Tag: Week 13

Falcons RB Devonta Freeman back at practice on Tuesday

The Atlanta Falcons have been without starting running back Devonta Freeman for the past two games while he recovered from a foot injury. Freeman returned to practice on Tuesday and looks on track to play this week.

The Atlanta Falcons have been without starting running back Devonta Freeman for the past two games while he recovered from a foot injury. Freeman returned to practice on Tuesday, though, and looks to be on track to play this week.

With the Saints coming to town on Thanksgiving, the Falcons need all the help they can to try and complete a season sweep of their division rival.

Check back later this afternoon for Atlanta’s complete injury report from Tuesday’s practice.

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Seahawks inch up to No. 4 in Touchdown Wire’s Week 13 power rankings

The Seahawks continue their climb in the NFL power rankings after beating the Eagles to advance to 9-2 on the season and 6-0 on the road.

The Seahawks continue their climb in the NFL power rankings after beating the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday to advance to 9-2 on the season and a perfect 6-0 road record.

Seattle has jumped up two spots to land at No. 4 in Touchdown Wire’s Week 13 rankings.

“The Seahawks’ win over the Eagles on Sunday resembled the Legion of Boom days more than most anything Russell Wilson has accomplished this season,” writes Doug Farrar. “Though he did connect with receiver Malik Turner on a ridiculous 33-yard flea-flicker touchdown, Wilson was uncharacteristically shut down by Philly’s normally vulnerable secondary, completing 13 of 25 passes for 200 yards, that one touchdown, and his third interception of the year.”

“It was Seattle’s defense, with its ability to harass Carson Wentz and shut down the Eagles’ limited receivers, who really defined this game – even without the injured Jadeveon Clowney,” Farrar continues. “Also, 2018 first-round pick (and near-bust based on overall performance) Rashaad Penny gained a career-high 128 yards on the ground. Another unusual wrinkle: The team known for the most prominent home-field advantage in the NFL is one of two remaining undefeated road teams, and the Seahawks’ 6-0 away record beats San Francisco’s by one game.”

The Seahawks are next set to square off against the Vikings in primetime in an NFC matchup that can’t be missed.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Lions heading towards the bottom of the league

The Week 13 national NFL Power Rankings have been released and the Detroit Lions are headed to the bottom of the league.

The Detroit Lions (3-7-1) appear to be nearing rock bottom and their Week 13 national NFL Power Rankings reflect that. After yet another disastrous loss — this time to a bad Washington team — the current situation in Detroit has left a sour taste in the mouths of analysts.

Let’s take a look at where the Lions stand in the national eye.

USA Today: 30 (Previous: 28)

“Why wouldn’t they shut down Matthew Stafford? Maybe that comes next week, when they’ll likely be officially eliminated from playoff picture.” — Nate Davis

Touchdown Wire: 27 (Previous: 22)

“In NFL history, only one non-strike team has held the lead in each of its first 11 games, and won three or fewer — the 2004 Chiefs. That Chiefs team started their season 3-8 and wound up with a 7-9 record, so we suppose head coach Matt Patricia could tell his team that the 2019 Lions, who have now joined that short list, are capable of going on a nice run. However, the opposing arguments are comprehensive. Backup quarterback Jeff Driskel was completely lost against the Redskins’ defense (which is a severe indictment in and of itself), completing 20 of 33 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Detroit’s run game is nonexistent, and its man-based pass defense has fallen apart in a relative sense this season. This franchise fired Jim Caldwell as its head coach after the 2017 season because two straight 9-7 seasons weren’t good enough. What does the Ford family make of Patricia’s 9-17-1 mark through almost two seasons?” — Doug Farrar

NFL: 28 (Previous: 25)

“A season that begin with promise has descended into ugliness. A 19-16 loss to the lowly Redskins is the seventh defeat in eight games for Detroit, which has gone into a nosedive with Matthew Stafford out of the lineup with a back injury. Jeff Driskel had some positive moments early in his stint as Stafford’s understudy, but he had a bad game against Washington, throwing interceptions in each of Detroit’s final possessions to seal the loss. And while the defense wasn’t the culprit on Sunday, this remains a unit that has given up nearly 29 points per game over the last eight games. Throw in some poor special teams, and Matt Patricia appears to be in a fair bit of trouble. The second-year coach probably needs a strong finish for a chance at another season on the sideline. A playoff stakes-free Thanksgiving matchup against the Bears is up next.” — Dan Hanzus

ESPN: 22 (Previous: 21)

“What they’re thankful for: WRs Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. Even in a lowlight of a season, Golladay and Jones are showing to be a potent receiving duo. Both receivers have a chance to top 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2019 — remarkable considering Matthew Stafford has been out the past three weeks. The Lions have both players, as well as Stafford, under contract in 2020, so there is something to build on offensively in Detroit, even in a season going nowhere.” — Michael Rothstein

CBS Sports: 29 (Previous 23)

“Without Matt Stafford, they just aren’t good team. Is Matt Patricia safe? Should he be?” — Pete Prisco

Sports Illustrated: 28 (Previous: 24)

“Remember when this team was “better than their record indicated?” Yeah, sorry about that. No Stafford didn’t help, backup Jeff Driskel threw three picks, the defense went home halfway through the fourth quarter and Matt Patricia’s bunch is officially punched out for 2019.” — MMQB staff

Sporting News: 26 (Previous: 23)

“The Lions can think about what could have been the past three weeks had Matthew Stafford been able to continue his career-best play, but as they’ve found something with their defense and running game, they’ve been let down by Jeff Driskel’s play. Will that be enough to give Matt Patricia a free pass in Year 2?” — Vinnie Iyer

PFF gives Desmond Trufant NFL’s highest coverage grade for Week 12

The Falcons intercepted Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston twice in the first half of Sunday’s game, but they weren’t able to capitalize, losing by double-digits.

The Falcons intercepted Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston twice in the first half of Sunday’s game, but they weren’t able to capitalize, eventually losing by double-digits.

Cornerback Desmond Trufant picked off Winston on his first pass attempt, and the QB smartly started looking elsewhere. While Winston would throw for 313 yards and three touchdowns, Trufant wasn’t the issue, as he mostly held WR Mike Evans in check.

Pro Football Focus gave Atlanta’s top corner the highest coverage grade of anyone in the league for Week 12. Trufant received a 91.2 grade, the second-best coverage rating of his career:

The Falcons have  a quick turnaround this week, taking on the Saints this Thursday in the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day prime-time game. Atlanta opened Week 13 as a 6.5-point underdog to New Orleans.

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Falcons owe it to their fans to defeat the Saints on Thanksgiving

When a team has as many problems as the 2019 Falcons, some of them are bound to be overlooked. One issue that hasn’t been talked about much is the team’s lackluster performances at home this season.

When a team has as many problems as the 2019 Falcons, some of them are bound to be overlooked. One issue that hasn’t been talked about much is the team’s lackluster performances at home this season.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is one of the premier venues in all of football. After a 3-8 start, with just one win at home way back in Week 2, the crowd hasn’t had much to cheer about lately.

In fact, the Falcons have not played well at their home stadium since it opened in 2017, winning just 10 of the 21 games they’ve played there. This season, they’ve lost four of five at home, and there’s been a certain lifelessness to this team when playing in Atlanta.

Fans have rightfully gotten fed up with the Falcons’ ugly starts and lack of competitiveness until garbage time, despite a roster that was expected to contend.

Adding to the frustration is that after Atlanta played two games of absolutely dominant, complementary football on the road, the team returned home in Week 12 and seemed to revert back to the dysfunctional group we saw prior to the bye week.

With the playoffs out of reach, there’s really nothing the team can do to salvage this season. However, the Falcons have an opportunity to sweep a hated division-rival in front of their home crowd on Thanksgiving.

Sure, a win would hurt the team’s draft position, but it would also hurt the Saints chances of getting a first-round bye. And no, it won’t make this season a success, that ship sailed weeks ago.

But a victory over New Orleans on Thursday with the world watching would give the fans something to feel good about, even if it’s just for one day.

It’s time for this Atlanta team to rise up.

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Falcons add OL Sean Harlow to practice squad

The Falcons added guard Sean Harlow to their practice squad after releasing him last week.

The Falcons added guard Sean Harlow to their practice squad on Monday after releasing him last week. With Takk McKinley dinged up in Week 12, the team promoted DE Austin Larkin to its active roster to add some defensive line depth against the Buccaneers.

Harlow, Atlanta’s 2017 fourth-round pick, played in his first regular season game with the team earlier this season. His return to the practice squad was expected and at 24, he still has time to develop.

The Falcons need to find a long-term starter at left guard and potentially center, so it’s good they were able to get Harlow back, even if it’s just for eventual depth.

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Lions Week 13 estimated injury report: Jeff Driskel limited, Matthew Stafford still out

The Detroit Lions Week 13 estimated injury report includes quarterbacks Jeff Driskel as a limited participant and Matthew Stafford as out.

The Detroit Lions (3-7-1) are hosting the Chicago Bears (5-6) for a Week 13 Thanksgiving day matchup at Ford Field.

The Lions are required to produce three injury reports a week, and with a Thursday game on the schedule, that means they must declare injuries on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Because they are coming off a game yesterday, they did not actually practice on Monday, so today’s injury report is only estimated listings.

Reminder: all participation levels are all estimates

Would have missed practice

QB Matthew Stafford (back, hip)
WR Marvin Hall (foot)
EDGE Trey Flowers (concussion)
CB Rashaan Melvin (ribs)
RET. Jamal Agnew (ankle)

Despite Stafford being maniacal in his efforts to return to the field, he is still not ready to practice, and on a short week, he is not expected to play.

Flowers still being listed as unable to practice due to a concussion is concerning for his potential to play on Thursday. He’ll need to get on the field tomorrow or he won’t be able to pass the league’s protocol this week.

Melvin and Agnew still unable to practice are concerning for their status for Thursday.

Hall was injured in yesterday’s game and was seen in the locker room in a walking boot and with crutches. Early expectations are he won’t be available for Thursday and the Lions will be on to their third punt returner — which has previously been veteran wide receiver Danny Amendola.

Upgraded to limited

QB Jeff Driskel (hamstring)
C Frank Ragnow (concussion)
TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder)
DT Damon Harrison (groin)
DL Da’Shawn Hand (ankle)
S Tracy Walker (knee)
P Sam Martin (abdomen)

Driskel played every snap yesterday but may have overworked his hamstring in the process. Coach Matt Patricia said at today’s press conference, Driskel “ran a lot” yesterday and is a bit “tight”. This could provide some light on why the Lions were inquiring about current XFL quarterback Josh Johnson, as they could use another fully healthy quarterback for practice and as insurance.

Ragnow being an estimated limited participant speaks to him moving through the league’s concussion protocol. He still has a few more steps to move through but is headed in the right direction.

Hockenson was added to last week’s injury report late Saturday night and in yesterday’s game, he appeared to be limited on the field, both in snaps and performance.

Harrison has been nursing a groin injury for some time now but being limited isn’t unusual for him at this point in the week.

Hand and Walker being estimated as limited is an upgrade from where they have been in recent weeks. If either is able to play this week, it would be a major upgrade on defense — both in performance and schematic versatility.

Martin, since injuring his abdomen, has been limited on the first practice following a game. While this isn’t unusual, a short week could be mildly concerning.

Projected as a full participant

Kenny Wiggins (knee)

Wiggins missed seven snaps in yesterday’s game and a knee injury appears to be the cause. The Lions listing him as a full participant is a strong indicator they aren’t overly concerned about it limiting him this week.

Falcons are 6.5-point underdogs for Thanksgiving matchup with Saints

The Falcons are in better shape than they were three weeks ago, but after Sunday’s ugly loss to the Buccaneers, the momentum this team had built after winning two-straight games has all but disappeared.

The Falcons are in better shape than they were three weeks ago, but after Sunday’s ugly loss to the Buccaneers, the momentum this team had built after winning two-straight games has all but disappeared.

This Thursday, the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints come to Atlanta for a Thanksgiving night battle. The Saints have a 9-2 record and look like a legit Super Bowl contender this season.

The Falcons, on the other hand, are 3-8 and in sole possession of last place in the division. However, you can throw records out the window when these two rivals play, as evidenced by Atlanta’s Week 10 upset over New Orleans despite being a double-digit underdog.

The odds came out for Thursday’s game and the Saints are again favored. Bet MGM has the Falcons opening as 6.5-point underdogs. The over/under is set at 49.5.

New Orleans squeaked out a three-point win over the Panthers on Sunday, but the team hasn’t quite looked as dominant since losing to Atlanta.

While the playoffs are certainly off the table for this 2019 Falcons team, to complete a sweep over a hated division rival on Thanksgiving would give fans something to take pride in during an otherwise dreadful year.

Kickoff for Thursday’s game is at 8:20 p.m, ET on NBC.

[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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Watch: Falcons coach Dan Quinn’s Monday press conference

The Falcons have just three days off before their Week 13 matchup with the Saints on Thanksgiving. That gives the team very little time to digest Sunday’s ugly loss to the Bucs, but that’s probably a good thing.

The Falcons have just three days off before their Week 13 matchup with the Saints on Thanksgiving. That gives the team very little time to digest Sunday’s ugly loss to the Bucs, but that’s probably a good thing.

Head coach Dan Quinn talked to reporters on Monday, giving updates on Devonta Freeman’s injury status and some thoughts on Atlanta’s upcoming Thursday night game.

Watch Quinn’s full press conference below, as tweeted out by the Falcons twitter account:

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Broncos will make a decision on Drew Lock this week

The Broncos are expected to make a decision on rookie quarterback Drew Lock this week.

Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio indicated during his Monday press conference that the team will make a decision on rookie quarterback Drew Lock this week. Fangio did not say what that decision will be.

“As far as this week goes, all options are on the table,” Fangio said. “We’re going to make that decision here in the next few days.”

Fangio went on to say he is “not sure” when the team will name a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Brandon Allen has played the last three games as a fill-in starter for the injured Joe Flacco. Undrafted rookie Brett Rypien has been serving as the team’s No. 2 quarterback. Allen is 1-2 as a starter.

Lock (6-4, 228 pounds) was selected by Denver in the second round of April’s draft after four seasons playing for Missouri. He completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 254 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception in preseason before injuring his thumb.

The Broncos placed Lock on injured reserve in late August and he did not practice for nearly three months. Lock returned to practice two weeks ago, triggering a three-week window for Denver to make a decision about his season.

Once a player on IR begins practicing, teams have 21 days to decide if that player will be activated to the 53-man roster or spend the rest of the year on reserve. The Broncos might activate Lock this week.

During his final two years with the Tigers, Lock threw for 7,462 yards with 72 touchdown passes against 21 interceptions. He is 23 years old.

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