Cardinals prepare for 6 games without suspended star Hopkins
The Cardinals will play their first six games of the season without the three-time All-Pro receiver, who was suspended in May for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. “It's football, it's life, I've been through worse things in life than having to sit out six games,” Hopkins said Saturday. Hopkins is still not exactly sure what caused him to test positive for a substance that he's previously said was a small amount of Ostarine. Arizona was 8-2 last season in games that he played and 3-5 in games he missed, including a 34-11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card round. “He lifts the entire offense when he's out there,” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said.
wftv.comFantasy Football 2022: Can you draft Cam Akers as an RB1 and more NFC West questions
Throughout these past few weeks, fantasy football analyst Liz Loza sifted through every division and highlighted the biggest fantasy issues facing each team within. However, his fantasy output steadily increased while in Baltimore, improving from 8.8 fantasy points per game in 2019 (WR45 overall) to 11.3 FPTS/gm in 2021 (WR21 overall). Remembering what they most recently witnessed, fantasy heads appear skittish about Akers' situation, as he's currently the RB17 coming off the board. Samuel's rushing opportunities sky-rocketed down the stretch, as he averaged 6.6 rushing attempts per game from Weeks 10 through 18 (DNP in Week 13). FF: 72-922-5Engage with Liz on social @LizLoza_FFListen to the Yahoo Fantasy Football ForecastThis article originally appeared on Yahoo Sports at https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy-football-2022-can-you-draft-cam-akers-as-an-rb-1-and-more-nfc-west-questions-164637193.html
wftv.comNFLPA refutes NFL Network report that DeAndre Hopkins used masking agent to cover up PED use
Now the NFLPA is backing up his claim while disputing an NFL Network report that stated he ingested a banned and substance and took a masking agent in an effort to hide it. The insinuation here is that the use of a masking agent implies awareness of the ingestion of a banned substance and intent to cover it up. The absence of a masking agent maintains plausible deniability that the ingestion of a substance was intentional. From the revised NFL Network story:"CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story included an erroneous description of the test result that led to Hopkins' suspension. "To learn that my November test came back with trace elements of a banned substance, I was confused and shocked.
wftv.comCards' Hopkins suspended 6 games for violating PED policy
Arizona Cardinals three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been suspended without pay for six games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Hopkins played in 10 games last season, catching 42 passes for 572 yards and eight touchdowns. Brown was a 1,000-yard receiver last season and college teammates with Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray when the two were at Oklahoma. Hopkins’ suspension also likely means a bigger role for Brown, veteran A.J. Hopkins has been one of the league's most productive receivers during his nine-year career, which includes six 1,000-yard seasons.
wftv.comCardinals without Pro Bowl RB James Conner vs. Colts
Rams Cardinals Football Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams with offensive tackle D.J. The fifth-year pro has run for 700 yards and 14 touchdowns to earn his second career selection to the Pro Bowl. 2020 All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard was one of three players — along with receiver Zach Pascal and safety Khari Willis — put on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier Saturday. The Cardinals have two players on the COVID-19 list: three-time Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson, along with punter Andy Lee. The Cardinals (10-4) are trying to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2015.
wftv.comThe Latest: Cardinals' Murray, Hopkins active vs. Bears
Cardinals Seahawks Football Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) (John Froschauer)The Latest from Week 13 of the NFL (all times EST):___ 12:08 p.m.Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins are active against the Chicago Bears after missing the previous three games because of injuries. The Cardinals, owners of a league-best 9-2 record coming in, won two of three without them prior to a bye last week. Chicago linebacker Roquan Smith is active after leaving the Bears’ Thanksgiving win at Detroit with a hamstring injury. Both franchises have ties to Oxford High School football coach Zach Line.
wftv.comMurray throws 4 TD passes, unbeaten Cardinals batter Browns
Cardinals Browns Football Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Cleveland. Murray connected with DeAndre Hopkins for two TDs, and Arizona's shifty quarterback came up with a clutch play whenever the Cardinals needed one. After his fumble, Murray made the Browns pay by throwing a 9-yard pass to a wide-open Hopkins to put the Cardinals ahead 30-14. Later, Hunt was not targeted on a pass play and the bruising back crumpled to the ground without contact. On third-and-goal, Murray hit Hopkins with a short pass and he eluded two tacklers for a 13-yard TD to make it 14-0.
wftv.comMurray gets 5 TDs, Jones 5 sacks as Cards rout Titans 38-13
Murray tormented the Titans throwing for 289 yards with two TD passes apiece to All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk. Murray either bought time scrambling around until he could find an open receiver or just kept the ball. Murray was so wide open on a keeper he held the ball up almost immediately on a 2-yard TD for a 24-6 lead. JONES IN GOOD COMPANYJones became the 17th player in NFL history with 100 sacks in his first 10 seasons. Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan, who gave up the first three sacks to Jones, left with cramps for a couple series in the third quarter.
wftv.comThe Latest: Cardinals' Jones with 3 sacks in 1st quarter
Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell, a sixth-round pick, had a 38-yard, tiebreaking touchdown in the second quarter to put the Niners ahead 14-7. The Tennessee Titans’ vaunted offense is stumbling to start the season. — Teresa M. Walker reporting from Nashville, Tennessee___1:45 p.m.Maia Chaka is making history today, becoming the first black woman to officiate an NFL game. The Tennessee Titans honored Staff Sgt. The first full Sunday of the NFL season is about to begin with seven new head coaches making debuts with their respective teams.
wftv.comCulley on possible Watson trade: "He is our quarterback."
FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston. New Houston Texans coach David Culley reiterated Thursday, March 11, 2021, that the team has no intention of trading Watson, despite the star quarterbacks request to be dealt. “We are very committed to Deshaun as our quarterback,” Culley said. Culley said they do not have a contingency plan at quarterback if Watson decides to hold out if he isn’t traded. Asked if Watson was committed to him and the team, Culley replied: “Yes, he is.”When pushed about how he knows that, Culley didn’t provide any details indicating Watson has told him that.
Cardinals all-out recruiting pitch brings Watt to the desert
J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans. But the more he looked at his options, the more the Arizona Cardinals made sense. Watt said the team's recruiting pitch was “strong and heavy” when trying to entice the edge rusher to the desert. Watt said he'll always remember Houston fondly, but he's eager to start the next phase of his career with the Cardinals.
Cardinals agree to terms with free agent edge rusher JJ Watt
FILE - Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills in Houston, in this Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, file photo. J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans, for whom he won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. He returned to play the entire 2020 season and was effective, though not dominant.
Bills among the NFL's 4 defenses peaking in the postseason
Buffalo Bills' Micah Hyde (23) celebrates with teammates after an NFL divisional round football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Leslie Frazier’s faith in his Bills defense never wavered even at the lowest point of Buffalo’s season. It was mid-November and the Bills were entering their bye week on the heels of a 32-30 defeat at Arizona. In the NFC, the Packers are allowing an average 306 yards offense over their past seven outings. Here comes Patrick Mahomes, should he clear the NFL’s concussion protocol, and the league’s top-ranked offense.
Top cornerbacks standing out on NFL's Super Bowl hopefuls
Nearly every team still vying for the Super Bowl has an elite cornerback often capable of shutting down an opponent's top receiver all by himself. The NFC playoff bracket has three of the conference's four Pro Bowl cornerbacks: Green Bay's Jaire Alexander, Los Angeles' Jalen Ramsey and New Orleans' Marshon Lattimore. Staley's scheme has employed Ramsey in multiple roles throughout the season, and his job often changes from play to play. Oddly enough, the remaining playoff team perceived to have the least dominant cornerbacks is defending champion Kansas City, the favorite to make it back to the Super Bowl. “Some of the best cornerbacks happen to play on the best teams, that’s all I can say,” Bills safety Micah Hyde said.
Bucs, Browns, Bills out to follow footsteps of champ Chiefs
Aside from winning the final Super Bowl before the merger in 1970, the Kansas City Chiefs’ biggest claim to fame for over half a century was team founder Lamar Hunt coining the phrase Super Bowl. Three long-downtrodden teams — the Browns, Bills and Buccaneers — have made it to the divisional round this weekend and are certain they have as good a chance as the Chiefs, Packers, Saints, Ravens or Rams of winning Super Bowl 55. That’s heady stuff for a franchise that has never made it to the Super Bowl. I think Bills fans, including myself, didn’t think he was going to be this good this good this early. And he has proved a lot of people wrong.”No, there’s no comparing this Bills team to those of his playing days, Thomas said.
Brady and Bucs, plus Bills and Rams win NFL wild-card games
The first tripleheader of NFL wild-card games saw Tom Brady extend his postseason record for victories to 31 with a 31-23 win for Tampa Bay at Washington on Saturday. After a quarter-century, the Bills got one of those triumphs that Brady collects — and they even figured out how to stop a Hail Mary. The previous playoff win was over Miami on Dec. 30, 1995. And it came in the Bills’ first home playoff game in 24 years, with a limited number of fans in attendance (6,700) for the first time this season. The Ravens averaged an NFL-best 191.9 yards rushing per game and their 3,071 yards rushing were third highest in NFL history.
Bills beat Colts 27-24 for 1st playoff win in 25 years
In a season in which the Bills busted numerous slumps, Allen became Buffalo's first starter in a quarter century to win a playoff game. Made enough plays to win,” Allen said. The Colts responded with a seven-play, 75-play drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Pascal. Rivers’ pass for Michael Pittman glanced off the diving receiver’s fingertips on fourth down. Facing fourth-and-3 from the Colts 26, Allen drew defensive end Kemoko Turay offside with a second left on the play clock.
Mahomes leads champion Chiefs to 14-2 mark in stacked AFC
While the Chiefs get another week’s rest, the six other AFC playoff teams get going this weekend. For just the second time since the 1970 league merger, every team in the AFC playoffs has at least 11 wins. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 54, 31-20 over the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2, 2020, at Miami. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 43, 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Feb. 1, 2009, at Tampa, Florida. Their pass rush is nearly nonexistent with 19 sacks, the fewest by a playoff team since Denver had 19 in 1979.
Third-string QB Beathard throws 3 TDs, 49ers stun Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson (30) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals with quarterback C.J. Beathard threw three touchdown passes, Jeff Wilson ran for 183 yards, and the San Francisco 49ers dealt a brutal blow to the Arizona Cardinals' playoff hopes by defeating them 20-12 on Saturday. If the Chicago Bears win their final two games, they will reach the playoffs because of a tiebreaker over the Cardinals. The 49ers (6-9) pulled ahead 14-6 in the third quarter on Beathard’s 9-yard touchdown pass to fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Cardinals: LB Haason Reddick (hamstring) left the game in the first quarter, but returned early in the second quarter.
Jaguars vs. Bears: How to watch, stream, listen
NFL Sunday TicketOPENING LINE – Bears by 10RECORD VS. SPREAD – Bears 7-7; Jaguars 6-8SERIES RECORD – Bears lead 4-3LAST MEETING – Jaguars beat Bears 17-16 on Oct. 16, 2016LAST WEEK – Bears beat Vikings 33-27; Jaguars lost at Ravens 40-14AP PRO32 RANKING – Bears No. BEARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (14), RUSH (16), PASS (13). JAGUARS OFFENSE – OVERALL (23), RUSH (26), PASS (22). JAGUARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (32), RUSH (30), PASS (28).
Murray, Hopkins lead Cardinals past Eagles 33-26
He had a lot of good moments, but couldn't lead the Eagles to any points on their last two offensive drives. Murray threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, while Hurts responded with 177 yards passing and three touchdowns. The Cardinals also missed a great opportunity when Hopkins fumbled at the Eagles 8 after catching a short pass from Murray. The Eagles' second touchdown was set up by Murray's costly fumble at the Arizona 21-yard line. Fitzgerald’s 14-yard catch from Kyler Murray pushed the Cardinals ahead 26-14 late in the second quarter.
Murray throws TD, Cards end 3-game skid, beat red-hot Giants
Coupled with Tampa Bay’s 26-14 win over Minnesota (6-7), the Cardinals are back in a wild-card berth. we have to go out there and execute,” said Murray, who ran 10 times for 47 yards. “I don’t think we have any kind of a hangover from going out to Seattle last week," Giants coach Joe Judge said. The D limited New York to 159 yards in making Jones' return from a one-game absence with a hamstring injury miserable. The first one was set up by a 24-yard punt return by Christian Kirk to the Giants 38.
Giants, Vikings shed slow starts, move into playoff position
The New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings are in position to pull off remarkable turnarounds. One of the other teams that started 0-5 this season shares a stadium with the Giants but hasn’t pulled off an in-season turnaround. Jefferson, a first-round pick, had nine catches for 121 yards last week to reach 1,039 yards receiving on the season. With 11 TD runs this season, Newton has reached double-digits in three seasons (14 in 2011 and 10 in 2015). It was the first time since Brady Quinn in 2009 that a quarterback won consecutive starts despite throwing for fewer than 100 yards.
Allen throws for 4 TDs, Bills beat 49ers 34-24 in Arizona
The Bills are one game ahead of the Miami Dolphins with four games left for both teams. San Francisco (5-7) lost in its first game at its adopted home in Arizona. “As long as it correlates to team success, it means we’re doing the right thing, making the right decisions and we’re winning football games," Allen said. But San Francisco got the ball back one play later on a fumble by Allen and the 49ers took advantage. The town is about a 3-hour drive from San Francisco, and Allen went to games as a kid with his family.
Matchup of division leaders: Seahawks vs Giants. The Giants?
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)In this strangest of NFL seasons in this weirdest of years, here's a matchup of division leaders you wouldn't expect: Seattle hosting the New York Giants. “If you win your division, you win your division,” Carroll says, and he knows: Seattle went 7-9 in 2010 and won the NFC West, then beat New Orleans in a playoff game. Patrick Mahomes has thrown for at least 300 yards seven times this season and has 22 straight games with at least one TD passing. New England has won the past five meetings, including a 2018 divisional playoff game. Chargers WR Keenan Allen leads the NFL with 85 receptions and has a TD catch in five straight games.
Unbeaten Steelers still on top of AP Pro32 poll
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (14) returns a punt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)NEW YORK – After some recent close games, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't need nine lives to get to 9-0. The Steelers dominated the Cincinnati Bengals 36-10 on Sunday to remain the league's only unbeaten team and maintain control of the top spot of the latest AP Pro32 poll. “And the Steelers are in the conversation for teams that have a chance to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC. “It’s the Steelers and Chiefs ... and everybody else,” said Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk.
Hail Murray: Cardinals stun Bills 32-30 in final seconds
Even the players and coaches for the Arizona Cardinals couldn't hide their disbelief when he jumped over three Buffalo defenders and came down with the ball. Kyler Murray completed a stunning 43-yard desperation pass to Hopkins with 2 seconds left to lift Arizona to an improbable 32-30 victory over the Bills. The catch was as sensational as the throw, which was quickly dubbed a “Hail Murray.”The game appeared lost for the Cardinals until Murray rolled out to his left as the seconds ticked off the clock. But Murray and the Cardinals (6-3, tied for the NFC West lead) ended the Bills' winning streak at three games with the improbable throw and catch. It was a crazy ending to another entertaining Cardinals game, which usually have come down to the final seconds in recent weeks.
Arizona knocks off undefeated Seattle with 37-34 OT victory
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. Seattle led all of regulation until Gonzalez made a 44-yard field goal as time expired to tie it at 34. Moments later, it appeared Seattle had won on the ensuing drive when DK Metcalf caught a 48-yard touchdown pass, but the play was called back because of holding on receiver David Moore. Christian Kirk caught an 8-yard touchdown pass with 2:28 left to pull Arizona to 34-31. Seattle cruised 75 yards in just six plays, finishing with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Lockett.
Murray runs for TD, throws another, Cardinals rip 0-5 Jets
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs in a touchdown against New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Arizona Cardinals certainly came to the right place to get back on the winning track. Having Kyler Murray and the offense put up nearly 500 yards against the hapless and winless Jets was almost predictable. “I don’t want anyone on the team to feel satisfied with what happened today," said Murray, who threw for 380 yards. Jets: play at Miami next Sunday as NFL reorganizes schedule due to coronavirus pandemic.
Texans fire coach Bill O'Brien after 0-4 start
Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, center, gives signals from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)HOUSTON – The Houston Texans had faith that coach Bill O'Brien was the man to lead them to their first championship. O'Brien repeatedly thanked the McNair family for the chance to coach the Texans and apologized for falling below their expectations. Romeo Crennel, who was the team's assistant head coach, will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season. I think football is the ultimate team game, so I really there’s no doubt in my mind that I want to coach again."
Bridgewater, Panthers fix red-zone woes, top Cardinals 31-21
You'd never know it watching Bridgewater break the pocket, juke two defenders and race 18 yards to the end zone on Sunday, helping the Carolina Panthers defeat the Arizona Cardinals 31-21 for their second straight win. Bridgewater also threw for 276 yards and two scores as the Panthers solved their red-zone issues from a week ago by scoring TDs on their first four trips inside the Arizona 20-yard line. It was tough to catch up all day.”Said Panthers DE Brian Burns: “We put emphasis on keeping eyes on (Murray). After the game, Bridgewater gave his offensive line the game ball. “We didn’t play well enough or coach well enough in any phase,” Kingsbury said.
NFL star DeAndre Hopkins beefs up investment portfolio with new BioSteel deal
Sports drink company BioSteel on Tuesday announced a multi-year deal with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who will also invest in the firm. The BioSteel deal follows an announcement last week that Hopkins signed with Therabody, maker of popular massage therapy devices. As part of that deal, Hopkins will be a brand ambassador and will also invest in the company. He also has a successful real estate development business, Stim Real Estate Group, under which he owns nearly two dozen housing properties throughout Texas. Hopkins plans to expand his real estate venture into Arizona, Los Angeles and South Carolina, where he attended college at Clemson.
cnbc.comMurray runs for 2 TDs, Cardinals roll past Washington 30-15
Washington (1-1) finally scored a touchdown with 12:20 left in the fourth quarter when Dwayne Haskins hit Terry McLaurin for a 24-yard score. The Cardinals' revamped defense had a big day, holding Washington scoreless until Dustin Hopkins hit a 24-yard field goal late in the third quarter. Murray's pass into coverage was picked off by Landon Collins, giving Washington great field position at the Arizona 19. He was completely alone in the back of the end zone on third down and Murray hit him for the 4-yard score to make it 7-0. ... Washington right guard Brandon Scherff (knee) was hurt just before halftime and gingerly walked off the field with the help of medical staff.
Texans-Chiefs set to kick off NFL season unlike any other
Fans watch the Kansas City Chiefs during NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Chiefs coach Andy Reid no longer carries around the heavy and ignominious tag of best coach never to win a championship. This is the best opportunity you can have to start the season.That contract extension is the second largest in NFL history. Very, very dynamic players, Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. They also will miss cornerback Bashaud Breeland and defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who are suspended for the start of the season.
Chiefs, Texans fine-tuning for NFL opener Thursday night
Listen, the first game is always that way, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, because you're never quite sure what they're going to do. Even with preseason games, the first few games are up in the air. If we would have had our four normal preseason games then we wouldve seen 25 to 30 snaps of their first group. But the speed of practice never quite matches that of a preseason game, and the speed of a preseason game never quite matches a regular-season one. But without preseason games to work on such fundamentals, the Chiefs had to tweak the way they approached tackling.
Direct deposit: WR Hopkins negotiates own deal with Arizona
Hopkins and the Cardinals agreed to a two-year contract extension on Tuesday that will keep the three-time All-Pro in Arizona through the 2024 season. Hopkins said he worked on about 90% of the deal and had some help from advisers. Cardinals GM Steve Keim said it was a great process and he got to know the receiver even better during negotiations. It was our goal all along to get (Hopkins) extended, Keim said. I was like, man, if I could be in this offense, a pass-first offense one day, the sky's the limit, Hopkins said.
Watson agrees to 4-year, $160 million extension with Texans
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) laughs with running back Duke Johnson (25) on the sidelines during NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool)HOUSTON Deshaun Watson has agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Houston Texans. As a child growing up in Georgia, it was always my dream to play in the NFL, Watson wrote in the post. In his post Watson thanked Texans coach and general manager Bill O'Brien and many members of the team's staff as well as his mother and other family members before sending a message to Texans fans. Now back to the work ..."Houston traded up to select Watson with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft.
NFL facing unending series of questions, uncertain answers
Perhaps the biggest headlines Brady drew recently came when he defied players' union recommendations to cease informal practices with teammates as a coronavirus precaution. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP, File)In seven weeks, the NFL expects to kick off its 101st season with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs hosting Houston. Still set on conducting a somewhat normal training camp, though without any preseason games, and then opening the regular season on time, the NFL pushes onward. We could have a ton of social distance, more than we have with our football team, Chiefs coach Andy Reid says. Perhaps the biggest headlines Brady drew recently came when he defied players' union recommendations to cease informal practices with teammates as a coronavirus precaution.