The Kansas City Chiefs have signed running back Damien Williams to a contract extension, his agent announced Thursday.The contract is a two-year deal worth a maximum value of $8.1 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Williams has led the Chiefs' backfield in recent weeks following Kareem Hunt's release and Spencer Ware's hamstring injury. He's averaged 5.3 yards per carry in 2018 while eclipsing 100 total yards in each of his last two games.The former member of the Miami Dolphins was scheduled hit free agency this spring, but his new contract could put him in position to secure a roster spot in 2019.Williams will continue to operate in a running back committee with Ware as the Chiefs look to lock up the AFC's No. 1 seed on Sunday versus the Oakland Raiders.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"Spongebob Squarepants" fans are determined to have "Sweet Victory" performed at the Super Bowl LIII halftime show.The online petition asking the NFL to pay tribute to late "Spongebob" creator Stephen Hillenburg during the show has received over 1 million signatures, with a goal of reaching 1.5 million.While the NFL has yet to respond to the petition, Mercedes-Benz Stadium - host of Super Bowl LIII - got fans excited earlier this month when it tweeted a GIF from the episode "Sweet Victory" is featured in. A group of musicians also recorded a live version of the song and have offered to perform it at the Super Bowl.As of now, Maroon 5 and Travis Scott are expected to perform at the halftime show.

Santa came through for Ben Roethlisberger's son, Benjamin Jr., this Christmas.The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback tweeted a photo Tuesday of 6-year-old Benjamin Jr. posing happily with his new James Conner jersey.

Another prime NFL head coaching candidate has taken his name out of the running.Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley said Thursday that he has no immediate plans to take a job at the pro level."I can't tell you how I'm gonna feel in 10 years, but no, not right now," Riley said when asked about his NFL interest, according to Howie Kussoy of the New York Post. "... I’m very happy where I'm at right now."The 35-year-old has steered the Sooners to the 2018 College Football Playoff. Oklahoma will face Alabama in the Orange Bowl on Saturday."If it was 20, 30 years ago, where there were some major differences, maybe. ... The way the college game has evolved, financially it's a lot better situation now when you compare it to NFL teams. We're at a place where we're happy, and we don't take that for granted. I love coaching at Oklahoma, love coaching college football."Riley received a raise in June that will pay him $25 million over five years.Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh also vehemently denied any interest in an NFL vacancy.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The RV that Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Baker Mayfield famously used as "a top-secret clubhouse" at training camp this past summer is on the market.Neff Brothers RV in Lorain, Ohio - the company Mayfield rented the RV from - is accepting offers on the motorhome through Jan. 18. It boasts a fireplace, heated and massaging theater seating, and a stainless steel refrigerator autographed by Mayfield.

NFL fans will be treated to an early taste of postseason action on Sunday when the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans face off in Nashville. The winner will secure a playoff spot - and potentially the AFC South title, should the Houston Texans fall to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier in the day - while the loser will be eliminated.Here, we'll break down the biggest matchup question for each team's defense when it comes to slowing down the opposing offense.Can the Colts stop the Titans' running game?Whether it's starter Marcus Mariota or backup Blaine Gabbert under center for Tennessee (Mariota's status is uncertain due to a lingering nerve injury), stopping the run will be the No. 1 priority for Indy's defense. And that begins with containing Derrick Henry.After failing to reach 60 yards on the ground in any of the first 12 games this season, Henry exploded over the past three weeks - all Titans victories - with a combined 492 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.What's made Henry and the running game so dangerous is that Tennessee's been effective with both zone-blocking and power designs. Here's an example of the former against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14, which saw Henry reach the end zone:And here's an example of a power toss against the New York Giants in Week 15:For the Colts to have a chance at stopping Henry, they should follow the roadmap from their own performance against the Giants in Week 16. In that comeback victory, Indy's defense held New York under 100 yards rushing. This play against star rookie Saquon Barkley is a prime example of what the unit can do:Above, the Giants try a zone running play to the right, but immediate penetration from Colts defensive lineman Margus Hunt forces Barkley to bounce outside. From there, cornerback Kenny Moore, linebacker Ahmad Thomas, and cornerback Pierre Desir combine to string Barkley horizontal and eventually force him out of bounds after a minimal gain.Against Henry, the Colts will need that type of immediate penetration, and for multiple defenders to rally to the football, forcing the running back east/west.Can Tennessee slow down Indy's vertical passing game?Earlier in the year, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was attempting the majority of his throws near the line of scrimmage - leading to concerns that his shoulder wasn't fully healed - but that changed in the second half of the season. Overall, Luck's notched six touchdown passes of 20-plus yards on 49 such attempts in 2018.How the Colts and head coach Frank Reich execute that downfield passing game can be broken down into two categories: Creative personnel usage and T.Y. Hilton.In terms of personnel, the Colts often put multiple tight ends on the field, which gets the defense to play with its base personnel and opens up matchups to exploit in the secondary. Here's an example from Week 10 against the Jaguars, as the Colts line up with three tight ends and a running back:NFLBecause of the tight end-heavy package, Jacksonville keeps its base defense on the field and prepares for a running play by stacking the box. Meanwhile, Jalen Ramsey, a cornerback by trade, is lined up deep as the free safety.However, the offensive concept is actually a vertical passing design:NFLAdditionally, running back Nyheim Hines move into the left slot, emptying the backfield. This forces the Jaguars into a base Cover 3 scheme given the personnel they have in the game. But the Colts are running a vertical concept designed to attack that coverage and a player in Ramsey who's manning a somewhat unfamiliar position.As seen below, the inside vertical routes bracket Ramsey in the middle of the field, and Luck hits Mo Alie-Cox for a big gain:Again, by breaking the huddle with three tight ends, the Colts force the Jaguars to make a decision. The defense can either go heavy with a base personnel package (as seen here), or it can go light with multiple defensive backs who are better against the pass. Either way, the offense can take advantage - by throwing downfield against the base scheme (as seen here), or by punishing light defensive personnel with bigger offensive bodies and running plays.The Colts also push the football downfield by using Hilton’s route-running prowess. Here's an example:On this third-and-10 play against the Texans, Hilton's aligned on the right side. He then uses a double-move on the outside, showing a quick slant route to the inside before breaking vertically up the sideline (sneaking in an extra out-and-up move along the way). Meanwhile, Luck drops a dime for a huge gain.The speed and skill of Hilton is another reason the Titans will need to be stout in their coverage, especially when the Colts come out in those tight-end heavy packages to create downfield passing opportunities.Overall, how the Colts deal with the Titans' running game and how Tennessee tries to cover Indy's vertical passing designs will go a long way toward determining which team continues playing after Week 17, and which one ends up packing for the beach.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 © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cardi B will not be joining Maroon 5 at the Super Bowl LIII halftime show.A representative for the rapper told Page Six's Emily Smith that while there were talks about her potentially performing at the show, she wasn't interested due to her support of Colin Kaepernick."The rumor circulating that she wants a million dollars and she wants her own set is false," the representative said. "There was never a firm offer to begin with for a performance. There (were) talks about it, but she was not particularly interested in participating because of how she feels about Colin Kaepernick and the whole movement ... But again, there was never a solid offer for her to say yes or no to regarding the Super Bowl. She is already confirmed to do a set with Bruno Mars that weekend."Cardi previously said that she would only perform at the halftime show when "they hire Colin Kaepernick back."US Weekly reported earlier this month that Maroon 5 was having trouble finding guests for the halftime show because "no one wants to associate themselves with the NFL" due to its treatment of Kaepernick. Travis Scott has reportedly agreed to perform, though Jay-Z is reportedly trying to talk him out of it.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With 2018 winding down, theScore looked back at the previous 12 months and voted on the top 25 sportspeople of the year. Here's the first installment, highlighting Nos. 25-21.25-21 | 20-16 (Fri.) | 15-11 (Sat.) | 10-6 (Sun.) | 5-1 (Mon.)25. Gritty, mascot, Philadelphia FlyersIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter being without a mascot since the 1970s, the Philadelphia Flyers went all-in with a monstrous mess of terrifying tangerine fibers and bulbous eyes when they unveiled Gritty in September. As the antithesis of the cute and cuddly mascots running rampant across North American sports, Gritty came in like a wrecking ball and immediately built a singular online presence that's heavy on memes while distracting Flyers fans from the sorry state of their team. - Michael Chandler24. Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir, Figure SkatingROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP / GettyTessa Virtue and Scott Moir entered the 2018 Olympic Games in PyeongChang as two of the biggest names in figure skating. They exited as the most decorated pair in the sport's Olympic history following a series of transcendent performances - including a world record in the short ice dance - that elevated figure skating into the mainstream for a few weeks. Virtue and Moir's chemistry may or may not extend beyond the ice, but that's irrelevant. Name a better duo - we'll wait. - Arun Srinivasan23. Mookie Betts, OF, Boston Red SoxAlex Trautwig / Major League Baseball / GettyIt's unlikely that Mookie Betts will ever have a better year than he did in 2018. The superstar outfielder filled his trophy case with both individual and team accolades while establishing himself as one of baseball's most dynamic players. Betts won his third Gold Glove, was named to his third All-Star team, claimed his second Silver Slugger, and became the second player in Boston Red Sox history to record a 30-30 season. If that wasn’t enough, Betts capped off his incredible year with a World Series title, an American League MVP Award, and the birth of his first child. - Brandon Wile22. Lewis Hamilton, F1 Dan Istitene / Getty Images Sport / GettyLewis Hamilton roared to a fifth world championship in 2018 due to steely driving in treacherous rain, spectacular maneuvering in dire circumstances, and an error-free finish to the season. The 33-year-old also wowed fans with an audacious triple pass at the Bahrain Grand Prix and later showed the determination and poise of a champion at the German Grand Prix, winning from 14th place on the grid. Hamilton - who's already cemented himself as an all-time great Formula 1 driver - is now in position to break Michael Schumacher's record for the most wins (91) and titles (seven) in history. - Anthony Lopopolo21. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, AlabamaJonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe powerhouse that Nick Saban's built at Alabama is often thought to win regardless of its quarterback, but Tua Tagovailoa's done his best to prove that notion false this year. The Hawaiian-born standout arrived as a highly touted freshman and then announced himself to the nation with a monster second-half performance in relief of Jalen Hurts during the 2018 national championship game.

Veteran wideout DeSean Jackson has expressed an interest in leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sources told ESPN's Josina Anderson.The 11-year veteran reportedly asked to be moved at the trade deadline as his role in the offense continues to fluctuate.Jackson leads the league in yards per reception, however, the majority of his usage has come with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing him the football. His production has tailed off substantially with Jameis Winston under center.The 32-year-old signed a three-year, $33.5-million deal with Tampa Bay in 2017. He has one year remaining with the team, but the Buccaneers would save $10 million in cap space by cutting ties this offseason.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict suffered the seventh concussion of his career in his team's Week 16 loss to the Cleveland Browns, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who adds this latest concussion could put Burfict's career in jeopardy.It's the linebacker's second concussion in the month of December; he missed the past two games with a head injury sustained in Week 13.The 28-year-old has played in just seven games this season. He received a four-game suspension to begin the year for violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing drugs and missed Weeks 8 and 10 with a hip injury (Cincinnati was on bye during Week 9).As ESPN's Katherine Terrell notes, the seven concussions only include those injuries that landed Burfict in the NFL's concussion protocol.A 2012 undrafted free agent, Burfict has started every game he's played in since his second campaign, primarily as Cincinnati's weak-side linebacker. He's accumulated 33 tackles this season while failing to force a turnover.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees revealed Wednesday that backup Teddy Bridgewater will take snaps versus the Carolina Panthers, according to Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune.The Saints secured the NFC's No. 1 seed after a Week 16 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers so they're expected to rest some starters in the season finale.Brees wasn't sure how the quarterback workload will be divvied up on Sunday, adding, "whatever I'm asked to do, I'm ready to do."Acquired from the New York Jets in August, Bridgewater has played just 19 snaps behind Brees, who is in the midst of an MVP-caliber season. The former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings is scheduled to hit free agency this offseason.Bridgewater hasn't seen significant regular-season action since late in the 2015 season. He suffered a gruesome injury the following summer.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers appear to be neck deep in their head coaching search.Green Bay has interviewed former Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell, multiple league sources told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.The Packers have also interviewed another former Colt in Chuck Pagano, sources told Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Caldwell and Pagano are the first names connected to Green Bay's head coaching vacancy since the team fired Mike McCarthy earlier in December. He was the second-longest tenured head coach in team history.Joe Philbin is serving as the Packers' interim head coach for the remainder of the 2018 season.Caldwell has compiled a 62-50 record during the regular season, going 2-4 in the postseason. He led the Colts from 2009-11, and the Lions from 2014-17, spending time with the Baltimore Ravens as offensive coordinator in between.Pagano accumulated a 53-43 record across six seasons in Indianapolis, leading his team to the AFC Championship game during the 2014 season.Green Bay's coaching vacancy is expected to be one of the most sought-after positions in recent memory, despite the team struggling to a 6-8-1 record this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's safe to say Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman isn't pleased with Taylor Lewan after the two engaged in a sideline scuffle following Saturday's matchup between their teams.Norman addressed the incident Wednesday and pulled no punches concerning the Tennessee Titans offensive tackle."For a relevant player, it's kind of crazy - if you are that relevant," Norman told reporters, including ESPN's John Keim. "Why would you come to another man's sideline? And then after you won a game, you pick fun at the player that is relevant. You go out your way to come to his bench, his sideline, to go at him in that kind of way."We're not having it. We will not tolerate disrespect. That's zero tolerance for that. That was the ultimate disrespect. You just don't do that."Following the incident, Lewan said he took exception to Norman's actions during the game, claiming the latter tried to injure Titans running back Derrick Henry. But Norman seemed to think the offensive tackle should have been more focused on his primary task."Oh, you was coming for your running back? You should have made the same excuse for your quarterback because you sure didn't do a good job blocking for him," Norman said. "We got young tackles and young ends and they ran through your face. That's what he should have been worried about, his quarterback walking off the field something wrong with (his) arm. He decided to pick on a cornerback who had nothing to do with him. I don't understand that, but that's the guy he is."The 6-foot, 200-pound Norman obviously had little issue engaging Lewan, who's listed at 6-foot-7 and 309 lbs."You come up to someone on the sideline like that, I don't care how big you are, you could be a giant," he continued. "You step into that domain, it's kill or be killed. That's how I see it. I see nothing more than that."Norman, who didn't address the media following the scuffle, said he was escorted out of the stadium by Redskins officials with a hoodie pulled down over his face following his team's 25-16 loss.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia doesn't prioritize punctuality.One former Lions player told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that Patricia was consistently late to meetings during his time with the team.Meanwhile, Wednesday's media session was pushed back around 45 minutes due to Patricia being late. And during the session, the former New England Patriots assistant was asked about the importance of being on time."I think it just depends on the situation really," Patricia replied. "It depends. There's a pretty busy schedule from those situations I think for everybody. I think fluidity is probably the best answer for you."Patricia's endured a rough first season with the Lions, who sit last in the NFC North with a 5-10 record entering Week 17.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

So much for deny, deny, deny.Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield seemed to admit he stared down former Browns head coach Hue Jackson during Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals, according to ESPN's Pat McManamon, mere days after young signal-caller denied it.Cameras appeared to catch Mayfield staring down Jackson - currently a special assistant with the Bengals - while passing the sidelines during the Browns' 26-18 victory."I don't get why people have a problem with football being a competitive sport," Mayfield said Wednesday when asked if he would acknowledge the stare-down. "You're supposed to play with emotion, you're supposed to play with passion. Quite honestly, if you don't like it, whatever. Football's not meant to be a soft game. Could care less."The 23-year-old elaborated on his cutthroat mentality."Everybody is competitive in a different way," Mayfield said. "I'm not trying to be anybody else. I've been who I am. That's gotten me here. And I'm going to continue to do that because I try and improve every week and I have that same mindset.""I don't have to make any friends outside of this locker room," he continued. "I'm not trying to do that. Once they're in here, they know exactly what they're gonna get. And that's what really matters."Mayfield and the Browns defeated Cincinnati on both occasions this season for Cleveland's first season sweep of its division rival since 2002.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers listed running back James Conner as a full participant in Wednesday's practice ahead of Sunday's pivotal Week 17 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.It was the first time Conner practiced in full since injuring his ankle in Week 13. He missed Pittsburgh's last three games.Afterward, the second-year rusher said his ankle is "getting better every day" and that he's "hoping for the best." Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Conner is questionable to face the Bengals, according to Dave Lolley of DK Pittsburgh Sports.In order to make the playoffs, the Steelers - who've fallen behind the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North - must defeat the Bengals and have the Ravens lose to the Cleveland Browns.Conner was in the midst of a breakout season before going down. The 2017 third-round pick has accumulated 909 rushing yards, 467 receiving yards, and 13 total touchdowns in 12 games this season.Jaylen Samuels and Stevan Ridley have taken snaps at running back in Conner's absence.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After suffering a stinger in the first half of the Tennessee Titans' Week 16 contest, Marcus Mariota's status for Week 17's win-and-you're-in game against the Indianapolis Colts remains uncertain. On Wednesday, the 25-year-old went into detail about his nerve injury and said he'll "do everything in my power" to ensure he's under center Sunday with a playoff spot on the line."It was one of those deals where it kind of crunched, and basically sent my whole right side numb and tingly," Mariota said on 104.5 FM, according to Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site. "It was one of those things, man, and it's unfortunate because nerves are weird, they take time. But again, I am fighting and I am going to do my best to be out there."Mariota wasn't able to practice Wednesday, but head coach Mike Vrabel said the quarterback could still play against the Colts even if he misses more practices this week.If Mariota can't suit up, the Titans will turn to Blaine Gabbert, who took over against the Washington Redskins in Week 16 and led the team to a 25-16 victory by throwing for 101 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts.Tennessee can not only clinch a wild-card spot with a win over Indy, but it can also secure the AFC South with a win and a Houston Texans loss. Furthermore, if the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens also suffer shock defeats, the Titans will improbably earn a first-round bye.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Need some help spotting situational edges with the final slate of regular-season NFL action fast approaching? We've got you covered.Here are five tips for Week 17:Everything coming up under with LionsKey losses at the skill positions and a midseason identity crisis have made the Detroit Lions one of the league's most underwhelming offenses down the stretch. They've scored 20 points or fewer in six straight games, they've gone under the total in every contest over that span, and the first-half under in their matchups would also be on a 6-0 run if not for a Hail Mary touchdown from the Minnesota Vikings at the end of the second quarter last weekend.Bears might be enticing - in the first halfIf you're curious why the 8-6 Vikings are listed as a five-point favorite over the NFC North champion Chicago Bears, consider the circumstances: The Bears can only clinch a first-round bye if they win and the Los Angeles Rams lose to the 4-11 San Francisco 49ers - the latter of which is unlikely.So, expecting the Bears to give a full-game effort would be risky because their starters might sit out the second half if the Rams go up big against the Niners (the games will be played simultaneously). That leaves bettors with some unknowns for a full-game wager, but we do expect the Bears to at least give a strong effort at the start.Chargers, Broncos both trending underTwo AFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, will meet in Week 17, and both teams are riding hot streaks to the under in games within the division. In those AFC West rivalry contests, the Chargers have gone under the total in eight of 10 games dating back to last season, while the Broncos haven't gone over any total versus a divisional opponent this year. Meanwhile, Denver's offense has been one of the most underwhelming at home this season, ranking No. 26 in points per game. These teams went under the closing total of 47 in Week 11 with a 23-22 Broncos win.Cowboys' defense comes to play on the roadThe Dallas Cowboys have been fantastic defensively this season, ranking No. 4 in points allowed and No. 6 in yards allowed. They haven't faltered away from home, either, as they've held opponents under their team total in all seven road contests this year. The Cowboys can make it eight out of eight in Week 17 when they take on the New York Giants' No. 20 scoring offense.Dolphins tough to trust on roadThe Miami Dolphins have been one of the worst road teams to invest in, as they've covered just two of their previous 14 games away from Hard Rock Stadium and gone 2-5 against the spread on the road this season. The Dolphins, who are used to warm weather, have also failed to cover the spread in their last six road games played outdoors in the months of November and December. Temperatures are expected to be below freezing when Miami travels to take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 17.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 © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2019 NFL Draft just lost arguably its top quarterback prospect.Oregon standout Justin Herbert announced Wednesday he will delay his jump to the professional ranks and return to the school for his senior season.

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who has a reputation for questionable on-field tactics, incensed Arizona Cardinals fans when it appeared he'd poked Larry Fitzgerald in the eye Sunday.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors, including Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, and Arun Srinivasan.1. New Orleans Saints (13-2)Previous Rank: 1The Saints enter the playoffs armed with home-field advantage, but the lack of a secondary receiver to complement Michael Thomas threatens to rear its ugly head. - McClymont2. Chicago Bears (11-4)Previous Rank: 4Does defense truly win championships? The Bears should be a great test case, along with the Ravens, in a postseason full of teams that rely on offense. - Browne3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)Previous Rank: 3Kansas City's defense will have to improve its tackling if the team wants to make a run at the Lombardi Trophy. Patrick Mahomes can't do it all. - Alessandrini4. Los Angeles Rams (12-3)Previous Rank: 5Sean McVay’s squad rebounded against the lowly Cardinals this week, but the Rams will to have to dominate tougher competition to show us they’re truly back on track. - Alessandrini5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)Previous Rank: 2After four straight victories, the streaking Chargers fell flat against a stingy Ravens defense. In the AFC West, one game is the difference between the conference's No. 1 seed and a wild-card spot. - Alessandrini6. New England Patriots (10-5)Previous Rank: 7Death, taxes, and the Patriots winning the AFC East are the lone constants in life. - Srinivasan7. Houston Texans (10-5)Previous Rank: 6Deshaun Watson has added himself to the MVP conversation late in the season. While he likely won't win the award, a dazzling performance in the regular-season finale against the Jaguars could lead to a top-3 finish in voting. - McClymont8. Baltimore Ravens (9-6)Previous Rank: 10The Ravens are already selling playoff tickets. Guys, you really don't want to give Baker Mayfield even more fire. - Browne9. Seattle Seahawks (9-6)Previous Rank: 11Is there any player more valuable to his team than Russell Wilson? The Super Bowl champion played at an MVP-level against the Chiefs in Week 16, leading the Seahawks to a playoff berth after many wrote them off. - Alessandrini10. Indianapolis Colts (9-6)Previous Rank: 9A three-year playoff drought could end if Indy wins on the road against the Titans in Week 17. However, the Colts are 3-4 as the visitors this season. - McClymont11. Dallas Cowboys (9-6)Previous Rank: 12Should Ezekiel Elliott be considered a fringe MVP candidate? The third-year back is about to win his second rushing title, and he's the driving force behind the Cowboys' success in 2018. - Srinivasan12. Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1)Previous Rank: 13Over the last two weeks, Minnesota has blown out one mediocre team (Dolphins) and one terrible team (Lions). Will the Vikings' new offensive philosophy following the firing of coordinator John DeFilippo be enough to take down the mighty Bears and secure a playoff spot? - Browne13. Tennessee Titans (9-6)Previous Rank: 14Marcus Mariota always seems to have an injury during the Titans' most important games. - McClymont14. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6-1)Previous Rank: 8Mike Tomlin will get most of the heat if the Steelers are sitting at home come January, but defensive coordinator Keith Butler should take his fair share after a terrible season of play-calling. - Browne15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)Previous Rank: 15To have a shot at defending their Super Bowl title, the Eagles need to beat the Redskins and also hope the Vikings lose to the Bears. It's Time for Nick Foles to work his magic once again. - Srinivasan16. Cleveland Browns (7-7-1)Previous Rank: 16With all due respect to Saquon Barkley, this man is the Offensive Rookie of the Year. - Browne17. Miami Dolphins (7-8)Previous Rank: 17If Week 17 is indeed the end of the Adam Gase era in Miami, he'll be remembered for failing to live up to his pre-hiring billing as an offensive mastermind. - Srinivasan18. Green Bay Packers (6-8-1)Previous Rank: 21Aaron Rodgers shouldn't be immune to criticism for his role in the Packers' disappointing season. But it's hard to question the leadership of a QB who will jump in to defend his teammates from an opposing 300-pound lineman during a meaningless Week 16 game. - Browne19. Washington Redskins (7-8)Previous Rank: 19What a miserable end to the season. Releasing D.J. Swearinger for having the temerity to criticize a failing defense is peak Redskins hubris. - Srinivasan20. Carolina Panthers (6-9)Previous Rank: 18A lot has gone wrong in Carolina to end the season, but the Panthers' usage of do-everything back Christian McCaffrey has been perfect. - McClymont21. Denver Broncos (6-9)Previous Rank: 20Vance Joseph's days in Denver are numbered, which is probably for the best. The Broncos need a true rebuild. - Alessandrini22. Atlanta Falcons (6-9)Previous Rank: 23At least we can look forward to Atlanta throwing a mean Super Bowl party. - McClymont23. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9)Previous Rank: 22Cincinnati Bengals head coach Hue Jackson has a nice ring to it. - Browne24. New York Giants (5-10)Previous Rank: 24A head-coaching change last offseason couldn't save this lost enterprise under Eli Manning. - Srinivasan25. Buffalo Bills (5-10)Previous Rank: 25Glass half full: Josh Allen has silenced some skeptics while showing potential. Glass half empty: His play won't elevate the NFL's worst wide receiving corps. - Srinivasan26. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10)Previous Rank: 30So, Cody Kessler isn't the answer at quarterback either. Who would have thought? - McClymont27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-10)Previous Rank: 26There's plenty to figure out in Tampa this offseason. Who's the head coach? Who's the quarterback? And how will the Buccaneers end the NFL's second-longest active playoff drought? - McClymont28. San Francisco 49ers (4-11)Previous Rank: 27Hats off to Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers are competitive every week despite injuries devastating the roster, and the team facing a tough late-season schedule. - Alessandrini29. New York Jets (4-11)Previous Rank: 28The Jets put out a statement denying their reported interest in Jim Harbaugh. Now the team needs to get its house in order and follow a coherent vision entering the long, cold winter ahead. - Srinivasan30. Detroit Lions (5-10)Previous Rank: 29Firing a first-year head coach is rarely justifiable. But in this case, it's hard to see Matt Patricia as the man who can revitalize the Lions in an incredibly tough NFC North. - Browne31. Oakland Raiders (4-11)Previous Rank: 31It's been a fascinating (possible) final season in Oakland. Now, on to ... well ... we'll keep you posted. - Alessandrini32. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)Previous Rank: 32Arizona is one loss away from securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Positives, Cardinals fans! - AlessandriniCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

AFCCleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his sublime three-touchdown performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. The rookie threw for 284 yards and completed 73 percent of his passes, finishing the game with a 121.9 passer rating. Mayfield also continued to make Browns fans fall head over heels with an epic stare-down of former Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson.Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Onwuasor took home AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. The third-year pro stuffed the stat sheet with two sacks, one forced fumble, and nine total tackles as the Ravens stifled the red-hot Los Angeles Chargers' offense.Oakland Raiders wide receiver Dwayne Harris was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. The quick-thinking Harris earned his second award of the season for fielding an apparent downed Denver Broncos punt and returning it 99 yards for an incredible touchdown.NFC Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles won the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award as he continues to keep the reigning champs in the playoff hunt. The backup quarterback threw four touchdowns and a franchise-record 471 yards in a crucial win over the favored Houston Texans. Not only did Foles put in a masterful performance, but he also showed real heart by returning to the game after a brutal hit late in the fourth quarter.Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald earned NFC Player of the Week honors after a dominant three-sack performance against the Arizona Cardinals. The Defensive Player of the Year favorite threw in four tackles for good measure, and now has 19.5 sacks on the year.Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this year. He connected on a 59-yard field goal, added another 20-yarder, and hit all three of his extra-point attempts.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Although Tom Brady has helped lead the New England Patriots to 16 straight seasons with 10 or more wins, the quarterback has shown uncharacteristic signs of vulnerability this year.The 41-year-old is set to produce by far his worst passer-rating mark (95.4) over the past four seasons and his 25 touchdown passes are the fewest he's thrown since the 2013 campaign. However, despite his statistical decline, Brady has no intentions of altering his plans to play well into his 40s."I absolutely believe I will (come back next season)," Brady said during an appearance on Westwood One Sports, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. "I know I've talked about it for a long time. I have goals to play not only next year but beyond that. I'm going to try to do as best (as) I possibly can."While New England has looked far from dominant this season, the team is still in prime position for a first-round bye after the Houston Texans' upset loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.Some have speculated that another championship run for Brady would tempt him to hang up his cleats, but the five-time Super Bowl winner said he's lost none of his fire to compete."I've been able to be in a career for 19 years that I love. I wake up every day excited to go to work ... fulfilled ... I don't think there's any greater gift in my life than to have that … In my heart and soul, I love playing the sport of football."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sometimes, all it takes for an NFL player to get back on track is a new role. Whether it's a position change or a coaching staff properly utilizing its weapons, one small adjustment can reap instant rewards.Here are three players who have transformed their roles during the 2018 season:Eric Ebron, TE - Indianapolis Colts Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / GettyEbron is the quintessential example of a player benefiting from a change of scenery. Indianapolis signed the tight end to a two-year contract in March after he disappointed as a first-round pick of the Detroit Lions. The result has been one of this year's more surprising breakouts.The Colts are utilizing Ebron in a way the Lions never did. His 6-foot-4, 253-pound frame is an ideal weapon in the red zone, and that's exactly where he has thrived.Over his final two seasons in Detroit combined, Ebron was targeted 18 times inside the 20-yard line, catching nine passes for three touchdowns. Nearly through his first campaign with the Colts, he has 20 red-zone targets, totaling 11 receptions and 10 touchdowns. Under head coach Frank Reich, the former No. 10 overall pick has been targeted on 23.5 percent of his team's red-zone pass attempts. He was thrown to on just 6.9 percent of these passes in 2016, and 15.4 percent in 2017.Indianapolis' roster also featured Jack Doyle - before he was placed on injured reserve - so Ebron was able to focus primarily on catching the football. This led to his first Pro Bowl nod and a career-high 12 touchdowns through 15 games. He accumulated 11 in his first four years in the league. Hats off to general manager Chris Ballard.Damarious Randall, S - Cleveland BrownsDiamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyAnother player thriving in a new city, Randall has transformed nearly everything about his game this season. Not long ago, the talented defensive back was seeing his role diminish on the Green Bay Packers. The No. 30 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft was shipped to the Browns in March following three inconsistent campaigns.Randall is a totally different player under Greg Williams, whose scheme contrasts that of Dom Capers - Green Bay's defensive coordinator from 2009-17. Here's where the young defender has lined up over the last two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus:2018 (with Browns)2017 (with Packers)Box safety7.25%8.09%Slot CB4.66%34.31%Wide CB9.21%52.58%Free safety78.16%2.23%Defensive line0.72%2.79%Viewed as a somewhat raw draft prospect that offered a high ceiling and ideal athleticism, Randall was primarily a safety at Arizona State. He was clearly playing out of position in Green Bay, often looking lost at cornerback when matched up against the NFL's top receivers. The Browns, however, are utilizing Randall at his preferred position - specifically as a deep-lying free safety - which better fits his skill set. It's led to his best campaign as a pro.Christian McCaffrey, RB - Carolina PanthersStreeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhat a difference a year makes. A number of evaluators thought the Panthers wasted the No. 8 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on the running back after a lackluster rookie campaign. McCaffrey is silencing his doubters as a sophomore.The former Stanford Cardinal was always ripe with talent but simply wasn't featured enough in his first year under then-offensive coordinator Mike Shula. Norv Turner made sure that wasn't the case in 2018. McCaffrey is the focal point of Carolina's offense under Turner, which is all the versatile running back needed to elevate his game.After playing 70 percent of his team's snaps and receiving 34 percent of its carries last year, McCaffrey has played nearly 98 percent of the Panthers' offensive snaps in 2018, receiving 88.6 percent of carries out of the backfield. He's also being targeted in the passing game with simple routes that allow for mismatches against opposing defenders. That's increased his production by 645 rushing yards, 25 catches, 194 receiving yards, and six touchdowns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay will miss the remainder of this season and the Pro Bowl after suffering a wrist injury during Monday's loss to the Oakland Raiders, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Lindsay underwent an MRI on his ailing wrist after leaving Monday's game early. The exact injury isn't known, but it's apparently serious in nature - there's apparent ligament damage - and he'll undergo more tests this week, according to Rapoport.The 24-year-old rushed for 1,037 yards this season, some 67 yards shy of the all-time record for an undrafted rookie.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals claimed safety D.J. Swearinger off waivers Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed.Swearinger was released by the Washington Redskins on Monday after he criticized defensive coordinator Greg Manusky.The 27-year-old defender, who played for the Cardinals in 2015 and '16, also announced the news on Instagram:

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden cost himself a timeout Monday by trying to challenge a scoring play - which is against the rules - for the second time this season.Gruden threw his red flag after Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum nearly ran past the line of scrimmage before throwing a touchdown pass. However, because all scoring plays are automatically reviewed and can't be challenged, Gruden was penalized a timeout.

Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay will undergo an MRI on his wrist Tuesday after being forced out of Monday Night Football versus the Oakland Raiders, Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said postgame, according to The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala.Lindsay sat out the entire fourth quarter as the Broncos fell 27-14 to the Raiders.The Pro Bowler sits at 1,037 rushing yards for the season, just 67 yards shy of the all-time rookie record for an undrafted player held by Dominic Rhodes. Lindsay, Rhodes, and LeGarrette Blount are the only undrafted players in NFL history to run for 1,000 yards in their rookie campaign.The Broncos will take a 6-9 record into their season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pete Carroll received a contract extension for Christmas, as the veteran head coach re-upped Monday with the Seattle Seahawks on a deal that runs through the 2021 campaign.The pact, which will keep Carroll tied to Seattle through his age-70 season, is worth more than $11 million annually, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport."I love this team and couldn't be more proud to represent the 12s," Carroll said in a statement.Carroll, who led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl XLVIII championship, guided Seattle back to the playoffs this year on the heels of an offseason roster overhaul.Carroll owns an 88-54-1 record with one game remaining in his ninth season in Seattle. He's qualified for the postseason seven times in those nine years.The former USC mastermind is one of three coaches who have won both a Super Bowl and a college football national championship.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After another slate filled with sacks, stops, and stuffs, let's review the standout performers from the trenches during Week 16:Defensive Lineman of the Week: DT Aaron Donald, RamsAfter two straight quiet weeks, Donald made some real noise against the Arizona Cardinals, finishing with five tackles, four quarterback hits, and three sacks in one of his best performances of the season.Donald dominated the Cardinals' offensive line throughout the game, as his quickness and hand technique were too much for the opposition to handle. His first sack was a great example: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFL/FOXDonald is aligned as the 3-technique defensive tackle with an outside shade over Arizona left guard Colby Gossett. Once the ball is snapped, Donald explodes out of his stance and pushes vertical.The tackle's wide alignment and get-off forces Gossett to reach outside his frame to attempt to slow down the rush. This is exactly what Donald wants, as he uses a perfectly-timed cross-chop to defeat the opposition's hands.Donald finishes with an effective club-arm move, which eliminates Gossett's ability to recover and allows No. 99 to get his hips on track toward the quarterback. From there, he accelerates to the middle of the pocket to bring down Josh Rosen for the sack.With his three sacks against Arizona, Donald improved his total to 19.5, three behind Michael Strahan's single-season record of 22.5.However, Donald is so effective at rushing the passer that it's easy to forget how outstanding he is against the run: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFL/FOXHere, the Cardinals make the unwise choice of leaving Donald single-blocked in the run game and are punished accordingly.Once the ball is snapped, Donald expands outside and forces Gossett to lunge to make contact, and the Rams tackle eats lunging linemen for breakfast.As Gossett attempts to make contact, Donald is able to parry the strike with his outside hand and perform a rip move with his inside hand to clear contact and get hip to hip with the guard. From there, Donald is able to zoom into the backfield and finish with the tackle for loss.Donald's ability to dominate games against both the run and pass makes him one of the best defensive tackles to ever step foot on an NFL field. Sunday was just another example of that.Pass Rush of the Week: DT Malik Jackson, JaguarsAfter being one of the most disruptive interior defenders in football through his first two seasons with the Jaguars, Jackson has struggled this year. He entered Sunday's contest with just 32 total tackles (five for loss) and one sack after recording 40 tackles (10 for loss) and eight sacks in 2017.Jackson didn't exactly right the ship versus Miami, but his fourth-quarter sack provided a glimpse of the player he can be when he's at his best: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLJackson is lined up as the 3-technique defensive tackle with an outside shade of Miami's left guard. After the ball is snapped, he slants his rush from the weak-side B-gap into the strong-side A-gap, leaving him one-on-one with Dolphins center Travis Swanson.Once he gets within striking distance, Jackson executes a long-arm stab with his inside hand to establish the distance while using a chop move with his outside hand, causing the Dolphins' center to tumble forward as he missed with his strike.From there, Jackson pursues and brings down Ryan Tannehill for the sack.In a year when little has gone right for Jackson, it was promising to see him display the technique that led the Jaguars to give him a six-year, $90-million contract in 2016. This fourth-quarter sack proves Jackson still has the skills to play at a high level.Run Defender of the Week: DT Brandon Mebane, ChargersAfter missing the previous four games to spend time with his wife and family following the premature birth of their daughter, Mebane made his return to the field against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night.It was in a losing effort, but Mebane was fantastic against the run, accumulating six tackles in 20 snaps.Listed at 6-foot-1 and 311 lbs, Mebane utilizes his natural leverage advantage to consistently hold his ground, and when he attains superior hand placement at the point of attack, he's nearly impossible to stop against the run: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLMebane is aligned as the nose tackle with a slight shade over the Ravens' center. Once the ball is snapped, he fires out of his stance and initiates contact with the center, allowing him to dictate the action at the point of attack.Superior hand placement allows him to drive the center back a yard, resetting the line of scrimmage while creating the separation necessary with his length to shed the block and make the tackle after a minimal gain.Mebane demonstrates his mastery of the basics, as he uses a simple stack-and-shed, or "bull-pull."Even in a loss, L.A. has to be happy to have Mebane back patrolling the A-gaps on defense.In the Spotlight: DE Chris Long, EaglesPlaying on one of the most talented defensive lines in football, it's easy to forget about Long. However, the Virginia product is consistently one of the better complementary pass-rushers in football.At 6-foot-3 and 270 lbs, Long uses his speed, effort, and active hands to generate pressure as a pass-rusher. He does an excellent job of contorting his body at the top of his rush to make it difficult for offensive tackles to land a strike. Even if he's initially stymied, Long stays active with his hands while continuing to pursue the ball.In a crucial game to keep Philadelphia's playoff hopes alive, Long was at his best off the edge, recording two tackles, three quarterback hits, two sacks, and a forced fumble against the Texans.He really turned it on when the Eagles needed him most, as both of his sacks came in the fourth quarter. When Houston was driving to tie the game early in the final frame, it was Long who came up with the big play: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFLHe's aligned in a two-point stance with a wide outside shade over the Texans' tight end. After the ball is snapped, Long explodes upfield and avoids the tight end's chip block before leveraging his speed up the edge to stress the right tackle's pass set.As Deshaun Watson reaches the apex of his drop, Long dips his inside shoulder - reducing his blockable surface area - as he flattens to the quarterback. Watson initially steps up in the pocket to avoid the rush, but Brandon Graham's inside pressure forces the quarterback to retreat right into the defensive end's arms.

The Washington Redskins released D.J. Swearinger on Monday, the safety said during a radio appearance on 106.7 The Fan.Swearinger criticized defensive coordinator Greg Manusky's game-planning after Saturday's 25-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans and said he probably watches more film than the team's coaching staff. According to Swearinger, he was called into head coach Jay Gruden's office and released, but Gruden didn't explain why."He just said it was the third time I've been in his office and we're going to release you," Swearinger said to The Fan's Grant Paulsen, according to ESPN's John Keim. "And that was that."I don't have words for this. I had a Pro Bowl year. I was a captain in year one, and this year I thought I improved on everything and I did a slap in the face and get released. I gave it my all and put my heart into it every single week to the best I could. I guess it says a lot about the organization."

Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase doesn't appear to be concerned about rumors that his job could be in jeopardy.After a report suggested the Dolphins may be interested in pursuing Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, team owner Stephen Ross squashed that notion Monday.Gase is ignoring the noise and focusing on the task at hand."We haven't had a discussion about it," Gase said, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. "It's been business as usual for us. I'm only worried about this week. I'm still here, so I don't need to lobby for my job. I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about Buffalo."Gase believes injuries played a major role in determining the trajectory of the Dolphins' season, as several starters have been forced to miss time."There's a reason why we started 3-0, because all those guys were there. When we started losing throughout the season, we tried to patchwork things. We had a little time where we were trying to get used to the guys that were playing. We had to shuffle some lineups," he said.Gase sports a 23-24 cumulative record through three seasons and will look to move to .500 as the Dolphins head into their Week 17 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans are placing defensive lineman Jurrell Casey on injured reserve with a strained MCL, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.It's a crushing loss for the Titans, who now enter Week 17's do-or-die game against the Indianapolis Colts without their best defensive player.Casey was named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl after recording 62 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles this season.The veteran lineman suffered the injury during Saturday's victory over the Washington Redskins.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here is a look at the well-designed and well-executed plays from Week 16:Passing Design of the Week: Eagles 'Sail' to comeback win over TexansThe Eagles' playoff hopes looked to be fading Sunday afternoon.Holding a 13-point lead with just over five minutes remaining, a fumble by Josh Adams set the stage for 14 unanswered points from the visiting Houston Texans. To make matters worse, Nick Foles took a huge hit from Jadeveon Clowney and was in some pain as he and Philadelphia tried to recapture the lead.Facing a critical third down on the cusp of field-goal range with under 90 seconds remaining, the Eagles turned to a "Sail" concept, flooding the right side of the field with three receivers, leaving tight end Zach Ertz on an out pattern along the sideline:NFL/CBSPhiladelphia catches the Texans in man coverage here, and as linebacker Zach Cunningham tries to blanket running back Darren Sproles on his swing route, he runs into safety Tyrann Mathieu, who is covering Ertz. The two defenders collide, freeing up the tight end for the game’s critical play: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFL/CBSThe pattern and formation create traffic for the defense, and the result is a collision between the two defenders. Ertz is easily able to find some space in the secondary to keep the Eagles’ playoff hopes alive.Rushing Design of the Week: 'Gus the Bus' steamrolls Chargers' run DIn Week 15, the Los Angeles Chargers knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium thanks to a final-second, two-point conversion. The win kept the Chargers in contention for the AFC West title, provided they took care of business this week against Baltimore.The Ravens weren't having any of it, though.Baltimore went out west and provided a statement win of its own, toppling the Chargers, 22-10. As has been their recipe these past few weeks, the Ravens relied on defense, some timely play from rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson, and the ground attack to pull off the road win. The Ravens' rushing game provided a spark on the first offensive play with this 43-yard run from Gus Edwards: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFL NetworkHere, the Ravens run a zone-read play out of the pistol formation. Jackson's first read is Melvin Ingram, and after seeing the defensive end stay home, he hands the ball to Edwards, who gets a huge hole due to the blocking design. Your browser does not support the video tag. NFL NetworkIn this play, center Matt Skura (No. 68) blocks down on the nose tackle, which allows left guard James Hurst (No. 74) to pull to the right, as well as tight end Maxx Williams (No. 87). On the right side, right guard Marshal Yanda (No. 73) and right tackle Orlando Brown (No. 78) work a combination block, double-teaming the defensive tackle before Brown climbs to the second level. This creates a crease for Edwards, who bursts through for 43 yards.When the Ravens switched to Jackson, it was Edwards who benefited the most, as his north-south running style is a perfect match for the zone-read rushing game. As this play indicates, the Ravens could ride this to the playoffs - and beyond.Pressure Design of the Week: Rams' Donald breaks sack record against CardinalsIt should be a rules violation to give Aaron Donald help.The Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman continued his assault on opposing quarterbacks Sunday, dropping Arizona Cardinals' Josh Rosen three times while setting a league record for sacks by a defensive tackle in a single season. The record-breaker came early in the fourth quarter and arrived courtesy of a well-executed inside stunt.Below, Rosen stands in shotgun formation while the Rams show just four pass-rushers. If you look at the defensive front, you will see how the Rams widen their alignments in the interior, including Donald, who is on the outside shoulder of the left guard.NFL/FOXThe twist inside is executed by Donald and Ndamukong Suh. Suh begins the play on the outside shoulder of the right guard, and he attacks into the A-gap between the right guard and center. As Suh occupies those two blockers, Donald loops around behind him and has a free shot at Rosen: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFL/FOXDonald is untouched as he angles behind his teammate, and Rosen has no choice but to cover up the football.Coverage Design of the Week: Jackson picks off Allen as Patriots upend BillsDespite the inconsistent season put together by the New England Patriots, their victory over the Buffalo Bills earned them a 10th straight divisional title. It was their defense and ground game that stole the show Sunday, harkening back to the start of the Patriots’ run of dominance in the AFC East.While the New England defense has gone through some ups and downs, the emergence of rookie cornerback J.C. Jackson has been a bright spot. The undrafted free agent out of Maryland has grown into a starter opposite Stephon Gilmore and added to his impressive campaign with his third interception of the season.Early in the second quarter, the Bills trailed by 14 points with the ball near midfield. Below, the offense tries to run a "Smash" concept, putting two receivers in the flat and crossing a third into the corner, working from right to left:NFL/CBSThe Patriots run a combination coverage (Cover 3 Mable) on this play:NFL/CBSGilmore is left alone on the backside and is in “MEG,” or “Man Everywhere he Goes” coverage on his receiver. To the rest of the formation, the Patriots run a pattern matching Cover 3. Jackson - highlighted by the red box - is responsible for the deep outside, but as the play begins, he sees the two receivers on the outside running shorter routes, and reads the corner route from the intended target, Deonte Thompson. Cornerback Jonathan Jones is trailing Thompson in a pattern-match scheme, essentially covering him in man coverage. Jackson studies the eyes of the quarterback and drops under the pass: Your browser does not support the video tag. NFL/CBSThis is a savvy play from the rookie UDFA.Game Plan of the Week - John Harbaugh and the Baltimore RavensThe Ravens kept themselves in contention for the AFC North title with their impressive road victory against the Chargers. Defensive coordinator Don Martindale deserves the bulk of the credit, as the Ravens’ defense held Philip Rivers under 200 yards passing and forced two interceptions from the veteran quarterback. The Ravens’ defense is reminding fans of the old Baltimore defenses that propelled the purple and black to two different Super Bowl titles. Their performance on Saturday night has fans dreaming of a third.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 © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson has released a statement refuting the team's reported interest in Michigan's Jim Harbaugh."Todd Bowles is our head coach. There is no truth to the report of our interest in Jim Harbaugh."Bowles signed an extension last December that would keep him with the Jets through 2020.It's been reported the Jets could potentially dismiss Bowles at the end of the year, but Johnson's statement may curtail speculation as the season reaches its conclusion.The Jets reportedly planned to offer Harbaugh more than he's currently earning at Michigan, and general manager Mike Maccagnan would likely remain with the Jets if the move was made, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.Bowles has posted a 24-39 record during his tenure with the Jets.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins will not attempt to recruit Michigan's Jim Harbaugh to become their next head coach, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross told The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson and Adam H. Beasley on Monday.Although Adam Gase is still Dolphins head coach, some predict he'll be fired at the end of the 2018 season.Harbaugh's been linked to the New York Jets with Todd Bowles widely expected to be dismissed.Prior to joining the Wolverines, Harbaugh enjoyed a successful stint as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers (2011-14), including a three-year run that led to a Super Bowl appearance and two NFC Championship Game showings.Harbaugh hasn't indicated any intention to leave Michigan, but he remains a wish-list candidate for some opportunistic teams.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles blasted the officiating after Sunday's 44-38 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers."I thought we were playing two teams," he said postgame to ESPN's Rich Cimini. "I thought we were playing the Packers and the striped shirts."Bowles was particularly upset by a pass interference call on cornerback Trumaine Johnson, which led to the touchdown in overtime."I felt it was a bad call, as I did quite a few other calls," Bowles said. "It was one of those games. I haven't seen one in my 18, 19 years in the league."Bowles is widely expected to be dismissed at the end of the season, although it's been reported that if he is fired, he will be a candidate for other head coaching vacancies.With the Jets slumping to a 4-11 record - their third consecutive season with 11 losses, Bowles' frustration reached its boiling point."I'm sure I'm getting fined already, so I care not to say more, but something has to be done about that. That's ridiculous."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller doesn't have any regrets after standing up for his quarterback during Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers.Miller was tossed from the contest after participating in a brawl in the fourth quarter. 49ers safety Marcell Harris landed a crushing hit on Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky as the latter was sliding, and both teams immediately responded. Miller entered the scrum along with teammate Josh Bellamy and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman.

A rambunctious Week 16 saw more playoff spots clinched Sunday, though there's still plenty to be decided in the NFL playoff picture as the regular season heads into its final week.The New Orleans Saints clinched the NFC's top seed Sunday with a hard-fought victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, who dropped out of a playoff position in the AFC thanks to the loss.The top seed in the AFC is still up for grabs, as the Kansas City Chiefs failed to clinch home-field advantage by falling to the Seattle Seahawks.AFCSeedTeamDivisionRecord1Chiefs (x)West11-42Patriots (y)East10-53Texans (x)South10-54RavensNorth9-65Chargers (x)West11-46ColtsSouth9-6x = clinched playoff berth

The New York Jets are planning to make a run at hiring Jim Harbaugh away from Michigan to replace Todd Bowles as head coach after the season, a source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.The Jets are widely expected to fire Bowles, who owns a 26-40 record across four seasons with one game left to go in 2018. New York has also been connected to former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.The Jets reportedly began doing their homework on Harbaugh about four weeks ago, and it's believed they're planning to give him a financial offer too lucrative to turn down.Harbaugh has been adamant that he has no interest in leaving Michigan, his alma mater, for another shot at the NFL. The 55-year-old had a successful four-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers between 2011-2014, going 44-19-1 and leading the franchise to an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans will be featured on the Week 17 edition of Sunday Night Football in a game that will see the winner clinch a playoff spot and the loser sent home.

The NFC playoffs will go through the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.The New Orleans Saints clinched home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a come-from-behind 31-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.More to come.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

C.J. Anderson had a game to remember in his Los Angeles Rams debut.Signed just five days prior to the Rams' Week 16 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, Anderson accumulated 167 rushing yards and one touchdown on 20 carries in the divisional tilt.The veteran running back fell one yard short of his career high, which he set in 2014 with the Denver Broncos.With Todd Gurley nursing a knee injury, Anderson was signed Tuesday as insurance. He was expected to split work with John Kelly but received twice as many carries as the rookie.The 27-year-old started the year with the Carolina Panthers after signing a one-year contract in May. Anderson was released in November after failing to eclipse 35 rushing yards in nine games. He signed with the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 5 but was released one week later before landing with the Rams.Anderson had surpassed 100 yards in a game just once in his last 23 contests coming into Sunday's tilt.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman was ejected Sunday, along with Chicago Bears wide receivers Anthony Miller and Josh Bellamy, after an on-field fight.The fracas took place after 49ers defensive back Marcell Harris hit Mitchell Trubisky while the Bears quarterback was giving himself up at the end of a scramble.

It's safe to say Lane Johnson wasn't happy about not being named to the 2018 Pro Bowl roster.The Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle said he drove to the team's practice facility in the middle of the night and slept there after bids were announced."Slept up there (at the NovaCare Complex), I'm not joking," Johnson told The Athletic's Sheil Kapadia following the Eagles' 32-30 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. "I swear to God. I slept in the locker room. Woke up around 7:30 to get breakfast and go to meetings.""I was pissed off. I couldn't sleep," he continued. "I don't know. Call me psycho. I got a lot of pride. So it really pissed me off ... I think the custodian staff went home. It was just me. I'm not making this s--- up. I got my issues. So it is what it is."A Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro last year, Johnson missed the cut in 2018 in favor of Tyron Smith, Terron Armstead, and Trent Williams. He's started all 15 games for Philadelphia at right tackle this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield may be a rookie, but he's already handling the tough questions like a veteran.During Sunday's 26-18 victory, Mayfield appeared to stare down Cincinnati Bengals special assistant and former Browns head coach Hue Jackson while passing the sidelines, but the signal-caller said such an exchange never occurred.

FOXBOROUOGH, Mass. (AP) The New England Patriots earned their 10th straight AFC East title with Sony Michel running for 116 yards and a touchdown in a 24-12 victory over the Buffalo Bills 24-12 on Sunday.With the Eagles win over the Texans, the Patriots are back in the No. 2 spot in the AFC. A Patriots win over the Jets next week would give New England a first-round bye in the playoffs.New England improved to 7-0 at home this season and became the first franchise in NFL history to earn playoff berths in 10 straight seasons. It also marked the Patriots' fifth straight win over the Bills and their 26th series sweep of Buffalo.Brady went 13 of 24 for 126 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions - his lowest output since he passed for 123 yards in a 2003 loss to the Bills.But with the touchdown he joined Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers with at least 10 seasons of 4,000-plus passing yards. Manning has 14 such seasons, Brees entered the day with 12 and Rivers has 10.It was Michel's fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season.It helped mask Brady's mild day. The two interceptions were his third time with multiple picks in a game this season. He now has 11 interceptions in 2018, his most since 2013.Brady's touchdown pass of the game came thanks to a heads-up play by Julian Edelman in the third quarter .Leading 14-6 and facing fourth-and-4 on the Bills 32, Brady found Edelman over the middle on a quick slant. Edelman was tackled and rolled up by safety Rafael Bush, but Edelman never touched the ground. He got up and sprinted into the end zone.Brady's interceptions were among three turnovers by the Patriots on the day, but Buffalo was only able to turn them into three points. Leading 24-6 in fourth quarter, he was replaced by backup Brian Hoyer.The Bills got back running back LeSean McCoy after a one-game absence with a left hamstring injury. He had a quiet return, rushing six times for 9 yards.Rookie quarterback Josh Allen was bottled up for most of the day, limited to 20 of 41 for 217 yards with two interceptions. He ran five times for 30 yards. Buffalo finished with 72 rushing yards, the first time in five games it failed to rush for 100 or more.After going three plays and out on their first drive of the day, the Patriots went to the run game to score the game's first touchdown. New England ran six straight times, capped by a 4-yard TD run by Michel. It was Michel's first touchdown since New England's Week 12 win over the Jets.Following a Buffalo punt, the Patriots crossed into Bills' territory again, but gave the ball back when Rex Burkhead fumbled. But Stephen Hauschka's 43-yard field goal attempt hit the crossbar.After both teams exchanged punts, New England pushed its lead to 14-0 in the second quarter via a 27-yard touchdown run by James White .NO OFFENSEBuffalo's first six drives of the game were a regression for an offense that had shown promise in recent games. The Bills went three plays and out three straight times, followed by six plays and the missed field goal; three-and-out; and one play and an interception by Allen.The Bills returned the favor when Lorenzo Alexander picked off an errant pass by Brady. But Buffalo again failed to convert the turnover into points, turning the ball over on downs when Allen's deep, fourth-and-3 pass for Robert Foster fell incomplete.INJURIESBills: LB Julian Stanford left in the first quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. ... WR Isaiah McKenzie was evaluated for a head injury in the second quarter but returned in the second half. ... WR Deonte Thompson left in the third quarter with a toe injury.Patriots: WR Cordarrelle Patterson left with a knee injury in the third quarter.UP NEXTBills: Host Miami next Sunday.Patriots: Host the Jets.---More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP-NFLCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Jake Elliott kicked a 35-yard field goal as time expired and the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Houston Texans 32-30 Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive.The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles (8-7) need a win at Washington (7-8) next week and for Minnesota (8-6-1) to lose or tie or Seattle (8-6) to lose twice or lose once and tie to get a wild-card berth.The Texans (10-5) missed an opportunity to clinch the AFC South and also allowed New England (10-5) to take control of the No. 2 seed. The Texans would secure the division title with a victory against Jacksonville next week. They'd get a first-round bye with a win and if the Patriots lose or tie.Filling in for the injured Carson Wentz for the second straight week, Nick Foles again played like the Super Bowl MVP who led Philadelphia to a victory over New England.Foles threw for a franchise-record 471 yards and four touchdowns.Deshaun Watson had two TD passes and ran for two scores.---More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP-NFLCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was carted to the locker room during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles and was quickly ruled out with an Achilles injury.Thomas is believed to have suffered a torn Achilles, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The veteran receiver crumpled to the ground on a non-contact play and was in obvious pain before being attended to by the team's medical staff.It's a crushing loss for the Texans, who previously lost receiver Will Fuller for the season with a torn ACL.Thomas was acquired in an October trade with the Denver Broncos, hoping to bolster the team's receiving corps following Fuller's injury.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) The Dallas Cowboys wrapped up the NFC East title when Dak Prescott accounted for two touchdowns and Jaylon Smith returned a fumble 69 yards for a score in a 27-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.Smith's long return came after a scrambling Jameis Winston lost the ball on a blind-side sack by Randy Gregory, who also recovered a fumble to set up a touchdown for a 14-point lead late in the third quarter.The Cowboys (9-6) clinched the division title and their second trip to the playoffs in three years with Prescott and star running back Ezekiel Elliott a week after failing in their first chance with their first shutout loss in 15 years, 23-0 at Indianapolis.Winston threw for 336 yards in another prolific passing game for the Buccaneers (5-10), who outgained the Cowboys 383-232 but hurt themselves with turnovers and holding penalties. Tampa Bay's third straight loss clinched the franchise's fifth season of at least 10 losses in the past six years, a week after the Bucs were eliminated from postseason contention.Smith's fumble return and Gregory's recovery at the Tampa Bay 4 helped a Dallas offense that wasn't sharp for a second straight week. Prescott was 20 of 25 but for just 161 yards.Prescott ran 7 yards to cap the only lengthy Dallas touchdown drive, a 75-yarder. He threw a 4-yard score to rookie Michael Gallup after Gregory's recovery, which came when Winston and Bobo Wilson botched the exchange on a handoff to the receiver.Before the bad Winston-Wilson exchange in a seven-point game, Peyton Barber's 33-yard run was wiped out by one of four holding penalties against the Bucs.Smith gave the Cowboys a 14-3 lead in the second quarter, scooping up the loose ball after Gregory hit Winston from behind and outrunning the Tampa Bay quarterback down the sideline for his first career touchdown.Winston's 7-yard pass to Mike Evans got the Bucs within a touchdown with 2:05 remaining, but Dallas linebacker Leighton Vander Esch recovered the onside kick. Evans had six catches for 90 yards, and Adam Humphries had 10 grabs for 79 yards.With a chance to get within a touchdown earlier in the fourth quarter, Winston was stopped about half a yard short of the first down at the Dallas 1 on a fourth-down scramble.RUSHING RACEElliott, the NFL rushing leader by 98 yards over Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams coming in, had 85 yards on 18 carries and 24 yards receiving on five catches. His final run, an 11-yarder inside the final two minutes, allowed the Cowboys to run out the clock. Elliott has 1,434 yards with a meaningless game at the Giants remaining.INJURIESDallas defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford went to a hospital to have a neck injury evaluated after getting hurt on the second play of the game. Crawford's neck was stabilized on a stretcher with his facemask removed, and several teammates looked distraught as he was treated on the field. The seventh-year player was moving his arms while on the stretcher, and moved his legs while being treated before going on the stretcher. ... Bucs receiver DeSean Jackson, inactive the previous three games, went out early in the second half with a foot injury.UP NEXTBuccaneers: Finale at home against Atlanta next Sunday.Cowboys: Regular-season finale at the Giants next Sunday.---More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP-NFLCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.