Tom Brady and Peyton Manning showed their rivalry is still going strong on the latest episode of Manning's ESPN+ series "Peyton's Places."In one clip shared by NFL Films, the legendary quarterbacks debated whether or not the Indianapolis Colts pumped crowd noise into the RCA Dome during a 2007 game against the New England Patriots. Manning denied the accusation, to which Brady responded, "You're full of shit."

Warning: Story contains coarse languageThe Titans handed the New England Patriots their earliest playoff exit in 10 years on Saturday night, and Tennessee's left tackle Taylor Lewan couldn't resist rubbing it in Tom Brady's face.Prior to the wild-card game, Brady shared a hype video featuring Patriots game highlights and clips of lions along with a voiceover by actor Christopher Walken from the 2002 movie "Poolhall Junkies."

Logan Ryan took exception when New England Patriots defender Kyle Van Noy referred to the Tennessee Titans as the first stop on a "revenge tour" prior to Wild Card Weekend."Man, I love those guys," said Ryan, who spent four seasons with the Patriots, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. "... And I won two championships with them. But I'm here now. I'm trying to win a championship here. And that organization has so much class. So my guy Kyle Van Noy calling it a revenge tour, just play ball, Kyle."Ryan put the final dagger in his former team's coffin Saturday, returning a Tom Brady interception for a touchdown in the dying moments of the fourth quarter. The Titans left Gillette Stadium with a 20-13 win, handing New England its earliest playoff exit since 2009.Van Noy publicized his "revenge tour" plans after the Patriots blew a lead to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 that bumped them from the AFC's No. 2 seed and forced them to play in the wild-card round."We have a chance to go on a revenge tour, and what better way than to start off with Tennessee, who we lost to last year?" Van Noy said Monday.Ryan got the last laugh with the Titans' victory, and he emphasized how other members of his former team wouldn't make similar comments to Van Noy."Tom Brady doesn't do that, Julian Edelman doesn't do that. Devin McCourty, Gilly Lock (Stephon Gilmore) don't do that," added Ryan. "And Kyle Van Noy's running his mouth, giving us bulletin board material about his revenge tour. His revenge tour ended early."I'm sure I'll hear something in the group chat from my guys about it over there - Dev (Devin McCourty), Duron (Harmon), J-Mac (Jason McCourty), sorry I had to say it, but my man Van Noy's been tripping. So his revenge tour ended early. Hope he enjoys it."Ryan and Van Noy played half a season together, contributing to the Patriots' title run in 2016. Both are scheduled to hit free agency at the end of the season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady wouldn't shed any light on his future plans after the New England Patriots were eliminated from the NFL playoffs on Saturday.Brady's contract expires at the end of the 2019 league year, leaving him eligible to be a free agent for the first time in his career."Who knows what the future holds? We'll leave it at that," Brady said in his postgame press conference."I don't know what the future looks like and I'm not going to predict it," he added.Brady has played his entire 20-year career with the Patriots and was effusive in his praise of owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick. Though he's 42 years old and has already won six Super Bowls, he doesn't sound ready for retirement."I would say it's pretty unlikely," Brady said.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

J.J. Watt was instrumental in the Houston Texans' dramatic overtime win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday after making a surprise return from a torn pectoral that could have ended his season.Before the game, Watt admitted he was at risk of tearing his pectoral again and restarting the three-to-four month rehabilitation process. But the reward was worth the risk according to the three-time Defensive Player of the Year."It's incredible to be back out there with the guys," Watt said, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "That's why you do it. That's why you take the risk, that's why you put in the work, that's why you do the rehab. You do all of it for those moments, to be out there with the guys, to be part of the team, to try and help the team win, to try and create that spark."There are a lot of people that were questioning it or calling me crazy or telling me I shouldn't be doing what I'm doing. But nobody knows what those feelings feel like and nobody knows what it's like to be part of a group of guys like we have in that locker room. So quite frankly, I don't care what anybody else says. I did it for those moments right out there, and it was a hell of a feeling."

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) When the eerie Foxborough fog lifted, it became clear that New England's reign atop the NFL was ending.Derrick Henry ensured that with the kind of dominating playoff performance usually reserved for Tom Brady and the Patriots.Henry rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown while Tennessee's defense stymied Brady and perhaps ended his championship-filled New England career with a 20-13 wild-card victory Saturday night.“It’s a great win against a great team in a hostile environment," Henry said on his 26th birthday. “Credit to my team. I’m just happy we were able to advance.“We were just locked in. That was our mindset, just coming in here doing what we needed to do in all three phases, stay locked in no matter what happens in the game, and I feel like we did that.”For sure.As that dense fog that shrouded Gillette Stadium for the first half dissipated, the Patriots, who made the last three Super Bowls and won two, stalled repeatedly with the ball. They no longer were the bullies on the block - Henry was.Six-time champ Brady's contract is up and the 42-year-old quarterback could well be headed elsewhere, including retirement.“I just came off the field," Brady said when asked about his future, but added that it is pretty unlikely he will retire.“There is nobody who has had a better career than me,” he said. “I am very blessed.''As for this defeat, the Patriots' fourth as a wild card, Brady noted: “They kind of stopped us in the first half and the second half and we couldn't get the job done.''Meanwhile, the Titans (10-7) are headed next week to Baltimore, the league's top team.There was no scoring in the second half when All-Pro Brett Kern's 58-yard punt that took up 10 seconds rolled down at the New England 1. Brady then was picked by former Patriot Logan Ryan for a 9-yard touchdown to finish off the Patriots (12-5), who at one point were 8-0.The game's first three possessions wound up as three long scoring drives. A 29-yard screen pass to James White set up Nick Folk's 36-yard field goal, but Tennessee answered with a 75-yard march built around Henry. He had no role on the touchdown, Tannehill's pass to a Harvard man, tight end Anthony Firkser that made it 7-3.New England counterpunched with its own 75-yard drive, taking temporary control of the game by victimizing Tennessee's defense on the outside. The Titans looked slow trying to protect the flanks as Sony Michel broke off a 25-yard run and White had a 14-yarder.Julian Edelman finished it with the first rushing touchdown of his 11 pro seasons, a 5-yard dash to the unprotected left side of the Tennessee D.New England appeared primed for another touchdown after Mohamed Sanu's 14-yard punt return set up the Patriots at the Titans 47, and they steadily drove to first-and-goal at the 1.All they got was Folk's 21-yard field goal as three runs failed. It was the 13th time the Patriots had first-and-goal at the 1 in a playoff game in the Brady era and the first time they failed to get a TD on the drive.Tannehill led the NFL with a career-best 117.5 passer rating and by averaging 9.6 yards per pass attempt. But he didn't do a whole lot Saturday night in his first postseason game: 8 of 15 for 72 yards. His awful decision to put the ball up for grabs on the first play of the fourth quarter resulted in Duron Harmon's interception.But New England's spotty attack flopped and never revived. That has not been unusual during the second half of the schedule.Tannehill's passing yards were the fewest for a starter since the Ravens' Joe Flacco had 34 in a wild-card win against the Patriots 10 years ago.BIRTHDAY BOYHenry celebrated his birthday by getting the most rushing yards against a Bill Belichick-coached Patriots team in the playoffs. He set an early tone by rushing for 49 of the Titans' 75 yards on their opening touchdown drive. On the Titans' second 75-yard TD march, all Henry did was gain every yard: 22 on a screen pass and 53 rushing, including a 1-yard dive into the end zone for a 14-13 halftime lead. Those were Tennessee's first points in the final two minutes of the opening half since Week 8.He led the NFL in rushing this season with 1,540 yards in 15 games, the fourth-most rushing yards in franchise history. Henry also ran for 16 TDs, second most in team history.NEW ENGLAND SLUMPAfter winning their first eight games, the Patriots struggled mightily in the second half of the schedule. They lost four games, and with the defeat by the Titans, they fell three times at home.INJURIESTitans: Linebacker Jayon Brown hurt his shoulder in the first half.Patriots: Safety Patrick Chung left in the first quarter with an ankle issue.NEXT UPTitans: Head to Baltimore in the divisional round.Patriots: Head home early, failing to become the second team to make four straight Super Bowls. And wondering where Brady is headed.---More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP-NFLCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The final four in the AFC is set following Saturday's wild-card matchups.After the Tennessee Titans' upset of the New England Patriots, they'll travel to play the No. 1 seed Baltimore Ravens next weekend. And due to the Houston Texans' comeback win over the Buffalo Bills, they'll visit the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday.Divisional roundMatchup Date Time (ET) NetworkTitans at RavensSaturday8:15 p.m.CBSTexans at ChiefsSunday3:05 p.m.CBSThe Ravens-Titans matchup features a pair of teams with elite running games. Baltimore broke the NFL's single-season rushing yards record this season; Tennessee's Derrick Henry won the rushing title in 2019 and continued his unstoppable play by gashing the Patriots for 182 yards and a touchdown on Saturday.The Chiefs-Texans pairing features a delectable matchup between two of the league's premier quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson.The two teams met in Week 6, with Houston earning the 31-24 road victory at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City raced out to a 17-3 lead but Houston battled back and won on a 1-yard scramble by Watson with six minutes left in the game.The NFC side of the bracket will be determined after Sunday's two wild-card games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans battled back from down 16-0 late in the third quarter to force overtime and secure a 22-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills to open the NFL's playoff slate.The Texans will wait for the result of the New England Patriots-Tennessee Titans matchup to learn whether they'll meet the Baltimore Ravens or the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.More to come.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The wacky year of NFL officiating nearly got a whole lot wackier in the first game of the playoffs.To open the second half of the Houston Texans-Buffalo Bills wild-card game, the Bills booted the kickoff into the end zone and into the hands of Texans returner DeAndre Carter. That's when things became confusing.

With the NFL postseason upon us, each football editor at theScore made an outlandish prediction about what will transpire over the next month. Each prediction is unrelated to the others.Mahomes retakes the throneThe regular season belonged to Lamar Jackson, but Patrick Mahomes will prove he remains the best quarterback in the league with a string of historic playoff performances. The all-time mark for touchdown passes in a single postseason stands at 11 (owned by Joe Flacco, Joe Montana, and Kurt Warner). Mahomes will add the record to his already eye-popping young resume. - Jack BrowneKittle ends dream season with Super Bowl MVPThearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty2019 was a year to remember for the San Francisco 49ers and tight end George Kittle, but the beginning of 2020 will be even better. Kittle's third campaign was arguably the best we've seen in recent years at his position and he'll be in prime position to step up on the game's biggest stage. A tight end has never won Super Bowl MVP, but the 26-year-old has broken many trends since entering the league. The No. 1 seed will return to glory on Kittle's back. - Mike AlessandriniPatriots go 1-and-doneNew England has gone to eight straight AFC championships, but these Patriots don't have the same offensive firepower those teams had. The defending champions are about to realize that defense and special teams can only take a team so far in this era of offensive football. - Alex ChippinPI challenge delivers win for SaintsAfter being derided by fans and pundits for its uneven implementation of the new pass interference challenge rule, the NFL's officiating department will be celebrated in New Orleans when a key late-game challenge lands in the Saints' favor. - David P. WoodsEagles upset SeahawksMichael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Eagles and Cowboys had been ridiculed all year for a division race it appeared no one wanted to win. Philly will now match up against the depleted Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round. With home-field advantage and the injuries to the Seahawks' backfield and offensive line, the Eagles overcome their own ailments to earn the upset. - Michael McClymontRoad team wins every wild-card gameHome-field advantage won't mean much early in this year's postseason. Every visitor will emerge with a victory on Wild Card Weekend, marking just the second time in NFL history every home team lost in a four-game playoff round. The only other occurrence was in the wild-card round that followed the 2015 season. Some results will be less surprising than others, like the Eagles losing to the Seahawks and the Texans dropping their home game against the Bills, but upsets from the Titans and Vikings will shock football fans and make this a clean sweep. - Dan WilkinsThomas breaks playoff receptions recordThe all-time record for receptions in a single playoff game is 15, held by Darren Sproles and James White. Following a magical regular season in which Michael Thomas broke the NFL single-season record for catches, expect him to shatter Sproles' and White's mark as Drew Brees and the Saints lean on the wideout heavily in the postseason. - Caio MiariCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots are expected to receive discipline from the NFL within the next two weeks for illegally videotaping the Cincinnati Bengals' sideline from the press box, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.However, the NFL released a statement that called Schefter's report "pure speculation.""The investigation is ongoing and there has been no discussion of any potential discipline," said the league, per Schefter. "Any suggestion of potential discipline or a timeline on an announcement is pure speculation."The incident took place one week before the Patriots and Bengals squared off in December. It's still unclear whether there was a link between the camera crew at fault and the Patriots' football operations department, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The Patriots admitted to the infraction after it took place but insisted their employees were credentialed and obtaining footage for their "Do Your Job" documentary series.

Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy will forgo his senior season to enter the 2020 NFL Draft, he announced Saturday.Jeudy is widely expected to be a first-round pick and could be selected as early as the top 10.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Every week during the NFL season, theScore's betting writers release their best bets. Each writer has been given an imaginary $1,000 bankroll to manage throughout the campaign. If you decide to follow any of the picks, please gamble responsibly.Odds are courtesy of theScore Bet.Thomas Casale ($1,433)Season record: 13-8-2, +433Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia EaglesTotal: 45.5The total for this game has moved slightly from 46 to 45.5 and I expect it to continue dropping as we get closer to kickoff. The two teams met back in late November, with Seattle winning 17-9. It's hard for me to believe they'll score 20 more points combined this time around with all the injuries the Eagles are dealing with on offense and the Seahawks' willingness to run the football, as Seattle finished the regular season with 481 rushing attempts, the third-highest mark in the NFL.Expect a competitive contest throughout, as the Seahawks stubbornly try to establish the run with Marshawn Lynch and Travis Homer. Meanwhile, tight end Zach Ertz is expected to play Sunday but probably won't be 100% after missing Week 17 with a lacerated kidney. Ertz caught 12 balls for 91 yards and a score on 14 targets in the teams' first meeting, so if he's limited, it will impact the offense's ability to get first downs and stay on the field.The under has cashed in four straight contests between the two clubs and is 16-5 in the Eagles' last 21 home games. Look for that trend to continue Sunday.Pick: Under 45.5 ($75)Alex Moretto ($1,025)Season record: 18-18-1, +$25Buffalo Bills (+2.5) at Houston TexansThe current line suggests oddsmakers consider the Bills to be the better team, and they're correct in valuing them as such. Offensively, the Texans finished 17th in DVOA, just five slots ahead of the Bills, but defensively, Buffalo ranked sixth while Houston finished 26th. The Texans gave up 6.1 yards per play (31st in the NFL) and 4.8 yards per rush (27th) during the regular season. The Bills were seventh in rush play percentage and should have success sustaining drives and keeping Deshaun Watson on the sideline. When Watson does take the field, he'll face a Buffalo defense that allowed 4.8 yards per play, the fourth-best mark in the NFL.The Bills also have a massive coaching advantage - I wouldn't bet your money on Bill O'Brien in the playoffs. Add it all up and it should result in Buffalo going into Houston on Saturday and winning its first playoff game since 1995.Pick: Bills ML +125 ($100)Alex Kolodziej ($903)Season record: 12-11, -$97Buffalo Bills at Houston TexansTotal: 44I like the under here in the first game of Wild Card Weekend between the Bills and Texans. Buffalo graded out as the No. 6 defense, per DVOA, anchored by a secondary that features star corner Tre'Davious White, who should be able to clamp down on DeAndre Hopkins in the passing game. As for the Bills' offense, it's tough to get excited about it. Buffalo, while efficient at times, lacks the explosiveness to exploit the Texans' secondary, which has been a weak spot all year. The return of J.J. Watt should also be a boost to a Houston front seven that trended down as the year progressed. Look for these two teams to go under the total.Pick: Under 44 ($25)C Jackson Cowart ($701)Season record: 16-18-3, -$299Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-4.5)Even with two losses in December, the Titans are still among the hottest teams in football behind Ryan Tannehill and a complement of electric offensive players, finishing the season 7-3 since Tannehill became the starting quarterback. Compare that to New England, which dropped a crucial game to the Dolphins last week and still has major questions offensively.Yes, yes, it's the postseason now, but this is actually a spot in which the Patriots have struggled against the spread (ATS). Under Bill Belichick, New England is just 3-8 ATS in its last 11 playoff games without a bye week to prepare. The Patriots are also below .500 ATS in any game when giving 4.5 points or fewer, with a 7-11 ATS record in the last five seasons.Maybe I'll regret it later, but I'm fading the dynasty this weekend. Give me the Titans.Pick: Titans +4.5 ($75)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz is expected to return from a rib injury and a lacerated kidney for Sunday's playoff contest against the Seattle Seahawks, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Ertz missed Week 17 after being injured the previous week in a pivotal win over the Dallas Cowboys. The three-time Pro Bowler registered 88 catches for 916 yards and six touchdowns in 15 regular-season appearances.The return of Ertz would be a major boost for the injury-depleted Eagles, who aren't expected to have right tackle Lane Johnson back from an ankle ailment against Seattle. Johnson's neighbor on the offensive line, right guard Brandon Brooks, has already been ruled out for the playoffs.Johnson and wide receiver DeSean Jackson are expected to have a realistic shot at returning from their injuries in the divisional round if the Eagles get past the Seahawks.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wide receiver Will Fuller was left out of the Houston Texans' Wild Card Weekend lineup against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday because of a groin problem.Fuller was considered a long shot to be ready for the postseason opener after suffering his latest injury in Week 16 despite head coach Bill O'Brien labeling him day-to-day at the beginning of the week. He missed several games due to a hamstring ailment earlier in the season.The 25-year-old has been one of the NFL's most effective vertical threats since entering the league in 2016, but he's struggled to stay healthy throughout his career.

Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski has head coaching interviews scheduled with the Carolina Panthers and the Cleveland Browns, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The 37-year-old Stefanski coordinated the NFL's eighth-ranked scoring offense in 2019, though his unit finished a more modest 16th in yardage. He became the permanent play-caller in Minnesota this year after serving as the interim offensive coordinator late in the 2018 season.Stefanski was reportedly the top choice of Browns executive Paul DePodesta a year ago before the franchise promoted Freddie Kitchens, who was recently fired after one season as head coach.The Panthers have been linked to other candidates such as Mike McCarthy, Eric Bieniemy, Perry Fewell, and Matt Rhule during their coaching search, while the Browns have been connected to a laundry list of names.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys, who still haven't officially moved on from head coach Jason Garrett, arranged meetings for Saturday with ex-Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy and former Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, sources told ESPN's Todd Archer.McCarthy has already interviewed with the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants, and he's also expected to speak with the Cleveland Browns about their vacancy. The 56-year-old compiled a record of 125-77-2 with the Packers and won Super Bowl XLV at the end of the 2010 campaign.After leaving Green Bay, McCarthy spent the 2019 campaign trying to reinvent himself in an effort to get back into the league in 2020. He was fired before the end of his 13th season in charge after appearing to grow stale and clash with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.Lewis spent the 2019 season as an assistant on Herm Edwards' staff at Arizona State. He was at the helm of the Bengals from 2003-18, registering seven playoff appearances but never winning a postseason game.The Cowboys have reportedly decided not to retain Garrett in any capacity, but they don't feel obligated to clarify his situation before his contract expires on Jan. 14, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

With the 2019 regular season complete and the 2020 NFL Draft just a few months away, theScore's Dane Belbeck, Daniel Wilkins, and Mike Alessandrini project the first round of selections.1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, QB, LSUKevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter a record-breaking season in the SEC, Burrow has emerged as the favorite to go first overall this April. The Bengals and head coach Zac Taylor opted against selecting a franchise quarterback early in the 2019 NFL Draft, but they get their guy here. - Alessandrini2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young, Edge, Ohio StateAfter taking their quarterback of the future last year in Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins, the Redskins grab his former teammate with the No. 2 pick in 2020. One of the best pass-rush prospects to hit the professional ranks in recent memory, Young has Defensive Rookie of the Year potential written all over him in Jack Del Rio's defense. - Belbeck3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio StateThe Lions' offense should be just fine when Matthew Stafford and Kerryon Johnson are back healthy. The defense is another story. Detroit using its top pick on the best cover corner in this draft would go a long way toward addressing its issues on that side of the ball. - Wilkins4. New York Giants - Andrew Thomas, OT, GeorgiaWith Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley in the fold, Dave Gettleman can afford to select the best player available at No. 4. Right now, that's Thomas. Combining athleticism, technique, and play strength, the Georgia blocker has all the tools to evolve into a top-tier left tackle. The Nate Solder experiment has lasted far too long. - Alessandrini5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, AlabamaKevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyIf Tagovailoa doesn't suffer a severe hip injury in 2019, there's a good chance he's the No. 1 pick instead of Burrow. Instead, concerns over his health see the prolific Alabama passer drop to No. 5, where the Dolphins rush to the podium to draft him. The Hawaiian-born signal-caller might sit for a year to get fully healthy, but his elite ability to read coverages will be on full display once he takes the field. - Belbeck6. Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert, QB, OregonOne way or another, it's starting to seem like Philip Rivers' time as the Chargers' quarterback is over. A team with this much talent isn't going to pick this high very often, so the time to draft his replacement is now. Herbert has NFL arm talent and the ability to get out of the pocket and make plays with his legs. - Wilkins7. Carolina Panthers - Jerry Jeudy, WR, AlabamaWe're not entirely sure who will be under center for Carolina in Week 1, but adding a player of Jeudy's caliber is never a bad idea. With the top three quarterbacks off the board, the Panthers opt for the best-player-available approach. - Alessandrini8. Arizona Cardinals - Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, AlabamaThe offensive line will be a critical area for the Cardinals to target this offseason after they allowed the sixth-most sacks in the league during Kyler Murray's rookie campaign. Wills was a star with Alabama this season, developing into a clear top-10 pick. He won't make it past No. 8 with Arizona on the clock. - Belbeck9. Jacksonville Jaguars - Kristian Fulton, CB, LSUGregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Jaguars need to address the secondary after Jalen Ramsey forced his way out of Jacksonville. Fulton's ability in man coverage has already earned him consideration as one of the best corners in this class, and he'd be a nice fit in Ramsey's old spot opposite A.J. Bouye. - Wilkins10. Cleveland Browns - Isaiah Simmons, LB, ClemsonExpect Simmons' stock to soar over the next few months, as the Tigers linebacker is among the most explosive athletes in his class. He's darn good at football, too, and Cleveland could use an upgrade next to Joe Schobert. Simmons may be the final piece of the puzzle to take the Browns' defense to the next level. - Alessandrini11. New York Jets - CeeDee Lamb, WR, OklahomaThe best thing for quarterback Sam Darnold's development is a stud No. 1 receiver, and the Jets get just that with Lamb at No. 11. The Oklahoma star is an incredibly physical pass-catcher who terrorizes the opposition with his yards-after-catch ability. That should make him a fan favorite in New York. - Belbeck12. Las Vegas Raiders - A.J. Epenesa, DE, IowaThe Raiders took major steps toward upgrading their defensive front by drafting Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby in last year's draft, but they can't stop there. Epenesa is another big-bodied base end who could help elevate the pass rush as the team heads to Las Vegas. - Wilkins13. Indianapolis Colts - Derrick Brown, DT, AuburnIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyChris Ballard and Co. have other needs to address, but Brown is simply too talented to pass on here. Indianapolis has made a habit of nailing value selections in the draft, and this one is no different. The Lott IMPACT Trophy winner would solidify an already stout defensive line. - Alessandrini14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Grant Delpit, S, LSUThis pick is about as easy as it gets. The Buccaneers' secondary was among the NFL's worst in 2019, and Delpit is one of the best safety prospects in recent memory. The LSU star will be a Day 1 starter for a Tampa Bay defense that desperately needs his instincts and strength. - Belbeck15. Denver Broncos - Trevon Diggs, CB, AlabamaCornerback should be a primary offseason focus for the Broncos, especially if they're unable to re-sign Chris Harris in free agency. Either way, Diggs could give Vic Fangio's defense a new No. 1 cover man to build around on the back end. - Wilkins16. Atlanta Falcons - Javon Kinlaw, DT, South CarolinaKinlaw's stock has risen greatly since the 2019 season began, and the explosive interior defender could work his way into the top half of Round 1. With developed skills as a pass-rusher and run defender, Kinlaw is a perfect fit for Dan Quinn's defense. - Alessandrini17. Dallas Cowboys - Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State*Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyWade lacks experience at outside cornerback, but his versatility was on full display at Ohio State throughout 2019. His elite ball skills make him a quarterback's worst nightmare, and he's also shown ability as a tackler in the run game. Wade brings instant credibility to the Cowboys' defense, regardless of who's coaching in Dallas next season. - Belbeck*Wade announced his return to Ohio State after this mock draft was published.18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT) - Julian Okwara, DE, Notre DameAfter getting their quarterback of the future at No. 5, the Dolphins use their second of three first-round picks to address the second-most valuable position on the field. Okwara is one of the top pass-rushers in this class, and his stock should really begin to soar once he shows off his freak athleticism at the combine. - Wilkins19. Las Vegas Raiders - Henry Ruggs III, WR, AlabamaSpeed, speed, speed. Making a new home in Las Vegas, the Raiders must add playmakers to their offense in order to compete in a tough AFC West. Ruggs fits the bill and then some, offering the field-stretching ability Jon Gruden's squad desperately lacked in 2019. - Alessandrini20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) - Tee Higgins, WR, ClemsonThe 6-foot-4, 215-pound Clemson star will immediately team with D.J. Chark and Dede Westbrook to give the Jaguars a formidable trio of receivers. Higgins excels in contested-catch situations and has the versatility to line up all over the field. - Belbeck21. Philadelphia Eagles - Bryce Hall, CB, VirginiaRyan M. Kelly / Getty Images Sport / GettyNFL teams, particularly the best ones, don't allow themselves to fall into the trap of drafting only for need. For the Eagles, however, this one is just so glaring it'd be a mistake to pass on the opportunity. Hall could be a major upgrade for a secondary that played a lead role in holding Philly back in 2019. - Wilkins22. Tennessee Titans - Yetur Gross-Matos, OLB, Penn StateGross-Matos is a name to monitor as the combine approaches, as his athletic profile and long arms will surely spark the interest of a number of NFL squads. Tennessee will be in the hunt for a long-term piece opposite Harold Landry, and the Penn State product feels like an ideal fit here. - Alessandrini23. Buffalo Bills - Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, ColoradoJosh Allen made some solid strides in his second season with the Bills, and the addition of Shenault gives him another weapon to continue that growth in 2020. The Colorado star is arguably the toughest receiver in the draft, a trait that will immediately endear him to fans in Buffalo. - Belbeck24. Minnesota Vikings - Tristan Wirfs, OT, IowaThe Vikings have the quarterback and the skill-position talent to field a high-powered offense. Further upgrades on the offensive line will be key to maximizing Minnesota's potential, and Wirfs represents just that at either tackle or guard. - Wilkins25. Miami Dolphins (from HOU) - D'Andre Swift, RB, GeorgiaCarmen Mandato / Getty ImagesHow about a backfield companion for Tua? Miami goes back to the offensive side of the ball with its third first-round pick, adding a dynamic playmaker who fills a major position of need in Swift. If any running back has a shot at being selected on Day 1, the Bulldogs star is the best bet. - Alessandrini26. Seattle Seahawks - Jonathan Greenard, DE, FloridaGreenard broke out as a graduate transfer with the Gators, playing his way into the first-round conversation. The stud pass-rusher fits Pete Caroll's defense to a tee and is the perfect replacement for Jadeveon Clowney should Seattle lose Clowney this offseason. - Alessandrini27. New England Patriots - Jalen Reagor, WR, TCUNew England goes with a first-round receiver for the second time in as many years, pairing Reagor with 2018 top pick N'Keal Harry in an effort to solve its increasingly concerning issues in the passing game. Quarterback could also be a consideration in this spot, whether or not Tom Brady is back for another year. - Wilkins28. New Orleans Saints - Shane Lemieux, G, OregonArguably the top interior lineman in the 2020 class, Lemieux will likely receive a first-round grade from a number of teams. New Orleans doesn't have many needs on its balanced roster, but bolstering the blocking unit would make Alvin Kamara and Co. all the more dangerous. - Alessandrini29. Kansas City Chiefs - Travis Etienne, RB, ClemsonIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAndy Reid adds yet another piece to his offensive track team with the blazing running back from Clemson. Etienne clocked a sub-4.40 time in the 40-yard dash as a senior in high school and has been blowing past defenses across college football for three years. The Chiefs' offense is already borderline impossible to slow down, and the addition of Etienne only makes that task tougher. - Belbeck30. Green Bay Packers - Raekwon Davis, DL, AlabamaReceiver is the most obvious need, but the Packers must also prioritize an interior defensive line that's been gashed in the running game this year. Lining Davis up alongside Kenny Clark would help strengthen that weakness, and his ability to penetrate makes Davis a fantastic complement to the dynamic duo of Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith on the edge. - Wilkins31. San Francisco 49ers - Justin Jefferson, WR, LSUYes, seven receivers in the first round is entirely possible. In a star-studded class, Jefferson deserves to hear his name called in Round 1 after an incredible 2019 campaign. The LSU product offers the size and downfield ball-tracking that the 49ers' receiving corps currently lacks. - Alessandrini32. Baltimore Ravens - K'Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSUAnother Tigers product on a hot streak, Chaisson elevated his game in 2019 and could find himself a top-32 selection. The athletic pass-rusher fills a major need on Baltimore's defense and will be viewed as one of the better players available in this spot. - AlessandriniCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre believes his former coach, Mike McCarthy, would be a good fit for teams with a current vacancy."I think he'll do a great job," Favre said Friday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I had him (as my quarterbacks coach) in 1999, and that was basically the middle of my career, and then after that year he was gone, but then he came back obviously as the head coach. And really a bright mind. Good for a quarterback. I think any young quarterback would like him."McCarthy has met with the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants, and he's reportedly scheduled to interview with the Cleveland Browns. The Giants and Browns are both trying to develop young quarterbacks.The Dallas Cowboys are also expected to hire a new head coach, though Jason Garrett still hasn't officially been removed from the post."He's very understandable, much like Brian Daboll at Buffalo and Darrell Bevell (in Detroit), all guys who are coaching right now, relate to the guys very well," Favre added. "And I think that's important, on top of his Xs-and-Os mentality."Obviously, he's had Aaron Rodgers, and that certainly helps. But I do think he brings a level of toughness but also a confidence that as a player, as a quarterback for him, you feel confident in the plays that he calls, that he's going to call plays that cater more to your ability rather than maybe a previous guy he had. So I think he's a simple but yet confidence-building and technique-driven coach. He'll be a good fit for any of those teams."McCarthy spent 2019 working to reinvent himself in anticipation of a return to the NFL in 2020. The Packers fired the 56-year-old in 2018 after 12-plus seasons. He led Green Bay to a Super Bowl XLV championship but appeared to butt heads with Rodgers later in his tenure.McCarthy was the head coach during Favre's last two seasons in Green Bay.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Everything about Bill Belichick's sudden, earth-shattering resignation from the New York Jets 20 years ago this Saturday was already bizarre enough. Belichick had twice been named head coach of the Jets without having ever coached a game. But now an overcoat and a briefcase - some genuine cloak-and-dagger intrigue - can be added to the mix, too.The general outline of events has been told repeatedly in the ensuing decades: On Jan. 4, 2000, at a press conference at the Jets' then-headquarters in Hempstead, New York, Belichick was scheduled to be introduced as head coach. Instead, minutes before taking the podium, Belichick handed team president Steve Gutman a handwritten note that stated his intention to "resign as HC of the NYJ." He'd been on the job for one day, three years after having had the same gig for just six days.Belichick appeared before the assembled press anyway, stunning the world by breaking the news himself with a meandering explanation of his about-face. A video of the proceedings is still available on YouTube (for now, anyway).The exact circumstances that precipitated Belichick's decision have always been somewhat mysterious. It's known that he wanted to escape the hulking shadow of his mentor, Bill Parcells, whose resignation from the Jets two days earlier contractually obligated Belichick to take over. It's also known that the uncertainty of the Jets' ownership structure influenced his thinking - at least, a flop-sweating Belichick said so at his presser that afternoon.But did Belichick already have something lined up with the New England Patriots, who officially hired him a few weeks later? That's where the overcoat and briefcase enter the scene.In an oral history of that extraordinary day published just this week, ESPN's Rich Cimini quotes Frank Ramos, the Jets' PR director at the time. Ramos says he saw Belichick exit the building that morning wearing an overcoat over his Jets warmup gear and carrying a briefcase."I told Steve Gutman about it," Ramos told Cimini. "I said, 'This is really unusual. You can't believe what I just saw.' He said, 'Gee, I have no idea what that means.'"Whatever it might have meant adds a conspiratorial veneer to one of the most surreal-yet-consequential moments in NFL history. What mattered was that Belichick was out. The Jets have spent the years since walking the Penrose stairs, cycling through six coaches and failing to make the playoffs for nine seasons running. And Belichick has tormented them - and the rest of the league - the entire time. His arrival in New England kick-started an unprecedented dynasty that continues to this day.__________Belichick had long been yoked to Parcells. The two began working together as assistants with the New York Giants in 1979. Belichick rose to defensive coordinator during Parcells' third season as head coach, and over their next six years together, the Giants won a pair of Super Bowls.Belichick struck out on his own as head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1991. He lasted five seasons, making the playoffs once. Owner Art Modell fired him after Modell decided to move the franchise to Baltimore. By then, Parcells was the head coach in New England. In '96, he brought Belichick back into the fold as his assistant head coach/defensive backs coach.The Patriots reached the Super Bowl that year and lost to the Packers. But during the week of the game, word leaked that Parcells wanted out. Parcells felt that owner Robert Kraft, who purchased the franchise the year after Parcells was hired, was too intrusive; the two simply weren't able to connect on a personal level.All the while, Belichick and Kraft began conversing and developing a relationship; Parcells didn't fly back from the Super Bowl with the team, while Belichick sat next to Kraft on the plane. According to Michael Holley's 2004 book, "Patriot Reign," the Patriots claimed to have phone records from the week of the Super Bowl that showed dozens of phone calls from Parcells' hotel room to Hempstead, fueling suspicions he'd been working to secure his next job with the Jets. Parcells later denied this, but he did wind up coaching the Jets the next year - after enlisting Belichick to help him do an end-around on his Patriots contract, which forbade Parcells from coaching anywhere else in 1997.As Ian O'Connor wrote in his 2018 book, "Belichick: The Making of the Greatest Football Coach of All Time," Belichick badly wanted to take over for Parcells in New England. But there were issues beyond Belichick's control. Here's O'Connor:

On a day when Chase Young and D'Andre Swift opted to test NFL waters, Jonathan Taylor did the same.Wisconsin's star running back announced he will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2020 draft.Taylor was a star from the moment he stepped onto the field in Madison and finished as the school's runner up in career rushing yards behind Ron Dayne despite only playing three seasons.The athletic tailback is a two-time Doak Walker Award recipient as the nation's top running back and a two-time first-team All-American. He's one of only two players in NCAA history to accumulate 2,000 rushing yards in two separate campaigns.Taylor is expected to be one of the first running backs off the board this April and will be in contention to be selected in the first round.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Georgia running back D'Andre Swift will forgo his final season of eligibility and declare for the 2020 NFL Draft, he announced Friday.Swift could be the first running back selected in April and is projected to be picked in the opening round.The star tailback reportedly made his decision in December but insisted he wouldn't make the final call until after the Bulldogs' Sugar Bowl matchup.Swift ends his illustrious Georgia career with 2,885 rushing yards and 25 total touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per carry. He was named to the All-SEC first team following his junior campaign.The dynamic rusher averaged 6.2 yards per carry this year en route to his second career 1,000-yard season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The NFL playoffs are upon us, which means increased attention from bettors on a handful of games. Where is the sharp money going? Which lines are moving the most? We're tracking the action on the biggest postseason contests.We talked to Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader Jay Rood to see how sharps and public bettors are playing the Wild Card Weekend games.All lines courtesy of theScore Bet.Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans (-2.5, 43.5)The Texans have seen twice as much money so far in this matchup, which should come as no surprise given the public-friendly nature of their high-flying offense. What is surprising is the early movement on the point spread.Houston opened as a 3-point favorite but is down to -2.5. Rood says the line will likely stay there unless the continued Texans money overwhelms his book. Some early Bills money pushed that line down, and a few sharper players are on the road 'dog even while the overall money skews toward Houston."I would imagine this game stays there," Rood says. "If you're at 2.5 you're probably going to stay at 2.5. If you're at 3, you're probably going to stay at 3."Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-4.5, 44)Is this the end of the dynasty? Most bettors think not, with New England drawing roughly 70% of the bet slips as of Friday. As far as money, the returns are split, and the line hasn't moved off Patriots -4.5 in either direction."It's close to as even as you could ask for," Rood said.Parlay bettors are torn, too, with 60% of the money on Tennessee and roughly 60% of the tickets on New England. Rood says there are monitored players on both sides of the game, which is an enviable position for the book.The only lopsided position thus far is on the total, which has bumped up from 43.5 to 44 due to heavy over play. The Titans are mostly to thank with a 9-1 record to the over in Ryan Tannehill's starts this season.Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (-8, 49)The biggest lopsided decision thus far is in favor of the Saints, who have seen four times as much money as the Vikings as the biggest favorites on Wild Card Weekend. New Orleans has also drawn 70% of the ticket count, with play from sharp and public bettors alike.Parlay slips are coming up Saints, too, with four times as much money thus far. New Orleans at home against Kirk Cousins in the spotlight is a friendly recipe for an avalanche of bets, Rood said."I just think people really believe the Saints are a completely different team at home," Rood said. "That's when the public tends to jump on them."Ironically, the Saints are 2-5 ATS at home in playoff games under Sean Payton and 2-7 ATS as playoff favorites, though they've only lost one home playoff game outright during that stretch.Seattle Seahawks (-1.5, 45.5) at Philadelphia EaglesThe only road favorite of the postseason is, predictably, drawing the most money, which says as much about the Seahawks as it does about the snakebitten Eagles.Seattle opened as a 1-point favorite and was bet all the way up to -2 before settling at -1.5 as of Friday. The Seahawks are pulling 70% of the early money with a whopping 8-1 advantage in tickets, while parlay bettors are dropping 10 times as much money on the Seahawks with a 6-1 ticket advantage.The bigger bets have actually come in on the Eagles, who have seen an average bet four times higher than those on Seattle. But because of the overwhelming number of bet slips on the road favorite, it's not enough to balance the books."We're gonna need the Eagles at home, for sure," Rood said. "The late game on Sunday is gonna be holding a lot of marbles."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 Associated Press released its 2019 All-Pro honorees on Friday, and Carolina Panthers star Christian McCaffrey highlights the first team by being selected at two different positions.McCaffrey, who became only the third player in NFL history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards and 1,000 rushing yards in the same season, received the most All-Pro votes for both the top running back and the top flex player in 2019.The flex position was created in 2016 to reward players who best exemplify the modern era of NFL offenses.The 2019 All-Pro first team also features two unanimous selections: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas and New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore.Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson received 47 of 50 votes, with Seattle Seahawks signal-caller Russell Wilson getting the other three.Along with Jackson, 13 others made the All-Pro team for the first time. Saints punt returner and undrafted rookie Deonte Harris is the only first-year player to appear on the first team.First-team offensePOS.PlayerTeamQBLamar JacksonRavensRBChristian McCaffreyPanthersFlexChristian McCaffreyPanthersTEGeorge Kittle49ersWRMichael ThomasSaintsWRDeAndre HopkinsTexansLTRonnie StanleyRavensLGQuenton NelsonColtsCJason KelceEaglesRGZack MartinCowboysRTRyan RamczykSaintsFirst-team defensePOS.PlayerTeamEdgeChandler JonesCardinalsEdgeT.J. WattSteelersIDLAaron DonaldRamsIDLCam HeywardSteelersLBBobby WagnerSeahawksLBDemario DavisSaintsLBEric KendricksVikingsCBStephon GilmorePatriotsCBTre'Davious WhiteBillsSJamal AdamsJetsSMinkah FitzpatrickSteelersDB*Marcus Peters/Tyrann Mathieu/Marlon HumphreyRavens/Chiefs/Ravens* Each player received the same amount of votesFirst-team special teamsPOS.PlayerTeamKJustin TuckerRavensPBrett KernTitansKRCordarrelle PattersonBearsPRDeonte HarrisSaintsSTMatthew SlaterPatriotsMeanwhile, the All-Pro second team features some newcomers. Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaq Barrett and Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons are receiving All-Pro recognition for the first time in their careers.Barrett is the first player to lead the NFL in sacks (19.5) and not be selected to the first team since DeMarcus Ware in 2010.Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt, who made the first team as an edge rusher, also appears on the second squad among linebackers.Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is the pick at both running back and flex on the second team.Second-team offensePOS.PlayerTeamQBRussell WilsonSeahawksRBDerrick HenryTitansFlexDerrick HenryTitansTETravis KelceChiefsWRJulio JonesFalconsWRChris GodwinBuccaneersLTDavid BakhtiariPackersLG*Joel Bitonio/Joe ThuneyBrowns/PatriotsCRodney HudsonRaidersRGMarshal YandaRavensRTMitchell SchwartzChiefsSecond-team defensePOS.PlayerTeamEdgeShaq BarrettBuccaneersEdgeCameron JordanSaintsIDLGrady JarrettFalconsIDLDeForest Buckner49ersLBLuke KuechlyPanthersLBDarius LeonardColtsLBT.J. WattSteelersCBRichard Sherman49ersCBMarcus PetersRavensSJustin SimmonsBroncosSTyrann MathieuChiefsSecond-team special teamsPOS.PlayerTeamKJosh LamboJaguarsPTress WayRedskinsKRMecole HardmanChiefsPRDiontae JohnsonSteelersST*Cordarrelle Patterson/J.T. GrayBears/Saints* Each player received the same amount of votesCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman will return for the 2020 season, team co-owner Mark Wilf announced Friday."We value Mike and Rick's leadership and we have every intent of Mike continuing as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings and Rick leading our football operations, next year and beyond," Wilf said in a statement.The Vikings extended Zimmer's contract through the 2020 campaign last offseason, and the head coach responded by leading Minnesota to a 10-6 record and playoff berth.Rumors circulated in recent years that Zimmer planned to retire, but the 63-year-old denied such claims on multiple occasions.Spielman became the Vikings' general manager in 2012 and the team has since earned four postseason berths.Like Zimmer, Spielman will enter 2020 on the final year of his current deal.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles are getting an important member of their offense back for Sunday's playoff tilt against the Seattle Seahawks.Running back Miles Sanders said he'll play Sunday, according to PhiladelphiaEagles.com's Dave Spadaro. Sanders exited Week 17's contest due to an ankle injury and didn't practice this week until Friday."Miles is good," head coach Doug Pederson said, according to team reporter Olivia Schaller. "He'll get in some work today, see where he's at. He's been feeling good."Meanwhile, tight end Zach Ertz and offensive tackle Lane Johnson were both labeled as questionable on the team's final injury report Friday.Ertz, who's been battling injuries to his ribs and back, practiced on a limited basis this week after being sidelined in Week 17. However, Pederson said he's yet to be cleared for contact, according to Schaller."We're waiting on a few doctor results (Saturday)," Pederson said. "If things go favorable, he'll play, and if they don't, he won't."Johnson was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday but didn't practice Friday. He could miss his fourth straight game due to an ankle ailment.Nelson Agholor has been ruled out for the wild-card matchup against the Seahawks due to a knee injury. The wide receiver has missed the Eagles' past four contests.The NFC East champions enter their third straight postseason carrying a four-game winning streak.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 postseason opens this weekend with a four-pack of games. Instead of dissecting the matchups from a spread or totals perspective, let's dive into the best individual player props to consider.Josh Allen over 217.5 passing yardsI love the matchup for Allen this weekend against the Texans. The Bills quarterback hasn't thrown for more than 217 yards in any of his last three meaningful starts, but can you blame him? Allen faced the Patriots, Steelers, and Ravens, who rank first, second, and fourth in pass defense DVOA, respectively. Oddly, he's also been better on the road than at home this season, averaging roughly 50 more yards per game.Houston's secondary, which ranks No. 23 in pass defense DVOA and No. 22 in explosive pass rate allowed, has been a weak point all season. This will be Allen's most favorable matchup since he faced the Dolphins in Week 11, a game in which he threw for 256 yards and three scores.Dawson Knox over 24.5 receiving yardsCommon logic would point to pairing Allen's passing yards with another over on a John Brown or Cole Beasley prop. I think Knox is the better pick here at a much lower total.The Texans' defense is surrendering an average of 56.1 yards per game to opposing tight ends this season. Over Houston's last seven contests, that number ballooned to 75.9. Knox only has six catches over his last four games, but he's seen 13 total targets over that span.A.J. Brown longest reception over 25.5 yardsBrown has the toughest draw of any receiver in the wild-card round, matching up against stud Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore. I'd stay away from any catch- or yard-related prop and instead focus on his longest reception. Gilmore has allowed roughly half of the targets thrown his way to be completed this season, so don't expect Brown to consistently light up the stat sheet Saturday. However, the Titans rookie has eight plays of more than 40 yards to his credit this season and should be good for at least one splash play.Carson Wentz under 267.5 passing yardsFollowing a string of overs, here's an under that's worth a stab. Not only is Wentz's supporting cast banged up, he faces a Seahawks secondary that's quietly risen to No. 15 in pass defense DVOA. The end of his season was also a cakewalk, as the Eagles faced five consecutive secondaries ranked 23rd or lower in pass defense DVOA.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 @AJKoIodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the NFL postseason upon us, theScore ranks the top 25 players who are set to compete for the Lombardi Trophy. This list is not a ranking of their historical accomplishments - it's an assessment of their playing form right now.25. Tre'Davious White, CB, BillsTied for the league lead with six interceptions in 2019, White combines advanced instincts and excellent ball skills to serve as one of the game's premier zone defenders - opposing quarterbacks have a 46.3 passer rating when throwing into his coverage. With White's seven pass breakups and stout tackling ability, offenses would be wise to look in the other direction.24. Nick Bosa, DE, 49ersEzra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's been a rookie campaign to remember for the younger Bosa, whose presence on the edge sparked a massive turnaround for the San Francisco 49ers' defense. The No. 2 overall pick accumulated nine sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and an interception in 2019. Only five edge rushers had more total pressures than Bosa's 80, and he rarely failed to beat nearly every blocker placed in front of him.23. Chris Jones, DT, ChiefsJones followed up his 15.5-sack campaign last year with nine in 13 games, asserting himself as one of the game's top interior rushers. Simply too explosive and technically sound, the former second-round pick was a key factor in the Kansas City Chiefs' late-season defensive turnaround. Jones demands attention from opponents and makes everyone around him better.22. Ronnie Stanley, OT, RavensAs the Baltimore Ravens' offense took off in 2019, so did their left tackle. Stanley was the game's most efficient pass-blocker in his fourth NFL campaign, surrendering just six total pressures in 14 starts, according to PFF. The former first-rounder didn't allow a sack in 938 snaps and was a stellar run-blocker, too. Stanley is a shoo-in for All-Pro honors and will play a key role in the Ravens' playoff run.21. Tom Brady, QB, PatriotsIt may be surprising to see Brady so low on this list, but he certainly wasn't at his best this season. The six-time Super Bowl champion had issues running the New England Patriots' offense for much of the year, posting his lowest touchdown total, completion percentage, and passer rating since 2013. Brady's career may finally be entering its twilight, but you'd be foolish to count him out of one final title run.20. Tyreek Hill, WR, ChiefsJustin Edmonds / Getty Images Sport / GettyA shoulder injury cost him four games in 2019, but Hill remains one of the most dangerous playmakers entering the postseason. The wideout made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four campaigns for a reason, as he combines unique speed and ball-tracking skills to lead Kansas City's scoring attack. If Hill gets hot in January, there's no stopping the Chiefs.19. Za'Darius Smith, OLB, PackersWas there a better offseason addition on defense? Signed from the Ravens, Smith emerged as a surefire defensive MVP candidate with 13.5 sacks and league-leading 93 total pressures. The 27-year-old sparked the Green Bay Packers' defensive turnaround, making a handful of big plays every game.18. Danielle Hunter, DE, VikingsEven after four dominant NFL seasons, Hunter is somehow still overlooked among his peers. The Minnesota Vikings pass-rusher is the youngest player in league history to notch 50 career sacks, and he doubles as a stellar run defender. Technique, explosive athleticism, and violent hands have propelled him to back-to-back 14.5-sack campaigns, while only Smith had more total pressures this season.17. David Bakhtiari, OT, PackersBakhtiari endured his struggles as a run-blocker in 2019, but he's still among the best pass-protectors in the league. The veteran has allowed just seven sacks over his last three seasons, illustrating on a weekly basis the importance of a competent left tackle. Aaron Rodgers will need Bakhtiari at his best if the Packers hope to make a run at the Lombardi Trophy.16. Fletcher Cox, DT, EaglesIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIt was another year of dominance for Cox, especially in the pass rush. His sack total was down from a year ago, but the defensive tackle was often double-teamed and still delivered a number of tackles for loss against the run. Cox is an integral piece of the Philadelphia Eagles' defense and represents their biggest advantage in the wild-card matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. Look for a big game from the star defender.15. Davante Adams, WR, PackersThough a toe injury hindered his overall output in 2019, Adams once again cemented his place among the league's premier receivers. Arguably the NFL's best route-runner, Rodgers' No. 1 target dominated in one-on-one coverage while displaying improved skills after the catch. Adams caught 27 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns over his final three regular-season contests.14. Deshaun Watson, QB, TexansWatson's receivers and running backs battled injuries while his blockers surrendered pressures at a high rate, but you'd never know either of those facts while watching him play. The two-time Pro Bowler is a big play waiting to happen, avoiding tacklers with ease and delivering touch throws few others can make. Watson is one of the most valuable players in the league and cemented himself among the game's top passers in 2019. The Houston Texans are never out of a game when he's under center.13. Cameron Jordan, DE, SaintsSean Payton, Drew Brees, and the New Orleans Saints' offense receive most of the credit, but Jordan continues to dominate. The veteran rusher tallied a career-high 15.5 sacks in 2019, his third straight season with 12 or more. Jordan sets the edge in run defense as well, making him incredibly difficult to block on every snap. At a superstar-heavy position, Jordan deserves his place among the league's elite.12. Richard Sherman, CB, 49ersLachlan Cunningham / Getty Images Sport / GettyJust when Sherman appeared to be entering a decline, he put together an All-Pro season. The veteran's first year in San Francisco didn't go according to plan, but many forget he suffered a ruptured Achilles in 2017. Playing at full health in 2019, we saw vintage Sherman. He led the league by allowing just 0.44 yards per coverage snap, according to PFF.11. Travis Kelce, TE, ChiefsSince he entered the league in 2013, no tight end has matched Kelce's production as a receiver. He just wrapped up his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season - the first tight end ever to do so - and enjoyed his third straight campaign with at least 80 receptions and five touchdowns. Thanks to his unique athleticism and route-running ability, Kelce is a matchup nightmare few defensive coordinators can slow down.10. Aaron Rodgers, QB, PackersIs this the year Rodgers finally makes it back to the Super Bowl? The quarterback's pairing with first-year head coach Matt LaFleur appears to be a strong one, as the veteran passer rebounded from a rough 2018 campaign to lead the Packers to a division title. Boasting all-world talent and an unmatched ability to avoid turnovers, Rodgers is the ultimate playoff X-factor.9. George Kittle, TE, 49ersKittle's 2019 season was one of the best we've seen from a tight end. The 49ers star led his position in yards after the catch and yards per route run while absolutely dominating opponents in the run game; Kittle's impact as a blocker made him the most important aspect of San Francisco's breakout season. His abilities as an all-around tight end rival those of Rob Gronkowski, and he's on his way to earning an All-Pro nod.8. Drew Brees, QB, SaintsChris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / GettyStill among the league's top quarterbacks at age 40, Brees continues to effortlessly break all-time records. The NFL's leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns is the very definition of accuracy, breaking his own completion percentage record in each of the last two seasons. Brees isn't going to wow anyone with deep downfield shots, but the Saints' offense clicks at an alarming rate with the veteran at the helm. Don't be surprised if he has one last Super Bowl run in him.7. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, TexansHopkins' 1,165 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2019 were his lowest totals since 2016, illustrating just how dangerous he's been in recent years. The star wideout's 104 receptions ranked third league-wide and only Michael Thomas and Julio Jones caught more passes for first downs. Hopkins is still elite and will be favored in any postseason matchup.6. Bobby Wagner, LB, SeahawksBeyond Aaron Donald, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more well-rounded defensive player than Wagner. The linebacker led the NFL with 159 tackles in 2019 while once again proving stout in coverage. Wagner is the heartbeat of Seattle's post-Legion of Boom defense and has Pete Caroll in position to make another playoff run.5. Stephon Gilmore, CB, PatriotsA candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, Gilmore was the ultimate shutdown corner in 2019. Opposing quarterbacks completed fewer than 50% of their attempts when throwing at him and earned a measly 47.4 rating. He broke up 13 passes while shutting down nearly every receiver in his path.4. Russell Wilson, QB, SeahawksAlika Jenner / Getty Images Sport / GettyIf not for Lamar Jackson's breakout campaign, Wilson may have found himself as the front-runner for league MVP. The dual-threat quarterback tossed 31 touchdowns to just five interceptions across 16 starts, continually battling through inconsistent blocking and injuries to his supporting cast. There isn't a player more important to his team than Wilson is; the Seahawks are headed to their seventh postseason in the last eight years with him under center.3. Michael Thomas, WR, SaintsThomas' 2019 campaign was truly historic. His 149 catches marked a new single-season NFL record, as he made opposing defenders look silly on a weekly basis. Emerging as the premier player at a stacked position, he simply couldn't be stopped. The 26-year-old caught an incredible 83% of his targets while thriving in the slot and on deep patterns. There weren't many better skill position players in the league this year.2. Lamar Jackson, QB, RavensJackson was the league's brightest star in his second NFL campaign, scoring 43 total touchdowns and breaking Michael Vick's single-season rushing record for a quarterback. An unstoppable force on nearly every snap, Jackson combined a playmaking ability we've rarely seen with major improvements as a passer. The result was the most straightforward MVP conversation in years and a No. 1 seed for the Ravens. There's no longer an effective blueprint for slowing him down, so we wish good luck to the rest of the AFC.1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, ChiefsJamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / GettyMahomes didn't match last season's MVP numbers, but he's still the league's premier offensive player. He once again made a number of highlight-reel plays in 2019, but he also took care of the ball. Only 1% of his total passes were intercepted and he averaged nine air yards per attempt. With his rare touch, incredible arm strength, unique improvisation skills, and poise beyond his years, the Chiefs signal-caller has his team in position to capture its second Super Bowl in franchise history. In a 2020 postseason featuring a plethora of talented players, Mahomes is the best of the best.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.Officially, Jason Garrett is still the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, much to the chagrin of an agonized fan base. Unofficially, one source told ESPN's Ed Werder on Thursday that Garrett's tenure was over - which was enough for oddsmakers to hang a whole new set of odds for his replacement.On Monday, we ran through the possible coaching candidates for the Browns, Giants, and Panthers. Because of the Cowboys' reluctance to can Garrett early in the week, they've yet to schedule any interviews, which makes guessing their next hire a bit tougher. Still, his fate has been sealed long enough for speculation to run rampant.Here are the odds for the Cowboys' gig, with a breakdown of five notable names.Cowboys' next coach oddsCOACHODDSJosh McDaniels3-1Robert Saleh4-1Lincoln Riley5-1Greg Roman6-1Urban Meyer6-1Matt Rhule7-1Eric Bieniemy7-1Mike Zimmer10-1Gary Kubiak10-1Dan Mullen10-1Jim Harbaugh12-1Josh McDaniels (3-1)On paper, this makes sense: McDaniels is an innovative offensive mind with a knack for grooming quarterbacks, which sounds like a better version of what Garrett was eight years ago. The Patriots offensive coordinator is also one of owner Jerry Jones' preferred candidates, per a November report from Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman.Perhaps the Cowboys felt no rush to dump Garrett knowing that McDaniels - like any of the top coordinators - won't conduct interviews until after this week at the earliest. Still, McDaniels is too hot a name to lay short odds on him going to Dallas. Keep an eye on this, but don't pay the price.Lincoln Riley (5-1)This pairing has been floated for months, with Riley the hottest name in coaching and the Cowboys' gig seemingly the hottest available job in the NFL. Riley's ability to groom quarterbacks into enticing pro prospects boosts his appeal in the pass-happy NFL, and he'd certainly win the news cycle after years of Garrett criticism.NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in December that Cowboys' brass has a close relationship with Riley stemming from the coach's recruitment of Jones' grandson. There's clearly intrigue here, but it's a risky bet as to if Riley leaves Oklahoma for a big-league job.Urban Meyer (6-1)What's a Cowboys' coaching search article without a mention of Meyer, arguably the hottest name in the entire field? A bounty of reports suggests there's interest in Meyer from the Cowboys' end, though Meyer's health concerns seem like the biggest impediment.That said, at 6-1, this might be the best value on the board. Meyer doesn't have NFL experience, but it's easy to forget that given the powerhouse programs he built at Florida and Ohio State. If he comes back to coaching, it's hard to see him saying no to Dallas.Mike Zimmer (10-1)I know what you're thinking: Doesn't Zimmer already have an NFL job? He's got a good gig in Minnesota, where his Vikings have consistently threatened for NFC contention during his tenure. But the defensive guru has ties to Dallas, where he got his first NFL chance in 1994 and coached until 2006, including seven seasons as the defensive coordinator.His daughter still lives in the area, and he could join her if the Cowboys are interested, as Rapoport suggested earlier this week. Logistically, this might be the biggest long shot, but Zimmer checks every box: experience, pedigree, and in-house familiarity.Dan Mullen (10-1)Mullen is seemingly a less attractive college option than Riley, Meyer, or Matt Rhule. He has no ties to the Cowboys organization, and he's never coached in the NFL. So scratch his name off the list, right?Not so fast. There's smoke here: Multiple ESPN reporters have floated Mullen's name as a dark horse, an idea that other outlets put forth late last season, too. His relationship with quarterback Dak Prescott, who played under Mullen at Mississippi State, could make him a uniquely attractive candidate if he decides to bolt from Florida.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.

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young announced Friday that he's declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft.Considered one of the top prospects in college football, the junior will likely be a top-five pick in April.The Heisman Trophy finalist amassed 16.5 sacks and six forced fumbles through 14 games this season. Young posted 30.5 sacks over three seasons at Ohio State.The 6-foot-6, 265-pound edge rusher earned several honors for his 2019 campaign, including the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player in the country.The first five selections of the 2020 NFL Draft belong to the Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, and Miami Dolphins, in order.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears signed safety Eddie Jackson to a four-year, $58.4-million extension on Friday, his agency announced. The deal includes $33 million guaranteed.Jackson, who had one year remaining on his rookie deal, is now the highest-paid safety in the NFL based on average annual salary ($14.6 million).The 26-year-old has been a pivotal piece of the Bears' secondary since being selected in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. The Alabama product started 46 games for Chicago over the past three seasons and earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2018 and '19.Since entering the league, the one-time All-Pro has forced 14 turnovers and recorded five touchdowns.The Bears, who featured the league's best defense in 2018, couldn't repeat their strong campaign in 2019, but still allowed only 18.6 points and 324.1 yards per game, which ranked fourth and eighth in the NFL, respectively.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jason Garrett's tenure with the Dallas Cowboys appears to be over.After showing an "abundance of care and respect" for their longtime coach following the 2019 season, the Cowboys have decided Garrett will not be part of the organization moving forward, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder.The 53-year-old's contract is set to expire on Jan. 14, and a reported third meeting between Garrett, owner Jerry Jones, and executive vice president Stephen Jones didn't occur.The 2016 NFL coach of the year lasted nine full seasons in Dallas, earning three NFC East titles but coaching the team to five seasons of .500 or worse. The Cowboys missed the playoffs in 2019, finishing with an 8-8 record.Garrett appeared to be on the hot seat for much of the year after Jones opted not to renew his contract last offseason. The owner was very vocal regarding the link between his team's success and its coach's long-term status.Dallas will now begin its first full-blown search for a new leader since Bill Parcells' retirement in 2007. The team has been linked to a number of high-profile candidates, including Lincoln Riley and Urban Meyer. Neither of those two currently appears interested in a move to the NFL, however.Originally hired as an offensive coordinator in 2007, Garrett finishes his Cowboys tenure with an 85-67 overall record. His relationship with the storied franchise dates back to the 1990s when he spent seven seasons with Dallas as a backup quarterback.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The list of potential 2020 Pro Football Hall of Famers has been whittled down to 15.The league announced this year's crop of finalists Thursday. The group is headlined by former superstars Troy Polamalu, Reggie Wayne, and John Lynch.The 15 finalists are:

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam downplayed the recent report about his club's interest in former Florida and Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer."Right now we're just focusing on people with NFL coaching experience," he said in his press conference Thursday, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.Haslam said the Browns will hire a head coach and then involve the new hire in the selection of the next general manager, according to Cabot.Cleveland parted ways with first-year head coach Freddie Kitchens and general manager John Dorsey after a disappointing 6-10 campaign in 2019.Potential suitors reportedly on Cleveland's radar include Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Ravens OC Greg Roman, Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, Bills OC Brian Daboll, and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The Browns interviewed former Packers coach Mike McCarthy on Thursday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ron Rivera spoke to the media for the first time as head coach of the Washington Redskins on Thursday, expressing his excitement for the start a special time in his career."There are only 32 (head coaches in the NFL) at any one given time, and these jobs are scarce. But this one, the Washington Redskins, this one's special," Rivera said in his introductory press conference. "This is one of the almost original teams, started in 1932. There's a lot of history behind this football team."The Redskins were once one of the NFL's most dominant clubs. They made four Super Bowl appearances between 1982 and 1992, winning three titles. But Washington hasn't made the playoffs since 2015 and has posted a 25-38-1 record since. The NFC East club last won a postseason game in 2005."In order for us to get back to where we want to be, we've got to study that history, embrace that history and prepare to repeat that history," Rivera said. "Because if not, we're doomed to repeat the most recent history. And we're not gonna do that, guys. We really aren't."Rivera is the 29th head coach in Washington history, joining the franchise on a reported five-year deal. The 57-year-old said his decision to accept the Redskins' offer wasn't related to money and revealed how owner Dan Snyder ultimately persuaded him to come aboard."If I wanted the money, I'd still be out there trying to pit a couple of teams against each other," he said. "I took this job for one simple reason, one simple reason: because Dan Snyder came to me with a very interesting perspective."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."A two-time Coach of the Year, Rivera amassed a 79-67-1 record (including playoffs) with the Carolina Panthers from 2011-19 before his firing in December. He led the Panthers to an appearance in Super Bowl 50.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is a head coaching candidate for multiple teams this offseason, and the Cleveland Browns could be one of his preferred destinations.McDaniels, 43, loved Baker Mayfield as a prospect in 2018 and would be eager to work with him, a source told Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.The Barberton, Ohio, native would likely want to work with his own general manager and wouldn't have considered the Browns job if John Dorsey was still GM, but it would now be hard for McDaniels to say no to his hometown team, Cabot reports.During a press conference Thursday, owner Jimmy Haslam announced the Browns will first appoint a head coach and then involve the new hire in the selection of the next general manager, according to Cabot.Cleveland reportedly requested permission to interview McDaniels on Monday.The AFC North club fired head coach Freddie Kitchens on Sunday and parted ways with Dorsey two days later.Cleveland failed to reach offseason expectations, finishing 6-10 after starting the year with strong playoff aspirations.Former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, Bills OC Brian Daboll, and 49ers DC Robert Saleh are other reported options for the Browns' head coaching vacancy.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.With the NFL playoffs slated to begin this weekend, the title odds essentially reset. It's now down to just a 12-team field.Here's how the Super Bowl odds stack up just days before Wild Card Weekend.Team OddsRavens2-1Chiefs3-149ers4-1Saints5-1Packers7-1Patriots12-1Vikings20-1Seahawks25-1Eagles35-1Texans40-1Bills50-1Titans50-1Notice anything - or anyone - unusual in the middle of the pack? The Patriots' opening odds of 20-1 were the longest of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era. Saturday's game against the Titans marks the first time since 2009 the Pats have to play on Wild Card Weekend. Of course, we've seen New England slip up here and there during the regular season only to turn it on in the playoffs, but this year truly feels different. Despite owning the second-best scoring margin in the league during the regular season, the Patriots ranked No. 14 in rush offense DVOA and 16 in pass. However, they're still in decent shape behind a defense that paced the league in points allowed per game.The Packers have a first-round bye, but it's obvious the market's cooled. Green Bay barely kept its head above water, outscoring opponents by an average of 3.9 points per game. The Packers played just five teams that made the postseason during the regular season and were outscored by 2.2 points per game.The Saints are peaking at the right time and could be a nice pickup at this price. No team has averaged more points per game since Week 10 than New Orleans, which finished No. 5 in scoring margin in 2019 - not bad considering the club was without its starting quarterback for a good chunk of the season.If there's any long shot to grab, it's probably the Titans. After being inserted into the rotation, Ryan Tannehill put up an MVP-like performance and helped a lifeless offense average 30.4 points per game over the final 10 contests. Tennessee is No. 9 in average scoring margin (plus-4.4), which beats five current postseason teams. Though the Titans' defense has had some lapses, Tannehill and a revamped offense could be dangerous in the playoffs.Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts struggled at quarterback in 2019, and while general manager Chris Ballard feels Jacoby Brissett is the team's best option at the moment, he understands the signal-caller has more convincing to do."Right now, yes, Jacoby is our starting quarterback," Ballard said Thursday, according to ESPN's Mike Wells.Ballard added that "the jury is still out" on Brissett.The Colts suffered a major blow during the preseason when Andrew Luck surprisingly announced his retirement, and Brissett was unable to fill his shoes under center. The 27-year-old completed 60.9% of his passes for 2,942 yards and 18 touchdowns against six interceptions through 15 games, failing to throw a TD pass over his final three contests.The 7-9 Colts averaged 22.6 points and 327.4 yards per game in 2019, which ranked 16th and 25th in the NFL, respectively.Owner Jim Irsay said in December that the Colts need to embrace the post-Luck era, and Ballard reiterated that sentiment."Andrew is retired," he said, per Wells. "We need to accept that and move forward."Indianapolis will enter the 2020 draft carrying the 13th overall pick.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.1. Baltimore Ravens (14-2)Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyLamar Jackson and the Ravens' offense made headlines all year, but the play of Earl Thomas and his defensive cohorts - especially during the second half of the season - can't be ignored.2. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)The battle-tested Niners hold home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and expect Dee Ford to rejoin their heralded defensive line following a first-round bye.3. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)With the defense hitting its stride down the stretch and ready to complement an explosive offense, these Chiefs may represent Andy Reid's best chance at capturing the elusive Lombardi Trophy.4. New Orleans Saints (13-3)Don Juan Moore / Getty Images Sport / GettyImprobable scenarios - the Minneapolis Miracle and negligent officiating - derailed the Saints' last two playoff runs. Will a third time be the charm for Sean Payton and Drew Brees?5. Green Bay Packers (13-3)A more reliable running game and defense lessened the burden on Aaron Rodgers throughout the regular season, but the two-time MVP must shine in the playoffs for Green Bay to have a shot at going all the way.6. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)The Seahawks were road warriors in 2019, winning seven of eight games away from CenturyLink Field. That's good because the No. 5 seeds will likely have to travel for the rest of their games.7. New England Patriots (12-4)Billie Weiss / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter a shocking collapse to the Dolphins in Week 17, the Patriots will be forced to play on Wild Card Weekend for the first time since 2009. They've never won the Super Bowl without a first-round bye.8. Houston Texans (10-6)The return of J.J. Watt should provide an emotional lift, but the Texans and their shaky defense will need a more tangible impact from the three-time Defensive Player of the Year to make a deep run.9. Minnesota Vikings (10-6)With Dalvin Cook potentially less than 100% healthy, this would be an opportune moment for Kirk Cousins to silence critics who maintain he can't win the big one.10. Buffalo Bills (10-6)Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / GettyTheir defense is legit but any postseason slipups from the unit could spell a quick exit for the Bills, who have scored over 20 points just twice since Week 9.11. Tennessee Titans (9-7)The Titans went 7-3 after inserting Ryan Tannehill into the starting lineup. They can count on rushing champion Derrick Henry, but overall, the roster is short on game-changing talent.12. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)Carson Wentz threw seven touchdowns without an interception in the last quarter of the campaign, and the injury-depleted Eagles needed all of it to scrape out four straight victories and the NFC East title. He'll need more help for Philly to have any hope of playing into February.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced on Wednesday that he'll make a decision regarding his future on Jan. 6.Many expect Tagovailoa to enter the 2020 NFL Draft, but he could return for his senior season after a hip injury ended his junior campaign early.The lefty was once regarded as a potential No. 1 overall pick. Despite the severity of his injury, Tua previously said that entering the draft might be too tempting if the 21-year-old feels he'd still be a top 10 or 15 selection.As a junior, Tagovailoa was once again among the top offensive players in the nation, completing 71.4% of his throws for 2,840 yards and 33 touchdowns against three interceptions through nine games.A return to the Crimson Tide would instantly make Nick Saban's squad the favorite to capture next year's national championship.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jason Garrett's time with the Dallas Cowboys will extend for at least another day.The longtime head coach will get a third meeting with owner Jerry Jones and team executive vice president Stephen Jones on Thursday, sources told ESPN.The Joneses and Garrett talked on Monday and Tuesday, but no decision about the coach's future was announced. Garrett's contract is set to expire on January 14.After the Cowboys failed to make the playoffs with an 8-8 record in 2019, it was widely expected the NFC East team would part ways with Garrett, who's been in his role since 2010 while winning just two playoff games.But Jerry has said there's no timetable for a decision, and he isn't concerned about other teams, including two in the NFC East, making hirings in the meantime.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Happy New Year. 2019 was an unpredictable one in the NFL and 2020 should be no different. Nonetheless, theScore's football editors take a shot at five predictions for the next year in pro football.The Bengals make the playoffsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyGoing from worst in the league to a playoff team in one season won't be easy, but that's just how good Joe Burrow will be for the Bengals. The LSU quarterback, fresh off a stunning showing in the Peach Bowl, is a sure bet to be the No. 1 pick in the draft and return home to Ohio. He will immediately team with running back Joe Mixon for a high-powered combo in the backfield and significantly boost the passing attack. The solid receiver trio of Tyler Boyd, Auden Tate, and John Ross offers plenty of promise, with the possibility of a healthy A.J. Green in the mix should the free agent be franchise tagged or sign a long-term deal. A potent offense with a manageable schedule in a weakening division should have the Bengals playing the first week of the postseason next year. - Dane BelbeckJets trade Le'Veon BellBell's first year in New York didn't go as planned. The former All-Pro was never on the same page as head coach Adam Gase, and at some point, the team will have doubts about paying $13.5 million to a 28-year-old running back in 2020. General manager Joe Douglas likely won't think twice about accepting a mid-round package for Bell next season. - Caio MiariCowboys hire Urban MeyerIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter a decade of disappointing returns from Jason Garrett, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones makes a splash with his next coaching hire. Enter Urban Meyer, the biggest name available in either the pro or college ranks. Meyer stepped down from his job with Ohio State for health reasons but never completely shut the door on a return to the sidelines. He finally makes the jump to the pros after a sterling college career in which he amassed an .854 winning percentage as a head coach. - Michael McClymontAndrew Luck returns after 1-year retirementLuck shocked the sporting world in September when he retired right in the middle of his prime and with Indianapolis set to contend for a Super Bowl. This offseason, the 30-year-old makes an equally stunning decision to return to football. The Colts, who floundered with the underwhelming Jacoby Brissett under center, will welcome back their franchise quarterback with open arms. - Jack BrowneTom Brady leaves the PatriotsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyJoe Montana fled the 49ers, Peyton Manning departed the Colts, and Tom Brady will be the next legendary quarterback to finish his career outside of where he started it. The three-time MVP is set to hit free agency for the first time in his 20-year career, and once he does, there will be no looking back. We're on the cusp of learning whether Brady or Bill Belichick was more important to the Patriots' dynasty all these years. - Alex ChippinCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jeff Okudah is headed for the NFL.The Ohio State cornerback announced Wednesday he'll forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft, in which he's expected to be a top-10 pick.

The NFL, to this point, has found no evidence linking New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick or his football staff to footage of the Cincinnati Bengals' sideline shot by a camera crew ahead of their game in December, reports Mark Maske of The Washington Post.Barring the discovery of new information, the Patriots are expected to be penalized in the form of a hefty fine and possibly the loss or reduction in value of a draft pick, Maske adds.The league's investigation could reportedly wrap up as soon as this week.The Patriots have admitted a three-person camera crew working on a video feature about a New England scout "inappropriately" filmed Cincinnati's sideline from the press box during the Cleveland Browns' home game against the Bengals game in Week 14. New England played Cincinnati the following week.Belichick has vehemently denied having any involvement in the filming.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns are considering filling their vacancies at head coach and general manager by pairing coaching candidate Mike McCarthy with current Browns assistant general manager Eliot Wolf, reports Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, citing a league source.The two men both worked for the Green Bay Packers for more than 10 years. McCarthy coached the Packers from 2006 to 2018. Wolf joined Green Bay in 2004 as a pro personnel assistant and climbed the ranks to become director of football operations in 2016. He joined Cleveland in 2018 and was retained after the Browns parted ways with general manager John Dorsey on Tuesday.The Browns appear intent on borrowing from a script that has proven successful for the San Francisco 49ers. In 2017, the Niners hired John Lynch as their general manager and Kyle Shanahan as coach and handed them matching five-year contracts. In Year 3 for the duo, San Francisco is the top seed in the NFC playoffs after a 13-3 season.McCarthy is scheduled to be the first coaching candidate to interview with the Browns on Thursday. He spent the 2019 season out of football after he was fired by the Packers during the 2018 campaign.Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta is leading the coaching search, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Cleveland also reportedly requested permission to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins confirmed the hiring of former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera on Wednesday. The 57-year-old, who will step into the same role in D.C., signed a five-year deal with the club, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Rivera is the first head coach hired in the 2019-20 cycle, taking over a Redskins team that finished 3-13 in 2019 and is slated to pick second overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.Rivera is expected to target former Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio to serve as his defensive coordinator, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.An agreement between Washington and Rivera has appeared inevitable for several days, with reports surfacing before the end of the regular season that he and the Redskins shared mutual interest.Rivera spent eight-plus seasons in Carolina, posting a 76-63-1 record while winning two Coach of the Year awards and leading the Panthers to an appearance in Super Bowl 50.Carolina fired the defensive-minded leader 12 games into the 2019 season, and the Panthers went winless in four games without him.With their new head coach reportedly in the fold, the Redskins can turn their attention to replacing fired football operations head Bruce Allen.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 100th NFL season was full of excitement, with several players establishing themselves as bonafide stars.While the usual suspects pushed for contention on this list, a new generation also made its mark, offering a glimpse into the league's future.Here are theScore's All-Pro selections for 2019:* = unanimous selectionQuarterbackLamar Jackson, Ravens*Was there any other choice? Jackson broke out in a massive way this season, shattering a number of records while emerging as the clear MVP favorite. The second-year passer is the NFL's most dynamic player. He's a home run threat on every play, nearly impossible to tackle in the open field, and is one of the most talented dual-threat quarterbacks we've ever seen. The future of the position - and the league - is bright with Jackson leading the way.Running backJacob Kupferman / Getty Images Sport / GettyChristian McCaffrey, Panthers*McCaffrey’s 2019 season as a runner was already excellent - he had 1,387 yards (averaging 4.8 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns, which were the third- and second-best marks in the NFL, respectively. But the Carolina Panthers superstar also posted magnificent numbers through the air, catching 116 passes for 1,005 yards and four scores. McCaffrey not only led the league in touches (403), total yards (2,392 - third-most ever), and touchdowns (19), but he also became just the third player in NFL history to have a 1,000-1,000 campaign and the first running back ever to top 100 catches in multiple seasons.Wide receiverSean Gardner / Getty Images Sport / GettyMichael Thomas, Saints*

Eric Bieniemy's interview list keeps growing.The Cleveland Browns have requested the Kansas City Chiefs' permission to interview the offensive coordinator for their vacant head coaching job, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Bieniemy has already scheduled interviews with the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, Rapoport adds.The 50-year-old, who interviewed for several jobs last year, has served on head coach Andy Reid's staff in Kansas City since 2013, and he became the team's offensive coordinator in 2018.The Chiefs fielded the best-ranked scoring and yardage offense in 2018. The AFC West club maintained its high level in 2019, finishing the campaign ranked fifth and sixth in those categories.Bieniemy wouldn't be Reid's first assistant to become a head coach in recent years. The Philadelphia Eagles' Doug Pederson and Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears were also coordinating the Chiefs' offense before taking on their current roles.The Browns fired Freddie Kitchens after a disappointing 6-10 season in his first year as a head coach. Cleveland also parted ways with general manager John Dorsey on Tuesday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Over the past two seasons, the Los Angeles Rams signed Jared Goff and Todd Gurley to two of the biggest contracts in NFL history. And despite the team's recent struggles, general manager Les Snead thinks both stars have justified their deals."Those are human beings that gave a lot to this organization and deserve to be compensated," Snead said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry.In September, Goff agreed to a four-year, $143-million extension, which included a league-record $110 million in guaranteed money. That happened almost a year after Gurley became the highest-paid running back at the time through his four-year, $57.5-million extension ($45 million guaranteed).Goff, who posted a career year in 2018 with 4,688 passing yards and 32 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, threw 22 TDs and 16 INTs this past season.Gurley's decline was even more significant, as the former Offensive Player of the Year amassed 1,064 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2019. He took the league by storm with 3,924 scrimmage yards and 40 TDs over the previous two campaigns. The 25-year-old also finished with a career-low 223 carries in 2019."We didn't run the ball this year as well as we have," Snead said. "We definitely want to get back to being more efficient running the football."Among other Rams to sign big contracts recently are defensive tackle Aaron Donald (six years, $135 million) and wide receiver Brandin Cooks (five years, $80 million). Recently acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey is set to enter the last year of his rookie deal in 2020 and will also be seeking an extension.The league's salary cap is projected to increase from $188.2 million to about $200 million in 2020.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was officially activated Tuesday and will reportedly play in Saturday's wild-card matchup against the Buffalo Bills, a source told ESPN's Field Yates.Watt has been sidelined since Oct. 27 with a pectoral injury. The 30-year-old was initially expected to miss the remainder of the season, but the Texans stretched their campaign to the postseason and will get the five-time Pro Bowler back.The star defender posted 24 tackles and four sacks through eight games this year.Watt has amassed 15-plus sacks in each of the past three seasons when he played at least 10 games. However, Watt has appeared in 10-plus tilts just once since 2016, missing 32 games in that span.While Watt is set to return, Tashaun Gipson is done for the season, with Houston placing the safety on injured reserve Tuesday. Meanwhile, wide receiver Will Fuller practiced in a limited capacity on Tuesday, and head coach Bill O'Brien labeled him as day-to-day.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.