The NFL prevailed over the NBA in this year's battle of Christmas Day viewership.Viewership numbers shared by Ari Meirov of My Sports Update show that the NFL had an average viewership of 21.88 million on Dec. 25, while the NBA averaged 4.318 million.The NFL's most-watched matchup was the Green Bay Packers' clash with the Miami Dolphins, which drew 25.92 million viewers. The most-watched NBA game was the Milwaukee Bucks-Boston Celtics contest, which had just over 6 million viewers.

Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil is the game's third-highest-paid player at his position, but that's not quite satisfactory for him.Tunsil signed a three-year, $66-million extension in 2020 and plans to renegotiate with the Texans this offseason."I don't know who's the highest right now, maybe Trent (Williams) at 23 (million), but I want to top that," Tunsil told ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime on Wednesday. "Always want to reset the market. Perfect opportunity to reset the market. Everything is lining up as far as my contract to how I'm playing. Everything lining up perfectly."Tunsil is playing at a high level on many metrics. He was recently named the AFC's starting left tackle for the Pro Bowl and has allowed just one sack on his way to a 91.8 pass protection grade from PFF.This marks the 28-year-old's third Pro Bowl nod, but he's hoping to add the first All-Pro selection of his career this year."I've been working my ass off for all seven years just to get acknowledged as an All-Pro," he said. "I feel like that's one of the biggest achievements in the NFL."San Francisco 49ers tackle Williams' contract has a position-leading $23.01 million average annual value. David Bakhtiari of the Green Bay Packers is the only other tackle currently ahead of Tunsil at $23 million per year.The Texans could choose to move on from Tunsil, despite his high level of play, to free up cap space. They converted the majority of his 2022 salary into a signing bonus to provide cap relief for this year, but his 2023 cap hit is on pace to be about $35.2 million. Releasing or trading the Pro Bowler would effectively free up about $18.5 million in 2023 cap space.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams was visibly upset Wednesday when speaking to reporters about head coach Josh McDaniels' decision to bench quarterback Derek Carr."Obviously, I don't think anybody was excited ... you know, him being one of my really good friends and, you know, the reason why I came here in the first place," Adams said. "You know I wouldn't be here right now if he wasn't here."He added: "I'm not going to sit here and go on and on, but obviously, I support my guy."Adams, 30, joined the Raiders this past offseason in a trade from the Green Bay Packers.Though Adams has 88 receptions for 1,290 yards and 12 touchdowns this year, the Raiders have stumbled to a 6-9 record.Carr and Adams became friends when they played together at Fresno State in 2012 and 2013. Adams posted 233 receptions for 3,031 yards and 38 touchdowns with Carr as the starting quarterback.McDaniels announced the decision to bench Carr for the team's final two regular-season games on Wednesday afternoon. Jarrett Stidham will start for the Raiders in those contests.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore football editors Jack Browne, Caio Miari, Daniel Valente, and Dan Wilkins make their weekly predictions for every game on the NFL calendar.BrowneMiariValenteWilkins11-512-411-512-4Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders are benching quarterback Derek Carr for the team's final two games of the regular season, Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels announced Wednesday.Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham will take over as the starter. Chase Garbers will be the backup, meaning Carr will be inactive for Sunday's Week 17 game against the San Francisco 49ers.The three-time Pro Bowler left the team, with the Raiders' permission, to avoid being a distraction over the final two weeks of the regular season, a source told The Athletic's Jeff Howe.Carr has nine touchdowns and nine interceptions in his last five games while completing just 57% of his passes. He has only missed three games in nine seasons with the Raiders.The move is partly to preserve Carr's health for a potential offseason trade, sources told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The 31-year-old's contract contains a no-trade clause, so he would have to approve any deal.Carr has a $34.875-million cap hit for the 2023 season, according to Over The Cap.The Raiders acquired star wide receiver Davante Adams this past offseason and hired McDaniels in an attempt to reinvigorate the offense. But Carr's completion percentage and passer rating are his lowest since his rookie season, while Las Vegas is 6-9 on the season and sits third in the AFC West."None of us is happy where we're at," McDaniels said. "But we think it's an opportunity to evaluate a younger player who hasn't had much time to play."Originally selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Stidham has appeared in 11 NFL games but has yet to start. The 26-year-old has 32 career completions with two touchdowns and three interceptions.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson took some responsibility following the firing of head coach Nathaniel Hackett."The reality is I wish I could have played better for him too," Wilson said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "I wish I could have played at the standard, the level that I've always played at."Hackett was dismissed Monday after going 4-11 this season. The Broncos struggled to find any offensive consistency during his tenure, scoring a league-low 15.5 points per game.Wilson's struggles mirror those of the team. He's on pace for a career low in touchdown passes and has been sacked a league-high 49 times with two regular-season games remaining.The nine-time Pro Bowler hasn't lived up to the expectations that the franchise had for him after it orchestrated a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks in March.Wilson has led the Broncos to a 3-10 mark as a starter this season. He's thrown for 3,019 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, with a 60.1% completion rate.Interim coach Jerry Rosburg said he'll continue to stick with Wilson despite the dip in form.Broncos general manager George Paton and CEO Greg Penner both said they believe Wilson can right the ship and insisted the signal-caller's play wasn't the only reason for Hackett's dismissal.Wilson remains confident he can turn his fortunes around."I know I can play exceptionally well, I know what I have in me and what I can do," he said.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone discusses the biggest fantasy questions heading into Week 17:

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is doubtful for Thursday's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, the team announced Wednesday.Henry has been a limited participant during the team's last two practice sessions with a hip injury.The soon-to-be 29-year-old earned his third Pro Bowl nod after rushing for 1,429 yards and 13 touchdowns with a 4.5 yards per carry average. He also hauled in 32 receptions for 379 yards through 15 games.The star tailback is among several starters expected to miss the Week 17 contest. Ryan Tannehill, Jeffrey Simmons, and Bud Dupree are among eight players who have already been ruled out this week.

Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson will delay surgery on his torn adductor and begin rehabbing to prepare for the playoffs, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Johnson suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of the Eagles' Week 16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The 32-year-old left the game and did not return.Johnson consulted numerous experts before opting to put off surgery, according to Rapoport. He will have two or three weeks to prepare for Philadelphia's first playoff game, depending on whether the Eagles earn a first-round bye.The star right tackle has started every game for Philadelphia this season and earned his fourth career Pro Bowl nod last week. Johnson has not allowed a sack since November 2020.Jack Driscoll is expected to fill in at right tackle for the Eagles' last two regular-season games. Driscoll, 25, has started 14 NFL games since Philadelphia drafted him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.The Eagles face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.The 24-year-old quarterback entered concussion protocol Monday after he self-reported symptoms to team doctors. Tagovailoa finished the game without missing any snaps, and the NFL and NFLPA have launched an investigation into the situation, sources told The Athletic's Mike Jones.Veteran Teddy Bridgewater is expected to be the team's starter if Tagovailoa is unavailable."Moving forward today ... the whole team's approach is Teddy Bridgewater's the starter," McDaniel said, adding, "He's done such a diligent job during the course of the season with his own injuries and such to be prepared for this opportunity."Bridgewater has appeared in four games this year with one start. The 30-year-old has completed 61.7% of his passes for 522 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.The Dolphins signed Bridgewater to a one-year, $6.5-million deal in the offseason, per Spotrac.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Commanders will start Carson Wentz at quarterback in Sunday's Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns, the team announced Wednesday.The Commanders currently hold the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC.Taylor Heinicke is expected to be Wentz's primary backup.Wentz opened the season as the Commanders' starter after they acquired him from the Indianapolis Colts in an offseason trade. The 29-year-old went 2-4 before landing on injured reserve after breaking a finger in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears.Heinicke took over at quarterback and led Washington to a 5-3-1 record as the starter, holding the job even after Wentz's surgery had him healthy and available. Heinicke, 29, was pulled in Washington's Week 16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.Wentz took over against the 49ers, marking his first game action since Week 6. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.The Commanders can reach the playoffs with a win against the Browns on Sunday and a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. They can also clinch a postseason berth this week if they defeat the Browns while the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks all lose.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed has agreed to become Bethune-Cookman's new head coach, the school announced Tuesday.The former Baltimore Ravens and Miami star follows in the footsteps of fellow former NFLers Deion Sanders and Eddie George. Sanders coached Jackson State before leaving the HBCU school for Colorado in early December, while George leads Tennessee State.Bethune-Cookman, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), finished with a 2-9 record this season, leading to head coach Terry Sims' firing after seven years at the helm.Reed played for the Ravens from 2002-12, establishing himself as one of the greatest defenders in NFL history. He finished his career following the 2013 campaign after splitting his final season between the New York Jets and Houston Texans.The 44-year-old was inducted into Canton as part of the 2019 class. Known for his elite ball-hawk skills, Reed ranks seventh all-time with 64 career interceptions and owns NFL records for the most multi-interception games (12) and most playoff interceptions (nine, tied).The nine-time Pro Bowler was part of the Hurricanes' 2001 national championship team.Reed spent the 2016 NFL season as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. In 2020, Miami hired him in an advisory role.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 17.Updated rankings (including Standard and PPR) will be released Thursday, with the final version coming down Sunday morning.Half PPR

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.Quarterbacks Sam Hodde / Getty Images Sport / GettyGardner Minshew, EaglesNext UpRosteredFABvs. NO27%$100It's the final week of the fantasy playoffs, so you're bidding whatever it takes to acquire the players you need most on the waiver wire.If your searching for quarterback help, there are three strong streamer options for Week 17: Gardner Minshew, Mike White, and Brock Purdy.All three backups have stepped into the starting role and delivered quality production.Minshew was the latest to join the club, taking over for an injured Jalen Hurts and throwing for 355 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions while adding a rushing score in a loss to Dallas. He currently sits as the QB7 on the week with just Monday Night Football left to be played.Hurts hasn't been ruled out for Week 17 yet, but it would be surprising to see the Eagles rush him back and risk further injury. That means Minshew is likely to get another start - this time against the Saints, who are an easier matchup than the Cowboys.Streaming options: Mike White at SEA (17% rostered), Brock Purdy at LV (36% rostered)Risky streaming options (if healthy): Colt McCoy at ATL (2% rostered)Dart-throw streaming options: Russell Wilson at KC (48% rostered), Baker Mayfield at LAC (9% rostered), Kenny Pickett at BAL (12% rostered), Sam Darnold at TB (7% rostered), Mac Jones vs. MIA (18% rostered), Desmond Ridder vs. ARI (5% rostered), Davis Mills vs. JAX (5% rostered)Dart-throw streaming options (if starting): Carson Wentz vs. CLE (5% rostered), Nick Foles at NYG (4% rostered)Dart-throw streaming options (if starter is out): Tyler Huntley vs. PIT (15% rostered), Teddy Bridgewater at NE (0% rostered)Running backs Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / GettyZack Moss, ColtsNext UpRosteredFABat NYG44%$100With Jonathan Taylor out for the season, Moss has taken advantage of his opportunity by racking up 81 yards on 24 carries against the Vikings and 70 yards on 13 touches versus the Chargers.Indy's offense is hard to rely on for anything at the moment, but head coach Jeff Saturday seems dedicated to Moss and the rushing attack.That makes Moss worth adding as a fantasy RB3/flex ahead of an excellent Week 17 matchup with the Giants, who are top 10 in fantasy points allowed to running backs.James Cook and Tyler Allgeier are at or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.Flex options: Chuba Hubbard at TB 38% rostered), Gus Edwards vs. PIT (41% rostered)Flex options (if Titans rest Derrick Henry): Hassan Haskins vs. DAL (0% rostered)Flex options (if Jaguars rest Travis Etienne): JaMycal Hasty at HOU (5% rostered)Risky flex options: Royce Freeman vs. JAX (0% rostered), Joshua Kelley vs. LAR (5% rostered), Kenneth Gainwell vs. NO (14% rostered), Khalil Herbert at DET (40% rostered), Chase Edmonds at KC (22% rostered)Risky flex options (if healthy): Jordan Mason at LV (11% rostered)Dart-throw flex options: Jaylen Warren at BAL (13% rostered), Dare Ogunbowale vs. JAX (2% rostered), DeeJay Dallas vs. NYJ (7% rostered), Justin Jackson vs. CHI (1% rostered)Wide receivers Al Bello / Getty Images Sport / GettyJahan Dotson, CommandersNext UpRosteredFABvs. CLE23%$100If you're getting the feeling you might be reading last week's waiver wire article again, it's understandable since we're mentioning many of the same players.Dotson, who led this section in Week 16, continued his impressive rookie season with six catches for 76 yards and a score on nine targets Saturday.Had it not been for the weeks missed due to injury, fantasy managers would be screaming Dotson's name from the rooftops. In the six games where he's played at least 70% of the snaps, Dotson has five top-20 finishes:

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors. In this edition, we make a New Year's resolution for each team.1. San Francisco 49ers (11-4) Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 3Ramp up CMC's workload. Christian McCaffrey only had two catches in two of his last three games, which was likely the coaching staff's way of making sure he's fresh for the playoffs. He should be getting over 25 touches per game with an emphasis on targets as a receiver out of the backfield once the 49ers get there.2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-2)Previous Rank: 1Get Jalen Hurts healthy for the playoffs. The Eagles have a real chance to win the Super Bowl, but it won't happen unless their star quarterback is back under center.3. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)Previous Rank: 2Make protection adjustments. La'el Collins suffering a season-ending knee injury is a major blow to a much-improved Bengals front five. The coaching staff must now regularly have tight ends and running backs help out in protection to keep the offense operating at a high level.4. Kansas City Chiefs (12-3)Previous Rank: 4Feed Kadarius Toney. We've seen it in flashes - this already unstoppable offense goes to another level when the electric receiver gets the ball in his hands.5. Buffalo Bills (12-3) Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 5Get James Cook involved. The rest of the Bills' running back group is more than serviceable, but Cook brings a more dynamic element that could take the offense over the top.6. Dallas Cowboys (11-4)Previous Rank: 6Be smart. There isn't much to dislike about this Cowboys team - they've got a real shot to go all the way. But can they avoid the kind of playoff meltdowns they've become known for?7. Minnesota Vikings (12-3)Previous Rank: 9Lock up the No. 2 seed. The Vikings shouldn't let up over the last two weeks of the regular season. Getting the opportunity for at least two playoff home games would go a long way toward maximizing their potential.8. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)Previous Rank: 10Push it downfield. Justin Herbert only gets to show off his supreme arm talent when the Chargers need a big play on third- or fourth-and-long. This team could go deep into the playoffs if the coaching staff is willing to get more aggressive in other situations.9. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8)Previous Rank: 11Get home on defense. Jacksonville ranks 27th with 29 sacks this season despite a top-four team pressure rate. Converting more of those opportunities into negative plays could make all the difference in how this defense complements a potent offense.10. Baltimore Ravens (10-5) Greg Fiume / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 12Get Lamar healthy. Forget the AFC North race - the Ravens are going to the playoffs either way. If keeping Lamar Jackson out until the wild-card round is what he needs to be ready, so be it. He's the only chance they have in the postseason either way.11. Miami Dolphins (8-7)Previous Rank: 8Adjust to the adjustments. Defenses have found a way to take away, or at least limit, what the Dolphins do best. Now, it's Miami's turn to counterpunch and get the offense back on track. Otherwise, it'll be a quick exit from the playoffs.12. Detroit Lions (7-8)Previous Rank: 7Don't panic. The Lions still have a chance to sneak into the postseason despite a blowout loss to the Panthers. Winning their final two games and getting the necessary help elsewhere will be tough, but so was rebounding from a 1-6 start.13. Green Bay Packers (7-8)Previous Rank: 18Run the ball. Leaning on Aaron Rodgers makes sense, but the Packers can't afford to stray too far away from a talented running back duo. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon will be key to Green Bay's chances of finishing the job over the final two weeks and returning to the playoffs.14. New York Giants (8-6-1)Previous Rank: 14Feed Saquon. Barkley's usage was scaled back after some particularly high-volume games in the first half of the campaign. With the playoffs in sight, now's the time to ramp it back up. The Giants will go as far as their star running back takes them.15. Washington Commanders (7-7-1) Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 15Stick with Carson Wentz. Taylor Heinicke has turned the ball over five times during the Commanders' three-game winless streak. It's worth a shot to see whether a change at quarterback could provide a spark and help them hang on to the last wild-card spot.16. New York Jets (7-8)Previous Rank: 13Find a QB. Mike White has done an admirable job in his limited work this season, but the Jets should be aiming higher at the most important position on the roster. They've got everything else they need to contend, so it's time to be aggressive.17. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8)Previous Rank: 19Get rid of Matt Canada. Kenny Pickett hasn't exactly lit it up during his rookie season, but there have been just enough flashes to give Pittsburgh some hope. Pickett might not be the answer, but he deserves a better offensive coordinator in 2023 as he tries to prove he is.18. Seattle Seahawks (7-8)Previous Rank: 17Keep trusting Geno Smith. The season's feel-good story has taken a depressing turn of late, but the quarterback isn't being exposed - the rest of the Seahawks offense is. While Seattle should push for a team-friendly deal, the franchise shouldn't overthink bringing Smith back for 2023.19. Carolina Panthers (6-9)Previous Rank: 24Get D.J. Moore more involved. Somehow, the Panthers are two wins from a playoff berth after claiming three victories in the last four games. While its running game is red hot, Carolina can't keep forgetting about Moore. The wideout is the team's most explosive weapon, and he's not getting enough targets.20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 23Don't ride the old man's arm so hard. Last year, Tom Brady threw the second-most passes in NFL history with 719, just shy of Mattew Stafford's single-season record of 727. This time around, Brady is on pace to break Stafford's mark after throwing the ball 671 times in 15 games. Justin Herbert, who was two years old when Brady was drafted, is the only other player to exceed 600 attempts.21. Tennessee Titans (7-8)Previous Rank: 16Don't take the old-school route just this once. The Titans have nothing to play for in Week 17 ahead of a winner-takes-all matchup with the Jaguars in Week 18. It might go against head coach Mike Vrabel's instincts, but the club should rest its key players against the Cowboys.22. New England Patriots (7-8)Previous Rank: 20Hire a real offensive coordinator. Look, Bill. You were bored and wanted to try the NFL on hard mode. We get it, but it didn't work out. Now, send Matt Patricia packing as soon as possible and get the Patriots looking like the Patriots again.23. New Orleans Saints (6-9)Previous Rank: 25Don't give up Sean Payton for peanuts. New Orleans owes a great debt to Payton. He won the city a Super Bowl and helmed the best era of the franchise's history. But if he wants to unretire and coach another team, the Saints shouldn't let him do so unless it gets a great package of draft picks.24. Los Angeles Rams (5-10)Previous Rank: 27Don't let anyone retire. The Rams' championship defense was a disaster. But they can bounce back in 2023 if Sean McVay and Aaron Donald - who have both teased retirement in the past - come back. If McVay and Donald both hang 'em up, things could be bad in L.A. for a long time.25. Cleveland Browns (6-9) NurPhoto / NurPhoto / GettyPrevious Rank: 21Don't give Kevin Stefanski a pass. Cleveland's season was always likely to be a lost one, given Deshaun Watson's suspension, but the Browns shouldn't just bring back their head coach without considering his performance, which has been uneven at best.26. Las Vegas Raiders (6-9)Previous Rank: 22Ignore sentimentality with Derek Carr. While Carr has endured an up-and-down campaign, it would be easy for the Raiders to hold on to the quarterback who's led them for the past nine years. Carr's passion for the team is admirable, but with a cheap exit from his contract in mid-February, Las Vegas should take the opportunity to start a new era.27. Houston Texans (2-12-1)Previous Rank: 31Keep fighting, but maybe not too hard. The Texans played the Cowboys and Chiefs close in recent weeks, so an upset win over the Titans was in the cards. You have to applaud Houston's fight late in a lost season, but another win could end up costing the franchise the No. 1 overall pick.28. Atlanta Falcons (5-10)Previous Rank: 26Build up some clutch genes. Despite the NFC South being the worst division in football, the Falcons are out of the running with two weeks to go. The main reason why: Eight of their 10 losses have been one-score games. Atlanta needs to find a way to be better in crunch time.29. Arizona Cardinals (4-11)Previous Rank: 29Don't be so cheap. Cardinals owner Steve Bidwell shouldn't let recent contract extensions for head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim, who is currently on a health-related absence, stop him from doing what's best for the franchise if he wants to oust the duo.30. Chicago Bears (3-12) Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrevious Rank: 30Get Justin Fields some help. The Bears are a near-lock for a top-three pick in the draft. But this roster needs much more than one big addition - it needs reinforcements at nearly every spot. Chicago should trade back and use those assets as well as a boatload of cap space to surround its young star with talent.31. Denver Broncos (4-11)Previous Rank: 28Take some power away from Russ. The Broncos gave Wilson the keys to the castle when they traded a huge package for the passer and then gave him a big extension months later. However, with all his struggles this season, Wilson can't be allowed to dictate the next head coach or direction of the offense.32. Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1)Previous Rank: 32Get Jim Irsay's hands off the wheel. If the Colts ever want to regain their place among the NFL's best, they have to hire a head coach - and maybe a team president, if general manager Chris Ballard is safe - who can wrestle power away from an owner whose desperation to win is hurting more than helping.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL Playoff Picture is a weekly look at the teams jockeying to secure their shot to make it to Super Bowl LVII.AFCSeedTeamDivisionRecord1Bills (y)East12-32Chiefs (y)West12-33Bengals (x)North11-44JaguarsSouth7-85Ravens (x)North10-56Chargers (x)West9-67DolphinsEast8-7x = clinched playoff berth

The Los Angeles Chargers are going to the playoffs for the first time with quarterback Justin Herbert.L.A. clinched a wild-card berth with a 20-3 win on Monday night over the Indianapolis Colts.Herbert failed to throw a touchdown and had two turnovers, but running back Austin Ekeler produced two rushing scores while the Chargers' defense picked off Nick Foles three times to help seal the prime-time victory.More to come.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos fired Nathaniel Hackett on Monday after the club went 4-11 through his 15 games as head coach."Following extensive conversations with (general manager) George (Paton) and our ownership group, we determined a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos," team owner Greg Penner said in a statement. "This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach."Penner will lead the search for the team's next head coach, with additional support coming from the ownership group. The owner added he has confidence in Paton as general manager.Senior assistant coach Jerry Rosburg will serve as the interim sideline boss in the meantime, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was Denver's first choice, but he declined the offer, sources told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider.Hackett's dismissal comes after the Broncos were blown out 51-14 by the Los Angeles Rams. Denver came into the season with raised expectations after hiring Hackett and acquiring star quarterback Russell Wilson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.However, the duo's arrival has failed to elevate the Broncos' offense. The unit ranks last in the NFL with an average of 15.5 points per game, while Wilson has struggled mightily to the tune of 12 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a career-low 82.6 passer rating.Hackett relinquished play-calling duties during the campaign due to the Broncos' struggles on offense. The franchise also brought in Rosburg to assist Hackett after he was criticized for clock management decisions earlier in the season.With the firing, Hackett becomes the fifth head coach in NFL history to be dismissed before the end of their first season, according to ESPN's Field Yates.The Broncos have now cycled through four head coaches since their Super Bowl victory in the 2015 season, with Hackett joining Gary Kubiak, Vance Joseph, and Vic Fangio. Denver hasn't made the postseason since that championship campaign.The AFC West club also fired special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes and offensive line coach Butch Barry.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is in concussion protocol, head coach Mike McDaniel announced Monday.The 24-year-old's status for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots is in question.McDaniel said he's unsure when Tagovailoa got injured and that no one recognized issues during the Dolphins' 26-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon. The quarterback self-reported to team doctors after beginning to experience symptoms Monday.Tagovailoa previously entered concussion protocol in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He missed the team's next two games with the injury.That came a few days after Tagovailoa took a hard hit against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 25, causing the Dolphins signal-caller to appear disoriented and stumble while trying to stand. Tagovailoa was evaluated for a concussion but was cleared and returned to the game.The hit led the NFL and NFLPA to update the concussion protocol policy and include the term ataxia, which was defined as "abnormality of balance/stability, motor coordination, or dysfunctional speech caused by a neurological issue." If an NFL player displays ataxia, they are automatically removed from the game.Head injuries have been a hot topic around the NFL this season, with Tagovailoa, Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker, and others dealing with issues related to concussions and concussion spotting.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers signed free-agent cornerback Josh Norman with Jaycee Horn potentially out for the season with a broken wrist, a source told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL Insider.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone discusses the latest injuries and the top players available on the waiver wire.

New York Jets quarterback Mike White will start Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks after being cleared to return, head coach Robert Saleh announced Monday.White missed the last two contests after injuring his ribs in Week 14's loss to the Buffalo Bills. He was willing to play through the ailment, but team doctors kept him sidelined.Zach Wilson struggled while replacing White over the last two weeks, completing 50.9% of his passes for 409 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions combined.Wilson, who recorded a 41.9 passer rating during Thursday's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, will be inactive in Week 17, Saleh announced. Joe Flacco will serve as the team's backup versus Seattle.However, Saleh said he hasn't given up on Wilson."I still think he has a future here," he said, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.Wilson was benched in the second half against Jacksonville for Chris Streveler, who threw for 90 yards on 10-for-15 passing and added 54 rushing yards.White became the starter over Wilson in Week 12. The 27-year-old put up a 62% completion rate with 952 yards and three touchdowns to two interceptions and posted a 1-2 record across three starts. He also added a score on the ground.New York visits the Seahawks and the Miami Dolphins in its final two games of the regular season. The 7-8 Jets, who've lost four in a row and are currently in the AFC East's basement, have a 14% chance of making the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl tackle Lane Johnson is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season with a torn tendon in his abdominal area, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Eagles are reportedly hopeful that Johnson will be back for the postseason.The veteran tackle suffered the injury in Saturday's 40-34 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys.Johnson has started every game for the Eagles this season, and his play earned him the fourth Pro Bowl selection of his career. Philadelphia's offensive line has drawn praise this year, with the team averaging 153.8 rushing yards per game, fourth-best in the NFL.The 32-year-old is the latest Pro Bowl player to be sidelined on the Eagles' offense after quarterback Jalen Hurts missed the Week 16 loss to the Cowboys with a shoulder strain. Hurts is reportedly uncertain for next week's matchup against the New Orleans Saints.Cornerback Avonte Maddox is also out indefinitely after suffering a significant toe injury against Dallas, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.Head coach Nick Sirianni said he expects Maddox and Johnson to miss "a little bit of time" but didn't give a timetable for their return, according to Reuben Frank of NBC Sports.Philadelphia holds the No. 1 spot in the NFC with a 13-2 record. The Eagles can lock up home-field advantage in the playoffs by winning one of their final two games.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each Monday, we'll finish off the week that was in the NFL with a look at value spots in the remaining game under one condition: You promise not to chase. Whether Sunday provided a boost to the accounts or left a little to be desired, Monday Night Football offers an opportunity to show responsibility in your betting. There will always be another wild Sunday to get lost in.The Colts are back in the spotlight - the last place they want to be after allowing the biggest comeback in NFL history a week ago Saturday. In what can only be described as an attempt to change their narrative, the Colts have again ousted Matt Ryan from the starting quarterback role.Meanwhile, the Chargers have a chance to shift their own narrative: the one that says when push comes to shove, they fall short. A win on the road in Indianapolis would clinch a playoff berth after the teams around them in the standings all lost this week. Punching that ticket would ease the pain of last season's Week 18 prime-time season finale where the Chargers lost in overtime in Las Vegas, missing the postseason by a half-game.Chargers @ Colts (+4, 44.5)When a football team makes a change at quarterback, there's an added variable - a "maybe" - attached to their immediate potential. Maybe Super Bowl winner Nick Foles resurrects his career with a big game.Is this a reward for being a good soldier deep down the depth chart this season after watching Sam Ehlinger flop and Ryan crash and burn? Or is Foles simply the last man standing in the quarterback room as the Colts return home after last week's catastrophe? Either way, it's not a ringing endorsement of Foles' ability to change Indianapolis' fortunes.Last week's loss, along with the other eight Colts defeats this season, wasn't solely caused by quarterback play. Jonathan Taylor's injury-plagued season has come to an early end, leaving Deon Jackson and Zack Moss responsible for taking advantage of the Chargers' run defense. But while Los Angeles is prone to allowing explosive run plays, Jackson's longest run this season is 17 yards and Moss' is 11 as a Colt.While Joey Bosa's return may wait another week, the Chargers still look to be getting a pair of key defenders back in Derwin James and Bryce Callahan. That should make life more difficult for Foles; unlike some younger, more agile backup quarterbacks, he doesn't provide a threat with his legs.There's not as much uncertainty when it comes to the Chargers' offense. Justin Herbert's stats are underwhelming in comparison to the eye test, but he's finally got a healthy stable of skill-position players, and outside of Rashawn Slater, the offensive line should be near full strength.With numerous good options near the goal line, the Chargers should find success in the red zone against the league's second-worst defense at preventing touchdowns. The Colts allow TDs on 67.5% of opponents' trips.Coming away with seven points instead of three on their deep drives will allow L.A. to extend a lead, which should put the immobile Foles in a vulnerable, pass-heavy position. Having escaped a letdown against the Titans last week, the focused Chargers take care of business to get back in the playoffs.Pick: Chargers -4Zach Moss under 55.5 rushing yardsMoss churned out 81 yards on 24 carries in a positive game state last week against the Vikings, and 3.4 yards per carry is a full yard below what Minnesota's defense allows. He doesn't possess the explosiveness that would normally suggest playing a tailback's over against the Chargers. More importantly, Moss probably won't see the same volume, since we shouldn't expect the Colts to take a big lead off of a blocked punt and numerous turnovers the way they did last week.Jelani Woods over 20.5 receiving yardsWith the Colts potentially trailing and forced into a pass-heavy game script, Foles should be turning to his tight ends. Kylen Granson's injury means there's one fewer option to pick from. In three games since Jelani Woods returned from injury, he has 98, 28, and 36 yards. In each game, he had a long reception of over 20 yards, so he might clear his total on a single catch Monday night.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The sports photographers at Getty Images snap action shots around the world. We illuminate 22 of our favorite images they captured this year.San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould celebrates the last-second field goal he booted to bounce the Green Bay Packers from the playoffs. Patrick McDermott / Getty ImagesFrance rugby union winger Gabin Villiere dives for a try while an Italian opponent despairs. Shaun Botterill / Getty ImagesChinese para alpine skier Liang Jingyi rams through a gate in the men's Super-G (standing) race at the Winter Paralympics in Beijing. Ryan Pierse / Getty ImagesDetroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant absorbs a foul from Duncan Robinson of the Miami Heat. Michael Reaves / Getty ImagesUConn forward Aaliyah Edwards sets to shoot against NC State in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies won the Elite Eight matchup but lost to South Carolina in the final. Elsa / Getty ImagesProfessional golfer Abraham Ancer tosses his glove on the 10th tee at the Mexico Open. Hector Vivas / Getty ImagesSloane Stephens plays a forehand return at the French Open. Clive Brunskill / Getty ImagesColorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon throws on the move to first base against the Atlanta Braves. Dustin Bradford / Getty ImagesFinals MVP trophy in hand, Stephen Curry celebrates the Golden State Warriors clinching the NBA title in Boston. Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBA / Getty ImagesUFC fighter Gloria de Paula strikes Maria Oliveira during their strawweight bout in Austin, Texas. Oliveira bounced back to win in a split decision. Carmen Mandato / Getty ImagesFresh off defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog hoists the Stanley Cup. Christian Petersen / Getty ImagesToronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk warms up for a home game on Canada Day. Mark Blinch / Getty ImagesAmerican sprinter Noah Lyles rejoices at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon. Lyles won the men's 200m final in 19.31 seconds, the fourth-fastest time ever recorded. Steph Chambers / Getty ImagesFans surround Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard amid the Tour de France's 18th stage. Vingegaard won the stage and went on to clinch his first yellow jacket as champion. Michael Steele / Velo / Getty ImagesTriumphant England players storm the postgame press conference to revel in their victory in the Euro 2022 final. England beat Germany 2-1 in extra time. Sarah Stier / UEFA / Getty ImagesEnglish long jumper Abigail Irozuru takes flight at the Commonwealth Games. David Ramos / Getty ImagesManchester City striker Erling Haaland scores a golazo to beat Borussia Dortmund - his former club - in the Champions League group stage. James Gill / Danehouse / Getty ImagesClemson defensive tackle Jabriel Robinson fires up the crowd before a home win over Louisiana Tech. Grant Halverson / Getty ImagesLas Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson celebrates the franchise's first WNBA championship. The Aces topped the Connecticut Sun in four games. Maddie Meyer / Getty ImagesHouston Astros players douse manager Dusty Baker with beer following the club's victory in the ALDS. Houston wound up winning the World Series. Steph Chambers / Getty ImagesTampa Bay Buccaneers defenders lunge in vain as Los Angeles Rams receiver Allen Robinson makes a highlight-reel catch. Mike Ehrmann / Getty ImagesUplifted by Argentina teammates and supporters, Lionel Messi raises the World Cup trophy in Qatar. Michael Regan / FIFA / Getty ImagesClick to see more of Getty's top photos from 2022.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Multiple running backs lost their starting roles under New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick due to ball security issues throughout the years, but Rhamondre Stevenson's job appears safe."I'm not going to second-guess Rhamondre on what he did," Belichick said Monday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. "Rhamondre's ball security has been pretty good all year. He had two hands on the ball, they were running him back, and they knocked it out at the end."Stevenson suffered a fourth-quarter fumble in the red zone that cost the Pats a chance to score a go-ahead touchdown during Saturday's 22-18 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals.Cincy opened a 22-0 lead in the first half, but New England scored 18 unanswered in the final two quarters and was yards away from completing a comeback.With 1:05 left and the team down by four, the Patriots handed the ball to Stevenson on a first-and-goal at the Bengals' 5-yard line. Cincy's linemen stopped the second-year running back at the line of scrimmage before safety Vonn Bell forced a fumble that Josh Tupou recovered to essentially seal the game."Rhamondre is a really good competitor. He's one of our best players. I'm sure he'll be ready to go," Belichick said when asked how the costly mistake will affect Stevenson in the final two weeks.The 24-year-old Stevenson leads New England with 944 rushing yards and five touchdowns through 15 games. Damien Harris, the team's leading rusher in 2020 and 2021, has missed six games this year due to injury, including the last four due to a thigh ailment.The 7-8 Patriots, who face the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills in their final two games of the season, only have a 20% chance of making the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady engineered a 10-point comeback in the fourth quarter, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime Sunday to earn a 19-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.More to come.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel knows there's little room for error if his team is to clinch a playoff spot."At some point, if we want to make the next step, we're going to have to put up or shut up," McDaniel said after his team lost its fourth straight game Sunday."I didn't foresee standing up here in this situation," he added. "I know the team feels the same way. Apparently, we needed another gut check."The Dolphins fell to 8-7 on the season after losing 26-20 to the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day.McDaniel lamented costly penalties and his offense's turnovers.Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for 200 yards in the first half but struggled in the second portion of the contest, throwing three interceptions in the final three drives.McDaniel said the ball "got away from Tua, which is not characteristic for him by any means.""He was executing at a pretty high level to start the game," McDaniel said. "I don't know where that went, but that's something that him and I will (overcome)."The Dolphins passer acknowledged his role in the team's loss postgame."It's terrible how everything ended," Tagovailoa said. "Like I told the guys, that's on me."Tagovailoa said he put too much power in his throw for the first interception, while "some communication errors" led to the second pick. He described the final interception to seal the win for the Packers as "not a good ball."The 24-year-old has now thrown six touchdowns to five interceptions during the team's four-game slide.Despite Tagovailoa's struggles, McDaniel called the loss an "overall team failure."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL moved the Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens matchup to Sunday Night Football for Week 17, flexing out the Los Angeles Rams-Los Angeles Chargers game to the afternoon.Pittsburgh rallied for a 13-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday to win its second straight game and improve to 7-8 on the season. The Steelers are tied with three other clubs in the standings and are one game back of the Miami Dolphins for the final wild-card spot in the AFC.Baltimore outlasted the Atlanta Falcons 17-9 in Week 16 to move to 10-5 on the season. It trails the Cincinnati Bengals by one game for first place in the AFC North with two games remaining in the season. The Ravens already clinched a playoff berth.The matchup between Pittsburgh and Baltimore marks the second showdown between the two clubs in four weeks. The Ravens edged the Steelers 16-14 in Week 14 on Dec. 11 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.The Rams-Chargers game will be played at 4:25 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle La'el Collins will miss the rest of the season after an MRI on Sunday revealed he tore his ACL and MCL, sources told the Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway.Collins left Saturday's win over the New England Patriots in the first quarter after a collision. Patriots defensive lineman Davon Godchaux rolled into Collins' left leg, sending him tumbling to the ground. Collins was able to walk off the field under his own power. After spending time in the medical tent, he was carted back to the locker room.Initial tests Saturday indicated that the 29-year-old didn't suffer any structural damage. "My knee feels pretty stable," Collins told ESPN's Ben Baby postgame.Quarterback Joe Burrow noted Collins' importance to the Bengals' offensive line after their Week 16 victory."L.C. has been playing out of this world for us, and we love to have him," Burrow said. "Hopefully, we'll see him back before the year is out."Collins was among the Bengals' prized acquisitions last offseason. He signed a three-year, $21-million contract with Cincinnati in March.Hakeem Adeniji replaced Collins following the injury.The Bengals (11-4) have clinched a playoff spot and remain in contention to win the AFC North with two games remaining in the regular season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Another NFL defender publicly criticized the play of New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones.Bengals cornerback Eli Apple accused the signal-caller of making a "dirty play" in Cincinnati's 22-18 win over the Patriots on Saturday.During the contest's fourth quarter, Cincinnati linebacker Germaine Pratt recovered a fumble that he was in the midst of returning for a touchdown when Jones appeared to dive at the legs of Apple, who was several yards behind Pratt."Of course I (noticed). He tripped me," Apple told NESN's Sean T. McGuire postgame. "I thought it was a dirty play. He's done that before - I've seen it."

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.Cowboys get a big one Sam Hodde / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Eagles and Cowboys are essentially locked into their spots in the NFC: Philly is all but assured the No. 1 seed, while Dallas is on track for the top wild-card position. But there was still something to play for in the latest meeting of two bitter rivals.The Cowboys, most notably, were out to prove they belong in the conversation with the soaring Eagles among the NFL's elite. While the absence of Jalen Hurts puts an asterisk on the result for some, it's tough to come away thinking those efforts were anything but a resounding success. If hanging 40 points on the NFL's No. 2-ranked defense isn't a statement for Dallas, what is?Dak Prescott rose to the occasion with his best performance of the season, completing 27-of-35 passes for 347 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception while adding another 41 yards on the ground. The Eagles were especially helpless trying to slow him down with zone coverage.

Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson broke Randy Moss' franchise record for most receiving yards in a season with a 25-yard reception in the first quarter of Saturday's 27-24 victory against the New York Giants.Moss previously held the record with a 1,632-yard season in 2003.Jefferson came into the Week 16 meeting with the Giants needing just 10 yards to pass Moss after posting 1,623 receiving yards across 14 games.The 23-year-old finished the game with 12 receptions for 133 yards, giving him 1,756 receiving yards on the season.Jefferson continues to close in on Calvin Johnson's single-season NFL record of 1,964 receiving yards set in 2012.Selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Jefferson has put up at least 1,400 receiving yards in each of his three seasons. Entering Saturday, he totaled 307 career receptions for 4,639 yards and 24 touchdowns.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Commanders benched quarterback Taylor Heinicke for Carson Wentz in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers.The Commanders struggled to move the ball on offense and trailed by 16 points when Wentz entered the game. They went on to lose 37-20.Heinicke finished the game with 166 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two turnovers, including his fourth-quarter interception that helped the 49ers extend their lead and triggered the move.Wentz had not played in a game since Week 6. He spent time on injured reserve with a fractured finger and never gained the starting job back.After the game, head coach Ron Rivera said the team would decide on the starter early next week, according to John Keim of ESPN.The Commanders sit at 7-7-1, and hold the last wild-card spot in the NFC.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed pessimism Saturday that free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will sign with the team for a playoff push."It's not realistic to think about having him in a meaningful way for the playoffs," Jones told reporters after the Cowboys earned a 40-34 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota. "Now, that's not dismissing the future."Jones said less than two weeks ago that there was a "good chance" Beckham would sign with the Cowboys for the final stretch of the season. He changed his tune days later, though, saying Dec. 20 that the chances of Beckham joining the Cowboys were diminishing each day.Beckham hasn't played since Super Bowl LVI when he tore his ACL while suiting up for the Los Angeles Rams. He's taken visits to the Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, and New York Giants ahead of his anticipated return, while the Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly also been in contact with him.The 30-year-old Beckham caught 21 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the 2021 playoffs. The three-time Pro Bowler posted 27 receptions for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular-season games with the Rams last season after coming over from the Cleveland Browns.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Chicago Bears 35-13 on Saturday at Soldier Field to claim their third straight AFC East title.More to come.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley was voted as the AFC's fourth alternate Pro Bowl quarterback despite failing to throw a touchdown in his two starts this season, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Lamar Jackson - who will miss his third straight game Saturday due to a knee injury - is the third alternate, opening up the possibility the Ravens could be the first team ever to send two quarterbacks to the Pro Bowl, according to Schefter.That would require multiple other quarterbacks to drop out of the revamped Pro Bowl. Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow were named as the conference's top three quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert were picked as the primary two alternates.In four appearances in 2022, Huntley has thrown for 413 yards and zero touchdowns to two interceptions while adding 87 yards and a touchdown on the ground.The Ravens' backup signal-caller finished Pro Bowl voting above the likes of Trevor Lawrence and Derek Carr. Lawrence has thrown for 24 touchdowns against seven interceptions, while Carr has tossed 23 scores against 11 picks.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former New Orleans Saints sideline boss Sean Payton is building an 'All-Star' coaching staff as he prepares for a potential return to the NFL, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Payton is targeting former Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio as a possible defensive coordinator on his crew, Schefter adds.The former Saints coach stepped away from his position after leading New Orleans for 15 seasons, though he left the door open for an NFL return. Payton reiterated his desire to coach again earlier this month, saying he thinks a comeback could happen "sooner than later" on Tom Brady's "Let's Go!" podcast.However, any team fetching Payton, who is still under the Saints' control contractually, will have to make him one of the league's highest-paid coaches and provide New Orleans with draft pick compensation, Schefter reports.Fangio has built a reputation for his work on the defensive side of the ball. He last served as head coach of the Broncos from 2019-21 but was dismissed after the club failed to post a winning record in each of his three years at the helm.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien is a strong option to return to the New England Patriots and resume his position as the offense's leader, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.O'Brien, who's been the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator for the last two seasons, held the same role in New England in 2011, helping to form the NFL's third-highest scoring unit after four years with the team in various assistant roles.The Patriots have struggled on offense this season without an official coordinator. Former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia is the team's play-caller, while ex-New York Giants head coach Joe Judge is assisting as the quarterbacks coach.New England ranks 25th in yards per game (319.5), 26th in offensive touchdowns per game (1.7), and 29th in third-down conversation rate (34.09%).With quarterback Mac Jones enduring a sophomore slump following a promising rookie season, it appears the Patriots are looking to bring in an experienced offensive mind to help revitalize Jones' career.Under O'Brien, Alabama tied for fourth in scoring offense this season (40.8) and sixth in 2021 (39.6).Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 16.Half PPR

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is uncertain to play in the Week 17 meeting against the New Orleans Saints due to his shoulder sprain injury, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Hurts, who was already ruled out for Saturday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, is dealing with a SC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, Schefter reports.How the NFC playoff picture comes together and Hurts' response to treatment will aid the Eagles in determining whether the signal-caller returns against the Saints, Schefter adds.Hurts will try to play through the injury if the Eagles fall to the Cowboys on Saturday, Schefter notes. Philadelphia is one win away from securing home-field advantage through the playoffs.A former second-round pick, Hurts is having an MVP caliber season. He's set career highs in completion percentage (67.3%), passing yards (3,472), passing touchdowns (22), and passer rating (104.6). He's also added 13 rushing scores.Gardner Minshew is set to start in his place against the Cowboys.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin has been suspended for at least one year for violating the NFL's gambling policy, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Rich Cimini.Austin's attorney Bill Deni released a statement per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo confirming the suspension is for wagering on "table games and non-NFL professional sports." However, gambling on any sport is prohibited for NFL personnel, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Austin will appeal the suspension.He joined the Jets as their wide receivers coach in 2021 after starting his coaching career with the San Francisco 49ers as an offensive quality control coach in 2019.The 38-year-old played in the NFL for 10 seasons, spending eight with the Dallas Cowboys and one each with the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We finished Week 15 with another 5-5 split, right on track with this season's mediocre results. We're one game over .500, which isn't the follow-up we hoped for after last year's 90-63-1 effort through 15 weeks. The final two weeks of the campaign are wildly unpredictable, so this is our last chance to finish with a few extra dollars in our stocking - the most fun Christmas prop of all.Andy Dalton under 139.5 passing yardsWith heavy winds in the forecast, there's a chance Taysom Hill gets more snaps at quarterback than Dalton. In fact, I think it's probable. Even if Dalton gets the lion's share of the work under center, his usual receiving corps - Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry - will be mostly absent due to injury. The conditions will remove the Saints' burgeoning deep threat Rashid Shaheed from the game's equation, so unless one or two short passes go a long way, Dalton will stay under an already low total.Isiah Pacheco over 67.5 rushing yardsIt hasn't taken any special tricks on offense to beat the Seahawks' defense lately. Since taking over the lead ball-carrier role in the Chiefs' offense, Pacheco had less than 67 yards rushing just once in six games, which came when he wasn't able to take advantage of a closer-type role late in a loss at the Bengals and finished with 66. With Kansas City 10-point favorites on Saturday, he should have the opportunity to add to his total.Cole Kmet under 29.5 receiving yardsKmet has had between four and seven targets in his last six games and has still gone under this total in two of those matchups. Heavy winds are expected in Chicago, and one of the league's top cover linebackers in the Bills' Matt Milano will be keeping his eye on the underneath passing options, so Kmet might see less usage than usual and have shorter completions when he does connect with Justin Fields.Daniel Jones over 227.5 passing yardsOnly the Lions give up more yards per pass attempt than the Vikings, which is why this total is as high as it is - Jones has put up more than 230 yards just once all season. The Giants will have to keep up with the Vikings' offense, but a rare dome game against a bad defense should set up his most passing volume of the year.Josh Uche over 0.5 sacksThe Patriots get to the quarterback, owning the third-most sacks in the NFL this season. The Bengals give up sacks, allowing the sixth-most in the league this season. Uche has at least half-a-sack in six straight games, as the second-year linebacker out of Michigan has found a prominent role as a pass-rusher with defenses required to focus on Matthew Judon.Desmond Ridder under 141.5 passing yardsA combination of the Falcons' willingness to run the football and a neutered Ravens' offense should keep Atlanta within arms' length of Baltimore. There shouldn't be much reason to have Ridder throw the ball much. Even when he did in his debut last week, the rookie quarterback only completed half his attempts and didn't crack 100 passing yards. This is an even tougher matchup.Christian McCaffrey under 80.5 rushing yardsThe 49ers relied on McCaffrey to carry them to victory over Seattle last week, but that strategy might run him right into the wall that is the Commanders' defensive line. He may be a better option in the passing game, but clearing 80 yards on the ground is asking a lot in what should be a competitive contest.Dallas Goedert over 40.5 receiving yardsIn his final season in Jacksonville, Gardner Minshew leaned heavily on intermediate targets like tight end Tyler Eifert and hybrid receiver Laviska Shenault. In Minshew's only game with Eagles' starters last year, he found Goedert six times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Goedert is returning from injury, so his yardage total is lined lower than if he was in midseason form, but he's still Philly's third-leading pass-catcher.Josh Jacobs under 84.5 rushing yardsJacobs is still getting the heavy workload for the Raiders, but no one wants to run the ball more than the Panthers, and all their running backs could muster last week against the Steelers was 19 yards on 14 carries. Pittsburgh has allowed just 3.6 yards per carry in home games, and the team should have one of the rare hyped holiday crowds on Christmas Eve. The Raiders may have to lean on Derek Carr if the Steelers jump out to a lead.Trace McSorley under 190.5 passing yardsA sub-200 yardage total is not a great sign if you're playing in perfect conditions, which is all you need to know about this matchup between McSorley and a hungry Bucs' defense that was forced into defending short fields last week. McSorley did enter the Cardinals' last game but had a poor showing, completing 7 of 15 passes for 95 yards and two interceptions.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there’s a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams will likely shut down star defensive tackle Aaron Donald for the remainder of the season, head coach Sean McVay said Friday, according to team reporter Stu Jackson.With the Rams officially eliminated from playoff contention, McVay said Donald - who has missed the last three games with a knee injury - "probably" won't play again in 2022.The head coach officially ruled Donald out from Sunday's Christmas game against the Denver Broncos.The three-time Defensive Player of the Year earned his ninth straight Pro Bowl nomination this season despite L.A.'s overall team struggles and his drop in production.Donald has just five sacks in 11 appearances this year after racking up double-digit quarterback takedowns in each of his last five campaigns.The 31-year-old contemplated retirement after guiding the Rams to a Super Bowl title and earning MVP honors in the win over the Cincinnati Bengals last season.However, he opted to return after agreeing to a new three-year, $95-million deal in June that made him the NFL's highest-paid non-passer.After also dealing with major injuries to quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp, the reigning champions sit at 4-10 entering Week 16.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh reiterated his backing of Zach Wilson despite the quarterback's ongoing struggles."We're not going to quit on him," Saleh said Friday, according to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt.Wilson was benched for Chris Streveler in Thursday night's 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars after completing just nine of 18 passes for 92 yards and an interception.Saleh believes a lack of confidence is the root cause of Wilson's issues under center."It's a tough thing to overcome," Saleh noted. "But it doesn't take much to flip confidence. He just needs to get on a little run."The Jets' head coach declined to name Wilson the starter for Week 17 if Mike White isn't ready to return, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. White took over the starting job from the former second-overall pick but has missed the last two games due to a rib injury.Saleh stood behind Wilson throughout the campaign despite his inconsistencies as a passer. However, when asked if the 23-year-old is still the franchise's quarterback of the future, he replied, "We're not going to quit on anybody. I have confidence in all of our guys."The Jets, who started the season 7-4, have dropped four in a row and fallen out of a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Wilson has thrown six touchdowns to seven interceptions across nine starts.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers and guard Elgton Jenkins have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension worth up to $74 million, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Jenkins' new deal has a base value of $68 million and contains a $24-million signing bonus, Rapoport adds.The new pact also makes Jenkins the NFL's second-highest-paid guard behind Quenton Nelson, whose contract averages $20 million per season.Jenkins, who's a year removed from a season-ending ACL injury, was playing in the final year of his rookie contract.The 26-year-old has started 12 games for Green Bay this campaign after missing Week 1 while still recovering from knee surgery.Jenkins has given up just three sacks this season, two of which came when the team asked him to start at right tackle.The Packers shifted him back to his more natural left guard spot - where he earned a Pro Bowl nomination in 2020 - from Week 7. Jenkins has returned to form since the move, allowing zero pressures or sacks over the last four games, according to PFF.Green Bay selected Jenkins in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft following a standout career at Mississippi State.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SSSQ is a weekly look at underappreciated fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 16 rankings, or you can also listen to the Week 16 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.StartKirk Cousins, Vikingsvs. Giants David Berding / Getty Images Sport / GettyCousins is heating up at the right time.The 34-year-old has thrown for 885 yards, six touchdowns, and two picks over the last two weeks. He's also finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback three times in the last month.The Giants are a middle-of-the-pack matchup, but this is one of the few games on this slate that should avoid the elements. The result is one of the highest projected point totals of the week at 48.5.Start Cousins with confidence as a top-six fantasy option.Boone's projection: 293 passing yards, 3 passing TDsOther QBs to start

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest. Follow the links below to see his rankings for Week 16.The final rankings will be released Saturday morning.Half PPR

The Baltimore Ravens will start quarterback Tyler Huntley in Saturday's game against the Atlanta Falcons with Lamar Jackson still sidelined due to a knee injury, head coach John Harbaugh announced Thursday.It'll be Jackson's third consecutive missed contest.Huntley appeared on the injury report Wednesday with a right shoulder issue, but Harbaugh said it isn't a concern.Despite Jackson's extended absence, the Ravens can clinch a playoff spot in Week 16 with a win over Atlanta and losses by two of three other wild-card hopefuls (the New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins).While Baltimore has gone 2-1 without the former MVP, the offense has struggled, averaging an NFL-worst 9.7 points per game over that time.Jackson has thrown for 2,241 yards and 17 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 12 starts in 2022. He's also racked up 764 yards and three scores with his legs.The Ravens will also be without defensive end Calais Campbell and cornerback Marcus Peters against the Falcons due to knee and calf injuries, respectively.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A 17-point lead in the NFL is sometimes a more important accomplishment for those betting the moneyline than it seems. Week 15's selections were good enough to go 4-1 against the spread (season: 45-27-3) and should have cashed four of the ten connected moneyline parlays.Unfortunately, you may have been gasping for air after the Colts started the weekend with a historic collapse. A 33-0 halftime lead wasn't good enough for Jeff Saturday and Matt Ryan to beat the Vikings outright. Then, to make matters worse, the Buccaneers blew a 17-0 lead and didn't even cover, keeping our outright underdogs at 2-3 and just out of cashing range.How it worksWe parlay five underdogs we like ATS in 10 different three-team parlays. Using every combination of a three-team parlay is called a round robin. We'll use a total of 1.1 units to make 11 different bets: 10 three-team parlays and one five-team parlay, each for .1 units. You'll likely double your money if three teams pull off the upset. If four teams win, you're connecting on four separate parlays and will be very pleased with the return. If all five teams win, you'll be diving into a silo of gold doubloons like a young Scrooge McDuck.Who to playSaints +130Let's start with the purest form of the moneyline bet - the "weighted coin game." The 50-mph winds in the forecast for Cleveland on Saturday levels the playing field. Luck and variance become a bigger factor, with the potential for any touchdown to be followed by a two-point conversion rather than a wind-affected kick.The Saints can turn to Taysom Hill in case of an emergency, so if this game becomes a ground-heavy attack for both sides, he and Alvin Kamara can be just as effective as the Browns' rushers - who've had a lower per-carry success rate than you'd think. In a true toss-up, we'll take the side at a plus-money price.Patriots +140You're welcome to be bitter about the Patriots' loss. Keelan Cole's toes were out of bounds, and Jakobi Meyers made one of the dumbest plays in sports history.You're also within your rights to be bitter if you faded the Bengals last week. Cincinnati won and covered with just 237 total yards - 3.8 yards per play. That's virtually unheard of. Defensive end Sam Hubbard now joins Trey Hendrickson on the sideline, a week after the Bengals gave up 5.7 yards per play to a Bucs team averaging 5 yards per play on the season.The biggest issue for New England has been the untimely sacks taken by Mac Jones, but with the Bengals missing players accounting for 12.5 of their 22 sacks and the Patriots coming off a 200-yard rushing game in Las Vegas, that shouldn't be an issue this week.Commanders +275Much was made of Brock Purdy's 11-for-11 start in Seattle last Thursday, but next to nothing was made of his 6-for-15 finish. The opening script worked well for the rookie quarterback on the road, but it helped that the Seahawks were incapable of consistently stopping Christian McCaffrey. The Commanders' defensive line - which may have cameo appearances from Chase Young in passing situations - is going to provide a bigger challenge from the outset.Washington outgained the Giants by more than two yards per play Sunday night, so it was unlucky to lose that game beyond the questionable officiating late on. With the NFC West clinched, the 49ers are nestled in the 2-3 pocket of the playoff picture, while the Commanders' backs are firmly against the wall.Eagles +185*Note the price before you play the Eagles. I don't buy the rumblings that Jalen Hurts plays in this game, which caused the line to creep back down and the moneyline price to shorten. He'll eventually be ruled out, but I don't buy that Philadelphia won't be competitive in this game either.All the Eagles' front office has done in its tenure is immediately plug holes in the roster and provide depth in case of injury. That they've had Gardner Minshew behind Hurts for two years and haven't felt the need to upgrade tells me they're comfortable with him in the short term. This moneyline should find its way back over +200, and the line should get back to +6 or higher. That'll trigger a bet against the Cowboys, who've looked far from solid in recent weeks.Packers +170We've lost some value on the spread, and it doesn't appear +6 is coming back, but Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are very live for an upset with two home games left to run the table. Green Bay owns a top-five offense in Football Outsiders' DVOA since Week 10, and the Dolphins' defense has allowed the sixth-worst opponent passer rating going against anyone from Brock Purdy to Justin Herbert to Josh Allen.It's worth wondering out loud: What's Miami's best win this season? Early-season victories over the Ravens and Bills came with unsustainable statistics - 8.6 yards per play for Baltimore and net 200 yards from Buffalo. The Packers are in for a shootout.Here's how the odds look this week:PARLAYODDS (Approx.)NO+NE+WSH+2000NO+NE+PHI+1750NO+NE+GB+1450NO+WSH+PHI+2600NO+WSH+GB+2200NO+PHI+GB+1900NE+WSH+PHI+2750NE+WSH+GB+2300NE+PHI+GB+2000WSH+PHI+GB+3000NO+NE+WSH+PHI+GB+15000Who are your five underdogs for a football betting lottery ticket?Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there’s a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.