NFL commissioner Roger Goodell doesn't envision the league utilizing a single-location playoff bubble for the upcoming postseason."We don't see the bubble, as most refer to it, in one location. We feel strongly our protocols are working," Goodell said, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "We're willing to adjust and adapt those protocols, take additional steps. But I don't see us doing the bubble in the sense that the media focuses on it."However, Goodell said every available option is "on the table" for the playoffs, according to The Athletic's Lindsay Jones."We may look at different ways to reduce the risk of personnel that would limit exposure to others," Goodell added, per Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle.The idea of an NBA-style playoff bubble has been floated around in recent weeks as the NFL has navigated through multiple COVID-19 outbreaks. The Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens have experienced multiple postponements due to an increase in positive cases.However, the league hasn't canceled a single game this season. Goodell said it has been a "remarkable achievement to reach this point," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The NFL has disciplined a few clubs due to COVID-19 violations, and it's heightened protocols due to an increase in cases, but Goodell believes the league will be able to finish the 2020 campaign."It will take partnership and discipline to complete this season. I'm confident we'll be able to do it," Goodell said, according to Schefter.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos fined their quarterbacks for not wearing masks during a team meeting, which led to three of them being ruled ineligible to play against the New Orleans Saints, head coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday, according to Kyle Newman of the Denver Post.Drew Lock, Blake Bortles, and Brett Rypien missed last week's game versus New Orleans after they were deemed high-risk close contacts to fellow signal-caller Jeff Driskel. Driskel tested positive for COVID-19 last Thursday.As a result, practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton - who played quarterback at Wake Forest - lined up under center for a majority of Denver's Week 12 contest. Hinton completed 1 of 9 passes for 13 yards and threw two interceptions in the 31-3 loss.In an effort to avoid a similar situation, the Broncos are keeping Bortles away from practice."We're going to limit his exposure here," Fangio said, according to the Denver Post's Ryan O'Halloran.Lock is taking first-team reps ahead of Denver's Sunday Night Football showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Believe it or not, today's matchup marks the second time the NFL has played a game on a Wednesday. But it's the first time a contest has been relegated to a 3:40 p.m. ET midweek time slot usually reserved for daytime talk shows.NBC has made the executive decision that it's more important we spend our night staring at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. I prefer gambling on professional sports, but to each their own.Here are our best bets for today's game - the NFL's first on a Wednesday since Sept. 5, 2012, when the league's season opener was moved a day earlier because of President Barack Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention.Alex KolodziejSteelers -10As much as we've criticized Lamar Jackson for his passing abilities lately, the signal-caller's absence makes the Ravens' offense that much less intimidating. Subtract another handful of starters from a group that ranks outside the top 10 in scoring, and you’re left with an obvious question: Where in the world will the offense come from?Although a spread this high being attached to a divisional game of this magnitude is absurd, the market has rightly pushed it up from -10 to -10.5 Lay it.Under 41.5Most of the public is concerned about the Ravens' ability to score, but I'm equally skeptical of Pittsburgh putting up points. Thankfully, the Steelers' defense has been lights out this season, because they're just No. 15 in DVOA offense despite playing the easiest opposing defenses.Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh has gone under the total in five of his team's last seven as a road 'dog, so expect points to be at a premium. And when Justin Tucker hits a 65-yarder at the end of regulation to make it 20-20 and force overtime, you'll find me in the fetal position.JuJu Smith-Schuster longest reception over 18.5 yardsSmith-Schuster has been somewhat of an afterthought among the Steelers' receivers this campaign, but he owns the Ravens.Take out the meaningless Week 17 game against Baltimore last season, and the wideout's longest catch has gone over the number in all five of his career clashes with the Ravens. He's smashed it while catching passes for 19, 22, 24, 35, and 38 yards.Alex MorettoRobert Griffin III over 27.5 rushing yardsThis number is way too low. As my man Herb Brooks once said, "Great moments are born from great opportunity." That's what Griffin has been given this afternoon.The Ravens' offense is utterly depleted. Running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins are out. Patrick Ricard, the fullback and silent catalyst for the club's running game, is on the COVID-19 list, along with wide receiver Willie Snead and tight Mark Andrews. And fellow tight end Nick Boyle is on the injured reserve. This unit is running on fumes.As Griffin deals with his lack of receiving options, he'll be scrambling for his life while trying to escape the Steelers' pass rush. He ran eight times for 50 yards during his lone start last season (also against the Steelers), and Griffin has recorded 30-plus rushing yards in six straight starts dating back to 2016. Given the situation, he might eclipse 50 yards here.Luke Willson over (TBD) receiving yardsI looked at the Ravens' depth chart and, oh cool, there isn't a single available tight end who's usually on the 53-man roster with Boyle and Andrews out! Luke Willson enters from the practice squad. He played against the Titans and is filling all the shoes today.Willson will be a security blanket for Griffin - who loves his tight ends - after a week with minimal practice. Hayden Hurst led the Ravens in yards during Griffin's 2019 start, and Gary Barnidge (how's that for a throwback?) was consistently among the Browns' leaders in receiving yards throughout RG3's stint in Cleveland. Once a line is posted for Willson, take the over on anything below 21.5 yards.C Jackson CowartSteelers -10I've been skeptical of the Steelers' undefeated start as they play the NFL's softest schedule, but there's no doubting their ability to beat up on bad teams. And Baltimore, as currently constructed, is a bad team.The Ravens are expected to be missing double-digit starters or key contributors, including their leading passer, leading receiver, and both of their leading rushers. Pittsburgh's defense held a healthy Baltimore lineup to seven points during the second half in Week 8, and the unit has limited its three opponents since to a combined 31 points.The Steelers also produced 63 total points over recent wins against the Bengals and Jaguars, and they shouldn't struggle to exploit a Ravens defense that will find it difficult to generate any sort of pass rush. Pittsburgh players have been vocal about their frustrations with this postponed game, and I expect them to let it all out today.Diontae Johnson over 57.5 receiving yardsAfter battling through injuries for much of the season, Johnson's long-awaited breakout is finally here. The Steelers' second-year wideout has averaged 78 yards over his last five games, with 75-plus yards and 10 targets in four of those contests.The one exception was Week 8 against the Ravens, who will experience a much tougher time throwing off Pittsburgh's offensive rhythm without key pass-rushers. If Johnson gets his usual target share, he'll fly past this number.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will not play in his team's much-anticipated game against the Baltimore Ravens after Pittsburgh placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Wednesday.Pouncey will be one of three Steelers starters who will miss the contest while on the COVID-19 list. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt and running back James Conner are also out after the Steelers placed them on the list last week.Pouncey is the longest-tenured member of Pittsburgh's offensive line. The 31-year-old center has started 131 games for the Steelers since they selected him 18th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft.J.C. Hassenauer is expected to make his first career start in Pouncey's place.Pittsburgh and Baltimore have both dealt with virus issues in the lead-up to Wednesday's clash. The Ravens had over 20 players on their COVID-19 list at one point and will be without several key contributors including Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, and Willie Snead.The bout between the two AFC North rivals was originally scheduled to take place on Nov. 26, but the NFL postponed the game three times due to the Ravens' outbreak.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles' offense is set for a major boost ahead of the season's final stretch.Tight end Zach Ertz was activated from the injured reserve Wednesday, setting him up to return from a five-game absence Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.Ertz was the subject of trade rumors amid the Eagles' poor start to the campaign. However, the ankle injury he suffered just prior to the deadline prohibited Philadelphia from making a move.The veteran has led the Eagles in catches for four straight seasons, and he'll now be tasked with revitalizing the team's stagnant offense and helping to end Carson Wentz's slump.Philadelphia sits third in the NFC East at 3-7 after a three-game losing streak. The Washington Football Team and New York Giants own 4-7 records.The Eagles also announced that wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has been removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings have activated wide receiver Adam Thielen off the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Wednesday.Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is anticipating Thielen will play in his team's Week 13 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars."I think he'll be ready to go," Zimmer said Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano.The Vikings didn't have Thielen for Sunday's victory over the Carolina Panthers after placing the receiver on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Minnesota powered through without the 30-year-old, compiling 387 yards of offense in a 28-27 victory.Thielen has put up 646 receiving yards this season, making a particular impact in the end zone. He's connected with quarterback Kirk Cousins for 11 touchdowns this season.The veteran wideout has formed a formidable tandem with rookie receiver Justin Jefferson, who has taken the league by storm with 918 receiving yards in 2020.Minnesota enters Week 13 in the midst of a hot streak, winning four of its last five games after starting the year 1-5.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz lit a fire under DK Metcalf ahead of Monday night's game, but on Wednesday the coach insisted he was actually trying to pay respect to the Seattle Seahawks' wide receiver.Schwartz said he was complimenting Metcalf, an emerging star in the NFL, by comparing him to Calvin Johnson, who played for the Eagles defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions."In my mind, it's a little bit funny. Anytime you even speak somebody's name in the same sentence as Calvin Johnson, I don't know how you can take offense to that," Schwartz said, according to ESPN's Tim McManus."I tried to pay the guy a compliment, said I'd read his story, knew he'd overcome injury, heard he was a hard worker, and said he reminds me a little bit of Calvin, congratulated him after the game. And at the time he told me, 'Hey, thanks coach, that means a lot to me.'"Metcalf said Schwartz's words gave him a "little chip" on his shoulder and the second-year wideout responded with a 177-yard career day in Seattle's 23-17 victory."If anybody wants to take offense to being compared to who I think is one of the greatest players in the history of the National Football League, then yeah - if you get your motivation that way, then fine," Schwartz said. "But we're not going to worry too much about that."The Seahawks receiver said after the game that Schwartz compared him to Johnson before adding he wasn't "there yet," while the Philadelphia coach claimed he meant Metcalf was on the path to the future Hall of Famer's level.Metcalf currently leads the league with 1,039 receiving yards, is third in yards per catch at 17.9, and is fifth in touchdowns receptions with nine.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tyrod Taylor has declined to file a grievance against the Los Angeles Chargers and the team doctor who administered a pain-killing shot that led to a puncture in the quarterback's lung, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Taylor reportedly had 60 days to inform the Chargers of his decision regarding the incident that occurred prior to Los Angeles' Week 2 game on Sept. 20.Rapoport added that the National Football League Players Association is still reviewing the matter to prevent a similar situation in the future.Taylor, 31, was cleared to return a week after the incident and has acted as the backup to rookie Justin Herbert since.While the Chargers initially said Taylor would regain the starter's role, Herbert - the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft - has maintained his hold on the position with a series of outstanding performances.The 22-year-old is among the favorites to win Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for 3,015 yards and 23 touchdowns against nine interceptions in 10 starts.Taylor will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens produced two more positive COVID-19 tests Tuesday, but the cases aren't expected to jeopardize Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.A player and a staff member are believed to have tested positive, but neither traveled to Pittsburgh. No high-risk close contacts were identified, despite the player's presence at a team walk-through, sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.The NFL told the Ravens it had previously identified the individuals as potential positives, and the league doesn't fear further spread, according to Garafolo. However, Ravens players are expressing concern about the situation, adds Garafolo.The Ravens departed for Pittsburgh on Tuesday evening in advance of a long-awaited AFC North battle that's been delayed three times. A coronavirus outbreak within the Ravens organization forced the NFL to move the contest from Thanksgiving Day to Sunday, then to Tuesday, and finally to Wednesday.Over 20 Baltimore players were on the COVID-19 reserve at one point when the team's outbreak reached its peak.The Ravens-Steelers game is scheduled for kickoff at 3:40 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on NBC.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 13.Updated rankings (including Standard and PPR) will be released Thursday, with the final version coming down Sunday morning.Half PPR

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn't feel sorry for the Denver Broncos when they needed to use a practice-squad wide receiver at quarterback in Week 12.Kendall Hinton, a former Wake Forest quarterback, was pressed into action on an emergency basis after all four of the Broncos' regulars were ruled ineligible to face the New Orleans Saints because of COVID-19 concerns."You take risk when you put all the quarterbacks in the same room," Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. "If you were worried about those things, you'd spread them out a little bit. You can save one. I don't know that Denver had any more of a challenge than we've had with (Ben) DiNucci or with the young quarterbacks that we've had."DiNucci, a seventh-round rookie from James Madison, started one game earlier this season following injuries to Dak Prescott and Andy Dalton. He failed to lead a single touchdown drive against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, and after the game, Jones said the start was "frankly more than he could handle."The Broncos learned a day before their game that Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, and Blake Bortles wouldn't be allowed to play because the NFL deemed them high-risk close contacts of Jeff Driskel, who tested positive.Hinton went 1-for-9 with two interceptions against the Saints. The undrafted rookie transitioned to wide receiver as a senior in college."We have been schooled in the NFL; these teams have been schooled," Jones said. "You had really better pay attention to your (COVID-19) protocols. You better manage - don't just give it lip service, roll your eyes back, and say, 'That happens to them. It doesn't happen to me.'"Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos activated quarterbacks Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, and Blake Bortles from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, the team announced.The trio tested negative for the coronavirus for a fifth straight day, setting them up to return to the team's facility for practice Wednesday. They're all also eligible to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.Lock, Rypien, and Bortles were considered high-risk close contacts of fellow signal-caller Jeff Driskel, who tested positive for the virus last Thursday.All four weren't allowed to play in Week 12, forcing Denver to start practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton in Sunday's 31-3 blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints.Lock apologized Sunday for the group's failure to properly follow mask protocols during a position meeting.After the loss to the Saints, Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said he was disappointed his quarterbacks put their team in such a difficult situation.Denver reportedly signed quarterback Kyle Shurmur, the son of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, to presumably act as further depth. He needs to pass through the league's virus protocols before joining the roster.The Broncos reportedly expect to be fined and stripped of a draft pick for failing to obey COVID-19 safety protocols.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.We're now 12 weeks through the NFL season, which means the race for the No. 1 seed in each conference is nearing the finish line. And locking up that top spot has never been more important than it is this season.Since the NFL introduced the 12-team playoff format in 1990, 48 of the 60 Super Bowl contestants have benefited from a first-round bye, including each of the last seven champions. With only the top club from both the AFC and NFC securing a bye in the league's new 14-team format, the No. 1 seed has immense value, especially in a year with as much weekly volatility as this one.Only six teams have a realistic path to earning the top spot in their respective conference, including just two in the AFC. Here are the odds to secure the No. 1 seed with our favorite value in each conference.Who will earn the AFC's No. 1 seed?TEAMODDSPittsburgh Steelers-150Kansas City Chiefs+100Buffalo Bills+5000Tennessee Titans+5000Cleveland Browns+6600Baltimore Ravens+10000Indianapolis Colts+15000Las Vegas Raiders+15000Miami Dolphins+15000This is clearly a two-horse race between the Chiefs and Steelers, who are still undefeated despite a host of scheduling issues and a handful of close calls in recent weeks. Pittsburgh is rightfully priced as the favorite - the team ranks No. 1 in the NFL in point differential (+124) and turnover margin (+12) - and has a one-game lead over Kansas City, which won't get a chance to face the Steelers this year.To that effect, how much of Pittsburgh's success is scheduling luck? The Steelers have faced the NFL's easiest schedule to this point, per Football Outsiders, though they face a slightly tougher slate over their final six games. Yet the same thing can be said about the Chiefs. They've faced the sixth-easiest schedule through Week 12 and now have an average schedule ahead, highlighted by road games against the Dolphins and Saints.I don't see the Steelers finishing 16-0, if only because of the pressure that mounts game after game. Oddsmakers don't expect it, either, pricing a perfect run at 4-1 odds. Kansas City will be hard-pressed to run the table over its final five games, though, and it'll need to do that or get very lucky with Pittsburgh losses to overtake the top spot.As for the other teams on this list? Don't bother. None have better than a 0.4% chance of earning the No. 1 seed, per Football Outsiders, which would translate to nearly 250-1 odds. Unless you can find a price like that, don't waste your money.Pick: Steelers -150Who will earn the NFC's No. 1 seed?TEAMODDSNew Orleans Saints+100Green Bay Packers+200Seattle Seahawks+300Los Angeles Rams+2000Tampa Bay Buccaneers+5000Arizona Cardinals+10000San Francisco 49ers+15000Minnesota Vikings+20000Chicago Bears+30000This is where things get interesting. The Saints are the favorites on paper, and advanced metrics give them better than 50% odds to pull it off. At a glance, it seems like an easy value play.Color me skeptical. Remember when Taysom Hill scored two rushing touchdowns in his debut and the general public forgot about Drew Brees' extended injury? Fans also forgot about Hill's lack of touch through the air - which was on full display with an alarming underthrow to Emmanuel Sanders - and propensity for turnovers, including a lost fumble and near-interception against the Falcons. In Sunday's win over the Broncos, he looked like a pedestrian quarterback who could cost New Orleans a game or two down the stretch.The Saints can't afford that with a one-game lead over the Packers, who hold the head-to-head tiebreaker thanks to an impressive Week 3 win. Green Bay has played the sixth-toughest schedule thus far and faces one of the easiest down the stretch, with four of its five remaining games against teams below .500.And then there are the Seahawks, who have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFC but are among the toughest teams to project on a weekly basis. Given the volatility of their defense and even of Russell Wilson, I'm reticent to pencil in wins against the Rams and 49ers to close the year. Shoot, even Washington's defense could give Wilson trouble in Week 15.Green Bay is simply the best overall team among those three and the least likely to slip up down the stretch. Seattle plays too many close games for my liking, and New Orleans will have Hill leading the way for most, if not all, of its final five games. That sounds like a recipe for a misstep, which the Saints can't afford with the Packers on their heels.Pick: Packers +200C 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.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz's disastrous season continued during Monday night's 23-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but head coach Doug Pederson isn't considering a change under center just yet.Wentz threw his 15th interception of the campaign against Seattle - giving him four more than any other quarterback - and completed just 55.5% of his passes for an abysmal average of 4.78 yards.Pederson said any change at quarterback would be his decision alone, "but right now, we're not doing it," according to Zach Berman of The Athletic.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.This past weekend played out nicely as each of our top four picks came through, while the Rams - who were on upset watch - fell at home to the 49ers.Here's the lay of the land for Week 13.Week 13 confidence rankingConfidence rankings (CR) are out of 10 based on the author's picks:AWAYHOME (SPREAD)PICK (CR)CincinnatiMiami (-11)MIA (9)DenverKansas City (N/A)KC (8)JacksonvilleMinnesota (-9)MIN (7)PhiladelphiaGreen Bay (-8)GB (7)NY GiantsSeattle (N/A)SEA (7)ClevelandTennessee (-5)TEN (6)WashingtonPittsburgh (N/A)PIT (5)DallasBaltimore (N/A)BAL (5)Las VegasNY Jets (+7.5)LV (5)New EnglandLA Chargers (PK)NE (4)IndianapolisHouston (+2.5)IND (3)New OrleansAtlanta (+3)NO (3)LA RamsArizona (+2.5)LAR (3)DetroitChicago (-3.5)DET (1)BuffaloSan Francisco (+2.5)SF (1)(Odds source: theScore Bet)1. Miami Dolphins (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)Brandon Allen is not an NFL quarterback and neither is Ryan Finley. Whoever starts under center this week is going to have a tough time against a Dolphins defense allowing an average of just 15.6 points over the last seven games. Xavien Howard and Byron Jones are a force in the secondary, and the pass rush is rapidly improving.The best way to attack Miami is on the ground, which the Bengals are completely unequipped to do. Cincinnati ranks 29th in run-play percentage and rushing yards per game, and things have only gotten worse with Joe Burrow out. Bengals running backs have recorded just 23 attempts for 67 yards over the last two weeks.2. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Denver Broncos)The Chiefs have won 10 straight games over the Broncos and are 8-1-1 against the spread in those contests. With Patrick Mahomes at the helm, Kansas City is 5-0 against Denver while averaging 30 points and recording an average margin of victory over 14.The only reason this isn't atop the list is because of the sliver of letdown potential for the Chiefs coming off emotional road wins over the Raiders and Buccaneers. That is if Mahomes is even capable of a letdown.3. Minnesota Vikings (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)A list of things Kirk Cousins has accomplished this season: win on Monday Night Football, lead a game-winning drive with under two minutes left, and post an 11:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio with a 136.4 passer rating in the fourth quarter. Despite Minnesota having arguably its worst season of the Cousins era, he's kept the team in the hunt by having his best campaign in a Vikings uniform.With Dalvin Cook healthy and the Jaguars potentially starting their third quarterback in as many weeks, Minnesota has a good chance at reaching .500 for the first time this season.4. Green Bay Packers (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)The amount of excuses being made for Carson Wentz is laughable. The Eagles are in disarray, and with their playoff hopes dwindling, it's a miserable time for a trip to Lambeau Field. Owner Jeffrey Lurie looked like he was pondering a firing spree Monday night. I'm not sure how much more of Wentz he needs to see to realize he's not the guy.Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers is playing as well as he has in years. The Packers' offense ranks fourth overall, according to PFF, and first through the air, which is exactly how you attack an Eagles defense that ranks 25th in coverage.5. Seattle Seahawks (vs. New York Giants)With Daniel Jones likely out Sunday as a result of a hamstring injury, the upset factor in this game decreases tenfold. An underrated Giants defense could cause problems for a Seahawks offense looking less explosive than it did earlier this season, but Colt McCoy would give Seattle's improving defense another cupcake matchup. New York will make things interesting, though.6. Tennessee Titans (vs. Cleveland Browns)The Browns are 1-3 this year against teams with winning records and 0-2 on the road, with an average margin of defeat of 31.5 points in those two away games. In four contests against teams above .500, Baker Mayfield has completed just 53.8% of his passes, averaged 169 yards, and thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.The Titans now grade as the ninth-ranked defense by PFF, including fifth in coverage and 14th against the run. Cleveland is 21st against the run - hello, Derrick Henry - and 18th in coverage. Mike Vrabel has righted the ship in Tennessee, and the Titans will take another step toward the AFC South crown Sunday.7. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Washington Football Team)Terry McLaurin and Logan Thomas have helped resurrect Washington's passing game, while Antonio Gibson looks more like a superstar every week. Alex Smith is writing an incredible story, and the front seven is causing havoc for opposing offenses. This is probably too big a step up in class for the NFC East hopefuls, but they're catching the Steelers at the right time amidst a mess of postponements and COVID-19 cases.8. Baltimore Ravens (vs. Dallas Cowboys)Regardless of what happens in Pittsburgh on Wednesday - and it likely won't be pretty for the depleted Ravens - this feels like a get-right spot for Baltimore. Still, having to play on very short rest with extremely limited practice time over the two weeks leading up to this game - against a Cowboys team that will have had 11 days off - isn't exactly ideal.9. Las Vegas Raiders (@ New York Jets)You'd figure this would be higher up the list, but we saw how much Derek Carr struggled in an early start last week. Now he's faced with a second successive road game on the east coast - this one outside in the cold - with a banged-up Josh Jacobs. It's enough for me to tread lightly.10. New England Patriots (@ Los Angeles Chargers)What this boils down to is Bill Belichick against Anthony Lynn, and I'm backing Belichick 10 times out of 10. Here's why.Alex Moretto is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, the team announced.Garrett missed wins against the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars after landing on the reserve list Nov. 20. The first overall pick of the 2017 draft has remained in isolation at home, following league protocols.Despite being out of action, the star pass-rusher remains tied for second in the NFL with 9.5 sacks. He's also tied for first in the league with four forced fumbles.The Browns also placed safety Robbie Harrison on injured reserve Tuesday. Harrison, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, has a chance to return late in the season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Browns (8-3) continue to prepare for their matchup against the 8-3 Tennessee Titans on Sunday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf entered his team's Monday Night Football matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles highly motivated for a big outing after a conversation with Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz."I was in Detroit with Megatron, but you're not there yet," Schwartz said to Metcalf, the wideout told ESPN's Brady Henderson. Schwartz coached former NFL star Calvin Johnson with the Detroit Lions.The comparison apparently didn't sit well with Metcalf."In my mind, I'm not trying to be Megatron," the 22-year-old said. "I'm trying to be me. So I had a little chip on my shoulder the whole game."Metcalf enjoyed a stellar performance Monday night, setting a new career high with 177 yards on 10 receptions in the nationally televised contest. His onside kick recovery late in the contest helped seal the Seahawks' 23-17 victory.There's belief Schwartz intended to compliment the Seattle receiver, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic. "You may not be Calvin yet, but you're on your way," Schwartz told Metcalf postgame, reports John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia.Metcalf again weighed in on Schwartz's comments early Tuesday morning on Twitter:

Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 230 yards and one touchdown, wide receiver D.K. Metcalf caught a career-high 177 yards, and the Seattle Seahawks handed the Philadelphia Eagles a 23-17 loss on Monday Night Football.The victory puts the Seahawks in the driver's seat of the NFC West while dropping the Eagles to 3-7-1 this season.More to come.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans receiver Will Fuller has been suspended six games for violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing substances, he announced Monday on Instagram.The ban signals the end of Fuller's season, as it comprises the final five games of this season and the first one of the 2021 campaign. The speedy wideout is in the last year of his contract with the Texans.Fuller said he was prescribed medication that he believed was permitted under the NFL's drug policy.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.Rostered percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 60% of leagues are considered.Quarterbacks Hannah Foslien / Getty Images Sport / GettyKirk Cousins, VikingsNext UpRosteredFABvs. JAX40%$1Cousins has quietly emerged as a reliable fantasy starter - averaging the 12th most fantasy points since Week 3. He's also thrown for two or more touchdowns in six of his last seven games.Meanwhile, the Jaguars have been the third easiest matchup for opposing quarterbacks and have permitted multiple passing scores in five straight games, as well as eight of their last 10 outings.Even without Adam Thielen, Cousins put up 307 yards and three touchdowns on the Panthers this week. Whether Thielen plays or not, Cousins is a quality streamer in Week 13.Philip Rivers, ColtsNext UpRosteredFABat HOU33%$1Jacoby Brissett's newfound presence in goal-line packages is far from ideal for Rivers' fantasy value, but he's regularly finished inside the top-13 quarterbacks since the Colts' Week 7 bye.Rivers' weekly results over the last five weeks: QB5, QB28 (tough matchup with Ravens), QB13, QB10, and he's the QB11 in Week 12 prior to the Monday nighter.Though the Texans defense has recently put up better numbers, some of that success is attributed to a softer schedule. Rivers should have no problem spreading the ball around and putting up another solid fantasy performance.Taysom Hill and Derek Carr are around the 60% rostered mark and would be the top options if they're still available in your league.Streamer options: Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. CIN (20% rostered), Mitch Trubisky vs. DET (4% rostered), Baker Mayfield at TEN (35% rostered), Sam Darnold vs. LV (8% rostered)Injured streamer options (if healthy): Gardner Minshew at MIN (12% rostered)Running backs Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images Sport / GettyCam Akers, RamsNext UpRosteredFABat ARI29%$24As much as we need to stay grounded and not overreact to one big run, it was great to see Akers pour in a career-high 84 yards with a touchdown this week.The bad news is the rookie was third in the backfield in snaps with 17, behind Malcolm Brown (25) and Darrell Henderson (20). This performance could go a long way toward establishing Akers as the hot hand since Henderson has struggled following his midseason injury and Brown is an average talent.Akers has another opportunity to showcase his abilities against the Cardinals this week before the Rams get two very winnable games against the Patriots and Jets in the first two weeks of the fantasy playoffs.This may remain a three-headed committee, but you should want Akers on your roster in case the second-rounder continues to emerge down the stretch.Benny Snell/Anthony McFarland Jr., SteelersNext UpRosteredFABvs. WAS35%/6%$19/$5The Steelers are scheduled to take on the Ravens this Wednesday in a Week 12 game that's been postponed several times already. If that contest is finally played, it's possible my feelings about these backs could change based on performance or injury.At the moment, James Conner is on the COVID-19 list after testing positive. As a cancer survivor, you can be sure the 25-year-old and team will be very cautious with his health.That should set the stage for Snell to get at least two consecutive starts after head coach Mike Tomlin identified him as the lead back while Conner is sidelined.That means Snell needs to be rostered as a low-end RB2 with upside for more if he can find the juice he displayed in the opener when he rushed for 113 yards on 19 carries.McFarland can be rostered as a stash until we see how this situation plays out with Conner.J.K. Dobbins, Myles Gaskin, Zack Moss, Jamaal Williams, Latavius Murray, and James White are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.High-upside backups Alexander Mattison (32% rostered), Boston Scott (28% rostered), Carlos Hyde (38% rostered), and Tony Pollard (19% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.Flex options: Frank Gore vs. LV (25% rostered), Ito Smith vs. No (1% rostered), Brian Hill vs. NO (46% rostered), Devontae Booker at NYJ (9% rostered)Risky flex options: J.D. McKissic at PIT (59% rostered), Joshua Kelley vs. NE (19% rostered), Gus Edwards vs. DAL (54% rostered)Other backups to roster: Adrian Peterson at CHI (46% rostered), Royce Freeman at KC (6% rostered), Sony Michel at LAC (20% rostered), D'Onta Foreman vs. CLE, Jordan Wilkins at HOU (17% rostered), Kerryon Johnson at CHI (15% rostered), Devine Ozigbo at MIN (1% rostered)Injury stash: Tevin Coleman (17% rostered), Rashaad Penny (4% rostered)Deeper stashes: Peyton Barber at PIT (1% rostered), DeAndre Washington vs. CIN (1% rostered), Jeremy McNichols vs. CLE (1% rostered), Jeff Wilson Jr. vs. BUF (3% rostered)Wide receivers Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sport / GettyAllen Lazard/Marquez Valdes-Scantling, PackersNext UpRosteredFABvs. PHI39%/25%$14/$9Investing in the Packers' passing attack is a wise decision, so acquiring one of these wideouts off waivers should be an obvious move.Lazard reached the end zone again Sunday - the third time he's done that in five games this year.Valdes-Scantling was shut out in the boxscore this week after suffering a mild Achilles injury in practice, but he's still taking the field for SNF. In the previous three games, MVS delivered stat lines of 2-53-2, 4-149-1, and 3-55-0.Don't overthink this. Scoop these guys up now and consider using them as WR3/flex plays during their favorable upcoming schedule, which features the Eagles, Lions, Panthers, and Titans over the final month.Breshad Perriman/Denzel Mims, JetsNext UpRosteredFABvs. LV12%/7%$9/$7The Jets' outside receivers remain available in the vast majority of leagues, but that shouldn't be the case based on their recent play.Consider their last three stat lines:WeekPerrimanMims95-101-24-62-010ByeBye112-54-13-71-0124-79-04-67-0With Sam Darnold healthy and matchups with the Raiders and Seahawks on deck, Perriman and Mims are flex options with significant fantasy upside.Deebo Samuel, Sterling Shepard, Curtis Samuel, Cole Beasley, Corey Davis, Michael Pittman Jr., and Jakobi Meyers are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.Flex options: Jalen Reagor at GB (29% rostered), TY Hilton at HOU (38% rostered), Sammy Watkins vs. DEN (44% rostered), Gabriel Davis at SF (3% rostered), Tim Patrick at KC (22% rostered), Keke Coutee vs. IND (1% rostered), Keelan Cole at MIN (27% rostered), Laviska Shenault at MIN (18% rostered), Henry Ruggs at NYJ (28% rostered), Nelson Agholor at NYJ (43% rostered), Emmanuel Sanders at ATL (46% rostered)Risky flex options: Russell Gage vs. NO (8% rostered), Darnell Mooney vs. DET (7% rostered), Josh Reynolds at ARI (9% rostered), KJ Hamler at KC (4% rostered), Damiere Byrd at LAC (5% rostered)Dart-throw flex options: Michael Gallup at BAL (42% rostered), Rashard Higgins at TEN (11% rostered), Hunter Renfrow at NYJ (17% rostered), Collin Johnson at MIN (0% rostered), David Moore vs. NYG (4% rostered), Olabisi Johnson vs. JAX (0% rostered), Chad Beebe vs. JAX (0% rostered)Injury stashes: Julian Edelman vs. ARI (26% rostered)Deep bench stashes: Isaiah Coulter vs. IND (0% rostered), Kenny Stills - free agent (1% rostered), Mohamed Sanu at CHI (1% rostered), Demarcus Robinson vs. DEN (1% rostered), Steven Mitchell Jr. vs. IND (0% rostered)Tight ends Bobby Ellis / Getty Images Sport / GettyTrey Burton, ColtsNext UpRosteredFABat HOU19%$1Burton isn't even playing the most snaps among the Colts' tight ends, and yet he's still the one we're targeting.That's because the Colts have gone out of their way to get the ball in his hands in scoring position and it's resulted in touchdowns in back-to-back weeks.Now Indy has a three-game stretch against the Texans, Raiders, and Texans again. The Colts should find themselves in the red zone often against those defenses, and that means opportunities for Burton to come through as a fantasy streamer.Jordan Akins, TexansNext UpRosteredFABvs. IND4%$1Akins had a quiet Week 12 with no catches on two targets, but the news of Will Fuller's six-game suspension means changes are coming for the Texans' offense.Akins is only one week removed from catching five passes for 83 yards and displaying the kind of yardage upside most tight ends don't possess.Since the receiving corps is limited behind Brandin Cooks, Akins might be the best option to see an expanded role in Fuller's absence, making a worthwhile stash this week.Robert Tonyan and Mike Gesicki are around the 60% rostered mark and would be the top options if they're still available in your league.Streamer options: Logan Thomas at PIT (41% rostered), Jordan Reed vs. BUF (25% rostered), Dalton Schultz at BAL (22% rostered), Kyle Rudolph vs. JAX (15% rostered)Injury stashes: Irv Smith Jr. vs. JAX (6% rostered), Zach Ertz at GB (59% rostered)Risky streamer options: Will Dissly vs. NYG (4% rostered), Jacob Hollister vs. NYG (2% rostered), Tyler Eifert at MIN (6% rostered), Darren Fells vs. IND (3% rostered)DefensesWeek 13 streamersTeamNext UpRosteredBearsvs. DET59%Raidersat NYJ9%Vikingsvs. JAX52%Billsat SF53%Chargerss. NE36%Favorable fantasy playoff schedules: Seahawks DEF (60% rostered), Cowboys DEF (21% rostered), 49ers DEF (38% rostered)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers game on Tuesday has been postponed for a third time due to COVID-19 concerns and is now set for Wednesday at 3:40 p.m. ET, the NFL announced.The AFC North showdown was originally scheduled for Thanksgiving but was pushed to Sunday before being moved to Tuesday.The Steelers' game against the Washington Football Team, which was scheduled for Sunday as part of the Week 13 slate, will now be postponed to Monday, Dec. 7, at 5 p.m. ET as a result. The San Francisco 49ers will also play the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.The league also postponed the Ravens' game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Week 13 matchup, which was initially set for Thursday night before being moved to Monday, has now been pushed to Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 8:05 p.m. ET.Game Week Original date New date Time (ET)Steelers-Ravens12Nov. 26Dec. 23:40 p.m.Steelers-Washington13Dec. 6Dec. 75 p.m.Ravens-Cowboys13Dec. 3Dec. 88:05 p.m.The postponements initially stemmed from a virus outbreak on the Ravens. The team placed 20 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including quarterback Lamar Jackson.Running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins, two of Baltimore's players on the reserve group, will now be eligible to play Wednesday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The Steelers faced their own COVID-19 concerns. Running back James Conner and special teams coach Danny Smith tested positive, and multiple team members were isolated after being deemed high-risk close contacts.The Ravens brought players in for a walkthrough Monday night after the NFL reportedly canceled their morning practice.Some Ravens players are still concerned about playing the delayed game, a source told Mark Maske of The Washington Post.If the game takes place on Wednesday, it'll be just the sixth game in NFL history to be played on that day, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. It last happened in the 2012 season opener between the New York Giants and Cowboys.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens gained at least one advantage through the multiple postponements of its Week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Ravens running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram will be eligible for their team's game now that it's been moved from last Thursday to Wednesday at 3:40 p.m. ET, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report.Dobbins and Ingram tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 22. Players who test positive have to quarantine for a minimum of 10 days provided they don't return any more positive tests. Their isolation period ends Wednesday.The highly anticipated AFC North matchup was initially pushed to Sunday and then Tuesday after the Ravens continued to return positive cases. It was finally rescheduled for Wednesday after Baltimore players expressed concerns about not having a day to practice before the game, according to Rapoport.It has yet to be determined whether Ravens quarterback and 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson will be available for Wednesday's contest. He was placed on the Ravens' COVID-19 list on Friday, but it isn't known whether Jackson tested positive or if he was deemed a high-risk close contact. Close contacts must sit out for at least five days.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Following a weekend in which Denver lost all four quarterbacks on its roster due to COVID-19 protocols, the Broncos are signing Kyle Shurmur, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.He'll have to pass through the league's virus protocols before joining the roster.Shurmur is the son of Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.A four-year starter at Vanderbilt, Shurmur went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent and spent time on the team's practice squad during its Super Bowl season, but was waived in April.Shurmur finished his college career as the all-time passing leader in Vanderbilt history.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.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone recaps all of the notable injuries from Week 12, and looks ahead to the top options available on the waiver wire.

The NFL canceled the Baltimore Ravens' practice scheduled for Monday morning ahead of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.The game was subsequently moved to Wednesday.The Ravens last practiced on the Saturday before their Week 11 loss to the Tennessee Titans.Monday's practice could still be rescheduled, but it wouldn't be until the afternoon at the earliest, a source told Pro Football Talk.Sunday's positive tests mark the eighth straight day in which members of the organization contracted the virus, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Only one case involved a player, though it could bring Baltimore's reserve/COVID-19 designations to 23.Pittsburgh was forced to cancel Friday's practice as it deals with its own positive tests.The AFC North matchup, which was initially scheduled to be played Thanksgiving Day, was moved to Sunday before being pushed to Tuesday and then Wednesday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots placed receiver Julian Edelman on the COVID-19 list, reports ESPN's Field Yates.It's been a forgettable season for the veteran wideout. Edelman underwent knee surgery in October and was put on injured reserve. He hasn't appeared in a game since Week 7.He's played in just six games this year, recording 21 catches for 315 yards and no touchdowns.The 34-year-old has one year remaining on his contract with the Patriots.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allowed quarterback Tom Brady to call the offensive plays for weeks, head coach Bruce Arians told NFL Network's Michael Silver."We call what he picks, we just have to get better," Silver said Monday while relaying his conversation with Arians on "The Aftermath."Byron Leftwich is the offensive coordinator for Tampa Bay, and Arians also has plenty of experience calling plays. But the second-year head coach said Brady has been choosing what gets called during the week, in the huddle, and at the line of scrimmage.Despite an endless supply of skill talent, the Buccaneers have looked discombobulated offensively for extended stretches throughout the season. They dropped their third decision in four games Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, and Brady committed his sixth and seventh interception over that span in the 27-24 loss.Arians has faced criticism in recent weeks for the offense's lack of pre-snap motion, play-action attempts, and flexibility in their vertical passing scheme. Brady perfected the quick-pass scheme over his two-decade reign with the New England Patriots.While he fared better against the Chiefs, Brady was 3-for-36 with one touchdown and three interceptions on deep throws between Week 5 and Week 11, according to Next Gen Stats.The Buccaneers have a bye in Week 13, and will look to get back on track Dec. 13 against the Minnesota Vikings.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs suffered an ankle sprain during Sunday's 43-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.There's reportedly still a chance Jacobs could play this week against the New York Jets despite the injury.The tailback was hurt late against Atlanta during an ankle tackle to end a run.Jacobs has racked up 782 yards and nine touchdowns on 206 carries this season. He's also caught 25 passes for 175 yards.If the 2019 first-round pick can't play against the Jets, Devontae Booker will take over the team's primary backfield role.The Raiders sit just outside the AFC playoff picture at 6-5 following Sunday's blowout defeat.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bears head coach Matt Nagy ripped his entire team Monday following Chicago's blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football."Every freaking coach on the staff, every player better wake up and start understanding where we're at," he told reporters. "Have some personal pride. Have a freaking sense of urgency. Know where we're at. … Yesterday was flat-out embarrassing and our guys know it."The Bears were manhandled by their division rivals in Week 12 and fell three games back of the Packers for top spot in the NFC North as a result. The 41-25 defeat marked Chicago's fifth straight loss and gave the club a losing record for the first time all year.At one point in the second half, NBC commentator Tony Dungy called out the Bears' defense for a lack of effort. Chicago's offense was equally problematic, with Mitchell Trubisky committing two interceptions and three fumbles, losing one, in his return to the starting lineup."We better have some stinking fire and you better have some care," Nagy added. "And if you have that, I promise you with the talent that we have good things will happen. But you got to do it; enough is enough."Trubisky threw a pair of garbage-time touchdowns to make the final score look more respectable. Nagy didn't officially name Trubisky the starter for Week 13 against the Detroit Lions but indicated he'll likely get the nod."I don't see why not," he said.Trubisky started the first three games of the season before he was benched for Nick Foles, who was inactive against the Packers due to injury.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.It wasn't pretty on Sunday, but our pick for bad line of the week (the Bills -5.5 over the Chargers) came through, giving us our first win in the last couple of tries.It's back to the drawing board for Week 13. Here are the odds as well as the one spread that looks a bit fishy.MatchupSpreadJaguars @ VikingsMIN -9.5Saints @ FalconsNO -3Lions @ BearsCHI -5.5Washington @ SteelersPIT -11Colts @ TexansIND -2.5Bengals @ DolphinsMIA -11.5Browns @ TitansTEN -5.5Raiders @ JetsLV -7Giants @ SeahawksSEA -7.5Rams @ CardinalsLAR -3Eagles @ PackersGB -7Patriots @ ChargersLAC -1Broncos @ ChiefsKC -13.5Cowboys @ RavensBAL -7Bills @ 49ersBUF -2.5Bad line of the week: Chiefs (-13.5 vs. Broncos)The Chiefs cemented their spot as Super Bowl favorites in Week 12, if they hadn't already.Kansas City stormed out to a 17-0 lead over the Buccaneers and never looked back. The Chiefs are now 10-1 coming off their biggest win of the year and appear primed to run the table.However, I'm curious how they'll respond Sunday in a clear hangover spot.Kansas City's defensive struggles aren't being talked about enough. The Chiefs were actually outgained on a per-play basis Sunday (7.6 to 7.5) by Tampa Bay, but yet another offensive outburst from quarterback Patrick Mahomes bailed them out.The Chiefs currently rank No. 14 in the NFL in DVOA defense, despite playing the 23rd-toughest schedule of opposing offenses. The Broncos, meanwhile, are No. 9, though they've drawn the fifth-toughest.There's only one way to go for a Broncos offense that just played its practice-squad wide receiver at quarterback.Denver ranks last in the league in both DVOA pass offense and DVOA offense in general, but it's had some success on the ground (114.5 yards per game, No. 14). Look for that unit to exploit a Chiefs team that ranks 30th in DVOA rush defense.Kansas City could have difficulty getting up for this game. Head coach Andy Reid hasn't been a great bet as a double-digit favorite during the regular season, going just 6-9-1 against the spread the last 16 tries.The road team has covered five of the last six meetings between the two AFC West clubs, while Denver is on a 7-1 run ATS after failing to cover in the previous game.The public's going to be all over the Chiefs after their huge win on the big stage, but the value's on the road team, especially if it hits +14.Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.For the fifth game this season, the Seahawks (-6, 49) take center stage in prime time - their latest matchup against an Eagles team that needs a win Monday to keep pace in the tight NFC East race.Here are our favorite trends, props, and bets for Monday night.Betting trendsAs we mentioned before, the Seahawks are playing in prime time for the fifth time this year. They're 2-2 against the spread in those previous four games, though they're a stellar 22-11-3 ATS under the lights since drafting Russell Wilson in 2012.With Wilson under center, Seattle is 15-5-2 ATS as prime-time favorites, the best record in the NFL among teams with 10 such games played since 2012. The Seahawks are also 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games as favorites, including 10-2 ATS when favored by six points or less.Seemingly every team has found success against the NFC East in recent years, but no club owns the division like Seattle. Since 2011, it's an NFL-best 17-4-1 ATS against the NFC East and a perfect 6-0 ATS against the Eagles, with all six victories coming by at least eight points.Can Philadelphia reverse that trend here? It's not the best spot to do so. The Eagles are 2-6 ATS in their previous eight when catching six or fewer points as 'dogs. They're also 1-7 ATS after their last eight losses, which doesn't bode well after last week's loss to the Browns.Player propsMiles Sanders over 17.5 receiving yards (-110)Sanders has been in and out of the lineup this year, but he's been a featured member of the Eagles offense when he's in the game. He's rushed for 83.6 yards per game in seven contests and was targeted five times apiece in Philly's last two contests, though he only totaled 25 receiving yards across those 10 targets.Expect him to bump up those totals against the Seahawks, who entered Sunday allowing the fourth-fewest rushing yards to opposing running backs (67.3 per game) but the fourth-most receiving yards (49.7) in 10 games. Sanders was stellar as a receiver a year ago and should see an increased role in the passing game Monday, too.Tyler Lockett under 72.5 receiving yards (-110)For all of the things that have gone wrong in Philadelphia, the team's pass defense is a bright spot after its struggles a year ago. The Eagles are allowing 209.3 passing yards per game, sixth-fewest in the NFL, and they've allowed the fifth-fewest yards per game to opposing receivers (147.1).If they can hold that pace Monday, it likely won't leave enough of a share for Lockett, who's already gone three straight games under 70 yards receiving. In fact, he's fallen below that mark in seven of 10 games this year, with three big performances buoying his season average. Expect him to fall short again here.Best betUnder 49I know, I know - betting the under on a Seahawks game was once as taboo as betting against them in prime time. But they've gone under in two straight as teams force Wilson into mental mistakes, while the Eagles are riding four consecutive unders against subpar defenses. Neither offense will gain enough traction to blow this one open.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 San Francisco 49ers will play their Week 13 matchup against the Buffalo Bills and their Week 14 game against the Washington Football Team in the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium, the team announced Monday.Amended COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara County - where the 49ers reside - ban all contact sports and require individuals to quarantine for 14 days if traveling into the region from 150 miles away."The Cardinals organization, State Farm Stadium, and league officials have been supportive and accommodating as we work through the many logistical issues involved in relocating NFL games," the 49ers said in a statement. "Information regarding the 49ers' future practice arrangements will be shared at the appropriate time."Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Sunday that his team was blindsided by the new coronavirus regulations put in place by county officials and called the decision "extremely disappointing."San Francisco has one other home game - Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks - remaining this season.The NFL left open the possibility of the Cardinals and 49ers sharing a stadium by not scheduling home games for the NFC West teams on the same day.San Francisco sits at the bottom of the division at 5-6, while the Cardinals are in third at 6-5. The two teams will face off for a second time in Week 16.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez will undergo surgery Tuesday to remove a cancerous tumor, he announced Monday on Instagram.Sanchez said he was grateful to doctors for finding the tumor before it spread across his body.

The Green Bay Packers blew out the Chicago Bears in Week 12, earning a 41-25 victory on Sunday Night Football.The win puts the Packers back in the win column after a loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week. The Bears, meanwhile, have now lost five straight games.More to come.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines the significance of those events moving forward.What's up with the Raiders? Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyWas it really just a week ago the Las Vegas Raiders went toe-to-toe with the Kansas City Chiefs for a second time, with Derek Carr looking like one of the league's best and most efficient quarterbacks right till the end? Because after the Atlanta Falcons rag-dolled Vegas on Sunday, it doesn't even seem like that happened in the same season.The Raiders lost four fumbles that led directly to 20 points. Carr threw a pick-6. Vegas racked up 11 penalties for 141 yards, including handing the Falcons 40 yards via penalties on a touchdown.It was a disaster, but disasters happen. What the Raiders must hope for now is that the campaign doesn't go sideways like it did last year - they started 6-4 only to lose four of their last five. Even though it seems like Vegas has trouble on the East Coast, the club is 2-2 this season when forced to face the dreaded 10 a.m. Pacific time kickoff. And the team travels back east to face the winless Jets next week, which ought to help.What was Anthony Lynn thinking? Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's time to start wondering about Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn's fate. Yes, the Chargers are now 8-19 since the start of 2019 - and 3-8 this season - but Lynn's poor clock management and fourth-down decision-making were on full display in Sunday's loss at the Buffalo Bills.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 462 yards and three touchdowns to outplay Tom Brady and lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.Tyreek Hill scored on receptions of 75, 44, and 20 yards, backflipped into the end zone on his second TD, and finished with 13 catches for 269 yards — the last an 8-yard catch on third-and-7 to give Mahomes an opportunity to run out the clock.The Chiefs (10-1) won their sixth straight game and clinched their seventh 10-win season in eight years under coach Andy Reid.The reigning Super Bowl champions improved to 6-0 on the road and have won nine straight away from home going back to last year.Brady was 27 of 41 for 345 yards, three touchdowns, and a pair of second-half interceptions in falling to 2-2 in four career meetings against Mahomes, who built an early 17-0 lead and also had the Chiefs up by 17 entering the fourth quarter.The Bucs made it close, with Brady throwing TD passes of 31 and 7 yards to Mike Evans, the latter trimming Tampa Bay’s deficit to 27-24 with 4:10 remaining.The Bucs never got the ball back.The Chiefs led 20-7 at halftime, with Hill having seven catches for 203 yards in the first quarter alone. The Bucs were fortunate they weren’t in a bigger hole at the break.Kansas City ran 42 plays to Tampa Bay’s 22 in the first two quarters, outgaining the Bucs 377 yards to 131 with Mahomes throwing for 359 yards and Brady 117.Three drives inside the Bucs 20, however, only netted a pair of short field goals. Shaquil Barrett sacked Mahomes, forcing a fumble that William Gholston recovered at the 14 with the Chiefs looking to build on a 17-0 lead.Bashaud Breeland and Tyrann Mathieu had Kansas City’s interceptions off Brady. The Chiefs hurt themselves with a pair of roughing the passer penalties on the 10-play, 73-yard drive the six-time Super Bowl champion put together to close the gap to three points.LONG DROUGHTThe Chiefs beat Tampa Bay for the first time since Sept. 5, 1993, when Joe Montana led Kansas City to a 27-3 victory. The Bucs had won five straight in a series they lead 7-6.INJURIESChiefs: WR Sammy Watkins returned after being sidelined since Week 5 with a hamstring injury. He had four receptions for 38 yards. ... LB Dorian O’Daniel suffered a right ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return.Buccaneers: LG Ali Marpet returned to the lineup after missing three games because of a concussion. LT Donovan Smith was active after not practicing all week and being listed as questionable with an ankle injury suffered last week against the Los Angeles Rams.UP NEXTChiefs: Denver next Sunday night, the lone home game during a stretch that’ll see Kansas City play four of five on the road.Buccaneers: Bye week.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio is upset that his quarterbacks' neglect of COVID-19 protocols left the team without a signal-caller in Sunday's 31-3 drubbing by the New Orleans Saints."I was disappointed on several levels, that our QBs put us in that position, that our QBs put the league in that position. We count on them to be the leaders of our team, the leaders of our offense, and those guys made a mistake," Fangio said after the game, according to The Athletic's Lindsay Jones.The Broncos didn't have the services of Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, or Blake Bortles after they were deemed high-risk contacts to Jeff Driskel, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. The trio didn't wear masks when around Driskel.Lock apologized earlier Sunday, while Fangio also took personal responsibility for his actions leading to the slip-up."I haven't done a good enough job of selling the protocols to them when they're on their own," Fangio added. "That's on me."With just a day's notice, the Broncos were forced to use practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton at quarterback against the Saints. Hinton finished with more interceptions (two) than completions (one) as New Orleans stifled Denver easily.Fangio said he hopes to get Lock and the other quarterbacks back Tuesday, according to Mike Klis of 9News.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones could miss time after hurting his hamstring Sunday.The initial belief is the injury is "pretty bad," a source told ESPN's Jordan Raanan.Jones was hurt while being tackled awkwardly on a third-quarter run. He returned to the game after a brief stint in the medical tent but was removed shortly after and replaced by Colt McCoy.

The NFL still intends to go ahead with Tuesday night's contest between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers despite Baltimore recording two more positive COVID-19 tests Saturday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who has type 1 Diabetes, and pass-rusher Matt Judon tested positive and won't be available Tuesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Baltimore received another positive test Sunday from wide receiver Willie Snead, a source told Jamison Hensley of ESPN.Baltimore hasn't gone a single day since last Sunday without a player and/or staff member receiving a positive test.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have fired general manager Dave Caldwell, the team announced Sunday.

New York Jets head coach Adam Gase on Sunday denied a report that he took back primary play-calling responsibilities for his team's 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins.ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported prior to kickoff that Gase was expected to reclaim play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains for the contest.Gase stopped calling plays on Oct. 25 against the Buffalo Bills. The Jets averaged 18.5 points over four games with Loggains in charge after averaging 12.5 over their first six contests with Gase calling the offense.New York welcomed quarterback Sam Darnold back to the lineup versus Miami after he missed two games with a shoulder injury. Darnold went 16-for-27 for 197 yards and two interceptions.The Jets finished Week 12 as the only winless team in the NFL.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Drew Lock apologized for the Denver Broncos' recent COVID-19 troubles that left the team without four quarterbacks for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.Denver couldn't sign a free-agent signal-caller due to the multi-day incubation period the NFL instituted amid the pandemic, so the team promoted practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton to start Sunday.Lock admitted he and other teammates recently weren't wearing masks for a period of time."In a controlled and socially distanced area, we let our masking slip for a limited amount of time," Lock said. "(It's) an honest mistake, but one I will own."I sincerely apologize and I fully understand why these safety precautions are so important. Doing the right thing for a majority of the time is not good enough."Lock, Brett Rypien, and Blake Bortles were all deemed high-risk close contacts after Jeff Driskel tested positive on Thursday. The other quarterbacks have all tested negative thus far.The Broncos reportedly expect to be fined and stripped of a draft pick for failing to obey COVID-19 safety protocols.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Las Vegas Raiders after aggravating a hamstring injury in Week 11, the team announced.Jones has been hobbled by hamstring issues throughout the season and previously missed two games. The eight-time Pro Bowler joins running back Todd Gurley, who's out with a knee injury, on the inactives list.In eight games this season, Jones has posted 45 catches for 677 yards and three touchdowns. The 31-year-old is trying to reach the 1,000-yard benchmark for the seventh consecutive year.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 12.Half PPR

The NFL denied repeated requests from the Denver Broncos to postpone their game against the New Orleans Saints from Sunday to Tuesday so they could field a quarterback, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.The Broncos lost all their signal-callers to COVID-19 protocols less than 24 hours before the scheduled kickoff. Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, and Blake Bortles were all deemed high-risk close contacts of Jeff Driskel, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. Lock, Rypien, and Bortles have not produced any positive tests.Denver couldn't sign a free-agent quarterback at the last minute due to the multiday incubation period the NFL has instituted amid the pandemic.The league also reportedly denied Denver's request to play offensive quality control coach Rob Calabrese at quarterback, citing a concern that teams could use low-level coaching positions to store potential players in the future. Calabrese played quarterback at Central Florida and ran the Broncos' offense Saturday at practice with none of the regulars available.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The NFL's oldest rivalry adds another chapter Sunday night when the Packers (-9.5, 44) host the Bears in a pivotal game for playoff seeding and, in Chicago's case, survival in the NFC postseason race.Here are our favorite trends, props, and bets for Sunday night.Betting trendsIf you're hoping the trends will boost your confidence in the Bears, you may want to skip this section entirely.Where do we even start? The Packers are 18-7 against the spread versus Chicago since Aaron Rodgers took over as the full-time starter in 2008. They're also 34-25 ATS (57.6%) in prime time since then, including 5-1 ATS in their last six games in that spot.Since Rodgers took over, Green Bay is 55-37-1 ATS (59.8%) as a home favorite and 20-12-1 ATS (62.5%) when favored by at least nine points at home. The Bears, meanwhile, are 10-14-1 ATS as road 'dogs since 2016, with a 1-3 ATS record against the Packers in that stretch.Could we be in for an under Sunday? Chicago is 15-7 to the under in its last 22 as a road underdog, while the Packers are 11-5-1 to the under in their last 17 as home chalk. These two have also gone under in each of their last three meetings, while the under is 5-2 in the last seven games on Sunday night.Player propsAaron Rodgers passing yards under 296.5 (CHANGE NUMBER)This number may seem low for Rodgers, who's surpassed 300 passing yards in three straight games. But this matchup favors a different approach by the Packers, as the Bears rank top 10 in average passing yards allowed (225) but just 15th in rushing yards allowed (115.1).In fact, Chicago's defense hasn't allowed an opposing team to reach 290 passing yards all season, and it's held seven of 10 opponents this year to under 235 yards. Rodgers can surpass this number, but he likely won't have to with a favorable game script and rushing matchup on his side.Allen Robinson receiving yards over 65.5 (CHANGE NUMBER)It's difficult to make any sense of this line. Robinson ranks 15th in the NFL in receiving yards per game (75.5) and has recorded at least 70 receiving yards in seven of 10 contests this year, including three of the last four.No, a quarterback change to Mitchell Trubisky isn't ideal. But Robinson still averaged 76.7 yards in Trubisky's three starts and will likely be the QB's security blanket in his first start since Week 3. Over plays don't get more obvious than this.Best betPackers -9.5I want to believe in the Bears, I really do. But their offensive ineptitude is too hard to ignore. They rank 31st in yards per play (4.7), points per play (0.30), and points per game (19.1), and switching back to Trubisky won't solve any of those woes.Chicago won't be able to keep up with the Packers, who have scored at least 30 points in seven of their 10 games this season. If Green Bay can shake off the rust from last week's second-half collapse, this one won't be close.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 San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals could share State Farm Stadium in Glendale due to new COVID-19 restrictions in California's Santa Clara County, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Amended protocols in Santa Clara County - where the 49ers reside - ban all contact sports and require individuals to quarantine for 14 days if traveling into the region from 150 miles away. The rules take effect Monday and apply to professional, college, and recreational sports teams.The 49ers said Saturday they are working with the NFL on operational plans.Arizona has long been viewed as a potential partner for the 49ers if COVID-19 protocols in the Bay Area tightened. The NFL calibrated the 2020 schedule such that the 49ers and Cardinals never play home games on the same day, allowing them to share a venue if necessary.San Francisco has three home games remaining. If the 49ers do move into State Farm Stadium, they'll need to figure out where to practice and house the team. They could reportedly move to Texas if the Arizona contingency falls through.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jalen Hurts could be in for a big role in prime time.The Philadelphia Eagles plan to give their rookie backup quarterback his highest snap count so far this season Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Carson Wentz reportedly won't be on the field during Hurts' increased playing time, a change of pace from the rest of this season.Hurts, 22, has carried the ball 12 times, made one catch, and attempted two passes in 2020; Wentz was on the field for all of those plays.The second-round pick is reportedly unlikely to get an entire series, but the Eagles could give him two or three plays at a time.Wentz has faced heavy criticism this season amid Philadelphia's disappointing campaign. The 27-year-old leads the NFL with 14 interceptions.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL fined the New Orleans Saints $500,000 and docked a seventh-round draft pick for failing to wear masks during their postgame locker room celebrations after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-3 in Week 9, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.New Orleans reportedly appealed the decision, as the club believes the NFL has overlooked other teams who've committed similar offenses.The league also fined the New England Patriots $350,000 for protocol violations stemming from issues in October when Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore, among others, tested positive, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Video of Saints players and head coach Sean Payton dancing without masks went viral after their win over their NFC South rivals, including since-deleted ones posted to the team's official account.

The NFL is actively discussing creating local bubbles for the 14 or 16 teams that make the playoffs as COVID-19 cases rise around the United States, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.The league's plan reportedly would be to isolate all team personnel in hotels when not traveling for games and enforce strict rules on who would be permitted inside to interact with players and coaches.No final decision has been made, Rapoport and Pelissero note.The playoff bubbles are apparently seen as more feasible than creating one large, NBA-style bubble or 32 separate ones for the rest of the regular season.COVID-19 has hit the NFL hard recently. The Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers Thanksgiving game was pushed from Thursday to Tuesday due to Baltimore's coronavirus outbreak. Pittsburgh has also begun experiencing its own virus issues in recent days. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos are set to play the New Orleans Saints without all four of their quarterbacks due to COVID-19 protocols.The NFL reportedly remains committed to playing all 256 regular-season games, with the potential contingency plan of adding a Week 18 to make up any postponed contests.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.