Category: Breaking

California wildfires force NFL to have contingency plan for Vikings-Rams

While state officials and other agencies monitor the fire for their job, the NFL is doing its part to ensure safety of everyone involved.

The NFL, like the rest of the world, is watching the horrific events unfold in Southern California as the wildfires rage on. Despite the work of many first responders and brave volunteers, the fires remain uncontained, and there is a potential for them to approach Los Angeles.

While state officials and other agencies monitor the fire for their job, the NFL is doing its part to ensure its players, fans, officials, and stadium workers are safe.

In the event that the fires force a relocation of Monday Night’s Wild Card matchup between the Rams and Vikings, the NFL has an alternate location selected. The Arizona Cardinals and their State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona will be hosting the game if it cannot be held in Los Angeles.

The NFL, in a statement released on Wednesday night, stated that they will “continue to prepare to play the Vikings-Rams game as scheduled at SoFi Stadium.”

 

Mina Kimes of ESPN also shared a map for locals, which gives a better idea of the fire and its possible direction. The map also provides updates on calls and incidents within the affected areas. 

As they continue to monitor the situation in California, we will be sure to update you as the NFL continues to remain on top of the situation. If you are reading this and are in the area affected, we implore you to listen to local and disaster officials and follow their instructions.

Seahawks defeat Rams 30-25, end the season on a high note

Seahawks defeat Rams 30-25, end the season on a high note

With the playoffs out of reach, all that was left for the Seattle Seahawks were moral victories, but they did achieve them! Seattle ends the 2024 season with a 30-25 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, and earned several key milestones along the way in the process.

The Seahawks ended the year 10-7, making this their first season with double-digit wins since the 2020 campaign. It also means Mike Macdonald became the first head coach in franchise history to win 10 games in his first year as top man. Seattle also tied the franchise-best road record by going 7-1 away from home this year. While a trip to the postseason would have been preferable to all of this, there is still plenty of positives for the Hawks to hang their hats on.

As I predicted earlier Sunday morning, the Rams were absolutely going to make the Seahawks earn it. Seattle going in as 7.5 point favorites felt like fool’s gold to the max, and it turned out to be the case. The Seahawks, despite dominating most of the first half, struggled in the second, and needed yet another heroic comeback from an injured Geno Smith to escape with a win.

Seattle’s defense melted down ever since the opening two punts from the Rams. After those two, LA scored 10 points, threw an interception, then proceeded to score on four-straight drives. They eventually took a 25-24 lead with under five minutes to play.

Smith then engineered an eight-play, 65 yard drive to regain the lead. Smith found tight end Noah Fant for his 4th passing touchdown of the day, which became a career-best for the veteran quarterback. It is only fitting he had four touchdown passes on a day when he also set a new single-season Seahawks passing yard record at 4,320 yards.

Still, things weren’t going to be done there. After a failed two-point conversion play, the Rams had a chance to embarrass Seattle with a game-winning drive. LA made it all the way to the Seahawks’ nine-yard line where they faced a 4th-and-3. Backup Jimmy Garoppolo, who passed for 334 yards, threw his final ball of the game too low and it was broken up.

The Seahawks now head into another offseason filled with plenty of questions and difficult decisions to be made. But for one last moment before all that begins, the team can revel in victory before preparing for the 2025 campaign.

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First half recap and highlights: Seahawks lead 17-13 over Rams

First half recap and highlights: Seahawks lead 17-13 over Rams

The Seattle Seahawks may be not be competing for a spot in the postseason, but they sure are playing as if they were. Or, at the very least, playing to make sure they achieve history, incentives and pride on the way out. Against a Rams team resting starters and indifferent to playoff seeding, the Seahawks are living up to head coach Mike Macdonald’s idea of “finishing the right way.”

Seattle started the game with a punt on their opening drive, which ensured the team went the entire season without scoring a touchdown on an opening possession. However, since then, the Seahawks had little trouble getting the scoring going. After forcing a punt from the Rams, Seattle went on a five-play, 60-yard drive which ended with Geno Smith finding wide receiver Jake Bobo for his first score of the year.

Los Angeles punted again, and the Seahawks decided they wanted to improve on their previous drive. Seattle took seven plays this time, but went 70 yards and found the end zone once more. For all the frustration at times with both quarterback Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, the pair reminded everyone why the Seahawks should not be so quick to move off either this coming spring.

The Rams were eventually able to find the end zone for the first time of the afternoon, as Jimmy Garoppolo found Tyler Higbee for a touchdown to cut Seattle’s lead to 14-10. The Seahawks did manage to build it back up to a full touchdown lead, as Jason Myers nailed a 56-yard field goal, continuing to build history for the franchise.

Los Angeles attempted to answer back, but their next drive lasted all of three plays before Garoppolo’s pass was intercepted by safety Julian Love. Seattle did not do anything with the extra possession, but another highlight for Seattle’s top safety is always welcome.

Of course, the most important aspect of this game for the Seahawks is if certain players will be able to meet key milestones. Geno Smith stands to make the most, earning up to $6 million in contract escalators tied to performance. Here is where they stand after one half of football:

  • $2 million if Smith eclipses 4,282 passing yards (Smith has 130, only needs 56 more)
  • $2 million if Smith has better than 69.7555% completion percentage for the year (Smith has completed 78.6% of his passes today, and has 70.2% on the year)
  • $2 million if the Seahawks win 10 games (they currently lead 17-13)

Additionally, second-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is chasing history as well. Tyler Lockett holds the franchise record for most receptions in a single season with 100, as he reached that mark in 2020. JSN has two catches on three targets, and will need three more to set a new record.

The Seahawks will get the ball to start the second half. Los Angeles did cut into Seattle’s lead with a 58-yard field goal right before the second quarter came to a conclusion.

Be sure to keep following @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 on Twitter for more live updates, analysis and highlights during the game.

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Mike Evans ties record with 11th straight season with 1,000 receiving yards

It took a lot longer than many had expected coming into Sunday, but eventually, the Bucs were able to help Mike Evans tie history. 

It took a lot longer than many had expected coming into Sunday, but eventually, the Bucs were able to help Mike Evans tie history. After Bucky Irving scored for the Bucs with less than two minutes to go, we weren’t sure Evans would have a chance at history.

Luckily for Evans and the Bucs, they would get the ball back one more time before the game ended. It was then they would get one last catch to Evans to tie the record.

Only the all-time great Jerry Rice had ever recorded 11 straight seasons of 1,000-yards receiving in a career coming into Sunday. Mike Evans now joins him in the history books as the only other player in the history of the NFL to accomplish such a feat.

You are able to watch the moment below and the reaction from his teammates says it all.

 

Baker Mayfield finds Jalen McMillan for a TD late against the Saints

One of the bright spots on Sunday against the Saints came when Baker Mayfield found Jalen McMillan in the endzone. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are having a Sunday they wish they could do over, and that is despite their new found lead. Despite their ups and downs today with penalties and the defense playing behind, there have been bright spots.

One of the bright spots on Sunday against the Saints came when Baker Mayfield found Jalen McMillan in the endzone.

Mayfield entered the fourth quarter with just 107 passing yards to his credit, but after the last drive, he now has 182 to his credit. Most of those have gone to Jalen McMillan, with whom he connected for two separate 30+ yard catches, with the second being for a touchdown.

In the play below, you can see Mayfield rolling out to his opposite side and establishing himself to connect with McMillan with a dot to the endzone. The rookie wide receiver would score in his fifth straight game after securing the catch and getting both feet down before going out of bounds.

The touchdown reception for McMillan puts him behind only Randy Moss for most consecutive games with a touchdown reception as a rookie (7).

 

Are Tyler Lockett’s cleats sending a message about his future?

Are Tyler Lockett’s cleats sending a message about his future?

The Seattle Seahawks are less than an hour away from kicking off against the Los Angeles Rams. This Week 18 game is not just the Seahawks’ final outing of the season, it could also be wide receiver Tyler Lockett’s final game of his career. Or, at the very least, with Seattle.

Lockett, who has had a marvelous 10 years in the league, has had a sharp decline in production this season and in the season prior. He also carries a massive $30 million cap hit going into 2025. His age, his production and cap hit have many wondering if this could very well be his final game with the Seahawks, and perhaps his career should he choose to hang up his cleats.

Oh, speaking of his cleats, his choice of footwear today certainly leads to further speculation this could be the end of the line for Lockett. He shared an image of them on his social media, and they can be seen below.

If this truly is the end of Lockett’s time in Seattle, then the Seahawks should do all they can to send him out with a win today. He deserves at least that much.

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Seahawks Week 18 inactives: 7 players will not suit up vs Rams

Seahawks Week 18 inactives: 7 players will not suit up vs Rams

For the final time this year, the Seattle Seahawks have announced their inactives list. As the team begins preparations to take the field against the Los Angeles Rams, there are seven players who will not be suiting up today.

Although he is listed as an inactive, quarterback Jaren Hall will serve as the team’s emergency third string quarterback, as he has for a few weeks now. Geno Smith may still be dealing with a bit of a lingering knee injury, and while this game won’t be played for the postseason, it’s never a bad time to have a little extra insurance at the game’s most important position!

The full inactive list for both teams can be seen below.

Seahawks Inactives:

  • QB Jaren Hall
  • LB Patrick O’Connell
  • WR Cody White
  • WR John Rhys Plumlee
  • NT Brandon Pili
  • TE Tyler Mabry
  • DT Quinton Nohanna

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire and @KoleMusgrove23 on Twitter today for more live updates, highlights and analysis during the game!

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Seahawks and LB Ernest Jones IV pause contract extension talks

Seahawks and LB Ernest Jones IV pause contract extension talks

The Seattle Seahawks made a massive move earlier in the season to acquire linebacker Ernest Jones IV from the Tennessee Titans. Seattle had a dire need at linebacker, as Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson were simply not getting it done. So enter Jones, who made an immediate impact in improving the Seahawks run defense.

Trading for Jones was always going to be a risk, because similar to Leonard Williams last season, he is on the final year of his contract. The expectation has been both sides will figure out an extension, as the team and Jones want to get something done. Seattle clearly wants to keep a stud linebacker in the fold and Jones has a desire to remain a Seahawk.

However, it appears contract negotiations have come to a standstill. As reported by Ian Rapoport, both sides have decided to pause negotiations.

The initial reaction online from fans has been sharp, as the 12’s are not thrilled at the possibility of Jones leaving. My take on the situation is general manager John Schneider has never given an in-season extension before, and when two sides have a desire to get something done, it will be done eventually.

Still, if Jones does decide to take meetings elsewhere there is always the risk a team in a much better cap situation blows him away with an offer he cannot refuse. Should this be the case, and the Seahawks lose out on keeping a playmaker at linebacker, it will be a considerable blow to this organization.

Ultimately, to the 12’s I would say have faith in Schneider being able to get something done. As I mentioned earlier, this was the case with Leonard Williams last year and even Geno Smith the year prior to that.

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Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead involved in crash, placed on NFI List

Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead was involved in a car accident on Saturday and was placed on the NFI list as a result.

Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead was involved in a car accident on Saturday and suffered significant enough injuries the team has placed home on the Non-Football Injury List.

Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times was the first to report the news. No other information regarding the specificity of his injuries was made available at the time of publication.

Jordan Whitehead has played well for the Bucs in 2024 after returning to the team after leaving In free agency two seasons ago. He signed with the Bucs on a two-year deal back in May of 2024. He has worked his way back from other injuries this year and now finds himself setback once again due to the injuries from his car accident on Saturday.

His extended availability is unknown at this time, but he is officially out for the team’s regular-season finale against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18.

Bucs Wire will update this story as new information becomes available.

NFC North division title will be decided in prime time

Detroit and Minnesota will play in front of a national audience on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 18 with everything on the line. 

The announcement that everyone expected was made official after a thrilling “Sunday Night Football” game between the Commanders and Falcons ended Week 17. The final game of the NFL regular season, game No. 272 of the slate, will be the unofficial NFC North division title game between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.

Detroit and Minnesota will play in front of a national audience on Sunday night in Week 18 with everything on the line.

In 2015, the Vikings ended the regular season in prime time when they played the Packers on the road to clinch the NFC North title. This time around, the Lions come into the matchup with momentum on their side thanks to a win over the Vikings earlier this year.

There will be some differences from that game that we will discuss this week on Vikings Wire.