Bowers, Crosby bring high energy and elite production to Raiders team desperately in need of both By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer The Associated Press HENDERSON, Nev.
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Tight end Brock Bowers didn't realize at the time he had made one of the best catches of the season Sunday when he reached down with his left hand to snag the ball before it hit the ground.
That touchdown catch was one of the Las Vegas Raiders' few highlights in their 31-14 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers , and social media blew up over the play.
As dismal a season as the Raiders are experiencing — they are 2-10 heading into Sunday's home game against Denver — they can count on Bowers and defensive end Maxx Crosby to bring their best. And their best is right up there with the elite in the NFL.
“The fact that our top players are playing great football is because they’re our top players, and they jump out and stand out on our team,” coach Pete Carroll said. "They stand out because they continue to play at a really high level. That’s what we’re trying to get more guys that can do that to play along with them.”
Bowers is a second-year pro who already has established himself as one of the NFL's best tight ends. His engine has run at a high level seemingly from the moment the Raiders drafted him 13th overall last year.
No one can accuse Crosby of taking days off, and he has set the tone in the locker room with his seemingly unlimited drive since overachieving as a fourth-round draft pick in 2019.
Because he has been with the organization since it was based in Oakland, Crosby's influence extends beyond the defense and is a great example for young players such as rookie running back Ashton Jeanty .
Having come from a perennial college winner at Boise State, Jeanty isn't used to losing so many games.
“It gives you all the motivation in the world to look at a guy like (Crosby) who’s continued to keep going, despite not having the best years with the team in a winning perspective,” Jeanty said. "But also just wanting to keep playing and fighting for guys like him, trying to get better so that we can get to some wins.”
Crosby is playing at a high level, even by his standards. He has 13 tackles for loss and four sacks over his past five games. That includes four tackles for loss and two sacks against the Chargers.
He also drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty for shoving quarterback Justin Herbert to the turf. While saying on his SiriusXM show “Let’s Go!," that Herbert flopped to draw the flag, Crosby acknowledged the line between playing with high emotions while also under control.
“Just being fully present and being in that moment and learning how to calm myself down, especially when the bullets are flying,” Crosby said on the show. "I already have all the energy in the world. I don’t need to burn it and waste it on a million things on the sideline and this and that. … But it’s not just telling yourself that. You have to actively work at it and practice it.”
When it comes to matching high energy with elite production, Crosby and Bowers stand apart. That burning desire to succeed was who they were long before they became pros.
“I've always wanted to compete with everything I do,” Bowers said. “It doesn't matter, I'm still going out there trying to win.”
His numbers are down compared to last season, mostly because of a knee injury that dogged Bowers early this season. The Raiders also don't have other playmakers to take pressure off him, especially with the trade of Jakobi Meyers to Jacksonville.
But Bowers can still produce, and though he was targeted just four times against the Chargers, he caught all four passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns.
That includes making one of the best catches of the season.
“You think about all the great catches that we’ve seen,” Carroll said. “So, so unique that he would catch it off the top of the turf. I thought it was one of the really excellent catches I’ve seen, and it’s because you never see anybody do it like that.”
Key players limited
Crosby (knee), quarterback Geno Smith (foot) and guard/center Jordan Meredith (ankle) were limited in practice Wednesday. This is not a new injury for Crosby, who has played through it this season. Smith is new to the injury report, but he met with reporters, an indication he will play. Meredith did not play at Los Angeles, and Carroll was noncommittal on whether he would be back this weekend. ... A handful of players didn't practice — tight end Michael Mayer (ankle), guard Dylan Parham (back), wide receiver Dont'e Thornton (concussion) and wide receiver Alex Bachman (thumb).
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Ravens reach a 3-year contract extension with TE Mark Andrews, the franchise leader in catches By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer The Associated Press OWINGS MILLS, Md.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens agreed to a three-year contract extension with Mark Andrews on Wednesday, days after the tight end became the franchise's career leader in receptions.
Baltimore was facing some significant decisions after this season, with the 30-year-old Andrews and fellow tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar on expiring deals. They've now reached an agreement for a reported $39.3 million with Andrews.
“We are excited and proud to announce a three-year contract extension with Mark Andrews,” general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “Mark is an all-time Raven — a top competitor and Pro Bowl tight end who is also a big part of our Baltimore community. Congratulations to Mark and his family!”
Andrews is the Ravens' leader with 473 catches after passing Derrick Mason in last week's loss to Cincinnati .
The Ravens drafted Andrews in 2018, a couple of rounds after Lamar Jackson. Andrews was an All-Pro in 2021 and has made three Pro Bowls.
Andrews endured a sour ending to the 2024 season when he dropped a 2-point conversion pass late in Baltimore's two-point playoff loss at Buffalo. But he's caught five touchdown passes this season and also ran for a key score in a win at Cleveland last month.
The Ravens (6-6) face Pittsburgh (6-6) on Sunday with the AFC North lead at stake.
NOTES: Jackson (ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday. The star quarterback was on the field during the portion open to reporters, but his post-practice media session was put off, with a Ravens spokesman saying Jackson was getting treatment.
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Ohio State's and Indiana's top defenses clash in Big Ten Championship By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer The Associated Press
The quarterback matchup between Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State's Julian Sayin is commanding most of the attention going into the Big Ten Championship Game.
However, Saturday night's matchup also features the nation's top two ranked scoring defenses.
The Buckeyes lead the Football Bowl Subdivision in giving up only 7.8 points per game. The Hoosiers are next at 10.9.
Ohio State also lead the nation in total defense (203 yards per game) and allowing only 121.3 passing yards per game as well as being fourth against the run (81.7 ypg). Indiana is second against the run (79.2 yards per game), fourth in total defense (253.5 ypg) and 14th against the pass (172.5 ypg).
Both schools have four players on the coaches all-conference first team, which was announced Wednesday.
The Buckeyes dominated the individual awards though with Caleb Downs named Defensive Player of the Year as well as Defensive Back of the Year. Arvell Reese got Linebacker of the Year and Kayden McDonald Defensive Lineman of the Year. Besides the aforementioned three, linebacker Sonny Styles also made the first team.
“They’re dominant really everywhere,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. “Multiple looks, a lot of really good players. They put them in position to make plays and, you know, the thing about Ohio State, is they play fast, they play physical, they play with an edge and they haven’t really been challenged this year.”
It is also safe to say though that no one during the preseason expected the Buckeyes to be one of the nation's best defenses. They had only three starters back and a new coordinator in Matt Patricia, who had not coached in college in 20 years.
The defense came up big in the opener against then top-ranked Texas and has continued that momentum throughout the season.
“Everybody doubted us at the beginning of the season. So we knew that we had to kind of prove ourselves, and I think we go into every game with the same type of intensity level," Downs said.
Texas was the only school to have over 300 yards of offense against the Buckeyes this season. They have also held all of their opponents to fewer than 17 points. Illinois and Penn State were the only schools to score two touchdowns on Ohio State while five teams didn't even reach the end zone.
The Buckeyes have also held 14 of its last 15 opponents under 100 rushing yards, the first time they have done that in school history.
Downs — who many see as one of the top players in April's draft — is a finalist for four major national awards and is the first Buckeyes player to earn defensive player of the year honors since Chase Young in 2019.
The junior is fourth with 52 tackles and third with 34 solo tackles. He has two interceptions and five tackles for loss.
“There’s so many great players on defense that do such a great job and they’re all tied into a scheme where they’re disguising pre-snap and reacting post-snap,” said Hoosiers quarterback Mendoza, who grew up a New England fan when Patricia was winning Super Bowls as the Patriots defensive coordinator. “They really are a great bunch of defensive players that have a fantastic scheme to complement their skill. It’s going to be a tough challenge.”
Ohio State coach Ryan Day noted Mendoza and Indiana's offense running a lot of run-pass options should be a good test for the defense.
“Obviously know we have to play with more patience with the RPOs, but we’re up for any challenge they have for us. RPOs, stretching the ball downfield, that’s what we’re working on every day," safety Jaylen McClain said.
Indiana’s four first-teamers are defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker, linebacker Aiden Fisher, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds and safety Louis Moore. It’s the first time in program history that four Hoosier defensive players were named to the first team.
“Every single Saturday, I want to go out there and prove I’m the best linebacker in the country and I think that’s the way this team thinks and operates,” Fisher said. “That’s everybody at every single position, if that’s our right guard, our free safety, we all want to prove we belong here, we’re the best at our position that we play on the best team, the best defense.”
The Hoosiers' strengths are getting to the quarterback and generating interceptions. They were second in the conference with 34 sacks and ninth in the nation with 16 picks.
Defensive lineman Stephen Daley led the Big Ten with 18 tackles for loss and Moore was tied for the conference lead with five interceptions.
“They’re fast. They’re quick. They use their hands really well. They’re opportunistic. They’re quick. They force a lot of turnovers. They’re as good as anybody in the country,” Day said. “Really impressed with how they play, how physical they are, so it’s a good challenge for our offense.”
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Freelance reporter Marcus Hartman in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this story.
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Rams QB Matthew Stafford has already moved past the 3-turnover game that slowed his standout season By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Matthew Stafford's 192 career interceptions are the most among active quarterbacks. He has also fumbled 91 times in his 17-year NFL career.
So his three crucial turnovers in the Los Angeles Rams' 31-28 loss at Carolina aren't going to send Stafford into a funk or a crisis of competence.
“I know that whether we win or we lose, I move on pretty darn quickly,” Stafford said Wednesday. “I just know that I have another challenge in front of me.”
The eighth-leading passer in NFL history has the experience and the maturity to know that a quarterback can't allow mistakes or bad luck to beat him twice — particularly not during a season in which he has played his way into strong contention for his first league MVP award .
“I’ve played in a lot of games now, so (moving on) just feels like it comes easy to me," Stafford said. "It doesn’t mean that I don’t care about each and every single one of them, and do everything I can to try and help us win each and every one of them. But I do know that unless it’s the last game of the year, there’s another one coming, and you better be ready for it.”
Stafford knows that his two interceptions — doubling his season total — and a late fumble were the biggest reasons why the Rams lost to the Panthers and fell out of the No. 1 spot in the NFC standings. There's still nothing he'll do much differently when he leads Los Angeles (9-3) to Arizona on Sunday.
“I’ve got a bunch of plays I’ve got to learn," he said. "I’ve got to make sure everybody’s in the right spots at the right places. I do move on pretty quick, so I feel good about that, and I think the guys in our locker room do as well.”
Stafford has had a reputation as an aggressive gunslinger for most of his career. He threw at least 10 interceptions in each of his first nine full seasons with Detroit, and he even led the NFL with 17 interceptions during his first season with the Rams.
That season that ended with a Super Bowl victory — albeit one in which he also threw two interceptions to the Bengals before hitting Cooper Kupp for the winning touchdown on a masterful late drive.
Stafford is still taking risks at 37 years old. He throws into tight windows with more frequency than most quarterbacks, usually trusting Davante Adams or Puka Nacua to come up with the ball in difficult spots. With increasing frequency, he's also throwing the no-look passes for which he has become famous ever since he did it on the winning drive in the Super Bowl.
Before the trip to rain-soaked Charlotte, Stafford had done an exceptional job of taking care of the ball this season, particularly during the Rams' six-game winning streak to the top of the conference.
He set an NFL record by throwing 28 straight touchdown passes without an interception while playing eight straight pick-free games, and he had lost only two fumbles in the Rams' first 11 games.
Coach Sean McVay isn’t discounting his star quarterback’s mistakes at Carolina, but he also doesn’t think Stafford needs much advice on how to play quarterback.
“The first one, sometimes those are unfortunate occupational hazards of a tipped ball right there and there’s not a lot that you can do,” McVay said. “But then the next two, absolutely you talk about, ‘What are the things that we could do to prevent turning the football over, whether it’s the interception or the fumble?’”
Stafford's first interception since Week 3 was painful, because it came on a tipped pass by Carolina's Derrick Brown into the arms of former Rams safety Nick Scott in the end zone.
That turnover cost the Rams at least three points — and on their next drive, Mike Jackson jumped a route and returned Stafford's second interception for a 48-yard touchdown.
Stafford's fumble came on the Rams' last offensive snap, forced by Brown while Stafford tried to escape a collapsing pocket. Again, the Rams lost at least three points in what turned out to be a three-point loss.
“I still thought we gave ourselves a chance at the end of the game to win it,” Stafford said. “It was a mistake by myself to let that ball come out of my hands and not give us a chance to at least extend the game or going into overtime.”
NOTES: Adams (hamstring), DT Poona Ford (calf) and CB Darious Williams (tibia) all missed practice Wednesday. McVay is currently confident all three will play Sunday. ... RB Kyren Williams (ankle), S Kam Kinchens (shoulder) and LB Byron Young (knee) were all limited. ... Tutu Atwell was a full practice participant, yet McVay didn't commit to activating his speedy $10 million receiver. Atwell was healthy last week, but didn't get in uniform. “It’s been a unique set of circumstances relative to the timing and figuring out how you get 48 guys up,” McVay said.
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Broncos' new addition: What Elijah Moore brings to the team By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press ENGLEWOOD, Colo.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have added Elijah Moore to their practice squad following the veteran wide receiver's release from the Buffalo Bills.
“Obviously, he’s been a really good player at places that he’s been, so it adds some depth for this run we’re about to go on,” quarterback Bo Nix said Wednesday.
The Bills released Moore last week after signing 12th-year receiver Brandin Cooks . Moore had nine catches for 112 yards in nine games for the Bills after signing a one-year, $5 million free agent deal.
“We had some exposure to him, some experience with some guys on our staff," Broncos coach Sean Payton said. "You’re always paying attention to that wire and if someone comes across it that you feel like either can help now or maybe in the future. I think it was more of us looking at a talented player.”
Payton has steadfastly insisted he likes his group of wideouts and Denver made no move at the trade deadline to augment their receiving corps. What the Broncos (10-2) have been willing to do, however, is sign veterans to their practice squad such as tight end Marcedes Lewis and wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey last month.
Moore could be elevated on game days over the final five weeks of the season. The Broncos, who visit the Las Vegas Raiders this weekend, are vying to end Kansas City's nine-year reign atop the AFC West and are chasing the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff field. They're a-half game behind New England (11-2).
Moore also has played for the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, who drafted him in the second round in 2021 out of Ole Miss. He had a 61-catch season last year in Cleveland and has nine career touchdowns.
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Deshaun Watson will practice with the Browns for first time in more than a year The Associated Press BEREA, Ohio
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson will practice for the first time this year with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, opening the 21-day window for the quarterback to return to the lineup.
His practice time will not count against the 53-player active roster. Watson is eligible to be activated during the three-week window.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson would be doing individual drills at first before possibly ramping up to working with the scout team.
“He’s been working so hard, rehabbing. So finally to get out there on the practice field with his teammates, go through individual, I think is really great for him," Stefanski said. “Our focus is activating this practice window, seeing him on the practice field, getting him into individual, those type of things. He’s done everything that’s asked of him. He’s been so supportive in the meeting room on the game field with the players. Now he gets to go do that on the practice field."
The nine-year veteran has been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of the season. He ruptured his right Achilles tendon twice in a three-month period — first during the first half of a Oct. 20, 2024, loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and then in January.
Watson has been rehabbing at the Browns’ facility and has been involved in meetings in the quarterbacks room. He has also posted videos on social media of working out on the indoor field at the Browns’ facility.
He has been on the Browns sideline during home games and made the trip with the team to Las Vegas two weeks ago to help mentor rookie Shedeur Sanders during his first NFL start.
Sanders will make his third start on Sunday when the Browns (3-9) host Tennessee (1-11). Joe Flacco started Cleveland's first four games before being traded to Cincinnati on Oct. 7 and rookie Dillon Gabriel has started six.
The Browns also have four-year veteran Bailey Zappe on the practice squad.
“Shedeur’s been outstanding in the meeting room with Deshaun. Deshaun’s been outstanding with all those guys, so it’s really an impressive group that helps each other. So I think having Deshaun out there will be great for Shedeur,” Stefanski said. “I think it’s great for Dillon, Bailey obviously is a guy that provides great value to us. So just having all those guys on the field I think is beneficial.”
Watson is 9-10 as Cleveland’s starter with 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 80.7 passer rating. He is also unpopular among fans after the Browns sent five draft picks to the Texans, including three first-round selections, and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract widely regarded as one of the worst in NFL history.
Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam admitted that the franchise “took a big swing and miss” with the trade during the league meetings in March and that "we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.”
The Browns have reworked his contract twice in three months during the offseason to gain some financial flexibility.
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Fantasy plays: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 14 By DORIAN COLBERT of RosterWatch The Associated Press
By Week 14, 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: Jared Goff, Lions vs Cowboys
Goff draws the single best quarterback matchup of Week 14. Dallas has struggled all season to contain rhythm passers who work the intermediate areas of the field, and Detroit’s offense thrives there. Even if Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) can’t suit up, Goff should have clean throwing windows to Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs and rookie Isaac Teslaa, throughout the game. Add in red zone stability and Detroit’s willingness to lean on Goff in high-tempo scripts, and he carries legitimate QB1 upside in Week 14.
Other locks:
— Caleb Williams vs Packers
— C.J. Stroud vs Chiefs
— Lamar Jackson vs Steelers
Avoid: Kirk Cousins, Falcons vs Seahawks
Cousins has the playmakers to deliver in the right spot, but this matchup isn’t one of them. Seattle’s defense has tightened considerably against traditional pocket passers, squeezing the intermediate windows Cousins depends on to stay in rhythm. Their revamped secondary forces quarterbacks to hold the ball longer than they want, and that’s when Cousins’ efficiency drops off sharply. With Seattle capable of generating pressure without blitzing, Atlanta may struggle to keep Cousins clean long enough for deeper routes to develop. In a matchup that compresses his strengths and amplifies his weaknesses, Cousins is a shaky Week 14 play and best avoided if you have alternatives.
Running backs
Start: Kyle Monangai, Bears vs Packers
Monangai has taken over as Chicago’s most reliable early down option, and Week 14 gives him one of the cleanest matchups on the schedule. Green Bay has struggled all season with physical, downhill runners who create yards after contact and Monangai thrives exactly in that role. With the Bears leaning run-heavy to support Caleb Williams and maintain offensive rhythm, Monangai projects for both stable volume and premium goal-line equity, even with D’Andre Swift working in. He enters Week 14 as a strong RB2 with real touchdown upside.
Other locks:
— Bijan Robinson vs Seahawks
— Kyren Williams vs Cardinals
— Woody Marks at Chiefs
Avoid: Bam Knight, Cardinals vs Rams
Knight has held onto the starting job in Arizona, but this is one of the harshest matchups he’ll face all season. The Rams’ front has been excellent at shutting down early down runners, consistently winning at the point of attack and allowing almost nothing after contact. Knight’s fantasy value relies heavily on volume and short-area efficiency, neither of which project well in a game where Arizona may struggle to sustain drives.
Without meaningful passing-game usage to buoy his floor, Knight becomes a touchdown-dependent dart throw. There’s also the very real possibility that fellow RB Trey Benson gets activated ahead of the Week 14 matchup. Knight is an avoid in Week 14.
Wide receivers
Start: Nico Collins, Texans vs Chiefs
Collins remains Houston’s most reliable perimeter option, and the Chiefs have had issues containing physical receivers who can win through contact. With C.J. Stroud pushing the ball into intermediate windows and Houston likely needing to match Kansas City drive-for-drive, Collins’ combination of volume and matchup gives him WR2 with WR1 upside this week, even in a tough matchup.
Other locks:
— Jameson Williams vs Cowboys
— Christian Watson vs Bears
— Puka Nacua vs Cardinals
Avoid: Josh Downs, Colts vs Jaguars
Downs remains a tempting PPR option, thanks to his ample target share, but this matchup caps his value sharply. Jacksonville has defended the slot well all season, squeezing throwing windows in the short middle and forcing targets outside. With Indianapolis spreading the ball unpredictably and Downs rarely used in scoring situations, his floor becomes extremely fragile. Bench him in Week 14.
Tight ends
Start: Darren Waller, Dolphins vs Jets
Waller has stepped into a featured receiving role in Miami’s offense since returning from a five-week absence, and Week 14 sets up perfectly for him. The Jets have been stout on the perimeter but softer against athletic tight ends who can attack the seams and stress linebackers in space. That’s where Waller does his best work. With defenses selling out to contain Miami’s speed on the outside, Waller consistently finds single coverage and high-efficiency targets underneath and up the hash marks. In a matchup that funnels volume directly toward his skill set, he carries strong TE1 upside in Week 14.
Other locks:
— Jake Ferguson vs Lions
— Dalton Schultz vs Chiefs
— Zach Ertz vs Vikings
Avoid: Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs Chargers
Goedert’s talent is unquestioned, but Philadelphia’s passing attack has become increasingly perimeter-focused. The Chargers frequently erase tight end production by crowding the intermediate windows, and with Goedert’s weekly usage already inconsistent, this matchup amplifies the volatility. If you have another option, you should use it.
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This column was provided to The Associated Press by RosterWatch, www.rosterwatch.com
Buffalo Bills DE Bosa listed week to week with hamstring injury, further depleting banged-up defense By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer The Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills coach Sean McDermott on Wednesday listed edge rusher Joey Bosa as being week to week because of a hamstring issue that will further impact Buffalo’s already injury-depleted defense.
McDermott did not provide a definitive timeline of how many weeks Bosa will miss except to say “we’re hoping it’s on the shorter end of it.”
The 10th-year player was hurt in the second half of Buffalo’s 26-7 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday . It was a game in which Bosa helped turned the tide with a strip-sack of Aaron Rodgers, with Christian Benford returning the fumble 17 yards for a touchdown on the opening snap of the third quarter.
The forced fumble was Bosa’s fifth, tying the team’s single-season record held by three others, including Hall of Famer Bruce Smith in 1990. The 30-year-old also has a team-leading five sacks — one more than Bosa combined for over his injury-limited final three seasons with the Chargers.
Bosa’s injury leaves Buffalo (8-4) further short-handed in preparing to host the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) on Sunday.
The Bills’ defensive front is already missing starting tackle Ed Oliver (bicep) and edge rushers Michael Hoecht (Achilles tendon) and Landon Jackson (knee). Oliver is the only one expected to return, though he's still a few weeks away from being cleared for practice.
Meantime, starting linebacker Terrel Bernard’s status remains uncertain because of an elbow injury, while safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin are on IR.
“You can never replace a player like Joey, but it’s someone’s job to step up,” McDermott said. “And that’s what we’ve been doing and counting on all year pretty much. So the same is expected this week.”
The options to replace Bosa are few, with Buffalo currently carrying three defensive ends, plus rookie T.J. Sanders who has split time at tackle and end.
Morgan Fox has a chance to make his Bills debut after being signed to the practice squad three weeks ago. The eighth-year player spent the previous three seasons with the Chargers in which he combined for 19 starts in 51 games.
“I’m confident in all the guys we have,” veteran defensive tackle DaQuan Jones said. ’They’re all here for a reason and everybody’s just got to hold the fort until (Bosa) gets back.”
In other injury updates, McDermott said left tackle Dion Dawkins (concussion) and right tackle Spencer Brown (shoulder) were expected to practice on a limited basis. Despite missing both starters, the Bills didn’t allow a sack against the Steelers and Buffalo’s 249 yards rushing were the most by any opponent at Pittsburgh in 50 years.
Buffalo made an addition on Wednesday by claiming cornerback Darius Slay off waivers, a day after the 13th-year player was cut by the Steelers. In his first season in Pittsburgh, Slay was inactive in two of the Steelers past three outings after losing his starting job.
The 34-year-old was an All-Pro in 2017, while playing his first seven seasons in Detroit, and spent another five years in Philadelphia. He provides experienced depth to a position where veteran Tre’Davious White and rookie Maxwell Hairston have split time opposite starter Christian Benford.
Buffalo freed up a roster spot for Slay by releasing fourth-year cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram, who has been a healthy scratch the past three weeks.
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Cowboys-Chiefs Thanksgiving matchup on CBS is the most-watched regular-season NFL game ever By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer The Associated Press
The Dallas Cowboys' 31-28 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day averaged 57.23 million viewers on CBS, making it the most-watched regular-season game in NFL history.
The early game between Green Bay and Detroit — won by the Packers 31-24 — averaged 47.7 million, making it the second most-watched in league history and the most-watched regular-season game since Fox began carrying the NFL in 1994.
The three games, including the Thanksgiving night matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, averaged 44.7 million. That surpasses the previous high of 34.5 million set last season and is the fourth consecutive year the league has set a viewership record on the holiday.
“It’s probably a bigger number than we projected, but again, I think we’re now measuring an audience that wasn’t measured before, which is obviously helpful,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in an interview with The Associated Press. “We also had great matchups and great games all the way through the weekend. We’re going to have a weekend that will be the most-viewed weekend in the history of the NFL. So we’re thrilled by that.”
Some of the increase can be attributed to a change in the way viewers are counted. Nielsen began using its Big Data + Panel methodology for all events on Sept. 1.
Earlier this year, Nielsen began measuring out-of-home viewers for all states but Hawaii and Alaska, along with including data from smart TVs along with cable and satellite set-top boxes.
Nielsen previously measured just the top 44 media markets, which covered 65% of the country.
“I think some of the work that Nielsen’s did with their initial out-of-home rollout, we saw a big step forward and this next step of capturing the entire country was the next step in that evolution that we think gets to the most accurate view of what our audiences are,” said Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution. “We still think there’s more opportunity once the big data element gets captured by Nielsen appropriately and captured in a way to reflect our audiences.”
Schroeder also said on a conference call Wednesday that overall ratings are up 6% through the first 12 weeks of the season.
The Cowboys-Chiefs game shattered by 36% the previous league record, which was 42.06 million for the New York Giants-Cowboys game on Fox in 2022. It was also a 47% increase over last year's late afternoon Thanksgiving game between the Giants and Cowboys (38.84 million).
The audience peaked at 61.36 million for the game's conclusion.
The previous regular-season mark on CBS was 41.76 million for the 2023 Thanksgiving game between the Washington Commanders and the Cowboys.
“It’s typically the most-viewed time slot every year and we decided to go big. Credit to Hans here for pushing,” CBS Sports President and CEO David Berson said. “It's the biggest brands the game has now with the Chiefs and the Cowboys. It so happens they were both coming off last-second, come-from-behind victories and they’re fighting for their playoff lives. It was a close game down to the wire. It was a perfect recipe for record-breaking viewership.”
The audience for the Green Bay-Detroit game peaked at 57.96 million. Fox will have next year's Dallas game, which could set up an interesting decision on which opponent the league and network both choose. The handicapping on that will begin when the teams know their home and away opponents at the conclusion of the regular season.
“I think it was entirely strategically correct to really go for it this year and try to get the biggest number. I think next year we’re going to have to think about how aggressive we want to be, because at some level it is a little bit zero sum,” said Mike Mulvihill, Fox Sports president, insight and analytics. “There will have to be some thought given to not necessarily going with the biggest game available, but going with something that’s going to drive a lot of viewership and drive revenue."
The Bengals' 32-14 win over the Ravens also set a mark for the most-watched Thanksgiving night game. Joe Burrow's return to the Bengals lineup averaged 28.4 million on NBC. The previous record was 27.8 million when Chicago faced Green Bay in 2015 when Brett Favre's jersey was retired at halftime.
“Football’s had a phenomenal season, so it’s not just a one-day exercise where we see these record ratings. We are in our 20th season of ‘Sunday Night Football’ and this is the highest season we’ve ever had. We’re up 10% on last year, and so the NFL has never been stronger,” NBC Sports President Rick Cornella said.
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Colts sign former Saints kicker Blake Grupe to practice squad By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kicker Blake Grupe is getting a fresh start two weeks after losing his job in New Orleans.
Indianapolis signed Grupe to its practice squad Wednesday, one day after waiving Michael Badgley, and he's expected to make his Colts debut in Sunday's key AFC South game at Jacksonville (8-4).
Grupe was part of a three-player tryout Tuesday that also featured former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker.
“I have nothing but good things to say about New Orleans, especially the city,” Grupe said. “Unfortunately, I feel like this year kind of snowballed on me a little bit, and that's the nature of this business, that's the nature of being a kicker. I know how to be better.”
The move also could benefit Grupe in another way, leaving a 2-10 Saints squad while joining the 8-4 Colts, who are tied with the Jaguars for the division lead and hold the AFC's No. 6 seed entering Week 14.
Grupe lost his job in New Orleans after making just 18 of 26 field goals this season though he did convert all 15 of his extra-point attempts, which was a key factor in Indy's decision to go with its third kicker this season.
He made 75 of 94 field goals and 86 of 88 extra points in 45 games with the Saints between 2023 and 2025 and also worked with Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason when the two were at Notre Dame in 2022.
Badgley was released after missing his third extra point attempt in seven games. His most recent miss proved costly because Indy (8-4) drove to the Houston 31-yard line with about two minutes to play Sunday. The Colts were forced to try to score a go-ahead touchdown instead of kicking a field goal that would have tied the score and potentially forced overtime.
“It's always tough when you make those decisions,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “Like I said before, I love Badge as a person and sometimes you've got to make tough decisions like that and we're excited for Blake and his opportunity.”
Instead, the Colts wound up losing 20-16, marking the first time this season they've lost two in a row. The loss allowed Jacksonville to grab a share of the division lead and let two-time defending division champ Houston move within one game of the leaders.
Spencer Shrader suffered a season-ending right knee injury, tearing multiple ligaments, in a collision during a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in early October.
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