Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans believes he should get more consideration in conversations surrounding the league's top pass-catchers."I know where I'm at," Evans said, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. "My opinion matters more than anybody else because I watch all of these guys, and there are a lot of f-----g great players. But I'll take myself over anybody."Evans has rattled off nine straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons to start his career, the only player to accomplish that feat in NFL history.The 29-year-old has seen several quarterbacks throw him passes since entering the league, including Josh McCown, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mike Glennon, Jameis Winston, and Tom Brady."If people were in my situation, there's only 5-10 guys in history who have done what I've done," Evans said. "It's been a battle, but I enjoy it."Evans will have a new starting quarterback again in 2023 after working with Brady for the previous three campaigns. Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are battling for the starting job in training camp.The four-time Pro-Bowler believes the team can succeed with whomever wins the starting role this season."Rebuilding? We are just trying to win right now," Evans added. "I don't know why people don't see that. Win the division, after that, people can take care of themselves."The Texas A&M product has 10,425 receiving yards and 683 catches in 137 career games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2022 Buccaneers were a massive disappointment - unless, of course, you considered early on that a Tom Brady-led team might actually stink.As we like to remind ourselves before a season starts, a team can delight in its failure. Fading the Bucs last season won at a clip of 75% as they went 4-12-1 against the spread. The best ATS team last year - the 49ers - covered at a 65% clip. It goes to show that it's easier to win money by blindly fading an overrated team than it is to back a team to keep covering. Successful teams get noticed and adjusted more quickly than disappointing ones.Brady is now gone, so there's little chance for the 2023 Bucs to be overrated, especially since his presumed replacement - Baker Mayfield - is 27-41-1 against the spread over the last five seasons.2023 season oddsMARKETODDS(O/U)Win total6.5 (+120/-140)Division+900Conference+5000Super Bowl+15000Estimated rating37/100Oddsmakers thought 6.5 wins was low enough, but the market still took the under down to a point where you have to pay -140 to fade the Bucs on the season. By the end of last season, the Buccaneers were home underdogs in the playoffs against the Cowboys, the type of situation befitting an average team at best. Remove Brady from that equation and a rating of 37 out of 100 might still not be low enough.Schedule outlookWEEKOPPONENTLOOKAHEAD LINE1@MINMIN -6.52CHICHI -1.53PHIPHI -74@NONO -5.56DETDET -3.57ATLATL -18@BUFBUF -109@HOUHOU -110TENTEN -111@SFSF -7.512@INDIND -113CARTB -114@ATLATL -315@GBGB -3.516JAXJAX -3.517NONO -1.518@CARCAR -2.5At first glance at their schedule, it'll be hard to accuse the Buccaneers of being overrated since they're not projected to be favored until Week 13 when they host the Panthers. Using an estimation of -27, which is the highest possible point spread in the modern NFL, the Buccaneers' 37/100 rating gives them 10 out of 27 points on that scale. In Week 1, they visit the Vikings - which is worth 13.7. That's a 3.7-point difference on a neutral field, but the point spread is 6.5. That should move downward, but if it doesn't and it touches +7, the Bucs are worth a bet.What's to like about the BuccaneersNot everyone left Tampa Bay, and many of the veterans who did, aren't on NFL rosters as of Aug. 1. It doesn't appear that teams have been clamoring to hand out contracts to Leonard Fournette, Cameron Brate, Julio Jones, Akiem Hicks, Carl Nassib, and Logan Ryan. Clearing out the aged players and replacing them with younger options allows the Bucs to keep Devin White, Lavonte David, Shaq Barrett, Vita Vea, and the majority of a secondary still in its prime.As a former first overall pick and Heisman winner, Mayfield's been through enough in his brief career to be uniquely qualified to handle the pressure of replacing Brady. Having Mike Evans and Chris Godwin - both still under 30 - to throw to is a better situation than most quarterbacks on their fourth team get. Mayfield impressed in his cameo with the Rams last year, and you'd have to think this is his last chance to take ownership of an offense.What's not to like about the BuccaneersAs many veteran stars as the Bucs have returned, they're going to see a shake-up on the offensive line after Donovan Smith and Shaq Mason were signed by the Chiefs and Texans, respectively. With Mayfield not known for being cool under pressure, Tristan Wirfs' move to the left side will have to be seamless, Ryan Jensen has to stay healthy, and the three young replacements on the offensive line need to develop into trustworthy, durable options.Other notable betting marketsPLAYERMARKETODDSBaker MayfieldMVP+15000Most passing yards+10000Most passing TD+6500Rachaad WhiteMost rushing yards+4500Most rushing TD+10000Mike EvansOffensive POTY+15000Most receptions+8000Most receiving yards+6000Most receiving TD+2000Devin WhiteDefensive POTY+15000Lavonte DavidDefensive POTY+15000Antoine Winfield Jr.Defensive POTY+15000Calijah KanceyDefensive ROTY+2500Shaquil BarrettMost sacks+7500Todd BowlesCoach of the Year+5000Normally, the head coach of a team expected to be bad is a contender for Coach of the Year because the bar is set so low. Three of the top four choices in this market are Sean Payton, Matt Eberflus and Arthur Smith. Tampa Bay's Todd Bowles, however, is the longest shot to win this award - an indictment of how he's thought of by oddsmakers and the market alike.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp suffered a hamstring injury at practice Tuesday and could miss a few weeks of training camp, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.Kupp had an MRI on the injured hamstring and the team will be cautious with the star pass-catcher, Schefter adds. The 30-year-old walked off the field with trainers 30 minutes into practice and did not return."I saw he looked like he came up a little bit on a red zone route, and then I just know they told me he was out for practice," head coach Sean McVay said, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic."I hope he's OK," McVay added. "But I mean, we've got to be able to go practice. Guys have to be able to step up. Obviously, we're much better when he's here, and you hope he's going to be OK."Kupp missed the second half of the 2022 season after suffering a high ankle sprain. He underwent a procedure to fix the ailment in November and entered training camp healthy.The Eastern Washington product was having a terrific campaign before going down with the ankle injury. He had 75 catches for 812 yards and six touchdowns in nine games last season.Kupp has 508 catches for 6,329 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns in 80 career games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It sounds like Aaron Rodgers is going to enjoy an extended stay in the Big Apple.Rodgers said Tuesday his stint with the New York Jets will be a "few-year partnership," according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.The quarterback's comments come after he recently signed a reworked deal with the Jets. Rodgers' guaranteed money over the next two seasons will fall from roughly $110 million to $75 million under the restructured agreement. As a result, his cap hit for the following three campaigns will be $8.9 million, $17.2 million, and $23.5 million, per Over The Cap."(It's) a win-win-win for everybody," Rodgers added. "A win for me: I get paid a ton of money. A win for the team: we get a low cap number and deferred some cash. A win for other guys that we can bring in and sign. I have no complaints. I'm not missing it at all."The four-time league MVP described contract talks with general manager Joe Douglas as an "easy conversation." He also noted that his low cap hit gives the Jets the ability to add notable players to help the team compete."It's about guys at the end of camp we could bring (in)," Rodgers explained. "There's obviously more trades now that we see across the league, bigger names at the deadline than maybe my first couple of years in the league."Rodgers was acquired by New York this offseason after he spent 18 years with the Green Bay Packers. He's aiming to turn around the fortunes of a Jets franchise that's finished last in the AFC East in six of the past seven seasons.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Rich Hribar of Sharp Football joins Boone to discuss how to approach quarterbacks in this year's fantasy drafts.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love doesn't like what he's seen from the team's offense at training camp lately."I don't think we're being consistent. ... It just comes down to us being on the same page. I don't think we have that right now," Love said after Tuesday's practice, according to Adriana Torres of ABC Green Bay. "We're still growing, going through those growing pains."He added, "It sucks when we have days where we're just not putting it together. There wasn't a lot of juice out there from us."The Packers' defensive unit has beaten the offense in every competition period so far at camp, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman."It's very frustrating," Love added, per Ryan Wood of USA Today. "I think we're all very tired of it. Kudos to the defense, but obviously it's disappointing as an offense. Collectively, as a whole, it's definitely an area we need to step up."The Packers turned to Love under center this year after trading four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Love, who's been praised by several teammates this offseason, has started only one game since being drafted in the first round in 2020.Green Bay's wide receiver depth chart also lacks experience, as no wideout has more than a year of NFL experience.Meanwhile, the Packers' defense is returning most of its starters and features several proven players, including defensive lineman Kenny Clark and cornerback Jaire Alexander.Green Bay - which missed the playoffs in 2022 after going 8-9 - kicks off its 2023 regular season on the road against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 10.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nathaniel Hackett believes Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton crossed a line.After Payton criticized Hackett on Thursday for "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL" during his time with the Broncos, the New York Jets offensive coordinator expressed frustration with his successor Tuesday."There's a code," Hackett said, according to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. "There's a way things are done. ... It's unfortunate about the comments that were made, but they did."Hackett said he was surprised that the comments came well before the two teams meet in Week 5 this season, but he added, "It is what it is. We move on."Payton, 59, also said this year's Jets could be setting themselves up for a similarly embarrassing year to the 2022 Broncos, commenting that he "can see it coming."While Payton publicly expressed regret over the comments Friday, Hackett said he hasn't received an apology and isn't expecting one, according to ESPN's Diana Russini.Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers defended Hackett on Sunday. The signal-caller, who played with Hackett from 2019-2021 while with the Green Bay Packers, said the 43-year-old is one of his favorite coaches from his time in the NFL. He also called Payton's comments "way out of line" and "inappropriate."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not only is USC quarterback Caleb Williams the favorite to go first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he's also drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, who's been in a league of his own since joining the Kansas City Chiefs.Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, shrugged off those comparisons, saying he hasn't won enough big games to earn that status."I don't think anything of it. I'm my own self," Williams recently said on the "Slow News Day" podcast. "I'm Caleb Williams, No. 13 for the USC Trojans. I don't think too much of it other than, it's respect."(Mahomes) has been the best guy in the league since he got in the league - at the highest level he's been playing. I just say respect. The man's got two Super Bowls under his belt, and I've got not even one national championship. ... I've been working my tail off to try and be the best."Williams accounted for 52 touchdowns while passing for 4,537 yards during his first season at USC in 2022. His ability to improvise resembles what Mahomes often does with the Chiefs."Every play is successful because he either throws on time or moves and makes it happen. He has that off-script Mahomes factor," an AFC scout told ESPN's Matt Miller.USC head coach Lincoln Riley said he understands the comparisons between the two QBs."There are some similarities," Riley said, according to Connor Morrissette of 247Sports. "I think some of the vision and some of the creative arm angles. Also, the ability to get the ball out is similar."Mahomes has taken the NFL by storm since being drafted 10th overall in 2017. The Texas Tech product has won two regular-season MVP awards while leading the Chiefs to two titles in three Super Bowl appearances. He also has two Super Bowl MVP honors under his belt.Mahomes' most iconic game in college came against an Oklahoma team that had Riley as offensive coordinator in 2016. Mahomes finished that contest with 734 yards and five touchdowns passing to go along with 85 yards and two scores on the ground. The Sooners edged the Red Raiders 66-59.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick suffered a complete tear of his Achilles, head coach Sean Payton confirmed Tuesday, according to NFL Network James Palmer.Patrick sustained the season-ending ailment on a non-contact play during practice. Payton said after Monday's training session that the team feared an Achilles injury for the pass-catcher."I was watching it directly 'cause he was running a route and it was something we corrected earlier," Payton said. "Planted, thought it looked like he slipped. ... Wasn't any contact, it was just kind of coming out of a cut."Payton added: "It's difficult for his teammates, for all of us."

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas can't wait to put his game back on the right track after multiple injury-plagued seasons."The chip (on my shoulder) is very big. It's very big. But it grows every day," Thomas said Tuesday of the 2023 season.Thomas was the Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after a historic effort, in which he set an NFL single-season record with 149 catches. He also led the league with 1,725 receiving yards that year.He hasn't been able to replicate that production since, as injuries limited him to only 10 regular-season appearances in the last three campaigns. The 30-year-old, who didn't play at all in 2021, appeared in seven games in 2020 and three last year.The Ohio State product said he feels good at training camp this year, adding that being able to participate without limitations is "a blessing.""I feel like I'm trending in the right direction," Thomas said. "Taking every day one day at a time, trying to execute at a high level."The three-time Pro Bowler is part of a Saints wide receiver depth chart that also features 2022 first-round pick Chris Olave, among others.Thomas, Olave and the Saints' receivers are now catching passes from a different quarterback, as New Orleans acquired veteran Derek Carr this offseason. Carr, a four-time Pro Bowler, spent his first nine NFL seasons with Las Vegas Raiders.Thomas likes what he's seen from Carr so far."It's been progressing tremendously," Thomas said of his relationship with Carr. "Derek, he's a great leader, he's very vocal, he knows what wants, he tells us what he wants."The Saints went 7-10 last year and missed the playoffs for the second straight season. They kick off their 2023 campaign at home against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 10.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The last time the Panthers had a franchise quarterback they could feel good about was in 2018. Patience is a virtue and all that, but enough was enough in Carolina. The team gave the Bears everything they needed for the first overall pick, all so it could take the quarterback with the most exciting future - 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.Like the Falcons, the Panthers went 7-10 on the field last season but were a marginally profitable 9-8 against the spread. However, they gave three quarterbacks four or more starts each and fired head coach Matt Rhule midway through the season. Judging this team by the standards of Rhule's tenure and a carousel of Baker Mayfield, P.J. Walker, and Sam Darnold doesn't make much sense. The Panthers have a largely clean slate going into 2023, which doesn't mean expectations are necessarily all that low, either.2023 season oddsMARKETODDS(O/U)Win total7.5 (-125/+105)Division+325Conference+3500Super Bowl+7500Estimated rating45/100The market has tempered some of its initial enthusiasm for the Panthers, as it initially took enough money for the price of over 7.5 wins to hit -160. Carolina enters the season rated as a slightly below-average team and the third choice to win a wide-open NFC South.Schedule outlookWEEKOPPONENTLOOKAHEAD LINE1@ATLATL -32NONO -13@SEASEA -44MINMIN -1.55@DETDET -56@MIAMIA -78HOUCAR -39INDCAR -2.510@CHICHI -211DALDAL -3.512@TENTEN -113@TBTB -114@NONO -3.515ATLCAR -116GBGB -117@JAXJAX -518TBCAR -2.5Using an estimation of 27 being the highest possible point spread in the modern NFL, the Falcons' 49/100 rating gives them 13.2 out of 27 points. In Week 1, they host Carolina - which is worth 12.1. That's a difference of 1.1 points on a neutral field, and the Falcons are getting almost two points of home-field advantage in the opener. When they face each other in Week 15, it's the Panthers who get two points of home-field advantage in the projected line and are favored by a point.What's to like about the PanthersThe Panthers had minimal top-end talent at the skill positions last season, and poor quarterback play limited D.J. Moore, their best weapon. To win as many games as it did, Carolina ran the ball behind and through the holes created by a good run-blocking offensive line. Miles Sanders comes over from the Eagles to be a more explosive, versatile version of D'Onta Foreman within former Philadelphia offensive coordinator Frank Reich's system.Carolina can rely on Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, Shaq Thompson, and Jaycee Horn defensively. The team pulled off a coup with the hiring of Ejiro Evero as defensive coordinator. Evero was regarded highly enough to interview for the Panthers' head coaching gig, so they picked up something of a two-for-one deal in that process.What's not to like about the PanthersGetting your quarterback of the future means spending future capital. The Panthers moved Moore - their best offensive weapon - and replaced him with Adam Thielen and DJ Chark. Thielen is in his 10th season at 32 years old, while Chark's on his third team after playing just 15 games over the last two seasons. These are stopgap options at best.The Panthers are another good draft away from infusing enough talent around Young. However, they don't have their first-round pick next year to improve their offensive speed to even match what their quarterback became accustomed to at Alabama.Other notable betting marketsPLAYERMARKETODDSBryce YoungMVP+15000Offensive ROTY+500Most rookie passing yards-115Most passing yards+8000Most passing TD+7500Miles SandersOffensive POTY+15000Most rushing yards+3000Most rushing TD+4000DJ CharkMost receptions+10000Most receiving yards+15000Most receiving TD+10000Adam ThielenMost receptions+8000Most receiving TD+6000Brian BurnsDefensive POTY+3000Most sacks+2500Jaycee HornDefensive POTY+8000Frank ReichCoach of the Year+2500The Panthers' top candidate for Offensive Player of the Year among their skill position players has odds of 150-1. That's either a really bad sign or great value on Sanders if he has a season reminiscent of Christian McCaffrey. The latter option seems far-fetched.Burns is entering his fifth season and is just 25 years old. He missed a game and still had a career-high of 12.5 sacks last season. At 25-1 for most sacks, the upside is there for him to increase his total from last year.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest.Follow the links below to see his 2023 rankings.Half PPR

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Boone goes over the latest news coming out of NFL training camps.

Marcus Mariota exited stage left early from both the Falcons' 2022 season and Netflix's "Quarterbacks." Still, Atlanta lasted longer in contention for the NFC South than expected.With their over/under set for only five wins, the Falcons started 4-4 with Mariota. However, after five games of fewer than 200 yards passing and a 1-4 skid, head coach Arthur Smith needed to try something else.Desmond Ridder showed enough last season to be Atlanta's Week 1 starter for 2023, but that might have more to do with his third-round-pick salary freeing up enough money for the Falcons to spend significantly everywhere else.Atlanta won seven games last year, two more than its total. The Falcons also went 9-8 against the spread, two games better than their 7-10 straight-up record. Strangely, their only upset win came as 3.5-point home underdogs to the 49ers, so moneyline bets didn't actually go all that well.2023 season oddsMARKETODDS(O/U)Win total8.5 (-120/+100)Division+225Conference+2500Super Bowl+6000Estimated rating49/100The betting market has lined the Falcons as a league-average team (50/100), with the slightest lean to over 8.5 wins. However, we'll have to downgrade them slightly in an estimated market rating due to playing in the weakest division in the NFC.Like the division-favorite Saints, the Falcons' win total is generous relative to their estimated chances to win the Super Bowl.Schedule outlookWEEKOPPONENTLOOKAHEAD LINE1CARATL -32GBATL -1.53@DETDET -54@JAX*JAX -45HOUATL -36WSHATL -2.57@TBATL -18@TENTEN -19MINMIN -110@ARIATL -2.512NONO -113@NYJNYJ -6.514TBATL -315@CARCAR -116INDATL -317@CHICHI -218@NONO -2.5*Neutral-site game in LondonLike with the Saints, the betting market isn't sure where the Falcons should be rated. We've looked at Green Bay, and why the team's projected for 7.5 wins and has an estimated rating of 45/100. Carolina has a slightly higher win projection. But because of the lack of respect for the NFC South, the Falcons are -3 at home against the Panthers but just -1.5 on the lookahead line the following week when they host the Packers.Projected as slight favorites in eight games this season, the Falcons will have to take care of business in all of those contests and find an upset along the way to cash the over on their win total.What's to like about the FalconsThe veteran talent (Jessie Bates, Calais Campbell, David Onyemata) and reclamation projects (Jeff Okudah, Bud Dupree, Mike Hughes) that the Falcons have brought in on defense are far more interesting than the players they let go. They can't do worse than last season's 3.6% sack percentage, last in the NFL.Atlanta doesn't want Ridder to throw the football. At least not much. Offensively, Bijan Robinson was added to Kyle Pitts and Drake London to form a tantalizing nucleus. The Falcons also still have Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson - who each averaged almost five yards per carry - to run the ball behind a very good offensive line that excels at run-blocking. That'll set up easier throws for Ridder in play-action. Robinson's versatility will keep defenses on their heels since he'll be a dangerous pass-catcher as well.What's not to like about the FalconsWhile the free-agent defenders are improvements on paper, there are few examples of that kind of overhaul resulting in a massive improvement.It took four games for Ridder to throw a touchdown pass last year. If he can't do what Smith needs him to do, Taylor Heinicke is the next quarterback up. His propensity for turnovers goes against the Falcons' need to be safe with the ball, which is what led to Mariota's exodus. Atlanta is trying to turn back the clock by playing an offense that hasn't been prominent for more than a decade.Other notable betting marketsPLAYERMARKETODDSDesmond RidderMVP+15000Most passing yards+13000Most passing TD+10000Bijan RobinsonOffensive ROTY+275Offensive POTY+4000Most rushing yards+1000Most rushing TD+1100Most receptions+6500Most rookie receiving yards+4500Drake LondonMost receptions+6500Most receiving yards+7000Most receiving TD+4000Kyle PittsOffensive POTY+10000Most receiving TD+10000A.J. TerrellDefensive POTY+15000Arthur SmithCoach of the Year+1400We're told you're not supposed to use a first-round pick on a running back, but the Falcons seemed hell-bent on taking Robinson with the eighth overall pick. His prominence in this many betting markets is a good sign that the gamble will pay off. However, with such a short price for Offensive Rookie of the Year, the word is out on the most likely Robinson-related ticket to cash.We've discussed the Falcons' focus on adding defensive talent, but A.J. Terrell is the closest thing to a singular contender for Defensive Player of the Year at 150-1.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is confident he'll return from his knee injury sooner than expected."Tell me what the timeline is, and I'll beat it by a month," Ramsey told head coach Mike McDaniel, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.McDaniel said Ramsey's left meniscus surgery Friday went "as well as it could have."The 28-year-old Ramsey is reportedly expected to be out until December. McDaniel didn't provide a specific recovery timeline but said the cornerback will come back "100% Jalen Ramsey," per Louis-Jacques.Miami signed cornerback Eli Apple to a one-year deal Saturday.The Dolphins acquired Ramsey from the Los Angeles Rams in March for a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long. The three-time first-team All-Pro has 19 interceptions and 92 passes defended in 108 career games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Saints went 7-10 on the field and against the spread last season but are now favorites to win the NFC South - an indication of how bad the division might be. Another indication? New Orleans' difference-making offseason move was grabbing a quarterback who the Raiders had seen enough of.Tom Brady's retirement opens up the NFC South, though the Buccaneers' 8-9 record already gave their division rivals every opportunity to make the playoffs. This is probably why the Saints felt like adding Derek Carr might be enough for them to top the division. The betting market responded to that move by virtually shrugging and saying, "Yeah, I guess so."That tepid endorsement of the Saints' place in the league is due, in large part, to head coach Dennis Allen's 15-38 straight-up record (21-32 against the number).2023 season oddsMARKETODDS(O/U)Win total9.5 (+105/-125)Division+125Conference+1400Super Bowl+4000Estimated rating53/100By adding up regular-season win total markets, the AFC South is collectively worse than the NFC South, but at least it has the Jaguars, who are 25-1 to win the Super Bowl. The Saints have the longest price to win the Super Bowl of any division favorite. On the flip side, they have a relatively high win total of 9.5 - indicative of having six games against the Panthers, Falcons and the Brady-less Bucs. With those markets contradicting themselves, committing to an estimated rating for the Saints is a challenge.Schedule outlookWEEKOPPONENTLOOKAHEAD LINE1TENNO -32@CARNO -13@GBGB -14TBNO -5.55@NENE -2.56@HOUNO -37JAXNO -18@INDNO -1.59CHINO -2.510@MINMIN -2.512@ATLNO -113DETNO -114CARNO -3.515NYGNO -2.516@LARNO -117@TBNO -1.518ATLNO -2.5The game-by-game betting markets don't know what to make of the 2023 Saints. Fifteen of New Orleans' 17 games are lined at three points or less, meaning it can't get that far away from pick'em as a favorite or underdog.Any projected nine-win team should be favored by more than a field goal at home against opponents projected to be below .500, meaning the Saints are undervalued in their Week 1 home game against the Titans - a 7.5-win team. However, in Week 12, the Saints are favorites on the road in Atlanta - the next-best NFC South team - when home-field advantage should probably make the 8.5-win Falcons slight favorites.If any of that is attributed to Alvin Kamara's potential unavailability at the start of the season, that's an overreaction.What's to like about the SaintsThe Saints' win total reflects their relatively easy schedule, and the team will return a top-five defense - the unit that's Allen's forte. New Orleans gave up just 5 yards per play last season, and only the Eagles surrendered more yards per pass attempt. All of that came without Marshon Lattimore for 10 games, and the Saints have made efforts to upgrade the defensive line depth by poaching Khalen Saunders from the Chiefs and drafting Bryan Bresee - a one-time top prospect - and Isaiah Foskey with their first two picks.What's not to like about the SaintsWe led with concerns over the head coach and his results in over 50 games of experience, but this is the most veteran talent he's got to work with.We're making some assumptions about Pete Carmichael's offense. Carr allows for a less-is-more approach with Taysom Hill and is supposed to stabilize the quarterback position that's been a mess since Drew Brees retired. We're also cautiously optimistic about Michael Thomas playing this season - but would we be remotely shocked if he didn't?The Saints' offensive line contains familiar names and high draft picks, but their play hasn't matched the hype.Other notable betting marketsPLAYERMARKETODDSDerek CarrMVP+5000Comeback POTY+5000Most passing yards+3500Most passing TD+6500Taysom HillOffensive POTY+6000Alvin KamaraOffensive POTY+10000Most rushing yards+4500Most rushing TD+3000Jamaal WilliamsMost rushing TD+5000Chris OlaveOffensive POTY+5500Most receptions+3500Most receiving yards+3500Most receiving TD+2800Michael ThomasMost receptions+8000Most receiving yards+6000Most receiving TD+10000Cameron JordanMost sacks+5000Bryan BreseeDefensive ROTY+5000Isaiah FoskeyDefensive ROTY+5500Coach of the YearDennis Allen+2500Chris Olave's rookie season might have gone somewhat under the radar. He caught 72 passes for 1,042 yards from Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton, which could mean the sky is the limit. Carr had no problem throwing to Davante Adams on repeat last season, so Olave could get on the same tier as Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson while paying out almost 10 times as much to win Offensive Player of the Year.Let's keep a close eye on early in the season to see what kind of snap-share the Saints' defensive rookies are getting. If Bresee or Foskey produce in a big way early, they could be worth an in-season bet for Defensive Rookie of the Year.I'll pass on Allen to win Coach of the Year. First, I can't reasonably back someone with his track record. Secondly, if the Saints' expectation is 9.5 wins, they should have to go way above that for him to get consideration. Finally, if New Orleans does win 11-plus games, it'll be because Carr had a big season, not because of Allen's theoretical genius.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets legend Joe Namath praised quarterback Aaron Rodgers for taking a sizeable pay cut after joining the team."It's a great sign, a great exhibition of his character," Namath told Jake Asman of ESPN New York 98.7FM. "Just the way he is. He wants to win and he wants that team he's on to win."Rodgers had $110 million remaining on his contract when the Green Bay Packers traded him to the Jets in April. Last week, he reportedly signed a reworked two-year, $75-million deal, equalling a $35 million pay decrease. Rodgers has an $8.8-million cap hit in 2023, according to Over The Cap.The 39-year-old emphasized during his introductory press conference that his tenure in New York won't be "one-and-done," and the reported new deal suggests he'll be there through the 2024 season."He already likes the area, the coaches, the people around there, the teammates, especially, and he wants to them to know, 'Hey, we're in this a couple of times. We want to win now. If we don't, we're going to win it next year,'" Namath added."To have him for two seasons and for him to show his appreciation of being with the Jets and his teammates and coaches, man, it's just wonderful."Namath was the Jets' quarterback when the franchise won its only Super Bowl in 1969.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A whopping 11 franchises released new uniform pieces this offseason. Some introduced new alternate helmets that can only be worn with their alternate looks, others opted to revive head-to-toe throwback looks, and the Arizona Cardinals unveiled new home, away, and alternate sets.We're ranking every new look by factoring in general appeal, effective use of team colors, and how well the new throwback sets use beloved elements of older styles.11. Indianapolis Colts - 'Indiana Nights' alternate uniformThe Colts fell victim to the "black for black's sake" uniform pitfall. There's nothing in the team's history to warrant the black helmet shell or overall dark look used here. There's also no need for the heather texture on the jerseys or the number font to be different from the serifed one the Colts use on their primary uniforms. Indy missed the mark with these. colts.com colts.com colts.com10. Arizona Cardinals - new primary, road, and alternate uniformsThe Cardinals' color combination of red, white, and black lends itself really well to sports uniforms. Just not these ones. The trio of new looks lacks cohesion and visual pop. Ditching the old piping was a good call, but stripping these down to bland, boring, and inconsistent uniforms wasn't. Caitlyn Epes / azcardinals.com Caitlyn Epes / azcardinals.com Caitlyn Epes / azcardinals.com Ethan Hajas / azcardinals.com9. Detroit Lions - alternate helmetThere are things to like about this new alternate helmet, but with the Lions locked into using it with its color rush uniforms, it falls flat. The metallic blue combined with the gray isn't cohesive enough as a full kit to rank higher than this. Jeff Nguyen / detroitlions.com Jeff Nguyen / detroitlions.com Jeff Nguyen / detroitlions.com8. Denver Broncos - 'Snowcapped' alternate helmetDenver's throwback look is one of the best in the league, but tossing a white helmet on it rather than the classic blue is a waste. It's not so much that it looks bad, but it just looks worse than what they already had at their disposal and wasn't necessary. Maybe we'll come around with time, but as of now, we're not huge fans of the Broncos' first white helmet in franchise history. Gabriel Christus / denverbroncos.com Gabriel Christus / denverbroncos.com Gabriel Christus / denverbroncos.com7. Cleveland Browns - 'White Out' alternate helmetSeeing any Browns uniform that doesn't feature the team's iconic orange helmet is strange. This style harkens back to the team's 1946 look - the year of the club's inception. Paired with throwback jerseys that feature similar striping on the shoulders helps this feel more complete as an alternate look. Matt Starkey / clevelandbrowns.com Matt Starkey / clevelandbrowns.com Matt Starkey / clevelandbrowns.com6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 'Creamsicle' throwback uniformThis is a turning point in the rankings. The new version of Tampa's "Creamsicle" look was one of the most anticipated reveals of the offseason, and it didn't disappoint. Bucco Bruce adorns the white helmet, and the overall design stays true to its inspiration, but the orange feels a smidge more muted than we would've liked. buccaneers.com buccaneers.com buccaneers.com5. Minnesota Vikings - 'Classic' throwback uniformSimple, clean, and effective throwbacks. This look evokes the classic feeling that throwback uniforms should strive for without looking tacky or gimmicky. Some won't love how similar these are to Minnesota's usual look, but the Vikings have had a pretty consistent look for a long time. Andy Kenutis / vikings.com Andy Kenutis / vikings.com Andy Kenutis / vikings.com4. Philadelphia Eagles - 'Kelly Green' throwback uniformThe lauded "Kelly Green" uniforms make a triumphant return. However, adding the black outline around the jersey numbers feels like an unnecessary addition for the most part. The Eagles use black in other parts of their uniforms at the very least. @Eagles on X @Eagles on X 3. New York Jets - 'Legacy White' throwback uniformThis look is inspired by the "New York Sack Exchange" era of Jets football - and it's fantastic. Like the Vikings' look, it relies on a simple but timeless design with minimal striping and no extraneous details. These helmets also feature maybe the best logo in the club's history. newyorkjets.com newyorkjets.com newyorkjets.com2. Tennessee Titans - Houston Oilers throwback uniformOpting to use a more saturated blue for these Oilers-inspired throwbacks was a good call. It keeps the spirit of the "Luv Ya Blue" era but modernizes it just enough to prevent them from approaching a pajama blue vibe. Jessie Rogers / tennesseetitans.com Jessie Rogers / tennesseetitans.com Donald Page / tennesseetitans.com1. Seattle Seahawks - '90s throwback uniformSeattle knocked it out of the park with these throwbacks. The silver helmet, old logo, and royal blue combine for an amazing uniform from top to bottom. Even the blue face mask is evocative of the '90s era that inspires this stylish option. seahawks.com Savanah Rae Kent / seahawks.com Savanah Rae Kent / seahawks.comCopyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is refuting reports that he suffered a back injury this offseason while away from the team.

Miami Dolphins cornerback Eli Apple emphasized that it's water under the bridge with teammate Tyreek Hill.Apple and Hill have a history of attacking each other on social media and through the press. Hill targeted Apple before their Week 5 matchup last season, saying, "I owe you, boy." Now, the two are teammates after Apple signed a one-year deal with Miami on Saturday."It's all love," Apple said Sunday, according to Chris Perkins of the Sun Sentinel."(Hill's) locker is literally right across from mine," Apple said. "I saw him earlier today in the locker room, and we were chopping it up a little bit at the training and breakfast table."Apple spent the last two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He started 30 games over that stretch.The 27-year-old's arrival in Miami marked the end of his time on the free-agent market. He'd been working out and living in Miami during the offseason, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk."I haven't gone through that long of (an) offseason without being on a team being signed," Apple said. "It just took a lot of patience and hard work on my end and just continue to stay ready as much as I can for any opportunity."Apple was signed to replace star cornerback Jalen Ramsey after he went down with a knee injury at practice. Ramsey underwent surgery Friday and is expected to be out until December.Apple was selected No. 10 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He has five interceptions and 59 passes defended in 88 career games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux isn't pleased with his performance last season."Last year's film kind of disgusts me a little when I look at myself," Thibodeaux said, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. "I get a little cringe feeling."Thibodeaux suffered a sprained MCL in the preseason, which forced him to miss the first two games of the year.The 22-year-old was able to remain healthy for the remainder of the season but failed to put up significant numbers. He only recorded four sacks and 40 tackles in 16 games, including the playoffs.Thibodeaux believes there's plenty of room to improve from his rookie campaign."It definitely is a platform to continue to grow," Thibodeaux added.The Oregon product was selected No. 5 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn't happy with Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton's recent comments about New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett."It made me feel that bad that someone who's accomplished a lot in the league is that insecure that they have to take another man down to set themselves up for some sort of easy fall if it doesn't go well for that team this year," Rodgers said Sunday while talking with Fox Sports' Peter Schrager on NFL+."I thought it was way out of line, inappropriate, and I think he needs to keep my coach's name out of his mouth."Payton blasted the 2022 Broncos on Thursday and took aim at last year's head coach in Hackett, adding, "It might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL."Payton also said this year's Jets could be setting themselves up for a similarly embarrassing year to the 2022 Broncos, commenting that he "can see it coming."Hackett was the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator from 2019-21 and helped coach Rodgers to back-to-back MVP campaigns in 2020 and 2021. He joined Rodgers in New York this offseason after his one-year stint in Denver."(Payton's) comments were very surprising, for a coach to do that to another coach," said Rodgers. " On the field, (Hackett) is arguably my favorite coach I've ever had in the NFL. Just his approach to it - how he makes it fun, how he cares about the guys, just how he goes about his business with respect, with leadership, with honesty, with integrity."Payton apologized Friday for his criticism and said, "I still had one of those moments where I still had my Fox hat on and not my coaching hat on."The Broncos host the Jets in Week 5.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is visiting the New England Patriots on Sunday, a source told NFL insider Jordan Schultz.Elliott is among the top free-agent running backs available, along with the likes of Dalvin Cook, Kareem Hunt, and Leonard Fournette, among others.The 28-year-old spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Cowboys prior to his release. Elliott led the NFL in rushing in two of his first three seasons as he quickly emerged as one of the league's top backs in his early years.However, his production began to decline in recent seasons, culminating in his release. He rushed for a career-worst 3.8 yards per carry in 2022 and ended the season with 876 yards, also the lowest of his NFL tenure.New England heads into the season with Rhamondre Stevenson as its lead running back, but the team lacks depth behind him. Second-year pros Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris are among the backs behind him.The Patriots hosted Fournette for a visit this offseason while the franchise has reportedly also shown interest in Cook.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With every NFL team officially in training camp, we'll recap and analyze the biggest storylines around the league.State of RB market Jane Gershovich / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's a dire situation for NFL running backs looking for a second contract.Consider the case of New York Giants star Saquon Barkley. Barkley failed to fetch a long-term contract after the Giants placed the franchise tag on him this offseason. As a result, the 26-year-old pondered sitting out the season. Barkley also joined a Zoom call with other top backs to discuss solutions to the position's financial woes. A few days later, Barkley caved and signed a one-year deal worth only $900,000 more than his original franchise tag's value.Las Vegas Raiders back Josh Jacobs, who hasn't signed his franchise tag or reported to camp, is in a similar position, while other rushers will be in this spot soon. The running back market has been the hottest topic of training camp thus far, and it's been amplified by those speaking out about the issue."We don't have no security right now," Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris said Wednesday, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "You guys are using us to accomplish what you guys want. And then when it's time for us to re-up or ask for something that we think is right, you guys just turn the cheek and say, 'Well, you have wear and tear.'"Cleveland Browns star Nick Chubb recently pointed out that the position is the only one where production hurts value due to wear-and-tear concerns. Indianapolis Colts rusher Jonathan Taylor's agent also called out team owner Jim Irsay over the state of the market, which has now reportedly escalated to Taylor requesting a trade.It seems inevitable that Taylor, Harris, and others will face the same difficulties that have cursed the position if they hope to reset the market. But, for now, Jacobs is the only top running back holding out following Barkley's return. There's no doubt Jacobs has earned a long-term deal after leading the NFL in rushing yards last season, but he - like his position mates - doesn't have much leverage. He could take it as far as sitting out the entire season. NFL star Le'Veon Bell took that route in 2018 but didn't reset the market. Bell eventually signed with the New York Jets and lasted just 17 games before being released.There aren't many options available at the moment for running backs other than to swallow the bitter pill of reality. However, for the first time, it seems like there's a coordinated effort among backs and their agents to improve the position's financial outlook. Change won't come overnight, and maybe not at all. But the 2023 offseason could be the catalyst that sparks meaningful action.Other notable holdouts, standoffs Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyAlong with Jacobs, a few other NFL stars are holding out from training camp or are amid a contract dispute with their clubs.Nick Bosa: The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is nowhere to be found in the San Francisco 49ers training camp. There's not too much to be concerned about. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan don't expect Bosa, who's in the final year of his rookie deal, to rejoin the team until he's signed an extension. That contract should at least make Bosa the highest-paid edge rusher in the league. The former No. 2 overall pick recorded 34 sacks over his last two seasons and will be eyeing T.J. Watt's $28-million average as his starting point in negotiations.Chris Jones: The Kansas City Chiefs are without their biggest defensive piece in training camp due to contractual matters. Jones is holding out in hopes of reportedly landing an extension that'll break the $30 million per year barrier. Aaron Donald is the only other defensive tackle who earns more than that. Jones certainly has a case to join Donald. His 15.5 sacks led all defensive tackles last season, and he's got four Pro Bowls to boot. Jones is subject to $50,000 fines for every day he's away from training camp, but that'll be chump change if he lands his megadeal.Danielle Hunter: (Editor's note: This article was published before Hunter and the Vikings agreed to a new contract.) Hunter isn't expected to participate fully in practices "off the bat," according to Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. It might not be a true holdout, but Hunter's still in a contract standoff. Earlier this week, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also sidestepped answering whether he believes Hunter will be on the team this campaign. Entering the final year of his contract, the 28-year-old is slated to earn a base salary of $4.9 million this season. His low pay plus a 10.5-sack campaign in 2022 gives Hunter fair reason to want a new deal. But will that contract come from the Vikings? Minnesota is reportedly open to trading him, and the club already elected to ship off pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith earlier this offseason.Familiar faces in new places Rich Schultz / Getty Images Sport / GettyA lot has changed since the last time NFL football graced our screens. Aaron Rodgers is a member of the Jets now. Odell Beckham Jr. joined the Baltimore Ravens. DeAndre Hopkins will be wearing a Tennessee Titans jersey. There's been a ton of movement across the league, and some are creating shockwaves in their new homes.There's a buzz around the Jets that hasn't been there in years, maybe decades. It's all because of one man: Aaron Rodgers, who looks the happiest he's been in years. Don't believe it? The four-time league MVP took a reported $35-million pay cut this week to help New York. Ask the Green Bay Packers how many discounts Rodgers gave them in his last few years. But whether on the field or in the locker room, the 39-year-old is elevating the Jets to places it hasn't been in a long time.

The Minnesota Vikings and edge rusher Danielle Hunter agreed to terms on a one-year, $20-million contract, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.Hunter's deal includes $17 million guaranteed and a no-tag clause, Pelissero reports.The team was reportedly willing to entertain trade offers for the pass-rusher before signing him to the deal. Hunter skipped mandatory minicamp earlier in the offseason, unhappy with his previous contract, which was set to pay him $4.9 million.Hunter's new pact ties him with the Buffalo Bills' Von Miller as the league's eighth-highest-paid edge defender by average annual value, according to Over the Cap.The 28-year-old had 10.5 sacks, 12 tackles for less, and 22 QB hits in 2022 en route to a third Pro Bowl selection. Hunter has accumulated 379 total tackles, 71 sacks, 85 tackles for loss, and seven forced fumbles since entering the league as a third-round pick in the 2015 draft.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has formally requested a trade ahead of the final season on his rookie contract, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Colts owner Jim Irsay says the team "will not trade Jonathan Taylor. That is a certainty. Not now or not in October," according to Stephen Holder of ESPN.The request comes shortly after Irsay and Taylor met on the owner's bus at practice on Saturday, per Rapoport."If I die tonight and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one's gonna miss us," Irsay told reporters after his meeting with Taylor, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. "The league goes on. We know that. The National Football (League) rolls on. It doesn't matter who comes and who goes, and it's a privilege to be a part of it.""It was just a good conversation," Irsay added about his meeting with Taylor, according to Kevin Bowen of The Athletic. "We're just hopeful going forward, looking forward to a great season and hoping Jonathan's a big part of that."Irsay stated there are no immediate plans to sign Taylor to a contract extension, according to Holder.The Colts owner tweeted his thoughts on the running back market on Wednesday, which sparked a reaction from Taylor's agent, Malki Kawa.

Los Angeles Rams running back Sony Michel has informed the team he has decided to retire, head coach Sean McVay told reporters Saturday.Michel signed a one-year deal with the Rams in June. He previously spent one season with L.A. in 2021 after being acquired in a trade from the New England Patriots.The 28-year-old signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2022. He was released by the Dolphins before the season but signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in August. He only had 36 carries for 106 yards for the Chargers last season before being released in December.Michel was selected in the first round of the 2018 draft by the Patriots. He led New England in rushing his rookie season and was a workhorse in the playoffs, recording six touchdowns. He scored Super Bowl LIII's only touchdown in New England's victory over the Rams.The two-time Super Bowl champion also had a tremendous college career at Georgia, rushing for 3,613 yards on 590 attempts over four years. He posted 7.9 yards per carry with 1,227 rushing yards in his final campaign with the Bulldogs.Michel played five seasons in the NFL, totaling 3,243 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in 65 regular-season games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was involved in two tussles during Saturday's training camp practice, including one with him throwing a punch.Kelce punched teammate Jack Cochrane after hauling in a touchdown in the first incident. He appeared to take issue with Cochrane making contact with him late after the catch.

Chicago Bears rookie offensive tackle Darnell Wright accidentally pushed himself harder than needed while preparing for training camp.Wright revealed Friday that he mistakingly trained for the conditioning test meant for wide receivers instead of offensive linemen."I was looking at the wide receivers' running portion of the workout. So I was doing theirs," Wright said, according to Larry Hawley of WGN-TV. "Then I came back, and, obviously, we have different stuff."Wright, the 10th overall pick in the 2023 draft, said he lost 16 pounds during his training and is already noticing the benefits."More distance and lower time, basically," he said of the difference between the two tests. "It definitely feels better. It's a little bit of an adjustment as far as translating power still, so I feel like I'm more powerful because I didn't lose any muscle mass. You definitely feel a step quicker."Bears general manager Ryan Poles praised Wright's conditioning Tuesday, telling reporters the rookie "crushed" the test."I do want to give that kid credit," Poles said. "This offseason, he busted his butt. He lost weight. He lost body weight. He actually crushed the conditioning test, like didn't break a sweat. So he's focused. He cares. He wants to be really good."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings have made pass-rusher Danielle Hunter available for trade amid a contract standoff, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Hunter isn't happy with his $4.9-million base salary for 2023, but the two sides haven't found common ground on a resolution. Minnesota has tried working out a new long-term contract with Hunter but has failed to meet his asking price, Fowler adds.The 28-year-old arrived for training camp after skipping mandatory minicamp, but he hasn't taken the field.Hunter made his first Pro Bowl since 2019 last season after generating 10.5 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and 22 quarterback hits. The three-time Pro Bowler combined for 29 sacks from 2018-19 but then played just seven games over the next two campaigns due to injuries.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Before the last drive of a Week 6 Thursday Night Football game against Washington, Justin Fields had yet to run for more than 52 yards in a game last season. The next week, Fields began a stretch where he showed that he was one of the most explosive runners in the league starting with an upset win at New England. The problem the rest of the season - despite weekly highlight reel plays - was that the Bears never won another game, covering just twice in the final ten games.If the plan was to thrill their fans while losing and, as a result, somehow land the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, that is a pretty genius accomplishment. With an exciting, raw prospect at quarterback already, the Bears did the right thing and dealt the pick to Carolina for a massive haul. However, in the immediacy, there's a limit to how much the Bears will reap from that this season.2023 season oddsMARKETODDS(O/U)Win total7.5 (-125/+105)Division+400Conference+3000Super Bowl+6000Estimated rating45/100It's hard to say there are high expectations for the Bears when they're tied with Green Bay at the bottom of the NFC North, but going from three wins to eight wins is a really big ask. A team market rating of 45/100 isn't that much higher than where the Bears left off last year - finding themselves in the high-30s weekly through the end of the season. However, their ATS record suggests that they were overrated even at that very modest number.Schedule outlookWEEKOPPONENTLOOKAHEAD LINE1GBCHI -32@TBCHI -1.53@KCKC -9.54DENDEN -1.55@WSHWSH -1.56MINMIN -17LVCHI -18@LACLAC -5.59@NONO -2.510CARCHI -211@DETDET -512@MINMIN -3.514DETDET -1.515@CLECLE -3.516ARICHI -4.517ATLCHI -218@GBGB -2Like Michael Scott in the offices of Dunder-Mifflin, you're going to have to explain this to me like I'm five - How are the Bears 3-point favorites over the Packers in Week 1? Green Bay and Chicago have the same regular season win total, out of the same division, with equal odds to win the NFC North. Yet, the Bears are getting three points of home-field advantage in Week 1?The Packers are just -2 in the look-ahead point spreads for the Week 18 rematch which means the Bears are being rated better over the course of this season, something I can't agree with just yet.What's to like about the BearsAs a fifth-round pick, left tackle Braxton Jones' rookie season was a plus for Chicago, and they spent a first-round pick on Darnell Wright with an eye on shoring up the right side. Last year's group opened up enough holes for the David Montgomery/Khalil Herbert combo to run for 1500+ yards. Montgomery has been swapped out for D'Onta Foreman, another example that the Bears know where to spend their allotted capital.Not all young NFL quarterbacks on a bad team are afforded the luxury of playing under the same offensive coordinator in their first two seasons, Fields included. With a second year to work with Luke Getsy, there should be an expectation for development in the passing game, especially with the addition of DJ Moore in the big trade with the Panthers.What's not to like about the BearsThere's still the matter of a pretty shaky defense. Only the Lions gave up more yards per play than the Bears last season, so their first order of business was to decide on a shift from a 3-4 alignment to a 4-3 with Cover-2 principles. Unfortunately, while he might be available, Brian Urlacher is 45 years old and presumably happily retired.The Bears didn't light up free agency the way some presumed they might given how much cap space they went into the offseason with. Tremaine Edmunds was their big buy, and he'll rack up tackles but that's just replacing Roquan Smith who did the same for a bad defense the last couple of years.Other notable betting marketsPLAYERMARKETODDSJustin FieldsMVP+2000Offensive POTY+2000Most passing yards+7000Most passing TD+10000Most rushing yards+3000Most quarterback rushing yards+150DJ MooreOffensive POTY+10000Most receptions+8000Most receiving yards+5000Most receiving TD+6000Khalil HerbertMost rushing yards+7500Most rushing TD+7500D'Onta ForemanMost rushing yards+15000Most rushing TD+10000Tremaine EdmundsDefensive POTY+20000Matt EberflusCoach of the Year+1100Per concerns over the defense turning over a new leaf with a Tampa-2 scheme, it's telling that there's no one from Chicago even on the oddsboard in the market for most sacks.Fields has shorter odds to lead the league in rushing yards than either of his tailbacks, which is due to the likelihood of a carry split in the backfield.Moore is 80-1 to lead the league in receptions, something he'll need at least 120 catches in order to do. His career high is 93 receptions, but he's spent his whole career running routes for a QB carousel of Cam Newton, Kyle Allen, Sam Darnold, Teddy Bridgewater, Baker Mayfield, and P.J. Walker. Meanwhile, Fields at least thinks he's capable of a 4000-yard season.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Lamar Jackson has a slightly different look at training camp this year.At the request of new Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson has ditched a wristband with all of the team's plays written on it. The star quarterback has worn it every year since entering the NFL to assist him with play-calling."One of the most important things is your ability to communicate the calls, and the best way for that to happen is to not start with wristbands," Monken said Friday, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "(Jackson) has to hear what I say; he has to process the call; he has to regurgitate to the players; he has to get the cadence.""We can always go to wristbands. Wristbands are easy; you just read it. Hard is learning the offense, being able to process and make the calls," added Monken, who joined Baltimore this offseason to replace Greg Roman after helping Georgia win back-to-back national championships.Jackson has praised Monken's offensive system, which is expected to give the former MVP more freedom in the passing game.The 26-year-old is noncommittal about whether or not he'll play the 2023 season without a wristband."I'm saying for right now, at the beginning of training camp," Jackson said. "The playbook might get longer throughout the process, so we'll see."Jackson took the NFL by storm after being drafted 32nd overall in 2018, leading the league with 36 touchdown passes en route to MVP honors in 2019. Baltimore finished that season as football's No. 1-ranked offense.However, the Ravens haven't replicated that production since, with their offense's scoring dropping in rank each year. Baltimore averaged 20.6 points per game in 2022, only the 19th-best mark.In addition to a different OC, the Ravens gave Jackson new offensive weapons this year, signing wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and drafting first-round wideout Zay Flowers.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Burrow could be at risk of missing the start of the regular season.The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback will be sidelined for "several weeks" due to a calf strain, head coach Zac Taylor announced Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Burrow was carted off the practice field Thursday after suffering a non-contact injury. He initially went down grabbing the calf he has in a sleeve. Taylor suggested that the star signal-caller didn't have a calf ailment entering practice.The 26-year-old hasn't missed any regular season games due to injury since a torn ACL limited him to only 10 appearances as a rookie in 2020. However, this is the third straight training camp in which the former No. 1 overall misses time. In 2021, he was sidelined amid his recovery from a serious knee injury. Burrow then had his appendix removed in July 2022.The LSU product, who's been negotiating a new contract with the Bengals, is one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks. Burrow has completed 68.2% of his passes while averaging 4,766 yards and 33 touchdowns against 13 interceptions per 17 games played since entering the league.The Bengals' quarterback depth chart also features Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning. Taylor said Friday that Cincinnati plans to add a new QB to the rotation, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Cincy kicks off its regular season in six weeks against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 10.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey underwent a full meniscus repair procedure Friday and will be sidelined until December, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that Ramsey would undergo knee surgery on his meniscus injury Friday but said the exact timeline of his return wouldn't be determined until after the procedure, per ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques.Ramsey was carted to the locker room with a leg injury during Thursday's training camp practice, according to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. He was evaluated by trainers after grabbing his left knee following a play that had him defending receiver Tyreek Hill.The six-time Pro Bowl corner tried to remain on the field following the play but went to the sideline after feeling his left knee, Wolfe notes.Ramsey addressed his injury Thursday on social media.

Denver head coach Sean Payton expressed regret for some of his strong criticism of the 2022 Broncos."I had one of those moments where I still had my Fox hat on and not my coaching hat on," Payton said Friday. "I said this to the team in the meeting yesterday, we've had a great offseason relative to that, and I've been preaching that message. And here I am, the veteran, stepping in it. ... It was a mistake, obviously."The 59-year-old had called last year's team, led by current New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL." He also spread blame around for Russell Wilson's struggles and said the franchise was "embarrassed" during the 2022 campaign."I needed a little bit more filter. ... Obviously, I needed a little bit more restraint, and I regret that," he said Friday.Payton had also taken shots at the Jets, saying they could endure a similar season to the 2022 Broncos. The former New Orleans Saints head coach said he'll reach out to New York "at the right time," according to NFL Network's James Palmer.The Broncos host the Jets in Week 5.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time since Don Majkowski got hurt in 1992, the Packers' full-time starting quarterback won't be Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers. When Favre unceremoniously exited Green Bay after a 13-3 season, the NFL world wondered if the Packers would fall off. They did, going 6-10 in Rodgers' first season as the starter.Now Rodgers makes his own move to New York with Jordan Love taking over in an eerily similar way, but the 2023 Packers don't have to live up to an NFC title-game appearance the way the 2008 Packers did.With a playoff spot on the line, the Packers lost a do-or-die home game in the season's final contest, falling to a record of 8-9 both on the field and against the point spread. All their starting quarterback could muster that night was 205 yards with one touchdown and an interception.When it comes to comparing this coming season with the last season of Rodgers and his 39.3 QBR in Green Bay, the simple question is: Can Jordan Love do that?2023 season oddsMARKETODDS(O/U)Win total7.5 (-115/-105)Division+400Conference+3000Super Bowl+6000Estimated rating45/100If the answer is yes to the above question, then logically that should be enough to get over Green Bay's win total of 7.5 and outperform its current slightly below-average rating. If the former first-round pick, who's been studying Matt Lafleur's offense on the sideline for over two years, can do better than that, the other betting markets become a lot more interesting.Schedule outlookWEEKOPPONENTLOOKAHEAD LINE1@CHICHI -32@ATLATL -1.53NOGB -14DETDET -1.55@LVLV -1.57@DENDEN -3.58MINMIN -19LARGB -2.510@PITPIT -311LACLAC -2.512@DETDET -413KCKC -5.514@NYGNYG -2.515TBGB -3.516@CARGB -117@MINMIN -2.518CHIGB -2You don't need to think the Packers are going to be division contenders to appreciate the possibility that they might be undervalued, and if that's the case, there's a lot of value in the lookahead spreads. The Packers were four-point favorites in the aforementioned Week 18 game against the Lions at Lambeau Field, and we're being told to expect that they'll be home underdogs in a Week 4 rematch. That shows the swing in opinion for both teams with Rodgers gone.What's to like about the PackersCovering point spreads is hard when your quarterback is Aaron Rodgers because the betting market is often going to lean in your direction and inflate the line. However, even after an 8-9 ATS season, Lafleur is 40-27 in his career against the number, and he now sees the bar lowered for his team.Rodgers scooped up his emotional support receivers - Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb - which is great for him but doesn't mean that much for Love. Christian Watson showed signs of potential stardom amongst a young and fast receiving corps. Love will be playing behind a top-10 offensive line if David Bakhtiari can stay healthy and Zach Tom continues to be reliable. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon get to run behind that group and are very good in their roles.The hope is that Rashan Gary comes back from his knee injury suffered midway through a season in which the 2019 first-round pick had six sacks in eight-plus games. Green Bay picked Lukas Van Ness in the first round with the hopes he adds to its pass rush. Meanwhile, the Packers boast one of the best cornerback trios in the league.What's not to like about the PackersYouth is great until it isn't. From Love to a pair of rookie tight ends, no one in the first column of the Packers' passing-game depth chart is over 24 years old. The lack of experience is certainly concerning, but the potential is high.Defensively, the Packers should have the talent to be good with a healthy Gary. They didn't make many changes to a group that allowed only four teams to give up more yards per play.Other notable betting marketsPLAYERMARKETODDSJordan LoveMVP+6000Most passing yards+5500Most passing TD+6500Aaron JonesOffensive POTY+10000Most rushing yards+3500Most rushing TD+4000A.J. DillonMost rushing TD+4000Christian WatsonMost receptions+7500Most receiving yards+5000Most receiving TD+4000Jayden ReedOffensive ROTY+10000Most rookie receiving yards+2500Rashan GaryDefensive POTY+5000Comeback POTY+7500Most sacks+7500Lukas Van NessDefensive ROTY+1500Coach of the YearMatt Lafleur+1500Unless Love blows everyone away with an MVP-candidate season, a good season for Green Bay will probably see a lot of credit going to Lafleur for getting it done without Rodgers. The Packers are +400 to win the NFC North, and if they accomplish that, something really impressive will have to happen for Lafleur to get edged in a Coach of the Year vote - which is a bigger potential win at 15-1.With few obstacles to playing time and a big price in a market with relatively few competitors, Jayden Reed is an interesting long shot for most rookie receiving yards.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent running back Dalvin Cook believes there's a good chance he's a New York Jet by the end of the weekend.I think they're pretty high," Cook said Friday on NFL Network's "GMFB" when asked about the odds he signs with the Jets.Cook, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings in June, has a visit lined up with the Jets this weekend. If he joins New York, he would be part of a transformed offense that added four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Allen Lazard this offseason.The Dolphins have reportedly also shown interest in Cook, who is a Miami native. Though he believes he will likely join the Jets, the veteran running back hasn't closed the door on the Dolphins yet."I'm still weighing my options," Cook added, according to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. "This thing is not over, playing for my hometown would mean so much for me, my community, my family, it's a cinderella story."The 27-year-old back spent the first six seasons of his career in Minnesota where he rushed for 5,993 yards and collected four Pro Bowl selections.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was carted off the practice field on Thursday after suffering a calf injury, head coach Zac Taylor said, according to Joe Danneman of FOX19.Burrow initially went down grabbing the calf he has in a sleeve. The star passer sustained the non-contact injury while rolling out of the pocket and sprinting to his right.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said Thursday that his recent comments about the state of the running back market weren't aimed at Jonathan Taylor.Irsay also revealed Indy has yet to make an official contract offer to Taylor, who's entering the last year of his rookie contract."The comment wasn't really directed at Jonathan," Irsay told ESPN's Stephen Holder. "We haven't exchanged any contract numbers with each other or anything like that. So, it's not like we're in the midst of that. ... This is a year about coming back together and having a great year, and we're really depending on Jonathan to team up with (quarterback) Anthony Richardson to try and pull together to have a great year."On Wednesday, Irsay took a shot at agents selling "bad faith," adding that the current collective bargaining agreement shouldn't be changed to help the position. Taylor's agent, Malki Kawa, responded by stating, "Bad faith is not playing your top offensive player."Irsay's remarks were an apparent response to suggestions from around the league that the CBA should be altered amid a cold year for running backs. Najee Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers was among multiple tailbacks who discussed the possibility of changing how the league calculates the salaries of franchise-tagged players to help elite running backs earn more money, according to Holder.All three tagged running back this year - Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard - didn't sign multi-year contracts in the offseason. The tender for tailbacks is currently worth $10.09 million. The number is based on the average of the top five salaries at the position over the past five years and adjusted for the salary-cap figure in a given season."We love Jonathan, we need Jonathan," Irsay said Thursday. "Our hope is Jonathan has an outstanding year and that we have a good year as a team and then we get his next contract done. That's the hope. We think the world of him as a person, as a player. It's just timing. When your time comes to get paid, then you get paid."Taylor has been Indianapolis' leading back since being drafted in the second round in 2020. The Wisconsin product, who appeared in only 11 games last year due to injuries, earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2021 after leading the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,171) and total touchdowns (20).The Colts drafted Richardson fourth overall in April after posting a 4-12-1 record last season.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips is fully confident that running back Alexander Mattison is more than capable of being a primary back."(It's) the consistency of who he is every day, what he's put on tape every opportunity he's gotten: his multifaceted run game, pass protection, and then his hands in the pass game, his route-running ability," Phillips said, according to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune. "I think we're going to see a lot of good things, and maybe people didn't realize how good a player Alex Mattison really is."Mattison has mostly been the No. 2 guy behind Dalvin Cook since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2019. The Vikings released Cook this year, ending the four-time Pro Bowler's tenure after six seasons.The 25-year-old Mattison had a career-low 74 carries last season, finishing the campaign with 283 yards (3.8 per attempt) and five touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 15 passes.The Boise State product signed a two-year, $7-million contract this offseason to remain with Minnesota. Mattison has amassed 2,196 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns in four NFL seasons."I think he's proven it over his career, when he's gotten opportunities, and he's been very productive," Phillips said. "He just always knows what he's going to do. And then he's a talented back when he's running forward. He's got more wiggle than I think some people give him credit for. There's a lot of times where the free guy in the hole, the eighth guy, he made him miss last year, and then he made some plays in the passing game as well. So it was kind of a no-brainer for us to get Alex back."Phillips joined the Vikings last year as part of head coach Kevin O'Connell's new staff.Minnesota's running back depth chart also features Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler, and seventh-round rookie DeWayne McBride.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not only does Kyle Shanahan believe he can help quarterback Sam Darnold turn his career around, but the San Francisco 49ers head coach said he could see Darnold following the same path as two-time NFL MVP Steve Young."Steve Young took a while to get going, and he's one of the best quarterbacks of all time," Shanahan said, according to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle. "I don't like to compare anyone to Steve cause of how good he is, but why can't Sam be like that? He's got that type of ability. He is that type of person. And I'm just pumped that we could get a talented guy like him here."Young began his NFL career in 1985 after coming over from the USFL. He spent his first two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before he was traded to the 49ers in 1987 to serve as Joe Montana's backup. Young eventually took over as the starter in the early 1990s and established himself as one of football's top signal-callers. He guided San Francisco to a Super Bowl victory in the 1994 season, tossing a record six touchdown passes in the big game. Young retired in 1999 as a seven-time Pro Bowler with 143 regular-season starts and 232 TD passes.San Francisco signed Darnold to a one-year contract this offseason. The 2018 third overall pick, who's failed to meet the expectations since entering the NFL, has also played on the New York Jets (2018-20) and Carolina Panthers (2021-22).Darnold has completed 59.7% of his passes for 61 touchdowns to 55 interceptions while posting a 21-34 record as a starter."You look at the history of the league, the quarterback is not dependent on one person," added Shanahan, one of the league's most respected offensive coaches. "You've got to have good players around you, you've got to be in a good situation, and that's always tough."The 49ers' quarterback depth chart also features Brock Purdy and Trey Lance. Purdy, who underwent elbow surgery this offseason, is expected to start in 2023 after turning heads as a seventh-round rookie in 2022.Lance, coming off an injury-plagued season, will likely compete with Darnold for the QB2 role."I love it," Shanahan said of the quarterback competition. "It's a great position (to be in). I know those guys both want to start and have that opportunity. I think it's gonna be a hell of a battle because we've got two top-three picks in the draft, two guys who are talented enough to do that, and two guys who are fighting their claws off for an opportunity."The 49ers kick off their regular season on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay addressed the state of the depreciated running back market Wednesday, taking a shot at agents selling "bad faith" and insisting the current collective bargaining agreement shouldn't be altered to help the position."NFL running back situation: We have negotiated a CBA that took years of effort and hard work and compromise in good faith by both sides. To say now that a specific player category wants another negotiation after the fact is inappropriate. Some agents are selling bad faith," Irsay tweeted.The comments didn't sit well with Malki Kawa, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor's agent, who took a shot at Irsay on Twitter:

The Arizona Cardinals gave safety Budda Baker a pay raise that includes $2.4 million in bonuses and incentives for the 2023 season, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Baker also received a $300,000 signing bonus and an unspecified raise for the 2024 season, Rapoport adds.The five-time Pro Bowler had been in a standoff with the organization over his future. Baker reportedly asked the franchise to either trade him or make him the highest-paid safety earlier this offseason. He missed voluntary team activities but attended mandatory minicamp and training camp.Baker has two seasons left on his deal but has no guaranteed salary remaining, per Over The Cap. He was scheduled to earn base salaries of $13.1 million and $14.2 million over the next two years.The 27-year-old has been the cornerstone of Arizona's secondary since entering the league in 2017. He recorded multiple interceptions in each of the last three seasons.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the biggest storylines of the 2022 season was betting-centric.The Vikings went 13-4 and clinched the division with the biggest comeback in NFL history when they erased a 33-point deficit versus the Colts. But they still didn't cover in that game and, on the season, went 7-9-1 against the spread. While some cited various stats as to why the Vikings' record may have been misleading, bettors knew the deal all along.The Vikings teetered off the balance beam that was their season when the Giants knocked them out in the playoffs' first weekend. After covering just seven out of 18 games last year, how the market would treat Minnesota for 2023 would certainly be intriguing.2023 season oddsMARKETODDS(O/U)Win total8.5 (-125/+105)Division+275Conference+1300Super Bowl+3500Estimated rating51/100The Vikings' regular season win total remains where it opened back in May at 8.5 - right at a theoretical .500 for the season. Despite winning the NFC North somewhat easily last year, the Vikings are not the favorite. That gives Minnesota reason to feel disrespected, but can they do anything about it?Schedule outlookWEEKOPPONENTLOOKAHEAD LINE1TBMIN -6.52@PHIPHI -73LACLAC -1.54@CARMIN -1.55KCKC -46@CHIMIN -17SFSF -2.58@GBMIN -19@ATLMIN -110NOMIN -2.511@DENDEN -212CHIMIN -3.514@LVMIN -115@CINCIN -516DETMIN -117GBMIN -2.518@DETDET -2.5In an episode of Netflix's 'Quarterback,' surrounded by honorary game balls from Sunday Night Football, Kirk Cousins can't understand the narrative around his lack of primetime success. He's blissfully unaware that he's 2-10 on Monday Night Football. Put a star next to the night games against the 49ers in Week 7 and Bears in Week 12.What's to like about the VikingsThe Vikings' offense was 11th in yards per play and 10th in yards per pass attempt, which means there's room to improve on a really good season in the second year of Cousins and Kevin O'Connell's collaboration. We like continuity in this space as we may not have seen the ceiling for the reigning Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson.The Vikings are also in the second year of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's tenure, and he's not messing around. Even though he's a reliable red zone threat, it was time to move on from fan-favorite Adam Thielen. With the need for more speed across from Jefferson, the key will be first-round pick and Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison, who moves almost as fast on the field as he does in a pet emergency. Adofo-Mensah also avoided the temptation of paying Dalvin Cook, opting to hope for similar production from Alexander Mattison behind a very good offensive line.What's not to like about the VikingsThe over has cashed at a 67% rate in games involving the Vikings over the last two seasons. Judging Minnesota's defensive depth chart, that trend might continue. Their big additions to a defense that allowed the third-most yards per play are Marcus Davenport and his 0.5 sacks last year, and Byron Murphy and his zero interceptions in 2022.A bad defense might not be good for Minnesota, but rather than sweat the point spread in Vikings matchups early in the season, we can test oddsmakers' ability to make their game totals high enough.Other notable betting marketsPLAYERMARKETODDSKirk CousinsMVP+5000Most passing yards+1000Most passing TD+2200Justin JeffersonMVP+10000Offensive POTY+1300Most receptions+650Most receiving yards+550Most receiving TD+1200Alexander MattisonMost rushing yards+2500Most rushing TD+2500Jordan AddisonOffensive ROTY+1700Most rookie receiving yards+300Coach of the YearKevin O'Connell+3500Cousins was fourth in passing yards last year, and his 10-1 odds to lead the league in that category suggest the market knows he'll be throwing a lot - both by plan and due to necessity. Similarly, Jefferson is the favorite for most receiving yards and a top-five choice in the other pass-catching markets.Mattison and Cook combined for 13 rushing touchdowns last year, and if Cousins stops trying failed quarterback sneaks, Mattison might get all the looks down by the goal line. 25-1 isn't bad for a focal tailback on an offense that can - and needs to - score.O'Connell's Coach of the Year contending effort was last season - given what a difference his presence made in turning the close losses of 2021 into a division title in 2022. As he did in Wild Card Weekend, O'Connell got edged by Brian Daboll in that vote, and it's unlikely the Vikings will do enough for the spotlight to be on O'Connell again.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has lofty expectations for his first season in the Mile High City."I'm going to be pissed off if this is not a playoff team," Payton said, according to Jarrett Bell of USA TODAY Sports.The Broncos are coming off a 5-12 campaign - their third season with five or fewer wins since 2017 and sixth consecutive year with a losing record."Winning," Payton added. "It's the salve for the whole organization. Makes everyone feel better."Payton brings a 152-89 record as a head coach and a Super Bowl XLIV ring from his time with the New Orleans Saints.Atop Payton's to-do list is working with quarterback Russell Wilson, whom the team signed to a five-year, $245-million extension last offseason after trading for the former Seattle Seahawk.The 34-year-old struggled in his first season with Denver, throwing just 16 touchdowns against 11 interceptions while being sacked a league-high 55 times. Wilson finished with a 4-11 record as a starter with career lows in touchdowns, passer rating, and completion percentage.Much of that struggle has been attributed to former head coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos let him go after just 15 games."Oh, man," Payton said regarding Wilson's struggles. "There's so much dirt around that. There's 20 dirty hands, for what was allowed, tolerated in the fricking training rooms, the meeting rooms. The offense. I don't know Hackett. A lot of people had dirt on their hands. It wasn't just Russell. He didn't just flip. He still has it. This B.S. that he hit a wall? Shoot, they couldn't get a play in. They were 29th in the league in pre-snap penalties on both sides of the ball."Payton added that "it might have been one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL. That's how bad it was."The on-field struggles were exacerbated by the team's marketing and promotional material leading up to the season. The Wilson-promoted "Broncos country, let's ride" slogan turned into a meme shared all over the internet after the team began struggling."It doesn't happen often where an NFL team or organization gets embarrassed," Payton said. "And that happened here. Part of it was their own fault, relative to spending so much (expletive) time trying to win the offseason - the PR, the pomp and circumstance, marching people around and all this stuff."Payton has already made changes to the team in that department. The 59-year-old wants the team to focus on practicing and playing at the highest level."Everything I heard about last season, we're doing the opposite," said Payton. "We're not doing any of that. The Jets did that this year. You watch. 'Hard Knocks,' all of it. I can see it coming. Remember when (former Washington owner) Dan Snyder put that Dream Team together? I was at the Giants (in 2000). I was a young coach. I thought, 'How are we going to compete with them? Deion's (Sanders) there now.' That team won eight games or whatever. So, listen...just put the work in."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent running back Dalvin Cook is slated to visit the New York Jets this weekend, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.The Jets are the latest team to show interest in Cook. The Miami Dolphins reportedly made an offer to the former Minnesota Vikings running back in June, and Cook had multiple other proposals on the table. He's also in talks with the New England Patriots about setting up a potential visit, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.Jets head coach Robert Saleh left the door open to adding Cook when asked on July 20."Obviously, you never want to say no to a great player," Saleh said, according to Pro Football Talk's Myles Simmons. "I'll leave (general manager Joe Douglas) to that one. I know there's a lot of contractual stuff that goes with it. But he is a good one."Aaron Rodgers reportedly took a pay cut on his reworked contract Wednesday to give the Jets more financial flexibility.If Cook signs with New York, he'd join a backfield that features Breece Hall and Michael Carter, among others. Hall is still working his way back from an ACL tear that prematurely ended his 2022 campaign.The Vikings released Cook in June after a six-year run with the franchise. The 27-year-old has been one of the NFL's most productive backs and eclipsed 1,100 yards in each of his last four seasons. He's also made four consecutive Pro Bowls.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers agreed to rework his contract with the New York Jets, signing a two-year pact worth $75 million guaranteed, reports NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The four-time NFL MVP had nearly $110 million remaining on the contract he originally inked with the Green Bay Packers, Pelissero adds. Rodgers restructured it in April to facilitate the trade that sent him to New York.

Maybe we've got an early sign this is Detroit's year. It initially looked bad when C.J. Gardner-Johnson was carted off the field before we even realized practices started. But the new Lions defensive back - signed away from the Eagles - reportedly feels OK, making this the kind of fortunate break this franchise isn't accustomed to.Lions fans and bettors will be on their toes for signs from above since they rarely have preseason expectations this high. We don't usually touch on season awards until the end of this article, but Dan Campbell being the favorite to win Coach of the Year deserves mentioning as soon as possible. Maybe award voters will be impressed if Detroit takes the NFC North, but the betting market won't be surprised.The Lions are 23-11 against the spread in Campbell's first two seasons. That record will endear him to us, but you normally need to beat the betting market by quite a bit to win Coach of the Year.2023 season oddsMARKETODDS(O/U)Win total9.5 (-125/+105)Division+130Conference+1000Super Bowl+2200Estimated rating58/100The bar is set high for Detroit in betting markets. The team's futures odds and win total put it in the same tier as clubs that made the playoffs last season - Cowboys, Chargers, and Dolphins - or added a future Hall of Fame quarterback - Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. Time will tell whether that's fair. With their checkered history, the Lions haven't had the chance to disappoint in this way. They haven't been favored to win their division since it was called the NFC Central. This is Detroit's highest win total in 30 years.Schedule outlookWEEKOPPONENTLOOKAHEAD LINE1@KCKC -72SEADET -2.53ATLDET -54@GBDET -1.55CARDET -56@TBDET -3.57@BALBAL -38LVDET -4.510@LACLAC -2.511CHIDET -512GBDET -413@NONO -114@CHIDET -1.515DENDET -216@MINMIN -117@DALDAL -3.518MINDET -2.5The Lions are projected favorites in 11 games this season. After getting the surprising honor of opening night in Kansas City, their season might be shaped by a run of five games in which they're currently favored by between 1.5 and five points. Outside of Week 1, every one of their games might have a line under six points.What's to like about the LionsBen Johnson's offense might not be a finished product. However, the offensive coordinator's high-leverage play-calling is outstanding, and you can move the skill-position pieces around the way Detroit does when your offensive line is stacked - especially if Halapoulivaati Vaitai returns from a back injury.In a continuing effort to improve the defense, the Lions got solid production last season from a pair of 2022 sixth-round selections, with James Houston recording eight sacks and Malcolm Rodriguez compiling 87 tackles. Add 2022 first-round pick Aidan Hutchinson and 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell, and you've got exemplary roster building.What's not to like about the LionsWhile the Lions have done well building the front seven, they've swung and missed in those same efforts in the secondary. The Gardner-Johnson injury scare illuminates concerns. Detroit almost fully overhauled a unit that gave up the third-most passing yards last campaign. But until we see it on the field, the secondary is still a question mark in a league getting more pass-heavy by the season.Jameson Williams got into some games after returning from his knee injury but received a six-game suspension by the NFL this offseason. Detroit will have to wait for his potential production. Marvin Jones is back, and the Lions hope to get one last quality season out of him. That puts a lot on Amon-Ra St. Brown's shoulders for key targets from Jared Goff.Other notable betting marketsPLAYERMARKETODDSJared GoffMVP+4000Most passing yards+2500Most passing TD+3500Amon-Ra St. BrownOffensive POTY+3500Most receptions+1800Most receiving yards+3500Most receiving TD+5000Jahmyr GibbsOffensive ROTY+1000Most rushing yards+7000Most rushing TD+7500Aidan HutchinsonDefensive POTY+2500Most sacks+1800Jack CampbellDefensive ROTY+1400Dan CampbellCoach of the Year+850It might take a 40-touchdown campaign from Goff if Detroit is going to surpass these new lofty expectations and rise to a division-winning 10-plus-win team. The quarterback isn't known for loving cold-weather football, but only a December trip to Chicago versus the Bears - a defense on the rebuild - puts him in uncomfortable conditions. Do we dare suggest Goff as this year's dark-horse MVP? Admittedly, a most-passing-yards bet is a more feasible market.The replaceability of running backs has been a hot topic this summer. There's no better example of the concern than the Lions moving on from Jamaal Williams, last season's league leader in touchdowns, and D'Andre Swift, an explosive playmaker when healthy. That could be construed as a devaluation of assets at the tailback position, but Detroit spent its first-round pick on Jahmyr Gibbs. The rookie rusher has the ceiling of prime Alvin Kamara. If that's the case, he'll replace Williams and Swift's combined 22 rushing and three receiving touchdowns. With that kind of opportunity to pile up stats, the Offensive Rookie of the Year might be Gibbs' floor if he can stay healthy.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

So you want to be an NFL head coach, Jonathan Gannon?Unlike the Texans, who already had their bottoming-out seasons, or the Colts, who dismissed their coach for a half-season unbecoming of a decently talented roster, Gannon gets the job of stewarding the Cardinals through the floor of whatever the Kyler Murray era ends up being.As far as we know, Murray could be back in late September, or not at all, this coming season. With a pair of highly touted quarterbacks available in next year's draft, if the Cardinals are what the market expects them to be - the worst team in the NFL - Murray may find himself on the other side of a situation in which he was involved when he came into the league.In 2019, Josh Rosen was thrown aside for first overall pick Murray when Kliff Kingsbury was hired. Now an option exists in which the Cardinals can sit Murray for the year in favor of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.Why are we so sure the Cardinals are ready to bottom out? By the end of last season, after quarterbacks Colt McCoy, Trace McSorley, and David Blough all had their turn, Arizona lost seven straight games. To its credit, the team covered the spread in three of those games, thanks to a market rating that dropped into the low 20s, creating manageable point spreads like being 7-point underdogs at Atlanta.2023 season oddsMARKETODDS(O/U)Win total4.5 (-110/-110)Division+2500Conference+10000Super Bowl+20000Estimated rating25/100When it comes to the 2023 season, the Cardinals pick up right where they left off. Before its swoon, Arizona had won only four games, and that type of year is right around the median expectation. With the lowest season win total in the league comes the lowest rating. Even before Murray's injury, the Cardinals were looked at as below average with a rating in the low 40s due to a 4-6 start.Schedule outlookWEEKOPPONENTLOOKAHEAD LINE1@WSHWSH -62NYGNYG -43DALDAL -74@SFSF -9.55CINCIN -7.56@LARLAR -47@SEASEA -78BALBAL -5.59@CLECLE -710ATLATL -2.511@HOUHOU -1.512LARLAR -213@PITPIT -6.515SFSF -6.516@CHICHI -4.517@PHIPHI -1118SEASEA -4.5The Cardinals aren't projected to be favored in a single game this season. Their prescribed win total of 4.5 gives them a rating of 25/100, or 6.8 points out of a maximum spread of 27 points. In Week 11, they travel to Houston - the projected second-worst team in the NFL. The Texans (33/100) are worth nine points on a 27-point scale. That 2.2-point difference suggests that - if it were Week 1 - the Texans should be favored by at least a field goal. Of course, by Week 11, Murray may be back. The longer the season goes, the higher the Cardinals are rated in their look-ahead game lines.What's to like about the CardinalsAt 4.5 wins and a rating in the low 20s, there's not much room for the Cardinals to fall. That's bad for Arizona fans but good for the betting outlook. Mix in a new head coach and McCoy's serviceable play in short spurts, and there might be enough energy early on to cover as big underdogs. A big loss in Week 1 and a negative prognosis for Murray's return date, and all of a sudden those games against the Cowboys, 49ers and Bengals become double-digit point spreads, at which point the bar for betting success lowers like it did at the end of last season.The Cardinals hold the Texans' first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. This means winning their most winnable game wouldn't be all that bad if they're in the hunt for the first overall pick.What's not to like about the CardinalsHow much time do you have?Revamping a terrible offensive line is a good idea. However, when that means you use your first-round pick on a tackle but plan to slot Paris Johnson at guard because you haven't moved on from D.J. Humphries - who you were aiming to replace - it's a less impactful plan. Add in that your new center, Hjalte Froholdt, was a mediocre guard, and your right tackle, Kelvin Beachum, was born in the '80s, and we shouldn't be all that hopeful for a turnaround in protection and gaping holes for the runners.Gannon's bag is defense, but he won't have the same talent he worked with in Philadelphia as the defensive coordinator. That type of situation crushes more new head coaches in their first year than not. Zaven Collins - drafted as a linebacker - is on the depth chart as a 3-4 defensive end, while Isaiah Simmons has never quite panned out. Maybe Gannon can unlock those players and new weak-side linebacker B.J. Ojulari, but without much support elsewhere in front of star safety Budda Baker, that seems highly unlikely.Other notable betting marketsPLAYERMARKETODDSKyler MurrayMVP+15000Comeback POTY+7500James ConnerMost rushing yards+4500Most rushing TD+3500Marquise BrownMost receptions+8000Most receiving yards+10000Most receiving TD+6000Budda BakerDefensive POTY+20000B.J. OjulariDefensive ROTY+4500Jonathan GannonCoach of the Year+3500This is grim. I don't know what Baker - the Cardinals' best player - would have to do to score the Defensive Player of the Year, but cartwheels, back-flips, and maybe morphing into a T-Rex might be involved.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The quarterback position is critical to wins and losses in the NFL, but it's far less important in betting, where a quarterback's estimated strength is applied to the point spread. Quarterbacks of the favored team are only trying to win the game, not cover a big number. The non-quarterbacks on teams with a subpar quarterback, meanwhile, are capable of keeping an underdog closer than the experts think.There was no greater example of that than the Los Angeles Rams last season. When Matthew Stafford was healthy and Cooper Kupp was available, the Rams were 2-7-1 against the spread. However, the defending Super Bowl champions were unable to measure up when considered contenders.After the Rams ruled Stafford out for the season, they went 2-5 on the field but covered the spread in five of those seven games. With Bryce Perkins, John Wolford, and Baker Mayfield behind center, L.A.'s rating went down, making the Rams (often big) underdogs in those final games, lowering the bar for success when it came to backing them.Of course, Stafford and Kupp return this season, but the betting markets aren't about to put the Rams back where they were before last year when they were projected to win 10.5 games.2023 season oddsMARKETODDS(O/U)Win total6.5 (-105/-115)Division+800Conference+5000Super Bowl+6000Estimated rating36/100The Rams have taken money on their regular-season win total towards the under, moving from 7.5 (-130) in May to a virtually flat 6.5, thereby dropping their rating further. To quantify last year's drop in rating, the Rams went from 50/100 after struggling to cover early in the season to the low-20s once Stafford, Kupp, and Aaron Donald were sidelined.Schedule outlookWEEKOPPONENTLOOKAHEAD LINE1@SEASEA -52SFSF -4.53@CINCIN -7.54@INDLAR -15PHIPHI -6.56ARILAR -47PITPIT -28@DALDAL -79@GBGB -2.511SEASEA -212@ARILAR -213CLECLE -1.514@BALBAL -6.515WSHLAR -116NONO -117@NYGNYG -318@SFSF -7With a rating of 36/100, the Rams are worth 9.7 points on our 27-point spread scale. In Week 2, they host the 49ers (63/100), who are worth 17 points - a seven-point difference. Given that there's no way the Rams should be getting 2.5 points worth of credit for home-field advantage, if nothing drastic happens in Week 1 to cause a big shift in either team's rating, then we should expect this line to be even higher than -4.5.What's to like about the RamsSometimes it feels like there isn't anyone else on the field when the Stafford-Kupp connection is cooking.Donald didn't retire after also missing the last portion of the season.Sean McVay didn't take a boatload of cash to jump a sinking ship to do television.What's not to like about the RamsThere might not be anyone of note other than Stafford and Kupp on offense. The Rams' offensive line has deteriorated over the last few years to the point that we have them rated as the 31st-best unit in the league.Donald maybe should've retired. At 32 years old and with a championship under his belt, he's not just anchoring the Rams' defense - he might be the defense. A season's worth of double and triple teams is something he may regret signing up for.McVay's not the general manager, but he probably greenlit some of the future-mortgaging moves made to get the Rams their Super Bowl. Dealing all those draft picks for short-term veteran upgrades will always be worth it for that championship, but that bill has come due, and the talent cupboards are bare beyond three stars who didn't make it to December last season.Other notable betting marketsPLAYERMARKETODDSMatthew StaffordMVP+6000Most passing yards+2500Most passing TD+4000Comeback POTY+4000Cooper KuppMVP+10000Offensive POTY+3000Most receptions+500Most receiving yards+800Most receiving TD+550Comeback POTY+2500Cam AkersMost rushing yards+4500Most rushing TD+3500Aaron DonaldDefensive POTY+2500Most sacks+3000Coach of the YearSean McVay+3000The only market worth looking at here is for Kupp to rack up as close to 100% of the Rams' yardage as humanly possible. The safest play is most receptions, for which he's the favorite.It wasn't that long ago that we had to find reasons not to back Donald for Defensive Player of the Year. Now at the back end of his career, with little to no help on the depth chart, you can avoid him in all betting markets.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.