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It’s clearly the case that Eagles fans will have a few regrets from the 2025-26 NFL season.
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There were some high points, including an absolutely dominant 31-0 performance over the Raiders, and two tight road wins over Philadelphia’s ‘perceived’ Super Bowl rivals, the Chiefs and Bills, but there were enough low points, including a really disappointing loss to the Giants and a three-game winless streak across the early winter that really underlined the fact that the magic of last season would be difficult to repeat.
The upshot is that Eagles fans will be watching on a little enviously as the Seahawks and Patriots clash at Levi’s Stadium on February 8. The odds for Super Bowl LX are live, but did you know that some sportsbooks have already released the market for Super Bowl LXI.
It’s a common enough occurrence to see both markets running simultaneously, as it allows fans to get ahead of the game by diving into the futures markets for an event over a year away.
Eagles Are Respected in Super Bowl LXI Odds
Nevertheless, the markets make interesting reading for the Eagles. Where does the average fan think the team should be? Outright favorites?
Not as things stand, but the good news is that the sportsbooks retain ‘respect’ for the Eagles, putting them firmly in the top tier of contenders.
Here’s the Super Bowl LXI market as it stands today*
Now, a few things are apparent from this list. The first is that it feels like a little bit of a place-holding list. Moves across the offseason will transform the market, and you should also get a little movement after Super Bowl LX. A comfortable win for the Seahawks, for instance, will firm up Seattle’s odds. The Patriots will move should the Super Bowl go New England’s way.
A Season of Shocks Makes Predictions Difficult
There is natural hesitancy from sportsbooks at this point, so in most years, the Playoff teams tend to go back to the top of the markets, with the Super Bowl teams often pegged as the two favorites. But this was not an ordinary season, as numerous well-fancied teams fell by the wayside.
Look at the odds for teams like the Ravens, Chiefs, and Lions, all of whom missed the Playoffs.
As for the Eagles, we will have to wait and see. There are big decisions to be made across the roster, not least what to do with AJ Brown. There was definitely a sense of “it’s not broken, why try to fix it” going into the 2025 season. Changes were made, sure, but this offseason might see more pronounced decisions, and that will filter through to the betting odds.
Indeed, it will be intriguing to see where the Eagles will be placed next September. The core of the team is good enough to ensure that the ‘respect’ we talked about will stay, but other teams will surely make big moves too.
It’s going to be interesting because you get the sense that whatever the Eagles’ front office decides in the coming months could decide the direction of travel for a few seasons.
The NFL season is over, and everything is worse now. We just saw the Seattle Seahawks soundly defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60, meaning the Eagles’ title of defending champions is over.
We now enter the dark day,s also known as the offseason.
Football-less weekends are upon us.
How you spend these next few months is up to you, but here’s where I’m starting.
We do know that Jordan Love has played well under Mannion, Baker has become the franchise guy in Tampa under Grizzard, and the Vikings’ rushing game was surprisingly competent despite the revolving door of starter quarterbacks. I’ll also be looking at players who may join or leave the team next year.
A.J. Brown
Brings us to crazy trade scenarios. Is AJ Brown actually going to force a trade out of Philadelphia? Personally, I want to keep AJ despite his antics from the last two years. Most reports show Brown’s value around a second-round pick, which doesn’t justify it to me. Sure, a second-round pick could be any caliber of player; it could even be an AJ Brown-type player. Then again, Howie has shown he’d rather pull the plug early than late.
Maxx Crosby
Is Howie going to pull a masterclass and try to get Maxx Crosby? While I would love to see a player like him added to the team, I think it only really happens if the Raiders are desperate to move him.
He has a massive contract signed last year, and the Eagles need more help on the offensive line than on the defensive line. They’ll likely try to build through the draft.
2026 NFL Draft
Speaking of, you can also start prepping for the draft. My early draft prep is to take an o-line or player from either the college playoffs or the SEC. I think the biggest difference for the Eagles from 2024 to 2025 was their running game.
Hand up, I’m not much of a college football fan, so specifics will come later as we get closer to the draft. I do know that we can’t judge their past season of play until we see how well they exercise before the draft. More to come later, but we have our last idea.
Landon Dickerson
Doom scroll about the team. Not recommended, and actually, I’m going to try to talk you down on the big ones. Landon Dickerson might retire due to a knee injury that has reportedly plagued his 2025 season and was an issue when he was first drafted. It may surprise you, but I’m not secretly a doctor with a great knowledge of players’ knees.
As a sports watcher, I can say we’ve seen a lot of players with leg injuries heal faster and return to 100% as of late. There are ACLs like Jayson Tatum or even Joel Embiid who got knee surgery and have been playing like they did when they won the MVP.
Lane Johnson
Lane Johnson also underwent surgery, and as the Eagles’ longest-tenured player (assuming Brandon Graham re-retires), there are questions about his future. I don’t actually expect him to retire unless his healing goes worse than expected.
What I do expect is that this is his last year, so the Eagles better take one of those guys I haven’t researched yet.
Vic Fangio
Vic Fangio also flirted with retirement but has told the team he’d remain for at least another year. While this would be bad for obvious reasons, there’s always the chance that these were just rumors and a return to winning would cure his issues. There’s also our old pal Jim Schwartz, who is taking a year off from football after not being picked as the Browns’ head coach.
Would he be willing to take another defensive coordinator position? Who knows, but I can tell you he’d get more national coverage with the Eagles than the Browns.
Those are a few things I’ll be doing.
I’ll also be writing for all you fine readers.
Hello, I’m a greater Philadelphia native writing mostly about the Eagles and the rest of the NFL. Articles aren’t … More about Kyle Lavin
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Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive home for the NFL’s Thursday Night Football games, including this week’s game. On top of Amazon Prime Video, an Amazon Prime subscription includes free shipping, exclusive deals, access to the Prime Day sales events, Amazon Music, a year of free GrubHub+ and more.
A standard Amazon Prime subscription is $15 monthly or $139 annually, but discounts are available for students and those on qualified government assistance. You can try Amazon Prime free for 30 days. You can also just subscribe directly to Prime Video and forego all the other Prime Benefits. A Prime Video subscription costs $9 monthly.
OAKLAND — The Raiders may have departed Oakland years ago for Las Vegas, but Carol Davis had remained nearby in Piedmont, at a longtime home of the family that reigned over one of sports’ most memorable teams.
Indeed, the storied NFL franchise’s “First Lady” kept a residence on Mountain Avenue up until her death Friday at 93. It was the culmination of a life linked intrinsically to the East Bay and football alike, the kind that her son, Mark Davis, described Sunday as “wrapped in a cloak of immortality.”
“I love you mom; you will be missed,” said Mark, who shared a “controlling interest” in the now-Las Vegas Raiders with Carol, a stake inherited from the family patriarch, Al Davis, one of the iconic figures in the history of American sports.
Carol Davis was omniscient in the owners’ suite at games; she gave the team’s star players and executives a hug “hello,” they remembered, and would demonstrate a watchful eye about everything happening in the organization — even, for instance, a team employee’s divorce that Davis would not be expected to know about.
Her passing was the latest notable death among memorable Raiders figures from the team’s history. George Atkinson, the last member of the team’s beloved defense in the 1970s known for its unprecedented physicality, died Monday at 78.
Al Davis, a swashbuckling head coach with an unmistakable Brooklyn accent, simply “adored” his wife, the legendary Raiders quarterback and head coach Tom Flores remembered. Al and Carol ran in a tight inner circle of team officials and Bay Area businessmen, even amid the Raiders’ 13-year stint in Los Angeles.
Al Davis ended his long streak of joining the Raiders on road trips to work out of the Oakland hospital while Carol recovered from a massive heart attack and stroke in 1979 that kept her in a coma for 23 days. Carol miraculously recovered, earning a reputation for toughness that the Raiders themselves rallied behind on the football turf, winning the Super Bowl the very next season.
“She was a very intelligent and very dedicated woman,” recalled former Raiders executive John Herrera, an Oakland native who began working for the franchise as a teen in the 1960’s and finally departed in 2012. “She was a very interesting person to be around — and she kept up with everything that was going on, not just in sports but in the world.”
Through it all, Carol Davis remained committed to the idea of the Raiders as a model of teamwork, the kind of ideal that made the football team a storied fixture of NFL history, but an ambition that slumped in the 21st century before the team limped to a sleek new stadium in Las Vegas.
“She was a strong behind-the-scenes figure,” said Ignacio De La Fuente, the former Oakland City Council president who in 1995 recruited the Raiders back for their second stint in Oakland. “My perception was that she would keep Al realistic about things in our negotiations.”
Born Carol Sagal in New York City, she had been a buyer for retail stores even after Al finished military service and before his start as a pro football coach. The couple married in a Brooklyn synagogue but quickly formed roots in the East Bay once Al began with the Raiders ahead of the 1963 season.
During the team’s most storied years — an AFL championship in 1967 and a pair of Super Bowl victories in 1976 and 1980 — Carol stayed mostly behind the scenes, those who knew her recalled, though she always demonstrated an awareness of what was happening on the field.
“There were so many instances where she would say something that would cause me to giggle, at times where I should not have been,” said Amy Trask, a longtime former Raiders executive and the first former woman to serve as an NFL team’s CEO.
“They tended to be at Raiders business dinners,” Trask added about these occasions, “and usually involved a wise, keen observation about someone in attendance.”
Carol read newspapers every morning, always offering fresh insight about the country’s politics or society at large, friends remembered — a fitting description of a woman who led a team that broke new ground in diverse hiring.
Flores, the league’s first Mexican-American quarterback and head coach, recalled the warmth that Carol showed the team’s players, despite her and Al’s penchant for keeping their business private.
“To them, people were Raiders — it didn’t matter which color you were, what ethnic group you belonged to,” recalled Flores, who is 88 and lives in Palm Springs. “She was just very proud of you when you finished your journey.”
Al’s passing in 2011, seen as a pivotal moment in the franchise’s history, had Carol lined up in the succession plan as controlling owner. Trask, though, found herself notifying the league that Carol’s son, Mark, would take over operations instead, the outcome of discussions between mother and son that altered how the torch would be passed.
Trask departed from the franchise not long afterward, and the Raiders — fed up after stalled talks with Oakland for a new stadium — departed for Vegas.
Carol, though, stuck around in the house in Piedmont that Herrera had helped the family secure.
“I never tried to impose any of my beliefs on Carol — it wouldn’t have done any good either way,” Herrera said. “She was very strong in her opinions and she did exactly what she thought was right.”
Still, until her passing last Friday, those who knew her remembered her the way they do the Oakland Raiders: a football team with tall aspirations and a swagger.
“As the originals, we all had the same dream, but we didn’t know how to get there,” Flores said. “Al and Carol had that dream — and they knew how to do it. They brought us where we wanted to go.”
OAKLAND — Retired NFL star Doug Martin spent his final moments alive Saturday morning wandering in the dark through the backyards and banging on the front doors of his neighbors’ houses in the Oakland hills, sources told the Bay Area News Group.
Martin’s subsequent death — after what police described as a “brief struggle” with officers inside one of those homes — sent shockwaves through the city, stunning those who recalled the former All-Pro running back’s quick burst on the football turf and easygoing temperament off of it.
Two days later, questions mounted about the Oakland Police Department’s actions before dawn Saturday, along with the factors that appeared to lead Martin inside his neighbor’s home and the exact circumstances around his death in police custody.
“It’s tragic, it’s really tragic,” said his neighbor, Lynne Belmont, 74.
Multiple people called 911 around 4:15 a.m. Saturday, as Martin went door-to-door on the 11000 block of Ettrick Street, sources said. He had been staying in a longtime family home on that block, which sits atop an Oakland hills neighborhood near the Oakland Zoo.
Police initially received a call about a person breaking into a home on that street, which a source said had been occupied at the time. They “simultaneously” received notice that a person believed to be a burglar was having “a medical emergency,” according to a statement released Sunday by the Oakland Police Department.
A “brief struggle” ensued when officers contacted the suspected burglar inside a house and tried to detain him, police said. Martin then became unresponsive after being taken into custody, according to Oakland police.
Oakland police did not respond to multiple requests by this news organization for further details. City and police officials have yet to release police radio and dispatch recordings from the encounter, which were recently encrypted and shielded from the public’s ear.
The police department also has yet to announce how many officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, as is customary following an in-custody death.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, in Tampa, Fla. Two-time Pro Bowl running back Doug Martin has been released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, who may look for a replacement in free agency.(AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
In a statement issued Monday evening, Martin’s family said his parents “were actively seeking medical assistance for him and had contacted local authorities for support” before his encounter with police. They added that Martin “battled mental health challenges that profoundly impacted his personal and professional life,” and that he fled his home that night after “feeling overwhelmed and disoriented.”
“Ultimately, mental illness proved to be the one opponent from which Doug could not run,” said the family’s statement, which was released by Athletes First. The firm represented Martin when he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012.”
On Monday, Mayor Barbara Lee issued a statement mourning Martin’s death and noting she had reached out to Martin’s family. Lee hailed him as “an Oaklander who had a distinguished NFL career,” adding that “our condolences are with his family and loved ones.” The family has requested privacy.
Martin did not seem much involved in Oakland’s professional sports community, a tight-knit social circle that includes former big-league athletes and coaches. Several long-timers contacted for this story had not been aware that Martin had even resided in Oakland.
On his journey from high school stardom in Stockton to NFL fame, however, Martin was as memorable a running back as the coaches who crossed paths with him could remember.
“He was the kind of guy who really just absorbed everything you tried to teach him,” said Earnest Byner, a former NFL all-pro who was Martin’s running back coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “He could do anything you asked him to do.”
It was the kind of inner confidence that made the relatively undersized, 5-foot 9-inch tall player — nicknamed “Muscle Hamster” — eager to take on more physically taxing assignments, such as blocking heftier linebackers.
But Martin truly shone with the ball in his hand, coaches said, zipping downfield with a springy first step. A decorated college career at Boise State — where he logged 3,400 yards and 43 touchdowns — led him to be the Buccaneers’ first-round draft selection in 2012.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) walks off the field after a staggeringly successful day against the Oakland Raiders in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Martin rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns, as the Buccaneers won, 42-32. (D. Ross Cameron/Staff)
Martin had been known around the college campus for his bounding social energy. He rode a remote-controlled electric skateboard to classes, forged close locker-room friendships and even embraced the popularity of “Teach Me How to Dougie,” a hit song with a signature dance move that shared his name.
“He was just having fun playing ball,” said Keith Bhonapha, the college’s running-back coach at the time. “He really felt at home there.”
Martin’s NFL draft-day party at his relatives’ house in the Oakland hills was uniquely festive, recalled Tony Franks, his high school coach in Stockton. Television trucks lined the street and dozens of people cheered when the St. Mary’s High School star received a call from the Buccaneers at the end of the first round.
Martin’s running style was prototypical for the time — “powerful, compact, explosive,” he said, yet nimble enough to “change direction on a dime.”
“He had such natural strength, leg strength, body strength,” Franks said. “The force he could create by accelerating was just tremendous.”
In the NFL, though, Martin faced adversity. After a breakout rookie season, he suffered a torn labrum that sidelined him for much of his follow-up campaign. Still, he notched two All-Pro teams in a career that lasted seven seasons, rushing for over 5,300 yards and two touchdowns before retiring in 2018.
Martin was suspended four games in 2016 for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy after testing positive for a banned substance. In a statement at the time, Martin said he initially considered appealing the penalty but had decided instead to seek treatment.
“My shortcomings,” he said of his off-the-field life, “have taught me both that I cannot win these personal battles alone and that there is no shame in asking for help.”
Bhonapha, an Oakland native who played football at Skyline High School, visited Martin sometime during the Tampa Bay years. Over a steak dinner, the coach recalled, Martin spoke sentimentally about his Boise State years, reminiscing about the familiarity and friendships that came before the realities of adulthood.
“The amount of calls I’ve gotten from teammates since this weekend asking what happened … guys who were really close with him said they hadn’t talked to him in a couple years,” Bhonapha said.
But even amid the shock of Martin’s untimely passing, those who witnessed the Stockton kid’s rise to the sport’s top ranks recalled the determination that had brought him there.
“He had probably gone through being doubted because of his size at one point,” Byner said. “But he never doubted what he could do — and we didn’t, either.”
Jakob Rodgers is a senior breaking news reporter. Call, text or send him an encrypted message via Signal at 510-390-2351, or email him at jrodgers@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Shomik Mukherjee is a reporter covering Oakland. Call or text him at 510-905-5495 or email him at smukherjee@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Long time division rivals clash in Vegas in Monday Night Football action
Los Angeles ChargersCredit: Los Angeles Chargers
In game 1, we saw the LA Chargers successfully fend off the Kansas City Chiefs in a divisional thriller full of big plays and bigger upsets. This week, the divisional feuds continue as the Chargers head to Vegas to face a newly revitalized Raiders team.
It took a few years of navigating drafts and trades, but it appears that this year’s Las Vegas Raiders can pose a serious threat, unlike we’ve seen in recent years.
After a 14-year run with the Seattle Seahawks that includes a Super Bowl victory (Super Bowl XLVIII), future Hall of Fame coach Pete Carroll has made his way to the often-troubled Raiders, bringing with him a work ethic and maturity level that have been sorely missing in the team’s past.
Now in command, he oversees a promising team full of young studs, such as the eruptive tight end Brock Bowers, who is now considered the best player at the position, and the newly drafted running back Ashton Jeanty, who is viewed as one of the best RB prospects in years.
Along with Carroll also comes former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who finished top 5 in total passing yards last season. And to round out this offense on the WR end of things, we have Jakobi Meyers, a player who has flown under the radar quietly while accumulating a career-best season last year for not only surpassing 1,000 yards for his first time, but also catching 129 targets with a mind-blowing 0 drops.
Safe to say the Chargers cannot let their foot off the gas during their next meeting. But as we’ve seen in game 1, Herbert and the Chargers are also playing with a chip on their shoulder after numerous underwhelming years.
If the offense continues to click like it did against the Chiefs, Herbert will have not one, not two but three highly skilled receivers at his disposal in McConkey, Allen, and Johnston. We should also see a breakout game from the Chargers’ own rookie RB Omarion Hampton, who saw a solid amount of carries in game 1, though left much to be desired in terms of yardage gained.
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The key to victory is not resting entirely on the Chargers’ offense but more on the defense, specifically superstar safety Derwin James Jr., as he must apply as much pressure as he can to Geno Smith in hopes of preventing any type of production from Bowers and Meyers.
Could we see two fun shootouts in a row for the Chargers? There’s a high possibility. We’ll see how things play out on Monday night in Vegas, where the high-rollers take all the risk.
DENVER — Broncos fans rejoiced — and jeered at Raiders fans — as the Denver team took home their third straight win on Sunday night.
The rivalry is one that’s as old as time. Sunday’s game fell on Alumni Weekend, when the team payed homage to the 1977 Denver Broncos in a number of ways which included throwback jerseys.
“It just brings back the greatest memories,” said Justin Martinez, who was celebrating the win with friends and family.
Another fan, Rick Cisneros, was at the 1977 game where the Broncos beat the Raiders in the AFC Championship Game.
“Back in 1977, I was in the Raiders section, and then when the Broncos won, we got pushed onto the field, and when we got pushed onto the field, that’s when they tore down the goal post. And it was just amazing back then, just incredible,” Cisneros.
Cisneros made a new memory at Sunday’s game when a raccoon was discovered inside the stadium.
“That raccoon inside the south stands. He escaped, came back, and then they caught him, then Animal Control went in and took him away. It was just hilarious,” said Cisneros.
Rick Cisneros
A raccoon found it’s way inside Empower Field on Sunday.
Despite the raccoon — nothing can overshadow the Broncos win on Sunday night.
“Sometimes I feel like it’s hard to be a Broncos fan, because day in and day out, we’re fighting for them, and we’re sometimes wondering, When are they fighting for us?” said Chantel Sandoval, a Broncos fan. “Today, I actually felt like for once, they fought for us.”
If you are lucky in your lifetime, you’ll see your NFL Team play in a Super Bowl. If you are fortunate, you’ll see them win it.
If you are nearly overcome with the emotions of the mere mention of that thought, Roger Goodell and the NFL are here to help. This week, Goodell floated the idea that eliminating one prepreseasonL game combined with an eighteen-week NFL regular season schedule would allow the Super Bowl to be scheduled on President’s week, thus creating a long holiday weekend for many.
In short, the NFL PrePreseasonhedule is in a ton of trouble.
Three NFL teams in the modern era haven’t yet been to a Super Bowl — The Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, and Houston Texans. The Lions were one onside kick away from making the list only two.
It had been 25 years since the Eagles first played the Patriots in 2005 and lost 27–24 in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXXIX. I remember fearing that I’d never see it again. I was two years old when the Eagles played the Raiders in the Super Bowl in 1981. My Dad would forever describe that particular game as one that Philly should have won. The Eagles and Raiders played earlier in the year, right before Thanksgiving, and the Eagles narrowly won 10–7.
When I attended a Super Bowl Party in 2005, I remember the excitement early in the day, with one question looming.
Do you have to work tomorrow?
PHOTO: —
Already earlier in the week, Philadelphia and New England area businesses were taxed with workers trying to take the day off in the event that the euphoric feeling of a World Championship had overtaken your soul, making it nearly impossible to function at work the following day.
I still remember the excitement on my Dad’s face in 2018 when the Eagles won it all. I thought to myself, better enjoy this one, not sure it will happen again. And crap, I have to work tomorrow.
Dedicated in loving memory of my father Thomas J. Leibrandt — author, historian, Eagles fan, and a true Philadelphian.
Quarterback Brock Purdy became first San Francisco 49ers quarterback to throw four interceptions in a game since Colin Kaepernick in 2015; Baltimore Ravens and 49ers both remain top of their respective conferences and can still clinch No 1 seeds
Last Updated: 26/12/23 9:44am
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Highlights of the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 of the NFL season.
Lamar Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens past the San Francisco 49ers in a stunning 33-19 victory after throwing two touchdown passes in 18 seconds in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Kyle Hamilton and the Ravens defense intercepted quarterback Brock Purdy on three of the first four drives of the game for the 49ers to turn a 16-12 halftime lead into a commanding 30-12 advantage.
Purdy became the first 49ers quarterback to throw four interceptions in a game since Colin Kaepernick in 2015 and finished 18 for 32 for 255 yards before leaving the field after sustaining a left shoulder stinger in the fourth quarter with Sam Darnold replacing him.
Jackson took an intentional grounding safety after he tripped over a fallen official in the end zone and attempted a pass to give the 49ers the first points of the game.
On first-and-10 at Baltimore’s 15, Purdy attempted to force a pass to wideout Deebo Samuel that Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton stepped in front of for an interception.
After Baltimore forced a punt on the opening drive of the second half, Jackson capped a drive by throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor.
Williams injured his groin attempting to tackle Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen after Purdy’s fourth interception. Jackson immediately turned that into another score with a 9-yard TD pass to Zay Flowers that made it 30-12. Jackson threw for 252 yards, ran for 45 more and vaulted past Purdy to take the limelight.
Umpire Alex Moore falls as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92) during the first half
San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey set a franchise record with his eighth straight game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage.
Darnold replied for the 49ers with a fourth-quarter touchdown after replacing an injured Purdy but by then it was already too late.
Both teams remain on top of their conferences. The Niners are in a three-way tie with Philadelphia and Detroit for the best record in the NFC and can still clinch the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye with wins in their final two games.
The Ravens remained a game ahead of Miami for the best record in the AFC and can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win next week against the Dolphins.
What did they say?
Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh: “Our guys work hard. They compete hard. Everybody wants to be respected. There’s one way to be respected, and that’s to go out there and earn that. I thought Lamar had an MVP performance tonight. It takes a team to create a performance like that, but it takes a player to play at that level, to play at an MVP level, it takes a player to play that way. Lamar was all over the field.”
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson: “We got the W. I don’t really care about performance. I just want to win. That’s what happened tonight. On Christmas, I got my gift.”
San Francisco 49ers Kyle Shanahan coach: “I didn’t mind his [Purdy] demeanour. He stayed in there and kept battling. Our whole team struggled there in the second half, so it wasn’t just him.”
What’s next?
The Ravens host Miami Dolphins while the 49ers visit Washington on Sunday December 31.
Make sure you tune in to Sky Sports NFL every Sunday at 6pm for the first game of our triple-header of live action. The evening’s entertainment also includes NFL Redzone action as hosted by Scott Hanson, as well as Sunday Night Football to round off the night.
Sky Sports will broadcast two exclusive live games every Sunday throughout the regular season in the 6pm and 9pm slots, while also showing every Thursday Night, Sunday Night and Monday Night match-up.
Fans can also watch every minute of the playoffs across January, followed by Super Bowl LVIII at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11.
Dak Prescott is playing the best football of his career – can he lead Dallas to the Super Bowl?
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are primed for a 13 seconds rematch, the Dallas Cowboys have their sites on snatching the NFC East title from the Philadelphia Eagles. Week 14 is shaping up nicely; we guide you through the latest news, views and build-up ahead of Sunday in the NFL…
Editor’s note…
There might not be a quarterback playing better football in the NFL than Dak Prescott at this moment. He has entered the MVP conversation, and so too the Dallas Cowboys to-be-taken-seriously Super Bowl contention. Yes, you might have heard that before.
It can often be what goes unnoticed that can be so impressive and so defining to the way Dak plays. From the mastery of his rhythmic and hoodwinking pre-snap cadence, to the speed at which he can diagnose a field and slide protections, adjust assignments or alter play concepts accordingly at the line of scrimmage. “He plays the position” as Aaron Rodgers said recently on the Pat McAfee Show, igniting a ‘Texas Coast’ offense that has buried its early-season teething issues.
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Highlights of the Seattle Seahawks against the Dallas Cowboys in week 13 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Seattle Seahawks against the Dallas Cowboys in week 13 of the NFL season.
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December 11, 2023, 1:15am
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Only Brock Purdy owns a better EPA+CPOE composite (an advanced metric on quarterback play-by-play value and efficiency) than Prescott this season, the Dallas quarterback having put up a passer rating of at least 115.0 in five of six games since the Week Seven bye week. In that time he has completed 156 of 221 passes (70.59 per cent) for 1,901 yards and 20 touchdowns to two interceptions. He also happens to be the league’s best quarterback on third down this year, which tends to serve as a nice indication of how well a passer is faring in decisive moments of a game, which always comes with an added caveat of pressure as an expectation-burdened Cowboys play-caller.
McCarthy’s offense is purring as it empowers its quarterback to take command of games with more aggressive pass designs and opportunities to use his legs alongside an increased use of play-action, while dressing up the line of scrimmage with pre-snap motion and crowning CeeDee Lamb as their focal point by shifting him across multiple spots in the formation.
Lamb has taken a seat at the table alongside the league’s most dynamic receivers with 90 catches for 1,182 yards and seven touchdowns, Brandin Cooks has answered the Cowboys’ call for a legitimate No 2 receiver, Jake Ferguson is peppering the seam as his threat continues to increase as the team’s lead tight end. Tony Pollard’s multi-purpose production out of the backfield has meanwhile picked back up after a minor lull as a crucial sell for the Cowboys play-action game.
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The Her Huddle team discuss whether this could be the season which sees a player who doesn’t play at quarterback win the NFL’s MVP award, with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill the frontrunner.
The Her Huddle team discuss whether this could be the season which sees a player who doesn’t play at quarterback win the NFL’s MVP award, with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill the frontrunner.
Dallas rank third in EPA/play and sit at the top of scoring rankings on offense, while Dan Quinn’s stunting, route-jumping defense continues to be among the NFL’s elite at third in EPA/play and third in total yards. ‘Our year’ sentiment has been long-exhausted and long-unfulfilled in Cowboys territory amid their pursuit of a first Super Bowl appearance since their victory at the end of the 1995 season.
The 49ers are nagging frontrunners to prolong that pain, and beckon as a potential ultimate test somewhere down the line in the playoffs. Before then, Dak and the Cowboys have the opportunity to force home their respective MVP and Championship credentials across a home stretch that sees them face the Philadelphia Eagles – who they could yet leapfrog in the NFC East – and Mike McDaniel’s Miami Dolphins.
How ’bout them Cowboys? We are about to find out.
Around the league…
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was limited on his return to practice Thursday having appeared to swerve serious injury after suffering a high ankle sprain in Monday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals; Lawrence said he was hopeful of facing the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, with head coach Doug Pederson insisting he won’t sacrifice a player’s health for one game.
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed Zach Wilson will start at quarterback against the Houston Texans having been demoted for Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian in the last two games.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said Von Miller remains available to play against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday following allegations of domestic violence against the edge rusher.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence shows his frustration after suffering an injury against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence shows his frustration after suffering an injury against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Former Indianapolis Colts three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaq Leonard signed a one-year deal with the Eagles this week.
Miami Dolphins right tackle Austin Jackson agreed a three-year, $36m extension on Thursday amid his impressive 2023 campaign.
Justin Jefferson is set to make his return for the Minnesota Vikings against the Las Vegas Raiders after missing seven games due to a hamstring injury.
Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Amnesia by an independent neurologist after suffering a concussion in the Week 10 game against the Chicago Bears, his father announced.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is expected to coach at the weekend despite undergoing surgery on Wednesday after being diagnosed with an acute case of appendicitis.
What to watch…
Week 14 live on Sky!
Los Angeles Rams (6-6) @ Baltimore Ravens (9-3): The Ravens struck gold with Kyle Hamilton, who has arrived as advertised since entering the league as the No 14 pick at the 2022 Draft. He stands to be the quintessential modern NFL safety as Mike Macdonald’s disguised blitzer, hybrid box tackler, slot demon and sideline-to-sideline blockade. With Marcus Williams on hand to play deep, Hamilton has free rein to wreak havoc as Baltimore’s most dangerous disruptor at the line of scrimmage. And while attention has been on the Rams’ young offensive playmakers, the audition process for Aaron Donald’s supporting cast has been intriguing. Third-round rookie nose tackle Kobie Turner has quietly amassed a rookie-leading 5.5 sacks, while fellow third-rounder Byron Young is close behind on five sacks.
Live NFL
December 10, 2023, 9:15pm
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Buffalo Bills (6-6) @ Kansas City Chiefs (8-4): Tight ends, assemble. For years the Bills have watched Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce torch the NFL as the league’s most dynamic quarterback-tight end tandem, shattering Buffalo’s Super Bowl hopes on a couple of occasions in the process. In a bid to add their own Kelce-esque dimension, the Bills went and drafted Dalton Kincaid in the first round earlier this year. The vision was tight splits in multiple tight end sets from which he and Dawson Knox could sell the run game, lure defenses downhill and open up shots for Josh Allen downfield, as well as leaking out into routes of their own. The production (56 catches, 474 yards) has been sporadic, not helped by the absence of Knox, with flashes of an integral supporting role behind Stefon Diggs, while Kelce, without lighting up the world, leads the Chiefs with 813 receiving yards and five scores.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (9-3): Do we call this the Shaq Leonard bowl? There was little surprise when the Eagles edged out the Cowboys to wrap up a deal for the former Indianapolis Colts man, not because Howie Roseman is one of the savviest operators in the market but because of the extent to which the 49ers exposed Philly’s linebackers in Week 13. Time and time again Kyle Shanahan disorientated the likes of Nicholas Morrow and Christian Ellis, standing in for the injured Zach Cunningham, with Deebo Samuel’s pre-snap reload motion to muddy the play direction, eventually disguising it to unleash the Niners receiver for his first-half catch-and-run touchdown out of the backfield. Morrow bit hard on a Christian McCaffrey out-route at the sideline before later being shrugged off by Samuel again on his 48-yard touchdown; it was a torrid day, Nick Sirianni’s safeties included as Shanahan toyed with the middle of the field. Can Leonard step in immediately? And will the Cowboys similarly plot to exploit the Eagles’ weakness at the second level?
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Jeff Reinebold says Baltimore Ravens’ defense create mental as well as physical problems for their opponents, and backs them to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14.
Jeff Reinebold says Baltimore Ravens’ defense create mental as well as physical problems for their opponents, and backs them to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14.
Best quotes
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on his injury against the Bengals: “I’m thankful it’s not a worse injury than what I thought on the field.”
Taylor Swift, in her interview for 2023 Time magazine’s person of the year: “Football is awesome, it turns out. I’ve been missing out my whole life.”
Nick Bosa suggests the 49ers showed the NFL how to stop Jalen Hurts: “You see it on tape. Obviously, we put the blueprint out there. Hopefully, the Dallas Cowboys watch the tape. We made Jalen stay in the pocket and escape outside instead of those B-gaps. And it paid off.”
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on The Pat McAfee Show: “The most disappointing thing about the whole rehab process was December 24 was literally on my mind. It would have been like 14-and-a-half weeks, I thought that would be reasonable based on my progress.”
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Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the Miami Dolphins’ season so far and why sealing home matches in the playoffs could be crucial to their success.
Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the Miami Dolphins’ season so far and why sealing home matches in the playoffs could be crucial to their success.
Live NFL
December 10, 2023, 5:00pm
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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel on his team’s 9-3 record at the top of the AFC: “Call me when it’s a 13-game season. That’s all nice, but we have a job to do today. If we short-change and are worried about anything other than the Tennessee Titans when we’re game planning, then all those conversations and stories literally don’t matter at all.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Rams receiver Puka Nacua: “I liked him (in the Draft). He was one of my highest-rated guys. You can ask anybody here, he was way up on my board. He’s playing exactly how I thought he would, for the record.”
Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on facing Houston’s CJ Stroud: “He’s a very unique young quarterback. He’s a guy I really wish we would’ve played Weeks One to Four when he was still trying to figure out this game.”
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Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the San Francisco 49ers’ impressive win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.
Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the San Francisco 49ers’ impressive win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.
The stats
Tyreek Hill’s 938 yards on vertical routes so far this season are the most of any receiver in a single campaign since 2018
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen currently has 898 catches in 138 games and has the chance to surpass Antonio Brown (143 games) as the fastest player in history to reach 900 career receptions
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson sits on 5,396 career receiving yards, leaving him needing just 117 more to overtake Michael Thomas for most by a player in his first four seasons in history
Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons, who has 11.5 sacks on the year, is looking to become the second player since sack statistics began in 1982 to record at least 13 sacks in each of his first three seasons – Hall of Famer Reggie White having been the first
CJ Stroud needs 253 passing yards to overtake Andrew Luck for the second-most by a player in his first 13 games
Brock Purdy can become the fourth quarterback in NFL history to post a completion percentage of 70-or-higher in seven straight games this weekend
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Jeff Reinebold describes the Packers’ win over the Chiefs as a ‘magical night’ and hails the performances of quarterback Jordan Love.
Jeff Reinebold describes the Packers’ win over the Chiefs as a ‘magical night’ and hails the performances of quarterback Jordan Love.
The NFL playoff race has reached the home stretch in one of the most wide-open seasons in recent memory, with surprise teams occupying postseason spots and expected contenders battling for their place.
All is not rosy in the land of the mighty. The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs have been marred by drops and deficiencies on a limping offense, behind which Patrick Mahomes and Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive subterfuge have between them retained some level of serious contention, with question marks over an 8-4 team speaking volumes as to the self-imposed expectations in Arrowhead.
And in western New York the Buffalo Bills are fighting for their playoff lives as they play catch-up having endured marquee injuries, suffered late heartbreak, fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and slipped behind the pack in what is still deemed a Championship window for under-pressure head coach Sean McDermott and his high-powered team.
Hannah Wilkes and Phoebe Schecter talk to Italy Women’s flag football captain Nausicaa Dell’Orto about the challenges she faced in forming a female team in Milan.
Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss the San Francisco 49ers’ emphatic win over the Philadelphia Eagles and the red-hot form of the Miami Dolphins…
Thursday night rewind…
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Highlights of the New England Patriots up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the New England Patriots up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14 of the NFL season.
Bailey Zappe threw three first-half touchdown passes as the New England Patriots snapped a five-game skid while damaging the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff hopes with a 21-18 victory on Thursday night.
Watch the Baltimore Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams from 5pm (kickoff at 6pm) live on Sky Sports NFL this Sunday, followed by the Buffalo Bills at the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson says “everything is stable” with Trevor Lawrence after the quarterback suffered an ankle injury in Monday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals; Pederson has not ruled Lawrence out of Sunday’s clash with Cleveland Browns
Last Updated: 05/12/23 7:48pm
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Highlights of the Cincinnati Bengals’ clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13 of the NFL
Highlights of the Cincinnati Bengals’ clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13 of the NFL
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson says quarterback Trevor Lawrence was “very fortunate” to avoid a more serious injury after damaging his ankle in Monday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Lawrence was injured in the fourth quarter as Jake Browning threw for 354 yards and a touchdown in his second career start to lead the Bengals to a stunning 34-31 overtime win.
Browning also ran for a score as the Bengals (6-6) won on Monday Night Football for the first time since 1990 on Evan McPherson’s 48-yard field goal in the extra frame, with Lawrence’s injury for the Jaguars (8-4) appearing to be potentially the biggest blow of the evening for the home team.
Left tackle Walker Little stepped on Lawrence’s ankle, causing him to twist it as he was sacked. Lawrence tried to get up, but dropped to the ground, ripped off his helmet and threw it in disgust. He was helped off the field and into the tunnel for X-rays.
Pederson said on Tuesday tests on Lawrence’s right ankle showed “everything’s stable, everything’s good”. He added surgery “is not necessarily something that would be warranted at this time”.
“We’ll see where he’s at in a couple days,” Pederson said roughly 12 hours after the game had finished.
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The Bengals took the lead with Ja’Marr Chase’s 76-yard touchdown reception, his team’s longest play of 2023
The Bengals took the lead with Ja’Marr Chase’s 76-yard touchdown reception, his team’s longest play of 2023
“[It] looked worse than it really was. Very fortunate there.”
It ended an otherwise stellar night for Lawrence, who completed 22 of 29 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score.
Pederson has not ruled Lawrence out of Sunday’s upcoming clash with the Cleveland Browns.
“I’m not going to put that timetable on Trevor,” he added. “Not going to put him in a box like that. We’ll see how he is in a couple of days.”
Browning was equally stout in place of star Joe Burrow, who watched and coached from the sideline while wearing a cast and a sling. Browning completed 32 of 37 passes and directed the overtime drive that set up McPherson’s winner.
McPherson, who played collegiately at nearby Florida, banged a 57-yarder off the crossbar in the same direction early in the game.
Jacksonville backup CJ Beathard completed nine of 10 passes for 63 yards in relief of Lawrence. Beathard put the Jaguars in position for Brandon McManus’ 40-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining in regulation.
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A Bengals trick play went all wrong when Tyler Boyd’s pass was picked off by Jaguars’ Josh Allen
A Bengals trick play went all wrong when Tyler Boyd’s pass was picked off by Jaguars’ Josh Allen
Ja’Marr Chase caught 11 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, a 76-yarder in the third quarter that got the Bengals going. Joe Mixon ran for 68 yards and two scores, and rookie Chase Brown added 61 yards on the ground for the league’s worst rushing attack. Mixon also had six receptions for 49 yards.
The Bengals made it harder than it should have been when coach Zac Taylor called a trick play that turned into a debacle in third.
Browning lateraled to receiver Tyler Boyd, who inexplicably threw directly to pass rusher Josh Allen. Allen caught the ball for his second career interception. The Jaguars scored four plays later when Lawrence jumped and stretched the ball across the goal line.
It was the second bungled trick play for the Bengals, who also lost seven yards when Chase completed a double pass to Browning. Still, the Bengals finished with 491 yards and were eight of 14 on third down.
Scoring summary
Scoring summary
FIRST QUARTER
Bengals 0-7 Jaguars
Travis Etienne four-yard rushing TD (extra point)
SECOND QUARTER
Bengals 7-7 Jaguars
Joe Mixon six-yard rushing TD (extra point)
Bengals 7-14 Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence 22-yard TD pass to Evan Engram (extra point)
Bengals 14-14 Jaguars
Joe Mixon two-yard rushing TD (extra point)
THIRD QUARTER
Bengals 21-14 Jaguars
Jake Browning 76-yard TD pass to Ja’Marr Chase (extra point)
Bengals 21-21 Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence 14-yard TD pass to Parker Washington (extra point)
Bengals 21-28 Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence one-yard rushing TD (extra point)
FOURTH QUARTER
Bengals 28-28 Jaguars
Jake Browning one-yard rushing TD (extra point)
Bengals 31-28 Jaguars
Evan McPherson 54-yard field goal
Bengals 31-31 Jaguars
Brandon McManus 40-yard field goal
OVERTIME
Bengals 34-31 Jaguars
Evan McPherson 48-yard field goal
What did they say?
Jags quarterback C.J. Beathard on injury to Lawrence: “First instinct was ah, it sucks for Trevor when you see him on the ground hurting. That sucks. It kind of takes the breath away from the guys on the sidelines and stuff when you see your starting quarterback hurting like that. But then you quickly flip into going into that two-minute drive to try and tie the game or win the game. Obviously, don’t have much time for the news to kick in, just kind of got to go.”
What next?
The Bengals are back in action at home to the Indianapolis Colts (7-5), while the Jaguars prepare for a spell without Lawrence on the road against the Cleveland Browns (7-5).
DaRon Bland made it five interceptions returned for a touchdown in a single season, breaking the record he had equalled in Week 11; Dak Prescott passed for 331 yards and four touchdowns in a big win for the Dallas Cowboys; Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell was sacked four times
Last Updated: 24/11/23 1:21am
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Highlights of the Washington Commanders against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Washington Commanders against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12 of the NFL season.
DaRon Bland capped a 45-10 Thanksgiving victory for the Dallas Cowboys over their NFC East rival Washington Commanders by breaking the NFL record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown in a season.
Rico Dowdle put the Cowboys (8-4) ahead at AT&T Stadium with 46 seconds remaining in the first quarter with a 15-yard touchdown, and further scores from Brandin Cooks and Tony Pollard helped the home side into a 20-10 lead at half time.
Joey Slye’s field goal and a rushing touchdown from Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, who ended the day with 300 yards and completed 28 of 44 passes but was sacked four times, ensured the visitors kept within touching distance of their NFC East rivals.
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But after a scoreless third quarter Brandon Aubrey’s field goal, a sixth receiving touchdown of the season for CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin’s grab in the end zone ensured a sixth-straight home game of Dallas scoring 30-plus points, with quarterback Dak Prescott passing for 331 yards and four touchdowns.
There was still time for Bland to make NFL history though, coming up with a pick-six with under five minutes remaining as he snagged a pass from Howell and raced 63 yards downfield for his fifth of the season – breaking the record of four he had jointly held with Eric Allen (1993), Jim Kearney (1972) and Ken Houston (1971).
The dichotomy that is Howell’s 2023 season was shown again on Washington’s opening drive as the NFL’s passing yard leader heading into this game was sacked for a league-leading 52nd time this season, and the Commanders were forced to punt after their first two possessions of the game stalled at midfield.
Having punted at the end of their first possession, the Cowboys built steadily on their second, despite back-to-back penalties which left them facing second and 25, and put together a 15-play, 110-yard drive which ended in Prescott’s short pass to Dowdle sending the running back streaking away for the opening score.
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DaRon Bland created history with his fifth pick-six of the season, a new NFL record.
DaRon Bland created history with his fifth pick-six of the season, a new NFL record.
The Commanders responded with a strong second-quarter drive led by Howell and running back Brian Robinson Jr earning consecutive first downs, yet some strong defensive plays from the Cowboys saw the visitors pushed back to third and 18, and eventually have to settle for a 43-yard field goal from Joey Slye.
Dallas were soon on the board again though as Prescott unleashed a pass to Cooks, who broke double coverage and sprinted away for a 31-yard touchdown to extend the home side’s advantage.
Despite being sacked for the second time in the game, Howell was able to guide Washington up to within striking distance and finished off the 67-yard drive with a four-yard run for a touchdown which closed the gap to four points inside the two-minute warning.
The Cowboys stunned the Commanders with a third touchdown before half time though, taking over possession with 1:51 of the second quarter remaining and going 70 yards for a drive which was finished by Pollard rushing seven yards up the middle to score, although Aubrey missed the extra point attempt.
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Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys celebrated their touchdown with a turkey leg!
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys celebrated their touchdown with a turkey leg!
Washington’s offense clicked more into gear in the third, but each time they found themselves thwarted by some determined defense from the Cowboys and were unable to make further inroads despite preventing the hosts from adding to their tally as well.
Dallas eventually managed to add some points to their tally early in the fourth quarter as rookie kicker Aubrey notched his record-extending 22nd-consecutive field goal with a 52-yarder.
Micah Parsons’ 11th sack of the season and Johnathan Hankins taking down Howell as the Commanders went for it on fourth then earned the Cowboys a turnover on downs, and they put the game to bed soon after when Prescott connected with Lamb for a 15-yard touchdown pass which was followed by a successful two-point conversion.
The Cowboys were not done there though as Prescott found Turpin with a 34-yard pass, followed by cornerback Bland putting the icing on the cake and writing his name in the NFL history books.
Scoring summary
Scoring summary
FIRST QUARTER
Commanders 0-7 Cowboys
Dak Prescott 15-yard pass to Rico Dowdle (extra point)
SECOND QUARTER
Commanders 3-7 Cowboys
Joey Slye 43-yard field goal
Commanders 3-14 Cowboys
Dak Prescott 31-yard pass to Brandin Cooks (extra point)
Commanders 10-14 Cowboys
Sam Howell 1-yard rush (extra point)
Commanders 10-20 Cowboys
Tony Pollard 7-yard rush
FOURTH QUARTER
Commanders 10-23 Cowboys
Brandon Aubrey 52-yard field goal
Commanders 10-31 Cowboys
Dak Prescott 15-yard pass to CeeDee Lamb (two-point conversion)
Commanders 10-37 Cowboys
Dak Prescott 34-yard pass to KaVontae Turpin (extra point)
Commanders 10-45 Cowboys
DaRon Bland 63-yard interception (extra point)
What was said?
Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland, after breaking the individual pick-six season record on Thanksgiving: “To do it on Thanksgiving just means everything, in front of fans and family.”
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on what was behind his team’s big win: “I credit a lot around me, the offensive line protected great, look back at a couple of those touchdowns and they gave us a lot of time. We are playing free.”
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Dak Prescott and DaRon Bland celebrated their Thanksgiving win with some well-earned turkey!
Dak Prescott and DaRon Bland celebrated their Thanksgiving win with some well-earned turkey!
What’s next?
The Dallas Cowboys open Week 13 at home to the Seattle Seahawks, who face NFC West rivals the San Francisco 49ers in the late game on Thanksgiving, in the Thursday night encounter.
The Washington Commanders, meanwhile, face a tough task when they host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, December 3.
The New York Jets (4-6) then take on the Miami Dolphins (7-3) in the NFL’s first ever Black Friday game from 8pm.
Mac Jones was benched for Bailey Zappe in the final minutes of the fourth quarter as the New England Patriots fell to a 10-6 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany; Jonathan Taylor rushes for a first-half touchdown while Julian Blackmon comes up with late interception
By Cam Hogwood from Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt
Last Updated: 12/11/23 5:40pm
Jonathan Taylor waltzes in for the Colts touchdown
Mac Jones was benched in the fourth quarter as Jonathan Taylor’s first-half touchdown helped the Indianapolis Colts to a 10-6 victory over the New England Patriots in Frankfurt on Sunday.
Julian Blackmon came up with a sucker-punch interception to derail a late Patriots drive, marking the final straw on a tough day for Jones as he exited the game for Bailey Zappe with two minutes to play.
His backup did not fare much kinder, throwing a game-icing interception to Rodney Thomas II as the Colts improved to 5-5 on the year in the final international regular-season game of the season.
Jones finished 15 of 20 passing for 170 yards and an interception, while Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew went 18 of 28 for 194 yards and a pick.
Both teams missed field goals either side of half-time, which the Colts had entered with a 7-3 lead thanks to Taylor’s second rushing touchdown of the season and three sacks from Dayo Odeyingbo.
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New England Patriots’ Mac Jones throws away the go-ahead opportunity with a league-leading 10th interception as he looked to find Mike Gesicki
New England Patriots’ Mac Jones throws away the go-ahead opportunity with a league-leading 10th interception as he looked to find Mike Gesicki
The Patriots threatened a perfect start to the second half when Myles Bryant was well-positioned to collect Minshew’s tipped pass off the hands of Michael Pittman Jr for an interception at the half-way line.
Jones almost landed himself in trouble as he attempted a dangerous under-arm shovel while scurrying to try and escape pressure.
The pick eventually went unrewarded as the Patriots failed to convert on third-and-three before Chad Ryland skewed his 35-yard field goal attempt wide of the posts.
New England’s next drive was all about the run, Stevenson carrying the ball five times alongside two Ezekiel Elliott runs and a 15-yard Mac Jones scramble to set themselves up at the Colts 24 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Jones was almost intercepted by Julian Blackmon as the Colts safety got hands on a lofted pass in the end zone, the Patriots settling for a 24-yard field goal at the end of a 15-play drive lasting eight minutes.
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Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor gets his team on the board against the Patriots in Frankfurt
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor gets his team on the board against the Patriots in Frankfurt
Stats leaders:
Indianapolis Colts
Passing: Gardner Minshew, 18/28, 194 yards, 1 INT
Rushing: Jonathan Taylor, 23 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Michael Pittman Jr, 8 catches, 84 yards
Matt Gay’s 51-yard field goal pushed the Colts’ lead to 10-6 on the ensuing drive after Isiah McKenzie had ignited the response with a 42-yard kick return.
The Patriots would come up short once again in their efforts to turn the game on its head when Blackmon snagged Jones’ pass at the goal line with four minutes to play, much to the despair of the New England sideline at the end of a nine-play series.
Zappe entered the game with two minutes remaining, before any hopes of a late twist fizzled out when the Patriots quarterback was intercepted by Rodney Thomas II.
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The Colts defense blunted Jones and the Patriots to the sight of five sacks heading into the break, three of which came courtesy of Odeyingbo.
New England flashed signs of mending their stuttering offense during a 13-play opening drive that ended in Ryland’s 37-yard field goal after an Odeyingbo had derailed the series on third-and-six.
Taylor capped an immediate response when he skipped outside to run in for a one-yard touchdown at the end of a 14-play, 75-yard, seven-minute march ignited by Minshew’s off-script 30-yard throw to Isaiah McKenzie on third-and-six.
The sides then exchanged seven punts to test Deutsche Bank Park’s low-hanging scoreboard, Kwity Paye joining the sacks tally for the Colts having returned from an injury scare earlier in the half.
Minshew put the Colts in position to extend their lead late in the first half when he connected with Josh Downs for 12 yards on fourth-and-four, only for Matt Gay to miss the 57-yard field goal attempt.
Scoring summary
Scoring summary
FIRST QUARTER
Colts 0-3 Patriots
Chad Ryland 37-yard field goal
Colts 7-3 Patriots
Jonathan Taylor one-yard rushing TD (extra point)
SECOND QUARTER
THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER
Colts 7-6 Patriots
Chad Ryland 24-yard field goal
Colts 10-6 Patriots
Matt Gay 51-yard field goal
What’s next?
The Patriots enter a bye week before returning to face the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 12, while the Colts are due to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their break.
Week 10 in the NFL concludes on Monday night when the Denver Broncos visit the Buffalo Bills in the early hours of Tuesday, before the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Baltimore Ravens in Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 11.
The Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars find themselves as potential challengers for the Super Bowl this season
Jacksonville Jaguars. Detroit Lions.
Two of the harder sells in terms of the NFL in recent years. Decades even.
The two teams form part of a foursome of franchises to have never before reached a Super Bowl, joining the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans as the only teams never to do so.
The Lions haven’t even been to the playoffs in seven years and, staggeringly, are without a postseason win since the 1991 season!
The Jaguars’ recent history isn’t quite so bleak perhaps. Established as a franchise four years after Detroit’s last playoff win, they actually shocked the world with a run to the AFC Championship game in just their second season, getting back there again in 1999 and, more recently, in 2017.
Last year, after a few barren seasons which saw them earn the No 1 pick in back-to-back NFL drafts (2021 and 2022), Jacksonville again made the playoffs, riding the coattails of the very man they selected first overall in the first of those drafts, quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
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Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson was full of praise for Trevor Lawrence and labelled him as ‘the real deal’
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson was full of praise for Trevor Lawrence and labelled him as ‘the real deal’
They pulled off a remarkable 27-point comeback to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in the wild card round, and then pushed eventual champs the Kansas City Chiefs all the way before ultimately succumbing to a 27-20 defeat in their divisional matchup.
The Chiefs (7-2) are again top dogs in the AFC through the opening nine weeks of the 2023 season, while last year’s NFC winners, the Philadelphia Eagles (8-1), are again sitting pretty on their perch. But, below both, poised, ready to pounce are the Lions (7-2) and Jaguars (6-2) at second and third in their respective conferences.
There is a new elite forming in the NFL and we’ve got to get used to the unusual sensation of seeing Detroit and Jacksonville very much at the heart of it.
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Highlights of the Las Vegas Raiders against the Detroit Lions from Week Eight of the NFL season
Highlights of the Las Vegas Raiders against the Detroit Lions from Week Eight of the NFL season
Gone are the days of the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady axis in New England that saw the Patriots sweep all before them in claiming six Super Bowl titles (seven for Brady when you add in his three-year dalliance with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and while storied franchises like the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys are all certainly in the mix, it has been a long time since any of them got their hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Could we be witnessing the start of the era of the Jaguars? Or is there a dynasty forming in Detroit?
We’ll get the chance to see both squads up close and personal this Sunday, when Jacksonville host the 49ers (6pm kickoff) and the Lions then travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers (9.05pm kickoff) – both games live on Sky Sports NFL and Main Event.
Campbell’s ‘kneecap biters’ delivering on promise
But what has led to the sudden optimism for these two down-trodden NFL teams? It starts with the coaching and, specifically, the two leaders entrusted with establishing a winning culture and turning the teams’ fortunes around.
Dan Campbell certainly got everyone’s attention when, at his introductory press conference with the Lions in 2021, he said: “This team’s going to be built on: we’re going to kick you in the teeth, all right, and when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you and when you knock us down, we’re going to get up. And, on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off.
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“And, we’re going to stand up, and then it’s going to take two more shots to knock us down. And, on the way up, we’re going to take your other kneecap, and we’re going to get up and then it’s going to take three shots to get us down. And, when we do, we’re going to take another hunk out of you. Before long, we’re going to be the last one standing. That’s going to be the mentality.”
Campbell’s kneecap-biters took a while to work up an appetite, however, with a 3-13-1 season following in his debut campaign, before a 1-6 start to 2022 had him firmly on the hot seat.
Eight wins followed over Detroit’s final 10 games, the team agonisingly falling short of a playoff spot but the coach earning a stay of execution which he has certainly made the most of.
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Highlights of the Detroit Lions against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week One of the NFL season
Highlights of the Detroit Lions against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week One of the NFL season
The Lions bettered the defending-champion Chiefs in a thrilling 2023 season-opener, and have only been bested by the Seattle Seahawks (5-3) and Baltimore Ravens (7-2) so far this year. They rank second, behind only the explosive Dolphins, in total offense, registering 390.6 yards per game, while their underrated defense is top five, allowing only 296.9 YPG.
The fulcrum of the Lions defensive unit is second-year standout Aidan Hutchinson. The sophomore star has 4.5 sacks this year following the 9.5 the Michigan alumni registered in his rookie campaign, while he also has a pick to go with the three he logged last year.
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Highlights from Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s 2022 NFL Scouting Combine workout
Highlights from Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s 2022 NFL Scouting Combine workout
It’s another way in which the Lions and Jaguars will be linked, and the success of both teams compared, over the next decade, as Hutchinson was taken with the No 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, having been overlooked by the Jaguars, who owned the first selection.
Jacksonville instead opted for Travon Walker out of Georgia, the NFL Combine stud with the eye-catching measurables. Though he didn’t flash as much as Hutchinson in his rookie season, there are signs to suggest Walker is coming good on that selection, with his 3.5 sack total this year already matching his tally for 2022.
He forms part of an imposing Jaguars defense that ranks in the top-10 in scoring, allowing only 19.5 points per game, and is tied with the New Orleans Saints for the most takeaways this season with 18 (11 interceptions, seven forced fumbles).
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The Jacksonville Jaguars made defensive lineman Travon Walker the first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars made defensive lineman Travon Walker the first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft
Josh Allen, namesake of the Buffalo Bills quarterback, has two of those forced fumbles to his name and is the standout on Jacksonville’s defense, with his nine sacks for the year already placing him only one behind league-leader Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings and on course for a career-best total to beat his 10.5 set in his rookie 2019 season.
The Jaguars are currently in the midst of a five-game win streak, coming off their bye, as they get set to welcome San Francisco this Sunday. Their only losses on the year came in consecutive weeks when dropping games to Kansas City and Houston following an opening win over the Indianapolis Colts.
It’s all a far cry from the team that was in turmoil as recently as 2021 when then-head coach Urban Meyer was fired from the team midway through a dismal 3-14 season which saw him clash with both his coaches and players, as well as be caught up in a viral video scandal which appeared to show the married man dancing inappropriately with a women at a restaurant one day after a defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Jacksonville Jaguars fired head coach Urban Meyer after a disastrous 2021 season on and off the field
Lawrence leaves London a franchise quarterback
Doug Pederson, Super Bowl winner in 2017 with Philadelphia, came in and though the team got off to a slow 2-6 start, seven wins in nine followed to secure a playoff berth, with Lawrence in particular stepping up following a Week Eight loss to the Denver Broncos in London.
Lawrence completed over 70 per cent of his passes for an average of 252.6 yards per game down the stretch, returning a 102.6 passer rating and a sparkling 15-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He registered three 300-yard passing games over the final nine games of the season, matching his tally from the first 25 games of his NFL career.
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Quarterback Jared Goff is having his best season for the Detroit Lions, here’s a look at some of his best plays so far this season
Quarterback Jared Goff is having his best season for the Detroit Lions, here’s a look at some of his best plays so far this season
But Lawrence isn’t the only top-drafted quarterback delivering against his lofty position. Jared Goff, a former No 1 overall pick for the Los Angeles Rams in 2016, was much maligned for the first five years of his NFL career – in spite of taking the team to the Super Bowl in his third season – but he’s enjoying quite the renaissance in Detroit.
Traded to the Lions in 2021 in a deal that also included two first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, and a 2021 third-round selection, in exchange for QB Matthew Stafford, Goff was viewed as nothing more than a stopgap at the position until such time as Detroit could find better.
But Campbell and co have stuck with him and are now reaping the rewards, with Goff throwing 29 TDs to only seven interceptions last season and having tallied 12 already this year, along with 2,174 passing yards which places him fifth in the NFL when broken down into yards per game (271.8).
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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs lept high into the stands to join the crowd after scoring on a 27-yard touchdown run against the Las Vegas Raiders
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs lept high into the stands to join the crowd after scoring on a 27-yard touchdown run against the Las Vegas Raiders
The weaponry available to both Goff and Lawrence is plentiful also. They each boast a sizeable threat in the backfield, with Lions rookie Jahmyr Gibbs boasting a breakout performance of 189 scrimmage yards and a score in their latest win over the Las Vegas Raiders, while the Jaguars have Travis Etienne who saved his best for their win over the Bills in London as he racked up 184 scrimmage yards and two TDs.
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Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Buffalo Bills at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Week Five of the NFL season
Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Buffalo Bills at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Week Five of the NFL season
In terms of pass-catching targets, Lawrence boasts Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk in Jacksonville, while Goff has Amon-Ra St. Brown leading the way, backed up by promising second-year speedster Jameson Williams. There’s also tight end talents Evan Engram (Jaguars) and Sam LaPorta (Lions), who by some strange coincidence both have 434 yards on the season to date – albeit the latter logging four TDs along the way.
Simply put, these two teams are stacked. And it’s time the NFL took these two teams seriously as, who knows, we could well have a Super Bowl first-timer on our hands this season. Or two of them.
Watch the Indianapolis Colts take on the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany live on Sky Sports NFL from 1.30pm Sunday, with kick-off at 2.30pm; the San Francisco 49ers then face the Jacksonville Jaguars from 6pm followed by the Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Chargers.
Trent McDuffie starred as the Kansas City Chiefs defense proved instrumental yet again to inspire Andy Reid’s defending Super Bowl champions to victory over the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt; the Chiefs built a 21-0 half-time lead before denying the Dolphins overtime late in the game.
By Cam Hogwood from Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt
Last Updated: 06/11/23 12:12am
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Highlights of the Miami Dolphins against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week Nine of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Miami Dolphins against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week Nine of the NFL season.
How fitting it would prove of a Steve Spagnuolo unit to play a defining role on his return to Frankfurt as the Kansas City Chiefs marched to victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Spagnuolo, who coached for the Frankfurt Galaxy in 1998, watched on as a Trent McDuffie-inspired unit contained one of the league’s most potent attacks to underline the story of the season so far for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Tyreek Hill was limited to 62 yards while Tua Tagovailoa threw for a season-low 193 yards as Mike McDaniel’s side suffered their third loss to a team with a winning record this season.
“The fact that they’re so good at all three levels, they’re deep,” said Patrick Mahomes. “Guys rotate in. They can play. It’s hard to get everybody snaps, that’s how good they are. It’s got to be the top defense in the NFL.
“That’s a great offense. To hold them to 14 points where I fumbled in our own area for seven of those points, that’s a tremendous job. I think they’re going to continue to get better because they’re young and they love it.
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Sky Sports’ Olivia Harlan Dekker and Cam Hogwood give their verdict on the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over AFC rivals Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany.
Sky Sports’ Olivia Harlan Dekker and Cam Hogwood give their verdict on the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over AFC rivals Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany.
McDuffie paved the way for the Chiefs to take a 21-0 lead into half-time when he dislodged the ball from Tyreek Hill to set up Bryan Cook’s 59-yard fumble recovery.
Leo Chenal meanwhile stood firm in the face of Miami’s wide zone running scheme, L’Jarius Sneed took ownership over the task of shadowing Hill, and 2020 undrafted free agent Tershawn Wharton was on hand to deliver a drive-derailing sack late in the fourth quarter.
“I knew they were going to be good. You look at the end of last year, they played great football and no one really noticed. I knew they were going to be good,” said Mahomes.
“They brought back so many people, so many young guys, they were going to develop. I mean, the fact they’re all developing this fast, I don’t know if anyone could have guessed it. I knew they were going to be great as their careers went on. Good to have a lot of young guys that can play like that.”
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The Kansas City Chiefs defence comes up with an amazing play as their former teammate, Tyreek Hill is stripped by Mike Edwards who laterals the ball to Bryan Cook for the score.
The Kansas City Chiefs defence comes up with an amazing play as their former teammate, Tyreek Hill is stripped by Mike Edwards who laterals the ball to Bryan Cook for the score.
It marked the latest instalment of a standout year for McDuffie, who was notably acquired in the 2022 NFL Draft with one of the picks the Chiefs received during Hill’s trade to the Dolphins.
“I’m blessed, look at what football can do, take it all across the world and put it in front of a whole new crowd, I love it,” McDuffie told Sky Sports NFL. “They were whistling, yelling, clapping, I wanted to see what that soccer atmosphere look like and they brought it.
“Like I said you’ve got to get your hands on that man (Hill). He’s fast, he’s elusive, he can make a lot of plays, it’s about limiting the explosives.”
Miami threatened an unlikely comeback in the third quarter when Cedrick Wilson Jr and Raheem Mostert both found the end zone to cut the Chiefs’ lead to seven points, only for Spagnuolo’s defense to ice the game.
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Travis Kelce hails ‘special ‘Kansas City Chiefs as his side moves to 3-0 in International games with a win over the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt.
Travis Kelce hails ‘special ‘Kansas City Chiefs as his side moves to 3-0 in International games with a win over the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt.
“We went in there (at half-time) and knew the game would come back to the defense, we had them at zero and the only way they could win was if we gave it up. Gotta love the tenacity we showed the whole game,” added McDuffie.
“This defense has been wanted to score and create turnovers, it shows how great this defense is becoming.”
Offensive fireworks have often been at the heart of Super Bowl charges for Andy Reid’s Chiefs in recent years. This year has a different feel. The frightening prospect being the might of the defending champions should Mahomes and co. begin to pile up the points.
“Defensively, what a first half,” said Reid. “What a second half. The fourth quarter was really something, which made a very exciting. The McDuffie strip of Tyreek, punching the ball out, Mike Edwards picking it up, Cook scoring. Doesn’t get any better than that. Sneed’s ability to match up most of the day on Tyreek was big, although Tyreek is a heck of a football player. He made a couple real nice plays in there, too.”
“Typically two good offenses, that being the No. 1 offense, the Dolphins, in the National Football League right now,” said Reid. “For the things that our defense did right there, that was a tremendous achievement. Obviously we got to keep it going. You’re just as good as the next game that you play in. That was a heck of an achievement. [Defensive coordinator] Steve [Spagnuolo] did a great job with scheming it. The players executed very well.
Week Nine concludes on Monday night when the Los Angeles Chargers visit the New York Jets, live on Sky Sports NFL from 1.15am in the early hours of Tuesday; Stream the NFL and more with NOW
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league is expecting to make a decision on a new host partner for 2024 in “30 to 45 days”; He added: “I think it may be the single most important growth moment in our history.”
Last Updated: 04/11/23 1:03pm
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league is ‘analysing where we go next’
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has confirmed to Sky Sports that the league will stage a regular season game in a new host country in 2024.
The league’s international expansion is celebrating another milestone over the next fortnight as it prepares to play the first-ever regular season matchups in the city of Frankfurt when the Kansas City Chiefs meet the Miami Dolphins on Sunday before the New England Patriots take on the Indianapolis Colts the following weekend.
It comes a year after the league introduced Germany as a host partner alongside the UK and Mexico as Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Munich.
Spain and Brazil have recently emerged as possible candidates to enter the fold, with Commissioner Goodell telling Sky Sports NFL’s Neil Reynolds that a decision is close to being made.
“We’re looking and analysing where we go next year,” Goodell told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview. “We will certainly go to a new market next year for sure. We’re debating on that and I think we’ll have a decision in the next 30-45 days. So we’ll be ready to. I think that’ll be exciting for us.”
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The Dolphins are currently affiliated with both Spain and Brazil as part of the NFL’s Global Marketing Program, while the Chicago Bears also own rights to market in Spain.
With the league’s growing presence overseas has come comparisons to Formula One’s global presence as it delivers its sport from city to city across the world. Goodell agreed with the likening and insists further progress is still to come.
London, Germany, Mexico. Spain? Brazil? The interested parties are forming a queue, Ireland notably among those eyeing a game of their own such is their relationship with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I actually went to my first NFL event in Montreal back in June and just to see and experience what we could learn from it (was great),” Goodell continued. “When we expanded our regular season from 16 to 17 games we talked at one time about whether the 17th game would be all international games.
“We didn’t feel we were in that position, because we didn’t feel we had the markets developed enough for that. And so I think this is something that will get a lot more attention but I do expect to expand in regular game series quite dramatically.”
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Cameron Hogwood and Neil Reynolds discuss the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt and where the sport will head to next season.
Cameron Hogwood and Neil Reynolds discuss the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt and where the sport will head to next season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars made history in October as they became the first team to play back-to-back games overseas by facing the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills on a two-week road trip in London, the reward being two victories amid what has since become a five-game winning streak.
Last year had seen the league achieve the clean sweep in the UK when the Green Bay Packers became the 32nd and final franchise to play across the pond, ultimately falling to the New York Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
While travel requirements and changing time zones remain topics of conversation, the feedback over international games continues to be positive. Positive feedback serves as a springboard for further growth.
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As the NFL touches back down in Germany this weekend, relive last year’s game in Munich, where Tom Brady showed the fans why many called him the Greatest Of All Time.
As the NFL touches back down in Germany this weekend, relive last year’s game in Munich, where Tom Brady showed the fans why many called him the Greatest Of All Time.
“I think they (team owners) completely understand the potential of it,” said Goodell. “Every one of our teams has played an International Series game, every one of them come back with the exact same reaction and there’s clearly something powerful here. And there’s an opportunity for us to become a global sport.
“I think the debate is, how fast and what we do to sort of accelerate that growth. But that’s healthy debate, that that’s what we expect to have. How we make decisions is making sure we hear all the different perspectives including the people on the ground.
“We have made it clear to our ownership that we think this is a unique time in our history and to advance our growth particularly. I think it may be the single most important growth moment in our history. Because we now get a chance to share our game.”
Chase Young made the most notable move of the NFL’s trade deadline day as he switched from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers; listen to Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold every week on Inside the Huddle as they break down the biggest stories around the league.
Last Updated: 01/11/23 4:13pm
Chase Young will provide a much-needed boost to the San Francisco 49ers pass rush amid their pursuit of a Super Bowl, believes Jeff Reinebold.
The 49ers landed the biggest move of the day ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline as they reinforced their defensive front by adding Young via a trade with the Washington Commanders.
Young joins a San Francisco side that have posted a joint-second-fewest 18 sacks so far in 2023, despite having a third-most 86 pressures across a contrasting start to the year that has seen them follow up a commanding 5-0 run with a three-game losing streak.
The former No 2 overall pick teams up with one of his old college companions to form one of the league’s most impressive edge rush duos.
“I think it’s really going to be really interesting watching that because him and Nick Bosa were college teammates at Ohio State and they reunite,” said Reinebold. “When they were at Ohio State you talk about coming off both edges, they were a dynamic pass rush and that’s what the 49ers are lacking.
“In the last few games, they’ve struggled to get pressure on the passer to finish up the quarterback and Chase Young will certainly do that.
“This is an interesting one because there’s been some discontent with Chase young in Washington, which I couldn’t figure it out. I did a little digging, and what I heard was that sometimes he has a tendency to go off-script and try and make splash plays on his own. I think he’s kind of wore out his welcome a little bit that way with the defensive coaches and head coach.”
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Highlights of the Cincinnati Bengals against the San Francisco 49ers from Week 8 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Cincinnati Bengals against the San Francisco 49ers from Week 8 of the NFL season.
Young was not the only departure in Washington on Tuesday, with the Commanders also trading Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a second-round draft pick. Sweat, a former first-round pick, has 35.5 sacks over four-and-a-half seasons in the NFL, including 6.5 this season as he joins a unit that has recorded a league-fewest 10 sacks and just 46 pressures in 2022.
“It’s it’s just perplexing to me,” added Reinebold. “When you look at the Commanders give up two pass rushers, and you think about it and say, ‘Okay, what’s the premium right now, in the NFL?’. If you can draft pass rushers, you’ve got to get pass rushers, they have pass rushers and they let them go.
“You’re in a division where you better be able to rush the passer because you have got great passers in your division. So it was really a surprising to see both of those guys leave the Commanders.”
Elsewhere in Minnesota, the Vikings acquired veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals following the news that Kirk Cousins will miss the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles.
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Christian McCaffrey equalled an NFL record by scoring a touchdown in the 17th consecutive game for the San Francisco 49ers against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Christian McCaffrey equalled an NFL record by scoring a touchdown in the 17th consecutive game for the San Francisco 49ers against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Dobbs had been the starter across the first half of the season in Arizona as the team waited on the recovery of Kyler Murray, whose return from a torn ACL suffered last year is imminent. The Vikings are riding a three-game winning streak and sit 4-4 to stay alive despite losing Justin Jefferson to injury a couple of weeks ago.
“I think he gives them a guy who has started,” says Reinebold .”If you think Josh Dobbs is going to go over there and be Kirk Cousins and do Kirk Cousins type things, you better think again.
“I think Josh Dobbs is a serviceable quarterback, he’ll be a very good backup quarterback, a bridge guy for them. And they got him for a seventh round draft pick, you have got to say that’s a good trade, because you’re going to get an experienced starter.
“He’s not Cousins by any stretch of the imagination. He’s not an elite quarterback, but he is a guy who has started proving he can win games. He took a Cardinals team and helped them beat the Dallas Cowboys earlier in the year, we’ve seen him do enough to say that’s a good move by Minnesota.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins left his team’s 24-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday with what the team believe is an Achilles tendon injury which will rule him out for the rest of the campaign
Last Updated: 29/10/23 9:39pm
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is carted off the field after sustaining an injury against the Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is likely to miss the rest of the NFL season due to an Achilles injury picked up during his team’s 24-10 victory against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Cousins walked gingerly to the sideline in the fourth quarter after getting sacked for a second consecutive play, a series that ended with Green Bay’s Karl Brooks blocking Greg Joseph’s 44-yard field-goal attempt.
The 35-year-old was getting treatment on the sideline during the Packers’ ensuing possession, which ended with them losing the ball on downs at the Minnesota 10-yard line.
Backup quarterback Jaren Hall – a rookie fifth-round pick from BYU – entered the game when the Vikings regained possession with 7:15 left in the game.
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“We are fearing an Achilles injury,” an emotional head coach Kevin O’Connell said after the game. “The severity of that, I do not know at this point.”
O’Connell said further testing to confirm the initial diagnosis at Lambeau Field would be completed in the next 24 hours.
“We’re thinking about our leader… our guy right now and I’m just so proud of him and way he’s played all season,” O’Connell said, adding Cousins was given the game ball in the locker room after leading the Vikings to a 4-4 record following an 0-3 start.
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Cousins completed 23 of 31 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns before his injury.
The Vikings have no decision on whether Hall or Nick Mullens would start if Cousins is out for the season, but O’Connell said Mullens could be an option moving forward because his back injury has improved.
