Bills-Chiefs Injury Update: Cornell Green Out for Buffalo at Right Tackle

by Andy Kent

Filed under: Bills, Chiefs, AFC East, AFC West, NFL Injuries

Buffalo Bills right tackle Cornell Green has been ruled out of his second consecutive game with a knee injury, which means undrafted rookie Cordaro Howard will start in his place Sunday at the Kansas City Chiefs. Buffalo is still searching for its first win of the season after an 0-6 start.

As for the rest of the Bills' injury report, safety Jairus Byrd (thigh), linebacker Keith Ellison (knee) and cornerback Terrence McGee (back) all are questionable and participated in a full practice on Friday. Offensive lineman Demetrius Bell (knee) is probable.

 

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Dolphins-Packers Injury Update: Channing Crowder Likely to Play

by Andy Kent

Filed under: Dolphins, Packers, AFC East, NFC North

DAVIE, Fla. -- While the Green Bay Packers are looking like the walking wounded just two days before hosting the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field, the Dolphins are the healthiest they have been since the 2010 season started last month. Miami has been downright unsympathetic to Green Bay's plight.

Cornerback Benny Sapp (non-injury) returned to practice after missing yesterday with an excused absence but defensive end Tony McDaniel had an excused absence Friday for a non-injury related issue. Rookie defensive end Jared Odrick (leg) was limited again and listed as questionable while middle linebacker Crowder (groin) and left tackle Jake Long (knee) practiced in full and are listed as probable.

 

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Patriots vs. Chargers: Philip Rivers Leads Chargers' Last Gasp, Falls Short

by John Oehser

Filed under: Chargers, Patriots, AFC East, AFC West

The New England Patriots have won this season by playing smart and solid. That's why they were 4-1 entering Sunday's game against San Diego. It also was a reason why they were 5-1 and tied for first place in the AFC East afterward -- but not before a Chargers rally in the fourth quarter fell short when a potentially game-tying field goal attempt hit the crossbar.

The Patriots, despite being outgained throughout the first half, dominated the early part of the second half and took advantage of sloppy play and mistakes by the San Diego Chargers to secure a 23-20 victory at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego Sunday afternoon.

The Chargers, despite a late rally, continued to struggle and are 2-5. A false start penalty forced Kris Brown's tying try with 23 seconds remaining back to a 50-yarder. It bounced off the right post.

The Patriots are tied with the idle New York Jets atop the AFC East. The Chargers are 2 1/2 behind AFC West-leading Kansas City.

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More: Box Score | Recap

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NFL Two-a-Days: Vikings at Packers

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Packers, Vikings, NFC North, NFL Video, FanHouse Previews, NFL Analysis

Brett Favre faces the next in a growing series of high-profile games this week when he returns to Green Bay again to face the Packers.

FanHouse TV's LeCharles Bentley knows that Favre rises to the occasion in big games, and explains in this episode of NFL Two-a-Days why he thinks this game will be no exception. Bentley and host Pat McManamon also examine Favre's lingering scandal, and discuss why it has not received the same kind of scrutiny as Tiger Woods' off-course incidents.

Click to Watch:

 

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Woody Peoples, Former NFL Lineman, Dies at 67

by Milton Kent

Filed under: 49ers, Eagles

Woody Peoples, a key member of the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line on their 1980 NFC title-winning team and a two-time Pro Bowl selection, died Tuesday in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala.

Peoples, who was 67, played 168 games over 13 seasons in the NFL, following two years of service in the U.S. Army and a collegiate career at Grambling. After his rookie NFL season, when he was a reserve, Peoples made 153 of 155 possible starts.

 

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Ravens vs. Patriots: Deion Branch Seems Like He Never Left in OT Win

by Barry Barnes

Filed under: Patriots, Ravens, AFC East, AFC North

Stephen Gostkowski's 35-yard field goal with 1:04 remaining in overtime gave the Patriots a come-from-behind 23-20 victory over the Ravens in Foxborough.

Wide Receiver Deion Branch, reacquired via trade from the Seahawks last week, caught a five-yard touchdown pass to help the Patriots rally from a 20-10 deficit and then made some big plays on the final drive in overtime to spark the victory. Branch finished with a game-high nine receptions for 98 yards.

Some thoughts on the game:

o. The Ravens held the ball for 20:56 in the first half, as opposed to just 10:04 for the Patriots.

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More coverage: Recap | Check Box Score

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Eagles Enter Bye Week With Plenty of Injuries, but a Healthy Michael Vick

by David Elfin

Filed under: Eagles, NFC East

Kevin Kolb took the first snap of Philadelphia's post-Donovan McNabb era on Sept. 12 at home against Green Bay. His pass to tight end Brent Celek, which lost two yards, was nullified by an illegal formation penalty on left tackle Jason Peters.

Kolb took the last snap of the Eagles' seven pre-bye games this past Sunday at Tennessee. His pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.

In between those two plays, it was a wild ride for the Eagles, who lost Pro Bowl fullback Leonard Weaver and solid center Jamaal Jackson for the year in the opener while also losing Kolb and middle linebacker Stewart Bradley, the quarterback of the defense, to concussions that sidelined them the next week. Kolb's absence opened the door for Michael Vick.

The former Atlanta focal point turned convicted felon played the best football of his career, leading the league in passing and in yards per carry before being tearing rib cartilage in the first quarter of his third start. Peters (knee scope), defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley (elbow) and 2009 Pro Bowl receiver/return specialist DeSean Jackson (concussion) all joined Vick on the inactive list for last week's game at Tennessee which Philadelphia led 19-10 in the fourth quarter before being outscored 27-0 the rest of the way to head into its bye at 4-3.

What went right: Vick, who was out of football in 2007-08 and played sparingly in 2009, was not only as dangerous as ever with his feet, he was better than ever with his arm. Jeremy Maclin emerged from Jackson's shadow to catch six touchdowns. Second-year running back LeSean McCoy played like a worthy successor to the departed Brian Westbrook with 770 yards and five touchdowns on 143 touches. Kolb rebounded from a tough start to play well, lighting up Atlanta in a Week 6 showdown of NFC contenders. The offense ranks in the top 10 in points, yards, rushing and passing. Only the Giants can match that.

Rookie free safety Nate Allen has justified being handed the starting job in training camp with three interceptions, tied with Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel for the team lead. Veteran defensive end Juqua Parker responded to being beaten out by top draft pick Brandon Graham by recording four sacks. End Trent Cole remained a beast with a team-high six sacks. The defense ranks 11th against the pass. Rookie Jorrick Calvin, acquired from Arizona in August, ably replaced Jackson on punt returns.

 

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Houston Texans Vow to Improve Defensively

by John Oehser

Filed under: Texans, AFC South

The Houston Texans' defensive players heard Antonio Smith's message: The Texans' defensive needs to get better. And now.

Smith, the Texans' veteran defensive lineman, called a player's only meeting earlier this week, and Nick Scurfield of HoustonTexans.com reported that safety Bernard Pollard said Smith's teammates got the message.

"We've got to be able to come together," Pollard said. "We made a vow. We made a vow to each other... We made a vow to turn this thing around."

The Texans, despite their 4-2 record, have struggled defensively this season, ranking 32nd in the NFL in total defense at 410.5 yards per game, 29th in scoring defense at 27.8 points per game and 32nd in passing defense at 306.2 yards per game.

The Texans are a game out of first place in the AFC South, but two of their victories - at Washington and at home against Kansas City - have come in dramatic fashion in the final seconds after fourth-quarter rallies.

 

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Jerome Harrison Traded for Mike Bell

by Chris Burke

Filed under: Browns, Eagles

Jerome Harrison, who nearly set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a game during the 2009 season, has been traded by the Browns to Philadelphia in exchange for Mike Bell. The deal was also believed to involve some undisclosed draft picks.

"A change of scenery might be good for both players," said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, after his second trade in a little over six months with his former boss, Browns GM Tom Heckert. "Mike can fit their scheme. They're looking for a downhill runner between the tackles. They like to run the ball a lot. For us, Jerome, he's a quicker guy, he's athletic (and) he can catch the football.

"Our backup running backs, Eldra (Buckley), Joique (Bell) and Mike (who's 6-0, 225), they were all kind of bigger backs who could run between the tackles. Jerome gives us another dimension. He's got quick feet. He's a good athlete. He can catch the football."

Harrison, after three years of obscurity in Cleveland, burst onto the scene last year after taking the Browns' starting RB spot from Jamal Lewis. Harrison finished the year by rushing for 561 yards in Cleveland's last three games, highlighted by a 286-yard outburst at Kansas City in Week 15 -- just 10 yards shy of the NFL's single-game rushing record, held by Adrian Peterson.

He quickly fell out of favor in 2010, though, and lost his job to upstart Peyton Hillis. Harrison did not receive a carry in either Week 3 or 4 and has compiled just 91 yards rushing on 31 attempts this season.

 

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Matthew Stafford: Something Needed to Be Done About Helmet-to-Helmet Hits

by Tom Lorenzo

Filed under: Lions, NFC North, NFL Injuries, NFL Interviews, FanHouse Exclusive

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford witnessed first hand on Sunday afternoon just one of the league's many brutal Week 6 helmet-to-helmet hits. Stafford's teammate, Zack Follett, took a shot from the Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul while covering a kick and had to be carted off the field.

"You never like to see that," Stafford told FanHouse during an interview to promote AXE Hair products. "It's not fun to see guys in compromising positions like that. Zack obviously got pretty banged up on that play."

As a result of several injury-inducing hits last Sunday and Monday, the NFL has stated that it is going to start suspending players for dangerous and flagrant plays, starting as early as this weekend. Follett was among a long list players who suffered concussions in Week 6.

Stafford had a chance to visit with Follett on Tuesday morning and was thankful that the linebacker's tests came back with encouraging results.

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Watch: Stafford's AXE Hair Action Challenge Commercial

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Jaguars vs. Chiefs: Dwayne Bowe Humiliates Jacksonville Secondary

by Dennis J. Georgatos

Filed under: Chiefs, Jaguars, AFC South, AFC West

The Chiefs rebounded from consecutive losses to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 42-20 on Sunday. The Jaguars were playing without their top two quarterbacks, both out with injuries, and relied on Todd Bouman, who was signed this week. But the Chiefs diced the Jacksonville defense with a healthy dose of Matt Cassel-to-Dwayne Bowe, and Thomas Jones had his second consecutive 100-yard rushing effort as Kansas City pulled away to get back in the win column.

Jacksonville came into the game hurting at quarterback with starter David Garrard inactive because of a concussion and backup Trent Edwards battling a badly sprained passing thumb. Both were injured in Monday night's 30-3 loss to Tennessee last Monday night, the worst home loss in Jacksonville's team history.

Todd Bouman, who was in Minnesota helping out on his dad's farm when Jacksonville called on Tuesday offering him a job, made his first start at quarterback since Week 17 of the 2005 season while with New Orleans. He is in his second stint with Jacksonville this season.

 

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Aaron Rodgers Returns to Practice, Hoping for Clearance to Play

by Michael David Smith

Filed under: Packers, NFC North, NFL Injuries, NFL Quarterbacks

The Green Bay Packers have some rare good injury news on Thursday, when quarterback Aaron Rodgers returned to the practice field, four days after suffering a concussion in a loss to the Redskins.

Although the Packers haven't said for sure whether Rodgers will play on Sunday against Miami -- and likely won't say for sure until game day -- the fact that he's back at practice makes it increasingly possible that he'll be on the field.

 

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Steve Smith Says He's Healthy, Returns to Practice for Panthers

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Panthers, NFC South, NFL Injuries

Steve Smith, the Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver, practiced Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday against the 49ers. Whether he can lift the worst offense in the NFL is another question.

Smith has 13 receptions this season and has missed just one game. The Panthers (0-5) were off last week. Smith injured his ankle against the Saints in Week 4.

"I feel like I'm healthy," Smith said. "I'm out of the boot and don't have much pain, so I'm able to move around. I feel good."

 

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NFL Two-a-Days: Giants at Cowboys

by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Cowboys, Giants, NFL Video, FanHouse Previews, NFL Analysis

The Cowboys host the Giants this week in an absolute must win divisional game for Wade Phillips' squad.

At 1-4, Dallas is already on the brink of irrelevance in a season in which they were supposed to host the Super Bowl in February. FanHouse TV's LeCharles Bentley thinks the Cowboys problems are widespread and doesn't think they can be fixed in one week.

In this edition of NFL Two-a-Days, he explains why, and also tells us why he would not want to play for Giants coach Tom Coughlin.

Click to Watch:

 

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Patriots-Chargers Injury Update: Fred Taylor to Miss Another Game

by Andy Kent

Filed under: Chargers, Patriots, AFC East, AFC West

It's no secret that toe injuries for running backs can be more frustrating than any other and that continues to be the case for the Fred Taylor of the New England Patriots. The veteran running back once again has been ruled out of a game for New England, joining safety Jarrad Page (calf) on that list for Sunday's game at San Diego. Taylor hasn't played since a Week 2 loss at the New York Jets.

Cornerback Kyle Arrington (groin) and wide receiver Julian Edelman (concussion) are questionable after being limited in practice for the third day in a row. Quarterback Tom Brady (right shoulder) and safety James Sanders (hamstring) are probable and practiced in full.

 

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49ers vs. Panthers Preview, Score and More

by Ray Glier

Filed under: 49ers, Panthers, NFC South, NFC West

It could have been a matchup of winless teams until the 49ers broke out and beat the Oakland Raiders for their first win last week.

San Francisco has an edge in talent on offense with RB Frank Gore and tight end Vernon Davis. When you look at the quarterbacks, SF has an edge, too, with Alex Smith over the newly promoted Matt Moore. The Panthers have the NFL's worst offense and Moore, the Week 1 starter, has his old job back in place of rookie Jimmy Clausen.

There is a wild card here. The 49ers have come east and their internal clock says this is a 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning. They almost woke up too late last week against the Raiders. This is a layover for San Francisco before a game next week in London.

 

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NFL Week 8 Preview: Tennessee Titans

by John Oehser

Filed under: Titans, AFC South

The Tennessee Titans are good - maybe really good.

And what must be a little disconcerting to the rest of the AFC and AFC South is they apparently are getting better.

The Titans, who won the South in 2008, lost their first six games of the season, but seen in retrospect, the start to last season is either a hiccup, a fluke or a temporary lull that led to a quick rebuilding process that again has them one of the stronger teams in the AFC.

Either way, the Titans have the look of a season-long contender.

Not only have the Titans won this season, they have won with a formula that historically Head Coach Jeff Fisher is comfortable with - a pressuring defense led by a deep front four that is forcing opponents into mistakes. They also have won despite running back Chris Johnson being limited at times by opposing defenses. This comes after he rushed for 2,000 yards last season and talked of 2,500 being a possibility this season.

But while last year, the Titans were essentially defined by Johnson, this year, they are a more versatile, dangerous team. Quarterback Vince Young has been benched once, and did not play because of injuries in a victory over Philadelphia this week, but the team's success has not risen and fallen on his availability.

The Titans also got good sign for their immediate future last week when wide receiver Kenny Britt, inconsistent as a rookie last season and in this year's preseason, had a career game, catching seven passes for 225 yards an three touchdowns.

 

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Cardinals vs. Chargers Preview, Score and More

by Dennis J. Georgatos

Filed under: Arizona Cardinals, Chargers, AFC West, NFC West

The Chargers are hoping they've fixed problems in their special teams in time for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, who got a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Rod Stephens-Howling in last week's one-point victory over the Raiders.

Breakdowns in San Diego's kick coverage unit figured in two kick returns for touchdowns by Leon Washington that sent Seattle to the 27-20 upset of the Chargers last week. San Diego also gave up a punt return for a touchdown in a season-opening loss at Kansas City.

The Chargers tried to shore up their special teams this week with the signings of safety Quinton Teal and cornerback Dante Hughes. The team expects them to add speed and stopping power to their kick cover units. On top of that, the Chargers signed their fourth long snapper in two weeks because of a wave of injuries at that position.

San Diego also could get rookie running back Ryan Mathews back. He returned to practice this week after missing the Seattle game with an ankle injury suffered the week before in San Diego's win over Jacksonville. Mike Tolbert has played well in his absence, however.

The Cardinals are playing the Chargers for the first time since 2006, when San Diego beat them 27-20 for their tenth straight win, which sent them into the playoffs that season as the top seed in the AFC.

Who: Cardinals (2-1) at Chargers (1-2)

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

When: Sunday, Oct. 3, 1:15 p.m. PDT

TV Coverage: FOX

Players to Watch: Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald has nine receiving TDs in his last eight games against an AFC team; QB Derek Anderson's teams are 8-0 when he finishes with a passer rating of 90 or higher; Chargers TE Antonio Gates has a touchdown catch in seven straight games; QB Philip Rivers has a touchdown pass in 17 straight games, longest active streak in the NFL; LB Shaun Phillips has a sack in two of his last three games.

 

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Saints vs. Cardinals: Max Hall Scores Big Upset in Rookie Starting Debut

by Michael David Smith

Filed under: Arizona Cardinals, Saints, NFC South, NFC West

With undrafted rookie Max Hall starting at quarterback, the Arizona Cardinals figured to get blown out against the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Instead, Arizona stunned the Saints, 30-20 at home.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie returned a Drew Brees pass for a touchdown to seal the deal for Arizona with seconds left in the game.

Some reactions to the game:

o. Hall was far from perfect, but for a rookie making his NFL debut less than six months after all 32 teams passed on him through all seven rounds of the draft, he looked poised, comfortable and savvy in the Cardinals' offense.

o. My favorite thing about Hall was his toughness. He took some hard shots and was briefly knocked out of the game at one point, but he was always ready to come back for more.

o. Of course, it's easy for a quarterback to look good when he has a receiver as good as Larry Fitzgerald, who was absolutely outstanding Sunday. Some receivers get frustrated when they have to play with a rookie quarterback. Fitzgerald took it on himself to make sure the Cardinals' passing game was effective no matter who was throwing the passes.

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More: Box Score | Recap

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Tom Brady Shoots Back at Ravens Linebacker Terrell Suggs on Radio Show

by Andy Kent

Filed under: Patriots, Ravens, AFC East, AFC North

Television cameras caught New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs jawing at each other on the field after a play and Suggs joked afterwards, "He was trying to tell me how to bag a Hollywood actress. He said, 'If you want to get a Hollywood actress, take my seminar on Saturday.' ... He was going over the Dow and the economy and politics. He doesn't really talk football that much."

Well, Brady didn't mind talking more football Monday morning during his weekly appearance on WEEI-AM after hearing about Suggs' postgame comments where he said Brady "better hope he don't see us again." Considering that the Patriots are 6-0 against Baltimore in the regular season and their only loss came in the playoffs last year, Brady felt Suggs could use a little history lesson.

"He had his chance. Maybe if he gets another chance, he can try to back those words up. But he had a chance yesterday," said Brady on The Dennis & Callahan Show. "You know, we've played (those) guys a lot, and they've beat us one time in all the times that I've played them. They talk a lot for beating us once in nine years."

 

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