The Baltimore Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh remain in talks for a contract extension and "all indications" are that the team wants him back, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.However, leading up to the Ravens' wild-card game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Schefter notes that two unspecified teams with head coaching vacancies are strongly considering inquiring about Harbaugh's availability.The Denver Broncos have previously been linked to the Super Bowl-winning coach.Baltimore announced on Dec. 21 that Harbaugh - who has one year remaining on his contract - will return for the 2019 season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL's wild-card round carries on Sunday with another two-game slate: the Los Angeles Chargers vs. the Baltimore Ravens, and the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Chicago Bears. Here are our five favorite bets of the day, which include individual player props for both games.Dallas Goedert under 19.5 receiving yards (-120)The Eagles face a Bears defense ranked No. 6 in the NFL in yards allowed to tight ends and No. 1 in yards allowed per completion (9.2) to that position in the regular season. Although one would assume tight end Zach Ertz will be in tough against Chicago, he makes his living in the slot. Look for position-mate Dallas Goedert, as the more traditional tight end, to be bottled up by the Bears' elite defense.Allen Robinson over 53.5 receiving yards (-120)We'll continue playing the matchups, and Bears outside receiver Allen Robinson has a favorable one Sunday against an Eagles secondary that allowed the most yards to outside receivers in 2018. Though Chicago has plenty of mouths to feed on offense with a well-rounded skill corps, Robinson should still see plenty of targets from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.Mark Andrews under 22.5 receiving yards (-120)Ravens rookie tight end Mark Andrews is developing a nice rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson, catching multiple passes in four of the team's previous five games despite playing in a run-centric offense that employs multiple tight ends. Although Andrews had his coming-out party against the Chargers in Week 16 with a third-quarter, 68-yard touchdown catch, don't expect a repeat performance against a defense ranked No. 1 in DVOA against tight ends during the regular season.Melvin Gordon under 27.5 receiving yards (-120)As tough as the Chargers were against tight ends in 2018, the Ravens were just as stingy against running backs, ranking No. 1 in DVOA against halfbacks. That's not good news for Los Angeles ball carrier Melvin Gordon, who hasn't hit 25 yards through the air in his previous three healthy starts.Antonio Gates over 17.5 receiving yards (-120)Tasked with finding a way to get past a Ravens defense that finished the year No. 1 in points allowed and tied for first in yards per play allowed, quarterback Philip Rivers would be smart to repeatedly look for longtime favorite target Antonio Gates. Baltimore can be exploited through the tight end, where they were No. 22 in DVOA, allowing 61.4 yards per game against the position. Also, Gates is still seeing a decent amount of targets despite his declining production and has hit the listed number for Sunday's prop in more than half the Chargers' regular-season games.(All props were taken from Bet365. Always shop around for the best numbers on your wagers.)Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Whether or not Nick Foles leads the Philadelphia Eagles to their second straight Super Bowl, the team will be left with a difficult decision this offseason.Starting quarterback Carson Wentz is expected to be fully healed in time for next season after suffering a stress fracture in his back. His return could result in Philadelphia trading Foles.Due to a lack of top-end quarterback talent in the 2019 NFL Draft and a potentially scarce free-agent market, last year's Super Bowl MVP is expected to be in demand this offseason, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.When Wentz was recovering from a torn ACL last year, Philadelphia reportedly turned down an offer for Foles that included a second-round pick. According to Rapoport, the price may have gone up.Regardless, the Eagles have options. They can franchise tag the quarterback and trade him or exercise his $20-million option. The latter would force Foles into a decision as well, as he could pay the team $2 million in order to become a free agent.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 137 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, and the Dallas Cowboys hung on for a 24-22 wild-card win over the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night.The playoff win by the Cowboys (11-6) was the first for Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott on their second try after losing a divisional game as rookies two years ago. Dallas will play either New Orleans or the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round next weekend.The loss ended a run of nine straight victories in playoff openers for the Seahawks (10-7). The Elias Sports Bureau says it was the longest streak in NFL history.Dallas' defense, ranked in the top 10 most of the season, mostly kept quarterback Russell Wilson under control and handed him his first loss in four wild-card games.''Our defense was great,'' Prescott said. ''They keep us in every game.''It was the eighth win in nine games for the Cowboys.''We had so much confidence coming it this game and our confidence remains,'' Prescott said. ''It's all about the way we fought. ... I'm proud of my guys.''Prescott, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 when the Cowboys lost to Green Bay at home as the top seed in the NFC, threw for 226 yards and had a 1-yard sneak for what appeared to be a clinching score before Tyler Lockett's 53-yard catch set up a quick Seattle touchdown.Wilson's 7-yard scoring pass to J.D. McKissic got the Seahawks within four, and they made it a two-point game on their second 2-point conversion following an injury to kicker Sebastian Janikowski.But the missing kicker left the Seahawks no good options on an onside kick with 1:18 remaining. Punter Michael Dickson's drop kick was caught by Cole Beasley at the Dallas 31, sealing the first playoff win for the Cowboys since beating Detroit in the wild-card round in the 2014 season.Prescott led a 67-yard drive to put the Cowboys in front. A 34-yard pass to Amari Cooper, who had seven catches for 106 yards, led to Elliott's 1-yard plunge after an apparent touchdown by the quarterback was overturned on replay.Prescott had a chance to give the Cowboys a 10-point lead, but K.J. Wright made a juggling interception in the end zone.Dallas' defense came through again, though, forcing a punt and giving Elliott and Prescott a highlight play apiece on a drive to Prescott's 1-yard sneak for a 24-14 lead with 2:08 remaining.First, Elliott stiff-armed Shaquill Griffin on a 17-yard run to get inside the 20, then Prescott scrambled up the middle before a head-over-heels hit from Tedric Thompson at the Seattle 1. Prescott scored on the next play.Seattle got a double dose of bad news at halftime when Janikowski missed a 57-yard field goal on the final play and injured his left thigh. He yelled as he grabbed the back of his leg and limped to the locker room, unable to return.Still, the Seahawks took their first lead basically because the 40-year-old's injury forced them to try.Facing fourth-and-5 in Janikowski's range from the Dallas 39, Doug Baldwin made a toe-dragging catch on the sideline for 22 yards. After Wilson ran 4 yards for a touchdown, the Seahawks went for 2, pushing the lead to 14-10 on Mike Davis' run.But the Cowboys never did lose control of the Seattle running game after allowing Chris Carson's first 100-yard game in a Week 3 Seattle win that turned the season for the Seahawks, who finished the regular season with six wins in seven games.Carson had just 20 yards on 13 carries. Wilson was 18 of 27 for 233 yards, with Lockett getting four catches for 120 yards.INJURIESCowboys receiver Allen Hurns appeared to suffer a severe lower left leg injury in the first quarter. Hurns was being dragged down by Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald at the end of a 14-yard catch for a first down when his lower left leg appeared to buckle. The injury was announced as an ankle injury. ... Seahawks cornerback Neiko Thorpe left in the first half with a shoulder injury, and his return was doubtful.UP NEXTCowboys: New Orleans or the Los Angeles Rams on the road in the divisional round next weekend.---More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP-NFLCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's one key question for each of Sunday's playoff matchups.Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore RavensCan the Chargers slow the Ravens' running attack?This may be the best game of the weekend, and it's a rematch of Week 16 when the Ravens pulled off a 22-10 upset on the road. Baltimore ran the football 35 times for 159 yards in that game, which nearly matched quarterback Lamar Jackson's 204 passing yards.Overall, Baltimore's won six of seven since switching to Jackson - claiming the AFC North title in the process - while tweaking its offense to fit the rookie's natural talents. The Ravens are using more zone running designs that give Jackson the option to read a defender and either hand off the football or keep it himself.However, aside from a 27-yarder, the Chargers' defense contained Jackson on the ground in Week 16, holding him to 3 yards or fewer on nine of his rushing attempts and 39 overall on 13 attempts. Los Angeles did so thanks to a defensive scheme known as the "scrape exchange," which its defense would be wise to implement once again on Sunday against the zone-read running plays from Jackson and Co.On that type of play, the offense leaves one defender unblocked, typically the defensive end, who's referred to as the "read defender." Ideally, the flow of the play will serve as a natural block on that player. That's because upon taking the snap, the quarterback will put the ball in the belly of their running back and gauge the read defender's reaction - if he stays outside, the quarterback hands the football off to the running back aiming inside. If the defender crashes inside toward the potential handoff route, the quarterback keeps the football and scampers outside:NFLThis is where the scrape exchange comes in, which makes the quarterback's decision for them. This adjustment tasks the read defender with crashing inside no matter what, while having a linebacker "scrape" to the edge behind them. In essence, the defensive end and the linebacker exchange their gap responsibilities:NFLThis forces the quarterback's hand. When they see the read defender crash inside, they'll instinctively pull the football down and run to the edge, where - hopefully for the defense - the linebacker's now waiting.Los Angeles did this to Baltimore in Week 16, at times using safety Adrian Phillips (No. 31) as the scraping linebacker: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLOn this play, defensive end Isaac Rochell (No. 98) crashes down inside, which cues Jackson to keep the football. But Phillips loops around on the scrape, cutting Jackson down for a loss.Slowing down Baltimore's zone-read running attack is a must for the Chargers if they hope to pull off a win on the road. The scrape exchange may just be the means of achieving that goal.Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago BearsCan Chicago force Foles to make critical mistakes?For the second straight year, the Eagles are heading into the playoffs on the right arm of backup quarterback Nick Foles. After Carson Wentz went down in Week 15, the Eagles won three straight games, narrowly earning the NFC's final playoff spot as Foles racked up 962 yards and six touchdowns with a sparkling 77 percent completion rate.Along with making quick decisions in the pocket, an element that's allowed Foles to thrive is his downfield execution. Compared to Wentz, his overall numbers are much better on longer attempts through the air:Throws of 20-plus yardsQBCompletions-AttemptsYardsTDsINTsQB RatingWentz15 of 416032461.33Foles6 of 1825910100.46However, Foles did make some mistakes this season, and if the Bears can force a turnover or two on Sunday - a key to their success this year - the offense and second-year pivot Mitchell Trubisky should get opportunities to capitalize on short-field situations.Chicago can do this by mixing up its coverages, which is something the Houston Texans did in their Week 16 matchup with Philadelphia. Early in that game, Foles hit running back Darren Sproles on a route out of the backfield for a long catch-and-run touchdown. The Texans used man coverage in the secondary on that play, which at least set up an unexpected look later in the game.Below, facing a first-and-10, the Eagles line up with Sproles to Foles' right in the backfield. Alshon Jeffery is the single receiver to the right, while the Eagles have three receivers to the left, including tight end Zach Ertz, who's on the inside. Here's the route design, which includes mirrored slant/flat combination on both sides and Ertz running a "sit" route over the middle:NFLUpon taking the snap, Foles initially looks right to work the slant/flat combination involving Jeffery and Sproles. Having seen man coverage earlier, Foles anticipates the linebacker will try to cover Sproles out of the backfield, which would create a natural rub given Jeffery's slant route. However, the Texans are actually running zone coverage, so the cornerback passes off the slant route to the linebacker and jumps the running back's route:NFLThis flusters Foles. He sees the cornerback jumping the flat route and pulls down the football, but then makes a panicked decision under pressure, forcing a throw to Ertz on the sit route, which is intercepted: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLThe Bears - led by Khalil Mack - have been great at generating pressure on opposing passers this season. If they can effectively combine that pressure with some different looks in the secondary, they should be able to rattle Foles and create a turnover or two, which would put them on the path to victory.Mark Schofield writes NFL feature content for theScore. After nearly a decade of practicing law in the Washington, D.C., area Mark changed careers and started writing about football. Drawing upon more than a decade of playing quarterback, including at the collegiate level, Mark focuses his work on quarterback evaluation and offensive scheme analysis. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children. Find him on Twitter @MarkSchofield.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A report emerged last month that the Dallas Cowboys approached former tight end Jason Witten about coming out of retirement to return to the team. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett later denied that report.Now, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports it was Witten who approached the Cowboys about a reunion.The homecoming ultimately never happened, as Witten remained in the Monday Night Football booth with ESPN while the Cowboys won the NFC East crown.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien made sure to call out the offense for its failures during Saturday's 21-7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.The Texans struggled to move the ball downfield against the Colts, with quarterback Deshaun Watson held to 235 yards, one touchdown, and an interception on 29-of-49 passing."We had a lot of multi-play drives. Our red area has been horrendous for us the whole year. We had a lot of trips into the red area but we have not been able to score touchdowns down there, and that was the case today," O'Brien said, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.Watson and Co. were presented with an opportunity to score late in the second quarter with a fourth-and-1 on the Colts' 9-yard line, but the quarterback failed to connect with star receiver DeAndre Hopkins.The Texans would eventually get on the board when Watson found Keke Coutee for a six-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late.Watson completed just 45.2 percent of his passes from inside the 10-yard line this season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins revealed to NFL Network's James Palmer that he played through a Grade 3 AC joint sprain during the second half of Saturday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts.Hopkins suffered the injury during the first half and couldn't shake anyone's hand with his right arm after the game.The Texans' superstar told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle that he won't require surgery."It is what it is, it's football. Very difficult," Hopkins said, according to Wilson."I'm proud of this team. We'll be back. It is football. They beat us fair and square."Hopkins finished the contest with five receptions for 37 yards on 10 targets and was largely neutralized by Colts cornerback Pierre Desir.It's a tough ending to a spectacular season from Hopkins, who was named a first-team All-Pro for the second consecutive year. The wideout recorded 115 receptions for 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns during the regular season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered the worst loss since his sophomore year of high school in Saturday's 21-7 wild-card defeat to the Indianapolis Colts.It was the first time he had lost a game by more than one score over that span.Watson's previous worst loss in the NFL came against the Kansas City Chiefs last season by a score of 42-34. He still managed to throw for 261 yards and five touchdowns while completing 16 of 31 pass attempts.The 12th overall pick of last year's draft went 29-for-49 through the air on Saturday for 235 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He rushed eight times for 76 yards.In the regular season, Watson completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 4,165 yards and 26 touchdowns with nine interceptions, adding five scores on the ground.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts routed the Houston Texans 21-7 in the wild-card round Saturday.Indianapolis led 21-0 at halftime and didn't look back, as Andrew Luck threw two touchdowns and Marlon Mack rushed for a single-game postseason franchise record 148 yards and added a score of his own.The internet couldn't help but react to the Colts' dominant performance:Texans' offensive line takes brunt of criticism Houston surrendered a league-worst 62 sacks during the regular season and was ghastly once again Saturday. Indianapolis allowed a league-best 18 sacks during the season and the contrast between the two units was on full display.

The Los Angeles Chargers won't receive any reinforcements for Sunday's wild-card game against the Baltimore Ravens, as the team won't activate tight end Hunter Henry from the physically unable to perform list in time to play, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Henry hasn't played this season after suffering a torn ACL during May's organized team activities. The Chargers recently expressed some optimism about his potential availability for the postseason.He didn't suffer any setback in his recovery, Rapoport adds, and his status for a potential divisional-round game will be reassessed should L.A. win Sunday.In Henry's absence, the Chargers have relied on the tight end combination of Antonio Gates and Virgil Green. The duo totaled 47 receptions for 543 yards and three touchdowns over the regular season.Henry, the 35th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, caught 45 of 62 targets for 579 yards and four touchdowns over 14 games last season.The Ravens' defense ranks 22nd against opposing tight ends, according to Football Outsiders' DVOA, and allows 7.6 targets and 61.4 yards per game to the position.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers interviewed former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians on Saturday for the team's head coaching position, the team announced.Despite Arians previously saying the Cleveland Browns' job would be the only one that could draw him out of retirement, the Buccaneers' opening has evidently piqued his interest.Tampa Bay would not need to provide any compensation to Arizona if it hires the reported front-runner due to the Cardinals declining Arians' 2019 team option, sources told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.The former head coach has loose ties with the Buccaneers' front office. General manager Jason Licht served as the vice president of player personnel during Arians' 2013 season with the Cardinals. Arians is also familiar with Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston from his football camps in Alabama, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.After firing head coach Dirk Koetter on Dec. 30, Tampa Bay has eyed a slew of potential replacements, including Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, and Dallas Cowboys defensive back coach Kris Richard.Arians accumulated a 49-30 record as Cardinals head coach from 2013 to 2017.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to restructure and extend quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's contract before the new league year begins, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Roethlisberger's new deal would create salary cap space, Schefter notes. The veteran signal-caller would have entered the final year of his current contract in 2019. He was previously slated to earn $12 million next season plus a $5-million roster bonus.Pittsburgh would spare itself more money should it decide to trade star receiver Antonio Brown this offseason. The Steelers are expected to consider offers for Brown prior to the start of free agency. If he is dealt, the team would save $1 million against the salary cap and create $15 million in cash savings.Roethlisberger has been extended twice during his career - both times with at least one year remaining on his contract.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

USC is denying requests from NFL teams to interview offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Kingsbury was reportedly set to interview with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets for their vacant head coaching positions, but USC denied the teams' requests by using an old rule the league has recently started reinforcing.The NFL reportedly informed team executives at last month's owners meetings that they will now need to request permission from college athletic directors in order to interview college coaches. Failing to do so would be considered "conduct detrimental" and could lead to docked draft picks.Kingsbury joined the Trojans in December after being fired as Texas Tech's coach following six seasons in charge of the program.The 39-year-old is viewed as a top offensive mind who has the potential to be the NFL's next Sean McVay or Matt Nagy.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts looked to be in danger of missing the playoffs after head coach Frank Reich's failed fourth-and-4 call from his own 43-yard line set up an easy game-winning kick for the Houston Texans in Week 4, dropping Indy to 1-3.After the game, Reich didn't back down from the criticism, saying "I'm not playing to tie. I'll do that 10 times out of 10." For Colts general manager Chris Ballard, that was when he knew he'd hired the right man."Looking back, I knew in that moment, and I knew in the press conference after when he owned it, that we had the right guy," Ballard told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "He owned it. Like, 'I went for it, and I'd do it again.' He had that conviction. So many times, you see people try to spin it or make excuses. But real leaders don't blame others no matter how hard it is or even if it's not their fault. They just own it and move forward. That's when I knew, that's when the guys in the locker room knew, we had the right guy."Reich quickly proved his GM right, as Indy went on a 9-3 run following the heartbreaking loss, propelling them into a playoff spot and a matchup against the Texans in Saturday's wild-card game.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the Pittsburgh Steelers are open to shipping disgruntled receiver Antonio Brown this offseason.The Steelers are expected to consider trade requests for Brown prior to the start of free agency, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Some general managers around the NFL believe it will take a first-round pick to acquire the star receiver, while one believes it will take multiple high picks, according to Rapoport.The deadline for a trade would be the $2.5-million roster bonus Brown is due on the third day of the new league year. If he is dealt, Pittsburgh would save $1 million against the salary cap and create $15 million in cash savings.ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that the Steelers will receive a $14.5-million cap credit for 2019 due to Le'Veon Bell's holdout.The former All-Pro receiver was benched for the team's season finale after he skipped a team walk-through last Saturday. On Wednesday, head coach Mike Tomlin said the two haven't spoken since before Sunday's game, and Brown didn't attend Monday's team meetings.Tomlin also said he's yet to receive a formal trade request from Brown.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL postseason starts Saturday with a two-game slate: the Indianapolis Colts vs. the Houston Texans, and the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Dallas Cowboys. Considering we don't have edges on the spreads or totals, here are our five best player prop bets.Deshaun Watson over 41.5 rushing yards (-120)Don't be surprised if quarterback Deshaun Watson is the focal point of Houston's rushing attack Saturday afternoon. The Colts' defense didn't allow a single 100-yard rusher during the entire regular season and limited running back Lamar Miller to 49 yards in the teams' Week 4 matchup. Although Watson only registered a team-high 35 rushing yards mere weeks ago, expect him to create plays with his legs at NRG Stadium behind a spotty offensive line against a defense that can dial up pressure, getting this one past the number.Blake Jarwin under 31.5 receiving yards (-115)Blake Jarwin has been an odd commodity in the Cowboys' offense. The second-year tight end was seldom used early in the year before seeing a significant spike in usage, receiving 25 targets over his previous four games. Now he matches up with a Seahawks defense that's allowed 30 yards or fewer to opposing tight ends six times this season.Ezekiel Elliott over 37.5 receiving yards (-115)Unlike Jarwin, Ezekiel Elliott has been consistently involved in Dallas' offense, whether it's carrying the ball 20-plus times per contest or serving as one of quarterback Dak Prescott's go-to passing targets. It's the latter where we like Elliott to thrive Saturday, as he gets a Seahawks defense that's allowed running backs to top 37 receiving yards in 11 games this season.Eric Ebron over 4.5 receptions (+120)Expect a suspect Texans secondary to focus on stopping Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, who notched 13 catches for 314 yards across the teams' two regular-season meetings. That'll likely open up some windows for tight end Eric Ebron, who gets a Texans defense that ranks No. 31 in the NFL in yards allowed to tight ends. Ebron has an enticing receiving yards prop set at 50.5, but we'll take the price on his receptions as Houston allowed opposing tight ends to catch at least five passes in half of its games this year.DeAndre Hopkins over 95.5 receiving yards (-130)Texans star receiver DeAndre Hopkins suffered his worst performance in Week 14 against the Colts, bringing down just four passes for a season-low 36 yards in the 24-21 loss. However, the No. 1 receiver has been targeted 10 or more times in 11 games this year, and you can assume Watson's favorite pass-catcher is due for a rebound against Indianapolis' secondary.(All prop bets were taken from Bet365 and Bovada. Always shop around for the best numbers available.)Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans will reportedly attempt to re-sign edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and safety Tyrann Mathieu this offseason, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.The Texans hope to sign Clowney before the March 6 franchise tag deadline. If a deal is unable to be made, Houston will likely resort to the franchise tag, according to Rapoport.Clowney's four-year, $22.27-million contract expires after this season. He totaled 47 tackles, nine sacks, and three fumble recoveries in 2018.Mathieu signed a one-year $7-million deal in March. He provided a much-needed boost to an injury-riddled Texans secondary, totaling 89 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions this season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Drama between Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown reportedly reached a boiling point in recent weeks.The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback consistently badgered his star wideout this season, causing damage to their relationship, former NFL receiver James Jones said Saturday on NFL Network, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk."I have talked to a couple people in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization and they told me (the issues between the two players) has been lingering on," Jones said. "I've been told in meetings (Roethlisberger) would take shots at AB. Like, 'I don’t got to throw you the ball,' and things like that."Wednesday in practice, I heard he ran the wrong route, Big Ben threw the ball on the ground, said, 'Get him out of here. Get somebody else in there,' and that's when (Brown) was at his boiling point and that's when he went off."Brown reportedly threw a football at Roethlisberger during the walk-through practice. The quarterback later denied a rift between the two but said the wide receiver had yet to return his calls.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ezekiel Elliott is ready to get paid.The Dallas Cowboys running back would prefer a contract extension this offseason rather than in 2020, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Elliott, who wrapped up his third regular season in the NFL, is averaging $6.24 million on his rookie contract, according to Spotrac. As a former first-round pick, he won't hit free agency until 2021 (after Dallas picks up his fifth-year option).Running backs usually don't receive extensions three years into their rookie deal, but Rapoport notes that Elliott's workload is a driving force behind his request. He's accumulated 868 career carries, averaging 289 per season.The Cowboys already have a number of decisions to make this offseason, with extensions for quarterback Dak Prescott, defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, and cornerback Byron Jones among them.Elliott is coming off a spectacular campaign, leading Dallas into the playoffs. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry while pacing the league in rushing for the second time in his career.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A Colorado man was arrested last week after he allegedly impersonated a Denver Broncos player and defrauded a woman out of a large sum of money, Castle Rock police announced in a news release.James Otis Turner, 49, allegedly claimed to be a former Broncos player named Dante Sir Foster. The name is similar to free-agent wide receiver Donte Foster, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings after going undrafted in 2014.On Oct. 16, a woman told police she had been defrauded by a man claiming to be Foster. The news release didn't reveal how much money the woman was defrauded of, but a police spokesman told the New York Post's Joshua Rhett Miller that the amount exceeded $100,000.The news release also stated that Turner was arrested in October in connection with an unrelated sexual assault. Several women have since come forward indicating that Turner identified himself as a Broncos player.Turner has been charged with theft, forgery, identity theft, and criminal impersonation - all felony charges.The real Donte Foster responded to news of the impersonator on Twitter.

Here's a breakdown of two significant mismatches in this weekend's NFC wild-card games.Seahawks DT Jarran Reed vs. Cowboys LG Xavier Su'a-Filo/Connor WilliamsAny team that plays Dallas in the playoffs should know how to attack the weaknesses on the Cowboys' offensive line.Left guard Xavier Su'a-Filo struggled this season, and as a result, defensive tackles had a field day against the left side of the team's interior offensive line. If he misses Saturday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks because of an ankle injury, rookie Connor Williams could have his own issues.Throughout the regular season, defensive tackles Vita Vea (one sack), Fletcher Cox (two sacks), Denico Autry (one sack), David Onyemata (three sacks), Da’Ron Payne (one sack), and Jonathan Allen (two sacks) were all productive against Dallas. Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed also posted a dominant performance against the Cowboys, doing a lot of damage against Williams while recording two sacks in Week 3.Reed is one of the NFL's most improved defensive tackles. Primarily a run defender over his first two seasons, the 26-year-old added some pass-rush ability to his game in 2018 to unlock his true disruptive potential.After notching only three sacks over his first two seasons, Reed exploded for 10.5 sacks this year to go along with 50 tackles (12 for a loss), and 24 quarterback hits - all single-season career highs for the Alabama product.This play illustrates Reed’s improved pass-rush skill: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLReed aligns as the 4i defensive tackle with a wide outside shade on Cardinals left guard Mike Iupati. At the snap, he explodes right at Iupati.Just before he gets into striking distance, Reed cleverly jab steps outside of Iupati’s reach, causing the veteran guard to shift his weight slightly and open up to an inside move.With Iupati leaning, Reed executes a beautifully timed swim move to cross his face and beat him. As soon as Reed clears the blocker, he forcefully plants his left foot to slow his lateral momentum, allowing him to push vertically into the pocket and bring down the quarterback.Unfortunately for Dallas, Su'a-Filo and Williams don't fare well against that kind of pass rush. The former struggles with lateral movement because of footwork and balance problems, and the latter often lunges to compensate for his lack of power.Here's an example of Su'a-Filo's weakness: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLHe's tasked with blocking Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata. When the ball is snapped, Su'a-Filo expands outside with two kick slides. However, on his third kick slide, Su'a-Filo's right foot moves backward instead of his left foot, causing him to give a soft corner.Onyemata can then use a forceful club move, pulling Su'a-Filo down and leaving him unable to recover once the pass-rusher beats his hands. From there, Onyemata gets into the backfield and brings down Dak Prescott.Seattle likes to move Reed around, which means Su'a-Filo or Williams won't have to handle him alone all game. Nevertheless, when he's matched up with either of those two expect Reed to take full advantage and have another productive day against the Cowboys.Bears DT Eddie Goldman vs. Eagles LG Isaac Seumalo/Stefan WisniewskiThe Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears are strong up front on both sides of the ball, meaning there won't be many mismatches in the trenches when the two teams meet on Sunday.That's why the Bears need Eddie Goldman to exploit the primary weakness along the Eagles’ offensive line and capitalize on Isaac Seumalo's struggles (or do the same against Stefan Wisniewski if Seumalo misses his fourth straight game due to a chest injury).Goldman is arguably coming off his best regular season, though his stats don't do it justice, as the fourth-year defensive tackle accumulated 39 tackles (five for a loss), three quarterback hits, and three sacks.Much of what Goldman does up front for Chicago goes unnoticed. But his teammates often bear the fruit of his labor when he frequently occupies multiple blocks, giving others free runs at the ball carrier.However, Goldman can still be a disruptive pass-rushing force when teams consistently leave him single blocked. Here’s an example: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLGoldman aligns over Vikings left guard Tom Compton. With Minnesota sliding its protection right, Goldman has a one-on-one matchup.After coming out of his stance, he shuffles inside to manipulate Compton's movement. He gets the guard to slide inside as well, creating a giant gap between Compton and the left tackle. Goldman then executes an effective club-arm over move to take advantage of that large hole, and he blows past the lineman to bring down Kirk Cousins.Goldman will be similarly successful against the Eagles if they don't double-team him or provide help of some kind. He's stronger than Seumalo and Wisniewski, with more deliberate hand technique than both, too.Goldman should be able to have his way at the point of attack and be excellent against the run. Against the pass, look for him to pick his spots and apply pressure, using his violent club move to bully his way into the pocket.John Owning is a football writer at theScore. He has written for Bleacher Report and Football Insiders. He was also the lead NFL content editor at FanRag Sports. John provides analysis on the Dallas Cowboys for the Dallas Morning News and edits for The Quant Edge. Find him on Twitter @JohnOwning.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As Baltimore Ravens rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson gets set to lead his team into Sunday's wild-card game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Super Bowl XLVII champion Joe Flacco has been relegated to a new role as the backup.The 33-year-old was asked after Friday's practice if he's changing his routine."I don't know if it's going to be any more different or not," Flacco said, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "It's definitely not the most fun position in the world. It is what it is."Flacco remains under contract for the next three seasons and carries a cap hit of $26.5 million for 2019, which would account for 13.9 percent of the team's cap space. Cutting or trading him would create a dead cap penalty of $16 million, with that number being cut in half if the move is made with a post-June 1 designation.With the Ravens expected to move on and receive upward of $10 million in cap relief by going either route, Sunday could mark the former first-round pick's final game at M&T Bank Stadium as a member of the home team. But he's hoping for a return later on in the postseason."I haven't really thought too much about it, to be honest with you. It is what it is," Flacco said. "We're a No. 4 seed. There's always a possibility that in the final round before the Super Bowl you can come back here. So you never know."Jackson, the No. 32 selection of April's draft, won the starting job for the postseason - and likely the foreseeable future - by going 6-1 as the starter after replacing Flacco in Week 11. He's completed just 58.23 percent of his passes for 1,114 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions over that time, but he's torched the league on the ground for 556 yards and four touchdowns on 119 rushing attempts.Flacco set a high bar for any rookie quarterback who would follow him in Baltimore by leading the Ravens to the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The mother of Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller criticized general manager John Elway after he said the team needs its best players to perform better in 2019.After Elway said in his end-of-year press conference that he believes Miller is capable of playing better, Miller's mother, Gloria, ripped into the general manager on Instagram."Not because he's my son, but he's the main reason Denver won the Super Bowl. Von's NOT the problem the problem is Elway... EVERY QB he's brought in was a fluke!!!," Gloria Miller wrote."He has no clue on drafting at any position. He needs to work on a offensive line and QB. Trading Von isn't the answer but best of luck with that. Elway has wasted more money on QB's than ANY TEAM IN THE NFL. I get it's easier to blame Von but it's NOT HIM. #WhatupDallas #SendJerryJobysNumber."Miller was named to his seventh Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors after recording 48 tackles, 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and an interception in 16 games, but the Broncos missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Head coach Kevin Sumlin added former NFL running back DeMarco Murray to his staff as running backs coach, the team announced Friday."DeMarco brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our running back room," Sumlin said. "That, with his attention to detail, passion for the game and passion for impacting others will make him a great addition. Our entire staff is excited for him to join our organization."Sumlin recruited Murray to play at Oklahoma as an assistant in 2007. Murray went on to be a third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2011 NFL Draft and led the league in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns in 2014. He was named to three Pro Bowls and was honored as a first-team All-Pro for his breakout fourth season.Murray went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans. He was released by the Titans in March, one year after leading the AFC in rushing.The 30-year-old announced his retirement in July and worked as a college football analyst with FOX this past season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's a breakdown of one significant mismatch in each AFC wild-card game this weekend.Colts DE Jabaal Sheard vs. Texans RT Kendall LammIn a postseason divisional matchup, failing to take advantage of mismatches could be the difference between a win and a loss.When the Colts face the Texans for the third time this season Saturday, Indianapolis needs Jabaal Sheard to expose Houston right tackle Kendall Lamm.Sheard doesn’t receive much acclaim, but he’s been one of the most well-rounded defensive ends in football over the last four seasons.While he’s never recorded double-digit sacks, Sheard has registered multiple pressures in every game but one this season. Against the run, he leverages his effective hand technique to make plays at or near the line of scrimmage: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLOn this play, Sheard is aligned with a wide outside shade over Titans right tackle Dennis Kelly. As soon as the ball is snapped, Sheard comes out of his stance and appears ready to meet Kelly at the point of attack.However, it’s a trap!Sheard acts like he’s going to attack the block before swiftly darting inside with a two-hand swipe move.From there, he is able to take on the tight end’s block and impede the running back’s progress, allowing his teammates to clean up the tackle near the line of scrimmage.This is the area where Lamm will hurt the Texans the most, as he still struggles mightily as a run-blocker. Lamm simply doesn’t possess the strength to move defensive ends off their spot, and he lacks the hand placement to steer defenders out of the hole.Sheard is likely going to be a huge thorn in the side of Houston’s offense all game long.Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs vs. Chargers RT Sam TeviTerrell Suggs isn’t the same player he used to be, but he’s still good enough to take advantage of Chargers right tackle Sam Tevi.In all honesty, it’s a miracle Tevi has a starting job in the NFL, as he's proven over and over again this season to be below replacement level by NFL standards. Tevi is a mess technically and has trouble with nearly every pass-rusher he faces as a result. It’s incredible that Philip Rivers has played so well this season despite Tevi’s turnstile-like qualities on the right side.When the Ravens faced the Chargers in Week 16, Suggs had one the best sackless performances of his career, as he was able to consistently beat Tevi and generate pressure off the edge. Below is an example of Suggs using his effective hand technique and deceptive footwork: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLHere, Suggs is aligned with an outside shade over Tevi. Once the ball is snapped, he mimics as if he’s going to engage at the point of attack by reaching his left hand toward the offensive lineman's chest.As Tevi shoots his hands to latch onto the veteran pass-rusher, Suggs abruptly darts inside with a two-hand swipe. Although it doesn’t land cleanly, Tevi is unable to adjust or recover.From there, Suggs avoids Melvin Gordon’s block and pressures Rivers just as he throws downfield (the pass was intercepted).While Suggs wasn’t able to turn any of his pressures into sacks in Week 16, don’t expect that to happen again in the second matchup between these two teams.John Owning is a football writer at theScore. He has written for Bleacher Report and Football Insiders. He was also the lead NFL content editor at FanRag Sports. John provides analysis on the Dallas Cowboys for the Dallas Morning News and edits for The Quant Edge. Find him on Twitter @JohnOwning.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets are interested in Baylor's Matt Rhule for their vacant head-coaching position, though it's unclear if an interview has been scheduled, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano.Rhule is coming off a 7-6 campaign with the Bears after going 1-11 in his first season. He inherited a mess at Baylor, as the school was recovering from the sexual assault scandal that overshadowed the Art Briles era.Rhule has been credited with cleaning up the program while leading it back to respectability in a short time. He produced similar results at Temple, going 2-10 in his first year before rattling off a 6-6 season and then a pair of 10-win campaigns.The Jets interviewed former Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase Friday, and are expected to meet with Dallas Cowboys defensive assistant Kris Richard Sunday.New York posted a 4-12 record under Todd Bowles in 2018.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Associated Press released its 2018 All-Pro honorees on Friday.Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald was the only unanimous selection, while Patrick Mahomes took a big step toward claiming the MVP award by easily beating out fellow quarterback Drew Brees with 45 votes to five, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Joining Mahomes on the first-team offense are three other members of the Kansas City Chiefs: tight end Travis Kelce, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, and flex Tyreek Hill.Elsewhere, Indianapolis Colts standouts Darius Leonard and Quenton Nelson became the first rookie teammates to be named AP All-Pros since 1965.* indicates rookieOffensePOS.PlayerTeamQBPatrick MahomesChiefsRBTodd GurleyRamsFlexTyreek HillChiefsTETravis KelceChiefsWRDeAndre HopkinsTexansWRMichael ThomasSaintsLTDavid BakhtiariPackersLGQuenton Nelson*ColtsCJason KelceEaglesRGZack MartinCowboysRTMitchell SchwartzChiefsDefensePOS.PlayerTeamEdgeJ.J. WattTexansEdgeKhalil MackBearsIDLAaron DonaldRamsIDLFletcher CoxEaglesLBLuke KuechlyPanthersLBBobby WagnerSeahawksLBDarius Leonard*ColtsCBKyle FullerBearsCBStephon GilmorePatriotsSEddie JacksonBearsSDerwin James*ChargersDBDesmond KingChargersSpecial teamsPOS. PlayerTeamKJustin TuckerRavensPMichael Dickson*SeahawksKRAndre RobertsJetsPRTarik CohenBearsSTAdrian PhillipsChargersVon Miller notably landed two separate spots on the second-team list - at edge rusher and linebacker - while Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle were rewarded for their breakout seasons.Offense (2nd team)POS.PlayerTeamQBDrew BreesSaintsRBEzekiel ElliottCowboysFlexChristian McCaffreyPanthersTEGeorge Kittle49ersWRJulio JonesFalconsWRTyreek HillChiefsLTDuane Brown/Terron ArmsteadSeahawks/SaintsLGJoel BitonioBrownsCMaurkice PounceySteelersRGMarshal YandaRavensRTRyan RamczykSaintsDefense (2nd team)POS.PlayerTeamEdgeVon MillerBroncosEdgeCameron JordanSaintsEdgeMyles GarrettBrownsEdgeDanielle HunterVikingsIDLChris JonesChiefsIDLJ.J. WattTexansLBVon MillerBroncosLBC.J. MosleyRavensLBLeighton Vander Esch*CowboysCBByron JonesCowboysCBXavien HowardDolphinsSJamal AdamsJetsSHarrison SmithVikingsDBDerwin James*ChargersSpecial teams (2nd team)POS.Player TeamKAldrick RosasGiantsPJohnny HekkerRamsKRCordarrelle PattersonPatriotsPRDesmond KingChargersSTCory LittletonRamsCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback ​​​​Brent Grimes says he felt 'disrespected' when coaches asked him to shadow No. 1 wide receivers despite not being paid like a top corner."They wanna pay me $7 million when other corners are making way more than that and not playing as well as me? Cool," Grimes said on the iHeartMiko podcast hosted by his wife, Miko Grimes."We get to the (Pittsburgh) Steelers and then they start asking me to follow people," he continued. "We get to a game with Antonio Brown and it's 'follow receivers' and I couldn't agree with it cause it's just disrespectful."People that follow receivers all the time - unless they're on a rookie contract or trying to get paid - are usually making $13 million, 15 million dollars a year."Grimes felt he was being taken advantage of and that it ultimately hurt his play."It f----- up my vibe for the whole year, to be completely honest," he said. "I felt disrespected."The 35-year-old was benched during the second half of Tampa Bay's Week 4 game against the Chicago Bears for being on his phone at halftime - something he claimed at least 70 percent of all players do."They said I was on my phone at halftime, which was true because I'm on my phone every game of my career," Grimes said.Miko suggested the benching could have been a disciplinary measure after her husband's reaction to lining up against top receivers. She described the four-time Pro Bowler's plan to "pull an Antonio Brown" and sit out Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons.Defensive backs coach Jon Hoke apparently apologized to Grimes, who ended up playing in the season finale.Grimes signed a one-year contract worth $7 million - with another $1 million in incentives - with the Buccaneers last March. He finished the season with 48 total tackles, one forced fumble, and six broken up passes.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the 2019 NFL Draft just a few months away, theScore's Dane Belbeck, Daniel Wilkins, and Mike Alessandrini project the first round of selections.1. Arizona Cardinals - Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio StateWith 2018 first-round pick Josh Rosen set to lead Arizona's offense for years to come, the team can focus on selecting the top overall player in this year's draft. That player is Bosa. Alongside Chandler Jones, he'd help make the Cardinals' pass rush one of the most feared in the NFL. - Alessandrini2. San Francisco 49ers - Greedy Williams, CB, LSUThe 49ers could certainly opt for one of several premier pass-rushers in this draft. But with Bosa off the board, they'd be just as happy to come away with an elite prospect in the secondary. Williams is a Day 1 starter opposite Richard Sherman, with the ability to develop into a true shutdown corner before long. - Wilkins3. New York Jets - Quinnen Williams, DT, AlabamaNobody had a more impressive college season in 2018 than Williams. The redshirt sophomore was an absolute wrecking ball for the Alabama Crimson Tide, amassing 18 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Whatever scheme the Jets' new head coach deploys, Williams will provide instant impact for a club that ranked 4th-last in points allowed. - Belbeck4. Oakland Raiders - Clelin Ferrell, DE, ClemsonGrant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Raiders' pass rush produced an NFL-low 13 sacks in 2018. The Patriots and Giants shared the second-lowest total at 30 apiece. Ferrell has been one of college football's most dangerous defenders over the last three seasons. Let's connect the dots here. - Alessandrini5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Allen, EDGE, KentuckyTampa Bay could use help at a number of defensive spots, but especially in pressuring the quarterback off the edge. Allen has everything scouts are looking for in a premier edge defender. Pairing him with Jason Pierre-Paul would give the Buccaneers an impressive duo to get after opposing signal-callers. - Wilkins6. New York Giants - Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio StateMany experts balked last year when the Giants took Saquon Barkley at No. 2 instead of Sam Darnold, but New York won't skip the quarterback this time around. Fresh off what was arguably the best season by a pivot in Ohio State's storied history, Haskins gives New York its quarterback of the future. With offensive options like Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr., his transition should be relatively smooth once the front office bids farewell to Eli Manning. - Belbeck7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Ed Oliver, DT, HoustonJohn Weast / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Jaguars drafted Taven Bryan in the first round last year but that won't stop them from selecting the top player on the board here. Oliver is an athletic specimen who excels as a pass-rusher and run defender. Imagine pairing him with Bryan, Calais Campbell, and Yannick Ngakoue. Yikes. Besides, Malik Jackson's days in Jacksonville are numbered. - Alessandrini8. Detroit Lions - Rashan Gary, DL, MichiganDon't be surprised to see this connection made throughout the pre-draft process; Michigan's star defender going to the Lions is a fun in-state pairing. More importantly, though, it fills a glaring need for Detroit up front. On the edge or perhaps lined up inside, Gary is a unique talent that can spearhead a pass rush for years to come. - Wilkins9. Buffalo Bills - Dexter Lawrence, DT, ClemsonAfter saying goodbye to Kyle Williams, the Bills turn to the Clemson star to plug the defensive line. The 6-foot-4, 350-pound Lawrence is an athletic freak and an absolute menace for the opposition. With the Tigers, Lawrence played alongside other first-round talents like Ferrell and Christian Wilkins, but don't be shocked if he ends up being the best pro of the bunch. - Belbeck10. Denver Broncos - Jonah Williams, OT, AlabamaWesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyJohn Elway passes on a quarterback in this mock, opting for one more season of Case Keenum. Instead, the Broncos add Williams to help solidify the offensive line opposite Garett Bolles. Tough and athletic, Williams is this year's clear top tackle prospect. - Alessandrini11. Cincinnati Bengals - Deandre Baker, CB, GeorgiaThe Bengals defense fell off a cliff this season, finishing dead last in passing yards allowed. Snagging Baker at No. 11 is an ideal scenario for the Bengals to address that issue as he'd be a strong running mate for William Jackson III. A pair of high-end cornerback talents is a massive advantage when it comes to matching up with the league's top passing attacks. - Wilkins12. Green Bay Packers - D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole MissThe 6-foot-1, 215-pound Davante Adams has become an outstanding receiver and the Packers' No. 1 option with Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball. Now imagine Rodgers also has the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Metcalf at his disposal. Look out NFC North. - Belbeck13. Miami Dolphins - Daniel Jones, QB, DukeJoel Auerbach / Getty Images Sport / GettyWe believe owner Stephen Ross will usher in a new era in Miami this season. It starts with moving on from Ryan Tannehill and adding the quarterback of the future. Jones may be seen as a reach at this point, but he's a prospect whose stock should rise as April approaches. It's also never too early to take a quarterback if a team believes he can alter the course of the franchise. - Alessandrini14. Atlanta Falcons - Raekwon Davis, DT, AlabamaYet another first-round defensive line prospect out of Alabama, Davis can be an impact player against the run and pass. Atlanta's 28th-ranked defense needs help in both areas and Davis would be a solid inside pairing with Grady Jarrett. - Wilkins15. Washington Redskins - N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona StateOnly one wide receiver caught more than 30 balls for Washington last season. Injuries clearly had a role to play but there's no doubt the Redskins need more talent at the position. Enter Harry, the Arizona State star that posted back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Adding the 6-foot-4 junior to an offense that struggled mightily in the red zone is a solid move for Jay Gruden's club. - Belbeck16. Carolina Panthers - Deionte Thompson, S, AlabamaGregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / GettyThompson looks like a perfect fit in Carolina. The defense could stand to add an impact piece in the secondary and the Alabama defensive back profiles as an ideal schematic fit for Ron Rivera's stop unit. It helps that Thompson is likely the best player available at this pick. - Alessandrini17. Cleveland Browns - Greg Little, OT, Ole MissA sensational rookie season from Baker Mayfield left no doubt the Browns finally have their quarterback. Now it's time to make sure he's well-protected. Adding Little would be a massive step, complementing a rock-solid interior with a raw but extremely high-upside prospect that could hold down left tackle going forward. - Wilkins18. Minnesota Vikings - Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas StateThere isn't much use investing $84 million in your quarterback if you aren't going to protect him; with a struggling offensive line, the first year of the Kirk Cousins' tenure with the Vikings was a disaster. The veteran pivot certainly shoulders a large portion of the blame, but adding the versatile Risner should help Minnesota give the high-priced Cousins more time to throw. - Belbeck19. Tennessee Titans - Brian Burns, DE, Florida StateJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyMike Vrabel bolsters his pass rush at No. 19 with a long, athletic, and productive prospect that’s sure to get executives excited this draft season. Tennessee could use more edge rushers to contain the likes of Deshaun Watson and Andrew Luck in the AFC South. Uniting Burns with Harold Landry would give the Titans a lethal combination. - Alessandrini20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Devin White, LB, LSUGiving the Steelers a linebacker that can potentially maintain Pittsburgh's long-standing tradition of high-level play at the position seems almost too easy. But it just makes too much sense given their current need on the inside. White is an every-down player who can make an impact in all phases of the defensive game. - Wilkins21. Philadelphia Eagles - Byron Murphy, CB, WashingtonTo say Philadelphia needs cornerback help would be a massive understatement. With Murray, the Eagles address that need immediately. The Washington standout enjoyed a very successful collegiate career and his ability to attack the ball should play well in the NFC East. - Belbeck22. Indianapolis Colts - Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi StateJonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyGeneral manager Chris Ballard isn't one to draft based on team need - he picks the best player available. The selection of Simmons is no different. The former Bulldog combines athleticism and production in the middle of the defense and profiles as an ideal fit with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. - Alessandrini23. Seattle Seahawks - Christian Wilkins, DT, ClemsonSeattle's defense has exceeded expectations while ushering in the post-Legion of Boom era. But after allowing 4.9 yards per carry this season, improving against the run is a must. Adding Wilkins to the defensive line would be a major step in the right direction while his presence on the inside would complement an already-fierce pass rush. - Wilkins24. Oakland Raiders (from DAL) - Drew Lock, QB, MissouriThanks to years of Jon Gruden raving about quarterbacks for ESPN, we know the Raiders head coach can fall fast and hard for a talented collegiate pivot. Enter Lock, the Missouri standout who threw 95 touchdowns in the past three seasons. Look for Gruden to decide Derek Carr isn't his long-term signal-caller and address that need with the second of three first-round picks. - Belbeck25. Baltimore Ravens - Montez Sweat, OLB, Mississippi StateJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyAt first glance, the Ravens’ roster is ripe with edge rushers. But Terrell Suggs and Za'Darius Smith are both scheduled to hit free agency in March and recent draft picks Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser have yet to prove themselves in the pros. Sweat is coming off an incredibly productive college career and would be excellent long-term add for an already-solid Ravens defense. - Alessandrini26. Houston Texans - Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia A patchwork offensive line is one of the only factors keeping Houston from establishing itself among the NFL's elite. As good as Deshaun Watson may be, forcing him to play under pressure so regularly isn't a recipe for success. Cajuste could help address that concern as an immediate and possible long-term starter at left tackle. - Wilkins27. New England Patriots - Jachai Polite, DE, FloridaBill Belichick has shown his fondness for Florida players in the draft before, and that pipeline will continue with the explosive Polite. The junior posted 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in his final collegiate season and immediately helps the glaring lack of pass rush in New England. - Belbeck28. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) - Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC StateJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyHow about a future No. 1 receiver to pair with Lock? Oakland is in desperate need of an offensive playmaker and Harmon is just what the doctor ordered. The talented wideout has the size and skill set NFL teams covet; he could potentially slide in as the Raiders' top pass-catching option. - Alessandrini29. Los Angeles Chargers - Mack Wilson, LB, AlabamaThe Chargers' defense has impact players both up front and in the secondary. Wilson, the latest in a long line of top linebacker prospects out of Alabama, adds another in the middle for Los Angeles. His ability as an every-down linebacker would help one of the league's most well-rounded defenses take another step forward. - Wilkins30. Los Angeles Rams - David Edwards, OT, WisconsinBoasting one of the deepest rosters in the league, the Rams don't have many holes. But with Andrew Whitworth entering the final year of his contract at age 37, offensive line depth is needed. The list of standout Wisconsin linemen in the league grows by the year with Edwards proving to be the latest. - Belbeck31. Kansas City Chiefs - Derrick Brown, DT, AuburnJonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Chiefs have other needs on defense, but Brown is the top player left on the board and could arguably be selected earlier. The interior defender possesses an excellent blend of size and athleticism, dominating against the pass and run with Auburn. Kansas City already features two dynamic edge rushers and pairing Brown with Chris Jones on the inside would be nearly impossible for opposing blockers to stop. - Alessandrini32. Green Bay Packers (from NO) - Jaylon Ferguson, DE/LB, LA TechAfter solidifying the future of their secondary in last year's draft, the Packers would be wise to get that group some help with a pass-rusher up front. Ferguson, the all-time FBS sack leader, would be a strong choice to take the torch from Clay Matthews. - WilkinsCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Then there were 12.The NFL regular season is in the books, and the playoffs begin this weekend with four fascinating games. Oddsmakers expect a very tight slate, as Vegas has made each game a one-score contest, with the Chicago Bears the heaviest favorite by six over the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.Each game could come down to a handful of plays. With that in mind, here's one key question for Saturday's playoff matchups.Indianapolis Colts at Houston TexansCan the Colts contain DeAndre Hopkins?The Indianapolis Colts' reward for earning the final AFC playoff spot is a trip to Houston to take on the Texans, their division rivals. However, despite their status as the AFC's sixth seed, the Colts may be one of the proverbial "teams no one wants to face" in the playoffs because of Andrew Luck's return to form and a defense that's growing around rookie linebacker Darius Leonard.But don't count the Texans out so easily. Behind second-year quarterback Deshaun Watson, Houston secured its third division title in four seasons, finishing with an 11-5 record.Watson’s passing effectiveness is tied heavily to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins' success, as Houston’s aerial attack runs through the talented wideout. Hopkins saw 163 targets this year, which ranked fifth in the league, and he was targeted on an NFL-high 32.2 percent of Houston's passing plays. By contrast, the Falcons targeted Julio Jones, the most-targeted receiver in football (170), on only 27.6 percent of their throws.Houston has a variety of ways to get Hopkins the ball, but two of the team's favorite designs are the Yankee concept and Flood concept.The Yankee concept is a maximum protection, two-receiver route design with a deep post route and an intermediate crossing route. Hopkins is used on either route:NFLIn that example, Hopkins is running the underneath route, highlighted in red. He caught a touchdown pass on the play: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLThe Flood concept, meanwhile, puts three receivers on one side of the field and gives Watson a half-field read: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLHere, Houston floods the right side, with Hopkins running the deep out route. Watson is pressured and forced to slide in the pocket to his left, but he still lands a perfect throw to Hopkins that moves the chains.If the Colts want to pull off the upset, they need to have an answer for the chemistry between Watson and Hopkins.Seattle Seahawks at Dallas CowboysCan the Cowboys protect Dak Prescott?The Seahawks' game against the Cowboys in Dallas on Saturday night is a Week 3 rematch, and there's one theme to watch that emerged during the first Seahawks-Cowboys clash of 2018: PressureSpecifically, the Seahawks' defense and its ability to bring pressure. That was a big part of the unit's success this season. Seattle pressured opposing quarterbacks on 42.7 percent of third downs, the third-best percentage in the league.Defensive end Frank Clark disrupted the pocket (defined as a sack, an interception, a pass defensed, or a pass tipped) on 2.6 percent of his passing-play snaps, the league's fifth-best percentage among defensive linemen. In that Week 3 contest, the Seahawks sacked Dak Prescott five times, with Clark (No. 55) recording one on this play: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLThe play came late in the third quarter with the Cowboys trailing 17-3 and facing a pivotal third down in the red zone. Prescott aligns in the shotgun, and as he drops to pass, Clark uses a speed pass-rushing move against left tackle Tyron Smith (No. 77).Clark beats Smith to the outside, but Prescott tries to climb the pocket and escape. Clark tracks him down from behind for the sack, and the Cowboys are forced to settle for a field goal.Prescott's quarterback rating this season drops from 96.9 to 87.1 when facing pressure. Also, when the Cowboys gave up five-plus sacks this season, they lost three out of four games.The better the Cowboys protect Prescott, the better their odds are of moving on to the divisional round.Mark Schofield writes NFL feature content for theScore. After nearly a decade of practicing law in the Washington, D.C., area Mark changed careers and started writing about football. Drawing upon more than a decade of playing quarterback, including at the collegiate level, Mark focuses his work on quarterback evaluation and offensive scheme analysis. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children. Find him on Twitter @MarkSchofield.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the NFL postseason upon us, theScore's football editors each make an outlandish prediction about what will transpire over the next month.2 wild-card teams meet in AtlantaDustin Bradford / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe NFL's calling card is its unmatched parity, but of late, the postseason has been dominated by the league's top seeds. Not since the fourth-seeded Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 season has a team without a bye appeared in the Super Bowl. Moreover, of the last 10 teams to make the big game, nine were No. 1 seeds. That will all change this postseason. With the strongest group of fifth- and sixth-seeded teams in recent memory, the Super Bowl will be contested between two wild-card entrants. - Jack BrowneMahomes doesn't throw a TD pass, Chiefs bounced earlyIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe regular-season leader in touchdown passes with 50 will be bounced from the playoffs before he can register one in the postseason. What worked so well during the year will be stymied by opposing defenses in the playoffs. Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs will make an early postseason exit, bringing a premature end to Patrick Mahomes' extraordinary sophomore season. - Michael McClymontSingle-game playoff points record falls Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals combined for an eye-popping 96 points in a wild-card game nine years ago, establishing the NFL playoff record that will be broken within the next month thanks to the presence of a host of elite offensive units. And you just know the Chiefs' defense is salivating at the idea of making playoff history! - Alex ChippinBears don't allow a TD en route to Super BowlRobert Reiners / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Chicago Bears' top-ranked scoring defense will elevate its game to another level in the postseason. Khalil Mack and the swarming front seven will terrorize Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles and then proceed to shut down the Los Angeles Rams once again, making Todd Gurley and Co. look ordinary for the second time this season. In the NFC title game, Chicago will completely neutralize Mike Thomas, Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, and the rest of the New Orleans Saints. This unit is better than the legendary 1985 team and will make its mark on history. - Arun SrinivasanCohen makes single-game TD historyIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyWith all eyes on the Bears' stout defense, it'll be Tarik Cohen who steps up for a flat Mitchell Trubisky in the postseason and provides Chicago with an offensive surge. Matt Nagy will get even more creative with his play-calling and manufacture touches for his best offensive player, leading to Cohen becoming the first player since 1976 to record a touchdown on the ground, in the air, and on a punt return in one game. - Karan GillJoe Flacco throws multiple TDs to save RavensIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyLamar Jackson grabbed control of the starting job by leading the Ravens to a 6-1 record and the AFC North title, but through a combination of creativity and desperation, head coach John Harbaugh will come good on a summer claim that he wanted to find ways to get both quarterbacks involved. Down big against the Chargers, the veteran Flacco will be called upon to help an all-but-abandoned passing attack, and his first scores since Week 8 will spark a Ravens comeback. - Esten McLarenSeahawks blunder at 1-yard line againNurPhoto / NurPhoto / GettyLook away, Seahawks fans. Seattle will ride a hot running game, stout defense, and a dynamic Russell Wilson all the way to the Super Bowl. But against the New England Patriots yet again, Pete Carroll will be left with a decision similar to that of Super Bowl 49 - on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line to win the game. Outthinking themselves and giving us all deja vu, Brian Schottenheimer will call a pass play instead of a run, and Wilson's throw will be intercepted to end the game, giving Tom Brady his sixth Lombardi Trophy. - Mike AlessandriniCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Since quarterback Lamar Jackson took over behind center, the Baltimore Ravens' running game has surged.Though opposing defenses expect the Ravens to move the ball on the ground, actually stopping them is still a struggle."I don't know if we can put Lamar Jackson in this rare air, but when Michael Jordan was playing, everybody knew he was going to shoot the fadeaway. But they still had to stop it," backup quarterback Robert Griffin III said, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "Even if you know it's coming, you still have to tackle, you still have to make plays on the field. That's the mindset we have."When your talent is supposed to show, it'll show, just like when Michael was out there backing guys down and shooting the fadeaway. Sometimes, it's hard to stop."Jackson became the primary signal-caller in Week 11. Since then, the Ravens have gone 6-1 and rushed for 1,607 yards - the third-most over an NFL team's last seven games in the Super Bowl era, according to ESPN Stats & Info. They've also averaged 19.4 more carries per game and 136.9 more rush yards per game, according to NFL.com."We already are sold on (the sustainability of the offense) or we wouldn’t be running the offense," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the team's run-option system. "We already believe that, and this is not some fly-by-night offense."Baltimore's wild-card opponent is the Los Angeles Chargers, a team they beat 22-10 on Dec 22. The Ravens rushed for 159 yards against the Chargers, who will likely make adjustments in an attempt to contain the running game Sunday."We watch film just like they do," Jackson said. "So whatever they do, we're trying to match that or do better. It doesn't really matter."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In August 2017, the Detroit Lions rewarded franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford with a five-year, $135 million contract extension that temporarily made him the NFL's highest-paid player.Just two seasons later, Stafford's future in Detroit has been in serious question after the Lions stumbled to a six-win campaign during one of the worst statistical years of his career.But Lions general manager Bob Quinn fully committed to Stafford as his starting pivot during Friday's season-ending press conference, rejecting any possibility of trading the former No. 1 overall pick."Matthew Stafford is our quarterback. He will be our quarterback here," Quinn told reporters, including ESPN's Michael Rothstein.Quinn added the coaching staff needs to put the signal-caller in better situations to maximize his skill set, according to Paula Pasche of LionsLowdown.com.Trading Stafford would have serious financial ramifications for the Lions. The 30-year-old has a cap hit of $29.5 million in 2019. If Detroit moved him before June 1, all of his salary - plus an additional $500,000 - would turn into $30 million in dead money, according to Over The Cap.Stafford posted his lowest 16-game touchdown total since 2012 and a career-low in yards this season. But the Lions offense was hit hard by injuries, especially on the offense line, while Golden Tate's departure in a midseason trade robbed Stafford of one of his most reliable weapons.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After head coach firings both during the season and on Black Monday, eight NFL teams will start the offseason seeking new leadership.theScore's David P. Woods and Dan Wilkins teamed up to make predictions for the hires that will fill this year's head-coaching vacancies. In the process, they identified a few first-time head coaches and several interesting retreads.Browns - Bruce AriansJonathan Ferrey / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Browns landing Arians would be a home-run hire as they search for a coach who can make the most of Baker Mayfield's seemingly limitless potential.The former Cardinals coach has a lengthy track record of getting high-level play out of his quarterbacks, a star-studded list that includes Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, and Carson Palmer. He also boasts a 49-30-1 record as a head coach.That Arians is even a candidate, let alone one who openly expressed a desire to coach in Cleveland, is a true indicator of how far the Browns have come. It wasn't long ago that ownership would have been hard-pressed to generate any interest from marquee coaches. And even if the 66-year-old would only be willing to put in four-to-five years before retiring again, there's plenty of upside to having a coach of his caliber step in and oversee the next stage for a team finally heading in the right direction.Adding to the intrigue of this fit is the history between Arians and Freddie Kitchens, particularly after the Browns' late-season offensive development energized the fan base. A position coach on Arians' staff for all six of his seasons in Arizona, Kitchens would be an obvious choice to remain on the Browns as offensive coordinator and be groomed under Arians to become his eventual successor. And given the success the Browns' defense enjoyed in 2018, perhaps Gregg Williams could stay on as the defensive coordinator, too. - WilkinsPackers - Josh McDanielsJoe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / GettyMcDaniels backed out of the Colts’ head coach job last offseason, but the Packers should look past any worries about his trustworthiness and give one of football’s premier play-callers - and a coordinator who keeps maximizing Tom Brady’s talent as the passer ages - a chance to reboot their stagnant offense.

The list of potential 2019 Pro Football Hall of Famers has been whittled down to 15.The league announced this year's crop of finalists on Thursday. The group is headlined by former superstars and first-year eligible candidates Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed, and Champ Bailey.The 15 finalists are:

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald won't interview for an NFL job despite receiving interest from multiple teams, his agent told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Fitzgerald was most heavily connected to the Green Bay Packers. However, he declared his loyalty to the Wildcats after their bowl game and said he wasn't going to leave the university.Fitzgerald, 44, has a 96-70 record over 13 seasons at Northwestern.It's unclear which teams besides the Packers had hoped to speak with him.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nineteen years into his storied career, Tom Brady jerseys are still flying off the shelves.The 41-year-old quarterback had the top-selling jersey of any player during the 2018 season.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer isn't worried about the possibility of entering the final season of his contract in 2019 without an extension."I got no problem with that," he told reporters Thursday at his exit interview."Free agent after that, right?" he added with a grin.Zimmer, 62, has been at the helm of the Vikings for five seasons and has posted a 47-32-1 record over that span. The team has alternated between missing and making the playoffs, falling on the wrong end of that pattern this year after a loss in Week 17 bumped Minnesota from the No. 6 seed in the NFC.Zimmer acknowledged the Vikings didn't possess the same edge this season that they played with in the past, but vowed to restore it over the offseason.Head coaches rarely go into a season with just one year remaining on their contract.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings hiring Hue Jackson as their new offensive coordinator is "becoming more of a real possibility" if he doesn't land the head coaching job with the Cincinnati Bengals, sources told Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune.Kevin Stefanski, who took over as OC after the midseason firing of John DeFilippo, is out of contract and is being pursued by other teams for head coaching and coordinator vacancies.Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer worked with Jackson on the Bengals' staff, but he will ultimately need the support of general manager Rick Spielman, added Goessling.Minnesota missed the playoffs in part due to their offensive struggles. The Vikings slipped from 10th in points per game in 2017 to 19th in 2018 after signing Kirk Cousins to a three-year, $84-million deal to replace Case Keenum.Jackson is reportedly set to interview for the Bengals' head coaching vacancy this week as the team looks to start a new era after 16 seasons with Marvin Lewis at the helm.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' relationship with Antonio Brown publicly imploded Wednesday when it was revealed the star receiver was benched for the season finale in Week 17 - and some within the organization believe they know what sparked it.In an extensive breakdown of the Steelers-Brown drama, Albert Breer of MMQB revealed that JuJu Smith-Schuster being voted the team's MVP for 2018 likely factored into his fellow wide receiver's anger."He was just frustrated," one source told Breer of Brown. "The MVP vote - it's those things that set him off. He was unreal in New Orleans (against the Saints in Week 16), we still lost, and the vote comes out and it's JuJu. So he shows up for work, he's not voted MVP, he's in a bad way, and that carried over into the walkthrough."The players-only MVP vote came after Brown put up 185 yards and two touchdowns on 14 catches in Pittsburgh's critical 31-28 loss to the Saints. In that contest, Smith-Schuster - who broke out this season with 111 catches for 1,426 yards - fumbled in the final minute to seal the loss.The Steelers then played without Brown in the final regular-season game, scraping past the Cincinnati Bengals 16-13 but still missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013. In that game, rookie James Washington led the Steelers with 64 receiving yards, while Smith-Schuster was held to just 37 yards on five catches.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A misdemeanor domestic violence charge filed against Washington Redskins linebacker Reuben Foster has been dropped by the state attorney's office in Florida, according to Jan. 2 court documents obtained by TMZ Sports and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The prosecutors' reasoning for dropping the case is unknown.Foster was due to appear in court Thursday on the charge stemming from an incident in November, but the arraignment was canceled after the case was dismissed.The linebacker, then with the San Francisco 49ers, was arrested in Tampa after his ex-girlfriend, Elissa Ennis, said he slapped a phone out of her hand, pushed her in the chest area, and slapped her with an open hand on the left side of her face at the team's hotel.The 49ers released Foster the next day, but the Redskins claimed him on waivers, sparking a national controversy. Foster was then placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List for the rest of the season, making him ineligible to play or practice.Foster also had a domestic violence charge dropped in May after Ennis recanted her claim of abuse stemming from a separate incident. However, Ennis said in December that she lied when she recanted her original story, citing her love for Foster and a desire to avoid ending his NFL career.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL announced Thursday the selection of Caesars Entertainment Corporation as the league's first-ever official casino sponsor.The multi-year partnership will start with this season's playoffs. The deal is worth nearly $30 million, a source told Eben Novy-Williams of Bloomberg News, who adds that the deal doesn't include any form of sports betting.Caesars will instead provide "unique experiences for NFL fans by using its casino properties, celebrity chefs, premier music artists, and a wide range of entertainment elements," according to the league's news release. The deal will also see Caesars host elements of the 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.Seven NFL teams, including the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, already have deals with Caesars.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

AFCTennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry earned the AFC Offensive Player of the Month honor for December. Henry put on a historic 238-yard, four-touchdown performance in Week 13 and ended the month with 625 yards and eight touchdowns, which eclipsed his entire production from the first 12 weeks of the campaign.Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month. The rookie racked up nearly 10 tackles per game to cement his status as 2018's top tackler. He also threw in a sack and four tackles for loss, and had a game-icing interception in the regular-season finale to seal Indy's place in the playoffs.Completing a sweep for the South, Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month. Fairbairn was perfect in December, hitting on all 13 of his field-goal attempts to break the Texans' regular-season record of 35 total successful kicks.NFCSeattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson earned the NFC Offensive Player of the Month award. The second-year back finally gave Seattle the kind of ground game it's been missing since Marshawn Lynch retired, as Carson averaged over 100 yards and one touchdown per contest to push Pete Carroll's team into a wild-card spot.Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald added another piece of hardware to his ever-expanding collection by taking home the NFC Defensive Player of the Month honor. Donald produced six sacks to come just two shy of breaking the all-time single-season record of 22.5, but his league-leading mark was still the most ever by a defensive tackle.San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors after a flawless final month. The veteran went 10-for-10 on field-goal attempts to finish as the league's most accurate kicker.RookiesBaltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was named the Offensive Rookie of the Month after leading his team to its first AFC North title since 2012. The rookie scored seven total touchdowns and averaged 73.2 rushing yards per game down the stretch, silencing any remaining doubters who called for him to move to wide receiver.Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds earned the Defensive Rookie of the Month honor after putting up an eye-popping 43 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack in the final five games of the campaign. Edmunds' top performance was a dominant display against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 when he racked up a career-high 12 tackles and an interception.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chris Johnson is skeptical that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross truly broke his 40-yard dash record.Johnson's mark of 4.24 seconds stood for nearly a decade before Ross ran a record-breaking 4.22 at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine. However, during an appearance on "Simms and Lefkoe: The Show," Johnson said he thinks the NFL rigged Ross' time."Still to this day, I don't believe he beat it ... When you look at the side by side, I pulled off on him at the end," the former running back said. "And No. 2 is, when have it ever took that long for the official time to come in?"They probably got tired of no one beating (my record) and felt like the combine was getting boring," Johnson added.

Miami Dolphins defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick has gone by "Fitzmagic" since high school, but in the eyes of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the nickname already belongs to veteran Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.As noted by Josh Gerben of Gerben Law Firm, the application Minkah filed in September for "Fitzmagic" was denied by the USPTO.

As the NFL playoffs approach, a number of talented players still have a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Here is theScore's ranking of the top 20 players who will participate in this year's postseason.20. Stephon Gilmore, CB - Patriots After battling injuries and inconsistencies earlier in his career, Gilmore was the very definition of a shutdown corner in 2018. Though he only intercepted two passes, the Patriots defensive back was sticky in coverage, forced two fumbles, and broke up a league-leading 18 passes, per Pro Football Focus. Elite athleticism and scheme versatility make Gilmore a difficult cornerback to target, and his upcoming opponents would be wise to look the other way.19. Zack Martin, OG - Cowboys Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThere may not be another interior offensive lineman who directly impacts his team's success the way this Cowboy does. The premier guard in the NFL, Martin excels as a pass protector, but in his role as a run blocker, he really makes Dallas' offense click. Talented interior defenders remain as prevalent as ever, and the former first-round pick neutralizes them on a weekly basis.18. Alvin Kamara, RB - SaintsThe poster boy of the new NFL, Kamara is as dynamic a player as this postseason has to offer. His production's tailed off a bit recently, but you can bet that head coach Sean Payton's been saving a few set plays for Kamara in January. When the running back's rolling, the Saints can't be stopped. Averaging 4.6 yards per carry, hauling in 81 receptions, and totaling 18 touchdowns, he's a home-run threat on every touch.17. Fletcher Cox, DT - EaglesPhiladelphia boasts one of the league's top defensive lines, and Cox is the cream of the crop. The 2012 first-rounder notched a career-high 10.5 sacks this year and consistently made opposing linemen look like high school football players. He accumulated the second-most quarterback pressures among defensive tackles, per PFF. The Eagles need their best player to continue his domination if they want to repeat as champions.16. Tyreek Hill, WR - ChiefsMaddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyPundits throw the word "dangerous" around a lot, but no offensive weapon can change a game more quickly than Hill. Arguably the league's fastest player, the Chiefs receiver caught 27 passes for 20-plus yards and eight for 40-plus yards - both of which lead the NFL. Perhaps most importantly, opponents have to account for Hill at all times. If defenders' concentration even subtly lapses, he'll be dancing in the end zone by the time they look back.15. Travis Kelce, TE - ChiefsWhile Rob Gronkowski and Zach Ertz may object, Kelce is the top tight end in the playoffs. He finished with 103 catches, 1,336 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns in 2018, reliably making plays when his team needed him most. While some might attribute his production to the Chiefs' dynamic offense and his stud quarterback, that'd be a lazy mistake; he's better at getting open than anyone else at his position. Only four players had more catches on third down that moved the chains.14. Todd Gurley, RB - RamsMr. Production himself, Gurley is a true threat to score on any play. His 21 total touchdowns in 14 games led all skill-position players - and put him ahead of 11 starting quarterbacks. The versatile fourth-year back finds his running lanes like few others and is equally dangerous in the passing game.13. Ezekiel Elliott, RB - CowboysTom Pennington / Getty Images Sport / GettyElliott is perhaps the most valuable running back in the NFL, and the Cowboys' offense lives and dies with him. In his third season, he led the league in rushing while setting career highs in catches (77) and receiving yards (567). Dallas is 6-1 when Elliott rushes for at least 100 yards in 2018, creating an ideal formula for success in the postseason.12. Michael Thomas, WR - SaintsYou don't have to watch Thomas for very long to be convinced he's got the most accurate Twitter handle in the league (@cantguardmike). The former Ohio State Buckeye led the NFL with 125 receptions, hauling in a whopping 85.6 percent of his targets. Thomas combines strong hands with elite route-running skills to lead a dynamic Saints passing attack. Versatility, however, is his greatest asset. Thomas is dangerous out wide and in the slot, and he's utilized as a deep threat, a chain-mover, and a play-maker after the catch.11. Philip Rivers, QB - ChargersThough Rivers may not win MVP honors, he was as good as he's ever been. The veteran was incredibly efficient while consistently pushing the ball downfield. Rivers excels before the snap - opposing defenses rarely fool him with coverage disguises. His pinpoint accuracy puts his receivers in the best position to make a play. The Chargers fell short of the AFC West crown, but this could be the year their quarterback leads them to a Super Bowl.10. Andrew Luck, QB - ColtsAndy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / GettyWe can't say enough about how incredible Luck was this year. The former No. 1 pick showed no rust after missing the 2017 campaign with a shoulder injury, completing a number of jaw-dropping passes. He led the Colts, who went 4-12 last season, to their first playoff berth since 2014. A shoo-in for Comeback Player of the Year, Luck reclaimed his elite status under new head coach Frank Reich. He might even be better than ever.9. Bobby Wagner, LB - SeahawksPerennially underrated, Wagner's one of the NFL's best defenders. The Seahawks simply wouldn't be in the playoffs without their stud linebacker. The veteran is dominant against the run - he missed just one tackle all year - but it's his pass coverage that really sets him apart. If it wasn't for Aaron Donald, Wagner would be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.8. Russell Wilson, QB - SeahawksFrom Seattle's most important defender to its most important offensive player: Wilson threw a career-high 35 touchdown passes this season while tying a career low with just seven interceptions. No quarterback makes the most of his surroundings quite like the one-time Super Bowl champion. One of the league's most-sacked quarterbacks, Wilson's mobility and play-making aggression are his best traits - and make him a ton of fun to watch.7. J.J. Watt, DE - TexansIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIn 2018, Watt reminded fans that he's among the NFL's finest defenders. Rebounding from two straight injury-riddled campaigns, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year registered 16 sacks and seven forced fumbles. It's almost like there's a reason why the Texans' scoring defense ranked inside the top 10 during Watt's last two full seasons (2015 and 2018) and outside the top 10 when he missed extended time (including a league-worst showing in 2017).6. DeAndre Hopkins, WR - TexansDon't be afraid to say it, folks: Hopkins is the league's top receiver. In his sixth season, he ranked third in receptions, second in yards, and fifth in touchdowns, making big play after big play. Nuk combines shifty route-running with strong hands and a catch radius unlike anything we've ever seen. Perhaps most impressively, he didn't drop a single pass on 159 targets.5. Tom Brady, QB - PatriotsAn off year for Brady looks pretty darn good for anyone else. While dealing with suspensions, injuries, and inconsistencies at receiver and tight end, the veteran led the NFL's fifth-ranked offense and eighth-ranked passing attack. Brady may not have been at his best during the regular season, but no player in league history is a more accomplished playoff performer. The 41-year-old has every chance to lead the Patriots to another Super Bowl.4. Drew Brees, QB - SaintsGrant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhat a season for the future Hall of Famer. Brees was at the top of his game as the Saints earned the NFC's top seed. He set a career high by completing 74.4 percent of his passes (breaking the single-season NFL record that he set last year) and a career low with just five interceptions. Surgically accurate, Brees is getting better with age.3. Khalil Mack, LB - BearsIf the Bears knew what kind of impact Mack would have on their team, maybe they would have sent the Oakland Raiders a third first-round pick. The outside linebacker changed Chicago's defense as soon as he arrived, consistently abusing opposing blockers while making everyone around him better. A terror in run defense, the edge rusher also accumulated 12.5 sacks in 14 games - his highest total since 2015. Mack is simply unblockable at times and he could be this postseason's biggest X-factor.2. Patrick Mahomes, QB - ChiefsTwelve wins, 5,097 yards, and 50 touchdowns as a first-year starter: That should seem absurd, but Mahomes displayed such immense talent that his raw numbers aren't so shocking. The front-runner for league MVP, he was unstoppable for long stretches of the season, combining elite improvisation with incredible arm talent. Any team that wants to knock off Kansas City will have to outscore this gunslinger - not an easy task.1. Aaron Donald, DT - RamsJohn McCoy / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe NFL's most dominant player deserves the No. 1 spot. Donald led the league with 20.5 sacks - two shy of the all-time single-season record. Along with his direct impact on seemingly every snap, that's unprecedented for a defensive tackle. The All-Pro lineman is a wrecking ball that simply cannot be left in one-on-one situations, and he's a near-lock for his second straight Defensive Player of the Year award.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL announced Wednesday that viewership throughout the 2018 regular season was up more than five percent from last year's figures.The league drew an average of 15.8 million viewers per game, excluding London broadcasts, and each of the prime-time packages also saw a significant boost in ratings.The highest-rated game of the year was the Thanksgiving Day contest between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, which drew 30.5 million viewers.

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast hosted by Justin Boone and David P. Woods.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone and Woods are joined by theScore's Dan Wilkins to discuss their early thoughts on the 2019 season.Topics include:

Add another layer to the Philadelphia Eagles-Chicago Bears rivalry.The two storied franchises will meet Sunday in the NFC wild-card round, and one star player has a history with both teams.Eagles receiver Alshon Jeffery has played in Philadelphia for two seasons after spending the first five years of his career with Chicago. To him, there's no question where he's enjoyed playing most."I love the city of Philadelphia. Chicago is just where I was for work," Jeffery said Wednesday, according to Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com.The Bears allowed Jeffery to hit free agency following the 2016 season, and after he signed with the Eagles on a one-year deal, both sides re-upped on a four-year extension in 2017. The wideout helped Philly win its first Super Bowl last season and now eyes a repeat.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.