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Jaguars stumble in Cleveland as Lawrence throws 3 INTs and Flacco throws 3 TDs

By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND — Joe Flacco threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns in his home debut for Cleveland and the Browns survived a late rally by Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 31-27 win Sunday.

The 38-year-old Flacco, who was only signed three weeks ago by the Browns (8-5), delivered the kind of performance he had almost annually as a visitor with Baltimore.

Flacco went 26 of 45 and improved to 10-2 as a starter in Cleveland.

Lawrence played despite spraining his right ankle Monday night. He threw a season-high three interceptions before bringing the Jaguars (8-5) back in the fourth quarter.

His third TD pass — to Evan Engram with 1:33 left — pulled the Jaguars within four points. Cleveland’s Myles Garrett then sacked Lawrence on the 2-point conversion, and the Browns recovered an onside kick to close it out.

Flacco threw two TD passes in the first half to tight end David Njoku and completed a 41-yarder to wide receiver David Bell in the fourth quarter when the Jaguars gambled with an all-out blitz on fourth down.

The Browns have been forced to play four QBs due to injuries and are putting their playoff hopes in Flacco’s hands. He’ll lead their stretch drive.

The Jaguars suffered their second loss in six days despite having Lawrence. The quarterback wasn’t on his game early and finished 28 of 50 for 257 yards.

Lawrence was without one of his top receivers after Christian Kirk was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

Jacksonville is banged up on both sides of the ball as the first-place Jaguars, who lost for the first time in seven road games, try to hold off Houston and Indianapolis in the AFC South. The Texans and Colts both lost Sunday.

Martin Emerson had two of the picks against Lawrence, who threw an incompletion on fourth down with 3:30 left.

The Browns then took a 31-21 lead when Dustin Hopkins kicked a 55-yard field goal with 3:10 remaining.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski never announced his starting quarterback, preferring to keep the Jaguars in the dark.

Flacco didn’t waste time showing why he was the obvious choice over rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, completing 4 of 4 passes for 66 yards as the Browns went right down the field to take a 7-0 lead.

Cleveland brought in its “heavy” package on third-and-1 at the Jaguars’ 34. Flacco faked a handoff that fooled Jacksonville’s defense as Njoku was left uncovered down the left side for a 34-yard touchdown.

Flacco’s second TD pass was equally easy. Njoku wasn’t initially picked up after the snap, caught a pass over the middle, broke a tackle inside the 10-yard line and scored. It’s the first multi-TD game of Njoku’s career.

Jacksonville’s defense came up with a turnover to set up the Jaguars’ lone score in the first half as safety Andrew Wingard stripped away Amari Cooper after a 19-yard gain.

Two plays later, Lawrence connected with Engram for a 10-yard TD to pull the Jaguars within 14-7.

Lawrence didn’t appear to have any issues with the ankle but he wasn’t very accurate, completing 11 of 22 passes for 100 yards in the first half.

INJURIES
Jaguars: LT Ezra Cleveland, who was filling in for injured starter Walker Little (also a backup), went out with a knee injury in the second quarter. … S Andre Cisco (groin) went out in the second half.
Browns: Starting C Ethan Pocic suffered a neck stinger in the first quarter and didn’t return. Nick Harris filled in. … DT Jordan Elliott suffered a concussion in the first half. … S Grant Delpit (groin) got hurt in the fourth quarter. … S Juan Thornhill (calf) was a game-time scratch. Undrafted rookie Ronnie Hickman took his starting spot.

UP NEXT
Jaguars: Host Baltimore on Sunday.
Browns: Host Chicago on Sunday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/12/10/jaguars-stumble-in-cleveland-as-lawrence-throws-3-ints-and-flacco-throws-3-tds/

Baker Mayfield’s late winning TD pass gives Bucs NFC South lead over Falcons

11/12/2023, USA, Multi Sports, USA Publications, Article # 31547334

By Rick Stroud

Tampa Bay Times

ATLANTA — Chris Godwin didn’t have a catch in the last game. But Baker Mayfield rediscovered him when it mattered most Sunday.

Trailing by a field goal and facing third-and-10 at the Atlanta 47, Mayfield connected with Godwin on a 32-yard pass, then threw an 11-yard touchdown to Cade Otton with 31 seconds remaining in the Bucs’ 29-25 win over the Falcons.

It was the third win in five games for the Bucs (6-7) and moved them into first place in the NFC South. (The Bucs own the tiebreaker thanks to common opponents.)

The Bucs turned two Desmond Ridder turnovers into two scores but the Falcons quarterback made two plays to put the Bucs behind. With 6:10 to play, Ridder connected on a 45-yard first-down pass to Drake London, then eventually scored on a 6-yard touchdown run to leave Tampa Bay trailing 25-22 with 3:23 left.

After the Falcons’ touchdown, the Bucs drove to the Tampa Bay 45. But Rachaad White was stopped on third-and-1 for no gain. That’s when Mayfield somehow located Godwin.

The Bucs used an interception by Carlton Davis and a safety caused by a sack/fumble from Antoine Winfield Jr. to account for two scores and build a 22-17 lead.

Running backs White and Chase Edmonds combined to rush for 142 yards.

Mayfield entered the fourth quarter 10-of-18 for 88 yards, but the 31-yard catch-and-run by White for a touchdown near the end of the third quarter was enough to make it a two-score game.

The Bucs were terrible on offense from the start and only had 85 total yards in the first half but led 12-10.

Credit the even worse play by Ridder, who gifted Tampa Bay nine points.

Normally reliable Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed two field goals in the first half, hitting the right upright from 50 yards and missing wide left from 52 yards wide left as the first half ended.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/12/10/baker-mayfields-late-winning-td-pass-gives-bucs-nfc-south-lead-over-falcons/

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UF to hire Will Harris to lead Gators’ beleaguered secondary

11/12/2023, USA, Multi Sports, USA Publications, Article # 31547381

GAINESVILLE — Florida is expected to hire NFL assistant Will Harris to coach the Gators’ secondary after Billy Napier fired Corey Raymond following the team’s 5-7 finish the Orlando Sentinel has learned.

Harris has worked since April as an assistant secondary coach for the Los Angeles Chargers following several stops at the college level. He served as defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Georgia Southern in 2022 following four seasons coaching Washington’s defensive backs (2018-21).

The 2021 Huskies paced the nation in fewest passing yards allowed (142.9 ypg), touchdowns allowed (6) and yards yielded per attempt (5.4). The 2020 team allowed 5 touchdowns, third nationally, and an average of 185 yards (13th).

A native of Pasadena, Calif., Harris played at USC from 2005-09 for Pete Carroll and has no connection to the Gators’ coaching staff. Chargers defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley did work with Napier in 2011 and 2016 at Alabama, where Ansley was a graduate assistant (2010-11) and defensive backs coach (2016-17) for Nick Saban.

New UF secondary coach Will Harris celebrates while at USC after he tackled Washington’s D’Andre Goodwin for a loss during a 2008 games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Keith Birmingham/SPORTS)

Harris, who turns 37 Dec. 29, will inherit the SEC’s ninth-ranked pass defense. The Gators generated a league-low 3 interceptions and allowed a league-high 25 completions of 30 yards or longer, including a 70-yard touchdown to Utah’s Money Parks on UF’s first defensive snap of the 2023 season.

Much was expected of veteran cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. but he struggled. The three-year starter allowed 4 touchdowns during the season but ended 2023 with 3 pass breakups during a Nov. 25 loss to FSU. The former 5-star recruit out of Miami is expected to leave early for the 2024 NFL draft.

Former Georgia transfer Jalen Kimber, who started 11 games, has a year of eligibility. But the redshirt junior was inconsistent in coverage and struggled with tackling. Devin Moore battled injuries and appeared in just seven games, but the 6-foot-3 sophomore might have the most upside among returners.

Meanwhile, true freshman Ja’Keem Jackson of Kissimmee appeared in 11 games and played during key moments but allowed a 55-yard touchdown catch against Tennessee and a 52-yard completion against Vanderbilt to set up a score. First-year freshman Dijon Johnson of Tampa was a highly touted prospect who changed his commitment from Ohio State but played primarily on special teams.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/12/10/florida-football-gators-will-harris-secondary-corey-raymond/

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Broncos 7, Chargers 0: Jonathon Cooper’s pick leads to Javonte Williams touchdown

11/12/2023, USA, Multi Sports, USA Publications, Article # 31547333

The Broncos head to California to see if they can shake off last week’s loss to the Texans. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Live updates

First-quarter analysis — Broncos 7, Chargers 0

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Well, this is exactly the version of the Chargers the Broncos wanted to show up to SoFi. Denver’s ability to score a TD off its takeaway while the Chargers completely squandered theirs is essentially a 10-point swing. Given what we’ve seen from Justin Herbert and the Broncos defense so far today, that feels like a game-deciding swing.

First-quarter updates

Bonitto injury update (2:59 p.m.): Bonitto just got carted into the locker room after being ruled questionable to return with a knee injury. — Ryan McFadden

Nik Bonitto injury (2:52 p.m.): Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto just limped off the field with a trainer. — Ryan McFadden

Big sack (2:51 p.m.): Ja’Quan McMillian joins the sack party. His sprint off the left tackle got to Justin Herbert. He splits the sack with Nik Bonitto. — Joe Nguyen

Every week, Ja’Quan McMillian makes a play on defense. — Matt Schubert

Jonathon Cooper injury (2:49 p.m.): Following his interception, Jonathon Cooper is being evaluated in the injury tent. — Joe Nguyen

Touchdown, Broncos (2:47 p.m.): One play later, Javonte Williams runs in his first touchdown run in two years. 205 carries between scores.

So, for those scoring at home: Both defenses get a takeaway inside the other team’s 20. The Broncos turn it into seven. The Chargers get zero. This is why the Chargers are the Chargers. — Matt Schubert

Took advantage.

: CBS | @javontewill33 pic.twitter.com/PIiNn4ZVdO

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 10, 2023

Defensive lineman interception (2:46 p.m.): Justin Herbert threw a pass that was batted by Baron Browning and snagged by Jonathon Cooper. Broncos with the ball at the 3-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

Tipped & picked!!!!

: CBS
pic.twitter.com/eiNEG9UMDd

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 10, 2023

Team Takeaway returns. Baron Browning tip. Jonathon Cooper pick. And now the Broncos have the ball inside the Chargers 10. — Matt Schubert

Puts the specials in team (2:45 p.m.): Riley Dixon has been pretty solid for the last couple of weeks now. He hits a wedge shot from midfield to pin the Chargers inside their own 10. — Matt Schubert

Defense to the rescue (2:39 p.m.): As has been the case since Week 6: Vance Joseph’s team rises to the occasion when its called upon. They’ve bailed out Sean Payton’s offense far more frequently than the reverse. — Parker Gabriel

Fourth-and-nothing (2:37 p.m.): On fourth-and-3 at the Denver 6, the Chargers went for it. Justin Herbert could not connect with Gerald Everett. Broncos ball. — Joe Nguyen

Then the Chargers up the ante and go full Chargers with a fourth-and-short misfire from Justin Herbert. No points as the Broncos dodge an early bullet and now Javonte Williams has the Broncos on the move. — Matt Schubert

Bad error (2:36 p.m.): Welp, this is exactly the sort of start that this version of the Broncos absolutely has to avoid. Early giveaway that will almost assuredly lead to points for the Chargers. — Matt Schubert

Casa Bonitto (2:35 p.m.): Nik Bonitto is one fast man. Tackle for a loss of 2 on Los Angeles’ first play of that drive. — Joe Nguyen

Rough start (2:32 p.m.): That’s almost assuredly going to be a Russell Wilson interception. Marvin Mims Jr. never had control of that ball. — Matt Schubert

we'll take that

: @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/YtHYXlySPp

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 10, 2023

Empty backfield at the nine-yard line on first down? — Ryan McFadden

Big sack (2:29 p.m.): Alex Singleton ran down Justin Herbert on third down to force the Chargers to punt on their opening drive. Denver will start on its own 9-yard line after a holding call on the punt. — Joe Nguyen

.@alexsingleton49 with the sack!

: CBS pic.twitter.com/1OFMyU7I5q

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 10, 2023

Alex Singleton out for redemption after last week’s four-point flub. Off to a good start with a sack to end the Chargers’ first drive of the game. — Matt Schubert

Coin toss (2:24 p.m.): Denver wins the toss and defers. Chargers will get the ball to start the game. — Ryan McFadden

Pre-game updates

In other games (1:51 p.m.): If you’re scoreboard watching today, it’s been a chaotic early slate of games for the back part of the AFC playoff race. Jets doing Denver a solid and leading Houston so far today. 6-6 Cincinnati is rolling over 7-5 Indy. 7-5 Cleveland’s up two scores over 8-4 Jacksonville.

If those scores hold, there will be four teams at 7-6, with Denver and Buffalo (at KC) each aiming to join the party this afternoon. — Parker Gabriel

Inactives (12:59 p.m.): Perine is indeed active. Bit of a scare with the knee issue forcing him to miss practice altogether on Friday, but he passed the pregame test and is good to go.

Denver’s inactive list:

RB Tyler Badie
OLB Thomas Incoom
OLB Ronnie Perkins
S JL Skinner
C Alex Forsyth
TE Nate Adkins
DL Elijah Garcia

— Parker Gabriel

Next man up (12:21 p.m.): If Perine is unavailable, the Broncos elevated running back Tyler Badie from the practice squad. — Ryan McFadden

Good morning from SoFi Stadium (12:14 p.m.): The Broncos face a critical road test today against the Chargers. They need to stack AFC wins down the stretch in order to stay in the playoff mix. RB Samaje Perine (knee) is questionable, but he just worked out on the field and Denver is hopeful that he’ll be available to play, at least in some capacity.

Other than that, Denver is about as healthy as anybody could ask for this time of year. Perine’s status and the Broncos’ inactive list will be made official 90 minutes before kickoff. — Parker Gabriel

Scouting report (noon): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Chargers in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.

Game predictions

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 24, Chargers 21

Denver was its own biggest enemy in a loss last weekend at Houston. With a similar style game on tap — indoor stadium, an opponent that struggles to defend the pass — Sean Payton finds just enough patience to stick with the run plan and Russell Wilson doesn’t turn the ball over three times. Unless they really fail against Khalil Mack. … Yeah, it’s not likely to be easy.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 24, Chargers 21

The Broncos will get back into the win column and improve their playoff chances. It’s a divisional matchup, so things are going to be close. But I can see Sean Payton leaning on the run and using the play-action game to exploit Los Angeles’ pass defense. Denver doesn’t deserve to be in the playoffs if it can’t beat Los Angeles.

Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 22, Chargers 20

Somebody get the shepherd’s crook for Bolts coach Brandon Staley before he wastes any more peak years of Justin Herbert’s career. The Broncos’ pass-protection issues make you nervous in this one, granted, which is only one more reason why Sean Payton needs to let somebody other than Russ do the cooking.

Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 20, Chargers 16

In Broncos Country takeover of Sofi Stadium, Denver beats the team the City of Angels never wanted. And Russell Wilson out-performs Justin Herbert, the most overrated player in the NFL.

Broncos-Chargers NFL Week 14: Must-reads

Task No. 1 for Broncos’ offensive front Sunday: Slow down Chargers pass-rusher Khalil Mack, who at 32 is “playing out of his mind”

By most general metrics, the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense isn’t particularly daunting. It ranks No. 24 overall in estimated points added per play and is relatively balanced against the pass (No. 23) and against the run (No. 20). Brandon Staley’s defense, however, does two things really well: Win third down and get after opposing quarterbacks.

Those two, of course, end up being related when teams are forced to throw the ball on third down. The Chargers are tied for third in the NFL with 41 sacks. Even in recent weeks without star defensive end Joey Bosa (on injured reserve with a foot injury), they’ve been able to generate heat. L.A. had two sacks against Baltimore on Nov. 27 and five last week in a 6-0 shutout win against New England.

The driving force: Who else but veteran Khalil Mack. The 32-year-old is putting together one of the most productive years of his storied career, racking up 15 sacks through the Chargers’ first 12 games. He’s at 99.5 for his career, so the next one will tip the register into triple digits. The Broncos will have a big task on their hands if they’re to keep him from hitting the milestone Sunday, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.

Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.

https://www.denverpost.com/2023/12/10/broncos-chargers-live-updates-highlights-nfl-2023-week-14/

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Broncos 7, Chargers 0: Josey Jewell gives Denver its fourth sack of the game

11/12/2023, USA, Multi Sports, USA Publications, Article # 31547379

The Broncos head to California to see if they can shake off last week’s loss to the Texans. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Live updates

Second-quarter updates

McMillianaire (3:38 p.m.): Ja’Quan McMillian with a (surprise, surprise) big play. Strip sack into a touchdown. The play is under review right now. — Joe Nguyen

Ja’Quan McMillian … again! Strip sack, fumble recovery and touchdown return! All by himself. — Matt Schubert

Is Ja’Quan McMillian a Pro Bowler? — Ryan McFadden

It’s Easton Stick time (3:36 p.m.): Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert went back to the locker room. Backup Easton Stick is in now. Herbert has a finger injury and is questionable to return. — Joe Nguyen

Broncos now at three consecutive punts for the Broncos. And, yet, it feels like Denver is in complete control

Especially with Justin Herbert in the locker room getting treatment. Easton Stick, the North Dakota State product, is on the field in a really big spot. — Matt Schubert

Out of bounds? (3:34 p.m.): Sean Payton thought Perine got tackled out of bounds and he made his displeasure very clear to the officiating crew. — Matt Schubert

Spin-a-roonie (3:31 p.m.): Tight end Adam Trautman with a nice spin move after the catch. But it doesn’t count. Courtland Sutton was called with offensive pass interference. — Joe Nguyen

Defense stands (3:27 p.m.): Great pressure from Jonathon Cooper on Herbert, who throws an incomplete pass on fourth down. Chargers were called for illegal shift but Denver declined the call.

Broncos are back on offense. — Ryan McFadden

Feels like the Broncos defense pulled a Jedi mind trick allowing the Chargers to get just close enough to convince them to go for it on fourth down. L.A. now 0 for 2 on fourth down. This game could be 7-6. Instead, it’s still 7-0, Broncos. — Matt Schubert

Sack No. 4 (3:25 p.m.): Is this 2015? The Broncos have their fourth sack on the first half. Josey Jewell joins the party. — Joe Nguyen

Third-down woes (3:21 p.m.): The Broncos are now 1 of 4 on third down, which is currently OK because it isn’t as bad as the Chargers’ 0 for 5. — Matt Schubert

Missed opportunity (3:19 p.m.): Bad throw by Russell Wilson. Kinda bad drop by Jerry Jeudy. A deep ball that would’ve had the Broncos on the doorstep once again, instead falls incomplete and now the Broncos are punting again. — Matt Schubert

Low-scoring affair (3:18 p.m.): The way this game is looking, no one will score 20 points. — Ryan McFadden

Wide open. And missed. (3:14 p.m.): Russell Wilson had a wide-open Jerry Jeudy. It just went through his arms. That would’ve got the Broncos inside the 5-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

At least it’s double digits (3:12 p.m.): Justin Herbert’s QB rating at the moment: 10.4. — Matt Schubert

Sack party (3:08 p.m.): Denver got its third sack after Alex Singleton got to Justin Herbert. He couldn’t bring him down, but Zach Allen sure did. — Joe Nguyen

Alex Singleton looks motivated. — Matt Schubert

Justin Herbert is straight up not having a good time so far today. — Parker Gabriel

Zach Allen’s fifth sack of the season forces the Chargers to punt. Los Angeles is 0-for-5 on third down. — Ryan McFadden

Punt (3:03 p.m.): After a quarterback sneak to gain the first down on the second to last play of the first quarter, the Broncos gained just 3 yards in their next two plays. Riley Dixon punts it. — Joe Nguyen

First-quarter analysis — Broncos 7, Chargers 0

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Denver is playing solid defense. The group had two sacks and three quarterback hits in the opening frame. Chargers have played some bad football, man. Still puzzled about them going for it on fourth down in the red zone instead of taking the points.

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos defense showed up with a bad attitude today. The Chargers showed up … bad all around.