NFL News Updates

Author: nfltalk

  • Philip Rivers, with 649 passing yards, will leapfrog Ben Roethlisberger on all-time career list

    Philip Rivers, with 649 passing yards, will leapfrog Ben Roethlisberger on all-time career list

    Philip Rivers is back. And he could be playing for the Colts as soon as this weekend.

    If/when he does, each yard he generates in the passing game will move him closer to moving from No. 7 to No. 6 on the all-time passing yardage list.

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    Currently, Rivers has 63,440 yards. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has 64,088 yards. With 649 yards, Rivers will leapfrog Roethlisberger.

    Of course, it likely will come down to a question of No. 7 vs. No. 8. Ram quarterback Matthew Stafford is about to skip past both of them.

    Stafford, No. 8 on the list, has 63,163 yards. He’s only 277 behind Rivers, and 925 behind Roethlisberger. As a result, Big Ben quite possibly is less than a month away from falling to No. 8.

    Which leads to the next question. If Rivers, at 44, can return after not playing since 2020, could Roethlisberger come back after not playing since 2021? He has said that the 49ers gauged his interest in 2022.

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    “I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was a small part of me that was intrigued,” Roethlisberger said in 2023. “I could still do it and prove to people that I could still play. At the end of the day, I just can’t see myself in anything other than black and gold.”

    So there it is. The door is closed for Roethlisberger. Just like everyone thought it was for Rivers. Until yesterday.

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  • Utah to enter landmark private equity agreement worth $500 million

    Utah to enter landmark private equity agreement worth $500 million

    The University of Utah is finalizing a landmark private equity partnership that would be the first of its kind in college athletics. Utah is set to enter an agreement with New York-based firm Otro Capital that will help generate an estimated $500 million for the school, it announced on Tuesday. The deal is expected to be finalized in early 2026.

    Utah received clearance from the NCAA to enter the partnership, according to Yahoo Sports. It must abide by certain stipulations to remain an NCAA member, though. For instance, university president Taylor Randall and athletic director Mark Harlan must retain majority decision-making control.

    With the groundbreaking deal comes the creation of a for-profit entity, Utah Brands & Entertainment LLC, which will exist as an independent offshoot of the athletic department co-owned by the university and Otro Capital. The school will be the majority owner and possess decision-making authority (including on schedules, coaches and other pertinent factors) while Otro Capital earns a percentage of the company’s annual revenue.

    The agreement comes with an exit strategy five to seven years down the line, and the university possesses the right to purchase Otro Capital’s ownership stake.

    Utah Brands & Entertainment will oversee the revenue-sharing efforts with Utes athletes. Harlan is set to chair its board, which will elect a president from outside the university. Personnel, divisions and operations that were traditionally under the athletic department’s umbrella will largely exist as part of the new company.

    Donors will also be able to purchase stakes in Utah Brands & Entertainment. Between the investments from donors and a nine-figure deal with Otro Capital, Utah could raise more than $500 million, setting…

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  • Chargers vs. Eagles prediction: Odds, pick, live stream, kickoff, TV channel for ‘MNF’

    Chargers vs. Eagles prediction: Odds, pick, live stream, kickoff, TV channel for ‘MNF’

    Getty Images

    The Los Angeles Chargers are hosting the Philadelphia Eagles in the Week 14 edition of “Monday Night Football,” with Los Angeles coming off a dominating victory over the division rival Las Vegas Raiders last week, during which it improved to 8-4 on the season. The Chargers are getting healthier here with the return of running back Omarion Hampton, but they’ll have to navigate the injury to Justin Herbert. They’re looking to keep pace in the AFC wild card race and stay within potential striking distance of the Denver Broncos in the AFC West.

    Philadelphia has lost back-to-back games to drop its record to 8-4 and looks like it is in a bad way at the moment. The coaching staff and the players are increasingly coming under fire despite the fact that the Eagles look to be in full control of the division and on their way to a playoff spot. There’s a lot of angst in Philadelphia right now, and a win in this game would go a long way toward alleviating it.

    Will the Chargers deal the Eagles their third loss in a row, or will Philadelphia break the streak? We’ll find out soon enough. But before we clue you into some key storylines for this matchup, here’s a look at how you can watch the game.

    Where to watch Chargers vs. Eagles live

    Date: Monday, Dec. 8 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ETLocation: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)TV: ESPN/ABC | Stream: Fubo (Try for free) Follow: CBS Sports AppOdds: Eagles -1.5, O/U 41.5 via DraftKings Sportsbook

    Bet Chargers vs. Eagles at DraftKings Sportsbook, where new users get $200 in bonus bets if their first bet of at least $5 wins.

    Key Storylines

    Justin Herbert’s injury. Herbert broke a bone in his hand last week against the Raiders. He briefly left the game and was replaced by Trey Lance, but he…..

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  • The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur news and links for Monday, December 8

    The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur news and links for Monday, December 8

    What a day for James Madison (the university, not the footballer).

    For those of you in the loop on all things college [American] football, James Madison University is in the college football playoff. This is a pretty big deal after JMU won their conference on Friday.

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    It’s always refreshing to see teams like James Madison and Tulane get into meaningful college football games unlike Alabama Notre Dame, who appear to make an appearance every single year.

    But even more important than this is the Pop Tarts Bowl, which will crown the true champion of America’s greatest sport.

    Carty Free are longtime admirers of this sporting event. Menno’s written about the pop tarts, and so have I. And I will again after this.

    I mean, just look at that pop tart being descended into a toaster. Who cannot relate to that?

    But before then will be the James Madison game against Oregon. So it’s time to get excited, because James Madison football is coming thick and fast.

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    Fitzie’s track of the day: Alone Together, by Chet Baker

    And now for your links:

    Alasdair Gold: “Why Romero and Van de Ven really raged at Kudus and worrying Kolo Muani sight for Tottenham”

    The Athletic ($$): “Toxic Tottenham? Thomas Frank has turned fans away from the boos, for now at least”

    Deseret News: “BYU will play Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl”

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  • Kareem Hunt touchdown narrows Texans lead over Chiefs to 10-7

    Kareem Hunt touchdown narrows Texans lead over Chiefs to 10-7

    The Chiefs are on the board after getting a stop and a score to begin the second half.

    Kareem Hunt took in a 2-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1, cutting Houston’s lead to 10-7 with 9:52 left in the third quarter.

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    After Houston went three-and-out to begin the third period, quarterback Patrick Mahomes connected with receiver Hollywood Brown for a 35-yard deep shot, putting the Chiefs on Houston’s 21-yard line.

    The Chiefs needed Hunt to convert on third-and-1 with a short gain, which he did. Then on fourth-and-1 from the 2-yard line, Hunt bounced off multiple defenders to get himself into the end zone for a critical score.

    Hunt has rushed for 19 yards on eight carries so far on Sunday night.

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  • Bills vs. Bengals where to watch: Live stream, kickoff time, prediction, pick, odds

    Bills vs. Bengals where to watch: Live stream, kickoff time, prediction, pick, odds

    Imagn Images

    When the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals have met in recent years, it’s typically been a heavyweight fight between AFC contenders. That may not be the case this season, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing on the line.

    After cruising past the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, the Bills are 8-4 and looking to improve their playoff standing. Buffalo is still two games behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East, but a win over the Bengals could help close that gap down the stretch. Since their monumental win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 2, the Bills have struggled with consistency. Can they string together a couple wins in a row by beating Joe Burrow and the Bengals at home? Bet Bills vs. Bengals at Bet365 Sportsbook, where new users get $150 in bonus bets using the bonus code CBSBET365:

    Somehow, the 4-8 Bengals are still in the playoff race and just two games behind the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers at the top of the AFC North. After notching a key win over the Ravens on Thanksgiving, Cincinnati can get another one this weekend. In his return from surgery Joe Burrow didn’t take long to shake off the rust, throwing for 261 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Baltimore. He’ll have to improve upon that performance in another hostile environment against Buffalo.

    Bengals tried to hire Bears coach Ben Johnson for a unique job after 2020 NFL season

    John Breech

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  • Fernando Mendoza leads Indiana past Ohio State into CFP; Heisman case grows

    Fernando Mendoza leads Indiana past Ohio State into CFP; Heisman case grows

    INDIANAPOLIS — On Indiana’s first offensive play, with palpable enthusiasm emanating from the thousands of Hoosiers fans in attendance, Fernando Mendoza rolled out, released the ball and then … took a massive hit.

    Mendoza, the face of the undefeated Hoosiers’ high-powered offense, landed hard and laid crumpled on the ground after taking a shot from Ohio State defender Caden Curry. As the seconds ticked off, the Indiana faithful turned eerily quiet as their star quarterback didn’t get up. 

    “I was, like, ‘Oh boy,’” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. 

    “Obvious concern for his health,” his father, Fernando Mendoza Sr., told CBS Sports afterwards. 

    Indianapolis held its breath as Mendoza laid on the turf following a big shot from an Ohio State defender. 
    IMAGN Images

    Mendoza was helped off the field, his younger brother, Alberto, came in for a play and in an instant it felt like Indiana’s dream season may have just gone up in smoke. What felt like a fever dream — Indiana in Indianapolis playing for a Big Ten Championship in football — was suddenly a nightmare. 

    And then, one play later, Fernando Mendoza Jr. ran back out to a massive cheer. He had the wind knocked out of him and was ready to do whatever he could to get back out there. It wasn’t as bad as it initially looked. 

    “I was never going to stay down,” Mendoza said. “And that’s one thing I know — one thing, I say it and I know it could be a little interpreted as a little criticism sometimes, but I will die for my brothers on that field. So, no matter where it’s a gut punch, whether it’s a head punch, whatever it is I’m always going to get back…

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  • Cam Heyward fined $11,593 for taunting Josh Allen in same game Steelers DL said Bills QB kneed him in stomach

    Cam Heyward fined $11,593 for taunting Josh Allen in same game Steelers DL said Bills QB kneed him in stomach

    Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward was fined $11,593 for taunting Josh Allen after a Buffalo Bills touchdown last week, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

    Heyward, who was also penalized following the third-quarter score, told reporters postgame that Allen purposely kneed him in the stomach in the first half of the Steelers’ 26-7 defeat, their third loss in their past four games.

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    The five-time All-Pro defensive tackle was seen jawing back and forth with the reigning NFL MVP throughout the game. Heyward came up to Allen and banged into the quarterback’s face mask with more words in the aftermath of Allen’s 1-yard touchdown pass to receiver Keon Coleman that put the Bills up two scores.

    “Being kneed in my stomach?” Heyward responded, when asked in the locker room about his frustration toward Allen during the AFC tilt. “And then just jawing back and forth. I’m ticked off the entire game because, as a quarterback, they’re protected, but I’m not. It just pisses me off.”

    A reporter then asked to clarify if it was Allen who kneed him.

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    “Yes,” Heyward said. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

    Asked if Allen did it on purpose, Heyward said “yes” again.

    “He even said after, ‘I had to do something to get you off of me,’” Heyward added.

    The incident appeared to occur late in the second quarter when Heyward tried to get up after tackling Allen on a short run. While the CBS broadcast didn’t seem to capture the alleged kneeing, Heyward was visibly upset after the play.

    Heyward’s postgame comments took place after Allen had already talked to the media. That said, Allen was asked about the tension during the game, including with Heyward.

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    “Maybe [got me going] a little bit,” Allen said, via ESPN. “We love the competitiveness out of this game. He’s such a great player. Sometimes, you need fire like that to get you going.”

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