Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski was placed on injured reserve Saturday, the team announced.Janikowski had been dealing with a herniated disc in his back, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The team release adds that the Raiders signed kicker Giorgio Tavecchio to the active roster. He spent parts of the past four seasons with the Raiders and went 9-for-11 on field goal attempts in preseason play from 2014-17.Janikowski won't be able to practice with the team any earlier than Week 6, with his return to play held back until at least Week 8.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Mike Williams has been officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.Williams was activated from the PUP list Sept. 2, but won't be able to participate in the season opener due to a back injury.The activation from the PUP list allows Williams to return to play sometime in the first six weeks, and the Chargers reportedly expect him to be ready to play in October.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Donald's holdout has come to an end.The Los Angeles Rams' defensive tackle reported to the team facility Saturday and passed a physical, the team announced.Donald had stayed away from the team throughout training camp and preseason in hopes of landing a new contract. He was set to be fined and deducted a signing bonus if his holdout extended into the regular season. Those fines will not be imposed as a result of his appearance at the team facility, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports.Despite his appearance, Donald has not yet earned a new deal and will not suit up for the Rams' Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts. The two sides will continue with negotiations, however.Donald is considered one of the league's premier players after accumulating 28 sacks in his first three seasons. He's still playing on his rookie contract, however, one that pays him only $1.8 million in base salary for the 2017 season. The Rams picked up the $6.8-million fifth-year option in his contract, but he remains woefully underpaid for his production.Despite his wish to be paid, teammates suggested it would be hard for Donald to stay away for an extended period of time.New Rams head coach Sean McVay also held out hope Donald would end the impasse in time for him to play in Sunday's game, before finally conceding Friday that his player wouldn't be available.Donald's presence is essential for a Los Angeles team hoping to take a step forward in quarterback Jared Goff's second year under center.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive end Stephon Tuitt to a new six-year contract on Saturday, an extension worth $61 million, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing a source.The 2014 second-round draft pick was scheduled to hit free agency in 2018.Tuitt has played and started in 14 games the past two seasons. In three years, he's racked up 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.The deal comes a day before the Steelers' first game of the 2017 season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Justin Pugh may have a future career as a police detective.The New York Giants guard, who lives in Jersey City, recently tweeted a video and photo of a man who had been stealing packages in his neighborhood, including approximately $3,000 worth of custom suits and cast-iron pots from his front door, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.He also filed a police report and began wandering the area with a neighbor in the hopes of finding the thief.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith expressed his content with a court ruling that granted a temporary restraining order to Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, paving the way for the player to take the field this season."I am happy for Zeke," Smith said in a tweet on Saturday. "I am happy for our union. I am happy for Cowboys fans. But I am still disappointed that on the eve of another exciting NFL season we continue to steal headlines away from the great game we all love."Smith went on to state that going to court is a necessary measure "to answer the call on behalf of our players to fight against a broken and unfair system."The NFL suspended Elliott for six games for violating its policy on personal conduct. Friday's ruling bars the league from imposing the suspension for the duration of the forthcoming lawsuit.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matt Jones' time with the Indianapolis Colts lasted just six days.The running back was released by the Colts on Saturday in order to make room for guard Adam Redmond.After two seasons with the Washington Redskins, Jones was released on roster cutdown day last Saturday. He had reportedly grown unhappy with his reduced role in the Redskins' backfield. Indianapolis successfully claimed him off waivers the following day.The Colts appear set at the position with starter Frank Gore and backups Robert Turbin and rookie Marlon Mack.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We've made it 30 Sundays without meaningful NFL football. Now it's time to indulge in a full course of games.The league made sure to front-load the 2017 schedule with compelling matchups, after having to deal with sagging ratings at the outset of the 2016 season. As a result, there are three particularly juicy must-see games in Week 1.Seahawks at Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOXSeattle and Green Bay enter 2017 as favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LII. As such, Sunday's game could very well be an NFC Championship Game preview.It's always fun when these two get together, highlighted by their memorable overtime conference title game in 2014. However, since that crushing loss, the Packers have won the last two meetings between the two. Both of those games were played at Lambeau Field, as Sunday's game will be.Need a secondary storyline? How about Packers tight end Martellus Bennett against his older brother, Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett.Raiders at Titans, 1 p.m. ET, CBSPoints will be scored in this one. Raiders-Titans features a matchup between two of the league's most entertaining offenses and they'll be lined up against defenses with plenty of questions that need to be answered.It will also be the first regular-season game for two quarterbacks who suffered broken legs at the end of last season. Both Marcus Mariota and Derek Carr had promising years cut agonizingly short. How will they look in their return from injury?And how will Marshawn Lynch look after a year away from football?Speaking of retirement, recently retired quarterback Tony Romo will be calling the game for CBS.Giants at Cowboys, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBCWhere to start?Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott was granted a temporary restraining order from a six-game suspension Friday, paving the way for him to play the entire 2017 season. Sunday's game against the rival Giants provides the first true glimpse of Elliott on the field since Dallas was eliminated in the divisional round of last year's playoffs.The NFC East again figures to be a two-horse race between the Giants and Cowboys. While Dallas took the division crown last season, New York won both head-to-head matchups.The Cowboys will have their full complement of stars Sunday, will the Giants? Odell Beckham Jr. hopes to play despite suffering an ankle injury in the second week of the preseason.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Andy Reid is giving his players license to call the shots.During the Kansas City Chiefs' shocking 42-27 beatdown of the New England Patriots on Thursday, the head coach allowed Tyreek Hill to call the play that led to his 75-yard touchdown reception.In the third quarter of the contest, Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith found Hill streaking past the Patriots' secondary. The score put Kansas City up 21-17."Well I give it up to Alex and the receivers, that doesn't happen a lot to this team - to the Patriots - so it's a tribute to the guys for making it happen," Reid told Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS Sports."Actually, Tyreek called the one that he ended up scoring on. He goes, 'I think I can get him on this one,' so we called it and he got him."Hill left corner Stephon Gilmore looking in the backfield and flashed the peace sign to safety Devin McCourty as he strolled into the end zone.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sunday marks the first full slate of games for the 2017 NFL season, with numerous players looking to make a larger impact on their teams this fall.This season operates as a bridge year for many of the league's brightest talents, looking to cash in on their production before next summer's open market commences.Here are five players that can cash in with a big 2017 season:Le'Veon BellBell is already the highest-paid running back in the NFL by a wide margin, with a base salary of $12.1 million for the 2017 season. The Steelers' superstar isn't remotely satisfied and is seeking for a contract that will pay him equivalent to a top-tier quarterback, in fact, he held out through the summer as a result of this dissatisfaction. Bell is arguably the NFL's premier running back and if he can replicate his production from 2016 where he averaged over 105 yards rushing per game, he'll force the Steelers to acquiesce to his demands.Sammy WatkinsWatkins was acquired by the Rams in an August 11 trade with the Buffalo Bills and will operate as his new club's top target this fall. The Rams are taking a calculated risk based off Watkins' immense potential, believing that his lingering foot injuries won't deter him from becoming a superstar. Watkins is in a show-me year, especially after the Bills declined his fifth-year option. If he can match his 2015 form, the Rams will almost certainly pay him whatever he demands next summer.Dontari Poe Poe earned consecutive Pro Bowl selections in 2013 and 2014, and while his production dropped off slightly, his one-year, $8-million contract for the 2017 season is one of the NFL's best bargains. Gifted with exceptional acceleration for a player that weighs nearly 350 pounds, Poe can be one of the NFL's most dominant run defenders when he's at his best. If Poe can steer the Falcons' defense back to the Super Bowl, expect him to clean up during free agency.Terrelle Pryor Pryor has been on the national radar since he was a top recruit as a quarterback and finally actualized his physical gifts as a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, catching 77 passes for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. Playing in the high-octane Redskins' passing attack, Pryor is provided with every opportunity to top 1,000 yards again and increase his value during free agency. The Redskins signed Pryor to a one-year, $8-million contract for the 2017 season, and may have to double that figure to retain him if he excels with Kirk Cousins.Morgan Burnett Burnett has been quietly consistent for the Packers since being selected in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft and is expected to play an integral role in the secondary once again. The 28-year-old signed a four-year, $24.75 million extension in 2013 and has continued to be one of the NFL's best run-stopping safeties, while providing steady coverage on passing downs. Burnett has reached the ultimate goal with the Packers, winning a Super Bowl during his rookie year. It may be time for him to move onto greener pastures if he submits another stellar season this fall.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is continuing to surpass his own goals as his fundraising towards Hurricane Harvey relief efforts topped the $30 million mark on Friday.Watt set an original goal of $200,000 on Aug. 26 which was quickly surpassed.The three-time Defensive Player of the Year revealed on Wednesday that his campaign reached $27 million and hasn't stopped since the storm ravaged Houston and its surrounding areas.Numerous teams and players have donated to Hurricane Harvey relief, but no one has made a greater effort than Watt.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Count Hall of Fame outside linebacker Jack Ham in the camp that believes Le'Veon Bell to be the NFL's premier running back.Ham starred for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1971-82, earning six first-team All-Pro selections, Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1975, and helping the club win four Super Bowls.Ahead of the upcoming season, Ham raved about Bell, while taking shots at Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott."Bell is the best route runner I have seen for a running back in a long time," Ham said to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette."(Elliott) can't hold his jock as a receiver or route runner. Running a flare out of the backfield is not running a route. There's a huge difference. Elliott is a flare guy, not a route runner. Bell understands this. He didn't do that at Michigan State. They didn't use him like that. Here they found out he was such a good receiver. It's a big weapon when he's in there."Bell, Elliott, and Arizona Cardinals star David Johnson are widely considered to be the NFL's premier running backs, but the Steelers' star enters the season as the highest-paid player at this position by a wide margin.The Steelers likely hope Ham's endorsement goes along way with Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown operating as the fulcrums of the team's offense.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks running back Eddie Lacy may need to brace for a frosty greeting from the Green Bay Packers fan base when the two teams square off Sunday.Lacy spent the first four years of his career with the Packers, before signing a one-year deal with the Seahawks in March.The 27-year-old is now considering violating one of his former club's taboos during Sunday's game: performing the Lambeau Leap as an opponent."Honestly, I’ve been thinking about that for the past two days," Lacy said via Gregg Bell of The News Tribune. "Part of me wants to - but I don’t want to get pushed down."The Lambeau Leap occurs when a Packers player scores a touchdown, then hurls themselves into the adoring crowd.One of the unspoken rules at Lambeau Field is that opponents shouldn't consider the leap, running the risk of being rejected by seething Packers fans.Lacy knows the Packers' subculture all too well, and it'll be compelling to see what the Seahawks do in goal-line packages, knowing their running back may have a trick up his sleeve.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL released a statement Friday after Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension was placed on hold by U.S. District Court Judge Amos Mazzant III, ruling that the Dallas Cowboys running back didn't receive a fundamentally fair hearing during the appeal process.Elliott was suspended six games on Aug. 11 due to a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy after the league concluded he struck his ex-girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson. The suspension was upheld Tuesday after Elliott appealed the decision.Related: Elliott granted temporary restraining order, likely to play 2017 seasonThe NFL's statement reads as follows:

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was granted a temporary restraining order by U.S. District Court Judge Amos Mazzant III on Friday and will be able to play during the 2017 season.Elliott was suspended for six games on Aug. 11 due to a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy after the league ruled he physically injured his ex-girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson. Upon appealing the suspension, his sanction was upheld by arbitrator Harold Henderson.As per the injunction, the NFL isn't allowed to impose his suspension for the duration of the lawsuit, according to Daniel L. Wallach of Becker and Poliakoff. The NFL can appeal the decision immediately, however.Mazzant concluded that Elliott didn't receive a "fundamentally fair" hearing:

Reports have Odell Beckham as 50/50 to play in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys because of an ankle injury, but Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant believes the odds are much better than that.Bryant spoke to the New York Giants receiver on the phone this week and got the sense Beckham will be out there."We just talked about what we always do, nothing that has to do with football, just buddy stuff," Bryant told Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. "I'm pretty sure he's going to play."Bryant was then asked why and offered a simple response."Because he's the heart and soul of that squad," Bryant said.Sunday night's contest has become somewhat of a tradition for fans of both teams, as it will mark the third straight year the Giants and Cowboys have met in Week 1 and the fifth time in the past six seasons.The NFL's choice of schedule is adding more fuel to one of the league's best rivalries. In 2016 the Cowboys marched to a 13-3 record, but two of those losses came against the G-Men."Those games don't matter anymore," Bryant said. "It's a new season."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars claimed safety Calvin Pryor off waivers from the Cleveland Browns, a source told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Pryor was selected 18th overall by the New York Jets in the 2014 NFL Draft.The 25-year-old recorded 62 tackles, six pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 15 games with the Jets during the 2016 season.Pryor was traded to the Browns in June, shortly after the Jets declined his fifth-year option. However, he was released Thursday after getting into a fight with a teammate, wide receiver Ricardo Louis.A strong open-field hitter, Pryor adds a new dimension to the Jaguars' secondary.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After almost two years on the sidelines due to a horrific knee injury, Jaylon Smith is set to make his return to football, as he's likely to start Sunday for the Dallas Cowboys, reports ESPN's Todd Archer.The middle linebacker was one of the country's best players during his time at Notre Dame before suffering the injury in his final college game against Ohio State in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. He was projected to be a top-5 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft but slid to the second round after tearing his ACL which led to nerve damage in his foot.After sitting out all of last season while rehabbing the injury, Smith returned to the team for OTAs and training camp this summer. His work ethic caught the eye of fellow linebacker Sean Lee, the man who will line up beside him this season."I'm extremely comfortable with him," Lee told Archer. "The type of work he's put in to come back, what he's looked like in the OTAs, what he's looked like in training camp, he's ready to play."The Cowboys face the New York Giants in an NFC East showdown on Sunday.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots agreed to a two-year contract extension with linebacker Kyle Van Noy, a source told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Van Noy was acquired by New England in an October 2016 trade with the Detroit Lions, helping the AFC juggernaut capture Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons.He's expected to play a larger role on the Patriots' defense, which struggled immensely during Thursday's opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old recorded six tackles in the 42-27 loss.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week during the NFL season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap every matchup and offer up a three-pack of picks.Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions (+2)Now the league's highest-paid player, Matthew Stafford will get his first chance to show he's worth the massive contract against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The oddsmakers have listed the home team Detroit Lions as two-point underdogs, making them the strongest play of the week to defend their turf. The NFC North club is 5-2 against the spread in its last seven home games, and will kick off the 2017 campaign with a win over the Cardinals. Lions 27, Cardinals 24Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins (-1)A Carson Wentz-led team is a road favorite in a division game to open the season. Yep, 2017 really is a weird time to be alive. While the Washington Redskins aren't exactly Super Bowl favorites, the Philadelphia Eagles have no business being favored in this contest. After a decent start to his rookie campaign, Wentz threw 13 interceptions against just nine touchdowns in his last 11 games and looked every bit like a rookie. Washington has had months to study him on film for this contest, and that will show throughout the contest. Redskins 24, Eagles 13Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-3)After missing the preseason due to a back injury, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is good to go for the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. While that's a good long-term sign for the Ravens, he's been terrible in past road trips to Cincinnati. The veteran pivot has thrown 12 interceptions and just five touchdowns in eight road games against his division foe. The Bengals are 4-1 against the spread in the last five home games against the Ravens, and that makes them the pick as a small favorite. Bengals 21, Ravens 10Remaining matchupsNew York Jets (+9.5) at Buffalo BillsThe New York Jets are willingly starting Josh McCown as their quarterback this season. While that makes them a very tough team to bet on, it feels like the Buffalo Bills shouldn't be favored by more than a touchdown over anybody. Bills 21, Jets 14Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears (+7)The Atlanta Falcons begin their NFC title defense with a road trip to Chicago to face the Bears. It's unclear how the offense will look under new coordinator Steve Sarkisian, and Mike Glennon is certainly familiar with the Falcons from his time in Tampa Bay. Falcons get the win but the Bears will keep it close. Falcons 24, Bears 21Pittsburgh Steelers (-8.5) at Cleveland BrownsWith Le'Veon Bell back in the fold, the Pittsburgh Steelers are possibly the best offense in the NFL. That will be shown throughout the contest in Cleveland, where DeShone Kizer and the Browns' offense won't be able to keep up. Steelers 30, Browns 17Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-4.5)The Jacksonville Jaguars have a lot of key parts to field a strong football team. Unfortunately, quarterback isn't one of them, and J.J. Watt will spend the entire day getting to know Blake Bortles really well. Texans 23, Jaguars 10Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans (-2)Sunday's game between the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans has the potential to be the best of the opening week. Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota are among the best young quarterbacks in the game, and neither defense ranked in the top half of the league last season. We'll take the home team in a shootout. Titans 34, Raiders 31Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams (-3.5)Scott Tolzien is starting at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in a road game. That's great news for the Los Angeles Rams. Rams 17, Colts 10Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers (-3)The Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers' rivalry is one of the best in the sport, and Sunday's edition should be no different. The Seattle defense will be dominant yet again this year, but Aaron Rodgers will make enough plays to get the home win. Packers 24, Seahawks 17Carolina Panthers (-5.5) at San Francisco 49ersWhile 5.5 points is a lot to lay on the road for the season opener, the San Francisco 49ers roster is arguably the worst in the sport. Cam Newton returns to action in a big way with a huge performance in the Bay Area. Panthers 28, 49ers 17New York Giants (+4) at Dallas CowboysIt's unclear whether Odell Beckham Jr. or Ezekiel Elliott will play Sunday night for the New York Giants' trip to face the Dallas Cowboys. This is a bet made with the expectation that both will be in the lineup, but the sensible thing is to wait until their statuses are confirmed. Giants 24, Cowboys 23New Orleans Saints (+3.5) at Minnesota VikingsAdrian Peterson makes his return to Minnesota with the New Orleans Saints, but it will be Drew Brees that steals the show Monday night. While the Vikings' defense is sound, the star quarterback will make enough plays to give the NFC South club the road win. Saints 27, Vikings 24Los Angeles Chargers (+3.5) at Denver BroncosThis feels like a game where Philip Rivers reminds everyone that he's one of the most underappreciated quarterbacks of all time. The Los Angeles Chargers get the road win in Denver to make a statement early in the season. Chargers 28, Broncos 27*Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins postponed due to Hurricane IrmaPicks summaryLions +2 (Gold)Redskins -1 (Silver)Bengals -3 (Bronze)Jets +9.5Bears +7Browns +8.5Texans -4.5Titans -2Rams -3.5Packers -3Panthers -5.5Giants +4Saints +3.5Chargers +3.5(Lines courtesy: Pinnacle)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots are in the market for Jacoby Brissett's replacement.The Patriots worked out free-agent quarterbacks Matt Barkley, Matt McGloin, and David Fales on Friday, according to Field Yates of ESPN.Earlier in the day, quarterback Thad Lewis also drew a workout, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.Last week, the Patriots traded Brissett, their No. 3 quarterback, to the Indianapolis Colts for receiver Phillip Dorsett.The Patriots have often operated with just two quarterbacks on their roster.All four quarterbacks brought in for a tryout were cut on Saturday's roster cutdown day.Barkley, a four-year veteran with six career starts, was cut by the San Francisco 49ers. McGloin, also with four years of experience and seven starts, was a final cut by the Philadelphia Eagles. Fales, a three-year pro with an appearance in one career game, was cut from the Miami Dolphins. Lewis, who hasn't thrown a pass since 2013, was let go by the Baltimore Ravens.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers apparently isn't the handyman Los Angeles Clippers forward Sam Dekker made him out to be.Dekker, a former University of Wisconsin standout, tweeted a photo last week of the Green Bay Packers quarterback laying across his kitchen floor and thanked him for fixing his sink.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay acknowledged Friday that Aaron Donald's holdout will almost certainly extend past the first week of the regular season."It's safe to say he won't be part of this game," McVay said of the star defensive tackle ahead of Sunday's season opener versus the Indianapolis Colts, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.Donald was absent from the team throughout training camp and the preseason while demanding a new deal that would, presumably, make him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league.The 26-year-old is in the fourth year of his rookie contract. The team has already exercised its fifth-year option on the three-time Pro Bowler, keeping him under control through next season.Donald has registered 115 tackles and 28 sacks over his first three NFL campaigns, playing in all 16 contests each year. He had 35 tackles and eight sacks a season ago.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Michael Bennett's attorney believes the Las Vegas Police Department is trying to "smear" the name of the Seattle Seahawks defensive end.Bennett revealed Wednesday that he was detained by police Aug. 26 and believes he was assaulted and racially profiled. The police department has since defended their actions and asked the NFL to investigate Bennett's statements.Oakland civil rights attorney John Burris responded Friday by calling for an independent agency to investigate the matter."Over the last several days, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department and its union have begun a smear campaign aimed at demonizing and besmirching the character of Michael Bennett," Burris wrote in a statement, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. "This victim shaming is a common tactic used by police when they are caught violating a person's rights."The NFL and NFLPA recently stated there was no grounds for the league to investigate Bennett.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is joining the NFL's competition committee, he announced Friday."It's an honor to be named to the NFL Competition Committee," Payton said in a statement, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN. "The challenges that annually face the committee are certainly significant and they merit thoughtful, open dialogues and well-reasoned resolutions when needed. I look forward to making contributions to this great game and working closely with my fellow competition committee members."Payton joins three other head coaches, Marvin Lewis, Mike Tomlin, and Bruce Arians, who are also members of the committee.The 53-year-old's inclusion to the group will no doubt raise a few eyebrows, after the league suspended Payton for the entire 2012 campaign when they concluded the Saints had a bounty program for opponents injuries.Payton has been vocal about certain rule changes in the past, voicing his opinion on kickoffs and overtime.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick have long loved to torment fantasy football managers with secrecy, unpredictability, and constant alterations to their backfield pecking order.The team has been unrivaled in its ability to make any one of three or four running backs into the fantasy star of a given week, while having that same one-week star disappear completely from the fantasy landscape the following Sunday.The Patriots entered the 2017 season with four veteran and capable backs in Mike Gillislee, Rex Burkhead, Dion Lewis, and James White, after allowing 2016 rushing-touchdown leader LeGarrette Blount to leave in free agency.Gillislee shone above the rest in Thursday's season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, scoring three red-zone touchdowns.Here's how all four fared in Week 1.NameTouchesRu.YdsRec YdsTDWhite1338300Gillislee154503Burkhead41580Lewis2900A deeper look tells a slightly different story. Snap counts and grades courtesy Pro Football Focus.NameSnapsGradeWhite4363.9Gillislee2449.0Burkhead1064.0Lewis673.8Gillislee's 3.0 yards per carry and minuscule involvement in the passing game - just five of his snaps were on passing plays - are cause for concern moving forward. While he scored the three short-yardage touchdowns, he was also stopped on fourth-down attempts.Both White and Burkhead were much more effective between the 20-yard lines.Gillislee and White each played on three blocking snaps, Burkhead just one, and Lewis on none.Where to go from hereSell high on GillisleeGillislee is the clear early favorite to replace Blount's role as the Patriots' workhorse in the red zone, and he's well on his way to matching or surpassing Blount's league-leading 18 touchdowns of last season.But his first three touchdowns of the year came in a Patriots' loss, where quarterback Tom Brady threw for just 267 yards and no touchdowns. Brady and the passing game had multiple would-be touchdowns wiped away by defensive pass interference penalties, which would have negated the need for Gillislee's goal-line rushing attempts.With Lewis injured for much of last season and White not having broken out yet, Blount was guaranteed a much larger share of the backfield workload. Gillislee's market share will be watered down by his three colleagues, and his red-zone opportunities will be dispersed to an inevitable uptick in the productivity of the passing game.Sell his breakout game in a primetime matchup for someone with a steadier floor, albeit not quite as high of a weekly ceiling.Targets: Ty Montgomery, Carlos Hyde, Marshawn LynchStand by one guy(Photos courtesy Action Images)Here are the Yahoo! and NFL.com ownership percentages of each of the Patriots' backs.NameY!NFL.comWhite51%78.5%Gillislee92%94.4%Burkhead32%6.4%Lewis14%4.6%With Gillislee looking like the star and White seeing the highest number of snaps in Week 1, both are living up to their respective draft pedigree as the highest owned of the four backs.Owners with room to stash a running back for a few weeks should be taking a flier on either Burkhead or Lewis, in the event of an injury or a change to the depth chart.Lewis had averaged 3.79 receptions per game over his first two seasons with the Patriots. He's still just 26 years old, and could quickly return to his old prominent role in the passing game.Starting any of the four on a weekly basis will be a risky move for fantasy managers. No more than one should be rostered or started in a given week.Pick your guy and hope Belichick pulls your card.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry was diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the 2017 season, head coach Andy Reid said, according to BJ Kissel from Chiefs.com.Berry missed much of the 2014 season after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.He battled back from the cancer diagnosis to be named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth and fifth times and make his second and third All-Pro teams in 2015 and 2016. He shared the league lead with two defensive touchdowns last season, his second time accomplishing the feat.Berry signed a six-year, $78-million contract in February. He'll turn 29 years old in December.Daniel Sorensen is listed as Berry's backup at strong safety on the team's official depth chart.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hurricane Irma has altered the Jacksonville Jaguars' plans.The team will stay in Houston following Sunday's game against the Texans in order to avoid the storm projected to reach Florida."In consideration for the safety of our players, coaches and staff, the Jacksonville Jaguars will remain in Houston following Sunday's game and weill re-evaluate travel options on Monday morning," the team stated in a release. "We will be thinking of those in our city and throughout Florida and the southeast who will be affected, as well as the first responders who will be working through this storm. We look forward to returning to Jacksonville as soon as possible."Hurricane Irma is currently a Category 4 storm and is projected to reach Florida by the weekend. Florida governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency.The storm has already forced the postponement of the Miami Dolphins' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that was scheduled to be played Sunday in Miami. It will now be played Week 11.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the NFL relaxing its rules on celebrations this season, Jimmy Fallon invited players to demonstrate some of their new moves on "The Tonight Show."Among the standouts are Von Miller's "Sexy T-Rex," Vernon Davis' "The Steph Curry," Michael Bennett's "The Microwave Burrito," and Antonio Brown's Titanic-inspired "Jack I'm Flying."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As the Miami Dolphins prepare for their Week 1 bye, owner Stephen Ross is helping the entire team and their respective families brace themselves for incoming Hurricane Irma, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Schefter reports Dolphins players, coaches, and their families will move to Los Angeles on Friday night in order to conduct practices and prepare for next week's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.The Dolphins' Week 1 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was postponed to Week 11 as Irma is expected to cause severe damage in South Florida.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A determination on whether Odell Beckham Jr. will play in the New York Giants' season opener won't be made until at least Saturday.The superstar receiver who suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 of the preseason is listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys."Odell is getting treatment. We will see how he responds," head coach Ben McAdoo said Friday. "He is going to do all of his work with the training staff and we'll see how he responds tomorrow. We have a chance for a launch day tomorrow."As of Thursday, it was believed Beckham had a 50-50 chance of playing in Week 1."He's doing everything he can to get himself well," McAdoo said.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints long snapper Jon Dorenbos was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm and requires immediate surgery, according to head coach Sean Payton. He'll be placed on the NFL's non-football injury list.Saints doctor John Amoss discovered the condition while going through Dorenbos' second physical with the team."Dr. Amoss is the one that discovered it, and basically saved his life with the findings. He's had further tests and evaluations, and we met twice yesterday. Certainly, news like this is a big alert for him," said Payton, according to Joel Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate.Dorenbos, a 15-year NFL veteran, was acquired by the Saints in exchange for a 2019 seventh-round pick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 28.Erickson adds that Payton said the pre-existing condition will cause the trade to be rescinded.The Saints will bring in a handful of players for tryouts Friday to replace Dorenbos on the roster.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower suffered a minor MCL sprain in Thursday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The Patriots' defensive stud was injured when a pile of players rolled onto his leg. He left the game with seven minutes to play in the third quarter and did not return.Hightower's absence was immediately felt as the Chiefs' offense scored three touchdowns the rest of the way, often picking on Hightower's replacement Cassius Marsh.The injury doesn't project to be a long-term one, however. With nine days between games, Hightower could play in the Patriots' Week 2 contest against the New Orleans Saints, Rapaport reports.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.The first Sunday of the NFL season can be overwhelming for bettors. That's why Covers put together this must-read collection of all the notes, line moves and betting trends for each of the 12 games. Find out why Lions are afraid of Cardinals and a legendary Lambeau homefield advantage.New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (-9, 40)The Jets won and covered both matchups against the Bills last season but Gang Green enters the 2017 campaign running operation tank job.Josh McCown is the Week 1 starter under center for the Jets, which isn’t good for New York backers. McCown has made 31 starts at QB for three different teams since 2013. In those 31 starts, McCown’s teams went 10-21 against the spread.LINE HISTORY: This line opened as low as Bills -6 back in the spring but the number moved up over the last month. Many shops now have the Jets getting between 9.5 and 10 points.TRENDS:* The Over is 8-0 in the Bills’ last eight home games and 10-2 in their last 12 games overall.

The New England Patriots find themselves in unfamiliar territory. They currently own the worst record in the league.Granted, only two teams have played in a game this season, but after a 42-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on opening night, the Patriots reside at the bottom of the standings."We just have to be a lot better in a lot of areas, starting with our attitude and competitiveness," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said after the defeat. "We're going to have to do a lot better than tonight."Brady threw 20 incompletions on the night. He went just 16-for-36 for 267 passing yards. He was missing trusty receiver Julian Edelman, who is out for the season with a knee injury, but knows the team can't use that as an excuse."We definitely have to play better. It's a long year, so we've got 15 games. We're going to have to do a better job, and (Edelman's) not coming back," Brady said. "So, the guys that are in there are going to have to do a good job. Every position that we have is going to have to do a better job than we did tonight."Brady wasn't the only player having an off night. The team gave up 537 total yards, went just 5-for-15 on third down, and converted on only three of six trips inside the red zone."There was nothing really positive about anything that was done, so we've got to get back to work," Brady said. "We've got nine days before the next game, and hopefully we play a lot better than tonight."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite his team storming back with 28 second-half points to upset the New England Patriots 42-27 in the season opener, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce couldn't fully appreciate the occasion."It's the first game. I'm on a bit of a low right now because my guy EB (safety Eric Berry) is down. I love him to death. He's our fearless leader and to see him go down in the first game breaks your heart," said Kelce in his postgame press conference.Berry is believed to have suffered an Achilles tear late in Thursday's game. He's scheduled to undergo an MRI Friday to reveal the full extent of the damage and determine a possible timeline for his return.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We should have listened to Andy Reid.The NFL community scoffed when Reid insisted Alex Smith would remain the starting quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, despite the emergence of rookie Patrick Mahomes.General manager Brett Veach drew eye rolls when he said the same in support of Reid and Smith."Coach made a statement a few days back, there's no gray area: Alex is our quarterback," Veach said last week. "He's so far ahead of what Pat is. I don't think it's even close right now."Kansas City traded up to the 10th pick of the draft to select the gunslinging quarterback, and Mahomes' exciting playing style captivated audiences during the preseason. But the Chiefs stuck to their guns.On Thursday night, Smith showed why.The veteran is often derided for his cautious approach (the nicknames "Checkdown Charlie" and "Captain Checkdown" come to mind). But, in Smith, the Chiefs have a quarterback they can trust. One that will be careful with the football, won't commit turnovers, and will throw the necessary deep ball when it's there - and only when it's there.All of those facets of his game were on display in the 2017 season opener. It may not be sexy, but it gets results, and in a sport with only 16 games to determine playoff seedings, results matter the most.Smith entered this season with the third-highest winning percentage among quarterbacks since 2011. His record was a sparkling 60-25-1 with a 1.5 percent interception rate.Against the defending Super Bowl champions, Smith went 28 for 35 with 368 yards and four passing touchdowns. The numbers are spectacular, even if the manner in which he attained them was not.For much of the evening, Smith opted for shovel passes and checkdowns, safe passes that got the job done and kept the ball in the Chiefs' possession. Yet, when the opportunity presented itself and a receiver was running free, Smith knew what to do with the ball.

Free-agent kicker Josh Brown, most recently of the New York Giants, has been suspended an additional six games for domestic violence accusations.A text message from the NFL, sent to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday, outlined how Brown - who served an initial one-game suspension at the beginning of the 2016 season - was levied with the new ban."We reopened the investigation based on new info," the text message read. "Concluded there was a violation of our personal conduct policy and imposed six-game suspension which he accepted without appeal."Brown was released by the Giants in October of last year; the team signed him to a two-year, $4-million contract in April of 2016, despite being aware the NFL was investigating accusations of domestic violence brought forth by the kicker's now ex-wife, Molly Brown.Both the league and his former team came under intense criticism for their response to the situation - the NFL for the minuscule initial suspension, and the Giants for handing the kicker a new deal despite having knowledge of the domestic violence accusations.Brown, 38, remains unsigned since his release.According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, he will begin serving his new six-game suspension immediately, despite not currently being on an NFL roster.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

An unforgettable night for Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Kareem Hunt started with a play he needed to quickly clear from his mind.After not losing a single fumble in his four years at Toledo, Hunt gave one away on his first career NFL carry."I had some ups and downs, especially at the beginning of the game," Hunt said in his postgame press conference. "I just had to keep playing through it, not get down on myself and keep making plays. Honestly, that's not the way I wanted to start. It was a rough one because I don't remember the last time I fumbled. It was early in my college career, and I actually got it back."The early fumble helped stake the New England Patriots to an early 7-0 lead.Despite the mistake and deficit, Hunt's teammates continued to support the rookie."The guys on the sidelines stuck with me, especially the defense, they said we got your back. They were just letting me know to forget about it and come back and make plays," Hunt said.The encouragement led Hunt to an NFL record of 246 yards from scrimmage in a player's first game, and three total touchdowns.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"Outwit, outplay, outlast."The motto made popular by the hit television show "Survivor" can also be applied to your office betting pool that fires up this week.Survivor pools have become one of the most popular forms of betting football in recent years, and with 14 games to pick from this weekend, there's plenty of contests to choose a winner from.For those that aren't familiar with the format, a survivor pool involves each participant picking a team that they think will win straight-up that week. The same team cannot be chosen more than once, so one must be selective as they advance further with each week.Here's a few clubs to keep an eye on this week when making your first selection:Two teams to pickPittsburgh SteelersLe'Veon Bell is back, Antonio Brown is planning his touchdown dances, and the Cleveland Browns are in a pile of trouble on Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers head to the home of their AFC North rival as 9.5-point favorites and should be everybody's No. 1 pick for their survivor pools this week. Brown has destroyed Cleveland throughout his career, registering a whopping 1,130 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 career games, and the Bro's revamped secondary will struggle to slow down the Steeler's attack.Carolina PanthersThis isn't necessarily a pick for how strong the Carolina Panthers are, but more so for how bad the San Francisco 49ers project to be. Cam Newton is back at full strength to face last season's league-worst defense, and with former Stanford star Christian McCaffrey added to the backfield, look for the Panthers to run up the score at Levi's Stadium. It's not always wise to take a road team in a survivor pool, but when the opposition is the 49ers - or the Browns in Pittsburgh's case - we'll make an exception.Team to avoidBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills will be a popular pick in survivor pools this week, as the hapless New York Jets are coming to Orchard Park to start the season. While the Jets are unquestionably bad, the Bills don't exactly inspire a lot of confidence with their roster this year either. Division rivalries can often lead to weird results, and with both offenses saddled with weak passing attacks, this one could be a close finish. Best to stay away in the opening week until we see if the Bills can move the ball with Jordan Matthews and Zay Jones as their top wideouts.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut. For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our weekly rankings.StartSam Bradford, QB, Vikingsvs. SaintsThe Saints should again be a consistent target of fantasy managers, as they largely failed to address a porous defense in the offseason. Bradford completed 71.6 percent of his passes last season, and he should be further helped out by rookie running back Dalvin Cook.Fearless prediction: 285 yards passing, 2 TDsOther QBs to start

Here are five things we learned from a surprising opening night in the NFL.Kareem Hunt is the real deal Welcome to the show, Kareem Hunt.Hunt emerged as the Chiefs' starting running back when Spencer Ware suffered a torn PCL during the preseason. Although it's the smallest of sample sizes, Ware could be out of luck when he returns from injury, as Hunt looks to be a star in the making and quite possibly the steal of the 2017 NFL Draft.He set the NFL record for yards from scrimmage in a first game Thursday night, rushing for 148 yards and recording 98 receiving yards in his professional debut. The former Toledo standout showed his small-school pedigree wouldn't hurt him at the professional level, and his ability to dominate as a runner and receiver showed he could be another modern prototype.Did the Chiefs unveil a future star? If anything, the Patriots ought to know, after unearthing Tom Brady only when Drew Bledsoe suffered internal bleeding early in the 2001 season.Patriots' defense needs time to jellBill Belichick is inarguably the greatest defensive coach of all time, with seven Super Bowl victories (five as the Patriots' head coach, two as the Giants' defensive coordinator), one game plan in the Hall of Fame, and countless defenders that have improved significantly under his watch.The Hoodie ought to be seething well into Friday morning.New England's 42 points surrendered Thursday night were the most allowed by the organization during Belichick's reign as head coach. For a team that finished first in scoring defense last season (15.6 points per game allowed), it was a shocking reversal of form and a clear sign that this year's unit needs more time to jell.Stephon Gilmore was a particularly guilty culprit Thursday night, getting scorched by Tyreek Hill on a 75-yard score in the third quarter. Trey Flowers generated two sacks but the rest of the front seven failed to show up, allowing Alex Smith to grow more confident in the pocket throughout the contest. Malcolm Butler was nowhere close to second-team All-Pro form. The Patriots couldn't stop Hunt from bursting out of screen passes, nor could they account for a few unorthodox sub-packages the Chiefs used in the running game.New England still boasts enough talent to re-establish itself as a top defense. After Thursday's showing, Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will certainly preach the message that talent, continuity, and the spoils of last season won't offset the team's mistakes.Is Gillislee the next LeGarrette Blount? Mike Gillislee was the lone bright spot for the Patriots on Thursday evening, scoring three rushing touchdowns in his debut with his new club. Gillislee went largely unnoticed while backing up LeSean McCoy as a member of the Buffalo Bills, but he's certainly on the national radar after opening night with the defending champions.The Patriots used LeGarrette Blount to great effect in short-yardage scenarios last season and the bruising back led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns. In trademark Patriots fashion, the organization found him to be expendable, cutting him loose. Enter Gillislee.Gillislee was signed for pennies on the dollar after quietly averaging 5.7 yards per carry in consecutive seasons with the Bills. Boasting a combination of field vision and power the Patriots crave at the goal line, along with the speed to separate from his initial defender, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has another potent weapon in his arsenal. Now, the rest of the pieces need to fall in line.Patriots miss Edelman more than we realizedJulian Edelman tore his ACL during the preseason and the response was largely indifference, as many believed the Patriots would seamlessly replace the veteran talent. Edelman was a key fixture in the Patriots' latest two Super Bowl victories, and his absence spoke volumes Thursday.Chris Hogan was marginally useful in the running game, rushing for 17 yards on three carries, all on designed end-around plays. Brandin Cooks caught three passes for 88 yards, but most of his contributions came on a 55-yard gain. Rob Gronkowski was nowhere near his all-world form, held to two catches for 33 yards. New England may be teeming with talent, but it was evident that Brady sorely missed one of his safety valves.Danny Amendola suffered a concussion during Thursday's game, while Malcolm Mitchell was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury prior to the showdown. Although it would be unwise to bet against Belichick's ability to find capable receivers out of nowhere, Brady has cultivated a strong rapport with Edelman - one that simply didn't carry over to the rest of his targets versus the Chiefs.Smith's tenure with the Chiefs isn't over yet When the Chiefs traded up 17 spots with the Buffalo Bills to select Patrick Mahomes 10th overall in the 2017 draft, many predicted that Smith's tenure with the team was coming to an end. The pundits are eating and deleting their words now.Smith submitted one of the best performances of his career, one that'd be hailed as a virtuoso offering if Tom Brady posted the same stat line. The 13th-year pro went 28-of-35 for 368 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, shattering the notion that he can only operate a hyper-conservative offense. He found Hill in stride when the receiver beat Stephon Gilmore off the line of scrimmage for a 75-yard touchdown, and later scorched the Patriots' defense by throwing a picturesque pass to Kareem Hunt for a 78-yard score.

The Kansas City Chiefs stunned the football world Thursday, stepping onto the world champions' home turf and running circles around them en route to a 42-27 drubbing that threw major doubt on the New England Patriots' hopes of a repeat title.Here are six stats from the game that will take some time to digest before they feel real:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) There were big plays all over the field. The Chiefs, not the Patriots, were making them.Alex Smith threw two long touchdown passes and rookie Kareem Hunt, after fumbling on his first NFL carry, scored three times to help Kansas City stun New England 42-27 on Thursday night in the season opener.Coming off their sensational Super Bowl rally to a fifth Lombardi Trophy, the Patriots faded badly in the second half. A raucous sold-out crowd of 65,878 celebrated the unveiling of yet another championship banner, and there was plenty of talk about Tom Brady leading them to a 19-0 record.After Week 1, though, they are winless.It was the first time the Patriots lost at Gillette Stadium when leading at halftime, a span of 82 games. They were no match for the Chiefs in the last two periods.Tyreek Hill scored on a 75-yarder and Hunt put the Chiefs in front with a 78-yarder to punctuate Kansas City's charge after trailing 17-14 at halftime. Hunt also had a 58-yard scamper and finished with 141 yards rushing and 98 receiving. Hill had 133 yards through the air, and Smith went 28 for 35 for 368 yards and four touchdowns.Brady, the 13th quarterback to start an NFL game at age 40, didn't look too spry. He struggled mightily in the second half and didn't throw for a touchdown, finishing 16 for 36 for 267 yards.Patriots newcomer Mike Gillislee scored on three short runs, becoming the first player since Terrell Owens of Philadelphia in 2004 to score three touchdowns in his debut with a new team.And Kansas City aided the Patriots' cause with 15 penalties for 139 yards. Yet, in the end, the Chiefs looked like world-beaters.SHORT YARDAGENew England failed twice in the first quarter on short-yardage runs, by Gillislee and Super Bowl hero James White, and again in the fourth period, by Gillislee. If anyone proclaimed the Patriots were missing RB LeGarrette Blount, who scored 18 TDs last season and was a beast in such situations, well, Gillislee, who came from Buffalo as a restricted free agent, ran in for a pair of 2-yard touchdowns and a 1-yarder.ROGER, ROGERNot only did the crowd revel in the video highlights from the Super Bowl, the fans booed vigorously when Commissioner Roger Goodell was shown talking on the sideline Chiefs owner Clark Hunt during warmups. A website distributed thousands of towels featuring Goodell's face adorned with a clown nose, and many fans also had T-shirts with the caricature. Goodell watched the game from a suite, but not with Patriots owner Robert Kraft.INJURIESKansas City's star safety Eric Berry was carted off with 4:56 remaining with an undisclosed injury.The Patriots lost perhaps their best defensive player, linebacker Dont'a Hightower, in the third quarter with a knee injury. His absence showed on Hunt's long TD reception. ... WR Danny Amendola left in the fourth quarter with a head injury. He's projected as New England's slot receiver with Julian Edelman out for the season.UP NEXTChiefs: Host Philadelphia on Sept. 17.Patriots: Visit New Orleans on Sept. 17.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry was carted to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's game against the New England Patriots, with the team fearing a torn Achilles tendon.Head coach Andy Reid told reporters after the contest that Berry will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the full extent of the injury.

New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola left Thursday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a concussion and will not return.Prior to leaving the game, he led the team in receiving with six receptions for 100 yards.Amendola is the latest Patriots receiver to suffer an injury over the past few weeks. Julian Edelman suffered a season-ending torn ACL during the preseason, while Malcolm Mitchell was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury prior to Thursday's game.New Engla will likely use Chris Hogan, along with running backs James White, Rex Burkhead, and Dion Lewis, to replicate Amendola's production if he's out for a significant amount of time.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills have somehow become the butt of the joke in a game they're not even playing in.A pair of former Bills, Mike Gillislee and Chris Hogan, made major contributions for the New England Patriots during the first half of Thursday's opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.Gillislee was the star of the show, rushing for 42 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, engineering the Patriots' multifaceted offense. The Bills elected to let Gillislee walk when they declined to match a two-year, $6.4 million offer sheet from the Patriots, instead receiving a fifth-round pick in compensation.Hogan signed a three-year, $12 million offer sheet with the Patriots in March 2016, and the Bills also elected to decline. The 29-year-old subsequently submitted the best season of his career, helping the Patriots win Super Bowl LI last year.The national media quickly took notice of the Bills' apparent blunders.