Biggest stories for all 32 NFL teams: Thursday, Oct. 19 edition
By Shane Gray
Welcome to Thursday’s ‘Biggest Stories for all 32 NFL Teams’. Every Monday through Friday evening, we’ll look at the top headlines you need to see for each team.
Football is back on Thursday night as the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders renew their AFC West rivalry. However, the rest of the league is also readying for NFL Week 7. With that, there are stories abound.
Going team-by-team, let’s take a trip around the NFL to see the biggest stories for all 32 teams on Thursday, Oct. 19.
AFC East
Bills
In a story shared at the Niagara-Gazette.com, Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor explains that he can play better than he has thus far this season in the team’s 3-2 start.
On the defensive side of the football, BuffaloBills.com suggests that rookie cornerback Tre’Davious White is up to the challenge when targeted by opposing quarterback.
Dolphins
The Miami Herald asks if the Miami Dolphins have a championship caliber defense. In another Dolphins story, ESPN details how the club (3-2) is playing well in close games.
Jets
In one feature, NYPost.com details how the New York Jets and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins are rescuing each other and, in another, they cover how the Jets have become more unified during the national anthem debate.
Patriots
According to a piece at Boston.com, New England Patriots players have been given strict instruction to not speak about last year’s Super Bowl. More pertinent to on-field action, ESPN looks at the possibility of New England facing off against the Atlanta Falcons this week without two of its top three cornerbacks.
NFC East
Cowboys
Quarterback Dak Prescott says the Dallas Cowboys are not panicking after their 2-3 start, as reported by the Dallas Morning News. In other news, Pro Football Talk reports that the Cowboys will continue to stand as a team for the national anthem.
Eagles
An ESPN piece suggests that the Philadelphia Eagles Week 7 road matchup against the Washington Redskins Monday night could go a long way towards deciding the NFC East. Meanwhile, Philadelphia corner Ronald Darby was able to practice today for the first time since Week 1, as detailed here.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Giants
NewYorkGiants.com explains the three keys to a prospective Giants Week 7 victory against the Seattle Seahawks while the New York Daily News says the New York defense must prove it’s for real against Seattle.
Redskins
According to the Washington Redskins team site, safety DeAngelo Hall has returned to practice after missing the last few weeks after an ACL injury. Speaking of injuries, the Redskins have placed defensive end Jonathan Allen on injured reserve, but have not ruled out a possible return before season’s end.
AFC North
Bengals
USA Today details how the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers are set to renew their rough rivalry while The Washington Post analyzes how Cincinnati plans to tackle their upcoming stretch which includes four road contests in their next five outings.
Browns
The Cleveland Browns need a multi-year revival, according to this story at cleveland.com. They also need to “talk less and do more”, at least in the eyes of quarterback DeShone Kizer, as you can read about at ESPN.
Ravens
The Baltimore Sun has their scouting report up for this week’s Baltimore Ravens matchup on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. In personnel news, the Ravens promoted wide receiver Griff Whalen from its practice squad and released offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom and cornerback Sheldon Price, as shared on Pro Football Talk.
Steelers
The Washington Post says the Pittsburgh Steelers are searching for cures to their red-zone woes. Meanwhile, safety Mike Mitchell has been fined for his recent hit on Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith.
NFC North
Bears
WGNRadio.com has “Ten Bears Things” here and The Chicago Sun Times says that the Chicago Bears are benefiting from a youth movement in the secondary.
Lions
Injured offensive lineman Taylor Decker is itching to return, according to the Detroit Free Press and, in a political-based offering at mlive.com, Lions fans vote democrat more often than 30 other NFL fanbases.
Packers
With Quarterback Aaron Rodgers out indefinitely, packers.com says backup quarterback Brett Hundley is getting extra time in with Green Bay Packers receivers. And, also related to the Rodgers injury, Super Bowl odds for NFC teams have changed significantly since the future Hall of Famer went down, according to CBSSports.com.
Vikings
According to this report via ESPN, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater believes he will play this season following his return from injury. In other encouraging news for Vikings fans, linebacker Anthony Barr returned to practice today.
AFC South
Colts
This first feature from indystar.com suggests the Indianapolis Colts need to feed the football to running back Marlon Mack and a second feature from the aforementioned site shares fans reactions to the news that quarterback Andrew Luck is being shut down due to shoulder stiffness.
Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette believes he will be able to play this week in spite of an injury to his ankle in Week 6, as detailed here at espn.com. Off the field, owner Shad Khan says President Donald Trump is “jealous” of the NFL after failed bid to buy the Bills.
Texans
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been turning heads with his play, and is now turning heads by helping homeowners impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The news isn’t so good for Texans fans as related to left tackle Duane Brown, who is still at an impasse in a contract dispute with the Texans organization.
More from NFL
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Chicago Bears HC Matt Eberflus speaks on a number of team issues
- Ranking the top 5 Most Impressive Winning Streaks in NFL History
- Roschon Johnson showing he can be Chicago Bears RB1
- 10 current players bound for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on first ballot
Titans
According to this from thetennessean.com, running back Derrick Henry may have earned more playing time with his recent 131 yard rushing game against the Colts last week. Speaking of playing time, espn.com has an update on when Tennessee Titans fans can expect to see wideout Corey Davis again, who has been sidelined by an injury.
NFC South
Buccaneers
Pro Football Talk says quarterback Jameis Winston, who has an ailing shoulder, didn’t do much in today’s practice, which could lead to backup Ryan Fitzpatrick starting this weekend. In a positive development, the Bradenton Herald details Tampa Bay’s successful bid for the 2021 Super Bowl.
Falcons
Theringer.com asks what happened to the Atlanta Falcons world-destroying offense and the Washington Post suggests that the Falcons are “on edge” heading into their big battle with the Patriots.
Panthers
The NFL is looking into why quarterback Cam Newton declined to speak with the media Thursday (per ESPN) and The Charlotte Observer has the skinny on why wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin missed practice again.
Saints
ESPN covers the underrated greatness of quarterback Drew Brees and asks how Saints defensive backs avoid the hype.
AFC West
Broncos
At least two advertisers have reportedly pulled out of Denver Broncos radio broadcasts due to anthem concerns. according to an article at westword.com. On the field, the Broncos are said to want to get more touches for running back Jamal Charles.
Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers believes his team can turn around their season and explains why in this piece for the Los Angeles Times and apparently nfl.com contributor Adam Rank believes it, as he says the Chargers should be watched in the AFC West.
Chiefs
A feature at ESPN suggests the Kansas City Chiefs will top the Oakland Raiders tonight here and a similar piece explains why K.C. has been able to beat the Raiders five consecutive times.
Raiders
A full preview of the Oakland Raiders divisional contest Vs. the Chiefs can be found here at Yahoo! and cbssports.com has information on tonight’s color rush uniforms.
NFC West
Cardinals
This piece at cbssports.com asserts that running back Adrian Peterson can continue to do big things for the Arizona Cardinals while the team’s official website profiles the club’s new safeties.
49ers
Pro Football Talk has the info on the San Francisco 49ers release of cornerback Leon Hall and The Washington Post wants to make it clear that neither the 49ers nor the Browns will go winless in 2017.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders struggle into Top 5 pick
Rams
NFL.com has a touching article on how a young child got to meet Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley and ultimately recieve tickets to Sunday’s game in London. Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Times has a feature on Rams kick/punt returner Pharoh Cooper.
Seahawks
Seattletimes.com has a report on how the Seattle Seahawks post bye week goal is to eliminate big plays. From an opposing view, giants.com breaks down the upcoming Seahawks/Giants matchup.