Jon Gruden has been saying he’s going to shake things up to try and add a spark to the Raiders after their two big losses the past two weeks. Apparently, that goes for the practice squad as well.
The team had three new faces on the scout team today. First up, they had tight end Eric Saubert signed away by the Bears. They replaced him with third-year tight end Cole Wick.
They also added rookie CB Jordan Brown and brought back WR De’Mornay Pierson-El who had spent part of the offseason with the team.
Brown was a 7th round pick by the Bengals. He played on Gruden’s North squad in the Senior Bowl.
In corresponding moves, they released linebacker Quentin Poling and offensive lineman Kyle Kalis from the practice squad.
At this point in the season teams are jockeying to add players they would like to re-sign to reserve/future contracts come January.
Raiders targeting Week 16 for WR Hunter Renfrow return from rib injury
The timetable for Hunter Renfrow’s return from his rib injury is becoming more clear. Two weeks ago when he broke his rib, it was unclear if he might need to be placed on injured reserve. He did not, which would suggest the team expected him to be back on the field this season.
As of last week, Gruden would only say he would not play in Kansas City but that he was week-to-week after that. This week Gruden is pushing his return a couple more weeks at least.
“We’re very hopeful that he could return, maybe for the last game or two,” Gruden said of Renfrow. “We’re going to keep him where he is on the active roster. We’re going to try to do without him for another game or two and hopefully get him back maybe for the Chargers game. That’s our wish list, hope list right now for Hunter. We miss him.”
The Raiders face the Chargers in LA week 16. It’s possible that Renfrow’s return could also be dependent upon the Raiders playoff hopes. If they are still in it, Renfrow could help. If not, it seems less likely they would try and rush him back. For now, they will remain optimistic they could have him for a possible playoff run.
Todd Gurley has gotten more touches recently, and Sean McVay had a funny reason for it.
To begin the 2019 season, Todd Gurley went eight straight games with fewer than 20 touches. In two of the last three weeks, he’s gotten at least 20 touches – the lone exception being the Rams’ 45-6 blowout loss to Baltimore.
The Rams have won both games in which Gurley has gotten at least 20 touches, as his involvement has provided a spark in recent weeks.
So, what’s the reason for his increased role? Sean McVay explained it in very simple terms on Wednesday.
“Me not being an idiot,” he said. “I think he’s felt good and really he’s done a nice job with that. You look at the Chicago game and just going from there, you don’t want to make some of the same mistakes that you ended up making earlier on in the season and I think he’s done a nice job handling a bigger workload. But then you also have confidence in those other guys if they need to give him a spell.”
There were a lot of unhappy fans after the Rams’ Week 10 loss to the Steelers, and not just because Los Angeles didn’t win. It stemmed from Gurley not getting a single touch in the fourth quarter and being replaced by Malcolm Brown on the first two drives of that quarter.
McVay recognized that was a mistake and didn’t want to do anything like that again.
“I think there’s some instances where you look back and it’s always hindsight in terms of what can you do. I think the Steelers game stands out in terms of where we were running the football well and didn’t really give him a chance to get back going based on how that thing played out,” he said. “So you always try to learn from your previous experiences.
“I think we’ve been able to, in the games that he’s gotten more touches, be efficient when we’ve been able to give him the ball. That’s a reflection of him, but also the guys blocking.”
Gurley’s numbers are unimpressive this season, especially for the league’s second-highest paid running back. He has just 642 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per carry compared to 4.9 in 2018.
Some of that is attributed to his reduced role, but he hasn’t been nearly as explosive or involved in the passing game. That’s changed a bit in recent weeks, but it remains to be seen if the Rams will continue with that approach.
Raiders vs Titans features rare battle of quarterbacks 3-0 against the opposing team
I’m sure this has got to have happened at some point, but if so it’s got to be incredibly rare. Sunday the Titans come to Oakland with each quarterback having the same undefeated record against the opposing team.
Raiders QB Derek Carr is 3-0 against the Titans in his career. Titans QB Ryan Tannehill is 3-0 against the Raiders.
That’s kinda crazy.
How is this possible? Well, all of Tannehill’s wins over the Raiders came as the starting quarterback for the Dolphins. Carr has won each of his meetings with the Titans, but they all came with Marcus Mariota at quarterback. While all of Tannehill’s wins came against a Carr-led Raiders team.
Mariota started the season for the Titans but was benched week six in favor of Tannehill. The Titans were 2-4 at that point. They’ve gone 5-1 since Tannehill stepped in as the starter. And since these teams are facing off against players and not uniforms, it would seem Tannehill’s record vs the Raiders with Carr at QB and his record this season since taking over as the starter would probably be the ones that carry the most significance.
Regardless, something’s got to give. One of these QBs’ undefeated records will go down Sunday.
Our weekly NFL underdog betting staple continues into Week 14 where Ken Pomponio features three teams likely to upset their underdog odds
One of our three picks from a 2-1 Week 13 provided a snapshot of getting the best of the line.
We jumped on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a week ago as 1.5-point underdogs against the host Jacksonville Jaguars. We weren’t alone as the bets were pouring in on the Bucs, and by the time kickoff rolled around Sunday, Tampa Bay was a field-goal favorite.
It didn’t matter in the end as the Bucs won and covered easily by a 28-11 score. By jumping in ahead on the right side of a massive 4.5-point line swing – which moved, mind you, without the influence of a key injury – is nothing short of vital when betting the ultra-tight NFL.
Selecting the Bucs and the Tennessee Titans, another outright underdog road winner last week, while falling short with the Minnesota Vikings in a Monday night shootout in Seattle, upped our season record to 23-16 through 13 weeks.
Now we tackle the Week 14 card, looking for a third straight winning week. As usual, we’re looking at Wednesday’s posted point spreads from BetMGM. Here goes …
Washington Redskins (+12.5) at Green Bay Packers
Photo Credit: Jeremy Brevard – USA TODAY Sports
We’ll start with a straight formula, by-the-numbers play more than anything else as we note double-digit favorites have won 19 of 22 games outright this season but are only 10-12 against the mid-week spreads, including 1-4 over the last month.
Improving rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins and Washington have won two straight after a 1-9 start while Green Bay is coming off a get-right, 31-13 rout of the host New York Giants and just may be looking ahead a little to a crucial closing three-game stretch against NFC North foes.
We’re definitely not expecting Aaron Rodgers and Co. to slip up on the frozen tundra, but we’ll go with the D.C. visitors to somehow come up with a cover.
Denver Broncos (+7.5) at Houston Texans
Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy – USA TODAY Sports
Yeah, we know we’re playing with fire, going with another rookie quarterback on the road in the Broncos’ Drew Lock in only his second career start, but this is more a play against the Texans than anything else.
Wizard QB Deshaun Watson and Houston are coming off a massive, 28-22 upset win over the nemesis New England Patriots Sunday night, and it’s easy to see how the focus probably won’t be as sharp facing a visiting 4-8 Denver squad.
The numbers make our case as the Texans are only 1-4 ATS as favorites (as opposed to 5-2 as underdogs) this season while the usually-plucky Broncos are 6-3 as underdogs and 7-5 ATS overall, including 6-2 over their last eight outings.
That all makes the safe bet a narrow Houston win.
L.A. Rams (+2.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks
Photo Credit: Matt Kartozian – USA TODAY Sports
The NFC West-leading Seahawks are an impressive 6-0 on the road this season while the Rams have struggled at home, winning only two of five games in L.A. so far.
But coach Sean McVay is 3-2 against the Seahawks since taking the Rams’ reins in 2017, and one of the losses was a crushing 30-29 road defeat in Week 5 as PK Greg Zuerlein‘s 44-yard potential game-winning field-goal attempt sailed right with 11 seconds remaining.
Beating the Rams usually comes down to pressuring and flustering QB Jared Goff, but Seattle ranks in the league’s bottom quarter in sack percentage and quarterback hits while surrendering the fourth-most passing yards per game at 269.3.
Look for the 7-5 Rams to win outright in what could turn into a shootout Sunday night and boost their wild-card hopes.
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The Rams’ special teams unit has not been good in 2019.
The Rams had arguably the best special teams unit in the NFL two years ago. Johnny Hekker, Greg Zuerlein and Pharoh Cooper were all first-team All-Pros in 2017, while long snapper Jake McQuaide was a Pro Bowler that year, as well.
The unit took a small step back in 2018, though. The only Pro Bowler to come from the Rams’ special teams was Cory Littleton, who was a menace when it came to blocking kicks. Hekker and Zuerlein were both passed over as Pro Bowlers and All-Pros, as were return specialists JoJo Natson and Blake Countess, who replaced Pharoh Cooper late in the year.
As mediocre as the special teams unit was last season, it’s been even worse this year. The Rams are seventeenth in net average punting and are tied for last in punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Hekker has booted four touchbacks, which is tied for the fifth-most in the NFL. Punt coverage has been decent, allowing 167 yards (13th-most), but the punts themselves have been underwhelming.
It’s part of the reason the Rams are 20th in opponent average starting position this season after ranking 10th in 2018 and ninth in 2017.
Hekker isn’t the only one who’s struggling, either. Zuerlein has had his issues in 2019, going just 4-for-9 on field goal tries between 40 and 49 yards. Overall, he’s 22-for-28 on field goals and 29-for-29 on PATs, but his missed FGs have come at inopportune times; remember his miss late against the Seahawks?
The Rams are just 16th in the NFL in FG percentage (79%) and 26th on attempts between 40 and 49 yards (44%).
In the return game, the Rams are 13th in both kick return average and punt return average. Their longest kick return is just 30 yards, however, which is tied for the fifth-shortest in the league. It doesn’t help that they’ve only had 13 kick returns, second-fewest in the NFL.
Natson is out for the year, so Darrell Henderson will take over kick returns and Nsimba Webster punt return duties, so perhaps those spots will see an improvement.
Penalties have also been costly on special teams. The Rams have 15 special teams penalties this year, which is more than all but three teams. They had 26 a season ago, second-most in the league, so they haven’t done much to improve in that regard, either.
John Fassel is a great ST coordinator, but his group has not played up to its standards this year. They must improve in that phase of the game in these final four weeks.
Former Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon is set to hit free agency after the season, and is unsure where the future will lead.
The Melvin Gordon saga has wound down in the past few weeks, but the former Wisconsin Badgers running back – now with the Los Angeles Chargers – is still unsure where his future lies in the NFL.
“I don’t know, man,” Gordon told the Los Angeles Times’ Mike DiGiovanna when asked if he had earned the contract he is looking for. “It’s hard to look and say you warrant anything when you’re losing. I just have to do my job. No one knows their situation. It’s the business side of things. I don’t know if I’ll be here or somewhere else. Hopefully, it is here.”
Gordon very publicly held out at the beginning of the 2019 season, hoping for a contract in the $13 million range per year. After fellow Chargers running back Austin Ekeler had a strong start to the year, Gordon eventually returned to avoid his contract tolling, and has racked up 468 rushing yards and four touchdowns in eight games.
Gordon will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and while he wants to stay with Los Angeles, the emergence of Ekeler makes it likely he’ll start the decade with a new NFL team.
With NFL playoff runs and college football conference title games on the horizon, here’s an updated three-round mock for the 2020 NFL draft
The holiday season is upon us, which means crunch time across both levels of the football landscape.
Only four weeks remain the NFL regular season, which means the top portion of the league is jockeying for playoff position, while the league’s bottom-feeders are competing for draft position over the final month.
In the college football world, Rivalry Week is behind us and conference title games are next on the docket as top prospects and sleepers alike try to put the finishing touches on their on-field resumes to show NFL decision-makers this offseason.
Here’s an updated look at how the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL draft could shake out, using the latest updated order:
1. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Joe Burrow | QB | LSU
For the longest time now, it’s seemed Tua Tagovailoa was written into this spot with permanent marker. But Burrow’s performance so far this season has launched him into the No. 1 overall conversation, while a hip injury has ended Tagovailoa’s season. Burrow looks like the real deal in every way.
2. NEW YORK GIANTS
Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State
This team has needs on offense if they want Daniel Jones to develop quickly, but there’s no way the Giants should pass on the best overall prospect in this class. Landing a rare talent like Young would be a huge steal, even at No. 2 overall.
3. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
This is a tough call between giving Dwayne Haskins a replacement for Trent Williams at left tackle, or this year’s most polished and electrifying pass-catcher. Jeudy is one of the most pro-ready prospects in this draft, giving him the slight edge here.
4. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama
After his season-ending hip injury, Tagovailoa is obviously the biggest wild-card in this year’s class. He’s since had successful surgery, and is expected to make a full recovery. That being the case, I’m leaving him in this spot for now. If his recovery has any setbacks that cause him to miss key workouts leading up to the draft, his stock could still take a hit.
5. ATLANTA FALCONS
Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State
In today’s NFL, you can never have too many quality corners. The Falcons may have more pressing needs elsewhere, but with this pick, they land one of the fastest-rising prospects in the country. Okudah is keeping up the trend of sending blue-chip defensive backs from Columbus to the pros.
6. DETROIT LIONS
Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn
Matt Patricia’s defense needs more help across the board in the trenches, making this pick a choice between the best value at defensive tackle or on the edge. In this scenario, Brown’s incredible athleticism and limitless upside give him the nod.
7. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia
The Cards need to protect their investment in 2019 No. 1 pick Kyler Murray, and that means getting him a franchise left tackle. Thomas is a polished, powerful blocker who could be a plug-and-play starter in one of the NFL’s most vastly improved offenses.
8. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma
No matter who is playing quarterback for the Jags next year, that passer will need a blue-chip No. 1 receiver to make this offense reach its potential. Lamb has been a one-man highlight reel all season long, and has all the tools to be that player from Day 1.
9. NEW YORK JETS
Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa
The primary objective for the Jets here? Protect your investment in franchise quarterback Sam Darnold. They luck out in this scenario, landing one of this year’s top offensive tackles just inside the top 10. Wirfs is a pro-ready blocker who would be an immediate upgrade on either side.
10. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon
Philip Rivers is at the end of a Hall of Fame career, and it’s time for the Bolts to find his long-term replacement. Herbert could have been a high draft pick last year, but he returned to school to polish his game. He’s done just that, and should be plenty worthy of a top-10 pick.
The Arizona Cardinals made some roster moves Wednesday as they began the week of practice in Week 14. They had two open roster spots after waiving cornerback Tramaine Brock and running back Zach Zenner on Monday. They added a third vacancy by releasing linebacker Pete Robertson, who spent most of the season on the practice squad and promoted in November.
To fill those vacancies, they promoted two from the practice squad and signed a veteran.
They signed veteran defensive lineman Caraun Reid, as Jonathan Bullard is expected to miss a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury.
Reid has not been in the league this year. It is his sixth NFL season and he has played for the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys. He has played in 44 career games, starting 13. He has 46 career tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two fumbles recoveries, both of which he returned for touchdowns.
The Cardinals promoted linebackers Tanner Vallejo and Kylie Fitts from the practice squad to the active roster.
Vallejo was signed to the practice squad last month after he was released by the Washington Redskins. He played nine games for them after he was released after the preseason by the Cardinals. He plays inside linebacker.
Fitts has been on the practice squad all season. He was a sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2018 and played in seven games as a rookie. He is a 6-4, 260-pound outside linebacker.
