By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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For the first time all season, Bears fans have something to smile about Monday, and much of that is thanks to Brian Hoyer.
No, you didn’t read that wrong. Hoyer, who was last notable for his playoff meltdown with the Houston Texans in a shutout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last season, balled out (relatively speaking) Sunday in the Bears’ 17-14 win, completing 28 of 36 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Continue reading
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Another close contest for the Browns saw a dramatic turn of events that proved to be decisive. But could it have been avoided?
The NFL has reviewed the play in question — a Duke Johnson fumble — NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the process. Johnson emerged from the pile with the ball, but the officials ruled the Redskins recovered the fumble. In order to give the ball back to Cleveland, there would need to be video evidence of the player actually recovering the ball. Continue reading
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Giants are thin at safety, and after using receivers at the position in practice, are turning to a veteran.
New York is working out hard-hitting, 31-year-old safety Donte Whitner, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source with knowledge of the situation. New York lost another defensive back this week when free safety Nat Berhe was placed in the concussion protocol, to go along with rookie Darian Thompson‘s (foot) uncertain, week-to-week status.
Cut by the Browns well after free agency’s busy period came and went, Whitner bid Cleveland farewell by alluding to their “moneyball” strategy and lamenting the timing of the move. Whitner visited the Carolina Panthers in late August, but lost out to fellow free agent defensive back Stevie Brown.
Maybe Whitner will get a chance to fulfill this lofty guarantee:
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Sammy Watkins is going to get the rest and recovery time his foot needs.
The Buffalo Bills placed Watkins on injured reserve Friday, the team announced. The Bills also announced they filled Watkins’ roster spot by claiming wide receiver Justin Hunter.
Watkins’ move to IR puts him on the shelf for at least eight weeks, and brings a temporary end to the weekly question of “will Sammy Watkins play Sunday?” It’s been an inquiry since Watkins complained of discomfort in his foot — which was surgically repaired in the offseason — after the Bills‘ Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Continue reading
By Around the NFL staff
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Week 4 of the NFL season is upon us, and that means it’s time for another round of bold predictions. As always, this week’s edition of fearless prognostications includes a macho helping of audaciousness and abandon as we head into Sunday and Monday’s contests. Warning: these predictions are not for the faint of heart.
This was initially going to be four touchdowns, typically the passing baseline for bold predictions. Then I recalled Baltimore’s last two games, checked the stats and had to adjust. The Ravens are 25th in the NFL in total offense (324.3 yards per game), 21st in passing (242 YPG) and have exceeded 20 points just once — in a clunky win over the Browns that wasn’t easy on the eyes. But there’s good news for the Ravens: Oakland is dead last in passing defense, allowing 340 yards per game. It’s somewhat of a skewed statistic after only three games, but it was over 400 yards after two weeks before Tennessee’s offense — a passing game handcuffed by coach Mike Mularkey’s exotic smashmouth emphasis, which has Marcus Mariota noticeably floundering — brought that total closer to earth. There can’t be a better matchup for Flacco, which leads an offense that includes wideout Mike Wallace, who has shown he still has the speed to go deep for six.
Plus, Flacco just welcomed his fourth child — and first daughter — to Earth this week! What’s better than a father with a new addition to his family taking the field with a deep threat against a defense that has shown a tendency to give up big chunks of yards through the air? Flacco caps his memorable week and brings Evelyn Renee Flacco into the football world with a big game and another win for Baltimore.
— Nick Shook
To read the full Week 4 bold predictions from the Around the NFL writers, click here.
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Seahawks are going to continue leaning on Christine Michael for at least a few weeks.
Incumbent starting running back Thomas Rawls has a hairline fracture in his fibula, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the tailback’s injury. Rawls has already missed a week and could be out for a month, Rapoport added. Continue reading
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Rams (2-1) staved off multiple comeback attempts on the part of the Buccaneers (1-2), escaping Tampa Bay with a 37-32 victory that included an hour-long weather delay at the two minute warning in the fourth quarter. Here’s what we learned:
1. It was a knock-down, drag-out contest you’d typically see between two league heavyweights, but instead it was two middling squads with uncertain paths. Which Buccaneers team would we get this week: the 31-21 winners in Week 1, or the squad decimated by turnovers and a swarming Cardinals defense in Week 2? Well, it was neither, sort of. Both teams made mistakes that each seemed to follow with another. They held serve on positive plays and errors, making for an entertaining contest.
2. The game’s highlights opened with each team giving the other a gift: the Rams‘ Case Keenum tossed one directly to Bucs linebacker Kwon Alexander, who had nothing but green in front of him for a pick-six; then Charles Sims dropped a pass (thanks to a hit from Trumaine Johnson) that landed in Los Angeles arms, setting the Rams up with great field position that ended in a Todd Gurley touchdown. It was very much call and response of both teams. Anything you can lose, we can lose better. Continue reading
By Around the NFL staff
NFL.com
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Week 3 of the NFL season is upon us, and that means it’s time for another round of bold predictions. As always, this week’s edition of fearless prognostications includes a macho helping of audaciousness and abandon as we head into Sunday and Monday’s contests. Warning: these predictions are not for the faint of heart.
A look at the Titans‘ preseason film made it simple to see: Tajae Sharpe will be a big part of Tennessee’s offense. The rookie wideout from UMass lived up to that expectation in Week 1, catching seven of his 11 targets for 76 yards and drawing praise from a surefire Hall of Famer in teammateAndre Johnson. Sharpe’s performance in Week 2 wasn’t as scintillating, but no matter when it comes to Week 3 when the Titans face the Oakland Raiders, who just allowed Matt Ryan to complete 26 of 34 passes for 396 yards and three touchdowns. — Nick Shook
To read the full Week 3 bold predictions from the Around the NFL writers, click here.
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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With Tom Brady exiled from Gillette Stadium for another two weeks and Jimmy Garoppolo recovering from a right shoulder injury, all eyes are on rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Oh, and tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has yet to play a game in 2016 due to a hamstring injury. He, Garoppolo and linebacker Dont’a Hightower were limited participants in Patriots practice Tuesday in Foxboro.
It’s encouraging for Gronkowski, of course, but is even more significant for the Patriots‘ depth chart situation at quarterback. With the Patriots now down to their third and final signal-caller in Brissett, it was expected they’d have to add a veteran arm. But after Garoppolo’s appearance in practice on a limited basis, the door is open for him to possibly dress as a backup for Brissett and eliminate the need to bring in another quarterback, which would help the Pats avoid cutting a player elsewhere to open a roster spot. Continue reading
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Fresh off a Monday night loss in which they surrendered 29 points, the Chicago Bears received some unwelcome news on Tuesday.
Linebacker Danny Trevathan suffered a thumb injury that will require surgery, which will take place Wednesday, head coach John Fox said Tuesday. The injury and procedure will not end Trevathan’s season, Fox added.
Trevathan recorded 11 tackles (7 solo, 4 assisted) and a sack in a Week 1 loss to Houston and registered four tackles in limited action Monday in the loss to the Eagles, including this shot on rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. The linebacker signed a four-year, $28 million contract with the Bears in the offseason.
Adding to the unfortunate occurrences for the Bears‘ defense this week is the news that outside linebacker Lamarr Houston‘s knee injury is significant, with Houston being lost for the season to a torn ACL and defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (high ankle sprain) is out about four weeks, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported. Continue reading
Nick Shook 