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DIGITAL SPORTS DESK The LEDE NFL in London with Cards vs Rams

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ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-3) vs. LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-2) 
KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Twickenham Stadium, London. TV: FOX, Sam Rosen, Ronde Barber, Kristina Pink (field reporter).

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NFL in London

SERIES HISTORY: 77th regular-season meeting. Cardinals lead series, 38-36-2. The Cardinals have won 15 of the last 21 meetings in a series that dates back to 1937 when the Cardinals were located in Chicago and the Rams were based in Cleveland. The Rams are the designated home team for Sunday’s game at Twickenham Stadium in London. The Cardinals have a three-game road winning streak vs. the Rams. Arizona won the last meeting at the Rams, 44-6.
KEYS TO THE GAME: The Cardinals will be searching for the same type of balance on offense that they got last week against Tampa Bay, when they ran 35 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns and threw 22 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. Establishing a rushing attack behind Adrian Peterson will be paramount in allowing coach Bruce Arians to open up his playbook and utilize the play-action game and his customary four to six deep shots down the field. It not only will help keep the Rams’ defense honest, it will go a long way in protecting quarterback Carson Palmer for the duration of the season. A key for Peterson will be getting solid blocking on the edges by tight ends Troy Niklas and Jermaine Gresham, who were awarded game balls last week for those efforts.
Defensively, it will be interesting to see whether Patrick Peterson’s quadriceps issue keeps the All-Pro from playing at his usual high level. Evan an 80 percent Peterson is better than most; but, if he is assigned to shadow Sammy Watkins, there could be occasions when Peterson gets beat by a step on some deep routes. Peterson also could be more apt to clutching and grabbing to slow a receiver down, which could draw the attention of game officials.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals will have to make sure they don’t miss tackles when they get an angle on Rams running back Todd Gurley, who is as dangerous as they come in yards after contact. Look for safety Tyvon Branch to be actively involved in the box.
The Rams’ defense has settled down dramatically over the last 10 quarters, surrendering just 39 points, and there are valid reasons to believe they’ll keep that up as they continue to make the transition to Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense.
A similar effort this week against the Cardinals will put Jared Goff and the offense in good position to exploit sufficient chances to take control of the game. Gurley will be heavily leaned again, and Goff will then take some chances downfield in the passing game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: 
–Rams LT Andrew Whitworth vs. Cardinals OLB Chandler Jones. Jones has at least one sack in each of his first six games — seven overall — but he will have his hands full in dealing with the veteran Whitworth, who uses his hands to defend edge rushers as well as anyone. Jones’ best bet is to try to beat Whitworth with repeated all-out bull rushes, hoping the big tackle loses some technique and gets surprised by Jones’ speed. If Jones gets to Jared Goff a handful of times, it should knock Goff completely off his game.
–Cardinals RB Adrian Peterson vs. Rams DT Aaron Donald. Peterson will line up 8 yards deep and get a mad running start before hitting the line and trying to squeeze through any hole provided up front by his blockers. The problem is Donald is like a wall that can quickly absorb those holes and make it impossible to penetrate. The key will be how well Peterson can juke and use his jump cuts to dance out of trouble and away from Donald at the point of contact. Peterson did it amazingly well a week ago against the Bucs, but this Rams’ defensive front is better.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT 
ARIZONA CARDINALS 
–Questionable: LB Karlos Dansby (hamstring), RB Andre Ellington (quadricep), DT Robert Nkemdiche (calf), DT Olsen Pierre (ankle), DT Xavier Williams (knee)
LOS ANGELES RAMS 
-Doubtful: S Cody Davis (thigh)
–Questionable: LB Mark Barron (thumb)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Rams TE Gerald Everett. The rookie from South Alabama recorded his first NFL touchdown reception on Sunday against the Jaguars — on a 4-yard shovel pass — and it’s obvious that QB Jared Goff feels comfortable going his way. They haven’t hooked up as much as the Rams would like, but they’ve been close recently on a couple of long balls and Everett’s ability to out-athlete linebackers and safeties puts him in position to make plays down the field. You get the sense he and Goff are inches away from busting a big one.
FAST FACTS: In the past four meetings, QB Carson Palmer has 1,251 passing yards (312.8 per game), seven TDs and three interceptions. He has 294 career TD passes — he surpassed Warren Moon (291) for 12th most in NFL history. … RB Adrian Peterson rushed for 134 yards and two TDs last week in his Arizona debut. He has 50 games with 100 yards, the ninth player in NFL history to hit 50. … WR Larry Fitzgerald led the team with 10 receptions for 138 yards and a TD in Week 6. He has 14,854 yards, surpassing Steve Smith (14,731) for seventh most all-time. … WR John Brown is aiming for his third game in a row with a receiving TD. He has 100 yards in two of the past three meetings. … LB Chandler Jones ranks fourth in the NFC with six sacks. He has 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in three career meetings. He has seven sacks and two forced fumbles in his past five road games. … Rams QB Jared Goff has 580 passing yards (290 per game), three TDs and two INTs in his past two division games. … RB Todd Gurley ranks second in the NFL with 766 scrimmage yards and is tied for first with seven scrimmage TDs. He has 393 rushing yards (98.3 per game) and four TDs in his past four games. … DT Aaron Donald had a sack and caused a fumble last week. He has 2.5 sacks and a fumble in the past three meetings. … In 10 career meetings, DE Robert Quinn has nine sacks and three forced fumbles. He has 3.5 sacks in his past four home games.
PREDICTION: The Cardinals’ defense is giving up 26 points per game, and the Rams are scoring a league-best 29.8.

NFL Game Scout: Saints at Pack

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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-2) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-2) 
KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Lambeau Field. TV: FOX, Kenny Albert, Charles Davis, Pam Oliver (field reporter.)
SERIES HISTORY: 25th regular-season meeting. Packers lead series, 16-8. Green Bay is 10-2 at home, including 4-1 at Lambeau Field and 6-1 in Milwaukee. The Saints won the last meeting, 44-23, in 2014 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Packers won the last meeting at Lambeau Field, prevailing 28-27 in 2012.
KEYS TO THE GAME: Green Bay is about to find out what life is like without quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Brett Hundley, a fifth-round draft pick out of UCLA in 2015, takes over for the future Hall of Famer, who broke a collarbone last week in a loss to Minnesota.
Hundley’s arm strength is above average and he is athletic. He has all the tools (4.63 speed in the 40, 36-inch vertical jump) to be a winner, except for experience. In the first meaningful action of his career, Hundley threw three interceptions and finished with a 39.6 quarterback rating.
“I mean, he needs to turn it up,” a not-so confident coach Mike McCarthy said. “There’s no doubt about it. The whole team needs to turn it up. I told them everybody needs to clean their house up right now. I don’t like the way it looks.”
The Packers still have explosive weapons on offense, and it will be up to the O-line to give Hundley time to make reads and correct decisions.
New Orleans is on a three-game winning streak and, as shocking as it might sound, the defense has been stellar — forcing nine turnovers, scoring three touchdowns and recording 13 sacks against the Lions, Dolphins and Panthers.
The offense is no longer 100 percent reliant on the arm of QB Drew Brees. The Saints are coming off their best rushing performance of the season as Mark Ingram cracked the 100-yard mark and ran for two touchdowns last week against Detroit.
New Orleans has been weak on third-down conversions — they were just 2 of 12 against the Lions — and Brees knows they must improve on that stat. “I think we have been into an abnormal number of third-and-long situations. I think that’s due to penalties and some negative plays that we probably could’ve avoided,” he said.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: 
–Saints RB Alvin Kamara vs. Packers linebackers. Kamara is the Saints’ second-leading rusher with 158 yards and he’s averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Additionally, he is the second-leading receiver, with 24 catches for 159 yards. With the Packers’ linebackers beat up, Drew Brees figures to look for Kamara frequently in both the running game and passing game.
–Packers RT Bryan Bulaga vs. Saints DE Cameron Jordan. Jordan has a team-high five sacks and could be facing a backup right tackle this week. Green Bay’s Bryan Bulaga is in the concussion protocol, and it’s uncertain whether he will be cleared by Sunday.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT 
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
–Questionable: T Terron Armstead (shoulder), WR Willie Snead (hamstring)
GREEN BAY PACKERS
–Out: LB Ahmad Brooks (back), S Morgan Burnett (hamstring), QB Aaron Rodgers (On IR, right collarbone), LB Joe Thomas (ankle)
-Doubtful: G Lane Taylor (ankle)
–Questionable: CB Davon House (quadricep), C Corey Linsley (back), CB Damarious Randall (hamstring)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Saints CB Marcus Lattimore. The rookie No. 1 draft choice has become a starter and the team’s top cover corner in the absence of injured Delvin Breaux. Jordy Nelson (six touchdown receptions), Davante Adams (five) and Randall Cobb (one) comprise the most challenging receiving corps the Saints have faced, and Lattimore will lead the coverage.
FAST FACTS: Saints QB Drew Brees has thrown for 1,499 yards (374.8 per game) and 13 touchdowns in the past four meetings. He has not thrown an interception in those games. … RB Mark Ingram had 150 total yards and two touchdowns last week, his seventh career multi-touchdown game. In the last meeting against Green Bay, he rushed for career-high 172 yards and a touchdown. … Rookie RB Alvin Kamara rushed for career-high 75 yards in Week 6. He has touchdowns in two of the past three games and is tied for third among NFL rookies with 24 catches. … WR Michael Thomas is gunning for his third straight game with at least seven receptions, 85 yards and a touchdown. … Packers QB Brett Hundley threw his first career touchdown pass in a Week 6 loss to Minnesota. … RB Ty Montgomery has six touchdowns (five rushing) in the past nine games. … WR Jordy Nelson is tied for the NFL lead with six touchdown receptions. … WR Davante Adams has scored a touchdown in three straight games. … LB Clay Matthews has two sacks and two forced fumbles in his last four games at Lambeau.
PREDICTION: Is there a tougher place than Lambeau for a road team to pick up a win? The Saints can buck that trend if the defense keeps the heat on Aaron Rodgers’ replacement, Brett Hundley.

SNF Game Scout: Super Bowl Rematch for ATL and NE

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ATLANTA FALCONS (3-2) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-2)

KICKOFF: Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, Gillette Stadium. TV: NBC, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya (field reporter).

SERIES HISTORY: 14th regular-season meeting. Patriots lead series, 7-6. The most notable battle in this series is clearly last February’s epic comeback win for New England to secure its fifth Lombardi Trophy in overtime in Super Bowl LI. That win was the fifth straight by the Patriots dating to 2001. Prior to that, Atlanta had won four in a row and six of seven. The last meeting in Foxborough was a 26-10 win by the Patriots in September 2009.

KEYS TO THE GAME: The Patriots enter this Super Bowl rematch with the NFL’s No. 1 offense, but the unit has not been cruising quite as smoothly of late. Tom Brady and Co. have been held to 24 points or fewer in each of the last two weeks, a stretch the team never faced last season as New England was held below 25 points in just three of the 12 games with Brady under center.

While Brady and the passing attack have sputtered just a bit, New England’s dormant ground game is showing signs of life. Both Mike Gillislee (despite his fumble against the Jets) and Dion Lewis have been far more productive the last two weeks.

New England’s budding balance faces a tough Falcons defense. Look for Josh McDaniels to come out firing through the air. Assuming Brady gets the improved protection he saw Sunday in New York against a tougher pass rush, he’ll be looking to hit more short and intermediate throws against the Falcons’ speedy, aggressive defense.

The Patriots’ run defense showed improvement against New York but faces a much tougher test against with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. The ground game has been the more consistent part of the Falcons’ attack, tallying over 600 yards and six touchdowns in five games.

With the Patriots’ pass defense having allowed six straight opponents to throw for more than 300 yards, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are a tough matchup. Ryan hasn’t been at his best early in 2017, having already thrown six interceptions, while Jones has yet to find the end zone despite leading Atlanta with 25 catches.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

–Falcons RBs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman vs. Patriots run defense. New England’s run defense is coming off its best game of the year in New York, holding the Jets to barely 3 yards per carry. DT Alan Branch looked more like his productive 2016 self a week after being a healthy scratch. But the Falcons are one of the more productive running games in the NFL right now, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Freeman (4.5) and Coleman (5.6) each have runs longer than 35 yards and have combined for six rushing scores. This is a big test for a New England front seven that appears to be on the come in recent weeks.

Patriots OL vs. Falcons LB Vic Beasley Jr. New England’s pass protection was better against the Jets, but OT Nate Solder and Co. face a different beast with the now-healthy Beasley. The linebacker led the NFL a year ago with 15.5 sacks and has a pair this season, despite missing two-plus games to a hamstring injury. In Super Bowl LI, New England held Beasley to just one QB hit. The line has struggled this season but can take a step forward against Beasley and a fast Falcons front that has 12 sacks and 28 QB hits in five games.

FRIDAY INJURY REPORT

ATLANTA FALCONS

–Out: LB Jordan Tripp (concussion)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

–Out: CB Stephon Gilmore (concussion, ankle), LB Harvey Langi (back), CB Eric Rowe (groin)

–Questionable: CB Johnson Bademosi (abdomen), TE Jacob Hollister (chest), LB Elandon Roberts (ankle)

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore. New England’s big-money free-agent addition has not gotten off to a great start. He has struggled with communication issues and sat out last week due to a concussion. With CB Eric Rowe already dealing with a pretty significant groin injury, the Patriots’ 32nd-ranked pass defense needs to get Gilmore back on the field and playing up to his Pro Bowl resume and paycheck.

FAST FACTS: Atlanta QB Matt Ryan completed 17 of 23 for 284 yards, two TDs and no INTs (a 144.1 rating) in the Super Bowl. In his past 10 road games, he has 2,978 passing yards (297.8 per game), 22 TDs and six INTs. He has thrown a TD pass in 24 consecutive games, the NFL’s longest active streak. He also has 200 passing yards in 60 consecutive games, the longest streak in NFL history. … In his past six games vs. AFC teams (including the Super Bowl), RB Devonta Freeman has 606 scrimmage yards and five rushing TDs. He leads the NFC with five rushing TDs this season. … WR Julio Jones has 53 catches for 822 yards and three TDs in his past eight games vs. the AFC. He has 602 yards and two TDs in his past six road games. … In five career meetings (including the Super Bowl), Patriots QB Tom Brady has 1,659 passing yards (331.8 per game), 11 TDs and two INTs. He leads the NFL with 1,959 passing yards this season. … RB James White set a Super Bowl record with 14 catches against the Falcons. He scored three TDs. He leads the team and ranks second among NFL RBs with 33 catches this season. … WR Chris Hogan has five TD catches in his past five games and seven in his past eight home games (including playoffs). … TE Rob Gronkowski caught two TD passes last week. He has 15 games with at least two, third-most by a tight end in NFL history.

PREDICTION: This is a bad matchup for the Patriots’ defense, which looks incapable of containing all of Atlanta’s offensive playmakers. And the Falcons have a Super axe to grind.

NFL Thursday Night Game Scout

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Kansas City at Oakland
When: 8:25 PM ET, Thursday, October 19, 2017
Where: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
Special to Digital Sports Desk by Gracenote

OAKLAND – The Oakland Raiders were a trendy preseason choice to wind up in the conference championship game, but they are in desperate need of a victory to keep from falling out of contention in the AFC West. Riding a four-game losing streak, the struggling Raiders face a daunting task when they host the division-leading Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night.

Oakland plugged a void this week with the signing of four-time All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman, a tackling machine who moves across the Bay after he was released by the San Francisco 49ers on Friday. “A lot of experience, a lot of leadership, a lot of physicality,” star outside linebacker Khalil Mack said of Bowman. “You’re talking about a guy that, all you’ve got to do is turn the ball back to him. He’s going to be there. And that’s what we’re ready to do.” Kansas City became the last team in the NFL to lose, dropping a 19-13 decision at home to Pittsburgh on Sunday, but it has won five in a row against the Raiders. I think the positive is we’ve got a short week to try to get this bounce back and get this taste out of our mouth, if there is a positive,” Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said.

TV: 8:25 p.m. ET, CBS, NFL Network. LINE: Chiefs -3. O/U: 47

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (5-1): Kansas City averaged nearly 33 points through its first five victories, but its offense was bottled up while its 27th-ranked run defense was shredded for 194 yards. Kareem Hunt rushed for a season-low 21 yards but had five receptions for 89 yards to become the first rookie in league history to amass at least 100 scrimmage yards in each of his team’s first six games. Multi-threat receiver Tyreek Hill injured his neck in Sunday’s game and it was feared he might have a concussion, but the team pronounced him good to go. Smith threw for 246 yards and a TD last week, failing to post a 100-plus passer rating for the first time.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (2-4): Derek Carr returned to the lineup after missing one game with a fractured bone in his back, but had another mediocre game and has four interceptions in his past three contests after tossing only six picks in the entire 2016 season. The vertical passing game has been a staple in Oakland since the franchise’s inception, but deep threat Amari Cooper has a combined nine receptions for 51 yards during the four-game skid. Marshawn Lynch has not provided the expect jolt to the ground game, rushing for two TDs and an averaging 42.8 yards rushing. Only three teams in the league have fewer than the Raiders’ 11 sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Smith is 9-1 with 19 TDs and four interceptions in his last 10 games versus Oakland.

2. Carr has lost five in a row to the Chiefs, but he has 14 TD passes in his last six home games.

3. Hunt, the league’s leading rusher, has 885 yards from scrimmage — the third-highest total ever by a rookie through six games.

PREDICTION: Raiders 23, Chiefs 22

Twists and Turns for NFL, Elliott

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FRISCO – (Special to Digital Sports Desk by The Sports Xchange) – Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott’s legal fight with the NFL took another turn on Tuesday when a New York judge granted his motion for a temporary restraining order blocking the six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, putting him back on the field.

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Ezekiel Elliott (21)

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It meant that Elliott was back at practice Wednesday and will be on the field when the Cowboys (2-3) resume play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers (0-6) after last week’s bye.

The ruling is temporary and will last for up to 14 days. Elliott and his lawyers from the NFL Players Association will have to again plead their case to Judge Katherine Failla when she is back from vacation before or by Oct. 30.

That makes Elliott eligible for the Oct 29 game at the Washington Redskins as well as Sunday’s road game against the 49ers.

The decision was made by U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty, who was filling in for Failla.

And it came five days after a federal appeals court overturned a Texas court’s injunction that had kept Elliott on the field, resulting in the NFL placing him on the suspended list on Friday.

Elliott was not at the Cowboys’ facility on Tuesday with the rest of the team, but was back at the Star in Frisco on Wednesday.

Elliott is undoubtedly happy after winning another legal battle with the NFL over his six-game suspension for alleged domestic assault against former girlfriend Tiffany Thompson.

But Elliott made it clear Wednesday that he is fighting for his name and reputation as well.

“When you get accused of something of that magnitude, you kind of get labeled as an abuser, and that’s just not me,” Elliott said. “That’s not how I want to be seen, not how I want to represent my family. It’s just important for me to fight.

“Appreciate the opportunity to go out here and get a couple more weeks with these guys for sure. And I have an opportunity to have an even longer TRO (temporary restraining order). So honestly, just happy to be able to play this week.”

Elliott acknowledged that the roller-coaster ride of court filings has tested his resolve and emotions at times. But he is thankful for a strong legal team of personal and NFL Players Association lawyers that have battled for him in court.

“It’s a little tiring, but that’s what you have a legal team for,” Elliott said, “and it’s not really my job to worry about it. I trust the guys that work for me and I let them do the job. … You just take it day-by-day, there’s been so many ups and downs, lefts and rights, you really don’t know what’s coming up next. Just got to take it day-by-day.”

There remains the possibility that he could be forced to serve the suspension if he loses his bid for an injunction in two weeks.

Of course, if he wins he would likely be eligible to play for the rest of the season.

Backups Alfred Morris, Rod Smith and Darren McFadden took turns working with the offense on Tuesday. Elliott was back in his usual starting role on Wednesday.

“Again, we just control what we can control,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “Yesterday he was not here and so the guys who were here had opportunities to go through the walkthrough. Today he’s here and he’ll have an opportunity to practice. There was no big address to the team.”

Still while Garrett remained stoic, the players expressed excitement and relief.

A happy quarterback Dak Prescott added: “It’s great to have him back. Any chance we get with him in the backfield we’re going to take it. It’s an exciting week. If he’s playing, we’re obviously happy to have him.”

There is no question Elliott is appreciative to have the support of his teammates.

“We’re a very close group,” Elliott said. “We’ve talked about it many a time and that’s what family is for, that’s what a brotherhood is for, just to reach out. My teammates have done a great job picking me up when I’m down and making sure I’m able to stay focused and be the running back I need to be for this team.”

SERIES HISTORY: 29th regular-season meeting. 49ers lead series, 15-12-1. Dallas has won three straight and four of the last five, including the last meeting 27-17 at San Francisco in 2016. Dallas has played the 49ers seven times in playoffs, including six times in the NFC Championship Game.

DRAFT: –The NFL awarded the three-day 2018 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys and it will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington April 26-28.

The Cowboys submitted several bids for the draft, including a dual site with The Star in Frisco along with AT&T Stadium.

The NFL chose the one site, Arlington, with AT&T Stadium being the primary host.

“We really think we have come up with an incredible idea and concept that will really make AT&T Stadium shine but will also deliver a unique experience that is unlike anything that you have seen so far at the NFL Draft,” Cowboys executive vice president/chief brand officer Charlotte Jones Anderson said. “But I think this is what the draft process is all about. It allows the cities to show their unique personality and hopefully invite not only fans from all over our region in Dallas and the Metroplex and beyond, but those from out of state.

“We welcome them to come to Dallas, to come to Arlington to AT&T Stadium to show their fandom and be a part of the draft in April.”

This is the third new location for the draft since it moved from New York three years ago.

It was held in Chicago in 2015 and 2016 and in Philadelphia in 2017.

It’s the success in Philadelphia that the Cowboys hope to duplicate in Arlington.

“Philadelphia raised the bar by taking the draft to another level, and this new opportunity in Dallas will enable us to continue the event’s evolution and grow it even further,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We are grateful to the Dallas Cowboys, the cities of Arlington, Dallas, and Frisco, and the Dallas Sports Commission for their leadership in turning this vision into reality.”

Philadelphia marked the first time a city held the draft outside and it set attendance records, drawing 250,000 people to the three-day event.

According to the NFL, the draft had a $94.9 million economic impact on the city.

“It’ll be great. We know how big football is here in Dallas, our fans, it’ll be an exciting time,” Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said. “Anytime Jerry (Jones) gets his hands on it, or Dallas, it’s meant for a great time.”

NOTES: CB Chidobe Awuzie did not practice Wednesday because of a strained hamstring. He aggravated the injury against the Packers two weeks ago and has not practiced since. … T Tyron Smith did not practice Wednesday as the Cowboys continue to try to manage tightness in his back. They hope he will be able do something by the end of the week. … LB Sean Lee was a full participant in practice Wednesday after missing the past two games with a strained hamstring. … LB Jaylon Smith leads the team in tackles with 54, but he is expected to be replaced in the starting lineup by Anthony Hitchens. Smith has no tackles for loss, only one quarterback pressure and no pass deflections. … RG Jonathan Cooper will start for the third straight game. He has officially won the starting job over Chaz Green. The Cowboys hope stability at guard will allow them to gain some chemistry up front.

NFL: Elliott Avoids Suspension (Again)

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NEW YORK – Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is eligible to play Sunday, October 22 after a federal judge in New York granted him a temporary restraining order on Tuesday. As a result, Elliott is expected to be on the field when the Cowboys face the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif.

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Ezekiel Elliott (21) avoids tackle and suspension

The NFL Players Association filed the motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction as part of the federal lawsuit initiated by the NFL. The Southern District Court of New York heard the NFLPA’s motion before giving its ruling.

The NFL won a court battle last Thursday when a three-judge panel from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the earlier injunction blocking the six-game suspension imposed on Elliott. As a result, the NFL reinstated Elliott’s six-game suspension, and it appeared at that time Elliott would be sitting out the next six games.

However, Tuesday’s ruling allows Elliott to compete this weekend, unless there is another court ruling between now and Sunday.

In granting the temporary restraining order Tuesday, U.S. District Jude Paul Crotty said the action is pending a hearing before the presiding judge, Katherine Polk Fialla.

The NFL originally imposed the six-game suspension on Elliott as the result of an alleged domestic violence incident. Elliott has 105 carries for 393 yards and two touchdowns this season. He led the NFL in rushing last season.

Patriots Struggling Six Weeks into ’17

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FOXBORO – (Special to Digital Sports Desk by The Sports Xchange) – Through the first six games of 2017, the Patriots (4-2) clearly aren’t the same team that took home New England’s fifth Lombardi Trophy with the epic comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons in February.

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Bill Belichick

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After breaking down film of Sunday’s 24-17 win over the AFC East rival New York Jets, ever-astute Patriots head coach Bill Belichick emphasized that believing the team could pick up where it left off last season isn’t realistic.

“It’s incomprehensible to me how anybody could think that a team that’s practiced for six months and played 19 regular-season and post-season games and had triple-digit practices, five months later, after not playing a game, after having a fraction of that type of experience, could be anywhere close to the level of execution that they were five months before that after all of the things that I just listed. I mean, it’s impossible in my view,” Belichick said Monday, all in one breath.

Belichick was reacting to the residue of preseason expectations that included a belief that the Patriots could go undefeated, apparently based on offseason acquisitions and some presumption that some momentum existed from last season. He once again squashed that idea with a simple observation.

“So, each year, you start all over again,” he reminded. “You start that process all over again. You build your team over the course of the year though practice repetitions, through preseason to regular-season games, through the evolving of your scheme, and that’s why each year is different and unique. But, I understand I’m in the minority and most other people don’t see it that way, which is OK, but that’s the way I see it.”

That’s why he is the great coach. Regardless of rampant expectations, Belichick realizes each season is different, which actually became obvious when the Patriots were beat up in the season opener by the Kansas City Chiefs and were 2-2 before winning the last two games.

But, they still are not where they want to be, a point that quarterback Tom Brady made clear after overcoming a clear and present danger of losing in the closing moments.

“I wish we had done better, but we won,” Brady said just after escaping MetLife Stadium. “Probably a lot to learn from it. We’ll keep at it. It’s only the sixth game of the year. Still a lot to figure out.”

Sunday’s win elevated New England to first place in the AFC and just a game back of the best record in the NFL, but the Patriots are hardly happy about how they are playing.

The defense is dead last in the NFL. It allowed Jets quarterback Josh McCown to throw for 354 yards, becoming the sixth consecutive opponent this season to pass for more than 300 yards.

That generosity is the result of a team effort. Not only is the coverage inconsistent, at best, the pass rush is weak and the run defense is mediocre most of the time. Also, the offense was held under 30 points each of the last two weeks and barely managed to get 24 and 19 points in wins over the Jets and Bucs, respectively.

Brady obviously buys into Belichick’s reality check.

“The goal is not to be perfect,” Brady noted on his weekly paid interview segment with WEEI Radio. “The goal is just to be better than the other team. You’d love for everything to go right, but you have to coordinate 11 guys doing the right thing on every play, and then to marry that with the defense, they play good defense, too. That’s the ebbs and flows of the game. So that was just one of those days (Sunday) where we couldn’t really get into the right flow. We just kind of kept fighting, kept fighting. We just had to grind it out.”

Defensive captain Duran Harmon also tried to put the season in proper perspective, but with a positive spin.

“We didn’t start the way we wanted to this year,” the safety said. “But I really believe we are making good progress.”

And, despite lofty preseason expectations, that is the best that can be said about the 2017 Patriots.

–Quarterback Tom Brady set an NFL record with his 187th career regular-season win in Sunday’s ugly 24-17 victory in New York. Until then, Brady was tied with Peyton Manning and Brett Favre. Brady already held the records for most overall wins by a quarterback (212) and most regular-season wins by a quarterback for one team (187).

“That’s what we’re all here for: to win games,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said of his quarterback’s latest record. “We’re very fortunate to have Tom at the helm of those wins.”

–Cornerback Stephon Gilmore was limited in practice last week with an ankle injury before he was removed from the report after participating fully in practice last Friday. But on Saturday, Gilmore returned to the injury report with a concussion and was downgraded to out for Sunday’s game and did not make the trip to New York.

Belichick was less than forthcoming — per usual — when asked about the odd sequence with Gilmore.

Said Belichick: “We followed the rules to the letter on the injuries like we always do. They were reported exactly as it happened.”

–Midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, it appeared that Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins scored on a 4-yard reception to pull New York within 3 at 24-21. But upon further review, the play was ruled a fumble by Seferian-Jenkins that he did not recover before going out the side of the end zone, meaning it was a turnover and touchback for the Patriots.

It was a controversial call to say the least, but one that Patriots players clearly enjoyed.

“Oh man, great call by the referees,” safety Duron Harmon said of what was ruled a fumble forced by cornerback Malcolm Butler. “Great call. It’s football. I mean, that a rule, a lot of people don’t like it. I love it because, as a defensive player, it gives us the opportunity to make a big play, a momentum play, to give our offense the ball without (the opponent) even scoring three points.”

After the game referee Tony Corrente said it was a “pretty obvious call.”

“When Malcolm came off the field, first thing he told me was that it was out,” head coach Bill Belichick said. “I thought they were reviewing whether he was across the goal line or not. But you know Malcolm had a really good look at it. That was the first thing he told me.”

NOTES: LB Harvey Langi was inactive for the fourth straight week and fifth time this season. His absence was due to a serious multi-car accident the undrafted rookie and his wife were in on Friday night in Foxborough. Though the Jaws of Life were used on his car, Langi was reportedly released from the hospital on Saturday. … CB Stephon Gilmore (concussion) was added to the Patriots injury report on Saturday and ruled out for the game against the Jets. Gilmore’s concussion did not appear on the injury report previously, though the cornerback was dealing with an ankle injury that limited him on Wednesday and Thursday last week. He was listed as full participation and removed from the injury report altogether on Friday. … CB Eric Rowe (groin) missed his second straight game and third contest in a month. Rowe is still walking with a noticeable limp in the New England locker room. … RB Rex Burkhead (ribs) was inactive for the fourth straight game due to the injury suffered in Week 2 in New Orleans. Burkhead has practiced on a limited basis, began the week as questionable, then was downgraded to out. … LB David Harris was a healthy scratch for the second time in three weeks, missing the battle with his former Jets team. … T Cameron Fleming was a healthy scratch in New York, the first time he was inactive since opening night against the Chiefs. … T LaAdrian Waddle was active for just the third time this season, seeing reserve action on the offensive line and in the kicking game. … T Cole Croston was inactive, a healthy scratch for the sixth straight game to open his NFL career. … WR Chris Hogan was helped off the field by trainers in the second half of Sunday’s win after taking a big hit to the ribs following an incomplete pass. Hogan returned to the game later appeared to be in some discomfort following the hit.

REPORT CARD VS. JETS

–PASSING OFFENSE: B minus – Tom Brady was not sacked, which is notable after enduring sacks at least twice in each of the first five games. Brady threw for the fewest yards of the season, completing 20 of 38 for just 257 yards with a pair of touchdowns and one interception (80.7 rating). The pick was the second in as many weeks and came on an ill-advised deep ball for Phillip Dorsett.

–RUSHING OFFENSE: B-minus – Were it not for Mike Gillislee’s fumble in New York territory in the first quarter, this grade would have been even better. Overall the Patriots ran it 24 times for 119 yards for a 5-yard average. Dion Lewis led the way with 11 carries for 52 yards and his second rushing score of the season. But Gillislee’s fumble put a damper on the production against the Jets 30th-ranked run defense.

–PASS DEFENSE: D – Thanks to a couple interceptions, New England held Josh McCown to an 84.9 rating, the lowest by a Patriots opponent this season. The Patriots played without two of their top three cornerbacks in Stephon Gilmore (concussion) and Eric Rowe (groin). McCown had a season-best 354 yards passing, completing 31 of his 47 throws with two touchdowns and the two picks.

–RUSH DEFENSE: B – If the work of the offensive line in pass protection and opening up holes for the ground game was the biggest positive for the Patriots offense, then the defensive front’s work stopping the run was the high for the defense. Alan Branch returned to action to set a positive tone for what has been a struggling front. Branch had early penetration on both running and passing situations and the rest of the front followed suit as the Patriots held the Jets to just 74 yards and 24 rushing attempts for a 3.1 average that was by far the lowest for a New England opponent this season.

–SPECIAL TEAMS: C – Stephen Gostkowski missed a field goal for the first time this season, a 47-yard attempt in the second quarter. The kicker hit a 28-yarder later and continued to be solid on kickoffs. Punter Ryan Allen was so-so with a 40-yard average and 40.5-yard net on his four chances, with one inside the 20. The net was higher than the gross because the Jets had minus-2 yards in punt returns.

–COACHING: C – There is little doubt the Patriots are underperforming right now. Clearly some of the blame for that falls on the coaching staff. Bill Belichick is supposed to get the most out of his players, putting them in position to maximize their strengths and mask their weaknesses. That is not happening. Offensively, the unit was too focused on deep balls. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels apparently moved away from the short precision passing attack, New England’s strength for more than a decade. Defensively, the Patriots can’t stop the pass. Sunday, they threw more blitzes at McCown, with mixed results.

Cowboys Face Time Without Elliott

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FRISCO – (Special to Digital Sports Desk by The Sports Xchange) – The Dallas Cowboys return from the bye trying to settle things down and get back on track after a disappointing start and a week of drama.

The team is below .500 with a 2-3 record.

Owner Jerry Jones didn’t help moral in the locker room by becoming the first owner in the NFL to declare he would discipline players who protested during the national anthem.

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Ezekiel Elliott (21)

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They had two team meetings and Jones met with the players to discuss the matter. They seem to be back on the same page.

And then on the field, the Cowboys said goodbye to two opening-day starters. Cornerback Nolan Carroll was cut and nose tackle Stephen Paea retired, although he was officially placed on Injured Reserve.

And then the Cowboys got the news they have been dreading all along as running back Ezekiel Elliott has been officially put on the suspended list after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans lifted an injunction that had blocked the suspension.

Elliott will miss the next six games, unless a legal Hail Mary comes through.

So, the Cowboys will have to move forward with a committee of running backs, including Alfred Morris, Rod Smith and Darren McFadden.

The Cowboys will have to rely on quarterback Dak Prescott, who has been very good through the first five games.

Prescott had arguably the best rookie season by a quarterback in league history a year ago. He threw for 3,667 yards with 23 touchdowns and four interceptions. This season, he is on pace for 35 touchdown passes and more than 3,800 passing yards, along with 400 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Said head coach Jason Garrett: “He’s playing really well. He’s really doing everything we ask him to do. He makes so many plays within the scheme, throwing the ball to the right guy on a consistent basis. And then when things break down, making great plays with his feet and his arm out of the pocket.”

The Cowboys need the defense to improve if they hope to tread water with Elliott out and stay in the playoff chase.

The Cowboys have scored more than 30 points in the past two games. That would have been enough to win 15 of their 16 regular-season games last year. The defense has to be able to shut down teams when given double-digit leads, and create takeaways. Getting All-Pro linebacker Sean Lee back after missing two games with a hamstring injury should help the defense get its edge back.

Rookie cornerback Jourdan Lewis has flashed promise early on and will continue to get more and more playing time. The Cowboys liked what they’ve seen from him enough to release Carroll. Lewis’ play will give the Cowboys flexibility to give rookie cornerback Chidobe Awuzie more time at safety, a position that hasn’t been as effective as expected early on with veterans Byron Jones and Jeff Heath.

Look for Awuzie to get more time in place of Heath.

–Running back Ezekiel Elliott is not giving up in his fight with the NFL over his six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

The NFL Players Association filed a motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO) with the Southern District Court of New York that could put the suspension back on hold. The motion requests a ruling by 3 p.m. Tuesday, but the hearing has not yet been put on the docket.

The move came on the heels of last Thursday’s decision by the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to grant the NFL a stay of the preliminary injunction blocking his six-game suspension and ordering that his case against the league be dismissed.

Elliott filed a petition with the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals asking for a rehearing.

But the Fifth Circuit has slowed the request so Elliott and his lawyers were forced to file for the TRO in a court that has historically been more favorable to the NFL.

NOTES: DE DeMarcus Lawrence leads the league with 8.5 sacks through five games and is on pace for 27. The NFL record is 22.5. The 8.5 sacks are already a career high. Lawrence is on pace to be the Cowboys’ first double-digit sack player since Jason Hatcher had 11 in 2013. … P Chris Jones might be the MVP of the first half on defense. Jones has had 12 of his 20 punts downed inside the 20. … LB Sean Lee is expected to be ready to go against the San Francisco 49ers after missing the past two games with a strained hamstring. … LB NaVorro Bowman was set to visit the Cowboys on Tuesday after being cut by the 49ers. But he signed with the Raiders on Monday. It speaks to an admission by the Cowboys that their linebacker play has been subpar. … RB Alfred Morris will get to start in place of a suspended Ezekiel Elliott. He has been the primary backup through the first five games. But this will be committee approach, with Rod Smith handling third downs and Darren McFadden spelling Morris.

REPORT CARD AFTER FIVE GAMES

–PASSING OFFENSE: C — Quarterback Dak Prescott has been great with 1,192 passing yards and 11 touchdowns to just four interceptions. But the line has not been as good in pass protection and his receivers have been a disappointment. Dez Bryant has 21 catches for 264 yards and no 100-yard receiving games. Cole Beasley, the leading receiver of a year ago, has 15 receptions for 109 yards and has not been the third-down converter of a year ago.

–RUSHING OFFENSE: D — The Cowboys went from having the league’s top running back of a year ago to floundering with the same player in Ezekiel Elliott, who is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry and has just 393 yards through five games. Some blame goes to Elliott, who has had his mind in the legal situation, as well a poor play up front from a line that is no longer the best unit in the NFL.

–PASS DEFENSE: D — DeMarcus Lawrence has 8.5 sacks, yet the Cowboys still don’t get to the quarterback with any consistency or effectiveness. He needs help. The safety play has been an abomination with Jeff Heath and Byron Jones. The Cowboys have had a revolving door at cornerback because of injuries with Chidobe Awuzie, Orlando Scandrick, Jourdan Lewis and Nolan Carroll missing games due to injuries. Carroll, the top free-agent signee and opening-day starter, has been cut.

–RUSH DEFENSE: F — The Cowboys are giving up 128 yards per game on the ground and a robust 4.6 yards a carry. They have allowed three 100-yard rushers after not allowing one all last season. They have missed linebacker Sean Lee, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. But the line play up front has not done its job in stopping the run, and middle linebacker Jaylon Smith has been overmatched and exposed after being forced into action because of an injury to Anthony Hitchens. Subpar play at safety from Jeff Heath and Byron Jones has only compounded the problem.

–SPECIAL TEAMS: B — Kicker Dan Bailey has made 7 of 7 field goals. He is automatic. Punter Chris Jones has downed 12 of 20 punts inside the 20. He is also averaging 43.7 yards per attempt. Kick returner Ryan Switzer has been average at best with poor decisions on kickoff returns and a fumbled punt.

–COACHING: D — The Cowboys are 2-3. They were embarrassed in Denver when they weren’t ready to play. They have blown two double-digit leads, and for the first time in history they lost two games after scoring 30 or more points. Rod Marinelli’s defense is on pace for 10 takeaways after setting its sights on 40 at the start of the season. The Cowboys have had no takeaways the past three games, including two losses. The defense has gone 213 plays since last getting a takeaway (a Jourdan Lewis interception in Week 2 at Denver).

Hernandez Team Files Claim vs. NFL

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report by The Sports Xchange) – Lawyers for Aaron Hernandez refiled a lawsuit against the NFL and the league’s helmet manufacturer in a Massachusetts state court. The latest filing came after Hernandez’s legal team dropped a federal lawsuit against the league and the New England Patriots last week, opting to pursue its case in state court because they can add more counts.

Hernandez, a former tight end for the Patriots who was serving a life sentence for murder, committed suicide in jail on April 19. Researchers at Boston University later discovered that Hernandez was dealing with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

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Aaron Hernandez court appearance

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The latest filing does not include the Patriots, although a separate lawsuit will be filed against the team at a later date, the Boston Herald reported.

However, Riddell, the company that manufactures helmets for the NFL, was part of Monday’s filing.

Hernandez had “the most severe case of CTE medically seen in a person of his young age of 28 years” by BU researchers, according to the original filing. It said Hernandez’s Stage 3 CTE is “usually seen in players with a median age of death of 67 years.”

The lawyers for Hernandez charged that both the league and the Patriots were “fully aware” of the damage that could be inflicted to Hernandez’s brain by the time he entered the NFL in 2010 and “failed to disclose, treat, or protect him from the dangers of such damage.”

Riddell responded to the lawsuit with a statement in which it said it would “vigorously” defend its products, citing the design of helmets “specifically designed to mitigate concussion risks” more than 15 years ago.

Hernandez, who played three seasons with the Patriots, died after hanging himself in his cell. He was serving a life sentence for the murder of Odin Lloyd, a sentence delivered in April 2015.

The suicide came four days after Hernandez was acquitted of a double murder in the resolution of a separate case.

Due to a Massachusetts state law, Hernandez’s murder conviction was overturned by a judge in early May on a technicality. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court procedurally voids first-degree murder convictions in cases when a defendant dies before the appeal is heard.

Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder following the 2013 killing of Lloyd, a semi-professional football player who was dating Hernandez’s fiancee’s sister. Lloyd’s body was discovered in an industrial park about a mile away from Hernandez’s home in North Attleboro, Mass.

Hernandez also was charged with the murder of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in 2012 shootings in Boston. He was acquitted of those charges in mid-April but convicted of unlawful possession of a gun.

Drafted by New England in the fourth round in 2010, Hernandez signed a seven-year, $40 million contract with the Patriots before the 2012 season. That deal included a $12.5 million signing bonus and a guarantee of $15.9 million.

NFL MNF Game Scout

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-3) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (2-3)

KICKOFF: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, Nissan Stadium. TV: ESPN, Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters (field reporter).

SERIES HISTORY: 45th regular-season meeting. Colts lead series, 31-13. Indianapolis has won 16 of the previous 17 meetings, including the last 11. The Colts’ last loss occurred on Oct. 30, 2011, as Tennessee posted a 27-10 home victory. The Colts have registered wins in their last five trips to Nashville, including a 34-26 victory on Oct. 23, 2016, and are 11-4 at the Coliseum/LP/Nissan Stadium. Indianapolis and Tennessee have both been members of the AFC South since the start of the 2002 season. The Colts have swept the home-and-home series 10 times. Tennessee has recorded one series sweep (2002).

KEYS TO THE GAME: Indianapolis has to be able to establish a consistent running game. The Colts want to set the tempo and keep Tennessee’s high-octane offense off the field for as long as possible. The Colts need to play smart offensively and stay away from ill-timed penalties, scoring touchdowns instead of field goals.

Defensively, Indianapolis has to be able to control the Titans’ mobile quarterback, Marcus Mariota. They need to keep him in the pocket and not allow him to create plays on the outside or with his legs. That was a major issue two weeks ago in the loss to Russell Wilson and the Seahawks in Seattle. The Colts’ improved run defense will also be severely tested by Tennessee.

The Titans have to hope they can get Mariota back on the field. The extra day might give Mariota’s injured hamstring enough time to heal to allow him to play. Without Mariota, the Titans’ offense ground to a halt against the Dolphins.

Even against a porous Colts defense, the Titans will have to find ways to move the football better than they did in Miami. The key to that might be to use more toss sweeps and counters instead of pounding up the middle with DeMarco Murray, which did not work last week. The Titans also have to find some threat of the pass, even if Matt Cassel is under center again.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

–Colts QB Jacoby Brissett vs. Titans pass defense. Brissett has completed nearly 61 percent of his passes for 997 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also has thrown three interceptions, two in overtime games. Brissett is a mobile quarterback who can move the chains with his legs (he has three rushing TDs). Tennessee comes into the game ranked 24th in the league in pass defense and 18th against the run.

–Titans TE Delanie Walker vs. Colts S Malik Hooker. Walker is a seasoned veteran and the Titans’ best pass catcher, even after 12 years in the NFL. Hooker, a rookie, could wind up matched against Walker for at least part of the day, which could be an advantage for the Titans.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Colts CB Rashaan Melvin. He may have bounced around the NFL a bit since entering the league, but Melvin seems to have found a home in the Indianapolis secondary. The former Northern Illinois standout has proven to be a steadying influence. He played well as a spot starter in 2016, especially later in the season. Melvin has carried that play into this year. His two interceptions are second on the team to rookie S Malik Hooker. Melvin also is fourth on the team with 24 tackles and has a team-leading eight passes broken up.

FAST FACTS: Colts RB Frank Gore had 121 scrimmage yards (71 receiving) in the last meeting. He has four rushing TDs in his past three games at Tennessee. … Colts WR T.Y. Hilton had seven catches for 177 yards last week and has gone over 150 yards in two of his past three games. He has 230 yards and two TD catches in the past two meetings and has a TD catch in four of the past six vs. the division. … Colts rookie S Malik Hooker is tied for second in the NFL with three interceptions. … Colts K Adam Vinatieri converted all four field-goal tries, including the winning 51-yarder in OT, last week. He has 24 winning FGs in the final minute of the fourth quarter or OT and 10 OT winners, both the most in NFL history. His 2,411 points are third in NFL history. … Titans QB Marcus Mariota has averaged 296.3 passing yards, with six TDs and two interceptions, in the past three meetings. He has thrown at least two TD passes in four straight AFC South games. … Titans RB DeMarco Murray aims for his fourth straight meeting with a TD. He has 264 scrimmage yards and three TDs in the past three meetings. … Titans LB Derrick Morgan has three sacks in past two meetings. He has six sacks in the past seven vs. the division. … Titans LB Erik Walden had 23 sacks in four seasons with Indy (2013-16).

PREDICTION: These are two of the league’s three worst scoring defenses, surrendering a combined 60 points per game. But neither team has been scoring well. Mariota could fix that for the home team and end the 11-game losing streak.

 

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