Chris Long continues to be one of the most generous players in the NFL.The Philadelphia Eagles defensive end is pledging to donate a quarter of his 2018 salary to help promote youth literacy, a year after also giving away his entire $1 million paycheck to benefit educational charities."Kids don't have a choice. Kids don't pick their parents, they don't pick their economic background, they don't pick the neighborhood they grew up in, they don't pick any of the factors that can hold them back, they don't pick their school system," Long said, according to Tim McManus of ESPN. "So (investing in them), it just feels like you're doing something productive. ... I just feel like this is something where you're going to see results."Long's donation will help to launch the First Quarter for Literacy drive, with assistance from the United Way and Philadelphia's Read By Fourth campaign. The goal is to give underprivileged children greater access to books. Chris and Megan Long will distribute 25,000-plus books to children in Philadelphia."I hope that it changes parents' perspectives on how important it is, and how much they should cherish their time with their kids at night, reading 20 minutes a day, and the books that they have," Long said. "It's changed things for me."The 33-year-old pass-rusher's 2018 base salary is $2.5 million. His donation will be $400,000 after taxes.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers signed safety Eric Reid to a highly incentivized one-year deal worth up to $2 million, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing a source.Reid will make $1 million in base salary, $390,000 in roster bonuses, and additional playing time and Pro Bowl bonuses written in could see the deal reach $2 million, according to Schefter.The deal puts Reid's annual average income behind the likes of Karl Joseph and Keanu Neal and ahead of Kenny Vaccaro and Deshazor Everett.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams maintained their unbeaten record with a 38-31 shootout win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night, and that has some members of the team making grand proclamations."Any team can be beat right now, but, nah, we can't be beat right now. No ifs, ands, or buts about it," running back Todd Gurley said on the NFL Network postgame set.The Rams improved to 4-0 and currently own the best record in the NFL.Los Angeles put up 556 total yards on Minnesota's defense and often looked unstoppable."Like coach says, we don't feel pressure, we apply it. That's our motto," Gurley said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

LOS ANGELES (AP) Jared Goff turned a phenomenal first half into the biggest game of his career, and it was still just barely enough to beat Kirk Cousins.Goff passed for career highs of 465 yards and five touchdowns, winning a scintillating duel with his Minnesota counterpart and leading the unbeaten Los Angeles Rams to a 38-31 victory over the Vikings on Thursday night.Goff hit Cooper Kupp with two of his four TD throws during a 251-yard first half in which the third-year quarterback flawlessly executed coach Sean McVay's offense.''It was just great command by him,'' McVay said about Goff.Todd Gurley then finished with 83 yards rushing and 73 yards receiving while the Rams (4-0) held off the Vikings (1-2-1) and Cousins, who passed for 422 yards and three touchdowns.The Vikings got the ball back with 2:20 left, but Los Angeles rookie John Franklin-Myers stripped Cousins of the ball near midfield. The Rams recovered and ran out the clock on their first win in the franchise's last six meetings with Minnesota.McVay was Cousins' offensive coordinator in Washington before he became Goff's head coach on the West Coast last season. McVay's current and former prize pupils put on a show at the Coliseum, but Goff finished 26 of 33 with a perfect 158.3 quarterback rating.Goff picked apart the Vikings' secondary in the first half with one pinpoint throw after another. The former No. 1 pick has three consecutive 300-yard games during the Rams' perfect start.Gurley and Brandin Cooks had first-half TD catches.The Vikings trimmed LA's lead to 31-28 late in the third quarter with Adam Thielen's 45-yard TD catch and a 2-point conversion, but Goff promptly surpassed his previous career highs for yards passing during a swift drive ending in Robert Woods' 31-yard TD catch.Both offenses came out firing at the Coliseum in front of a lively Coliseum crowd that included a healthy throng of purple-clad fans enjoying the Vikings' first game in Los Angeles since 1993.One week after giving up 27 points in the first half and getting blown out as 16 1/2-point favorites in Buffalo, the Vikings gave up 28 before halftime against LA. They still hung in with one of the NFL's best offenses thanks to a dynamic game from Cousins, who hit Aldrick Robinson for two first-half scores.Goff found Kupp with two beautiful TD throws in the first half, the first hitting Kupp in stride on a 70-yard sprint , and the second eluding two Vikings and dropping into Kupp's hands deep in the end zone.''Jared put it in about a 6-inch box that only he could fit it into,'' McVay said. ''He had great command and poise all night.''Less than 2 1/2 minutes later, Goff hit Cooks down the middle for a 47-yard score.Both of those throws beat Minnesota cornerback Trae Waynes, who missed the second half with a concussion.Goff's four TD passes were the most in a first half by a Rams quarterback since Kurt Warner did it in 1999.Sam Ficken, the replacement for injured Rams All-Pro kicker Greg Zuerlein, kept it close by missing a 28-yard field goal with 8:21 to play.Minnesota's Dan Bailey hit a 40-yard field goal with 3:46 left for the only points of the fourth quarter.GRIFFEN OUTMinnesota defensive end Everson Griffen posted a message on Instagram expressing his gratitude for support from his team and family. Griffen has been away from the Vikings while undergoing a mental health evaluation, and he didn't get to return to the Coliseum, where he starred for USC. Griffen said he doesn't know exactly when he'll be back in uniform, but he plans to ''return as a much-improved person and player.''INJURY REPORTVikings: RB Dalvin Cook had 20 yards on 10 carries after missing last week's game with a hamstring injury. ... Thielen appeared to be angry when officials sent him off the field to be checked for a concussion early in the second half. He returned later in the third quarter.Rams: TE Tyler Higbee injured his knee early on. He returned later in the first half. ... CB Marcus Peters played after injuring his calf last week.UP NEXTVikings: At the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 7.Rams: At the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Oct. 7.---More AP NFL: www.apnews.com/tag/NFL and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen released a statement on Thursday addressing his recent absence from the team.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin says he's awaiting team approval to return from a knee injury for the Week 4 game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.The 30-year-old has been sidelined since leaving the season opener against the Denver Broncos due to a sprained MCL."Again, that's going to be their call," Baldwin said Thursday, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. "There's a lot of things that go into it, obviously the precautionary reasons of making sure that I'm healthy fully, so that I can go for the rest of the season, not just this game. And I get that. But as a competitor and somebody that hasn't missed games that often, who had an 89-game streak, I feel like I know my body pretty well, so I feel like I'm ready to go."Baldwin missed time during training camp due to issues with his other knee, but he says the time off has helped him get closer to full health."Knowing that I have a lot of mileage on my legs, knowing that I'm not 25 years old anymore, I take all that context into account when I'm making my decisions as well," said Baldwin. "The process of getting my body to this point has been obviously a long process but I know where I'm at. And of course I have to tell (head coach Pete Carroll) and anybody who asks me how confident I am. But that's just the truth."I think all of you all know when I come up here, you're not going to get BS from me. I'm going to be honest with you. And I'll say the same thing to Pete and anybody else who asks me about my health. I'm ready to go, so we'll see what happens."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Thursday night matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams received an added boost as running back Dalvin Cook and cornerback Marcus Peters have been declared active.Cook missed the Vikings' 27-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 due to a hamstring injury. The team grew optimistic about his chances for a return throughout the week.Peters left last week's victory over the Los Angeles Chargers due to a calf injury. Initial reports had him expected to miss two-to-four weeks.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Week 4 of the NFL season gets underway on Thursday when the Minnesota Vikings travel to take on the Los Angeles Rams. Will Bernanke, the lead analyst at CG Analytics in Las Vegas, offered a report on how bettors are approaching the game leading up to kickoff.Minnesota at Los AngelesOpen: LAR -6.5 (point spead) / 49 (O/U)Current: LAR -7 (point spread) / 48.5 (O/U)After taking a big step forward under new head coach Sean McVay last season, Los Angeles already looks poised to shatter their 11-win clip from 2017. It's been smooth sailing so far for the Rams, who improved to 3-0 on the season last Sunday with a 35-23 win over the Chargers - the team's third consecutive double-digit victory.Los Angeles is officially a public darling, shooting up as the front-runner to win the Super Bowl. Per Bernanke, nothing substantial has come in on the Rams since they were pegged the favorites aside from some three-figure bets at 5/1."Everyone who grabbed the Rams before the season is standing pat; others are coming in with smaller-sized bets on the futures," he told theScore on Thursday.Looking to hand the Rams their first loss of the season are the Minnesota Vikings, who don't inspire much confidence after their showing last weekend. The Vikings were embarrassed at home by the Buffalo Bills and rookie quarterback Josh Allen, who ripped off 27 unanswered points to start the game and never looked back, cashing in as 16.5-point underdogs.CG Technology listed the Thursday night game as a 3-point edge for the home side when it made the 2018 look-ahead lines. Parlay the Rams' early-season surge with the Minnesota loss fresh in the minds of the public, and perhaps there's a reason for not only the bigger number, but the handle on the game as well."Right now, it's all Rams money. Eighty percent of the dollars on the point spread is on Los Angeles," said Bernanke, who added the moneyline was slightly tilted toward Minnesota."It's early, but right now the ideal result would be a Rams win and a Vikings cover."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Jay Ajayi said Thursday he will try to play through a small fracture in his back."You just have to roll with it until it heals on its own," he said, according to ESPN's Tim McManus, adding that his availability will come down to pain tolerance.Ajayi was sidelined last week because of a back injury. He was a full participant in practice Thursday, indicating he should be good to go in three days when the Eagles visit the Tennessee Titans.The 25-year-old rushed for 85 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries over the first two games of the season. He totaled 408 yards and a touchdown on the ground across seven appearances last year after joining the Eagles in a trade from the Miami Dolphins.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 4.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.You can also listen to the Week 4 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.Standard

Here's a look at the key tactical showdowns that will likely decide the outcomes of three NFL games this week:Mike Zimmer vs. Sean McVayThe spotlight game of the Week 4 slate is on Thursday night when the Minnesota Vikings travel west to clash with the undefeated Los Angeles Rams. This game will test two head coaches with opposite backgrounds. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is a former defensive coordinator, while Rams counterpart Sean McVay is a former offensive coordinator. The game might be determined by how Zimmer and the Vikings handle the number 11.In this case, 11 refers to 11 offensive personnel, a designation for when the offense lines up with one tight end, one running back, and three wide receivers. Sharp Football, which charts personnel grouping frequency, tells us that the Rams have used an 11 personnel package on 98 percent of their offensive plays so far in 2018.Why does that matter? Because offensive personnel dictates the defensive personnel and alignment.When a defense sees the offensive personnel package, the unit adjusts its own personnel. So a defense, in response to 11 personnel, likely uses more defensive backs than linebackers. Seeing three wide receivers in the game, the unit typically plays fewer defenders in the box.That’s when McVay’s creative use of 11 personnel comes into play.According to Sharp’s data, the Rams pass using 11 personnel just 53 percent of the time, the league's lowest percentage. On their 91 rushing plays out of 11 personnel, they have averaged 4.4 yards per carry while taking advantage of defenses with fewer men in the box.Teams using 11 personnel face eight-plus men in the box just seven percent of the time, according to Josh Hermsmeyer of FiveThirtyEight. Often, offenses using that formation see just six defenders in the box.Last year alone, Rams running back Todd Gurley faced the lowest percentage of eight-plus man boxes because of how McVay uses 11 personnel. That advantage shows up on tape:Here, the Rams come out in 11 personnel, and they use jet motion to get the Los Angeles Chargers’ linebackers moving before the snap. They run Gurley to the inside run using a power-blocking scheme and pick up a big gain on the ground.We can expect this strategy to continue on Thursday night. Zimmer and his defenders will need to stop the Rams’ 11 personnel rushing attack. The Vikings could put more defenders into the box, hoping they can execute solid man coverage on the receivers. They could also hope their linebackers can win one-on-one matchups despite a numbers disadvantage up front.Dolphins' crossing routes vs. Patriots' blitz defenseAlmost nobody saw this coming: A Week 4 tilt between the 3-0 Miami Dolphins and the 1-2 New England Patriots, with the Dolphins having the opportunity to build a three-game lead in the AFC East over the defending AFC champions. If the Dolphins are going leave Gillette Stadium with that lead, they’ll likely have to lean on crossing routes.Crossing routes have been giving the Patriots' defense fits since last season. In Super Bowl LII, New England’s inability to defend shallow crossing routes allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to convert multiple third downs. The Eagles were able to extend drives and score touchdowns instead of settling for field goals. That's usually how you beat the Patriots.That weakness has continued during the 2018 season for New England. It stems from the Pats struggling to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks with just four pass-rushers, forcing Brian Flores, New England’s linebackers coach and defensive play-caller, to blitz more.When a defense blitzes, it usually has to play man coverage. Right now, the Patriots’ defense lacks the athleticism to cover short underneath crossing routes in those situations.Against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3, the Patriots’ defense couldn't get off the field on the first third-down play it faced:On the blitz, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (No. 51) has a shot at Blake Bortles. But he misses, and the Jaguars quarterback finds Austin Seferian-Jenkins to move the chains.Jacksonville tacked on a touchdown before halftime too, doing it with another crossing route against the blitz that extended the drive:Now here come the Dolphins, a team thriving in the short passing game and on crossing routes under head coach Adam Gase. Returning from injury, quarterback Ryan Tannehill is off to a solid start. He's among the league leaders in many passing categories, including completion percentage, touchdowns, quarterback rating, and adjusted net yards per attempt.That success is partly tied to crossing routes, like this play against the New York Jets:If the Patriots are going to stave off panic at home on Sunday, they’ll need to come up with an answer for the Dolphins' crisp crossing routes.Browns' anticipation vs. Raiders' defenseThe Cleveland Browns recorded their first victory in 635 days last Thursday night when they knocked off the visiting Jets. After starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor was sidelined with a concussion, rookie Baker Mayfield stepped in and led the Browns to a comeback victory during his first NFL regular-season action.There was a palpable difference when Mayfield entered the game. The Browns' energy level increased and the offensive execution improved.NFL.com's Next Gen Stats shows the difference:

The Carolina Panthers' signing of safety Eric Reid brought out reactions from NFL players leaguewide.Related: Panthers sign safety Eric Reid to 1-year dealAmong those to congratulate both player and team on social media was Colin Kaepernick, Reid's former teammate while on the San Francisco 49ers.

The Carolina Panthers announced the signing of safety Eric Reid to a one-year contract on Thursday.The former Pro Bowler played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2013-17, where he famously knelt alongside Colin Kaepernick during the national anthem in 2016.

The Tennessee Titans released wide receiver Rishard Matthews on Thursday after the seven-year veteran requested his walking papers."He reached out to me Monday and asked to be released or traded," general manager Jon Robinson told reporters Thursday. "We explored the trade option with several teams and I would say that market never really manifested itself to get a deal."Matthews led the Titans with 945 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2016. He was effective again last year, posting 745 yards and four touchdowns while helping Tennessee reach the playoffs.The 28-year-old saw his playing time slashed early this season, however, and managed just three receptions for 11 yards on six targets through the first three games.Matthews said he wanted out of Tennessee because of his reduced role. He signed a one-year contract extension with the Titans in August.Matthews spent four seasons with the Miami Dolphins before joining the Titans in 2016. He was the Dolphins' seventh-round pick out of Nevada in 2012.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor returned to practice Thursday after clearing the concussion protocol, according to Andrew Gribble of ClevelandBrowns.com.Barring any setbacks, Taylor will serve as the backup to No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield when Cleveland takes on the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.Taylor suffered the concussion last weekend versus the New York Jets. He started the Browns' first three contests of the season, throwing for 462 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Mayfield took over against New York and led Cleveland to its first victory since 2016.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck insisted Wednesday his shoulder is healthy and not to blame for his alarming number of short passes early in the season."I know I'm at a level where I can make all the throws, and I feel confident I'm going out there with my full arsenal," Luck told Jim Ayello of the Indianapolis Star. "I don't think there's anything physically holding me back."Luck was sidelined for the entire 2017 season amid a laborious recovery from shoulder surgery that included multiple setbacks. After an encouraging preseason, he's seen his numbers tail off in the regular season. He's yet to complete a pass longer than 29 yards, and his spirals appeared to lack zip in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles.WeekYards Per Attempt16.0225.7734.10"The (deep passing game) can get better," Luck said. "It can definitely get better. We could probably look back and say if we had a couple more chunks in the first few games, maybe that would swing the tide in a way. But that's probably the truth of looking back at any game. Hindsight is 20-20. So we'll work on it. I'll work on it. Guys up front, too. Wideouts will make sure when those opportunities do present themselves, that we're making the plays."Related: Luck's struggles in Week 3 raise questions about arm strengthAlthough Luck has completed a career-high 68.5 percent of his passes this year, his 5.34 yards-per-attempt figure is drastically lower than his career mark of 7.11.

Not every partnership is a match made in heaven. But even unexpected combos can become blessed unions.Here are three NFL duos few envisioned having this much success together.Ryan Fitzpatrick - DeSean JacksonMike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport / GettyWho would have thought that the marquee tandem to open the season would have been a journeyman passer and a wideout with 11 years on his legs?Two weeks into the campaign, no duo was more lethal than Ryan Fitzpatrick and DeSean Jackson. Fitzpatrick led the league in pass yards at that point and Jackson was the NFL's leader in receiving yards. The pair combined on bombs of 58, 36, 35, and 75 yards, proving they can each still dominate.The two only connected three times for 37 yards in Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but their scorching start likely altered the way the defense covered Jackson.There's no telling how long the Fitzmagic will last after Jameis Winston returns to the roster this week. Nonetheless, the unexpected allies deserve much of the credit for the Buccaneers' 2-1 start.Alvin Kamara - Mark IngramJonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhen New Orleans used a third-round pick on Alvin Kamara in the 2017 draft, it was believed that Mark Ingram's days were numbered with the Saints.Instead, the pair of running backs combined to form the most dynamic rushing attack in the NFL. Kamara won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after producing more than 1,550 total yards and 13 touchdowns, and Ingram was named to his second Pro Bowl while putting up career highs in carries (230), rushing yards (1,124), and touchdowns (12).In their pursuit of Kamara, the Saints determined that he's best used in multiple roles and not as a traditional lead back. So while Kamara comes at opposing defenses in a variety of ways, Ingram helps shield him from the regular wear and tear a three-down back endures.Stefon Diggs - Adam ThielenHannah Foslien / Getty Images Sport / GettyPerhaps the most unexpected tandem is the one between Minnesota Vikings pass-catchers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen.Thielen was an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State in 2013 and Diggs a fifth-round pick by the Vikings in 2015. Neither was expected to emerge as the team's lead wideout; if anything, they'd compete for touches. Yet, they've managed to share the spotlight after two breakout years.They each caught a shade under 1,000 yards in 2016. Last year, Diggs led the team in touchdowns with eight while Thielen made the Pro Bowl after a 1,276-yard campaign.The two have each exceeded the production of 2016 first-round pick Laquon Treadwell and are regarded as one of the best receiving duos in the league.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings are optimistic that running back Dalvin Cook will return for Thursday Night Football following a one-game absence, while the Los Angeles Rams don't expect cornerback Marcus Peters to be available, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Cook missed Week 3 due to a hamstring injury. He's officially listed as questionable, but the Vikings will test his injury before the game with the expectation that he'll play.Peters, meanwhile, left Week 3 early due to a strained calf and will likely be out until at least Week 5. He's also officially listed as questionable for the contest.The Vikings-Rams game is expected to be one of the biggest on the Thursday night docket this season, as both squads entered the year as Super Bowl contenders.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colin Kaepernick was named the face of Nike's "Just Do It" 30th-anniversary campaign earlier in September, but the company very nearly let him go in 2017.Nike executives debated last summer whether to cut ties with the quarterback due to potential bad press, sources told Julie Creswell, Kevin Draper, and Sapna Maheshwari of the New York Times.The company ultimately decided to allow his contract to quietly expire in 2019.Nike's ad agency, Wieden & Kennedy, "urged" the company to use Kaepernick in its 30th-anniversary campaign despite the potential for pushback from the NFL, one of Nike's most important business partners.Its stock price hit an all-time high at $83.47 less than two weeks after the ad campaign announcement.The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback received widespread praise for his involvement in the campaign with many also celebrating Nike for prominently featuring him in the series.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews told A to Z Sports Nashville he has requested his release from the team."Everything is good," Matthews said in a text. "Just wasn't happy with what was going on, barely getting any playing time. It was time to move on."The receiver also said the two parties have an agreement on his release, but the paperwork is still being finalized.Head coach Mike Vrabel said after practice Wednesday that Matthews was away from the team for "personal reasons."The veteran wideout led the Titans in receiving yards in each of the last two seasons but played more than 50 percent of the team's snaps only once in three games this campaign. He has just three receptions for 11 yards.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast hosted by Justin Boone and David P. Woods.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone and Woods are joined by Jeff Ratcliffe, Director of Fantasy at Pro Football Focus, to discuss the biggest fantasy questions heading into Week 4.Topics include:

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll believes the relationship between the team and star safety Earl Thomas remains strong despite recent trade rumors and missed practices."Really, we're way beyond all that stuff," Carroll said Wednesday, via ESPN's Brady Henderson. "We've been working through stuff. We're going. We're ready. It's not even a concern of mine right now."I'm not concerned about it. I think we're in a good place and we've talked through the things we needed to talk through, and we're moving."Following Seattle's win over the Cowboys, Thomas said Dallas coaches came up to him and asked if he's "ready for the trade tomorrow."To add fuel to the fire, Thomas was absent from Wednesday's practice - receiving a Not Injury Related designation - though Carroll insisted he was not concerned, claiming it was a "day that Earl always gets a break."The standout safety missed the entire summer while holding out for a contract extension. Thomas returned to the team but appeared to still be incensed with the situation, writing "the disrespect has been well-noted and will not be forgotten" on an Instagram post announcing the end of his holdout.The 29-year-old is in the final season of a four-year, $40-million deal signed in 2014.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook and Los Angeles Rams cornerback Marcus Peters are both listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football.Cook is fighting off a hamstring injury which kept him out of Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills. The second-year pro has rushed for 78 yards on 26 carries in two games this season.Peters injured his calf during Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Chargers and was previously believed to miss two-to-four weeks. Rams head coach Sean McVay said Peters is day to day and that his status would be a game-day decision.If Cook can't play, Latavius Murray is expected to receive the majority of carries. If Peters is held out, Sam Shields and Nickell Robey-Coleman will likely be readjusted within the Rams' defensive scheme.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is currently tied for the NFL lead with 274 rushing yards despite a decrease in usage from last season.Elliott is averaging 16 carries per game, down from 24 per contest in 2017, but insists he won't be asking head coach Jason Garrett for more touches."I mean you can (ask for more carries) but at the end of the day, if you go back and watch the film, it's poor execution on offense," Elliott said, via ESPN's Todd Archer. "You can't run the ball if you're down by 17 points. That's what it is. We get behind, we've got to be able to throw the ball and not be able to do what we want to do."The Cowboys' offense ranks 31st in the league with 13.7 points per game, and the star running back believes the number can increase - along with his total carries - if the team executes from the opening kickoff."What we have to do so we can be able to run the ball more is just ... be better early in the game," Elliott said. "If we're better early in the game, if we're not taking those three and outs, if we're not playing long down and distances, you can run the football. If you execute early, we can run the football as much as we want."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rob Gronkowski attempted to shut down one of the New England Patriots' unlikeliest critics Wednesday after his older brother, Chris, blasted the team for its ineffectiveness on offense."When you're giving up two of your best defenders - safeties or a corner and a safety - to cover a tight end, guys on the outside should be able to win," Chris Gronkowski said Tuesday on WEEI's "Kirk and Callahan Show." "It's just super frustrating to watch. They've got to figure something out."Rob responded to his brother's comments Wednesday, suggesting Chris was on the radio to promote his ice shaker and got carried away."No, I didn't talk to him at all, and to tell you the truth, I mean, I feel like he probably was going on for a promotion thing for his ice shaker because if you've ever seen - no lie. I mean, because he's been on Shark Tank with it, he's teamed up with (Alex Rodriguez) so it's actually a pretty big deal," Gronkowski said during his media availability. "So I guess buy his ice shaker is what he was trying to get to and then he probably got caught up in all that nonsense. But I mean, he doesn't speak for myself and he knows he doesn't. But he probably just got caught up a little bit. Just got to move on, buy his ice shaker I guess and that's all."Chris Gronkowski also said his brother should be paid like an elite tight end and would never accept a trade because he'd never want to leave the Patriots.New England hosts the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa told reporters on Wednesday that he'll likely be out at least until the team's bye week, which is Week 8, due to his lingering foot injury, via ESPN's Eric Williams.Bosa said his cast was removed this week, and he's currently in a protective boot.Based on his comments, the star defensive end could be targeting a return to the lineup in Week 9 - a road tilt against the Seattle Seahawks.Bosa has missed the Chargers' first three games while recovering from a bone bruise in his left foot. Earlier in September, a specialist confirmed the multi-week timetable for his absence.The 23-year-old posted 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 16 games last year, earning his first career Pro Bowl nod in his second season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the Seattle Seahawks may be getting their top receiver back soon.Head coach Pete Carroll told reporters Wednesday that Doug Baldwin has been cleared to practice and he's "confident" he has a chance to play in the team's Week 4 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.Carroll added Baldwin "looks really good'' and "is dying to get back out there.''The veteran wideout suffered an MCL injury earlier in the month and has yet to suit up for Seattle this season. He was originally expected to miss a couple of weeks, so the latest development is consistent with his initial timetable.Baldwin has led the Seahawks in receptions and receiving yards in each of the past four seasons.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters that his plan is to start Marcus Mariota in Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.Mariota is still dealing with an elbow injury, which he played through during a Week 3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.Vrabel confirmed that Blaine Gabbert remains in the concussion protocol. The team is preparing Austin Davis to be ready in the event neither Gabbert or Mariota can start. Davis signed with the Titans on Tuesday.Gabbert started against the Jaguars but left during the first quarter with a concussion and was replaced by Mariota. The fourth-year pro finished the game going 12-of-18 for 100 yards, rushing for 51 yards on seven carries, and Vrabel raved about his performance afterwards.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams have placed star cornerback Aqib Talib on injured reserve with an ankle injury that will require surgery, though he's expected to return in 2018.The 32-year-old was set to be a major contributor on the new-look Rams' defense. He helped the club jump out to a 3-0 start, recording nine tackles, a forced fumble, and two pass deflections.Talib has been named to five consecutive Pro Bowls and was acquired by the Rams in a March trade with the Denver Broncos.With fellow Rams starting cornerback Marcus Peters expected to miss time due to a calf strain, Sam Shields and Nickell Robey-Coleman will likely replace the star duo. Cornerback Dominique Hatfield, who was just promoted to the active roster, could also see increased playing time along with Troy Hill.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL community has reached out to Jimmy Garoppolo after the San Francisco 49ers quarterback suffered a season-ending torn ACL on Sunday.Count former teammate Tom Brady among those hoping for a quick recovery."I feel terrible for him. It's a tough injury," Brady said on WEEI Monday.Brady has been through a similar situation. He tore his ACL during the 2008 season opener."Things happen like that. I've been through an ACL. It just sucks. You hate to see people go down, and (Jimmy) is someone I really like and have been friends with since the day he got here," Brady added. "It just sucks to have to go through that."Brady also sent Garoppolo, his former backup, a motivational text after learning of the injury. The pair have kept in touch through a group text that also includes fellow former teammate Jacoby Brissett.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson announced on Wednesday that receiver Alshon Jeffery has been cleared for contact.The wideout underwent rotator cuff surgery in February and missed the first three games of the 2018 season.Pederson said the team is excited to get Jeffery back, but a final decision on his availability for Week 4 won't be made until later in the week.Jeffery's nine receiving touchdowns led the Eagles last year, and he added 57 catches for 789 yards. Zach Ertz and Nelson Agholor have been the Eagles' primary pass-catchers through four games in 2018.Philadelphia is getting closer to full strength with quarterback Carson Wentz back in the fold and running backs Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles likely returning to practice this week.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't expected to officially announce their quarterback for Week 4 until later in the week, but it's looking like they'll stick with veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Jameis Winston has served his three-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy, but the Bucs don't have to add him to their roster until Friday. Head coach Dirk Koetter said he doesn't want to tip off the Chicago Bears, Tampa's next opponent, and won't reveal his quarterback decision early.Fitzpatrick has led his team to a surprise 2-1 start while throwing for 400-plus yards in all three contests. However, after eight touchdown passes and only one interception through the first two games, he threw three TDs and three picks on Monday night in a Week 3 loss.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots have placed running back Rex Burkhead on the injured reserve after he suffered a neck injury on Sunday.He becomes the second running back the Patriots have lost to serious injury in 2018 after Jeremy Hill tore his ACL in Week 1.Burkhead recorded two receptions for 26 yards during Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions before being evaluated in the second half for the injury.Without Burkhead, the Patriots' backfield workload shifts to rookie Sony Michel and pass-catching back James White. No Patriot running back has registered 100-plus rushing yards this season.The Patriots re-signed running back Kenjon Barner and added defensive end John Simon after also placing linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley on IR.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy said he'll play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers after missing one game due to cracked rib cartilage.McCoy was held out of Buffalo's shocking 27-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3 due to the injury."I’m playing this week. There’s still some pain but I felt good today. I’m ready to go out and get this thing going again," he said during his media availability Wednesday.Chris Ivory featured at running back in McCoy's absence and will likely serve as his backup on Sunday.Bills head coach Sean McDermott said McCoy has made considerable progress, according to ESPN's Mike Rodak, but the running back was limited during Wednesday's practice.McCoy is the focal point of Buffalo's offense and will be a key piece of the team on the road against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau Field.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In an effort to help you find trades that could improve your fantasy team, we present the Trade Value Chart.You can use this chart to compare players and build realistic trade offers. Values are based on 12-team leagues in standard-scoring formats.Follow the links below to see the trade values and rest of season rankings for each position.Trade Values

It was a strange week in the NFL, but despite the surprising outcomes, the games were filled with superb defensive-line play.Some made their presence felt defending the pass, others shut down the run, and a select few were able to make a discernable impact against both.Below, we'll highlight the most impressive defensive linemen from Week 3:Defensive Lineman of the Week: J.J. Watt, Houston TexansWe tried to tell you Watt was ripe to return to his old form against the New York Giants, and that's exactly what he did to the tune of three sacks, four quarterback hits, four tackles, and a fumble forced.Aligning across from Giants right tackle Chad Wheeler, who replaced a benched Ereck Flowers, Watt was able to do whatever he wanted. Wheeler had no answer for the speed and powerful hands around the edge as the hulking defensive end made a living in the Giants' backfield all night.As a pass-rusher, Watt's get-off, lower-body pliability, well-timed hands, and closing speed are a lot to handle for even the best offensive linemen; Wheeler stood no chance:Listed at 6-foot-5 and 295 lbs, Watt's movement looks like an optical illusion - people that big aren't supposed to be that fast.Rushing off the left edge against Wheeler, Watt looks like he's shot out of a cannon as he times the snap count well. Within three steps, he has already beaten Wheeler to the edge, forcing the right tackle to turn and try to run Watt beyond the quarterback. Watt uses one of his favorite moves, the speed-rip, to defeat Wheeler's hands on his way to Eli Manning for the sack.Against the run, Watt was able to win cleanly and knife his way into the backfield on multiple occasions. This play is a great illustration:Here, Watt uses a quick arm-over move to take advantage of Wheeler trying to cross his face on the zone. As Wheeler steps to reach Watt, the Wisconsin product uses his opponent's lateral momentum against him, giving himself the ability to backdoor the block and sprint into the backfield for the tackle.What's the best remedy for a guy without a sack since Week 2 of the 2016 season? Play against the Giants' offensive line, of course.It wasn't against the highest level of competition and it may have been in a losing effort, but it was great to see Watt show he's still got a lot in the tank after multiple recent injuries.Pass Rush of the Week: Dee Ford/Justin Houston/Allen Bailey, Kansas City ChiefsThis week's Pass Rush of the Week has a trio of Chiefs defenders meeting at the quarterback for a sack:It's a good old-fashioned race to the quarterback in Kansas City, as Ford and Bailey split the sack an instant before Houston also arrives.Starting with Ford, the Auburn product is aligned on the outside edge of Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley. Ford times the snap perfectly, which, when combined with his electric get-off, allows him to beat Staley around the edge in four steps. As Staley works feverishly to recover, Ford subtly reduces his blockable surface area by slightly dipping his inside shoulder right as they make contact, allowing Ford to absorb the contact without diverting his path to the quarterback.From there, Ford's physical gifts take over as he continues wrapping around the edge for the (half) sack.Bailey is aligned over the 49ers' right guard, and the Miami product uses pure power to walk the guard back into the quarterback's lap. When the ball is snapped, Bailey fires out low with perfect pad level and inside hands, allowing him to maximize his power output on the right guard. Once he has the guard on skates, Bailey does well to churn his feet and get his eyes on the quarterback.While most defensive tackles would choose to shed the block to get in on the sack, Bailey decides to just bully the guard into 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.Even though he doesn't get credit for the sack, Houston employs a beautiful stutter-step to outside-arm-over move to quickly defeat the 49ers' right tackle's block.Defenses often have a hard time getting just one player to generate pressure on the quarterback, but on this play, the Chiefs had three. It was an excellent display of speed, power, and technique from the Chiefs' trio of pass-rushers.Run Defender of the Week: Larry Ogunjobi, Cleveland BrownsIt's been a long time coming for Ogunjobi, who has made a discernible impact in every game this season for the Browns.Listed at 6-foot-3 and 305 lbs, Ogunjobi is a well-built defensive tackle who plays with good pad level, active hands, and surprising lateral quickness. Against the New York Jets, Ogunjobi was at his best, finishing Thursday's game with eight combined tackles, three stops, and two hurries.While Ogunjobi made an impact rushing the passer, he made the most noise when defending the run, against which he showed off his impressive strength and awareness. This play is an excellent example:Ogunjobi is shaded between the center and right guard as the nose tackle. With the Jets running an inside-zone concept, Ogunjobi has to initially eat a double-team. He does well to dig in his feet and hold his ground at the point-of-attack against the double-team, using leverage and impressive lower-body strength.Once the right guard leaves him to block a second-level defender, Ogunjobi does an excellent job of using his length to create the necessary space he needs to shed the block. Once he has the blocker on his heels, Ogunjobi quickly tosses him aside and makes the diving tackle at the line of scrimmage.Playing on a defensive line with Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah (when healthy), Ogunjobi has stood out, leading the team in stops (10), per Pro Football Focus.Through the first three weeks of the season, the Browns' defense has been one of the better units in the entire NFL, which just so happens to coincide with Ogunjobi's emergence.Coincidence? Not likely.In The Spotlight: Jonathan Allen, Washington RedskinsIt's not often a former first-round pick gets overlooked, but that's exactly what's happened to Allen, who missed most of last season with a Lisfranc injury.Now healthy, and better than ever, Allen has been a monster for Washington up front, using well-timed hands and immense strength to bully and bludgeon opposing offensive linemen.Against the Green Bay Packers, Allen was a thorn in Aaron Rodgers' side, accumulating two sacks, three quarterback hits, and three tackles.While he's not the most athletically gifted defensive lineman in the league, Allen does possess uncanny timing and a deep repertoire of moves to pull from to defeat the block. This play demonstrates that:Here, Allen is shaded between the Packers' left guard and tackle. After the ball is snapped, Allen reads the pass set of the left guard to determine the play is a pass despite Rodgers' play-action fake. Once he identifies the pass, Allen bursts upfield toward the midline of the right guard before executing an inside jab and expanding his rush toward the left guard's outside edge.As the right guard punches, Allen performs a perfectly timed club-rip move to defeat the punch and begin his path to the quarterback. Free of the block, Allen does an excellent job of staying disciplined by tracking Rodgers' inside hip, which allows him to easily adjust to the quarterback's path as he steps up in the pocket, resulting in a sack.He's not going to wow fans with impressive feats of athleticism or raw power, but he can embarrass blockers with impeccable timing and technique. Underrated but playing like an All-Pro, Allen will almost certainly receive his first Pro Bowl invite if he continues to play as he has through these first three weeks.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.

Nike CEO Mark Parker said Tuesday that the company has seen "record engagement" as a result of partnering with Colin Kaepernick for the 30th anniversary of the "Just Do It" campaign, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell."We feel very good and are very proud of the work we've been doing," Parker said, speaking on the company's quarterly earnings call. "We know it's resonating quite strongly with consumers here in North America and around the world."Nike announced that its revenue over the past three months up until Aug. 31 was up nine percent to $9.9 billion, just days before the first Kaepernick commercials aired.Company stock has risen 6.25 percent, or $6.38 billion, since the ads started running.Related - Poll: 19 percent say they'll buy more Nike products after Kaepernick adCopyright © 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 4.Updated rankings (including PPR) will be released Thursday, with the final version coming down Sunday morning.You can also find out who the top pickups are in our Week 4 Waiver Wire column.Standard Rankings

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Aqib Talib will undergo ankle surgery Thursday, head coach Sean McVay told reporters, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Talib sustained a high-ankle sprain in the Rams' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers.The timetable for Talib's return will be determined after the procedure, McVay added.It was reported Monday that Talib would miss at least one month and would probably require surgery.The 32-year-old started each of the Rams' first three games this season, recording two passes defensed and one forced fumble. Talib, a five-time Pro Bowler, was acquired from the Denver Broncos via trade this offseason in exchange for a fifth-round pick in April's draft.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers are signing cornerback Bashaud Breeland, sources told ESPN's Rob Demovsky.Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Packers, but Breeland signed a one-year contract, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Green Bay also reportedly placed cornerback Davon House on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, freeing up a space for Breeland.Breeland signed a three-year contract worth $24 million with the Carolina Panthers in March, but the deal was voided when he cut his foot and suffered an infection while visiting the Dominican Republic.The 26-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career with the Washington Redskins. He recorded 50 tackles, 19 pass deflections, and an interception in 15 games during the 2017 campaign.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Torrey Smith wants the chance to endorse free-agent safety Eric Reid to his team's management."Honestly, with our injuries, I hope he ends up here,'' Smith said Tuesday, according to David Newton of ESPN. "I know how he is as a talent. If this is something where they come and talk to me about him, I'll be glad to talk about him as a player, as a person. He's one of the best men I've been around, so I hope that is something that can happen for us because I know that with the injuries we have, he's a guy that can help this team."The Panthers lost veteran Da'Norris Searcy to injured reserve last week after he suffered a concussion.Reid remains unsigned after his rookie contract with the San Francisco 49ers concluded at the end of the 2017 season.The first-round pick of the 2013 NFL Draft was one of the first players league-wide to join former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality and social injustice."I think we all know why he hasn't received a call,'' Smith said.Related: 49ers not interested in Kaepernick reunion following Garoppolo injury"I really hope he gets a shot. He deserves it, and it's not right what's happened to him,'' he said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The current roughing the passer rules in the National Football League are a problem and need to be addressed - sooner rather than later.I’m a former quarterback. I played the position for over a decade, and while not at the highest levels of college and certainly not in the NFL - there's little room for a sub-6-foot quarterback with weak arm strength - I know what it’s like to get hit after the whistle, when you're least expecting it.And in general, football's a dangerous sport - a collision sport with a certain amount of risk. That assumption is relevant to all positions, including quarterback. There are times when you'll be exposed to hits in the pocket, and when you'll need to put yourself in danger to execute a play.That’s part of the game.With that being said, I'm sympathetic to the notion of protecting QBs. Organizations sink large fortunes into their signal-callers, and, as we've seen in the past, an injury to a starting quarterback can result in a lost season. The injury that got us to where we are today - last year’s hit on Aaron Rodgers that broke his collarbone - is a perfect example.That hit led to a new emphasis on penalizing defenders who drive quarterbacks into the turf, and who put their full weight into finishing a sack or tackle. But there's a world of difference between this ...... this (which is now part of the NFL’s video rule book on roughing the passer calls):... and this hit from Week 1, which was penalized and therefore negated what would have been a game-clinching interception:The first hit, by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr (No. 55), is the one that injured Rodgers (No. 12). As you can see, Barr finishes the hit with his helmet and drives the QB hard into the turf, thus exposing him to injury. The second hit, which was penalized, shows Cleveland Browns linebacker Jamie Collins (No. 51) using extra effort to drive former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (No. 7) into the turf. Collins "lifts and plants" Keenum, to use the language from the broadcast.But the third hit is a textbook tackle. Clay Matthews (No. 52) puts his shoulder and arm into the midsection of Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (No. 8). Matthews even uses his left hand to try and brace both himself and Cousins from impact as they fall to the ground. The hit was penalized and took an interception off the board. Proponents of the rule might argue that Matthews looks to lift Cousins off the ground, but again, he pulls his left hand off the QB's leg and tries to brace their fall.What's concerning is that we're seeing defenders adjust their hits on quarterbacks in almost unnatural ways, which can lead to injury. Matthews is lucky he didn’t injure his left arm on the Cousins hit. Miami Dolphins defensive end William Hayes (No. 95) was not as lucky:Hayes suffered a torn ACL on the play. "He was trying to not put body weight on the quarterback. His foot got caught in the ground," head coach Adam Gase said afterward. On the replay, you can see Hayes put his right knee into the turf at the moment of impact in an effort to slow his momentum.Consider the sheer laws of physics that the league is now asking defenders to break. A defensive end has to try and get past an offensive tackle as quickly as possible and get to the quarterback before he can throw the football, but in that final split-second before impact, he needs to somehow slow or reduce his momentum, which got him to that spot in the first place. It’s an unnatural act that will likely result in more injuries like Hayes'.Games are also being affected. Matthews' penalty against Minnesota erased an interception, and the score ended in a tie. The Packers might feel they were robbed of a victory - and they might have a point.There are rumblings the NFL’s competition committee is not happy, and Mark Maske of The Washington Post reported it's "likely the group will make unofficial clarification in how the rule is enforced on the field." That may stem from the anger being expressed by players on the defensive side of the ball - ire that only increased in the wake of Hayes’ injury. As we saw with helmet-to-helmet hits in the preseason, the league does tend to overemphasize new rules and penalties in the early going, before finding the right equilibrium.Thankfully, it seems like the league is beginning to realize the rule's current interpretation is a problem, and we should hopefully be spared from further controversy in the coming weeks.It's a difficult line to straddle. The NFL needs to strike the right balance between protecting quarterbacks and protecting all players. Football's a violent, collision sport, but there are ways to protect quarterbacks while not creating hazardous situations for other guys on the field, and not influencing games as a result.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.

More details are emerging about Everson Griffen's non-injury-related absence from the Minnesota Vikings this week.The nine-year veteran is currently being evaluated and treated at a mental health facility after a number of incidents Saturday involving police and medical personnel, league sources told Paul Walsh of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.Vikings executive director of player development and legal Les Pico told Minnestrista Police that Griffen hadn't been himself for weeks, so the team sent the player and his agent a letter Thursday informing him he wasn't allowed back at the team's facility until he underwent a mental health evaluation, ESPN's Courtney Cronin reports.Griffen couldn't be placed on a health and welfare hold at the mental health facility by police because he hadn't threatened to do harm to himself or others, but the defensive end voluntarily agreed to go to the hospital, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero adds.On Saturday, Griffen made several comments about people trying to kill him, referenced 777, and entered into a vehicle of someone he thought he knew at a gas station while leaving his behind, according to a police report obtained by Cronin.His wife called police after he sped away from their home with another person while shirtless.Griffen also reportedly threatened to "shoot someone" at the Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis if he wasn't let into his room.Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer ruled Griffen out for the team's Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Rams."The only thing we're concerned about with Everson isn't anything to do with football, it's about him getting better," Zimmer said. "I just hope the best for him. In the long run, he's a really good kid," he added.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vance McDonald had one goal with his vicious stiff arm."Just punish him. Inflict as much force on him as possible. That's the first thing I think of," the Pittsburgh Steelers tight end told reporters, per NFL Total Access, about the now-viral play.McDonald imposed his will on Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Chris Conte with a devastating stiff arm on a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown on Monday Night Football.

Monday was a rough night for Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Chris Conte, who was on the receiving end of a brutal stiff arm from Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Vance McDonald and was then ruled out of the game with a knee injury.

The NFL's competition committee has grown uncomfortable with the league's stricter roughing the passer rules, but are unsure if amendments will be made this season, according to NFL Network's Judy Battista.Committee members are scheduled for a conference call in the first week of October. Of particular concern to the group is Clay Matthews' penalty in Week 2 that cost the Green Bay Packers a win over the Minnesota Vikings.Related - Matthews says NFL is 'getting soft' after latest controversial penaltyThe NFL ushered in a more rigorous set of rules against contacting the quarterback before the season in an effort to keep the game's biggest stars healthy.The new rules have led to confusion, frustration, more 15-yard penalties, and more stoppages during games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Heading into Week 3 of the NFL, we questioned whether a surprising offense could pick apart a vulnerable secondary, if a dominant defensive front could stymie a strong rushing attack, and who would come out on top in a battle of ex-colleagues. So, with another weekend behind us, let's review the tape and pick our winners:Bengals' pass attack vs. Panthers' secondaryWinner: PanthersAndy Dalton started Sunday afternoon's tilt against the Carolina Panthers red-hot, and put up solid numbers on the afternoon - but it was the Panthers who came out on top. Dalton finished the day 29 of 46 for 352 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but he also threw four interceptions - including two in the fourth quarter that helped Carolina solidify the victory.In the Week 3 preview, we highlighted a vertical-route/out-route combination concept that teams had been using against the Panthers this season with some success. It's also a design that the Bengals had already been running this year, and they hit on the play early against the Panthers:But on Dalton’s third interception of the game, he went to the well again, running a post-route/out-route combination against Carolina's Cover 4 coverage. The throw was off-target and intercepted:Cover 4 is a four-deep coverage with each defender responsible for a quarter of the field. Against a route concept like this one, the safety is responsible for the route breaking to the outside, meaning the cornerback has to cover the post route on the outside working toward the middle without safety help. The wide receiver should therefore have the advantage with inside leverage on the defender. But on this play, rookie cornerback Donte Jackson (No. 26) was able to intercept the pass when Dalton’s throw was to the inside.It was the second interception of the day for Jackson, who also stepped in front of this throw from Dalton, also in Cover 4 coverage:Dalton put up some good numbers, but it was the Panthers' secondary - led by Jackson - that won the battle.Indy coach Frank Reich vs. Philly DC Jim SchwartzWinner: SchwartzFamiliar faces squared off at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday when Frank Reich, the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, returned to Philadelphia to face his old team. The Eagles spoiled the party, forcing a pivotal fourth-down stop with under two minutes left to secure a 20-16 victory in sloppy conditions.Many wondered how the Eagles would look to contain the Colts' new-look passing game under Reich, which looks eerily similar to Philadelphia's offense, using lots of West Coast and Air Raid concepts, including the "mesh" concept, which we highlighted in our preview. To combat Indy's offense, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz looked to get pressure with just four pass-rushers, dropping seven defenders into zone coverage to take away throwing lanes.Here is one example of how that combination worked. On Indianapolis' first drive of the game, the offense faces a third-and-7 on its own 33-yard line. The Eagles show pressure, sugaring the A-Gaps with two defenders - one on each side of the center. Those defenders do not blitz, and the team instead drops seven players into coverage. But despite using just four pass-rushers, the Eagles get to Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (No. 13) anyway and force a desperation toss that ends up in the hands of a lineman for a loss:The Eagles returned to this look late in the first half, showing a blitz on a second-and-11 play but dropping seven into coverage once again:Again, the four pass-rushers are able to get to Luck, this time forcing a sack.Finally, with under two minutes to go, the Colts faced a fourth-and-3 on the Eagles' 4-yard line, with a chance to take the lead. The offense aligns Luck under center and tries a play-action pass, but once again the defense gets home with just four pass-rushers. Defensive end Derek Barnett (No. 96) beats left tackle Le’Raven Clark (No. 62), and subsequently prevents Luck from even making a throw:By generating pressure with just four pass-rushers, the Eagles were able to take away throwing lanes and slow down those quick passing plays that the Colts had used with great success so far this season.Chargers' run game vs. Rams' defensive frontWinner: DrawIn the matchup between the Rams' run defense and the Chargers' rushing attack, the Chargers actually got the better of their opponent for much of the game. Melvin Gordon carried the 15 times for 80 yards and a touchdown, and he had a long run of 23 yards. Teammate Austin Ekeler had 47 yards on just four carries, buoyed by a 32-yard run of his own.However, on successive plays in the second quarter, the Rams’ run defense stood tall, setting the stage for a pivotal special teams play that extended their lead.In this sequence, the Chargers were backed up on their own 1-yard line and simply tried to get some yardage. But they could not gain a single yard on two rushing attempts.On first down, the Chargers try to run Gordon (No. 28) on the inside, but due to penetration up front, the running back has to fight just to reach the line of scrimmage:Then, on second down, we see more great penetration up front, led by Ndamukong Suh (No. 93):Suh is able to stand up the center at the point of attack, and Aaron Donald (No. 99) fights off his blocker before stopping Gordon for another no gain.On third down, Philip Rivers threw a short pass to Gordon in the flat for a 3-yard gain, before Drew Kaser’s punt attempt was blocked and recovered in the end zone for a Rams touchdown.So, while the Chargers did gain 141 yards on the ground against the Rams, these two plays set the stage for a big special teams play for the eventual winner.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.

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 (3-0)Previous Rank: 1Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters will certainly be missed, but the Rams stockpiled enough depth to weather the storm. Also, who can really stop their searing hot offense? - Srinivasan2. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)Previous Rank: 4Concerns about the Chiefs' defense have been rendered moot since Patrick Mahomes can do no wrong under center. It's September, but is it finally their year? - Srinivasan3. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)Previous Rank: 7The Ruler's back. Carson Wentz appears fully healthy and ready to get the Eagles back on course. - McClymont4. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)Previous Rank: 3How can a team beat down the Patriots one week and then lose to a mediocre Titans team the next? The AFC is ripe for the taking, but the Jaguars need to take advantage. - Browne5. New Orleans Saints (2-1)Previous Rank: 12In a week full of weirdness, Drew Brees briefly turning into Michael Vick to secure an important divisional win was an overlooked gem. - Browne6. Carolina Panthers (2-1)Previous Rank: 11Norv Turner wasn't the most popular hire this offseason, but the offensive coordinator deserves a ton of credit for maximizing the immense talent of Christian McCaffrey, who had a career day against a talented Bengals front. - Browne7. Minnesota Vikings (1-1-1)Previous Rank: 2What on earth happened in Minnesota? After Sunday's shocking loss to the Bills, we're not sure where this Vikings team stands. Their Thursday Night Football matchup with the Rams should provide a good litmus test. - Alessandrini8. Miami Dolphins (3-0)Previous Rank: 16The Dolphins are the most unassuming 3-0 team in the league, but they've been getting the job done in all three phases and are not to be slept on. - McClymont9. New England Patriots (1-2)Previous Rank: 5The Patriots have suffered back-to-back double-digit defeats for the first time since 2002, and are on the brink of falling out of the top 10 of our power rankings for the first time in just as long. - McClymont10. Green Bay Packers (1-1-1)Previous Rank: 6Another week, another controversial roughing the passer call on Clay Matthews. This one didn't cost Green Bay the game, so maybe it's time to start worrying about Aaron Rodgers' lingering knee injury. - Alessandrini11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)Previous Rank: 9The Bucs weren't able to cap off a miraculous start to their season by completing the comeback against the Steelers, but at 2-1, Tampa Bay has far surpassed its early-season expectations. - Browne12. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)Previous Rank: 8Atlanta can't go a week without losing a key defensive starter. Luckily, the offense can carry them if Calvin Ridley continues to take the pressure off Julio Jones. - Browne13. Washington Redskins (2-1)Previous Rank: 22So that seals it, Alex Smith deserved to be taken ahead of Aaron Rodgers in the 2005 draft. No, seriously though, impressive win by the 'Skins. - McClymont14. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1-1)Previous Rank: 14The Steelers halted Fitzmagic for their first win of the year, but we can't rank them among the top AFC contenders until the team corrects its swiss cheese pass defense and utter lack of discipline. - Alessandrini15. Los Angeles Chargers (1-2)Previous Rank: 10We'll never get a sense of how good this team can be without Joey Bosa. - Srinivasan16. Chicago Bears (2-1)Previous Rank: 19The Bears sit atop the NFC North behind a stingy defense, but can Mitch Trubisky's play keep them there? Based on his recent performances, we aren't so sure. - Alessandrini17. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)Previous Rank: 15The Bengals crashed back down to Earth after the Panthers' running game gutted their defense. The race for the AFC North crown is still very much wide open, though. - Alessandrini18. Baltimore Ravens (2-1)Previous Rank: 18Baltimore owns the NFL's No. 1 defense through three weeks, but Joe Flacco must develop some sort of consistency before this team is considered a true contender. Don't hold your breath. - Alessandrini19. Tennessee Titans (2-1)Previous Rank: 21Three weeks into the season and Tennessee's quarterbacks are dropping like flies. The Titans have little choice but to play an ailing Marcus Mariota and pray he doesn't further injure his throwing hand. - Browne20. Denver Broncos (2-1)Previous Rank: 13Monday night's game against the Chiefs is shaping up to be one of the most important in recent franchise history. Does this team still deserve to be considered a sleeper contender? - Srinivasan21. Detroit Lions (1-2)Previous Rank: 26The student bested the teacher after Matt Patricia scored his first coaching victory over Bill Belichick behind the Lions' first 100-yard rusher in 1,760 days. The NFL is a weird league. - Alessandrini22. Seattle Seahawks (1-2)Previous Rank: 28Earl Thomas turned in a vintage performance Sunday, then put the Seahawks' management on blast. Every win is going to be ugly - both on and off the field - this year. - Srinivasan23. New York Giants (1-2)Previous Rank: 30For one Sunday, the Giants put it all together, and their offensive line looked of NFL quality. Their next task is a tall one: shutdown the Saints. - McClymont24. Cleveland Browns (1-1-1)Previous Rank: 29The Cleveland Browns finally have hope, and his name is Baker Mayfield. - Alessandrini25. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)Previous Rank: 20Jerry Jones can plug his ears and cover his eyes all he wants, but something has to change on the Cowboys' offense in a hurry. - McClymont26. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)Previous Rank: 23For once, Indy's defense is carrying its offense. The credit should not only go to standout rookie Darius Leonard, but also to defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who's been a revelation. - Browne27. San Francisco 49ers (1-2)Previous Rank: 17We're going to miss Jimmy GQ so much. At least the 49ers don't have to pretend that they're going to catch the Rams this season. - Srinivasan28. New York Jets (1-2)Previous Rank: 24Their Week 1 win feels like half a season ago. The bloom came off this rose quickly after allowing a victory to the Browns. - McClymont29. Houston Texans (0-3)Previous Rank: 25Bill O'Brien's seat is getting warmer by the minute. The head coach desperately needs to rediscover last season's offensive magic. - Browne30. Buffalo Bills (1-2)Previous Rank: 32The consensus worst team in the league stomped a Super Bowl contender. The NFL continues to astound. - McClymont31. Oakland Raiders (0-3)Previous Rank: 27It's mid-September and Jon Gruden already conceded the winless Raiders received nothing of immediate value from the Khalil Mack trade. One more loss and it may be time to put him on the hot seat, four games into a 10-year contract. - Srinivasan32. Arizona Cardinals (0-3)Previous Rank: 31The Josh Rosen era is officially underway, but if his stint against Chicago was any indication of things to come, it'll be a steep learning curve for both the rookie quarterback and the rest of the team. - SrinivasanCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ESPN analyst Jason Witten referred to the stricter rules against roughing the passer this season as "left wing" during the Pittsburgh Steelers-Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Monday Night Football."I knew they wanted to make it about the health and safety and protect these quarterbacks but it just seems like we went a little bit too left wing on that with our approach of trying to protect it," Witten commented in the third quarter.ESPN later told Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr that Witten's comment "had nothing to do with politics." Many NFL owners and fans have lashed out at players in recent times for making political statements during games.Officials have thrown more flags this year for contact against quarterbacks that in the past was deemed incidental or harmless.Witten, 36, enjoyed a marvelous 15-year career with the Dallas Cowboys before transitioning into broadcasting.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick submitted a bittersweet entry into the record books Monday night.The Buccaneers lost a 30-27 thriller to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Fitzpatrick continued his stellar start to the season, becoming the first player with three consecutive games of 400 yards passing or more.