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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The Minnesota Vikings are a runaway train to the land of milk and honey. Don’t get in their way, unless you want to fall victim to the cowcatcher’s unmerciful plow into the glorious future.
OK, that might be a little hyperbolic. But the Vikings are very, very good. Sunday was the latest example of their ever-increasing supremacy in the NFC — and after the Eagles‘ loss to the Seahawks on Sunday night, guess who’s tied for the top seed in the conference.
Yep — the guys in purple!! 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
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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A week after the disaster in Carson that included five interceptions and a 50-burger put on them, the Buffalo Bills rebounded with a close win over the Kansas City Chiefs, who appear to be up a creek without a paddle as we enter the final quarter of the regular season.
After opening the season with five straight wins, Kansas City has lost five of its last six, including three straight. Sunday’s loss to the Bills would probably be the most concerning of the defeats, had the Chiefsnot just inexplicably fallen to the now 2-9 New York Giants a week earlier.
In both losses, the same theme emerged: The Chiefs‘ offense has fallen apart. Continue reading
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Ah, what a tale of two conferences we have.
First, there’s the NFC. Properly stratified by contender, pretender and future-seeker, this half of the National Football League allows us to have a decent idea of what’s going on. Everything is fairly tidy. Bandwagons are open for business (act fast — I hear Philadelphia’s is starting to fill up). Let us head into the winter!
Then, there’s the AFC. The conference is a morass of nonsense. I get irritated just looking at the standings. Optimists will vouch for how everyone still has a chance! But really, very few have a chance, because most are too busy tripping over themselves every other week. There’s bad, there’s good, and there’s .500 and close to it. That last group represents the majority over there.
Fortunately, for this exercise on this glorious Wednesday the 29th of November, 2017, we get to stay in the NFC. (Apologies to my colleague Edward Lewis, who’ll spend Thursday in the AFC bog. I know that my time with the problem child comes soon. Karma spares no one.)
On to deciphering the NFC! Continue reading
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Dwight Freeney is starting to creep into “ageless wonder” territory.
After spending the majority of his Hall of Fame-worthy career with the Indianapolis Colts, Freeney had a forgettable two-year stint with the San Diego Chargers in which he registered four sacks in 20 games. It seemed to be the end for the edge rusher with the signature, devastating spin move.
But then came a renaissance with the Arizona Cardinals in 2015, and a season spent as a spot contributor for the NFC champion Atlanta Falcons in 2016. When 2017 rolled around, Freeney was without a team, but latched on with the Seattle Seahawks, where he recorded three sacks in four games before his surprise release. Continue reading
By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Welcome to Numbers Wednesday, where we write posts on players who do and do not care about them.
We led off with DeMarco Murray not caring about his stats. Right around the same time that was published, Rams great Isaac Bruce was joining powerhouse morning show Good Morning Football to discuss a myriad of topics, including his Hall of Fame candidacy. Continue reading
Nick Shook 