The Rams are cooked without Adams against Seattle
Davante Adams is listed as highly doubtful for Thursday night's Rams-Seahawks clash with knee and hamstring issues. He didn't practice Wednesday after aggravating the injury in the win over Detroit. That's a disaster for Los Angeles. Adams has 14 touchdowns this season—he's not just their best receiver, he's their entire red zone offense. Without him, the Rams are asking Cooper Kupp to do everything against a Seattle defense that will now key on him completely.
Here's the tactical problem: Adams demands safety help over the top. When he's out there, it opens up underneath routes for Kupp and running lanes for Kyren Williams. Without Adams, Seattle can play single-high, load the box, and dare Matthew Stafford to beat them with contested throws. That's not Stafford's game anymore at 36. The Rams needed this win to keep playoff hopes alive. They're probably not getting it.
Seattle's losing Charles Cross at left tackle, which is significant but less catastrophic. Tackle depth matters, but losing your LT1 hurts less than losing a 14-touchdown receiver. The Seahawks can scheme around it. The Rams can't replace Adams's gravity.
Mahomes is already thinking about September 2026
Patrick Mahomes had successful surgery on his left knee ligaments Monday and is already targeting Week 1 of the 2026 season for his return. That's nine months out, which tracks for this type of injury. The Chiefs placed him on injured reserve, obviously, and the 2025 season is cooked for Kansas City.
What's remarkable isn't the timeline—it's that Mahomes is already locked in on the return date. That's elite athlete mentality. Most guys would be focused on getting through rehab. Mahomes is planning his comeback before the swelling's even gone down. Andy Reid better be scouting quarterbacks hard this offseason because relying on Mahomes being 100% by September is optimistic. ACL recoveries are unpredictable, and rushing back from knee surgery ends careers.
Brady Cook keeps the Jets job nobody else wants
The Jets confirmed Brady Cook remains their starting quarterback despite Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields both being healthy. Aaron Glenn's sticking with the rookie for the second consecutive start. That tells you everything about how little faith they have in Taylor and Fields. Cook's a project, but at least he's their project. Taylor's a known commodity—a bridge QB who can't win you games. Fields had his shot in Chicago and blew it.
The Jets are 4-10. They're playing for draft position and evaluating for 2026. Cook gives them information. Taylor and Fields give them nothing they don't already know. It's the right call in a lost season, even if Cook's not the long-term answer either.
Drake London might actually play this week
Drake London returned to practice Wednesday after missing a month with a knee injury. He hasn't played since November 16, and the Falcons desperately need him back against Arizona. Atlanta's receiving corps without London is Darnell Mooney and prayer. Kirk Cousins needs a big-bodied target who can win contested catches. London's that guy when healthy.
The question is how much they trust the knee. If London's at 80%, do you risk further damage in a game you need to win? The Falcons are fighting for playoff positioning in a weak NFC South. They probably play him even if he's not fully healthy, which is a gamble. But without him, their passing game has zero vertical threat.
Miami cuts Matthew Judon loose
The Dolphins released Matthew Judon after benching Tua Tagovailoa, officially waving the white flag on 2025. Judon signed in August and was completely useless—19 tackles in 13 games. That's backup linebacker production from a guy who was supposed to be an edge rusher. Miami's defense needed pass rush help. Judon provided nothing.
This was a bad signing from day one. Judon's 32 and coming off down years in New England. Miami gambled he had something left. He didn't. Now they're clearing cap space and roster spots for next year's rebuild. Expect more cuts coming as Miami tears it down.
Rashee Rice in concussion protocol after playing through symptoms
Rashee Rice took a massive hit against the Chargers, got checked on the sideline, and returned to finish the game. Now he's in concussion protocol after showing symptoms Monday. That's exactly how you don't handle head injuries. The Chiefs let Rice play through what was clearly a concussion because they needed him on the field. Now he might miss the Tennessee game, and more importantly, he's at risk for long-term damage.
This is the NFL's dirty secret. Teams will let guys play hurt if it helps them win. Rice probably told trainers he was fine because that's what competitors do. But the medical staff should've held him out regardless. Concussions don't show up immediately—symptoms develop hours or days later. By then, you've already done the damage. Rice is 23. Protect his brain, not your playoff chances.
Josh Metellus done for the year in Minnesota
Vikings safety Josh Metellus is getting shoulder surgery and missing the rest of the season. That's a blow to Minnesota's secondary depth, but they're deep enough at safety to absorb it. Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum are the starters. Metellus was rotation depth. Losing him matters in sub-packages and injuries, but it's not season-altering.
David Moore activated off IR for Carolina's playoff push
The Panthers activated David Moore from injured reserve after missing since Week 4 with an elbow injury. He's got 21 days to prove he belongs on the roster. Moore had 32 catches for 351 yards and a touchdown last season—solid WR3/4 production. Carolina's 7-7 and fighting for the NFC South. Every competent receiver helps.
Moore's not saving their season, but depth matters in December. If Adam Thielen or DJ Chark goes down, Moore's suddenly starting. That's why you bring guys back even if they're not stars. Playoff rosters need 53 capable players, not 22 studs and 31 bodies.
The Panthers are 6-0 as underdogs and nobody's learning
Carolina's won six games this season when bookmakers picked them to lose. Nobody in the NFL has done that more. They're 7-7, tied with Tampa Bay for the NFC South lead, and Vegas is favoring the Buccaneers in their next matchup. That's insane. The Panthers have been the best underdog bet in football all year, and oddsmakers still disrespect them.
Bryce Young's not elite, but he's competent enough with a defense that's playing lights out. Dave Canales has this team believing they can beat anyone. That's coaching. That's culture. Vegas sees Carolina's record and assumes they're fraudulent. Meanwhile, the Panthers keep cashing tickets. If you're betting against them next week, you haven't been paying attention. This team thrives when nobody believes in them. Tampa Bay's about to find out why.