Tag: NFL Week 14

Fantasy football inactives, injuries and weather: NFL Week 14

Week 14 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 90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.

Weather forecasts are courtesy of The Football Database.

Week 14 gameday inactives, weather and notes

KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early games: WR George Pickens (inactive), RB Alexander Mattison (inactive), WR Jakobi Meyers (active), RB Bucky Irving (active), WR Malik Nabers (active)
Afternoon games: TE Dalton Kincaid (inactive), WR Keon Coleman (inactive), RB D’Andre Swift (active), WR DJ Moore (active)
Sunday night: WR Ladd McConkey (inactive)
Monday night:

Early games

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 54°F, cloudy

Jaguars

Inactives: RB D’Ernest Johnson, OT Anton Harrison, DT Jordan Jefferson, WR Josh Reynolds, LB Myles Cole and DE Esezi Otomewo

Lineup notes: QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) was lost for the season to IR and will require shoulder surgery. WR Parker Washington (shoulder) was limited Thursday and Friday but carries no injury tag.

Titans

Inactives: LB Jerome Baker, WR Jha’Quan Jackson, CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, RB Joshua Kelley, LB Kenneth Murray, CB Roger McCreary and OT Leroy Watson

Lineup notes: WR Tyler Boyd (foot) practiced fully Friday and is good to go. LB Kenneth Murray (hamstring) couldn’t get healthy in time and will miss this one.

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 76°F, clear

Jets

Inactives: LB Braiden McGregor, RB Breece Hall, OL Xavier Newman, CB Qwan’tez Stiggers, WR Malachi Corley and CB Sauce Gardner

Lineup notes: LB C.J. Mosley (neck) went on IR. RB Breece Hall (knee) was downgraded to out, so look for RB Braelon Allen to start. CB Sauce Gardner (hamstring) will sit out. WR Allen Lazard (chest) practiced all week and will suit up after being activated from IR.

Dolphins

Inactives: WR River Cracraft, TE Jack Stoll, C Andrew Meyer, QB Skylar Thompson, DB Ethan Bonner and RB Raheem Mostert

Lineup notes: LT Terron Armstead (knee) will give it a go, but RB Raheem Mostert (hip) is unavailable. LB Bradley Chubb (knee) was downgraded to out.

Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Falcons

Inactives: RB Jase McClellan, OT Brandon Parker, OT Elijah Wilkinson, WR Casey Washington, DB Natrone Brooks and LB Rashaan Evans

Lineup notes: No injuries of fantasy relevance.

Vikings

Inactives: CB Stephon Gilmore, DT Levi Drake Rodriguez, OG Dan Feeney, QB Brett Rypien, OT Walter Rouse and DE Patrick Jones II

Lineup notes: CB Stephon Gilmore (hamstring) is out. PK Will Reichard was activated from IR, and PK John Parker Romo was waived.

New Orleans Saints at New York Giants (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 53°F, mostly cloudy, WSW 14 mph

Saints

Inactives: RB Jordan Mims, QB Spencer Rattler, DT Khristian Boyd, LB Jaylan Ford and WR Mason Tipton

Lineup notes: WR Chris Olave (concussion) remains on IR. TE Taysom Hill (knee) joined him on IR and is out for the year with a torn ACL. RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) is questionable after practicing all week and has been activated from IR. TE Juwan Johnson (foot) was limited all week but carries no injury status.

Giants

Inactives: OG Chris Hubbard, OT Jermaine Eluemunor, DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches, LB Bobby Okereke, WR Dee Williams, CB Deonte Banks and CB Dru Phillips

Lineup notes: LB Bobby Okereke (back) is out. WR Malik Nabers (hip) warmed up and will give it a whirl. QB Drew Lock will start over a healthy QB Tommy DeVito.

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 56°F, cloudy, WSW 13 mph

Panthers

Inactives: CB Shemar Bartholomew, CB Akayleb Evans, LB Jadeveon Clowney, WR Jalen Coker, S Jammie Robinson, OT Jarrett Kingston and CB Caleb Farley

Lineup notes: WR Jalen Coker (quadriceps) couldn’t get healthy in time, but TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (neck) returns to action. LB Josey Jewell (hamstring) is available, though LB Jadeveon Clowney (knee) was downgraded to out.

Eagles

Inactives: OG Darian Kinnard, S Sydney Brown, QB Tanner McKee, OL Nick Gates, WR Britain Covey, OG Trevor Keegan and S Reed Blankenship

Lineup notes: TE Dallas Goedert (knee) is headed to IR but should return for the playoffs. WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) practiced all week and will play.

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 51°F, clear, WSW 12 mph

Browns

Inactives: QB Bailey Zappe, WR Jamari Thrash, DL James Houston, LB Sam Kamara, WR Cedric Tillman, CB Chigozie Anusiem and RB D’Onta Foreman

Lineup notes: LT Jedrick Wills (knee) went on IR this week, and WR Cedric Tillman (concussion) is out. WR Jerry Jeudy (knee) and WR Elijah Moore (shoulder) are good to go after full practices Thursday and Friday.

Steelers

Inactives: CB Cory Trice, OT Max Scharping, DE Dean Lowry, QB Kyle Allen and WR George Pickens

Lineup notes: WR George Pickens (hamstring) wasn’t able to feel comfortable in the pregame and will sit out.

Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 69°F, mostly clear

Raiders

Inactives: OG Cody Whitehair, RB Alexander Mattison, DE Janarius Robinson, CB Nate Hobbs, WR Justin Shorter and RB Zamir White

Lineup notes: RB Zamir White (quadriceps) is out again. RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) isn’t ready yet, but WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle) will be out there. QB Aidan O’Connell (illness) will play after limited work Thursday and full work Friday. RB Ameer Abdullah (foot) had full sessions Thursday and Friday and will play.

Buccaneers

Inactives: LB JJ Russell, LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, S Mike Edwards, TE Devin Culp, S Josh Hayes, LB K.J. Britt and DE Earnest Brown

Lineup notes: RB Bucky Irving (hip, back) and S Tykee Smith (knee) will play through questionable designations. LT Tristan Wirfs (foot, knee), QB Baker Mayfield (Achilles, knee) had full sessions Friday. WR Mike Evans (hamstring, calf) was limited Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. Those three will play. LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was downgraded to out.

Late-afternoon window

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 71°F, clear (retractable-roof dome)

Seahawks

Inactives: CB AJ Finley, CB Tre Brown, LB Trevis Gipson, P Ty Zentner, LB Patrick O’Connell, RB Kenneth Walker III and WR Cody White

Lineup notes: RB Kenneth Walker III (ankle, calf) was downgraded to out after initially being questionable. CB Tre Brown (hamstring) was added as doubtful on Saturday and is indeed inactive. RB Zach Charbonnet (elbow), TE Noah Fant (groin) and WR DK Metcalf (shoulder) all worked Friday and will go. RB George Holani was elevated from the practice squad.

Cardinals

Inactives: TE Travis Vokolek, DE Victor Dimukeje, WR Xavier Weaver, OT Christian Jones and DT Khyiris Tonga

Lineup notes: S Jalen Thompson (illness) was added to the injury report Saturday as questionable but will be available.

Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 61°F, cloudy (open-air dome)

Bills

Inactives: DT Jordan Phillips, TE Quintin Morris, CB Kaiir Elam, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, WR Keon Coleman, C Will Clapp and TE Dalton Kincaid

Lineup notes: TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) and WR Keon Coleman (wrist) will both miss another week of play. LB Matt Milano (biceps), WR Amari Cooper (wrist) and WR Curtis Samuel (pectoral) all practiced Friday and are good to go.

Rams

Inactives: RB Cody Schrader, QB Stetson Bennett, DE Brennan Jackson, C Dylan McMahon, CB Emmanuel Forbes and OT Warren McClendon

Lineup notes: TE Tyler Higbee (knee) practiced all week but remains on the PUP and is out. LB Jared Verse (ankle) was limited Thursday and Friday but will play through it. QB Matthew Stafford (ankle) and WR Demarcus Robinson (hand) practiced Friday and are good to go.

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 66°F, cloudy

Bears

Inactives: CB Ameer Speed, OT Larry Borom, DE Dominique Robinson, WR Tyler Scott, DB Elijah Hicks, RB Roschon Johnson and OT Ryan Bates

Lineup notes: RB Roschon Johnson (concussion) is out. WR DJ Moore (quadriceps) and RB D’Andre Swift (quadriceps) both active following questionable designations. WR Keenan Allen (ankle) is good to go after full practices Thursday and Friday.

49ers

Inactives:OG Aaron Banks, S Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, CB Rock Ya-Sin, DE Nick Bosa, OT Trent Williams, QB Joshua Dobbs and RB Israel Abanikanda

Lineup notes: RB Christian McCaffrey (knee) landed on IR, ending his regular season, with a torn PCL. RB Jordan Mason (ankle) joined him on Saturday, and LT Trent Williams (ankle) was ruled out this week. DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) was doubtful before being downgraded on Saturday. QB Brock Purdy (shoulder) practiced all week and will play. S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) was activated off IR, and RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn was elevated from the practice squad.

Sunday Night Football

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (8:20 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 51°F, cloudy, SSW 12 mph

Chargers

Inactives: LB Denzel Perryman, WR Ladd McConkey, FS Tony Jefferson, OT Brenden Jaimes, QB Easton Stick, OG Jordan McFadden and DE Justin Eboigbe

Lineup notes: RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) went on IR and will miss at least three more games. WR Ladd McConkey (knee, shoulder) was limited all week and deemed questionable but won’t be available. LB Denzel Perryman (groin) was downgraded on Saturday to out.

Chiefs

Inactives: OT Kingsley Suamataia, DL Malik Herring, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, OG C.J. Hanson, OT Ethan Driskell, LB Josh Uche and RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Lineup notes: PK Harrison Butker (knee) remains on IR, and WR Mecole Hardman (knee) joined him on Saturday. TE Noah Gray (shoulder) practiced all week and is good to go.

Monday Night Football

Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys (8:15 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 56°F, clear

Bengals

Lineup notes: PK Evan McPherson (groin) and and LB Logan Wilson (knee) landed on IR. WR Ja’Marr Chase (ankle) was limited Thursday, but he and QB Joe Burrow (wrist) were full participants Friday. LT Orlando Brown (leg) will not play.

Cowboys

Lineup notes: QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) remains on IR, and RG Zack Martin (ankle, shoulder) is done for the year, too. LT Tyler Guyton (ankle/knee) and CB Trevon Diggs (knee) are questionable. WR CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) avoided an injury tag after failing to advance beyond limited sessions. TE Jake Ferguson (concussion) will make his return. QB Cooper Rush (knee) practiced Friday and will be fine.

Darren Rizzi explains sideline altercation with Matthew Hayball, Alvin Kamara

Saints coach Darren Rizzi explained what led to a sideline altercation involving Matthew Hayball and Alvin Kamara during their game with the Giants:

Darren Rizzi and Matthew Hayball were embroiled in a sideline altercation that was impossible to miss on Sunday, as the New Orleans Saints interim head coach slammed his punter for what he deemed to be a poor performance up to that point. The FOX broadcast caught Rizzi ripping into his punter after a kick was returned for a touchdown by the New York Giants, though it was negated by penalty.

Some may have referred to it as a moment of passion, if you will.

“That’s what you’re calling it, a passionate exchange?” Rizzi laughed when speaking with reporters after the game. “I’m passionate about everything. Everybody has a job to do. And he wasn’t executing the game plan. I’m going to say this. His last punt, his last two.”

It was not all bad in the eyes of Rizzi, though.

“His last punt was outstanding and it really helped us,” Rizzi said. “Actually, I think has last two punts, the second to last punt in particular, was really, really good.”

Hayball’s effort there accomplished something the Saints had been trying to do all game long. Rizzi continued: “Pinned them back, didn’t get any return yards, that’s what we were trying to do all day. Our first three punts weren’t good enough, so in that passionate exchange, I let him know that’s exactly how I felt.”

All is well though. Rizzi added, “Me and Matt are fine.”

The coach said Kamara was playing peacemaker and showed good leadership by stepping in to help keep Rizzi his cool.

“I love AK,” Rizzi said. “AK is a guy that sees everything and is very observant. You guys who have followed AK know he’s a little bit of lay in the weeds guy… he was just trying to be a peacemaker there.”

Kamara had some words to try to get Rizzi to slow his roll a little bit on Hayball.

“He came back around and said, ‘Riz man, I didn’t know you could lose your (expletive) on a punter like that.’ He was just trying to calm me down,” Rizzi said.

Hayball punted seven times for 292 yards, but just two of them landed inside the 20-yard line. He’ll look to tune that up as the Saints face the Las Vegas Raiders up next on the schedule.

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Darren Rizzi has high praise for Kendre Miller in his return from IR

Darren Rizzi had high praise for Kendre Miller after he showed flashes of success in his Week 14 return from the injured reserve:

The New Orleans Saints run game in Week 14 was very hit-or-miss on pretty much every possession, but Kendre Miller showed a few flashes of promise in his time on the field, including an 8-yard touchdown run and a 31-yard kick return as well. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi saw this and praised Miller after the game when speaking with the media.

He started out by saying, “I think Kendre is again showing you why we drafted him. He made some really, really dynamic drives. He has the ability of making an 8-yard run look good. Making people miss. Getting tough yards.”

He followed that up by saying, “Kendre’s gotta just stay consistent, that’s been his thing right? So we gotta do that again next week, we gotta have another good practice week, we gotta just stay healthy. So those are the things. But you saw the flashes today and the athletic ability, that’s the guy we knew we were drafting.”

After hearing pretty much nothing but negativity about Miller from previous head coach Dennis Allen, it is nice to hear a fresh take on him from Rizzi and some praise for the work he has put in.

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Bengals get expected bad injury news before Week 14 vs. Cowboys

The Bengals will miss multiple key players against the Cowboys.

The Cincinnati Bengals won’t have two key members of the trenches when they play the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.

Cincinnati’s final injury report confirmed that left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. won’t be able to go due his knee injury, something largely confirmed by Bengals head coach Zac Taylor earlier in the week.

That same injury report cemented the idea that defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins won’t be able to play, either. He missed Week 11 due to a viral illness, then the game after the bye and will once again miss with the same listing.

On the offensive side, the Bengals already benched Cordell Volson for Cody Ford at left guard, so Andrew Stueber or otherwise could start at left tackle in place of Brown. On the defensive side, rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson will take on bigger roles in a rotation with BJ Hill.

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Saints list just five inactive players for Week 14 vs. Giants

The New Orleans Saints listed just five inactive players for Week 14’s game with the Giants, who will have Malik Nabers in their own lineup:

The New Orleans Saints reported just five inactive players for this week’s road game with the New York Giants, their lowest total of the season. The team is finally getting healthy at some key positions, even if some high-profile playmakers like Taysom Hill have been sidelined by injuries of their own.

But as for the Giants? They’ve had to deactivate seven of their own players, including starting offensive linemen Chris Hubbard and Jermaine Eluemunor. But they will have star wide receiver Malik Nabers. The rookie standout has dealt with groin and hip injuries but will play against the Saints.

In addition to the players listed below, wide receiver Bub Means remains on injured reserve and defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon is still on the physically unable to perform list. One or both of them could be activated next week.

New Orleans Saints inactive players

  • QB Spencer Rattler (emergency third QB)
  • WR Mason Tipton
  • RB Jordan Mims
  • LB Jaylan Ford
  • DT Khristian Boyd

New York Giants inactive players

  • CB Deonte Banks
  • CB Dru Phillips
  • ILB Bobby Okereke
  • OT Chris Hubbard
  • OT Jermaine Eluemunor
  • DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
  • CB Dee Williams

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Kool-Aid McKinstry is eager for another shot at Malik Nabers

Kool-Aid McKinstry didn’t line up against Malik Nabers as much as he wanted in their last matchup. He’s excited to run it back in Week 14, if Nabers is cleared to play:

Kool-Aid McKinstry wants another shot at Malik Nabers when the New Orleans Saints face the New York Giants.

But whether McKinstry will get his chance is yet to be seen. That’s due to an injury Nabers suffered in practice this week; the rookie wideout has been dealing with both groin and hip issues. Reports, however, say Nabers has a realistic chance to play.

The last time these two players played was last year at LSU and Alabama. Their one-on-one matchups were limited, to the disdain of McKinstry.

“I was definitely mad about that,” McKinstry said, “I feel like I match up good against him.”

His time against Nabers will still be divided between him and Alontae Taylor. When it is his turn, McKinstry likes his chances. They didn’t face off much in 2023, but their time in college overlapped for three seasons.

Defensive coordinator Joe Woods relayed the message he gave McKinstry earlier this week: “You did it in college, now it’s time to do it in the NFL.”

How would McKinstry describe the matchup between two impressive first-year pros? He says, “It’ll be what makes the game beautiful.”

Now all that’s left is to see if the Giants will let Nabers get in the game.

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Steelers vs Browns: Who wins in Week 14?

Cast your vote for who wins this week.

Two weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost an ugly game against the Cleveland Browns on the road. Now, just two weeks later, the Steelers have a chance to get revenge when they welcome the Browns to Acrisure Stadium.

There’s so much history between the Steelers and Browns and this game scenario is the intersection of so many strange and interesting stats. on one hand, the Steelers have won 20 in a row against the Browns in Pittsburgh in the regular season.

On the other hand, the Steelers are 0-4-1 in their last five games against teams six games or more under .500. Which side of these numbers comes through on Sunday?

Steelers vs Browns: Who wins in Week 14?
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Crowdsignal.com

For us, we fully expect the Steelers to take out their frustration for the previous matchup on the Browns. Cleveland might be a bad football team but the Steelers underestimated them in the first game. That won’t happen again. The Steelers showed a new side to the offense last week and that is going to have a huge impact this week.

Steelers 35, Browns 21

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Bengals schedule: Do the Cincinnati Bengals play today?

Are the Cincinnati Bengals playing today? Here’s a look at the schedule and the games to come. 

Will the Cincinnati Bengals be on the field today in Week 14 of the NFL schedule?

Following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13, the Bengals aren’t part of the Week 14 Sunday slate.

Instead, the Bengals are on the special Simpsons broadcast of Monday Night Football, where they will visit the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams are well under .500, but the game was unable to be flexed out of the primetime slot due to the nature of the work that went into the special broadcast.

The Bengals would like to win out in order to hopefully remain alive in the playoff race, but Joe Burrow and Co. haven’t won a game since November 3.

Bengals 2024 schedule

  • Sept. 8: vs.  New England (L, 16-10)
  • Sept. 15: at Kansas City (L, 26-25)
  • Mon. Sep 23: vs. Washington (L, 38-33)
  • Sept. 29: at Carolina (W, 34-24)
  • Oct. 6: vs. Baltimore (L, 41-38OT)
  • Oct. 13: at NYG (W, 17-7)
  • Oct. 20: at Cleveland (W, 21-14)
  • Oct. 27: vs. Philadelphia (L, 37-17)
  • Nov. 3: vs. Las Vegas (W, 41-24)
  • Nov. 7: at Baltimore (L, 35-34)
  • Nov. 17: at LA Chargers (L, 34-27)
  • Nov. 24: BYE
  • Dec. 1: vs. Pittsburgh (L, 44-38)
  • Record: 4-8

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Commanders Week 14 rooting guide

Who should the Commanders be rooting for in Week 14?

The Washington Commanders are off this week. After playing 13 consecutive weeks, Washington will have its bye week. At 8-5, the Commanders’ first 13 weeks could not have gone much better.

Despite a recent three-game losing streak in which Washington blew two games, the Commanders remain in an excellent position to make the NFC playoffs. It’s a remarkable accomplishment, considering Washington won four games last season.

Here’s a current look at the NFC playoff field:

  1. Detroit Lions
  2. Philadelphia Eagles
  3. Seattle Seahawks
  4. Atlanta Falcons
  5. Minnesota Vikings
  6. Green Bay Packers
  7. Washington Commanders

We explained why Washington may want to avoid the No. 7 seed. Whoever becomes the seventh seed must travel to Detroit or Philadelphia in January. The Lions and Eagles look like the NFC’s clear frontrunners ahead of the rest of the pack.

So, how can the Commanders move out of the No. 7 spot and into a higher seed? Well, things got off to a good start on Thursday night when the Lions defeated the Packers. The loss dropped Green Bay to 9-4 — only one game ahead of Washington.

First, the Commanders need their closest competitors for the seventh seed to lose, but they could use some help from the teams in front of them. Washington is currently 2.5 games behind Philadelphia in the NFC East. While they have a head-to-head meeting remaining, it’s difficult to see the Eagles losing enough games for the Commanders to catch them.

Which teams should Washington fans be rooting for in Week 14?

Here is the Commanders’ Week 14 rooting guide:

Lions over Packers

Mission accomplished, as Detroit defeated Green Bay 34-31 on Thursday.

Falcons over Vikings

Atlanta is a game-and-a-half behind the Commanders in the Wild Card picture but currently is atop the NFC South, ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So, yeah, while you’d like to see the Falcons lose, Washington plays them in a few weeks. Meanwhile, a Minnesota loss would put the Commanders only two games out of the No. 5 seed.

Panthers over Eagles

Yeah, it’s not happening, but Washington fans will always root against the Eagles.

Raiders over Buccaneers

The Bucs defeated the Commanders in Week 1. Since then, much has changed, and Tampa could end up as the NFC South champions. The Buccaneers are playing better football than the Falcons right now. However, the Commanders would love to see the Bucs fall further down the NFC pecking order.

Seahawks over Cardinals

This one is tough. These teams are battling for the NFC West. Washington destroyed Arizona this season. Someone has to win the division, so the Commanders should hope for the Cardinals to fall further back in the Wild Card race.

Bills over Rams

The Rams (6-6) are also battling the Cardinals and Seahawks for the NFC West title. Washington should want the AFC powerhouse Bills to push Los Angeles further down the playoff picture.

Bears over 49ers

Washington is 2.5 games ahead of the Niners (5-7), while the Bears are 4-8. Another loss for the 49ers would all but end their season, which was not what anyone expected in July.

Darren Rizzi says he’ll ‘have the blinders on’ vs. his childhood team

Darren Rizzi reflected on returning home ahead of Saints vs. Giants, but says he’ll ‘have the blinders on’ coaching against his childhood team:

Darren Rizzi opened up his head coaching career with three consecutive home games. The New Orleans Saints go on the road for the first time under Rizzi’s leadership on Sunday.

Rizzi follows up three games in the Caesars Superdome with his own homecoming against the New York Giants. He’ll be coaching the Saints against the team he grew up cheering for.

Rizzi has never been quiet about his northeastern roots. He’s told us Younghoe Koo went to his rival high school. During a presser this week, Rizzi bragged about his own high school defeating Tommy DeVito’s high school in the New Jersey state championship.

Being raised in New Jersey makes this game different. Rizzi told reporters he has to “practice what I preach with the players. I can’t get too wrapped up in the moment.” The Saints are playing at MetLife Stadium, about 15 minutes from where Rizzi grew up. He grew up rooting for the Giants and reflected going to their playoff games.

These memories are things he’s pushing to the back of his mind until after the game. Right now he is prioritizing having “the blinders on like everybody else and just trying to coach the game.”

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