NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Don't think the Steelers will put their toe in that water but you never know.

 

For a league minimum contract? Why the hell not?

 

The Browns are the first team to make the postseason despite four quarterbacks each making multiple starts.

Meanwhile, he (Flacco) is 4-1 as the starter for a team that's now 11-5. He's thrown for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns since Dec. 3, becoming the first player in NFL history to have 250-plus passing yards and two-plus passing TDs in each of his first five games with a club, per NFL Research.

"I'm just so fortunate to be on this team," Flacco told Garafolo regarding his current four-game streak of performances with 300-plus passing yards. "We have a bunch of guys hurt and we're still a really talented group. Kevin is calling a hell of a game every week. As a quarterback, you just get the ball to guys. It's all about them winning and getting us in the right spot, so that's what it is."

 

Tyreek Hill needs 324 receiving yards in final two games to break Calvin Johnson’s record

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill still has an outside shot at breaking the NFL’s single-season record for receiving yardage, but he’s going to need a great last couple games to do it.

Hill needs 324 receiving yards in the final two games of the season to break Calvin Johnson’s record of 1,964 yards, set in 2012. Hill has 1,641 receiving yards this season.

Gaining 324 yards in a two-game stretch is possible but not likely: Hill has only totaled that many yards over two games once this season, when he had 181 yards in Week Five and 163 yards in Week Six for a total of 344.

Hill said before the season that his goal was 2,000 receiving yards. He needs 359 yards in his final two games to hit that total.

PFT

 

Elijah Moore home after spending Thursday night in hospital with a concussion

Wide receiver Elijah Moore wasn’t around to celebrate clinching a playoff berth with his Browns teammates after Thursday night’s win over the Jets.

Moore suffered a concussion during the game and head coach Kevin Stefanski said at a Friday press conference that he spent the night in the hospital for further evaluation. Moore was released on Friday.

“He is home now,” Stefanski said. “He’s in concussion protocol, so we’ll just work through that over the next few days with him. Glad that he’s back home.”

Moore had five catches for 61 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game. The Browns were also without Amari Cooper because of a heel injury, but the shortage of wideouts didn’t hold them back on Thursday night.

PFT

 

Michael Pittman Jr. has cleared the concussion protocol

Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. cleared the concussion protocol last Friday, but wound up missing the team’s Week 16 loss to the Falcons after symptoms returned ahead of the game.

The Colts will be hoping things go better this time around. Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Friday that Pittman has once again cleared the protocol.

Steichen also said that Pittman is on track to play against the Raiders this Sunday, but last week’s experience will likely keep everyone in Indy from counting any of their chickens before they hatch.

Running back Zack Moss has been ruled out for the second straight week. Moss has been able to practice this week on a limited basis, but won’t be back for game action until at least Week 18.

PFT

 

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is closing in on breaking one of the NFL’s oldest records.

That record is the most receiving yards by a rookie in a season, which was set by Bill Groman of the Houston Oilers in 1960. Groman had 1,473 receiving yards that season, and for more than six decades since then, even as more games have been added to the season and rule and strategy changes have inflated passing numbers, no other rookie has topped Groman’s mark.

Nacua can do it this season. He currently has 1,327 receiving yards in 15 games, which means that if he totals 147 or more receiving yards in the Rams’ final two games of the season, he’ll break Groman’s record.

Behind Groman on the all-time rookie receiving yardage list are Ja’Marr Chase (1,455 yards in 2021), Justin Jefferson (1,400 yards in 2020) and Anquan Boldin (1,377 yards in 2003). Nacua is next, currently occupying the No. 5 spot, just ahead of Randy Moss (1,313 yards in 1998) and Odell Beckham (1,305 yards in 2014).

That’s an impressive list of names, and breaking the record would be an impressive achievement for Nacua. It’s also an opportunity to remember one of the truly great and unsung seasons in pro football history, when Groman arrived in the upstart American Football League as a little-known rookie from the tiny Heidelberg University football program and took the league by storm.

Groman also had an excellent second season, but he suffered a knee injury in the AFL championship game after that year and was never the same player again. He played just six years of pro football, and after having 2,648 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his first two seasons, he managed just 833 yards and seven touchdowns over his final four seasons. Groman deserves to be remembered, and Nacua’s great season is bringing Groman’s great season to light again.

PFT

 

Here are four things to watch for when the Lions visit the Cowboys on Saturday night:

1. Can Dak Prescott and the offense get back on track at home? After going on a five-game winning streak, the Cowboys have dropped their last two games (at Buffalo and at Miami). During Dallas' win streak, the offense averaged 40.2 points per game and 437.4 total yards. The last two weeks, it's been a struggling unit. Mike McCarthy's offense has averaged 15 points per game and 267 total yards. With Dallas hosting a Detroit defense that has allowed 23.7 points per game, it's an opportunity to turn things around. Despite the recent struggles, Prescott's push as an MVP candidate could unfold in the final two regular season games. In 2023, the Cowboys QB currently leads the league with 30 pass touchdowns, throwing for 3,892 yards and seven interceptions. No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb has reaped the benefits from Prescott's play. Lamb, who ranks second with 1,424 receiving yards, has been a reliable option along with Brandin Cooks and tight end Jake Ferguson. The Cowboys have a chance to maintain a perfect home record against the visiting Lions on Saturday.

2. Jared Goff is finding his groove at the right time. The Lions are trending in the right direction in December, with a 3-1 record and an average of 35 points in their three wins. Heading into the matchup against Prescott, Goff is 3-2 in his career when the QBs go head-to-head. Those matchups go back to when Goff was with the Rams. Goff's play has been consistent, completing 67.7 percent of his passes (on pace for a career-best), throwing for 3,984 yards, 27 TDs and 10 INTs. Amon-Ra St. Brown has had his best season as a pro. The third-year wideout has career-highs in receiving yards (1,281) and receiving TDs (8). However, Dallas is one of the top defenses when it comes to disrupting the quarterback. Micah Parsons, who's been one of the top pass rushers in the league, is half a sack away from 40 in his career Thanks to Parsons' ability to smoother QBs, Dallas ranks No. 1 in pressure rate (43.4%), per Next Gen Stats. If Goff's offensive line can keep Parsons away and DaRon Bland can't force a turnover, Detroit has a chance to rise in the NFC standings to solidify potentially another home playoff game in the Divisional Round.

3. Tony Pollard needs to find his footing in the run game. The Cowboys moved on from long-time running back Ezekiel Elliott this past offseason to make Pollard the true No. 1 RB. The 26-year-old back has been up and down as the lead back behind the high-paid Cowboys offensive line. Coming off a Pro Bowl season, Pollard has only rushed for 100-plus yards once this season, dating back to Week 3. Backup RB Rico Dowdle, who is dealing with an injury, was ruled out for Saturday's game. Pollard could be a workhorse against the Lions' top-five rushing defense. When given a workload this season, Pollard has put up numbers of an RB1. The Cowboys have a 7-1 record when Pollard has 16-plus touches in games this season. Pollard won't likely get all the snaps in the backfield against the Lions, but if given the green light, expect the Cowboys RB to get more touches than the last two weeks with Dowdle out.

4. A true one-two-punch RB duo forming in Detroit. The combination of rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs and veteran David Montgomery has been a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators to game plan for. Heading into Week 17, Gibbs and Montgomery are the only RB teammate duo to have 1,000-plus scrimmage yards this season, per NFL Research. Gibbs leads all rookies with nine rushing touchdowns, while Montgomery ranks in the top 10 with 11 scrimmage touchdowns. Since Week 15, the Cowboys have allowed an average of 178.5 rushing yards per game to their opponents, which ranks 30th in the league. During that span, Detroit has averaged 141.7 rushing yards (third in the NFL). Gibbs hasn't been the only rookie to contribute on offense in Detroit. Sam LaPorta leads all tight ends with nine receiving TDs. He ranks top five among tight ends in receptions (74) and receiving yards (776). In the last couple of games, Detroit rookies have stepped up and delivered results, and Campbell will rely on Goff to continue the trend on the road.

NFL.com

 

Browns' Elijah Moore should retire after scary injury, 'Concussion' doctor says

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore suffered a scary injury on Thursday night against the New York Jets when he hit the field face-first and involuntarily twitched on the ground.

He was eventually helped to his feet and taken to the locker room for treatment. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that he was "doing better" without providing much detail.

Dr. Bennet Omalu, the inspiration for the movie "Concussion," told TMZ Sports on Friday that he would tell Moore he should retire.

"He was having a seizure," he said. "A seizure is a manifestation of brain damage, brain injury. . . . That is permanent damage."

Omalu added that if Moore doesn’t retire, he would at least tell him to sit out for the rest of the season.

"Given what I saw in that video, he should be benched for rest of the season," he added. "For at least three months."

FOX

 

Report: Bears are expected to retain Matt Eberflus

The Bears have a big decision to make at quarterback for 2024. They apparently are set with their head coach.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Bears are expected to bring back Matt Eberflus for 2024.

Eberflus is 9-23 since being hired before the 2022 season, but the Bears have won three of their past four games and four of their past six. They are 6-9 headed into Sunday’s game against the Falcons.

Since Week 5, the Bears defense, Eberflus’ speciality, ranks first in total yards, first in passer rating and sixth in points per game.

The Bears currently hold the No. 1 overall pick through Carolina, so the team has to decide whether to use the pick on a quarterback or stick with Justin Fields. Fields, the 11th overall pick in 2021, has 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions and has run for 585 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games this season.

PFT

 

Cowboys hold off Lions 20-19 on failed two-point try by Detroit

CeeDee Lamb caught 13 passes for 227 yards, leading the Cowboys to a 20-19 victory over the Lions on Saturday night.

In a highly entertaining game, the Cowboys took the lead on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to Brandin Cooks with 7:20 left and added a 43-yard Brandon Aubrey field goal with 1:41 to go. The Lions final three drives ended in a punt, an interception and a touchdown.

After scoring with 23 seconds left on Jared Goff’s 11-yard throw to Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Lions went for two and the win. They got the conversion on a pass from Goff to offensive lineman Taylor Decker, who was wide open. Officials called illegal touching, negating the try.

On the Lions’ second try, Goff’s pass was incomplete but Micah Parsons was offsides.

On the third try, Goff’s pass was incomplete.

The Lions’ onside kick was recovered by who else? Lamb.

The Cowboys escaped, moving to 11-5 and keeping their NFC East hopes alive. The Lions, who already have clinched the NFC North, also are 11-5.

Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson picked Goff with 2:05 left, but Dallas burned only 24 seconds off the clock before Aubrey’s field goal. A 15-yard tripping penalty on Peyton Hendershot pushed them back.

The Lions will leave thinking about all their mistakes. They went 2-for-4 in the red zone, scoring 16 red zone points, and Goff threw two picks.

The Lions outgained the Cowboys 420 to 383.

Lamb ‘s 13 receptions for 227 yards, included a 92-yard touchdown in the first half. The touchdown reception was the second-longest in team history, and his 227 yards were a career high.

His big night allowed him to break Michael Irvin’s team records for catches (111) in a season and yards (1,603) in a season. Lamb now has 122 receptions for 1,651 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Dak Prescott was 26-of-38 for 345 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Cooks caught five passes for 60 yards and a score.

Goff was 19-of-34 for 271 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

The Cowboys finished the season 8-0 at home.

PFT

 

Seahawks are expected to have DK Metcalf, Kenneth Walker Sunday

The Seahawks can’t clinch a playoff spot by beating the Steelers on Sunday afternoon, but they can make a trip to the postseason very likely so having all hands on deck would be a positive development.

It’s looking like that will be the case on the offensive side of the ball. According to multiple reports, wide receiver DK Metcalf and running back Kenneth Walker will both play after being listed as questionable on Friday.

Metcalf was listed with a back injury while Walker is dealing with a shoulder issue and an illness. Metcalf didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday while Walker was able to work on a limited basis on Friday.

The Seahawks ruled linebacker Jordyn Brooks out with an ankle injury on Saturday. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon remains questionable with a hip injury.

NBC

 

Report: Ja’Marr Chase is likely to play against Chiefs

Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase had some harsh words for the Chiefs secondary this week and it looks like he will have the chance to back them up with his play.

Chase was listed as questionable to face the Chiefs because of a shoulder injury that kept him from playing last week and kept him from practicing on Wednesday this week. Chase returned to practice on Thursday and Friday, though, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports he’s likely to play in Kansas City on Sunday afternoon.

Chase said this week that “nothing” stands out about the Chiefs secondary and said he’s not worried about adding “fire to the fuel” with his words. That confidence may come from Chase’s past experience against the Chiefs. He has 29 catches for 527 yards and 3 touchdowns in four games against Kansas City, including a Bengals-record 266 receiving yards in a 2021 game against them.

Assuming Chase is in the lineup, that sets the stage for a matchup that’s going to be a major talking point after the game one way or another.

PFT

 

Alvin Kamara is expected to play against Buccaneers

The Saints were missing a key piece of their offense at practice on Friday, but they are set to have him on the field on Sunday.

Running back Alvin Kamara did not practice due to an illness and he was listed as questionable to fae the Buccaneers, but multiple reports indicate that he is good to go for the NFC South matchup.

Kamara’s presence is significant for the Saints. He has 1,111 yards from scrimmage despite missing the first three games of the season due to a suspension and they need to beat the Bucs on Sunday in order to keep their hopes of winning the division alive heading into the final week of the season.

The Buccaneers only need to win one of their remaining two games in order to sew up the NFC South, so the Saints won’t control their own destiny with a win but it would leave the door open and Kamara helps give them their best chance of making that happen.

PFT

 

Raheem Mostert is not expected to play for Dolphins vs. Ravens

Another big name is likely to miss today’s big game for the Dolphins.

Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert is unlikely to play against the Ravens, according to NFL Network. Mostert is dealing with knee and ankle injuries.

The Dolphins have already ruled out wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, so that’s two offensive skill position starters who need to be replaced.

Mostert leads the Dolphins with 1,012 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, and he also has 175 receiving yards and three touchdowns. In his absence, rookie running back De’Von Achane will get plenty of carries.

The Ravens are 3.5-point favorites today in Baltimore. If the Ravens win they clinch the AFC No. 1 seed, while if the Dolphins win the battle for the No. 1 seed will go down to next week’s regular season finale.

PFT

 

Mostert is on my FFB team now I have to go into the championship game without him? That's gonna hurt.

 

Commanders are in the endzone, they are good in the redzone, just not anywhere else. 10-10, vs the 49ers, late 2nd.

 

Lamar has a perfect QB rating at home vs the Dolphins... 21-13, BALT, late 2nd.