Tag: NFL Week 16

NFL power rankings roundup: Saints fall further after Week 15 loss

The Saints continue to move further down in the power rankings week by week as they fall to 5-9 on the season with their playoff hopes hanging on by a thread

The New Orleans Saints are back in the loss column after a 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 15. This puts them at 5-9 on the season with a less than 1% chance of making the playoffs, as they continue to get closer to a good pick rather than competition.

This moves the Saints to 3-2 in the Darren Rizzi era now, and media outlets have begun to see that this is not a perfect team either, moving them back down to where they were prior to the promotion of Rizzi to interim head coach.

With only three games left in the season and an extremely improbable path left to the playoffs, the Saints are in a pretty bad spot overall, and this leaves them near the bottom of many different media outlets’ power rankings entering Week 16. Here’s a look at where they stand in the rankings of multiple media outlets, as well as where they were at this time last week:

High: 21 – Low: 26  – Average: 23.5

The Saints have a few weeks left to go up or down in these rankings, but ultimately I think the most important thing is figuring out if Spencer Rattler is your starting quarterback. After a strong second half showing for him against the Washington Commanders without preparation as the starter, they might as well give him another shot and see how he’s improved.

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The Huddle’s Blitzed Fantasy Football Podcast: Episode 227

Talking NFL news, playoff lineup management, DFS tips, and more!

In this episode, Steve and Harley bring you NFL news, picking starters for your playoff lineups, and “DFS Pay-ups, Stay-aways, and Value Plays.” So Huddle up, tune in, and get Blitzed!

Or, click here to listen

Bengals starter in concussion protocol before Week 16 vs. Browns

The Bengals could be down a key piece during the game against the Browns.

The Cincinnati Bengals have a few injuries of note going into the Week 16 game against the Cleveland Browns as they hope to keep slim playoff chances alive.

One of the biggest, though, is Bengals head coach Zac Taylor revealing that starting guard Alex Cappa has entered the concussion protocol.

That’s a brutal development for the offensive line, considering the team is already down to its third-string left tackle with Orlando Brown Jr. injured and Cody Ford battling the flu.

The Bengals would need to get creative if Cappa can’t get cleared, either sliding Andrew Stueber around or perhaps putting Cordell Volson over on the right side.

It’s a bad place for the Bengals to be before they take on a pass-rush led by Myles Garrett.

Before the injury, Cappa had been an extreme disappointment, hence the 51.7 PFF grade (44.4 grade in pass blocking). Ted Karras has also underperformed at center, and Volson was benched from the left guard job.

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Saints could face adverse weather conditions in their Week 16 matchup

The Saints could be facing some adverse weather conditions in Week 16, as they travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers

The New Orleans Saints do not face much cold weather, being from Louisiana and playing indoors pretty much rules that out for home games and their division is typically in warm locations as well (with the exception of occasional late-season games with the Carolina Panthers).

However, In Week 16 they could be facing cold weather in their matchup, as they travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. As of right now, the weather predictions from multiple weather outlets place this game well below freezing, with the following being predicted by the respective sources:

  • The Weather Channel: Monday will be a high of 33 degrees, low of 28 degrees with a 24% chance of snow or sleet throughout the day. High chance of snow Thursday as well before freezing temps Friday through Sunday.
  • Google Weather: Monday will be a high of 29 degrees, low of 25 degrees with a 35% chance of precipitation, likely snow.
  • AccuWeather: Monday will be a high of 28 degrees, low of 24 degrees with a 65% chance of precipitation, likely snow.
  • National Weather Service: No direct weather for Monday as of yet, but 6-10 day outlook expects temperature to be near or slightly below average for this time of year.

Ultimately, there is an extremely high chance of this being what is constituted as a “cold-weather game”, meaning it is below 32 degrees at kickoff. According to Stathead Football, the Saints have played 15 such games in their existence, and have a 6-9 record overall in those matchups. However, they are 2-0 in their most recent of these matchups, which were in 2022 against the Cleveland Browns (6 degrees at kickoff, 17-10 victory) and 2010 against the Cincinnati Bengals (32 degrees at kickoff, 34-30 victory).

Of these 15 matchups, two have been at Lambeau Field, the first in 1971 (30 degrees at kickoff, 29-21 victory), and the second was 1976 (31.8 degrees at kickoff, 27-32 loss). This will be the first time however (pending the temperature) that the Saints have ever played a “cold-weather game” on Monday Night Football. Ultimately we will see if they can handle the temperature regardless, and the potential snow, as they get what could be their final primetime game of the 2024 season.

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Bengals’ Week 16 game vs. Browns flexed out of Thursday night

A big schedule change for the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals no longer have to worry about another short week this season. The NFL has flexed out their Week 16 game against the Cleveland Browns.

The game was originally scheduled for Thursday, December 19 on Amazon Prime Video. They will now play in the 1 p.m. ET window on Sunday, December 22 on FOX.

Flexing into the Thursday night spot will be the Denver Broncos at the Los Angeles Chargers. That game was originally set for 4:05 Sunday on FOX.

This move is understandable. The Broncos and Chargers both could be playoff teams this season while the Bengals and Browns have a combined 7-15 record, though the Browns did just upset the Steelers Thursday night in the snow.

So, the Bengals have now been flexed into a primetime spot and flexed out of a primetime spot. They do have a Monday night game coming up on December 9 against the Dallas Cowboys, a game that has already been announced as not being flexed out because of the Simpsons production the league is planning for that game.

 

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NFL Network’s Peter Schrager endorses Yaya Diaby for DROTY

Diaby leads all NFL rookies in sacks with 6.5 — should he be named Defensive Rookie of the Year?

Bucs edge rusher Yaya Diaby didn’t get starting reps until much later in the year, but now, he’s already showing signs of a bright future.

Diaby was officially given starting reps in the team’s Week 13 game against the Carolina Panthers, and since then, he’s gotten to work. Diaby leads all rookies in the NFL with 6.5 sacks as it stands, and he also showed out in Week 16 with a great tackle for loss on Jaguars wideout Calvin Ridley. He’s been dominant, and now, he’s starting to get recognition for his efforts.

The NFL Network’s Peter Schrager said Tuesday that his pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year is Diaby, who is also second in tackles for loss among rookies. Schrager has been a fan of Diaby for some time how and also included him among the best rookie performers of the week in an NFL Network segment.

As it stands, Diaby isn’t even a candidate to bet on for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Strangely enough, Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey is at +15000, while the Eagles’ Jalen Carter is the betting favorite at -10000.

Ravens prove Brock Purdy is not so perfect after all with 33-19 win over 49ers

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and DC Mike MacDonald had a perfect scheme for Kyle Shanahan’s offensive attack in week 16

The Baltimore Ravens forced San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy into four interceptions thrown Sunday night. As expected, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald had a perfect scheme for Kyle Shanahan’s offensive attack.

Throughout, the Niners attempted to use the swing pass and outside zone runs to get running back Christian McCaffrey and skills player Deebo Samuel into space. What they couldn’t account for was the speed of the Ravens’ defense.

The dynamics of linebacker Patrick Queen were on full display in week 16. The Ravens’ defense pounced on the Niners, making open-field tackles and playing with intense awareness.

Queen and inside linebacker, Roquan Smith combined for 15 tackles on Monday night alone.

The veteran experience of head coach Harbaugh is what fueled the Ravens throughout this matchup. Purdy, while performing exceptionally this season, was not prepared to deal with the tenacity and speed of the Ravens’ defense.

The Ravens prevailed convincingly and quarterback Lamar Jackson had some choice words for the media after the win.

 
 
 
 
 
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Fantasy football inactives, injuries and weather: Week 16 Christmas Slate

Week 16 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives for the Christmas Slate.

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.

Week 16 gameday inactives, weather and notes

KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early game: RB Josh Jacobs (inactive)
Afternoon game:
Night game:

Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (1:00 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 35 degrees, cloudy, WNW 14 mph

Raiders

Inactives: TE Jesper Horsted, C Hroniss Grasu, TE Michael Mayer, RB Josh Jacobs, OT Brandon Parker, QB Brian Hoyer and DL Byron X. Young

Lineup notes: TE Michael Mayer (toe) will not be available. LT Kolton Miller (shoulder) is ready to go, but RB Josh Jacobs (quadriceps, illness) will not be out there.

Chiefs

Inactives: DL Malik Herring, DE B.J. Thompson, OT Donovan Smith, DE Matt Dickerson, WR Kadarius Toney, DT Neil Farrell and CB Nic Jones

Lineup notes: WR Mecole Hardman (thumb) and WR Skyy Moore (knee) are on IR. RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) has practiced all week and will return. LT Donovan Smith (neck), RB Jerick McKinnon (groin) was placed on IR, and RB La’Mical Perine was signed to the active roster. WR Kadarius Toney (hip) all were ruled out. CB L’Jarius Snead (knee), LB Nick Bolton (wrist, abdomen, illness), TE Travis Kelce (neck) and WR Rashee Rice (hamstring) all avoided injury tags.

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (4:30 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 48 degrees, cloudy

Giants

Inactives: S Gervarrius Owens, TE Lawrence Cager, OG Sean Harlow, LB Benton Whitley, DE Carlos Basham Jr., WR Parris Campbell and DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches

Lineup notes: TE Darren Waller (hamstring) has worked all week and will play. WR Isaiah Hodgins (illness) and DT Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) were questionable but will be out there. RT Evan Neal (ankle) will end his season on the Reserve/Injured list. PK Mason Crosby was elevated from the practice squad to handle the kicking chores after PK Cade York (quad) became the third kicker placed on IR by the Giants this season.

Eagles

Inactives: TE Albert Okwuegbunam, LB Nicholas Morrow, QB Tanner McKee, OG Landon Dickerson, LB Zach Cunningham, CB Darius Slay and RB Rashaad Penny

Lineup notes: WR DeVonta Smith (knee) was limited Saturday but avoided an injury tag. LG Landon Dickerson (thumb), LB Zach Cunningham (knee), CB Avonte Maddox (pectoral), and CB Darius Slay (knee) all were ruled out.

Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers (8:20 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 52 degrees, cloudy

Ravens

Inactives: S Arthur Maulet, OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, QB Malik Cunningham, QB Josh Johnson, CB Damarion Williams and C Sam Mustipher

Lineup notes: TE Mark Andrews (ankle) remains on IR. RB Keaton Mitchell (knee) joined him on IR due to a torn ACL. WR Odell Beckham Jr. (illness) fully practiced Friday and Saturday to avoid an injury label. WR Zay Flowers (foot) also will play play.

49ers

Inactives: TE Ross Dwelley, DL Arik Armstead, CB Samuel Womack, QB Brandon Allen, WR Jauan Jennings, RB Elijah Mitchell and LB Oren Burks

Lineup notes: RB Elijah Mitchell (knee) won’t play, but DT Javon Hargrave (hamstring) is active. DT Arik Armstead (foot, knee) and WR Jauan Jennings (concussion) have been ruled out.

The Morning After…Did Patriots ruin Christmas with win over Broncos?

Did the Patriots help or hurt themselves in Sunday’s win over the Broncos?

Before Santa Claus’ sleigh left the North Pole, the New England Patriots were pulling off a Christmas miracle at Mile High on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

After blowing a 16-point lead, Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe led the offense on a game-winning drive that was bookended by an improbable 56-yard field goal from rookie kicker Chad Ryland. The win officially knocked the Broncos out of the playoff hunt and helped the Patriots improve to 2-2 with Zappe as the starter this season.

Typically, a victory would have generated an overall rush of excitement for a team, but the Patriots also potentially knocked themselves out of a top-three pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

If the season ended today, they would be picking at No. 4 overall, which could put them out of the running for one of the top quarterbacks.

Some fans would rather not tank and win as many games as possible, while others were hoping the team would lose games to have a shot at landing either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in the draft. The issue has split the fan base right down the middle with two more games left to play.

Here are some leftover notes from Sunday’s game:

Bengals snap count takeaways from loss to Steelers

A look at the Bengals snap counts from the game against the Steelers.

The Cincinnati Bengals fell behind early against the Pittsburgh Steelers and never recovered, suffering a big hit to their playoff hopes in the process.

Along the way, the team had to work around the losses of names like Ja’Marr Chase and DJ Reader to interesting results.

A look at the snap counts and some takeaways:

  • Rookie Andrei Iosivias played 72 percent of the snaps and had a good showing, displaying a few times that he might have the upside of a player who can be a long-term solution.
  • Trenton Irwin played 41 percent with Chase out, while Higgins got 81 percent.
  • Irv Smith Jr. was a surprise inactive, with Drew Sample leading the way among tight ends at 55 percent.
  • Rookie Jordan Battle got 81 percent of the snaps in the secondary as the youth movement continues.
  • BJ Hill led the way on the interior at 73 percent, with Zach Carter getting the biggest bump to the same number.
  • The defense also used edges inside as expected. Another longer-depth name, Jay Tufele, played 14 percent.
  • Based on the showings and usages, it’s Hill and everyone else and the interior will be an emphasis this offseason with Reader scheduled to be a free agent.

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