New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick released a statement Monday following Sunday's widespread protests during the national anthem, including those from members of his own team.However, in his signature secretive style, Belichick said the team's discussions regarding the demonstrations will be kept in-house:

Carolina Panthers' Jerry Richardson became one of the first owners to come out against protests during the national anthem in a statement Monday, saying that "politicizing the game is damaging."

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday that NFL players should focus their protests on the police, not the U.S. flag, if the goal of their demonstrations is to end brutality by officers.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger regrets his team's decision to remain in the locker room rather than stand on the field for the national anthem Sunday.Head coach Mike Tomlin said he intended to shield his players from having to choose between standing or kneeling. On Monday, Roethlisberger posted a message on his website, stating he wished his team "approached it differently."

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson will be channeling his inner Joker against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.Peterson unveiled the cleats he'll be wearing on Twitter ahead of the game, which pay tribute to the DC Comics villain:

Warning: Story contains coarse languageOdell Beckham Jr. wasn't just pretending to be a dog peeing for no reason. It was a response to President Donald Trump referring to any NFL player who protests during the U.S. national anthem as "a son of a bitch," according to the star receiver.The New York Giants' star pass-catcher revealed the point of his touchdown celebration during Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in response to a tweet Monday:

Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers both have publicly offered their support for Colin Kaepernick, stating he should be playing in the NFL. On Sunday, both quarterbacks also backed their teammates amid President Donald Trump's criticism of players who protest during the national anthem.There are those that believe more is needed from the superstar quarterbacks, however.Among those is basketball star John Wall who stated that many of the NBA's biggest stars are also the most vocal in regards to social issues. Wall believes that's what's needed in the NFL.

The dominant storyline from Week 3 in the NFL was the widespread protests held during the national anthem at each game.The San Francisco 49ers weren't one of the teams in action Sunday, but Niners safety Eric Reid looked on in awe.For much of last season, Reid kneeled alongside quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the anthem in protest of police brutality and the treatment of people of color in America. On Monday, he explained his role in the protest in an opinion piece for the The New York Times.Reid said he first got involved after learning of the "incredible number of unarmed black people being killed by the police."

Every NFL fan knows Darren Sproles. His lightning-quick moves in the open field. His ridiculous talents as a return man. His ahead-of-his-time skill set as a receiver, which made him a favorite of both Philip Rivers and Drew Brees.The veteran running back was an almost revolutionary player who helped pave the way for the likes of Tyreek Hill to take the league by storm.Unfortunately, the 34-year-old's career seems to be in jeopardy after he somehow tore his ACL and broke his arm on the same play in Week 3, potentially robbing him of the opportunity to end his NFL career in the way he deserves.And if this is the end, the scatback deserves his due.Yes, every NFL fan knows Darren Sproles. But despite the plaudits he's received, he arguably remains criminally underrated.It's becoming more and more common to see running backs whose skills as a runner are matched by their talents as a receiver. Christian McCaffrey is a prime example, and he was taken with the eighth overall pick in this year's draft - which almost certainly wouldn't have happened 10 years ago.As the NFL moves further and further toward spread, up-tempo offenses, players are no longer required to meet certain positional criteria - every combination of shape, size, and speed has a place. The NFL is better for it, and part of the credit goes to Sproles.Listed at a generous 5-foot-6 and 190 pounds, Sproles could have easily just become another undersized guy lost in the shuffle of the NFL when he entered the league in 2005 with the then-San Diego Chargers.However, after an uneventful first two seasons, Sproles quickly became one of the most feared players in the league.First with the Chargers, where he made the NFL swoon with his penchant for spectacular, weaving touchdowns. (His longest receptions from 2008-10: a 66-yard touchdown in 2008, an 81-yard touchdown in 2009, and a 57-yard touchdown in 2010. Pure insanity.)And then with the Saints, the perfect landing spot for such a versatile player.

For years, Von Miller has kept the Denver Broncos alive late in games.In the dying minutes of Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills, however, Miller made a critical error. The pass-rusher faked helping Tyrod Taylor up after he delivered a big hit and the Broncos forced the Bills to punt while down seven points with just under eight minutes to play.Related - Watch: Miller fakes helping Taylor up after hit, gets flaggedThe officials threw a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct, handing the Bills a new set of downs. And ten plays later, Buffalo sealed the win with a field goal."I can't put my team in a situation like that," Miller said of the penalty, according to Aric DiLalla of the team's official site. "I've brought us home 50 million times. I've closed games 50 million times. I've got to be smarter than that. I'm always on the rookies and all the young guys on being smart and doing this and doing that, and I go out there and do something like that in a crucial situation in the game. I've just got to be better than that."I haven't been in (these) situations since my rookie season, but one thing about it (is) I'm always able to bounce back. I always learn from my mistakes. I just can't kill us. I killed the game today with that penalty. I just have to be better than that, and I will be better than that."Miller and Taylor laughed immediately following the fake, but the linebacker is struggling to see the funny side now after helping his team drop to 2-1 with a tough game against the Oakland Raiders upcoming."I know Tyrod ... I don't even talk to quarterbacks. I don't do anything with quarterbacks," Miller said. "But Tyrod, we were laughing and joking the whole game, and on that play I just made a very, very crucial mistake at a vital point in the game ... I've got to be a better sportsman, and I just can't put my team in that situation."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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." Every Monday, Williamson will look at four major developments from the previous day's action in the NFL.The Buffalo Bills looked terrific in a 10-point win over the Broncos. Are reports of their 2017 demise greatly exaggerated?I can't believe I am saying this, but maybe. I honestly thought the Bills were just about guaranteed to have a pick in the top five next April. I honestly thought Denver's cornerbacks would be left on islands and just totally eliminate Buffalo's suspect wide receivers, leaving the Broncos to crush the Bills' running game, much as they did to the Cowboys a week ago.Now, those predictions did more or less come true, but Denver turned the ball over twice on the road. We know Tyrod Taylor can be a wild card and his style of quarterbacking certainly isn't for everyone, but Sunday, he showed playmaking skills that are just tough to account for. The Bills are well-coached on defense and don't have a very intricate scheme, and the Broncos' offense was bound to come back to reality a little.A major theme in Week 3 was teams that looked to be down and out roaring back to show they're not dead yet. I didn't expect this performance from the Bills at all and they finished this game very strong. However, I still see them back among the NFL bottom-feeders before long.Jacksonville made a statement in London with a 44-7 throttling of Baltimore. Was this an outlier or are the Jaguars legit?Both. As we saw in glorious fashion in Week 1, the Jaguars' defense is legit - in fact, it may end up being the best defense in the league when all is said and done - but the Ravens were bound to fall a peg or two.Baltimore created an unsustainable number of turnovers in wins over Cincinnati and Cleveland, and the Ravens have been hit with a litany of injuries. Still, Joe Flacco threw for just 28 yards against Jacksonville. Little was asked of the Ravens' offense in the first two games, but to its credit, it ran the ball well in those contests. Without Marshal Yanda, though, creating running room could be very difficult - and their offense might be one of the NFL's worst.That's not to diminish what Jacksonville accomplished on defense, and clearly this was their best game on the other side of the ball too. No one saw 44-7 coming. The performance by Jacksonville's defense, at least, is no surprise. But can Blake Bortles keep it up? Probably not.Which remaining unbeaten team - Atlanta or Kansas City - is most likely to stay that way the longest?The Chiefs and Falcons were greatly tested Sunday, but prevailed in the end.Kansas City has the most impressive string of performances in the NFL through three weeks. The Chiefs host the Redskins and travel to Houston over the next two weeks. After that, they host the Steelers and then have a very short week in Week 7 when they travel to Oakland. I think either the Steelers or Raiders will knock off Kansas City.As for the Falcons, remember that they very well could have lost in Chicago. The Falcons host the Bills next, have a bye, and then host Miami. Then they travel to New England in a Super Bowl rematch. The Patriots look much more beatable than I expected, but I'm betting that New England finds a way (once again) to outscore Atlanta in that contest.The Giants lost a heartbreaker in Philly to drop to 0-3. Are their playoff hopes toast?Not quite yet. The return of Odell Beckham was absolutely huge for this organization and it isn’t a coincidence that Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard had their best outings of the year with Beckham on board.While the NFC East is strong and competitive from top to bottom, New York is only two games out of first place with 13 games still on the slate. We know this defense is capable of being dominant, as it was a year ago, and getting Janoris Jenkins back healthy for this game was huge.The Giants once again had no running threat and the Eagles rush the passer extremely well, but Philadelphia still couldn't sack Eli Manning, who played his best game of the season. That represents some progress for this troublesome offensive line, and the offense improved as the game continued.If Jake Elliott doesn't hit the 61-yard field goal to win this game for Philadelphia, we might be looking at the Giants much more optimistically. New York has a very difficult upcoming schedule and could be buried soon, but for now, the Giants' heads are still above water.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A longtime stadium worker for the Buffalo Bills walked out on his job at New Era Field on Sunday after several players took a knee and locked arms during the national anthem.The man, Erich Nikischer, held the job for nearly 30 years."I waited until the national anthem ended, I took off my shirt, threw my Bills hat on the ground, walked out," Nikischer told WGRZ.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin reportedly avoided a major knee injury in Week 3, as head coach Ron Rivera confirmed Monday that an MRI revealed no serious structural damage."Kelvin's MRI came back pretty good. Nothing structurally wrong," said Rivera, according to Max Henson of the team's official site.Benjamin was forced to miss the entire 2015 season after tearing his ACL in the same knee.The 26-year-old has struggled to cement his position as Carolina's top wideout this season, catching just nine passes over three games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David sustained a high ankle sprain in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings that will keep him out for a month or longer, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.David had to be carted off the field and though he avoided serious injury, his absence will leave a big hole in the Buccaneers' defense.Already without fellow linebacker Kwon Alexander and starting corner Brent Grimes for Sunday's contest due to injuries, the Bucs were dissected by Vikings backup quarterback Case Keenum in a 34-17 loss.Tampa will have to turn to third-year pro Cameron Lynch in David's absence.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Odell Beckham Jr. has no regrets about his first touchdown celebration from Sunday's game, which drew a penalty and plenty of criticism.With the New York Giants trailing 14-0 to the Philadelphia Eagles, Beckham scored a 10-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to draw his team closer. He then proceeded to crawl on the ground on all fours and pretend to pee like a dog.

Alejandro Villanueva's decision to stand alone outside the tunnel during the national anthem on Sunday had a big impact on his online jersey sales.As of Monday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle and Army veteran had the team's top-selling jersey, and one of the best-selling jerseys across the NFL, on both Fanatics.com and NFLShop.com.Villanueva didn't speak to reporters after the game, but fellow offensive tackle Chris Hubbard told Jacob Klinger of PennLive.com that he had no issue with his teammates waiting in the locker room."Al was cool with it, with whatever we went through. He was on board. That's Al, man," Hubbard said. "He's a good guy."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers learned Sunday that being talented isn't enough.Blessed with top-flight talent throughout their roster, the Steelers appeared to coast through the first two weeks of the regular season. They let the Cleveland Browns hang around and beat them by just three points in Week 1, then failed to impress against a backup quarterback in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings.In Week 3, the Steelers were shocked 23-17 in overtime by the Chicago Bears."We're so much better than this. It's tough to waste all the talent we have," Steelers guard David DeCastro said to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler after Sunday's game."Look at the offense we have. If we're not putting up 350, 400 yards a game, it feels like we're wasting it."The Steelers feature superstar receiver Antonio Brown, elite running back Le'Veon Bell, and two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Yet even with them, the Steelers have failed to top 26 points in a game."We have the best receiver, the best running back, the best quarterback in the NFL, we have a helluva offensive line, a great core of receivers, and a solid tight end group. To only put up 17 points per game is (a waste)," said tight end Jesse James."We have to improve. If the defense holds a team to 17 points, we should be able to win."Perhaps the Steelers will dial up their urgency with a meeting with the hated Baltimore Ravens on tap for Week 4.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin will undergo an MRI after suffering a groin injury in Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.However, early indications are that the injury isn't serious, Rapoport adds.Baldwin had 10 catches for 105 yards before the injury in Week 3.The Seahawks' offense has struggled to put up points so far this season, so any long-term injury to its top receiver could have been devastating.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. chose an odd way to celebrate his first touchdown of the season Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, dropping to all fours and mimicking a dog peeing on the field.The celebration, which earned Beckham an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, of course didn't go unnoticed by the New York tabloids:

Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles suffered two major injuries on one play Sunday.The 13-year veteran tore his ACL and broke his forearm on a carry in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the New York Giants, as first reported by ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter.Sproles will reportedly undergo surgery on his arm Monday and another procedure on his knee at a later date.The 5-foot-6 dynamo carried the ball three times for 11 yards before exiting the game. He led the team with 10 rushes and took them for 48 yards in Week 2.Sproles has been a home-run threat as a rusher, receiver, and returner since he entered the league in 2005. He began his career with a high-powered San Diego Chargers attack, then played the same role for the explosive New Orleans Saints for three seasons. He departed for Philadelphia in 2014 and said before this season that it would be his last.Though the Eagles own a packed backfield with LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood, and Corey Clement, Philadelphia brought Sproles back on a one-year deal. He proved essential through the early part of this season as roles are still being defined among the Eagles' rushers.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly is sad about what has happened across the NFL.The former quarterback took issue with players kneeling and demonstrating during the playing of the national anthem, making his feelings clear in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday.

The President of the United States critiqued the NFL several times over the past 48 hours, and the league responded emphatically Sunday.After Donald Trump suggested owners should "get that son of a b---- off the field" if a player protested during the national anthem, players, coaches, and owners responded by either standing united in arms on the sidelines during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" or by kneeling, sitting, or remaining in the locker room during the anthem.The league-wide response, both symbolic and via statements from team owners and CEOs, drew praise from Roger Goodell."The way we reacted today, and this weekend, made me proud," the NFL commissioner told Peter King of The MMQB. "I'm proud of our league."Related - Look: NFL teams engage in widespread national anthem protestsThe protests during the national anthem started with Colin Kaepernick, who sat and then kneeled as an objection to racial injustice in the country. Protests continued into this season, led by the likes of Michael Bennett and Marshawn Lynch, but on Sunday, the demonstrations grew to their largest form to date."They reflected the frustration, the disappointment, of the players over the divisive rhetoric we heard," Goodell said.The commissioner finished by stating that he took no issue with the president publicly targeting his league."A public discourse makes us strong," he said.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady dodged the topic Sunday, but a day later the New England Patriots quarterback sided against President Donald Trump calling for NFL owners to fire players who kneel during the national anthem."I certainly disagree with what he said," Brady told WWEI's "Kirk and Callahan," according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. "I thought it was just divisive."Brady's friendship with Trump has been well documented, but the 40-year-old has generally avoided answering politically-based questions in public. He was one of several players to stand while locking arms with teammates during Sunday's anthem.Other Patriots kneeled as "The Star-Spangled Banner" was belted out, and were subsequently booed by many in the crowd."I just want to support my teammates," Brady added. "I'm never one that says, 'Oh, that's wrong or that's right.' But I do believe in what I believe in, and I believe in bringing people together and respect and love and trust. Those are the values that my parents instilled in me and that's how I try to live every day."Player protests took place throughout the league Sunday, and three teams stayed in the locker room for the anthem altogether.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.Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals (+3, 46.5)The optics that resonated from Ezekiel Elliott's lack of effort in chasing down defenders on a pair of interceptions painted a significantly worse picture than that of his career-worst eight-yard rushing performance. The 2016 NFL rushing leader aims to brush off that unattractive look on Monday as the Dallas Cowboys pay a visit to the Arizona Cardinals."I would say I was just very frustrated, but that's no excuse for the lack of effort I showed on tape," said Elliott, who was shown with hands on hips and walking in the other direction on one interception while remaining on the ground on another in Dallas' 42-17 loss to Denver last week. Elliott's lack of rushing (from scrimmage) played a significant role in Dak Prescott attempting a career-high 50 passes last week. While the Cowboys struggled on the road last week, the Cardinals are embracing the idea of playing their first home game since a preseason tilt on Aug. 19. "It seemed longer than that, too, but it's just good that we finally get a chance to play in front of our home crowd, on our grass. ... It's been a long four weeks, no doubt," Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer said.TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Cowboys (-4) - Cardinals (0.5) + home field (-3) = Cowboys -1.5LINE HISTORY: The Cowboys opened as 3.5-point road chalk dropping to an even 3 on Monday and hasn’t moved since. The total hit the betting board at 47.5 and has been bet down a full point to 46.5.INJURY REPORT:Cowboys - CB Orlando Scandrick (Probable, Hand), QB Dak Prescott (Probable, Ankle), WR Terrance Williams (Questionable, Ankle), DT Stephen Paea (Questionable, Knee), CB Chidobe Awuzie (Questionable, Hamstring), CB Nolan Carroll (Out, Concussion).Cardinals - LB Deone Bucannon (Probable, Ankle), TE Jermaine Gresham (Probable, Ribs), WR Jaron Brown (Probable, Knee), LB Karlos Dansby (Probable, Hip), WR J.J. Nelson (Questionable, Hamstring), T D.J. Humphries (Questionable, Knee), G Mike Iupati (Questionable, Tricep), WR John Brown (Out, Quadricep).ABOUT THE COWBOYS (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U): Tight end Jason Witten has been the primary beneficiary of Prescott's penchant to air it out this season, with the Dallas quarterback's 89 pass attempts trailing only Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers (92). The 35-year-old Witten leads the NFL with 17 receptions through two games and his two receiving scores are tied for second best in the league. Dez Bryant found the end zone last week and scored in each of his last two encounters with Arizona, although the wideout is expected to be shadowed throughout Monday's game by All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson. Orlando Scandrick is on pace to return after a one-game absence because of a broken left hand, perhaps just in time as fellow cornerback Nolan Carroll remains in the NFL's concussion protocol.ABOUT THE CARDINALS (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS, 1-1 O/U): Perhaps the comforts of home will alter the fortunes of Palmer, who has thrown just two touchdowns against four interceptions this season and is coming off being sacked four times in Arizona's 16-13 overtime win over Indianapolis. J.J. Nelson stepped up versus the Colts, reeling in five catches for 120 yards with a touchdown en route to being named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. The need for production from the Cardinals' passing game is underscored by the loss of the versatile David Johnson in the season opener. Veteran Chris Johnson, who showed a burst with 11 carries for 44 yards last week, is expected to receive a bigger workload at the expense of fellow running back Kerwynn Williams.TRENDS:* Cowboys are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games.* Cardinals are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Monday games.* Under is 6-0 in Cardinals last 6 Monday games.* Under is 10-2 in Cardinals last 12 home games.* Home team is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings.View full list of betting trends for this matchup here.COVERS CONSENSUS: The Covers public is siding with the road chalk Cowboys Lions at a rate of 60 percent and the Under is picking up 53 percent of the totals action. View full consensus data here.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman defended his right to peacefully protest following Sunday's victory over the Oakland Raiders.Norman was among several players incensed by President Donald Trump's recent remarks, calling upon NFL owners to fire players who continued to protest during the national anthem.The Redskins' cornerback spoke candidly post-game, via NFL Network's Mike Garafolo:

Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman continues to roast wide receivers who dare to try him.Following Sunday's 27-10 win over the Oakland Raiders, Norman ripped into Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, both of whom had miserable games."First and foremost, you don't come in here and say what you gonna put on somebody," Norman said, per FS21. "Two hundred yards? They didn't even catch two balls. He only caught one, huh? So please, whatever you do, do not run your mouth if you're a wide receiver and you expect to show up on Sundays because I'm telling you, we are here, we are waiting. Don't come out here and tell me what you're going to do, show me. You have to run through me to get that."So, whatever that young cat said, Cooper, go on and take it back. Crabtree, I have nothing to say to you. Yes, I may be Cover 2, I'll Cover 1, too. I'll Cover 1, I'll Cover 2, I'll Cover 3, and Cover 4. All of them. All the ingredients and make a perfect attack."Cooper was held to one catch for 6 yards, while Crabtree recorded one reception for 7 yards before leaving the game with a chest injury.It appears the Raiders' star duo tried to trash-talk Norman, and the former All-Pro cornerback played his best football, fueled by their comments.Lesson be learned: if you trash-talk Norman, you'd be better bring your A game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins absolutely hammered the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, holding Derek Carr to arguably his worst game as a professional.The Raiders' star quarterback, who threw for only 118 yards and two interceptions, didn't mince words after the humiliating setback."Man, we just got our butt kicked. ... This isn't alarming, but we did get punched in the mouth," Carr said, per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.The Raiders entered the game ranked second in the league in scoring offense, averaging 35 points per contest, but were held in check the entire night. While the blame could certainly be passed around, Carr jumped to the forefront to shoulder the load."Go ahead and put it all on me. I promise I'll be all right," Carr told Gehlken.When asked about going 0-for-11 on third down, he added: "That just sucked, there's no other word."The Raiders have a week to figure out a fix to their offensive issues, as it won't get any easier against the vaunted pass defense of the Denver Broncos next on the schedule.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jim Tomsula certainly shouldn't be considered a punchline anymore.Tomsula was a godsend to meme-makers everywhere, with abject confusion riddled all over his face during his short stint as the San Francisco 49ers head coach during the 2015 season. The 49ers slumped to a 5-11 record while Tomsula's befuddlement made him a fan favorite - to 31 other teams, at least - for all the wrong reasons.Laugh it up while you can. Tomsula has reemerged as the Washington Redskins defensive line coach, and he steered his team to a dominant performance in a 27-10 win over an Oakland Raiders team that entered the game averaging 35.5 points per game.The Redskins made Derek Carr's life miserable, holding him to 19-of-31 passing for 118 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, while recording four sacks and six quarterback hits. Ryan Kerrigan will likely get the lion's share of credit, but defensive end Jonathan Allen showed why he was the Bronko Nagurski Trophy recipient as college football's best defensive player, while Matt Ioannidis proved capable of receiving more snaps in the future.Perhaps Tomsula wasn't cut out for a head coaching role, but he's certainly back to making waves as a defensive line coach. In a reduced role on the national stage, Tomsula got the last laugh, damned if you were watching or not.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Prior to Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins, the Oakland Raiders were being trumpeted as the team du jour, and how could they not be?Marshawn Lynch getting hyphy on the sideline during a Week 2 victory over the New York Jets made national headlines, with many fans taking solace in his unbridled joy. Derek Carr engineered an offense that averaged 35.5 points per game, while Khalil Mack appeared poised to win his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award.The Raiders were quickly becoming everyone's second-favorite team, until Sunday night provided a maxim of pro football to be true: in a finite 16-game schedule, anyone is fallible.Make no mistake about it, the Raiders, dripping in charisma, were absolutely embarrassed on the national stage during a 27-10 loss to the Redskins, a score that doesn't accurately reflect the gulf in performances. Although the Raiders ought to be considered a bona fide playoff team, it's worth scaling back the hype with a daunting upcoming schedule.Sunday's galling showing starts with Carr. The third-year pro was dreadful, going 19-of-31 for 118 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, both of which were inexcusable mistakes. It's a one-off, and while the Raiders' absurd amount of hype was fostered after two games, Carr's poor performance should be forgotten about. Take it for what it's worth, but Carr shouldn't be roasted for the worst performance of his career, nor should he readily be anointed the next great quarterback if he recovers in Week 4.The Raiders' running game was stunted by both a lack of execution from Lynch and poorly designed play-calling from offensive coordinator Todd Downing. A lack of innovation hasn't been true of the Raiders during the past two seasons, but it's worth keeping an eye on as the team squares off against a star-studded Denver Broncos defense in Week 4, who are also coming off a brutal loss to the lowly Buffalo Bills.No one can legitimately argue that the Raiders won't be a Super Bowl contender based off one game; no one should've billed the Raiders as a gargantuan, larger-than-life avatar superhero capable of transcending the sporting and political landscape, either. The Raiders are still a young, immensely talented team and their youth was on full display Sunday night. They will get better but perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to crown them the NFL's next superteam.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL season began just three weeks ago, but recent history suggests there are five teams in the NFL that can already pack it up for the year.As per Elias Sports, since the league adopted the current playoff format in 1990, only three of 132 teams that started a season 0-3 have qualified for the playoffs, with none coming after 1998.Here's the five 0-3 teams this season ranked from most surprising, to least.GiantsJust when it looked like the Giants were going to grab their first win with a great comeback Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles' Jake Elliott smashed a game-winning 61-yard field goal through the uprights for the victory. It's been a disastrous September for the Giants, who also lost to the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions to open the season. After being called out by head coach Ben McAdoo following two terrible performances, Eli Manning looked much better against the Eagles, but the 0-3 start is likely going to be too much to overcome for New York.BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals probably have no business being on this list, but thanks to Aaron Rodgers' heroics, the AFC North outfit is 0-3 on the season. The Green Bay Packers tied Sunday's game in the final seconds before ultimately defeating the Bengals in overtime for the dramatic win. A loss in Green Bay isn't altogether surprising, but the Bengals failing to score a touchdown in their opening two home games certainly is. After making the playoffs five seasons in a row, the Bengals struggled to a 6-9-1 record in 2016. Considering how terrible the start to this season has been, don't be shocked if Marvin Lewis doesn't last the year as head coach in Cincinnati.ChargersThe Los Angeles Chargers are two missed field goals from a possible 2-1 start, but instead sit 0-3 heading into a Week 4 matchup with the Eagles. After seeing his last-second game-tying kick blocked by the Denver Broncos in the opening week, Younghoe Koo missed a 44-yarder to beat the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. The first two losses were tight, but the Chargers were punished by the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, with Philip Rivers throwing three interceptions in the loss. Playing in arguably the best division in football makes it almost a sure thing the Chargers won't be close to a playoff spot this year.49ersMost pundits figured the San Francisco 49ers would struggle to win a game this season, and while they are 0-3, the NFC West club has come very close to a victory the last two contests. A narrow 12-9 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks was followed by a 41-39 setback to the Los Angeles Rams. While the 49ers aren't going to be threatening many teams this year, the future looks bright under the leadership of John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan.BrownsJust like the 49ers, the Cleveland Browns were expected to struggle for a win in 2017, and through three games that's certainly the case. While the schedule shows two 3-point losses thus far, late touchdowns made those scorelines much more flattering to the Browns then the games actually were. While the losses are negative, the play of rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer has been a positive for the club, and certainly gives them hope going forward. Just not this year.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree left Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins with a chest injury.Crabtree was leveled by a Redskins defender in the open field after Derek Carr attempted to connect with him in the fourth quarter.The Raiders initially deemed Crabtree questionable, but he was never able to make his return to the field.Crabtree was in the midst of a disappointing game, recording one catch for seven yards before exiting the contest.If Crabtree misses any time, expect Seth Roberts to see more targets in the passing game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles is believed to have suffered a broken arm during Sunday's victory over the New York Giants, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Sproles is out indefinitely and will undergo an MRI on Monday to confirm the severity of his injury.Prior to leaving the game, Sproles rushed for 11 yards on three carries.Wendell Smallwood and LeGarrette Blount are expected to gain more carries in Sproles' absence. Smallwood led the Eagles with 71 yards on 12 carries, while Blount rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on 12 touches.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders averaged 35.5 points per game through their first two contests and appeared poised to light the AFC on fire this season.It may have been a mirage, however, as their offense completely disappeared during the first half of Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins.Derek Carr threw two indefensible interceptions during the opening two quarters, a far cry from the seamless poise in the pocket he's exhibited throughout his pro career. He wasn't helped by his receivers, however, with Amari Cooper particularly culpable for an open-field drop.Jared Cook led the Raiders with one catch for a paltry nine yards.The running game didn't fare much better, with Marshawn Lynch held to 13 yards on five carries.A similarly suspect performance from the defense helped the Washington Redskins take a 14-0 lead at the half.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kevin Durant respects people who do the right thing and inspire positive change.As such, he has Stephen Curry's back after the Golden State Warriors point guard received a "surreal" tweet from President Donald Trump, who withdrew his invitation for the champs to visit the White House due to Curry's hesitancy to attend."We stand behind Steph, obviously," Durant told reporters Sunday, per Mark Medina of The Mercury News. "He's our brother, our teammate. He's our leader and we follow behind him and stand behind him. We support him in this time."It's a crazy, crazy world we're living in, especially with out president just going at people on Twitter. ... I'm very proud of how our organization handled everything, all the players handled everything."Related: Warriors release statement on rescinded White House inviteSeveral members of the club were opposed to visiting the White House due to their feelings about the man occupying it, and the Warriors planned to meet Friday to decide as a team on whether they would meet Trump. However, the president made the decision for them following Curry's comments.Durant isn't upset about the result, as he's been critical of Trump and said multiple times since the team captured the title that he didn't want to make the customary visit to the Oval Office. The Finals MVP indicated that even when the organization was undecided about the trip, he never was."I've never thought about going," he said."I just don't agree with the president that's in the office right now. I don't believe in what he believes in. I'm all about equality, man. I'm not a real big politic guy, but I know right from wrong and I feel like I know how people are supposed to be treated. We don't agree on those things."At the end of the day, we want our voices to be heard and we wanna play basketball and inspire people to be better. Playing for the Warriors, playing at the highest level of basketball allows us to impact people on another level. We focus on that and using our voice for good. It makes me proud to be part of this organization."The All-NBA forward joins the many people who've thrown support behind Curry, including LeBron James and NBPA president Michele Roberts.Related - LeBron blasts Trump: White House visit 'a great honor until you showed up'Durant added that it's not just basketball players who are using their platforms to make a difference, giving props to those in the NFL who've engaged in national anthem protests."I think our NFL players are doing a great job of sending a great message and we stand behind them as athletes and we support them as well," KD said, as quoted by ESPN's Chris Haynes.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After a day filled with protests over Donald Trump's recent comments about NFL players, the Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins both partook in team-wide demonstrations ahead of Sunday night's prime time contest.The majority of players and coaches on the Raiders, whose offensive line had reportedly planned to kneel together, sat together with arms linked during the national anthem.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith became the latest player to blast President Donald Trump for his comments on NFL players, following Sunday's 24-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.Trump implored NFL owners to fire players who protested during the national anthem Friday during a rally in Alabama, but his remarks were widely condemned by athletes and owners alike.

Through three weeks of the NFL season, it seems clear that the Seattle Seahawks' refusal to seriously address the weaknesses on their offensive line has caught up to them.With Russell Wilson constantly running for his life against non-elite defensive lines through three games, it's easy to point out that Pro Football Focus' lowest-graded offensive line from 2016 is still not good.However, that weakness is no longer the Seahawks' only problem to figure out.After years of general manager John Schneider being praised for building a top-notch roster, holes have begun to emerge from several areas as the Seahawks have stumbled out of the gate to a 1-2 record.The biggest difference with this year's Seahawks has been the defense - a unit whose system has been copied by many teams around the NFL after a dominant five-year run - despite the recent addition of Pro Bowler Sheldon Richardson.Seattle has allowed 115-plus-yard rushers in back-to-back weeks after having not allowed one since Jamaal Charles in Week 11 of the 2014 season. The San Francisco 49ers ran for 159 yards, while averaging 8.4 yards per carry in Week 2 before the Tennessee Titans went for 195 rushing yards Sunday.On paper, names like Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Bobby Wagner, Kam Chancellor, Richardson, and K.J. Wright should make the Seahawks one of the toughest teams to run against, but at the moment, it's not that difficult.Against the pass this season, All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman has been unable to achieve the dominance he's used to, instead earning a grade of 42.8 out of 100 over 204 snaps from PFF. Sherman's recent struggles have even appeared to negatively affect his temperament in-game. After breaking his leg last season, Earl Thomas has been unable to force the turnovers and make the plays that had once made him the best safety in football.Offensively, Wilson's mobility is making up for everyone else's inability to catch, get open, and block - which is not a sustainable strategy. Doug Baldwin has been good, though even his consistent production can't carry an offense, and Jimmy Graham's lack of impact is has knocked him down a tier or two among tight ends.The loss of Jermaine Kearse via trade before the season seems to have impacted the Seahawks' receiver corps in a way it was not prepared for. Former third-round picks Tyler Lockett and Amara Darboh as well as Paul Richardson have done what they've been told, though none strike fear in the opposition, allowing teams to bring pressure on Wilson.Making Eddie Lacy the newest version of "Beast Mode" wasn't a project that lasted long, as the former Packer has not been used since rushing for 3 yards in Week 1.Looking around the Seahawks' position groups, the overflow of dominance that some thought would never desert them after consecutive Super Bowl appearances is now disappearing. The units that look good on paper have drastically under-performed, while the weaknesses that are easier to identify are being targeted heavily.At this point in the season, there isn't a signing or roster move that will magically fix the problems, so it's up to the people in the building to either figure it out or merely watch as the Seahawks' hopes of a dynasty walk out the door.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thanks to a controversial ruling in the final seconds, the Detroit Lions fell 30-26 at home to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.The NFC North club thought they had won the contest thanks to a Golden Tate touchdown with eight seconds to play, but it was overturned upon review. NFL rules state that any review comes with a 10-second runoff of the clock, meaning the Lions were denied the chance to run a 4th-and-goal play from the half-yard line.FOX officiating analyst Dean Blandino, who was formerly the NFL's head of officials, clarified the rule on Twitter shortly after the call was made.

Many fantasy managers regularly struggle with toeing the line between overreacting and waiting too long before making a necessary move.All too often managers allow struggling players to toil away on their bench for weeks while not receiving the desired fantasy production. Other times, owners are too quick to kick aside top picks who haven't produced, despite reasonable explanations for a lack of production.Here are five players who proved they warrant at least a little more time on fantasy rosters.Christian McCaffrey, RB, PanthersMcCaffrey, the eighth overall pick in the 2017 draft, had been used unpredictably by the Panthers through the first two games of his career.He had played 66.7 percent of the offensive snaps, according to Football Outsiders, but had received just 30 combined touches in the rushing and passing attacks, gaining a total of 129 yards. They were middling returns for a player who finished with an average ADP of 3.02, per Fantasy Football Calculator.Week 3 was McCaffrey's breakout, proving he still warrants a roster spot in all 12-team leagues, after he recorded nine receptions for 101 yards and four carries for another 16 yards.A solidified role in the passing game provides a steady floor, while he should continue to see more work as a ball carrier in place of Jonathan Stewart.Brandon Marshall, WR, GiantsWide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard were the true stars in a losing effort against the Eagles, but Marshall also showed some flashes of fantasy potential in the best game of the season for the Giants' offense.Quarterback Eli Manning completed 35-of-47 passes for 366 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, connecting with eight different wide receivers, including eight completions and 66 yards to Marshall.Marshall's 11 targets on the day were more than he had received through his first two games combined with his new team. His 8.3 yards per reception was still well below his career average, but the sheer volume offers enough promise to hold out hope for a true return to form.LeGarrette Blount, RB, EaglesBlount came into Week 3 having played just 20.7 percent of the Eagles' offensive snaps. He scored an extremely rare receiving touchdown, but gained just 46 rushing yards on 14 attempts, forcing him down the backfield depth chart.He quickly resurfaced upon entering Sunday's game, rushing for 67 yards and a touchdown on just 12 attempts. Starter Darren Sproles was forced from the game with a wrist injury, possibly opening the door for further opportunities.Duke Johnson Jr., RB, BrownsJohnson was viewed as a popular handcuff with passing-game work coming out of fantasy drafts, but he was owned in just over 50 percent of leagues heading into Week 3.Johnson gained just 100 scrimmage yards in his first two games of the season, seeing just four carries and catching only five of 11 targets in the passing attack.He was again rarely used as a rusher against the Indianapolis Colts, but he managed to find the end zone on one of his two attempts, while racking up 81 yards on six receptions.Pierre Garcon, WR, 49ersGarcon was one of the main beneficiaries of the 49ers' offensive breakout in Thursday night's loss to the Los Angeles Rams.He had caught nine of 15 targets through two weeks, totaling just 107 yards. He more than doubled that total in Week 3, going wild for 142 yards with seven receptions on a moderate 10 looks.He still hasn't found the end zone, but he took full advantage of his quarterback's best game of the season, earning full trust as both a reliable option and big-play threat.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

America First Policies, a political action committee that supports President Donald Trump, is beginning an initiative to boycott the NFL in the wake of the commander in-chief's latest, incendiary remarks.Trump asked NFL owners to fire players who protested during the national anthem, but his remarks were met with widespread contempt and derision from athletes across the United States. Commissioner Roger Goodell, along with several teams and players, released statements condemning Trump for his remarks.Numerous players and teams ramped up their protest efforts during Sunday's games, with some teams refusing to take the field during the anthem.America First Policies began a campaign in response to the NFL, asking its constituents to stop watching the NFL in a series of ads, reading "Turn off the NFL" with the hashtag #TakeAStandNotAKnee.Meanwhile, Trump continued his attack on the NFL Sunday.

If you were to build a leading Super Bowl contender, you'd likely start with a top-tier quarterback. Then, you'd likely search for numerous, flexible defensive backs with strong coverage skills, a resolute offensive line and running game, and a strong coaching personnel.In theory, this would describe the New England Patriots, right?Wrong. Through three weeks, it's the Kansas City Chiefs that look like the best team in football, not the Patriots nor the Atlanta Falcons, the latter of whom have also jumped out to a 3-0 start.Before you laugh the concept out of the room, consider this:Quarterback A: 65-of-84, 77.3 completion percentage, 784 yards, 7 TD, 0 INTQuarterback B: 71-of-110, 64.5 completion percentage, 1,092 yards, 8 TD, 0 INTWho are the two players above? Quarterback A is Alex Smith, Quarterback B is Tom Brady. The differences between the two players' career outputs are starkly contrasted, but Smith has outdueled Brady head-to-head this year and it's hard to argue that any quarterback this season has drastically outperformed him. In his 13th season, Smith is finally shedding the notion that he's not good enough to lead the Chiefs to the Super Bowl.The Chiefs have been able to beat teams with numerous strategies, abandoning their hyper-conservative offense through the first two weeks, with Smith taking uncharacteristic shots downfield to great effect. Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Chris Conley, and Albert Wilson will never be considered among the top receiving corps in the league, but they've been good enough to make the offense unpredictable.Kansas City went back to its risk-averse offense against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and it worked to great effect. That the Chiefs can now beat teams with multiple strategies is a testament to head coach Andy Reid's apparent adaptability, a trait that was sorely lacking in previous years.That we've gone this far without discussing rookie standout Kareem Hunt is a testament to Smith and the passing game. Hunt has taken the NFL by storm during his first three games and looks like the steal of the 2017 draft class. Prior to Week 3, Hunt led the NFL in rushing and continued his assault on the league with 172 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, with one reception for 11 yards vs. the Los Angeles Chargers. Selected in the third round, Hunt is the last great gem unearthed by former general manager John Dorsey, whose dismissal drew league outcry, but has become an afterthought as September winds down.The Patriots entered the season as prohibitive favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions, with some postulating they could go undefeated. Through three games, the Patriots have vacillated between a top-end contender and a mid-tier team that will have to scrap their way to victories. Brady may not be the problem, but the Patriots' defense looks nothing like the unit that led the NFL in scoring defense in 2016.While the Patriots try to regain their footing, the Chiefs have submitted three excellent performances, including an opening night victory over the AFC East juggernaut, and have temporarily usurped them as the NFL's best team. Whether that becomes permanent, we'll find out in due time.Kansas City's defense has been good enough to contend for a Super Bowl for years, with Smith's conservative approach acting as a detriment to the team's ceiling. While Smith experiences a renaissance season, the Chiefs' defense have more than held up their end of the bargain, recording 11 sacks thus far. Justin Houston once again looks like a top-tier outside linebacker after injuries stagnated his progress, Chris Jones is quietly developing into a star defensive tackle, while Marcus Peters continues to be one of the NFL's best cornerbacks. The Chiefs have weathered Eric Berry's injury-related absence, somehow masking their apparent vulnerability. This doesn't seem to be the Chiefs team of yesteryear.Atlanta is certainly making a case to be considered the NFL's best team, but the defending NFC champs escaped with a controversial last-second victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 3. The Falcons certainly look formidable but questions about their young defense remain, putting the Chiefs atop. A Chiefs-Falcons meeting in Super Bowl LII would be certainly compelling, and while it's far too early to call this matchup a collision course, don't be surprised if they meet for the Lombardi Trophy.In truth, the Chiefs may face their toughest tests within the division, with the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos looming large, although the latter inexplicably dropped a road game to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.The Chiefs weren't an excitable team in the past; to some, they will never be. Mistaking the Chiefs because of their conservative identity, rote quarterback play, and lack of national appeal for a lack of supremacy would be unwise. Kansas City is the best team in football. It's on everyone else to prove otherwise at this point.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Geno Smith has an interesting take on the sitting U.S. president.A few hours after the New York Giants' last-second loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on a Sunday that featured as many political statements as touchdowns, Smith made a statement of his own.

Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed and running back Rob Kelley have been ruled inactive for Sunday night's game against the Oakland Raiders.Kelley has been suffering from a ribs injury sustained partway through the Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Reed is dealing with chest and ribs issues.Rookie running back Samaje Perine and tight end Vernon Davis are expected to step into larger roles as a result. Running back Chris Thompson will still play a significant role as the Redskins' pass-catching back.Linebacker Mason Foster, defensive back Josh Holsey, guard Tyler Catalina, offensive lineman T.J. Clemmings, and defensive lineman Anthony Lanier have also been ruled out.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.