Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey announced Monday he has tested positive for COVID-19.The Ravens said in a statement following the positive test that the team is currently contact tracing and following the NFL's intensive protocol.Humphrey was sent home from the team facility last Wednesday due to an illness. He returned the following day and participated in practice on Thursday and Friday.

The Green Bay Packers are holding meetings virtually after a player tested positive for COVID-19, the team confirmed Monday.Running back A.J. Dillon produced the positive test and contact tracing is underway, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The result reportedly came from Sunday's pregame testing prior to the Packers' loss to the Minnesota Vikings.Dillon played 17 snaps against Minnesota, though the NFL and its medical experts have yet to discover evidence of on-field virus transmission, Pelissero reports.It's the first such case for Green Bay during the regular season. Kicker Mason Crosby and tight end Jace Sternberger spent time on the COVID-19/reserve list during training camp this summer.Matt LaFleur's squad is working on a short week, too, as its game is scheduled for Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers.The Packers' decision to hold virtual meetings is reportedly viewed as a precaution.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to trade Desmond King, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Multiple teams have inquired about the defensive back, per Schefter.The Chargers ruled King out for their Week 8 contest due to a non-injury-related reason. Head coach Anthony Lynn said the defensive back didn't play due to a "team decision," according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper. King has appeared in six games and made three starts this season.The 25-year-old earned first- and second-team All-Pro honors in 2018 as a defensive back and punt returner, respectively.King set career highs in 2018 with three interceptions and 10 pass breakups. He also has two career punt return touchdowns.The Chargers drafted King in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is set to become a free agent after this season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines the significance of those events moving forward.Steelers stay unbeaten Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Steelers spotted the Ravens a 10-point halftime lead and were outgained 457 yards to 221. Naturally, Pittsburgh won anyway.This was a gut-check win for the Steelers on the road against a heated rival after playing like crap in the first half. But Pittsburgh forced Lamar Jackson into four turnovers, getting a touchdown from its defense and an interception that set the offense up in the red zone for another TD.Backup inside linebacker Robert Spillane - the much-doubted fill-in for the injured Devin Bush - had a pick-6, a tackle for a loss, two passes defensed, a fumble recovery, and a team-high 11 tackles, just as everyone expected he would. And unlike so many other Steelers defenses in the years since their championship teams got old, Pittsburgh managed to get a game-ending stop on a final drive to secure the win.Ben Roethlisberger struggled with his short- and intermediate-range accuracy in the first half, and he continues to be off target on deep throws (0-for-4 on passes of 20 or more air yards, per Next Gen Stats). But he led three second-half-touchdown drives, including two that covered at least 77 yards while also consuming more than 10 combined minutes.On a day when the Ravens spread them out and hit them with 179 rushing yards in the first half, the Steelers found a way. They now have a two-game lead in the AFC North, with the tiebreaker advantage of a road win in Baltimore. With games coming up at Dallas, Cincinnati at home, and at Jacksonville, it's possible the Steelers could be 10-0 when they face the Ravens again at home on Thanksgiving night.The caveat: Defensive linemen Tyson Alualu and Cameron Heyward both left the game with injuries, leaving the Steelers rather thin at an area of real strength.Slow down on ripping Lamar Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhen the Ravens were rolling in the first half, it was because they were able to spread the Steelers out and run the ball. But in the second half, when Pittsburgh brought safety Terrell Edmunds into the box more frequently, Baltimore managed just 109 yards through the air, and one touchdown on a possession that started at the Ravens' own 47-yard line following a Steelers punt.Quarterback Lamar Jackson, the league's reigning MVP, finished just 13-for-28 passing for 208 yards, two TDs, and two interceptions. Wideout Marquise "Hollywood" Brown was targeted just twice and caught only one pass. He tweeted and deleted his displeasure, which, fine. Football is a frustrating game, and Twitter can be a raw, emotional medium.The Ravens are 5-2 and still one of the league's best teams. It's way, way too early to start doubting Jackson. But if Baltimore is going to compete for a Super Bowl, Jackson's production as a passer needs be better than what it was in this game. If nothing else, the Ravens advancing to the Steelers' 23-yard line at the end shows how fine the line so often is between winning and losing in the NFL.Patriots might be done Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Images Sport / GettyAs New England slowly marched up the field in the closing minutes while trailing by three, it was difficult to resist thinking the Patriots were about to do it again. Their grip on the AFC East has been so tight for so long, it was easy to imagine they'd find a way to spook the Bills, to remind them they're still a threat to be reckoned with.And then this Cam Newton fumble happened:The Patriots have now lost four straight games for the first time in 18 seasons. All those years spent building a roster with spackle and chewing gum while Tom Brady served as foreman have finally caught up to Bill Belichick. Even he appears to have no answers at this point.Meanwhile, Newton's chance to play his way back to another big-money contract appears to be slipping from his grasp (in his case, literally). If there's a reprieve in sight for the Pats and Newton, it's that an FCS game against the Jets is up next.Dolphins win with D Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / GettyBrian Flores made his bones as Belichick's defensive coordinator in New England, and his crowning achievement was the way the Pats tied the high-octane Rams to the train tracks in Super Bowl LIII. In his first matchup against the Rams as the Dolphins' head coach, Flores' defense did it again.Miami harassed Jared Goff into two interceptions and two lost fumbles within six first-half possessions. The Dolphins converted two of those turnovers into touchdowns and scored a TD directly from another. By halftime, Miami was ahead 28-10. All that was left was for Goff to pad his stats.The Dolphins have now won four of five, with the lone defeat coming in an eight-point loss to the Seahawks. Miami visits the Cardinals next week, with winnable games against the Chargers, Broncos, Jets, and Bengals to follow.The AFC East is shaping up to be a potential two-team race that doesn't involve the Patriots. True story.Tua time begins Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / GettyTua Tagovailoa's debut as the Dolphins' starting quarterback wasn't exactly inspiring. He was strip-sacked on his first dropback, but that's the kind of thing that Aaron Donald can do, so no need to overreact.After that? Tagovailoa benefited from a pair of short fields provided by the Dolphins' defense - one TD drive began at the Rams' 33-yard line, another at Los Angeles' 1. Miami's two other scores came directly from a fumble recovery and punt return.According to analyst Ben Baldwin's database, Tagovailoa finished with an expected points added per play (EPA/play) of minus-0.45, which was lower than his counterpart Goff's minus-0.41. Not ideal, but it was one game, and Miami won.Herbert deserves better Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / GettyWith 7:33 remaining in the third quarter, the Chargers kicked a field goal to extend their lead against the Broncos to 24-3. This next sentence is going to sound familiar: The Chargers did not win the game.The Chargers have now coughed up a lead of at least 16 points in four straight games. They lost three of them. It seems like they've been doing this since their quarterback was Dan Fouts.If there's any solace to take from any of this, it's that rookie quarterback Justin Herbert continues to impress. When Los Angeles was ahead by 21, Herbert was 22-for-33 for 216 yards, three TDs, one interception, and a passer rating of 116.5. The Chargers grew conservative after that, and their defense gave up four big plays of 35-plus yards - and that was before they allowed Drew Lock and the Broncos to march 81 yards in the final 2:30.Herbert deserves better before the Chargers can ruin him.The best team in the AFC South is ... ? Rey Del Rio / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Colts? Maybe. At least for now. That could change by next week. I think.Three weeks ago, after Indianapolis lost at Cleveland and the Titans scored 42 points for the second straight week to improve to 5-0, the AFC South looked like Tennessee's division to lose. Now, however, the Colts have pulled even after the Titans lost their second in a row, this time to the Cincinnati Burrows.Colts quarterback Philip Rivers remains streaky, but in Sunday's win against the Lions, he was Good Rivers: 23-for-33, 262 passing yards, three touchdowns, an EPA/play of 0.63. Indy came with the league's fourth-best defensive DVOA, and it sacked Detroit QB Matt Stafford five times.The Titans host the Bears next week, while the Colts welcome the Ravens. Then Tennessee and Indy meet twice in the three games between Weeks 10 and 12. We ought to have a clearer idea as to who the best in the division is by then. Perhaps.Cook is good, Packers' run D maybe not Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe box score of the Vikings' upset win at the Packers looks like something straight out of 1997.Quarterback Kirk Cousins attempted just 14 passes and threw for 160 yards, while running back Dalvin Cook - back after missing the last game-and-a-half with a groin injury - rushed for 163 yards on 30 carries. Cook also scored four touchdowns, including one on a 50-yard screen pass from Cousins in which he did most of the work by accounting for 54 yards after the catch.The Vikings might be adrift at sea this season, but Cook now has three games with at least 130 rushing yards. He also had 65 three weeks ago against the Seahawks before getting hurt on the first series of the second half.The Packers came in ranked 22nd in rushing defense DVOA, per Football Outsiders. This game won't help their cause - and they're on the road Thursday night against a 49ers team that boat-raced their defense twice last season but keeps sustaining injuries.Eagles sitting in the driver's seat, I guess Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's low-hanging fruit at this point to dunk on how brutal the NFC East is, but the Eagles were in a dogfight at home in primetime against the Cowboys' third-string quarterback until a fumble recovery that probably should have been ruled down was returned for a Philadelphia touchdown. That's it. That's your summary of Sunday Night Football.Anyway, the Eagles are 3-4-1 and in first place by what feels like a dozen games. While it might seem impossible to imagine a scenario in which some other division foe can take them out, there's still half a season left for it to happen. So, maybe?Two tweets to tell a team's storyYour 2020 New York Jets:1.

The New York Jets traded inside linebacker Avery Williamson to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the teams confirmed Monday, according to Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site.The Jets will send Williamson and their 2022 seventh-round pick in exchange for the Steelers' 2022 fifth-round pick. The deal is pending a physical.The Steelers need depth at linebacker after losing Devin Bush for the season due to a torn ACL. Pittsburgh has been relying on Vince Williams and Robert Spillane in Bush's absence. Williams is a veteran in his eighth season, and Spillane made his first career start last Sunday.Williamson has been a consistent force over the middle since entering the NFL. He's recorded 90-plus tackles in four seasons and set a career high in tackles (120) in 2018.Williamson missed all of the 2019 campaign after tearing his ACL. But he's rebounded this season, tallying 50 tackles thus far.The Tennessee Titans originally drafted the now 28-year-old in the fifth round in 2014. Williamson played four seasons in Tennessee before signing a three-year deal with the Jets in 2018.He's set to become a free agent at the end of the season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Safety Jamal Adams is poised to make his return for the Seattle Seahawks.Head coach Pete Carroll said Sunday that he's counting on Adams for the Seahawks' Week 9 game against the Buffalo Bills, according to Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune.Carroll added that the All-Pro defensive back, who suffered a groin injury in Week 3, could've played in Seattle's 37-27 victory over the San Francisco 49ers this week if he hadn't become ill, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.The Seahawks will likely also have Carlos Dunlap available against the Bills after they acquired the defensive end from the Cincinnati Bengals this past week.Despite an NFC-leading 6-1 record, the Seahawks have struggled defensively. They entered Week 8 allowing 28.7 points per game and have amassed just 12 sacks.Seattle acquired Adams in a blockbuster trade with the New York Jets during the offseason. The 25-year-old recorded 23 tackles, two sacks, and one pass breakup through the first three games of the season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Chargers could only search for answers Sunday after becoming the first team in NFL history to blow a 16-plus-point lead in four straight games."I'm sorry. I feel bad," head coach Anthony Lynn said after losing 31-30 to the Denver Broncos. "That game, we had it completely under control. The way we lost that game is completely unacceptable and I take responsibility for that."The Bolts led Denver by 21, but they still found a way to lose. They were flagged for defensive pass interference in the end zone with one second left, and Los Angeles gave up the game-tying touchdown on the final play, leading to the deciding extra point."I wish I knew the answers," said star wide receiver Keenan Allen, according to Gilbert Manzano of the Orange County Register.The Chargers dropped to 2-5 after losing for the third time in four weeks and blowing a significant lead in each affair. They also coughed up a double-digit lead to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.Chargers' blown leads in 2020LeadOpponentResult11ChiefsL17BuccaneersL17SaintsL16JaguarsW21BroncosL"It is not time to make changes," Lynn said when asked about possible coaching staff or personnel moves. " … This is what we have and we got to figure this shit out right now."Lynn added that his players are predictably deflated after the latest heartbreaker."These guys feel bad right now," he said.

SEATTLE (AP) — For the first time this season at home, the final seconds were relatively calm for the Seattle Seahawks. No stress. No anxiety. Just a few kneel downs.Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf and Bobby Wagner did enough earlier for the Seahawks to finally avoid a crazy finish at CenturyLink Field.Wilson threw four more touchdown passes, two to Metcalf, and the Seahawks rebounded from their first loss of the season with a resounding 37-27 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.Wilson and Metcalf tormented San Francisco and its banged up secondary as the top-scoring offense in the league continued to pile up points. The Seahawks (6-1) have scored at least 30 points in six of seven games.And for the first time this season at home, the outcome was decided long before the final moments. Seattle opened the year with three home wins over New England, Dallas and Minnesota all of which decided in the final moments.Thumping their division rivals must have felt downright relaxing, even with the Seahawks having five starters inactive for the game.“I think it says a tremendous amount that it didn’t matter who was playing,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll. “The guys just stepped up and did their job and busted your tails to get it done.”Wilson hit Metcalf on a pair of first-half touchdown passes, but it was a 2½-minute sequence midway through the third quarter when Seattle blew the game open.Wilson found rookie DeeJay Dallas on a 2-yard TD pass after San Francisco went three-and-out to open the second half for a 20-7 lead. Dante Pettis fumbled the ensuing kickoff on a big hit from Cody Barton. Six plays later, Wilson evaded pressure in the pocket and zipped a 6-yard TD pas to David Moore for a 27-7 lead.Seattle added one more score on a 1-yard TD run by Dallas with 3:33 left after the 49ers pulled within 10.Wilson finished 27 of 37 for 261 yards and has 26 TD passes on the season, one behind Tom Brady for the most in the first seven games of a season.Metcalf had another career day in his breakout second season. Metcalf had 102 yards receiving in the first half and finished with a career-high 12 catches and 161 yards receiving.“I don’t think there is anybody better in terms of what he can do and how he’s done it,” Wilson said. “And he’s only in his second year.”The momentum from two straight wins for San Francisco (4-4) evaporated in a hurry as more injuries continued to pile. Jimmy Garoppolo was just 11 of 16 for 84 yards and an ugly interception in the first quarter. Garoppolo went to the locker room early in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury and was replaced by Nick Mullens.Running back Tevin Coleman returned for the first time since early in the season, only to leave at halftime with a knee injury. George Kittle made a terrific 25-yard catch early in the fourth quarter, but limped to the locker room with a foot injury.“It still hurts each time,” 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. “Even though it seems to happen over and over again, guys dropping every game, it still hurts every time.”Mullens led San Francisco on three TD drives in the fourth quarter. He capped the second with a 16-yard TD pass to Ross Dwelley with 4:16 left, but the 2-point conversion failed after replay ruled Jerick McKinnon was touched down short of the goal line.Mullens was 18 of 25 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Seattle’s league-worst defense had shut down the 49ers for three quarters before giving up 20 fourth-quarter points.“I was frustrated with the whole offense, starting with myself. This wasn’t a very good day for us,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said.DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENTSeattle sacked Garoppolo three times — two by Wagner — a week after failing to record a QB hit on Arizona’s Kyler Murray. The Seahawks held San Francisco to 116 total yards in first half and just 1-yard of offense in the third quarter.Wagner finished with 11 tackles, three tackles for loss and four QB hits.“I just felt like we need to stop talking and just do the work and let our play show,” Wagner said.DK’S DAYMetcalf’s big day took off when he added another clip to his highlight reel catching a short pass and racing 46 yards for a TD on the final play of the first quarter. On Metcalf’s second TD, Moseley was flagged for interference but couldn’t keep Metcalf’s size and strength from still making the catch.Metcalf’s previous career highs came in last year’s playoff win over Philadelphia when he had seven catches for 160 yards.INJURIESThe Seahawks played without five starters and one key backup. Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde, Jamal Adams, Benson Mayowa, Ugo Amadi and Mike Iuptai were all inactive due to injuries.San Francisco played without starters Deebo Samuel, Jeff Wilson Jr., Kwon Alexander and safety Jaquiski Tartt.UP NEXT49ers: have a quick turnaround and will host Green Bay on Thursday night.Seahawks: travel to Buffalo and a showdown with the Bills next Sunday.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Two key players for the San Francisco 49ers' offense exited against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered an ankle injury, and tight end George Kittle left due to a foot issue.Both were deemed questionable to return.Garoppolo struggled before departing in the fourth quarter, throwing for just 84 yards with one interception. Nick Mullens replaced him.Mullens played well in relief, throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns. However, the 49ers still lost 37-27 to the Seahawks.Garoppolo suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 against the New York Jets, missing two games as a result, and the ailment has hampered him ever since. He briefly returned in Week 5, but Garoppolo exited again due to the injury.Kittle has also missed time this season. The tight end sat out two games after injuring his knee in Week 1.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Two players from the Arizona Cardinals tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.The Cardinals had a bye in Week 8, and reportedly kept their facility closed Sunday for a deep clean. The team is expected to practice Monday.A number of teams have encountered positive COVID-19 tests since the beginning of the season. The NFL has urged clubs to reinforce protocols to prevent spreads after needing to reschedule games between the fourth and sixth weeks of the schedule.Arizona is slated to meet the Miami Dolphins in Week 9.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley will miss the remainder of the season with a "severe" ankle injury, head coach John Harbaugh announced in his postgame press conference.Stanley was carted from Sunday's AFC North clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers and quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.He appeared to be in significant pain on the ground, and an air cast was placed on his left leg.

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers rallied behind Ben Roethlisberger to remain the lone unbeaten team in the NFL, beating error-prone Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 Sunday in a duel for first place in the AFC North.Roethlisberger threw a pair of second-half touchdown passes to bring Pittsburgh (7-0) back from a 10-point halftime deficit. After completing only four passes for 24 yards in the first half, the 38-year-old finished 21 for 32 for 182 yards.Jackson threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles, turnovers that helped Pittsburgh stay within striking distance until its offense finally got on track.The Steelers led 28-24 when the Ravens (5-2) faced a fourth-and-3 at the Pittsburgh 8 with 2 minutes left. Jackson ran a quarterback draw and lost the ball while being stopped short.Baltimore got the ball back and moved to the Pittsburgh 23 before Jackson's pass in the end zone was broken up on the final play.Earlier, Robert Spillane took an interception back for a score to end Baltimore's first possession; Jackson lost a fumble inside the Pittsburgh 5; and Alex Hightower set up a Steelers touchdown by picking off a pass on Baltimore's initial offensive play of the second half.Jackson went 13 for 28 for 208 yards and two interceptions, the most he's had in a regular-season game since throwing three against Pittsburgh in October 2019.After Hightower's pick, Roethlisberger threw an 18-yard TD pass to Eric Ebron. The Steelers then went ahead 21-17 on a 1-yard touchdown run by James Conner.Baltimore had scored in every quarter this season before being blanked in the third period.Jackson made it 24-21 with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown with 11:52 to go, but Roethlisberger answered with an 80-yard drive capped by an 8-yard TD pass to rookie Chase Claypool.The game carried the intensity expected when longtime division rivals clash in a showdown for first place. There were hard hits, late hits and head butts, the latter occurring when Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters popped Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson during a confrontation away from the play.That brought players from both teams near the Baltimore sideline. Late in that fray, Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon was ejected for making contact with an official. It appeared the slap to the arm occurred while Judon was trying to break free from the grasp of an assistant coach.Ravens All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley left with an ankle injury in the first quarter after being accidentally undercut by Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt. Stanley had an air cast applied to his left leg and was carted off the field.A heavy rain let up just before the opening kickoff, but the combination of a wet field and two strong defenses resulted in a first quarter with three turnovers — two by Jackson.After Pittsburgh went up 7-0 on Spillane's 33-yard touchdown, the Ravens pulled even on a 6-yard touchdown catch by Miles Boykin. Baltimore then drove inside the Steelers 10 before Bud Dupree jostled the ball from Jackson's grasp and Vince Williams recovered at the 4.STREAKS EXTENDEDThe Steelers stretched their streak of games with at least one sack to 64, and Baltimore's run of games with a takeaway reached 20 when Peters forced a fumble by Claypool in the first quarter.FANS RETURNThe announced crowd was 4,345. It was the first time the Ravens had fans at a home game after previously making around 250 seats available to the immediate family of players, coaches and front office personnel.INJURIESSteelers: NT Tyson Alualu left in the first quarter with a knee injury. That left Pittsburgh thin up front after DE Chris Wormley went on IR Saturday. ... DB Mike Hilton (shoulder) was inactive.Ravens: RB Mark Ingram (ankle) was inactive. ... RG Tyre Phillips (ankle) left in the first quarter and did not return, leaving Baltimore without two starters on the O-line.UP NEXTThe Steelers play the last of three straight road games at Dallas next Sunday.The Ravens travel to Indianapolis on Sunday, the first meeting between the teams since 2017.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tua Tagovailoa threw his first career touchdown Sunday in his debut as a starter and the Miami Dolphins breezed to a 28-17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8.The former Alabama star went 12-for-22 through the air for 93 yards and the touchdown. He fumbled once, but it hardly mattered as the Dolphins won for the fourth time in five games to bump their record to 4-3.Tagovailoa was making his inaugural start after serving as Ryan Fitzpatrick's backup for six games. He took his first career snaps in Week 6, throwing two passes in garbage time of a shutout against the New York Jets.Drafted fifth overall in April following an illustrious college career, Tagovailoa came to Miami with a heap of fanfare. He was the 22nd quarterback to start a game for the Dolphins since Dan Marino's retirement in 2000.The Rams aided their own demise, as Jared Goff committed two interceptions and two fumbles in the first half while battling protection issues up front and drops from his receivers. Los Angeles fell to 5-3 with a bye week on tap.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns pass-rusher Myles Garrett will undergo an MRI on Monday after suffering a knee injury in Sunday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Kevin Stefanski said, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.Garrett entered the game dealing with an ankle injury, but Stefanski added that the knee issue is unrelated.

Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams and running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde are all inactive for Sunday's NFC West showdown against the San Francisco 49ers.Rookie DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer will lead the backfield.It will be the Pro Bowl defensive back's fourth straight missed game due to a groin injury and an illness.Carson is dealing with a foot injury, while Hyde has a hamstring issue.The 5-1 Seahawks will look to cement their place atop the highly competitive NFC West in the matchup with the 4-3 49ers.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew is expected to be inactive for the team's Week 9 game against the Houston Texans, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Minshew is dealing with multiple fractures and a strained ligament in his right thumb. Jacksonville is on a bye in Week 8.Veteran Mike Glennon and rookie Jake Luton were told they will compete for the starting job in practice, Rapoport adds.Minshew reportedly had discomfort in his thumb since Oct. 11, but Jacksonville wasn't aware of the injury until this week.The second-year passer's drop in accuracy could be linked to the injury. The slump led to Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone saying it's possible his signal-caller could be benched in the future.Jacksonville is currently tied at the bottom of the AFC South at 1-6.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is active for Week 8's game against the Green Bay Packers.Cook was listed as questionable due to a groin injury that sidelined him against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.With the team coming off a bye, head coach Mike Zimmer said Friday he expects the 2019 Pro Bowler to receive his usual workload in Week 8.The 25-year-old has racked up 489 yards and seven touchdowns on 92 rushing attempts through five games this campaign.The 1-5 Vikings will try to snap their two-game losing streak on Sunday. Cook rushed for 50 yards and two touchdowns during Minnesota's season-opening loss to Green Bay.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins fielded a call from a team checking on the availability of star corner Xavien Howard, but it would take a monster deal to land him, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.It would take a "Laremy Tunsil type" of offer to entice the Dolphins to trade its No. 1 corner, Schefter adds. The Dolphins traded Tunsil and receiver Kenny Stills to the Houston Texans last year and received two first-round draft picks and a second-round selection in return.Howard, a 2018 Pro Bowler, is playing some of his best football, having recorded an interception in four consecutive games. He shares the league lead with four interceptions and hasn't allowed a reception in two straight games.Howard has a league-high 16 interceptions since December 2017.Howard signed a five-year, $75-million extension with the Dolphins in 2019. It's the fourth-richest contract at his position, surpassed only by teammate Byron Jones, Baltimore Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey, and Los Angeles Rams star Jalen Ramsey.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans' receiver corps has dominated talk ahead of the NFL trade deadline.While teams, reportedly including the Green Bay Packers, have inquired about the availability of downfield threat Will Fuller, the Texans are also listening to offers for wideouts Brandin Cooks and Kenny Stills, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.The Texans traded a second-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for Cooks in April, just weeks after dealing star receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals. The acquisition of Cooks was thought to fortify Houston's passing attack.Through seven weeks, Cooks has 34 receptions for 427 yards and two touchdowns.If Cooks is dealt again, it would be his fourth trade in four years.Stills has just 10 receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown this season.Fuller leads the team with 490 receiving yards and five touchdowns.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ryan Kerrigan has requested a trade from the Washington Football Team, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.However, Washington is telling teams it doesn't want to trade its veteran pass-rusher.Kerrigan has spent his entire 10-year NFL career in Washington after the team selected him in the first round in 2011. He's the franchise's all-time leader with 94 sacks.The 32-year-old is in the final year of his contract, and his playing time has decreased in recent weeks. After starting all 140 games he played in entering this season, Kerrigan has started just one thus far in 2020.The four-time Pro Bowler played in just 15% of defensive snaps in Week 6 and 29% in Week 7 as Washington primarily deploys Montez Sweat and rookie Chase Young at defensive end.Kerrigan said earlier this offseason that he wanted to stay with Washington for the foreseeable future. He's accumulated four sacks this campaign despite the lack of playing time.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Odell Beckham Jr. rumors continue to swirl.Beckham suffered a torn ACL last Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, and there's a "very real possibility" the wide receiver played his final game with the Cleveland Browns, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Due to the star wideout's contract, Cleveland won't cut him at the start of the new league year. The 27-year-old is owed $12 million in fully guaranteed money in March and is unlikely to be dealt at that time, as he'll still be recovering from the knee injury.If the Browns opt to trade Beckham in 2021, it wouldn't be until the spring or summer, Rapoport reports.Beckham has never fully embraced Cleveland or playing with quarterback Baker Mayfield, according to Rapoport. The receiver has repeatedly denied rumors of his displeasure with the Browns since being traded from the New York Giants in March 2019.The three-time Pro Bowler racked up 319 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 23 catches through seven games this season. It's the second time an injury ended Beckham's season prematurely.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 8.Half PPR

Despite growing speculation of a potential exit, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas won't be traded before Tuesday's deadline, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Thomas has been mentioned as a potential trade chip during a season in which he's played only one game due to ankle and hamstring issues, and he was also benched for a contest for reportedly fighting with a teammate at practice.The All-Pro is set to miss his sixth consecutive game, as he's already been ruled out for Week 8's contest against the Chicago Bears.New Orleans has gone 3-2 without Thomas in the lineup and hopes to have him back for its Week 9 battle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.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.Happy Week 8, folks. Who's ready to crush some player props on this lovely Halloween weekend?Here's what we're rolling with Sunday.Marquise Brown's longest reception over 21.5 yards and over 56.5 receiving yardsThe Steelers are at or near the top of numerous defensive categories, but we're starting to see some cracks in the armor - namely, a secondary that's No. 25 in the NFL in explosive pass rate. Enter the man they call "Hollywood" Brown.The Ravens' second-year receiver has been a splash-play machine this season, recording a catch of 20-plus yards in five of six games. Volume hasn't been an issue, either, as Brown's seen at least six targets in each contest.Lamar Jackson might be wise to make Brown his primary target in the passing game Sunday. The Steelers allow the fifth-most fantasy points to outside receivers, where Brown's lined up for over 83% of his offensive snaps in 2020.Preston Williams under 36.5 receiving yardsThis is a terrible matchup for Williams, no matter how you slice it.Defensive backs are pressing Williams at the second-highest rate among wide receivers. The result: just 1.7 yards of separation - the worst clip in the league among qualified pass-catchers.Secondly, the Rams rank No. 11 in DVOA pass defense. The Dolphins haven't drawn a secondary yet this season that currently ranks better than 13th (49ers). To call their strength of schedule a cakewalk would be an understatement: The 'Fins have played DVOA pass defenses that currently rank 32nd (Jaguars), 30th (Seahawks), 28th (Jets), 23rd (Patriots), and 18th (Bills).Sam Darnold over 10.5 rushing yardsThe Jets are three-touchdown underdogs to the Chiefs, so Darnold should find himself in plenty of passing situations. However, it's his rushing prop that piques my interest.The third-year quarterback didn't record a rushing stat last weekend against the Bills, but he combined for 104 yards on 11 attempts in his previous two games.The Jets are also down two of their top receiving options in Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder. I wouldn't count on an inexperienced supporting cast to get open against Kansas City's No. 5 DVOA pass defense. Darnold should have to flee the pocket at times, and when he does, he should find some success against a D that allows the sixth-most rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks.Jamaal Williams over 66.5 rushing yardsWilliams will get an increased role in the Packers' offense for the second straight week with running back Aaron Jones still out with a calf injury. Williams stuffed the stat sheet against the Texans in Week 7, totaling 77 yards on the ground. He should run it back this Sunday against the Vikings.Although Minnesota is No. 2 in explosive rush rate, Williams has left some on the table. He's posting 0.63 rushing yards over expected per attempt, which ranks 10th among qualified running backs.He should feast in a game that has shootout written all over it.(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.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Well, folks, it doesn't get much uglier than this. On Sunday night, the Eagles (-10.5, 43) host the Cowboys for at least a share of first place in the NFC East through eight weeks. Still, there's value to be found in this otherwise icky matchup.Here are our favorite trends, props, and bets for Sunday night.Betting trendsYou don't need me to tell you that the Cowboys have been bad without Dak Prescott. They're 3-12-1 against the spread over their last 16 games without him, including 0-2 ATS this year. They're also just the sixth team to start 0-7 ATS over the last 25 years, and the other five clubs went 4-1 ATS during the eighth game of that season.Could this be Dallas' spot to turn it around? The line on this game suggests otherwise. Double-digit favorites with a losing record, which applies to the Eagles here, are 19-10 ATS since late 2009. Those squads are also 11-4 ATS and 15-0 straight up in that span in Week 8 or earlier.If you're hoping for offense on Sunday night, don't count on it. These teams have gone 5-2 to the under in their last seven meetings, and the under for all Sunday night matchups is 15-9-1 since the start of the 2019 campaign.Player propsBoston Scott over 81.5 rushing and receiving yards (-110)Get ready for the Boston Scott show on Sunday. The Eagles' versatile back finally received a taste of a starter's workload last Thursday. He made it count, logging 46 rushing yards and 46 receiving yards against a sneakily competent Giants defense.The Cowboys' defense isn't sneaky, it's just incompetent. Through seven games, Dallas has allowed the fourth-most yards to opposing RBs (1,137), which suggests roughly 160 yards of production is up for grabs on Sunday. With Miles Sanders out, Scott will gobble up the biggest share of the Eagles' backfield work.Ben DiNucci over 14.5 rushing yards (-110)The biggest wild card in Sunday's game is DiNucci, the rookie seventh-round pick out of James Madison, an FCS school. He hit the ground running a week ago, scampering for 25 yards on three carries despite playing just 12 snaps, and he'll start this week in place of an injured Andy Dalton.The 23-year-old is likely to experience similar rushing success this week against the Eagles, who are allowing the second-most rushing yards per game to QBs (32.4). DiNucci averaged 34.6 rushing yards over 29 games with the Dukes, suggesting this number is too low, even for his first career NFL start.Best betUnder 43This line is a mess. The Eagles shouldn't be giving 10-plus points to anybody, but they've also shown moments of upside. The Cowboys have not, and now their third-string quarterback is under center.The one thing we can expect from Dallas is a resilient rushing attack, which is also the best way to expose the Cowboys' defense. Don't expect either side to light up the scoreboard in what should be an ugly affair.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 New England Patriots placed wide receiver Julian Edelman on the injured reserve following his knee surgery, the team announced Saturday.While head coach Bill Belichick believes Edelman is likely to return this season, the wideout will be forced to miss at least three weeks on the IR.Edelman, 34, has been limited all campaign due to knee issues. However, he still leads New England with 21 receptions for 315 yards.With N'Keal Harry also likely to be sidelined due to a concussion, Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers, and Gunner Olszewski are set to lead New England's pass-catchers for Sunday's pivotal AFC East clash with the Buffalo Bills.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 who other bettors are backing - especially on games drawing sharp action.We talked with Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader, to see how sharps and public bettors are playing the Week 8 slate.Rams (-3.5, 46) @ Dolphins, 1 p.m. ETThe Rams are the public favorites this week as short road chalk against the well-rested Dolphins in Tua Tagovailoa's first start.Los Angeles had a 5-to-1 advantage in money wagered and tickets placed ahead of the weekend, aided by an early sharp bet at -3.5 that helped push the line to 4.5 by midweek. Some offsetting money on the 'Fins has brought this game back to its opening number of 3.5, though the heavy parlay activity on the road favorite suggests more money could be coming in straight bets, too."This game is trending very hard toward the Rams for the public," Rood said.Vikings @ Packers (-6, 49.5), 1 p.m.The Packers opened as touchdown favorites over the Vikings, though bettors have taken a hard stance the other way in this NFC North showdown.Minnesota was drawing four times as much money, including at least one sizable wager, to nudge the line down to 6.5. That number dropped to 6 after news that Aaron Jones would miss Sunday's game, and that's where it sits as of Saturday afternoon.Surprisingly, though, Green Bay is the most-bet team in parlays despite many public bettors favoring the Vikings on straight bets. That could make for a volatile situation for sportsbooks come Sunday."I'm assuming we're going to see significantly more Packer activity pick up over the weekend," Rood said. "I'm sure we'll need the Vikings to knock down some parlay liability and even some straight-bet liability, too."Patriots @ Bills (-4.5, 40.5), 1 p.m.This was the most balanced game entering the weekend, as bets were separated by a mere $300 as of late Friday.The Bills have seen three times as many bet slips in their favor, though the average wager on the Patriots is three times as large thanks in part to one sharp bet on New England +4. Strong parlay activity on Buffalo suggests more public money could tip the scales, as we've already seen with this line climbing to 4.5.Bettors are taking a strong position on the total, too, which opened at 44 and has already dropped to 40.5. These two teams are 11-3 to the under in their last 14 meetings with a total of 40.5 or below.Steelers @ Ravens (-4.5, 46.5), 1 p.m.It's been a theme this year and it's true again this week: Bettors are mostly staying away from the best game on the board.Those who are playing this game have favored the Ravens, who were drawing four times as much money as their bitter rivals entering the weekend. Parlay bettors are still siding with the Steelers at a 2-to-1 clip, though that hasn't been enough to keep this number from climbing a full point from its opening mark of 3.5.Still, even with the early Baltimore money, Rood says he's trying to "lay low" on this line in anticipation of some strong buyback before kickoff."We're kind of where we wanted to be on this game," Rood said Friday. "I would imagine we're going to see a bunch of activity on the Steelers coming in."(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.

Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci will start Sunday night's pivotal NFC East clash against the Philadelphia Eagles after Andy Dalton was officially downgraded to out with a concussion Saturday, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.DiNucci, a seventh-round pick, was thrust into the lineup against the Washington Football team last week after Dalton exited following a late headshot from linebacker Jon Bostic.The rookie went 2 of 3 passing for 29 yards, but he was also sacked three times.

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore won't play Sunday versus the Buffalo Bills due to a knee injury, the team announced.Initially listed as questionable, Gilmore had his status downgraded less than 24 hours before kickoff.Gilmore was added to the injury report Thursday and was labeled a limited participant in practice. He missed the session Friday because of the injury.The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has seen his play tail off somewhat in 2020, though he's still operated as New England's top cornerback. Through six games, Gilmore's broken up two passes and intercepted one.With the Patriots in danger of falling out of the AFC playoff race, Gilmore's name has popped up in trade rumors. The 30-year-old is signed through 2021, but will likely seek a similar raise to the $5-million boost he received ahead of the 2020 campaign, which compensated him closer to market value.Gilmore hasn't missed a game since 2017.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson is expected to be in the lineup Sunday against the New Orleans Saints after clearing concussion protocol on Saturday, the team announced.The Bears labeled Robinson doubtful Friday but will now remove him from the injury report.Robinson suffered the concussion on Monday Night Football in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams to cap Week 7. The 27-year-old leads Chicago in receiving with 44 receptions for 544 yards and two touchdowns.The Saints will be without their top receiver, Michael Thomas, who continues to nurse a hamstring injury. Thomas hasn't played since Week 1 due to an ankle injury, a disciplinary issue, and the hamstring ailment.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints ruled out wide receiver Michael Thomas for their Week 8 game against the Chicago Bears due to ankle and hamstring injuries.Chicago downgraded wideout Allen Robinson to doubtful with a concussion Friday, but he cleared protocol Saturday and is on track to play.Thomas hasn't played since his team's season opener, during which he suffered a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for multiple weeks. His return was postponed by a reported altercation with a teammate and the disciplinary measures that followed. He then suffered a hamstring injury ahead of last week's win against the Carolina Panthers.The reigning Offensive Player of the Year has racked up just three catches for 17 yards this season.Additionally, the Saints won't have wideouts Emmanuel Sanders, who's still on the reserve/COVID-19, and Marquez Callaway. Callaway led New Orleans with eight receptions for 85 yards against the Panthers last week, but he's now battling an ankle injury.Robinson has played in all seven games this season. The Pro Bowler leads Chicago with 44 catches and 544 yards this season. He's also scored two touchdowns.The Bears ruled out center Cody Whitehair for Week 8 due to a calf injury. Whitehair started all seven games for Chicago so far this season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The injury-ravaged Philadelphia Eagles offense is set to receive some significant reinforcements ahead of Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys.Tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle), offensive lineman Jason Peters (toe), and rookie wide receiver Jalen Reagor (thumb) were activated from injured reserve Saturday, the team announced.The Eagles also activated linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) and safety Rudy Ford (hamstring).The return of Goedert and Reagor will be a massive boost to an offense that's been severely limited with injuries to Zach Ertz, DeSean Jackson, and Alshon Jeffery, among others.Philadelphia sits at 2-4-1 and will look to maintain its lead atop the NFC East in the prime-time matchup against Dallas.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageNew Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders says he's experienced anxiety since testing positive for COVID-19, fearing his condition could worsen at any time.Sanders opened up about what it's been like battling the coronavirus on the latest episode of Uninterrupted's "17 Weeks" podcast and explained he has a hard time watching the news now."I remember when I used to watch the news, it says, '200,000 people have died from it ... I can't even watch this shit now," he said around the 12:00 mark. "Every night I go to sleep, I'm like, 'Lord, please, let me like wake up in the morning feeling good,' right? Like, I don't want to wake up in the middle of the night and like, can't breathe, like, what the f---? And like, shit just goes south, right?"That's like my biggest fear in watching that shit, it intensifies my fears, right? People can say whatever you want. Everybody could say, 'Oh yeah, like I'm not scared to get COVID ... and you may think you're healthy, but in the back of your head, you don't know it. You don't know this virus. Nobody knows anything about this virus, you don't know how your body's gonna react."Sanders added he's more scared for his wife, who's also tested positive for the coronavirus."I'm a champ, I can handle anything," he said. "But for me, I just feel like, man, I hope she handle it. But she's been handling it like a champ."The 33-year-old will miss his second straight game Sunday when the Saints take on the Chicago Bears.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL's Week 8 slate of games appear to be on track.The Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, and Minnesota Vikings recorded no new COVID-19 positives from Friday's round of testing, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

A rundown of the best games and most interesting trends to watch for in Week 8 of the NFL. All times Eastern.The race is on49ers (4-3) at Seahawks (5-1), 4:25 p.m.Seattle, though coming off its first loss, remains in first place in the NFC West. San Francisco, though down to what seems like its ninth running back and 13th defensive lineman because of injuries, is just 1 1/2 games back … and in last place. Yeah, this is the best division in football - and it's still got a long way to go to sort itself out.Football Outsiders' overall defensive-adjusted value over average (DVOA) rankings measure team efficiency based on down, distance, situation, and opponent on a per-play basis. All four NFC West teams sit between No. 7 and No. 11, with San Francisco ranked eighth and Seattle coming in at ninth. Football Outsiders' projection model also indicates there's a 38.4% chance the entire NFC West will finish with a winning record.With the playoffs expanding this season to seven teams in each conference, it's also possible for all four NFC West teams to make it. This seems less likely to happen, however, since the runner-up in the NFC South (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints) figures to be in the thick of the playoff mix, with the Chicago Bears also kinda-sorta hanging around as contenders.Every in-division NFC West game is huge for the division race, the standings, and tiebreaker possibilities. And only three in-division games have been played thus far, with nine yet to go across the season's final 10 weeks, starting with this one.at SFat ARIat LARat SEA49ersWeek 16Week 12SundayCardinalsWeek 17Week 11RamsWeek 13Week 16SeahawksWeek 17Week 10If there's a factor worth watching - both for this game and going forward - it's the play of Seattle's defense, which is ranked 28th in defensive DVOA, 30th in third-and-long DVOA, and last in both red-zone passing DVOA and third-and-fourth down passing DVOA.Close encountersSteelers (6-0) at Ravens (5-1), 1 p.m.Just how even has the Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry been through the years?Since 2008, the year John Harbaugh took over as Ravens head coach, these teams have met 27 times, including on three occasions in the playoffs. The Ravens lead the series 14-13. The teams have combined to win nine of the last 12 AFC North titles, with Pittsburgh claiming five and Baltimore securing four. They're notorious for not liking each other, and here they are again, meeting in Week 8 with just one loss between them. Scott Taetsch / Getty ImagesThis season, Pittsburgh and Baltimore are pretty evenly matched as two of the league's best teams. The Ravens are ranked second overall in DVOA; the Steelers are ranked third. Pittsburgh's defense is the league's second-most efficient, while Baltimore's is third.Want more? According to Pro Football Reference, the Steelers' D leads the league in pressure rate (37.6%), with the Ravens second (29.2%). And they both blitz more than anyone else - 46.1% for Baltimore, 44.3% for Pittsburgh. According to analyst Ben Baldwin's database, Baltimore's defense ranks first in expected points added per play (minus-0.136), with Pittsburgh second (minus-0.087).Here's something unusual: Even though the Steelers are sixth in points per game (30.5) and the Ravens eighth (29.8), Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson ranks 23rd in defense-adjusted yards above replacement, while Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is 20th. The reality is that while both offenses are dangerous and full of playmakers, they're also streaky and inconsistent.The winner gets a leg up in the division, with the rematch scheduled to be played in Pittsburgh on Thanksgiving night.This is weirdColts (4-2) at Lions (3-3), 1 p.m.In last week's win against the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit wideout Kenny Golladay caught six passes for 114 yards on seven targets despite averaging just 1.45 yards of separation, per Next Gen Stats. Yet the Lions also handed the ball to Adrian Peterson and D'Andre Swift a combined 20 times for a total of 56 yards. Kevin C. Cox / Getty ImagesOn the season, the Lions' pass rate on early downs (47.9%) is the fifth-lowest in the league, according to Baldwin's database, even though their EPA/play on rushes in those situations (0.136) ranks 24th.In conclusion, the Lions are weird and they should be throwing the ball more, preferably to Golladay.Tua timeRams (5-2) at Dolphins (3-3), 1 p.m.Miami head coach Brian Flores' decision to bench quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for rookie Tua Tagovailoa during last week's bye might seem curious, considering the Dolphins had just won three of four games. But then you remember that Ryan Fitzpatrick is Ryan Fitzpatrick, and it makes perfect sense.The Dolphins' rebuild is taking shape, but they also used the No. 5 pick in the draft on Tagovailoa with the thought that he'd be their QB of the future. And as Andrew Beaton noted in the Wall Street Journal, the league's rookie wage scale makes it imperative for teams to maximize the time they have to get a quarterback off his training wheels while his contract is still cheap.For Tua, that time is now, even if it means being introduced to Aaron Donald immediately. Welcome to the NFL.Strange new worldPatriots (2-4) at Bills (5-2), 1 p.m.I'm not sure I'm ready to live in a world in which the New England Patriots have been stuffed into a trash can by the day after Halloween, but that very well could be the world we now inhabit.How far have the Pats fallen, and how quickly? After their Week 2 shootout loss at the Seahawks, it looked like Cam Newton would be a suitable replacement for Tom Brady. Since then? Not so much. Will Newton / Getty ImagesAs Mike Sando of The Athletic noticed, the Patriots ranked eighth in offensive EPA/play in their first three games. But in the three games since, they're last - below even those janky New York Jets, a team that managed a total of 4 yards of offense in the second half last week.The Patriots obviously aren't as good as they were early in the year, and they may not be as bad as they've looked lately. But unless they can somehow spook the Bills like they've been able to do for the last 20 years, they're about to be 3 1/2 games back in the AFC East and careening toward irrelevance. It's been dangerous to count the Patriots out in the past, but if they lose this one, it might be time.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys have departed with a number of players recently, but owner Jerry Jones has no desire to trade any of his star players.Jones was reminded of the Herschel Walker trade he executed in 1989 when the Cowboys shipped out the star running back for a package of future assets, but the owner doesn't see a deal of that magnitude happening anytime soon."I feel very strongly that we’ve got a core of really outstanding players in the NFL, and it hasn’t been a month ago, or six weeks ago, that that was getting unanimous thought around the NFL. We’ve got some outstanding players. We’ve got a lot of tread on the tire left on most of those key players," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan.While the Cowboys could explore trading some of their stars to build for the future, Jones expressed confidence in his team and the money invested in them."When you take and put where we’re expending our dollars, talent-wise, or what’s inside them, and the tread they’ve got left on the tire, I love our core base," Jones said.The Cowboys recently shipped out pass-rusher Everson Griffen to the Lions and cut contributors such as Dontari Poe and Daryl Worley. However, the club still has many young players under team control for a handful of years.Ezekiel Elliott is under contract until 2027, while Amari Cooper's deal doesn't expire until 2025, according to Spotrac. Zack Martin, La'el Collins, and Tyron Smith - three key members of Dallas' offensive line - are also signed to long-term deals.Receiver Michael Gallup was one name attracting trade buzz, but Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said the team has no interest in moving him, per The Athletic's Jon Machota.Dallas is taking a 2-5 record into Week 8. They could rebound in the standings with a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross didn't hold back when explaining the recent rumors surrounding his trade status Friday.Ross responded to a now-deleted report questioning the receiver's passion for the sport, citing a team source.

Odell Beckham Jr. is still digesting his season-ending injury, but the Cleveland Browns wide receiver is optimistic he'll be back on the field soon."I really don't have many words right now definitely not the right ones at least," Beckham wrote Friday on his Instagram story, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter."I couldn't tell (you) why this happened, this one doesn't make much sense, it's not for me to question, but I believe God truly has a plan and is using me for it," he continued. "Ton of emotions flowing. Just taking some ME time, some time to heal. Thank (you) all for the (love) ... be back soon."Beckham suffered a torn ACL in the first quarter of last Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland placed the three-time Pro Bowler on the injured reserve this week.The 27-year-old racked up 319 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 23 catches through seven games this season. He also notched one touchdown on the ground. In 23 contests over two seasons with the Browns, the star wideout has registered 97 catches for 1,354 yards and seven touchdowns.This is the second time an injury has ended Beckham's season prematurely. The former first-round pick appeared in just four games in 2017 while with the New York Giants due to an ankle issue.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As the NFL approaches the midpoint of its 2020 campaign, an important date on the league's in-season calendar is looming: the trade deadline. You've probably got questions, and I'll do my best to provide answers. You may begin.When is the trade deadline?Tuesday at 4 p.m. EST. The terms of an agreed-upon deal must be submitted to the league office by that time.Why is the deadline such a big deal?Deadlines tend to force the issue on any negotiation, so any teams looking to add/dump a player, or to acquire a draft pick or three for a future rebuild, might be more apt to pull the trigger. Also, have you ever read the internet? The trade deadline is one of the Great Speculative Days on the NFL calendar; the draft ultimately remains Speculation Christmas, with free agency functioning more like Speculation Thanksgiving. Boy, am I torturing this metaphor - what was your question again? Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesThe trade deadline. Why is it a big deal?Right, right. The trade deadline is one of those prime opportunities for websites and apps to soak up the benefits of some precious page views simply by throwing some possible trade-scenario crap against the wall. Have you heard the Dallas Cowboys are thinking of trading a first-round pick to the New York Jets for quarterback Sam Darnold?Get out! Really?No. I made that one up out of thin air - a mock trade, if you will, to borrow from the terminology of draft season. But had I stuffed a scenario like that into a headline, you'd probably click on the story to find out more, wouldn't you?No. Come on. You think I … well, yeah, probably.Probably?OK, definitely. But only because I wouldn't put it past Jerry Jones to try to do something as nutso as that.See? Abbie Parr / Getty ImagesAre a lot of teams looking to make deals?That question is harder to pin down. Teams might not want to trade a certain player, but that doesn't mean a general manager won't pick up the phone or reply to a text from another GM who's willing to cough up a boatload of draft picks or take on a portion of salary to acquire that certain player. For every deal that gets finalized or is even genuinely reported as being discussed, there's an untold number of possible trades that fall through because the two sides can't agree on the terms.It seems like a lot of players are getting hurt …You're not wrong. Look at this list:

The Seattle Seahawks listed running back Chris Carson and safety Jamal Adams as questionable ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.Carson was reportedly considered week-to-week after suffering an ankle sprain during a Week 7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He was forced out of that game before halftime.The 26-year-old isn't the only Seahawks running back whose playing status is uncertain ahead of Sunday. Travis Homer is listed as questionable due to a knee issue, while Carlos Hyde is doubtful with a hamstring injury.Head coach Pete Carroll said Friday his team will go "all the way to game time'' before determining the status of its running backs, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.Seattle bolstered its depth chart at the position, signing veteran tailback Alex Collins to the club's practice squad on Friday.Meanwhile, Adams hasn't played since Week 3 due to a groin injury. An illness designation was also added to his injury report on Friday.The All-Pro defender has racked up 23 tackles, two sacks, and one pass breakup through three games this season.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 college football 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 the Week 9 slate.No. 3 Ohio State (-11.5, 64) @ No. 18 Penn State, 7:30 p.m. ETThe only ranked matchup this weekend was supposed to be a top-10 clash between arguably the two best teams in the Big Ten. Yet even after Penn State's overtime loss to Indiana a week ago, bettors are playing both sides of this high-profile contest.Ohio State is drawing eight times as many tickets as of Friday afternoon, though the average wager on the Nittany Lions is three times bigger, leading to a fairly balanced handle for books heading into the weekend.That could change in a hurry, though. The Buckeyes are among the most-bet teams on parlays this week, which suggests a run of public money will be coming by game time. Still, with the bigger bets on Penn State, this line likely won't cross any key numbers before kickoff.Michigan State @ No. 13 Michigan (-23.5, 52.5), 12 p.m.Another Big Ten matchup Saturday is drawing much more lopsided action - and this time, bettors are all over the 'dogs.Michigan State opened as a 26-point underdog and has been consistently bet down to +23.5, including a limit play at +25 and a total of 25 times as much money wagered on the point spread. Curiously, the ticket count is 3-to-2 in favor of Michigan as of Friday afternoon, setting up a small Pros vs. Joes situation for this in-state rivalry.That'll only be more pronounced come game time, with the Wolverines seeing a small advantage on parlay slips. Michigan is 29-0 as a favorite this big since losing to Appalachian State in 2007, though it's just 3-9 against the spread in its last 12 giving this many points.Boston College @ No. 1 Clemson (-24.5, 58), 12 p.m.The most dramatic movement on the board this week involved Clemson, which opened as a 31.5-point favorite before Trevor Lawrence was ruled out Thursday following a positive COVID-19 test.Since then, it's been a steady stream on Boston College, which has drawn 20 times as much money on straight bets with a couple of limit plays, too. Parlay bettors are still laying three times as much money on the Tigers, who are 11-1 straight up and 7-4-1 ATS against the Eagles since Dabo Swinney took over."I know Trevor Lawrence is good, but Clemson's system is pretty stout," Rood said. "I've got to believe we're going to see some activity to that."Ole Miss (-17, 64) @ Vanderbilt, 4 p.m.This matchup isn't as sexy as the other three, but it's drawn more activity than any game on the board as of Friday afternoon with a solid draw on both sides.Ole Miss opened as an 18-point favorite and took money right away at that number, though a slow trickle of money on Vanderbilt brought the number down to 16. That's when bettors bought back on Mississippi - including a sharp play at 16.5 - to tip the scales in favor of the Rebels by a 3-to-1 margin."We've got good two-way activity on this one," Rood said. "We just have a lot more lopsided money on the Mississippi side."(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 Dallas Cowboys don't sound like they're worried about starting their third-string quarterback this week.Dak Prescott, the team's top signal-caller, is out for the season after suffering a devastating ankle injury. And in Week 7, backup quarterback Andy Dalton suffered a concussion.Now the Cowboys are forced to put their faith in third-string passer Ben DiNucci as they prepare for a crucial NFC East clash against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.The seventh-round selection from James Madison has been winning over his teammates during practice this week."He looked good," said wide receiver Amari Cooper, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. "If I had to describe it in one word, I’d say he looks comfortable. It seems like he’s a confident guy."The 23-year-old went 2-of-3 passing for 29 yards in last week's 25-3 loss to Washington.DiNucci will need confidence ahead of his likely first career start. Dalton remains in the concussion protocol despite participating in the Cowboys' walk-through on Friday. He's listed as doubtful for Sunday's matchup."If Andy would practice (Saturday), that would be the only chance he would have to play in the game," head coach Mike McCarthy said on Friday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. "As of right now, he's not scheduled to practice."Garrett Gilbert will assume backup duties if Dalton is unavailable. Dallas also signed Cooper Rush to its practice squad for added insurance.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles will be without running back Miles Sanders for Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys due to a knee injury, the team announced Friday.Sanders will miss his second consecutive game after suffering a knee injury in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. The running back is the Eagles' top rusher, accumulating 434 yards on the ground.The Eagles will have offensive lineman Lane Johnson for their divisional matchup as the right tackle didn't receive an injury designation. Johnson - who was battling a knee and ankle injury - practiced fully Friday.Alshon Jeffery's season debut will also wait at least another week after the receiver was ruled out due to a calf issue.Philadelphia currently sits atop the NFC East with a 2-4-1 record and a victory Sunday against the Cowboys would strengthen its lead. The Eagles may not be the only team hindered by injuries, as Dallas could start rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci after Andy Dalton was ruled doubtful to play due to a concussion.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens running back Mark Ingram is unlikely to take the field Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers after missing a week of practice.Ingram is listed as doubtful for Sunday's AFC North showdown.Baltimore's leading tailback suffered a foot sprain in the team's 30-28 win against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Ravens had a bye week after that victory.The Alabama product has rushed for 225 yards and two touchdowns through six games this season. He also has five receptions for 25 yards.Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins will likely split the backfield work if Ingram is unable to suit up Sunday.Ingram has totaled 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns during his three previous meetings against the Steelers.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers ruled out Aaron Jones for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Matt LaFleur announced, according to Fox Sports' Lily Zhao.Jones is dealing with a calf injury and was unable to practice all week. He'll be sidelined for the second straight game.The 25-year-old popped up on the injury report following Green Bay's Week 6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Jamaal Williams and rookie A.J. Dillon will lead the Packers' backfield against their NFC North rivals. Williams carried the ball 19 times for 77 yards last week against the Houston Texans, adding four catches for 34 yards.Jones has rushed for 389 yards and five touchdowns over his first five games, averaging 5.2 yards per carry.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.I'm a half-game below .500 after a 2-1 record in Week 7, but that mark would be flipped if the Bills could score in the red zone. Sigh. Here are my best bets for Week 8.Patriots @ Bills (-3.5, 41.5), 1 p.m. ETThe first bet I made on this week's slate was Bills -2.5, and I'm happy to play it at this number, too. It's a bit odd for this line to suggest two remotely similar teams; Buffalo might be a sloppy 5-2, but New England is a disastrous 2-4 and only getting worse by the week.Cam Newton hasn't been the same since his positive COVID-19 diagnosis forced him to miss Week 4. He's gone 26-of-40 for 255 yards and five interceptions along with two fumbles and a rushing touchdown in the two games since, while the Patriots' offense has mustered just 28 points in its last three weeks combined.The Bills' defense is vulnerable, but not if Newton can't rediscover his magic. Conversely, Buffalo's offense is versatile enough to exploit New England's thin front and underperforming secondary in the same way the 49ers did a week ago. This line shouldn't be this tight.Pick: Bills -3.5Titans (-6.5, 53) @ Bengals, 1 p.m.The Titans have been one of the most enigmatic teams to bet all season. They've won five of six contests but have covered in just two of them, and one of those needed a stunning comeback to force overtime. Now, a week after losing their first game of the season, they face a potential trap game against a frisky Bengals squad.Cincinnati was a late touchdown away from upsetting the Browns as a home underdog a week ago, extending an impressive 8-2-2 run against the spread as a 'dog. The Bengals' passing attack has also been surprisingly effective in four of the last five weeks, which could be a problem for a struggling Titans secondary.Tennessee is the better team, but both clubs should put up points Sunday, and Cincinnati has a habit of keeping every game close in the end. Expect Joe Burrow and Co. to do it again this week in a dangerous spot for the Titans.Pick: Bengals +6.5Colts (-2.5, 50.5) @ Lions, 1 p.m.Did everyone suddenly jump off the Colts bandwagon and forget to tell me? Indianapolis wasn't at its best in the last two weeks before the bye, but this is still a top-five team by nearly every metric - DVOA (No. 5), PFF team grades (No. 5), net yards per play (No. 2) - with a top-tier defense and an offense that showed immense upside in a comeback win over the Bengals.Comparatively, the Lions beat the Jaguars and Falcons - two of the league's worst teams - and still needed a miracle comeback against Atlanta. That was enough for oddsmakers to price this matchup under a field goal, which is dramatically underselling how complete Indianapolis' team is.Detroit has leaned on its run game to produce points in recent weeks, while the Colts are tied for the fewest rushing touchdowns allowed (4) and are among the best in rushing yards allowed per game (88.3) and yards per carry (3.5). This isn't a matchup to get cute with; lay the short price on the better and more rested team.(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.

Call it a revenge game.Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul can't wait to play in New York at the end of Week 8 for the first time since being traded by the Giants in March 2018."I'm going to Monday Night Football and I'm going to destroy the Giants," he told reporters Friday, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud.Pierre-Paul spent the first eight years of his career in New York before the team shipped him off in an apparent salary dump. The 31-year-old has produced 26.5 sacks for the Buccaneers since the deal, while the Giants have been one of the least efficient pass-rushing teams over the same period."You already know they made a mistake," he said, via The Athletic's Greg Auman.JPP since trade from GiantsYearGamesSacks20181612.52019108.5202075.5The 31-year-old posted 1.5 sacks during his first game against his ex-teammates in Week 11 of the 2018 season - that game was in Tampa. He was sidelined last year when the Giants and Buccaneers met in Week 3."I'm coming for their necks, they know that," said Pierre-Paul, who netted New York a third-round pick that the club later used on defensive lineman B.J. Hill.The two-time Pro Bowler won a Super Bowl with the Giants.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is reportedly expected to suit up against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday after sitting out the team's Week 6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Cook is listed as questionable on the Vikings' Friday injury report.He "should be ready to go," head coach Mike Zimmer said, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Zimmer also expects Cook to receive his normal workload.Cook suffered an adductor strain during Minnesota's Week 5 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.The Vikings employed a running back by committee approach in the 25-year-old's absence. The club split carries between Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, and Mike Boone.Cook leads the team with 489 yards and 5.3 yards per carry to go along with seven touchdowns. The Miami native also has 12 receptions for 64 yards.The fourth-year veteran opened the season with a 50-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Packers.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A Denver Broncos offensive lineman and Minnesota Vikings linebacker tested positive for COVID-19, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Broncos player is Graham Glasgow, reports NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The Vikings player is Todd Davis, reports Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.Denver previously placed offensive line coach Mike Munchak in isolation, though the club didn't reveal whether he tested positive or simply had close contact with someone who did.Minnesota moved cornerback Cameron Dantzler to COVID-19 reserve Thursday without indicating whether he produced a positive test or was put on the list due to contact tracing.Denver is scheduled to host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8, while Minnesota is slated to visit the Green Bay Packers.Despite being cleared to practice Friday, the Broncos will work remotely and return to the field Saturday, according to Schefter. The Broncos reportedly instructed two additional players to isolate given their close contact with Glasgow, per Pelissero.The NFL has encountered a flurry of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the season but hasn't had to reschedule a game since Week 6.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets will apparently be shorthanded on offense for their Week 8 tilt against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.Jets head coach Adam Gase told reporters wide receiver Jamison Crowder suffered a setback while nursing his groin injury and is unlikely to play on Sunday, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. Crowder won't practice Friday.Gase also ruled out Breshad Perriman after the veteran wideout suffered a concussion last week.New York has dealt with a plethora of injuries in 2020, particularly in the receiving corps. Perriman and Crowder have each missed three games so far, with the latter unable to suit up for last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills.Jeff Smith, Braxton Berrios, and rookie Denzel Mims will continue to carry the load out wide for Sam Darnold. Mims made his NFL debut in Week 7 after battling a hamstring injury suffered during training camp, catching four targets for 42 yards.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.