Former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is considered a strong candidate for the Washington Redskins' vacant head coaching job, Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.Interim coach Bill Callahan has been in charge of the Redskins since the NFC East club fired Jay Gruden in October amid an 0-5 start.Washington now sits 3-12, currently carrying a three-game losing streak. The Redskins are averaging 16.7 points and 274.9 yards per game, both second-worst marks in the NFL.Lewis, who coached the Bengals from 2003 to 2018, served as a special adviser at Arizona State in 2019. He was named Coach of the Year in 2009 and led Cincinnati to seven playoff appearances. The 61-year-old holds a 131-122-3 regular-season record as a head coach against an 0-7 mark in postseason tilts.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is expected to join a new team quickly after Week 17, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Rivera has reportedly emerged as a top candidate for several different clubs, including the Washington Redskins and some teams currently without head coaching vacancies."I'm ready to roll, and I'm ready to make a quick decision," Rivera said Friday night, according to NFL.com's Michael Silver.The Panthers fired the 57-year-old in early December amid a 5-7 start. The two-time Coach of the Year led Carolina to one Super Bowl appearance and posted a 79-67-1 record (including playoffs) over nearly nine seasons with the team.Former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is also reportedly considered a strong candidate for the Redskins' vacancy.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are denying a report by Dianna Russini of ESPN that head coach Doug Marrone was told he'll be fired after the final game of the regular season."Reports that Doug Marrone will be dismissed after Sunday’s game (against the Indianapolis Colts) are 100 percent incorrect," a team spokesperson said, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "Owner Shad Khan will meet with his football staff, which includes coaching and personnel, midweek next week."Marrone's fate will be the second major personnel decision for the 5-10 Jaguars after they fired executive vice president of football Tom Coughlin last week.Marrone was widely expected to join Coughlin in departing the franchise after a disappointing third season in charge. But a recent report suggested there's a "good chance" he could be retained for 2020 along with general manager David Caldwell.The head coach had dinner with Shad Khan and senior vice president Tony Khan on Thursday night, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, who added no decision on Marrone's future has been made.At a press conference Tuesday, Marrone apologized to the Jaguars' fan base after a second straight season outside the playoffs at the bottom of the AFC South."I'm truly sorry that I let so many people down, that I couldn't do a better job," Marrone said.Marrone went 10-6 in his first season in Jacksonville, leading the team to the AFC Championship Game, where it lost to the New England Patriots.But the 55-year-old has been unable to replicate that success over the last two seasons.Despite replacing Blake Bortles with former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles this past offseason, the Jaguars' offensive issues have remained. Foles was hurt in the season opener and was later benched after struggling in his return from injury.Moreover, Jacksonville's once-dominant defense has floundered following the trade of All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who forced the team's hand after his relationship with the front office became untenable.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins will remove Bruce Allen from his role as head of football operations, a source close to Allen informed John Keim of ESPN.Allen will reportedly continue as team president, but that decision isn't official yet.It was reported in November that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder was evaluating Allen's status amid another lost season.Allen joined the Redskins in 2009 and took over football operations in 2013.The Redskins have operated without a general manager since Scot McCloughan was fired after the 2016 season. Washington dismissed head coach Jay Gruden after Week 5 in 2019, and it's undecided whether Allen will have a hand in selecting the team's next sideline boss.Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is a top candidate for the vacant role, and former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy are also in consideration, Les Carpenter and Mark Maske of the Washington Post report.Allen has been influential during the Redskins' bid to build a new stadium, Keim adds.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Justin Boone, theScore's lead fantasy analyst, was named FantasyPros' most accurate fantasy football expert in 2019.Boone broke through this year after fourth-place finishes in 2017 and 2018, his best since finishing third in 2014, and it was essentially a wire-to-wire victory.

The Baltimore Ravens announced a contract extension for cornerback Marcus Peters on Saturday.Peters agreed to a three-year, $42-million deal that includes $32 million in guarantees, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. He'll make $20.5 million in the first year of his new contract.Baltimore acquired the three-time Pro Bowler from the Los Angeles Rams in October to solidify its secondary, and the team hasn't lost a game since.Peters was set to hit free agency in 2020 but is now signed through his age-29 season.The 26-year-old's average annual salary of $14 million will make him the NFL's sixth-highest paid cornerback.Peters has accumulated 52 tackles and three interceptions across 15 starts this season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans and edge rusher Whitney Mercilus have agreed to a four-year, $54-million contract extension, the Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson reports.The deal contains $24.5 million in guaranteed money.Mercilus has spent all eight seasons of his career in Houston. The 29-year-old has been particularly valuable to the Texans this year following the departure of Jadeveon Clowney and long-term injury to J.J. Watt.The Illinois product has totaled 48 tackles and 7.5 sacks this year. He has 50 career sacks.Mercilus was on track to become a free agent at the end of this season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

David Njoku isn't certain he has a future with the Cleveland Browns if Freddie Kitchens returns as head coach in 2020."That's a good question," the tight end told Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. "I don't want to answer that yet. I'm not sure, so no comment."Njoku, the 29th pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, has endured a massively disappointing season, catching just five passes for 41 yards and one touchdown. He's been a healthy scratch the last two weeks after missing a chunk of the season with a broken wrist."I'm really doing everything I'm doing now for my teammates at this point," he said. "Obviously it's been a roller-coaster and at this point in my life with where I'm at, I'm just doing everything for the guys that I play with."Njoku had 56 receptions for 639 yards and four scores a year ago, making him a prime candidate for a breakout in his third pro campaign. The 23-year-old was expected to play a key role in Kitchens' offense, especially in the red zone, where the Browns have struggled all year."I didn't come back from a wrist injury this fast to sit on the sideline," Njoku said. "It hurts my heart. I've got to say, this is not what I saw coming, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. I've got to keep moving from there."The Browns will have to decide this offseason whether to exercise or decline the fifth-year option on Njoku's rookie contract.Njoku was one of three first-round selections by Cleveland in 2017, along with No. 1 pick Myles Garrett and No. 25 pick Jabrill Peppers.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals signed center Trey Hopkins to a three-year contract extension Saturday, the team announced.The new deal is worth $20.4 million and includes $4.5 million in a guaranteed roster bonus, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.Hopkins, who was set to become a free agent in the offseason, has started all 15 games for the Bengals in 2019.The 27-year-old signed with Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent in 2014 after a college career at Texas. The former Longhorn spent most of his first three seasons on the practice squad before stepping up for the Bengals' offensive line over the past three campaigns.Cincinnati, which holds the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, has allowed 47 sacks through 15 games this year.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL Network revealed the 10 quarterbacks selected to the NFL 100 All-Time Team Friday night and active players Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers were not selected.The starting quarterbacks for the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers were among the 24 finalists but were passed on for the final list. The reveal comes not even two weeks after Brees broke the NFL record for most career touchdown passes. Brees also owns the career passing yard record.

Jameis Winston has one game remaining in what's been one of the most extraordinary quarterback seasons in NFL history. In a game increasingly predicated on passing efficiency, Winston's high-volume, feast-or-famine performance has made him an outlier. And with his rookie contract set to expire, the Buccaneers have to figure out whether to keep him. There is much to consider.Winston's thrown at least four interceptions in at least four games this season. He's also thrown for at least four touchdowns three times. He needs to throw just two interceptions in Sunday's finale against the Falcons at home to become a charter member of the NFL's 30-30 club, which is an arbitrary way of saying he can be the first quarterback to throw for 30 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions in the same season.Saturday's loss to the Texans was a pretty solid summary of the Winston experience. He threw two interceptions in the Bucs' first five plays from scrimmage, then another on Tampa Bay's first scrimmage play of the second quarter. By the end of the half, he led an 81-yard touchdown drive followed by another TD drive that included this dazzling 31-yard completion to Ishmael Hyman:Your browser does not support the video tag. NFL Network"Jameis has that 'Wow' factor," NFL Network's Nate Burleson said on the broadcast just after this play. "As soon he throws a pick, you say, 'Wow, Jameis.' But then there's plays like this, where you say, 'Wow, Jameis!' That's what's exciting about watching him."After falling behind 17-3, the Bucs tied the game by halftime, only to lose, 23-20. In the waning minutes, Winston marched the Bucs from their own 10 to their own 38 before throwing another interception, effectively ending the game. Yep. It was an afternoon that had it all, the entire whirlwind of Winston.Rare airWinston's 31 touchdowns and 28 picks puts him in a class by himself among this year's QBs:

The Philadelphia Eagles have ruled out tight end Zach Ertz for Sunday's crucial game against the New York Giants.Ertz played through a rib injury during last week's win over the Dallas Cowboys. He told his team he could play through the pain, but Philadelphia considered whether there could be an internal organ issue in the event he took a hard hit, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.The 29-year-old went to the locker room during the first half against the Cowboys but managed to return and help the Eagles take a big step toward the NFC East title.Head coach Doug Pederson said running back Jordan Howard has been cleared for contact and is expected to suit up in Week 17, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports. Howard hasn't played since Week 9 due to a shoulder injury.Right tackle Lane Johnson, who has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, is likely to miss the regular-season finale, reports Garafolo.Philadelphia must match Dallas' result in Week 17 to secure a playoff spot.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said newly signed running back Marshawn Lynch will play in Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. In fact, he's anxious to see how the beloved back performs in his first game in Seattle since 2015."I am as excited as the fans are," Carroll said, according to Gregg Bell of the News Tribune.Both Lynch and fellow rusher Robert Turbin were signed on Monday with the Seahawks' top three running backs out with injuries. Carroll wouldn't declare a starting back, but commended both for their week of practice."Both Marshawn and Robert Turbin did a nice job and worked hard with us and fit right in. It's hard to imagine how it could be so seamless in terms of their learning and all but they're veteran guys and they get it and they did a great job," Carroll said, per Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio KJR.Lynch spent the past two seasons with the Oakland Raiders but hasn't played in a game since Week 6 of last year. He spent the entire 2019 campaign unsigned until the Seahawks came calling.With such a layoff, Carroll said the team didn't bother trying to teach Lynch and Turbin the entire playbook. They focused instead on the game plan for Sunday night's game for the NFC West division championship."They handled everything. Really, they did," Carroll said, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints do not intend to sign free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown after working him out Friday, head coach Sean Payton confirmed."We worked (Brown and other receivers) out," Payton told reporters, including ESPN's Adam Schefter. "Gave them physicals. Mainly doing our due diligence on all of those players."Brown originally posted the workout waiver he was required to sign on his Instagram story.Payton said the Saints would have required clarity from the NFL regarding the receiver's eligibility for the postseason if they signed him, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett.Brown suited up for just one game this season due to a number of off-field incidents.The 31-year-old signed with the New England Patriots following a high-profile feud with the Oakland Raiders, but he was released shortly thereafter in the wake of multiple allegations of sexual and personal misconduct.Brown apologized through social media in early December for his recent behavior.The NFL is still investigating Brown's recent incidents and has made clear he'll likely be placed on the commissioner's exempt list should he sign with a team.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers ruled out running back James Conner for their pivotal Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens with a quad injury.Conner has battled various injuries throughout the 2019 campaign, and he'll have played in just three of Pittsburgh's final nine regular-season games.The 24-year-old left last week's loss to the New York Jets in the first half and was unable to return.After a breakout sophomore campaign, Conner's 2019 regular season ends with just 116 carries for 464 yards and four touchdowns across 10 games. He added 34 catches for 251 receiving yards.A backfield committee of Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell, and Kerrith Whyte will likely replace Conner on Sunday.The Steelers must defeat the Ravens and will need the Tennessee Titans to lose to the Houston Texans in order to qualify for the postseason.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings are leaning heavily toward resting several starting players during their Week 17 contest against the Chicago Bears, a source told ESPN's Courtney Cronin.Minnesota is locked into the NFC's No. 6 playoff seed regardless of Sunday's result, so the team is reportedly treating the game as a bye to get players healthy and rested for the wild-card round.Quarterback Kirk Cousins is among the starters likely to sit, wrapping up an efficient regular season in which he completed 69% of his passes for 3,603 yards, 26 touchdowns, and six interceptions across 15 starts.The Vikings on Friday ruled out running back Dalvin Cook and linebacker Eric Kendricks for the regular-season finale. Cook missed Week 16 with a shoulder injury.Minnesota will play one of the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, or Seattle Seahawks in the first round. If the Packers beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday and the Seahawks lose to the San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings will travel to New Orleans.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is not expected to suit up in his team's crucial Week 17 game against the Denver Broncos, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Jacobs is still battling a shoulder injury and recently underwent surgery for a skin infection. He missed last week's win over the Los Angeles Chargers while nursing the shoulder ailment.Sitting at 7-8, the Raiders still have a slight chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. To qualify for the postseason, the AFC West club must beat the Broncos and have the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers lose. Oakland also needs a victory by the Indianapolis Colts, as well as a win or tie by one of the Chargers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, or New England Patriots.Jacobs has amassed 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground through 13 games this season, emerging as a top contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year.DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard will continue to split backfield duties with the 2019 first-round pick sidelined. Washington rushed for 85 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries in Week 16.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier could be recruited for the upcoming season of "Dancing With the Stars."Rob Mills, senior vice president of alternative series, specials, and late-night programming for ABC Entertainment told Variety's Elizabeth Wagmeister that Shazier is among the celebrities being eyed for a spot on the show."Two years ago, he was hit on a Monday Night Football game and doctors feared he was paralyzed, and he has learned to walk again. Those are those great stories that are really what 'Dancing With the Stars' is all about - here's somebody who has overcome something, and when you do that, you dance," Mills said. "He would be great."

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 ($1,333)Season record: 12-8-2, +333Philadelphia Eagles at New York GiantsTotal: 45I don't bet much in Week 17 because I'm not a big fan of guessing a team's motivation. Instead of trying to figure out which squads will show up, I'm taking a total. The Eagles and Giants just played in Week 14 with Philly winning 23-17 in overtime. Expect this one to be a much higher-scoring affair. After struggling in the first half against the Giants, Carson Wentz caught fire and led the Eagles to a comeback victory. In his last two games, Wentz has thrown for 585 yards with four touchdowns to no interceptions, while completing 73.6% of his passes.Rookie Daniel Jones makes his first career start against the Eagles after missing the first meeting with an ankle injury. The Giants' offense has been red-hot the last two games, scoring 77 points in wins over the Dolphins and Redskins. In his first game back last week, Jones ripped Washington's secondary for 352 yards and five touchdowns.The Giants' pass defense is awful, allowing 8 yards per attempt. Meanwhile, the Eagles' secondary can be exploited, and Jones has shown no hesitation to get the ball down the field, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt last week. The over is 7-0 in the last seven meetings between the two teams in New York, and I like that trend to continue in a wild, high-scoring game Sunday.Pick: Over 45 ($100)Alex Kolodziej ($925)Season record: 12-10, -$75Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville JaguarsTotal: 43The Jaguars' offense peaked during the middle of the season and tapered down the stretch. Jacksonville is slated to end the year in the bottom eight in both rush and pass offense DVOA. Despite meeting the Colts in the dome with nothing to play for, I think we're looking at an under between these two AFC South affiliates, particularly on the first-half total. Indianapolis has a clear advantage on the ground and should eat up clock, while the Jags have gone under the total in 13 of the last 15 first halves against divisional opponents.Pick: First-half under 20.5 ($20)Alex Moretto ($895)Season record: 17-18-1, -$105Cleveland Browns (-3) at Cincinnati BengalsThe Browns' season reminds me a lot of Harry and Lloyd's lives at the start of "Dumb and Dumber": "We got no food, we got no jobs, our pets' heads are falling off!" Frustrations seemed to boil over in Cleveland's home finale last week, allowing 31 points in 32 minutes to the Ravens, with fans booing Baker Mayfield off the field, and Odell Beckham fighting Freddie Kitchens on the sideline. The dysfunction has reached new heights, and the offseason can't come soon enough.The Bengals, meanwhile, are clicking on offense and really should have won in Cleveland a few weeks ago, a game in which they averaged 6.3 yards per play. They've locked up the top pick in April's draft and will be playing loose in what is a big spot for first-year head coach Zac Taylor to open the playbook and end the season on a high against a division rival.Pick: Bengals ML +130 ($100)C Jackson Cowart ($751)Season record: 16-17-3, -$249Tennessee Titans (-3.5) at Houston TexansThese teams just played two weeks ago, and the Texans looked like the better squad on the road. Now they're getting more than a field goal at home, but the line has been moving toward them all week after head coach Bill O'Brien insisted he'll trot out his best players Sunday.A win this week is clearly more important for the Titans, but knocking off Tennessee would mean the Texans could potentially avoid a dreaded third meeting in four weeks against their division rivals. There's too much value with this line to dismiss Houston at home.Pick: Texans +3.5 ($50)Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney has missed his team's last two games with a core injury but vows to be in the lineup for Sunday's NFC West decider against the San Francisco 49ers."There's no way I'm not playing," Clowney said Thursday, according to Omar Ruiz of NFL Network.The 26-year-old has been limited in practice, but his presence in Week 17 would be welcome for a Seattle club with 14 players on its injury report this week.Acquired by trade this offseason, Clowney has 30 tackles and three sacks in 12 games.The Seahawks rank third last in sacks with 26 on the year.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers' numbers may look different this season.The Green Bay Packers quarterback enters the final week of the campaign short of 4,000 passing yards on the year, and he's recorded just 24 touchdown passes. The two-time league MVP has fallen short of the 4,000-yard mark just once in his career when playing in all 16 games.But the 2019 Packers aren't as reliant on Rodgers' arm."I think the level of success and the way that I feel I'm playing is different in this offense this year. I don't need to throw 40 touchdowns for us to win," Rodgers said, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky."I need to be great on my checks, be as efficient as possible," he added. "I need to take care of the football."Exhibit A was the Packers' latest victory on Monday night over the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay clinched the NFC North title with Rodgers throwing for just 216 yards.Though he attempted 40 passes against Minnesota, Rodgers finished with zero touchdown tosses and threw only his third interception of the year. The Pack relied on two rushing scores from running back Aaron Jones and their defense holding the Vikings to 10 points.Rodgers' seasons of 40-plus touchdown passes may be a thing of the past."There were years when I was throwing it 600 times damn near every year, and that's what we needed to do to win. This year, we've done it a different way," he said.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dak Prescott is refusing to comment on his head coach's job status.When asked about Sunday's contest being the last game on Jason Garrett's current contract, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback kept the focus on himself."I think it's the last game on mine as well," he said Thursday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. "I'll be damned if I speak on anybody else's future or their place."Both Garrett and Prescott will see their contracts expire after a 2019 campaign that sees the Cowboys currently sitting outside of the playoff picture.Although the 26-year-old Prescott hasn't signed an extension with Dallas yet, he isn't surprised about his current situation."That's the business. It's my first time going through it," he said. "I'm not surprised by anything that comes from it, from the league, from the team, from whatever. I'm learning as I go."Prescott's had a career year this season, amassing 4,599 yards and 26 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. However, the 7-8 Cowboys need to beat the Washington Redskins and have the Philadelphia Eagles lose to the New York Giants on Sunday in order to reach the postseason.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry says he's ready to go for his team's must-win regular-season finale against the Houston Texans."Anytime you can get some time to rest, it's a good thing. I love football. I love playing the game. I'm definitely ready," he said Thursday, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport.Henry, who's posted 338 yards and three touchdowns through three games in December, missed Tennessee's Week 16 tilt against the New Orleans Saints due to a hamstring injury. It was his first time being inactive this season.The 8-7 Titans control their own destiny. They can clinch their second postseason berth in the past three seasons with a win over the Texans.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington quarterback Jacob Eason will forego his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft, the junior announced Thursday.The 22-year-old signal-caller projects as a potential first-round pick."The opportunity to play quarterback in the NFL has been a lifelong dream, and my heart is set on the challenge ahead," Eason said.The Washington native's decision to turn pro comes one day after he helped the Huskies beat Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl. He finished the contest with 210 passing yards and one touchdown.Eason completed 64% of his passes for 3,123 yards and 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions in his first season at Washington. He played two years at Georgia before sitting out the 2018 season due to his decision to transfer.Eight Huskies were selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, the school's best mark since 1998.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs underwent minor surgery Wednesday night, the rookie announced on his Instagram story."Surgery went great, fastest surgery ever," Jacobs wrote in his initial post. He later posted an update, recording his lower left leg wrapped in bandages and writing, "This was random I didn't plan on even being here."The 21-year-old provided another update Thursday, writing the procedure was due to an infection, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic."Josh Jacobs woke up with discomfort in his leg on Wednesday and he was evaluated and treated for a superficial skin infection," the Raiders confirmed in a statement Thursday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Ben Roethlisberger logged on to Twitter on Christmas morning and in addition to spreading some holiday cheer, he also relayed an important message about his future:

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is comfortable returning from injured reserve knowing there's a chance he could re-tear his pectoral muscle."There's two options: it's either going to hold up or it's not," he told reporters, via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The Texans reportedly opened Watt's practice window Tuesday, giving him 21 days to be reinstated to the active roster. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year was originally ruled out for the remainder of the season after going down Oct. 27 but is set to beat his recovery timeline by several weeks."We've kept it pretty quiet," he said, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. "We didn't know for a long time. You never want to over-promise and under-deliver."The 30-year-old said he's willing to risk another major injury for the opportunity to participate in the playoffs and chase a Super Bowl title. He added he doesn't expect to be used on an every-down basis upon rejoining the lineup.Watt posted 24 tackles and four sacks in the first eight games of the season. He had 16 sacks a year ago, finishing second in Comeback Player of the Year voting to Andrew Luck.Injuries have limited Watt to 32 games over the last four years.The Texans already clinched the AFC South, giving them four division titles in a five-year span.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brace yourself: A musical collaboration featuring Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. appears to be headed our way.Brown tweeted on Christmas Eve that the pair's "new track" would be released in 2020.

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey won't play against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17 because of a knee injury."He had a Grade II strain on the LCL and he'll be out for the game," head coach Sean McVay said Tuesday, according to Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire.Ramsey suffered the injury Saturday in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers that eliminated the Rams from playoff contention. The Pro Bowl defender notched his first interception since joining Los Angeles against San Francisco.The Rams don't expect Ramsey to require surgery, but the injury could sideline him from football activities for at least a month."Typically, it's something that can take anywhere between a month, a month-and-a-half," McVay said. "But it should heal on its own."Ramsey will finish his season with five pass breakups and one pick across 13 appearances split between the Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles placed cornerback Ronald Darby on injured reserve Tuesday, the team announced. The season-ending move comes after Darby suffered a hip injury in Week 16.The decision is a surprise considering a report Monday said he was only expected to miss a period of weeks.Darby endured a bumpy 11 games for the Eagles in 2019 but was still arguably their top player in an extremely thin position group. The 25-year-old corralled two interceptions and broke up 11 passes this season.Darby was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills in 2017. He signed a one-year contract to stay with Philadelphia last offseason while recovering from a torn ACL.In other roster moves, the Eagles announced they waived running back Jay Ajayi, signed tight end Richard Rodgers, and promoted wide receiver Deontay Burnett from the practice squad.Philadelphia will close out the regular season Sunday versus the New York Giants. A win will send the Eagles to the playoffs for the third consecutive year.Copyright © 2019 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.There's no week in the NFL quite like Week 17, where some teams aren't trying and others have their seasons on the line. Most clubs at this stage are playing the role of spoiler, which can be the most attractive underdog spot of them all.Here are three underdogs to consider in the final week of the regular season:New York Jets (+1) at Buffalo BillsThis is the type of spot that Week 17 bettors should salivate. Neither of these teams has anything to gain - the Bills are locked into the AFC's No. 5 seed, while the Jets have long been eliminated from playoff contention. But Buffalo has plenty to lose if any key players get injured ahead of its second playoff run this century.Coach Sean McDermott has been mum on whether his team will rest its starters, but he'd be foolish not to protect his core players. The Bills are 1-4 against the spread in games Josh Allen doesn't start since drafting him in 2018, while star corner Tre'Davious White has been the anchor for Buffalo's stellar defense.The Jets have hardly been impressive this year, but they beat a Steelers team last week that desperately needed a win. Against an unmotivated Bills squad, take the points before McDermott officially rests his guys.Cincinnati Bengals (+3) vs. Cleveland BrownsHow perfect would this be? The Browns have largely been a dumpster fire this year and end their season in Cincinnati against the Bengals, who they beat for their only win in their last four games. Cleveland hasn't won on the road since Week 4, having lost five straight games away from home by an average of 13.6 points.The Bengals have been worse, but their offense has found new life with longtime starter Andy Dalton back at the helm in December, nearly ripping off a 21-point fourth-quarter comeback last Sunday. With 14 losses, the Bengals have already secured the No. 1 seed, so why not add a little insult to Cleveland's misery?The pressure is on Freddie Kitchens and the Browns to avoid an embarrassing finale, but it's hard to imagine Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., and Co. pulling out all the stops a week after being eliminated from the playoffs. Zac Taylor's crew, though, is one loss away from the worst record in franchise history. It could be all the motivation the Bengals need to keep things interesting at home.Houston Texans (+5) vs. Tennessee TitansThis line would make sense if the Texans were resting their starters ahead of Wild Card Weekend, and maybe they will. But coach Bill O'Brien has indicated that won't be the case against the rival Titans, who desperately need to win Sunday to sneak into the playoff field.Why would Houston risk its starters in Week 17? For one, the Texans can still climb to the No. 3 seed if the Chargers upend the Chiefs next week, though that game will be over by the time this game kicks off. Do you really want to wait until 4:15 p.m. ET for the line to swing in Houston's favor?Even if the Texans are in fact locked into the fourth seed, they'd likely prefer to avoid playing Tennessee for the third time in four weeks. Beating them in Week 17 can kill that possibility and give the team momentum heading into the playoffs. The line has already moved from Houston +6 to +5, so grab the points while you can.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 © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marshawn Lynch is officially back.The free-agent running back has signed with the Seattle Seahawks for the remainder of the season, his agent announced late Monday.The two sides met earlier in the day to discuss a potential deal after Seattle lost Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, and C.J. Prosise to injuries for the year.Lynch began preparing his comeback two weeks ago during a visit to the team's facility, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. The visit appeared to be leisured in nature, but the free agent left the door open for a return to the field."The one thing I can tell you is you can be 100% certain that he's well aware of what his body can and can't do," Lynch's long-time coach Tareq Azim told Pelissero. "He's made a choice to contribute to a team and a city that's given him a lot."The 33-year-old was one of the NFL's most popular players while with the Seahawks from 2010 to 2015. He won a Super Bowl during that span and earned the nickname "Beast Mode" for his unparalleled tough running style.Lynch retired following the 2015 campaign but returned in 2017 to play for his hometown Oakland Raiders. Last season, he rushed for 376 yards and three touchdowns on 90 carries before landing on injured reserve.Already playoff-bound, Seattle currently holds the NFC's first wild-card spot with a record of 11-4. Pete Carroll's squad will battle the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC West title in Week 17.The Seahawks also signed Robert Turbin - who they drafted in 2012 - on Monday.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed quarterback Mason Rudolph on injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday.Rudolph was expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a left shoulder injury during the team's Week 16 loss to the New York Jets. The 24-year-old was summoned from the bench to replace struggling rookie Devlin Hodges before getting hurt.Hodges will start the regular-season finale, while former Denver Broncos first-round pick Paxton Lynch is slated to serve as the backup.Pittsburgh has two possible paths to the last playoff spot in the AFC: a win over the Baltimore Ravens combined with a Tennessee Titans loss, or a loss to Baltimore combined with losses from Tennessee, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Oakland Raiders.Rudolph started eight of his 10 appearances in 2019. He was tabbed to take over for an injured Ben Roethlisberger early in the season but was demoted due to ineffectiveness.The second-year pro out of Oklahoma State finishes the campaign with 1,765 passing yards to go with 13 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 62.2 completion percentage.Pittsburgh went 5-3 in Rudolph's starts this year.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone opened his Tuesday press conference with an apology for the team's disappointing season."I truly take responsibility and apologize because it's the holiday time and you want your team to be doing well so people can have some pride and some joy, and we haven't done that," he said. "And that's my job, and I haven't done that."The Jaguars entered the season with renewed hope after replacing beleaguered quarterback Blake Bortles with former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. They began the campaign with a 2-2 record despite losing Foles to injury during the season opener, but lost seven of their next nine games to plummet out of contention.Jacksonville's frustrating season included the trade of Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, benching of Foles once he returned from injury, and firing of senior executive Tom Coughlin."I'm truly sorry that I let so many people down, that I couldn't do a better job," Marrone said.Marrone is widely believed to be on the hot seat, though a report in Week 16 indicated he could be retained for a fourth season.The 5-10 Jaguars wrap up their schedule Sunday versus the Indianapolis Colts.Copyright © 2019 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.Week 17 in the NFL is college football's equivalent to bowl season.There are a handful of games that can be taken at face value, but the majority are difficult to gauge as far as motivation is concerned.Which teams might rest players? Whose minds are on a beach in Montego Bay? Which players are fighting for jobs next season?These are all questions that need to be carefully examined in Week 17. I'll do my best to map out the scenarios to help make the decision as safe as possible.Week 17 confidence rankingConfidence rankings (CR) are out of 10 based on the author's picksAWAYHOME (SPREAD)WINNER (CR)New OrleansCarolina (+13)NO (10)MiamiNew England (-15.5)NE (10)Green BayDetroit (+9.5)GB (9)PhiladelphiaNY Giants (+4.5)PHI (8)WashingtonDallas (-10.5)DAL (7)LA ChargersKansas City (-8)KC (7)TennesseeHouston (+4)TEN (6)ArizonaLA Rams (-7)LAR (5)San FranciscoSeattle (+3)SF (4)IndianapolisJacksonville (+3.5)IND (4)OaklandDenver (-3.5)DEN (2)ClevelandCincinnati (+2.5)CIN (2)ChicagoMinnesota (-7)MIN (2)AtlantaTampa Bay (PK)TB (2)PittsburghBaltimore (+2)BAL (1)NY JetsBuffalo (-1.5)NYJ (1)1. New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)With top seed in the NFC in their sights, the Saints aren't losing to Will Grier and a Panthers team that hasn't won since Nov. 3.2. New England Patriots (vs. Miami Dolphins)The day the Patriots lose a December game at Foxboro to the 4-11 Dolphins - with a first-round bye at stake - is the day I officially declare their dynasty over.3. Green Bay Packers (at Detroit Lions)With a win in Detroit, the Packers would secure a first-round bye and ensure the NFC Playoffs go through Lambeau Field if San Francisco also loses. That's all the motivation they need to beat the David Blough-led Lions, and it shouldn't be all that uncomfortable, either.4. Philadelphia Eagles (at New York Giants)Doug Pederson and the Eagles proved last week they're capable of buckling down and putting in a strong defensive effort when they need it most, while the offense did its part as well. I saw all I needed in that game to feel confident in Philadelphia beating the Giants with the season on the line.5. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Redskins)The Redskins are scanning the D.C. area to find someone to start at defensive back for them. Although it won't matter after the Eagles get the job done in New York, Jason Garrett gets one last win for the Cowboys before being fired on Black Monday.6. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)The Chiefs have an outside chance at a bye, though they'd need the Patriots to lose in order for that to happen. Patrick Mahomes likely won't play all of this game, especially if they go into the locker room at halftime and see New England up 21-3, but Matt Moore is still good enough to beat a very bad Chargers team.7. Tennessee Titans (at Houston Texans)The likelihood of the Texans moving into the third seed is slim. They can't get a bye and essentially are headed for a date with Buffalo next weekend. Despite Bill O'Brien insisting his starters will play, it would be incredibly shocking if they did for more than a half, if that. I wouldn't want to be O'Brien on Monday morning if Watson gets hurt in a meaningless game. Meanwhile, it's a case of "win and you're in" for the Titans, who shouldn't have much issue taking care of business against Houston's backups.8. Los Angeles Rams (vs. Arizona Cardinals)How will the Rams respond to officially being eliminated from the playoffs, just a year removed from being in the Super Bowl? Sean McVay cares about his reputation way too much than to punt the final game of the season, no matter how meaningless it may be. If Kyler Murray misses this game - he should, with the Cardinals hardly needing to risk their rookie - they don't stand much of a chance in L.A.9. San Francisco 49ers (at Seattle Seahawks)The 49ers are a better team than the Seahawks and it's not particularly close. I'm willing to die on that hill. Seattle is now riddled with injuries and limping into the playoffs. All signs point to San Francisco here, but it's still a game at CenturyLink Field, in December, in prime time, so we have to at least tread somewhat carefully.10. Indianapolis Colts (at Jacksonville Jaguars)Doug Marrone is watching the Jaguars burn. Things are so bad in Jacksonville it seems almost impossible a large part of this roster was in the AFC Championship Game two years ago. The Colts are still fighting for Frank Reich and should secure an 8-8 finish in the first season of the post-Andrew Luck era.11. Denver Broncos (vs. Oakland Raiders)The Raiders needed five things to happen for them in Week 16 to stay alive in the playoff hunt and need four things to happen in Week 17. Wouldn't it be the most Raiders thing ever to go and lose this game? The Broncos continue to play impressive football on both sides of the ball - they're 3-1 in December - and I like them to finish the season strong at home.12. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)It wouldn't be December football without the Browns in disarray: Odell Beckham is yelling at coach Freddie Kitchens, the once-beloved Baker Mayfield is being taunted by Cleveland fans, and the Bengals are sitting back laughing having locked up the top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. They can play free here while the Browns pick fights with one another on the sidelines. Happy Holidays.13. Minnesota Vikings (vs. Chicago Bears)Losing to Green Bay on Monday night solidified the Vikings as the NFC's sixth seed. With no room to move up or down, and a number of players battling injuries, there might be a lot of familiar faces in street clothes on the Minnesota sidelines Sunday when they host the Bears. Mike Zimmer might want to see his offense rebound and get back into a rhythm before the playoffs, but with Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison likely sitting out, and Kirk Cousins not likely to play more than a half, it's hard to feel confident in predicting how this plays out.14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)Interceptions aside, the Buccaneers' offense still looks efficient without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Falcons have won three consecutive but it would be fitting to end this up-and-down season with a loss.15. Baltimore Ravens (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)Lamar Jackson won't play, but Robert Griffin III isn't your average backup. Can the Steelers score enough to beat RG3's Ravens? Wouldn't John Harbaugh love to eliminate his AFC North rivals from playoff contention? There are too many question marks here to feel comfortable either way.16. New York Jets (at Buffalo Bills)Sean McDermott says he hasn't decided if he will rest his starters, but it would be a shock to see them play. With the Bills looking at a date with the Texans on Wild Card Weekend, expect a healthy dose of Matt Barkley. There will be a lot of key guys sitting for Buffalo and you'd like to think the Jets can take advantage, but it's the Jets, so who knows.Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans are set to designate defensive end J.J. Watt to return from injured reserve, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.Watt, who's been sidelined since Oct. 27 with a pectoral injury, now has a 21-day practice window during which the Texans can reinstate him. However, they can't do so after it expires.The 30-year-old was initially expected to miss the remainder of the season. His likely return comes on the heels of the Texans clinching their fourth AFC South title in five years.Watt posted 24 tackles and four sacks in the first eight games of the season. He had 16 sacks a year ago, finishing second in Comeback Player of the Year voting to Andrew Luck.Injuries have limited Watt to 32 games over the last four years.Copyright © 2019 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.It's the holiday season, so we're giving out presents to all 32 teams as the regular season comes to a close.1. Baltimore Ravens (13-2)Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 1🎁 A unanimous MVP vote: Lamar Jackson is already a lock to win the MVP award, but his electric season is deserving of the rare unanimous tag. He would become the second player in league history (Tom Brady, 2007) to be crowned unanimous MVP.2. New Orleans Saints (12-3)Previous rank: 2🎁 No. 1 NFC playoff seed: Sean Payton's squad already clinched the division title, but earning the right to host January games in the Superdome could determine how far it goes. The Saints need a Week 17 win, a Packers loss, and a Seahawks win over the 49ers to snag the NFC's top seed.3. San Francisco 49ers (12-3)Previous rank: 4🎁 Jimmy G hot stretch: San Francisco would need three straight games (or four if it loses out on a bye) of the good version of Jimmy Garoppolo in order to win the Super Bowl. The quarterback sprinkles in a top-tier performance every so often but rarely in succession.4. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)Previous rank: 5🎁 Clock management: Kansas City looks primed to take the playoffs by storm. Andy Reid's done a masterful job, but clock mismanagement has doomed his teams in past postseasons. Perhaps the head coach can get a nice watch under his tree this year.5. Green Bay Packers (12-3)Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 6🎁 Another playmaker to emerge for Aaron Rodgers: Outside of Davante Adams, running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are the two Packers with the most catches. Tight end Jimmy Graham is next with only 34 receptions for 398 yards.6. New England Patriots (12-3)Previous rank: 8🎁 A new contract for Tom Brady: No Patriots fan wants to see their legendary quarterback finish his career with another team, yet signs increasingly point to the 42-year-old leaving as a free agent in the offseason.7. Seattle Seahawks (11-4)Previous rank: 3🎁 It's already been delivered: What's that rumbling sound? It's not Santa's sleigh, it's a Beast Quake! The Seahawks used all of their holiday magic to get Marshawn Lynch to return following season-ending injuries to Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, and C.J. Prosise.8. Minnesota Vikings (10-5)Previous rank: 7🎁 A healthy Dalvin Cook: The standout running back missed Week 16 due to a shoulder injury. It's vital for Minnesota that he's ready to roll when the playoffs arrive, especially with road games likely on the horizon.9. Houston Texans (10-5)Previous rank: 10🎁 A general manager: In truth, Bill O'Brien hasn't done a horrible job leading Houston's front office, but tough times are ahead. With limited draft picks and cap space to work with over the next two years, the Texans must get creative to compete for a title.10. Buffalo Bills (10-5)Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 9🎁 More receiver help: John Brown and Cole Beasley have proven to be solid acquisitions, but the Bills need additional upgrades to go from being a playoff contender to a Super Bowl threat.11. Tennessee Titans (8-7)Previous rank: 11🎁 A good deal for Tannehill: Tennessee looked like a different team when the former Dolphins passer replaced Marcus Mariota. Signing Ryan Tannehill to a friendly deal and improving other spots on the roster would increase the Titans' chances of an AFC South title in 2020.12. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)Previous rank: 17🎁 A win this week: Philadelphia has as ugly of a three-game winning streak as a team can have, but it will still be playoff-bound for the third straight year with a Week 17 victory over the Giants.13. Los Angeles Rams (8-7)Previous rank: 14🎁 A do-over: The Rams don't need a gift as much as they need to find the gift receipt for Jared Goff's albatross of a contract.14. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)Previous rank: 13🎁 QB help: The Steelers need answers at the quarterback position - short and long term. They're about to play a must-win game with their third-string signal-caller, while Ben Roethlisberger will be 38 when he returns next year.15. Oakland Raiders (7-8)Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious rank: 21🎁 A miracle: In addition to a victory in their final game, the Raiders need wins from the Texans, Colts, and Ravens to capture the most unlikely of wild-card berths in their final season in Oakland.16. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)Previous rank: 12🎁 A new coach: Jason Garrett won two Super Bowls as a player, but he sure as heck ain't leading the Cowboys to any championships as a coach.17. Atlanta Falcons (6-9)Previous rank: 18🎁 A new decade that began like the last: The Falcons kicked off the 2010s with three straight playoff appearances and a 36-12 regular-season record. Atlanta would surely welcome similar success in 2020 and beyond.18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)Previous rank: 15🎁 A long-term answer at quarterback: Whether it's via the 2020 draft or free agency, Bruce Arians must find an answer at the game's most important position. The Jameis Winston experiment has been a blast, but it's time to move on.19. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)Previous rank: 19🎁 A Week 17 loss: Indy must find its long-term quarterback in 2020, and a loss on Sunday could put it in the 12-15 draft range rather than 16-20. The greater chance the Colts have to draft Andrew Luck's true successor, the better off they'll be.20. Chicago Bears (7-8)Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 16🎁 A time machine: Three years after the 2017 draft, Mitchell Trubisky is spinning his wheels in Chicago while Deshaun Watson stars in Houston and Patrick Mahomes dominates in Kansas City.21. Denver Broncos (6-9)Previous rank: 22🎁 A good offensive line: Drew Lock has looked promising over his first four starts but Denver has to significantly reinforce the rookie quarterback's protection going into 2020. We've seen the careers of talented young passers derailed by poor offensive lines time and time again.22. Arizona Cardinals (5-9-1)Previous rank: 24🎁 DPOY for Jones: Arizona's season hasn't been the instant turnaround some expected, but it could still end on a high note. The wildly underappreciated Chandler Jones deserves the Defensive Player of Year award, especially if he can get another four sacks to break Michael Strahan's single-season record of 22.5.23. Cleveland Browns (6-9)Previous rank: 20🎁 A winning season: Despite all of their impact acquisitions, the Browns will finish below .500 yet again in 2019, extending their sad streak to 12 seasons.24. New York Jets (6-9)Previous rank: 27🎁 Development from their franchise QB: Sam Darnold faces a pivotal offseason after his sophomore campaign was a write-off. He'll be in danger of being labeled a bust if he doesn't show serious improvement in 2020.25. Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 23🎁 A fanbase: In 2020, the Chargers need something they haven't had in their first three seasons in Los Angeles - a true home game.26. Carolina Panthers (5-10)Previous rank: 25🎁 A healthy Cam: Kyle Allen isn't the answer at quarterback. Honestly, even after just one game, Will Grier likely isn't the solution either. The Panthers' long-term outlook relies heavily on Cam Newton's health - they can either reset and compete immediately with the former MVP at the helm, or start a rebuild by shipping him for a strong package of draft picks.27. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10)Previous rank: 26🎁 A less patient owner: Reports surfaced recently that Shad Khan prefers to retain GM David Caldwell and head coach Doug Marrone. The owner should reverse course, as a full rebuild is the only way Jacksonville will be able to achieve long-term success. The duo's poor resume speaks for itself.28. New York Giants (4-11)Previous rank: 28🎁 Sacks: The inability to pressure the quarterback has made life tough for a Giants secondary that lacks talent. New York may not finish low enough in the standings to draft Ohio State's Chase Young, but it's got to do something significant in the pass-rushing department.29. Miami Dolphins (4-11)Previous rank: 30🎁 A fruitful draft: With three picks in the first round, the Dolphins have the ammo to move anywhere they want on the board. Miami faces immense pressure to ace the 2020 draft after trading so many assets for picks before the season started.30. Detroit Lions (3-11-1)Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious rank: 29🎁 A reliable running game: Since quarterback Matthew Stafford was drafted in 2009, Detroit has been one of the three worst teams in the league in rushing yards, yards per carry, and touchdowns on the ground.31. Washington Redskins (3-12)Previous rank: 31🎁 A new head of football operations: Washington's had one winning season since Bruce Allen was hired as the club's top executive under owner Dan Snyder in 2010. A once-proud franchise has gone to waste under Allen's management.32. Cincinnati Bengals (1-14)Previous rank: 32🎁 A playoff win: The Joe Burrow delivery package is already in progress. The next present for the Bengals is a playoff win, something they haven't had since 1990.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch will undergo minor surgery to fix a nerve issue in his neck and move to injured reserve, according to dallascowboys.com's Rob Phillips."We do anticipate a full recovery, but he’s not going to be able to play at any point this season," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said.Vander Esch, who last played in Week 11, has missed the Cowboys' last five games with a neck injury. The 23-year-old has worn a neck roll since his time in Boise State but didn't miss any action as a rookie last season.Vander Esch posted 72 tackles through nine games in 2019.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers interviewed former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy Sunday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The meeting reportedly took place following Carolina's game against the Indianapolis Colts.McCarthy hasn't coached since the Packers fired him after their Week 13 loss last season.The 56-year-old had a successful 13-year coaching career in Green Bay, amassing a 135-85-2 record from 2006-18 (including playoffs). The Packers missed the postseason in the final two years of his tenure.The Panthers fired longtime head coach Ron Rivera early in December. After finishing last year 7-9, Carolina is 5-10 through Week 16, posting an 0-3 record under interim head coach Perry Fewell.Since its first season in 1995, Carolina has had five different coaches: Dom Capers (1995-98), George Seifert (1999-2001), John Fox (2002-10), Rivera (2011-19), and Fewell (2019-present).Copyright © 2019 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 decade nearly over, you could revel in all the bets you nailed, the ones into which you poured your soul and netted the sweet reward of a cashed ticket. Of course, you rarely remember the ones that hit. No, instead, you'll remember the horrific bad beats - the ones into which you poured our soul, only to be hit with a two-by-four in the waning moments.There's something particularly painful about a bad beat in football. Sure, meaningless buzzer-beaters in basketball and late moon shots in baseball can cripple bettors, but the empty feeling that accompanies watching an insignificant scoop-and-score with no time left is unrivaled. Even when the clock hits zeroes, it's never really over.If you were on the wrong end of any of these, you might want to look away. For the rest of you - and those ready to face the pain - let's revisit 10 of the most gut-wrenching, unfathomable football bad beats of the 2010s.Bahamas Bowl: Western Kentucky 49, Central Michigan 48 (2014)Bad beat: Western Kentucky -2.5What would this list be without the infamous 2014 Bahamas Bowl, which saw Western Kentucky take a 49-14 lead with just under 12 minutes left? Nearly everything would have to go wrong to give the Hilltoppers cause for concern - and oh boy, how it did.Central Michigan scored two touchdowns in less than four minutes, then forced a red-zone fumble to set up another score with 3:06 to go. After yet another TD cut Western Kentucky's lead to seven with 1:09 left, the Chippewas attempted an onside kick - and failed to recover. But a late punt gave them the ball with one second left on their own 25.Hilltopper bettors, shield your eyes:Central Michigan then went for two and failed, meaning the epic comeback was all for naught. Well, unless you had the Chippewas. Sorry, Western Kentucky -2.5 bettors.Belk Bowl: Cincinnati 48, Duke 34 (2012)Bad beat: Duke +10It's hard to get worse than this one, which saw Duke take an immediate 16-0 first-quarter lead after getting anywhere from +9 to +10 at kickoff. The Bearcats then ripped off 27 unanswered points. The Blue Devils rallied to tie it at 34, only to fall behind by seven with 44 seconds left.Duke bettors couldn't care less: They were getting more than a touchdown, and their team had the ball. But that was before quarterback Sean Renfree got hit so hard it looked like he was mauled by an actual bearcat, leading to the worst-case scenario for Blue Devil backers:

Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins suffered a high ankle sprain Sunday and won't play in his club's final tilt in 2019 against the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Bill Callahan announced, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Haskins was carted to the locker room after a play during the third quarter in Week 16 against the New York Giants. He was considered doubtful to return and ultimately missed the remainder of the contest after Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and team doctors told the signal-caller not to re-enter the game.An MRI on Monday confirmed the 22-year-old will be sidelined for Week 17.The first-round rookie was off to a hot start before the injury, completing 12 of 15 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns.Haskins has appeared in nine games for the 3-12 Redskins, starting in seven of them. Overall, he's completed 58.6% of his passes for 1,365 yards and seven touchdowns against seven interceptions.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the No. 1 seed secured, the Baltimore Ravens will sit quarterback Lamar Jackson and a handful of their other top players against the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach John Harbaugh announced Monday.Safety Earl Thomas, running back Mark Ingram, guard Marshal Yanda, and defensive tackle Brandon Williams will join Jackson on the sideline for Sunday's game.Robert Griffin III will start in place of the MVP front-runner and Harbaugh added that rookie Trace McSorley could also see playing time, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Jackson finishes his outstanding sophomore season with 3,127 passing yards and 1,206 rushing yards - an NFL record for a QB - as well as 43 total touchdowns (36 passing and seven rushing).Ingram suffered a minor calf injury in Week 16, but Harbaugh said the Ravens are looking for the running back to be ready for the playoffs.The Steelers are battling with the Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders for the final AFC wild-card spot, and need a win against Baltimore to keep their hopes alive.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff hopes rest on the right arm of Devlin Hodges.Quarterback Mason Rudolph is expected to miss Sunday's must-win game against the Baltimore Ravens due to a left shoulder injury, so the team will start Hodges as it attempts to clinch a wild-card spot, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Rudolph is out multiple weeks, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, meaning Hodges will remain the starter if Pittsburgh is able to make the postseason.Paxton Lynch will serve as Hodges' backup.Hodges started the last four games for Pittsburgh but was benched for Rudolph in Week 16 after throwing two first-half interceptions in the loss to the New York Jets.Rudolph, who initially replaced Ben Roethlisberger when the veteran was lost for the season in Week 2, suffered the injury while throwing a touchdown to cut New York's lead, which forced the Steelers to reinsert Hodges.The undrafted rookie has thrown for 968 yards and five touchdowns to eight interceptions in seven appearances this season. Four of Hodges' interceptions came in a Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills.In addition to a Houston Texans win against the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh needs to beat the Ravens to secure the final wild-card place in the AFC. With the No. 1 seed clinched, Baltimore could rest its starters.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed wide receiver A.J. Green on injured reserve, officially ending the wideout's season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Green has battled an ankle injury since training camp, missing all of his club's games in 2019. He's met with a foot specialist and there's optimism the 31-year-old will have normal offseason preparation ahead of next year, as previously reported by Bengals writer Geoff Hobson.The seven-time Pro Bowler is in the final season of a four-year, $60-million contract signed in 2015. The Bengals reportedly plan to place the franchise tag on the pass-catcher.Green's 2018 campaign was also shortened due to injuries; he played in nine games and finished the year on injured reserve. The fourth overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft has now missed at least six games in three of the past four seasons.When on the field, Green has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL. He topped 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first five pro campaigns and has done so every season in which he's played at least 13 games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz played through a rib injury during Sunday's crucial win over the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Doug Pederson announced Monday, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic."He took the shot there in the first half," said Pederson. "There is a rib that has been affected. I am waiting, from our doctors, a couple more tests. We'll all see later today. Should have something more tomorrow or Thursday."Ertz headed to the locker room during the first half but was able to return and help Philadelphia take a big step toward the NFC East title. He finished with four catches for 28 yards.With its wide receiver group ravaged by injuries, Philadelphia has relied heavily on Ertz to carry the passing game. The 29-year-old leads the team in catches (88), yards (916), receiving touchdowns (six), and targets (135).The Eagles still need to match the Cowboys' result in Week 17 to secure their playoff spot.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder came down from his box to tell Dwayne Haskins not to re-enter Sunday's contest against the New York Giants, the rookie quarterback told reporters after the game.Haskins was carted from the field with an ankle injury in the third quarter, though he said he was fit to re-enter the game."I tried to go back in, he wouldn't let me," he said. "But it's an ankle. I'll be alright."Asked to clarify who gave him the direction, Haskins responded, "Dan (Snyder) told me not to go in."Haskins has already undergone X-rays and has no concern about a long-term injury."X-ray, nothing's wrong with it. MRI tomorrow," he said.After Haskins' press conference, the Redskins released a statement from team doctor Robin West, stating the quarterback was not medically cleared to return anyway."I evaluated Dwayne following his ankle injury, and after reviewing the X-Rays and conducting a full examination, I did not clear him to return to game action," West said, according to ESPN's John Keim.Haskins elaborated on the situation on Twitter after he spoke to the media:

Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks will meet Monday to discuss a potential reunion, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The injury-riddled Seahawks are without running backs Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, and C.J. Prosise for the remainder of the season, leaving only Travis Homer on the active roster."He'll be flying in here this morning and we're going to give him a really good chance to play for us," head coach Pete Carroll told 710 ESPN Seattle.Lynch played for the Seahawks from 2010 to 2015, winning a Super Bowl and earning the nickname "Beast Mode" for his unparalleled tough running style. He retired after the 2015 campaign but returned a year later to play for his hometown Oakland Raiders.The 33-year-old rushed for 376 yards and three touchdowns on 90 carries for the Raiders last season before landing on injured reserve. He's been a free agent since March.Along with Lynch, Seattle is expected to bring in Robert Turbin for a visit.The playoff-bound Seahawks have dropped two of their last three contests but can still win the NFC West by defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17.Copyright © 2019 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 Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings duke it out on Monday Night Football to close out Week 16. Here are the best player props for the prime-time clash.Aaron Rodgers over 33.5 passing attemptsThe initial thought process with this prop was that Rodgers could rack up some yards against a secondary that's trended down as the season's progressed. But Rodgers hasn't had all that much success against the Vikings in the past, averaging just shy of 230 yards through the air over his last three tilts against them. Still, the matchup itself presents some upside for the pass-attempt volume to be there.Minnesota is No. 4 in rush DVOA and allows fewer than 100 yards on the ground per game; the Packers can't simply line up and bully the Vikings' front seven. Rodgers is also a pretty sizable underdog - Green Bay is +5 - which could potentially put the offense in a negative game script. And with a rather high total of 47, Rodgers should be dropping back plenty.Stefon Diggs longest reception over 25.5 yardsDiggs has become one of the most underrated deep threats in the league, shattering his previous career-high of 13.8 yards per catch over a single season. He's currently at 17.9 this year, with only three NFL receivers better in that department. The fifth-year wideout has had a catch for at least 26 yards in seven of his last nine games and has another solid matchup to make it eight of 10: The Packers rank 25th in explosive pass rate allowed and the secondary is No. 16 in pass DVOA.Mike Boone over 67.5 rushing yardsGiven the injuries in the Vikings' backfield, it'll be Boone, the second-year man out of Cincinnati, shouldering the load on the ground. He's seen some action in garbage time this season, averaging 4.6 yards per rush and scoring twice. His first career start is an ideal matchup against a Green Bay rush defense that's No. 25 in DVOA. And if Minnesota gets a lead and takes its foot off the gas pedal, Boone should see the volume to get over this number.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 © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson expects to be ready to play if his team advances to the divisional round of the playoffs, a source told Tim McManus of ESPN.Jackson is currently on injured reserve due to an abdominal injury and wouldn't be eligible for the wild-card round.After beating the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, the Eagles can clinch the NFC East and a postseason berth with a win in their regular-season finale against the New York Giants.Jackson's only suited up for three games in his first campaign back in Philadelphia. He caught eight passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 but barely saw the field during his other two appearances.The Eagles' receiving corps has been beset by injuries this year. Alshon Jeffery is out for the season with a foot injury and Nelson Agholor has missed the last three games with a knee ailment.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The theft of Tom Brady's Super Bowl LI jersey is the focus of a new documentary series."The Great Brady Heist," an hour-long series from FOX Sports Films, will delve into the investigation through never-before-seen footage, conversations with Brady, and the first on-camera interview with the man who stole the jersey, according to Eric Pedersen of Variety."Just when you think you've seen it all in the sports world, a story like this comes around," said Ross Ketover, senior vice president of NFL Films, which co-produced the series. "Anyone who thinks they know what happened that day will discover more jaw-dropping details than they could have imagined."Brady's jersey was stolen from his locker following the Patriots' win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. The FBI eventually located the jersey, along with Brady's jersey from Super Bowl XLIX, in Mexico in the possession of a credentialed member of the international media."The Great Brady Heist" premieres Feb. 1, 2020, at 7 p.m. ET on FOX.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.