We rang in the new year days ago, but it's worth looking back at which players and teams came through by winning us, their backers, money in 2023.Best/worst recordBest record: Ravens (+1200)Once they stopped giving away late leads (Colts, Steelers, Browns), the Ravens stopped losing altogether. Baltimore cashed futures tickets for its bettors without them having to wait around to see if the AFC's No. 1 seed would translate into a Super Bowl appearance.Worst record: Panthers (+2000)It became clear early that nothing was going to work in Carolina. Amazingly, the Panthers never had a fourth-quarter lead all season, perhaps making it even more amazing that they even won two games.How did we do?We were in great shape for the 49ers (+800) to finish with the best record, and then Christmas happened. However, having a +800 bet riding on a 6-point favorite at home is always worth making. The Colts were far from the league's worst team, but it's somewhat humorous that they had shorter odds than Carolina.Division winnersNFC East: Cowboys (+185)The Cowboys took the most circuitous route to a win. While those of us who bought Dallas before the season are thrilled to cash this ticket thanks to the Eagles' collapse, these were the only NFC division winner odds that got longer during the campaign.NFC North: Lions (+140)Anointing the Lions the clear-cut favorites seemed like a stretch; who knows what might have happened had Kirk Cousins not been lost for the season. But Detroit came through for those whose faith was unwavering.NFC South: Buccaneers (+900)The long shot of the conference, the Buccaneers took advantage of what was correctly predicted to be the league's ugliest division. When no team is good, it's always worth taking the one with the longest odds.NFC West: 49ers (-165)It was a high price to pay, but there were only roughly 15 seconds all season where the -165 price on the 49ers didn't feel like a great bet.How did we do?We'll take two of four any time, especially when one of our picks is a 9-1 shot.AFC East: Bills (+125)What a run by the Bills to win their last five and steal their fourth AFC East title in a row. But their odds got to near-astronomical levels to track down the Dolphins, begging the question - was the stress worth it for preseason backers?AFC North: Ravens (+225)It's easy to forget that the Ravens weren't the favorites for the division before the season, but Joe Burrow's injury certainly paved the way.AFC South: Texans (+900)Unlike the Bucs, who were in the mix all along, the Texans snuck into the division lead at the last moment thanks to the Jaguars' epic collapse.AFC West: Chiefs (-190)What else is new?How did we do?The Ravens largely negated three other misses in the AFC, which is fine considering our work in the NFC. However, Miami (+300) was too good of a bet to lose. The Dolphins being underdogs at home to the Bills in the finale was tough for those hoping to hedge before the game.Make/miss the playoffsBiggest winner: Texans (+500), Buccaneers (+380), Rams (+290)Two division winners (Houston and Tampa Bay) were among the three least likely teams to make the playoffs (the Cardinals were the longest shot). The Rams were the one wild-card team to make it at longer than +200 odds.Biggest loser: Bengals (+210), Saints (+140)The Bengals have a ready-made excuse for not making the playoffs - no Joe Burrow in the toughest division. But what's the Saints' excuse? New Orleans was the fourth most likely team to make the postseason.How did we do?A 3-3 record amounted to just shy of a one-unit win. In retrospect, the die was cast on the Seahawks when they lost at home to the Rams in Week 1. The Bills came close enough to missing the playoffs to validate fading them, and a "miss the playoffs" ticket set up a freeroll on them to make the playoffs at massive odds if you had faith in a turnaround.Highest-/lowest-scoring teamHighest-scoring team: Dallas Cowboys (+1200)The Cowboys made up more than the 11 points they needed to track down the Dolphins to lead the league in points for the second time in three years. Let's remember in August to look at Week 18 matchups to find an edge via who might be able to run it up in the season finale.How did we do?The Lions were given the sixth-shortest odds and finished fifth. Insert shoulder-shrug emoji here.Lowest-scoring team: Patriots (+1600)/Panthers (+1400)All it took for the Panthers to "catch" the Patriots for the fewest points was for Carolina to score no points in its last two games. An incredible feat.How did we do?Full disclosure - it never occurred to me that we won a split payout with the Panthers until well after the games were played Sunday. Moreover, the bet didn't win (the Jets had the fourth-fewest points), but predicting Aaron Rodgers' injury was something.Regular-season win totalsOvers vs. UndersSeason win totals went 15-17 to the over this season. The two top teams - the Chiefs and Eagles - went under. Three of the four teams with the lowest totals cleared their number, although Matt Prater's missed field goal at the death prevented the Cardinals from making it 4/4.How did we do?At 3-6, we gave some back in the regular-season wins markets.Player passing marketsPassing yardage: Tua Tagovailoa (+1800)With a 466-yard game in Week 1, Tua Tagovailoa was always among the leaders. A bet on him to stay healthy paid off.Passing touchdowns: Dak Prescott (+1800)This was a wilder ride, but a 20-touchdown midseason stretch in six games put Dak Prescott among the leaders. His edge going into Week 18 allowed for a bonus freeroll winner on Jordan Love over 1.5 touchdowns.How did we do?This is where we cooked, hitting both Tagovailoa and Prescott for 36 units, minus a pair of units on also backing Prescott in yardage and the presumptive MVP, Lamar Jackson, in touchdowns.Player receiving marketsReceiving yardage: Tyreek Hill (+850)Tyreek Hill didn't reach his goal of 2,000 receiving yards, but if you reach for the moon, sometimes you're enough of a star to cash a season-long player prop. Justin Jefferson's injury helped open the door as well.Receiving touchdowns: Tyreek Hill (+1400)/Mike Evans (+4000)Mike Evans tracked down and passed Hill late in the season with a seven-game stretch of eight touchdowns. However, Hill tied him in Week 18 after Evans didn't score in the season's final two contests.How did we do?More cooking for us here with Hill to have the most yards, and having CeeDee Lamb made it sweat-free. We added Evans midseason at +1400 and caught a split of that, along with Hill to score an anytime touchdown against the Bills in Week 18.Player rushing marketsRushing yardage: Christian McCaffrey (+3000)Hindsight being 20/20, Christian McCaffrey's odds of winning the rushing title were shocking. You couldn't have had an easier 30-1 season-long winner after McCaffrey started the season with 467 yards in four games.Rushing touchdowns: Raheem Mostert (+4000)McCaffrey seemingly scored in every game but still didn't lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns. I'm actually surprised how short the odds were for Raheem Mostert to have the most touchdowns given his age and expected number of carries.How did we do?Not great, Bob. We went long-shot hunting, but David Montgomery (+6000) missed three games. Mostert's outrageous 18-score season also took Montgomery out of it even though he averaged just under a touchdown per contest.All in all, though, who would complain with a net win of 52 units from our NFL season preview series in August and the midseason portfolio review?Game-by-game bettingThis ends a profitable year in individual game betting as well. Looking back at what we did well and what we can improve on is key to becoming a better bettor.BET TYPERECORDPROFIT/LOSS (Units)Best bets ATS44-28-5+15.2Teaser/MLP8-8-3.0Upset of the week5-10-1.75RUMP6-11*+8.5RUMP ATS45-40+1.0Sunday player props83-77-1.4TNF best bet8-8-0.8TNF player props8-10-3.6TNF anytime TD6-9+7.4MNF best bet13-6-1+6.4MNF player props13-7+4.0MNF anytime TD10-10+5.0TOTAL+37.05*Winning weeks (3-2 or better)

Don "Wink" Martindale is resigning as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator after two seasons, a source told Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.One of the league's most respected defensive minds, Martindale will reportedly pursue other opportunities this offseason and is expected to generate significant interest. The 60-year-old has had multiple head coaching interviews in the past.The Giants' defense struggled for most of the 2023 campaign. Though the team led the league in takeaways, its defensive unit ranked only 22nd in EPA/per allowed and 26th in points surrendered, down from 17th in 2022.No other club blitzed opposing passers more than the Giants under Martindale, who's known for having an aggressive defensive scheme. However, New York ranked only 29th with 34 sacks in 2023.Martindale joined the Giants in 2022 after serving as the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator for four seasons.A November report indicated that the relationship between Martindale and head coach Brian Daboll was deteriorating. New York beat the Philadelphia Eagles in its season finale to finish the campaign with a 6-11 record.The Giants are expected to retain Daboll - the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year - in 2024. However, they parted ways with multiple assistants Monday, including outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins. The Wilkins brothers are expected to follow Martindale in the upcoming season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera, the team announced Monday.Rivera's Commanders finished with a 4-13 record in 2023. Washington never had a winning season in four years under the veteran, though the team made the playoffs in 2020 with a 7-9 record. Rivera exits with an overall mark of 26-40-1."I want to thank Ron and his wife Stephanie for all they did for the Commanders and DMV community, especially during the ownership transition," Commanders owner Josh Harris said in a statement. "Ron helped navigate this organization through some challenging times. He is a good man and thoughtful leader who has positively contributed to this organization and the NFL. I wish the Rivera family nothing but the best moving forward."The Commanders hired the 62-year-old in the hope he would bring much-needed stability to the franchise. Rivera established his reputation during a strong nine-year stint with the Carolina Panthers, which included a Super Bowl appearance and two Coach of the Year awards.However, the NFC East club has stagnated under Rivera's watch while dealing with significant off-field drama, most notably former owner Dan Snyder's departure.With Rivera gone, Harris has sought the help of former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and ex-Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman to assist in the overhaul of the Commanders' football operations. NBA legend and minority owner Magic Johnson will also be part of Harris' advisory committee.Myers helped build four championship-winning teams with the Warriors, while Spielman boasts 30 years of experience as an NFL executive. Neither man has been given a permanent role with Washington, a source told The Athletic's Dianna Russini.Harris said the club "must establish a strong organizational infrastructure" ahead of a "crucial offseason."Washington started its coaching search by reportedly asking to interview Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, among others.General manager Martin Mayhew will remain on staff as the Commanders look for a new head coach and head of football operations, who will then decide Mayhew's future, team officials told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski. Washington also began requesting interviews for its new top front-office role.The Commanders own the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft and are projected to have the most cap space in the league next season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis sustained a PCL sprain in Sunday's 21-14 win over the Miami Dolphins, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The sprain isn't considered serious, and Davis hasn't been ruled out for the club's wild-card matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rapoport adds.Davis ranks second on the team with 746 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, trailing only Stefon Diggs. His 45 receptions rank third behind Diggs and rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid.The 24-year-old didn't miss a game in the regular season and led the team's skill position players in total snaps played, according to James Palmer of NFL Network.Davis has been a key part of Buffalo's passing attack in previous postseasons. The UCF product has put up 474 yards and six touchdowns on 22 receptions in seven career playoff games.Davis is scheduled to hit free agency at the end of the season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Commanders quickly began their coaching search Monday after dismissing Ron Rivera, requesting interviews with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The Commanders also asked to speak with Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Washington requested a meeting with Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as well, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Johnson is expected to be the most in-demand offensive candidate in the 2024 hiring cycle after helping to turn the Lions into a contender in his two seasons at the helm. Detroit finished fifth in scoring offense this season and last season.While the Lions' defense hasn't matched up to the offense's production, Glenn is also highly regarded. The veteran coach - who has been in Detroit for three years - was voted the top coordinator in the league by his players in an NFLPA survey.Meanwhile, Morris served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-11 after an internal promotion and acted as the Atlanta Falcons' interim coach for 11 games in 2020. He has spent the last three campaigns with the Rams, helping the club win a Super Bowl in the 2021 season.Weaver, who is also Baltimore's associate head coach, helped the Ravens lead the NFL in sacks this season. He was the Houston Texans' defensive coordinator in 2020 before joining Baltimore the following season.Macdonald boasts the top-ranked defense in the NFL in his second season as the Ravens' DC. He spent years in various assistant roles in Baltimore after joining in 2014 before leaving for one year to lead Michigan's defense in 2021.Johnson, Glenn, and Morris were candidates in last year's hiring cycle, and all three drew interest from multiple teams.The Commanders fired Rivera after four seasons in charge and a 4-13 finish in 2023.The NFL implemented a new rule in October prohibiting teams from conducting in-person interviews until after the divisional round, with only virtual meetings allowed.Washington also requested interviews with Chicago Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and Cleveland Browns assistant general manager Glenn Cook for the role of president of football operations, sources told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.Philadelphia Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby, Kansas City Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi, and San Francisco 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters are among the other candidates eyed for interviews for the front-office job, according to multiple reports.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll expects to return next season, he said Monday."I plan to be coaching this team," Carroll told ESPN radio, according to Seattle Sports' Maura Dooley. "I told you, I love these guys. That's what I would like to be doing and see how far we can go. I'm not tired. I'm not worn out. I need to do a better job and help my coaches more."Carroll added that he expects significant changes to the coaching staff, per Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports.The 72-year-old has been Seahawks head coach for 14 seasons, compiling a 137-89-1 record. He was hired in 2010 after nine years as head coach at USC.Seattle faltered down the stretch in 2023 after a 5-2 start. The club went 4-6 in its final 10 contests, including a four-game losing streak from Weeks 11-14. The Seahawks were eliminated from playoff contention when the Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears on Sunday.Carroll's defense has taken a step back since the Legion of Boom days. The unit ranks 27th in success rate since 2018, per Ben Baldwin's database. The Seahawks finished 25th in points per game allowed in both seasons since defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt was hired in 2022.Seattle signed quarterback Geno Smith to a three-year, $75-million contract after a tremendous bounce-back campaign in 2022. He finished with fewer yards and touchdowns and more interceptions this season, but Carroll praised Smith on Monday when asked to identify where the team excels."The strength's obvious. It's the strength and leadership at the quarterback position. We have to grow from within," Carroll said, according to Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune.Smith is scheduled to have a $31.2-million cap hit in 2024, per Over The Cap.Carroll owns the best winning percentage of any head coach in Seahawks franchise history. He has led the club to 10 playoff appearances, including a victory in Super Bowl 48.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith, the team announced on Sunday following a 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints.Atlanta entered Week 18 with a chance to win the NFC South, but the blowout defeat dropped the team to 7-10 for a third straight season under Smith."Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. "We have profound respect for coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years. He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations."Smith, 41, originally joined the team in 2021 after a successful stint as the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator.The Falcons improved defensively this season compared to 2022, but the Smith-coached offense continued to struggle and ranked in the bottom 10 in points scored despite rostering some of football's most promising skill-position players. The club drafted tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson in the top 10 ahead of each of the last three seasons.Atlanta currently owns the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.Often questioned due to his play-calling, Smith also struggled to find consistency at quarterback during his time in Atlanta. The team has used three different Week 1 starters since 2021: Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, and Desmond Ridder. A 2022 third-round pick, Ridder tossed only 12 touchdowns to 12 interceptions while starting 13 games during the 2023 campaign.The Falcons suffered one of their worst losses under Smith to the Saints in Week 18. He was heated postgame and went off on New Orleans coach Dennis Allen after the Saints scored a late touchdown while already leading by three possessions.Smith leaves Atlanta with a .412 win percentage, which ranks eighth out of 11 head coaches who were on the Falcons' sideline for at least three years, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports.The Falcons, who haven't made the playoffs since the 2017 season, also announced that their search for a new sideline boss will begin immediately. They join the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and Carolina Panthers as the teams looking for a new head coach in 2024.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts underwent X-rays on his right middle finger that showed no fracture, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Hurts suffered a dislocated finger in a 27-10 loss to the New York Giants in Week 18.

The Atlanta Falcons are interested in hiring New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick if he becomes available, sources told Dianna Russini of The Athletic.Belichick is still under contract with the Patriots. However, a divorce could be on the horizon. He said Monday that a decision on his future in New England isn't imminent."As far as any decisions or directions or anything like that for next year, (it's) way too early for that," Belichick said. "The end-of-the-year processes ... I don't think will be fundamentally different from the standpoint of how it's done."The 71-year-old Belichick added that he'll meet with Patriots owner Robert Kraft soon to discuss the next steps for the organization.New England finished the season 4-13, tied for the second-worst mark in the league. The club is 29-38 since Tom Brady departed in 2020 with zero playoff victories. However, the defense, Belichick's specialty, has been stable during that stretch.The Patriots have had a top-15 scoring defense every year since 2005 and ranked seventh in yards allowed per contest this campaign.Atlanta fired head coach Arthur Smith after three seasons with the team. He finished with a 21-30 record, failing to make the playoffs during his tenure.Falcons owner Arthur Blank and CEO Rich McKay will lead the head coaching search.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers might need to make a playoff run for T.J. Watt to see the field again this season.The "absolute best-case scenario" for Watt - who's dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain - is to play in two weeks with a brace, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Steelers will travel to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in the wild-card round.Despite his injury during Saturday's win over the Baltimore Ravens, Watt led the NFL in sacks (19) for the third time in his career.The star pass-rusher was hurt after his leg was caught awkwardly in the turf following a collision with teammate Montravius Adams.With Watt likely sidelined for at least one game, the Steelers will rely on Alex Highsmith and Markus Golden.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers announced Monday they fired general manager Scott Fitterer."As we move forward with the new direction for our franchise, I have made the decision that Scott Fitterer will no longer serve as our general manager," Panthers owner David Tepper said. "I appreciate Scott's efforts and wish the best for him and his family."Fitterer took the job in 2021 after serving as the vice president of football operations for the Seattle Seahawks.Carolina finished the season with the league's worst record at 2-15 following a 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's the first time Carolina slumped to two or fewer wins since 2010. Tepper fired head coach Frank Reich in November amid a 1-10 start to the year.The Panthers do not own the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, as it was traded along with wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears in a blockbuster move last offseason to move up and draft quarterback Bryce Young.However, Young struggled in his rookie campaign, throwing for 2,877 yards with 11 touchdowns to 16 turnovers. He eclipsed 200 yards passing in only five contests, while No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud did so 12 times.Carolina's offense struggled as a whole, scoring only 13.9 points per contest, tying the New England Patriots for the NFL's worst mark. Many of Fitterer's offseason moves to help the offense backfired.He signed running back Miles Sanders and tight end Hayden Hurst to long-term contracts this offseason, but the two combined for only 616 yards this season. Fitterer also signed wide receiver Adam Thielen to a three-year deal. Thielen started strong but only managed 289 yards in his final seven contests.The Panthers failed to add significant talent through the draft during Fitterer's tenure. Only nine of the 17 picks selected from 2021-2022 remain on the roster or practice squad, and just three from the 2022 class.Fitterer was in charge when the club traded star running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers leading up to the 2022 trade deadline. He has totaled 3,233 yards in 27 contests since being dealt.This is the first time since 2002 that the Panthers will have to hire a new GM and head coach in the same offseason.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bill Belichick said Monday that no decisions have been made about his future, but he remains "heavily invested" in the New England Patriots organization."I'm under contract. I'm going to do what I always do, which is you know every day, I come in work as hard as I can to help the team and whatever way I can," he said, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "So, that is what I'm going to continue to do. You know today was kind of wrap-up day for us with the players and have a meeting with them and then go from there."As far as any decisions or directions or anything like that for next year is way too early for that. The end of the year processes you know I don't think will be fundamentally different from the standpoint of how it's done."Belichick suggested he's open to changes when asked if he would give up personnel control to remain in New England."Look, I'm for whatever collectively we decide as an organization is the best thing to help our football team," he said, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. "And I have multiple roles in that. And I rely on a lot of people to help me in those responsibilities."Someone has to have the final say. I rely on a lot of other people to help. Whatever that process is, I'm only part of it."Belichick said he'll meet with owner Robert Kraft but didn't give a timeline for when the two would talk. He also refused to get into "hypothetical situations" about whether he'd want to coach another team if he left New England.The legendary coach boasts six Super Bowl titles with the Patriots, but the team slumped to a 4-13 record in 2023, the worst of Belichick's tenure.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL playoff field is set.Here are the Wild Card Weekend matchups, start times, and broadcast details:AFCMatchupDateTimeNetwork(5) Browns at (4) TexansSaturday4:30 p.m.NBC(6) Dolphins at (3) ChiefsSaturday8 p.m.Peacock(7) Steelers at (2) BillsSunday1p.m.CBSIn a battle of two incredible stories, the Texans welcome the Browns to Houston in the wild-card round. Head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud have taken the NFL by storm en route to the Texans' first division title since 2019. But, on the other side is a Browns team led by the unlikeliest of heroes in Joe Flacco. The veteran has put up a 4-1 record and thrown 13 touchdowns since joining the franchise.Welcome back to Arrowhead, Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins fell to a wild-card spot after losing the AFC East to the Bills on Sunday night. That sets up Miami and Hill for a date with the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs. This isn't your typical Chiefs team, though, as Patrick Mahomes' offense has been plagued by scoring issues throughout the campaign.The Bills enter the postseason with the league's longest win streak at five games. That run has carried Buffalo to not only a playoff spot but the No. 2 seed. However, Buffalo's opponent enters on a hot streak of its own. The Steelers rode a three-game winning streak to the AFC's final wild-card spot. In what might be the most lopsided quarterback battle of the opening round, it'll be Josh Allen up against Mason Rudolph.AFC playoff standingsSeedTeamDivisionRecord1RavensNorth13-42BillsEast11-63ChiefsWest11-64TexansSouth10-75BrownsNorth11-66DolphinsEast11-67SteelersNorth10-7NFCMatchupDateTimeNetwork(7) Packers at (2) CowboysSunday4:30 p.m.FOX(6) Rams at (3) LionsSunday8 p.m.NBC(5) Eagles at (4) BuccaneersMonday8:15 p.m.ESPNRevenge seems to be the theme of the NFC's wild-card round, starting with the Cowboys' matchup against the Packers. Green Bay booked itself a meeting with former head coach Mike McCarthy after winning its final three games of the 2023 season. McCarthy locked up the No. 2 seed after the Cowboys marched to an impressive 12-5 record.Two familiar faces cross paths again as the Matthew Stafford-led Rams take on the Jared Goff-led Lions. Detroit never hosted a playoff game during Stafford's 12 years with the team but will now welcome him back for its first home postseason game since the 1993 season.The Eagles appeared poised to be the NFC's top team before losing five of their last six to end the season. Due to its slide, Philly will have to travel to Tampa Bay, where it'll look to stop a revitalized Bucs squad under Baker Mayfield's leadership. Despite losing Tom Brady to retirement in the offseason, Mayfield directed Tampa Bay to its fourth straight playoff appearance and third consecutive division title.NFC playoff standingsSeedTeamDivisionRecord149ersWest12-52CowboysEast12-53LionsNorth12-54BuccaneersSouth9-85EaglesEast11-66RamsWest10-77PackersNorth9-8Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.Bills keep rolling Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / GettyIs this finally the year in Buffalo?It would have been tough to believe two months ago. A disastrous Monday night loss to the Broncos dropped the Bills to 5-5, and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey was scapegoated as a result. Frankly, it wasn't looking good.But the second half of the season has been a completely different story. Heading into the playoffs, there may not be a hotter team league-wide.The Bills secured a fourth consecutive division title with an emphatic victory over the Dolphins on Sunday night. That makes five straight wins to close out the regular season, and six wins in their last seven games. The only loss in that frame came courtesy of an overtime defeat in Philadelphia.Joe Brady will get a lot of the credit for the turnaround - the Bills are 6-1 since the OC change - but the truth is that Buffalo's offense has been this dangerous throughout the season. The more likely explanation - albeit decidedly less juicy - is that it was only a matter of time before a team with this much talent took off.Despite a slew of injuries, the Bills have managed to uphold a remarkable standard on the defensive side. Holding the Dolphins to 14 points and 275 yards - their second-lowest output of the season - is the statement of all statements on that front.And we know the deal on offense by now. Josh Allen is nothing if not chaotic. But the risk for backbreaking plays also comes with the upside of plays that few in the history of this game could even dream of pulling off. When he's hot, he's hot. Putting up 400 total yards in a big spot in Miami could very well be the start of a special run in January.Nobody wants to see the Bills right now.An all-time collapse Justin Ford / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Jaguars are not who we thought they were.Fresh off an unexpected playoff run, Jacksonville entered this season widely expected to take the next step. Doug Pederson had successfully pulled the organization from the depths of Urban Meyer despair, and Trevor Lawrence was on the cusp of elite quarterback status. The arrow was seemingly pointed skyward.There were certainly flashes of potential after an up-and-down start. And with an 8-3 record at the end of November, the Jaguars even entered the final month in possession of the AFC's No. 1 seed. The good vibes didn't last long, though.Jacksonville went into free fall from that point forward, dropping four straight games to lose control of the division. A cupcake Week 17 matchup against the Panthers finally allowed the team to stop the bleeding, but the damage had been done. The Jaguars needed a win over the Titans to get into the playoffs, and even that was too much to ask.Another mistake-filled game on both sides of the ball saw Jacksonville come up short in Tennessee, ending the team's season and handing the division to Houston.Lawrence wasn't at his best down the stretch, but he's the least of the Jaguars' concerns. Putting your young quarterback in a position where he needs to drag a team to the playoffs while overcoming a bad defense, a porous offensive line, and, at times, questionable play-calling, is the more pressing matter.As it turns out, this roster is nowhere near ready to contend. And with the Texans and Colts primed to take off, the Jaguars suddenly find themselves back in a position where they're chasing their AFC South rivals.Things sure do change quickly in this league.Lions get burnt NurPhoto / NurPhoto / GettyYou know what they say about playing with fire.Lions head coach Dan Campbell decided that an unlikely chance to climb to the No. 2 seed - which required upset losses from both the Cowboys and Eagles - made it worth playing his starters in an otherwise meaningless regular-season finale. Unfortunately, the reckless move came with some consequences.Detroit's offense took a massive hit when star tight end Sam LaPorta left with a knee injury late in the second quarter. Campbell said postgame that the injury wasn't as bad as it looked but admitted that "it's not good news." LaPorta is reportedly expected to miss time with a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise.Any sort of absence heading into the postseason could be a crushing blow to a potent Lions scoring attack. While this group may well have enough playmakers to pick up the slack, at least in the early rounds, LaPorta is no regular rookie pass-catcher.Prior to leaving Sunday's game, the Iowa product had reached 86 catches, breaking the all-time rookie record for a tight end. His first-quarter score also made him only the third first-year tight end to post double-digit touchdowns. Rookie or not, he's already one of the best at his position.That's not the kind of player you can afford to lose heading into a wild-card matchup with Matthew Stafford and a high-powered Rams offense. The decision to go all-out in a meaningless Week 18 contest could have major ramifications for Detroit's first home playoff game since 1993.Quick slantsEagles are broken Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyThis team is officially painful to watch. Nobody has wanted to count them out, myself included, but it's time to look past the talent we see on paper. Sunday's blowout loss to the Giants was further confirmation that this is not the same club we saw make a run to the Super Bowl last season. The defense is the primary offender here, ranking 29th in EPA/play and 27th in success rate, according to Ben Baldwin's database. But the offense spends a lot of time stinking it up, too. Jalen Hurts had been struggling through his worst game of the season when Philly pulled its starters, completing seven of 16 passes for 55 yards and an interception. A road matchup with the 9-8 Bucs gives the Eagles a favorable first-round draw, but even that may prove to be a challenge with the way they're playing.Texans only getting startedWhat a ride. The Texans winning the AFC South one season after drafting No. 2 overall is an incredible accomplishment. C.J. Stroud is already a top-10 quarterback, and DeMeco Ryans has immediately changed the culture in a previously terrible organization. The best part? This is only the beginning. No matter what happens in the postseason, which starts with a wild-card game against the Browns, the Texans have the makings of a perennial contender. A stellar rookie class would appear to suggest that this regime knows what it's doing in the scouting department, and there are only three teams with more projected salary cap space in 2024. Houston could be in for another major leap in the years ahead.Winfield saves the dayAntoine Winfield not being included on the initial Pro Bowl roster was an inexcusable snub. And that was before he saved the Bucs' season this week against the Panthers. The Bucs' safety took an early touchdown off the board when he chased down DJ Chark and forced a fumble that Tampa Bay would recover in the end zone. The 9-0 final, which secured the NFC South for the Bucs, could have looked a lot different were it not for Winfield's heroics. The former second-round selection has emerged as one of the league's premier playmakers on the back end, and he'll be paid like it this offseason.Brown's monster year Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Panthers' season was an absolute nightmare across the board. Derrick Brown is perhaps the lone exception. The star defensive tackle has quietly put together one of the most ridiculous campaigns we've ever seen from a player at his position. Brown posted another seven tackles in Sunday's loss to the Bucs to finish the year with 103, a new record for a defensive lineman. He somehow didn't end up on the NFC Pro Bowl roster, but his dominance up front is well-established. He's in line for a big-money extension heading into his fifth-year-option season.GOAT division?The entire football world seemed to have a pretty good idea that the AFC North was going to be a bloodbath this season. But who could have seen this coming? The Bengals knocking off the Browns on Sunday officially secured a winning record for all four teams. That marks the first time since 1935 that an entire division has finished a season above .500. Add in the fact that this year's AFC North is topped by the Super Bowl favorite Ravens, and there are few divisions in the history of the NFL that can compare.Sweat dominates everywhereLost in the chaos of the final week of the regular season is one of the coolest records you'll ever see. Montez Sweat totalled 6.5 sacks across eight games with the Commanders prior to this year's trade deadline. After the Oct. 31 deal that sent him to Chicago, he recorded another six. The impressive consistency makes him the first player in NFL history to lead two different teams in sacks during the same season. The Bears earned plenty of criticism for giving up a second-round pick for an impending free-agent pass-rusher at the deadline. If this is the player they got, though, it'll be hard to call this move anything but a win.Stat of the week

The Philadelphia Eagles waved the white flag in Week 18.Quarterback Jalen Hurts, center Jason Kelce, and right tackle Lane Johnson were among the key starters taken out by the Eagles just before halftime of Sunday's 27-10 loss to the New York Giants, who were leading 24-0 at the time.With the defeat, Philadelphia locked itself into a wild-card spot. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders to win the NFC East.Wide receiver A.J. Brown exited after suffering a knee injury and didn't return. Guard Cam Jurgens (eye) and safeties Sydney Brown (knee) and Reed Blankenship (groin) were ruled out as well.Marcus Mariota came in for Hurts - who appeared to suffer a finger injury on his throwing hand earlier in the game but was able to return - and immediately threw an interception.Hurts seemed to sustain the injury after his hand collided with the hand of a Giants defender on a pass attempt.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua entered the record books yet again by setting the rookie single-season record for receiving yards during Sunday's 21-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers.Nacua started the matchup 29 yards shy of the historic mark Bill Groman set in 1960 when he collected 1,473 yards. He finished the matchup with 41 yards and one touchdown on four receptions.The Rams sensation made history in the third quarter versus San Francisco after catching a short pass from Carson Wentz.

Montez Sweat made history in his own way in 2023.The pass-rusher, who was traded to the Chicago Bears from the Washington Commanders in October, became the first player in NFL history to lead two teams in sacks during the same season, according to ESPN's Field Yates.Sweat's 6.5 sacks with the Commanders stood as a team high even though he last suited up for them in Week 8. Meanwhile, his six sacks since joining Chicago were the most of any Bears player.A first-round pick in 2019, Sweat's 12.5 sack count this season is also a personal best. His 2023 performance earned him the first Pro Bowl invite of his career.The Bears signed Sweat to a four-year extension reportedly worth $98M after acquiring him.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2024 NFL Draft order for non-playoff teams is set.The Chicago Bears locked up the No. 1 pick with the Carolina Panthers' Week 17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, and Los Angeles Chargers secured the remaining top-five slots with Sunday's results.Chicago owns Carolina's first-round pick after it was included in last year's trade that netted the Panthers the top pick, which they used to select quarterback Bryce Young.Draft order is determined by team record, with strength of schedule acting as the tiebreaker.PickTeam1Chicago Bears (via 2-15 Panthers)2Washington Commanders (4-13)3New England Patriots (4-13)4Arizona Cardinals (4-13)5Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)6New York Giants (6-11)7Tennessee Titans (6-11)8Atlanta Falcons (7-10)9Chicago Bears (7-10)10New York Jets (7-10)11Minnesota Vikings (7-10)12Denver Broncos (8-9)13Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)14New Orleans Saints (9-8)15Indianapolis Colts (9-8)16Seattle Seahawks (9-8)17Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)18Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)The remaining picks will be determined by playoff outcomes.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is likely to miss time after an MRI revealed the rookie sustained a hyperextended knee and bone bruise in Sunday's 30-20 win against the Minnesota Vikings, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Lions head coach Dan Campbell provided an update on LaPorta's status after the game."It's not as bad as it looked, but it's not good news," said Campbell, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "We'll know more tomorrow."The star rookie's left leg twisted awkwardly as he was tackled by a Vikings defender. He was briefly down on the field before walking off gingerly with trainers. LaPorta was carted to the locker room after being evaluated on the sideline.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith went off on Saints sideline boss Dennis Allen on the field following New Orleans' 48-17 victory over Atlanta on Sunday.Arthur was heated after the Saints ran up the score late while already leading by three possessions. New Orleans lined up in victory formation, but instead of taking a knee, backup quarterback Jameis Winston handed the ball to running back Jamaal Williams, who scored a one-yard touchdown to extend the lead."That's f-----g bullshit," Arthur seemingly told Allen postgame at midfield. The two didn't shake hands.Allen apologized to the Falcons and Smith during his postgame press conference."That's not who we are, not what we're about," Allen said, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football.Allen added that Saints players asked him if Williams - who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2022 but had yet to score this season - could get a TD in the season, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Allen rejected the request and wanted the team to take a knee, but the players ran the play anyway. Allen called it "unacceptable.""We made a collective decision," Winston said postgame, per Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune.Saints offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz also defended the players' decision to let Williams score late."I couldn't go home without getting him one. Whatever heat that comes with that, put that on the O-line," Ruiz said.Sunday's loss officially eliminated the Falcons, who would've made the playoffs with a win and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Bucs shut out the Panthers 9-0 in Week 18.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans earned the AFC South title after the Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday to miss out on the playoffs.The Jaguars attempted a late comeback after being down 15 points early in the third quarter but ultimately fell short to suffer their fifth defeat in their last six games.Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to eight points. Then the defense intercepted Titans passer Ryan Tannehill to set the offense back up just outside the red zone.However, Lawrence failed to score on a fourth-and-goal sneak, coming inches short while attempting to reach over to break the plane.

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost star linebacker T.J. Watt to a knee injury in the third quarter of Saturday's 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens.An MRI revealed that Watt suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Sunday. The ailment is considered a multi-week injury, Rapoport adds.Watt went down after colliding with a teammate. He walked to the locker room and was officially ruled out minutes later.

Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift isn't expected to suit up for the club's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants due to an illness, a source told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Swift was listed as questionable.The Eagles will win the NFC East if they take down the Giants and the Dallas Cowboys lose to or tie the Washington Commanders on Sunday.Kenneth Gainwell is expected to handle the bulk of the team's carries against New York. Gainwell has 482 scrimmage yards and a pair of touchdowns this year.Swift leads the Eagles with 1,049 yards to go along with five touchdowns on the ground. It's Swift's first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. The 24-year-old has also contributed 39 receptions for 214 yards and a score.Swift, who joined the Eagles via trade from the Detroit Lions this offseason, is slated to become a free agent at the end of the campaign.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets are expected to try to trade quarterback Zach Wilson this offseason, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Wilson was told when he was benched after Week 11 that the club plans to move him following the 2023 season, sources told Dianna Russini of The Athletic.The 24-year-old Wilson will miss the team's season finale against the New England Patriots due to a concussion he suffered in Week 15. The Jets placed Wilson on injured reserve Saturday.Wilson took over the starting job this season after quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles in the season opener. He went 3-6 in nine starts with five touchdowns and 11 turnovers before being benched for Tim Boyle.The BYU product was back as the starter after a two-game absence. Wilson was reportedly hesitant to return as the starter after being benched, but he ultimately denied the reports.Wilson was selected second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones were the three signal-callers chosen in the first round after Wilson.The Utah native is 12-21 in 33 career starts, throwing for 6,293 yards with 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is active and set to start the team's season finale against the Tennessee Titans.Lawrence was considered a game-time decision due to shoulder and finger injuries.The 24-year-old Lawrence suffered the ailments in the club's Week 16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was forced to miss last week's contest. He was a limited participant in all three Jaguars practices leading up to the season finale.Wide receiver Christian Kirk hasn't fully recovered from his groin ailment and is inactive. He was activated off injured reserve Saturday and was listed as questionable.Lawrence is 8-7 in 15 starts this season, throwing for 3,736 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Jacksonville needs a victory over the Titans to secure the AFC South title. The Jaguars will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is a top candidate for the Los Angeles Chargers' head coaching job, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.The Chargers are casting a wide net for their search but would prefer to hire someone with prior NFL coaching experience, a source told Russini.NFL clubs have reportedly been making calls to gather information on Harbaugh as a potential hire. He recently hired NFL agent Don Yee, who represents Tom Brady and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton.Harbaugh can speak with teams before the conclusion of the divisional round. Since he's not an NFL coach, he can immediately begin interviewing with clubs following the National Championship.The 60-year-old has been the head boss of the Wolverines since 2015. He was previously the coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, helping lead the club to a Super Bowl appearance.Harbaugh has brought consistent success to Michigan since taking over the job. The Wolverines are 39-3 over the last three seasons, making the College Playoff semifinal every year during that stretch.The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco following a 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15. They're 5-11 heading into their season-finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to the final week of the NFL regular season. Doesn't it feel like yesterday when summer was coming to a close and we were dishing out preseason futures?Week 18 can be a tricky one to navigate. Our Matt Russell provided a betting guide to help you out. Check out Part 1 and Part 2. Here, we'll touch on how to traverse the overs and unders.Many starting quarterbacks are resting for teams that are locked into their playoff seed. We already have an array of backups playing due to an absurd amount of injuries, but there'll be even more this week. How exciting!That'll likely lead to ugly football, which has become commonplace this campaign. Totals have been down all season, and this week is no different. Because of the uncertainty at quarterback and an approaching Wild West-type of Week 18, we only have two total bets for the final week of the campaign.Eagles @ Giants over 41.5 pointsThe Eagles have lost four of their last five and look more like a non-playoff team than a Super Bowl contender. But it's their defense that's held them back. Philadelphia's offense has still been great against bad units. The Eagles won 33-25 when they met the Giants two weeks ago.Philadelphia has scored 30-plus points in back-to-back weeks, and Sunday shouldn't be any different against the NFL's fifth-worst scoring defense.This isn't a must-win for the Eagles. They're pretty much locked into the NFC's No. 5 seed unless the Cowboys somehow lose as double-digit favorites. But Philadelphia is still expected to play its starters to get back on track before the postseason.The Giants aren't good offensively, but the Eagles have the league's fourth-worst scoring defense. However, in the teams' 33-25 meeting a couple of weeks ago, New York's defense scored two touchdowns: a pick-6 and a fumble recovery on a punt return. That unit won't produce the same output.The Eagles will carry the scoring, but if the Giants can contribute at least double-digit points against a porous defense, this should go over the total.Chiefs @ Chargers under 35.5This could've been one of the season's most exciting, meaningful games between Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Instead, Blaine Gabbert and Easton Stick will start at quarterback. The Chiefs already locked up the No. 3 seed, and Herbert is out due to a season-ending injury.The Chargers scored a measly nine points last week against the Broncos. They might reach double figures Sunday, but the Chiefs have a solid defense - even if some of their starters sit. That'll create challenges for Stick and Los Angeles' offense.Kansas City's offense, which has struggled even with Mahomes under center, won't look the same with a backup quarterback.This total is the lowest of any game this weekend. Nearly 69% of the Chiefs and Chargers' games have gone under this season. They'll continue that trend with a low-scoring, boring, and meaningless Week 18 contest.Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @soshtry for more betting coverage.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton is viewed as safe inside the organization, and all indications state the team will retain him, sources told Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Paton is in his third season as Broncos general manager after being hired in January 2021. He was brought in before CEO Greg Penner and head coach Sean Payton arrived.The Broncos can secure their first winning season since 2016 with a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18. However, it's been a rocky start to Paton's tenure as general manager.Paton hired Nathaniel Hackett in 2022 and fired him after only 15 games. He also traded a package that included multiple high draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks for quarterback Russell Wilson.Wilson is 11-19 in 30 starts with Denver. He was benched for the club's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers so the Broncos wouldn't have to pay the passer a potential injury guarantee. Wilson signed a five-year, $245-million deal in September leading up to the 2022 season.Denver is slated to have its first-round pick for the first time since 2021. The team currently holds the No. 14 selection heading into Week 18.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has been calling people he trusts within the league for advice regarding the future of his team, sources told Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.There continues to be support for head coach Arthur Smith in the building, but the owner fielding advice is a sign he's weighing potential changes, Rapoport and Pelissero add."We are committed to coach Smith," Blank said in December, according to Jeff Hullinger of Georgia Public Broadcasting. "We are going to play these last three games; we are committed to win. We will let the season play out and go from there."He added: "Obviously, this has not been the kind of year we expected; you would hear that from coach Smith, you would hear it from our fans and our players. We understand that."The Falcons still have a shot at making the playoffs. They can win the NFC South with a victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 18 and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss against the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta has a 17% chance of making the postseason, according to the New York Times playoff simulator.The Falcons have had a disappointing 2023 campaign. They're 7-9 and have lost three of their last four contests heading into the season finale.After investing heavily in offense, Atlanta ranks 26th in points per game this season. The team has selected an offensive playmaker in the top 10 in three straight drafts, including star running back Bijan Robinson, who hasn't eclipsed 100 yards rushing in a single contest since Oct. 1.The quarterback position has been the club's Achilles' heel this year. Second-year signal-caller Desmond Ridder has failed to secure the starting job, going 6-6 in 12 starts with 17 turnovers.Taylor Heinicke is considered a game-time decision for the team's Week 18 matchup due to an ankle injury.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins will be without two key starters against the Buffalo Bills.Running back Raheem Mostert and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle aren't expected to play in Week 18, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The winner of Sunday's game will claim the AFC East title.Mostert is dealing with knee and ankle injuries, while Waddle is battling an ankle ailment. Both players were listed as questionable after being limited participants at practice Friday. They missed last week's 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.Mostert posted a career year in 2023, topping 1,000 rushing yards for the first time while leading the NFL with 21 scrimmage touchdowns. The veteran was named the AFC's starting running back for the 2024 Pro Bowl.Waddle ranks second on the Dolphins with 72 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns. He's caught at least 1,000 yards each season since entering the NFL as the No. 6 pick in 2021.With Mostert sidelined, Miami will likely continue to rely on De'Von Achane in the running game. The third-round rookie rushed for 107 yards on 14 carries in Week 17. Veteran Jeff Wilson had three rushing attempts against Baltimore.Meanwhile, Tyreek Hill headlines the Dolphins' wide receiver depth chart. Wideout Cedrick Wilson and tight end Durham Smythe could see more targets again after being targeted four and three times, respectively, versus the Ravens. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also looked for his running backs often in the passing game last week, completing seven total passes to Achane and Wilson.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Multiple NFL teams have been making calls to gather information about Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh as a potential hire during the 2024 offseason, sources told Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The Los Angeles Chargers are reportedly believed to be among the teams considering speaking with Harbaugh. The 60-year-old - who's currently signed through 2026 - has updated staff lists and evaluated a potential NFL return ahead of the Wolverines' title game against Washington on Monday, according to Rapoport and Pelissero.A former NFL Coach of the Year, Harbaugh has been out of the league since his last season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. He has posted an 88-25 record with Michigan since 2015, including a 14-0 campaign this season. With Harbaugh on the sideline, the Wolverines reached at least the College Football Playoff semifinal in each of the last three years.However, it's unclear what's next for Harbaugh and Michigan, as the NCAA has been investigating the Wolverines for an in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme that resulted in the Big Ten suspending Harbaugh for the team's final three regular-season games in 2023.Michigan is also being investigated for alleged recruiting violations during the COVID-19 season. Due to that probe, the school suspended Harbaugh for three games to start the 2023 campaign. The Wolverines have reportedly been notified that Harbaugh is being charged with a Level I violation for allegedly providing false or misleading information during the investigation.Despite the investigations, Michigan has reportedly offered Harbaugh a 10-year, $125-million extension that includes a no-NFL clause for 2024.Harbaugh was strongly linked to the NFL in the last two offseasons and met with the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos in that time. He interviewed with the Vikings and reportedly believed he was going to be hired before Kevin O'Connell ultimately won the job in 2022. Harbaugh said in February 2022 that was the "last time" he'd try to return to the league.Harbaugh coached the 49ers from 2011-14, posting a 44-19-1 record. San Francisco made one trip to the Super Bowl in three NFC title-game appearances under Harbaugh.In addition to the Chargers, the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers also fired their head coaches midway through the 2023 NFL season. Other teams - including the Washington Commanders - are expected to part ways with their sideline boss after Week 18.The Raiders could speak with Harbaugh, according to Rapoport and Pelissero. However, the Panthers are reportedly unlikely to pursue the Michigan coach.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions are getting a pair of starting defenders back.Detroit activated defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson from injured reserve on Saturday ahead of the team's Week 18 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced.Gardner-Johnson - one of Detroit's main signings in the 2023 offseason - hasn't played since suffering a torn pectoral in Week 2. The 26-year-old joined the Lions on a one-year, $6.5-million contract after leading the NFL with six interceptions as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles last season.He had 13 tackles and two pass breakups in two appearances with Detroit before being sidelined.The Lions also activated defensive lineman Alim McNeill on Saturday. McNeill, who landed on injured reserve on Dec. 5 due to a knee injury, set a career high with nine QB hits and five sacks through 12 games before sustaining the ailment.Detroit - which has already clinched a playoff berth - ranks fifth in points scored this campaign but only 23rd in points allowed. The Lions won their first-ever NFC North title this season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars activated wide receiver Christian Kirk off injured reserve ahead of the team's Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.Kirk is questionable and is considered a game-time decision for the matchup with Tennessee, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Kirk underwent core muscle surgery a month ago. He hasn't played since the team's Week 13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.The 27-year-old was averaging a career-high 65.6 yards per game through 12 contests. His 787 yards and 57 receptions rank third on the team behind wide receiver Calvin Ridley and tight end Evan Engram. He's also scored three touchdowns.Jacksonville, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Houston Texans are all 9-7 entering the final week of the regular season. The Jaguars will clinch the division with a win.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While Week 18 is meaningless for some NFL teams beyond pride and draft position, it provides players with a last chance to earn contract incentives.Players and - more importantly - coaches are well-aware of this, as there's no better way to reward someone for their season than helping them collect an extra $100K or several for their on-field performance.Oddsmakers at theScore Bet are providing the opportunity to wager on players chasing these bonuses. Let's take a look at a few key players with attainable incentives.Austin Ekeler: Over 109.5 Rush + Receiving YardsThe Chargers tailback is 110 all-purpose yards away from an extra $100,000. Ekeler and Co. host the Chiefs, who will likely sit several starters. The Chargers are 3.5-point favorites. However, Ekeler has only gone over 109.5 rushing and receiving yards three times this season.DeAndre Hopkins: Over 6.5 ReceptionsHopkins has three incentives up for grabs, each worth $250,000. His goals for Week 18 are seven catches, 39 receiving yards, and two touchdowns, but if he takes care of the receptions, the receiving yards should follow.While the Titans are eliminated from playoff contention, head coach Mike Vrabel will likely ensure Hopkins is heavily targeted as they look to spoil the division-rival Jaguars' playoff hopes.Devin Singletary: Over 73.5 rushing yardsSingletary, who took over as the Texans' lead back when Dameon Pierce got hurt midseason, is 74 rushing yards shy of a $125,000 incentive. He also has incentives based on the percentage of snaps he plays. He's currently at 52%, and if he can increase that snap share to 55%, he'll cash in another $250,000.The Texans play a do-or-die game against the Colts on Saturday night. Singletary's odds of going over 73.5 rushing yards are set at +135.Dalton Schultz: Over 5.5 receptionsSchultz is another Texan with more than the playoffs on the line. While winning is a priority, Schultz is six catches away from earning an extra $250,000. If those six or more catches produce a receiving total over 107 yards, he'll take home an additional $250,000.However, Schultz has only surpassed six catches three times this season, and the Colts feature one of the best defenses against tight ends. His odds of going over 5.5 receptions are +200.Chris Jones: To Record One SackThe Chiefs defensive lineman is one full sack away from collecting a massive $1.25-million bonus. Assuming he plays against the Chargers, there's a good chance he earns this. Los Angeles has one of the league's worst offensive lines and Jones generated a season-high seven pressures against the Chargers in Week 7.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera and his staff are "well aware" that Rivera's time with Washington is coming to an end, sources told The Athletic's Dianna Russini.Washington is expected to perform an "exhaustive and comprehensive" search for Rivera's replacement under new majority owner Josh Harris, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Rivera, who turns 62 on Sunday, is in his fourth campaign with the club. He owns a 26-39-1 record with the team entering Week 18's clash with the Dallas Cowboys.The Commanders are 4-12 entering the season finale and would secure the No. 2 overall pick with a loss to Dallas. Washington is still looking for a long-term answer at quarterback after starting 12 signal-callers since Kirk Cousins left after the 2017 campaign.Rivera owns a 102-102-2 overall record across 13 campaigns with the Commanders and Carolina Panthers.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss is expected to play Week 18 against the Houston Texans, sources told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.Moss was listed as questionable with a forearm injury. He was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday after being limited on Tuesday.The 26-year-old missed the last two games due to the ailment. This will be the first time Moss and star rusher Jonathan Taylor are healthy for the same game since Nov. 26, when they combined for 161 yards in a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Moss had a monster start to the season when Taylor was on the PUP list due to an ankle injury. He totaled 517 yards in his first four contests, helping Indianapolis go 3-1 during that stretch.The Colts can secure a playoff spot with a victory over the Texans on Saturday.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is listed as questionable for Sunday's crucial game against the Tennessee Titans, which will decide the AFC South winner.Head coach Doug Pederson said Friday that Lawrence is progressing well but remains day-to-day and could be a game-time decision, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco.Lawrence sprained his right AC joint and left finger against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. The 2021 first overall pick missed the first game of his career the following week, which the Jaguars won 26-0 over the Carolina Panthers. He was a limited participant in practice this week.C.J. Beathard started against Carolina and will likely line up under center if Lawrence isn't ready to make his return in the regular-season finale."It's feeling better," Lawrence said Wednesday, according to DiRocco. "Certain movements bother (it) more than others. There's some things that I can do and there's some areas where I have totally normal strength and it's functional and all that, but in certain positions, there's some aggravation."If the Jaguars beat the Titans, they'd secure back-to-back division crowns for the first time since 1998-99. They could still clinch a playoff spot if they lose to Tennessee but would need other results to go in their favor.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens signed free-agent running back Dalvin Cook to the practice squad, the team announced Friday.The New York Jets released Cook on Tuesday after the two sides agreed to part ways. He cleared waivers Thursday.The four-time Pro Bowler inked a one-year, $7-million deal with the Jets in August after his release from the Minnesota Vikings. Cook struggled to get significant playing time in New York, totaling 67 carries for 214 yards and zero touchdowns in 15 games.Baltimore has been riddled with injuries at the running back position this season. The club's top running back, J.K. Dobbins, suffered a torn Achilles in the team's season opener against the Houston Texans. Rookie rusher Keaton Mitchell tore his ACL in Week 15 after becoming a reliable piece in the Ravens' backfield.The Ravens have six running backs with at least one carry this year. Gus Edwards is leading all rushers in attempts, yards, and touchdowns. Baltimore clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC with its victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. Next up are the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara will be a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against the Atlanta Falcons due to an ankle injury, head coach Dennis Allen announced Friday, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell.Kamara, who suffered the injury in last week's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday.The 28-year-old running back has put up 1,160 yards from scrimmage, with 694 yards coming on the ground. However, he has yet to record a 100-yard rushing performance in a game this season, while his 53.4 rushing yards per contest is his lowest average since his rookie year.The 8-8 Saints enter the regular-season finale against the 7-9 Falcons with both teams still alive in the playoff hunt. New Orleans can clinch the NFC South division title with a win plus a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss. The Saints can also secure a wild-card spot with a win and losses from the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers never made it back from his Week 1 Achilles tear, but his attempt to return inspired his New York Jets teammates.The veteran quarterback was voted the winner of the Dennis Byrd Award, which is given to the Jets' most inspirational player.Just weeks after his Sept. 13 surgery, Rodgers was spotted on the field pregame throwing a football with teammates. The team opened his practice window in late November, just over two months after his operation. However, a few days after the Jets' elimination from postseason contention Dec. 17, Rodgers declared he wasn't ready to return."I think he's sacrificed so much already for the organization and himself and his teammates, and he's doing it again," head coach Robert Saleh said. "I think it's a testament to who he is as a human. Yeah, obviously, there's a little bit of that drive where he wants to prove that it can be done faster than anyone's ever done before. That's OK. That is just part of his mental makeup."Rodgers previously said he doesn't believe 2024 will be his final NFL season. The four-time league MVP is under contract with the Jets through 2025.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Week 18 is like the Wild West. Not all teams have something to play for, but those that do provide great viewing and an element of pre-playoff desperation. We've looked at the fake games - now it's time to dig into the real ones.Betting is multifaceted, so we'll keep an eye on futures market bets that we made as part of our season preview series or our midseason check-in.For each game, we'll include an "If all things were equal" (IATWE) line - essentially a projected point spread if the game were played in traditional circumstances - and divide each game into a lean, bet, or best bet.Steelers @ Ravens (+3.5, 34.5)IATWE line: Ravens -10Blindly taking the points with the underdog in the Steelers-Ravens rivalry has been a profitable bet, and this isn't the most uncomfortable iteration of the matchup. Tyler Huntley isn't a 14-point drop-off from Lamar Jackson, but Pittsburgh's need to win to reach the playoffs has inflated this line. Unlike the Chiefs' situation with the Chargers, Baltimore has good depth and the motivation to spoil the Steelers' season.Pick: Ravens (+3.5)If you have a ticket with the Steelers to make the playoffs, you can hold it as a plus-money ticket for a moneyline result now priced at -200, or you can attempt to middle by backing the Ravens.Texans @ Colts (+1, 47.5)IATWE line: Colts -1C.J. Stroud is back, and the appetite for the Texans in the betting market seems extensive. This line opened appropriately at Colts -1 but has flipped to Houston as the favorite, presumably due to a lack of faith in Gardner Minshew.Bet: Texans moneyline (-120)Falcons @ Saints (-3, 42.5)IATWE line: Saints -2The Saints crushed the Buccaneers in Week 17, but the Falcons' fruitless trip to Soldier Field appears to be why the line for this game has gone through and over a field goal. That's enough to make Atlanta valuable in a duel that will cash the loser's "not to make the playoffs" tickets without securing the winner's "make the playoffs" tickets.Getting back indoors, even if it's on the road, should benefit Atlanta, which had one of its most efficient offensive games of the season in a 24-15 win over the Saints in November.Lean: Falcons (+3)Jaguars @ Titans (+3.5, 41.5)IATWE line: Jaguars -4.5Early in the week, the Jaguars were pushed out from an open of -3.5 to -5.5. Since then, the line has dropped back to the opening number, potentially out of concern that Trevor Lawrence won't be available or some faith that the Titans will play light-years better than last week.If the Titans are competitive (or Lawrence is out), Mike Vrabel's squad is live to win what'll likely be Ryan Tannehill's and Derrick Henry's last games in Nashville.Bet: Titans moneyline (+165)Buccaneers @ Panthers (+4.5, 37.5)IATWE line: Buccaneers -5Our lone long-shot division winner bet from before the season, the Buccaneers get a second chance to secure the NFC South at +900. This is great since, win or lose, we don't have to predict what sort of effort the Panthers will put forth a week after one of the worst performances of any team this season.We prefer backing home teams in Week 18, but only if there's some positive spirit in the building. That's not the case for the Panthers, so if you have no considerations on Tampa Bay, you can back it at a short number. The Panthers aren't worthy of a middle attempt if you're holding Tampa tickets.Lean: Buccaneers (-4.5)Bears @ Packers (-3, 45.5)IATWE line: Packers -2The Packers' win-and-in scenario and positive injury report have this line sitting higher than it otherwise would be, especially considering how the Bears were an eyelash away from five straight wins to end the season.Chicago's in the role the Lions were in last season: the team in Week 18 content on playing spoiler in Green Bay with positive feelings as it looks ahead to next season.Bet: Bears (+3)Cowboys @ Commanders (+13, 46.5)IATWE line: Cowboys -10.5Seemingly out of nowhere, the Cowboys are one victory away from winning the NFC East at +185 - their preseason odds - which is a far cry from a moneyline price of -800.After losing in Washington in Week 18 last year - and with the Commanders potentially embodying the NFL's version of "1, 2, 3, Cancun," Dallas is the only team to play if you have to pick a side.Lean: Cowboys (-13)With Brock Purdy sitting out, Dak Prescott's got a two-touchdown lead over Jordan Love for most passing touchdowns. If you're worried about protecting a position for a big win at +1800, you can bet Love to throw over 1.5 touchdowns in the player prop market, with the possibility that both bets win.Eagles @ Giants (+5.5, 41.5)IATWE line: Eagles -9.5We detailed the Eagles' dominance over the Giants in the first halves of their meetings when we looked at backing Philadelphia on Christmas. Sure enough, the Eagles took a 20-3 lead into the break. We won nothing due to neglecting a derivative market that lined up better with our handicap.Philadelphia can take back the NFC East, so it'll be interested in playing right up until halftime. The market's out on the Eagles, so with the game line down under a touchdown, the first-half line provides great value without having to deal with potential second-half nonsense.Best bet: Eagles first half (-3)Seahawks @ Cardinals (+3, 47.5)IATWE line: Seahawks -1.5The Seahawks need a win to have a chance to make the playoffs, but the market sniffed out that -3 was too high of an opening line, dropping it under a field goal only for it to drift back up later in the week. The Cardinals have been scrappy enough playing at home that they should keep this game within one possession. Using a 6-point teaser, we can pull the Bengals down from -7 to only need Cincinnati to beat the disinterested Browns.Best bet: Bengals -1 / Cardinals +9 (6-point teaser)Bills @ Dolphins (+3, 48.5)IATWE line: Bills -0.5You can decide whether it's the Dolphins' injuries or just getting blown out last week in Baltimore that has this line stretched out to the Bills -3.If Buffalo clinches a playoff spot before the game, one wonders if that'd take some of its desperation away. We'll never know by watching the game, but it might be enough to pull the line off a field goal. This line can't go higher, so it's worth playing the Dolphins now versus waiting for -2.5 if you like Buffalo.Bet: Dolphins (+3)If you're holding tickets on Miami to win the AFC East (+300), Bills to miss the playoffs (+225), or Bills: Under 10.5 wins (+133), you can let those skip betting the Dolphins and let those ride. If you like Buffalo in this game, the Bills moneyline lets you out of all of the above.Those sitting with Mike Evans (+1400) to lead the NFL in touchdowns from our midseason futures overview will naturally hope he puts that out of reach earlier in the day. If not, assess the player prop market and bet on Tyreek Hill to score (or two-plus as necessary).Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There are 16 games left in the NFL season, and each will affect playoff seeding, the momentum of Super Bowl hopefuls, or the top of the draft order. Track these juicy storylines as Week 18 unfolds.All eyes on Bills-DolphinsIn mid-November, the Bills' comedic loss in prime time on a Broncos kicking do-over made it unthinkable that they would rule the AFC East. Yet Buffalo has set up a winner-take-all clash for the division crown and No. 2 seed by stacking clutch wins - four in a row entering Sunday night's decider in Miami.The Dolphins are 1-4 this season against teams in playoff contention. Humiliated twice, they allowed perfect passer ratings to Josh Allen in October and Lamar Jackson in last week's 56-19 Ravens rout. When star cornerback Jalen Ramsey missed the first Bills matchup, Allen fed Stefon Diggs for three touchdown catches and numerous huge gains. Timothy T. Ludwig / Getty ImagesRock solid once Ramsey debuted, Miami's defense ranked second in expected points added per play and third in EPA/dropback from Weeks 8-16, according to Ben Baldwin's database. But Jackson's targets were left wide-open in the Week 17 fiasco, the NFL's third-worst defensive performance this season by EPA. The loss of a second key pass-rusher to a serious injury - Bradley Chubb joined Jaelan Phillips on the shelf - intensified the nightmare.Certain improvements saved the Bills' season. They won the turnover battle in five of six weeks since the Denver debacle to move to 7-1 when that happens. They rushed for 153.2 yards per game in the span, up from 116.5 yards from Weeks 1-10. Defensively, they held the Chiefs and Cowboys to a combined 27 points over two signature December wins.That said, losing Sunday might eliminate Buffalo. That'll happen if the Jaguars beat the Titans and Steelers reserve quarterback Mason Rudolph outduels Baltimore's Tyler Huntley. The Dolphins are playing for their first division title since 2008, the right to host multiple playoff games, and the dopamine rush that vanquishing a rival generates. Megan Briggs / Getty ImagesNFC seeding jumbleThe 49ers own the NFC bye, but little else in the conference is settled, though we know the Cowboys, Lions, and Eagles will finish second, third, and fifth in some order. Their cumulative home record is 19-4, making the No. 2 seed extremely desirable.Dallas can seal it by beating the Commanders on Sunday. Philadelphia would secure it with a win over the Giants and a Cowboys loss. Unless the Cowboys and Eagles both stumble, the Lions' playoff path will be uninviting. They could host Matthew Stafford's surging Rams on Wild Card Weekend and subsequently have to visit Dallas or Philly, then San Francisco to reach Super Bowl LVIII.The final NFC wild-card berth is the Packers' to lose. Jordan Love's 67.1% completion rate and 19-3 TD-INT split in November and December reflected his rapid growth as a young starter. After cratering down the stretch, the Seahawks and Vikings need to beat the Cardinals and Lions, respectively, and hope Love gets rattled by the Bears' playmaking defense, whose 22 interceptions lead the NFL. Jared C. Tilton / Getty ImagesThe NFC South title race remains dramatic. A Buccaneers loss to the lowly Panthers would allow Sunday's Falcons-Saints winner to clinch the division. Even if Tampa Bay prevails, New Orleans could snare the last wild-card spot with a win and losses by the Packers and Seahawks.The Saints' .500 record is uninspiring, but they only lost once by double digits and have compiled the NFC's fourth-best point differential. By EPA/play, they ranked 10th in passing and fifth in defense over the past four weeks, per Baldwin's data. A strong turnover differential of plus-8 gives them a shot to fluster any opponent.Can reigning finalists rally?The Eagles brim with talent but lost four of five games in December to squander control of their destiny. Regardless of the Dallas-Washington result, the reigning NFC champs have to hammer the Giants to feel good as the playoffs start.There are glaring differences between these Eagles and last year's vintage. They've freefallen from eighth in points against to 29th. They're 16th in defensive sacks (down from first in 2022), 24th in takeaways (down from fifth), and 23rd in turnover differential (down from third). Because the secondary tends to get shredded, Philadelphia's allowed more passing touchdowns (34) than every team except Washington. Dustin Satloff / Getty ImagesPhilly found ways to top the Bills, Chiefs, Cowboys, and Dolphins before the 49ers and Cowboys administered back-to-back beatdowns. The Eagles proceeded to blow fourth-quarter leads against Seattle and Arizona. They boast three 1,000-yard playmakers (A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, D'Andre Swift) and stellar offensive linemen, but Jalen Hurts was less accurate and explosive than usual during the December skid.Concerns about the Chiefs, last year's Super Bowl winners, pertain to the 12th-ranked offense's slippage. Despite consistently driving downfield, they settled for a touchdown and six field goals in Patrick Mahomes' final outing. He'll rest against the Chargers, but a strong defensive finish would make Kansas City the first team to go 17 games without ever allowing 30 points, according to Stathead.Stroud's finishing touchC.J. Stroud's Texans need to beat the Colts on Saturday to reach the playoffs. They'll host a game if Indianapolis falls and the fading Titans manage to stun the Jaguars.The surefire Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud's on track to join Justin Herbert, Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston as 4,000-yard rookie passers. He leads that group, as well as the entire league this season, in interception percentage (1.1%). Confident and efficient, Stroud has only thrown five picks despite taking enough shots downfield to rank second in intended air yards per attempt, per Pro Football Reference. Carmen Mandato / Getty ImagesBoth he and Gardner Minshew deserve to rule the AFC South. The veteran quarterback's steadiness in relief of Anthony Richardson helped the resilient Colts go 6-2 in one-score games, the second-best record in the NFL, per Stathead. Indy is 27th in defense but withstood Jonathan Taylor's lengthy injury absences to rank 10th in points.Avoiding disaster, the Jaguars blanked the Panthers last week to win for the first time in December and retain the division lead. The Jags improved to 9-1 when they rush for 80 yards (they're 0-6 otherwise) and 7-1 when the defense yields fewer than 360 yards (2-6 otherwise). They disappoint when Trevor Lawrence doesn't get enough support.Who gets the No. 2 pick?The two-win Panthers' implosion netted the Bears the first overall draft pick. The four-win teams that could get the second pick - the Commanders, Cardinals, and Patriots - host opponents of varying quality on Sunday.Washington faces Dallas on a seven-game losing skid. Arizona's opponent, Seattle, will be desperate to avoid elimination. Falling to the beatable Jets could give New England another chance to draft a worthy successor to Tom Brady.Reverse strength of schedule breaks ties in the draft order. The team whose opponents combined to post a worse win percentage through 18 weeks gets the better selection.As things stand, the Commanders' easier schedule (.515 opponent win percentage) gives them the edge over the Patriots (.518) and Cardinals (.562). If the Commanders and Patriots both lose, the Falcons-Saints outcome becomes important. Since Washington played Atlanta and New England played New Orleans this season, a Falcons triumph has the potential to cost the Commanders the tiebreaker. Boston Globe / Getty ImagesPersonal benchmarksStatistical milestones are in reach for an array of players.Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts: Whoever finishes with more rushing touchdowns - both have 15 - will set a new record for quarterbacks. They've surpassed Cam Newton's mark of 14 from 2011, and Hurts is the only QB besides Newton to punch in a dozen TDs in multiple seasons.Raheem Mostert: The Dolphins running back's next touchdown from scrimmage - his 22nd - would propel him past the injured Christian McCaffrey for the league lead. Randy Moss in 2007 was the last player to score 22 TDs.CeeDee Lamb: To steal the NFL receiving title, the Cowboys wideout needs to outgain Miami's Tyreek Hill by at least 67 yards. Lamb's already done that three times, including last weekend, by torching secondaries while Hill's productivity slumped. Ric Tapia / Getty ImagesPuka Nacua: The rookie receiving record will belong to Nacua if the Rams wideout tallies 29 yards against the 49ers. Nacua's season low is 26 yards, meaning he's almost certain to eclipse Bill Groman's 1,473-yard output from 1960.Mike Evans: Laudably consistent, the Buccaneers receiver who coasted to a 10th straight 1,000-yard season currently tops the NFL with 13 touchdown catches. If Evans grabs two TDs against the Panthers, he'll establish a new personal best.Trey Hendrickson: An eight-game sack streak increased Hendrickson's sack total to 17, a career high that ties the Bengals edge rusher with T.J. Watt for the league lead. He can spoil Watt's bid to become the first official three-time sack champ.Brandon Aubrey: The sensational Dallas kicker, a converted pro soccer defender, is 35-for-35 on field goals as an NFL rookie. If Aubrey goes 2-for-2 in the finale, he'll match Mike Vanderjagt's perfect hit rate on 37 kicks for the 2003 Colts.Nick Faris is a features writer at theScore.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While Josh Allen might not be a Pro Bowler this season, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio considers the Buffalo Bills' star quarterback a unique threat ahead of Sunday night's AFC East title decider."Allen's just a beast of a guy," said Fangio, per Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "A physical specimen, like John Elway was in the the mid-80s to the mid-90s. This guy is the new John Elway on steroids."A smiling Fangio quickly clarified that he didn't intend for his comment to be taken literally."I don't mean he's taking steroids," he said. "He's just bigger, faster, cannon for an arm, tough. He's a dude."Allen has accounted for a quarterback-high 42 touchdowns (27 passing, 15 rushing) to put Buffalo in position to steal the AFC East crown away from the 11-5 Dolphins, who've led the division for much of the season but have lost two of their last four. The 10-6 Bills have gone undefeated over that span.The Buffalo quarterback has struggled with turnovers this season, with only Sam Howell throwing more than Allen's 16 interceptions.But the veteran still ranks among the NFL's most effective passers, sitting third in QBR, fourth in success rate, and first in sack percentage heading into Week 18. He also has three game-winning drives.Allen downplayed the severity of his neck injury Wednesday, saying it wouldn't limit him versus Miami, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was agitated about not being selected for the Pro Bowl."I'm pissed," St. Brown said, according to Kyle Meinke of MLive.He added: "The receivers that got picked are great players, but I was hot."The wideouts selected over St. Brown in the NFC were A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Puka Nacua, and Mike Evans.St. Brown is having his best season since entering the league in 2021, as he is set to hit career highs in targets, catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He is tied for second in the NFL in receptions with Tyreek Hill. They trail Lamb heading into Week 18.The 24-year-old's emergence as one of the best pass catchers in the league has helped the Lions become one of the league's most dangerous teams. Detroit's offense ranks third in yards per game and fifth in points per contest, and is the main reason the club secured its first division title since 1993."I guess I didn't do enough during the season," St. Brown said, per Meinke. "I guess I have to go harder."Detroit will at least be the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs and can get the No. 2 seed with a victory over the Minnesota Vikings, plus losses from the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys in Week 18.St. Brown has 112 receptions for 1,371 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games this season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans criticized voters for not putting his teammate Antoine Winfield Jr. in the 2024 Pro Bowl."A lot of guys get snubbed, but that was probably the biggest one during my time in the league," Evans told reporters Thursday.Antoine's father expressed his frustration on Instagram with his son being left out of the Pro Bowl.

Week 18 is a different animal. Some teams have something to play for, while others do not. Teams in the latter situation give us glorified exhibition games resembling the preseason. We'll get to the real games, but it's time to look at a handful of fake competitions in the season's final week.We'll include for each game an "If all things were equal (IATWE)" line - essentially a projected point spread if the game was played amidst traditional circumstances, and divide each game into either a lean, bet or best bet.Browns @ Bengals (-7, 37.5)If All Things Were Equal (IATWE) line: Browns -1The Browns are locked into the 5-seed in the AFC playoffs, and locking up a playoff spot earned them a virtual bye this week. It was possible to foresee that Joe Flacco wouldn't play, making Bengals -4 a good bet, but who predicted Jeff Driskel as the starter? Myles Garrett and a handful of others will also sit, so we may see the line go even higher.As a general rule for "fake games," the home team gets the first look. All NFL players are playing for their careers while the franchise aims to send the fans home happy.Like the preseason, this is an opportunity for players down the depth chart. For Cincinnati, assuming its starters don't play in full, players like Jake Browning, Chase Brown, Andrei Iosivas, and Tanner Hudson will get to complete a season in which they made strides.Lean: Bengals (-7)Vikings @ Lions (-3.5, 45.5)IATWE line: Lions -7Some might argue this is a real game. However, the Vikings need a miracle to make the playoffs, and it would take almost as much for the Lions to improve their seeding.There are two options for Detroit:

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields doesn't consider Green Bay a particularly interesting city.Ahead of the Bears' regular-season finale against the Packers on Sunday, Fields joked that the Lambeau Field crowd is so loud because there isn't a lot to do in Green Bay."They're home field. I know their fans are gonna be loud because there's not much to do in Green Bay except watch football," Fields said Wednesday. "But it's gonna be a great environment for us to play in and hopefully, we have a great game and get the dub on Sunday."The 7-9 Bears have already been eliminated from the postseason, but the 8-8 Packers can still clinch a wild-card berth with a win Sunday.The NFC North rivals met in Week 1 of the season, with the Packers winning 38-20.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's only one week left in the NFL's regular season, meaning there's only one game remaining for players and coaches in the running to win a coveted award.Let's take a look at which awards oddsmakers at theScore Bet believe are wrapped up and which are still up for grabs heading into Week 18.MVPPlayerOddsLamar Jackson-10000Dak Prescott+2000Brock Purdy+3000Josh Allen+3500After Lamar Jackson dismantled the Dolphins with five passing touchdowns in Week 17, the Ravens quarterback jumped from -200 to a whopping -10000 to win the league's top honor.At an implied probability of 99%, it's safe to say Jackson will win the second MVP trophy of his career.Offensive Player of the YearPlayerOddsChristian McCaffrey-350Tyreek Hill+270CeeDee Lamb+1500Christian McCaffrey was briefly in the running for the MVP award, but with the combination of Jackson's electric play down the stretch and McCaffrey's inability to sustain his incredible touchdown rate, the 49ers tailback is only in consideration for OPOY.However, McCaffrey's ankle injury is keeping him out of Week 18, so the door is slightly more ajar for Tyreek Hill to retake the favorite position.With that said, Hill needs to put up 283 receiving yards receiving in Week 18 to surpass 2,000 this season, which would've guaranteed him the award. He's also 247 yards shy of Calvin Johnson's single-campaign receiving record. So, unless Hill has a monstrous final game, this is McCaffrey's award to win.Defensive Player of the YearPlayerOddsMyles Garrett-275Micah Parsons+350T.J. Watt+450This award has been a three-horse race all season long, and it still is despite Myles Garrett's substantial lead in the betting market. Garrett has a 73.3% implied probability of winning the award, but there may be value on Micah Parsons.Voters will certainly reward the Browns for their incredible year, but it's more likely they acknowledge it by voting for Kevin Stefanski as Coach of the Year. Unless Dak Prescott somehow steals the MVP award, the only option for voters to reward the Cowboys' potential NFC East-winning season is by voting for Parsons as the DPOY.Offensive Rookie of the YearPlayerOddsC.J. Stroud-900Puka Nacua+450Here's another award market that seems all but over. C.J. Stroud is sitting at an implied probability of 90% after he returned from injury last week to keep the Texans' playoff hopes alive.Puka Nacua is having a sensational campaign for the Rams, but it still won't be enough to outshine what Stroud's been able to do in Houston.Defensive Rookie of the YearPlayerOddsJalen Carter-175Will Anderson+250Kobie Turner+550The Texans could have the best rookie on both sides of the ball with Will Anderson cutting the gap in the betting market between himself and Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter.Carter was getting a lot of respect in the betting market due to the Eagles' success as a team, but Philadelphia's been struggling and the Texans' defense has turned it up a notch in recent weeks. Don't be surprised if Anderson steals this one and the Texans pull off a repeat of what the Jets did last year with Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner.Coach of the YearCoachOddsKevin Stefanski-900DeMeco Ryans+1000Shane Steichen+1000What Kevin Stefanski managed to pull off with the Browns this year has been nothing short of spectacular. Stefanski navigated through three starting quarterbacks before pulling Joe Flacco off the couch, which resulted in a 4-1 record and a playoff berth. Oddsmakers are giving Stefanski a 90% chance of winning his second COY.Comeback Player of the YearPlayerOddsDamar Hamlin-150Joe Flacco+125Baker Mayfield+1400The Comeback Player of the Year market may be the most interesting to debate because there aren't certain requirements to win.Damar Hamlin is perhaps the best comeback story of all time, but he isn't making a meaningful contribution to the Bills this season. On the other hand, Flacco isn't exactly coming back from anything other than being out of the league for the majority of the year, but he's playing very well and collecting wins for the Browns.The winner of this award will come down to how voters want to interpret the word "comeback." If "comeback" is the most important portion of the honor's name, then this was Hamlin's award all season long. But if voters put more emphasis on "Player of the Year," then Flacco has a far better chance than his 44.4% implied probability suggests.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL unveiled rosters for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games on Wednesday, and some deserving names were inexplicably missing from the AFC and NFC teams.Here are the five biggest snubs:Josh Allen, QB, BillsAllen not being among the top three AFC quarterbacks in the Pro Bowl has to be one of the event's most controversial decisions. Granted, the Bills star has thrown 16 interceptions this season, the second-most in the NFL. However, Patrick Mahomes - who claimed his sixth career Pro Bowl nod - isn't far behind Allen with 14 picks. The main difference is that while Mahomes has accounted for 4,572 yards and 27 combined touchdowns, Allen has contributed 42 combined TDs with 4,404 total yards.Allen - the first player in NFL history with at least 40 combined touchdowns in four straight seasons - also has fewer turnover-worthy plays than Mahomes, according to PFF.Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa headline the 2024 Pro Bowl rosters, the NFL unveiled Wednesday.Purdy led all players with 451,864 fan votes, while Tagovailoa - who was named a starter over MVP favorite and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson - received an AFC-high 414,502 votes.San Francisco will send a league-best nine players this season, while the Ravens and Dallas Cowboys each saw seven Pro Bowlers selected. The Niners also have 12 Pro Bowl alternates, which could give them a whopping 21 players at the All-Star event.The New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders, and Carolina Panthers are without a Pro Bowler this season. It's the first time no Patriots player has been selected since 2000.Starting last year, the NFL replaced its traditional Pro Bowl with weeklong competitions between the AFC and NFC, including flag football contests. The Pro Bowl Games take place Feb. 4 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.* denotes starterAFC OffensePOSITIONPLAYERTEAMQBTua Tagovailoa*DolphinsQBLamar JacksonRavensQBPatrick MahomesChiefsRBRaheem Mostert*DolphinsRBJames CookBillsRBDerrick HenryTitansFBAlec Ingold*DolphinsWRTyreek Hill*DolphinsWRAmari Cooper*BrownsWRKeenan AllenChargersWRJa'Marr ChaseBengalsTETravis Kelce*ChiefsTEDavid NjokuBrownsOTLaremy TunsilTexansOTDion DawkinsBillsOTTerron ArmsteadDolphinsGQuenton Nelson*ColtsGJoel BitonioBrownsGJoe ThuneyChiefsCCreed HumphreyChiefsCTyler LinderbaumRavensNFC OffensePOSITIONPLAYERTEAMQBBrock Purdy*49ersQBDak PrescottCowboysQBMatthew StaffordRamsRBChristian McCaffrey*49ersRBD'Andre SwiftEaglesRBKyren WilliamsRamsFBKyle Juszczyk*49ersWRCeeDee Lamb*CowboysWRA.J. Brown*EaglesWRMike EvansBuccaneersWRPuka NacuaRamsTEGeorge Kittle*49ersTESam LaPortaLionsOTTrent Williams*49ersOTLane Johnson*EaglesOTPenei SewellLionsGZack Martin*CowboysGChris Lindstrom*FalconsGLandon DickersonEaglesCJason Kelce*EaglesCFrank RagnowLionsAFC DefensePOSITIONPLAYERTEAMDEMyles Garrett*BrownsDEMaxx Crosby*RaidersDETrey HendricksonBengalsDLChris Jones*ChiefsDLQuinnen Williams*JetsDLJustin MadubuikeRavensOLBT.J. Watt*SteelersOLBKhalil Mack*ChargersOLBJosh AllenJaguarsILBRoquan Smith*RavensILBPatrick QueenRavensCBPatrick Surtain II*BroncosCBSauce Gardner*JetsCBJalen RamseyDolphinsCBDenzel WardBrownsFSJustin Simmons*BroncosFSMinkah Fitzpatrick*SteelersSSKyle HamiltonRavensNFC DefensePOSITIONPLAYERTEAMDENick Bosa*49ersDEMontez Sweat*BearsDEAidan HutchinsonLionsDLAaron Donald*RamsDLDexter Lawrence*GiantsDLJavon Hargrave49ersOLBMicah Parsons*CowboysOLBDanielle Hunter*VikingsOLBHaason ReddickEaglesILBFred Warner*49ersILBBobby WagnerSeahawksCBDaRon Bland*CowboysCBCharvarius Ward*49ersCBDevon WitherspoonSeahawksCBJaylon JohnsonBearsFSJessie Bates*FalconsSSBudda Baker*CardinalsSSJulian LoveSeahawksAFC Special teamsPOSITIONPLAYERTEAMPAJ Cole*RaidersKJustin Tucker*RavensKRMarvin Mims*BroncosSTMiles Killebrew*SteelersLSRoss Matiscik*JaguarsNFC Special teamsPOSITIONPLAYERTEAMPBryan Anger*CowboysKBrandon Aubrey*CowboysKRRashid Shaheed*SaintsSTJalen Reeves-Maybin*LionsLSAndrew DePaola*VikingsCopyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.