Quarterbacks from the same draft class are linked for their entire NFL careers, especially when the earlier selection fails to live up to expectations.Such is the case for Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and Kansas City Chiefs signal-caller Patrick Mahomes. Trubisky was the second overall pick in 2017, while Mahomes went at No.10. Despite starting nine less games, the dynamic Chiefs passer has thrown for more touchdowns than his Bears counterpart.While the stats are telling, Bears head coach Matt Nagy thinks it's unfair to compare the two's performances so early in their respective careers."What's fair to compare is you have one in Patrick, who has had a full year in this offense to understand it," Nagy said, per NFL.com's Herbie Teope. "Now, regardless of playing it, (Mahomes has) had a full year - more than a year - to sit behind it and learn and understand and watch tape with those quarterbacks last year, and get to see all the talk, all the discussions of where you go to on this play and that play, whereas Mitchell hasn't had that."Nagy is preaching patience with Trubisky, adding there is no sense of urgency for his young quarterback to produce to the level of his fellow draft class member."(Trubisky's) being forced into this thing right away, and so that's where these growing pains are going to occur," Nagy said. "That's where - I just want to make it clear to him and to everybody that if you're realistic about it, it does take a little bit of time and, in the meantime, as you saw (Monday versus the Seattle Seahawks), we have a defense that can help us out during this process."And so the sooner we get it and it starts clicking, then the better, but that's the difference between the two, and it's obviously neat to see Patrick doing so well right now."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jason Witten has caught flack from Danny Trevathan for mispronouncing his last name during the Monday Night Football broadcast.Witten, who joined ESPN as a color commentator in May after retiring from the NFL, added an extra vowel to Trevathan's name, pronouncing it as "Tre-vath-i-an."

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown will return to team facilities Wednesday after not reporting to Monday meetings, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Speaking Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expected Brown back with the team and insisted the star wideout has not asked for a trade. Drew Rosenhaus, Brown's agent, corroborated the claims.The receiver's absence Monday sparked a media frenzy, as it came on the same day he responded to a tweet from a former Steelers employee who suggested the star wideout wouldn't have been as successful on another team, with Brown saying: "Trade me let’s find out."Pittsburgh will hold game-planning meetings Wednesday as it prepares for a Week 3 road date with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In desperate need of help at wide receiver, the Philadelphia Eagles announced Wednesday that they have signed Jordan Matthews.Matthews reunites with the team that drafted him in the second round in 2014. He was traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2017, spending one season there before signing - and later being released - with the New England Patriots this offseason.The veteran is a welcomed addition to an inexperienced and injury-depleted receiving corps in Philadelphia. Mike Wallace (broken fibula) was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move. Second-year pass-catcher Mack Hollins is currently on IR as well, while top option Alshon Jeffery is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.Matthews dealt with nagging injuries last season in Buffalo, limiting him to just 25 catches and 282 yards in 10 games. He accumulated 225 receptions and 19 touchdowns in three campaigns with the Eagles.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pro Football Hall of Fame members Jerry Rice and Kurt Warner each released statements Tuesday denying involvement in a potential boycott of future induction ceremonies.A letter sent to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell by Hall of Fame Board director Eric Dickerson claimed a number of current inductees would no longer attend the annual ceremony until they receive health insurance and an annual salary that includes a share of league revenue. The letter mentioned many Hall of Fame members, but Rice and Warner say their names shouldn't have been included.Rice said he supports the effort for improved benefits but is not part of the Hall of Fame Board.

Bookmaker FanDuel is declining to honor a $110 bet made in New Jersey that would have paid over $82,000 due to what the company is calling an error in the oddsmaking process, according to David Purdum of ESPN."The wager in question involved an obvious pricing error inadvertently generated by our in-game pricing system," said a FanDuel spokesperson.The bet was placed over the counter at the Meadowlands Racetrack while the Denver Broncos were trailing the Oakland Raiders 19-17 in the fourth quarter on Sunday. The live-odds feed gave the Broncos +75,000 odds of completing the comeback after a Case Keenum completion got them into field-goal range.Those odds would have paid bettor Anthony Prince $82,610, but FanDuel says the odds should have been listed at -600, a number that would have paid a profit of $18.35.The company offered to pay Prince approximately $500 and give him tickets to three New York Giants games. Prince declined the offer and said he plans to get an attorney involved, according to News 12 New Jersey.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fifth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his early rankings for Week 3.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 3 Waiver Wire column.Standard Rankings

Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget is suing his ex-trainer, Ian Danney, for $15 million, according to a document filed to U.S. District Court in California obtained by ESPN's Eric D. Williams.Liuget's suit cites damages due to lost wages and pain and suffering. The 28-year-old was given a four-game suspension in March for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substance policy.Danney, a former member of the Canadian Olympic bobsledding team, is mentioned in the suit as being responsible for injecting Liuget with a banned substance. Liuget claims Danney told him he was using a high dose of an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory to treat foot pain following a game in 2017, but that he was instead injected with both a banned substance and another prescription product for which the player did not have a prescription.Liuget's former trainer does not have a license to administer injections or a license to practice any kind of therapy within the state of California, where the treatments are said to have occurred, according to the suit.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stephanie Maisonet, the mother of LeSean McCoy's six-year-old son, filed an affidavit in a Georgia court on Tuesday, stating that the Buffalo Bills running back asked for her help in carrying out a home invasion during which his ex-girlfriend, Delicia Cordon, would be present.Maisonet said she reluctantly agreed in exchange for McCoy allowing her to enroll their son in a Miami school, a point of contention in their custody case. She also said she reported McCoy to child services for abusing their son and attached a photo of the child with what appear to be bruises on his jaw.Maisonet also posted several statements to Instagram on Tuesday, saying that her son often came home crying about being spanked and bruised by McCoy.McCoy denied Maisonet's statements on social media Tuesday.

With two clear victors and one incomplete grade, it's time to review our three scheme and execution questions posed before the Week 2 slate of NFL games.QB redemption: Deshaun Watson vs. Marcus MariotaWinner: N/AIn what was expected to be a matchup between two young quarterbacks looking to rebound after Week 1, the best pivot on the field Sunday in Nashville may have been Kevin Byard.Okay, that’s a bit of a stretch, but the Tennessee Titans safety did complete his only passing attempt of the afternoon on a fake punt, finding fellow safety Dane Cruikshank for a 66-yard touchdown.As for the main event, Marcus Mariota was sidelined with an arm injury suffered in Week 1, so the Titans' offense relied on a mix of short passes and play-action from Blaine Gabbert, along with a healthy dose of the Wildcat with running back Derrick Henry receiving snaps.As for Deshaun Watson, the Texans' second-year quarterback threw two touchdown passes - the first coming on a scramble drill in which he eventually found DeAndre Hopkins:The most impressive thing here is Watson's ability to keep his eyes downfield. On this replay angle below, watch how the quarterback - even with pressure flushing him around the pocket - keeps looking for a target rather than dropping his eyes:However, Watson did make a costly mistake on Tennessee's side of the field. Facing a second-and-7 in the third quarter, he tried to hit Hopkins on a deep post route. But the Titans had bracket coverage on the talented receiver - with Byard on the inside and Adoree' Jackson covering him as well - leading to an interception.This is the type of throw Watson can't afford to make. He trusts his receivers, especially Will Fuller and Hopkins, and many times that trust is rewarded. But there are also times when a quarterback needs to identify the double coverage and acknowledge there's almost always a better option.QB protection: Cowboys vs. GiantsWinner: CowboysWe got a clear answer to this question Sunday night. After both Dak Prescott and Eli Manning were harassed throughout their season-opening contests, both teams looked to do a better job of protecting their quarterback in Week 2.The results? Manning was sacked six times for 59 yards and was pressured throughout the night. Meanwhile, Prescott wasn't even sacked once.So, how did Dallas do it? Part of getting a quarterback comfortable in the pocket is giving him plays and designs he's executed for years. The Cowboys did that on Sunday, giving Prescott some zone-read designs that got him into the flow of the game as a runner and an athlete, with parallels to the offense he sometimes ran at Mississippi State:NFLPrescott’s read is easy on the play below, as the defensive end immediately follows the running back after the fake handoff, allowing the quarterback to pull back the football and skip around the end for an easy gain:A comfortable quarterback is more confident, and Prescott was much more confident in the pocket in Week 2, as seen on throws like this one:The play above is a simple slant/flat design on the right side - something most teams run routinely. In this example, there's a choice between the slant route from Deonte Thompson and the flat route from Ezekiel Elliott. Following the snap, Prescott first peeks to his left, but then sees Elliott in the flat, which widens the linebackers and opens up a throwing lane to hit the slant route late in the play. Calm and confident in the pocket, Prescott delivers on the throw.It was a completely different story for the Giants, as Manning became the subject of more memes due to the barrage of pressure he faced all night long:

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews received a vote of confidence from club legend Brett Favre on Tuesday following a controversial penalty in Sunday's 29-29 tie with the Minnesota Vikings.Matthews was flagged for roughing the passer late in the fourth quarter, which negated an interception by Green Bay that appeared to all but seal the victory. After the game, referee Tony Corrente said the call was due to Matthews apparently picking up Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and driving him into the ground.Favre disagreed completely."I saw a textbook hit. It wasn't late," Favre said on SiriusXM NFL Radio via ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "I saw nothing that, you know, and Clay's had a history of those type of plays. This one was textbook and if you're going to use it as a teaching video, you teach that this is the way we expect you to tackle, and that's the way I saw it. And that's neither being a Clay Matthews or Packer fan, or a Minnesota Viking fan or hater, you know, that was a bad call. And to me, why not be able to review that?"However, the NFL said Monday that officials made the correct decision. The league also plans to use the Matthews hit in an instructive tape being sent to teams.Matthews told reporters he found the penalty "unbelievable" and said he didn't know what else to do on the play.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is keeping busy during his holdout.After being spotted riding a jet ski in Miami on Monday, Bell hosted a release party for his newest EP "My Side of Things" at Rockwell Nightclub. Bell concluded his performance by telling the crowd "Everyone wants to talk about me. This song is dedicated to them" before launching into "Sayonara," according to the venue.Rapper Tory Lanez was among the guests.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick lit up social media with his postgame attire Sunday - a look that had many comparing him to UFC star Conor McGregor.

NFL teams have been scoring at a record-breaking pace through Week 2 of the 2018 campaign.There have been 174 total touchdowns this season after the first two weeks, which is the most at this point in league history, NFL vice president of football communications Michael Signora announced Tuesday.The Kansas City Chiefs lead all teams with 11 touchdowns, while the surprising Tampa Bay Buccaneers have scored 10.Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is pacing the NFL with 10 touchdown passes - a record after two games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was another fun week of NFL football as defenses did their best to stop the many explosive weapons permeating the league.And from controlling the line of scrimmage in the running game to embarrassing blockers while rushing the passer, a few defensive linemen stood out.Below, we'll highlight the most impressive D-line players from Week 2:(Note: Since 3-4 outside linebackers have essentially the same roles as 4-3 defensive ends, and typically play defensive end when their scheme goes to nickel - five defensive backs, two off-ball linebackers, four defensive linemen - this weekly feature will treat them as defensive linemen.)Defensive Lineman of the Week: Geno Atkins, BengalsDiamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyIn a short week against the Baltimore Ravens, Geno Atkins put together a dominant performance, finishing the Bengals' 34-23 victory with nine tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits, five hurries, and three run stops, per PFF.If there's one word to describe Atkins, it's power. He plays with a strong foundation that sees both feet constantly in contact with the ground, and he combines that power with active hands to bully offensive linemen on the way to ball-carriers. His first-quarter sack against Baltimore is a great example:On this play, Atkins is the defensive tackle aligned directly over the center. After the ball is snapped, he quickly bursts to the outside edge of the center in an attempt to occupy the block so the looping linebacker can advance to the quarterback unabated. However, because Atkins is so strong, he's able to simply walk the center back into the quarterback's lap before discarding the block to record the sack.Notice how Atkins uses superior leverage - with his lower pad level - to maximize his strength at the point of attack.However, Atkins is no one-trick pony, as he also displays the requisite awareness and technique to counter opposing linemen who try to stop his power. This play is a great illustration:Here, Atkins is aligned to the outside of the left guard. After the ball is snapped, he explodes out of his stance and rushes down the left guard's midline, making it appear as though he'll use a powerful bull rush. Yet, right when Atkins is in range to make contact, he puts his right foot in the turf and darts inside while using a well-timed arm-over move.This causes the left guard to miss with his hands and lose balance, making it impossible to recover. From there, Atkins shows impressive contact balance to sift through the bodies, pressuring and hitting Joe Flacco as he makes his throw.Atkins has been one of the best defensive tackles in football for the last handful of years, and if Week 2 is any indication, he's not slowing down.Rookie Defensive Lineman of the Week: Harold Landry, TitansIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIt wasn't a big week for the rookie defensive-line class, but one player stood out. While he was quiet against the run, Harold Landry showed off his potent speed-rush moves, finishing with two quarterback hits and three other hurries.Landry uses exceptional burst and otherworldly lower-body pliability that allows him to make tight turns once he gets to the edge. Here’s a great example:Here, Landry is lined up in a wide-nine technique opposite the Texans' left tackle. After the snap, Landry bursts upfield, using perfect stride length and frequency to eat up his cushion with the tackle.Once Landry gets within striking range, he subtly dips his inside shoulder - effectively reducing his blockable surface area - as he turns a tight corner to the quarterback. From there, Landry carries his momentum through the turn and into Deshaun Watson, forcing an incompletion.Just like any rookie, Landry needs to deepen his pass-rush repertoire and develop a more well-rounded skill set. However, his speed rush is the trump card that will lead to immediate production.Don’t be surprised if Landry leads all rookies in total pressures this season.Best Pass Rush of the Week: Von Miller, BroncosJustin Edmonds / Getty Images Sport / GettyA week after being named Defensive Lineman of the Week in this space, Von Miller makes another appearance after showing off his pass-rushing ability against Raiders right tackle Donald Penn.Because Miller is so fast around the edge, offensive tackles often have to sell out to stop the speed rush, opening up a ton of counters. Against Oakland, Miller hit a nasty counter off his speed rush:Here, he's aligned to the outside edge of Penn in a two-point stance. Once the ball is snapped, Miller explodes upfield for three steps, forcing Penn to turn his shoulder in an attempt to push the rusher past the pocket. But Miller does an excellent job of identifying Penn's turned shoulders along with the running back's chip block.Once his third step hits the ground, Miller throws on the brakes before exploding through Penn's inside shoulder, knocking him to the ground and avoiding the block from the running back. Miller also does an excellent job of retaining his balance as he pursues and sacks Derek Carr.It was a beautiful play by Miller and a great illustration of his timing and deep repertoire as a pass-rusher.Run Defender of the Week: Leonard Williams, JetsElsa / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter being drafted into a stacked defensive line that already featured Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams has been a bit overlooked since entering the NFL. Now, with Wilkerson and Richardson gone, there's a ton of pressure to produce for the Jets up front.Williams certainly didn't disappoint in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, as he was dominant against the run. This particular stop stood out:Here, Williams is the defensive tackle aligned with an outside shade as the Dolphins call an inside zone run. After the ball is snapped, Williams darts into the backside A-gap, employing a quick and precise arm-over move to leave the center grasping for air. From there, Williams gets deep into the Dolphins' backfield and makes the tackle for a 3-yard loss.It was a great display of lateral quickness to go with efficient technique from Williams, who's looking to prove himself as the leader of the Jets' defensive line.In the spotlight: DeForest Buckner, 49ersMichael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt may be cheating to label DeForest Buckner as underrated, but few people outside of San Francisco know of how good the Oregon product truly is.Standing at 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds with nearly 34.5-inch arms, Buckner has the body type that you'd typically see with an offensive lineman. Since he lacks the quickness to win consistently in the trenches, Buckner must make use of his raw power, length, and flexibility to produce for the 49ers.Through two weeks, Buckner has done exactly that, totaling 12 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and five quarterback hits in two games.Against Detroit, Buckner’s length and strength were on full display, as he bullied the offensive line throughout the game. Here's a great example:On this play, Buckner has a wide alignment over the outside edge of the Lions' left guard. After the snap, he does a good job of closing the distance with his first two steps. Right as Buckner gets within range, he lowers his pad level slightly as he engages the left guard with inside hands, giving himself the leverage advantage.From there, Buckner churns his feet, walks back the left guard for two steps, and uses his length to create the separation he needs to discard the block. To finish, Buckner simply tosses the guard aside as he pursues and sacks Matthew Stafford.When Buckner wins the leverage battle at the point of attack, he's nearly impossible to stop. In the NFL, raw power isn't enough to be effective inside the box as a defensive lineman. Technique and the use of leverage help separate the weight-room warriors from the on-field assassins.Across the last two years, Buckner didn't consistently win the leverage battle because of his erratic pad level, which led to inconsistent production. Thus far this season, he's played with consistently good pad level, which has led to more disruption and production from the former first-round pick.With Buckner on the precipice of stardom, make sure you grab your seat on the bandwagon before there's no space left.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 Philadelphia Eagles could use some help at wide receiver, and Chad Johnson wants a shot.Johnson, who's been out of the NFL since 2012, is even willing to forgo a salary to play for the reigning Super Bowl champion.

Wide receiver Antonio Brown did not report to the Pittsburgh Steelers' ​​​​​facilities Monday, head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Brown made headlines Monday, one day after he left the locker room and spurned reporters following a 42-37 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, by replying to a tweet from a former Steelers employee who suggested the star wideout wouldn't have been as successful on another team.

Ryan Fitzpatrick's strong start to the season has many referring to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback as "FitzMagic," but there's another NFL player hoping to trademark the nickname.Miami Dolphins rookie safety Minkah Fitzpatrick filed a trademark application for "FitzMagic" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Sept. 12, according to Darren Heitner of The Sports Biz. He intends to use the name to sell footwear, hats, and other apparel.ESPN's Jenna Laine noted that Minkah's mother has said that he's gone by "FitzMagic" since his high school days.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 (2-0)Previous Rank: 2Now that the Rams have their glorified preseason against the Raiders and Cardinals out the way, the competition will ratchet up across the next three weeks with the Chargers, Vikings, and Seahawks up next. - McClymont2. Minnesota Vikings (1-0-1)Previous Rank: 1If the Vikings don't win their division, Daniel Carlson's 0-for-3 performance against Green Bay will live in infamy. - Srinivasan3. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-0)Previous Rank: 5Revenge is apparently a dish best served warm, as the Jaguars dominated the Patriots in the NFL's hottest game (temperature-wise) since 2003. And with Blake Bortles playing good football (seriously), Jacksonville looks like the AFC’s most complete squad. - Alessandrini4. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)Previous Rank: 7Buckle in. This is going to be a wild ride. - McClymont5. New England Patriots (1-1)Previous Rank: 3Even when The Empire loses, it still wins. Josh Gordon is no lock to be a star with the Pats, but he could certainly tip the balance in the AFC. -Browne6. Green Bay Packers (1-0-1)Previous Rank: 6Aaron Rodgers with a knee brace is still better than everyone else. Unfortunately for Green Bay, Clay Matthews couldn't avoid a key - and controversial - roughing the passer penalty against Minnesota. - Srinivasan7. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) Previous Rank: 4The offense gets a pass due to the sheer number of injuries, but what's the vaunted defense's excuse for being lit up by Ryan Fitzpatrick? The champs need the unit to bounce back in a big way for Wentz's Week 3 return. - Browne8. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)Previous Rank: 8Steve Sarkisian and Co. finally solved their red-zone woes - at least for now. Despite key injuries on defense, this talented Falcons team won't go away quietly. - Alessandrini9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)Previous Rank: 21The Bucs continued their Fitz-magical start to the season by knocking off the defending Super Bowl champs. We're only two weeks in, but it’s time to start viewing Tampa Bay as a legitimate contender in the NFC South. - Alessandrini10. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)Previous Rank: 13The Chargers are 3-8 in September since 2015. Supporters can only hope the blowout of Buffalo will cure whatever ails this team in the early going. - McClymont11. Carolina Panthers (1-1)Previous Rank: 10In the season opener, Carolina's offense struggled while its defense was stout. Week 2 was just the opposite. If both sides don't click simultaneously, it could be another frustrating season for Cam Newton and Co. - Alessandrini12. New Orleans Saints (1-1)Previous Rank: 9The Saints didn't lose to the Browns. That's the good news. The bad news is the team still has issues to resolve on both sides of the ball. - Alessandrini13. Denver Broncos (2-0) Previous Rank: 15The Broncos are one of the early-season surprises at 2-0. But now comes their first road test of the year as they head to Baltimore. - McClymont14. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1-1)Previous Rank: 11This has been a worst-case start for the Steelers, irrespective of Le'Veon Bell's situation. It's early, but their reign over the AFC North may be over. - Srinivasan15. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) Previous Rank: 23Andy "Red Rifle" Dalton is scorching hot, and while it's just a two-game sample, he could be on track for his fourth career Pro Bowl. - Srinivasan16. Miami Dolphins (2-0) Previous Rank: 25Ryan Tannehill's stats through two games won't blow you away, but the quarterback has quietly returned to the starting lineup without missing a beat. - Browne17. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)Previous Rank: 19The Niners could afford to take their foot off the gas against the Lions on Sunday. They won't have that luxury with the Chiefs and Chargers on deck. - McClymont18. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)Previous Rank: 12Beating up on the Bills clearly wasn't a true litmus test, and the Bengals quickly brought the Ravens back down to earth. Who knows what Baltimore is at this point. - Srinivasan19. Chicago Bears (1-1)Previous Rank: 17We’ll need to see a bit more before declaring them a genuine contender, but the new-look Bears defense could be terrifying once it really jells. - Srinivasan20. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)Previous Rank: 24Scott Linehan made up for a terrible season opener with a far more creative game plan against the Giants. And the OC will need to keep it up given the Cowboys' many offensive deficiencies. - Browne21. Tennessee Titans (1-1)Previous Rank: 20The Titans with Blaine Gabbert under center defeated the upstart Texans - just as everyone predicted. - Alessandrini22. Washington Redskins (1-1)Previous Rank: 14Washington's offense putting up a big, fat zero against one of the weaker defenses in the league was a major red flag. A date with the Packers should tell us if the Redskins are a legit playoff contender. - Browne23. Indianapolis Colts (1-1)Previous Rank: 29Andrew Luck will grab the headlines, but it was the Colts' defense that turned in a surprisingly dominant performance in Washington. Indianapolis may have found a stud in rookie linebacker Darius Leonard. - Alessandrini24. New York Jets (1-1)Previous Rank: 18Sam Darnold and the Jets regressed after a spectacular Week 1. New York often gets carried away too quickly, but this young team - and its QB, especially - must be given time to work through the growing pains. - Browne25. Houston Texans (0-2)Previous Rank: 16Houston is winless, but Deshaun Watson looked like his star rookie self after struggling in Week 1. If only his offensive line could block for him. - Alessandrini26. Detroit Lions (0-2)Previous Rank: 26Maybe firing Jim Caldwell and his .563 winning percentage for Matt Patricia was a bad idea. - Srinivasan27. Oakland Raiders (0-2)Previous Rank: 28Jon Gruden says he has no regrets about the Khalil Mack trade. The Raiders have two sacks in two games. Mack has two on his own. - McClymont28. Seattle Seahawks (0-2)Previous Rank: 27It's nothing new to see Russell Wilson running for his life on the field. It is, however, depressing to see him do so with a completely neutered offense. - McClymont29. Cleveland Browns (0-1-1)Previous Rank: 30The Browns are certainly much improved but remain without a win. Close, but no cigar counts for little in the NFL. - Srinivasan30. New York Giants (0-2)Previous Rank: 22Fourth and inches and you punt instead of using the No. 2 overall pick? The season is young, but New York may already be on life support. - Browne31. Arizona Cardinals (0-2)Previous Rank: 31After posting zero points and 90 passing yards on Sunday. Arizona can thank Buffalo for hogging the negative spotlight. - McClymont32. Buffalo Bills (0-2)Previous Rank: 32Vontae Davis retired. AT HALFTIME. That tells you everything you need to know about the state of the Bills. - BrowneCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

(Warning: Video contains coarse language)Le'Veon Bell hit the waters in Miami on Monday as his holdout from the Pittsburgh Steelers continues.TMZ Sports shared a video of the running back riding a jet ski and responding to a fan telling the Steelers to "give my man his f---ing money."The Steelers fell to 0-1-1 with a 42-37 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Bell, meanwhile, has forfeited $1.7 million by missing the first two games of the season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kevin Durant is one of this generation's most decorated NBA players. But, there's an offer on the table in case the Golden State Warriors superstar is interested in taking on a new challenge.The 2014 MVP praised Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, calling him "one of the most impressive athletes in all of sports," after the Rams shut out the Arizona Cardinals 34-0 on Sunday.Durant subtly poked fun at himself, claiming he would "join the Rams right now." The comment is seemingly a play on the narrative that Durant - who signed with the 73-win Warriors team in 2016 - only joins the best teams.

A number of current Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees claim they will not attend future induction ceremonies until they receive health insurance and an annual salary that includes a share of the league's revenue, they state in a letter sent to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Tuesday, according to ESPN's Arash Markazi.The letter was sent by Hall of Fame Board director Eric Dickerson on behalf of NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and Pro Football Hall of Fame president C. David Baker. It was signed by 20 board members, which include Marcus Allen, Jim Brown, Jerry Rice, Deion Sanders, and Kurt Warner."We, the undersigned Pro Football Hall of Famers, were integral to the creation of the modern NFL, which in 2017 generated $14 billion in revenue," the letter states. "But when the league enshrined us as the greatest ever to play America's most popular sport, they gave us a gold jacket, a bust and a ring - and that was it."To build this game, we sacrificed our bodies. In many cases, and despite the fact that we were led to believe otherwise, we sacrificed our minds. We believe we deserve more."The letter says it costs less than $4 million for every Hall of Fame member to have health insurance - a cheaper price than a 30-second Super Bowl ad.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philip Rivers' already huge family could get even bigger.During an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Monday, the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback - who already has eight children with his wife, Tiffany - was asked if he's done having kids."No. Heck no," the 36-year-old Rivers said. "I hope not."Patrick was then asked if Tiffany was aware of Rivers' desire for more offspring."Oh yeah, she's all-in," he said.Rivers has six daughters and two sons ranging in age from 16 to 2.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a flash, Tom Brady has a new weapon.The New England Patriots traded for receiver Josh Gordon on Monday, upping the defending MVP's arsenal a day after the Pats' first loss of the season.Brady weighed in on the trade not too long after it became official."I've never met Josh personally, just like I hadn't met some of the guys that have come in the last couple weeks. So we'll see how it goes this week and hopefully he can work hard, put the team first and end up helping us in any role that he can find for himself on the team," Brady said on Westwood One.The Patriots' offense is notoriously difficult for receivers to grasp in short order, including for veterans Reggie Wayne and Chad Johnson."Any time you get someone in the middle of the season, there's obviously a lot of things that have happened that have got the team to a certain point that they weren't a part of," Brady said. " ... You'd like to try to get up to speed as quickly as possible and it's really up to the individuals."Gordon led the league in receiving with 1,646 yards in 2013, but he's played in just 11 games since then.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott doesn't seem to be holding any ill feelings toward cornerback Vontae Davis following the veteran's surprising retirement at halftime of Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers."I got a lot of respect for Vontae," McDermott said Monday, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN. "He's a good person. I certainly appreciate the way he worked when he was in here, but we're moving forward as a football team. ... You develop some personal relationships with these young men. You always want the best for them. It's not a deal where we wish him anything but the best. We wish him the best. He's had a heckuva career."Davis' sudden decision drew the ire of several of his teammates, including safety Micah Hyde and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, but McDermott doesn't plan on letting the veteran's choice hang over the team."There's no need to address it (with the team). We're moving on. That's what a team does. This is not going to become a distraction for us," said McDermott.The 30-year-old corner didn't play in Week 1 but received the start on Sunday. He made just one tackle and declared his retirement with the Bills trailing 28-6 at the half.Davis signed a one-year, $5-million contract with the Bills in February.Buffalo will travel to face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone will run down the recommended waiver wire pickups.Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget.Fantasy Podcast: Week 2 takeaways, early look at waiver wireQuarterbackMichael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyRyan Fitzpatrick, BuccaneersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. PIT23%$3Fitzpatrick has back-to-back games with over 400 yards and four touchdowns, and now gets to face a Steelers defense that just gave up six passing scores to Patrick Mahomes in Week 2. The veteran will also be playing for his job, as another solid outing will make it difficult for the Bucs to send him back to the bench when Jameis Winston returns from suspension next week.Blake Bortles, JaguarsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. TEN28%$0With Leonard Fournette sidelined, Bortles took command of the offense, posting a four-touchdown day as the Jaguars avenged their AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots. The performance was one of Bortles' best as a pro and is worth chasing against the Titans, who have given up multiple passing touchdowns to both Ryan Tannehill and Deshaun Watson the last two weeks.Other options: Andy Dalton at CAR (27 percent owned), Tyrod Taylor vs. NYJ (31 percent owned), Tannehill vs. OAK (7 percent owned)Running BackTimothy T. Ludwig / ReutersGiovani Bernard, BengalsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat CAR28%$24Joe Mixon's breakout campaign has been put on hold while he undergoes a cleanup procedure on his knee, which is expected to keep him out for two-to-four weeks. That vaults Bernard back into the fantasy conversation as a borderline RB1. During a five-week stretch late in 2017 when he saw at least 15 touches per game, Bernard was the RB15 in standard formats and RB12 in PPR. He should be the top waiver wire target in every league this week.Latavius Murray, VikingsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. BUF43%$9Dalvin Cook assured beat writers he was fine after what he described as "cramps" caused him to leave during overtime of Sunday's game. We've seen players downplay injuries in the past, only to miss time, so his practice participation needs to be monitored. Even if Cook is in the lineup, it's possible the Vikings limit his workload as 17-point favorites at home versus the Bills. Murray is one of the better backups in the league and would be thrust into RB2 status - like he was last year - if Cook misses any time.Austin Ekeler, ChargersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat LAR44%$9Ekeler has 224 total yards and a receiving touchdown through two games while operating in a secure role as the Chargers' change-of-pace back. He doesn't pose a threat to Melvin Gordon's production but can comfortably be used as a flex option, while offering significant upside if Gordon gets hurt.Corey Clement, EaglesNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. IND22%$5Back issues forced Jay Ajayi to exit early last week before he ultimately returned and dominated touches later in the game. It appears the running back dodged a serious injury, but back problems can linger. With Ajayi missing time and Darren Sproles not in the lineup, Clement turned his increased role into 11 touches for 85 yards and a touchdown. Stash him now before someone else does.Javorius Allen, RavensNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. DEN8%$4Unlike some of the other backups on this list, Allen hasn't turned his touches into big yardage. He has seen regular work as a pass-catcher and goal-line back, with five receptions and a touchdown in each game. You'll never feel good starting Allen, but he has sneaky flex appeal and would be the last man standing in Baltimore's backfield if Alex Collins goes down.Marlon Mack/Jordan Wilkins, ColtsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat PHI47%/31%$4/$4Mack made his season debut after a hamstring injury kept him out for over a month dating back to the preseason. Unfortunately, it was a quiet return, as he racked up just 34 yards on 10 carries. He was outplayed by his rookie teammate Wilkins, who finished with 61 yards, while pass-catching specialist Nyheim Hines vultured a touchdown. There's a chance Mack knocks the rust off and assumes control of this backfield, but a frustrating committee seems likely, reducing the value of everyone involved.Other options: Chris Ivory/Marcus Murphy at MIN (5 percent/1 percent owned), Ito Smith vs. NO (2 percent owned), Samaje Perine vs. GB (1 percent owned), D'Onta Foreman returns Week 7 (5 percent)*Matt Breida is owned in 62 percent of leagues and therefore doesn't meet the criteria for this article. If he's still available, he should be a high-priority target this week.*Aaron Jones is owned in 61 percent of leagues, and is returning from suspension in Week 3. If he's still available, stash him.Wide ReceiversStreeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport / GettyChris Godwin/DeSean Jackson, BuccaneersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. PIT35%/49%$19/$19Apparently, Week 1 wasn't a fluke, and the Buccaneers' passing attack can indeed support several fantasy options. After two games, Jackson has the second-most fantasy points among receivers, with Mike Evans sitting in sixth and Godwin coming in at 23rd. Godwin is still my pick for sustained success over the course of the season, with Jackson's big plays likely to be more volatile over a larger sample size.Keelan Cole/Dede Westbrook, JaguarsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. TEN49%/17%$19/$7Cole continues to lead the Jaguars' receiving corps and is emerging as a potential breakout star with 170 yards and a touchdown so far. Westbrook has done his best to keep up, with 134 yards and score. Prior to the season, we ranked Jacksonville's receiver schedule to be the easiest fantasy slate in 2018, making this duo even more enticing as a waiver wire targets.John Brown, RavensNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. DEN25%$15Brown has been rejuvenated with the Ravens. He's scored in each of his first two outings with Baltimore and is on pace for his second 1,000-yard campaign. As long as he stays healthy, he'll be a solid WR3 in fantasy lineups the rest of the season.Geronimo Allison, PackersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat WAS31%$9Allison makes his second straight appearance on this list despite eclipsing five catches and 64 yards in both games. Aaron Rodgers wasn't totally himself playing through the knee injury, but he kept all his weapons fantasy viable. In addition to his weekly flex potential, Allison is the rare WR handcuff, offering a massive return if Davante Adams or Randall Cobb suffer an injury.Ted Ginn Jr., SaintsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat ATL41%$5The 33-year-old speedster isn't slowing down. He's hauled in nine catches for 123 yards and a touchdown over two games. The playing time threats posed by rookie Tre'Quan Smith and Cam Meredith never materialized, leaving Ginn as a starter in real life and fantasy.Calvin Ridley, FalconsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. NO22%$4The rookie is beginning to assert himself in the offense, evidenced by his four-catch, 64-yard, one-touchdown performance on Sunday. Mohamed Sanu is still in the mix, but Ridley has stepped up as the clear No. 3 receiver and could carve out a bigger role in the coming weeks. The time to add him is now.Other options: D.J. Moore vs. CIN (29 percent owned), DeVante Parker vs. OAK (36 percent owned), Martavis Bryant at MIA (8 percent owned), Antonio Callaway vs. NYJ (7 percent owned), Christian Kirk vs. CHI (4 percent owned), Tyler Boyd at CAR (2 percent owned)*Quincy Enunwa is owned in 61 percent of leagues and therefore doesn't meet the criteria for this article. If he's still available, he should be a high-priority target this week.Tight EndsJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyEric Ebron, ColtsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat PHI55%$5My bold prediction that Ebron would reach double digits in touchdowns during his first season with Colts is looking pretty good after he scored twice in the first two weeks. Ebron's floor remains low, making him a risky fantasy play, but his upside is high as Andrew Luck continues to lean on his tight ends.Austin Seferian-Jenkins, JaguarsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. TEN32%$1This isn't a great week for tight ends on the waiver wire, which is why Seferian-Jenkins makes the cut as a streaming option. Even though Tennessee has been tough against tight ends, ASJ's red-zone skills make him worth consideration. After having a touchdown called back on a penalty in Week 1, Seferian-Jenkins came down with a four-yard score in the win over the Patriots. With all the injuries at the position, a touchdown is all it takes to reach low-end TE1 status in a given week.Other options: Austin Hooper vs. NO (17 percent owned), Jesse James/Vance McDonald at TB (10 percent/15 percent owned), Jake Butt at BAL (3 percent owned)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Greg Zuerlein's leg will be out of action for a while, as Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay announced Monday that the All-Pro kicker will miss at least a few weeks due to a groin injury.Zuerlein sustained the injury in warmups ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals."We’ll have a little bit better of an idea of exactly how long that will be once we get those full MRI results. But we’re expecting it to at least be a few weeks," McVay said.Punter Johnny Hekker assumed emergency kicking duties in Week 2. He converted a 20-yard field goal and made his lone extra-point attempt.The Rams signed kicker Sam Ficken on Monday. He played two games with the Rams last season, making two of three field-goal attempts and four of five extra points.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will soon have to make a decision at quarterback: Stick with Ryan Fitzpatrick or return to Jameis Winston?With Winston out the first three weeks due to a suspension, Fitzpatrick has led the Bucs to two surprise wins while throwing for four touchdowns and more than 400 yards in each contest.Bucs wideout DeSean Jackson, the recipient of three of those touchdown passes, weighed in on the quarterback quandary on Monday."He's playing on fire right now. The way the team is rallying behind him and just playing lights out football, you have to kind of honor it," Jackson said of Fitzpatrick's play during a spot on NFL Total Access."You can't take the hot man out, he's on fire right now. It's like NBA Jam ... whoever's got that hot fire shot, you've got to keep shooting."Fitzpatrick's last game as the unquestioned starter will be played under the national spotlight when the Bucs host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL said Monday it will use the play for which Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was assessed a roughing the passer penalty in a teaching tape that will be sent to teams, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky.Matthews' hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins in the fourth quarter of the 29-29 tie erased a potential interception in the final minutes of regulation, which would have likely sealed a Packers victory.Referee Tony Corrente said a foul was called because Matthews "picked the quarterback up and drove him into the ground," according to Demovsky.

The Oakland Raiders are 0-2 to start the year, and lack a pass rush capable of getting to opposing quarterbacks.Nonetheless, Raiders head coach Jon Gruden still has no regrets about trading pass-rushing extraordinaire Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears before the season started."No, it doesn't make me regret making the decision," Gruden said on Monday, per Jerry McDonald of the San Jose Mercury News.Through two games, the Raiders rank second-last in sacks with just two on the season. In his first game with the Bears, Mack recorded a sack, interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery. He'll look to add to those totals Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks.Gruden has been critical of the Raiders' pass rush, leading many to respond that the answer to his problems would have been Mack."There's going to be hindsight, 50-50, all that stuff. We would have loved to have had him here. I'm not going to keep rehashing this," Gruden said. "I would have loved to have coached him, loved to have had him here, but he's not here and somebody's gotta step up."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots bolstered their once thin receiving corps on Monday by sending a reported conditional fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for 2013 All-Pro Josh Gordon.Related: Patriots cut Coleman after trading for GordonTwitter users applauded the Patriots for making yet another low-risk, high-upside move while other teams stood pat.

Corey Coleman will be looking for his fourth club in just his third NFL season.The New England Patriots announced they released Coleman after trading for Josh Gordon on Monday.The 15th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Coleman was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Buffalo Bills during the preseason. The Bills then dropped him during roster cuts, and he signed with the Patriots last week.The wideout did not feature in New England's Week 2 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.Coleman has yet to blossom in the pros. He caught 33 passes for 413 yards in his rookie year, but his totals dropped to 23 catches for 305 yards last season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns have shipped wide receiver Josh Gordon to the New England Patriots, the team announced Monday.In exchange, the Browns will receive a conditional 2019 fifth-round pick, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing sources. If Gordon is not active for 10 games this season, the Patriots will receive a 2019 seventh-round pick from the Browns, Schefter adds.Gordon's tenure with the Browns has been a whirlwind. The final straw for Cleveland came Saturday when the team announced plans to release the receiver for reportedly arriving at the facility late with a hamstring injury he picked up during a promotional shoot.He was held out of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints as a result.No damage to his hamstring was revealed in an MRI, leaving open the possibility of Gordon playing for the Patriots in their Week 3 Sunday nighter against the Detroit Lions, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The Patriots' receiving group has been a revolving door. With Julian Edelman suspended for the first four games of the season, New England has recruited Kenny Britt, Jordan Matthews, Eric Decker, and Corey Coleman to work opposite Chris Hogan.In a corresponding move to the trade, the Patriots will cut Coleman, a former Browns wideout, according to ESPN's Field Yates.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots are closing in on a trade to acquire wide receiver Josh Gordon from the Cleveland Browns, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Browns said Saturday that they planned to release the former All-Pro, but it seems that enough teams are interested in parting with an asset in order to trade for him.Gordon boasts a ton of talent, but an equal amount of off-field baggage. Suspensions for substance abuse have limited Gordon to just 11 games since the start of the 2014 season. The Browns decided to cut ties with the 27-year-old after he reportedly showed up late to the team facility Saturday morning - and with a wonky hamstring. Gordon supposedly sustained the injury at a promotional event.If the deal is finalized, it would significantly bolster a thin New England receiving corps. Gordon led the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards in 2013. The Patriots will also get slot specialist Julian Edelman back from a suspension in Week 5.In his lone appearance this season, Gordon caught one pass - a game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter - in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy has been diagnosed with a cracked rib cartilage and is questionable for Sunday's Week 3 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.McCoy is not expected to miss more than one game if he is ruled out versus Minnesota, Schefter added.The running back was injured in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported that McCoy had fractured his ribs but was hoping to play through it. It appears the ailment is less severe than originally thought.It's been a slow start to the season for McCoy, who's rushed for only 61 yards on 16 carries across two games. The 30-year-old has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the ground in four of the past five seasons.After getting blown out in back-to-back games to open the campaign, the Bills will travel to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, searching for their first win of 2018.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns released kicker Zane Gonzalez, who missed crucial field goals and extra points in both Week 1 and Week 2, the team announced Monday.To replace him, Cleveland signed undrafted rookie Greg Joseph.Gonzalez had been playing with an injured groin, according to Schefter, and was scheduled for an MRI on Monday.His struggles on the field cost Cleveland multiple chances to win its first game since 2016. Against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Gonzalez failed to convert a field goal at the end of the fourth quarter that would have forced overtime. The second-year pro also missed another field goal and two extra points in the affair - one that would have given the Browns a late lead.A week earlier in the season opener, Gonzalez missed badly on an overtime field-goal attempt that would have secured the victory for Cleveland against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings are expected to sign free-agent kicker Dan Bailey, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Minnesota also announced it has waived rookie Daniel Carlson, who missed three field goals in Sunday's tie to the Green Bay Packers.When asked why the team released Carlson, head coach Mike Zimmer replied, "Did you see the game?" per ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Zimmer added it was a "very easy" decision to release the rookie kicker.Carlson was the Vikings' fifth-round selection in April's draft after a productive career at Auburn. His rookie struggles - beginning during the preseason - were well documented.Bailey is the second most accurate kicker in NFL history, converting 88.15 percent of his career field-goal attempts. The Cowboys released him Sept. 1.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns kicker Zane Gonzalez, who missed crucial field goals and extra points in both Week 1 and Week 2, has been playing with an injured groin, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Gonzalez will have an MRI on Monday, Schefter added.Due to his struggles on the field - which cost Cleveland multiple chances to win its first game since 2016 - Gonzalez is reportedly expected to be replaced on the Browns' roster before Week 3.Against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Gonzalez failed to convert a field goal at the end of the fourth quarter that would have forced overtime. The second-year pro also missed another field goal and two extra points in the affair - one that would have given the Browns a late lead.In the season opener, Gonzalez missed badly on an overtime field-goal attempt that would have secured the victory for Cleveland against the Pittsburgh Steelers.The Browns signed undrafted kicker Greg Joseph on Monday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, in a move that could spell the end of Gonzalez's time in Cleveland.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Mike Wallace suffered a broken fibula Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Doug Pederson announced Monday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Wallace is undergoing additional tests to determine how long he'll be sidelined. He's been extremely durable throughout his career, playing in at least 15 games over each of his previous nine campaigns.The 32-year-old was held without a catch in both of the Eagles' first two contests. He put up 748 yards with four touchdowns last year as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week, theScore's betting writer, Alex Kolodziej, will share a running diary of his Sunday experiences. Here's his second edition (all times PT):Sunday, Sept. 167:27 a.m.: There's an uneasy feeling brewing in my stomach. It's not the need for a trip to the bathroom, but the foreboding sense that Week 1's coup - 7-1-1 spanning Sunday/Monday - will come crashing down to earth faster than Peyton Hillis' career post-"Madden" cover.8:11 a.m.: The dehydration, I'm telling you. I mowed through two pots of coffee during college football Saturday and all I earned was minus-$11. In essence, I paid $11 to drink two pots of coffee and yell at Hawaii's offense on TV.8:59 a.m.: One of my friends I text every Sunday before the games start can't watch them this weekend because he has to go to a family party with his wife! I hope I can one day love someone that much. Brutal!9:12 a.m.: I've been locked in with three plays for a couple days, but made one late add. Here's what we're rolling with:

The Philadelphia Eagles received good news Monday, as the team announced quarterback Carson Wentz has been cleared for contact and will make his season debut in Week 3 versus the Indianapolis Colts.

With 12 missed field goals and seven failed extra-point attempts in Week 2 alone, the NFL has suddenly become a league in need of quality kickers.With the blunders affecting the outcome of a number of games, some teams could be looking for outside help heading into Week 3.The most notable free agent at the position is former Dallas Cowboy Dan Bailey, but it appears he's waiting for the right fit before signing with a team.Bailey has reportedly turned down appealing offers from four teams, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings are among the teams that could dip into the free-agent market, Schefter added.Bailey is the second most accurate kicker in NFL history, converting 88.15 percent of his career field-goal attempts. The Cowboys released him Sept. 1.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Between Patrick Mahomes flourishing, Vontae Davis retiring mid-game, and Blake Bortles outplaying Tom Brady, Week 2 of the NFL season was filled with surprises. Meanwhile, here are four impressive plays we saw on the field, along with our second Game Ball of the season.Passing Design of the Week: Fitzpatrick strikes earlyAnyone around the NFL - from owners to players to fans - has to be blown away by the start from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. After leading the Bucs to 48 points in a season-opening win over the New Orleans Saints, Fitzpatrick followed that up by going 27 of 33 for 402 yards and four touchdowns in Sunday’s 27-21 victory over the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles.Fitzpatrick wasted no time getting on the board, striking on this deep ball to DeSean Jackson on the game’s very first play from scrimmage:On the play, the Buccaneers break with 21 offensive personnel (two running backs, one tight end, two wide receivers) and have Fitzpatrick under center with an I-formation behind him. This is a simple two-receiver, max-protection play with Mike Evans (No. 13) running a shallow route from left to right while Jackson (No. 11) runs a deep post route starting from the right.What makes this play work is the shallow cross from Evans coupled with a slight roll from Fitzpatrick. After Fitzpatrick carries out the run fake, he starts to roll to his right, showing a play-action boot concept. That often sees the quarterback throw to a crossing route - which Evans is running - so free safety Malcolm Jenkins cheats a few steps down. That allows Jackson to get behind him, and inside of the cornerback. From there, Fitzpatrick delivers an on-target throw and Jackson wins the footrace to the end zone.Running Design of the Week: Blockers lead Breida to the houseThe San Francisco 49ers got back to .500 with a hard-fought 30-27 victory over the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium. Niners running back Matt Breida rushed for 138 yards on just 11 carries, including this 66-yard touchdown that was San Francisco's longest TD run in four seasons.On the play, San Fran is holding a seven-point lead while facing a first-and-10 late in the third quarter. The offense has 21 personnel in the game, with Breida (No. 22) as the deep back in an offset I-formation. Meanwhile, the Lions have their base 3-4 personnel in the game. San Francisco runs a basic lead-zone play, with fullback Kyle Juszczyk (No. 44) leading Breida to the right side:One scintillating run later, the 49ers have extended their lead. Breida is almost untouched as he breaks through the line - which we'll get to - and then cuts back to the left, picking up great downfield blocking from Pierre Garcon (No. 15) on his way to the score. But let's back up for a second and look at this from the end-zone angle:NFL/FOXIf Breida wins any awards this week, he'd be smart to show some love to the guys up front, including right guard Mike Person (No. 68, highlighted above). Person has defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois (No. 97) on his right shoulder, but his assignment on this play is to get outside of Jean-Francois and hook him, as Breida is aiming to run to the right of Person. Known as a reach block, this is a tough play, but Person executes it to perfection. That enables right tackle Mike McGlinchey (No. 69) to reach the second level and take on the linebacker, while tight end Garrett Celek (No. 88) handles the outside LB. Juszczyk then leads Breida and takes on the play-side safety:This is lead-zone blocking executed to perfection, and it starts with the excellent reach block by Person.Pressure Design of the Week: Minnesota’s D gets to Rodgers in OTFor the first time since 1971, an NFL season produced a tie in both Week 1 and Week 2. First, the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers played to a draw; this week, it was the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers ending in a stalemate.Late in the extra frame on Sunday, the Packers found themselves on the cusp of field-goal range, but the Vikings' defense - using a creative blitz design from head coach Mike Zimmer - made a critical play to force a punt.On the play, Green Bay faces a third-and-4 on the Minnesota 40-yard line. As you can see, Minnesota shows pressure pre-snap, putting eight defenders in the box:NFL/FOXLooking at this angle, you might expect the pressure to come from the right side of the offense with three off-ball defenders lurking. But instead it comes from the other side, led by defensive back Mackensie Alexander (No. 20) and linebacker Eric Kendricks (No. 54):NFL/FOXEdge defender Everson Griffen (No. 97) attacks from the outside and occupies left tackle David Bakhtiari (No. 69) while Kendricks slams into left guard Lane Taylor (No. 65). Alexander splits the now-open gap and has a free shot at Rodgers:The sack pushes Green Bay out of viable field-goal range and forces the punt. It was one of the many big plays in a game that ended without a victor.Coverage Design of the Week: Marcus Williams, reading eyesA critical component of an effective Cover 1 defensive scheme is the presence of a free safety who's adept at reading and reacting to the eyes of the quarterback. Late in New Orleans' 21-18 victory over the Cleveland Browns, Marcus Williams of the Saints flashed his expertise.On the play, with just over five minutes remaining, the Browns face a second-and-4 on their own 30-yard line. They break the huddle using 13 offensive personnel and put quarterback Tyrod Taylor (No. 5) under center with two tight ends to the right. Expecting a running play, the Saints keep their base 4-3 defense on the field:NFL/FOXHowever, the Browns are looking to throw using play-action. They use a max-protection concept with just two receivers running routes, while Taylor is looking to throw a skinny post route to tight end David Njoku (No. 85). But the Saints do a good job of forcing Taylor off his spot and making him reset in the pocket. From there, it's all Williams:The second-year safety does a great job of reading Taylor’s eyes and breaking under the route. From the replay, you get a good view of how the safety tracks the QB's field of vision and makes the play:Before Sunday, Williams was best known for missing the tackle on Stefon Diggs in last year's playoffs, which became the Minneapolis Miracle. After that loss, Williams vowed that one play would not define his career. Sunday showed he's well on his way toward keeping that promise.Game Ball: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City ChiefsHow does a new starting quarterback follow up a season-opening four-touchdown performance?Throwing six more touchdown passes in Week 2 was a pretty great encore.Mahomes, making just his third NFL start, threw for six scores in Kansas City’s 42-37 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He completed 23 of 28 passes for 326 yards, averaging an astounding 11.64 yards per attempt. He continues to spread the football around, and this week incorporated tight end Travis Kelce, hitting him for two touchdowns. With this offense firing on all cylinders, and with Mahomes making incredible throws left and right, the Chiefs are off to a blistering start.Mark Schofield writes NFL feature content for theScore. After nearly a decade of practicing law in the Washington, D.C., area Mark changed careers and started writing about football. Drawing upon more than a decade of playing quarterback, including at the collegiate level, Mark focuses his work on quarterback evaluation and offensive scheme analysis. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children. Find him on Twitter @MarkSchofield.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski admitted he was outplayed Sunday by the Jacksonville Jaguars' suffocating - and equally brash - defense."They did a good job overall," Gronkowski said after the Patriots fell 31-20 in northern Florida, according to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald. "I just have to watch the film, how they did it. They've got good players. I have to play better. They did a good job. They're a good team."Covered primarily by safety Tashaun Gipson, Gronkowski was limited to two receptions for 15 yards. He entered the contest under a microscope after Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey called him overrated during the offseason."It's difficult versus a team like that," Gronkowski said. "You have to be prepared, you have to ready. You have to find the openings. That's one thing I didn't do."It was a frustrating day all around for the Patriots, who were dominated by Jacksonville in a rematch of last year's AFC title game. Gronkowski had one reception for 21 yards in that affair, though he was knocked out early with a concussion."A lot of people wanted to see the matchup with Jalen so I apologize I didn't give them that matchup," Gipson said after his standout performance against Gronkowski, per NFL Network's Michael Giardi." ... I feel I have never met a tight end I couldn't cover. I have been doing this since last year and it's a matchup I was excited about. (Gronkowski) wasn't excited about it as I was because I am just Tashaun Gipson. ... When you turn on the tape, you can see what it looked like."Gronkowski, who posted seven receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the season opener, will look to bounce back in Week 3 versus the Detroit Lions.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Monday.Robinson left Sunday's contest against the New England Patriots with a knee injury and was later ruled out for the rest of the game.The 22-year-old was part of an improved offensive line in Jacksonville, helping the Jaguars start the campaign 2-0 after their surge to the AFC title game last season.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, and Anchor.Boone and Woods recap all the action from Sunday and take an early look at Week 3 waiver wire adds.Topics for this episode include:

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Dak Prescott threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Tavon Austin on the third play of the game and the Dallas Cowboys sacked Eli Manning six times in a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday night.The Dallas defense was strong again, just as in an opening loss at Carolina, as the Cowboys (1-1) avoided the first 0-2 start in seven seasons under coach Jason Garrett.Manning and the Giants have started 0-2 for the fifth time in the past six seasons.Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott outgained Saquon Barkley in the first meeting in the pros between the former college rivals and high NFL draft picks. Elliott, who starred at Ohio State, rushed for 78 yards with a touchdown. Barkley, from Penn State, had just 28.Even Prescott outrushed Barkley, finishing with a career-high 45 yards on the ground while throwing for 160.After saying ''challenge accepted'' during the week to Giants safety Landon Collins' suggestion that New York had a better chance by forcing Prescott to throw, the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year hit Austin in stride behind cornerback Janoris Jenkins. The speedy receiver cut back to his right before trotting across the goal line at an angle.Brett Maher had the first two field goals of his NFL career, including a 29-yarder after Damien Wilson forced a fumble on a sack of Manning and Taco Charlton recovered.The Cowboys shared the wealth on the sacks, with six different players recording a sack apiece: the linebacker Wilson, safety Kavon Frazier and defensive linemen Charlton, DeMarcus Lawrence, Antwaun Woods and Tyrone Crawford.The Giants had questions with the offensive front, and they'll only grow after Manning finished two sacks shy of the most in his career. New York also lost center Jon Halapio, who was carted off with an air cast on his right leg in the third quarter.Manning converted a pair of fourth downs on sneaks, but the sacks helped keep the Giants from converting those into points. He was even hammered when he wasn't behind the line of scrimmage - on a hit by linebacker Jaylon Smith on a 1-yard gain before New York's first points on Aldrick Rosas' field goal late in the third quarter.Prescott fooled the New York defense several times with fake handoffs to Elliott on keepers around end. The longest was a 15-yarder on Dallas' second possession, leading to Maher's first NFL field goal from 37 yards.For the second straight week, the Giants didn't get a touchdown until the fourth quarter. The Giants made it interesting when Michael Thomas recovered an onside kick after Manning's 18-yard scoring pass to Evan Engram with 1:27 remaining.The Giants settled for Rosas' 38-yard field goal to get within a touchdown with 11 seconds remaining, but the next onside kick went out of bounds.Manning finished 33 of 44 for 279 yards. Austin had two catches and led Dallas with 79 yards receiving.AIR TIMEAlthough Barkley was stifled in the running game, he led everybody with 14 catches for 80 yards.DELAYED DEBUTDallas tight end Rico Gathers was active for the first time in his third NFL season. The former Baylor basketball player was open in the end zone on one play, but Prescott overthrew him when pressure came. Gathers was targeted twice without a catch.INJURIESGiants: Punt returner Kaelin Clay injured an ankle in the second quarter and didn't return. He had another adventurous moment a week after his late muff cost the Giants a chance to rally against Jacksonville. He was indecisive and a punt, which bounced in front of and straight into him. He hung on to it.UP NEXTGiants: Another Texas trip to Houston.Cowboys: At Seattle.---More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/tag/NFLfootball and https://twitter.com/AP-NFLCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks said he wasn't tempted to play rookie quarterback Josh Rosen in his team's 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, according to Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic.Sam Bradford completed 17 of 27 passes for just 90 yards with one interception, but Wilks said he's not ready to address the quarterback situation.After signing a two-year, $20-million contract with the Cardinals this offseason, Bradford entered Week 2 coming off a 24-6 loss against the Washington Redskins in which he completed 20 of 34 attempts for 153 yards and an interception.Arizona sent the Oakland Raiders the 15th, 79th, and 152nd picks in April's draft for the No. 10 overall selection, which it used to pick the 21-year-old Rosen.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Blake Bortles threw four touchdown passes, three in the first half, and the Jacksonville Jaguars beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 31-20 Sunday in a rematch of last season's AFC championship game.Bortles connected with Donte Moncrief, Keelan Cole and Austin Seferian-Jenkins for scores in the first 30 minutes, the second time he's done that in his NFL career. Bortles completed 29 of 45 passes for 377 yards, with the four TDs and an interception. It was the best game of his five-year career.It was the Jaguars' first win over Brady. They entered the game 0-8 against the Patriots quarterback.The Patriots (1-1) trailed 24-3 in the third quarter before finally showing signs of life. But Dante Fowler, returning from a one-game suspension, stripped Brady for one game-changing play, and second-year receiver Dede Westbrook added another to seal the victory.Westbrook took a short pass on a crossing route, made one defender miss and then outran another down the sideline for a 61-yard score. He got a key block from Cole.Cole finished with seven receptions for 117 yards and a score. He made a spectacular, one-handed catch on Jacksonville's second drive and beat Eric Rowe for a 24-yard touchdown three plays later.Jacksonville led 14-0 at that point, but unlike the game eight months ago - which had much more at stake, of course - coach Doug Marrone didn't sit on the lead.The Jaguars (2-0) kept throwing even with an 11-point lead in the final minutes of the game. They now have their best start since 2006.Marrone was widely criticized for getting conservative in the title game. The Patriots trailed 20-10 in the fourth quarter of that one before rallying to win 24-20 and get to the Super Bowl.Brady never looked comfortable in the rematch. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, both to Chris Hogan. He was sacked twice.NO FOURNETTEThe Jaguars improved to 4-0 in two seasons without running back Leonard Fournette. Fournette sat out while recovering from a sore right hamstring he tweaked in the season opener at the New York Giants.T.J. Yeldon started in his place and ran 10 times for 58 yards.GROUND GAINSPatriots rookie Sony Michel, a first-round draft pick from Georgia, carried 10 times for 33 yards in his NFL debut. Michel is expected to give New England some much-needed help in its running attack.KEY INJURIESPatriots: Defensive end Trey Flowers and safety Patrick Chung, two of the team's top defenders, were ruled out with concussions. Flowers was injured in the first quarter when he collided with teammate Keionta Davis. Chung was injured in the second half.Jaguars: Left tackle Cam Robinson left in the first quarter after injuring his left knee and was later ruled out. Receiver Donte Moncrief, who caught a touchdown pass on Jacksonville's opening drive, left with a knee injury in the third quarter. Defensive end Calais Campbell, questionable to play because of a sore right knee, left after getting poked in his right eye. He later returned.UP NEXTPatriots: Play at Detroit, where former New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is now the head coach.Jaguars: Host AFC South rival Tennessee in the second of three straight home games.---More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/tag/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP-NFLCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The new slate of ESPN Films' "30 for 30" documentaries will include specials on two NFL Hall of Famers."Seau," premiering Sept. 20 exclusively on ESPN+, details the life of former linebacker Junior Seau, who killed himself in 2012 at the age of 43 after suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Director Kirby Bradley spent extensive time with Seau's family while making the film, according to Rebecca Sun of The Hollywood Reporter.