Month: January 2025

Bengals’ Mike Hilton expects ‘bloodbath’ vs. Steelers in Week 18

One veteran of the AFC North knows what’s at stake with playoff implications on the line in Week 18.

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton knows a thing or two about the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Entering his team’s Week 18 clash with Mike Tomlin’s Steelers, Hilton has made sure his guys are on high alert and has said as much in the media, too.

“It’s going to be a bloodbath,” Hilton said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “One team is in the playoffs. We’re fighting for our playoff lives, so it’s going to be fireworks. If I know (Tomlin) he’s talking to the guys right now and getting them fired up before Saturday. We expect to be challenged. All their guys are going to be going. They’re on a three-game skid right now. I’m sure they want to catch some momentum in the playoffs.”

That entire line of thinking is why Tomlin disappointed Bengals fans earlier in the week by suggesting the Steelers would not rest starters.

The Steelers haven’t just lost their previous three games, either — none of them were very close. Understandably, his team losing a fourth to a team that might miss the playoffs wouldn’t be ideal.

Hilton, a former Steelers player himself, has certainly relayed the message and outlined what it will take to control their part of the playoff outlook to the locker room.

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‘College GameDay’ predicts winner of Georgia vs. Notre Dame

“College GameDay” crew predicts the winner of the Sugar Bowl between UGA and Notre Dame

ESPN’s premier college football pregame show, “College GameDay” has predicted the results of the Sugar Bowl between the Georgia Bulldogs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

The Sugar Bowl, which was delayed due to a tragic attack on Bourbon Street, will be played on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The Georgia-Notre Dame game will still end up being televised on ESPN.

The crew unanimously predicted that the Texas Longhorns would beat the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Longhorns ended up beating the Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime.

Former Michigan standout Desmond Howard picked Notre Dame to beat Georgia. “Looking at Georgia’s offense when they had Carson Beck, I wasn’t impressed with this offense. And now you’re going to put in Gunner Stockton. I am going with Notre Dame,” said Howard.

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban picked Georgia to win the Sugar Bowl. “I am going to take Georgia because I believe in Gunner Stockton. I think the guy is a winner and he’s got a challenge in front of him, but I just think Georgia knows how to play in these kind of games,” Saban said. “They’ve been in a lot of them… they’ve been successful.”

GameDay analyst Pat McAfee is rolling with Georgia. “I never pick Notre Dame and that’s going to continue today,” McAfee said. “It is because Kirby (Smart) has had a few weeks and I think he’s going to be ready for it.”

Lee Corso picked Notre Dame to win the Sugar Bowl over Georgia. Kirk Herbstreit also picked the Fighting Irish.

“I think Notre Dame is going to come up with a plan that is going to hang… keep them in this game, but I am with coach Saban and Pat. I think Georgia wins a close football game,” said Herbstreit.

Overall, three members of the GameDay crew picked Georgia and two picked Notre Dame.

 

Giants vs. Eagles: 3 causes for concern in Week 18

The New York Giants square off in a Sunday afternoon battle against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 18. Here are three causes for concern.

The New York Giants will end their extremely disappointing season on Sunday when they travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles.

With little to play for, the Eagles are expected to rest their starters against Big Blue on Sunday, including former Giant and the NFL’s leading rusher Saquon Barkley.

The Giants are coming off their first win in months after beating the Indianapolis Colts at home this past Sunday. The result resulted in a mixed reaction from fans given the fall in draft stock that the win cost Big Blue.

Earlier this week, the Giants opened up as 3.5-point road underdogs for their trip to Philadelphia.

Here are three causes for concern ahead of the Giants’ Week 18 matchup against the Eagles.

Luke Hales/Getty Images

Battle of backups

Generally speaking, the Giants have been playing the bulk of the season with their backups. On Sunday, they will face off against a different version of the Eagles than they saw earlier in the season. They will be without many of their starters including Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts.

However, Hurts didn’t play last week and Philadelphia still put up 40-plus points while holding the Dallas Cowboys to just seven.

The Giants may have two of the best players in the game, Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy Jr., who will suit up on Sunday. But, collectively as a unit, the Eagles’ backups are a much stronger team than what the Giants have marched out on the field since the bye week.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Hostile environment

The Giants have had little success against the Eagles in recent memory and even less when playing on the road in the hostile environment in Philadelphia. Given the Giants’ record, the game down the New Jersey turnpike will have even fewer Giants fans in the stands than usual.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Giants’ offensive ineptitude

Certainly, the Giants showed an explosive performance on offense this past Sunday. However, given the 10-game losing streak that came before that, it’s hard to imagine them putting back-to-back positive offensive performances together.

The Giants have been one of the worst teams in football on offense before Week 17 and it’s going to be hard for the Giants to replicate it again against the Eagles with Drew Lock under center.

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Broncos’ depth chart for Sunday’s game vs. Chiefs

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ depth chart going into Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.

The Denver Broncos are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season. If the Broncos win their regular season finale, they will clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.

Here’s a look the Broncos’ updated depth chart going into Sunday’s showdown with the Chiefs.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss Drew Sanders
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad Zach Cunningham
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV broadcast map). The Broncos are considered favorites at home.

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Gimme Him: One player the Commanders would steal from the Cowboys

The Washington Commanders face the Dallas Cowboys in the final week of the regular season and there is one player they’d love to steal.

It’s the final week of the regular season and the Washington Commanders already have a postseason run in their sights. They head west on Sunday to face a division rival, the Dallas Cowboys, ending their season on the road. The Commanders haven’t indicated that they’ll be resting anyone this weekend, so they’re going in full steam ahead to end their season with a win.

The Commanders likely won’t have much trouble with the ailing Cowboys, but the Cowboys do have one player the Commanders would love to steal this week in Micah Parsons. The last time these two teams met, Parsons was the pick to steal as well, and there’s really no reason to change it because he provides the Commanders with an edge rush they currently don’t have.

Parsons has 39 tackles this season (27 solo), 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass defensed, and 11 stuffs — and he’s missed four games. Only Dante Fowler Jr. has more sacks than the Commanders, with 10.5.

But it’s not just about his stat line. Parsons disrupts plays, gets in the face of the quarterback, and never holds back on the field. His passion for the game and his natural athletic ability threaten any opponent. He would be a welcome addition to the Commanders’ defense for more than a week, but for our purposes, we’ll steal him for just this one.

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Huskers to host defensive lineman next week

Joshua Donald is taking a visit to Lincoln.

Multiple media outlets have reported that former Appalachian State defensive lineman Joshua Donald will visit the Nebraska football program on January 6.

Donald is coming off a season that saw him record 32 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. The nose tackle measures in at six-foot-one, 320 pounds. He was a junior last season.

The Huskers have filled several needs in the transfer portal so far this cycle. Nose tackle is undoubtedly one of them, and Donald would fit the bill.

On top of this, the program will need to replace the pass-rushing element that Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher brought to the table. He would be able to help fill the void left by the departure of those two.

The Huskers have focused on the defensive line in the transfer portal, and Donald’s arrival on campus is a positive development.

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

Social media reacts to Ohio State’s big win over Oregon in Rose Bowl

Let ’em have it! #GoBucks

There was only one question to ask after Ohio State dismantled Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Can the Buckeyes roll that momentum into the Rose Bowl against No. 1 Oregon? That question was answered early and often as OSU would race out to a 34-0 lead in the first half.

The Ducks tried to mount a comeback, but by the time they were able to get on the scoreboard a deep hole had already been dug. The Bucks would go on to beat Oregon 41-21 marking the largest margin of victory in Ohio State history when facing a No. 1 ranked team.

As you might imagine, those on social media had some thoughts on the game and we’re here to give you the best. Let’s get to it!

A beautiful sight

 

 

No words

 

 

We’ve all been wrong before

 

 

Ran right into the record books

 

 

Unsung hero

 

 

Only one number matters

 

 

At least they beat the traffic

 

 

Yo Adrian!

 

 

I think you mean Captain Jack

 

 

We see the resemblance

 

 

Great knows great

 

 

He’s not wrong

 

 

Interesting take

 

 

The kid is okay

 

 

Much respect

 

 

How sweet it is

 

 

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. 

What is Commanders’ CB Marshon Lattimore’s status ahead of Week 18 vs. Cowboys?

What’s the latest on Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore?

The Washington Commanders acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore in early November at the NFL trade deadline. However, Lattimore was dealing with a hamstring injury at the time of trade and missed his first four games for the burgundy and gold.

Knowing they had a bye in Week 14, the Commanders sat Lattimore until Week 15, giving his hamstring plenty of time to heal. He made his Washington debut in Week 15 against his former team, the Saints, and was excellent.

In Week 16 against the Eagles, Lattimore saw plenty of action going up against A.J. Brown. The duo went at it for three quarters, with each player winning some battles, until Lattimore reaggravated the hamstring injury in the fourth quarter.

He missed Sunday’s win over the Falcons.

Will Lattimore play against the Cowboys in Week 18, given that the Commanders have already clinched a playoff berth? Head coach Dan Quinn spoke to the media on Wednesday and briefly discussed Lattimore.

“With Marshon, he will be one of the guys that will be doing some rehab on the side today, working some speed work as the team is going at a jog through into today,” Quinn said. “So, that’s where we’re at with him.”

Several players missed Wednesday’s practice, a walkthrough for the Commanders. After Thursday and Friday, Lattimore’s status for Sunday will become much clearer.

Washington’s decision on Lattimore is easy. He shouldn’t play, giving him an extra week to hopefully be ready for the Commanders’ Wild Card battle against the Rams or Buccaneers. Both teams have outstanding wide receivers, and Lattimore’s presence is needed. The Cowboys will be without star receiver CeeDee Lamb for the season finale.

Huskers land commitment from Kentucky wide receiver

Hardley Gilmore IV is headed to Lincoln.

Nebraska football has picked up another commitment from the transfer portal. Former Kentucky Wildcat wide receiver Hardley Gilmore IV committed to Nebraska on Wednesday afternoon.

Gilmore had six catches for 153 yards and a touchdown last season. He was a four-star receiver and was the 149th overall player in the 2024 recruiting class. Gilmore saw action in seven games this past season and started against Murray State. He had 72 yards and a touchdown.

Overall, Gilmore averaged 25.5 yards per catch, solidifying himself as an explosive playmaker. He measures in at six-foot-one, 178 pounds.

Gilmore will reunite with wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts. His arrival in Lincoln is also important, as wide receiver Jaylen Lloyd departed earlier this week. This is the second Kentucky wide receiver commitment this offseason, with Dane Key announcing his commitment to the program on Christmas Eve.

It will undoubtedly be interesting to see what Gilmore can contribute to the offense. The Huskers now have another wide receiver with multiple years of eligibility.

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