Month: December 2023

5 Bengals players who could cause the Jaguars problems in Week 13

Will the Jaguars be able to shut down the Bengals’ talented receiving corps?

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals have been headed in opposite directions, as of late.

The Jaguars have moved past early hiccups and are establishing themselves as a top team in the AFC. The Bengals, however, looked like one of the best teams for a stretch, but are now spiraling.

Without Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow, Cincinnati has turned to backup Jake Browning to turn the season back around. While the Bengals seem unlikely to make the playoffs, they’re still a team with difference makers on both sides of the field.

Here are five Bengals players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in Week 13:

Stat shows depleted Bills defense unable to close games this season

Stat shows depleted #Bills defense unable to close games this season:

At the end of last season, the Buffalo Bills had a defense that many NFL teams feared. They had held opponents to the second-lowest points per game while securing 17 interceptions, generating 40 sacks, and forcing 11 fumbles. Buffalo’s defensive prowess helped propel the Bills to the No. 1 seed during the regular season.

Many fans and experts predicted Buffalo to continue to have an elite defense this year. However, injuries to many of their defensive stars have prevented their continued success.

Injuries across the defense, from defensive lineman to the secondary, have been rife with four players heading to the injured reserve list. Tre’Davious White in Week 4 was the start, quickly followed by Da’Quan Jones and 2022 All-Pro Matt Milano in Week 5 during their international game in London. A couple weeks later, Kaiir Elam joined his teammates on IR.

And while many defenders have stepped up into these roles, the performances have been noticeably different. Especially in the most difficult part of the game for defenders – near the end.

Now, the Bills defense is still creating takeaways (11 interceptions in 12 games, on pace with last year) and getting to opposing quarterbacks and forcing fumbles more. In fact, they already beat last year’s sack total and forced more fumbles before they reached their bye week, with five more games remaining.

But the Bills have comfortably won a handful games this season, including against the Raiders, Commanders, Dolphins, and Jets. And in those games, the Buffalo defense have generated turnovers in the air and on the ground while getting to the opposing quarterbacks several times.

It’s the games a team loses that usually show the defensive issues.

Currently, Buffalo is 6-6, and in their six games they have lost, their defensive has given up a lot of points.

Especially compared to last year’s Bills.. And especially at the end of games.

The 2023 Bills, in the fourth quarter and overtime, have given up more points that the 2022 Bills did in the entire season, according to independent Buffalo journalist Jerry Sullivan. And no matter how many turnovers a defense generates throughout the game, if they cannot stop offenses from scoring at the end of games then they will have trouble winning. Especially when they have been in 7 one-score games this season, winning only 2 of those games against below average teams (4-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 4-8 New York Giants).

The hope will be that Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who took over defensive coordinator duties during the offseason, will be able to use the upcoming bye week to address this issue:

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Rookie LB Jack Campbell earns praise from Aaron Glenn

With Alex Anzalone out, rookie Jack Campbell will become the defensive signal-caller vs. the Saints

As the weeks have gone on this season for the Lions, we continue to hear positive things about rookie linebacker Jack Campbell. Much of that praise is coming from defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

With linebacker Alex Anazlone set to miss multiple games due to a hand injury, the Lions defense is in desperate need for someone to step up. According to defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, that player appears to be Jack Campbell.

“The next voice you’re going to hear is Jack,” Glenn said on Thursday.

“He’s a true Mike backer. He has to be the one that makes all those checks and he’s capable of doing that. Smart, heady guy that’s tough. He’s built for these moments. I’m looking forward for him to be the actual mouthpiece of the defense going into this game,” said Glenn.

This was brought up when Glenn was asked on how the on-field communication will shift without Anzalone. Glenn said, “well, that’s the reason we got Jack.” It’s expected for Campbell to be the player to step-up and communicate more to the defense.

With the New Orleans Saints dealing with injuries at wide receiver, it wouldn’t be surprising if they relied heavily on their rushing attack. Their backfield consists of Alvin Kamra, Jamaal Williams and Taysom Hill.

Campbell has played 383 defensive snaps this season. It’s resulted in 31 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Throughout some of my film studies, I’ve noticed that he’s played with some hesitation. Much of that is due to the fact that I think he’s afraid of making a mistake. As the Saints carry a backfield, quarterback and offensive line filled with veterans, it’s imperative that Campbell not only displays the ability to communicate but he’s also got to have a strong performance on the field.

Commanders’ Bieniemy: New role ‘a lot of fun and responsibility’

Eric Bieniemy says you are always in constant evaluation mode.

The 2023 season has been a season of adjustment for Eric Bieniemy.

He became the Kansas City offensive coordinator the same season (2018) Patrick Mahomes took over for Alex Smith.

But now he likes the young quarterback he has in Sam Howell, in his new role as offensive coordinator/assistant head coach for the Commanders.

During his Thursday meeting with the media, Bieniemy conveyed, “I’ve watched Sam. I’ve watched him grow as a quarterback. I mean, he’s making plays. Has everything been perfect for him? No. But he’s making tremendous strides.”

Bieniemy was asked about the last five years he had Andy Reid, who still, in some sense, governed the offense. But now, he has been given entirely the Washington Commanders offense by Ron Rivera.

Bieniemy also said Thursday as if not only is Sam Howell growing, but he is as well, in his role of offensive coordinator/assistant head coach.

“It’s been a lot of fun, it’s been a lot of responsibility. Uh, a lot of communication that takes place between myself and our staff. On top of that, it is a collective group. Everybody is into it and helping build the game plan.”

The offense has certainly, at times this season, resembled a journey on a roller coaster, one week playing well, the next week really struggling. Sometimes one half does nothing much, and the next, moving the ball really well.

Bieniemy reflected that as well. “There’s been many highs, and obviously, you always look back on things and say, ‘You know what? Maybe we should have done this or done that. But you’re always evaluating yourself to make sure you are dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s, making sure you are making the right decisions at the right times for these particular situations that present themselves.”

The particular situation that will present itself this week is how many points will the Commanders need to score to stay in the game with the high-scoring Dolphins.

Bengals news: Tee Higgins update, Joe Burrow at the card table and breakout rookies

The latest Bengals news items and notes to know.

The Cincinnati Bengals returned to work on Thursday ahead of Monday’s primetime game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With their return to normalcy came a mini-avalanche of news relating to the health of Tee Higgins, breakout rookies and quite a bit more.

Also with the team was a guy by the name of Joe Burrow, sporting a sling on his surgically repaired wrist and an eagerness to throw down with some teammates at the card table.

So, an eventful mid-week, or about as much as it can be for a team hoping to avoid fading into lost-season territory.

Here’s a look at the must-know Bengals news, notes and quotes for December 1.

5 things to watch: What impact can Myles Garrett, Joe Flacco have in Browns vs. Rams?

The Browns are set to take on the Rams shorthanded. What impact can a hurt Myles Garrett have as they likely trot out Joe Flacco as well.

The Cleveland Browns are looking for a bounceback win against the Los Angeles Rams in this Week 13 matchup. They saw their playoff odds take a massive drop after the loss to the Denver Broncos a week ago, and the Browns will continue to have their work cut out for them. Their best player Myles Garrett is banged up, and it is trending toward a Joe Flacco start under center.

Somehow sitting at 7-4 on the season despite all of the key injuries this season, can the Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski pull out another shorthanded win in Los Angeles? The defensive side of the ball will need to rebound as well but will do so with a hurt Garrett and potentially without Denzel Ward.

The team stayed out west this week, practicing at UCLA and taking in the team bonding opportunities. Let’s hope that helped.

Here are five things to watch as the Browns hunt out their eighth win against the Rams on Sunday.

The 10 best NFL draft prospects in the SEC championship

Ranking the top NFL draft prospects in the SEC championship game between Georgia and Alabama

The 2023 SEC championship game will feature 12 players ranked in the top 100 of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide play in the SEC championship on Saturday (Dec. 2) at 4 p.m. ET in an NFL draft scout’s dream. The winner of the Georgia-Alabama game will have its College Football Playoff hopes bolstered, while the loser will likely have to settle for a New Year’s Six Bowl.

The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide have multiple players that are expected to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Georgia has had 25 players drafted over the past two NFL drafts, which is the most of any college football program.

Who are the top 10 NFL draft prospects playing in the SEC championship game?

SEC program offers Nebraska commitment Isaiah McMorris

An SEC program is looking to flip one of Nebraska’s commits prior to the early signing period

New Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby is not wasting any time on the recruiting trail. Among the first offers extended by Lebby was to long-time Nebraska commitment Isaiah McMorris.

A native of Omaha and a standout at Bellevue West, McMorris has been committed to the Huskers since June 23, when he committed to the school prior to an official visit. At the time, he chose Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers over offers from Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, USC, and Wisconsin.

Also among those offers was Jeff Lebby’s former employer, the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners were among the top options early on in McMorris’s recruitment before he eventually chose to commit to Nebraska. But now, Lebby hoping to make a few big splashes before the December early signing period, is hoping to change McMorris’s mind over the next few weeks.

Under Lebby’s direction this season, the Oklahoma Sooners posted the third-best scoring offense in all of college football, averaging 43.2 points per game. The Sooners, in the process, had three receivers post over 500+ receiving yards, with Drake Stoops leading the way with 78 receptions for 880 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Mississippi State officially tabbed the long-time offensive coordinator on Sunday as the program’s next head coach. The Bulldogs administration is hoping that the former Baylor, UCF, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma assistant can quickly get the program back on track after going 5-7 this season under head coach Zach Arnett and interim head coach Greg Knox.

Arnett was fired as the program’s head coach after just ten games, with the Bulldogs amassing a 4-6 record, including 1-6 in conference play. The former defensive coordinator was originally named the program’s interim head coach last December following the tragic passing of then-head coach Mike Leach before being named the program’s full-time head coach a few days following Leach’s passing.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Can the ‘elite arm’ of Joe Flacco make the difference for the Browns?

Cleveland’s OC likes what he sees from Joe Flacco

With rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson sitting out Thursday’s practice as he remains in concussion protocol, it is highly likely Joe Flacco starts on Sunday as the Cleveland Browns take on the Los Angeles Rams. Talking about the probable fourth starter of the year, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt spoke about Flacco during media availability on Thursday.

He said that he believes that Flacco still has plenty in the tank and that he believes that the arm is still elite. Flacco could help the Browns open up the vertical passing game as he has always had one of the league’s strongest arms dating back to his days with the rival Ravens.

Kevin Stefanski has led his team to a 7-4 record this year using three different quarterbacks and a probable fourth this week. He has his team ready to play each week and will likely have to make another major change to his offense with a different style of quarterback starting Sunday. This could be a real springboard into the playoffs if Cleveland can bounce back on the road.

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Panthers’ updated practice squad after addition of Deonte Brown

Panthers’ updated 16-man practice squad following Thursday’s return of Deonte Brown

The Carolina Panthers brought back a familiar face to their practice squad on Thursday, adding guard Deonte Brown at the expense of quarterback Jake Luton.

Brown’s return may not be too surprising considering the current state (or whatever’s left of it) of Carolina’s interior offensive line. With Brady Christensen, Austin Corbett and Chandler Zavala now all lost for the rest of the season, the 2021 sixth-round pick could provide some insurance to a battered front.

Let’s take an updated look at the practice squad with Brown, once again, in the fold: