Marcus Peters Ruled Out for Ravens vs. Browns After Suffering Calf Injury
Dec 18, 2022
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 28: Marcus Peters #24 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the preseason game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on August 28, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The injury bug has struck Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters again.
Peters suffered a calf injury in Saturday's game against the Cleveland Browns and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, the team announced. He was seen limping off the field in the third quarter.
This comes after Peters missed the 2021 campaign with a torn ACL he suffered before the regular season began.
The injury to Peters is a massive blow to the secondary. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection who was the 2015 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Baltimore traded for him during the 2019 season, and he made an immediate impact with two interceptions returned for touchdowns.
He followed up with 52 tackles, four interceptions, nine passes defended, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as one of the leaders of the defense in 2020.
Look for the Ravens to rely further on the cornerback combination of Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens and Kevon Seymour in his absence.
Jadeveon Clowney out for Browns vs. Ravens After Suffering Concussion
Dec 17, 2022
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Cleveland Browns warms up during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Cleveland won 26-24. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Browns will be without defensive end Jadeveon Clowney for the rest of their game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Clowney was ruled out with a concussion after being evaluated on the sideline. He suffered the injury in the first half of Saturday's contest.
The 29-year-old recorded one tackle against the Ravens prior to being removed from the game.
Clowney sustained a right ankle injury in Cleveland's 31-30 loss to the New York Jets that caused him to miss the team's next two games before returning in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, he was ruled out the following week against the New England Patriots after dealing with ankle, knee and elbow injuries.
The No. 1 pick in 2014, Clowney is one of the most respected pass-rushers in the NFL. Through 10 games entering Saturday, he has 22 combined tackles and two sacks. The nine-year veteran posted 37 total tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles in 14 games in 2021.
Clowney spent the first five seasons of his career with the Houston Texans before playing one season each for the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans. He signed a one-year deal with the Browns in 2021 and the team re-signed for the 2022 season on a one-year contract worth $10 million.
While paired alongside edge-rusher Myles Garrett, Clowney is a member of one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the NFL. Garrett is one of the favorites for NFL Defensive Player of the Year and has 39 combined tackles and 12 sacks through 12 games before Saturday.
During Clowney's absence, rookie defensive end Alex Wright will be thrust into a bigger role. The 2022 third-round pick racked up 11.5 sacks in three seasons at UAB. Veteran pass-rusher Isaac Rochell is also likely to see more time on the field. He has 9.5 career sacks in his six NFL seasons.
Colts' Jeff Saturday: 'Plenty of Blame to Go Around' After Historic Loss to Vikings
Dec 17, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Jeff Saturday of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Indianapolis Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday didn't pinpoint one specific thing that went wrong for his team in its historic 39-36 overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Saturday said there is "plenty of blame to go around" after the Colts blew a 33-point lead, the largest cushion to be relinquished in NFL history.
Amid an already-disappointing season, Saturday's loss may be the low point for the Colts in 2022.
They did take advantage of sloppy play from the Vikings, returning a blocked punt and an interception for touchdowns en route to a 33-0 lead at halftime.
Even after the Vikings got their first touchdown midway through the third quarter, Indianapolis had a win probability of 99.6 percent.
Here's a complete look at the win probability via ESPN Analytics.
The Colts had as high as a 99.6% chance to win. That came at 6:59 in the 3rd quarter, when it was 33-7. pic.twitter.com/8pjzozcuEK
Since 1930, teams that have led by at least 30 points were 1,548-1-1 in NFL history coming into Saturday, per the NFL Network telecast. The Vikings scored 36 points in the second half to force overtime. Greg Joseph's 40-yard field goal as time expired capped off the largest comeback in league history.
The Colts joined the Houston Oilers as the only teams to lose a game they led by at least 30 points. The Oilers' loss was "The Comeback" playoff game against the Buffalo Bills in January 1993.
Buffalo scored 35 points in the second half to erase a 35-3 deficit. Steve Christie kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime to send the Bills to the AFC Divisional Round.
The Colts had multiple opportunities to put the game away in the fourth quarter. Deon Jackson fumbled the ball on 1st-and-10 with 3:28 remaining, and Vikings cornerback Chandon Sullivan recovered it.
After Indianapolis' defense forced a turnover on downs, the offense got into Minnesota territory with under three minutes remaining in regulation. Saturday called for a quarterback sneak on 4th-and-1 that would have allowed the Colts to run out the clock if they picked it up, but Matt Ryan was stopped on a quarterback sneak.
On the next play, Dalvin Cook took a screen from Kirk Cousins for a 64-yard score to make it 36-34. Cousins found T.J. Hockenson in the end zone on a two-point conversion to tie the game.
The Colts gained a total of 128 yards on 10 offensive possessions in the second half and overtime, including a kneel down on the final play of regulation.
The past two games have been devastating in very different ways for Saturday and the Colts. They allowed the Dallas Cowboys to score 33 points in the fourth quarter to turn a 21-19 game into a 54-19 blowout.
After having a bye last week, the Colts responded with the most improbable loss the NFL has ever seen.
Matt Ryan, Jeff Saturday Torched by Twitter as Colts Blow 33-0 Lead, Fall To Vikings
Dec 17, 2022
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan and head coach Jeff Saturday endured no shortage of vitriol from Twitter on Saturday after the Colts blew a 33-0 lead and fell 39-36 to the Minnesota Vikings in overtime.
Minnesota's win marked the biggest comeback victory in NFL history in the regular season or playoffs, breaking the record of a 32-point comeback previously held by the Buffalo Bills, who overcame that deficit in a playoff win over the Houston Oilers in the 1992 season.
The Vikings trailed 33-0 at halftime because of a cavalcade of errors that included a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, a lost fumble by running back Dalvin Cook, a pick-six thrown by quarterback Kirk Cousins and two failed fourth-down conversions.
It was an entirely different story in the second half and overtime, though, as the Vikings scored 32 unanswered points after a Colts field goal made it 36-7 in the third quarter.
Josh Dubow of the Associated Press noted that the Colts are only the second team since 1930 to lead by 30 or more points in a game and lose:
Teams leading by 30+ are 1,548-1-1 in regular season and playoffs since 1930. The only teams who didn't win: Oilers vs Bills in 1992 playoffs, led 35-3 and lost 41-38 in OT Bills vs Broncos in 1960, led 38-7 and tied 38-38
There was plenty of blame to go around for Indy's collapse, but much of it fell on Ryan and Saturday.
Ryan now holds the distinction of being the losing quarterback in the biggest comeback in NFL history, as well as the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, as Ryan's Atlanta Falcons blew a 28-3 lead to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
Not surprisingly, people on Twitter took advantage of the opportunity to troll Matty Ice:
The first line of Matt Ryan's NFL career profile has been set:
Matt Ryan, the opposing quarterback in the biggest comeback in NFL history and the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history...
While Ryan didn't play a great game with just 182 yards and one touchdown, he didn't turn the ball over either, and it can be argued that Saturday deserves even more of the blame.
The Colts already fired head coach Frank Reich this season and replaced him with Saturday on an interim basis, which was a controversial decision since he didn't previously have any coaching experience beyond the high school level.
Many on Twitter referenced that fact and joked about the Colts potentially firing two head coaches in the same season:
So now that Jeff Saturday has blown the biggest lead in NFL history, and hasn’t won a single game since beating the Raiders, do those of us that said the hire was an embarrassment *still* owe him an apology, or were we right all along?
Others pointed out the irony that the Colts' former head coach, Reich, is no longer on record as being the winning quarterback in the largest comeback in NFL history due to the coaching performance of his replacement:
Haven't seen anyone point this out yet but maybe I just missed it -- the coach who blew the 33-point lead was hired to replace Frank Reich, who QB'd the greatest comeback in NFL historyhttps://t.co/gzLjabccuq
The Colts' season was already essentially over before Saturday's game since even winning out wasn't likely to yield a playoff spot, but now that they are 4-9-1, their fate is sealed.
Meanwhile, the Vikings improved to 11-3 and clinched the NFC North with their win, meaning they will play at least one postseason game at home.
What would have been a hugely embarrassing home loss for the Vikings turned into the ultimate embarrassment for the Colts and left them searching for answers for 2023 and beyond.
Vikings Stun Twitter, Complete 'Greatest Comeback in NFL History' with Win over Colts
Dec 17, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 24: Kirk Cousins #8, Justin Jefferson #18 and Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings eat turkey legs on the field after defeating the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
It only took the Minnesota Vikings 14 games to clinch the NFC North and earn a playoff spot.
The Vikings (11-3) officially won the division Saturday with a miraculous 39-36 comeback victory over Indianapolis Colts.
Down 33-0 at halftime, the Vikings charged back to score 14 points in the third quarter and 22 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime, where Greg Joseph hit a 40-yard field goal to cap things.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 34 of 54 passes for 460 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions in the win. C.J. Ham, K.J. Osborn, Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen all recorded touchdowns.
The win is the largest comeback in NFL history, and it led to NFL Twitter being stunned by one of the greatest games of the year:
According to the NGS win probability model, the @Vikings' win probability was as low as 0.4% when they trailed 33-0 with 13:22 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The win goes down as the 2nd-most statistically improbable comeback in the NGS era.
Give the Vikings credit for the greatest comeback in NFL history rallying from 33-0 at halftime to win! For the Colts ..that was an alltime embarrassment… truly pathetic.. #NFL#VikingsFootball
There will always be the doubters & skeptics, but the @Vikings just completed the biggest comeback in NFL history, despite the officials & a 33 point deficit. They’re not perfect, but they’re contenders, not pretenders & are going to be a handful for anyone they go against.
The only question is which playoff seed they'll secure.
The top overall seed in the NFC is still up for grabs, with the Vikings looking to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles (12-1). With the NFL moving to seven playoff teams per conference last year, only the top seed gets a first-round bye alongside home-field advantage.
So, while Minnesota will be pleased with its division crown, there's more work to be done to earn the crucial top spot in the NFC.
The Vikings will be happy with how far they've come this season, though, after finishing 8-9 last year and missing the playoffs for the second straight campaign. That ended the Mike Zimmer era, who led the team to the postseason three times in his eight-year tenure as head coach.
In came Kevin O'Connell, and the result has been a team that has emerged as one of the NFL's top contenders.
Of course, having an explosive playmaker at wideout in Jefferson doesn't hurt, nor does complementary pieces Cook, Thielen and T.J. Hockenson, who was acquired in a midseason trade with the Detroit Lions to bolster tight end.
And while Cousins is hardly among the NFL's elite quarterbacks, he's played well enough to keep the Vikings rolling. Ditto for the defense.
Add it all up, and you have a Vikings team that wrapped up the NFC North in December. Now, the question is whether this group will still be playing come February.
NFL Rumors: Support 'Building' for Steve Wilks to Be Named Panthers' Full-Time HC
Dec 17, 2022
Carolina Panthers head coach Steve Wilks watch during the second half of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
There is a growing belief in NFL circles that Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks has earned the right to be appointed the team's full-time head coach, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
"Slam dunk to take interim tag off title," an AFC executive told Fowler. "Better brand of football since he took over."
"They play hard for him, has full command of locker room," an NFC executive added.
Since taking over for the fired Matt Rhule in October, Wilks has led the team to a 4-4 record. The Panthers were 1-4 before the switch.
That turnaround has the Panthers, somewhat shockingly, just one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) for first place in the NFC South, with a crucial matchup between the teams coming on New Year's Day.
If the Panthers win out—a doable scenario, with winnable matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, Bucs and New Orleans Saints left on the schedule—they are guaranteed to win the division since they already beat the Bucs once and a second victory in the matchup would give them the head-to-head tiebreaker.
They would also have a better divisional record than the 5-8 Atlanta Falcons if the Falcons won their four remaining games.
Wilks has turned around the Panthers amid a consistent quarterback carousel that has seen Baker Mayfield, PJ Walker and Sam Darnold all start, with Wilks settling on Darnold for the time being.
The team also traded key offensive playmakers Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson and has leaned on a young, aggressive defense and the dual-headed rushing attack of D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard.
Wilks says the offensive line has "taken ownership" of the fact they're a strength of this team now.
With the emphasis on the run game, and the protection for all the QBs, that's certainly been the case (and very different from last year).
It has been an old-school approach, but it's worked for Wilks and the Panthers.
The 53-year-old has only been given one other NFL head coaching opportunity, going 3-13 with the Arizona Cardinals in the 2018 season. He's also spent time as a defensive coordinator with the Panthers (2017) and Cleveland Browns (2019) and has a long history coaching defensive backs and serving as an assistant head coach at the NFL level.
But he's helped turn this Panthers team around. If Carolina makes an unlikely push to the playoffs, he'll almost assuredly be handed the reins on a full-time basis.
Colts' Jonathan Taylor Ruled Out vs. Vikings After Suffering Ankle Injury
Dec 17, 2022
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs up the middle during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was ruled out against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday after he suffered an ankle injury on the opening drive of the game.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Taylor was initially listed as questionable to return before going back to the locker room for further evaluation. He was officially ruled out in the second quarter.
Schefter reported after the game that Taylor was diagnosed with a sprained ankle, adding that Taylor's status for the rest of the season could be in doubt given the Colts' 4-9-1 record despite the injury not being considered major.
Taylor missed Weeks 5 and 6 of this season because of an ankle injury. He returned for Weeks 7 and 8 but suffered a reaggravation of the ailment during the team's 17-16 loss to the Washington Commanders on Oct. 30.
The former University of Wisconsin star was then ruled out for Week 9 against the New England Patriots because of the injury.
Taylor broke out in his second NFL season last year thanks to a league-high 2,171 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns. His 1,811 rushing yards (on 5.5 yards per carry) also led the NFL. He enjoyed Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year and All-Pro honors.
However, the 2022 campaign has not gone nearly as well. Through 10 games, Taylor has gained just 991 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown. His rushing yards per game has gone from 106.5 down to 86.1, and he's averaging a full yard lower per carry (4.5).
The Colts' offensive issues are far greater than one player and certainly not Taylor's fault. Indianapolis made both midseason offensive coordinator and quarterback changes in hopes of jump-starting a unit that is 31st in the NFL in scoring. The offensive line has also not performed as well.
Ultimately, the Colts are a better team with a healthy Taylor, but for the time being, it'll be up to Deon Jackson to lead the way. He's been featured heavily in the pass game (20 receptions, 124 yards) and has rushed for 136 yards and a score.
Third-year pro Zack Moss should also be in the mix too.
Steelers' Mitchell Trubisky to Start vs. Panthers; Kenny Pickett Out with Concussion
Dec 17, 2022
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 16: Mitch Trubisky #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly expected to start Mitch Trubisky at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that Steelers rookie starting quarterback Kenny Pickett was still in concussion protocol and doubtful for Sunday's game, necessitating the move to Trubisky. ESPN's Brooke Pryor later followed up with news that the Steelers had officially ruled Pickett out for the game.
Trubisky and Mason Rudolph reportedly split first-team snaps at practice this week, but rather than Rudolph getting his first start of the season, Trubisky is in line to earn his fifth.
After Pickett was knocked out of last week's game against the Baltimore Ravens with a concussion, Trubisky completed 22 of his 30 passes for 276 yards, which was his highest yardage total in a game this season.
He threw only one touchdown compared to three interceptions, however, playing a role in Pittsburgh's 16-14 loss.
Trubisky, who spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears and one as Josh Allen's backup with the Buffalo Bills, signed a two-year, $14.3 million deal with the Steelers during the offseason.
Pittsburgh later selected Pickett with the No. 20 pick in the 2022 draft, and the hope was Trubisky would bridge the gap until Pickett was ready.
Instead, Trubisky struggled out of the gates, going 1-3 as a starter over the first four weeks of the season before losing the starting job to Pickett.
In four starts and six appearances this season, Trubisky has completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 1,073 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions.
Trubisky was the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft, and while he led the Bears to the playoffs in 2018 and 2020, he hasn't come close to living up to expectations.
While the 24-year-old Pickett is younger and potentially has a bright future, he hasn't been much better by comparison.
Pickett is 4-5 as a starter and has completed 65.0 percent of his passes for 1,797 yards, four touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has done far more damage with his legs, though, rushing for 225 yards and three scores.
The Steelers are just 5-8, and they likely need to win out to have even the slightest chance of reaching the playoffs for a third consecutive year.
Given that the Steelers have no margin for error, head coach Mike Tomlin may have a quick hook on Trubisky in favor of Rudolph against Carolina.
Bills Share Photos of Highmark Stadium Covered in Snow Ahead of Dolphins Game
Dec 17, 2022
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 06: A general view of a Buffalo Bills helmet on the field prior to the National Football League game between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills on November 6, 2022 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Ahead of Saturday night's game against the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills tweeted photos of their snow-covered stadium.
After heavy snowfall overnight and throughout the day Saturday, Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, resembled a winter wonderland.
Southern Erie County, which is the location of Orchard Park, has a lake-effect snow warning until Monday afternoon, and the forecast calls for snow before, during and after Saturday's game.
Per AccuWeather, four to eight inches of snow are expected to accumulate during the day and another one to three inches to come Saturday night.
Wind gusts could reach up to 21 mph, and there will be a low temperature of 29 degrees with a real-feel temperature of 15 degrees due to the wind chill.
Andy Slater of Fox Sports added that the National Weather Service is expecting the heaviest snow in Orchard Park on Saturday to take place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET, which will be during the game.
The National Weather Service also reported the possibility of thundersnow, which is a phenomenon that happened in Buffalo during a blizzard last month.
By comparison, AccuWeather is calling for a high of 77 degrees and a low of 71 degrees in Miami on Saturday.
While the conditions in the Buffalo area won't be as bad as they were last month when a scheduled home game against the Cleveland Browns had to be moved to Detroit, there still figures to be enough snow and wind to impact the game significantly.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa downplayed playing in the snow this week, noting that it snowed when he attended college at the University of Alabama, but he likely hasn't experienced what he will see Saturday night.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen is far more acclimated to the snow after spending the past several years in Buffalo, perhaps giving the Bills a leg up in a hugely important game.
With a win, the 10-3 Bills can clinch a playoff spot on Saturday, and while a victory would not clinch the AFC East, it would move them to 11-3 and the second-place Dolphins to 8-6 with only three games to play.
Russell Wilson Out for Broncos vs. Cardinals Despite Clearing Concussion Protocol
Dec 16, 2022
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 11: Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) rushes for a 19-yard gain and first down in the second quarter during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 11, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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.
