Rashan Gary’s box score drought may be loud ahead of Week 15. Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, though, isn’t buying the narrative. After Gary went sackless for a sixth straight game, Hafley delivered a spirited, detailed defense of his edge rusher. He argued that scheme and circumstance, ass opposed to decline, are driving the numbers.

According to Hafley, opposing offenses have leaned heavily on six- and seven-man protections, play-action looks, and tight end or running back chips that have limited Gary’s one-on-one pass-rush chances.

“Just because a guy might not have pressures or sacks in a game doesn’t...

The Detroit Lions are coming off a big win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. But Detroit’s banged up secondary faces a major challenge against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Brian Branch suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the win over Dallas. It was the latest loss for a group already missing Terrion Arnold and Kerby Joseph.

Stafford continued his MVP-caliber season last Sunday, shredding the Arizona Cardinals with three touchdowns in LA’s 45-17 rout. It was a strong bounce-back game after throwing two interceptions against the Carolina Panthers in Week 13. Now Stafford sets...

The Atlanta Falcons are not making the NFL playoffs.

Regardless of how things turned out Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kyle Pitts and the Falcons will not be part of the postseason fray. However, Pitts played the game like everything was on the line.

The former Florida Gators star tight end did not just score one or two touchdowns in the contest. He found the end zone three times to complete to make the night memorable — at least for him and every fantasy football manager who started him in their playoff matchups.

KYLE PITTS REELS IN...

For the second time in 17 days, the Baltimore Ravens will go up against the Cincinnati Bengals. Only this time, the postseason implications will be more pronounced.

The Ravens will visit the Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, renewing their rivalry in the AFC North. Baltimore is coming off back-to-back losses, including a defeat to Cincinnati, 32-14, in Week 13. The Bengals, meanwhile, have only won once in their last six outings.

It looked like the Ravens found their groove during their five-game winning streak, but their last two games have dampened things anew.

Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken [had...

Starting cornerback Christian Benford joined the Buffalo Bills’ growing Week 15 injury report after being limited in practice with a toe issue on Thursday. He was reportedly wearing a soft walking boot on his left foot after practice. The injury occurred during the portion closed to the media, though he participated in individual drills earlier in the session without any visible limitations.

Benford’s injury comes at a pivotal time as the Bills (9-4) prepare for Sunday’s road matchup against the New England Patriots (11-2). A win could bring Buffalo within one game of the division lead, but a loss would...

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver David Sills probably wishes he had a mulligan to use following an embarrassing fail during the third quarter of Thursday night’s showdown between his team and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

On a 1st-and-10 with 5:26 to go in the third quarter, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins loaded up for a pass, and perhaps thought he had a touchdown in the bag, when he saw Sills downfield for what appeared to be an open look for an easy score.

Sills, however, failed to secure the ball despite facing no resistance from...

The Baltimore Ravens added tight end Mark Andrews and wide receiver Rashod Bateman to their Thursday injury report, a surprising development ahead of Sunday’s AFC North clash with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Andrews (glute) and Bateman (ankle) both came up as limited participants after practicing fully earlier in the week, the team’s Thursday report showed. The timing catches the Ravens at a vulnerable moment, Andrews and Bateman provide matchup problems that help open lanes for Lamar Jackson and the run game.

Andrews has been a reliable red-zone target; he entered the week with roughly 33 catches for 285 yards and five...

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line concerns took another worrying turn Thursday. The team downgraded Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith to limited participation after practicing fully the day before. Smith suffered an ankle injury in the Week 12 win over the Colts. This regression in his status raises real questions about his availability for Sunday’s pivotal AFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chiefs currently sit at 6-7. They are clinging to postseason relevance. Any uncertainty up front is magnified with Patrick Mahomes needing protection against one of the league’s more physical defensive fronts.

Kansas City has had...

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to an illness, just days before the team’s Week 15 matchup against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Although the 29-year-old has been healthy throughout this season, this mid-week status change naturally set off some alarm bells for fans and fantasy managers familiar with his heavy workload and injury history.

McCaffrey participated in the early portion of the practice open to the media, primarily observing drills after roughly ten minutes on the field. Head coach Kyle Shanahan downplayed the concern when asked on KNBR if...

Michigan is searching for a new head coach after firing Sherrone Moore on Wednesday.

Since Michigan is one of the most prestigious jobs in college football, many people will be vying for the position. However, Fox Sports’ RJ Young believes that former New England Patriots defensive coordinator and current Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia would be a strong candidate for the role.

“While Patricia has head-coaching experience, it’s not the kind many want to laud,” Young wrote on Thursday. “As head coach for the Detroit Lions, he finished 13-29-1 without a single winning season. However, that’s more head-coaching experience...

Johnny Manziel fired off a two-word social post after Mike Evans’ electric return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Evans ripped a contested 45-yard reception in the third quarter, hauling in a Baker Mayfield heave near the 15-yard line while a Falcons defender clung to his hip. The play flipped field position and injected life into a Bucs offense that had been searching for a spark.

Manziel, the former Heisman Trophy winner and Texas A&M quarterback, wasted no time celebrating. He wrote on X, “My Goat @MikeEvans13_,” a short, pointed endorsement.

My Goat @MikeEvans13_ https://t.co/uWni6hHLKf

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This week's edition of the PFR mailbag covers questions about the pending extension between the Buccaneers and their franchise quarterback, along with the Titans' and Patriots' respective outlooks and some of the top QB prospects for 2026.

Rick asks:

Baker Mayfield was in the MVP conversation in the first half of the season but has cooled off. The Buccaneers will probably still extend him; what do you think his deal will look like?

Mayfield first arrived in Tampa Bay on a one-year deal in 2023. That $4MM contract came at a time when his future as an NFL starter was...