Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has emerged as favorite to win league MVP
Simply two weeks stay of the 2023 NFL common season. Playoff berths are nonetheless up for grabs, division titles are nonetheless to be clinched and extra drama awaits because the league edges in the direction of the playoffs. We sit up for Sunday in Week 17…
Editor’s observe…
It feels becoming that the NFL will see out 2023 with two of the yr’s most gifted and universally-admired figureheads going toe-to-toe as beacons of the perfect the league has to supply.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, the quirky genius imposing his schematic mastery as one of the crucial enamouring branches to the Shanahan tree; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, the defensive migraine seemingly on the trail to two-time MVP standing as one of many generation-defining-and-inspiring faces of crucial and sophisticated place in sport.
On Sunday Jackson’s No 1-seeded Ravens meet McDaniel’s No 2-seeded Dolphins, two very completely different tales sharing their very own distinctive grounds for understanding. McDaniel admitted this summer time that he at all times knew he shirked the stereotypical/conventional look and persona of an NFL head coach, and but discovered a technique to make himself each heard and trusted.
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A take a look at Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s high performs from the 2023 season thus far
A take a look at Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s high performs from the 2023 season thus far
Jackson’s rise in the meantime noticed him encounter query marks over his credentials as a quarterback in addition to receiving requests that he trial in different positions such had remained the traditional attitudes in the direction of a Black play-caller, just for him to shatter long-exhausted misconceptions and be part of the elite as maybe probably the most tough quarterback in opposition to whom to game-plan in the complete league.
McDaniel joked this week that he had supplied his providers as a scout group quarterback to “attempt to replicate” Jackson throughout Miami’s preparations for Sunday’s matchup. He adopted up with typically-perfect McDaniel sentiment whereas describing his counterpart.
“Outdoors of this recreation, I am simply comfortable for the participant,” he mentioned. “As a result of what I recognise is discuss an unbelievable expertise. However even him, he is needed to outline himself. He is had individuals inform him what he’s, and he disagrees. How can I inform? It isn’t as a result of I’ve had a dialog with him. I see higher than I hear.”
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Highlights of the Baltimore Ravens in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Baltimore Ravens in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 of the NFL season.
There was an uncomfortable, uneasy silence amongst quarterback-needy groups earlier this yr when it appeared Jackson’s future in Baltimore may need been unsure amid stalling negotiations over a brand new long-term deal. How foolish he would make them look, and the way glad the Ravens can be upon lastly handing him a $260m extension.
He enters Week 17 the MVP frontrunner having simply toppled the Tremendous Bowl favorite San Francisco 49ers and thrown for 3,357 yards, 19 touchdowns and 7 interceptions alongside 786 dashing yards and 5 scores this season, all throughout his first yr alongside offensive coordinator Todd Monken and whereas lacking favorite goal Mark Andrews for a big a part of the marketing campaign.
“He is not like anyone else,” mentioned Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. “The one different participant that is been like him within the final 50 years is Michael Vick. He is an incredible participant. Kudos to Ozzie [Newsome] and Eric [DeCosta] for choosing him. Thirty-one different groups that handed him by are kicking themselves. He is actually improved over time. Dynamic with the ball. Good passer. He makes their offense go.”
Full circulation Lamar is as spectacular as any sight the NFL has to supply, his magic piloting Baltimore to reliable rivalry – the calibre of which faces one in all its largest assessments but in opposition to Miami this weekend.
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He is the coach that everybody’s speaking about! This is a take a look at a few of Miami Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel’s funniest moments ever.
He is the coach that everybody’s speaking about! This is a take a look at a few of Miami Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel’s funniest moments ever.
Across the league…The Broncos benched Russell Wilson for the rest of the 2023 common season, pointing in the direction of plans for Sean Payton to deal with the quarterback place and doubtlessly spelling the top of Wilson’s time in Denver. Jarrett Stidham will now begin the ultimate two video games.Wilson later informed reporters the Broncos approached him forward of Week 9 suggesting they’d bench him for the remainder of the yr if he didn’t change the damage assure in his contract, one thing he declined to do.In one of many more unusual incidents of the season, the Packers suspended cornerback Jaire Alexander for one recreation after he took it upon himself to exit for Sunday’s pre-game coin toss regardless of not being a recreation captain. Alexander nearly price Inexperienced Bay a possession within the course of after profitable the toss and asking for his group to be on protection as a substitute of ‘deferring’, at which level referee Alex Kemp requested for readability and saved the Packers from permitting the Panthers to obtain the ball firstly of each halves.Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud cleared concussion protocol as he prepares to begin in opposition to the Tennessee Titans after lacking the final two video games.
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Try the best-of-the-best NFL catches of 2023.
Try the best-of-the-best NFL catches of 2023.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been dominated out of Sunday’s conflict with the Tennessee Titans because of a shoulder damage, with CJ Beathard primed to begin.The Washington Commanders introduced they’ve benched quarterback Sam Howell, with veteran Jacoby Brissett to step in underneath heart for Ron Rivera’s aspect; Brissett, although, has since been dominated questionable as an obvious game-time resolution because of hamstring tightness.Tommy DeVito can be heading to the bench for the New York Giants amid his emergence as one of many NFL’s most fascinating tales, with Tyrod Taylor taking on beginning duties for Brian Daboll.The Minnesota Vikings confirmed that star tight finish TJ Hockenson will miss the remainder of the season because of a torn ACL and MCL.What to observe…
Sunday, 6pm – Miami Dolphins (11-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (12-3): For a lot of the season the main focus, fairly rightly, has been on Miami’s high-powered No 1-ranked offense, fuelled by the manufacturing of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert. Throughout from them, linebacker David Lengthy Jr has change into one in all Vic Fangio’s unsung contributors and one of many league’s offseason steals because the second-level missile monitoring deep routes, swarming tight ends and flying to the road of scrimmage. Come Sunday, his job is prone to be that of stalking Lamar Jackson’s each transfer as Miami deal with each the league’s best scrambling menace alongside along with his off-platform proficiency and pocket command.
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Highlights of the Dallas Cowboys in opposition to the Miami Dolphins in Week 16 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Dallas Cowboys in opposition to the Miami Dolphins in Week 16 of the NFL season.
Sunday, 9.25pm – Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) @ Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (9-6): Requested what stands out in regards to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs secondary, Bengals vast receiver Ja’Marr Chase insisted “nothing”, earlier than suggesting he had no thought as to who security Bryan Cook dinner was. Chase would later observe he was “including gas to the fireplace”; job performed. Whether or not or not it’s the proper time to take pictures at a wobbling Chiefs group stays to be seen. Andy Reid’s offense is in disarray with the playoffs on the horizon and Steve Spagnuolo’s protection unable to compensate to the identical extent it had earlier within the marketing campaign. Sunday is the most recent perception into indicators of life for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and their stumbling assault.
SNF – Inexperienced Bay Packers (7-8) @ Minnesota Vikings (7-8): The seat is getting scorching for Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry, whose unit simply shipped 30 factors to the two-win Carolina Panthers whereas nearly relinquishing a double-digit benefit. The Packers are ranked twenty third in yards allowed, seventeenth in factors allowed, twenty fifth in EPA/play and twenty eighth in success fee via 16 weeks, Barry’s protection threatening to derail the still-real playoff hopes of a younger and thrilling Jordan Love-led offense. Extra questions await on Sunday ought to the Packers battle in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings, who might be led by fifth-round rookie Jaren Corridor after making one other change at quarterback.
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Highlights of the Las Vegas Raiders in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs from Week 16 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the Las Vegas Raiders in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs from Week 16 of the NFL season.
Playoff implications
Present playoff standings
AFC NFC 1) Baltimore Ravens (12-3) (X) 1) San Francisco 49ers (11-4) (Y) 2) Miami Dolphins (11-4) (X) 2) Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) (X) 3) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (9-6) 3) Detroit Lions (11-4) (Y) 4) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) 4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) 5) Cleveland Browns (11-5) (X) 5) Dallas Cowboys (10-5) (X) 6) Buffalo Payments (9-6) 6) Los Angeles Rams (8-7) 7) Indianapolis Colts (8-7) 7) Seattle Seahawks (8-7) (X) = already clinched playoff berth (Y) = clinched division The Ravens will win the AFC North title with a win/tie and clinch the AFC’s No 1 seed, first-round bye and homefield benefit with a winThe Payments will safe a playoff berth with a win plus a Steelers loss/tie and a Bengals loss/tie (amongst 14 completely different situations)The Browns will safe a playoff berth with a win/tie (amongst 5 completely different situations)The Jaguars will safe a playoff berth and the AFC South title with a win plus Colts and Texans defeatsThe Chiefs will safe a playoff berth and the AFC West title with a win/tieThe Dolphins will clinch the AFC East title with a win/tieThe Rams will safe a playoff berth with a win plus a Seahawks lossThe Eagles will clinch the NFC East title with a win plus a Cowboys loss/tieThe 49ers will clinch the NFC’s No 1 seed, first-round bye and homefield benefit with a win plus a Lions loss and Eagles lossThe Seahawks will safe a playoff berth with a win plus a Packers-Vikings tieThe Buccaneers will safe a playoff berth and the NFC South title with a winBest quotes
Sean Payton when requested if Russell Wilson is a scapegoat for Denver’s points on offense: “I get that. And but, I can not exchange the complete offensive line. I can not herald 5 new receivers, and if it continues for over time period, then there will be one other man speaking to you as effectively. That is one thing that – these are tough selections, and clearly, there’s extra consideration when it is the quarterback who’s underneath contract, however completely different than perhaps earlier selections we have made with perhaps final yr’s prior starters.”
Russell Wilson’s response to being benched: “God’s obtained me. Wanting ahead to what’s subsequent.”
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Justin Jefferson produced an excellent catch in Minnesota’s NFL recreation in opposition to Detroit.
Justin Jefferson produced an excellent catch in Minnesota’s NFL recreation in opposition to Detroit.
Chiefs legend Dante Corridor discusses the physique language of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on the sidelines: “It is like my little youngsters working round right here on Christmas Day. We obtained you a Christmas tree crammed with presents and also you’re appearing like spoiled little brats. These guys know I really like them. So, as a pal, as a brother, I needed to name ya out. This isn’t an excellent look.”
Bengals vast receiver Ja’Marr Chase: “On the finish of the day, there’s solely a lot that I can do myself. It isn’t like I am Ironman. I can not throw the soccer to myself. It is a group sport on the finish of the day.”
Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen: “We play a model of soccer that folks do not need to play. All people needs to be out right here [being] cute, taking part in basketball on grass and stuff, and we aren’t with all that. You are able to do all that stuff, we’re simply going to hit you within the mouth each play, truthfully. We could not care much less about all the beautiful stuff you do, gimmick stuff.”
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West Virginia coach Neal Brown continued one in all faculty soccer’s wackiest traditions by being lined in mayonnaise after profitable the 2023 Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
West Virginia coach Neal Brown continued one in all faculty soccer’s wackiest traditions by being lined in mayonnaise after profitable the 2023 Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield on being in consideration for Comeback Participant of the 12 months: “It is humbling. It is an honour. It is sort of a big-picture mindset, if I take a step again and actually take a look at it, of all of the issues that I’ve needed to climate within the final yr. It actually speaks volumes to this place proper right here.”
Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce on the potential of incomes the job on a full-time foundation: “My resume is on the grass. What would you like? I can put up a elaborate presentation, I’ve seen that earlier than. I can put up stats, I can put up my resume, however the perfect factor that occurred for me was a chance.”
The statsBenched Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is assured $39m in 2024 whether or not he stays in Denver or not, with an extra $37m assured if he can’t move a bodily earlier than March. The group’s resolution to bench him would permit them to half with him earlier than that cash vests Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson leads all corners in protection grade (91.1) and passer ranking allowed (31.6) this season, in line with Professional Soccer FocusTampa Bay Buccaneers third-round linebacker Yaya Diaby leads all rookies with 6.5 sacks whereas additionally being tied-second amongst rookies with 9 tackles for loss regardless of beginning simply 5 video games this seasonThe battle to change into the NFL’s deal with champion sees Foye Oluokun of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Zaire Franklin of the Indianapolis Colts tied on 160 apiece; Oluokun led the league in tackles for 2 years straight heading into 2023Cowboys rookie Brandon Aubrey has transformed an ideal 33 of 33 discipline objective makes an attempt this season, main all gamers in scoring with 141 pointsA win over the Seattle Seahawks would see the Pittsburgh Steelers safe a twentieth straight season with a .500-or-better file, which might mark the second-longest streak in NFL historical past
Important studying:
From Mahomes to Rodgers: Reynolds’ largest NFL tales in 2023
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes
“2023 has been crammed with memorable and vital moments on the planet of American soccer. A lot in order that Tom Brady’s second retirement – which got here on a gray Florida seashore day precisely one yr after his first – would not even make this record.”
Sky Sports activities’ Neil Reynolds has the ultimate phrase on 2023 as he picks out a few of his largest NFL storylines from over the previous yr…
From Brazil to the NFL… and again? Santos dreaming of homecoming
Cairo Santos is dreaming of an NFL homecoming
“They’ve been begging for this expertise, and now the NFL will get to expertise Brazil. It is the dream of so many hundreds of thousands of Brazilians.”
Cairo Santos was born in Sao Paulo, and grew up utilizing Coca-Cola cans as objective posts on the street whereas lining up chairs as a make-shift wall in his backyard as he tried to mimic Roberto Carlos’ well-known free-kick. He would watch Ronaldo and Kaka, or Adriano, whereas growing a love for Frank Lampard and Chelsea.
The Chicago Bears kicker is now dreaming of a homecoming as the primary ever Brazilian to play within the NFL.
Santos speaks to Sky Sports activities NFL editor Cam Hogwood following the league’s announcement that it’s going to play a recreation in Brazil in 2024 as the most recent addition to its worldwide calendar…
Her Huddle: Meet Germany QB Mona Stevens
Hannah Wilkes and Phoebe Schecter are joined by Staff Germany quarterback and international flag soccer ambassador Mona Stevens, who discusses her journey into soccer and mission to introduce extra girls to the game.
Contained in the Huddle: Christmas particular!
Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold are right here for a particular Christmas version of Inside The Huddle, discussing their greatest NFL-themed presents, their dream Christmas feast visitors and the league’s iconic moments from 2023…
Thursday evening rewind…
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Highlights of the New York Jets in opposition to the Cleveland Browns from Week 16 of the NFL season.
Highlights of the New York Jets in opposition to the Cleveland Browns from Week 16 of the NFL season.
The Cleveland Browns clinched an unlikely playoff berth – simply their second since 2002 – regardless of quite a few accidents this season, with a 37-20 win over the New York Jets on Thursday evening.
Watch the Miami Dolphins on the Baltimore Ravens reside on Sky Sports activities NFL on New 12 months’s Eve, with protection underneath method at 5pm forward of kickoff at 6pm; watch the Inexperienced Bay Packers in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings in Sunday Evening Soccer.