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NFL (American Football)

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is optimistic about returning for the season finale against the Jaguars

Anthony Richardson passes in the 1st half

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson said that last week, the pain he was feeling was so intense that he had trouble walking.

This week, however, Richardson feels much better and is hopeful he might be able to start in Sunday’s season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

After missing last weekend’s loss to the New York Giants, which ended the Colts’ playoff hopes, Richardson spoke to reporters on Wednesday for about six minutes, saying he hopes to play this week.

“Definitely feeling a lot better,” Richardson said. “Just lower back stuff. Last week was tough. I couldn’t even stand up on Tuesday, was kind of crawling around the house. But you know I’m standing up.”

Coach Shane Steichen had mentioned late last week that Richardson was still dealing with back soreness and might play. Richardson explained that he’s been dealing with back spasms since he was in eighth grade, and MRIs have shown disk problems that cause the pain from time to time.

Richardson, the former Florida star, has faced injuries in both of his first two NFL seasons. His rookie year was cut short after just four starts due to a concussion and a season-ending injury to his throwing shoulder.

Indianapolis Colts players celebate in the 2nd half

He missed two games in October because of a hip injury and was benched for two games in November after he took himself out of a game for one play because he was tired. He missed last weekend’s game, leaving him with an 8-7 record as a starter.

The Colts held a walkthrough on Wednesday, and Steichen didn’t say if Richardson would have participated in a full practice if it had been a regular session. Still, both Steichen and the Colts players are hopeful Richardson will be able to play this week, even though the team’s playoff chances are already gone.

“We’re hopeful,” Steichen said. “He’s working through his rehab and his treatment right now. So we’ll see how this week progresses.”

Richardson wants to play, not just to prove the critics wrong about his consistency — he has a league-low completion rate of 47.7% with 12 interceptions and 8 touchdowns — or his ability to stay healthy. Instead, Richardson wants to show that he can lead the team to a win over the Jaguars (4-12) and end the season on a positive note.

“It’s tough you know, especially watching us lose the way we did with everything that was on the line, on the table for us,” Richardson said. “It just matters how you fight back and how you respond to certain things.”

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NFL (American Football)

Joshua Dobbs will replace the injured Brock Purdy as the starting quarterback for the 49ers in the season finale

Joshua Dobbs celebrates after scoring

Joshua Dobbs will start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in the season finale, replacing the injured Brock Purdy, who is out with an elbow injury.

Coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Wednesday that Dobbs will be the starter over Brandon Allen for the Sunday game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Allen had started a loss against Green Bay in Week 12 when Purdy was sidelined with a shoulder injury, but Shanahan chose Dobbs this time because of his mobility, which is needed behind a makeshift offensive line that will have third or fourth-string players at left guard and left tackle.

Shanahan praised both Dobbs and Allen, saying, “They’ve been two good guys to have there. I looked at both of them as the 2 through the year. They both have given really good looks in the scout team.

They split reps, and they’re always ready. They both prepare like they’re going to be the starter every week. They’ve been great.”

Kyle Shanahan speaks at the news conference

The 49ers (6-10) are finishing off a disappointing season with their draft position at stake. Depending on the results of the final weekend, they will pick somewhere between 11th and 14th in the first round.

Purdy injured his throwing elbow late in Monday night’s loss to Detroit. He has a bruise and nerve inflammation but no long-term damage to his surgically repaired right elbow.

Dobbs spent time with Arizona last season, joining the team late in training camp and starting the first eight games for the Cardinals. He was traded to Minnesota when Kyler Murray returned from a knee injury and started four more games for the Vikings.

Dobbs has started 14 games in his career, including two for Tennessee late in the 2022 season. He has a 77.5 career passer rating, with 15 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions, and 5.8 yards per attempt. He has also averaged 5.5 yards per carry, with seven touchdown runs, including one on the final drive after replacing Purdy.

Dobbs completed 3 of 4 passes for 35 yards on that drive.

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NFL (American Football)

Jimmy Garoppolo will start for the playoff-bound Rams, replacing Matthew Stafford against the Seahawks

Jimmy Garoppolo in the practice session

Jimmy Garoppolo will make his debut for the Rams when he starts in place of Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles’ regular-season finale against Seattle on Sunday.

Coach Sean McVay announced the decision on Wednesday, saying that Stafford, the 16-year veteran, will be rested. The Rams have not yet decided which other starters will sit out.

Los Angeles (10-6) has already secured the NFC West title over the Seahawks (9-7) thanks to their strength of schedule. The Rams are currently the third seed in the NFC playoff race but could drop to the fourth seed if they lose to Seattle and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) beat Atlanta to win the NFC South.

The wild-card seeding is still uncertain among Minnesota, Washington, and Green Bay, so McVay seems unconcerned whether the Rams enter the playoffs as the third or fourth seed.

Garoppolo has not played for the Rams since signing with them last spring to back up Stafford. The 33-year-old veteran, who led San Francisco to Super Bowl 54, missed the first two games of his first season with the Rams after being suspended for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks with reporters

Stafford has played every snap this season for the Rams, who have won nine of their last 11 games to make the playoffs for the third time in his four years with Los Angeles. Stafford has 3,762 passing yards and 20 touchdowns this season, both his lowest totals in a season with at least 15 games.

However, his eight interceptions are also his fewest in a nearly full season, and his completion rate (65.8 percent) is above his career average.

Stafford improved to 13-1 as a starter in Rams games played in December when Los Angeles beat Arizona 13-9 last Saturday. However, his offense has struggled recently. The Rams have scored more than 21 points just once during their five-game winning streak and have scored only three touchdowns in their last three games combined.

Los Angeles’ third-string quarterback is Stetson Bennett, the two-time national champion from Georgia, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2023. Bennett has not played for the Rams yet, having missed all of last season due to undisclosed personal reasons.

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NFL (American Football)

Rodgers calls his time with the Jets the “best 2 years of my life” but says he needs a mental break

Aaron Rodgers reacts after throwing a touchdown pass in the 1st quarter

Aaron Rodgers took a reflective approach as he gets ready for what could be his final game with the New York Jets, as well as the end of his 20-year NFL career.

When asked on Wednesday if he’s thought about the possibility that Sunday’s season finale against Miami could be his last game, Rodgers responded, “Yeah, of course.” However, the 41-year-old quarterback stressed that he’s not ready to make a decision about his future yet.

“I just need a break mentally to kind of refresh and put my feet in the sand,” he said. “And see where I’m at after that.”

Despite not making a firm decision, Rodgers seemed to suggest that he may not return to the Jets even if he does want to keep playing.

“I mean, gratitude, honestly,” Rodgers said, referring to his time with New York. He repeated this sentiment throughout his 10-minute conversation with reporters. “It’s been the best two years of my life.”

Rodgers described his time with the Jets as a “perspective adjustment,” particularly during his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon that kept him to just four snaps in his highly anticipated debut for the Jets last season.

New York Jets players enters the field before the game

He mentioned that the experience helped him fall back in love with football after his long time in Green Bay and that he values the relationships he’s built with teammates, coaches, and others in the Jets organization.

“Obviously wish things would have gone better on the field,” he said. “But nothing but gratitude for this time in my life.”

Rodgers joined the Jets in April 2023 through a trade from the Packers, sparking hopes for a Super Bowl run. But those hopes quickly faded after his injury last season, and the team has faced other setbacks this year, turning it into one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.

The Jets are 4-12, have fired coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, and Rodgers has only shown glimpses of his former MVP-level play. He has also admitted that the team might release him after this season.

“I think there’s going to be change here and if I’m a part of the change, then I just want to make sure everybody knows that I have nothing but gratitude for my time here,” Rodgers said. “It’s been a great experience all around, and again, I’m disappointed about the performance of both myself and as a team, but really thankful for the opportunity.

“If I feel good coming back and they want to make another run at this, that’d be fantastic. But I’m not naive to the situation we’re in.”

Rodgers’ future with the Packers was also uncertain after the 2022 season, and at that point, he was leaning toward retirement. He took a darkness retreat in Oregon, spending four days in isolation, and came out refreshed and ready to play, deciding to join the Jets.

Rodgers plans to take time to think things through during the offseason.

“Probably darkness again,” Rodgers joked about his plans, then smiled and added, “No, I think I’m done with that. I won’t be doing any darkness retreats this offseason.”

He will need to decide whether he wants to endure the physical and mental challenges of another season. Rodgers doesn’t think he’ll drag out the decision into the offseason.

“March is free agency,” he said. “I don’t think we’re even going to get that far just because there’s going to be a regime change here, at least with the GM. And then whatever they end up doing, I’m sure I’ll either get a call or have a conversation, and go from there.”

Robert Saleh
Robert Saleh (NFL)

Rodgers still has one year left on his contract with a $2.5 million non-guaranteed base salary. He would also be due a $35 million option bonus before the season begins and would count $23.5 million against the salary cap. The new management team will need to take this into account when making decisions.

If Rodgers is cut or retires, the Jets could face a $49 million dead money charge next year, unless they designate him as a June 1 cut, which would allow them to spread the charge over two years.

But that’s all something for the future.

For now, Rodgers is focused on the present, and the one thing he knows for sure is that he will play for the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

“This game has given me a lot,” Rodgers said. “I’ve given a lot back to it and I’m thankful for it. I’m not thinking (and) I won’t be thinking about that come game day. I’ll just be enjoying this. I’m trying to stay in the moment, but of course it’s been a long career.

“I’m really proud of what I’ve been able to be a part of, what I’ve been able to accomplish, and also looking forward to a nice mental and physical rest.”

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NFL (American Football)

Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa sidelined in Wednesday’s practice due to hip issue

Tua Tagovailoa passes in the 1st half

Tua Tagovailoa was limited in Wednesday’s practice as he continues to deal with a right hip injury that kept him out of Week 17.

During the part of practice that was open to reporters, Tagovailoa didn’t do much. He stretched, jogged, and threw a football a few yards to backup quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley.

Coach Mike McDaniel mentioned that Huntley will get more practice reps this week since the Dolphins have an important game coming up against the New York Jets. Miami needs to win to stay in the race for the final AFC wild-card spot.

“Today, I’m approaching it as I think Snoop is starting today,” McDaniel said Wednesday. “Obviously the team — it’s very easy for us to adjust as the week progresses. But I think you have to approach it a certain way, and then it’s an easy adjustment that we’re definitely open-minded to, considering our timeline last week.”

Miami needs a win and also requires the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs, who have already secured the AFC’s top seed and will start Carson Wentz at quarterback. This will give the Dolphins a chance at a playoff spot.

Mike McDaniel gestures in the news conference

“That’s what our focus has been firmly on,” McDaniel said, talking about the upcoming game. “I just really like the way our football has progressed during the season.

And this game is another opportunity to put our best foot forward, and we absolutely have an opportunity to play in the playoffs. We know our part of the bargain. That opportunity doesn’t exist unless we take care of it.”

Tagovailoa has not been ruled out for Sunday’s game.

He got hurt when he took a hit outside the pocket against Houston on Dec. 15, and the injury got worse the following week against San Francisco. This is the same hip Tagovailoa dislocated while at Alabama in 2019, which required surgery to end his season. However, McDaniel said this is not the same injury.

If Tagovailoa can’t play, Huntley would make his second straight start. It would also be his fifth start for the Dolphins, who signed him off the Ravens’ practice squad when Tagovailoa went on injured reserve with a concussion in September.

Huntley completed 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards, with one touchdown pass and one rushing touchdown, in a win over Cleveland last week.

He also has experience playing against Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In his third career start in 2021, Huntley stepped in for an injured Lamar Jackson and nearly led the Ravens to a comeback victory against Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson (NFL)

“We lost by one point,” Huntley said Wednesday, “but I feel like that was a big game. At the time, I think they only had lost four games that year. I can’t remember. They were a great team. That was a pretty good game.”

Huntley adds another dimension to Miami’s offense with his ability to extend plays using his legs. He led the Dolphins in rushing with 52 yards on seven carries against the Browns.

McDaniel said Huntley quickly earned the trust of his teammates.

“There’s been a lot of preparation that went into that Cleveland Browns game, I’ll tell you that,” McDaniel said. “He should be confident in his skills, and he is. That was something that was pretty evident and obvious how he boldly took control of the huddle being a couple weeks in, earlier in the season.

“There’s an ‘it factor’ that you talk about with quarterbacks, where you can galvanize and get people to believe they’re primed to have success with him leading. So I think he absolutely fits the bill for the timing of his ascension into playing.”

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NFL (American Football)

Steelers defense in scramble mode as playoffs approach

Pittsburgh Steelers players celebrate after a touchdown in the 1st half

Looking back, DeShon Elliott thinks he might have been too open about his concerns with how the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is playing.

But, the veteran safety also knows that being honest about his feelings after a 29-10 loss to Kansas City on Christmas Day — when he criticized the communication problems in the secondary, which shouldn’t be happening so late in the season for a unit that sees itself as one of the best — is part of who he is.

“It was out of emotion,” Elliott said Wednesday. “I love ball. Everyone knows that I love these guys. But we just have to get back to the drawing board.”

And they need to do it fast.

The confidence the Steelers (10-6) and the NFL’s highest-paid defense had in the first part of the season is gone after a three-game losing streak. The mistakes they’re making have cost them a shot at the AFC North title.

After Patrick Mahomes easily tore through their defense, throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns, several players — including Elliott and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith — spoke out about different issues.

Patrick Mahomes passes in the 1st half

While Elliott wondered why the secondary was missing so many assignments, Highsmith questioned the “want-to” of some unnamed teammates.

Coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the players’ frustration, saying it was just the result of their passion. Maybe, but it also shows that the group is desperately looking for something to build on before the playoffs.

The mood in the locker room is clear. After T.J. Watt was named the team’s Most Valuable Player for a record fifth time on Wednesday, he spent most of his brief talk with reporters answering questions about how things went wrong so quickly.

When asked about the defense’s frustration, Watt didn’t say much.

“I think we’re all professionals, we’re all grown adults here,” he said. “We know that it’s all about channeling energy in the right way.”

If Pittsburgh wants to avoid another quick playoff exit, they have no choice but to improve. The Steelers are giving up more than 400 yards per game during their losing streak against tough teams — Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Kansas City — who, like Pittsburgh, are aiming to play well into January and beyond.

While the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs are finishing the season strong, the Steelers are not. The offense has also struggled — and it hasn’t helped that wide receiver George Pickens missed three weeks with a hamstring injury and didn’t do much in his return against Kansas City.

Pittsburgh’s best hope of being a real threat in the playoffs depends on a defense that creates turnovers and causes chaos. Right now, that’s not happening much.

Mike Tomlin walks the sidelines in the 1st half

The Steelers are tied with Minnesota and Buffalo for the most takeaways in the league (31), but they’re also at minus-2 in turnover ratio during a rough December that hasn’t shown they are ready to compete with the best teams.

And while Watt is still one of the best at rushing the passer, his 11 1/2 sacks this season are on track to be his fewest in a full season since his rookie year in 2017. This is a sign of a defense that will finish with its fewest sacks in a decade.

There are many reasons for this, from the attention Watt gets to Highsmith missing six games with injuries, to opposing offenses focusing on quick passes to avoid Pittsburgh’s pass rush.

Still, the Steelers were doing fine until they faced one of the toughest stretches any team has faced this year — 11 days against three division champions that exposed Pittsburgh’s weaknesses for everyone to see.

The way they lost — by two touchdowns or more, the worst stretch for the Steelers since the 1980s — set the stage for frustration, which was caught on camera and recorded.

Pittsburgh Steelers players celebrate after kicking a field goal

“You prepare to win, and when you don’t win, things can get frustrat(ing), but we’ll be all right,” Elliott said. “We all love each other. It’s like when you argue with your brother. Eventually, you’ll hash it out and get on the same page.”

The sooner that “eventually” happens for Pittsburgh, the better. If it doesn’t happen by the second weekend of January, another season with three potential Hall of Famers on defense — from Watt to longtime captain Cam Heyward to safety Minkah Fitzpatrick — will have gone by without a playoff win.

Trying to find their confidence against the Bengals — who have won four straight games behind quarterback Joe Burrow — is going to be difficult. The Steelers now find themselves in a position where they really need to find an answer.

In response, the players requested an extra walkthrough on Wednesday, which is unusual for this time of year.

But they are in an unusual situation — a playoff team that doesn’t look like one right now — and they know it.

“Our guys give a (darn),” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “And so to me that’s important and that’s an important thing to have. And that tells me that they want to get it right and they’re not satisfied with it going the way it is.”

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NFL (American Football)

Caleb Williams endorses Kliff Kingsbury, says the Bears’ next coach needs to push the team

Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams (NFL)

The Chicago Bears are expected to ramp up their coaching search after their season finale at Green Bay on Sunday.

One possible candidate for the job has already worked with the quarterback the Bears selected with the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. Kliff Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, was a senior offensive analyst at USC in 2023 when Caleb Williams played his final year for the Trojans after transferring from Oklahoma.

“I know what type of guy he is,” Williams said on Wednesday. “I know he loves football. I know he wants to win. He’s a competitor. And so, in many different ways, I’ve been around him. So, I would say that being around him, knowing him, asking him questions and things like that, I think he fits a lot of the qualities I mentioned.”

When asked about the qualities he values in a coach, Williams explained:

“A coach that challenges myself, whether it’s an offensive coordinator or head coach, and also challenges us as players — whether it’s on the field or in terms of character, it doesn’t matter. Just a coach who challenges us,” Williams said.

“A man of his word. A disciplined coach, meaning whatever his rules are or how he’s going to control and manage the team, things like that.”

The Bears interviewed Kingsbury last year for their offensive coordinator role but decided to hire Shane Waldron instead. Waldron, however, lasted only nine games before being fired on November 12. Just a few weeks later, following a tough loss to Detroit on Thanksgiving, Chicago made history by firing head coach Matt Eberflus during the season.

Caleb Williams drops back in the 1st half of the game

Kingsbury, a former quarterback, has head coaching experience. He was the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach from 2019 to 2022, with a record of 28-37-1 and one winning season.

As Washington’s offensive coordinator, he is leading an offense that ranks among the league’s best with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders are fourth in the NFL for yards per game and fifth in scoring.

Detroit’s offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, is also expected to be a top candidate in the upcoming coaching search. There are also reports that Pete Carroll, the former Seattle Seahawks coach, is interested in returning to coaching after a one-year break.

The Bears (4-12) have had a disappointing season, especially after coming in with playoff hopes. They started 4-2 but then lost 10 straight games, marking their second losing streak of 10 games in general manager Ryan Poles’ three seasons.

Last year, they ended the season on a 10-game losing streak, part of a franchise-record 14-game skid. The Bears have never lost more than 10 games in a row in a single season.

Team president Kevin Warren has stated that Poles will remain as the “point person” in the coaching search and will have the final say if there’s disagreement on the hiring decision.

Williams mentioned he’s open to giving his input if asked but also respects that management may make decisions without him.

“I know I’m a rookie and a young guy, so if they make decisions without me, that’s their job to make those decisions,” Williams said. “If they make a decision like that, I just hope and believe they make the right decision. If I’m a part of it, great.”

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NFL (American Football)

Lions’ Alex Anzalone nears return against Vikings after recovering from broken forearm

Dan Campbell speaks in a news conference

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone took part in a walkthrough practice on Wednesday as he works his way back from a broken forearm.

“He’ll be out there running around,” said Lions coach Dan Campbell. “We’ll see how he does. (Thursday) will be a big day for us to see where he’s at.”

Anzalone has been out since he broke his left forearm on Nov. 17 during a win over Jacksonville. He has 56 tackles this season, ranking fourth on the team, after leading the Lions in tackles for the past two years.

The Lions (14-2) will face the Minnesota Vikings (14-2) on Sunday night in Detroit. The winner will take the NFC North title, secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and earn a bye. The losing team will start the playoffs next week on the road as the NFC’s No. 5 seed.

The Lions kept running back David Montgomery (knee) and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (illness) out of practice on Wednesday. They are hoping Montgomery can return for the playoffs.

Detroit Lions players in the 2nd half

Anzalone was listed as limited in practice, along with linebacker Jack Campbell (rib) and cornerback Amik Robertson (calf) due to injuries.

Punt returner and receiver Kalif Raymond, who has been out with a foot injury since Nov. 24, has been cleared to practice. Raymond was hurt in a win at Indianapolis.

Raymond scored one of his two receiving touchdowns during a win at Minnesota in October. The week before, against Tennessee, he returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass in a six-minute stretch of the third quarter against one of his former teams.

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NFL (American Football)

Bills offense thrives with an “everyone contributes” mindset, featuring 13 players with a touchdown catch

Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring

The Buffalo Bills are set to finish the season with 13 players having caught a touchdown pass, and they’re aiming for more. Last week, practice squad call-up Tyrell Shavers made his first career catch a memorable one by scoring a touchdown in a 40-14 win over the New York Jets.

This marked the Bills as the ninth team in NFL history with 13 players catching a touchdown in a single season.

With the Bills already locked into the AFC’s No. 2 seed, and planning to rest many of their starters in the season finale against the New England Patriots, there’s a chance to set a new record.

“Absolutely, I’ve thought about it,” fullback Reggie Gilliam said after practice on Wednesday. “I was telling Jalen Virgil that we’re the last ones.”

However, Gilliam is the only skill player on the active roster yet to catch a touchdown pass. Virgil, a practice squad receiver, is also yet to score. Other players, including running back Frank Gore Jr. and tight end Zach Davidson, could have the chance to join the group, as well as backup offensive tackle Alec Anderson, who sometimes plays as an eligible receiver.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game

“That would be awesome,” Anderson said. “I’m not going to be sitting here crying for it. But if my opportunity arises, I think I’ll take advantage of it.”

Whether or not the Bills break the record, the focus remains on their team-first mentality. The “everybody eats” mindset, introduced by offensive coordinator Joe Brady in May, reflects the selflessness the team has embraced.

It originated out of necessity after Buffalo traded top receiver Stefon Diggs and lost Gabe Davis to free agency, leaving questions about who would step up to replace their production.

These concerns have faded away as the Bills have set new records for most points (509) and touchdowns (63) in a season, all without a player surpassing 1,000 yards receiving or rushing.

“Put the ball down and play. We got a lot of guys that can make the plays, so when given opportunities, they make them,” rookie receiver Keon Coleman said. “It says a lot about the unselfishness in the guys that we have here.”

Four players have caught four or more touchdown passes, with Mack Hollins leading the way with five. Quarterback Josh Allen also made the list after catching a touchdown off a lateral pass.

Every player who has caught a pass this season has scored a touchdown, except for tight end Zach Davidson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was released in October.

“Everybody eats has such a deeper meaning as far as the guys got to care for one another,” receiver Khalil Shakir said.

“You might only have 10 yards this game, but Keon has 100, but I’m going to go and make sure to block for him,” Shakir added. “And when you’ve got a team playing for each other like that, I don’t think there’s anything that beats it.”

Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen before the game

Buffalo is the only team to have 13 players catch a touchdown pass in a season twice, having also done so in 2020. Of the eight teams before them, only two missed the playoffs, and five made it to the conference championship game, including the 2016 Falcons and the 2019 49ers, both of whom lost in the Super Bowl.

“The team is bigger than any one person, and we want everybody to have success,” Brady said. “We were putting an offense together that was going to be able to find different ways to win football games.

And when you’ve got the best player in football at quarterback, he makes it all go. And when you got a lot of selfless guys around, you’re able to do those things … you know, the everybody eats mindset.”

Shavers, after his 69-yard touchdown, felt the love of the team. “It shows that there’s no selfish people on this team. Everybody just wants to win,” he said.

When asked who could become the 14th player to catch a touchdown pass, Shavers simply replied, “Ain’t no telling. It could be anybody really.”

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NFL (American Football)

Packers CB Jaire Alexander likely out for the season due to knee injury

Jaire Alexander returns an interception for a touchdown in the 1st half

The Green Bay Packers will likely have to continue their playoff push without cornerback Jaire Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed on Wednesday that Alexander is having surgery to fix the knee injury that has kept him out for most of the last two months.

“Most likely, he’s going to be done for the rest of the year,” LaFleur said.

The injury first took Alexander out of the game during a 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions on November 3. After the Packers had a week off, Alexander returned for a game against Chicago but played only 10 defensive snaps before the injury forced him to leave the game. Since then, he has missed six consecutive games. Now, it looks like he won’t return for the remainder of the season.

“It’s the situation,” LaFleur said. “It stinks that we’re here, but we’re here.”

Alexander’s absence is a significant setback for the Packers’ Super Bowl hopes as they compete for a wild card spot. The Packers (11-5) are currently the NFC’s No. 7 seed, meaning they would need to open the playoffs on the road against the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) and remain away for the entire playoff run.

Matt LaFleur
Matt LaFleur (NFL)

However, if the Packers beat the Bears (4-12) at home on Sunday and the Washington Commanders lose to Dallas, Green Bay could still secure the No. 6 seed.

The Packers have allowed 17th most passing yards in the NFL this season. This weakness showed on Sunday, as they allowed Sam Darnold to throw for a career-high 377 yards in a 27-25 loss at Minnesota.

Despite Alexander’s injury, the Packers believe they can still make a deep playoff run with the defensive backs they have left.

“I have full trust in the guys in our room,” said safety Xavier McKinney. “We have a lot of talented guys, a lot of guys who are smart and can adjust on the fly. I feel good about our group. Obviously, we have guys who are being called upon each week. I feel really good about this group and what we have.”

With Alexander out, 2023 seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine and 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes have stepped up. Valentine played every defensive snap against the Vikings and recorded his second interception in three games.

Sam Darnold scrambles in the 1st half

“It’s really next-man up mentality,” Valentine said. “We’re always going to go out there and compete and just put our best foot forward.”

Alexander, 27, has been one of the league’s top cornerbacks when healthy. However, he has been limited to just 34 regular-season games over the past four seasons. He played only four games in 2021 due to a shoulder injury that ended his season.

Alexander missed only one game in 2022 but was sidelined by injuries this season as well. He missed three games with a back issue, six with a shoulder injury, and served a one-game suspension last year. This season, he was out for two games due to a groin injury before his knee problem took over.

“I know how badly he wants to be out there,” said Stokes. “The moment I found out, I was just like, ‘Dang.’ I sent him a text. ‘I know how you feel. I know what type of player you are. I know you really want to be out there for us,’ and all that stuff. He said, ‘Anything y’all need help with, just hit me. I’m going to be there.’”

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Broncos focus on winning, no matter who the Chiefs rest, as they aim to end playoff drought

Bo Nix runs with the ball in the 1st half

The Denver Broncos are not letting the fact that they won’t face Patrick Mahomes or several other Kansas City Chiefs starters on Sunday make them feel more at ease with a playoff spot on the line.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid announced on Wednesday that Mahomes would be resting, but he didn’t specify who else might join him on the sideline.

It’s possible that standout defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf strain) will also sit out, along with running back Isiah Pacheco (rib injury), right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee soreness), and tight end Travis Kelce, who missed last year’s Week 18 game as well.

“We have to play the game to win, that’s all that matters,” said Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton. “We don’t care about none of the other stuff. Whoever has on shoulder pads and is wearing red, white, and yellow, we have to beat them boys.”

Sutton added, “We don’t care who shows up and plays. We don’t care who sits. We don’t care who doesn’t play, who does play. We don’t care about any of that. The Denver Broncos have to show up Sunday and win the game.”

If the Broncos (9-7) win, they will secure a playoff spot for the first time since their Super Bowl 50 victory in February 2016, which was Peyton Manning’s final game.

Patrick Mahomes watches the game in the 2nd half

Since then, the franchise has gone through six head coaches and over a dozen starting quarterbacks. Meanwhile, the Chiefs (15-1) earned the top AFC playoff spot after a three-game win streak, capped by a 29-10 win over Pittsburgh on Christmas Day.

Reid is using this final game to rest key players who will have a lengthy break before returning for an AFC divisional playoff game on January 18 or 19.

Broncos coach Sean Payton acknowledged Reid’s strategy, saying, “When you go 15-1, then you’re afforded those decisions, and I’ve been in that position where your team might need a break here or there. They’ve earned that, and that’s part of the deal. For us, it’s about understanding what we’re seeing scheme-wise and being ready to play our best game.”

The Broncos missed opportunities to secure a playoff spot in the last two weeks with road losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals. However, they are focused on controlling their destiny with a win-and-in game at home on Sunday.

“You could say that it would have been nice to be able to go into this game and have your position locked in,” Sutton said. “But in terms of a storybook thing that you couldn’t really write up any better, I think this is the best opportunity that we could have to go in and solidify why we deserve to be in the dance.”

Courtland Sutton in the 1st down in the 1st half

If the Broncos lose or tie against the Chiefs, they can still make the playoffs if the Cincinnati Bengals lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins lose to the New York Jets. However, the Broncos aren’t counting on other teams to help them.

“We gotta win the game, simple,” Sutton said. “There’s nothing that goes into it. We gotta win the game. People say it’s never black and white — it’s black and white. We gotta win the game. And that’s as simple as it gets.”

Last season, the Broncos broke a 16-game losing streak to the Chiefs with a 24-9 victory in Denver. This year, they came close to beating Kansas City in Week 10, but the Chiefs blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt at the end of the game to preserve a 16-14 win.

After that painful loss, the Broncos made changes to their field goal protection unit, shifting Alex Forsyth and Matt Peart to the left side. Since then, kicker Wil Lutz has been perfect, hitting all 12 of his field goal attempts and all 22 extra points.

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NFL (American Football)

Malik Nabers is just four catches away from breaking the Giants’ single-season record

Malik Nabers
Malik Nabers (NFL)

The New York Giants’ season has been a big disappointment, but wide receiver Malik Nabers has lived up to all the expectations.

As the No. 6 overall pick in the draft, Nabers has consistently delivered and is now just four catches away from breaking Steve Smith’s franchise record of 107 receptions in a single season, set in 2009. That Giants team finished with an 8-8 record.

This year, however, the Giants (3-13) have struggled, which makes Nabers’ performance even more impressive. Despite playing on one of the NFL’s weakest offenses, the LSU product has been the team’s most reliable player on offense.

In last week’s 45-33 win against the Colts, which ended a franchise-record 10-game losing streak, Nabers had a standout performance. He missed two games earlier in the season due to a concussion but managed to turn short passes into touchdowns, including two long catches-and-runs of 31 and 59 yards.

He ended the game with seven receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

Nabers explained that his big plays were the result of a few factors. He felt good, caught the ball early, and was able to make adjustments as defenders approached. Some of the defenders took bad angles while trying to tackle him, and he also benefited from good blocks, especially one from tackle Evan Neal on the first touchdown.

“I took some time out to look at my old film, had a talk with my old coach, stuff like that,” Nabers said about his big game.

New York Giants (NFL)

“I actually looked back before that game. I was looking at my YAC (yards after catch) in college and I was like, ‘What was I missing?’ And it was like, I wasn’t really scared. I was just out there when I got the ball, I was just running.”

Pro Football Focus credited Nabers with 103 yards after the catch, surpassing his previous season high of 83 in the second week of the season.

That’s how Nabers played during his final year in college when he had 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns.

However, Nabers didn’t want to directly compare his college season to his rookie NFL year.

“There’s older guys in this league,” he said. “They got families to feed. So, they’re playing their hearts out. But I wouldn’t say it was any harder or any easier.

I had a lot of great mentors on my back, on my side and in my ear, pushing me to be who they know I can be. I expected everything that I did this year. I expected more. But the things that I’ve done so far, I’m not surprised that I did it.”

Even though he’s been dealing with a number of aches and pains throughout the season, Nabers has stayed focused on keeping his body in top shape. He uses cold plunges, hyperbaric chamber treatments, massages, and any other recovery method that can help him stay healthy.

For his final game of the season, Nabers’ main goal is to win.

“Every game that we play, we’re always hungry,” Nabers said. “No game are you more hungry for this game. Every game you’re going in with the same mentality, to win the game. Never expect to lose, always win the game.”