The New York Giants and new head coach Joe Judge are expected to speak with Freddie Kitchens about a role on their offensive staff, ESPN's Jordan Raanan reports.Kitchens is coming off a one-year stint as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, for whom he posted a 6-10 record.Kitchens has spent most of his career as a position coach, collecting experience working with quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends. He served as interim offensive coordinator for the Browns in 2018 before being promoted to full-time head coach in 2019.Judge and Kitchens previously worked together at Mississippi State.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

These aren't your father's Ravens.Heck, these Ravens - the ones that rattled off 12 straight wins to claim the AFC North and top seed in the conference - are vastly different from the overpowering and intimidating units that won two Super Bowls and contended for several others over the last 20 years.For years, roughness and toughness defined the franchise. Ray Lewis established that culture, players like Ed Reed, Anquan Boldin, and Haloti Ngata upheld it, and Terrell Suggs preserved it.The elder birds have moved on, but their legacy remains visible in Baltimore. "Play Like A Raven" signs are plastered in M&T Bank Stadium. The same words are printed across merchandise and appear on social media - only now, they have new meaning.-----"He's a playmaker."That's what Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after Baltimore traded back into the first round to draft Heisman Trophy quarterback Lamar Jackson in 2018."We do some analytics, and when the ball is in his hands, there hasn't been a better playmaker, really, in the last few years coming out."Jackson was the fifth signal-caller taken that draft, following Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen. Known for electric foot speed rather than an accurate arm, skeptics questioned whether he could stick at quarterback in the NFL. The Ravens asked other questions, thus beginning their journey into a futuristic space."If you put two quarterbacks on the field at once, what options does it create for our offense?" Harbaugh pondered after watching Jackson at 2018 minicamp.The Ravens are still working on that particular model (although they debuted the look in November), but the thought process was evidence of Baltimore's transformation into one of the most innovative and cerebral teams in pro football.-----This year, Jackson ran play-action on the highest percentage of passes among starting quarterbacks. He posted a 120.5 passer rating on play-action, seventh-best among starters if you include Ryan Tannehill (10 starts) and Gardner Minshew (12 starts) on that list.Surely, the Ravens studied the effectiveness of play-action regardless of whether a ground attack has already been established (spoiler alert: it still works). Eric DeCosta, who began organizing the Ravens' analytics department in 2012, hired a number of statistical analysts after taking over for Ozzie Newsome as general manager following the 2018 season."We have some really smart people using the data and building models and algorithms and things and looking for ways to exploit the information," DeCosta said of the Ravens' new analytical approach in January 2019. "I think we're really going to start to see some cool things in the next five years."Perhaps the Ravens have more in store for the future, but we're already seeing some of the aforementioned "cool things."In 2019, the Ravens ran more plays from the pistol set than every other team combined. The formation sees Jackson in the shotgun with a running back behind him. It allows the Ravens to attack downhill as soon as the ball is snapped with either Jackson or another ball carrier, and in any direction, without tipping off the defense beforehand. Of course, the Ravens can also throw out of the pistol."When you're in the shotgun, it's pretty easy … people can make some calls, some line stunts, etcetera," Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman said in early December. "I like the shotgun, too, don't get me wrong. But the pistol formation allows you to run your whole offense. They don't know which way you're going. That's good for the offense."As Danny Kelly of The Ringer illustrates, the threat of Jackson keeping the ball and running enables the Ravens to pit two potential ball carriers against one isolated defender:

Three days after his game-winning touchdown reception in the wild-card round, Kyle Rudolph's gloves were sold on eBay for $375.50 by a media member.The reporter had asked the Minnesota Vikings tight end if he could use the gloves for a charity benefit.Rudolph expressed his disappointment with the situation after learning what had happened.

After a multi-decade relationship between franchise and family, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wanted former head coach Jason Garrett's exit to be as dignified as possible."Of the 30 years I've been with the Cowboys, I've written a check to the Garretts ... all but two years," Jones said Wednesday during Mike McCarthy's introductory press conference as Garrett's successor, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. "All but two. Counting his dad (longtime Cowboys scout Jim Garrett), and counting him, his brothers. All of 'em. ... I will tell you that I've had a great 30 years around the Garrett family and it's wonderful, it's a good feeling and it is one of the best parts of my life."Jones and Garrett met multiple times last week while other teams began their head coaching searches. Though Dallas' slow-moving process was widely viewed as frustrating and confusing by those outside the organization, Jones said he was working on his own timetable and didn't care about other teams making hirings."I do, not only respect what he brought to help what we're sitting in, help what we're doing - their family has been a part of that in their own way," Jones said. "As we all know, not the way - it took too many people, too many former players, coaches, and everybody involved to get to be sitting here today - but I felt strongly about that."We all wanted this to have a very nice, if possible under the circumstances, soft landing."Jones also defended Garrett's nearly 10-year tenure with the Cowboys, which produced just two playoff wins."Most of what you criticize about Jason, you should criticize me for," Jones said.The unconventional process ultimately didn't cost the Cowboys, who landed on McCarthy less than 24 hours after confirming Garrett's departure.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone breaks down his 2020 fantasy rankings for the quarterback and running back positions.

Matt Rhule was officially introduced as the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday and expressed his excitement to work with quarterback Cam Newton - if he gets the chance to do so."I certainly look forward to working with him. I hope so," Rhule said, according to ESPN's David Newton. "But I don't know enough about, really, everything that's kind of happening right now."Newton, 30, played in just two games in 2019 due to a foot injury that forced him to finish his club's subpar campaign on injured reserve.The former league MVP has one more year left on his contract and is set to become a free agent in 2021. He's scheduled to earn $18.6 million in base salary in 2020 with a cap hit of $21.1 million. Newton's deal includes only $2 million in dead cap and offers $19.1 million in potential cap savings if Carolina cuts or trades him."I talked to Cam, he's a tremendous player. He's a tremendous winner. He's done a lot of great things," Rhule continued. "I will get with (GM) Marty (Hurney), I will get with (owner) Mr. (David) Tepper to see what they think, and probably with Cam to see what he thinks as we kind of move forward."But if I have a chance to coach him, I know exactly that I'm getting one of the best guys, best winners that the NFL's seen.''Second-year quarterback Kyle Allen appeared in 13 contests (12 starts) while filling in for Newton this season, finishing with 3,322 yards and 17 passing touchdowns against 23 turnovers. Third-round rookie Will Grier played in the Panthers' final two games, completing 53.8% of his passes for 228 yards and no touchdowns while turning the ball over five times.The Panthers own the seventh overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after finishing 5-11 in the regular season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike McCarthy spoke to the media for the first time as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday and had effusive praise for his new quarterback."I'm excited about the opportunity to work with Dak (Prescott). What he's done so far is very impressive," McCarthy said during his introductory press conference. "I think a lot of us in the league, you watch people from afar. But when you have a chance to watch a player live, and I can recall his rookie year when he played in Green Bay. So, I've always been impressed with him."McCarthy pointed out that Dallas' offensive game plan will be centered around its pivot."Our offensive system will be built around making the quarterback successful," he said. "That's the way I've learned it, and that's the way I believe you play offense. We have a great one there to work with."Prescott is coming off his best season in the NFL, completing 65.1% of his passes for 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.McCarthy also plans on a heavy dose of Ezekiel Elliott."He's going to get the football," he said. "Make no mistake about that."McCarthy, 56, is the ninth head coach in Cowboys history. Owner Jerry Jones told reporters his impressive resume was a catalyst for the hire."(It was) his familiarity with working with a storied and historic franchise with a worldwide fan base with expectations that are very high," Jones said during the press conference of his decision. "His availability was fortuitous for this franchise."McCarthy holds a career record of 135-85-2 as a head coach (including postseason). He led the Packers to six division titles during his 13-year tenure and won Super Bowl XLV with the franchise.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers thinks the Green Bay Packers' success against the Dallas Cowboys helped his former head coach, Mike McCarthy, land the top job with the NFC East team."We've had a lot of success down there, and I think that was probably one of the reasons," said Rodgers said Wednesday, according to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "We obviously won the Super Bowl (in Dallas' stadium), but we won some big games down there over the years."So I'm not surprised that (Cowboys owner) Jerry (Jones) had an infatuation with Mike because we've had some really good performances."In 11 seasons under McCarthy, Rodgers led the Packers to six wins in eight games against the Cowboys. Moreover, the former MVP's two game-winning career playoff drives both came in divisional-round matchups against Dallas during the 2015 and 2017 postseasons.Though it's been speculated that a deteriorating relationship between Rodgers and McCarthy was a factor in the latter's firing in 2018, the quarterback said he reached out to his former coach to congratulate him."I don't know. I thought maybe he would go somewhere where he had maybe some GM opportunity as well, but I'm happy for him," said Rodgers. "I sent him a text, and he sent me a text back."The Packers continued their success against the Cowboys this season, winning their Week 4 matchup 34-24.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets probably regret not listening to comedian Larry David's pretty, pretty, pretty good suggestion prior to the 2018 NFL Draft.The "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Seinfeld" creator said Wednesday he urged then-Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan to draft quarterback Lamar Jackson with the No. 3 overall pick."I did call Mike Maccagnan before the 2018 draft and I recommended that he draft Lamar Jackson," David said during an appearance on the "Michael Kay Show." "I have a witness."David, a Jets fan, added Maccagnan laughed and gave him "the most condescending response."The Jets ultimately selected Sam Darnold instead of Jackson, who is all but certain to take home the NFL MVP award after leading the Baltimore Ravens to the AFC's No. 1 seed in just his second pro season.Darnold, meanwhile, had an uneven sophomore year as the Jets failed to make the playoffs.New York fired Maccagnan in May 2019 and replaced him with Joe Douglas. Maybe Douglas can convince David to join his scouting staff ahead of this year's draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs wasn't spotted at practice Wednesday for the second consecutive day because of an illness, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin.Last week, Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo and defensive end Stephen Weatherly were hindered by an illness that head coach Mike Zimmer said was not the flu.Diggs is coming off a two-catch outing on Wild Card Weekend against the New Orleans Saints. Despite his quiet afternoon, the Vikings pulled off an overtime upset on the road.Fellow receiver Adam Thielen was a limited participant on Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury during the practice, reports Cronin.The Vikings will hit the road again on Saturday to face the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm announced on Wednesday that he'll forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the 2020 NFL Draft.Fromm took over as a starter during his first collegiate campaign, earning a 36-7 career record. He led the Bulldogs to an SEC championship as a freshman, eventually losing to Alabama in the national championship."I would like to offer my sincerest thank you to the University of Georgia for giving me the privilege of playing football between the hedges of Sanford Stadium," Fromm wrote. "Thank you to coach (Kirby) Smart, who always believed in me and who over the last three years has helped grow that wide-eyed, scared 18-year-old kid who got handed the ball in South Bend into a better man, and secondly a better football player."The junior passer concludes his time in Georgia fourth in school history with 8,236 passing yards and second with 78 touchdowns through the air.In a star-studded 2020 quarterback class, Fromm is a possible first-round pick. If the 21-year-old falls out of round one, he'll likely be an early target on Day 2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is expected to remain with the team under new head coach Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys announced Wednesday.Moore also had an opportunity to become Washington's offensive coordinator in the Pac-12, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday.In his first season as Cowboys offensive coordinator, Moore led the NFC East club to a league-high 431.5 yards per game and 27.1 points per contest (sixth in the NFL).It remains to be seen who will be the Cowboys' offensive play-caller. McCarthy called plays for the vast majority for his time with the Green Bay Packers. He gave up that responsibility for most of the 2015 season, only to retake it with the offense struggling late in the campaign."I'll never do that again," McCarthy said in August 2016 regarding his decision to surrender play-calling duties.After a six-year NFL career that ended with a three-year stint in Dallas, the 31-year-old Moore acted as the Cowboys' quarterbacks coach in 2018 before his promotion to offensive coordinator.Additionally, Los Angeles Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel has joined McCarthy's staff in the same role following the expiration of his contract with L.A., while former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula has been hired as McCarthy's defensive line coach in Dallas.Cowboys owner Jerry Jones publically lamented the performance of his club's special teams after several costly errors during a Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots. Dallas' special teams unit ranked 30th in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric in 2019.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ron Rivera raided his former team to find his new offensive coordinator, hiring Scott Turner to join his staff with the Washington Redskins, the team confirmed Wednesday.Scott, the son of longtime NFL coach Norv Turner, served as the Carolina Panthers' interim offensive coordinator following the firing of Rivera and shifting of his father to special assistant to the head coach. Scott was previously the team's quarterbacks coach.Carolina averaged 15 points per contest over the final four games of the season - all losses - with Scott at the helm. Rookie quarterback Will Grier took over for Kyle Allen in the final two contests.Scott will oversee the development of 2019 first-round quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who started seven games during his rookie season.Haskins had an uneven first year in the NFL, but the former Ohio State standout finished the season strong, throwing for 394 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions in his last two games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles plan to retool their aging roster in 2020, which will include making double-digit selections in the upcoming draft."Going forward, we need to infuse youth into this team," general manager Howie Roseman told reporters Wednesday. "We have 10 draft picks, we think we're going to have 10 draft picks in this draft, we're excited about that."The Eagles entered the 2019 season with the second-oldest roster in the NFL behind only the New England Patriots. They've drafted just 10 players over the last two years combined, which has forced the coaching staff to lean heavily on veterans who are at greater risk of decline or injury.However, with several veterans shelved by ailments late in the season, youngsters such as receiver Greg Ward and running back Miles Sanders provided the spark Philadelphia needed to sneak back into the playoffs for the third straight year."It's a great lesson: You have to let young players play," Roseman said. "It's natural for us to want to have a (veteran) safety net at every position. We have to allow these young players to grow and get some experience. Just the energy that they inject into this team and the obviously the production that they had, we have to balance that."Roseman admitted he was frustrated about the number of injuries the Eagles faced throughout the season, and noted the club must find a way to keep its players healthier."In 2017 we were able to overcome it," he said. "The last two years, the injuries have really hurt our football team. Now there is a part of that that is natural during the game, injuries are gonna happen. But we have to figure out a way to get better here."He added that his front office will take a closer look at the types of players it brings in. The Eagles hired a new chief medical officer in June who spent the season observing players, the training staff, the sports science department, and other processes."Hope is not a strategy when it comes to injuries," Roseman said.Philadelphia bowed out of the playoffs on Wild Card Weekend, falling 17-9 to the Seattle Seahawks.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

To watch the NFL anymore is to be constantly interrupted by game stoppages. To guess what a particular rule says, and how best to apply it. To frequently wonder why there aren't more intervals to interpret even more slow-motion replays. Football can be wildly entertaining. But the real action now seems to take place after the whistle blows.This is a consequence of the NFL's relentless quest to control everything, to account for every sort of scenario at any given moment. It's a fool's errand, since there are limitless ways for each play to unfold, and there will always be unexpected outcomes that slip past the league's ability to legislate a satisfactory conclusion. The result is a rulebook that's evolved into an indecipherable mess, and interpretations that even game announcers sometimes don't understand.Each of last weekend's NFL wild-card games was thrilling. All four were decided by one score, and there was lots of drama and intrigue. The actual football that was played was pretty good, too, I guess.Let's examine some of the real highlights of the postseason so far:The touchdown that became a touchback Your browser does not support the video tag. ESPN, theScoreOn the opening play of the third quarter, Texans returner DeAndre Carter signaled his intention to take a touchback not by taking a knee, but by flipping the ball in the direction of one of the officials. Only the official ruled it was a live ball, and the Bills recovered for a touchdown.This could have been an all-timer brain fart by Carter. Had it been allowed to stand, it also would have been pivotal, since the Bills were already up 13-0. Alas, one of the alternate officials spoke to referee Tony Corrente, and common sense prevailed.

The evidence continues to mount that Tom Brady will return to the NFL for the 2020 season.The New England Patriots star took to Instagram on Wednesday to thank fans, and he included a very encouraging ending to the post."You don't always win. You can, however, learn from that failure, pick yourself up with great enthusiasm, and place yourself in the arena again," Brady wrote. "And that's right where you will find me. Because I know I still have more to prove."

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.On Saturday, Baltimore Ravens quarterback and likely MVP Lamar Jackson will begin his postseason run at the helm of the current Super Bowl favorites. Both notions seemed preposterous this summer - the Ravens opened as 40-1 long shots to win the Super Bowl, while Jackson's MVP odds were as high as 100-1.After breaking down some of the worst bad beats of the past decade in late December, this weekend got us thinking: what about the improbable bets that rewarded bettors? Here are 10 of the best bets from the 2010s:Auburn Tigers win BCS championship (January 10, 2011)NCAA Photos / NCAA Photos / GettyAhead of the 2010 season, few believed Auburn had a chance to cash a 50-1 title ticket behind new quarterback Cam Newton, who'd transferred from a junior college that January. It didn't take long to believe in eventual Heisman winner Newton and the Tigers, who ripped off a perfect 14-0 season and bested Chip Kelly's Ducks in the title game.Somehow, this wasn't even the best value play on Auburn this decade. In 2014, one bettor stood to win $50,000 on a 500-1 ticket if his favorite team could cap off a dream season with a win over Florida State in the title game. The Tigers lost in heartbreaking fashion when Kelvin Benjamin scored with 14 seconds left to give the Seminoles a three-point win.St. Louis Cardinals win World Series (October 28, 2011)Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's not often a team in any sport gets 999-1 odds, but it speaks to how unlikely St. Louis' run was in 2011. The Cardinals were on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs on Sept. 12, when one bettor placed $250 on them to win the National League (500-1) and another $250 on the club to win the World Series (999-1).The Braves' late-season collapse helped St. Louis sneak into the playoffs, where it ripped through the Phillies and Brewers to win the NL pennant. In the World Series, the Cardinals came within one strike of defeat, but David Freese's heroics delivered a title to St. Louis and a cool $375,000 to that lucky bettor.Connecticut Huskies win NCAA Tournament (April 7, 2014)Robert Deutsch / ReutersEveryone remembers the Huskies' improbable 2011 title run when Kemba Walker led the team to five wins in five days in the Big East tournament and another six victories in the big dance. But what about 2014? Connecticut opened at 65-1 and saw 100-1 odds as late as March when the Huskies were a mediocre No. 7 seed that needed overtime to beat Saint Joseph's in the first round.UConn was still catching 100-1 odds at some shops after that win, but Shabazz Napier had his own Kemba moment and carried the Huskies to five more wins, capped off by a title-clinching victory over preseason favorite Kentucky. It's the only time this century that the college basketball champion wasn't a top-three seed.Leicester City wins English Premier League (May 2, 2016)ReutersThis might be the greatest long-shot success story we see in our lifetimes. Entering the 2015-16 season, only five clubs had ever won an English Premier League title in its 23-year history. Leicester City were not among them. The Foxes had never sniffed a Premier League title and were on the brink of relegation from the league a year earlier.Oddsmakers paid little respect to Leicester City, dealing 5,000-1 odds on the club to win it all. That proved to be a crippling mistake for English books, as Claudio Ranieri's squad got off to a hot start and held off a late-season surge from Tottenham to hoist the Premier League trophy. Needless to say, the days of teams getting 5,000-1 odds in a 20-team league are in the past.Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl (February 4, 2018)Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyBefore the 2017 season, the Eagles, led by second-year quarterback Carson Wentz and second-year coach Doug Pederson, were among the bottom half of teams on the Super Bowl oddsboard. Philly saw as high as 60-1 odds in the offseason and entered the year around 40-1 before Wentz improbably led the team to an 11-2 record and emerged as the odds-on MVP favorite.Then Wentz went down, and the Eagles' title chances looked equally grim. In stepped Nick Foles, who engineered an all-time playoff run and bested Tom Brady in the Super Bowl as a 4-point underdog. Foles became a folk hero in Philadelphia and rewarded those who'd backed the Eagles before the season.Patrick Mahomes wins NFL MVP (February 2, 2019)Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIt may be hard to remember given the hindsight of two surprising MVP results in recent years, but imagine how crazy you'd have sounded in 2018 betting on a player with one career start to win the award. That was the case with Patrick Mahomes, the second-year QB whose immense upside pushed 2017 MVP contender Alex Smith out the door ahead of the 2018 season.Mahomes entered the offseason as a 100-1 long shot but saw his odds slashed after an impressive summer for the Chiefs. Bettors were onto something, as the 23-year-old flamethrower threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns to become the second-youngest MVP winner in league history. (Somehow, books made the same exact mistake with another second-year dynamo a few months later.)Andy Ruiz defeats Anthony Joshua (June 1, 2019)Al Bello / Getty Images Sport / GettyIn most cases, bettors have to wait at least four months to cash in on long odds. But when Andy Ruiz filled in late as the opponent opposite Anthony Joshua in Madison Square Garden, oddsmakers didn't give the Mexican-American fighter much of a shot against the British favorite. Most of the public was on Ruiz, who closed around 10-1 at most books and as high as 20-1 to upset the unified world heavyweight champion.It was hardly a contest. After taking a big shot early, Ruiz rallied and sent Joshua to the tarp four times in a knock-out victory. Things didn't go so well for Ruiz in the December rematch, but bettors who backed the 'dog the first time around enjoyed one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.St. Louis Blues win Stanley Cup (June 12, 2019)Patrick Smith / Getty ImagesUnlike most of the winners on this list, the best time to bet the Blues wasn't in the preseason or right before the playoffs. It was halfway through the year, when St. Louis had the worst record in the NHL and faced an 11-point deficit for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with just over three months left in the season. One bettor took a $400 shot on the Blues at 250-1, while some books took small bets as high as 300-1.You know how it went: St. Louis ripped off an 11-game winning streak to climb back into the playoff field, and it outlasted Boston in the final for the Blues' first Cup in their 52-year history. The 250-1 bettor - a lifelong Blues fan - cashed his $100,000 ticket to cap off a tumultuous NHL playoffs for bet shops.Toronto Raptors win NBA title (June 13, 2019)Jack Arent / National Basketball Association / GettyIn a truly wild month for long-shot bettors, the Raptors became the second-biggest underdogs (+230) since the NBA-ABA merger to win the NBA Finals, beating the dynastic Warriors on their own floor. The bigger payout, though, was for those who bet Toronto to win it all at 60-1 odds in the summer.That was before the Raptors traded for megastar Kawhi Leonard, whose arrival slashed those title odds to 20-1. It was still a massive value for Toronto, which benefitted from a few bounces against Philly and a few injuries against Golden State to cut down the nets.Joe Burrow wins Heisman Trophy (December 14, 2019)Adam Hunger / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe latest entry in the decade's best bets was among the most thrilling, as Joe Burrow rewrote the collegiate record books en route to a stunning breakout campaign. What makes the LSU quarterback's story so shocking isn't that he came out of nowhere - it's that he completely transformed from what we'd known him to be.In his first three years at Ohio State, Burrow sat behind J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones and eventually lost his starting job to Dwayne Haskins after breaking his hand in a freak accident in practice. He transferred to LSU and was wholly uninspiring in 13 starts for the Tigers in 2018.It comes as less of a surprise, then, that Burrow was a 200-1 Heisman afterthought at some places entering 2019. Yet he played like a quarterback reborn, throwing for 5,208 yards and 55 touchdowns with a 77.6% completion rate to secure LSU's first Heisman Trophy since 1959. Not bad for a Buckeye castoff.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.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Healthy or not, Tua Tagovailoa is going pro.The former Alabama quarterback announced Monday that he was declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft, ending weeks of speculation about whether a severe hip injury would keep him in college for another year.After his decision, oddsmakers set the over/under on his draft position at 4.5, with an outside shot at him going No. 1 overall:DRAFT SPOTODDSOver 4.52-5Under 4.52-1No. 116-1In the weeks before his injury, Tagovailoa was considered a near-lock to be the No. 1 overall pick in this April's draft. But the injury - which also coincided with Joe Burrow's ascension as a top prospect - knocked Tagovailoa off the top spot, and he could potentially slide outside the top 10 if teams are scared by his medical information.Even with the injury, he's still projected as the fifth overall pick in theScore's latest mock draft. His elite feel and ability to read defenses should be unthreatened by his recent injury, and a healthy Tagovailoa has the kind of pocket mobility that separates the top quarterbacks in the league. On the basis of talent alone, Tagovailoa is a slam-dunk top-five pick and would challenge Burrow for the top spot if healthy."If healthy" is the biggest question, though, and it's one that could cloud Tagovailoa's entire career.In his final collegiate game, a Nov. 16 win over Mississippi State, Tagovailoa suffered a dislocated hip with a posterior wall fracture. Two days later, he underwent surgery, which could keep him away from football activities until sometime around the NFL combine in late February. If Tagovailoa's recovery stalls, there's a chance teams could be forced to make a draft evaluation on his pre-injury form without assurances of his post-ailment abilities.Shortly after Monday's decision, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Tagovailoa had received a solid thumbs-up on his medical situation before declaring for the draft. Perhaps that's a sign of confidence from Tagovailoa, which in turn could make it worth betting high on his draft stock.This early on, though, all we can do is speculate on his recovery process. His hip injury complicates how effective he'll be if and when he recovers - and teams could be scared off by durability issues that predate his most recent medical scare.Before accumulating a 22-game start streak that was snapped in late October due to a high ankle sprain, Tagovailoa had broken his finger, sprained his knee, injured his quad, and suffered a high ankle sprain in his other foot in only a 20-month span.Which teams could take a chance on Tagovailoa? The Bengals (No. 1 pick), Dolphins (No. 5), Chargers (No. 6), Panthers (No. 7), Colts (No. 13), and Buccaneers (No. 14) could all be in the market for a quarterback in the top half of the draft. That's to say nothing of a team trading up for a pivot, or a team like Washington (No. 2) or Detroit (No. 3) surprising us with a quarterback change.If his medicals are concerning, Tagovailoa could be a good fit on a team like New England (No. 23) or New Orleans (No. 24), which can afford to let him recover and learn behind an aging quarterback. Or maybe a club with multiple picks - Miami, anyone? - would be willing to roll the dice with one of its secondary first-rounders.Whichever team takes him, it's hard to see Tagovailoa opting for the draft if he wasn't confident in teams' interest in him as a high first-rounder, given that a healthy senior-year performance would likely vault him back into the top five.He's not the surefire top pick he once was, and betting him to go ahead of Burrow feels foolish. But his upside and apparent confidence in his rehab process make him a safe bet to be a top-10 pick, even if he doesn't quite crack the top four.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 second incarnation of the XFL is targeting a faster-paced game and more scoring based on some of the rules that will be used when the league kicks off next month.The official rule book, unveiled Tuesday, features a number of notable changes from the NFL game.Among them are:

Matt Rhule was announced as the new head coach of the NFL's Carolina Panthers on Tuesday.The former Baylor bench boss signed a seven-year deal worth up to $70 million, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.The 44-year-old Rhule was believed to be a favorite to land the New York Giants' head coaching job, but he agreed to terms with Carolina before his scheduled interview in New York on Tuesday.It's the Panthers' first major hire under billionaire owner David Tepper.Rhule led an almost immediate turnaround at Baylor. The program went 1-11 in his first season at the helm in 2017, then improved to 7-6 the following year before capping that with an 11-3 season and a spot in the Sugar Bowl.The Bears became the first Power 5 program to jump from 11 losses to 11 wins in two years and Rhule was named Big 12 Coach of the Year.The Panthers are coming off a 5-11 season in which franchise quarterback Cam Newton was limited to two games due to injury and head coach Ron Rivera was fired after Week 13.In December, Rhule said he'd only take a job in the NFL if it was "next to perfect." The Giants were thought to be the first choice for the New York native. He coached the Giants' offensive line in 2012 before heading back to the college game.Rhule reportedly called the Giants before signing his deal with the Panthers to give New York an opportunity to match the offer on the table, but they instead hired New England Patriots special teams coach Joe Judge, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Cleveland Browns have the only remaining head coaching vacancy.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens tailback Mark Ingram, who wasn't spotted at Tuesday's practice, felt tightness in his calf when running last week, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Friday that Ingram was on track to play in the divisional round and would be practicing at "full speed" this week. He was less open on Tuesday, deferring to the injury report when asked about Ingram's status, according to Luke Jones of WNST.net.Ingram initially suffered a calf injury in Week 16 and was given a three-week timetable. The 30-year-old helped Baltimore become the top-ranked rushing team in the NFL during the regular season, scampering for 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns.Despite the apparent setback, Ingram still has a chance to play in the Ravens' playoff opener and hoped to avoid re-injury by backing off his plan to practice, according to Rapoport.Ingram was one of four Ravens who were absent from the opening portion of Tuesday's practice, joining safety Earl Thomas, cornerback Jimmy Smith, and offensive lineman Parker Ehinger.Baltimore, which is seeded first in the AFC playoffs, will host the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints' 2019 season ended earlier than anticipated, and now the team must determine how to proceed with its quarterback quandary.Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, and Taysom Hill are all eligible to hit free agency in March, though Hill will be restricted. And all three passers played pivotal roles in getting the Saints to a 13-3 regular-season record and a home game in the wild-card round."I like the perfect-world scenario and yet we don't live in one," Saints head coach Sean Payton said Tuesday when asked if the team could retain all three pivots this offseason."We haven't even got that far down the road yet. (General manager) Mickey (Loomis) and I will spend a lot of time meeting - we'll meet on all these topics."Brees just completed his 19th NFL season at the age of 40. As usual, he put up sparkling numbers, which included throwing 27 touchdown passes against just four interceptions. His contract will automatically void on March 18 and he cannot be franchise tagged.On Tuesday, Payton couldn't say how talks with his longtime starting quarterback will go."I can't speak for Drew as to his wants. I think he wants to play some more and I think that, shoot, we saw him play at a high level," Payton said. "We'll discuss every player on the roster, himself included, but I don't anticipate this grandiose meeting or phone call anytime soon."For his part, Bridgewater started five games while Brees was injured during the season, winning all of them. By doing so, he may have put himself in a position to command a rich free-agent deal after signing a one-year, $7.25-million contract to remain with the Saints in March.Meanwhile, Hill proved to be an invaluable asset for the Saints in 2019, particularly in the wild-card loss to the Minnesota Vikings. In that contest, he recorded a 50-yard pass, ran for 50 yards, and caught a fourth-quarter touchdown reception."He was exceptional Sunday, he was outstanding," Payton said of Hill. "He's an exciting football player and he does a lot of things well. I'm glad he's on our team."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants are finalizing a deal to make New England Patriots special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach Joe Judge their new head coach, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.Judge is the first special teams coordinator to be hired as a head coach since the Baltimore Ravens selected John Harbaugh in 2008.The 38-year-old chose the Giants over his alma mater, Mississippi State, which also offered him its vacant position, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Judge had been an assistant on Bill Belichick's staff in New England since 2012, working exclusively on special teams until adding wide receivers coach to his list of roles in 2019.The Giants were expected to zero in on Baylor's Matt Rhule, but he reportedly struck a seven-year, $60-million deal to become the Carolina Panthers' next head coach before his scheduled interview with New York.The Giants also interviewed Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale, and Dallas Cowboys defensive assistant Kris Richard for their job.Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was expected to meet with the team as well. Mike McCarthy interviewed with the Giants before being hired as Jason Garrett's replacement in Dallas.The Cleveland Browns are now the only team still looking for a head coach.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants requested permission to interview Jason Garrett for their vacancy at offensive coordinator under new head coach Joe Judge, sources told ESPN's Ed Werder.The Dallas Cowboys must grant access to their NFC East rival because Garrett is under contract with them until Jan. 14. The Cowboys have already announced Garrett won't return as their head coach, but there's nothing to stop the organization from reassigning him for the last week of his deal.Garrett is coming off a decade as the Cowboys' head coach. He posted an 85-67 career record, and in all three of his trips to the playoffs, the Cowboys were sent home in the divisional round.The 53-year-old served as offensive coordinator for the Cowboys from 2007-10.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers will be dealing with an extra dose of Beast Mode during Sunday's divisional-round game, according to Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.Running back Marshawn Lynch was eased back into action during Week 17 and the wild-card round, with the veteran serving as the backup to rookie Travis Homer.But with the rust firmly shaken off, Lynch will apparently be a big part of the Seahawks' gameplan."He's going to play more this week," Carroll said Monday, per ESPN's Brady Henderson. "He's ready to and he's had enough time with us. He feels confident about what he's doing and the plan. We can get him in and out of there and have those two guys really go at it."Lynch scored a touchdown in each of his two games since coming back but produced just 41 yards on 18 touches against the formidable defenses of the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.The Packers allowed 120.1 yards per game (23rd in the NFL) on the ground during the regular season, so the Seahawks could rely heavily on the Homer-Lynch duo as they attempt to take down Aaron Rodgers and Co. in Green Bay.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady was a mainstay on the New England Patriots' injury report for much of the season, as he dealt with shoulder, elbow, and calf issues at varying points of the campaign.The 42-year-old's list of ailments now includes a foot injury suffered sometime in December, NFL Network's Michael Giardi reported Monday.Brady popped up on the Week 14 report due to a toe injury and was listed with only a right elbow injury the following week. The veteran didn't appear on any remaining injury reports to close the season, including prior to Saturday's shocking wild-card loss to the Tennessee Titans.As usual, the quarterback didn't miss a start in 2019 (he hasn't been sidelined due to injury since the 2008 season) but produced one of the worst statistical seasons of his lauded career.Brady had his fewest touchdowns passes (24) since 2006. Additionally, his yards per attempt (6.6) and completion percentage (60.8%) were the second- and third-worst marks of his career.Despite the injuries and disappointing end to his season, the six-time Super Bowl champion said after the loss to the Titans that it's "pretty unlikely" he will retire.Brady is set to be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career in March and isn't eligible for the franchise tag due to a stipulation that was included in his most recent contract extension.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III announced Monday that he'll forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft, where he's widely expected to be a first-round pick.

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 get an early look at his 2020 rankings. Rookies will be added following the NFL draft in April.Half PPR

The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to take Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in April, giving plenty of teams an opportunity to nab Tua Tagovailoa on draft night.The Alabama quarterback declared for the 2020 NFL Draft on Monday, beginning his professional journey as he continues to rehabilitate from a major hip injury.The three teams scheduled to pick after the Bengals - the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, and New York Giants - all appear set at quarterback long term, creating plenty of intrigue about where Tagovailoa will land.Let's try these five clubs on for size:5. PanthersThe only way Tagovailoa slides to No. 7 is if medical reports come back with red flags. Assuming that doesn't happen, Carolina will be forced to make some major moves to get the Hawaiian star, probably including trading Cam Newton and using the returning assets in a package to move up. As unlikely as that sounds, we shouldn't rule it out. Newton is entering the final year of his contract, and new Panthers owner David Tepper could hesitate to give him a new one due to the injuries that have slowed the veteran passer recently.4. ChargersThere's uncertainty about Philip Rivers' future. The 38-year-old isn't under contract for 2020, and he's coming off one of his poorest seasons. Even if he does return, Rivers is no longer a viable long-term option for the Chargers. Los Angeles holds the No. 6 pick, and the Bolts straying from their conservative approach and moving up to secure a quarterback of the future - if not the present - isn't inconceivable. The Chargers move into a new stadium in 2020, and the franchise must do something to put fans in the stands. Few things ignite a fan base more than the arrival of a promising young quarterback.3. ColtsJacoby Brissett is fine as a bridge quarterback, but as Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard acknowledged at the end of the season, the jury is still out on him as a long-term answer. Ballard and the Colts are in a favorable position: They own pick No. 13, the Redskins' second-round pick, and their own second-round pick, and the team has already put together a competitive roster that doesn't necessarily need an infusion of draftees. Consequently, Ballard could feel compelled to package his assets and trade up to land Tagovailoa, who wouldn't need to rush onto the field with Brissett under contract through 2020.2. RaidersThe Raiders possess two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 19), and they would be wise to use them to upgrade over Derek Carr. The incumbent starting pivot is coming off his best statistical season, but he still didn't look like a true franchise cornerstone in 2019. The Raiders can release Carr and incur only a $5-million cap hit in 2020. Like the Chargers, they need to make an offseason splash to pique fan interest, especially prior to moving to Las Vegas.1. DolphinsThis one is pretty straightforward. The Dolphins gutted their roster before the season expecting to land in a position to select the franchise quarterback they've been missing for years. While Miami did a bit better than expected in the standings, the team still owns the No. 5 pick. The Dolphins are also equipped with the 18th selection and the Houston Texans' first-rounder, giving them whatever ammunition they need to prevent a rival from jumping up to snatch Tagovailoa.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Less than 24 hours after they parted ways with longtime head coach Jason Garrett, the Dallas Cowboys hired Mike McCarthy for the role, McCarthy confirmed to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Monday.McCarthy received a five-year contract from the Cowboys, a source told ESPN's Todd Archer.The addition of McCarthy was first reported by Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. An official announcement and press conference is expected later in the week, Glazer added.McCarthy spent 13 years as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. From 2006-18, he amassed a 125-77-2 record and won Super Bowl XLV in 2010. He was fired after Week 13 last season with the Packers sitting at 4-7-1.The 56-year-old spent the 2019 campaign out of football while researching ways to update his coaching philosophy.This offseason, McCarthy interviewed for head coaching openings with the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns and was also thought to be a candidate for the New York Giants. He then met with the Cowboys in an interview process that reportedly extended into a second day.

The Los Angeles Rams informed defensive coordinator Wade Phillips he won't be retained, he announced via social media.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced at a press conference on Monday that he'll enter the 2020 NFL Draft rather than return to school for his senior season.The southpaw said he gave serious thought to coming back after missing the last three games of the 2019 season following surgery for a dislocated hip with a posterior wall fracture.Tagovailoa added that he isn't certain how much he'll be able to do physically in the pre-draft process, but that he could be ready for the start of the 2020 NFL campaign."I'm optimistic I'll be able to play this coming season," he said.Tagovailoa is leaving the Crimson Tide as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in program history, holding its career record for touchdown passes (87) while sitting third in passing yards (7,442). Additionally, his touchdown-to-interception ratio of 7.9 ranks as the best in the FBS over the last 20 seasons.As a true freshman in 2017, Tagovailoa famously came off the bench in the second half of the national championship game to lead Alabama to a comeback victory over Georgia in overtime. He threw a game-winning 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith in the extra frame.Tagovailoa's career passing statsYearYardsTDINT20176361122018396643620192840333Tagovailoa entered the 2019 season as the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2020 draft, but his injury combined with the ascension of Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow pushed him down most mock drafts.From a scouting perspective, Tagovailoa's scrambling, aggressive playing style and left-handedness have prompted comparisons to Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins will seek a raise for the second straight offseason, but this time around he's prepared to take a harder stance."I won't be back on the same deal," he told reporters Monday, according to Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press. "That won't happen. The market is good for safeties now. I consider myself in the top tier."Jenkins provided the Eagles with another year of stability at safety in 2019 while the rest of the secondary struggled. He finished the regular season with 81 tackles, four forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, and eight pass breakups, and appeared in all 16 games for the sixth consecutive campaign.Jenkins, who turned 32 in December, will enter the offseason with one year and $7.85 million remaining on his contract. He sought a revised deal last summer, saying he had outplayed his current one, but didn't get it. He skipped voluntary offseason activities last year but attended all mandatory sessions."Something's got to get done," the defensive captain said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia's Reuben Frank.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carson Wentz was unable to finish Sunday's wild-card game against the Seattle Seahawks after suffering a head injury in the first quarter, and the quarterback apologized to his Philadelphia Eagles teammates for that after the game."He's like apologizing and stuff. It's like, 'Bro, it's out of your control,'" Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins said after the loss, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia."He didn't let us down at all. We wouldn't be in this spot without Carson."Wentz was evaluated for a head injury after taking a hit from Seahawks pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney in which his head was slammed into the turf. He had taken eight snaps and thrown just four passes at that point and didn't return to the game.Though the Eagles have made three consecutive trips to the playoffs, Sunday's game was Wentz's first postseason contest. He missed the 2017 playoffs and Super Bowl victory after suffering a torn ACL late in the regular season. He also missed the 2018 playoffs due to a stress fracture in his back."I know it killed him to not be able to play," Eagles' third-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld said. "I was with him on the sideline. I saw the hit and it was pretty tough. It's not according to anyone's plan, his plan, but I know his faith. He'll bounce back out of this."In an Instagram post, Wentz admitted the head injury was "scary," but insisted he'll be just fine.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Of all the storylines to emerge during the first round of the NFL playoffs, one looms large over the league: Is this the end of the Patriots' dynasty?It will certainly be the end of an era if Tom Brady - who's set to become a free agent for the first time in his career - leaves this summer for greener pastures. The 42-year-old quarterback was mum about his future after Saturday's loss to Tennessee, which marked just the fifth time in his 18 full seasons that he failed to reach the conference championship.Is this the end of Brady in New England? And if it is, where might he play next? Here's a breakdown of the early betting odds for the longtime Patriots pivot's future.Will he return to New England?There are two key questions regarding Brady's future: Will he play in 2020? And will it be in a Patriots uniform?He's 6-1 to call it quits after this season and a whopping 1-10 to play in the 2020 regular season. On Saturday, the three-time MVP seemed to indicate he'll return, saying that retiring before next season is "pretty unlikely." Brady has long indicated he intends to play until the age of 45, and he suggested an even loftier goal earlier this year.It's also hard to imagine Brady letting the final pass attempt of his career be a pick-6 to Titans defender and ex-Patriot Logan Ryan. Unlike most props with aggressively short odds, there might even be value in laying the massive price here on what seems like a near certainty.What about returning to New England? That's far less certain.Oddsmakers still think the Patriots are in the lead for Brady's services, pricing New England at 1-2 to employ him in Week 1. He's 3-2 to not be on the roster in 2020, though oddsmakers are optimistic about the team's outlook if he stays:If Brady returns...YESNOMake playoffs1-74-1Win division1-23-2Win Super Bowl12-11-25Win 10 games (O/U)-130-110Giving the Patriots 12-1 Super Bowl odds feels a bit generous after how they looked in the latter half of this season. Still, buying that defense at decent odds - with an assurance of a returning Brady - could be enticing early. The question remains: Will he return to New England?The future Hall of Famer was cryptic when responding about free agency on Saturday, saying only "Who knows what the future holds?" and waxing nostalgic about his time with the Patriots. That might not raise as many red flags without the reported friction within the organization for years now, including discontent from Brady about his below-market wage.He won't be giving New England a hometown discount this summer, FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports, and the Patriots aren't a team that will overpay for an aging star. His performance this year - Brady finished 17th in ESPN's QBR - doesn't suggest shelling out big bucks after losing in the wild-card round is wise. However, he'd certainly be worth the investment for a team looking to sell tickets, or one wanting a steady hand at quarterback to lead a ready-made roster.Does that perfect fit exist? And would Brady leave the team that drafted him to find it?Where could Brady sign?There's no "perfect" team for Brady to sign with this summer if he decides to leave New England. Ironically, his hometown 49ers would have been an ideal spot if former Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo - who was being groomed as Brady's potential successor - wasn't manning the ship there.So where might he land? Here are the early odds for where Brady could sign (not including New England), with a breakdown of five interesting possibilities:TeamOddsCleveland Browns11-2Carolina Panthers6-1Los Angeles Chargers6-1Las Vegas Raiders6-1Dallas Cowboys7-1Indianapolis Colts8-1Tampa Bay Buccaneers9-1Denver Broncos12-1Minnesota Vikings12-1Miami Dolphins14-1Chicago Bears16-1New Orleans Saints16-1New York Giants20-1New York Jets20-1Cincinnati Bengals25-1Arizona Cardinals25-1Philadelphia Eagles25-1Jacksonville Jaguars25-1Los Angeles Rams25-1Pittsburgh Steelers25-1Washington Redskins33-1Los Angeles Chargers (6-1)The Browns are inexplicably favored in these opening odds, but the real favorites should be the Chargers, who are picking up steam as the potential go-to spot for Brady in a post-Patriots world. They're in a major market and enviable spot for an aging superstar, they're stocked with receiving talent, and they're less than 400 miles from Brady's hometown of San Mateo, California.The move also makes sense for the Bolts, a team in need of a new quarterback if the Philip Rivers era is over. The club is desperate to sell tickets as it moves into a new stadium in Inglewood, too. Who better to put butts in seats than the GOAT? This is a bet worth making.Indianapolis Colts (8-1)From a pure football perspective, this makes a ton of sense. The Colts' offensive line is more talented than arguably any Brady has played behind in his illustrious career, and Frank Reich's quick-read offense has maximized the talents of Nick Foles and Jacoby Brissett. Insert Brady, the best quick-read thrower in NFL history, and Indianapolis could emerge as a contender.Off the field, though, it's a tougher sell. Indianapolis isn't, say, New York or Los Angeles, and Brady might prefer a glamorous market after two decades in Foxborough. It's also a questionable legacy play to spend his final years in Peyton Manning's backyard. However, if Brady only cares about rings, the Colts are a legitimate dark-horse candidate.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-1)Brady has spent years turning people like you and me into 1,000-yard receivers. Can you imagine what he could do with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin? Tampa Bay is the dream location for any free-agent quarterback this offseason if the Bucs move on from Jameis Winston, and a field general of Brady's ilk could be the perfect palate cleanser after the Winston years.Any coach is going to be a step down after years with Belichick, but Brady could do worse than spending his career twilight under Bruce Arians, whose previous quality quarterback work could be appealing to the 42-year-old passer. A swan song by the bay also isn't a bad draw.Miami Dolphins (14-1)How awesome would this be? Brady signs with the Dolphins, who foiled the Patriots' chances of getting a first-round bye this season, and proceeds to snap New England's epic streak of 11 straight AFC East division titles with a team many called the worst of all time to start 2019.Brady is familiar with Dolphins head coach and former Patriots assistant Brian Flores, and the club possesses plenty of valuable assets to flip for potential impact players.Miami is one of the NFL's best destination cities, and Brady could lead an iconic franchise to its first Super Bowl victory since the legendary teams of the '70s. It's not the wildest thing you've ever heard.Chicago Bears (16-1)If his legacy drives Brady's next move, it's hard to do better than reviving the Bears, one of the league's most storied franchises. They would also be a good football fit, with Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Trey Burton, and Tarik Cohen as viable receiving options in a dynamic offense.Bears head coach Matt Nagy also did remarkable work with former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith when the two were in Kansas City after many had written off the veteran due to perceived athletic limitations. Nagy has even coaxed a six-touchdown game from Mitchell Trubisky, so picture what he could do with Brady at the helm. The Bears should be higher on the board.What about Belichick?Brady isn't the only Patriots great who might end the dynasty. Oddsmakers say there's a chance Belichick could retire after 25 seasons as a head coach, including the last 20 in New England. He's 7-1 to walk away before the 2020 season and 1-15 to return.We had this same conversation after last season, and Belichick returned with relatively little fanfare. It made sense then following a Super Bowl victory, and now it'd be a stunner for him to leave after a wild-card loss with a possible chance to finally prove himself post-Brady.These odds would be a lot more interesting if they were about Belichick coaching the Patriots or leaving for another team, which could be a sneaky subplot if he sees cracks in the franchise's veneer. But retiring? Don't buy it.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 last thing New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wants to see is franchise quarterback Tom Brady playing for another team.But with the 42-year-old scheduled to become a free agent in March, the scenario is as possible as it's ever been."My hope and prayer is number one, he plays for the Patriots. Or number two, he retires," Kraft told Peter King of NBC Sports before Saturday's wild-card loss to the Tennessee Titans. "He has the freedom to decide what he wants to do and what's in his own best personal interest."Kraft said Brady wished for his contract with the Patriots to expire after the end of this season so he could "be free to do whatever he wanted at the end of the year." And after New England was eliminated from the postseason on the weekend, Brady said it's "unlikely" he'll retire.At this point, Brady will likely play in 2020, and like legendary quarterbacks before him, such as Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, and Brett Favre, he may end his career wearing a new uniform."I'm thinking of all that, of all the quarterbacks who went elsewhere, and I just hope and believe that Tom ... he is so special that he's earned the right to do what's best for him. ... But I just hope and pray we fit into his plans," Kraft said.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kyle Long is stepping away from the game after seven seasons.The Chicago Bears guard announced on Twitter that he's retiring from the NFL.

There's little denying Zach Ertz's toughness as the Philadelphia Eagles concluded their 2019 campaign.Following Philadelphia's wild-card loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Ertz detailed the injuries he suffered during a Week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys.The star tight end said he suffered two non-displaced fractures in his ribs and found blood in his urine after the game, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Eagles doctors and athletic trainers had to rush him to the hospital, and he was unable to get out of bed on his own the next day."I wanted to play for this city," he said. "I take a lot of pride playing for my teammates."After taking a hard shot against Dallas, Ertz suffered a lacerated kidney in addition to the fractured ribs. He missed the regular-season finale before being cleared to play against Seattle.The Eagles' leading receiver this year, Ertz caught 88 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns in 2019.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the weekend's action and examines the significance of those events moving forward.Cousins finally comes up clutchThe book on Kirk Cousins hasn't been written. Not yet.The Minnesota Vikings quarterback's failures in big games have been well-publicized. He's an all-time-worst 0-9 on Monday Night Football and entered Sunday's wild-card game against the New Orleans Saints still in search of his first playoff win in what is his eighth pro season.Minnesota was the weekend's biggest underdog, playing in one of the NFL's most hostile environments. Despite all of that, Cousins took the field in overtime and tossed an absolute dime to Adam Thielen.Moments later, he threw the touchdown to Kyle Rudolph for the first signature win of his Vikings tenure. With the monkey finally off his back, can Cousins carry this team to the Super Bowl?Nick Foles and Joe Flacco are proof that an otherwise average quarterback can heat up in January and stay hot just long enough to win a ring, but there are reasons to temper optimism that Cousins can conjure similar magic. His game-winning pass was thrown under pressure, marking just the second such touchdown he's thrown all season on 99 attempts.The San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings' divisional-round opponent, ranked third in the NFL in quarterback pressure rate, though the Saints weren't far behind in fifth. With a heavy dose of Dalvin Cook keeping the 49ers' pass-rushers honest, and Cousins peppering in clutch throws, the NFC title game is within reach.Run it back, SaintsSean Gardner / Getty Images Sport / GettyMost would-be Super Bowl contenders who suffer playoff heartbreak in three straight years would enter the offseason searching for answers and entertaining the idea of some major changes. The Saints aren't most teams.First, in 2017, the "Minnesota Miracle." Then, last season's blown pass-interference call in the NFC Championship Game. And this year, New Orleans simply ran into a hot Vikings team that wasn't getting enough credit.If you're having trouble determining what exactly is wrong with the Saints, that's because the answer is, well, not much. Their title hopes were quashed by some terrible luck before they lost a home game they should have won. It happens.Rather than taking this as a sign that perhaps it's time for a new direction, and thus doing something irrational such as allowing Drew Brees to test free agency while searching for his successor, the Saints should do everything they can to re-sign their legendary quarterback and run it back with this team and what they hope can be an instant-impact draft class.The window closes as Brees continues to age, but another Super Bowl is still well within reach. Stay the course.New QB era starts nowIt's difficult to draw lines between eras of football, but the end of this list is as clear a demarcation as you'll ever see:

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz was removed from Sunday's wild-card game against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half after being evaluated for a head injury, the team announced. He did not return.Wentz was initially taken to the locker room late in the first quarter, with veteran Josh McCown entering the game in his place.The injury occurred on a scramble during which Wentz took a hit to the back of the head while going down before also hitting his head on the ground.

Only eight teams remain in the running to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.After a wild-card weekend that included two overtime games and two upsets by No. 6 seeds, the divisional round matchups are set.NFCMatchup Date Time (ET) NetworkVikings at 49ersSaturday4:35 p.m.NBCSeahawks at PackersSunday6:40 p.m.FOXThe second round will open with the 6-seed Minnesota Vikings visiting the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers. The Vikings were 4-4 on the road this season, while the Niners went 6-2 at home during the year.The Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers will close the weekend with another installment of their rivalry. The two clubs last met in the playoffs in the 2014 NFC Championship Game, when the Seahawks erased a 16-0 Packers lead and won 28-22 in overtime to reach the Super Bowl. However, Sunday's game will take place at Lambeau Field.AFCMatchupDateTime (ET)NetworkTitans at RavensSaturday8:15 p.m.CBSTexans at ChiefsSunday3:05 p.m.CBSThe Tennessee Titans, the last team to qualify for the playoffs, enter the divisional round winners of six of their last eight games. They'll meet the hottest team in football, as the Baltimore Ravens haven't lost since Week 4.The matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans features the only rematch from the 2019 regular season. In that game, the 3-2 Texans handed the 4-1 Chiefs their second loss of the year on a late touchdown scramble by Deshaun Watson.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys officially announced Sunday that head coach Jason Garrett won't be retained beyond the 2019 season."We are extremely grateful to Jason Garrett for his more than 20 years of service to the Dallas Cowboys as a player, assistant coach, and head coach," team owner Jerry Jones said in a statement, according to team writer David Helman.Despite being told he won't be retained, the 53-year-old continued to ask Dallas to consider his candidacy moving forward. The longtime boss' contract expires Jan. 14.Garrett posted an 85-67 record after taking over for Wade Phillips on an interim basis in 2010. The Cowboys have made the playoffs three times under his watch, falling in the divisional round in each appearance.Dallas has reportedly interviewed Mike McCarthy and Marvin Lewis for the vacancy.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints were burned by a pass interference non-call in last year's playoffs. On Sunday, they were once again hoping for a pass interference penalty as they were eliminated from the postseason.Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph made a game-winning touchdown grab in overtime, but he appeared to push off on Saints corner P.J. Williams in order to gain separation.

Ten days shy of his 41st birthday, quarterback Drew Brees refused to comment on his NFL future following the New Orleans Saints' wild-card loss to the Minnesota Vikings."I'm not making any comments on (a potential retirement) other than I've told you guys this for the last couple of years," Brees told reporters after the game, via CBS Sports. "I've always just taken it one year at a time and kind of re-evaluate each offseason, find the things I want to get better at, and move on."The future Hall of Famer expressed disappointment after the Saints were eliminated but was optimistic in his squad moving forward."We have an incredible culture here," Brees said, according to Sports Illustrated's John Hendrix. "Stable foundation. It was one that is fun, we work hard and play hard. Love each other."Similar to Tom Brady, Brees is eligible for free agency, as his contract voids on March 18. However, the veteran passer wants to stay in New Orleans if he chooses not to retire and could sign another short-term deal, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Brees completed 26 of 33 passes for 208 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in what could be his final career game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If Tom Brady returns to the New England Patriots, he does not want to sign a hometown discount with the team as he's done in the past, reports FOX Sports' Jay Glazer.Though Brady is considered one of - if not - the greatest players to ever play in the NFL, he's seldom been paid as such.He signed a four-year, $72-million extension in 2010 then restructured his salary in 2012 to clear cap room for the team. He signed a restructured $27-million extension in 2013, then inked a two-year, $41-million extension in 2016. Finally, the star quarterback was given a restructured $30-million deal in 2018 then signed a one-year, $23-million contract in 2019.Brady will become a free agent at the end of the league year and is not eligible to be franchise tagged. After concluding his 20th season at the age of 42, the pivot is looking at what will likely be his last big NFL deal.Glazer said the Patriots remain the most likely fit for Brady."But then it comes down to money," he added.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite being told he won't be retained, Jason Garrett continues to ask the Dallas Cowboys to consider his head coaching candidacy, reports FOX Sports' Jay Glazer.The Cowboys have reportedly interviewed Mike McCarthy, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, and Marvin Lewis, the Cincinnati Bengals' former head coach, as they seek Garrett's replacement.Dallas still hasn't officially fired Garrett, whose contract expires on Jan. 14.Garrett has posted an 85-67 record after taking over for Wade Phillips on an interim basis in 2010. The Cowboys have made the playoffs three times under his watch, falling in the divisional round during each appearance.The 53-year-old has been in the Cowboys organization since 2007, initially joining the coaching staff as the offensive coordinator.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady left his future open-ended after he and the New England Patriots went down 20-13 to the Tennessee Titans on Wild Card Weekend, but it won't stay that way forever.Five teams offer logical landing spots for Brady if the 42-year-old walks away from the Patriots in free agency after a historic 20-year run with the franchise:ChargersDavid Eulitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyPhilip Rivers' future in Los Angeles is firmly up in the air with the quarterback set to hit free agency in March. The 38-year-old finally showed significant signs of age this season, throwing the third-most interceptions (20) in the league and finishing 21st in ESPN's QBR metric.If the Chargers do move on from Rivers, Brady could be a natural replacement for a number of reasons. While the team's offensive line would need to be upgraded, few squads could offer Brady an arsenal as strong as wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, tight end Hunter Henry (assuming he doesn't leave in free agency), and running back Austin Ekeler.Aside from the on-field benefits of adding Brady, the impact off of it could be greater for the AFC West team than any other suitor. In their first three seasons in L.A., the Chargers have failed to gain a significant foothold. They routinely struggled to fill their temporary stadium and will move into their new shared home with the Rams with a palpable absence of excitement.How better to get bums in seats than signing the NFL's golden boy? Even in his advanced state, Brady's star is more than bright enough to draw eyes away from the likes of LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard.RaidersIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyEveryone knows Raiders head coach Jon Gruden loves to have a veteran quarterback under center, the kind of field general who can understand all the nuances of his system and run it to perfection. No one fits that description better than Brady.With a move to Las Vegas on the horizon, there have been whispers that Derek Carr might not be along for the migration despite producing the best statistical year of his career in 2019. The Raiders can cut Carr and save $16.5 million of his $21.5-million cap hit, or even try to explore a trade for the 28-year-old.The Raiders lack weapons on offense, and this season has proven Brady can no longer play at an elite level without significant help. Though few would describe their roster as being championship-ready, the Raiders have the resources (sixth-most cap space with $75.75 million, per Over The Cap) to go all-in on a two- or a three-year stint with Brady.Just like the Chargers, the Raiders need to find a way to get people more invested in their first season in Sin City considering they've only made the playoffs once since 2002. Brady in black and silver would make Las Vegas the epicenter of the NFL world.ColtsJames Gilbert / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe idea of Brady donning a Colts jersey is likely unthinkable for people in Indianapolis after nearly two decades of the quarterback serving as the state's public enemy No. 1. But in the wake of Indy's disappointing season, and with an Andrew Luck-sized hole still in the fan base's heart, maybe Colts faithful could be convinced.Brady's former backup, Jacoby Brissett, is currently the main man in Indy - emphasis on "currently." Brissett initially looked capable of being a solid starter after replacing Luck but fell apart down the stretch.Brissett's 2019 splitsCmp%YDSTDsINTsRatingFirst 8 games64.6%179715497.5Final 7 games56.4%12934375.0While the former backup did suffer a midseason knee injury, general manager Chris Ballard hinted that he knows his team needs an upgrade at the position, saying the "jury is still out" on Brissett.For Brady, two big factors could also tempt him to join his longtime rival. First, the Colts own one of the best offensive lines in the league, which is equally dominant in pass protection and run blocking. Second, head coach Frank Reich runs a quick-hit scheme that Brady would be very comfortable in, and the bench boss is widely recognized as one of the NFL's premier offensive play-callers.There are issues with the potential partnership for both sides. Indy was pegged as a Super Bowl challenger before Luck's retirement, but several parts of its roster were exposed without its franchise player. Outside of T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle, the Colts don't have any reliable pass-catchers. The defense, while containing talented players like linebacker Darius Leonard and cornerback Kenny Moore, remains a work in progress.Even with Brady, the Colts are far from being a slam-dunk contender. The future Hall of Famer is obviously better than Brissett, but Ballard could see Brady's short shelf and the prospect of more turmoil at the position as less enticing than finding a long-term option in the draft.BearsJonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Chicago Bears made the bold decision to declare Mitchell Trubisky, who struggled for much of his third season, their unquestioned starter for the 2020 season. But that stance is unlikely to stick if Brady becomes available.The Bears finished the season at 8-8, but it's easy to see why Brady could view them as a possible contender with him under center. While Chicago's defense didn't play at the historic level it did in 2018, it finished fourth in scoring defense (18.6 points per game) and will retain the vast majority of the unit for 2020.On the other side of the ball, Chicago owns an underrated group of talent that's been held back by Trubisky. Allen Robinson is a legitimate No. 1 receiver and Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller are solid secondary options. Running back David Montgomery shouldn't be written off after an uneven rookie year, and Tarik Cohen is the kind of pass-catching back that would thrive with Brady.When Peyton Manning left the Colts, he opted to stay in the conference he knew inside and out. Brady could do the same, especially if revenge is on his mind. But his ultra-competitive nature could motivate him to seek a new challenge in the strong NFC. If Brady leaves the AFC, the Bears would be his most logical landing spot.TitansIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBrady got a close look at the Titans' underrated group of talent during Saturday's shocking wild-card loss.Of course, Ryan Tannehill has more than earned his starting spot with Tennessee. But Tannehill is also a free agent, and his price is going up with every game. If the Titans don't feel comfortable breaking the bank for the former Miami Dolphins quarterback based on a season that was great but also an outlier, Brady could make sense for them.If Brady is looking to join a team with people he trusts, the Titans are an obvious choice. Head coach Mike Vrabel won three Super Bowls alongside Brady and general manager Jon Robinson spent 12 years climbing the front-office ladder in New England before taking the top job in Tennessee.In terms of an on-field fit, Brady isn't a like-for-like replacement for Tannehill, who was among the NFL's most prolific downfield passers in 2019. In fact, Brady averaged three fewer yards than Tannehill (9.6 to 6.6). But Derrick Henry, the 2019 rushing champion, showed why he's arguably the most intimidating running back in the league during the wild-card win.Brady could sit back, let Henry carry the load, and take advantage of a talented young receiving group that's headlined by breakout rookie A.J. Brown.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers believe linebacker Kwon Alexander could return from injured reserve early to play in the divisional round, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Alexander has been nursing a torn pectoral since Halloween. Similar to Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who made his triumphant return in the wild-card round, Alexander is ahead of schedule in his recovery.The 49ers have already activated Alexander's practice window. He, like Watt, would carry a risk of re-injury by coming back somewhat prematurely.Alexander had 34 tackles, one interception, and half a sack in eight games before tearing his pectoral. He's in the first season of a four-year deal with the 49ers.San Francisco is expected to get defensive end Dee Ford and safety Jaquiski Tartt back from injuries following its opening-round bye.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins intend to wait until after the NFL draft to hire a new head of football operations, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.The Redskins were on the verge of hiring former Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith as president before naming Ron Rivera their new head coach, according to Schefter.Redskins owner Dan Snyder reportedly met with Smith multiple times in the Bahamas before the team hired a coach. After Rivera was appointed the squad's bench boss, Snyder decided to give him a greater voice in player personnel decisions rather than closing the deal with Smith."I took this job for one simple reason, one simple reason: because Dan Snyder came to me with a very interesting perspective," Rivera told local media when introduced as head coach. "For weeks, he's explored the reasons why some teams win and some teams don't. He told me the common factor in that transitional success of teams like the Patriots, the Seahawks, and the Chiefs ... was the decision to take it and make it a coach-centered approach."Smith left the Houston Texans at the end of December 2017 to tend to his wife, who was battling breast cancer. Tiffany Smith died Jan. 31, 2019.The Redskins fired top personnel executive Bruce Allen, who held the title of president, after the regular season. Allen spent a decade with the club.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bill Belichick referred to Tom Brady as an "iconic figure in this organization" on Sunday, but he refused to address the quarterback's murky status with the New England Patriots."Nobody has thought about the future," the head coach told reporters the morning after the Tennessee Titans eliminated New England from the playoffs, according to NFL Network's Mike Giardi. "Whatever is in the future, we'll deal with it at some other later time."Brady is scheduled to become a free agent in March for the first time in his career, and he can't be given the franchise tag. After falling to the Titans, the 42-year-old said he's not planning to retire, but added that he isn't sure where he'll be playing next season.Belichick said there's no timeline to resolve Brady's contract situation, noting "it's not a one-way street," according to Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston.The Belichick-Brady tandem has produced six Super Bowl championships over the last 20 years, but tension between the two has reportedly been brewing since at least 2017.Brady, who will turn 43 in August, posted his lowest quarterback rating (88) since 2013 this season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.