Report: Patriots put in a claim for Colts’ new kicker Chase McLaughlin

The search for a kicker continues in Foxborough. 

The search for a kicker continues in Foxborough.

After releasing Kai Forbath, New England’s fourth kicker this season, they’re back to square one. Some hope arose when the San Francisco 49ers released Chase McLaughlin, who took over for the injured Robbie Gould. McLaughlin made all of his eight point after attempts and he was 7-for-8 on field goal attempts.

The Patriots haven’t seemed to be in a rush for a kicker this week, and it’s possible that they were waiting for McLaughlin. But, the Indinapolis Colts had priority and quickly picked up him before the Patriots could. Veteran Adam Vinatieri has struggled with the Colts all season, and they needed some assurance at the position.

New England did indeed put a claim in for McLaughlin, along with the Buffalo Bills, but the Colts came out on top.

The Patriots will either bring back Nick Folk after he is cleared to play, or they’ll continue the search for kickers off of the waivers.

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Kenny Atkinson unsure how to feel about being New York’s longest-tenured head coach

Another New York City area pro sports team’s head coach was fired recently, making Kenny Atkinson the area’s longest-tenured head coach.

On Tuesday, the New Jersey Devils decided to fire John Hynes as head coach. He’d been at the helm of the organization since 2015, but the Devils only produced 22 points under his watch this year, second-fewest in the NHL.

What do the Devils have to do with the Brooklyn Nets? Well, in firing Hynes, the Devils passed the unofficial title of “New York’s Longest Tenured Head Coach” to Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Atkinson has been the man in charge for Brooklyn since 2016-17 and helped take the organization from a 20-win team to a destination for players like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

While the organization’s development is what Atkinson strives for, his new unofficial title was never a goal of his. So he didn’t know what to make of the honor when he was asked about it in Atlanta on Wednesday:

Listen, I think it shows what a tough business — coaching’s a tough business. I really don’t know what to say. I don’t know if it makes me proud or sad for the other guys. I know this is a tough business, tough business to survive in. Especially in New York.

5 Raiders to watch against the Titans

The Raiders are fresh off two blowout losses, and a winning season could disintegrate without a stellar performance from these five players.

It’s been a rough couple weeks for the Raiders, having dropped consecutive road games in blowout fashion, most recently to the Chiefs with first place in the AFC West on the line.

But the story of this year’s Raiders is still being told.

At 6-6, their remaining four games are against teams without elite records, so Oakland still has a shot at the playoffs. At the very least, they can recover the league-wide respect they earned in going 6-4, building momentum for next season in the process.

Their first challenge could be the toughest and not solely due to the quality of the opponent. After two lopsided loses, finding their confidence and building positive momentum will itself be a task. Here are the players to watch as the Raiders attempt to start the last quarter of the season with a win.

DT Jonathan Hankins

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Against a Tennesse Titans team featuring running back Derrick Henry, the Raiders’ stout run defense will be put to the test. Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins will be key in stopping the man Raiders coach Jon Gruden says has an under-recognized and valuable skill.

“I think the secret sauce in Henry is he’s got all the talent, and size, and running instincts, but he never tires. He’s a machine, man,” Gruden said during his Wednesday press conference. “You’ve got to gang tackle him. The more they give him the ball, the better he gets … an impressive human being.”

Hankins can’t stop Henry by himself, but by disrupting the middle of the Titans’ offense, he can make Henry work harder and allow the rest of the Raiders’ defense to swarm. It’s been Hankins’ formula for success all season, but Oakland needs him perhaps more than ever this week. Watch to see if he can make Henry spend some stamina and have a subpar game.

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Ravens QB Lamar Jackson wins AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November

The NFL announced on Thursday that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been recognized as the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Month for November That’s not really a shocker since he won the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week award in three of the four weeks of the month as a part of their current eight-game winning streak With this monthly award added to his four AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards, Jackson seems like a shoo-in for the NFL’s MVP award this season In just November’s four games, Jackson went 64-of-84 (76.19%) for 777 passing yards, 13 touchdown throws, 0 interceptions and a 143.7 passer rating Jackson also added 300 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on 41 attempts

The NFL announced on Thursday that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been recognized as the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Month for November That’s not really a shocker since he won the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week award in three of the four weeks of the month as a part of their current eight-game winning streak With this monthly award added to his four AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards, Jackson seems like a shoo-in for the NFL’s MVP award this season In just November’s four games, Jackson went 64-of-84 (76.19%) for 777 passing yards, 13 touchdown throws, 0 interceptions and a 143.7 passer rating Jackson also added 300 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on 41 attempts

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson wins AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November

The NFL announced on Thursday that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been recognized as the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Month for November That’s not really a shocker since he won the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week award in three of the four weeks of the month as a part of their current eight-game winning streak With this monthly award added to his four AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards, Jackson seems like a shoo-in for the NFL’s MVP award this season In just November’s four games, Jackson went 64-of-84 (76.19%) for 777 passing yards, 13 touchdown throws, 0 interceptions and a 143.7 passer rating Jackson also added 300 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on 41 attempts

The NFL announced on Thursday that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been recognized as the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Month for November That’s not really a shocker since he won the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week award in three of the four weeks of the month as a part of their current eight-game winning streak With this monthly award added to his four AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards, Jackson seems like a shoo-in for the NFL’s MVP award this season In just November’s four games, Jackson went 64-of-84 (76.19%) for 777 passing yards, 13 touchdown throws, 0 interceptions and a 143.7 passer rating Jackson also added 300 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on 41 attempts

Report: Texans OT Tytus Howard undergoes successful right knee surgery

Houston Texans rookie right tackle Tytus Howard had successful knee surgery and should be ready for the club’s offseason program.

The road to recovery is off to a good start for Houston Texans rookie offensive tackle Tytus Howard.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the first-round pick from Alabama State had successful surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee. As such, the 6-5, 322-pound offensive lineman will be on track to participate in the team’s offseason program.

Howard started eight games for the Texans, but dealt with injuries throughout the season. In preseason, Howard broke his hand and it kept him out of the club’s season opener at the New Orleans Saints.

In Week 6 at the Kansas City Chiefs, Howard sustained an MCL sprain that knocked him out for the next two games until he returned in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

On Nov. 30, a day before the Texans hosted the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football at NRG Stadium in an eventual 28-22 win, the club placed Howard on injured reserve, ending his rookie campaign.

In the absence of Howard, the Texans plan to rotate Chris Clark and Roderick Johnson at right tackle.

Georgia football K Rodrigo Blankenship wins another prestigious SEC award

Georgia football K Rodrigo Blankenship has won yet another prestigious SEC award.

Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has earned yet another prestigious SEC award.

On Thursday, it was announced that Blankenship had been named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for football.

Blankenship is Georgia’s fourth winner of this award. David Greene (2004), Aaron Murray (2013) and Chris Conley (2014) are Georgia’s previous recipients.

With a 3.71 GPA, Blankenship graduated cum laude with a degree in Digital and Broadcast Journalism in 2018 and is currently working toward a master’s degree in journalism.

Blankenship is the school’s all-time leading score, a record he broke this season, and the conference’s second all-time leader in points scored.

He has been named the SEC’s Special Teams Player of the Week six times this season.

Denver Nuggets at New York Knicks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Denver Nuggets at New York Knicks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New York Knicks (4-17) host the Denver Nuggets (13-5) Thursday with tip-off coming just after 7:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden. We analyze the Nuggets-Knicks odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Nuggets at Knicks: Key injuries

Nuggets

  • C Bol Bol (foot) day-to-day

Knicks

  • SF Marcus Morris (neck) questionable
  • PG Elfrid Payton (hamstring) questionable
  • PG Frank Ntilikina (back) questionable

Nuggets at Knicks: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Nuggets 110, Knicks 98

Moneyline (ML)

The Nuggets have won seven of their last 10 games and are 5-2 on the road this season. The Knicks are only 3-8 at home. Denver has lost two games in a row but New York has lost seven straight. Denver is a chalky -358 Thursday night, but there’s very little risk. Back DENVER with confidence.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Denver to win outright would profit $2.79.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Nuggets are 3-3-1 and come in 1.1 points per game below the cover line. New York is 5-6 at home against the spread and comes in 3.5 points per game below the cover line.

The line opened at 8.5 points. Slight lean toward DENVER (-8.5, -106) to win by nine or more points. It delivers a $9.43 profit on a $10 wager.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is set at 202.5 (Over: -115, Under: -106). Denver averages 106.1 points per game and New York allows 110.4 per contest. These are two of the lowest-paced teams, with Denver ranked 29th at 97.7 possessions per game and New York 26th at 98.1. Take the OVER (-115) with a small wager.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @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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Doug Pederson provides an update on Jordan Howard’s status for game vs. Giants

Eagles RB Jordan Howard still not cleared for contact

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The Philadelphia Eagles are in jeopardy of being without running back Jordan Howard for a fourth straight game.

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Howard has been nursing an ailing shoulder (stinger) and on Thursday, head coach Doug Pederson told the media that the running back still hasn’t been cleared for contact.

Pederson went on to say that he doesn’t think Howard’s injury is season-ending. The Eagles have four regular-season contests left and have missed Howard’s physical, downhill running style.