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NHL Morning Skate – Dec. 1, 2022

NHL Editor
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NHL Morning Skate – Dec. 1, 2022

* It was a November to remember – filled with new storylines that included the revitalization of teams left out of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, new stars emerging as League leaders and the most goals ever scored in a November in NHL history.


* Mitchell Marner extended his point streak to 18 games and now has his name atop a 105-year franchise record – joining Patrick Kane as the only active players to lead an ‘Original Six’ franchise in that category.

* Connor McDavid recorded his 12th multi-point game of the season – tied with Jason Robertson for the most among all players – while becoming the first skater to reach 40 points in 2022-23.
 


A NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER
Stars and storylines shined brightly during the second month of the 2022-23 season, spanning from the revitalization of teams that missed the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs to record-breaking performances and fresh faces among the League’s scoring leaders.



* New Jersey had a League-best 13 wins in November. They became the 15th team in NHL history to post a 13-win month – all prior clubs to do so went on to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Three of those previous teams went on to capture the Cup: Colorado (15-0-1 in Jan. 2022), Carolina (13-1-0 in Jan. 2006) and Philadelphia (13-1-1 in March 1975).  

* Seattle posted a 10-1-1 mark in November after capturing just eight wins overall through November in their inaugural season (8-13-1 through Nov. 30, 2021). The Kraken capped their best month to date by winning the highest-scoring game of the season, thanks to the NHL’s first nine-goal outing of 2022-23 which helped them finish with the second-highest goals-per-game rate in November. Seattle, which finished 37 points shy of the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference in its inaugural campaign, currently sits within the top five of the League standings.
 



* The 2021-22 campaign was the only season the Golden Knights failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but rookie goaltender Logan Thompson finished November 2022 with an NHL-best eight victories (tied) as Vegas currently sits atop the Western Conference standings and third overall. Six of his eight wins since Nov. 1 have come on the road – one shy of the most by any rookie goaltender in a single month in League history (Ray Emery: 7 in March 2006 w/ OTT).


* The League-leading Bruins (19-3-0, 38 points) culminated the month with a victory against the Lightning at TD Garden, extending their freshly-established NHL record for longest home win streak to start a season to 13 games. While David Pastrnak (4-6—10 in 7 GP) has led Boston in home scoring since Nov. 1, the club has also spent 229:16 leading through that span – the third-highest total among all teams, trailing only Nashville (244:55) and Tampa Bay (241:14). 


* Alex Ovechkin (793-640—1,433 in 1,298 GP) continued his pursuit of the 800-goal club in November and climbed a number of elite lists in the process, scoring eight times over the course of the month (14 GP) following a five-goal October (5-3—8 in 10 GP). The Capitals captain passed Gordie Howe for the most goals with a single franchise in NHL history, claimed the League record for most road goals from Wayne Gretzky and tied Jaromir Jagr for the NHL benchmark in game-opening tallies.



* While Connor McDavid (18-23—41 in 23 GP) has captured four of the NHL’s past six Art Ross Trophies and currently paces the League scoring race, Stars forward Jason Robertson (19-17—36 in 23 GP) is hot on his heels after posting 15-11—26 in November. Robertson became the first player in franchise history to lead the League in both goals and points in a calendar month. Robertson (41-38—79 in 2021-22) finished 44 points behind McDavid (44-79—123 in 2021-22) last season, ranking 35th in the NHL.

DID YOU KNOW?

The last player to win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy after leading the League on Dec. 1 of a season was David Pastrnak during the 2019-20 season, en route to sharing the award with Alex Ovechkin. Meanwhile, the last player to win the Art Ross after pacing the League on Dec. 1 of a campaign was Connor McDavid in 2016-17.
 

LEAGUE SNAPSHOT
A quick snapshot of League trends from November 2022:

* 254 tying goals – the most ever in the month of November.
* 145 games with at least one game-tying goal. The only November with more was 2019 (152).

* 21 goals in the opening minute of a game (215 GP). The only months with more in NHL history are October 1981 (27 in 120 GP) and November 2018 (22 in 216).
* 33 goals in the opening 90 seconds of a contest. The only month with more in NHL history is October 1981 (34).

* 27 game-tying goals in the final five minutes of a game. The only November with more is 2013 (32)
* 89 comeback wins – the only Novembers with more are 2019 (93), 2018 (93) and 2009 (92).

* 22 multi-goal comeback wins, including five three-plus goal comeback wins.
* 38 comeback victories in the third period. The only Novembers with more are 2018 (45) and 2019 (41).

* 1,373 goals scored – the most ever in the month of November in NHL history.
* 111 road wins – the only months with more in NHL history are March 2014 (113), December 2007 (113) and April 2022 (112).

* 14 hat tricks – the only Novembers with more in the past 25 years are 2005 (20), 2018 (20) and 2010 (17).

MARNER MATCHES MAPLE LEAFS RECORD TO CAP TORONTO’S NOVEMBER SUCCESS
Mitchell Marner (1-0—1) scored in the final two minutes of the game to extend his point streak to a franchise record-tying 18 games, while Ilya Samsonov made 23 saves to remain perfect at home (6-0-0) as Toronto concluded November with an 11-1-3 record and 25 standings points – the most points they’ve ever collected in a single calendar month, after earning just four wins in October.
 
* Samsonov’s six straight home wins to start a season tied Felix Potvin (6 GP in 1993-94) for the second-longest such run in Maple Leafs history, behind only Bruce Gamble (9 GP in 1967-68).

* Marner, who grew up in the Greater Toronto Area and cheered for his hometown Maple Leafs since he was a kid, now has his name atop a 105-year franchise record. He joined Chicago’s Patrick Kane (26 GP in 2015-16) as the only active players to share or hold the outright lead for the longest point streak record for an ‘Original Six’ franchise.


NHL HAS ITS FIRST 40-POINT SCORER AND HIS NAME IS CONNOR McDAVID
Connor McDavid had 1-1—2, including a highlight-reel goal, to boost his season totals to 18-23—41 (23 GP) as he became the first player to reach the 40-point mark this season, with nearly half of those points coming on the road (8-11—19 in 11 GP) – the most among all skaters. The Oilers captain has reached the mark in 23 games or fewer in his fourth straight campaign, with teammate Leon Draisaitl (19 GP in 2021-22 & 21 GP in 2019-20) standing as the only other active player to have accomplished the feat multiple times.



HALAK, ANDERSON EARN WINS ON #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Jaroslav Halak and Craig Anderson each earned notable wins that were featured on Wednesday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates.

* Halak stopped 34 of the 35 shots he faced to claim his first victory in a Rangers uniform and become the seventh goaltender in NHL history to earn a win with at least seven different franchises (also VAN, BOS, NYI, WSH, STL & MTL). The other netminders include Ron Tugnutt (8), Curtis McElhinney (8), Sean Burke (8), Alex Auld (7), Chad Johnson (7) and Brian Boucher (7).

* Exactly 20 years to the day after Anderson made his NHL debut, he collected an assist on the Sabres’ first goal of the game and made 41 saves – as well as all three in the shootout – to help Buffalo stymie Detroit’s three-goal, third-period comeback attempt, solidified by Jack Quinn’s shootout winner. Anderson, who made 41 saves in his last outing on Nov. 25, became the second goaltender age 40 or older to record 40-plus saves in back-to-back games (since 1955-56 when shots on goal began being tracked), joining Jacques Plante (42 on Feb. 14, 1973 & 43 on Feb. 18, 1973).


QUICK CLICKS

* NHL Alumni Association comes together for Hockey Fights Cancer Month
*Kris Letang out indefinitely for Penguins after stroke

* Bruins won first NHL game played in United States in 1924

* Teams consistently executing breakouts usually qualify for playoffs

* Get to Know: Seth Jones

11-GAME THURSDAY TO KICK OFF DECEMBER
After a thrilling November, the calendar will flip to December where an 11-game Thursday is in store to kick off the month, including leaders of the Metropolitan, Central and Pacific Division all in action as the Devils (19-4-0, 38 points) welcome the Predators (10-9-2, 22 points), the Golden Knights (17-6-1, 35 points) visit the Penguins (11-8-4, 26 points) and the Stars (13-6-4, 30 points) host the Ducks (6-15-2, 14 points).
 

2022 NFL Playoff Scenarios for Week 13

NFL Editor
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2022 NFL Playoff Scenarios for Week 13

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-2) (vs. N.Y. Jets (7-4), Sunday, 1:00 PM ET, CBS)

Minnesota clinches NFC North division title with:

1) MIN win + DET loss or tie OR

2) MIN tie + DET loss

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-1) (vs. Tennessee (7-4), Sunday, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

Philadelphia clinches playoff berth with:

1) PHI win + WAS loss + SF loss or tie + SEA loss or tie

(as long as both SF and SEA each don’t tie) OR

2) PHI win + WAS tie + SF loss + SEA loss

NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks (10-10) at Detroit Pistons (5-18)

NBA Editor
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NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks (10-10) at Detroit Pistons (5-18)

The way Luka Doncic is playing against better opponents, it seems almost unfair to unleash the triple-double machine against the team with the NBA’s worst record.

The Dallas Mavericks superstar recorded his third 40-point triple-double of the season in a 116-113 win over defending champion Golden State on Tuesday. The Mavs travel to Detroit to face the downtrodden Pistons on Thursday.

Doncic piled up 41 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and four steals for his 51st career triple-double. He tied Dirk Nowitzki for second place in franchise history with 20 career games of 40 or more points. Mark Aguirre is first with 22.

Doncic is averaging a league-leading 33.5 points to go with 8.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists despite being a marked man every game. With the loss of Jalen Brunson in free agency, the Mavs don’t have an obvious second option.

Spencer Dinwiddie is second on the team at 17.0 points per game. He was ejected in the fourth quarter against the Warriors when he was assessed a flagrant-2 foul for elbowing Jordan Poole in the face.

A Doncic basket gave Dallas a three-point lead and the Mavericks hung on as the Warriors’ Klay Thompson missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the final second.

Veteran guard Kemba Walker could make his Dallas debut on Thursday. Walker was waived by the Pistons after being acquired from New York in an offseason trade. Walker signed a one-year contract with the Mavericks on Tuesday.

The Pistons have won only five games this season and carry a three-game losing streak into the contest. They were demolished by the Knicks 140-110 on Tuesday.

That was their second home game after a lengthy six-game road trip.

With top player Cade Cunningham sidelined indefinitely due to a shin injury, the Pistons are finding it difficult to stay competitive. Several other key players have missed games due to injury, including Cunningham’s rookie backcourt partner Jaden Ivey. He also missed the Knicks game due to knee soreness.

Isaiah Stewart returned to action on Tuesday after missing seven games due to a toe injury and led the club with 19 points, including a career-best five 3-pointers. Reserve guard Alec Burks did not score in 15 minutes of action after contributing 16 or more points in the previous six games.

World Cup Preview: Serbia vs Switzerland

Agate Editor
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World Cup Preview: Serbia vs Switzerland

The last time Serbia and Switzerland played was at the 2018 World Cup. The Swiss won that game 2-1 with goals by Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri. It’s needless to say that the Serbs still hold a grudge against them, which is just one of the reasons why Friday’s game is guaranteed to be fun to watch.

Another reason is that after the blunder with Cameroon, Serbia need a win to advance to the next stage. For the Swiss, a draw would work fine as well (unless Cameroon beat Brazil by two or more goals in the other Group G game).

Serbia vs Switzerland Odds
Match-Winner
Serbia +154
Draw +240
Switzerland +179
Goals Over/Under
Over 2.5 +108
Under 2.5 -123
*Odds taken from Sports Odds Direct on Wednesday, November 30.

When, Where, and How to Watch?
Place: Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar
Date: Friday, December 2, 2022
Time: 2:00 PM ET
How to Watch: FOX/Telemundo

Serbia Plotting Revenge
For Serbian media, the Serbia vs Switzerland is not a soccer game but a battle on the field. They’ve been pumping up tension ahead of Friday’s game, often with distasteful comments about Xhaka and Shaqiri, two Swiss players tracing roots in Kosovo, which Serbia still considers its own.

Serbian media is going crazy about this game, but the same seems not to be the case with Serbia’s players. They do not look very motivated right now, with reports about serious problems on the players-coach relation.

Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic is rumored to be in Dragan Stojkovic’s black book. The coach kept him on the bench during the game with Cameroon, arguing that the most expensive player in Juventus’ history is just 30% ready. Vlahovic replied on Instagram by posting pictures of him with the caption “always ready.”

The rumored beef between the two started before the game with Cameroon. After Serbia gambled away a 3-1 lead and only got a draw, other players may have also turned their back on the coach. They blame him for not making any changes until very late in the game.

The Swiss Ready to Park the Bus
The strongest weapon of the Switzerland national soccer team is defense. Not only do they have a fantastic goalie (Yann Sommer), as well as some amazing defenders (Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, etc.), but they’re also very well organized when defending.

The result is that they kept a clean sheet against Cameroon while keeping Brazil to just one goal. The goal in question was scored by Casemiro in the 83rd minute of the match when he fired a projectile that ricocheted off Akanji’s buttocks and hit the net. That said, the Swiss were kind of unlucky to concede in that game.

Against Serbia, you can expect them to employ the same tactic. They’re going to “park the bus” in front of the goal, looking for their chances from counterattacks. Will this work?

Serbia vs Switzerland Prediction
Comparing them player-for-player, Serbia’s got a better roster than Switzerland. Unfortunately for them, they just don’t work great as a collective. We did see them work great together at some points during the Cameroon game (their third goal was a great team effort), but they also looked very disorganized in other moments of the match.

It’s just the opposite when it comes to Switzerland. The Swiss team is more than the sum of its parts. They work great as a collective, especially when it comes to protecting their goal.

NFC Players of the Week – Week 12

NFL Editor
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NFC Players of the Week – Week 12

EAGLES QB JALEN HURTS, PANTHERS DE BRIAN BURNS & VIKINGS RB KENE NWANGWU NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 12

Quarterback JALEN HURTS of the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive end BRIAN BURNS of the Carolina Panthers and running back KENE NWANGWU of the Minnesota Vikings are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 12 (November 24, 27-28).

OFFENSE: QB JALEN HURTS, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 

  • Hurts passed for two touchdowns with no interceptions and had a career-high and franchise-record 157 rushing yards, the second-most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game this season, in the Eagles’ Week 12 win over the Packers.
  • This is the first-career Offensive Player of the Week award for Hurts. He becomes the 10th Eagles quarterback to earn the honor and the first since Nick Foles (Week 16, 2018).
  • Hurts is the third former Crimson Tide quarterback to be named Offensive Player of the Week, joining Jeff Rutledge (Week 9, 1990) and Tua Tagovailoa (Week 2, 2022).

DEFENSE: DE BRIAN BURNS, CAROLINA PANTHERS

  • Burns recorded two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass defense in Carolina’s 23-10 win over Denver. He was the only player in the league with multiple sacks and a forced fumble in Week 12.
  • This is Burns’ second Defensive Player of the Week award (Week 11, 2020) and he becomes the fifth Panther to earn the honor multiple times.
  • Burns becomes the first-ever former Florida State defensive lineman to win the award twice. 

SPECIAL TEAMS: RB KENE NWANGWU, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

  • Nwangwu returned five kickoffs for 166 yards, including a 97-yard kickoff-return touchdown, in the Vikings’ 33-26 Week 12 win over New England. It marked his third-career kickoff-return touchdown and was the third in the NFL this season.
     
  • This is Nwangwu’s second Special Teams Player of the Week award (Week 9, 2021) and he becomes the eighth Vikings player to earn the honor multiple times.
  • He joins Ellis Hobbs as the only former Iowa State players to win multiple Special Teams Player of the Week awards.

2022 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

OffenseDefenseSpecial Teams
Wk 1RB Saquon Barkley, N.Y. GiantsLB Uchenna Nwosu, SeattleCB Zech McPhearson, Philadelphia
Wk 2WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, DetroitCB Darius Slay, PhiladelphiaK Graham Gano, N.Y. Giants
Wk 3RB Cordarrelle Patterson, AtlantaDE Brandon Graham, PhiladelphiaP Pat O’Donnell, Green Bay
Wk 4QB Geno Smith, SeattleLB Haason Reddick, PhiladelphiaK Greg Joseph, Minnesota
Wk 5TE Taysom Hill, New OrleansLB Micah Parsons, DallasK Cameron Dicker, Philadelphia
Wk 6QB Marcus Mariota, AtlantaCB Tariq Woolen, SeattleP Ryan Wright, Minnesota
Wk 7QB Daniel Jones, N.Y. GiantsCB Marco Wilson, ArizonaK Cairo Santos, Chicago
Wk 8RB Christian McCaffrey, SFLB Za’Darius Smith, MinnesotaTE Will Dissly, Seattle
Wk 9QB Justin Fields, ChicagoS Kerby Joseph, DetroitP Jake Camarda, Tampa Bay
Wk 10WR Justin Jefferson, MinnesotaLB Devin White, Tampa BayK Joey Slye, Washington
Wk 11RB Tony Pollard, DallasDL Aidan Hutchinson, DetroitRB Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta
Wk 12QB Jalen Hurts, PhiladelphiaDE Brian Burns, CarolinaRB Kene Nwangwu, Minnesota

AFC Players of the Week – Week 12

NFL Editor
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AFC Players of the Week – Week 12

RAIDERS RB JOSH JACOBS, BILLS DT ED OLIVER & CHARGERS P JK SCOTT NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 12 

Running back JOSH JACOBS of the Las Vegas Raiders, defensive tackle ED OLIVER of the Buffalo Bills and punter JK SCOTT of the Los Angeles Chargers are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 12 (November 24, 27-28).

OFFENSE: RB JOSH JACOBS, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

  • Jacobs recorded a career-high 303 scrimmage yards (229 rushing and 74 receiving) and two rushing touchdowns, including the game-winning 86-yard touchdown in overtime to defeat Seattle on the road in Week 12. Jacobs’ 303 scrimmage yards are the most by a player in a single game since 2015 and he became the sixth player in NFL history with at least 300 scrimmage yards and multiple scrimmage touchdowns in a single game.
  • His 86-yard touchdown run in overtime is the second-longest overtime rushing touchdown and fourth-longest overtime scrimmage touchdown since 1974.
  • This is the first Offensive Player of the Week award for Jacobs and he becomes the first Raiders running back to earn the honor since Michael Bush (Week 10, 2011).
     
  • He is the fifth former Alabama running back to win the award, joining Shaun Alexander (seven-time winner), Derrick Henry (seven-time winner), Mark Ingram (two-time winner) and Eddie Lacy (two-time winner).

DEFENSE: DT ED OLIVER, BUFFALO BILLS

  • Oliver recorded six tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack that resulted in a safety, a forced fumble and fumble recovery in Buffalo’s 28-25 victory over Detroit on Thanksgiving. He is the only player this season to record both a safety and forced fumble in a single game.  
  • This is the first-career Defensive Player of the Week award for Oliver. He is the third Bills player to win the award this season, joining safety Jordan Poyer (Week 4) and linebacker Matt Milano (Week 11). The Eagles are the only other team with three Defensive Player of the Week winners this season.
  • Oliver is the first former Houston Cougar to earn the honor since linebacker Glenn Cadrez (Week 11, 1999).

SPECIAL TEAMS: P JK SCOTT, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

  • Scott recorded six punts with an average of 39 yards (36.5 net) and pinned four inside the 20-yard line in the Chargers’ 25-24 win over Arizona in Week 12. His four punts inside the 20 were the most among all AFC punters this week.
  • This is Scott’s first-career Special Teams Player of the Week award and he becomes the first Chargers punter to earn the honor since Ty Long (Week 1, 2019).
     
  • Scott becomes the second Alabama punter to ever win the award, joining Chris Mohr (Week 2, 1994).

2022 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

OffenseDefenseSpecial Teams
Wk 1Wk 2Wk 3Wk 4Wk 5Wk 6QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas CityQB Tua Tagovailoa, MiamiQB Trevor Lawrence, JacksonvilleQB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas CityQB Josh Allen, BuffaloQB Josh Allen, BuffaloS Minkah Fitzpatrick, PittsburghCB Jaylen Watson, Kansas CityDE Trey Hendrickson, CincinnatiS Jordan Poyer, BuffaloLB Matthew Judon, New EnglandDL Quinnen Williams, N.Y. JetsK Cade York, ClevelandP Braden Mann, N.Y. JetsP Corliss Waitman, DenverK Evan McPherson, CincinnatiK Chase McLaughlin, IndianapolisK Dustin Hopkins, L.A. Chargers
Wk 7QB Joe Burrow, CincinnatiCB Sauce Gardner, N.Y. JetsK Randy Bullock, Tennessee
Wk 8Wk 9Wk 10RB Derrick Henry, TennesseeRB Joe Mixon, CincinnatiRB Jonathan Taylor, IndianapolisDE Dre’Mont Jones, DenverLB Justin Houston, BaltimoreLB Alex Highsmith, PittsburghK Nick Folk, New EnglandK Cameron Dicker, L.A. ChargersP Ryan Stonehouse, Tennessee
Wk 11Wk 12TE Travis Kelce, Kansas CityRB Josh Jacobs, Las VegasLB Matt Milano, BuffaloDT Ed Oliver, BuffaloDB Marcus Jones, New EnglandP JK Scott, L.A. Chargers

Week 13 Injury Report – – Wednesday

NFL Editor
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Week 13 Injury Report – – Wednesday
BUFFALO BILLS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS on Thursday night
BUFFALO BILLS
 The Bills did not practice Wednesday. The Wednesday practice report is an estimation.
Status Report
    OUTT Dion Dawkins (ankle), LB Von Miller (knee)
 
    QUESTIONABLETE Quintin Morris (illness)
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 MondayT Dion Dawkins (ankle), S Damar Hamlin (illness), CB Dane Jackson (illness), S Jaquan Johnson (illness), LB Von Miller (knee), TE Quintin Morris (illness), WR Khalil Shakir (illness)
 TuesdayT Dion Dawkins (ankle), WR Stefon Diggs (not injury related – resting player), RB Taiwan Jones (not injury related – resting player), LB Von Miller (knee), TE Quintin Morris (illness)
 WednesdayT Dion Dawkins (ankle), LB Von Miller (knee)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 MondayQB Josh Allen (right elbow), LB Tremaine Edmunds (groin, heel), DE A.J. Epenesa (ankle), CB Cameron Lewis (forearm), C Mitch Morse (elbow, ankle), DE Jordan Phillips (eye), DE Gregory Rousseau (ankle)
 TuesdayQB Josh Allen (right elbow), LB Tremaine Edmunds (groin, heel), DE A.J. Epenesa (ankle), S Damar Hamlin (illness), CB Dane Jackson (illness), S Jaquan Johnson (illness), CB Cameron Lewis (forearm), C Mitch Morse (elbow, ankle), DE Jordan Phillips (eye), DE Gregory Rousseau (ankle), WR Khalil Shakir (illness)
 WednesdayQB Josh Allen (right elbow), LB Tremaine Edmunds (groin, heel), DE A.J. Epenesa (ankle), S Damar Hamlin (illness), CB Dane Jackson (illness), S Jaquan Johnson (illness), CB Cameron Lewis (forearm), TE Quintin Morris (illness), C Mitch Morse (elbow, ankle), DE Jordan Phillips (eye), DE Gregory Rousseau (ankle), WR Khalil Shakir (illness)
 
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
 The Patriots did not practice Wednesday. The Wednesday practice report is an estimation.
Status Report
    OUTRB Damien Harris (thigh), T Isaiah Wynn (foot)
 
    QUESTIONABLEC David Andrews (thigh), T Yodny Cajuste (calf, back), CB Marcus Jones (ankle), WR Jakobi Meyers (shoulder), CB Jalen Mills (groin), S Jabrill Peppers (illness)
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 MondayRB Damien Harris (thigh), T Isaiah Wynn (foot)
 TuesdayRB Damien Harris (thigh), S Jabrill Peppers (illness), T Isaiah Wynn (foot)
 WednesdayRB Damien Harris (thigh), T Isaiah Wynn (foot)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 MondayC David Andrews (thigh), T Yodny Cajuste (calf), CB Marcus Jones (ankle), WR Jakobi Meyers (shoulder), CB Jalen Mills (groin), WR DeVante Parker (knee)
 TuesdayC David Andrews (thigh), T Yodny Cajuste (calf), CB Marcus Jones (ankle), WR Jakobi Meyers (shoulder), CB Jalen Mills (groin)
 WednesdayC David Andrews (thigh), T Yodny Cajuste (calf, back), CB Marcus Jones (ankle), WR Jakobi Meyers (shoulder), CB Jalen Mills (groin), S Jabrill Peppers (illness)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 TuesdayWR DeVante Parker (knee)
 
CLEVELAND BROWNS at HOUSTON TEXANS
CLEVELAND BROWNS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayG Joel Bitonio (not injury related – resting player), RB Nick Chubb (not injury related – resting player), DE Jadeveon Clowney (not injury related – resting player), WR Amari Cooper (not injury related – resting player), DE Myles Garrett (not injury related – resting player), TE David Njoku (knee)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayCB A.J. Green (concussion protocol, head), CB Greg Newsome (concussion), CB Denzel Ward (ankle)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayS Ronnie Harrison (shoulder)
 
HOUSTON TEXANS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayDE Mario Addison (not injury related – resting player), RB Rex Burkhead (concussion), LB Blake Cashman (knee), DT Maliek Collins (chest), WR Brandin Cooks (not injury related – resting player), T Austin Deculus (not injury related – personal matter), DE Jerry Hughes (not injury related – resting player), CB Derek Stingley (hamstring)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayG Kenyon Green (illness), LB Christian Harris (shoulder)
 
DENVER BRONCOS at BALTIMORE RAVENS
DENVER BRONCOS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
BALTIMORE RAVENS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
GREEN BAY PACKERS at CHICAGO BEARS
GREEN BAY PACKERS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayT David Bakhtiari (knee), G Elgton Jenkins (knee), QB Aaron Rodgers (right thumb, rib), S Darnell Savage (foot)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayLB De’Vondre Campbell (knee), RB A.J. Dillon (quadricep), WR Romeo Doubs (ankle), RB Aaron Jones (shin, glute)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayLB Krys Barnes (hand), S Rudy Ford (wrist), CB Shemar Jean-Charles (ankle)
 
CHICAGO BEARS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at DALLAS COWBOYS on Sunday night
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
 The Colts did not practice Wednesday. The Wednesday practice report is an estimation.
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayWR Keke Coutee (illness), CB Kenny Moore (ankle), TE Jelani Woods (shoulder, quadricep)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayDE Ben Banogu (abdomen), C Ryan Kelly (knee, ankle)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayTE Kylen Granson (illness), DE Kwity Paye (ankle)
 
DALLAS COWBOYS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayCB Trevon Diggs (illness), WR Michael Gallup (illness)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayLB Anthony Barr (hamstring), S Jayron Kearse (shoulder), DE Demarcus Lawrence (foot)
 
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at DETROIT LIONS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayDE Roy Robertson-Harris (illness)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayS Andre Cisco (shoulder), RB Travis Etienne (foot), WR Zay Jones (chest)
 
DETROIT LIONS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayG Evan Brown (ankle), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (illness), LB Julian Okwara (elbow), T Penei Sewell (ankle)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayG Jonah Jackson (concussion), CB Chase Lucas (hamstring), CB Jeff Okudah (concussion), DE Josh Paschal (knee), C Frank Ragnow (foot)
 
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at CINCINNATI BENGALS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
CINCINNATI BENGALS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayT La’el Collins (not injury related – resting player)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayWR Ja’Marr Chase (hip), RB Joe Mixon (concussion), DT D.J. Reader (ankle)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayDT Josh Tupou (calf)
 
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS at LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
MIAMI DOLPHINS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
MIAMI DOLPHINS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayT Terron Armstead (toe, pectoral), RB Myles Gaskin (shoulder, ankle), LB Melvin Ingram (not injury related – resting player), T Austin Jackson (ankle)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayLB Jerome Baker (hip), QB Teddy Bridgewater (knee), DT Raekwon Davis (knee), RB Raheem Mostert (knee)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayTE Tanner Conner (knee), CB Keion Crossen (shoulder), G Robert Jones (back), CB Kader Kohou (thumb), QB Tua Tagovailoa (ankle)
 
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
NEW YORK JETS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS
NEW YORK JETS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayRB Michael Carter (ankle), S Ashtyn Davis (hamstring), T Cedric Ogbuehi (groin, illness), CB D.J. Reed (not injury related – personal matter)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayT Duane Brown (shoulder), DT Sheldon Rankins (elbow), TE Kenny Yeboah (calf)
 
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
PITTSBURGH STEELERS at ATLANTA FALCONS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
ATLANTA FALCONS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayDT Jalen Dalton (toe), RB Cordarrelle Patterson (not injury related – resting player)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayLB Arnold Ebiketie (forearm), G Chuma Edoga (knee)
 
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at LOS ANGELES RAMS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
LOS ANGELES RAMS
 
Practice
 WednesdayPractice Not Complete
 
TENNESSEE TITANS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
TENNESSEE TITANS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayDE Denico Autry (knee), CB Elijah Molden (groin), DT Jeffery Simmons (ankle)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayWR Cody Hollister (neck)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayK Randy Bullock (right calf), C Ben Jones (concussion), QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle)
 
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
 The Eagles did not practice Wednesday. The Wednesday practice report is an estimation.
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayS Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (kidney)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayLB Patrick Johnson (ankle), WR Zach Pascal (groin), WR DeVonta Smith (groin)
 
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS at NEW YORK GIANTS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayWR Dax Milne (foot), CB Benjamin St-Juste (ankle), G Trai Turner (ankle, knee)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayRB Antonio Gibson (foot), C Tyler Larsen (shoulder), TE Logan Thomas (rib), DE Chase Young (knee)
 
NEW YORK GIANTS
 
Practice Report
    DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayRB Gary Brightwell (illness), G Joshua Ezeudu (neck), CB Adoree’ Jackson (knee), WR Richie James (knee), G Shane Lemieux (toe)
 
    LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayTE Daniel Bellinger (eye), S Dane Belton (collarbone), LB Carter Coughlin (thigh), C Jon Feliciano (neck), CB Cordale Flott (concussion protocol), CB Darnay Holmes (shoulder), CB Fabian Moreau (oblique), DT Leonard Williams (neck)
 
    FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
 WednesdayT Evan Neal (knee), T Tyre Phillips (neck)

What To Look For – Week 13

NFL Editor
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0
What To Look For – Week 13

CLINCHING TIME: For the first time this season, there are teams that can clinch a spot in the 2022 postseason.

The MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-2) can secure their first NFC North title since 2017, while the PHILADELPHIA EAGLES can clinch a postseason berth for the second-consecutive season and the fifth time in the past six seasons. For the full Week 13 playoff scenarios for each club, click here.

— NFL —

CHIEFS KINGDOM: The KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-2) have won five consecutive games and are closing in on their eighth consecutive postseason berth, the longest active streak in the NFL. Since taking over as Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, ANDY REID has guided the franchise to at least nine wins in each season and their 112 regular-season wins over that span are the most in the league.
With a win at Cincinnati on Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS), Reid can become the third head coach in NFL history to record at least 10 regular-season wins in eight consecutive seasons, joining BILL BELICHICK (17 consecutive seasons from 2003-19) and GEORGE SEIFERT (eight consecutive seasons from 1989-96).

Additionally, Reid – who also had eight 10-win seasons with Philadelphia – can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer TOM LANDRY (16 seasons) for the third-most 10-win seasons by a head coach in NFL history. Only Belichick (20 seasons) and Pro Football Hall of Famer DON SHULA (20) have more.

The head coaches with the most 10-win regular-seasons in NFL history:

COACHTEAM(S)10-WIN SEASONS
Bill BelichickCleveland, New England20
Don ShulaHOFBaltimore Colts, Miami20
Tom LandryHOFDallas16
Andy ReidPhiladelphia, Kansas City16


Quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES enters the week leading the league with 3,585 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes this season and has eclipsed 300 passing yards in each of the past six games.

With 300 passing yards on Sunday, Mahomes will have recorded 300 passing yards in seven-or-more consecutive games for the second time in his career (2018, Weeks 2-9) and will become the first player to ever accomplish the feat within a single season twice. ANDREW LUCK (2014, Weeks 3-11) and DREW BREES (2011, Weeks 10-17) are the only other players in league history to do so once.

The players with at least 300 passing yards in the most consecutive games within a single season in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAMSEASONCONSECUTIVE GAMES
Patrick MahomesKansas City20188 (Weeks 2-9)
Andrew LuckIndianapolis20148 (Weeks 3-11)
Drew BreesNew Orleans20117 (Weeks 10-17)
    
Patrick MahomesKansas City20226* (Weeks 6-12)
*Active streak   

— NFL —


RUSHING INTO HISTORY: Sunday’s meeting at Lincoln Financial Field between the TENNESSEE TITANS (7-4) and PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-1) – two division-leaders – will feature the league’s second-leading rusher in Tennessee running back DERRICK HENRY (95.3 rushing yards per game) and the NFL’s third-best rushing attack in Philadelphia (162.5 rushing yards per game).

In six road games this season, Henry has totaled 662 rushing yards (110.3 per game) with nine rushing touchdowns and has scored a rushing touchdown in each game. With a rushing touchdown in Philadelphia on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Henry will become the third player ever to record a rushing touchdown in each of his first seven road games of a season, joining DALTON HILLIARD (1989) and Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN RIGGINS (1983).

The players with a rushing touchdown in the most consecutive road games to begin a season in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAMSEASONCONSECUTIVE ROAD GAMES
John RigginsHOFWashington19838
Dalton HilliardNew Orleans19897
    
Derrick HenryTennessee20226*
*Active streak   

Since entering the league in 2016, Henry leads all players with 75 rushing touchdowns. With a rushing touchdown on Sunday, Henry – appearing in his 98th career game – will tie PRIEST HOLMES (76 rushing touchdowns) for the sixth-most rushing touchdowns by a player in his first 100 career games in the Super Bowl era.

The players with the most rushing touchdowns in their first 100 career games in the Super Bowl era:

PLAYERTEAM(S)RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
Emmitt SmithHOFDallas103
LaDainian TomlinsonHOFSan Diego Chargers102
Shaun AlexanderSeattle91
Adrian PetersonMinnesota86
Eric DickersonHOFL.A. Rams, Indianapolis80
Priest HolmesKansas City76
Derrick HenryTennessee75*
*In 97 career games  

Last week, Philadelphia quarterback JALEN HURTS totaled 157 rushing yards, the fourth-most rushing yards by a quarterback in a regular-season game in NFL history. He leads all quarterbacks this season with eight rushing touchdowns and ranks third with 561 rushing yards.

Hurts, who led all quarterbacks with 10 rushing touchdowns in 2021, needs two rushing touchdowns on Sunday to join CAM NEWTON as the only quarterbacks ever with at least 10 rushing touchdowns in multiple seasons. He can become the first quarterback ever to reach the feat in consecutive seasons.

Hurts already has the most games with at least two rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in his first three seasons (seven).

As a team, the Eagles pace the league with 21 rushing touchdowns this season, led by Hurts and running back MILES SANDERS, each with eight. With two rushing touchdowns on Sunday, Philadelphia will tie the 2016 BUFFALO BILLS (23 rushing touchdowns) and 2004 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (23) for the third-most rushing touchdowns by a team its their first 12 games of a season since 2000.

The teams with the most rushing touchdowns in their first 12 games of a season since 2000:

TEAMSEASONRUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
San Diego Chargers200626
Seattle Seahawks200524
Buffalo Bills201623
Kansas City Chiefs200423
   
Philadelphia Eagles202221*
*In first 11 games  

— NFL —

STARS MEET IN VEGAS: The LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (6-5) travel to Allegiant Stadium to face the LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4-7) in a meeting between AFC West foes. Each club has a wide receiver that can make history in the matchup.

Dating back to Week 13 of the 2021 season, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver MIKE WILLIAMS has surpassed 100 receiving yards in each of his past five road games. With 100 receiving yards at Las Vegas on Sunday, Williams will become the fourth different player to record at least 100 receiving yards in six consecutive road games in the Super Bowl era, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers MICHAEL IRVIN (1995), CALVIN JOHNSON (2012-13) and JERRY RICE (1990 and 1995-96).

The players with at least 100 receiving yards in the most consecutive road games in the Super Bowl era:

PLAYERTEAMSEASON(S)CONSECUTIVE ROAD GAMES
Michael IrvinHOFDallas19956
Calvin JohnsonHOFDetroit2012-136
Jerry RiceHOFSan Francisco1995-966
Jerry RiceHOFSan Francisco19906
    
Mike WilliamsL.A. Chargers2021-225*
*Active streak   

Las Vegas wide receiver DAVANTE ADAMS ranks second in the league with 10 touchdown receptions and fourth with 999 receiving yards this season, his first as a Raider. Adams has totaled 507 receiving yards (126.8 per game) and five touchdown receptions in four games against the AFC West this season and has surpassed 100 receiving yards in each matchup.

With 100 receiving yards against the Chargers, Adams will join GARY CLARK (1987) and Pro Football Hall of Famer MICHAEL IRVIN (1995) as the only players ever with at least 100 receiving yards in each of their first five division games of a season.

Chargers running back AUSTIN EKELER is the only player in the league with at least five rushing touchdowns (seven) and five touchdown receptions (five) this season, while Raiders running back JOSH JACOBS leads the NFL with career highs in scrimmage yards (1,484) and rushing yards (1,159).

With a touchdown reception on Sunday, Ekeler – who tied for the league lead with 20 touchdowns (12 rushing, eight receiving) in 2021 – will become the fourth player ever with at least six rushing touchdowns and six touchdown receptions in consecutive seasons.

The players with at least six rushing touchdowns and six touchdown receptions in consecutive seasons in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAMSEASONS
Billy CannonHouston Oilers1961-62
Marshall FaulkHOFSt. Louis Rams2000-01
Chuck ForemanMinnesota1974-75
   
Austin EkelerL.A. Chargers2021-22*
*Has seven rushing touchdowns and five touchdown receptions in 2022

Last week, Jacobs recorded a single-game franchise record 303 scrimmage yards (229 rushing, 74 receiving) and two rushing touchdowns, becoming the sixth player in NFL history with at least 300 scrimmage yards and multiple scrimmage touchdowns in a single game.

With 197 scrimmage yards on Sunday, Jacobs can become the third different player ever to record at least 500 scrimmage yards over a two-game span, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers OLLIE MATSON and WALTER PAYTON.

The players with the most scrimmage yards over a two-game span in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAMSEASON, WEEKSSCRIMMAGE YARDS
Walter PaytonHOFChicago Bears1977, Weeks 10-11525
Ollie MatsonHOFChicago Cardinals1954, Weeks 9-10503
Walter PaytonHOFChicago Bears1977, Weeks 9-10502
Josh GordonCleveland2013, Weeks 12-13498
Jim BrownHOFCleveland1963, Weeks 1-2494

— NFL —

SCARY TERRY: The WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (7-5) enter Week 13 having won three consecutive games and six of their past seven. Fourth-year wide receiver TERRY MCLAURIN leads the team with 54 receptions and 840 receiving yards and has averaged 78.9 receiving yards per game over the past six games.

With 60 receiving yards at the New York Giants (7-4) on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX), McLaurin will become the sixth player in NFL history with at least 50 receptions and 900 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons.

The players with at least 50 receptions and 900 receiving yards in the most consecutive seasons to begin a career in NFL history:

PLAYERTEAMSEASONS
Mike EvansTampa Bay8* (2014-21)
A.J. GreenCincinnati7 (2011-17)
Randy MossHOFMinnesota6 (1998-2003)
Joey GallowaySeattle4 (1995-98)
Michael ThomasNew Orleans4 (2016-19)
   
Terry McLaurinWashington3* (2019-21)
*Active streak

— NFL —

PARSONS SACK PARTY: Dallas linebacker MICAH PARSONS recorded two sacks in Dallas’ win on Thanksgiving, his sixth game with at least two sacks this season, the most in the league. With two sacks against Indianapolis on Sunday Night Football (8:20 PM ET, NBC), Parsons will become the first player to record at least two sacks in seven of his team’s first 12 games of a season since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.

The players with the most games with at least two sacks in their team’s first 12 games of a season since 1982:

PLAYERTEAMSEASONGAMES WITH 2+ SACKS
Aaron DonaldL.A. Rams20186
Micah ParsonsDallas20226*
Bruce SmithHOFBuffalo19906
Reggie WhiteHOFPhiladelphia19876
*In 11 games   

Parsons had three games with at least two sacks as a rookie last season and can also become the first player since 1982 with at least two sacks in 10 games within his first two seasons.

The players with the most games with at least two sacks in their first two seasons since 1982:

PLAYERTEAMGAMES WITH 2+ SACKS
Micah ParsonsDallas9*
Aldon SmithSan Francisco9
Shawne MerrimanSan Diego Chargers8
Reggie WhiteHOFPhiladelphia8
*In second season   

After leading all rookies with 13 sacks in 2021, Parsons’ 12 sacks this season rank second in the NFL. With a sack on Sunday, he can become the third player since 1982 with at least 13 sacks in each of his first two seasons, joining ALDON SMITH and Pro Football Hall of Famer REGGIE WHITE.

— NFL —

SOMETHING MUST GIVE: Since Week 8, the MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-3) and SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (7-4) are each unbeaten. The Dolphins have the league’s second-ranked scoring offense during that span (33.8 points per game) and have scored at least 30 points in each of their four games. The 49ers have the top-scoring defense (10.0 points per game allowed) since Week 8 and have allowed 16-or-fewer points in each of their four contests.

When the two clubs meet in San Francisco on Sunday (4:05 PM ET, FOX), it will mark the fourth meeting in league history between a team that has scored at least 30 points in their past four games and a team that has allowed 16-or-fewer points in their past four games.

DATETEAM TO SCORE 30+ POINTS
IN 4 STRAIGHT		TEAM TO ALLOW 16-OR-FEWER POINTS
IN 4 STRAIGHT		RESULT
December 4, 2022Miami DolphinsSan Francisco 49ers???
November 10, 2013San Francisco 49ersCarolina PanthersCAR 10, SF 9
October 21, 1973Los Angeles RamsGreen Bay PackersLA 24, GB 7
November 2, 1941Chicago BearsGreen Bay PackersGB 16, CHI 14

— NFL —

NBA Preview: Portland Trail Blazers (11-10) at Los Angeles Lakers (7-12)

NBA Editor
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0
NBA Preview: Portland Trail Blazers (11-10) at Los Angeles Lakers (7-12)

The Los Angeles Lakers will have to pick up the pieces Wednesday night when they host the Portland Trail Blazers two days after they crumbled in the fourth quarter of a home game against the Indiana Pacers.

The Lakers had a 17-point lead with just under 10 minutes remaining Monday before the Pacers went on a 10-0 run to close the gap. Los Angeles never trailed in the second half until the Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Indiana a 116-115 victory.

The fourth-quarter collapse prevented the Lakers from winning for the sixth time in seven games after a 2-10 start.

If there is a positive the Lakers can lean on, it is that they finally are getting healthy. LeBron James had an ankle-injury scare early in Monday’s game but returned after a visit to the locker room and played 36 minutes, posting 21 points and seven rebounds. James has played three games after missing five with a groin strain.

The Lakers’ Anthony Davis returned Monday from a one-game absence because of a bruised calf and recorded 25 points and 13 rebounds. But he took just two shots in the fourth quarter as the Pacers were pushing their way back into the game. James was 2 of 8 from the field in the final quarter.

Wednesday’s game will give the Lakers one last chance to play at home before they depart on a six-game Eastern Conference trip that will start Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Trail Blazers will enter Wednesday’s game after a 118-112 home loss against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday and will play their first back-to-back since they took road victories vs. Charlotte and New Orleans on Nov. 9 and 10. Since defeating the Pelicans, the Blazers are 2-7.

Anfernee Simons scored 37 points for Portland on Tuesday while Jerami Grant added 32 as the Blazers failed to protect an 18-point lead in the third quarter and a 13-point advantage in the fourth.

The Blazers’ Damian Lillard, who has averaged 26.3 points per game in 11 contests this season, has missed the past six games with a calf strain. Simons has averaged 23.9 points in 19 games this season.

The Clippers outscored Portland 36-17 in the fourth period as the Blazers shot 46.7 percent from the field in the game and 48.6 percent from 3-point range. Portland’s Nassir Little left Tuesday’s game with a right-hip strain.

NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers (12-8) at Sacramento Kings (10-9)

NBA Editor
-
0
NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers (12-8) at Sacramento Kings (10-9)

All eyes on Tyrese Haliburton as Pacers visit Kings

Tyrese Haliburton is expected to get a warm welcome when he returns to Sacramento for the first time as a member of the Indiana Pacers to face his old team, the Kings, on Wednesday night.

Kings fans were shocked when Haliburton, seemingly a cornerstone to a franchise rebuild from the minute he was drafted 12th overall in 2020, highlighted a package of three players dealt to the Pacers in February for star big man Domantas Sabonis and two others.

Haliburton and Sabonis have played on relatively even terms since the swap. Haliburton has averaged 18.5 points and 10.3 assists in 46 games for Indiana, while Sabonis has put up 17.8 points and 11.6 rebounds in 34 games for Sacramento.

Haliburton, 22, averaged 13.6 points and 6.3 assists in 109 games for the Kings, while Sabonis, 26, logged 16.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest for the Pacers after he was acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in July 2017 in a deal for Paul George.

The biggest surprise for the new-look Pacers and Kings has been in the standings.

Indiana, which had the third-fewest wins (25) in the Eastern Conference last season, currently finds itself fourth in the East with a 12-8 record. Rookie Bennedict Mathurin, veteran Myles Turner and Buddy Hield, also acquired in the Sabonis trade, have joined with Haliburton in spearheading the turnaround.

Meanwhile, led by Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox and new coach Mike Brown, the Kings find themselves in the early hunt for a playoff spot in the West with a 10-9 record. They missed the playoffs for an NBA-record 16th consecutive season a year ago at 30-52.

The Pacers have alternated wins and losses in their past five games, including a split in Los Angeles against the Clippers (114-100 defeat) and Lakers (116-115 triumph) on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

Jalen Smith, drafted two spots ahead of Haliburton in 2020, had a career-high 23 points against the Clippers, while Haliburton had a sixth consecutive double-double (24 points and 14 assists) in the victory over the Lakers.

The Tuesday game featured a stunning Indiana comeback from a 17-point, fourth-quarter deficit. Haliburton scored a game-tying layup with 39 seconds left and set up Andrew Nembhard’s 3-pointer at the horn that beat the Lakers.

Having assisted the game-winning hoop after grabbing an offensive rebound, Haliburton made NBA history by becoming the first player to record 40-plus assists and zero turnovers over a three-game span since turnovers because a stat.

Sabonis posted double-doubles in each of the Kings’ past three games, but all came in defeats. He had a season-best 10 assists to complement 17 points and nine rebounds on an 8-for-10 shooting night Monday at home against the Phoenix Suns, but Sacramento fell short, 122-117.

While the fans might be looking forward to seeing Haliburton, the Kings have a different focus Wednesday, according to guard Malik Monk: Stop the skid.

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