Category: Sports

Mel Kiper breaks down why Joe Burrow will be the No. 1 NFL Draft pick

NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper says Joe Burrow will be taken first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The NFL season began a few months ago with many fans calling for the Miami Dolphins to “tank for Tua,” but Miami only has a slim chance of earning the No. 1 overall pick with a few weeks to play, and the Alabama quarterback’s draft stock has tumbled following his season-ending hip injury.

In Tagovailoa’s place, runaway Heisman Trophy favorite Joe Burrow has become one of the two most coveted NFL prospects, along with Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, and the QB-needy Cincinnati Bengals have the best chance to land the No. 1 pick.

ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has Burrow ranked behind Young on his 2020 big board, but Kiper said on Tuesday that he believes Burrow will become the first LSU player to be taken No. 1 overall since JaMarcus Russell in 2007.

“I think that’s the one critique you could have, he’s one year at this level. But he did start last year, he did have a good touchdown-to-interception ratio, but this year he went from 16 touchdowns to 48. And what you saw this year was a guy with a system that fits him, with the players around him helping out, what he could do against a very difficult schedule as well. And we saw some great individual plays, even this past week, that he created on his own.

So I think the competitiveness, the knowledge of this offense. Joe Brady raves about how quickly he picked up what Drew Brees has been doing so well through his career with the Saints. And to be as accurate and precise, mobile… he’s got it all. I think if you want to be a doubter, you could say ‘well it’s [only] one year of greatness, but it was one year of unbelievable greatness, and that’s why he’s going to be the No. 1 pick in the draft.”

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Le’Veon Bell went bowling into the early morning after Jets ruled him out with the flu

He went bowling in orange pants. Subtle.

Le’Veon Bell probably didn’t follow the doctor’s orders on Saturday night.

The New York Jets running back missed practice on Thursday and Friday with the flu. The team sent him home early on Friday and eventually ruled him out for their Week 14 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, which (shockingly) was a Jets’ win. While the Jets prepared for their home game at a hotel on Saturday night, Bell went out bowling early into the morning.

Here’s what the New York Daily News reported about Bell’s night out.

“Apparently he felt well enough to bowl a few frames on Saturday, though. Sources said he was at Boonton Lanes, which is not far from where the Jets train in New Jersey, from around 10:30 p.m. to close to 1 a.m. when the bowling alley closed. Bell was easy to spot in orange leather pants.”

Orange pants? Clearly, Bell couldn’t have cared less about subtly while he channeled Ferris Bueller.

It has been a tough season for the Jets and Bell, who is averaging 3.2 yards per carry with 183 carries for 589 yards and three rushing touchdowns. New York signed him this offseason with hopes of having him serve as a complement to quarterback Sam Darnold. Instead, Bell is putting up bigger numbers at Boonton Lanes than at MetLife Stadium.

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WATCH: Cowboys cut placekicker Brett Maher, sign Kai Forbath

The Dallas Cowboys cut struggling placekicker Brett Maher and signed free agent Kai Forbath, the team confirmed on Monday.

Changes are coming to the Dallas Cowboys on special teams.

The Cowboys cut struggling placekicker Brett Maher and signed free agent Kai Forbath, the team confirmed on Monday.

This couldn’t have happened at the worst time because earlier on Monday, Maher went to spend time sick children at the hospital to bring their spirits up during the holiday season.

When he arrived back at the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters, he was cut.

There’s plenty of problems to clean up with America’s Team, but the clear cut problem was the kicking.

Maher converted just 67% of his 30 field-goal attempts for Dallas this season, the worst mark among full-time NFL kickers. He missed one kick in Thursday’s defeat to the Chicago Bears and both of his field-goal tries during a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Buffalo Bills.

With a record of 6-7, the Cowboys are the 4th seed in the NFC at the moment and still have a chance to keep their hold on the playoffs.

WATCH: Colts place Adam Vinatieri on season-ending injured reserve

The Indianapolis Colts have placed Adam Vinatieri on season-ending injured reserve with a left knee injury, according
to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Indianapolis Colts have placed Adam Vinatieri on season-ending injured reserve with a left knee injury, according
to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The 46-year old will reportedly have surgery to repair his ailing knee that’s been causing discomfort throughout the season.

The injury had led to the worst kicking season in his career, with an NFL-leading 14 missed kicks this season. It’s not the way we want to remember the NFL’s all-time leading scorer (2,673 points) and perhaps the greatest placekicker in league history is over.

From Week 3 to Week 8, he made 11 of his 12 extra points and 10 of his next 12 field goals, including a 45-yard game-winner against the Denver Broncos.

Colts head coach Frank Reich said last week Vinatieri’s knee flared up during practice and pregame warmups Sunday leading into the Titans game, but he “gutted it out.”

However, the team medical personnel decided it was in his best interest to call it a season.

The Colts now turn to Chase McLaughin.

The team claimed the 23-year-old rookie from Cypress, Texas off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers last week and he booted 5-of-6 kicks through the upright during Sunday’s 38-35 loss in Tampa.

If this was his last season in the NFL, we’ll all remember the memorable kicks he made in his five Super Bowl appearances and 29 game-winning kicks.

WATCH: Eli Manning wants to keep playing after this year

Raanan reported Monday that people close to Manning believe he wants to keep playing after this year, pointing to his “competitive juices” as inspiration to go elsewhere.

When we settle in for Giants vs. Eagles on Monday Night Football, we could very well be watching Eli Manning’s last NFL start.

But, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Manning may just be warming up for another team.

Raanan reported Monday that people close to Manning believe he wants to keep playing after this year, pointing to his “competitive juices” as inspiration to go elsewhere.

“You miss being a part of the action and practicing and all that,” Manning told reporters recently. “Felt good to get out there [Wednesday] and throw it around and compete a little bit.”

Manning, who is in the last year of his deal with the Giants, would have to find another team willing to sign the 16-year vet as Daniel Jones has cemented himself as the man in New York.

But if Manning puts on a show Monday night? Stranger things have happened.

The 10 best sports bets of the decade

You could have made so much money off these!

This might turn out to be a list that will make you sad at all the money you had an opportunity to win in the last decade.

But think of it differently: this is a list of miraculous things we saw happen in sports over the last 10 years. And who doesn’t love a longshot, even if you’re not betting on it?

Of course, some of these were actually events people bet on happening, so you also need to take a second and bow down at their sports gambling prowess.

So here are some of the best bets of the last 10 years, which — in hindsight — might have won you so much money.

1. The Cardinals were 999-to-1 longshots in the middle of September and went on to win the World Series

Deadspin had the story of someone who took those looooong odds with the Cards five games back of the Wild Card with 15 games left in the season.

2. Harry Wilson’s grandfather bet on him playing for Whales someday

This is a wild story: Wilson’s grandfather threw down £50 when Harry was around three years old that he’d play for Whales. He had 2,500-to-1 odds and was paid out in 2013 when Wilson played.

3. Leicester City were the ultimate underdogs

Unbelievably, Leicester City won the Premier League in 2016, and a fan bet $28 on 5,000-to-1 odds, although he cashed out at $41,000 so he didn’t have to stress out over winning or not.

4. The Warriors blew a 3-1 lead to the Cavaliers

And the Cavs odds to come back in the 2016 NBA Finals from that deficit were +1100.

5. The Patriots came back from 28-3 in Super Bowl LI

When the Pats were down 28-9, you could have gotten them at 16-to-1 in live odds.

6. The Eagles were longshots to win Super Bowl LII

They were 50-to-1 before the season.

7. Howard completes a stunning upset over UNLV

And it would have paid out $60,000 to a $100 bet in 2017.

8. UMBC made history beating No. 1 seeded Virginia in the 2018 NCAA tournament

And some people actually bet on it!!

9. Joe Burrow was a 2019 Heisman Trophy underdog

Some bettors had him at 200-to-1!

10. Lamar Jackson was a sleeper pick for 2019 NFL MVP

He was 100-to-1 in June!

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How to Watch Chiefs vs. Patriots, NFL Week 14 Live Stream, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch Chiefs vs. Patriots Live Online.

A rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game will take center stage in Week 14, as the Kansas City Chiefs head to New England to take on the Patriots. With both teams looking to improve their playoff positioning, the stakes will be high between them again, even if a Super Bowl berth isn’t on the line this time around.

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Chiefs vs. Patriots

  • When: Sunday, December 8
  • Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
  • TV: CBS
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

The Chiefs enter this clash having secured a key division win their last time out. They throttled the Oakland Raiders, 40-9, to give themselves some breathing room atop the AFC West. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense only managed 259 total yards for the game, but their defense forced three turnovers that put the Chiefs in easy scoring positions throughout the game. Against the Patriots, turnovers may not come as easily and Mahomes will need to be much sharper.

New England suffered its second loss of the season last week, falling 28-22 to the Houston Texans. The Patriots allowed DeShaun Watson to throw for three touchdown passes, as the Texans went ahead 28-9 in the game and were able to coast the rest of the way to victory. The Patriots have struggled against Lamar Jackson and Watson this season, both dual-threat quarterbacks, and will need to tighten up their defense against a third mobile quarterback in Mahomes if they want to avoid another defeat.

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.

WATCH: Cowboys have ‘very real interest’ in Urban Meyer

NFL Media’s Jane Slater reported on Thursday night that the Cowboys have “very real interest” in Urban Meyer.

After the 31-24 loss to the Chicago Bears (7-6) on Thursday night, Dallas Cowboys (6-7) head coach Jason Garrett’s time in Jerry World might be coming to an end.

However, who would replace him as head coach?

Maybe the man who lead Ohio State to the first College Football Playoff National Championship in 2015?

NFL Media’s Jane Slater reported on Thursday night that the Cowboys have “very real interest” in Meyer.

The wheels are in motion barring a Super Bowl run from America’s Team.

Slater adds Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President for the Dallas Cowboys spoke with Meyer recently. Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley remains a strong candidate and that Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott is also a possibility.

The key concern is Meyer’s health and an NFL schedule might be his best bet.

Not having to recruit year-round might be better on his health and allow him to focus more on coaching, which could make the NFL ideal for him.

It’s worked for 68-year old former USC head coach Pete Carroll who’s won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.

Meyer has already said he would “absolutely” take the job.

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Joe Buck’s over-the-top call shows how low the bar is for Mitch Trubisky

WHAT. A. THROW.

Joe Buck is undoubtedly a great broadcaster, but he has earned criticism for not always getting excited when the time calls for it. But, boy, did Buck show the haters on Thursday night during the Bears-Cowboys game.

Let’s fast-forward to the third quarter. The Bears have the ball deep in Cowboys territory and call for a bubble screen to Anthony Miller. The second-year pro takes advantage of some good blocking and scores a touchdown. Mitch Trubisky got credit for a touchdown throw, but let’s be honest: He didn’t have to do very much on the play.

Just don’t tell my man Joe Buck that. The Fox Sports announcer lavished the Bears quarterback with praise following the play…

Even before Miller crosses the goal line, Buck gives Trubisky credit for a “good throw,” which is already a little too much. But then he doubles down with “What a throw!” after the play. Who knew Joe Buck was such a big fan of bubble screens!

Compare that call to the one Buck made for David Tyree’s miracle catch in Super Bowl 42:

Oh, one of the craziest plays in NFL history? No big deal. But this basic screen pass on a Thursday night in December? Let’s get nuts.

Anyway, because I’m a moron, I spent way too much time putting together this video celebrating Trubisky’s beautiful toss.

WHAT. A. THROW.

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How the loss to Chicago affects the Cowboys’ playoff chances

The current playoff chances for the Cowboys, Eagles and Bears after Thursday Night Football.

The NFC East is up for grabs, but no team in the division seems capable of winning it. The Dallas Cowboys suffered an awful 31-24 loss on Thursday Night Football to the Chicago Bears, and even made Mitch Trubisky look like a star. The loss should seal the end of the Jason Garrett era in Dallas – but thanks to the Eagles’ ineptitude, the Cowboys still have a very reasonable chance of hosting a playoff game in just a few weeks.

With the loss, the Cowboys dropped to 6-7, but they still currently lead the NFC East. The Eagles, at 5-7, can match Dallas’ record with a home win over the Giants on Monday Night Football. Coming off a loss to the Dolphins, that win is far from guaranteed.

How did the Thursday Night Football result change the fortunes of the Cowboys, Eagles and Bears? Let’s crunch the numbers from FTW’s Playoff Power Rankings.

Dallas Cowboys (6-7)

Entering Thursday’s game, the Cowboys had a 72.1% chance to make the playoffs. The current playoff projections would make the Cowboys the No. 4 seed in the NFC East, and Dallas would host No. 5 San Francisco in the Wild Card round.

After the loss, the Cowboys’ playoff chances dropped to 64.9%, according to the playoff models from 538 and ESPN, and that number will drop closer to 50 percent if the Eagles beat the Giants. The Eagles will host the Cowboys on December 22nd in Week 16 in a game that could decide the division. Dallas also has home games against the Rams and Redskins.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)

The Eagles’ demoralizing loss in Miami left the team with no margin for error, but the Cowboys’ loss to Chicago put Philadelphia right back into the playoff mix – and the Eagles may even have the advantage, if they can fix their broken offense.

Prior to Thursday Night Football, the Eagles had just a 29.3% chance of making the playoffs. The Cowboys’ loss resulted in a seven percent boost, up to 35.2%. A win at home over Eli Manning and the Giants will mean that the Eagles can control their own destiny.

The Eagles have the more favorable remaining schedule, with a home game against the Giants, a road game in Washington, a home game against Dallas, and a Week 17 road game in New York against the Giants. Winning out means that the Eagles would likely host the No. 5 seed in the Wild Card round.

Chicago Bears (7-6)

Unfortunately for the Bears, a trip to the playoffs in 2019 is highly unlikely, despite their win over the Cowboys. Barring a complete collapse by both the Packers and Vikings, the NFC North crown is out of reach for the Bears, and with 10-win San Francisco and 8-win Minnesota taking up the two Wild Card slots currently, Chicago’s playoff odds are very long.

Prior to Thursday Night Football, the Bears had a 2.6% chance of making the playoffs. The win resulted in a very slight increase, up to 3.85%.

The biggest issue for the Bears is their remaining schedule, which is brutal. Chicago will travel to Green Bay in Week 15, host the Chiefs in Week 16, and finish the season in Minnesota. Winning out means the Bears could potentially overtake Minnesota in the Wild Card race on the last week of the season, but even that may not be enough, as the 7-5 Rams could potentially finish with an 11-5 record, edging out Chicago.

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