The Dallas Cowboys are hoping the NFL will reinstate defensive ends Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory soon.Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said that Smith has already met with Roger Goodell, but the team hasn't heard anything from the commissioner yet."He's waiting to hear back," Jones said Friday, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "I think Randy may or - I'm not exactly sure where that is. Sometimes we're not privy to that. We're not sure when we'll hear something. Obviously, the league is looking out for their best interest.""If ultimately they get to a point which we think they can, that Roger (Goodell) feels like they can come back to work and play football, and that's in their best interest in addition to what they need off the field, then certainly we'll welcome them back and go to work," he added.Smith, 30, hasn't played since he was suspended in 2015 because of legal and substance abuse issues. The Cowboys signed him to a one-year deal worth $4 million last month.Gregory, meanwhile, reportedly filed for reinstatement in March. The 27-year-old has been suspended four times since entering the league in 2015. His last suspension occurred in February 2019 for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy and the terms of a previous conditional reinstatement.The Cowboys hope Smith and Gregory can bolster their pass rush after the club amassed 39 sacks last season, which ranked 19th in the league. Smith has averaged 13 sacks per 16 games in his career, but he recorded just 5.5 over his two last seasons combined. Gregory established a career high with six sacks when he last played in 2018.The NFL will no longer suspend players for positive marijuana tests, a stipulation in the league's new collective bargaining agreement.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ESPN will have a new broadcast team for Monday Night Football, as play-by-play man Joe Tessitore and color analyst Anthony "Booger" McFarland won't return in 2020, sources told The Athletic's Richard Deitsch.Both will reportedly remain with the network in prominent roles, and Tessitore is expected to return to college football broadcasts in some capacity, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post. He was the lead play-by-play broadcaster on ESPN's Saturday night prime-time game and the College Football Playoff before joining MNF.Tessitore and McFarland took over the Monday Night Football broadcast along with Jason Witten in 2018. The trio succeeded the pairing of Sean McDonough and Jon Gruden.The three-man crew received overly negative reviews during their first season together. Tessitore and McFarland worked together without a third person in 2019 after Witten came out of retirement to rejoin the Dallas Cowboys.The new Monday Night Football broadcast team hasn't been decided but is expected to feature personalities already working at ESPN.ESPN tried to make a trade earlier this offseason with NBC for the rights to legendary play-by-play commentator Al Michaels, but its proposals were rejected. The network also unsuccessfully pitched the analyst gig to retired quarterback Peyton Manning.The to-be-determined Monday Night Football unit will be scheduled to call its first regular-season game Sept. 14 when the NFL caps Week 1 with a doubleheader featuring the New York Giants versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans versus the Denver Broncos.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin doesn't want certain teams to reopen their facilities before others can amid the COVID-19 pandemic."I prescribe to the approach of competitive fairness within our game, and that is everybody gets an opportunity," Tomlin said Saturday, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "Our game is extremely competitive. It's one of the things that make football at this level so attractive to our fans. I'm committed to preserving and protecting that and so all teams getting an opportunity to start on the same footing is a core element of that."The NFL previously laid out the protocols each team must have in place by May 15 in preparation for the reopening of facilities. But in its memo to teams, the league didn't say that certain clubs will be held from returning to headquarters until all 32 franchises are ready.With states across the country loosening restrictions at different rates, some clubs could receive permission from the government to relaunch facilities before others are allowed."There's a couple of things that we're committed to adhering to, and that's the global approach of the National Football League in regards to football ops and how important competitive fairness is in our game," Tomlin said. "We all got to get started on the same footing in that regard. Then, also, respecting our local government and the guidelines they prescribe individually in terms of workplace safety."Those are the two key components for us. We're in a wait and see mindset and we'll be ready to go when both boxes are checked."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sophomore receiver DK Metcalf told incoming rookies to remain standing when they enter meeting rooms as they start assimilating into NFL locker rooms.The Seattle Seahawks star spoke at the first rookie webinar following the NFL draft. He was on a panel that included Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and was moderated by Seahawks vice president of player engagement Maurice Kelly."I think Mo told us in our rookie meeting: 'Don't sit nowhere. Let everybody come in first and sit down. Then you find your seat last,'" Metcalf said, according to Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press. "So, that really set the tone for the year and how to approach everything. Just wait my turn and soak up as much knowledge from the vets as I could."Kelly, a former defensive back, played for the Seahawks from 2000-02."It's a humbling experience," Kelly said. "These guys are the best of the best in college football and so they come into the league and everybody has a story. (But) really, nobody cares that you won a national championship before. You're entering into a business world and into a world of professional athletes. So, these guys were collegiate athletes and they come into this room and they used to be the best of the best, and now they have to sit back, observe, and find a way to fit in."Metcalf exploded for 900 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie year after being drafted in the second round.The Ole Miss product also spoke to rookies about social media, how to handle their finances, and the 2020 pre-draft process, which was altered significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic."I told some guys it's a good thing and a bad thing, because what I learned last year about the whole draft process is people are looking for something bad to point out about you no matter what it is," Metcalf said. "So, the less opportunity teams had to nitpick anything you did wrong was a better position for you. But for the guys who didn't get invited to the combine, who only had a chance to show what they could do at pro day, that's the other bad part about it, so there's two ways you can look at it."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker reflected Friday on Ahmaud Arbery, his late cousin who was shot and killed in February while jogging unarmed in Satilla Shores, Georgia.It took months, mounting public pressure, and a leaked video of the shooting before any arrests were made. Police arrested 64-year-old Gregory McMichael and 34-year-old Travis McMichael on Thursday, one day before Arbery would have celebrated his 26th birthday."It's crazy that a man was out there jogging by himself and just getting exercise and he was shot down," Walker told Cydney Contreras and Holly Passalaqua of E! News. "We can't continue to kill ourselves and kill each other off. That's not OK. We can't continue with the violence."Arbery, an African-American man, was jogging in a predominantly white community when he was killed. Thousands have posted "#IRunWithMaud" on social media in support of Arbery since his death."It's amazing to have that much support, have that many people get behind one simple cause, and that's justice," Walker said.Walker remembered his cousin as "a person full of laughter and joy," who enjoyed brightening the days of those around him."He would be the guy that would just turn everybody's frown upside down by saying a simple joke," he said.The NFL Players Coalition submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday, urging attorney general William Barr to ask the FBI and DOJ to investigate the incident. The letter contained signatures from numerous current and former players, including Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, and Doug Baldwin. Other sports figures, such as NBA coach Steve Kerr and NBA analyst and former coach Stan Van Gundy, also signed the document.The Georgia Bureau of Investigation vowed Friday to launch an independent investigation into the handling of Arbery's case.Walker, 25, is entering his third season with the Lions.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski is going to have to keep a close eye on his head coach, Bruce Arians, this season.Arians issued a warning to the Gronkowski on Thursday, saying he may try to steal his WWE 24/7 championship belt."He better keep his head on a swivel," Arians told ESPN's Jenna Laine. "I might take it from him."Gronkowski won the 24/7 championship at WrestleMania 36, and under WWE rules, his title can be challenged by anyone at any time. He acknowledged on the "Gronk'd UP" podcast earlier this week that Arians could be a threat, but said it "would be an honor to lose to him."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. believes he could've become an Olympian had he stuck with track and field.In an interview with TMZ Sports, Ginn said he "for sure" would have won an Olympic gold medal if he wasn't in the NFL. He also pointed out that he once beat the fastest man in the world."I ran against Usain Bolt - I got him when we was in the 12th grade," Ginn said. "All of the top guys that have won the Olympics between 2004 til now, I basically had a chance to race them guys in high school."Ginn told ESPN's David Newton in 2016 that he was on a 4x100-meter high school relay team that defeated a squad anchored by Bolt."He was the anchor, and I was the second leg," Ginn said. "I opened up and gave us that lead that he couldn't get back. So, you know, man, I've done run against the best of the best."Ginn is entering his 14th NFL season and first with the Bears, who signed him to a one-year deal in May.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Joe Burrow hasn't signed his rookie contract yet, as the Cincinnati Bengals wait to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact their revenue."I'm waiting for all the money to hit," Burrow said Friday on Barstool's "Pardon My Take" podcast. "Haven't signed the contract yet, so we're just kind of waiting to see what happens over the next three months because we really don't know."Burrow was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft, which took place in late April. He'll receive a signing bonus of nearly $24 million once he inks his contract, a figure large enough to affect the Bengals' short-term cash flow.Agents and teams are bracing for an unusually long wait for the top picks to sign, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. On Friday, Derrick Brown - the seventh overall selection by the Carolina Panthers - became the first top-32 pick to sign his rookie deal.With team facilities still closed, Burrow participated in the Bengals' virtual rookie minicamp following the draft. He's still living with his parents in Ohio and sleeping every night in his Star Wars-themed childhood bedroom."My dad likes to make the joke that I'm a 23-year-old millionaire living in my parents' basement," he said.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.In an effort to save you the frustration that comes with a disappointing fantasy pick, here are this year's top bust candidates.Average draft position data courtesy of Fanball, since best-ball ADP tends to be ahead of the curve at this point in the year. It's based on 12-team leagues with PPR scoring.More in this series

The Chicago Bears' 2017 draft decisions are once again top of mind after the club declined the fifth-year option in quarterback Mitchell Trubisky's contract.Famously, the Bears traded picks No. 3, 67, and 111 in the draft and a 2018 third-rounder to the San Francisco 49ers to move up to No. 2, where they selected Trubisky.Chicago made Trubisky the first quarterback taken in that draft while passing on the more accomplished Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes, even after the former UNC standout had logged only 13 college starts.What may be more shocking is that Watson says the Bears didn't speak to him ahead of the draft.

The New Orleans Saints released starting guard Larry Warford on Friday after he had made the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons with the team.The move was likely made due to cap considerations, as the recent signings of quarterbacks Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston left the Saints with a little over $2.8 million in cap space. Though New Orleans paid Warford a $750,000 roster bonus this spring, his release saves the club $7 million against the cap, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Warford may have also been pushed out when the Saints signed fellow guard Andrus Peat to a five-year, $50-million deal in March, then used their first-round pick on interior lineman Cesar Ruiz.The 28-year-old now hits the free-agent market, and he's no longer tied to draft-pick compensation.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Todd Gurley is still waiting for the Los Angeles Rams to send him the millions he's owed following his release in the middle of March."I don't know what their reason is," the former All-Pro running back said on the "UNINTERRUPTED" podcast. "And then the worst thing about it is, they know they have to pay me, too. ... Probably just using the COVID thing as an excuse. Or, shit, they probably ain't go no money to be paying nobody. They got that stadium being built right now. All I know is, come June 1, I better have my money."Gurley was initially slated to receive $7.55 million from Los Angeles. However, offset language reduced the figured in his Rams contract once he signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He's still set to pocket roughly $5 million from his former team.Unlike former teammate Clay Matthews, who's chasing about $2 million in unpaid guarantees from the Rams, Gurley hasn't filed a grievance. He said doing so would only further delay his check."Right now the grievances are on hold," he said. "The team has to set that meeting up. So they kind of got that upper hand right now because they know all this COVID stuff is going on. So like, it wouldn't make sense for me to file a grievance because this spring case won't get heard until next spring, and then once you file a grievance that just puts everything on hold.""I shouldn't have to negotiate when I should get my money when it's already written," the veteran added.Gurley starred for the Rams for five seasons, leading the NFL from 2017 to 2018 with 3,924 scrimmage yards and 40 touchdowns. He was cut following a production dip in 2019, when the 25-year-old rushed for 857 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 3.8 yards per carry.His new team isn't scheduled to face the Rams in the 2020 regular season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens have no basis to accuse Earl Thomas of violating his contract and, therefore, can't void the guaranteed money on his deal, a source told Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.It was reported Thursday that the Ravens were looking into whether the safety violated his contract during a recent incident involving his wife. Nina Thomas reportedly pointed a gun at her husband's head after discovering a video of him with another woman. She was arrested, while he wasn't.The Ravens were also investigating whether Thomas reported the incident to the team in a prompt fashion.Thomas has $10 million guaranteed to him in 2020. He's entering the second season of a four-year, $55-million contract, which he signed on the heels of a decorated tenure with the Seattle Seahawks.Despite earning a Pro Bowl selection in his first campaign with Baltimore, Thomas reportedly irked teammates and coaches by straying from the defensive system and struggling to learn the scheme.A void of his guarantees could pave the way for the Ravens to release Thomas.Thomas, who turned 31 on Thursday, had 49 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions for Baltimore in 2019.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.Bettors, fantasy players, and football fans alike rejoiced Thursday when the NFL released its full, 17-week schedule. Now it's time to get to work.If you want to profit in the NFL markets, you have to look ahead. Pinpointing future situational spots is beneficial when dealing with such a long layoff between seasons. Notable factors include travel, weather, bye weeks, and prime-time slots.We're looking at the five best situational bets to make on the full season's schedule.Week 7 - Bears at Rams (-3.5)This is going to be a tough spot for Chicago. The Bears have a prime-time game against the Buccaneers in Week 5, a road contest at Carolina after that, and then this cross-country trip to Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Rams play in San Francisco in Week 6, so there won't be any travel-related issues. Lay the chalk in this spot.Pick: Rams -3.5Week 17 - Dolphins at Bills (-8)It's not easy for a team that traditionally hosts its games in the heat to travel to the much colder climate in Week 17 and play an otherwise meaningless game. That's likely what we'll see when the Dolphins go to Buffalo to close out the 2020 campaign.Miami did some good things this offseason but is still a few moves away from competing. The Bills are looking to capture a playoff spot, so this could be a bloodbath.Pick: Bills -8Week 15 - Jaguars at Ravens (-15.5)No, your eyes do not deceive you. The Ravens are in fact laying more than two touchdowns against another professional franchise. However, not only is the playing field tilted between these two, but the spot lines up terribly for the Jaguars.Jacksonville will play indoors in Minnesota and then host the Titans in Florida before this matchup. The Week 15 tilt against Baltimore is another case of fading a warm-weather team in the cold - especially against a superior opponent - after it plays two games in controlled settings.Pick: Ravens -15.5Week 10 - Buccaneers at Panthers (+4.5)Carolina is one of the easiest opponents on Tampa Bay's schedule - the two square off twice - but this is a spot in which I'd bet the Panthers. The Buccaneers have three consecutive prime-time games prior to this contest, and then another one right after it. This is a hangover spot waiting to happen.Pick: Panthers +4.5Week 7 - Seahawks at Cardinals (+2.5)Betting road teams that are coming off a bye has been profitable in the past. Seattle is in this position in Week 7 when it makes a short trip to Arizona following some rest and recuperation. My initial gut reaction is to take the Seahawks, as they'll play a Cardinals team coming off three straight road games.Pick: Seahawks -2.5Alex 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 Chicago Bears set up a make-or-break season for Mitchell Trubisky by declining the quarterback's fifth-year option in his rookie contract.Despite the decision, Bears general manager Ryan Pace insisted Thursday that his team is still confident in the former No. 2 overall pick, who's set to compete with Nick Foles for the starting job."We've always had the approach where we're honest and we're truthful with our players and with our staff, then we move on and we get to work," Pace told 670 The Score. "That's where it's at. Mitch gets it. Everyone's competing. Everyone's focused on better results. That's the entire team."We believe in Mitch. That doesn't change. You can point to (cornerback) Kyle Fuller as a great example of a player who didn't get his option exercised. I'd think we would say that worked out well for him and for us."Trubisky is now set to become a free agent after this season and could set himself up for a major payday with a bounce-back campaign. His 2021 option was projected to cost around $24 million.The young passer was a major disappointment in Year 3, which led the Bears to acquire Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fourth-round pick in March.Pace has said that it will be an "open competition" between the two quarterbacks.In 2019, Trubisky finished 27th in touchdown passes with 17 and 28th in passer rating with a mark of 83.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the NFL draft and the major part of free agency in the rearview mirror, rosters around the league are taking shape. In a four-part series, theScore's football editors rank all 32 teams by their total talent at quarterback, pass-catcher, running back, and defense. Depth charts are projections of teams' post-training camp rosters.We close our series with team defenses.Position Group Rankings

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers will become the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, after the end of his playing career, according to Ben Thomas of AL.com.Rivers is embarking on a one-year contract with the Colts, though he hasn't shut the door on playing beyond 2020. The 38-year-old previously revealed his desire to coach at the high school level once he retires from the NFL."My dad was my high school football coach, so I want to coach my boys and I want to coach young boys down the road, so I do know what's next when my playing time's over, so we did talk about it a little bit," he said in March.Rivers has nine children. His oldest son, Gunner, will enter the sixth grade in the fall.The longtime Los Angeles Chargers signal-caller has held football clinics at St. Michael for the last two summers, and previously said the school aligned with his athletic, spiritual, and academic beliefs.St. Michael athletic director Paul Knapstein plans to coach the football team until Rivers is ready to take over.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms Friday with veteran quarterback Mike Glennon, the team announced."Mike is entering his eighth season in the NFL and will bring vital experience into our quarterback room and make us a better football team," head coach Doug Marrone said. "We want to be as strong as possible at every position. We expect Mike to come in and work hard, compete every day, and help our team win."Glennon will join a position group in Jacksonville that is led by Gardner Minshew and also includes Josh Dobbs and sixth-round rookie Jake Luton.Glennon appeared in two games for the then-Oakland Raiders last season, completing 6 of 10 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. The 30-year-old has also spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, and Arizona Cardinals, compiling 22 career starts.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady is now the quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and his successor with the New England Patriots is still to be determined.In characteristic fashion, however, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick continues to keep his cards close to his chest."It's where we are. You never know what's going to happen down the road," Belichick told NFL Network's Rich Eisen on Thursday when asked about his quarterback situation for the 2020 season. "But we feel like we have four good players there."He added: "We'd like to work with all those guys, and we'll see how it goes."Second-year passer Jarrett Stidham is the favorite to land the top job despite his lack of pedigree. The 2019 fourth-round pick is a relative unknown, but after bringing back Brian Hoyer in what appears to be a mentorship role, the Patriots are seemingly uninterested in adding another veteran option."Stid worked really hard last year ... I know he's working hard in the offseason," Belichick said. "He's made a lot of progress in terms of understanding our offense and understanding opponent defenses, like all players do from Year 1 to Year 2. I'm sure he'll get out there and be ready to go, be prepared, and compete hard, and we'll see where it takes us."Stidham flashed potential in four preseason games last season, completing 61 of 90 passes for 731 yards and four touchdowns against one interception (102.6 passer rating). He threw just four passes in the regular season.Belichick's confidence in Stidham has become more apparent after the Patriots sat back and watched experienced candidates like Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston take backup roles with the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, respectively.New England is also reportedly not eyeing a move for Cam Newton.With only $1.64 million in available cap space - the third-least in the league, according to Over The Cap - the Patriots opted to bolster their quarterback group with two undrafted free agents, adding Brian Lewerke and J'Mar Smith after not taking a passer during the draft.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.The NFL schedules were released on Thursday night, and it didn't take long for sportsbooks to hang early numbers for Week 1.These lines were made under the assumption games will be played without fans in attendance. Here's an initial breakdown of all the Week 1 matchups.Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (-10.5, 56)The defending Super Bowl champions open up on Thursday night at home versus the Texans. This is a rematch of last year's AFC divisional-round playoff game when Kansas City fell behind 24-0 before storming back to win 51-31.Oddsmakers don't like Houston's chances of getting revenge, installing the Chiefs as hefty 10.5-point favorites. The public loves Patrick Mahomes, but pro bettors will likely take the points.Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (-4.5, 49.5)The Saints (+900) and Buccaneers (+1000) are two of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, so expect this to be the most heavily bet game of Week 1. We know the public will be on Tom Brady. Brady will be an underdog in Week 1 of the season for the first time since 2003.Brady and Co. are overvalued heading into the season, but they likely won't need to deal with the usually deafening Superdome crowd. Even without the noise, there's an early lean toward the Saints laying 4.5 at home.Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-9.5, 49)The Browns should improve in 2020, but the NFL didn't do them any Week 1 favors. Cleveland must travel to face a loaded Ravens squad that oddsmakers put behind only the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl.The Browns defeated the Ravens in Baltimore last year 40-25. It's difficult laying 9.5 points so early in the year. This line should move toward Cleveland as we get closer to kickoff.Philadelphia Eagles (-6, 45.5) at Washington RedskinsThis is the third time over the last four years the Eagles and Redskins will square off in Week 1. A Redskins team that should be more competitive under Ron Rivera offers some early-season value, so expect sharps to side with the home dog.Just like last year's opener, this one is shaping up to be a Pros vs. Joes battle, with the public backing the road favorite.New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (-5.5, 40.5)The Bills are a popular preseason pick to make a Super Bowl run, but this Week 1 line looks high. These teams opened up against each other last campaign too, with Buffalo earning a 17-16 win after the Jets blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead.Expect another low-scoring slugfest featuring two of the NFL's top defenses this time around. Take the points.Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-6.5, 44)The revamped Dolphins hope to start 2020 where they left off last season with an upset win in New England. Will it be Ryan Fitzpatrick or rookie Tua Tagovailoa quarterbacking Miami? And will Jarrett Stidham replace Brady?It'll be interesting to see how the public bets the Pats in 2020 after hammering them for over a decade. Given the uncertainty at quarterback for the Patriots, Miami plus the points looks like the play.Seattle Seahawks (-1.5, 49) at Atlanta Falcons The Seahawks went 7-1 straight up on the road last year, while Atlanta finished a disappointing 3-5 at home. These teams could hold an edge if training camps are shortened, with veteran coaches and quarterbacks in place on both sides.The public will be all over the Seahawks here, but don't be surprised if pro bettors pound Atlanta in Week 1. The Falcons are 11-1 against the spread in their last 12 home openers.Los Angeles Chargers (-4, 46) at Cincinnati Bengals The Bengals should be much-improved this season with rookie sensation Joe Burrow under center, leading to value on the betting market. This contest could present a matchup between rookie quarterbacks if Justin Herbert wins the job in L.A. The more likely scenario is Tyrod Taylor beginning the season as the Chargers' starting quarterback. If that's the case, lean toward the road favorite here.Las Vegas Raiders at Carolina Panthers (-1, 46.5) There's a new head coach (Matt Rhule), offensive coordinator (Joe Brady), and quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater) leading the Panthers. All that turnover is a negative early in the year, especially if training camps are pushed back.The Raiders' strong rushing attack should be too much for a rebuilding Panthers defense that allowed 29.4 points per game in 2019. Expect a high-scoring affair.Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (-3.5, 47)The Packers and Vikings are co-favorites to win the NFC North, so this is a big early-season showdown. Expect some regression from a Green Bay team that finished 13-3 last year, but won half its games by eight points or less while allowing 4.7 yards per carry. We should see split betting action ahead of an even game on paper.Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions (-1, 44.5)Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford missed the last half of 2019, but Detroit was still surprisingly competitive, losing five of its final eight games by eight points or less. This is a big season for both Lions head coach Matt Patricia and Bears sideline boss Matt Nagy. Chicago will be a popular road underdog, but the early lean is toward the Lions.Indianapolis Colts (-8, 47.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars The Colts' roster is talented, and now with Philip Rivers under center, many like Indy to make a playoff run in 2020. The Jaguars' roster isn't nearly as skilled, and consequently, Jacksonville has received the lowest projected win total (five).The total of 47.5 here is interesting, as these teams look to be fielding run-first offenses that want to slow the pace. This game will be another public vs. sharps sparring match with pro bettors taking the eight points at home.Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-8, 45)This is one of the most intriguing Week 1 matchups. The Cardinals think they're ready to leap up in the NFC West, and they could make an immediate statement against the defending NFC champion 49ers. The line feels high, and it should go down with early money backing the Cardinals.Dallas Cowboys (-3, 50) at Los Angeles RamsThe Cowboys are +1500 to win the Super Bowl, and they're one of the NFL's most heavily bet teams. So it's not surprising to see Dallas open as a short road favorite. However, if the game is played without fans, the Rams get an advantage. The enormous Cowboys fan base would make a clash in L.A. sound like a Dallas home game. It's a tough game to call early.Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5, 48) at New York Giants The Steelers could hold a huge edge in this matchup depending on when the preseason starts. Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger have been together since 2007, while the Giants' Joe Judge has never coached at any level, and New York quarterback Daniel Jones enters his second season with a fresh offensive coordinator. There's a big early lean toward the more experienced Steelers on Monday Night Football.Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos (-3, 42)Last year, Tennessee opened as a five-point road underdog against the much-hyped Browns, and the Titans rolled to a 43-13 win. This feels eerily familiar, with the Broncos a trendy 2020 sleeper pick after rebuilding their offense around second-year quarterback Drew Lock. Tennessee looks like a live dog in Week 1 for the second straight year.Thomas Casale is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. He's been following the sports betting industry for almost 30 years. A devoted fan of the wishbone offense, Thomas bets on all sports but specializes in college football, NFL, and college basketball. Find him on Twitter @TheTomCasale.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the NFL draft and the major part of free agency in the rearview mirror, rosters around the league are taking shape. In a four-part series, theScore's football editors rank all 32 teams by their total talent at quarterback, pass-catcher, running back, and defense. Depth charts are projections of teams' post-training camp rosters.Next up are rushing groups.Position Group Rankings

The new-look, Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now prime-time viewing.The NFL released its 2020 schedule Thursday, and the Buccaneers are set to enjoy a franchise-record five prime-time games. They share the league lead with seven other teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, and New England Patriots.Tampa Bay will play its first prime-time fixture against the Chicago Bears in Week 5 before seeing three straight from Week 7 to 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints. Finally, the Bucs face the Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 11.Their previous high was four games, which they received in back-to-back seasons in 2002 and 2003, the latter year as defending champions.The Buccaneers, who've only made four prime-time appearances since 2017, signed Brady as a free agent and later reunited the quarterback with tight end Rob Gronkowski this offseason.Kansas City, meanwhile, tops the league for the second straight season. The reigning Super Bowl champion has a much-anticipated matchup at the Ravens in Week 3. Baltimore, led by reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, saw its prime-time appearances increase from three last year.Though they won't have Brady under center, the Patriots received five prime-time games for the fourth consecutive season.Buffalo, which wasn't given a slot when the 2019 schedule was released, has been handed four in 2020.Additionally, the Raiders will mark their first game in Las Vegas with a Monday Night Football prime-time contest against the Saints in Week 2. They have four in total.The Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins are the only teams without a game in prime time, but both will play on Thanksgiving.TeamPrime-time gamesBuccaneers5Chiefs5Ravens5Packers5Rams5Cowboys549ers5Patriots5Raiders4Seahawks4Steelers4Bills4Eagles4Bears4Saints3Titans3Broncos3Giants3Bengals2Vikings2Falcons2Jets2Browns2Chargers2Cardinals2Texans1Colts1Jaguars1Panthers1Dolphins1Redskins0Lions0Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens are looking into the incident involving Earl Thomas to determine whether the safety's conduct violates his contract, a team official told the Baltimore Sun's Jonas Shaffer and Jessica Anderson.The official adds there were times when some Ravens coaches thought Thomas strayed from their team concept last season, according to Shaffer and Anderson, who also mention that the veteran's struggles learning the defense sometimes put him at odds with teammates.Thomas' wife Nina allegedly held him at gunpoint after finding the seven-time Pro Bowler and his brother in bed with other women at a rental home in April. Court documents indicate Nina was arrested, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.If the Ravens decide to release him, a contract violation could void the $10 million fully guaranteed salary Thomas is set to earn this season.The Ravens signed Thomas to a four-year, $55-million deal in 2019. The contract includes $32 million in guaranteed money, $20 million of which came as a signing bonus earned last year.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With the NFL releasing its regular-season schedule Thursday night, we can begin to infuse that information into our 2020 fantasy projections.Injuries can have a major impact on the latter stages of the campaign, but focusing on the first few weeks can give you an advantage, opening the door for you to draft players set up for hot starts or to avoid those destined to struggle against an unusually tough streak of opponents. Players with difficult schedules in the early going are prime trade targets after the first few weeks when owners begin to question their value.In the coming weeks, we'll publish a detailed fantasy strength-of-schedule matrix for the entire season, but for now, let's take a quick look at the teams with the best and worst early-season slates.BestCleveland BrownsWeekOpponent1at Ravens2vs. Bengals3vs. Redskins4at CowboysWith head coach Kevin Stefanski now at the helm, Baker Mayfield and company are looking to rebound from a disappointing campaign and this schedule gives them an excellent chance to get off to a strong start.Beginning against the Ravens' loaded defense isn't ideal, but Cleveland's outlook gets considerably better from there. The Bengals and Redskins allowed the fourth- and sixth-most yards from scrimmage, respectively, in 2019. As for the Cowboys, Jerry Jones' crew lost several key defensive starters, which will force them into plenty of shootouts this year.Arizona CardinalsWeekOpponent1at 49ers2vs. Redskins3vs. Lions4at PanthersSimilar to the Browns, Arizona has the unenviable task of taking on a Super Bowl contender in Week 1. However, the Cardinals played the eventual NFC champions tough last season, losing a pair of close games 28-25 and 36-26. Even if DeAndre Hopkins can't propel his new club to a victory in the opener, the Cards will still have good shot to come out of September with a winning record.The Redskins and Lions were near the bottom of the league in Football Outsiders' Defensive DVOA in 2019 and neither front office has done enough to solve their issues on that side of the ball. Meanwhile, the Panthers might have the NFL's worst defense on paper after losing Luke Kuechly, James Bradberry, and Mario Addison. With an offensive-minded coaching staff and plenty of skill position talent to put up points, Carolina will be a perfect matchup to attack in fantasy.San Francisco 49ersWeekOpponent1vs. Cardinals2at Jets3at Giants4vs. EaglesDespite helping lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl, questions remain about Jimmy Garoppolo's ability to take his game to another level in real life and fantasy. A divisional matchup in Week 1 can often be tricky, but Garoppolo torched the Cardinals last season, racking up 741 passing yards and eight touchdowns over two contests.San Francisco should be favored big over both New York squads and having back-to-back games at MetLife Stadium is also a bonus, since it allows the Niners to spend the week in New York, which could be good for team building early in the year. If you were planning to target potential breakout stars like Deebo Samuel and Raheem Mostert, this early slate makes them even more appealing.Honorable mentions

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.While the NFL is preparing to play a full 2020 schedule with the regular season beginning on Sept. 10, the 17-week slate was constructed with contingencies in mind.The league intentionally scheduled two home games and two road games for every team in the opening month of the season. As such, if the season is delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the early weeks of the campaign could be moved to after Week 17, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Any week of the season could serve as the opening week.Super Bowl LV is scheduled to be played in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 7, but that date could be pushed back multiple months if needed. Doing that currently isn't an active discussion, and the league would prefer not to exercise such measures, Schefter reports.Finally, every club has been given the same bye week as its Week 2 opponent. That should provide the league with more scheduling flexibility should a health crisis force an adjustment."In preparing to play the season as scheduled, we will continue to make our decisions based on the latest medical and public health advice, in compliance with government regulations, and with appropriate safety protocols to protect the health of our fans, players, club, and league personnel, and our communities," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement."We will be prepared to make adjustments as necessary, as we have during this offseason in safely and efficiently conducting key activities such as free agency, the virtual offseason program, and the 2020 NFL Draft," he added.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL teams announced their schedules for the 2020 regular season on Thursday night.The league will return to its tradition of the defending Super Bowl champion hosting the first game of the year. The Kansas City Chiefs will welcome the Houston Texans on Thursday, Sept. 10 at Arrowhead Stadium. The two teams previously met in the 2019 divisional playoff round, with the Chiefs overcoming an early 24-0 deficit.The Week 1 prime-time slate continues with the Los Angeles Rams opening their glitzy new home venue, SoFi Stadium, against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The Monday Night Football doubleheader begins with the Pittsburgh Steelers visiting the New York Giants, and it concludes with the Denver Broncos hosting the Tennessee Titans.The schedule was built with each club playing two of its first four games at home and the other two on the road, NFL.com's Judy Battista reports. That move was made in the event games are canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.Click the links below to see each team's full schedule.AFC EastTeamScheduleBillsLinkDolphinsLinkJetsLinkPatriotsLinkAFC NorthTeamScheduleBengalsLinkBrownsLinkRavensLinkSteelersLinkAFC SouthTeamScheduleColtsLinkJaguarsLinkTexansLinkTitansLinkAFC WestTeamScheduleBroncosLinkChargersLinkChiefsLinkRaidersLinkNFC EastTeamScheduleCowboysLinkEaglesLinkGiantsLinkRedskinsLinkNFC NorthTeamScheduleBearsLinkLionsLinkPackersLinkVikingsLinkNFC SouthTeamScheduleBuccaneersLinkFalconsLinkPanthersLinkSaintsLinkNFC WestTeamSchedule49ersLinkCardinalsLinkRamsLinkSeahawksLinkCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Thanksgiving matchups are set for the 2020 NFL season.The holiday tripleheader begins in Detroit, as the Lions keep their tradition of hosting and will play the Houston Texans. It'll be the Texans' second Thanksgiving game ever, with their last coming in 2012.The Thanksgiving Day schedule continues with an NFC East rivalry game featuring the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are 2-4 on Thanksgiving since 2014.Another divisional clash will conclude Thanksgiving Day. The Baltimore Ravens will visit the Pittsburgh Steelers after sweeping their AFC North series in 2019. The Steelers and Ravens also met on Thanksgiving Day in 2013.The Thanksgiving matchups will take place in Week 12 (Nov. 26).Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a rare occurrence, the NFL has scheduled a game for Christmas Day even though the holiday falls on a Friday this year.The New Orleans Saints will host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16.The Saints and Vikings last met in a 2019 wild-card game. Minnesota upset New Orleans with a 26-20 win in overtime. However, the finish came with controversy.Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph appeared to push off before hauling in the game-winning touchdown catch. The loss came just one year after the infamous pass interference non-call in the Saints' NFC Championship Game defeat to the Los Angeles Rams.Christmas Day is normally reserved for NBA action. But rather than go up against college football's Boxing Day slate on Saturday, Dec. 26, the NFL is scheduling one contest against the NBA's typical five-game schedule.The NFL has played on Christmas Day on 14 other occasions, most recently in 2016 and 2017.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs will begin their Super Bowl title defense by hosting the Houston Texans in the first game of the 2020 NFL season on Thursday, Sept. 10, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.The full NFL schedule will be released Thursday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.The Chiefs and Texans met in the divisional round of the 2019 playoffs, with Houston running out to a 24-0 lead. Kansas City then scored 41 unanswered points and went on to win the game 51-31.After that, the Chiefs dispatched the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game before winning Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers.The Texans will be without one major player from January's matchup after Houston traded receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals this offseason. Hopkins led the Texans with nine receptions for 118 yards against the Chiefs.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL won't significantly alter eligibility rules for the supplemental draft to accommodate prospects facing the possibility of a canceled 2020 college season due to the coronavirus, sources told Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson and Pete Thamel.Typically, draft-eligible players facing unusual circumstances in college - such as academic suspensions or failed drug tests - are granted entry into the supplemental draft.NFL teams had reportedly already started doing homework on several stars who returned to college rather than enter the 2020 draft, including Clemson running back Travis Etienne, Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade, and Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard.The supplemental draft usually includes a handful of players. It takes place in the summer, but the NFL hasn't announced a date for the 2020 edition.In 2019, the Arizona Cardinals took Washington State safety Jalen Thompson in the fifth round of the supplemental draft after he was declared ineligible for the upcoming college season due to a violation of NCAA rules. As a result, the Cardinals forfeited their fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.Bernie Kosar, Cris Carter, and Josh Gordon are the most prominent names to have been selected in the supplemental draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians didn't think a trade for then-retired tight end Rob Gronkowski was possible until Tom Brady suggested it."It was really Tom," Arians said Thursday on "NFL Live," according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. "Tom brought it up to me, and I didn't even think it was a possibility that he wanted to come back. And he was adamant about, 'Yeah, he really wants to play; he'd love to play with us.'"So (general manager) Jason Licht got the ball rolling with the Patriots, the conversation was there, and he's working out, he's in great shape, and he's raring to go. So we're really looking forward to getting on the practice field."Brady and Gronkowski played nine seasons together with New England (2010-18). The five-time Pro Bowl tight end caught 78 regular-season touchdowns from the quarterback, the most of any teammate in Brady's career.The Buccaneers signed Brady to a two-year, $50-million contract this offseason. The six-time Super Bowl champion decided to test free agency after a legendary two-decade stint with New England.One month later, Tampa Bay traded a fourth-round pick to the Patriots in exchange for Gronkowski, who is returning to the sport after retiring in March 2019 at the age of 29."I said it from the beginning that I wouldn't come back unless if I'm feeling it, unless if I'm feeling good, feeling healthy, and I'm feeling like I'm ready to go. And now this is the case. This is the time," Gronkowski said. "My body 100% needed a rest. I didn't have that fire underneath me. But I knew I loved the game of football."Gronkowski, 30, has one year left on his current contract and can earn up to $10 million in 2020.The three-time Super Bowl champion embraced a career at WWE during his time away from football. He said that he currently weighs 250 pounds, about 15 pounds lighter than he was during his tenure in New England.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent quarterback Joe Flacco should obtain medical clearance between late August and the middle of September after undergoing a disc repair in early April, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Flacco finished the 2019 campaign on injured reserve because of a neck injury. The Broncos released him after only one season.In eight games last year, Flacco completed 65.3% of his passes while throwing for 1,822 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions. The Broncos went 2-6 in his starts.Flacco and Cam Newton represent the two most prominent quarterbacks available in free agency. Flacco spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens and was named MVP of Super Bowl XLVII.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The charity match between teams of Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning versus Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady is set for May 24 at the Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida, the PGA Tour announced Thursday."The Match: Champions for Charity" will raise $10 million in donations for both national and local COVID-19 relief. Additional fundraising will take place through on-course challenges in partnership with the ALL IN Challenge.The 18-hole event will be televised on TNT at 2 p.m. ET. The two teams will play nine holes of best ball (the lowest score between two teammates counts) then nine holes of modified alternate shot (both players hit a tee shot, choose the best one, and alternate turns from there).There will be no spectators and the players are expected to adhere to social distancing guidelines, such as leaving the flagstick in to putt and playing without rakes in bunkers. Caddies will not be used and players will ride individually in carts, according to ESPN's Bob Harig.The trash-talking between Mickelson and Woods has already begun.

The National Labor Relations Board rejected Russell Okung's complaint against the NFL Players Association, according to a letter obtained by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Okung is likely to file an appeal by his May 20 deadline, a source told Pelissero.The Carolina Panthers offensive tackle filed his complaint in March, alleging the NFLPA negotiated the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in bad faith. He accused NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith of overriding the executive committee to push the owners' proposed CBA to team representatives and then to the full membership.Okung was among the players irate over the approval of an expansion to 17 regular-season games. He said the introduction of a 17th contest went against the union's stated priority of serving its members' health and safety.The 31-year-old Okung was traded to the Panthers in March after spending the previous three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.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.Following three straight losing seasons and the overhaul of the franchise, the Miami Dolphins are close to moving forward with their future core. The only problem is, they're missing the most important piece.Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was projected to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft prior to the 2019 college football season. Fast forward to the end of the year and Tagovailoa was instead on the mend after undergoing season-ending hip surgery. LSU's Joe Burrow wound up going first overall, while the lefty out of Alabama fell to the Dolphins at No. 5.Tagovailoa's the type of marksman Miami needs to inject life into the offense. We know he'll get his shot, but how long will the injury history and inexperience keep him on the sideline?Let's dive into the odds and see which Miami quarterback offers the best value to start the opener.Odds to start for Dolphins Week 1 PlayerOddsRyan Fitzpatrick-550Tua Tagovailoa+370Josh Rosen+2500The case for Ryan FitzpatrickYou have to admire Fitzpatrick's stats in 2019. Despite getting sacked a career-high 40 times, the veteran journeyman posted 3,529 passing yards - the second-best clip of his career - along with 20 touchdowns and 7.1 yards per attempt. Fitz is getting old - he'll be 38 in November - but make no mistake, he's still a formidable backup who made the most of a bleak situation in 2019.The case for TagovailoaHere's one thing to consider: if the NFL has to push its schedule back due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, will that extra time help Tagovailoa return to 100% and spring up the depth chart? It's an interesting thought. But here's what we do know about him: he's one of the best college football quarterbacks of all time with the physical tools to become a stud at the professional level.Dating back to last season, Miami has traded away good talent for picks and made plenty of moves both in free agency and the draft. When Tagovailoa does get his turn, the plan will finally be set in motion.The case for Josh RosenThe Dolphins took a gamble on Rosen last offseason, trading away a second-round pick to the Cardinals in exchange for the former first-rounder. However, that experiment was short-lived after he was benched in Week 5 against the Redskins.Anything can happen from now until the start of the season, but Miami isn't going into 2020 with the goal of starting Rosen.Best bet Ryan Fitzpatrick (-550)This is a no-brainer for head coach Brian Flores. The franchise's rebuild is going swimmingly and there's light at the end of the tunnel, but the Dolphins aren't expected to compete right away. It'd be outlandish for them to rush Tagovailoa into the starting job fresh off hip surgery.Fitzpatrick isn't the sexiest option, but he's a capable backup with multiple years of experience in offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's system. If Tagovailoa trots off the sideline with the offense in Week 1, Miami's done itself a disservice.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.

Cam Newton is now open to being a backup.After initially being adamant about waiting for a starting job, Newton isn't ruling out taking a role as a No. 2 quarterback "in the right situation," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Newton's continued unemployment since his release from the Carolina Panthers appears to be due to a lack of available top jobs around the league.The New England Patriots are reportedly not interested in the 2015 MVP and seem intent on replacing Tom Brady with second-year pro Jarrett Stidham.Other speculated destinations for Newton include the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Washington Redkins, who both have young starting quarterbacks.Though the Jaguars have said they'll explore the veteran quarterback market, the team is in the midst of a major rebuild.Meanwhile, Redskins and ex-Panthers head coach Ron Rivera was on the fence when asked recently if he would bring in Newton to potentially compete with 2019 first-rounder Dwayne Haskins.Rivera's already reunited with a former Panthers quarterback, acquiring Kyle Allen to be Haskins' backup.Newton missed 14 games in 2019 due to a foot injury and played through a shoulder issue for much of the 2018 campaign.Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston recently signed as backups with the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, respectively, leaving Newton and Joe Flacco as the last big-name passers left on the open market.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

An opening-week tilt between Drew Brees and Tom Brady is among the reported leaks of the 2020 NFL schedule.The New Orleans Saints will host the new-look Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1, a source told Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.The Saints will then feature on Monday Night Football in Week 2 when they travel to meet the Las Vegas Raiders, and on Christmas Day when they host the Minnesota Vikings, according to The Athletic's Jeff Duncan.Elsewhere, the Buffalo Bills will host the New York Jets in Week 1, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, while the Philadelphia Eagles will visit the Washington Redskins, according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington.The reported leaks contradict the NFL's rumored plan to stack the first month of the season with non-conference games in order to preserve competitive balance should the coronavirus pandemic force trims to the schedule.The NFL will unveil the 2020 schedule in its entirety Thursday evening.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Few markets offer more consistent value than the NFL Coach of the Year race, which regularly rewards those who buck expectation. That means plenty of plus-money value for those who know which signs to read.Since 1991, all but one recipient of this award won at least 10 games (interim head coach Bruce Arians went 9-3 in 2012). Seven of the last 10 winners won at least 12 games, and 12 of the last 16 coached a team that had a losing record the year before.Unsurprisingly, Patriots coach Bill Belichick is the favorite to win the award in what looks like a perfect storm for the 25-year coach: He's one of the best coaches of all time but hasn't won the award in a decade, and he finally has a lackluster roster to overachieve with.That roster is the same reason we don't love his short odds, though, and there's plenty of better values down the board. Here are the odds and our favorite bets for the award.COACHODDSBill Belichick+1000Kyle Shanahan+1300Mike Vrabel+1500Frank Reich+1500Bruce Arians+1700Sean McDermott+1700Mike McCarthy+1800Andy Reid+1800John Harbaugh+2000Sean Payton+2000Brian Flores+2000Kliff Kingsbury+2200Mike Tomlin+2200Pete Carroll+2200Sean McVay+2500Zac Taylor+2500Doug Pederson+2500Matt LaFleur+2500Mike Zimmer+2500Kevin Stefanski+3000Dan Quinn+3000Matt Rhule+3000Vic Fangio+3500Anthony Lynn+3500Ron Rivera+3500Jon Gruden+3500Joe Judge+4000Matt Nagy+4000Adam Gase+4500Doug Marrone+5000Bill O'Brien+5000Matt Patricia+5000Sean McDermott (+1700)Betting on this award is always a delicate balance between finding a coach whose roster is good enough to make waves but not so good as to create expectations. Few teams fit that profile better than the Bills.Buffalo returns nearly its entire starting lineup from 2020 - continuity is king with a shortened offseason - and has among the most talented rosters outside of quarterback, but Josh Allen's inconsistencies perpetually cast doubt onto this squad. If Allen is even above average, the Bills could easily win double-digit games and snap the Pats' AFC East stranglehold, which would give McDermott all the narrative ammunition he needs.Kevin Stefanski (+3000)A year ago, Freddie Kitchens was 12-1 to win this award before the Browns fell flat on their faces in somewhat predictable fashion. Maybe the similarities are too much for bettors to return to the well, but 30-1 value on Stefanski is just too good to ignore.The former Vikings offensive coordinator used play-action to maximize Kirk Cousins' talents in Minnesota, and he's the perfect guy to bring the most out of Baker Mayfield behind what should be a much-improved offensive line. After last year's debacle, just making the playoffs could be enough of a boost for Stefanski's case.Vic Fangio (+3500)Much like the Bills, the Broncos are a solid QB performance away from a high-ceiling season. Denver's defense showed elite upside last year and returns injured star Bradley Chubb along the edge, while the offense added dynamic playmakers Melvin Gordon and Jerry Jeudy to surround big-armed Drew Lock.The second-year quarterback is the linchpin to the Broncos' season and thus Fangio's chances here. This team could easily flop if Lock isn't legit, but this is an upside-based award, and Fangio has a roster with 10-win potential and low expectations. That alone makes him a solid value at 35-1.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.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman dismissed criticisms of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's Super Bowl performance Wednesday, saying the team's defense deserves to shoulder the majority of the blame for the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs."It's just barbershop talk. It's just something to have a topic. I think it's foolish," Sherman said on KNBR radio Wednesday. He added: "When you hear them blaming Jimmy - you know, Jimmy doesn't play defense. We had a 10-point lead. We get the guy a stop, we win the game."Patrick Mahomes and Co. scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to erase the 49ers' lead and capture a 31-20 victory for Kansas City.While the Chiefs' offense exploded late in the game, the 49ers' scoring unit ground to a halt. Garoppolo finished 20-for-31 passing with 219 yards and one touchdown against two interceptions, but he struggled mightily in the fourth quarter, completing just three passes for 36 yards and a pick.Sherman, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, took the blame for allowing Sammy Watkins to make a 38-yard catch with 3:44 left in the fourth quarter and San Francisco up 20-17. Three plays later, Kansas City took a lead it wouldn't relinquish"Jimmy played fine," Sherman said. "He did what he was supposed to do. We got to finish that game out. I got to finish that game out. I got to do what I'm supposed to do. I'm an All-Pro player, I got to play All-Pro down the stretch."In his first full season as a starter, Garoppolo threw for 3,978 yards (12th most in the league) and 27 touchdowns (sixth) against 13 interceptions (eighth). He also completed 69.1% of his passes, the NFL's fourth-best mark.Despite the strong regular season, much of the discussion after San Francisco's Super Bowl defeat centered around whether Garoppolo can be enough of a difference-maker under center.General manager John Lynch even admitted in March that the 49ers talked about pursuing Tom Brady in free agency before quickly deciding Garoppolo was their guy."Within a day or two, (head coach) Kyle Shanahan and I looked at each other and said, 'You know what, we really like what we have in Jimmy,'" Lynch said. "We love everything that he brings and we really believe it's a long-term answer"Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas was involved in an incident with his wife, Nina, last month in which she held a loaded gun less than a foot from his head, according to court documents TMZ Sports obtained.The Austin Police Department went to an Austin, Texas home at 3:41 a.m. on April 13 after receiving a call about a disturbance. When officers arrived, they observed Nina with a knife in her hand chasing Earl around a vehicle while he had a pistol in his hand.The authorities drew their weapons and ordered the two to the ground. They complied without further issue.In court documents, Nina alleges Earl left their home after an argument over his drinking. She perused his social media accounts and discovered a video of him with another woman. She then found Earl and his brother in bed with other women at a rental home.Nina claims she grabbed Earl's pistol intending to "scare him" and put it to his head. She had removed the magazine but was unaware there was still a round in the chamber, according to the police.One of the women in the house captured cellphone video showing Nina pointing the gun at Earl's head. It's also apparent Nina's finger was on the trigger and the safety was disengaged, police say.Earl was able to wrestle the gun away from his wife.After police spoke to all parties at the scene, Nina was arrested for burglary of a residence with intent to commit aggravated assault with a deadly weapon - family violence and was later released on bond. Earl was not arrested.An emergency protective order was placed requiring Nina to keep 200 yards away from Earl and his alleged mistress.The 10-year veteran and Super Bowl champion released a video on his Instagram page Wednesday night acknowledging TMZ's post about the incident.On Thursday morning, the Ravens released a brief statement on the incident."We became aware of the situation when we read and saw it on the reports late last night and early this morning," the team said, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the NFL draft and the major part of free agency in the rearview mirror, rosters around the league are taking shape. In a four-part series, theScore's football editors rank all 32 teams by their total talent at quarterback, pass-catcher, running back, and defense. Depth charts are projections of teams' post-training camp rosters.Next up are the receiving corps.Position Group Rankings

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a memo to all 32 teams on Wednesday laying out protocols that must be in place by May 15 in anticipation of being advised when team facilities will reopen.In the first phase of reopening, only a limited number of non-playing personnel will be allowed in facilities on any given day. No players will be permitted on the premises unless they're continuing therapy or rehab that had already begun before facilities closed in March.The league is still working on the next phase of reopening, which would involve a larger number of staff and players.When facilities do reopen, employees and visitors will be encouraged to keep more than six feet of distance between them, wear a mask unless they're alone in an enclosed office, and take their temperature with a no-touch thermometer, reads the memo that Ben Volin of the Boston Globe obtained. Normal temperature shouldn't exceed 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.Facilities may be reopened when the following criteria are met:

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 discusses the latest news items and answers listeners' mailbag questions on a variety of topics.

Plenty of sports teams have disappeared over the years, with some relocating and others simply ceasing to exist. But how much do you know about these defunct franchises? Take our quiz below to find out.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A reunion between the Seattle Seahawks and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney isn't likely at this point, though both sides are still open to it, a source told ESPN's Brady Henderson.Clowney would need to take significantly less money than the team previously offered him for a reunion to happen, Henderson reports.The 2014 first overall pick said Tuesday he loves Seattle, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. "I hope we can work something out if anything happens," Clowney added. "I did like it up there."The Tennessee Titans are reportedly also interested in the three-time Pro Bowler. Both the Titans and Seahawks have made multiple reported offers to Clowney, but none matching his price tag.Clowney was reportedly eyeing $20 million annually ahead of free agency, but he dropped his target to around $18 million after failing to ink a deal immediately. Clowney reportedly "is just not in a hurry" to join a team.Excluding his injury-plagued four-game rookie season, the 27-year-old's three sacks and 31 tackles over 13 contests during his first year with Seattle were all career lows. Since entering the NFL, Clowney has played all 16 regular-season games just once (2017).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.The Los Angeles Chargers' quarterback room looks a bit different than it did last year.Gone is Philip Rivers, who signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. To replace him as their next franchise quarterback, the Chargers plucked Oregon's Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Still on the roster is veteran Tyrod Taylor, along with second-year signal-caller Easton Stick out of North Dakota State.So ... now what?The coaching staff and front office have a tough decision to make: Use Taylor as a bridge to Herbert or start the rookie right out of the gate.Let's dive into the odds on who will start the year under center for Los Angeles.Odds to be Chargers' Week 1 starter Player OddsTyrod Taylor-370Justin Herbert+260Easton Stick+3200The case for TaylorThose counting the Chargers out should be wary. Taylor has been a formidable quarterback in the NFL and isn't a drop-off from Rivers by any means.The 30-year-old hasn't started a game since 2018 with the Cleveland Browns, but he has enough experience under his belt to lead an NFL offense. Taylor's made 46 starts in the league and was one of its better quarterbacks in his heyday with the Buffalo Bills; he posted 51 touchdowns against 16 interceptions over three years as a primary starter from 2015-17.Taylor doesn't have a particularly high ceiling, but his floor his high. That could be a blessing in disguise after a reckless Rivers threw a whopping 20 picks last season.The case for HerbertThere's going to be at least some pressure on the Chargers' brass to give the keys to Herbert. After all, he's the new face of a franchise that doesn't expect to contend with the Kansas City Chiefs or Baltimore Ravens in the AFC in 2020. Why not take a mulligan and use this as a learning year?Herbert has his flaws as a quarterback, but this is a pretty ideal situation for him to start his NFL career. He has plenty of targets in the passing game and the AFC West should be pretty points-y next season.Using a first-round pick on a quarterback doesn't always translate to starting that quarterback right away, but Los Angeles certainly has its guy.The case for StickI wish I could say I had one. Unless something goes horribly wrong, Stick would merely provide depth behind Herbert and Taylor in 2020, but he'll need to fight just to make the final roster.Best betHerbert (+260)I would have loved Taylor at a shorter price, but I can't recommend betting on him at this number.Herbert's a solid prospect with a potentially high ceiling, but he isn't entirely polished. The Chargers would be better off letting him learn under Taylor for a year or two before evaluating his place in the pecking order. That said, Taylor's price is just too far out of reach to lay the chalk on the seasoned veteran.It's Herbert or nothing at this point.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 San Francisco 49ers rode their dominant defensive front to a Super Bowl appearance last season, and the two most important players on that line arguably were Nick Bosa and DeForest Buckner.But the 49ers opted to trade Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick in March after already paying Dee Ford and Arik Armstead. The All-Pro was immediately rewarded with a four-year deal reportedly worth $21 million per season.While Bosa is happy for his former teammate, the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year believes San Francisco is facing a tough task trying to replace Buckner's value."Buck was definitely one of my best friends on the team and seeing him go is obviously bittersweet," Bosa said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "He got a pretty good contract and he deserves it but just losing him as a leader, we're going to have to really figure out how to step up and fill that void because he was the third-down D-line play-caller, he was the hype speech guy, he was everything."And I think he played with the best effort on the D-line, which really shows on tape when you see somebody that big sprinting to the ball every play and making those tackles downfield and obviously his pass-rush ability, we're gonna have to step it up for him."Buckner racked up 7.5 sacks in 2019 after producing a career-high 12.5 the year before. The 26-year-old was also a menace during the 49ers' postseason run, highlighted by a 1.5-sack, six-tackle performance in the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.The 49ers opted to replenish their main strength with the selection gained from Buckner, drafting South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. The first-round rookie is expected to start immediately alongside Armstead, Bosa, and Solomon Thomas.While Bosa will be tasked with carrying more of the NFC West club's pass rush, the former No. 2 pick is confident he's ready to make a big sophomore leap."I think I'm going to be a much smarter player next year and I'm just gonna know how to approach my opponents much better and I'm not going to waste rushes and make silly mistakes that I made last year and hopefully enhance my game," Bosa said.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones believes newly signed backup quarterback Andy Dalton can be valuable, and he referenced a similar situation in the division to further illustrate that point."To have a guy like Andy Dalton come in here - not unlike what (the Philadelphia Eagles) had with Nick Foles when Carson Wentz went down - to be able to take control and win games, win huge games for you if that's what you need is really important," Jones said Wednesday on 1310 "The Ticket Radio," according to ESPN's Todd Archer.He added: "Certainly you can lay your head on the pillow better at night knowing you have someone like Andy Dalton."The Philadelphia Eagles brought Foles in for a second stint with the team in 2017. He filled in for an injured Wentz during the final three games of the regular season and led Philadelphia to its first Super Bowl title.Dallas signed Dalton last week to a one-year contract worth $7 million. The three-time Pro Bowler spent his first nine NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, during which he posted a record of 70-61-2.Dak Prescott has yet to miss a game since stepping into the Cowboys' starting quarterback role as a fourth-round rookie in 2016. The 26-year-old established career highs in yards (4,902) and touchdowns (30) last season.Dallas placed its franchise tag on Prescott this offseason as both parties failed to agree on a long-term contract. It was reported earlier in April that Prescott won't participate in the Cowboys' virtual offseason program - which started on April 20 - without a new deal.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful sexual activity with an underage girl, according to a filing obtained by First Coast News.Smith was arrested and bonded out of jail on May 1. He reportedly also waived his arraignment and right to be present at pretrial hearings.According to the arrest warrant, Smith allegedly had sex with a 17-year-old girl on multiple occasions at his Jacksonville home and in his car. The warrant stated that Smith knew the girl was underage and indicated that her DNA was found in the back seat of the linebacker's car.Police raided Smith's mansion in Queens Harbor and confiscated his car four months before making the arrest.In Florida, unlawful sexual activity with certain minors is a second-degree felony. It applies to any person over the age of 23 who engages in sexual activity with a 16-year-old or 17-year-old.Smith abruptly walked away from the NFL prior to the 2019 campaign, though he didn't say he was retiring.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.You may have heard Tom Brady left the New England Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, and he's bringing tight end Rob Gronkowski with him. The additions of Brady and Gronkowski have turned the Buccaneers into contenders - and impacted the betting market. Tampa Bay is +1000 to win the Super Bowl, while Bill Belichick and the six-time champion Patriots are +1600.The market has reacted swiftly to the improved Bucs, but which team will win more games in 2020? Though Tampa Bay is a healthy favorite, the Patriots may finally be undervalued for the first time in 15 years.Buccaneers -165 vs. Patriots +140Case for the BuccaneersBrady will be 43 when the season starts, and the now-formerly retired Gronkowski was last seen winning the WWE Hardcore Championship at WrestleMania. Still, it can't be overstated how much better the Buccaneers are with the two future Hall of Famers on the roster. Tampa Bay went 7-9 last season and lost six games by a touchdown or less, despite Jameis Winston committing an NFL-high 42 turnovers. Brady, by comparison, has turned the ball over 41 times across the last three campaigns.Fewer turnovers should help a Tampa Bay defense that spent too much time on the field last year and often found itself in bad spots thanks to the mistake-prone offense. The result was a unit that allowed 28.1 points per game. The Buccaneers have one of the NFL's most explosive offenses with Brady, Gronkowski, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, O.J. Howard, and Cameron Brate. If the defense improves even slightly, Tampa Bay should be one of the top teams in the NFC.Case for the PatriotsThe best argument for the Patriots is Belichick. The loss of Brady is huge, but the future Hall of Fame coach has won without his star quarterback in the past. The Patriots went 11-5 in 2008 with Matt Cassel at quarterback after Brady was injured in the season opener. The stoic coach didn't get enough credit for his work that year considering Cassel hadn't started a game since high school. New England also went 3-1 in 2016 when Brady was serving a four-game suspension.Brady may be gone, but the Patriots still return the NFL's top-ranked total and scoring defense. They did lose some important defensive contributors, but Belichick still has plenty of talent returning to a unit that allowed just 14.1 points per game in 2019.The key will be the quarterback position. Aside from signing veteran Brian Hoyer, the Patriots failed to land a passer in free agency or the draft this offseason. Hoyer is more suited to a backup role, so it appears Jarrett Stidham will be Brady's replacement. The second-year signal-caller has attempted only four passes in the NFL. Don't sell Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels short though. They have won with unproven quarterbacks in the past.VerdictThe preseason hype is with the Buccaneers, but the value lies with the Patriots at +140. It comes down to whether or not you believe in Stidham. New England has done very little at the quarterback position, and though Cam Newton is still out there, Belichick hasn't shown interest in the former MVP so far. It looks like it's Stidham or bust, but 10-6 still seems realistic for the Patriots given Belichick's track record.Tampa Bay may be overvalued, but Brady's addition to a team that was in a position to win 10-plus games last season is the deciding factor. If the defense can just be average, the Buccaneers should challenge the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South.This wager will be closer than some people think, but the lean is Tampa Bay -165 to win more games in 2020.Thomas Casale is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. He's been following the sports betting industry for almost 30 years. A devoted fan of the wishbone offense, Thomas bets on all sports but specializes in college football, NFL, and college basketball. Find him on Twitter @TheTomCasale.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.