For the second straight game, the Cowboys scored a touchdown on their opening possession. They mixed in Ezekiel Elliott's running game. They were efficient in the passing game and converted four third down opportunities. The 17-play drive covered 8 minutes, 57 seconds. The Cowboys took a 7-0 lead after one possession on Thanksgiving against Buffalo and saw the Bills score 26 straight points.
Rams injury report Thursday: RT Rob Havenstein (Knee) Limited; DB Darious Williams (Ankle) Limited; TE Gerald Everett (Knee) DNP
The Seahawks list Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah as limited for the second straight day Thursday. Mychal Kendricks and Luke Willson sat out again. No mention of Tyler Lockett, who appears to be getting back to normal after his shin injury from Week 10 and the illness he and several teammates were dealing with last week. It was another walk-through practice coming off the Monday night game, so participation is an estimation.
With Tony Pollard out because of an ankle injury, Ezekiel Elliott is the only tailback active for tonight's game at Chicago. Fullback Jamize Olawale can take some turns if something happened to Elliott. Look for receiver Cedrick Wilson to return kicks. Pollard went through a workout before the game but did not appear comfortable.
Cowboys inactives: WR Devin Smith, RB Tony Pollard, S Jeff Heath, LB Leighton Vander Esch, DE Joe Jackson, OL Caleb Benenoch, DT Antwaun Woods
Rookie slot receiver Steven Sims has played a combined 56 snaps the past two weeks -- after playing 73 in the first 10 games. Look for the speedy Sims to continue playing more even when Trey Quinn returns from a concussion. "[Sims] just gives us a different dimension in the slot," interim coach Bill Callahan said. "Hopefully we can feature him a little more." Sims has excelled at winning one-on-one routes over the middle; one player said they need to find a way to get him the ball more.
Phillip Dorsett: Playing for the Bahamas and hurricane relief.
Two changes to the Patriots' injury report: Tom Brady went from full participation to limited (right elbow/toe) and QB Cody Kessler was added to the report (limited/illness).
RG Gabe Jackson joined RB Josh Jacobs and RT Trent Brown as non-participants in Thursday's practice. Jacobs said he had to undergo treatment as the locker room opened. The only other time Jacobs missed consecutive practices was the week after he was injured in Green Bay, on Oct. 20. He wrote on Snapchat this week that he has been playing with a fractured shoulder.
Indeed, DeShone Kizer is the Raiders' new No. 2 quarterback, after spending the first 13 weeks of the season as the team's scout team QB. "It's kind of fun to be Pat Mahomes and Deshaun Watson every once in a while," Kizer said Thursday. "But it is [nice to be myself]. The mindset does change. As much as I want to say that this week's practice is going to be exactly the same as last week, it's a little different. You're a little more honed in on what we're doing." Mike Glennon is the No. 3 QB.
Robby Anderson was pragmatic when asked about free agency, saying, "It'll work itself out." It was a stark contrast to his post-trading deadline giddiness about staying with the Jets. He doesn't think his low stats will hurt his stock, saying he considers himself a top-5 WR: "Yeah, of course. I believe I am that. I know the work I put in and I know what I'm capable of doing." When he gets targets, "I put up those numbers that ... top WRs do." He said that's not a criticism of his role.
Thursday's Bucs-Colts injury reports...Marlon Mack was full-participation for the Colts, which is huge news for their offense.
Running back Jamaal Williams was added to the Packers injury report today. Here's the full report:
Rams QB Jared Goff was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 13 performance. Goff completed 32 of 43 passes for 424 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-7 win over the Cardinals. The last time Goff was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week was in Week 4 of 2018, when he posted a perfect passer rating in a win over the Vikings.
Today's Lions injury report, with an downgrade for Da'Shawn Hand to no practice:
Key notes from Jets injury report: DID NOT PRACTICE — RB Le'Veon Bell (illness), S Jamal Adams (ankle), RT Chuma Edoga (knee), CB Arthur Maulet (calf), CB Brian Poole (concussion). LIMITED — TE Ryan Griffin (illness), CB Maurice Canady (illness/quad). Analysis: Griffin and Canady returned to practice. Not looking good for Adams, Edoga, Maulet and Poole.
Za'Darius Smith said he was well aware that he could've gotten fined for the "We ❤️ Eileen" T-shirt that he flashed after his sack vs. the 49ers, but he said he wasn't. The NFL has strict uniform codes but he thinks because it was for a good cause — raising cancer awareness and honoring the mother of team equipment staffer Ben Brooker — that common sense prevailed. He was warned beforehand that a fine was possible.
WR Diontae Johnson returned to practice after a one-day absence for an illness. JuJu Smith-Schuster didn't practice, and James Conner was limited. Ramon Foster had a vet day.
Lots of questions the last few weeks about what's happened to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who's caught just 2 passes for 11 yards the last five games despite getting healthier. "We've moved Davante (Adams) to the X position," coach Matt LaFleur said. "But his urgency and practice level have definitely picked up."
WR AJ Brown left practice early. He went to the side and had a sleeve placed on his left leg (calf area) during team stretch. He stayed to the side after putting it on and walked off the field with a trainer when individual period began.
Interim Panthers coach Perry Fewell loves hot yoga as a part of his pregame routine. When on the road he puts a towel under the door and turns up the heat and ‘'I go at it.''
Interesting point from Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello today in terms of what the Broncos' lineup against the Chargers looked like after guard Ron Leary left the game with a concussion. Looking at the game video there a large group of snaps when the Broncos had four rookies, four second-year players, two third-year players and the 26-year-old Connor McGovern was most tenured player in the formation, now in his fourth season.
Panthers injury report: Good sign that DT Gerald McCoy practiced on a limited basis today. Depth on the line is thin.
Broncos LB Von Miller will be limited in Thursday's practice. "We expect him to do a fair amount, I think,'' coach Vic Fangio said. Miller said he has an MCL injury and "cried real, grown-man tears'' when he couldn't play last week against the Chargers. About playing this week in Houston, Miller said "I'm still taking it day by day ... like I said if I can't get my exotic movements back then, in my opinion, I don't think I need to be out there .. I'm doing everything I can possibly do.''
TE Evan Engram (foot) was limited in Thursday's practice. He told me he's been doing a lot more this week. There seems to be a realistic chance he's ready for Monday night.
