By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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A low-scoring, defensive affair marred with incompletions and turnovers turned out in favor of the Denver Broncos, which triumphed over the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-10 to stay in the thick of the AFC West race. Here’s what we learned:

1. Denver scored the perfect week to be forced to start Paxton Lynch. Jacksonville has a defense that, on paper, should be stingy against any offense, even if their record doesn’t show it. Denver wisely remedied early struggles by turning to a ground game that found a little daylight in the second quarter with the combination of Kapri Bibbs and Devontae Booker. But make no mistake — a Denver offense that already had its issues was only worse with Lynch in the lineup.

2. The Jaguars were in it late, but having witnessed three quarters of complete unpredictability on offense, it never felt like they were really in it. Jacksonville turned the ball over twice entering the latter stages of the fourth, including a Bradley Roby pick-six, and as we watched Bortles escape and fire rockets to anyone, anywhere, at any time, it seemed only a matter of time before turnover No. 3 happened. It eventually did, though only when the pocket collapsed on Bortles, forcing him to fumble and bringing a ho-hum finish to a ho-hum day that didn’t appear as such on the scoreboard. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Any hope the New England Patriots had of getting tight end Rob Gronkowski back this season has officially been quashed.

The team has placed the big tight end on injured reserve, ending his season after he underwent back surgery Friday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday. Gronkowski initially injured the back diving for a deep ball against the New York Jets last weekend.

It’s an abrupt end to a season that only briefly lived up to the promise it possessed for Gronkowski. That result isn’t the fault of Gronkowski for lack of effort, but lack of good health. The tight end got off to a late start due to a hamstring injury that hindered him throughout camp, and suffered a perforated lung after getting drilled by Seattle safety Earl Thomas three weeks ago. The back injury completed the in-season injury trifecta and, unfortunately for he and the Patriots, was the finishing blow. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Alex Smith will have to look elsewhere in an important contest against Atlanta on Sunday, because he’ll be without his top target.

Jeremy Maclin (groin) has been downgraded to out for the Chiefs‘ game versus the Falcons, the team announced Saturday via Twitter.

Without Maclin in 2016, Smith has been forced to look elsewhere — most notably, Tyreek Hill — and Kansas City’s offense has suffered, even in victory. It was especially evident in Kansas City’s 19-14 win over Jacksonville, but the Jaguars are not the Falcons, so a greater performance sans-Maclin will be necessary for Smith and the Chiefs in order to secure a win.

Kansas City also added cornerback Phillip Gaines (knee) to the injury report as questionable. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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In the wake of the Patriots receiving some of the most disheartening news possible that isn’t related to Tom Brady, New England had a nice little rebound on Saturday.

Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch, who was facing a four-game suspension, has had his ban rescinded, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported per agent Blake Baratz. Branch had been planning to appeal his suspension, but it was rescinded before the appeal and the Patriots were informed Saturday, Rapoport added.

Branch had been notified in late November that he was facing a four-game ban for violation of the league’s policy on substances of abuse. His unexpected return will be welcomed by a Patriots‘ defense that was facing the prospect of replacing Branch with a combination of inexperienced defensive linemen.

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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With kicker Chris Boswell becoming a late addition to the injury report, Pittsburgh has made an 11th-hour addition to its roster.

The Steelers have signed kicker Randy Bullock and released cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz, the team announced Saturday. Boswell was added to the injury report early Saturday with an abdomen injury and is listed as questionable.

Bullock most recently kicked for the New York Giants, and had spent three years with the Houston Texans and part of 2015 with the New York Jets. Over his career, Bullock has made 75 of 93 field goal attempts and 90 of 94 point after attempts.

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Seahawks are coming off perhaps their most forgettable offensive performance in years in a 14-5 loss to Tampa Bay, but that isn’t luring the Panthers into taking the NFC West leaders lightly.

Never mind that Russell Wilson has spent much of the season hampered by injuries — ankle, knee, pectoral, you name it. Charles Johnson thinks Seattle’s quarterback is as good as ever, with an uncommon compliment on top. Continue reading →