Tag: NFL

AFC Playoff picture: Steelers fall back after loss to Browns

Pittsburgh is on the outside looking in as of now in the AFC playoffs.

The Pittsburgh Steelers got their Week 11 game out of the way early but things didn’t go according to plan. Pittsburgh fell 21-7 to the Cleveland Browns, dropping their record to 5-5 on the season. This loss not only knocks the Steelers out of the playoffs as of now, it complicates the process of them getting back into it.

Here are how the AFC playoff standings sit

1. New England Patriots (8-1)
2. Baltimore Ravens (7-2)
3. Houston Texan (6-3)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (6-4)
5. Buffalo Bills (6-3)
6. Oakland Raiders (5-4, tiebreaker over IND)
———————————————————————
7. Indianapolis Colts (5-4)
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5)
9. Tennessee Titans (5-5)

At this point, the Steelers have to rally after an embarrassing loss, figure how to get their game back on track and hope for a lot of things to go their way. Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker over the Colts, should it come to that and still have the Buffalo Bills on their schedule for this season.

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7 things we learned from the Colin Kaepernick workout

Answering the questions: How did Colin Kaepernick throw? Who attended? Why was it moved? What does it tell us about his chances to make the league?

Colin Kaepernick held an open workout on Saturday, organized by his own team after an NFL-sanctioned workout fell through.

Kaepernick has been effectively blackballed from the league since he protested police violence by kneeling during the national anthem on NFL sidelines three years ago.

Kaepernick was meant to throw passes in a closed workout on Saturday in front of scouts from a majority of NFL teams, an event hastily thrown together by the league, reportedly at the behest of Roger Goodell and Jay-Z, who has a business relationship with the league.

But when the NFL asked Kaepernick to sign what his representatives described as an “unusual” waiver, and the league refused to allow media to attend, Kaepernick walked away and held his own workout at an Atlanta-area high school.

The workout was open to media. There was a live stream of video.

We learned quite a bit from it. Let’s go through what takeaways we have, from how he played, to what it means, and whether or not he’ll be signed by a team going forward.

1. Kaepernick can still throw a football

The big question answered: Yes, Kaepernick can still throw a football. He looked in shape, showed good footwork, and showed that he can still make all the throws you want from an NFL quarterback.

Media in attendance were in agreement — he could throw the ball. He’s clearly still in shape.

2. Still, the workout won’t answer some questions

As Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar pointed out, the problem with a workout like this is that it won’t answer a lot of questions that NFL teams may have. How will Kaepernick deal with a pass rush? How is he at working through his progressions and finding the right receiver? He may be great at it, he may not be — there’s just no way of telling from the workout.

3. Kaepernick moved the workout when the NFL threw a curveball late

Kaepernick has apparently been in Atlanta since Thursday, but according to multiple reports, he was wary that the NFL would try to throw a curveball late, which is why he had a backup field ready to go.

The NFL did that — the league did not allow media to attend, and Kaepernick’s team also said that the league would take care of the video. According to ESPN’s Howard Bryant, Kaepernick was distrustful that the league wouldn’t doctor the video to show only his bad throws.

The NFL then asked Kaepernick to sign a waiver that would not allow him to make any employment claim against the league in the event he wasn’t signed. Kaepernick’s team just wanted him to sign an injury liability waiver. Things broke down at that point, and Kaepernick walked away.

4. The NFL has its own side of the story, and it sounds like a waiver broke the deal

The NFL released its own statement, saying it was more than fair with the process. They pointed out that they were going to let Kaepernick film an advertisement with Nike, which I’m not sure why that’s relevant, but still.

UPDATE: Welp, turns out Nike may not have had anyone even there. Yikes, NFL.

They also said the waiver they gave him was a standard one.

5. Most NFL teams left, but still: Some watched

The NFL claimed that “over three quarters” of the NFL teams were going to be represented at the workout. After the late change, somewhere between six and eight actually came to the workout Kaepernick organized.

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That’s not that many, but I’m actually surprised that even that many came once the league-sanctioned workout fell apart.

6. It’s unclear if any will sign him

Will any teams sign him? Who knows. Kaepernick showed he can still throw a football really, really well. It’s unclear if that will make a difference.

7. No one’s mind will change

Here’s what I do know: However you felt about Colin Kaepernick going into today, you probably feel the exact same way now. Such is America!

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2020 NFL mock draft: How Tua Tagovailoa’s injury impacts 1st round

See how the season-ending injury to Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa could impact the first round of the 2020 NFL draft

Both college football and the NFL will feel the seismic impact of the season-ending injury suffered Saturday by Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

The Crimson Tide’s top prospect is out for the rest of the 2019 college football season, but it remains to be seen whether or not his injury will be career-threatening.

A candidate for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Tagovailoa’s draft stock is now in flux, as his long-term durability could be in question. If he ends up leaving school after this injury-shortened season, medical checks at the NFL Scouting Combine will be key to determining his eventual draft slot.

Here’s an updated look at how the first round of next year’s draft could look if Tagovailoa’s stock takes a hit:

1. Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

2. Washington Redskins | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

3. New York Giants | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

4. Miami Dolphins | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

5. New York Jets | Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State

6. Atlanta Falcons | Grant Delpit | S | LSU

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa

8. Denver Broncos | Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

9. Arizona Cardinals | A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa

10. Detroit Lions | Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina

11. Cleveland Browns | Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson

12. Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon

13. Jacksonville Jaguars | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma

14. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) | Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama

15. Miami Dolphins (from PIT) | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

16. Tennessee Titans | Tyler Biadasz | OL | Wisconsin

17. Philadelphia Eagles | Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU

18. Indianapolis Colts | Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson

19. Carolina Panthers | Raekwon Davis | DL | Alabama

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) | CJ Henderson | CB | Florida

21. Dallas Cowboys | Neville Gallimore | DL | Oklahoma

22. Oakland Raiders | Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma

23. Kansas City Chiefs | D’Andre Swift | RB | Georgia

24. Minnesota Vikings | Alex Leatherwood | OT | Alabama

25. Buffalo Bills | Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado

26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU) | Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama

27. New Orleans Saints | Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama

28. Seattle Seahawks | Paulson Adebo | CB | Stanford

29. Baltimore Ravens | Jonathan Taylor | RB | Wisconsin

30. Green Bay Packers | Dylan Moses | LB | Alabama

31. New England Patriots | Hunter Bryant | TE | Washington

32. San Francisco 49ers | Travis Etienne | RB | Clemson

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Colin Kaepernick calls out the NFL in a post-workout statement: “I’ve been ready for three years”

Colin Kaepernick is taking the league to task.

Colin Kaepernick is taking it to the NFL right now.

He called out the league in a statement to the press after he completed his workout at Charles R. Drew High School in Atlanta with media and team staffers in attendance.

The quarterback took issue with the way the league organized his original workout and he called them out for a lack of transparency throughout the process.

The league tried to get him to sign a waiver absolving them of any liability for employment claims instead of a standard injury waiver. They also wouldn’t allow media to report or record live from the workout nor would they tell him what receivers he’d be working with.

Kaepernick said he’s been ready to play, but the league has denied him at every turn over the last three years. He called out the NFL and all 32 of its owners in his statement.

“I’ve been ready for three years. I’ve been denied for three years. We all know why I came out here and showed it today in front of everybody. We have nothing to hide. So we’re waiting for the 32 owners, the 32 teams, Roger Goodell, all of them to stop running,” Kaepernick said.

It remains to be seen whether Kaepernick will get another shot in the NFL. But one thing was made clear today: He hasn’t lost his touch. Apparently, some NFL executives agree.

He can still play. As Kaepernick said, the ball is in the NFL’s court now. All that’s left to do is play the waiting game — again.

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Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick fined for taunting vs Rams

The NFL didn’t appreciate what Minkah Fitzpatrick did on the way to the end zone against the Rams.

According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was fined $10,527 for taunting the Los Angeles Rams as he jogged in for a touchdown two games ago.

Fitzpatrick scooped up a fumble forced by defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and scampered into the end zone. On the way to the end zone, Fitzpatrick looked back and waved to the Rams defenders in pursuit. This didn’t draw a flag by the officials at the moment but when the league reviewed the play felt like Fitzpatrick took things too far.

‘Madden’ sim: Cardinals fall to 49ers 27-16

Check out how the video game believes the game will go on Sunday.

The Arizona Cardinals face one another in Week 11. San Francisco won the last time the two teams met but this time the team is banged up.

So while we don’t know yet what the real outcome will be, the video game Madden NFL 20 gives us an idea,

The Cardinals simply can’t keep up. In the simulation, they lose to the 49ers 27-16.

The Cardinals never have the lead in the game.

Quarterback Kyler Murray throws for 244 passing yards on 30-of-38 passes. He has one touchdown and one interception, and he is sacked four times.

Kenyan Drake finishes with 27 rushing yards on 12 carries, while David Johnson has 19 on seven carries. Andy Isabella has eight catches for 43 yards and the Cardinals’ only touchdown. Christian Kirk and Charles Clay have six catches, while Larry Fitzgerald has five.

Kendrick Bourne leads the 49ers with six catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Jimmy Garoppolo completes 19-of-27 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Tevin Coleman rushes for 90 yards on 26 carries.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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NFL Prop Bet Payday – Week 11

Analyzing key Week 11 NFL prop bets that seem poised for a pay-day, featuring props around Michael Thomas, Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook.

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Every week, BetMGM releases individual player prop bets that bettors can place wagers on. We’ve’ picked three players from three games that we believe will pay off Sunday afternoon. This week is our “Sunday Eggs” edition — three over-easy.

Saint Michael

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. / Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY Sports

The over/under for receiving yards for Saints WR Michael Thomas in Tampa Bay is 104.5 (-118 on both). That is a huge number, but Thomas has rolled off three straight games with more than 110 receiving yards and has hit the mark in four of his last five — including 11 catches for 182 yards and two TDs when the Saints played the Buccaneers last month. Coming off the team’s worst offensive performance of the year look for the Saints to come out firing and Thomas being in the middle of it. Take the over.

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Run (and run, and run) CMC

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey. / Jeremy Brevard – USA TODAY Sports

This is another tough number. The over/under is 93½ yards (-118 on both), but Christian McCaffrey has topped 100 yards rushing six times this season, including in each of his last three games and four of the last five. The Panthers host Atlanta on Sunday, and the Falcons’ defense stinks. Plus, the Panthers need a win to stay in the playoff chase. Take the over.

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Valid for new subscribers through 11/30/19.

Still Cookin’

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. / Brace Hemmelgarn – USA TODAY Sports

Denver’s run defense has been improved, but Dalvin Cook is leading the NFC is rushing for a reason — he gets the high-volume number of touches needed to do so. He is averaging 20 carries a game and the Vikings will look to dominate the undermanned Broncos at home by feeding Cook early and often. With an achievable number of 84.5 rushing yards (-118 on both), take the over.

Now that you have the skinny on what to do with each player, visit BetMGM to place a bet on your favorite NFL Prop Bets now. For additional sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com now and for a complete set of today’s live odds, access them at USA TODAY Sports.

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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Here are the NFL teams that actually attended Colin Kaepernick’s workout

A handful of NFL scouts are in attendance at the workout.

Colin Kaepernick worked out in Atlanta at a local high school football field Saturday evening.

The workout was originally supposed to happen at the Falcons facility at 3 p.m. ET but ended up being switched at the last minute to an hour later at an undisclosed location.

The shift was made because they believed the NFL asked Kaepernick to sign a waiver and refused to allow media to attend or film the tryout. Kaepernick organized his own workout just in case the league’s workout turned out to be a sham.

There was a concern the NFL personnel that were originally scheduled to attend Kaepernick’s workout at the Falcons’ facility wouldn’t show up because of the move. Hue Jackson, the coach that was supposed to conduct the workout, made his way to the airport shortly after the move.

However, despite the location change, there were still at least a handful of NFL teams in attendance. Here is a running list of the ones we know of.

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia’s 97.5 The Fanatic is reporting that the Eagles attended.

Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans

USA TODAY Sports’ Dan Wolken is reporting that both teams had representatives at the workout.

New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs

Per Jordan Roudrigue, the Jets and Chiefs had representatives there.

As we find out more, we’ll continue to update this post.

San Francisco 49ers

Jim Trotter confirmed those listed above, as well as the 49ers.

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Steelers shuffle bench players on 53-man roster

The Steelers added a wide receiver and running back on Saturday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers did their usual weekly roster shuffle a little ahead of schedule this time around. With injuries at running back and wide receiver, the Steelers made a pair of moves on Saturday.

Gone are linebacker Jayrone Elliott and running back Tony Brooks-James. In their place are running back Kerrith Whyte Jr. and wide receiver Deon Cain.

Whyte played his college ball at Florida Atlantic and was a seventh-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2019. The Steelers signed Whyte from the Bears practice squad.

The Steelers signed Cain from the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. Cain joined the Colts in 2018 but before he could show off his speed and athleticism he tore his ACL.

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Steelers a no-show at Colin Kaepernick’s workout

Many teams showed up for Colin Kaepernick’s workout but Pittsburgh wasn’t one of them.

More than two dozen teams sent high-level representatives to Atlanta on Saturday to watch former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick do a private workout hosted by the league. One of the teams that did not send a representative — according to beat writer Joe Rutter — are the Pittsburgh Steelers.

You might have thought Pittsburgh would at least do their due diligence and have someone at the workout. With Ben Roethlisberger out for the season, Pittsburgh is getting by with Mason Rudolph and behind him Devlin Hodges.

Rudolph had by far his worst game of the season last week against the Cleveland Browns. Rudolph struggled even before losing wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson. Rudolph had four interceptions, three of which fall firmly on Rudolph’s shoulders.

Did the Steelers make the right decision not sending anyone to Kaepernick’s workout or are you satisfied with the quarterback depth chart going forward?

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