The New York Jets are going to continue rallying behind quarterback Zach Wilson despite the passer's struggles."(Wilson) gives us the best chance to win," head coach Robert Saleh said Sunday after the club's 15-10 loss to the New England Patriots, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Wilson threw for 157 yards on 18-of-36 passing. He didn't throw a touchdown or interception. His 4.4 yards per attempt was the third-lowest mark of Wilson's career. He'd previously had games with 4.35 and 3.5 yards per attempt against the Buffalo Bills and Patriots in 2022, respectively."Keep believing. I truly believe we've got the guys. We understand the frustration. ... We're doing everything we can to get better," the 24-year-old said, according to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt.Wilson had completed 26-of-48 passes for 310 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions entering Sunday's contest.New York turned to Wilson in Week 1 after Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles against the Buffalo Bills. Tim Boyle is the only other quarterback currently on the Jets' roster. Veteran quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz reportedly have interest in joining the team should the franchise look at adding another signal-caller.The loss marked the Jets' 15th consecutive defeat at the hands of their AFC East foes and dropped New York to 1-2 on the season.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz have reached out to the New York Jets about potentially joining the team, reports Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.However, New York plans to stick with Zach Wilson at the moment, Glazer adds.The Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers in the offseason, but the four-time NFL MVP went down after tearing his left Achilles tendon just four snaps into Week 1. Rodgers' injury was a massive blow to a New York team that entered the 2023 season with Super Bowl aspirations.The club originally announced that Rodgers was expected to miss the remainder of the season, but the 39-year-old recently said he won't rule out returning for a potential playoff run. He reportedly underwent an innovative surgery on his torn Achilles that could possibly get him back on the field faster than expected.With Rodgers out, head coach Robert Saleh announced Wilson - the 2021 No. 2 overall pick who's struggled to meet expectations since entering the NFL - as the Jets' starter moving forward. Saleh also said that the team planned to add depth to the quarterback position but didn't specify when that would happen. Tim Boyle is the other QB on New York's roster.Ryan, 38, played for the Indianapolis Colts last year after spending his first 14 NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. The former NFL MVP finished the 2022 campaign with 14 touchdowns against 13 interceptions while posting a 4-7-1 record. Indianapolis acquired Ryan in a trade after a disappointing 2021 season with Wentz under center.A four-time Pro Bowler, Ryan joined CBS Sports as an NFL analyst in May but said he wasn't retiring from football.Meanwhile, Wentz battled inconsistent play and injuries in 2022 and started seven games for the Washington Commanders. He tossed 11 touchdowns to nine interceptions. The 30-year-old worked out in Los Angeles during the offseason but has yet to sign with a team in 2023.Wilson helped the Jets edge the Buffalo Bills in their season opener after replacing Rodgers in the first quarter. He then completed 44% of his passes and tossed three interceptions in a 30-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Usher will headline the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show in Las Vegas, it was announced Sunday.The singer's performance was confirmed in a video that edited Kim Kardashian into a scene from Usher's iconic "Confessions, Pt. II" music video:

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 3.Half PPR

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is believed to have torn only his MCL, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The injury isn't considered to be career-ending, and it's believed Chubb's ACL is intact, Schefter adds.Chubb suffered the gruesome injury on a hit by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on Monday night. The runner was almost immediately ruled out, and the broadcast elected not to show the replay due to the nature of the hit.Chubb, 27, is expected to be out six-to-eight months with the injury and is likely to undergo surgery this week, per Schefter.The Browns signed running back Kareem Hunt, who spent 2019-22 with the club, to help replace the 5-foot-11, 227-pound rusher's production. Hunt had 468 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 210 receiving yards, and one score through the air last year.Despite adding Hunt, head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Jerome Ford will be the team's lead back in Chubb's absence.Chubb tallied 170 rushing yards and 21 receiving yards on 32 touches in two games before sustaining the injury.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins ruled out wide receiver Jaylen Waddle for their Week 3 matchup against the Denver Broncos due to a concussion, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Waddle was a limited participant in Friday's practice after missing the previous two days of preparation, but he didn't clear concussion protocol.The 24-year-old hauled in eight receptions for 164 yards through two games this season.Tyreek Hill will continue to be the team's top option, with River Cracraft, Braxton Berrios, Cedrick Wilson, and Erik Ezukanma offering depth behind him.In addition, the club elevated receiver Robbie Chosen from the practice squad for the contest.Waddle has been an integral part of Miami's offense since he was drafted sixth overall in the 2021 draft. The 5-foot-10 speedster eclipsed 1,000 yards in each of his first two NFL campaigns, including 1,356 last season. He's also scored 14 touchdowns in 35 career games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints and defensive end Carl Granderson agreed to a four-year extension Saturday, the club announced.The deal is worth $52 million and contains $35.3 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. It includes incentives that could push it to a maximum value of $60 million, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Granderson has gotten off to a hot start this season, recording 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and six quarterback hits.The Saints signed the 26-year-old as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He's recorded 17 sacks and four forced fumbles across 56 career games and nine starts.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is questionable for Monday night's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams due to a calf injury, head coach Zac Taylor announced Saturday, according to ESPN's Ben Baby.Burrow, who originally injured his calf in late July, aggravated the ailment in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He missed practice Thursday before returning in a limited capacity Friday and Saturday.The signal-caller was mum on his status this week when asked about the prospect of playing in Monday's prime-time matchup, which will be a rematch of Super Bowl LVI.If Burrow is unable to go, Jake Browning would be in line to make his first career start. Browning joined the Bengals in 2021. He's thrown one NFL pass, which came at the end of Cincinnati's Week 1 blowout loss to the Cleveland Browns.The Bengals also signed veteran quarterback AJ McCarron to their practice squad. McCarron spent the first three seasons of his NFL career (2015-2017) with Cincinnati.Burrow has struggled through the first two games of the campaign. He's competed 56.9% of his passes for two touchdowns and one interception.Cincinnati's offense will likely also be without tight end Irv Smith Jr. after he was listed as doubtful due to a hamstring injury.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is expected to be out for six-to-eight weeks due to a hamstring injury suffered in Wednesday's practice, sources told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.It was reported Thursday that Stingley would miss Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars but his recovery timetable hadn't yet been determined. However, an MRI revealed the extent of his hamstring injury, Wilson adds.Stingley was placed on injured reserve Saturday, knocking him out for at least four games.The 2022 No. 3 pick's rookie season was also cut short by a hamstring injury sustained in Week 10.Veteran Shaquill Griffin, who signed with the Texans as a free agent this past offseason, is expected to take over Stingley's starting job.The AFC South club's secondary has been hit hard by injuries to start the season. Cornerback Tavierre Thomas is set to miss Week 3 after he underwent surgery for a broken hand, safety Jimmie Ward returned to practice this week after missing the first two games with a hip injury, and safety Jalen Pitre sat out Week 2 with a bruised lung.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We got into the black thanks to a 7-4 effort in Week 2 - with help from a bonus bet fading Joe Burrow and his gimpy calf. Playing off injuries is a great way to isolate value in the prop market.Bijan Robinson: Over 3.5 receptionsWe've got good news and bad news. The bad - our secret is already out, as oddsmakers are no longer offering Robinson's reception total at 2.5. The good news? We can bet it at 3.5 and still feel pretty good about it. The Lions gave up six receptions to Chiefs tailbacks in Week 1. The Seahawks, their Week 2 opponents, don't rely on throwing to Kenneth Walker the way Kansas City or the Falcons deploy their running backs in the passing game.Stefon Diggs: Over 71.5 receiving yardsThe Bills should see a fair amount of man-to-man coverage from the Commanders. Washington's defensive line should torment Josh Allen and could force enough turnovers to make this game close. But like Week 1 - when Diggs had 13 targets against the Jets - that won't affect his production, especially given how many looks he should get when singled up against either Kendall Fuller or the rookie Emmanuel Forbes.Raheem Mostert: Under 61.5 rushing yardsRunning backs' usage is often the most relevant assessment in looking for a bet. Which version of Mostert are we likely to see Sunday? Last week, Bill Belichick was terrified to get beat deep, so the Dolphins patiently handed the ball off to Mostert 18 times, tied for the most carries he's had for Miami. He averaged 11.3 last season and had 10 in Week 1. Even an optimistic projection of 11 carries, at 5 yards per tote, would put Mostert 7 yards shy of going over this number.C.J. Stroud: Over 233.5 passing yardsIt may be hard to tell since his team has gotten housed in its first two games, but Stroud has quietly played pretty well. Throwing for 242 yards in your debut on the road against the Ravens is pretty solid, but 384 last week - all without an interception - is legit. Part of the volume is because the team has been trailing, but for the purposes of this bet, who cares? With the Texans underdogs of over a touchdown, Stroud may be forced to sling it again Sunday.Mark Andrews: Over 4.5 receptionsAndrews caught five-plus passes in five of the first six games last season. Despite battling injuries and Lamar Jackson's absence throughout the rest of the season, he still occasionally surpassed this total. Andrews missed Week 1 this year, but upon his return last week, he was targeted eight times, catching five. Odell Beckham Jr.'s absence means Andrews will draw even more of Jackson's attention.Alexander Mattison: Under 51.5 rushing yardsWhy run the ball when you can throw it against the Chargers? Despite its much-discussed defensive struggles, L.A.'s actually held up well against the run so far this season. Mattison has struggled to hold on to the ball or gain yards - two key elements to the job - which is why the Vikings grabbed Cam Akers on Wednesday.Jerome Ford: Over 45.5 rushing yardsThe replaceability of running backs is getting put to the test. Can Ford step right into the shoes of Nick Chubb? We certainly think so, but he doesn't even have to in order to go over this total. If Kevin Stefanski's assertion that Ford will get Chubb's carries is true, an alternative over 100-plus yards is worth a sprinkle at 14-1.Hayden Hurst: Over 29.5 receiving yardsAndy Dalton takes over the Panthers' offense for the next couple of weeks, and you know what that means - checkdowns! This is the fourth straight season - with four different teams - in which Dalton has subbed in for a start. Here are his throwing numbers to the tight end in those first games:YEARTEAMTIGHT END STATS2020Cowboys4 REC / 35 YARDS2021Bears6 REC / 53 YARDS2022Saints6 REC / 70 YARDSThe Seahawks have allowed the fourth-most yardage to tight ends so far this season, and Hurst has been Carolina's lone receiving threat at the position.CeeDee Lamb: Over 71.5 receiving yardsThe Cowboys' Week 1 game was weird; they gathered a big lead without having to do much offensively. Last week, against a supposedly tough Jets defense, Lamb caught 11 balls on 13 targets. That's the type of usage to expect, and Dallas should get whatever it wants against a defensive scheme it's familiar with due to Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon's time with the Eagles (188 yards in two games last season).Kenny Pickett: Longest pass completion - Under 34.5 yards (-120)The Raiders might try to be more aggressive this week, but everything we've seen from the first two weeks indicates they refuse to get beat deep. Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada is just trying to find the opponents' red zone. While Pickett connected with George Pickens for a long catch and run touchdown Monday, that seemed more like an outlier than a reliable result.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens announced Friday that wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will miss the team's Week 3 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.Beckham injured his ankle in the Ravens' Week 2 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. He left the game and didn't return.The 30-year-old didn't practice this week, but head coach John Harbaugh said after Sunday's contest he doesn't believe it's a serious injury.Baltimore signed Beckham to a one-year, $15-million deal this offseason. He has five catches on seven targets for 66 yards in two starts this year.Beckham is just one of many key players who won't suit up for the Ravens in Week 3. They also ruled out Justice Hill (foot), Marlon Humphrey (foot), Ronnie Stanley (knee), Tyler Linderbaum (ankle), Odafe Oweh (ankle), and Marcus Williams (pectoral).In light of Hill's absence, the Ravens are elevating veteran running back Melvin Gordon from the practice squad, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Chargers will be without their top running back as they look for their first win this season.Running back Austin Ekeler has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings with an ankle injury, the team announced Friday.Ekeler, who also missed L.A.'s Week 2 loss to the Tennessee Titans, didn't practice at all this week. The 28-year-old has been a major part of the Chargers' offense and racked up 164 scrimmage yards and one touchdown on 20 touches in Week 1. The veteran tailback led the NFL in total TDs in 2021 and 2022, scoring 38 times in that span."He's working hard to get back," Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Friday, according to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "We'll see how it goes here in the next few weeks." Staley also said on Monday that there was no timetable for Ekeler's return, per ESPN's Kris Rhim.With Ekeler out, Joshua Kelley will presumably carry the load at running back for Los Angeles. Kelley was limited to 13 carries for 39 yards in last week's 27-24 overtime loss against the Titans. Undrafted rookie Elijah Dotson ranked second on the team with four rushing attempts versus Tennessee.The Chargers also ruled out linebacker Eric Kendricks on Friday and listed defensive end Joey Bosa as questionable, both due to hamstring injuries. Bosa was listed as questionable last week but did play against the Titans, finishing the game with two sacks and two tackles for loss. The four-time Pro Bowler was a limited participant at Friday's practice after missing Thursday's session.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Boone goes over the notable injury updates heading into Week 3.

Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons called out ESPN analyst and former NFL linebacker Bart Scott for the latter's remarks regarding the team and cornerback Trevon Diggs' season-ending knee injury on Friday.During an appearance on "First Take," Scott took a shot at Dallas while talking about Diggs, who suffered a torn ACL at practice Thursday. The injury is a major blow to a Cowboys team that has Super Bowl aspirations after starting the season 2-0 and outscoring its opponents 70-10."Like Stephen A. (Smith) always says, just wait, something bad always happens," Scott said Friday in a reference to the series of disappointing outcomes for the Cowboys in recent years. Despite high expectations, Dallas hasn't won a divisional-round game in the playoffs since the 1995 season.Scott's comments didn't sit well with Parsons, who criticized the former Pro Bowler on social media.

The Detroit Lions listed running back David Montgomery as doubtful for their Week 3 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons due to a thigh injury.Star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was designated as questionable on the team's Friday injury report as he deals with a toe injury. He leads all Lions pass-catchers with 12 receptions for 173 yards to go along with one touchdown. St. Brown was upgraded to a full participant in Friday's practice after being limited on Thursday.Montgomery exited the Lions' Week 2 game against the Seattle Seahawks after getting hurt. He's rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns through two games so far this season. The 26-year-old practiced this week in preparation for the matchup against the Falcons.The Lions signed Montgomery as a free agent this offseason after he spent the first four campaigns of his career with the Chicago Bears. He rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 touchdowns during his tenure with the Lions' NFC North rivals.Detroit will likely lean on the combination of rookie Jahmyr Gibbs and Craig Reynolds with Montgomery on the mend.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers have signed general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan to multi-year contracts, the team announced Friday.The length of each extension is unknown.The Niners have enjoyed a productive run since the pair joined the club in February 2017, winning the NFC West division twice (2019 and 2022) and making three appearances in the NFC Championship Game. They also appeared in Super Bowl LIV.With Shanahan and Lynch at the helm, the franchise has posted a 55-46 mark over seven seasons. San Francisco has the second-most victories in the NFC since 2019. This year, the 49ers are off to a 3-0 start following their win over the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football.Many of the Niners' core players have been drafted by Lynch since he assumed his role in the front office. All-Pros Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Fred Warner highlight some of the GM's successes.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jordan Love kicked off his era as the Green Bay Packers' new starting quarterback two weeks ago with a 38-20 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 1. After the win, Aaron Rodgers - who knows a thing or two about beating Chicago - contacted Love."Congratulations on keeping the ownership in place," Rodgers texted Love after the Packers pulled away late versus their archrivals, the four-time NFL MVP revealed Friday on "The Pat McAfee Show."Love became Green Bay's QB1 this year to replace Rodgers, whom the Packers traded to the New York Jets in the offseason. Love completed 15 of 27 pass attempts for 245 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions against Chicago."I didn't see the (Atlanta) Falcons game, but I did get to see a decent part of the Bears game," Rodgers added. "I thought (Love) played excellent, and I was really happy for him. Green Bay quarterbacks have made fans of Chicago's days and nights pretty miserable, and I'm happy to see him picking up where I left off."Rodgers, the Packers' starting passer from 2008-22, left the team with 223 starts under his belt, including 29 against the Bears. He posted a 24-5 record as a starter versus Chicago while passing for 64 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. The Rodgers-led Packers also defeated the Bears in the NFC title game during the 2010 season en route to winning the Super Bowl that year.In 2021, Rodgers famously taunted Bears fans by shouting, "I still own you" after a fourth-quarter touchdown at Soldier Field. Green Bay has won 14 of the last 15 matchups in the series, including nine in a row.The Love-led Packers suffered their first loss this season to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After two weeks of tightly-lined matchups in which very few teams were favored by more than a touchdown, Week 3 sees some massively lopsided spreads. With little interest in guessing whether the Cardinals can score on the Cowboys or if the Bears can stop the Chiefs, and with the two games we'll get to Monday, our options are limited for Sunday.Best bets ATSWe've already discussed the five underdogs with a shot to win outright relative to their price, and as always, they're worth a look against the spread.TEAMSPREADCommanders+6.5Broncos+6.5Texans+9Panthers+6.5Buccaneers+5However, there are more plays worth making this week.Browns (-3.5)Mike Vrabel scored two ATS wins in his coveted spot as an underdog in the first two games this season. However, this line has toggled between Browns -3 (-115) and -3.5 (+100). Cleveland can mitigate losing Nick Chubb with Jerome Ford, who showed out Monday. But it's the Browns' defense that'll have Ryan Tannehill shook. This game will be ugly. But in the end, the Browns win by at least a touchdown, even if they barely get to 20 points.Chargers (+1.5)The Chargers' 0-2 record could just as easily be reversed, at which point they'd likely be favored here. The offense has clicked well enough, and unlike the Vikings, the Bolts haven't turned the ball over. The line is moving away from L.A., potentially due to the increasing likelihood that Austin Ekeler won't play Sunday. Still, the Chargers should be able to run the ball as necessary against Minnesota with Joshua Kelley. The Eagles gashed the Vikings last week when Minnesota tried to funnel Philadelphia's offense to the inside.The Chargers defense is far too talented to give up the big plays they've allowed. And with the Vikings' struggles to run the ball, Kirk Cousins should be under pressure yet again.Packers (-1)The Packers are one of four teams to get their first home game of the season in Week 3. After reaching as high as -2, a disappointing injury report has resulted in this line drifting back toward pick'em. However, the injuries to the Packers' offensive line didn't hurt them against a much-improved Falcons' front. Matt Lafleur has schemed to keep Jordan Love upright, as he's been sacked just twice and hasn't thrown an interception. Aaron Jones is back at practice, and his hamstring injury should feel better on the Lambeau Field turf, while Christian Watson also hopes to return.The Saints had trouble blocking the Panthers. On a short week, with Jaire Alexander shadowing Chris Olave, the Packers should be able to torment Derek Carr.Patriots (-2.5)Since 2003, the Patriots have been the third-best team in the NFL against the spread as a road favorite at 57.9%. An 0-2 club getting this much credit might be off-putting, but we'll bet that losses to the Eagles and Dolphins - a game in which New England had the ball with a chance to win late - won't look all that bad at the end of the season.As intimidating as the Jets' defense appears, their turnover numbers are built on some loose play from Josh Allen. In this offense-centric era of the NFL, I can't back a team in a virtual pick'em on defense alone, and that's just where we're at with the Jets. The Patriots gave up big rushing totals last week because they preferred that to the Dolphins' quick strikes. With deference to Garrett Wilson's long touchdown last week, Zach Wilson won't scare Bill Belichick, and he'll tighten the defense back up.Raiders (-2.5)This game opened at pick'em, but the Raiders have taken money for their first home game Sunday night. With the spread now -2.5, that's about as far as I'll go in backing them. But this sets up nicely for Las Vegas with the Steelers coming off a Monday night home win in which they needed two defensive touchdowns to beat Cleveland.The Raiders have played defense with an eye on bending while keeping possessions to a minimum. How many turns do the Steelers need to score more than one touchdown on offense? The 49ers and Browns have a better defense, but it's hard to imagine the Steelers' run game becomes a weapon. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's run defense left something to be desired without Cameron Heyward.Moneyline upset of the weekOur defined parameter for this section is underdogs paying at least +150.Commanders (+230)Of our four qualifying underdogs in the round-robin parlay, the Commanders are the best bet to actually come through. The vibes are high in Washington with a 2-0 record and fresh ownership, but rejuvenated crowd noise will help give their defensive line a jump on the Bills' offense. Full credit to the Bills for stretching a lead over the Raiders, but the Commanders showed in Denver that they're up for a 60-minute fight.Best 6-point teaserRavens -2 / Rams +8.5We're already on the Ravens in survivor contests, and as unnerving as that pick is each week, the Colts could have Gardner Minshew playing behind an offensive line without Ryan Kelly or Quenton Nelson or both. Pulling the line down under a field goal is the prudent way to back your opinion of a Baltimore win.Speaking of quarterback injury issues, teasing the Rams up over a full touchdown is a good deal, whether Joe Burrow is available Monday night or not. It'll be a great buy if Jake Browning gets the call and the line adjusts accordingly.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson won't play in Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Shane Steichen announced Friday, according to James Boyd of The Athletic.The No. 4 overall pick missed all three practice sessions after suffering a concussion in Week 2. Veteran Gardner Minshew, who replaced the rookie versus the Houston Texans last week, will start against Baltimore.Richardson is optimistic about returning for Week 4, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.The 21-year-old sustained the ailment on his second touchdown run of the first quarter against Houston. He returned for the following two series before self-reporting concussion symptoms.The young signal-caller also suffered minor ankle and knee injuries late in his NFL debut while running the ball, though the Colts said he could've returned if needed.Richardson has thrown for 279 yards and one touchdown against one interception this season. He's also rushed for 75 yards and three scores.Minshew completed 19 of 23 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown as the Colts won their first game of the season in Week 2.Indianapolis will also be without Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly due to a concussion. Guard Quenton Nelson (toe) and cornerbacks Kenny Moore (knee) and Dallis Flowers were listed as questionable. Nelson was a full participant at practice on Friday.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers have a long injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.Running back Aaron Jones (hamstring), wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring), cornerback Jaire Alexander (back), left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee), and linebacker Lukas Van Ness (elbow) are all questionable for Week 3, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.Jones, Watson, and Bakhtiari missed last week's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Alexander was a new addition to the injury report Friday, Schneidman adds.Meanwhile, guard Elgton Jenkins (knee) and safety Zayne Anderson (hamstring) won't play against the Saints.Jones was able to practice in a limited capacity for a second consecutive day Friday.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young will miss some time with an ankle sprain, head coach Frank Reich said Friday, according to Nick Carboni of WCNC Charlotte."Doctors are saying one-to-two weeks," Reich clarified, according to David Newton of ESPN.The Panthers announced Thursday that Young was unlikely to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday after he missed practice for a second straight day with an ankle ailment."I think Bryce has done well this week," Reich added. "I'm optimistic that he's on the right path. ... When he gets back and when he's cleared, he's our guy."The No. 1 overall pick completed 59.2% of his passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions in his first two NFL appearances. Carolina traded up in April's draft to select the touted Alabama product.The Panthers are coming off a Monday loss to the New Orleans Saints that dropped them to 0-2.With Young sidelined, veteran Andy Dalton will be under center for Carolina."This guy (is) playing at a high level," Reich said of Dalton, according to Newton. "The way he's throwing the football, the way he works through progressions, the way he's playing the game ... Since Day 1 when he's walked through the door, I said he's starter-worthy."After visiting the Seahawks, the Panthers host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addressed Trevon Diggs' season-ending injury on Friday, acknowledging there's nothing his team can do to replace the star cornerback for the remainder of the year."You can't do that," Jones said when asked about Dallas potentially making a move to add another high-profile corner, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "That's just not real. That's like saying that 'I want to be Tom Cruise.' You don't replace these irreplaceable players."Diggs suffered a torn ACL in a non-contact one-on-one drill at Thursday's practice. The Cowboys later announced that the two-time Pro Bowler is expected to miss the 2023 campaign.A second-round pick in 2020, Diggs became a cornerstone of Dallas' defense. The Alabama product, who's appeared in 47 games since entering the NFL, led the league with 11 interceptions en route to earning a first-team All-Pro berth in 2021. He racked up three pass breakups, a pick, and a forced fumble through this season's first two games while helping the Cowboys start the year 2-0."No one has the impact he has," Jones said of Diggs, who signed a five-year, $97-million extension in July. "The facts are that we do have depth. We don't have depth with somebody with his unique abilities, but we've got depth relative to playing the position."DaRon Bland is expected to start opposite cornerback Stephon Gilmore, whom Dallas landed as part of an offseason trade from the Indianapolis Colts. Jourdan Lewis will replace Bland in the slot.The Cowboys' cornerback depth chart still features 2020 first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene and sixth-round rookie Eric Scott Jr.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a barrage of unders filled the Week 1 board, Week 2's results completely flipped. Overs went 13-3 in Week 2. We only cashed in on one, resulting in a 1-2 week that brought our season totals record to 3-3.It's hard to get a read on over/under trends early in the season, so we relied on many team totals. This week, though, we have two total plays and just one team total. Let's dive in.Week 3 TotalsMatchupTotalTitans @ Browns39.5Falcons @ Lions46.5Broncos @ Dolphins47.5Bills @ Commanders43.5Patriots @ Jets36.5Chargers @ Vikings54.5Colts @ Ravens44.5Saints @ Packers42.5Texans @ Jaguars44.5Panthers @ Seahawks42.5Cowboys @ Cardinals43.5Bears @ Chiefs48.5Steelers @ Raiders42.5Eagles @ Buccaneers46.5Rams @ Bengals44.5Saints @ Packers over 42.5 pointsThe Packers' offense doesn't appear to have missed a step since Jordan Love replaced Aaron Rodgers as the starting quarterback. Green Bay is averaging 31 points through two games, both of which went over 42.5.It's way too early to proclaim the Packers nailed the Love pick, but the early returns are good. He's thrown 396 passing yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions.Oddsmakers expect a low-scoring contest for the Packers against a Saints defense that gave up just one touchdown through two games - a meaningless one in the final minute of a game that was already decided.But this Saints defense is overrated; expect Love and head coach Matt LaFleur to carve it up. While New Orleans has held opponents to 16 points per game, those opponents were Tennessee and Carolina. The Titans' offense, led by Ryan Tannehill, has serious limitations, and the Panthers have a rookie quarterback and an abysmal offensive line.Although the Saints' offense hasn't shown much flash, Derek Carr is capable of airing it out with Chris Olave and Michael Thomas lining up on the outside. The Packers have yet to play any high-powered offenses or notable quarterbacks, yet they're still giving up 22.5 points per game.Both offenses should score easily, and I expect this game to be played into the high 20s.Steelers @ Raiders under 42.5 pointsThe Steelers' offense has been a massive disappointment. Kenny Pickett is unsure of himself and doesn't look like he belongs in a starting role. His offensive line isn't giving him much help either. Najee Harris can't break ground in the run game, which also falls in part on the offensive line. Pittsburgh has the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL.The Steelers scored more touchdowns on defense last week (two) than on offense (one). They have two total offensive touchdowns this season.Pittsburgh's defense, however, has elite playmakers all over and will give the Raiders' offense fits. The Raiders have the third-worst rushing attack and seventh-worst passing attack in the league - albeit in a small sample.Both offenses will struggle in a low-scoring affair that has the Raiders as slight 2.5-point favorites.Jaguars' team total over 27.5 pointsAfter pouring 31 points on the Colts in Week 1, the Jaguars struggled to score against the Chiefs last week, totaling nine points - their lowest since Oct. 9 of last season.That output, however, is not indicative of how prolific the Jaguars' offense can be with Trevor Lawrence under center and Doug Pederson calling plays.I anticipate a monster bounce-back game from the Jaguars that resembles Week 1 more than Week 2. Jacksonville faces a retooling Texans team that just gave up 31 points to a Colts offense led by rookie Anthony Richardson and backup Gardner Minshew.Calvin Ridley is Lawrence's top target. He caught just two passes against the Chiefs despite receiving eight targets, and he'll be an essential part of Jacksonville's game plan this week.A good team coming off a disappointing performance and facing an inferior team is a perfect rebound spot. Instead of taking the game over or even laying the 8.5 points with the Jaguars, placing a bet on the team total is the wise play.Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @soshtry for more betting coverage.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.Consult our Week 3 rankings for the rest of your lineup decisions. You can also listen to the Week 3 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.StartKirk Cousins, Vikingsvs. Chargers David Berding / Getty Images Sport / GettyCousins is the highest-scoring fantasy quarterback through two weeks, averaging 354 passing yards and three touchdowns per game.Now he enters a matchup with the Chargers, who are allowing the second most fantasy points to QBs this season. The game also has the highest projected point total on this week's slate at 54.5.Working with one of the league's best pass-catching corps, Cousins is a strong QB1 play in this potential shootout.Boone's projection: 324 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, INTOther QBs to start

After San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams appeared to have thrown a punch at New York Giants defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson, the league said it could not certify it was a closed-fist strike."We couldn't confirm that 100 percent from the standpoint of was it truly a closed fist with a strike," NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.He added: "We ended up looking at the video we had available to us, and we just didn't see anything that rose to the level of flagrant. Which is the standard that we have to apply to disqualify the player."The incident occurred right before halftime in the team's Thursday Night matchup.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 3.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.Half PPR

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Boone opens up the fantasy mailbag to answer your questions before Week 3.

San Francisco 49ers star wideout Brandon Aiyuk won't be in uniform for Thursday night's matchup against the New York Giants, the team announced.The 25-year-old receiver was listed as questionable ahead of the Niners' Week 3 contest due to both shoulder and chest injuries.The 49ers listed Aiyuk among their inactives for Week 3. Defensive back Ambry Thomas will also miss Thursday's matchup because of a knee ailment.Aiyuk appeared to sustain the injury in the first series of the team's win last weekend against the Los Angeles Rams. He played sparingly for the remainder of the game, finishing with three receptions for 43 yards.The Arizona State product leads all Niners pass-catchers with 172 yards through two games. Aiyuk posted career-high marks with 78 catches, 1,015 yards, and eight touchdowns in 2022.San Francisco could lean on Ray-Ray McCloud, Ronnie Bell, and Jauan Jennings in Aiyuk's absence. The team elevated veteran wide receiver Chris Conley from the practice squad for the contest as well.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL during Thursday's practice, the team announced, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.The two-time Pro Bowler left the Cowboys' facility on crutches before undergoing an MRI that confirmed the injury.Diggs reacted on social media, saying he'll be "back and better."

The Bills weren't vulnerable in Week 2, but luckily, every other one of our five underdogs came through. Three outright winners, plus the Cardinals, who built a significant 17-point lead, and we're 2-for-2 for as high as +7.5 units before factoring in an 8-2 record against the spread.There hasn't been a touchdown underdog to win outright yet this season. With the way the matchups fall in Week 3, we'll need a shocker or two just to have something to work with.How it worksWe parlay five underdogs together - which we also bet against the spread - in 10 different three-team parlays. Using every combination of a three-team parlay is called a round robin, so we'll use a total of 1.1 units to make 11 different bets: 10 three-team parlays and one five-team parlay, each for .1 units. You'll likely double your money if three teams pull off the upset. If four teams win, you're connecting on four separate parlays and will be very pleased with the return. If all five teams win, you'll be diving into a gold doubloon silo like a young Scrooge McDuck.Who to playCommanders (+250) over BillsWe'll take another shot at Buffalo with a team that's starting to put the pieces together thanks to Sam Howell and offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy. The Commanders seem to have found a quarterback willing to test defenses deep who can also buy time in the pocket without turning the ball over. Each game Howell plays should make him more comfortable running an offense operated by the former Chiefs assistant.The Commanders' defense saw Chase Young return last week, strengthening a ferocious front seven that should trouble the Bills' offensive line. As a result, we could see the version of Josh Allen that turns the ball over at the wrong time.Broncos (+230) over DolphinsJust because the Broncos lost their first two at home doesn't mean all hope is lost. The Dolphins' home-field advantage should be limited after Miami played on the road in comfortable conditions the first two weeks.For all the heat Russell Wilson has caught, the Broncos' offense has been far more efficient than it was last season. Sean Payton is making the appropriate adjustments to keep that side improving.This becomes very interesting if Jaylen Waddle, who suffered a concussion, can't go, as it would allow Denver to roll its coverage toward Tyreek Hill and rely on a run defense that has allowed just 3.5 yards per rush.Texans (+325) over JaguarsSince the start of 2022, the Jaguars are 0-3 as home favorites against the spread, with outright losses to the Texans and Giants and a close win over the Titans in Week 18 last year. They haven't shown they can blow out inferior teams, evidenced by their Week 1 escape in Indianapolis, so expect a close game. Jacksonville was also 0-for-3 in the red zone last week. The Texans were beaten early by Anthony Richardson's legs and will be relieved that they don't have to plan for a speedy quarterback.Houston's rough start has seen its rating drop, but the team should see the return of cornerstone left tackle Laremy Tunsil. That would help C.J. Stroud, who was sacked six times last week, one of which resulted in a fumble that put the Colts in the driver's seat, up 14-0. Stroud had some success while trailing, racking up almost 400 yards, and a healthier line should free up Dameon Pierce, who is in need of a breakout game and goes against a team that allowed 5.8 yards per carry to Isiah Pacheco last week.Panthers (+240) over SeahawksBryce Young has been ruled out and this line has crept up from -4 to the verge of -7 with the looming involvement of Andy Dalton. The moneyline has gone with it. However, considering this is an exercise in finding value in the odds, is Carolina really less likely to win with Dalton at the helm than with a rookie on the road?The Panthers' defense held up OK without Jaycee Horn on Monday, allowing just 4.6 yards per play against a veteran offensive line. Brian Burns and Derrick Brown could be missing again this week. Meanwhile, the Seahawks forced just one punt in Detroit, so this could be the best the Panthers' offense has looked all season.Buccaneers (+180) over EaglesJames Bradberry and Reed Blankenship might return, but the Eagles appeared lost in defensive coverage without Nakobe Dean communicating their defense last Thursday. Baker Mayfield has actually been one of the NFL's top-rated quarterbacks through two weeks, and against the Bears, he was 12-of-15 for 207 yards when pressured.Minnesota presented a soft box that allowed D'Andre Swift to run up the middle at will. That's not something Philadelphia can rely on with Vita Vea clogging up the middle. Meanwhile, the Bucs deployed a spy on Justin Fields, dissuading him from running more than four times.How the odds look this week:PARLAYODDS (Approx.)WSH+DEN+HOU+4700WSH+DEN+CAR+3500WSH+DEN+TB+3100WSH+HOU+CAR+4500WSH+HOU+TB+4000WSH+CAR+TB+3000DEN+HOU+CAR+3500DEN+HOU+TB+4000DEN+CAR+TB+3000HOU+CAR+TB+3900WSH+DEN+HOU+CAR+TB+43000Who are your five underdogs for a football-betting lottery ticket?Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown addressed his sideline outburst with Jalen Hurts in Week 2 for the first time on Thursday, saying he has no issues with the quarterback despite the incident."It was a discussion," Brown said, according to Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer. "This is a game that we both love, and I want everybody to understand that sometimes emotions run high. ... That doesn't mean it's the end of the world. That doesn't mean I'm beefing with Jalen."Brown and Hurts had an exchange during last week's 34-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Nick Sirianni interjected and started talking to Brown while Hurts walked away.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young isn't expected to play in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks due to an ankle injury, the team announced Thursday.Andy Dalton will start against the Seahawks. Carolina also brought Jake Luton back to its practice squad Wednesday to likely act as Dalton's backup.Young - who missed his second consecutive practice Thursday - suffered the injury at some point during Monday's loss to the New Orleans Saints but was able to finish the game.The No. 1 overall pick has struggled in his first two NFL games. Amid issues all over the Panthers' new-look offense, the former Alabama star has completed 59.2% of his passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions. He's also rushed for 51 yards.Boasting 162 starts and three Pro Bowl nods across 12 seasons, Dalton is one of the NFL's most experienced backups. He performed solidly for the New Orleans Saints last season, throwing for 2,871 yards and 18 touchdowns against nine interceptions in 14 starts.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We saw how fragile and replaceable the running back position can be on Monday night, that is, if the broadcast had shown a replay of what sounds like the type of injury those who are squeamish wouldn't want to see anyway.Nick Chubb will require reconstructive knee surgery for the second time in his career. Chubb was one of the most meaningful non-quarterbacks to the point spread. Given the poor play from the Browns' signal-caller, he might be more meaningful to Cleveland than Deshaun Watson.The Browns lost the divisional matchup in Pittsburgh, so their odds to win the AFC North, the conference, and the Super Bowl would have lengthened anyway. Chubb was the preseason favorite to lead the league in rushing yards and touchdowns. The void he leaves for the remainder of the season creates an opportunity not just for his replacement but perhaps for bettors still willing to believe in Cleveland's offensive infrastructure and strategy.Filling Nick Chubb's shoesJosh Jacobs won the rushing title in 2022 with 1,653 yards, a surprising result after it seemed like he had fallen out of favor in Las Vegas. Chubb finished third with 1,525 yards, averaging 5.1 yards on 302 carries. That per-carry average is on the low end for his career, with his bottom being 5.0. Chubbs averaged 6.1 yards per carry through one and a half games, so the Browns' offensive line opened holes for him against two quality defenses in the Bengals and Steelers.When a star tailback gets hurt, it's usually too late into the season for his replacement to compete with the league in season-long totals. However, thanks to a 16-carry, 106-yard performance in relief of Chubb on Monday, Jerome Ford isn't that far back of the leaders, tied for 10th in the NFL in rushing.The Browns replaced Chubb on the roster by re-signing Kareem Hunt, who backed up Chubb during his four 1,000-yard seasons. It could be argued the Browns knew what they had in Ford when they opted to leave Hunt as a free agent this offseason. As Kevin Stefanski said, there's a strong possibility that the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Ford - three years younger and with a similar build to Chubb - will be the featured running back.Can the favorite in the market be caught?Rushing yardsChristian McCaffrey has a massive early lead on the next-best rusher through two games, 88 yards clear of Bijan Robinson and 126 yards ahead of Ford. However, with 15 games left on the schedule, Ford has to make up just 8.4 yards per contest.Let's say he fills Chubb's shoes to a tee, matching his 89.7 yards per game last season. McCaffrey could still run for 80 yards per contest the rest of the way and be caught. Looking at last season's awesome production - a stretch that had us backing him for Offensive Player of the Year - McCaffrey averaged 72.8 yards on the ground after his first game.McCaffrey's been explosive so far, but he's also been heavily used. Kyle Shanahan even mentioned that he needs to ease the workload, as McCaffrey recorded his second and third-most carries since becoming a 49er, including playoffs, in the opening contests. He's also had just eight targets in the passing game this year after averaging 5.9 targets per contest from his second matchup in San Francisco and onward. Even a shift to more usage in the open field - versus having McCaffrey running through the trenches - should alleviate some wear and tear on the Niners star.Rushing touchdownsMcCaffrey has two rushing touchdowns this season, but the lead is at three, with Anthony Richardson, Raheem Mostert, and Kyren Williams atop the list. None of those three were expected to contend here, with Mostert having the shortest odds at +4000.From an opportunity standpoint, Chubb had 12 touchdowns last season in his first 11 games. Strangely, he didn't score in the campaign's final six contests, which helped Jamaal Williams push for the league lead in rushing touchdowns. The Browns can provide Ford with the opportunity to score once per game (he came up inches short of one Monday night). If that's the case, he can score 15 times on the ground. That number would put him right in the mix to lead the league. Since no true goal-line horse has a head start, Ford can make up the stagger.The betJerome Ford to lead the NFL in rushing yards (+2800)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce says he's completely healthy ahead of Week 3 after missing the regular-season opener with a hyperextended knee."I'm not even thinking about it anymore," Kelce said when asked Thursday if he's feeling 100% on "The Pat McAfee Show." "We're past that. I felt like an absolute idiot not being able to be out there for my team."But that's why you always gotta make sure everything's firing in the body, make sure you're all tuned up and really thinking about the movement that you make out there on the field so you don't hurt the team come Sunday."While Kelce was able to return for last week's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and caught a touchdown, he finished with only four catches for 26 yards as Kansas City's offense again failed to find its usual dominant form.The star tight end was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and was no longer listed on the team's injury report.The 33-year-old is coming off another All-Pro season in which he produced career highs in catches (110) and touchdowns (12). He also set his second-best mark in receiving yards (1,338).Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings are acquiring running back Cam Akers from the Los Angeles Rams, both teams announced Wednesday.The Rams sent Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick to the Vikings in exchange for a conditional sixth-round selection in 2026.Rams coach Sean McVay said Monday that an Akers trade was likely on the horizon and that the Rams had discussions with other teams about the former second-round pick. Akers was made a healthy scratch for the team's Week 2 contest against the San Francisco 49ers. Akers struggled in Week 1, rushing for just 29 yards on 22 carries.In Minnesota, Akers will be reunited with head coach Kevin O'Connell, who served as his offensive coordinator with the Rams. Akers will join a backfield that's rushed for an NFL-worst 69 yards through two games. Alexander Mattison is the team's leading rusher with 62 yards, but he's averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said Thursday that the team still has a lot of faith in Mattison despite adding another starting-caliber rusher to the backfield."We haven't lost confidence in Alex Mattison," Phillips told reporters, including ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "We still feel very strongly in Alex and (Ty Chandler) and those guys being able to go in and produce."Akers rushed for 786 yards and seven touchdowns across 15 appearances last season. It was his first full campaign since tearing his Achilles in July 2021, which sidelined him for the first 17 weeks of that season.With Akers gone, L.A. will likely continue to rely on running back Kyren Williams. Williams has tallied 104 rushing yards and four total touchdowns through two games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The great thing about an 18-week NFL regular season (other than four months of watching football) is the endless storylines every week. Let's get right to one of them, the all-important tale of wins and losses.Which 0-2 teams can bounce back?The Broncos, Patriots, Chargers, Vikings, Texans, Panthers, Cardinals, Bears, and Bengals are all 0-2.Some are expected - the Panthers, Texans, Cardinals, and Bears are still rebuilding. The Broncos, Patriots, and even the Vikings are middling teams. The Chargers' and Bengals' 0-2 starts, however, are somewhat shocking - and perhaps concerning.It's not uncommon to revive a 0-2 start - the Bengals did it just last year en route to the AFC title game. But if a team starts 0-3, the eulogies are written less than a quarter into the season. Since 1979, just six teams have made the playoffs after starting 0-3.So which of the nine winless teams has the best chance to turn the ship around?The Chargers and Vikings play each other in a must-win game for both teams (more on that later).While the Bengals looked better in a three-point Week 2 loss to an elite Ravens squad, they still have a ways to go to mirror last year's team. Heading into week three, they're two-point favorites against the Rams. Cincinnati fans may have marked this game as a win before the season began, but with the Bengals' offensive struggles and Joe Burrow's potential lingering injury, that's not the case anymore.The Rams have also been a pleasant surprise this season. Matthew Stafford looks healthy and the offense is successfully moving the ball.The Bears and Cardinals are playing the Chiefs and Cowboys, respectively, so it'd be a miracle if either bottom-tier team escaped with a win as a double-digit underdog. The Panthers are 5.5-point underdogs at the Seahawks, and the Texans are 9.5-point underdogs at the Jaguars.The Cardinals are +150 to be the last winless team, while the Texans sit at +250 and the Bears are +350.The Patriots are three-point favorites at the Jets, who have more questions than answers across the roster right now. New England has been competitive against two contending teams in Miami and Philadelphia.The Sean Payton era is not off to a hot start in Denver. The Broncos are 0-2 after disappointing losses to the Raiders and Commanders. It won't get any easier this week when the Broncos travel to the 2-0 Dolphins as 6.5-point underdogs. It'll only get messier before Payton ascends the Rocky Mountains in Denver.Which 2-0 teams are most vulnerable?There are eight undefeated teams in the NFL - 49ers, Falcons, Dolphins, Commanders, Ravens, Saints, Cowboys, Eagles, and Buccaneers. The only two playing each other are the Eagles and Bucs, with the former listed as a five-point road favorite.The unbeaten club will surely dwindle by the end of the weekend. Other than the Bucs, the Saints (@ Packers -2), Commanders (vs. Bills -6.5), and Falcons (@ Lions -3.5) are underdogs.The 49ers are 10-point favorites against the Giants, the Cowboys are 12-point favorites against the Cardinals, and the Ravens are eight-point favorites against the Colts.All three, along with the Eagles, should still be undefeated next week. Philadelphia has the best odds to be the last undefeated team at +200 with a favorable schedule coming up. The 49ers are next at +250, then the Cowboys at +350. The Ravens are +500 while the Dolphins are +550.The Bucs, Dolphins, Cowboys, and Ravens are the only 2-0 teams both outright and against the spread.What's at stake in the Chargers @ Vikings matchupThe loser of this game is in for a rough rest of the season - which will likely result in drastic organizational changes. Both teams were favored in their divisional playoff matchup last season and suffered heartbreaking losses.The Vikings' regression was more predictable. They finished 11-0 in one-score games last season, an almost improbable mark that was elevated thanks to some luck. With a good-but-not-great quarterback, it's too early to call the Vikings frauds, but they are certainly nothing above average.If this campaign turns into a lost one - and it looks like it will - Minnesota has to answer some serious questions this offseason.The Chargers blew a 27-point lead to the Jaguars in the playoffs last in 2022-23 and haven't won a game since. The Justin Herbert-led offense is not the problem, as they've combined for 58 points through two games this season - both losses.Head coach Brandon Staley's seat is as hot as anyone's in the NFL and, if they lose Sunday, it could become scorching.It's a pick 'em game, meaning neither team is favored and oddsmakers expect a close, high-scoring affair - like most of the Chargers' games. The over/under is set at 54.5, which is the highest of the weekend by far.Oddsmakers predict that the two quarterbacks will air the ball out early and often. Herbert's passing yards are set at 282.5 and Kirk Cousins' are at 291.5, and each is heavily favored to throw over 1.5 touchdowns.Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @soshtry for more betting coverage.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles went to bat for Justin Fields after the quarterback came under fire for comments that appeared to be critical of the team's coaching staff."I can't be more clear than this - no one in our entire building, none of our coaches, see Justin as a finger-pointer at all," Poles told the media Thursday, including NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "He has always taken ownership of anything that's happened on the field. He takes it head-on, he works, he grinds, he puts his head down, he works with his teammates, works with his coaches to find solutions."Fields said Wednesday he felt his play recently has been "robotic," adding that it's been caused by having an abundance of information to process. When asked what might be causing him to overthink, Fields responded with "could be coaching."The quarterback later clarified his remarks and claimed his words were "taken out of context." He added that he "needs to play better," and that he's willing to take all the blame for any in-game mishaps.In addition to the 24-year-old's struggles, the Bears have also had to deal with the surprise resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams and an 0-2 record. However, Chicago isn't flinching due to its poor start, according to Poles."To be really clear, I know there's outside noise, but no one in our building is panicking," Poles added, according to Chris Emma of 670 The Score. "Not our owner. Not our president. Not our head coach. Not myself. None of our players. Everybody is focusing on solving the issues we have so we can become a better football team."Williams said Wednesday that he was stepping down to focus on his "health and family." However, rumors spread online that raids were conducted in connection to the former Bears defensive coordinator, who missed the team's Week 2 loss due to personal reasons. Poles reiterated that those rumors are "completely false," per NBC Sports Chicago's Alex Shapiro.The Bears are averaging 18.5 points per game but are also giving up 32.5 points per contest, which ranks 31st in the NFL. Meanwhile, Fields has tossed two touchdowns to three interceptions to go along with a 60.6% completion percentage.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick defended his hit on Nick Chubb that left the Cleveland Browns running back with a season-ending knee injury."I'm a guy that is a competitor, that's going to go out there and play the game," Fitzpatrick said Thursday, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "I'm chippy, I'm edgy, of course, but I'm not a dirty player."Fitzpatrick expressed sympathy for Chubb following news that the rusher will undergo surgery for his injury sustained in Monday's contest but said, "There's nothing I really would do differently.""I would say, one: They've never tackled Nick Chubb before if they're telling me to go high," said Fitzpatrick when asked his response to people who criticized his hit, according to NFL Network's James Palmer. "Two: What I seen was it opened up, it's goal line. I didn't see anybody on him. I made the decision as soon as I seen the hole open up and him in the hole to go low."You can tell me how to tackle him low, but it's a fast game. It's a game (where) you make decisions in milliseconds. Can't really control what happens after you choose to make your decision. I already chose to go low. Somebody got on his back when I was going low, and what happened happened."Fitzpatrick described Chubb's injury as "very unfortunate" and called his AFC North rival "a great player."The ESPN broadcast didn't show a replay of the hit due to its gruesome nature.Fitzpatrick also suffered an ailment during the prime-time game, appearing to sustain the injury while making a touchdown-saving tackle on Browns running back Jerome Ford. Fitzpatrick was reportedly taken to hospital for precautionary scans for a chest contusion but has a chance to play in Week 3.The Browns re-signed veteran Kareem Hunt in the wake of Chubb's injury and will pair him with Ford to replace the four-time Pro Bowler.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. suffered a hamstring injury in Wednesday's practice, sources told ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime.Stingley will miss Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars but could miss more contests as his recovery timeline remains undetermined, Bien-Aime adds.The 22-year-old started the season's first two games, recording nine tackles.Injuries have plagued the Texans' secondary early in the 2023 campaign. Safety Jimmie Ward missed the first two games with a hip injury but returned to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday. Defensive back Jalen Pitre missed the Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts with a chest injury.After getting drafted third overall in 2022, hamstring troubles limited Stingley to nine games in his rookie season.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Last week's Thursday nighter showcased the importance of getting the best of the number. Early Vikings bettors cashed with +7.5 to +6.5, while anyone backing the Eagles on Thursday pushed at the very least.This week, the betting line should reflect that the Giants will be without their biggest star, Saquon Barkley. Not to disparage New York's come-from-behind win Sunday, but the market thinks the team has a similar win probability against the 49ers as its namesake in the 1994 youth football story "Little Giants."'You always run the ball! Why can't I run the ball?!'Look for the line to go back up to +10.5 or higher with Barkley officially out. While the 49ers are highly likely to win, there's a scenario where they play this game more conservatively. Kyle Shanahan has mentioned that Christian McCaffrey's usage has been too high through two weeks, with him receiving 85% and 100% of the snaps, respectively. On a short week against a defense that's struggled to start the year, look for Elijah Mitchell to spell McCaffrey and the offense to be less explosive but still sustain possessions.Fewer possessions overall should keep the Giants in touch even if they never threaten to win, and Sunday's game showed us they have the capability and will to make adjustments even when all hope looks lost. So, a backdoor cover is in play as well.Pick: Giants (+10.5)'Not fun anymore. All the fun is gone now. See now, it's war!'Speaking of adjustments, 60-0 will make you try something different. The Giants went into YOLO mode down 20-0 at halftime in Arizona a week after losing 40-0. They didn't really have any choice.New York put the ball in Daniel Jones' hands. He excelled in the Giants' comeback, completing 17 of 21 passes for 259 yards and accounting for three touchdowns.Without Barkley, the Giants should go into a pass-heavy mode early and often. Also, the 49ers' defense can be beaten deep. Jalin Hyatt caught passes of 58 and 31 yards against the Cardinals, providing the deep target that could provide a chunk of yardage for Jones.Pick: Daniel Jones over 215.5 passing yards (-115)'When you mess with Spike, you mess with death'Deebo Samuel is the 49ers' version of Spike: everyone knows he's getting the ball, and he can beat you with a combination of speed and power. Unlike the "Little Giants," the big Giants don't have Rick Moranis there to know what play the opponent will run near the goal line, nor do they have the "Icebox" there to stare him down.Much has been said about Samuel being in even better shape than last year. That should be reflected in his ability to bully his way in for a score once the Niners reach the red zone. The Giants were vulnerable over the middle to the Cardinals, who used their tight ends to move the ball down the field. Look for San Francisco to use Samuel in the soft middle of New York's defense, where it'll be up to its secondary to try to mess with him in the open field.Pick: Deebo Samuel anytime touchdown (+115)Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2023 NFL season is just two weeks old, but that doesn't mean it's too early for some teams to begin panicking.Here are six clubs already staring at the potential of a full-on implosion.New York Giants Michael Owens / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Giants are an even .500 entering Week 3, but it has to be one of the ugliest 1-1 records we've seen in quite a while. It's hard to picture anything but a doomsday scenario for New York - a playoff team last season - after the franchise struggled mightily through the first two weeks and is now facing the long-term absence of its biggest superstar, Saquon Barkley.Barkley is reportedly expected to miss the next three weeks with an ankle sprain suffered in the closing stages of the Giants' Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The 26-year-old has been a vital part of the offense, tallying 155 yards from scrimmage and two of the team's four touchdowns. Yet, even with Barkley, the Giants have been lucky to get to 1-1, begging the question: How will they stay afloat without him?The Giants' upcoming schedule isn't pretty, either. Their next four opponents are the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills. Three of those four games are also on the road. Even if Barkley was healthy, it wouldn't be unfathomable to picture an 0-4 run in the next four weeks. After all, this is the same Giants team that was walloped 40-0 by the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 1 and then fell behind 20-0 to a Cardinals team led by journeyman quarterback Joshua Dobbs before squeaking by 31-28 after a gigantic second-half comeback.It's going to take a monumental effort from Daniel Jones, who's already thrown three interceptions after tossing just five total last year, to offset the loss of Barkley. It might not matter. With or without their star running back, regression may catch up to the Giants. New York has struggled and looked like a shell of its 2022 self, even with Barkley on the field. It might be wishful thinking to imagine the Giants being any better relying on Jones and a weak wide receiver group during their upcoming stretch.Cincinnati BengalsThe Bengals are 0-2 - again. History says there's no reason to panic about that, considering they started with an identical record last season and a 1-1 mark in 2021. Those two years ended with a conference championship run and a Super Bowl appearance, respectively. But there are a lot of concerning factors foreshadowing that it might not be so easy for Cincinnati to weasel its way out of an early-season hole this time around.The biggest question mark surrounds the health and play of Joe Burrow. The star quarterback is no stranger to slow starts over his career, but 2023 has been a new low as he's posted career-worst marks in multiple categories, with the most worrying figures being completion percentage and yards per attempt. That may also be negatively affecting Burrow's talented pass-catchers, who are averaging an NFL-worst 2.7 yards before contact per catch, according to Pro Football Reference.Burrow over the first two games of a season:YearCMP%YardsTDsINTsY/APasser Rating202356.9304214.270.6202264.0534346.073.1202168.4468438.294.8202061.9509315.281.5A calf injury that sidelined Burrow for much of training camp is the likely culprit for some of these issues, as he hasn't looked his usual self. However, it's impossible to say when he'll be completely free of the injury after reaggravating it at the end of a Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. If this is a lingering issue, the Bengals may see their biggest asset reduced to a mere pawn. That's just not a recipe for success for an 0-2 team playing in an ultra-competitive conference and violent division.New York Jets Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyIf you weren't panicking after seeing Aaron Rodgers go down with a torn Achilles just four plays into his Jets debut, you definitely should be after seeing what a full game of Zach Wilson looks like following an ugly Week 2 loss to the Cowboys.Wilson completed under 50% of his passes with one touchdown and three interceptions against Dallas. Performances like that haven't been an outlier over Wilson's brief career. The former No. 2 overall pick also ranks in the bottom five in EPA (expected points added) per play thus far. Wilson's play is simply too erratic for any team to overcome. The Jets forced four turnovers and scored a special teams touchdown in Week 1 to edge the Buffalo Bills in overtime. In Week 2, they didn't record a single takeaway and instead lost 30-10. Expecting the defense to bail out Wilson week after week just isn't a sustainable or winning strategy.There's zero doubt that this Jets team is insanely talented and deep, but it's hard to find any roster that could move in the right direction while tugging along an anchor of subpar quarterback play. The honest truth is that even if the Jets eventually turn elsewhere for quarterback help, it still may not be enough. New York's offensive line was questioned all offseason, and it's done little to quiet the noise after surrendering six sacks and allowing pressures on 33.3% of its dropbacks, ranking third worst in the NFL. What was supposed to be a dream season for the Jets might quickly turn into a total nightmare.Cleveland BrownsThe season-ending knee injury to Nick Chubb may very well have been the kiss of death for the Browns' 2023 hopes. Losing one of the NFL's most talented rushers is already a huge obstacle to overcome on its own, but Chubb's absence also puts more stress and focus on Deshaun Watson, who has been a $230-million failure in Cleveland so far.Watson's disappointing six-game debut with the Browns last season was written off as rust. Through two games in 2023, that rust appears to be permanent. The dynamic rocket-armed quarterback that shined in Houston is long gone, as Watson has turned into an erratic and inconsistent passer with poor pocket awareness. His EPA per play ranks third worst in the league through the first two weeks, but that's only one of a long list of troublesome figures he's accumulated:

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams took a shot at Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp for his helmet-to-helmet hit during their Week 2 matchup."Was it unnecessary? Completely, obviously," Adams said Wednesday, according to Logan Reever of 8 News Now. "But certain players play a certain way, too. Some people, out of control, they fly around, they don't really have much true purpose out there. I mean, playing a half field on one side, you run over and hit somebody in the head on the other side of the field."Adams wasn't able to finish the Raiders' 38-10 loss to the Bills on Sunday after taking the late hit. He left the game to be evaluated but didn't enter the concussion protocol. Rapp was flagged for unnecessary roughness."That's the kind of stuff that contributes to you not being on the field," Adams added. "That's why you're in when you're blowing us out by 25 at the end of the game. Maybe if that man learns how to play the game the right way, he'll see the field. Until then, he'll have to go and live off of plays like that, I guess."Adams, a three-time first-team All-Pro, caught six passes for 84 yards and one touchdown against the Bills.Meanwhile, Rapp finished the contest with one tackle and a fumble recovery while playing 15% of Buffalo's defensive snaps.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is enjoying the excitement surrounding the Dolphins this season and is ready to finally bring a title banner to the city of Miami."It gives all of us on this team a lot of pride," Tagovailoa said Wednesday. "We feel that the city of Miami has been waiting, and they're ready for a championship. You look at the (Miami Heat), the Florida Panthers, all those guys were able to make it to the final dance. And they were able to do special things throughout their seasons. We're trying along that line to follow the lead of those guys."The Dolphins haven't won the Super Bowl since the 1973 season, and their last AFC title game appearance dates back to the 1992 campaign. The Heat reached the Finals this year for the second time in the last four NBA seasons, and the Panthers also reached the Stanley Cup Final this spring. Both teams ultimately fell short.With two road wins in as many weeks, the Dolphins head into their home opener versus the Denver Broncos in Week 3 as one of the NFL's hottest teams. Miami's offense has averaged 30 points per game."It'll be cool to finally play in front of our hometown crowd," added Tagovailoa, who's passed for a league-high 715 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions this season. The 25-year-old will aim for a 10th consecutive win as a starter against head coaches who've won a Super Bowl when he battles the Sean Payton-led Broncos.Miami boasts arguably the NFL's most explosive wide receiver room with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle headlining the depth chart. However, Waddle remains in the concussion protocol, and his status for Sunday is uncertain."It doesn't change how I prepare. ... I think the guys in their room, they're ready to step up, " Tagovailoa said of Waddle potentially being out. "Whatever cards you're dealt with, you gotta go out there and play any given Sunday."Tagovailoa, who has yet to play a full NFL season due to injuries, is 23-13 as a starter since Miami drafted him fifth overall in 2020. He's yet to start a playoff game.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux responded to criticism regarding him not having a single tackle in the Giants' Week 2 victory over the Arizona Cardinals."Did you guys watch the game?" Thibodeaux said, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. "It was all about the scheme."The 22-year-old asserted that when Azeez Ojulari left the game due to injury, Thibodeaux became the primary backside defender responsible for setting the edge on run plays, per Schwartz.Thibodeaux has recorded only one tackle and zero sacks through two games."I mean, there are a lot of social media GMs," Thibodeaux said. "There are a lot of people who watch the game and want to coach, and they want to create narratives.""But as long as I stick to the game plan, and my coaches and my team are happy with what I'm able to do - whether it be drop back, whether it be hold the edge, whatever it may be - I'm just happy to contribute."The Giants' pass rush is struggling to get pressure on the quarterback, as they are the only team in the NFL yet to register at least half a sack through two games.Thibodeaux was drafted fifth overall in 2022. He had 49 tackles and four sacks in his rookie campaign.The Giants will face off against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns are signing running back Kareem Hunt, the team announced Wednesday.Hunt's new pact with the team is a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport."It's quite exciting I guess," Hunt said on returning to the Browns, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com."'Cause you know, I'm from Cleveland, born and raised like I always say, and I still want to bring a championship here and help contribute. That was my biggest goal for the past four years."Hunt spent 2019-22 with the club, though he wasn't re-signed after his contract expired following the 2022 season. He rejoins the team after starting tailback Nick Chubb was lost for the year due to a knee injury.Chubb took a direct hit to his left knee from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on Monday night and is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery. The team placed Chubb on injured reserve Wednesday.Hunt played a complementary role to Chubb during his time in Cleveland, appearing in 49 games with nine starts. The Toledo product ran for 1,874 yards, hauled in 132 receptions for 973 yards, and scored 23 combined touchdowns in that time.The 28-year-old's 2022 production was the least efficient of his six-year career at 3.8 yards per carry and 6.0 yards per reception, both career lows. Despite the inefficiency of his touches, he still finished with 468 rushing yards, 210 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns.Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that Jerome Ford would be the team's lead back as Cleveland looked to add another runner, per Cabot. The tandem of Ford and Hunt should handle the bulk of the running back snaps for the franchise, with Pierre Strong Jr. spelling them as needed.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders placed pass-rusher Chandler Jones on the non-football illness list, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Jones, who's been away from the team facility this month, missed Las Vegas' first two games this season while dealing with what the Raiders described as a "private" issue. By placing the former first-round pick on the NFI list, the Raiders won't have the 11-year veteran for at least their next four games, notes Mark Anderson of The Associated Press."It's a personal situation and a private matter," Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels said Sept. 6, according to NFL.com. "We have dealt with it."Jones has strongly criticized the Raiders on social media. He recently suggested in since-deleted posts that he no longer wants to play for McDaniels and Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler.Earlier this month, the 33-year-old said the Raiders' front office sent someone from the city's crisis response team to his home. He said the club hasn't allowed him to play this year.Jones joined the Raiders during the 2022 offseason on a three-year contract. The four-time Pro Bowler recorded 4.5 sacks in his first season with the club.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett addressed Pittsburgh's offensive struggles Wednesday, saying the team has yet to find an identity this season."We've got to find it. Clearly, we don't have one," Pickett said, according to team reporter Dale Lolley."It's a team game, the ultimate team game. One guy does something wrong on a play, as an offense, it usually doesn't go your way. So, we've got to stay together. Don't let the popcorn effect happen, which is one guy on each play."Pittsburgh edged the Cleveland Browns 26-22 on Monday, bouncing back from a 30-7 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers in its season opener. Despite the Week 2 victory, the Steelers' offense struggled again, with the defense scoring two of the three touchdowns. Wide receiver George Pickens found the end zone on a 71-yard catch-and-run.The Steelers beat the Browns without running any plays inside Cleveland's 30-yard line, according to NFL reporter Dan Pizzuta."There's good plays and there's bad plays. That's the way it's going to go every game. There's just too much bad popping up that we have to get off tape," added Pickett, who's completed 60.5% of his passed for 454 yards and two touchdowns against three interceptions in two games."The attitude is going to be there. People are frustrated. Nobody likes to be playing like that. From a fan base standpoint, a player standpoint, nobody wants that offense out there that we're putting out right now. We know we have to be better. We're going to keep pushing for that."Offensive coordinator Matt Canada - who's been in the role since 2021 - has been heavily criticized, and fans chanted for his termination during the Browns matchup. Head coach Mike Tomlin recently said the team has to get its "mojo back" but doesn't plan to make any major changes. Pittsburgh's offense has ranked outside the top 20 in points and yards for two straight years.The Steelers visit the 1-1 Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Dwain McFarland of Fantasy Life joins Boone to discuss the biggest fantasy questions heading into Week 3.

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigned from his position Wednesday due to health reasons, a team spokesperson confirmed to ESPN's Courtney Cronin."I am taking a step back to take care of my health and family," Williams said in a statement. "I appreciate the opportunity to work with the Chicago Bears, a storied NFL franchise with a rich history."Williams added that he plans to return to the NFL once he's addressed his health.A Bears spokesperson also said rumors that Halas Hall was raided were false and that police hadn't been to the facility in connection to Williams.The former Bears defensive coordinator was absent for last Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after leaving the team due to personal reasons. Head coach Matt Eberflus served as the defensive coordinator in the 27-17 loss.Williams was in his second season as Chicago's DC.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields clarified his comments about coaching potentially causing his poor performance in Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, saying his words had been "taken out of context" by the media."I'm not blaming anything on the coaches, I'm never gonna blame anything on the coaches," Fields said Wednesday, according to the "79th and Halas" podcast. "I'm never gonna blame anything on my teammates. ... Whatever happens in the game, I will take all the blame."He added: "I need to play better, that's it. Point blank. That's what I should've said in the first place."Fields also said he thinks the media is "trying to split us up as a team."The quarterback seemingly suggested earlier Wednesday that his struggles against the Bucs were in part caused by an overload of information from his coaches."My goal this week is just to say, 'F it' and go out there and play football how I know to play football," Fields said, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "That includes thinking less and just going out there and playing off of instincts rather than (having) so much info in my head, data in my head. Just literally going out there and playing football."He added, "That's when I play my best - when I'm just out there playing free and being myself."Fields described his performance as "robotic" and said he needed to return to his previous playstyle."Could be coaching, I think," Fields said when asked about what was causing him to overthink in games."They are doing their job when they are giving me what to look at, but at the end of the day, I can't be thinking about that when the game comes," he added. "I prepare myself throughout the week and then when the game comes, it's time to play free at that point. Thinking less and playing more."Despite an offseason of hype, Chicago sits at 0-2 after Sunday's loss, and Fields' expected third-year leap has yet to materialize. He completed 16 of 29 passes for 211 yards and one touchdown against two interceptions, including a pick-6, in the Week 2 defeat.Fields' struggles with accuracy and working against pressure have continued into 2023. His 60.6% completion percentage ranks 26th in the NFL, and his percentage of times sacked per pass play of 13.2% is the second-worst mark. He ranks 31st out of 32 qualifying quarterbacks in QBR and 26th in passer rating.He's also failed to make a significant impact as a runner, producing just 62 yards and one score on 13 runs, a year after rushing for 1,143 yards. The quarterback suggested he'll look to use his legs more.