Raiders All-Pro receiver Davante Adams strongly praised Antonio Pierce on Wednesday, adding he hopes Las Vegas hires the interim head coach as the team's permanent sideline boss in 2024."It's obviously who I want, that's my vote," Adams said. "I've been vocal about that, and that's basically how the whole locker room feels, and with good reason. He's come in and done a great job, just continuing to win us over."He added: "Having AP here would be good for this organization. He kind of embodies what it means to be a Raider in that mentality, that swag. All the things that he endorses (are) the things that I believe in. ... Definitely rooting for him."The Raiders promoted Pierce from linebackers coach to interim head coach in late October to replace Josh McDaniels, whom the club fired after a 3-5 start. Las Vegas - which is 4-4 under Pierce - also dismissed general manager Dave Ziegler and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi.Adams said that Pierce's experience as a player is a huge factor in him having a good relationship with Raiders players. The 45-year-old coach played in the NFL from 2001-09. A former linebacker, he helped the New York Giants pull one of football's greatest comebacks in Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots."Having played, understanding where we come from, to be able to give a good assessment of the game as far as our effort, whatever it is. ... He just has a realistic approach and mindset of how the game is supposed to be played, and what he expects from his players. And it's easy to get behind that," Adams added.McDaniels became the fourth coach fired by the Raiders since owner Mark Davis took over in 2012. The team also had three different interim coaches in that span, including Rich Bisaccia, who posted a 7-5 record and helped Las Vegas make the playoffs during the 2021 season but wasn't hired permanently by the club.Davis recently praised Pierce's leadership but also said he expects greater improvement from the Raiders' offense beyond this season. The last two head coaches hired by Las Vegas - Jon Gruden and McDaniels - were offensive-minded.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Running back Saquon Barkley is sticking by his past statements, wishing to remain with the New York Giants long term."I've mentioned before that I want to be a Giant for life," Barkley said, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "That was a goal of mine when I got drafted. I wanted to leave a legacy here, but it's out of my control."Leading up to the trade deadline, Barkley said he didn't want to get dealt and expressed confidence in the organization going forward.Barkley has been with the Giants since they drafted him second overall in 2018. He agreed to play the 2023 season on a revised franchise tag after the two sides failed to agree on a long-term contract.The 26-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year opens in March."I'm still as open as I was before," Barkley said. "I just want something that is fair. ... But like I said, I get it. It's a business. If it's not here, hopefully, it's some other place."He added, "I do know that if I'm going to strike, I have to do it now. This is really probably my last opportunity to get a second deal. After that, the way they view running backs and treat running backs, it's not really ideal if you're looking at it that way."Josh Jacobs and Jonathan Taylor - two other star running backs - were also involved in public contract negotiations with their respective teams last offseason. Jacobs settled on a revised tag, while Taylor secured a three-year, $42-million contract in October.Barkley is having a down season after a tremendous 2022 campaign. He's averaging 4 yards per carry on 229 attempts across 13 contests.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It'll be Carson Wentz versus Sam Darnold for Sunday's regular-season finale between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.The Rams are starting Wentz in order to rest Matthew Stafford before the postseason, head coach Sean McVay confirmed Wednesday. Los Angeles clinched a playoff spot in Week 17.McVay added that the Rams will also rest running back Kyren Williams, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and linebacker Ernest Jones.Meanwhile, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Darnold will fill in for Brock Purdy after the team already locked up the NFC's No. 1 seed, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury.Wentz signed with the Rams in November and hasn't started a game since Week 17 of the 2022 season when he was part of the Washington Commanders.Depending on the results of Week 18, the 9-7 Rams will end the campaign as either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the NFC.Los Angeles has been one of the NFC's hottest teams since returning from its Week 10 bye, owning a 6-1 record in that span. That lone loss was an overtime defeat on the road to the Baltimore Ravens, who own the AFC's top seed.The 49ers will also be without star running back Christian McCaffrey, who was ruled out earlier this week due to a calf strain.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's zero doubt in Jonathan Gannon's mind that Kyler Murray will be the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback in 2024."I've been (convinced) since I got here," Gannon said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "What the guy's done for us, the player that he is, the person that he is, the competitor that he is, I kind of chuckled. That's been my view since I got here."There had been speculation that the Cardinals could move on from Murray in 2024 if Gannon wanted a quarterback of his picking. Arizona currently holds the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.However, Gannon spoke at length about the great relationship and trust he has with Murray."I love the fact that he feels he doesn't have to tell me anything, the fact that he comes to me and just thinks that my opinion matters means a lot," Gannon said.The Cardinals have gone 4-12 this season but are 3-4 since Kyler Murray returned from an ACL tear he suffered last year. The former No. 1 overall pick has thrown nine touchdowns to five interceptions while also leading two fourth-quarter comebacks, including one last Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers won't see Lamar Jackson on the field Saturday.Head coach John Harbaugh announced Wednesday that the MVP front-runner will rest for the Week 18 finale. Tyler Huntley will get the start, while Josh Johnson will serve as his backup.The Ravens have already locked up the AFC's No. 1 seed after beating the Miami Dolphins 56-19 in Week 17. Jackson resting provides a major opportunity for the Steelers, who are still fighting for a playoff spot.The 9-7 Steelers are on the outside of the AFC's wild-card picture. Their easiest path to the postseason involves a victory against the Ravens and a loss by either the Buffalo Bills or Jacksonville Jaguars. They could also make it in even with a loss if the Jaguars lose, the Denver Broncos win, and the Indianapolis Colts-Houston Texans matchup doesn't end in a tie.Jackson has enjoyed a remarkable 2023 campaign, throwing for 3,678 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He's also rushed for 821 yards and five scores.His play over the last two games - wins over the Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers - has catapulted Jackson to the front of the MVP conversation. Over those contests, he threw seven touchdowns to zero interceptions as the Ravens outscored their two opponents by a combined score of 89-38.Huntley started four games last season for an injured Jackson, owning a 2-2 record. He even garnered a Pro Bowl invite despite only throwing for two touchdowns to three interceptions.On the other side, the Steelers will start Mason Rudolph for a third straight contest after an impressive two-game run.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings will start Nick Mullens at quarterback on Sunday for their crucial matchup against the Detroit Lions, head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Wednesday.The 28-year-old started the Vikings' Week 15 contest against the Lions but was benched after throwing four interceptions in the loss. Jaren Hall took over under center and started in Week 16, but the team sat him after halftime in last week's matchup with the Green Bay Packers.Mullens has thrown for 910 yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions in four games.The Vikings' postseason hopes are still alive, but they'll need plenty of help to get there. A Minnesota win combined with losses by the Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints would give the Vikings a playoff berth.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After looking visibly upset late during the Philadelphia Eagles' upset loss to the Arizona Cardinals last week, star wide receiver A.J. Brown spoke to the media for the first time in nearly two weeks to set the record straight."You saw my frustration on the field - it wasn't about the play-call, it wasn't about none of that, it was about my guy (DeVonta Smith) getting banged up," Brown told reporters, including 94 WIP's Eliot Shorr-Parks.Brown declined to talk to the media following Sunday's game for the second consecutive week. His silence has come amid the Eagles losing four of their past five games, fueling speculation about his frustration with the team. Brown also clarified his decision not to speak following last week's game."Honestly ... I didn't want to be negative," he said. "I had already transitioned to the mindset where we were going through a tough time."Brown added: "I was raised that if I had nothing nice to say, I'm not going to say nothing at all."Although Philadelphia's leading receiver felt he'd be portrayed as a "monster" if he had said anything during the team's recent struggles, he said he apologized to his teammates for having to speak on his behalf. In addition, the 26-year-old indicated he's not upset with the coaching."The coaches played zero snaps this year," he said. "It's not the coaches, it is us (the players)."Brown hasn't found the end zone during the Eagles' slump over the past five outings, which has put them in a wild-card position. However, the wideout believes the team's struggles are part of the club's natural progression."That's what happens when you try to get to the next step," Brown said. "Gravity pulls against you, everything pulls against you, and I think that's what this team is going through right now."Brown has recorded 105 receptions for 1,447 yards to go along with seven touchdowns. He's only 50 yards shy of surpassing the franchise's single-season receiving yards record he set in 2022. Brown is also 11 catches behind Zach Ertz for the most receptions in a season by an Eagles pass-catcher.Philadelphia will need a win Sunday against the New York Giants and a loss by the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC East division.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs will rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other starters for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Chiefs head into the final game before they playoffs already locked into the conference's No. 3 seed.With Mahomes out, Blaine Gabbert will begin the contest under center. Reid did not mention who else will sit.Gabbert hasn't started a game since the 2018 campaign when he was a member of the Tennessee Titans. The former top-ten pick has thrown 51 touchdowns to 49 interceptions over his career.Mahomes' 2023 regular season effort comes to a close with the signal-caller totaling 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns, and a career-high 14 interceptions.The Chiefs won their eighth straight AFC West title in 2023, but they've struggled in the second half of the campaign. Since starting 7-2, Kansas City went 3-4 to enter the final week with a 10-6 mark.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Lions fans aren't hiding their displeasure with the controversial outcome of their team's Week 17 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.Following the Lions' 20-19 loss to the Cowboys on Saturday, billboards reading "Decker Reported" popped up around Detroit.

The NFL fined Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper $300,000 for his "unacceptable conduct" during the team's 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17, according to Judy Battista of NFL.com.A video shows Tepper seemingly throwing the contents of a cup into the crowd below his suite Sunday at EverBank Stadium before storming off. A Jaguars fan immediately reacted by climbing up toward the suite.

Unlike recent seasons, the Los Angeles Rams don't need to worry about retaining Sean McVay.After contemplating his future following the Rams' Super Bowl win in the 2021 season and again last year after his first losing campaign, the head coach suggested Tuesday that he'll return next season."That I can promise you," McVay said on the "Coach McVay Show" when asked if the series will return next campaign.McVay is under contract through 2026. He's also just seven regular-season wins away from breaking John Robinson's franchise record of 75 victories.The 37-year-old is in the running for Coach of the Year after getting the Rams back to the playoffs in what most expected to be a rebuilding year for the NFC West club. Los Angeles clinched a wild-card spot in Week 17.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett strongly denied reports that stated he refused to be the backup to Mason Rudolph for the team's Week 17 win over the Seattle Seahawks."I saw reports out there that I felt like were attacking my character and how I am as a person, not even getting into a player standpoint of it," Pickett said on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of being a two."Pickett added that he would've received the nod over Rudolph last week had he recovered enough from an ankle injury that's sidelined him since early December."If I was healthy enough to play and the trainers and coaches felt like I looked good enough to play, I was going to start and play," he said. "If they believed that I was not, which they believed I was not, I was not going to dress and suit up for the game."Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced Monday that Rudolph will start the crucial regular-season finale Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens despite Pickett returning to full health.The 2022 first-round pick confirmed he'll be the backup to Rudolph for the game versus Baltimore."So whoever reported that, I dunno where it started, it's kind of crazy what people will write and put out there to try to prove their point or help their standpoint or their careers and what you guys do," he said. "But disappointed to see that without any proof or basis of it."Rudolph has powered Pittsburgh back into playoff contention with back-to-back wins. The Steelers have struggled for much of the season on offense but have their two highest-scoring games of the year with Rudolph under center.After a poor rookie season, Pickett failed to take a sophomore leap in 2023 before his injury. He's completed 62% of his attempts for 2,070 yards and just six touchdowns against four interceptions.Pittsburgh must beat Baltimore - which has clinched the No. 1 seed and could rest its starters - and hope other AFC wild-card contenders falter in Week 18 to earn a postseason spot.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets and running back Dalvin Cook mutually agreed to part ways, his agency told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The four-time Pro Bowler will now have the chance to join a playoff team ahead of the postseason. However, it's uncertain how much interest Cook will get on the open market amid the worst season of his career.The veteran has just 67 carries for 214 yards and zero touchdowns after signing a one-year contract worth $7 million with $5.8 million guaranteed. Cook restructured his deal to forfeit remaining guarantees, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Breece Hall cemented himself as New York's primary ball carrier, producing 816 rushing yards, 579 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns.The 28-year-old Cook was among the NFL's best running backs in six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before joining New York as a free agent this past offseason. He had four straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2019-22, including a 1,557-yard, 16-touchdown campaign in 2020.With Aaron Rodgers sidelined for nearly the entire season with a torn Achilles suffered in Week 1, the Jets have sputtered to a 6-10 record and were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If the Chicago Bears decide to move on from Justin Fields and use the No. 1 pick on his replacement, they could get significant trade value for the quarterback.Fields could be worth a second- or third-round pick in a pre-draft trade, league evaluators told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Chicago locked up the top selection in the 2024 draft after the Carolina Panthers suffered their 14th defeat of the season in Week 17. The Panthers sent the Bears their 2024 first-rounder as part of a blockbuster trade to move up to No. 1 last year for quarterback Bryce Young.Bears fans attending Sunday's 37-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons made it clear they want Fields to stay.

Bill Belichick showed his humorous side while discussing his future plans on Tuesday.During an appearance on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show," Belichick joked that if he were to announce anything about his coaching plans for 2024, he'd do so on social media - including his favorite fictional website "MyFace" - for the world to see."You know, if I was going to do anything, I'd put it out there on Twitter and MyFace so everybody could see it," he said. "But if I don't do that, then I'll just keep it private."The New England Patriots head coach dodged several questions Tuesday, saying he wouldn't talk about "hypotheticals" or anything about the past or future, according to Nick O'Malley of MassLive.When asked by the hosts if they could expect him to continue appearing on the show next year, Belichick responded, "Again, I appreciate the question. Worry about next year, next year."Belichick is keeping his attention on the Patriots' season finale against the New York Jets for now. New England enters the matchup with an AFC-worst 4-12 record and will miss out on the playoffs for the third time in the last four years.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins pass-rusher Bradley Chubb will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL in Sunday's 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Mike McDaniel announced Monday, according to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe.The veteran pass-rusher was carted off after the injury, which occurred with only three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins trailed by 30 points at the time.Head coach Mike McDaniel said postgame he wouldn't have kept Chubb in the game if he knew he was going to get hurt, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques."It doesn't look very smart at all," McDaniel added.Chubb's major injury leaves the Dolphins severely depleted. Miami already lost edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a torn Achilles earlier this season.Chubb suffered a partially torn ACL during the 2019 season.McDaniel also said cornerback Xavien Howard isn't expected to play in the upcoming Week 18 game against the Buffalo Bills due to a foot injury and is week-to-week, per Louis-Jacques. However, Howard's injury shouldn't require surgery.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is dealing with a "mild calf strain" that will sideline him in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Monday, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic.Shanahan added that the team is "real confident" McCaffrey will be available in the playoffs, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.McCaffrey sustained the injury in Sunday's win over the Washington Commanders. Shanahan said postgame that the ailment didn't look serious and that they "think he'll be alright."The 49ers clinched the No. 1 seed and a playoff bye in the NFC by beating the Commanders. The star tailback will now have an extra week to recover before playing a home divisional-round matchup."It could have been a lot worse," Shanahan said, according to Wagoner. "We're happy that they'll take care of him this week, and hopefully, he'll start getting to go during our off week."McCaffrey has put on a show this season and leads the NFL in touches (339), scrimmage yards (2,023), and total touchdowns (21). The 27-year-old has also rushed for a league-high 1,459 yards (5.4 per carry) to go along with 14 TDs on the ground.Injuries have afflicted McCaffrey throughout his career, as the 2017 top-10 pick played just 10 games in 2020 and 2021 combined as a member of the Carolina Panthers. The two-time Pro Bowler, however, hasn't missed a game since joining the 49ers as part of a blockbuster trade midway through the 2022 season.The 49ers enter Week 18 with a 12-4 record. The Rams, who've also clinched a playoff berth, are 9-7.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh hasn't decided whether Lamar Jackson will play Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.The Week 18 regular-season finale carries no consequences for the Ravens, who already clinched the AFC North and conference's No. 1 seed.Harbaugh assured Monday that he wouldn't keep the decision a "secret.""We've got to kind of work through the injury part of it first," Harbaugh said, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "That'll take us probably 24 to 48 hours to get a real handle on that, and then we'll make those decisions."Harbaugh didn't sound convinced that resting Jackson and potentially others would lead to the same issues the team faced the last time it was the No. 1 seed. During the 2019 season, Baltimore elected to sit its starters for the regular-season finale with a playoff bye already clinched, only to go one-and-done in the postseason."It's a different team, different circumstances, different everything except for the record was about the same and the bye," Harbaugh said.Pundits have regarded Jackson as a leading candidate for the NFL MVP award. The signal-caller bolstered his case Sunday with five touchdowns and no interceptions in a 56-19 victory over the Miami Dolphins.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL isn't planning to change the procedure for players reporting as eligible despite the controversial end to the Dallas Cowboys' win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday, a source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.The Lions had a potential game-winning two-point conversion wiped out in the final minute after offensive lineman Taylor Decker was flagged for illegal touching after catching the score. However, video appeared to show Decker report as eligible to referee Brad Allen.The confusion stems from the Lions' apparent attempt to hide their plans for a trick play by also having offensive lineman Dan Skipper - who often reports as eligible to play tight end - run toward Allen, who then called Skipper as eligible instead of Decker.

Even with Kenny Pickett rounding back to full health, the Pittsburgh Steelers will start Mason Rudolph for their crucial Week 18 regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Mike Tomlin announced Monday."I think Kenny's availability is less in question this week. I anticipate him being available to practice," Tomlin told reporters. "That being said, we're going to leave the ball in Mason Rudolph's hands."Tomlin noted that the decision to go with Rudolph stems from the offense's recent success with him under center."He's done a good job and we've done a good job in the most recent two weeks. We've taken care of the ball. He's taken care of the ball. We've scored points at a rate in which we hadn't done to this point this year. With the urgency of the moment and because of those reasons, we're going to leave the ball in his hands."The Steelers have scored 34 and 30 points, respectively, in their last two games - both of which Rudolph started. They marked the only contests this season in which Pittsburgh has scored 30-plus points.The 9-7 Steelers are on the outside of the AFC's wild-card race and need to beat the Ravens on Saturday to keep their hopes alive. However, they do not control their own destiny and will need help to sneak in.Rudolph, who started the year as the team's third-string quarterback behind Pickett and Mitch Trubisky, has risen to the occasion. Over his two starts, he's thrown for 564 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.He was given the opportunity to start after Trubisky was benched in Week 15. The second-stringer was in the lineup because Pickett suffered an ankle injury in Week 13.Tomlin didn't provide an answer on whether Rudolph would continue starting if the Steelers made the postseason."It depends on what happens this week, to be quite honest with you," Tomlin said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "At this point, hypotheticals and speculation is fruitless for us."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

No one likely understands Bryce Young's frustrations amid a poor first NFL season better than Trevor Lawrence, who also struggled as a rookie despite being hyped as the best quarterback prospect in a decade.After the Carolina Panthers suffered their 14th loss of the season to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Lawrence - who missed Sunday's game with a shoulder injury - advised Young to keep his head down."It seems like our rookie years are kind of going similar up until this point," Lawrence said, according to ESPN's David Newton. "I would just say for him to just stay the course. There's no denying he's a super-talented guy. He has all the tools and tangibles."The usually even-keeled Young lost his composure on the sideline in the second quarter of the 26-0 defeat, tossing his tablet in anger.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.1. Baltimore Ravens (13-3) Ryan Kang / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 1Lamar Jackson is the NFL's MVP, and the Ravens might have the league's best defense on the other side of the ball. Look no further for your clear-cut Super Bowl favorites.2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)Previous Rank: 2The 49ers are separating themselves from the rest of the NFC more with every passing week. Is this finally the year they avoid any playoff setbacks?3. Buffalo Bills (10-6)Previous Rank: 3The Bills somehow still haven't clinched a playoff spot. The rest of the AFC is probably hoping for some Week 18 chaos that keeps them out, because nobody wants to meet this team in the postseason.4. Miami Dolphins (11-5)Previous Rank: 4Injuries are starting to pile up for the Dolphins. This team can light up the scoreboard like few others, but the pass rush losing both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb will be tough to overcome.5. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 5The Cowboys are now in the driver's seat for the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed. That means they'll have an opportunity for at least two games in Dallas, where they're a perfect 8-0 on the year.6. Detroit Lions (11-5)Previous Rank: 7Detroit would be the No. 2 seed in the NFC were it not for an officiating blunder on Saturday night in Dallas. But even being in a position to knock off the Cowboys at home should be taken as a sign that this team can hang with the big dogs.7. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)Previous Rank: 8Scoring remains a real problem for Kansas City, but the defense is better than ever. If this team is going to go on another run, it'll look a lot different than it did in years past.8. Los Angeles Rams (9-7)Previous Rank: 9The Rams are another team that nobody wants to stare down right now. Matthew Stafford is playing some of the best ball of his career, and L.A. is getting major contributions from an incredible rookie class.9. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)Previous Rank: 6The Eagles hit a new low with this week's loss to the Cardinals. While you can never count out a team with this much talent, the defensive issues aren't magically going to fix themselves. The coaching staff needs to figure things out soon.10. Cleveland Browns (11-5) Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 10Joe Flacco continues to amaze. The veteran quarterback has been exactly what the Browns needed to keep their season alive and give a supremely talented roster a chance to make a run.11. Houston Texans (9-7)Previous Rank: 13The Texans are right back in the mix after C.J. Stroud came back from a concussion. The rookie sensation picked up where left off in this week's win, giving Houston a chance to earn a playoff spot in Week 18.12. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)Previous Rank: 16A meeting with the Panthers was exactly what the Jaguars needed to end their losing streak. Can the shutout win, along with Trevor Lawrence's potential return, finally get this team back on track?13. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)Previous Rank: 17The Colts simply refuse to go away. Shane Steichen deserves Coach of the Year consideration for giving Indy a shot at the playoffs with Gardner Minshew at quarterback.14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)Previous Rank: 12Losing to the Saints was a major setback, but a Week 18 win over the Panthers is all the Bucs need to lock up the NFC South title.15. Green Bay Packers (8-8) Mike Stobe / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 21Jordan Love is for real. The Packers can secure a wild-card spot with a win over the Bears, and they could be a sneaky tough out in the playoffs.16. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)Previous Rank: 18It seems unlikely that the Steelers will finally enjoy some playoff success, but the consistency of this organization remains remarkable. Mike Tomlin has now gone 17 straight seasons without a losing record.17. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)Previous Rank: 11The Seahawks need help to get into the playoffs, and they have nobody to blame other than themselves. Giving up 30 points to the Steelers in a big spot at home is as disappointing as it gets.18. New Orleans Saints (8-8)Previous Rank: 24A convincing win over the Bucs showed what the Saints could be when they're firing on all cylinders. Those performances have been few and far between, though, so New Orleans needs a lot to go right in Week 18 to get into the playoffs.19. Denver Broncos (8-8)Previous Rank: 15The Broncos have been eliminated from playoff contention and it turns out they'd been considering benching Russell Wilson long before the move was made this past week. Sean Payton's first season has been a roller coaster.20. Chicago Bears (7-9) Quinn Harris / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 22Don't look now, but the Bears are heading in the right direction with wins in five of their last seven games. There may not be a coaching change in Chicago after all.21. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9)Previous Rank: 14Falling to the Colts one week after beating the Chiefs to keep their season alive is a tough way to bow out of the playoff race. Finishing the year with a win might be important for Antonio Pierce's chances of getting the full-time coaching job in Las Vegas.22. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)Previous Rank: 19Jake Browning has cooled off after a hot start as QB1, and the Bengals' playoff chances have disappeared as a result. Still, hanging around for this long without Joe Burrow should be considered a win.23. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)Previous Rank: 20Injuries have decimated the Vikings defense, and the offense can't stop cycling through quarterbacks. It's going to take some Week 18 madness for Minnesota to get into the playoffs.24. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)Previous Rank: 23A three-game stretch in which they lost to the Panthers, made easy work of the Colts, and got blown out by the Bears is the perfect way to sum up the Falcons' season. A lot of bad with some good mixed in.25. Arizona Cardinals (4-12) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrevious Rank: 28The Cardinals have a long way to go, but they've been far more competitive than anyone could have expected. Beating the Eagles, Jonathan Gannon's former team, was a great moment for this young club.26. New York Giants (5-11)Previous Rank: 26The Giants getting better production from Tyrod Taylor than they did Daniel Jones tells you everything you need to know about their quarterback situation. Will they have the courage to admit the mistake with Jones' contract so soon?27. Tennessee Titans (5-11)Previous Rank: 25The Titans are in rough shape. After losses in seven of their last nine contests, it's never been more clear that this team needs a full rebuild.28. New York Jets (6-10)Previous Rank: 27We'll cut the Jets some slack here, as a healthy Aaron Rodgers clearly would have made this team more competitive. But this is the last year for excuses.29. New England Patriots (4-12)Previous Rank: 30Patriots fans have to be sweating their Week 18 matchup with the Jets. It presents a real opportunity for Bill Belichick to go out with an unnecessary win, potentially bumping New England out of position to draft a quarterback in the process.30. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11) Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 29Another lost season for the Chargers. Ownership needs to swing big in the upcoming head coach and general manager searches.31. Washington Commanders (4-12)Previous Rank: 31The Commanders are in position for the No. 2 pick and the right to draft one of this year's elite quarterback prospects. This season has been a slog, but that would be a major victory for a long-suffering franchise.32. Carolina Panthers (2-14)Previous Rank: 32The Panthers are the worst team in football - and they traded away the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Rebuilding this organization is going to be a long process. David Tepper can't afford to make another bad coaching hire.Copyright (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.Case closed Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's been a strange season for MVP discourse. Odds are shifting each week. At times, it's felt like we've been rotating between whichever quarterback is coming off the biggest win (you know, a team stat). Thankfully, the most deserving candidates tend to separate themselves by the end of a long year.And now we can all say it together: It was always Lamar Jackson.Turn on the tape, and it's not difficult to see that the Ravens superstar has been the most consistently great quarterback throughout the regular season. A new offensive system, along with an improved supporting cast, has allowed Lamar to showcase his talents from the pocket like never before. Pair that often disrespected ability with his unique skill set as a runner, and you get the league's most unstoppable weapon.But in a world where we've got data for everything, it can be easy to build a case against someone who isn't quite satisfying arbitrary statistical thresholds. Case in point: Heading into this week, Lamar having only 19 passing touchdowns wasn't quite doing it for the Brock Purdy truthers.One monster performance later, and the statistical arguments aren't quite as compelling. In the biggest spot of the season, with the Ravens needing to beat the Dolphins to clinch the AFC's No. 1 seed, Lamar delivered everything you could possibly want from an MVP quarterback.Jackson played out of his mind in the 56-19 rout, completing 18 of 21 passes for 321 yards (15.3 yards per attempt) and five touchdowns. He now joins Ben Roethlisberger as the only players in NFL history with a perfect passing rating and five-plus touchdowns in multiple games.

NFL Playoff Picture is a weekly look at the teams jockeying to secure their shot to make it to Super Bowl LVIII.AFCSeedTeamDivisionRecord1Ravens (z)North13-32Dolphins (x)East11-53Chiefs (y)West10-64JaguarsSouth9-75Browns (x)North11-56BillsEast10-67ColtsSouth9-7x = clinched playoff berth

A high-stakes tilt between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins will be featured in the Sunday night timeslot of the NFL's Week 18 schedule, the league announced.The winner will take the AFC East crown and host a game on Wild Card Weekend.The final weekend of the regular season will also include a pair of Saturday games, with the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts hosting the Houston Texans.Baltimore clinched the No. 1 seed with a win over the Miami Dolphins this week, but Pittsburgh is still fighting for a playoff spot. The Steelers need a win and some help from other teams in the AFC. The winner of the Houston-Indianapolis game would win the AFC South title if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.Here's a look at the full schedule for Week 18.

The Minnesota Vikings switched quarterbacks at halftime of their crucial Week 17 game against the Green Bay Packers, subbing in Nick Mullens for an ineffective Jaren Hall.Hall was making his second start of the season, with his first coming in November against the Atlanta Falcons. He attempted only six passes versus Atlanta before exiting due to injury.Mullens started in Weeks 15 and 16 but was relegated back to the bench after throwing six interceptions across those two outings. Mullens, though, tossed for over 700 yards in those two games combined.Hall, the Vikings' fifth-round pick in 2023, went 5-for-10 with 67 yards and a pick in the first half against Green Bay. The Vikings entered the night needing to win their final two games to have a shot at the playoffs.Minnesota has shuffled through a revolving door of quarterbacks following Kirk Cousins' season-ending Achilles injury. Hall, Mullens, and Joshua Dobbs have all started multiple games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs held off the Cincinnati Bengals for a 25-17 win to clinch their eight consecutive AFC West title Sunday.More to come.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers knocked off the Seattle Seahawks 30-23 on Sunday to clinch head coach Mike Tomlin's 17th consecutive non-losing season.Tomlin, who took over in Pittsburgh in 2007, has finished at .500 thrice but has never ended a campaign below that mark.The Steelers entered Week 17 needing to defeat the Seahawks or the Baltimore Ravens over their final two games to guarantee a non-losing season. They're now 9-7 with the Ravens meeting on deck.Tomlin guided the Steelers to a Super Bowl XLIII championship and has led the team to the postseason 10 times. Pittsburgh will enter Week 18 outside the playoff picture but can sneak in as a wild card.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper seemed to lose his cool during his team's 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.Tepper appeared to throw the contents of a cup into the crowd below his suite at EverBank Stadium before storming off. A fan seems to react immediately by climbing up toward the suite:

The Baltimore Ravens arguably cemented their status as Super Bowl favorites after demolishing the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins in consecutive weeks, and receiver Odell Beckham Jr. went even further in his praise for his club."This is the best team I've been on in the NFL ever in my life," said Beckham after Baltimore's 56-19 win Sunday over Miami, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.The Ravens secured the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs with their 13th victory of the season. Star quarterback Lamar Jackson also all but secured his second MVP award after throwing for five touchdowns and finishing with a perfect passer rating.Baltimore is the first team in NFL history to win back-to-back regular-season games by 10-plus points against 11-win teams, according to CBS.Beckham, who joined the Ravens as a free agent this offseason, was part of the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl-winning squad during the 2021 season.The veteran wideout only had one catch against Miami as Jackson spread the wealth, but he turned back the clock for a wild 33-yard grab.

The Chicago Bears are officially on the clock.The Bears locked up the No. 1 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft after the Carolina Panthers secured the league's worst record with a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.The 2-14 Panthers traded their top 2024 pick to Chicago to move up to first overall last season and select quarterback Bryce Young.2021 first-round quarterback Justin Fields has shown improvement this season, but it's uncertain if that'll convince the Bears to pass up on the draft's top two passers, USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye.Williams and Maye are widely regarded as worthy of being top-three selections.The 7-9 Bears' own first-round pick currently sits at 10th overall.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is dealing with a "possible calf strain" after exiting Sunday's win against the Washington Commanders, head coach Kyle Shanahan said, according to Jake Hutchinson of Audacy."We think he'll be alright," said Shanahan. "Don't know if he would've been able to go next week ... He was moving around alright on the sideline, so hopefully it's not too bad."Shanahan added that the team will know more about McCaffrey's injury after tests on Monday.With the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs secured, the 49ers will have the luxury of being able to rest McCaffrey and potentially their other stars in Week 18.The star running back exceeded 2,000 total scrimmage yards earlier in the game against the Commanders to go along with his NFL-high 21 scores. He had 64 rushing yards and 27 receiving yards before exiting.Elijah Mitchell led the 49ers' backfield in McCaffrey's absence, finishing with 17 carries for 80 yards and one touchdown.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The road to Super Bowl LVIII will go through Baltimore and San Francisco.The Ravens took down the Miami Dolphins 56-19 on Sunday to clinch the AFC's No. 1 seed, securing a bye in the wild-card round and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The 49ers did the same in the NFC by defeating the Washington Commanders 27-10 in Week 17.Baltimore - which blew out San Francisco last week - defeated Miami thanks to another spectacular Lamar Jackson performance. The star quarterback completed 18 of 21 pass attempts for 321 yards and five touchdowns, crawling closer to his second career MVP award. He also added 35 yards on the ground.It's the second time the Jackson-led Ravens have claimed the AFC's No. 1 seed. They had a bye in the playoffs during the 2019 campaign - when Jackson won the MVP - before suffering a stunning divisional-round loss to the Tennessee Titans.Meanwhile, the 49ers entered this weekend needing a combination of results to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC. In addition to San Francisco's victory over Washington, the Detroit Lions lost to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday and the Philadelphia Eagles suffered a shocking collapse versus the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.The 49ers also last held the NFC No. 1 seed in 2019. They went to the Super Bowl that season but fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs.The two No. 1 seeds from 2022 made it to the Super Bowl last season, with the Chiefs edging the Eagles in February.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis left Sunday's 26-3 loss against the Houston Texans after sustaining a foot injury.Levis appeared to suffer the injury on a sack from Jerry Hughes in the second quarter. He managed to walk off the field under his own power.Ryan Tannehill took over at quarterback, and the Titans listed Levis as questionable to return but downgraded him to out after halftime.Levis dealt with an ankle injury before the game but was a full participant in practices leading up to Sunday's matchup. The 2023 second-rounder missed the Titans' loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16.The Kentucky product completed two of his six pass attempts for 16 yards before leaving Sunday's contest.The Titans have posted a 3-5 record with Levis as a starter in his rookie campaign. He entered Week 17 with 1,792 passing yards, eight touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 59% completion rate.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ja'Marr Chase can officially back up his viral pregame comments about the Kansas City Chiefs.The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver - who didn't play last week due to a shoulder injury - is active for Sunday's crucial game against the Chiefs.Chase was originally listed as questionable after being a limited participant at practice on Thursday and Friday. He was able to go through his usual pregame routine in Week 17.The star wideout went viral on Thursday for saying that nothing stands out about the Chiefs' secondary, adding that Kansas City often doubles its opponent's top wideouts "because they can't do it one-on-one."Chase leads Cincinnati with 93 catches for 1,156 yards and seven touchdowns this season. The 2021 No. 5 pick has topped 1,000 yards in each of his three NFL seasons.With Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, the Bengals boast one of the NFL's best wide receiver corps. Cincy - which is currently the AFC's No. 10 seed with an 8-7 record - likely needs to win its final two regular-season games to have a realistic shot at making the playoffs.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller is inactive for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots despite having no injury designation.Head coach Sean McDermott's decision to sideline the star defender in Week 17 comes amid a disappointing season for Miller, who has yet to record a sack in 2023. The former Super Bowl MVP also missed this season's first four games while recovering from a torn ACL sustained in 2022.The 34-year-old has amassed only three tackles and three QB hits while playing 32% of Buffalo's defensive snaps across 11 appearances in 2023.One of the greatest edge rushers in NFL history, Miller joined the Bills in March 2022 on a six-year, $120-million contract. He's the Denver Broncos' all-time leader with 110.5 sacks. The Broncos traded the 2011 No. 2 pick to the Rams in 2021 before he helped Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI.Miller racked up 21 tackles (10 for loss), 12 QB hits, and eight sacks through 11 games last season before going down with a knee injury.Leonard Floyd and A.J. Epenesa have been Buffalo's top edge rushers in 2023, having recorded 10.5 and 6.5 sacks, respectively. With 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, interior defensive lineman Ed Oliver has also been a major contributor amid his breakout campaign.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell will start Sunday despite being benched as Jacoby Brissett is inactive against the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced.The Commanders added Brissett to the injury report Friday due to a hamstring injury. He'll be the team's emergency third quarterback, while Jake Fromm will serve as Howell's backup.Brissett has backed Howell up all season, but his entry into games sparked the offense in Weeks 15 and 16. He helped Washington mount valiant comeback attempts against the Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets, respectively.Washington named Brissett its Week 17 starter Wednesday, moving Howell - a second-year player and first-year starter - to a reserve role. Howell leads the NFL with 17 interceptions and 60 sacks taken, and his production has waned in recent weeks.The Commanders are on a six-game losing streak and are tied with the New England Patriots for the third-worst record in the league.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert - who leads the NFL in touchdowns this season - is inactive for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, the team announced.Mostert was a limited participant at practice Friday after missing sessions on Wednesday and Thursday due to ankle and knee injuries.The 31-year-old is enjoying a career year in 2023, topping 1,000 rushing yards for the first time while leading the league with 18 touchdowns on the ground. He's also racked up a Dolphins single-season record 21 scrimmage TDs, tied with Christian McCaffrey for the most in the NFL.Because of injuries, Mostert has played just one full season since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He missed one contest in 2022, his first year with Miami.The veteran tailback isn't the only key Dolphins starter who will miss Week 17. Star receiver Jaylen Waddle was also ruled out due to a high ankle sprain.With Mostert sidelined, Miami is expected to rely on rookie De'Von Achane and veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. at running back. Achane took the league by storm and amassed 120-plus scrimmage yards in three of his first four NFL appearances before going down with a knee injury. Though the third-round pick has been active in the Dolphins' past four games, he has yet to rush for 100 yards again.There's a lot at stake for Miami and Baltimore on Sunday. The Dolphins can clinch the AFC East and keep their chances alive for the AFC's No. 1 seed with a win. A Ravens victory, however, would give Baltimore the AFC North title and the conference's top seed.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs are trimming their offensive game plan ahead of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The Chiefs - owners of one of the NFL's most creative and dynamic offensive playbooks - have struggled in this season's second half, going 2-4 in their last six games. The reigning Super Bowl champions have scored 20-plus points in only one of their past four appearances while turning the ball over seven times in that span.Kansas City is expected to have fewer plays and personnel packages, which will likely result in fewer players touching the ball in Week 17, report Rapoport and Pelissero.The Chiefs' offense has never ranked outside the top six in scoring in the Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes era. They are the 11th-best unit in points per game in 2023-24.Dropped passes, in particular, have been a major issue: K.C.'s 39 drops are easily the most in the league. All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce recently voiced his frustration with the Chiefs' struggles, saying that every player, including himself, deserves to be blamed.Led by football's second-ranked defense, the Chiefs currently lead the AFC West with a 9-6 record. They will clinch the division for the eighth straight year with a win over Cincinnati.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 17.Half PPR

The Dallas Cowboys hung on for a 20-19 win over the Detroit Lions after stopping a two-point conversion with 0:23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.Quarterback Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for an 11-yard touchdown to put the Lions in position to either tie or win the game.The Lions opted to go for the win with a two-point conversion. Goff connected with offensive lineman Taylor Decker for what many thought was the go-ahead score for Detroit. However, the conversion was overturned after officials flagged Decker for not reporting as an eligible receiver. Detroit was assessed a 5-yard penalty.

Running back Isiah Pacheco cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and is expected to play in the Kansas City Chiefs' Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Pacheco had been listed as questionable after being placed in the protocol and while dealing with a shoulder injury.

The Chicago Bears are expected to retain head coach Matt Eberflus for next season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.Chicago has produced a 6-9 record with two games remaining in the regular season. The Bears have shown some signs of improvement after the 53-year-old led the team to a 3-14 mark in his first year.The 2023 campaign has presented some hurdles for Eberflus in his second year at the helm. The head coach took over play-calling duties after defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigned in September to take care of his health and family. The team also fired running backs coach David Walker.Eberflus accepted the head coaching role after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-2021.It appeared that the Bears were trending in the wrong direction at the beginning of the 2023 season, losing five of their first six games. Yet the team has found some late-season momentum, winning three of its past four games.While Eberflus could stick around for another season with a positive showing in the final two weeks of the season, the future of Justin Fields remains uncertain. The uneven play of the 2021 first-round pick is paving the way for a major decision about his status with the franchise in the offseason.Despite their success, the Bears are poised to have two first-round picks, including the Carolina Panthers' selection that was acquired via the trade that brought DJ Moore to Chicago.The Bears hold a 9-23 record in 32 games with Eberflus on the sideline.Chicago hosts the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints placed starting right tackle Ryan Ramczyk on injured reserve due to an ongoing knee ailment.Ramczyk, 29, has a cartilage defect in his knee that has cast a cloud of uncertainty over his career, he said Thursday, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell. The wear and tear has caused the cartilage in his knee to deteriorate, he added."This year, it's bugged me a little bit more than it has in the past," he said. "At some point, I just couldn't play anymore."He's expected to consult with doctors in the offseason to figure out if there's a solution to the issues that have plagued his knee for over three campaigns. Ramczyk hasn't decided on his next steps, but surgery is a possibility.Ramczyk didn't miss a single game during his first four seasons in the league, which included being named a first-team All-Pro in 2019. However, he missed seven contests during his 2021 campaign due to his knee. He chose not to undergo surgery after that season, opting to manage the problem by taking injections. He returned for the 2022 season and didn't suffer a setback throughout the year.New Orleans has attempted to help Ramczyk manage the issue by providing him with a rest day during each practice week. He said he's been dealing with pain in the knee since Week 1.The Wisconsin product signed a five-year, $96-million contract extension with the Saints in 2021. He has three years remaining on the deal, which will have a significant impact on the team's salary camp moving forward.Despite playing through pain and the uncertainty of what the future will look like next season, Ramczyk isn't considering retirement."I feel like I'm not done yet. I feel like I still want to play," Ramczyk said. "I feel like I'm still passionate about the game. When you think about it like that, my mind frame is, 'I want to play, and I want to keep doing it, so what can I do to get better, to not have this happen in-season?'"Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks made several roster moves Saturday ahead of their Week 17 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Seattle released former Pro Bowl pass-rusher Frank Clark and placed safety Jamal Adams and wide receiver Dee Eskridge on injured reserve.Clark, who was in the midst of his second stint with Seattle, is being placed on waivers. He was brought in shortly after Uchenna Nwosu was lost for the season in October with a season-ending pectoral injury.The 30-year-old Clark appeared in six games, recording six tackles in limited action. He saw his playing time diminish in recent weeks, playing just seven defensive snaps in Week 15 before being ruled inactive in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans.Clark spent the first four seasons of his career with the Seahawks before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. He signed with the Denver Broncos in June but was released in October.Adams lands on the reserve list after being inactive over the past two weeks while dealing with a knee ailment.Eskridge has missed the past four games for Seattle with a rib issue.The Seahawks also ruled out Jordyn Brooks for Sunday's game against the Steelers. Brooks was listed as questionable after being a limited participant in the team's final injury report due to an ankle issue, but he was downgraded Saturday. Devin Bush is expected to see more snaps Sunday.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Still unsure how the Packers (-5) and Jets (-3) didn't cover last week, we soldier on after going 3-2 against the spread while player props compensated for a teaser flunking out again.Since betting is a life-long learning process, we'll hypothesize that we started teasers too soon (0-3 start) and quit them too late (1-3 finish). The best chance to win on those always falls in the middle of the season (6-2 from Weeks 4-12) since that's when the games should land closest to either side of the point spread. The way teasers are priced now (commonly at -130 for a two-leg 6-pointer), they may need to be used as an exception and not an obligation in 2024.BET TYPERECORD (Net)Best bets ATS42-25-5(+14.6units)Underdogs ATS43-37(+2.4units)Upset of the week4-10 (-3.25 units)Teaser/ML parlay7-8(-4units)Best bets ATSSaints @ Buccaneers (-2.5, 42.5)Numbers-based bettors - seeing value relative to previous team ratings in the betting market - would understandably want to back the Saints, who opened +3 at Tampa Bay. After all, these teams have been rated in line with each other all season.But what if the Buccaneers have used a first-year offensive coordinator with their first-year quarterback and Comeback Player of the Year candidate Baker Mayfield to slowly develop until they're now considerably better than a seemingly uninspired Saints outfit?If that's the case, the Buccaneers - nearing another division title and potentially a respectable 10-win season - are being discounted for the second straight week, having closed as home underdogs before destroying the Jaguars.Pick: Buccaneers (-2.5)Falcons @ Bears (-2.5, 37.5)With 10 games in Sunday's early window alone, we need not waste time getting too deep into metrics for this matchup. It boils down to this: Taylor Heinicke and the Falcons aren't going to have the same success on the road outdoors against a good defense as they did at home indoors against a subpar Colts unit. Meanwhile, the Bears showed they could hold a lead well enough to win by a decent margin in taking care of the Cardinals last week.Pick: Bears (-2.5)49ers @ Commanders (+12.5, 49.5)Another express pick since you already know the Commanders' defense is among the worst in the NFL.Jacoby Brissett gets the start because he's given Washington life in the second half the last two weeks. However, that happened against softened defenses hoping to protect a lead, not a 49ers group likely frothing at the collective mouth.Quick trivia: When was the last time the Commanders gave up fewer than 31 points at home?Answer: Week 1 versus the Cardinals.Pick: 49ers (-12.5)Chargers @ Broncos (-3.5, 37)The Chargers got their bump in energy in a prime-time game last Saturday, proving that their embarrassing performance in Las Vegas was a story that should stay there and kicking enough field goals to give the Bills a scare. Now it's time to hit the road against the Broncos, who should also be putting their best foot forward.Denver has unceremoniously shown Russell Wilson the door, and the line dropped with its closure, but should that have been the case? If Sean Payton's problem with the offense was Wilson, should Denver be giving four fewer points this week than it did to the Patriots last week? This looks like an over-adjustment, and we'll play it expecting a more aggressive Broncos offense to get a bump of its own.Pick: Broncos (-3.5)Round-robin underdog moneyline parlayWe were TBD on a RUMP this week, but lo and behold, more than a few 'dogs qualify as best bets against the spread and may be live to win outright.Lions (+5.5, +200) over CowboysAll of a sudden, the Lions - playing on Saturday night, ahead of the competition - have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC.When this line sat as high as -6.5 early in the week, perhaps the assumption was that the Cowboys would bounce back at home, but what if they're now resigned to another (likely) trip to Tampa Bay as the 5-seed? You don't want to be low on motivation against Dan Campbell's group.Titans (+4.5, +175) over TexansC.J. Stroud is back, but a lot has changed for the Texans since they reached their peak rating right before he was concussed against the Jets. Tank Dell and Tytus Howard aren't joining him back on the field, and seven different defenders are questionable for their rematch with the Titans, who went to overtime with Houston two weeks ago.Dolphins (+3, +150) over RavensA short week for the Ravens to prepare for another tough offense leaves the door open for a loss since they know they have a second chance to clinch the AFC's top seed next week anyway.Raiders (+3.5, +160) over ColtsTwo weeks ago, the Colts were -1 at home to Mitch Trubisky and trailed the Steelers by two touchdowns before Pittsburgh lost two safeties on the same drive and Indianapolis came back to win.At this point in the season, are we sure Pittsburgh is better than Las Vegas?If we're not, then this spread should be tighter and the moneyline shorter. That means there's some value in betting on the Raiders, even if we'll need Aidan O'Connell to complete a pass or two in the final three quarters.Panthers (+6, +220) over JaguarsLet's make this bet ASAP before Doug Pederson seemingly gets his way and Trevor Lawrence is finally so injured that he can't play - and this line drops. Even if Lawrence is active, the Panthers are getting better by the week, and with Jacksonville disintegrating, we might catch a sizable underdog in a great situation.How the odds look this weekPARLAY ODDS (Approx.)DET+CAR+LV+2500DET+CAR+MIA+2400DET+CAR+TEN+2600DET+LV+MIA+1900DET+LV+TEN+2100DET+MIA+TEN+2000CAR+LV+MIA+2000CAR+LV+TEN+2200CAR+MIA+TEN+2100LV+MIA+TEN+1700DET+CAR+LV+MIA+TEN+17500Matt 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) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson voiced his frustrations with head coach Sean Payton's decision to bench him for the team's final two games this season."Definitely disappointed, definitely surprised," Wilson said Friday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Broncos. "I felt like we were doing something special, rolling. And, obviously, had some tough games, though close ones, but we still got a chance."Payton benched Wilson for Jarrett Stidham in a stunning move Wednesday following Sunday's home loss to the New England Patriots. Though they don't control their own destiny, the 7-8 Broncos can still make the playoffs if they win their final two games.Payton explained that the main reason behind his decision was to "get a spark offensively." But benching Wilson gives Denver financial flexibility and protection, as the Broncos would be responsible for his $37-million salary before it becomes fully guaranteed in March 2024 if the veteran signal-caller suffers a serious injury. That money is guaranteed for injury only.Wilson also confirmed the reports that Denver reached out to his representatives in late October to inform the passer that he'd lose the starting job if he didn't defer the injury guarantee trigger date included in his contract for the 2025 season."They definitely told me I was going to be benched," Wilson said.He added: "It definitely hurt, it was a little blow."Wilson reportedly expects to be released when the 2024 offseason officially begins in March. He still wants to stay in Denver, though."I hope that it's here for a long time," Wilson said about what's next for his career. "I hope that we can win more silverware in the front hall, get some more championships. And if it's not here, then I'll be prepared to do that somewhere else. But I hope that it's here."Wilson's benching adds to what's been a disappointing relationship between the Broncos and Wilson, who joined the team a year before it acquired Payton as coach. Denver landed the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback in a blockbuster trade from the Seattle Seahawks during the 2022 offseason and eventually signed him to a five-year, $242.6-million contract that included $161 million guaranteed.The Broncos have posted an 11-19 record with Wilson under center. The 35-year-old tossed 16 touchdowns to 11 interceptions last year but has improved this season, passing for 26 scores to eight picks with a 66.4% completion rate, up from 60.5% in 2022.Wilson will be Stidham's backup in Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Broncos will then visit the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18."I have my head ready to play just in case something happens. I'm rooting for Jarrett," Wilson added.Stidham, who signed a two-year deal in the offseason, has yet to attempt a pass in 2023. The 27-year-old started last season's final two games with the Raiders.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Boone goes over the notable injury updates heading into Week 17.

Things keep getting worse for the Jacksonville Jaguars.Quarterback Trevor Lawrence won't play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers due to a right shoulder injury, the team announced Friday.Lawrence didn't practice all week as he deals with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder. He suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. C.J. Beathard will start for Jacksonville against Carolina.This will be Lawrence's first injury absence since he entered the NFL as the first overall pick in 2021. He battled other ailments earlier this season, including a concussion and knee and ankle injuries.The Clemson product, who earned his first career Pro Bowl berth and led Jacksonville to the playoffs last season, has completed 65.5% of his passes for 3,736 yards and 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions through 15 starts in 2023.The Jaguars are 20-29 across two-plus seasons with Lawrence under center.Jacksonville had a comfortable lead atop the AFC South and seemed like a lock to make the playoffs midway through the 2023 campaign. However, the team has lost five of its last seven games, including four straight.The Jaguars are tied with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans with an 8-7 record, but Jacksonville still leads the division due to its head-to-head tiebreakers.Beathard - a San Francisco 49ers third-round pick in 2017 - has served as the Jaguars' backup quarterback since 2021. The 30-year-old has attempted 29 passes in 2023, tossing one touchdown.After hosting the Panthers, Jacksonville will visit the Tennessee Titans in Week 18.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is questionable for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after sitting out Friday's practice with an illness.Losing Kamara would represent a significant blow to the 7-8 Saints, who need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive and stop the 8-7 Buccaneers from clinching the NFC South title for the third straight season.Kamara leads New Orleans with 649 yards and five touchdowns on the ground in 12 games while adding 462 yards as a receiver. He missed the first three games of the season while serving a suspension for his role in a fight outside a Las Vegas nightclub in 2022.If the five-time Pro Bowler can't play, veteran Jamaal Williams will lead the Saints' backfield.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.