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<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="12118527" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taylor-heinicke" source="Orion">Taylor Heinicke</keyword> led Washington to a comeback victory against the Giants on Thursday.</li><li>Thanks to a contract incentive, the win comes with a $125,000 bonus for Heinicke.</li><li>Heinicke might need to take his kicker out for a steak dinner.</li></ul><p>Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke led his team to a comeback win on Thursday night and earned himself a $125,000 bonus in the process.</p><p>With just five seconds left on the clock and trailing the Giants 29-27, kicker Dustin Hopkins stepped up to the ball for a potential game-winning 48-yard field goal. Hopkins pushed it wide of the uprights, seemingly sealing his team's fate, but Washington was bailed out after referees caught Giants defender Dexter Lawrence jumping offside.</p><p>Washington was back from the dead, with one untimed down left to kick again. Now from just 43 yards out, Hopkins sealed the game for Washington.</p><p>It's possible that no one was happier with the shocking end to the game than Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who cashed in on a $125,000 contract incentive as a result of the win.</p><p>Heinicke began the year as Washington's backup, set to play behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, but after Fitzpatrick went down with an injury in Week 1, Heinicke was promoted to the top job.</p><p>According to ESPN's Field Yates, Heinicke's contract includes an incentive for $125,000 for every Washington win in which he plays 60% of the snaps.</p><p>Heinicke earned every penny of that bonus. Taking the lead of the offense on a short week, Heinicke completed 34 of 46 passes for 336 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. On the drive that eventually ended in the game-winning field goal, Heinicke marched the Washington offense 50 yards in the final two minutes to get his team in position to take the W.</p><p>Still, had it not been for the Giants' completely unnecessary penalty on what should have been the final play of the game, his incentive would not have cashed.</p><p>Heinicke did everything asked of him to lead Washington to victory but still needed a late stroke of luck before the W was secured.</p><p>Given that his bonus only came through thanks to Hopkins' final kick, he might owe his kicker a nice steak dinner as a thank you.</p>

Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke earned $125,000 after his team got bailed out by a last-second penalty

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Aaron Rodgers says he's playing for the New York Jets next year.</li><li>His move to the AFC leaves the NFC with very few elite quarterbacks.</li></ul><p>Aaron Rodgers announced his intention to play for the New York Jets on Wednesday while speaking on "The Pat McAfee Show."</p><p>Rumblings of Rodgers' impending jump to the Jets began to grow louder last week, but official details were thin. Even after Rodgers' statement of intent, there are details to be worked out before the move is officially official, but the mood appears to be that those details will be eventually sorted and the move is done.</p><p>Rodgers' move obviously has major implications for the Packer and the Jets. New York, whose <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-sauce-gardner-courts-aaron-rodgers-to-join-jets-by-burning-cheesehead-2023-3">young core of skill position players</a> looked playoff-ready last year despite lacking a consistent quality quarterback, suddenly have the services of one of the best in the business.</p><p>The Packers will once again attempt to replace a legendary quarterback who played at an elite level for more than a decade. Last time it was Favre making way for Rodgers; now it is Rodgers making way for Jordan Love.</p><p>But the news of Rodgers' move has even more far-reaching consequences, and ones that should become very apparent very quickly.</p><h2>Rodgers' departure leaves a massive talent gap in the NFC</h2><p>With Rodgers heading to the Jets and <a href="https://www.insider.com/tom-brady-underwear-thirst-trap-photo-2023-2">Tom Brady still retired</a> (at least for now), there are not a lot of elite quarterbacks left in the NFC.</p><p>By my count, there's just two — Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. You could make arguments for others, but I won't believe them.</p><p>I love Kyler Murray as much as anyone, but he's yet to find success, and the Cardinals look closer to rebuilding than contending at the moment. Kirk Cousins is just Kirk Cousins, nothing more, nothing less. Derek Carr is solid, but now on a Saints team that will be looking to discover a new identity this season.</p><div type="image" title="Patrick Mahomes." height="1333" width="1778" msid="98676014" hostid="261"></div><p>If you ranked the top 10 quarterbacks in all of football, at least eight of them — Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence, and Lamar Jackson — are currently set to play in the AFC next year.</p><p>But it doesn't have to be this way.</p><h2>Lamar Jackson is currently looking for a new deal</h2><p>Heading into free agency, the Ravens have hit Jackson with the non-exclusive franchise tag. This basically allows Jackson to go out and negotiate a potential deal with other teams in the NFL, but it gives the Ravens a right to match whatever deal he works out elsewhere.</p><p>Baltimore and Jackson have been trying to work out an extension <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34569529/lamar-jackson-declined-baltimore-ravens-250m-extension-offer-wants-deal-fully-guaranteed-signing-sources-say" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since last off-season</a>, but have not been successful. Jackson represents himself as his own agent.</p><div type="image" title="Devin Duvernay celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Lamar Jackson." height="1543" width="2058" msid="98676016" hostid="261"></div><p>The non-exclusive franchise tag, if all things are working properly, is a tool to help set the market. So far, Jackson and the Ravens have reportedly been far apart in negotiations. An offer sheet from another team showing the Ravens "this is what the NFL believes Jackson is worth" would bring a lot of clarity.</p><p>Jackson can officially start taking offers on 4 p.m. on Wednesday, when free agency begins.</p><h2>Jackson's extension has been more complicated to pull off than expected, and the Browns are to blame</h2><p>One of the holdups in negotiations between Jackson and the Ravens has reportedly been Jackson's <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34569529/lamar-jackson-declined-baltimore-ravens-250m-extension-offer-wants-deal-fully-guaranteed-signing-sources-say" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wish for a fully-guaranteed deal</a>. Full guarantees aren't the norm for NFL players, but they have happened.</p><p>Most notably, the Cleveland Browns <a href="https://www.insider.com/browns-criticized-deshaun-watson-contract-amid-sexual-misconduct-allegations-2022-3">signed Deshaun Watson to a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract</a> after trading for him. This deal came as Watson was still facing scrutiny for more than 20 accusations of sexual misconduct and assault, and with Watson a full year removed from his last NFL start.</p><p>Jackson comes with more prestige and none of the baggage that Watson had when looking for his contract last year. So Jackson's desire to secure a contract similar to Watson's is understandable — the market has been set.</p><div type="image" title="Lamar Jackson signals while running with the ball against the New England Patriots." height="1690" width="2253" msid="98676018" hostid="261"></div><p>The problem is that other teams in the league are not as keen to give out guaranteed money as the Browns were, and they are not looking to set a precedent where all QB contracts come fully-guaranteed. When it was announced that Jackson would be available to sign to an offer sheet, several teams put out statements making it clear that they would not be putting out feelers for the 2019 NFL MVP.</p><p>Thus, we reach a stalemate, with Jackson looking for a monster deal that comes guaranteed, and the Ravens and other teams not willing to provide it.</p><h2>But NFC teams looking to contend now have no excuse not to go after Jackson</h2><p>Rodgers' departure from the NFC could, or at the very least should, be the straw that breaks the camel's back on this stalemate.</p><p>The NFC is wide open for the taking right now, and any team that feels they are a quarterback and a bit of luck short from contending, now have a real shot at said quarterback. If Jackson jumped to the NFC, he would immediately become at least the second-best quarterback in the conference.</p><p>Whatever team got him would have a road through the postseason all the way to the Super Bowl, where they wouldn't face a more talented quarterback on the other side of the ball.</p><p>A few teams are off the hook because they already have solid starters, or at the very least, are invested enough to stay where they are. The Eagles and Cowboys are fine to stand pat with Hurts and Prescott, respectively.</p><p>The Cardinals just extended Kyler Murray last year. The Rams are likely stuck with Matthew Stafford's contract for better or worse, and the Seahawks just rightfully extended Geno Smith.</p><p>The Saints are probably set with Carr, as are the Vikings with Kirk Cousins. The Bears still have Justin Fields on his rookie deal, and trading away the first overall pick in the coming draft is an indication that they are going to see what they can do building around him.</p><p>The Giants are sticking with Daniel Jones, although they probably would have been better served just doubling that offer and giving it to Jackson.</p><p>But that still leaves nearly half of the conference 1) in need of a quarterback; and 2) with the opportunity to instantly become Super Bowl contenders if they made the right offer.</p><p>The Carolina Panthers just traded away a king's ransom to get the first overall pick from the Bears. That first overall pick could be really good, so good he even wins MVP some day! They also could just sign a proven MVP quarterback.</p><p>The Washington Commanders currently have a depth chart consisting of Sam Howell and Jake Fromm. Good luck, boys!</p><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, still two-time reigning champions of the NFC South, are trying out Baker Mayfield, putting the former No. 1 overall pick on his fourth team in two years.</p><p>The Atlanta Falcons are riding with Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke. Those are certainly two quarterbacks.</p><p>The 49ers had three quarterbacks go down last year and still nearly made the Super Bowl. What if San Francisco found a way to switch out "injured QB" with "Lamar Jackson"? With one of the craftiest head coaches in the league designing plays? Feels like that could work out.</p><h2>The non-interest in Jackson was already getting weird, but with how open the NFC now looks, it's unconscionable</h2><p>It might not feel like it, given the news of Rodgers' departure, but MVP quarterbacks simply don't become available to the rest of the NFL all that often.</p><p>When you draft an MVP, you usually keep him around. It's why Rodgers spent 18 years in Green Bay, and why Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year extension, and why so many teams are hoping to draft the next great American hero under center.</p><p>Jackson is available, and is quite possibly the most difficult weapon in the NFL for opposing teams to game plan against.</p><p>Admittedly, Lamar Jackson is the type of player you have to fully commit building your offense around, and had the Ravens not done that after drafting him, he might not have had the success he's had thus far. So it may not be a seamless or easy addition for some.</p><p>But if you can't figure out how to win with Lamar Jackson under center, especially in a year where the opposing quarterbacks you're going to see in the playoffs include Brock Purdy and Daniel Jones, I don't know what to tell you.</p><p>The salary cap is difficult but can always be managed. Feelings might be hurt, and even if you make the right offer to Jackson, the Ravens could still say "actually we'll be keeping him, thanks," so maybe that is part of the reason for the hesitation.</p><p>But if you're a fan of an NFL team that doesn't have a marquee quarterback right now, one is right there in Baltimore, ostensibly available to be had. </p>

Aaron Rodgers' anticipated jump to the Jets leaves no excuses for NFC wannabe contenders to keep ignoring the Ravens' Lamar Jackson

<ul class="summary-list"><li>After the Wild Card, <keyword id="28008" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Tom-Brady">Tom Brady</keyword> told <keyword id="3643774" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Alex-Smith">Alex Smith</keyword> that he was an "inspiration" for his comeback season.</li><li>Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury in 2018 that led to 17 surgeries and nearly required the amputation of his leg.</li><li>Smith missed the Wild Card game because of a calf injury, but he is the favorite for Comeback Player of the Year.</li></ul><p>Tom Brady didn't get to play against Alex Smith in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' <a href="https://www.insider.com/nfl-wild-card-winners-and-losers-taylor-heinicke-cleveland-browns-2021-1">Wild Card win</a> over the Washington Football Team, but he did make sure to deliver a message to Smith after the game.</p><p>Brady was mic'd up for the game. A video showed him meeting Smith at mid-field after the game and telling him he was an "inspiration" for his comeback season.</p><p>"Hey, I'm so proud of you, bro," Brady said. "You're unbelievable, you know that? You're an inspiration to all of us."</p><p>Brady also told Smith he was around if Smith ever needed something.</p><p>Smith did not get to play in the Wild Card game because of a calf injury. He was instead replaced by Taylor Heinicke, a last-minute free agent signing who played admirably against Brady and the Bucs.</p><p>However, Smith is likely the favorite for Comeback Player of the Year after returning to the field <a href="https://www.insider.com/alex-smith-broken-leg-joe-theisman-2018-11">following a gruesome leg injury in 2018</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-alex-smith-horrific-leg-injury-that-required-17-surgeries-2020-4">17 surgeries to repair and clean up the injury</a>. Smith nearly had to have his leg amputated and nearly even lost his life.</p><p>Smith's wife, Elizabeth, <a href="https://www.insider.com/alex-smith-brace-trophy-symbolizes-comeback-triumph-wife-says-2021-1">made a trophy for Smith</a> out of the leg braces he had to use.</p><p>Smith played in eight games in 2020, throwing for 1,582 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions while completing 66.7% of his passes.</p>

Tom Brady met Alex Smith after the Buccaneers' Wild Card win and told him his comeback was an 'inspiration'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The first round of the <keyword id="1778247" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="NFL-playoffs">NFL playoffs</keyword> is in the books.</li><li>The <keyword id="300463" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Cleveland-Browns">Cleveland Browns</keyword> are the biggest winners of the weekend, upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers to get their first playoff win since 1994.</li><li>Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears and Steelers are two big losers of the Wild Card round, delivering poor performances before getting eliminated from the playoffs.</li><li>Take a look at our biggest winners and losers of the weekend below.</li></ul><p>The first weekend of the <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/nfl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL postseason</a> is in the books, and now just eight teams remain in the fight to lift the Lombardi Trophy.</p><p>The Cleveland Browns were the biggest surprise winners, upending the Steelers' playoff hopes with a dominant win on Sunday night. </p><p>Conversely, the Steelers, Bears, and Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer were left to lick their wounds as some of the biggest losers of the Wild Card round.</p><p>Take a look below at the winners and losers of the first weekend of the <keyword id="103436" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="NFL">NFL</keyword> postseason.</p><h2>WINNER: The Cleveland Browns</h2><p>Last weekend, the Cleveland Browns punched their ticket to the playoffs for the first time in 18 years with a win over a Steelers team that was resting its starters.</p><p>The Browns recorded their first playoff win since 1994 over that same Steelers team playing at full force. More incredible was just how the Browns won - they dominated. On the first play from scrimmage, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey sent a shotgun snap flying over <keyword id="484412" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ben-Roethlisberger">Ben Roethlisberger</keyword>'s head, with the Browns defense pouncing on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.</p><p>From there, the Browns kept on rolling, scoring touchdowns on three successive drives to take a 28-0 lead in the first quarter and a 35-10 lead into halftime. Though there were some tense moments in the second half as it appeared the Steelers might find their footing and threaten a comeback, the Browns held firm, never letting Pittsburgh come within two scores.</p><p>They did all of this without Coach of the Year candidate Kevin Stefanski on the sideline, as he watched from home <a href="https://www.insider.com/cleveland-browns-covid-19-kyle-stefanski-game-not-postponed-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">after a positive COVID-19 test earlier in the week</a>. In his stead, special teams coordinator Mike Priefer served as acting head coach, leading the Browns to a win they've been waiting for more than two decades.</p><p>"I grew up (a Browns fan), so I know what this means," Priefer said after the game.</p><p>Next week, the Browns will travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. They'll be big underdogs again, but this was a season to remember for Cleveland regardless of what happens.</p><h2>LOSER: Ben Roethlisberger</h2><p>Ben Roethlisberger couldn't do much about the Browns' opening touchdown of the game, but he played a big role in allowing Cleveland to extend their lead from there. Roethlisberger threw three interceptions in the opening 20 minutes of play, helping the Browns take their lead from to 28-0 and stifling drives that could have helped the Steelers mount a comeback.</p><p>While his box score would look rather impressive by the end of the game - 501 passing yards, 4 touchdowns - the most important stat of the night was the four interceptions he threw. The Browns won the turnover battle 5-0 against the Steelers, and with that, the game. In what might have been Roethlisberger's final game with the Steelers, Big Ben was a big reason they came out losers.</p><h2>LOSER: JuJu Smith-Schuster</h2><div type="image" title="JuJu Smith-Schuster" height="988" width="1317" msid="80221949" hostid="261"></div><p>Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is one of the more fun-loving players in the NFL. While his TikToks, comments, and overall antics come from a place of joy, they also sometimes provide opponents with quality locker room material to use as motivation.</p><p>Ahead of Sunday's game against Cleveland, Smith-Schuster <a href="https://www.insider.com/baker-mayfield-mocks-juju-smith-schuster-browns-comments-wild-card-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">had joked that "The Browns is the Browns,"</a> apparently laughing off the threat that the Steelers division rival posed to them in the elimination game. Ahead of the game, Baker Mayfield posted a hype video on Instagram using the quote as the caption.</p><p>After the game, the Browns celebrated the win by imitating Smith-Schuster's "Corvette, Corvette" dance in the locker room.</p><p>If you're going to talk smack, you have to be ready for it to come back and bite you.</p><h2>WINNER: <keyword id="28008" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Tom-Brady">Tom Brady</keyword></h2><div type="image" title="Tom Brady" height="1599" width="2132" msid="80221952" hostid="261"></div><p>In his first year away from the New England Patriots, Tom Brady has now led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a playoff win and has the team on the cusp of their first NFC Championship since 2002. Regardless of what happens in the future rounds, it's safe to say that Brady's move to Tampa Bay has been a success.</p><p>Further, Brady looked as good as he ever has in the Buccaneers' win over Washington on Saturday night, throwing for 381 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions. With the wide range of weapons at his disposal, Brady has a chance to take this team far - even as far as a home game in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium.</p><h2>WINNER: Taylor Heinicke</h2><div type="image" title="Taylor Heinicke" height="1599" width="2132" msid="80221954" hostid="261"></div><p>While the Washington Football Team didn't come up with the win, quarterback Taylor Heinicke, thrust into the starting role after a series of injuries and departures, had himself quite a day.</p><p>After going undrafted in 2015, Heinicke bounced around NFL practice squads for a few seasons and took a few snaps with the Carolina Panthers in 2018. In 2019, he was drafted to the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL to serve as a backup quarterback before finding his way back to the NFL with a spot on the Washington practice squad.</p><p>It's safe to say that Saturday night was the biggest game of Heinicke's life by a wide margin, and he rose to the occasion with poise. Heinicke finished the day with 306 yards passing, 1 touchdown, and 1 pick. He also made the biggest play of the day for Washington, turning a broken pocket into a brilliant touchdown.</p><p>Heinicke wasn't able to complete Washington's comeback. Still, his performance was that of an NFL professional, and chances are his game was worth at least a couple million to him in future contracts.</p><h2>LOSER: Cowardly decisions to punt</h2><p>The debate over analytics and their role in NFL decision-making is tiring. Some advocate to trust the numbers and play aggressively, going for it on fourth down to try and turn the odds of the game in your favor, and there are those of an old-school mindset who are against taking what they see as unnecessary risks.</p><p>These two sides never agree on anything, so it's difficult to start a conversation on the topic. But here we will try.</p><p>Over the weekend, coaches who opted to punt rather than go for it in big moments had a terrible time. The Steelers chose to kick from their 46-yard line while facing fourth-and-one and trailing 35-23 at the start of the fourth quarter. In response, the Browns drove the field's length and scored a touchdown, taking a 42-23 lead and never allowing Pittsburgh to cut their deficit to less than two scores.</p><p>The Titans chose to punt from their 44-yard line facing fourth-and-two while trailing in the third quarter and then kicked again from the Ravens 40-yard line facing fourth-and-two in the fourth quarter. </p><p>That latter decision was met with absolute shock from the ESPN+ broadcast of the game.</p><p>According to the Surrender Index, <a href="https://twitter.com/surrender_index" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a formula created by Jon Bois of SB Nation</a> meant to show how cowardly a specific decision to punt was, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel called the worst punt of the year.</p><p>No one has to give themselves over to analytics completely. Every decision is different, and even most supporters of a more analytics-driven NFL aren't arguing for the total elimination of the human element in decision-making. That said, if you are in the playoffs and punting the most cowardly punt of the NFL season, maybe take another look at the spreadsheet next time.</p><h2>WINNER: Buffalo Bills fans</h2><div type="image" title="Bills fans" height="1599" width="2132" msid="80221956" hostid="261"></div><p>While the Cleveland Browns held the record for the longest playoff drought, Bills fans were right alongside them in terms of long-suffering NFL supporters. With their win over the Colts, though, the Bills showed that they are a real threat to make noise this postseason, thanks mostly to quarterback Josh Allen, one of the top three quarterbacks in the league all season.</p><p>Bills fans had been banned from attending games during the regular season due to COVID-19 restrictions, but on Sunday, a group of nearly 7,000 Bills fans were in attendance to watch the team's first home playoff game in 25 years.</p><h2>WINNER: Stefon Diggs</h2><p>Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs made the most of his first playoff performance with the Bills, finishing the game with six receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown.</p><p>Diggs was the biggest offseason acquisition for the Bills heading into the 2020 season and a sign that the team was looking to make the leap from good to great. He's proven well worth his asking price all year, and on Saturday, helped Buffalo to its biggest win of the past two decades.</p><h2>LOSER: Frank Reich</h2><p>While those who went against the numbers in punt decisions got crushed, those who play to win sometimes fall short also. Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich made some aggressive decisions, and on Saturday against the Bills, playing the odds didn't work out for him.</p><p>Late in the first half, with the Colts leading 10-7 and facing fourth-and-goal from the Bills four-yard line, Reich kept his offense on the field. It was an aggressive move, and worth noting, one with which the analytics disagreed.</p><p>The play failed, and the Bills would take the ball and drive 96 yards for a go-ahead touchdown before halftime. After the game, the decision to go for it was even more frustrating for fans, as the Colts lost by just three points.</p><p>Coaches making more aggressive calls is a good thing for the sport, but sometimes big moves don't work out the way you want them.</p><h2>WINNER: Revenge</h2><div type="image" title="Ravens logo" height="1599" width="2132" msid="80221958" hostid="261"></div><p>There's no other way to say it: revenge had a big weekend. The Browns <a href="https://www.insider.com/baker-mayfield-mocks-juju-smith-schuster-browns-comments-wild-card-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seemingly unleashed two decades' worth of aggravation</a> at the Steelers in the first quarter of their game en route to a knockout win over their division rivals.</p><p>The Baltimore Ravens also <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-ravens-stomp-titans-logo-lamar-jackson-leave-field-early-2021-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">got a fair bit of revenge against the Tennessee Titans</a>. Last year, the Titans beat the Ravens in the playoffs in a shocking upset. In their regular-season matchup this year, the Titans made a show of standing on the Ravens logo ahead of their overtime win against Baltimore.</p><p>On Sunday, the Ravens returned the favor to the Titans with a bit of pettiness. After cornerback Marcus Peters came up with the game-sealing interception, the Ravens stormed onto the Titans logo to celebrate. Then when quarterback Lamar Jackson knelt the game away, he jogged off the field as the final seconds ticked off the clock, rather than sticking around for some post-game handshakes.</p><p>Stay petty, Lamar, that energy will serve you well.</p><h2>LOSER: Lamar Jackson haters</h2><p>Not only did Lamar Jackson get his first playoff win, but he also killed one of the biggest arguments of his doubters.</p><p>Despite three brilliant NFL seasons, Lamar Jackson had gone 0-2 in the playoffs, with particularly dreadful performances in both of his postseason appearances. The narrative of "Playoff Lamar" lingered over him despite a small sample size, and another loss wouldn't have helped.</p><p>Instead, Jackson had a brilliant game like only he can have, throwing for 179 yards and rushing for 136 more, including a 48-yard touchdown run that erased an early 10-0 deficit.</p><p>With Jackson firing on all cylinders, the Ravens can go as far as his legs and arm will carry them.</p><h2>WINNER: Nickelodeon</h2><p>There wasn't much to look forward to about the game between the Saints and Bears, one which New Orleans controlled from whistle to whistle without much threat from Chicago. Thankfully for those watching, the game was being broadcast not only on CBS but also with a kid-centric commentary team at Nickelodeon.</p><p>Nate Burleson of NFL Network worked the booth during the game and helped explain the matchup's rules and situations in simple terms - Saints utility man Taysom Hill was described as the kid at recess who can play every sport. The broadcast was peppered with other Nick-isms as well, from references to Nickelodeon shows old and new to the end zone being dubbed the "Slime Zone" with CGI slime cannons erupting to celebrate touchdowns.</p><p>The whole thing was a light-hearted affair that brought some fun to football and likely sparked some younger viewers' interest in the sport. It also gave a great template for memes while watching what turned out to be a dreadful game.</p><p>Let's give cheers to Nickelodeon on an impressive broadcast, and let's do it again next year.</p><h2>LOSER: Chicago Bears</h2><p>The Bears are likely lucky that their game was broadcast on Nickelodeon. Otherwise, plenty more people would have spent the game roasting their performance.</p><p>Chicago couldn't get anything going against the Saints defense, scoring three points through the first 59 minutes and 59 seconds of game action. The one interesting play they made came on a bit of trickeration. Mitch Trubisky lined up at wide receiver, took a pitch from Cordarrelle Patterson, and lofted a dream pass to wide receiver Javon Wims in the end zone, only to have the ball fall through his hands.</p><p>It was likely the best play the Bears made all game.</p><h2>LOSER: Bears bettors</h2><p>Despite their game-long slog of mediocrity, the Bears actually had a chance to cover the spread for Chicago bettors in the final minutes of the game. The Bears entered the game as 10.5- or 11-point underdogs to the Saints. Trailing 21-3 in the final seconds of the game, a touchdown and two-point conversion would have gotten Bears bettors home.</p><p>On the game's final play, Mitch Trubisky connected with tight end Jimmy Graham for a stellar one-handed touchdown catch with no time remaining on the clock.</p><p>For a second, it looked as though Bears bettors had a chance. But because there was no time left on the clock, and the extra point attempt wouldn't impact the outcome of the game, the extra point was called off, leaving Bears backers just shy of saving their bets.</p><h2>WINNER: Los Angeles Rams</h2><p>The Rams entrusted their offense to backup quarterback John Wolford due to Jared Goff's broken thumb. Then after a scary injury to Wolford, Goff had to step into the game for the Rams anyway.</p><p>While the offense was somewhat limited, the Rams defense stepped up in a big way to contain the Seahawks and lead Los Angeles to an impressive playoff win. That defense will need to be brilliant once again this weekend to stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense.</p><h2>LOSER: Brian Schottenheimer</h2><p>The Seahawks' loss to the Rams was mystifying to many, and Seattle offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer wound up getting much of the blame for the disappointing performance.</p><p>Better luck next year.</p>

16 winners and losers from the first round of the NFL playoffs

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Week 5 of the <keyword id="11897660" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="nfl" source="Orion">NFL</keyword> season is almost in the books.</li><li>Josh Allen and Justin Herbert were the big winners of Week 5.</li></ul><p>Week 5 of the NFL season was filled with action.</p><p>Josh Allen and the <keyword id="12168124" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="buffalo-bills" source="Orion">Buffalo Bills</keyword> exacted their revenge on the <keyword id="12054296" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="kansas-city-chiefs" source="Orion">Kansas City Chiefs</keyword> and established themselves as the team to beat in the AFC.</p><p>Meanwhile, kickers across the NFL had one of their worst days in recent memory.</p><p>Take a look below at all the winners and losers from Week 5 of the NFL season.</p><h2>WINNER: Buffalo Bills</h2><p>Nine months after losing the AFC Championship to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills got their revenge in primetime.</p><p>Led by quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills dominated the Chiefs on all fronts, cruising to a 38-20 road victory in Kansas City and establishing Buffalo as the new team to beat in the AFC and possibly the NFL.</p><p>Through five games, the Bills are averaging more points scored per game than any team in the NFL. On the other side of the ball, their defense is giving up the fewest points in the league.</p><p>Simultaneously having the most prolific offense and stifling defense in the NFL is a winning combination.</p><h2>LOSER: Kansas City Chiefs</h2><p>After three years of Mahomes Magic carrying the Chiefs, it looks as though Kansas City might finally have a problem that their quarterback can't solve or cover for - the worst defense in the NFL.</p><p>Kansas City is giving up a league-worst 34.4 points per game. At times, the defense is so bad their own players are left in disbelief.</p><p>Between Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce, the Chiefs offense is still a force in the league, but if their defense can't put some stops together, the trio wouldn't be able to keep pace with their opposition even if firing on all cylinders.</p><p>With their loss on Sunday night, the Chiefs fell to 2-3 on the season, a full two games behind the Chargers atop the AFC West. They also have a loss to Los Angeles for tie-breaking purposes later in the season. Mahomes somehow always finds a way, but the path to the playoffs gets a lot tighter with just one more loss.</p><h2>WINNER: Punters</h2><p>Not a lot went right for the Seahawks on Thursday night, but punter Michael Dickson had himself a day, converting possibly the greatest punt in NFL history.</p><p>After the Rams blocked his initial effort, Dickson scooped the ball up with one hand and booted it downfield again in a sequence so confusing it took the booth a moment to decide whether or not it was even legal.</p><p>On Sunday, the great punting continued, with special acknowledgment due for Saints punter Blake Gillikin, who pinned Washington against their own 1, 2, and 3-yard lines in a brilliant performance.</p><p>"Their punter punted the s- out of the ball," Washington QB Taylor Heinicke said after the game. When the opposing quarterback is shouting out the work of a punter, you know it was a good performance.</p><h2>LOSER: Kickers</h2><div type="image" title="Evan McPherson reacts after missing a field goal against the Green Bay Packers." height="1564" width="2085" msid="86948739" hostid="261"></div><p>This was the worst week for kickers in recent memory, with 12 missed extra points on the day, throwing scoring and gambling spreads into chaos early.</p><p>But no kickers had a tougher go of it than Evan McPherson of the Bengals and Mason Crosby of the Packers, who were facing off against each other in Cincinnati.</p><p>Over 10 minutes of the game clock between the fourth quarter and overtime, with the game tied 22-22, McPherson and Crosby combined for five consecutive missed field goal attempts, any of which could have been the game-winner.</p><p>No missed kick was more painful than McPherson's overtime effort, which the Bengals kicker prematurely celebrated before realizing he missed.</p><p>The Packers took over possession, and Crosby would finally send a game-winner through the uprights. Tough break, buddy.</p><h2>WINNER: Justin Herbert</h2><p>After this week's win over the Cleveland Browns, Justin Herbert has thrown 13 touchdowns through five weeks. According to ESPN, that's the fourth-most by a first- or second-year quarterback dating back to 1970. The three men above him - Dan Marino, Kurt Warner, and Patrick Mahomes, all were named MVP in the year of their hot start.</p><h2>WINNER: Brandon Staley and analytics</h2><p>Flying high alongside Herbert is Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, who has pushed football further into the analytical future than any coach in recent memory.</p><p>Staley had already established himself as an aggressive play-caller in a win over the Chiefs, but against the Browns pushed things even further, going for it on fourth down from deep inside Chargers territory and attempting several long conversions closer to midfield.</p><p>The team has a plan, and the players are buying in.</p><p>Don't be surprised if the Chargers are playing deep into January.</p><h2>LOSER: Saquon Barkley</h2><p>After missing most of the 2020 season due to injury, Giants running back Saquon Barkley went down with another injury against the Cowboys. Barkley's injury shouldn't end his season, but after a slow start to 2021, it's tough not to see his performance thus far as a disappointment.</p><h2>WINNER: The Browns stealing plays</h2><p>The Cleveland Browns lost to the Chargers on Sunday, but they sure looked good doing it.</p><p>While attempting a two-point conversion, the Browns reached into the Chiefs playbook and stole the short-yardage shovel pass that Mahomes has run to perfection time and time again. It turns out Baker Mayfield's shovel isn't all that bad either.</p><p>Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.</p><h2>LOSER: Guests of the ManningCast</h2><p>Your mileage on NFL curses - the Madden curse, the Super Bowl hangover, etc. - may vary, but as some have pointed out on Twitter, those who appeared as guests on the ManningCast have had a pretty rough few weeks with both injury and performance.</p><p>Thankfully for the rest of the league, the ManningCast won't be back until Week 7. Prospective guests of the program please consider yourselves warned.</p>

The good (Josh Allen), the bad (Patrick Mahomes), and other telling moments from Week 5 in the NFL

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Mark Zaleski/AP</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Vikings backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke will be sidelined for three months after severing a tendon in his foot while attempting to kick in a window to get himself and his friend back into the friend's locked apartment.</p><p>Heinicke first told to the <a href="http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/freak-accident-sidelines-backup-qb-taylor-heinicke/">Pioneer Press</a> that it was in fact his own house whose window he kicked in, but a source later <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/17168539/taylor-heinicke-minnesota-vikings-severed-tendon-helping-friend-break-back-apartment">clarified to ESPN</a> that it was actually his friend's apartment.</p><p>Here's how <a href="http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/freak-accident-sidelines-backup-qb-taylor-heinicke/">Heinicke explained it:</a></p><p id="paragraph2" style="padding-left: 30px;">"I was locked out of my house after a late-night movie,'' Heinicke said. "I came back and there's no one home, and I'm trying to nudge the door a little. It was one of those double doors. I thought it just needed a little nudge.</p><p id="paragraph3" style="padding-left: 30px;">"Me and my buddy were getting it going a little, but when I put my foot to the door, my foot kind of slipped and it went through a window. It was just kind of a freak accident. I'm very embarrassed, but I'm just excited getting going with rehab and trying to get this going as soon as possible."</p><p><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/17168539/taylor-heinicke-minnesota-vikings-severed-tendon-helping-friend-break-back-apartment">The same source added to ESPN</a> that there was no foul play or substance abuse involved. The movie Heinicke and his friend were seeing, however, is still unknown. </p><p>Luckily for the Vikings, Heinicke was the third-string QB last season and didn't appear in a regular season game.</p><p>Still, let this be a lesson: as always, you should never leave your house without your keys. </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/coss-martes-conbody-is-a-prison-style-boot-camp-2016-7">An ex-con turned his daily prison workout into a trendy business</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="lqbGgwNTE6YeYIa2VyuZTDrhKpSeh3yQ" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Vikings backup QB is out 3 months after severing a tendon in his ankle kicking in a window to his friend's apartment

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11897660" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="nfl" source="Orion">NFL</keyword> football is back.</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/nfl-week-1-picks-best-bets-against-the-spread-2021-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Last week</a>, our picks went 10-6 against the spread.</li><li>This week we're backing the Browns and Packers to cover big numbers.</li></ul><p>Football is back!</p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/nfl-week-1-picks-best-bets-against-the-spread-2021-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Last week</a>, our picks against the spread went a solid 10-6 to start the year and would have been 11-5 if the Carolina Panthers hadn't missed an extra point. That's <keyword id="11994893" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="gambling" source="Orion">gambling</keyword> for you.</p><p>This week, we're back with another full slate of games and looking to make a buck or two. Take a look below at our best bets against the spread for Week 2 of the NFL season (* indicates home team).</p><p><em><strong>LAST WEEK</strong>: 10-6</em><br /><em><strong>OVERALL</strong>: 10-6</em></p><h2>New York Giants* (+3.5) over Washington Football Team</h2><p>If I had any action on this game, it would likely be on the under, or possibly on whatever the best odds you can find on Washington running back Antonio Gibson to have a good game. The Giants are pretty terrible, and if they don't win this week or next week against the Falcons, have a real shot at starting the season 0-10.</p><p>Washington is down to backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, but he is probably better than you think he is, and he has a dominant defense to rely on the other side of the ball. Still, this is a divisional slugfest, so if New York has a win in them, it might as well be this one. </p><h2>Cleveland Browns* (-12.5) over Houston Texans</h2><div type="image" title="Baker Mayfield makes a throw against the Kansas City Chiefs." height="1440" width="1920" msid="86278103" hostid="261"></div><p>Despite their win last week, I still believe the Houston Texans are one of the worst teams in the NFL this year - they just happened to be going against the absolute worst team in the NFL in the Jaguars in Week 1.</p><p>The Browns fought hard and lost a tough one to Kansas City last week, but they should be ready to roll in front of the home crowd in Cleveland. It's never fun to lay double digits, but we can make an exception here.</p><h2>New England Patriots (-6) over New York Jets*</h2><p>Bill Belichick has never lost to a rookie quarterback making their first NFL start, going 9-0 in such games in his career as a head coach.</p><p>On Sunday, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson will be making his second NFL start. While I don't have the stats on Belichick in those games, I can't imagine they're much better for the rookies.</p><h2>Cincinnati Bengals (+2.5) over Chicago Bears*</h2><p>If the Bears were any other team, I might fear this spot as an Andy Dalton revenge game, with the Red Rifle facing off against his old team. But this game is in Chicago, and Bears fans are so frustrated their team is starting Dalton over rookie Justin Fields that <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/bears-justin-fields-defends-andy-dalton/15ukngqbxm8av17lnn04yl5lnj" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fields had to step in and ask them not to boo the veteran quarterback</a>.</p><p>Maybe Dalton has a double-revenge game, taking out his frustrations with the Bengals and the Chicago crowd with one game of brilliance. I wouldn't bet on it, though.</p><h2>Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) over Indianapolis Colts*</h2><div type="image" title="Matthew Stafford motions against the Chicago Bears." height="1262" width="1682" msid="86278104" hostid="261"></div><p>Before checking the schedule, I assumed this line would be at least six points. The Rams should be one of the most potent offenses in the NFL this year, and the Colts are just okay. Rams roll.</p><h2>Carolina Panthers* (+3.5) over New Orleans Saints</h2><p>The New Orleans Saints are flying high coming off of what might go down as the most unlikely victory of the 2021 season, dismantling the Packers to the tune of 38-3. If there was ever a spot for a let-down game, it's here, facing a Panthers team that could be a sleeper contender in the NFC playoff picture.</p><h2>Philadelphia Eagles* (+3) over San Francisco 49ers</h2><p>There's no team more difficult to figure out after Week 1 than the 49ers. San Francisco jumped all over the Lions through most of their game but then gave up two touchdowns mere seconds apart to suddenly throw everything into question. Was their late collapse against Detroit just the result of playing soft defense expecting the game was already wrapped up? Or a sign of possible deeper problems that could show themselves against a better opponent.</p><p>I have no idea, but I am an Eagles fan. Go birds.</p><h2>Denver Broncos (-6) over Jacksonville Jaguars*</h2><p>The Jaguars are the worst team in football. I will not be betting on them until they give me a reason to think it is a good idea. I wish Trevor Lawrence the best of luck in 2023, when he finally might have a fighting chance.</p><h2>Las Vegas Raiders (+5.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers*</h2><p>Las Vegas is playing on a short week after an overtime thriller against the Ravens, but getting nearly a touchdown this Sunday against the Steelers, it feels like they should be able to do enough to keep things close.</p><h2>Buffalo Bills (-3.5) over Miami Dolphins*</h2><div type="image" title="Josh Allen evades T.J. Watt." height="1600" width="2133" msid="86278105" hostid="261"></div><p>The Bills didn't look great last week in their season opener, but up against a divisional opponent and with another week of practice under their belt, look for Josh Allen and company to shake the rust off and put up some points.</p><h2>Atlanta Falcons (+12.5) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers*</h2><p>The Falcons offense could not have played any worse than last week against the Eagles, managing a meager six points against a defense that is not nearly as good as the one they'll face this week in Tampa Bay. Still, 12.5 is a lot. Even if the Falcons are trailing by 20 heading into the final minutes, the backdoor is open for a cover.</p><h2>Arizona Cardinals* (-3.5) over Minnesota Vikings</h2><p>Kyler Murray might be the most exciting player in football not named Patrick Mahomes and might even give Mahomes a run for his money at this point. The Vikings have plenty of firepower of their own, but it feels like this is the year Arizona takes things to another level.</p><h2>Dallas Cowboys* (+3.5) over Los Angeles Chargers</h2><p>This game is a crapshoot. The Cowboys looked great against the Buccaneers in Week 1 but <a href="https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/injury-report/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have sustained a series of injuries</a> that could derail the season. The Chargers did enough to get past Washington but looked far from dominant against what should have been a lesser side. It's a coin flip, so I'll grab the points and hope for the best.</p><h2>Seattle Seahawks* (-5.5) over Tennessee Titans</h2><p>Last week the Tennessee defense gave up four passing touchdowns to Kyler Murray and the Cardinals. Russell Wilson is cooking, so look for a big game from him and receivers D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Even with a big game from Derrick Henry, the Titans are going to struggle to keep up.</p><h2>Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) over Baltimore Ravens*</h2><div type="image" title="Patrick Mahomes prepares for an interview after win against the Cleveland Browns." height="1618" width="2158" msid="86278106" hostid="261"></div><p>The Ravens are coming off of a Monday night game that went into overtime and what must have been a brutally frustrating cross-country flight home after their loss to the Raiders in Las Vegas. The Chiefs are the best team in the NFL. Lamar Jackson can do a lot on his own on the football field, but asking him to keep pace scoring with Patrick Mahomes is a lot, even for him.</p><h2>Green Bay Packers* (-11.5) over Detroit Lions</h2><p>Once again, we're going to lay double digits. Aaron Rodgers had one of the worst games of his life last week against the Saints, and he's not a guy that likes to let his team down twice in a row. In a divisional game against a dismal Lions team, Rodgers and the Packers should light up the scoreboard.</p><p>Before you go betting the house on Green Bay, though, a word of caution - in 19 meetings since 2012, the Packers have beaten the Lions by more than 10 points just twice. The Lions have beaten the Packers by 10 or more on five different occasions in that same span. Not what I would have expected!</p><p>But if there's anything I have more faith in than numbers when placing a bet, it's Aaron Rodgers playing with vengeance on his mind.</p>

You Searched For "taylor heinicke" and got 7 results

Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke earned $125,000 after his team got bailed out by a last-second penalty

Tyler Lauletta

Aaron Rodgers' anticipated jump to the Jets leaves no excuses for NFC wannabe contenders to keep ignoring the Ravens' Lamar Jackson

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Tom Brady met Alex Smith after the Buccaneers' Wild Card win and told him his comeback was an 'inspiration'

Scott Davis

16 winners and losers from the first round of the NFL playoffs

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The good (Josh Allen), the bad (Patrick Mahomes), and other telling moments from Week 5 in the NFL

Tyler Lauletta

Vikings backup QB is out 3 months after severing a tendon in his ankle kicking in a window to his friend's apartment

Emmett Knowlton

NFL WEEK 2: Our picks for who covers the spread this weekend

Tyler Lauletta

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