Set to turn 33 years old before the 2018 NFL season, running back Reggie Bush is throwing in the towel on his career, after not playing a game since Dec. 24, 2016."Yeah, I'm done. I said it. It's not breaking news. I've been saying it. I said it all season long, I said, 'Listen, if I don't play this year, I'm going to retire.' Because I'm not going to spend a whole year off, come back, 33 years old, trying to get back in the league," Bush told Edward Lewis of NFL.com. "Listen, once you get to a certain age as a running back, they just start to slowly weed you out."Originally drafted second overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2006 draft, Bush has committed to officially ending his career where it began."Listen, the Saints know I'm coming home at some point. I'm going to come home to retire as a Saint. But yeah, man, I'm done. For sure. I'm done," Bush said.Bush's 11-year career included stints with five teams. He stands with totals of 134 games played, 5,490 rushing yards, 3,598 receiving yards, and 58 all-purpose touchdowns.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL has taken quite a sum from players and coaches involved in the raucous conclusion to a Week 14 game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks.Three coaches and four players were fined a total of $84,693 for myriad infractions, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The fines are as follows:

The Carolina Panthers have launched an internal investigation into workplace misconduct allegations leveled at owner Jerry Richardson, the team confirmed Friday."The Carolina Panthers and Mr. Richardson take these allegations very seriously and are fully committed to a full investigation and taking appropriate steps to address and remediate any misconduct,” team spokesman Steven Drummond said in the statement. "The entire organization is fully committed to ensuring a safe, comfortable and diverse work environment where all individuals, regardless of sex, race, color, religion, gender, or sexual identity or orientation, are treated fairly and equally. We have work to do to achieve this goal, but we are going to meet it."Carolina said the investigation will be led by international law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan, LLP, and will be overseen by limited owner and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles.

With the U.S. Supreme Court getting set to decide on the future of legalized sports betting, Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones shared his thoughts on the issue."I don't see that gaming compromises the integrity of the game,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan.New Jersey is challenging the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, a federal law approved by Congress in 1992, that prohibits all states except for Nevada from sports wagering. Delaware, Montana, and Oregon offer more limited regulations of sports lotteries.Should New Jersey's case be ruled in its favor, other states would surely be quick to follow.It's believed sports betting is a $150-billion industry.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Michael Bennett has avoided a fine despite picking up a personal foul for taking a shot at Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder's knee last week, the league confirmed to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.With the Jaguars in victory formation as the clock ticked down in the final minute of Sunday's game, Bennett dove at the offensive lineman's knee, a move that was part of a bigger fracas between a group of players.Sheldon Richardson was ejected during the scrum, followed by Quinton Jefferson getting tossed one play later. Jefferson would engage with a group of fans on his way off the field, at one point attempting to climb in to the bleachers after one threw debris at his head.The Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday in a massive NFC West matchup.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders have already ruled out star receiver Amari Cooper for Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys due to an ankle injury.Cooper first picked up the injury in a Week 12 contest with the Denver Broncos. He missed the following game and only appeared briefly in last week's contest.Without Cooper in the lineup, quarterback Derek Carr has resorted to looking for tight end Jared Cook and receivers Michael Crabtree, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Seth Roberts.The Raiders also ruled out defensive end Mario Edwards with an ankle injury and tight end Clive Walford with a concussion and neck injury, and placed rookie defensive back Obi Melifonwu on injured reserve with a hip injury.The Raiders enter the week one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton has been fined $10,000 by the NFL for improperly entering the playing field during last Thursday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Payton ran onto the field late in the fourth quarter and charged toward field judge Joe Larrow, who immediately threw a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct. The penalty gave Atlanta a first down, which allowed them to kneel and seal the victory.The head coach explained after the game that was he attempting to call a timeout, but admitted he spoke to the official "with a little more oomph" than was necessary.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey isn't impressed by the roster the previous regime left him with, but he's still aiming to go from worst to first in the AFC North next season."I'm the eternal optimistic,'' Dorsey said Thursday on WKNR 850's "The Really Big Show," according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "I believe we have to be competitive in the AFC North and my total objective going into the '18 season is to win the AFC North. Anything else to me is unacceptable.''Dorsey said his predecessors didn't get "real players," and quickly put his stamp on the roster, sending free-agent bust Kenny Britt packing.However, despite his optimism, the Browns haven't provided much evidence they're ready to compete with the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens for AFC North supremacy.Cleveland has lost 15 straight games within the division and has won just one game total since head coach Hue Jackson was hired in 2016.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph confirmed Friday that quarterback Trevor Siemian will be placed on injured reserve with a left shoulder injury.Siemian was injured in the first quarter of Thursday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. As he scrambled to his right to extend a play, Colts linebacker Barkevious Mingo sacked him and landed on top of him. Siemian suffered a partial dislocation of his left shoulder that won't yet require surgery - only rest and rehab.Regardless, the injury signals the end of the 2017 season for Siemian, who had recently regained the starting job due to an injury to sophomore quarterback Paxton Lynch.Backup Brock Osweiler replaced Siemian in Thursday's game and led the Broncos to a 25-13 victory. Osweiler played well, completing 12 of 17 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns, but with Lynch now available, Joseph has yet to make a decision on who will play in the team's Week 16 game against the Washington Redskins."I'm not sure. We've got two healthy guys there," he said. "Obviously, Paxton being a young guy, we want to see him play more. So that part will have some bearing. Brock played really well last night. He made some big-time throws, his leadership showed ... that's going to be a long and hard conversation,"Joseph added that the Broncos likely won't add a third quarterback.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph has been officially ruled out of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to an ankle injury, according to Field Yates of ESPN.David Morgan will likely get the start in Rudolph's absence.It's a significant loss for the NFC North-leading Vikings. Rudolph has been a consistent safety blanket for Case Keenum this season, catching 53 passes for 506 yards.The tight end has also been in red-hot form of late, contributing four touchdowns in the last three games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 8-5 Seattle Seahawks and the 9-5 division-leading Los Angeles Rams face off for the second time this season Sunday, with the fate of the NFC West hanging in the balance.The battle between quarterback Russell Wilson and defensive tackle Aaron Donald will likely go a long way toward deciding the matchup, and Wilson had high praise for his star opponent Thursday."When I think about Aaron Donald, he's probably, in my opinion, the best defensive player I've ever played against in terms of actually playing in a game against," Wilson said, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. "That's a pretty big statement; I've played against some really good guys. I think back to my rookie year and my second year when I played against guys like (NaVorro) Bowman and (Patrick) Willis and all of those guys are in my head, the top guys I've ever played."I think about a guy like Aaron Donald, he's definitely there too as well, so I have tremendous respect for how he plays the game. He's really, really tough, he's really quick, and he's pretty special. You look forward to those matchups just because those are things that you'll remember and those are the things that you'll tell your kids one day, 'I played against this guy,' and those are fun things. He's definitely one of those guys that will probably be a Hall of Famer no doubt."Donald is in the midst of another outstanding campaign with the upstart Rams. He has racked up eight sacks and 34 total tackles in 12 games and ranks as Pro Football Focus' top interior defender by a significant margin.Meanwhile, Wilson is almost single-handedly keeping the injury-ravaged Seahawks in the playoff race - though he'll be looking to bounce back from a season-worst performance against the vaunted Jacksonville Jaguars defense.But, as the quarterback noted, it will probably be a tough task with Donald wreaking havoc and collapsing the pocket all game long.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles announced Friday that defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson won't make the trip to New Orleans for Sunday's game against the Saints due to a "coach's decision."Bowles said the designation isn't injury-related, adding that he spoke to the team about the decision.The benching is a result of Wilkerson arriving late to a morning meeting, a source informed Rich Cimini of ESPN.The seven-year vet, who has regularly clashed with coaches, was also reportedly held out from the first series of the team's Week 13 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He responded with a six-tackle, one-sack performance last week against the Denver Broncos in a losing effort.Reports have surfaced suggesting the Jets will move on from Wilkerson after the season, which wraps up in three weeks.His best season came in 2015 when he tallied a career-best 12 sacks. He signed a five-year, $86-million contract the following offseason.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leonard Fournette missed practice for the third consecutive day on Friday and the Jacksonville Jaguars officially listed the running back as questionable for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.The rookie has fought various ailments throughout the season, but it's a new quad injury that threatens to keep him out of the Week 15 contest.The 9-4 Jaguars can clinch their first playoff berth since 2007 with a win on Sunday, but can also stamp their ticket to the postseason with losses from other AFC contenders. Jacksonville currently sits one game behind the New England Patriots for the second seed and a first-round bye.The Jags possess the league's best running game, averaging 150 yards on the ground per contest.Fournette is the NFL's seventh-leading rusher and is 77 yards shy of a 1,000-yard season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week during the NFL season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap every matchup and offer up a three-pack of selected picks.Week 14 record (includes TNF): 7-8-1

SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut. For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 15 rankings.StartBlake Bortles, QB, Jaguarsvs. TexansBortles has a long way to go to earn fantasy owners' trust, but he's quietly turned in back-to-back strong performances, and is perhaps the best available option for owners scrambling to find a replacement for the injured Carson Wentz.Fearless prediction: 292 yards passing, 2 TDsOther QBs to start

The Buffalo Bills announced that quarterback Tyrod Taylor will return to his role as the starter for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.Taylor was inactive for last week's snowy home game against the Indianapolis Colts as he recovered from a knee injury. Rookie Nathan Peterman started in his place, but sustained a concussion in the contest and remains in concussion protocol.Joe Webb will serve as Taylor's backup in Sunday's game.The 7-6 Bills have a tenuous hold on the AFC's sixth and final playoff spot, and can ill afford to lose against the 6-7 Dolphins.In an up-and-down season - during which Taylor has dealt with injuries and a Week 11 benching in favor of Peterman - the seventh-year pro has thrown for 2,090 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Bills own the second-worst passing offense in the league, but the sixth-best running game. They'll test their mettle against the Dolphins' 16th-ranked defense.The Bills also announced that left tackle Cordy Glenn has been placed on injured reserve due to a foot injury.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Adrian Peterson insists he's not done.The 32-year-old running back saw his 2017 season cut short due to a neck injury suffered in Week 12, but he expects to make a full recovery."The good news is my neck injury doesn't require surgery, but I'm told by Dr. Robert Watkins that the best thing for me is just more rest than the length of this season," Peterson told ESPN's Josina Anderson.Peterson was acquired by the Arizona Cardinals in an early season trade, and the 11-year veteran intends to play out the rest of his contract, which expires after the 2018 season."Obviously, I'm disappointed about going on IR when my body is still able to produce, but I look forward to returning completely healthy for another season in 2018," he said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity that the Arizona Cardinals have given me to show that I can still contribute on an NFL team."Peterson posted a video of the play in which he suffered his injury, admitting it could have been worse.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game against the Indianapolis Colts due to an ankle injury, according to the team.Sanders had caught seven of nine targets for 68 yards after being held to a total of just 54 yards over his past four games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian will miss the team's final two games of the season due to a dislocated shoulder suffered in Thursday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, sources tell Mike Klis of 9News.Backup quarterback Brock Osweiler replaced Siemian and led the Broncos to a 25-13 victory.ESPN's Jeff Legwold and Adam Schefter reported on Friday morning that Siemian is believed to have suffered a sprained AC joint, pending an upcoming MRI.Siemian entered Week 15 with a completion percentage of 59.1 on 340 attempts for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He threw his 14th interception of the year on the Broncos' first possession of the game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals are placing running back Adrian Peterson on IR due to a neck injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 32-year-old Peterson's season ends after 156 carries for 529 yards and two touchdowns over 10 games split between the New Orleans Saints and Cardinals.He struggled mightily with the Saints over the season's first four games, but he showed he still had plenty to offer by rushing for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in his first game with the Cardinals.Just two games later, he racked up 159 rushing yards on a whopping 37 carries.He hasn't played since injuring his neck in a 27-24 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11.Peterson has played a full 16 games in just two of the past eight seasons. He has one more season at $3.5 million left on his contract, but none of that money is guaranteed.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts tight end Brandon Williams has a concussion but is "doing well" after being hospitalized with a head injury suffered in Thursday's loss to the Denver Broncos, according to Omar Ruiz of NFL Network.After being evaluated by the team's medical staff on the field for about 15 minutes in the second quarter of the game, he was loaded onto a stretcher and carted off the field.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian was ruled out of Thursday's game against the Indianapolis Colts due to a left shoulder injury, according to the team.He suffered the injury when he was sacked on third down during the Broncos' second drive of the game and was carted to the locker room. He threw an interception to Colts cornerback Kenny Moore on the team's first possession.X-rays taken at the stadium came back negative, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post. Siemian will undergo an MRI on Friday.Backup quarterback Brock Osweiler replaced Siemian with the Broncos trailing 7-0. With Paxton Lynch inactive, second-year wide receiver Jordan Taylor is the team's emergency quarterback, according to the broadcast.The interception was Siemian's 14th of the season in just 11 games played.Osweiler entered on the third possession of the game with 62 completions for 701 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions on 117 attempts through four games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wide receiver Kenny Britt was released from the Cleveland Browns almost immediately upon John Dorsey's takeover as general manager, after catching just 18 of 37 targets for 233 yards and two touchdowns in nine games this season.However, Britt quickly found a new home in New England and is now receiving a warm welcome from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady."You know, he’s just kind of come in and worked hard the last couple days and trying to understand all the things we’ve got going,” Brady said, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.“Hopefully, we can add something to the mix here in a short period of time. It’s always challenging for a guy to come in late and pick up everything at once, but hopefully he can figure out a role. He’s had a lot of production and he’s going to have to go out and earn it, earn everybody’s trust to get out there, but he’s done a good job the first couple days.”Dorsey didn't hold back when asked why he was quick to cut ties with Britt.“From a cultural standpoint, I don’t think he fits in the prototypical character point of what I’m looking for in terms of a leader. He did not live up to his expectations as a player,” Dorsey said, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.Britt was signed to a four-year, $32.5-million contract by the Browns following a 1,002-yard, five-touchdown season with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown may be unavailable to play for the rest of the season due to a broken hand, but the 38-year-old won't be taking a day off when the Jets face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.Head coach Todd Bowles has granted McCown's request to serve as player-coach in the Week 15 matchup, potentially setting up his post-playing career."Yes, I can see that in him," Bowles said, according to Austin Knoblauch of NFL.com. "If that's what he wants to do, I can see him being an excellent coach when he's done playing."McCown has enjoyed what could be considered a career year in his first season with the Jets, completing 67.3 percent of 397 pass attempts for 2,926 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.The journeyman signed a one-year deal with the Jets to serve as a stopgap under center until either Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenberg, or an unforeseen option was ready to take over in 2018.The Jets were the seventh team McCown has played for.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple is hoping to put a mistake he made in last week's loss to the Dallas Cowboys behind him and get back on the field Sunday versus the Philadelphia Eagles.Apple was fined an undisclosed amount by the Giants for tweeting on the sideline after being made an inactive for a fourth consecutive week.The coaching staff is yet to inform Apple on his status for Sunday, but he doesn't think last week's matter should factor into their decision."Of course. I'm blessed to be where I am right now," Apple said, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "I appreciate everything being here, alive. Football is something I love to do. It's a blessing. You don't want to take it for granted. I definitely want to be here, to be honest."The use of social media or networking sites by coaches and players during games is prohibited by league rules, but the NFL didn't issue any further punishment on Apple since only one of either the team or league can issue a fine for each violation.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The AFC's two powerhouses meet Sunday, with the Super Bowl champion Patriots traveling to Pittsburgh in a game that should determine which team ends up with the No. 1 seed in the conference.These two elite organizations have met many times over the years, with New England winning a high percentage of the time. Sunday's game is obviously important, and it could also be the first of two meetings between Pittsburgh and New England before a potential playoff matchup in January. Here's the Tale of the Tape:QuarterbackBen Roethlisberger began this season very rocky. But since the second half of Pittsburgh's Week 10 game in Indianapolis, he's been outstanding.Roethlisberger has balanced taking what the defense gives him with featuring Antonio Brown, and looks to be in total command of the offense. Coming off his best performance of the year against Baltimore, he's averaging 361.5 yards per game over his last four contests while throwing 12 touchdowns to just three interceptions in that span. He's hot, and Pittsburgh is taking advantage by throwing the ball a high percentage of the time.However, Tom Brady has always tortured the Steelers, and his career numbers against Pittsburgh's defense - highlighted by throwing 19 touchdowns to zero interceptions - are mind-boggling. Brady is coming off a down performance by anyone's standards in Miami on Monday night and has taken more punishment than usual this year. That said, he should be the NFL MVP and has the edge without question.Advantage: New EnglandRunning BacksLe'Veon Bell leads the NFL in rushing yards and is the best running back in football. But the Patriots average 13.5 more yards on the ground than the Steelers, while averaging a half-yard more per carry. Their two-headed attack of Rex Burkhead and Dion Lewis has been outstanding of late.The Steelers have one of the best offensive lines in the league, but have been much better in pass protection than paving the way for Bell this season. Meanwhile, New England's blockers might not be recognizable names, but they've been superb in the run game. This is a close call, but New England's collective gets the narrow nod over Bell. Don't be surprised if Bell, Burkhead, and Lewis all put up impressive numbers this week.Advantage: New EnglandReceiversRob Gronkowski and JuJu Smith-Schuster will both return from suspension and should have a little extra spring in their steps for this big matchup.Brandin Cooks has been a threatening-yet-inconsistent acquisition for New England and provides a ton of big-play ability, but he can also get pushed around. Cooks could get behind a Steelers secondary that's allowed far too many long plays of late, but he's also coming off a poor showing in Miami. Chris Hogan returned from injury last week, but didn’t look at all like himself.Of course, the Patriots' running backs are collectively fantastic at contributing in the passing game, too.Meanwhile, Brown is still the No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL. It's hard to believe, but he may actually be playing the best football of his life right now. Brown has nearly 300 more receiving yards than the next best, DeAndre Hopkins.Martavis Bryant, Smith-Schuster, and Jesse James are also quality options who often see single coverage, but it's Bell and Brown who make this group so difficult to defend. Pittsburgh has the best receiving weapons in the league.Advantage: PittsburghOffensive LineAs mentioned, Pittsburgh's big men up front are better in protection than in the running game. That said, they're almost assuredly the best protecting line in the entire league. Pittsburgh is missing Marcus Gilbert (suspension), but has star power in Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro, who might be the best guard in football right now.Both of these lines are extremely well coached. The Patriots' best player up front is Shaq Mason, but this unit allowed a lot of interior pressure last week.Advantage: PittsburghDefensive Front SevenThe loss of Ryan Shazier cannot be overstated and Brady should be licking his chops at the thought of attacking the Steelers' inside linebackers without him.T.J. Watt looks to have a bright future, but Pittsburgh is getting very little pass rush from the edge. Baltimore gashed the Steelers on the ground last week, but Pittsburgh still features an exceptional defensive line. Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt are excellent players who could provide the interior pressure that Brady so dislikes.The Patriots are really lacking talent in their front seven. They play well together as a unit and there are some run-cloggers in the middle of the defensive line, but this is one of the worst pass-rushing units in football.Advantage: PittsburghSecondaryThe Steelers have allowed a ton of big plays since Joe Haden went down with injury, as the cornerback and safety performances have been far from optimal. The opposite is true for the Patriots. As usual, this is one of the best red-zone defenses in football and their secondary has high-quality assets in Devin McCourty, Malcolm Butler, and Stephon Gilmore.Gilmore is playing far better now than early in the year. Butler will most likely draw the assignment of slowing down Brown and will get help in doing so. Expect the Patriots to play a high percentage of man coverage. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has played an extremely zone-heavy defense this year.Advantage: New EnglandSpecial TeamsKicker Chris Boswell is a major reason why the Steelers have just two losses on the season. And while Heinz Field is the most difficult stadium to kick in across the NFL, Stephen Gostkowski is also a proven 12-year veteran and should be fine.The Steelers have made a change with their kickoff returner, inserting Bryant into that role. Bryant has brought some big-play appeal (while Brown can be lethal as a punt returner), but also looked confused fielding short Justin Tucker kickoffs last week.New England loves to kick off into the field of play rather than just blasting it into the end zone. Bryant could make the Patriots pay for that or could cripple Pittsburgh’s starting field position with mistakes. Lastly, year after year under Bill Belichick, the Patriots have ranked among the best teams in football in this phase of the game. That remains true in 2017.Advantage: New EnglandCoaching/IntangiblesAs mentioned, this matchup almost always ends up with New England on top. But Pittsburgh is still a very difficult place to play, and the Steelers perform better at home. Clearly, Pittsburgh wants to avoid traveling to New England in the AFC Championship Game by taking Sunday's contest.But the Patriots are not going to be fazed by their surroundings, and while Mike Tomlin is one of the best in the business, Belichick is the best in the business - and maybe in the history of the sport. New England wins this category against every team in the NFL.Advantage: New EnglandMatt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns and spent 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast." Find him on Twitter @WilliamsonNFL.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay provided a positive update on Andrew Luck's injury status this week during league meetings, announcing the star quarterback is progressing well."He's doing great," Irsay told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. "He's doing well. (We're) disappointed obviously it's taken as long as it's taken. You know, medicine and the way it goes. But there hasn't been any unusual setback. We didn't find out anything ominous, something we didn't know about or anything like that. It's just taken time for him to go through his whole aspect of rehabbing and progressing and working through the soreness."Luck underwent shoulder surgery in January, and while the Colts initially stated he'd miss just a few games to start the year, the quarterback hasn't taken a single snap this season.The former No. 1 overall pick is currently in Europe to continue his rehabilitation, though it is unknown what treatment he is currently undergoing."He's still in Europe but he's coming home very shortly," Irsay said. "No additional surgery at this point planned."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has begun physical rehabilitation following spinal stabilization surgery, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center announced Thursday.The nature of Shazier's rehab and current physical mobility weren't detailed in the statement, but he's reportedly showing gradual improvement since undergoing the procedure Dec. 7.Pittsburgh placed him on injured reserve Tuesday, officially ending his season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

John Dorsey's first order of business as general manager of the Cleveland Browns was to release wide receiver Kenny Britt.Dorsey cut the nine-year vet after he put up just 233 yards and two touchdowns in his first season with Cleveland. On Thursday, the new man in charge said cutting ties with Britt was a no-brainer."I have no problem making that decision. From a cultural standpoint, I don't think he fits in the prototypical character point of what I'm looking for in terms of a leader. He did not live up to his expectations as a player," Dorsey said on WKNR 850 radio, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com."(He) may have a higher opinion of himself than I have of him as a player, so I thought that was easy."It didn't take long for Britt to find work, however, as he landed with the New England Patriots four days after his release.Dorsey also let it be known during his radio appearance that he wasn't fond of the moves made by the previous regime in Cleveland, saying, "The guys who were here before ... didn't get real players."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos are expected to retain head coach Vance Joseph for the 2018 season despite a highly disappointing first campaign in charge, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Rapoport added, however, that Joseph's job may not be 100 percent safe if the Broncos' performances slip once again following a Week 14 shutout win over the New York Jets - Denver's first victory since Oct. 1.The Broncos were expected to be fringe playoff contenders in 2017, but an anemic offense mostly caused by a carousel at the quarterback position has the 4-9 teheaded for a potential top-five pick.While Joseph has failed to inspire much confidence in his first year, the front office - including general manager John Elway - want to make it work with the head coach and understand the poor situation he inherited under center, added Rapoport.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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

Aaron Rodgers has been making magic for a decade in the NFL, playing a quarterback style that often leaves viewers slack-jawed and speechless. He possesses effortless instincts and creativity which perfectly meld with rare precision and smarts.You can see the Green Bay Packers star signal-caller's influence in the likes of Andrew Luck, Deshaun Watson, and Carson Wentz. All three balance strong pocket play with on-the-run throwing ability and a willingness to put their bodies on the line, whether rushing for a first down or scrambling to buy time.But this style is a young man's game, and even then, it can take its toll (Luck, Watson, and Wentz are all now out for the season with injuries). And while Rodgers' backyard-football tendencies give the illusion he's still in his physical prime, the veteran just turned 34.So, as he prepares to return following an eight-week layoff due to the second broken collarbone of his career, is it time for the two-time MVP to reinvent his game to ensure his longevity?"Good question," Rodgers said after a lengthy pause back in November, according to The Washington Post's Cindy Boren. "I haven't thought about that a whole lot. But what comes to mind right away is no. But I might need to think about that the next eight weeks."The natural reaction of any sportsman facing a crossroads in their career is to continue down the same path that's led to past success. But Rodgers needs to do more than consider changing - his body is screaming for it.Before the start of the season, Rodgers said he hopes to play into his 40s, just like fellow superstar quarterback Tom Brady has successfully done.Outside the fact both Rodgers and Brady have strong arguments to be the best quarterback the NFL has ever seen, the two don't have much in common - especially stylistically.Rodgers is much more Steve Young than Brady and Manning. And Young went from a Pro Bowler at age 35 to done at age 38, as a career full of hits finally wore him down.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)In the seasons in which Rodgers has played 15 or 16 regular-season games, he's been sacked fewer than 30 times only once, and twice he's suffered over 50 sacks. And that's not considering all the other hits he's taken due to his style, like the one from Anthony Barr that caused his second broken collarbone.Those numbers stand in stark contrast to Brady's. The New England Patriots' pivot has just one season with 40-plus sacks since tearing his ACL and MCL in 2008. In 2016, Brady was taken down just 15 times (in 12 games, due to suspension). This season, however, he has been sacked 29 times - and his dip in play these past two weeks could be a direct result of the increased punishment.If you want to know how quickly the constant hits and injuries that come from Rodgers' style of play can derail a career, just look at Tony Romo. He wasn't able - or ran out of time - to change his game as the injuries begun to pile up, and paid the price.Rodgers has been cleared to return for Week 15, but his broken collarbone isn't fully healed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Allowing him to return is an understandable risk considering Green Bay have (barely) kept themselves in the playoff hunt in his absence, but it's a risk nonetheless.Now, the Packers shouldn't ask Rodgers to eliminate what makes him special. His legs and creativity outside the pocket are deadly weapons, but should become complementary facets of his game rather the bedrock.Rodgers is more than capable of living much more exclusively in the pocket and taking advantage of the protections quarterbacks - especially star ones like himself - enjoy between the tackles.The Packers' resurgent run game, led by rookie Jamaal Williams, can allow Rodgers to play with less weight on his shoulders. Meanwhile, head coach Mike McCarthy can help his quarterback transition by adapting the offense - just as he did for Brett Hundley - to incorporate shorter drops, quicker reads, and more reliance on an up-tempo, no-huddle system.After a depressing season dominated by injuries, the NFL world deserves to see the best player in football play in his usual dominant fashion and send the NFC side of the playoffs into beautiful chaos. However, it also deserves Rodgers for five, six, or seven more seasons - even if it means seeing less of what made him such a joy to watch.The development of Aaron Rodgers 2.0 should start now.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard surprised his girlfriend, model Chanel Iman, with a birthday party and a proposal earlier in December, but Odell Beckham Jr. nearly ruined the big day.Shepard told The Post Game's Jeff Eisenband he informed all his teammates ahead of time that he was planning on popping the question."(Beckham) was the last one that I told, but he was the main one that I wanted to see what he was going to say," Shepard said. "He was just like, 'Man, I'm proud of you, brother. It's a huge step to take and I'm proud of you, but I'm not doing it any time soon.'"

Aaron Rodgers was cleared to return to action Tuesday, which has led many in the football community to believe the 7-6 Green Bay Packers will run the table over the final three weeks and reach the playoffs.It's a popular opinion due to Rodgers' propensity for heroics - and considering Green Bay won its final six games last season to finish 10-6 and win the NFC North - but it's far more unlikely than most think.Related: Rodgers says he isn't going to single-handedly save Packers with returnAs things currently stand entering Week 15, the Packers have just a 7.5 percent chance of making the playoffs.As the ninth seed in the NFC - tied with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys at 7-6 - Green Bay also has to vault the Atlanta Falcons, who are 8-5 and hold the sixth and final playoff spot, and the 8-5 Seattle Seahawks.How can they do it?For starters, the Packers must win their final three games. Seems simple enough, but their schedule wraps up with dates against fellow playoff hopefuls.The first is road game against the 9-4 Carolina Panthers, followed by a Sunday night battle with the 10-3 Minnesota Vikings, and then finally an NFC North showdown against the rival Lions in Detroit .Should the Packers pull out those contests, a three-game winning streak would give them a 93 percent chance at reaching the postseason.That's all Green Bay can control. The rest is up to a host of other teams. So, what else has to happen?In the absolute best-case scenario, the Vikings would not only lose to the Packers, but also their two other games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears. In that case, Minnesota and Green Bay would both finish 10-6, but the Pack would win the NFC North due to their superior division record.That's the simplest and most cut-and-dry way for Green Bay to extend its playoff streak to a ninth season.If the Vikings win just one more game the rest of the way, however, the Packers will need a combination of the following results:Panthers lose one more game: Three NFC South teams are currently in contention for the two wild-card spots. The Packers need either the New Orleans Saints or Atlanta Falcons to win the division, leaving the Panthers as a wild-card contender.If the Packers beat the Panthers on Sunday, that would be their only win against the three South division teams and give them a leg up over Carolina in the wild-card race. If both teams end the season at 10-6, the Packers would therefore own the tiebreaker.Seahawks lose, preferably to the Rams: The 10-6 Packers would need the Seahawks to finish 10-6 or worse in order to leapfrog them in the standings. Green Bay owns the head-to-head tiebreaker by virtue of its 17-9 victory over Seattle in Week 1.The hope from Wisconsin would be for Seattle to lose Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. The Packers' best path would be battling the Seahawks for a playoff spot instead of the Rams, who would have to lose twice and will finish their schedule against the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers.Falcons lose two games, preferably to the Buccaneers and Saints: Only one NFC South team can win the division. In the event Atlanta is not that team, it would be a favorite for a wild-card berth.In order for the Packers to overtake them, the Falcons would have to lose twice, ideally against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Saints over the next two weeks.So, the Pack can land anywhere from No. 3 to No. 6 in the conference under these scenarios. But, for the second year in a row, their playoff hopes largely rest on their ability to run the table.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey didn't waste any time pointing out who's to blame for the franchise's current woes.A week into his new gig, Dorsey skewered previous regimes while speaking to Aaron Goldhammer of WKNR 850 on Thursday morning."You know what? You've got to get a guy like (head coach Hue Jackson) players," Dorsey said, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "And you know what? I'll come straight out with it. The guys who were here before, that system, they didn't get real players."The Browns fired executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown earlier in December. He came aboard at the same time as Jackson and went 1-27 over the past two seasons.Though Brown was tasked with supplying the coach with players, much of his staff - which made up the "system" Dorsey referred to - remains with the organization, including chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta.Nonetheless, Dorsey made it clear he believes the team's failings lie with the roster composition, rather than Jackson's coaching."As Bill Parcells would always say, 'You are your record.' There it is, so that's the truth-teller in this thing," he said. "And I'm going to do my darnedest to get Hue players. And that's all I can ask for, that's all I'm going to do. I like the man."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

EA Sports rolled out several new features for the latest installment of the Madden NFL gaming series, including its first-ever story mode titled "Longshot" and another mode called "Play Now LIVE."In this parody video from The Kicker, Madden 18 users are introduced to the new "NFL Owner Mode," which allows them to do everything from "conning taxpayers into funding a stadium," choosing how many houses to own, or threatening relocation.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Covers.com is the biggest and best source for sports betting information, providing unrivaled and original content sports bettors cannot live without.Feels like -22.

A run of solid matchups on Thursday Night Football comes to an end this week with a basement-dwelling showdown between the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts on the slate.The two teams are a combined 7-19 this season and have nothing to play for but pride the rest of the way.Usually, games without stakes are ones to stay away from, but with only three weeks of the season left, this one is worth a look.The wager: Denver Broncos (-2.5) at Indianapolis ColtsIt's generally wise to avoid betting the road team on Thursday Night Football, especially one that is 0-6 away from home this season, but the Broncos are the side to wager on this week.Denver finally snapped its eight-game losing streak with a 23-0 shutout of the New York Jets on Sunday, receiving competent quarterback play from Trevor Siemian in the process. Perhaps what was most encouraging was the return of the once-dominant defense, holding the Jets to a paltry 100 total yards of offense in the win.The Colts played in a blizzard and lost in overtime to the Buffalo Bills, which means they head to Thursday's game with the cards stacked against them.

New York Giants owner John Mara provided a candid critique of the NFL's concussion protocol, noting that errors have been made in its application through the 2017 season.The league, along with the NFLPA, is investigating whether the protocol was properly applied to hits on Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage, prompting questions about whether the safety measure is being used effectively."Whenever you're dealing with human beings there's going to be mistakes made," Mara said Wednesday via NFL.com. "And there were mistakes made there. They haven't completed their investigation yet. But in almost every case with the concussion protocol, we get it right. But those we get wrong end up being highly publicized and that's what ended up here."Mara said the NFL should aim to be perfect when applying the protocol."There were some breakdowns there which they're still looking into," Mara said. "You want to be perfect but when you're dealing with human beings and emotions of the game sometimes mistakes are going to be made."Although the concussion protocol is meant to limit the effects of brain trauma, there have been errors this year, and Mara is correct to point out the flaws in an ever-evolving system.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts will debut their Color Rush uniforms against the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football, perhaps prompting some to wonder what took so long.The Colts will be wearing a beautiful all-blue uniform with the team's customary white stripes attached.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy doesn't want his team to be filled with "a bunch of false confidence" from the return of Aaron Rodgers this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, and the quarterback is echoing that sentiment.While many have assumed Rodgers' return will automatically elevate the Packers, the star passer humbly declined that he can get his team to the postseason on his own."Hopefully, it gives a lift to some of the guys, but I'm not coming back to save this team," Rodgers said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "I'm coming back to play quarterback the way I know how to play it. Hopefully, we all raise the level of our play collectively and find a way to win these three games."McCarthy has been adamant the Packers will not alter their play-calling or general offensive strategy to adjust to any limitations their QB may face."I feel confident I will be able to go out there and play the way I've always played, but I've been off for seven games and been out for a while," Rodgers said. "So, it's going to take getting out there, getting that first pass, getting that first hit, and I'll probably settle in."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley believes someone may have altered his sample which caused him to fail a test for performance-enhancing drugs.Or something, rather.Kerley, who was suspended four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances in November, had a convenient excuse for his indiscretion."I don’t know, a lot of ghosts around here. Ghost put it in. You know the Ghost of Christmas Past," Kerley said to Newsday's Calvin Watkins when asked about the failed test.Count this among the more bizarre explanations for a positive drug test.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson spoke candidly about his involvement in an altercation with Jacksonville Jaguars fans after being ejected from Sunday's game.Jefferson tried to climb into the stands and was restrained after being struck by debris on multiple occasions.Seahawks defensive lineman Jarran Reed alleged that Jefferson had been called a racial slur. Jefferson said he didn't know if that was the case, although the fans in question insulted his family."I honestly don't know," Jefferson said to ESPN's Brady Henderson. "There was a lot of people saying a lot of stuff, so I really didn't tune into anything in particular. There was really only one thing I tuned into in particular. Somebody said they was going to have sex with my mother. That's the only thing I really can really remember. There was a lot of yelling."No suspensions will be issued as a result of the altercation, although Jefferson could be fined. The Jaguars also stated they would ban the four assailants from purchasing tickets.Jefferson said his family was particularly upset by the incident."It was a little hard," he said. "It was even worse because I've got kids. My kids seen it, my wife seen it, and she was upset about it and everything. I felt even more for them because they had to watch that stuff."Jefferson said he's moved on from last week's skirmish, and is focused on Sunday's key divisional battle against the Los Angeles Rams."It was just one of them things. It's unfortunate. I wish it didn't get that far, wish it didn't happen, but it's one of them things that happened. We've got to learn from it, and then ultimately we've got to move on from it. We're getting ready for L.A."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Few professional athletes are as polite as Marcus Mariota.The Tennessee Titans quarterback started his Wednesday media availability by apologizing for how he acted after Sunday's 12-7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals."Real quick, I want to say I am sorry for the way (I) handled the press conference,” Mariota said, according to team writer Jim Wyatt. "I know not everybody that was there is here. But I was rude and inappropriate, and I just want to say I apologize for it."It's funny, because I got an earful from my mom. That’s how I was raised and I appreciate you guys for understanding."It's still unclear what Mariota said that warranted the apology, but watch for yourself here to try to find what his mother scolded him for:

Ezekiel Elliott is one game away from returning to the Dallas Cowboys after his six-game suspension, and he has big plans for when he gets back on the field.Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson said he's been in contact with Elliott during his suspension and the two have a wager over how successful he'll be in Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks."He'll be ready. Me and him have a personal bet when he comes back," Dickerson told TMZ on Wednesday. "He says that he's going to get 200 yards in his return. And I told him, I said 'no.'"Dickerson said if Elliott meets the mark, he'll have to give the younger runner one of his "special jerseys" and the retiree will have to wear a Cowboys No. 21 jersey on air. If Elliott falls short, he'll have to give Dickerson the jersey from that game.Elliott has yet to rush for 200 yards in a game, but he has eclipsed the mark in terms of all-purpose yards twice through 23 career contests.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After being named in a lawsuit by a former NFL Network employee, Warren Sapp is not denying the accusation that he gave sex toys to co-workers while employed by the network. However, he does not see what was wrong with his actions.The lawsuit alleges he gifted sex toys "three years in a row," and also that Sapp urinated in front of the former employee, Jami Cantor. Sapp appeared on WINZ-AM radio on Wednesday, admitting there is truth to Cantor's allegations but defending his behavior."I'm still trying to figure out where’s the sexual harassment?" said Sapp, according to A.J. Perez of USA TODAY Sports. "I did walk in the bathroom, but I did not urinate in front of her ..."Where is the harassment at? I'm the notorious one. I'm always the bad guy. That's why I'm in here today. Ain't no #MeToo, nothing. No sexual harassment. You are not going to put that on me."Related: NFL Network sexual harassment lawsuit being taken very seriously, says GoodellOn Wednesday afternoon, Sapp tweeted a photo of the product - a sex toy disguised as a lipstick - he sent as a gift, saying he thought it was cute and had "nothing to do with sex"."We were sitting there around Christmas time and everybody brought a Christmas gift, a little holiday joy for everybody," Sapp said. "So, my man had made a little novelty thing that looked like mascara, eyeliner, and different things. Little toys for ladies that move around a little bit. I showed them pictures and (the makeup artists) said bring me some, so I brought them some for the makeup ladies."Sapp also added his "CTE acts up sometimes."The Pro Football Hall of Famer was fired from the NFL Network in 2015 after he was arrested on suspicion of soliciting a prostitute and assault on the day of Super Bowl XLIX. He was named in the lawsuit along with Marshall Faulk, Heath Evans, Ike Taylor, and Donovan McNabb.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell appears focused on just one opponent this season: The New England Patriots.Bell and the Steelers square off against the Patriots this week in what is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year, with both teams fighting for the AFC's top seed.Last season, Bell suffered a groin injury during the AFC Championship Game and believes the result could've been different had he stayed in the contest. The Patriots won 36-17 and went on to capture their second Super Bowl in three years."I just felt like I missed (an) opportunity to get to a Super Bowl," Bell said Wednesday via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "When this year came around, we saw the schedules and everything, I knew had another opportunity if I was being healthy and playing the Pats again. It's good. The opportunity is here."Bell has rushed for a league-high 1,105 yards and seven touchdowns on 283 attempts, adding 75 receptions for 579 yards and two touchdowns.With the Steelers and Patriots once again emerging as the class of the AFC, Bell is looking ahead to their impending showdown and believes the teams are evenly matched."This is the game everyone has been waiting to see," Bell said. "It's the No. 1 and 2 teams in the AFC going at it head to head. This is obviously a game that a lot of people, even before the season started, probably circled on their calendars. I'll definitely embrace the game. The Patriots are the team that's always in the hunt for the Super Bowl ... I think it will be more so of whoever executes better. They have players who can make plays. We have players who can make plays. It depends on who makes the plays and when they make them."In a game that features two leading MVP candidates in Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, along with Bell being bent on revenge, Sunday's game could be an instant classic.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If you're a Carolina Panthers fan who cringes every time Cam Newton takes off running, the star quarterback has some bad news for you.After a career low rushing performance in 2016, coaches hoped to protect their franchise quarterback more. He averaged just 18 rushing yards per game over the first five weeks, attempting 29 carries while the Panthers struggled for big plays.The 28-year-old has increased his rushing over the last eight games and feels that embracing his rushing ability is necessary to give him an "edge," especially when he watches the rest of the league's passers."You know, Ben Roethlisberger the other night had a monster game. He threw the ball 66 times. No facade. Sixty-six," Newton said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Jodie Valde. "I'm looking and I'm saying to myself, 'That's not me.' And taking nothing against the Pittsburgh Steelers because they are an unbelievable team, they're very fun to watch. But for me, we have to run the football. That's our niche as an offense..."You have to understand certain things. That's my edge. You don't expect a lion not to roar."Newton's 585 rushing yards on 100 attempts is well above his total of 359 from last year. Having lost just once in the last six games, Newton is on pace for the most rushing yards since his career-high of 741 in 2012.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appears to have put his beef with commissioner Roger Goodell behind him, but he's still intent on making some key changes to the shape of the league.Jones previously raised concerns about Goodell's contract extension, which will keep him as commissioner until March 2024."I know how much Roger Goodell loves the National Football League and he should love it even more right now," Jones said via NFL.com. "He does love this league, there's no question of that in my mind. He's been very good to (the) league."As with any organization of any type whether it be business, social, or otherwise, you have to evolve and make changes. And frankly (that's what) this has been about."Despite putting his point of contention aside, Jones is lobbying for Goodell and the league's owners to make constitutional changes to improve the quality of the NFL going forward."This bunch (of owners) is the most qualified people I know to set the course ... for the future of this league," Jones said via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "That's going to take some constitutional changes. One of the things that we’ve agreed to, and this process did or didn’t influence it, but we’ve agreed to really address this league for some constitutional changes that is the real way to address not only the commissioner and some of these issues, on all areas, that’s the real way to address it is right there on how you affect decisions."Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank added that Jones won't be fighting with Goodell going forward and that his colleague is merely passionate about the league's affairs."I don't know that there's a rift going forward," Blank said via ESPN. "I think that Jerry, he loves the league, he loves the Cowboys, he's very passionate about issues that he cares deeply about, which is great. I think it's important to have different voices in the room."Goodell seems completely at peace with his role as commissioner and doesn't appear to feel any animosity toward Jones or any of the NFL's other owners."That's how we operate in the league. We have different views that make us stronger," Goodell said. "I respect that, I respect Jerry, I respect everyone else in that room. They all have strong views about the way we do things, and I think that's made us successful."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.