#special-teams

#special-teams

I didn't talk to the team after the game. I'll talk to them in the morning. But it is more of the same. We have to find a way to get some pucks to fall in for us. We had to execute better on the chances that we do get. We had some really clean looks in really good spots, and we either missed the net or hit the goaltender in the chest. That is kind of the way it has been going.

Commanders need to find out what they have in Kain Medrano Washington has nothing to play for in its season finale except for draft position and bragging rights. This is a game in which veteran players should be getting a lighter workload, and the youngsters should see the field as often as possible. One of those players in question is Medrano, who has yet to see his first defensive snap of 2025.

After punting on their first two possessions, the Giants scored on their final six non-victory formation drives. Jaxson Dart impressively responded from his worst game as a pro last Sunday (7-for-13, 33 yards, five sacks, INT in a 16-13 loss to Minnesota). He completed 22 of 30 passes for 207 yards (no touchdowns or picks), rushed for two touchdowns and 48 yards on nine carries (the last three were kneels) and was sacked only twice.

"But the onside kick bounced off the hands of receiver Romeo Doubs, who backpedaled instead of charging the ball, and the Bears recovered. "That was the most important play of the game," said running back Josh Jacobs. "He was in great position," special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said of Doubs. "I thought we got a good chip on the two guys we had to get a chip on, and he's in great position to make it."

As the Seattle Seahawks were celebrating their wild win over the Los Angeles Rams last week, defensive tackle Leonard Williams made sure that Rashid Shaheed knew how important of a role the return man had played. It might have been easy to overlook amid the chaos of their 16-point rally in the fourth quarter and eventual 38-37 win in overtime, but it was Shaheed's touchdown on a 58-yard punt return that kicked off their improbable comeback.

This is going to be the running back this current generation of young fans remembers for the rest of their days. And I don't just mean Falcons fans, I mean NFL fans across the globe. Bijan is the most undeniable talent the team has had since Julio Jones, and we're only three years into his career. Do whatever it takes to keep this man in Atlanta. Pay him early and

Agnew joined as a legitimately interesting returner, a one-time All-Pro and one-time Pro Bowler who averaged 10.3 yards per punt return and 26.1 yards per kick return as recently as 2023. We knew health would be an issue for him, but as an occasionally useful gadget player on offense with a track record of quality work on special teams-he has six combined career touchdowns on returns!-Agnew seemed likely to help with the team's return woes.

"But other than that, I thought it was pretty good, exactly what we wanted. ... It's just a little bit frustrating, because I thought guys were into the game, guys were sharp, but that little pop was missing. "I don't know - that little bit of energy on the bench wasn't there, but it was a good game for us. Just little mistakes cost us."

Hunter Luepke's role in Dallas was meant to be a fullback in the mold of John Kuhn, who played for McCarthy in Green Bay. Over McCarthy's last two years in Dallas, Luepke started in four of the 33 games he played in. He had 18 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown, along with 15 receptions for 129 yards. Not exactly on par with Kuhn's numbers in his hey days with the Packers. But apparently he showed enough.

The Cowboys are the 19th best team by DVOA, which feels about right. With 14 teams making the playoffs, that means they're just on the outside of that threshold. It's worth noting that three of their four remaining opponents all rank below them in DVOA, as do two of the teams ahead of them in the conference standings. Let's highlight special teams real quick, because it's been bad.

Mike Vrabel finds himself in a unique spot. His New England Patriots enter their Week 14 bye on an absolute heater, winners of 10 games in a row. After Monday night's beatdown of the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium to improve to 11-2, there aren't many glaring issues for the head coach to harp on. Roster depth has been a major concern for those covering the team since training camp, but even that narrative may have been overblown. The Patriots just played arguably their best game of the season without LT Will Campbell, LG Jared Wilson, special teams ace Brenden Schooler, and defensive linemen Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga in the lineup.

New York Jets player Kris Boyd, who was shot in the abdomen three weeks ago during an altercation outside a Manhattan restaurant, surprised teammates by showing up at the team facility Wednesday.

Throughout the dynasty years under Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots were known for being a dominant force in all phases of the game, beyond what Tom Brady could do with any offensive roster he was given. That was particularly true of special teams, which Belichick emphasized during his tenure, prompting the rest of the league to follow suit. Near the end of his time in Foxboro, however,

What transformed into one of the most dangerous aspects of the Los Angeles Kings' offense after last season's trade deadline, and even propelled them to a two-game series lead over the Edmonton Oilers in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, has fallen completely off the rails. The five-forward power play unit was first introduced after the acquisition of Andrei Kuzmenko.

Olszewski was returning a kickoff late in the first half when he was first spun sideways by Marte Mapu, leaving him exposed to be hit by Elliss. There was no penalty because Olszewski was a ball carrier. Olszewski fumbled on the play and it was recovered by the Patriots. The hit was seemingly hard enough that it chipped the paint off his helmet decal.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost starting left tackle Walker Little and starting receiver/punt returner Parker Washington to injuries against the Tennessee Titans. Little was evaluated for a concussion late in the first half while Washington suffered a hip injury on an incomplete pass from Trevor Lawrence. Cole Van Lanen moved from right guard and replaced Little at left tackle while rookie Wyatt Milum replaced Van Lanen at right guard.