Prescott's Cowboys overcome Mahomes' fourth down magic in 31-28 Thanksgiving win over Chiefs By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns, Malik Davis sprinted 43 yards for a score and the Dallas Cowboys overcame two fourth down TD throws from Patrick Mahomes in a 31-28 Thanksgiving victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday.
CeeDee Lamb scored the first Dallas touchdown and finished with 112 yards on seven catches four days after drops plagued the star receiver in a victory over defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
The Cowboys (6-5-1) have won three straight, knocking off both of last season’s Super Bowl teams in the past five days, and they dropped the defending AFC champion Chiefs (6-6) back to .500 in a matchup of playoff-chasing teams.
Mahomes had four touchdown passes in his first professional game at the home of the Cowboys, where he played three times for Texas Tech not far from his East Texas roots.
Travis Kelce caught Mahomes' first fourth down TD toss on a 2-yarder, and Rashee Rice's second scoring catch came on fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter.
Kansas City was down 10 when Mahomes was almost tripped in the backfield by Quinnen Williams but kept his feet and found Xavier Worthy wide open down the field for 42 yards, setting up a 10-yard scoring toss to Hollywood Brown with 3:27 remaining.
Prescott and company didn't give Mahomes another chance.
After two pass interference penalties gave Dallas first downs, Prescott hit George Pickens for 13 yards and a clinching first down at the two-minute warning. Prescott kneeled three times after that.
Rice had eight catches for 92 yards, his first score coming on a 27-yard catch-and-run on the sideline two plays after Prescott was intercepted by Jaylen Watson on the first Dallas possession.
Davis had just three carries, but his long run gave Dallas its first lead at 17-14 late in the second quarter.
Injuries
Chiefs: The Chiefs lost two offensive linemen to injuries after beginning the game without RG Trey Smith, who was inactive because of an ankle injury. RT Jawaan Taylor injured an elbow, and rookie LT Josh Simmons went out with a wrist injury. ... S Bryan Cook injured an ankle in the first half.
Cowboys: CB Caelen Carson, who had started the previous two games, was inactive after being listed as questionable. He was added to the injury report during the week. ... CB DaRon Bland injured a foot in the second half.
Up next
Chiefs: Play host to Houston in prime time on Dec. 7.
Cowboys: Visit Detroit next Thursday.
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Buccaneers try to end 3-game skid against lowly Cardinals, who have dropped 8 of 9 By The Associated Press The Associated Press
Arizona (3-8) at Tampa Bay (6-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox.
BetMGM NFL odds: Buccaneers by 3.
Against the spread: Buccaneers 5-6, Cardinals 5-6.
Series record: Tied 11-11.
Last meeting: Buccaneers beat the Cardinals 19-16 in OT on Dec. 25, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona.
Last week: Jaguars beat the Cardinals 27-24 in OT; Buccaneers lost to Rams 34-7.
Cardinals offense: overall (15), rush (25), pass (10), scoring (18t).
Cardinals defense: overall (19), rush (17), pass (20), scoring (24).
Buccaneers offense: overall (20), rush (20), pass (19), scoring (14).
Buccaneers defense: overall (21), rush (8t), pass (27), scoring (25).
Turnover differential: Cardinals plus-5; Buccaneers plus-8.
Cardinals player to watch
WR Michael Wilson. He has been great as the team's No. 1 option at receiver while Marvin Harrison Jr. is recovering from surgery for appendicitis. Wilson has caught 25 passes for 303 yards in the past two games, providing easily the best production of his three-year career. Even if Harrison returns against the Bucs, Wilson's eye-opening performance makes him a bigger target.
Buccaneers player to watch
RB Bucky Irving. He's expected to return after missing seven games with foot and shoulder injuries. Though he's expected to be limited in snaps, Irving is a playmaker and a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball.
Key matchup
Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat vs. Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs. Sweat has nine sacks in 11 games in his first season with Arizona after signing a huge deal in free agency following a 2 1/2-sack performance in the Super Bowl for Philadelphia. Wirfs is an All-Pro and they've battled previously. Wirfs protects Baker Mayfield's blind side. Mayfield is dealing with a left shoulder sprain and his status is uncertain. Teddy Bridgewater would start if he can't play.
Key injuries
Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray (foot) has to miss at least one more game on injured reserve. ... Sweat (eye), LB Baron Browning (concussion), RB Emari Demercado (ankle) and S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle) were among those who didn't practice Wednesday. ... DL Walter Nolen III (knee) won't play Sunday. ... RB Trey Benson (knee) and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix) were limited at practice.
Buccaneers: Mayfield could be a game-time decision. ... Irving is expected back after missing seven games. ... WR Mike Evans (clavicle) and WR Jalen McMillan (neck) remain out. ... OLB Haason Reddick (knee, ankle) isn’t expected to play. ... LG Ben Bredeson (hamstring), CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and CB Jamel Dean (hip) didn't play last week.
Series notes
The Buccaneers have won two in a row, including the last meeting when Tom Brady led Tampa Bay to an overtime victory on Christmas Day.
Stats and stuff
The Cardinals have lost eight of their past nine games after starting the season with a 2-0 record. Six of those losses have come by four points or less. ... Cardinals TE Trey McBride enters Sunday's game with 301 career receptions. He needs one more to pass Jimmy Graham for the most in his first four seasons for a tight end in NFL history. ... Arizona QB Jacoby Brissett leads the NFL with 1,887 yards passing since Week 6, providing stellar production since taking over for Murray. ... The Cardinals rank second in the NFL with 10 forced fumbles. ... The Cardinals have 19 players on injured reserve or non-football injury lists, which is the most in the NFL. ... Cardinals DL Calais Campbell will play his 273rd career game on Sunday. That's the third-most in NFL history behind Jim Marshall (282) and Bruce Smith (279). ... Mayfield is fifth in the NFC with 18 TDs. He had 41 last season. ... Irving, expected to return for the first time since Week 4, had 165 yards from scrimmage in that game. ... WR Emeka Egbuka ranks first among rookies in TD catches (six) and second in yards receiving (749) this season. ... Fellow rookie WR Tez Johnson has five TDs. ... LB Lavonte David joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers as the only players since 2000 with 40 sacks, 30 forced fumbles and 10 interceptions. David has 41 1/2 sacks, 32 forced fumbles and 14 interceptions in his career. ... S Antoine Winfield Jr. needs two sacks to join Jamal Adams (21 1/2) as the only defensive backs since 1982 with 20 sacks in their first six seasons. .... K Chase McLaughlin is 8 for 8 from beyond 50 yards on field goals.
Fantasy tip
McBride could have a big day facing Tampa Bay's poor pass defense. He has had five catches in 13 straight games and leads all tight ends with 80 receptions and 797 receiving yards this season.
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Buccaneers dynamic running back Bucky Irving is eager to play after a tough time with an injury By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Not playing football may have been tougher mentally on Bucky Irving than dealing with his physical injuries.
The dynamic running back is nearing a return to Tampa Bay’s lineup this week and spoke about his struggles for the first time on Wednesday. He was a full participant in practice after missing seven games with foot and shoulder injuries.
“It’s tough, man, (especially) your first time being hurt,” Irving said. “When I step out onto that field — like I always say — I don’t take this game for granted. I love what I do every day. I love my teammates. When I go out there, I show them that each and every time I get the ball, I’m trying to make plays and make things happen for this organization and this team to help them in any type of fashion to win football games. When God takes something away from you, He’s telling you to get closer to Him and lean on Him.”
Irving, a fourth-round pick last year, ran for 1,122 yards and scored eight touchdowns as a rookie while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He had 237 yards rushing and 19 catches for 193 yards and two scores in the first four games this season before going down.
While Rachaad White and Sean Tucker filled in nicely during Irving’s absence, the Bucs missed his playmaking abilities. He missed being out there on the field even more.
“It’s always tough not being able to be out there and go to war with your guys, but being able to go through that, learn from that and being able to move on, I’m happy to be back with my guys,” Irving said.
Irving has overcome more adversity than most. He lost his dad when he was 2, his grandmother when he was in high school and a half brother when he was a freshman in college. Both his father and half brother were victims of gun violence.
The 23-year-old leaned on his faith and team resources to help him deal with the emotional strain of being on the sideline.
“This whole organization. I can’t name everybody from this person to this person, but the people who were with me every step of the way know who they are,” Irving said. “I want to give big praise and a shout out to them for helping me throughout this process. They’ve been around and they’ve seen it before, so just being able to trust them, trust their plan and help me get back and be around my teammates. I love being around my teammates.”
Irving should provide a spark to the offense when the Buccaneers (6-5) host the Arizona Cardinals (3-8) on Sunday. Baker Mayfield is dealing with a shoulder injury and star wide receiver Mike Evans is out.
“Anytime you can get a starter back, especially a player of Bucky’s caliber and the way he prepares and the way he loves the game and how he is around his teammates, that should always elevate you,” offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said.
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Fantasy plays: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 13 By DORIAN COLBERT of RosterWatch The Associated Press
By Week 13, the fantasy football playoff push becomes a weekly stress test. Lineups tighten, injuries pile up and matchups take on outsized importance. These are the plays and fades that can tilt your roster toward the postseason this week.
Quarterbacks
Start: Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars vs Titans
Lawrence steps into one of the cleanest quarterback matchups of the week. Tennessee has been vulnerable to competent pocket passers, allowing multiple passing touchdowns in three of its past four games and struggling to defend layered route concepts — the exact areas Jacksonville leans on when Lawrence is in rhythm. With the Titans generating one of the league’s lowest pressure rates, Lawrence should see the clean pockets he needs to push the ball downfield and sustain drives. In a matchup where Jacksonville’s offense should control tempo, Lawrence carries strong QB1 upside in Week 13.
Other locks:
— Caleb Williams vs Eagles
— Patrick Mahomes vs Cowboys
— Lamar Jackson vs Bengals
Avoid: Jared Goff, Lions vs Packers
Goff has been lackluster as of late, but that’s because he can lean so heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Why take the risk when you have one of the best RB tandems in the league? Against Green Bay’s stout run-blocking scheme, Goff has only mild upside. Find another route.
Running backs
Start: Devin Neal, Saints vs Dolphins
Neal has taken control of the early down and goal-line work in New Orleans, and the Dolphins present one of the softest run matchups on the schedule. Miami has been repeatedly hurt on the ground, struggling with gap integrity and giving up consistent chunk plays. Neal’s versatile style pairs perfectly with how teams beat the Dolphins, and with the Saints leaning on the run to settle their offense, Neal enters Week 13 as a flex/RB2 with legitimate touchdown upside.
Other locks:
— James Cook vs Steelers
— Jaylen Warren vs Bills
— Kyren Williams vs Panthers
Avoid: Devin Singletary, Giants vs Patriots
Singletary is a name fantasy managers will think about flexing, but this matchup is a dead end. With Tyrone Tracy siphoning off passing game and red zone work, Singletary’s path to a usable fantasy line all but disappears against the Patriots stifling run defense. Sit him in Week 13.
Wide receivers
Start: Chimere Dike, Titans vs Jaguars
Dike’s role continues to expand in Tennessee’s passing game, and Week 13 offers real flex appeal. Jacksonville has struggled all season with secondary receivers, giving up steady production on slants, digs, and timing routes — exactly the areas where Dike has been earning his snaps. With Calvin Ridley out and Tennessee needing someone to fill the volume void, Dike has a solid WR3/flex floor with upside in a matchup that suits his skill set.
Other locks:
— Nico Collins vs Colts
— CeeDee Lamb vs Chiefs
— Amon-Ra St. Brown vs Packers
Avoid: Josh Downs, Colts vs Texans
Downs is a tempting PPR play, but this matchup reduces the appeal. Houston has quietly become one of the league’s stingiest defenses against slot receivers, tightening coverage inside and limiting underneath separation. With Indianapolis spreading targets unpredictably and Downs rarely involved in scoring situations, his floor plummets. Bench him in Week 13.
Tight ends
Start: Dalton Schultz, Texans vs Colts
Schultz had a down Week 12, but that was against Buffalo’s top-ranked tight end defense. He’ll have a much easier go of it against the top 10 tight end matchup Colts, as one of Houston’s primary pass catchers. He’s had at least eight targets and 50 yards in his previous three matchups before Week 12.
Other locks:
— Hunter Henry vs Giants
— Brock Bowers vs Chargers
— Juwan Johnson vs Dolphins
Avoid: Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs Bears
Chicago isn’t particularly tough against tight ends, but Goedert has struggled fantasy-wise since his Week 9 bye. The Eagles are leaning on their perimeter receivers, and they’re just inconsistent as a passing team overall. If you have other options, you should use them.
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This column was provided to The Associated Press by RosterWatch, www.rosterwatch.com
Tre'Von Moehrig to miss Panthers' game against Rams after suspension appeal denied The Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina safety Tre’Von Moehrig will miss the Panthers' home game Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams after losing an appeal of a one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The NFL said Wednesday that Moehrig intentionally hit San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the groin near the end the game Monday night.
The suspension will cost Moehrig $65,000, or an 18th of his $1.17 million salary.
It’s a tough loss for the Panthers, who may be also without starting cornerback Jaycee Horn after he sustained a concussion against the 49ers. Horn remains in the concussion protocol.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has thrown for an NFL-high 30 touchdowns this season.
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Memorable moments have defined Old Oaken Bucket series between No. 2 Indiana and Purdue By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts tight end Will Mallory learned to appreciate the Indiana-Purdue rivalry the old-fashioned way — through family stories.
His father, Mike, might recount the time he was a grad assistant when Will's grandfather, Bill, earned the first of his seven Old Oaken Bucket victories in 1987. One uncle, Curt, could brag about being on Indiana's staff long enough to add two “I's” to the chain in 1993 and 1994. Another other uncle, Doug, might talk about his field-side view as an assistant when the Indiana players honored their head coach with one final victory ride after beating Purdue 33-16 in 1996.
Yes, the Thanksgiving week stories became as much a part of the Mallory lore as turkey dinners. Even today, as Will Mallory prepares to play Sunday, he'll monitor Friday night's big game — the 100th presentation of The Bucket.
“I wasn't born when my grandfather was coaching, but, obviously, just growing up with it and knowing how much that meant to my family, it's a big game,” said Mallory, who attended high school and college in Florida. “I'm excited for them (the Hoosiers). They've got to keep it rolling.”
The late Bill Mallory's 69 career wins still stand as the school record.
And though he beat Ohio State twice, Michigan once, pulled off the rarest of triples by beating both Big Ten powers and Purdue in 1987 and delivered two of the program's three bowl wins, it's those seven wins against the Boilermakers — and the indelible image of him pumping his fists while riding on his players' shoulders in 1996 — that rekindle so many memories.
It's the kind of moment that has defined this series, which began in 1891. The Bucket was introduced in 1925 after representatives of the two in-state schools located the decaying, mossy, moldy object on a family farm in southern Indiana. Once restored, it was ready for prime time.
Ever since, coaches and players at both schools spend entire years chasing the prized trophy and making the sprint across the field to get their hands on the trophy so they can put their imprint on the series by adding either an “I” or a “P” to the chain that fits inside The Bucket.
Those who have experienced the atmosphere recognize it's not just another rivalry — or trophy.
“I've been at several different universities, especially in the Big Ten with the different rivalries or games you play, but I just remember that one being pretty special because of the disdain you had for IU,” said Colts defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson said, who was on Purdue's staff for the 2016 loss. “(Bucket week) just meant a little more — the preparation, the details, were done just a little more. That was a game, no matter how the season was going, you wanted to win.”
The result has produced many memorable moments.
In 1966, Purdue won the Big Ten title by taking The Bucket. The Hoosiers returned the favor in 1967 and haven't won a conference crown since then.
Purdue punched its ticket to Pasadena in 2000 by beating the Hoosiers 41-13 as Drew Brees and late coach Joe Tiller celebrated with a Bucket full of roses. The Boilermakers also took the Big Ten West Division title and a trip to their first league championship game in 2022.
Indiana delivered one of the most emotional moments in 2007 when Austin Starr's 49-yard field goal with 30 seconds left helped Indiana fend off Purdue's furious second-half comeback for a 27-24 victory that made the Hoosiers bowl eligible — fulfilling coach Terry Hoeppner's three-year pledge, five months after his death.
Now there's a whole new set of players — and coaches — taking center stage.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy frontrunner, will get his first taste of the rivalry after leading California to wins over Stanford in The Big Game the last two seasons.
And after handing Purdue the worst loss in school history last year, 66-0, Curt Cignetti will try to become the first Hoosiers coach since Hall of Famer Bo McMillin in 1934-35 to beat the Boilermakers in each of his first two contests. If he does, the Hoosiers (11-0, 8-0) will play for the Big Ten title and likely will lock up another playoff berth after a much needed bye week.
“I think the entire organization was a little tired. I could feel it, sense it, Penn State week and Wisconsin week, so I think it came at a really good time,” Cignetti said. “Everybody seems to be refreshed. There was a lot of spirit at practice yesterday, and I can tell in the office everybody is rested up, so it’s a good thing.”
Perhaps not so good for Purdue (2-9, 0-8).
The Boilermakers have lost nine straight overall, a school-record 17 straight in conference play and enter the game as a 28 1/2-point underdog as coach Barry Odom — and dozens of newcomers — make their Bucket debuts.
On paper, it's perhaps the biggest mismatch in decades. For the Boilermakers, it's a chance to salvage something valuable from another dismal season.
“They all will leave here with experiences of what this past season was,” Odom said, reflecting on Senior Night. “Some are really good, some are leaning experiences and not great, but all of them, I believe, will look back on this experience and be thankful for the opportunity we had together.”
But for fans of the two programs, it will add yet another chapter to this storied rivalry, one many will continue to talk about at dinner tables for years to come just like the Mallorys.
And Will Mallory will eagerly await hearing one more tale from outside his family.
“I know Mendoza from growing up in Miami and stuff, so it's been awesome to watch him play,” Mallory said. “They (the Hoosiers) have built a great program, they've invested a lot of money in it and they brought in the right guys.”
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No. 9 Notre Dame will try to ignore the playoff chatter as they face must-win scenario at Stanford By CURT RALLO Associated Press The Associated Press SOUTH BEND, Ind.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman sent a clear message to his team this week.
Win Saturday at Stanford and the playoff picture will sort itself out. Nothing else.
For the second straight year, the Fighting Irish find themselves not only playing a must-win regular season finale to make the 12-team field but also without another opportunity to impress the selection committee. Freeman wants his players thinking only about the rivalry game.
“You start thinking about the big picture and an uncertain future, that’s added pressure you don’t need,” he said. “ This game is the Super Bowl. It can’t be lip service. Your actions have to follow that. If our actions do follow that, I’m confident we'll be prepared for the opportunity Saturday.”
The most immediate scenario for No. 9 Notre Dame (9-2, No. 9 CFP) is simple: Win and they are likely in for the second straight year, lose and they'll almost certainly be left out. Beyond that, the scenarios are more complex.
The Fighting Irish have won nine straight since opening the season with two straight losses by a total of four points against two potential playoff teams but have been locked into the No. 9 seed for weeks. If they remain there, they'll open the postseason on the road. If the Irish win again, they could host a game for the second straight year .
There's even a potential scenario in which Alabama wins the SEC title, BYU wins the Big 12 and Miami joins the fray, perhaps knocking out the Irish. But Freeman doesn't want his players watching scoreboards or thinking about the what-ifs.
“Coach (Freeman) does a good job of just preaching to us to allow us to elevate each and every week, and not thinking too much about the playoffs,” said cornerback DeVonta Smith, who spent his first four seasons at Alabama. “Practice is about what can we do to be able to elevate, to be able to give it all and reach that team glory on Saturday. The team is truly locked in and focused on what’s ahead of us at Stanford."
Freeman didn't have to look far to find warning signs, even though the Irish are riding high after back-to-back blowouts of Pittsburgh and Syracuse.
Stanford (4-7) has won four of its five home games, will celebrate Senior Night and interim coach Frank Reich's finale. Notre Dame also will be missing two more players — linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and cornerback Chance Tucker — who suffered season-ending injuries last week. And the prime-time start in California will feel like 10:30 p.m. in South Bend.
Freeman is trying to make some adjustments.
“It starts with the mental approach,” he said. “We have to make 7:30 Pacific Time, Notre Dame Time.”
For some, like Smith, hearing playoff banter this time of year has become an annual tradition.
For others, such as receiver Will Pauling who played for Cincinnati and Wisconsin before transferring to Notre Dame this year, it's a new experience and they are heeding Freeman's advice.
“Obviously, you hear a lot of the noise from all the outside sources. Coach Freeman’s done a good job of telling us to block all that out and that’s exactly what we’re going to do," Pauling said. “I think that’s just natural human instinct for everybody to lock in. We’re all competitors, we’re all winners. We want to win every single game. So it doesn’t matter if it’s Stanford or if it’s Syracuse lining up, we want to win every single time.”
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LISTEN: Jaguars Pro Bowl edge rusher Arik Armstead discusses how the team is changing the narrative By ROB MAADDI and HAYA PANJWANI The Associated Press The Associated Press
Jacksonville Jaguars two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Arik Armstead discusses the team’s turnaround under first-year coach Liam Coen, emphasizes the team can’t overlook the Titans this week and shares about his choice for the NFL’s ‘My Cause, My Cleats’ campaign.
Various NFL Players: Hey, this is Russell Wilson. This is Joe Montana. This is Dak Prescott. Hey, this is Jason Kelce. You’re listening to Rob Maaddi. Rob Maaddi, Rob Maaddi, Rob Maaddi.
Rob Maaddi, host: Welcome to On Football with me, Rob Maaddi. Hope everyone’s having an awesome Thanksgiving week. Family, Food, Football. Fantastic schedule of games in week 13. Jaguars Pro Bowl edge rusher Arik Armstead is our special guest. Stay tuned for that conversation along with some Pro Picks. Matthew Stafford’s season for the LA Rams, 30 touchdowns, two interceptions, had me thinking about the best statistical years for a quarterback in NFL history. There was the year Peyton Manning had a record-setting 55 touchdowns. Tom Brady had 50 TDs once and he threw for 5,000 yards three separate seasons, including once at age 44. Patrick Mahomes had 50 TDs in his first season as a starter. Aaron Rodgers has the two best passer rating seasons in NFL history. But 2024 Lamar Jackson, just last year, 4,172 yards passing, 41 touchdowns, only four interceptions while also running for 915 yards and four scores has to be the best overall in my mind.
MAADDI: Arik Armstead has 5 1/2f sacks this season in his second year with the Jaguars, spent almost a decade with San Francisco. He is the Walter Payton man of the year nominee for Jacksonville. Here’s our conversation. Arik, welcome to the show. Man, you guys are are having quite the season in Jacksonville. Big turnaround from last year. How much fun are you having after going there last year, nine years in San Francisco, they struggled a little bit and and now you guys are back in the playoff race?
Arik Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars: We’re having a lot of fun. You know, you work so hard the early part of the season to put yourself in the opportunity to play meaningful football around this time. And you know, if the season were to end today, we’re in the playoffs. But you know, we got a lot more to do. Six games left. We gotta continue to to get better and better each week. And you know, but now’s the time we’re on this part of the year, you want to be playing your best. And we put ourselves in position to to do that. And, you know, each week gotta continue to get better and better and you know, trying to got a lot more to do to achieve our goals.
MAADDI: I had an opportunity last year in Tampa to get to see Liam Coen up close and what he can do with Baker Mayfield and that offense and obviously you’re on the defensive side, but he’s now the head coach in Jacksonville. What has he brought to the locker room, the culture and and everything else?
ARMSTEAD: Yeah, I think the the main thing that he’s brought that I’ve really resonated with is being yourself, being you. He instills confidence into us and wants guys to be themselves, find their edge, what makes you special as a player is gonna make us special as a team and to lean into that more. And so I’m really appreciative of him for for preaching and believing in those messages of you know being yourself, being who you were made to be and you know, offering your special gifts to our teams and and all of us coming together to find ways to be successful out there and win games.
MAADDI: You have 5 1/2 sacks in eleven games, you’re starting every game this season. What’s changed for you personally on the defensive side of the ball from last year?
ARMSTEAD: Not much has changed for me personally. My situation has changed and how I’m being used has changed. And you know, last year is last year. There’s things you have to go through in the NFL, you know, that I feel is good. You know, it’s good to go through adversities and downtime at different times throughout your career and it makes, you know, the highs that much sweeter and the success that much sweeter. So not much has changed. I’m being myself and doing everything I can to to help our team win.
MAADDI: You’ve been part of teams that have had a lot of success in San Francisco, went to the Super Bowl. As a leader, as a veteran on the Jaguars, what do you do to make sure, for example, this week you’re playing a team that's struggled in Tennessee, right? You’ve got a an opportunity to go in there and and and get another W, but how do you as a leader make sure that nobody overlooks it, that nobody takes anybody lightly because any team can beat you any given Sunday?
ARMSTEAD: Well, you know, my message is we haven’t done anything yet, too, and we have a lot of work to do to change the narrative about how people feel about us as a team and as an organization. And you know, who are we to to take people lightly when we’ve been in a similar situation. So you know, we haven’t done anything yet. We have a long way to go and week in and week out we have to put our best foot forward.
MAADDI: This time of year is one of my favorites. My Cause, My Cleats campaign in the NFL. And a lot of different players participate. They get to wear cleats that are colorful, that are artistic, but much more than that, Arik, they they mean a lot. Support, some foundations behind it, charitable causes, whatever it may be. Yours happens to be the Armstead Academic Project. Tell me about that and and what you guys stand for and what you’re doing.
ARMSTEAD: I’m a co-founder with the Armstead Academic Project. Me and my wife, Dr. Melinda Armstead founded this organization in 2019 to ensure that every student, no matter their socioeconomic status, has the resources and tools they need to thrive and be successful. And that’s what we’re all about is supporting our youth in their in their journey. Both education -- both with their education, but also with also with things other than their education and wraparound services, whether that may be their mental health, nutrition, there’s other things or other opportunities outside of just regular academic support that we try to ensure that our students have and need to be successful. And we we launched, like I said, in 2019, and you know, our organization is young, but we’re growing and we’re impacting more and more each and every year, and we have a lot more work to do.
MAADDI: It’s time for the four-pack. 4-0 straight up last week, but only 1-3 against the spread. Only the second losing week against the number this season. Overall, we’re 36-11-1, 30-18-1 against the spread. Big spreads cost me last week, but I didn’t learn my lesson. I’m starting with the Los Angeles Rams, 9-2, at Carolina, 6-6. The Rams are 10-point favorites. Mentioned Stafford earlier in the show. He’s thrown 27 touchdowns since his last interception in Week 3. He’s playing at an MVP level. The Rams defense is the stingiest in the NFL. Sean McVay’s team might be the best overall in the league. The Panthers had a chance to take over first place in the NFC South. But Bryce Young and the offense couldn’t do anything against San Francisco, despite getting three picks in the first half. I’m going Rams, 31-16. Upset special looking at Houston, 6-5, at Indianapolis, 8-3. Colts are 4.5 point favorites. The Texans have won three in a row thanks to the league’s No. 1 ranked defense. They’re 6-2 since an 0-3 start. Backup quarterback Davis Mills has played well. He’s 3-0 filling in for CJ Stroud, who’s been dealing with a concussion. The Colts are reeling a bit after a 7-1 start. Daniel Jones couldn’t make a play when Coach Shane Steichen put the ball in his hands instead of giving it to Jonathan Taylor on three, three-and-outs in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs. If they lose, it’s gonna tighten the AFC South, and I think it will. Texans 19-17. Next is the Sam Darnold Bowl. Minnesota, 4-7, at Seattle, 8-3. Seahawks minus 10.5 points. Darnold thrived last season under Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, but he was allowed to leave in free agency to pave the way for J.J. McCarthy, who has struggled and now is in concussion protocol. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer would start if McCarthy can’t play. Darnold has Seattle battling for first place in the NFC West. The Seahawks defense is top seven in yards and in scoring. Seahawks 27-13. Lastly, Las Vegas, 2-9, at the LA Chargers, 7-4. Chargers are 9.5 point favorites. The Raiders would have been better off with part-owner Tom Brady in the dual role of quarterback and offensive coordinator instead of hiring Chip Kelly and trading for Geno Smith. Kelly was fired after the latest dismal loss. The Chargers have had a week off to reflect on a blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. A depleted offensive line has been problematic for Justin Herbert and LA’s run game, but Vegas is terrible. An opportunity for the Chargers to get back on track. They’re 7-0 against the spread in their last seven against division opponents. Chargers 30-13. That’s it for this week. Thank you to Arik Armstead. Thank you for listening to On Football, and thanks to Haya Panjwani and Guillermo Gonzalez for producing this episode. Please check out APnews.com for the full Pro Picks, On Football analysis and more NFL news.
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and Packers DT Devonte Wyatt leave Thanksgiving game with ankle injuries The Associated Press DETROIT
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Green Bay defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt had ankle injuries in the Packers' 31-24 win over the Lions on Thursday.
St. Brown limped off the field and toward the locker room in the first quarter. He was injured after two Detroit lineman rolled into the receiver's legs while he was blocking. The two-time All-Pro has 75 catches for 884 yards and nine touchdowns.
“I don’t think it is long, long term,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “It might be a week or two, if we’re lucky.”
Wyatt, who was carted off the field late in the game, and the Packers may not be as fortunate.
“It doesn’t look good,” LaFleur said. “That’s a critical loss for our team, and our defense.”
The fourth-year pro had four tackles against the Lions, and has four sacks this season.
Detroit did get two starters back on defense against the Packers, who have one defensive starter back from injury in the lineup.
Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold and edge rusher Marcus Davenport were were active Thursday after being listed as questionable. Arnold missed the previous two games with a concussion. Davenport has been out with a shoulder injury since starting the first two games of the season, including a loss at Green Bay in Week 1.
Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon was active after leaving last week's game with a neck injury.
Green Bay starting receiver Matthew Golden and linebacker Quay Walker along with reserve cornerback Nate Hobbs are out with injuries after being listed as questionable.
The Lions previously ruled out four starters: receiver and punt returner Kalif Raymond, tight end Brock Wright, center Graham Glasgow and safety Kerby Joseph.
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Less than 3 weeks after cancer surgery, Broncos' Alex Singleton is back in the game By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press ENGLEWOOD, Colo.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Alex Singleton is playing football again less than three weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous testicular tumor that he feared would spell the end of his NFL career.
Denver's leading tackler aims to play at Washington (3-8) this weekend when the Broncos (9-2) try to extend their eight-game winning streak.
“We're tracking that way,” the 31-year-old linebacker said about 24 hours after going on "Good Morning America” to talk about his diagnosis and the need for early detection for a disease that affects about one in 250 American men.
Singleton was notified Oct. 27, one day after he had 11 tackles and forced a fumble in a win over the Cowboys , that a random NFL-mandated drug test had revealed elevated levels of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, indicating either the injection of a performance-enhancing drug or testicular cancer.
After a 10-tackle performance against the Texans , he underwent an ultrasound that confirmed he had cancer.
Surgery was scheduled for a day after the Broncos game against the Raiders when Singleton had nine stops in Denver’s 10-7 win on a Thursday night.
He informed the team of his cancer diagnosis three days after his surgery.
“He just got up in the team meeting and said, ‘I’ve got cancer,’” teammate Malcolm Roach said. “We’re like, ‘What? You’ve got cancer? You were just on the field with us Thursday night.’ He told us that he just had surgery and everything went good. He said, ‘I’m gonna be back after the bye week.’ We were like, ‘OK.’ Man, he really was back after the bye week.”
Singleton only missed one game, against Kansas City prior to the Broncos’ bye last week. But he was heavily involved in the preparation for the Chiefs and huddled that week with his replacement, Justin Strnad, and the other linebackers.
“I just love these guys,” Singleton said. “I love this team and this organization, and I love this game. So if it was my last game, what I want to do when I’m done is coach anyway, so let’s start now. … All you want is to see your guys shine.”
The surgery and the pathology reports that followed have painted a clearer picture for Singleton's recovery prognosis, which is excellent, but leading up to the Raiders game, doubts crept in about his football future.
“The one thing I wanted to do was play that game,” Singleton said. “Because if it was (his last game), I wanted to go out on my own terms.”
Successful surgery and good news from the pathology reports had Singleton shifting his focus back to football and a quick return to the field, which came at practice on Wednesday.
“Yeah, I’m still processing the fact that I had it at all much less just being back practicing,” Singleton said, calling cancer “a huge word. It’s a scary word. I don’t even like saying it all the time because it freaks me out. But yeah, hopefully it’s behind me.”
Singleton will continue to undergo frequent testing to make sure the cancer is gone and didn’t spread.
He said the support he’s received from his teammates and fans who direct message him — he can’t respond to all of them — has been “the best thing ever.” He experienced something similar last year when he sustained a season-ending ACL injury.
“And I thought that was great, but obviously this, just cancer in general, is a scary word," Singleton said. “So, yeah, just the support and love, you learn they don’t only care about football. They care about you as a person and it meant a lot to me.”
Singleton figures his first tackle against the Commanders could be an emotional moment.
“I cried after the ACL, so this one might be a little harder,” Singleton said. "Yeah, it'll be crazy. I just think so much goes into it and I've obviously talked to doctors about everything from chemotherapy, if it spreads, fertility, kids, stuff that has nothing to do with football, just being able to live. All the scans and tests have been good and positive but yeah, those things are still there.
"So, football is kind of that place between the white lines you can let it all go. But there was definitely a time and a place where that wasn't even part of the conversation yet. To have that it's going to be special. The ACL, you come back from that, everyone comes back from that but there's not a lot of cancer research on coming back and playing football.”
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