Stafford's Rams host Goff's Lions in another high-stakes meeting nearly 5 years after win-win trade By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press INGLEWOOD, Calif.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Nearly five years after the Los Angeles Rams blindsided Jared Goff by trading him to Detroit for Matthew Stafford, practically all parties involved in the blockbuster deal are thriving on the field and seemingly content about their fate.
That's a rarity in big NFL trades, particularly one as disruptive as the deal in which Sean McVay aggressively dumped his starting quarterback with none of the sophistication that usually characterizes McVay's player relationships.
McVay still thinks back on the deal as a cautionary tale for him — albeit one that also got him a Super Bowl ring.
“I had a lot of growing up to do back when that thing went down,” McVay said this week. “There were a lot of great memories and a lot of really good ball that he did here that I’ll always cherish. I’m truly happy for him. He’s married and has a beautiful little girl now. It’s awesome to see. I think I’m reminded of those things, and then you’re also reminded of when you need to be able to grow up and handle things a little bit better. I’ll never run away from that. What I’m grateful for and appreciative of is that he’s got such grace towards me and understanding. I’m happy for Jared.”
And though he didn't say it this week while he prepares the Rams (10-3) to host the Lions (8-5) on Sunday in a meeting of NFC powers, it's quite clear McVay would make that trade again — just with more tact.
Stafford led Los Angeles to a championship in his first season. Now 37, the quarterback is a strong contender for the MVP award during a standout season with receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, who is having so much fun that he has semi-jokingly tied his own retirement to Stafford's annual decision.
While Stafford and his wife still do charity work in Detroit, his ties to the Lions have inevitably faded over time.
“I have a ton of respect for them, (but) when I flip the tape on, I don’t think about all the guys that I used to play with, because hardly any of them are still playing on the team,” Stafford said.
Goff has been an above-average quarterback for the Lions, and Detroit's best stretch of success since winning the 1957 NFL title is rooted in the assets acquired in that deal with the Rams. Goff came along with a package of draft picks that helped Detroit to acquire several players, including offensive standouts Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta.
“I know it feels like a win for us, and I’m sure they do too,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.
Goff and Stafford spoke admiringly of each other this week, saying they occasionally watch game video of each other in the course of preparations for their next opponents. While Stafford is in MVP conversations with his 3,534 yards passing alongside 35 TD throws and just four interceptions, Goff has a higher completion percentage and more yards per attempt.
Goff says he's over the sting of the trade, and the Rams seem more like just another opponent. The playoff stakes in the latest meeting are enough to focus his attention.
“We played them in that playoff game (in January 2024, and it) was such a big deal,” Goff said. "The next year, played them again and that felt like even less. So now it’s even further removed. They’re a really good team and we’ll have our hands full.”
Familiar foes
The Rams and Lions are facing each other for the fourth time in five seasons since the trade, thanks to NFL scheduling quirks and the playoff matchup two seasons ago. These two historic NFL teams haven’t faced each other this frequently since meeting in four straight seasons from 1980-83.
Help wanted
Detroit's secondary has been hit hard by injuries, most recently losing hard-hitting cover safety Brian Branch with a torn Achilles tendon. Cornerback Terrion Arnold is on injured reserve and All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph has been out for two months with a knee injury. Safety Thomas Harper, who has filled in for Joseph, incurred a concussion in last week's win against Dallas.
The Lions signed 32-year-old defensive backs Arthur Maulet and Damontae Kazee to the roster and practice squad earlier this week to add desperately needed depth.
Best on best
Two of the NFL’s top four offenses are meeting at SoFi Stadium. Detroit is leading the NFL in points despite significant injury setbacks, while Los Angeles has scored more than 20 points in 11 of its last 12 games. Gibbs is a dual-threat nightmare, while the Rams’ passing game has been one of the league’s most effective.
Dual-threat back
Defenses are set up to slow down Gibbs in the running game, so the Lions are getting the dynamic running back the ball in the passing game.
Gibbs caught all seven passes thrown his way for 77 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. Last month, he had a career-high 11 receptions against the New York Giants and a career-high 107 yards receiving at Philadelphia.
He has joined LaDainian Tomlinson (2006) and Priest Holmes (2002) as players in league history with at least 500 yards rushing, seven touchdown on the ground, 275 yards receiving and two touchdowns through the air in a five-game stretch.
The third-year pro is the seventh NFL player — and first since former Rams running back Todd Gurley — to have 1,500 yards from scrimmage, 13 rushing touchdowns and three receiving scores through the first 13 games of a season.
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AP Sports Writer Larry Lage in Detroit contributed to this report.
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Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb set to return 10 days after concussion without missing a game By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press FRISCO, Texas
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — CeeDee Lamb appears set to return from a concussion without missing a game for the Dallas Cowboys, who will play Minnesota at home 10 days after their star receiver exited a loss in Detroit .
Lamb was a full practice participant and talked to reporters Thursday, two strong signs he will be on the field Sunday night without missing a game as the Cowboys (6-6-1) try to keep their playoff hopes alive. Dallas trails Philadelphia by 1 1/2 games with four to play in the NFC East, while the Vikings (5-8) are on the verge of postseason elimination.
The 2023 All-Pro said he was still technically in concussion protocol.
“It’s been a lot of like eye work and eye discipline and trying to, I guess, frustrate myself essentially to see if I have any more residuals of the concussion,” Lamb said. “And I haven’t had any type of symptoms. As for me now, it’s been heavy on rest, to be honest. Doing everything, me knowing my requirements, kind of getting ahead of everything, especially with the extra 2-3 days that we had off. I feel like that was big.”
Lamb was injured in the second half of a 44-30 loss to the Lions on Dec. 4 when his helmet hit the turf hard out of bounds on his attempt at a leaping catch in the end zone.
The 26-year-old appeared to experience the unnatural extension of the forearms and fingers, a neurological reaction in the seconds after head trauma known as the fencing response. Quarterback Dak Prescott rushed to his side, and owner Jerry Jones said on his radio show a day later that the scene of the prone Lamb scared him.
The prospect of Lamb returning so quickly doesn't bother Prescott.
“Zero concern,” the quarterback said. “Obviously there was some urgency to get him help then, but then actually when I got over there, he was almost right back to it. I was like, ‘You good?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah.’ He was back at it Monday, doing light stuff and working out. From there, I was positive in the way that he would respond, and he’s been great.”
Lamb says football players can't worry about when they're going to get hurt again, even in the case of head injuries.
“You have to go out there first and play your game and don’t really think too much on it,” Lamb said. “I’ve been hurt a couple times, and I don’t dwell on it. I hit my head a couple of times. I don’t dwell on it. You have to move on. It’s a part of the game. That’s why playing football is very important, and that’s why taking care of your body is even more important.”
Lamb already had six catches for 121 yards when he exited the Detroit game. He has recorded at least 100 yards receiving in five of nine games, excluding a loss to Chicago when he sprained an ankle the first time he touched the ball. That injury sidelined Lamb for three games.
Lamb said he remembered everything from the moment his helmet hit the turf — and couldn't help but see the replay because it was “all over my phone.”
“It was a surreal moment for me and myself and really just a quick experience,” said Lamb, who showed frustration on the sideline that he wouldn't be allowed to return. “It was an opportunity for me to grow up. It was an opportunity for me that this game could be taken away from me at any given time.”
Broncos are underdogs at home against Packers despite 10-game win streak By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press DENVER
DENVER (AP) — For the first time in a decade, Denver Broncos (11-2) stand atop the AFC playoff race heading into the holidays. They're the league's only unbeaten team at home. They've won 10 consecutive games and they've saddled their last 11 visitors with a loss going back 14 months.
And they are 2 1/2-point underdogs at home to the Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) on Sunday, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
It's the NFL’s Week 15 marquee matchup, a tussle featuring Micah Parsons and Nik Bonitto, Jordan Love and Bo Nix, and pitting teams with obdurate defenses and opportunistic offenses that could very well serve as a Super Bowl appetizer.
Oddsmakers, though, have joined the legions of NFL fans who view the Broncos' longest winning streak in the post-Peyton Manning era with equal doses of criticism and skepticism.
“I love it. It fuels me, honestly,” Bonitto said. “I like when people doubt us. They can stay on that side. We'll go out and prove what we've got to prove.”
Just like they've been doing ever since their last-second loss at the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3, which followed a walk-off loss at Indianapolis. Since then, the Broncos have set an NFL record with nine consecutive comebacks, a streak that ended last week with a comfortable win at Las Vegas, and tied another mark with four straight wins by a field goal or less.
The Broncos have grown accustomed to all the doubters who view their pile of close victories with more suspicion than admiration and who keep suggesting their live-on-the-edge habits don't make for a sustainable winning recipe.
“Personally, I couldn't care less,” All-Pro kick returner Marvin Mims Jr. said. “But I mean some guys feel disrespected by it.”
Bo Nix isn't among those who feel offended by the national suspicion of the Broncos' championship bona fides — or those who install them as home underdogs.
“My mom thinks we’ll win,” the Broncos' second-year quarterback said with a laugh. “So that’s all that matters.”
Watson’s emergence
Packers wide receiver Christian Watson didn’t start playing until Oct. 26 as he returned from a torn ACL, but the 2022 second-round pick still could end up having his best season.
Watson has scored five touchdowns, all in his last four games. He has 25 catches for 452 yards in seven games. The TD total is his highest since his rookie season, when he had nine.
“He’s making plays, it feels like, every time the ball comes his way,” Love said. “I think he keeps elevating and getting better and better.”
Packers facing a streaking team
According to Elias Sports Bureau, this marks the second straight year — and the fourth time ever — that the Packers have faced a team that has won at least 10 straight games with all the victories in the same season. Last season, the Packers lost 34-31 at Detroit for the Lions’ 11th straight victory.
The Packers won their other two times in this situation. They beat Detroit 3-0 on Nov. 25, 1934, and they defeated Seattle 23-17 on Jan. 1, 2006.
The trip to Denver is sandwiched between two games against the rival Chicago Bears. The Packers snapped Chicago’s five-game winning streak with a 28-21 victory at Lambeau Field on Sunday. The Packers face the Bears again on Dec. 20 in Chicago.
“What a great challenge,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “But also, I think there’s great opportunity that goes with that.”
The Broncos also have a challenging stretch run with visits from the Jaguars and Chargers, both 9-4, sandwiched around a Christmas night game at Kansas City, where the Broncos haven't won since 2015.
Premier pass rushers
Sunday’s game features two of the NFL’s most prolific pass rushers in Green Bay’s Parsons and Denver’s Bonitto. They each have 12 1/2 sacks this season, putting them in a tie for third in the league.
Since the NFL started officially tracking sacks in 1982, Parsons is the first player to have at least 12 in each of his first five seasons. Bonitto could join Simon Fletcher as the only Broncos ever to have at least 13 1/2 sacks in back-to-back seasons.
Strength in numbers
It's not just Bonitto the Packers are concerned about. The Broncos lead the league with 55 sacks, putting them on pace for 72, which would tie the NFL record set by the 1984 Bears.
“I think they have a really solid group all around,” Love said. “It’s not just one guy that you can finger-point out, but all around that defense and especially that D-line, you look at it and they got playmakers and guys who are making plays and winning their 1-on-1 matchups. It’s a little bit different than a team that maybe only has one solid edge rusher that you make sure you get chips and lockdown that side.”
And don't forget Denver's stout secondary, led by reigning NFL defensive player of the year Pat Surtain II.
“There’s sometimes you see on film when he’s breaking on things before the receiver’s even breaking,” Love said. “I think it just goes into his film study, his knowledge of the game and his confidence in himself. I think he does a lot of things at a very high level.”
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AP Sports Writers Pat Graham and Steve Megargee contributed to this report.
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Kirk Cousins leads Falcons to 29-28 comeback victory over the reeling Buccaneers By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Maybe Kirk Cousins should've been starting the entire season.
Cousins threw three touchdown passes to Kyle Pitts Sr. , and Zane Gonzalez kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired to complete the Atlanta Falcons' rally for a 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.
Facing a third-and-28 on the Falcons' final drive, Cousins completed passes of 14 yards to Pitts and 20 yards on fourth-and-14 to David Sills V to set up Gonzalez.
The Falcons (5-9) overcame a franchise-record 19 penalties and a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit to damage Tampa Bay's playoff hopes.
Cousins, who lost his starting job to Michael Penix Jr. last year after signing a free-agent deal that included $100 million guaranteed, has owned the Buccaneers since joining the Falcons last season. He's 3-0 against them with 1,158 yards passing, 11 TDs and one pick. He finished this one 30 of 44 for 373 yards.
“Pro Football tests you,” Cousins said. “It keeps me on my knees (in prayer). It’s been a difficult two years since tearing my Achilles. All I know to do is trust and keep going and walk by faith, not by sight, and that can be hard sometimes. Nights like tonight, you get a boost.”
Baker Mayfield threw a crucial interception in the fourth quarter as the Buccaneers (7-7) lost for the fifth time in six games to fall a half-game behind Carolina in the NFC South. The four-time defending division champions face the Panthers (7-6) twice in the final three games.
“This one is gonna haunt me. It falls on my shoulders,” Mayfield said. “It's not the defense's fault. It's my fault.”
Wearing their Creamsicle jerseys on the 48th anniversary of the franchise’s first win — that one came after an 0-26 start — the Buccaneers were booed off the field.
“You don’t make excuses," Bucs coach Todd Bowles said in an expletive-laden reaction. "You got to (bleeping) care enough where the (bleep) hurts. It’s got to (bleeping) mean something to you. It’s more than a job. It’s your (bleeping) livelihood. How well do you know your job? How well can you do your job? You can’t sugarcoat that (bleep).”
After Pitts made a leaping, acrobatic grab for a 7-yard TD with 3:34 remaining to pull the Falcons within 28-26, Cousins was pressured and threw incomplete on the 2-point conversion try.
The Falcons forced the Buccaneers to punt and got the ball at their 30 with no timeouts and 1:49 to go.
Haason Reddick sacked Cousins, forcing a fumble that the Buccaneers grabbed coming out of the pile. But officials ruled it was recovered by both team simultaneously, and the Falcons kept the ball.
Pitts finished with 11 catches for 166 yards, becoming the first tight end with 150 yards receiving and three TDs since Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe did it in 1996.
Mayfield tossed a 6-yard TD pass to Devin Culp, the second-year pro’s first scoring reception in the NFL that made it 20-14.
On the ensuing drive, Sills dropped what should have been a 44-yard TD catch and the Falcons ended up punting.
Bijan Robinson fumbled on Atlanta’s next possession after taking a shot from Christian Izien and Jacob Parrish recovered at the Falcons 25.
Mayfield fired a 3-yard TD pass to Chris Godwin Jr. and the two connected for the 2-point conversion to extend the lead to 28-14.
But Robinson’s 6-yard TD run cut the deficit to 28-20 with under 10 minutes left. After the Falcons missed the 2-point try, Dee Alford picked Mayfield’s pass and Atlanta drove 67 yards for a score.
Mayfield had all of his wide receivers available for the first time this season after six-time Pro Bowl pick Mike Evans and second-year pro Jalen McMillan were activated from injured reserve. Evans broke his clavicle on Oct. 20. McMillan broke three vertebrae in his neck in the preseason.
Evans made an immediate impact, catching six passes for 132 yards and drawing several penalties.
“He's one of the ones that cares,” Bowles said.
Pitts was wide open for his first two TD catches. He caught a 17-yard pass from Cousins to give the Falcons a 14-10 lead under one minute left in the first half.
Cousins tossed an 8-yard TD pass to Pitts to tie it at 7, one play after an offside penalty on cornerback Zyon McCollum during a field goal gave Atlanta a first down.
Cousins beat the Buccaneers twice last year in his first season with Atlanta. He threw for 785 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception. He had 509 yards passing against them in one of the wins.
Chase’s leg
Tampa Bay's Chase McLaughlin connected on field goals of 52 and 49 yards. He’s 10 for 10 from 50 yards or beyond.
Injuries
Falcons: WR Drake London (knee) was inactive. ... CB Mike Hughes (ankle) left in the first quarter.
Buccaneers: McCollum (hip) left in the first half. ... LG Ben Bredeson (knee) was out after being placed on injured reserve. ... DB Tykee Smith (neck/shoulder), LB SirVocea Dennis (hip), TE Cade Otton (knee) and CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) were inactive.
Up next
Falcons: Visit Arizona next Sunday.
Buccaneers: Visit Carolina next Sunday.
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Pitts' performance is most productive by NFL tight end since 1996, helps Falcons beat Bucs By FRED GOODALL Associated Press The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Catch by catch, Kyle Pitts Sr. put the mistake-prone Atlanta Falcons on his back and carried them to a thrilling comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Thursday night got even better for the fifth-year pro when the former University of Florida star learned his 11-reception, 166-yard, three-touchdown performance that keyed a 29-28 win was the most productive game by an NFL tight end in nearly three decades.
The previous tight end to finish with at least 10 catches, 150 yards receiving and three TDs in a game was Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in 1996.
The 25-year-old Pitts noted he wasn't even born yet back then.
“Man, I love the state of Florida,” the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Pitts said as he stepped up to the podium in the visiting interview room at Raymond James Stadium.
“It means a lot,” he added about the mention of Sharpe. “It's a great person to be (compared to).”
Kurt Cousins targeted Pitts a team-high 12 times, leaning heavily on the young tight end with leading receiver Drake London out with a knee injury. Pitts scored on receptions of 8, 17 and 7 yards, the latter trimming what had once been a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit to 28-26 with 3:34 remaining.
His last catch, on third-and-28 from the Atlanta 29, was for 14 yards. Cousins threw 21 yards to David Sills V on fourth-and-14 to set up Zane Gonzalez's 43-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.
“It was the plan, you know, all along. Kyle is our guy,” second-year Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “You're down a couple of your guys like Drake, some of those guys, and Kyle has really filled in that role and become the lead dog guy. He has done an awesome job.”
The Falcons (5-9) are eliminated from playoff contention, but they relished the opportunity to play spoiler against the division-rival Bucs (7-7), who are trying to win the NFC South for the fifth straight season.
“It's amazing. I mean, we've been having our ups and downs through the year,” Pitts said. “Obviously, it's not fun being eliminated early, but we're resilient. ... It was just pretty fun to get that win.”
The Falcons overcame a team-record 19 penalties for 125 yards. They also withstood a wide-open Sills dropping what would have been a go-ahead TD catch in the third quarter, as well as Bijan Robinson's third-quarter fumble that led to the touchdown that put Tampa Bay up by two scores early in the fourth.
“It's a steppingstone to where we want to go,” Morris said. “We talked about this, building blocks for what we've got to do. What we're talking about is next year. ... Only thing we can do right now is finish.”
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Bo Nix unfazed by underdog status as Broncos, winners of 10 straight, prepare for Packers showdown By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press ENGLEWOOD, Colo.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Bo Nix doesn't view being a home underdog against Green Bay this weekend as any sign of disrespect.
He doesn't really read anything into it at all, even if the Denver Broncos have won 10 straight games and currently own the AFC's No. 1 seed.
“My mom thinks we'll win,” the second-year quarterback said after Wednesday's practice. “So that's all that matters.”
The red-hot Broncos (11-2) are looking at the game on Sunday as almost a playoff preview — intensity-wise, anyway — given the Packers (9-3-1) are one of the NFC's top teams.
“I know they're going to come in with a really good plan. I know it's going to be a really good football game,” said Nix, whose team is a 2 1/2-point underdog at Empower Field at Mile High despite winning 11 straight home games. “It’s pretty much going to be like playoff football, and that’s what you get in December. At the end of the season, that’s what you’re playing for.”
One thing Nix will do is constantly scan the field for Green Bay's No. 1 — pass-rush specialist Micah Parsons, who has 12 1/2 sacks this season. Parsons can line up just about anywhere on the defensive front and cause disruption.
“You definitely don’t want to make them bigger than the game,” Nix said of elite pass rushers. “But you definitely don’t want them to take over the football game. We’ll always be aware of where (Parsons) is at for certain calls, but you definitely have to play the game and you have to also allow our players to do their best against him.”
The teams have some familiarity with each other after holding a joint practice in August 2024. Packers coach Matt LaFleur reflected on that day in his news conference Wednesday, saying, “they kind of put it on us pretty good.”
Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II concurred.
“I believe we did,” Surtain said with a grin.
It was a spirited day, too, with tempers boiling over after Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto appeared to knock quarterback Jordan Love to the ground on a play. Love later acknowledged it was one of his own linemen who crashed into him just as he was about to release the ball.
“Very competitive but I feel like we brought more energy and juice," Surtain said.
That practice really put the Broncos defense on the radar for LaFleur. The Broncos have a league-best 55 sacks this season, which is the most by a team through 13 games since the New Orleans Saints had 56 in 2000.
“I didn't know a ton about that defense at that time,” LaFleur said. “They were legit.”
Can the Broncos use anything from the joint practice going into Sunday?
“It feels like it was five years ago,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “We’ll look at (the film), but we’re really looking at this point in the season. We have such a volume of tape with their personnel that we’re currently seeing. I have a hard time remembering last week let alone the joint practice. I know we had good work, and the teams worked well together."
Notes: TE Nate Adkins (knee) and guard Ben Powers (biceps) were limited in practice Wednesday while receiver Pat Bryant didn't participate due to a hamstring ailment. ... Returner Marvin Mims Jr. was named the AFC special teams player of the week. He had a 48-yard punt return for a score in a 24-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
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Happy Rams WR Davante Adams repeats his mostly serious plan to retire whenever Matthew Stafford does By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Davante Adams is so happy in his first season with Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams that the star receiver says he plans to retire whenever his quarterback does — and he hopes that isn't any time soon.
Adams on Wednesday repeated the stance he first expressed on a team podcast, emphasizing his happiness in Los Angeles after a tumultuous few seasons with the Raiders and Jets .
“That was kind of a joke, kind of serious,” Adams said with a smile. “I really don’t know how long I’m going to play. I just kind of mess around with (Stafford). I did make that comment to him, though. That was serious. At this point, I’m just grateful to be a part of something like this, and ride it out and see where we go.”
The 37-year-old Stafford hasn't given any concrete indication about how long he plans to play, but he has contemplated his future in every offseason since winning a Super Bowl ring with the Rams in February 2022. Stafford and Adams are both under contract for next season , and Adams has directly told Stafford that he doesn't want the fun to end.
“He just laughed,” Adams said. “He didn’t really take it too seriously, but I need him to know it’s kind of serious, though.”
The 32-year-old Adams has been one of the most accomplished receivers of his generation during a career that began with his eight-year Green Bay partnership with Aaron Rodgers, who threw passes to Adams during three of his four MVP seasons.
Three years after leaving the Packers, Adams has landed with another quarterback performing at a level that's making him a top contender for his first MVP award. And like several accomplished NFL veterans before him, Adams is grateful to be part of the steady excellence produced by coach Sean McVay's NFC-leading Rams (10-3), who host Detroit (8-5) on Sunday.
“I think it takes some time to get to know people,” Adams said. “What you can see on the outside is that (Stafford) was a baller, he’s tough, but then you get around him and you see just how good of a leader he is, how poised he is. His ability to move onto the next play, good or bad. It’s a lot of different things within the poise realm.”
Adams leads the NFL this season with 14 touchdown receptions, and he has 56 catches for 718 yards. Despite getting no practice time with Stafford in training camp, the veterans have formed a connection while thriving with Puka Nacua in McVay's inventive passing schemes.
While Adams says his “body is getting tired" after 12 NFL seasons, he is loving the opportunity to play for a strong organization with a chance to play for his first Super Bowl. The Packers reached four NFC championship games during his tenure, but lost all four.
Adams signed with the Rams as the effective replacement for Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, and he has been thrilled by his decision from the start. Last summer, Adams expressed excitement about being with a team that doesn't have a “black cloud” hanging over it after his stops in Las Vegas and New York.
“It’s honestly been exactly what I hoped it’d be,” Adams said. “Come in and have a fast start playing with a young team that’s fired up and has a lot of energy, a lot of juice. It’s just been fun to piggyback off what’s already been happening around here for a long time. I don’t think I came in and did anything unbelievable. I didn’t turn this thing around. I was just another piece to the puzzle and it’s been fun being a part of a fun operation.”
NOTES: WR Tutu Atwell will be active for the Rams on Sunday, McVay said. Atwell has played in just one game since Oct. 2 after injuring his hamstring, but he is fully healthy. The Rams still declined to activate him for the past two weeks, and they would have lost the $10 million receiver for the season if they hadn't activated him from his 21-day practice window this week. ... CB Darious Williams (tibia) appears to be healthy after missing last Sunday's win. ... LB Byron Young (knee) was listed as limited in a theoretical practice, since the Rams only did a light workout.
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From the 0-26 "Yuccaneers" to 2-time champions, Buccaneers celebrate 50 years with new docuseries By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers shed the “Yuccaneers” label decades ago.
They went from 0-26 to two-time Super Bowl champions and currently are four-time defending NFC South champs. They’re tied for first place entering a game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night when they’ll be wearing their original creamsicle uniforms.
Long before Tom Brady turned the city into Tompa Bay and led the franchise to its second NFL title, the team traded Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young, let eventual Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams walk away and was spurned by Bo Jackson and Bill Parcells twice.
Those moments are among many of the franchise-altering decisions that are detailed in “Raise The Flags,” a new 10-part series that chronicles 50 years of Buccaneers football. The docuseries, which debuts on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday, gives viewers a thorough, behind-the-scenes look at the organization’s journey from expansion afterthought to championship contender.
It celebrates the good times and digs into some of the biggest lows, highlighting the triumphs and the missteps over five decades and two ownership groups.
“Raise The Flags” was commissioned and produced by Buccaneers co-owner Ed Glazer and directed by eight-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Trent Cooper, who is a lifelong Bucs fan.
“We tried to be as honest as we could,” Glazer told the AP. “A lot of people don’t always hear my family speak, so I think that’s going to be a first for a lot of people. But I think we try to take a real honest look at things that we’ve done well and mistakes that we’ve made as owners. You’re going to hear us talk about doing this for the first time ourselves going back 25 years ago. So we’re learning along the way, and there are mistakes that we made that things that we wouldn’t do again today, some bold moves we made that may not have worked out well that we may not make today.
“You get a little cautious as you get older. And there’s some bold moves we made that maybe we would regret making along the away also, right? I think one of them is letting some players go over the years that we would never let go today. Thinking that we could easily replace Hall of Fame players, and you can’t.”
The series features footage of Hugh Culverhouse, who paid $16 million for the expansion team. After his death, the family sold the team to Malcolm Glazer for a then-record $192 million in 1995.
One episode spotlights the first draft under the Glazers — before the sale of the team was even official — when general manager Rich McKay selected future Hall of Famers Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks in the first two rounds.
Another episode is devoted to the hiring of Tony Dungy, a pivotal moment in 1996 that reshaped the franchise’s culture and future, and eventually the difficult decision to fire him after the 2001 season.
“Tony was probably the most significant person ever in Buccaneer history,” Ed Glazer said. “When he came in ’95, obviously the first 20 years were not very successful. And Tony just brought stability to the team and it really almost carries to today. His leadership, his mentorship, the importance of the community, I mean all the things that he brought in that were so important to him still carry with us today. The players may be gone, but we’re still there and I think we learned a lot for Tony also of the importance of giving back and really mentoring young players. I think his legacy still carries on very strongly in Tampa.”
After Dungy’s dismissal, the Bucs pursued Parcells for a second time. A decade earlier, Culverhouse scheduled a press conference to announce Parcells was being hired only to say he changed his mind.
The Glazers had a contract with Parcells but he didn’t sign it. They considered Nick Saban but he wanted too much money. They had everyone thinking they were hiring Steve Mariucci while they worked out a megadeal to acquire Jon Gruden from the Raiders for two first-round picks, two second-rounders and $8 million.
Gruden led the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl title in his first season after replacing Dungy. They wouldn’t win another one until Brady arrived in 2020.
And, they’re still winning with Baker Mayfield, though they’re still seeking that third ring.
“This series is loaded with stories lifelong fans have never heard,” Cooper said. “The things Steve Young went through as our quarterback in the mid-80s made me laugh out loud. The Keyshawn (Johnson) vs. Gruden falling out made me a bit uncomfortable. Listening to both of them so unfiltered was fantastic. How the Bucs actually landed Tom Brady, just fascinating.”
Brady, Dungy, Gruden, Sapp, Brooks, McKay, Bruce Arians, Mike Alstott and Ronde Barber are among 100 current and former players, coaches, executives, staff, and media personalities interviewed for the docuseries.
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The 49ers host the Titans in search of their first 4-game winning streak since 2023 By The Associated Press The Associated Press
Tennessee (2-11) at San Francisco (9-4)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, Fox.
BetMGM NFL Odds: 49ers by 12 1/2.
Against the spread: Titans 6-7; 49ers 8-5.
Series record: 49ers lead 9-6.
Last meeting: Titans beat 49ers 20-17 Dec. 23, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Last week: Titans beat Browns 31-29; 49ers beat the Browns 26-8 before bye.
Titans offense: overall (32), rush (31), pass (31), scoring (31).
Titans defense: overall (26), rush (18), pass (23), scoring (29).
49ers offense: overall (12), rush (25), pass (6), scoring (16).
49ers defense: overall (20), rush (12), pass (25), scoring (8).
Turnover differential: Titans minus-5; 49ers minus-4.
Titans player to watch
RB Tony Pollard. The veteran is coming off the best game of his NFL career after rushing for 161 yards and also scoring two touchdowns. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry last week.
49ers player to watch
DL Clelin Ferrell. The Niners signed Ferrell off the street in October and he has provided a needed boost to the pass rush. He had two sacks in his last game and four in his last four games to tie Bryce Huff for the team lead in sacks. San Francisco is last in the league with 20 sacks, while the Titans have allowed the second most with 49.
Key matchup
Titans rookie QB Cam Ward against the 49ers' defense. He was sacked just once last week with the Titans finding ways to keep Myles Garrett out of his face. The No. 1 overall pick still isn't happy with how Tennessee played in a rare win, determined to keep improving.
Key injuries
Titans: C Lloyd Cushenberry (injured foot) and CB Jalyn Armour Davis (Achilles' tendon) both are practicing trying to return after missing two straight games. ... DT Shy Tuttle practiced fully Wednesday after missing the last two games in the concussion protocol.
49ers: LB Tatum Bethune and DE Sam Okuayinonu are expected to miss the game with ankle injuries. ... K Eddy Pineiro (hamstring) will return after missing two games. ... DE Yetur Gross-Matos could be back this week for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 5.
Series notes
The 49ers have split two games against the Titans under coach Kyle Shanahan, winning at home in 2017 and losing on the road in 2021. ... Tennessee's last road win in the series came in 2009. ... Titans interim coach Mike McCoy is 1-0 against San Francisco from his tenure coaching the Chargers.
Stats and stuff
Both of the Titans' wins have come on the road this season. Tennessee has not won consecutive games since Nov. 13 and 17, 2022. ... The Titans started five rookies for the third straight game last week and fourth overall this season. ... Ward leads all rookie quarterbacks with 2,468 yards passing and is second with nine TD passes. ... Rookie WR Chimere Dike had a TD catch last week and has a TD catch in two of his past three games. He also leads the NFL in all-purpose yards with 1,984. ... The Titans have 23 sacks since Week 7, fifth-most in the NFL in that span. ... DT Jeffery Simmons has a sack in three of his past four games and eight for the season. He needs one more sack for a career high. He had seven tackles, two for losses, 1 1/2 sacks and batted down a pass last week. ... LB Cedric Gray had a team-high 10 tackles last week and a fumble recovery. ... S Xavier Woods had an interception last week. ... Rookie CB Marcus Harris forced his first career fumble last week. ... San Francisco is seeking its first four-game winning streak since winning six straight in 2023. ... The 49ers are 5-3 after the bye under Shanahan with wins the last three seasons. ... San Francisco has won eight straight against rookie starting QBs since losing twice to Arizona's Josh Rosen in 2018. ... The 32.9 yard average starting field position for the 49ers is the best in the NFL. They have scored six of their 10 TDs the past three games on drives that started in opposing territory with four starting in the red zone. ... San Francisco has held back-to-back opponents to fewer than 10 points for the first time since doing it three straight games from Weeks 5 to 7 in 2019. ... Niners RB Christian McCaffrey has 838 yards rushing and 806 yards receiving. MarshallFaulk (1998) and Roger Craig (1985) are the only other players with at least 800 yards of each in a team’s first 13 games of a season. ... Pineiro is 22 for 22 on FGs this season and San Francisco has matched a franchise record with 12 straight games without a missed FG.
Fantasy tip
Niners WR Jauan Jennings has gotten healthy in recent weeks and has caught a TD pass in four of his last five games. He has at least four catches in seven straight games. He also grew up near Nashville.
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Falcons look to play spoiler against the reeling Buccaneers on Thursday night By The Associated Press The Associated Press
Atlanta (4-9) at Tampa Bay (7-6)
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EST, Prime Video.
BetMGM NFL odds: Buccaneers by 4 1/2.
Against the spread: Falcons 5-7-1, Buccaneers 5-8.
Series record: Saints lead 32-32.
Last meeting: Buccaneers beat the Falcons 23-20 on Sept. 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
Last week: Buccaneers lost to the Dolphins 37-9; Buccaneers lost to the Saints 24-20.
Falcons offense: overall (16), rush (12), pass (18), scoring (27).
Falcons defense: overall (14), rush (24), pass (9), scoring (20).
Buccaneers offense: overall (22), rush (20), pass (20), scoring (17).
Buccaneers defense: overall (21), rush (8), pass (27), scoring (23).
Turnover differential: Falcons plus-2; Buccaneers plus-9.
Falcons player to watch
Tight end Kyle Pitts. While leading receiver Drake London deals with a knee injury, Pitts has become the go-to target. He led the Falcons with six catches for a season-best 90 yards against the Seahawks last week. It was his second straight outing leading the team in receiving yards. In Atlanta’s first meeting this season against Tampa Bay, Pitts caught seven passes for 59 yards.
Buccaneers player to watch
WR Emeka Egbuka. The rookie receiver has slowed after a spectacular start. He dropped a touchdown pass last week that could’ve tied the game. Egbuka took accountability and is due for a breakout performance.
Key matchup
Robinson vs. Tampa Bay’s front seven. The Bucs are ninth against the run, but Jahmyr Gibbs and Treveyon Henderson ran all over them. Robinson is a threat as a receiver and a mismatch against Tampa’s linebackers coming out of the backfield.
Key injuries
Falcons: WR Drake London (knee) is out. ... LB Jalon Walker (quad), DL David Onyemata (foot) and TE Kyle Pitts (knee) and DL Brandon Dorlus (groin) are questionable.
Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans (collarbone) are WR Jalen McMillan (neck) are questionable. ... TE Cade Otton (knee) and S Tykee Smith (neck) are doubtful. ... LB SirVocea Dennis (hip) is out.
Series notes
The Falcons have won two of the past three meetings, including both of Kirk Cousins’ starts last year.
Stats and stuff
Cousins threw for 785 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception in two wins against the Bucs last season. ... RB Bijan Robinson ranks first with 1,683 scrimmage yards this season. He has 3,513 yards rushing, 1,520 yards receiving and 30 scrimmage TDs since 2023. ... Pitts aims for his third straight game with 80 yards receiving. ... RB Tyler Allgeier has scored a TD in two of his past three games on the road. ... Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has a sack in five straight games, the first rookie to do that since Micah Parsons. He leads all rookies with six sacks. ... The Buccaneers ran for 179 yards last week. ... QB Baker Mayfield has completed less than 60% of his passes in three of the last four games. ... RB Bucky Irving had a team-high 81 yards from scrimmage and a TD catch last week. ... Egbuka ranks first among rookies in TD catches (six) and second in yards receiving (806) this season. ... Fellow rookie WR Tez Johnson has five TDs. ... RB Sean Tucker has five rushing TDs. ... LB Chris Braswell got his first sack of season last week. ... 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 9 for 9 from beyond 50 yards on field goals.
Fantasy tip
Robinson could have a monster game as a receiver against a defense that struggles against the pass and gives up too many big plays.
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