We take a peak at the film to find some ways for Denver to use their shiny new draft pick." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteMile High Reporta Denver Broncos communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsBroncosOddsShopAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Broncos NewsBroncos 2019 Draft ClassBroncos PodcastsBroncos 2019 ScheduleKey Offseason DatesCommunity RulesFull ArchiveBroncos StoriesScheduleRosterStatsOdds Shop About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Filed under:Denver Broncos FilmDenver Broncos 2019 DraftTale of the Tape: How Noah Fant can thrive in Denver’s offenseNew Denver Broncos Hats ,53commentsWe take a peak at the film to find some ways for Denver to use their shiny new draft pick. Tale of the Tape: How Noah Fant can thrive in Denver’s offenseWe always reminisce fondly on childhood memories of Christmas morning, waking up early and eagerly opening the gifts we had been anticipating for weeks as they stared at us from under the tree. But as a kid, I always loved Christmas afternoon, when we would all take the new toys out of the box and play with them all day.As the dust settles from the 2019 draft, fans finally got to see their teams unwrap shiny new toys that they had been eagerly awaiting for months. Now the real fun begins as we (vicariously) get to go play with them.Here at Mile High Report, we’ll be digging deep into these prospects over the next few months, until some real football starts, and talking about how Denver can best utilize each of their new draft picks, and what we can expect to see from the team as a whole as both the offensive and defensive coaching staffs roll out new systems.First up is Denver’s first round pick, tight end Noah Fant. We have already talked about what Fant brings to the table athletically https://www.broncosfanstore.com/hoodie , as he was one of the elite athletes at his position in this draft. That athleticism is a perfect fit for Rich Scangarello, who can deploy him in a myriad of ways to take advantage of it. When asked after the draft how Fant fits into the offense, Elway replied, “I think obviously with the success that [49ers TE George] Kittle had in San Francisco with [Offensive Coordinator] Rich [Scangarello] being out there last year, speed tight ends can be very effective in his offense. He was a good fit for us.”So let’s take a look at one of the main ways Kyle Shanahan and Rich Scangarello used George Kittle last year to get a feel for Fant’s potential here in Denver.Where Kittle had the most impact in Shanahan’s offense last year was in yards after the catch. Kittle led all pass catchers in YAC last year with 870. 63% of his 1377 receiving yards came after the catch, which is extremely impressive for a tight end to edge out YAC monsters like Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley.Kittle averaged over 10 yards of YAC per reception, which also led the league and was a full yard higher than the next closest in the rankings.While there are plenty of other pieces of Kittle’s game to examine, today we’ll specifically dig into how Kyle Shanahan got him open in space to pick up massive chunks of yardage after the catch.MisdirectionThe main premise of the Shanahan/Scangarello offense is based around misdirection, specifically off of a zone running attack mixed with play action. Plays look the same pre-snap and the first few seconds post-snap, then morph into a variety of combinations meant to get the defense flowing one way Karl Mecklenburg Color Rush Jersey , while the big play happens the other way.Play #1Check out the play above. Simple outside zone from shotgun with the tight end coming back across the formation to the left.Now look at the play below. Exact same formation and personnel, with the same run action to the left and the tight end coming across the formation.Except this time, it is a play action and the tight end, Kittle is going to leak out into the flat on the field side (wide side).Check out the second level defenders at the mesh point. Everyone is keying run and flowing along with the offensive line to the offense’s left.The slot receiver is going to run a deep post to occupy the deep safety and corner to that side, and the closest defender with his eyes on the play is five steps behind Kittle who has nothing but grass in front of him.Play #2Same idea here. Check out this zone run below, this time from under center.Tight end comes across the formation blocking the backside for the run. (It’s actually a slightly different variant with the RT jumping out on the OLB, but it’s close enough for example’s sake.)Now check out this one pre-snap. Everyone flows right, except the quarterback and Kittle.Every defender has their hips turned towards the sideline and are chasing the play frontside. The receiver on the backside, again, runs a deep post which occupies the deep safety and corner. Leaving Kittle with more green grass and everyone five steps behind him.Play #3Same idea but a little different look at the snap. This time Kittle comes out frontside to block https://www.broncosfanstore.com/Tom-Jackson-Jersey , then using his speed and agility, turns on a dime and runs the crossing to the backside. I can just see Fant and his 4.5 40 and elite 3-cone time feasting on plays like this.Play #4So we’ve seen the backside leak out and the routes designed to take advantage of the defense pursuing the run. What happens when defenses get wise and begin countering this and staying home on the backside?Consider this the counter to the counter. The previous plays all took place on the backside of the play action. But this one is actually on the frontside, in the same direction as the flowing offensive line and run fake.Kittle will skirt down the line as if blocking, then turn it straight upfield.Check out these defenders once they see the play action. They’re not dummies. They’ve been burned by the backside play action twice already, so they’re ready for it this time. Both linebackers and the safety start moving with the quarterback to cut off the backside, while Kittle goes unnoticed.You don’t get more wide open than this in the NFL.Unfortunately for the 49ers, the throw was a little too far in front, and slipped through Kittle’s hands, but it was still a brilliant play and should have been an easy score.The beauty of all these plays is they don’t ask a lot of the receiver or the quarterback. Kittle is a good route runner and separator against man coverage, but he barely had to on these plays Dennis Smith Jersey , he was so wide open. This is a great example of coaches putting their guys in great positions to succeed.I hope this gets you excited about how Rich Scangarello can use Noah Fant’s speed and athleticism to scheme him open, and let him do the rest. I’m certainly excited about his potential after this quick glance into the offense.Now this is just scratching the surface of Shanahan’s offense, and the ways the Broncos can utilize their weapons, but suffice it to say, Fant is in for a bright future here in Denver. Broncos tight end Jake Butt missed all 16 games in his first NFL season because of a torn ACL and he’ll miss the final 13 games of his second season for the same reason.Butt injured his left knee in Thursday’s practice and聽the Broncos confirmed reports that he tore the ligament later in the day.“Jake has worked his tail off to recover from his previous injuries, and we feel terrible for him,” head coach Vance Joseph said in a statement. “He’s a great kid who鈥檚 developed into a very good football player. We have no doubt Jake will come back stronger than ever.”Butt tore the right ACL in his final game at the University of Michigan — he also tore his right ACL in 2014 — and the Broncos drafted him in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. He had eight catches for 85 yards in three starts for Denver this season.

With the comp picks announced https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Adrian-Amos-Jersey , the 2019 NFL Draft order is official."Now that the compensatory picks have all been handed out by the league, the 2019 NFL Draft order is official. Here are where the Chicago Bears will be picking. Third Round, pick 24, 87th overallFourth Round, pick 24 Jordan Howard Color Rush Jersey , 126th overallFifth Round, pick 24, 162nd overallSeventh Round, pick 8, 222nd overallSeventh Round Eddie Jackson Jersey , pick 24, 238th overallChicago’s first round pick went to the Oakland Raiders in the Khalill Mack trade. Their second rounder belongs to the New England Patriots as a part of the draft day trade a year ago that allowed the Bears to take Anthony Miller. Oakland has the Bears sixth round pick as a part of the Mack trade. As we’ve seen with general manager Ryan Pace, where the Bears start the draft is not necessarily where the Bears will make their selections. If there a guy that Pace covets, he’ll do his best to go get him. When the Lions drafted Teez Tabor in the second round of the 2017 draft, they hoped they found a partner at cornerback for Darius Slay.That’s not how things have played out. Tabor didn’t play much as a rookie and flopped when put in a starting role last season https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Allen-Robinson-Jersey , which led to a benching that resulted in nine defensive snaps between Week Nine and Week 16. Tabor said last week that he responded to the rough year by doing more listening and learning.“I became more coachable,” Tabor said, via MLive.com. “That’s one thing. I just sat back and took it all in last year, and said, ‘Man Chase Daniel Color Rush Jersey , I just got to become more coachable.’ They all know exactly what they’re talking about. I’m the student, they’re the teacher. I got to learn from them. I’ve been trying to become more coachable. I’ve been sitting down and taking in all the information they’re giving me.”Slay hasn’t been at OTAs and that’s given Tabor more chances to show how being more coachable has paid off. The reports from practice have been positive, but Tabor said he won’t say anything at this point because he hasn’t “made any plays in this league yet.”Training camp and preseason games will likely determine whether he can find a chance to do that in a cornerback group that added Rashaan Melvin, Justin Coleman and fifth-round pick Amani Oruwariye this offseason.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Now the Philadelphia Eagles can go back to being underdogs again.After embracing that role last year and overcoming huge odds to win their first Super Bowl title https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Donte-Jackson-Jersey , the Eagles haven’t lived up to expectations as defending champions. They blew a 17-0 lead in the fourth quarter and lost 21-17 to Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.“Pressure’s off, so we can go play, have fun and just relax,” coach Doug Pederson said. “A lot of football ahead, too. Anything’s possible, anything can happen.”Pressed on the topic, Pederson continued: “I think no one has really given us a chance, anyway. Whether we’re putting pressure on ourselves to perform, to play, whatever it is, live up to a certain expectation. … I think sometimes we force issues. We try to press just a little bit.”Despite their struggles, the Eagles (3-4) are in the mix in the NFC East. They’ll quickly try to forget about their disappointing loss and focus on a trip to London to face the equally struggling Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4).“We put high expectations on ourselves every week,” Carson Wentz said. “My approach will never change, win or lose, on to the next week and that’s the way I’m approaching it.”For Newton and the Panthers, this was a statement game.The Panthers (4-2) were dominated for the first three quarters but rallied for an impressive win on the road in a hostile environment. It was the biggest comeback in franchise history.“This is a confidence-booster for us,” Newton said.Newton tossed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen with 1:22 left and Julius Peppers sacked Wentz, forcing a fumble on fourth down from the Panthers 14 to seal the victory.After Carolina took the lead Greg Olsen Jersey , the Eagles started at their 30. A 48-yard pass interference penalty on James Bradberry against Alshon Jeffery put the ball at the Carolina 22. Eric Reid appeared to intercept Wentz’s overthrown pass but the play was overturned on a video review. Wentz threw incomplete to Jeffery in the end zone on third-and-2 and was stripped on the next play.Some things we learned from Carolina’s comeback victory over the Eagles:TROUBLE FINISHINGThe Eagles wasted a 17-3 lead in the third quarter of an overtime loss at Tennessee in Week 4. They’re having trouble closing out games and beating teams they’re supposed to beat.“It’s one play here, one play there that turns into big deals,” Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins said. “Margin of error in this league is tight, especially against a good team.”RESILIENT CAMNewton wasn’t happy with his performance at the end of a 23-17 loss at Washington last week and vowed to he’d make the best of another opportunity. He threw three straight incomplete passes on the go-ahead touchdown drive, but took a hit on fourth down and still completed a 35-yard catch-and-run pass to Torrey Smith to reach the Philadelphia 34. A 22-yard pass to McCaffrey gave Carolina first down at the 4. Newton ran it to the 1, setting up the score to Olsen, wide open in the back of the end zone.“There are a lot of people depending on me to put this team in the best situation and to a degree, I think I could have been better last week,” Newton said. “And this week we were in the same situation and I didn’t want to let anyone down.”GROUNDED ATTACKThe Eagles got 55 yards rushing on 21 carries from running backs Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams and Corey Clement. They lost Jay Ajayi to a season-ending knee injury and Darren Sproles has missed the last six games with a hamstring injury. They could try to add a back before the trade deadline on Oct. 30.SHORT MEMORYBradberry bounced back from the penalty on the final drive to help keep the Eagles out of the end zone.“In my head, I knew they still had to score,” Bradberry said.QUESTIONABLE PLAYCALLINGInstead of working on the clock, Pederson called nine passes and no runs on Philadelphia’s two possessions with the lead in the fourth quarter. North Carolina has raised some incredible athletes, but Julius Peppers is in truly elite company."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomJulius Peppers retires as the biggest icon in North Carolina sports since Michael JordanNew,25commentsNorth Carolina has raised some incredible athletes, but Julius Peppers is in truly elite company.ESTShareTweetShareShareJulius Peppers retires as the biggest icon in North Carolina sports since Michael JordanJeremy Brevard-USA TODAY SportsFor a relatively modestly populated state, North Carolina has had an incredible share of big time athletes raised within it’s borders. Even more fortunately, many of these athletes have passed through the North Carolina University system Fozzy Whittaker Color Rush Jersey , and a select few have even gone on to play professional sports for their home state as well. Though Michael Jordan never played ball for the Charlotte Hornets (because they were morons), he will probably always be the shining example of homegrown North Carolina talent (technically born in New York, but moved to Wilmington as a toddler), and why wouldn’t he be? He’s the greatest player to ever play basketball. Period.Julius Peppers isn’t the greatest football player of all time, though he certainly has an argument for the best ever at his defensive end position. Football has seen some incredible athletes, but only a handful possessed the combination of size, speed, strength, and pure athleticism that Peppers did at his peak. Of that handful, it would be difficult not to declare Peppers the true best of the best, and you’d be hard pressed not to consider him one of the top five best athletes of the 21st century (from a physical perspective). Just have a listen at what some of the current greats of the game have to say about him:Everyone has a lot of respect for number 90, particularly the guys who took a beating from him over the years. On a personal note, Peppers is the reason that I wanted to play defensive line in high school. I played a little bit of defensive end, but mostly the coaches wanted my 280 pound frame right smack in the middle of our 3-4 defense at nose tackle. I just wanted to hit quarterbacks and running backs, not protect them, and watching what Peppers did was the reason for that.I didn’t play in middle school, and in fact didn’t have much interest in football until Peppers started his career at the University of North Carolina when I was a freshman. I admired him because he was a two sport athlete, playing both basketball and football at a very high level. In fact Rashaan Gaulden Jersey , it was watching him and Ronald Curry on the court that led me to watching him on the field, since I was and still am a big fan of Tarheel basketball. Peppers was a terror at power forward, fouling out a lot, but he cemented his place in my heart with this moment on the hardwood in a huge game against Wake Forest...That’s two UNC football players (and eventually professional football players, Ronald Curry played wide receiver for many years in Oakland) hooking up for an alley oop, one of which is a massive individual who has no business getting his forehead level with the rim. Can you imagine Peppers running full gallup down the lane about to dunk on you? It was terrifying for all of UNC’s opponents.It’s crazy for me to think that Peppers has been playing football for that long, and the amount of training plus physical upkeep it takes to maintain a body through such a grueling sport. He has earned his upcoming rest more than most people.Even though Julius Peppers won’t retire as the all-time leading sack artist in NFL history, there are just so many reasons that he still might have been the best to ever do it.I remember a score of tipped passes, interceptions, pick sixes, and probably more running plays than I can quantify that were completely busted thanks to Pep. I remember a guy so strong that not even two people could halt his forward momentum, and so fast that wide receivers couldn’t always catch up to him. It was a pleasure to watch him play almost all his years on some of my favorite sports teams.So, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to the best of the best. Goodbye, but certainly a long way from ever being forgotten.Thank you for everything Julius. KEEP POUNDING.

Ezekiel Elliott is more than 1 http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/roger-staubach-jersey ,200 miles from Oxnard, California, working out on his own in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The Cowboys are about that far from being a good team.Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, speaking for the first time since the team’s blue-white scrimmage Sunday, doesn’t seem pleased with where his team is a little over a week into training camp. “We’re way far off as a team. We’re not even close,” Garrett said Tuesday, via Clarence Hill of the . “I thought there were some flashes on both sides of the ball and the kicking game http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/travis-frederick-jersey , flashing in each of the three units, but we’re not even close. Back to work. This is an important three-day stretch for us now.”The Cowboys have not had Elliott, who is holding out while seeking a contract. But they have the other 21 players who started the playoff game against the Rams in January. They also have tight end Jason Witten, who has unretired, and center Travis Frederick, who missed last season with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, back.Yet, the Cowboys still are working to get their groove back.“We just know we’re not close http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/chuck-howley-jersey ,” Garrett said. “The consistency you need with players, with units, throughout practice, young guys, how we communicate, we’re just a long way off. I don’t think it’s unique. Six real practices into training camp, that’s where teams are. But the blue-white scrimmage is always a good barometer to see where guys are, how guys handle it. It’s not a game. We understand that. It’s very situational http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/demarcus-lawrence-jersey , but you do get a glimpse to check in 10 days into it to see where we are. It’s incumbent on us to clean it up as coaches and get back here the next three days and really take the next step as a football team.” The Cowboys stud center is overcoming multiple health issues in an effort to return to the field."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Dallas Cowboys NewsDallas Cowboys GeneralTravis Frederick battling shoulder surgery in addition to Guillain-Barré syndromeNew,44commentsThe Cowboys stud center is overcoming multiple health issues in an effort to return to the field. CDTShareTweetShareShareTravis Frederick battling shoulder surgery in addition to Guillain-Barré syndromeMatthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsBefore Travis Frederick can get back to protecting Dak Prescott and opening up holes for Ezekiel Elliott, he’s going to have to overcome some health issues. When discussing Fredrick’s health, we tend to focus on his recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome. Rightly so, as the disease wiped out his 2018 season and can linger and cause problems for a while. But Frederick is also being restricted because he had shoulder surgery, something that will keep him from fully participating in the upcoming OTAs and minicamp.The shoulder surgery is a minor setback even if it does keep him from fully participating in the offseason program. That has a finite end where he will be good to go. More worrisome has always been the Guillain-Barré syndrome, something that is much harder to deal with. That issue kept him from having the shoulder surgery right away because his doctors wouldn’t clear him for it until he had progressed enough in his battle with Guillain-Barré, so finally having the surgery was a good sign.Frederick believes everything is going to plan on his recovery from GBS Cheap Ezekiel Elliott Jersey , but he won’t really know until he straps on the pads and hits someone in real action.One of the oddest things let Fredrick know he was well on his way to recovery from the disease - a stubbed toe. It’s a long road to recovery, and Frederick still has a meeting upcoming with neurologists to discuss his Guillain-Barré syndrome but he believes that’s about long-term issues and not anything related to his immediate ability to return to football. He’s doing everything he can to return in 2019, but until he puts on the pads and starts hitting, there are still questions.

During the season Jared Veldheer Jersey , we post weekly power rankings. In the offseason, we pretty much do whatever.This year, we’ve decided to dispense with ranking all 32 teams and to focus on the teams currently at the bottom of the stack. And even in this time of propaganda, the reality in a 32-team, zero-sum league is that some teams will be good, and just as many will be bad.This following list is far from scientific. It’s a qualitative assessment of where the franchises currently are, and where they’ve been, both recently and in some cases historically.The list isn’t a prediction as to where these teams will finish in 2019. Several of them could make the playoffs. And maybe one will make it to the Super Bowl. Still, for now, when considering the league’s teams from top to bottom, there necessarily has to be teams from 21 through 32.And here they are, from 32 to 21.1. Cardinals: Not long ago, they were one of the best eight or so franchises in the NFL. But a free fall in recent years has depleted the roster, with millions wasted in an effort to replace Carson Palmer, an embarrassing “extreme DUI” arrest and jail time for the franchise’s top executive, a trade up one year ago to get Josh Rosen followed by a trade of Rosen for a low second-round pick because the coach who replaced a one-and-done misfire coveted someone else at quarterback, and (most recently) news that G.M. Steve Keim has never bothered to call Rosen during or after three months of dangling and a few days of rollercoastering along with the six-game suspension of the team’s most recognizable defensive player for taking a PED, taking a masking agent to hide the PED, and getting busted on both counts. They’ll need Kyler Murray to have a Mahomes-Mayfield-style impact to avoid becoming the chronic No. 32 team in a season they quite possibly will begin as the underdog in every single game.2. Jets: The decision to fire coach Todd Bowles in January and to keep G.M. Mike Maccagnan and to overpay Le'Veon Bell at a time when no one else was pursuing him in that range and to fire Maccagnan after the draft and to make new coach Adam Gase the interim G.M. has made plenty of fans long for the days of Woody Johnson and Rex Ryan. Woody’s kid brother Christopher, whose arrival actually had some rivals concerned that the Jets would turn things around, is learning as he goes Connor McGovern Color Rush Jersey , and in his trial-and-error effort to figure out how to run a football franchise it’s been more error than success. That said, the decision to trade up and take quarterback Sam Darnold could eventually eradicate the fumes of Christian Hackenberg from the building, and the Jets actually could be in position to surprise everyone in 2019.3. Giants: The plan is there is no plan, and the more they try to convince everyone they have a plan, the less obvious it is that they don’t. Everyone except those making decisions for the franchise realizes that it’s keeping former franchise quarterback Eli Manning around because of what he’s done, not because of what he’s expected to do. But even as they cling to Eli, they overdrafted (in the opinion of everyone except those making decisions for the franchise) Daniel Jones to eventually replace Manning, whether in one year or three years or whenever the plan-is-there-is-no-plan spinning wheel lands on Jones. Meanwhile, there’s reason to believe that Jones could be the Week One starter, if he’s as good as the Giants believe and if they remove the helmet-catch-colored glasses when evaluating the training camp and preseason performances of Jones and Manning. The fact that they traded receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after paying him $20 million for 12 games serves merely as the acrid icing on a rancid cake. But, hey, at least the Jets are still the Jets.4. Dolphins: Although being in the same division as the Patriots hasn’t helped, the Dolphins have done little to help themselves. The slide began when Dan Marino retired, and it accelerated when doctors told Nick Saban to send a second-round pick for Daunte Culpepper and his wrecked knee in lieu of signing Drew Brees and his wrecked shoulder. The Dolphins continue to grope for an answer at quarterback, and the absence of one has been the biggest impediment to sustained success. Giving up too quickly on coach Adam Gase didn’t help matters, and now owner Stephen Ross can only hope that new coach Brian Flores will bring a New England vibe to South Florida. Quickly. The fact that this franchise was once so relevant makes it even more glaring that, over the past two decades, it has plunged into the role of perennial afterthought, with periodic but fleeting exceptions.5. Bengals: Malaise has been the operative word for the Bengals in recent years. Five straight playoff runs ended with five straight wild-card losses, extending a string of playoff futility that traces back to January 1991. The organization never seems like it makes winning a priority, unless (as it seems) the organization defined “winning” as making money not competing for championships. There’s a certain pragmatism to accepting the fact that only one of 32 teams will be satisfied every year https://www.broncosfanstore.com , if that’s accepted as the widespread standard for NFL success. Maybe the secret of Cincinnati’s success has been to accept that it’s far easier to turn a profit than it is to turn up in February. Regardless, this team chronically feels like it could use a new everything, from top to bottom.6. Raiders: Reason exists for guarded optimism when it comes to the Raiders, thanks to the pilfering of receiver Antonio Brown from the Steelers and a draft headlined by three first-round draft picks. But the organization continues to be mired in the funk of mostly 17 years of struggles unbecoming to what once was one of the greatest brands in football. The looming move to Las Vegas carries a vague sense of promise, but to make that happen the marriage between Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock must bear fruit in the form of great football players, sooner than later. It won’t be easy in a division headlined by a perennial contender in Kansas City and an underrated powerhouse in L.A. The current placement in the middle of the worst-franchise pack is deserved, and some would say the Raiders should be even higher (as in lower). The fact that they aren’t primarily flows from the notion that the inevitable return to glory is coming sooner than later. Even if, in reality, “later” continues to be the operative term.7. Washington: Mired in at-best mediocrity for most of Daniel Snyder’s tenure as owner, the franchise has hovered in the general vicinity of “maybe” when it comes to potential contention, but hasn’t delivered. This year’s first-round haul of Dwayne Haskins and Montez Sweat has boom-or-bust potential for Washington, which is 28 years removed from its last championship. A run of health could fuel a rebound, but the upper reaches of the operation seem to be destined to keep the team from being as good as it can be — and it’s still not quite clear how good the team can be, with or without the upper reaches of the organization holding it back.8. Buccaneers: But for the arrival of Bruce Arians, who unretired in a Hail Mary effort to salvage Jameis Winston, the Bucs would be among the worst teams in the league. They’ve struggled to sell tickets, and for good reason. In the 17 years since winning a championship, the team has languished more often than not, unable to consistently compete with the other teams in the NFC South. Ownership moves too quickly to move on from coaches, preventing the kind of continuity that characterizes the franchises that manage to make it to the postseason at least once every few years. For the Buccaneers, it’s been an extended dry spell Denver Broncos Customized Jerseys , and but for the fading memories of a run that could have/should have yielded more than one Lombardi Trophy, the Bucs would still be spinning their wheels among the very worst organizations in all of sports. They continue to slide back in that direction, and only a major jolt from Arians will keep that from happening.9. Lions: Bobby Layne’s 50-year curse has lasted a decade longer than expected, and the Lions now must hope that the efforts of Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia to change the culture will take root before they’re gradually swallowed by the internal and, among much of the media covering the team, external acceptance of also-ran status that has kept the team from winning a playoff game for 28 years and counting. Periodic promise has yielded playoff berths but no postseason success, and the career of franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford has largely been squandered. The only question at this point is whether the team will step up before the current power structure decides to tell Stafford to step off. The answer depends on whether the Lions can incorporate sufficient Patriot DNA to spark change before ownership decides to press the restart button prior to the effort to embrace a shot at greatness taking root.10. Broncos: Yes, they’ve won three Super Bowls, including their most recent trophy only three years ago. But a sustained run of relevance has been replaced by a sharp plunge to the bottom made even more conspicuous by the fact that, for the first time since the early 1970s, the Broncos have had a losing record for consecutive seasons. While a decorated history spared Denver from being closer to the top of the list, three years of post-Peyton flopping in the boat have earned them a spot in the bottom 12. Whether they remain there depends on whether Vic Fangio is the answer at coach (he very well may be), whether Joe Flacco is the answer at quarterback (he very well may not be), and whether the linger intra-family Willie Wonka competition for control of the team is ever resolved (at times it feels like it never will be).11. 49ers: Those five Super Bowl trophies are getting lonelier and lonelier. Things simply haven’t been working for the 49ers since the “mutual parting” with Jim Harbaugh. Last year, expectations were too high, and injuries derailed a season that may not have resulted in a playoff berth anyway, given the presence of the Rams and Seahawks in the division. This year, expectations are high once again, which will make another failure for a team in perpetual turmoil even more noticeable. The 49ers would be wise to stay the course with Kyle Shanahan, who has four more years remaining on his contract, but another sub-.500 season should provoke serious soul-searching regarding the best way to dig out of a protracted funk.12. Browns: Speaking of protracted funks Denver Broncos T-Shirts , the Browns would have been the clear-cut No. 1 team on this list a year ago, with an 0-16 season in 2017 preceded by 1-15 in 2016. A surprising turnaround in 2018 has them on the brink of escaping — but as their coach would say they haven’t won anything yet, including a path out of the bottom dozen franchises in the league. While all indications are that the Browns have the players to turn things around (starting with Baker Mayfield, who may end up with a full mantle of MVP trophies), an unproven coach was hired in January, and ownership that has proven to be far too meddlesome remains. So before penciling the Browns in for a division title or a Super Bowl berth, the first step is to have the kind of season that will get them to be considered to be in the upper half of a 32-team league. Here’s hoping they do. With the 187th pick in the sixth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select wide receiver, Juwann Winfree" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteMile High Reporta Denver Broncos communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsBroncosOddsShopAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Broncos NewsBroncos 2019 Draft ClassBroncos PodcastsBroncos 2019 ScheduleKey Offseason DatesCommunity RulesFull ArchiveBroncos StoriesScheduleRosterStatsOdds Shop About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Filed under:Denver Broncos 2019 DraftDenver Broncos select Colorado wide receiver, Juwann Winfree in the sixth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft New,98commentsWith the 187th pick in the sixth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select wide receiver, Juwann Winfree Denver Broncos select Colorado wide receiver, Juwann Winfree in the sixth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty ImagesLooks like Denver’s draft is now officially over. The Broncos traded their sixth-round pick along with their remaining seventh-rounder to move up to #187, selecting wide receiver Juwann Winfree.Local Colorado prospect, Winfree, has good size at 6’1” 210lbs and will add more athleticism and competition to Denver’s wide receiver group.

The Patriots announced the signing of receiver Cameron Meredith. The NFL’s official transactions wire brought news that the team placed Meredith on the physically unable to perform list.The Patriots have no plans to rush Meredith back on the field Aaron Lynch Jersey , working on strengthening Meredith’s knee and increasing his flexibility first, Michael Giardi of the NFL reports.The Bears signed Meredith as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois State in 2015, and he became their No. 1 receiver a year later with 66 catches for 888 yards and four touchdowns.Meredith, 26, missed the entire 2017 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.He signed with the Saints but played only 126 offensive snaps and three on special teams in six games last season. Meredith finished last season on injured reserve after he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.The Saints cut him this week. The Combine is over, now it’s full-steam ahead into free agency for the Bears and the NFL"BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!BEARRRSSSS AND COMBINE NEWS2019 NFL Scouting Combine: DL winners, losers from Sunday - Here are the winners and losers from the interior defensive line position in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.2019 NFL Scouting Combine: EDGE winners, losers from Sunday - Here are the winners and losers from the edge rusher group in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.Chalk Talk: How many kickers have Bears drafted? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses kickers the Bears have drafted, if the Bears are looking for different characteristics in draft prospects to fit Chuck Pagano’s defense and top tight ends in the draft.Medina: The Bears Met With Every Place-Kicker Prospect at the Combine Because Duh! - Bleacher Nation - Matt Gay, Austin Seibert, and Cole Tracy ... come on down!Arhar: 2019 Combine - How do the defensive linemen measure up? - Our Turf Football - OTFB's Kate Arhar recaps the top performers at Defensive lineman, Edge rusher and Linebacker from the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.Arhar: 2019 NFL Combine - QBs https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/James-Daniels-Jersey , WOs and TEs - Our Turf Football - Kate Arhar, OTFB's reporter at the Combine, gives her take on the top quarterbacks, wideouts and tight ends.Arhar: 2019 NFL Combine - EDGE Rushers - Our Turf Football - OTFB is at the NFL Combine! Our Kate Arhar talks about three EDGE rusher prospects she spoke with.2019 NFL Combine results: Running back winners, losers - Pride Of Detroit - A look at the best and worst performances from the RBs at the NFL Combine.2019 NFL Combine results: Offensive line winners, losers - Pride Of Detroit - The offensive linemen all completed their Combine, but some helped their stock a lot more than others.NFL Combine 2019: Sweat, Burns perform well, could intrigue Packers - Acme Packing Company - A freak show broke out at the combine as some of the top linebackers in the draft absolutely lit up the athletic testing, giving the Packers a host of excellent options.Montez Sweat sets modern record for fastest 40 by D-lineman - NFL.com - Montez Sweat set a modern record for fastest 40-yard dash by a defensive lineman, clocking a 4.41 at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday.Quinnen Williams one of fastest 300-pounders in combine history - NFL.com - At 6-foot-3 and303 pounds Quinnen Williams wowed with the speed he displayed at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, making his case to be the 2019 NFL Draft's top pick.Morrissey: Let's take the 'foot' out of football and ban kickers! - Sun Times - Kicking doesn’t belong. It’s radically different from the game everybody else is playing. It’s not football, just as spitting seeds isn't baseball.Biggs: For the 1st time in a long time, the Bears won't be major players in free agency. And that's a good thing. - Chicago Tribune - For the first time in a long time Tarik Cohen Color Rush Jersey , the Bears won't be major players in free agency. And that's a good thing. The team still can make some important moves, and getting a nickel cornerback tops the list. Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos could return.Letizia: 2019 NFL Combine Tracker - Chicago Audible Blog - A comprehensive spreadsheet of all the measurements from the 2019 NFL Combine including which players the Chicago Bears have met with.Mullin: Some of the best Bears insights and info from the NFL Combine - NBC Sports Chicago - A look at some of the best Bears insights and info from the NFL Combine around the Indy hotel lobbies, coffee kiosks, restaurants and pubs.Cox: Freak athlete WR draws comparisons to Kevin White at NFL Combine - NBC Sports Chicago - In 2015, West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White shot up to a top 10 pick after running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash. This year, another wide receiver prospect is making a similar ascension.Knox: Howard Listed One Of Every NFL Team’s Toughest Contract Decision This Offseason - Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights - Navigating theNFL offseason is a difficult challenge for team decision-makers. Not only must teams evaluate potential draft targets and free-agent options, but they also have to evaluate players already on the roster...Eurich: The free agency market value for Bryan Witzmann - 247Sports - Bryan Witzmann was a midseason addition to the Chicago Bears in 2018 and it did not take him very long to get on the field. He first began splitting time with Eric Kush when Kyle Long went down with an injury before taking over as the starter. He had previous experience in the system having played under Bears head coach Matt Nagy while with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2017 season.Perez: Bears doing due diligence on kickers at 2019 NFL combine - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears met with all of the kickers who attended the 2019 NFL combine as they attempt to replace Cody Parkey.NFL Combine results: Winners, losers from WRs/TEs on bench press, 40-yard dash and more - SBNation.com - Which wideout will cement his spot in the first round of the draft with a blazing 40 time Saturday?NFL Combine results: Winners, losers from QBs on bench press, 40-yard dash and more - SBNation.com - Kyler Murray plans to sit out drills Saturday, but that still leaves Dwayne Haskins and plenty of other quarterbacks vying for the NFL Combine spotlight.NFL Scouting Combine 2019: The 5 most impressive offensive linemen - SBNation.com - Jonah Williams isn’t T-Rex, Garrett Bradbury is on the rise Dion Sims Jersey , and remember the name Dalton Risner.NFL Combine results: 5 winners, 2 losers from RBs on bench press, 40-yard dash, and more - SBNation.com - A deep class of talented backs will try to leave their mark on Indianapolis.2019 NFL mock draft: 3 rounds shows how deep the rookie class is - SBNation.com - Get ready for the NFL Scouting Combine by knowing these deeper prospects.POLISH SAUSAGE8 NFL players who turned monster combine performances into star careers - SBNation.com - J.J. Watt, Jevon Kearse, and Calvin Johnson all showcased their huge potential at the NFL Combine.NFL Combine punters rank objects by how far they could punt them - SBNation.com - The NFL’s newest punters debate the puntability of a wide array of items.The 2019 NFL franchise tag, explained in a quick and easy guide - SBNation.com - Here are the basics this year, from which players are candidates to get the franchise tag to the key dates to know.6 NFL teams that could make a trade with Cardinals for QB Josh Rosen - SBNation.com - If Kliff Kingsbury really thinks Kyler Murray is so great, he can have him — but first the Cardinals would have to do something about Rosen.KNOW THY ENEMYLions head coach Matt Patricia gives ‘generous’ check to Rich Eisen’s St. Jude charity - Pride Of Detroit - Good for coach. Ken’s Note: Agreed. Classy, good on you coach!IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRONInfante’s 2019 NFL Combine: Breaking down Day 2 of quarterbacks, wide receivers, tight ends - Windy City Gridiron - How did some of the draft’s best offensive weapons do in the second day of combine workouts?Mitchell: AAF Week Four - Windy City Gridiron - Three weekends are in the books, Bears fans, are you watching? You can see the Saturday early game onlineMitchell: Jay Rodgers Named 2018 NFL Defensive Line Coach Of The Year - Windy City Gridiron - Bears defensive line guru is recognized by his peers as the best in the NFL in 2018...WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Jim-Mcmahon-Jersey , Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert ZeglinskiTHE RULESWindy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. 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While the Panthers wanted to find someone to complement star running back Christian McCaffrey Curtis Samuel Color Rush Jersey , this was another questionable pick by the Panthers’ brass." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteCat Scratch Readera Carolina Panthers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsAboutPanthersOddsShopStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomFiled under:Panthers 2019 NFL DraftThe Carolina Panthers hope Jordan Scarlett can be quality depth behind Christian McCaffreyNew,20commentsWhile the Panthers wanted to find someone to complement star running back Christian McCaffrey, this was another questionable pick by the Panthers’ brass.EDTShareTweetShareShareThe Carolina Panthers hope Jordan Scarlett can be quality depth behind Christian McCaffreyBrian Spurlock-USA TODAY SportsI wasn’t crazy about this pick at the outset for a couple reasons. First off I don’t see running back as a position of need. I like the current depth of Christian McCaffrey, Cameron-Artis Payne and Elijah Hood. Mainly because it’s 99% McCaffrey toting the rock, but still. My second issue was I had heard nothing of Scarlett being even a decent prospect. After a little research of draft profiles it would appear there is good reason for that. I have yet to find anyone listing Scarlett as more than a seventh round selection. Most projected him to to go undrafted. Here’s a look at Scarlett’s combine profile on NFL.com.Before I go any further I feel it is only fair to let you watch some highlights first. I admit that I first watched his highlights before reading any of the profiles. My initial thought is he reminded me of former Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart with the way he runs with violence and his legs are always churning. So even though I didn’t like the pick as first, I found his highlight plays encouraging. He’s a tough runner who is very strong but has impressive speed as well. I then turned to the profiles and after reading a few I am again wondering how this pick makes sense.Here’s one of the better Daeshon Hall Jersey , more comprehensive reviews.The common theme across the reviews is he runs with authority, has decent speed and has the proverbial non-stop motor. He might be serviceable in pass protection but he is no threat catching the ball out of the backfield. The rest of his skill set is pretty average. More resources His combine work out The dude has the biceps and the thighs for the NFL, that is no doubt. There is no doubting his athleticism. Scarlett gives a pretty good interview as well. So while I always have hope every draft pick will develop into an all pro, I’m keeping the bar much lower. Where he fits on the Panthers rosterScarlett has a decent change of making the roster as a third or fourth running back depending on his ability to fill a special teams role. He could certainly beat out Hood and Reggie Bonnafon and maybe even Cameron-Artis Payne. Let’s also not forget the Panthers brought in former Georgia Bulldog Elijah Holyfield as an undrafted free agent. The Panthers need to rebuild their pass rush, and their selection of Flordia State edge rusher Brian Burns is the first step in that process."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomPanthers 2019 NFL DraftThe Carolina Panthers got a steal by taking Brian Burns No. 16 overall in the NFL DraftNew,39commentsThe Panthers need to rebuild their pass rush Trai Turner Color Rush Jersey , and their selection of Flordia State edge rusher Brian Burns is the first step in that process.EDTShareTweetShareShareThe Carolina Panthers got a steal by taking Brian Burns No. 16 overall in the NFL DraftChristopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY SportsLast night wrapped up the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. For the No. 16 overall pick, the Carolina Panthers picked edge rusher Brian Burns out of Florida State. I think this was the best choice Marty Hurney could’ve made. While protecting franchise quarterback Cam Newton is still a top priority, the pass rush was the biggest blemish in 2018 (and has been for several seasons). In a class full of promising edge rushers, Burns was one that stood out. Experts may knock on his thin frame, but he proved he could add the pounds by weighing in at 249 lbs. for the NFL Combine (he reportedly played at 235 during the 2018 season). He has also since put on more weight leading up to the draft. Burns not only has speed and flexibility, but he’s explosive and is quick to get off the jump. Ron Rivera has hinted at a 3-4 defensive scheme for next season. Even better for Rivera is that Burns is capable at playing outside linebacker and end. His versatility and hand placement makes him ideal for the transition. While Burns isn’t not perfect with his hand usage and pass-rush moves Taylor Moton Jersey , these are things that can easily be coached. Overall, I think the Panthers got a major steal when Burns fell in the draft.

This early prediction shuts the Cowboys out of the comp pick formula."We passed an important deadline this Tuesday https://www.dallascowboysfanshop.com/Sean-Lee-Jersey , one that NFL teams have been waiting for.If clubs sign free agents at this point in the offseason the moves do not impact the compensatory pick formula for next offseason. Nobody wants to put themselves in a position where they can’t receive as many picks as possible, that’s good practice.The Dallas Cowboys were awarded a fourth-round compensatory pick during this most recent draft thanks to Anthony Hitchens joining the Kansas City Chiefs a year ago. We know that Stephen Jones and the rest of the front office value their comp picks and don’t like to do anything that would inhibit them receiving any. Unfortunately, the exact formula for how the league determines comp picks is kept behind some steel vault somewhere (I once visited the Coca-Cola museum and they have a similar vault for their recipe), but it’s easy for experts to take stabs at. The general idea is that if you lose free agents to big contracts you’re likely to land one, but you decrease your chances yourself if you sign your own large contracts.The Cowboys aren’t expected to get any comp picks next offseasonEarlier this week NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein took a look at next offseason and did his best to project which teams would be receiving compensatory picks and exactly how many they would get. It truly is impossible to know but we can have a solid idea.The Cowboys lost some guys like Cole Beasley and Geoff Swaim, and of course brought in players like Randall Cobb and George Iloka. Ultimately they really didn’t swing the pendulum one way or the other, and if you buy Zierlein’s projection then you might as well get used to the number of picks that the Cowboys already have.He projects them not to earn a compensatory pick in 2020. Womp womp.While the good guys aren’t expected to receive any comp picks next offseason, unfortunately their division rivals are. Zierlein has each of the Cowboys’ division rivals earning two compensatory picks in varying rounds.New York Giants: third-rounder, seventh-rounderPhiladelphia Eagles: third-rounder, fourth-rounderWashington Redskins: fourth-rounder, sixth-rounderIt’s never nice to see any non-Cowboys NFC East team pick up any more picks, but again none of this is a guarantee. Hopefully Dallas is able to use their already-in-place draft picks next offseason to continue to build on their impressive roster.We do know one thing Tyron Smith Jersey , their first pick will be 32nd overall. Right?! The Dallas Cowboys don’t have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft, but that doesn’t mean the team can’t grab some great players. When 57 players are off the board before they even get their first selection, it’s going to be tricky figuring out who might be available when they are on the clock. One thing that helps is mapping out the landscape of the draft as draft experts start trying to get a feel for when players are selected. Correctly assessing this allows teams to plan accordingly. Maybe an organization decides to move up or down because of where a player they love is likely to fall. Teams may pass on a player at some position because they feel there are other quality options in later rounds. All these things come into play and it certainly helps to know which rounds are rich or lean with talent at certain positions.Recently, senior NFL draft analyst for the The Draft Network, Trevor Sikkema, projected the “sweet spots” for each position in the upcoming draft. Of course, this is just one person’s assessment, but let’s take a look and see what it would mean for the Cowboys approach to the draft.FIRST ROUNDThe Cowboys don’t have a pick on Day 1, but let’s see what type of players they’ll miss out on. There are some really good pass rushers atop this draft class. Players like Nick Bosa (Ohio State), Rashan Gary (Michigan), and Josh Allen (Kentucky) all could go top 10. The Cowboys already have an elite pass rusher in DeMarcus Lawrence. They just have to give him a truckload of money to secure his services.The best shot at a good linebacker is also included in the first round. Devin White (LSU), Mack Wilson (Alabama) Jason Witten Color Rush Jersey , and Devin Bush (Michigan) are expected to go early in the draft. The Cowboys used a first-round pick last year to select Leighton Vander Esch and that worked out great. The team will not be hurt by missing out on this bubble of linebacker talent.As is usually the case, quarterbacks will be a popular choice in round one. Players like Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State), Kyle Murray (Oklahoma), Drew Lock (Missouri), and Daniel Jones (Duke) could all go in the first round. Having that all important fifth-year option adds to their value and can move some second-rounders into Day 1 picks. The Cowboys have their quarterback already in Dak Prescott. Some may still have their reservations, but he’s put together two Pro Bowl seasons in his first three years.There are also a lot of talented offensive tackles projected to go in the first round. While the Cowboys are in search of a swing tackle, they still have Tyron Smith and La’el Collins under contract and are firmly established as starters. They can still look for depth at the position, but they can live without one of the top tackles in the draft.So far, so good for Dallas. They aren’t missing out on any key positions, but unfortunately, if you were hoping for a good collegiate safety - it’s not looking good. There are four good ones - Nasir Adderly (Delaware), Deionte Thompson (Alabama) https://www.dallascowboysfanshop.com/Demarcus-Lawrence-Jersey , Taylor Rapp (Washington), and Chancey Gardner (Florida) that are all expected to fall in the first round area of the draft. Things drop off considerably by the time pick 58 rolls around so don’t hold your breath for a star caliber safety that is better than what the Cowboys already have.SECOND ROUNDThere are two really good positions rich in talent for the second round - tight end and cornerback. A few days ago, we touched on how a deep tight end class could land the Cowboys a talented player in the second round. Players like Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama), Caleb Wilson (UCLA), and Kaden Smith (Stanford) would be great adds for the Cowboys.The talent pool of cornerbacks start to take off in the second round. Similar to the 2017 draft, this position group appears to have a slew of players who will be targeted on Day 2. The Cowboys capitalized on the landscape that year as they grabbed two of them - Chidobe Awuze (Rd 2) and Jourdan Lewis (Rd 3). Cornerback may not be at the top of their “need” list, but the talent at this point in the draft could cause them to go after one.LATE SECOND/EARLY THIRDThere are some really good skill positions expected to be available during this part of the draft. There is no Saquon Barkley in this year’s crop of running backs and most of them will start going after Day 1.Darrell Henderson (Memphis), Miles Sanders (Penn State), Devin Singletary (Florida Atlantic), and Rodney Anderson (Oklahoma) are some good second-round options. Even the classes top running back, Josh Jacobs (Alabama) is projected to fall very late in the first round. The Cowboys already have Ezekiel Elliott and won’t likely be looking for his backup until later rounds, but this is where the talent lies.There are some good wide receiver choices on Day 2. Hakeem Butler (Iowa State) Ibraheim Campbell Jersey , J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (Stanford), A.J. Brown (Ole Miss), Marquise Brown (Oklahoma), N’Keal Harry (Arizona State) and Riley Ridley (Georgia) are all players who could go in this area of the draft. The Cowboys wide receiver group is still in limbo considering we don’t know what is going to happen with Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns, Terrance Williams, and Tavon Austin. If they are looking for receivers that can step in and pay immediate dividends, there are some great choices on Day 2.THIRD ROUNDThe talent in the interior trenches can be found in the third round on both sides of the ball. There are several quality guards projected in this area of the draft. Ben Powers (Oklahoma), Elgton Jenkins (Mississippi State), and Erik McCoy (Texas A&M) are some great value picks in the third round. Sikkema explains that the lack of talent at guard in the front of the draft could cause teams to reach for players resulting a possible run on the position. If that happens, it can deplete the guard options in later rounds.The defensive tackle position is deep all across the draft. There are great options early and there are great options late. Sikkema has Daniel Wise (Kansas), Daylon Mack (Texas A&M) Allen Hurns Color Rush Jersey , Khalen Saunders (Western Illinois), Renell Wren (Arizona State), and Kevin Wilkins (Rutgers) as potential third-round picks.It’s way early, but if we had to start making a guess as to what positions get the most pre-draft visits, look for a lot of names at tight ends (Rd 2), cornerbacks (Rd 2), wide receivers (Rd 2/3), and defensive tackles (Rd 2/3) at these sections of the draft.

The Denver Broncos reeled off big run after big run against the soft underbelly of the Kansas City Chiefs defense.Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman ran roughshod over the Chiefs. Each scored a touchdown and Freeman eluded seven defenders and dragged a linebacker into the end zone on his 14-yard score.“We ran the ball well https://www.broncosfanstore.com/hoodie ,” Broncos quarterback Case Keenum said. “We started off so many series just pounding the rock at second-and-1, first-and-10. Even with some loaded boxes that K.C. brought, our offensive line played really well.“We’ve got to keep running the ball well. If we keep running the ball like we do, we’re going to win a lot of games.”Nobody could stop Lindsay and Freeman Monday night — except Broncos offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, who abandoned his great ground game at key moments in the Broncos’ 27-23 loss .That included a three-and-out series in which the Broncos lined up in three-receiver sets three times in between the Chiefs’ final two drives, both of which ended in touchdowns as Patrick Mahomes rallied the Chiefs (4-0) back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit.Lindsay ran for 69 yards on a dozen carries for a 5.8-yard average and Freeman ran for 67 yards on just eight hand-offs, a whopping 8.4-yard average.Lindsay’s long run was 19 yards and both Freeman and speedy wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders reeled off 18-yard runs.“They ran downhill, but you score points by throwing the football,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. “We ran the ball to control the game, but you throw the ball to score.”Clinging to a 23-20 lead, the Broncos didn’t burn enough clock to keep Mahomes on the sideline and give Denver’s exhausted defense enough of a breather.After a run for no gain, a catch for no gain and a sack, Marquette King shanked a 35-yard punt that gave the Chiefs the ball at midfield for their game-winning drive.The Chiefs ran well themselves Karl Mecklenburg Color Rush Jersey , with Kareem Hunt leading the way with 121 yards on 19 carries.“It was a big game,” Hunt said. “We’ve been up big on everyone we’ve played so far. It’s good to see where we’re at mentally and be able to fight back and come back in the fourth quarter down 10 points. That shows a team that’s not going to give up.”Other takeaways from the Chiefs’ sixth straight victory over the Broncos:MAGIC MAHOMESPatrick Mahomes threw for 304 yards and a touchdown, a 2-yarder to tight end Travis Kelce that sparked the fourth-quarter comeback. That gave him 14 TDs and zero interceptions through the first month of the season.But the play everyone was talking was his 6-yard strike to Tyreek Hill with his left hand while getting pulled down by Von Miller .“I didn’t think about it at all,” Mahomes said. “I was just kind of scrambling left, I felt Von on my back and I knew I couldn’t throw it with my right hand. I knew we needed the first down, so I kind of shot-putted it to Tyreek. … You just have to get the ball in their hand somehow.”“It caught me off-guard,” Hill said. “I’ve never seen a quarterback who is right-handed throw the ball left-handed.”Said Hunt: “I thought, is this dude a magician or something? He is doing things that you don’t see often.”Or ever, suggested Chiefs safety Eric Murray.“That one is new,” Murray said. “I’m glad we all got to see it.”Miller didn’t see it.He was wrapped around Mahomes’ ankles trying to bring down the second-year star.“I didn’t know he threw it with his left hand,” Miller conceded.Neither did linebacker Shane Ray.“I didn’t see the hand switch,” Ray said. “I heard about it.”Along with everyone else.KEENUM CONUNDRUMThrough one month, Case Keenum isn’t the same quarterback who led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC championship in January after injuries to Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater.So far https://www.broncosfanstore.com/Tom-Jackson-Jersey , Keenum has just three touchdown passes to go with six interceptions with the Broncos after throwing for 22 TDs and just seven interceptions.“We believe in Case and he’s shown he can win games late for us,” Joseph said.Keenum nearly pulled off his third fourth-quarter comeback for the Broncos but he overthrew a wide-open Demaryius Thomas streaking down the Chiefs sideline with 16 seconds left from the K.C. 28.“It was close,” Keenum said. “I want to watch it on film. But it felt really close. There’s a few, especially those types of plays that I lose a little sleep over, thinking about it, laying at night in bed. It’s a tough one, it stings.”KING’S STINGThe Broncos brought in a practice squad punter to push King last week but he continued his disappointing first season in Denver by averaging just 41 yards on three punts with a paltry net of 28.7.His 35-yard duck gave the Chiefs the ball at their 40 with 4 1/2 minutes left.“He’s got to perform better,” Joseph said. “We’re at home and it’s his job to flip the field. It ain’t happening.”<div class=”stanzacal” data-width=”100%” data-height=”250px” ></div> <script src=”https://dff2h0hbfv6w4.cloudfront.net/scr...stanzacal-v1.js” type=”text/javascript”></script> For the first time in his life, Demaryius Thomas celebrated Brandon McManus missing a field goal.Thomas won his hasty homecoming Sunday when his ex-teammate’s windless 51-yard attempt drifted wide right, allowing the Houston Texans to escape Denver with 19-17 win .“We wanted him to walk out there as a captain and we wanted him to walk off the field as a winner,” J.J. Watt said of Thomas, whom the Texans (6-3) acquired five days earlier from the Broncos (3-6).Only, Thomas lost the coin flip and didn’t exactly walk off the field a winner — he sprinted.“I think that’s the fastest I ran all day Dennis Smith Jersey ,” Thomas said. “I ran inside. We got that W.”DeShaun Watson targeted Thomas three times and Thomas caught all three for 61 yards, including back-to-back grabs for 31 and 18 yards on Houston’s opening touchdown drive.But he stood to be the goat after a series of fourth-quarter follies that including a false start, lining up in the wrong spot — even having to run over and ask Watson what to do — and having to burn a timeout.“I messed up a couple of times and I felt like it would have been on me if we didn’t get that W,” Thomas said.“He was hearing one thing and doing the opposite,” Watson said. “I had to make sure he was on the same page as me. He did a good job. Some things we are going to fix.”The Texans joined the 1970 New York Giants as the only teams since the merger to win six straight following an 0-3 start.McMANUS’ MISSESMcManus’ second miss of the game came after Case Keenum completed an 18-yard pass between two defenders to Emmanuel Sanders on fourth-and-8 from the Denver 45-yard line with under a minute left.“Terrible kicks,” McManus said. “Even the 62-yarder, it was terrible.”Broncos coach Vance Joseph blamed himself for the first miss, saying he got greedy. It backfired when the Texans got the ball in Broncos territory and 18 seconds left in the first half and Ka’imi Fairbairn nailed a 46-yard do-over for a 16-10 Houston halftime lead after his errant attempt was wiped away because Joseph had called timeout to ice him.Joseph said he didn’t try to get closer for McManus’ game-winning attempt because the Broncos had already reached their “line to go” inside the 35.“I was totally confident in Brandon,” Miller said. “From 62 and 51, my money’s on Brandon. He’s our sniper. He’s our brother. It’s one of the hardest positions in pro sports. Sometimes you just can’t put it through the uprights.”Said Keenum: “I knew Brandon was going to make it and I still know he’s going to make it when we give him that chance again. I think he’s the best kicker in the league.”Keenum threw a 5-yard pass to tight end Jeff Heuerman, who had a career-best 10 catches for 83 yards and then running back Phillip Lindsay lost a yard, leaving McManus with a 51-yard attempt.After the Broncos took a 17-16 lead on Keenum’s 12-yard dart to Heuerman between two defenders, Fairbairn put the Texans back ahead with a 37-yard field goal with 14:06 remaining.It turned out to be the game-winner when McManus missed again.“Seeing the kick go wide right was a breath of fresh air Terrell Davis Color Rush Jersey ,” Texans safety Tyrann Mathieu said.Particularly for Thomas.THOMAS TRIBUTEThomas had started all 114 games for the Broncos since Jan. 8, 2012, when he caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Tim Tebow on the first snap of overtime to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23.This time, he drew loud ovations when he emerged from the tunnel for pregame stretch and again during a video tribute after “The Star-Spangled Banner.”Outside the stadium, the Broncos put up a giant “Thank you, D.T.” banner at the bottom of a 10-story-high image of Thomas next to one of Von Miller, who said last week it was “super weird” not having Thomas as a teammate anymore.After Thomas lost the coin toss, Denver deferred and Thomas went right to work, catching consecutive passes covering 31 and 18 yards as the Texans took a quick 7-0 lead on Watson’s 7-yard TD pass to tight end Jordan Thomas .Watson’s 36th career TD throw was a 16-yarder to DeAndre Hopkins that put Houston ahead 13-3. The only other quarterbacks in NFL history to have 35 or more TD passes in their first 16 NFL games were Hall of Famers Kurt Warner and Dan Marino.INJURY REPORTTexans: OLB Duke Ejiofor left in the first half with a shoulder injury.Broncos: Center Matt Paradis broke his right fibula when Keenum rolled up on him just before halftime. Paradis had never missed a snap in his four-year career and appeared in line for a contract extension with the money the Broncos saved by trading Thomas.“It’s a huge loss,” Joseph said, “losing one of our captains and a guy who’s played a lot of football for us.”UP NEXTTexans: Travel to Washington on Nov. 18 after a bye.Broncos: Visit Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 18 after a bye.

LAKE FOREST Riley Ridley Jersey Limited , Ill. (AP) — Clinch the NFC North championship and beat a heated rival to do it? The Chicago Bears couldn’t have asked for a sweeter scenario.That’s exactly the opportunity they’re staring at when they host Aaron Rodgers and the fading Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon.“It would be very exciting,” quarterback Mitchell Trubisky said. “We know this is a big week for us, and a lot comes with it.”Article continues below ...With six wins in the past seven games, the division championship and a playoff spot are just about in hand.A win over the Packers (5-7-1) would clinch the North for the Bears (9-4). So would a loss by Minnesota to Miami. And ties by both the Bears and the Vikings would do the trick, too.Even if they don’t clinch the division, they could still secure a playoff spot on Sunday. In that case, a tie against Green Bay — or a tie or loss by Washington against Jacksonville — would send Chicago to the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 team won the NFC North.Of course Mark Sanchez Jersey , with a victory comes this added bonus: beating Green Bay. It would also give the Bears a measure of revenge for that season-opening gut punch at Lambeau Field, when Rodgers got carted off the field with a left knee injury and came back to lead the Packers from 20 down to a 24-23 victory.“It’s a special moment in my career,” Rodgers said. “It is the Bears, and the injury I was dealing with and the pain and 20-0 and coming back and winning that game. It seems a long time ago, standing here in Week 15, but that was a good moment for us. It’s a better moment when you parlay those into big-time winning seasons and championship runs, but it was a special moment for sure.”The teams’ fortunes sure have changed since.The Bears have emerged as a force in the NFC in their first season under coach Matt Nagy after four straight last-place finishes. The Packers fired Mike McCarthy in his 13th season two weeks ago and made offensive coordinator Joe Philbin the interim head coach Cheap Kendall Wright Jersey , hoping to jolt a team in danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight year.The Packers won his debut , beating the Atlanta Falcons 34-20. The Bears beat the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams 15-6 last week, with their defense squashing one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses.Here are some things to know with Chicago on the verge of securing a playoff spot and Green Bay’s hopes fading:STREAK VS. STRENGTHIt’s a case of a streak vs. strength when Rodgers faces Chicago’s turnover-happy defense. The Bears are first in the NFL in turnover margin at plus-13. Rodgers hasn’t thrown a pick since Week 4, when his pass over the middle for Jimmy Graham was deflected twice before being intercepted by Bills safety Jordan Poyer on second-and-4 from the Packers 49. It’s the only interception this season for Rodgers. Since then he’s had 368 straight attempts without an interception to set an NFL record.“Yeah, you know hopefully it stays that way,” Philbin said as he knocked on a wooden podium for good luck. The Packers are plus-2 in turnover margin, tied for 14th in the league.ROAD WOESWith an 0-6 road record and eight straight losses dating to last season Cheap Khalil Mack Jersey , the Packers sure have experienced difficulties away from Lambeau Field. That’s something they hope to change against Chicago.The Packers have won nine of the past 10 meetings overall. They also have an eight-game winning streak at Soldier Field, counting the postseason.COMFORT AT HOMEWhile the Packers have struggled on the road, the Bears are 6-1 at Soldier Field.That gives them their highest win total at home since going 6-2 in 2008. And if they beat Green Bay, the Bears would finish 7-1 at home for the first time since 2005.Also, Nagy’s nine victories are the most by a coach in his first season with the Bears since Paddy Driscoll led the 1956 team to a 9-2-1 mark.TURNOVER TIMESpeaking of turnovers, the Packers’ defense has been hit or miss when it comes to takeaways. Cornerback Bashaud Breeland accounted for both of Green Bay’s takeaways last week with an interception return for a touchdown and fumble recovery, though the latter came on a botched shotgun snap. Still Kevin White Color Rush Jersey , the win over the Falcons ended a two-week stretch without a takeaway.OFFENSIVE OUTPUTThe Bears would certainly welcome a better showing from Trubisky. He struggled against Los Angeles after missing back-to-back games because of a right shoulder injury, with a season-high three interceptions and a 33.3 rating that was his lowest of the year.One positive for the Bears’ offense: Jordan Howard running for a season-high 101 yards. Those in Chicago know the value of the long snapper: by far one of the most important positions in football. A slot on any team roster that almost comes close to the same value as a franchise quarterback. I say almost because quarterbacks don’t share the same pressure that the man in the special teams middle does. So it’s now fully appropriate that the greatest long snapper of all-time in Bears legend Patrick Mannelly has created an award to honor the best collegiate long snapper. No one quite understands the components and inherent value of a long snapper like Mannelly: who played 16 years for the Bears, and was robbed of a Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and MVP selection in most of those seasons. The deserved future Hall of Famer is making waves to make up for it for those that aren’t in the spotlight, but should be. “Long snappers are the ultimate anonymous and unsung heroes of football,” Mannelly said to lead off his announcement of one of the most prestigious awards in college football. “No successful field goal Aaron Lynch Jersey , extra point, or punt can take place without an excellent long snap that gets it all started.”The award founded by Mannelly, Kevin Gold, and Chris Rubio aims to shine a light on these unnoticed but essential components of football. It’s high time we recognize the sport’s most valuable player as such. The only shame is that the big boys in the NFL haven’t yet followed the collegiate ranks’ high class example. Robert is the Editor-in-chief of The Blitz Network, the managing editor of Windy City Gridiron, and has a host of bylines for many fine publications. You can follow him on Twitter @RobertZeglinski.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Carolina Panthers fell behind early and never recovered.Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense used an early surge and a first-quarter defensive touchdown to jump out to a big lead as the Steelers pounded the Panthers 52-21 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victory.“I tell you what C.J. Anderson Jersey , it sure enough was a humbling piece of pie,” Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said. “It was a learning experience for a lot of guys. If we are as good as we expect us to be, we have to find a way to win games in a hostile environment.”The Panthers (6-3) saw their three-game winning streak come to an abrupt halt in a city where they’ve never won. Carolina fell to 0-4 all-time in Pittsburgh and was never really in it after the Steelers scored 21 points in the game’s first 11 minutes.“We had a lot of our noses bleeding early on and we just have to stop it,” Newton said. “We need to find ways to keep things going in our favor. We just got outplayed today.”Newton’s showdown with Roethlisberger also never materialized.Roethlisberger finished 22 of 25 passes for 328 yards with five touchdowns and a perfect 158.3 passer rating. The Steelers, who punted for the first time with 9:34 to play, were 8 of 9 on third down with Roethlisberger in the game.Newton completed 23 of 29 passes for 193 yards and a pair of flips to Christian McCaffrey that the second-year running back turned into scores.The Steelers sacked Newton five times and rarely let him get comfortable as the Panthers’ offensive line struggled against the pass rush. Entering Thursday’s game Russell Color Rush Shepard Jersey , Carolina allowed just 12 sacks, second-fewest through eight games in franchise history.The biggest rush came on the 11th snap of the game when Newton threw off his back foot out of the Carolina end zone while trying to avoid getting sacked. Pittsburgh linebacker Vince Williams raced under the floater and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown to give the Steelers a 14-7 lead they never came close to relinquishing.“I was just trying to throw the ball away,” Newton said. “When you’re getting slung around, you can’t really control the accuracy. I hit the ground, I looked up and it was an interception.”The Panthers scored 99 points in their last nine quarters entering Thursday’s game. That included a franchise-record 35 first-half point outburst during a 14-point win against Tampa Bay last week.MCaffrey finished with 138 yards of total offense and accounted for all three Carolina scores, but it wasn’t nearly enough.“This league is hard Jordan Scarlett Jersey , this league will humble you real fast,” Carolina TE Greg Olsen said. “Hopefully, that’s the lesson we get out of tonight. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We found out tonight that we have some work to do to be in that upper echelon right now.”The Steelers’ 52 points are tied for the most ever allowed by the Panthers in franchise history. The last time it happened came during a 52-9 loss, Dec. 24, 2000, against Oakland.The Steelers https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Christian-Miller-Jersey , who scored on seven of their first eight drives, held a 17-point halftime lead and increased the advantage to 38-14 on the opening series of the second half.Roethlisberger’s fourth touchdown pass came two plays after Carolina safety Eric Reid was ejected for an unnecessary hit to the head while Roethlisberger slid for a first down.“It was a bang-bang play,” Reid said. “He was scrambling and I’m trying to do my job and tackle the person carrying the ball. I understand the NFL is trying to protect quarterbacks, but when they’re running the ball they’re running backs.”The hit sparked a brief fracas with members of the Steelers’ offensive line, but ended with Roethlisberger and Reid sharing a fist bump and a tap on the helmet after the play.“I told him that I didn’t intend to hurt him by any means,” Reid said. “I was just trying to do my job Will Grier Jersey , and he said “no hard feelings.”The Panthers plan to take the extended weekend to regroup for a road game at Detroit on Nov. 18. Carolina is 6-2 all-time against Detroit.“When you get put behind the eight ball that kind of deters you from the given game plan,” Newton said. “The guys in the locker room seem to have a grasp on what’s at stake. We know we’re capable of being a deep contender playoff team.” The Panthers will have a tough decision to make with the No. 16 pick on Thursday night." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteCat Scratch Readera Carolina Panthers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsAboutPanthersOddsShopStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomCarolina Panthers add to both lines in latest mock draft round-upNew,121commentsThe Panthers will have a tough decision to make with the No. 16 pick on Thursday night.EDTShareTweetShareShareCarolina Panthers add to both lines in latest mock draft round-upKim Klement-USA TODAY SportsThis time next weekend, the Carolina Panthers will have new additions to their roster. The real question is who will Ron Rivera decide to choose in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday? It’s been said for months that the most crucial points for the Panthers to address are the pass rush and the offensive line.In Dan Kadar’s latest mock draft for SB Nation, he has a standout offensive tackle pegged for the No. 16 pick for the Panthers. My takeWhether it’s an edge rusher or at pass protection, the Panthers’ can’t really go wrong if they choose to focus on one of those two areas. Taylor not only has size on his side https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Greg-Little-Jersey , but he’s also quick on his feet. He does what’s needed to keep opponents out of the pocket. While he needs work on the pass rush, he’ll have an instant impact. What others are sayingBen Standig with NBC Sports also agrees that the Panthers will focus on an offensive tackle, but will go after another prospect. Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports believes Carolina will address the issues on the other side of the ball. Walter Football disagrees with the Burns choice and predicts Matt Hurney will want a guard.Sporting News likes another tackle for the Panthers. What do you think, Panthers fans? Which pick do you like the most?

Well Zack Martin Jersey , that will about do it in the battle for first place in the NFC East.The Cowboys had somehow, some way found a way to hang around until late in the fourth quarter. They held Washington to field goals on goal-line stands after the home team reached the Dallas 3 and Dallas 7 in the second half.Washington held a precarious 13-10 lead when Dak Prescott fumbled at the Washington 1-yard line on a strip-sack by Ryan Kerrigan. Preston Smith picked it up and ran it in for the score that likely has iced the game with 4:55 remaining considering Dallas has gained only 209 yards.Washington leads 20-10.The Cowboys would not have even been in that situation if not for a holding call on rookie left guard Connor Williams, who has struggled all season. Williams had an obvious hold on Jonathan Allen, negating a 16-yard pass from Prescott to Cole Beasley to the Dallas 36.It has proved a rough day for the Cowboys offensive line, particularly Williams Deonte Thompson Color Rush Jersey , left tackle Tyron Smith and right tackle La'el Collins. The Cowboys have had three offensive holds thus far. Which pick was the best based on value and projected production?"Once an NFL draft is completed, it’s only natural to try and break it down. What needs did it fill? What (way-too-early) grade did it receive? There are many ways to evaluate it, and one of them is to decide which pick was the “best” pick. When we say that, we usually mean which pick has the best combination of value (where they were drafted) versus projected impact/production. So getting a three-year starting quarterback that has won two division titles and a playoff game in the fourth round would likely constitute the best pick of that draft. Dak Prescott would be that best pick from that 2016 draft under this formula, even though Ezekiel Elliott might be the best at his position in the league. Zeke was a first-round pick versus the value of Prescott being a fourth-round selection. In an article from yesterday https://www.dallascowboysfanshop.com/Sean-Lee-Jersey , Todd McShay made the case that Tony Pollard might end up being the guy who produces the biggest impact even though he was a fourth-round pick. The Cowboys brass is definitely hyped to have Pollard, so much so that an article from the mothership also speculates that Pollard might be the biggest pick from the draft. As we’ve previously discussed, it will be up to Kellen Moore to actually get Pollard involved in the offense to show what he can do. That’s not an easy task when you have Zeke.But there’s another player who the Cowboys think was a steal and that was third-round pick Connor McGovern. They had a second-round grade on him and we’re stunned when he was still available at pick 90. Our own DannyPhantom noted that adding a little extra help at the interior of the line was just in time. At SB Nation, draft guru Dan Kadar listed the A+ move for each franchise. His pick for the Cowboys?So, BTB Tyron Smith Jersey , over to you. Based on the value of the pick versus the impact/production you think they will add, which pick was the best for the Cowboys?

The Denver Broncos (2-3) dropped their third-straight game Case Keenum Color Rush Jersey , except this time they were not even really competitive. The New York Jets (2-3) ran roughshod over the Broncos defense and were able to pressure Case Keenum into maximum dink and dunk effort.After the loss, head coach Vance Joseph chose to keep upbeat on the 34-16 drubbing and focusing on the next game.“It’s not going to be difficult,” Joseph said of how hard it will be to keep the team motivated. “We’re not going to fall for the noise. We came into this game on a short week after an emotional loss on Monday. I told our guys, we can’t surrender to this — that’s what the public thinks, that’s what the perceptions are, but we have no excuses today. We played Monday night, it’s a Sunday game, we didn’t play good. We didn’t play good Jared Veldheer Jersey , and it showed up. That team wanted it more than our football team today, and it obviously showed. But we have no excuses. None.”Did the Jets players want it more? Possibly. Or maybe the Jets coaching staff put together a far superior game plan that took advantage of the many limitations in the Broncos defensive scheme and how little Keenum has attacked down field after the first game of the season.How much truth in reality Joseph’s statement has is yet to be seen, with Derek Wolfe already lamenting the last two years has having some deeper problems than just ‘playing harder’.Even so, what else can Joseph do other than to remain positive and try to get the team to bounce back to face the best team in the NFL in the Los Angeles Rams. The best team with Wade Phillips calling the defense. “I told them we have to bounce back,” Joseph said. “We can’t surrender to the noise out there. It’s early in the season — you see those scores today? No one in this league is perfect. A lot of good teams are losing games right now early. So we have plenty of time, we have a big game on Sunday that I feel really good about. So we are going to fly back home, watch the tape, we are going to coach and play better Connor McGovern Color Rush Jersey , and we’ll see on Sunday. We’ll see on Sunday.”Joseph has to know his tenure as the Broncos Head Coach is rapidly coming to an end with each defeat. He needs a signature win and he needs it now. DENVER (AP) — Philip Rivers doesn’t care that the Chargers must hit the road on wild-card weekend despite winning a dozen games, including a 23-9 nail-biter in Denver on Sunday in which he completed just 14 passes.Nor does he mind facing the Baltimore Ravens, who thumped the Chargers 22-10 last weekend in Los Angeles.The Chargers have won six straight on the road and went 7-1 away from home with their only road loss coming literally up the road to the Rams back in September.Article continues below ...For their first playoff appearance in five years, the Chargers will face a rejuvenated Ravens team that’s won six of seven under rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson and features the league’s No. 1 defense.“It’s a heck of a challenge,” Rivers said. “I don’t think there was a team that wasn’t going to be a heck of a challenge. … They’re all good. That team outplayed us last week and it will be a new game, new everything. We’ll see who can play the best this time.”Were it not for a last-second loss to the Broncos at home in November, the Chargers would have supplanted the Chiefs as the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs and earned a first-round bye.So, it turns out the Broncos (6-10) were the spoilers even though they lost again Sunday. That’s of no consolation to a franchise careening into another offseason of uncertainty after posting double-digit losses in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1966-67 https://www.broncosfanstore.com , an ignominy that could cost second-year coach Vance Joseph his job .“I want to come back and make this thing right,” said Joseph, who’s expected to meet with general manager John Elway on Monday morning to learn if he’ll get that opportunity.Joseph acknowledged an 11-21 record isn’t good enough by the Broncos’ standards, “but I think we’ve put a lot of work in. There’s a foundation that’s been laid here that should pay off in the future.”That bedrock, said defensive end Derek Wolfe, is a never-quit attitude that was on display again Sunday.“V.J., he’s one of my favorite people on this planet. I love that guy with all my heart and I’ve got a lot of respect for him,” Wolfe said Denver Broncos Customized Jerseys , adding that he’d hate to see the Broncos go in search of their fourth coach in six seasons.Rivers was just 14 of 24 for 176 yards and a touchdown and he threw two interceptions in the first quarter, something that’s happened just twice before in Rivers’ 15-year NFL career.“It’s not as good as we want to play, but again, I don’t see any pattern,” Rivers said of the offensive struggles in back-to-back games. “I really don’t buy into patterns or momentums in the games. It hasn’t been as good. I think you look at our collective body of work this year and it’s been good enough to win 12 games.”And the Broncos were bad enough to lose 10.They were done in mostly by their feeble offense that punted on its first drive for the ninth straight game and which managed a mere two touchdowns in its last 34 first-half drives, endangering offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave no matter who’s coaching the team in 2019.Denver’s offense accounted for just nine points — six on fullback Andy Janovich’s first career touchdown and a chip-shot field goal by Brandon McManus.Denver’s offense also accounted for nine points by the Chargers.After Janovich’s first career TD pulled Denver to 14-9 with 10 minutes remaining, cornerback Casey Hayward Jr. stepped in front of rookie receiver Courtland Sutton and picked off the 2-point conversion attempt. He slipped Suttons’ tackle at the goal line and raced 102 yards to give the Chargers a 16-9 lead.Then, Rivers had his only sustained drive Denver Broncos T-Shirts , capped by Austin Ekeler’s 1-yard TD run .Rivers’ only TD throw was a 3-yard toss to Mike Williams that made it 14-3 came after Joey Bosa’s fumble recovery at the Denver 16.The Chargers took a 7-3 halftime lead thanks to a defensive touchdown .Keenum hit Royce Freeman with a low screen that he didn’t secure. A hard hit by cornerback Desmond King II to a prone Freeman popped the ball loose, and linebacker Kyle Emmanuel scooped it up and ran 11 yards for a 7-0 lead the Chargers would never relinquish.ALL FOR NAUGHTRivers was intercepted twice in the first quarter for just the third time in his 15-year career. However, the Broncos failed to convert interceptions by rookie Isaac Yiadom and Will Parks into points.INJURIES:Chargers: LB Jatavis Brown injured his right ankle tackling Freeman on the final play of the first quarter.Broncos: RT Jared Veldheer (ribs), C Connor McGovern (ankle) and S Darian Stewart (shoulder) all went out in the second half.UP NEXT:Chargers: Head to Baltimore for wild-card weekend.Broncos: Embark on another offseason of change with big questions yet again at coach and QB.

CHICAGO (AP) — Russell Wilson looked to his left and his right. He looked for help in the middle of the field. He looked short and he looked for deep balls.No one was open.It was that kind of Monday night for the Seattle Seahawks.Wilson was surrounded for most of Seattle’s 24-17 loss to the Chicago Bears Cheap Allen Robinson Jersey , and he got very little help from his teammates until the fourth quarter. He was sacked six times for the second straight week, including five in the first half, and made a game-sealing mistake in the final period.“We’re still a work in progress,” coach Pete Carroll said. “You can see how hard our guys played, see how they fought throughout all the way to the last seconds on the clock.”Seattle (0-2) played without guard D.J. Fluker and receiver Doug Baldwin due to injuries, and Baldwin’s absence was particularly noticeable. Tyler Lockett was the Seahawks’ top receiver with five catches for 60 yards, but he got most of his numbers in the fourth. Brandon Marshall struggled to get open against one of his former teams.“I can always do better,” Marshall said. “There’s some things I definitely have to clean up. Just got to be sharper in everything that I do. We got to find a way to make plays.”The rushing attack also was shut down by Chicago’s refurbished defense, finishing with 74 yards on 22 carries. Seattle went almost 24 minutes of game time between rushing plays at one point.Wilson began the fourth quarter with just 69 yards on 9-for-20 passing Joel Iyiegbuniwe Jersey , but he tried to rally the Seahawks down the stretch.“The fourth quarter showed us who we are and who we can be,” Wilson said. “We just got to get a better start and try to figure out how to catch that fire that we had in the fourth quarter, let’s put it in the first, second, third if we can do that, which I don’t think we’re far off by any means.”The four-time Pro Bowler found Lockett for 20 yards and tight end Nathan Vannett for 11 to move Seattle deep into Chicago territory. He then threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Lockett to trim the Bears’ lead to 17-10 with 10:13 left.Chicago (1-1) went three and out on the ensuing drive and punted the ball right back to Seattle. But Wilson’s pass intended for Rashaad Penny near midfield was picked off by Prince Amukamara, who returned his first interception since 2015 for his first career touchdown with 6:37 remaining.“You can’t even remember the last time Russ did that,” Carroll said.Wilson also lost a fumble on Seattle’s next drive. He passed to Will Dissly for a 2-yard touchdown with 14 seconds to go, but the Seahawks’ onside kick was unsuccessful and the Bears ran out the clock.The lackluster showing for Seattle’s offense wasted a solid performance for its defense Cheap David Montgomery Jersey , led by two second-quarter interceptions for Shaquill Griffin. The second-year cornerback made a nice play on an underthrown ball by Mitchell Trubisky, and then had a diving grab on a tipped ball.Mychal Kendricks had one of Seattle’s two sacks in his first game since he signed with the Seahawks on Friday. Kendricks pleaded guilty last week to insider trading charges, but he isn’t expected to be sentenced in the case until January and the NFL has yet to impose any discipline.“Just having this opportunity to play it means so much more to me,” said Kendricks, who was released by Cleveland on Aug. 29 after the charges were filed. “That being said, I plan on doing the most with it.”It just wasn’t enough, not with the Seahawks’ ineffective offense.Wilson was 22 for 36 for 226 yards. Penny was the top rusher with 10 carries for 30 yards as Seattle possessed the ball for just 25 1/2 minutes.“The fighter mentality in me is always going to be there so you can’t play scared,” Wilson said. “You got to be able to go for it. I think we were still able to do that. We had a lot of fourth-quarter comebacks and I believe those are going to happen.” NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Drew Brees threw four touchdown passes to inexperienced receivers and the New Orleans Saints won their 10th straight game Thursday night with a 31-17 victory over Atlanta that eliminated the Falcons from contention in the NFC South.Tommylee Lewis and Austin Carr each caught their second career touchdown pass, and rookie tight end Dan Arnold grabbed his first Riley Ridley Jersey Limited , as did rookie receiver Keith Kirkwood. All four entered the NFL as undrafted free agents within the past three years and had combined for zero touchdowns this season before Carr caught the first of his career last Sunday.Meanwhile, the Falcons (4-7) lost three fumbles inside the Saints 20 — something no team facing streaking New Orleans (10-1) can afford this season.Atlanta’s Matt Ryan was stripped by safety Marcus Williams on a third-and-2 from the Saints 3 and Williams recovered to end Atlanta’s opening drive. Julio Jones was stripped by linebacker Alex Anzalone after a catch on the New Orleans 17, and safety Vonn Bell recovered in the final minute of the second quarter to preserve a 17-3 lead going into halftime.The Saints’ defense, which had a season-high six sacks, continued to come up with big plays in the second half, with Anzalone breaking up a fourth-down pass in the third quarter and linebacker A.J. Klein intercepting a pass tipped by defensive tackle Tyeler Davison in the fourth. The interception gave the Saints possession on the Atlanta 22, setting up Kirkwood’s diving 4-yard TD catch.COWBOYS 31, REDSKINS 23ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Amari Cooper had a 90-yard touchdown catch while finishing with 180 yards receiving and two scores and Dallas pulled even with Washington atop the NFC East.Cooper had the most yards receiving for the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Mark Sanchez Jersey , along with the longest catch of his career and Dak Prescott’s longest completion in his three seasons. Cooper’s other TD was a 40-yarder.Ezekiel Elliott ran for 121 yards with a score as the Cowboys (6-5) won their third straight game since their first home loss, to Tennessee in the Dallas debut of Cooper following a trade. Dallas beat Washington for the eighth time in nine Thanksgiving games, and second in three seasons.The Redskins (6-5) lost for the third time in four games in Colt McCoy’s first start in four years coming off Alex Smith’s season-ending leg injury.The former Texas Longhorns star threw three interceptions to offset two touchdown passes. McCoy won his two previous starts at the home of the Cowboys, one for the 2009 Big 12 championship and the other his most recent NFL victory with the Redskins in 2014.BEARS 23, LIONS 16DETROIT (AP) — Chase Daniel made the most of his chance to fill in for Mitchell Trubisky, having the best day of his journeyman career.Daniel set career highs with 230 yards passing and two touchdowns to keep Chicago rolling with a win over Detroit.The NFC North-leading Bears (8-3) sealed their fifth straight victory with Kyle Fuller’s interception in the end zone with a little more than a minute left.Detroit (4-7) has lost four of five, plummeting to last place in the division.Chicago broke a 16-16 tie on Eddie Jackson’s 41-yard pick-6 with six minutes remaining. It was Jackson’s second consecutive game with an interception returned for a touchdown. It’s also the fifth career defensive touchdown for the 2017 fourth-round pick.

No matter what way you slice it Ryan Kalil Color Rush Jersey , this Panthers team collapsed on all levels following a 6-2 start with a talented roster. Cleveland essentially ended all chances of Carolina making the playoffs, despite the efforts of these three guys.WinnersChristian McCafferyMcCaffery continues to succeed in spite of this struggling offense. CMC logged 22 touches for 101 yards and the Panthers only two touchdowns. While McCaffery is growing into an elite offensive weapon, he cannot be the only player carrying this offense. The team seems to get away from him when they are trying to cover deficits, and the way this offense is performing this just can’t work. McCaffery is playing well, but his number of touches and success in regards to the rest of the offense just isn’t sustainable. I truly hope next season this offense finds a way to put it all together, where McCaffery doesn’t have to drag the entire offense into the endzone.Ian ThomasProps to the rookie. He had major shoes to fill and he did his darned best in this game with a team leading 9 catches for 77 yards. Cam Newton functions at his best with a safety valve at tight end Luke Kuechly Color Rush Jersey , and Thomas was that today. The 4th round rookie really flashed what kind of potential he has today, and luckily he will be here along with McCaffery for the next few years on a rookie contract. The Panthers should continue with this workload as it can only benefit him in the future.Luke KuechlyThe best defensive player on the team had 11 tackles and two forced fumbles, as he kept this defense in the game through sheer force of will. It is really a shame that this will be considered a down year for Luke, because he’s really stepped up his game the last few weeks. However, in today’s NFL an elite middle linebacker can only do so much for a defense.Loser: Ron RiveraI could point to a bad showing by the secondary. I could point to an inconsistent game by Cam Newton. I could point to Chris Clark struggling against Myles Garrett or the defense not getting pressure. However, at this point C.J. Anderson Jersey , after 5 straight losses, the responsibility for these games falls solely at the feet of Ron Rivera. Not only has the team lost and the defense gotten torched, but save for a few winners each week the team as a whole has showed up and looked massively unprepared. Even after Rivera’s supposed hands on approach this week with the defense, they still couldn’t get it done against a rookie quarterback in a game they HAD to win. The offense couldn’t score in the redzone on several opportunities for another consecutive week.I like Ron, but he’s had more than enough time to prepare this team to be great. They have so much talent and yet they cannot get out of their own way. From a week to week standpoint, things like penalties Russell Color Rush Shepard Jersey , turnovers, and blown coverages can be attributed to player performance. But at this point, we’ve seen a five week trend. This team hasn’t been prepared, hasn’t capitalized on opportunities, and has failed to adapt to the changing landscape that is 2018 NFL football. This is on Ron Rivera, and the coaches he’s chosen to put into power.I’ve watched Ron Rivera football since 2011 Jordan Scarlett Jersey , and I don’t know how much more I can take. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Michael Griffin says his 10-year NFL career was a blessing that lasted far longer than some of his former teammates at the University of Texas.The two-time Pro Bowl safety officially ended that career Monday by signing a one-day contract with the Tennessee Titans and retiring with the franchise that drafted him with the 19th pick overall in 2007. Griffin, who wore No. 33 in his career, retired at the age of 33.”I can’t say enough, thank y’all, just thank y’all https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Christian-Miller-Jersey ,” Griffin said at a news conference inside the team’s indoor practice field. ”That’s probably all I can say is just thank y’all because it’s a blessing, and I’m so thankful to have that opportunity for the last nine years to play for this organization.”Griffin started 10 games as a rookie and played 141 games over nine seasons with Tennessee, including 103 straight between 2007 and 2013. He remains the franchise’s all-time leader in tackles by a safety with 912. Griffin also had 25 interceptions, seven sacks, 11 forced fumbles and six fumble recovers with his best season in 2008 with seven interceptions.Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk thanked Griffin for his nine seasons with the Titans and wished him the best in retirement.”He was such a dependable player for us during his time here, missing only three games over nine seasons Will Grier Jersey , and he was always among our leading tacklers,” Strunk said in a statement. ”His play earned him two Pro Bowl selections and the respect of his teammates. Michael also was invested in our community, finding ways to make a difference.”The Titans released Griffin in February 2016 when he was tied with Corey Graham of Buffalo for the most games played by a safety in the NFL between 2007 and 2015. Griffin signed with Minnesota but didn’t play a game. He then signed with Carolina and started six of 13 games with the Panthers in 2016. He finished his career starting 134 of 154 games played in 10 seasons.Griffin spent the 2017 season working out in case a team called and finished his degree at Texas. He said even when he was with the Vikings and Panthers he always felt he remained a Tennessee Titan.”I was always cheering my guys on, always texting them if someone went down, ask how they were doing, keep their heads up https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Greg-Little-Jersey , if someone was released whatever it may be,” Griffin said. ”I always stayed in contact with those guys.”Titans linebackers Brian Orakpo and Wesley Woodyard and defensive linemen Jurrell Casey and DaQuan Jones were on hand for Griffin’s announcement.—