Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins won't return to Sunday's game against the New York Jets after suffering a calf injury.The Texans are already shorthanded at wideout after star rookie Tank Dell sustained a season-ending fibula injury last week.The 24-year-old is amid a career season. After producing a combined 927 yards and three touchdowns in his first two campaigns, Collins leads the Texans with 59 catches for 991 yards and six scores while establishing a strong connection with quarterback C.J. Stroud.With both offenses failing to score in the first half, Collins had one catch for 13 yards before exiting to capture the first 1,000-yard campaign of his NFL tenure.Robert Woods, John Metchie, and Noah Brown will lead Houston's receiver group for the remainder of the game.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is inactive for the team's Week 14 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers due to a groin injury.Drew Lock is set to get his first start of the season.Smith is dealing with a "two-week injury to his groin" and was considered a game-time decision, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. He suffered the ailment in practice on Thursday.The 33-year-old was listed as questionable for Sunday's contest. He didn't participate in Friday's practice after being limited on Thursday. The West Virginia product is also battling a triceps contusion he suffered in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams.Smith is coming off one of his better games of the season, as he threw for 334 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys.Lock has played in two games this season, completing four passes on 12 attempts for 66 yards and one interception. He hasn't started a game since Week 18 of the 2021 campaign when he was with the Denver Broncos.Seattle has lost three games in a row heading into Week 14.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quarterback Joe Flacco started for the Cleveland Browns in their Week 14 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.The Browns elevated Flacco from the practice squad Saturday. In a corresponding move, the team waived quarterback P.J. Walker, opening the door for Dorian Thompson-Robinson to be Flacco's backup.Head coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't commit to a starter for Sunday's contest, but Flacco took a "healthy share" of first-team reps in practice this week, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.The 38-year-old will get his second consecutive start after getting the nod against the Los Angeles Rams last week. He completed 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the game. Flacco's the fourth Browns signal-caller to start a contest this season.Cleveland signed Flacco to the practice squad on Nov. 20 after losing starting quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season to a shoulder injury.The 7-5 Browns face off against the 8-4 Jaguars on Sunday.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will start Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns despite suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 13, the team announced.Lawrence sustained the ailment in the fourth quarter of the Jaguars' loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. The injury typically sidelines players for multiple weeks. The 2021 first overall pick hasn't missed a game due to injury in his NFL career.Head coach Doug Pederson said Friday that the franchise quarterback would probably be a game-time decision.The 24-year-old passer will extend his starting streak to 47 games. Lawrence was listed as questionable on the team's final injury report after being a limited participant in Thursday's and Friday's practice sessions.Lawrence also played through a knee injury earlier in the season.C.J. Beathard - who stepped in during the overtime defeat to the Bengals - will back up Lawrence. Nathan Rourke was also signed to the active roster from the practice squad to provide insurance under center.The Jaguars have posted an 8-4 record with Lawrence as their starter. Lawrence has thrown for 3,004 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions and has a 94.4 passer rating through 12 games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with safety Grant Delpit on a three-year, $36-million contract extension, a source told Brad Stainbrook of the Orange and Brown Report.The deal includes just over $23 million in guarantees, Stainbrook adds.Delpit is arguably having the best year of his career in 2023, racking up 74 tackles with three passes defended and six tackles for loss. He's been the anchor of Cleveland's secondary, playing at least 96% of the defensive snaps in all but one contest this campaign.Cleveland's defense has been stellar against the pass this season, leading the league in passing yards allowed per contest heading into Week 14. Along with the reported signing of Delpit, the Browns signed safety Juan Thornhill to a three-year deal in March.The 25-year-old Delpit has been with the Browns since they selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Delpit suffered a torn Achilles in training camp leading up to his rookie campaign, ultimately ending his season.Delpit became the starter toward the end of his second season and hasn't looked back, starting in every game when healthy since Week 11 of the 2021 campaign.The LSU product has 245 tackles and six interceptions in 44 career games.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 14.Half PPR

The NFL handed New York Jets running back Breece Hall a $43,709 fine for unnecessary roughness against the Atlanta Falcons last weekend, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The Falcons' A.J. Terrell was placed in concussion protocol following a first-quarter collision with Hall on a 3rd-and-11 reception by the Jets' tailback. Terrell has since been cleared and is listed as questionable for Atlanta's Week 14 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hall wasn't flagged on the play.The 22-year-old wasn't impressed with the league's decision to levy a significant fine."I'll just let him dive at my knees next time I guess? Not like I tore my ACL or anything lol," Hall said in a post on X, formerly known a Twitter.

Philadelphia Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro won't be allowed on the sideline for Sunday's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys following his Week 13 ejection, a team spokesperson confirmed Saturday."This is an ongoing conversation with the NFL, and we are going to respect the restriction that is currently in place," an Eagles spokesperson told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "Although Dom will not be on the sideline this Sunday, he will continue to fulfill his role with the team in all other capacities."He's permitted to travel with the team and do his regular gameday duties. DiSandro and other Eagles officials met with commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday, and the league is still reviewing the incident to see if further punishment is needed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.DiSandro was thrown out of the team's Week 13 contest against the San Francisco 49ers after pushing linebacker Dre Greenlaw during a scuffle on the Eagles sideline.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson was ruled out of the team's Week 14 contest against the New York Giants, the team announced Saturday.Watson exited late in the fourth quarter of last week's 27-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring injury and didn't practice all week. He missed the team's first three games of the season with the same ailment. The 24-year-old has been on a tear lately, hauling in three touchdowns while totaling 180 yards in his last two games.Quay Walker (shoulder) is listed as doubtful, while Jaire Alexander (shoulder), Aaron Jones (knee), and Darnell Savage (chest) are listed as questionable.Green Bay has Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Malik Heath remaining on the wide receiver depth chart.Watson has 422 receiving yards and six total touchdowns in nine games this season.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL found that the Cincinnati Bengals were in full compliance with the league's injury report policy concerning the situation with Joe Burrow in Week 11, a league spokesperson announced Saturday.Burrow was seen wearing a sleeve on his right wrist in a video released by the team before the prime-time contest versus the Baltimore Ravens despite not being listed on the injury report. Burrow said the sleeve was worn to prevent swelling in his wrist during flights, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.The 26-year-old Burrow ended up suffering a season-ending wrist injury in the game, tearing a ligament in his right throwing hand in the second quarter. He had successful surgery on the ailment in late November.The NFL reviewed medical records and interviewed the Bengals' medical staff and Burrow during the investigation, per Jones. The league ultimately found that the team did everything correctly leading up to the Week 11 game.Cincinnati is rolling with Jake Browning as its starter with Burrow sidelined. The 27-year-old shone in last week's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing for 354 yards with two total touchdowns while completing over 85% of his throws.The 6-6 Bengals will face off against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.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.In an effort to help you find trades that could improve your fantasy team, we present the Dynasty Trade Value Chart.You can use this chart to compare players and build realistic trade offers. Values are based on 12-team PPR leagues.Follow the links below to see the trade values for each position.Dynasty Rankings & Trade Values

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper is set to play in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Cooper was listed as questionable with a rib injury and a concussion. The team also announced that it has waived quarterback P.J. Walker and elevated Joe Flacco from the practice squad.The 29-year-old Cooper exited the team's Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams and didn't return. He finished the contest with three catches on five targets for 34 yards.Walker started two games for the Browns this season and entered two other contests to replace the injured starter. Head coach Kevin Stefanski demoted the signal-caller after the team signed Flacco.Stefanski hasn't named a starter for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, but Flacco took significant first-team reps this week, and signs point to him getting the nod, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is the other option. He's cleared concussion protocol after suffering a concussion in Week 12.Offensive tackle Dawand Jones was initially listed as questionable but has since been downgraded to out for Week 14 due to a knee injury he suffered in practice Thursday.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Predictably, we returned to earth last week after Week 12's 10-0 explosion. We were headed for a 5-5 split until Rachaad White padded the stats by breaking through the line on third-and-1. He could've slid down to end the game but instead grabbed just enough yards to go over his total after getting held to fewer than 3 yards per carry against the Panthers.D'Onta Foreman: 50-plus rushing yards (+290 for 0.6 units)

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley isn't giving up on the 2023 season."We're in this motherf----r, to be honest," Barkley said, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post."I'm going to keep it real. We're not looking too far, or in the hunt, or at playoff pictures. But if we take care of what we need to take care of, everyone can say what they want about the season. It's Week (14), and everything we want is still there. We don't need any extra motivation."The 4-8 Giants have less than a 1% chance of making the postseason, according to The New York Times. The team ripped off back-to-back victories against the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots heading into its Week 13 bye.Quarterback Tommy DeVito enjoyed a resurgence during New York's two-game win streak. He's thrown for 437 yards with four touchdowns and just one turnover this season after a shaky start.DeVito will start Monday night against the Green Bay Packers despite quarterback Tyrod Taylor returning to practice after missing the last four contests due to a rib injury."No more excuses," Barkley said, per Dunleavy. "Tommy DeVito is not a rookie quarterback anymore, going into his fourth start. Injuries, we've got guys getting healthier."The Giants have five games remaining against opponents with a combined 37-23 record, including two contests versus the Philadelphia Eagles, who own the league's best record.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There are just five weeks remaining before the playoffs begin. As has become a weekly custom in the NFL, a plethora of backups are starting, which has created some low totals.If you enjoy defense and horrible quarterback play, this is the week for you. Let's get to our best total bets for Sunday.Rams @ Ravens over 39.5 pointsThe Rams' offense is clicking as they fight for a wild-card spot in the NFC. Every game is crucial down the stretch of the season if they want a chance to compete in the dance. Los Angeles has scored 37 and 36 points in the last two weeks, respectively.The Rams' 36-point performance last week came against the Browns, who had a top-five scoring defense entering that week. Don't expect another 30-point performance against Baltimore on the road; the Ravens have the NFL's best scoring defense, allowing just 15.6 points per game to opponents.The Rams don't need to score 30-plus to cover, as they're 7.5-point underdogs. If Los Angeles can reach somewhere between 17-to-20 points, the Ravens should take care of the rest against a pedestrian defense. Six of the Ravens' last seven games have gone over this number.Buccaneers @ Falcons under 40.5 pointsSomeone has to win the NFC South, no matter how hard each team tries to lose it. The Falcons are in first place with a .500 record, but the Buccaneers are one game back, so the winner of this game will take the division lead.Both of these offenses have been miserable. They rank in the bottom third of the league in points per game. Atlanta averages 18.8 points per game, while Tampa Bay averages 19.4.Both teams also have top-10 scoring defenses, creating a low total. This should be an ugly divisional battle that'll come down to field position, with points few and far between.Lions team total: Over 22.5 pointsThis is an oddly low line for a Lions squad that averages 28.7 points per game. It's an away divisional matchup, and the Bears are playing solid football, but Detroit's offense has been prolific. The Lions have scored at least 23 points in four of their last six games.The Lions have only scored less than 20 points once this season, when the Ravens, who have the league's best defense, dominated them.Detroit isn't just one of the NFL's best offenses; it's also playing one of the worst defenses on Sunday. The Bears allow 24.7 points per game, the league's sixth-worst scoring defense. This could be a close game - Detroit's favored by three - but the Lions shouldn't have a problem scoring.Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @soshtry for more betting coverage.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is in the concussion protocol, team spokesperson Burt Lauten said Saturday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN.Watt experienced symptoms Friday morning following the team's 21-18 loss to the New England Patriots on Thursday night. He left the game on the first play after taking a knee to the face from Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Kenny Pickett got hurt, Najee Harris fell short of the goal line on fourth down, and the Cardinals' subsequent 99-yard drive on the Steelers' defense might have signaled the beginning of the end for Pittsburgh.That loss was easier to swallow than the Titans', Patriots', and Broncos' games. It felt like something would happen every five minutes in those contests to keep the teams from covering, dropping our record to 33-21-4 (61.1%) against the spread for the season.Best bets ATSWe've already discussed the five underdogs with a shot to win outright relative to their price, with four worth a look against the spread.TEAMSPREADJets+3.5 (-115)Bears+3.5 (-120)Rams+7.5 (-120)Broncos+3 (-120)However, there are more plays worth making this week.Panthers @ Saints (-5, 37.5)There's a direct market comparable for the Panthers, who spent much of last week as 5-point underdogs on the road to the Buccaneers and covered the closing number of +3.5.A bet on Carolina was saved on a sequence featuring a fourth-and-6 bomb to a heavily-covered DJ Chark and a facemask penalty on a subsequent two-point conversion. The Panthers were so inspired by a coaching change that they mustered just 4.1 yards per play against Tampa's defense.You don't want Derek Carr to cover a number as a favorite, but Jameis Winston? He's a quarterback who'll create a high-variance result with his willingness to push the ball down the field. The Saints got down 21-0 to the Lions on two Carr turnovers last week, so little is lost with the jolt of energy brought by Winston against a Panthers team that hasn't found any answers in winnable road games and likely won't find one again.Pick: Saints (-5)Colts @ Bengals (-2, 43.5)"I owe you an apology. I wasn't really familiar with your game." - That's everyone channeling Shaquille O'Neal in their reaction to Jake Browning.Browning's completed 81% of his passes in two starts after Joe Burrow's season-ending injury, and he isn't turning the ball over in a way that most backup quarterbacks do. Chase Brown provided a dose of speed out of the backfield in Jacksonville, and Monday night's win has the Bengals believing a playoff spot is still within reach as they return home to take on a current AFC wild-card placeholder.The Colts won last week thanks to the Titans' special teams, stretching their win streak to four games, with the best of the bunch coming in a home victory over the Buccaneers. The market's flipped the favorite from Indianapolis to Cincinnati - a move I agree with.Pick: Bengals (-2)Jaguars @ Browns (-3, 32.5)Trevor Lawrence suiting up would just mean we get a better number on the Browns, who are in a far better position to play well. They're back home, where their defense excels, facing either C.J. Beathard or a hobbled Lawrence. The Jaguars will also be using a third-string left tackle and missing a primary receiver.Last week's score was misleading for Joe Flacco's Browns debut, but he passed the eye test, getting Cleveland into and executing the plays it'll need to create enough offense to win this game comfortably.Pick: Browns (-3)Seahawks @ 49ers (-11, 46.5)Early money took the Seahawks +12.5. Now that it's ticked back up to +11, you can hold your nose and fade the 49ers a week after their biggest performance of the year.Seattle tweaked its offense after the teams' first meeting, asking Geno Smith to get the ball out a half-second quicker and finally peppering first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba with targets. Limiting the effectiveness of another scary pass rush will be the key to keeping this game remotely close as the Seahawks come in with extra rest and fighting for their playoff lives.Pick: Seahawks (+11)Eagles @ Cowboys (-3.5, 51.5)The Eagles wouldn't normally be +3 against the 49ers at home, nor would they be +3.5 here. But at this point in the season, schedule matters. Philadelphia ends a stretch of high-leverage games in a short period. And like last week, this comes against the much fresher Cowboys, who are starting a gauntlet of their own.If you were apt to be concerned about the Eagles on a macro level, getting outgained in their last five contests is worth citing.MATCHUP EAGLES YPP OPP. YPP@WSH6.06.8DAL4.95.8@KC4.44.5BUF5.85.5SF4.88.0Why would we expect Philadelphia to be the better team Sunday night? The market doesn't, pushing this line across the key number of -3. So, while you're paying a heavy price for Dallas to bring the same passion and focus as the 49ers last week, maybe it won't matter what number you get.Pick: Cowboys (-3.5)Moneyline upset of the weekBears (+150) over LionsThe Lions lost Alim McNeil to a season-ending injury last week. Without the block-occupying defensive tackle, the Bears can control this game with their full complement of runners in the backfield, setting up deep shots against Detroit's woeful secondary.Since the Lions got good - starting this run in Week 9 last season - Jared Goff's best statistical game in cold weather came when he completed 19 of 26 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown in a 31-30 win against the 2022 Bears' defense - a unit far worse than what Chicago has now.Best 6-point teaserBuccaneers +8 / Broncos +8.5The Broncos can beat the Chargers outright, so we aren't likely to need any points, let alone 8.5. I have no idea who wins Buccaneers-Falcons, but there's a good chance it'll be close.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Five weeks remain in the NFL regular season. These five quarterbacks lead surefire or potential playoff teams and will be compelling to watch down the stretch for various reasons.Dak Prescott Brandon Sloter / Getty ImagesOut to prove: He's the MVP, and this Cowboys team is special.Piping hot right now, Prescott recently became the first quarterback since 2020 to pass for 20 touchdowns in a six-week span, per Stathead. The display invigorated his MVP candidacy after a slow start - Prescott threw six TDs in his first six games - and created the expectation that Dallas won't disappoint in the playoffs again.The Cowboys last reached the NFC Championship Game in 1995. They failed to score 20 points in eight of 12 ensuing postseason defeats. Prescott's four playoff losses to date were all decided by one possession. Going 0-2 against the 49ers and Eagles so far this season highlighted the franchise's tendency to come up short in big games.This team has the potential to be different. Prescott's elite big-time throw rate (6.6%) and turnover-worthy play rate (1.4%) are huge personal bests, per PFF. The Cowboys are 9-3 and rank in the top five in yards on both sides of the ball. They demolish weak opponents, but beating Philadelphia on Sunday would help convince people this is their year.Trevor Lawrence Cooper Neill / Getty ImagesOut to prove: The Jaguars are a genuine Super Bowl contender.The high ankle sprain that felled Lawrence last Monday night threatened to ruin Jacksonville's promising season. The 8-4 Jaguars still have work to do to seal the AFC South title and record 10 wins for the fourth time this century.The Jags' plus-26 point differential - the AFC's sixth-best mark - reflects that they're a championship long shot. Six teams with a lesser differential have gone on to reach the Super Bowl, per Stathead. Lawrence's presence keeps that possibility intact. He hasn't passed for three touchdowns in any matchup this season, but he only trails Prescott in big-time throws (27) and games with a 100-plus passer rating (seven).Jacksonville's next two opponents, the Browns and Ravens, field phenomenal defenses. The end of the schedule (Buccaneers, Panthers, Titans) provides a soft landing. Rather than coast to the finish, Lawrence will be counted on to raise his game despite wideout Christian Kirk's absence with a core muscle injury. That won't be easy if the ankle sprain nags him throughout December.Jared Goff Gregory Shamus / Getty ImagesOut to prove: He can offset Detroit's defensive flaws.The 9-3 Lions remain unbeaten when they allow no more than 28 points. That's a testament to the offense's explosiveness. Detroit ranks third in touchdowns from scrimmage (39) behind the Dolphins and 49ers. Only those squads and the Cowboys have produced more 30-point performances than the Lions' six.They'll probably have to win shootouts to advance in the playoffs. The Lions have given up 31 touchdowns on defense, the league's eighth-worst total. They're porous in the red zone, surrendering TDs on 71.8% of visits. The Ravens gained the third-most yards per play (9.15) in any NFL game this season when they drilled Detroit 38-6.Goff is sixth in the NFL in adjusted net yards per pass attempt. He ranks second behind Tua Tagovailoa in yards gained on play-action throws, per PFF. He tends to accomplish what's asked of him but has been sloppier than usual lately, committing three turnovers apiece against the Bears and Packers in November. Blunders have to be minimized to clinch the Lions' first playoff win since 1991.Jordan Love Patrick McDermott / Getty ImagesOut to prove: His future's extremely bright.Love attempted only 83 passes over the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons as Aaron Rodgers won MVP trophies, then detonated his relationship with the Packers. Entrusted to start this year, Love initially struggled to handle the load, tossing more picks (10) than touchdowns (eight) in an adverse stretch between Weeks 3-10.The last few weeks were encouraging. Love produced an 8-0 TD-INT split in increasingly impressive wins over the Chargers, the Lions on Thanksgiving, and the Chiefs in prime time last Sunday. He ranked fifth in the span in expected points added per play, per Ben Baldwin's database. Love's pocket composure against Kansas City enabled him to fire this fourth-down dime to Romeo Doubs and find Christian Watson for multiple scores.The 6-6 Packers possess the NFC's fifth-best playoff odds (69%, per The New York Times' simulator) and easiest remaining schedule (the Giants, Buccaneers, Panthers, Vikings, and Bears are a combined 20-40). Love's challenge for the stretch run is to be consistent. Continuing to shine would affirm that his ceiling is high.C.J. Stroud Cooper Neill / Getty ImagesOut to prove: There's never been a better rookie QB.Houston's brilliant 22-year-old quarterback, the NFL passing yards leader, has a shot to do the following things by Week 18, according to Stathead:

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 14.

The New Orleans Saints listed quarterback Derek Carr as questionable for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers with concussion, rib, and right shoulder injury designations, the team announced Friday.Carr later cleared concussion protocol and is expected to start Week 14, reports Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.Signal-caller Taysom Hill and wideout Rashid Shaheed are also questionable. Hill is dealing with injuries to his foot and left hand, while Shaheed is nursing a thigh ailment. Neither player practiced this week.Carr was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday before being upgraded to full Friday.Head coach Dennis Allen said Friday that the veteran quarterback has "made progress" this week, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football.Allen added that Carr and backup quarterback Jameis Winston have managed snaps this week.Carr was injured in last Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions after taking a big hit on a passing attempt. Winston replaced him, recording two completions on five attempts for 41 yards.The Saints have lost three games in a row but are still in the hunt for the NFC South with a 5-7 record. They only trail the 6-6 Atlanta Falcons.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is questionable for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers after missing Friday's practice with a groin injury."We'll see. We rested him today," head coach Pete Carroll said, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic.Carroll added that Smith sustained the injury at practice Thursday."Tweaked his groin a little bit yesterday. Just kind of stumbled over somebody," he said.The veteran passer also battled an elbow injury earlier this season but didn't miss any games. Coming off his first Pro Bowl campaign, Smith has completed 64.4% of his passes for 2,918 yards and 15 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He's also lost two fumbles.Drew Lock presumably will start the 49ers matchup if Smith is unavailable. Seattle also signed quarterback Sean Mannion to its practice squad Friday.The 6-6 Seahawks have lost three in a row.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert is off the team's injury report and won't carry a designation into the Sunday night matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, the team announced Friday.The 28-year-old hasn't played since sustaining a reported broken forearm in the club's first matchup with the Cowboys in Week 9.Goedert logged a limited practice last Friday and was a full participant for all three practices this week.Philly suffered its second defeat of the season last week. A loss to the Cowboys would leave both NFC East clubs at 10-3 with a split head-to-head record.Goedert has hauled in 38 receptions for 410 yards and two touchdowns this season. All three marks rank third on the team behind wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.A former second-round selection, Goedert has 3,407 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns on 286 receptions in his career.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns due to an ankle injury, the team announced.Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Friday that Lawrence will "probably" be a game-time decision, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The former No. 1 pick suffered a high ankle sprain during the fourth quarter of Monday night's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He was unable to finish the game.Lawrence didn't practice earlier this week but was a limited participant during Friday's session.

Tyreek Hill is having one of the greatest seasons ever for a wide receiver, but the Miami Dolphins star still doesn't think he'll be in contention for NFL MVP at the end of the year."There's been numerous times, before I even started playing football, that guys have been making plays, having great seasons (without being named MVP)," he said, according to David Furones of the Sun Sentinel. "It's a quarterback award, we all know that."A wide receiver has never claimed football's most prestigious individual award. Quarterbacks have been named MVP for the last 10 seasons, with former Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson the last non-QB to take home the honor in 2012.Hill hopes Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can win it this season."I'd be happier if Tua won," Hill said.Tagovailoa and Hill form one of the NFL's most efficient quarterback-receiver duos this season. The signal-caller has completed 70.1% of his pass attempts for 3,457 yards and 24 touchdowns - the second-most in the league - against 10 interceptions, good for a 106 passer rating.Meanwhile, Hill has caught 93 passes for a league-high 1,481 yards and 12 touchdowns. The seven-time Pro Bowler is on pace to shatter Calvin Johnson's single-season record of 1,964 yards and become the first player ever to reach the 2,000-yard receiving mark in a single campaign."I feel like I've gotten everything I wanted," Hill said. "I get a chance to play a game that I love. ... Obviously, winning the award would be icing on the cake, but God has blessed me."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco and left tackle Donovan Smith will miss Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Pacheco is dealing with a shoulder injury, while Smith has a neck ailment.The Chiefs will also be without linebacker Drue Tranquill (concussion) and safety Bryan Cook (ankle).Head coach Andy Reid was noncommittal when asked if Pacheco or Cook could be placed on injured reserve, Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride reports.Clyde Edwards-Helaire should step in for Pacheco. Rookie Wanya Morris is in line to replace Smith.Pacheco is fifth in the NFL with 779 rushing yards and has six touchdowns.The 8-4 Chiefs are looking to reignite their pursuit of the AFC's No. 1 seed after dropping two of their last three games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to reveal who'll start at quarterback for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter.The Browns will turn to either Joe Flacco or rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who missed last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams due to a concussion. Stefanski said Friday that Thompson-Robinson is now out of the concussion protocol, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Thompson-Robinson started the two games prior to the Week 13 matchup in Los Angeles. He went 1-1 with one touchdown and one interception but registered only 299 passing yards.Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Flacco threw for 254 yards with two touchdowns to one interception against the Rams.The Jaguars also face uncertainty at the quarterback position as Trevor Lawrence deals with a high ankle sprain.Cleveland is 7-5 and holds a wild-card spot in the AFC playoff race.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed wide receiver Christian Kirk on injured reserve with a core muscle injury, the team announced Friday.Kirk will miss at least four games on the reserve list. He'll be eligible to return for Jacksonville's Week 18 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.The wideout sustained the injury in the team's 34-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.Kirk paces the Jaguars with 787 receiving yards through 12 games. He also ranks second on the team in catches (57) and touchdown receptions (three).The 27-year-old joined Jacksonville ahead of the 2022 campaign after starting his career with the Arizona Cardinals. Kirk has hauled in 377 receptions for 4,797 yards and 28 scores in 85 career contests.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Before the season, Tyreek Hill made one thing clear: He wanted to become the first NFL player to eclipse 2,000 receiving yards in a season.He's lived up to that lofty goal so far.Hill sits at 1,481 yards through 12 games - an average of 123.4 yards. If he maintains that pace over the Dolphins' remaining five contests, he'll surpass 2,000 by a mere 98 yards.The wide receiver is also on track to break Calvin Johnson's single-season record of 1,964 yards set in 2012. However, Johnson set the record in a 16-game regular season.Oddsmakers at theScore Bet like Hill's chances of breaking both barriers.MarketYesNoHill to record 1965-plusreceiving yards

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to 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.Consult our Week 14 rankings for the rest of your lineup decisions. You can also listen to the Week 14 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.StartJustin Fields, Bearsvs. Lions Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport / GettyFields has an incredible history against the division-rival Lions, including rushing for over 100 yards in each of their last three meetings.The last time these two clubs squared off in Chicago (Week 10 of 2022), Fields was the QB1 overall for the week with 167 passing yards, 147 rushing yards, and four combined touchdowns.Detroit is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, and we just saw Fields finish as the QB8 when he faced the Lions in Week 11.Boone's projection: 203 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 102 rushing yards, 1 rushing TDOther QBs to start

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick called out his teammates' heart and effort following Thursday's loss to the New England Patriots."In order to see the fruit, you've gotta toil for it," Fitzpatrick said postgame, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "I think too many people don't want to toil for it. They just want to walk out here and think that they're going to make plays and think that they're going to perform at a high level."He added: "I think we need to have more people who want to work for it, not expect it to be handed to them."Despite the Patriots entering Thursday's game with just 13 points scored in their last three contests, they put up 21 against the Steelers. Pittsburgh's defense allowed zero points in the second half, but the offense couldn't come back from an 11-point halftime deficit.The 21-18 loss is the Steelers' second consecutive home defeat to a team that entered the matchup with only two wins. Pittsburgh dropped to 7-6 on the season with losses to basement dwellers Arizona Cardinals and Patriots, jeopardizing its playoff hopes.Fitzpatrick added that the entitlement of some players has contributed to the team's struggles and needs to be corrected."I think that dudes just think that because they're wearing the black and gold, that they're going to win games, and I think we need to check that mentality and make people realize that they got to earn that mentality, and they got to earn every single blade of grass, every single splash play, and every single rep that they get out there," Fitzpatrick said. "They got to earn it."Thursday's defeat moved the Steelers out of a playoff spot, sliding them down to the conference's No. 8 seed. However, head coach Mike Tomlin said postgame that Pittsburgh will recover, adding, "This stings, but we'll be back."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots held on for a 21-18 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium.The defeat drops the Steelers to 7-6, and they have now lost back-to-back home games to two-win teams after also falling to the Arizona Cardinals last week. Meanwhile, the Patriots snap a five-game losing streak to improve to 3-10. New England hadn't scored more than 17 points in a game since Week 7.More to come.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 14.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.Half PPR

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is active for Thursday's game against the New England Patriots, the team announced.Harris was originally listed as questionable with a knee injury. His status was a major concern after he failed to practice Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of the prime-time game.The Steelers will likely need to rely on their ground game against New England, with quarterback Kenny Pickett sidelined after undergoing surgery for a high ankle sprain. Mitchell Trubisky will play in place of Pickett, who's expected to miss at least several weeks.Harris is on pace to fall just short of his third straight 1,000-yard season after racking up 661 yards and four touchdowns through 12 games in 2023.The 25-year-old has split time with the explosive Jaylen Warren this season. Warren is averaging an NFL-high 5.9 yards per carry after producing 601 yards on only 102 rushes while also adding 243 yards as a receiver.The 7-5 Steelers are looking to maintain their AFC playoff spot on Thursday amid an intense wild-card race that includes six other teams with either six or seven wins entering Week 14.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. said Thursday that he's undecided about what's next in his football career.Harrison - the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr. - could enter the 2024 NFL Draft as arguably the top wideout available or return for another season with the Buckeyes, with whom he thinks he has some unfinished business."I'm still undecided," Harrison said, according to ESPN's Blake Baumgartner. "You guys know, coming into this year, I wanted to beat them up north (Michigan) and win a Big Ten championship. And obviously I didn't do that this year."So I think that's a great motive to come back, if that's what I decide to do, because that's something I definitely wanted to do in my Ohio State career. Not being able to have done that yet definitely opens the door for me to come back."Ohio State finished the 2023 regular season 11-1, with the team's only loss coming against Michigan, which went on to win the Big Ten and claim a College Football Playoff berth as the No. 1 school in the country.Beating the Wolverines and winning the conference has long been one of Harrison's main goals with the Buckeyes. However, Ohio State has lost its last three matchups versus its archrival."It's been real tough because, like I said before, that's kind of the one goal you have (when you come to Ohio State)," Harrison said of winning a Big Ten title. "I'm definitely blessed to be getting all the recognition that I am for these different awards. But I think I'd trade it all for a win against the team up north and get to Indy and play in the Big Ten championship."Harrison is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award, given to the most outstanding receiver in college football. The junior caught 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He's the first Ohio State receiver to post 1,000-yard receiving seasons in back-to-back years.Harrison amassed 2,613 yards and 31 TD catches over three seasons with the Buckeyes.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, and Google.In this episode, Boone opens up the fantasy mailbag to answer your questions before Week 14.

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa believes the team provided the Dallas Cowboys with tape on how to slow down Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts."We made Jalen stay in the pocket and escape outside instead of those B gaps," Bosa told reporters. "And it paid off. ... Jalen is looking at the rush every play. You just have to be disciplined and not give him that quick escape route where he can get to his guys quick."He added: "Obviously, we put the blueprint out there. Hopefully, the Cowboys watch the tape."Hurts finished the game with 318 total yards and two touchdowns. However, he only completed 57.7% of his passes, his worst mark in a single game this season.The 49ers restricted Hurts to 20 rushing yards on seven attempts. He had 3.72 seconds from snap to release in the contest, the second-longest mark of any quarterback this season, per David Lombardi of The Athletic.San Francisco had stellar coverage behind the pass rush, only allowing 4.4 yards per target when Hurts was kept clean in the pocket, according to PFF.The 49ers generated 46 pressures on Hurts, according to Lombardi, while only blitzing on 9.6% of the quarterback's dropbacks. Dallas ranks seventh in blitz percentage this campaign, per Pro Football Reference.Hurts was efficient in the club's Week 9 victory over the Cowboys, totaling 243 yards with three touchdowns while completing 73.9% of his throws.The two teams face off on Sunday Night Football in Week 14.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson entered the 2023 campaign hoping to become the first player ever to top 2,000 receiving yards in a season before a hamstring injury sidelined him for seven games.Ahead of his long-awaited Week 14 return, Jefferson - who racked up 571 yards in his first five appearances - has a new target."Since I got hurt, the new goal is 1,000 yards," Jefferson said Thursday, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "I want to end every single year over 1,000 yards."Jefferson put on a show before sustaining the injury, averaging 114.2 receiving yards per game. He led the NFL with 128 receptions and 1,809 yards (106.4 per contest) in 2022 en route to being named Offensive Player of the Year.Tyreek Hill tops the league with 1,481 yards and 12 touchdown receptions. The Miami Dolphins pass-catcher is on pace to break Calvin Johnson's single-season record of 1,964 yards and become the first wideout ever to reach the 2,000-yard mark."It's been hard to adjust those goals, honestly," Jefferson said. "To have missed seven games throughout the season, especially on the pace that I was going before the injury, it's a little tough to see Tyreek going crazy every single week, to see different people throughout the whole league doing tremendous things. It's been tough because it's the first season that I've been hurt since I've been into the league."The wideout added that Minnesota's goal is to reach the Super Bowl, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook.Jefferson is also focused on improving his chemistry with quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who joined the team in a trade after Kirk Cousins went down with a season-ending injury."On the field and in the film room, (I'm) just going over different plays with him, going over the timing of everything just like we did with Kirk, and trying to find that connection that we can use for Sunday," Jefferson said. "It's been a pleasure working with (Dobbs), learning things that I can learn from him, that he can learn from me, and it'll be better for us when we go out on that field."The 6-6 Vikings, who visit the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, are the No. 6 seed in the NFC. Minnesota has a 44% chance of making the playoffs, according to The New York Times.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell doesn't have a stance on the "tush push" play, league executive Jeff Miller said on a conference call Thursday, according to Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein.A report from earlier in December stated that Goodell wanted the play permanently banned.The play is expected to be one of the most discussed topics among owners and the league's competition committee, alongside hip-drop tackles, at league meetings next week, Epstein adds.A potential rule change wouldn't come into effect until the 2024 season.The Philadelphia Eagles popularized the play in 2022. The competition committee considered restricting or eliminating the "tush push" in the offseason before the 2023 campaign but elected not to.The Eagles had successfully picked up first downs or touchdowns using the play on over 85% of their attempts this season entering last week.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst says he's working on coming back from post-traumatic amnesia caused by a concussion suffered in November."I appreciate everyone reaching out and checking on me," Hayden posted on social media Thursday. "I suffered a pretty nasty concussion against the Bears a few weeks ago and don't remember up to four hours after the game. Scary situation, but the Panthers have been incredible walking me through this process."He added: "While it was scary, it is NOT career ending. I'm starting my return to play this week, so fingers crossed I make it back for the last few weeks! God Bless and Keep Pounding."Hurst left the Nov. 9 contest to be evaluated for a concussion but re-entered the game. The Panthers placed him in protocol the following day.The 30-year-old missed the last three contests due to the injury. Interim head coach Chris Tabor said Wednesday that Hurst is "progressing" through protocol but didn't provide a timetable for his return, per David Newton of ESPN.Post-traumatic amnesia can develop after a head injury. People suffering from it can become confused because they'll struggle to remember where they are or what happened since the ailment.Hurst signed a three-year, $21.75-million contract with the Panthers in March. The 2018 first-round pick has 32 catches for 184 yards and one touchdown this season.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Packers' upset of the Chiefs would have been a lot more exciting had the Patriots scored seven points in an NFL football game and if the Broncos' last drive ended in a touchdown instead of an interception last week.When backing underdogs, we hope these types of 50-50 situations go our way. And when they do, that's how our weekly guilty pleasure has been profitable for the season.How it worksWe parlay five underdogs together - which we also bet against the spread - in 10 different three-team parlays. Using every combination of a three-team parlay is called a round robin, so we'll use a total of 1.1 units to make 11 different bets: 10 three-team parlays and one five-team parlay, each for .1 units. You'll likely double your money if three teams pull off the upset. If four teams win, you're connecting on four separate parlays and will be very pleased with the return. If all five teams win, you'll be diving into a gold doubloon silo like a young Scrooge McDuck.Who to playPatriots (+230) over SteelersIf you read our preview of Thursday Night Football, you know there's nothing to be confident about ahead of the Patriots-Steelers, at least for a full-unit bet. However, that uncertainty is a good thing when it comes to underdog moneyline betting. Fewer points should be required to win with such a historically low total, meaning every high-leverage/explosive play or turnover will be much more significant. With wild cards Bailey Zappe and Mitch Trubisky at the helm, each team has roughly the same likelihood of making that game-changing play. Backing the underdog has some value, especially if the risk is less than a full unit.Jets (+170) over TexansWe may never know why the Jets felt Tim Boyle needed a turn to start at quarterback. But based on his much-publicized stats going back to college, it shouldn't be surprising that Boyle didn't work.Speaking of high profile, Zach Wilson gets another turn. Luckily, we determined the Jets' estimated market rating was in the mid-to-high 30s on our scale of 100 with Wilson at the helm, so we know how they should be valued relative to an average team.The Texans are an average team, though their rating has crept above what was thought possible after a 4-1 stretch in games all decided by five points or less. Houston also played four of its last five contests at home since losing to Carolina on the road. Playing to the top of their range will be a challenge for the Texans, especially away from home and with injuries piling up on an offense still generating little on the ground.If New York plays above the level it's capable of with Boyle and the Texans have a down week, this game should be closer to a pick'em. That makes a bet on the Jets to win worth it at this price.Rams (+300) over RavensThe Ravens' game log is littered with contests they probably should have covered but didn't (Browns, Cardinals, Steelers) and likely shouldn't have covered but did (Chargers, Bengals, Titans). The theoretical right side has rarely been the winning side. Even if we could figure out what version of Baltimore we'll see Sunday, that might not equate to a predictable result.This is a step up in weight class for the Rams in an attempt to extend a three-game winning streak, but that's reflected in the point spread. What if Los Angeles' freshly dominant run game and an underrated defense that allowed 4.6 yards per play in the last three contests (equal to Baltimore) can travel? Missing Mark Andrews might be a big deal for Lamar Jackson, who had just 4.8 yards per pass against the Chargers before the Ravens' bye.Bears (+150) over LionsYou might be scared away by the Bears' offensive performance against the Vikings before their week off. A more obvious barometer of what they're capable of came a week earlier against these same Lions, who had little answer for Justin Fields' mobility (104 rush yards).More importantly, if you're trying to predict a sub-standard offensive showing from Jared Goff, outdoors in the cold would be the setting you'd want, especially with how capable Chicago's defense has become since adding Montez Sweat (eighth in YPP).Broncos (+125) over ChargersThe Broncos let an upset slip through their fingers last week, literally:

The Miami Dolphins and right tackle Austin Jackson have agreed to a three-year, $36-million extension, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The deal is worth a maximum of $39 million and contains $20.7 million guaranteed, per Rapoport.Jackson has started 12 games for the Dolphins this season, protecting the blindside of left-handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.The Dolphins selected Jackson in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 18th overall pick. The selection was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 2019 trade involving former Miami safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.The USC product has started 42 games since entering the NFL.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quarterback Justin Fields isn't getting ahead of himself when it comes to his future with the Chicago Bears.Chicago (4-8) could own two top-five picks in the 2024 NFL Draft after trading away the 2023 first overall selection for the Carolina Panthers' first-round pick in the coming draft. The franchise may also be in a position to select the best player available.The Bears could go with another signal-caller, but Fields isn't focusing on the draft."I mean, life isn't fair," Fields said, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "I'm just focused on what I can control, and the rest is in God's hands."The 24-year-old says he's used to speculation and criticism, as "since I got to Chicago, y'all don't hold back.""I hear it from y'all, I hear it from fans and stuff like that. I don't take any of it personal, because I know everybody's entitled to their opinion on certain things and stuff like that," he added.Fields has endured an uneven career over three seasons in the league. He's currently on pace to post the best completion rate (64.4) and quarterback rating (92.3) of his career. But the improvements in his passing efficiency aren't translating into wins, as the Bears sport a 2-6 mark with Fields as the starter this season. Chicago went 2-2 with Tyson Bagent at the helm after Fields was sidelined with a right thumb injury.The Ohio State product has thrown for 1,587 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season. He's added 400 yards on the ground along with one touchdown.Fields, the 11th overall selection in the 2021 draft, is concentrating on consistency during the final portion of the regular season and is confident that, regardless of where is next season, he'll still be a fixture in the league."Wherever, if I'm here next year, if I'm not, football doesn't define who I am as a person. My happiness will still be in the same place, will still be in God," Fields said.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, John Daigle of 4for4.com joins Boone to discuss the biggest fantasy questions heading into Week 14.

The New York Jets are starting Zach Wilson for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans, head coach Robert Saleh announced Wednesday.It'll be Wilson's first start since he was benched during the team's Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He served as the third quarterback on the depth chart in the last two games."Zach gives us our best chance to win, and (I'm) giving him another opportunity to prove that," Saleh said Wednesday.Saleh also shut down a report suggesting the quarterback was reluctant to start again due to injury concerns."He's fired up," Saleh said. "Like I said on Monday, he came into my office, he wants the ball, and he's excited about getting this opportunity."Wilson said he'll play with a chip on his shoulder Thursday but added, "I'm gonna have more fun than I've ever had," according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.Injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers also came to Wilson's defense Tuesday, calling the rumor "chickenshit." He added that the organization needs "to get to the bottom" of where the rumor originated.Saleh said Wednesday that he doesn't believe the franchise has a problem with media leaks, per Cimini.Wilson was tasked with guiding the Jets following Rodgers' Achilles tear during the season opener. However, he's been unable to produce much, completing just under 59.2% of his passes for six touchdowns to seven interceptions.Tim Boyle started the last two games, though he was released Tuesday. Trevor Siemian also made an appearance in last Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons.New York recently opened Rodgers' practice window. The veteran has opted for an aggressive rehab in hopes of making an unprecedented return from his serious injury. However, he said his health and the team's playoff chances will factor into a potential 2023 comeback.The Jets have a 4-8 record after losing five games in a row.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The playoff picture is taking shape in both the AFC and NFC.The elite teams in each conference have separated themselves from the pack to leave behind wild-card races that look as wide open as ever, and the odds at theScoreBet indicate exactly that.Eight teams in the AFC - ignoring the Dolphins, Ravens, Chiefs, and Jaguars - are still in the wild-card race, although the Chargers and Bengals have a lot of work to do to punch their ticket.Odds for AFC teams to make, miss playoffsTeamTo Make (Implied Prob.)To Miss (Implied Prob.)Texans-350 (77.8%)+280 (26.3%)Browns-185(65.5%)+155 (39.2%)Colts-190 (65.5%)+160 (38.5%)Steelers-135(56.5%)+115 (46.5%)Broncos+320(23.8%)-400 (80%)Bills+380(20.8%)-500 (83.3%)Chargers+750 (11.8%)-1200 (92.3%)Bengals+900(10%)-1600 (94.1%)Odds via theScore BetThe Texans and their 7-5 record are hot on the heels of the AFC South-leading Jaguars but currently sit outside the final wild-card spot. However, oddsmakers believe they have a better chance of making the postseason than their competitors.While this is largely due to the incredible play of Rookie of the Year favorite C.J. Stroud, the Texans' remaining schedule is also favorable. They play the Jets in Week 14, followed by the Titans twice, the Browns, and the Colts in Week 18, which could be a do-or-die game for both teams.The Bills, who were one of the few Super Bowl favorites at the start of the year, find themselves in unfamiliar territory going into December. Their 6-6 record has them at +380, an implied probability of only 20.8%, to make the playoffs. Buffalo is only one game out of a wild-card spot, so its longer odds are more of a reflection of the daunting schedule remaining.The Bills are on the road to face the Chiefs in Week 14, host the Cowboys in Week 15, then finish the season on the road in Miami. They will likely need to win two of these games - in addition to beating the Patriots and Chargers - if they want to make the playoffs for the fifth straight season.Turning our attention to the NFC, there are seven teams still in the thick of the wild-card race with odds shorter than +250, or better than a 30% chance, of making the playoffs. That doesn't include the Eagles, 49ers, Lions, and Cowboys, who are nearly locks to make it.Odds for NFC teams to make, miss playoffsTeamTo Make (Implied Prob.)To Miss (Implied Prob.)Falcons-225 (69.2%)+190 (34.5%)Packers-215 (68.3%)+180 (35.7%)Vikings+115 (46.5%)-135 (57.4%)Rams+150 (40%)-175 (63.6%)Seahawks+210 (32.3%)-250 (71.4%)Buccaneers+225 (30.8%)-275 (73.3%)Saints+230 (30.3%)-280 (73.7%)The Falcons are 6-6 but still lead the lowly NFC South. They hold a one-game edge over the Buccaneers and Saints for the division lead and the unfortunate opportunity to likely host the Cowboys - or potentially the Eagles - in Round 1 of the playoffs.The Packers have won three straight, including victories over the Lions and Chiefs, to climb well within playoff contention. They have the easiest remaining schedule in the league, which is why they have much shorter odds than the Vikings, Rams, and Seahawks despite having the same 6-6 record.The Vikings have one of the toughest schedules remaining of NFC playoff contenders with two of their five remaining games against the Lions.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"Do we have to?"If you're a parent, you've heard this a few times, especially if you've been dragging your kids to the mall or various parties as your holiday season social calendar fills up.'Tis the season for a plethora of football, hand-in-hand with good tidings. And this quarterback matchup of Bailey Zappe and Mitch Trubisky also brings a reminder that we don't have to bet every game.Of course, we can still watch Patriots-Steelers. It might be a Thursday night comedy on the level of the "Yankee Swap" episode of "The Office," but we don't need to bet on the side or total.Patriots @ Steelers (-6, 29.5) Why don't we want to bet on this game?The sideHad Kenny Pickett not gotten injured falling short of the goal line, setting up Najee Harris' fourth-down failure, maybe Pittsburgh would have proven worthy of laying points against the Cardinals. In retrospect, giving near a touchdown with the Steelers is a bad idea at the best of times. With Trubisky, it only gets worse. Optimism is so low that the Patriots got shut out last week and the line was adjusted toward New England from -6.5 in lookahead lines.Trubisky is supposed to score more points than Justin Herbert did against a Patriots defense that's allowed a combined 26 points in the last three weeks. Since the Colts scored a touchdown on the 75-yard opening drive of their game in Germany, the Patriots have allowed scoring drives of only 20, 26, 41, 8, and 7 yards.So why not take the points with the Patriots? Well, they just played a game where they couldn't cover +5 despite allowing six points. Trubisky isn't likely to conduct many long drives, but four scoring possessions of under 30 yards in the last three games suggest the Patriots' offense could provide enough short fields that the Steelers won't need much yardage to score. As we saw against the Chargers, virtually any scoring might be good enough to cover against the Patriots.The totalGiven the bearish outlook on both teams' offense, why not bet on the under?That's the wager I'd prefer, but if you hadn't noticed, the total starts with a two. Anything under 30 would be the lowest total in over 30 years. It's probably ill-advised to take the under on a historically low number, especially with weather a non-issue.Any combination of long pass-interference penalties, a broken tackle, a crazy bounce, special-teams scoring, or a defensive touchdown could result in points without the offenses doing anything at all, and before you know it, it's 13-13 in the third quarter.As long as you're ready for anything and have low expectations, you can be entertained by this game, but there's no bet to be confident about. So, for the first time all season, we'll skip the side or total - at least for a play on the main board - on Thursday Night Football.Pick: PassEzekiel Elliott: Over 58.5 rushing yardsChargers-Patriots was low-scoring and close, with New England trailing, but it didn't stop the Pats from handing the ball off 26 times to Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott. Stevenson went out with a high ankle sprain and won't play Thursday, which means one thing: all Zeke, all the time. This might be Elliott's last season, but with one chance to be the core of an NFL offense and New England looking to take the ball out of Zappe's hands, look for the Patriots to feed Zeke against a Steelers run defense that took it in the teeth from James Conner on Sunday.Total field goals: Over 3.5

Running back Najee Harris is listed as questionable ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers' matchup against the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football.Harris did not participate in both Tuesday and Wednesday's practice session due to a knee injury.The 6-foot-1, 242-pound tailback has rushed for 661 yards and four touchdowns and is on pace to set a career high with an average of 4.2 yards per carry. He has found the end zone in three of his past five contests.If Harris is unavailable for the Week 14 contest, the Steelers' run game will likely rely on Jaylen Warren. The second-year halfback leads Pittsburgh with 5.9 yards per carry and has accounted for 884 scrimmage yards to go along with three total touchdowns.Anthony McFarland Jr. and Godwin Igwebuike could also get playing time behind Warren.Pittsburgh could be without both starters in its backfield, as quarterback Kenny Pickett was ruled out after undergoing surgery for a high ankle sprain this week. Mitch Trubisky will get the start against the Patriots with Pickett sidelined.The Patriots also enter Thursday's contest with issues at running back. Rhamondre Stevenson is set to miss time after suffering a high ankle sprain last weekend. Veteran Ezekiel Elliott is expected to see a majority of New England's carries with Stevenson on the mend.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy underwent successful surgery Wednesday afternoon after being diagnosed with acute appendicitis, according to NFL Network's Jane Slater.McCarthy, who was taken for further evaluation after experiencing abdominal pain Wednesday morning, is still expected to coach Sunday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced, per Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein.Dallas' coordinators will organize practice until McCarthy can rejoin the team.The 60-year-old coach has the Cowboys off to another strong start in 2023. His club is 9-3 and ranks first in scoring offense with an average of 32.3 points per game, while his defense is fourth in points allowed.Sunday night's prime-time matchup against the 10-2 Eagles is pivotal, as the winner will take first place in the NFC East.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings are sticking with Joshua Dobbs as their starting quarterback against the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Wednesday.O'Connell said the coaching staff's goal this week is to utilize a scheme that can "help Josh thrive," according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. The head coach added that Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall will both be available for the Week 14 contest.O'Connell wouldn't commit to Dobbs as the starter following the team's poor offensive showing in its Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears. He said at the time that the team would "really evaluate the inventory of plays" it had of Dobbs, per Seifert.Dobbs took over the starting job just a few days after the Vikings acquired him. He filled in for an injured Hall in the team's Week 9 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, totaling 224 yards and three touchdowns.Since that contest, Dobbs' play has taken a turn. The 28-year-old has five touchdowns to six turnovers in the last three games, with the club going 1-2 during that stretch.Dobbs could have some reinforcements this weekend, as star wide receiver Justin Jefferson is trending toward making his return after a seven-game absence due to a hamstring injury.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.