Bears close in on NFC playoffs, Jags lock up top draft pick
James O'Shaughnessy #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by Kindle Vildor #22 of the Chicago Bears at TIAA Bank Field on December 27, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. The team that lost its sixth consecutive game earlier this month has now won three in a row and is on the verge of making the expanded NFC playoffs. “With where we’re at right now as a team, it’s definitely different,” Chicago coach Matt Nagy said. Chicago scored 30 or more points for the fourth consecutive week, the first time the Bears have accomplished the feat since 1965. This one came courtesy of a strong second half.
QB Jones inactive for Giants; McCoy to start at Seattle
(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)The New York Giants will be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Jones was not expected to play because of a hamstring injury suffered last week against Cincinnati. Colt McCoy will make his first start of the season at QB for the Giants. Seattle was without both starting right tackle Brandon Shell (ankle) and backup Cedric Ogbuehi (calf) leaving a major question on the offensive line. ___CLEVELAND-TENNESSEEBrowns: WR Taywan Taylor, WR KhaDarel Hodge, CB Denzel Ward, RB Dontrell Hilliard, S Tedric Thompson, DE Joe Jackson.
Bush, Board among key injuries in NFL's Week 6
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush (55) is helped from the field after he was injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in the post game news conference that Bush suffered a significant injury to a knee on the play. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Bush, Board among key injuries in NFL's Week 6
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)Pittsburgh second-year inside linebacker Devin Bush sustained what coach Mike Tomlin called a “significant knee injury” in Pittsburgh’s 38-7 rout of the Browns on Sunday. Board has movement in his limbs after suffering a concussion and neck injury in the team’s 20-19 win over Washington. Bush, who had not missed a defensive snap all season, injured his left knee in the second quarter when he took an awkward step while attempting to break up a pass. Also, Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes suffered a neck injury in the game. --Ravens RB Mark Ingram (ankle), CB Anthony Averett (shoulder) and OL Tyre Phillips (hand).
Stafford, Swift, Lions protect big lead, pound Jaguars 34-16
This was a victory the Detroit Lions probably needed more than they would admit. Detroit (2-3) made this one look easy, somewhat surprising considering the Lions had lost six straight in which they led by double digits. SOCIAL INJUSTICEAs they’ve done all season, players from Detroit and Jacksonville remained in their locker rooms for the national anthem. The Lions had 30 players lined up along the goal line for the anthem, with seven of them — including Stafford — taking a knee. UP NEXTThe Lions play next Sunday at Atlanta, which has won four of the last five meetings.
Fitzpatrick handles Jaguars again, this time with Dolphins
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a touchdown pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Different team, familiar result for Ryan Fitzpatrick against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The lopsided outcome also gave the Dolphins (1-2) their first double-digit victory in 39 games, ending the longest drought in the league. Fitzpatrick completed his first 12 passes — a career high — as Miami scored touchdowns on its first three drives for the first time since 2011. Fitzpatrick also ran for 39 yards and a score, his 37-year-old legs looking as fresh as any in Miami’s backfield. The Jaguars have won two in a row against the Bengals, notching victories in 2017 and 2019.
ODDS, HISTORY, STATS: Jaguars, Titans meet in early AFC South showdown
SPREAD - Jaguars 1-0; Titans 0-1SERIES RECORD - Titans lead 30-21LAST MEETING - Titans beat Jaguars 42-20 in Nashville, Nov. 24, 2019LAST WEEK - Jaguars beat Colts 27-20; Titans beat Broncos 16-14AP PRO32 RANKING - Jaguars No. ... Titans looking for their first 2-0 start since 2008, also the last time they won the AFC South. ... QB Ryan Tannehill led 17th winning drive of his career and fourth with Titans last week. ... Tannehill threw for 14 TDs with three rushing TDs in six home games last season. ... RB Derrick Henry ran for 116 yards in opener, his seventh game with 100 or more yards rushing since the start of 2019.
MONDAY HUDDLE: Did Jaguars wave white flag on 2019 with Jalen Ramsey deal?
State of Jaguars after Ramsey tradeThe Jaguars are 1-0 in the post-Jalen Ramsey era following a 27-17 win at Cincinnati, one of two winless teams in the NFL. Jacksonville improved to 3-4 and is still somewhat hanging around the AFC South race with the season almost halfway done. But the Jaguars felt ultimately being rid of Ramsey and collecting the picks was best, even if the perception is that 2019 seems like more of a rebuilding season now. Progress for Florida State stallingThe Florida State program seems to still be stuck in mud in Willie Taggart's second year as head coach. Wellington (2-7) is off this week, but Abel will return to coach for the team's Nov. 1 game against Seminole Ridge.