New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.'s bruised quadriceps are being "further evaluated," and he won't practice Thursday, head coach Pat Shurmur told Dan Duggan of The Athletic.Beckham surprisingly missed the Giants' 40-16 win over the Washington Redskins in Week 14. Shurmur wasn't particularly forthcoming when asked if Thursday's treatments mean the three-time Pro Bowler had a setback."He's just getting it checked out. It doesn't mean anything," he said.Tight end Evan Engram led Giants' pass-catchers with three receptions for 77 yards in the lopsided victory last week. Corey Coleman was the top wideout with two catches for 43 yards.Running back Saquon Barkley was the star of the offense in Beckham's absence, racking up 197 yards from scrimmage with a rushing score.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's safe to say Washington Redskins rookie running back Derrius Guice is happy to close the books on 2018.The Redskins' second-round pick tore his ACL during the preseason in August, ending his first year in the NFL before it began. His rehab wasn't straightforward, either.Guice developed an infection shortly after his initial surgery and required three additional procedures, delaying his healing process, he told Kareem Copeland of the Washington Post. He referred to them as "flushes" to address the infected tissue."It really sucks, man," Guice said. "Everywhere you go, you either have people asking how your knee is, how your rehab is going ... or asking why you're in Louisiana. 'Why are you not with your team?'"The power-rusher is the second Redskin to develop an infection following surgery this year. Quarterback Alex Smith's career may be in jeopardy as he reportedly battles an infection in his surgically-repaired right leg.Guice admitted it's been tough to watch his team play, but vows to return to form next season."In the beginning, every time the Redskins were playing, I'm at home watching and crying because I couldn't be there, for one, and two I couldn’t play," Guice said."I'm pretty mentally strong, so this isn't beating me up. I always try to look at the positives of things. It's another year, I can get faster, bigger, stronger, learn the system more. Just be around the guys more."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite a 6-7 record, the 2018 Philadelphia Eagles season has one striking similarity to their Super Bowl-winning campaign.The Eagles head to Los Angeles to take on the Rams this Sunday without quarterback Carson Wentz, who is battling back spasms. Wentz, of course, tore his ACL against the Rams last December.With its franchise quarterback's season in jeopardy, Philadelphia will once again turn to backup Nick Foles. After leading the team to its first-ever Lombardi Trophy in February, Foles' teammates remain confident in the signal-caller."I saw Nick, a lot of guys saw Nick, and kind of called him out," tight end Zach Ertz said, according to ESPN's Tim McManus. "I just wanted everyone to know that everyone has full confidence in the guy. No one is asking him to do too much. We just want him to be himself. But at the same time, guys love playing for him. Guys love his personality. And I wanted him to know that everyone had his back."The defending champions will need some help if they are to secure a second straight playoff berth, but the players know they were similarly counted out less than a year ago."We've seen what Nick can do," defensive end Brandon Graham said. "It's going to be interesting, if that's the case."Foles will be a free agent following the season, so repeating his high level of play from last year's playoffs could reap both team and personal benefits in the future.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Song contains coarse languageA song recorded by former New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett following the team's Super Bowl LI victory hit the internet on Wednesday.As Bennett explained, he recorded "Trophies" with friends Keith Jacobs and Franchise Tief right after the game in 2017, but never released it.The 31-year-old said he planned to ask Patriots owner Robert Kraft if he could perform it at the team's ring ceremony, "but I switched teams and felt it was a little weird."Bennett announced his retirement from the NFL in March after 10 seasons.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders don't know where they'll play their home games in 2019, but owner Mark Davis said Wednesday the team has "a number of options," according to NFL.com.The city of Oakland filed a lawsuit against the Raiders to recover damages related to the team's upcoming move to Las Vegas, further complicating the franchise's potential agreement to a new lease."As I said, emotionally, you know, I don't want to pay for my own lawsuit, but for the fans, it's something that I have to think about," Davis said when asked if staying in Oakland is still possible.Davis listed San Diego and joining the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara as possible temporary homes for the Raiders and added that an early move to Sin City is possible ahead of the new stadium's opening in 2020. San Antonio is a less likely option, as Davis is concerned about the turf at the Alamodome.NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league wants the Raiders to confirm a 2019 home venue by January or February.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky went by the nickname "Favre" in high school and even drove a Buick LeSabre with the license plate "FAVRE 10." He'd prefer not to be called that now, though.Speaking Wednesday ahead of the Bears' Week 15 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Trubisky said he wants to leave the nickname in the past."I'm done with that nickname," he told reporters, according to WBAY-TV's Matt Hietpas. "Nobody calls me that no more ... I don't play for Green Bay. It was just a nickname back in the day so I'm the Chicago Bears quarterback now."Trubisky was given the nickname by Jeff Grubich, his offensive coordinator during his sophomore and junior seasons at Mentor High School in Ohio."We were in a game and he's rolling to the right and he plants and tries to throw the football all the way back to the left," Grubich told Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. "It gets picked off and taken to the house. He comes back to the sideline, and he's all just fired up at himself and I go, 'Who the hell do you think you are? Brett Favre?'"Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs star wide receiver Tyreek Hill will play on Thursday against the Los Angeles Chargers despite being listed as questionable due to heel and wrist injuries, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.With Sammy Watkins sidelined until the playoffs and Spencer Ware ruled out for Week 15, Kansas City couldn't afford to have its top receiving threat miss the all-important divisional clash.Hill suffered the injury during last week's win over the Baltimore Ravens, but he was able to fight through it and finish with 139 yards on eight catches.The 11-2 Chiefs would secure the AFC West with a win on Thursday, while a Chargers victory could shake up the complexion of the AFC playoff picture.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry is expected to make his first appearance of the season during Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers after being sidelined with a heel injury, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Berry last played in Week 1 of the 2017 season, when he ruptured his Achilles. He's missed 29 games since then, including the postseason.The Chiefs teased Berry's return in a hype video Wednesday.

The New Orleans Saints have released receiver Brandon Marshall, a source told ESPN's Field Yates.Marshall joined the Saints in mid-November after recently-signed Dez Bryant tore his Achilles in practice.The 34-year-old played six games for the Seattle Seahawks to start the season, accumulating 136 yards on 11 receptions. He didn't play a snap for New Orleans.The Saints also claimed former Indianapolis Colts tight end Erik Swoope on waivers Wednesday, a source told ProFootballTalk.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thursday night's marquee AFC West showdown between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs may be missing several of the game's biggest stars.The Chargers ruled out running back Austin Ekeler due to a concussion and a neck issue on Wednesday; Melvin Gordon remains questionable with a knee injury but will make the trip to Kansas City, according to Field Yates of ESPN.Gordon called himself a game-time decision on Tuesday, while head coach Anthony Lynn said he wasn't optimistic about the availability of either running back. Rookie Justin Jackson will take on an expanded role in place of Ekeler, while Detrez Newsome will likely see some extra work if Gordon is ruled out.Jackson, a seventh-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, has compiled 132 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards with one touchdown on the ground over the past three games since Gordon initially suffered his injury in Week 12.Newsome has just five carries for 15 yards in his rookie campaign.The Chiefs listed running back Spencer Ware as doubtful as he battles shoulder and hamstring issues. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was questionable with heel and wrist ailments, but he will play, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Receiver Sammy Watkins remains out due to a foot problem.Damien Williams is in line to start at running back for the Chiefs should Ware be ruled out. The fifth-year rusher had 30 yards from scrimmage with two total touchdowns against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14.There had been some initial concern regarding Hill coming out of Sunday's contest, but further examination on Monday reportedly showed "nothing serious."Thursday's meeting could play a huge role in deciding the AFC West. The Chiefs won the first game between the two sides in Week 1 and hold the division lead at 11-2, while the Chargers are 10-3 through 14 weeks.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas will host the 2020 NFL Draft, the league announced on Wednesday.The draft will take place at several locations around the Las Vegas Strip, an NFL executive told NFL.com's Tom Pelissero."We look forward to working with the Raiders, Las Vegas officials, and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to create an unforgettable week-long celebration of football for our fans, the incoming prospects, and partners," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.2020 also marks the Raiders' inaugural season in their new Las Vegas stadium.Nashville is hosting the 2019 NFL Draft.

The NFL says it's not likely to consider paying for videos that could be used as evidence in investigations into players' personal conduct.The league came under heavy scrutiny after TMZ Sports first acquired and distributed video of former Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt pushing and kicking a woman in a Cleveland hotel hallway in February.Hunt was only disciplined - and later released by the Chiefs - after the video was made public by TMZ at the end of November.NFL executive and special counsel for conduct B. Todd Jones said Wednesday "it's not likely at all" that the league will buy evidence videos or pay for other types of information, as it would open a Pandora's box, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Jones added that the league's investigative powers are limited in regards to obtaining material such as the Hunt video."There is information we can't get when we need it. But when we get it, we act on it," he said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL announced Wednesday that it's updated the Rooney Rule, the policy requiring teams to interview at least one candidate from an ethnic minority for head coaching jobs and roles in senior football operations.Clubs now have to interview a minority candidate on the list from the league's career development advisory panel, or someone who isn't already employed by the organization, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The policy, established in 2003, does not apply to coordinators or assistant coaches. There are currently seven minority head coaches in the NFL.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Following our three best picks for the next head coach to be fired, we dive into our top-three Coach of the Year candidates.Favorite - Sean Payton (+350)Sitting at 11-2 on the season, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is currently in a three-way tie with Kansas City's Andy Reid (+400) and L.A.'s Sean McVay (+400).It's tough to cross off a head coach who has his team in contention for a Super Bowl, but McVay is potentially behind the eight ball. He took home the award last season, piloting the Rams to an 11-5 record and an NFC West title in Year 1 after a dismal 4-12 campaign. However, history isn't on his side, as the last time a coach took home the honor in back-to-back seasons was in 1982-83.Reid often gets the Bill Belichick treatment - winning at a consistent rate to the point where it becomes normal. Despite taking the league by storm with a second-year quarterback and being in a prime spot to take the AFC West, Reid needs to win out to stay in the mix. The Chiefs still have a tough divisional game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday and will have to play in Seattle the following week. Considering the Chiefs' preseason win total had them pegged as the worst team in the division, it would be a shame to overlook Reid if Kansas City does win out.Payton is aiming for his first 13-plus-win season since 2011 and will likely lock the feat up with New Orleans favored in all three games to close out the season. McVay and Reid are nipping at his heels in the odds race, but there's no reason to get cute with this one.Underdog - Matt Nagy (+500)Nagy, in a sense, is this year's version of McVay - the former inherited a three-win Chicago Bears team that didn't have a single player voted to the Pro Bowl last season and is in a position to win the NFC North in his first year at the helm. The Bears also cemented themselves as a legitimate threat after a prime-time win over the Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 14. Flipping the tables with an 11- or 12-win season should have Nagy firmly in the discussion for Coach of the Year.Long shot - Pete Carroll (+1200)Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is in the third tier with Miami's Adam Gase (+1000), Houston's Bill O'Brien, and Dallas' Jason Garrett (+1200). Projected to win 8.5 games in the preseason, Carroll and the Seahawks could possibly run the table and finish the year in the spotlight.Carroll is overachieving in a year in which some thought back-to-back subpar seasons would be answered with yet another step in the wrong direction for a franchise facing a potential rebuild. Instead, Carroll has the Seahawks in the playoff mix at 8-5 and is coming off one of the biggest wins of the season on the national stage. There's also a chance Seattle can win out and finish 11-5, with home games coming against Arizona and Kansas City after playing San Francisco on the road.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.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz isn't practicing Wednesday due to back soreness and isn't expected to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.There is concern that Wentz may not play again in 2018, Rapoport adds, while the team continues to gather information on his health.Head coach Doug Pederson was asked Wednesday if Wentz would play and told reporters they're focusing on today and getting him better, according to Jeff McLane of Philly.com.The third-year signal-caller has completed 69.6 percent of his passing attempts for 3,074 yards and 21 touchdowns with seven interceptions through 11 games this season. He missed the first two contests while recovering from the knee injury that prematurely ended his MVP-caliber 2017 campaign. His final game was against the Rams in L.A in Week 13.Backup Nick Foles, who started the first two games of this season after quarterbacking the Eagles to a victory in Super Bowl LII, will likely be called upon if Wentz can't suit up against the Rams. Foles completed 54 of 82 passes for 451 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in his two starts this season - a win over the Atlanta Falcons and a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The 6-7 Eagles will be fighting to stay in the NFC playoff picture, while the 11-2 Rams have already clinched a postseason berth.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh announced that rookie Lamar Jackson will remain the team's starting quarterback for its Week 15 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Veteran pivot Joe Flacco has fully recovered from his hip injury and will serve as the backup.

Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph is calling on quarterback Case Keenum to step up following Sunday's 20-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers."(Keenum) was a little cautious with the ball," Joseph said, according to Ryan O'Halloran of the Denver Post. "The bottom line, we have three weeks left to play. He has to make more plays."Keenum, who recorded 10 interceptions in the first eight games of the season, has yet to throw one in the last five weeks. His numbers through the air have taken a hit, however, averaging 205.8 yards per contest over that span, a large drop-off compared to his 263.8 yards per game through the first eight weeks."Sometimes, taking some chances allows you to make more plays," Joseph said. "(There are) going to be turnovers. He can’t worry about that. You can’t play this game perfectly. I want Case to be more aggressive, especially down the seams of a (single-high safety) defense."The 6-7 Broncos were riding a three-game winning streak prior to Sunday, and will now face off against the Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers to end the season."Obviously, we have to win out," Joseph said. "It’s a must-win game on Saturday. It’s going to be a must-win game for the next three weeks. We understand that … We haven’t talked about it, but it’s been that way the last month-and-a-half."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Need a cheat sheet or some help spotting situational edges with a new slate of NFL action fast approaching? We've got you covered.Here are five tips to consider as you do your homework for Week 15.Lions trending under The Detroit Lions' offense has gone missing following the Week 9 trade of Golden Tate and the loss of Marvin Jones Jr. to injured reserve. Averaging a respectable 26.1 points per game and hitting the team total over in five of their first six games, the Lions have seen an incredible downturn, posting 16.2 points per contest and going under the team total in six of their last seven. They've also been a solid play to the first-half under, which is currently on a 4-0 run.An underwhelming offense averaging 5.4 adjusted yards per play heading into Week 14 racked up a dismal 4.0 against the Arizona Cardinals in a 17-3 win on Sunday. Things won't get much easier for Matt Stafford and Co. when they face the Buffalo Bills, who rank third in the NFL in yards per play allowed this season (4.8).Expect the Buccaneers' defense to come back down to earthThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers' home defense has made life difficult for opponents after forcing Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton into four interceptions and making the New Orleans Saints look like a below-average offense for three quarters. However, no other defense has more volatile home/road splits:

New York Giants great Tiki Barber is headed to Broadway.The former running back announced Tuesday on "Good Morning America" that he's joining the Tony Award-winning musical "Kinky Boots" for a six-week run beginning Jan. 21, 2019.He'll play the role of Don, replacing original cast member Daniel Stewart Sherman, who's taking a temporary leave to appear in "My Very Own British Invasion" at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey.Barber spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Giants, racking up 15,632 total yards and 67 touchdowns in 154 games.

The City of Oakland filed a federal lawsuit against the National Football League and the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday regarding the team's upcoming relocation to Las Vegas, according to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez.The Raiders don't have a lease for the 2019 season as the franchise awaits the completion of a stadium in Las Vegas, where they will eventually move for the 2020 campaign. Although the Raiders were originally open to playing in Oakland until the Las Vegas venue is ready, the lawsuit further clouds where the team will play next season.The City contends the Raiders were approved to move to Las Vegas illegally and the impending relocation has caused severe damages to the city's residents and taxpayers."The Raiders' illegal move lines the pockets of NFL owners and sticks Oakland, its residents, taxpayers and dedicated fans with the bill," Oakland city attorney Barbara J. Parker said in a release. "The purpose of this lawsuit is to hold the defendants accountable and help to compensate Oakland for the damages the defendants' unlawful actions have caused and will cause to the people of Oakland."UNLV's Sam Boyd Stadium has been mentioned among the potential options if the Raiders are unable to reach an agreement to play the 2019 season in Oakland.Raiders owner Mark Davis declined to comment on ESPN's story.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 early rankings for Week 15.Updated rankings (including PPR) will be released Thursday, with the final version coming down Sunday morning.To find out who the top pickups are, you can consult our Week 15 Waiver Wire column. You can also listen to the latest episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.Standard Rankings

Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon said on Tuesday that he's feeling much better than a week ago, but head coach Anthony Lynn will decide if he suits up against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night."I've been grinding hard to get back and we're still trying to decide what we're going to do," Gordon said, according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN. "I know coach (Lynn) is trying to be careful and doesn't want me to further hurt myself or things like that. So we'll see where that goes, but I'm a lot stronger and more confident than I was last week."Gordon missed the Chargers' last two games after suffering a knee injury against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12. The fourth-year back has recorded 1,255 yards from scrimmage with 13 total touchdowns through 10 games.The marquee Thursday night matchup, and the final Thursday game of the 2018 season, sees Gordon's 10-3 Chargers going up against the AFC-leading Chiefs and their 11-2 record."I'd love to be out there," Gordon said. "I know it's a big game and I know the guys want me to be out there. We need all of the playmakers we can to beat K.C.; you know how explosive there are."Lynn said earlier Tuesday that he isn't optimistic about Gordon or sophomore rusher Austin Ekeler being available on a short week. Ekeler suffered a neck injury and a concussion against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.Rookie running backs Justin Jackson and Detrez Newsome are next in line should Gordon and/or Ekeler be ruled out.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The future has arrived at Mile High Stadium.Fans attending Saturday night's game between the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns will be the first to test out a beer-dispensing robot.

The final Thursday Night Football game of 2018 may not include a pair of dynamic running backs.The Los Angeles Chargers aren't optimistic that either Melvin Gordon or Austin Ekeler will be available for the key AFC West matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Anthony Lynn told Steve Wyche of NFL Network.Gordon missed the past two games with a knee injury, while Ekeler reportedly suffered a neck ailment and a concussion in the Chargers' Week 14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.Gordon said he's feeling much better this week and will push the decision on whether to play right up until game time, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. In 10 games this season, he's racked up 802 rushing yards, 453 receiving yards, and 13 total touchdowns.Ekeler has recorded 900 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in his sophomore campaign. He started the past two weeks in Gordon's absence.Should both running backs be unavailable, rookies Justin Jackson and Detrez Newsome will likely be asked to step up in the prime-time spotlight. Jackson, a seventh-round draft pick, posted 174 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown over the last three games.Newsome has just five carries for 15 yards in his debut season.Meanwhile, Kansas City's offense is also likely to enter Thursday's matchup shorthanded. Running back Kareem Hunt was recently released, wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot) isn't expected to play until the postseason, and fellow wideout Tyreek Hill is battling a foot injury of his own.The Chiefs lead the AFC with an 11-2 record and won their first meeting against the Chargers - who sit one game back at 10-3 - in Week 1.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The XFL has begun its hiring process ahead of its 2020 revival.Those interested in coaching, playing, or being employed as an agent in Vince McMahon's football league can submit a job application through LinkedIn. Candidates must answer why they're passionate about working for the XFL and provide links or information about their social media presence.The applications don't list a starting salary, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported in August that XFL commissioner Oliver Luck told NFL agents that "(e)xceptional players" will have the opportunity to earn more than $200,000 per season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageNFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka was hospitalized in late November after suffering a heart attack that was initially described as "minor."However, Ditka says his agent downplayed the severity of the event, one he calls "massive.""I got my ass kicked pretty good there, but I'm feeling a lot better," Ditka said to The Athletic's Dan Pompei.The heart attack occurred while Ditka was on the golf course. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors inserted a pacemaker and four stents.He's currently attending therapy daily and working on regaining his strength."I'm just going to take it easy," he said. "I realize that I have been riding 'em hard and putting up wet for a lot of years. Time to slow down. I'm not getting any younger. You're only going to live 'til you die anyway. So it's been a hell of a run."You always think it's not going to happen to me until it happens to you. And then there is nothing you can do about it because it just kicks your butt so bad. You know, the greatest gift we have from God is life. But life without health is not worth a darn."Ditka suffered a heart attack in 1988 and had a minor stroke in 2012.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 14:Defensive Lineman of the Week: DE Myles Garrett, BrownsPrior to Sunday’s action, we detailed why Myles Garrett was primed for a big day against Carolina Panthers left tackle Chris Clark - and it proved to be true, as Garrett was outstanding throughout the Cleveland Browns' 26-20 upset victory.Garrett took advantage of Clark throughout the game, finishing with five tackles - including two for a loss - three quarterback hits, and a sack. On that sack, the sophomore leveraged his rare speed around the edge to bring down Cam Newton:As seen above, Garrett aligns with an outside shade over Clark and does an excellent job of timing the snap to immediately stress the blocker's pass set. After pushing vertical for three steps, Garrett executes a powerful rip move to beat Clark's hands and shorten the corner. From there, he showcases effective footwork to make the sharp turn and chase Newtown down.Garrett is also excellent at converting his speed to power, and the following play - which was originally ruled a sack but overturned to an incompletion - is a great example:Here, Garrett explodes out of his stance and pushes vertical for four steps, once again stressing Clark's pass set. The tackle scrambles to stay in front, which means that even though he beats Garrett to the intersection point, he can't set his feet to anchor against the bull rush.That allows Garrett to walk Clark back into Newton's lap, forcing the quarterback to toss the ball at his running back's feet to prevent the sack.Overall, Garrett's become more consistent and well-rounded in his second season while sitting third in the NFL with 12.5 sacks. But the former No. 1 pick isn't even close to reaching his ceiling - a terrifying prospect for offensive linemen around the league.Pass Rush of the Week: DE Cameron Jordan, SaintsCameron Jordan's been one of the best all-around defensive ends in football for the last three years. He plays the run and the pass equally well, allowing him to affect games in a multitude of ways.Here, we'll break down his impressive second-quarter sack of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston:Jordan begins in a two-point stance just outside of the tight end. After the ball is snapped, he pushes upfield, utilizing a quick arm-over move to avoid the tight end's chip block.Next, Jordan turns his hips toward the pocket and attacks the right tackle. Just before he gets within striking distance, a quick stutter-step gets the tackle to slide slightly outside, giving Jordan space to execute a perfect club-to-arm-over move that beats the block on his way to sacking Winston.Here's the play slowed down. Pay attention to Jordan's upper-body mobility as he executes the arm-over move. Keeping his hips on track while rotating his shoulder so drastically allows him to maintain momentum while staying on a path toward the quarterback:In a game that saw the Saints' offense start slow, Jordan and the defense made sure nothing came easy for the Bucs' explosive passing attack in a 28-14 win.Run Defender(s) of the Week: DTs A'Shawn Robinson and Damon Harrison, LionsThis week, we're going to cheat a little bit and name two players from the same team - Detroit Lions defensive tackles A'Shawn Robinson and Damon "Snacks" Harrison. The duo put on a show against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, limiting the rushing attack to 65 yards on 21 carries (3.1 yards per attempt).In the example we'll highlight below, Harrison and Robinson are aligned straight over the right guard and left guard, respectively, and shut down the running play:Both defensive tackles play an important role here. When the ball is snapped, Harrison immediately uses an arm-over move to shed the guard before engaging the right tackle. That resets the line of scrimmage and eliminates the running back's ability to bounce outside.Meanwhile, Robinson absorbs a double-team from the center and right guard. Even though he slips toward the end, Robinson impressively holds his ground at the point of attack by executing an "anchor turn" that uses his left leg as a kickstand. Here's another look:With one tackle eliminating an escape route and the other plugging the middle, the Lions limit this second-and-7 run to a 1-yard gain.And this is par for the course, as Robinson and Harrison have become the best run-stuffing defensive tackle duo in the NFL since the latter's midseason trade to Detroit.In the Spotlight: DL Denico Autry, ColtsWith five sacks in the last two weeks, Denico Autry is a worthy player to feature here. He's a former undrafted free agent who spent the first four years of his career with the Oakland Raiders before moving to the Indianapolis Colts this season.At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, Autry moves around the defensive line and varies his strategy accordingly. On the interior, he uses quickness to cause problems for slower-footed guards. On the outside, he looks to overpower weaker tackles with violent hand techniques and bull rushes.And while Autry has sometimes benefited from Indianapolis' secondary forcing quarterbacks to hold the ball too long, his second-quarter takedown of Houston Texans pivot Deshaun Watson didn’t require any assistance whatsoever:On this play, Autry's aligned in the A-gap between the center and left guard. After the ball is snapped, he quickly swims over and avoids the guard's block attempt before bursting into the backfield.Here it is in full speed, as Watson has absolutely no chance to survey the field before being brought down:This is the issue that Autry poses for guards and centers who aren't used to his type of speed in the A-gaps. And while he's been a solid run defender all year, the added pass-rush dimension is taking his game to new heights.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.

The Pittsburgh Steelers could receive a boost to their offense for their marquee Week 15 matchup against the New England Patriots.Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that it's possible running back James Conner will be able to play following a productive week of rehabbing his injured ankle, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Conner was inactive for the Steelers' 24-21 defeat against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Rookie Jaylen Samuels led the team's rushing attack on the day with 11 carries for 28 yards, though he added a more impressive 64 receiving yards on seven catches. Veteran Stevan Ridley scored the team's lone touchdown on the ground.The 23-year-old Conner, a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, has 1,376 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns on the season.The Week 14 loss to the Raiders dropped the Steelers to 7-5-1 on the season. Pittsburgh remains just a half-game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens (7-6) for the top seed in the AFC North.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged the brewing controversy over his handling of Ben Roethlisberger late in Sunday's loss to the Oakland Raiders, providing more details Tuesday.Roethlisberger left Sunday's game at halftime with a rib injury and returned to the contest with five minutes left.Tomlin said the quarterback suffered multiple rib contusions and was held out for much of the second half because the Steelers were waiting for a painkilling treatment to take effect.

The Minnesota Vikings fired offensive coordinator John DeFilippo on Tuesday, replacing him with quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski on an interim basis.Stefanski will call plays for the Vikings. The moves come shortly after Minnesota's disappointing 21-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.DeFilippo was hired away from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he served as QBs coach for 2016 and 2017, following the Eagles' victory in Super Bowl LII. He replaced Pat Shurmur, who left to become the New York Giants' head coach following the 2017 campaign.Stefanski has been with the Vikings since 2006, working under several different titles. Minnesota denied the Giants permission to interview Stefanski for their offensive coordinator role this past offseason.The Vikings rank 20th in scoring with 21.7 points per game on the season, more than two full points below their 2017 average. Also, only two teams have accumulated fewer rushing yards through 14 weeks.Minnesota remains second in the NFC North with a record of 6-6-1.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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 (11-2)Previous Rank: 2The Saints appeared on their way to a second straight flop before pulling it together for the second half in Tampa Bay. This team is winning in a variety of ways and is now the favorite to lock up the NFC's top seed. - Alessandrini2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-2)Previous Rank: 3The NFL's No. 1 scoring defense and total defense was no match for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offensive attack. It seems the only way to top this team is to outscore it. Good luck. - McClymont3. Los Angeles Rams (11-2)Previous Rank: 1The Bears laid out the blueprint for shutting down the Rams' offense. Fortunately for L.A., there aren't many defenses like Chicago's. - McClymont4. Los Angeles Chargers (10-3)Previous Rank: 5This week spells the biggest Chargers game in years. If the Bolts are to win the AFC West for the first time since 2009, they'll need to beat the Chiefs on Thursday night. - McClymont5. Chicago Bears (9-4)Previous Rank: 7It may not be hyperbolic to compare this year's defense to the legendary 1985 squad after it made the high-octane Rams offense look helpless Sunday night. - Srinivasan6. New England Patriots (9-4)Previous Rank: 4New England will, of course, bounce back from the embarrassing loss to the Dolphins. But it was still startling to see Bill Belichick make such a huge error by leaving Rob Gronkowski on the field for the final defensive play. - Browne7. Dallas Cowboys (8-5)Previous Rank: 9It's safe to say Dallas has a new set of "Triplets," as Amari Cooper put on an otherworldly performance against the Eagles and continued to show why many were wrong to suggest he wasn't worth trading a first-round pick. - Browne8. Houston Texans (9-4)Previous Rank: 6Bill O'Brien has to either call more plays for Deshaun Watson to release the ball quickly or make adjustments to his blocking unit. The Texans can't make a playoff run with their quarterback running for his life. - Alessandrini9. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)Previous Rank: 10Bobby Wagner is willing the Seahawks to the playoffs. On the strength of two virtuoso performances by the middle linebacker, the retooled Seattle defense is soaring. - McClymont10. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)Previous Rank: 14T.Y. Hilton has 556 receiving yards over his last four games. The Colts close out the regular season against the Cowboys, Giants, and Titans, who should all be prepared for the deadly duo of Hilton and Andrew Luck. - Alessandrini11. Baltimore Ravens (7-6)Previous Rank: 12It appears Lamar Jackson will be fine after leaving in overtime, and with Joe Flacco improving in his recovery from injury, the Ravens may soon have a quarterback controversy on their hands. - Srinivasan12. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1)Previous Rank: 8Chris Boswell will field the blame for a missed field goal but the offense has to make better use of Antonio Brown to reach its full potential. - Srinivasan13. Minnesota Vikings (6-6-1)Previous Rank: 11Barely holding onto a playoff spot, the offense looks completely listless with Kirk Cousins surpassing 300 yards just once since Week 9. - Srinivasan14. Tennessee Titans (7-6)Previous Rank: 17Hats off to the man with the meanest stiff arm in the NFL. Derrick Henry put on a show Thursday night. - Alessandrini15. Miami Dolphins (7-6)Previous Rank: 18Kenyan Drake will never again need to buy his own drink in Miami. - Browne16. Carolina Panthers (6-7)Previous Rank: 13Make that five straight losses for Carolina. Cam Newton continues to struggle and it appears his shoulder is really causing him some problems. - Alessandrini17. Denver Broncos (6-7)Previous Rank: 16The losses on the offensive side of the ball were just too much to make up. That's still no excuse for that stinker of a performance against the Niners. - McClymont18. Green Bay Packers (5-7-1)Previous Rank: 20Aaron Rodgers was efficient in a 34-20 victory versus Atlanta, but it's too little, too late in another season his immense talent has gone to waste. - Srinivasan19. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)Previous Rank: 15The race for the division may be over, but Philly is still very much alive for the final NFC wild-card spot thanks to the Vikings' MNF loss. - Browne20. Cleveland Browns (5-7-1)Previous Rank: 22Baker Mayfield outdueled Cam Newton in the battle of Heisman-winning No. 1 overall picks, and though they won't make the playoffs, the Browns have their quarterback, finally. - Srinivasan21. New York Giants (5-8)Previous Rank: 26New York has won four of its last five and is miraculously still mathematically in the hunt for the playoffs. The Giants need a ton of help, but they'll likely take any sliver of hope after their disastrous start. - Browne22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-8)Previous Rank: 21Chris Godwin's frustrating season continued Sunday. A week after his 101-yard, one-touchdown performance, the wideout amazingly caught just one of 10 targets versus New Orleans. - Alessandrini23. Washington Redskins (6-7)Previous Rank: 19Josh Johnson needed to play Madden just to learn the names of his new teammates. That's how quickly this season has deteriorated for Washington. - Browne24. Detroit Lions (5-8)Previous Rank: 28If the Lions beat the Cardinals in a game during which Matthew Stafford threw for only 101 yards, does it really count? - Srinivasan25. Cincinnati Bengals (5-8)Previous Rank: 23Remember when the Bengals threatened to break up the Steelers-Ravens duopoly in the North? Nope, we can't either. - Srinivasan26. Atlanta Falcons (4-9)Previous Rank: 24Julio Jones' schooling of first-round rookie Jaire Alexander was fun to watch. Try to see the positives at this point, Falcons fans. - Alessandrini27. Buffalo Bills (4-9)Previous Rank: 27This past week, Josh Allen broke Michael Vick's three-game QB rushing record. This season just keeps getting weirder. - Browne28. New York Jets (4-9)Previous Rank: 29Sam Darnold was always going to struggle to immediately adapt to the NFL level. But his game-winning play against the Bills was a needed reminder of how high his ceiling can be if New York properly nurtures his talent. - Browne29. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9)Previous Rank: 25The once-elite Jaguars defense has seemingly stopped trying. Is there another way to explain Henry's titanic performance? - Alessandrini30. Oakland Raiders (3-10)Previous Rank: 32We'll miss that Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum turf and all the follies it created. - McClymont31. San Francisco 49ers (3-10)Previous Rank: 31What an All-Pro-worthy season George Kittle has put together. It's a shame the Niners couldn't get him the five yards he needed to break the single-game receiving record for tight ends. - McClymont32. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)Previous Rank: 30Those two wins against San Fran are really hurting Arizona's shot at the No. 1 pick in the draft. - McClymontCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's a new day in Seattle.On the strength of a defense rebuilt seemingly on the fly, the Seahawks shut down the Minnesota Vikings' offense Monday night to help Seattle improve to 8-5.The Vikings, in fact, were pointless until the very last drive of the game. Seattle's defensive performance recalled a previous era. Just don't tell the current Seahawks that."Richard Sherman and his era is over here," proclaimed Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark, according to Mike Vorel of the Seattle Times."For so long, I feel like we've had this spirit over us - that Super Bowl lingering from 2015. You know what I mean? I feel like for the longest (time) we had that cloud over us, like people wouldn't get over it. But I feel like there were some changes here. We were called a team that was going to have a rebuilding season."Clark took umbrage with Sherman calling the Seahawks a "middle of the road" team after their battle with the San Francisco 49ers last week."At the end of the day, 'middle of the road,' that's Richard Sherman being Richard Sherman. He's not in this locker room anymore, so his opinion really doesn't matter," Clark said. "You know what I mean? They've got problems over there in San Fran that he needs to be worried about. At the end of the day, this is my team now. This is my defense."- With h/t to NFL.comCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SEATTLE (AP) Bobby Wagner blocked Dan Bailey's field goal attempt midway through the fourth quarter, sparking the Seahawks to two late touchdowns and a 21-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night, Seattle's fourth straight victory.Chris Carson followed the blocked kick with a 2-yard TD run with 2:53 left, and Justin Coleman provided the capper with a 29-yard fumble return touchdown 18 seconds later.What was an ugly and mostly forgettable first three quarters turned into a Seattle party in the fourth as the Seahawks (8-5) moved to the brink of wrapping up a wild-card spot in the NFC. One win in Seattle's final three games - including games against lowly San Francisco and Arizona - should be enough to put the Seahawks into the postseason.Minnesota (6-6-1) twice had scoring chances in the fourth quarter when it was still a one-score game but was turned away each time. Minnesota's chances of winning the NFC North took a major hit, but the Vikings still hold the No. 6 spot in the NFC.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone will run down the recommended waiver wire pickups.Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60 percent of leagues are considered.Fantasy Podcast: Week 14 takeaways, early look at waiver wireQuarterbacksKevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyLamar Jackson, RavensNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. TB47%$9It appears Jackson avoided a serious ankle injury, which is good news since his game is dependent on elusive rushing ability. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean the rookie will get the start now that Joe Flacco is back. The Bucs have given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, including at least 30 rushing yards to Baker Mayfield, Mitch Trubisky, and twice to Cam Newton. Assuming Jackson gets the nod, he'll once again be a borderline QB1.Josh Allen, BillsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. DET15%$3Allen has been putting up similar numbers to Jackson, with huge rushing totals and minimal yardage through the air. A matchup at home against the Lions isn't scary, but they have limited quarterbacks to less than 20 rushing yards in every game this season. That could threaten Allen's main means of production, adding more risk to an already dangerous fantasy gamble. With few quality passers on the market this week, Allen's upside makes him worth the risk as a mid-range QB2.Other options: Derek Carr vs. CIN (15 percent owned), Nick Mullens vs. SEA (7 percent owned), Eli Manning vs. TEN (21 percent owned)Running BacksThearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / GettyDamien Williams, ChiefsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. LAC16%$100Williams gets the No. 1 spot on the list with the possibility that he could start for the Chiefs on a short week. Spencer Ware battled through a shoulder injury on Sunday and we still haven't received an update on his status for Thursday's divisional tilt against the Chargers. If Ware is ruled out or limited, Williams would be the immediate beneficiary after touching the ball 13 times for 38 yards and two scores last week. Even if Ware plays, it's clear that the Chiefs are looking to get Williams involved and there'll be plenty of scoring opportunities in this high-powered offense. If he gets the start, Williams will be an RB2, compared to an RB3/flex with Ware in the lineup. Pass-catching back Charcandrick West (5 percent owned) is also worth consideration as a deeper flex play.Doug Martin, RaidersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat CIN52%$49It's impossible to feel good about using Martin in fantasy, but desperate owners in need of a starter can look his way. The veteran has scored a touchdown in three straight games and has surprisingly been a top-25 fantasy back since the Raiders bye in Week 7. Facing off with the Bengals, who are allowing the most fantasy points to running backs, should help him remain a fringe RB2 for at least one more game. His teammate Jalen Richard (47 percent owned) will also take advantage of the matchup, but he tends to have his best days when the Raiders are trailing, which might not happen against a struggling Bengals squad.Kenneth Dixon, RavensNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. TB8%$39On Monday, head coach John Harbaugh said he expects Dixon's role to grow moving forward, which is well deserved since he posted recent stat lines of 13-44-1, 9-43, and 9-80-1 as a part-time player over the last three weeks. Even with his increased usage, this will remain a three-man committee also featuring Gus Edwards and Ty Montgomery (14 percent owned). As long as Jackson stays under center, there should be enough volume to go around, but that isn't guaranteed. Dixon is definitely worth an aggressive bid to see how this works out, just keep your expectations in check.Elijah McGuire, JetsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. HOU9%$49When Isaiah Crowell suffered a foot injury on Sunday, McGuire stepped in to rack up 83 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches. He's likely to see a similar workload this week, though the degree of difficulty will be ratcheted up versus the Texans' strong run defense. Ezekiel Elliott and Nick Chubb were both held in check by Houston on the ground, but made up the yards as pass catchers. While he's not in their class, McGuire is a capable receiver and will see enough volume to lift his numbers through the air, making him a flex play.Ito Smith, FalconsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. ARI25%$39Smith popped back up for 74 yards this week and has out-touched teammate Tevin Coleman in each of the last two contests. However, that might say more about Coleman's 2018 performance than it does about Smith. The Falcons are nine-point favorites this weekend at home against the Cardinals, who are permitting the second most fantasy points to running backs. That's enough to put Smith back on the flex radar, though he likely still needs a touchdown to pay off.Other options: LeGarrette Blount at BUF (48 percent owned), Chris Ivory at DET (4 percent owned), Rex Burkhead at PIT (22 percent owned), Rashaad Penny at SF (32 percent owned), Theo Riddick at BUF (54 percent owned), Darren Sproles at LAR (5 percent owned), Zach Zenner at BUF (1 percent owned), Marcus Murphy at DET (0 percent owned), Royce Freeman vs. Browns (46 percent owned), Gio Bernard vs. OAK (25 percent owned), Nyheim Hines vs. DAL (25 percent owned), Chase Edmonds (2 percent owned)Wide ReceiversMichael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / GettyDante Pettis, 49ersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. SEA45%$100Pettis has scored at least one touchdown in three consecutive games. That includes a 129-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Seahawks in Week 13 - the same team he'll be squaring off with Sunday. The second-rounder wasn’t as hyped as some of the other draft prospects, but in the end, he might be one of the best receivers to come out of this draft. As a late-season breakout star, he'll be a WR3 with upside the rest of the way.Curtis Samuel, PanthersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. NO31%$100Samuel has a similar ceiling to Pettis, but he’ll face more competition for targets playing alongside DJ Moore, Devin Funchess, Christian McCaffrey, and company. Even with a talented cast around him, Samuel has hit at least 80 yards in back-to-back weeks and is seeing more passes than Moore during that time. Samuel is also well ahead of Funchess on the depth chart, with the rookie seeing the field on over 90 percent of snaps and Funchess down near the 40 percent range. If Moore draws shadow coverage from the Saints' Marcus Lattimore, Samuel could lead the receiving corps once again.Chris Conley, ChiefsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. LAC15%$39Conley's value is tied to Tyreek Hill's health, after the Chiefs' star receiver played through wrist and ankle injuries on Sunday. Andy Reid said he expects Hill to play Thursday night, which would render Conley a boom or bust WR4, but he's worth stashing to see if Hill makes it back on the field during a condensed practice week. Before last week's tough bout with the Ravens, Conley had three touchdowns in his previous two appearances, including a 74-yard outing.DaeSean Hamilton, BroncosNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. CLE6%$39With Emmanuel Sanders on injured reserve and new No. 1 Courtland Sutton forced from the Broncos' last game with a thigh injury, Hamilton could find himself on top of Denver's depth chart. He saw a promising nine targets in Week 13, resulting in seven catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. Whether Sutton suits up or not, Hamilton is a very intriguing fantasy receiver, especially in PPR formats.Dede Westbrook, JaguarsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. WAS31%$19Westbrook was the only member of the Jaguars' offense to show up last Thursday, delivering 88 yards and a score. This week, he gets to face a team that didn't show up for their Week 14 game either - the Redskins. Westbrook’s skill set seems to mesh with Cody Kessler, who is better suited to throw short to intermediate passes and let his receivers try to make plays - something Westbrook excels at. With the Redskins looking like they’ve all but given up on the year after suffering so many injuries, this a rare spot where the Jaguars' passing attack has a chance to produce.Other options: Mike Williams at KC (49 percent owned), Keke Coutee at NYJ (34 percent owned), Robby Anderson vs. HOU (21 percent owned), Kenny Stills at MIN (31 percent owned), Jordy Nelson at CIN (39 percent owned), John Ross vs. OAK (11 percent owned), Zay Jones vs. DET (20 percent owned), Antonio Callaway at DEN (14 percent owned), Michael Gallup at IND (8 percent owned)Tight EndsAl Bello / Getty Images Sport / GettyChris Herndon, JetsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. HOU15%$9Herndon is coming off his worst game in nearly two months, though we can chalk that up to a challenging opponent. Just don’t forget that since Week 6, the rookie has put up the ninth most fantasy points among tight ends. And his next opponent - the Texans - are vulnerable to the position. Over their last five games, Houston has been hemorrhaging yards and touchdowns to tight ends, including stat lines of 10-83-1 (Jeff Heuerman), 7-71-1 (Jordan Reed), 2-63-1 (Jonnu Smith), and 4-65-1 (Eric Ebron). Herndon is the best streaming option out there this week.Anthony Firkser, TitansNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat NYG0%$1Even before Jonnu Smith was placed on injured reserve, Firkser had been coming on over the last month. He had 40 yards or more in three of his last four games and is in an offense that likes throwing to their tight ends. In a year where tight end scoring, outside of the elite few, has devolved into a random touchdown or bust proposition, Firkser offers top-10 upside as a streamer.Other options: CJ Uzomah vs. OAK (30 percent owned), Ian Thomas vs. NO (16 percent owned), Gerald Everett vs. PHI (21 percent owned)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Le'Veon Bell said he was rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the season. That appears to have changed.The absent running back "liked" the official team account's Instagram post showing the final score of Sunday's 24-21 defeat to the Oakland Raiders, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is shouldering the blame for his team's breakdown on the final play of the 34-33 loss to the Miami Dolphins."It starts with me," Belichick said, according to NFL.com's Herbie Teope. "We've got to play better situational football. We'll work to try to achieve that."Trailing by five points with seven seconds remaining, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill - from his own 31-yard line - opted for a 14-yard throw to Kenny Stills instead of a toss to the end zone.Stills lateraled to DeVante Parker, who then lateraled to Kenyan Drake. The running back cut through the Patriots' defense, including tight end Rob Gronkowski, for the game-winning touchdown.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin is inactive for his team's clash with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football due to a groin injury, the team announced.Baldwin was expected to be a game-time decision after missing all three practices this week.In Baldwin's absence, Tyler Lockett and David Moore will act Russell Wilson's top two targets in a game between the two leading NFC wild-card contenders.Baldwin missed two games earlier in the season after suffering a knee injury.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys made a potential season-altering splash in late October, trading a first-round pick to the Oakland Raiders for wide receiver Amari Cooper.Though the deal was highly criticized when it occurred, it's proven to be a great move for the Cowboys - a team that was devoid of offensive weapons aside from star running back Ezekiel Elliott prior to the trade.Cooper has transformed Dallas' offense and helped vault the team into first place in the NFC East. Here's a look at the wideout's impact with his new club through six games:Leading a turnaround Cowboys Team StatsWithout CooperWith CooperRecord3-45-1Yards per game320386.3Points per game2022.7Average time of possession30:2634:373rd-down efficiency31.9%49.4%Passing yards per game202.4285.7Passing yards per attempt6.98.1Completion percentage62.1%74.1%Passer rating87.4105.9Cooper's influence on the Cowboys' team statistics is eye-popping at first glance. Riding a five-game win streak, Jason Garrett's squad is averaging 66.3 more yards per game and nearly three more points per game since acquiring the former first-round pick.Dallas' overall efficiency is what stands out most, as Cooper's presence is allowing the offense to sustain drives and control the pace of games. Since the trade, the Cowboys rank second in third-down efficiency and have won the time of possession battle in five of six games. The team possessed the ball more than their opponents in just two of seven outings prior to Cooper's arrival. Control the clock and feed your top players - Dallas' formula for victory.Quarterback Dak Prescott is perhaps the happiest man on Dallas' sideline after receiving his new weapon. Prescott ranks fourth in the NFL in passing yards, first in completion percentage, and eighth in passer rating since No. 19 joined the blue and white. The two displayed instant chemistry, as Dak has earned an incredible 150.0 passer rating when targeting his top wideout.Though his overall rushing efficiency hasn't increased over the last six weeks, Elliott leads the league with 643 yards rushing since Dallas traded for Cooper. The pass-catcher's downfield presence has allowed Elliott's underneath routes to open up as well, leading to 40 receptions over that span.Cooper's resurgence With RaidersWith CowboysTargets3253Receptions2240Receiving Yards280642Touchdowns16Yards per reception12.716.1Cooper looks like a new player in Dallas. The rejuvenated receiver ranks seventh in the NFL in receptions, first in receiving yards, and first (in a tie with Davante Adams) with six touchdowns since joining the Cowboys.Having played in six games for each team, the difference in production is staggering. The Raiders' offense never resembled that of a juggernaut in 2018, but Jon Gruden and Co. simply didn't feature their star playmaker often enough.Garrett and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan are learning from Oakland's mistakes, however, and its reaped instant rewards for them both. Prior to Dallas' bye week, both Garrett and Linehan were thought to be on the hot seat. Enter Cooper, a five-game winning streak, and those rumors are a distant memory.It's amazing what one talented player can do to an offense.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs and their fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief.Further examination of wide receiver Tyreek Hill's foot indicated that the injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday is "nothing serious," a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Hill will be considered day to day ahead of Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Schefter adds.The 24-year-old was in and out of the Week 14 contest due to the issue, but he was able to finish the day with eight catches for 139 yards. It was a solid bounce-back performance for the third-year pro who had caught just one of six passes for a mere 13 yards against the Oakland Raiders in Week 13.Hill has 74 receptions for 1,258 yards and 11 touchdowns through 13 games. He's likely to continue being leaned on heavily down the stretch run following the release of running back Kareem Hunt and with uncertainty surrounding the health of fellow wide receiver Sammy Watkins.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders fired general manager Reggie McKenzie on Monday, the team announced.McKenzie was given the chance to finish out the season but chose against it, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report.It was reported Sunday by Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports that McKenzie wasn't expected to return as the Raiders overhaul their front office this offseason.McKenzie served as the Raiders' GM for seven seasons. During that time, Oakland compiled a 39-70 record.However, he did lead a two-year turnaround. Oakland was one of the worst teams in the league in 2014 before challenging for the top spot in the AFC in 2016. He was named Executive of the Year after the 2016 season.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh provided an update of his quarterback room on Monday.Rookie Lamar Jackson, who has started the past four games, sustained an ankle injury late in Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, X-rays came back negative Sunday night and Harbaugh expects Jackson will be fine going forward.

Here's a look at the well-designed and well-executed plays from Week 14.Passing Design of the Week: Colts go big, throw deepWe've previously lauded Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich for his play designs, and he flashed more creativity Sunday while ending the Houston Texans' eight-game winning streak.Reich often uses multiple-tight end formations to create advantageous matchups in the passing game, and he took that a step further against Houston. In the play below - a first-and-10 in the second quarter - the Colts algin with an extra offensive lineman as a tight end:NFL/CBSThat lineman is offensive tackle Joe Haeg, who's on the right side of the formation with tight end Ryan Hewitt in a wing alignment to his right. The Colts have Andrew Luck under center and two receivers on the left, including T.Y. Hilton. Seeing this heavy offensive package, the Texans go with their base 3-4 defense and seven defenders in the box.However, Hilton's going deep:NFL/CBSThe receiver runs a great post route, showing the safety a break to the outside before cutting to the middle. As Luck fakes a handoff, Indy uses its extra lineman and tight end to handle Houston's pass-rushers. With time to throw, Luck uncorks a beautiful deep ball to Hilton:The Colts then punch in a touchdown from Marlon Mack on the next play.Many coaches this season are doing an excellent job of dictating defensive personnel packages with their own selections, and Sunday's connection to Hilton was just the latest example of Reich using bigger groupings to create passing opportunities downfield.Rushing Design of the Week: Shepard's block springs SaquonWithout injured receiver Odell Beckham against the Washington Redskins, the New York Giants leaned on phenomenal rookie running back Saquon Barkley, who continued his impressive season by carrying the ball 14 times for 170 yards and a touchdown. The scoring play matched a franchise record for TDs by a rookie (13) and came on a well-executed zone-blocking design.Early in the second quarter, the Giants face a first-and-10 on their own 22-yard line. They align with Barkley as the lone running back, two tight ends in a wing formation to the left, and receiver Sterling Shepard in a wing to the right:NFL/FOXAt the snap, the offensive linemen and inside tight end all flow to the right. Meanwhile, Evan Engram (bottom of picture) walls off his man to the outside while Shepard executes the key cross block in the hole against the flow of the line. The block stonewalls safety D.J. Swearinger and springs Barkley for the long touchdown:The Giants are just 5-8 this season, but the continued growth of young offensive players like Shepard and Barkley could make them a team to watch in 2019.Pressure Design of the Week: 49ers get on Broncos' CaseAfter starting the season 3-6, the Denver Broncos played themselves back into the playoff picture with three straight victories, including impressive wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers.However, the Broncos regressed Sunday in a loss to the struggling San Francisco 49ers as quarterback Case Keenum threw for just 186 yards and a touchdown while being sacked twice. One of those sacks came on play design by the 49ers that might have taken the Broncos by surprise.On the play - a third-and-8 in the second quarter - the 49ers put five defenders on the line of scrimmage with an edge defender on both sides in a two-point stance:NFL/CBSSeeing this, an offensive line might expect one or even two stunts that see those edge players twist behind the defenders just inside of them. Instead, the 49ers use a different twist involving the nose guard and defensive tackle:NFL/CBSDeForest Buckner aligns at the nose guard spot, and he flushes Keenum to the right as he loops around. Then, the cavalry arrives and Ronald Blair drags Keenum down for the sack:The Broncos might have expected an outside twist or two given the alignment and personnel, but San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh called the right design at the right moment to lock down a critical sack.Coverage Design of the Week: Lions slay Cardinals with pivotal pick-6Run the receiver's route, and beat him to the spot.These are some basic rules for playing tight man coverage, and they were executed perfectly by Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay on Sunday in Arizona for a 67-yard pick-6:The Lions are in a Cover 4 scheme, meaning they have four deep defenders across the back of their secondary and Slay doesn't have any help over the top. At the snap, the cornerback initially respects the vertical release of receiver Trent Sherfield, but then reads the comeback route perfectly and matches the receiver's footwork at the break. By doing so, Slay drives underneath the route and beats Sherfield to the spot.Both of these teams might be playing with 2019 in mind, but that doesn't mean they can't put together textbook defensive sequences.Game Plan of the Week - Vic Fangio, Bears DCThe Los Angeles Rams entered Week 14 with an elite offense that's scored points in bunches all season. That ended on Sunday night, as Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and his charges executed a perfect game plan to harass quarterback Jared Goff, stop the running game, and force turnovers.The Bears intercepted Goff four times, held Todd Gurley to just 28 rushing yards on 11 attempts, and limited the Rams to a pair of field goals in a 15-6 victory. The biggest play might have been a safety (with a sack of Goff) on the Rams' opening possession of the second half. The Bears scored the game's only touchdown on their next drive, marking the final points of the contest.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.

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy is considered day to day after an MRI revealed a hamstring strain on Monday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The 30-year-old left Sunday's game against the New York Jets after just two carries for one yard.McCoy is averaging a career-worst 3.3 yards per attempt this season for 479 rushing yards on 145 carries to go along with just two touchdowns. He's added 210 yards on 29 receptions, without a score through the air.Rookie quarterback Josh Allen finished as the team's leading rusher in Sunday's 27-23 loss. He gained 101 yards and scored a touchdown on nine carries. It was Allen's second consecutive game topping 100 yards on the ground and his fifth rushing score of the season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story/video contains coarse languageLeonard Fournette has been in a fighting mood of late.The Jacksonville Jaguars running back threatened to beat up a spectator at the end of Thursday's blowout loss to the Tennessee Titans. This comes two weeks after he was suspended for throwing punches at the Buffalo Bills' Shaq Lawson.TMZ Sports obtained video of Fournette's interaction with the person in the crowd."I will beat your ass," Fournette told the fan.Head coach Doug Marrone said Monday that Fournette said a racial slur had been directed at him, according to Phillip Heilman of the Florida Times-Union.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs speedster Tyreek Hill has a bad wheel.Hill left Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens early with a heel injury, only to return and compile eight receptions for 139 yards in the overtime win, including a critical 48-yard completion on a late fourth down.Hill was able to finish the game, but he admitted he's ailing."My foot's bad," he said to Peter King of NBC Sports.The NFL's second-leading receiver has just three days to get right if he is to suit up for Thursday's divisional showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers.The Chiefs enter with a one-game lead on the Chargers in the standings and an opportunity to improve their chances of winning the AFC West and a first-round bye in the playoffs.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

CHICAGO (AP) Eddie Goldman led a dominant effort by the defense, and the Chicago Bears shut down Jared Goff and Los Angeles' high-powered offense in a 15-6 victory over the NFC West champion Rams on Sunday night.The Rams (11-2) missed a chance to secure a first-round playoff bye and fell into a tie with New Orleans for home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.Goff threw a career-high four interceptions and was sacked three times, with Goldman getting to him for a tiebreaking safety early in the third quarter.Bradley Sowell became the first Bears offensive lineman in 11 years with a touchdown reception when he caught a 2-yarder from Mitchell Trubisky in the third quarter.Coming off a shaky outing against Detroit, Goff was 20 of 44 for 180 yards with a 19.1 rating. NFL rushing leader Todd Gurley ran for a season-low 28 yards on 11 carries, and the Rams' three-game win streak came to an end.Their only other loss was at New Orleans. But against the Monsters of the Midway, they managed just 214 yards.The Bears (9-4) bounced back from a wild overtime loss at the New York Giants and won for the sixth time in seven games.Trubisky was about as bad as Goff. After missing the previous two games because of a right shoulder injury, he was 16 of 30 for 110 yards and three interceptions.But Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks had sacks. Roquan Smith, Prince Amukamara, Eddie Jackson and Kyle Fuller had interceptions, helping Chicago beat the team that came in with the NFL's best record.Goldman broke a 6-6 tie in the opening minute of the third quarter when he sacked Goff for Chicago's first safety this season.The Bears then used a trick play to make it 15-6, when Sowell hauled in a 2-yarder from Trubisky on a play-action with defensive end Hicks. That made him the first Bears offensive lineman with a TD reception since John St. Clair against Kansas City on Sept. 16, 2007.The Rams had a big opportunity late in the third when John Johnson III returned an interception 35 yards to the Chicago 27. But Fuller picked off a wobbly pass from Goff intended for Josh Reynolds on the next play.Los Angeles' Greg Zuerlein missed a 40-yard field goal off the right upright in the opening minutes of the fourth after making a 50-yarder earlier in the game.INJURIESRams: CB Dominique Hatfield was taken from the field on a cart with an ankle injury in the third quarter. He was hurt on the kickoff following Sowell's TD. ... C John Sullivan was evaluated for a concussion after being shaken up blocking on a run by Gurley late in the first quarter. But he returned in the second half.Bears: CB Bryce Callahan left the game with a foot injury late in the first half.UP NEXTRams: Host Philadelphia on Dec. 16.Bears: Host Green Bay on Dec. 16.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett both denied a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter that Garrett asked former tight end Jason Witten to come out of retirement and rejoin the team."We haven't at all," Jones said Sunday night, according to Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "What you are seeing is probably lingering aspects of Jason saying, 'I will never quit wanting to play.' ... There has been no serious and none serious that would be of the nature of him seriously playing."Garrett was more succinct with his denial.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger exited Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders at halftime with a rib injury. He didn't return to the contest until the Steelers trailed 17-14 with five minutes left - going on to lose 24-21.Roethlisberger returned to the sideline midway through the third quarter and head coach Mike Tomlin admitted the quarterback could have re-entered the contest sooner than he did."He got looked at, at halftime, he got treatment. He came back out. We were waiting to see if he was going to be able to come back in, he was. Probably could have come in a series or so sooner, but we were in the rhythm and flow of the game," Tomlin said at his postgame press conference.Tomlin confirmed Roethlisberger was medically cleared when he returned to the sideline.When Big Ben left the game, the Steelers led 14-10. In four series at the helm, backup Joshua Dobbs threw for just 24 yards and Pittsburgh's drives ended in a punt, turnover on downs, interception, and another punt.After the Raiders took a late lead, Roethlisberger immediately led the Steelers on a six-play scoring drive to jump back in front 21-17. But the Raiders responded in kind and the Steelers' last-second game-tying field-goal attempt went awry.After the game, Roethlisberger said he was waiting for Tomlin to tell him to go back into the game.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There are still plenty of playoff spots available, but the pathway to the postseason is becoming a lot more clear for the NFL's elite.The New Orleans Saints clinched the NFC South, while the Kansas City Chiefs secured a playoff berth on Sunday. Here's how the playoff picture looks after Sunday's games.AFCSeedTeamDivisionRecord 1Chiefs (x)West11-22PatriotsEast9-43TexansSouth9-44SteelersNorth7-5-15ChargersWest10-36RavensNorth7-6x = clinched playoff berth

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.Boone and Woods recap all the action from Sunday and take an early look at Week 15 waiver wire adds.Topics for this episode include: