Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL in Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who adds that the injury isn't considered to be serious.The sophomore running back carried the ball four times for 8 yards before he exited the contest.A fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Jones entered the day with 129 carries for 720 yards and eight touchdowns along with 26 receptions for 206 yards and one score over 11 games.Jamaal Williams and Danny Vitale are the other running backs on the Packers' depth chart.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had his record streak of 402 consecutive pass attempts without an interception snapped on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.Bears safety Eddie Jackson picked off Rodgers in Chicago's end zone late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's divisional matchup, helping to seal the Bears' division-clinching 24-17 win. Rodgers' streak covered a span of more than nine games, having last thrown an interception against Buffalo on Sept. 30.The 35-year-old quarterback finished the game completing 25 of 42 attempts for 274 yards, no touchdowns, and the lone pick.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts snapped the Dallas Cowboys' five-game winning streak Sunday with a 23-0 shutout at Lucas Oil Stadium.More to come.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Flacco's time with the Baltimore Ravens may be coming to an end.With rookie first-rounder Lamar Jackson taking over as starting quarterback, the Ravens are expected to move on from Flacco in 2019, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Flacco is set to make $18.5 million next season, and Baltimore would incur $16 million in dead money if it chooses to release him. The veteran is expected to be a highly coveted free agent if he does hit the open market.Trading the 33-year-old to a team of his choosing is also a possible scenario, Rapoport added.Jackson was named Baltimore's starter for its Week 15 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday, meaning Flacco will be an active backup for the first time in his career.The rookie took over for the injured Flacco in Week 11 and won his first three games as the starter before losing in overtime to the AFC-leading Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Eli Manning's time with the New York Giants may not be over just yet.The veteran quarterback is reportedly playing his way onto the Giants' 2019 roster, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.After struggling out of the gate this season, New York has won four of its last five games. Manning tossed 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions in that span.The two-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player will make $16.5 million next season, which would be the 16th of his career. According to Rapoport, Manning's team-friendly salary could allow the Giants to bring the QB back for the final year of his career and then draft his successor.The Giants, who have yet to be eliminated from playoff contention, host the Tennessee Titans in Week 15.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith was released from hospital Saturday after undergoing several surgeries to repair a gruesome leg fracture, his wife, Elizabeth, confirmed with an Instagram post.

The prop market is one that bettors can capitalize on by finding edges on specific, individual matchups. Here are our three favorite prop bets for the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football.Josh Adams Over 58.5 rushing yards (-120)The Eagles are going to need to get creative offensively. They're 13-point underdogs in L.A. and fighting for their playoff lives behind backup Nick Foles, who will likely need to trade punches with Rams quarterback Jared Goff and the high-flying Rams offense. Though Foles figures to be regularly airing out the ball, the Eagles might be able to get something going on the ground with rookie running back Adams. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson recently stressed the importance of both running the football and increasing the tailback's workload heading forward. Adams will have a chance for a big game against a Rams defense allowing 5.1 yards per carry, the most in the NFL.Brandin Cooks Over 80.5 receiving yards (-120)If there's any spot that fantasy or prop bettors want to avoid, it's slot receivers against the Eagles, who are allowing the second-fewest points to that position this season. Rams wide receiver Robert Woods had a tough matchup last weekend against Chicago Bears slot corner Bryce Callahan and now faces another difficult test. But we don't dislike Woods in Week 15 as much as we simply love Cooks. Philly is allowing the most yards per game to receivers lined up out wide, where the speedy Cooks has been roughly 80 percent of the time this season.Zach Ertz touchdown (+137)We recommend taking a flier on Eagles tight end Ertz to score a touchdown during the game Sunday night. He saw 23 combined targets in Foles' first two starts of the season and has been one of the backup's go-to weapons. Ertz has also been targeted inside the 10-yard line on roughly 30 percent of pass attempts, which ranks No. 10 in the NFL in terms of player usage.(All prop bets were taken from Bet365. Be sure to shop around for the best numbers.)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 shoddy Oakland Coliseum X-ray machine failed to reveal that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has cracked ribs, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The Steelers said after the game that the QB had a rib contusion that required painkillers. He returned late in last week's loss.Roethlisberger was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday and his status for Sunday's matchup with the New England Patriots isn't in doubt.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After digging up some tips and giving our five best plays for the weekend, let's go over some of the line and total moves for Sunday's morning and afternoon slates.Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens Opening odds: BAL -7.5 / 47.5Current odds: BAL -8.5 / 46.5It's been a tale of two defenses for the Buccaneers this season, who are allowing 39.2 points per game on the road compared to 20.6 at home. The initial market move on the total was "under" money, which ticked the number down to 46.5 for the majority of the week. Under center for the Ravens will be rookie Lamar Jackson, who is 3-1 both straight up and to the team total over as a starter, helping the Ravens average 27 points per game. The weather might play a role as there is a 78 percent chance of rain in the forecast at kickoff.Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills Open: PK / 38Current: BUF -2.5 / 40There weren't many bettors who wanted any part of the Lions, who are 2-5 and averaging 16 points per contest in their last seven. Early money went the other way in a game featuring two teams headed opposite directions. Despite losing last weekend to the New York Jets, the Bills are gaining a bit of traction under rookie quarterback Josh Allen, who's helped the No. 31 scoring offense in the league put up 23 points or more in three of the previous four.Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati BengalsOpen: CIN -3.5 / 46.5Current: CIN -3 / 46It's unlikely the common football fan will make an effort to watch the Raiders and Bengals square off. Bettors, on the other hand, were all over this one, bumping the hook down on Cincinnati, which has sat at -3 for a majority of the week. Despite a matchup between the league's two worst defenses, the total saw an initial drop down to 45.5 before climbing back up to 46.Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis ColtsOpen: IND -3 / 47Current: IND -3 / 47One of the most intriguing games of the weekend hasn't seen too much movement. The Colts stayed three-point favorites over the Cowboys for the entire week as shops chose to move the juice and avoid bumping the line either way off of -3. Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton is a game-time decision.Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta FalconsOpen: ATL -9 / 44Current: ATL -9.5 / 44Despite dropping five straight and owning only one more win than the lowly Cardinals, the Falcons attracted some money that pushed them up to 10-point favorites late in the week, before coming off double digits to -9.5 early Sunday morning. The Falcons haven't covered a single spread over the five-game skid.Miami Dolphins at Minnesota VikingsOpen: MIN -8 / 44Current: MIN -7.5 / 45The Vikings desperately need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive when they host the Dolphins, who are coming off a historic last-second win over the New England Patriots. Bettors aren't fazed by the firing of former Vikings offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, moving the total up from 44 to as high as 45.5 during the week. Miami might be without star defensive back Xavien Howard, whose absence was crucial in the Patriots' 33-point showing last weekend.Tennessee Titans at New York GiantsOpen: NYG -2.5 / 43.5Current: TEN -1 / 43Originally opening as 2.5-point favorites, the Giants are now home underdogs, likely due to a reported sharp group hitting the Titans earlier in the week as well as the injury to Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr., which will keep him out for the second straight week.Washington Redskins at Jacksonville JaguarsOpen: JAX -7.5 / 36Current: JAX -7.5 / 36.5Bettors on either side will likely have an unnerving feeling all afternoon when two backup quarterbacks take the stage between the Redskins and Jaguars. Washington opted for Josh Johnson to replace Mark Sanchez during last week's beatdown at the hands of the Giants, while Cody Kessler operates under center for Jacksonville. The line and total both haven't seen too much movement as there are unknowns aplenty in this one. For those who feel like they have an edge, more power to you.Green Bay Packers at Chicago BearsOpen: CHI -5 / 46.5Current: CHI -5 / 47The Bears will be laying points to the Packers for the first time in what feels like an eternity when the two NFC North rivals square off at Soldier Field. Though the line has been stagnant, the big move late in the week came on the total, which shot up from 45 to 47 with lopsided action on the over.Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers Open: SEA -5.5 / 44.5Current: SEA -3.5 / 44.5The Seahawks-49ers game will likely be a Pros versus Joes type of matchup. Seattle, which throttled the Niners by 27 two weeks ago, was getting seven times more bets than San Francisco at MGM, but has seen the line dip all the way down from -5.5 to -3.5 in some shops.New England Patriots at Pittsburgh SteelersOpen: NE -2.5 / 52Current: NE -2.5 / 54Not even bettors from the city of Pittsburgh want much to do with the Steelers as they ride a three-game losing streak into Sunday's pivotal contest against the Patriots - the first bet placed at Rivers Pittsburgh sportsbook over the week was an $11,000 wager on New England -2.5. That's been the theme all week, as MGM resorts saw five times as many tickets on the Patriots than on the Steelers as of Saturday night. New England did hit -3 in some shops late in the week but was almost immediately moved back down.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.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon should be ready to return for next Saturday's crucial battle with the Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Chargers' leading rusher has missed the last three games with an MCL injury.Los Angeles has managed to go 3-0 in those contests and secured a postseason berth. It currently sits fifth in the AFC playoff picture but can still capture the AFC West division title.The Ravens are sixth and own the final wild-card spot heading into Sunday's action.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fifth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his updated rankings for Week 15.You can also listen to the Week 15 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.Standard

Former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is "very high" on the New York Jets' list of potential candidates to replace incumbent Todd Bowles, sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Bowles is widely expected to be fired at the end of the season. He owns a 24-37 record entering New York's Week 15 affair with the Houston Texans as he winds down his fourth campaign.McCarthy was dismissed by Green Bay on Dec. 2 after a 4-7 start to the season. The 55-year-old was in his 13th campaign with the Packers and led them to a championship in Super Bowl XLV.The Jets are expected to favor an offensive-minded coach if they part with Bowles and are prepared to go "big-game hunting," Garafolo reports. McCarthy would fit those desires, even though he drew criticism over his final few seasons in Green Bay for letting his offense grow stale.Overall, McCarthy compiled a 125-77-2 record with the Packers. He made the playoffs - a destination the Jets haven't visited since the 2010 season - nine times in 12 full years.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner has been downgraded to doubtful with an ankle injury and isn't likely to suit up Sunday against the New England Patriots, a source told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.Conner is reportedly expected to return in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints.The 23-year-old suffered an ankle injury in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He was sidelined the following week when his team faced the Oakland Raiders.Jaylen Samuels is expected to take over in the Pittsburgh backfield in Conner's absence.Conner has 909 rushing yards, 467 receiving yards, and 13 total touchdowns this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week, we take a look at five last-minute additions for your fantasy team heading into Sunday.Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/RB, Patriotsat SteelersIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPatterson, a first-round castoff of the Minnesota Vikings and one-year experiment of the Oakland Raiders, is finally being used in the way that best suits him.The 27-year-old has topped 50 yards in each of his past two games and scored his fourth touchdown of the year in last week's meeting with the Miami Dolphins. The return of Rex Burkhead from injured reserve has nearly eliminated Patterson's work in the running game, but Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels are continuing to get the versatile weapon involved.The Sunday afternoon meeting with the Steelers carries one of the highest point totals of Week 15, and the Patriots are slight favorites on the road.Vernon Davis, TE, Redskinsat JaguarsThe Washington Post / The Washington Post / GettyVeteran tight end Vernon Davis could be in for a target-heavy game as one of the remaining few pass-catchers in the Redskins' offensive attack. Wide receivers Paul Richardson and Trey Quinn have been ruled out for the year; starting tight end Jordan Reed has been ruled out of the Week 15 meeting with the Jaguars due to an ankle issue, while Josh Doctson remains questionable.Even with fourth-stringer Josh Johnson behind center, Davis is poised to be an instrumental part of the offense this week. The 34-year-old has caught 23 of 31 targets for 351 yards, two touchdowns, and one two-point conversion in limited usage over 13 games.The Jaguars allow 8.41 standard fantasy points per game to tight ends and rank 13th by Football Outsiders' DVOA against the position.Chris Ivory, RB, Billsvs. LionsBrett Carlsen / Getty Images Sport / GettyIvory carried the ball 12 times in the Bills' Week 14 matchup against the New York Jets after running back LeSean McCoy was forced out early by a hamstring injury. The veteran racked up 42 rushing yards for his highest total on the ground since Week 7.McCoy remains at risk of sitting out Sunday, which means Ivory would lead the backfield in a projected low-scoring affair (39-point projected total).The Lions rank 31st against the run by DVOA. They allow 115.2 rush yards per game and have given up 10 scores on the ground this season. Former seventh-round pick Marcus Murphy and recently signed Keith Ford are the Bills' only other options in the backfield should McCoy sit.Jordan Matthews, WR, Eaglesat RamsBrett Carlsen / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe potential season-ending injury to Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has Matthews and Nick Foles set to be reunited for the first time since the wideout's rookie campaign.Matthews caught 29 of 48 passes from Foles for 273 yards and two touchdowns through the first seven games of his debut season. He caught 18 balls for 287 yards and two touchdowns from Wentz in his return to Philadelphia this year.The Rams have struggled defensively against depth receivers this season, ranking 25th by DVOA. Matthews has been rarely used over his past three games but some familiarity with Foles could earn him some more looks in the Eagles' evenly spread passing attack.Cody Core, WR, Bengalsvs. RaidersIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyCore has received four targets in consecutive games, totaling 30 yards in each outing. He caught one ball but scored a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in Week 13 and hauled in three Jeff Driskel passes last Sunday.Core has carved himself a role in the Bengals' offense ever since Driskel took over for the injured Andy Dalton. Tyler Boyd is the lone receiver on the team to receive more targets over the past two weeks.The Bengals started as a 2.5-point favorite at home against the Raiders with an expected point total of 24. Running backs Joe Mixon and Gio Bernard should continue to handle the bulk of the offensive workload, but, in a battle of two of the NFL's worst pass defenses, the air attack might be the difference.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles officially ruled out quarterback Carson Wentz for Sunday's matchup with the Los Angeles Rams due to a back injury.Head coach Doug Pederson confirmed Friday that Wentz is battling a stress fracture in his back that has "evolved over time" but won't require surgery. A full recovery is expected to take up to three months, but the Eagles have yet to rule their star passer out for the season.Wentz reportedly battled an ailing back for weeks, yet previous CT scans didn't reveal a fracture.Nick Foles started the first three games of the season as Wentz made his way back from knee surgery and will start versus the Rams.Philadelphia also ruled out linebacker Jordan Hicks, defensive tackle Tim Jernigan, guard Isaac Seumalo, and cornerback Sidney Jones on Friday as the team fights to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Entering the home stretch of the regular season on a four-game losing streak, Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden appeared remarkably calm about his job security Friday.Washington seemed to be in control of the NFC East before stumbling through the winter; the team now finds itself two games behind the division-leading Dallas Cowboys with three games to go."It doesn't weigh on me at all," Gruden told ESPN's John Keim. "My key works; I come in and work. ... I understand it. You're fine, you're fine, you're fine and then you're not fine. I'll wait to get final word when the season is over."Gruden signed a two-year extension with the Redskins in March 2017.The veteran head coach noted his fate is beyond his control and rests in the hands of Redskins owner Dan Snyder."It's not my job to judge (my performance)," said Gruden. "It's my job to coach the guys I've got. There's only one judge and he's the one that has all the money. He's the one that writes the checks. It's up to him.""He has always been supportive," Gruden added. "Never been negative. He gets very upset after losses, as we all do. But he's been very supportive and has tried to do everything he can to help."Washington is in danger of missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season so it's possible Snyder and Gruden will need to revisit the latter's status when the 2018 campaign is over.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen suffered a hip pointer in Thursday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Allen could miss some time, but there is no structural damage and the injury shouldn't sideline him for long, according to Rapoport.The wideout was injured on an outstanding near-touchdown grab against the Chiefs. He returned, but only for one snap before the hip ailment forced him to leave the game for good.Through 14 contests this season, the 26-year-old Allen leads the Chargers in catches (88) and receiving yards (1,074), and is second in touchdown receptions (six).Los Angeles, which moved into a tie for first place in the AFC West by defeating Kansas City in a thriller at Arrowhead Stadium, next plays Dec. 22 versus the Baltimore Ravens.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Drew Brees is showing his thanks to those who helped him break the NFL's all-time passing record earlier this season.The New Orleans Saints quarterback sent a commemorative football to every receiver who caught a pass from him throughout the years. Each ball includes the player's name and the number of passes and yards they contributed to Brees' record, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.Retired fullback Mike Karney, who played for the Saints from 2004 to 2008, tweeted a photo Thursday of the ball and letter he received from Brees.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson confirmed quarterback Carson Wentz is battling a stress fracture in his back that's "evolved over time" but won't require surgery, while adding that a full recovery will take three months, according to Tim McManus of ESPN.Pederson wouldn't identify when the quarterback's injury first occurred, according to Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Wentz reportedly battled an ailing back for weeks, yet previous CT scans never revealed a fracture. Earlier in the week, the team believed he was healthy enough to play.The Eagles listed Wentz as doubtful for Sunday's matchup with the Los Angeles Rams on their injury report Friday afternoon.The defending Super Bowl champions will be fighting to stay in the NFC playoff picture, and are expected to start Nick Foles on Sunday with Wentz on the mend.Wentz has thrown for 3,074 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 outings this year. He missed the first two weeks of the season while recovering from the knee injury that prematurely ended his 2017 campaign.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 15 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 15 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.StartKirk Cousins, QB, Vikingsvs. DolphinsHannah Foslien / Getty Images Sport / GettyComing off arguably his worst outing of the season in Seattle, Cousins gets a bounce-back game against Miami, as the Dolphins' defense has allowed multiple touchdown passes in seven of their last eight contests. The Vikings will also be playing for a new offensive coordinator after John DeFilippo was fired this week, giving hope to a unit that's struggled to find consistency in 2018. Whether interim OC Kevin Stefanski will be an upgrade remains to be seen, but he should have a strong debut given the matchup.Boone's projection: 267 passing yards, 3 TDsOther QBs to start

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the terms of his April 2017 conditional reinstatement under the terms of the league's substance abuse policy."Effective immediately, Martavis Bryant has been returned to the Reserve/Commissioner Suspended list indefinitely for violating the terms of his April 2017 conditional reinstatement under the Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse," the NFL said in a statement obtained by Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.Bryant is currently on injured reserve with a knee ailment. His contract expires at the end of the 2018 season, so he'll be a free agent when the suspension effectively kicks in during the 2019 campaign.The Raiders reportedly anticipated Bryant's indefinite suspension for months after he lost his appeal, according to Gehlken.Bryant was acquired by the Raiders in an April trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released Sept. 1 but was re-signed days later and caught 19 passes for 266 yards in eight games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Umpire Roy Ellison was fined one game check - $9,300 - for his role in a Dec. 2 altercation with Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafalo.Ellison, who was placed on administrative leave after the incident, has been reinstated and assigned to Sunday's game between the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans. He missed one week while on leave.Hughes accused Ellison of calling him an expletive during the Bills' Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Hughes confronted him in the tunnel after the game and was later fined $53,482 for his behavior.The NFL Referees Association called Hughes a frequent verbal abuser of its officials following Ellison's suspension. The association said in a statement Friday that it will consider filing a grievance objecting to the fine on Ellison's behalf.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jimmy Graham signing hasn't worked out as the Green Bay Packers once envisioned, and the Pro Bowl tight end admitted it Friday."My numbers suck," he told Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.Graham joined the Packers on a three-year, $30-million deal in March after spending the previous three campaigns with the Seattle Seahawks. He was expected to bolster the Packers' passing game - especially in the red zone - but has managed just 549 yards and two touchdown receptions in 13 contests.The 32-year-old could become a cap casualty after the season, as Green Bay would save about $5 million by cutting him. Graham, though, is hoping for a second chance to work on his spotty connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers."I've always dominated everywhere I went," he said. "Obviously, I haven't done that yet here. So it would be nice to get an opportunity to do it. Come back and maybe just be kind of more comfortable here, but I'm going to give it my all no matter what's asked of me anywhere I go, or if I stay here."The Packers have cycled through numerous tight ends in recent years. They signed Martellus Bennett to a big-money contract in 2017, but that move didn't work out either.Graham has been bogged down by a broken thumb in recent weeks, contributing to his ineffectiveness as a receiver.The 5-7-1 Packers are likely to miss the postseason for a second consecutive year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived strong safety Barry Church, the team announced Friday.Church started the Jaguars' first 11 games of the season but was replaced by rookie Ronnie Harrison in the starting lineup in Week 13.Known for his prowess in run defense, the hard-hitting defensive back accumulated 38 tackles, one sack, and one interception in 2018.The 30-year-old inked a four-year, $26-million contract with the Jaguars in 2017 after a breakout season with the Dallas Cowboys. Church spent seven seasons in Dallas after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2010.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner returned to practice Friday as a limited participant and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 15 matchup against the New England Patriots.Conner suffered an ankle injury in Week 13 versus the Los Angeles Chargers that sidelined him in Week 14 against the Oakland Raiders.Earlier this week, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Conner could potentially play against the Patriots.The 23-year-old Conner has 909 rushing yards, 467 receiving yards, and 13 total touchdowns this season.If he can't suit up on Sunday, running backs Jaylen Samuels and Stevan Ridley will likely be given backfield responsibilities.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL players often disagree with their Madden NFL ratings, but it's rare to hear that one complained theirs is too high.In a feature by ESPN's Michael Rothstein about the life of EA Sports' Madden NFL ratings adjusters, one employee shared a strange interaction he had with Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick during a visit to Tampa Bay. Dustin Smith, the lead ratings adjuster, said he had just spoken to Lavonte David when Fitzpatrick walked up and told him that his rating was, in fact, exaggerated."And then just walked off," Smith recalled. "That was, by far, the weirdest one I've ever gotten. It's one of my favorite stories."Fitzpatrick received an initial player rating of 73 in Madden NFL 19 and is now sitting at 79.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's a breakdown of four significant positional mismatches in Week 15:Broncos LB Bradley Chubb vs. Browns LT Greg RobinsonTo the surprise of no one, Bradley Chubb's been far and away the best rookie pass-rusher in the NFL this season. Due to the presence of teammate Von Miller, the 22-year-old's profited from a high frequency of one-on-one matchups, accumulating 47 tackles (13 for loss), 12 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles.And Chubb's continued to improve, totaling 10.5 of those sacks in his last eight games - second best in that span behind Aaron Donald - which has him just 2.5 away from Jevon Kearse's rookie record for a season. Chubb will have a great chance to close in on that record against the Cleveland Browns and left tackle Greg Robinson.Robinson's done some positive things this season, but he has a bad tendency to false-step in his pass set and lunge with his strikes, meaning the more technically advanced pass-rushers can take advantage. Chubb may be a rookie, but he's already more refined than a lot of veterans. Here's a great example:On this play, Chubb's aligned in a two-point stance outside of Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Russell Okung. Once he gets within striking distance, Chubb expands his rush outside and feints with a long-arm move, which gets Okung to extend both arms as he attempts to mirror Chubb up the edge.But, it's a trap!As Okung launches his two-hand punch, Chubb redirects inside with a perfectly timed inside-arm-over move, which allows him to sack Philip Rivers. Pay attention to the way Chubb manipulates Okung's pass set, which opens up the inside counter move.On top of his refined pass-rush skill set, Chubb has an immense amount of power in his hands, which allows him to batter and bludgeon offensive tackles with long arms and bull rushes. Here's an example:Here, Chubb's aligned outside of Arizona Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries. After the ball is snapped, Chubb fires out of his stance with short choppy steps as he reads Humphries' pass set.Once he gets within striking distance, Chubb executes a perfectly placed long-arm stab with his inside arm and gets his hand above his eyes, which gives him optimal leverage. This allows Chubb to create a short corner and flatten to the pocket before bringing Josh Rosen down for the sack.Chubb's having one of the best rookie seasons ever by a pass-rusher, and his combination of technique and power should lead to more big-time production against Robinson and the Browns.Colts DL Margus Hunt vs Cowboys LG Xavier Su'a-FiloThe Dallas Cowboys are riding a five-game winning streak, but left guard Xavier Su'a-Filo has played poorly - especially in the last two games.The UCLA product is technically unrefined, as he relies on his raw strength and hulking frame to get the job done in the trenches. This causes Su'a-Filo to struggle against defensive linemen who are deliberate with their movements. Moreover, he has trouble with opponents who possess the length and hand placement to keep him off their body; if he can’t latch onto a defender, he lacks the footwork and balance to compensate.It so happens that Margus Hunt - who's listed as a defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts but plays more frequently at defensive tackle - has the length and hand usage to give Su'a-Filo a ton of problems. On an improved defense, Hunt's arguably been the best defensive lineman, recording 24 tackles (13 for loss), five sacks, four quarterback hits, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble this season.He'll certainly bother Su'a-Filo as a pass-rusher, but Hunt should do more of his damage against the run. This play is a great illustration:Here, Hunt's matched up with Miami Dolphins left guard Ted Larsen and does an excellent job of engaging Larsen at the point of attack with inside hands and better pad level.After knocking Larsen back with his initial strike, Hunt rolls his shoulders and transitions into a one-arm stab with his right hand. That allows him to control Larsen while reading the path of the ball-carrier. Once the running back cuts back into his gap, Hunt's able to disengage and make the tackle.This type of play will give Su'a-Filo problems, and Indianapolis will need to take advantage of this mismatch to stop Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys' rushing attack.49ers RT Mike McGlinchey vs. Seahawks DE Quinton JeffersonIt's been a disappointing season for the San Francisco 49ers, but right tackle Mike McGlinchey's been easily the best rookie offensive tackle in the NFL.Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks love to rotate their D-line, but when defensive end Quinton Jefferson - the team's weak link on the edge - lines up across from McGlinchey, the 49ers must take advantage.In pass protection, McGlinchey should have no trouble mirroring Jefferson up the arc. He performed well against a far tougher opponent in Von Miller last week, as seen in this example:Here, McGlinchey demonstrates his ability to block one of the NFL's best pass-rushers in space. He explodes out of his stance and stays in front of Miller while remaining balanced in his pass set.Next, McGlinchey's well-timed punch knocks Miller off his pass-rush track and eliminates any chance of generating quick pressure. And McGlinchey stays patient, landing another two-hand punch once Miller attempts to continue his rush. It results in a beautiful pocket for quarterback Nick Mullens to set up and complete his throw.If McGlinchey can survive against Miller in pass protection, then Jefferson should be a cakewalk. And in the running game, McGlinchey can leverage his large frame and raw strength to displace Jefferson from his gap, opening alleys for running backs.If the 49ers - whose playoff chances are long gone - want to play spoiler against the Seahawks, they'll need to move the ball by attacking mismatches like this one.Dolphins DE Cameron Wake vs. Vikings RT Rashod HillAnother week means another opportunity for Cameron Wake to show that age is just a number for some NFL players. At 36, Wake's still rushing the passer at a high level, and his 4.5 sacks don't reflect that he actually generates pressure at one of the highest rates in the league.Against the Minnesota Vikings, Wake will have a tasty matchup with right tackle Rashod Hill, who's filling in for the injured Brian O'Neill.Hill's started at right and left tackle this season, but he's struggled on both sides. Most of the issue crop up in pass protection, where poor weight distribution and punch timing get him in trouble. Hill also has problems hitting his landmarks while dropping back to form the pocket, which essentially makes him a turnstile versus more athletic pass-rushers.That's not a recipe for success against Wake, who's still very athletic and has mastered the nuances of pass-rushing - the biggest reason he's stayed so efficient at age 36. Here's an example:On this play, Wake's aligned well outside of Colts right tackle Braden Smith. He then fires out of his stance and takes an initial step forward before expanding outside and pushing vertical, which manipulates the width of Smith's pass set. Because the first step forces Smith to respect a potential bull rush or inside move, he can't get wide enough to keep up around the arc.That gives Wake a short corner, and once the two players are close enough to make contact, Wake stabs Smith with a long-arm technique, making the corner even shorter on his way to the apex of Andrew Luck's drop. The long arm also creates enough separation for Wake to lean forward and jump to knock the ball out of Luck's hands.Don't be surprised if Wake parties like its 2012 (his 15.5-sack season) in the Vikings' backfield after burning Hill around the edge throughout Sunday's game.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 © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After uncovering some betting tips and offering our picks for every NFL team total in Week 15, here are our five best plays for the weekend.Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati BengalsWager: Over 45.5Two of the league's worst defenses meet when the Oakland Raiders travel to take on the Cincinnati Bengals. This should finally be a favorable matchup for Bengals quarterback Jeff Driskel, whose third career start comes against the NFL's No. 31 in points allowed this season. Driskel hasn't done a whole lot to inspire confidence in his first two outings but should benefit from the ground game again, as Joe Mixon - who racked up 111 yards and a score against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14 - will get a Raiders defense allowing 144.5 yards on the ground per contest.Oakland's offense might be a bit undervalued in the market as of late. The Raiders are averaging 24.5 points per game over the previous four - six points more than their season average - despite playing three of the top six defenses in yards allowed per play this season. Now they get the NFL's worst scoring defense that's given up 24 points or more in the previous eight contests.It might not be an aesthetically pleasing game on paper, but it's one that should be advantageous for both offenses.Miami Dolphins at Minnesota VikingsWager: Dolphins team total under 17.5A letdown might be in the cards for the Miami Dolphins, who are coming off one of the craziest finishes in NFL history that culminated with a win over the New England Patriots. The Dolphins have had a tough time coming through for bettors away from home, covering just two of the previous 13 games. They've also struggled offensively on the road following a divisional game, going 0-6 against the spread and averaging an even 12 points in the previous six situations. The Minnesota Vikings are fighting tooth and nail for a playoff berth, so expect a defense No. 4 in yards allowed per play this season to get the job done.Cleveland Browns at Denver BroncosWager: Broncos -2.5We would have played the Denver Broncos at -4 or better, which makes the move from -3 to -2.5 late in the week a no-brainer. This feels like a case of recency bias in the market with all the love for the Cleveland Browns, who have won three of their last four games against teams who currently own a combined 15-24 record. The Browns are certainly on the rise, but in no way do we think these two teams are evenly matched on a neutral field.Extra PointsTampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore RavensRecommended Pick: Over 46.5It's tough to bet on a team that has burned you in back-to-back weeks, but this will likely be the best price on a Tampa Bay Buccaneers total all season long. For the first time in a month, the defense will go back on the road, where it's allowing nearly 40 points per game this season.Despite the Baltimore Ravens going over the team total in three of his four starts, rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson hasn't been great outside of basic metrics. He has missed on a majority of big plays through the passing game, but they'll continue to open up as Baltimore is running the ball a whopping 63 percent of the snaps with Jackson under center. The rookie will get another shot against a Buccaneers defense that surrenders plenty of deep passes.Green Bay Packers at Chicago BearsRecommended Pick: Over 45The Chicago Bears convincingly beat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football despite starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky finishing with three interceptions and just 110 yards through the air. Sunday's game presents a good opportunity for Trubisky and the league's No. 7 scoring offense to bounce back, as the Green Bay Packers' defense is allowing 28.8 points per game on the road this season. After holding Jared Goff and the Rams to a mere six points, we wouldn't be surprised to see Chicago's defense take a step back against Aaron Rodgers, who has consistently burned the Bears over his career.Top plays: 24-15-2 (61.5 percent)Overall record: 39-28-1 (58.2 percent)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 Super Bowl LIII halftime show may be short on big-name performers.Maroon 5 - who will be headlining the Feb. 3 show at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium - are "having a lot of trouble finding guests" to perform with them, a source told US Weekly.The source added that "no one wants to associate themselves with the NFL" due to its response to Colin Kaepernick's protests against police brutality.In October, it was reported that Rihanna declined an offer to headline the halftime show in support of Kaepernick.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been ruled out of Sunday's Week 15 matchup with the Tennessee Titans as he nurses a quad injury.The tilt will mark Beckham's second straight game on the sidelines.The star wideout was limited in practice on Wednesday and then didn't participate on Thursday before being ruled out.Head coach Pat Shurmur said Beckham didn't suffer any setbacks in his recovery, but "just can't go," according to NorthJersey.com's Art Stapleton. Shurmur added that the receiver is considered day to day moving forward.Beckham's caught 77 passes for 1,052 yards and six touchdowns over 12 games this season for the 5-8 Giants. He ranks 13th in the league in receiving yards and 15th in catches.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets have placed running back Isaiah Crowell on injured reserve, the team announced Friday.Crowell exited Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills with a toe injury.The 25-year-old led the team with 685 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 143 carries. He also set the franchise record for most rushing yards in a game in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos with 219 yards.Elijah McGuire will likely be first in line to take over the Jets' backfield. In Sunday's 27-23 win over the Bills, McGuire rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.Trenton Cannon, who's questionable for Saturday's game against the Houston Texans with a toe injury, may also see an increased role if he's able to suit up.In a corresponding move, running back De'Angelo Henderson was promoted to the Jets' active roster.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Stevan Ridley will be up against his former team, the New England Patriots, who moved on from the running back after he tore his ACL in 2014."That's my old team. (The departure) really hadn't sat well, and I'm a competitor," Ridley said Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "I'm going to compete. To have the opportunity to be out there on the field, going against my old team, you can bet it. I'm fired up about it and I'm excited."Ridley started 25 games for the Patriots between 2011 and 2014. In 2012 he broke out for 1263 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He had brief stints with the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons afterward, before winding up in Pittsburgh."I was trashed after an injury," Ridley told the Boston Herald's Kevin Duffy on Wednesday. "I'm just going to put it that way. I'm not going to say specifically, but to be a starter for (the Patriots) for four years, to tear my ACL and never get a callback, that's a tough pill to swallow."With James Conner dealing with an ankle injury suffered in Week 13, Ridley will be splitting backfield duties with rookie Jaylen Samuels. Ridley had five carries for four rushing yards and a touchdown last week, and he's hoping for a larger role Sunday."That's a lot of my boys up there, a lot of my teammates," Ridley said. "I think I compete harder against my homies than people I don't know. So that's really what it is. It's not a jab at them. I'm an honest person. I'm upfront. This game's been circled on the schedule a long time."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller played through what's believed to be a fractured wrist during Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Fuller is expected to undergo surgery Friday morning and is currently without a timetable for his return.The injury is a massive blow to Kansas City's pass defense, which already ranks last in the NFL.The Chiefs acquired Fuller from the Washington Redskins as part of the Alex Smith trade earlier this year. He's notched two interceptions and one forced fumble in his first campaign with the team.Fuller - one of the league's top slot cornerbacks - was Washington's third-round pick in 2016 out of Virginia Tech, and had four interceptions in a breakout sophomore campaign in 2017.Veteran Orlando Scandrick could see increased playing time in the slot in Fuller's absence, while Steven Nelson and rookie Tremon Smith will likely see increased responsibilities as well.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn wanted to make a statement against his AFC West rival.The Chargers overturned a 28-14 deficit with five minutes remaining to top the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday. The drama culminated in a bold decision to attempt a two-point conversion with four seconds left on the clock after scoring a touchdown and trailing by one point."We did not come here to tie," Lynn told reporters following the win, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "We came here to win. To me, (going for two) was a no-brainer."Los Angeles moved to 11-3 with the victory and into a tie with the Chiefs atop the division. Although going for it all on the final play seemed like a tough decision, Lynn's mind was made up long before his team scored."We were going to go for two the whole time at the end of that game because I believe in those guys," he said. "(We) did not come here to tie. I want to win the game and they wanted to win the game, so that is why we did it."Lynn added: "I told (offensive coordinator) Ken (Whisenhunt) if we get the ball and score, get your two-point play ready. We are going for it."The Chargers will battle the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos to end their season as they look to secure the top seed in the AFC - though the Chiefs currently hold the division tiebreaker.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen suffered a hip injury in the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs and was unable to return.Allen suffered the injury on an incredible near-touchdown grab. He returned for one play, but quickly left the field and was taken to the locker room before halftime.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Philip Rivers and the Chargers finally beat the Kansas City Chiefs.All it took was feverish fourth-quarter comeback, a questionable pass-interference call, a tense video review of the final touchdown and the gutsy decision to try a 2-point conversion.The result: Chargers 29, Chiefs 28.Justin Jackson's touchdown run with a couple minutes left gave the Chargers a chance. They quickly got the ball back from Patrick Mahomes and the NFL's highest-scoring offense, and Rivers led a tense final drive that included a fourth-down dart to Travis Benjamin and that crucial penalty on Kendall Fuller in the back of the end zone.The flag gave the Chargers the ball at the 1, and Rivers found Mike Williams along the sideline on the very next play. And when his TD catch with 8 seconds left was confirmed, coach Anthony Lynn sent his offense back onto the field to end five years' worth of frustration.Williams found himself alone in the end zone to secure the 2-point conversion.Not only did the Chargers (11-3) clinch a playoff berth, they forged a first-place tie with the Chiefs (11-3) in the AFC West while ending a nine-game losing streak to their longtime division rivals.Rivers threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns, though he also tossed a pair of interceptions, and Williams had seven catches for 76 yards and two scores while adding another on the ground.Jackson ran for 58 yards and a touchdown in place of the injured Melvin Gordon.Mahomes was held to just 243 yards and two touchdowns for Kansas City, and his inability to pick up a first down in the closing minutes proved costly. The Chiefs forced the Chargers to burn two timeouts on their last drive, but Mahomes was sacked by Isaac Rochell and Kansas City had to punt.The Chiefs never got the ball back on offense.Hyped by the return of star safety Eric Berry, it looked for a while as if the Chiefs would simply resume their vexation of Rivers at Arrowhead Stadium. Steven Nelson leaped to snag a jump ball for an interception on the second play of the game, and Rivers tossed another just before halftime.Mahomes and Co. took advantage of their early momentum.Kansas City breezed downfield after Nelson's interception, and the young MVP candidate threw a dart to Demarcus Robinson - while in the grasp of Chargers safety Adrian Phillips - for a 7-0 lead.Then after a punt, Darrel Williams took a screen pass for his first career touchdown.The Chargers finally reached the end zone in the second quarter, when Mike Williams caught a short TD pass. But it came moments after wide receiver Keenan Allen hurt his hip while trying to make a leaping grab in the corner of the end zone - he briefly returned before sitting out the rest of the game.Mike Williams continued to pick up the slack the rest of the game.After the Chiefs pushed their lead to 21-7 on Damien Williams' touchdown run, the Chargers' big, rangy wide receiver answered with a 19-yard end-around for a score. And when then Chiefs went on another methodical scoring drive to take a 28-14 lead with just over 8 minutes left in the game, Williams helped the Chargers head the other way for another answering touchdown to stay in the game.TONY G'S AWARDThe Chiefs added TE Tony Gonzalez to their Hall of Fame at halftime. The six-time All-Pro played his first 12 seasons with the Chiefs before finishing his career in Atlanta. His name was unveiled next to that of WR Carlos Carson on the ring of honor inside Arrowhead Stadium.INACTIVE STARSGordon (knee) tried to warmup before telling coach Anthony Lynn that he couldn't play, joining Ekeler (concussion) on their inactive list. RB Spencer Ware (hamstring), WR Sammy Watkins (foot) and OL Cam Erving were the starters out for Kansas City.INJURIESChargers: Allen received treatment on the sideline after nearly making his spectacular TD catch, and he returned briefly before slowly walking off. He left for the locker room and did not return.UP NEXTChargers: Return home for a primetime game against the Ravens on Dec. 22.Chiefs: Visit the Seahawks for another primetime game Dec. 23.---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.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper defended Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden over his trade from the Silver and Black, placing the responsibility solely on owner Mark Davis."They were getting calls about a first(-round draft pick) for next year and they weren't going to do it," Cooper told the Star-Telegram's Clarence E. Hill on Thursday. "But when (Dallas Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones called about a first for this year he felt he had no choice."Cooper was sent to the Cowboys on Oct. 22 and has thrived in Dallas, posting 40 receptions for 642 yards and six touchdowns in six games. He hauled in just 22 catches for 280 yards and one score in six contests with Oakland to begin the season.Cooper said Gruden - contrary to popular belief - didn't know about the trade when it was made. He added that Reggie McKenzie, the general manager at the time, told him the decision was out of his hands.Davis said Wednesday that the Raiders traded Cooper because his talents were being wasted in Gruden's West Coast offense, which emphasizes short passes over deep balls."He was a great, great player. We always had the fastest guy on the field no matter what," he explained at the NFL's owners meetings. "It just didn't work out in our system. In the future, we might be saying, 'Damn.'"Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers star running back Melvin Gordon won't play Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs after testing his knee pre-game, head coach Anthony Lynn told Omar Ruiz of NFL Network.Gordon has missed the last two games with the injury.Primary backup Austin Ekeler had already been ruled out of the crucial AFC West clash, so the Chargers will likely have to rely heavily on rookie Justin Jackson, who has just 27 carries this season.Gordon has excelled this year when he's been healthy, averaging a career-high 5.2 yards per carry and scoring 13 total touchdowns.The Chargers must win the second matchup of the year against the Chiefs to stay in contention for the division title.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers faced off three times last season, with the former coming out on top in every matchup, including in the NFC wild-card round.The NFC South rivals have yet to play this season, but Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan apparently sent a gift to Cam Newton after last season to make sure he didn't forget who runs the division."Yeah, it was wine. And they sent a broom too," Newton said ahead of a crucial Monday Night Football game versus the Saints, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "I ain't take the pack off, so I'm going to return to the sender if everything gets taken care of the way we know we can do it. And that's all in good fun."Newton called the broom, which he says has sat in his locker ever since, "disrespectful," but added that he and Jordan are off-field friends.New Orleans has already clinched the NFC South, but still needs to secure home-field advantage. Carolina, meanwhile, has lost five straight and likely requires at least one win against the Drew Brees-led outfit to stay in contention for the final NFC wild-card spot.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jalen Ramsey wants the Jacksonville Jaguars to squash the trade rumors that interrupted his season by proving their commitment to him with a new contract."If y'all serious about that (trade speculation) not being real, then y'all need to make it happen," the Pro Bowl cornerback said Thursday when asked if he's eyeing an extension, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco. "If not, then maybe what came out five weeks ago will happen. We'll see."It's been an adventurous season for Ramsey, who has firmly cemented himself as the league's most fearless trash-talker. His antics have reportedly started to wear on the Jaguars, causing the franchise to consider dumping him in the offseason. Jacksonville said in response to the rumor in November that it has "zero intention" of trading him.Ramsey was an All-Pro in 2017 and helped the Jags reach the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. He hasn't been as consistent this year - especially defending the run - but it hasn't affected his self-confidence."I feel like people get confused because we're losing right now as a team, but if you look at what I do out here, I'm still performing at a high level," he told Phillip Heilman of the Florida Times-Union.

Week 14 might have been the strangest we've seen in a while. And at the top of the oddities list: the Cleveland Browns won in a week when all three of their division rivals lost for the first time since 2013.With that victory and the losses by their AFC North counterparts, the Browns kept their slim playoff hopes alive. Cleveland has found itself in contention thanks to contributions from its most recent No. 1 picks, quarterback Baker Mayfield and defensive end Myles Garrett.Mayfield has drawn the bulk of the attention for the resurgence. Pressed into action during a Week 3 game against the New York Jets, the rookie quarterback helped deliver the first victory for the Browns in more than a year. However, it has been Mayfield's growth as a passer over the past few weeks that has helped keep the team in the playoff hunt into December for the first time in a long time. Mayfield's development was on display Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.One of the traits that worked in his favor as a draft prospect was his ability to create plays outside the pocket. His ability to keep plays alive in those scramble drill moments makes him very difficult to defend. The Panthers got a taste of that in the second quarter:The Browns run a vertical passing concept often termed "989." Cleveland has a vertical route on the outside to both sides of the field - the "9" routes - while Jarvis Landry runs the post route in the middle of the field. The Panthers run a Cover 3 scheme, with the free safety shaded toward the two-receiver side of the formation.Mayfield is forced off his spot quickly in the play due to some pressure from the left side. But rather than drop his eyes and look for an escape route, Mayfield continues to look downfield for Landry to get behind the defense. The rookie QB slides with his receiver to the left and delivers on a deep shot for a touchdown.These are the kind of moments we expected Mayfield to deliver. Playing quarterback, however, requires more than just playground theatrics. This is where Mayfield has shown tremendous growth. Later in the second quarter, the Browns face a first-and-10 in their own territory following a Panthers scoring drive. For the first play of their ensuing possession, Cleveland looks to another vertical concept:NFLMayfield executes a play-action fake and will work the left side of the field, where he has a vertical route and a deep out route from tight end David Njoku to choose from. Carolina shows another Cover 3 scheme in the secondary, and it will stay in that coverage on the play:NFLBefore the play, Mayfield realizes the Panthers are in a three-deep coverage and begins to come up with a plan. If the defense stays in this coverage scheme, the vertical route will occupy the cornerback, allowing Njoku to enter the area now vacated by the cornerback while working against a linebacker. Once Mayfield confirms this as the play begins, he can make a decision:What stands out here is the anticipation on the throw. Mayfield was not known as a great anticipatory thrower coming out of Oklahoma, though he might have been sold short in that category. Here, he confirms the defense post-snap and pulls the trigger well before Njoku's break:NFLPerfect timing, anticipation, and placement lead to a big gain.We will return to Mayfield in a moment, but it is a good time to check in on Garrett, who has looked every bit the part of a first overall selection in his second NFL season. He enters Week 15 tied for third in the league in sacks with Danielle Hunter and J.J. Watt at 12.5. His quickness off the edge, his athleticism, and his ability to convert speed to power make him a force coming off the outside for the Browns' defense. Here are just two examples.Early in the third quarter, the Panthers try to get Christian McCaffrey the football on the edge using a fly-sweep design, taking the second-year running back right into the potential path of Garrett off the edge:NFLGarrett, however, is having none of it:The defender aligns in a Wide-9 alignment, placing him well outside the left tackle before the play. Carolina tries to be creative here, to its detriment, by pulling the left tackle to the outside and entrusting rookie wide receiver D.J. Moore to crack-block Garrett. But because of the defender's speed and quickness off the line, he's well inside and past Moore. The rookie WR has no chance, and neither does McCaffrey.Tackles for a loss on plays like this are a nice boost, but Garrett was drafted for one major reason: attacking the opposing passer. He notched one sack of Cam Newton, for a loss of just one yard, but sometimes the box score does not tell the whole story. On this single play, Garrett flashed the traits that made him the first overall selection, and those traits will make him a feared edge rusher for years to come.Late in the third quarter, the Panthers face a second-and-7 in their own territory, and they align Newton in the shotgun. Garrett aligns again in this Wide-9 alignment, outside of left tackle Chris Clark:NFLGarrett is going to get home for the sack on this play, and there are a few things to watch on this snap. First, the quickness the defender uses again as he explodes off the line of scrimmage. Then, the speed-to-power conversion, as Garrett uses his momentum to get into Clark and then uses a "rip" move with his left arm, thrusting upward into the armpit of the left tackle to gain a leverage advantage. Finally, his ability to "bend" and "run the arc." The defender alters his path and circles toward the QB, and it requires him to bend his body, arc toward the passer, and take down his target:Garrett displays all these traits on this one play. He gets into Clark, uses a powerful rip move to gain the leverage advantage, then finishes by circling around the back of the pocket, tracking down Newton from behind, and sacking him.Ultimately, however, the success or failure of the Browns over the next few seasons will come down to Mayfield's development, which is why we can end on one last play by the QB. With fewer than three minutes remaining in the first half, Mayfield faced one of those humbling moments that only the NFL can deliver:NFLCleveland has the football just inside Carolina territory, on a third-and-9 situation, and is looking to erase the Panthers' three-point lead. But it needs to convert this pivotal third down. Mayfield is in the shotgun and the defense shows pressure up front. He can't decipher which defenders are coming after him, if any. He'll need to trust the blocking up front and potentially hang in the pocket as it collapses to move the chains on this long-yardage situation.The blitz does come, but Mayfield stays calm in the cauldron before making this throw:Watching this play from the end zone angle gives you an appreciation for what quarterbacks face on a given play. These are the plays - the ones that come from inside the pocket on those pivotal moments - that show true growth as a passer.With the holiday season upon us, the Browns are still in the playoff hunt for the first time in arguably ten years. Granted, they will need some help to get into the postseason, but with players like Mayfield and Garrett to build around, chances are Cleveland will be in many playoff hunts in the years to come.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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 discuss the biggest fantasy questions heading into Week 15.Topics include:

A "Spongebob Squarepants" Super Bowl LIII halftime show may not be as far-fetched as it seems.Following the death of "Spongebob" creator Stephen Hillenburg on Nov. 26, fans launched an online petition asking that the NFL pay tribute to his legacy by performing "Sweet Victory" - which was featured in the show's "Band Geeks" episode - at the Super Bowl. The petition has since been signed by over 900,000 people, and the host stadium has clearly taken notice.On Wednesday, Mercedes-Benz Stadium tweeted a GIF from the aforementioned episode "Sweet Victory" is featured in.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon's absence has extended beyond the bottom end of the team's expected timeline for his return, and while he previously called himself a game-time decision for Week 15, it will be "challenging" for him to play Thursday versus the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.Gordon is officially listed as questionable but will make the trip to Kansas City. Head coach Anthony Lynn said on Tuesday that he wasn't optimistic about the running back's availability.Should he miss the pivotal AFC West contest, it would mark his third straight game out of the lineup.Austin Ekeler has already been ruled out due to a concussion and neck issue, so the Chargers could potentially turn to rookie Justin Jackson to carry the load against their division rival.Los Angeles promoted running back Troymaine Pope from the practice squad on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith had a segment to forget on Thursday's edition of "First Take."The hot-take artist forgot Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware had been ruled out of the marquee Thursday night showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, forgot the Chargers had moved from San Diego to Los Angeles, and highlighted a matchup between injured Chargers tight end Hunter Henry and former Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fifth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his updated rankings for Week 15.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.Standard

Here's a look at the team totals for all 32 teams playing in Week 15, along with our picks and confidence level:Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City ChiefsChargers team total: 23.5 pointsHere's a fun fact about the Los Angeles Chargers: No other NFL team is taking off more time on the play clock per offensive snap this season. We'll also continue playing on the Kansas City Chiefs' defense, which is allowing 18.7 points per game at home.Pick: Under (+100)

After hitting two of our three recommended prop bets for last Sunday's prime-time game between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears, we're delivering our three favorite wagers for Thursday night's AFC West battle between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.Travis Kelce Under 6.5 receptions (+120)Kelce might be cementing himself as the league's best tight end, but we're not exactly a fan of the matchup against an improving Chargers defense allowing opposing tight ends to snag just 4.4 passes per game. Kelce was swarmed by L.A. in the first meeting of the season, netting one reception despite being targeted six times. That's been a common theme against the division rival, as he has fewer than two catches in three of the previous five games between the two.Philip Rivers Under 280.5 passing yards (-114)Rivers has put up some big numbers this season; over the last five games, he's accounted for 14 touchdowns against three interceptions. However, he isn't lighting it up on a weekly basis, topping the 280-yard mark through the air just twice in the last six outings. He's also seen a drastic drop in production when on the road, averaging 239.8 passing yards as opposed to 314.1 at home this season. He tore up the Chiefs' secondary for a season-high 424 yards back in Week 1, but Arrowhead Stadium hasn't been kind to opposing quarterbacks - only one of the six starting pivots to play there this season has surpassed 280 yards.Tyrell Williams Under 38.5 receiving yardsWilliams has seen a significant dip in output as of late. Following a three-game stretch during the middle of the season in which he caught 10 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns, the wideout comes into Thursday having been targeted three times or fewer in five of the previous six games, accumulating more than 23 yards just once over that span. Kansas City's defense hasn't let Williams beat them deep over the last three games, allowing an average of 7.7 yards per reception.(Prop bets are courtesy of BetOnline.ag. Be sure to shop around for the best numbers.)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.

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said he's been given medical clearance to one day return to an NFL sideline.Arians appeared on "The Rich Eisen Show" on Thursday and said he's received a "clean bill of health," according to Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan.The 66-year-old announced his retirement after leading the Cardinals to an 8-8 record in 2017. He said in early November - following the firing of Hue Jackson - that he would consider coaching again but only with the Cleveland Browns.Arians reiterated that sentiment Thursday but said he doesn't think he'll get an interview, and if he did get the job, he would not be calling plays and would instead "turn (play-calling duties) over to someone I've trained."The former Browns offensive coordinator has been working with CBS this season as a game analyst.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz was diagnosed with a fractured vertebra in his back after undergoing a CT scan, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Wentz isn't expected to require surgery, as the injury should heal with rest, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Wentz reportedly battled an ailing back for weeks, yet previous CT scans never revealed a fracture.The Eagles are evaluating whether Wentz would be at risk of worsening the injury by playing through it, according to Schefter.The 25-year-old isn't expected to be available Sunday when the Eagles take on the Los Angeles Rams in a vital game for Philadelphia's playoff chances.Wentz has thrown for 3,074 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 outings this year. He missed the first two weeks of the season while recovering from the knee injury that sidelined him in 2017.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.