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Bills injury update: Bad news on Terrel Bernard ahead of season finale

The Buffalo Bills will most likely be without starting linebacker Terrel Bernard in their Week 18 season finale against the New England Patriots.

Most starters likely won’t play, but the Bills (13-3) will sit Bernard because of a new injury.

Bernard exited Buffalo’s 40-14 win over the New York Jets on Sunday at the start of the third quarter. Plenty of other first teamers did as well, but Bernard appeared on the Bills’ first injury report this week with a quad issue in a surprise.

On Wednesday, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said via video conference Bernard is somewhere between “day-to-day” and “week-to-week.” The only reason Bernard would suit up is because of depth, but don’t expect him to play according to McDermott.

Bernard, 25, missed the Bills’ playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs last year. That was not ideal.

While Bernard’s status is up in the air, the Bills locking in the No. 2 seed last week is massive for this reason. Starters can rest in this “defacto bye” in Week 18 since Buffalo has nothing to play for.

Bills Wire will provide updates as information is made available.

Here is a clip of where Bernard was possibly injured against the Jets via Bills medical analyst and content creator “Banged Up Bills.”

#Bills Terrel Bernard Leg/quad injury

This was the best instance I could find.

Early in 3Q, looks like Taron Johnson hits him in L thigh as both players & Rapp force Wilson out of bounds.

L thigh could have contusion & swell up later & limit mobility. pic.twitter.com/XDoMVLp16c

— Banged Up Bills (@BangedUpBills) January 1, 2025

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Iowa OC Tim Lester shares early impressions of new Hawkeye QBs

Tim Lester shared his first thoughts on the additions of Hank Brown and Jimmy Sullivan.

Iowa has added two new signal-callers to its quarterbacks room heading into the 2025 college football season.

The Hawkeyes brought in former Auburn quarterback Hank Brown via the transfer portal and inked Jimmy Sullivan in their 2025 signing class.

Fortunately for Iowa, the Hawkeyes got an early look at those two during their bowl prep, too. Though they couldn’t play versus Missouri, both Brown and Sullivan joined Iowa for the team’s final bowl prep.

Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester didn’t wait to give its new pair of signal-callers opportunities in those final practices.

“I think the biggest thing with quarterbacks, you know, when they come to practice for bowls, I mean, they are spinning, right? Coach does a great job. We talk about being a development program. So we were able to get him and Jimmy, our two new quarterbacks.

“They can’t play in the game, but at the end of practice we always do a devo period, a development period. I just threw them in, both of them. They had literally been there 24, 48 hours, and I got them running the show,” Lester said.

Lester liked the early impressions from each.

“Those are invaluable for the next month before they actually show up where they’re at now compared to where they were six days ago. Such a huge opportunity for them. I’m excited for both of them. They both had ups and downs in their six days here, but they’ve definitely showed some promise.

“Smart, good feet. Hopefully just trying to build that room to have a bunch of competition in the room. It’s always the most important room to have good competition in, and I think we’re going to have that,” Lester said.

Brown joins the Hawkeyes after spending two years with Auburn. The 6-foot-4, 210 pound quarterback appeared in three games with the Tigers this season, completing 27-of-43 passes (62.7%) for 403 yards with six touchdowns against three interceptions.

Brown saw action against Alabama A&M, New Mexico and Arkansas during the 2024 season. The Nashville, Tenn., product also played in the Tigers’ bowl game to end the 2023 season versus Maryland.

Brown completed 7-of-9 passes for 132 yards against the Terps.

Out of Lipscomb Academy, Brown was a three-star signee per the 247Sports Composite rankings. Brown was ranked as the No. 60 quarterback and as the No. 34 player from Tennessee according to 247Sports in the class of 2023.

247Sports ranked Brown as a three-star transfer, as its No. 41 quarterback and as the 266th-ranked player nationally.

A three-star signee, Jimmy Sullivan arrives in Iowa out of Carroll High School in Indiana. Sullivan is ranked as the No. 64 quarterback and as the No. 21 player from Indiana per 247Sports in the 2025 signing class.

Iowa returns Brendan Sullivan who started the Hawkeyes’ bowl game versus the Tigers and two other games in the 2024 season. The Hawkeyes also bring back walk-on Jackson Stratton who started a pair of games in 2024.

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

Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF

Caitlin Clark is all for Patrick Mahomes bringing a WNBA team to Kansas City

The Rookie of the Year would love to see the league expand.

Jason and Travis Kelce covered a lot of topics with WNBA star Caitlin Clark on the latest New Heights podcast episode — everything from NBA viewership recommendations to Clark turning her mom into a Swiftie at the Eras Tour was discussed. The trio even dipped into potential WNBA expansion rumors.

Clark, who was the 2024 Rookie of the Year with the Indiana Fever, was fully on board with the idea of Travis Kelce’s Chiefs teammate, Patrick Mahomes, bringing a WNBA team to Kansas City. Mahomes and his wife Brittany are already active in supporting women’s sports as part of the ownership group of the NWSL team in Kansas City, the KC Current.

That ownership group is now looking at what it would take to expand the WNBA into their home town.

Caitlin Clark on Patrick Mahomes wanting to bring a WNBA team to Kansas City‼️‼️‼️‼️👀👀👀#FeverRising #WNBA pic.twitter.com/UjUitpdWXU

— Krysta (@Krysta____) January 2, 2025

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Will Chase Brown play this week? Injury updates for Bengals RB

Bengals RB Chase Brown is dealing with an ankle injury. Here are the latest updates.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown is one of the biggest injury points of note for the team ahead of the Week 18 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brown suffered an ankle injury late in last week’s win over the Denver Broncos on that odd decision from Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. He slid at the goal line, injuring himself.

Running back is one of the thinnest spots on the Bengals depth chart and the team has playoff hopes at stake, so Brown’s status is a key note before Saturday night’s kickoff.

Here’s a running list of updates before kickoff.

Chase Brown injury update

The Bengals listed Brown as missing practice over the first two days of the week.

How long will Chase Brown be out?

Brown could outright miss the game against the Steelers. Luckily for him and the Bengals, a report suggested the injury isn’t “significant” and that he could attempt to play through it. Whether he could take a normal snap count and be effective, though, remains to be seen.

Bengals depth chart

Chase Brown, Khalil Herbert, Trayveon Williams

After losing Zack Moss for the season, the Bengals went and did a rare in-season trade at the deadline to get Herbert. Joe Burrow trusted him on an option play they checked into at the line of scrimmage last week, so he’d likely get the bulk of the work if Brown is limited or out.

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Rams announce 2024 awards for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more

The Rams announced year-end awards for several players, recognizing the team’s MVP and Rookie of the Year

While the NFL won’t announce its official award winners for the 2024 season until the week of the Super Bowl, the Los Angeles Rams have handed out some honors of their own. The team announced its award recipients for MVP, Rookie of the Year and two other accolades, selecting players who deserve to be recognized.

The Rams gave their Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award to Matthew Stafford, selecting him as the team’s Most Valuable Player for this season. Stafford has been terrific all year, but particularly in the second half of the season. He’s led the Rams to a 10-6 record and wins in nine of their last 11 games, throwing 20 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions.

He’s also racked up 3,762 yards and his 93.7 passer rating is his highest since 2021. He’s gotten help from the offensive line, only being sacked 28 times in 16 games, his fewest in a full season since 2013.

The Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award went to Jared Verse as the team’s Rookie of the Year. Verse is likely to win AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, too, for the fantastic season he’s had. He leads all rookies with 74 pressures, and also has 11 tackles for a loss to go with 4.5 sacks. Though Braden Fiske has more sacks, Verse has been a consistent disruptor on the edge and a big reason the Rams’ defense has made the strides that it has.

Tyler Higbee was a double-recipient this season for his remarkable comeback. He was given the Carl Ekern Spirit of the Game Award for his sportsmanship, ethic and commitment to teammates, as well as the and Ed Block Courage Award for being a “role model of inspiration, sportsmanship and courage.”

Higbee battled back from offseason shoulder and knee surgeries to play in the Rams’ Week 16 game against the Jets, catching what proved to be the game-winning touchdown pass from 11 yards out in his first game since tearing his ACL and MCL in January.

All three players are very deserving of these awards and have played a part in Los Angeles’ success this season, making them great selections by the team.

Best NFL underdog picks and predictions for Week 18

Analyzing NFL Week 18 betting odds and lines, with expert predictions and picks of the 3 best underdogs to cash in on.

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It was not a great week for the underdog in Week 17 in the NFL. Only 4 underdogs — the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants and Jacksonvile Jaguars — covered the spread and only the Giants and Jaguars won their games outright.

None of our 3 picks last week hit as the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Denver Broncos outright, the Carolina Panthers (+8) were hammered by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-14 and the Dallas Cowboys (+8.5) were throttled by the Philadelphia Eagles 41-7.

The 0-3 week dropped us to 24-26-1 on the season. Let’s try to salvage this final week of the regular season.

Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds, and tab the best NFL Week 18 underdog bets to cash in on among SportsbookWire’s NFL expert picks and predictions.

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NFL underdog predictions: Week 18

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:33 a.m. ET. All games Sunday and ET unless noted.

Bengals at STEELERS (+105) – Saturday, 8 p.m. (ESPN/ABC)

The Bengals have won 4 straight games while the Steelers have dropped their last 3.

The Steelers beat the Bengals in Cincinnati 44-38 on Dec. 8. They have scored a combined 40 points in their 3-game skid, but faced the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs and their very talented defenses.

The Bengals have allowed 24 or more points in 7 of their last 9 games.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow has 8 consecutive games throwing 3 or more TD passes and more than 250 passing yards.

But the Steelers are at home and will love nothing more than to end Cincy’s playoff hopes.

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JAGUARS +5 (-110) at Colts – 1 p.m. (FOX)

The Colts have allowed 30 or more points in 3 straight games and allowed an average of 30.1 points per game over their last 7 contests.

Jaguars opponents have not scored 20 points in 3 of the last 4 games.

Seahawks at RAMS +6.5 (-110) – 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

QB Jimmy Garoppolo will get the start in the regular-season finale for the Rams as they rest Matthew Stafford in preparation for the playoffs and probably RB Kyren Williams and WR Cooper Kupp. But the Rams defense has not allowed more than 9 points in the last 3 games and 14 or fewer points in 4 of the last 5 games.

Meanwhile, Seattle managed only 6 points in a win over struggling Chicago.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Jess Root on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

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Commanders’ Dan Quinn on same page with GM Adam Peters

Dan Quinn explains how appreciative he is of his relationship with Adam Peters.

Whenever a new coach in the NFL takes a job, his relationship with the general manager will be of major importance to him.

Of course, the general manager would feel the same way. He wants harmony between himself and the head coach.

On Wednesday, Quinn was asked about his relationship with Peters. He was glad to express that Peters was the first person to greet Dan and his wife, Stacey when they arrived.

“We talk every day about the team,” expressed Quinn. “So, we watch practice together in the afternoons; we meet about the team, and he’s in all of our staff meetings.”

Quinn described his hopes for the working relationship with Peters: ” I wanted this connection to feel different, where we could do it in our own way, in our own fashion here.”

Preaching unity to the players is one thing, but Quinn is fully aware that leadership must also follow the same path. In addition, leadership needs to model unity (not unanimity) in the organization.

“Like any relationship, the more time you’ve spent together, talked through things, good moments, bad moments, injuries, releasing players, we do all of those together. And I think that’s an important part to show that to the team that we are the same in terms of our attitude, our messaging to them.”

Using a family analogy, Quinn likened it to the fact that he and Peters are parents who the children must find united, not pitting one parent against the other. “You’re going to get the same message if you go to Adam or you go to me, like we’re on the same page.”

Chiefs QB Carson Wentz reveals mindset heading into Week 18 start: ‘I’m confident in myself’

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz reveals mindset heading into Week 18 start: ‘I’m confident in myself’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs will have a new starting quarterback for Week 18, with veteran Carson Wentz stepping in for Patrick Mahomes. The former Philadelphia Eagles starter spoke with reporters on Wednesday about his mindset ahead of the upcoming start.

“I think it would be tremendous just getting reps. Obviously, preseason is helpful, but that was even limited and seems like another lifetime ago already,” said Wentz. “This will definitely be helpful if needed in whatever capacity down the stretch there in the playoffs. But quite frankly, I’m just excited to get out there and play ball.”

Wentz was a starter last season in Week 18 for the Los Angeles Rams. He completed 17-of-24 passes for 163 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the game.

“I’m confident in myself, I’m confident in my abilities, and what I’ve done in the past is in the past. Good, bad, indifferent,” said Wentz. “I’m so confident I can play and play at a high level, and so I’m looking forward to hopefully doing that this weekend and having fun while I’m at it.”

The Super Bowl champion has played briefly in relief of Mahomes this season, with two completions for 20 yards in two appearances.

Colts vs Jaguars: Announcers set for Week 18 matchup

The announcers are set for the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 18 matchup against the Jaguars. Here is what you need to know.

The Indianapolis Colts will play their final game of the 2024 season at home in Week 18 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. So, who will be on the call for this week’s game?

Kickoff will be at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

This game will be broadcast on FOX. Doing the play-by-play will be Jason Benetti with Brady Quinn providing the analysis and Sarah Kustok on the sidelines.

To see if the game will be broadcast in your area, head over to 506sports.com, where the broadcast maps will be available on Wednesday.

Following a devastating loss last Sunday to the New York Giants, that included the Colts’ defense surrendering 38 points to what had been the worst offense in football, there is nothing to play for this week with Indianapolis now out of playoff contention.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley recently mentioned the importance of everyone taking ownership over what happened in New York, and the Colts can take a step in that direction by their performance against Jacksonville, even if it is a game that doesn’t have any meaning.

However, regardless of what happens on Sunday, to some degree, it feels like change is coming in Indianapolis for a Colts team who hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020.

Titans vs. Texans: 5 things to know ahead of Week 18

The Tennessee Titans host the Houston Texans on Sunday in Nashville and here are five things fans should know about the Week 18 game.

The Tennessee Titans disaster of a 2024 season will mercifully come to an end on Sunday. The team will welcome the Texans into town to close the season.

Per BetMGM, the Texans are 1-point favorites and the over/under is set at 38.5 points. The Titans enter the contest with a 3-13 record while the Texans are 9-7.

While it may seem like there’s not much for the Titans to play for here, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Now, let’s go over five things to know ahead of this Week 18 game.

Draft position implications are huge

The Tennessee Titans could be on the verge of earning their highest draft pick since at least 2015. If the Titans lose and the Patriots win against the Bills, the Titans would own the No. 1 pick.

However, if the Titans stumble into a win, the team could fall all the way down to the No. 7 pick depending on what else happens in the league. Therefore, this game could end up being franchise-altering for the Titans.

Texans already clinched the AFC South

The Houston Texans have already clinched the AFC South. That has more to do with the rest of the division being horrible than it does with the Texans being great, but still.

This means the Texans don’t have much to play for. Sure, they’d love to beat the Titans and get revenge, but that’s not worth risking injury ahead of the playoffs. Regardless of what happens here, the Texans are champions of the AFC South.

Titans could potentially sweep the Texans

The Titans surprisingly took down the Texans in Houston last month. The team has not won a game since then while the Texans are 2-2 since.

Considering the Texans have already clinched the AFC South, the team may decide to rest its starters. This means the Titans have a decent shot of beating the Texans again, sweeping the season series with their bitter rivals.

Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Titans busting out the Oiler throwbacks

The Titans will wear the Houston Oilers throwback uniforms for the first time in 2024 in Week 18. The team debuted the modernized throwbacks last season but will only wear them once in 2024.

The Titans played the Texans in Houston last season wearing these throwbacks and lost. There’s no love lost between these teams and it’s no coincidence that the Titans chose this game to wear them.

Titans could go 1-5 in AFC South games

The Titans are on the precipice of going 1-5 in AFC South games in 2024. This is a pitiful showing for Brian Callahan in his first season at the helm.

Losing divisional games is a surefire way to put you in the bad graces of fans. The Titans got swept by the Jaguars and the Colts this season, and that’s just unacceptable.

In this case, however, Titans’ fans might rather go 1-5 in the division than sweep the Texans and get a worse draft pick.

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