Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Tuesday at the Rockets media availability, James Harden and P.J. Tucker answered questions about the idea of an NBA Tournament that is not the NBA Finals — neither player was on board with the idea.
Tuesday at the Rockets media availability, James Harden and P.J. Tucker answered questions about the idea of an NBA Tournament that is not the NBA Finals — neither player was on board with the idea.
Tuesday at the Rockets media availability, James Harden and P.J. Tucker answered questions about the idea of an NBA Tournament that is not the NBA Finals — neither player was on board with the idea.
Tuesday at the Rockets media availability, James Harden and P.J. Tucker answered questions about the idea of an NBA Tournament that is not the NBA Finals — neither player was on board with the idea.
Tuesday at the Rockets media availability, James Harden and P.J. Tucker answered questions about the idea of an NBA Tournament that is not the NBA Finals — neither player was on board with the idea.
Tuesday at the Rockets media availability, James Harden and P.J. Tucker answered questions about the idea of an NBA Tournament that is not the NBA Finals — neither player was on board with the idea.
The Week 13 national NFL Power Rankings have been released and the Detroit Lions are headed to the bottom of the league.
The Detroit Lions (3-7-1) appear to be nearing rock bottom and their Week 13 national NFL Power Rankings reflect that. After yet another disastrous loss — this time to a bad Washington team — the current situation in Detroit has left a sour taste in the mouths of analysts.
Let’s take a look at where the Lions stand in the national eye.
“Why wouldn’t they shut down Matthew Stafford? Maybe that comes next week, when they’ll likely be officially eliminated from playoff picture.” — Nate Davis
“In NFL history, only one non-strike team has held the lead in each of its first 11 games, and won three or fewer — the 2004 Chiefs. That Chiefs team started their season 3-8 and wound up with a 7-9 record, so we suppose head coach Matt Patricia could tell his team that the 2019 Lions, who have now joined that short list, are capable of going on a nice run. However, the opposing arguments are comprehensive. Backup quarterback Jeff Driskel was completely lost against the Redskins’ defense (which is a severe indictment in and of itself), completing 20 of 33 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Detroit’s run game is nonexistent, and its man-based pass defense has fallen apart in a relative sense this season. This franchise fired Jim Caldwell as its head coach after the 2017 season because two straight 9-7 seasons weren’t good enough. What does the Ford family make of Patricia’s 9-17-1 mark through almost two seasons?” — Doug Farrar
“A season that begin with promise has descended into ugliness. A 19-16 loss to the lowly Redskins is the seventh defeat in eight games for Detroit, which has gone into a nosedive with Matthew Stafford out of the lineup with a back injury. Jeff Driskel had some positive moments early in his stint as Stafford’s understudy, but he had a bad game against Washington, throwing interceptions in each of Detroit’s final possessions to seal the loss. And while the defense wasn’t the culprit on Sunday, this remains a unit that has given up nearly 29 points per game over the last eight games. Throw in some poor special teams, and Matt Patricia appears to be in a fair bit of trouble. The second-year coach probably needs a strong finish for a chance at another season on the sideline. A playoff stakes-free Thanksgiving matchup against the Bears is up next.” — Dan Hanzus
“What they’re thankful for: WRs Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. Even in a lowlight of a season, Golladay and Jones are showing to be a potent receiving duo. Both receivers have a chance to top 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2019 — remarkable considering Matthew Stafford has been out the past three weeks. The Lions have both players, as well as Stafford, under contract in 2020, so there is something to build on offensively in Detroit, even in a season going nowhere.” — Michael Rothstein
“Without Matt Stafford, they just aren’t good team. Is Matt Patricia safe? Should he be?” — Pete Prisco
“Remember when this team was “better than their record indicated?” Yeah, sorry about that. No Stafford didn’t help, backup Jeff Driskel threw three picks, the defense went home halfway through the fourth quarter and Matt Patricia’s bunch is officially punched out for 2019.” — MMQB staff
“The Lions can think about what could have been the past three weeks had Matthew Stafford been able to continue his career-best play, but as they’ve found something with their defense and running game, they’ve been let down by Jeff Driskel’s play. Will that be enough to give Matt Patricia a free pass in Year 2?” — Vinnie Iyer
Former Notre Dame Irish guard Quenton Nelson was named to ESPN’s all 25-under-25 team.
Former Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson was the only offensive lineman named to ESPN writer Mike Clay’s 25 under 25 team – a list of the 25 best players in the league who are age 25 or younger.
Nelson has had an incredible start to his NFL career as the starting left guard for the Indianapolis Colts, where he was drafted sixth overall in the 2018 draft.
Nelson immediately took over as a starter for the Colts, and has played all but one offensive snap in the last two years.
He was a Pro Bowler and a first team All-Pro in his rookie season, but amazingly he’s playing even better in year two.
Here’s an excerpt from Clay’s article, where Nelson came in at No. 5.
The lone offensive lineman on our list, Nelson has been the driving force for the emergence of the Colts’ line as one of the league’s best units. The Notre Dame product has been on the field for all but one of Indianapolis’ offensive snaps since he was selected with the sixth pick of the 2018 draft. His 94.1% pass block win rate ranked 11th among guards during his rookie season and sits at 93.7% (11th best) this season.
Nelson was named to the Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro during an outstanding rookie season, and he’s on track for significantly more award recognition over the next decade.
Nelson starred at Notre Dame from 2014-2017, and was named an All-American in his final season with the Irish. He has a chance to be one of the best offensive linemen in the league, and perhaps of all-time, if he keeps this pace up.
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The Spartans don’t move much after a pretty neutral win over Rutgers.
A win over Rutgers didn’t do much for Michigan State in the eyes of Bill Connelly’s computer.
The Spartans are at No. 40 this week in Connelly’s SP+ rankings. Michigan State ranks 86th in offense, 12th in defense and 114th in special teams. MSU is a projected 7.6 points better than an average college football team on a neutral field.
MSU’s upcoming opponent, Maryland, is rated 88th in SP+, although the Terps have been in a bit of a free fall lately. They’re ranked No. 73 on offense, No. 82 on defense and No. 127 on special teams. They’re a projected 5.7 points worse than an average college football team on a neutral field.
SP+, according to Connelly, is “(A) tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency.”
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Per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is “maniacal” about returning to play this season.
As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is “maniacal” about returning to the field this season and playing as soon as he can.
The opportunity to return soon is reasonable, as it was noted last week that Stafford’s fractured bones were a six-week back injury, with the possibility of returning earlier.
With the Lions playoff chances at less than one percent, and Jeff Driskel doing a formidable job as the Lions quarterback, it was also reported that the Lions front office has been discussing shutting Stafford down for the remainder of the season. It’s not a secret that the Lions franchise quarterback wants to play, and it was reiterated to reporters on Wednesday that he is doing everything he can to get back under center as quickly as possible.
Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn’s jobs are potentially both on thin ice, as the franchise has taken steps backwards since relieving Jim Caldwell of his coaching duties, and finishing the season strong could go a long way in job security — especially if it’s without their franchise quarterback.
Does Quinn ignore the toughness and tenacity of Stafford and shut him down to preserve him for next season? Or will Quinn succumb to the quarterback’s repeated requests to play again this season, regardless of the teams standings?
Only time will tell.
Things change quickly in the NFL, and there’s no better example than the 2019 Atlanta Falcons before and after their bye week.
Things change quickly in the NFL, and there’s no better example than the 2019 Atlanta Falcons before and after their bye week.
Two weeks ago, this team was a double-digit underdog to the New Orleans Saints. Now, just one day away from Atlanta’s Week 12 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, experts are convinced the Falcons are back.
Despite it being a game between two 3-7 teams, many seem to be leaning towards Atlanta. Let’s take a look at what some of the top NFL sites are forecasting on Sunday.
USA Today kicks things off with 7-0 sweep in favor of the Falcons from its panel of experts.
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com predicts Atlanta will win, 33-21, in his weekly picks column.
Out of ESPN’s ten-person panel, nine of them chose the Falcons. Mina Kimes was the only person to pick the Bucs on Sunday, but we forgive you, Mina.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 20, 2019
The CBS Sports panel gave us another one-sided Falcons victory. Only Will Brinson took Tampa Bay, while the other seven went with Atlanta.
Bleacher Report’s three writers each went with the favored Falcons to win their third straight game. The score prediction is Atlanta 31, Tampa Bay 20.
The vote went 8-2 in favor of an Atlanta victory from the writers over at SB Nation.
Well, so much for sneaking up on anyone. Let’s see is the team can keep its two-game winning streak alive against another NFC South foe on Sunday.
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ESPN’s Domonique Foxworth made his case on “Get Up!” for Dolphins head coach Brian Flores to be considered for Coach of the Year.
The Miami Dolphins’ organization has arguably already shattered expectations for 2019 in going out and winning a handful of football games. At 2-8 the Dolphins own two more wins than the common fan (or common analyst) would have pegged them to finish with. And folks are starting to take note. Not just that the Dolphins own a crooked number in the win column, either — but that this Miami Dolphins team has completely shifted the narrative and is playing competitive football each and every week.
One of the Dolphins’ biggest critics at the beginning of the season was former NFLPA president Domonique Foxworth calling the Dolphins’ approach to 2019 “morally reprehensible” and “unethical”. In the 10 weeks that have passed since Foxworth ripped the Dolphins, he seems to have come around to to Miami’s process and, more importantly, head coach Brian Flores.
Foxworth went on ESPN’s “Get Up!” program this past week and stated that he feels Dolphins head coach Brian Flores should be considered for the NFL’s Coach of the Year.
"Brian Flores should be considered for Coach of the Year."
Is a real thing that @Foxworth24 just said out loud. pic.twitter.com/RVX6Kkref7
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) November 21, 2019
That’s quite the departure from “morally reprehensible” but Foxworth is an interesting one. The idea that results minus expectations would give Miami a greater return than any other team in the NFL is debatable. But Flores may have a few more wins up his sleeve. The Dolphins play an undisciplined Browns team this week, the New York Jets, the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals yet this season.
Make no mistake: the culture the Dolphins are instilling is a good one. And if the team makes progress throughout the offseason and improves their record in 2020, the efforts to instill a positive locker room environment are really going to catch fire. What Flores has been able to do with many second and third string players shouldn’t be overlooked — Miami enters every game with a talent deficiency and yet shows something new (and impressive) every week.
But something tells us Coach of the Year isn’t in the cards for Brian Flores in 2019. Here’s hoping it won’t be too long, though.
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The Falcons will look to keep things rolling on offense when they take on a Buccaneers defense that’s allowing an NFL-worst 31.3 points per game in Week 12.
Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley stole the show in Week 11, catching all eight of his targets for 143 yards and a touchdown during the team’s win over the Panthers.
Atlanta will look to keep things rolling on offense in Week 12 when it goes up against a Buccaneers defense that’s allowing an NFL-worst 31.3 points per game.
Let’s examine the Falcons’ Week 12 fantasy football projections, focusing on ESPN’s standard league scoring system.
ESPN Projection: 21.2 points — 2 pass TDs, 306 pass yards, 1 INT, 9 rush yards
Season Total: 172.2 points — 18 pass TDs, 2,663 pass yards, 9 INTs, 1 rush TD, 77 rush yards
Week 12 Analysis: Ryan moved into tenth place on the NFL’s all-time passing yards list in Week 11, and is averaging 295.8 yards per game this season. While he’s still not 100 percent as he recovers from a nagging ankle injury, Ryan is facing a Tampa Bay defense that’s giving up 290.3 passing yards per game — the second-highest average in the league. Expect some big-time numbers from Ryan, who is ESPN’s No. 2 rated QB for Week 12.
