Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is unlikely to play on Thursday Night Football against the Washington Redskins, but the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 7 isn't considered serious, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Thielen underwent an MRI on Monday after being forced out of Sunday's victory over the Detroit Lions. After the game, the wideout said he was "optimistic" he'd be ready for Thursday. He's now targeting a Nov. 3 date with the Kansas City Chiefs for his return, according to Pelissero.The 29-year-old Thielen was injured while making a touchdown grab against Detroit. He ranks second on the Vikings in receiving behind Stefon Diggs, who's exploded for three 100-yard outings over the last four contests.The Vikings will carry a 5-2 record into the Week 8 opener against the struggling 1-6 Redskins.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The New England Patriots will look to stay undefeated when they travel to take on the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. Here are the best player prop bets for the prime-time clash.James White over 5.5 receptionsWhite's reception prop was once again a cakewalk last Thursday against the New York Giants, as he caught all nine of his targets for 46 yards. White's now the second-most targeted skill player in the Pats' offense this season behind Julian Edelman, and he should see the same type of production with wide receiver Josh Gordon sidelined on Monday. White has also recorded at least six catches and nine targets in each of the last three games, and he now gets to face a Jets defense that has allowed more than six catches per contest to opposing running backs this season.Sony Michel under 68.5 rushing yardsThe Patriots being up late and consistently feeding Michel to run out the clock worries me, but he doesn't have a great overall matchup on his hands. The Jets' defense has been oddly stout against the rush this season, allowing just 3.5 yards per carry, which ranks No. 3 in the NFL. Michel has stepped up in recent games by averaging 80 yards on the ground over the last three after posting a grand total of 108 in his first three. He put up 86 rushing yards against the Giants, but he needed a late garbage-time drive to go over his prop of 77.5 yards last week.Robby Anderson longest reception under 21.5 yardsHaving Sam Darnold back under center last week for the first time since the opener benefited Anderson, who went off for 125 yards on five catches after combining for 27 on four over the previous two weeks combined. You could say Anderson's stock is back on the upswing with Darnold healthy, but the wide receiver has a terrible matchup against Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Though it was Luke Falk leading the Jets' offense in last month's meeting between these teams, Anderson was held to just 21 yards on three receptions with Gilmore acting as the primary cover man. In fact, Anderson hasn't had a catch go for a first down in each of the last three meetings when matched up against Gilmore, so you can expect one of the league's elite defensive backs to hold Anderson - primarily a deep threat - to a pretty bland stat line on Monday.Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKoIodziej.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is refusing to put a timeline on Patrick Mahomes' recovery.It was reported Sunday that the Chiefs quarterback could return from a dislocated kneecap within three weeks, but all Reid would say Monday is "it would be a stretch" for Mahomes to play this week against the Green Bay Packers, according to Herbie Teope of the Kansas City Star."All these guys are different. I don't think you can put a timeline on it," Reid added.Chiefs head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder provided an update on Mahomes' injury Monday."We had X-rays at the game that came back negative. Did an MRI (on) Friday here at the facility and that turned out as good as we could possibly imagine," he said, according to BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site."He's worked all weekend here, he's done rehabilitation, extensive pool therapy here at the complex, has done some stuff in the athletic training room, and is progressing nicely."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller is expected to miss several weeks with a significant hamstring pull suffered against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Week 7, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Fuller underwent medical tests on Monday, which confirmed that he'll need to miss more time. Since entering the league as the 21st overall pick of the 2016 draft, the fourth-year wideout has missed 17 games due to injury. He's yet to play a full season in his career.Last year, Fuller missed the Texans' season opener with a hamstring injury and then played in seven games before an ACL tear ended his campaign.This season, the 25-year-old has 34 catches, 450 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in seven games. He's the only Texan other than fellow receiver DeAndre Hopkins to record multiple receiving touchdowns this year.Fuller's absence should open the door for other wideouts on Houston's roster. Kenny Stills, who returned in Week 7 after two weeks on the sidelines, produced a season-best four catches for 105 yards against the Colts.Houston, which lost 30-23 to the Indianapolis, sits second in the AFC South with a 4-3 record. The team will face the Oakland Raiders in Week 8.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Chargers had two touchdowns called back in the final 45 seconds of action and Melvin Gordon lost a fumble at the goal line in Sunday's 23-30 defeat to the Tennessee Titans.Now losers of three straight, it's the Chargers' first 2-5 start since 2015."I'm going to come in and I'm going to work my ass off for the rest of the season. I can't control anybody else," defensive end Joey Bosa said of the loss, according to ESPN's Eric Williams. "I know we have a lot of guys that want to win, and we'll see who's with me on Monday."You can find out who wants it pretty quick after a game like that."Gordon's fumble at the 1-yard line came moments after Philip Rivers made a 16-yard pass to Austin Ekeler that was initially ruled a touchdown but then reversed, leaving the Chargers a yard short with 44 seconds left.Consecutive penalties on back-to-back plays, one by each team, kept the Chargers at the Titans' 1-yard line and set up a likely game-winning touchdown scenario for Gordon. The running back dove into the end zone, but the called touchdown was reversed again after a review.On the next play, Gordon ran one more time, but he fumbled, and Tennessee recovered."On the field, we won it twice," tight end Hunter Henry said. He added, "I looked at the sideline a few times like, 'That's the game.' To have that happen toward the end is one of the craziest games I've ever been in."Third-year head coach Anthony Lynn said he still believes in his team."I told our players that 1 yard can bring us together, or tear us apart," Lynn said. "And with the character that we have in that locker room, I do believe this group will rally."Sitting last in the AFC West, Los Angeles will try to end its losing streak in Chicago against the Bears next week.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals are bringing in free-agent running backs Jay Ajayi and Spencer Ware for workouts, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.The development calls into question the health of starting rusher David Johnson.Johnson was limited in practice late last week with an ankle ailment. Though he was available Sunday, he only received one carry in the Cardinals' win over the New York Giants. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said postgame that the plan all along was for Johnson to play only if he was needed.It turns out he wasn't, as backup Chase Edmonds went off for 27 rushes, 126 yards, and three touchdowns, leading Arizona to victory.Nonetheless, the Cardinals are exploring adding help to their backfield. Ajayi hasn't played since Week 5 of last season. He's been recovering from a torn ACL and was recently medically cleared to return to game action. Ware spent the previous four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, most recently in a backup role.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Amid a matchup between two MVP front-runners and two Super Bowl contenders in the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens, Ravens safety Earl Thomas made his return to CenturyLink Field on Sunday. He made sure to come out of it with a win."I definitely came in here with a purpose, and we got it done," Thomas said after Baltimore's 30-16 victory, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "It's the best feeling in the world."Thomas - who received a mixture of boos and applause from Seahawks fans - spent his first nine seasons with Seattle. He left the team on bad terms after failing to receive a contract extension and then suffering a season-ending lower leg fracture. The 30-year-old made his feelings known to his former club as he directed some choice words toward the Seahawks' sideline following teammate Marcus Peters' 67-yard pick-6."You knew I was going to say something," Thomas said. "I definitely said what I had to say. It was between me and them."The defensive back's relationship with Pete Carroll also ended on a sour note. While being carted off the field in Week 4 of last season after injuring his leg, Thomas flipped off his longtime head coach. The two walked past each other after Sunday's contest without exchanging a single word.However, Thomas seems to enjoy a positive relationship with his former teammates. He joked with linebacker Bobby Wagner and swapped jerseys with quarterback Russell Wilson after the game."I hold Earl in high regard, man," Wilson said. "I really love him. Just how much he's meant to my family, his family, and everything else, and what that means and then also just to the Seahawks organization and what he's meant ... he played really good today, he played great, he was battling out there, back-and-forth ... Earl's one of the best to ever do it."Thomas managed five total tackles against his old club.With the triumph, Baltimore is 5-2 for the first time since 2014 and sits alone at the top of the AFC North.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With a lot of uncertainty at their tight end position since Week 1, the New England Patriots are expected to pursue a new option as the trade deadline approaches.According to MMQB's Albert Breer, the reigning champions began their pursuit by asking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about O.J. Howard - but were told no.Howard, the 19th overall pick of the 2017 draft, has failed to meet expectations this year by recording just 13 catches and no touchdowns through six games.Since Rob Gronkowski's retirement after last season, New England has been trying to find a reliable tight end. Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse have combined for nine catches, 169 yards, and a touchdown through six contests in 2019.For their Monday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets, the Patriots are expected to line up with veteran tight end Benjamin Watson. The 38-year-old was re-signed last week, while both LaCosse and Izzo have been ruled out of the contest due to injuries.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said he'll practice this week and hopes to return from his thumb injury on Sunday versus the Arizona Cardinals."We'll see how it goes. I'd love to (play). It's a goal," Brees said, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett.Brees has been sidelined since injuring the thumb during Week 2. In his absence, Teddy Bridgewater has won five straight games under center, including a 36-25 defeat of the Chicago Bears in Week 7.During the Week 7 broadcast, FOX Sports sideline reporter Erin Andrews said that Saints head coach Sean Payton is hoping Brees can return against Arizona and will play the veteran if he's healthy. However, Payton called that report "incorrect" after the contest."I'll fill you guys in day by day," Payton told the media after beating Chicago. "We're not targeting ... We're gonna see how he's doing. And we'll give you the news when we feel like we're ready to."Since coming in for Brees during Week 2, Bridgewater has completed 67% of his passes for 1,370 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions.Copyright © 2019 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 the significance of those events moving forward.Rodgers makes a statementThere's this bizarre thing in football where fans and media members alike rush to conclude that a longtime star, or even a future Hall of Famer, is past his prime. It's as if there's some sort of clout to be earned if you're the first to call it.Calling Tom Brady washed, only to see him turn it on and lead the way to a Super Bowl, has become something of a yearly tradition. Fellow legend Aaron Rodgers wasn't exempt from this strange phenomenon either, as Mike McCarthy's offense falling apart and a slow start under Matt LaFleur's new system caused many to suggest that the star quarterback, himself, was done.Sunday's drubbing of the Raiders should do well to quash that theory. Sure, it was Oakland, but Rodgers completing 25 of 31 passes for 429 yards and five touchdowns, as well as notching one TD on the ground, is just about as perfect as it gets. And this was all despite Davante Adams' absence and the rest of the Packers' receiving corps being banged up. Oakland had no chance.LaFleur's offense is hitting its stride and should continue to get better as the young head coach's first season progresses. Rodgers recapturing his MVP form will be a driving force, and that should be a scary thought for the rest of the league. This team is firmly in contention for another Lombardi Trophy.Dallas takes controlJust when it appeared that the Cowboys were crashing down after a scorching hot start, a few key players returning to health in time for Sunday Night Football helped them to rebound against the division-rival Eagles.When this team is at full strength - as it was Sunday with the returns of Amari Cooper, Tyron Smith, and La'el Collins - it can beat anyone. The Cowboys now have the inside track in the two-horse race that is the NFC East, and it's the Eagles who evidently have some work to do.Dallas' dominant effort, with strong performances on both sides of the ball, showcased the gap that exists between the two teams at this point in the season. That's not to say the Eagles can't rebound - they're only a game back in the standings - but perhaps doing so will involve making trade-deadline moves at corner and/or receiver, two glaring needs on the roster. Howie Roseman should be calling the Broncos about a package for Chris Harris Jr. and Emmanuel Sanders.Go back to ChaseBrett Carlsen / Getty Images Sport / GettyWe'll do our best to avoid making a weekly habit of dumping on Mitchell Trubisky, but for a Bears team that still has its sights set on the playoffs, the quarterback represents an issue that just can't be ignored at this pivotal point in the season.Trubisky made his return to the field Sunday, and the results were just as poor as they were early in the season, if not worse. Going up against a Saints defense that has been fairly kind to opposing quarterbacks, he threw for just 251 yards on 54 attempts (4.6 YPA). The anemic offensive output - prior to a few meaningless scores in garbage time - led to a home loss that dropped the Bears to a disappointing 3-3.Chase Daniel may not have been spectacular in his two games of extended work, but he certainly wasn't this much of a hindrance to putting points on the board. The veteran journeyman is perfectly capable of running Matt Nagy's offense, thus giving the defense the support it needs. Call Daniel a game-manager if you like, but Trubisky isn't even that right now. Difficult as the decision might be, given everything the Bears have invested in the former first-round pick, a quarterback change may be necessary to save the Bears' season.Saints continue to rollWhile we're on that Saints-Bears game, we can't not recognize the incredible work that New Orleans has done in Drew Brees' absence.It seemed like the Saints' season was in jeopardy when the star signal-caller went down with a significant thumb injury. Simply staying afloat until he recovered would have been considered a massive win.Instead, five consecutive wins since the injury have this team sitting comfortably among the NFL's elite as Brees now nears his return to action. Teddy Bridgewater has done everything asked of him, and more, in those five starts. Keeping him away from the Dolphins by re-signing him as the NFL's highest-paid backup now seems like the best move of the offseason.Head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis deserve a ton of credit for the way they've built the roster. After years of jokes about their philosophies on that front and frequent disregard for the salary cap, the Saints are now one of the league's deepest and most well-balanced teams. Don't be surprised if they're active on the trade market before next week's deadline, potentially adding another impact piece or two as Brees returns with a Super Bowl in sight.Are the 49ers and Bills for real?Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / GettyEvery win is sweet, and every win counts the same in the standings, but not every win is created equal. The 49ers and Bills notched victories Sunday, but neither team was impressive in doing so.Kyle Shanahan's 49ers failed to score a touchdown against his former team in Washington, yet still managed to improve to 6-0 on the season. Sloppy weather didn't set Jimmy Garoppolo up for success, but he missed throws and made several poor decisions, ultimately going 12-for-21 with one interception. The 49ers are succeeding on the strength of their defense and rushing attack, but Garoppolo's play is becoming alarming. The losses will start coming if he can't turn things around.Buffalo took care of business at home against the Dolphins to move to 5-1, but it was far from the dominant performance it probably should have been. Inexplicably flat coming off their bye, the Bills managed just three first-half field goals and trailed the winless Dolphins 14-9 before Josh Allen and the offense finally broke through. The final score, 31-21, was boosted by a special teams touchdown off a failed onside kick.If the 49ers are frauds, we'll know very soon. The Panthers are on the schedule next week, then games against the Seahawks, Packers, Ravens, and Saints are on the horizon, with a pair of contests against the Cardinals mixed in.The Bills could be challenged against the Eagles in Week 8 but then play a cupcake stretch of games against the Redskins, Browns, Dolphins, and Broncos. They could cruise all the way to the playoffs before we truly know if they're actually any good.Cousins heating upKirk Cousins is never going to be one of the league's elite quarterbacks. And despite how people may react to a few poor games - presumably as a means of trashing his big-money fully guaranteed contract - he's not going to be among the worst, either.The reality is that Cousins is right in the middle of the pack but has the upside to put together the kind of stellar stretches we've seen over the past two weeks.After a drama-filled opening month that saw the veteran signal-caller average just 184 yards and total just three touchdowns over the first four weeks, he's now put together a three-game stretch during which he's averaged 325 yards and thrown 10 touchdowns. That'll play.The volatility is frustrating, but Cousins is evidently no stranger to the kind of hot streaks that otherwise average quarterbacks like Joe Flacco and Eli Manning rode to Super Bowl titles. All the pieces are in place for this roster to contend. Cousins getting hot - and staying hot - at the right time could put it over the top.Colts' leadership paying dividendsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Colts have been the best team in the NFL over the last 16 regular-season games, boasting a 13-3 record. That's the AFC South-leading Colts now, following a win over the Texans buoyed by Jacoby Brissett's career-high 325 yards on 26-for-39 passing with four touchdowns through the air.Losing a franchise QB like Andrew Luck to retirement so close to the start of the season would have sent most teams into a tailspin, but the Colts have endured under the masterful leadership of Chris Ballard and Frank Reich and the steadying play of Brissett.Ballard inherited one of the league's most talent-deficient rosters when he was hired as general manager in January 2017. A commitment to analytical thinking kick-started a rebuild that's paying major dividends. From top to bottom, the Colts are as talented as any team in the NFL despite losing a Hall of Fame-caliber player in Luck.A little luck helped, too. The Colts wanted to hire Josh McDaniels as head coach and fell into Reich as something of a desperation backup plan when McDaniels withdrew his name from consideration. That backup plan is among the front-runners for Coach of the Year.Abysmal line play in AtlantaWhich stat is more depressing: that the Falcons haven't recorded a sack in four games (a streak of more than 300 snaps), or that Atlanta invested more than $80 million over the offseason (including two first-round picks) to upgrade its offensive line yet surrendered five sacks Sunday - one of which injured Matt Ryan - while mustering a scant 38 yards rushing as a team.The Falcons have been putrid in the trenches on both sides of the ball. A roster that appeared to be among the deepest and most balanced in football before the season has been perhaps this year's biggest disappointment.It comes down to coaching. Owner Arthur Blank says he won't fire head coach Dan Quinn, but he should. It's already too late to save the season, but it can save us all from watching another minute of this dreck.Edmonds needs more snapsSteven Ryan / Getty Images Sport / GettyDavid Johnson started at running back for the Cardinals on Sunday, but it was backup Chase Edmonds who starred. With Johnson spending his afternoon on the sideline after a single first-quarter carry, Edmonds exploded for 126 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries - all career highs.Edmonds looked fluid, explosive, and every bit like a player who can carry the load for an NFL team. Frankly, he looked more dynamic than Johnson has in years; once considered the next great tailback, injuries have sapped Johnson of his sizzle.Head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters postgame that his intention was to rest the banged-up Johnson and roll with Edmonds this week (information fantasy owners would surely have preferred to have before kickoff), but he might have accidentally stumbled upon a solution to some of the Cardinals' offensive struggles.Kingsbury's Air Raid offense famously relies on the shotgun formation and four-wideout sets, but the Cardinals lack more than a few reliable receiving options - especially with Christian Kirk hurt and rookies Andy Isabella and KeeSean Johnson contributing very little.Johnson could help solve this problem while allowing the electric Edmonds to remain the featured component of the Cardinals' backfield. Johnson entered college as a wideout before converting to tailback and has flashed rare receiving talents in the pros, including leading all running backs with 80 catches for 879 yards in 2016.By shifting Johnson to the slot, the Cardinals can field their best two tailbacks at the same time and give Kingsbury's offense its best chance at success.Worst rule in footballFor all its faults in regard to on-field rules, the NFL does a decent job of at least trying to make adjustments when things clearly aren't working. So it's particularly bewildering that a player fumbling the ball through an opponent's end zone still results in a turnover and touchback.Derek Carr's fumble at the pylon against the Packers didn't have a bearing on this particular game, as there was no way the Raiders were going to keep up with a red-hot Aaron Rodgers anyway, but that's not the point. A fumble out of bounds at any other spot on the field (aside from a team's own end zone) sees the offense maintain possession. So what possible explanation is there for giving the ball to a defense that didn't recover it?The NFL probably won't consider making a change until national outrage is sparked after a playoff game is impacted by this senseless rule. Why not just fix the issue before that happens?Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageAfter the Dallas Cowboys' statement 37-10 win over the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football, star running back Ezekiel Elliott had no time for anyone from the losing side - especially not for Doug Pederson.Asked about the Eagles head coach's vow earlier this week to win the SNF battle, Elliott didn't beat around the bush."Honestly, we don't give a fuck what Doug Pederson says," Elliott told reporters postgame, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Marcus Hayes.Pederson confidently told a Philadelphia radio station on Monday that the Eagles would go into Dallas and secure a win to take over first place in the NFC East.Elliott, who contributed 147 scrimmage yards and a touchdown during Dallas' dismantling of the Eagles, echoed the sentiments of teammate DeMarcus Lawrence, who had his own choice words for Pederson ahead of the game."Tell him to come on," Lawrence told reporters Friday. "We ready. Can he play the game? He might want to shut his ass up and stay on the sidelines. He can't play the game for them."Asked postgame if he had anything to add to that statement, Lawrence kept it short and sweet."I feel like he got the statement today, so we're gonna let him go sleep on it," he said.While the Eagles have to regroup and head to Buffalo for a Week 8 clash with the Bills, the Cowboys will have ample time to enjoy their big win as they head into their bye week.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys defenders Leighton Vander Esch and Robert Quinn were ruled out of the team's divisional matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Cowboys sideline reporter Kristi Scales.Vander Esch sustained a neck injury, while Quinn is dealing with a rib issue, Scales adds.The 23-year-old Vander Esch is coming off an impressive rookie season that saw him finish third among all players in combined tackles (140) while earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors.This season, the Boise State product contributed 51 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks, two passes defended, and one forced fumble through the first six weeks. He added two tackles - including one for loss - before leaving in the second quarter.Quinn, who the Cowboys acquired for a sixth-round pick in March, sustained his rib injury on the final defensive snap of the first half, just a few plays after recording his sixth sack in five games this season.The 29-year-old led the NFC with 19 sacks in 2013 and appears to have recaptured that Pro Bowl form since returning from a two-game suspension for PED use.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jalen Ramsey made his Los Angeles Rams debut Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, and his new head coach was impressed with the early returns."To be able to come in on such short notice, with such short practice time and to be able to play the way that he did, it was a big boost to our team for sure," Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters postgame, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry.Though Ramsey didn't start, he did shadow All-Pro wideout Julio Jones for most of the game, affording him just three grabs for 69 yards when the two were matched up. The Florida State product contributed four tackles and a forced fumble in L.A.'s 37-10 win."I don't think you can say enough about his ability to digest the game plan," added McVay. "He's kept himself in good shape. I know he had the back thing, but (he) ended up feeling pretty good."Ramsey, who had just two days of practice with the Rams before playing, was far less effusive when asked to evaluate his performance."I feel like I played OK," the 24-year-old said. "I got to get in my groove a little bit more, it's just maybe one, maybe two plays that I wanted to have back or play a little bit different, but I thought it was good."He added: "Honestly, the defense was a little dumbed down for me, just because I only had a couple days to prepare."The Rams' new cornerback played five days after L.A. acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Los Angeles sent the Jaguars first-round picks in 2020 and 2021 and a fourth-rounder in 2021 in exchange for the perennial Pro Bowler.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan limped to the locker room and was ruled out with an ankle injury Sunday after being sacked hard by Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter.Ryan was seen wearing a walking boot after the game and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter, who adds the Falcons do not believe the injury is serious.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.When will the New England Patriots lose? The reigning Super Bowl champions are 6-0 in 2019 and have won 11 straight games entering Monday's clash with the New York Jets, who haven't bested their division rival since 2015.These two last met in Week 3, when New York's offense mustered just 105 yards and zero touchdowns in a 30-14 loss. But Jets starter Sam Darnold is back and playing well, leading his team to an upset win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. Can he do the same against New England?Here's everything you need to know about the matchup from a betting perspective:Line movementThis game opened at New England -10 at theScore Bet in New Jersey, a line that hasn't moved as of Sunday. The total has also held steady at 43.5. Some sharp money on the Jets could knock the number off 10 before Monday's kickoff, though the public will be backing the road favorite Patriots.Betting trendsMuch has been made of the Patriots' success as double-digit favorites, but it bears repeating after they covered in that spot again last week. Since 2015, New England is 18-5-1 against the spread (78.3%) as double-digit chalk, including 5-2-1 ATS on the road and 4-1 ATS versus New York.Darnold has only been a double-digit underdog once - a 38-3 loss to New England in 2018 - but he's just 3-8 ATS (27.3%) catching points in his career and 0-3 ATS when getting more than a touchdown.Jets head coach Adam Gase has also struggled as an underdog. He's 16-22-1 ATS (42.1%) as a 'dog dating back to his days with the Miami Dolphins and owns a 6-10 ATS mark (37.5%) getting more than seven points.The X-factorThe upgrade from Luke Falk to Darnold under center should theoretically boost New York's offensive output above its miserable Week 3 effort. But will it?New England's secondary has allowed 161 passing yards per game while surrendering just one touchdown through the air across six contests. Darnold, meanwhile, has struggled against good pass defenses so far in his career; he's 2-7 ATS against teams that allowed fewer than 250 yards in their previous game.The Jets have afforded their opponents the second-best average starting field position in the league, according to Football Outsiders, while the Patriots have started with the third-best average field position of any team. If New York can't move the ball against New England's stout defense, Tom Brady and Co. will wreak havoc with short fields.PickThe Patriots will be without receiver Josh Gordon and tight ends Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo, so bettors may want to get cute and fade New England's offense. But the secondary should have its way with Darnold, and New York's defense hasn't shown enough to stop even a half-staffed Patriots attack.Oddsmakers can only deal so many points on New England before sharps buy back the other side, but this line doesn't appear gaudy enough for that. Lay the points on the NFL's safest betting team.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kirk Cousins torched the Detroit Lions on Sunday, continuing the torrid pace he's enjoyed since drawing the ire of his two star receivers.The Minnesota Vikings quarterback threw for over 300 yards for the third straight game in Week 7, putting up 337 yards and four touchdown passes in a 42-30 win. Over his last three games, the oft-maligned pivot has tossed 10 scores against only one interception."Sometimes you just have those games where plays that you didn't think were going to be there are there," Cousins told reporters following Sunday's victory in the Motor City. " ... The last few weeks has been a little more open-it-up and let it fire."Cousins has aired the ball out frequently over the last three weeks, straying from his typically conservative approach:Kirk Cousins in 2019YPGTDsINTsFirst 4 games18432Last 3 games325101The 31-year-old garnered heavy criticism after taking six sacks and failing to lead a touchdown drive in a woeful Week 4 performance against the Chicago Bears. One of his top pass-catchers, Adam Thielen, publically voiced his frustrations after that loss."At some point, you're not going to be able to run the ball for 180 yards, even with the best running back in the NFL," Thielen said at the time. "That's when you have to be able to throw the ball. ... You have to be able to hit the deep balls."Three days later, the Vikings' other star wideout, Stefon Diggs, skipped practice, prompting rumors he wanted out of Minnesota. Though he didn't confirm he wanted a trade, Diggs admitted he was frustrated with the Vikings' offense.Cousins wound up apologizing to Thielen, only to have head coach Mike Zimmer dismiss the need for an apology. Zimmer gave his quarterback another vote of confidence Sunday."He's playing the best I've seen him play since he's been here," Zimmer said of Cousins, who set up the game-clinching touchdown with a surprising 66-yard bomb to Diggs late in the fourth quarter."It's just growing in this offense," said Cousins. "I think we're still a work in progress in the sense that you're going to get more comfortable the more you play."Cousins will look to continue his tear against the Washington Redskins in a Thursday Night Football matchup in Week 8.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is continuing to support head coach Dan Quinn following a 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, he told Jeff Schultz of The Athletic.After a 7-9 campaign last year, the Falcons have stumbled to a 1-6 record this season. They've averaged fewer than 22 points per game while allowing more than 31.This is the ninth time that the franchise has started a season 1-6, but it's the first under Quinn's command.The 49-year-old took the job in 2015 and has posted a 37-34 regular-season record since, with postseason appearances in 2016 and 2017. His best campaign with the club came in 2016 when Atlanta won 11 games and reached its first Super Bowl since 1998.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen is "optimistic" he'll be able to play on Thursday Night Football despite exiting Sunday's game versus the Detroit Lions with a hamstring injury, he told Chad Graff of The Athletic.Thielen suffered the injury after hauling in a 25-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. He'll undergo additional tests Monday.

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman was ejected during the third quarter of the team's Week 7 game against the Los Angeles Rams.Freeman was tied up with defensive tackle Aaron Donald during a play before appearing to throw a punch at the All-Pro defender.

The Detroit Lions ruled out running back Kerryon Johnson and cornerback Darius Slay after they sustained knee and hamstring injuries, respectively, versus the Minnesota Vikings.Johnson returned to the bench with a brace over his right leg after briefly visiting the locker room. Slay appeared to aggravate a hamstring injury he had battled over the last several weeks.The Lions were stricken by the injury bug all afternoon Sunday, also losing Damon Harrison Sr. and Jarrad Davis for periods of time.Johnson entered Week 7 averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, a far cry from the 5.4 yards he averaged as a rookie. Slay, the Lions' top cornerback, had one interception in four appearances prior to facing the Vikings.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders are expected to be buyers during the Oct. 29 trade deadline, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The team has already called around the league interested in linebackers and pass-rushers, Schefter adds.The Raiders lost linebacker Vontaze Burfict for the season due to suspension, while the team ranks 28th in sacks (nine) through five games. In 2018, the club's first year without star outside linebacker Khalil Mack, the Raiders finished last in the league in sacks with 13.Coming off a draft with three first-round selections, Oakland has five picks in the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft, including two first-rounders.The Raiders acquired Zay Jones in a trade with the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 7.They sit 2nd in the AFC West after six weeks with a 3-2 record.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Teams are calling the Denver Broncos about wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who is likely to become available as the trade deadline nears, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Sanders, who early in the season said the struggling Broncos were "living in a world of suck," is reportedly likely open to a change in scenery.The Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Francisco 49ers are among the teams that could show interest in the 32-year-old.Sanders is in his sixth year with Denver and will become a free agent after the season. He has 30 receptions for 367 yards and two touchdowns through seven games in his return from an Achilles injury that ended his 2018 campaign prematurely.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Few matchups, if any, epitomize Sunday Night Football as well as when the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles face off. And this year, it's a game neither can afford to lose.The Cowboys looked like NFC contenders after trouncing their first three opponents, but three straight losses have their once-touted offense searching for an identity. Conversely, the Eagles looked to be finding their stride before last week's blowout loss in Minnesota forced them back to the drawing board.Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's prime-time matchup from a betting perspective.Line movementThe Cowboys opened as 3-point favorites, but bettors hopped on the Eagles to push the line down to -2.5, where it sits at theScore Bet in New Jersey as of Sunday morning. The total has also been nudged from 48.5 to 49.Betting trendsNeither team has impressed against the spread, but the Cowboys have been especially costly as of late, dropping three consecutive games ATS despite giving points in each. Since 2015, favorites that have dropped three straight as chalk are 3-16-1 ATS (15.8%) - suggesting oddsmakers and bettors just won't quit on teams that consistently underwhelm.When oddsmakers value two division rivals this closely, take the points. Short road 'dogs in a divisional matchup are 34-22-4 ATS (60.7%) since 2015 and 20-10-3 ATS (66.7%) since 2017. In the NFC East, short road 'dogs are 15-10 ATS (60%) in their last 25 games, including a 5-2 record for Philly in that spot.The coaching edge also favors Philadelphia in a game this close. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett is 7-13-3 ATS (35%) as a short favorite (three points or less), while Eagles coach Doug Pederson is 6-4 ATS (60%) as a short 'dog with four wins in his last five.In this decade of their rivalry, neither team has won or covered more than three straight times. Dallas has won three straight ATS / SU over Philly entering Sunday.The X-factorIn four career games versus the Eagles, Ezekiel Elliott has gashed their defense for 115.8 yards per game on 4.8 yards per carry. But he could struggle this year against Philadelphia's run defense, which is ranked second by DVOA - and if he does, so too could Dallas' offense.When Elliott rushes for at least 70 yards, the Cowboys are 25-11-1 ATS. When he doesn't? They're 2-7 ATS. Teams that are winning often rush more - but consider that Dallas is 24-13-1 ATS when he averages 3.6 yards per carry and 3-5 ATS when he falls below that number.The Eagles have held five of their six opponents below 3.6 yards per carry and haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher since Elliott a year ago. Philadelphia's secondary is banged up, but so are tackle Tyron Smith and receiver Amari Cooper, and both are critical to Dallas' passing success.PickOn the surface, two 3-3 divisional rivals facing off favors the home team. Yet the Eagles are likely better, as evidenced by wins over the Packers and Jets. Dallas' best win came in Week 1 versus Eli Manning and the Giants.If the Cowboys can get their run game going, Dak Prescott could have a big day. Recent history suggests they'll struggle to do so, however, setting Philadelphia up for a huge divisional victory on the road instead.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Before the club acquired him from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jalen Ramsey told the Los Angeles Rams he won't hold out in 2020, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Ramsey isn't under contract beyond next season and has already made it clear he expects to become the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL with his next contract. Ramsey reportedly didn't offer Los Angeles the same assurances if the team slaps the franchise tag on him in 2021.The Rams sent two first-round picks along with a fourth-rounder in 2021 to the Jaguars in exchange for the Pro Bowl defender on Tuesday. Los Angeles spoke to Ramsey's agent about the feasibility of an eventual extension before landing him, but the two sides didn't get too deep into negotiations.If they're unable to work out a deal, it's not totally out of the question the Rams could flip Ramsey at some point and recoup some of the capital they gave up to get him.Ramsey made two Pro Bowls in three seasons with the Jaguars. He played in three games this year before sitting the next three while awaiting a trade and healing a back injury.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers will have injured wide receivers Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling active for their Week 7 matchup with the Oakland Raiders, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Both Allison (concussion) and Valdes-Scantling (ankle, knee) didn't practice during the week, leaving the Packers in jeopardy of lining up without their top three receivers with Davante Adams (toe) already ruled out.Allison and MVS combined for five receptions and 88 yards against the Detroit Lions in Week 6. They have three total touchdowns through six games this season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Before they were outbid by the Los Angeles Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles offered the Jacksonville Jaguars a first- and second-round pick for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.The Super Bowl LII champions were confident about landing Ramsey for a period of time, Schefter adds.It was also reported that Jaguars owner Shad Khan was against trading Ramsey until he missed the Week 6 game against the New Orleans Saints. Although three doctors cleared him to play, the third-year cornerback was sidelined for the contest. Khan reportedly gave the green light to his football operations team to strike a deal shortly after.Ramsey, a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, played in the first three games of the season before demanding a trade after an altercation with team management. He hasn't played since due to a back injury.Without Ramsey, the Eagles, who have allowed more than 280 passing yards per game this season, will try to solve their secondary problems with their current roster.Philadelphia is expected to have both Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby back for its Week 7 Sunday Night Football matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. The franchise is 13-5 when the cornerback duo starts.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Text messages that show Antonio Brown asking Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis for his release have weakened the wide receiver's grievance case, sources told ESPN's Chris Mortsensen.Brown filed a grievance looking to recoup the $30 million in guarantees the Raiders voided via fines. In discovery, it was reported the Raiders submitted multiple text messages Brown sent to Davis requesting free agency.Oakland complied with Brown's request on Sept. 7, shortly after the 31-year-old said he wouldn't play because the Raiders voided his guarantees.Brown filed a separate grievance against the New England Patriots, asking for $10 million in guarantees he didn't receive. The Patriots cut Brown one game into his tenure amid public outrage stemming from a lawsuit that alleged he raped his former personal trainer.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrick Mahomes could return from his dislocated kneecap within three weeks, though the Kansas City Chiefs plan to exercise extreme caution with their franchise quarterback, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.A three-week timeline would see Mahomes back for Monday Night Football on Nov. 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers in Mexico City, where field conditions have raised concerns in past years.Mahomes was injured Thursday night versus the Denver Broncos on a quarterback sneak. He initially received a four-to-six week prognosis, according to Dave Skretta of The Associated Press.The MRI on Mahomes' knee came back as a "best-case scenario," one source told Schefter. Mahomes, meanwhile, feels "good" and believes he's "week-to-week," reports ESPN's Chris Mortensen.In seven games this season, including the one he exited, Mahomes has thrown for 2,180 yards with 15 touchdowns and one interception.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green isn't expected to make his season debut until after the Oct. 29 trade deadline due to his ankle injury, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.The Bengals previously declared they won't trade Green, but that didn't stop rampant speculation to the contrary. Even if they were to change their minds, Green's value would likely be impacted by his unavailability before the deadline.Green was initially expected to miss six-to-eight weeks after tearing ankle ligaments in late July, but his recovery has been slow. Injuries have derailed him in three of the last four seasons, including this one.Despite the swirling rumors, Green has repeatedly said he wants to stay in Cincinnati and finish his career with the team that drafted him fourth overall in 2011.In nine contests a year ago, Green posted 46 receptions for 694 yards and six touchdowns. The seven-time Pro Bowler is in the final year of his contract.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 7 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 7 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.StartJared Goff, Ramsat FalconsSean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / GettyFantasy managers might be scared to put Goff in their lineups this week after his 78-yard performance against the 49ers. That's not a typo - Goff threw for just 78 yards last week. However, your faith will be restored when he takes on a Falcons defense that's allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year, including at least three touchdown passes in each of the last three matchups. Fire up Goff as a middle-of-the-pack QB1 for this game and he'll likely be in the same range next week when the Rams face the Bengals.Boone's projection: 327 passing yards, 3 passing TDsOther QBs to start

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his sixth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his updated rankings for Week 7.Half PPR

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky will play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints after missing one game with a left shoulder injury, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing sources.Trubisky was officially listed as questionable Friday after practicing in full for three straight team sessions coming out of the bye week.Chase Daniel took the reins of the Bears' offense with Trubisky on the sideline, entering in relief in a Week 4 win over the division-rival Minnesota Vikings and getting the start in a losing effort to the Oakland Raiders in London.Trubisky struggled prior to the injury, completing 65.1% of his passes for just 588 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.Chicago enters Week 7 sitting third in the NFC North with a 3-2 record.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL fined Los Angeles Rams pass-rusher Clay Matthews $12,500 for a tweet that was critical of league officials, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The player prop market is a hot one for bettors. While standard spread and total bets account for an entire game, individual props focus on specific matchups.Here are five bets to consider for Week 7:Golden Tate over 55.5 receiving yardsThis might be my favorite prop of the year so far. Tate gets a Cardinals defense that's No. 30 in the league in passing yards allowed per game and No. 28 in yards per completion this season. Arizona does get back Patrick Peterson this weekend, but Tate, who's spent north of 80% of his snaps in the slot with the Giants, should avoid that matchup. The only downside is that the veteran wide receiver will likely have to split some targets with tight end Evan Engram and running back Saquon Barkley if one or both return this weekend. Either way, I love the matchup for Tate, at home, against a brutal secondary.Leonard Fournette over 20.5 rushing attemptsCincinnati is having serious trouble stopping teams on the ground. The Bengals are coming off a game in which they allowed a whopping 263 rushing yards to the Ravens, 152 of which came courtesy of quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jacksonville's Gardner Minshew doesn't have the same dual-threat ability, so expect Fournette to get his fair share of work. After getting 15 or fewer carries in each of the first three games to start the year, Fournette has 20 or more in each of the last three.Matt Ryan over 312.5 passing yardsYou just have to go back to the well at this point. Ryan has thrown for more than 300 yards in every game this season and has surpassed Sunday's posted total in four of the last five. After L.A.'s Jared Goff had his worst outing last weekend, expect the Rams to rinse the bad taste out of their mouth by lighting up a depleted Falcons secondary. Ryan, like most weeks, will have no other choice than to play catch-up.Michael Gallup over 71.5 receiving yardsOpposing offenses have picked on the Eagles' secondary all season long. With the Cowboys on a three-game losing streak and their once high-powered offense seemingly tapering off, I expect Dak Prescott to come out chucking on Sunday Night Football in a crucial divisional matchup. If that's indeed the case, play the over on Gallup. He's had at least seven targets in all four games he's played and should be a fixture in Sunday's game plan, especially with fellow receiver Amari Cooper banged up.Aaron Jones over 2.5 receptionsThis is a pretty bad number on a player who's seen at least six targets in four of the last five games. Jones should also find himself more involved in the passing game for a Packers offense that could be down a good chunk of the receiving corps on Sunday. The Raiders have had issues covering running backs in the passing game this season, allowing at least five receptions to the position in every contest. Overall, opposing quarterbacks are 30 of 38 when targeting tailbacks against Oakland this year.Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKoIodziej.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets have fined guard Kelechi Osemele an undisclosed amount for conduct detrimental to the team after the 30-year-old didn't practice as required Saturday, a source told ESPN's Rich Cimini.The discipline comes as the two sides continue to disagree on the severity of Osemele's shoulder injury.Doctors reportedly told the Jets that the 30-year-old can play through the ailment, while Osemele said he was informed he needed surgery as soon as possible to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.Osemele first suffered the injury on Aug. 5 and re-aggravated it in Week 3. He hasn't played since."It's pain, it's strength, it's instability," Osemele said. "I can't lock my arm out. I can't stop a guy from bull-rushing me. I just can't do my job."The Jets informed the eight-year veteran that he would be subject to a fine or suspension if he didn't practice Saturday. Osemele reportedly made an appearance at the facility but didn't participate in team activities.Osemele's camp is evidently displeased with the team's handling of the issue, despite Osemele's recent praise of general manager Joe Douglas."Kelechi has a torn labrum, there is no debate about this as every doctor who has evaluated him agrees about that," Osmele's agent, Andrew Kessler, wrote in an emailed statement to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. "He has been advised by the second-opinion doctor that the timing of the need for surgery is based on his symptoms. His symptoms currently dictate that he needs surgery."For the team to question the integrity of how he has told them he is physically feeling is disappointing, to say the least. It is hardly putting a priority on player safety."Osemele is listed as doubtful for the team's Monday Night Football matchup with the New England Patriots.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon has been ruled out of Monday's divisional clash with the New York Jets due to ankle and knee injuries.Though Gordon will be sidelined, the Patriots have a chance to get Phillip Dorsett back after listing the wideout as questionable. Dorsett has missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury.If Dorsett is unable to play, New England will likely start rookie Jakobi Meyers alongside leading receiver Julian Edelman.The Patriots will also be without tight ends Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse, who were ruled out with a concussion and a knee injury, respectively.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady has defended his bizarre surprise cameo in Netflix's new comedy series "Living With Yourself" starring Paul Rudd that's led to connections to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's legal issues.Main character Miles Elliot - played by Rudd - spots the New England Patriots quarterback while contemplating whether to go through with an experimental spa treatment in the show's first episode."First time?" a smiling Brady asks Elliot after exiting the spa parlor."Uh-huh. You?" Elliot responds.Brady shakes his head and replies, "Six," referencing the number of Super Bowls he's won.On Saturday, an angry Brady said the clip was "taken out of context" and clarified the plot was written four years ago.“It's not what that was about,” Brady said, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "I think that was taken out of context just like you're taking it out of context and trying to make it a story for yourself, which has a negative connotation to it, which I don't appreciate."The quarterback said that the scene was shot on a green screen. He added that "it's unfortunate that people would choose to think I would do something like that about Mr. Kraft."Brady's cameo is notable because of Kraft's ongoing legal matter after he was among 25 men charged in February with soliciting prostitution at Orchids of Asia Spa in Jupiter, Fla.Kraft pleaded not guilty to his two misdemeanor charges, rejecting a plea deal in favor of a jury trial."Living with Yourself" creator Timothy Greenberg told Lea Palmieri of Decider that Brady was his first choice for the cameo, though the quarterback agreeing to it was surprising."He was a great sport," Greenberg said. "I just don't know why he did it.""So we're like, 'Alright, this is clearly not going to happen now,'" said Greenberg of Brady's appearance after Kraft's charges in an interview with Refinery29's Shannon Carlin.Brady didn't connect the dots, or think the scene would directly or indirectly reference Kraft's scandal, a source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baker Mayfield has reportedly, as he predicted, paid the price for ripping the officials after the Cleveland Browns' 32-28 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.The NFL has fined the quarterback $12,500 for his comments, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network."I will probably get fined for saying this, but it was pretty bad today," Mayfield said of the officiating.The game was plagued by flags. There were a combined 19 accepted penalties, 10 of which went against the Browns.Mayfield took particular issue with a blindside block call on Jarvis Landry that ended a drive in the third quarter.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The NFL season enters Week 7 with some big matchups on the slate. Where is the sharp money going? Which lines are moving the most? Each week throughout the campaign, we'll track the games drawing the most interest from bettors.We talked to Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader, to see how sharps and public bettors are playing the Week 7 schedule.All lines courtesy of theScore Bet.San Francisco 49ers (-9.5, 41) at Washington RedskinsIn one of the week's most one-sided games on paper, the undefeated 49ers travel to the east coast to face the 1-5 Redskins. Washington is coming off a one-point win in Miami last week, but the Redskins are still a large home dog on Sunday.As expected, heavy action is coming in on the 49ers, with bettors continuing to fade the struggling Redskins."This is the biggest one-sided game we have this week," Rood said. "Everybody is on the road favorite here. Money is 50-1 to San Fran and ticket count is in same range. We're gonna need the Redskins to play inside the number to bust up some liability. The Niners are definitely the team that the public is all over this week."Oddsmakers could be in for a rough day on Sunday if they're depending on the Redskins to cover at home. Washington has failed to cover during five straight home games, and the team is 0-3 straight up this year at FedEx Field while being outscored 95-43.Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (-17, 41)Back in August, did you think the Buffalo Bills would be 17-point favorites this season? Welcome to the current state of the Miami Dolphins.Buffalo doesn't enter these waters often. The last time the Bills were a favorite of this magnitude was back in 1992 when it happened twice. Buffalo was a 17-point favorite over the New York Jets then and lost 24-17. That same year, Buffalo was a 16.5-point favorite over the Indianapolis Colts and lost again, dropping the game 16-13 in overtime. Is that a sign of things to come on Sunday?When the line came out for this game over the summer, Buffalo was favored by 4.5. Bettors have typically been fading the lowly Dolphins, but with the Bills laying so many points this week, the action is split between the two squads."We're getting good two-way on the spread -17," Rood said. "The ticket count and money are dead even. It's not one of the higher activity games, but it's right there in the middle of the pack. We're seeing some +900 ML play on Dolphins too."Miami hasn't experienced much luck when traveling north to face the Bills, going 1-6 ATS in its last seven trips to Buffalo.Baltimore Ravens at Seattle Seahawks (-3, 49.5)The Seahawks are one win away from sweeping the AFC North this season. After the Seahawks already defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns, the Ravens get the division's last chance to beat Seattle.The Seahawks have actually generated more profit on the road than at home recently, failing to cover in four straight games at CenturyLink Field. However, bettors may not find much solace in backing Baltimore. The Ravens are 0-5 ATS this season after their opening day 59-10 blowout of the Dolphins.While bettors are split on this matchup, the over 49.5 is seeing a lot of action in a game that pits MVP candidate quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson against each other."So far, the thing that stands out on this game is that 100% of the money on the total has come in on the over," Rood said. "Why all over? I think both offensive units have been pretty efficient. Neither defensive unit has really stood out. People are just betting what they've last seen."Thomas Casale is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. He's been following the sports betting industry for almost 30 years. A devoted fan of the wishbone offense, Thomas bets on all sports but specializes in college football, NFL, and college basketball. Find him on Twitter @TheTomCasale.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos fans made their feelings known Thursday night, as they showered the team with boos in its loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at home.Head coach Vic Fangio said Friday that the boos were justified."With that performance, they have every right to be angry and they have every right to boo," Fangio said during his presser. "We probably deserved it. It's a loyal fan base and one that I've grown quickly to appreciate. We're doing everything we can to get this fixed as quick as possible."With the 30-6 loss, Fangio's Broncos fell to 2-5 on the season. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco has led the offense to ranks of 29th in points per game (16) and 25th in passing yards (207.9).Flacco put up 213 passing yards and fumbled thrice against the Chiefs, and some questioned his level of enthusiasm during the loss. He's in no danger of losing his job, though, according to Fangio."When things are going good, he's like that. He's Joe Cool. When things are going bad, it's a lack of intensity. It's a lack of enthusiasm," said Fangio. "I think that's just going to continue to be the dialogue as it relates to Joe Flacco and his career."Flacco was sacked eight times by a Chiefs front that had managed just 12 quarterback takedowns through the team's first six games. Broncos tackle Garett Bolles, whose struggles are well-documented, will also retain his starting spot for now.Fangio said the blame for the team's offensive struggles should be spread across the entire unit."I just thought our whole pass offense struggled, really. Sacks was a part of that, coverage was part of that, and guys getting open was part of that," the first-year head coach said. "I think it's more fair to say that our offense struggled more so than our protection, but protection is part of the offense."Fangio and Co. will get 10 days off before a meeting with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets and left guard Kelechi Osemele are embroiled in a bizarre dispute concerning the severity of the player's shoulder injury, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.Osemele was reportedly advised to undergo surgery as soon as possible to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, which he suffered Aug. 5 and was again bothered by recently. The injury has kept him sidelined since Week 3.However, two doctors - one with the team and one independent - told the Jets that the eight-year veteran didn't need surgery and was medically cleared to play.The two doctors also determined that Osemele suffered the injury before he was traded to the Jets, a source told Vacchiano.New York has therefore informed Osemele that he will be subject to a fine or suspension if he doesn't practice Saturday."I think they just want me to play through the injury, but obviously I tried to go and I can't go," Osemele told reporters Friday. "I've been doing everything I can and it's just not there. I can't control that. It's an injury. It's torn. So until it's fixed, I can't really do anything."He added: "It's pain, it's strength, it's instability. I can't lock my arm out. I can't stop a guy from bull-rushing me. I just can't do my job."

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The NFL community held its collective breath on Thursday night when Patrick Mahomes limped off the field in Denver. Early reports suggest the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback avoided serious injury, though his extended absence is already effecting the betting market.Mahomes dislocated his kneecap during the win, but he didn't suffer significant damage. He's expected to miss four-to-six weeks, sources told Dave Skretta of The Associated Press, and the quarterback will seek additional opinions, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and James Palmer.The flood of information on Friday afternoon led to oddmakers taking a cautious approach in the futures market. Still, even in the best-case scenario, it appears the Chiefs will be playing roughly a month without the league's reigning MVP."There's just not a lot to react to yet," said Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader. "It's a good, quality team. You're not going to see us jump (the Chiefs' odds) up to ridiculous levels to win the Super Bowl or the AFC or anything like that."It's really kind of a 'wait and see' ... After next week, it could be a different story."Rood compared this situation to Drew Brees' injury, whose absence briefly lengthened the Saints' odds before Teddy Bridgewater's success brought New Orleans' price back down.On a weekly basis, Mahomes is worth five-to-six points to the spread, Rood says, and that could drop if backup Matt Moore plays well in his place."If Matt Moore comes in and plays well and they run a scheme that's conducive to helping him manage it going forward, that'll start to minimize week after week," Rood said. "Even if he goes .500 for six weeks, they're still not in a bad spot."Unless Mahomes' diagnosis worsens, Rood says the odds won't move on the Chiefs, a team that's 9-2 to win the Super Bowl and 2-1 to win the AFC as of Friday. If the injury is worse than expected, Rood says those odds would lengthen, while teams like the Texans and Ravens would benefit in the futures market.Some books, including Caesars and CG Technology, opted to move Kansas City's odds to 10-1 or 12-1, according to Patrick Everson of Covers. The Patriots' price to win the Super Bowl was also shortened at some shops.Perhaps the biggest effect on the futures market comes in the MVP race.Mahomes was the front-runner until Russell Wilson passed him this week. The Chiefs quarterback, who entered the week with 9-4 odds, hadn't looked like himself over the last two games while battling a mobility-sapping left ankle issue, hindering the improvisation that makes Kansas City's offense so dangerous.Ed Salmons, vice president of risk management and oddsmaking for the Westgate LV Superbook, told theScore that Mahomes would likely reopen as the fourth-highest favorite to win MVP behind Wilson, Deshaun Watson, and Christian McCaffrey if he misses just a few weeks. That suggests his odds would be in the 12-1 to 20-1 range - a far cry from even odds just two weeks ago.Even a brief absence could spell death for Mahomes' MVP chances. Since 1990, no player has missed more than two games and won the award, and the last 16 MVP winners have combined to miss one game.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons have put defensive end Vic Beasley Jr. on the trade block, according to ESPN's Jordan Schultz.Atlanta picked up Beasley's fifth-year option in April, but he has apparently not met expectations and the team believes a change of scenery will help him, added Schultz.The Falcons selected Beasley eighth overall in 2015, and the Clemson product put up a league-leading 15.5 sacks the following season, earning himself All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. However, Beasley has been unable to recapture that form, as he's recorded just 11.5 sacks in 36 games since that breakout year.Beasley is owed $12.8 million for the 2019 campaign, after which he will become an unrestricted free agent. The fifth-year pro has put up 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one batted ball through six weeks this season.There has been no indication that Beasley's place on the trading block will affect his availability for the Falcons' Week 7 contest with the Los Angeles Rams.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara won't play Sunday versus the Chicago Bears due to knee and ankle injuries, the team announced in its injury report.Kamara battled through the pain in Week 6 but missed practice each of the last three days. He'll join quarterback Drew Brees and tight end Jared Cook - who will be sidelined with his own ankle injury - on the shelf.The 24-year-old has rushed for 373 yards and a touchdown over his first six games this season, adding 276 yards and a score receiving. Latavius Murray will assume his spot in the starting lineup.New Orleans rides a four-game win streak into the contest with the 3-2 Bears.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Friday he anticipates newly acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey and running back Todd Gurley will play in Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Gurley missed last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers due to a quad injury.On Tuesday, the Rams stunned the NFL world by sending two first-round picks to the Jacksonville Jaguars to land the disgruntled Ramsey.The star corner will form a new starting duo alongside Troy Hill after Los Angeles placed Aqib Talib on injured reserve and shipped Marcus Peters to the Baltimore Ravens.L.A. will hope the addition of Ramsey can help end a three-game losing streak that's allowed the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks to take control of the NFC West.McVay added that running back Malcolm Brown is doubtful due to an ankle injury, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry. Rookie Darrell Henderson will likely act as Gurley's backup if Brown is unable to play.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

DeMarcus Lawrence fired back on Friday at Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson, who earlier in the week vowed to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in their pivotal Week 7 contest."Tell him to come on," he told reporters, including The Athletic's Jon Machota. "We ready. Can he play the game? He might want to shut his ass up and stay on the sidelines. He can't play the game for them."The Pro Bowl defensive end indicated he could take on a greater workload Sunday after subbing out more frequently during the first six games this year. Lawrence underwent shoulder surgery in April and has been eased back into action."You ain't got to worry about it this week," he said when asked about his snap count this season. "Doug Pederson already called us out, so y'all know what it is. Thank y'all."Pederson became bold on Monday while discussing the clash of NFC East co-leaders. The Cowboys and Eagles are both coming off losses in Week 6 that dropped their records to 3-3."I know the sky's falling outside," he told a Philadelphia radio station. "It's falling and I get that. The fans are reeling just a little bit. But we're going down to Dallas and our guys are going to be ready to play. And we're going to win that football game and when we do, we're in first place in the NFC East, we control our own destiny. We're right where we need to be."Lawrence hasn't recorded a sack in nine career games against the Eagles. His 10th meeting will come under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football in Dallas.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was listed as questionable on the final injury report of Week 7 due to the left shoulder ailment he suffered three weeks ago."I like where he's at," head coach Matt Nagy said Friday, according to Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com. "So far, he's stacked good days together."Trubisky was a full participant in practice for the third consecutive day, opening the door for a possible return versus the New Orleans Saints. On Wednesday, Nagy said he was "cautiously optimistic" the pivot would be ready to play against the Saints.The 25-year-old went down on Sept. 29 against the Minnesota Vikings.The Bears got past the Vikings with Chase Daniel leading the offense, but he lost to the Oakland Raiders the following week. They were on their bye in Week 6.In four appearances this season, Trubisky has thrown for 588 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

An MRI on Friday confirmed that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a dislocated kneecap, but it didn't find significant additional damage, sources told Ian Rapoport and James Palmer of NFL Network.The plan is apparently for him to return this season after a brief absence. His best-case scenario prior to the MRI results was reportedly a three-week recovery period.Mahomes' timetable for a return could extend to four-to-six weeks, a source told Dave Skretta of The Associated Press.However, Mahomes will seek additional opinions on his injured knee, added Rapoport and Palmer.Chiefs head coach Andy Reid declined to go into detail about Mahomes on Friday.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was a full participant in practice Friday, putting him in line to return versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7."He's available," Giants coach Pat Shurmur told reporters, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. "We'll see if he's back. If he is, he'll be ready to go. I just choose not to tell you right now."Barkley missed three games after spraining his ankle on Sept. 22. Initial reports suggested the second-year star could be sidelined for as many as eight weeks.Despite the injury, Barkley still leads the Giants in rushing with 237 yards and a touchdown over three appearances. New York went 1-2 while he was out.Along with Barkley, tight end Evan Engram practiced fully Friday and is expected to return following a one-game absence due to a sprained MCL. Engram leads the team in receiving with 373 yards and two touchdowns.In less joyful news, the Giants ruled out wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who will miss his second straight game with a concussion.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Players Association is willing to discuss expanding the regular season from 16 games to 17 with team owners as part of the league's new collective bargaining agreement, sources told ESPN's Dan Graziano.However, the players' support is reportedly contingent on their share of the NFL's revenue increasing sufficiently.The owners' proposal is for the expansion to begin in 2022. It would include reducing the preseason to three games, according to Graziano.Players were reportedly unsatisfied with the owners' most recent revenue-split proposals, and now the league and the NFLPA are in the midst of arranging a formal meeting on the matter for the near future.The unexpected cost of the new stadium in Los Angeles is reportedly a key issue for the two parties to overcome in revenue-split negotiations. The stadium is expected to cost over double the initial estimate of $2.5 billion.Owners reportedly want to designate revenue credits that would be taken off the top for stadium costs, and players fear they could be taken advantage of in that system.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.