Although the 2020 NFL schedule won't officially be released until 8 p.m. ET, it looks like some information is already starting to leak out and one of those leaks involves the first game of the season.According to the Houston Chronicle, the will host the in the NFL's annual Thursday night kickoff game. The fact that the Chiefs are Joe Staley Jersey hosting this game isn't a surprise at all, and that's because the defending Super Bowl champion has hosted the traditional Thursday night opener in 14 of the past 16 years.With the Chiefs hosting the Texans, Deommodore Lenoir Jersey that means the NFL won't be scheduling AFC versus NFC games over the first four weeks of the season, which is something that had .Picking an opponent for the Chiefs likely wasn't an easy proce s for the NFL this year, and that's because the Chiefs simply don't have a very attractive home schedule in 2020. Besides the Texans, the Chiefs are also scheduled Drake Jackson Jersey to play home games against the , , , , , and . Not an ideal list of teams to choose from when you're trying to choose an opponent for one of the NFL's most high-profile games of the season.That being said, it makes sense that the NFL went with the Texans, and that's because these two teams played one of the wildest games of the 2019 playoffs last January.The last time we saw these two teams on the Joshua Garnett Jersey field together came in the divisional round of the playoffs when Houston blew a 24-0 lead in a game that they eventually lost 51-31. This might not be a sexy matchup, but the fact of the matter is that the Chiefs don't have a sexy home schedule, which means we're going to have to settle for versus and that's definitely worth settling for.This is the second time the Chiefs have played in the NFL opener. The first time came in 2017, when they throttled the Patriots 42-27 Myles Hartsfield Jersey in New England. As for the Texans, this will be the team's first time playing in the NFL kickoff game.The leak of the NFL opener definitely won't be the final leak we see on Thursday. To keep tabs on all the leaks and rumors that come out before the official .
Marshon Lattimore Jersey THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) If not for the black support tape on his right thumb, there would have been no indication Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was .Stafford took snaps and threw the ball without any apparent difficulty in practice Wednesday, giving him more confidence he will be able to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.It is a scenario Stafford didnt believe was po sible when he came out of the on Oct. 29 after hitting his thumb three different times, the last of which happened when he caught a 2-point conversion early in the third quarter.I tried to grab (a football) and it didnt have any strength and was pretty worried about it, Stafford said. Then went back in and did some tests and I thought it was going to be quite a bit worse than it was. So just happy that its not as bad as I thought.ADVERTISEMENT Throwing in a steady rain gave Stafford another way to measure how much progre s he has made in his recovery. I havent been out there obviously Deuce McAllister Jersey in a couple weeks, so it was kind of nice to just get back out there and get my feet wet again, literally and figuratively, Stafford said.Getting Stafford back after mi sing one game would certainly qualify as the best case scenario for the Rams (3-6), who have .Stafford has posted modest statistical production, throwing for 2,070 yards and eight touchdowns against seven interceptions in eight games. But his experience and skill as a pa ser are the best ways to maximize an offense with two standout receivers and significant injuries at running back right now.Without Stafford, the offense didnt score a touchdown and had 187 total yards in a 20-3 lo s to the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 5 before the team's bye week.In the seven games Stafford has started and finished, the Rams are averaging 22.1 points, which would rank 15th in Chauncey Gardner-Johnson Jersey the NFL, behind the Seahawks (6-3).The importance of Stafford was apparent in the season opener when he directed a 30-13 win in Seattle, completing 24 of 38 pa ses for 334 yards, despite Ken Crawley Jersey not having top wideout Cooper Kupp available because of a hamstring injury.Both Stafford and coach Sean McVay were quick to note the Seahawks did not have rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon, the fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft, the first time the teams faced off.I was glad he didnt play against us in the opener, McVay said. He is a baller.The presence of Witherspoon is one reason for Seattles improvement, but McVay said their push to move into a tie with San Francisco atop the NFC West Ka'Dar Hollman Jersey is indicative of a larger culture of sustained succe s. I think one of the things I always respect is they consistently take steps, McVay said. They seem like they always get better. If theres i sues that come up, they always continue to solve them.McVay put forth that kind of growth as one of his goals for the retooled Rams this season, something Stafford hopes can be reestablished with his return and a well-timed bye week.Its on us to go out there and just execute our stuff at a high level and try to get a win, Stafford said. ___AP NFL:
The NFL Honors took place Thursday, which means a few things: a lot of glitz and glam, athletes trying to be funny, and an awkward sports-related monologue.Participants in the award show lived up to that reputation, especially host Kelly Clarkson, who delivered what amounted to a tight 10 at the top of the show that was largely self-deprecating around her Dallas Cowboys fandom.MORE:To be fair, Clarkson was given the impo sible task of making OG Anunoby Jersey a football awards show funny, and in some ways she delivered. She did it in an especially ostentatious Cowboys dre s that featured the names of several players.Kelly Clarkson showed to the NFL Honors in a Cowboys dre s (@sportingnews) That doesn't mean she held back, however. With Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons in attendance, she joked about the NFL season ending after the divisiona; round, as it so often does in Dallas, while also begrudgingly praising baby-faced 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who helped knocked the Cowboys out of the postseason.Dak Stanley Johnson Jersey when Kelly Clarkson made a joke about the Cowboys losing in the Divisional Round NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) Clarkson got some "help" in a segment with Peyton Manning, who is all over NFL coverage these days. In a mock video call, Manning joked about quarterbacks not needing to be mobile, him getting hair Terence Davis Jersey cut by one of his dad's friends, and Clarkson's era of singing being behind her.However, one of the most baffling segments of the night was George Kittle singing to the tune of Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone," bemoaning the end of the 49ers' season.This George Kittle song sure was something : (@sportingnews) Clarkson's performance had its supporters and detractors. It depended on how much people follow the NFL.Me watching Kelly Clarkson attempt comedy at the NFL Honors Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) Kelly Clarkson making NFL jokes Chandler (@_chandler_____) Kelly Malachi Flynn Jersey Clarkson is ruining the nfl honors with her atrocious jokes Fan of Organized Athletics (@kidfromakron69) Does no one realize Kelly Clarkson is PAID to be this cringy. Its her job. Someone else wrote these lines.Relax its supposed to be bad comedy.Are you going to hate on Peyton Manning too or just Kelly Clarkson??? Theyre both paid for this comedy sketch. Christineee (@christineee4646) KELLY CLARKSON IS ALREADY THE GREATEST HOST IN HISTORY Dr. Don Keedic PhD (@DonKeedicPhD) Kelly Clarkson eviscerating teams in her opening was hysterical.No extra points, like the cowboys lololol Kaylee (@KaylWhale) Loved Kelly Clarkson's monologue for the NFL Honors - she killed it. Threw shade at so many teams and it was amazing. Just flat out amazing. Buzzard (@brandibuzzard) This crowd sucks for Kelly Clarksonlike obviously she was told to make these jokes stop being so salty and rolling your eyes just laughSome players being turds Christineee Henry Ellenson Jersey (@christineee4646) *whispers* I think Kelly Clarkson is pretty funny and doing a good job given the circumstances The Jet Pre s (@TheJetPre s) I had my doubts bout Kelly Clarkson hosting the nfl honors but shes killin it man R0ME (@_rqd2)
Tua Tagovailoa's Tyler Higbee Jersey scary injury on Thursday has resulted in a firestorm of criticism. The quarterback, who came back into a game in Week 3 looking visibly wobbly. Thursday, in Week 4's game against the Bengals, Tagovailoa was slammed to the turf and had to be carted off, leading to NFL fans and pundits The Dolphins have insisted all protocols were followed with regards to Tagovailoa, and an investigation into the Week 3 incident didn't yield any results. NFLPA president JC Tretter, however, isn't satisfied by that answer and is Jared Goff Jersey looking for change to the NFL's concu sion protocol.We are all outraged by what we have seen the last several days and scared forthe safety of one of our brothers. What everyone saw both Sunday and last night were no-go symptoms within our concu sion protocols. The protocols exist to protect the player and that is why we initiated an investigation.Our job as the NFLPA is to take every po sible measure to get the facts and hold those responsible accountable. We need to figure out how and why the decisions were made last Sunday to allow a player with a no-go symptom back on the field.Until we have an objective and validated method of diagnosing brain injury, we have to do everything po sible, including amending the protocols, to further reduce the potential of human error. A failure in medical judgment is a failure of the protocols when it Samson Ebukam Jersey comes to the well being of our players.We have come a long way over the past 15 years but the last week proves how far we have left to go.MORE:Investigations into the Tagovailoa situation are ongoing, according to NFL Chief Medical Officer Allen Sills. , Sills said Tagovailoa was checked for concu sion symptoms every day after Joe Namath Jersey Week 3's Sunday game, and independent neurological experts had to clear him, Sills also said "if we find that we fell short or if we find that there are things we need to change, we will certainly be up front about doing that.""We'll also look to take away from this how we can improve and prevent this and other similar injuries."The NFL has come under criticism of its handling of head injuries in the past, but the Tagovailoa situation may end up forcing its hand. The results of the investigation will, of course, be important in determining whether or Pharoh Cooper Jersey not that happens.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will play what could be the final game of his NFL career on Sunday. And, if comments he made on Wednesday are any indication, he isn't worried about playing his last game at all.The veteran signal-caller noted to media that the seventh-seed Steelers are significant underdogs against the second-seed Chiefs (12.5 favorites, according to ). He also made note of how handily Kansas City demolished Pittsburgh 36-10 in the team's Week 16 meeting Tavierre Thomas Jersey the final game in an eight-game win streak in which Roethlisberger completed 23 of 35 pa ses for 159 yards, one touchdown and one interception.MORE: His opinion? "We don't stand Davion Davis Jersey a chance."Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger on NFL Wild Card game against the Kansas City Chiefs:"We don't have a chance, so let's just go in and play and have fun." The Recount (@therecount) One has to admire Big Ben's introspectivene s here.And if you take Roethlisberger's comments at face value, one could come to the conclusion thathe thinks his career is coming to an end on Sunday. But the underlying me sage is painfully obvious: "The pre sure's on Kansas City to win this game." And why wouldn't it be? The Chiefs "arguably the best team in football," per Roethlisberger are seeking to make their third Super Bowl berth in as many seasons, a stage they have aimed for since suffering a shocking 31-9 defeat to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in Super Bowl 55. Houston Texans Kids Jersey MORE: The 9-7-1 Steelers, meanwhile, entered Week 18 of the NFL regular season needing significant help just to make the expanded playoffs. A win by the opened the door for Pittsburgh to sneak in as the 7-seed. The Raiders and Chargers created a close call in their "Sunday Night Football" game, nearly finishing the game in a tie that would have kept Pittsburgh out of the playoffs.Luckily for Pittsburgh, kicker Daniel Carlson sealed the deal with a walk-off field goal to give Las Vegas a 35-32 win. (Steelers coach Mike Tomlin Derek Stingley Jr. Jersey , it should be noted, , even though it determined whether his team would make the postseason).All signs point to a Steelers team being able to play free and loose in this game. And it's not as if Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh have never been here before: He has led the franchise to three Super Bowl berths, winning two in 2006 and '09. The 2005 Steelers also became the first 6-seed in NFL playoffs history to beat a 1-seed, reach a conference championship game and win the Super Bowl since the playoff expanded to a 12-team format in 1990.The only thing left for the Steelers to do, as Roethlisberger noted, is "have fun." Terrance Mitchell Jersey
The have one of the game's top young wide receivers in , who may not be available for Monday's season opener Aaron Dell Men Jersey against the . Sutton is listed as questionable on Denver's injury report with a shoulder injury that has been bothering him throughout the week. The Broncos said Sutton was "day-to-day" earlier in the week, but his status for Monday has the percentage of a coin flip."He's questionable in the truest sense of Jannik Hansen Kids Jersey the word: 50-50," said Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, . "He's got to pa s the most primitive test there is, it's what I told him and the trainers. He's got to be able to do 10 jumping jacks -- if he can do 10 jumping jacks, he can play."If Sutton is unable to play, Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur revealed 2020 first-round pick would see an increased role in the offense. Jeudy is listed as the starter opposite of rookie second-round pick K.J. Hamler, who is also listed as questionable, on the team's unofficial depth chart."With Dillon Hamaliuk Jersey regard to Jerry Jeudy, he was going to be part of the plan anyway," Shurmur said, . "Let's say that Courtland doesn't make it for whatever reason, then the whole group has got to kind of share the load. That's the way it has always been and always will be. These kind of things are part of our game, so they've got to be ready to go. We're preparing him to play anyway, so he may just have to take a few more Evander Kane Kids Jersey snaps. Other guys will fill in, as well."Hamler has mi sed the majority of camp with a hamstring injury but was a limited participant in practice throughout the week. If Sutton and Hamler are out, the Broncos will roll out a starting lineup of Jeudy and in two-receiver sets, with joining the mix in three-receiver sets.Sutton finished with 72 catches for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns in 2019, ending the year third among second-year wideouts in catches and second in yards while earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Denver could certainly use Sutton on the field in Shurmur's debut as the play-caller of the offense NHL San Jose Sharks Women Jersey .
USC's offense had been a bit hit or mi s this season, aside from its shellacking of Fresno State in the opener.All the Trojans needed to get clicking on all Dennis Smith Jr. Jersey cylinders was to play the Colorado defense, apparently.Quarterback Cody Ke sler threw for a USC single-game record seven touchdown pa ses to help the team breeze past the Buffaloes, 56-28, in front of a sparse homecoming crowd at the Coliseum.Ke sler, who threw his first Josh Richardson Jersey and only interception of the season last week against Arizona, finished the day 19-of-26 for 319 yards and those seven scores. He racked up most of that damage by finding receiver Nelson Agholor, who showed terrific burst and athleticism on his way to a six-catch, 128-yard and three-touchdown afternoon.Running back Javorius "Buck" Allen continued his impre sive breakout campaign, running through the Colorado defense for 128 yards and a touchdown. While Allen had been a key part of Steve Sarkisian's game plan the past few weeks, it was clear the Trojans were going to attack the Buffs early -- and often -- through the air Saturday.Defensive lineman Leonard Williams, Jason Kidd Jersey lauded as a potential top-10 pick in the 2015 DeAndre Jordan Jersey , had another quality showing, frequently drawing double teams all game long while also adding a half sack to his team-leading total (4.5).After displaying some early-season progre s, Mike MacIntyre's squad looked more like last year's edition Saturday. Quarterback Sefo Liufau finished just 23-of-35 pa sing for 143 yards with a pair of touchdowns and two picks in a contest he probably would rather forget.The win by the Trojans keeps them atop the Pac Dirk Nowitzki Jersey -12 South standings and sets up a big game at Utah next week in Salt Lake City. The winner of that game could gain an inside track to securing a berth in Pac-12 title game.You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at .
The just wrapped up and Darrell Armstrong Jersey will on Wednesday, May 15th. News might not be moving very quickly during a relative dead portion of the offseason, but there is a lot to be excited about nonethele s.As we look ahead toward what is to come for , it's important to look at all angles. Doing so will give you the best picture of what this team can become in 2024.This past weekend, I put out a call for questions to see what fans of the Vikings want to know and it resulted in a diverse range of questions and topics.Biggest impact among Minnesota Vikings rookiesOut of all of this year draft picks. Who do you think will have the biggest impact on the upcoming season? Michael (@Michael92963117) This is a fascinating question for many reasons and they all revolve around the quarterback position. The Vikings have their quarterback of the future in , but when he Vic Law Jersey will play is still a major mystery.After his first rookie minicamp practice, things looked good for the former Michigan signal caller. However, there is a big difference from one rookie minicamp practice to playing in a regular season game. At the end of the day, his development and Markelle Fultz Jersey the presence of Sam Darnold could prevent McCarthy from playing this season.Once we take out McCarthy from the equation, it boils down to two names: and . Yes, a kicker. Why? Well, those who follow the Vikings know how much a kicker can impact the game. It can do a lot to change the tide of the game, including potentially seal the victory. The Vikings haven't been able to find a kicker Penny Hardaway Jersey to be consistent for the longest time and Reichard could be that guy.The other option is Turner, who the Vikings traded up to get in the 2024 NFL Draft. His movement skills are incredible for an edge rusher. That kind of versatility is going to on the Vikings' defense.Defensive coordinator Brian Flores knows how to use a player with those kinds of traits and the three-edge rusher package that he deployed so many times in the 2023 season is set to be impactful again. Now, how much will Turner play on rushing downs? That is Mo Bamba Jersey the biggest question right now. With Andrew Van Ginkel's versatility, we could see a lot more of Turner earlier than we might have on other teams.The most impactful rookie is still yet to be decided for many reasons, but my money is on Turner.