Before going down with a season-ending knee injury, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz looked like the front-runner for league MVP honors, and if you were starting a team from scratch, Wentz would be the guy you want to build your team around.He will be dearly missed, but does the injury ruin Philadelphia’s Super Bowl aspirations?Of course, it is a setback. In fact, it is a massive setback. But all is not lost for the Eagles; they're fortunate to have one of the better backup quarterbacks in the sport in Nick Foles. It also helps that, at 11-2 - the best record in the NFC - the foundation has already been poured for the Eagles to rest during Wild Card Weekend and then possibly host every playoff game thereafter.The Eagles' next game is on the road against a Giants team that recently fired its head coach and GM. They then have a home date against a lackluster Raiders team with huge problems on the defensive side of the ball. The Eagles finish the regular season in Philadelphia against a Cowboys team playing much better of late. Dallas will also be rejuvenated with Ezekiel Elliott back in the fold.Philadelphia should finish the regular season with a 13-3 record give or take, and that should be good enough for a first-round bye, giving Foles more time to practice with the starters before they traverse the playoffs.There certainly is a difference between Wentz and Foles, though. Wentz is the total package, both physically and mentally. Foles is much slower and more deliberate with everything he does and certainly doesn’t offer the out-of-structure playmaking skills or run threat that Wentz brings to the table.Foles is a pure pocket passer that will absolutely stand in and take a big hit to make a throw. Foles will not create the 'wow' plays we have come to expect from Wentz, and his passes lack Wentz’s zip and velocity. Where the drop-off is significant is on third downs and in the red zone, where Wentz’s production was simply off the charts this year.Foles throws the ball well enough, though, and has about double as many touchdowns as he has interceptions over his career. However, his touchdown-to-interception numbers are skewed by an unsustainable 2013 season with Chip Kelly when Foles threw 27 touchdowns against a measly two interceptions.If you eliminate that season, Foles' ratio becomes 29/25, which is much less rosy. Protecting the football will be of the utmost importance for Foles now as the Eagles will have to rely even more on their defense and running game with Wentz out of the picture. But all is not lost.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Foles’ supporting cast is excellent. If there is a roster that can withstand such a huge loss, it is Philadelphia’s. This front office has done an excellent job of building a complete team. It would be great to still have Jason Peters, but otherwise, this is a complete offense with an excellent line. Foles can rely heavily on the team's quality and diverse weapons as well as a deep, potent backfield.On defense, the Eagles have an exceptional front seven led by the league’s deepest defensive line. Their cornerbacks, once a weakness, have collectively come on strong as an overall playmaking unit.What tactical approaches can Philadelphia take to help their new starting quarterback and remain highly competitive the rest of the way? Foles has had to endure playing for many different coaches in many different systems throughout his career, but the Eagles' offense is quite quarterback friendly.This is an offense that relies on Run/Pass Options (RPOs), which is something Foles should execute very well. In fact, Foles was at his best with Kelly in an offense that relied on RPOs.Expect Jay Ajayi's role to grow. Ajayi can be a workhorse, showing his ability to carry the load last year with Miami. He was impressive in his expanded role last week. Ajayi is at his best with a high amount of volume, and while the rest of Philadelphia’s running back stable has been effective, unleashing Ajayi for the rest of the season and into the playoffs seems like a logical move at this point.He is averaging just under seven yards per carry in an Eagles uniform over the last five games. The Eagles already have the NFL’s second most rushing attempts, but many of those have come late in games when Philadelphia has a substantial lead. Ajayi is poised to become the true foundation of Philadelphia’s offense with Wentz sidelined, and he is up for the giant task.Also, if the Eagles were to get past a difficult slate of NFC playoff opponents, they could be in the driver’s seat to win it all. The AFC is clearly the weaker of the two conferences.Pittsburgh and New England look much more beatable now than they did just a week ago - the Steelers defense is a huge problem area and the Patriots were just beaten soundly by the now 6-7 Dolphins. The goal shouldn’t be just getting to the Super Bowl, it should still be to win it all.The Eagles are sitting pretty right now in the NFC playoff picture. The Vikings (led by a backup quarterback of their own in Case Keenum) lost in Carolina in Week 14, which helped Philadelphia’s cause. The Eagles might have to follow the Vikings' model with a backup QB, which, evidently, can be successful. Losing Wentz sure didn't help the Eagles' cause, but they are still squarely in the title hunt.Matt 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.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns was one of seven NFL players asked recently for their thoughts on CTE and concussions by Sports Illustrated, and he delivered the most chilling of responses.When asked, "If a test to diagnose CTE existed, would you take it?" the 22-year-old said he didn't have to take the test because he knows the results."I definitely know I have it. I’m going to (test positive for) CTE. I don’t need a test," Burns said, who's in his second NFL season. "Is it going to tell me how much I have? We play a physical sport, man. Humans are not made to run into each other."Along with Burns, veterans Kirk Cousins, Tahir Whitehead, Ryan Kalil, Chris Long, Dion Jordan, and Michael Bennett were asked for their thoughts. Only Jordan said he wouldn't take a CTE test if one were available, though he said he would want to know once he retired.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL isn't attempting to sweep a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former employee under the rug.Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the allegations Wednesday at a press conference at the NFL owners' meetings, stating that league employees are expected to treat each other with respect."We take that very seriously," Goodell said Wednesday, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "Those are issues that are important to us, to make sure all of our employees, at the network, the league office, the clubs, are working in a safe and comfortable environment."Any time that doesn't exist we’re going to make sure we deal with that very quickly and very seriously."The former NFL Network employee named former players Marshall Faulk, Ike Taylor, Heath Evans, Warren Sapp, Donovan McNabb, and executive Eric Weinberger in her lawsuit, claiming that all made inappropriate sexual advances toward her. All the accused have either been suspended by NFL Network or no longer work there.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Roger Goodell offered some clarification Wednesday after a statement from NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart that the commissioner would retire after his contract ends in 2024."I haven't made any determinations," Goodell said about retiring at the owners meetings, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Goodell has been NFL commissioner since 2006 and signed a five-year extension earlier this week worth roughly $40 million per year through 2024.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Head coach Bruce Arians doesn't know if Adrian Peterson will be back in an Arizona Cardinals uniform this season.Arians said he has "no idea" if Peterson, who has missed the last two games with a neck injury, will return for his team's final three contests, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Peterson, in his 11th season, has rushed for 448 yards with two touchdowns in six games for the Cardinals this year after being traded from the New Orleans Saints. This is the fourth time in five seasons that Peterson has not been active for all 16 games.The 32-year-old could easily be cut by the Cardinals after the season as he will have a $3.5-million cap hit with no money guaranteed.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is not going to change his game after serving a one-week suspension for a helmet-to-helmet hit against Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict.In his first media availability since being suspended, the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie was apologetic for standing over Burfict and taunting, but he still feels "it was a good hit."

A New Orleans Saints season-ticket holder is suing the team over players protesting during the national anthem, but one protester doesn't seem too worried about the repercussions.The ticket-holder, Lee Dragna, says kneeling players have made Saints games less enjoyable for him and his family, claiming him and other fans "do not find these protests entertaining," according to USA TODAY Sports' Kevin Spain and A.J. Perez."Apparently, these players were following the lead of Colin Kaepernick by disrespecting the flag, the Anthem; the USA and those who have served and are serving the USA in our military," argued Dragna in the lawsuit.Saints running back Mark Ingram noted Tuesday that Dragna, who said he has only attended the Saints' home opener in Week 2, hasn't been paying attention to the team's protesting, as no protests have occurred on home turf.

New York Giants co-owner John Mara confirmed at owner meetings on Wednesday that he wants to see quarterback Eli Manning back with the team for the 2018 season, per Albert Breer of MMQB.Mara did note that the new general manager and head coach will be involved in the decision and another quarterback could be drafted. The Giants will begin interviews for the vacant GM job next week, Mara told Bob Glauber of Newsday on Wednesday.The Giants owner was reportedly furious over how his team's image was sullied following former head coach Ben McAdoo's handling of Manning in Week 13.McAdoo and GM Jerry Reese were fired after the Giants lost with Geno Smith at the helm. Manning returned to the starting lineup the next week.Manning, 36, has two years remaining on his current contract after this season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The recent five-year extension signed by Roger Goodell will be his last contract, as the NFL commissioner will retire at the conclusion of the deal in 2024.NFL spokesperson Joe Lockhart, who confirmed the news to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, said Goodell will spend time helping to identify his successor before he departs.The 58-year-old signed the five-year extension last week, which could be worth as much as $40 million annually should he meet all of the deal's incentives.He has been in the position since 2006, replacing Paul Tagliabue after years serving as the league's chief operating officer.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Drew Brees has helped ensure children of all abilities will have a place to play in New Orleans.The Saints quarterback partnered with the Audubon Nature Institute to open Walnut Street Playground - the first "fully inclusive" playground in the city that includes features designed for children with mobility and sensory challenges.Brees and his family were on hand for the opening Tuesday.

One of the major talking points in sports media Wednesday was what appeared to be an elaborate hoax - that the Washington Redskins had changed their name to the "Redhawks."The hoax surfaced with fabricated news releases from fake ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Washington Redhawks outlets.

Carson Wentz is lost for the season, but the Philadelphia Eagles got some good news on the injury front Wednesday, as Zach Ertz has cleared the concussion protocol."He's good to go," head coach Doug Pederson told Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports.Ertz, who has missed two games this season, remains fourth among tight ends in receiving yards and is the Eagles' best red-zone threat. Only Jimmy Graham has more touchdown passes at the tight end position.The Eagles host the Giants this weekend - a team Ertz had eight catches for 55 yards and a touchdown against earlier this season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

AFCFresh off a 506-yard passing performance against the Baltimore Ravens, Ben Roethlisberger won his 15th career AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback completed 44 of 66 passes in the victory and became the first player in NFL history to have three career 500-yard passing games.Not only did Xavien Howard intercept Tom Brady in the Miami Dolphins' stunning win over the New England Patriots on Monday - he did it twice, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in the process. He's the fourth Dolphins defensive back in history to win the award.Jaydon Mickens was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season thanks to a key 72-yard punt return in the Jacksonville Jaguars' win over the Seattle Seahawks. Mickens also claimed the honor earlier this year after a 63-yard punt-return touchdown against the Bengals.NFCJonathan Stewart scored three rushing touchdowns for the first time in his career, and the Carolina Panthers running back was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. It's the second time the veteran has received the honor, with the first coming in 2009.Deion Jones sealed the Atlanta Falcons' win on Thursday with an acrobatic interception in the end zone off Drew Brees, and grabbed the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award as a result. The former LSU star also recorded 13 tackles in the win that kept the Falcons in the hunt for the NFC South title.Trevor Davis of the Green Bay Packers took home NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after his crucial 65-yard punt return in the fourth quarter set up the tying touchdown against the Cleveland Browns. The Packers eventually emerged victorious in overtime.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.1. New England Patriots (10-3)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan1211Previous Rank: 1stTom Brady lost his semi-annual game in Miami on Monday. If we've learned one thing about No. 12 over the years, this defeat will only serve as motivation. - Sanderson2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan2122Previous Rank: 5thAntonio Brown is building a worthy case for MVP and the Steelers now find themselves in the AFC's driver seat. - McClymont3. Minnesota Vikings (10-3)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan4433Previous Rank: 2ndYou didn't actually think the Case Keenum-led Vikings wouldn't suffer another loss this season, did you? Even with that defeat to the Panthers, the division is all but secured and the first seed in the NFC is still within reach. - McClymont4. Los Angeles Rams (9-4)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan3344Previous Rank: 4thSeattle remains the class of the NFC West until Los Angeles can knock them off, making Sunday's game a philosophical and practical must-win for one of the NFL's most fun teams. - Srinivasan5. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan5555Previous Rank: 8thPut your hand up if you thought the Jaguars would have a shot at the AFC's top seed with three weeks left in the regular season. ... Anyone? - Browne6. New Orleans Saints (9-4)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan6666Previous Rank: 6thNew Orleans shouldn't be too disheartened by the close divisional loss to the Falcons, especially after losing Alvin Kamara for most of the game. They might be the NFC's most well-rounded outfit. - Browne7. Carolina Panthers (9-4)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan7789Previous Rank: 10thIt hasn't always been pretty for Cam Newton this season, but the superstar has come through when it counts. His 62-yard run to seal the win over the Vikings was spectacular. - Browne8. Atlanta Falcons (8-5)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan89117Previous Rank: 9thThe Falcons' fate, and that of the NFC South, will be decided in their final two games of the season (at Saints, vs. Panthers). But Atlanta can't afford to look past Tampa Bay in Week 15. - Browne9. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan101098Previous Rank: 7thRussell Wilson may be in the MVP race, but the Seahawks will be doomed if Bobby Wagner misses any time. - Srinivasan10. Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan981011Previous Rank: 12thThe Chargers are peaking at the perfect time, with their chances of making the playoffs increasing with each big win as the regular season reaches the home stretch. - Srinivasan11. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan1112710Previous Rank: 3rdThere are not many things to say about Carson Wentz's injury. It sucks, and the Eagles' chances with Nick Foles at the helm do too. - Sanderson12. Baltimore Ravens (7-6)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan12111713Previous Rank: 11thThat might have been an all-time choke job Sunday against the hated Steelers, but with three easy games left on their schedule, the Ravens could find their way to a playoff rematch. - McClymont13. Kansas City Chiefs (7-6)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan14151212Previous Rank: 16thKansas City isn't falling apart just yet, but it'll need to use its final three weeks to avoid one of the most spectacular collapses in recent memory. - Srinivasan14. Dallas Cowboys (7-6)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan13131315Previous Rank: 14thThe running game is heating up and Ezekiel Elliott is one game away from returning. The Cowboys may just pull this off if they get some more help in the NFC race. - Sanderson15. Detroit Lions (7-6)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan15161514Previous Rank: 17thWhat was that about an injured hand? Matthew Stafford had the second-most passing yards of Week 14 after he threw the ball 44 times. The Lions will need more of that to vault back into a playoff spot. - McClymont16. Tennessee Titans (8-5)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan16141417Previous Rank: 13thWhen will the Titans realize they have a sports car they're treating like an old jalopy? Marcus Mariota hasn't been good this year, but his scheme and coaches are most at fault. - Browne17. Green Bay Packers (7-6)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan18171618Previous Rank: 19thJamaal Williams deserves the credit for keeping the Packers afloat in Aaron Rodgers' absence. The rookie running back put up 545 total yards and five touchdowns in the last five weeks. - McClymont18. Buffalo Bills (7-6)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan17181916Previous Rank: 18thSnow games are fun. The Bills being in the playoff race is fun. Now, let's not think about all the things that need to fall into place for them to actually make it. - Sanderson19. Oakland Raiders (6-7)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan20212019Previous Rank: 15thWhat happened to Derek Carr and who was he replaced with? - Srinivasan20. Miami Dolphins (6-7)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan19231822Previous Rank: 25thMiami gets its biggest win of the season over the Patriots to keep its playoff hopes alive, thanks to Jay Cutler. There's a sentence you wouldn't have believed a month ago. - Sanderson21. Washington Redskins (5-8)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan22202121Previous Rank: 20thThe Chargers outgained Washington 488-201 on Sunday. So no, it wasn't close. - Sanderson22. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan21222220Previous Rank: 22ndIt's a shame that standout campaigns from Chandler Jones and Larry Fitzgerald will go to waste with the Cardinals stuck in another mediocre season. - Srinivasan23. New York Jets (5-8)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan23192824Previous Rank: 21stWe're about to find out just how much Josh McCown was holding things together in New York. With three playoff-caliber teams up next, it won't be pretty. - Sanderson24. Houston Texans (4-9)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan27252523Previous Rank: 24thThe NFL's concussion protocol failed once again, this time allowing Tom Savage to return after a scary reaction to a hit. The Texans will want to forget most of 2017 existed. - Browne25. Chicago Bears (4-9)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan24272425Previous Rank: 27thDid you know Jordan Howard recorded his second consecutive 1,000-yard season and is fourth in the league in rushing? Maybe he won't be slept on again next year. - McClymont26. Cincinnati Bengals (5-8)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan26243026Previous Rank: 23rdWith nothing left to look forward to, the Bengals should spend these final three weeks running Joe Mixon into the ground. - McClymont27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan28292327Previous Rank: 26thOne question should dominate Tampa's offseason: Is Jameis Winston a franchise centerpiece? - Browne28. San Francisco 49ers (3-10)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan25282728Previous Rank: 29thJimmy Garoppolo is building a strong rapport with Marquise Goodwin. Though it's too late for the 49ers this year, they have to be optimistic about their rebuild entering 2018. - Srinivasan29. Denver Broncos (4-9)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan29262629Previous Rank: 30thDenver blanked New York 23-0 but it's too little, too late for one of the year's most disappointing teams. - Srinivasan30. Indianapolis Colts (3-10)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan30302930Previous Rank: 28thThe Colts snatched defeat from the jaws of victory once again in a snow-filled affair with the Bills. The bright side? Indy is a lock for a top-five pick now. - Browne31. New York Giants (2-11)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan31313131Previous Rank: 31stDid you guys see the Giants fan with the "All I want for Xmas is Eli" sign? That was so sad. - Sanderson32. Cleveland Browns (0-13)BrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan32323232Previous Rank: 32ndJosh Gordon is certainly fun to watch. Seeing the Browns blow another shot at victory was not. - McClymontCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As surprisingly well as Brett Hundley has played the last few weeks, it's safe to say the Green Bay Packers are happy to have Aaron Rodgers back in their huddle.After the star quarterback announced his medical clearance via social media Tuesday night, some of his teammates immediately took to Twitter to express their joy.

The table is set and ready to be run.Aaron Rodgers announced via Instagram that he has been medically cleared from his broken collarbone and will play in the Green Bay Packers' matchup with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

About this time last year, Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars were coming off their eighth straight loss of the season with playoff hopes in the rearview mirror and a head coach firing on the horizon.It was all but assumed the former third overall pick's days as the team's starting quarterback were numbered following his third straight losing campaign.The promotion of interim head coach Doug Marrone and return of Tom Coughlin to Jacksonville as vice president of football operations somehow earned Bortles another chance as management planned to lean on solid defensive play and a heavy rushing attack. That did little to instill confidence in the minds of fans and media, who had been assuming the Jaguars would move on to a free-agent veteran or one of the many high-profile college passers.However, those fans and media also assumed that Bortles would be the pin that popped the Jaguars' balloon.The array of talent across the Jaguars' defense and within their receiving and running back corps is undeniably enough to warrant a playoff spot. What's surprising though, is that Bortles is playing his part, too. As such, the Jaguars are right where they should be - atop the AFC South, one game back of a playoff bye.The 6-foot-5 passer is playing the best football of his pro career, and more importantly, has managed to kick his habit of producing an abundance of game-losing turnovers. Bortles has turned the ball over multiple times just twice this season, going 1-1 in those contests.Last Sunday, the 25-year-old won the biggest game of his career, knocking off the Seattle Seahawks with a two-touchdown, 268-yard performance while averaging 9.9 yards per attempt. Over the last seven contests, Bortles has helped the team to a 6-1 record, throwing eight touchdowns to just three interceptions.WeekOpponentComp.Att.YardsTDsINTs7at IND1826330108BYE9vs. CIN24382591010vs. LAC28512731211at CLE17301541012at ARI*19331600113vs. IND26353092014vs. SEA182726820*Also had two rushing TDs in a 27-24 loss (only loss of stretch)While the league's second-ranked defense and top-rated running game will receive the bulk of the credit for the wins, Bortles is doing his job for the Jaguars - not losing the game.That may not be the best compliment, but it's all Bortles may need to do keep his position as Jacksonville's starting quarterback. Those options that some were assuming before the season to be automatic upgrades over Bortles aren't looking so obvious anymore.The Jaguars have gone too long into this season without Bortles messing things up to secure a draft pick that would be high enough to get one of the more polished quarterbacks like Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold. It's possible that a high-ceiling passer will be available with their late first-round pick or in the later rounds, but with the current win-now state of the franchise, a step backward may not be the best bet.It's unlikely that Jacksonville will be interested in shelling out the big bucks to attract a veteran name like Kirk Cousins or Drew Brees as its run-first offense doesn't need a star under center. Upcoming contracts to defensive contributors will also require plenty of cap room. Assuming the Minnesota Vikings retain Case Keenum, potential free-agent passers Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater are coming off major injuries. Eli Manning and Alex Smith are rumored to possibly be on the trade market, but the Jaguars would need to outbid other clubs to pry either way.Bortles' name has been dragged through the mud over the first three years of his career, due in large part to his overly candid quotes and comically bad play. The NFL world has become accustomed to scoffing at the notion of Bortles as a top quarterback - a bold statement that his teammate Leonard Fournette suggested last Sunday.With one year remaining on his rookie contract after this season, Bortles has not lived up to the top-three draft status that Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, Andrew Luck, and Marcus Mariota have set. But having helped the Jaguars to their first winning season since 2007 by reducing the high turnover numbers that set back his first three years, it's time to stop talking about Bortles as if he's a dead man walking. He may be here for a while.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)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 early rankings for Week 15.Updated rankings (including PPR) will be released Thursday, with the final version coming down Sunday morning.Standard

Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage made his first public remarks since Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers when he appeared to be knocked into a seizure but almost immediately returned to the game, before exiting with a concussion.Savage wanted to make it clear that head coach Bill O'Brien, who said he wouldn't have let the quarterback return had he seen the video of the hit, was not at fault for allowing him to re-enter the contest.

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson believes he's living with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - the degenerative brain disease found in many ex-football players.Johnson chronicled several behavioral abnormalities he's experienced over the last number of years to The Washington Post's Kent Babb, which convinced him he has the condition. CTE can only be diagnosed after death, though researchers are looking for a way to detect it earlier.In one story, Johnson said he sometimes gets an urge to jump off the rooftop deck of an apartment building. Johnson also said he gets frequent headaches, is triggered by bright lights or noise, and is struggling with a deteriorating memory, among other issues.Johnson, 38, played eight years in the NFL, most of them for the Chiefs, with whom he was a two-time Pro Bowler. He played his last game in 2011 as a member of the Miami Dolphins.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth spent his 36th birthday giving back to a local elementary school.Whitworth stopped by Grape Street Elementary on Tuesday morning to present every student at the school with a new bicycle.

The Washington Redskins are putting an end to tight end Jordan Reed's 2017 season, placing the veteran on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on Tuesday.Two seasons removed from his 952-yard, 11-touchdown performance, the 2016 Pro Bowler caught just 27 passes for 211 yards with two scores in six games this year, before being forced to miss every contest since Week 8. Reed dealt with the hamstring issue in training camp and was not able to shake the injury this season.The Redskins, who sit 12th in the NFC standings, also sent running back Byron Marshall and linebacker Chris Carter to injured reserve.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cam Newton is unique.The Carolina Panthers star quarterback is a rare physical specimen the likes of which have rarely played under center in the NFL. Consequently, while the Panthers are able to run similar read-option plays to the rest of the NFL, the results are often strikingly superior thanks to the 2015 MVP's terrifying skill set.Maybe in a bid to conserve Newton's health as he dealt with a shoulder injury to start the year, Carolina moved away somewhat from using Newton as a runner and tried to keep him playing from the pocket - an understandable tactic, but one that robbed them of one of the league's most effective and potent threats. It's no coincidence the Panthers' offense has taken off since correcting that error.Facing a second-and-5 Sunday with about two and a half minutes to go while tied at 24 against fellow NFC contender, the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina - as they have throughout his seven-year career - turned to Newton's legs to seal the victory.The power of the optionLined up in the shotgun formation alongside running back Jonathan Stewart, Newton reads Everson Griffen - the furthest Viking to the right - as he moves to hand the ball to Stewart.Newton steps forward as Stewart crosses his face, giving him the maximum amount of time to read Griffen's movement. Griffen crashes down, looking to take Stewart and leaving the edge vulnerable to a Newton run.While the natural question to ask is why Griffen opted to take an aging back instead of Newton, Stewart had a 60-yard touchdown earlier in the game, which likely was a factor in Griffen's poor decision.Mauler making spaceLeft tackle Matt Kalil briefly engages Griffen before allowing him to pass when it's clear he's focused on Stewart. Kalil then pulls around the defensive end and heads toward linebacker Anthony Barr, who's likely tasked with setting the edge should Griffen crash inside.Kalil pushes Barr further outside, opening a huge lane for Newton to exploit, and exploit it he does.The elusive Mr. NewtonR.I.P Andrew Sendejo. The Vikings safety is given the unenviable task of trying to tackle Newton one-on-one in the open field. It was always unlikely Sendejo would be adding the highlight to his career's must-see moments, but it went even worse than he likely ever imagined (or had nightmares about).Newton is often lauded for his power and straight-line speed, but he also possesses uncanny agility for a man who stands at a conservative 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds.He builds up speed and appears to be heading across Sendejo's face toward the middle of the field. However, as soon as the safety bites, Newton sticks his foot in the ground and jukes him of his cleats. Sendejo is left trying to catch Newton's shadow.Read and speedAgain, Newton turns a good gain into a great one by reading his block and forcing the defender into an unfavorable position. Newton heads toward the sideline before cutting back inside of Russell Shepard and allowing the Panthers wide receiver to get between him and cornerback Xavier Rhodes, the final man who can stop Newton before the Panthers get in game-winning field-goal range.At this point, it becomes a foot race between Newton and cornerback Trae Waynes for the next 30 yards.Close but no cigarThere's a reason why Newton's nickname is Superman and not The Flash.Waynes is able to run the veteran pivot down after a 62-yard gain and attempts to strip the ball, but Newton protects it as he's tackled inside the 10-yard line. Three plays later, Stewart caps off the game-winning drive by leaping into the end zone in a way his superhuman quarterback surely approved.(Photos courtesy: NFL/Twitter)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots are signing former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kenny Britt to a two-year contract, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Britt was released by the Browns on Friday, less than one season into a four-year deal he inked as a free agent in March. The 29-year-old was coming off the most productive campaign of his career, posting 1,002 yards and five touchdowns with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016.Britt has been of interest to the Patriots in the past, but the club was never able to secure his services until now. He's battled off-field issues throughout his career, and they contributed to his release from Cleveland.A nine-year pro out of Rutgers, Britt had 18 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns in nine appearances for the winless Browns this season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots are notorious for downplaying regular-season games, but the same can't be said for the Pittsburgh Steelers."It's good to be in big games," head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday while previewing his upcoming opponent, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. "It's better to be in big games than ones nobody's watching. We better be appreciative of this spot and not resistant in any way, but embrace it. This is what we've been fighting for since March, to be in these types of games against these types of people. Why would you fight that? It's an awesome thing."The Steelers will host the Patriots on Sunday, and the winner will gain an inside track to the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture. Historically, the Steelers have struggled mightily against the Patriots with Tom Brady, who owns a 10-2 career record against Pittsburgh and hasn't been picked off by a Steeler since 2005.Pittsburgh and New England last met in the AFC championship a year ago, where Brady picked apart the Steelers' patented zone defense en route to a blowout victory."They are really good, they've got great continuity, Tom Brady's Tom Brady - you can talk all day about that," Tomlin said. "What are we going to do at the line of scrimmage prior to the ball snapping? What are we going to do to improve our overall readiness and detail in our play? I think therein lies the discussion. You can waste a lot of man hours and not getting a lot accomplished worried about what he's going to do prior to the snap."After last season's playoff meltdown, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suggested that some of his teammates may not have understood the magnitude of facing the Patriots in the AFC championship game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A knee injury kept Ben Roethlisberger out of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 7 matchup against the New England Patriots last season, but he did have the opportunity to ask Tom Brady for a jersey before the game.

The Philadelphia Eagles were dealt a tough blow Sunday when Carson Wentz went down with a torn ACL, ending his sophomore season.YouTube user Greg Stravous is confident the team can win a Super Bowl with Nick Foles at quarterback, though, and created this "Star Wars"-themed video to hype up Eagles fans.- With h/t to For The WinCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A year ago Tuesday, Michael Floyd was arrested on DUI charges after being found passed out at the wheel of his car with the vehicle still running.Floyd, who received a 120-day jail sentence (the majority of which he served under house arrest), took to Instagram on Tuesday to reflect on what he calls "the biggest mistake of my life" and thank the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings for taking a chance on him.

“Sometimes when you win, you really lose, and sometimes when you lose, you really win, and sometimes when you win or lose, you actually tie, and sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose. Winning or losing is all one organic mechanism, from which one extracts what one needs.”- Gloria Clemente (Rosie Perez) in "White Men Can't Jump"The final stretch of the season is setting up to be a wild one in the NFC.Unlike the AFC, where the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers look like locks as the top two seeds, the NFC is wide-open. Seven teams have a legitimate shot at receiving a first-round bye, and in a four-hour stretch Sunday, the conference race took some dramatic turns.The two highest-profile NFC games in Week 14 featured the Minnesota Vikings tangling with the Carolina Panthers, and the Los Angeles Rams facing the Philadelphia Eagles. Though the Vikings and Rams lost, I believe they actually won. The Panthers and Eagles won, but Sunday wasn’t a great day for either of them. Here’s why.Minnesota VikingsThe Vikings started the day leading the NFC race, and though they lost 31-24 to the 9-4 Panthers, they can look back and see a ton of positives.Over the course of an NFL game, the league as a whole averages 133 total offensive and defensive plays, plus about 35 special-teams snaps. Each NFL player and group is graded with a plus or minus on every play. Over the course of the game, the Vikings “won” the vast majority of the plays. They lost to Cam Newton and the Panthers because their minuses resulted in drastically negative plays.The Vikings' defense was nearly perfect Sunday. Newton threw for just 129 yards. Against the run, with the exception of two plays, the Vikings gave up 94 yards on 34 Carolina carries.However, on those big plays, the Panthers ripped off runs of 62 and 60 yards, respectively. In both cases, the Vikings' mistakes were easy to identify and learn from. The 62-yard touchdown run by Jonathan Stewart took place because of a misalignment and poor gap control by the Vikings' base defense against a goal-line offensive formation. This is easily correctable.The second big play, Newton's game-winning run, was perfectly played by the Vikings' defense except for a missed open-field tackle by Andrew Sendejo. Missing a tackle because Cam Newton beats you in the open field isn’t a crime, but Zendejo needs to find a way to at least slow Newton down. Like the Stewart run, this play could have been avoided.Offensively, Adam Thielen dropped two “easy” touchdown passes on the same drive to end the first half. That is an abnormal occurrence, to say the least. For a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, Case Keenum missed Stefon Diggs at the front pylon for another easy touchdown. In both situations, the Vikings settled for field goals. Diggs also dropped a highly thrown, but still catchable, smoke screen that turned into an interception.Keenum made one bad play, a poorly thrown ball on the first drive that was short and off target to Thielen. He also “fumbled” on a play in which the ball was loosened from his hand at the very back of the quarterback’s throwing motion. The ball traveled 10 yards, and the replay could have gone either way.The Vikings lost to a playoff-caliber team while playing with a banged up O-line. Only two of their starting offensive linemen finished the game. They also made too many mistakes and had a few balls bounce in the Panthers' favor. This doesn’t mean they aren’t a good team. The Vikings know they are - and they also know nobody can make those types of mistakes and win on the road against a good team.The good news is that they have one of the easiest schedules remaining in the race for home-field advantage. Two of their final three games are against the Bengals and Bears, both at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.Ultimately, the best news for the Vikings wasn’t their overall performance or upcoming schedule, but rather Monday's announcement that Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is out for the rest of the year with a torn ACL. I imagine Mike Zimmer’s group would feel pretty good about going to Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game against a Nick Foles-led football team. So, despite the loss, Sunday was more good than bad for the Vikings.Carolina PanthersConversely, the Panthers shouldn’t be all that happy about their performance. They were playing at home, against an opponent who ended the game with only two starting offensive linemen, and the Panthers still let Keenum and his offense get back into the game when it seemed all but over. Then, on a critical play late in the fourth quarter, Newton threw an interception that should have resulted in a Vikings touchdown.And the Panthers' offense was lifeless for most of the day. Three of their touchdown drives were due to two big plays, which resulted from Minnesota’s alignment mistakes, and a drive that continued three times due to Vikings penalties. Between dropped passes, a missed throw from Keenum to Diggs, and a missed field goal, the Vikings left sixteen points off the board.Neither the offensive or defensive coordinators should feel great about this outing. Minnesota lost the game more than the Panthers won it.Los Angeles RamsLike the Vikings, the Rams can take a lot of positives from their defeat Sunday.They went toe to toe with one of the best teams in the NFL. For the vast majority of the Rams roster, playoff-type atmospheres in December are a new reality, and although they lost, they didn’t flinch.More importantly, their lead in the NFC West didn't shrink, and the Seahawks' loss to the Jaguars ended in plenty of ugliness too. Though no suspensions will result, Pete Carroll’s team will face plenty of questions and potential distractions this week.Lastly, the Vikings' loss, and the reality that Wentz’s season is over, gives the Rams a shot at a first-round bye.Philadelphia EaglesObviously, Philadelphia's biggest “loss” Sunday was the Wentz injury. The 11-2 Eagles will now be without their starting quarterback and MVP candidate for the rest of the season, and Foles will take the reins of the current NFC No. 1 seed. But how far can he take the Eagles in the playoffs?Foles has played like both an MVP and a career backup during his six-year NFL career. He put up a mind-boggling 27-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio while starting 10 games for the Eagles in 2013. He followed that up with a pedestrian 81.4 rating in 2014, and was subsequently shipped to St Louis, where the wheels fell off as he played under Jeff Fisher.If Foles performs well in the coming weeks, it will mean that three NFL starters have seriously stepped up after putting the Rams organization in their rearview mirrors. Jared Goff and Keenum currently have their teams seeded third and second, respectively, in the NFC. With Foles now quarterbacking the first-place team in the conference, you have to wonder what the heck was going on with Fisher’s offensive coaching staff. (At this point, somebody should probably take another look at Austin Davis.)If Foles plays the way he did in 2013, the Eagles could get to the Super Bowl. Yesterday, he played well enough, including a clutch third-down completion, to save the win. His very best is good enough for Philadelphia to make a serious run.The Eagles will be in the playoffs, but Sunday’s true loss severely hurt their chances of bringing the first Lombardi Trophy to the City of Brotherly Love.__________Currently, three NFC South teams are “in” the playoffs. Over the final three weeks, every team has at least two games against teams within their division. This race will come down to the wire. A fourth-quarter field goal in Week 17 might make the difference between winning the division and missing the playoffs altogether.The Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Dallas Cowboys are currently out of the playoffs, but their chances of getting in were helped by the New Orleans Saints, Vikings, and Rams all losing.Most importantly for the entire NFC, an MVP-caliber quarterback's torn ligament just made the race for the playoffs and home-field advantage really interesting.Sage Rosenfels is a former 12-year NFL quarterback who writes, does radio, and podcasts about the NFL and college football. Find him on Twitter @SageRosenfels18.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed Ryan Shazier on season-ending injured reserve after the linebacker underwent spinal stabilization surgery last week, the team announced Tuesday.Shazier is reportedly showing gradual signs of improvement but remains hospitalized after suffering the injury in the Week 14 win against the Cincinnati Bengals."Unfortunately Ryan will not be able to contribute on the field during the remainder of this season," said Steelers president Art Rooney II. "However, even off the field Ryan will continue to be one of our team leaders. We know his spirit and positive outlook will help him to continue in his recovery, as well as serve as an inspiration to our team."The former first-round pick was in the midst of a stellar campaign. He racked up 89 total tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 12 games before going down with the injury.Pittsburgh's defense struggled in its first game without Shazier, allowing 38 points to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. The Ravens own the 27th-ranked offense.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.Each week, Monty Andrews breaks down some of the underlying betting mismatches on the National Football League slate, giving you an inside edge when handicapping the schedule and setting your daily fantasy lineup.

Free-agent wide receiver Devin Hester announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.Hester - who holds the NFL record for most all-time return touchdowns and is widely considered one of the best special teamers in history - made the announcement on Twitter after 11 seasons in the NFL, eight of which he spent with the Chicago Bears:

One week can be a long time in the NFL.The leading three candidates for MVP - Carson Wentz, Tom Brady, and Russell Wilson - either saw their season end due to injury or produced their worst performance of the campaign in Week 14, radically altering the final three-week dash to the finish line.Here's how the MVP race stands as we enter Week 15 of the regular season:1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots3,865 passing yards, 67.4 completion percentage, 27 TDs, 6 INTsBefore Week 12, Brady had thrown just two interceptions. But, the 40-year-old has shown his age in recent weeks, tossing four interceptions to five touchdowns, as well as losing one fumble. Two of the picks came in Monday night's stunning loss to the Miami Dolphins.Writing off Brady has never worked out well in the past; the veteran pivot will likely come storming back in Week 15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Still, Brady played as poorly as he's done in years against Miami. He's no lock to earn the third MVP of his illustrious career.2. Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers99 catches, 1,509 receiving yards, 9 TDsA receiver has never won the MVP award, but Brown is making a strong case to be the first ever after an insane month of production. The star wideout has caught 39 passes for 627 yards and six touchdowns in the last four games - an average of nearly 157 yards per contest.If Brown can keep up the ridiculous yardage pace over the last three weeks of the season, he'll break Calvin Johnson's single-season record of 1,964 yards and come within striking distance of the first 2,000-yard season for a receiver. That should be enough to create a serious conversation between him and Brady, though the fight could be decided in next week's juggernaut matchup between New England and Pittsburgh.3. Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks3,527 passing yards, 61.9 completion percentage, 29 TDs, 11 INTs, 482 rushing yards, 3 TDsSooner or later, Wilson was going to run into a challenge that he alone wouldn't be able to defeat. In the end, that was the dominant Jacksonville Jaguars defense, which forced Wilson into three interceptions during a 30-24 loss.Luckily for Wilson, Brady's bad day and Wentz's injury means he's still firmly in contention for MVP. However, his case will fall apart if the 8-5 Seahawks don't rally and squeeze into the playoffs. The Week 15 matchup against the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams is a make-or-break game for both the Seahawks' postseason hopes and Wilson's MVP bid.4. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers 3,611 passing yards, 62.8 completion percentage, 23 TDs, 7 INTsAmong the MVP candidates on this list, only Rivers can match Brown in terms of momentum. The Chargers veteran quarterback has been on fire of late, willing Los Angeles to four straight wins in which he's thrown a combined eight touchdowns to zero interceptions and produced one 400-yard and two 300-yard games.Like Wilson, Rivers' candidacy is hurt by his team's record. The 7-6 Chargers are tied atop the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs, and will likely need to win out to ensure a playoff spot. Rivers' good-but-not-great numbers could also be a factor, but voters might be tempted to give him the MVP as a lifetime achievement award and for dragging his team out of a seemingly fatal 0-4 hole.5. Alvin Kamara, RB, SaintsKamara didn't get a chance to build on his case in Week 14, as he only managed one carry and three catches before suffering a concussion in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. But, in a race that's losing candidates left, right, and center, Kamara deserves his place.No player in the league has been as fun to watch as Kamara this season, and while Mark Ingram has played a big part in revitalizing the Saints' running game, the rookie has been the key to the entire unit's success this year. Kamara is averaging seven yards per carry - nearly two yards more than the next highest running back among qualified players, according to ESPN - and has produced 1,247 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns. However, Kamara will need to do something special over the final three games to garner serious consideration.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every Tuesday during the season, theScore's NFL editors run down the recommended waiver wire pickups.Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo! leagues. FAAB bids are set at a $100 budget.QuarterbackJimmy Garoppolo, 49ersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. Titans20%$100Despite the minimal talent surrounding him, Garoppolo fared impressively well in his first start. If you've just lost Carson Wentz and are headed to the next playoff round, Jimmy G is your best bet and you may as well spend all your FAAB money on him if you need a quarterback.Blake Bortles, JaguarsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. Texans35%$99If Garoppolo is unavailable, Bortles has played some of the best football of his career the last two weeks.Running BackMike Davis, SeahawksNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. Rams38%$40Russell Wilson struggled to move the ball through the air in the Seahawks' first meeting with the Rams in Week 5 when Davis was out. After getting at least 16 touches in both games since coming back from injury, Davis could see his busiest day yet.Kerwynn Williams, CardinalsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat Redskins11%$30Williams had 28 carries through the first 11 games of the season, but has 36 in the last two games. It is clear he's the Cardinals main back going forward.Rod Smith, CowboysNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat Raiders13%$20Smith led his team in receptions with five against the Giants on Sunday while adding 47 rushing yards and two total touchdowns. This week may be his last chance to audition for other teams before Ezekiel Elliott returns.Peyton Barber, BuccaneersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. Falcons35%$20Barber scored a pair of touchdowns against the Falcons in their first meeting of the season less than a month ago. The second-year pro got 13 touches last week despite Doug Martin's return and should be in for more action this week.Wide ReceiverMarquise Goodwin, 49ersNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. Titans55%$22With six catches on 12 targets for 106 yards, Goodwin has emerged as Garoppolo's favorite receiver. The first-year 49er has produced at least 78 yards in each of his last four games.Dede Westbrook, JaguarsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. Texans30%$20Westbrook has steadily increased his production in each game since debuting four weeks ago and reached his best mark of the season on Sunday against the toughest test he's faced to date in the Seahawks.Paul Richardson, SeahawksNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. Rams54%$18The Seahawks offense always heats up towards the end of the season and Richardson has emerged as its deep-threat option, averaging 16.6 yards per catch.Corey Coleman, BrownsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs Ravens28%$17Josh Gordon's return has allowed Coleman to operate without being the only target for defenses to worry about. He's coming off his best fantasy performance of the year as the Browns prepare to face a Ravens team that is missing its best cornerback.Tight EndEric Ebron, LionsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidvs. Bears29%$28As he plays what could be his last month with the Lions, Ebron looks to be motivated by the potential of new contract offers this offseason as he put up his first career 10-catch game Sunday against the Buccaneers.Ricky Seals-Jones, CardinalsNext UpOwnershipFAAB bidat Redskins43%$12Blaine Gabbert has never been scared of looking for a tight end, and Seals-Jones has been able to stretch the short targets he's gotten to an average of 19 yards per catch.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marshall Faulk, Ike Taylor, and Heath Evans have been suspended by NFL Network while the company conducts an investigation into allegations they sexually harassed a former wardrobe stylist, Scott Soshnick of Bloomberg reports.The lawsuit was filed on Oct. 6 by a former employee who is suing NFL Network for sexual harassment, age discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and defamation, according to an October report from NBC Los Angeles. The case has been filed in California Superior Court.The former employee has listed Faulk, Evans, and Taylor in the lawsuit, along with ex-NFL Network executive producer Eric Weinberger, who now works for The Ringer.Weinberger allegedly sent several nude photos of himself to the former employee and rubbed his genitals against her, asking her to touch him sexually. When asked about the allegations, Weinberger reportedly hung up, according to Soshnick.Bill Simmons, CEO of The Ringer, did not respond to an email from Bloomberg regarding the allegations.Faulk allegedly groped her and would ask unwanted questions about her sex life, according to the amended complaint listed in the lawsuit.Taylor is accused of sending sexually graphic photos of himself, along with a graphic video depicting a sexual act.Donovan McNabb, who worked for the network in 2012, was listed in the complaint for allegedly texting her with sexually explicit comments.The representatives of Faulk, Taylor, and McNabb did not respond to a request for comment from Bloomberg regarding the allegations.The lawsuit also alleges the ex-employee wasn't reimbursed for expenses or overtime and was fired in October 2016, after working at NFL Network's studio in Culver City, Calif. since 2006. In her lawsuit, she stated she was fired after being falsely accused of stealing clothing from an employee and noted she was 51 when fired, while her replacement was 30.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins wore their perfect season uniforms, and for at least one game in 2017, they looked the part.Tom Brady was intercepted twice by Xavien Howard and held without a third-down conversion Monday night, and Miami snapped the New England Patriots' eight-game winning streak with a surprising 27-20 victory.The Dolphins (6-7) were 11-point underdogs at home, but kept the Patriots (10-3) from clinching their ninth consecutive AFC East title - at least for another week.''It was a bad night,'' Brady said. ''We've had a lot of good nights this year. This was a bad night.''Brady went 24 for 43 for 233 yards and one touchdown. Miami sacked him twice and hit him five times, and held the Patriots to 25 yards rushing. New England was 0 for 11 on third down.''Our focus every game is to hit the quarterback as hard as we can and make him uncomfortable,'' Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. ''I think we did a pretty good job of it.''The Dolphins' Jay Cutler threw for 263 yards and three scores, including two to Jarvis Landry. Kenyan Drake had 114 yards rushing and 79 receiving.A Brady touchdown pass cut the deficit to 10 points with 13 minutes left, but the Patriots' next three possessions netted five yards. After a New England field goal, Miami sealed the victory by recovering an onside kick with 53 seconds to go.''This gives us a boost,'' Cutler said. ''Winning is what keeps you in this game. The locker room after a game, there's nothing like it.''The Dolphins wore their 1972 uniforms, and for the first time in four prime-time appearances this season, they rose to the occasion. Miami tried to turn the game into a laugher in the third quarter when Landry caught a touchdown pass and then set the ball down in the end zone and pumped it repeatedly - a reference to the Patriots' Deflategate scandal.''It's all about taking the air out of the ball,'' Landry said.Coach Adam Gase beat New England for the first time in four tries. His team snapped the Patriots' 14-game road winning streak, second-best ever behind San Francisco's 18 in a row from 1988-90.Gase threw a lot of wrinkles at the Patriots early, with tight end MarQueis Gray and receivers Landry and Jakeem Grant taking turns lining up in the backfield.''We used a lot of guys,'' Cutler said. ''We were mixing it up. Adam was dialing it up well.''Cutler spun out of the grasp of blitzing safety Jordan Richards to throw a completion that kept Miami's first touchdown drive going.The 5-foot-7 Grant made a leaping catch against Malcolm Butler for his first career touchdown reception, a 25-yarder.Meanwhile, the Patriots sputtered without tight end Rob Gronkowski, who served a one-game suspension for a late hit to the head of an opponent.''We got beat in all three areas of the game,'' coach Bill Belichick said.BALL HAWKBrady underthrew an open Brandin Cooks deep, and Howard closed for the interception and a 29-yard return to set up a touchdown. Howard also had two interceptions a week ago against Denver.Brady came into the game with only four interceptions all season.SLOW STARTThe temperature was 55 degrees at kickoff - frosty by Miami standards - and the Patriots were sluggish from the outset. They were outgained 123 yards to two in the first quarter, when Brady went 0 for 4 with an interception.ANTHEMThe Dolphins' Kenny Stills, Michael Thomas and Julius Thomas knelt in protest during the national anthem, as they've done for most of the season. Stills was nominated by his teammates last week for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.INJURIESPatriots DT Alan Branch left the game with a knee injury. Starting S Patrick Chung limped off in the final minute.UP NEXTThe Patriots visit AFC North champion Pittsburgh on Sunday in a possible playoff preview.The Dolphins play the Bills in two of their final three games, including Sunday at Buffalo.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent issued a memo on behalf of the league, warning teams that there would be "significant discipline" administered for abusive and offensive conduct levied toward officials, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert.In recent weeks, the NFL Referees Association voiced increasing concerns about officials' safety in response to a series of on-field incidents. The league has taken notice."We want to keep our players on the field. No one wants a penalty or an ejection to determine the outcome of the game. In recent weeks, however, there have been several suspensions and ejections because of contact with, and conduct toward, our game officials. This is not who we are - as players, as clubs, as the NFL," Vincent wrote.The referees' association took issue with New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton charging onto the field during a Week 14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Previously, Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch made contact with an official and was suspended after the fact.It appears the league is trying to rectify a longstanding concern held by the referees' association, and it may go a long way in improving relations going forward.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots receiver Chris Hogan is active for Monday night's game against the Miami Dolphins after missing the last four contests with a shoulder injury.Hogan amassed 33 catches for 438 yards with five touchdowns in eight games, serving as a starting wideout following Julian Edelman's preseason injury.Though its unknown whether he'll be fit to start, the Patriots plan to use Hogan "a lot" in his return, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller is a relieved man after undergoing surgery that saved his left leg.Miller suffered a horrific leg injury during an Oct. 29 game against the New Orleans Saints when he landed awkwardly after trying to rein in a touchdown catch. The tight end dislocated his knee, damaged an artery, and was rushed to hospital in New Orleans before being transferred to Chicago.Miller returned home on Nov. 20 and spoke candidly Monday about the possibility of facing amputation."It was very real," Miller said via ESPN's Jeff Dickerson. "A couple wrong turns away from actually happening. I had a ton of care, a lot of people helping me out through that entire process. But we were a couple minutes away from having that be real. Thankfully, we were able to avoid it and we didn't really get into where I had stuff that was starting to die off or anything. We were able to save pretty much everything. So I'm very thankful that happened."Miller said he had an inclination that amputation was a possibility before doctors saved his leg."I remember, before I got into the emergency surgery, the last thing I was telling the doctors was, 'Please, save my leg!' Because I knew that something wasn't quite right just in the way my leg was feeling and the way it was filling up. I knew we had issues," Miller said.Miller admitted he hasn't thought too much about resuming his football career and will make a decision after recovering further from surgery.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz could miss the start of the 2018 season due to a torn ACL suffered during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams.Wentz will undergo surgery this week to repair the injury, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports.Dr. James Andrews revealed it often takes 9-12 months to recover from the injury, which would keep Wentz out of the 2018 season opener and beyond, ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen report.

The Jacksonville Jaguars released a statement Monday after a faction of their fan base tried to attack members of the Seattle Seahawks at the conclusion of Sunday's 30-24 win.Seahawks defensive end Quinton Jefferson was ejected late in the fourth quarter and Jaguars fans threw debris at him, prompting him to engage in a verbal spat with the aggressors. Jefferson was struck again and then tried to climb the railing to confront his assailants but was restrained by security.Related: No suspensions to be issued after chaotic Jags-Seahawks endingSeahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed said Jefferson was called a racial epithet during the incident.The Jaguars released the following statement:

Green Bay Packers fans were hoping to follow up their overtime win against the Cleveland Browns with the return of their star quarterback in time for a playoff push, but the club is not jumping the gun on clearing Aaron Rodgers from his broken collarbone.Rodgers began practicing last week and was expected to return for next Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, but head coach Mike McCarthy pumped the brakes on rushing his quarterback's return without the proper medical procedures."There's a number of scans, testing that went in this morning. It's now in the evaluation stage. Dr. McKenzie is reviewing it," McCarthy told Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com on Monday. "There are a number of opinions involved."At this time, I don't have a clean decision for you."McCarthy did confirm Rodgers has been on target for every step of his rehab, which the coach described as "very good." The team hopes to know more about his availability for its next game by Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While the league is still reviewing the end of the Jacksonville Jaguars-Seattle Seahawks game to determine what disciplinary measures are necessary, it concluded that no players will be suspended over the incident, a league official told ESPN's Adam Schefter.NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart confirmed earlier Monday that the league will speak to both teams about what happened.During the final plays of the Jaguars' win over the Seahawks on Sunday, Seattle defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson was ejected for throwing a punch following a skirmish set off by Michael Bennett diving at a player's legs during a kneel-down play.Seahawks D-lineman Quinton Jefferson was ejected on the next play and had debris and drinks hurled at him as he tried to leave the field. He briefly attempted to climb into the stands to confront fans who threw things at him. Teammate Jarran Reed alleged on his private Twitter account that fans called Jefferson racial slurs while he was leaving the field.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints rookie rusher Alvin Kamara expects to return to the field for the team's Week 15 clash with the New York Jets, per Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune.Kamara was removed early in Thursday's game against the Atlanta Falcons after suffering a concussion on a helmet-to-helmet hit. He had one carry and three receptions before he was declared out for the remainder of the contest.The Saints' offense struggled without him and the team recorded its second loss in the past 11 games.Kamara owns more than 1,200 combined rushing and receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East division title on Sunday, but their odds to win the Super Bowl dropped substantially.In light of the season-ending injury to quarterback Carson Wentz, Vegas has hopped off the Wentzwagon.Current oddsOdds on Nov. 28Patriots9-52-1Steelers7-27-2Vikings8-18-1Saints10-116-1Eagles12-19-2Falcons12-112-1Rams14-114-1Jaguars14-130-1Seahawks18-120-1Chargers18-130-1Panthers20-118-1Chiefs30-130-1Ravens40-1100-1Raiders80-140-1Cowboys80-1200-1Titans80-130-1Lions200-1100-1Bills300-1300-1Dolphins2000-15000-1The Eagles have been surpassed by the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints as the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LII.Philadelphia was the first team to secure a playoff spot, defeating the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers followed suit on Sunday night, and the New England Patriots could clinch the AFC East division title with a win Monday night.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown will miss the rest of the campaign due to a broken left hand that requires surgery, the team announced.McCown suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, and with only three games left, it appeared all but a formality that he'd sit out the rest of the schedule.McCown gave the Jets steady quarterback play in his first year with the team, throwing for 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions while compiling a 94.5 quarterback rating.With the 38-year-old on the shelf, Bryce Petty will start for New York against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 17. Christian Hackenberg will serve as his backup.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carson Wentz was confirmed to have suffered a torn ACL on Sunday, meaning the Philadelphia Eagles will have to go the rest of the season without the MVP front-runner.It's a devastating blow to a team with Super Bowl aspirations, but it doesn't have to be a fatal one.Here are three ways the Eagles can overcome the loss of their starting quarterback.Free FolesUnlike many other teams in the league, the Eagles have a backup quarterback that elicits some level of confidence. Nick Foles will take over starting duties, and he's been here before.In 2013, Foles replaced an injured Michael Vick and went on to have a Pro Bowl season, going 8-2 as a starter. His 27 touchdowns to two interceptions stood up as the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in league history until last season.However, this is 2017. And this season, the Eagles are 11-2 with a division title already sewn up.That allows them the luxury of using the next three weeks to ensure Foles is as comfortable as possible in the offense for the upcoming playoff run.Instead of focusing on winning home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs or securing a first-round bye, the Eagles should give Foles as much rein as possible when they visit the New York Giants and host the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. He should have equal say in the playbook and offensive game plan, and he should be given license to throw and make mistakes. Philadelphia may not win those games, but it's the only way he'll form a strong enough rapport with his linemen, backs, and receivers to lead the team come playoff time.Rely on running gamePhiladelphia had the foresight to assemble a strong stable of running backs. Via the draft, free agency, and trade, the Eagles own a trio of rushers capable of guiding the group.LeGarrette Blount is first on the team in rushing with 696 yards, but rookie Corey Clement owns the most rushing touchdowns with four, and Jay Ajayi has averaged 7 yards per carry since coming to Philly on a deadline-day deal.The Eagles' offense can flow through the running game and either allow one of the aforementioned rushers to take the lead role or alternate them depending on matchups.Opposing defenses will likely load up on the run and force Foles to win games with his arm. In order for the Eagles to have playoff success, they'll need the threat of both the run and pass.Lean on 3-QB support systemThe Eagles have the benefit of employing three former quarterbacks on their coaching staff. Head coach Doug Pederson, offensive coordinator Frank Reich, and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo have all played the position. Pederson and Reich share 24 years of playing experience in the NFL.Together, they've helped mold Wentz into an MVP candidate in just his second season. Now, they're tasked with getting Foles up to speed for the stretch run.Six years into his career, Foles is likely a finished product, but his coaching staff can refine the offense around him."I'm absolutely ready. That's why I'm here. ... Coach Pederson showed a lot of confidence with me and I have a long history with him. He knows I can go out and play so we'll see what happens," Foles said Sunday.Taking advantage of these three strengths and strategies will help ensure the Eagles' regular-season success continues into the postseason, even without Wentz.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's not just the Philadelphia Eagles that lost Carson Wentz for the season.The entire NFL lost one of its rising stars Monday when the quarterback was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign due to a torn ACL. Players from around the league sent their prayers to the second-year sensation via Twitter.

An MRI confirmed the Philadelphia Eagles' worst fears Monday, as quarterback Carson Wentz will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, head coach Doug Pederson announced.The 24-year-old suffered the injury Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, where manual tests by team doctors determined the knee ligament was loose - a dubious preliminary sign.Wentz was enjoying an MVP-caliber season in his second year as a pro, leading the league with 33 touchdown passes against seven interceptions. The Eagles' 11-2 record is the best mark in the NFC.

The NFL will speak with both the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars about several incidents that took place at the end of their game on Sunday, ESPN's Dan Graziano reports.The announcement came from league spokesman Joe Lockhart.In the waning moments of the contest, Seahawks defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson was ejected for his role in a skirmish that included teammate Michael Bennett and Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette.On the play in question, Bennett appeared to dive at the knees of a Jaguars offensive lineman before tackling him after the whistle.On the next play, Hawks defensive end Quinton Jefferson was also ejected.As he was leaving the field, fans threw drinks and debris at Jefferson, who then attempted to climb into the stands to confront the fans.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.