Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Here are some of our favorite pictures from Indianapolis:
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still can’t seem to find a win where they need it. The team dropped its sixth game in its last seven tries at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts, but there were still plenty of cool shots from the proceedings — and a cool showcase of the team’s pewter uniforms it wore for the first time this year, too.
Here are some of our favorite pictures from the game:
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud knows that he won’t point the finger at K Matt Ammendola for the 24-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Don’t expect C.J. Stroud to point the finger.
The rookie quarterback declared he would not put the Houston Texans’ last play on the blame of kicker Matt Ammendola, who missed a 58-yard field goal that would have tied the game with 29 seconds remaining. Instead the Jacksonville Jaguars took a knee and 24-21 win out of NRG Stadium with first place in the AFC South.
“You can’t put the last play of the game, supposedly, or if it is or if it’s not, you can’t put the whole game on that situation,” Stroud told reporters after the game. “We’ve got to be cleaner and execute better in the first half. I feel like we came out the second half and moved the ball pretty well, but we have to play complementary football offense and defense. We have to help each other out.”
Stroud did his part, going 26-of-36 for 304 yards and two touchdowns. The No. 2 overall pick even rushed six times for 47 yards and a score.
“It’s tough to put it all on the kicker’s hand and everything. I think Matt has done a great job, and we have to put him in better situations,” Stroud said. “Maybe get closer or even go try to score a touchdown and win the game. A lot of different things that could happen and play out a different way.”
The Texans fall to 6-5 on the season, but maintain the No. 6 seed in the AFC wild-card race.
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The Bucs missed a big opportunity to level with the NFC South with their loss to the Colts.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed a big opportunity on Sunday.
Going into Week 12, the Bucs needed the Falcons to beat the Saints to draw both teams to 5-6, and a win from Tampa Bay would have even up the odds in a three-way tie for the division lead. The Falcons did beat the Saints, but the Bucs did not beat the Indianapolis Colts, so they remain in third while the other two teams are tied. The Carolina Panthers lost their 10th game on Sunday and remain terrible.
Here’s what the NFC South looks like after each team played in Week 12:
| Team | W | L | T | Win% | PF | PA | Home | Away | Strk |
| Atlanta Falcons | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | 213 | 232 | 4-2 | 1-4 | W1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | 229 | 222 | 2-2 | 3-4 | L2 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4 | 7 | 0 | .364 | 212 | 227 | 2-3 | 2-4 | L2 |
| Carolina Panthers | 1 | 10 | 0 | .091 | 173 | 292 | 1-4 | 0-6 | L4 |
And here is how those games all went:
Who were the studs and duds in the Patriots’ loss to the Giants?
The New England Patriots came within a 35-yard field goal of completing a comeback rally and pushing Sunday’s game against the New York Giants into overtime.
But for the ninth time this season, it wasn’t meant to be for the Patriots. Rookie kicker Chad Ryland shanked the field goal, and New England slumped to 2-9 on the season.
With the playoffs out of reach, Patriots fans were actually celebrating the team’s demise on social media with the hope that the loss could land them a higher 2024 NFL draft pick.
As for the game itself, it was more of the same from the Patriots. Mac Jones got the start at quarterback and was benched after a horrific first half. Bailey Zappe had some good moments, including a touchdown drive and a near game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. But he also turned the ball over and caught a couple breaks with Giants defenders dropping potential interceptions.
Overall, it was a disappointing effort mixed with a few positives for New England. Here are the studs and duds from Sunday’s game:
Here are some answers as to why Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans going for the field goal was wrong, and not just because of the outcome.
Naturally the wrong decision can be gleaned by the fact it didn’t work. Clearly Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans should have gone for it on fourth-and-12 from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 39-yard line rather than send out kicker Matt Ammendola to attempt a 58-yard field goal.
According to Doug Farrar from the Touchdown Wire, the decision to put the game on the foot of a known quantity was suspect at best.
Ammendola did indeed nearly tie the game, but we have to look at the process here. Ammendola has been in the NFL since 2021. and New York Jets, the Arizona Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and now the Texans, he had never made a field goal attempt of 50 or more yards. The last time he even attempted one was with the Jets in 2021 — in fact, he attempted three that season, and he missed them all.
Furthermore, if you go back to Ammendola’s career at Oklahoma State, he hadn’t made a field goal attempt of 50 or more yards since 2017.
So, again, we have to wonder why.
https://twitter.com/JohnHCrumpler/status/1728891047697416578
Going with Stroud isn’t typical second-guessing. Stroud had led the Texans with two game-winning drives entering Week 12. Albeit Ammendola was a key cog in the win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10, the reality is Stroud’s heroics all season have placed Houston in the position to have a first place showdown with the Jaguars mean anything.
Ryans chose the proven commodity of a backup kicker’s leg over his No. 2 overall pick’s arm.
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Week 12 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives for the fantasy football lineup decisions.
Sunday updates will begin when teams start releasing official pregame inactives and starter information to the league. This is typically around 60-90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.
Weather forecasts are courtesy of The Football Database.
Early games: RB Dameon Pierce (active), RB Rachaad White (active)
Afternoon games: WR Marquise Brown (active)
Sunday night:
Monday night:
Kickoff Weather: 50 degrees, cloudy (retractable-roof dome)
Inactives: TE Jimmy Graham, RB Kendre Miller, DL Isaiah Foskey, DL Kyle Phillips, OG Nick Saldiveri and QB Jake Haener
Lineup notes: WR Michael Thomas (knee) and CB Marshon Lattimore (ankle) went on IR. RB Kendre Miller (ankle) is also out. QB Derek Carr (concussion) is good to go after coming off the injury report Thursday. DE Jason Pierre-Paul was elevated to the gameday roster.
Inactives: CB Clark Phillips III, QB Logan Woodside, DE Joe Gaziano, WR Mack Hollins, TE John FitzPatrick, DT Travis Bell and OG Jovaughn Gwyn
Lineup notes: WR Mack Hollins (ankle) is out. PK Younghoe Koo (back) is good to go after a full session Friday.
Kickoff Weather: 46 degrees, light rain
Inactives: RB Anthony McFarland, LB Blake Martinez, QB Mason Rudolph, OT Dylan Cook, S Minkah Fitzpatrick and DT Montravius Adams
Lineup notes: WR George Pickens (shin) had a full session Friday and will play. S Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) has been ruled out.
Inactives: OT D’Ante Smith, WR Tee Higgins, C Trey Hill, DT Jay Tufele, CB Cam Taylor-Britt and RB Chris Evans
Lineup notes: WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) has been ruled out, and QB Joe Burrow (wrist) went on season-ending IR.
Kickoff Weather: 51 degrees, cloudy
Inactives: TE Hayden Hurst, OT Ricky Lee, WR Terrace Marshall Jr., RB Raheem Blackshear and CB CJ Henderson
Lineup notes: TE Hayden Hurst (concussion) has been ruled out. QB Bryce Young (thigh) practiced all week and will play. CB CJ Henderson (concussion) and CB Jaycee Horn (hamstring) won’t play. S Jeremy Chinn (quad) already was ruled out.
Inactives: SS Terrell Edmunds, DL Caleb Murphy, LB Trevis Gipson, WR Treylon Burks and QB Malik Willis
Lineup notes: WR Treylon Burks (concussion) is out again. QB Will Levis (ankle, foot) and RB Derrick Henry (ankle) practiced Friday and will play.
Kickoff Weather: 38 degrees, light rain (retractable-roof dome)
Inactives: DL Mike Greene, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, OT Brandon Walton, LB Lavonte David, LB Cam Gill, CB Jamel Dean and QB John Wolford
Lineup notes: WR Chris Godwin (knee, elbow) was limited Friday but will play. RB Rachaad White (knee) was added Saturday as questionable but will be out there. LB Lavonte David (groin) and CB Jamel Dean (ankle/foot) have been ruled out. LB Devin White (foot) and CB Carlton Davis (hip) overcame questionable tags.
Inactives: TE Drew Ogletree, OG Arlington Hambright, CB Julius Brents, LB Cameron McGrone, WR Juwann Winfree and C Ryan Kelly
Lineup notes: C Ryan Kelly (concussion) has been ruled out. LB Shaquille Leonard cleared waivers and is a free agent. WR Josh Downs (knee) avoided an injury tag.
Kickoff Weather: 45 degrees, cloudy
Inactives: CB Alex Austin, WR Jalen Reagor, DT Sam Roberts, RB JaMycal Hasty and OT Vederian Lowe
Lineup notes: WR DeVante Parker (concussion), LT Trent Brown (ankle) and CB Jonathan Jones (knee) are available. QB Mac Jones is expected to start, but reports point to QB Bailey Zappe also getting reps.
Inactives: RB Jashaun Corbin, DT Dexter Lawrence, DE Carlos Basham Jr., OT Evan Neal and S Gervarrius Owens
Lineup notes: TE Darren Waller (hamstring) remains on IR. WR Darius Slayton (neck) was doubtful but will be on available after showing improvement. WR Sterling Shepard (hip) practiced Thursday and Friday and will play.
Kickoff Weather: 63 degrees, cloudy, N 13 mph (retractable-roof dome)
Inactives: WR Elijah Cooks, OG Cole Van Lanen, CB Tyson Campbell, DT DaVon Hamilton and LB Yasir Abdullah
Lineup notes: WR Zay Jones (knee) is active after being questionable.
Inactives: LB Jake Hansen, SS Jimmie Ward, QB Case Keenum, RB Mike Boone, LB Myjai Sanders, OG Nick Broeker and WR Noah Brown
Lineup notes: WR Noah Brown (knee) is out. RB Dameon Pierce (ankle) returns to the field.
Kickoff Weather: 38 degrees, clear
Inactives: CB Denzel Ward, C Luke Wypler, WR Marquise Goodwin, LB Anthony Walker, DT Siaki Ika, DL Isaiah McGuire and OT Leroy Watson
Lineup notes: QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) went on IR and was lost for the season due to a shoulder injury. LB Anthony Walker (hamstring) and CB Denzel Ward (shoulder) are out.
Inactives: LB Ronnie Perkins, C Alex Forsyth, S JL Skinner, DL Thomas Incoom, RB Dwayne Washington and DT Elijah Garcia
Lineup notes: RB Samaje Perine (knee) practiced Friday and will play.
Kickoff Weather: 68 degrees, cloudy (retractable-roof dome)
Inactives: DL Nick Hampton, TE Brycen Hopkins, S Quentin Lake and OT Warren McClendon
Lineup notes: RB Kyren Williams (ankle) practiced fully all week and will make his return from IR. WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) and WR Puka Nacua (knee) practiced Friday and will play. Neither has an injury tag. TE Tyler Higbee incorrectly was widely reported as an inactive, but he is indeed active this week.
Inactives: S Joey Blount, CB Antonio Hamilton, OT Dennis Daley, RB Keaontay Ingram, TE Blake Whiteheart, WR Michael Wilson and DL Kevin Strong
Lineup notes: WR Michael Wilson (shoulder) is out. WR Marquise Brown (heel) is active after being labeled questionable, and S Jalen Thompson (back) also will be out there.
Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium
Inactives: DE B.J. Thompson, OG Mike Caliendo, WR Kadarius Toney, DT Neil Farrell, DL Malik Herring and RB Jerick McKinnon
Lineup notes: WR Mecole Hardman (thumb) went on IR. RB Jerick McKinnon (groin) was ruled out Friday, and WR Kadarius Toney (knee) was downgraded to out Saturday afternoon.
Inactives: LB Amari Burney, DT Nesta Jade Silvera, S Roderic Teamer, QB Brian Hoyer, DL Byron X. Young and C Hroniss Grasu
Lineup notes: LT Kolton Miller (shoulder), DE Maxx Crosby (knee), and LB Robert Spillane (ankle) are active.
Kickoff Weather: 47 degree, mostly cloudy
Inactives: LB A.J. Klein, OG Alec Anderson, DT Poona Ford, CB Dane Jackson, WR Deonte Harty and S Taylor Rapp
Lineup notes: TE Dawson Knox (wrist) remains on IR. QB Josh Allen (shoulder) continues practicing and playing through his shoulder injury.
Inactives: TE Grant Calcaterra, CB Josiah Scott, DT Milton Williams, QB Tanner McKee, OT Lane Johnson, TE Dallas Goedert and RB Rashaad Penny
Lineup notes: TE Dallas Goedert (forearm) has been ruled out. WR A.J. Brown (thigh) and RB D’Andre Swift (ankle) were limited Wednesday and Thursday but had a full practice Friday and will play. RT Lane Johnson will not play. DE Derek Barnett was waived Friday.
Kickoff Weather: 60 degrees, cloudy (open-air dome)
Inactives: C Sam Mustipher, LB Trenton Simpson, OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, LB Malik Harrison, QB Josh Johnson and CB Marlon Humphrey
Lineup notes: TE Mark Andrews (ankle) was lost for the season last week and has been placed on IR. WR Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder) and WR Zay Flowers (hip) will play. WR Rashod Bateman (foot) and WR Devin Duvernay (knee) were limited Wednesday but practiced fully Thursday and Friday and also will play. CB Marlon Humphrey (calf) is inactive.
Inactives: DT Scott Matlock, CB AJ Finley, RB Isaiah Spiller, WR Simi Fehoko, TE Nick Vannett, RB Elijah Dotson and OG Zack Bailey
Lineup notes: EDGE Joey Bosa (foot) is on IR for at least four weeks. TE Gerald Everett (chest) and WR Jalen Guyton (groin) are ready after being deemed questionable. WR Keenan Allen (shoulder), QB Justin Herbert (finger) and TE Donald Parham (hip) practiced Friday and will play.
Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium
Lineup notes: RB D’Onta Foreman (ankle, shin) earned a doubtful designation after Saturday’s practice.
Lineup notes: WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is officially questionable for Week 12. TE T.J. Hockenson (ribs) has been limited Thursday and Friday but doesn’t carry an injury tag for Monday night.
Houston Texans guard-tackle Tytus Howard will have scans on his left knee following Week 12’s injury.
Tytus Howard just wants to make sure.
According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Houston Texans’ versatile offensive lineman will undergo imaging scans on Monday morning to ensure that the former 2019 first-round pick has not sustained a severe knee injury.
With 20 seconds left until the end of the first quarter, Howard left the Texans’ 24-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at NRG Stadium. Initially Howard was questionable with a knee injury before being downgraded to out.
Second-round pick Juice Scruggs, who was activated the night prior, filled in for Howard at left guard, which allowed Houston to maintain continuity across the offensive line.
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Takeaways after Steelers vs. Bengals in Week 12.
The Cincinnati Bengals coughed up 400-plus yards and the offense managed just 10 points in the first outing without Joe Burrow this season during a 16-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Depsite a little extra time than usual to prep for the game after playing a Thursday game the week prior, the Bengals fell flat and didn’t look ready for the challenges presented by losing Joe Burrow.
In the aftermath of the loss, the spotlight is now on whether the coaching still will be able to properly adapt and fix some of the major issues on either side of the ball over the remaining handful of games.
Here’s a look at the biggest takeaways from the loss.
See the best reactions from Texans K Matt Ammendola’s 58-yard missed field goal that handed the Jacksonville Jaguars a 24-21 win in Week 12.
Football is a game of inches, and Houston Texans kicker Matt Ammendola certainly displayed that truism in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
On a game-tying 58-yard field goal, Ammendola’s kick hit the crossbar and bounced into the end zone, rendering the Texans losers 24-21 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12 at NRG Stadium.
Twitter was full of takes and remarks surrounding the Texans’ heartbreaking loss. Here are some of the best posts.
Best reactions after Bengals vs. Steelers in Week 12.
The Cincinnati Bengals moved to 5-6 on the season after Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12.
That game was the first of the new Jake Browning era, as he officially takes over for Joe Burrow. As fans surely expected, the offense wasn’t nearly as explosive, leading to a low-scoring, close game well into the second half.
In a lot of ways, it looked like the old AFC North battles of prior years before the Burrow era, for better or worse.
Here’s a look at some of the best reactions from fans and media alike coming out of the bitter divisional battle.
