The Bum's National Football League Week # 12 Rated Plays - Trends - News Etc. !!

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Preview: Buccaneers (5-5) at Colts (5-5)
Date: November 29, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

Jameis Winston is the youngest starting quarterback in the NFL and Matt Hasselbeck is the oldest.

Winston has a chance to post his first three-game win streak Sunday with the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who hope to prevent the Indianapolis Colts from improving to 4-0 with Hasselbeck.

The winner will improve to 6-5, and Tampa Bay hasn't had a winning record this late in the season in three years. The Buccaneers' first playoff berth since 2007 is within reach amid a resurgence led by Winston, who tied a rookie record with five touchdown passes in last Sunday's 45-17 rout at Philadelphia.

"Anything is possible," Winston said. "We've worked hard since training camp, since OTAs, it's in our hands."

The 21-year-old needs five TD passes to set a Tampa Bay rookie record with 20, which would surpass the total set by Mike Glennon two years ago. Winston did not have a turnover for the fifth time in six games.

"He's playing good ball, making all the right decisions, no one works harder than him," coach Lovie Smith said. "Whatever you're looking for, for the guy that's out in front, he's doing and he's doing it well."

The 40-year-old Hasselbeck helped Indianapolis rally for a 24-21 victory at Atlanta last Sunday and remain tied with Houston atop the AFC South. He engineered a nine-play, 56-yard drive that set up Adam Vinatieri's winning 46-yard field goal with 52 seconds left.

Hasselbeck is in since Andrew Luck was diagnosed with a lacerated kidney and partially torn abdominal muscle. He is now operating under Rob Chudzinski, who replaced Pep Hamilton - one of Luck's mentors - as offensive coordinator.

'These are not perfect circumstances, you would love to have your starting quarterback playing,' Hasselbeck said. 'You would love to have a lot of different things. We have got Chud calling plays now and doing a great job. It's hard. It's not how we envisioned this year going, but he is doing a great job."

Hasselbeck's offensive line, though, will be without Anthony Castonzo. The left tackle sprained an MCL on Sunday, and his streak of 66 consecutive regular-season starts will end.

'You hate to lose anybody, especially your starting left tackle,' coach Chuck Pagano said. 'Quarterback one week, now your left tackle. You hate it, too, because he don't miss (games). I think maybe he missed a couple of games his first year, but that's it.'

It's likely that the Colts will move Joe Reitz from right tackle to Castonzo's usual spot and shift Jack Mewhort from left guard to right tackle.

Indianapolis will have to find a way to slow down Doug Martin, who rushed for an NFL season-high 235 yards last weekend. That total was two yards shy of Barry Sanders' record for a player who did not score and was 16 shy of Martin's career best.

Martin, who is 59 yards shy of 1,000, is averaging 5.0 yards per carry and leads the NFL with 10 rushes of at least 20 yards. Tampa Bay is second in the NFL with 142.2 rushing yards per game.

"I think as an offensive line, when you have a running back having the type of year as Doug, you like blocking for him," Smith said. "You definitely feel like you're a part of what he's doing."

Winston's favorite target is Mike Evans, 12th in the league in that department. Evans has only reached the end zone twice, though his 551 yards receiving over the past five weeks are tied for second-most in the league.

Frank Gore has yet to reach 100 yards for the Colts, ranked 20th in rushing offense at 98.5 per game. Gore is averaging 62.6 yards in the three games Luck has missed.

The Colts have committed a league-high 22 turnovers, though 12 are interceptions by Luck. The Buccaneers have forced 20 turnovers to tie for fourth in the NFL, causing at least one in 17 straight weeks for the longest active streak.

Lavonte David had two interceptions last weekend, returning one for a touchdown, as the Bucs registered four turnovers.

The Colts are 2-3 at home, and the Bucs are seeking to win three straight on the road for the first time since 2012. Tampa Bay won the last meeting, 24-17 in 2011.

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Preview: Dolphins (4-6) at Jets (5-5)
Date: November 29, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

Potentially forced into two major changes to the lineup, coach Todd Bowles refuses to make another at quarterback for the struggling New York Jets.

With Darrelle Revis out and Nick Mangold possibly missing as well, the Jets will try to simplify things again with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, who are bringing a familiar face to the Meadowlands in Quintin Coples.

New York (5-5) has lost four of its last five games including two straight after falling 24-17 at Houston last week while gaining a season-low 267 yards.

With Fitzpatrick coming under scrutiny, some have wondered whether Geno Smith could be given back the starting job. That's not going to happen yet with Bowles preferring to stay with the more experienced quarterback despite his 46.6 completion percentage, 409 yards and four interceptions over the last two games.

Fitzpatrick's two picks against the Texans ended the Jets' last two drives.

"I don't think a lot of throws are Ryan's fault," Bowles said. "When you have a quarterback, you have to look at the overall scheme, not just the quarterback and as far as things are getting done, and a lot of times we just need to get on the same page. I think Ryan made some good throws. I thought he made some bad ones as well.

"But you don't give up on a quarterback just like that, because overall what he's done this year, he still proved he can do that going forward."

That optimism stems from Fitzpatrick leading New York to a surprising 4-1 start, including a 27-14 win over Miami (4-6) in London in Week 4.

Bowles thinks returning to the simplified formula that led to that success will pay off again.

"I think we started doing some things that we weren't making plays as a group together," Bowles said. "And instead of going back to basics, we probably started trying to go into trigonometry when we should've stayed with algebra. I think we're getting back to basics."

That likely means relying on Chris Ivory, who has been very quiet with 219 yards on 2.7 per carry and two touchdowns over the last five games. He raced for 460 yards, averaging 5.5 an attempt while scoring four times in his first four games. Included in that was a season-high 166 yards on 29 carries against the Dolphins.

"Algebra was running the ball, throwing it when we can, play action and doing the things that we needed to do and playing the right type of football and playing complimentary football," Bowles said. "We're trying to get back to that."

It might be tougher with Mangold nursing a deep cut on his hand that needed six or seven stitches, putting his status for Sunday in jeopardy.

The Jets will be without Revis, who suffered a concussion last week and was ruled out Friday since he's yet to pass the NFL's concussion protocol. Second-year cornerback Marcus Williams likely will start in place of Revis, having started once at safety and once at cornerback already this season.

'I wouldn't call it `strange,' I would call it `fun,'' Williams said of playing throughout the secondary this season. 'Just to go out there and play different positions, it's probably been tough on other teams because you probably never know where I'm going to be.'

New York has lost three in a row and six of seven at home against the Dolphins, who enter this visit to East Rutherford with Coples after he was released by the Jets on Monday.

"It brings chills to me to be able to go back and face them this Sunday," Coples said. "I never got a great explanation for it. They benched me for whatever reason. I still don't know. But I'm moving forward."

Coples was struggling to fit into Bowles' 3-4 defense as a linebacker so Miami will use him as a defensive end in its 4-3 scheme to replace Cameron Wake, who was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon last month.

Coples had 16.5 sacks over his first three seasons after being picked 16th overall in the 2012 draft.

"He's a cool cat," defensive end Olivier Vernon said. "We're just trying to add guys to help win."

The Dolphins are also struggling, losing for the third time in four games with Sunday's 24-14 defeat to Dallas.

Miami, though, hasn't given up on reaching the playoffs.

"We've still got a chance," Vernon said. "We're not making up any fairy tale. We know what we've got to do."

Ryan Tannehill has completed 55.0 percent of his passes while throwing six touchdowns and eight interceptions in seven career meetings with the Jets. He had his worst performance against them earlier this season, going 19 for 44 for 198 yards with two TDs and two INTs.

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Preview: Rams (4-6) at Bengals (8-2)
Date: November 29, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

The type of urgency that's been smothering the St. Louis Rams is starting to set in for the Cincinnati Bengals.

While the desperation for one will be relieved, it will heighten for the other when the Rams visit the Bengals on Sunday.

Three consecutive losses have left the Rams (4-6) in danger of exiting the playoff picture, while a third straight for the Bengals (8-2) would threaten their division title hopes - which at one point seemed inevitable.

Cincinnati was off to a franchise-best start two weeks ago and held a four-game advantage in the loss column ahead of Pittsburgh in the AFC North, but back-to-back losses have opened the door for the Steelers (6-4), who visit Cincinnati on Dec. 13.

The Bengals haven't lost three straight since dropping four in a row midway through the 2012 season.

"The best football starts getting played now in November and December and January," offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said. "You have to get hot. You have to catch your groove back again so that you can be one of those teams that can be hitting the stride at the right time."

The Bengals stumbled with an embarrassing 10-6 loss to Houston in front of a national Monday night audience Nov. 16, and a field goal in the closing seconds of last week's 34-31 loss at Arizona denied them a rebound win.

Their play was sloppy with 19 penalties for 178 yards in the losses, while quarterback Andy Dalton was sacked eight times for his highest two-game total this season.

Cincinnati's defense allowed a league-low 16.9 points per game through the first nine weeks but surrendered 27 in the second half against the Cardinals.

Dalton was questioned for his big-game ability after the prime-time loss to the Texans, and he missed an open A.J. Green on a key third down during the Bengals' final drive against Arizona, which ended with a tying field goal.

He still threw for 315 yards and two scores, working the Bengals back from 28-14 and 31-21 deficits in the fourth quarter.

"I think the one thing you can take from this is that there's no quit," Dalton said. "We fought until the very end and that's good to see. We've got to keep that mentality. We've got to keep doing that."

The Rams need a change after a trio of losses and an iffy quarterback situation have them in danger of a 12th consecutive season without a winning record. They'll have to catch themselves against Cincinnati and Arizona (8-2) over the next two weeks.

"We're trying to dig ourselves out of a hole," tight end Lance Kendricks said. "Hopefully, we have it in us. I know we do."

A sobering scenario this week took the focus off the field.

Wide receiver Stedman Bailey was shot in the head Tuesday while sitting in a parked car outside a home in the Miami area, where he attended high school. Bailey, serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, was in intensive care but in stable condition Wednesday after surgery and is expected to recover.

Bailey was eligible to return in two weeks from his second suspension, but coach Jeff Fisher says he does not expect the third-year receiver to play this season.

It remains uncertain whether quarterback Case Keenum will get what will be his second start in place of benched Nick Foles. Keenum suffered a concussion late in last week's 16-13 loss at Baltimore on a sack that was nullified by a penalty.

Keenum continued to play after showing obvious signs he'd suffered a head injury, leading to criticism of how the situation was handled by the Rams and the NFL. He split practice reps with Foles on Wednesday and Friday but has yet to pass the concussion protocol.

St. Louis has lost four of five road games, including its last three, and had a chance to win following Keenum's injury, but he was sacked on the Rams' 41-yard line and lost a fumble with 1:00 left to set up Justin Tucker's winning field goal.

The involvement of two playmakers is high on the fix-it list for St. Louis. Running back Todd Gurley became the first rookie to run for at least 125 yards in his first four starts Oct. 4-Nov. 1, but has totaled 200 in his last three while averaging 3.3 per carry.

Wide receiver Tavon Austin finished with one carry for 16 yards and one catch for five more against Baltimore.

"It's a little frustrating, but all we want to do is win," Gurley said.

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Preview: Bills (5-5) at Chiefs (5-5)
Date: November 29, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

The Kansas City Chiefs could be streaking their way toward history.

They can continue their impressive run with a fifth consecutive victory Sunday when they face a visiting Buffalo Bills team that's also trying to remain a serious playoff contender.

Kansas City (5-5) has yet to lose since the five-game skid that appeared to end its season before it really started. And even a season-ending knee injury to star running back Jamaal Charles in Week 5 couldn't keep the Chiefs from regrouping and successfully pressing on.

Not only have the Chiefs clawed their way back to .500, they own the final wild-card spot in the AFC.

'I'm proud of the guys for the character they have," coach Andy Reid said. 'Very easily could have gone the other way. Coaches and players, for that matter. And they didn't do that. They played their hearts out. And they'll continue to do that because that's the way they're wired.'

Kansas City can join the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals as the only teams to make the playoffs after starting 1-5. None of its final six opponents have winning records and four of those games will be at home.

"You know, 5-5 obviously is not the goal,' safety Eric Berry said, 'but we have our goals set and we know what mission we're on, so we're going to keep striving for that."

Kansas City has shined on both sides of the ball, outscoring its opponents 130-39 during the four-game winning streak.

'They have the right nucleus and they're good at what they do,' San Diego cornerback and ex-Chief Brandon Flowers said. 'They don't do a lot of stuff, but they are perfect at what they do well.'

Kansas City has allowed an average of 12.2 points in the last six games after giving up 31.3 in the first four. In last Sunday's 33-3 rout of reeling San Diego, the Chiefs allowed fewer than 300 total yards for a third straight game with a season-low 201. They also scored a defensive touchdown.

Alex Smith has not thrown an interception in a franchise-record 253 pass attempts and third-stringer Spencer Ware ran for 96 yards and two TDs on 11 carries while starter Charcandrick West dealt with a hamstring injury against the Chargers. Ware, who before last Sunday ran six times for 24 yards this season, is likely to get a bulk of the work this weekend if West is unable to play.

'We're focusing. We're not waiting for somebody else to make the play," defensive tackle Dontari Poe said. "We're just putting it all on ourselves to make it.

'As long as we keep doing that and playing together, we'll be all right.'

Like Kansas City, Buffalo is among five AFC teams at 5-5, but is behind the Chiefs and Houston in the standings because those two have better records within the conference.

"We still got a whole season," linebacker Nigel Bradham told the Bills' official website. "We're still in the hunt."

The Bills' bid for a third consecutive victory ended with Monday's 20-13 loss at New England. Though Buffalo has held its last three opponents to 20 or fewer points, it scored 14 or less for the third time.

"We have to put more points on the board; start executing," running back LeSean McCoy said.

McCoy has averaged 126.3 total yards and scored twice in the last four games, but Kansas City has held its last three opponents to 202 rushing yards and 3.7 per carry. The Chiefs have allowed only one running back to score in any fashion over the last five contests.

Buffalo expects Tyrod Taylor to be under center despite hurting his shoulder against the Patriots. The Bills are 5-3 with Taylor, who has 11 TDs, four interceptions and a 100.9 passer rating. They are 0-2 when backup EJ Manuel starts in 2015.

'We'll see how the week progresses,' coach Rex Ryan said. 'But I think (Taylor) will be ready to roll.'

Ryan is less certain about the status of defensive end Mario Williams (foot), who is tied for the team lead with three sacks. Both right guard John Miller (high left ankle sprain) and backup receiver Marcus Easley (concussion) have already been ruled out for this contest.

"We move on to Kansas City ... and we go on from there," Buffalo receiver Chris Hogan said.

Smith's 8-yard TD run in the fourth quarter helped the Chiefs to their second consecutive victory over the Bills, 17-13 on Nov. 9 of last year.

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Preview: Giants (5-5) at Redskins (4-6)
Date: November 29, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

The New York Giants not only got to heal up during their bye week, they got to watch two of their division rivals get blown out.

One of those foes was the Washington Redskins, who are hopeful of bouncing back since they are back at home.

The Redskins can post their first five-game, single-season win home streak since 1991 on Sunday when they face the Giants in a showdown for first place in the mediocre NFC East.

The East has produced only nine victories against non-division foes for the league's lowest total heading into Week 12. New York (5-5) has a one-game lead over Washington (4-6), and slumping Philadelphia fell 1 1/2 games back with a 45-14 loss to Detroit on Thursday.

While the Giants sat out Week 11, the Redskins were crushed 44-16 at Carolina and the Eagles were routed 45-17 at home to Tampa Bay. Those clubs could have joined New York atop the division at the time.

Washington has that chance again this week. The Redskins' four-game win home streak is their longest in three years, with a 47-14 victory over New Orleans in their last game at FedEx Field on Nov. 15.

"When you play at home, it's pretty common knowledge that you're going to play better over the long haul," said quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is third in the NFL with a 68.3 completion percentage. "Because its home, because you're in a friendly environment, a familiar environment."

Cousins has nine touchdown passes and no interceptions with a 122.6 passer rating in the four-game home win streak. He has five TDs and has been picked off eight times with a 69.8 rating in five road games.

"I think he's much more confident," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "I think the rhythm with which he goes about his business, particularly in the play-action pass game, is outstanding."

Washington has dropped five straight to New York. Cousins is 0-3 against the Giants, throwing for two scores with eight interceptions and a 48.6 rating.

In a 32-21 loss Sept. 24, the Giants built a 12-0 lead after one quarter and cruised with Eli Manning going 23 of 32 for 279 yards and two scores.

"We felt that game got away from us early and it kind of changed our approach," Cousins said. "I think we kind of had to scrap much of our game plan because we got into a two-minute mode for much of the second half. A lot of it goes back to turnovers and penalties and some of the same mistakes that are going to hurt you in any of the games you play."

The Giants have forced 23 turnovers for the league's second-best total. They are tied with Carolina at plus-13 for the NFL lead while the Redskins are at minus-five.

Manning will have a new target in Hakeem Nicks, who was signed Nov. 17 for his second stint with the club after being out of football since the start of the season. Nicks had two 1,000-yard seasons with New York between 2009-13 before injuries derailed him last year for Indianapolis.

"He looks like he's running well, grasping the offense," Manning said. "We just got to be smart and put him in there, make sure he knows what he can do so we can put him out there and play fast."

The Giants fell 27-26 at home to New England before the bye Nov. 15. Manning had two touchdowns, giving him 10 in his last three games and 21 to tie for fourth in the NFL.

Odell Beckham Jr. has amassed 339 yards through the air with four scores in that span. He has four TDs in two games against Washington.

Giants tight end Larry Donnell is expected to miss a third straight game with a neck issue. Donnell scored a career-high three TDs the last time the Giants visited the Redskins in a 45-14 victory Sept. 25, 2014.

New York has outscored Washington 145-71 in the last five meetings, with the last three coming since Jay Gruden became Redskins coach. Manning has thrown for nine scores and 829 yards with a 118.3 rating in the last three matchups.

"Overall it's just a matter of us playing up to their level of physicality," Gruden said. "I feel that they've out-physicaled us the last three times, number one, and that's something that we have to make sure we're ready for."

Alfred Morris aggravated a rib injury last Sunday, though Washington's top rusher expects to play.

Redskins receiver DeSean Jackson was out with a hamstring injury the last time these teams met while Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was out after losing his index finger in a July 4th fireworks accident. Both are back now.

Washington, though, won't have cornerback Chris Culliver due to a knee injury suffered in practice. It has been reported he will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

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Preview: Vikings (7-3) at Falcons (6-4)
Date: November 29, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

The Atlanta Falcons' cozy playoff position vanished almost as quickly as the Minnesota Vikings' chance at a snug spot atop their division.

While the short-handed Falcons look to regroup from a trio of losses that have put their playoff chances in jeopardy on Sunday, the visiting Vikings will try to reignite their bid for the NFC North.

Minnesota (7-3) grabbed sole possession of first place with five straight wins and three consecutive Green Bay losses. The Packers, though, crashed the party with a 30-13 win over the Vikings last week.

It was a missed opportunity to pull away for Minnesota, which has a half-game lead atop the division following the Packers' 17-13 loss to the Bears on Thanksgiving night.

'I'm disappointed in our performance, but I'm not discouraged about our future,' coach Mike Zimmer said. 'I still believe in this football team, and I believe in everything about us.'

Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay's offense made the Vikings pay for an uncharacteristic eight penalties amounting to a season-high 110 yards.

While the offense was held to 13 points - its lowest since the season opener - Minnesota's defense coughed up a season-high 30 - well above the average of 16.2 the Vikings allowed during their winning streak.

That defense will have to regroup without starting safety Harrison Smith, who was ruled out of this contest Saturday due to a knee injury. Smith leads the Vikings with 54 tackles.

'We were out of sync, out of whack," said Adrian Peterson.

The NFL's leading rusher may have been the best indication of that as Peterson was held to 45 yards on 13 carries one week after running for 203 against Oakland. He did score a touchdown for the third straight week but also lost a fumble.

Minnesota ran for just 94 yards, snapping a streak of four consecutive games with at least 140.

The Vikings still control their own destiny with six games left and another shot at Green Bay in the Jan. 3 season finale. Atlanta (6-4) still does too, but a free fall has the Falcons in an undesirable position of a once 5-0 team in danger of missing the playoffs.

Atlanta has dropped three straight and four of five to fall far back of NFC South-leading Carolina and into the second wild card - one game up on Tampa Bay and Seattle.

Atlanta would join a short list of 13 teams since 1933 to miss the postseason after winning its first five games. The last two to fall short of the postseason after a 5-0 start were the 2009 Denver Broncos and New York Giants, who each finished 8-8.

'The bear is not loose here inside the building. I want to make sure we're really clear on that,' first-year coach Dan Quinn said. 'We've got a really talented team and a coaching staff that really believes in these guys.'

The Falcons' last three defeats have come by a combined seven points, the most recent a 24-21 loss to Indianapolis in which Atlanta squandered a pair of two-touchdown leads. It was the Falcons' second straight loss at home after winning their opening three at the Georgia Dome.

Matt Ryan threw three more interceptions to give him six in the last four games, building the concern around Atlanta's franchise quarterback. Ryan's worst miscue was a pass from his own end zone straight into the arms of linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who scampered in for a 6-yard score to tie the game at 21 early in the fourth quarter.

'Those are the decisions we count on him like crazy for us," Quinn said. "For all those things he did in the game very well, that's one he'd like to have back.'

Some of Ryan's numbers suggest this season aligns with his first seven: a career-high 298.2 passing yards per game, a 65.5 completion rate and an 89.6 passer rating. However, he has 10 interceptions and has lost a career-high three fumbles - many of the turnovers coming in key spots.

There has been speculation about his health, even a local newspaper blogging a close-up photo of a brace on Ryan's left knee under his uniform.

'I'm 100 percent healthy,' Ryan said. 'I think I've said this five or six different times now, and hopefully this will be the last time I have to talk about it: I've worn a brace on my left knee since I was a senior in college. Anybody who looks at a picture from 2008 (his rookie season) will see the same thing.'

Ryan will likely have to shoulder more of the offensive burden after the Falcons ruled out running back Devonta Freeman on Friday as he continues to recover from a concussion. Freeman, who is sixth in the league with 764 yards and has an NFL-best nine rushing touchdowns, will be replaced by rookie Tevin Coleman.

Minnesota won the last meeting 41-28 on Sept. 28, 2014, but the Falcons have won the last two in Atlanta.

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Preview: Chargers (2-8) at Jaguars (4-6)
Date: November 29, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

Having put together a rare winning streak, the Jacksonville Jaguars appear to have a favorable matchup as they look to tie their longest run of the past eight seasons and remain in the thick of the AFC South race.

The San Diego Chargers, losers of a league-worst six in a row, visit EverBank Field on Sunday.

The Jaguars have won two straight for just the second time in five years after a late comeback in a 19-13 victory over Tennessee on Nov. 19.

Rashad Greene's 63-yard punt return with 3:34 remaining set up Blake Bortles' go-ahead touchdown pass to Julius Thomas, and Jacksonville's defense followed with a pair of key plays. Davon House recovered a fumble with 3:19 to go and Andre Branch ended the game by sacking Marcus Mariota at the Jaguars' 25-yard line.

Winners of three of four, the Jaguars (4-6) are one game behind Houston and Indianapolis in their weak division. They will try to keep the pressure on with their fourth three-game win streak since the beginning of the 2008 season.

"It's been great to see us come together and start to win some games. It's exciting to see where we can go," linebacker Paul Posluszny said. "We know we have a lot of potential when we look back at the games. We know we can play better and better. It's exciting to be in this environment and have this opportunity."

The Jaguars have lost four in a row to San Diego, including defeats in both of the last two seasons, but the reeling Chargers (2-8) are tied for the league's worst record.

San Diego endured a 33-3 loss to Kansas City on Sunday as prolific passer Philip Rivers was limited to a season-low 178 yards. Tight end Antonio Gates was so frustrated by the team's performance that he was seen arguing with Rivers in the first half.

Rivers didn't have top receiver Keenan Allen for the second straight week because of a season-ending lacerated kidney. Malcom Floyd (shoulder) was also out, though the Chargers got left tackle King Dunlap and guard Orlando Franklin back on the field.

Rivers had totaled 2,143 yards in his previous six games and topped 300 in a team-record five in a row.

"I think it's just about being a pro at this point. Are you going to be a man and come to work every day and do your job? I think that is what it is," he said. "The ball is going to get kicked off next Sunday and Jacksonville sure the heck isn't going to feel sorry for us."

Rivers had 377 yards and three TDs in a 33-14 home win over Jacksonville on Sept. 28, 2014. Bortles threw for 254 yards, one TD and two interceptions in his first NFL start.

Rivers has 10 touchdowns and two interceptions during San Diego's win streak in the series.

"The guy is phenomenal. I think what's been impressive with him is that they've had some injuries and he still stays the same, very productive," Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said.

The Chargers haven't dropped seven in a row since losing their final nine games of 2001. If the Jaguars can solve their recent issues in the red zone, San Diego might have trouble avoiding another defeat.

Jacksonville has managed four touchdowns in its last 14 trips inside the 20-yard line. The Jaguars went 1 for 5 against the Titans and kicked four field goals.

"Definitely an area that we need to take a strong look at," Bradley said. "I know it's popped up from game to game, and we have to address it."

Rivers had the second-best completion rate of his career in his most recent visit to Jacksonville on Oct. 20, 2013. He went 22 of 26 (84.6 percent) in a 24-6 victory, and San Diego has won its past two games there by a combined 42 points.

The Jaguars are also looking their first three-game home win streak since Nov. 14-Dec. 12, 2010. The Chargers have dropped five in a row on the road dating to Dec. 28.

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Preview: Raiders (4-6) at Titans (2-8)
Date: November 29, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

As poorly as the Oakland Raiders have played over the last three weeks, they still find themselves in a better overall state than the lowly Tennessee Titans.

The Raiders can avoid a fourth consecutive defeat by handing the Titans their 11th straight home loss Sunday.

Three weeks ago, Oakland (4-6) was coming off a second consecutive victory and even talking playoffs. But the Raiders haven't won since and find themselves behind three 5-5 teams in the race for the AFC's final wild-card spot.

'It's definitely a time when guys are starting to realize that we're getting into desperate needs now,' cornerback David Amerson said.

'We need to start putting together some wins, start stacking them up. Time's getting short. You're getting toward the bottom of the season and right now it's starting to get the mentality of all or nothing.'

The Raiders have missed the playoffs for 12 straight seasons.

'It's important that we not look at (extending the playoff drought),' coach Jack Del Rio said. 'When you deal with adversity like we are, when you drop a few in a row, you have to be able to get up, dust yourself off and move forward."

After averaging 35.3 points during a three-game stretch Oct. 25-Nov. 8, Oakland has totaled 27 in the last two. Perhaps more disconcerting, the Raiders were held to a season-low 214 yards in last Sunday's 18-13 loss to a Detroit team that allowed an average of 384.2 prior to the contest.

Derek Carr failed to throw a touchdown for the first time since Week 1 and rookie Amari Cooper managed one catch on four targets for four yards. Latavius Murray has been held to 76 yards on 25 carries in the last two games.

'You are what you earn, right?' Del Rio said. 'We could talk about potential. Potential doesn't win games. Production wins games. It's a bottom-line business, it's a production-based business. We expect to be better than we were.'

The Raiders were better defensively last weekend after giving up 68 points the previous two games. However, they didn't force a turnover for the second straight contest and allowed the Lions to go 80 yards in nine plays for the go-ahead score early in the fourth.

'There are times where you hit these patches, and that's life," Carr said. "That's this league and that's football. But there's no doubt in our mind what we're capable of."

Though it's dropped three straight in the series, Oakland should feel it is capable of besting these Titans (2-8). Tennessee returns from its bye week tied for the worst record in the NFL and looking for its first home victory since Oct. 12 of last year.

An 11th straight home loss would tie for the third-longest skid in league history.

The Titans are 1-2 under coach Mike Mularkey, who isn't guaranteed to have the job after this season. That uncertainty and the lack of positive results has left Tennessee with what linebacker Derrick Morgan called a 'mounting level' of frustration.

'We are not giving in by any means,' Mularkey said. 'There has been no sign of that ... (Titans fans) got a team that wants to win worse than they do and a staff that does too, so we'll represent this city and this organization, I can promise you, as well as we can."

The Titans are last in the AFC with 18.2 points per game and have totaled 23 in two games following a 34-28 overtime win at New Orleans on Nov. 8. They could receive a boost with receiver Kendall Wright expected to return after missing the last three with a knee injury.

'I just want to be a spark, just be out there helping my teammates,' said Wright, who has 28 receptions for 343 yards and three touchdowns.

Mularkey has shuffled personnel on the offensive line to better protect rookie Marcus Mariota after he was sacked four times in last Thursday's 19-13 loss at Jacksonville, bringing his total to 24. Mariota has not thrown a TD since tossing four against the Saints, but did run for Tennessee's lone touchdown last week.

Versatile Titans running back Dexter McCluster will miss this contest with a knee injury, meaning Antonio Andrews and rookie David Cobb could see more time. Andrews averaged 5.2 yards per carry while gaining 78 against the Jaguars.

Oakland has yielded 6.0 per carry while giving up 567 rushing yards in the last three contests.

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Preview: Saints (4-6) at Texans (5-5)
Date: November 29, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

J.J. Watt's ability to get to the quarterback and a vastly improved defense have turned the season around for the Houston Texans.

And now they're getting Brian Hoyer back at quarterback.

Hoyer will look to pick apart the worst defense in the league while Watt and the Texans defense face a major test Sunday against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

Houston (5-5) has allowed 29 total points and an average of 244.7 yards during a three-game win streak to move into a tie with Indianapolis atop the AFC South. The Texans had been surrendering 28.4 points and 370.9 yards per game during their first seven.

The defensive revival continued with a 24-17 win over the New York Jets last week in which the Texans yielded just 267 yards.

Watt has been the catalyst for that success, totaling 7.5 of his league-leading 11.5 sacks over the last four games.

"In the position that I'm in, both trying to be a leader and also with the contract they gave me, I better go out there and do that or I'm dead wood over here," Watt said.

"I need to go out there and perform and that's what's expected of me. That's what I expect of myself. I am going to go out there every day and every single play try to find a way to affect the game."

Hoyer will again get his chance to have an impact after suffering a concussion when he was sacked in the third quarter of a 10-6 win at Cincinnati in Week 10. The injury forced him to miss one game, but T.J. Yates stepped in with two scoring passes against the Jets.

"Everything's clear," said Hoyer, who has won three of his last four starts while completing 57.7 percent of his passes for 924 yards with eight TDs and two interceptions.

He feels there's a way to keep the Texans rolling to their longest winning streak since taking six straight in 2012.

"Consistency is the name of the game at this level," Hoyer said. "You can't have one great play and a few plays that aren't so good. If we can keep getting more consistent and more consistent, it's really going to turn a corner."

Hoyer and the offense could be in for a big day against the Saints (4-6), who are allowing the most points (31.5) and yards (424.3) per game in the league. New Orleans is surrendering an average of 293.1 yards through the air.

The Saints emerge from their bye week with a new defensive coordinator in Dennis Allen, who replaced Rob Ryan when he was fired after the defense was torched for 510 yards in a 47-14 loss at Washington in Week 10.

"It's not like you can just go in and just wholeheartedly change everything you've been doing schematically," said Allen, who was promoted from senior defensive assistant.

"What we've got to do is try to give the guys a plan that they can go out and execute. Try to eliminate some of the white noise or the distractions for them, make sure that they feel comfortable and ready to play."

They'll need to be ready against DeAndre Hopkins, who has already matched his career high from last season with 76 receptions and has 1,045 yards and nine touchdowns. He's caught four scoring passes over the last three games, including two with 118 yards and five catches against New York.

The Saints, however, have a potent offense of their own that ranks second in the NFL at 414.5 yards per game, including 313.2 through the air. That's reason enough for them to still think reaching the playoffs is possible.

"If we're going to go where we want to go, it's going to be on the defense," safety Kenny Vaccaro said. "The offense is rolling. They've been good every year since coach (Sean) Payton's been here."

That's had a lot to do with Brees, who is 28 yards shy of his 12th straight season with at least 3,000. However, he's coming off a season-low 209 while completing 19 of 28 passes with two touchdowns and two picks against the Redskins.

Brees has also been sacked 23 times - six shy of last season's total - and is well aware of the threat posed by Watt, who sacked him for the first of his career in Houston's 40-33 loss at New Orleans on Sept. 25, 2011.

"He's all over the place, in the nickel as well as in regards to the pass rush," Brees said. "They do a good job of moving guys around and making it unpredictable. You just have to have an awareness of where he is and certainly what he's capable of and just knowing you can't hold (the ball) too long."

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Preview: Cardinals (8-2) at 49ers (3-7)
Date: November 29, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

The Arizona Cardinals tormented Colin Kaepernick in one of the most decisive victories in franchise history earlier this season but will have to pick on a different San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sunday.

While that defense takes on Blaine Gabbert, Carson Palmer seeks a single-season franchise record for touchdown passes in the Cardinals' pursuit of a fifth consecutive win and first road victory over the 49ers in seven years.

Arizona (8-2) intercepted Kaepernick four times and returned two for touchdowns in the opening quarter Sept. 27 en route to a 47-7 victory. Larry Fitzgerald and Chris Johnson each scored two TDs in the Cardinals' most lopsided win since beating the Houston Oilers 44-0 on Nov. 1, 1970.

The 49ers (3-7) benched Kaepernick in favor of Gabbert ahead of a 17-16 win over Atlanta on Nov. 8, and his tenure in San Francisco might have ended following left shoulder surgery Tuesday.

"Gabbert is taking care of the football better. The receivers are more involved so it's a good challenge for us," said Arizona safety Tyrann Mathieu, who scored one of those first-quarter touchdowns in September. "It seems like Gabbert has a better understanding of coverages and getting his receivers involved. He's an underrated passer.

"We know those guys are going to come out fired up, ready to prove a point."

Palmer has continued to roll along after throwing for 311 yards and two scores in that matchup. He topped 300 yards in a third consecutive game last Sunday and shook off a pair of early interceptions in a 34-31 win over one of the AFC's top teams, Cincinnati.

"We had another tough opponent in the Bengals with only one loss but we were able to drive down late in the game and finish it off," safety Rashad Johnson said. "We're finding ways to win, and we have momentum at the perfect time."

Palmer completed three passes for a combined 57 yards on the game's final drive to set up Chandler Catanzaro's 32-yard field goal with two seconds left.

The 12-year veteran has 11 TD passes in the past three games to take over the league lead with 27, three shy of Kurt Warner's single-season franchise mark of 30 - set in 2008.

"He can have rough moments, shake them off and just come on back," coach Bruce Arians said. "He's like a really good pitcher who can't find the plate, then all of a sudden he gets in a groove."

Gabbert, meanwhile, played better last Sunday in his second start despite the 49ers returning from their bye to lose 29-13 in Seattle. He was 22 of 34 for 264 yards - his second-most in 29 NFL starts - and one touchdown without an interception.

San Francisco's defense suffered a big blow with defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey tearing his right ACL on the Seahawks' first play from scrimmage. The 49ers went on to allow a season-worst 255 yards on the ground.

"When Glenn got hurt, I didn't like our body language," coach Jim Tomsula said. "We have to address that."

Arizona is hoping that star defensive back Patrick Peterson can play after leaving last weekend because of an ankle injury.

The Cardinals have lost six straight road games against the 49ers, but the most recent was a 20-17 loss Dec. 28 in which Palmer didn't play. They lost their previous five visits by a combined 144-56 score and haven't won a road game in the series since a 23-13 victory Sept. 7, 2008.

"They're still the Niners. It would mean a lot to this franchise," linebacker Kevin Minter said. "We've just got to get it done. It's not going to be an easy game by any means. ... It would be a big step forward for this organization as far as being on top of these guys. It's time for us to finally be on top."

Arizona, 4-1 on the road this season, has won two of the past three overall meetings after dropping nine of 10. All three of San Francisco's wins this year have been at home.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Steelers (6-4) at Seahawks (5-5)
Date: November 29, 2015 4:25 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Steelers have handled the absences of offensive stars all season long and lead the AFC wild-card race. The Seattle Seahawks have learned they'll have to do the same for a prolonged period as they attempt to climb into favorable position for an NFC bid.

Running back Marshawn Lynch will miss a second straight game and figures to miss three or four more, but his team is coming off one of its more impressive rushing performances heading into Sunday's home game with the Steelers - and his replacement has proven to be the far more effective option.

Lynch underwent abdominal surgery for a sports hernia Wednesday, and the time frame that places his return inside a month is considered best-case scenario. There's a chance that Lynch will miss the remainder of the regular season, in which case Seattle (5-5) will hope Thomas Rawls has much more of last week's performance in him.

The undrafted rookie from Central Michigan ran for 209 yards on 30 carries in last Sunday's 29-13 home win over San Francisco, giving him 604 yards on 101 carries compared to Lynch's 417 on 111. Coach Pete Carroll says it's likely Lynch will retain the starting job upon returning, but Rawls' 5.98 yards per carry is difficult to ignore.

"He's done very well and been consistent," said Carroll, whose team ran for a season-best 255 yards against the 49ers on 44 carries. "Whenever he's been given a real good shot, he's come through in a big way."

Pittsburgh's defense figures to be a more difficult test. The 49ers surrender 4.28 yards per carry, while the Steelers (6-4) have posted a 3.84 mark and gave up 15 yards on 14 carries in their 30-9 win over Cleveland on Nov. 15 leading into a bye.

The Steelers will have Ben Roethlisberger starting for the first time since a 38-35 Week 9 home win over Oakland after he replaced an injured Landry Jones in the victory over the Browns. He's hopeful he can play Sunday without the padded boot he wore to protect his sprained left foot against Cleveland.

With it, the quarterback was 22 of 33 for a season-high 379 yards with three touchdowns. While Roethlisberger helped the Steelers to 459 yards of total offense and they've posted 528.0 per game over consecutive wins, he'll be up against a Seattle defense that ranks second in the NFL at 303.6 yards per game.

"I have a great appreciation for that whole defense," Roethlisberger told the team's official website. "Their defensive ends, their front seven really get after it. Their secondary locks people down. I don't have to play against them to respect them. If you want to be the best, you have to play the best."

While that includes the likes of Richard Sherman at cornerback, Roethlisberger's receiving options are in top form. Antonio Brown has 27 catches in his last two games, which is the fourth-highest two-game total in league history. No. 2 option Martavis Bryant, who missed the first five games because of suspension and injury, had a career-high 178 yards receiving and his fifth touchdown in the last contest.

They'll of course remain without top running back Le'Veon Bell for the remainder of the season, but DeAngelo Williams has filled in admirably. In the last three games, the veteran has averaged 134.7 yards from scrimmage and 5.57 per rush, though the Seahawks have limited opponents to 3.74.

After playing six of their first 10 at home, things are about to get a bit more difficult with trips to Seattle and Cincinnati sandwiching a home game against Indianapolis. After the Bengals, Pittsburgh hosts Denver, then travels to Baltimore and Cleveland to conclude the season.

But the Steelers lead the wild-card race and suddenly find themselves two games back of Cincinnati for the AFC North lead.

"We are in the thick of things," said coach Mike Tomlin, whose team has won four straight against the NFC. "We understand that. We are not what we desire to be. We could be better. We could be worse. The reality is we know enough to know that we need to be focused on the task at hand. We don't have to look outside the stadiums."

The Steelers have won the last three meetings with the Seahawks, including consecutive shutouts and a Super Bowl XL victory before that, but the Seahawks have won the last four matchups in Seattle with the latest coming in 2003.

The Seahawks' playoffs hopes don't have quite the same straightforward path as Pittsburgh. Seattle, winner of three of four, is three games back of streaking Arizona in the NFC West, two back of Minnesota for the top wild card and a game behind Atlanta, so a fourth straight playoff appearance will require a strong six-week run.

Including last season's Super Bowl loss to New England, the Seahawks have dropped three straight to the AFC.

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Preview: Patriots (10-0) at Broncos (8-2)
Date: November 29, 2015 8:30 PM EDT

Peyton Manning's injured foot will prevent the renewal of the greatest quarterback rivalry of this era.

Perhaps for good.

It will instead be Tom Brady versus Brock Osweiler when the unbeaten New England Patriots visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday night with the possibility of claiming another AFC East title.

The Broncos have ruled Manning out for the next two games as the aging quarterback deals with a partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot. The lingering injury has attributed to the worst season of the five-time NFL MVP's career and triggered speculation that he's contemplating retirement as he approaches his 40th birthday.

Denver (8-2) has survived Manning's league-high 17 interceptions and 67.6 passer rating to hold a three-game lead atop the AFC West, in large part due to its strong defense and most recently Osweiler's readiness to step in when needed.

Osweiler proved capable in his first career start, throwing two touchdowns and engineering the offense's first turnover-free performance of the season in last week's 17-15 win at Chicago. The 2012 second-round pick completed 20 of 27 passes for 250 yards to help the Broncos halt a two-game skid marred by six Manning interceptions.

"He did a really good job," Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. "We didn't protect him very good in the first half, had to take his lumps in a couple situations but kept his composure (and) would come back to make the next play. He did a heck of a job."

Osweiler credited his efficient effort to the four seasons he spent learning behind the NFL's career leader in passing yards and touchdown passes.

'I don't know if anybody believed me, but I really was telling the truth - I have not wasted a single day sitting behind Peyton,' he said. 'I fully recognize that he might be the greatest quarterback to ever play, if not one of the greatest. I wasn't going to let one of those days go by where I didn't learn something. I've been very appreciative for my situation.'

Osweiler was aided by a running game that churned out 170 yards, 102 from Ronnie Hillman. Such production may be hard to come by, however, against a New England defense that's held opponents to 63.0 per game and 2.9 per carry over the last five wins.

Buffalo's LeSean McCoy did rush for 82 yards and a touchdown on Monday, though the Patriots limited the Bills to 3 for 15 on third downs to hold on for a 20-13 victory and move to 10-0.

New England now owns a five-game lead on Buffalo and New York and can clinch a seventh consecutive division crown with a win and a Jets' loss to Miami on Sunday, or if both the Jets and Bills lose.

Brady, 11-5 all-time against Manning including a split of four postseason matchups, continues to excel in his 16th season, though the 38-year-old didn't have one of his best showings on Monday. He completed a season-low 51.3 percent of his attempts (20 of 39) and was intercepted once while working with a receiving corps beset by several injuries.

Already without top target Julian Edelman due to a broken foot, the Patriots lost Danny Amendola (knee) and Aaron Dobson (ankle) during the game and neither is expected to play this week. Passing-down back Dion Lewis suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 9.

'Yeah, we've lost a lot of guys, and we've lost quite a few guys over the last three weeks,' Brady said. 'So I think we'll just keep fighting and figuring out a way to win, and it's good to win against a good defense. Any way you can get these wins, I think it's a positive.'

Brady also was often under heavy duress from Buffalo, facing pressure on 45 percent of his dropbacks. That could be the case again this week, as Denver leads the NFL with 34 sacks and has yielded league lows of eight touchdown passes and 190.6 passing yards per game.

"We've got to block better. We've got to get open. We've got to run better," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "We've got to do everything better. It just wasn't the kind of production or offensive performance we were looking for."

Brady will still have tight end Rob Gronkowski (51 catches, 843 yards, 8 TDs) at his disposal, while running back James White provided a lift with a touchdown catch along with a rushing score against Buffalo.

Denver may have its receiver group at full strength with wideout Emmanuel Sanders expected to return after missing last week with an ankle sprain.

The Patriots make their first trip to Denver since a 26-16 loss in the 2013 AFC Championship. New England rolled to a 43-21 home win over the Broncos last November behind four Brady touchdown passes.

[StarDust Bum]

NFL's biggest betting mismatches: Week 12

Tom Brady needs better protection from his offensive line if he's going to survive the Broncos bad-ass pass rush Sunday night.

St. Louis Rams at Cincinnati Bengals (-8, 42)

Rams’ defensive starting field position vs. Bengals’ average starting field position

The Bengals have plenty of weapons on the return squad and are among the top teams in terms of starting field position, starting their offensive drives from an average of almost the 31-yard line – fourth best in the NFL this season. That’s helped kick start an offense that is fifth in points scored, with 26.6 points per outing, and seventh in total yards with 376.2 gains per game.

The Rams have given their opponents a head start this season, allowing teams to start their drives just past the 28-yard line – ranked 26th in the league. St. Louis has been able to shut the door in the red zone but can’t afford to give the Bengals any breaks, especially the way the Rams have struggled to score in recent weeks. St. Louis has put up just 44 points the past three weeks. They simply don’t have the firepower to keep pace if this turns into a shootout.

Daily fantasy watch: QB Andy Dalton


Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons (-1.5, 45.5)

Vikings’ passive defense vs. Falcons’ football follies

Turnovers have transformed the Falcons from one of the most feared teams in the NFL to a one-team blooper reel. Atlanta has fumbled the ball seven times and QB Matt Ryan has thrown six interceptions during the last five games, in which the Falcons are just 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS. Atlanta had four turnovers in a crushing loss to Indianapolis last week, but may be off the hook against the Vikings in Week 12.

Minnesota has undergone a defensive renaissance under head coach Mike Zimmer and currently ranks ninth in yards allowed and is averaging only 18.4 points against per game – third lowest in the NFL. However, the main premise of Zimmer’s schemes is to play positional defense and not risk going for the interception. That passive approach has Minnesota ranked 28th in takeaways with only six interceptions. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Vikes were 2-2 with eight takeaways out of the gate but have since going 5-1, snatching only three free footballs in that six-game span. While they’re winning with this approach, it may be taking the gun out of the hands of the Falcons before they can shoot themselves in the foot.

Daily fantasy watch: QB Matt Ryan


Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (-6, 41.5)

Bills' penalty problems vs. Chiefs laundry-less games

The Bills have adopted Rex Ryan’s aggressive swagger, and it’s been good and bad for Buffalo. The negative is the amount of penalties the Bills have committed, entering Week 12 with 95 accepted flags – according to NFLpenalties.com. That’s totaled 852 yards, which is the most in the NFL. Now, Buffalo heads to Arrowhead – the loudest venue in the AFC – where false starts and delay of game calls can be credited to the Kansas City faithful. The Bills have 24 pre-snap penalties this year, 10 coming on false starts and four on delay of game whistles.

Not only are the Chiefs benefiting from an extreme home-field edge, but Andy Reid has his team playing very disciplined football. Kansas City boasts the seventh fewest penalties in 2015, getting flagged for only 61 infractions for a total of 536 yards against. At home, it’s been even tighter with the Chiefs committing just 21 penalties compared to 40 on the road. With the holidays on their way, Buffalo may be in the giving spirit– in terms of free yardage – but K.C. is taking the Grinch approach.

Daily fantasy watch: TE Travis Kelce


New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (+3, 43)

Patriots' poor protection vs. Broncos' bad-ass pass rush

So, football fans don’t get another chapter in Brady versus Manning, but for football bettors the spread wouldn’t be all that different if No. 18 was under center for the Sunday nighter. The short field-goal line doesn’t have much to do with who’s making the throws for Denver but rather the Broncos defense, which has kept this team competitive all year. The Patriots are their most daunting test, but this pass rush – which tops the NFL in sacks with 34 – could be getting New England at the right time.

Tom Brady was peppered with pressure in last Monday’s game against the Bills, get sacked only once but feeling the force of 13 hits from nine different pass rushers. The week before, the Giants were able to record three sacks on Brady and forced some errant throws thanks to their ability to hurry Mr. Bundchen. Injuries have forced the Pats to juggle their offensive line all season, hurting the cohesiveness of the pass protection. Those struggles were on display last week, when Brady lashed out at his o-line on the sideline. Penalties to the offensive line have also mounted, and no team in the league has reeked more havoc on pass protectors than the Broncos.

Daily fantasy watch: Denver D/ST

[StarDust Bum]

Essential Week 12 betting notes for NFL Sunday

Russell Wilson is 6-0 SU (4-2 ATS) in six home games against opponents from the AFC.

New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans (-3, 48)

* New Orleans coach Sean Payton gave his players an entire week off and is hoping for a change from the squad that dropped an overtime decision at home to Tennessee before getting crushed in Washington.

* After beginning the season 2-5 SU and ATS, the Texans have gone 3-0 SU and ATS in their previous three games.


St. Louis Rams at Cincinnati Bengals (-8.5, 42)

* The Rams are on a three-game losing skid and have gone 0-2-1 ATS over that span.

* The Bengals opened the season with eight consecutive victories (7-0-1 ATS) but have dropped two in a row (1-1 ATS) following a last-second defeat at Arizona on Sunday night. “I think the one thing you can take from this is that there’s no quit," Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton told reporters after the 34-31 setback. "We fought until the very end and that’s good to see. We’ve got to keep that mentality."


Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons (-1.5, 45.5)

* Minnesota’s third-ranked scoring defense looks to further frustrate a Falcons’ offense that has committed 16 turnovers in the last six games.

* The Falcons took a hit with running back Devonta Freeman (1,184 scrimmage yards, 11 TDs) leaving last week’s game with a concussion, and with him being unlikely to play Sunday, the Falcons will count on Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, the NFL’s leading receiver, to power the offense.


New York Giants at Washington Redskins (+2.5, 47)

* The Giants have covered the spread in the previous five meetings with their NFC East rivals.

* The Redskins are 4-1 at home on the season with its lone loss coming in its season opener against the Dolphins.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts (-3, 46)

* Bucs QB Jameis Winston is dragging his team back to respectability with wins in four of the last six games (5-1 ATS).

* The Indianapolis Colts are undefeated with 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck starting under center (2-1 ATS) and are hanging in at the top of the AFC South.


Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (-6, 41.5)

* Buffalo has been solid at stopping the run, which bodes well against a fairly conservative Chiefs offense, and the defense typically keeps the team in games as long as the offense doesn’t implode.

* Kansas City has gone a franchise-record four straight contests without committing a turnover. The Chiefs are 4-0 ATS in those games.


Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans (+1, 44)

* The Raiders have struggled offensively of late, totaling 27 points in their last two contests after scoring at least 34 in each of their previous three games.

* Tennessee fell to 1-2 SU and ATS under interim coach Mike Mularkey when it came out on the wrong end of a 19-13 decision at Jacksonville on Nov. 19.


San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars (-5.5, 46.5)

* The Chargers are 0-4 on the road this year (2-2 ATS) and have lost five straight away from home dating to last season.

* Jags QB Blake Bortles has thrown at least two touchdown passes in five of his last six games and has connected with wide receiver Allen Hurns for a score in seven of the last eight contests.


Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (-3.5, 42.5)

* After the firing of coach Joe Philbin seemed to turn the Dolphins' season around with two straight wins, Miami has lost three of its last four games and it appears the Dolphins will miss the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

* The Jets gave quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick a vote of confidence during the week despite throwing four interceptions in the past two weeks, both losses in games that New York was favored.


Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (+10.5, 45)

* Owners of the league's highest-scoring offense with an average of 33.6 points per game, the high-powered Cardinals manhandled the 49ers 47-7 in Week 3.

* Niners QB Blaine Gabbert has completed 37 of 59 pass attempts for 449 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in his two starts since taking over. San Fran has gone 1-1 SU, ATS and O/U.


Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks (-3.5, 45.5)

* Pittsburgh is 3-0 SU and ATS against the NFC West this season.

* Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is 6-0 (4-2 ATS) at home against AFC opponents.


New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (+2.5, 43)

* Tom Brady started showing the effects of losing leading receiver Julian Edelman and running back Dion Lewis, completing a season-low 51.3 percent of his passes and failing to throw for multiple touchdowns for the first time last week.

* Denver's defense not only leads the league with 34 sacks, it also is surrendering the fewest total yards (284.3) and has scored four touchdowns.

[StarDust Bum]

Sunday, November 29


Chance of rain in Kansas City Sunday

According to weather forecasts, there is a 44 percent chance of rain in Kansas City when the Chiefs host the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday afternoon.

Temperatures in Kansas City will be in the high-30s with wind expected to blow across the playing field at around seven miles per hour.

Books opened the Chiefs as 6-point home favorites but that has since moved to -5.5. The total is down to 41 after opening at 42.


Snow expected in Denver for Sunday nighter

Weather forecasts are calling for snowfall at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver as the Broncos host the unbeaten New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.

Temperatures in Denver are expected to be in the low-20s with a small 16 percent chance of snow during the early stages of the game, before that increases to 68 percent as the game progresses.

The Broncos are presently 2.5-point home pups for the Sunday nighter, while the total is down to 43 after opening 46.


Falcons' futility at sportsbook now at six games

The Atlanta Falcons, once the darlings of the betting community, are currently mired in a horrific drought at the sportsbook. The Falcons, who started the season 4-0 straight up and against the spread, have now failed to cover the spread in six-straight games (2-4 SU).

The Falcons began the season as underdogs in three of their first four games and had their offense firing on all cylinders en route to an unblemished first quarter of the season. But the NFC South club has faltered as favorites in each of their last six, culminating in a 24-21 loss to the Matt Hasslebeck-lead Indianapolis Colts - off a bye week - as 3.5-point home faves last week.

Books opened the Falcons as 2.5-point home favorites with the Minnesota Vikings in town Sunday afternoon, but that has since moved to -1.5.


Steelers go for NFC West sweep at Seattle Sunday

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone 3-0 both straight up and against the spread in three games against teams from the NFC West so far this season.

The Steelers will finish off their tour around the division with a trip to face the Seattle Seahawks Sunday afternoon.

Pittsburgh thumped San Francisco 43-18 as 6-point home faves in Week 2, eked out a 12-6 win as 1.5-point dogs at the St Louis Rams the following week, and defeated the Arizona Cardinals 25-13 as 5.5-point home pups in Week 6.

Books opened the Steelers as 5.5-point road dogs for their with the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, but that has since moved to Steelers +3.5.


Giants rolling in clashes with NFC East-rival Washington

The New York Giants have gone 5-0 both straight up and against the spread in the previous five meetings with the Washington Redskins.

The two NFC East rivals renew acquaintances in Washington Sunday afternoon and the visitors are presently tabbed as 2.5-point road faves after opening -1.

Washington's last win came in December of 2013 when it prevailed 17-16, covering the spread as 2.5-point home underdogs.


Don't look now, but the Texans are cashing bets

Remember when the Houston Texans were bad? Well, they're still bad, but they're currently on a 3-0 run straight up and against the spread heading into Sunday's meeting with the New Orleans Saints.

The defensive side of the ball has finally flexed its muscle after underperforming for much of the season. Over the course of those three wins, they've allowed just 29 points and have won outright as underdogs twice, including a 10-6 win over the previously unbeaten Cincinnati Bengals.

That solid denfense will be tested against the high-scoring Saints and an offense that ranks second in the NFL with an average of 414.5 yards.

The Texans are presently tabbed as 3-point home favorites.


Dolphins WR Matthews questionable

The Miami Dolphins added wide receiver Rishard Matthews to their injury report Saturday with an illness.

Matthews is questionable to play Sunday's game at the New York Jets.

The Dolphins also promoted safety Shamiel Gary off the practice squad and waived linebacker Mike Hull.

Gary was an undrafted rookie of the New England Patriots in 2014. He also spent time with the Chicago Bears before joining the Dolphins.

Hull, an undrafted rookie this year, was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster Nov. 14.


Vikings S Smith ruled out vs. Falcons

The Minnesota Vikings ruled out safety Harrison Smith for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons because of a knee injury.

Smith suffered a left knee injury in last Sunday's 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers when he collided with Vikings cornerback Terence Newman in the first quarter.

Smith was listed as questionable on the team's injury report Friday after participating in practice on a limited basis. After the Vikings' final walk-through on Saturday, the Vikings downgraded Smith, who will not travel with the team to Atlanta.

Vikings rookie cornerback Trae Waynes also was downgraded to out with an ankle injury after being hurt in practice this week.