Month: December 2023

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) runs with the ball after a catch in the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Bears clinch No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL Draft via Panthers

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A season ago, the Chicago Bears received the No. 1 overall draft pick and traded it to the Carolina Panthers. The swap included Carolina’s first-round pick in 2024 heading to Chicago.

On Sunday, the Bears secured the first overall pick once again as the Panthers clinched the worst record in the league with their latest loss.

The Panthers lost 26-0 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for their eighth loss in nine games and fell to 2-14.

With the Arizona Cardinals upsetting the Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 to improve to 4-12, Carolina is two games clear of every other team in the standings with one week left in the regular season.

Chicago (7-9) has won four of its last five games after routing the Atlanta Falcons 37-17 on Sunday. Wide receiver DJ Moore, acquired from the Panthers when the Bears traded out of the No. 1 slot, racked up nine catches for 159 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta. Moore has 92 receptions and has set career highs of 1,300 yards and eight receiving scores.

The Bears will have to decide whether to move on from second-year quarterback Justin Fields and select a different signal-caller with the top overall pick — like Southern California’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye — or stick with Fields and draft another position.

Chicago has held the first overall pick twice, not counting the 2023 selection it traded away. The Bears drafted halfbacks Tom Harmon in 1941 and Bob Fenimore in 1947.

Arizona is tied with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots at 4-12. Based on tiebreakers, Washington would pick second if the season ended Sunday, followed by New England third and Arizona fourth.

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz celebrates after a defensive touchdown in the third quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Missouri won 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz receives contract extension

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Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz had his contract extended through the 2028 season with an increase in salary on Sunday, following a stellar season that was capped by a 14-3 victory over Ohio State in Friday night’s Cotton Bowl.

Financial figures weren’t disclosed but school officials indicated Drinkwitz’s raise will put him among the top coaching salaries in the Southeastern Conference. Drinkwitz guided the No. 9 Tigers to an 11-2 record and was named SEC Coach of the Year.

The 11-win season was the first for Missouri since 2014. Missouri went 6-2 in SEC play this season.

In November 2022, Drinkwitz had his contract extended through 2027 and his annual salary was increased from $4 million to $6 million.

“This contract puts Coach Drink where he belongs, in the upper echelon of SEC head coach salaries,” Robin Wenneker, Missouri’s board of curators chair, said in the news release. “To continue in championship style, keeping Coach Drink and his staff together was the No. 1 priority for the Board of Curators and its administration.”

Drinkwitz is 28-21 in four seasons at Missouri. This season marks his first winning campaign.

“You can’t do this alone, and our players, coaches and staff have worked tirelessly and believed in the process of building a championship program,” Drinkwitz said in the news release. “The passion of our fan base, alumni and donors is awesome, and we are proud to represent them. We are extremely grateful for the resources they provide and the continued investment from our administration in Mizzou football. All of it has allowed us to get to where we are.”

Missouri previously extended the contracts of defensive coordinator Blake Baker and offensive coordinator Kirby Moore.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) scores a touchdown in front of USC Trojans wide receiver Mario Williams (4) after a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-20. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame All-American S Xavier Watts returning for 2024 season

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Notre Dame unanimous All-American safety Xavier Watts has elected to return to the Fighting Irish for the 2024 season.

Watts simply said “run it back” on his various social media sites while pitching the video of his announcement. The video was filmed in a Western outdoor setting in El Paso, site of the Sun Bowl, and Watts dug up a gold bar out of the ground that said, “XAVIER WATTS returns in 2024.”

Notre Dame finished its season with a 40-8 shellacking of Oregon State at the Sun Bowl in El Paso on Friday.

Watts won the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defensive player among a slew of honors.

Watts led the nation with seven interceptions. He added 52 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He scored a touchdown on the fumble return during a 48-20 win over Southern California on Oct. 14.

Watts was a receiver when he arrived at Notre Dame and he played in two games in 2020 and redshirted. He moved to defense during the 2021 season when the Fighting Irish were dealing with injuries in the secondary and he has been a fixture at safety the past two seasons.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Fields helps balanced Bears knock off Falcons

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Justin Fields passed for 268 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 45 yards and a score to lift the host Chicago Bears to a 37-17 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Chicago (7-9) relied on a balanced attack that outgained Atlanta 432-307 to win for the fourth time in the past five games. Khalil Herbert led the ground game, running 18 times for 124 yards and a touchdown.

The Falcons (7-9) lost for the third time in four games as their dim NFC playoff hopes took a hit.

Dealing with steady snowfall at the start of the game, the Falcons gained 43 yards on their first two plays to move comfortably into Chicago territory. Younghoe Koo’s 50-yard field-goal attempt fell short, however, and the Bears took over.

Fields wasted little time guiding the Bears to the end zone, punctuating a nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Moore. Moore snagged a 32-yard reception on Chicago’s first play from scrimmage, setting the tone for a big afternoon — nine catches for 159 yards and a touchdown.

Atlanta moved the ball on its next possession but experienced a familiarly frustrating result, as Koo clanked a 42-yard field-goal attempt off the left upright.

Chicago capitalized again, covering 68 yards in nine plays and 4:03, culminating with a 9-yard Fields touchdown run.

Atlanta responded just 14 seconds later, as Tyler Allgeier took a Taylor Heinicke screen pass and scampered down the sideline for a 75-yard score for the Falcons’ longest offensive touchdown of the season.

The Bears took a 21-7 lead into the half behind Roschon Johnson’s 2-yard touchdown run with 4:02 left in the second quarter.

Cairo Santos connected on second-half field goals of 22, 42 and 42 yards to outpace the Falcons, who got a 38-yarder from Koo and a 24-yard scoring run from Heinicke after halftime.

Herbert’s 1-yard touchdown run with 3:39 sealed Chicago’s fifth straight win at Soldier Field.

Heinicke finished 10-for-29 passing for 163 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions before Desmond Ridder entered in relief late in the fourth quarter. Tyrique Stevenson picked Ridder for his second interception of the afternoon.

Bijan Robinson gained 75 yards on 15 carries for Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) dives for a touchdown as Miami Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott (21) defends during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed with 56-19 drubbing of Dolphins

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Lamar Jackson passed for 321 yards and matched his career high of five touchdown passes and the Baltimore Ravens clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 56-19 dismantling of the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Isaiah Likely caught two touchdowns and Zay Flowers (106 receiving yards), Justice Hill, Patrick Ricard and Charlie Kolar each had one scoring catch for the Ravens (13-3). Gus Edwards and Melvin Gordon III each rushed for a score for Baltimore, which has won six straight games and 10 of 11.

Roquan Smith and Geno Stone had interceptions for the Ravens, who have won eight games by 14 or more points this season.

Tua Tagovailoa completed 22 of 38 passes for 237 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for Miami (11-5) but sustained an injury to his left (throwing) shoulder. He was injured while sliding during a scramble with 7:55 left and missed the rest of the contest.

De’Von Achane rushed 107 yards and caught a touchdown pass for the Dolphins. Cedrick Wilson Jr. also had a touchdown grab and Tyreek Hill had six receptions for 76 yards.

Miami star linebacker Bradley Chubb was carted off with a potentially serious knee injury with 3:05 remaining.

The Dolphins played without running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) and wideout Jaylen Waddle (ankle). Standout safety Kyle Hamilton (knee) sat out for the Ravens.

Jackson passed for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the first half as the Ravens built a 28-13 advantage.

Miami struck first on Tagovailoa’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Wilson four minutes into the contest. Baltimore answered on Jackson’s 20-yard scoring toss to Justice Hill with 6:39 left in the opening quarter.

The Dolphins had to settle for Jason Sanders’ 27-yard field goal three minutes later when a wide-open Hill failed to haul in a pass in the end zone.

Baltimore took the lead for good on a 1-yard run by Edwards with 6:56 left in the first half. Sanders hit a 38-yard field goal to bring Miami within 14-13 with 3:10 left in the half.

The Ravens scored on the next offensive play as Flowers went in motion to the right and wasn’t covered. He caught the ball around the Miami 35-yard line and broke two tackles while completing a 75-yard touchdown play.

Later in the half, Likely made a one-handed grab of a fourth-down Jackson pass and turned it into a 35-yard touchdown with 1:24 left for the 15-point halftime advantage.

Early in the third quarter, Likely caught a 7-yard scoring pass to boost the Ravens’ lead to 35-13 with 13:29 left in the period.

Miami moved within 16 on Tagovailoa’s 1-yard scoring pass to Achane with 13:57 left in the game.

Jackson threw TD pass No. 5 with 9:38 remaining in the game, hitting Ricard on a 3-yarder, to make it 42-19 and Baltimore finished off the rout.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws a pass in the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Bills QB Josh Allen (shoulder) exits game vs. Patriots

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen exited Sunday’s 27-21 victory over the New England Patriots in the final minutes due to an apparent shoulder injury.

On the first play following the two-minute warning, Allen faked a handoff and rushed to his right, getting hit by Jalen Mills and Kyle Dugger. Mills made contact with Allen’s left shoulder, which Allen then landed on.

Kyle Allen then took over under center to take the final two snaps of the game, both of which were quarterback kneels.

Josh Allen completed just 15 of 30 passes for 169 yards and an interception, but he rushed for two 1-yard touchdowns to lift Buffalo to its fourth consecutive victory. The Bills improved to 10-6 on the season and can clinch a postseason berth as early as this week if the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals lose later Sunday.

In 16 games this season, Josh Allen has thrown for 3,947 yards and 27 TDs with 16 interceptions. He has also found the end zone 15 times on the ground while rushing for 457 yards.

Buffalo will face the Miami Dolphins (11-5) in Week 18. The winner takes home the AFC East title.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) walks down the sidelines during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.Baltimore Ravens defeated Miami Dolphins 56-19. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa injures throwing shoulder vs. Ravens

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa exited with an injury to his throwing shoulder during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 56-19 loss at the Baltimore Ravens.

Tagovailoa was injured while sliding on a fourth-down scramble that fell four yards short of a first down with 7:55 left. He collided with Baltimore linebacker Patrick Queen with other Ravens also converging and he indicated discomfort in the left shoulder as he left the field.

Tagovailoa completed 22 of 38 passes for 237 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

When Miami next had the ball, backup quarterback Mike White took the field instead of Tagovailoa with 4:11 left and the Dolphins down by 30.

Miami star linebacker Bradley Chubb was carted off with a potentially serious knee injury with 3:05 remaining.

The Dolphins were without running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) and wideout Jaylen Waddle (ankle). Standout safety Kyle Hamilton (knee) sat out for the Ravens.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) scores a touchdown against New York Giants cornerback Nick McCloud (44) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Rams score early, hold off Giants

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Matthew Stafford passed for 317 yards and a touchdown and Kyren Williams rushed for three scores to help the Los Angeles Rams to a 26-25 win against the host New York Giants on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J.

Stafford completed 24 of 34 passes with two interceptions, Williams rushed for 87 yards on 20 carries and Puka Nacua caught five passes for 118 yards for the Rams (9-7), who have won six of seven.

The Los Angeles defense contributed six sacks and a turnover.

Tyrod Taylor passed for 319 yards and a touchdown and Darius Slayton caught four passes for 106 yards and a long touchdown for the Giants (5-11), who have lost three in a row.

The Giants cut the lead to 26-25 on a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown by Gunner Olszewski with 3:27 remaining. After an offsides penalty on the Rams, New York elected to try for two points and Taylor missed a wide-open Saquon Barkley out of the backfield, leaving the Giants behind 26-25.

New York quickly got the ball back and Taylor scrambled 31 yards to the Los Angeles 34 with 42 seconds left, but Mason Crosby missed a 54-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining.

Los Angeles marched 72 yards on eight plays on its second drive of the game and took a 7-0 lead on a 4-yard touchdown run by Williams.

New York wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson scored on a 24-yard run off an end-around to tie it 7-7 with 13:03 left in the first half.

Los Angeles took a 14-7 lead on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Kupp with 1:44 left in the first half.

Crosby kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired to cut the lead to 14-10 at the half.

Nacua got tackled at the 2-yard line at the end of an 80-yard reception and WIlliams ran into the end zone on the next play to extend the lead to 20-10 with 10:17 left in the third quarter.

Slayton scored on a long touchdown pass for the second consecutive week, hauling in an 80-yarder to trim the deficit to 20-16 with 4:39 left in the third quarter.

Slayton scored on a 69-yard touchdown pass last week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Belton then intercepted Stafford a second time on another overthrow over the middle and he returned it 20 yards to the Los Angeles 34. That turnover led to a 32-yard field goal by Crosby to cut it to 20-19 with 13:24 left.

The Rams quickly answered with a 28-yard touchdown run by Williams with 12:03 left to extend the lead to 26-19 and that score remained after Lucas Havrisik missed his second straight extra-point attempt.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (21) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) and linebacker Lavonte David (54) tackle during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Saints spoil Bucs’ clinching plans, remain in playoff hunt

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Derek Carr threw two touchdown passes, the New Orleans defense forced four turnovers and the visiting Saints kept their playoff hopes alive with a 23-13 victory against the Tampa Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.

Carr completed 24-of-32 passes for 197 yards and threw touchdowns to Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson, who finished with eight catches for 90 yards.

Baker Mayfield was 22-of-33 passing for 309 yards and two touchdowns but had two interceptions. Tampa Bay (8-8), which had won four in a row, missed an opportunity to clinch its third consecutive NFC South title, but can still do so with a victory at Carolina next weekend.

The Saints (8-8), who avenged a 26-9 home loss to Tampa Bay in Week 4, can win the South by beating visiting Atlanta next weekend if the Buccaneers lose to the Panthers.

Tampa Bay forced a 3-and-out on the first possession of the second half, then drove to the New Orleans 43. But Rachaad White fumbled when he was hit by Johnathan Abram. Demario Davis recovered for the Saints and returned to their 45.

New Orleans made two first downs before stalling and Blake Grupe kicked a 28-yard field goal for a 20-0 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Mayfield threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Trey Palmer to trim the lead to 20-7 with 7:50 remaining.

After Grupe kicked a 38-yard field goal, Mayfield threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin, but the two-point conversion pass was intercepted by Paulson Abedo, leaving New Orleans with a 10-point lead.

The Saints scored a touchdown on their first possession for the first time this season. Carr finished a 14-play, 73-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Johnson. The 7-0 lead held up through the end of the first quarter.

The Buccaneers drove to the New Orleans 36 early in the second quarter before Alontae Taylor intercepted Mayfield at the 2.

Carr threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Hill and Grupe added a 45-yard goal to increase the Saints’ lead to 17-0 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) looks to pass the ball while Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) defends in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Colts stay alive, eliminate Raiders from playoff contention

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Gardner Minshew threw for 224 yards and a touchdown while Jonathan Taylor ran for 96 yards and another score Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts kept their hopes for an AFC South title alive with a 23-20 win over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders.

Matt Gay added second-half field goals of 38, 33 and 45 yards as the Colts (9-7) remained in a three-way tie with Jacksonville and Houston. They’ll have to beat the Texans at home next week in their regular-season finale and hope the Jaguars lose at Tennessee to claim a division crown.

Minshew completed 15 of 23 passes for Indianapolis, which can do no worse than clinch a wild-card spot by winning next week.

Aidan O’Connell hit on 30 of 47 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns for Las Vegas (7-9), which was eliminated from playoff consideration. Davante Adams caught 13 passes for 126 yards and two scores, including a 1-yard touchdown with 43 seconds remaining that pulled the Raiders within three points.

However, an onside kick by Daniel Carlson was recovered by the Colts’ Rodney Thomas and Minshew was able to take a knee to kill the clock.

Indianapolis won despite being outgained 370-349.

Indianapolis needed less than three minutes on its first possession to find the end zone. Minshew’s 50-yard pass to Josh Downs set up Taylor’s 5-yard touchdown run at the 12:11 mark.

Las Vegas answered on its first possession with a 40-yard field goal by Carlson, capping a 54-yard drive that lasted more than six minutes. Then the game settled into a field position battle that trended the Raiders’ way but didn’t change the scoreboard.

Neither team scored again until a sudden strike by the Colts with 3:53 left in the half. Minshew connected with Alec Pierce down the right side for a 58-yard score, Pierce outrunning the final defender to the pylon for a 14-3 advantage at the break.

–Field Level Media