LeBron James says it’s not that weird playing an injured Warriors team

After last night’s comfortable 120-94 win over the Warriors on Wednesday night, LeBron James was asked about the state of the Warriors as they fell to a league-worst 2-10 record James obviously knows what they’re going through, but he wouldn’t use the word “weird” to describe the feeling of playing against a deleted Warriors squad James had an incredible stat line in a losing effort in the 2015 Finals, averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game

After last night’s comfortable 120-94 win over the Warriors on Wednesday night, LeBron James was asked about the state of the Warriors as they fell to a league-worst 2-10 record James obviously knows what they’re going through, but he wouldn’t use the word “weird” to describe the feeling of playing against a deleted Warriors squad James had an incredible stat line in a losing effort in the 2015 Finals, averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game

LeBron James says it’s not that weird playing an injured Warriors team

After last night’s comfortable 120-94 win over the Warriors on Wednesday night, LeBron James was asked about the state of the Warriors as they fell to a league-worst 2-10 record James obviously knows what they’re going through, but he wouldn’t use the word “weird” to describe the feeling of playing against a deleted Warriors squad James had an incredible stat line in a losing effort in the 2015 Finals, averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game

After last night’s comfortable 120-94 win over the Warriors on Wednesday night, LeBron James was asked about the state of the Warriors as they fell to a league-worst 2-10 record James obviously knows what they’re going through, but he wouldn’t use the word “weird” to describe the feeling of playing against a deleted Warriors squad James had an incredible stat line in a losing effort in the 2015 Finals, averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game

Jaguars-Colts odds: Rusty QBs impacting spread, O/U

Previewing Sunday’s Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts Week 11 matchup, with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets

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The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5) travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to face a division rival in the Indianapolis Colts (5-4) at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis: Week 11 preview, betting trends and notes

Looking to place a bet on this game or others? Sign up at BetMGM!

  • Jacksonville is 7-1-1 against the spread in its last nine games following a bye.
  • The Colts are 0-4 ATS in their last four home games against teams with losing records.
  • Jacksonville is 7-0-1 ATS in its last eight games against Indianapolis.
  • The Colts are 5-1 on the moneyline in their last six meetings with the Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium.
  • Indianapolis is 3-2 hitting the over at home this season, while Jacksonville is 2-1-1 hitting the over on the road.
  • The Colts are 5-0 ATS in their last five game against AFC South opponents.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis: Key injuries

The Colts got good news with QB Jacoby Brissett (knee) back to practice this week and expected to start Sunday, plus WR Devin Funchess was taken off injured reserve this week. But the club remains without WRs T.Y. Hilton (calf) and Parris Campbell (hand), as well as TE Jack Doyle (shoulder). None of them have practiced this week. Jacksonville didn’t have anyone out of Wednesday’s practice and have QB Nick Foles (clavicle) back to start Sunday.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 4:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Indianapolis 23, Jacksonville 20

Moneyline (?)

This is a difficult moneyline if you think the Colts are going to win, which we are leaning toward. The Colts are -154, while the Jaguars are at +125. We believe this is going to be a game that comes down to the wire that either team could win because Foles will be rusty and Brissett isn’t 100 percent.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Colts to win would return a profit of $6.50.

Against the Spread (?)

This is the flip side of the coin. If you agree with us that the Colts are going to win 23-20, you don’t take them here, you take them on the moneyline. With the spread at 3.5, the hook could be huge. Neither team is likely to blow the other out, and Indy getting +110 while the Jags are at -134 shows the lack of confidence in Indy’s ability to cover. Take JACKSONVILLE +3.5 (-134).

Over/Under (?)

Typically O/U numbers are relatively close on both sides, but not here. At 44.5, the over +105 and the under -125. If the game plays out as many believe it will — two rusty QBs coming back from missing time and offenses built around running the ball on first and second downs — the over gives you the better payoff. But the UNDER is the bet to make.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Bye week comes at a good time for Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The week off should give MVS a chance to get healthy before the Packers embark on a playoff push over the final 6 games of 2019.

The bye week came at an ideal time for Green Bay Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who battled through injury to catch just one pass for four yards over the team’s last three games.

Both coach Matt LaFleur and receivers coach Alvis Whitted recently explained how injuries suffered during the Packers’ win over the Detroit Lions have affected Valdes-Scantling over the last month.

The Packers’ second-year receiver hurt both his knee and ankle in the first half against the Lions on Oct. 14. He eventually returned to that game, and he’s played through the injuries each of the last four games.

LaFleur said Monday the issues have “definitely slowed him down,” while Whitted admitted Valdes-Scantling is still learning how to play through an injury.

“Quite honestly, he’s been battling through some injuries,” Whitted said, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “It’s the first time he’s had to go through some adversity like that as a player. I think it’s good for him to understand that this is the National Football League and you’re going to go through adversity as far as playing through stuff.”

Valdes-Scantling played a season-low 11 snaps during Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers. He’s been on the field for roughly 50 percent of offensive snaps the last four games, compared to over 80 percent the first six games.

Although the Packers haven’t listed Valdes-Scantling on the final injury report the last two weeks, a chance to rest up during the bye week could give the young receiver a real chance to get closer to 100 percent for the final stretch run of the 2019 season.

Over 10 games, Valdes-Scantling has 22 catches on 42 targets for 420 yards and two touchdowns. The offense could use more of his deep speed and big-play ability during the final six games.

LaFleur said the Packers will take a closer look at how they’re using Valdes-Scantling during the self-scout portion of the bye week.

“We also have to look critically at ourselves and what we’re asking him to do and making sure we’re putting him in position to get some of those balls,” LaFleur said. “He does have a great talent. He’s a guy that, when he rolls off the ball, he is tough to defend because he runs so well. We have to put him in position where he can use that to his advantage. You can’t coach or teach that speed.”

Two healthy legs and a better plan for maximizing his abilities could help Valdes-Scantling re-write the narrative on his second NFL season over the last month and a half of 2019.

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First injury report for Chargers ahead of matchup vs. Chiefs

The Los Angeles Chargers released their first injury report ahead of their Week 11 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chargers had their first practice ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Chiefs, which was held at Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.

Here is the full injury report:

Six players did not practice on Thursday.

Offensive tackles Russell Okung’s (groin) status remains up in the air. If Okung can’t play, rookie Trey Pipkins will get the start at left tackle. Meanwhile, Sam Tevi (knee), who’s recovering from a minor surgery, won’t play. Trent Scott will start at right tackle.

Defensive tackle Cortez Broughton (illness) remains out of practice while dealing with mono. Meanwhile, Justin Jones was a full participant and all signs are pointing to him playing on Monday. Jones hasn’t played since Week 6.

Los Angeles was also without running back Justin Jackson (calf), wide receiver Geremy Davis (hamstring) and long snapper Cole Mazza (illness).

If Mazza can’t play, the Chargers will have to make a roster move prior to the game.

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Through 16 starts, Lamar Jackson’s stats prove he’s the real deal

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has now played a full season’s worth of games, so now is the time to analyze how he’s done so far

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has hit a benchmark in his career. With nine regular-season games down in the 2019 season added to the seven he started last year, Jackson has finally started a full 16 games in the NFL. A full season’s worth of stats now on his resume allows us to better review how he’s done thus far.

Take a look at Jackson’s regular-season stats during his first 16 career starts:

Lamar Jackson passing stats:

Comp Att Comp% Yds TDs TD% INTs INT% Rating
267 425 62.8 3,237 21 4.9% 8 1.9% 94.8

Lamar Jackson rushing stats:

Att Yds YPC TDs
225 1,258 5.59 10

While the amount of passing yards isn’t spectacular in today’s NFL, considering quarterbacks regularly throw for over 4,000 yards a season, Jackson’s passing stats are still impressive overall. It’s the best TD percentage since Joe Flacco’s 2014 campaign and the best passer rating of any Ravens quarterback in franchise history (with more than three games started). Considering Jackson was held back a bit by a more conservative offensive scheme during his rookie season, it’s even more impressive.

And that’s before we even get into the notion of Jackson as a runner. While Jackson often sees his rushing ability used to critique him as a quarterback, Jackson’s stats on the ground are impressive by themselves. If he were a running back, he’d likely be up for a Pro Bowl nomination on those stats alone. But when combined with his passing yards, Jackson would actually rank 50th in NFL history in single-season total offensive yards (rushing and passing yards combined) ahead of Peyton Manning’s 2004 campaign in which he was both a Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro quarterback.

Not too bad for a guy Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian said should switch to wide receiver. Or for a guy that’s only 22 years old and in the first 16 starts of his NFL career. Or even without any of those caveats . . . as Jackson compares favorably to some of the best players in NFL history.

What’s the important takeaway here — and something so many of Jackson’s detractors seem to forget — is he’s still getting his feet underneath him in this league. Just like Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, Jackson is still getting accustomed to playing quarterback in the NFL and he’s steadily improving while putting up solid early results.

In seven games last season, Jackson had a 58.2% completion rate. That number has jumped to 65.9% in the nine games he’s started this year. He’s thrown 15 touchdown passes this year (5.9%) compared to just six last season (3.5%). He’s improved his passer rating from 82.6 last season to 101.7 this year. He’s averaging 1.25 more yards per attempt while being sacked 2% less. That’s not even getting into his rushing numbers, which have also improved from last year.

It’s also important to look at what Jackson has meant for the entire team as well. While stats are a huge benchmark of individual performance, the reality is no team makes it to a Super Bowl without winning games. Though no team picks up a win thanks solely to one player, Jackson has been among the league’s best through his first 16 games, going 13-3.

Jackson has now been under the microscope for a full season’s worth of starts and it’s clear he’s here to stay.

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Geno Atkins surfaces on new injury report with knee issue

Geno Atkins joins A.J. Green and others on the injury report.

The injury bug isn’t loosening its grip on the Cincinnati Bengals.

Thursday, defensive tackle Geno Atkins joined the injury report with a knee injury. Alongside Tyler Eifert, it isn’t uncommon to see a veteran like Atkins get a rest day during the middle of the week.

But Thursday, Atkins was labeled as a knee injury in the “did not practice” column alongside A.J. Green, Dre Kirkpatrick, Alex Redmond and Drew Sample.

Sample’s injury is a new one that could spur a trip to injured reserve. As for Green, he’s back to the rehab process and won’t play this week.

Then there is Atkins, whose status for the game in Oakland is now a question mark, to top it all off. Thursday is usually the telling day as far as forecasting the weekend goes, but Friday’s practice this week still has plenty of room for changes.

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Daniel Pineda fails drug test, leaving $1 million PFL matchup in jeopardy

Daniel Pineda has failed a drug test, which will likely knock him out of his $1 million final against Lance Palmer on Dec. 31.

[autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag] might not be fighting in the PFL finals on New Year’s Eve after all.

Pineda (28-13), who reached the featherweight playoff final, has failed a Nevada Athletic Commission-administered drug test. Without being overturned, the test likely will knock him out of his $1 million featherweight final against Lance Palmer on Dec. 31.

A person with knowledge of the situation told MMA Junkie of the positive drug test on Thursday. The person asked to remain anonymous since neither the promotion nor the NAC has made an announcement.

The exact substance or reason for Pineda’s test failure is not known. It’s also unclear who would replace Pineda in the tournament final if he’s not allowed to compete.

When contacted, Pineda’s manager, Jason House, issued the following statement to MMA Junkie:

“Right now we’re in the process of researching what could have led to a positive test. We plan on appealing the decision once all information is gathered.”

Pineda later took to Twitter claiming that “no steroids or drugs” were found in his system.

The PFL declined to comment on the matter. The NAC could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.

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Pineda, who has UFC experience, was an improbable underdog entering the semifinals in mid-October. Without having competed once in the regular season, Pineda replaced injured Damon Jackson in the playoffs.

In the first of two scheduled fights in the same night, Pineda finished Movlid Khaybulaev in 29 seconds by knockout. His second performance against Jeremy Kennedy took a little bit longer, but Pineda got the job done by first-round guillotine choke.

PFL’s 2019 playoff finals take place Dec. 31 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. The card airs on ESPN2.

Brady’s ‘body coach,’ says ’45 is a very realistic goal,’ for Pats QB to retire

The conversation around when Tom Brady will retire is perpetual at this point. The 42-year-old shows no relative signs of age, seemingly getting better on the gridiron with age.

The conversation around when Tom Brady will retire is perpetual at this point. The 42-year-old shows no relative signs of age, seemingly getting better on the gridiron with age.

Brady’s ‘body coach,’ says ’45 is a very realistic goal,’ for Pats QB to retire (Patriotswire)

The conversation around when Tom Brady will retire is perpetual at this point. The 42-year-old shows no relative signs of age, seemingly getting better on the gridiron with age.

The conversation around when Tom Brady will retire is perpetual at this point. The 42-year-old shows no relative signs of age, seemingly getting better on the gridiron with age.