EAGLES COACH SIRIANNI SAYS IT’S ‘TOUGH’ FOR HURTS TO PLAY AGAINST DALLAS WITH HEAD INJURY
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts was still in the NFL’s concussion protocol Friday, forcing the Philadelphia Eagles to prepare to play against Dallas without their star quarterback.
“It’s going to be tough for him to make it this week,” coach Nick Sirianni said Friday.
The Eagles would turn to backup Kenny Pickett on Sunday if Hurts is not cleared to play because of the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against Washington.
Hurts was injured early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another.
Sirianni said the Eagles would lean on the medical staff on a daily basis to know where Hurts — who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a pair of scores in the first meeting against Dallas in November — was in his recovery from the head injury.
Hurts isn’t healthy enough to play just yet.
The 26-year-old Hurts did not practice this week, leaving Pickett — who suffered a rib injury in relief action against the Commanders — in line for his first start as an Eagle.
Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards against the Commanders, throwing a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown and an interception.
Pickett is from New Jersey and said when he was acquired from Pittsburgh that he had “great memories” of going to games at Lincoln Financial Field with his dad and grandfather since he was 5. The chance to run out of the home team tunnel — which he could get Sunday if he’s the starting QB — left him absolutely delighted.
“It’s a big opportunity,” Pickett said this week. “I’ve been working hard to stay ready. I felt like I was in a good position last game with my preparation. Now, having a week to practice, I’ll feel even better going into the stadium.”
Pickett, a first-round pick out of Pitt in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter for the Steelers.
The Eagles will bump third-stringer Tanner McKee to the backup spot. The Eagles also signed QB Ian Book this week to the practice squad.
There has been recent precedent for quarterbacks to play a week after entering the league’s concussion protocol.
Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence sustained a head injury while scrambling up the middle on the team’s final drive in Week 15 loss to Baltimore last season. Lawrence misfired on seven of his final eight passes after the hit, a stretch that raised concerns on the sideline about his health. Lawrence reported symptoms after the game.
He entered the protocol but was cleared in time to start the next game at Tampa Bay.
The Eagles (12-3) could decide to play it safe and rest Hurts with the team needing a win against Dallas or the New York Giants to clinch the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Hurts shook off a sluggish start over the first four games and has thrown 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions to turn the Eagles into Super Bowl contenders. Thanks in large part to the tush push, Hurts has 14 rushing touchdowns this season.
The Eagles won the Super Bowl for the 2017 season behind backup QB Nick Foles when starter Carson Wentz went down with a late-season injury.
ON FOOTBALL: NICK SIRIANNI’S SUCCESS IS OFTEN OVERSHADOWED BY SELF-INFLICTED DISTRACTIONS
Nick Sirianni has the highest winning percentage among active NFL coaches and the fifth-best in NFL history.
He should be lauded for his accomplishments with the Philadelphia Eagles. Coaches who win as frequently as Sirianni are esteemed.
The four coaches ahead of him on the overall list — Guy Chamberlin, John Madden, Vince Lombardi and George Allen — are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But Sirianni’s reputation doesn’t match up to his .697 winning percentage. He’s more often ridiculed for his sideline antics than praised for his coaching success.
Many of the critics include former players and coaches now working in the media. The criticism is sometimes over the top and unfair.
ESPN analyst Damien Woody, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, called Sirianni a clown in October for yelling and gesturing at Eagles fans toward the end of a close victory over Cleveland. Sirianni heard “Fire Nick!” chants during that game and reacted emotionally.
Still, he apologized a day later.
“I’m sorry and disappointed about how my energy was directed at the end of the game,” he said. “My energy should be all in on coaching, motivating, and celebrating with our guys. And so, I’ve got to have better wisdom and discernment of when to use that energy, and that wasn’t the time.”
After the Eagles beat Kansas City on the road in a Monday night game last year, Sirianni mocked Chiefs fans as he walked off the field.
Some viewed it as a passionate response to a hard-fought victory against the team that beat Philadelphia 38-35 in the Super Bowl nine months earlier.
Others considered it childish behavior.
Sirianni’s latest incident isn’t debatable. He exchanged words with former Eagles three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz after Washington’s comeback win against Philadelphia.
Videos show Ertz gave Sirianni a high-five as they were headed in opposite directions. Sirianni turned to say something to Ertz, who then turned around and walked back toward his former coach.
Reports said Sirianni mocked Ertz for having little impact on the game — he had one catch — after taking exception to the hard hand slap. The two cleared the air this week after Sirianni called Ertz to apologize. Ertz downplayed the exchange on Thursday, saying he has a great relationship with Sirianni and “no ill feelings.”
Ertz caught the go-ahead touchdown pass from Nick Foles when the Eagles beat New England in the Super Bowl. He’s beloved in Philadelphia for his performance on the field during eight-plus seasons with the team and his impact in the community.
Sirianni didn’t endear himself to anyone with this unnecessary spat.
“Sirianni has the vibe of a fan who won a contest to be the team’s head coach for a day,” ProFootballTalk.com posted on X.
Sirianni’s chest-bumping, sideline-prancing, expletive-tossing personality has irked opponents and their fans since the Eagles hired him in 2021. He’s incurred the wrath of the fickle Philly fans plenty of times over the years.
But players respond well to him — outside of last season’s collapse — and he wins (46-20). He’s approachable, engaging and likable to most who aren’t annoyed by his trash-talking. Yet, his success as a coach is often overshadowed by self-inflicted distractions.
It’s on Sirianni to avoid creating more of those.
REPORT: DESHAUN WATSON, BROWNS AGREE TO RESTRUCTURE CONTRACT
In a move that hints at quarterback Deshaun Watson remaining with the Cleveland Browns next season, he and the club reportedly have agreed to restructure his contract.
Watson, who signed a fully guaranteed five-year deal worth $230 million when the Browns traded three first-round draft picks for him before the 2022 season, is still owed $46 million per season through 2026.
The restructure aids the team by adding two more void years to the contract, on top of two void years that were included initially. That lets the Browns extend his dead salary cap through the 2030 season, ESPN reported Friday.
Despite those void years, Watson would still be a free agent before the 2027 season.
After injuries and legal issues — which led to an 11-game suspension — sidelined Watson for the 2021 season and most of 2022, the three-time Pro Bowl selection has struggled mightily in Cleveland.
In 19 games, all as the starter, Watson has completed 61.2 percent of his passes, well below his average of 67.8 percent with Houston. He has thrown 19 touchdown passes but also 12 interceptions, also well below his Houston ratio of 104 scores to 36 picks.
Watson was lost for the season on Oct. 20 with a torn right Achilles tendon, the second straight year that an injury cut his season short. He missed the final eight games of 2023 due to shoulder surgery.
The Browns finished second in the AFC North and made the playoffs last season, ending a run of 15 straight seasons either third or fourth in the division. They are 3-12 this season and again in last place in the division.
WEEK 17 NFL CAPSULES
SATURDAY
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (9-6) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-12), 1 P.M. ET, NFL NETWORK
THE KICK-OFF: No. 1 in the NFL in scoring defense at 18.3 points per game, the Chargers have yet to give up more than 20 points in a road game this season. That’s been accomplished only by five teams in league history, most recently the 2010 Chicago Bears and 2001 Philadelphia Eagles. Turnovers have been a challenge for New England. The Patriots have lost five straight games while breaking in rookie quarterback Drake Maye (14 touchdowns, 10 interceptions). Maye has thrown a touchdown pass in seven straight games to tie Jim Plunkett (1971) for the longest streak by a rookie in franchise history. He has completed 67.6 percent of his passes, just behind the rookie record set by Dak Prescott (67.8) of the Dallas Cowboys in 2016. He also has a pick in seven consecutive games. Chargers QB Justin Herbert has only three interceptions — 18 touchdowns — this season, but two of them came in the past two games. New England is 12-2 all-time as the home team in this matchup.
CHARGERS NOTES: QB JUSTIN HERBERT completed 23 of 31 atts. (74.2 pct.) for 284 yards vs. INT with 110.1 rating last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 2+ TD passes. Aims for 7th in row on road with 0 INTs. Has 90+ rating in 6 of 7 road games this season. Needs 153 pass yards to surpass HOFer Peyton Manning (20,618) for most pass yards ever by player in 1st 5 seasons. • RB GUS EDWARDS rushed for season-high 68 yards & 2 TDs last week, 6thcareer game with 2+ rush TDs. Has rush TD in 2 of past 3. Had 73 scrimmage yards (42 rush, 31 rec.) in his last game vs. NE (11/15/20 w/ Bal.). • RB HASAAN HASKINS had 1st-career TD catch last last week. • WR LADD MCCONKEY (rookie) led team with 6 catches for 87 yards in Week 16, his 8th-straight game with 50+ rec. yards & his 5th-straight game with 5+ catches. Ranks 4th among rookies with 960 rec. yards this season & can join Keenan Allen (1,046 in 2013) & John Jefferson (1,001 in 1978) as only Chargers rookies ever with 1,000+ rec. yards. • WR QUENTIN JOHNSTON had 5 catches & rec. TD in 2 of past 3. Had 5 catches for 52 yards in last meeting. • WR DERIUS DAVIS had 1st-career rec. TD in Week 16. • DL POONA FORD had 2 TFL & PD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • LB JOEY BOSA had 5th sack of season last week, 8th-career season with 5+ sacks since entering NFL in 2016. Has sack in 2 of past 3. • LB DAIYAN HENLEY had 10 tackles & TFL last week, 9th game this season with 10+ tackles, most in NFL. Has 10+ tackles in 8 of past 9. • LB KHALIL MACK has PD in 3 of past 4. Had 2 sacks & FF in last meeting. • LB BUD DUPREE had sack in Week 16. Has sack in 3 of 4 career games vs. NE. • S DERWIN JAMES has TFL in 3 of past 4. Had sack in last meeting
PATRIOTS NOTES:
QB DRAKE MAYE (rookie) totaled 291 yards (261 pass, 30 rush) & 2 TDs vs. INT with 90.2 rating last week. Has 90+ rating in 4 of past 5, incl. each of past 3. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 67.6 comp. pct. (min. 100 atts.). • RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON had 73 scrimmage yards (60 rush, 13 rec.) & rush TD last week. Has 70+ scrimmage yards in 5 of past 6, incl. each of past 3. Has rush TD in 3 of his 5 home games this season. Needs 32 scrimmage yards for 2nd-career 1,000-yard season. • RB ANTONIO GIBSON has 60+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. Had 108 scrimmage yards (90 rush, 18 rec.) in only career game vs. LAC (9/12/21 w/ Was.). • TE HUNTER HENRY had 2nd TD catch of season last week. Aims for 6th in row with 4+ catches. Aims for 3rd in row at home with 60+ rec. yards. Totaled 196 catches for 2,322 yards & 21 TDs over 1st 5 career seasons with Chargers (2016-20). • TE AUSTIN HOOPER had 55 rec. yards in Week 16. Has 4 catches in 4 of past 5. • WR DEMARIO DOUGLAS has 4+ catches in 6 of past 7. • WR KAYSHON BOUTTE led team with career highs in catches (5) & rec. yards (95) & had 2nd-career TD catch last week. • LB JAHLANI TAVAI has 6+ tackles in 6 of past 7. Has 7+ tackles & TFL in 2 of 3 career games vs. LAC. • DT JEREMIAH PHARMS had 2nd sack of season in Week 16. • CB CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ has PD in 3 of past 4. • CB JONATHAN JONES had FF & PD last week. Has PD in 2 of 3 career games vs. LAC. • S KYLE DUGGER aims for 5th in row with 6+ tackles & TFL. Has TFL in 3 of his 4 home games this season. Has 5+ tackles in each of 3 career games vs. LAC. • S MARTE MAPU had 5 tackles, 2 PD, INT & FF last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with FF & 2 PD. Has 5+ tackles & PD in 2 of his 3 home games this season.
DENVER BRONCOS (9-6) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-8), 4:30 P.M. ET, NFL NETWORK
THE KICK-OFF: Everything is at stake for the Broncos as the finish line to a surprising season approaches. Denver lost the inside track to the wild-card berth to the Chargers last week. But the franchise can still land a playoff berth and 10-win season for the first time since 2015, when Peyton Manning piloted the Super Bowl 50 champions. Denver leads the NFL with 51 sacks and rookie QB Bo Nix has six games with two or more TD passes and no interceptions this season. That’s an impressive feat but Bengals QB Joe Burrow is setting the bar far higher. He leads the NFL with 4,229 passing yards and 39 touchdown passes. He’s the fourth player with 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes in three of his first five seasons (Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino). Burrow’s consistency is to be commended. He’s the first player ever to record 250 passing yards and three touchdown passes in seven consecutive games, a streak he can stretch to eight on Saturday. WR Ja’Marr Chase leads the NFL with 108 receptions for 1,510 yards and 16 touchdowns, giving him 45 in his career. Only Randy Moss (53) and Jerry Rice (49) had more in their first four NFL seasons.
BRONCOS NOTES: • QB BO NIX completed 29 of 40 atts. (72.5 pt.) for 263 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 106.6 rating last week, 6th game with 2+ TD passes & 0 INTs, tied with Justin Herbert (2020), CJ. Stroud (2023) & Russell Wilson (2012) for mostever by rookie. Has 2+ TD passes in 5 of past 6. Has 0 INTs in 6 of past 7 on road. Tied for lead among rookies with 22 TD passes. • RB JAVONTE WILLIAMS had 53 scrimmage yards (29 rec., 24 rush) & led team with season-high 7 catches last week. Rushed for 72 yards in last meeting. • RB AUDRIC ESTIME (rookie) rushed for 48 yards & 1st-career TD last week. • RB MICHAEL BURTON had TD catch in Week 16 & has TD in 2 of past 3. • WR COURTLAND SUTTON has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 7 of past 8 overall & in each of past 4 on road. Had 85 rec. yards & TD catch in last road meeting. Needs 72 rec. yards for 2nd-career 1,000-yard season (2019). • WR MARVIN MIMS had 62 rec. yards in Week 16 & has 40+ rec. yards in 4 of past 5 & 60+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. • LB NIK BONITTO has TFL in 11 of past 12 & 0.5+ sacks in 5 of past 6. Ranks tied4th in NFL with 11.5 sacks in 2024, most by Den. player in single-season since 2018 (Von Miller – 14.5, Bradley Chubb – 12). • LB CODY BARTON had 7 tackles & TFL last week. Aims for 4th in row with 7+ tackles. Needs 5 tackles for 3rd-straight season with 100+ tackles. • LB DONDREA TILLMAN (rookie) aims for 3rd in row with sack. • LB DREW SANDERS had 1st-career sack in Week 16. • CB PAT SURTAIN II has PD in 4 of past 5. Had 5 tackles in last meeting. Is 1 of 2 in NFL (Denzel Ward) with 10+ PD in each of past 4 seasons. • S BRANDON JONES led team with 10 tackles & had PD last week. Aims for 5th in row with PD & 3rd in row with 9+ tackles.
BENGALS NOTES: • QB JOE BURROW completed 23 of 30 atts. (76.7 pct.) for 252 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 134.3, becoming 1st player in NFL history with 250+ pass yards & 3+ TD passes in 7 straight games. Has 3+ TD passes & 110+ rating in 5 of past 6 at home, incl. each of past 3. Had TD vs. 0 INTs with 103.8 rating in last meeting. Leads NFL with 4,229 pass yards & franchise-record 39 TD passes in 2024 & is 4th player ever with 4,000+ pass yards & 30+ TD passes in 3 of 1st 5 seasons. • RB CHASE BROWN had 109 scrimmage yards (91 rush, 18 rec.) last week, 5thstraight game with 100+ scrimmage yards, longest active streak in NFL. Has TD in 3 of past 4. Needs 77 rush yards for 1st-career season with 1,000+ rush yards. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had 6 catches for 97 yards & TD last week, 11th-straight game with 5+ catches & 6th-straight game with 75+ rec. yards, both longest active streaks in NFL. Has rec. TD in 5 of past 6. Is 3rd player in NFL history with 100+ catches (108), 1,500+ rec. yards (1,510 – single-season franchise-record) & 15+ rec. TDs (16) in 1st 15 games of season, leading NFL in each category in 2024. • WR TEE HIGGINS aims for 3rd in row with 5+ catches, 55+ rec. yards & rec. TD. Has TD catch in 5 of his past 6 & in each of his past 3 at home. • WR ANDREI IOSIVAS had season-high 53 rec. yards & career-high 6th TD catch of season in Week 16. Aims for his 4th in row at home with rec. TD. • DE TREY HENDRICKSON had sack last week & has sack in 2 of past 3. Aims for 4th in row with TFL. Had half sack in last meeting. Leads NFL with 13.5 sacks in 2024. • DE JOSEPH OSSAI had season-high 5 tackles, sack & 1st-career FF in Week 16. Has sack in 4 of past 5. • DT KRIS JENKINS (rookie) had career-high 2 sacks last week. • DT MCKINNLEY JACKSON (rookie) had 1st-career sack last week. • S JORDAN BATTLE had 7 tackles & 1st INT of season in Week 16. Aims for 5th in row with 5+ tackles. • S GENO STONE has INT in 3 straight games, longest active streak in NFL.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (7-8) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (9-6), 8 P.M. ET, NFL NETWORK
THE KICK-OFF: Beat the Cardinals and the Rams can celebrate a sixth season with double-digit wins under Sean McVay. But to reach the playoffs for the fourth time in the past five seasons, Los Angeles has to wait for Week 18 and a matchup with the Seahawks. The Rams are cooking defensively, a credit to the production of their young front seven. WR Puka Nacua leads the NFL with 57 receptions since Week 10, with five-plus receptions and 50-plus receiving yards in each of his seven games during the span. The Cardinals lost in OT at Carolina last week to take themselves out of the mix for the postseason. It was Arizona’s third loss in a row on the road, and the Rams beat the Cardinals 26-9 in Los Angeles last season. The Rams have won eight of 10 games since their bye week, when they were 1-4. Kyren Williams has provided support for quarterback Matthew Stafford during the Rams’ 4-0 run in December. Williams, a Pro Bowl selection last season, has a career-high 1,243 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on 303 carries following his 122-yard game against the Jets last week.
CARDINALS NOTES: QB KYLER MURRAY had 265 yards (202 pass, 63 rush) & 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) vs. INT in Week 16, his 5th rush TD of season. Is 1 of 3 QBs (Josh Allen & Jalen Hurts) with 5+ rush TDs in 3 of past 5 seasons. Completed 17 of 21 atts. (81 pct.) for 266 yards & 3 TDs with 158.3 passer rating in Week 2 meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. LAR with 250+ pass yards & TD. • RB JAMES CONNER had season-high 166 scrimmage yards (117 rush, 49 rec.) & rush TD last week, his 3rd straight with 120+ scrimmage yards & TD. Has 1,090 rush yards & 1,500 scrimmage yards in 2024, both career-highs. Needs TD for 3rd-career 10+ TD season. Has TD in 5 of his past 6 in primetime and aims for his 4th in row in primetime with 110+ scrimmage yards. Had 122 rushing yards & TD in Week 2 meeting. • RB DEEJAY DALLAS had 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 6th-career TD. • TE TREY MCBRIDE has 7+ catches & 70+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5, incl. 12+ catches & 95+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 on road. Needs 8 catches & 42 rec. yards for 1st-career season with 100+ catches & 1,000+ rec. yards. Ranks 2nd among tight ends in catches (92) & 3rd in rec. yards (958). • WR MARVIN HARRISON JR. is 1 of 2 rookies (Brian Thomas Jr.) rookies with 700+ rec. yards (726) & 7+ rec. TDs (7) in 2024. Had 4 catches for career-high 130 yards & 2 TDs in Week 2 meeting. • S BUDDA BAKER needs 2 tackles & TFL for 1st-careeer season with 150+ tackles & 10+ TFL. Had 8 tackles, 2 TFL & PD in Week 2 meeting. Ranks 1st among DBs and 2nd in NFL with 148 tackles in 2024. • LB KYZIR WHITE had 8 tackles & sack in Week 16. Had sack in last road meeting & has TFL in 2 of his past 3 vs. LAR. • LB BARON BROWNING aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Has TFL in 3 of past 4. • S JALEN THOMPSON led team with 10 tackles last week.
RAMS NOTES: QB MATTHEW STAFFORD completed 14 of 19 atts. (73.7 pct.) for 110 yards & TD vs. INT last week & has 3,573 pass yards in 2024, his 12th-career season with 3,500+ pass yards. Has 20 pass TDs in 2024 & is 1 of 2 active QBs (Aaron Rodgers) with 20+ pass TDs in 12+ seasons. Aims for 3rd in row at home with 240+ pass yards, 100+ rating & 2 TDs. Completed 23 of 30 atts. (76.7 pct) for 287 yards & 3 TDs with 139.2 rating in only career primetime game vs. Ari (12/13/21). • RB KYREN WILLIAMS had season-high 122 rush yards & TD last week, his 2nd consec. season with 15+ TDs. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 27 consec. games, longest active streak in NFL. Has career-highs in rush yards (1,243) & scrimmage yards (1,409). Has rush TD in 4 of his past 5 & career-high 13 rush TDs in 2024. • WR COOPER KUPP has rec. TD in 3 of his past 4 at home & aims for his 3rd in row at home with 5+ catches, 60+ rec. yards & TD. Needs 69 rec. yards for 6th-career season with 750+ rec. yards. • WR PUKA NACUA led team with 8 catches for 56 rec. yards last week, his 7thstraight game with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. Has 46 catches (9.2 per game) for 647 rec. yards (129.4 per game) & 3 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush) in past 5 at home. Aims for his 5th in row on primetime with 7+ catches & 95+ rec. yards. • LB JARED VERSE (rookie) has 5 tackles & 2nd-career FR last week. • DE BRADEN FISKE is tied-1st among rookies with 6 sacks. Fiske & Verse are only rookie teammates in 2024 with 4+ sacks & 5+ TFL. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM had 8 tackles last week, his 6th-straight game with 8+ tackles. • S KAM CURL had 5 tackles, sack, FF & PD last week, his 1st sack of season. Has PD in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari with 8+ tackles. • S JAYLEN MCCOLLOUGH (rookie) led team with season-high 9 tackles last week.
SUNDAY
NEW YORK JETS (4-11) AT BUFFALO BILLS (12-3), 1 P.M. ET, CBS
THE OPENING KICK: The Bills are hoping to get wide receiver Amari Cooper going. Acquired from the Cleveland Browns in October, Cooper has 17 receptions for 241 yards and one touchdown in seven games with Buffalo. He had just one catch for 10 yards last week against the Patriots. Buffalo needs a win to finish 8-0 at home — the Chiefs are also undefeated at home — for the third time in franchise history (1988, 1990). Bills QB Josh Allen has 75 career regular-season wins, tied with Russell Wilson for the most regular-season wins by a quarterback in his first seven seasons in NFL history. There are big numbers on the line for the Jets, but none of them relate to the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers has 499 regular-season TD passes. He’s one away from joining the 500 Club of Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508). Manning (244 games) is the only player to reach 500 in fewer than 250 career games; Rodgers is playing No. 247 on Sunday. The Jets are 1-5 over their past six games and lost the first matchup between these teams 23-20 in Week 6.
JETS NOTES: QB AARON RODGERS completed 28 of 42 atts. (66.7 pct.) for 256 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 91 rating last week, 3rd-straight game with 250+ pass yards, 0 INTs & 90+ rating. Has 0 INTs in 7 of past 8, incl. each of past 4 on road. Passed for 294 yards & 2 TDs in Week 6 meeting. Has 95+ rating in each of 4 starts vs. division this season. Needs TD pass to become 5th QB ever with 500 TD passes. • RB BREECE HALL led team with 90 scrimmage yards (52 rush, 38 rec.) last week, his 9th-straight game with 50+ scrimmage yards. Has 80+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 on road. Has season-high 169 scrimmage yards (113 rush, 56 rec.) in Week 6 meeting. Has 389 scrimmage yards (129.7 per game) in 3 career games vs. Buf. Ranks 3rd among RBs with 460 rec. yards in 2024. • WR GARRETT WILSON aims for 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches in 3 of past 4. Had 8 catches for 107 yards & TD in Week 6 meeting & has rec. TD in 2 of past 3 vs. Buf. Aims for 4th in row vs. division with 100+ rec. yards. Needs 13 rec. yards to become 5th player ever with 80+ catches & 1,000+ rec. yards in each of 1st 3 seasons. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS aims for 8th in row with 5+ catches, 6th in row with 65+ rec. yards & 5th in row with rec. TD. Had 6 catches for 84 yards & TD in his last game vs. Buf. (9/17/23 w/ LV). Needs 72 rec. yards for 6th-career 1,000-yard season. • DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS has sack in 4 of past 5 vs. Buf., incl. in Week 6 meeitng. • LB JAMIEN SHERWOOD aims for 4th in row with 8+ tackles. • LB QUINCY WILLIAMS has 10 tackles & TFL in 2 of past 3 vs. Buf. • LB HAASON REDDICK had PD last week. Had half sack in only career game at Buf. (12/19/21 w/ Car.). • CB SAUCE GARDNER has 2 PD in 2 of his past 3. Had PD in last road meeting. • S TONY ADAMS had 5 tackles & 1st INT of season in Week 16.
BILLS NOTES: BILLS clinched AFC East division title for 5th-straight year, longest streak in franchise history. Can win 13 reg. season games for 5th time in franchise history. • QB JOSH ALLEN totaled 184 yards (154 pass, 30 rush) & had TD pass last week. Has 2+ TD passes, 0 INTs & 115+ rating in 3 of past 4. Has rush TD in 5 of past 6. Had 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 127.9 rating in Week 6 meeting. Has 37 combined pass & rush TDs in 2024 (26 pass, 11 rush) & can join Aaron Rodgers as only players ever with 40+ combined TDs in 5+ seasons. • RB JAMES COOK led team with 126 scrimmage yards (100 rush, 26 rec.) & 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) last week, 5th game this season with 2+ TDs, tied 2nd-most in NFL. Aims for 3rd in row with 125+ scrimmage yards & TD. Has TD in 5 of past 6. Had 102 scrimmage yards (73 rush, 29 rec.) & TD catch in last home meeting. Tied for NFL lead with 14 rush TDs in 2024, 2nd-most in single season ever by Buf. RB. • RB TY JOHNSON has 55+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. • RB RAY DAVIS (rookie) had career-high 152 scrimmage yards (97 rush, 55 rec.) in Week 6 meeting. Has TD in 2 of past 4. • WR KHALIL SHAKIR has TD catch in 2 of past 3. Had rec. TD in last home meeting. • WR AMARI COOPER had 101 rec. yards & TD in his last game vs. NYJ (9/18/22 w/ Cle.). • LB TERREL BERNARD led team with season-high 12 tackles last week, 3rd-straight game with 10+ tackles. Has 8+ tackles in each of his 6 home games this season. • DE GREG ROUSSEAU had 3rd FF of season in Week 16. Has TFL in 6 of 7 career games vs. NYJ. Needs sack for new career high (8 in 2022). • DT ED OLIVER had sack in last home meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. NYJ with 0.5+ sacks. • CB CHRISTIAN BENFORD has PD in 4 of past 5. Aims for 4th in row vs. NYJ with PD. Needs PD for 2nd-career season with 10 PD. • CB CAM LEWIS had 1st-career INT last week.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-11) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-7), 1 P.M. ET, CBS
THE KICK-OFF: Carolina put up 36 points and took down the Cardinals last week. The Panthers are playing inspired ball and would be thrilled to continue in the spoiler role by bumping Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers out of the top spot in the NFC South. Mayfield, who started for Carolina to open the 2022 season, found his Pro Bowl form under current Panthers coach Dave Canales, Tampa’s offensive coordinator last season. Mayfield has five games with at least 300 passing yards and multiple TD passes this season. That’s the bar Panthers QB Bryce Young aspires to, but he’s content letting RB Chuba Hubbard carry the offense when necessary. Hubbard has career highs in yards from scrimmage (1,366), rushing yards (1,195) and rushing TDs (10) in 2024. The Buccaneers are trying to bounce back from a costly loss at Dallas. Down two late in the fourth quarter, Buccaneers RB Rachaad White lost a fumble that ended the potential game-winning drive. Mayfield is adamant he wants WR Mike Evans to get to 1,000 yards for the 11th consecutive season. Evans needs 182 yards and has owned Carolina with an average of 140.5 yards in his past four home games against the Panthers.
PANTHERS NOTES: QB BRYCE YOUNG had 226 yards (158 pass, career-high 68 rush) & 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs for 107.5 rating in Week 16, his 1st-career game with 2 TD passes & rush TD. Aims for his 9th in row with TD pass. Passed for 298 yards & had 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs in Week 13 meeting. Has rush TD in 3 of his past 4. • RB CHUBA HUBBARD had 165 scrimmage yards (152 rush, 13 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in Week 16 & is 1 of 3 RBs (Saquon Barkley & Derrick Henry) with 3+ games (3) with 165+ scrimmage yards in 2024. Has career highs in scrimmage yards (1,366), rush yards (1,195) & rush TDs (10) this season. Has TD in 4 of his past 5 on road. Rushed for 104 yards & 2 TDs in last road meeting (12/3/23). • WR ADAM THIELEN had 5 catches & 3rd rec. TD of season last week, his 62nd career rec. TD. Had 8 catches for 99 yards & TD in Week 13 meeting. Needs 39 rec. yards for 8th-career season with 500+ rec. yards. • WR DAVID MOORE had 2nd rec. TD of season last week. Had 5 catches in Week 13 meeting. • LB D.J. WONNUM had 4th sack of season last week & has sack in 4 of his 6 games this season. • LB JOSEY JEWELL had career-high 7th PD of season last week & aims for his 3rd in row with PD. Needs 3 tackles for 3rd-straight & 4th-career 100-tackle season. Had 10 tackles, 2 TFL & sack in Week 13 meeting. • LB JADEVEON CLOWNEY had sack in Week 13 meeting. Aims for his 4th in row on road with TFL. • LB JACOBY WINDMON (rookie) had 8 tackles & 1st-career sack last week. • DE A’SHAWN ROBINSON had 7 tackles & sack last week & has career highs in sacks (5.5) & TFL (8) in 2024. Leads all DL with career-high 73 tackles this season. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 1.5+ sacks. • CB MIKE JACKSON ranks 5th in NFL with career-high 14 PD in 2024 & has PD in 6 of his past 7 games, incl. Week 13 meeting. • CB JAYCEE HORN has 6 PD in 3 career games vs. TB.
BUCS NOTES: • QB BAKER MAYFIELD passed for 303 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 97.3 rating last week & is 1 of 2 QBs (Joe Burrow) with 5+ games (5) with 300+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes in 2024. Aims for his 4th in row with 285+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 95+ rating. Has 295+ pass yards & 2+ TD passes in 4 of his past 5 home starts. Ranks 3rd in NFL in TD passes (career-high 34) & 4th in pass yards (3,920) in 2024 & can surpass career high in pass yards set in 2023 (4,044). • RB RACHAAD WHITE had 7 catches last week & has 50 receptions in 2024, 1 of 2 RBs (Alvin Kamara) with 50+ catches in each of past 3 seasons. Aims for his 5th in row at home with TD. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Car. with 75+ scrimmage yards. • RB BUCKY IRVING had 92 scrimmage yards (68 rush, 24 rec.) & 7th rush TD of season last week, most rush TDs among rookies. Leads all rookies with 1,240 scrimmage yards, incl. career-high 185 scrimmage yards (career-high 152 rush, 33 rec.) & rush TD in Week 13 meeting. • WR MIKE EVANS had 5 catches for 69 yards last week. Needs 182 rec. yards for 11th-consecutive 1,000-yard season. Had 8 catches for 118 yards & rec. TD in Week 13 meeting. Has 30 catches for 562 yards (140.5 per game) & 7 rec. TDs in his past 4 at home vs. Car., incl. rec. TD in each game. • WR JALEN MCMILLAN (rookie) aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches & 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards & TD catch. • LB LAVONTE DAVID had 8 tackles & 2 TFL last week. Has 112 tackles & 9 TFL in 2024 & can became 1st player since 2000 with 10 seasons of 100+ tackles & 10+ TFL. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 at home. Has 5+ tackles in 21 of his 22 career games vs. Car. • LB YAYA DIABY had half sack last week. Had FR in Week 13 meeting. Has sack in 2 of his 3 career games vs. Car. • NT VITA VEA has career-high 9 TFL in 2024. • DL CALIJAH KANCEY had half sack last week & has 6.5 sacks & 10 TFL in 10 games this season. Had sack in Week 13 meeting. • S CHRISTIAN IZIEN led team with career-high 13 tackles last week.
DALLAS COWBOYS (7-8) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (12-3), 1 P.M. ET, FOX
THE KICK-OFF: RB Saquon Barkley could carry the load this week with QB concerns for the Eagles. Jalen Hurts (concussion) and Kenny Pickett (ribs) were both hurt in the 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday. That’s only part of what’s different since Dallas was whipped 34-6 by the Eagles on Nov. 10. Even with the Cowboys working their way back toward .500, Dallas subtracted another peak playmaker in WR CeeDee Lamb. Second in the NFL with 101 receptions, Lamb is on the shelf for the rest of the season right alongside QB Dak Prescott. The Eagles are primed to lean on their constant threat in Barkley, who leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,114) and rushing (1,838). With Lamb out, life becomes more difficult for QB Cooper Rush at the controls of the Cowboys’ offense. Rush has guided Dallas to wins in four of the last five games, throwing nine touchdown passes and just one interception. The Eagles’ defense had five takeaways at Washington last week but has a minus-10 turnover margin (28 turnovers, 18 takeaways) while the Cowboys are tied for fifth in the NFL at plus-10 (26 takeaways, 16 turnovers).
COWBOYS NOTES: QB COOPER RUSH passed for 292 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs for 108.3 rating in Week 16 & aims for his 3rd in row with 100+ rating. Is 9-4 with 17 TD passes vs. 6 INTs in 13 career starts, incl. 2-0 with 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 118.3 rating in 2 road starts in 2024. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 2+ TD passes & 115+ rating. • RB RICO DOWDLE had 51 scrimmage yards (28 rec., 23 rush) last week & aims for his 6th in row with 50+ scrimmage yards. Has career-high 1,136 scrimmage yards (903 rush, 233 rec.) in 2024. Rushed for 53 yards in Week 10 meeting. • WR CEEDEE LAMB had 7 catches for 105 yards last week, his 21st-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Ranks tied-2nd in NFL with 101 receptions & 3rd with 1,194 rec. yards in 2024. Has 496 career catches & can become 2nd player ever (Michael Thomas) with 500+ catches in 1st 5 career seasons. Has 6,339 rec. yards & can surpass HOFer Jerry Rice (6,364) for 4th-most rec. yards by player in 1st 5 seasons all-time. Aims for his 6th in row vs. Phi. with 5+ catches. Had 11 catches for 191 yards in last road meeting (11/5/23). • TE JAKE FERGUSON had 6 catches last week & is 1 of 3 NFC TEs (George Kittle & Trey McBride) with 6+ games (6) with 6+ catches in 2024. Had 7 catches for 91 yards & TD catch in last road meeting (11/5/23). • LB MICAH PARSONS had 50th-career sack & 9th-career FF last week & became 6th player since 1982 with 50+ sacks in 1st 4 seasons. Needs half sack to join HOFers Dwight Freeney, Derrick Thomas & Reggie White as only players since 1982 with 10+ sacks in each of 1st 4 seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 2+ sacks & 7th in row on road with TFL. Has TFL in 5 of his 6 career games vs. Phi., incl. 2 sacks & FF in Week 10 meeting. • DE CEDRIC GOLSTON aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • CB DARON BLAND had 8 tackles, 1st-career FF, 1st-career FR & PD last week. Aims for his 5th in row with PD. Has PD in 2 of his past 3 vs. Phi. • S DONOVAN WILSON had 12th-career sack last week.
EAGLES NOTES: • QB JALEN HURTS has 2+ TD passes vs. 0 INTs & 110+ rating in 4 of his past 5 home starts. Can become 2nd QB ever (Josh Allen, 11 in 2023) with 10 games with both pass TD & rush TD in single season. Has 14 rush TDs in 2024 & needs rush TD to tie single-season record by QB (15 rush TDs by Hurts & Allen in 2023). Has 2+ TD passes in 4 of his past 5 vs. Dal., incl. 2 TD passes & 2 rush TDs in Week 10 meeting. • RB SAQUON BARKLEY rushed for 150 yards & 2 TDs, incl. 68-yard rush TD, in Week 16 & became 1st player ever with 4 rush TDs of 65+ yards in single season. Became 6th player all-time with 10 career rush TDs of 50+ yards. Leads NFL with 2,114 scrimmage yards. Became 4th non-rookie with 2,000+ scrimmage yards in 1st season with team & 4th player all-time with 2,000+ scrimmage yards with 2 franchises. Leads NFL with 1,838 rush yards & can become 5th player since 2000 with 1,900 rush yards in single season. • WR A.J. BROWN had 8 catches for 97 yards & 6th rec. TD of season last week, his 48th-career TD catch. Has 64 catches for 1,043 yards & 6 TDs in 2024 & needs TD catch to become 5th player ever with 1,000+ rec. yards & 7+ rec. TDs in 5 of his 1st 6 career seasons. Had 109 rec. yards in Week 10 meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row at home vs. Dal. with TD catch. • WR DEVONTA SMITH had 6 catches for 51 yards last week & has 62 catches in 2024, his 4th-straight season with 60+ catches. Has TD catch in 5 of his past 6 at home. Aims for his 3rd in row at home vs. Dal. with TD catch. • LB ZACK BAUN had 11 tackles, 2 TFL & career-high & NFC-leading 5th FF of season last week Had 8 tackles, 2 FF, FR & TFL in Week 10 meeting. Ranks 3rd in NFL with career-high 144 tackles. • LB NAKOBE DEAN had 12 tackles last week & has career-high 128 tackles in 2024. Aims for his 5th in row with 10+ tackles. • LB NOLAN SMITH had sack & 1st 2 career FRs last week. Has sack in 3 of his past 4 & has career-high 6.5 sacks this season. • DT JALEN CARTER had 4th-career FF last week. • CB DARIUS SLAY had season-high 3 PD last week. • S REED BLANKENSHIP had career-high 4th INT of season in Week 16. • S C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON had 4th INT of season last week. Had INT in Week 10 meeting & had 2 INTs in last home meeting.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-8) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (2-13), 1 P.M. ET, FOX
THE KICK-OFF: Indianapolis is mathematically alive in the playoff hunt but trails the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos by two games with two contests left. The Chargers and Broncos both have games on Saturday. If both nine-win clubs win, the Colts will be eliminated and miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Colts QB Anthony Richardson might be held out if there’s no spoils on the line for Indy, as he’s battling foot and back injuries. A heavier workload suits Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 218 yards and three scores on 29 carries during last weekend’s 38-30 home win over the Tennessee Titans. New York is in danger of losing an 11th consecutive game behind an offense putting up only 14.3 points per game this season. The Giants are starting Drew Lock at quarterback for the fourth time in the past five games. Lock underwent an MRI on his passing shoulder Monday but no damage was found. He hurt it during Sunday’s 34-7 road loss against the Atlanta Falcons. Lock is 0-3 as a starter this season and has completed just 52.7 percent of his passes. He has one touchdown and four interceptions in 129 attempts.
COLTS NOTES: QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON (QUESTIONABLE) totaled 201 yards (131 pass, career-high 70 rush) & 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) with 97.2 rating last week, 3rd-straight game with rush TD. Has 6 rush TDs in past 5. Is 3rd QB in NFL history (Josh Allen & Cam Newton) with 10+ TD passes (11) & 10+ rush TDs (10) in 1st 15 career games. • RB JONATHAN TAYLOR had season-high 218 rush yards & 3 rush TDs last week, becoming 6th player ever with 200+ scrimmage yards & 2+ TDs in 4 games in 1st 5 seasons. Aims for 4th in row with 100+ scrimmage yards. Has TD in 2 of past 3. Needs TD for 3rd-career season with 1,250+ scrimmage yards & 10+ TDs. • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN has 5+ catches in 4 of past 5 & in each of his past 3 on road. Had 6 catches for 41 yards & TD in last meeting. Is 4th player in franchise history with 500+ rec. yards in each of 1st 5 seasons. • WR JOSH DOWNS led team with 61 rec. yards & had career-high 5th TD catch of season last week. Has 60+ rec. yards in 5 of his 6 road games this season. Needs 10 catches & 85 rec. yards for new career highs in both categories. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 7 tackles last week & is 1 of 4 in NFL with 5+ tackles in 15 games this season. Has TFL in 3 of past 4 & PD in 2 of past 3. Had 10 tackles & 2 PD in last meeting. Leads NFL with 151 tackles in 2024 & is 6th player since 2000 with 150+ tackles in 3 straight seasons. • LB E.J. SPEED aims for his 5th in row with 9+ tackles. Had TFL in last meeting. • DT DEFOREST BUCKNER had TFL & PD last week, 5th-straight game with TFL. Has sack in 3 of past 4. Is 1 of 2 in NFL with 6+ sacks in each of past 7 seasons. • DE KWITY PAYE had sack last week & has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of past 3. • S NICK CROSS aims for 3rd in row with PD. Ranks 2nd among DBs with 130 tackles this season. • CB KENNY MOORE had 2 INTs last week, 2nd-career game with 2 INTs. • CB SAMUEL WOMACK aims for 3rd in row with INT.
GIANTS NOTES: QB DREW LOCK passed for 210 yards & 1st TD pass of season last week, his 29th-career TD pass. Aims for his 4th in row with 20+ completions. • QB TOMMY DEVITO has 100+ rating in 2 of his 4 career home starts. • RB TYRONE TRACY (rookie) had 69 scrimmage yards (43 rec., 26 rush) & 1stcareer rec. TD in Week 16. Ranks 3rd among rookies in rush yards (721) & 4th in scrimmage yards (984). Has 65+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his past 8. • RB DEVIN SINGLETARY had rush TD in his last game vs. Ind. (1/6/24 w/ Hou.). • WR MALIK NABERS had 7 receptions for 68 yards last week, his 12th game with 5+ catches in 2024, tied-most by rookie in NFL history. Ranks 5th in NFL with 97 receptions, 5th-most by rookie all-time. Is only player ever with 50+ rec. yards in 12 of his 1st 13 career games. Nabers & Tracy can become 3rd pair of rookie teammates each with 1,000+ scrimmage yards in NFL history. • WR WAN’DALE ROBINSON had 7 catches last week, his 10th game with 5+ catches in 2024. Has career highs in catches (78) & rec. yards (585) in 2024. Nabers & Robinson are only pair of teammates each with 75+ catches in 2024. • LB BRIAN BURNS had 14th TFL of season last week & since 2021, is 1 of 6 in NFL with 60+ TFL (60). Aims for his 3rd in row at home with sack & 4th in row overall with TFL. • LB MICAH MCFADDEN had 5 tackles last week & has career-high 107 tackles in 2024. Aims for his 5th in row at home with 11+ tackles. • LB DARIUS MUASAU (rookie) led team with 11 tackles & had 1st-career TFL last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 6+ tackles. • CB DEONTE BANKS had 2 PD in Week 16 & aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S JASON PINNOCK aims for his 9th in row with 5+ tackles. • S DANE BELTON had PD in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles.
TENNESSEE TITANS (3-12) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-12), 1 P.M. ET, CBS
THE KICK-OFF: For the second time in 21 days, the Titans and Jaguars square off with a spot in the AFC South cellar — and near the top of the NFL draft order — hanging in the balance. It could be argued that the loser will come out ahead in the long run. After all, that team would enhance its chances to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Mason Rudolph, who threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday’s 38-30 loss at Indianapolis, gets the start over Will Levis for the Titans this week. Rudolph also threw three interceptions, adding to the team’s NFL-high total of 32 turnovers. The Titans’ offensive line has permitted 47 sacks this season — 40 with Levis at the helm. Levis also has thrown 12 interceptions and lost two fumbles, while Rudolph has thrown eight picks and lost a fumble. When the teams met on Dec. 8 in Nashville, Jacksonville notched a 10-6 win, holding Tennessee to 272 total yards and limiting Levis to 168 yards passing. It’s the Jaguars’ only road win of the season. Jacksonville is coming off a 19-14 loss last week in Las Vegas, another three-win team. The defeat moved Jacksonville up to the projected No. 3 overall pick, one spot ahead of the Titans. The Jaguars could be without as many as six usual starters on offense this week.
TITANS NOTES: QB MASON RUDOLPH completed 23 of 34 atts. (67.6 pct.) for 252 yards & 2 TDs last week, his 3rd-straigtht game with 2 TD passes. • RB TONY POLLARD has 60+ scrimmage yards in 7 of 8 road games this season. Has 230 scrimmage yards (115 per game) in 2 career games vs. Jax., incl. 124 scrimmage yards (102 rush, 22 rec.) in Week 14 meeting. Has 85+ scrimmage yards in 3 of 4 games vs. division this season. Is 1 of 2 in NFL (Derrick Henry) with 1,000+ rush yards & 5+ rush TDs in each of past 3 seasons. • RB TYJAE SPEARS had 66 scrimmage yards (39 rec., 27 rush) & career-high 2 rush TDs last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 65+ scrimmage yards. • WR CALVIN RIDLEY had 78 rec. yards & 4th TD catch of season in Week 16. Has 75+ rec. yards in 4 of past 5 on road. Had 7 catches for 59 yards in Week 14 meeting. Had 76 catches for 1,016 yards & 8 TDs last season with Jax. Needs 143 rec. yards for 3rd-career 1,000-yard season (2020, 2023). • WR NICK WESTBROOK-IKHINE had career-high 9th TD catch of season last week. Has rec. TD in 5 of past 6 on road, incl. each of past 3. • TE CHIG OKONKWO led team with career highs in catches (9) & rec. yards (81) in Week 16. Aims for 3rd in row with 8+ catches & 55+ rec. yards. • DT JEFFERY SIMMONS had 8 tackles & 5th sack of season in Week 16. Aims for 5th in row with 5+ tackles & 4th in row with TFL. Had TFL & PD in Week 14 meeting. • LB HAROLD LANDRY had season-best 8 tackles last week. Has TFL in 4 of past 5 & sack in 2 of past 3. Had sack in Week 14 meeting. • LB CEDRIC GRAY (rookie) led team with career-high 11 tackles last week. • CB JARVIS BROWNLEE has 6+ tackles & TFL in 2 of past 3. • S AMANI HOOKER had 5 tackles & career-high 5th INT of season in Week 16. Aims for 5th in row with 5+ tackles. Aims for 3rd in row on road with INT.
JAGS NOTES: QB MAC JONES completed 25 of 39 atts. (64.1 pct.) for 247 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 90.4 rating last week, 4th-straight game with 220+ pass yards. Passed 220 yards in Week 14 meeting & is 2-0 with 530 pass yards (265 per game) in 2 career starts vs. Ten. • RB TRAVIS ETIENNE has 70+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Ten. with 70+ scrimmage yards. • RB TANK BIGSBY rushed for 50 yards & TD last week. Has 50+ rush yards & TD in 2 of past 3. Had 55 rush yards & rush TD in Week 14 meeting. • WR BRIAN THOMAS JR. had 9 catches for career-high 132 yards & TD last week, becoming 6th rookie in NFL history with 75+ rec. yards in 9 games. Aims for 6th in row with 75+ rec. yards & 3rd in row with 9+ catches, 100+ rec. yards & rec. TD. Has TD catch in 4 of past 5 in Jax. Had 8 catches for 86 yards in Week 14 meeting. & has 75+ rec. yards in each of 4 games vs. division. Leads rookies with 1,088 rec. yards & 9 rec. TDs in 2024, both most-ever by Jax. rookie. • WR PARKER WASHINGTON has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4, incl. each of past 2. • DE JOSH HINES-ALLEN had sack & FF in Week 14 meeting. Aims for 6th in row vs. Ten. with 0.5+ sacks & 3rd in row with full sack. • DE TRAVON WALKER has 5.5 sacks in past 5 in Jax. Has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of his past 3 vs. Ten. • DT MAASON SMITH (rookie) had 2 TFL, 2nd sack of seaosn & PD in Week 16. • LB DEVIN LLOYD had 7 tackles last week & has 5+ tackles in 6 of past 7. • LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN led team with 8 tackles & had PD in Week 16. Aims for 4th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 11 tackles in Week 14 meeting. Needs 13 tackles for 5th-straight season with 100+ tackles. • CB TYSON CAMPBELL aims for 4th in row with PD & 3rd in row with 5+ tackles.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (3-12) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-10), 1 P.M. ET, FOX
THE KICK-OFF: Las Vegas hired Antonio Pierce as head coach after the team had an encouraging 5-4 record during his stint as interim head coach last season. Still, the disappointing 2024 season leaves Pierce’s future in question. New Orleans is 3-3 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who was promoted when Dennis Allen was fired after a seven-game losing streak this season. The Raiders are expected to start second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has shared that role with Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder. Rizzi earned victories in his first two games in charge and three of the first four, but the team had by far its worst performance under him in a 34-0 road loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is in his second season in New Orleans, is trying to return from an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand. Rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler, who is 0-4 as a starter and played poorly against the Packers, is more likely to start Sunday. Las Vegas ended a 10-game losing streak by beating the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14 last week.
RAIDERS NOTES: QB AIDAN O’CONNELL completed 24 of 38 atts. (63.2 pct.) for 257 yards with 0 INTs last week. Has 0 INTs in 3 of his past 4. • RB AMEER ABDULLAH had season-high 85 scrimmage yards (47 rec., 38 rush) & rush TD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 65+ scrimmage yards & TD. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 4 of past 5. Needs 75 scrimmage yards for 3rd-career 500-yard season (2015 & 2017). • RB ALEXANDER MATTISON had 56 scrimmage yards (29 rec., 27 rush) & rush TD in Week 16. Has 55+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. Had TD catch in only career game at NO (10/2/22 w/ Min.). • TE BROCK BOWERS led team with 11 catches for 99 yards last week, becoming 2nd rookie ever (Odell Beckham Jr.) & 3rd TE ever (Zach Ertz & Evan Engram) with 10+ catches in 4 games in a season. Has rec. TD in 3 of past 4 on road & 125+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3 on road. Ranks tied-2nd in NFL with 101 catches, tied with Anquan Boldin for 3rd-most ever by rookie. Leads TEs with 1,067 rec. yards & can surpass HOFer Mike Ditka (1,076 in 1961) for most-ever by rookie TE. • WR JAKOBI MEYERS has 5+ catches & 55+ rec. yards in 4 of past 5. Had 9 catches for 94 yards in only career game vs. NO (9/26/21 w/ NE). • DT ADAM BUTLER has TFL in 5 of past 6 & 0.5+ sacks in 3 of past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. NFC with sack. • DE K’LAVON CHAISSON had sack & PD last week, 4th-straight game with TFL. Has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of past 4 & PD in 2 of past 3. • LB ROBERT SPILLANE had 8 tackles & TFL in Week 16, 4th-straight game with 7+ tackles. Is 1 of 4 in NFL with 5+ tackles in 15 games this season. • S ISAIAH POLA-MAO had 9 tackles & 1st 2 career FFs last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 9+ tackles.
SAINTS NOTES: QB SPENCER RATTLER (rookie) passed for 153 yards & rushed for 28 yards in Week 16. Aims for his 3rd home start in row with 20+ completions. • RB ALVIN KAMARA became 4th player ever (HOFers Marshall Faulk & Lenny Moore & Christian McCaffrey) with 50+ rush TDs (60) & 25+ rec. TDs (25). Needs 7 scrimmage yards for 4th-career 1,500-yard season. Has 18 receptions, 332 scrimmage yards (166 per game) & 5 TDs (3 rush, 2 rec.) in 2 career games vs. LV, incl. 9 catches, 150+ scrimmage yards & 2+ TDs in each game. • RB KENDRE MILLER has 30+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his 5 games in 2024. • RB JORDAN MIMS had career-high 5 receptions in Week 16. • WR MARQUEZ VALDES-SCANTLING has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 at home. • TE FOSTER MOREAU had 91 catches, 1,107 yards & 12 TDs in 61 games (2019- 22) with Raiders. • DE CAMERON JORDAN aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • DE CARL GRANDERSON has sack in 2 of his past 3 at home. • DT KHALEN SAUNDERS had career-high 2 PD & TFL last week. • DL BRYAN BRESEE has sack in 2 of his past 3 at home & has career-high 7.5 sacks in 2024. • DL CHASE YOUNG has 0.5+ sacks & TFL in 3 of his past 4 at home. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS led team with 10 tackles & had 4th TFL of season last week. Has 114 tackles in 2024 & is 1 of 3 (Eric Kendricks & Bobby Wagner) with 100+ tackles in each of past 8 seasons. Needs TFL for 12th-straight season with 5+ TFL. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. LV with TFL. • CB ALONTAE TAYLOR had 3 PD in last meeting. • S TYRANN MATHIEU has 99 career PD. Has 4 PD, 2 INTs & 2 FR in his past 3 vs. LV & aims for his 3rd in row vs. LV with INT.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-8) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-12), 4:05 P.M. ET, CBS
THE KICK-OFF: Saturday’s NFL slate could determine whether the Dolphins are playing for more than pride. Miami hopes to have a chance at the playoffs, while the only thing Cleveland can do is find a rare winning feeling in a disappointing season. Expected to contend for a second straight playoff berth, the Browns instead have an outside chance to earn the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. A third starting quarterback of the year, second-year pro Dorian Thompson-Robinson, gets the call with Jameis Winston (shoulder) ailing and Deshaun Watson (Achilles) out for the season. In a 24-6 road loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, Thompson-Robinson finished 20 of 34 for 157 yards while tossing two interceptions and absorbing five sacks. Thompson-Robinson, who was limited in practice on Thursday because of a quad issue, wants to do a better job avoiding those outcomes. The Dolphins’ defense could help in that matter as they entered the weekend 26th in sacks (31) and tied for 22nd in interceptions (eight). Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he won’t rest players even if the Chargers and Broncos push Miami out of the playoffs on Saturday.
DOLPHINS NOTES: QB TUA TAGOVAILOA completed 22 of 34 atts. (64.7 pct.) for 215 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 92.2 rating last week. Has 0 INTs & 90+ rating in 5 of past 6. Passed for 285 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 135 rating in last meeting. Leads NFL with 72.9 comp. pct. this season. • RB DE’VON ACHANE totaled season-high 190 scrimmage yards (120 rush, 70 rec.) & rush TD last week, 4th-career game with 150+ scrimmage yards. Aims for 3rd in row with 75+ scrimmage yards. Has TD in 5 of past 6. Leads RBs with 76 catches & 579 rec. yards this season & ties for lead with 6 rec. TDs, most catches ever in single season by Mia. RB. • RB RAHEEM MOSTERT had 65 rush yards & rush TD in last meeting. • WR TYREEK HILL had TD catch last week & has rec. TD in 3 of past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Cle. with TD catch. Has 6 rec. TDs this season & is 3rd player in NFL history with 6+ rec. TDs in each of 1st 9 seasons. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. • TE JONNU SMITH had 6 catches for 62 yards in Week 16. Has rec. TD in 2 of past 3. Aims for 3rd in row on road with 9+ catches. Ranks 4th among TEs with 76 catches & 802 rec. yards in 2024, both career highs. • DE CALAIS CAMPBELL has TFL in 2 of past 3 on road. • DT ZACH SIELER aims for 8th in row with TFL & 4th in row with sack. Has TFL in 5 of his 6 road games this season. Had TFL & FF in last meeting. • LB JORDYN BROOKS had 7 tackles & 3rd sack of season last week. Aims for 8th in row with TFL & 14th in row with 7+ tackles. Had 10 tackles, sack & FF in only career game vs. Cle. (10/29/23 w/ Sea.). • LB CHOP ROBINSON (rookie) aims for 3rd in row with sack. Tied for lead among rookies with 6 sacks, tied 3rd-most by Mia. rookie since 1982.
BROWNS NOTES: • QB DORIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON had 157 pass yards & career-high 49 rush yards last week in 1st start of season. • RB JEROME FORD tied career high with 131 scrimmage yards (92 rush, 39 rec.) & had rush TD last week, 5th-career 100-yard game. Aims for 3rd in row with 100+ scrimmage yards & rush TD. • RB D’ONTA FOREMAN rushed for 132 yards & TD in only career game vs Mia. (1/2/22 w/ Ten.), 2nd-most single-game rush yards in career. • WR JERRY JEUDY has 5+ catches & 60+ rec. yards in 7 of past 8. Aims for 5th in row at home with 70+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 81 yards in his last game vs. Mia. (9/24/23 w/ Den.). Since Week 8, ranks 4th in NFL with 806 rec. yards. Has set career highs in catches (72) & rec. yards (1,072) in 2024. • WR ELIJAH MOORE needs 3 catches for new career high (59 in 2023). • TE DAVID NJOKU led team with 8 catches for 66 yards in Week 16, his 3rdstraight game with 7+ catches. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3. • DE MYLES GARRETT had 12th sack of season last week, joining HOFer Lawrence Taylor (1985-89) as only players since 1982 with 12+ sacks in 5 straight seasons. Aims for 6th in row with TFL. Has 6 sacks in his past 3 at home. Has 100.5 career sacks, 1st player since 1982 to reach 100 sacks prior to 29th birthday. Can become 3rd player since 1982 with 13+ sacks in 5 of 1st 8 seasons. • DT MIKE HALL (rookie) had 1st sack of season last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • LB JORDAN HICKS has 9+ tackles in 3 of past 4 & PD in 2 of past 3. Had sack in his last game vs. Mia. (10/16/22 w/ Min.). • CB DENZEL WARD aims for 4th in row with 5+ tackles. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Mia. with PD. Leads NFL with career-high 19 PD in 2024. • S GRANT DELPIT had 5 tackles & 1st sack of season in Week 16.
GREEN BAY (11-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (13-2), 4:25 P.M. ET, FOX
THE KICK-OFF: There is still a lot on the line for the Vikings and Packers, who are behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North but competing for playoff position. Free agent signee Sam Darnold is the first quarterback to win 13-plus games in his first season with a team since Dak Prescott with the Cowboys in 2016 and first non-rookie since Peyton Manning with the Broncos in 2012. He’s had immense production from former Packers RB Aaron Jones and All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson (92 receptions for 1,387 yards, 10 TDs). Head coach Kevin O’Connell has 13 wins in two of his first three years with the Vikings — only current Packers coach Matt LaFleur and former 49ers coach George Seifert have done that. Green Bay also has a playoff spot clinched for the fifth time in six seasons under LaFleur. Powered by Jones’ replacement Josh Jacobs (career-high 13 rushing TDs) and QB Jordan Love, the Packers fell short of a furious comeback in the Week 4 meeting. Love had 389 yards and four TDs but was intercepted three times. He also had four total TDs in last season’s win at Minnesota on New Year’s Eve.
PACKERS NOTES: PACKERS clinched playoff berth for 5th time in 6 seasons under HC Matt LaFleur. LaFleur has 67 wins, 2nd-most by HC in 1st 6 seasons (George Seifert – 75). • QB JORDAN LOVE aims for his 6th in row with TD pass & 0 INTs. Aims for his 4th in row on road with 110+ rating. Passed for 389 yards & 4 TDs vs. 3 INTs in Week 4 meeting. Had 4 TDs (3 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 125.3 rating in last road meeting, his only career start at Min. (12/31/23). • RB JOSH JACOBS had 107 scrimmage yards (69 rush, 38 rec.) & career-high 13th rush TD of season last week, his 6th straight game with rush TD, longest active streak in NFL. Ranks 4th in NFL in rush yards (1,216) & 5th in scrimmage yards (1,556) in 2024, his 2nd-career 1,500-yard season (2,053 in 2022 with Las Vegas). Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his past 8. Aims for his 6th in row on road with rush TD. • WR JAYDEN REED had 76 rec. yards last week & has career highs in rec. yards (803) & scrimmage yards (963) this season. Had 7 catches for 139 yards & TD in Week 4 meeting. Had 6 catches for 89 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last road meeting. • WR CHRISTIAN WATSON has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. Has career-high 620 rec. yards in 2024. • WR DONTAYVION WICKS had career-high 5th rec. TD of season last week. Had 5 catches for 78 yards & 2 rec. TDs in Week 4 meeting. • TE TUCKER KRAFT had 6 catches for 53 yards & TD in Week 4 meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Min. with 6+ receptions. • DL RASHAN GARY had 7th-career FR last week. Aims for his 4th in row on road with sack. • DL DEVONTE WYATT aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • LB QUAY WALKER aims for his 3rd in row vs. Min. with sack. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER (rookie) tied his career-high with 8 tackles last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Had TFL & FR in Week 4 meeting. • CB KEISEAN NIXON had 3rd sack of season & 3rd FF of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Had sack & FF in Week 4 meeting. • CB CARRINGTON VALENTINE had 1st-career FF last week. • S XAVIER MCKINNEY had 10th PD of season last week. Had INT in Week 4 meeting. Ranks tied-1st in NFL with career-high 7 INTs in 2024.
VIKINGS NOTES: VIKINGS won 13 games for 2nd time in 3 seasons (2022) as HC Kevin O’Connell became 3rd HC ever to win 13+ games in 2 of his 1st 3 seasons. • QB SAM DARNOLD passed for 246 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 112.3 rating in Week 16 & has 11 games with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in 2024, tied 5thmost such games in single season all-time. Became 7th QB ever with 13+ wins in 1st season with team. Has career highs in pass yards (3,776) & pass TDs (32) in 2024. Ranks 4th among qualified QBs with 105.4 rating this season. Passed for 275 yards & 3 TDs vs. INT for 123.4 rating in Week 4 meeting. • RB AARON JONES had 93 scrimmage yards (67 rush, 26 rec.) in Week 16. Has 1,046 rush yards in 2024, his 4th-career 100+ rush yards season. Needs 106 scrimmage yards for 3rd-career 1,500-yard season (2019 & 2022). Aims for his 4th in row at home with TD. Had 139 scrimmage yards (93 rush, 46 rec.) in Week 4 meeting. Spent 7 seasons (2017-23) with GB & had 296 catches, 8,729 scrimmage yards (6,451 rush, 2,278 rec.) & 71 scrimmage TDs (52 rush, 19 rec.) in 104 games, incl. postseason. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON had 10 catches for 144 yards & 2 TDs last week & became 5th player ever with 10 games of 10+ catches & 100+ rec. yards in 1st 5 seasons. Has 34 games with 100+ rec. yards & 23 games with 125+ rec. yards, both most by player in 1st 5 seasons in NFL history. Ranks 2nd in rec. yards (1,387), 4th in rec. TDs (10) & tied-7th in receptions (92) & can become 5th player all-time with 3 career seasons of 100+ catches & 1,500+ rec. yards. • WR JORDAN ADDISON had 18th-career rec. TD last week, tied 5th-most by player under age 23 in NFL history. Had 2 TDs (1 rec., 1 rush) in Week 4 meeting. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 vs. GB. • LB BLAKE CASHMAN had 12 tackles, TFL & PD last week. Had 11 tackles, TFL & PD in Week 4 meeting. Needs 8 tackles for 2nd-straight 100-tackle season. • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL had 2 sacks last week, his 3rd game with 2 sacks in 2024. Has career highs in sacks (11) & TFL (17) this season. • LB JONATHAN GREENARD has TFL in 9 of his past 10 & has career-high 16 TFL this season. • CB BYRON MURPHY had 2nd-career 10 tackle game & 13th PD of season last week. • S JOSH METELLUS needs 5 tackles for 2nd-straight 100-tackle season.
ATLANTA FALCONS (8-7) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (10-5), 8:20 P.M. ET, NBC
THE KICK-OFF: A matchup of top-10 draft picks headlines the “Sunday Night Football” showdown in Week 17. With only one career start under his belt, Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, attempts to boost Atlanta’s playoff chances against Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick. The Commanders are hunting their first playoff berth since 2020. Washington could have a playoff spot wrapped up if the Panthers beat the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. If Tampa Bay wins, Washington can clinch with a win over Atlanta. Atlanta is searching for its third straight victory while Washington has won three in a row and could get to 11 wins for the first time since 1991. Penix won his debut start at home last week, completing 18 of 27 passes (66.7 percent) for 202 yards with an interception and led the Falcons to four scoring drives in a 34-7 home win against the Giants. Daniels is coming off a five-touchdown performance, including the game-winner with six seconds remaining, to lead Washington to an upset win over the visiting Eagles. He passed for 258 yards and ran for 81. Daniels has rushed for a team-high 737 yards along with six touchdowns. Washington entered Week 17 third in rushing (152.7 yards per game) and 16th in passing (220.9 yards per game).
FALCONS NOTES: QB MICHAEL PENIX JR. (rookie) completed 18 of 27 atts. (66.7 pct.) for 202 yards in 1st-career start last week. • RB BIJAN ROBINSON had 103 scrimmage yards (94 rush, 9 rec.) & 2 rush TDs last week, his 4th-straight game with 100+ scrimmage yards, 2nd-longest active streak in NFL. Ranks 3rd in NFL with career-high 1,616 scrimmage yards in 2024. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his past 8 on road & aims for his 3rd in row on road in primetime with 120+ scrimmage yards. • WR DRAKE LONDON had 5 catches for 59 yards last week, his 6th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Needs 22 rec. yards for 1st-career season with 1,000+ rec. yards. Aims for his 6th in row in primetime with TD catch. Had 9 catches for 125 yards in last meeting. • WR DARNELL MOONEY had 5 catches for 82 yards last week & needs 45 rec. yards for 2nd-career season with 1,000+ rec. yards. Has 65+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 in primetime. Has 12 catches for 193 yards (96.5 per game) & 3TDs in two career primetime games vs. NFC. • S JESSIE BATES had 2 PDs last week, incl. 3rd-career INT-TD. Had INT in his last game at Was. (11/22/20 w/ Cin.). Has 10 PDs in 2024, his 3rd-career 10+ PD season. • S JUSTIN SIMMONS has 3 PDs, incl. 2 INTs, in his past 3 in primetime. • LB KADEN ELLISS had 7 tackles, sack & 1st FF of season last week. Has career high 130 tackles in 2024 & needs 2 TFL for 2nd-career season with 10+ TFL. • LB MATTHEW JUDON had sack & 1st-career INT-TD last week, his 1st-career INT. Has 5 TFL in 2024, his 8th season in row with 5+ TFL. • CB MIKE HUGHES had 6 tackles & 2 PD last week, his 5th career game with 2+ PD. Aims for his 3rd in row with 6+ tackles & PD.
COMMANDERS NOTES: COMMANDERS are 10-5 in 2024, tied-most wins in season since 1992. • QB JAYDEN DANIELS had 339 yards (258 pass, 81 rush) & 5 pass TDs last week, incl. GW-TD with 6 seconds left & became 1st rookie & 2nd player ever with 250+ pass yards, 75+ rush yards & 5 pass TDs in single game. Has 737 rushing yards in 2024, 2nd-most rush yards by rookie QB in NFL history (Robert Griffin III, 815). Aims for his 5th in row with 2+ pass TDs. • RB BRIAN ROBINSON had 125 scrimmage yards (105 rush, 20 rec.) & rec. TD in last home meeting. Needs 71 rush yards for 1st-career season with 800+ rush yards. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN had 5 catches for 60 yards & TD last week, his 5th season in row with 1,000+ rec. yards (1,029) & is 1 of 2 with 1,000+ rec. yards in each of past 5 seasons. Has 73 catches this season & is 1 of 5 with 70+ catches in each of past 5 seasons. Has 4 rec. TDs in his past 3 at home & aims for his 4th in row at home with rec. TD. • TE ZACH ERTZ has 5+ catches in 3 of his past 4 vs. Atl. Has TD in 2 of his past 3 at home. Aims for his 3rd in row in primetime with 5+ catches. • WR OLAMIDE ZACCHEAUS had 5 catches for 70 yards & 2 rec. TDs last week. Had 94 catches for 1,328 yards & 8 TDs in 4 seasons with Atl. (2019-22). • WR JAMISON CROWDER had 2 rec. TDs in Week 16. • LB BOBBY WAGNER had 9 tackles & 70th-career PD last week. Is only active LB with 70+ PDs & needs 2 TFL for 5th-career season with 10+ TFL. • LB FRANKIE LUVU had 7 tackles, 2 TFL & 2nd-career INT last week. Needs 11 tackles for 3rd season in row with 100+ tackles. Had 10 tackles in his las game vs. Atl. (12/17/23 w/ Car.). • DT DARON PAYNE had TFL last week, his 4th game in row with TFL. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 at home & had 2 TFL & PD in last home meeting. • CB MIKE SAINRISTIL (rookie) aims for his 3rd in row at home with 7+ tackles.
MONDAY
DETROIT LIONS (13-2) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-9)
Monday, December 30, 2024 | 8:15 PM ET | Levi’s Stadium | Referee: Shawn Hochuli
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: SF leads series, 38-27-1 (won 11 of past 12)
Postseason: SF leads series, 2-1 (won past 2)
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 9/12/21: SF 41 at DET 33
Postseason: NFC-C 1/28/24: DET 31 at SF 34
LIONS NOTES:
LIONS have won franchise-record 13 games in 2024. Can become 1st team since 2020 Chiefs with 8-0 road record. • QB JARED GOFF passed for 336 yards & 3 TDs with 137 rating in Week 16 & became 1st player ever with 275+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 135+ rating in 5 games within single season. Has 41 career games with 300+ pass yards, tied with HOFer Dan Marino & Matt Ryan for 2nd most by QB in 1st 9 career seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row with 300+ pass yards, 4th in row with 3+ TD passes & 5th in row with 100+ rating. Ranks 2nd in pass yards (4,095) & rating (112.2) & 4th in TD passes (career-high 33) this season. Has 2,264 pass yards (283 per game) & 17 TDs (16 pass, 1 rush) vs. 6 INTs for 102.5 rating in 8 career Monday starts. Aims for his 5th in row at SF with 2+ TD passes. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS had 154 scrimmage yards (109 rush, 45 rec.) & 12th rush TD of season last week, his 5th-career game with 100+ rush yards. Ranks tied-3rd in scrimmage TDs (15) & 4th in scrimmage yards (1,596) in 2024. Can become 7th RB ever under age 23 with 3,000+ scrimmage yards & 25+ scrimmage TDs. Aims for his 3rd in row on Monday with rush TD. Had rush TD in 2023 NFC-C. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN had career-high 11th rec. TD of season last week. Ranks tied-2nd with 101 receptions in 2024 & became 3rd player ever with 100+ catches in 3 of his 1st 4 career seasons. Has TD catch in 13 of his past 16 on road. Had 7 catches for 87 yards in 2023 NFC-C. • WR JAMESON WILLIAMS had 5 catches for career-high 143 yards last week, incl. career-long 82-yard rec. TD, his 9th-career TD catch. Aims for his 3rd in row with rec. TD. Had 2 TDs (1 rec., 1 rush) in 2023 NFC-C. • TE SAM LAPORTA had 16th-career rec. TD last week, tied-3rd most by TE in 1st 2 career seasons all-time. Had 9 catches for 97 yards in 2023 NFC-C. • DB BRIAN BRANCH led team with 12 tackles & had TFL & PD last week, his 5th game with both TFL & PD in 2024, most in NFL. Has career highs with 96 tackles & 15 PD this season. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD & 4th in row with TFL. • DB KERBY JOSEPH ranks tied-1st in NFL with career-high 7 INTs in 2024. • LB JACK CAMPBELL has career-high 110 tackles in 2024 & is 1 of 2 in NFC (Lavonte David) with 100+ tackles, 5+ TFL (5) & 5+ PD (5).
49ERS NOTES: QB BROCK PURDY passed for 313 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 95.1 rating last week, his 9th-career game with 300+ pass yards. Passed for 267 yards & TD vs. INT & rushed for 48 yards in 2023 NFC-C. • RB ISAAC GUERENDO (rookie) aims for his 3rd in row at home with 75+ scrimmage yards. • TE GEORGE KITTLE had 8 catches for 106 yards last week & became 4th TE ever with 20+ games (20) with 100+ rec. yards in 1st 8 seasons. Has 7,241 career rec. yards, 2nd-most all-time by TE in 1st 8 seasons. Ranks 2nd among TEs with 967 rec. yards in 2024 & needs 33 rec. yards to become 5th TE ever with 4 career seasons with 1,000+ rec. yards. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL had 7 catches, season-high 121 scrimmage yards (96 rec., 25 rush) & 2nd rec. TD of season last week. Had 8 catches for 89 yards in 2023 NFC-C. Had 9 catches for 189 yards & rec. TD in only career reg. season meeting (9/12/21). • WR JAUAN JENNINGS has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. Has career highs in catches (63), rec. yards (856) & rec. TDs (6) in 2024. • LB FRED WARNER led team with 11 tackles last week & has 117 tackles in 2024, 1 of 2 (Bobby Wagner) with 115+ tackles in each of past 7 seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row in 2024 & 4th in row vs. Det. (incl. playoffs) with 10+ tackles. • LB DRE GREENLAW had INT-TD in last reg. season meeting (9/12/21). • DL NICK BOSA has TFL in 4 of his past 5. Had 2 sacks in 2023 NFC-C & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Det. (incl. playoffs) with sack & 2+ TFL. • DL LEONARD FLOYD has 6.5 sacks in 8 home games this season. • CB CHARVARIUS WARD had 70th career PD last week & aims for his 3rd in row with PD.