Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7): The Bengals ruled out star WR Ja’Marr Chase for at least this week’s divisional tilt after having an MRI on his separated shoulder. It’s certainly a blow to Cincinnati’s pass attack but it still shouldn’t matter against the Steelers, who have allowed 25 points per game on their three-game losing streak.
QB Jake Browning has also been playing lights out, becoming the first quarterback since the NFL began tracking quarterback starts in 1950 to have 1,000+ passing yards and complete over 75 percent of his passes in his first four starts.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s problems seem to only be getting worse. QB Mason Rudolph was named the starter after Mitchell Trubisky was benched in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss. Head coach Mike Tomlin said he would “leave the door ajar” for QB Kenny Pickett, who is recovering from ankle surgery. But Pickett can’t solve all the offensive woes anyway.
Safety Damontae Kazee was also suspended for the rest of the season, leaving the team without its top three safeties as Minkah Fitzpatrick and Keanu Neal are still dealing with injuries of their own.
Cleveland Browns (9-5) at Houston Texans (8-6): The Browns are currently the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture, but they have a real shot to take the division by season’s end as they are just two games behind the Ravens.
Their comeback continues this week when play the Texans, who will likely be without rookie QB C.J. Stroud. If that is the case, Cleveland’s defense, which is allowing the least total yards per game (261.1), should feast on QB Case Keenum and company.
QB Joe Flacco also has the offense humming, completing 77-of-133 for 939 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions over the past three weeks. He has proven to give the Browns the best chance to win with their loaded roster and that will remain true this week.
Baltimore Ravens (11-3) at San Francisco 49ers (11-3): Finally, the matchup everyone’s been waiting for. This could certainly be a preview of Super Bowl LVIII as both teams sit atop their respective conferences and it should live up to all the hype.
The Ravens boast the league’s best rushing attack (163.8 yards per game) and are allowing the least points per game (16.1). The 49ers have the second-best offense in the NFL in terms of total yards per game (402.6) and are allowing the second least points per game (16.7).
This one could end up being a shootout or a defensive battle. Either way, get your popcorn ready as quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Brock Purdy look to cement their cases for MVP. The edge goes to the home team in this one, however.
PREDICTION: 49ers, 23-20
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What the latest Aaron Rodgers news means for the Packers
Despite making a heroic attempt at a speedy recovery from a torn ACL he suffered in the first game of the season, Aaron Rodgers won’t be returning to play for the New York Jets in 2023.
It sounds like Rodgers could do it if the Jets were in playoff contention, but New York losing six out of its past seven games — including this past weekend’s 30-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins — has guaranteed that won’t happen.
The Jets have been eliminated from the playoffs, which means a risky (albeit historic) comeback won’t be in the cards for Rodgers. “I think the whole time it’s been hoping that we’re still in it because it was unrealistic to think that I would be 100 percent to be medically cleared at any point during the regular season,” Rodgers explained to Pat McAfee (h/t NFL.com). “I do feel like in the next three to four weeks, it would have been very possible to get to 100 percent, but obviously not there. So the conversation was a way from 100 percent medical clearance to willingness to play, and that’s never been a problem for me.”
The good news for the Jets is that Rodgers was clear that he’ll be back and healthy for the 2024 season and is not anticipating it will be his last year.
However, what does this recent news mean for the Green Bay Packers? After all, there were certain stipulations involved in the trade that made the Packers legendary quarterback a Jet.
As part of the trade package, New York had sent a conditional 2024 second-round pick that would have become a first-round pick had Rodgers played in 65% of New York’s snaps this season.
The ACL tear immediately made that pick staying a second-rounder the most likely option, though there may have been some speculation throughout the season as Rodgers left the door open for an improbable return.
Even with a comeback late in the season, though, that 65% mark would have been nearly impossible, and this recent admission from Rodgers officially shuts the door.
So what are the final results of the trade? The Packers traded away Rodgers and the 15th and 170th picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Those picks became defensive end Will McDonald IV at No. 15 and thanks to a trade, LSU safety Jarrick Bernard-Converse at No. 204 and Old Dominion tight end Zack Kuntz at No. 220 for the Jets.
The Packers received pick No. 13 in 2023 which turned into Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness; the 42nd pick became Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave; and Auburn kicker Anders Carlson in the sixth round. And we can now officially say that the 2024 second-round pick will stay a second-rounder. The only thing that remains to be seen is where in the round it will be — though we do know it will be near the beginning.
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Mike Norvell reveals hard truth about Florida State’s College Football Playoff snub
You don’t have to imagine what it would be like to be a member of Florida State’s football program right now.
Head coach Mike Norvell came right out and said it in a recent news conference. “[It’s been] the most challenging couple weeks of coaching I’ve ever had,” Norvell explained, per ESPN. You expect to hear of challenges in the middle of a tough season, but FSU is coming off a perfect 13-0 season in which the program beat No. 5 LSU and No. 16 Duke before beating No. 14 Louisville for the ACC Championship.
That would otherwise be a perfect season, but No. 5 Florida State found itself on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff thanks to the CFP committee’s decision to punish the Seminoles for the fact that Heisman-contending quarterback Jordan Travis went down with a season-ending leg injury in Week 13. “As you look at who they are as a team, right now, without Jordan Travis, without the offensive dynamic that he brings to it, they are a different team,” committee chair Boo Corrigan had said.
And for Norvell and his team…that’s a hard reality to sit with. “You had to learn how to work through disappointment, hurt, frustration and anger — every bit of it — for 18-to-22-year-old kids and a 42-year-old coach,” Norvell explained. “It’s hard.
But at the end of the day, you control things you can control. We did everything we needed to to win 13 games this season.” FSU does have the opportunity to make a statement with a win against No. 6 Georgia in the Orange Bowl. The Bulldogs have won the past two national championships, after all, so a win over UGA would certainly go down as a huge win for the Seminoles.
It won’t be the CFP or the opportunity to win a championship, but for Norvell, it’s still a big moment for his team. “We get an opportunity to go get better,” Norvell said. “You can’t just be good when it sounds good. … This is our reality, so you push through it and go get better.”
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Three of the most dangerous teams in NFL playoff hunt
With the NFL postseason fast approaching, several teams in the playoff hunt are getting hot at the right time. If they sneak in as a bottom seed, these teams are great candidates to pull off a first-round upset. Here’s a look at three of the most dangerous teams in the postseason hunt.
Buffalo Bills (8-6) | Remaining schedule: at Chargers, vs. Patriots, at Dolphins The Bills hit rock-bottom in Week 10, falling to the Denver Broncos, 24-22, and subsequently firing offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. Buffalo, however, didn’t stay down for long, winning three of its next four games and firmly positioning itself in the playoff race.
Against the Cowboys in Week 15, the Bills fearsome offense looked a whole lot scarier thanks to a career day from running back James Cook.
The 24-year-old rushed 25 times for 179 yards and a touchdown and reeled in two catches for 42 yards and a score in Buffalo’s 31-10 win. Josh Allen has often been asked to carry his team, but on Sunday, his help was hardly needed.
The star quarterback completed 7-of-15 passes for 94 yards, marking only the fifth game of his career with fewer than 100 passing yards. If the Bills can sustain a solid rushing attack and ease the pressure on Allen’s shoulders, Buffalo’s offense could be unstoppable come playoffs.
The Bills, however, don’t have their sights set on just sneaking into the postseason. The AFC East title is well within reach with first-place Miami (10-4) facing a tough schedule ahead (vs. Cowboys, at Ravens, vs. Bills).
Los Angeles Rams | (7-7) | Remaining schedule: vs. Saints, at Giants, at 49ers Several injuries to star players prevented Los Angeles’ offense from reaching its full potential earlier in the season. Now that everyone is healthy, however, the unit is one of the best in the NFL. The Rams have won four of their last five games, scoring 149 points — the fourth most in the NFL over that span.
Matthew Stafford is once again playing like a top-10 quarterback, ranking seventh in QBR (62.8), eighth in passing yards per game (255.4) and 10th in passing touchdowns (21). Meanwhile, top target Cooper Kupp has shown signs of regaining his elite form, coming off back-to-back games of eight receptions and over 100 receiving yards.
With breakout running back Kyren Williams and wide receiver Puka Nacua additionally in the mix, the offense can likely keep up with any higher-seeded team in a shootout. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | (7-7) | Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, vs. Saints, at Panthers This season has been a roller coaster, with Tampa Bay starting 3-1 before struggling mightily through a 1-6 stretch.
The Buccaneers are back in the win column lately, winning their past three games and jumping into first of the mediocre NFC South. Tampa Bay proved what it’s capable of in a 34-20 masterclass win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 15.
Baker Mayfield completed 22-of-28 passes for 381 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, becoming the first opposing quarterback to post a perfect passer rating (158.3) at Lambeau Field. Running back Rachaad White continued to build on his strong season, accounting for 139 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
So long as Mayfield continues to play at a high level — he has 24 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions this season — the Buccaneers have the weapons (think Mike Evans, Chris Godwin) to make a playoff run.
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Jets’ Aaron Rodgers reveals comeback plans for 2023 and beyond
As shared by ESPN’s Rich Cimini, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers hinted during his Tuesday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he won’t push to return this season from the torn Achilles he suffered on Sept. 11 now that the 5-9 club is eliminated from postseason contention.
It was thought that Rodgers, who turned 40 years old on Dec. 2, could start this coming Sunday’s home game against the 4-10 Washington Commanders if the Jets weren’t mathematically eliminated.
That was before New York suffered a humiliating 30-0 loss at the division-rival Miami Dolphins this past Sunday. “I think the whole time, it’s been hoping that we’re still in it,” Rodgers explained, per Ryan Chichester of Audacy. “…I do feel like in the next three to four weeks it would be very possible to get to 100 percent, but obviously not there.” The Jets still have until Wednesday to activate Rodgers or keep him on injured reserve through Week 18. Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from Tuesday’s segment is that Rodgers indicated he’s committed to playing for the Jets beyond the 2024 season.
The future Hall of Famer accepted a pay cut this past summer to help the organization build around him through at least the upcoming offseason. “I felt like when I came here that I got a renewed passion and love for the game,” Rodgers said about joining the Jets from the Green Bay Packers this past spring, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. “Everything has been amazing here. …I wanted at least two years. I feel like this year is kind of a lost year now that I only played a couple of snaps. Wasn’t able to go out there and prove what I’m capable of, what we’re capable of as a team.
I don’t think next year will be my last year.” Following the Jets’ blowout loss at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, multiple insiders suggested that team owner Woody Johnson could part ways with head coach Robert Saleh, general manager Joe Douglas and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett next month.
Rodgers backed those three individuals on Tuesday afternoon: ESPN stats show that the Rodgers-less Jets ended Week 15 ranked last in the NFL with an average of 255.1 offensive yards per game for the campaign.
Gang Green is 30th with an average of 14.4 points scored per contest. “It’s not a situation where we need to rebuild,” Rodgers added about the current state of the Jets. “We need to reload a little bit…We have a lot of great young players.” Many in the NFL community assume Rodgers will have some say in what Johnson decides regarding the futures of Saleh, Douglas and Hackett.
If Tuesday offered any kind of preview of what’s to come, it sounds like the Jets will run it back next year with the key figures from 2023 still associated with the franchise even though Saleh has accumulated a woeful 16-32 record since 2021.
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Supermodel loses MSG tickets after ditching Knicks before comeback
A famous supermodel appears to have lost some of her VIP privileges at Madison Square Garden. According to a report from Ian Mohr of Page Six, Emily Ratajkowski was recently denied free tickets to a New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden.
The supposed reason for that is that Ratajkowski and fellow model Irina Shayk were comped courtside tickets to a Knicks game at MSG last month and left before the team pulled off a comeback win.
Rataj kowski and Shayk were seated courtside in what is known as MSG’s “Celebrity Row” during the Knicks’ in-season tournament game against the Miami Heat on Nov. 24. The Knicks erased a 21-point deficit to beat Miami 100-98. Ratajkowski and Shayk missed the thrilling comeback because they left early.
A spokesperson for Madison Square Garden confirmed to Page Six that Ratajkowski “was not offered comped tickets” to a recent Rangers game that Page Six says she wanted to attend.
The spokesperson added that Ratajkowski “was offered, and is welcome, to buy great seats any time.” While Ratajkowski’s rep did not comment on the situation, Mohr reports that the model left the Nov. 24 game “due to a childcare issue at home.” Floor seats to Knicks games are extremely costly and difficult to come by.
We would not be surprised to see Ratajkowski sitting in one in the near future, but she may have to pay.
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Former Patriots QB shares Bill Belichick, Cowboys theory
Former New England Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak has reasons to believe that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick could make an offseason move to the Dallas Cowboys. “I’m just saying, well, if everybody assumes it,” Zolak said during Tuesday’s edition of the 98.5 The Sports Hub “Zolak Bertrand” program about Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones replacing Mike McCarthy with Belichick, as shared by Sean T. McGuire of NESN. “Everybody I talk to assumes it.” McCarthy guided the Cowboys to 12-5 regular-season records over the previous two campaigns and currently has 10-4 Dallas atop the NFC East standings due to a tiebreaker advantage over the 10-4 Philadelphia Eagles. However, McCarthy’s Dallas teams thus far have gone 1-2 across three playoff games.
Per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, Jones offered high praise for McCarthy during a Tuesday interview on Dallas sports radio station 105.3 The Fan that followed the Cowboys’ 31-10 loss at the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday.
Zolak, who has a history of revealing news, clearly isn’t buying whatever Jones tried to sell. “You see the Dallas swoon starting to begin,” Zolak added. “They got their (expletive) kicked by Buffalo two days ago. Buffalo did what they wanted with them. You line it up and you look at (the Cowboys), they got a big offensive line, good running back, marquee quarterback. You got good receivers. You got good cover guys.
You got Lawrence Taylor Jr. in No. 11 (Cowboys All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons). You got a big defensive line and good safeties. It’s turnkey for Bill.” Conflicting reports recently emerged regarding whether Patriots owner Robert Kraft has already decided to part ways with Belichick after Week 18.
While the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach who reportedly is under contract through the 2024 season has been linked in rumors with the Los Angeles Chargers, it seems some in the NFL community think Jones could pursue Belichick if McCarthy again fails to lead the Cowboys to at least a conference championship appearance.
