All four Denver Broncos quarterbacks are ineligible to face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday due to COVID-19 protocols.Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, and Blake Bortles were deemed high-risk close contacts to Jeff Driskel, the team announced Saturday. Driskel tested positive Thursday, while his fellow quarterbacks had to be sidelined for not wearing masks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Broncos won't forfeit the contest, a source told Schefter, and the game hasn't been postponed.The NFL instructed the Broncos to remove Lock, Rypien, and Bortles from the practice field Saturday before the session began as the league reviewed contact tracing.Denver is likely to use Kendall Hinton - a practice squad wide receiver who played quarterback at Wake Forest - on an emergency basis, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Third-string running back Royce Freeman is considered the Broncos' emergency quarterback and could also take snaps, reports Mike Klis of 9News.Former UCF passer Rob Calabrese, who graduated in 2012 and works for Denver as an offensive quality control coach, ran the offense Saturday at practice. The NFL won't allow the Broncos to sign Calabrese to the active roster, according to Klis. Denver can't sign a free agent because of the mandatory five-day incubation period in light of the pandemic.

The Denver Broncos have run out of quarterbacks ahead of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints due to the NFL's COVID-19 protocols, and the team has had to search deep down its roster to find its expected starter under center.Enter Kendall Hinton.The undrafted rookie - a wide receiver on Denver's practice squad - is reportedly expected to take most of the snaps at quarterback for the Broncos. He'll be doing so against one of the NFL's best teams and with little-to-no preparation. But playing quarterback isn't entirely new to the 23-year-old.So, who is the man who will be under center for the Broncos in Week 12?College careerHinton was once thought to be Wake Forest's quarterback of the future.The dual-threat signal-caller appeared in nine games (two starts) as a freshman until mononucleosis ended his campaign prematurely. He then suffered a knee injury that limited his sophomore year to just three appearances.Hinton was expected to become Wake Forest's starting QB in his junior season, but a three-game suspension for violating team rules kept him sidelined for the start of the campaign. The delay cost him the starting role and pushed him to become a wide receiver.His move to full-time pass-catching in his senior year couldn't have gone better: Hinton led the Demon Deacons with 73 receptions for 1,001 yards while catching four touchdowns.Path to the NFLHinton didn't hear his name called during April's draft, but he signed an undrafted deal with the Broncos days after the event. Despite a positive training camp, he failed to make the regular-season roster and was waived in September.The Broncos didn't forget him, though, adding the wideout to their practice squad on Nov. 4.What to expectHinton has never taken the field as an NFL player - let alone as a quarterback. The Broncos can't really expect anything from him; he was their only choice if they wanted any quarterbacking experience under center this weekend.Ironically, he's thrown a touchdown pass more recently than Taysom Hill, who will start his second straight game for the Saints in relief of Drew Brees.Hinton's last touchdown throw came on Oct. 7, 2017, against Clemson. Hill tossed his latest score on Nov. 26, 2016, versus Utah State, according to ESPN Stats & Info.The Broncos are expected to rely heavily on the running game against New Orleans, and having two starting-caliber runners in Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon should help.Hinton will probably line up mostly in pistol formations, and at some point, he'll have to make a play. It's tough to imagine Denver having any chance of even competing against the Saints otherwise: The Buffalo Bills were the last team to win an NFL game without completing a single pass, doing so against the New York Jets in 1974.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown and offensive tackle Cody Ford were placed on injured reserve Saturday, the team announced.The Bills are hoping Brown will miss the minimum three games, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 30-year-old didn't play in Buffalo's previous contest against the Arizona Cardinals due to an ankle injury.The Bills placed offensive tackle Cody Ford on IR because of ankle and knee ailments. Coach Sean McDermott announced Friday that Ford would be out for the rest of the season.Ford has started seven games for Buffalo this year. The former Oklahoma product was a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.Brown has racked up 29 receptions for 386 yards and two touchdowns through eight games.Buffalo has elevated wide receiver Jake Kumerow from the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He'll join the wide receiving group of Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Cole Beasley, Isaiah McKenzie.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos have signed left tackle Garett Bolles to a four-year contract extension, the club announced Saturday, according to team writer Aric DiLalla.Bolles' new deal is worth $68 million, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The former 2017 first-rounder had a rough start to his NFL career. Denver declined the fifth-year option on Bolles' rookie contract after he allowed 14 sacks over his first three pro campaigns.However, the 28-year-old has bounced back this season. Bolles has yet to allow a sack in 2020 and is the league's highest-graded offensive tackle, according to PFF.David Bakhtiari of the Green Bay Packers is currently the NFL's highest-paid left tackle at $23 million in annual average salary, per Spotrac.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.Before you make your NFL bets this weekend, it's worth knowing which side other bettors are backing - especially on games drawing sharp action.We talked to Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader, to see how sharps and public bettors are playing this week's slate.Raiders (-3, 54) @ Falcons, 1 p.m. ETOne of the strongest public plays this week is the Raiders, who are getting plenty of love in a chalk spot after nearly beating the Chiefs a week ago.This line hasn't moved since opening at 3, though Las Vegas had drawn seven times as many straight-bet tickets as the Falcons and 90 times as many parlay slips entering the weekend. It had also drawn 40 times as much money in the parlay market as Atlanta, which has been a public darling for much of the year.Maybe this is finally the spot for public bettors to back the Falcons, who are 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 as underdogs but 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10 as favorites.Cardinals (-1.5, 49) @ Patriots, 1 p.m.Another team casual bettors have targeted this year is the Cardinals, who are once again drawing plenty of public support. Only this time, they're facing strong pushback from the sharp community.Arizona opened as a 2-point favorite, and it's drawn 20 times as much money as New England in parlays and 60 times as many parlay tickets. But a run of rated plays at Patriots +2 has nudged this line down to 1.5 ahead of kickoff behind a 15-to-1 advantage in money wagered on straight bets for the home 'dogs."This is a little bit of a pros-versus-Joes," Rood said. "Definitely strong straight play on the Patriots and strong parlay play on the Cardinals."Saints (-6.5, 42.5) @ Broncos, 4:05 p.m.A week ago, public and sharp bettors alike were lined up against the Saints in Taysom Hill's first career start. This week, they're throwing their money behind the 30-year-old quarterback in his second start against the Broncos.New Orleans is taking 30 times as much money as Denver in straight bets despite just a 3-to-1 advantage in tickets wagered, pushing the line up from an opening number of 5.5. It's a similar story in the parlay market, where bettors are placing seven times as many bets but 15 times as much money on the Saints.Rood says there isn't much sharp play to speak of in this game, though those early to the window are placing larger-than-usual bets on the road favorites who have covered three straight after a 2-5 ATS start.Browns (-7, 49) @ Jaguars, 1 p.m.The final team drawing noteworthy action this week is the Browns, who have covered just one of their last five games but are public favorites in this one.Cleveland opened as a 6.5-point favorite over the Jaguars, who are switching from struggling rookie quarterback Jake Luton to veteran passer Mike Glennon this week. Public bettors apparently aren't impressed; they're laying 25 times as much money on the favorites in straight bets and 16 times as much on parlays."Nothing sharp, but the Browns are getting some support here," Rood said.(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.

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson wasn't listed on Saturday's injury report and is expected to play Monday against the Philadelphia Eagles."He looks really good. He looked explosive and in great shape. He's got fresh legs. ... You could tell," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Saturday, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. "He could feel it in his change of direction and all that stuff, so he's really raring to go. He's full go."Carson hasn't played since Week 7 due to a foot injury.Despite appearing in just six games this season, the 26-year-old leads Seattle with 66 rushing attempts. He's also racked up 323 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.Additionally, the veteran runner has caught 22 passes for 147 yards and three scores this year.The 7-3 Seahawks rank 10th in the NFL with 121.3 rushing yards per game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions fired head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn on Saturday, the team announced.Patricia is the third NFL head coach to be fired this season. The Houston Texans parted ways with Bill O'Brien and the Atlanta Falcons cut ties with Dan Quinn earlier in the year.Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will take over as interim head coach, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Patricia and Quinn entered the season firmly on the hot seat, as Lions ownership said the team must be a playoff contender for their jobs to be saved. However, a blowout loss to the Houston Texans on Thanksgiving pushed Detroit to 4-7 and ended any remaining postseason hopes.Patricia finishes his time in Detroit with a 13-29-1 record and no playoff appearances.The former New England Patriots defensive coordinator was hired in the 2018 offseason.Detroit won 36 games in the four seasons prior under Jim Caldwell but struggled against winning teams and was bounced immediately in two playoff appearances (2014, 2016).Quinn, who also used to work for the Patriots as an executive, was hired as general manager in 2016.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie didn't travel to Cleveland in Week 11, and it's widely believed to be due to his frustrations with the team, sources told Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer.Lurie typically attends every Eagles game no matter the location, and was present at the first nine contests of the season.A club spokesperson said Lurie was absent from the Browns game Nov. 22 as a precaution in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the 69-year-old has reportedly shown his disappointment recently by leaving various practices early, according to McLane.The Eagles have sat atop the NFC East standings for most of the year, though their 3-6-1 record was also the fifth-worst mark in the conference through 11 weeks. The franchise has been on a downward trajectory since winning Super Bowl LII, and its struggles in 2020 have it on track to finish the year with a losing record for the first time since 2016 - Doug Pederson's first as head coach.Lurie is expected to be at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 12 when the Eagles host the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. He's seen 15 iterations of the Eagles make the playoffs since purchasing the team in 1994.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers recorded positive COVID-19 tests for one player and one coach with multiple potential close contacts, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Starting running back James Conner is the player testing positive, sources told Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network.The Steelers placed three players - defensive end Stephon Tuitt, defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs, and offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins - on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. Offensive lineman Kevin Dotson went on the list Nov. 14.Pittsburgh was slated to face the Baltimore Ravens in Thursday's prime-time game, but the contest was pushed to Tuesday due to Baltimore's coronavirus outbreak.

The Indianapolis Colts placed running back Jonathan Taylor on the COVID-19 list, rendering him unable to play Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.The Colts also ruled out center Ryan Kelly for the contest due to a neck injury.Taylor didn't test positive for COVID-19 but came into close contact with his girlfriend, who tested positive following an out-of-town trip, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Taylor leads the Colts in rushing with 518 yards and four touchdowns, though he's averaged a modest 3.8 yards per carry. The rookie has shared playing time with Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins in recent weeks, but received a team-high 22 carries in a Week 11 victory over the Green Bay Packers.Indianapolis promoted center Joey Hunt and defensive end Cassius Marsh from the practice squad to temporarily replace Taylor and Kelly on the active roster.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 went 3-1 in last week's player props. Let's keep the momentum rolling this Sunday.Here are the best looks for Week 12.Matt Ryan under 39.5 pass attemptsThe Falcons are catching points, starting running back Todd Gurley is out, and the market's expecting roughly eight touchdowns. Ryan has a good matchup, but his attempt total is inflated.Atlanta has been an underdog five times this season. Ryan hasn't logged more than 40 attempts in any of them. In fact, the last time he had more than 40 in a game was back in Week 7.Whether or not Gurley plays, Atlanta should still find success on the ground. The Raiders own the worst-ranked DVOA rush defense entering Week 12. That'll suppress Ryan's attempts and ultimately keep him under this number.Christian Kirk over 54.5 receiving yardsKirk has a lot working for him Sunday.The Cardinals' receiving corps won't have receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who's seen 28 total targets over the last four games. That should open up a couple more for Kirk, who faces a Patriots secondary that's dead last in the league in both DVOA defense and explosive pass rate allowed.Kirk's averaged 66.8 yards over his last six. He'll stay hot.Aaron Rodgers' longest completion over 39.5 yardsWhen Rodgers meets the archrival Bears, you can mark the gunslinger down for at least one splash play.Rodgers has shattered his long in five of the last six against the Bears, completing passes of 47, 49, 58, 60, and 75 yards. Chicago's secondary has been tremendous this season - the team ranks No. 4 in the NFL in DVOA pass defense - but it's been susceptible to the big play, ranking No. 17 in explosive pass rate.Look for receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling or DaVante Adams to bring this one home.Brandon Allen's longest completion under 35.5 yardsAllen gets his chance to start in place of rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, who suffered a season-ending injury last week.The Bengals' passing game has been poor in 2020. The unit ranks No. 23 in DVOA offense and No. 29 in yards per completion (9.2). The Giants haven't made much noise in a weak NFC East, but the secondary has held its own, ranking No. 6 in explosive pass rate.Allen averaged just 6.1 yards per attempt and 5.7 air yards per attempt in 2019. Don't expect him to take a ton of shots down the field.Michael Pittman Jr. over 52.5 receiving yardsPittman is catching fire as the season progresses.After posting 77 combined yards in his first four games this season, the Colts rookie has 223 over the last three. He broke out in a big way against the Titans a few weeks ago, hauling in seven catches on eight targets for 101 yards, all of which were career highs.Look for another huge outing from the USC product.(Odds source: theScore Bet)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.

A rundown of the best games and most interesting trends for Week 12 of the NFL. All times Eastern.Division on the lineTitans (7-3) at Colts (7-3), 1 p.m.The Titans are deeply weird. They began the campaign with five wins, only to lose three of four before salvaging their season with last week's overtime road victory against the Ravens. Who can say what they have in store for this one?One of Tennessee's three losses came at home two weeks ago against these same Colts. The Titans gave up 430 yards and had a punt blocked for a touchdown in that outing. They're just 26th in defensive DVOA despite playing a schedule that's 28th in opponent DVOA, according to Football Outsiders, and their special teams rank 30th. Shrug.In his last eight games against the Titans, Colts QB Philip Rivers has had at least one touchdown pass and a passer rating of 105 or better. He also hasn’t thrown an interception in his last five versus Tennessee, a streak dating back to 2013. But Indianapolis will be without defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Denico Autry, as well as inside linebacker Bobby Okereke. So who knows?Too deep too often for Tommy?Chiefs (9-1) at Buccaneers (7-4), 4:25 p.m.Quick question: Which quarterback leads the league in deep pass attempts? Quick answer: Tom Brady. Grant Halverson / Getty ImagesBrady has thrown 54 passes of 20 air yards or more this season, according to Sports Info Solutions. That's two more than anyone else, though the Buccaneers have yet to have their bye week. Why does this matter? Brady is chucking it deep more frequently than he has in recent years, which indicates Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians and his "no risk it, no biscuit" approach are influencing Brady even at 43.Brady is on pace to throw it long 79 times this year. Sports Info Solutions only tracks data since 2015, but from 2015-19, when Brady was still with the Patriots, he averaged just 62.6 deep pass attempts per season. He set his career high of 79 in 2017, the year he had Brandin Cooks at his disposal. His usual formula involved striking with a lot of short, quick throws and then hitting opponents with the occasional deep shot. And it often worked.Brady went 0-for-6 on deep tosses in Monday night's loss to the Rams, according to PFF. Two weeks earlier, he went 0-for-5 on long tosses in a blowout defeat against the Saints. His passer rating on deep balls is just 68.7 in 2020, according to PFF, good for 19th in the league. Heading into a showdown against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, it's worth wondering if Arians is having Brady air it out too much.Now what?Ravens (6-4) at Steelers (10-0), 8 p.m., TuesdayUnless this game gets bumped again because of COVID-19 concerns, Robert Griffin III will be the Ravens' starting quarterback instead of Lamar Jackson. Shameless plug alert: You can read more about the undefeated Steelers here.The race is onGiants (3-7) at Bengals (2-7-1), 1 p.m.The Giants have won two straight and three of their last five, and they've lost by more than 10 points just once this season. New York is also coming off a bye week filled with reports about the firing of its offensive line coach, which is a very on-brand storyline for the 2020 NFC East. Al Bello / Getty ImagesA win against the Bengals puts the Giants in first place by virtue of their two victories against Washington - unless the Eagles beat the Seahawks on Monday night, in case you're depraved enough to want an update on the saddest division race in league history.The Bengals are starting Brandon Allen at quarterback instead of Ryan Finley after Joe Burrow tore his ACL and MCL last week. That's all anyone needs to know about the state of Cincinnati's season.Just imagineBears (5-5) at Packers (7-3), 8:20 p.m.After four straight losses and a bye, the Bears are going back to Mitch Trubisky at quarterback. What could possibly go wrong?Chicago already decided against picking up Trubisky's fifth-year option. But ever since The Athletic's Sheil Kapadia presented a hypothetical scenario in which Trubisky leads the Bears to the playoffs - thereby pressuring them to sign him to a market-level contract next spring - I haven't been able to get the thought out of my mind. Chicago is still just one game out of a playoff spot in the NFC. How Bears would it be if Kapadia's vision came to pass?Thanksgiving leftoverWashington 41, Cowboys 16During the second quarter of Thursday's Washington-Dallas game, Washington faced a second-and-5 from the Cowboys' 16-yard line. The team picked up a first down by giving the ball to running back J.D. McKissic on this play: Your browser does not support the video tag. Fox Sports/NFL Game PassDid you catch what actually happened? Your browser does not support the video tag. Fox Sports/NFL Game PassWashington head coach Ron Rivera later acknowledged his team did indeed run the "Annexation of Puerto Rico" play from the movie "Little Giants." As the father of a 6-year-old who recently watched "Little Giants" and loved it, I can't wait to tell my son about this one.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers are set to welcome back some key players to the active roster.Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team will activate Richard Sherman, Raheem Mostert, and Jeff Wilson Jr. off injured reserve Saturday, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. All three are considered questionable for Sunday's contest against the Los Angeles Rams.Sherman, a five-time Pro Bowler, hasn't played since the 49ers' season opener due to a calf injury. The 32-year-old cornerback has recorded three interceptions since joining San Francisco in 2019 and is a huge part of the secondary.Should he return Sunday, the veteran defensive back is expected to form a formidable duo with cornerback Jason Verrett.Wilson suffered a high ankle sprain during a breakout performance against the New England Patriots in Week 7 and hasn't suited up since. The running back put up 112 rushing yards and three touchdowns in that game.Mostert has also been plagued by an ankle ailment and suited up for just four games this campaign. The 28-year-old back played a critical part in the 49ers' run to last year's Super Bowl and looked to continue where he left off, rushing for 5.9 yards per carry this season.The 49ers are also expected to have receiver Deebo Samuel back in the lineup Sunday after he was left off the injury report.Samuel has been sidelined since Week 7 due to a hamstring injury. The second-year receiver put up 802 receiving yards during his rookie campaign but has been limited to just 185 receiving yards in 2020.The 49ers have been battered by injuries throughout the season, which is a large reason why the club sits at the bottom of the NFC West with a 4-6 record.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans released wide receiver Kenny Stills, the team announced Friday.The move to part ways was mutual, sources told ESPN's Cameron Wolfe. Stills, who's scheduled to hit free agency at the end of the year, will be available to the rest of the league via waiver claim.The wideout didn't have much of a role with the Texans in 2020, catching just 11 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown. He had 40 receptions for 561 yards and four touchdowns last season.Houston acquired Stills from the Miami Dolphins in the Laremy Tunsil trade that sent two first-round picks the other way ahead of the 2019 season.A fifth-round draft choice in 2013, Stills has been known throughout his career for his ability to stretch the field vertically. The 28-year-old played two seasons with the New Orleans Saints and four with the Dolphins before arriving in Houston.Stills has twice eclipsed 800 yards receiving, going for a career-best 931 with the Saints in 2014. He's caught 37 touchdowns across eight NFL seasons.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings will likely be without wide receiver Adam Thielen for Sunday's matchup against the Carolina Panthers, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.Minnesota placed Thielen on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday. He tested positive for the virus earlier this week but also had a negative test, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Thielen, 30, is in the midst of another productive campaign, catching 49 passes for 646 receiving yards while adding a league-leading 11 touchdowns.Rookie receiver Justin Jefferson will garner increased attention if Thielen is not activated for Sunday's game. Jefferson has been Kirk Cousins' favorite target in 2020, leading the Vikings with 848 receiving yards.Minnesota is coming off a Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys but has won three of its last four contests.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL has moved the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens from Sunday to Tuesday.The league also pushed the Ravens' Thursday game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13 to Monday.The matchup between Baltimore and Dallas is set for 5 p.m. ET, and it'll be followed by San Francisco 49ers-Buffalo Bills as part of a Monday night doubleheader.Baltimore is battling a COVID-19 outbreak that's forced the team to place more than 10 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week, including quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens placed Jackson, fullback Patrick Ricard, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, and long snapper Morgan Cox on their COVID-19 list on Friday.Jackson received his positive test from Thursday's round of testing and won't be available to face the Steelers on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.This is the second time the NFL has moved the AFC North matchup, which was initially scheduled to take place on Thanksgiving Day.Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin canceled Friday's practice. Pittsburgh is scheduled to face the Washington Football Team on Sunday in Week 13.The Steelers placed defensive end Stephon Tuitt, defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs, and offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed defensive end Stephon Tuitt, defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs, and offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins on COVID-19 reserve Friday, the team announced.The Steelers aren't scheduled to play until Tuesday after the NFL postponed their upcoming game because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the Baltimore Ravens.Originally, the Steelers were slated to meet the Ravens on Thanksgiving. The contest was delayed until Sunday and then pushed back a second time. A number of Steelers players lashed out on social media over the postponement, which marked their second major scheduling change because of coronavirus concerns this season.Tuitt, the biggest name of the three deactivated Steelers, has 32 tackles and a career-high seven sacks on the season. Buggs has seen action in six games, making one start, while Hawkins has played sparingly as a backup tackle.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley won't play Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders due to a knee injury, the team announced.Gurley suffered the ailment in last week's game versus the New Orleans Saints and didn't practice this week.The veteran, who leads the Falcons in rushing this season, has racked up 610 yards and nine touchdowns through 10 games. Brian Hill is expected to carry the load at running back against the Raiders.The Falcons also listed wide receiver Julio Jones as questionable with a hamstring issue.Jones' issue also stems from the Saints game. The eight-time Pro Bowler missed most of the second half against New Orleans and didn't practice Friday after being limited Wednesday and Thursday.The 31-year-old has amassed 677 yards and three scores on 45 receptions through eight appearances in 2020. He missed two games this season due to a hamstring injury.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

By starting the season with 10 wins and zero losses, the Pittsburgh Steelers achieved something significant. Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, Pittsburgh is just the 17th team to win its first 10 games.It's a near-certainty the Steelers will make the playoffs; all 16 of the previous 10-0 teams made the postseason, and Football Outsiders lists Pittsburgh's playoff odds at a robust 99.99%. But beyond that, there's no predictive element here. Six of those 10-0 teams won the Super Bowl, four reached the Super Bowl and lost, two lost in a conference championship game, and four bowed out in the divisional round without having won in the playoffs at all. So how good are these Steelers? And what can they be expected to achieve from here? This is where things get tougher to suss out.One factor working in the Steelers' favor is that they have the league's best defense. Pittsburgh's D is ranked first in DVOA, first in passing DVOA, and sixth in rushing DVOA. Ben Baldwin's database also puts the defense first in both expected points added per play and dropback EPA. And Pittsburgh leads the league in takeaways (21), sacks (38), interceptions (15), and points against per game (17.4). Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesAs a unit, the Steelers are strong from front to back. They rank first as a team in ESPN's pass-block win rate metric, with T.J. Watt tops among all edge rushers and Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward both in the top 10 among interior linemen. Defensive lineman Tyson Alualu, who is capable of lining up inside or outside, has helped immeasurably by frequently clogging up blockers so Tuitt and Heyward can make plays. Both Watt and Bud Dupree are among PFF's top 20 edge rushers in pass-rush productivity. Pittsburgh also leads the league in pressure rate (34.3%), per Pro Football Reference, and its opponents have completed a league-low 54.8% of their passes.The Steelers are doing all this even though they've been without inside linebacker Devin Bush (torn ACL) since Week 6 and didn't have slot corner Mike Hilton for four straight games prior to last weekend's win over Jacksonville. Their defense has been a different unit since last year's early-season trade for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. He provides something Pittsburgh had been missing since Troy Polamalu's age caught up to him after the team's last Super Bowl appearance 10 years ago: a backstop who is also a capable playmaker. Fitzpatrick has intercepted nine passes as a Steeler, including four this season. But he's been just as valuable as a deep-end security blanket.On offense, the Steelers have failed to generate consistency in the running game, much to the consternation of those Yinzers whose idea of STEELER FOOTBAW involves establishing the run by handing the ball to Franco Harris or Frank Pollard or Bam Morris or Jerome Bettis 30 times a game. But the Steelers are winning because their offense has embraced the efficiencies of being pass-heavy and by playing to the strengths of future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is 38 and coming off elbow surgery. Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesAccording to Baldwin's database, the Steelers throw on early downs in neutral situations 57.6% of the time, which ranks second only to the Kansas City Chiefs' 64.4%. Roethlisberger has done a lot of dinking and dunking, but there's a method to this madness.His average time to throw of 2.29 seconds is the fastest in the league, per Next Gen Stats. Roethlisberger relies heavily on quick hitters to set up the occasional downfield shot, which has the added benefit of protecting him; his sack rate of 2.56% is the second-lowest in the league. According to PFF, six of Roethlisberger's 15 completions on throws covering 20 air yards or more have come during the last three weeks. Those occasional deep shots also led to seven defensive pass-interference penalties resulting in long gains, which is tied with the Las Vegas Raiders for most in the league, according to The Athletic's Mike Sando.At the same time, according to analyst Warren Sharp's database, the Steelers have one of the league's lowest rates of what's called explosive plays - those that generate 15 yards or more - at just 8%. But with speedy pass-catchers like Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, rookie second-round pick Chase Claypool, and free-agent tight end Eric Ebron, the Steelers have made it work - at least when they've had to. The Steelers rank just 18th in EPA/dropback on early downs, per Baldwin's data, but Roethlisberger is eighth in EPA/play among quarterbacks.Claypool, in particular, has been a revelation - the latest in a long line of terrific wide receivers drafted by Pittsburgh. His combination of speed, size, and strength makes him a threat at all levels of the field, including on jet sweeps. He leads the team with 10 touchdowns (eight receiving, two rushing) and 8.6 yards per target, per Pro Football Reference. Julio Aguilar / Getty ImagesWhen the Steelers had to play from behind in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in recent weeks, Roethlisberger shifted the offense into what he described as "backyard football" - i.e., an up-tempo, no-huddle approach typically with five receivers or four receivers and a tight end, and Roethlisberger literally just telling his pass-catchers where to go. They came back to win both games."I was just telling the line the protections and moving guys around and playing backyard football, if you will," Roethlisberger said after the Ravens game, according to The Athletic's Mark Kaboly. "I don’t know if we called too many 'plays' in the second half. It was just more, 'Hey, run this, run this, run this,' and to me, that's just credit to the receivers, Ebron, and other guys that just want to make plays."If there's a reason to doubt the Steelers, it's that they've played the league's weakest schedule based on the DVOA of their opponents, according to Football Outsiders, including six games against teams ranked 25th or lower and seven against teams with losing records. They've also benefited from some luck by recovering eight of 11 offensive fumbles and having just five of Roethlisberger's turnover-worthy throws result in interceptions, according to PFF. In his weekly ESPN column, Aaron Schatz noted that the Steelers' total DVOA is 10th-best among the 14 teams to have been 10-0 dating back to 1985. None of the four teams below them eventually won the Super Bowl.Pittsburgh's schedule will get tougher. The Steelers have the Ravens again at home Tuesday, plus road games against the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns and a home date with the Indianapolis Colts. The Steelers will be in the playoffs, in all likelihood as one of the AFC's top seeds. They're indisputable contenders for the Super Bowl. Whether they have the firepower to get past a high-octane team like the Kansas City Chiefs remains to be seen.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.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 back to a game under .500 after a 1-2 record last week, though we're feeling lucky ahead of a lighter Week 12 slate. Here are my best bets for this week.Titans @ Colts (-3, 50.5), 1 p.m. ETWe just saw these teams two weeks ago on a Thursday night, when the Colts thrashed the Titans in a dominant 34-17 win. Yet these clubs are far closer than that score suggests, and revenge is one hell of a motivating factor ahead of their divisional rematch.Tennessee led at halftime before two special-teams errors led to easy scores for Indianapolis and skewed the final result. Those plays also masked how easily the Titans ran on the Colts' elite run defense, which will be without star DeForest Buckner (DL) and starters Denico Autry (DL) and Bobby Okereke (LB) for Sunday's rematch.Buckner's absence in particular is a blow to an Indy defense that needs to pressure Ryan Tannehill to keep pace. If it doesn't, the Titans are poised to settle the score. Teams playing in a revenge spot within two weeks of the initial loss are 23-8-1 against the spread in their last 32 tries, including 12-2 ATS since 2015.Pick: Titans +3Raiders (-3, 54.5) @ Falcons, 1 p.m.The Raiders impressed me against the Chiefs last week in a game they really should have won. Frankly, they've impressed me all year long, and they're getting shortchanged at this number against a Falcons team that's done very little to earn respect in the betting market.Las Vegas is 7-3 ATS this year - tied for second-best in the NFL - despite playing the third-toughest schedule in the league, per Football Outsiders. Atlanta has also played a tough slate, yet it's 4-6 ATS with zero wins against teams with winning records.The Raiders provide mismatch nightmares for the Falcons, who have allowed the third-most receiving yards (622) and tied for the most touchdowns (eight) to opposing tight ends. If Darren Waller can make an impact early, it'll be a long day for Atlanta bettors.Pick: Raiders -3Chargers @ Bills (-5, 52.5), 1 p.m.The Chargers have been remarkably unlucky in late-game situations this year - they've played a league-high nine games decided by one possession and are 2-5-2 ATS in those. But they're not a good football team either, as they rank outside the top 20 in PFF grades (No. 22) and DVOA (No. 24).The Bills, meanwhile, are a top-half team by both metrics and were a Hail Mary away from a four-game win streak capped off by victories over the Seahawks and Cardinals. Their offense has been superb against subpar defenses, a description that would fit Los Angeles' unit over the last several weeks.An extra week of rest should help Buffalo's talented but inconsistent defense prepare for Justin Herbert, who has shown star flashes but has also had rookie moments against the right defensive game plans. The Chargers are 1-12 ATS since 2008 against teams coming off a bye; expect that trend to continue Sunday.Pick: Bills -6(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 Chicago Bears listed quarterback Nick Foles as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers as he continues to battle a hip injury.Head coach Matt Nagy consequently announced Mitchell Trubisky as the Week 12 starter."We're excited that Mitch is ready and it's an opportunity for him," Nagy told reporters Friday.Foles was hurt in Chicago's Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran was deemed day-to-day during the team's bye week as he didn't suffer a major injury despite being carted off the field.The 31-year-old replaced an ineffective Trubisky in Week 3 but won just two games in seven starts since.Trubisky was also on the shelf nursing a shoulder injury he suffered on a running play in Week 9. The 26-year-old was a full participant during Friday's practice.The Bears currently sit second in the NFC North at 5-5. Week 12 will mark the first meeting of the season between the two rival clubs.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is questionable to play Sunday against the New York Jets, head coach Brian Flores announced Friday, according to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.Tagovailoa suffered a left thumb injury Wednesday as a result of hitting it against a helmet during practice.Flores said he wants to watch practice film before making a decision on Tagovailoa and running back Myles Gaskin, who hasn't played since Week 8 due to a knee injury.Tagovailoa was removed from this past Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter due to performance reasons. Flores later said the first-round rookie will remain the Dolphins' starter over veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.The 22-year-old has posted a 3-1 record as a starter while completing 61% of his pass attempts for 593 yards and six touchdowns.Flores also ruled out running back Salvon Ahmed and guard Solomon Kindley due to a shoulder and foot injury, respectively.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson will miss the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury, he announced Friday."The inside of my ankle has collapsed," Johnson said, according to Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Inquirer.Johnson has dealt with multiple injuries this season, including ankle, knee, and shoulder ailments. The 30-year-old was sidelined for three of the Eagles' first 10 games.The three-time Pro Bowler, who's considered one of the NFL's most reliable offensive tackles, last played a full regular season in 2015.He became the highest-paid right tackle in football after signing a four-year, $72-million extension in November 2019, per Spotrac.The Eagles have shuffled their offensive line ahead of Monday's game against the Seattle Seahawks, moving veteran left tackle Jason Peters to right guard, sources told John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Jordan Mailata will reportedly replace Peters on the left side.Additionally, Philadelphia has indicated that left guard Matt Pryor will replace Johnson at right tackle, according to Tim McManus of ESPN.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold will return from a right shoulder injury in Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins, head coach Adam Gase said Friday, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.Darnold missed two games with the injury. He sat out two other games earlier in the season with a sprained AC joint in the same shoulder."It's been a good week for Sam," said Gase.The return will mark the first time this season Darnold plays alongside Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman, and Denzel Mims - the Jets' top three wide receivers.The 23-year-old has thrown for 1,045 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions in six appearances this year.Gase has also said a healthier lineup with Darnold and the wideouts will give 0-10 New York a chance to see "what maybe (the offense) could have been."The Dolphins blanked the Jets 24-0 in their first meeting this season, a game Darnold didn't play.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 12 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 12 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.StartCam Newton, Patriotsvs. Cardinals Boston Globe / Boston Globe / GettyAfter missing time following a COVID-19 diagnosis and taking a couple of games to settle back into the offense, Newton has emerged as the QB10 based on fantasy points per game over the last month.He's also coming off his second 300-plus-yard passing effort as a Patriot after benefitting from the Texans' defense and its lack of resistance. Fortunately for Cam, the Cardinals are nearly just as generous, offering the eighth-most favorable matchup for fantasy quarterbacks this season.Continue to start Newton as a low-end QB1 in Week 12.Boone's projection: 241 passing yards, one passing TD, 38 rushing yards, one rushing TDOther QBs to start

Buffalo Bills starting left guard Cody Ford will be out for the season after suffering an injury in practice this week, head coach Sean McDermott announced Friday, according to WGR's Sal Capaccio.Ford suffered a torn meniscus and will require three-to-four months of rehab, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Buffalo's 2019 second-round pick started his career primarily on the right side of the offensive line, rotating between tackle and guard, but settled in at left guard early in the 2020 campaign.The 23-year-old missed two games earlier in the year with a separate knee injury.McDermott also ruled wide receiver John Brown out for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, per Capaccio. Brown is dealing with an ankle ailment and hasn't practiced all week.Jon Feliciano or Ike Boettger will fill in for Ford at guard, while Gabriel Davis should see the majority of outside snaps at wideout in Brown's place.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts placed DeForest Buckner on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday after the defensive tackle tested positive for the virus, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Buckner will not play in Sunday's pivotal AFC South matchup against the Tennessee Titans as a result.Indianapolis will now likely be down two starting defensive linemen in Week 12, with Denico Autry also being placed on the reserve list as a close contact.Buckner has racked up 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery through 10 games in an impactful first year with the Colts.Both teams currently sit tied atop the division with a 7-3 record. Frank Reich's squad earned a 34-17 win over the Titans in their last meeting, which came in Week 10.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has tested positive for COVID-19, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The Ravens are closing their team facility until Monday at the earliest, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, is the latest in a long line of Ravens players affected by the virus, and the reported developments throw the status of Sunday's game against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers into doubt. Should the game proceed as scheduled, backup quarterback Robert Griffin III would likely start for Baltimore.The matchup between the AFC North rivals was supposed to cap off the NFL's Thanksgiving tripleheader. Instead, the league announced Wednesday the game would be moved to Sunday.Baltimore already has 10 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and it appears Jackson could soon join them. The team first placed third-string quarterback Trace McSorley and defensive back Iman Marshall on the reserve list last Friday before Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans.The Ravens then placed running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins and defensive tackle Brandon Williams on the reserve list Monday while announcing that multiple members of the organization had tested positive for COVID-19. Linebacker Pernell McPhee joined them Tuesday, while defensive end Calais Campbell and offensive linemen Matt Skura and Patrick Mekari hit the list Wednesday. Baltimore placed defensive end Jihad Ward on the list Thursday morning.Baltimore disciplined a staff member Wednesday for reportedly failing to report his COVID-19 symptoms and failing to consistently wear a mask or tracking device inside the team facility.Head strength and conditioning coach Steve Saunders was the staff member in question, sources told Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. The team has reportedly suspended Saunders.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens recorded multiple new positive COVID-19 tests and will continue to work virtually Thursday, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.The positive tests from Wednesday include one player, one position coach, and one staff member, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Ravens later added defensive end Jihad Ward to the COVID-19 list, ESPN's Field Yates reports.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Last week I said we may never lose again. Spoiler - we lost.Despite an outright win from the Titans (+12), the Falcons (+11) couldn't cover the number in New Orleans.Let's get back in the win column in Week 12.Chargers @ Bills, Nov. 29 @ 1 p.m. ETLine: Chargers +5.5Teaser line: Chargers +11.5Just three teams this season have yet to lose a game by more than a score - the Steelers, Chiefs ... and Chargers. Anthony Lynn's deficiencies have relegated Los Angeles to a miserable 2-7 record in one-score games, including some truly heartbreaking losses, but this is a competitive football team.Justin Herbert continues to excel far beyond expectations, masking some important injuries on both sides of the ball. Now the Chargers get Joey Bosa back, while Austin Ekeler also returned to practice this week. It spells trouble for a Bills defense that grades as the 25th-ranked unit, according to PFF, while ranking dead last against the run.Josh Allen's struggles against pressure are well-documented, so the return of Bosa comes at an inopportune time for Brian Daboll's offense, which also appears set to be without John Brown here. Brown is the guy who takes the top off a defense, and his absence shortens the field, allowing teams to zero in on Stefon Diggs. There's serious upset potential in Buffalo on Sunday.Giants @ Bengals, Nov. 22 @ 1 p.m.Line: Giants -6Teaser line: Giants PKYou have to wonder what the mood in Bengals camp has been like this week after Joe Burrow went down with a season-ending knee injury. Cincinnati's season is also over at 2-7-1, and it's going to be tough for them to get up for this game, in a mostly empty stadium, with Brandon Allen under center.Allen, in his fifth season in the league, has become something of a journeyman. The Bengals are the fourth team to employ him, and he's appeared in just three NFL games. Each of those were starts with the Broncos last season, where he completed just 46% of his passes. There will be added pressure on him to produce behind a terrible offensive line, as the running game has been completely non-existent with Joe Mixon injured. Ryan Finley led the Bengals in rushing last week with 19 yards.Allen will face an underrated Giants secondary that's allowed just 15 touchdown passes (eighth-fewest) and 27 plays of 20 or more yards (sixth-fewest). The bend-but-don't-break approach means Allen will have to sustain long drives without the help of his running game, which is rather unrealistic to expect.Meanwhile, Daniel Jones is playing as well as he has all season and will find himself in a great spot for success here. The Bengals rank 25th in the NFL in allowing 7.3 yards per pass this season, while their pass rush ranks dead last. Jones is completing 74% of his passes this season from a clean pocket and has been in a rhythm of late, producing with both his arm and legs. The Giants will simply be too much for a shorthanded Bengals team this week.Full teaser: Chargers +11.5, Giants PK ($110 to win $100)(Odds source: theScore Bet)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.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald tested positive for COVID-19, sources told Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The 11-time Pro Bowler will reportedly miss Sunday's game against the New England Patriots as a result.With Fitzgerald sidelined, Andy Isabella will likely be given an expanded role behind DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk.The 37-year-old Fitzgerald's role in the Cardinals' offense has diminished in his 17th NFL season. He is averaging a career-low 7.8 yards per reception, has yet to catch a touchdown pass, and is on pace for his lowest-ever receiving yards total.The 6-4 Cardinals will look to close the gap on the 7-3 Seattle Seahawks and 7-3 Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West on Sunday against New England.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Lions rookie running back D'Andre Swift is inactive for Thursday afternoon's game against the Houston Texans as he continues to recover from a concussion.Swift missed last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers and was listed as questionable ahead of the Thanksgiving matchup.The first-year tailback last appeared in Week 10, making his first career start and totaling 149 yards from scrimmage.Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson are expected to handle the bulk of the load in the backfield with Swift out. Neither player eclipsed 20 yards last week, but Johnson did haul in two receptions.Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola, Jeff Okudah, and Da'Shawn Hand are among Detroit's other Week 12 inactives.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.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.Half PPR

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Before making your NFL bets on this shortened Thanksgiving slate, it's worth knowing which sides other bettors are backing - especially on games drawing sharp action.We talked to Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader, to see how sharps and public bettors are playing the Thanksgiving Day matchups.Texans (-3, 51) @ Lions, 12:30 p.m. ETThursday's first game is easily the least significant, as neither team has a viable path to the postseason. But that hasn't stopped sharps from taking a clear position on this one.As of late Wednesday, the Texans were drawing four times as many straight-bet tickets and three times as much money wagered compared to the Lions, who are 5-11 against the spread on Thanksgiving since 2004. The parlay margins are even wider - Houston is seeing twice as many tickets with a whopping 20-to-1 advantage in money.“It’s fairly exclusively Texans so far,” Rood said.Washington @ Cowboys (-3, 46.5), 4:30 p.m.Bettors are also favoring the road team in the second leg of Thursday's doubleheader, but they are more split in the parlay market.Washington has drawn twice as many straight bets with three times as much money, even with this line moving from an opening number of 2. The team is also pulling four times as much money in parlay bets but the Cowboys have twice as many tickets written to them, setting up somewhat of a Pros vs. Joes situation in this one.Recent results would favor the parlay bettors' play here. Dallas is 8-4 ATS against Washington in its last 12 matchups, including a 5-2 ATS record since 2017.Ravens @ Steelers (N/A)This game is off the board and rescheduled for Sunday after a COVID-19 outbreak within the Ravens organization, so all bets will be refunded. Still, it's worth noting the early betting activity to get a better read on this game when it's posted again.The Steelers were 3.5-point favorites early in the week and this line ran all the way up to 5.5 before being taken down on Wednesday. Interestingly, there was still enough two-way action to keep this game balanced, even as the number climbed throughout the week.Does that mean this game could re-open closer to 3.5 with a new date? Not likely, Rood says, since Baltimore could still be dealing with the effects of its COVID-19 outbreak into the weekend.“It’s gonna beat a similar number," Rood said. "We don’t know the impact of who's going to be there and who's not. ... I could see a (line of) 6 on this game if there are four or five guys that are still going to be out.”(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 Washington Football Team seems impressed not only by Alex Smith's comeback story, but by his level of play.Head coach Ron Rivera and his staff want Smith back for the 2021 campaign, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The veteran quarterback has yet to indicate whether he intends to play beyond this season after making his way back from a major leg injury. Smith is under contract through 2022 and is set to earn $19 million next year.Rivera said last week that Smith could "possibly" be his team's quarterback of the future following an impressive first start. Washington wants him back both to serve as a mentor to younger players and because his recent play warrants an opportunity to start, according to Rapoport.In two starts and two relief appearances, Smith has completed 68% of his passes for 918 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions.The 36-year-old suffered a gruesome leg injury that nearly required amputation in Week 5 of the 2018 season.Washington also rosters Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen at quarterback, though the club could be in a position to draft one early in the first round next year if it doesn't win the NFC East.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's NFL editors debate the hot topics around the NFL. Grab a cold towel and brace for hot takes.Ravens will fix offense in time to make playoffs Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyAlessandrini: TrueLamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens' offense certainly appear out of sync, but let's not forget expectations are extremely high. This is, after all, the team that holds the NFL record for most consecutive regular-season games scoring 20 points or more.Baltimore's offense took the league by storm in 2019 with the pistol formation, diverse running schemes, and three-tight end formations. But facing key injuries, head coach John Harbaugh has realized it's time for a full-on track meet. Rookies J.K. Dobbins and Devin Duvernay have seen their workloads increase lately, and sprinkling in a bit of Justice Hill can't hurt either. Unfortunately, neither Dobbins nor Mark Ingram will play Sunday against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, but the first-year tailback's emergence should help moving forward.The Ravens have matched up against stingy clubs over the last few weeks in the Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, and Tennessee Titans. Luckily, life gets easier for Baltimore as three of its final five opponents rank near the bottom of the league in total defense. Things were clicking earlier in the year, and Jackson - the reigning MVP - and offensive coordinator Greg Roman can be trusted to right the ship. The duo just needs to make a few tweaks.Browne: FalseDespite a two-game losing streak, the Ravens' playoff odds according to FiveThirtyEight are still better than those of the three teams Baltimore will likely be fighting for wild-card spots - the Cleveland Browns (69%), Las Vegas Raiders (67%), and Miami Dolphins (33%). But the Ravens shouldn't believe they're a few small changes away from recapturing last season's offensive form.One of Baltimore's biggest issues is its offensive line. It was an elite unit in 2019, but it's feeling the effects of losing left tackle Ronnie Stanley for the season and guard Marshal Yanda's retirement. The line has held up well considering its losses, but a vertical, speed-based offense can't operate effectively without consistently clean pockets. Maybe the Ravens can magic up some better pass protection for Jackson, but it's hard to see a dramatic improvement on the horizon.Furthermore, while the Ravens have still managed to produce the league's top rushing attack amid their issues on the offensive line, the passing game has taken a big step back. Drives have stalled all season long as a direct result of this regression. Baltimore led the league with 2.95 points per drive in 2019, according to Football Outsiders, but it's fallen to 18th with 2.21 per drive this season. Jackson, meanwhile, has already matched his interception total from a year ago with six.The Ravens' passing struggles are mostly due to a lack of reliable receiving options beyond tight end Mark Andrews. They also rank 22nd with a 58.8% red-zone touchdown percentage after finishing third in 2019, according to Team Rankings. That number has slumped to a dismal 50% over their last three games. Baltimore's soft schedule does afford it some opportunities to get back on track, but I'm going against the odds and predicting the decline will continue and leave the Ravens outside the playoff picture.Steelers will go 16-0 Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyAlessandrini: TruePittsburgh is simply too talented on both sides of the ball. Ben Roethlisberger appears fully healthy, completing 66% of his pass attempts for 1,088 yards, 11 touchdowns, and one interception over his last four games. He also has one of the NFL's deepest skill position groups at his disposal. Opponents can't limit every weapon, leading to separate games in which JuJu Smith-Schuster catches nine passes, Diontae Johnson goes over 100 yards (as he's done in each of the last two weeks), or rookie sensation Chase Claypool scores multiple touchdowns. James Conner, Eric Ebron, and James Washington are all capable of pitching in, too.Then there's the defense. Not only is it the No. 1 scoring unit in the league, but there's a superstar at every turn. T.J. Watt is elite against the pass and run, Stephon Tuitt is second to only Aaron Donald in total pressures and sacks among interior defenders, and Minkah Fitzpatrick is continuing his opportunistic ways with five turnovers in 2020. This group has already shut down Jackson, Derrick Henry, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deshaun Watson, among many others.The Steelers can and should beat anyone, as they effectively match up with elite offenses and defenses any given week. Tough opponents remain on Pittsburgh's schedule, and history isn't on its side. But the Steelers should have little issue disposing of any team that gets in their way before the playoffs.Browne: FalseThe Steelers do have a strong case as the league's top team, even beyond their spotless record. Their plus-124 point differential is the best in the league, with only the Kansas City Chiefs (plus-107) anywhere close. They also sit third in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric and PFF's team grades.Pittsburgh is a well-rounded and well-coached team. But it's not a historically dominant one akin to the squads that previously reached or approached perfection. Sixteen other teams have started 10-0 in the Super Bowl era. Just two of them - the 2007 Patriots and 1972 Dolphins - finished the regular season undefeated, and only three ended the campaign with one loss. In short, it's really hard to be perfect in the NFL. The odds are stacked against Pittsburgh.The Steelers will play four teams with winning records in their final six games after playing three over their first 10. They have road tilts with the 7-3 Buffalo Bills and 7-3 Browns and will host the 7-3 Colts and 6-4 Ravens. The AFC North leaders are certainly capable of winning all four games; they did destroy Cleveland 38-7 in Week 6. But Pittsburgh's two wins against winning teams so far (the Ravens and Titans) came by a combined seven points.As Big Ben said, Pittsburgh is "chasing Lombardis" instead of a perfect regular season - and rightfully so.Cowboys are favorites to win the NFC East Tom Pennington / Getty Images Sport / GettyBrowne: TrueSomeone has to emerge as the least awful team in the NFC East, and it's right to say the Dallas Cowboys have the best chance of earning that honor.Dallas looked flawed in its 31-28 win over the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday, but the game provided a blueprint for future success: ride Elliott early and often, get the ball of Andy Dalton's hand quickly so a stacked receiver group can do the heavy lifting, and avoid total disaster on defense.The Cowboys own the league's second-easiest remaining strength of schedule, with the Ravens their only opponent left with a winning record. The division-leading Philadelphia Eagles, meanwhile, have the NFL's fifth-hardest schedule featuring four playoff-caliber opponents in the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals. The Washington Football Team and New York Giants both face tough slates to end the season, too, with the 15th- and 11th-hardest remaining schedules, respectively.Dallas' three divisional games played so far are also the fewest in the NFC East, so its fate remained firmly in its hands. If the Cowboys can beat Washington on Thursday and the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14, they will cement themselves as the clear favorites.Alessandrini: FalseLet's hold off on crowning the Cowboys with six games to go, shall we? This is a team that ranks 21st in scoring offense, 32nd in scoring defense, and last in the NFC with a minus-83 point differential.Yes, Dalton's return to the lineup gives Dallas as realistic a shot at winning the division as possible without Dak Prescott, but the Cowboys still have plenty of issues to sort through. The offensive line is a shell of what observers are accustomed to seeing, due in large part to injuries, and that's impacted Elliott's level of play. Then there's the secondary, which has allowed a league-high 24 passing touchdowns this season and shown little-to-no signs of improvement in recent weeks.The NFC East may be the laughingstock of the NFL, but any of its other three squads could easily sneak into the postseason instead of Dallas. In fact, there's an argument that Washington - fielding the division's best defense - or New York - the group's hottest team - should be viewed as the favorite. The Cowboys already lost to the Eagles and Washington, too.Dallas may have a cakewalk schedule remaining, but the Cowboys have yet to display any confidence-instilling consistency in 2020. This is Jerry Jones' team, after all - it always seems to mess something up.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, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone provides his thoughts on every team heading into their Week 12 matchups.

Aaron Donald has been invisible on the stat sheet over the Los Angeles Rams' last two games, failing to register a single tackle or sack. But he has an explanation."In my opinion, they hold every play," Donald said, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry.The 29-year-old defensive tackle then specifically addressed the Rams' Monday Night Football clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers."There was some blatant holds that we didn't get the call for," he said of the contest.Donald referenced one instance in which Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady appeared to be stripped of the ball on a play that was ultimately ruled an incomplete pass."I feel like (Rams defensive end Morgan Fox) got the ball out, so that should have been a sack anyway," he said. "And if it wasn't, it should have been a holding call and a safety because (Buccaneers offensive tackle Donovan Smith) held me in the end zone."The two-time Defensive Player of the Year said he's expressed his frustration to officials but won't let it affect his play."All the damn time I talk to them," he said. "I say, 'You got to see that holding call,' they say they don't see it. I'm like, 'Man, the guy got me around my neck, grabbed, pulled my shirt, I just beat a guy with a clean rush.'"But it's alright; hopefully, I'm gonna get one sooner or later that's gonna help us big time, so I just got to keep playing."Though he hasn't appeared in the box score of late, the six-time Pro Bowler isn't overly concerned about his recent lack of sacks."At the end of the day, I don't think I'm playing bad football," he said. "I feel like I'm disruptive ... Guys around me (are) making plays, too, so it's not nothing that I'm mad about."Donald has been one of the NFL's premier interior pass-rushers since entering the league, recording 81 sacks over seven pro seasons.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans head coach Romeo Crennel gave a candid assessment of the uncertain futures surrounding him and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia."There's two kinds of coaches, right? There are those that have been fired and there's those that are going to get fired. And so we both fall into that category," Crennel said ahead of the teams' Thanksgiving Day matchup, according to Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.Patricia has compiled a 13-28-1 record over three years as the Lions' head coach, including a 4-6 mark this season. Crennel, meanwhile, is serving as the Texans' interim coach after replacing the recently fired Bill O'Brien.Although Crennel acknowledged that he and Patricia both understand the difficulties of coaching in the NFL, he said neither of them will feel sorry for themselves."We could get together and cry in the same bucket because this is a tough business we're in. And we know that it's tough when we get into it. And so you put your best foot forward and try to do the very best you can and then whatever happens, happens. And then we just have to deal with it," Crennel added.Crennel previously coached the Cleveland Browns for three years and the Kansas City Chiefs for parts of two seasons.The Texans are reportedly discussing making Crennel their full-time coach in 2021.Houston is 3-3 under Crennel.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul died Wednesday evening at the age of 54, the team announced.Paul experienced a medical emergency Tuesday morning at the team's facility and was rushed to the hospital.The cause of his death has yet to be determined."The loss of a family member is a tragedy, and Markus Paul was a loved and valued member of our family," team owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "He was a pleasant and calming influence in our strength room and throughout The Star."Paul was hired as the team's strength and conditioning coordinator prior to the season and promoted to coach earlier this year. He first joined the Cowboys in 2018 as an assistant strength coach.Paul was a part of five Super Bowl-winning teams over his time as a coordinator with the New England Patriots from 2000 to 2004 and an assistant strength and conditioning coach with the New York Giants from 2007 to 2017.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's a group of familiar names leading early in the NFL's 2020 Pro Bowl voting results.The top vote-getter is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The signal-caller is seeking his third Pro Bowl nod.Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce round out the top five.On the defensive side, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker lead the way.AFCPOSITIONPLAYERTEAMVOTESQBPatrick MahomesChiefs143355RBDerrick HenryTitans126799FBAndy JanovichBrowns50640WRStefon DiggsBills109537TETravis KleceChiefs127868TMekhi BectonJets41193GJoel BitonioBrowns58977CDavid AndrewsPatriots51482KRodrigo BlakenshipColts44865RSAndre RobertsBills50847DEMyles GarrettBrowns95374DTChris JonesChiefs54987OLBT.J. WattSteelers69924ILBZach CunninghamTexans27731CBMarlon HumphreyRavens53821SSTyrann MathieuChiefs70941FSJustin SimmonsBroncos74568PBraden MannJets26248STChris BoardRavens40379LSCameron CanadaySteelers48869NFCPOSITION PLAYER TEAM VOTESQBRussell WilsonSeahawks139839RBDalvin CookVikings131875FBKyle Juszczyk49ers112798WRDeAndre HopkinsCardinals127039TET.J. HockensonLions54312TDavid BakhtiariPackers82172GAlex CappaBuccaneers31705CJason KelceEagles40358KYounghoe KooFalcons75673RSCordarelle PattersonBears79010DEBrian BurnsPanthers50054DTAaron DonaldRams83143OLBKhalil MackBears47689ILBDevin WhiteBuccaneers78750CBMarshon LattimoreSaints31053SSBuddha BakerCardinals95234FSLogan RyanGiants42722PJohnny HekkerRams41011STNick BelloreSeahawks43906LSHunter BradleyPackers45837The NFL is teaming up with EA Sports to make the 2021 Pro Bowl a virtual experience. Fan voting runs until Dec. 17.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL postponed the Thanksgiving Day game between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, moving it from Thursday to Sunday afternoon at 1:15 p.m. ET due to the Ravens' COVID-19 issues, the league announced Wednesday.Baltimore has recorded seven positive tests among players since Sunday night. Those players are running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins, defensive ends Pernell McPhee and Calais Campbell, quarterback Trace McSorley, center Matt Skura, and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano.All seven players will miss the AFC North showdown.The Ravens placed Campbell, Skura, and Mekari on the COVID-19 list Wednesday afternoon.Baltimore reportedly also has an unconfirmed number of positives among coaches and support staff.The Ravens announced later Wednesday the club has disciplined a staff member for conduct related to the team's COVID-19 outbreak.A strength and conditioning coach didn't report symptoms or wear a mask or tracking device consistently, and that may have led to the rash of positive cases on the team, reports NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Pittsburgh was forced to move up its bye week earlier in the season due to the Tennessee Titans' COVID-19 issues. The latest setback imposed upon the team isn't sitting well with Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster:

Two of the NFL's top quarterbacks will go head to head Sunday as Patrick Mahomes duels with Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Tom Brady.Mahomes has taken the league by storm in recent years, while Brady is arguably the most accomplished passer in NFL history. But the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback still isn't ready to put himself on equal footing with Brady."He's someone that's a global star," Mahomes said, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher. "For me, I just try to be myself and go out there every single day and put in the work and try to win football games. All that other stuff kind of comes with it."The 25-year-old has earned one championship ring while also adding regular season and Super Bowl MVP accolades. Brady has won six Super Bowls, and he's bested the Chiefs quarterback in two of their previous three meetings, including a playoff victory.Sunday will be the first matchup between the two since Brady departed the New England Patriots in the offseason. The Chiefs passer is still expecting a tough battle."I don't think it's going to feel very much different. It's a still a very good football team that's playing really good football and winning a lot of football games. So we know it's going to be a great challenge for us and we're excited for it," Mahomes added.The Buccaneers are 7-4 in Brady's first season under center with the club. The veteran has posted a 95.0 passer rating with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions.Mahomes, meanwhile, is putting together another MVP-caliber campaign, leading the Chiefs to a 9-1 record while throwing 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The race for the NFL's 2020 rushing title is turning into a two-back affair.Through 11 weeks of the regular season, it's Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook, and a chasm between them and the rest of the league.Henry, the Tennessee Titans' wrecking ball, leads the league with 1,079 yards. Cook, the Minnesota Vikings' game-breaker, is just 10 yards behind him with 1,069 - despite playing in one less game - and leads the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns. James Robinson of the Jacksonville Jaguars sits third with 762 yards.Henry, 26, and Cook, 25, figure to be in tight competition for the rushing lead over the final six weeks of the campaign. But for the moment, Henry is ceding the title of the game's best back to his counterpart."Dalvin Cook is having a phenomenal season. Right now, I would say he's the best back in football," Henry said, according to Sports Illustrated's Mike Hogan."Just week after week, always dominating. Always having a great game. Running the ball. Catching the ball. Very explosive."The two backs met back in Week 3. Cook went off for 181 yards and a score while Henry posted 119 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-30 Titans victory.Cook and Henry have both eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in all but four games this season. Henry, for his part, has enjoyed watching his peer find such success."I love watching (Cook) run on film," Henry said. "He is doing a great job this year. That guy's just been incredible the whole year. He runs hard, runs through tackles, makes guys miss. He's just been balling."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.Oh, you thought we'd preview Thanksgiving Day without player props? Good one!After previewing the sides and totals for what's now a two-game slate, the real fun can begin.Here's a prop to consider for every team on Thursday.Texans - Deshaun Watson's longest completion over 39.5 yardsThe Texans aren't going anywhere in the AFC South following a horrific start, but Watson's been flying under the radar. The fourth-year quarterback has become a human highlight reel as the schedule gets easier.Watson faced the Chiefs, Ravens, and Steelers out of the gates. He was held to 275 yards or fewer in all three games and failed to register a 40-yard completion.Since then, he's registered more than 275 yards in six of the last seven games, with a 40-yard completion or better in five of them. The man is officially heating up.Houston's offense ranks No. 3 in explosive pass rate and Detroit's defense is No. 28 in that category.This is an easy call.Lions - Matthew Stafford over 23.5 completionsLook for Stafford to pad his stats as a home underdog. He certainly likes throwing in the dome, as he's logged at least 24 completions in three of four home games this season.Another factor that should help Stafford with this prop is game pace. The Lions played the Panthers, Washington, Vikings, and Colts over the last four weeks. Those offenses rank No. 31, 15, 25, and 20 in the league in tempo, respectively.Houston ranks No. 12 and the offense could bully the Lions, who are 28th in DVOA defense. The Texans will gift Stafford a few extra possessions, which should ultimately help him sail over this soft number.Washington Football Team - Logan Thomas over 29.5 receiving yardsThe Washington Football Team is all of a sudden an interesting handicap with its quarterback change. Alex Smith's promotion to starter has shifted the offense's target share. Running back J.D. McKissic, for instance, saw a combined 29 over a two-week span with Smith under center; prior to that, he hadn't had more than eight targets in a game.Another player who's become a favorite for Smith is Thomas, the veteran tight end. He burned the Cowboys for four catches, 60 yards, and a touchdown in the previous meeting.Thomas has at least 42 total yards receiving and a long of 20 or more in three of the last five. He'll only need a couple grabs to get past this number.Cowboys - CeeDee Lamb under 4.5 catchesLamb's put up numbers on every defense he's faced … except Washington's.He has at least four catches in every game this season but was blanked on five targets against the Cowboys' division rival a few weeks ago.Washington's No. 4 in the league in DVOA pass defense and the Cowboys found a groove running the ball last week, so don't expect the rookie wide receiver to go ballistic on the stat sheet Thursday.(Odds source: theScore Bet)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.

The Indianapolis Colts placed defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday, the team announced.Buckner has racked up 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery through 10 games.The Colts could be down two of their best defensive linemen, with Denico Autry also on the team’s COVID list.Indianapolis is preparing for an important AFC South showdown against the Tennessee Titans. The Colts came away victorious in the previous matchup, winning 34-17.If Buckner is unavailable for Sunday’s matchup, expect defensive tackles Tyquan Lewis and Taylor Stallworth to receive more playing time.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kenny Golladay will spend his fourth straight game on the sidelines after the Detroit Lions ruled the wide receiver out for Thursday's Thanksgiving Day game against the Houston Texans.Golladay, 27, has only played in five games this season, amassing 338 receiving yards.Lions rookie running back D'Andre Swift is listed as questionable for the contest as he continues to work his way back from a concussion. The 21-year-old missed last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers.Swift last appeared in Week 10, making his first career start and totaling 149 yards from scrimmage.Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson will be expected to handle much of the workload if the rookie can't play.Wide receiver Danny Amendola, cornerback Jeff Okudah, and defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand were among the other players Detroit ruled out.The Lions activated wide receiver Mohamed Sanu from the practice squad ahead of Thursday's contest to bolster their receiving corps.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.Each week, we highlight the best NFL betting trends and angles to consider as you prepare for the weekend's action. The trends disappointed again in Week 11 with a 1-3 record, though Cleveland's weather certainly didn't help matters.Here are some notable trends ahead of Week 12.Chargers at Bills (-6, 53.5), 1 p.m. ETIt's always worth noticing teams that are coming off a bye, and especially when a club is playing the Chargers, who are 1-12 against the spread when facing squads in that spot since 2008. They're also 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight as road underdogs, while the Bills have covered four of their last five as home favorites.Trend play: Bills -6Giants (-6, 42.5) at Bengals, 1 p.m.This line is massive for the Giants, but it's hard to ignore their 17-4 ATS road record since 2018, the league's best over that stretch. The Bengals have generally excelled as underdogs, but they're 1-3-1 ATS in their last five as home 'dogs, and 2-6 ATS in their last eight against NFC teams.Trend play: Giants -6Titans at Colts (-3.5, 50.5), 1 p.m.The Colts embarrassed the Titans in prime time two weeks ago. How might that affect their Week 12 matchup? Teams playing in a revenge spot within two weeks of losing the first contest are a stellar 23-8-1 ATS in the last 32 tries, including 12-2 ATS since 2015. Tennessee is also 5-1 ATS in its last six when attempting to avenge same-season losses.Trend play: Titans +3.5Bears at Packers (-9, 45), 8:20 p.m.As if things aren't already bad enough for the Bears, who have lost four straight with a 1-3 ATS mark, they're in a terrible spot this week against the team's division rivals. The Packers are 18-7 ATS against Chicago since Aaron Rodgers took over at quarterback in 2008, and they're 5-1 ATS in their last six prime-time games.Trend play: Packers -9(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.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to return Sunday versus the Minnesota Vikings after his one-game absence, head coach Matt Rhule told reporters Wednesday, including The Athletic's Joe Person.However, star running back Christian McCaffrey is unlikely to suit up in Week 12, Rhule added.Bridgewater sprained his MCL in Week 10 and missed last week's win over the Detroit Lions. P.J. Walker started in his place.In his first season as a full-time starter since 2015, Bridgewater is completing 72% of his pass attempts while throwing for 2,552 yards, 13 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 10 games.Meanwhile, McCaffrey suffered a shoulder injury in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs, his first appearance after being sidelined for six contests due to an ankle issue.The All-Pro tailback could reportedly be sidelined for multiple weeks, meaning veteran Mike Davis will continue to shoulder the load against Minnesota.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.With Thanksgiving on the horizon, we take a look at what each team should be thankful for.1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 1Thankful for Patrick Mahomes: His greatness shouldn't be taken for granted. The Chiefs are the team to beat as long as Mahomes is wearing their uniform.2. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-0)Previous Rank: 2Thankful for Dr. Neal ElAttrache: This is the surgeon who repaired Ben Roethlisberger's elbow last year. The Steelers wouldn't be 10-0 without him.3. New Orleans Saints (8-2)Previous Rank: 3Thankful for Alvin Kamara: The Saints' offense has gone through Kamara this year more than ever before, and he hasn't flinched. The 25-year-old ranks second in the league in all-purpose yards, trailing only Dalvin Cook.4. Buffalo Bills (7-3)Previous Rank: 7Thankful for Josh Allen's growth: He still has room to develop, but there's no denying Allen's year-by-year improvement. Buffalo has the best quarterback in the AFC East.5. Seattle Seahawks (7-3) Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 9Thankful for the 'Let Russ Cook' campaign: After years of restraint, the Seahawks have finally opened up their passing game and allowed Russell Wilson to go to work. They boast one of the league's most productive offenses, even after Wilson committed 10 turnovers across a four-week stretch.6. Los Angeles Rams (7-3)Previous Rank: 12Thankful for a revitalized running game: It's no secret that Sean McVay's offense is predicated on an effective ground game, and that's what the Rams have re-established in 2020. They're averaging 4.2 yards per carry after averaging 3.7 yards last season, and their play-action attack is once again taking off.7. Indianapolis Colts (7-3)Previous Rank: 8Thankful for defensive playmakers: In Justin Houston, DeForest Buckner, Darius Leonard, Xavier Rhodes, and Julian Blackmon, the Colts have a legitimate playmaker in every defensive position group. They own a top-five defense and four wins in their last five outings.8. Green Bay Packers (7-3)Previous Rank: 4Thankful for the baaaaad man: They don't call Aaron Rodgers the baaaaad man for nothing. At 36, Rodgers has played his way back into MVP contention despite minimal help from the Packers organization.9. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)Previous Rank: 6Thankful for Bill O'Brien: Without BOB, the Cardinals would never have stolen DeAndre Hopkins from the Texans, and their offense wouldn't be the machine that it's become.10. Tennessee Titans (7-3) Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 14Thankful for King Henry: Derrick Henry scored the overtime touchdown to beat the Ravens in Week 11 and is rumbling toward a second straight rushing title. He gives the Titans an identity and makes them a threat to do damage if they reach the playoffs.11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)Previous Rank: 5Thankful for relevance: The Buccaneers' season hasn't gone according to plan, but they're still closing in on their first winning season since 2016 and first playoff berth since 2007.12. Las Vegas Raiders (6-4)Previous Rank: 13Thankful for faith in the QB: Jon Gruden spent three years rejecting calls to find a new quarterback. Now, Derek Carr is playing arguably the best football of his career.13. Baltimore Ravens (6-4)Previous Rank: 10Thankful for time: Losers in three of four games since their bye, the Ravens are fortunate they still have six weeks to figure out how to save their sinking season.14. Cleveland Browns (7-3)Previous Rank: 15Thankful for a quiet year: Baker Mayfield still doesn't look like a franchise quarterback, but Cleveland has to be enjoying its break from laughable dysfunction. It's been a fairly calm season for the Browns, and that's a good thing.15. Miami Dolphins (6-4) Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 11Thankful for long-term plans: The Dolphins are ascending with youth on their side and still have two first-round picks coming in 2021, including one from the Texans that could be a top-10 selection.16. Minnesota Vikings (4-6)Previous Rank: 16Thankful for patience: It would have been easy for the Vikings to sell off assets at the trade deadline. Patience from the front office enabled Minnesota to rattle off a three-game winning streak, though a Week 11 loss to the Cowboys dented their playoff push.17. San Francisco 49ers (4-6)Previous Rank: 18Thankful for Jimmy G's contract: The 49ers can move on from Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason without owing him a dime or destroying their salary cap - and, since the quarterback's memorable Super Bowl LIV overthrow, there have been whispers that coach Kyle Shanahan would like to.18. New England Patriots (4-6)Previous Rank: 17Thankful for 2021 cap space: Salary cap issues hampered the Patriots last offseason, but only three teams are positioned to have more space in 2021. New England has a chance to rebound in a major way once this disappointing year is finished.19. Chicago Bears (5-5)Previous Rank: 20Thankful for defense: If not for Khalil Mack and Co., the Bears would be a laughingstock. Chicago ranks 31st in total offense and 31st in points.20. Carolina Panthers (4-7) Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 21Thankful for offseason bargains: Teddy Bridgewater (three years, $63 million) and Robby Anderson (two years, $20 million) have turned out to be great value signings in free agency, while Rasul Douglas (one year, $825,000) has made the Eagles look silly for waiving him before the season.21. Denver Broncos (4-6)Previous Rank: 24Thankful for youngsters: The jury is still out on Drew Lock, but the Broncos have a solid core of young players nonetheless. Courtland Sutton, Bradley Chubb, Noah Fant, Jerry Jeudy, and KJ Hamler are all 25 or younger, while Justin Simmons and Tim Patrick just turned 27.22. New York Giants (3-7)Previous Rank: 25Thankful for a culture change: They still don't win many games, but the Giants play hard every week under rookie head coach Joe Judge. The Pat Shurmur era was far less inspiring.23. Atlanta Falcons (3-7)Previous Rank: 22Thankful for life after Dan Quinn: The Falcons are 3-2 since dismissing their head coach, and their job opening should entice marquee candidates in the offseason thanks to the amount of talent they still possess on offense.24. Detroit Lions (4-6)Previous Rank: 19Thankful for Matthew Stafford's loyalty: The Lions are wasting another year of Stafford's career. It's a miracle he hasn't asked for a trade.25. Houston Texans (3-7) Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 29Thankful for Deshaun Watson's greatness: You wouldn't know it based on the Texans' record, but Watson is actually having his best season. He's on pace to set career highs in passing yards, completion percentage, yards per pass attempt, and touchdowns while also on track for a career low in interceptions.26. Los Angeles Chargers (3-7)Previous Rank: 27Thankful for the future: Justin Herbert has shown plenty of promise, and the Chargers haven't lost a game by more than one possession. There should be a great deal of optimism about the Chargers' chances of contending in 2021.27. Philadelphia Eagles (3-6-1)Previous Rank: 26Thankful for the NFC East: Only four teams in the entire NFC have a worse record than the Eagles, but three of them are in their division.28. Dallas Cowboys (3-7)Previous Rank: 28Thankful for watermelons: Mike McCarthy inspired the Cowboys before their win over the Vikings by smashing watermelons with a sledgehammer. Whatever works, right?29. Washington Football Team (3-7)Previous Rank: 30Thankful for Scary Terry: If he can rack up 129 yards on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys, sophomore Terry McLaurin will become the first receiver to 1,000 yards in 2020.30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-7-1) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 23Thankful for a good receiving core: The Joe Burrow knee injury is devastating, but at least the Bengals have a couple of nice young receivers in Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins to re-welcome him whenever he gets back.31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9)Previous Rank: 31Thankful for Justin Fields: The Jaguars picked the right year to stink. Even if they don't finish with the worst record in the NFL, they'll still net a blue-chip quarterback prospect at No. 2 in the 2021 draft.32. New York Jets (0-10)Previous Rank: 32Thankful for NFL rules: The Jets are going to get Trevor Lawrence before the NFL considers altering its draft order rules in a way that deters teams from tanking. Cheers to that, Jets fans!Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.