Tag: Hall

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) rushes for a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 17

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With NFL games on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday this week, Week 17’s Sunday slate only features nine games. With several games like Raiders vs. Saints where both teams are bad, putting money on the traditional betting line is challenging. But it is a great week for NFL player props.

The following are our top 10 player prop picks for Sunday’s NFL games. (Odds are from FanDuel unless otherwise indicated.)

Jets vs. Bills

–Breece Hall, O/U 49.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113

Hall has gone over this number in six of his last seven games. With rain in the forecast for Buffalo on Sunday, there is a good chance the Jets will focus more on the run. Plus, the more they run, the longer they can keep Josh Allen on the sideline.

Hall ran for a season-high 113 yards on the Bills earlier this year. The Bills have been an average run defense this season, which makes me think Hall will easily surpass 49.5 yards.

Take the OVER.

–James Cook, O/U 77.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards at -114/-114

The Bills have leaned into the run the last couple of weeks, with Cook going for 100-plus in two straight games and three of four. With inclement conditions expected, it would be surprising if they didn’t hand off to Cook early and often this week as well.

He could go over the total just running the ball. But in case he doesn’t break off a long run like he did the last two weeks, he’ll make up the difference with a couple of screen passes.

Take the OVER.

Falcons vs. Commanders

–Bijan Robinson, O/U 83.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113
–Robinson, O/U 18.5 Rushing Attempts at -132/+102

The best thing Atlanta can do to help Michael Penix Jr. is establish the run, which the Falcons should do anyway with a running back like Robinson. He’s gone for 86 or more yards in six of his last seven games (four in a row). He carried the ball 19-plus times in each of them; in the outlier, he only had 12 carries.

Atlanta will make sure Robinson eats against Washington’s lackluster run defense (29th in the NFL).

Take the OVER on both.

–Michael Penix Jr., O/U 207.5 Passing Yards at -114/-114
–Penix, O/U 29.5 Pass Attempts

The Falcons will try to protect their rookie this week, much like they did last week vs. the Giants. Establishing the run will be the focus of the offense, with enough passing to keep the Commanders’ defense (which happens to be one of the best pass defenses in the league) honest.

Penix had 27 pass attempts last week. Teams have been attempting 28.5 per game on the Commanders this season and 32.3 in the last three. If Cousins was still at QB, I’d expect Atlanta to be closer to 32 attempts than 28 — but not Penix.

They’ll play it safe with Penix again. Take the UNDER for both.

Dolphins vs. Browns

–Tyreek Hill, O/U 49.5 Receiving Yards at -114/-114

It hasn’t been the kind of year we’ve come to expect from Hill, but with all the injury issues Miami has dealt with, it’s not surprising. He’s averaging 55.6 yards per game this season and has exceeded 49.5 yards in three of his last six games.

But the Dolphins are still alive for the playoffs and are facing a Browns defense giving up 157.7 yards per game to wide receivers this season. Other pass-happy teams like the Broncos (Week 13) and Bengals (Week 16) saw their wide receivers combine for 200-plus.

Take the OVER.

Giants vs. Colts

–Jonathan Taylor, O/U 102.5 Rushing Yards at -115/-115 (via DraftKings)
–Taylor O/U 22.5 Rushing Attempts at -110/-110 (via DraftKings)

Taylor carried the ball 29 times for 218 yards last week vs. Tennessee, but 135 yards came on two carries. Expecting similar numbers would be unrealistic.

But as long as the Colts decide to abuse the Giants’ 31st-ranked run defense rather than (try to) establish the pass, good things will happen.

Taylor has had at least 21 attempts each time the Colts have won while he was healthy this season. As bad as the Giants’ run defense is, it makes sense to feed Taylor the ball 25 times.

Take the OVER for both.

Cowboys vs. Eagles

–Saquon Barkley, O/U 111.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113

With Jalen Hurts out this week, the Eagles will likely focus on establishing the run with Barkley to take pressure off Kenny Pickett. It didn’t result in a win last week against the Commanders, but Washington is a better team than the Cowboys this year.

Dallas has held teams to an average of 89.3 yards over their last three games. But the Eagles are playing at home and have a chance to lock up the division with a win. With Barkley and the defense leading the way, they’ll get the job done.

Take the OVER.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings need miracle, turn back to Nick Mullens at QB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Minnesota Vikings need a slew of things to happen in order to qualify for the playoffs and it begins with beating the Detroit Lions this week, an outcome they are turning back to quarterback Nick Mullens to accomplish.

It’s the fifth change at starting quarterback that Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has made since losing Kirk Cousins to a season-ending Achilles injury on Oct. 29.

Mullens replaces rookie Jaren Hall, who replaced Mullens as the starter last week before being benched in favor of Mullens at halftime of the team’s 33-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Mullens is 0-2 as the starter since Cousins went down. He’s thrown five touchdowns against six interceptions this season, including four in the Vikes’ first game against Detroit on Dec. 24.

“Nick has been very effective moving the team,” O’Connell said Wednesday. “We’ve been very explosive as an offense when he’s been in there. Nick knows the one area that we must focus on is possession of the football and not giving the football away.”

Mullens threw for 113 yards and a touchdown in relief of Hall last week. O’Connell did not name a primary backup vs. the Lions, saying they’re still “working through that.”

Mullens will draw Detroit’s starters. The Lions (11-5) have a slim shot at the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will not be resting starters at home against the Vikings, coach Dan Campbell said earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the Vikings (7-9) need to win and the following to happen in Week 18:

–Cardinals beat Seahawks;
–Bears beat Packers;
–Panthers beat Buccaneers or Falcons beat Saints

Joshua Dobbs went 2-2 as the starter after Cousins went down, throwing five TDs and five INTs in five games overall.

–Field Level Media

Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Panthers hire DeAngelo Hall, Shawn Jefferson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers have added two former NFL players to coach Frank Reich’s staff, multiple outlets reported.

Three-time Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall will be the assistant defensive backs coach and 13-year NFL wideout Shawn Jefferson will coach the receivers.

Hall, 39, has been working as an analyst for NFL Network. This is his first coaching position at any level.

Hall was the eighth overall pick by Atlanta in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played in 171 games (158 starts) and recorded 43 interceptions (five returned for touchdowns) with the Falcons (2004-07), Oakland Raiders (2008) and Washington (2008-17).

Jefferson, who turns 54 on Wednesday, was the associate head coach for the Arizona Cardinals last season.

He began his NFL coaching career with the Detroit Lions in 2006 and also has coached the wide receivers for the Tennessee Titans (2013-15), Miami Dolphins (2016-18), New York Jets (2019-20) and Cardinals.

Jefferson caught 470 passes for 7,023 yards and 29 TDs in 195 games (130 starts) with the San Diego Chargers (1991-95), New England Patriots (1996-99), Falcons (2000-02) and Lions (2003).

The Panthers hired Reich last month after finishing 7-10 last season under Matt Rhule (1-4) and interim coach Steve Wilks (6-6).

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) after being hit by Tennessee Titans linebacker Rashad Weaver (99) as he attempts a pass during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson tops deep group of 2023 NFL Comeback POY candidates

Posted on | by Field Level Media

As Russell Wilson prepares to close out what many have deemed a disastrous first year in Denver, the Broncos’ embattled quarterback does have support in at least one corner.

Wilson has already been installed as the favorite to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors by oddsmakers at SportsBetting.ag.

The Broncos are 4-12 entering Sunday’s season finale at the Los Angeles Chargers. Lose, and Denver could tie for the second worst record in the NFL.

That only drives the stake a bit further into the heart of the 2022 season, however, as the Broncos’ first-round draft pick in April belongs to the Seattle Seahawks courtesy of the blockbuster trade to bring Wilson to the Mile High City.

Wilson, 34, has thrown for 3,241 yards with a career-low 13 touchdowns. He has been sacked a career-high 53 times through 14 games.

In theory, those numbers would make the nine-time Pro Bowl signal-caller ripe for a bounce-back campaign in 2023 under a yet-to-be-hired head coach.

Wilson is the +400 favorite among 23 players being offered by the sportsbook.

He’ll face competition from a stiff group of candidates, the majority of whom are coming off major injuries rather than trying to rebound from a major drop in performance.

Among them:
Breece Hall, RB, Jets (+450)
Hall burst out of the gates as a rookie, rushing for 463 yards and four touchdowns on 80 carries before suffering a torn ACL in a Week 7 win over the Broncos. Hall’s 681 yards from scrimmage were the fourth-most ever by a Jets player through seven games, per ESPN, and he’s still the team’s leading rusher on the season.

Hall is expected to be ready for the start of next season, when he projects as the Jets’ unquestioned lead back.

Trey Lance, RB, 49ers (+700)
Lance has undergone a pair of surgeries since fracturing his fibula and sustained ligament damage during a Week 2 game against the Seahawks. He is expected to be ready to participate in offseason activities, but Lance’s status as the 49ers’ long-term answer at quarterback remains murky.

Rookie Brock Purdy has the offense humming into the postseason, and the return of Jimmy Garoppolo could happen in January. While Purdy’s emergence likely signals the end of Garoppolo’s time with the 49ers this offseason, can the 49ers turn away from Purdy if he leads the team deep into the playoffs – and potentially a Super Bowl title?

Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals (+750)
Late-season injuries inherently bring an additional layer of uncertainty. Murray underwent ACL reconstruction surgery after going down in a Week 14 loss to New England. He isn’t expected to be ready for Week 1, but how many games Murray misses next season might not be known until sometime in the fall.

He also might be adjusting to a new offensive scheme. The Cardinals were mired in a disappointing season well before Murray was injured and coach Kliff Kingsbury remains the favorite to be the next fired in the NFL.

Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos (+800)
Wilson’s adjustment to a new city and a new offense certainly wasn’t aided by Williams’ torn ACL in Week 4. Williams had emerged as a solid power back and the No. 1 option over fumble-prone Melvin Gordon.

Minus Williams, the Broncos’ ground game hit the skids. Gordon was eventually released and Denver has turned to veteran journeymen including Latavius Murray, Mike Boone, Chase Edmonds and Marlon Mack.

There’s no ready-made replacement on the roster and, like Hall, Williams is positioned for a lead back role entering next season.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams (+800)
The tea leaves never read well for Stafford in 2022. That began with an offseason procedure on his elbow and pain that lingered into training camp. Stafford was scuffling through a disappointing season for the Rams as a whole when he suffered a neck injury in Week 11.

That would prove to be the end of his season, which concluded with 2,087 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine games. Stafford, 34, said he has no intention of retiring, and the Rams’ offense will regroup after a season that also saw wide receiver Cooper Kupp lost to an ankle injury and a non-stop turnstile along the offensive line.

Other intriguing names being offered by SportsBetting.ag for the Comeback award next season include Kupp (+1000), Colts quarterback Matt Ryan (+1400), Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (+1600) and Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley (+2000), who was acquired from the Falcons during a one-year gambling-related suspension by the NFL.

–Field Level Media

Dec 5, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Chargers tight end Donald Parham Jr. (89) runs with the ball against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (22) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers activate WR Keelan Doss, put TE Donald Parham Jr. on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Chargers promoted wide receiver Keelan Doss to the active roster Saturday and placed tight end Donald Parham Jr. on injured reserve.

Also, the Chargers activated rookie kicker Cameron Dicker and cornerback Kemon Hall from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the host Atlanta Falcons.

The addition of Doss comes on the heels of the Chargers ruling out fellow wideouts Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Mike Williams (ankle) for Sunday’s game. Wide receiver DeAndre Carter (illness) is questionable to face the Falcons.

Doss, 26, last played in the NFL during the 2020 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, appearing in one game. With the Raiders the previous season, he recorded 11 catches for 133 yards. He was signed to the Chargers’ practice squad on Oct. 5.

Parham, 25, is nursing a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the first four games of the season. He totaled three catches for 53 yards in two games in his return before sustaining a concussion. Now, the hamstring issue has sidelined Parham again.

Dicker, 22, made two field-goal attempts and both extra-point tries in his lone game of the season, helping the Philadelphia Eagles post a 20-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 9.

Hi is filling in for kicker Dustin Hopkins, who has been ruled out with a right hamstring injury.

Hall, 25, had seven tackles and one fumble recovery in 16 games last season with the Chargers.

–Field Level Media

Oct 31, 2020; Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles interim head coach Tim Billings, wearing shield, against the Rice Owls in the first quarter at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Southern Miss hires Hall as new coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Southern Miss announced Wednesday that it has hired Tulane offensive coordinator Will Hall as its new head coach.

The 40-year-old Hall has served as head coach for Division II schools West Alabama (2011-13) and West Georgia (2014-16). He went 56-20 in those stints.

Southern Miss said it will hold an introductory press conference on Monday. Tulane finishes its season on Saturday against Memphis.

Hall is in his second season running Tulane’s offense. The Green Wave are averaging 35.4 points per game this season.

Tulane pummeled Southern Miss 66-24 on Sept. 26.

As a player, Hall starred as quarterback for North Alabama and earned the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2003 as the top player in Division II.

Three different men have coached Southern Miss (2-7, 1-4 Conference USA) this season. Jay Hopson was fired after a season-opening loss to South Alabama, interim coach Scotty Walden left in late October to become the coach of FCS Austin Peay and Tim Billings is finishing up a season currently slated to end Dec. 10 against Florida Atlantic.

–Field Level Media

Nov 8, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Chris Claybrooks (27) as safety Daniel Thomas (20) and free safety Jarrod Wilson (26) assist during the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Texans WRs Cobb, Stills out vs. Lions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Houston Texans will be without wide receivers Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills for their Thursday afternoon game against the host Detroit Lions, the team announced.

Cobb (toe) and Stills (quadricep), along with fullback Cullen Gillaspia (back), defensive tackle P.J. Hall (knee/shoulder) and quarterback Josh McCown (illness), did not travel with the team to Detroit.

The Houston Chronicle reported that Cobb will be placed on injured reserve. He has recorded 38 receptions for 441 yards and three touchdowns this season for the Texans (3-7), while Stills has 11 catches for 144 yards and a score.

Will Fuller V is tied with Brandin Cooks for the team lead with 47 catches. Fuller, however, has a club-best 708 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

–Field Level Media