NFL News Updates

Author: nfltalk

  • NFL picks, best bets, player props: This Christmas Day parlay returns 9-1

    NFL picks, best bets, player props: This Christmas Day parlay returns 9-1

    The NFL Christmas Day tradition is a relatively new one, but most fans won’t complain about spending another holiday watching football. One could make a Christmas NFL parlay from the three games on this year’s slate, featuring Cowboys vs. Commanders (+7 at DraftKings) at 1 p.m. ET, Lions vs. Vikings (+7.5) at 4:30 p.m. ET and Chiefs vs. Broncos (-13.5) at 8:15 p.m. ET. A football parlay could consist of NFL player props, spread picks, over/under bets, money line predictions, or some combination of those. Players one could target with anytime touchdown NFL props include CeeDee Lamb (+115), Jahmyr Gibbs (-195), Justin Jefferson (+140) and RJ Harvey (-120).

    The Chiefs are used to being favored by double-digits rather than underdogs, but that’s their reality with backup quarterback, Gardner Minshew, now out after injuring his knee a week after Patrick Mahomes did the same. Underdogs of 13-plus points are 1-10 straight up this season but are 7-4 against the spread. Thus, making NFL bets that back the Broncos to win but the Chiefs to cover could be two legs of your NFL Christmas Day parlay. Before locking in any Christmas NFL picks or NFL parlays, be sure to see the NFL predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.

    New users can target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $200 in bonus bets if your bet wins, on picks like Lamb as an anytime touchdown scorer. Bet it at DraftKings right here:

    The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 17 on a 53-37 run on top-rated picks dating back to 2024. Anybody following its NFL betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting sites could have seen strong returns.

    Now, the model has scoured the Week 17 NFL odds and locked in four confident NFL best bets for Christmas Day. If you successfully parlay its picks, you’d…

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  • NFL, NBA load up with Christmas action; J.J. McCarthy out with broken hand

    NFL, NBA load up with Christmas action; J.J. McCarthy out with broken hand

    This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. You can sign up to get it in your inbox every weekday morning here.

    Good morning and Merry Christmas Eve! Carter Bahns with you as the holiday season continues to ramp up. We have the Hawaii Bowl to look forward to tonight and a slate of NBA and NFL action set for tomorrow.

    We’ll preview all of that action in today’s newsletter, take a quick break on Christmas Day and return to our regularly scheduled programming on Dec. 26 with a look ahead to the weekend.

    Let’s go!

    🎄 Five things to know Wednesday

    NFL Week 17 opens with a Christmas tripleheader. Things could get lopsided on Thursday as the Cowboys, Lions and Broncos are favored over their respective opponents by at least a touchdown. The sizable spreads are unsurprising considering the Commanders, Vikings and Chiefs have all been eliminated from playoff contention and will be rolling with backup quarterbacks. Speaking of the playoffs, the Packers can clinch a spot in the postseason even though they do not play until Saturday. A Lions loss or tie would secure a playoff berth for Green Bay.The NBA’s Christmas schedule features five marquee matchups. The matinee between the Spurs and Thunder headlines the slate, but there is not a bad game on the schedule as projected playoff teams and hopefuls go head-to-head over 10 nonstop hours of basketball. LeBron James makes his 20th Christmas game appearance when the Lakers host the Rockets, and three other showdowns round out the day: Knicks vs. Cavaliers, Warriors vs. Mavericks and Nuggets vs. Timberwolves.Travis Kelce headlines the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games rosters. The Chiefs tight end led the fan vote for the second consecutive season and…..

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  • Trent Williams on Brock Purdy: You can’t fool grown men, he’s just a baller

    Trent Williams on Brock Purdy: You can’t fool grown men, he’s just a baller

    49ers quarterback Brock Purdy put on a show on Monday night against the Colts, tossing five touchdowns in the 48-27 victory.

    San Francisco is now 6-1 in games Purdy has started this season, which is part of why the club is in a position to potentially grab the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a coveted bye for the first round of the postseason.

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    Purdy’s success isn’t anything new, with left tackle Trent Williams explaining part of what’s set up the quarterback’s strong performances after Monday’s game.

    “You know, when you’re in that huddle, there’s only one voice speaking, right? And you’ve got 10 grown men staring at you,” Williams said in his press conference. “And you can’t fool grown men, right? The confidence that he has in that huddle no matter what phase of the game, those long play-calls, just getting everybody where they need to be, I mean — from A to Z he does it at a really high level.

    “I say it all the time — he’s a god send, man, for us to get him where we got him. Obviously, he’s getting what he deserves now. But … he’s still the same guy. Still the same guy from his rookie year. He’s just a baller, man.”

    Purdy finished Monday night’s victory 25-of-34 for 295 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. In his seven games this year, Purdy has completed 68.8 percent of his throws for 1,737 yards with 17 touchdowns and eight picks.

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  • Jumbo Package: Alabama and Indiana share all kinds of ties

    Jumbo Package: Alabama and Indiana share all kinds of ties

    Merry almost Christmas, everyone. With Alabama off until New Years, there’s not too much going on today. But feel free to hang out and talk.

    Can Zabien Brown get one more touchdown before he goes pro next year? My money is on yes.

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    I think there’s also a very good chance he’s the top cornerback in the 2027 draft. For my money, he’s been the best player on Alabama’s team this year.

    On defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, who was on staff with DeBoer at Indiana, and how their time at IU influenced DeBoer to hire Wommack at Alabama …

    DeBOER: “Yeah, I’m probably missing some — Coach Ballou, Coach Sheridan — but your reference to Kane, here’s what I saw when I was there. First of all, a guy that really wanted me to come, be a part of it. And then when I was there, doing everything he could to be a team player. Focused on running a defense — I was the offensive coordinator — but practice plans, whatever it was, be willing to work to do whatever was best for our team, not just his side of the ball.

    “Then there obviously has to be a production and a style of coaching that you feel fits. And whether it’s what he does as a defensive coordinator or especially down here now with his home for the most part being down here in the East what he could bring as far as familiarity to the league, the region. It was just a great fit, a great opportunity.

    “And for him to jump on board and be a part of this, see what he’s done with our defense, he’s a great coach, great person, great family man. Our players really believe in him. Our staff does, too, as he manages them. It’s been really a great opportunity. And I’m glad that he was a big part of me coming there, trying to get me to Indiana. I’m glad he returned the favor and came when I called him as well.”

    The crossover between Alabama and…

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  • ‘Monday Night Football’ prediction, odds, time: 49ers vs. Colts picks from Niners expert who’s 18-4

    ‘Monday Night Football’ prediction, odds, time: 49ers vs. Colts picks from Niners expert who’s 18-4

    The Indianapolis Colts will look to snap a four-game losing streak when they battle the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. San Francisco is coming off a 37-24 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, while Indianapolis dropped an 18-16 decision at Seattle. The 49ers (10-4), who are third in the NFC West, are 6-2 on the road this year. The Colts (8-6), who are third in the AFC South, are 6-1 on their home field. Indianapolis will start 44-year-old Philip Rivers for a second week in a row.

    Kickoff from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. The Colts lead the all-time series 27-19, including wins in each of the last five meetings. San Francisco is a 4.5-point favorite in the latest 49ers vs. Colts odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 46 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Before making any Colts vs. 49ers picks, make sure to check out the ‘Monday Night Football’ predictions from SportsLine NFL expert Micah Roberts.

    New users can target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $200 in bonus bets if your bet wins to bet on props like Christian McCaffrey anytime TD scorer:

    Roberts has worked in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry for 20-plus years, including a 13-year run as Station Casinos’ book director. Armed with an elaborate network of sources, Roberts has unmatched info in multiple sports. Most importantly, Roberts has a read on the pulse of the 49ers. He is 18-4 (+1360) on his last 22 against-the-spread picks in games involving San Francisco. Anyone following could have seen huge returns. 

    Now, Roberts has set his sights on 49ers vs. Colts and just locked in his picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NFL odds and NFL betting lines for Colts vs. 49ers: 

    49ers vs. Colts spread

    San Francisco -4.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook

    49ers vs. Colts …

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  • Texas CB Manny Muhammad declares for the 2026 NFL Draft

    Texas CB Manny Muhammad declares for the 2026 NFL Draft

    Texas Longhorns junior cornerback Manny Muhammad declared for the 2026 NFL Draft on Monday, ending a stellar career on the Forty Acres.

    When the 6’0, 188-pounder committed to Texas in July 2022 after taking official visits to Austin and College Station, the head-to-head win over Texas A&M was a significant recruiting coup for Jeff Banks and Terry Joseph — the South Oak Cliff product possessed a winning pedigree and prototypical measurables to grow into a lockdown cornerback. The expectations conveyed by Muhammad’s recruiting rankings told a similar story, as he finished the cycle as a consensus four-star prospect ranked as the No. 43 player nationally and the No. 4 cornerback, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

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    Muhammad quickly made an impact for the Longhorns, earning the backup role to senior Ryan Watts and playing 479 snaps over 14 games with two starts, totaling 31 tackles (21 solo), one interception, four pass breakups and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. In coverage, Muhammad graded out at a high level as a true freshman, according to Pro Football Focus, only 10.3 yards per reception on 24 receptions.

    As a full-time starter in 2024, Muhammad continued to show flashes of his immense upside with 36 tackles (32 solo), one tackle for loss, and eight passes broken up while limiting opponents to a 50-percent reception rate when he was targeted, but he also struggled late in the season. At the end of the season, Muhammad gave up 263 receiving yards, almost 64 percent of his season total, including 92 yards on five receptions against Clemson in the College Football Playoff. Muhammad also committed three of his four penalties in the playoff.

    Intent to be more reliable, Muhammad promised improvement to head coach Steve Sarkisian and lived up to that promise as a junior, notching 30…

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  • NFL will take closer look at DK Metcalf fan contact on Monday

    NFL will take closer look at DK Metcalf fan contact on Monday

    Sunday’s Steelers-Lions game has given the league office a little extra work to do on Monday.

    Per a league source, the NFL will turn its attention tomorrow to the contact in which receiver DK Metcalf engaged with a fan during the first half of the Week 16 game.

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    As the source explained it, precedent for incidents of this nature points to a fine. Once the league takes a closer look at the video and considers the relevant factors, however, a stronger punishment could be imposed on Metcalf.

    Unlike the Week 1 incident between Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and a fan in Buffalo, the fan (based on the available video) did not initiate contact with Metcalf. Metcalf approached the stands and grabbed the fan’s shirt and pulled down — before punching up at the fan. It’s unclear whether Metcalf contacted the fan’s face, given the presence of the fan’s Honolulu blue wig.

    The league also will presumably search for any other available video of the incident, from NFL-operated cameras to CBS cameras to any other video that may surface.

    Regardless, Metcalf’s decision to interact physically with a fan during the game will be a significant topic for discussion and debate on Monday and beyond, regardless of whether he is or isn’t suspended by the NFL.

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  • Why the College Football Playoff system isn’t to blame for lopsided postseason

    Why the College Football Playoff system isn’t to blame for lopsided postseason

    Everybody wants to fix the College Football Playoff, but nobody seems to know how. There’s a good reason for this. It’s because the College Football Playoff isn’t broken … college football is.

    On Saturday, college football die-hards and casuals alike tuned in to watch two games that were largely decided before a snap ever took place. Sure, the possibility of an upset always looms, but the first quarters of Ole Miss’ 41-10 win over Tulane or Oregon’s 51-34 win over James Madison made it clear quickly how those games would go. They were results that would do nothing to slow the ceaseless wave of the college football literati who had spent the last few weeks gnashing their teeth in despair over the possibility these blowouts would happen and what it would all mean.

    But the pearl-clutching, hemming and hawing are all directed at the wrong target. What we’re seeing in the College Football Playoff is the result of a far bigger problem in the sport. College football has always been a top-heavy sport, and while we’ve seen a more even distribution of that weight up top thanks to NIL and the transfer portal (the GLP-1 of college football), on the whole, the sport is more top-heavy than ever before.

    Resources, talent shifting in one direction

    There is far more talent available and far more money coming in than at any time before, and it’s all flowing overwhelmingly in one direction.

    If you look at the top recruiting classes for the 2026 cycle, you’ll notice a couple of things. The first is that, for the first time since 2008, the top class in the country belongs outside of the SEC. USC took the honors this year, the first non-SEC program to do so since Miami way back when. Furthermore, Alabama is the only SEC school to finish in the top…

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