It's been a crazy year on and off the field, to put it lightly. As we flip the page on 2020, we're reflecting on the NFL stories we'll remember most from the last 12 months:10-6 | 5-15. Texans trade Hopkins to CardinalsDeAndre Hopkins was widely hailed as one of the NFL's best receivers when the Houston Texans abruptly sent him to the Arizona Cardinals on the opening day of free agency. Still three months shy of his 28th birthday, Hopkins was a three-time All-Pro and had just recorded his fourth 1,000-yard campaign in five years. Nonetheless, Bill O'Brien jettisoned him for veteran running back David Johnson and a second-round pick.The stories that surfaced following the blockbuster deal were as stunning as the trade itself: O'Brien reportedly believed Hopkins held too much influence in the locker room while Hopkins told NFL Network's Michael Irvin that O'Brien compared him to convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez in a private meeting. The sideline boss later said Hopkins' contract demands fueled the trade. Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / GettyHopkins quickly made a splash in Arizona, leading the league in receiving yards through the first half of the season and later registering his sixth career 1,000-yard campaign. The wideout also supplied the year's most memorable play, catching a game-winning Hail Mary over three Buffalo Bills defenders in Week 10.O'Brien was universally criticized for the move - especially given the underwhelming return. The Texans wound up firing him as both GM and head coach five games into the 2020 season.4. Broncos play with 0 QBsIt felt like a scene out of a movie: With kickoff roughly 24 hours away, the NFL directed the Denver Broncos to remove all their quarterbacks from the practice field and declared each one ineligible to play against the New Orleans Saints due to COVID-19 protocol.Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, and Blake Bortles had all been deemed high-risk close contacts of Jeff Driskel, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week. The Broncos lobbied the league to postpone the game in an attempt to get at least one of their signal-callers back, but the NFL denied their requests. AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Denver Post / GettyGiven the multi-day incubation period for free agents in light of the ongoing pandemic, Denver had no choice but to play without a signal-caller. The team promoted Kendall Hinton, a practice-squad wide receiver who had quarterback experience in college, to take most of the snaps on game day. Hinton went 1-for-9 for 13 yards and two interceptions and the Broncos lost 31-3 in a game that was too surreal to look away from.3. The year of MahomesRaise your hand if you won a Super Bowl, were the MVP of said Super Bowl, signed a $503-million contract, and purchased a stake in the Kansas City Royals over the last 365 days. Unless Patrick Mahomes is reading this, none of us fit that bill.Mahomes started the year in style, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a 24-point comeback over the Texans in the AFC divisional round. At one point in the matchup, the Chiefs scored a touchdown on seven straight drives. In the AFC Championship Game the next week, Mahomes dug K.C. out of a 10-point ditch against the Tennessee Titans. In Super Bowl LIV, the prodigy put together three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to climb out of a 10-point hole against the San Francisco 49ers and deliver the Chiefs' first title in 50 years. Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyWith an MVP, a Lombardi Trophy, and a Super Bowl MVP already on his mantle before his 25th birthday, Kansas City had no reservations about handing Mahomes the richest contract in sports history. The franchise signed him to a 10-year extension in July, giving him a chance to earn $503 million over the next 12 seasons.The young field general had no problem living up to new expectations, picking up in September where he had left off in the Super Bowl. Mahomes topped the NFL in passing yardage for the first time in his career in 2020 (the final game of the regular season takes place in 2021) and is in the running to win his second MVP award in three years.2. Washington retires Redskins nameTo the disappointment of Indigenous groups, Dan Snyder spent years refusing to drop the Redskins name from his NFL franchise in Washington. The owner even went as far as to say, "We will never change the name of the team" in 2013, pointing to the history of the club he cherished since childhood. While Indigenous communities said the name was racist, Snyder countered that it celebrated them.The criticism Snyder received for his stance rarely appeared to bother him, but that began to change in the summer of 2020 when marquee sponsors like FedEx and Pepsi called for him to rename the team. On July 3, the organization said it would "undergo a thorough review of the team's name." Ten days later, the club announced it would retire the Redskins name, which had been used since 1933 when the franchise was located in Boston. Will Newton / Getty Images Sport / GettyWith little time to trademark a new name and logo and get it printed on jerseys and merchandise, the organization decided to call itself the Washington Football Team for at least the 2020 season. The moniker initially sounded bizarre, but the nameless name began to grow on fans over time. Washington still hasn't decided on a new name and has left the door open to possibly remain the Football Team in the future.1. Brady leaves Patriots for BuccaneersFor two decades, nobody could have imagined Tom Brady wearing a uniform that didn't belong to the New England Patriots. The 43-year-old won six Super Bowls and three MVPs in Foxborough, building an unprecedented 20-year dynasty alongside head coach Bill Belichick.However, that all changed on March 17 when Brady revealed he wouldn't re-sign in New England. Despite hints that his time with the Patriots was running out - he negotiated an automatic contract void on a restructured deal in August 2019 and put his Boston-area house on the market shortly thereafter - Brady's announcement stunned the NFL world. Three days later, he inked a two-year, $50-million pact with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / GettyTampa Bay began building an apparent superteam once he arrived in the Sunshine State. Already stocked with skill players, the club lured Rob Gronkowski out of retirement and acquired him from New England, signed LeSean McCoy and Leonard Fournette before the season, and brought in Antonio Brown at the end of his eight-week suspension.Whether all the moves pay off remains to be seen. The Buccaneers have looked disjointed in Brady's debut season at times, but Tampa is preparing to enter the playoffs for the first time since 2007. How the next 12 months unfold could lead to one of the top NFL stories in 2021 … stay tuned.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills will welcome back fans when hosting their first home playoff game in nearly 25 years.New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that the NFL team is allowed to have 6,772 spectators in Bills Stadium for the upcoming playoff game, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques.New York commissioner of health Dr. Howard Zucker called it a "demonstration project" and said last week it's "a public health model that's never been done anywhere in the country before." The game could offer an example of how to hold mass gatherings that are open to the public.Bills fans cheered from afar this season as spectators weren't allowed to attend home games based on New York's COVID-19 protocols. The team will work with the state's Department of Health to conduct contact tracing after the postseason contest.

Kyler Murray insists he'll be on the field for the Arizona Cardinals' must-win game against the Los Angeles Rams.The quarterback was in jeopardy of missing the contest after suffering a lower leg injury in Week 16. However, Murray brushed off the possibility of sitting out the season finale, which comes with heavy playoff implications."There's no holding back. If we lose, I'll be home chillin'," Murray said, adding that his leg feels fine, according to team reporter Kyle Odegard.Murray continued, "You want to tweet out that I'm going to play? Yeah, I'll be playing."The Cardinals, along with the Rams and Chicago Bears, are all fighting for the NFC's final two wild-card spots. Arizona will book a playoff appearance with a victory but risks missing out with a loss. If the Bears defeat the Green Bay Packers, a defeat would eliminate the Cardinals.Murray participated in the portion of practice visible to the media, another encouraging sign for his status.

The Kansas City Chiefs will rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes and start Chad Henne in the regular-season finale Sunday versus the Los Angeles Chargers, the team announced.The Chiefs have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, giving them a bye through Wild Card Weekend. Kansas City has earned three byes in as many seasons since installing Mahomes as the primary starter.Mahomes will wrap up the 2020 season with 4,740 yards, 38 touchdowns, and six interceptions. The 25-year-old leads the league in passing yardage and trails only Aaron Rodgers in touchdown passes.Henne is in his second season with the Chiefs. The signal-caller hasn't started an NFL game since 2014 when he was playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills are hosting wide receiver Kenny Stills on a free-agent visit, and there is optimism a deal will get done, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Stills last played for the Houston Texans, with whom he mutually parted ways at the end of November. He totaled 11 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown while playing in a reduced role when the two sides severed ties.The 28-year-old figures to bolster a Buffalo receiving corps that could be without Cole Beasley as it enters the playoffs. Bills head coach Sean McDermott labeled Beasley week-to-week after he suffered a leg injury on Monday Night Football against the New England Patriots.Known for his vertical speed, Stills has gone over 800 yards receiving twice over his eight-year career. He had 40 receptions for 561 yards and four touchdowns for the Texans last season.The former Oklahoma star has split his NFL career between the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, and Texans.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers signed kicker Robbie Gould to a two-year extension that will keep him under contract through the 2022 season, the team announced Wednesday. The deal is reportedly worth $7.25-million and is fully guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.The transaction comes just days after Gould missed three attempts, two field goals, and one extra point against the Arizona Cardinals.Gould has otherwise enjoyed a consistent season with the 49ers, knocking through 82.6% of his field-goal attempts and 94.7% of his extra points.The veteran kicker joined San Francisco ahead of the 2017 season after spending the majority of his career with the Chicago Bears. Gould's best seasons have come during his time with the 49ers, with the 38-year-old leading the league in 2018 with a 97.1 field goal percentage.San Francisco later placed Gould on the COVID-19 reserve list, putting his status for the season finale in jeopardy.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich has announced left tackle Anthony Castonzo will have season-ending ankle surgery, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Castonzo's absence will be a huge blow to a Colts squad fighting for a spot in the postseason.Indianapolis is currently on the outside of the AFC playoff picture, needing a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and additional help in Week 17 to secure a postseason appearance.The veteran left tackle has been limited to just 12 games this season after battling both ankle and knee ailments throughout the year. Castonzo was one of a few linemen who missed last Sunday's contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The thin offensive unit gave up five sacks during the bout as a result.Castonzo has been a mainstay in Indianapolis' offense for much of the last decade, starting 144 games since 2011.The Colts are reportedly expected to sign tackle Jared Veldheer to compensate for Castonzo's injury, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Running back Dalvin Cook will miss the Minnesota Vikings' regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.Cook flew back to his hometown of Miami following the death of his father, James Cook, at the age of 46, according to Tomasson.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp won't be available versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17 due to a positive COVID-19 test, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Kupp landed on the COVID-19 reserve list Tuesday, but the team didn't say whether he tested positive. Los Angeles could have reinstated Kupp in time to play the regular-season finale if he had simply been in close contact with someone who tested positive.The Rams can clinch a wild-card spot Sunday with a win over the Cardinals. If the club loses, they'll need a loss from the Chicago Bears to get in. Los Angeles will also face Arizona without quarterback Jared Goff, who underwent thumb surgery after Week 16.Kupp, who leads the Rams in receiving with 92 catches and 974 yards, hasn't missed a contest since tearing his ACL in 2018.Los Angeles has dropped back-to-back contests after going 9-4 through its first 13 games. The Rams took the first meeting with the Cardinals this season, winning 38-28 in Week 13.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Johnny Manziel is making a return to the gridiron.The former Cleveland Browns quarterback announced he will join a startup league called Fan Controlled Football, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.The league comes with a fascinating twist as fans will call plays and control roster decisions. The FCF is scheduled to kick off in February and will feature seven-on-seven football.Manziel, 28, was swayed into returning by the league's fun nature - a big difference from his prior experiences on the field."The more I heard about what this was going to be, the more I felt it was going to be something that was just very fun. It's going to be very fan-oriented and something I could get behind without being extremely, extremely, extremely serious, the way that my football career has been in the past," Manziel said.Manziel, who has flirted with walking away from football entirely in the past, also pointed to the FCF's free-spirited environment."This has a lot of potential to just be a good time and still be football-centric," Manziel noted. "They're going to let the people join this league be who they are and have fun with it and be a little bit more free than what football is sometimes."That's definitely what appealed to me. They don't want me to change who I am or anything else. They want to come out, put a good product out, and be fun with it."FCF co-founder and CEO Sohrob Farudi believes Manziel's profile will be perfect for a league that highly values fan interaction."We want (players) to connect to fans and be authentic. I think if you look at Johnny's career, he was electric on and off the field. He has that big, bold personality. Sure, he rubbed some people the wrong way. But he just has this presence about him," Farudi said.The Cleveland Browns drafted the former Heisman winner during the first round in 2014 but cut him after just two seasons due to off-field issues. Manziel then spent time in the CFL before last appearing in the AAF in 2019.The FCF will release a six-week schedule, and the games, which will stream via Twitch, will last roughly an hour. The field of play will 35-by-50 yards.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers are one of several teams showing interest in free-agent quarterback Dwayne Haskins, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Haskins passed through waivers unclaimed after the Washington Football Team cut him two seasons into his pro career. The 23-year-old is reportedly unlikely to sign elsewhere before the end of the regular season.Haskins was Washington's No. 15 pick in 2019, but poor play and immaturity issues led to his release. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in his final season at Ohio State.Carolina revamped its quarterback room last offseason, shedding Cam Newton and Kyle Allen while bringing in Teddy Bridgewater and former XFL standout P.J. Walker. The Panthers also retained Will Grier, a third-round pick in 2019.In 16 career appearances, Haskins has thrown 12 touchdowns against 14 interceptions and owns a 74.4 passer rating.Haskins and agent David Mulugheta mutually agreed to part ways following his departure from Washington, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 1The AFC will run through Arrowhead Stadium, a daunting challenge for the rest of the conference. It feels like the Chiefs have sleepwalked through most of the season, knowing they can shift into a gear that few, if any, opponents can match. Kansas City could become the first back-to-back champions since the Patriots in 2003-04.2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)Previous Rank: 2If any club is going to beat the Chiefs, the Bills are the best positioned, mostly due to Josh Allen's extraordinary Year 3 leap to become an All-Pro-caliber player. His red-hot connection with Stefon Diggs should give Buffalo legitimate hope of prevailing in a shootout with Patrick Mahomes.3. Green Bay Packers (12-3)Previous Rank: 3Aaron Rodgers might've wrapped up his third MVP Award while dismantling the Titans on Sunday night, capping off the 37-year-old quarterback's renaissance year. Green Bay just needs to take care of Chicago in Week 17 to lock up the NFC's all-important first-round bye.4. New Orleans Saints (11-4)Previous Rank: 4The Saints can still secure the NFC's No. 1 seed, but they're hoping for a three-way tie with the Packers and Seahawks, which is unlikely. Regardless, there's a strong case to be made that New Orleans is the NFC's most complete team, and the Saints could make a deep run if Alvin Kamara can continue his scintillating form.5. Seattle Seahawks (11-4) Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 6After an electrifying start to the season when it appeared unstoppable, the Seahawks' offense has been inconsistent during the second half of the campaign. Luckily, the club's defense has finally found its legs of late. If Russell Wilson and Co. can catch fire once again, no NFC playoff team will want to face Seattle.6. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)Previous Rank: 9The Ravens are arguably the NFL's hottest team entering the final week of the season, averaging 37 points over their four-game winning streak. They also own the league's best point differential at +130.7. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3)Previous Rank: 10Just when it appeared the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger were down for the count, they rebounded for a 17-point comeback win over the Colts. Pittsburgh's issues, especially on offense, remain despite the win. But the AFC North club built some much-needed confidence ahead of the playoffs.8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5)Previous Rank: 12There's nothing like beating up on the hapless Lions to get a team warmed up for the postseason. Tampa Bay still needs to match the Rams' result in Week 17 to retain the NFC's No. 5 seed, but resting veterans like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Mike Evans could be the better approach for Bruce Arians' team.9. Indianapolis Colts (10-5)Previous Rank: 7After collapsing against the Steelers, the Colts could become only the third 11-win team to miss the playoffs (the 2008 Patriots and the 1985 Broncos are the others). Presuming Indy beats Jacksonville, and it will then need to hope one of the Titans, Browns, Ravens, and Dolphins stumble at the final hurdle to avoid joining that unfortunate group.10. Tennessee Titans (10-5) Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 5A snow game against the Packers' mediocre run defense should've been a great opportunity for the Titans to cement their place in the NFL's top tier. Instead, a blowout loss halted Tennessee's momentum, and worse, the AFC South title and even a playoff spot are no longer assured.11. Miami Dolphins (10-5)Previous Rank: 13Continuing to roll with Tua Tagovailoa is in Miami's best short- and long-term interests. Yes, the rookie quarterback has been inconsistent, but much of the blame should go to offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. Ryan Fitzpatrick is best used as a break-in-case-of-emergency option if things go south in the postseason.12. Cleveland Browns (10-5)Previous Rank: 8Oh, Browns. What did you do to the football gods to deserve this fate? Undermanned Cleveland lost to the lowly Jets, missing out on earning its first playoff berth since 2007. Still, the team can beat the Mason Rudolph-led Steelers in Week 17 to avoid disaster.13. Chicago Bears (8-7)Previous Rank: 16The Bears have flown under the radar during the final stretch of the season, quietly putting together a three-game winning streak to put themselves in a position to snatch an unlikely playoff spot. But even if they make the postseason, Chicago shouldn't jump straight into a further commitment to either Mitchell Trubisky or Matt Nagy.14. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)Previous Rank: 11The Rams' season has fallen apart faster than anyone could've imagined. Not only have they lost two straight games - including one to the Jets - but Jared Goff is out for a crucial Week 17 matchup against Arizona. Los Angeles' fate now rests in the hands of former AAF standout John Wolford.15. Arizona Cardinals (8-7) Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 14The 49ers are better than their record suggests, but the Cardinals losing a Week 16 matchup against San Francisco is Kliff Kingsbury's biggest failure yet. Now Arizona's season could come down to a battle of the backup QBs between the Cardinals and Rams, as Kyler Murray is in danger of joining Goff on the sidelines due to a lower-leg injury.16. Washington Football Team (6-9)Previous Rank: 15What a wild season for Washington, featuring a name change, Ron Rivera's cancer battle, and quarterback Alex Smith regaining the starting job after nearly losing his leg. And now with Smith nursing a calf injury, Dwayne Haskins has been cut days before a win-and-you're-in game against the Eagles.17. Dallas Cowboys (6-9)Previous Rank: 25The Cowboys have risen from the dead after three straight wins. While Washington has been the more consistent team this campaign, Dallas sneaking into the postseason with its array of weapons would be a far scarier outcome for the rest of the NFC.18. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)Previous Rank: 21Kyle Shanahan again emphasized that Jimmy Garaopolo is San Francisco's starting quarterback next season. But the 49ers should still be a prime candidate to trade up for a passer in the draft. It's beyond time to pair the offensive wizard head coach with a signal-caller who can match his talent.19. Minnesota Vikings (6-9) Previous Rank: 18Kirk Cousins is locked in as the Vikings' starting quarterback for at least another year, and the team doesn't hold much cap space to use while seeking to upgrade a regressing roster. Mike Zimmer could be in danger of being fired, but it's hard to say that will improve the club, at least in the short term. Minnesota may give this regime one more shot before blowing it up if more failure comes in 2021.20. Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 17The Raiders still haven't logged a playoff appearance nearly three seasons after making a significant investment in Jon Gruden. The head coach has steadily improved the offense, and Derek Carr's play in particular, but the team's inexplicable defensive failings are still undoing that progress.21. Los Angeles Chargers (6-9)Previous Rank: 23If the Chargers are smart, Anthony Lynn won't be employed for much longer. The team has won in spite of its head coach. With Justin Herbert emerging as a potential star, a solid amount of cap space, and a cluster of elite players, L.A. would have one of the most enticing vacancies.22. New York Giants (5-10)Previous Rank: 19The Giants can make the playoffs if they beat the Cowboys and the Eagles take down Washington. But based on its recent level of play, New York would only be costing itself a decent draft position for the chance to be embarrassed in the wild-card round.23. New England Patriots (6-9)Previous Rank: 20The Patriots will finish with their first losing record since 2000 after the Bills completed a season sweep of New England in embarrassing fashion Monday. How Bill Belichick devises a plan to retake the AFC East will be arguably the most intriguing plotline of the 2021 offseason.24. Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1)Previous Rank: 22Doug Pederson is "fully confident" he'll be back in Philadelphia next season, but we're not so sure. The Eagles choked away a chance to go into Week 17 with a playoff spot on the line against Washington, and that reflects the most poorly on the head coach.25. Denver Broncos (5-10) Joe Scarnici / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 24Denver currently owns the 10th overall pick in the draft and could leap further up with a loss to Vegas in Week 17. Perhaps Drew Lock can offer more, but his play so far shouldn't stop the Broncos from seriously considering taking a quarterback with their first-round pick.26. Carolina Panthers (5-10)Previous Rank: 27Teddy Bridgewater has performed well at times, and Carolina's offense was never going to carry the team without Christian McCaffrey. But the Panthers should look at their talented receivers and realize a move in the draft for a playmaking quarterback is a must.27. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10-1)Previous Rank: 28The Bengals hurt their draft position with back-to-back wins, but for a young team still trying to establish a culture, the momentum going into next year should be far more valuable. Also, Tee Higgins is a future star.28. Atlanta Falcons (4-11)Previous Rank: 30Positives for the Falcons? Uh, they played the Chiefs pretty close. That's something. And they've posted a -1 point differential, suggesting the club is more like a six- or seven-win team than a four-win squad. That's about all we've got.29. Houston Texans (4-11)Previous Rank: 29J.J. Watt rightfully ripped the Texans after their 11th defeat of the season in Week 16. Bill O'Brien was the architect of the team's problems, but Houston has too often looked uninterested despite the former head coach's exit.30. Detroit Lions (5-10) Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 26Please stop putting the Lions on prime time or in any one-game slots. We beg you, Roger.31. New York Jets (2-13)Previous Rank: 31The Jets now face a far more challenging offseason than they expected a few weeks ago. What should they do with the No. 2 pick? A quarterback like Zach Wilson or Justin Fields is still enticing, but New York could look at its talent-poor roster and opt to trade down to build a more competitive team and give Sam Darnold one last chance.32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14)Previous Rank: 32Welcome to Jacksonville, Mr. Lawrence.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thomas Davis' inspiring career is coming to an end.The Washington Football Team linebacker announced Tuesday that Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles will mark his final regular-season appearance in the NFL as a player.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp hit the COVID-19 list Tuesday, jeopardizing his status for the vital Week 17 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, the team announced.The Rams, Cardinals, and Chicago Bears are in a race for the final two wild cards in the NFC. Whoever wins between the Rams and Cardinals will guarantee themselves a playoff berth. If the Rams lose, they'll need the Bears to lose to get in.The Rams already ruled out quarterback Jared Goff for the regular-season finale after he underwent thumb surgery following Week 16. Los Angeles is optimistic Goff can return for the first round of the playoffs if the team gets there.Kupp leads the Rams in receiving with 92 catches and 974 yards. The 27-year-old hasn't missed a game since tearing his ACL in 2018.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.For 16 weeks, NFL bettors try to parse through a wealth of information and advanced metrics - from DVOA and net yards per play to trends and records against the spread. Then, for one magical week, all of that is thrown out the window in favor of the most abstract factor of all: motivation.Now, I'm not suggesting you should bet blindly on motivation in Week 17. But if you are saying that, we're here to help. Here's a list of every game on the schedule and what to know about all 32 teams' motivations entering the final week of the regular season.Dolphins at Bills (-3), 1 p.m. ETAfter the Chiefs' win on Sunday, the Bills are no longer in the running for the No. 1 seed, though they'd clinch the No. 2 seed with a win or a Steelers loss. Does it even matter? Outside of playing at home in a potential rematch with Pittsburgh, the difference is negligible, especially with how muddled the bottom of the AFC playoff standings will be entering the week.Meanwhile, the Dolphins would secure a playoff spot with a win, though they could sneak in with a loss, too. Who will finish the game at quarterback for either squad? There's a lot of uncertainty here, but Miami's playoff quest takes precedent.Advantage: DolphinsRavens (-11.5) at Bengals, 1 p.m.Three years ago, the Ravens were in this exact scenario: Beat the Bengals in Week 17 and clinch a playoff spot. Instead, Tyler Boyd scored on a 49-yard strike with 44 seconds left to bounce Baltimore from the playoff hunt.Don't think for a second that John Harbaugh and the remaining Ravens from that team have forgotten about that loss. With one win, Baltimore can help redeem that letdown spot and earn a crack at avenging its playoff ousting last year. Meanwhile, the Bengals are playing for the right to ... fall further in the draft and select a worse offensive lineman. Enough said.Advantage: RavensSteelers at Browns (TBD), 1 p.m.It's hard to know what to expect from the Steelers, who could still earn the No. 2 seed but may have little interest in doing so. Pittsburgh has gone the entire season without a true bye week after COVID-19 outbreaks within the Titans and Ravens forced major adjustments to its schedule.If Pittsburgh does roll over in Week 17, the Browns will happily take advantage, as a win this week would secure one of the final spots in the playoffs.Advantage: BrownsVikings (-6.5) at Lions, 1 p.m.This is one of four games with zero playoff implications for the teams involved, leading to speculation that both sides will rest key starters Sunday. While the Lions have plenty to lose in draft positioning with a win, Darrell Bevell is essentially auditioning for a head coaching job in 2021 and would benefit from a win in one of his five games at the helm.Advantage: LionsJets at Patriots (-3.5), 1 p.m.The Patriots have seemingly been playing without any motivation for three weeks now, but we officially saw what a down-and-out New England group looks like in its blowout loss Monday - the first time this team had played since being eliminated from the playoffs.Nobody understands why the Jets are winning, but they've done so for two straight weeks and look like a rejuvenated group since firing defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. New York hasn't beaten its bitter rival in its last nine tries dating back to 2015. This one is personal.Advantage: JetsCowboys (-3) at Giants, 1 p.m.These two teams' goals are perfectly aligned, as the winner will be in a position to claim the NFC East pending Sunday night's result between Washington and Philadelphia. The only difference: If the Giants lose, they could get the No. 3 pick in the draft, while the Cowboys have likely played themselves out of the top 10.Joe Judge knows his job is safe after showing some fight - literally - in Year 1. A top-three pick wouldn't be such a bad consolation, would it?Advantage: CowboysFalcons at Buccaneers (-6.5), 1 p.m.This one is easy. The Buccaneers can clinch the No. 5 seed - and a date with the NFC East winner - with a victory Sunday. The Falcons can play themselves out of the top five of the draft. Tom Brady won't mess this up.Advantage: BuccaneersSaints (-6.5) at Panthers, 4:25 p.m.Matt Rhule has done a masterful job getting the most out of the Panthers' roster in his first year as head coach, even as injuries hindered his offense throughout the season. Still, a win on Sunday means so much more for the Saints, who still have an outside shot at the No. 1 seed and could at least clinch a top-two spot.Advantage: SaintsPackers (-5.5) at Bears, 4:25 p.m.This one is tricky. The Packers need to win on Sunday to guarantee the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the playoffs, which is crucial against teams like the Saints and Seahawks, who feature such drastic home-road splits. Aaron Rodgers is also locked in a tight race for potentially his third MVP award, which would tie him for second-most in NFL history.Are those rewards more significant than what's at stake for the Bears, who would clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win? You'd have to think that a postseason berth trumps all, but I'm not convinced the players in Chicago want to give upper management any reasons to retain Matt Nagy. I'm also not going to bet against Rodgers with history on the line.Advantage: PackersJaguars at Colts (-14.5), 4:25 p.m.If you need any hints as to the motivation here, just look at this point spread, which would be the fourth-highest all year if it holds until kickoff. Three of those previous games featured the Jets; the other featured Kendall Hinton.This matchup isn't nearly as lopsided as those four, but the Colts need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Jaguars are already locked into the NFL's worst record. Gardner Minshew and Mike Glennon might be auditioning for their next job elsewhere, but their teammates have already packed their bags.Advantage: ColtsTitans (-7.5) at Texans, 4:25 p.m.The beauty of this game is that the Texans have absolutely nothing to play for in either direction. They've long been eliminated from the playoffs, but the ghost of Bill O'Brien has plucked a potential top-five pick away from this franchise, leaving Romeo Crennel in a pretty meaningless Week 17 spot.As much as J.J. Watt wants to complain about his teammates' efforts, they simply can't compete with the motivations for the Titans, who could clinch the AFC South with a win or miss the playoffs with a loss.Advantage: TitansChargers at Chiefs (TBD), 4:25 p.m.Chiefs coach Andy Reid has already hinted at sitting key starters - including Patrick Mahomes - after his team clinched the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye with last week's win over the Falcons. The Chargers' playoff hopes are dead, but Justin Herbert's record-setting rookie year is not, and Anthony Lynn is still coaching for his job amid a three-game winning streak.Advantage: ChargersRaiders (-2) at Broncos, 4:25 p.m.A year ago, the Broncos eliminated the Raiders from playoff contention in Week 17, capping off an encouraging five-game stretch from then-rookie Drew Lock. Twelve months later, Lock might be playing for his job against a Las Vegas team that has already seen its postseason dreams evaporate.Advantage: BroncosCardinals at Rams (TBD), 4:25 p.m.This game has arguably the greatest stakes of any Week 17 matchup, as both the Cardinals and Rams need a win to guarantee a playoff spot. Yet both sides could be without their starting quarterbacks Sunday.Los Angeles could still lose and make the playoffs, so we'll give the edge to Arizona. If Kyler Murray can't take the field, though, it'll be hard to put stock in either side.Advantage: CardinalsSeahawks (-4.5) at 49ers, 4:25 p.m.Rivalries always seem to bring out a little extra, but that might be the only thing keeping the 49ers' attention against the Seahawks, who clinched the NFC West a week ago. Neither side enters this one with much to play for, though Seattle can at least talk itself into a slim chance at earning the No. 1 seed with a win. That should be enough to play its starters.Advantage: SeahawksWashington (-1) at Eagles, 8:20 p.m.After everything this season has brought us, it's only fitting that Game 256 would pit two enigmatic NFC East teams in a matchup that will ultimately decide the division. It's almost hard to believe that Washington isn't favored by more, though I guess that's what happens when one quarterback is injured and another received a midseason pink slip just days after a spot start.Still, as much as Jalen Hurts may want to keep the good vibes rolling, this game simply means so much more to Washington, which could snap its five-year postseason drought with a win on Sunday. If you were ever to bet on a game for motivation alone, this would be the one.Advantage: Washington(Odds source: theScore Bet)C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will start Mason Rudolph at quarterback versus the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 while Ben Roethlisberger rests up for the playoffs.Pittsburgh is still in play for the AFC's No. 2 seed but can't get a bye through Wild Card Weekend with the NFL's new and expanded playoff format."Given an opportunity to airmail a player or two into the postseason, we'll do that," head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala.Roethlisberger labored through the last quarter of the schedule, though he tossed three second-half touchdowns Sunday to lead Pittsburgh to a 28-24 comeback over the Indianapolis Colts. He'll finish the regular season with 3,804 yards, 33 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 94.1 passer rating.Rudolph, meanwhile, will face the same Browns team he was involved in a brawl with last season when Myles Garrett ripped off his helmet and bashed him over the head.Tomlin added he could reduce snap counts for other veterans in the finale but doesn't plan to sit them completely."Our job is winning," Tomlin said. "We intend to do our job. We intend to prepare with that mindset."The Browns can punch their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2002 if they defeat the Steelers. Pittsburgh coasted to a 38-7 win in the teams' first meeting this season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Russell Okung made history Tuesday when he became the first NFL player to receive part of his salary in Bitcoin, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Okung, 32, will receive half of his $13-million salary in the cryptocurrency. The agreement comes in partnership with Zap, a Bitcoin startup, which allows for the conversion of traditional currency.The 11-year NFL veteran will become the first player from any major U.S. sports league to be paid in Bitcoin, according to William Foxley of Coindesk. Okung lobbied to be paid in this manner over the past two seasons as a member of both the Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers.Jack Mallers, founder of Zap's Strike application, which enables the conversion of paychecks, has mentioned that other unnamed pro athletes have begun onboarding to the program. Mallers said the NFL and players' association were involved in the deal's approval.

The 2021 NFL offseason promises to bring change as several teams look to rebuild with new head coaches. Although there are currently only three vacancies (Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, and Detroit Lions), more will certainly follow after the regular season.With a busy year on the way, let's examine the league's top candidates:Flashy candidates you already knowEric Bieniemy - Chiefs OC David Eulitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyWith yet another dominant campaign in Kansas City nearly complete, Bieniemy should be viewed as one of - if not the - most sought-after contenders for a head coaching job.The Chiefs rank first in total offense and second in points per game this season behind their coordinator's creative play-calling and ability to put his players in advantageous matchups. Bieniemy surprisingly didn't land a top position last year, but teams would be silly to pass on him again.Josh McDaniels - Patriots OCNew England's offense took a step back in 2020 with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, but there's no denying McDaniels can run an efficient scoring attack with the right pieces in place. When Jakobi Meyers and Damiere Byrd are the top receiving options, it's difficult to blame the OC when struggles occur.While McDaniels wasn't exactly a success story when he led the Denver Broncos in 2009-10, there's a reason the six-time Super Bowl champion assistant is among the premier coaching candidates nearly every offseason. With Brady out the door, McDaniels could finally move on as well.Urban Meyer - former Ohio State HCOrganizations have reportedly reached out to Meyer in recent days, so his inclusion on our list was a must. It's hard not to be enamored with the legendary college football boss - he's won three national championships along with five Power 5 conference titles - and an interest in moving to the pros may finally be mutual.Hiring Meyer would certainly come with some level of skepticism, seeing as he has no NFL sideline experience, but interested clubs shouldn't overthink this. The 56-year-old found success during all of his college stints, he excels at evaluating talent, and we already know the spread offense works.Offensive gurusBrian Daboll - Bills OC Bryan Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyAny franchise looking to spark its offense should strongly consider Daboll to fill its vacancy. One of the hottest names on the market, the creative play-caller impressively piloted Josh Allen's emergence from potential first-round bust to MVP candidate in 2020.Daboll is an ideal hire for today's game - he's the poster boy for transferring college concepts onto an NFL field, having won a national title with Alabama in 2017 as co-offensive coordinator. Buffalo fields a top-five scoring attack due in large part to the 45-year-old's ability to put players in the best position to win matchups. Daboll's not afraid to take risks while also limiting opportunities for turnovers, and any young quarterback would be happy to be paired with him.Joe Brady - Panthers OCIn a league where most clubs look for a flashy, bright offensive mind (attempting to replicate the Sean McVay hire), Brady is a name to watch. The assistant's resume is already impressive at just 31 years old. He authored LSU's record-breaking campaign in 2019 and has made the most of a Panthers offense that's struggled to block and has been missing star running back Christian McCaffrey for much of the campaign.Brady loves to get his top playmakers in space, whether in route or with the ball in their hands. The young coordinator's scheme helped spark career years from Robby Anderson, Mike Davis, and Curtis Samuel - not to mention college breakouts from Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase - while keeping Carolina competitive in most contests. Many will question whether Brady is ready to take on a head coaching gig with so little experience, but his upside is off the charts.Arthur Smith - Titans OCSmith, a relative unknown when he was named Tennessee's offensive coordinator in 2019, has quickly vaulted up many clubs' wish lists. Owners will love the Memphis native's resolve in climbing the ladder - he joined the Titans as a quality control coach in 2011 - and uncanny ability to create mismatches downfield.Saying Smith's hiring sparked an offensive resurgence in Tennessee would be putting it lightly. He helped develop Derrick Henry into an elite running back, but his impact on Ryan Tannehill is even more impressive. After the Miami Dolphins cast him off, Tannehill remarkably evolved into an efficient, big-play field general under his new play-caller.With DolphinsWith TitansWin percentage47.7%68%Completion percentage62.8%67.3%Yards per attempt7.08.6TD:INT123:7554:13Smith's creativity and on-field production speak for themselves. We wouldn't be surprised if he's one of the first coaches off the market in 2021.Byron Leftwich - Buccaneers OC Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThis isn't the first time Leftwich has emerged as a coaching candidate and he may be closer than ever to landing a spot. Thanks to Brady and a plethora of receiving weapons, the former signal-caller has the Bucs ranked fifth in points per game calling plays for Bruce Arians.There have been bumps in the road, but teams have long viewed Leftwich as a future head coach due to his understanding of a variety of offensive concepts. The 40-year-old should garner plenty of consideration this offseason.Mike Kafka - Chiefs QB coachKafka's candidacy may be somewhat of a surprise considering he was playing in the league just five seasons ago. However, the hype surrounding the former quarterback is real. The 33-year-old earned praise from Andy Reid for his role in offensive game-planning and his work with Patrick Mahomes, leading to a quick ascension of the coaching ranks.While he may not land a job this offseason, Kafka is going to get a top position at some point. With that said, clubs may want to get ahead of the competition and bring him in immediately. Kafka should get a promotion in Kansas City to OC at the very least if Bieniemy leaves.Defensive mastermindsBrandon Staley - Rams DCA collective "who?" was muttered after Staley replaced Wade Phillips in January. Fast-forward 11 months and the assistant finds himself among the top defensive-minded candidates for a head coaching position.Staley is a product of Vic Fangio's system, having served as outside linebackers coach with the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos before joining the Rams. Los Angeles ranks first in yards allowed and third in points surrendered this season under the coordinator's tutelage. Staley was the catalyst in John Johnson, Darious Williams, and Leonard Floyd's breakout campaigns, causing him to emerge as an ideal choice for any defensive rebuild project.Robert Saleh - 49ers DC Michael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe way Saleh has transformed the 49ers' defense has him in contention for a coaching gig for the second straight year. Despite battling a barrage of injuries in 2020, the unit somehow still ranks fifth in yards allowed. It's a testament to the 41-year-old's ability to adapt on the fly and implement a successful scheme. Few in the league are better in such a tough role.San Francisco made the Super Bowl on the back of Saleh's group - a fact not lost on many owners and general managers. Defensive gurus are less popular candidates compared to names from the other side of the ball nowadays, but Saleh is perhaps the most qualified among his peers to make the jump.Patrick Graham - Giants DCGraham was somewhat of a journeyman before New York hired him in January, coming off a one-season stint leading the Dolphins' stop unit, but the versatile assistant has found comfort with Joe Judge. The Giants rank 11th in points allowed (they placed 30th in 2019) and fourth in red-zone defense despite fielding an underwhelming squad on paper.For franchises in need of a leader and reclamation project to combat the NFL's best scoring attacks, Graham will receive plenty of looks. Seven years of experience under Bill Belichick don't hurt his resume either.Don Martindale - Ravens DCMartindale wouldn't be the flashiest hire, but there's no denying he can coach. "Wink" has led the Ravens to three straight top-four finishes in scoring defense since he took over as DC in 2018. That's as impressive as it gets.With his linebacker background, Martindale has helped mentor and develop several high-quality players in Baltimore, such as C.J. Mosley, Za'Darius Smith, and Matt Judon. The veteran's highly respected for his defensive mind, and his ability to design plays for any personnel grouping makes him a name to watch for the upcoming coaching carousel.From the college ranksLincoln Riley - Oklahoma HC David K Purdy / Getty Images Sport / GettyRiley received an extension from the Sooners in January, but that may not stop NFL franchises from pursuing one of the brightest minds at any level of football. The Oklahoma boss' impact isn't just felt at the collegiate level (he owns an incredible 44-8 record in Norman) - his ability to develop Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts is even more notable.Whether it's designing plays, creating mismatches, or identifying talent, Riley is the total package. The 37-year-old would undoubtedly be among the most sought-after candidates should he ever choose to leave Oklahoma. Maybe this is the year.Pat Fitzgerald - Northwestern HCSimilar to Riley, Fitzgerald has attracted NFL interest for a few years. He was a finalist for the Carolina Panthers' top position in 2019, which ultimately went to Matt Rhule, and previously turned down an interview for the Green Bay Packers' job, which eventually went to Matt LaFleur.Fitzgerald won two Big Ten West titles over the past three seasons and has coached Northwestern to three 10-win campaigns. The longtime Wildcats sideline boss, who possesses ideal leadership and development skills, should once again be a hot name on the market.2nd-chance opportunitiesTodd Bowles - Buccaneers DCBowles failed to turn the Jets around during his recent four-year tenure, but he certainly deserves a second chance as a head coach. The veteran reshaped a perennially disastrous unit in Tampa Bay into one of the league's very best. The defensive mastermind's also helped develop young players into impactful starters since joining the Bucs, such as Vita Vea, Jamel Dean, and Devin White.Sometimes coaches simply pick the wrong opportunity, which was arguably the case when he chose to join New York in 2015. Bowles is likely to see plenty of success in a potential stint with a more stable franchise.Bill O'Brien - former Texans HC/GM Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyO'Brien earned his fair share of criticism for his recent offseason moves in Houston as general manager, but the 51-year-old isn't a poor head coach - as long as he limits himself to the one role.The Texans' offense was fairly consistent under O'Brien, finishing inside the top half of the NFL from 2017-19 in terms of points per game. Candidates boasting five winning-record campaigns and four years of playoff experience as a head coach don't come around often, so O'Brien may have a few suitors in no time.Note: Doug Pederson (Eagles), Matt Nagy (Bears), and Mike Zimmer (Vikings) would likely receive head coaching interest in the event they are fired. Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cam Newton's struggles with the New England Patriots continue.The Patriots replaced Newton with Jarrett Stidham in the third quarter of Monday's 38-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills.Newton left the game with the Patriots trailing 31-9. He completed five of 10 passes for 34 yards and rushed for 24 yards and one touchdown before being sidelined.However, head coach Bill Belichick didn't blame Newton for the Patriots' third consecutive defeat."Cam did a good job for us. I mean, that wasn't the problem," Belichick said postgame, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. "We weren't very competitive in the game.""Protection. Dropped balls. Lack of good execution. We just didn't execute the passing game well and they played well defensively," Belichick added, per Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub.Newton's 34 passing yards are the fewest for a Patriots starting quarterback since Scott Secules threw for 16 in 1993.Newton has struggled throughout his first season with New England. The 2015 MVP entered Week 16 with five touchdown passes, 11 rushing scores, 10 interceptions, and a 6-7 record as a starter.Stidham, meanwhile, entered Monday's contest completing 54.5% of his throws for two touchdowns and three interceptions over four appearances this season. He went 4-for-11 passing for 44 yards against the Bills.With the loss to Buffalo, New England has been swept by its division rival for the first time since 1999. The defeat also marks Belichick's worst home loss with the Patriots.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams won't have any experience under center in their crucial contest against the Arizona Cardinals.Rams quarterback Jared Goff won't play Sunday after undergoing surgery on his broken right thumb Monday, the team announced.With Goff sidelined, John Wolford will take over for Los Angeles while practice squad quarterback Bryce Perkins will serve as his backup. The Rams are also planning to sign veteran quarterback Blake Bortles off the Denver Broncos' practice squad.Wolford has yet to take a snap since entering the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted rookie out of Wake Forest. He logged a brief stint with the AAF's Arizona Hotshots in 2019.McVay said the Rams are hopeful Goff can play in the playoffs if the team advances, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry.The two-time Pro Bowler suffered the injury during Sunday's loss to the Seahawks, but he was able to finish the game.The 2016 first overall pick has completed a career-high 67% of his pass attempts this season for 3,952 yards and 20 touchdowns against 13 interceptions through 15 games.The 9-6 Rams, 8-7 Cardinals, and 8-7 Chicago Bears are fighting for the NFC's two remaining wild-card spots. The winner of Los Angeles and Arizona's Week 17 matchup will clinch a postseason berth.The Cardinals are dealing with their own issues at quarterback, as Kyler Murray is uncertain to face the Rams due to a lower-leg injury.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quarterback Josh Allen threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns, including three to wide receiver Stefon Diggs, as the Buffalo Bills blew out the New England Patriots in Week 16, winning 38-9 on Monday Night Football.This is the first time since 1999 that the Bills have swept the Patriots during the regular season.More to come.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite rumors that the San Francisco 49ers could move Jimmy Garoppolo's deal this offseason, head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn't believe the signal-caller's contract will be an issue for the franchise."That's how much (quarterbacks) cost. So, it's not something ridiculous," Shanahan said, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury.Shanahan has previously said Garoppolo will "be our starter next year."Garoppolo signed a five-year, $137.5-million extension with the 49ers in 2018. His average annual salary of $27.5 million ranks 12th in the NFL among quarterbacks, per Spotrac. He's also set to have the 11th-highest cap hit at his position in 2021.San Francisco acquired the 29-year-old from the New England Patriots midway through the 2017 season, but injuries have plagued his 49ers tenure. Garoppolo appeared in just three games in 2018 due to a torn ACL and has played in only six contests this year because of an ankle ailment."The injuries he had took the year from him," Shanahan added. "It was unfortunate for Jimmy and our team. I know it's frustrating for him. That's why he's got to go into this offseason to get ready for Week 1."Garoppolo owns a 22-8 record as a starter with the 49ers. He's completed 67.5% of his pass attempts for 3,795 yards and 24 touchdowns against 13 interceptions per 16 games played since moving to San Francisco.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Football Team waived Dwayne Haskins on Monday, cutting ties with the quarterback it selected 15th overall in the 2019 draft."This afternoon I met with Dwayne and informed him that we would be releasing him," head coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. "I told him that I believe it benefits both parties to go our separate ways. We want to thank Dwayne for his contributions these last two seasons and wish him well moving forward."Haskins thanked Washington and vowed to rebound from his career setback in a tweet from his private account:

The NFL has moved the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Football Team's Week 17 matchup to Sunday Night Football, the league announced.Washington will clinch the NFC East title and its first postseason appearance since 2015 with a victory over the Eagles.However, a loss would result in the winner of the game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, which is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET next Sunday, being crowned division champions.Washington sits atop the division with a 6-9 record but has lost two in a row after suffering a rash of injuries.Alex Smith missed the last two contests due to a calf ailment but the team is optimistic about his return for Week 17. Taylor Heinicke will start if Smith can't go following Dwayne Haskins' release.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dwayne Haskins won't start a must-win Week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, even if top quarterback Alex Smith remains sidelined with a calf injury.Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera said Monday Taylor Heinicke would get the nod over former first-round pick Haskins, who was benched in Week 16, according to the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala.Heinicke, a 27-year-old journeyman, replaced Haskins in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Carolina Panthers and nearly eclipsed Haskins' passing yardage in two drives.Washington QBs vs. PanthersCMP/ATTYardsTDINTD. Haskins14/2815402T. Heinicke12/1913710Haskins - who was stripped of his captaincy before the game because of a COVID-19 protocol violation the previous week - has been a disappointment since Washington picked him 15th overall in the 2019 draft. The 23-year-old opened his sophomore campaign as the starter but was demoted to third-string duties after four outings.Washington is hoping Smith can return after missing the last two games. The club is 4-1 when he starts and 2-8 when he doesn't."He was very close last week," Rivera said. "I thought he had an exceptional day on Friday, but it's always about how that person feels the next day and he felt it was still grabbing him a little bit."This week, I'm optimistic about the opportunity."Washington will win the NFC East with a win over Philadelphia in the regular-season finale but will drop out of first place and the playoffs with a loss.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles have been eliminated from playoff contention after losing 37-17 to the division rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, the final embarrassment in a hugely disappointing season for Doug Pederson's team.But despite the failures of this campaign, the head coach undoubtedly believes Philadelphia will retain his services for next year."I feel fully confident to be the head coach of the Eagles in 2021," said Pederson in an appearance Monday on SportsRadio 94WIP. "The thing I'm most proud of this football team, we have been in the postseason three of the last five years since I've been here and that's pretty good. We have won a championship here."We have gone through a season where a lot of our veteran guys are not playing due to injury. We are playing with a lot of young players. There is always going to be evaluation in the offseason and my job is evaluated as well. I fully expected to be the coach next season and I welcome the opportunity to get things right, get things fixed, and take this team into next season."After going 7-9 and missing the playoffs in his first season, Pederson led the Eagles to the postseason in each of the last three seasons and won Super Bowl LII in 2017, ending the team's championship drought.Pederson remains confident in his position, but there has been widespread speculation Philadelphia could look to make significant changes this offseason to get the franchise back on track.Carson Wentz's future with the team is in doubt following his benching in favor of Jalen Hurts. The rookie quarterback impressed in his three-game stint under center and Wentz will reportedly seek a trade if the Eagles move forward with the Hurts as their starter.While Pederson has come under fire for his team's inconsistent performances, general manager Howie Roseman has also been criticized for his recent draft picks and questionable cap management.Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie will face a crucial offseason having to decide whether to break up a regime that, before this season, had appeared set in place for years to come.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Rundown recaps the most important developments from the weekend's action and examines the significance of those events moving forward.Steelers salvage season Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / GettySix minutes into the third quarter, Pittsburgh trailed Indianapolis 24-7 and was well on its way to its fourth straight loss - but it was even worse than that. The Steelers' offense was barely functional, and it seriously looked like quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's career was ending in real time. Pittsburgh had already made the playoffs thanks to its 11-0 start, but it was easy to see the team closing with five straight defeats and a quick postseason exit. Then it all changed.The offense finally, mercifully ditched its predictable "let's spread teams out and have Roethlisberger flip it near the line of scrimmage and hope for the best" approach. There was some pre-snap motion, some misdirection, some tempo changes, some run-pass options - even some play-action from an offense that uses it far less than any other team. Roethlisberger seemed like he could consistently attack the intermediate and deep parts of the field - no small feat, considering how noodle-armed he had looked for the last month or so. None of that appeared possible when the Steelers got the ball for their first second-half possession.Pittsburgh finished with 21 unanswered points to secure the AFC North and either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed. Roethlisberger and some other starters may have the opportunity to rest for next week's finale at Cleveland. But more importantly, the Steelers looked like genuine AFC challengers again. It was an astounding turnaround, and it came when it absolutely had to happen.Browns keep Browning Sarah Stier / Getty Images Sport / GettyPittsburgh's recent free fall opened the door for Cleveland to maybe position itself to win the AFC North. So much for that.The Browns were without nearly their entire receiving corps due to COVID-19 concerns, but they were also unable to run the ball effectively: Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt combined for just 39 yards on 15 carries. Cleveland was in a 20-3 hole early in the third quarter. This is where I ought to mention the Browns were playing the 1-13 Jets, who have now won two in a row and will probably extend Adam Gase and keep Sam Darnold as a result. (I'm kidding. Even the Jets aren't that dumb. I think.)Ironically, the Steelers' win over the Colts bumped Indianapolis behind Cleveland, Miami, and Baltimore in the AFC playoff race. The Browns can still reach the postseason for the first time in 18 years with a win next week at home against Pittsburgh, which might be resting its starters. But Sunday's loss to the Jets was just the latest entry in a long list of reminders for Browns fans: Never assume anything good is assured.Rams on the brink Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Los Angeles Rams didn't only lose a chance to win the NFC West by losing at the Seattle Seahawks. Jared Goff sustained a potentially serious thumb injury that casts doubt over where the Rams' season can go from here.L.A. can still get into the playoffs with a victory at home against the Cardinals or a defeat and a Bears loss to the Packers, who might still need to win to wrap up that top seed. But the Rams will have to do it with someone named John Wolford at quarterback. Wolford has never thrown a pass in an NFL regular-season game.Dolphins' QB rotation a success Harry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt was fair to wonder if Miami head coach Brian Flores was being too impatient with Tua Tagovailoa when he first pulled the rookie quarterback for Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 11, and whether he risked damaging Tagovailoa's confidence. But maybe there's a method to this madness.Flores said he'd stick with Tagovailoa as the starter going forward after Fitzpatrick led the Dolphins to a comeback victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday (with an assist from Jon Gruden's late-game coaching blunder). It's a defensible decision.Teams typically don't use quarterback rotations, for lots of reasons. But the 10-5 Dolphins are showing they can make it work. It's a tribute to the solid foundation Flores has established in less than two seasons in charge. And the rotation has Miami on the brink of making the playoffs just one season after the team appeared to be tanking its way into oblivion.Imagine the Niners with a healthy QB Ralph Freso / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe 49ers are 6-9 and won't be going to the playoffs. But they also have a staggering number of injuries. Saturday's win at Arizona - which is still in the NFC playoff race - with C.J. Beathard at quarterback underscores the fact that Kyle Shanahan is one of the NFL's best coaches.Yes, Shanahan is just 29-34 in four seasons as the Niners' head coach, but consider this:

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The Bills were last favored in New England on December 26, 1999.A week removed from clinching its first AFC East title since 1995, Buffalo is favored by a touchdown at Gillette Stadium in the season's final edition of Monday Night Football.Here's how we're betting Bills-Patriots.Alex KolodziejUnder 46.5The Patriots' offense is unwatchable. The unit is No. 30 in pass yards, No. 24 in total yards, and No. 27 in scoring. It's been held to 20 points or fewer in four of the last five and have recorded six straight unders.This is another spot to go back to the well: Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has gone under the total in four straight as a 'dog.With the Bills cashing four straight unders following a win by 14 or more, we’ll root for another low-scoring game.Alex MorettoZack Moss over 40.5 rushing yards (-115)Brian Daboll's offense is a well-oiled machine and has been a ton of fun to watch. Josh Allen has been given the leash to sling it around, ranking sixth in the league in pass attempts this season.The Bills throw the ball over 60% of the time, but this game is going to follow a very different script. Daboll knows the best way to attack the Patriots is on the ground, and it's Buffalo's clearest path to victory in Foxborough, Massachusetts.New England gave up 208 rushing yards to Salvon Ahmed and Matt Breida last week after being torched for 171 yards by Cam Akers the previous week. The Pats have been gashed by the ground game all year, and it's only getting worse as the season draws to a close.There's been a noticeable shift in the Bills' backfield over the last two games, with Moss receiving 26 carries to Devin Singletary's 15. Moss is the bulldozer, and he's in line for a lot of work against a Patriots defense that he already gashed for 81 yards - his season high - on 14 carries in Week 8.C Jackson CowartBills -7I've been driving the Bills' bandwagon all year long, and oddsmakers are finally starting to catch up. It hasn't mattered, as Buffalo has won four straight by double digits since the bye week and covered six straight against the spread. It also ranks No. 3 in weighted DVOA.The Patriots rank 20th by that metric and have lost back-to-back games by double digits, eliminating themselves from the playoffs in the process. I don't anticipate a resurgent effort from this group in a meaningless spot, but I do expect Buffalo to make yet another statement in prime time in a clear mismatch.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL Playoff Picture is a weekly look at the teams jockeying to secure their shot to make it to Super Bowl LV.AFCSeedTeamDivisionRecord1Chiefs (z)West14-12Steelers (y)North12-33Bills (y)East11-34TitansSouth10-55DolphinsEast10-56RavensNorth10-57BrownsNorth10-5x = clinched playoff berth

The Green Bay Packers improved to 12-3 on the season with a 40-14 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football.Quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the way with four passing touchdowns. Wide receiver Davante Adams hauled in three score to propel the Packers past the Titans.More to come.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff may be unavailable for next week's season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Goff reportedly suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL Network's Michael Silver and Ian Rapoport. He's set to undergo more tests Monday, Rapoport adds.The signal-caller finished Sunday's contest despite also suffering a dislocation.

The Washington Football Team benched quarterback Dwayne Haskins after he struggled through three quarters in a critical loss to the Carolina Panthers.Washington kicked off Sunday afternoon with a chance to clinch the NFC East but trailed 20-6 by the time Taylor Heinicke replaced Haskins in the fourth quarter. The club wound up falling 20-13, keeping the division race open.Haskins has endured a tumultuous week during which the team stripped him of his captaincy for violating COVID-19 protocol after a video of him partying without a mask surfaced online.He said postgame that he wishes he "could go back and change some things" and that this was "the hardest week of my life," according to the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala."You sign up for this job and it is what it is. Sometimes being human isn't enough," he added.Haskins went 14 of 28 for 154 yards with two interceptions and a fumble against a Carolina team that had only one victory over its previous nine contests. He made his second straight start in place of Alex Smith, who tested his injured calf pregame but wasn't able to suit up.Washington drafted Haskins with the 15th overall pick in 2019, but he's disappointed through two seasons. The Ohio State product opened his sophomore campaign as the starting quarterback but was benched after four starts.Head coach Ron Rivera was tight-lipped postgame when asked which signal-caller he'll go with in Week 17 if Smith remains unavailable."We'll have to see," Rivera said, according to Jhabvala. "We'll have to see how Alex is doing and go from there."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys kept their playoff hopes alive while erasing the Philadelphia Eagles' postseason aspirations with a 37-17 victory Sunday.The Washington Football Team's loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday coupled with Dallas' victory sets up an intriguing Week 17 slate that opens up the NFC East to multiple contenders.

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Indianapolis Colts 28-24 on Sunday to clinch the AFC North for the first time since 2017.More to come.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs secured the AFC's No. 1 seed and playoff bye with a 17-14 win Sunday over the Atlanta Falcons.Patrick Mahomes and Co. struggled for much of the game, but the star quarterback led a game-winning drive in the final minutes, sealing the victory with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson.Kansas City moves to 14-1 on the season.More to come.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Football Team will start quarterback Dwayne Haskins in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers as Alex Smith remains sidelined with a calf strain, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Smith practiced all week and got in a full session Friday, but the veteran quarterback's calf felt a bit sore Saturday, according to Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.Haskins can redeem himself by keeping Washington on track for the playoffs after being fined and stripped of his captaincy for violating COVID-19 protocols earlier in the week.The sophomore signal-caller apologized to the team after being photographed at a strip club without a mask the same day his squad lost to the Seattle Seahawks.Washington can clinch the NFC East with a win against the Panthers and a loss for the New York Giants, who play the Baltimore Ravens.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With three head coaching vacancies already and likely more to come following the conclusion of the season, the top candidates are beginning to emerge.Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale is considered one of the most sought-after coaching options for 2021, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Another AFC juggernaut could lose assistants this offseason, as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback coach Mike Kafka is expected to be in the mix for a head coaching position, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Martindale was a candidate last year, and his performance in 2020 only boosts his resume. Baltimore's defense ranks fourth in points allowed per game this season and features one of the league's premier secondaries.If the 57-year-old becomes a head coach, targets for his staff include Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott and former Cincinnati Bengals boss Marvin Lewis, Rapoport reports.Kafka has been considered a rising star in the coaching ranks since joining the Chiefs in 2017. The former NFL quarterback is just 33 years old but is expected to land a head coaching position at some point in the future, according to Schefter.Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is also expected to be among the favorites for a top job.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL issued a $250,000 fine to the Baltimore Ravens for their COVID-19 protocol violations, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Baltimore's coronavirus outbreak in November forced the NFL to postpone its AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers three times.The Ravens placed nearly two dozen players on the reserve/COVID-19 list - including reigning MVP Lamar Jackson - over the course of 10 days. The quarterback missed the team's loss to Pittsburgh.Baltimore suspended strength coach Steve Saunders for failing to report his symptoms and not always wearing a mask.The NFL previously fined the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans $350,000 each for their protocol violations.The Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints were docked sixth- and seventh-round picks, respectively, and fined $500,000 each for their violations.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears a few NFL clubs are attempting to lure Urban Meyer out of retirement.At least two teams have reached out to the legendary college football head coach to see whether he'd be interested in interviewing for a job in the same capacity, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Despite retiring in 2018 due to health concerns, Meyer hasn't dismissed proposals and is considering jumping to the pros, Schefter adds.The former Ohio State boss would be one of the most sought-after candidates for NFL coaching vacancies. Meyer captured three national championships and five Power 5 conference titles during his time in the college ranks.The 56-year-old reportedly had been rumored for a handful of other positions over the last two years but never strongly considered returning to the sideline until now.There are currently three NFL teams with head-coaching vacancies: the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, and Detroit Lions.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL is planning to expand the regular season to 17 games in 2021, a move that would add a contest to the schedule for each team for the first time since 1978, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.An official announcement isn't expected soon as the league must first negotiate at least one new media contract for the added tilts, but sources said that "it's going to happen."The 17-game slate would generate new revenue for the NFL and could soften an anticipated drop in the salary cap ahead of next season, Rapoport and Pelissero add.The league is expected to reduce the preseason to two or three games as a result. Each club would still have one bye week, extending the regular season to 18 weeks and pushing back the Super Bowl into the second week of February.Under the new collective bargaining agreement signed in March, team owners and the NFLPA decided a 17-game schedule could start as early as 2021. Though there was always support for the move at some point, the projected revenue loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic reportedly increased urgency from both parties.The expansion would open up potential new neutral-site and international contests, as the NFL has been exploring possible matchups in Canada, China, Brazil, and Japan in addition to Mexico and the United Kingdom.Copyright © 2020 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 the winner of FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019, marking the seventh time he's placed in the top 10. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 16.Half PPR

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio will remain with the team for the 2021 season despite another losing campaign in charge, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Broncos hired Fangio in 2019. Some believed he was in danger of being fired, but the AFC West club recognizes the importance of stability and believes in its head coach, added Schefter.Denver sits tied at the bottom of the division at 5-9 entering Week 16 after finishing 7-9 in Fangio's first season.The head coach has dealt with adversity in 2020, most notably losing arguably his two best players - pass-rusher Von Miller and wide receiver Courtland Sutton - to season-ending injuries early in the year.Denver also had to play without any quarterbacks in Week 12's loss to the New Orleans Saints due to COVID-19 protocols.Sophomore quarterback Drew Lock failed to take a significant step forward in his development after a promising end to 2019, ensuring the Broncos' struggles to stabilize since Peyton Manning's retirement will continue into at least next season.Fangio inked a four-year contract with a fifth-year option when Denver hired him.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins plan to keep Tua Tagovailoa as their starter at quarterback despite Ryan Fitzpatrick's excellent relief appearance in Saturday's 26-25 comeback win over the Las Vegas Raiders."Tua is the starter," head coach Brian Flores said postgame, according to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.Fitzpatrick replaced the rookie with Miami trailing 16-13 and 9:47 left in the fourth quarter. The veteran led the Dolphins to 13 points in the final period, including the game-winning field goal as time expired following a three-play, 49-yard drive that took just 18 seconds.He completed 9 of 13 pass attempts for 182 yards and one touchdown on the night. Tagovailoa, meanwhile, went 17-for-22 passing with 94 yards and one touchdown before being sidelined."It wasn't a shock to see what happened. They call him FitzMagic for a reason," Tagovailoa said after the win, per Safid Deen of the Sun-Sentinel.Fitzpatrick began the season as the starter in Miami, but he was benched for Tagovailoa after Week 6.The 10-5 Dolphins need a win against the Buffalo Bills next Sunday to clinch their first playoff berth since 2016.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson is expected to return against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.However, Washington is expected to be without wide receiver Terry McLaurin due to an ankle injury, Schefter added.McLaurin missed most of the practices this week and was listed as doubtful on the team's final injury report. The second-year star leads Washington with 1,078 yards on 80 receptions for three touchdowns this season.Gibson's return from an ankle injury of his own, which kept him out for Week 14 and 15, gives Washington back its top rusher. He's carried the team to the tune of 659 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in his rookie campaign.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers' 20-12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday had a special meaning for quarterback C.J. Beathard.Beathard threw for three touchdowns and had a passer rating of 125.4 in his first start in over two years. It took place days after the one-year anniversary of the death of his younger brother, Clayton, who was stabbed outside of a bar in Nashville on Dec. 21, 2019."It means more than I can really put into words," Beathard said postgame, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "Everything that I've been through the last year and it being the year anniversary of my brother passing, it's just one of those things that you can't really put it into words. ... You can't write a script any different. I couldn't handpick this to go the way it did."Beathard, who earned a chance to start due to injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo and Nick Mullens, completed 13 of 22 pass attempts for 182 yards.He was helped by a career day from running back Jeff Wilson, who compiled 204 scrimmage yards and one touchdown against the Cardinals.Head coach Kyle Shanahan praised Beathard and his supportive teammates postgame."You could feel during the week of practice, he came in on Wednesday when he first got his reps just so ready to go," Shanahan said. "I think you could tell how hard they played for him, too. I was very impressed with C.J. and very happy for him today."The 6-9 49ers will finish their regular season against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A rundown of the best games and most interesting trends for Week 16 of the NFL. All times Eastern.What the hell happened?Colts (10-4) at Steelers (11-3), 1 p.m.Has it really been less than three weeks since Pittsburgh was 11-0 with decent Super Bowl odds? Because the Steelers have not only lost three in a row, they appear headed for the abyss. Forget the Super Bowl; this looks like a team that's not even going to win its division. And please try not to stare at its 2021 roster and salary-cap situation. It might give you a headache.The most shocking development of Pittsburgh's skid is that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suddenly looks like Willie Mays stumbling around center field in a Mets uniform. The Steelers weren't always consistent as they skated by a bunch of crummy teams for the first 70% of the season, but Roethlisberger at least looked competent and capable of ginning up the old magic to make enough downfield throws to build a lead against the Tennessee Titans, or to quickly erase a fourth-quarter deficit against the overmatched Dallas Cowboys. Now it's cringeworthy to watch him try to toss the ball past the line of scrimmage. Get a load of this from Chase Stuart on Twitter:

The Dallas Cowboys are getting Ezekiel Elliott back for Sunday's NFC East clash.Elliott will play against the Philadelphia Eagles, a source told Todd Archer of ESPN.The running back missed last week's win versus the San Francisco 49ers due to a calf injury. Dallas listed Elliott as questionable after he was limited at practice this past week.The 25-year-old has rushed for 832 yards and five touchdowns through 13 games this season.Tony Pollard racked up 132 scrimmage yards and two scores as Elliott's replacement in Week 15.In order to claim the NFC East title, the 5-9 Cowboys need to win their final two games while the Washington Football Team must lose both of its final matchups.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is active for Saturday's game against the Miami Dolphins, the team announced.Carr practiced all week after suffering a groin injury against the Los Angeles Chargers last Thursday. However, head coach Jon Gruden refused to confirm whether the signal-caller would play versus Miami.Carr has completed 68.1% of his pass attempts for 24 touchdowns against seven interceptions this season.The 7-7 Raiders enter Week 16 two games behind the Dolphins, who currently sit in the seventh and final AFC playoff spot.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There will be no quarterback change for the New England Patriots this week.Cam Newton is expected to start against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.Patriots head coach Bill Belichick left the door open for second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham to see more playing time following Week 15's 22-12 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The defeat officially ended New England's 11-year postseason streak. However, Belichick will apparently stick with Newton as the team's starting passer.In 13 games, Newton has thrown for 2,381 yards, five touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The 31-year-old has also rushed for 489 yards and 11 touchdowns.Over the Patriots' last four outings, the Auburn alum passed for one touchdown to three interceptions.Meanwhile, Stidham has just 212 yards, two touchdown passes, and three interceptions in his four appearances this season, with a 54.5% completion percentage.Newton is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the season after signing a one-year deal this past offseason.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns reportedly won't have any of their top pass-catchers against the New York Jets on Sunday.Wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and KhaDarel Hodge were placed on the COVID-19/reserve list Saturday, the team announced. The four were reportedly deemed high-risk close contacts of linebacker B.J. Goodson, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, and they won't be available for Week 16, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.The Browns also put linebacker Jacob Phillips on the COVID-19 list.Landry, who has yet to miss a game since entering the NFL in 2014, expressed his disappointment on social media. He leads the club with 67 receptions and 789 yards this season.