Author: Field Level Media

FLM has a North American focus while tying into regional and hyper-local resources – providing the ability to distribute compelling content through the writing of professional journalists. As the U.S. sports content provider to dozens of digital and print media publishers through strategic partnerships with the likes of Reuters and Nielsen Sports, FLM covers the nuts and bolts with a breaking news desk and game event coverage.
Dec 8, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Seahawks, Packers no strangers to memorable encounters

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Expect some drama when the Seattle Seahawks host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.

Because there always seems to be plenty when these teams meet.

To wit:

Jan. 4, 2004: In an NFC wild-card game in Green Bay, Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck told the referee after winning the overtime coin toss that “we want the ball and we’re going to score.” The Packers won, however, after Hasselbeck threw a pick-six.

Sept. 24, 2012: The host Seahawks triumphed on rookie quarterback Russell Wilson’s “Fail Mary” pass into the end zone with replacement officials — being used during the referee lockout — split on whether it was a TD or an interception. The lockout ended days later.

Jan. 18, 2015: The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks trailed 16-0 at halftime in the NFC Championship Game before scoring on a fake field goal in the third quarter. Seattle still trailed 19-7 with less than three minutes to play before rallying to take the lead. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers guided the Packers to a tying field goal before Wilson threw a TD pass to Jermaine Kearse on the first possession of overtime to win it.

Sunday’s game is important for both the Packers (9-4) and Seahawks (8-5).

The Packers are third in the NFC North behind Detroit (12-1) and Minnesota (11-2), but they have a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Rams for the conference’s final wild-card berth.

“The main thing is getting into the dance for sure,” Packers center Josh Myers said. “Would we like to be higher up? Absolutely. But we’ll live with where we’re at, and we’ll make the most of it.”

The Packers had a three-game winning streak snapped with a 34-31 loss last Thursday at Detroit.

Green Bay relatively is healthy, with only safety Javon Bullard (ankle) missing practice time this week.

“I think every team that can realize their potential needs to be as healthy as they can be. And injuries are a part of this business,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It is what it is in terms of the next man up, but obviously, you want the guys that are your starters to be available — especially as you get closer to the end of the year.”

The NFC West-leading Seahawks, who opened the season with three consecutive wins before losing five of their next six, have gone 4-0 since their bye week. Their recent success largely is because of a much-improved defense that has allowed an average of 15.5 points per game over that span.

Seattle defeated host Arizona 30-18 last Sunday as Zach Charbonnet rushed for a career-high 134 yards and two touchdowns in place of the injured Kenneth Walker III (calf).

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said this week that further tests indicated no significant injury for Walker, who is day-to-day.

Walker sat out practice this week, as did cornerback Tre Brown (hamstring) and safety Jerrick Reed II (quad). The Seahawks designated two members of their secondary as returning to practice off injured reserve — safety K’Von Wallace (ankle) and cornerback Artie Burns (toe).

Even with the injuries, the Seahawks seem to have adopted a different mindset since their bye week.

“Every game’s a championship game, and if you really take that approach then when you get to the big game, it won’t feel different,” quarterback Geno Smith said. “I think we’re developing it as a team, and I think the mindset is what’s really setting us apart right now.”

Offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson put it more succinctly: “We’re in playoff mode, man.”

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before playing against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 8, 2024.

Cardinals face Patriots, look to stay in playoff hunt

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With their playoff chances slipping away, the Arizona Cardinals will host the New England Patriots on Sunday at Glendale, Ariz.

Both teams are on three-game losing streaks, but while the Patriots (3-10) are in last place in the AFC East and long ago lost hope for a postseason berth, the Cardinals (6-7) are crunching the numbers to figure out how they can remain in the chase.

Arizona is two games out of both the NFC West lead and the last wild-card spot, giving them two options to chase. While they would need to jump three teams to land a wild-card berth, they have to slip past two teams — the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams — to take the division.

None of it matters if the Cardinals can’t get past the Patriots, and even then a victory would merely mean an 11 percent chance of reaching the playoffs, according to the NFL’s playoff probability counter.

Arizona’s most recent defeat came against the NFC West-leading Seahawks, 30-18 after giving up 17 points in the first quarter last Sunday. It was their second loss to the Seahawks, giving Seattle the tiebreaker between the teams, essentially putting Arizona three games back in the division if the Seahawks win out.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray passed for 259 yards but threw an interception on one first-quarter drive, then threw another pick on his first pass of the next possession.

“Heavy is the crown, I tell him,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said of Murray. “He gets a lot of blame, and he gets a lot of praise, too. That’s life in the National Football League as the franchise quarterback.”

James Conner had 90 yards rushing on 18 carries for Arizona, and Trey McBride had seven receptions for 70 yards. But the Cardinals’ defense gave up 176 rushing yards, including 134 to Zach Charbonnet.

“I’ve got to find some answers,” Gannon said. “We haven’t played good ball the last couple of weeks, and that falls on me.”

The Patriots will enter off their bye week after getting an extra week to correct mistakes made during consecutive defeats to the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.

In a 25-24 loss in their most recent game, on Dec. 1 against the Colts, the Patriots surrendered a 19-play, 80-yard drive — and the go-ahead touchdown — with 12 seconds remaining.

New England quarterback Drake Maye threw for 238 yards with one touchdown and one interception that came on New England’s opening drive of the second half. In his rookie season, Maye has fared well, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 1,696 yards, 11 TDs and eight interceptions in nine games (eight starts).

“Really, the goal remains the same, and that’s to play our best football at the end of the year,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said. “It’s all about winning. … It’s all about going out there, playing complementary football, and that’s what we want to see.”

The Cardinals were without running back Emari Demercado (back) and punter Blake Gillikin (foot) in practice Wednesday, while defensive linemen Naquan Jones (shoulder), Roy Lopez (ankle) and Darius Robinson (calf) were among those with limited participation.

The Patriots were without wide receiver Javon Baker (concussion) on Wednesday, as well as cornerback Marcus Jones (illness). Limited participants included safeties Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Jabrill Peppers (knee), and offensive lineman Cole Strange (knee).

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Red-hot Eagles seek to quiet controversy, stifle Steelers

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The Philadelphia Eagles will seek the first 10-game winning streak in the franchise’s 92-year history when they host the Keystone State rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The Eagles (11-2), despite being unbeaten since September, enter this colossal clash under a cloud of controversy regarding an allegedly deteriorating relationship between quarterback Jalen Hurts and star receiver A.J. Brown.

There’s little margin for error against a rejuvenated Russell Wilson and the Steelers (10-3), who have won seven of their last eight games. The only loss in that stretch was by five points at snowy Cleveland in Week 12.

The Eagles spent part of the week doing damage control after captain Brandon Graham told a podcast that Hurts and Brown were no longer friends. Graham later apologized for his remarks, which came after Hurts threw for a season-low 108 yards in last weekend’s 22-16 win against the Carolina Panthers.

Brown caught four passes for 43 yards in that tougher-than-expected contest and has only one touchdown catch in his last seven games. When Brown was asked after the Carolina game what the offense needed to improve on, he replied: “Passing.”

Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni said Brown wasn’t pointing fingers at Hurts with that answer.

“I took it as we want to get better as a passing attack. A.J. is part of the passing attack. And so, we all want to be better at it,” Sirianni said in his weekly appearance Tuesday with 94 WIP.

“Jalen and A.J. are both really outstanding people, and both really outstanding players. I love that our players are wanting to get better and desire to get better, and that’s what we talk about all of the time — is how we get better and be able to do things that are special.”

The Steelers, meanwhile, have continued to get better since Wilson became the starter in Week 7. Pittsburgh can join the Eagles in the playoff field with a win in Philadelphia.

A nine-time Pro Bowl selection and postseason regular during his decade with the Seattle Seahawks, Wilson is 6-1 this season after compiling an 11-19 record in two years with the Denver Broncos. He is averaging 254.9 passing yards per game with 12 touchdown passes and just three interceptions.

Wilson avenged the Steelers’ earlier loss to the Browns by tossing two second-half touchdown passes in a 27-14 win in last weekend’s rematch in Pittsburgh.

Starting with Philadelphia, the Steelers will play three games in 11 days against teams with a combined 31-8 record. They will play in Baltimore on Dec. 21 and will host Kansas City on Dec. 25.

“I’m really just focused on Philadelphia. I don’t care what’s on the other side of it,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.

“… We’ve got a task this week. We’ve got a job to do. We’ve got a finite amount of time and materials and talent and manpower, as do they. And so, with that in mind, we’re going to prepare and focus our energies on winning this game.”

Pittsburgh’s manpower may not include No. 1 receiver George Pickens, whom Tomlin said is doubtful to play due to a hamstring injury. In addition to Pickens, safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) also missed practice Wednesday.

Safety Sydney Brown (knee) was the only member of the Eagles who did not practice Wednesday due to injury. Safety Reed Blankenship (concussion), defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulder) and receiver/returner Britain Covey (neck) were limited participants.

The Eagles lead 49-29-3 in the battle of Pennsylvania. The Steelers are 0-3 at Lincoln Financial Field and have not won in Philadelphia since 1965.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to make a pass during the 2nd quarter during Monday Night Football at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,Texas on Monday, December 9, 2024.

Banged-up Joe Burrow, Bengals visit rebuilding Titans

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It will be teacher against student when the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Tennessee Titans in Nashville on Sunday.

The Bengals (5-8) are fresh off a 27-20 come-from-behind road win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night that snapped a three-game losing streak. Cincinnati is seeking back-to-back wins for just the second time this season.

The Titans (3-10) lost at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 10-6, last Sunday and have predictably struggled under first-year head coach Brian Callahan.

Callahan knows what he’s going against this week, as he left his position on the staff of Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and took the job leading a Tennessee rebuild. Callahan was the offensive coordinator for Joe Burrow’s first four seasons in the NFL and Ja’Marr Chase’s first three.

The Burrow-Chase combination is taking the NFL by storm this season. Burrow leads the NFL in touchdown passes (33) while Chase leads in all three major receiving categories: receptions (93), yards (1,319) and touchdowns (15). Chase caught 14 balls on 18 targets on Monday night for 177 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Callahan doesn’t have a duo that potent.

Quarterback Will Levis, who missed three games with injury, has completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 1,827 yards and 12 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Calvin Ridley leads the Titans in receiving yards (738) on 50 catches with three TDs.

The Bengals’ duo of Burrow and Chase has Callahan’s full respect.

“Crazy as it sounds, they keep getting better, the both of them,” Callahan said. “And I think Joe’s playing the position as good as anybody in the NFL right now. If I had a vote, he’d be my MVP vote. I can’t see anybody playing quarterback better than he’s playing right now. And then Ja’Marr, he just continues to do things that everyone thought he could do, and then he does something more, and their performance has been incredible.”

Burrow is dealing with an off-the-field distraction and an injury. Authorities are investigating a break-in at his suburban Cincinnati home that reportedly occurred Monday night while he was playing in Dallas. Moments after he limped into the locker room with an injured left knee, he found out his home had been burglarized.

“I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one, and way more is already out there than I would want out there and that I care to share. So that’s all I got to say about that,” Burrow said Wednesday. “It’s part of it. We live a public life, and one of my least favorite parts of that is the lack of privacy, and that has been difficult for me to deal with my entire career, still learning, but I understand it’s the life that we choose doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.”

For the Bengals, linebacker Joe Bachie has an adductor injury and will miss multiple weeks, Taylor said Wednesday.

On Wednesday’s injury report, the Bengals also listed offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (fibula) as a non-participant, along with wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin). WR Tee Higgins (rest), tackle Amarius Mims (ankle) and Burrow (ankle) were limited participants.

In Tennessee, former Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd (foot) did not practice Wednesday. Neither did kicker Nick Folk (groin), linebacker Kenneth Murray (hamstring), running back Tony Pollard (ankle) and defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons (rest).

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) slips past Tennessee Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (29) during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.

Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. chasing team records in clash vs. Jets

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The New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars have four more weeks to play out before they can wrap up their respective seasons.

They’ll try to use each other as a vehicle for a rare win when the teams meet on Sunday afternoon in Jacksonville, Fla.

And while these 3-10 squads aren’t bound for the playoffs, there still are individual goals to accomplish and stat sheets to stuff. Case in point is Jacksonville wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who appears well on his way to setting franchise rookie records for receptions and yards.

Thomas’ eight catches for 86 yards in last week’s 10-6 win at Tennessee boosted his totals to 54 and 851, respectively, along with six touchdowns. Justin Blackmon had 64 catches for 865 yards for the Jaguars in 2012.

“I really want to set it,” Thomas said. “I really want to get it. That’s a big thing for me.”

Thomas has produced and played hurt, not missing a game despite sustaining a chest injury at midseason. His teammates and coach Doug Pederson have noticed, with the latter saying the team targeted him 10 times in the second half last week.

“He’s a great player,” said Jacksonville quarterback Mac Jones of Thomas, the 23rd overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. “He definitely brings that electrifying playmaking ability, and he’s very smart and works very hard. He’s all ball for sure.”

A potential matchup between Thomas and New York cornerback Sauce Gardner is one compelling reason to watch what on paper is an underwhelming game.

“Whether that’s rolling down into a coverage or double-teaming someone, B.T. is definitely getting some of that, which is great,” Jones said. “That’s a respect thing.”

While Thomas aims to etch his name into the record books, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will try to add more flattering numbers to a stat sheet that doesn’t reflect how frustrating the season’s been for him and the team.

Rodgers hit 27 of 39 passes last week in Miami for 339 yards and a score in a 32-26 overtime defeat and has thrown for 2,966 yards and 20 touchdowns, with eight interceptions, this season. But his 88.9 quarterback rating is the lowest in his career over a full season.

“Aaron is still Aaron. Can be highly efficient, highly effective, still can throw accurate footballs, quick release,” Pederson said.

That hasn’t been enough to help New York meet high preseason expectations. The Jets have lost nine of their last 10 games, including four in a row. They are 2-7 in one-score games and have lost the last three games by a total of 12 points.

Making matters worse, it seems unlikely the Jets will have leading rusher Breece Hall (knee) for a second straight week. Hall, who has 1,093 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, was one of 11 players listed on the team’s injury report Wednesday.

“He’s been playing with a little bit of pain and fighting his way through that,” New York interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “It’s a thing that’s just, maybe it’s not improving as much as he’d like at this point.”

Running back Kene Nwangwu (hand), linebacker Haason Reddick (illness) and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) did not participate in practice on Wednesday for the Jets, while tight end Evan Engram (shoulder) did not practice for the Jaguars.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the football against the New York Jets during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Revitalized Dolphins carry momentum into Houston

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The Miami Dolphins have won four of their past five games, but they remain a long shot to qualify for the AFC playoffs.

The Dolphins badly need a victory on Sunday when they visit the Houston Texans, who could clinch the AFC South with a win and some help.

Miami (6-7) fell into a deep hole earlier this season by going 1-3 while standout quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined due to a concussion.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is only concerned with getting back to .500 this week and isn’t fixated on being two games down in the wild-card race.

“I know we got a game against the Houston Texans and I absolutely, positively will not have anyone on this team think about anything else,” McDaniel said.

The Dolphins dropped their first two games after Tagovailoa returned to fall to 2-6. However, they have topped 30 points in three of their past four games after enduring an earlier stretch in which they averaged 10 points over five games.

Miami was close to being dealt a devastating setback last weekend before rallying for a 32-26 overtime victory against the visiting New York Jets.

The Dolphins, who trailed by eight entering the fourth quarter, received a tying 52-yard field goal from Jason Sanders with seven seconds left to force overtime.

Tagovailoa threw the winning 10-yard scoring pass to Jonnu Smith in the extra session to cap a contest in which he became the fourth Miami quarterback to exceed 15,000 career passing yards. He has 15,095, trailing only Ryan Tannehill (20,434), Bob Griese (25,092) and leader Dan Marino (61,361).

Many of the Dolphins felt the tension late in the New York game, as a defeat would have put their playoff hopes on life support.

“When it’s on the line, give us your best stuff,” Miami receiver Tyreek Hill said. “That’s what everybody did. No questions were asked, no fingers were pointed. That’s the beautiful thing about it.”

Houston (8-5) can wrap up the division title on Sunday with a victory over the Dolphins and a loss by the Indianapolis Colts against the Denver Broncos. The Texans lead the Colts by two games and swept the two-game season series.

Houston coach DeMeco Ryans insists he doesn’t keep up with his team’s playoff status.

“Honestly, I don’t even know the clinching scenario,” Ryans said. “… The only way we can change what’s happening with the playoff scenario is by us controlling what we can control, and that’s us playing our best versus the Dolphins.”

Houston is coming off a bye, but the game against Miami will be one of three it plays in a span of 11 days. The Texans visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 21 and then host the Baltimore Ravens four days later on Christmas Day, which falls on a Wednesday.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said that the focus has to remain on one opponent at a time.

“It is hard to jump ahead, especially when you have three good teams to play,” Ryans said. “You have to take care of one at a time. Now we are just focused on Miami. Trying to ace that and look past that right when the game is over.”

Houston started the season with five wins in six games before losing four of its next six. The Texans then defeated the host Jacksonville Jaguars 23-20 prior to the bye.

The Texans will be without standout safety Jalen Pitre for the rest of the season. He is slated to undergo season-ending pectoral surgery after being hurt in Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans.

Houston guard Juice Scruggs (foot) will also miss the Miami game.

For Miami, offensive tackles Terron Armstead (knee) and Kendall Lamm (back) both sat out practice on Wednesday. Also missing the practice were receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (personal) and Dee Eskridge (knee).

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass as Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) attempts the sack during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Chiefs aim to avoid letdown against Browns

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Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid wants to make sure that his team isn’t getting too comfortable just because it locked up the AFC West last week.

There is plenty of football left to be played for Kansas City, which will try to maintain its momentum when it faces the host Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon.

The Chiefs (12-1) clinched the division for the ninth straight season by edging the Los Angeles Chargers 19-17. Matthew Wright was the hero, doinking a 31-yard field goal off the left upright and in as time expired.

It was another wild win for a Kansas City team that hasn’t been rolling over opponents like it has in years past. Ten of the Chiefs’ 12 wins this season came by seven points or fewer, with five of those victories coming by no more than three points.

Perhaps that’s why Reid is insisting his players keep their focus while going against Cleveland (3-10).

“We’re not just putting the tent up right here and calling it a day,” Reid said. “We’ve gotta keep playing and playing aggressively. Like I said, we’re playing some real good football teams that are trying to get themselves into the playoffs, so they’re gonna be hungry and attacking. …

“Great achievement (clinching the AFC West), but there’s more left.”

While Kansas City drives toward the postseason, the Browns are simply playing for pride at this point. A 27-14 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week officially eliminated Cleveland from playoff contention, but Browns right guard Wyatt Teller doesn’t believe that’s any reason to stop competing.

“Every game’s a part of your resume,” Teller said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in the playoffs or not or in playoff contention. … You’re always fighting for something, you’re always working for something. You also have a family and a brotherhood within the team that you’re not going to let down.”

Although Cleveland dropped four of its past five games, it at least showed promise on offense, averaging 378.2 yards per contest during that stretch.

The last thing the Chiefs need on Sunday is a shootout, as they are scheduled to play again on Dec. 21 (against the Houston Texans) before engaging in a Christmas Day battle with Pittsburgh — three games in 11 days.

“You never want to play this many games in this short of time. It’s just not great for your body,” Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “But at the end of the day, it’s your job, your profession. You have to come to work and do it.”

The Chiefs are about to see the return of starting kicker Harrison Butker after the 29-year-old was sidelined by a left knee injury. Butker was limited in practice on Wednesday, as was offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee). Offensive tackle D.J. Humphries didn’t participate because of a hamstring issue.

Personal reasons kept star defensive end Myles Garrett out of Cleveland’s practice on Wednesday, while guard Joel Bitonio (back) and tight end David Njoku (hamstring) also were missing from the session. Teller (glute) and cornerback Martin Emerson (shin) were among those limited.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes the ball while being hit by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Panthers ready for rare role as favorite vs. Cowboys

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The Carolina Panthers have been down for so long that playing the underdog card is a possibility most of the time.

That makes the Dallas Cowboys’ visit to Charlotte for a Sunday afternoon game a rarity: The Panthers are listed as the favorite by oddsmakers for the first time since December 2022.

That’s about as surprising for the Panthers (3-10) as it is unique.

“Vegas is very good with the odds,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said. “I just try to make the focus about us, about what is our next step. Those things don’t help us. I try not to use external things to motivate our guys. The motivation for us and the story all along is: Can we find our best?”

The Cowboys (5-8) have a quick turnaround with a road game following a 27-20 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. Playoff prospects are dimming for Dallas.

“We’re going to need a lot of help, but it doesn’t matter,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “We need to beat Carolina. You play Monday night, there’s not a whole lot of time to spend on (the previous) game, regardless of the outcome.”

The Panthers have lost their last three games, but the setbacks to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles all went down to the final seconds.

“Finishing is in the details,” Canales said. “We see progress, but the goal is to win these games. … I know the best is still out there for us.”

Dallas has been in one-possession games for three consecutive weeks, winning the first two of those.

The Cowboys is using Cooper Rush at quarterback with Dak Prescott out. Rush didn’t reach the 200-yard mark in passing the past two weeks after a couple of big production games.

McCarthy said there’s not much time to consider significant changes with reduced time between games.

Despite what might be uneasiness at quarterback, the Cowboys have the league’s third-leading receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who has 973 yards. Running back Rico Dowell has given the Dallas offense a boost with back-to-back games 100-plus-yard games on the ground.

“We’ve always loved his run style,” McCarthy said. “He definitely fits the way we’re running the football, particularly the last three games.”

The Cowboys’ defensive front features linebacker Micah Parsons, a nuisance for most opponents as evidenced by his team-high 6.5 sacks.

“He puts himself in different spots,” Canales said. “We just have to be aware of where he’s at. You can’t just tilt your entire game plan, you just have to be aware.”

Last year, Parsons had six tackles, including 2.5 sacks, in Dallas’ 33-10 rout of the Panthers.

Yet the Cowboys will be regrouping at linebacker after losing DeMarvion Overshown to a season-ending knee injury in the Bengals game.

Carolina quarterback Bryce Young threw an interception for the first time in four games last week. Still, his progress is charting in the right direction.

“His competitiveness showing up in these situations,” Canales said. “If he prides himself on one thing, it’s consistency.”

Carolina’s depth could be tested at running back with Raheem Blackshear missing practice on Wednesday due to a chest ailment.

Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (groin tightness) likely will be a game-day decision, Canales said.

Dallas center Cooper Beebe, who sustained a concussion on Monday, did not practice on Wednesday.

The Cowboys are 11-3 all-time in regular-season play against Carolina, including a 6-1 mark in Charlotte. However, the Panthers won both of the teams’ playoff matchups, after the 1996 and 2003 seasons.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Lions, Bills go at it in battle of top offenses

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It would not come as a big surprise if Buffalo and Detroit wound up facing each other in February.

When the two Super Bowl contenders match up at the Lions’ home field on Sunday afternoon, the primary concern for the Bills will be getting their defense straightened out.

Buffalo had its seven-game winning streak snapped by the Rams last week, with Los Angeles prevailing 44-42. Bills quarterback Josh Allen became the first player in NFL history to have three rushing and three passing touchdowns in a single game, but that historic performance was wasted by Buffalo’s inability to disrupt the Rams’ offense.

The Rams racked up 457 total yards of offense and scored on all but one of their six red-zone possessions. Buffalo’s defense failed to generate a sack or a turnover.

“We’ve got to get back to good fundamental football,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “That’s really where it starts.”

Things could get very ugly for the Bills (10-3) again if they don’t make more impactful plays on defense. The Lions (12-1) are riding a franchise-record 11-game winning streak while leading the league in scoring (32.1 points per game).

Getting top running back James Cook the ball more often also will be a point of emphasis for Buffalo. He had a season-low six carries for 20 yards against Los Angeles.

“We’ve got to get better,” McDermott said. “We’ve got to perform better, and that starts in practice (Wednesday). It is a mentality. It is an attitude. And if you want to play good defense, that’s where it starts. … There’s not a whole lot of shortcuts or ways around it. It’s got to be a mentality for us, first and foremost, that we carry through the rest of the season.”

With the Bills averaging 30.5 points per game — second only to the Lions — this could turn into the highest-scoring game of the week. Detroit coach Dan Campbell is naturally focused on containing Allen.

“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, he’s pretty explosive and he’s competitive,” Campbell said of the Buffalo signal-caller. “He’s got all of these attributes, physical attributes, but then, it’s what he’s got inside of him, man, he’s the ultimate competitor. That’s what separates him from a lot of guys. He’s fearless and it’s why those guys — they play the way they do for him because he just won’t give it up.”

Detroit’s injury-riddled defense got a few extra days to heal up after a 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 5.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who, like Allen, is a candidate for the league’s MVP award, has bounced back from an uncharacteristic five-interception outing against the Houston Texans last month to throw nine touchdown passes and only one interception over the past four games.

“I guarantee you, that’s not Goff’s focus,” Campbell said of personal honors. “Winning the MVP, that’s icing on the cake, but I know for us, man, if you just focus on the win and what it’s going to take to win this game and whatever comes out of that, the individual accolades will follow.”

The Lions’ defensive line is getting healthy.

Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike and D.J. Reader, all of whom missed the win over the Packers, could play on Sunday, according to Campbell. Fellow defensive lineman Alim McNeill, who was in concussion protocol, practiced in full on Wednesday, as did offensive tackle Taylor Decker (knee), who missed the past two games.

Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee), who hasn’t played since Nov. 10, practiced in full on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) rushes by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt (58) during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Ravens on the prowl with scuffling Giants up next

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson called his team’s bye last week a “breath of fresh air.” So what if it followed a narrow home loss?

“Games have just been going crazy for us,” Jackson said. “We took a little deep breath, took a step back, relaxed.”

With an AFC wild-card berth — and maybe a crack at the AFC North title — in sight, the Ravens welcomed the chance to recharge.

Entering a Sunday meeting with the slumping New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., Baltimore (8-5) holds the fifth seed in the conference. The Ravens are two games behind division-leading Pittsburgh with four games to go, including a visit from the Steelers in Week 16.

“In all professional sports, especially in football, it’s a grueling season,” Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said, “but if you have confidence going into the playoffs, going into that stretch, then I feel like anything can happen.”

Of course, the last part of Hamilton’s comment applies no matter what point of the season it is. Noting that two of Baltimore’s losses came against the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns, teams that are a combined 5-21, Hamilton said that the Ravens can’t take the 2-11 Giants lightly.

Still, New York will aim to snap an eight-game losing streak and win at home for the first time this season amid another change at quarterback. With Drew Lock in a walking boot after sustaining a heel injury last weekend during a 14-11 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Giants will return to Tommy DeVito under center.

DeVito was south of spectacular in a Week 12 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before leaving the contest due to a forearm injury. He was 21-for-31 for 189 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions in the team’s first action following the release of former first-round pick Daniel Jones.

“You always got to be ready for whatever happens. Obviously, it’s been a little bit of a crazy situation this whole year with everything that’s gone on,” DeVito said. “So, there’s almost no surprises at this point. You just got to stay ready.”

Even with all the adversity that New York has faced, the Giants are staying positive as they get ready for Baltimore to visit.

“There’s always a bigger picture,” Giants linebacker Brian Burns said. “I’m trying to get the guys to understand there’s a bigger picture than what we got going on right now. Obviously, it’s just falling in love with the process of getting better, especially these young guys. We got a lot of young guys playing on this defense and they need to evolve.”

Although the Ravens will be without wide receiver Diontae Johnson (team-issued suspension), their offensive attack certainly commands attention from the Giants or any defensive unit.

Jackson is an NFL MVP candidate who leads the league with a 116.3 passer rating, and he ranks second with 29 touchdown passes. He has passed for 3,290 yards while rushing for 678 yards and three scores.

Baltimore running back Derrick Henry is tied for the league lead with 13 rushing touchdowns and is second with 1,407 yards on the ground.

The Ravens are looking to bounce back after a 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1.

“Who’s gonna win in December, who’s gonna win in January, who’s gonna have an opportunity in February, that remains to be seen,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. “… It’s a long season in this league for a reason. We’re gonna try to play our best football here at the end of the season.”

Standout rookie receiver Malik Nabers was limited during the Giants’ practice on Wednesday due to a hip injury.

–Field Level Media