WolverinesWire Top 25: Week Twelve

Contributor Matthew Lounsberry shares his latest Top 25 after several big games during Week 11 of the 2019 college football season.

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1.) LSU

After a 46-41 win in Tuscaloosa over Alabama, no other resume in the country comes close to the one LSU has compiled through eleven weeks. In addition to the win this past Saturday, the Tigers have Top 25 wins over Florida, Auburn and Texas. LSU has earned the top spot, and no other team will catch them unless the Tigers drop one of their final three games. Up next for LSU is a road trip to Ole Miss.

2.) Ohio State

The Buckeyes played angry on Saturday – whether that has anything to do with the absence of stud defensive end Chase Young is up for debate – and showed no mercy in a 73-14 win over Maryland on Saturday. Ohio State has wins over Wisconsin, Cincinnati and a 7-2 Indiana club, and has looked like the most dominant and complete team in the country. Ohio State and LSU may be on a collision course for the national title.

3.) Clemson

The Tigers don’t have much of a resume. Clemson’s best win is a Week 2 victory over a 6-3 Texas A&M team, and the Tigers haven’t been tested at all in the ACC. The one conference matchup that appeared to have potential took a hit after Wake Forest was beaten soundly by Virginia Tech this past weekend. Clemson will host the Demon Deacons this Saturday, but the Tigers have already clinched the ACC’s Atlantic division. Despite the lack of marquee wins, Clemson has been dominant, winning their games by an average of 33.8 points per game this season.

4.) Georgia

The Bulldogs are 8-1 after a 27-0 shutout of Missouri on Saturday. Georgia’s ugly overtime loss to South Carolina got a little uglier after the Gamecocks lost to Appalachian State this past Saturday, but the Bulldogs have Top 25 wins over Florida and Notre Dame. No other one-loss team has two Top 25 wins, so Georgia gets the No. 4 spot for now. The Bulldogs have a chance to add another resume-building win when they travel to Auburn this upcoming Saturday.

5.) Minnesota

Welcome to national validation Minnesota. The Golden Gophers got their shot to show the country they were for real, and they took advantage with a 31-26 win over Penn State – just four days after the playoff committee voted the Nittany Lions the No. 4 team in the country. Minnesota is undefeated and now has a Top 10 win on its resume. The Golden Gophers can further cement there place in the Top 10 with remaining games against Iowa and Wisconsin. That starts this weekend when Minnesota travels to Kinnick Stadium to take on the Hawkeyes.

6.) Penn State

No. 6 might seem high for a team coming off a loss the previous week, but Penn State still has a solid resume despite the loss to the Gophers. The Nittany Lions have wins over Iowa, Michigan and a nonconference victory over a 6-3 Pittsburgh team. If No. 6 is too high, we’ll find out soon enough after Penn State faces Indiana (7-2) and No. 2 Ohio State (9-0) over the next two weeks.

7.) Alabama

The Crimson Tide needed a win on Saturday more than LSU did. Alabama was at home, and after falling to the Tigers the Tide are still lacking a marquee win. Like Clemson, Alabama’s best win is over Texas A&M (6-3), but the Crimson Tide no longer has the benefit of being undefeated to back up their claim as one of the top four teams in the country. The playoff committee will likely disagree, but I can’t give Alabama a pass with the schedule they’ve played this season. If the best thing on your resume is a home loss to No. 1, that’s not much of a resume.

8.) Oregon

The Pac-12 conference isn’t doing Oregon any favors. The Ducks’ best win is over mediocre Washington (6-4), but Oregon has reeled off eight straight wins since their season-opening loss to Auburn. Oregon led Auburn 21-6 in that game, but after allowing 21 unanswered points to the Tigers, the Ducks weren’t able to capitalize on that opportunity for a signature victory. The Ducks need a marquee win, but with three games remaining against opponents hovering around the .500 mark, Oregon will likely have to wait until a potential Pac-12 championship showdown with Utah. First, the Ducks will host Arizona this Saturday.

9.) Oklahoma

The Sooners are trending in the wrong direction. Oklahoma had a bye week following their shocking 48-41 loss to Kansas State, but the Sooners didn’t seem to find many answers during their time off. This past Saturday, Oklahoma led Iowa State 35-14 at halftime, but needed an interception on a two-point conversion attempt to avoid back-to-back upset losses. The Sooners survived with a 42-41 victory. Oklahoma’s win over Texas (6-3) is their only notable victory, and their last two outings have done nothing to suggest this team belongs in the playoff. The Sooners can begin turning that narrative around this Saturday when they travel to undefeated Baylor. And speaking of those Bears…

10.) Baylor

Baylor continues to find ways to win. On Saturday, the Bears survived their second trip to overtime this season, outlasting TCU by a final score of 29-23. Baylor isn’t winning impressively – their margin of victory in conference play is only 8.5 ppg – but a 9-0 mark earns them a spot in my Top 10. The Bears also have victories over a pair of 6-3 teams in Oklahoma State and Kansas State. Baylor will get its shot to enter the playoff discussion with upcoming games against Oklahoma and Texas these next two weeks.

11.) Utah

Like Oregon, Utah’s best win came against Washington. The Utes also have a nonconference victory over rival BYU (5-4). The difference between Oregon and Utah, however, is that the Ducks lost their season-opener against a Top 15 team. The Utes fell on the road to USC, while Oregon blew out the Trojans. However, against other common opponents (Cal, Washington, Washington State) Utah has a much higher margin of victory than the Ducks – 21.7 ppg as opposed to 5.3 ppg. Utah and Oregon are on a collision course towards the Pac-12 championship, and as long as neither team trips up in their final three games prior to the title, the winner of the Pac-12 could have a shot at the playoff.

12.) Florida

Florida took care of business on Saturday, blowing out SEC cellar-dweller Vanderbilt by a final score of 56-0. However, Minnesota and Baylor jumped the Gators after both remained undefeated this past weekend. Florida is still my highest-ranked two-loss team in the country. The Gators travel to Missouri this Saturday, before wrapping up their season with in-state rival Florida State.

13.) Auburn

Unlike Florida, Auburn still has opportunities ahead to move up the rankings. The Tigers are coming off a bye and will host Georgia this coming Saturday. Then, after a glorified exhibition against FCS foe Samford, the Tigers will finish their season by hosting Alabama. Winning either of those contests might be enough to move Auburn back into the Top 10.

14.) Wisconsin

It’s hard to call it a bounce back game after the Badgers were drilled by Ohio State two weeks ago, but Wisconsin got a much-needed win over rival Iowa on Saturday, 24-22. Stud tailback Jonathan Taylor returned to form with 250 rushing yards on 31 carries, and the Badgers’ defense stopped the Hawkeyes two-point conversion attempt to hold on for the victory. With that result, Wisconsin is still in the running for a Big Ten West division title. The Badgers must win out against Nebraska, Purdue and Minnesota – and will need the Golden Gophers to lose another game – in order to claim the division.

15.) Michigan

Michigan was idle ahead of this coming weekend’s game against rival Michigan State, and got to sit back and enjoy watching the Spartans blow a 28-3 lead against Illinois. The Wolverines have won each of their last two games – Notre Dame and Maryland – by 31 points. The Spartans have lost four in a row. But Michigan State always seems to bring their best effort in this game, and has beaten the Jim Harbaugh-led Wolverines twice in the Big House. Michigan is currently a 14.5-point favorite, but hasn’t beaten MSU by more than 14 points since 2006.

16.) Memphis

The Tigers enjoyed a bye this week after their big win over SMU back on Nov. 2. Memphis controls its own destiny in the American Athletic Conference’s West division, and should cruise through the next two weeks against Houston and South Florida. The Tigers’ season-finale will be a massive game however, as Memphis welcomes AAC East division leader Cincinnati.

17.) Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish got right on Saturday with a blowout win over Duke, 38-7. Quarterback Ian Book had a massive game for Notre Dame, completing 18-of-32 pass attempts for 181 yards and four touchdowns. Book also ran for 139 yards on 12 rushing attempts. The Irish now turn their attention to a Top 25 matchup with rival Navy this coming Saturday. Notre Dame is currently a 10-point favorite in that contest.

18.) SMU

In back-to-back weeks, East Carolina (3-7) has put serious scares into contenders for the AAC title. Two weeks ago, the Pirates took Cincinnati to the brink before falling by a score of 46-43. This past Saturday, it was SMU who had to trade punches with East Carolina, but the Mustangs eventually prevailed, 59-51. SMU is still very much in contention for the AAC title, but needs Memphis to lose one of their final three games in order to win the West division of the conference. However, before the Mustangs can think about a potential conference title, they’ll need to solve their defensive woes during their bye this week. SMU will return on Nov. 23 with a trip to Navy.

19.) Cincinnati

Cincinnati cruised to a 48-3 victory over Connecticut on Saturday, and remains in full control of the AAC’s East division. The Bearcats are one of about five Group of Five programs vying for a New Year’s Six bowl game, and might be in the best position amongst that group with their only loss coming at the hands of mighty Ohio State. Cincinnati will travel to South Florida this Saturday.

20.) Boise State

Another Group of Five team with hopes of reaching a New Year’s Six bowl is Boise State, though the Broncos made need some help to get there. After falling to BYU back on Oct. 19, Boise State finds themselves looking up at some of the contenders out of the AAC. Boise State hasn’t done itself any favors with close wins over San Jose State and Wyoming over the last two weeks. The Broncos need to win their last three games, and the Mountain West championship game, convincingly in order to get back in the race for the New Year’s Six. That starts this weekend when Boise State hosts New Mexico.

21.) Navy

The Midshipmen have quietly moved themselves into position to compete for a New Year’ Six bowl. After their loss to Memphis back on Sept. 26, Navy has reeled off five straight wins and is tied for the lead in the AAC’s West division. The Midshipmen still have to play SMU, and will need Memphis to drop a game down the stretch, but Navy is very much alive for a conference title. Before any of that gets resolved however, the Midshipmen have an opportunity to add a win to their resume that would be better than any other Group of Five program, as Navy travels to Notre Dame this weekend.

22.) Texas

The Longhorns make their way back into my rankings as my top three-loss team in the country. Two of Texas’ three losses have come against Top 10 teams (LSU, Oklahoma), and the Longhorns have wins over fellow 6-3 programs Oklahoma State and Kansas State. In addition, Texas has a convincing win over 8-1 Louisiana Tech. With back-to-back games upcoming against Iowa State and Baylor, the Longhorns will either cement themselves in my Top 25, or will quickly fall out again.

23.) Oklahoma State

The Cowboys best win is over Kansas State back on Sept. 28, and two of their three losses came against ranked opponents. With very few viable resumes this low in the rankings, that was enough to earn the Cowboys a spot. Oklahoma State will be favored in each of their next two games against Kansas and West Virginia.

24.) Kansas State

Three 6-3 Big 12 teams ranked at the bottom of my rankings may seem odd, but name me another three-loss team that has as impressive of a win as the Wildcats’ victory over Top 10-ranked Oklahoma. The reason why Kansas State is behind the Longhorns and Cowboys is both of those teams beat the Wildcats. Still, Kansas State has a couple nice wins on their resume this season, including a victory over an SEC team in Mississippi State. All three of the Wildcats’ losses have come against ranked opponents.

25.) Appalachian State

After being booted from my rankings last week – following a loss to Georgia Southern – the Mountaineers return at No. 25. This was aided by San Diego State’s loss to Nevada over the weekend, but also has a lot to do with Appalachian State’s 20-15 victory over South Carolina. The Gamecocks haven’t had a great season, but they reside in the SEC and beat Top 5 Georgia in overtime this season. The Mountaineers are 8-1 as they travel to Georgia State this coming Saturday in a matchup of the top two contenders of the Sunbelt conference’s East division.

10 iconic foods to eat in Maine

Maine is a wonderland for anyone seeking authentic flavors. Here are 10 dishes to try on your next trip: 1. Wild blueberries 2. Potato donuts 3. Needhams 4. Whoopie pies 5. Lobster 6. Pie 7. Fried clams 8. Moxie 9. Red snapper hot dogs 10. Craft beer

10 iconic foods to eat in Maine

Ben Bredeson shares what he likes most about the Michigan – MSU rivalry

Michigan senior offensive lineman Ben Bredeson discusses the importance of winning the line of scrimmage against Michigan State.

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Michigan senior captain Ben Bredeson gave his take on the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry on Monday, and it wasn’t all that surprising coming from an offensive lineman.

The senior pointed to the battle in the trenches as the most important aspect of the game heading into Saturday’s matchup of the heated rivals.

“I think when you get in the offensive and defensive line in this rivalry, that’s really what epitomizes it,” Bredeson said. “Our defensive line against their O-line, vice versa. That’s my favorite part of the game, watching that matchup.”

Bredeson may be on to something, too.

While the forward pass may be taking over modern day football, rushing yards are often still the measuring stick on which team is controlling the line of scrimmage. That’s especially evident when the Wolverines and Spartans line up against one another.

Looking back at just the past 20 meetings between the two programs, the team that finished the game with more rushing yards has won 16 out of 20 games during that stretch.

If that trend continues on Saturday, the Wolverines offense has a slight edge. Michigan is 58th in the country averaging 170.7 rush yards per game, and their 4.2 yards per carry ranks tied for 77th. Conversely, Michigan State is averaging just 130.9 rush yards per game, ranking them near the bottom in the nation (106th). The Spartans also ranked tied for 95th in yards per carry (3.8).

Defensively, both teams have been stout against the run this season. The Wolverines are allowing 112.7 yards per game on the ground (21st), but only 2.9 yards per carry (T-9th). Michigan State allows 108.1 rush yards per game (16th), and 3.1 yards per carry (T-14th).

Michigan has a seemingly wide edge on the offensive line, with Bredeson, Jon Runyan Jr., Cesar Ruiz and Mike Onwenu each having started for two seasons beside one another. The Spartans, meanwhile, have shifted their offensive line personnel, and mixed in a couple freshmen on Saturday against Illinois.

However, both defensive fronts have been stout all season, and MSU’s front has Bredeson’s attention heading into Saturday.

“That entire defensive line of theirs is outstanding,” Bredeson said. “They’ve got great defensive front. Like I said before, when you play them enough times, you at each other enough times, we’ve always had a mutual respect there.”

A four-year starter, this is the senior’s fourth time playing in this rivalry game, and it’s one he said he had circled on his calendar each season.

“It’s one of my favorite games to play in every year,” Bredeson said. “I love the rivalry games, the big games. That’s what you play college football for. We’ve had some good games here in the last three years, some memorable ones for sure, and I’m looking forward to another one this Saturday.

“Owning the state of Michigan is always a big thing for the two programs. You battle for it every single year. Obviously, there’s the Paul Bunyan Trophy involved in it as well. There’s a lot of pride that goes into it for the fanbases, so it’s a cool rivalry just because you have that in-state factor of it and you get bragging rights for the year.”

In a rivalry game, it’s expected that emotions will run hot and tempers may flare at times, but Bredeson downplayed that on Monday, speaking instead of the respect he has for Michigan State’s defensive linemen after having facing them so many times.

“It’s definitely more emotional,” he said. “You just want to keep your head with it, keep your composure and don’t make any mistakes that can give them an edge in the game.

“I think there’s an extra intensity in the game, definitely. Everybody wants to make the tackle a little harder, block a little harder, things like that. I don’t think there’s too many cheap shots going on in the game.”

The Spartans have been eliminated from contention for a Big Ten title, and Michigan’s hopes for a conference championship look bleak as well. With that primary goal likely out the window for both teams, rivalry games like this take on an added importance as secondary goals for both programs.

Bredeson is eager to get on the field to try to put a checkmark next to the goal that reads, “Beat MSU”.

“Senior year, beating Michigan State at home, that’s a pretty good win in the senior campaign,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to doing that. That’d be an awesome win.”

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JC Tretter, Sheldon Richardson earn spots on PFF’s Week 10 team of the week

Tretter and Richardson both played great vs. Buffalo and it helped the Browns get a W

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Congrats are in order for two Browns who stood out in the Week 10 win over the Buffalo Bills. Center JC Tretter and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson were the top-graded players at their respective positions according to Pro Football Focus. That earned them spots on PFF’s Week 10 Team of the Week.

Tretter instantly validated his new contract extension with a great game against the Bills. He earned the highest grade of any center in Week 10, primarily on his pass protection,

Tretter turned in a 76.0 overall grade and 79.9 pass-blocking grade against the Bills in Week 10. He allowed just one pressure across 44 pass-blocking snaps.

Richardson was unbelievably effective against Josh Allen and the Bills. With the Buffalo OL paying extra attention to Myles Garrett, Richardson took advantage and posted a 91.8 grade for the week. He had three QB pressures and two stops on Allen, and his run defense grade of 83.7 is the highest for any Browns defensive lineman playing at least 30 snaps in a game all season.

Nick Diaz’s ESPN interview the foundation for UFC comeback he may or may not want | Opinion

“You don’t realize it until they take the gun out of your face, and then you can go ahead and start to think like a normal person.”

[autotag]Nick Diaz[/autotag] voluntarily put himself back in the spotlight for the first time in a long time on Monday. Anyone who watched his nearly hour-long ESPN interview is sure to have mixed feelings about what unfolded.

In many ways, it was classic Diaz (26-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC). The former Strikeforce and WEC welterweight champion and UFC title challenger, who is eccentric but admittedly anxiety-ridden in interview settings, hardly allowed ESPN’s Ariel Helwani to finish forming his questions before issuing responses that lasted minutes and splintered in numerous directions, which may or may not have tied into what he was being asked.

Viewers didn’t even get to experience the full conversation, either. Helwani later revealed the interview was conducted around midnight on Nov. 6 and actually lasted roughly one hour and 45 minutes before being edited down under 60.

Diaz and his team clearly agreed to the rare talk with an agenda to push for a fight against Jorge Masvidal (35-13 MMA, 12-6 UFC), who beat his younger brother Nate Diaz at UFC 244 this month. In the footage that was published, however, Diaz’s discombobulated comments struggled to emphasize that point. Diaz threw some subtle and direct comments in Masvidal’s direction during his longwinded answers. In one breath he indicated he has an unresolved issue with “Gamebred,” while saying in the next that he was “definitely not” interested in fighting again.

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The story published on ESPN.com minutes after the interview aired included additional information from Diaz’s manager, Kevin Mubenga, clarifying Diaz’s intent, which is to return against Masvidal in spring 2020 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

Diaz has never been shy about his love-hate relationship with fighting. He was incredibly active during his 20s, but once he got to the pinnacle of the sport for fights with Georges St-Pierre in 2013 and Anderson Silva in 2015, his pace came to a halt.

There were large paydays attached to the St-Pierre and Silva fights, but there was also the controversial drug test that came with the latter. Diaz tested positive for marijuana metabolites after fighting Silva at UFC 183 was originally handed a five-year suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC).

Eventually Diaz’s penalty was significantly reduced and he’s been cleared to fight for some time. Still, though, he hasn’t made a return to fighting, and he doesn’t seem to be particularly keen to do so again unless the circumstances suit him perfectly. He eluded that comes down to the greater forces at play.

“It’s not up to me (if I fight again),” Diaz said. Do you want some? Generally I’ll go and I’ll (expletive) show somebody their life. It’s up to them whether they want to deal. That’s just what I (expletive) do. That’s my job. I was doing that to people when I was 15 years old to get them to go come with when I was going to deal with like – I was going to karate with little babies and little kids. Like karate chop. I was a real karate kid.

”I explained to you exactly what’s going on, so it’s on you folks. It’s on you Dana (White). It’s on you UFC. It’s on them. It’s in your hands now – Cowboy Stadium.”

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Despite his absence from the cage, Diaz’s life is still often exposed to the public. His social media presence shows he frequently enjoys the Las Vegas nightlife, and it seems his growing distance from the fighter lifestyle has altered his psychology toward the sport even more.

“After a while you realize there’s more to life, but you don’t realize it until they take the gun out of your face, and then you can go ahead and start to think like a normal person,” Diaz said. “I had a good couple of times off. I don’t know to be hateful or grateful for the suspension I went through, because I served it anyways. The verdict was I’m not the bad guy in the end.

“I needed a little bit of separation before I could get a clear picture. But I did what I was supposed to have done and supposed to be doing, just the way I should’ve been doing it at the exact right time. Looking back I made no mistakes. I never have.”

Diaz was asked bluntly if he’s happy in his life and he said, “No.” That answer appeared to be tied into seeing his brother lose to Masvidal at UFC 244 more so than anything, but it’s clear Diaz is dealing with an inner conflict.

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There were little shots from Diaz toward Masvidal over the entire course of the interview. He said he was “doing this backyard stuff way before anybody knew who ‘Kimbo Slice’ was,” and that he’s the true “BMF” champion. Diaz admitted fighting helps bring a certain structure to his life, and seeing his brother lose at UFC 244 re-lit a fire of sorts.

Only Diaz truly knows where he stands physically and mentally after so much time off and whether resuming his fighting career would positively impact his life. Returning after more than four years against Masvidal would be a tall order, but that seems to be what Diaz wants.

The rare interview was the set up for Diaz to step back in the octagon, and although it’s been a long time, he made it clear one thing has not changed: He will not bend to the UFC’s power.

“I think nobody else has any say in this besides me and the person that’s in the rightful position,” Diaz said. “But that (expletive), sometimes it’s harder than a five-round fight. When you’re (expletive) coming out of a hole. And I don’t care if I have to crawl back into that hole to crawl back out of that mother(expletive) again. So it ain’t on me. … You earn the right to fight the baddest mother(expletive), the pawns go first and that’s all I have to say about that.”

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Panthers bring back CB Corn Elder by signing him off Giants’ practice squad

According to Joe Person at the Athletic, the team has signed cornerback Corn Elder off the Giants’ practice squad.

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Corn Elder move will be official Tues. for Panthers, who signed him off Giants’ practice squad.
Depth move and does not indicate bad injury news for one of the other CBs, per source.
No word on corresponding move.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 12, 2019

The Panthers are bringing back another familiar face. According to Joe Person at the Athletic, the team has signed cornerback Corn Elder off the Giants’ practice squad.

Elder was one of former general manager Dave Gettleman’s last draft picks in Carolina. Gettleman selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. Elder did not see the field much in his first run with the Panthers, though. He appeared in 13 games last season but only played 251 total snaps, mostly on special teams. He was one of the team’s first cuts this year.

Why bring him back now?

It may have something to do with both starting outside cornerbacks James Bradberry and Donte Jackson dealing with groin injuries. Bradberry sat out Sundays’ loss to the Packers and Jackson apparently re-aggravated his, which kept him on the sidelines three weeks earlier in the season.

When Jackson went out against Green Bay, slot cornerback Javien Elliott moved outside to cover for him. Colin Jones took over for Elliott in the slot, which is obviously not an ideal situation. Elder is best suited to play that nickel position.

He may be active against Atlanta, but we probably won’t see him play unless both Bradberry and Jackson are out. That seems unlikely, as Jackson returned against the Packers later on and made some big stops down the stretch.

Update:

The move to add Elder is official. To make room, the team waived OL Bryan Witzmann.

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Giants reportedly working out kickers as Aldrick Rosas continues to slump

The New York Giants did not think they needed to replace Pro Bowl PK Aldrick Rosas this soon after his Pro Bowl season but they might have to.

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In 2018, New York Giants placekicker Aldrick Rosas was Pro Bowler, connecting on 32 of 33 field goal attempts and missing just one of his 32 point after attempts.

That was last year. A lot has changed since then. This year, Rosas won’t be going to Orlando, sadly to say. He is mired in a slump that most players at his position go through, and he is not resembling the automatic kicker he was just a season ago.

On Sunday, Rosas missed an extra point attempt wide right in the third quarter. It was the third consecutive game he missed a PAT and fourth straight game with an unsuccessful kick, counting his missed field goal try against the Cardinals in Week 7.

That has reportedly led the Giants to try out some kickers this week during their bye.

With Aldrick Rosas struggling, the #Giants worked out 2 kickers: Kaare Vedvik and Elliott Fry. Rosas has missed an XP in 3 straight games.

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) November 11, 2019

Rosas had had only attempted 10 field goals this season, converting on eight. He has converted 19 of 22 PATs.

“Just have to go back to the drawing board,” special team coordinator Thomas McGaughy said of Rosas last week. “It’s a rhythm thing, he’s starting to get more into a rhythm. Sometimes he has a tendency to get a little fast, he gets a little anxious. He has to calm himself down, slow down and go through his mechanics and go through his progressions and not rush through anything. That has been his issue right now, he just has to stay within himself and be himself. He’s a Pro Bowl kicker, the kid has a ton of talent. You have to realize, too, he’s a young player, young players make mistakes and he has to make sure he limits those mistakes.”

The Giants did not think they needed to replace Rosas this soon after his Pro Bowl season and perhaps they won’t. This summer, they brought it just one kicker to challenge him, Joey Slye of Virginia Tech, who they cut at the outset of training camp.

Slye is kicking for the Carolina Panthers this year and has not fared much better that Rosas, missing six of his 22 FG attempts and two PATs.

Bill Belichick shares progress report on N’Keal Harry

“All I can do is answer the questions. I can’t tell you how to think.”

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has provided nothing more than bite-sized morsels about 2019 first-round pick N’Keal Harry.

Belichick has long gone out of his way to slow the hype surrounding his high-profile acquisitions, and Harry is among them. Belichick has never drafted a receiver as high as he selected the ASU product at 32nd overall — and the Patriots seemed to feel fortunate Harry slipped that far. And yet Harry hasn’t debuted in the NFL. He started the season on injured reserve, and was a scratch from Week 9 despite being on the active roster.

Belchick was asked Monday how the 21-year-old wideout is progressing.

“Good,” Belichick told WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni and Fauria” on Monday. “We’ll see how it goes, relative to the [Philadelphia] game. N’Keal’s practicing well, so those are good things.”

There have been comparisons between Harry and retired receiver Anquan Boldin. Would Belichick say those comparisons are fair?

“I’ve never coached Anquan Boldin, so I’m not sure,” Belichick said.

While the Patriots coach has been relatively quiet about Harry’s progress — and Belichick has kept practices closed, as usual, so reporters haven’t been able to see how he’s playing — quarterback Tom Brady has suggested “it’s gonna be up to (Harry) to put the effort in.” That raised eyebrows in Boston, considering the outpouring of positive praise Brady has had for veteran wideout Mohamed Sanu. Brady’s tone was quite different when discussing Harry. That has created an air of uncertainty surrounding Harry. But Belichick won’t be bothered by speculation.

“All I can do is answer the questions,” Belichick told WEEI. “I can’t tell you how to think.”

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Bills playoff picture: Post-Week 10 recap of AFC teams ‘in the hunt’

The Bills’ loss to the Cleveland Browns hurt. All loses tend to do that in the NFL, but this one hurt a little more. The feeling that Buffalo let this one get away, combined with other teams around the AFC playoff picture scoring some wins of their …

The Bills’ loss to the Cleveland Browns hurt.

All loses tend to do that in the NFL, but this one hurt a little more. The feeling that Buffalo let this one get away, combined with other teams around the AFC playoff picture scoring some wins of their own, things didn’t go well for Western New York in Week 10.

Here’s a recap of the latest happenings in the AFC playoff picture:

AFC seeding:

New England Patriots (8-1)
Baltimore Ravens (7-2)
Houston Texans (6-3)
Kansas City Chiefs (6-4)
Buffalo Bills (6-3)
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4)
Oakland Raiders (5-4)
Indianapolis Colts (5-4)
Tennessee Titans (5-5)
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5)

In the hunt teams recap:

Playoff teams recap:

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