The Associated Press named Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua a finalist for their Offensive Player of the Year
As the Los Angeles Rams are preparing to face the Seattle Seahawks for a chance to go to Super Bowl LX, one of their players is making headlines for his performance during the regular season. The Associated Press named Rams wide Receiver Puka Nacua as one of five finalists for their Offensive Player of the Year.
Nacua also earned Pro-Bowl and First-team All Pro Honors for his performance this past season. The 24-year old has been with the Rams since they drafted him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft.
This past season, Nacua had a league-leading 129 receptions and 1,715 total yards, second highest in the NFL, to average 13.3 yards per carry, and had 11 touchdowns as the Rams went 12-5. Additionally, he was a part of an offensive squad that averaged 30.5 points per game, which was the highest in the NFL.
His most recent game was Jan. 17 against the Chicago Bears in the divisional round, where Los Angeles won in an overtime thriller. Nacua had 56 yards on five receptions in that game.
The other four finalists for the award are: Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The winner of the award will be announced Feb. 5. Fellow Ram quarterback Matthew Stafford was named a finalist for the MVP.
The Rams will take on their division rival Seahawks Jan. 25 at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Patriots, Jaguars vying for top seed. The Broncos received a massive belated Christmas gift on Monday courtesy of Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who relinquished all gamesmanship and said point-blank that Los Angeles would rest star quarterback Justin Herbert. Denver would have to absolutely implode to lose Sunday’s matchup. In such an event, though, New England (13-3) and Jacksonville (12-4) would be set up to seize that vaunted No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Patriots are playing a 7-9 Dolphins team that’s been mathematically eliminated; the Jaguars face 3-13 Tennessee, one of the worst teams in the NFL. Denver can’t afford to get too cute here.
Fernando-mania. The Raiders are the NFL’s hottest current mess. They’ve lost 10 straight. The Pete Carroll experiment seems all but destined to end after one unceremonious year. 48-year-old minority owner Tom Brady was captured by TMZ getting a little close with 25-year-old influencer Alix Earle on New Year’s Eve. Las Vegas continues to be in the news for plenty of reasons beyond the actual on-field product. The good news? Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is only solidifying his case as a legitimate No. 1 pick, with a 14-of-16 line for 192 yards and three touchdowns in a drubbing of Alabama at the Rose Bowl on Thursday. Raiders general manager John Spytek has to be licking his chops.
Rivers done, again. The great season-saving Philip Rivers Experiment is over, as the 44-year-old will now step back into retirement after three losses in Indianapolis. What a valiant effort it was, though: Rivers has a higher QBR (39.3) in three starts in 2025 than the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa or the Raiders’ Geno Smith have this season. The Colts announced rookie QB Riley Leonard will start in Week 18, with Indianapolis (8-8) removed from playoff contention. Rivers, though, expressed nothing but gratitude for the opportunity.
“I got three bonus games that I never saw coming,” Rivers told reporters, “and couldn’t be more thankful that I got an opportunity.”
Around the NFC
Teach me how to Purdy. It’s time to officially crown San Francisco as serious NFC contenders. The 49ers were a distant afterthought in their own division a couple months back, floating at 6-4 behind Seattle and the Rams. Suddenly, the Niners have ripped off six wins in a row with the return of starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who’s playing with rarely-before-seen levels of confidence. Case in point: hitting a nasty Dougie after a touchdown against the Bears last Sunday in a 24-of-33, 303-yard, five-total-TD performance. As 49ers tight end George Kittle has said, heaven “forbid a white guy has a little bit of motion.”
Packers get secondary help. Green Bay’s seen an unexpected influx of Cowboys into their building in 2025. First came Micah Parsons. Now, former All-Pro Trevon Diggs is joining the fray after Dallas cut bait and waived him this week. The cornerback is far from the same player who led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, torched for four touchdowns and a 157.2 quarterback rating in eight games this season. But there’s still talent in there, and perhaps Diggs will be motivated by a fresh start.
Can Stafford seize an MVP? The race for the league’s top award is still wide-open entering Week 18. Support for the Rams’ Matthew Stafford, long the season favorite, has faltered significantly after he threw three interceptions in Monday’s 27-24 loss to the Falcons. The stats don’t lie, though: Stafford’s 42 touchdown passes are nine more than any other NFL quarterback entering the final regular-season game of the year. If Stafford gets back on track against the 3-13 Cardinals Sunday, consider the Most Valuable Player discussion wrapped up.
Game of the Week
Baltimore at Pittsburgh
It’s a Sunday Night doozy. Lamar Jackson vs. Aaron Rodgers for sole possession of an AFC North title — and a playoff berth. Loser’s bounced out of the bracket entirely. Jackson confirmed this week he’ll play after missing last Saturday’s win with a back contusion, in what’s been an overall-frustrating year for the MVP due to injuries and roster instability.
There could be major long-term ramifications on the line for both organizations in Pittsburgh on Sunday. A Ravens loss could bring an end of an era to the John Harbaugh-Jackson partnership in Baltimore, with trade rumors swirling around Jackson for the better part of a strange season. A Steelers loss could bring an end to the Mike Tomlin era in Pittsburgh, with rampant speculation (okay, there’s speculation literally every year) around Tomlin’s job security. Sunday should, in general, bring a unique new chapter in a historic NFL rivalry.
Lock of the Week
Tennessee at Jacksonville
There aren’t a ton of playoff teams with a ton left to play for in Week 18. The Jaguars are one of them. And they just so happen to be facing the 3-13 Titans. Tennessee’s been playing much-improved offensive ball across the last month, as rookie Cam Ward has six touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three starts. Still, the Jaguars should be motivated to put this one to bed early to preserve a shot at the one-seed and get their starters some second-half rest.
Jaguars 31, Titans 20
Upset of the Week
Washington at Philadelphia
Don’t look now, but the reigning champs should be squarely back in the thick of the Super Bowl discussion. Philadelphia’s offense is still a sludge. But Vic Fangio’s defense is playing as well as any unit in the league: the Eagles have surrendered just 14.5 points a game across their last eight weeks.
That being said, this could be a classic end-of-year stunner. Philadelphia’s resting quarterback Jalen Hurts against the Commanders, despite a shot at the No. 2 seed if they’d beat Washington. That’d signal the Eagles will sit other key starters; Washington’s suffered through a brutal season with Jayden Daniels banged up, but backup Marcus Mariota has done some solid work at times. This could be an ugly, meaningless upset.
Defense wins championships. In the case of the Atlanta Falcons, that will not be happening, at least not this season, but it does win games.
The Los Angeles Rams hadn’t been held scoreless during the first half of a game all season before they set foot in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night. The Falcons had failed to hold an opponent scoreless during the first half of any game this season before they began the game on Monday night.
The Atlanta Falcons are at the end of the road. There’s only one remaining game on the 2025 schedule, and after Monday night’s 27-24 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, there’s a good chance to end the season on a high note. The Falcons are now on a three-game winning streak, and the defense has to be given a ton of credit for that recent run of success.
“We got some turnovers early. I thought we did a nice job of doing that as a team,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said after the game. “That was a great team win and a great team effort to be able to hold that team scoreless.”
Rivalry Renewed: Next up for the Falcons (7-9 overall), winners of their last three, is the New Orleans Saints (6-10), winners of their last four. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had only thrown five interceptions this season before he was picked off three times on Monday night. Jessie Bates III returned a first-half interception for a touchdown, and rookie safety Xavier Watts intercepted two Stafford passes during the second quarter and the fourth quarter. Watts nearly returned the fourth-quarter interception for a touchdown, but stepped out of bounds near midfield.
“Great night. The guys came to play tonight, and they played a good football team,” said Morris, the former defensive coordinator for the Rams during their Super Bowl season in 2022.
A former college safety during his playing days at Hofstra University, Morris will happily hang his hat on the same rack as current Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Atlanta’s defense is second in the league with 53 sacks (Denver is first with 64), 11th in passing yards allowed, and 14th in total yards allowed.
During the game against the Rams, the Falcons got sacks from four different players, including Khalid Kareem, whose name was on the practice squad list as early as the beginning of the week. Leonard Floyd, Brandon Dorlus, and Ruke Orhorhoro had the other sacks.
Watts’ five interceptions is the most for a Falcons rookie since Deion Sanders had five in 1989.
That defensive effort could be seen as a sign of what this team is capable of when healthy and focused. Or it could just be a good night in a season of bad nights. The Falcons’ defense also gave up 21 unanswered points, including a touchdown on a blocked field goal late in the third quarter. Either way, the Atlanta Falcons won their seventh game of the season.
Next up for the Falcons (7-9 overall), winners of their last three, is the New Orleans Saints (6-10), winners of their last four. Neither team is going to make the playoffs, but both are playing their final game of the season with momentum on the line. Kickoff for the Sunday, January 4 game will be 1 p.m.
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Monday night was the second Monday Night Football game of the season for the Falcons. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Zane Gonzalez hit a 52-yard field goal to win the game. I repeat: 52 yards to win on Monday night over the Los Angeles Rams. The Falcons have now won three games in a row. This is not a prank. This is the real deal.
The Los Angeles Rams hadn’t been held scoreless during the first half of a game all season before they set foot in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons had failed to hold an opponent scoreless during the first half of any game this season. On Monday, against a team with nearly twice as many victories, Atlanta accomplished that feat.
That defensive effort could be seen as a sign of what this team is capable of when healthy and focused. Or it could just be a good night in a season of bad nights. The Falcons’ defense also gave up 21 unanswered points, including a touchdown on a blocked field goal late in the third quarter. Either way, the Atlanta Falcons won their seventh game of the season.
The Atlanta Falcons are at the end of the road. There’s only one remaining game on the 2025 schedule, and after Monday night’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams, there’s a good chance to end the season on a high note. The Falcons are now on a three-game winning streak.
On Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons faced the Los Angeles Rams in a game that meant much more to the visiting Rams than it did to the Falcons. But only in the standings. The Rams were a game behind the San Francisco 49ers and two games behind the Seattle Seahawks, two teams that had defeated the Falcons this season. Atlanta, on the other hand, was looking to extend their two-game winning streak and get another game closer to going .500 at home.
There’s one more Falcons home game to play this season. Up Next: the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The game got off to a competitive start, with Atlanta scoring on the second offensive possession of the game. The 11-play, 65-yard drive included Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins finding receivers David Sills IV and Darnell Mooney on long pass routes, and running back Bijan Robinson with a pair of passes, the latter for the first touchdown of the game. Robinson came into the game with 2,000 total yards from scrimmage and had already passed the 800-yard receiving mark following the first quarter. In just his third season, Robinson now has the team’s single-season record for most yards from scrimmage.
On the following defensive possession, the Falcons’ defensive front, arguably the MVP of the season, got a big fourth-down stop on their own 13-yard line. Reserve edge rusher Khalid Kareem came up with the big stop on Rams running back Kyren Williams.
Early in the second quarter, Atlanta failed to take advantage of that seven-point cushion and punted on their next possession. The Rams, led by former University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, did even worse on their next opportunity to score. Stafford was not only picked off by Falcons safety Jessie Bates III at the Rams’ 25-yard line, but he had to watch Bates III make his way into the end zone, putting Atlanta ahead 14-0 following the extra point by kicker Zane Gonzalez.
The interception was only the fifth of the season for Stafford. He would throw a sixth interception on the following Rams possession. Prior to Monday night, Stafford had only thrown two interceptions in one game this season, a 31-28 loss at Carolina on November 30. Stafford was sacked twice in that game. He was sacked four times during the first half of the game on Monday night.
Robinson added a second touchdown to his 125-yard first half with a 93-yard run that put Atlanta ahead 21-0 with 1:28 remaining in the first half.
Falcons rookie safety Xavier Watts intercepted two Stafford passes during the game. The latter ended a drive that could have tied the score with nine minutes remaining in the game. Watts now has five interceptions on the season.
None of that mattered as the Rams scored 21 unanswered points to tie the game at 24 with less than three minutes to play. Rams receiver Puca Nacua, who had been a problem the entire game, scored the game-tying touchdown.
Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua delivered standout performances, but the Rams were unable to close out a game they once controlled, falling to the Seattle Seahawks in overtime
The Rams appeared firmly in command after taking a 30-14 lead in the fourth quarter. Defensive end Kobie Turner dropped into coverage and intercepted Sam Darnold at the goal line, but Los Angeles failed to capitalize. The offense went three-and-out on three consecutive possessions, including one that led to a 58-yard punt return touchdown by Rashid Shaheed, acquired by Seattle from New Orleans at the trade deadline.
Davante Adams missed the game with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 15 against Detroit, and his absence was felt in the red zone. Seattle’s defense forced the Rams to settle for two field goals from inside the 10-yard line to open their scoring.
Los Angeles limited Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first half, holding him without a catch on one target. Smith-Njigba turned the tide after halftime, finishing with eight receptions for 96 yards and the overtime touchdown that set up the winning two-point conversion.
Seattle tied the game at 30-30 late in the fourth quarter after a strange sequence on a two-point conversion. What was initially ruled an incomplete pass was overturned on replay and ruled a backward pass, resulting in a fumble recovered by Seattle in the end zone for a successful try. After the game, coach Sean McVay said he was not making excuses but wanted clarity on how the play was reviewed after both teams were preparing for the ensuing kickoff. “I’ve never seen anything like that,” McVay said. “I grew up around the game.”
With 2:11 remaining in regulation, Rams kicker Harrison Mevis missed a 48-yard field goal wide right, his first miss of the season.
In overtime, Stafford connected with Nacua on a 41-yard touchdown pass to give the Rams a 37-30 lead.
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The Seahawks responded with a drive highlighted by a 21-yard toe-tap reception by former Ram Cooper Kupp. Seattle moved down to the 4-yard line, where Darnold found Smith-Njigba for the touchdown. The Seahawks then went for two, and tight end Eric Saubert slipped out after selling a block, hauling in his first catch of the game for the winning conversion.
Stafford threw for a season-high 457 yards, while Nacua caught 12 passes for a career-best 225 yards.
The loss drops the Rams out of the NFC’s top seed and leaves them likely headed for a road game in the wild-card round.
Fresh off a dominant display on home turf, the Rams have the chance to continue proving themselves on the road to hopefully earn their seventh win in a row
There’s a heap of excitement swirling around the LA Rams team and their wonderful fans. And can anyone be surprised? Now sitting atop the entire NFC conference, winning six in a row, boasting the front-runner for this year’s MVP, and playing an unstoppable level of football offensively and defensively, the Rams are not only legit Super Bowl contenders, they’re flat-out the best team in the NFL currently. Stafford has continued establishing his firm case for MVP alongside his all-star cast of offensive weapons. And on the other side of the ball, players like Emmanuel Forbes Jr, Jared Verse, and Byron Young, among others, have turned the defense into a clear-cut elite unit.
After a landslide 34-7 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, granted a few unlucky injuries sustained on their side, the Rams must now focus on an intriguing 6-6 Carolina Panthers team in week 13, who are currently second in the NFC South. Intriguing because, for a team that was considered bottom of the barrel last year, they’ve been teetering between greatness and lackluster throughout the current season.
There are plenty of promising positives surrounding this young and hungry Panthers team. Their new RB1, Rico Dowdle, has seemingly revived his career after a failed stint with the Dallas Cowboys. Many teams wrote off the six-year veteran as another journeyman running back, but upon signing with Carolina, Dowdle has since turned into one of the best running backs in the league.
When former starting running back Chuba Hubbard went down with a calf injury earlier in the season, Dowdle stepped up in historic fashion. He became the first running back since Dalvin Cook in 2020 to post two back-to-back games of 200 yards, one in week 5 against the Miami Dolphins with 206 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards, and the other in week 6 against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, with 183 rushing yards and 56 receiving yards. He seemingly overtook the starting job at the RB position, much to everyone’s surprise, including the Panthers’ coaching staff.
Another bright spot is their rookie wide receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, who has easily become their best receiving threat, and a standout among the entire rookie class this year. He is well on his way to earning more than 1,000 receiving yards, along with roughly 80 receptions. McMillan clearly has Pro Bowl level talent and should help elevate this team in the coming years.
Long gone are the days of Carolina’s defensive unit being the punchline of every joke. They are currently 16th in passing yards and 19th in rushing yards—while it certainly isn’t the best, it’s definitely a huge upgrade from what we’ve seen in recent years. And this is largely due to arguably their best player, cornerback Jaycee Horn. Horn was the former 8th overall pick in the 2021 draft, and has proved to be one of the more notable players at the position since then, and is now seen as a top 10 cornerback in the NFL.
The shaky area of the team still surrounds quarterback Bryce Young. Sure, he’s made massive strides of improvement from last year as a player and an overall leader. He’s had stellar games, like his otherworldly 448 passing yards and 3 touchdown performance in week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons, but he’s also shown flashes of his old self, like his previous match against the San Francisco 49ers where he had 169 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Bryce has given us glimpses of excellence, but lacks the consistency to take him over the hump to be considered an actual threat.
The injuries for Carolina are unfortunately plentiful, with CB Damarri Mathis (knee), G Robert Hunt (bicep), WR David Moore (elbow), LB Patrick Jones II (back), G Brady Christensen (achilles), and CB Corey Thornton (fibula) on the IR list. LB Claudin Cherelus (concussion), G Chandler Zavala (calf), C Cade Mays, LB Christian Rozeboom, LB Trevin Wallace, and CB Jaycee Horn (concussion) are listed as questionable.
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For the Rams, TE Tyler Higbee (ankle), S Quentin Lake (elbow), and OT Rob Havenstein (ankle) are on injury reserve. WR Tutu Atwell, who was on IR for the past few weeks, as been elevated to questionable, so hopefully he’ll fully return to action come Sunday. The other players listed as questionable are OT David Quessenberry and WR Xavier Smith.
Sunday’s game should be a fun one after the Thanksgiving festivities have cooled down. If your leftovers make it from Thursday until then, nothing pairs with Rams football better than a delicious sandwich packed with all the Thanksgiving fixings. Catch Stafford and company attempt to continue their gridiron excellence at 10:00 AM PST, Sunday morning.
The Kansas City Chiefs saved their season. The Philadelphia Eagles gave critics more fuel. The Los Angeles Rams made a dominant statement.
There were more questions than answers Sunday in the NFL.
Patrick Mahomes did just enough to rally the Chiefs to a 23-20 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Kansas City’s dominant defense gave him the opportunity.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit forced the Colts to go three-and-out on their final four possessions. The Chiefs shut down the NFL’s leading rusher, holding Jonathan Taylor to 58 yards on 16 carries. Colts coach Shane Steichen inexplicably gave Taylor the ball only once on the last three drives of regulation.
Mahomes threw for 352 yards but didn’t have any touchdowns. He looked skittish at times under pressure, rushing his reads and hurrying his passes.
The Chiefs (6-5) couldn’t afford another loss as they fight to make the playoffs after winning nine straight AFC West titles, reaching eight consecutive conference championship games and winning three Super Bowls.
They’ve got a long way to go and a tough game at Dallas (5-5-1) coming up on Thanksgiving Day. Mahomes and the offense need to get in sync for Kansas City to have a shot.
“We’re still not where we want to be at but this was big,” Mahomes said. “Getting that win against a really good football team and kind of proving it to (ourselves) that we can play this kind of football game where it’s not always pretty. I think now we just have to build off that momentum. It’s going to be a short week. We’re playing a good team in the Cowboys, and they can score some points and they have a lot of great players. It’s about rebounding fast, trying to be better, even better this next week going into a big environment, big game and trying to get that win.”
The Colts (8-3) have gone from 7-1 to a team that is going to have to battle to win the AFC South. They’ll face division rivals Jacksonville (7-4) and Houston (6-5) four times over the remaining six games. Their other two opponents are Seattle (8-3) and San Francisco (7-4).
Steichen trusted Daniel Jones to win the game in Kansas City, electing to put the ball in his hands down the stretch instead of giving it to Taylor to protect a lead. Jones couldn’t deliver. He was 3 for 9 for 17 yards on the final four possessions.
“I felt there was a lot of stuff that I wanted to get called that I felt good about in the pass game and we just weren’t efficient doing it and it starts with me,” Steichen said.
Eagles collapse
The reigning Super Bowl champions built a 21-0 lead in Dallas and looked like they were on their way to snapping Dak Prescott’s 18-game winning streak at home against NFC East opponents.
Jalen Hurts was connecting with A.J. Brown and it seemed Philadelphia would quiet some of the drama surrounding the two superstars.
But the offense regressed, giving Prescott and the Cowboys an opportunity to come back and win 24-21.
The Eagles (8-3) have a comfortable lead over Dallas (5-5-1) and are in position to become the first repeat champion in the division in two decades. But Philadelphia fell behind the Rams (9-2) in the race for the No. 1 seed.
A sluggish offense isn’t playing up to its standard. Saquon Barkley ran for only 22 yards on 10 carries, and the passing attack just hasn’t found its rhythm.
Rams dominate
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were no match for Matthew Stafford and the Rams.
Stafford continued his MVP-caliber campaign with another stellar performance against an overmatched defense and Los Angeles cruised to a 34-7 victory over Tampa Bay.
The 37-year-old Stafford has thrown 30 touchdown passes and only two interceptions this season.
“I got great teammates. I get to throw to a bunch of great players, stand behind a good o-line and watch these guys hunt on defense,” Stafford said.
That defense overwhelmed the Buccaneers, knocking Baker Mayfield out of the game.
Jared Verse and Kobie Turner each had two sacks and Los Angeles is the team to beat in the NFC.
First to 10
Drake Maye and the New England Patriots are the first team to reach 10 wins this season after holding on for a 26-20 victory in Cincinnati.
The Patriots have a 2 1/2-game lead over Buffalo (7-4) in the AFC East with eight of their wins coming against teams that have a losing record.
With three of their last five games against teams that are currently 8-26 combined, New England is in position to win its first division title since Tom Brady left and has an inside track to earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
But the Patriots still have a lot to prove, especially against more experienced playoff teams.
The Los Angeles Rams scored 31 points in the first half of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, resulting in a 34-7 victory, moving them into the No.1 seed in the NFC
This is the first time the Rams have held sole possession of the NFC lead since Week 13 of the 2018 season, according to ESPN.
Coach Sean McVay said it’s a “good thing” to have the No. 1 seed with only six games to go, though he emphasizes the only thing the Rams can control “is to have a great week of preparation.”
“I love the way we’ve responded from some setbacks,” McVay said. “I love the way that we’ve handled a little bit of success. And through 11 weeks, I’m proud of them. Now, let’s see what we can do through 12.”
He adds, “And I’m very confident that we’re going to give ourselves the best chance to do that because I’m betting on the people in that locker room.”
Here are some highlights that allowed the Rams to have such a blowout against the Buccaneers, earning them their sixth consecutive win.
Cobie Durant ignited the stadium with a 50-yard interception return, flipping momentum, giving the Rams excellent field position to score a touchdown. Puka Nacua was equally electric on offense, pulling down 7 receptions for 97 yards and proving once again why he’s one of the most reliable playmakers in the league.
The Rams’ offense was driven by the steady play of Matthew Stafford, who threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns. He showed complete command of the offense, spreading the ball efficiently and delivering two of his touchdown passes to Davante Adams, who proved to be a reliable red-zone and big-play target throughout the night.
The Rams are now Super Bowl favorites. With his amazing performance during this game and the rest of the season, fans at SoFi Stadium chanted MVP after Stafford’s second and third touchdown passes. Stafford completed 25 of 35 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns in a game that was largely decided by halftime.
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If Stafford is named the league’s most valuable player, he would be the oldest ever player to win his first MVP, and the third oldest player to win it, period.
The Los Angeles Rams and MVP frontrunner Matthew Stafford just keep winning, as they took down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-7 on “Sunday Night Football.”
The Rams have won six straight games and continue to lead the NFC West with a 9-2 record. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers fell to 6-5, tying them with the Carolina Panthers for the NFC South lead.
This game was as lopsided as it gets for a primetime matchup between playoff hopefuls, and much of that had to do with how confident and poised Stafford has been in his 17th NFL season.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sofi Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 in Inglewood, CA.(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Stafford added three more touchdown passes to his league-leading total, giving him 30 on the year with only two interceptions. And the man who has enjoyed a resurgence in his own right, Davante Adams, continued to be his go-to target in the red zone.
Adams secured two touchdowns for the Rams, including the game’s opening score that capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a beautifully thrown fade from Stafford.
Then, after Baker Mayfield threw a pick-six on the following drive for the Buccaneers, Stafford came right back out to start the second quarter with a five-yard strike to tight end Colby Parkinson, blowing the game open at 21-0.
Needing a touchdown, Mayfield found Tez Johnson for a 14-yard score on the ensuing drive to cut into the Rams’ lead. But Stafford needed only four plays to go 65 yards and connect with Adams again, this time on a perfect 24-yard touch pass.
Adams finished the game with 62 yards on five catches, while Puka Nacua led Los Angeles with 97 yards on seven receptions.
During the Buccaneers’ touchdown drive, Mayfield scrambled for seven yards on third-and-6, lowering his shoulder into two Rams defenders to move the chains. It proved costly for the aggressive signal-caller, as he suffered a left shoulder injury that eventually forced him out of the game.
Davante Adams of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown pass against Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter in the game at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California.(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The injury appeared to bother Mayfield when he tried to heave a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. He went down on one knee with his left arm motionless before eventually heading to the locker room.
When Tampa Bay came out for the second half, backup Teddy Bridgewater took over for the injured Mayfield, who was ruled out and stood on the sideline in street clothes. It’s unclear what exactly Mayfield is dealing with, but given his history of playing through injuries, this is clearly something he couldn’t power through — and it could be cause for concern moving forward.
Bridgewater was unable to mount a comeback as the Buccaneers struggled against a dominant Rams defense. Bridgewater went 8-for-15 for 62 yards and took two sacks, while Mayfield was 9-of-19 for 41 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, one coming on that Hail Mary attempt.
The 49ers caught the Rams slipping and took full advantage with Mac Jones at the helm
Credit: Los Angeles Rams
What was supposed to be a very winnable game for the Rams during Thursday’s divisional game against the San Francisco 49ers turned into a nonstop uphill battle thanks to a few mishaps that ultimately sealed LA’s fate.
Right from the opening kick-off of the match, the 49ers showed a higher intensity than the Rams, setting the tone in their favor immediately. Back-up QB Mac Jones stepped in after starting QB Brock Purdy was officially deemed unable to play due to a lingering toe injury. The Rams were unable to find their way into the end zone with a touchdown or a field goal in the first quarter, while the 49ers scored a touchdown thanks to a short pass to TE Jake Tonges and hijacked control of the momentum early on.
Upon the start of the second quarter, the 49ers picked up where they left off, scoring yet another touchdown via a 1-yard pass to RB Christian McCaffrey, jumping the score to 14-0. Things were looking extremely dire for the Rams. Despite a fumble from Stafford, the Rams were eventually able to get things rolling with a touchdown from RB Kyran Williams, who caught a 14-yard short pass to finally put LA on the scoreboard. However, the 49ers inched out an additional field goal, leaving the score at 17-7 at halftime.
The Rams’ woes followed them into the 3rd quarter with kicker Joshua Karty missing a crucial field goal, further cementing the despairing energy found in the first half. The 49ers responded with a made field goal from kicker Eddy Pineiro, upping the score to 20-7. The energy around the Rams began to shift a bit, and the offense started to lock in and pick up the pace. Stafford was able to connect with WR Puka Nacua for a 1-yard short pass leading to another touchdown, climbing the score to 20-14, and giving the Horns a glimmer of hope.
The Rams came out guns blazing in the 4th, with RB Kyren Williams finding the end zone once more for six points thanks to an 8-yard pass from Stafford. However, terror struck again when kicker Joshua Karty missed the extra point, leaving the score tied at 20-20. The Rams’ defense also began playing with a fiercer desire to win, containing the 49ers to only a field goal rather than a TD, putting the score at 23-20.
LA could smell the blood in the water, the opportunity to take the lead was here. Making their way down the field, the Rams arrived at the end zone, practically smelling victory. What should’ve been a routine goal-line penetration for RB Kyren Williams blew up in the Rams’ face due to a timely move by 49ers DT Alfred Collins, who was able to knock the ball out of RB Kyren Williams’ fingertips just inches from the end zone, completely shutting down the Rams’ drive.
You could feel the air being sucked out of SoFi. But thanks to a relentless effort from the defense, the 49ers were unable to put any more points on the scoreboard, while the Rams earned three points thanks to a vital field goal, tying the game at 23-23.
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Overtime was here, and along with it was a chance of possible redemption for the Rams. The 49ers got their hands on the ball initially, and thanks to the stellar Rams defense, had to resort to kicking a field goal for three points, gaining a 23-20 lead.
It was time for Stafford and company to close the game, to march into the end zone for a TD and move to a 4-1 record. But, head coach Sean McVay showed a little too much boldness that ended up costing the game. While in field goal range and having the chance to tie the game again on 4th and 1, McVay’s play calling took a questionable turn, opting to run the ball with RB Kyren Williams for the 1st down instead. It didn’t work, losing the game for the Rams. After the match, head coach McVay took responsibility for the loss and for putting his players in such a difficult position.
Now sitting at a 3-2 record, the Rams have some self-reflection to do. Despite solid individual performances from WR Puka Nacua (85 receiving yards and 1 touchdown on 10 catches), WR Davante Adams (88 receiving yards on 5 catches, RB Kyren Williams (65 rushing yards, 66 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns), and QB Matthew Stafford (389 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions on 30/47 throws), the team as a whole did not seem like their usual selves. Whether it was due to it being a Thursday night game or the 49ers simply catching them off guard, the Rams will need to be much more careful with protecting the football from fumbles.
Next week, the Rams travel to Baltimore to face a Lamar Jackson-less Ravens, and it should be the perfect opportunity for LA to get its mojo back. We’ll see how the Rams rebound in week 6 and find their way back on track to total dominance.
The San Francisco 49ers took home a crucial 26-23 NFC West victory on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams in overtime.
The 49ers defense came up huge to stop the Rams on fourth down in a pivotal moment in overtime to win the game. San Francisco also received an incredible performance from Mac Jones and the rest of the bruised and battered roster.
Jones came in for Brock Purdy once again. He finished 33-of-49 with 342 passing yards and two touchdown passes as his resurgence continued. He started the game with a touchdown pass to Jake Tonges and followed it up with a touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey.
Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers reacts prior to a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 02, 2025 in Inglewood, California.(Harry How/Getty Images)
Los Angeles fought back from a 20-7 deficit in the third quarter. But were only able to tie the game thanks to a Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Kyren Williams.
The 49ers brought on kicker Eddy Pineiro for a 59-yard field goal attempt with 2:57 left in the game and he nailed it to take the lead.
San Francisco got the ball back on a costly Rams fumble by Williams. The 49ers barely had any room to breathe and failed to get another first down to ice the game. Instead, the 49ers punted the ball away and gave the Rams decent field position.
Williams was able to redeem himself to get the team into scoring position and allowed Joshua Karty to hit a game-tying 48-yard field goal to send the game into overtime.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Renardo Green (0) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
The 49ers moved up the field in the overtime period and got close enough for Pineiro to attempt a field goal. He hit the 41-yarder off the post and through the uprights with 5:51 to go in overtime.
Then, it was Stafford’s time. On the second play, Stafford took the snap, spun around and launched the ball to Tutu Atwell for a 38-yard completion. The Rams got a fresh set of downs, but the 49ers defense locked in and forced a fourth-down attempt.
Stafford handed the ball to Williams, but he was stopped short of the first down. The 49ers sealed the win.
The veteran quarterback was 30-of-47 with 389 passing yards, and three touchdown passes. Puka Nacua had 10 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. Williams had two touchdown caches on the night.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen (87) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) during the second half at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 2, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell committed an inexplicable turnover early in the second half in their loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday evening.
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones found Mitchell one-on-one with a Rams defender. He made a nice two-handed grab, spun off his defender and sprinted toward the end zone. The Colts, and everyone else in SoFi Stadium, thought he had a touchdown.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (10) fumbles the ball before crossing the goal line against the Los Angeles Rams during the second hall of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, California.(AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
However, he bobbled the football, and it bounced off his hands and into the back of the end zone. Officials ruled it a fumble and an easy six points were taken off the board. It would have been a 76-yard touchdown catch for Mitchell if not for the fumble.
Mitchell led the team with three catches for 96 yards. Jones connected with Michael Pittman Jr. for a touchdown. Jones was 24-of-33 with 262 passing yards and two interceptions.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) celebrates after a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the second hall of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, California.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Rams took the lead late when Matthew Stafford connected with Tutu Atwell for an 88-yard touchdown pass with 1:13 left in the game. It put Los Angeles up 27-20 at that point and the Rams would never relinquish the lead again.
Stafford had 375 passing yards and three touchdown passes in the win. He threw touchdown passes to Atwell, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Nacua led the team with 13 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown. Adams had four catches for 56 yards and a score.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) strips the ball from Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) during the second hall of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Inglewood, California.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Rams will defend home field against a booming Colts team that’s been making waves of their own
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.Credit: Los Angeles Rams
Like the Greek God Icarus, who flew too close to the Sun, the Rams dealt with their first real moment of adversity last week against the Philadelphia Eagles after dropping a sizable lead and ultimately dramatically losing the game. While it was a tough pill to swallow, it goes to show that no victory is ever given, regardless of how much of a hot streak a team is on or how big a lead is.
As we turn to week 4, the Rams will host the Indianapolis Colts, a team that has been on an absolute hot streak since the start of the season, thanks to QB Daniel Jones playing the best football of his career. After several failed seasons with the New York Giants, many people wrote off Jones as the next journeyman quarterback who would only fill the quarterback role for teams in transition to drafting their next QB.
But to everyone’s surprise, Jones is leading a historic offense with the Colts, who’ve scored a franchise record 103 points in their first 3 games, the most since 1967. They are also one of four teams in the Super Bowl era to score at least 100 points with 0 turnovers to start a season. And up to a certain point during their previous game against the Tennessee Titans, they were tied for 5th all-time for continuous offensive drives without a punt.
But Jones is not a one-man army by any means. At his side is the extremely cunning RB Jonathan Taylor, who’s been performing as the top running back in the league so far into the season, averaging just over 5 yards a carry, has scored 3 touchdowns, and leads the league in total rushing yards with 338.
Seasoned WR Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie TE Tyler Warren have also been very impactful in the passing game for Indy, with both players currently at 193 receiving yards each, and Pittman Jr. with 2 touchdowns thus far.
Safe to say, the Rams will need to bring their ‘A’ game.
For the Rams, they have a chance to take advantage of some of the injuries Indy is dealing with on the defensive side. CB Kenny Moore II is currently labeled as doubtful for Sunday’s game due to an achilles concern, which should ease the pressure off of Stafford’s shoulders when airing it out.
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The Los Angeles Rams take on the Philadelphia Eagles in week 3 of the 2025 NFL regular season.Credit: Los Angeles Rams
Another key piece for their defense is defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who is currently questionable to play due to a back injury. While we’d love to see Buckner (and Moore II) in action as true fans of the sport, this is something RB Kyren Williams can definitely target when penetrating their run-defense, especially at the goal line.
Unfortunately, the Rams also have some injuries of their own to deal with, including WR Davante Adams, who is coming off of a fantastic game last week. He is currently questionable to play due to a sore hamstring that prevented him from participating in practice on Wednesday.
Injuries aside, Sunday’s game could be another popcorn-thriller here at SoFi Stadium. Puka Nacua is poised to have another dominant performance against an undermanned secondary unit, and expect TE Tyler Higbee to step up should Adams need to sit out.
Want to catch the action in person? You can purchase tickets to Sunday’s game here.
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Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts begins his sixth professional season carrying a mix of admiration and debate.
He is a Super Bowl champion, a Super Bowl MVP, and the unquestioned leader of one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses.
Yet his place among the league’s elite quarterbacks remains a polarizing subject. Some insist his impact extends far beyond statistics, while others point to modest passing totals compared with his peers.
As the 2025 season approaches, the conversation is no longer about whether Hurts belongs in the upper tier; it is about how his distinctive style compares to the gaudier numbers and accolades of rivals like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Matthew Stafford.
Understanding Hurts requires viewing his production through a different lens, one shaped by team identity and situational dominance.
Hurts’ Style and Statistical Footprint
PHOTO: Casey Murphy/Unsplash
Hurts has yet to record a 4,000-yard passing season, but that limitation is deceptive. His 2022 campaign produced 3,701 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and another 760 yards rushing with 13 scores. Those numbers positioned him as a dual-threat whose efficiency mattered more than sheer volume.
In 2023, he logged 3,858 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, complemented by 15 rushing scores. The kind of production reflects how Philadelphia leans on him near the goal line.
Entering 2025, Hurts has compiled two Pro Bowl selections, a second-team All-Pro, and a championship resume. His success is often measured less by box scores and more by game control, especially late in contests when the Eagles close leads with his legs. For bettors and analysts alike, monitoring Jalen Hurts prop bets provides insight into how sportsbooks weigh his hybrid role.
Mahomes: The Benchmark of Modern Quarterbacking
Any comparison of elite quarterbacks begins with Patrick Mahomes. Since assuming the starting role in 2018, Mahomes has posted seasons of 5,097 and 5,250 passing yards, alongside a staggering 50-touchdown campaign.
His career includes three Super Bowl victories, multiple MVPs, and six Pro Bowl appearances. The Chiefs’ seven-year run of success makes him the undisputed standard, one regularly featured across NFL prop insights.
When measured against Mahomes, Hurts appears conservative in yardage and passing output. Yet Hurts owns a head-to-head playoff win against Kansas City, an achievement few can claim.
The distinction highlights a central tension: Mahomes dazzles with sustained statistical dominance, while Hurts wins through adaptability and balance. Both approaches have achieved victories in the NFL, but one appeals to highlight reels, the other to clock management and situational mastery.
Allen’s Power and Playoff Frustrations
Josh Allen represents another contrasting model. His 2020 and 2021 seasons produced 4,544 and 4,407 passing yards, respectively, along with 36-plus touchdown campaigns. Add in nearly 800 rushing yards in 2021, and Allen epitomizes raw physical capability.
His first MVP in 2024 validated years of near misses, but Buffalo has yet to clear its playoff hurdles. Here, Hurts stands taller: Philadelphia captured a championship during his run, while Buffalo continues searching.
Allen’s highs outpace Hurts statistically, yet his turnovers, 23 in 2019, 27 in 2022, underscore risks tied to his aggressive style. Hurts, by comparison, turns the ball over less often despite heavy rushing usage. The comparison suggests Hurts may not match Allen’s ceiling in raw production, but he offers steadier efficiency in critical moments.
Jackson’s Unique Dominance
Lamar Jackson reshaped Baltimore’s offense when he became the starter, producing an electrifying 1,206 rushing yards in 2019 alongside 36 passing touchdowns. His two MVPs by 2024 signal recognition of this unique style, but postseason frustrations mirror Buffalo’s.
Jackson has four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro nods, yet no Super Bowl appearance. Hurts, by contrast, already owns the ring Jackson chases.
Statistically, Jackson’s rushing totals exceed Hurts with 1,005 yards in 2020 versus Hurts’ 784 in 2021. That said, Hurts’ blend of efficiency and postseason success provides a counterweight. Each has transformed expectations for quarterback mobility, but Hurts’ Super Bowl triumph grants him a credential that changes legacy conversations.
Burrow’s Precision and Resilience
Joe Burrow embodies pocket precision. His 2021 and 2022 seasons included 4,611 and 4,475 passing yards, while his 2024 campaign reached 4,918 yards with 43 touchdowns. Injuries, however, have disrupted his trajectory, limiting his ability to sustain momentum.
Burrow’s Bengals reached a Super Bowl but fell short, leaving his resume defined by potential rather than hardware. Hurts, in contrast, combines slightly lower statistical output with a healthier run of postseason availability.
Where Burrow commands admiration for accuracy and composure, Hurts earns credit for durability and adaptability in varied game scripts. The two often intersect in conversations about leadership: Burrow’s calm precision versus Hurts’ quiet command. Both inspire teammates, but only Hurts has parlayed that influence into a championship so far.
Herbert and Stafford: Statistical Brilliance and Longevity
Justin Herbert burst onto the scene with 4,336 passing yards as a rookie and later eclipsed 5,000 in 2021. Yet his Chargers remain playoff underachievers, undone by collapses such as blowing a 27-point lead.
His statistics, including multiple 30-touchdown campaigns, present an intriguing counter to Hurts’ balanced approach. But Herbert lacks postseason validation, leaving Hurts with a stronger legacy despite smaller yardage totals.
Matthew Stafford, meanwhile, represents longevity. He exceeded 5,000 passing yards in 2011 and captured a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021, but his career has been uneven, marked by injuries and losing records. Compared to Stafford, Hurts already matches the championship milestone but adds rushing dynamism that Stafford never possessed.
Why Hurts’ Value Defies Conventional Metrics
The debate over Hurts’ ranking often turns to numbers he may never achieve. Philadelphia’s offense prioritizes time of possession, rushing efficiency, and situational execution over gaudy passing stats. That approach ensures Hurts’ success will always appear muted beside Mahomes’ fireworks or Allen’s arm strength.
Yet context matters: Hurts has led his team to 14 wins in 2022 and captured the ultimate prize in 2024. He enters 2025 as the NFL’s 11th-highest-paid quarterback, a paradox given his accomplishments.
The value he brings lies not in eclipsing 5,000 yards but in embodying a system designed to win when it matters most.
For Philadelphia, and perhaps for the league’s evolving understanding of quarterback play, Hurts may represent the future standard: efficiency, leadership, and adaptability over spectacle.
The Rams open the 2025 NFL season at SoFi with new firepower, a healthy Stafford, and a showdown against Houston’s rising stars
Rams QB Stetson Bennett. The Rams narrowly defeated the Chargers on Saturday nightCredit: Courtesy Los Angeles Rams
The 2025-26 NFL season is finally upon us as our Los Angeles Rams face the fully-loaded Houston Texans. Led by electrifying quarterback CJ Stroud and star receiver Nico Collins, the Texans are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing, injury-riddled season. So what does that spell for our Los Angeles Rams?
With the massive off-season acquisition of 6-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams after a failed stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Rams now boast one of the best receiver cores in the entire league as Adams is now paired alongside our absolute stud of a wide receiver, Puka Nacua. Puka, who quickly garnered recognition as one of the elite offensive playmakers since his rookie season in 2023, will hopefully take the next step into becoming a fully-fledged superstar. Surely the dynamic duo of Davante and Puka will make for some wildly entertaining play calling, but the success of the offense truly lies in the hands of seasoned veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Stafford’s offseason has been anything but healthy, thanks to both an aggravated back injury involving a spinal disc and several blood clots that resulted in a month’s worth of absences from training camp. While he is certainly no stranger to injuries in his 16-year career, Stafford feels confident about being available to play in week 1 against the Texans. And should he hopefully stay healthy the entire season, he could achieve his best offense season to date, thanks to the staggering firepower at each side of the receiver position this year.
Coming off a career-high 14-touchdown regular season, running back Kyren Williams will once again spearhead an exceptional ground game for the Rams. Thanks to a fortified offensive line supporting him and a portion of the scoring pressure alleviated due to the team’s upgraded passing options, don’t be surprised if Kyren finishes as a top 5 running back in several offensive categories.
More importantly, it is essential that the Rams fire on all cylinders to make up for a mediocre 2024 season defensively, which resulted in being ranked 21st in total sacks and 26th in total yards per gain. Texans offensive leaders CJ Stroud and Nico Collins will put the pressure on the Rams’ secondary, either turning them to dust or into diamonds. And with their off-season addition of Nick Chubb, who will play the role of their productive workhorse in the absence of injured running back Joe Mixon, there is zero room for any mistakes. History has shown, the Texans’ offense can be difficult to control.
On the other side of things, emerging sophomore cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is set to make a big impact for Houston’s pass defense once again, which may cause a bit of a headache for Stafford and company. A 5-interception rookie season is nothing to laugh at, and will be a prime concern for the Rams’ offensive play calling coming into week 1. At the front lines, defensive end Danielle Hunter will remind everyone why he is one of the highest-paid players at that position next to fellow defensive titans Max Crosby and Miles Garrett. Last year, Hunter produced 12 sacks, which to most players would be considered a breakout season, but for Danielle, it was simply an “off” year, proving that the Rams have their work cut out for themselves.
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)Credit: Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
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There’s a lot riding on Sunday’s game for both teams in terms of establishing dominance early on. As a mostly young core, the Texans will certainly want to silence the doubters who’ve been labeling Stroud’s remarkable rookie season as a fluke, and to show that the team’s offensive line has made great strides of improvement in the offseason after a disastrous showing last year. But for the Rams, it is much, much more. It is not simply about asserting dominance, but it is about returning to form as a Super Bowl contender. When you have stacked talent on both sides of the ball, the potential is great, but the expectations are even greater. Whether this will be evident off-the-bat in game 1 or may surface as the season progresses remains to be seen. But one thing is definite, it will be an absolutely fun shoot-out of a game this Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
In their past three seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles have accumulated a 39–12 regular-season record and appeared in two Super Bowls. After narrowly falling by their hands in 2022, the Birds humiliated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs en route to their second Lombardi Trophy win last winter.
These accomplishments alone have the Eagles on the brink of a dynasty—another title would surely put them there. Given the team’s assortment of game-breaking talent, they might be in luck.
Eagles’ Returning Game-Breakers
General manager Howie Roseman has done such an excellent job adding talent to the Eagles that it’s hard to put into words. He built what many called a “superteam” in 2022, but only improved the roster over the next couple of seasons.
But let’s stick with the players who oversaw both Super Bowls. Starting with Jalen Hurts, he’s one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL—immense rushing upside and one of the most efficient passers in the sport. He’s not necessarily the most gifted, but he gets high-end results. When the Eagles have needed him to perform the most, that’s often when he has shone the brightest.
Then, you have the offensive line. Landon Dickerson deserves a shootout here, but tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson are definitely in that “game-breaking” tier. Recognized as two of the best exterior linemen in the sport, they make the offense’s life easier by consistently and emphatically winning their assignments.
Next, wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have been one of the league’s top one-two punches for a few years now. Coming up clutch in late-down situations and with huge contested-catch upside, they’ve flipped games on their head. Both have fourth-down snags to their name in the NFC Championship, leading to a momentum-altering touchdown a short while later.
Eagles’ “New” Game-Breakers
Over the past couple of seasons, the Eagles have added three game-breaking talents: Saquon Barkley, Zack Baun, and Jalen Carter. Their two recently drafted cornerbacks may get there (if they haven’t arrived already), but those are the big three who the Birds would’ve had no chance in 2024 without.
PHOTO: Eagles Nation on X
Barkley’s impact is self-explanatory. Setting the NFL record for rushing yards in a single season (2,504), he rushed about 1,000 yards over what would have been considered a huge win for the Birds. Winning games early in the season virtually by himself, and taking long-distance runs to the house in the playoffs, the MVP love he got was deserved.
Baun was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate last season. He was the nucleus of that core, preventing big rushes and forcing turnovers at the most pivotal moments. For a team that often struggled in both of those areas before his arrival, he changed the game for the Birds.
Finally, we have Carter. Already one of the most feared defensive linemen in the league, the 24-year-old should have about a decade of game-breaking football. His most influential play came on a third-down sack of Matthew Stafford in the NFC Divisional Round in January. With the Los Angeles Rams on the verge of a last-second go-ahead touchdown, the youngster saved the day and the Eagles’ season.
The Eagles have something special here. With eight game-breaking talents on the roster (if not more), their excellence can be felt every week. It’s why Philadelphia’s hopes of yet another Super Bowl title are quite realistic.
The defense that fueled Minnesota’s 5-0 start with a disruptive pass rush and a swarm of tacklers to stop the run has had a rough week, humbled by a couple of code-cracking quarterbacks and their savvy play-callers.
Four days after the Vikings took their first loss of the season at the hands of Detroit’s high-octane offense, they were beaten again at Los Angeles by another potent group following a similar blueprint.
Just like Jared Goff did for the Lions in their 31-29 victory on Sunday, the Vikings had their zone pass coverage picked apart by the Rams’ Matthew Stafford in LA’s 30-20 win on Thursday night. Goff and Stafford combined to go 47 for 59 for 559 yards and six touchdowns, and the one turnover the Vikings forced in each game wasn’t enough to slow down the opposition.
There’s no shame in giving up throws to players like Goff and Stafford. The Lions are thriving behind the direction of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson with one of the most balanced lineups in the game, ranking second in the NFL in yards per game and third in points. The Rams, inconveniently for the Vikings, welcomed standout wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back from injuries and quickly hit their stride in a commanding fashion reminiscent of their Super Bowl champion team of three years ago.
Against the Lions, the Vikings sacked Goff four times with some effective pressure early and late, but he was largely untouched and in rhythm in the middle quarters. They simply never got to Stafford, turning in their first sack-less performance while only registering two hits. One of the most wince-inducing plays came in the second quarter, when Jonathan Greenard used a spin move to get into the backfield and force Stafford to slide up in the pocket. As Harrison Phillips approached in prime position to finish the sack, Stafford ducked under his arms and fired a touchdown pass to Kupp.
With linebacker Blake Cashman sidelined for the second straight game with a turf toe injury, the Vikings were far less effective against the run. The variety of blitzes and disguises designed to make offenses think pressure is coming that defensive coordinator Brian Flores has successfully employed this year didn’t create much trouble for Goff. There was even less disruption for Stafford. Rams coach Sean McVay also called several screen passes to bank on the speed of his receivers and get the ball out of Stafford’s hand as quickly as possible.
“We’ve been dealing with teams that kind of hit us in those same areas, take advantage of that. We’re seeing more screens. We’re seeing more run attacks. They’re trying to get us to tackle, setting up plays so they can ditch-and-dump here and there,” Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin said. “I don’t think this will be the last time we’re going to see this, so there’s a lot we’ve got to fix.”
Alignment and communication were also persistent problems on Thursday. Cashman’s absence surely didn’t help.
“I think everybody’s still in high spirits,” Griffin said, “but no one likes this feeling.”
The Vikings could hardly have envisioned a better start to the season by quarterback Sam Darnold. He posted a season-best 128.7 passer rating against the Rams and ranks fifth in the league in that category.
The Vikings have been sabotaging their offense with wholly preventable penalties before the snap. They were flagged for two false starts and two illegal formations against the Rams after being whistled for one false start, two illegal formations and the rare offensive offside penalty against the Lions.
Ryan Wright averaged 50.3 yards on three punts, landing each one inside the 20-yard line, with a long of 61 yards.
Jalen Nailor dropped a short pass early in the fourth quarter that would’ve given the Vikings a first down. He had the angle to get in the end zone for what would’ve been the go-ahead touchdown, but the Vikings had to settle for a field goal. Nailor scored in each of the first three games but has been quiet since.
The loss of Darrisaw will be awfully difficult to overcome, but the Vikings will have TE T.J. Hockenson back from injury next week. Cashman is on track to return, too.
The Vikings have lost nine consecutive night games against teams from the West divisions, a streak of time-zone trouble that has developed since their last such win at Oakland in 1996. The prime-time skid includes four losses to Seattle, two to Arizona, two to the Rams and one to San Francisco.
The Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 3, a game that NBC grabbed for the prime-time slot under the league’s flexible scheduling policy. After that, the Vikings have three straight games on the road: at Jacksonville, Tennessee and Chicago.
WR Brandon Aiyuk. After missing all of training camp practices during a contract dispute, the second-team All-Pro from last season is off to a shaky start. Aiyuk dropped a potential TD pass in Week 1 and has just six catches for 71 yards in two games. With Deebo Samuel out a couple of weeks with a calf injury, the Niners will need Aiyuk to get back to his old form soon.
Rams player to watch
RB Kyren Williams. Missing their top two receivers in Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) for an extended period, Los Angeles will likely rely on Williams and the ground game to chew up clock, make things manageable for QB Matthew Stafford, and keep San Francisco’s offense off the field. Williams had 100 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 20 touches in a Week 2 loss to the 49ers last season and didn’t play in a meaningless Week 18 matchup.
Key matchup
Rams offensive line vs. 49ers defensive line. The injury-riddled Rams will have LT Alaric Jackson back in the lineup after he was suspended for the first two games of the season, joining RT Rob Havenstein and RG Kevin Dotson as the starters still standing three weeks into the season. That doesn’t bode well against a San Francisco front which has tended to dominate them in recent years. Nick Bosa got two sacks against the Vikings, and ex-Ram Leonard Floyd gives him a formidable bookend on the other side. After failing to keep Stafford clean in Arizona, the front five will have to be much better this week for the offense to have any traction.
Key injuries
S Talanoa Hufanga is expected to return for the first time since tearing his ACL last November. … The Niners will be without Samuel (calf) and RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles’ tendinitis). The most recent time they played a game without both of those players was in Week 13 of the 2021 season. … Rams CB Cobie Durant continues to be bothered by a toe injury, though he was able to play through it against the Cardinals. … Dotson should be able to play again despite a lingering foot injury.
Series notes
The Rams had lost nine straight regular-season games to the 49ers before coming up with a 1-point win to wrap up the regular season in January. What probably helps Sean McVay feel better about those struggles against his friend and former colleague Kyle Shanahan is the victory in the game that mattered most, when Los Angeles took the NFC championship from San Francisco on Jan. 30, 2022 en route to a Super Bowl title.
Stats and stuff
The 49ers went 11-1 in division games the past two regular seasons with the only loss coming in Week 18 last season against the Rams when they rested several starters. … Niners QB Brock Purdy is 7-0 in the regular season against NFC West teams and 1-0 in the playoffs. … Purdy leads the NFL with 550 yards passing the first two weeks. … Purdy has a passer rating of at least 100 in 15 of 23 starts in the regular season. The only players to do that are Patrick Mahomes (16) and Kurt Warner (15). … The 49ers have allowed opponents to convert 59.1% on third down, second worst in the NFL. … San Francisco leads the NFL with an average time of possession of 36:44 per game. … Niners RB Jordan Mason is the second undrafted player in the Super Bowl era to rush for at least 100 yards and a TD in each of the first two games of the season. Willie Parker did it in 2005. … Mason’s 247 yards rushing the past two weeks are the most in franchise history for a player in his first two career starts. … Niners LB Fred Warner leads the NFL with three forced fumbles in the first two games. His 14 career forced fumbles are two shy of Patrick Willis’ franchise record. … Stafford was 19 of 27 passing for 216 yards against the Cardinals, marking just the fourth instance in his long career he completed at least 70% of his throws for at least 200 yards without a touchdown. … Los Angeles allowed 231 yards rushing to Arizona, its highest tally since Week 4 of the 2021 season when the Cardinals got 216 yards on the ground. … Rookie OLB Jared Verse had three tackles for loss, giving him four through his first two games. … NT Kobie Turner has at least one sack in six of his past 11 games. … Kupp has the Rams’ only receiving touchdown this season, 34% of their receptions (18 of 53) and 28% of their receiving yards (147 of 533). … Williams has run for a touchdown in each of the past five regular-season games he has played in. No Rams RB has scored in six games in a row since Marshall Faulk in 2000.
Fantasy tip
Rams rookie WR Jordan Whittington has a lot of the attributes that have made Kupp and Nacua so effective in McVay’s offense, making him worth grabbing for fantasy rosters. Depending on the recovery timelines of their two stars, the Texas product Whittington could emerge over the course of the season as a useful fantasy option and one of the bright spots in what is already shaping up to be a rough season for Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The Los Angeles Rams won a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford at quarterback, and they hope to get there again this season.
As Stafford heads into his fourth season with the team, a new documentary showcases Stafford’s life on and off the field.
“Football is not for everybody. I love the challenge. It’s not easy. It’s hard,” Stafford said in a clip from the documentary.
The Rams are giving fans an inside look into the star quarterback’s life in a new documentary, “Mathew Stafford: Locked In.” The film explores the pressure of the playoffs last season and facing off against his former team.
Stafford typically stays out of the spotlight, but this new documentary pulls the curtain back to let fans see his life both on and off the field as a player, husband and father.
The film’s director, Justin Polks, says there’s an overall theme of the noise vs. quiet in this documentary. As a quarterback, Stafford is dealing with coaches in his ear, football players, plays being called but before that snap on the field, he learns to tune it out and lock in.
“It started off with ‘let’s just show the two games in five days.’ There’s a game on a Sunday and a game on a Thursday. How do football players deal with that? How does Matthew Stafford himself deal with that?” Polks said. “And then from there it kind of took on a life of its own.
The Rams ultimately lost to the Detroit Lions in the playoffs, but it came down to the wire and the Rams gave it their all. The film shows you the moments during the game, after the loss and how Stafford’s leadership played a role.
NFC running back Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers and NFC defensive end Cam Jordan #94 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate as they dump water on NFC head coach Eli Manning after defeating the AFC during an NFL Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV.
Michael Owens / Getty Images
Super Bowl LVIII is still a week away, but there’s some football on TV to watch this Sunday. The 2024 Pro Bowl Games are being held in Orlando, FL this weekend. It’s a week-long competition that culminates in today’s epic flag football game, the Sunday Pro Bowl Games Championship.
The best football players from the AFC and the NFC will all be on the field today, including nine players from the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers and five players from the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. You won’t want to miss this Super Bowl warmup. Here’s how to watch it.
How and when to watch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games
The 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games will be played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL from Feb. 1-4, 2024.
The first event of the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games was the Thursday Skills Showdown, held on Feb. 1, 2024.
The Sunday Pro Bowl Games Championship will be played on Feb. 4, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT). The game will air on ABC and ESPN and stream live on ESPN+, Sling TV and the other streaming platforms listed below.
How to watch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games Championship without cable
While most cable packages include ABC and ESPN, it’s easy to watch the Pro Bowl Games Championship if ABC and ESPN aren’t included in your cable TV subscription, or if you don’t have cable at all. Your best options for watching are below. (Streaming options will require an internet provider.)
If you have don’t have cable TV that includes ABC, NBC, Fox or ESPN, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream live sports this year is through a subscription to Sling TV. The streamer offers access to the NFL Network, local NBC, FOX and ABC affiliates (where available) and ESPN with its Orange + Blue Tier plan. Also worth noting: Sling TV comes with 50 hours of cloud-based DVR recording space included, perfect for recording all the important games.
That plan normally costs $60 per month, but the streamer is currently offering a 50% off promotion for your first month, so you’ll pay just $30. You can learn more by tapping the button below.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:
There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast sporting events at the lowest price.
All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
You can also catch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games on FuboTV. FuboTV is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to just about every live sporting event you’d want to watch. Packages include ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network and more, so you’ll be able to watch more than just today’s game, all without a cable subscription. (Yes, you can watch Super Bowl LVIII on CBS with Fubo TV.) Note: CBS and CBS Essentials are both subsidiaries of Paramount.
To watch the game without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NFL football, FuboTV offers MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. FuboTV Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial.
Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:
There are no contracts with FuboTV — you can cancel at any time.
The Pro tier includes 169 channels, including NFL Network. (You’ll need to upgrade to Ultimate for NFL RedZone.)
FuboTV includes all the channels you’ll need to watch college and pro football, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
You can watch the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games Championship on ABC with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including local TV affiliates and popular cable channels. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch every game on every network with Hulu + Live TV, plus catch live NFL preseason games, exclusive live regular season games, popular studio shows (including NFL Total Access and the Emmy-nominated show Good Morning Football) and lots more.
Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $77 per month.
In addition to live streaming the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games Championship, ESPN+ offers exclusive live sports, original shows, a vast library of on-demand content (including the entire “30 For 30” series) and more. Here’s a sampling of what’s available on ESPN+:
Exclusive fantasy sports tools and content from some of the sports world’s most respected voices
Every Fight Night UFC event UFC PPV event (PPV events are subject to an additional charge.)
Soccer, including EFL Championship, US Open Cup and Bundesliga
College sports including the Ivy League, Big Sky Conference and Atlantic A10 Conference
MLB and the World Series
Top-tier tennis including the Australian Open and Wimbledon
The PGA Tour and the Masters
An ESPN+ subscription costs $10.99 per month, or save 15% when you pay annually ($110). ESPN+ is also currently offering a cost-saving bundle. Get ESPN+ (With Ads), Disney + (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads) for $14.99 per month.
Watch NFL football live with a digital HDTV antenna
Amazon
You can watch the NFL and more live sports on TV with an affordable indoor antenna, which pulls in local over-the-air HDYC channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision and more. Here’s the kicker: There’s no monthly charge.
Anyone living in partially blocked-off area (those near mountains or first-floor apartments), a digital TV antenna may not pick up a good signal — or any signal at all. But for many homes, a digital TV antenna provides a seriously inexpensive way to watch college football without paying a cable company. Indoor TV antennas can also provide some much-needed TV backup if a storm knocks out your cable.
This amplified digital antenna can receive hundreds of HD TV channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX, Univision and can filter out cellular and FM signals. It received signals 360 degrees and delivers a high-quality picture in 4K, UHD and 1080 HDTV, top-tier sound and features a 16-foot digital coax cable.
Full 2024 Pro Bowl roster
Here’s who will be representing the AFC and NFC at today’s Pro Bowl Games Championship. Starred athletes are starters.
2024 NFC Pro Bowl Offense
Quarterback
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers*
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (replaces Purdy)
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (replaces Prescott)
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (replaces Stafford)
Running back
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers*
D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (replaces McCaffrey)
Fullback
Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers*
C.J. Ham, Minnesota Vikings (replaces Juszczyk)
Wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys*
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles*
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (replaces Brown)
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (replaces Evans)
Tight end
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers*
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (replaces Kittle)
Tackle
Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers*
Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles*
Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions
Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (replaces Williams)
Guard
Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys*
Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons*
Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles
Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys (replaces Martin)
Center (2)
Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles*
Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions
2024 NFC Pro Bowl Defense
Defensive end
Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers*
Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears*
Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions
Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys (replaces Bosa)
Interior linemen
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams*
Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants*
Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers
Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers (replaces Hargrave)
Outside linebacker
Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys*
Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings*
Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles
Inside/middle linebacker
Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers*
Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints (replaces Warner)
Cornerback
DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys*
Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers*
Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles (replaces Ward)
Free safety
Jessie Bates, Atlanta Falcons*
Strong safety
Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals*
Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks
2024 NFC Pro Bowl Special Teams
Long snapper
Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings*
Punter
Bryan Anger, Dallas Cowboys*
Placekicker
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys*
Kick returner
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints*
Special teamer
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Detroit Lions*
Nick Bellore, Seattle Seahawks (replaced Reeves-Maybin)
2024 AFC Pro Bowl Offense
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins*
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (replaces TBA)
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts (replaces TBA)
