Heading into Week 7, we questioned whether Tom Brady and the New England Patriots would survive Khalil Mack and the Chicago Bears, how Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints would outwit the Baltimore Ravens' elite blitz, and if Eli Manning and the New York Giants could take advantage of a battered Atlanta Falcons defense. Here's a look at how these matchups played out.Patriots' offense vs. Bears' defenseWinner: PatriotsOur first matchup pitted New England's offense against a Bears defense that had been fearsome in the early going. That was partly due to the success of recent acquisition Mack, who's been harassing opposing passers off the edge.But with Mack hobbled by an ankle injury, the Bears struggled to put consistent pressure on Tom Brady. The Patriots quarterback was sacked just once, and New England's offensive line gave him plenty of time in the pocket to identify and exploit mismatches.Here is just one example of the Patriots - here, new offensive tackle Trent Brown (No. 77) - getting the job done against Mack (No. 52) in the passing game:Brown's a behemoth, listed at 6-foot-8 and 380 pounds, but here he pairs some athleticism with his size, using a cut block to stop Mack's path and protect Brady's blind side.With time to operate, Brady was able to scan for mismatches, which New England exploits in part by using its running backs as pass-catchers. James White was targeted 10 times Sunday and caught eight passes for 57 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His first scoring catch is a good example of how New England creates favorable matchups in the passing game. Here, the Patriots line up in a 2x2 formation for a third-and-goal play late in the first half with Brady in the shotgun and White (No. 28) standing to his right:NFL/CBSBoth receivers on the outside run routes over the middle. White, however, is assigned an option route working against outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (No. 94). He can break either inside or outside. With those receivers coming over the middle, that frees up a lot of real estate to the outside - and that's exactly where White takes his route:The Patriots' offense is predicated on identifying and capitalizing on opportunities like this. With time to throw, Brady will almost always take advantage of this kind of matchup - a quick running back working in space against a linebacker.Saints' offense vs. Ravens' defenseWinner: SaintsThe Saints struggled for most of this one, falling behind 17-7 at the start of the fourth quarter before rallying late for a 24-23 triumph. But, for the purposes of this matchup, these are the numbers that matter most: 11-of-17 for 114 yards and a touchdown. That's how Saints quarterback Brees fared against Baltimore's blitz, according to Next Gen Stats. The Ravens generated a mere three pressures on blitzes against Brees despite blitzing him on more than 50 percent of his throws.While we highlighted Brees' quick snap-to-throw time in our preview, Brees got it done differently Sunday: He used athleticism and play strength to extend plays, as you can see in real time on the last two plays of the third quarter.On this third-and-8 play, the Ravens bring pressure with defensive back Tony Jefferson (No. 23), who gets a free shot at the quarterback. But Brees flushes out to the right and manages to stay upright - even with Jefferson wrapped around his legs - long enough to find Michael Thomas (No. 13), whose catch-and-run picks up a critical first down.The Ravens brought pressure again on the very next play, blitzing linebacker Kenny Young (No. 40). This time Brees bailed the pocket to his left before finding Tre'Quan Smith (No. 10) along the left sideline for another big gain:Brees' play against the Ravens' pressure package played a huge role in the Saints' comeback on the road.Giants' offense vs. Falcons' defenseWinner: FalconsThis matchup focused on the Falcons' defense facing a Giants offense that has plenty of weapons - and welcomed tight end Evan Engram back to the lineup in Atlanta - but has struggled to execute.Those offensive woes continued Monday night.Despite scoring two touchdowns in the final five minutes of the game, the Giants couldn't capitalize on earlier chances to cut into Atlanta's lead. And When they decided to go for a two-point conversion when trailing 20-12, Manning's pass for Odell Beckham Jr. was slightly off target and dropped. But the play that seems to encapsulate New York's offensive woes on the night - and perhaps the season - was a failed fourth-and-goal play on the Giants' first possession of the second half.Trailing 10-3, the visitors had the ball at the Atlanta 1-yard line. The Giants went for the six points with Manning (No. 10) under center and a three-tight end package on the field. They put two of those tight ends on the right, with Beckham (No. 13) lined up on the wing:NFL/ESPNThis play is designed to feature Beckham. The Giants fake a running play with Saquon Barkley (No. 26) and Beckham fakes a block for a second before releasing to the flat. Manning is supposed to roll right and look for Beckham, followed by one of the trailing receivers if Beckham isn't open:NFL/ESPNRather than throw to Beckham, however, Manning forced a pass to a covered Scott Simonson (No. 82):From the other angle, you can see that Beckham had a step or two on defender Sharrod Neasman (No. 41), but Manning didn't pull the trigger:This created a great deal of consternation for head coach Pat Shurmur, who seemed to wonder aloud why Manning didn't throw to OBJ.

The Oakland Raiders look like a very different team from the one many expected to see before the season began, and after trading away wide receiver Amari Cooper and star edge rusher Khalil Mack, they may now need to examine the quarterback situation.Derek Carr could be in danger of losing the locker room, as teammates have lost confidence in his abilities as a leader, according to Marcus Thompson of The Athletic."Team sources describe a fractured relationship between Carr and his teammates, mostly because confidence in him has waned. It certainly didn't help when film showed what looked like him crying after being sacked and injuring his arm. They saw his face. They heard his whimper. They witnessed him explain on the sidelines. They assuredly watched it again in film session. It's hard to see how Carr can lead this team again," Thompson wrote.Carr responded to the report and rejected the notion that he was in tears after taking a sack during an Oct. 14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, providing his account of the event.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark is in no rush to reach a long-term deal, as he continues to emerge as one of the team's defensive leaders.Clark is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but his agent, Erik Burkhardt, said his client doesn't want a deal that would be below his market value and would instead be willing to accept the franchise tag."Frank and I are not scared of the franchise tag. That's going to come in at about $18 million next year for a D-end on a one-year, fully-guaranteed deal. It's what (Ezekiel) Ansah and (Demarcus) Lawrence have done. They get that top-of-the-market value for one year, and 12 months later will get their long-term deal as well. That's winning," Burkhardt said, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson.Clark has recorded 14 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles in six games this season. The 25-year-old has quietly developed into a top-end pass-rusher and Burkhardt is trying to ensure his client gains maximum value as opposed to settling for a short-term fix in the interim."I have had several very productive and positive talks with the Seahawks," Burkhardt said. "Frank loves it there and believes they'll continue to produce as one of the NFL's dominant defenses even with the departure of many great players. ... Seattle has been very good to him. They've believed in him from the beginning and they've continued to help develop him."But the financial goal for players in every major sport now is to get to free agency. It often baffles me how some of these agents do early deals just for the sake of doing a deal. I know that it's football and injury risks are very real, but there's insurance policies to protect players' downsides and risks, along with other measures that we put in place to protect our guys. Just to do an early deal for the sake of doing an early deal doesn't excite us, especially for a guy like Frank who's already a dominant pass-rusher in this league and is just scratching the surface of what he will be."Clark was selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Seahawks.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. Los Angeles Rams (7-0)Previous Rank: 1Aaron Donald led a dominating performance by the defense with four sacks, Todd Gurley scored three touchdowns, and the Rams capped off a perfect road trip in style. There's a clear line of demarcation between the Rams and everyone else. - Srinivasan2. New England Patriots (5-2)Previous Rank: 2Out go Rob Gronkowski and Sony Michel, and Josh Gordon steps in with a 100-yard game. The Patriots machine relents for no one. - McClymont3. Kansas City Chiefs (6-1)Previous Rank: 3Patrick Mahomes is playing in rarefied air and the Chiefs may have temporarily slowed concerns about their defense. It's not too early to start thinking about a first-round bye. - Srinivasan4. New Orleans Saints (5-1)Previous Rank: 4A rematch of last season's NFC divisional-round clash with the Vikings looms large. The winner will earn the distinction of the NFC's best team not named the Rams. - Browne5. Los Angeles Chargers (5-2)Previous Rank: 5Don't let the Chargers sneak up on you, even if their fans aren't coming to the games. The AFC's sleeping giant may have awoken. - Srinivasan6. Minnesota Vikings (4-2-1)Previous Rank: 6The Vikings, as they seem to be every year, are among the NFL's most injury-riddled clubs. At least star cornerback Xavier Rhodes' injury doesn't appear to be season-ending. - Alessandrini7. Carolina Panthers (4-2) Previous Rank: 8Other star quarterbacks have stolen the spotlight of late, but the Panthers' 17-point comeback win in the fourth quarter against the champs highlighted just how special Cam Newton can be. - Browne8. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)Previous Rank: 7Don’t let this team fool you. The Ravens field an outstanding defense, but we're not sure the offense is dynamic enough to make a run at the Lombardi Trophy. - Alessandrini9. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2-1)Previous Rank: 9Talk about a perfect bye week. The Browns, Bengals, and Ravens all lost in Week 8 and Pittsburgh jumped into first place in the AFC North. If only the Le'Veon Bell drama would go away. - Alessandrini10. Green Bay Packers (3-2-1)Previous Rank: 13Mike McCarthy is going to need a superhuman performance from Aaron Rodgers if he wants his team to keep pace with the undefeated Rams this week. - Alessandrini11. Washington Redskins (4-2)Previous Rank: 15Psst, Washington is the only NFC East team above .500. Pass it on. - McClymont12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)Previous Rank: 10The Marvin Lewis conundrum continues. Cincinnati's head coach dropped to 1-17 in prime-time road games after an embarrassing loss to the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. - Alessandrini13. Chicago Bears (3-3)Previous Rank: 12One yard away! Chicago came close to pulling off the craziest moment of the 2018 season. Perhaps the wackiest part? Kevin White had not caught a pass coming into the game. - Alessandrini14. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)Previous Rank: 11At 3-4, the pressure is off the defending champs, according to head coach Doug Pederson. He's right, especially if the Eagles lose to the Jaguars in London. - McClymont15. Houston Texans (4-3)Previous Rank: 24Deshaun Watson is apparently as tough as they come, and has the seemingly dead-in-the-water Texans back in playoff contention after starting 0-3. - Browne16. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)Previous Rank: 17Prior to the bye week, the Seahawks put together arguably their most complete performance of the year and will need to continue their momentum against the Lions. - Srinivasan17. Detroit Lions (3-3)Previous Rank: 20At long last, the Lions have found a feature back. Kerryon Johnson is legit, but Detroit still isn't talked about as a contender in the NFC North. Sleep on Matt Patricia's squad at your own peril. - Alessandrini18. Miami Dolphins (4-3)Previous Rank: 16Brocktoberfest continues on. With Osweiler under center, the Dolphins are scoring points without trickery or special-team returns. Is Miami better off without Ryan Tannehill? - McClymont19. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)Previous Rank: 14The 3-4 Jaguars are literally fighting among themselves, Blake Bortles was benched, and Houston was allowed to take control of the division. What a difference a year makes. - Browne20. Dallas Cowboys (3-4)Previous Rank: 18Alas, Jerry Jones finally has the No. 1 receiver he's always sought. Now, about paying Amari Cooper ... - McClymont21. Atlanta Falcons (3-4)Previous Rank: 21The win against the Giants was a must, but now comes the hard part for the Falcons: attempt to make it as a wild card with just three home games left on the schedule. - Browne22. Tennessee Titans (3-4)Previous Rank: 19Mike Vrabel's two-point decision was bold, and while it didn't pay off, it's the kind of mentality the Titans need to establish. A better play call would've helped, though. - Browne23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3)Previous Rank: 25A new defensive coordinator, and now Kwon Alexander is done for the year. Get used to shootouts, Bucs faithful. - Browne24. Denver Broncos (3-4)Previous Rank: 26Von Miller's message to his teammates was well-received, but we'll need to see more consistency from the Broncos before believing in them again. - Srinivasan25. New York Jets (3-4)Previous Rank: 22The banged-up Jets secondary hung with the Vikings for three quarters before the dam broke in the fourth. The Jets are still too short on talent, but they're putting forth one hell of an effort. - McClymont26. Cleveland Browns (2-4-1)Previous Rank: 23You thought the Browns curse was lifted? Silly you - and us. - Alessandrini27. Indianapolis Colts (2-5)Previous Rank: 29Andrew Luck has played in 77 career games. On Sunday, Marlon Mack gave the quarterback just his fourth 100-yard rusher. - Browne28. San Francisco 49ers (1-6)Previous Rank: 28Nothing went right for the 49ers against the high-powered Rams and it's clear C.J. Beathard isn't more than a placeholder in this lost season. - Srinivasan29. Buffalo Bills (2-5)Previous Rank: 27The Josh Allen-less, likely LeSean McCoy-less, and Derek Anderson-led Bills against the Patriots on Monday night this week. Yuck. - McClymont30. New York Giants (1-6)Previous Rank: 30Despite all the changes made after last year's disastrous season, the Giants have opened another campaign at 1-6. What's the fallout this time around? - McClymont31. Arizona Cardinals (1-6)Previous Rank: 31We'll have to see what Byron Leftwich does with the keys to the offense after Mike McCoy was fired following Thursday's dreadful performance. - Srinivasan32. Oakland Raiders (1-5)Previous Rank: 32It's been a dire season, but Jon Gruden ought to be lauded for getting a first-round pick for Amari Cooper. The rebuild is in full swing. - SrinivasanCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Week 7 did not disappoint in the defensive-line department, as multiple defenders dominated the line of scrimmage by using a variety of approaches. Let's look at the standout defensive linemen from Week 7:Defensive Lineman of the Week: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles RamsNine tackles, six for loss, five quarterback hits, and four sacks. Need we say more?Donald has been one of the best defenders in the NFL for a while, but his performance Sunday might have been his best, as he terrorized the 49ers' backfield throughout the Rams' blowout win. No matter what San Francisco tried, it still couldn't block the 6-foot-1, 280-pound defensive tackle.His first sack was particularly impressive, as he breezed past one offensive lineman before driving another into quarterback C.J. Beathard:On this play, Donald is aligned in a wide 3-technique, meaning he is set up well to the right of the left guard's outside shoulder. When Donald fires out of his stance, he mimics the footwork of an outside speed rush before crossing the left guard's face with a smooth and well-timed swim move.The center actually does an excellent job of providing help for the left guard, but he's just a minor inconvenience to Donald on his way to the quarterback. In lieu of discarding the center to make the sack, Donald opts to use him as a battering ram to knock Beathard off his feet, displaying an impressive mix of momentum, leverage advantage, hand placement, and raw strength.That wasn't the only time Donald was able to defeat multiple blocks before putting Beathard on the turf. This time, Donald shows off his athleticism, pliability, and nimble footwork:On this play, Donald is once again lined up in a wide 3-technique - this time, over the right guard. After the ball is snapped, Donald slants his rush outside as the 49ers' offensive line slides inside to sell the run action.Because of this, Donald is able to blow by rookie tackle Mike McGlinchey with a speed swim move. Notice how Donald's arms and legs move in unison as he avoids the right tackle's block - this allows him to move fluidly through his swim move while maintaining his balance and momentum.From there, Donald employs a dip-and-rip move to defeat the tight end's block, wrap around the edge. and flatten to the quarterback for a sack.Most of the time, when a defender racks up an absurd number of pressures or sacks in a game, it is usually aided by a few unblocked or schemed pressures. That wasn't the case for Donald, as he had to beat at least one block on each of his four sacks, giving him an NFL-leading eight sacks on the season.The difficulty was high, but Donald made it look easy throughout the game - the sign of a truly generational talent.Pass Rush of the Week: Jadeveon Clowney, Houston TexansClowney's unique mix of size and linear explosiveness tends to overshadow how technically savvy he is as a pass-rusher. This play is an excellent example of Clowney's nuanced pass-rush abilities:Here, Clowney is aligned wide of the Jaguars' right tackle. Even though Clowney possesses an impressive athletic profile, he lacks the lower-body pliability to burn around the edge at an acute angle. He displays great self-awareness as he shifts his hips toward the quarterback early in his rush, employing a pseudo sidestep up the arc. This allows Clowney to turn a tight corner because his hips are already on track toward the quarterback.The beauty of this rush lies in the handwork of the Texans star. Pay attention to Clowney's inside (left) arm. After the left tackle punches with his outside (left) hand, Clowney latches onto the tackle's wrist with his outside (right) hand. From there, Clowney places his inside hand on the tackle's outside triceps, using a variation of the wrestling arm drag to pull the tackle's weight over his toes and wrap around the edge. This allows Clowney to close on the quarterback unimpeded for the sack.It's rare to see a defender employ such a technique to soften the corner, but it's a great illustration of Clowney's refined hand technique. As Clowney has gained more experience, he's developed an array of techniques aimed at manipulating his opponents' balances, and it's done wonders as Clowney has recorded 4.5 sacks in six games this year, nearly half of his previous career high in a season (9.5).Run Defender of the Week: DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas CowboysHe didn't get a ton of help from his teammates, but Lawrence might have had the most disruptive performance of his career as a run defender, finishing with six tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage.Lawrence showed off an array of techniques to defeat blocks, displaying impressive quickness, hand technique, and awareness. This play is a great demonstration of his dominance against the run:With Lawrence aligned outside the right tackle, the Redskins try to use their tight end to pin the Cowboys defensive end inside with a down block. Instead of looking at the tight end, Lawrence displays unique awareness to feel the block and spin across the blocker's face.From there, the Boise State product maintains his balance, drops his weight, and dives to make the tackle as Adrian Peterson cuts the ball inside.It's a testament to Lawrence's work ethic and ability to apply a highly refined technique in chaotic situations.Of Lawrence's six tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage, two were on third down, as he often took matters into his own hands to get Dallas off the field in third-and-short situations - none bigger than this goal-line stop:On this play, the Redskins are looking to wham block, in which a defender is given a free release before being blocked by a tight end crossing the formation. However, because Lawrence is able to identify the run concept and get deep in the backfield, he's able to make the tackle behind the line of scrimmage before tight end Vernon Davis can land a meaningful blow on him.In the Spotlight: Ryan Kerrigan, Washington RedskinsIn the ever-growing contingent of underrated edge defenders, Kerrigan may be the mayor, as the Redskins pass-rusher has put up three double-digit sack seasons in the past four years (he had 9.5 sacks in the other year).Kerrigan hasn't had the most productive start this season, recording one sack in the first five games of the season, but he seemed to find his groove against the Cowboys. He was giving Cowboys right tackle La'el Collins fits on the edge, as Kerrigan utilized his natural leverage advantage and raw strength to bully the LSU product at the point of attack:On this play, Kerrigan converts speed to power using an old-fashioned bull rush to walk the tackle back into the quarterback's lap before discarding the blocker for the sack. Notice how Kerrigan is able to establish initial contact with his inside hand, utilizing a lifting motion to elevate Collins' pad level so that it is impossible to anchor on his rush.Once Dak Prescott elected to step up in the pocket, Kerrigan was able to easily to discard Collins and make the sack.Kerrigan wasn't done there, however, as he later made the game-winning play for the Redskins' defense - a sack-fumble that resulted in a Preston Smith scoop and score:After eating the chip block from the tight end, Kerrigan, who aligned outside the right tackle in a two-point stance, was able to loop inside, identifying an open pass-rush lane that led directly to Prescott. Kerrigan did well to come to balance once he got within range so that he could adjust to Prescott's desperate attempts to ask.In the process of wrapping up the Cowboys quarterback, Kerrigan was able to jar the ball loose from Prescott, giving Smith the ability to record the easy scoop and score.Kerrigan picked the perfect time to have his breakout performance, as it helped propel Washington to a 1 1/2-game lead over the second-place Cowboys and Eagles in the NFC East.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.

The NFL's trade-deadline blockbuster came early this year, as the Oakland Raiders shipped Amari Cooper to the receiver-needy Dallas Cowboys in a massive deal for both teams.Cowboys receive: WR Amari Cooper

The Oakland Raiders placed running back Marshawn Lynch on injured reserve Monday, the team announced.Lynch suffered the injury during a 27-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 14.The veteran running back rushed for 376 yards and three touchdowns on 90 carries in six games during the 2018 season. Doug Martin will likely replace Lynch as the Raiders' lead back in his absence.It's a tough loss for the Raiders, who traded Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a first-round pick earlier Monday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Disgruntled running back Le'Veon Bell will not be reporting to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8, a source informed NFL Network's Jim Trotter, according to colleague Ian Rapoport.It was previously reported that Bell planned to end his holdout during the team's bye in Week 7. Now, Rapoport hints at next week's trade deadline as the day to watch for his possible return.Bell has yet to set foot in a Steelers facility since being franchise tagged for a second consecutive season in March.The star rusher can sign as late as November and still earn the requisite amount of service time to accrue a full season and hit free agency in 2019, according to Matt Bonesteel of the Washington Post.Without their two-time All-Pro, the Steelers struggled out of the gates, but have rattled off two straight wins to bring their record to 3-2-1.Bell's backup, James Conner, has been a revelation. The sophomore ranks sixth in the league in rushing with 453 yards on the ground through six games. He trails only Todd Gurley in rushing touchdowns with seven.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders traded wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday in exchange for a first-round pick.ESPN's Josina Anderson was the first to report the story."It’s a trade that we feel it was an opportunity that I couldn't pass on to get a first-round pick. In this business here, I thought that was invaluable for me. It was something I felt like I had to do," Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie told reporters, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.Dallas has been in desperate need of a top-end wide receiver and is likely banking on Cooper to rediscover his Pro Bowl form. Cooper was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015 and '16, but posted the worst totals of his career last season.This year, Cooper's recorded 22 receptions for 280 yards and a touchdown through six games."I hate to see good players go ... I was on the practice field when Reggie came to me and said (the) Cowboys would do this for a No. 1, and I said let's do it," Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. "We now have five No. 1 picks in the next two years, so I'm excited about that."McKenzie added that Cowboys executive vice president and CEO Stephen Jones called earlier Monday to finalize the trade."He wanted the player, and he gave me the pick. That’s what it came down to," McKenzie said.The Cowboys were reportedly doing their due diligence on Cooper throughout the weekend. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins also reportedly expressed interest in the receiver.The Philadelphia Eagles offered the Raiders a second-round pick for Cooper, Mike Silver of NFL Media reports. The defending champs were ultimately beat out by their division rivals.Cooper was selected fourth overall by the Raiders in the 2015 draft out of Alabama. He's currently owed $13.92 million in base salary for the 2019 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.McKenzie wished Cooper well and believes he has a bright future with the Cowboys."I think he’s a first-round player. ... Has he been inconsistent? Absolutely. But has he shown greatness? Absolutely. ... This guy is still a young player. I think he’s going to do well down there in Dallas," McKenzie said.Oakland now holds three first-round picks in the 2019 draft: their own, Chicago's (acquired in the Khalil Mack trade), and now Dallas'. The Raiders also received Chicago's 2020 first-rounder in the Mack deal.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are sticking with Blake Bortles.In a statement released Monday, head coach Doug Marrone named Bortles the starting quarterback for the Jaguars' Week 8 London tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles after benching him in Sunday's game."I spoke to both quarterbacks this afternoon and told them that Blake will be our team's starting quarterback," Marrone's statement said. "I believe this gives us the best opportunity to win."Bortles was replaced by backup quarterback Cody Kessler for the Jaguars' second drive of the second half in Week 7's loss to the Houston Texans.Despite support from his head coach, Bortles will be on a short leash versus the Eagles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Kessler will receive starting reps with the offense to prepare for a potential switch.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been ruled out of next Monday's game against the New England Patriots with an elbow injury, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Derek Anderson will continue to start in Allen's absence."Josh Allen remains week to week with his injury and will not play against the Patriots. The plan is for Derek Anderson to remain at quarterback," McDermott said.Allen is widely considered the quarterback of the Bills' future after being selected seventh overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, he's struggled throughout the year, completing 54 percent of his passes for 832 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. Allen has also rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns, but has lost four fumbles.Anderson signed with the Bills earlier in October. He was named the starter for Sunday's 37-5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and struggled throughout the game, going 20-of-31 for 175 yards and three interceptions while also losing a fumble.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins are hurting at wide receiver.Head coach Adam Gase said the team's leading receiver Albert Wilson will most likely be placed on injured reserve after suffering a hip injury versus the Detroit Lions, according to WPLG Local 10's Will Manso.Gase also ruled out Kenny Stills for the Dolphins' Thursday night tilt with the Houston Texans and labeled him as week to week. Stills suffered a groin injury in Week 7.The pair of injuries leaves Danny Amendola, Jakeem Grant, and DeVante Parker as the only healthy receivers on Miami's roster.Parker, a former first-round pick, has played in just two games in 2018. His agent blasted Gase on Sunday, claiming his client was completely healthy despite continuously being listed on the injury report.The Dolphins signed Wilson to a three-year, $24-million contract in March. The former Kansas City Chief has accumulated 26 receptions, 391 yards, and four touchdowns this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals standout cornerback Patrick Peterson has asked the team to trade him before the league's deadline on Oct. 30, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Peterson reportedly "desperately" wants to leave the Cardinals amid what he feels is a deteriorating situation, a source told Schefter.Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks refused to entertain the idea of trading Peterson on Monday."We're not trading Patrick," Wilks told reporters during his press conference.Peterson's preferred destination is the New Orleans Saints, the cornerback's cousin, Bryant McFadden, said.It was reported that the Cardinals were open to trading Peterson earlier this month, but Cardinals president Michael Bidwill rejected that notion on Oct. 18.The 28-year-old is owed $11 million in base salary for the 2019 season and $12.05 million for the 2020 campaign before becoming an unrestricted free agent.Peterson has spent his entire career with the Cardinals since being selected fifth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft and has been named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls while earning three first-team All-Pro selections.Peterson has recorded 35 tackles, a sack, and two interceptions in seven games this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On Monday, the Dallas Cowboys traded their first-round selection in next year's NFL draft to the Oakland Raiders for struggling wideout Amari Cooper, a former first-round pick himself.The internet quickly went into a frenzy upon learning of the deal, with the overwhelming majority of reactions believing the Raiders came away with a major win.

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said Monday he has decided who will be the team's starting quarterback but won't publically announce it until he speaks with Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler, according to James Palmer of NFL Network.Bortles was benched after he completed six of 12 passes for 61 yards and lost two fumbles in Sunday's defeat to the Houston Texans.Kessler, who took the field with his team down 20-0, hit on 70 percent of his passes but struggled to push the ball downfield. He threw one touchdown and one interception in 30 attempts."I just literally did it to try and get a damn spark from this football team to put everyone on notice," Marrone said of the QB change after the game. "They have to focus and go out there and play better. At points in the second half, they did it. That's not fair to the quarterback, but that's how the business is."The Jaguars are set to face the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

An MRI revealed that New England Patriots running back Sony Michel did not suffer a major knee injury in Sunday's win over the Chicago Bears, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Rapoport said the rookie first-round pick "could miss time, but if he does, it may not be much." ESPN's Adam Schefter added that Michel is considered week to week moving forward and has no structural damage.The Patriots initially feared an MCL sprain for Michel, who was hurt after having his legs bent awkwardly on a tackle and needed to be carted off the field.Michel has played well for the reigning AFC champion, rushing for 422 yards and four touchdowns on 95 carries this season.If the rookie does miss time, James White will likely be New England's featured back, while Kenjon Barner could also see an expanded role.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Demaryius Thomas can apparently feel the clock ticking on his time with the Denver Broncos.Denver is reportedly listening to trade offers for the Pro Bowl wide receiver with its playoff hopes likely extinguished. Thomas said Monday that he would prefer to stay with the Broncos, but admitted there must some validity to the rumors surrounding his future."That's a good thing if somebody is interested because then I can still play ball, I still got a chance, if I get traded," Thomas said, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "Of course I want to be here but I've been hearing it the whole season now. So I feel like somewhat it is true (that) my time here is coming up, but I don't know."The 30-year-old has one year left on his current deal. He carries a $17.53-million cap hit in 2019, according to Spotrac, likely to be an untenable number for the retooling Broncos.Denver can save $14 million by cutting Thomas this upcoming offseason, but it appears the team wants to recoup some value for one of its longest-tenured players.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's a look at the well-designed plays and schemes that made our list in Week 7:Passing Design of the Week: Chargers mix up Titans' coverageThis week's London tilt between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans provided a thrilling finish, but our top passing design of the week came on a play that happened much earlier in the game.On their opening drive of the second half, the Chargers face a second-and-3 on their own 45-yard line. Los Angeles uses the down-and-distance situation to take advantage of the Titans' defense, which may be expecting a running play, especially because L.A. has three tight ends on the field.Instead, the offense runs a play-action passing design using maximum protection, sending just three players out on receiving routes:NFL/CBSThis design is a "sail" concept - which gives the quarterback an option at each of the short, intermediate, and deep levels - with Mike Williams (No. 81) running a deep corner route while tight end Antonio Gates (No. 85) runs an out pattern. Meanwhile, the running back releases to the flat after the play-action fake.The Titans are in a Cover 4 defense here, and safety Kendrick Lewis (No. 28) and cornerback Adoree' Jackson (No. 25) get mixed up as the play unfolds. In this zone coverage, the safety is often responsible for handling the out route while the cornerback stays with the vertical receiver down the field. However, both Lewis and Jackson move toward Gates as he turns toward the sideline, and that miscommunication allows Williams to run wide open deeper down the field:Here, the formation, personnel, situation, and design combine to create some confusion in the secondary, and it leads to a long touchdown pass for Philip Rivers and Co.Rushing Design of the Week: Kerryon's long scamperThe Detroit Lions entered this season with a rather dubious streak in progress: No rusher had gained 100 yards in a single game dating back to 2013. Thankfully, rookie running back Kerryon Johnson ended the drought with a 101-yard outing in Week 3. And on Sunday against Miami, he needed just the first half to exceed the century mark.While the rookie never found the end zone against the Dolphins, his outing extended a number of drives as the Lions only punted once all game. Johnson’s best run was this 71-yard burst early in the second quarter:Here, the Lions use a power/counter concept, as Johnson (No. 33) uses his blocks while running to the right side. Right tackle Ricky Wagner (No. 71) and right guard T.J. Lang (No. 76) both execute down blocks, while left guard Frank Ragnow (No. 77) pulls across to the right side and emphatically leads the way.Johnson also sets up the run nicely by using his footwork, as he first takes a couple steps to the left before taking the handoff and bursting to the right. Ahead of him, Ragnow takes on the defender in the hole, clearing a perfect crease for the RB to burst through. Johnson's eventually tripped up, but only after picking up a huge gain on this well-blocked play.Pressure Design of the Week: Redskins confuse Cowboys, score defensive TDIt took a missed field goal in the final seconds, but the Washington Redskins held on to beat the rival Dallas Cowboys 20-17 at FedExField. That was largely due to the defense, which stepped up in a big way by sacking Dak Prescott four times and holding the Cowboys to just 5-of-14 on third-down conversion attempts.No play was bigger than Washington's defensive score with just under five minutes remaining in the game. Here, the Cowboys are backed up while facing a third-and-14. The Redskins' defense shows Prescott a blitz look before the snap by putting five defenders on the line of scrimmage, including linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (No. 40):NFL/CBSAs the play begins, both Harvey-Clemons and Ryan Kerrigan (No. 91) drop off the line into coverage rather than blitzing. Instead, Washington looks to generate pressure with an exchange stunt between Preston Smith (No. 94) and Jonathan Allen (No. 93) on the right side of the defensive line:NFL/CBSFirst, Allen starts upfield, attacking the gap between the left guard and the left tackle. Smith then loops around them to the inside of the line, attacking the spot now vacated by the left guard. And after initially dropping into coverage, Kerrigan sees an opportunity ...What Kerrigan sees is running back Ezekiel Elliott (No. 21) releasing on a route into the area Harvey-Clemons is responsible for. So, now that Prescott lacks a personal protector in the pocket - and since the RB is already covered by the LB - Kerrigan's free to attack the QB. He does, knocking the ball from Prescott’s hands into the waiting arms of Smith for the defensive score.This play ended up being the difference in Washington's key victory.Coverage Design of the Week: Mitchell's read leads to INTFor the second straight week, our featured coverage play comes at the expense of a Buffalo Bills quarterback. Last week, it was Nathan Peterman; this time, it's veteran journeyman Derek Anderson.Late in the first half of Indianapolis' 37-5 blowout of the Bills, Buffalo faces a first-and-5 on the Colts' 43-yard line with under a minute remaining in the second quarter. Then, disaster strikes:On this play, Anderson tries to hit receiver Kelvin Benjamin (No. 13) on a dig route in the middle of the field. At first blush, the quarterback makes the right read, as the Colts are in a Cover 2 coverage with the middle of the field seemingly "open." Throwing to the route between the safeties is the right decision, and Anderson even uses his eyes and a pump fake to try and move one of them away from Benjamin’s route. However, the other safety, Mike Mitchell (No. 34), wasn’t moved at all. He reads the play perfectly and gets in the way.Safeties in Cover 2 need to be wary of the middle of the field, as that's one of the soft spots in the zone scheme. Here, Mitchell does just that and gets underneath the route in time.Game Ball: Philip Rivers, Los Angeles ChargersGranted, it took Titans coach Mike Vrabel’s questionable decision to go for two at the end of the game for the Chargers to leave England with a victory, but let’s not overlook the performance by their quarterback. While playing without star rusher Melvin Gordon, Rivers completed 19 of 26 passes for 306 yards and two long scoring plays, including the one broken down in this piece.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.

Deshaun Watson's days riding the bus to his team's games are likely over.The Houston Texans quarterback made headlines Sunday for traveling to his team's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on a bus due to a bruised lung and injured ribs.The Texans were reportedly concerned about how air pressure would impact Watson's lungs and ribs and elected to send him on a bus ride instead of the team plane.Texans head coach Bill O'Brien confirmed that it's unlikely Watson will take the bus again, per NFL Network's James Palmer, and made light of his quarterback's ongoing situation."The first thing, if you can't fly, let's talk to Deshaun about what he wants to do. You can't fly, but there are modes of transportation. We had choices of Amtrak, rock-'n'-roll tour bus, horse and buggy," O'Brien said via the Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson.Watson arrived in Houston on Monday morning. He completed 12-of-24 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown during the 20-7 win over the Jaguars.The Texans play the Miami Dolphins at home Thursday. The team will then have a 10-day rest before its Nov. 4 contest against the Denver Broncos, giving Watson time to recover.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Kwon Alexander suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Buccaneers previously feared Alexander had suffered a torn ACL but were awaiting an MRI to confirm the severity of the injury.It's a crushing loss for the Buccaneers, as Alexander is one of the key components of their defense alongside Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy.The 24-year-old linebacker, who was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2017, was reportedly negotiating a new contract with the team prior to Sunday's game.Alexander recorded 45 tackles, a sack, and two forced fumbles in six games this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While the Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2018 season as defending Super Bowl champions, head coach Doug Pederson believes they're somehow sitting under the radar.Philadelphia slumped to a 3-4 record following Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers and trails the Washington Redskins for the NFC East lead.After Sunday's game, Pederson suggested his team's been discounted despite its pedigree."I think no one has really given us a chance anyway," Pederson said, according to ESPN's Tim McManus. "Whether we're putting pressure on ourselves to perform, to play, whatever it is, live up to a certain expectation, I think that's the point where I think that no one has given us that type of - maybe with the amount of injuries or whatever it is - given us much credit going into games."And I think sometimes we force issues. We try to press just a little bit ... When the plays come, let's just make the plays that come to us, and right now, we're not doing that. So I think that's the pressure that's off of us, and we just have to get back to playing and executing better."Although the Eagles surprised the football world by taking down the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, they were the favorites to win their division entering this season.With nine games remaining, Pederson believes the Eagles are no longer dealing with the expectations that usually surround defending champions."Nobody on the outside world is giving us a chance to do much of anything," Pederson said. "Pressure's off, so we can go play, have fun, relax."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers usually gives the Green Bay Packers a pretty good chance to win every game they're in, but they're bigger underdogs this coming Sunday than they've been during his career to date.Against the undefeated Los Angeles Rams on the road Sunday, the Packers are listed as 8.5-point underdogs Monday by the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.The Packers were eight-point underdogs against the Seattle Seahawks in 2014, the largest margin Rodgers has faced thus far.Green Bay is coming off its bye week.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hue Jackson has apparently seen enough of the Cleveland Browns' struggles on offense.After the Browns' 26-23 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, which required Cleveland to overcome a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter, head coach Jackson hinted that he may be ready to retake play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Todd Haley."I feel like I have to and I want to," Jackson said, according to NFL.com's Herbie Teope, when asked if he's considering becoming more involved in the team's offense. "That's what I know, so I'm not going to continue to watch something that I know how to do keep being that way, and that's just the truth. I mean, that's nothing against anybody in our building. I just think that's what I do and I think I need to be a little bit more involved."Jackson opted not to hire an offensive coordinator for his first two seasons in Cleveland, calling plays himself before Haley joined the franchise this offseason. The Browns won just one game in two years with Jackson running the offense.Cleveland has gone into overtime in four of seven games this season, with one win, one tie, and two losses.The Browns' offense has converted around 30 percent of its third-down plays in the past three games, fourth-worst in the league. Haley's unit averaged 16.3 points per game over that span - again, ahead of just three teams.While Jackson's increased involvement could cause some friction, he said it's his responsibility to do whatever it takes to win."I'm the head coach of the football team, period. Period," Jackson said. "There's nothing else that needs to be said. Nothing. That's the way it works. I'm the head coach of the football team. That's it."It's not going to be about butting heads. ... I will do what I feel I need to do to get this team where it needs to be."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Week 7 wasn't a lucky one for some in the NFL. It was a painful experience for kickers, in particular.Whether due to the elements or an unfortunate set of circumstances, Sunday produced a number of wacky endings.Here are the five craziest finishes from Sunday's slate:5. Titans go for 2 and win in London, can't convertThe Tennessee Titans had two shots at two points and a win on Sunday.Down 20-13 to the Los Angeles Chargers with four minutes remaining in the game, the Titans drove 89 yards for the touchdown with half a minute left on the clock.

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 8 waiver wire adds.Topics for this episode include:

New England Patriots running back Sony Michel was forced out of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears due to an apparent knee injury. While the Patriots were mum on the situation following the game, Michel will reportedly undergo an MRI on Monday, a source told Pro Football Talk.The rookie was helped off the field after running for 22 yards on four carries and recording one 13-yard reception. He was initially listed as questionable to return but was quickly downgraded to out.The Patriots' running game struggled without the 31st overall pick of April's draft. James White led the way with 40 yards on 11 carries, while Kenjon Barner added 10 carries for 36 yards in New England's 38-31 victory.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy was forced to leave Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts after suffering a head injury in the first quarter.McCoy landed awkwardly after getting tackled out of bounds and was taken to the medical tent. He eventually went to the locker room with trainers and was later ruled out for the rest of the day.Chris Ivory replaced McCoy as the lead back.McCoy is the focal point of the Bills' offense and it would be a devastating loss if he misses any time.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the rift between the Miami Dolphins and DeVante Parker is growing wider.Parker's agent, Jimmy Gould, released a statement after the receiver was inactive for the team's Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone made a change at quarterback Sunday in hopes of changing his team's fortunes.Halfway through the Jags' 20-7 loss to the Houston Texans, Marrone benched starter Blake Bortles in favor of backup Cody Kessler."Thought process was you (can't) take all 11 out -- you don't have enough people to put in," Marrone said, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco. "Thought process: 'Hey listen. I'm going to take the quarterback out.' Not like he had played worse than anyone out there. He had two fumbles."I just literally did it to try to get a damn spark from this football team to put everyone on notice. They have to focus and go out there and play better. At points in the second half, they did it. That's not fair to the quarterback, but that's how the business is."The Jaguars have slumped to 3-4 following three consecutive losses to the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, and Houston. Jacksonville has managed to score just 28 points over that span.Bortles completed 6 of 12 for 61 yards and lost two fumbles in his two-plus quarters of work Sunday. Kessler went 21-for-30 for 156 yards and an interception. He found T.J. Yeldon for a six-yard score to post the Jags' only points on the afternoon.After the game, Bortles said he had "no idea" whether he would start next week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk."I'll do the same thing I've always done - show up, work, prepare and get ready to go and work as hard as I can. If I play, I play. If not, then I'll do whatever I can to help this team."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid lambasted Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins following a heated encounter Sunday.Reid and Jenkins were both part of the Players Coalition, a group built to foster social initiatives for underfunded communities and further opportunities for African-Americans. Reid left the group in late 2017 after Jenkins, on the group's behalf, agreed to a partnership with the NFL that would contribute $90 million to groups and causes endorsed by the coalition.The 26-year-old got into an altercation with Jenkins prior to the game. He also bodyslammed Eagles tight end Zach Ertz during the contest, after delivering a late hit on quarterback Carson Wentz.Reid expressed his continuing irritation postgame, denouncing Jenkins for taking money from the league and ostensibly turning his back on Colin Kaepernick."We believe a lot of players should have stepped up for Colin. I believe Malcolm capitalized on the situation. He co-opted the movement that was started by Colin to get his organization funded. It's cowardly. He sold us out," Reid said postgame, per Master Tesfatsion of Bleacher Report.

The Jacksonville Jaguars saw enough of Blake Bortles on Sunday.Backup quarterback Cody Kessler replaced Bortles under center for the Jaguars' second drive of the second half in Sunday's Week 7 game against the Houston Texans.Houston carried a 13-0 lead into halftime, and scored another touchdown after Bortles fumbled on Jacksonville's opening drive of the second half, prompting the switch at quarterback.Before being benched, Bortles had gone 6-for-12 passing for 61 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. He rushed six times for 30 yards, but lost two fumbles.Ahead of Sunday's game, Bortles had thrown nine touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 61.2 percent completion rate this season. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2014 draft helped lead the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game last season.Kessler, a third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2016, went 21-for-30 for 156 yards passing, one touchdown, and one interception. He also recorded two carries for eight yards.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer believes cornerback Xavier Rhodes suffered a sprained ankle during Sunday's victory over the New York Jets, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Rhodes was helped off the field in the fourth quarter with what initially seemed to be a serious leg injury. Zimmer, however, doesn't think the issue is serious, adds Chad Graff of The Athletic.The six-year veteran and No. 25 pick of the 2013 NFL Draft has played in all seven games this season and has one interception.The Vikings will host the New Orleans Saints in Week 8.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fear linebacker Kwon Alexander suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.Alexander will undergo an MRI which will determine the severity of the injury.The 24-year-old suffered the injury during the second quarter and didn't return.Alexander was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2017 and has emerged as a vital component of the Buccaneers' defense.Tampa Bay and Alexander were reportedly discussing a new contract prior to Sunday's game.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots rookie running back Sony Michel was helped off the field Sunday against the Chicago Bears and then carted to the locker room after suffering a left knee injury.The Patriots ruled his return questionable before downgrading him to out.Michel had four carries for 22 yards and one 13-yard reception at the time of his departure. The No. 31 pick in the 2018 draft entered Week 7 with 400 rushing yards and four touchdowns through his first five games, after missing the season opener.It's the same knee which Michel injured in last year's SEC Championship Game while at Georgia. He missed a little bit of time during training camp in August after undergoing a procedure to drain the knee, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid and Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, who were members of the Players Coalition together, got into a scuffle prior to Sunday's game.Reid was held back by Panthers receiver Torrey Smith, who is a former teammate of Jenkins' and who has praised the veteran defensive back's leadership.Reid and Jenkins previously fell out over the group, with the former opting to split from the Players Coalition, which he called "an NFL-funded subversion group," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was forced to travel via bus instead of the team flight for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a bruised lung and injured ribs, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.The Texans were reportedly concerned with how the air pressure on the flight could have impacted Watson's injuries.The 23-year-old signal-caller has played all six games this season. He completed 15 of 25 pass attempts for 177 yards and a touchdown, but threw two interceptions last week against the Buffalo Bills.Watson has nine touchdowns and seven interceptions on the season, with another score added on the ground. He's been sacked a league-high 25 times after returning from a torn ACL that prematurely ended his rookie season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski's back injury is not believed to be serious or a long-term issue, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Gronkowski will miss Sunday's Week 7 game against the Chicago Bears after locking up his back during Friday's practice.The star pass-catcher has been in his usual All-Pro form this season with 26 catches for 405 yards, though he's found the end zone just once.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ryan Tannehill is already out for Sunday's Week 7 contest versus the Detroit Lions, and the Miami Dolphins quarterback is expected to miss his third straight game on Thursday against the Houston Texans due to a lingering right shoulder injury, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Tannehill's dealing with motion issues that are causing pain in the shoulder, and the Dolphins aren't sure when he'll return, Rapoport added.Brock Osweiler started in relief of Tannehill last weekend, recording 380 passing yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions in a 31-28 overtime win over the Chicago Bears. The veteran passer will continue to get the nod with Tannehill sidelined.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys are doing their due diligence regarding a potential trade for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Oakland's also fielded interest about Cooper from the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins, Schefter reports. The Raiders are reportedly looking for a first-round pick in any deal involving Cooper.Meanwhile, Dallas is also monitoring receiver Kelvin Benjamin of the Buffalo Bills and wideout DeVante Parker of the Miami Dolphins, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. The Dolphins reportedly want a third-round pick in any potential trade involving Parker.Currently in the concussion protocol, Cooper has caught 22 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown this season.The Cowboys are in need of a standout wide receiver and Cooper could benefit from a potential change of scenery. The NFL trade deadline is Oct. 30.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles are among the teams interested in trading for Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.The Dallas Cowboys are also interested in Parker, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.Miami has spoken to several teams about Parker but are not actively trying to trade him, Salguero reports.The Dolphins would require a third-round pick in order to trade Parker, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Saturday.Parker was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Louisville. He has played sparingly throughout the 2018 season, recording two catches for 40 yards in two games, and was ruled inactive for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite potentially being the first quarterback - and maybe the No. 1 overall player - selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, Oregon standout Justin Herbert is expected to return for his senior season, sources told CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.According to La Canfora, "Numerous sources said that there is a very strong sentiment from the Oregon program that Herbert will remain in school for 2019." He added that several NFL scouts would be "very surprised" if the passer turns pro based on their discussions with contacts on Oregon's staff.The 6-foot-6 Herbert has excelled in 2018. He's thrown for 1,883 yards and 15 touchdowns to five interception while rushing for two more scores. The Ducks are 5-2 on the season.If Herbert doesn't declare for the draft, Missouri's Drew Lock, West Virginia's Will Grier, and Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins will likely compete to be the top signal-caller of the class.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict will be suspended after his next major infraction, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Burfict was fined $112,000 for hits on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back James Conner and met with the league this week."I am told the league office has informed Burfict that the next similar action will result in a suspension," Rapoport said on NFL Gameday.Burfict has been fined and suspended several times during his career for illegal hits. He also served a four-game suspension to begin the 2018 season for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars aren't considering trading for another quarterback to push Blake Bortles, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Bortles has struggled in back-to-back Jaguars losses, tossing only two touchdowns while being picked off five times, and completing less than 58 percent of his passes in each defeat.However, the Jaguars will not, as rumored, pursue the likes of Eli Manning, Tyrod Taylor, or Nick Foles.Jacksonville has been without star back Leonard Fournette for much of the season due to a lingering hamstring injury, which has put more pressure on Bortles to carry the offense.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the Denver Broncos off to a 3-4 start this season, teams have expressed interest in trading for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and cornerback Chris Harris, sources told Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.Denver is also listening to trade proposals for wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and has not rebuffed those inquiries to date, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.However, Schefter reports that Denver isn't interested in trading Sanders, who's emerged as the focal point of the passing game with 46 receptions for 603 yards and three touchdowns this season. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2020 and is owed $10.25 million in base salary for the 2019 campaign.Harris is also scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2020 and is owed $7.8 million in base salary for the 2019 season. The three-time Pro Bowler has spent his entire career with the Broncos and has become the leader of the secondary.With the Oct. 30 trade deadline rapidly approaching, Broncos general manager and president of football operations John Elway has to make some key decisions that could drastically impact his team's short- and long-term forecast.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without running back Leonard Fournette for at least two more games, as he's expected to remain on the shelf through the team's bye in Week 9 due to a lingering right hamstring injury, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Jaguars will face the Houston Texans on Sunday before a London, England, meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.Fournette has played in just two games this season, carrying the ball 20 times.The Jaguars acquired Carlos Hyde in a trade with the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, which was likely motivated by Fournette's inability to stay healthy.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II said he's surprised that Le'Veon Bell's contract standoff with the team has lasted this long, but emphasized that he remains confident the running back isn't going anywhere."I expect him to be a member of the team going forward," Rooney said, in response to a question about trade talks ahead of the Oct. 30 trade deadline, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. "That's my expectation."The Steelers were reportedly listening to trade packages for Bell, though it's not known how serious they were about moving him, or if they received any substantial offers.Bell was apparently set to return to Pittsburgh this week, the team's bye, but he never appeared, as the Steelers reportedly expected."I think the team has handled it well," Rooney said of Bell's absence. "The players have adjusted, just carrying on without him. That's all you can do. But it's early in the season, we have a long way to go. We just have to keep getting better every week. Can't take anything for granted."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack is expected to play in Sunday's game against the New England Patriots despite an ankle injury, but the team is unsure how much of a workload the star pass-rusher can handle, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Mack was listed as questionable along with receiver Allen Robinson, who is also expected to play despite dealing with a groin issue, added Schefter.If Mack isn't at full force, Chicago may have trouble stopping the Patriots' high-flying offense.The linebacker has been in scintillating form since joining the Bears via trade before the season, racking up five sacks and four forced fumbles in five games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa is expected to make his long-awaited return from a bone bruise in his left foot following the team's bye in Week 8, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Bosa didn't travel with the Chargers to Cleveland (where they beat the Browns) or to London, England, for Sunday's Week 7 contest against the Tennessee Titans, instead staying in Los Angeles to rehab his injury.The pass-rusher has been running for two week and appears close to regaining his full form, added Schefter.Despite Bosa's absence, the Chargers sit at 4-2 and own the league's 13th-ranked defense.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 7.You can also listen to the Week 7 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.Standard