Month: October 2024
Ohio State at Penn State Prediction, Betting Preview, Pick
Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren among 9 coaching candidates for HOF
Super Bowl-winning head coaches Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan and George Seifert are among the nine semifinalists from the coach category nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Only one finalist from the group can be named a finalist to be considered by the full Hall of Fame Selection Committee for possible election in 2025.
The Coach Blue-Ribbon Committee narrowed a list of 14 candidates to these semifinalists: Bill Arnsparger, Coughlin, Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert, Shanahan and Clark Shaughnessy. All but Arnsparger, Knox and Seifert reached the semifinalist stage in 2023.
The same committee is scheduled for a virtual meeting on Nov. 19 to nominate one finalist to be considered for enshrinement.
Earlier this week, the Hall of Fame semifinalists from the contributor category, from which one finalist will be up for consideration with the next Hall of Fame class, were released: K.S. “Bud” Adams, Ralph Hay, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Robert Kraft, Art Modell, Art Rooney Jr., Seymour Siwoff, Doug Williams and John Wooten.
A grand total of 20 finalists are presented for debate at the selection committee’s annual meeting in advance of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, including 15 modern-era players, three seniors, one coach and one contributor. Between four and eight new members will be selected, according to the Hall of Fame’s selection process bylaws.
–Field Level Media
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (back/knee) misses second straight practice
Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson missed practice for the second consecutive day on Thursday, prompting concern over his status for the Ravens’ home game Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
Coach John Harbaugh had described Jackson’s absence on Wednesday as a “rest” day, but the injury report released later listed the quarterback with back and knee issues. Baltimore got back to work this week after a shocking loss at Cleveland (2-6).
“He’s been playing great, and we have a lot of football in front of us,” Harbaugh said Wednesday. “We have a game, a quick game, and another big game coming up, so that was warranted today.”
Harbaugh was not available to the media on Thursday.
After playing the Broncos (5-3), the Ravens (5-3) host the Cincinnati Bengals (3-5) on Thursday and visit the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) on Nov. 17.
The Ravens have only one other quarterback on the roster, 38-year-old Josh Johnson. Devin Leary is on the practice squad.
Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, was selected the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. Jackson was 86-of-128 passing (67.2 percent) for 1,241 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception for a 126.5 passer rating. He also rushed for 193 yards in the month.
Jackson has completed 158 of 236 passes (66.9 percent) for 2,099 yards and 17 TDs with two interceptions in starting all eight games. He leads the league in average yards per attempt (9.95) and in passer rating (115.4).
He also has rushed 81 times for 501 yards and two TDs.
The Ravens selected Jackson with the 32nd overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Louisville. He was voted NFL MVP in 2019 and last season, and he is a two-time first-team All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
Jackson has passed for 17,986 yards and 142 TDs with 47 picks in 94 career regular-season games (85 starts). He also has 956 carries for 5,759 yards and 31 TDs.
–Field Level Media
Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons (ankle) likely out vs. Falcons
Dallas Cowboys All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons is expected to miss his fourth consecutive game because of a high ankle sprain, coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday.
Parsons has not practiced since injuring his ankle in the fourth quarter of the 20-15 win over the host New York Giants on Sept. 26.
The Cowboys (3-4), who visit the Atlanta Falcons (5-3) on Sunday, did not place Parsons on injured reserve, which would have required missing at least four games.
Dallas has been waiting for Parsons to clear the ramp-up process through Britt Brown, the team’s associate athletic trainer and director of rehabilitation.
“(Parsons is) here. He’s in the meetings. Until they clear the return to play with Britt, I really don’t even entertain that thought,” McCarthy said Thursday. “So, he’s not quite there yet.”
Parsons, 25, was a two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection with 40.5 sacks over his first three seasons from 2021-23. He has 14 tackles and one sack in four starts this season.
“He’s an impact player,” McCarthy said on Wednesday. “Where he is in the rehab, he’s making gains each week. He’s been in every day. He’s just not ready to get into the practice format. But yeah, definitely missed him.”
The coach said Parsons would be in the rehab group at practice on Thursday and likely will be joined by cornerback Trevon Diggs, who missed practice on Wednesday with a calf injury.
–Field Level Media
Week 9 TNF: Texans-Jets Preview, Props & Prediction
The New York Jets will be featured in primetime for the fifth time already as they kick off Week 9 of the NFL’s regular season at home against the Houston Texans on Thursday night.
While the Jets (2-6) are riding a five-game losing streak, the Texans (6-2) travel on a short week just five days after losing another star wide receiver to a major injury.
ODDS AND TRENDS
Despite sitting near the bottom of the AFC standings, the Jets are 2.0-point favorites. That has led to heavy action on the Texans at sportsbooks including BetRivers, where Houston has been backed by 55 percent of the spread-line money and 60 percent of the total bets.
The Texans’ +105 moneyline has attracted 60 percent of the bets, while the Jets have been backed by 61 percent of the money at -127.
Oddsmakers are expecting a relatively low-scoring game. The Over/Under at DraftKings is 42.5 points — slightly higher than the 42.0 being offered at BetRivers, where the Over has been a popular play with 77 percent of the money.
However, the book reported that six of the Texans’ past seven games have gone Under the total points line.
PROP PICKS
–Tank Dell Over 4.5 Receptions (-125 at DraftKings): Dell steps into the No. 1 receiver role for Houston following the season-ending injury to Stefon Diggs and with Nico Collins still recovering from a significant hamstring injury. Dell has a modest 24 receptions on 38 targets through seven games, but has at least four catches in four of his past five and figures to be a focal point of the passing game moving forward. This has been the most popular player prop at the book. Another intriguing play is Xavier Hutchinson at +120 to have at least 25 receiving yards.
–Davante Adams Anytime TD (+135 at BetRivers): Texans running back Joe Mixon reaching the end zone on Thursday night has received a higher percentage of money at the book (3.2), but we like the better payout on Adams, who has received 1.4 percent of the money. Adams has seven receptions on 15 targets in two games since being reunited with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but hasn’t scored since Week 2 with Las Vegas.
THE NEWS
It has been exactly six weeks since the Jets have won a football game.
New York is averaging just 16.6 points during its slide, which has seen it score 17 points or fewer three times. The Jets’ season high for points is 24, accomplished in each of their victories.
New York has often settled for field-goal attempts — Greg Zuerlein is 9-for-15 — or failed to make a key play on the offensive end. The Jets are ranked 25th in scoring offense (18.8 points per game) and 24th in total offense (310.6 yards per game), with Rodgers throwing 12 touchdown passes against seven interceptions.
The misery might have reached a zenith on Sunday when the host New England Patriots drove 70 yards in 12 plays to score the winning points with 22 seconds left in their 25-22 victory.
“We’ve got to score touchdowns,” Rodgers said. “Can’t leave it up to Greg or try and pin it on Greg. We had a lot of opportunities to score 30, to make it a two-score game at times and didn’t do it.”
The Jets fired Robert Saleh as coach after their record dropped to 2-3. They are 0-3 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who doubles as defensive coordinator.
Despite the injuries to Collins and Diggs, Houston is in a good position as it hits Week 9 with four victories in its past five games.
“A goal we had was to start fast, and I believe that we’ve been putting on some good ball, but we have a lot to still clean up,” said Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has thrown 11 touchdown passes and just four interceptions. “It’s just exciting times. It’s coming into the two hardest months of ball (in) November and December.
“We get to end October on a prime-time game, and it’s going to be a great matchup against the Jets, and we’ve got to be able to be ready and try to finish October the right way.”
KEY STAT
Mixon has been a force with three straight 100-yard rushing performances. He has carried the ball 25 times in each of the past two games, and has at least 102 rushing yards in four of his past five games overall.
INJURY REPORT
Houston running back Dameon Pierce (groin) was ruled out of the contest on Wednesday. Offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson (concussion), linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin) will also miss the game.
New York will be without five-time Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley (neck) for the second straight game. Other Jets who were ruled out were receiver Allen Lazard (chest), guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), defensive lineman Leki Fotu (knee) and safeties Tony Adams (hamstring) and Ashtyn Davis (concussion).
Also, the Jets placed Zuerlein on injured reserve and signed fellow kickers Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to the practice squad. Either Patterson or Shrader will be elevated to the active roster to handle the kicking duties.
THEY SAID IT
–“It’s tough news to hear, especially with how much (Diggs) pours into it. That’s (a) guy that gave his all to everything we asked him to do. He’s hurting, of course, and we’re hurting for him.” –Houston coach DeMeco Ryans on Diggs’ injury
–“We’ve just got to be better collectively. Every single human being out there has got to be better. Aaron has got to be better. Coaches got to be better. All of us got to be better.” –Ulbrich
PREDICTION
The Jets’ offensive issues aren’t easily correctable with an aging quarterback who lacks the mobility he long thrived on and a playbook that lacks creativity. Yes, the Texans are traveling on a short week and doing so without their top two wideouts. But Houston is tied for second in the AFC because it is well-rounded. The Texans enter with the league’s No. 2-ranked total defense and are third in the NFL with 27.0 sacks. –Texans 23, Jets 20
–Field Level Media
Texans Jets Picks, Rodgers Covers TNF?
Field Level Insights: Will Jets show up for second half to tame Texans?
Aaron Rodgers and the Jets rapidly are running out of runway and the Houston Texans are in town Thursday with a chance to turn out the lights on New York’s disastrous 2024 season.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich and Rodgers described the onset of darkness as the Jets’ mood after their current losing streak hit five games last week in a no-show effort resulting in a loss to the New England Patriots.
Dire would be the word for New York with Rodgers limping toward his 41st birthday and a meaningless second half of the regular season. Even so, a win Thursday night sets up the Jets (2-6) for a shot at making a run at a wild-card spot.
No, seriously. A win to improve to 3-6, 10 days before Week 10 — at Arizona — before a date with old pal Joe Flacco (Nov. 17), flopping Seattle (Dec. 1, happy birthday to Rodgers), and an early kickoff at Miami (Dec. 8) adds up to a possible 7-6 record with four games to go, none of them impossible to win (Jaguars, Rams, Bills, Dolphins).
Of course, that would demand something out of the Jets they last displayed in their previous Thursday night game Sept. 19, a 24-3 win over the Patriots.
Fight.
There are three two-win teams in the AFC East but the loss to New England last week, and Denver (5-3) beating the Jets in a 10-9 shocker are two games that might haunt the Jets in a tiebreaker scenario later this season.
As for this week, the Texans (6-2) defeated Buffalo, the runaway favorite in the East and appear to be the biggest challenge left on the Jets’ schedule. A perfect 5-0 in conference games this season, they’ve also been in constant one-possession games and have a net total point differential of just nine. By comparison, the Bills are plus-84 and the Jets are minus-20.
We teamed with Inside Edge to find the keys to the Thursday night matchup and a few stats of interest to the betting-inclined.
The Jets are beating themselves. With 477 penalty yards, six interceptions and eight fumbles (one lost), negative or net-zero plays spell doom for an offense scrambling for an identity. That puts New York’s defense on the field far too long, especially in the second half when the Jets’ offense has gone dormant more often than not. Including Week 4 when they put up nine points in a one-point defeat at the hands of the Broncos on Sept. 29, the Jets have two second-half touchdowns in the past five games. The Jets allowed five second-half TDs in the past two games alone.
A tired defense allows chunk plays and can’t stop the run. The Jets fit the bill. And in comes Texans running back Joe Mixon, who is averaging 106.3 rushing yards per game over his last three games.
The Jets do catch a break with old nemesis Stefon Diggs out of the lineup. Diggs joined Houston’s leading receiver, Nico Collins, on injured reserve with a torn ACL in last week’s game.
A press-man strategy by the Jets’ secondary suits in this matchup given the high level of success quarterback C.J. Stroud is having this season targeting his first read, according to Inside Edge. He’s among league leaders in the category and working without his top two targets Thursday. De facto lead receiver Tank Dell has been targeted more than six times in just two of seven games this season, which could invite a bigger role for wide receiver Robert Woods and tight end Dalton Schultz.
Houston’s defense is limiting the damage done without using extra bodies.
The Texans have pressured opposing QBs on 36% of pass attempts with a base rush since Week 5 to rank second in the NFL in that statistic. The Jets are second-worst in passer rating against a base front in the same timeframe.
Hand it off to Breece Hall or Braelon Allen, you say?
The Texans lead the NFL with a miniscule 34 percent success rate on rushing attempts utilizing their base defensive front this season, and the Jets generated successful running plays on only 37 percent of attempts against a base front this season (31st in the NFL).
Rodgers becomes more mistake-prone after first down. He’s particularly pick-happy on third down. Entering Thursday’s game Rodgers is 32nd in the NFL among qualified passers with a 47.9 passer rating on third down since Week 5.
There is one connection working for New York: Rodgers to Garrett Wilson.
Wilson, second in the NFL with 51 receptions in 2024, is averaging 7.2 receptions per game over his last five games and has five-plus catches in seven of eight games, which ties him for the NFL lead in the category.
–Field Level Media
Lamar Jackson, Ravens brace for challenge from upstart Broncos
The Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos are in a position to make the postseason with a strong finish to the second half of the season.
The Ravens and Broncos are both 5-3 and in second place in the AFC North and AFC West, respectively. The teams will test their mettle against each other on Sunday afternoon in Baltimore.
The Ravens are led by two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is playing at the highest level of his career.
“He’s been playing great and we’ve got a lot of football in front of us here,” Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said of Jackson, who sat out practice on Wednesday for rest purposes. “We’ve got a game, quick game, another big game coming up. So that was warranted.”
Rookie Bo Nix has given the Broncos hope for the future and has led them to two straight victories. Nix has thrown for 1,530 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. He could have success against the Ravens’ pass defense, which is ranked last in the NFL by allowing 291.4 yards per game.
“For a rookie quarterback, I think all of these are steps,” Denver coach Sean Payton said about Nix. “Confidence steps. We’ve seen it. The key is — and I’ve said it — the key is around him. Are we good enough at these other positions around him? That’s what we’re constantly looking (at). We have to paint the picture, and when we do that, we’ll have success. We’ll move the ball.”
The Ravens secondary also isn’t doing itself any favors.
Last week, safety Kyle Hamilton bobbled an easy interception that could have sealed the win against Cleveland. On the very next play, Jameis Winston threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Cedric Tillman to help fuel the Browns to a 29-24 victory. Safety Eddie Jackson, who also dropped two potential interceptions in the game, was beaten badly on the touchdown.
Courtland Sutton leads Denver with 29 receptions for 377 yards with two touchdowns.
“We’ll make those plays, we’ll work hard at it, and we’ll continue to work even harder at it, because it’s something that we want our guys to have confidence in,” Harbaugh said. “We have guys with good hands; they can catch the ball. I’m very confident that we’re going to do it going forward, but I’d like to see it happen really soon.”
The Ravens allow just 69.9 yards rushing per game, tops in the NFL. However, they are dealing with several key injuries.
Defensive end Brent Urban had to leave the game against the Browns with a concussion. Defensive tackle Travis Jones was able to play despite an ankle injury, but he was limited to 15 snaps and did not practice Wednesday. Nose tackle Michael Pierce was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury and will miss at least the next four games.
The Broncos’ rushing game could pose a challenge. Denver averages 121.4 yards rushing per game, led by the duo of Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin.
“Stopping the run this game is going to be really important — it’s going to be huge,” Harbaugh said. “(The Broncos are) a running team, and they run it really well, and they run it a lot, so it’s going to be a big part of the game plan.”
Much of the Ravens’ success has revolved around Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. Baltimore leads the league in total offense (452.1 yards per game) and rushing offense (200 ypg). The Ravens also are second in average points per game (30.3).
Jackson is having another MVP-caliber season, throwing for 2,099 yards with 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also is second on the team with 501 yards rushing.
Henry leads the NFL with 946 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He also has two scoring receptions. The Broncos defense has been stout and is ranked third in yards (282.6 yards per game) and points (15 points per game).
“This is our toughest challenge by far,” Payton said about the Ravens.
Broncos safety P.J. Locke (thumb) and offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) did not practice on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
Joe Flacco takes saddle for Colts, to start against Vikings
A midseason quarterback change frequently signals trouble for a franchise.
It will be up to Joe Flacco to prove that this time is an exception.
Flacco, 39, will take over at quarterback when the Indianapolis Colts (4-4) visit the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) on Sunday night in Minneapolis. The 17-year veteran will replace second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was benched this week after an inconsistent start to the season.
Colts coach Shane Steichen said the switch would not be a short-term move.
“Joe will be our quarterback going forward,” Steichen said. “I feel like Joe gives us the best chance to win. … I’m just looking at where we’re at with the team. We’re at .500. It’s my obligation to 53 players in the locker room to win football games.”
The Colts will try to do just that on the road against a Vikings team that is suddenly desperate for a victory. Minnesota started the season with five straight wins before dropping back-to-back games against the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams.
During the skid, the Vikings lost a key player as standout left tackle Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending knee injury. The team wasted little time to respond, acquiring left tackle Cam Robinson and a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2026.
Robinson did not make it north in time for the Vikings’ first practice of the week but there is a chance that he will make his team debut Sunday.
“If he’s ready to go and prepared, I’d like to get him in the mix there,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “If for whatever reason, either situational or something where we hold him out and give him a full week of prep next week, we’ll see how it goes. I think we have a good plan in place.”
The Vikings feel more confident that veteran tight end T.J. Hockenson will make his season debut after missing the first seven games recovering from knee surgery. Hockenson, 27, had 95 catches for 960 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games last season.
“I think T.J. is ready to play,” O’Connell said. “He’s as good as he’s looked since we got him here. And that’s saying something considering the impact he made right away in (2022), and the season he was having last year at the time he was hurt. He’s a huge part of our offense, our system.”
The Colts hope to say the same for Flacco, who has a 102.2 passer rating this season compared with a 57.2 passer rating for Richardson. Flacco has thrown for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception this season.
Jonathan Taylor leads the Colts’ ground game with 454 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Alec Pierce has a team-high 394 receiving yards and three scores.
For the Vikings, Sam Darnold will make his eighth start of the season. He has posted a 107.2 passer rating while throwing for 1,610 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Aaron Jones has 501 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his first season with the Vikings. Justin Jefferson is dominating at wideout again this season with 41 catches for 646 yards and five touchdowns in seven games.
This is the first meeting between the teams since Dec. 17, 2022, when the Vikings emerged with a 39-36 victory in overtime. In that game, the Vikings overcame a 33-point deficit, making it the largest comeback win in NFL history.
–Field Level Media