NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Going to be fun to see Bakes on this drive coming up. It must be mistake free.

 

Browns need to run run run to keep it put of bakers hands

 

Biggest interception may turn out to be the one the packers dropped

 

Every butt in that stadium is clenched now

 

Choker mayfield strikes again

 

Wow... thats unbelievable!

 

Could have called PI perhaps.

 

Ive seen worse non calls

 

Browns fans will cry about the non call but they should be griping more about the playcalling. Packers couldnt stop the run you have all your timeouts ram it down their throat and force them to make you pass.

 

Horrible playcalling and honestly not good enough by Baker regardless of that missed hold/PI at the end. 3 HORRIBLE Ints before that that led to 3 TDs and all I see is Baker being a little bitch trying to explain it away on the sideline. And when he's not making bad excuses it's Troy Aikman making it for him.

 

James Conner, Rondale Moore inactive for Cardinals



If the Cardinals are going to get a Christmas victory over the Colts, they’ll have to do it without their lead back.

James Conner is inactive after missing all three days of practice with a heel injury. Conner has 1,034 yards from scrimmage and 16 total touchdowns this season, 14 of which have come on the ground. He’s emerged as a key target in the pass game, catching 31 of his 33 targets fr 334 yards.


Cardinals rookie receiver Rondale Moore is also out for Saturday’s contest with an ankle injury. He’s caught 54 passes for 435 yards with a touchdown this year. Receiver Greg Dortch has been signed to the active roster from the practice squad to help replace him.

Arizona is without center Rodney Hudson and punter Andy Lee, too, as they’re both on the COVID-19 list.

The Colts have several key players on the COVID-19 list, including linebacker Darius Leonard, guard Quenton Nelson, and receiver Zach Pascal. Center Ryan Kelly is inactive for personal reasons.

Running back Marlon Mack, safety Andrew Sendejo, and receiver Michael Strachan are also inactive for Indianapolis. That means Keke Coutee is likely to get reps at receiver.

Quarterback Trace McSorley, cornerback Breon Borders, defensive lineman Zach Kerr, and defensive lineman Jordan Phillips are also inactive for the Cardinals.

PFT

 

Rasul Douglas interception seals 24-22 Packers win

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield thought officials should have thrown a flag on Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas when he threw his fourth interception of Saturday’s game, but no penalty was called and the Browns will be heading back to Cleveland with a loss.

Douglas made a lot of contact with Browns wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones before picking off Mayfield’s pass with just under a minute left to play and the Browns trailing 24-22. Mayfield, Peoples-Jones, and Browns fans around the country pleaded for a flag, but the officials played Grinch to their hopes and the Packers were able to hold onto a win that moves them closer to the top seed in the NFC playoffs.


Douglas also appeared to be guilty of illegal contact on a deep shot to Peoples-Jones in the first quarter that Darnell Savage picked off to set up the first of three Aaron Rodgers touchdown passes. That touchdown set a new Packers record for career touchdown passes and the next two scores also came after Mayfield interceptions as the Packers built a 21-12 halftime lead.

Mayfield could only blame himself for those picks and for a near-pick that Eric Stokes dropped shortly before Mayfield found Anthony Schwartz in the end zone to bring the Browns within two points. The Cleveland defense then forced the Packers’ third punt of the fourth quarter to set up a painful end for the Browns.

They are now 7-8 with games in Pittsburgh and at home against the Bengals still on the schedule. They’ll need to win out and get help in order to get back to the playoffs for a second straight season.

Mayfield was 21-of-36 for 22 yards and two touchdowns to go with the four interceptions. Whatever the feelings about the non-calls on Douglas, who had two of the picks, some in Cleveland will wonder why they didn’t roll with the ground game more on Saturday. Nick Chubb ran 17 times for 126 yards and D'Ernest Johnson had four carries for 58 yards against a Packers defense that has struggled to stop the run in recent weeks.

The Packers will need to shore that up and they’ll need to be stronger in the fourth quarter. They gave up 13 points to the Ravens in the fourth quarter this weekend and picked up just 23 yards on their first three fourth quarter drives this week to allow the Browns to claw their way back into the game.

They’ll try to improve on those fronts at home against the Vikings next weekend before finishing up the regular season in Detroit. Should things break their way, they’ll be able to rest some players with the No. 1 seed already in their pocket.

PFT

 

I almost feel like I should change my pick to the Colts, but im going to ride with the Cardinals at home.

 

Carson Wentz throws for two touchdowns as Colts beat Cardinals 22-16



The Colts are surging.

The Cardinals are a mess.


Despite starting the game without several key offensive and defensive starters, the Colts pulled off a 22-16 upset victory over the Cardinals on Christmas night.

While running back Jonathan Taylor finished with 108 yards rushing, it was quarterback Carson Wentz who made the play of the game that put Indianapolis in a strong position to win.

With 6:45 left in the fourth quarter and the Colts up 15-13, Wentz extended a third-and-9 play to find an open Dezmon Patmon in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point gave the Colts a 22-13 lead, which was enough for the victory.

Wentz ended the game 18-of-28 for 225 yards with two TDs.

The Cardinals had their chances to get back in it, but had to settle for a field goal with 42 seconds in the contest. Kicker Matt Prater sent the ball 28 yards through the uprights. But Arizona then failed to secure the onside kick and lost.

Playing without his usual holder, Prater had a rough night. He missed his first two kicks with a 51-yard field goal and an extra point going wide left. Then he sent a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter off the right upright.

The Cardinals also finished with 11 penalties for 85 yards with several false starts. And the miscues continued with a few bad snaps by backup center Max Garcia, one of which led to a safety. Quarterback Kyler Murray threw the ball away in the end zone for intentional grounding, which gave Indianapolis two points.

Murray finished 27-of-43 for 245 yards with a touchdown. He also had the game’s longest run of 57 yards, ending the contest with 74 yards rushing.

But the Cardinals looked like they missed receiver DeAndre Hopkins (injured reserve), running back James Conner (heel), and center Rodney Hudson (COVID-19 list) on offense.

However, the Colts were missing several players, too. They began the game without three of their five starting offensive linemen and lost a fourth when left tackle Eric Fisher had to exit with a knee injury. Linebacker Darius Leonard and receiver Zach Pascal were also placed on the COVID-19 list earlier on Saturday.

And still, Indianapolis was able to grind out a victory to move the team to 9-6 and stay in contention for the AFC South crown. The team has won three consecutive games and is now 9-0 when Taylor runs for 100 yards and 0-6 when he doesn’t.

Indianapolis will try to keep things rolling against the Raiders at home next week.

The Cardinals have lost three straight games and will fall to second place in the NFC West if the Rams defeat the Vikings on Sunday. They’ll have another tough matchup in Week 17, heading to Dallas to take on the Cowboys.

PFT

 

That just speaks to the standards of officiating these days, but there's no debate to be had here, that was a penalty all day long. It was illegal contact right down the field till the WR tried to make his break at which point there's an obvious jersey pull. The ball was in the air at that point so thats PI and the ball at about the 40. NOW you're a few Chubb runs away from kicking a FG as you were talking about.

Just a terrible non call, which of course, went the Packers way.

 

New England Patriots running back Damien Harris, who shined in the last matchup against the Buffalo Bills before injuring his hamstring, should be good to go Sunday, a source tells NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Harris is questionable and hasn't played since that game.

Other injury news we are keeping an eye on ahead of Sunday's Week 16 games:

• Washington running back Antonio Gibson, questionable after aggravating his turf toe, is a game-time decision, but there is some optimism that he goes. Meanwhile, wide receiver Curtis Samuel (hamstring) is considered game-time but not nearly as much optimism for him, according to Rapoport.
• Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (ankle) is pushing to play against the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. He's officially listed as questionable and they have to see how he's feeling. But after missing the past two games, Thielen practiced this week and will try to give it a go.
• New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney, dealing with not only an oblique injury but also a ramp-up from the COVID list, has a good chance of playing, per Rapoport and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The ramp-up for the first-rounder went well, and if he clears a final hurdle Sunday, he'll play.
• Houston Texans running back David Johnson, limited with a quad injury and listed as questionable, is not expected to play, Rapoport reports.
• Los Angeles Chargers Pro Bowl safety Derwin James (hamstring) is listed as questionable and is a game-time decision, according to Rapoport. While he has progressed as well as hoped, the true test will be in the workout.
• Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore, who is questionable with a hamstring injury, is expected to play, according to Rapoport.

 

2 horrible picks, not 3. The first pick, like the last, was just an obvious penalty for illegal contact and they pocketed the flag. And the thing about it is these weren't on the other side of the field where its not impacting the play in any way, both times these penalties were on the targeted receiver. There's a direct correlation between the receiver forced out of contention by the foul play and then the defense totally benefitting from said foul play. Two huge blown calls by the officials, both going the Packers way.

Not that there's no blame the Browns way. You prob have a point on the playcalling and there is still 2 awful picks, the first of which cost them points. Baker is, always has been, a mediocre QB and anyone who actually trust that guy at the end of a game is a fool. But the bottom line remains the same, two huge blowns calls, both going the Packers way, the 2nd of which all but decided the winner of the game.


The stars have been quietly aligning for the Packers for a long time now this season. Whether its scraping wins against teams that fail at game winning 2pointers(Ravens), or miss TWO game winning FG's inc one off the upright(Bengals), or a Kyler Murray endzone pick with 10secs left. How about a straight up blown non holding call that leads to walk off FG(49ers), or a phantom offsides/10point swing right before the half in the Steelers game?? Thats 5 games off the top of my head btw lol.

Key things at key times have consistently gone the Packers way this regular season. I just hope karma decides to poke its nose through the door come playoffs.

 

@xinik

Report: Giants to bring back Joe Judge, Daniel Jones in 2022



The window opens after this weekend to interview candidates from other teams for vacant head-coaching jobs. The Giants reportedly won’t be getting a head start, or any start, on that effort.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, the Giants currently plan to bring back coach Joe Judge and quarterback Daniel Jones for the 2022 season.


Not mentioned by Schefter is G.M. Dave Gettleman. Several weeks ago, NFL Media — partially owned by the Giants — reported that Gettleman won’t return. The Giants never pushed back against that report, essentially confirming it. The Giants could (and perhaps should) announce after today’s game that Gettleman will retire at the end of the season, opening the window for commencing the process of interviewing Gettleman’s replacement.

Of course, the next G.M. will have his hands tied on the way in, as to the identity of the coach. It’s a forced marriage that the new G.M. will have to embrace. Ideally, the next G.M. will be happy to work with Judge and won’t be looking for an opportunity to dump Judge for someone else. Every budding G.M. has a list of preferred coaches to work with. The best outcome for the Giants would be to find a G.M. who can truthfully say that Judge is on the list.

The best place to find that G.M. would be to look to New England, and to hire someone who has worked with Judge during his time there. That’s how those relationships are crafted and formed, by working together and building rapport, comfort, and trust over time.

Many believe that the Giants will ultimately opt for an internal hire, with V.P. of football operations/assistant G.M. Kevin Abrams regarded as the favorite for a promotion. As it relates to the team’s ongoing struggles with personnel, however, it’s hard to reconcile putting the blame on Gettleman and excusing the rest of the front office.

The other important point continues to be that ownership has fingerprints all over the front office, from John Mara’s understated role in making decisions about the team to his brother, Chris Mara, serving as senior V.P. of player personnel to their nephew Tim McDonnell, serving as co-director of player personnel. As we’ve previously suggested, the Maras operate a lot like the Joneses, but without the obvious accountability to the back pages of the tabloids. Unlike Jerry (owner/G.M.) and Stephen (various title that make him No. 2 if not at this point No. 1) in Dallas, the Maras have others who get roasted for moves that they approved if not endorsed if not overruled others in the organization to bring to fruition. But it’s Gettlemen (and before him Jerry Reese) who gets the pink slip — and then the next candidate steps into a spot where the power perhaps doesn’t match the title.

Consider, for example, that (if Schefter’s report is accurate) the new G.M. has had the two most important decisions made for him, with not only the coach but also the quarterback staying put for 2022. Of course, the last part has a greater chance of being convenient puffery in the hopes of eventually trading the player later. Besides, Jones’s full compensation package of nearly $4.1 million is fully guaranteed for 2022. At that rate, he could stick around as the backup to the next quarterback. (The bigger question for Jones is whether his fifth-year option will be exercised by early May.)

Will the next G.M. will have the power to pick the next quarterback with only the input of the coach and not ownership to consider? In New York, probably not.

That said, most owners have a finger in the stew. They like to be able to say they don’t in order to avoid being criticized for bad decisions or blamed for chronic dysfunction. In New York, however, it should be obvious that ownership has three big ladles swirling deep in the pot. Any G.M. with real options elsewhere will likely opt for an opportunity that doesn’t entail being partial figurehead and future scapegoat. The hand-picked successor to Gettleman, therefore, becomes both luxury and necessity. The Maras will want someone who will accept the current realities of the job and, thus, the eventual menu of choices will fit within those parameters.

PFT

 

Damien Harris is expected to play against Bills



The Patriots will be without Rhamondre Stevenson on Sunday, but they are expected to have another member of their backfield back in action.

Damien Harris hurt his hamstring in New England’s Week 13 win over the Bills and missed last week’s loss to the Colts, but multiple reports say that he is expected to play against the Bills this Sunday. Harris had 10 carries for 111 yards a touchdown in the Week 13 matchup before getting hurt.


Stevenson is out after being placed on the COVID-19 reserve list late in the week.

The Patriots will also be missing wide receiver Nelson Agholor due to a concussion, but they got Kendrick Bourne back from the COVID list on Saturday to fill out the receiving corps.

PFT

 

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will not play today against the Steelers.

Kelce has not cleared COVID-19 protocols and has been ruled out, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.