NFC North

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields underwent an X-ray after suffering a left shoulder injury during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

According to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Fields—who is dealing with pain—is unsure how the injury will affect him moving forward.

Bears QB Justin Fields carted off for further evaluation after the game. He’s still holding his left shoulder. pic.twitter.com/UOUfGL27LT

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) November 20, 2022

"The pain right now is pretty bad," the 23-year-old said, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. "I’ll just take it day by day and see how it feels later in the week."

Fields added: "I was hurting but it was the last drive of the game. I was just trying to be there for my teammates and fight through the pain."

The Bears traded up to No. 11 overall in the 2021 NFL draft to take Fields, who accounted for 86 touchdowns (67 passing, 19 rushing) during his collegiate career with Ohio State.

He completed 58.9 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 1,870 yards in 12 games (10 starts) during his first NFL season. He also rushed for 420 yards and two scores on 72 attempts.

Andy Dalton began last season as the Bears' starter, but Fields officially became QB1 when the former Cincinnati Bengal suffered a bone bruise on his left knee in Week 2.

However, Fields suffered multiple cracked ribs in a 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 21 that kept him out for an additional two games.

He returned for Week 14 against the Green Bay Packers but suffered an ankle injury in a 17-9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 20. He finished the game but missed the Bears' last two regular-season contests.

Fields has been far more explosive this season, however, as the Bears have rebuilt their offensive identity around his unique skills. While that hasn't translated to consistent winning for the 3-8 Bears, it has offered confidence that they've found their franchise quarterback for the future.

Without Fields, Trevor Siemian becomes QB1. The 30-year-old has played 33 games (29 starts) over a seven-year NFL career with the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.

Aaron Rodgers was willing to shoulder some of the blame for the Green Bay Packers' 27-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Rodgers explained he wasn't able to get the same grip on the football as he normally does.

"I've got to throw the ball better than I did tonight," he said.

One of the notable throws Rodgers missed came early in the fourth quarter with the Packers down by 10. He had Sammy Watkins wide open down the middle of the field on 3rd-and-12, but his throw sailed high and forced the Packers to punt.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, the Packers offense again had a chance to cut into the deficit. Rodgers sailed a pass over Allen Lazard's head on 3rd-and-3. He tried to hit Lazard on a deep shot on fourth down, but it was incomplete for a turnover on downs with 5:21 left to play.

Rodgers finished the game 24-of-39 for 227 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was only sacked once, but it was a 12-yard loss on 2nd-and-7 on their final possession with just over three minutes remaining.

There was hope that the Packers were building positive momentum after their comeback overtime victory against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10.

Green Bay's running game did most of the work for the offense in that game with 207 yards on 39 carries.

Rodgers was efficient in the win over Dallas, going 14-of-20 for 224 yards and three touchdowns. His 20 pass attempts were his fewest in a game that he finished since Week 4 of the 2010 season.

Thursday's game looked like a lot of this season has for the Packers. They had just 271 yards of total offense and 15 first downs. After Christian Watson's touchdown and a two-point conversion cut the deficit to 20-17 late in the third quarter, their final four drives ended in two punts and two turnovers on downs.

The loss dropped the Packers' record to 4-7, six games behind the Minnesota Vikings in the loss column in the NFC North. They are three games back of the San Francisco 49ers in the loss column for the final wild-card spot in the NFC.

The Green Bay Packers' disappointing season is on the brink of complete disaster after a disappointing 27-17 home loss to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday.

Neither side of the ball got it done.

The defense struggled for the vast majority of the game and allowed quarterback Ryan Tannehill to throw for a season-high 333 yards. Tennessee outgained Green Bay 408-271 thanks to Tannehill, running back Derrick Henry (136 total yards, one rushing touchdown, one passing score) and rookie wide receiver Treylon Burks (career-highs of seven receptions for 111 yards).

The Packers showed some signs of offensive life thanks to the connection between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wideout Christian Watson (two touchdowns Thursday and five over the last two games) but ultimately ended the matchup with four scoreless drives on a pair each of punts and turnover on downs.

It was a resoundingly disappointing effort for the Packers after they upset the visiting Dallas Cowboys 31-28 in overtime the week before. Granted, the 7-3 Titans look geared for the playoffs and another AFC South title, but Green Bay was running uphill all game after Tennessee scored a touchdown on the opening drive and never looked back.

There's a lot of blame to go around, but Twitter ultimately noted the defense's struggles and coaching concerns—notably defensive coordinator Joe Barry—as well as Rodgers' missed throws (albeit with an injured thumb) down the stretch.

everyone focuses on the Love pick but Rodgers should be more annoyed that Gutekunst spent so many resources on a defense this poor

— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) November 18, 2022

This is why the Titans are winning games with less talent than the Packers: they're better prepared, better coached, and better managed in-game.

— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 18, 2022

Another drive where the Packers' defense looks lost. Derrick Henry jump pass for a TD fools them all. Titans take a 20-9 lead with 5:17 left in the third after Lambo bounces the extra point off the right upright.

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 18, 2022

I for one am shocked that the guy who was the defensive coordinator for the 0-16 Lions wasn't the guy to turn the Packers defense around

— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) November 18, 2022

How can this defense be this bad with the money they've pumped into that side of the ball for the last 4 years? #Packers

— Seth Knickrehm (@SethDKnickrehm) November 18, 2022

What will never make sense to me is Matt LaFleur fired Mike Pettine for playing so much soft, passive zone and the hired a coach to play that exact same style.

At a certain point that’s on LaFleur

— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 18, 2022

https://twitter.com/BookOfEli_NFL/status/1593430665109786624

Rodgers has flat out missed a ton of throws tonight. That is not debatable

— trey wingo (@wingoz) November 18, 2022

Just a brutal miss from Rodgers and Lazard on third and 3. A little high, but catchable. Wasted opportunity after Keisean Nixon gives offense the ball in Tennessee territory. That might do it.

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 18, 2022

Why does Rodgers keep gesturing after every bad throw? Did Lambeau erect a big mirror at the end of the field?

He's been downright awful tonight.

— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) November 18, 2022

Someone is missing Davante Adams in a major way.

— Melissa Jacobs 💙 (@thefootballgirl) November 18, 2022

Aaron Rodgers has missed a bunch of open guys tonight.

It sure looks like the thumb's a problem.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 18, 2022

Aaron Rodgers isn't going to win MVP again this year.

Heard it here first.

— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) November 18, 2022

Time isn't the Packers' friend, as the 4-7 Packers fell three back in the loss column of the 5-4 San Francisco 49ers, who currently hold the NFC's third and final wild-card spot.

Plus, the Packers have lost six of their last seven games and will now go on the road to visit the 8-1 Philadelphia Eagles for Sunday Night Football on Nov. 27.

There isn't much reason for optimism right now, and Matt Schneidman of The Athletic summed it up.

Ballgame. Rodgers walked to the sideline shaking out his right hand as the chains came out. He knew. Packers will fall to 4-7. Defense was bad. Offense was bad. Last week seemed like a fluke. Just a bad football team here in Green Bay.

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 18, 2022

Green Bay will stay on the road after the Eagles game with a matchup against the rival Chicago Bears on Dec. 4.

The Los Angeles Lakers didn't play Thursday night, but they may have still been on LeBron James' mind even when he was analyzing the Green Bay Packers as part of Amazon Prime Video's alternate broadcast of Thursday Night Football.

"If you have a transcendent franchise player like Aaron Rodgers," he said (h/t Sports Illustrated). "... Why wouldn't you surround that, when you got the picks, to maximize what he can do?"

Notably, co-host Paul Rivera asked, "Are we still talking football or are we talking basketball?" which led to some laughter on set.

James, Rivera and Maverick Carter hosted the alternate broadcast of the game between the Packers and Tennessee Titans that emulated an episode of The Shop. It included guest appearances from Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, and actors Rob Lowe and Jamie Foxx.

As far as the Packers go, they have been consistently criticized and questioned for not drafting enough offensive playmakers around Rodgers, especially in the latter portion of his career. They also traded No. 1 wide receiver Davante Adams this offseason.

While Rodgers is widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in league history, the Packers have been to the Super Bowl just one time in his career. That came back in the 2010 campaign, and they have consistently fallen short in the NFC playoffs of late.

But it's difficult not to read between the lines whenever James says something.

Despite plenty of speculation this offseason, his Lakers did not drastically change the roster even after missing the playoffs and play-in tournament in 2021-22. Russell Westbrook is still there, and the Purple and Gold look nothing like playoff contenders.

Perhaps a trade is needed, but Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported earlier this month that the front office is "moving in a direction where they're going to resist moving first-round picks if the season continues to go down this path."

That would mean holding on to first-round picks in 2027 and 2029, which will be used in all likelihood after the 37-year-old James is past his prime or perhaps even retired.

Such a direction may be in the best interest of the franchise, but James surely wants to win now.

The 3-10 Lakers don't look like they'll be doing much of that this season.

Expectations weren't that high to begin with, but fantasy football managers are likely feeling underwhelmed with their returns from Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison in 2022.

Through nine games, Mattison has run for 149 yards and two touchdowns. His 16.6 yards per game are nearly half his career average (30.1) and would represent a third straight year of decline.

Entering the season, the 24-year-old at least looked like a valuable handcuff for Dalvin Cook. Based on the fact that he's rostered in just 40 percent of Yahoo Sports leagues, some fantasy managers have lost faith in him even fulfilling that capacity.

Typically, a younger running back might be more valuable in dynasty leagues. If the production isn't there now, it could be in another year or two as his usage grows.

With Mattison, the opposite might be true because Cook isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

The three-time Pro Bowler is signed through the 2025 season, and his performance is giving the Vikings little reason to cut bait. The 27-year-old has run for 727 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He has also caught 22 passes for 146 yards and one score.

There isn't anything to indicate Mattison is a star in the making, either, were he to sign with another team when he's eligible for free agency in 2023. He's averaging 4.2 yards per carry through four years and hasn't shown a lot as a pass-catcher (65 receptions, 501 yards and three touchdowns).

If you believe in Mattison's potential, it's a good time to trade for him because his outlook may improve slightly if he's in a different uniform. From the other side of the deal, though, that offers a good reason to wait because his value in the offseason can't be any lower than it is.

Add Aaron Rodgers to the growing list of players publicly advocating for the NFL to do away with turf fields in favor of grass.

"As much as I've enjoyed playing indoors over the years on turf, I do think it's time to play on grass," he told reporters Tuesday. "I think you'd see less of these non-contact injuries."

Rodgers doesn't believe the NFL will ban turf, however.

"This would be putting money where your mouth is if the league is really interested in player safety," he told reporters.

A number of NFL players tweeted publicly about the safety concerns of turf last week:

I believe that we -- and all teams -- should be playing on grass.

This is an age-old issue, and I believe the time to address the problem is now!

Let's have the conversation.#saferfields

— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) November 12, 2022

We know the data - our union and the league agree that we should eliminate slit film turf. The NFL isn’t willing to mandate this change, so we as players are going to keep talking about this issue until it changes. #SaferFields

— Dalton Schultz (@BinghamBaller9) November 12, 2022

Teams that play home games on Slit Film Turf:

Giants, Jets, Lions, Vikings, Saints, Colts, Bengals

Data shows Slit Film Turf puts players at a higher risk of non contact injuries

The fields can be changed and ready for play in days

This is a non brainer! @NFL Make it happen

— Calais Campbell (@CalaisCampbell) November 12, 2022

Here’s a chance to show that player health is top priority. There’s no reason to be playing on turf!

All teams should be playing on grass🏹
#saferfields

— Brandin Cooks (@brandincooks) November 12, 2022

Nfl says they care about player safety yet they can’t put us on a natural surface #saferfields

— Nick Bosa (@nbsmallerbear) November 12, 2022

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll also spoke on the issue during a late-October press conference.

"I think we definitely need to look at this really seriously in the offseason again," he told reporters. "It's been a discussion before. We've got to do what's right, and we've got to do what's safest for the players, and we've got to make those choices. I would pound on the drum for that."

The NFL has countered by pointing to studies showing that the difference in non-contact injuries between grass and turf fields are negligible.

NFL executive vice president of communications Jeff Miller released the following statement last week:

As the NFLPA knows from the meeting of our Joint Field Surface Safety & Performance Committee earlier this month, there was no difference between the number of injuries on synthetic surfaces versus grass. While slit-film surfaces, one type of synthetic material, have 2-3 more injuries per year, most of them are ankle sprains—a low-burden injury—whereas slit film also sees a lower rate of fewer high-burden ACL injuries compared to other synthetic fields. As a result, the league and NFLPA's joint experts did not recommend any changes to surfaces at the meeting but agreed more study is needed.

As Kevin Seifert of ESPN noted, the rate of injuries on artificial surfaces were "notably higher" than on natural grass in the years leading up to 2019. In recent seasons, however, the difference has become almost indistinguishable as teams that utilize turf replace it more frequently and have improved their care and management of the surface.

Nonetheless, it is abundantly clear that players favor playing on natural grass.

"The turf is literally like concrete it has no give when you plant," Packers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell tweeted in part on Nov. 7.

Los Angeles Rams wideout Cooper Kupp previously added that the difference between the two surfaces was "not even close."

With fantasy trade deadlines happening this week for many leagues, it's a good time to explore the trade value of a few under-the-radar players. Here we'll look at two players orbiting around the otherworldly talent that is Justin Jefferson: Minnesota Vikings wideouts Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn.

Thielen is nothing more than a weekly flex option and his value should reflect as much. He's only hit double-digit fantasy points in PPR leagues four times this season, though he has scored at least nine points seven times.

He'll consistently offer you some production, but his upside is pretty limited at this point. He probably has more short-term value than long-term upside in dynasty leagues, seeing as he's 32, so if you are trading for him keep that in mind as well.

If the goal is to win this year, well, there are probably more impactful options worth considering. If the goal is to fortify your team in the long run, well...there are still probably more impactful options worth considering.

Osborn is a tougher call. He emerged as the team's third receiver last year, catching 50 passes for 655 yards and seven scores. Another jump seemed likely in 2022 but hasn't materialized to this point.

He's the opposite of Thielen. In dynasty leagues, he has more long-term appeal because in the short-term he isn't worth trading for at all. But if you are looking for a long-term stash, only consider paying WR4 prices for him. The hope is that down the line he emerges as the WR2 behind Jefferson.

Because when it comes to Minnesota's passing game, it's all about Jefferson, with a sprinkling in of tight end T.J. Hockenson. Thielen and Osborn are further down the pecking order.

Tom Brady started the NFL slate on Sunday by leading his Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Germany, which gave him plenty of time to watch highlights from other games.

One catch, in particular, caught his eye.

"That has got to be one of the great catches in NFL history," he said on his Let's Go! podcast with Jim Gray (h/t Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times) when discussing Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson's 32-yard catch in the final two minutes of regulation during the NFC North team's 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills.

Jefferson finished with 10 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown, but it was the one where he saved the game on 4th-and-18 down by snatching the ball from the defensive back's hands that stood out the most:

JUSTIN JEFFERSON OH MY GOODNESS 😱🤯

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/h71fuciUrv

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 13, 2022

Brady has certainly seen his fair share of catches during his illustrious career, including David Tyree's famous helmet catch that came against No. 12's New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

He also played with one of the best wide receivers of all time in Randy Moss.

Yet he was nothing but impressed by Jefferson's snag, which helped the Vikings improve to 8-1 on the season.

Aaron Rodgers was visibly frustrated with head coach Matt LaFleur after a conservative late-game approach led to overtime, albeit in a 31-28 win for the Green Bay Packers over the Dallas Cowboys.

Aaron Rodgers shows frustration towards Matt LaFleur after the third-down play call.

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/hCg0fe9wF2

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 14, 2022

After Sunday's game, Rodgers went into more detail about his reaction while speaking with reporters.

"Just every single play call, probably," he said of his frustrations. "I felt like we were like 30 yards from ending the game in regulation, and also felt like it was two minutes, so I was going to be calling those, and I was in a pretty good rhythm. Obviously, I didn't have a ton of attempts, but felt like I was in a pretty good rhythm. I felt like I threw the ball just about exactly where I wanted to, so I wanted a chance to go win the game."

The sequence in question started with 1:38 remaining in the fourth quarter, with the Packers taking over at their own 33-yard line after a Cowboys punt. LaFleur dialed up two straight runs—which ran the clock down to 30 seconds—before going with a pass on 3rd-and-1, which fell incomplete.

The Packers then punted it back to the Cowboys, who weren't able to move down the field to kick a game-winning field goal, and the Packers ultimately won in overtime.

An emotional Matt LaFleur addresses his team after a big win. Love this from coach. #Packers pic.twitter.com/jqyFHAJFXu

— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) November 14, 2022

Matt LaFleur said he got emotional after the game and did so again here in his press conference.

"We put a lot into this, and it's tough at times," LaFleur said before pausing. "It means a lot to us. To be down and fight and contnue to fight, that's what you want to see."

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) November 14, 2022

It was a huge result, ending a five-game losing streak for Green Bay. But it was a game that perhaps wouldn't have needed overtime in the first place with a more aggressive approach late in regulation.

LaFleur admitted some "indecision" on his part regarding the final sequence, noting the Cowboys had three timeouts remaining and he worried about the possibility of giving them the ball with too much time remaining if Rodgers threw a couple of incompletions and the Packers had to punt.

"It didn't work out, at least in that moment, but it did work out obviously for us to be able to come out on top," he told reporters. "A lot of times when we get in those situations, we give Aaron a ton of freedom to kind of run the show. I'd say typically, he does such a great job with it. So, hindsight is 20/20, but that was on me, totally."

A loss would have overshadowed the huge game from rookie wideout Christian Watson, who caught four passes for 107 yards and three scores. There have been major question marks about Rodgers' weapons this season—or lack thereof—but the emergence of Watson could be enormous for a Packers team now fighting to return to the playoff picture.

"We've seen what we can be, and we've seen it was only us getting in our own way," Watson told reporters after the game. "All we had to do was believe."

The Minnesota Vikings overcame improbable odds to beat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday while also overcoming poor officiating at the end of the 33-30 overtime win at Highmark Stadium.

The Bills defense had 12 players on the field during the Vikings' 1st-and-goal play from the 2-yard line in overtime, Kevin Seifert of ESPN confirmed.

As Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said last night, the Bills had 12 players on the field when they stopped Dalvin Cook for a 3-yard loss in OT yesterday. O'Connell did say: "I know it's moving pretty fast out there sometimes." pic.twitter.com/5Cc4sDNN7r

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 14, 2022

Dalvin Cook was stopped for a three-yard loss on the play, and the Vikings settled for a field goal three plays later.

"I do believe there was 12 players on the field. ... I know it's moving pretty fast out there sometimes," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said after the game.

If the officials had caught the infraction, Minnesota would have gotten a 1st-and-goal from the 1-yard line and a better chance to end the game with a touchdown.

Instead, the goal-line stand helped Buffalo get another chance to tie or win. The Vikings still held on as Patrick Peterson intercepted Josh Allen on the next drive.

The missed call for too many men on the field wasn't the only officiating error that benefited the Bills late in the game.

After the Vikings took the lead in the final minute with a fumble recovered for a touchdown, Buffalo forced overtime with a five-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in a field goal. The biggest play on that drive was a 20-yard pass to Gabe Davis on the sideline.

The @BuffaloBills are in FG range after this catch

📺: #MINvsBUF on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/uRjde5F169 pic.twitter.com/97Bsd7MqxO

— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2022

Other angles of the play showed that Davis did not complete the catch, but the officials did not review it before the Bills snapped the ball.

"We were able—several plays after—to look at all the angles," referee Walt Anderson told the pool reporter after the game. "It would have been reversed to an incomplete pass because he did not maintain control of the ball after he hit the ground and the ball touched the ground out of bounds."

In both cases, the officiating mistakes gave the Bills extra chances to win.

Minnesota still prevailed, fighting back from being down 17 points in the second half to beat one of the NFL's best teams on the road. The Vikings improved to 8-1 while showcasing impressive resilience.