NFL Trends and Indexes - Week 12 (Thursday, November 26 - Monday, November 30)

[Udog]

NFL

Sunday, November 29


Pouring rain in Washington Sunday

You can expect wet conditions at FedEx Field when the Washington Redskins host the New York Giants Sunday afternoon. It's pouring rain there as of Sunday morning although those conditions are expected to subside by kickoff.

Temperatures in Landover are projected to be in the mid-40s at gametime with wind blowing across the field at around six miles per hour.

Washington opened as a 1-point home dog against its NFC East rival, but that has since moved to +1.5. The total is up to 47 from the opening 46.5.

[Udog]

NFL

Monday, November 30


Three Cardinals players leave game with injuries

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Arizona Cardinals starting right cornerback Jerraud Powers, starting running back Chris Johnson and backup running back Andre Ellington left Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers after sustaining injuries.

Powers sustained a calf injury with 9:37 left in the third quarter. Powers' return to the game is doubtful, according to the Cardinals.

Justin Bethel replaced him in the lineup.

Johnson sustained a left knee injury, and the Cardinals announced late in the third quarter that his return is questionable.

Ellington replaced Johnson, but he sustained a left foot injury in the third quarter, and his return was also questionable.

Rookie David Johnson took over for Ellington.


Seahawks TE Graham out for season with torn patellar tendon

SEATTLE -- Tight end Jimmy Graham suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee injury in the end zone early in the fourth quarter of the Seattle Seahawks game against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Graham was reaching back for a pass in the end zone when his right ankle buckled, causing him to fall awkwardly. Trainers were looking at his right knee. A medical cart was brought onto the field to help get Graham into the locker room.

Coach Pete Carroll said after the game the seasons-ending injury will require surgery.

"Obviously, to lose him really hurts," Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said.

The injury is a crippling blow to the Seattle offense as backups Luke Willson and Cooper Helfet have had some big games, but neither is as big a part of the passing game as Graham had the potential to be.

[Udog]

NFL

Monday, November 30

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Monday Night Football Betting Preview: Ravens at Browns
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Josh McCown is back under center for the Browns Monday night against the Ravens after the Johnny Manziel era in Cleveland has come to an end seemingly before it began.

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (-3.5, 41)

The Johnny Manziel era could be coming to an end in Cleveland after the latest transgression by the 2014 first-round draft pick prompted the Browns to demote him to third string. With Manziel in quarterback limbo, Josh McCown will reclaim the starting job when Cleveland hosts the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night in a matchup of teams trying to avoid the AFC North cellar.

Manziel's latest stumble occurred one week after he was named the team's starter. A video of the second-year quarterback partying in Texas during the Browns' bye week surfaced and Manziel reportedly lied to coach Mike Pettine over when the incident took place. "When you have a great opportunity in front of you, it is important that you demonstrate that you can handle the responsibility that comes with it," Pettine said. Baltimore also will have a change under center after Joe Flacco suffered a season-ending knee injury in last week's win over St. Louis.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: The Browns opened as 1-point home favorites and a have been bet all the way to -3.5. The total held steady at its opening number of 41.

INJURY REPORT:

Ravens - TE N. Boyle (probable Monday, foot), DE B. Urban (questionable Monday, bicep) G K. Osemele (doubtful Monday, knee), WR M. Brown (doubtful Monday, back), T E. Monroe (doubtful Monday, shoulder), QB J. Flacco (out for season, knee), RB J. Forsett (I-R, arm).

Browns - DB D. Whitner (probable Monday, concussion), WR B. Hartline (probable Monday, concussion), LB N. Orchard (questionable Monday, hamstring), QB J. McCown (questionable Monday, ribs), OL J. Bitonio (questionable Monday, ankle), CB J. Haden (doubtful Monday, concussion), WR A. Hawkins (out Monday, concussion), WR Y. Gabriel (out Monday, concussion), DL R. Starks (out Monday, knee).

WEATHER REPORT: It will be cloudy at gametime, with a 67 percent chance of rain as the night rolls on. Temperatures will be in the low 40's and there will be a 10 mile per hour wind blowing across the field from east to west.

POWER RANKINGS: Ravens (+6.5) - Browns (+5) - home field (-3) = Browns -4.5

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Johnny Manziel got named as the starter for the rest of the year, then was videoed at a club violating the terms of his probation during the Browns bye week. But how bad are the injuries in Baltimore, now that Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett have been sidelined? 17 different Ravens are now on season ending injured reserve."

ABOUT THE RAVENS (3-7, 1-7-2 ATS, 5-5 O/U): Flacco has started every game since he was drafted by Baltimore in the first round in 2008, and his injury paves the way for backup Matt Schaub to make his first start since the 2013 regular-season finale with Houston. The Ravens suffered another key injury last week as running back Justin Forsett fractured his right forearm and was replaced by rookie Javorius Allen, who rushed for 67 yards and added five receptions for 48 yards. All of Baltimore's games have been decided by eight points or fewer, with the last three settled by a combined eight points.

ABOUT THE BROWNS (2-8, 4-6 ATS, 7-3 O/U): Cleveland has lost five in a row since squeezing out a 33-30 overtime victory at Baltimore, a game in which McCown threw for a franchise-record 457 yards and became the first Browns quarterback with three straight 300-yard games. A rib injury to McCown opened the door for Manziel, who guided Cleveland to only 19 points in road losses at division rivals Pittsburgh and Cincinnati prior to last week's bye. McCown has two capable targets in receiver Travis Benjamin and tight end Gary Barnidge, but Cleveland's ground game is 31st and the defense ranks 30th.

TRENDS:

* Ravens are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven meetings in Cleveland.
* Road team is 9-2-1 ATS in the last 12 meetings.
* Under is 7-3-2 in the last 10 meetings in Cleveland.
* Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.

CONSENSUS: The public is siding with the Browns in this AFC North matchup, with 58 percent of wagers backing Cleveland. The public is slightly favoring the under, with 52 percent of the wagers on it.

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[Udog]

NFL

Monday, November 30


NFL roundup: Broncos hand Patriots first loss

DENVER -- Running back C.J. Anderson broke loose through the snow for a game-winning, 48-yard touchdown run, and the Denver Broncos rallied to beat New England 30-24 in overtime Sunday night, handing the Patriots their first loss of the season.

Denver's defense stopped quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots on the first OT possession, and Anderson shook free from a couple of Patriots defenders en route to the decisive score.

Quarterback Brock Osweiler, making his second career start in place of injured Peyton Manning, was 23 of 42 for 270 yards, including a touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Caldwell in the final moments of regulation. Osweiler was intercepted once.

Brady completed 23 of 42 for 280 yards, connecting with running back Brandon Bolden and tight ends Scott Chandler and Rob Gronkowski for touchdowns. Gronkowski (six catches, 88 yards) took a hard hit trying to make a catch with just under three minutes remaining and was carted off the field with a knee injury.

Vikings 20, Falcons 10

ATLANTA -- Adrian Peterson and an opportunistic Minnesota defense had the Georgia Dome showering boos on struggling Atlanta.

Peterson rushed for 158 yards and scored two touchdowns and the Vikings created four turnovers in a road win over the Falcons, who have lost five of its past six, including four straight.

After another Matt Ryan turnover late in the fourth quarter, Falcons fans headed for the exits while serenading their struggling team with chants of "Let's go Vikings."

Seahawks 39, Steelers 30

SEATTLE -- Russell Wilson passed for a season-high 345 yards and five touchdowns, and Seattle downed Pittsburgh.

Wilson's 80-yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin, the Seattle receiver's third score of the day, with 2:01 remaining gave Seattle (6-5) a nine-point lead and essentially put the game away. Baldwin caught six passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns, while teammate Jermaine Kearse added four receptions for 47 yards and a pair of scores.

The Seahawks had to overcome 456 passing yards from Ben Roethlisberger, who went 36 for 55 with a touchdown and also threw two interceptions. Backup Landry Jones, who took a shotgun snap on a play that started out of field-goal formation and took the field for the Steelers' final drive while Roethlisberger underwent concussion tests, threw two interceptions.

Cardinals 19, 49ers 13

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Carson Palmer scored on a 7-yard scramble with 2:28 left, lifting Arizona past upset-minded San Francisco. The touchdown run capped a 14-play, 85-yard drive for the Cardinals (9-2).

Palmer completed 24 of 40 passes for 271 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught 10 passes for 66 yards.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed 25 of 36 passes for 318 yards for the 49ers (3-8). He had one touchdown pass and was picked off once. Wide receiver Anquan Boldin caught eight passes for 93 yards, and tight end Vance McDonald had six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Redskins 20, Giants 14

WASHINGTON -- Kirk Cousins passed to wide receiver DeSean Jackson for one touchdown and sneaked in for another as Washington held on to defeat New York to pull into a first-place tie atop the NFC East.

The Redskins led 20-0 early in the fourth quarter before Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw two touchdown passes.

Cousins completed 20 of 29 passes for 302 yards for the Redskins (5-6), who avenged a Week 3 loss to the Giants (5-6). Cousins wasn't sacked and didn't throw an interception.

Colts 25, Buccaneers 12

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis called on its 40-and-over tandem to rally past Tampa Bay.

Backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, 40, threw two second-half touchdown passes to wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, and kicker Adam Vinatieri, 42, added four field goals in the Colts' third consecutive victory.

Hasselbeck is 4-0 this season in place of injured starter Andrew Luck, who has a lacerated kidney and an abdominal injury. Hasselbeck completed 26 of 42 passes for 315 yards. The Colts improved to 6-5 and are tied with Houston for first place in the AFC South.

Texans 24, Saints 6

HOUSTON -- Keyed by another stifling defensive performance, Houston stretched its winning streak to four games with a victory over New Orleans.

Defensive end J.J. Watt recorded his fifth multi-sack game on the season to lead the Texans (6-5), who kept the Saints (4-7) and their second-ranked offense out of the end zone.

Watt dropped Saints quarterback Drew Brees twice in the second half, increasing his season total to 13.5 sacks and his career total to 70.5 sacks in 75 games. Watt became the second-fastest player in league history to reach 70 sacks (Reggie White, 57 games).

Chiefs 30, Bills 22

KANSAS CITY, Mo -- In a battle of AFC teams trying to keep alive hopes of a postseason berth, Kansas City beat Buffalo as the Chiefs came back from a 10-0 early deficit to win their fifth consecutive game.

The first half was all about the combination of quarterback Tyron Taylor and wide receiver Sammy Watkins for the Bills (5-6). They combined on six passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns in the first two quarters. Taylor also connected with running back LeSean McCoy for a third-quarter score.

But the second half saw the Chiefs (6-5) handle Watkins, force a Taylor fumble and the Kansas City offense caught fire behind quarterback Alex Smith, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and running back Spencer Ware. Smith threw for 255 yards, two touchdown passes and did not have an interception. Maclin caught nine passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. Ware picked up 114 rushing yards on 19 carries with a touchdown

Bengals 31, Rams 7

CINCINNATI -- Andy Dalton passed for 233 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair to receiver A.J. Green, helping Cincinnati get back on the winning track with a victory over St. Louis.

The Bengals (9-2), who had lost two straight for the first time since 2013, left little doubt in this one. Cincinnati's defense held Rams running back Todd Gurley to only 19 yards on nine carries.

The Bengals figured to run the ball against the Rams and gained 140 yards on the ground led by Jeremy Hill's season-high 86 on 16 carries. Nick Foles started at quarterback for the Rams (4-7), replacing Casey Keenum, who was out with a concussion suffered in last week's loss to Baltimore.

Jets 38, Dolphins 20

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Ryan Fitzpatrick threw four touchdown passes, including two to wide receiver Brandon Marshall, as New York solidified its footing in the AFC wild-card race with a win over Miami.

The Jets (6-5) won for just the second time in six games to ensure they would at least remain in a tie for the second AFC wild-card spot. Fitzpatrick, who trimmed his trademark beard earlier this week in hopes of changing up the Jets' fortunes, finished 22 of 37 for 277 yards as the Jets swept the Dolphins (4-7) for the first time since 2007.

Fitzpatrick's favorite target was Marshall, who had nine catches for 131 yards. Marshall caught a 17-yard touchdown in the first quarter and a 3-yard TD in the fourth quarter.

Chargers 31, Jaguars 25

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Philip Rivers carved up the Jacksonville secondary for 300 passing yards and four touchdown passes in leading San Diego to a win.

Rivers completed 29 of 43 for a passer rating of 118 in sending the Chargers to a fifth consecutive win over the Jaguars (4-7) in the last six years. Three of Rivers' scoring tosses came in the second quarter.

It was his fourth and final TD pass that secured the win for the Chargers (3-8), who ended a six-game losing streak. That pass completed a 14-play march that covered 80 yards and took over six minutes off the clock late in the fourth quarter.

Raiders 24, Titans 21

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Needing a win desperately to keep their long-shot playoff hopes alive, Oakland found it in a place where every visiting team finds success.

Derek Carr's 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Seth Roberts with 1:21 left lifted the Raiders (5-6) to the win. Carr, who completed 24 of 37 passes for 330 yards and three scores, led a 90-yard scoring drive after Tennessee (2-9) grabbed a 21-17 lead on a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marcus Mariota to fullback Jalston Fowler at the 4:41 mark.

The Titans dropped their 11th straight home game, dating back to October of 2014.