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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said on his wife Kelly Stafford's podcast The Morning After that he is not retiring from the NFL.

Here it is from Matthew himself on retirement: pic.twitter.com/S3hUsHlArR

— HoldenCantor (@HoldenCantor) December 20, 2022

The Rams placed Stafford on injured reserve Dec. 3 because of a neck injury, and his status going forward was uncertain.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Nov. 27 that the Rams didn't know if Stafford would play again in 2022, noting he'd been in concussion protocol twice, had a strained neck and also experienced numbness in his legs.

The injuries have contributed to a lost year for Stafford, who has just 10 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in nine starts. His 87.4 passer rating is his lowest since 2014, while his 231.9 passing yards per game only beats his first two years in the NFL.

The numbers are a dramatic change from 2021 when he totaled 4,886 passing yards and 41 touchdowns, leading the Rams to a Super Bowl title in his first season in L.A.

Stafford underwent a procedure on his right elbow in the offseason and was limited in training camp as he recovered. Though he was back on the field in Week 1, he seemingly never returned to 100 percent.

The Rams have struggled with and without their starting quarterback, and they fell to 4-10 and were eliminated from playoff contention with Monday's loss to the Green Bay Packers. That makes it unnecessary for Stafford to return this season, but he wants to get back on the field in 2023.

The 34-year-old signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension in March, featuring $130 million in guaranteed money. If Los Angeles wanted to trade or release Stafford, it would cost the team at least $48 million in dead cap, per Spotrac.

Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, John Wolford and Bryce Perkins give the team options to finish out the year, although all three are set to enter free agency this offseason.

Wally Szczerbiak did not hold back when it came to Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Haliburton missed a potential go-ahead jumper in the final seconds of Sunday's 109-106 loss to the New York Knicks. Szczerbiak, who works for the Knicks' television broadcasts, called Haliburton "mister supposed wannabe fake All-Star" before suggesting New York players are more deserving of making this season's All-Star Game (h/t Basket News).

"He's a very good player; he's not going to make the All-Star team," he said. "Guys like Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson will make it over Tyrese Haliburton, and tonight we saw why."

Haliburton finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists, although he was just 5-of-16 from the field.

Still, he is very much in All-Star contention with averages of 19.5 points, a league-leading 10.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals for a Pacers team that is in position to make the play-in tournament at 15-16.

The 22-year-old has not achieved that honor yet but could be in line to make far more All-Star Games during his career than the one that Szczerbiak did during a 10-season career that included stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Army linebacker Andre Carter II is expected to be eligible for the 2023 NFL draft thanks to a provision in the Omnibus Appropriations Measure.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported amended language was added to the Congressional bill and filed Tuesday. The changes will provide Carter and any other current academy upperclassmen at Army, Navy and Air Force the ability to defer their military service for the chance to play professional sports.

Thamel noted the bill is "expected to pass this week."

Carter is a potential first-round draft pick who is the No. 29 overall player and No. 6 edge-rusher on B/R NFL Scouting Department's big board.

Thamel previously noted athletes have been able to delay service requirements since 2019 if they had the opportunity to play professionally, but that seemed to be changing before the new language that permits a legacy exception.

The language said the inability to apply for such an exception "shall only apply with respect to a cadet or midshipman who first enrolls in the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, or the United States Air Force Academy on or after June 1, 2021."

Carter had the opportunity to transfer to powerhouse college football programs in the past and perhaps cash in on his name, image and likeness, but Thamel reported his family never even gave such a path "serious consideration."

That was one reason they were so upset before Tuesday's amended language. His mother, Melissa Carter, said:

"Here's the thing that's so painful. You guide your son to do the right things because it's right. And it's really disappointing that it's not reciprocated. This has been his goal since childhood, to go into the NFL. Every step of the way, that was on track, until we saw this article. That's the part that's disappointing. It's not surprising to see so many people transfer, opt out or switch teams. When loyalty is not reciprocated, that stings."

Army coach Jeff Monken echoed those sentiments.

"It's just kind of pulling the rug out from under him," he said. "It's not fair. It's not fair to him. He was loyal to this team and institution. He could have left and he didn't. He still wants to serve. It's not that he doesn't want to serve. He wants to pursue the NFL and play, and then serve."

Yet Thamel reported Carter's situation "rippled quickly through Washington, D.C.," which led to the expedited process that resulted in the amended language.

Members of Congress such as Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell were all involved.

Carter's parents, Melissa and Andre, told ESPN:

"Thank you to the members of congress who stepped up, spoke out and worked expeditiously in support of Andre and other service academy cadets and midshipmen who made decisions in reliance on the 2019 policy allowing deferral of service. The goodness we saw in people this past week will forever be imprinted upon us."

Attention turns to the NFL draft process as the 6'7" pass-rusher attempts to make an impression on teams through the scouting combine, Senior Bowl and interviews.

His breakthrough season came in 2021 when he tallied 41 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two passes defended, one interception and one fumble recovery. He helped lead Army to an Armed Forces Bowl win over the SEC's Missouri with a sack to end that season.

That put Carter firmly under the spotlight in 2022, and he responded with 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two passes defended in 10 games. He also posted four tackles in a double-overtime win over Navy.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department listed him as the best speed-rusher in the draft, and he has the chance to become Army's third player drafted since 1969. It has not had a first-round pick since 1947, but Carter could change that.

The betting odds have shifted in favor of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to win NFL MVP at the end of the 2022 season. That's because an injury has occurred to the previous front-runner.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is dealing with a right shoulder sprain that could prevent him from playing in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears, according to ESPN's Tim McManus. The ailment is "not considered a long-term injury," per McManus, but it could impact Hurts' chances of winning NFL MVP.

It's highly likely that the award will be going to a quarterback, unless something major happens over the final three weeks of the regular season to change that. Mahomes and Hurts are the top betting favorites, but the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen and the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow are also in the conversation.

Here's a look at the latest NFL MVP odds, followed by predictions for how the award race will shake out at the end of the regular season.

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Latest NFL MVP Odds

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: -350 (bet $350 to win $100)

Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts: +550 (bet $100 to win $550)

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen: +550

Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow: +600

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa: +10000

Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson: +10000

Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert: +13000

Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill: +20000

Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins: +20000

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey: +25000

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

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Predictions

If Hurts ends up playing 16 games this season (or perhaps 17, if he ends up being able to suit up this week), there's still a good chance he'll win NFL MVP. The 24-year-old is having a tremendous season and has been instrumental to the Eagles going 13-1 thus far.

However, it doesn't seem likely Hurts will play that much, even if the injury isn't a long-term issue for him.

Philadelphia has already clinched a playoff berth, and it has a three-game lead over the second-place Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East. The Eagles should clinch the division title soon. And they also have a two-game advantage for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Assuming that Philadelphia can clinch that top spot before Week 18, there may be no reason to play Hurts in the finale, especially if he isn't at 100 percent. It may prevent him from earning his first NFL MVP honor, but the Eagles' goal is to win the Super Bowl, and they need Hurts healthy in order to have a chance to do that.

So that's why Mahomes has emerged as the clear favorite to win MVP for the second time in his six-year NFL career. The Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West, but they're 11-3, just like the Bills. Those two teams may be competing for the No. 1 seed (and the first-round bye that comes with it) all the way through Week 18.

That will give Mahomes more opportunities to rack up impressive numbers. Of course, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid believed his quarterback was the NFL MVP front-runner even before the news of Hurts' injury came out.

"If he's not the MVP in the league, I'm not sure what's wrong with them," Reid said following the Chiefs' win over the Houston Texans on Sunday, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk.

Mahomes has been building a strong case. Through 14 games, the 27-year-old has thrown for 4,496 yards and 35 touchdowns, both NFL highs.

Kansas City closes out the regular season with games against the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, none of which have records above .500. So things are set up well for Mahomes and the Chiefs to have a strong finish.

Once that happens, it will be clear that Mahomes should be named NFL MVP, especially because Hurts' stats won't go up for however long he's sidelined.

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Damian Lillard is the greatest scorer in Portland Trail Blazers history.

The guard needed just 21 points during Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder to pass Clyde Drexler's franchise record of 18,040 points. He tied the record with a three-pointer in the third quarter and later secured it with a free throw.

"It's a great feeling to reach the top," Lillard said, per ESPN. "It's been a goal of mine, and the list has so many players, great history of our organization, so to finally be No. 1 is a special accomplishment that I'm proud of."

Unfortunately for Portland, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spoiled its night with a buzzer-beater to give the Thunder the 123-121 win.

Still, much of the focus was on Lillard after he finished with 28 points, six assists and three rebounds on 9-of-17 shooting from the field and 6-of-12 shooting from deep.

"No disrespect to Clyde—he's one of the all-time greats—but even if Dame didn't pass him, I feel like Dame is still the greatest Blazer ever," center Jusuf Nurkić said, per Jason Quick of The Athletic. "When you put everything together—the way he plays the game, what he does off the court, everything—he's a one of a kind player. Hopefully he retires here."

Lillard didn't shy from the record ahead of the contest.

"It means something to me in my heart," he told reporters. "To have something in the history books and record books, it will mean something."

Both Lillard and Drexler are members of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, and the latter is a Hall of Famer with an NBA title he won with the Houston Rockets. Lillard is still working on that championship, but he will surely join his fellow Trail Blazers great in the Hall of Fame one day.

Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert have moved on to different teams, and the guard explained there is no lingering hatred between the former Utah Jazz teammates.

"Honestly, basketball just didn't work," he said, per Marc J. Spears of Andscape. "We live in such a world where it has to be really negative. Basketball just didn't work. We didn't see eye to eye. We wanted to both win, but we wanted to do it two different ways. It didn't work. But as far as him and I go as people, I don't hate him, and he doesn't hate me."

Mitchell also said he will hug Gobert when they see each other, adding: "There's no hatred. There's no ill will towards any of that."

Still, there was no shortage of reports about tension between the two star players when they were together with the Jazz. Utah traded Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves this past offseason.

The pair played five seasons together and made the playoffs each time. However, the Jazz never made it past the second round during that stretch. It seemed like they finally would in 2020-21 when they finished with the best record in the NBA, but they lost to the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers in the second round.

Mitchell's Cavaliers are 21-11, which is the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.

Perhaps he can make a conference final in his first season without Gobert.

Two straight victories against the 3-11 Chicago Bears and 4-10 Los Angeles Rams has Aaron Rodgers believing his 6-8 Green Bay Packers can make the playoffs.

"We've got two," he said after Monday's win over the Rams, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "Got two in the bag. I don't know. Look, before the Bears week, we knew we had a bye afterwards, and those of us who sometimes peek ahead knew that we had to win five and then have a lot of things go our way. So, we've won two and just about everything we needed to happen has gone our way. Just about, right? So, things are looking up."

He also said he thinks the team can win out even with more difficult games against the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions to finish the season.

"I do, yeah, I do, I do," Rodgers said. "Now we're going to play three better football teams, but I do. Definitely."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPzDUMziWe0

While the two-game winning streak can be partially attributed to the level of competition, Green Bay looks much better than the version of itself that lost five straight and seven of eight following a 3-1 start.

The Washington Commanders have the last wild-card spot at 7-6-1, and the 7-7 Lions and Seattle Seahawks are both ahead of the Packers as well.

Rodgers and Co. will likely have to win the rest of their games and finish 9-8, but one of the best quarterbacks of all time believes is within the team's grasp.