouting reports for offensive players and even tossed in a riddle to make sure players were reading it, according to Condotta.A second-round pick in 2013, Smith threw for 131 yards, one touchdown, and one interception during Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The defeat dropped the Seahawks to 2-3.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Saquon Barkley once again facing time on the sidelines after suffering a low ankle sprain in Week 5, the New York Giants running back's injury woes are starting to wear on him."I'll be honest, it's frustrating. It doesn't make sense why it's happening," Barkley said Thursday, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.He added: "But I can't keep that mindset. You can't get anywhere with it. Everything happens for a reason."Barkley is reportedly expected to be out for at least a week. It'll be the third straight campaign the 24-year-old has missed games.He played in all 16 contests in his debut season in 2018, rushing for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. However, Barkley sat out three games in 2019 due to an ankle injury before suffering a torn ACL in Week 2 last season."Being mad at myself, that's the only thing I could be," said Barkley. "Mad at myself, mad at the world, mad at everybody."Prior to his latest injury, Barkley appeared to be struggling to shake off the rust and return to his Pro Bowl form.The running back was averaging just 3.6 yards per carry through five games and was second on the team in rushing yards with 195 behind quarterback Daniel Jones.Barkley isn't the only Giants player ailing ahead of Week 6. Jones suffered a concussion and wide receiver Kenny Golladay hyperextended his knee against the Dallas Cowboys. Both are in doubt for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We swung big last week. And like mighty Casey in the famous poem, we struck out.The Miami Dolphins gave us early hope with a 10-7 lead, but like many times before, Tom Brady stomped on that feeling. Call it solace, or the challenge of trying this every week, but only three underdogs won outright last week. I'm no math whiz, but it seems quite difficult to win five underdog moneylines when there are only three to find.One of those successful underdogs were the Buffalo Bills, who weren't long enough for us to really want to add to our football betting lottery ticket, and the other two were teams from our list (Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles). I'm not saying Trey Lance should have penetrated the wall of humanity waiting for him on the goal line against the Arizona Cardinals, but it would have been cool if he did. So we go cashless in Week 5, and the season-long record moves to 15-10 on straight-up winners and over 25 units.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, 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 like they did in Week 1, then it's back into the pool, swimming in gold doubloons like heirs to the McDuck fortune.Who to playJacksonville Jaguars +160We went overseas with our upset of the week, which hopefully goes better than the experience of watching the New York Jets in the first half of their London trip last week. The premise remains the same, though, as we wonder whether anyone playing the Dolphins right now should be at a price of +150 or better. Even if they literally never win. If not now for the Jaguars ... when?Detroit Lions +160While Dan Campbell was left thoroughly disappointed, survivor players everywhere cried tears of joy after another close call went the wrong way for the Lions. It's going to happen sooner than later for Detroit, which has to be at least taken seriously as a competitor. The Cincinnati Bengals haven't earned the right to be assumed victors, on the road or otherwise. So we'll include Detroit here, and maybe we'll all be crying happy tears Sunday.Houston Texans +325We're doing this again with a (near) double-digit underdog? Yes, but at least the favorite in question isn't quarterbacked by the GOAT. Would you rather take the Eagles on Thursday night? How about the Bears against Aaron Rodgers?At least we're taking a team that probably should have won last week in a similar spot when Davis Mills played the best game of his brief career. It shouldn't be a surprise that the rookie would improve with reps, especially considering he was thrown into the fire against the Cleveland Browns, had a short week to prepare for his first career start, and then had to deal with the Bills in the Buffalo rain.More importantly, we're taking a shot against a middle-of-the-pack team on a short week with a quarterback who has a history of turning the ball over. There was a moment last week when a big underdog on the road against a mediocre team was a very realistic win, but the Lions left the Minnesota Vikings with a little too much time. I'm less afraid of heroics from Carson Wentz, should it come to that.New England Patriots +175Back and forth we go, backing the underdog in games involving the Patriots. They're built to play tight, low-scoring games, which often makes the underdog live, whether it's them or their opponent. Though it's not fun fading the Dallas Cowboys, we're willing to see at +175 if the Patriots can slow down Dak Prescott like they did Tom Brady two weeks ago, and maybe a late field-goal attempt will find its way through the uprights.Tennessee Titans +210This may be less fun than the previous two. Like strolling into the street with a bus oncoming, we'll take the home underdogs on Monday night. The Bills' run defense can be exploited, and Derrick Henry has certainly exploited his fair share of defenses. On the other side, the Titans might actually be better equipped to stop Josh Allen and Co. than the Kansas City Chiefs were. Throw in the possible return of Julio Jones and we may have a shootout on our hands. In a possible letdown spot, with a second straight road prime-time game, the Titans could find themselves with a lead early, and they have the tools to hold onto it late.Here's how the odds shake down this week:PARLAYODDS (Approx.)JAX+DET+HOU+3000JAX+DET+NE+1700JAX+DET+TEN+2000JAX+HOU+NE+3000JAX+HOU+TEN+3500JAX+NE+TEN+2000DET+HOU+NE+3000DET+HOU+TEN+3500DET+NE+TEN+2000HOU+NE+TEN+3600JAX+DET+HOU+NE+TEN+25000Who 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.

The games haven't always been pretty, but the Buccaneers are marching into Thursday's contest with a 4-1 record after trouncing the Dolphins a week ago. Can Tampa Bay do the same against the Eagles, who staved off a 1-4 start with last week's impressive comeback victory over the Panthers?Here's how we're betting Buccaneers-Eagles:C Jackson Cowart: Leonard Fournette over 62.5 rushing yardsIf I were to take a side here, it would be the Buccaneers, but this Eagles team has me a bit spooked after how they played each of the last two weeks. Still, I expect Tampa Bay to have control of this game and attack Philadelphia's suspect run defense over and over again.Bruce Arians is notoriously hard to read when it comes to RB usage, but it seems clear that this backfield now belongs to Leonard Fournette, with Ronald Jones seeing six or fewer carries and a 17% snap-count share or worse in each of the past three matchups.If Fournette is indeed the primary ball-carrier on Thursday, he'll have a chance to feast against an Eagles front allowing 122.4 yards per contest to opposing running backs - fourth worst in the NFL. The game script and matchup both favor big production for the Bucs' bruiser in this one.Matt Russell: Miles Sanders under 33.5 rushing yardsIf Mr. Cowart is backing a rusher, I'll flip to the other side and fade Philly's theoretical starter at the position.There are two ways this can win. Firstly, the Eagles could note that it's a complete waste of time to even attempt traditional runs against Tampa's defensive line. Philly refused to run the ball with Sanders against the Cowboys during the team's last prime-time appearance. The Eagles even shied away from the run game against the Chiefs - the one side in the league you have to try to rush against!The other way this wins is if Philly tries to run sparingly but does so with equal parts of Kenneth Gainwell and Jalen Hurts as part of a pass-heavy attack. The Bucs' top-ranked run defense will stop much of what the opposing offense tries to do, and the Eagles throw roughly a million times in a matchup where they will likely have to chuck it around to hang with Tom Brady and Co.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, John Daigle of NBC Sports Edge joins Boone to discuss the important fantasy questions heading into Week 6.

Patrick Mahomes isn't blaming the Kansas City Chiefs' defensive struggles for his recent increase in turnovers."Not at all," the quarterback said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher. "We try to score every single time we touch the football. That's how it's been my entire career here, and that was the precedent that was set before I even started here."That's kind of how I have my mindset going into every single game is that when we get an opportunity to go out there and have success and be successful, we have to capitalize on that. It has nothing to do with whatever is happening on the other side of the ball. It's just our job as an offense on this team."The 2018 NFL MVP's comments come a day after Chiefs head coach Andy Reid suggested Mahomes has tried to do too much because the defense has surrendered too many points.Mahomes has turned the ball over six times in the Chiefs' past three games, and his six interceptions on the season equal his 2020 total. Kansas City's offense has turned the ball over 11 times since Week 2.The Chiefs' defense, meanwhile, has allowed a league-worst 32.6 points per game. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the only team with a worse turnover margin than Kansas City's minus-7.Mahomes leads the league with 16 passing touchdowns while commanding an offense averaging 30.8 points per game, but the 26-year-old said he'll "tinker with things" to reduce his turnover rate."You've got to go back to the basics and make sure I perfect those things, and then I think everything else will come along with it," he said.The Chiefs face the Washington Football Team on Sunday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is on "voice rest" following his precautionary hospital visit for a throat injury, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Ben Baby."Everything's going good," Taylor said. "We're just limiting what he has to say and how he's gotta use his voice through today."Burrow was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure after sustaining a bruised throat during Sunday's 25-22 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers. He was not required to stay for observation after further evaluation.The sophomore passer didn't meet with the media for his usual press conference after the Bengals' medical staff advised him to speak as little as possible following his hospital visit.Burrow, 24, took his usual reps during Cincinnati's walkthrough Wednesday and is expected to start Sunday against the Detroit Lions.The 2020 No. 1 pick and former Heisman Trophy winner has started all five contests for Cincinnati (3-2) this season after missing the final six games of his rookie campaign due to a knee injury.Burrow has passed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns against six interceptions while completing 68% of his pass attempts in 2021.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Attrition is real. Another week of NFL action sees more quarterbacks atop injury reports, which naturally swings a few point spreads for Week 6.Here's our weekly look at how perception has changed around a handful of matchups, why that might be, and whether there are any opportunities to exploit.Rams @ Giants (+10.5, 47.5)Our first injury-related big move comes ahead of a matchup that was lined at Rams -3.5 in the summer. That number wasn't going to survive to last week's lookahead lines, but a scary head injury to Daniel Jones only served to push it into double digits.The Giants hung in with the Rams in Los Angeles last season, but it's not just Jones who's banged up. Saquon Barkley is also likely to miss time, and it won't be surprising if Kenny Golladay does the same. This game is a pass for me unless New York gets a better injury outlook.Vikings @ Panthers (+1, 46)This line has jumped the proverbial pick'em fence from the Panthers as short favorites to the Vikings as one-point favorites on the road. Though that premise is often scary, the early-week sharp betting market just can't quit the Vikings, who were also bet up last week against the Lions. Things didn't work out, but I couldn't disagree with the move then, and I can't disagree with it this week.The new car smell is starting to wear off on Sam Darnold, as he's giving out whiffs of his old team. Apparently, facing a squad other than the Jets, Saints, or Texans isn't great for your stock price. I like Minnesota here.Chargers @ Ravens (-3, 51.5)No injuries to blame for this line movement as the Ravens drop to -3 from the summer line of -5.5 and last week's lookahead of -3.5. Simply put, the Chargers have captured the imagination of the NFL world, and Lamar Jackson's 400-plus yards passing Monday night aren't having the effect one would expect.With this line flashing at -2.5 (-120), there will likely be some value on Baltimore closer to game time. Fading Justin Herbert and Brandon Staley is an unappealing idea, but a cross-country flight after three big-time performances against the Chiefs, Raiders, and Browns leaves the Chargers ripe for an excusable letdown.Arizona @ Cleveland (-2.5, 50)This line is on the move in a big way. The Browns were -4.5 in the offseason, but the Cardinals are irrationally beloved at this point. Despite being outgained by Trey Lance and the 49ers, Arizona covered last week, and that's all that matters to surface-level bettors. So the line comes down past +3. But the market is starting to realize this might be a really good spot for the Browns, and bettors have to pay -120 or more for Cleveland -2.5 or Arizona +3. I hopped on the Browns -2.5 at a flatter price, but it will be interesting to see whether sportsbooks commit to one side or another.Raiders @ Broncos (-3.5, 44.5)This line is significant in its lack of movement. It's probably a bad sign for an organization when it removes its $10-million-per-season head coach and the line moves a half-point. Going from -3 to -3.5 is bigger than just a half-point, but the idea that the Raiders might be worth betting with Jon Gruden gone tells us all we need to know about his overall worth.Cowboys @ Patriots (+4, 51)The back-and-forth nature of the Patriots' 2021 season continues with the rare home dog/road favorite/home dog trifecta of the last three weeks. The Cowboys are right there with the Cardinals when it comes to public perception, and there's no reason for bettors to stop backing Dallas - other than an over-adjustment from a game that was lined at PK in the summer.Seahawks @ Steelers (-4.5, 42.5)Russell Wilson's injury obviously stretches a game that was lined under a field goal, but is moving up over -4.5 too much or too little?For what it's worth, I currently have the Steelers as an average NFL team. With Wilson in, I had the Seahawks as one-point favorites. If Seattle is to be a rightful underdog, it has to be viewed as a 40/100 with Geno Smith.Bettors who expect Seattle to be better than 40/100 should consider the Seahawks the play for them. Those who expect it to be worse should fire away on the Steelers.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 Las Vegas Raiders granted Carl Nassib, the NFL's lone openly gay player, a day off Wednesday after the release of Jon Gruden's old emails, including messages that used homophobic language."(Nassib) and I spoke yesterday a couple times, spoke again today, we're gonna meet later this afternoon," Raiders general manager Mike Mayock told reporters. "He requested a personal day today. He just said he's got a lot to process, there's a lot that's been going on the last few days, and of course we support that request."Gruden resigned as Raiders head coach Monday due to a trove of emails that contained racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language. The league discovered the messages, which leaked between Friday and Monday, while investigating the Washington Football Team's workplace culture. Gruden wrote them while working for ESPN as a Monday Night Football broadcaster.Mayock, whom Gruden appointed as general manager in 2019, said he's "sad for the whole Gruden family" but added, "We're all accountable for our actions."He urged the Raiders to maintain focus on the season, which could be nearing a tipping point following two straight losses and Gruden's sudden departure."At the end of the day, our jobs are to win football games and we got to get our focus back there," Mayock said. "That might sound cold and it might sound calculating, but at the end of the day, that's our job. I think what's cool about our players is they're able to compartmentalize a little bit and I think most of them are saying, 'Hey, we're all-in, we got a big frigging game this weekend and we got to go win it.'"The Raiders will take on the Denver Broncos in Week 6. Both teams are 3-2 and tied for second place in the AFC West.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We're only five weeks into the NFL season and we've already seen three players earn the distinction of MVP favorite in a star-studded field. This week, it's Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who torched the Chiefs' defense in prime time to surge to the top spot in the MVP oddsboard.Allen (+450) needed just 15 completions to churn out 315 passing yards and three touchdowns; he added 59 yards and a score with his legs to lead his team to an AFC-best 4-1 record through five weeks. His 139.1 passer rating was tied for the second-best in his career. Buffalo's point differential (+108) is by far the best in the league, nearly doubling that of the Cardinals (+62).Kyler Murray (+500) has been the catalyst for Arizona's undefeated start, though his record pace slowed in Sunday's 17-10 win over the 49ers. The dual-threat star was held to one yard rushing - the second-fewest of his career - and he finished with a season-low 239 passing yards with just one passing touchdown.Those two are still the clear favorites in this field, but neither has the statistical case of an overwhelming favorite. Tom Brady (+800) leads the league in passing yards (1,767) and first downs (96); Patrick Mahomes (+1500) leads in passing touchdowns (16) and QBR (75); Justin Herbert (+600) and Lamar Jackson (+1200) have both engineered an NFL-best three fourth-quarter comebacks.With that said, here are the current odds to win NFL MVP (100-1 or shorter) and a few players worth betting ahead of Week 6:PLAYERODDSJosh Allen+450Kyler Murray+500Dak Prescott+600Justin Herbert+600Tom Brady+800Aaron Rodgers+900Matthew Stafford+900Lamar Jackson+1200Patrick Mahomes+1500Baker Mayfield+6500Derrick Henry+6500Sam Darnold+8000Nick Chubb+8000Jalen Hurts+10000Ryan Tannehill+10000Derek Carr+10000Joe Burrow+10000Jameis Winston+10000Cooper Kupp+10000Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams (+900)Entering the year, Stafford was our favorite bet to win MVP at 15-1 odds, and his price was slashed to 8-1 after just one week. Four weeks later, he ranks third in passing yards (1,587), touchdowns (13), and passer rating (113.2), second in QBR (74.8), and leads the NFL in adjusted net yards per attempt (9.41), a strong metric for measuring QB success.And yet, thanks to the hysteria surrounding young QBs making splashy plays, his odds are actually worse than they were after his Rams debut. Expect that to change with matchups against the Giants, Lions, Texans, and Titans in the next four weeks - all of which rank among the league's worst in passing defense and yards allowed per attempt.Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens (+1200)It's hard to watch what Jackson did on Monday night and not feel like you were watching the eventual MVP. I could hardly believe his price wasn't shorter than eighth after the Ravens quarterback's record-setting performance. Jackson finished 37 of 43 for 442 yards and four touchdowns while adding another 62 yards on the ground.Jackson is clearly a better passer than he was in his 2019 MVP campaign, when he threw for nearly 100 fewer yards per game with similar rushing totals. He's quietly fifth in passing yards (1,519) through five weeks and has led Baltimore to the same 4-1 record as the Bills in a tougher division. If Jackson maintains his current pace, it'll be hard to deny his MVP credentials.Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs (+1500)Mahomes had been the MVP favorite or a close runner-up until this week, when he was upstaged by Allen under the bright lights. Still, the Chiefs star deserves much better odds than this based on his production and potential.First, the production: as mentioned at the top, he's still the NFL leader in passing touchdowns and QBR. Consider that each of the past three MVP winners have led the league in both categories, and it's easy to see the case for Mahomes even if his team falters. Also consider that his resume to this point includes two clunkers and three phenomenal performances. Do we expect to see the Sunday version of Mahomes for the next 12 weeks?When Mahomes inevitably throws for four touchdowns in the coming weeks - which he's done in nearly a quarter of his 51 career starts - his price will once again resemble that of an MVP contender. Buy now before it's too late.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.

New York Giants head coach Joe Judge isn't ruling out Daniel Jones for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams after the quarterback exited last week's contest with a concussion.Jones is currently in the concussion protocol, but Judge said Wednesday the passer "is on track with everything," according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.The coach told reporters Jones would only observe Wednesday's practice and appeared to be surprised when told he was on the field in pads.

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis briefly addressed Jon Gruden's resignation as head coach Wednesday."I have no comment. Ask the NFL. They have all the answers," Davis told ESPN's Paul Gutierrez.Gruden resigned Monday night after offensive emails he wrote from 2011-18 leaked. The emails from the former Raiders coach contained racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language.The material came to light due to the league's investigation into the workplace culture of the Washington Football Team. The NFL reviewed 650,000 emails in that investigation but didn't share any specifics when it completed the probe, though the NFLPA is set to petition the league to release its findings.Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia took over as the Raiders' interim coach after Gruden's resignation. Davis noted that general manager Mike Mayock will have 51% input on decision making while Bisaccia takes the other 49%, according to Gutierrez.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was bound to happen eventually: our first upset of the week that didn't at least cover. For all the hand-wringing about the 49ers having to start Trey Lance and stop Kyler Murray, the final yardage totals for Sunday's game were 338-304 in favor of San Francisco. It was a classic case of a good handicap that didn't quite get home, thanks to the 49ers going 1-for-5 on fourth down.So, we fall to 3-2 (+4.6 units) on the moneyline for games that require a bet on something longer than +150 or +3.5 points.There's no such thing as a crystal ball. We can't see the future. But if we could, we'd likely see the NFL community making jokes weeks from now about how the Jacksonville Jaguars still haven't won a game in North America. However, they are going to get a win this weekend during their annual trip across the pond.The Jaguars' 37-19 loss to the Tennessee Titans this past week didn't tell the whole story. It started with an early dubious fumble that the Titans returned for a touchdown and went downhill from there.Any fears about the Jaguars' offense not being able to move the ball should be alleviated based on the last two games. Jacksonville was actually the more successful team Sunday on a per-play basis:OPPONENT OFF. YPP DEF. YPP@ HOU5.86.0vs DEN3.85.9vs AZ5.56.4@ CIN6.27.6vs TEN6.96.0The offense has also gotten better since the coaching staff began using 2020 rookie standout James Robinson more, which helps a struggling offensive line. Robinson has run for 316 yards in the last three games.Jacksonville's opponents this week, the Miami Dolphins, have given up 120-plus rushing yards in every game this season, so gaining yards between the 20s shouldn't be an issue for the Jaguars. Their problem is finishing drives, and Miami is third-worst in the league in touchdowns allowed per game.Perhaps the Dolphins will show more desperation after losing four games in a row, but the key takeaway here is they've lost four games in a row.Here's a look at the Dolphins' yards per play on offense and defense:OPPONENTOFF. YPPDEF. YPP@ NE5.05.6vs BUF3.14.9@ LV4.26.1vs IND4.15.2@ TB5.97.8The defensive numbers aren't especially impressive from a group that rooted its success last season in its ability to turn the other team over. The Dolphins have forced just six turnovers in five games and only two in their last three games.Offensively, they've gone over 5 yards per play just once this season. Tua Tagovailoa may be able to return this week, but I believe Trevor Lawrence is the more capable quarterback.For the Dolphins, it's a case of having an offense incapable of using the minimal weapons at its disposal to go along with a defense that could get carved by Lawrence and Robinson. The Jaguars have made the trip to London before, so I'll take a shot with a team that's slowly on the way up against one that's done nothing but disappoint this season.Pick: Jaguars +165Matt 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.

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

Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores is hopeful Tua Tagovailoa will play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after announcing the quarterback will return to practice Wednesday, according to David Furones of the Sun Sentinel."We're moving enough in the right direction that he'll be out there. He'll have an opportunity to practice and, hopefully, play in the game," Flores said.

Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil will undergo thumb surgery and could miss up to four weeks, head coach David Culley said Wednesday, according to the Houston Chronicle's Brooks Kubena.More to come.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

They don't ask how, only if. Despite needing some late-game heroics from the Vikings, we've made it through to Week 6, where things start getting especially tricky as bye weeks kick in.There are just two spreads this week greater than a touchdown, and there are also two fewer games to choose from with four teams idle this weekend.Here's a look at the week's options:AWAYHOMEPICK (CR)RamsGiants (+10.5)LAR (8)TexansColts (-10)IND (7)SeahawksSteelers (-5)PIT (6)ChiefsWashington (+6.5)KC (5)BuccaneersEagles (+7)TB (4)CowboysPatriots (+4)DAL (4)BengalsLions (+3)CIN (2)PackersBears (+4.5)GB (2)RaidersBroncos (-3.5)DEN (2)BillsTitans (+5.5)TEN (1)VikingsPanthers (-1)CAR (1)DolphinsJaguars (+3.5)JAX (1)ChargersRavens (-3)BAL (1)CardinalsBrowns (-2.5)ARI (1)Confidence rating (CR) is the author's level of trust in picking the winner of each given gamePick: Los Angeles RamsWe know what the Rams are, and we know what we're going to get from them every week. This is both a talented and well-coached football team that still out-gained their opponent on a yards-per-play basis in their only loss of the season. With extra time to prepare for this game, there's no reason to worry about what we'll get out of L.A. on Sunday.As for the Giants, who knows what version of the team we're going to get. What we do know, though, is their ceiling is capped given the number of injuries they have. A Week 5 loss to the Cowboys was a horror show for New York, with Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, and Kenny Golladay exiting with injuries, while Kadarius Toney also battled an ailment before being ejected for throwing a punch.Jones remains in concussion protocol, leaving his status up in the air. It's already being reported that both Golladay and Barkley will miss this Week 6 clash. Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton remain shelved with hamstring injuries, leaving the Giants incredibly thin at the skill positions. Add in the uncertainty at quarterback, and the offense - which had been the team's strong suit through the first chunk of the season - is running on fumes.The Giants are relatively healthy on defense compared to the offense but have been one of the league's weaker units despite a relatively easy schedule. New York ranks 24th in yards per play allowed, 32nd in completion percentage against, and 29th in third-down defense. That's bad news against a Rams offense ranking first in yards per play. It's only going to get worse for the Giants if the offense can't hold onto the football and keep the defense on the sidelines.Avoid: Tampa Bay BuccaneersIt still feels as though we're overrating the Buccaneers a bit. Tampa's good units - the pass offense and run defense - are really good, but the bad units - the rushing offense and pass defense - are really bad. The struggles in the secondary are down to injuries, but the defensive backfield remains really vulnerable right now, and the Eagles have been finding a groove on offense.Philadelphia didn't exactly light the lamp against the Panthers, but it put in a strong offensive showing against one of the league's best defenses in a winning effort on the road. That victory followed losses to the Chiefs and Cowboys, games in which Philly averaged 6.6 and 6.9 yards per play.Jalen Hurts' dual-threat ability is something Tampa has yet to face this season, and it'll help an Eagles rushing attack that ranks fourth this campaign with an impressive 5.2 yards per rush. Defensively, Philadelphia's strength is in the secondary, where just three teams have allowed fewer yards per pass this season. Only two squads have allowed fewer passing yards per game.In a hostile environment, in prime time, I just don't feel comfortable trusting the Bucs, who will have their hands full with an Eagles team that matches up well with them.Alex Moretto is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.