Troy Aikman Didn’t Book Vacation Because He Thought Cowboys Would Be in NFC Championship Game
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman had high hopes for his old team this season, so much so his weekend is free.
With his ESPN duties finished for the season ahead of conference championship weekend, Aikman had planned for Dallas to be playing this Sunday in Santa Clara.
"I’m free this weekend," Aikman admitted at the Dallas Sports Commission banquet Tuesday night.
"I really anticipated that Dallas would be playing in the championship game. Figured it would be in San Francisco. So I was planning on going to the game, Didn’t book a vacation after my season and so I really liked this team all year long."
Instead, Dallas was bounced out of the playoffs in the Wild Card round, in a 48-32 home loss to the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers. Aikman admitted he felt the Packers' offense could trouble the Cowboys, but not to a point where they'd leave Arlington with a win.
"I thought Green Bay could give them some problems... but I thought that the Cowboys would separate themselves there in the second half and it didn't happen."
Dallas has not made an NFC title game since Aikman was under center during the 1995 season, where "America's Team" went on to win its fifth Lombardi Trophy.
Under head coach Mike McCarthy, who will be back for the 2024 season, Big D has had three straight 12-win regular seasons but hasn't advanced pas the Divisional Round.
"It's the same old story and I don’t mean that as a criticism,” Aikman added. “It’s just when I’m asked about the Cowboys as to why they have struggled, they’ve put together some really great regular seasons and they just have not for whatever reasons [played] their best football when the games matters most.
"That’s what you have to do. That’s the key to winning in the postseason and then getting into the Super Bowl. What the answer to that is, I’m not sure.”
Jadeveon Clowney Reveals Why he Returned to Cleveland
The former first overall pick is back in Cleveland but perhaps not for the reasons you thought.
Jadeveon Clowney is back in Cleveland for a second consecutive season. Though his reason for returning may not come to fruition.
‘I thought I played well here last year, and I feel like I can get better and pick off from what I did last year,’ he told reporters Thursday. ‘Then my boy came here, Deshaun.’
Clowney and newly minted Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson were teammates for two seasons in Houston and formed a bond strong enough to sway Clowney to join him amidst Watson’s off-field issues.
The quarterback is currently facing 24 civil lawsuits over accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct during massages. The Browns gave Watson the keys to their franchise in the form of a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal after arriving via trade in the spring.
It may be a while before the quarterback can suit up for Cleveland; he was cleared of criminal charges, though the NFL is investigating the allegations made against him.
In spite of the questions surrounding Watson’s status and character, Clowney was fully focused on joining the former Clemson star wherever he landed.
‘I was all about where my boy Deshaun was going,’ Clowney said. ‘I just wanted to go play with him and see what I can do with him again.’
‘I told him if he goes [to Cleveland], then I will follow him over here. That’s what it came down to.’
It remains to be seen when Deshaun Watson will be able to suit up for the Browns.
Clowney performed strongly alongside All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett, amassing 9 sacks in 14 games with the Browns last season, resulting in a new one-year, $10 million deal.
If Watson is made unavailable to Cleveland this season, Clowney still believes the Browns will be a force to be reckoned with.
‘We’ve got a good defense, we can hold it together,’ Clowney said. ‘We did good last year, and we were banged up on offense all over the place and our defense played well for what we had going on. … We’re going to be all right.’
This is Matthew Judon
The characteristic red sleeves are replaced by a pullover, though a smile still remains on Matthew Judon's face.
The characteristic red sleeves are replaced by a pullover, though a smile still remains on Matthew Judon's face. It's Thursday afternoon before the New England Patriots' trip to Miami and their star linebacker is happy. Why shouldn't he be? Judon has turned in a phenomenal first season in Foxborough, spearheading a defense capable of reuniting his side with the Lombardi Trophy - even after their 33-24 loss to the Dolphins in Florida.
The 29-year-old has just made his third consecutive Pro Bowl on the back of a career-high year for sacks (12.5). But despite such an achievement, there's little fanfare from the man himself. Judon has been indoctrinated into 'the Patriot Way'; tenets whereby togetherness always supersedes individuality. As teammate Hunter Henry puts it; "Everybody's basically one body and we need all of the parts of the body to come together to execute what we do on Sundays."
Judon is a 6'3" muscle-bound incarnation of accountability, modesty and hyper-focus. But none of it seems forced, it's who he is.
"I think you kind of do that after the season or after your career, that you can say 'look I did this, this is what I accomplished," Judon tells ESPN of his career year. "But right now, it's more a team approach. I need to get to the quarterback; get sacks, hit the quarterback, or affect the quarterback so my team can have success. Not so I can have success. When I'm done, hopefully my highlight tape will be pretty sweet but I'm not looking for that right now, I'm not looking for the 'look what I did or all eyes on me', it's about the Patriots. It's about us going out there and getting wins."
After 20 minutes with the Michigan native, it's obvious why Bill Belichick swooped on Judon in free agency - despite never meeting him outside of the white lines. It seems he knew Judon's skill set -- both tangible and otherwise -- would fit seamlessly in Foxborough. As the topic of Belichick arises, Judon sits up, his eyes widen, his focus sharpens.
"It's been so cool working with Bill, man," he says. "The way he sees the game, I think it's different from every coach in the league just because of how long he's been in the league. His in-game adjustments are so fast because he's seen the scheme, or he's come up with the scheme or he knows the person who came up with the scheme. He knows the defense that will attack that [offensive] scheme, so I think just working with him in that aspect has been pretty interesting."
Judon's smile broadens. Something else about Belichick lights the lamp inside his mind.
"Then just his personality ... he's the most interesting person in the league. Nobody kind of knows him but I think his personality is great for being a head coach for a lot of men, and just how he carries himself. I definitely respect him and how he carries himself," he says.
"He's seen it all, done it all, heard it all and that's just how he handles himself. I don't think it's really nothing new, besides social media, that he's not up on in the NFL."
Is Judon sure Belichick doesn't have a burner account out there somewhere?
"Man, I don't have no clue what he does with his personal time or on his phone! I don't know," he laughs.
Things weren't always this easy though. Judon and his family were comfortable in Baltimore, willing and happy to stay. The Ravens had other ideas, refusing to match the Pats' four-year $56 million offer in March 2019. So, after five seasons under John Harbaugh, Judon packed up his life in Maryland to start afresh in Massachusetts. It was hard, and Judon doesn't hide from it - there was trepidation moving his wife and family into the unknown.
"I was comfortable where I was at," Judon says. "I had been there for five years, I had my house and my kids where [their] school was, BreighAnn had her doctors and all that stuff. Not just comfortable in my play but comfortable in my life situation. So just switching teams it can get hard, but the transition has been pretty smooth obviously.
"A lot of people really don't think about what we have to go through just to go to a different team. You know the housing situation, kids, cars, clothes and stuff like that. I had a lot of people help me out and I appreciate them. Now I'm out here and I'm a...what do they call them? I know in Michigan you're a Michigander. New Englander? But I'm in Massachusetts? Ah, I guess I'm a New Englander!"
Judon may now sit in the contemporary pantheon for his position -- he trails only T.J Watt in quarterback hits since 2019 -- but his star has only shined of late, at least to the outside world. Judon was unloved and unwanted coming out of high school, deemed surplus to requirements by every Power Five school. Ironically, the University of Buffalo -- in the city Judon wants to make miserable Saturday night -- had conditional interest.
If they failed to secure their prime target, Judon would be offered his scholarship. The phone never rang, so Judon answered the bell for Division II school Grand Valley State in Michigan. To this day, he holds the DII record for most sacks in a single season. From Allendale to league-wide acclaim, it's been an incredible rise, but one never beyond him.
"I believed. I actually just believed, I just made sure I put in the work each and every day, and God took me to where I was meant to be. So, from Grand Valley, I just continued to work my butt off and never felt like I was an underdog but just always worked. Tried to work the hardest and outwork everybody that I see."
Judon continues to hustle as if he were still the Bulls' discarded goods. His competitive nature powers him toward perpetual improvement, though it hasn't stemmed from some desire to be seen as overly conscientious, nor to outshine his teammates. Whether it's treatment on his body or cardio workouts, Judon does what he must to prepare his body for peak performance.
So it may come as some surprise that in his day-to-day life, Judon lives rather calmly. Time with his wife BreighAnn and children Aniyah, Leonidas and Azayda are cherished. Putting rubber to the road on his bicycle and playing video games allow Judon to unwind amidst the pressure of representing the most storied franchise of his generation.
Though it's Judon's belief in Christ which transports him toward true peace. Judon and fellow teammates Jonnu Smith, Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater -- among others -- participate in regular Bible study with team pastor Jua Robinson, sharing their life experiences and lessons through Jesus. Being present with other men of Christ is essential for Judon; it promotes exponential growth and solace during moments of misfortune.
"The bad times is only a little bit out of the day. I try to keep my faith in God to where I'm never down. I know there's going to be some bad stuff that happens in my life, and I know that I'm going to have to overcome some obstacles or whatnot, but my faith is built not on sand but on the land, in God, in Christ.
"With that being said, I know there's going to be something every day and if I let that affect me or move me or rock me, I won't be focused on what I have to do, I won't be focused on the tasks I have to accomplish. I kind of just wallow and simmer in something that really could've just been a passing couple minutes."
New England are now just 180 minutes away from their fifth Super Bowl appearance in eight years. Equally, they're one hour away from elimination and professional ignominy. That's how Judon views their situation - taking it for what it is.
"You know how we do it around here. We take it one game at a time and that's the only way you can. I can look forward to the Super Bowl all I want. If we go out there and don't take care of business every week until the Super Bowl, we'll be watching it at home. We don't have any expectations, we don't know. When it comes to the Super Bowl, hopefully we in it, but if we don't take care of our business each and every week, we definitely won't."
If No. 9 adds the Lombardi to his Pro Bowl season, he'll become more than a New Englander.
Even if he doesn't, his life will remain rich in faith, family and brotherhood. But if somehow, some way, he can deliver a seventh Super Bowl, Judon will become immortal in the minds of many from Massachusetts.
This is Aaron Jones
"I want 33!"
The phrase is often heard across Green Bay, WI. by men, women and children looking to purchase a Packers jersey. Once upon a time, it wasn't said at all.
"I want 33!" Three words which changed the life of a 22-year-old.
The phrase is often heard across Green Bay, WI. by men, women and children looking to purchase a Packers jersey. Once upon a time, it wasn't said at all.
These days, Aaron Jones is a franchise face of the Green Bay Packers - nationally acclaimed for his humanity, honesty and footballing feats. Like most in Green Bay, things start and end with one man: Aaron Rodgers.
To go forward we must travel back to Week 4, 2017 vs. Chicago, Jones had yet to play an offensive snap during his rookie year. There were superficial worries as to when it would arrive until Rodgers allayed all internal fear. Jones came off the sideline for a four-yard carry and on his fourth touch found himself in the end zone. The rest, as they say, is history. Yet to Jones, it feels quite the opposite.
"I remember it all like it just happened," Jones told ESPN. "That's how much it had an impact on me, and still impacts me. I thank him for that. I think it helped change my career for the better and gave myself even more confidence than I had. He's a future Hall of Famer, so when you're hearing a guy like that call for you, and want you in the game... it does a lot for a young person's confidence. It puts you on top of the world if a future Hall of Famer thinks you belong on the field with him."
Rodgers and Jones will be side-by-side this Saturday night (ET) as they welcome San Francisco for an NFC divisional showdown. The 13-4 Pack are favoured to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2011 as the NFC playoffs run through Lambeau permitting they stay alive.
Despite phenomenal regular season success, Green Bay have repeatedly fallen at the final hurdle - losing to San Francisco and Tampa in the previous two campaigns. This time however the signs are that things are going to be different. Why? Because the this vintage of the Packers has changed.
The players have taken the lead, regularly taking the responsibilities customarily bestowed to coaches with particular instructions resonating from veteran players. It's not uncommon for a teammate to have been coached within the group.
"We're a band of brothers, we love being around each other and it's always fun when we're together," Jones said. "We also play for each other, they're everything. When you line up you've gotta give a look to your left, a look to your right, and know your brothers have got your back no matter what the situation is, because you guys are pretty much stepping into a war."
Togetherness is vital to team success but it's far from an admission into the Super Bowl. Ask those who brave the frozen terraces at Lambeau, and only a Lombardi will suffice.
Will a loss at any moment be considered a failure inside the Green Bay locker room?
"For myself, yes. I won't speak for everybody [though]," Jones said. "We've been right there for the past two years and we've put in all this work. I genuinely feel like the time is now. It's definitely going to hurt if it doesn't turn out our way, but I am a true believer in speaking things into existence and manifesting it and praying for it. So, I believe it'll go our way."
Even if the Packers were to finally breakthrough, Rodgers could ride off into the sunset, leaving pastures old for newer horizons. If he's to be anywhere this offseason, Jones hopes the #12 will be alongside him in El Paso.
"A-Rod is really a loving person; he cares about everybody," he said. "I always tell people before you make a judgment on him, sit down and have lunch with him or something, because he's really an amazing, awesome dude and I'm glad that I've gotten the chance to get to know him and learn from him."
Despite the riches of his four-year, $48 million deal, Jones returns to The Sun City each offseason. The bright lights of New York, nor the luxuriance of the Caribbean can rival the satisfaction he gets from "home." Jones stays at his family's El Paso abode. Forget renting a mansion, that's not for him.
"For me, my family is my everything," Jones said. "They're all I have. So, I love being with them, love spending time with them and making sure they're okay.
"The other part is El Paso is home and it's always going to be home for me. The people there, they support me through and through, they've been supporting me since seventh grade up 'till now. I love just going back home in the offseason with the people who got to see me grow up and grow into what I am.
"There hasn't been a lot of people to make it from El Paso, so for the other, younger athletes or it may be athletics -- whatever it is -- I want them to know they can make it as well, not just me. I want them to be better when they make it and I want to be a resource for them."
Jones has been making an impact in his community long before his name was in lights. Just ask his high school friend Victor Mendoza, a special needs student who had a crowning moment he'll never forget.
While at Burges High School in El Paso, Jones became friends with Mendoza through a school initiative uniting special and general education students. Their friendship flourished during P.E. class and from there Jones came up with a strategy Matt LaFleur would be proud of.
"Vic's not able to walk, he's in a wheelchair and things like that, and I'm like 'you know, if Vic won this, he'd be happy and it'd just put a huge smile on his face. It'd change his life forever; he can always look around and say ‘I was the prom king at my high school and you know who was there? Aaron Jones or his brother Alvin Jones and I beat [them] out!’ ”
"It's not easy going to school every day like that and we don't know what kind of battles he struggles with mentally with that side, so we just wanted to celebrate him and I was glad he actually won it. We had shirts made, different things, it was amazing that he won. I felt like I won when he won."
The spotlight doesn't drive Jones. His humbleness ensures he's in the driving seat, perpetually pursuing family togetherness and on-field excellence. It may surprise many to know the steering wheel Jones grips is a 2003 Ford Explorer, the very same vehicle he's owned since high school.
"I feel like I don't need a new car, I can get from point A to point B. It still runs and it's been loyal to me, so I'm going to be loyal to it. It helps me save money!" Jones said. The 27-year-old has grand visions of looking after his own, no different to many who achieve NFL stardom. It is his ultimate fulfillment.
"I've always had a dream of taking care of my parents, like having a little house for them in the back, my brother living with me -- him and his wife have one side of the house, I have the other side -- my sister may have another third with her family and just remaining under one roof and being one big, happy family," Jones said. "At the end of the day, that's all you have."
The plan for Jones' family homestead is yet to come to fruition with his sister, niece and son spending time in El Paso currently. Jones' mother has remained by his side excluding "four or five days this season" - particularly poignant given his father's passing on April 6, 2021.
Life has been difficult for Jones without his greatest influence. Alvin Sr. attended every college and professional game of Jones' career, offering advice and a hug before each game. Despite his on-field demeanour looking identical to previous, Jones has understandably suffered.
"I would be crying right before the game and try and pull myself together and go play," Jones explained. "I don't want to say that affected my game but I also knew my head just wasn't clear.
"This past month, I told my mom: 'Mom, I feel like I [am] -- not over it -- but I'm finally not going out there looking for him'."
As for what Jones learnt most from his father? "Whatever you do, you do it with your heart and you do it with love."
This Saturday evening, high above Lambeau, Jones Sr. will be in a green and gold #33. With some fortune the man beside will provide the Pack the inspiration. Jones would be more than deserving.
This is James Bradberry
James Bradberry is somewhere he’s not used. A bright, bold smile flashes but it is fleeting. His body is in unfamiliar surroundings despite the choice of headwear.
James Bradberry is somewhere he’s not used to. A bright, bold smile flashes but it is fleeting. His body is in unfamiliar surroundings despite the choice of headwear.
Bradberry’s physical location is foreign and so is the experience he’s undertaking. One would figure a New York Giants corner – a Pro Bowler no less – would relish in the warm embrace of celebrity. Though, Bradberry is no ordinary player, nor is he the archetypal human. He resists the allure of spotlight, money and further fame in exchange for being true to himself.
That’s why he is initially matter-of-fact. Pleasant, respectful and enlightening, but as Bradberry later admits – outside his comfort zone. In true icebreaker fashion we discuss the weather, hoping to fan the flames of fluidity. The 28-year-old and his beanie lie thousands of miles from wintery New York. At this moment, he’s resting in his Arizona hotel room – where the Giants based themselves prior to their eventual 37-21 loss vs. the Chargers in Week 13.
Bradberry is pleased to be in warmer weather and even more thrilled to be outside of California. He’s thankful for practicing at the University of Arizona all week rather than somewhere in L.A. It’s not that Bradberry holds a candle for U of A. No, he’s just happy to have more money in his pocket thanks to Arizona’s comparably lenient taxes. Bradberry’s game check will be taxed in California but he’s still cheerful, grateful to avoid a ‘double dose.’ Though it’s not all James Bradberry is thankful for.
It’s said it takes a village to raise a man. In the case of Bradberry it took one – not a village but a single parent; his mother Rosie. Bradberry grew up in Pleasant Grove, Alabama – a city of less than 10,000 – without a father. His childhood didn’t feel different, there was no feeling of a void. Of course, there’s an element of single-parenthood being Bradberry’s norm but he kept himself busy. He would attend the local boys and girls club alongside playing football and basketball. Despite the chaos of sporting schedules, Saturdays were always booked out. A reservation for four was perpetually made; for Bradberry, his mother, sister and grandmother.
“My whole life it used to be me, my mom, my sister and my grandma. No matter where we were at,” Bradberry told Patrick Djordjevic. Bradberry’s grandmother has since passed but his family still remain in The Good Neighbor City, so too a part of Bradberry himself.
“That’s home for me, that’s where my heart is. I care for the city, I care for the people around there. I know their lifestyle, how they go through life, some of the struggles they may go through and of course some of the positive things they go through as well.”
The 28-year-old returns to Pleasant Grove each offseason, shunning the bright lights of New York and California – where many Pro Bowlers collaborate on Instagram and the gridiron. Instead, Bradberry works on his body while heavily investing in his community. Annual back-to-school giveaways, donations to his church and earthquake relief funding are all good deeds done by Bradberry. Yet there isn’t much noise about the acts or the man responsible for them. There’s a purity in Bradberry's desire to give back without fanfare, for that is who he is.
For eight months of the year, New York is where Bradberry’s body and mind reside. While his heart may stay in Alabama, his philanthropic nature crosses borders. Bradberry was intentional with the Christmas gifts he gave to fellow defensive backs including Xavier McKinney, Logan Ryan and Jabril Peppers. It wasn’t a flashy gadget or a status symbol, rather something practical and purposeful. Bradberry organized ChilliSleep sleep systems for his guys, allowing them to sleep at their ideal temperature, ensuring they sleep faster and wake up fresher.
It’s that same attention-to-detail and thoughtfulness which makes Bradberry the elite cornerback he is today. In isolation, his actions may seem obvious – take warming up his body inside pre-practice amidst the New Jersey winter as an example. Well duh some may say. Yet not every player does it. What exactly makes James Bradberry great?
“I just manage my time correctly.” That was it. No elaborate response, no secret sauce. Just a continuum of doing the right things at the right time, sticking to routine and maintaining discipline. It’s a way of life without sizzle but one in which delivers results. The approach itself is a microcosm for how Bradberry operates.
“I go out there and practice hard, I prepare – that’s what gives me my confidence once I get to Sunday. It’s not what I’m going to say – I can go out there and say ‘I’m the best guy’ but you can still go out there and get toasted. Words don’t mean anything, it’s all about your actions.
“I could probably get more marketing, more money but that ain’t me for real. You gotta be yourself. I also put myself out here more, that’s why I'm here talking with you my friend.”
There is a real warmth to Bradberry, a genuine nature bereft of ego – not readily seen in athletes of his stature. Though don’t be mistaken, he cares deeply for football and being great at his craft. He just won’t get drawn into bold proclamations about his standing within the league or among his fellow corners.
“I think you have to have the mindset that no one can beat you. I mean, I play corner but I’ve never been against another corner, I’m always going against receivers. So, I don’t really try to promote myself as being the best in the game. Everybody else is going to talk about it if that’s what it is. I just try to build the mindset of `This guy across from me can’t beat me.’
Bradberry has been beaten at times throughout his career, including this season, which he described as “up and down.” Defeat and subsequent criticisms are inevitable but how one responds to adversity goes a long way to determining who they are. After 40 minutes with Bradberry, he seems richer in character than in pocket. That’s notwithstanding the 3-year, $43.5 million contract he signed back in March 2020.
“When people say I’m not doing something right, you know of course that will affect my emotions and I might not feel well about that. I think for me I try to channel that energy and just try to attack getting better. The sun is going to rise, so you gotta keep going. Once you fail, you fail, so you might as well try and learn from it and work harder. Whatever you did didn’t work, so you gotta figure something else out.
It’s rather evident Bradberry is a man of poise on and off the gridiron, thoughtfulness is one of his foremost qualities. Clearly, he often thinks of others, but he also allows his mind to wander to other worlds, quite literally. Aliens and outer space have always interested the Samford alum. Despite outgrowing his fascination with extraterrestrials, Bradberry is keen to venture further into space, both in thought and action. Just not as quickly as Giants legend and Ring of Honor member Michael Strahan, who flew into space earlier this month.
“I wouldn’t be the first! I wouldn’t be in that early bunch. I’d probably be later on once we’ve had a few successful missions out there.”
As for where Bradberry would go, well, the choice was easy. ”Man, I’m trying to go to Pluto. That’s the goal man, to go to Pluto. That’s the furthest out there so of course, whatever’s out there it’s going to be the last to be touched. Whatever’s out there can probably withstand anything because it’s far out there!”
For now Bradberry is more than content with life on earth. His world was immeasurably enriched the moment daughter Xena Reign came into the world on Valentines Day, 2020. The early mornings, moments of pain and discomfort and scrutiny under the spotlight – all are worth it.
“She kind of changed things for me, she kind of changed the ball game. Now everything is for her. Everything I do. Essentially I become a better person and player and whatever because I do those things, but it affects her. Whatever I do is essentially going to trickle down and affect her. It’s all for her. She’s going to take over once I’m up out of here.”
The Giants’ No.24 isn’t going anywhere in the immediate future, but the same cannot be said for his general manager Dave Gettleman. The almost perpetually embattled Gettleman gave Bradberry his opportunity in the NFL, drafting him in the second round – 64th overall – in the 2016 Draft. Gettleman did the opposite of what most had during Bradberry’s football life. While GM of the Carolina Panthers he took a chance on a talented 22-year-old corner from an FCS school. So often doubted, Bradberry was finally given an opportunity in the big time — which he’s taken with both hands. Though not spoken, it’s apparent Bradberry has great reverence for the Giants’ 70-year-old GM.
“He’s a very resilient guy. Of course [scrolling] my explore page I might see some bad talk about me but I also see stuff they might also say about him. I’m sure he might go out and people talk about him as a GM and whatnot, but I would like to say he’s very resilient. He always comes in, no matter if we’ve lost or maybe I’ve had a bad game, he always comes in and speaks to me. He’s energetic, so I would say that about him.
“I would say I saw Dave Gettleman in the locker room or around us as players more than I’ve seen other GMs I’ve been under. You don’t really see that.”
Giants fans don’t see it either, but they view the losses stacking up. They feel them too – so does No.24. As for the team’s future, nothing is a given. Though in Bradberry they have a player with an unwavering desire to be his best – for his fans, his team and most importantly, those in sweet home Pleasant Grove, Alabama.
This is Hunter Henry
An excitable voice booms through the speakers, emanating from the Patriots' media room in Foxborough. The words spoken are familiar. So too the accent, well somewhat.
An excitable voice booms through the speakers, emanating from the Patriots' media room in Foxborough. The words spoken are familiar. So too the accent, well somewhat.
"G'day mate!" Amusingly, it isn't New England's Australian communications coordinator, rather star tight-end Hunter Henry.
The 26-year-old touchdown machine bounces into picture with a smile as wide as the nearby Charles River. It isn't long before Henry returns to his native tongue, though his exuberance remains. Henry has reason to be gleeful in this moment - his move from the beaches of California to the "brutal" cold of Massachusetts is paying off immeasurably. Even if it means wearing a beanie in December.
On the gridiron, Henry is almost peerless at his position. Heading into Week 13, the former Charger leads the league in touchdowns by a tight end - tied with Buffalo's Dawson Knox. Since Rob Gronkowski announced his initial retirement in March 2019, the Patriots have lacked a red zone threat capable of scaring defenses stiff. Now, the fear factor is back in New England and Henry is undoubtedly a key reason why.
As the question grows, so too does Henry's smirk. "Do you feel like anyone can guard you in the red zone?" His answer; as quick as it is emphatic: "I don't feel like anyone can guard me, ever! You've got to have that mindset, always."
Henry isn't the only Patriot with an unshakable confidence - it's easy to understand why. New England are a seemingly unstoppable force, currently on a six-game winning streak and sitting atop the AFC East with an 8-4 record. Once again, they look primed for a playoff assault.
Though it wasn't too long ago things were very different. At the end of last season, the Pats were mired in misery, mocked incessantly for Tom Brady's departure, their momentary downfall -- finishing last season 7-9 -- and of course, Tampa Bay's Brady-led Super Bowl victory.
Despite the outside noise, Bill Belichick's belief hasn't wavered in himself nor the team - not since Henry arrived anyway. Despite a matter-of-fact approach in front of the camera, there's a different Belichick behind closed doors.
"You don't become the greatest coach of all time really in this sport, without having a little bit of swag," Henry tells Patrick Djordjevic. "A little bit of you know, chip about him. He just kind of has that quiet confidence, that he knows who he is and he's very confident in that."
Henry undoubtedly believes in his head coach, evidenced in his big-money move from Los Angeles during free agency, in spite of the Pats' disappointing 2020 season. The pair have known each other for many years, with Belichick a friend of Henry's high school coach.
Despite their familiarity with one another, Henry has found himself surprised at the sheer greatness of the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach.
"He's a football genius, man," Henry beamed. "It's cool to be around someone that loves football so much and has seen so much football, especially at the highest level and winning Super Bowls too, he knows how to get things done and knows how to put his players in the best position, knows how to motivate them in the best way.
"So it's been really cool to see the standard he holds everybody to and how he gets the best out of everybody."
It's often said there's a different expectation in New England. A unique way of operating, a higher set of standards to uphold. How true is it? According to Henry, it checks out. While the Chargers propelled him forward, there's a sense New England will lift him to greater heights.
"I think it's just the team atmosphere, the 'Do Your Job' atmosphere," he says. "Everybody has their role and you do your role. That's similar around the league but here it's very preached. It's preached every single day to do your job, trust the guys around you and believe in the team and everything that this team means. Everybody's basically one body and we need all of the parts of the body to come together to execute what we do on Sundays."
Henry himself is merely a body - flesh and blood like anyone else. It may seem absurd to define him so simply but that's how he views himself. Scoring at will for New England, pursuing a first Super Bowl ring and becoming the best he can are all of great importance. Yet it is Henry's faith which makes him feel complete, more than skin and bone, more than a vessel sailing through life.
"I'm here and I'm playing football but I'm more than a football player man, there's so much more to me than what I am," Henry shared. "The main thing that I am is God's son and I'm a believer and I hope that Jesus came and died for our sins. I have a lot of faith [in] who God is and who he is in my life."
Many across America, and certainly Arkansas, dream of being Hunter Henry. Ironically, Henry tries to become less of himself. "He must become greater; I must become less," John 3:30 - eight words by which Henry lives his life.
"It's just a simple verse that means so much," he says. "It can mean so much in a football realm too, you know in a team realm. I think there's so many applications [for] a simple quote like that; to be humbled, to be humbled before God, to be humbled before your teammates, to be humbled before just everybody.
"That you're not bigger than anybody, that He needs to be the light before everything, and it applies to everything in my life. I think that's where faith kind of carries into your life, just applying those things on a daily basis."
Three F's -- faith, family and football -- have served Henry well for many years. They continue to be pillars for him and even more so once wife Parker gives birth to their first child this month. Make no mistake, Henry is more than committed to football. It's his life, but far from all of it.
"My 'why' here is to serve a bigger purpose," he says. "I like to worship God through my play. Hopefully I show a light in some aspect of my play and how I live my life. My family is big for me, my wife motivates me more than anybody in this world, just how hardworking and independent and just gracious and everything she is in my life. She's definitely one of my biggest 'why's. And then I have my little son coming next month, so I know once I lay eyes on him that'll be right there with her."
Once football season comes to a close, Henry likes to return to Arkansas, immersing himself in all nature has to offer. He loves the beautiful beaches of L.A. but they are few and far between in The Natural State, so hunting is what Henry does. Deer season often passes him by, so he settles for ducks.
For now, Henry has linebackers in his sights as he looks to help New England attain another Lombardi Trophy. Opposing fans may believe God is a Patriots fan, given their seemingly never-ending dynasty. Whether that is the case remains unsolved, though Henry is optimistic Jesus enjoys his work in the end zone.
"I hope so man," Henry says with a chuckle. "I'm doing my best out there for Him. I think he would be definitely proud, but hey the thing with Him is, he's going to be proud with whatever you do- scoring touchdowns [or] no touchdowns. Like what we talked about man, it's unwavering. It never changes."
While Henry will have to wait for eternal paradise, he has every opportunity to propel New England to seventh heaven come February 13.
NYG CB James Bradberry Q & A
Q: What does your hometown of Pleasant Grove mean to you?
That’s home for me. That’s where my heart is, that’s where I spent the majority of my childhood and teenage years and some of my adult years. It’s home for me, it will always be home and I’m pretty familiar with the area, because like you said, it’s a small area and I’m familiar with a lot of people from around there. It will always be home for me. I always go back there. My mom is still there, and my sister is there as well. So I always go back.
Q: Why does he put so much money back into the community?
Because that’s where my heart is. I care for the city, I care for the people around there, I know their lifestyle, how they go through life, some of the struggles they may go through and of course some of the positive things they go through as well. That’s why I put money back into them.
Q: What is it like playing in NYC for someone who doesn’t like the spotlight? How has that transition been for you?
I think it’s very different because in the south, I feel like people down there, they really enjoy college football more than they enjoy the National Football League. But up north, I feel like they enjoy the NFL more than they enjoy college sports. Of course that’s aside from maybe Ohio State and Michigan. I know New Jersey, ah man, they’re diehard Giants fans, man. They’re going to let you know whenever you’re doing good and also when you’re doing bad. It’s good support up here, we’ve got a strong fan base and it’s a great organization as well, you know. They support us as far as everything from nutrition, health, strength and conditioning programs and also coaches.
Q: How have you seen your season, so far?
I think this season has been kind of up and down for me. I’ve had a lot of good sports but also some had bad spots. But also, you know, we’re not doing too good as a team, so [when] we’re not doing good as a team, your mistakes are blown up and everyone wants to talk about them when you’re losing. So it’s not going too good right now.
Q: Do you care when people talk about you negatively?
I think it’s hard to say no, because they’re talking about my craft. I put a lot of time and effort into playing football and being a good cornerback, so when people say I’m not doing something right, you know of course that will affect my emotions and I might not feel well about that. I think for me I try to channel that energy and just try to attack getting better. You know, attack the next day. The sun is going to rise – I watch a lot of YouTube videos, so I hear a lot of inspirational videos and stuff. The sun is going to rise, so you gotta keep going.
Q: How do you hear about negative comments?
I don’t look up my name on Twitter, so I don’t really see what people say on Twitter unless of course, one of the Giants media says something and it comes across my screen because it was retweeted and what not. Usually, like I said, we have a strong base, it’s also New York City – so along goes with that. The media kind of let you know through their questioning and what not. But like I said, I just channel that energy and try to get better. I prepare a lot, I try to prepare and put myself in good positions.
Q: Why is your craft so important to you?
I think it means a lot to everyone that plays football, I mean – I’ll just speak for the guys starting out there – we get paid a lot of money to do this, and I’ve also been doing this my whole life. Of course it’s a game, but I’ve been recognized as one of the best in the game and I got to the point because I feel like I worked hard, I prepared, I put a lot of time into it, so when you put a lot of time into anything, of course you care about it and you see it being significant in your life. So that’s why I care about it so much.
Q: Do you think you’re the best CB in the NFL - do you need to have that mindset?
I think you have to have the mindset that no one can beat you. I mean I play corner but I’ve never been against another corner, I’m always going against receivers. So, I don’t really try to promote myself as being the best in the game. Everybody else is going to talk about it if that’s what it is. I just try to build the mindset of ‘This guy across from me can’t beat me.’
Q: How has it been for you adjusting to covering TEs?
Going against big-bodied receivers and tight ends is very similar, but you really have to attack the persona and not the position. Like Mike Evans, he’s a receiver, he’s real fast, he has a huge catch radius, attacks the ball, he’s real physical as well. And then you might play another taller guy but he doesn’t play real physical, he’s more of a finesse guy – he’s real good off the line, runs good routes, so you’ve got to attack that guy differently. It’s the same way with tight ends, not all tight ends are the same. They have different skill sets.
Q: What are the little things that you make a high-level player?
I think the two most important things are; I prepare – I watch a lot of film – and also I try to take care of my body because I think half the battle man is staying on the field honestly. You see a lot of injuries across the board. Like I said, I put time into it. I don’t think there’s anything really unique about it. I ask a lot of – even when I first got into the league I used to ask a lot of veteran guys what did they do to take care of their body.
I didn’t really see a lot of difference in people’s answers, I think the difference was the amount of time that they did those things. If they did massage, if they did acupuncture, how much during the week did they do it? Or did a guy do it at all during the week? When it came to lifting weights or stretching, did a guy do it during the week? If he did, I’m sure he feels a lot better during game day and he might play better based off things that he did throughout the week. I don’t do anything uniquely, I just do spend a lot of time on things that pertain to football.
Q: How difficult is losing?
I just channel that energy and move on to the next play. I think football has kind of built that mindset for me, just over the years. I’ve always played DB my whole life, so I’ve always been taught ‘You need to forget the bad thing that just happened and just move onto the next play because that next play is going to come regardless so you need to move on.’ I would say I just channel that energy to make up for a mistake I had and not make that same mistake again.
Q: How long does a loss stay with you?
I mean, it depends on how close the game was, if I played well, if I played bad, it just depends. Typically – well I have a daughter now, she helps out a lot. When I come home she’s happy, she wants to play so she kind of helps me forget about the bad stuff which goes on with football from the losing and what not – usually it’s out of my mind by Monday. Of course by Wednesday it’s a new week, we on to the next team so you gotta forget about it.
Q: What has fatherhood taught you?
It’s taught me a lot of patience. Have patience and I guess what type of Dad I am. I’m pretty relaxed, pretty chill. I try to play games with her, of course she’s really small now – she’s active – but she can’t get too active. In the offseason I bought her a little basketball hoop and we were shooting the basketball and she started taking the ball and throwing it in there, so that was really cool. So just teaching her little things is actually the cool thing about being a Dad, it’s like passing on certain things to her and teaching her.
Q: Has he passed on his basketball skills to his daughter?
Oooo I hope not! I hope she’s better than me! I would say overall I wasn’t a bad basketball player, I just put more effort toward football and I became kind of a role player in basketball and had better players on my team too that did that stuff 24/7 and they was real good. I’m in the league so I’m good!
Q: What role does faith play in your life?
I would say I think faith kind of goes hand-in-hand with hope. You know it’s definitely bad when a person loses hope, so you never want to lose hope, you always want to keep faith. So I think that’s kind of like the tie between me, church and faith, where I’ve always had connection there. I’ve been going to that church my entire life and they’ve supported me throughout my professional career, and they also supported me when I was a student as well. So I’m just trying to give back to the church that supported me.
Q: What was it like growing up?
I grew up in a single parent household, it was just me and my sister. We was real close with my grandmother, so my whole life it used to be me, my mom, my sister and my grandma, no matter where we were at; AAU tournaments, college visits, plays, anything – we was going out to eat every Saturday, it was us four. You know my mom, she did her thing. She took care of me and my sister on her own which is – I’ve got my daughter now so I understand, well I don’t understand but I definitely, can definitely see how hard it was to raise two kids on her own. So I definitely commend her and I’m very appreciative of her.
Q: Was it hard without a father?
Nah, because I played sports a lot. So I was always busy as a kid, so I never really had time to sit back and think about it. Also, I was always at boys and girls club, so I never really had time to sit around and think about it.
Q: How do you deal with failure?
Just work harder. Learn from it. I mean, all you can do is learn from it. Once you fail, you fail, so you might as well try and learn from it and work harder. Whatever you did didn’t work, so you gotta figure something else out.
Q: What makes James Bradberry great?
I think I just manage my time correctly. Man, what I’ve been doing during the season – I’m a very routine guy. In the offseason when I get off from the team I don’t really do what I’m supposed to do (laughs) but during the season when I’m on a routine, I get up pretty early, I get in there and stretch. So I try and make sure my body is warmed up before I actually go out there and practice. You know it’s cold up there in New York, so you definitely gotta make sure your body is good before you go out there. I also try and make sure I stretch and take care of my body once I come off the field. I also watch film and try and get enough sleep and eat right, so I would say I just try and make good decisions and spend my time correctly. Doing things that’s going to help me get better.
Q: What is James Bradberry most proud of?
I guess being a good dad for this past year-and-a-half. She kind of changed things for me, she kind of changed the ball game. Now everything is for her. Everything I do. Essentially I become a better person and player and whatever because I do those things, but it affects her. Whatever I do is essentially going to trickle down and affect her. It’s all for her. She goin’ take over once I’m up out of here.
Q: Why is James Bradberry confident?
I go out there and practice hard, I prepare – that’s what gives me my confidence once I get to Sunday. It’s not what I’m going to say, I can go out there and say ‘I’m the best guy’ but you can still go out there and get toasted. Words don’t mean anything, it’s all about your actions. I could probably get more marketing (if he spoke out more), more money but that ain’t me for real. You gotta be yourself. I also put myself out here more, that’s why I’m on here talking with you my friend.
Q: What’s the best place you’ve traveled and the perspectives you’ve gained?
I’ve been to London with football. I’ve only been overseas one time, to the Bahamas and I was on a resort, so it was kind of Americanized. I guess you just gain more perspective from talking with different people. I think talking to older people – the more I talk to older people, that’s where I want to be when I get to whatever age they’re at. I feel like they give me more of a perspective on life and what I need to be doing.
I talk to the guys a lot more now versus when I first got into the league. I was real secluded into myself but now I’ve been around for a while, so I kind of – I wouldn’t say I go out of my way – but I definitely try and speak more and have more conversations around the building.
Q: What would you like to say about Dave Gettleman that isn’t public knowledge?
He’s a very resilient guy. Of course [scrolling] my explore page I might see some bad talk about me but I also see stuff they might also say about him. I’m sure he might go out and people talk about him as a GM and whatnot, but I would like to say he’s very resilient. He always comes in, no matter if we’ve lost or maybe I’ve had a bad game, he always comes in and speaks to me. He’s energetic, so I would say that about him.
He would just encourage me to pick it up. I would say I saw Dave Gettleman in the locker room or around us as players more than I’ve seen other GMs I’ve been under. You don’t really see that and I think it’s a positive thing that he does. That’s a good thing that he does that.
Q: What are your hopes for the rest of the season?
I just hope we continue to play with effort as a whole. Can’t really make any promises. We've got five games left, but for me I want to play my best five games this year, this last stretch. That’s my goal.
Q: Is the Pro Bowl something you’ve got on your mind?
If we were winning, it would but my focus now is just going out there and trying to win. If we’re not winning, I’m not going to get the accolades that I want. That’s how I look at it and that’s what I remind myself. My whole goal is to go out there and help us win a game.
Q: Does outer space still interest?
I’m intrigued by a lot of things now, I’m intrigued by the metaverse, I’m intrigued about outer space, I’m intrigued about countries outside the U.S.
Q: Would you travel to space?
I wouldn’t be the first! I wouldn’t be in that early bunch. I’d probably be later on once we’ve had a few successful missions out there. Man, I’m trying to go to Pluto, for sure. That’s the goal man, to go to Pluto.That’s the furthest out there so of course, whatever’s out there it’s going to be the last to be touched. Whatever’s out there can probably withstand anything because it’s far out there!
Q: Do you hunt or fish?
I like to fish. I wouldn’t say I do it a lot but I definitely want to do it more. None of my friends back home really fish but one of my teammates Court Cunningham, he fishes, so when we go back to Alabama I’m going to fish with him and I’m probably going to hunt with him too, but yeah it is pretty stereotypical that you asked that, but it’s cool though.
Q: Did going to a small school help you in the long-run?
Coming from a small school, it humbles you a little bit because you’re not playing against the best of the best. But I will say being from a small school – man, those programs at Alabama and Auburn, they’re run a little differently than what it might be at a D1-AA. We don’t have the resources to be able to do what they do. They have a cafeteria, they have all these nice things in the athletic training room and weight room. It definitely humbles you but it also makes you work harder, so you have hope, you have faith, you have something that you’re working towards. You’re always trying to get better, you don’t get complacent, being from a small school I feel like you – that’s that chip on your shoulder people always talk about.
Q: What’s your mindset nowadays - do you carry that chip still?
My mindset now is more like a chess match. It’s like me versus this guy on the other side of the ball. Not only him, but his other teammates. You’ve got a slot receiver, you got a quarterback. It’s a chess match between us. Also the running back – they might have a dynamic running back that I’m going to have to face. It’s a chess match between all these guys out here on this field. It’s a game at the end of the day, so I don’t carry that chip on my shoulder anymore. It’s all energy at the end of the day. You want to make sure you’re transferring that energy in the right way.
Q: What do you want to achieve moving forward?
I just want to be a good player at the end of the day. No, I mean I want to be the best player that I can be. You know, I feel like I can be elite, so I want to be elite. That’s what I want to do. I try not to think too far down the road to be honest with you. I just try to go week-by-week ‘cause it’s a long season.
Eagles stay alive in wildcard race after win vs. WFT
Philly stays alive while damaging Washington’s playoff hopes in the process.
Philadelphia kept their postseason push moving and in doing so, damaged rival Washington’s chances with a 27-17 win on Tuesday night.
The victory was the Eagles’ seventh, taking them to 7-7, meanwhile Washington slid back to 6-8 after their second straight loss. Philly can be confident of a playoff berth and have a very good chance of returning to the postseason with the Giants, Washington and Dallas their three remaining games.
Washington were spirited in defeat and amidst trying circumstances after 13 of their players were on the COVID list, crucially including quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen — both of whom were unavailable. Enter Garrett Gilbert, signed from New England’s practice squad less than week ago. After just four days in the building, Gilbert gave a fantastic account of himself during started his second ever career game.
The former Cowboys backup went 20-of-31 for 194 yards without throwing an interception, keeping the Football Team in the game for four quarters. Though try as he might, Gilbert and Washington were unable to overcome the absentees and Philadelphia’s running game.
For the fifth time this season, Philly ran for over 200 yards, amassing 238 in total. Star running back Miles Sanders was big-time as he set a a career-high with 131 yards on 18 carries. While backup Jordan Howard more than chipped in, adding 69 yards on 15 carries.
Eagles sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts started shakily, throwing an interception and losing a fumble early — gifting Washington 10 easy points, but what matters is how he finished. Hurts went 20-of-26 for 296 yards with a touchdown and an interception — adding for 38 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Philadelphia’s offense thrived in the air in large part due to the superiority of tight end Dallas Goedert, who is thriving in Zach Ertz’s absence. The 26-year-old also set a career high, in receiving yards, with 135 yards on seven catches.
Meanwhile for Washington, it was a bad night on both sides of the ball. Ron Rivera’s defense gave up a whopping 7.4 yards per play. Their offense wasn’t much better, struggling in both the run and pass game — averaging just 4.4 yards per play. Critically, Washington lost the time of possession battle by almost 11 minutes. It’s one thing to know what the Eagles will do to you, and another to stop it as the Football Team found out. It certainly doesn’t help when you’re missing most of your defensive line to COVID and injury reasons. Though Johnathan Allen was bright spot for WFT, making 5 tackles-for-loss and sacking Jalen Hurts once.
Washington will hope to keep their faint playoff hopes alive at Dallas on Sunday Night Football. While Philadelphia host to the New York Giants as they look to spoil the Eagles’ playoff party as revenge for last season.
2022 Pro Bowl rosters revealed
There were plenty of surprises as the NFL released the 2022 Pro Bowl rosters.
Earlier today, the NFL announced the AFC and NFC All-Stars for the 2022 Pro Bowl — a moment many players and fans had been awaiting all season long.
Roster selections are determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counts one-third toward determining the 88 selected players.Twenty-six teams had at least one player selected to the 2022 Pro Bowl roster and 23 clubs had multiple players chosen as Pro Bowlers.
The 8-6 Indianapolis Colts led all teams with seven Pro Bowl selections while the AFC West’s Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers each had six players chosen. Five teams – the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – each have five players at the Pro Bowl.
Tom Brady was selected to his 15th Pro Bowl — the most of any player ever in NFL history — while Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers was selected to his 10th Pro Bowl. Each of the four other quarterbacks selected are drastically younger – the Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Arizona’s Kyler Murray – are all under the age of 27.
Thirty-one of the 88 players were selected to the Pro Bowl for the first-time. Four rookies will make their first bow; Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase , Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts and Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater.
Other first-time Pro Bowlers recognized for their sensational seasons included Dallas’ Trevon Diggs, Baltimore’s Devin Duvernay, Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor and Tampa Bay’s Tristan Wirfs.
As for the coaching staffs, they will be filled from the losing teams in the Divisional playoffs with the best regular-season records. Try reading that quickly. Here are the Pro Bowl selections in full:
The 2022 Pro Bowl kicks off at 3:00 PM ET on Sunday, February 6, and will be televised on ESPN and will be simulcast on ABC in the United States. Tickets are available now on ProBowl.com and will allow fans special benefits on gameday including access to the Pro Bowl Red Carpet and other family friendly activities.
Rams roll on with another big divisional win
The Rams are eyeing off the NFC West crown after three straight W’s.
It’s been a good week for the Rams. After Arizona’s shock loss to the previously struggling Detroit Lions on Sunday, L.A. had the opportunity to jump into equal first in the NFC West — and they didn’t let themselves down.
After three straight losses Rams have bounced to three consecutive victories, defeating rivals Seattle 20-10 at SoFi Stadium on Tuesday night.
A dour first half was what the doctor ordered — not for the fans — for a Rams team criticised for its lack of physicality in recent losses. Aaron Donald and Von Miller stood tall recording two tackles-for-loss and a sack each. It was Miller’s first sack as a Ram, ending a seven-game drought, the longest of his illustrious career.
The second half started poorly from an L.A. perspective, as Seattle running back DeeJay Dallas ran in a 4-yard touchdown to secure a 10-7 advantage. From then on, the Rams’ — and potential NFL — MVP Cooper Kupp rose from the shadows.
Kupp, who finished the night with 136 receiving yards from nine catches, tied the game on a 6-yard reception with 6:31 left in the third. Simultaneously, the Eastern Washington product set a franchise record -- amassing 120 catches in a single season.
Early in the final quarter, Kupp pushed the Rams ahead 17-10 with a superb 29-yard touchdown to place a cherry on the top of an 88-yard drive.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing from thereon. Seattle had their opportunity to restore parity, and perhaps would have if Rams linebacker Ernest Jones was flagged for pass interference on a Russell Wilson pass intended for Dallas.
Controversially, the play came on fourth-and-six with just 3:27 remaining in the ball game. The no-call virtually ended Seattle’s hopes, with the only flag coming for Dallas’ unsportsmanlike conduct.
From a scoring perspective, pinpoint Rams kicker Matt Gay knocked in a 35-yard field goal to push the Rams to a 20-10 lead — the game’s final score.
Despite the tie, Los Angeles are currently seeded No. 5 in the NFC due to atheirhead-to-head record with Arizona. Up next are a tricky Minnesota team — the NFC’s current No. 7 seed — in what will be a fantastic spectacle for the neutral.
Seattle’s ninth loss of the season meanwhile, has earned Pete Carroll’s team their first losing season since 2011 — and the first of Russell Wilson’s career. They host the 4-10 Bears next week in a game for only the purists.
Jonathan Taylor tops all players in fan Pro Bowl voting
The Wisconsin product is the ultimate fan favorite in the NFL this season.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor received more Pro Bowl fan votes than any other for the 2022 iteration in Las Vegas. The sophomore amassed 265,370 total fan votes to lead all players. Fan voting ended on December 16 with the final Pro Bowl rosters to be released on December 22.
San Francisco defensive end Nick Bosa was second overall with 264,687 votes after a phenomenal comeback season from an ACL injury. Fan favourite and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce came in third (262,540). While 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (244,714) and Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (242,900) rounded out the top five.
From a team perspective, Kansas City led all clubs in total votes received. Dallas, New England, San Francisco and Green Bay followed close by, rounding out the top-five teams to receive the most fan votes.
Fan voting may have closed but rosters are not finalised as we speak. A Pro Bowl selection is determined by the votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counts as one-third toward determining the 88 Pro Bowlers.
For a full list of the leading player at each position — with respect to fan voting — in the NFC and AFC see below:
The 2022 Pro Bowl will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, February 6, at 3:00 PM ET and televised on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and simulcast on ABC.
Gutsy Rams pull off key Divisional win in Arizona
Los Angeles are right in the NFC West race now.
It was a win the Rams wanted and one which they most certainly needed.
After a trying month — mixed in with a covid crisis — Los Angeles were considerable outsiders heading to the desert. Laying in wait was an Arizona team who had the league’s best record heading into Week 13, now they have slipped to the #3 seed in the NFC after a crushing 27-20 loss.
To their credit, the Rams deserved every bit of their ninth win of the season. Without All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey and tight end Tyler Higbee among others, L.A. showed character previously unseen.
Despite the initial hype, Sean McVay and co. had been criticised for the addition of star talents Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr, with both failing to adapt quickly. Admittedly Beckham showed signs of improvement last week and took it up a notch on Monday night, exploding for 77 yards on 6 receptions. The former Giant also scored the opening touchdown of the game, capping it off with a hilarious celebration.
Miller stood out too, constantly pressuring Kyler Murray while stifling the Cardinals’ run game on occasion. The former Bronco may not be posting the statistics he was famed for in Denver but it’s undeniable he is slowing getting in the groove and provides a huge help to his fellow rushers Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd.
Critically, the Super Bowl 50 MVP made a stop of fourth down with five minutes left in the ball game which gave Los Angeles a chance to ice the game. These are the plays he was brought in to make. Big plays in crucial moments, that’s all the Rams need from Von Miller moving forward.
Rams head coach Sean McVay credited his team’s fortitude amidst the adversity both on and off the field. "This was the sign of a mentally-tough team,” McVay told reporters postgame. “I just can’t say enough about the guys’ ability not to flinch.”
Beckham was equally pleased with the team, but also his own performance. "It just felt like the complete game that I've been talking about," he said. "I told you there was a little more on this game for me, lost to Arizona earlier in the year, didn't sit well with me, so it was a much-needed win tonight."
Top performers from Week 13
A threesome stood out above all others yesterday.
Another chaotic Sunday has come and gone in the NFL. Like every other before it, there was upsets, blowouts and of course, nail-biting finishes. With just four weeks remaining, the consequences from 60 minutes of football grow immeasurably.
Without further ado here are just some of the men who dragged their team toward victory. In most cases they walked away with a W, but there were a select few stars who fought valiantly in the face of defeat.
TOM BRADY
Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady led the Bucs to a thrilling 33-27 overtime win vs. Buffalo, passing for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Crucially, the seven-time Super Bowl winner threw no interceptions, amassing a 105.6 rating. In a rare feat, Brady added a rushing touchdown in as the Bucs soared to 10-3.
Brady — already the league's all-time leader in passing yards (83,338) and passing touchdowns (617) — surpassed Drew Brees (7,142) for the most completions in NFL history, adding another record to a list longer than St. Nicholas’
TB12 has 4,134 passing yards through 13 weeks, his 13th career season with at least 4,000 passing yards, surpassing Brees (12 seasons) and Philip Rivers (12) for the second-most 4,000-yardage seasons all-time.
PATRICK MAHOMES
Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes shone brightly in Kansas City’s 48-9 demolition of AFC West rival Las Vegas. The Raiders never stood a chance as Mahomes completed 20 of 24 pass attempts — 83.3% completion rate — for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Mahomes’ zero turnovers will please Andy Reid to no end, as the Chiefs claimed their sixth win in a row.
Kansas City is the first defense since Seattle’s 2014 legion of boom to allow fewer than 10 points four times across a five-game stretch. Including yesterday’s victory, the Chiefs have held their opponents to nine points in three straight games (Cowboys, Broncos & Raiders) from Weeks 11-13. Their defensive hot streak began with a blanketing of an Aaron Rodgers-less Green Bay Packers back in Week 9.
Mahomes has 10 career games with a passer rating of 130-or-higher (minimum 20 attempts), taking the mantle from former Ram & Hall of Famer Kurt Warner and current quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson for the most during their first five seasons.
JUSTIN HERBERT
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert put on a show during his team’s 37-21 blitzing of the lowly New York Giants. The sophomore passed for 275 yards and three touchdowns for a 133.1 quarterback rating.
The 23-year-old is the fourth-youngest player to reach 8,000 passing yards in NFL history. Only the Saints’ Jameis Winston (22 years, 361 days), Panthers’ Sam Darnold (23 years, 212 days) and former Patriot Drew Bledsoe (23 years, 236 days) reached the mark at a younger age.
The Oregon product is the second-youngest player to reach 60 career touchdown passes in NFL history. Only Hall of Famer Dan Marino (23 years, 78 days) reached the mark at a younger age.
Herbert is the first player ever in the National Football League to throw for 30 touchdowns in each of his first two seasons.
Vikings hold on to win thriller vs. Steelers
The AFC vs. NFC primetime showdown lived up to the billing in a crazy finish.
The cardiac kids are well and truly alive in the NFC. Despite trying everything they could to throw yet another game away, Minnesota hung on to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in dramatic fashion.
After a horrific outing for the majority of Thursday night, Pittsburgh somehow had an opportunity to tie the game in the final seconds — permitting a successful two-point conversion.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s throw to tight end Pat Freiermuth hit him in the hands, but Vikings defenders Anthony Barr and Harrison Smith smashed into the rookie at the perfect, dislodging the ball to give the Vikings a crucial victory.
Despite another W in the win column, Minnesota almost gave up the insurmountable, after leading 29-0 late in the third. All bar one of Minnesota’s games have been decided by eight points or less. This includes four losses by less than three points.
“Never say ‘over’ with this team,” said Vikings’ head coach Mike Zimmer. Meanwhile, the Steelers cost themselves dearly. Their spirited comeback means very little in the context of their season, which hangs on a knife edge at 6-6-1, currently third in the AFC North.
“We’re running out of time,” Roethlisberger said. “I don’t look at moral victories.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was apathetic about his team’s comeback, eviscerating their second poor performance in as many games. “We were JV again tonight, and I’m talking up front on both sides,” Tomlin said.
Pittsburgh’s next chance to redeem themselves arrives on Dec. 19 at home to Tennessee, while Minnesota will look to extend their winning run at Chicago on Monday Night Football, Dec 20.
NFL announces nominees for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
32 of the NFL’s finest men have been honoured for their excellence on and off the field.
Earlier this week, the NFL announced the nominees for one of its most cherished prizes; the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
The annual prize recognises and particularly honours one player for their community service work in addition to their greatness on the gridiron.
Each nominee receives a $40,000 USD donation to their chosen charity, meanwhile the winner receives a $250,000 USD donation. Previous winners such as Russell Wilson, Calais Campbell and J.J. Watt wear a patch on their jersey, serving as a reminder of their triumph.
Some of the more prominent names nominated for the prestigious award include Titans running back Derrick Henry, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu and Broncos safety Justin Simmons. Evans and Simmons are just two of a select group to be nominated for the award on multiple occasions.
You’ll find a full list of the nominees below:
Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Beachum
Atlanta Falcons: Mike Davis
Baltimore Ravens: Bradley Bozeman
Buffalo Bills: Harrison Phillips
Carolina Panthers: DJ Moore
Chicago Bears: Jimmy Graham
Cincinnati Bengals: Sam Hubbard
Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott
Denver Broncos: Justin Simmons
Detroit Lions: Jason Cabinda
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Jones
Houston Texans: Justin Reid
Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Moore II
Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack
Kansas City Chiefs: Tyrann Mathieu
Las Vegas Raiders: Darren Waller
Los Angeles Chargers: Corey Linsley
Los Angeles Rams: Andrew Whitworth
Miami Dolphins: Jerome Baker
Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Barr
New England Patriots: Lawrence Guy
New Orleans Saints: Cameron Jordan
New York Giants: Logan Ryan
New York Jets: Quinnen Williams
Philadelphia Eagles: Jason Kelce
Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Heyward
San Francisco 49ers: Arik Armstead
Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Lockett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans
Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry
Washington Football Team: Jonathan Allen
For further information on the nominees and the award, visit NFL.com/manoftheyear.
Mac Jones & Micah Parsons named November Rookies of the Month
The two ROTY favourites have finally been recognised.
Two of the most prized picks from the 2021 NFL Draft have been rewarded for their phenomenal performances during the month of November.
New England’s stud quarterback Mac Jones has the Patriots on a six-game winning streak after starting the season 2-4, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Now, heading into their Monday Night Football clash with Buffalo, the Patriots sit atop the AFC with an 8-4 record.
The Patriots went 4-0 during the year’s eleventh month, disposing of the Panthers, Browns, Falcons and Titans in comfortable fashion. Throughout the period, Jones maintained a 76.8 percent for 854 passing yards, while throwing seven touchdowns to just two interceptions. Jones’ 117.2 quarterback rating ranks first among all NFL QBs since Week 9.
The Pats’ No. 10 is just the second Offensive Rookie of the Month, with Deion Branch’s September 2002 nomination being the first. Jones also joined former classmate Najee Harris as the second Alabama rookie to win the award in 2021.
The Dallas defense has been transformed in 2021 and the Cowboys’ 12th overall pick is an enormous reason why. Micah Parsons has had an incredible start to his degree in The Lone Star State, amassing 10 sacks across 12 games.
During the month of November, where the Cowboys went 1-3, Parsons forced two fumbles, totalled 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. Parsons’ sack and tackle for loss total in November ranked first among all defensive players throughout the league. The former Penn State product is the first Nittany Lion to ever win a Rookie of the Month award.
Parsons is the fourth Cowboys linebacker to win Defensive Rookie of the Month, joining Dexter Coakley (October, 1997), DeMarcus Ware (October, 2005) and Leighton Vander Esch (November, 2018).
Seahawks sign Adrian Peterson to Practice Squad
AP could provide juice to what is seemingly a lifeless season in Seattle.
Seattle look like they want to provide a feel-good factor to their fans, adding legendary running back Adrian Peterson to the practice squad.
Peterson, 36, played three games for the TItans from Weeks 9-11, filling the void of stud running back Derrick Henry. Though Peterson was waived by Tennessee last week, opening the path for Pete Carroll to bring AP to the Pacific North-West.
Playoffs are out of the question for the ‘Hawks who fell to 3-8 after an uninspiring 17-15 loss to Washington on Monday Night Football. Yet, Carroll is still excited at the opportunity to have someone of Peterson’s stature in the building.
"I'm excited to see if he helps out and give us a little something," Carroll said. "He's a player that I know I've known forever, way back to his high school days, and I admired him tremendously over the years.
“Always disappointed we didn't get him back in the day [at USC], but like I just told him, we finally got him. So I'm looking forward to seeing how he does and see where he can fit it. He's an incredible competitor and a great guy, so I'm anxious to give him a chance to get on the field with our boys.
"He plays just as aggressive and tough as he ever has, so I'm anxious to see what he adds to the club, and he's fired up about it too."
The Oklahoma phenom ran for one touchdown and 82 yards with the Titans this season, and will be hoping to improve on those statistics in Seattle.
Peterson is the NFL’s fifth all-time rusher with 14,902 career yards. Seattle is now his seventh team after 15 years spent across the Vikings, Saints, Cardinals, Washington, Lions and Titans.
Report: Taysom Hill set to start at QB vs. Dallas
Could Hill be the Saints’ saviour?
The New Orleans Saints are set to swing a change under centre. Trevor Siemian has held the starting quarterback job for five weeks, in which New Orleans has lost four consecutive games. While the former Bronco has an impressive 9 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, his completion percentage has severely affected the Saints’ efficiency on offense.
Siemian’s highest completion percentage since replacing injured starter Jameis Winston is 60.98% — in the 27-25 loss to Atlanta — though he has failed to hit 60% in each of his other four appearances. With New Orleans’ season now hanging in the balance, despite the same record as the NFC’s #7 seed Minnesota, Taysom Hill is being called in to start, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.
The NFL Nation reporter said in an article for ESPN that Hill had practiced in full all week, which has seemingly been enough to convince head coach Sean Payton. Hill has been dogged by a plantar fascia injury since Week 10 and as such, hasn’t been a viable option at the starting quarterback position since.
Now things appear to have changed, with Triplett reporting the Saints’ hope the BYU product will provide their offense with some newfound juice.
Despite Triplett’s confirmation, Payton stopped well short of crowning Hill as the starter during his press conference Wednesday.
"We'll see,” he said, via Katherine Terrell of The Athletic. “Yeah, we'll see. We want to see how Taysom is doing tomorrow. Obviously we're trying to get him back off this foot. It'll be either he or Trevor." "(The injury) happened at Tennessee and he's gradually gotten better each week.
"Last week when that topic was brought up, I just knew it wouldn't be right to put him back there with the shape his foot was in at the time. It's gotten better. I'm going to see how tomorrow goes. We've got a lot of time before we play."
The Saints don’t have time to lose again, particularly against a conference rival. Their 4-4 record against the NFC isn’t doing them any favors in the playoff picture, and another loss could mean this team is over the hill for another season.
Matthew Judon: Patriots’ confidence will never waiver
The Patriots’ star free-agent acquisition is feeling phenomenal right now, and with good reason.
The New England Patriots are back, and it’s almost as if they’ve never left.
Six consecutive wins has New England primed for a playoff assault at 8-4, as they currently hold the #2 seed in the AFC. One of the foremost contributors to the Pats’ renaissance is Matthew Judon. The former Baltimore Raven, acquired during New England’s offseason spending spree, has dominated on the edge — adding a fear factor to their pass rush previously unseen.
Judon once again starred, sacking Ryan Tannehill once, in addition to four solo tackles. The two-time Pro Bowler has reason for being supremely assured about his — and the team’s — play. Since their six-game winning streak, no team has a greater points differential in the NFL. That’s just one of the many reasons Judon’s belief is unshakable.
"It is the same confidence,”Judon said postgame, Nov 28. “We didn't change, we won't waver and it is the same confidence we had when we were 2-4. It doesn't matter if it is a tight game or a blowout, our confidence won't change and we won't waver as a team, as a unit and as players. We come in this building to work every day and we are only going to continue to get better."
Despite their injuries, Tennessee’s arrival in New England was seen as a premier AFC matchup, perhaps even a prelude to the AFC Championship Game. Though Judon wasn’t overly in agreement with those sentiments.
"I think someone asked me that a couple weeks ago and the statement or whatever you want to call it, is we have to come out here and win every single game,” he said.
“One week at a time so if we don't give up any points and no yards, that game is a statement and every week we have to strive for a statement win. If you want to call this a statement or if you just want to call it the next game, we just have to take it week by week and go out there. The statement for us is on to the next week."
Despite The Patriot Way being a common focal point among media circles, Judon plays and carries himself with a swagger, something he has not lost since his move from Baltimore.
"I always have fun. I always try to keep it light and cheery but I think that is just who I am,” Judon said. “Right now, I am just producing and my teammates and coaches hype me up. It is easier to be around people like that and it is all love here. As far as the fun that I am having, I couldn't imagine a better year with any better teammates, they are great."
Judon’s teammates may be great off the field and they’ll most definitely taking some beating on it.
Look out, NFL.
Dalvin Cook set to miss two games through injury
The Vikings’ playoff hopes have taken a huge hit after an injury to their franchise star.
Minnesota’s topsy-turvy season continued last Sunday, ending Week 12 below .500 after a crushing 34-26 loss in Santa Clara.
The Vikings didn’t just lose a game, but an incredibly valuable piece in the process. Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook suffered what now has become known to be a dislocated shoulder. Cook was carted off the field at Levi’s Stadium late in the third quarter. A brutal hit from San Francisco’s Kevin Givens caused carnage to both Cook, and Minnesota’s playoff hopes.
In a sign of wonderful sportsmanship, players from both teams took to their knees in prayer and personally consoling the Florida State product. Cook has been in fine form once again this season, rushing for 975 yards and four touchdowns across nine games this season.
On Monday, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said Cook was “day-to-day,” though if Adam Schefter is to be believed, the situation is far worse. The ESPN insider reported on Nov. 30 that Cook is likely to miss games against the Lions and Steelers but the hope is he returns for Monday Night Football vs. Chicago on Dec. 20.
Zimmer would not comment on whether Cook dislocated his shoulder but firmly denied the 26-year-old had tore his labrum.