AFC West

While the Las Vegas Raiders haven't had much to celebrate this season, Jarrett Stidham is relishing his opportunity as the starting quarterback for the final two games.

Ahead of his first career NFL start, Stidham called this "a dream come true" while speaking to reporters.

"But at the same time, I've been preparing since my rookie year, and I've tried to prepare every single week whether I was the backup or the starter," he added. "Obviously, I've gotten to learn under a bunch of really good guys...players, coaches. I've always tried to treat the weeks the same, and this is no different."

Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels announced Wednesday that Stidham would be replacing Derek Carr for the final two games this season.

"None of us is happy with where we're at, but we think it's an opportunity to evaluate a younger player who hasn't had much time to play," McDaniels said of the quarterback change. "Talking to Derek, who was great, he understands the scenario that we're in and the situation, and very supportive of the two young guys."

After making the playoffs last year and acquiring Davante Adams in the offseason, expectations were high for the Raiders coming into 2022. They immediately dug themselves a hole with three consecutive losses and a 1-4 overall start before their bye in Week 6.

A three-game winning streak from Weeks 11-14 did get the Raiders within shouting distance of the playoff race, but they lost two of their next three games to enter Week 17 with a 6-9 record.

The Raiders are one of four teams in NFL history to lose at least four games in a season that they were leading by 13 or more points.

Per Josh Dubow of the Associated Press, Las Vegas is also the first team since at least 1930 to lose at least four games that it was leading by double-digits at halftime.

Even though Stidham is understandably excited to start games in the NFL, McDaniels isn't doing him any favors with the Raiders' final two opponents.

Stidham's first career start on Sunday will be against the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners defense ranks first in yards allowed (290.3 per game), points allowed (15.3), fourth in opponent passer rating (82.1) and are tied for seventh in sacks (41).

The Raiders will wrap up the season on Jan. 8 against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes leads the league in passing yards (4,720) and passing touchdowns (37). Vegas mathematically still has a chance of making the playoffs.

Stidham is in his fourth NFL season. He was a fourth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2019 and appeared in eight games in the previous three seasons.

The Patriots traded the Auburn product to Las Vegas in May, reuniting him with McDaniels. The 26-year-old is 32-of-61 for 342 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 career games.

Las Vegas Raiders star Darren Waller offered a vote of confidence in the team's new starting quarterback, Jarrett Stidham.

Waller told reporters Wednesday that he and his teammates "took note that he knew what he was doing" in training camp, which helped build belief in his abilities. The roster is now looking to maintain a unified front around Stidham with him taking over for Derek Carr.

"The only thing that's productive is to support Jarrett going forward," he said. "We're rallying around him and letting him know we believe in him and doing what we can to prepare for San Francisco."

This will be Stidham's first start since entering the NFL, and he hasn't done much in his limited time on the field. The 2019 fourth-round pick has gone 32-of-61 for 342 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 appearances.

Benching Carr seems to be less an endorsement of Stidham and more a sign of the Raiders' plans for the three-time Pro Bowler. If Las Vegas cuts or trades Carr shortly after the Super Bowl, then it's only on the hook for a fraction of his $34.9 million salary cap hit in 2023.

But saying the quiet part—Stidham is a placeholder and a clear downgrade from his predecessor—doesn't achieve much. Las Vegas hasn't even been mathematically eliminated from the postseason yet.

You can't blame Waller for remaining outwardly optimistic about the Raiders' chances with Stidham under center.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels hasn't ruled out benching star quarterback Derek Carr for backup Jarrett Stidham.

"That's not good enough, you know what I mean?" McDaniels said Monday in response to a question about Carr's recent performances, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore. "And for us to be able to win this time of the year and be productive offensively, you have to throw the ball better than what we've thrown it at times here over the last month-in-a-half."

While later discussing general playing-time decisions over players with injury or contractual issues, McDaniels added he wouldn't treat the quarterback position any differently in the event he thought a change is required.

"I think there's a possibility that we would do the right thing, regardless of the position, in terms of the team," the coach said.

While McDaniels didn't name Carr, he also refused to say his starting quarterback wouldn't change before the end of the season.

Through his first 10 starts this season, Carr threw 15 touchdowns to five interceptions while averaging 243.5 yards per game. His performance has since fallen off noticeably. The three-time Pro Bowler has averaged 217.4 yards per contest with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions over the last five weeks.

The odds of Stidham actually replacing Carr are probably low. The 2019 fourth-round pick has thrown for 342 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 appearances.

McDaniels' comments are nonetheless pretty damning for a player who signed a three-year, $121.5 million extension in the spring and is supposed to be the franchise QB.

Carr's contract does provide the Raiders with an escape route this offseason. Cutting or trading him before June 1 would result in a $5.6 million dead cap hit but save $29.3 million in salary-cap space.

Perhaps that's an option the front office will seriously consider if Carr's slide continues over the final two games.

The Denver Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday amid a disastrous first season with the team.

We have parted ways with Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett.

A statement from Broncos Owner & CEO Greg Penner: pic.twitter.com/1tWMjHv6em

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 26, 2022

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, senior assistant coach Jerry Rosburg, who was hired to help with clock-management strategy, has been named interim coach. Troy Renck of Denver 7 reported defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero declined the interim job, opting to remain in his current role instead.

Denver fell to 4-11 on the season following Sunday's calamitous 51-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

From NFL Now: #Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired before his first season ended for a lot of reasons. Losing control of the team on Sunday was a major one. pic.twitter.com/JtXLjCcMOr

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 26, 2022

A league source said last night that the #Broncos were looking to "blow it up."

Now that starts with the team firing Nathaniel Hackett, per source.

First reported by @TomPelissero

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 26, 2022

The team also let special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes and offensive line coach Butch Barry go:

The Broncos have relieved Special Teams Coordinator Dwayne Stukes and Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry of their duties.

Mike Mallory will coach special teams and Ben Steele will coach the offensive line. pic.twitter.com/rLIRj3EwiF

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 27, 2022

Hackett joined the Broncos after spending the past three seasons as offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. There were high expectations for the organization after the team acquired nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.

Even with the upgrade at quarterback, the offense has been a disaster this season while ranking dead last in the NFL with 15.5 points scored per game.

The defense has done its job, holding opponents to fewer than 20 points 10 times this season. However, the offensive limitations have kept the team mired in mediocrity.

Beyond the overall struggles, Hackett has been heavily criticized for his decision-making and game management, forcing the head coach to hire a senior assistant to help with game management earlier in the year.

Hackett notably called for a 64-yard field goal attempt instead of going for it on fourth down during a Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The mistakes became more apparent as the Broncos lost three games in overtime.

General manager George Paton offered Hackett support after the team fell to 2-5 in Week 7.

"The scrutiny he's faced is unprecedented," Paton said. "We've had four primetime games so he's had to learn in front of the entire world."

The failure to turn things around led to the end of his tenure in Denver, forcing the organization to make a quick change at head coach.

The Broncos will now look for their fifth coach in nine seasons, trying to find someone who can get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

An elite defense plus young offensive skill players could make this an enticing location for available coaches, although potential uncertainty at quarterback could create major question marks.

Wilson signed a five-year, $243 million extension last offseason that should keep him under team control for at least the next few seasons. However, despite throwing for over 3,000 yards, Wilson has posted just 12 touchdown passes (tied for 25th in the NFL) to nine interceptions and his passer rating of 82.6 is the worst of his career and ranks 29th in the league.

When six-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams forced the Green Bay Packers to trade him to the Las Vegas Raiders over the offseason, there was an expectation that reforming his connection with his college teammate Derek Carr would lead to offensive fireworks.

While the Fresno State alums showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season, Adams didn't produce with the same consistency we've grown accustomed to, and he was nearly nonexistent once again as he registered just two catches for 15 yards in the Raiders' 13-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.

Carr had an abysmal showing, throwing for 174 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions on 16-of-30 passing. All three of his picks came in the second half, and his last one came after Pittsburgh took its first lead of the game with less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter.

NFL Twitter was not happy with Carr for how he failed to get Adams involved in the offense during the disappointing loss:

Daily reminder how insane it is that Davante Adams left Aaron Rodgers for DEREK CARR

— Charlie Quinn (@CharlieQuinnMMA) December 25, 2022

#Raiders WR Davante Adams' two catches tonight have come on passes thrown 3 and -8 yards downfield. Carr is 0-of-5 targeting Adams on passes thrown more than 3 yards downfield. Per @ESPNStatsInfo

— Paul Gutierrez (@PaulHGutierrez) December 25, 2022

https://twitter.com/PoonPiratee/status/1606838628306636800

I miss the decades-old connection between Derek Carr and Davante Adams https://t.co/5C2DMRPheS

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 25, 2022

Davante Adams has 9 receptions for 113 yards in his last 10 quarters. We’re talkin about the best receiver in football.

Figure it out Raiders

— Jesse Pollock (@jpolly22) December 25, 2022

CAN WE GET THE BALL TO DAVANTE ADAMS?

— Fantasy Football Today (@FFToday) December 25, 2022

Carr misses wide open Davante Adams. Smh

— Thomas Beebe ツ (@Mr_Beebe) December 25, 2022

Carr and Davante Adams can't get in sync tonight so far.

— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) December 25, 2022

Davante Adams: *wide open*

Derek Carr: pic.twitter.com/IKjiCMTRBQ

— NFL Memes (@NFLHateMemes) December 25, 2022

Can Davante Adams get a target now?

— Bread Tha Rebel (@BreadThaRebel) December 25, 2022

I can’t believe Davante Adams left Aaron Rodgers for Derek Carr.

— Cody (@CodyShook_) December 25, 2022

Derek Carr doesn’t deserve Davante Adams

— Thejingerbeardman (@the_jingerbeard) December 25, 2022

Remember when Davante Adams said Derek Carr was a Hall of Famer?

— Jaylen Watson SZN (@JaylenWatsonSZN) December 25, 2022

https://twitter.com/ToKeNasty/status/1606867258084675584

Davante Adams left Aaron Rodgers to play with this bum.

— Pardon President Nixon (@nix973) December 25, 2022

Saturday's outing marks Adams' third straight game without a touchdown and with less than 100 yards, 10 targets or five catches. A player of his caliber should never be such a non-factor for a team that is now on the brink of elimination from playoff contention.

The Raiders (6-9) will need Carr to utilize Adams more if they hope to be successful when they return to action on New Year's Day against the San Francisco 49ers (11-4), who boast one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones has been ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after being carted to the locker room with a left elbow injury.

The 32-year-old signed with the Raiders this offseason after spending the last six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Through 14 games with Las Vegas this year, Jones has 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He had three tackles against Pittsburgh before exiting.

Jones missed two games last season after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list following a positive test for the coronavirus.

Jones started last season with one of the best single-game defensive performances of the year. He set a Cardinals franchise record with five sacks and added two forced fumbles in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans.

However, his production has tapered off a bit after that. Jones finished the year with 41 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

After being drafted 21st overall in 2012 by the New England Patriots, Jones has solidified himself as one of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro. He was a part of New England's Super Bowl XLIX victory in 2014.

The Syracuse product led the NFL with 17 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in 2017. In 2019, he recorded a career-high 19 sacks. He was limited to five games in 2020 due to a torn bicep.

Jones' injury leaves Las Vegas fairly thin at defensive end. While star edge rusher Maxx Crosby can still be counted on for solid production, it will be interesting to see who lines up on the opposite side of him. Former first-round pick Clelin Ferrell could be inserted into the starting lineup. Malcolm Koonce could also be rotated in during pass-rush situations.

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson reportedly was arrested on Monday afternoon.

According to Julianna Lima of Boston 25 News, Jackson was booked at the Bristol County Jail and House of Correction in connection to what was described as a "family issue."

Lima reported Jackson had been making an appearance at probate court before he was detained by Fall River police.

The Chargers released a statement to reporters addressing the matter, saying, "We are aware of media reports this afternoon pertaining to J.C. Jackson. We will continue to gather information on the matter and will refrain from further comment at this time."

Jackson was placed on injured reserve after suffering a dislocated kneecap against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 23, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. He totaled 15 tackles and two passes defended in five games. The 27-year-old signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with Los Angeles this past offseason after playing the first four years of his career with the New England Patriots.

In 2021, Jackson established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL when he led the league with 23 passes defended while adding 58 total tackles and eight interceptions. He earned his first career Pro Bowl selection and was named second-team All-Pro.

During his redshirt freshman season at Florida in 2015, Jackson was arrested in connection with an armed robbery and faced multiple charges. He was eventually found not guilty on all counts. After his acquittal, he transferred to a local community college for a year before transferring to Maryland in 2016.

As Jakobi Meyers wound up to whip a 10-yard backward pass to Mac Jones, he was hoping to make New England Patriots history.

He did just that—but not in the way he was hoping.

The all-time gaffe wound up in the hands of Las Vegas Raiders defensive end (and former Patriots defensive end) Chandler Jones, who threw a vicious stiff-arm to the face of Mac Jones and scampered all the way to the end zone for one of the most improbable walk-off wins in NFL history.

RAIDERS WIN ON UNREAL WALK OFF TD 🤯

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/HPknVy1fcB

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 19, 2022

Speaking to Peter King of NBC Sports, Chandler Jones described what was going through his mind as the play unfolded:

"It was a desperado situation, and that was a team that would try to do anything to advance the ball for a touchdown. They'll throw the ball, pitch it, lateral it. I knew that was a possibility to happen. I thought they would do a hook-and-lateral, or something like that. They had a random run.

"I actually missed a tackle on [Rhamondre Stevenson]. I went to go punch the ball out on that play and I missed. The guy kept running. By the time I stood up, I realized that the ball was being pitched around.

"They were playing hot potato now. Instead of pursuing the ball, I just started playing back into saying, 'All right, who's the next passer? Who could they possibly throw it to next that's behind the line of scrimmage?' Because they're playing this whole hot potato game. Sure enough, I saw Jakobi Meyers kinda look back at Mac Jones, the quarterback. He was standing in the middle of the field. I literally just jumped up when I saw the ball coming, intended for Mac. Mac was kind of standing there, looking at me with big eyes.

"I literally just jumped up and intercepted it. I just gave Mac a nice stiff-arm with my right hand. The rest was history."

At least Mac tried 😅🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/acOqMhaBLE

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 19, 2022

"I don't think I've thrown a stiff-arm in practice," Jones told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. "When I caught the ball, he was there, I was thinking, You know what, I could try to put a juke move on. I could try to outrun him. I don't know, maybe I could outrun Mac Jones. But whenever defensive players are running for touchdowns, they always get made fun of for getting caught by the quarterback. So I thought, I'm not gonna try to outrun him. I'm just trying to run over him. If I fall and trip, I'll pitch it. Because there were guys behind me."

There was no logical excuse for what transpired. The game was tied 24-24 and seemingly headed for overtime.

The odds of Meyers completing a 10-yard lateral were already low in any situation. Throwing the pass to Mac Jones, who is certainly not the fleetest of foot, lowered the odds of success by an exponential degree. There was no world in which Jones was going to scamper 50 yards for a touchdown, so the options were going to be limited even if Meyers did complete the attempt at a miracle.

Instead, the result was perhaps Chandler Jones' greatest individual play of his career and arguably the most embarrassing moment of Bill Belichick's coaching career.

Russell Wilson will not be on the field for the Denver Broncos in Week 15.

Wilson was officially listed as out on Friday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Broncos ruled out Russell Wilson for Sunday’s game.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2022

The Broncos quarterback passed the concussion protocol, but will not play, per Broncos team reporter Aric DiLalla.

Broncos QB Russell Wilson has passed the concussion protocol, but he will not play against the Cardinals.

Nathaniel Hackett: “As an organization, we’ve decided to give him another week.”

— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) December 16, 2022

Wilson has been in concussion protocol all week after he suffered the head injury in Week 14.

While Wilson will not be on the field, Tee Higgins is trending in the right direction to play on Sunday.

Higgins was at the center of a controversial circumstance last week, as he played a single snap before leaving the field.

The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver practiced on Friday in what could be viewed as a positive development ahead of Sunday.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) and WR Tyler Boyd (finger) both practiced in full today and are listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Bucs.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 16, 2022

Below is a look at updates on the other significant fantasy football stars dealing with injuries ahead of Week 15.

• Russell Wilson, QB, DEN: out (concussion)
• Tee Higgins, WR, CIN: questionable (hamstring)
  
• Tyler Boyd, WR, CIN: questionable (finger)
  
• Jakobi Meyers, WR, NE: returned to practice Friday (concussion), per NESN's Zack Cox
  
• Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE: returned to practice Friday, per Cox
  
• Damien Harris, RB, NE: limited in practice (thigh), per NFL.com.
  
• Marquise Brown, WR, ARI: questionable (illness)
  
• Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT: not listed on injury report (foot)
  
• Diontae Johnson, WR, PIT: not listed on injury report (hip)
  
• David Montgomery, RB, CHI: not listed on injury report (Illness)
  
• Dameon Pierce, RB, HOU: out (ankle)
  
• Jeff Wilson, RB, MIA: questionable (hip)
  
• Kenny Pickett, QB, PIT: doubtful (concussion)
  
• DJ Moore, WR, CAR: questionable (ankle)
  
• Chase Claypool, WR, CHI: out (knee)

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Russell Wilson Practices Friday

Russell Wilson will not play on Sunday.

He will be replaced by Brett Rypien for the clash with the Arizona Cardinals.

Rypien threw a touchdown pass in relief of Wilson, but he only had 16 yards and completed four of his eight pass attempts in Week 14.

Rypien had 225 passing yards and no touchdown passes in his lone start this season in Week 7 against the New York Jets.

Jeudy and Greg Dulcich are most affected by Wilson's absence. Courtland Sutton is out for Sunday. Running back Latavius Murray carries a bit more fantasy value.

Taylor Heinicke, Desmond Ridder and Andy Dalton are among the potential waiver-wire candidates to add at quarterback.

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Tee Higgins Listed as Questionable

Tee Higgins is officially listed as questionable for the Cincinnati Bengals' matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Higgins is dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out for most of last week's game against the Cleveland Browns.

He did practice on Friday, as well as teammate and fellow wide receiver Tyler Boyd, which is a positive sign for his hopes to play on Sunday.

Higgins played one snap last week and then did not feature in the AFC North to the ire of fantasy football players.

There may be some lost trust between fantasy players and the Bengals regarding Higgins' status for Week 15.

Higgins produced back-to-back 100-yard games in Weeks 11 and 12 and scored three times in five weeks leading up to Week 14.

Higgins could play a large role in the Cincinnati offense, as usual, if he does see the field against Tampa Bay.

If he can't play, Michael Gallup, Elijah Moore and Mack Hollins are among the players to pick up off the waiver wire.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson will miss Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.

While Wilson cleared the concussion protocol, head coach Nathaniel Hackett told reporters, "As an organization, we've decided to give him another week."

The 34-year-old suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, which marked the Broncos' fifth straight defeat and ninth in 10 games.

The 2022 season has been nothing short of a nightmare for Wilson, who came to Denver in March with plans of turning the Broncos into Super Bowl contenders. Instead, he has looked nothing like the Super Bowl winner and nine-time Pro Bowler who built a Hall of Fame résumé with the Seattle Seahawks.

Wilson has thrown for 2,805 yards and 11 touchdowns against six interceptions, putting up numbers that compare unfavorably to the Broncos' starter last season, Teddy Bridgewater.

Since Denver gave up one first- and one second-round pick in each of 2022 and 2023 among other assets to acquire the Wisconsin product, it's one of the most shocking failures in recent NFL history.

"I've got to find ways to make more plays for us,'' Wilson told reporters in November. "More touchdowns. It's something you continue to work toward every day. ... I've been down before. It doesn't mean we can't come out on the other end of it all."

The Broncos will turn to Brett Rypien in Wilson's absence. The 26-year-old started Denver's Week 7 game against the New York Jets, throwing for 225 yards with an interception in a 16-9 loss.