By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Expectations might not be any lower in an NFL city than they currently are in Cleveland.

A city accustomed to 4-12 and 5-11 finishes — since 1999, Cleveland has posted a 4-12 or 5-11 record nine times — is now just clamoring for one win. It’s the second season in which the best hope that remains is 1-15. As we all know, there’s only one mark worse than that, one of infamy. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Much of 2017’s struggles in Indianapolis can be traced back to one massive void under center.

While Jacoby Brissett has performed admirably, he’s no Andrew Luck. The result of Luck’s season-long absence (and a defense that lost its best player to injury and is largely filled with spare parts otherwise) has the Colts at 3-10 entering Thursday night’s matchup against the 4-9 Denver Broncos. Both teams will look back on this season as a campaign of great disappointment, but one has reason for optimism entering 2018. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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New England and Miami clash on Monday night in an annual battle between two teams with very different trajectories.

There are the Patriots, who at 10-2 are comfortably perched atop the AFC East, needing just one win in the final four games to clinch yet another division crown. Business is good as usual in New England. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Philadelphia emerged from a back-and-forth affair victorious, but might have lost its most important player.

The Eagles believe Carson Wentz‘s season could be over after the quarterback suffered an ACL injury in his knee during Philadelphia’s 43-35 win Sunday over the Los Angeles Rams, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Wentz exited the contest late in third quarter and was ruled out shortly after heading to the locker room. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Josh Gordon missed roughly three years of football and nearly broke 100 yards in his first game back. On Sunday, he reacquainted himself with the end zone during the Cleveland Browns‘ 27-21 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Gordon’s 17-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter knotted the contest up at 7-7 and gave Cleveland’s fan base a bigger shot of enthusiasm in one play than it has received all season. It was also Gordon’s first visit to paydirt since Week 15 of the 2013 season. Just watch for yourself. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Cincinnati’s remote playoff chances just became a little less likely.

The Bengals placed veteran cornerback Adam Jones (groin) on injured reserve on Saturday, the team announced. Jones exited Cincinnati’s Monday night loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers early in the first quarter with the injury and did not return.

In a corresponding roster move, Cincinnati promoted cornerback Tony McRae from the practice squad. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Tom Brady‘s Week 13 sideline outburst drew plenty of attention during the the days that followed.

On Saturday, the quarterback apologized to the person at whom the eruption was directed.

“One thing I do want to say first, I want to apologize to (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) for last week in Buffalo,” Brady said before taking questions during Saturday’s media availability. “I know our coaches work really hard. They’re responsbile for putting us in a great position to succeed, so I just want to get that off my chest.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Earlier this week, Chiefs coach Andy Reid suspended standout cornerback Marcus Peters for one game after the defender’s outburst late in a loss to the New York Jets.

It involved a flag tossed by Peters into the stands, the disappearance of Peters (by misconception that he’d been ejected), and later, his socks. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, it also included a spat with a coach. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Comparatively, this should be a blowout.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (9-2) haven’t lost since Week 5. They’re ranked fourth in the NFL in passing, and seventh in total offense (in terms of yards per game). They hold an iron grip on the AFC North as we approach the final month of the season.

And yet, there remains the unsettling nature of Pittsburgh’s wins. The Steelers needed a field goal to edge a Brett Hundley-led Packers team last week. Earlier in November, Pittsburgh barely squeaked past Detroit and Indianapolis in consecutive games, with a bye week wedged between them.

There’s also Pittsburgh’s decimation of Tennessee on Thursday Night Football, and the Steelers‘ 15-point win over Cincinnati back in Week 7.

Which Steelers team will we see on Monday night? Well, it is December, and despite last week’s airborne shootout, a shift to winter, midwestern football is likely in the cards. Paul Brown Stadium isn’t exactly a fearsome environment for opposing teams, but (even with Monday night’s low of 49 degrees) it gets bitter along the Ohio River this time of year.

Here are four things to watch for in Week 13’s Monday night showdown: Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Saints‘ vaunted running duo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara made quick work of the Panthers‘ defense as New Orleans (9-3) took control of the NFC South with a 31-21 win Sunday.

1. The lead story of this game, and potentially of this day is Alvin Kamara. For the second straight week, the running back was New Orleans’ Mr. Do Everything, taking nine handoffs for 60 yards and two touchdowns and catching five passes for an additional 66 yards. The output placed him in a very special club, joining Herschel Walker, Charley Taylor and Billy Sims in becoming just the fourth rookie running back in history to break 600 yards rushing and 600 yards receiving in the same season. Taylor is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Walker and Sims were both All-Pros at least once in their careers. New Orleans hit the jackpot when it selected Kamara in the third round of last spring’s draft. Continue reading →