CB Steven Nelson ends retirement, signs with Chiefs

Nelson, 31, worked out for the team before signing a deal to return to his first NFL club.

The Chiefs are short in the defensive secondary due to injuries Jaylen Watson, who underwent ankle surgery in late October, and Joshua Williams, who came out of Kansas City’s 19-17 win over the visiting Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday due to a chest ailment.

Nelson was selected by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2015 draft, and he played for Kansas City from 2015-18.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said on Monday, “He was a good player when he was here. He came out of Oregon State with the ability to return and play corner and then he developed into a starting corner in the league. He had a nice career for the last (nine) years. It was the ability to add a little depth to that spot.”

Nelson subsequently played for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2019-20), the Philadelphia Eagles (2021) and the Houston Texans (2022-23). Last season, he appeared in all 17 games for Houston, making 16 starts and recording 63 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes defensed.

In 130 career NFL games (115 starts), Nelson has 456 tackles, 13 interceptions, 78 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one sack.

Browns staying with Jameis Winston as QB1 despite no playoffs

The Cleveland Browns have no mathematical chance to make the playoffs, but their focus remains on winning games rather than evaluating talent on the bench, according to coach Kevin Stefanski.

The Browns will keep Jameis Winston as the starting quarterback this week when they host the Kansas City Chiefs, Stefanski said Monday.

With Deshaun Watson lost for the season due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon, the alternative to Winston would be to start 2023 fifth-round draft pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who made three starts during his rookie campaign.

“Our focus right now is just trying to find ways to get a win,” Stefanski said, throwing cold water on the idea that the Browns might give Thompson-Robinson late-season game reps.

The Browns (3-10) were 1-6 in Watson’s seven starts and have beaten the division rival Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers since Winston took over. But they were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday when the Steelers got revenge in a 27-14 win over visiting Cleveland.

Winston, 30, has thrown for 1,975 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions across 11 games (six starts) this season. Thompson-Robinson got into three games earlier this year and went 11-for-25 passing for 82 yards and two interceptions.

Dolphins LT Terron Armstead to rest knee, ‘cool down’

Largely unable to practice because of injuries this season, Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead could be headed for the bench.

He left Sunday’s win before the sixth snap and was visibly emotional on the bench during the first quarter, leading to speculation he might need knee surgery.

“We will let it cool down a little bit,” head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday of Armstead. “What that means for (playing Sunday), I will make sure my communication is steadfast with him.”

Miami might not have a final decision in place early in the week, but McDaniel and the offense know they’ll need to be fully prepared for a Houston Texans pass rush with 42 sacks.

Armstead weighed retirement at the end of the 2023 season and McDaniel said at the time he would afford the veteran enough space to make his own decision about the future. He ultimately decided to return for the 2024 season, but McDaniel said he was concerned Armstead was trying to play superhero Sunday against the New York Jets.

“I didn’t want him to put himself or the offense in harm’s way,” McDaniel said Monday.

Armstead’s replacement, Patrick Paul, played 67 snaps at left tackle and allowed two pressures and zero sacks.

Miami’s top armor protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Armstead rarely participates in more than one practice per week but missed only one game this season — a loss to the Titans — while pushing through a knee injury.

A 12-year veteran who previously played for the New Orleans Saints, Armstead played a total of 23 games in his first two seasons with the Dolphins.

He will turn 34 in July 2025 and is in the third season of a five-year, $75 million contract he signed in the 2022 offseason.

Raiders (2-11) hand QB1 to Desmond Ridder with Falcons up next

Another week, another loss and a new starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Desmond Ridder becomes the QB1 for the Raiders (2-11) in Week 15 as Las Vegas prepares to host his former team, the Atlanta Falcons (6-7), next Monday night.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Monday an official diagnosis of Aidan O’Connell’s injured knee was expected later in the day.

“Desmond Ridder will be the starter for now,” Pierce said.

O’Connell is expected to miss the rest of the season and Pierce said the injury “doesn’t look good.”

He was carted to the locker room with an air cast on his left leg after being pushed from behind by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the third quarter on Sunday. The Raiders soon ruled O’Connell out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.

The Raiders have lost nine consecutive games and failed to score 20 points in each of the past four defeats.

O’Connell began the season as a backup but became the starter after Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone on Nov. 24.

O’Connell was fleeing pressure toward the right sideline with 1:23 left in the quarter when Kancey shoved him from behind after the play. No penalty was called.

O’Connell, who was 11-for-19 for 104 yards and an interception, was replaced by Ridder.

The 26-year-old O’Connell finished the day with a 63.2 completion percentage for 899 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions over six games (four starts) in his second NFL campaign.

Panthers rookie RB Jonathon Brooks set for another ACL surgery

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks will see his season end after just three games and nine total carries after he tore the ACL in his right knee during Sunday’s 22-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

On a first-quarter run, Brooks planted his right foot in an attempt to cut to the outside and went down with a non-contact injury. He tried to limp off the field but had to be helped to the sideline.

A second-round draft pick out of Texas, Brooks was still recovering from ACL surgery on the same knee when the current season began. His previous ACL injury occurred in Texas’ victory over TCU in November 2023.

Brooks, 21, made his NFL debut in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs and gained 7 yards on two carries. He gained 18 yards on six carries in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before he was injured on his lone carry Sunday.

Saints QB Derek Carr (hand, concussion) week to week

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr suffered an injury to his left hand and has also entered concussion protocol, according to interim coach Darren Rizzi.

Rizzi’s Monday news conference came shortly after NFL Network reported that Carr broke his left hand in Sunday’s win over the New York Giants and was expected to miss several weeks.

Rizzi disputed the report Carr has a “major fracture” and said surgery isn’t required. Because the injury is to Carr’s non-throwing hand, it’s feasible he could attempt to play if he clears concussion protocol.

Per NFL Network, the Saints aren’t putting Carr on injured reserve, leaving the door open for a potential return. The Saints have won three of their last four games, but at 5-8, their playoff chances are slim entering Week 15.

New Orleans hosts the Washington Commanders (8-5) on Sunday. Rizzi did not commit to either Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler as the starting quarterback if Carr can’t go.

Carr, who is right-handed, was injured when he tried to leap for a first down late in the final quarter of a 15-11 road win against the New York Giants. He was near the sideline and went airborne, landing hard on the left hand with this face then slamming into the turf as he landed out of bounds with 3:59 left in the game.

Carr completed 20 of 31 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jake Haener finished up the game for the Saints.

Overall, Carr has passed for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He missed three games earlier this season due to an oblique injury.

Giants intend to stay with QB Drew Lock if healthy

On an eight-game losing streak, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Monday he intends to have quarterback Drew Lock start again Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens if he is healthy.

Lock, 28, was 21-of-49 passing for 227 yards and an interception in Sunday’s 14-11 home loss to the New Orleans Saints. He led the team with 59 yards rushing on five carries.

Lock was experiencing soreness Monday morning in multiple areas and underwent an MRI, according to Daboll, who was not specific on the exact nature of the injuries.

New York has moved on from former first-round QB Daniel Jones this season, with Tommy DiVito starting in a loss to the Tampa Buccaneers in Week 12. Lock has started the last two games while completing 51.9 percent of his passes for a combined 405 yards and two interceptions without a touchdown.

In 33 games (25 starts) over five seasons for the Denver Broncos (2019-21), Seattle Seahawks (2023) and Giants, Lock has completed 58.8 percent of his passes for 5,697 yards, 28 TDs and 25 interceptions.

Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) to miss several games

Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. sustained a sprained knee Sunday that will sideline him for multiple games, head coach Todd Bowles said Monday.

Winfield was injured in the second quarter of Sunday’s 28-13 win over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. He exited the game two plays later and did not return. Winfield missed four games earlier this season with an ankle and foot sprain sustained in Week 1.

Winfield, 26, has 60 tackles, three passes defensed, two sacks and a fumble recovery for touchdown in nine starts. He was named All-Pro in 2023 and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021.

He has 17 career sacks and seven interceptions in 68 games (all starts) since being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft.

The 7-6 Bucs climbed into first place in the NFC South with Sunday’s win and visit the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15.

Week 14 MNF: Cowboys-Bengals Preview, Prop and Prediction

A Week 14 matchup between the Bengals and Cowboys looked intriguing when the league released the schedule.

Not many expected these teams to be near the bottom of the pecking order in the playoff picture.

Cincinnati (4-8) and Dallas (5-7) have a 2% chance of reaching the postseason according to NFL.com’s playoff predictor.

With such a grim outlook, these defenses could be particularly vulnerable.

As a result, this is a matchup where offenses are in line for big numbers, so it’s no surprise that we have a total of 49.5.

The Bengals have the more fluid offense and would be in a better spot in the standings if not for quite a few bad breaks. We’ll explain why bettors should expect the Bengals to jump out to a fast start on Monday night.

–Joe Burrow has been elite

Per TeamRankings, the Jets (-2.7) are the only team with a worse luck factor than the Bengals (-2.4).

That metric suggests that, with a little better luck, the Bengals could have had an additional 2.4 wins on the year.

They’ve gotten excellent play at the quarterback position from Joe Burrow, who leads the league with 30 touchdowns while only throwing five interceptions.

Burrow’s play has been so good that he even ranks second in Total QBR with a 74.2 value. Given the importance of the position, it’s rare that you see a quarterback with such a high Total QBR on a team that’s four games under .500.

It’s worth noting that Burrow still managed to put up these prodigious numbers despite not having one of his best wide receivers, Tee Higgins, for five games.

Higgins is now back with the team, which should help Cincinnati’s all-gas and no-brakes offense.

-Prop Play

It’s a night for the receivers in Dallas, a duel that spotlights No. 1 targets CeeDee Lamb and Ja’Marr Chase.

Lamb was slow to return to the practice field midweek but is ready to go and will be active against a Bengals’ defense with no true No. 1 cornerback. He’ll be targeted early and is a bargain for two-plus catches on the opening drive (+350).

We are resisting that early wager based on the number of variables at play and Cooper Rush’s wild inconsistency working from the pocket.

But both offenses will get plenty of yards and air it out, making the two-player prop for these wide receivers an easy decision.

Prop pick: CeeDee Lamb alternate receiving yards, 70-plus; Ja’Marr Chase alternate receiving yards, 90-plus (+285, FanDuel)

–Bengals’ offense is their best defense

Given Burrow’s performances, the Bengals have no choice but to lean on him to get the offense going. Cincinnati has the fourth-highest pass-play rate (64.3%) in the league, mainly because its defense can barely stop a nosebleed at this point.

Moreover, the Bengals have the fourth-worst defense by DVOA standards. They particularly struggle against the pass, which the Cowboys offense will look to take advantage of after posting back-to-back wins to snap a five-game losing streak.

Considering that Dallas also has the third-highest pass-play rate (64.9%), it’s no secret what these offenses will try to do once they get on the field.

While Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush has looked better in his last few games, there’s no comparison between him and Burrow.

The Bengals are in a position where they can’t relax on offense because of their leaky defense. They should have plenty of success against a Dallas team that struggles to get stops inside the red zone, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on a league-worst 76.9% of their trips.

When you combine that with Cincinnati having the second-best red zone offense (71%), it could be a long night for the Cowboys’ defense.

However, the number that stands out the most is that the Cowboys’ defense gives up an average of 20.7 first-half points per game to visiting teams.

That stat is simply too good to pass up, making the Bengals’ first-half team total of 13.5 points a play worth targeting on Monday night.

Best Bet: Bengals 1H team total over 13.5 (-118 at DraftKings)

NFL roundup: Rams hold on to edge Bills in high-scoring contest

Puka Nacua finished with 178 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns, and the Los Angeles Rams held on for a 44-42 win over the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday despite Josh Allen’s record-setting six-touchdown performance.

Nacua caught 12 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, and he rushed for 16 yards and another score for Los Angeles (7-6). Kyren Williams added 87 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and Cooper Kupp finished with five catches for 92 yards and a score.

Allen became the first player in NFL history to pass for three touchdowns and rush for three touchdowns in a single game for Buffalo (10-3). Allen completed 22 of 37 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns, and he carried the ball 10 times for 82 yards and three touchdowns.

Matthew Stafford completed 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns for the Rams, who have won two games in a row and three of their past four.

Eagles 22, Panthers 16

Jalen Hurts threw 4 yards to Grant Calcaterra for Philadelphia’s only second-half scoring drive as the Eagles held off visiting Carolina.

Hurts threw for two touchdowns and finished with 108 yards on 14-for-21 passing. He also ran for a score. Saquon Barkley rushed for 124 yards as the Eagles (11-2) won their ninth game in a row.

Bryce Young was 19-for-34 for 191 yards, a touchdown pass and an interception for Carolina. The Panthers (3-10), who outgained the Eagles 302-292, lost their third game in a row, including their previous two losses on game-ending field goals at home to Kansas City and Tampa Bay.

Chiefs 19, Chargers 17

Patrick Mahomes threw for 210 yards and a touchdown, Matthew Wright made a 31-yard field goal off the left upright as time expired and Kansas City clinched another AFC West title with a victory over visiting Los Angeles.

Mahomes guided a 14-play, 47-yard drive, which was capped by Wright’s game-winning kick, as the Chiefs extended their NFL record to 15 consecutive one-score victories going back to last season, counting playoff games. Isiah Pacheco had 55 yards rushing and Travis Kelce finished with five receptions for 45 yards. Kansas City won its ninth consecutive division title.

Justin Herbert had 213 yards passing with a touchdown, and Joshua Palmer had six receptions for 78 yards for the Chargers. Quentin Johnston had five receptions for 48 yards and a TD for Los Angeles, which lost for just the second time in its past seven games.

Steelers 27, Browns 14

Russell Wilson threw two touchdown passes to help Pittsburgh cruise to a victory over visiting Cleveland.

Najee Harris rushed for a touchdown and Van Jefferson and Pat Freiermuth caught scoring passes for Pittsburgh (10-3), which has won seven of its last eight games. Cameron Heyward had two sacks and Keeanu Benton and James Pierre had interceptions for the Steelers. Wilson completed 15 of 26 passes for 158 yards.

Jameis Winston completed 24 of 41 passes for 212 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Browns. Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku caught touchdown passes for Cleveland (3-10), which has lost two straight games and nine of its last 11. Myles Garrett recovered a fumble and registered a sack to raise his career total to 99.5.

Dolphins 32, Jets 26 (overtime)

Tua Tagovailoa tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith on the first possession of overtime as Miami defeated visiting New York. Tagovailoa passed for 331 yards and two touchdowns as Miami (6-7) kept its playoff hopes alive.

The game featured six lead changes, and it was the ninth straight year that the Dolphins beat the Jets at home. Tyreek Hill caught 10 passes for 115 yards and one TD. Jaylen Waddle caught nine passes for 99 yards and a two-point conversion.

Aaron Rodgers passed for 339 yards and one touchdown, but New York (3-10) still lost its fourth straight game.

Vikings 42, Falcons 21

Sam Darnold completed 22 of 28 passes for 347 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, and Minnesota pulled away to beat Atlanta in Minneapolis.

Jordan Addison had eight catches for 133 yards and a career-high three touchdowns for the Vikings (11-2), who won their sixth consecutive game. Justin Jefferson had seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns.

Tyler Allgeier (nine carries for 63 yards) and Bijan Robinson (22 attempts for 92 yards) rushed for one touchdown apiece for the Falcons (6-7).

49ers 38, Bears 13

Brock Purdy passed for 325 yards and two touchdowns, Isaac Guerendo ran for two scores and Leonard Floyd registered two sacks against his former team as host San Francisco routed skidding Chicago. San Francisco (6-7) stopped a three-game losing streak while remaining in the hunt in the NFC wild-card race.

Chicago lost its seventh in a row, stumbling through its first game under interim coach Thomas Brown, who took the reins after the organization fired third-year coach Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29. The Bears (4-9) were outgained 452-162.

The 49ers reached the end zone on three of their first four possessions and scored on four of their five first-half drives overall, excluding their kneel-down on the final play.

Saints 14, Giants 11

Derek Carr passed for 219 yards and a touchdown before being injured and New Orleans defeated reeling New York in East Rutherford, N.J. Carr completed 20 of 31 passes, but left the game late in the fourth quarter after injuring his left arm while being tackled.

The Saints (5-8) secured the victory when Bryan Bresee blocked Graham Gano’s 35-yard field-goal attempt with eight seconds left.

Drew Lock completed 21 of 49 passes for 227 yards for the NFC-worst Giants (2-11), who lost their eighth consecutive game. New York was penalized 12 times for 112 yards and penalties negated a touchdown and a field goal.

Seahawks 30, Cardinals 18

Zach Charbonnet rushed for a career-high 134 yards and scored two touchdowns as Seattle remained atop the NFC West with a win over Arizona in Glendale, Ariz.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a 19-yard scoring strike from Geno Smith and Jason Myers kicked three field goals for the Seahawks (8-5), who have won four consecutive games since their bye week — including two against Arizona.

Arizona’s Kyler Murray was 25-of-38 passing for 259 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. James Conner rushed for 90 yards on 18 carries and Trey McBride made seven receptions for 70 yards for the Cardinals (6-7), who lost their third in a row.

Jaguars 10, Titans 6

Tank Bigsby ran for an 8-yard touchdown with 6:46 left and visiting Jacksonville held off Tennessee in Nashville.

Jones completed 23 of 31 passes for 220 yards and two interceptions in his first start since quarterback Trevor Lawrence went on injured reserve Wednesday with a concussion. The Jaguars (3-10) ended a five-game losing streak.

Will Levis went 19-of-32 passing for 168 yards for Tennessee (3-10), which dropped its second game in a row. The Titans made it to the Jacksonville 9 but Levis’ fourth-down pass for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine rattled in and out of his hands in the back of the end zone with 1:11 remaining.

Buccaneers 28, Raiders 13

Rachaad White and Jalen McMillan each produced two touchdowns in host Tampa Bay’s win, extending Las Vegas’ losing streak to nine.

Tampa Bay (7-6), which has won three in a row, took over first place in the NFC South. Shut down for the second and third quarters, the Bucs got a 3-yard scoring run from White and a 29-yard touchdown catch from McMillan in the fourth to finish it. Mayfield finished 18-for-29 passing for 295 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O’Connell was carted to the locker room with an air cast on his right leg in the third. O’Connell, who was 11-for-19 passing for 104 yards and an interception, was replaced by Desmond Ridder, who completed 12 of 18 passes for 101 yards.