Month: December 2024

Texans vs. Jaguars: Reads, odds, where to watch, stream and more

Here’s some pregame reading material fans should look over heading into Sunday’s outing between the Texans and Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.

The Houston Texans will get a break from their long 2024 season next week when they go on bye, but not before they face arguably a must-win game on the road against the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Jacksonville vs. Texans below prior to Sunday’s showdown.

Jaguars (2-9) vs. Texans (7-5): Week 13

Where: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.

When: Sunday, Dec. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET

Watch: FOX

Stream: Fubo (start your free trial here)

Radio: 1010 XL/92.5 FM Jacksonville or SportsRadio 610 AM

Series history: Houston leads, 35-10.

Last meeting: The Texans beat the Jaguars, 24-20, at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sept. 29, 2024.

Odds (as of 10:00 a.m. ET Sunday): Texans -5.5 | Jaguars +5.5, per BetMGM. The over/under is 43 points.

Important stories

49ers can play spoiler for Bills playoff chances

The San Francisco 49ers have slim playoff hopes of their own, but they can also play spoiler against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13.

The San Francisco 49ers saw their playoff chances plummet following consecutive losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.

While the 49ers are still technically in the playoff hunt, their season may be better defined by whether they can play spoiler for other teams. That’s what they’ll be aiming to do Sunday while also trying to keep their own playoff hopes on life support.

Buffalo has dominated a relatively weak AFC East and entered Week 13 with a simple clinching scenario. They needed the Miami Dolphins to lose to the Packers on Thanksgiving night. Green Bay handled business for Buffalo in that one, routing the Dolphins 30-17 at Lambeau Field.

Now the Bills can clinch the AFC East title and a playoff spot by knocking off the 49ers at Highmark Stadium on Sunday night.

While it’s all but a certainty the Bills will eventually wrap up the division, the 49ers should at least draw a little motivation from trying to keep it from happening against them. Not to mention their own slim playoff hopes revolve around winning some games they probably shouldn’t on paper. That starts Sunday in Buffalo where a win would improve the 49ers’ own postseason chances, and delay the Bills’ celebration for at least one more week.

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Kyle McCord reacts to Ohio State losing to Michigan football

He wasn’t (and isn’t) the problem in Columbus. #GoBlue

At Ohio State, quarterback C.J. Stroud was beloved despite never beating Michigan football. That’s in large part due to leading a vaunted offense that was often firing on all cylinders — even in The Game. But his replacement, Kyle McCord? He never stood a chance.

Because after losing to Michigan in 2022, OSU head coach Ryan Day, again, shifted more towards attempting to be a more physical, downhill running team. That meant sacrificing the pass game. And Kyle McCord just wasn’t quite the dynamic quarterback that Stroud was.

But he was more than serviceable. However, after he threw two interceptions in a 30-24 loss in Ann Arbor, McCord was essentially run out of town in favor of Will Howard, the Kansas State transfer.

McCord ended up at Syracuse, where, on the same day that his former team lost — again — to Michigan, he beat Miami — who had the quarterback that Ohio State wanted most, Cam Ward.

So after the game, McCord was asked about, well, all of the above. And he simply said, with a smile, ‘Everything comes full circle!’

 

Despite him being a former Buckeye, Michigan fans tend to have a soft spot for McCord because of him being run off the team. This will certainly ingratiate them to him that much more.

Everything Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said on the field after holding off Texas A&M

Everything Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said on the field after holding off Texas A&M.

After the epic struggle between legendary rivals Texas and Texas A&M, ABC’s Holly Rowe caught up with Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian after UT’s 17-7 win.

Rowe asked Sark how it felt winning in his first exposure to this old rivalry.

“Well, it feels pretty good. You know the rivalry is one thing. But the opportunity now to go play for an SEC Championship in our first year in the conference. It’s pretty exciting, but it’s going to be a heck of a challenge.”

Rowe the Texas coach asked about the goal line stand by the defense in the fourth quarter.

“Our defense was great all night. We nearly shut them out. They got the one interception on a tipped ball for the long touchdown, but our defense was fantastic all night long.”

Rowe asked Sark about the physical nature of his team, especially in the run game.

“Well, we challenged them about a month ago that the run game had to get going. This guy right here (Sark puts his arm around Quintrevion Wisner, who rushed for a career high 186-yards) has been a warrior this last month. So, just love that the O-line is doing, the tight end and this guy has brought a lot of heart to the unit. It’s been great.”

Finally, Rowe asked about playing in the SEC title game in the school’s first year.

“Well, that was the goal coming into it. It didn’t matter what conference we’re in. Our goal is to be champions year in and year out. That’s the standard here at the University of Texas. That will never change.”

Ryan Day’s latest ‘skull session’ goes horribly wrong in retrospect

#Michigan fans, you’re gonna want to see this! #GoBlue

Before every home game, Ohio State holds a ‘skull session,’ where the band finishes its rehearsal before the game, and head coach Ryan Day and perhaps other coaches address an adorning crowd with some kind of message.

In 2022, wide receivers coach Brian Hartline spoke about how for 365 days, Michigan talked (read: celebrated the 2021 win as victors tend to do) while Ohio State worked and toiled in the dark. It was an inspiring message for Buckeye fans for all of about a few hours before the Wolverines rendered it moot — if not hilarious.

Well, Ohio State is still talking like a frontrunner, and it aged like milk once again.

This time, it was Day who put his foot in his mouth. While it certainly galvanized a Buckeye fanbase hungry for a win, as Luke Skywalker said in ‘The Last Jedi,’ every word he just said was wrong.

“Our No. 1 goal every year is to win this game,” Day said. “We put everything we possibly have in our process, every single day to work this game. We don’t wear blue, we don’t say the M word. But this is not about them today. This is about us. This is about our team, this is about our band, this is about our fans. This is about our university, this is about our state, this is about our toughness. This is about our work ethic. This is about our integrity, our character, our resilience and who we are as Buckeyes!”

 

Yeah, no.

Quick reminder: Ryan Day is now 1-4 against Michigan having lost four straight. Yet, he keeps talking like he’s 4-1. And now, the No. 2 Buckeyes — the ranking OSU has had each of the past four years — know what it’s like to lose to an unranked version of Michigan — not the College Football Playoff version.

PHOTOS – Best pics from Texas Longhorns hard-fought win over rival Aggies

Check out the best pics and images from Texas Longhorns tough win over rival Texas A&M Aggies in first meeting in 13-years.

It wasn’t easy, but the Longhorns can once again claim bragging rights over their rivals, the Texas A&M Aggies. Texas used a strong first half and a stout defense in the second to win at Kyle Field 17-7.

This was the first meeting between the two bitter rivals since 2011, when UT won a thrilling 27-25 victory over Texas A&M in College Station. It was thought to be the final game of the rivalry. 13-years later, with Texas now in the SEC, the Horns once again reign supreme over the Aggies.

It was the Texas defense that really stood tall in the second half. Leading 17-0 and deep in Aggies territory, Horns QB Quinn Ewers threw a pick-6 that let A&M back in the game. Texas went on another sustained drive, but Ewers fumbled.

Texas A&M had a huge opportunity to cut the lead to three, but were stuffed in a goal line stand by the Longhorns defense that will be remembered for decades.

No. 3 Texas narrowly escapes No. 20 Texas A&M in rivalry game, 17-7

The No. 3 Texas Longhorns defeat Texas A&M at Kyle Field to advance to SEC Championship.

The Texas Longhorns secured a significant victory over the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field, marking the renewal of their storied rivalry after a 13-year hiatus. The Longhorns’ defense was formidable, limiting the Aggies to just 233 total yards, while the offense amassed approximately 461 yards.

The Longhorns also clinched a spot in the Southeastern Conference Championship, crushing A&M’s hopes to head to the game for their first time, despite being in the conference for nearly 12 years.

The game began with a setback for Texas when starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, who was nursing a high-ankle sprain, was temporarily sidelined.  Arch Manning stepped in and made an immediate impact, capping a 93-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-2 play, giving Texas a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

Ewers returned in the second quarter and quickly connected with running back Jaydon Blue for a touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0. Following a scoreless stretch, kicker Bert Auburn converted a 28-yard field goal, pushing the score to 17-0. However, a misstep occurred when Ewers threw an interception in the Aggies’ red zone, which defensive back Will Lee III returned for a touchdown, narrowing the margin to 17-7.

Texas A&M never scored against the Texas defense, the Longhorns blocked numerous 4th down attempts, including a late last minute effort by the Aggies on 4th and Goal from the 1 yard-line. The Longhorns sealed the deal with fumble by A&M’s Trey Moore, recovered by Texas’ Vernon Broughton. The Longhorns will look to face Georgia in a rematch game, this time, for the Southeastern Conference Championship. The game is slated for kickoff at 3pm on December 7th from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

The Ohio State Buckeyes, suffered defeat against Michigan, a team that the Longhorns defeated in Michigan, 30-12. The official Associated Press rankings are slated for Sunday at 1pm CT, which will sure include a possible Texas to #2 spot.

In the words of Matthew McConaughey:

Well alright, alright, alright.

Wordle hint today: Clues for December 1 2024 NYT puzzle #1261

Some clues, tips, strategies to guess Wordle on December 1, along with the answer.

WARNING: THERE ARE WORDLE SPOILERS AHEAD! DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT THE DECEMBER 1, 2024 WORDLE ANSWER SPOILED FOR YOU.

Ready?

OK.

We’ve seen some hard Wordle words over the years and if you’re here, you’re probably struggling with today’s and are looking for some help. So let’s run down a few clues with today’s Wordle that could help you solve it:

1. It has three vowels.

2. It’s an adjective and a noun.

3. It’s associated with a color.

And the answer to today’s Wordle is below this photo:

(Photo Illustration by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

It’s ….

MAUVE.

While you’re here, some more Wordle advice:

How do I play Wordle?

Go to this link from the New York Times and start guessing words.

What are the best Wordle starting words?

That’s a topic we’ve covered a bunch here. According to the Times’ WordleBot, the best starting word is: CRANE. Others that I’ve seen include ADIEU, STARE and ROAST.

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Fantasy football inactives, injuries and weather: NFL Week 13

Week 13 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives for the fantasy football lineup decisions.

Sunday updates will begin when teams start releasing official pregame inactives and starter information to the league. This is typically around 90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.

Weather forecasts are courtesy of The Football Database.

Week 13 gameday inactives, weather and notes

KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early games: QB Trevor Lawrence, WR Alec Pierce, RB Breece Hall, WR Demario Douglas
Afternoon games: WR DeVonta Smith
Sunday night: QB Brock Purdy, WR Keon Coleman
Monday night:

Early games

Los Angeles Chargers at Atlanta Falcons (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 51°F, clear, W 11 mph (retractable-roof dome)

Chargers

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) was placed on IR, and LB Denzel Perryman (groin) was ruled out. TE Will Dissly (groin) had a full session Friday and is good to go.

Falcons

Inactives:

Lineup notes: WR Drake London (hip) and PK Younghoe Koo (hip) elevated to full from limited Friday and will play.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 29°F, cloudy, WNW 10 mph

Steelers

Inactives:

Lineup notes: LB Alex Highsmith (ankle) is doubtful and was limited Thursday and Friday.

Bengals

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Zack Moss (neck) remains on IR. LT Orlando Brown (leg) is questionable but was a full participant Friday. QB Joe Burrow (wrist) was as well, and he’ll play.

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Cardinals

Inactives:

Lineup notes: S Jalen Thompson (ankle) was limited all week and draws a questionable tag.

Vikings

Inactives:

Lineup notes: LT Cam Robinson (foot) is questionable but upgraded from limited to a full practice Friday. LB Ivan Pace (hamstring) went on IR.

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 34°F, cloudy, SW 11 mph

Colts

Inactives:

Lineup notes: WR Josh Downs (shoulder) is out. RT Braden Smith (personal) is as well. WR Alec Pierce (foot) is questionable, but he, WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and LT Bernhard Raimann (knee) all practiced fully Friday. Those two don’t carry an injury tag.

Patriots

Inactives:

Lineup notes: WR Demario Douglas (ankle) and LT Vederian Lowe (shoulder) are questionable. Both starting safeties Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Jabrill Peppers (knee) are as well. All were limited in practice Friday.

Seattle Seahawks at New York Jets (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 37°F, cloudy, WSW 12 mph

Seahawks

Inactives:

Lineup notes: TE Noah Fant (groin), WR Tyler Lockett (knee) and WR DK Metcalf (shoulder) had a full session Friday and will go.

Jets

Inactives:

Lineup notes: LT Tyron Smith (neck) went on injured reserve. RB Breece Hall (knee) is questionable. He had a full session Friday and should be available as his head coach says Hall is trending in the right direction. LB C.J. Mosley (neck) is questionable.

Tennessee Titans at Washington Commanders (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 41°F, cloudy

Titans

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Tyjae Spears (concussion) had a full practice Friday and appears to be on the plus side of questionable. WR Calvin Ridley (ankle) had a full session Friday and will play.

Commanders

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) will miss at least four games on IR, joining PK Austin Seibert (hip). CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is questionable after limited work all week. RB Brian Robinson Jr. (ankle) and WR Noah Brown (knee) are good to go after full practices Friday. Washington waived 2023 first-round pick CB Emmanuel Forbes.

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 58°F, mostly cloudy

Texans

Inactives:

Lineup notes: DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) is good to go after a full session Friday.

Jaguars

Inactives:

Lineup notes: QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is questionable after limited work this week. However, he’s expected to make his return. RB Tank Bigsby (ankle) practiced fully all week and is good to go.

Late-afternoon window

Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints (4:05 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Rams

Inactives:

Lineup notes: TE Tyler Higbee (knee) remains on the PUP but saw limited work in Wednesday and Thursday before a full session on Friday. He’s out one more week. RT Rob Havenstein (ankle) was a full-go Friday and should play.

Saints

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) and WR Chris Olave (concussion) remain on IR. RB Jamaal Williams (groin) is questionable but elevated to full from limited Friday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (4:05 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 52°F, cloudy

Buccaneers

Inactives:

Lineup notes: LT Tristan Wirfs (knee, foot) was limited all week and is questionable. WR Mike Evans (hamstring) had full sessions Wednesday and Thursday but was limited Friday. He carries no injury tag, though. LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was downgraded to out.

Panthers

Inactives:

Lineup notes: RB Miles Sanders (ankle) was placed on IR. WR Jalen Coker (quadriceps) and TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (neck) are out. WR Adam Thielen (hamstring) was limited Friday, but he’s good to go.

Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 40°F, cloudy

Eagles

Inactives:

Lineup notes: WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) is questionable this week after limited work Thursday and Friday. WR Parris Campbell was signed to active roster from Philly’s practice squad.

Ravens

Inactives:

Lineup notes: LB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring, neck) is doubtful after sitting out all week. LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) was limited the first two days but had a full practice Friday, and he’ll suit up.

Sunday Night Football

San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills (8:20 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 27°F, cloudy, heavy, lake-effect snowfall expected before kickoff

49ers

Inactives:

Lineup notes: DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) and LT Trent Williams (ankle) are out this week. QB Brock Purdy (shoulder) is questionable but upgraded to a full practice Friday and is poised to return.

Bills

Inactives:

Lineup notes: TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) is out. WR Keon Coleman (wrist) is questionable and was limited all week. LB Matt Milano (biceps) also is questionable but was activated from IR. WR Mack Hollins (shoulder), WR Amari Cooper (wrist) and WR Curtis Samuel (pectoral) all practiced Friday and will play.

Monday Night Football

Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos (8:15 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 35°F, mostly clear

Browns

Lineup notes: WR Jerry Jeudy (knee) has practiced fully all week and carries no injury designation. LT Jedrick Wills (knee) and WR Cedric Tillman (concussion) were ruled out.

Broncos

Lineup notes: WR Josh Reynolds (hand) his questionable. QB Bo Nix (back) avoided an injury tag.