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Home , Alvin Kamara, Cam Newton, Clark Gaines, Dan Reeves, Dick Hoak, Dominic Rhodes

FOR USE AS DESIRED 11/24/20

THANKFUL FOR CLOSE GAMES, ELECTRIFYING PLAYERS, NFL GAINING MOMENTUM FOR STRETCH RUN

The is thankful for many things. Thrilling games decided in the final minutes and players with gleaming futures making significant contributions in the present are high on that list.

Through 11 weeks, only one other season in NFL history has produced more games within one score (eight points or fewer) in the fourth quarter. And, through 11 weeks, only two other prior years have produced more games decided by one score.

MOST GAMES WITHIN EIGHT POINTS IN FOURTH MOST GAMES DECIDED BY EIGHT POINTS OR QUARTER, THROUGH 11 WEEKS, NFL HISTORY FEWER, THROUGH 11 WEEKS, NFL HISTORY 2016 123 2016 96 2020 114 2015 89 2013 114 2020 87 2007 113 2019 86 2004 113 2018 86 1988 86

RARIFIED AIR: When the SAINTS travel to play the on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High (4:05 PM ET, FOX), Saints can continue a unique climb within an exclusive group.  Making his first NFL start at quarterback last week, Hill passed for 233 yards, rushed for 51 yards and had two rushing .  Pro Football Hall of Famer entered the NFL as the first-overall selection in the 1957 draft. Among those who began their careers since Hornung joined the league, Hill is one of only 10 players with at least 500 career rushing yards, 300 career passing yards and 300 career receiving yards.

The players with at least 500 career rushing yards, 300 career passing yards and 300 career receiving yards, among those that entered the league since 1957:

PLAYER YEARS PASS YARDS RUSH YARDS REC. YARDS Taysom Hill 2017-20 438 589 312 2011-18 1,994 646 1,563 1995-2005 14,746 2,874 658 Walter PaytonHOF 1975-87 331 16,726 4,538 Dan Reeves 1965-72 359 1,888 1,483 Dick Hoak 1961-70 414 1,858 818 1960-69 326 4,995 1,045 Tom Moore 1960-67 383 2,445 1,152 1958-68 759 4,963 3,699 Paul HornungHOF 1957-66 383 3,711 1,480

 Last week, New Orleans MICHAEL THOMAS had nine receptions for 104 yards while rushed for 45 yards and a in the Saints’ 24-9 win over .  Thomas has 489 career receptions and surpassed JARVIS LANDRY (481) for the most receptions by a player in his first five seasons in NFL history.  Kamara has 531 rushing yards and 648 receiving yards this season and is the first player with at least 500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons in NFL history. He is also the sixth running back with four-or-more consecutive seasons with at least 500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in the era (1966-2020).

FIRST PLACE ON THE LINE IN INDY: The TENNESSEE TITANS and COLTS, both 7-3 and tied atop the AFC South, meet in a key showdown on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS). It’s the teams’ second meeting in three weeks. In Week 10 on , Indianapolis defeated Tennessee, 34-17, as running back NYHEIM HINES totaled two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). Last week, each team won an overtime thriller.  In that win last week, the Colts overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat Green Bay, 34-31, in overtime. This season in the NFL, there have been 12 games in which a team has overcome a deficit of at least 14 points to win, tied with the 1996 and 1979 seasons for the third-most such games through Week 11 in NFL history. Only the 1987 (15 games) and 2011 (14) seasons had more.  The Titans, meanwhile, overcame an 11-point deficit to defeat , 30-24, in overtime. This season, there have been 33 games in which a team has overcome a deficit of at least 10 points to win, the most through Week 11 in NFL history.  Tennessee running back rushed for 133 yards, including the game-winning 29-yard touchdown in overtime, last week. He leads the NFL with 1,079 rushing yards this season.  Henry, who also registered a 5-yard overtime touchdown run in Week 6, is the first player with multiple overtime rushing touchdowns in a single season in NFL history.  This season, the Titans have won an NFL-high five games in which they’ve scored the game-deciding points in either overtime or the last two minutes of regulation. Through the season’s first 11 weeks, the league has produced 28 games – or 2.54 per week – in which the winning team earned the deciding points in either the final two minutes of regulation or overtime.

The games in which the deciding points were scored in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime this season:

WEEK RESULT PLAY TIME QTR WEEK RESULT PLAY TIME QTR 1 Chi 27, Det 23 TD pass 1:54 4 6 Ten 42, Hou 36 TD run 6:30 OT 1 Ten 16, Den 14 FG 0:17 4 7 Ari 37, Sea 34 FG 0:15 OT 2 Dal 40, Atl 39 FG 0:00 4 7 Cle 37, Cin 34 TD pass 0:11 4 2 KC 23, LAC 20 FG 1:55 OT 7 Det 23, Atl 22 TD pass 0:00 4 2 Ten 33, Jax 30 FG 1:36 4 7 Phi 22, NYG 21 TD pass 0:40 4 3 Buf 35, LAR 32 TD pass 0:15 4 8 Den 31, LAC 30 TD pass 0:00 4 3 Chi 30, Atl 26 TD pass 1:53 4 8 NO 26, Chi 23 FG 1:36 OT 3 Det 26, Ari 23 FG 0:00 4 9 NE 30, NYJ 27 FG 0:00 4 3 Sea 38, Dal 31 TD pass 1:47 4 10 Ari 32, Buf 30 TD pass 0:02 4 3 Ten 31, Min 30 FG 1:44 4 10 Det 30, Was 27 FG 0:00 4 5 Chi 20, TB 19 FG 1:13 4 11 Dal 31, Min 28 TD pass 1:37 4 5 Dal 37, NYG 34 FG 0:00 4 11 Ind 34, GB 31 FG 7:10 OT 5 NO 30, LAC 27 FG 5:08 OT 11 KC 35, LV 31 TD pass 0:28 4 5 Sea 27, Min 26 TD pass 0:15 4 11 Ten 30, Bal 24 TD run 5:21 OT

STRIKING DISTANCE: Through 11 weeks, 23 of 32 teams are either in first place or within three games of first place.  In five of eight divisions – the AFC East, AFC South, NFC East, NFC South and NFC West – the gap between first and second place is no more than a game and a half.

BRADY-MAHOMES IV: Kansas City quarterback leads the Chiefs against and the Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium (4:25 PM ET, CBS). Including their 2018 AFC Championship contest, Mahomes and Brady are meeting for the fourth time, with Brady having won two of the three previous games, all with his former team, the Patriots.  The Buccaneers are allowing the NFL’s fifth-fewest yards per game (310.5), while the Chiefs on offense are averaging 414.1 yards per game, second in the league.  Kansas City is 5-0 in road games this season, tied with Pittsburgh for the best road record in the NFL. Chiefs has the fifth-most wins (110) on the road in NFL history, including postseason.

The head coaches with the most wins on the road, including postseason, in NFL history: COACH ROAD WINS Don ShulaHOF 148 George HalasHOF 138 128 Tom LandryHOF 119 Andy Reid 110

MEN OF STEEL: The can clinch the first NFL playoff berth this week, needing a win plus a Miami loss or tie and a Las Vegas loss or tie (and assuming both the Dolphins and Raiders don’t tie). The 16th team since the 1970 league merger to begin a season 10-0, Pittsburgh hosts the on Thanksgiving night (8:20 PM ET, NBC). Over the past 50 seasons, only 11 teams have opened 11-0. Nine of those teams reached the Super Bowl, and five brought home the Trophy.

The teams that began a season 11-0 since 1970:

YEAR TEAM RECORD SEASON RESULT 2015 Carolina 15-1 Advanced to 2011 Green Bay 15-1 Advanced to NFC Divisional playoffs 2009 Indianapolis 14-2 Advanced to Super Bowl XLIV 2009 New Orleans 13-3 Won Super Bowl XLIV 2007 New England 16-0 Advanced to Super Bowl XLII 2005 Indianapolis 14-2 Advanced to AFC Divisional playoffs 1998 Denver 14-2 Won Super Bowl XXXIII 1991 Washington 14-2 Won Super Bowl XXVI 1985 Chicago 15-1 Won Super Bowl XX 1984 Miami 14-2 Advanced to Super Bowl XIX 1972 Miami 14-0 Won Super Bowl VII

THE CLOSE-GAMES BAROMETER: Good teams win close games, and the data proves it. The , who travel to play Jacksonville on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS), are off to their best start since 1994, when they opened 8-2. One of the hallmarks of their overall success in 2020 has been winning close games. The Browns (4-0, 1.000) are one of seven teams this season with a winning percentage of at least .700 in games decided by seven points or less. The PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-0, 1.000), (3-0, 1.000), TENNESSEE TITANS (6-1, .857), (4-1, .800), (4-1, .800) and LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-1, .750) are the others.  Since the NFL expanded to 32 teams in 2002, 86 of 103 teams (83.5 percent) that finished with a .700-or-better winning percentage in games decided by seven points or less have made the playoffs.

In Week 11, Cleveland defensive end OLIVIER VERNON registered three sacks and a safety, while linebacker SIONE TAKITAKI returned an 50 yards for a touchdown in the Browns’ 22-17 win. Cleveland, which also recorded a safety and an interception return for a touchdown in Week 5, is the fourth team in NFL history to produce two games in the same season with both a safety and an interception-touchdown, joining the 1997 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, 1996 and 1947 PITTSBURGH STEELERS.

Meanwhile, Jacksonville rookie running back JAMES ROBINSON has 1,011 scrimmage yards this season and is the fifth undrafted rookie with at least 1,000 scrimmage yards in the common-draft era, joining DOMINIC RHODES (1,328 scrimmage yards in 2001), PHILLIP LINDSAY (1,278 in 2018), CLARK GAINES (1,124 in 1976) and LEGARRETTE BLOUNT (1,021 in 2010).

STELLAR YOUNG FACE OFF IN BUFFALO: The and BUFFALO BILLS renew a rivalry that dates back to their AFL roots on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS).  Last week, Chargers rookie quarterback passed for a career-high 366 yards and three touchdowns with zero for a 116.5 rating. Meanwhile, Chargers wide receiver had a career-high 16 receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown.  With at least 300 yards passing on Sunday, Herbert can match (six games in 2012) for the most 300-yard passing games by a rookie in NFL history. His five such games this year are tied with (2020), DANIEL JONES (2019) and (2019) for the second-most in league annals.  Herbert has five games with at least three touchdown passes this season, the most by a rookie in NFL history. Herbert, who has 22 touchdown passes this season, is also the first rookie quarterback with at least two touchdown passes in seven consecutive games in NFL history. He can make it eight straight on Sunday.  Allen, who leads the NFL with 81 receptions this season, is the fifth player in NFL history with at least 15 catches in two career games, joining , BRANDON MARSHALL, WES WELKER and . Allen has six career games with at least 13 receptions, surpassing ANTONIO BROWN (five games) and WES WELKER (five) for the most in NFL history.  Buffalo is coming off a bye. In the Bills’ Week 10 game at Arizona, quarterback passed for 284 yards with two touchdowns and had a touchdown reception. Allen, who had 20 touchdown passes and nine rushing touchdowns in 2019, has 21 touchdown passes and five rushing touchdowns this season and joins (2016-18) and (2018-19) as the only players with at least 20 touchdown passes and five rushing touchdowns in consecutive seasons in NFL history.

BOSTON COMMON: Two of the premier rushing quarterbacks in the NFL face off when the meet the at Gillette Stadium on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX).  Arizona’s KYLER MURRAY leads all quarterbacks and ranks second in the NFL with 10 rushing touchdowns, trailing only DALVIN COOK (13). From Weeks 6-10, Murray became the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era and fourth quarterback in NFL history to rush for a touchdown in five consecutive games. Plus, his 10 rushing touchdowns through Week 10 tied (1950) for the most by a quarterback in his team's first nine games of a season in league annals.  Among quarterbacks this season, New England’s ranks second behind Murray with nine rushing touchdowns. Newton has 67 career rushing touchdowns, the most by a quarterback in NFL history. In 2020, Murray and Newton have established a historic pace through 10 games.

The most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in his team’s first 10 games of a season in NFL history:

QUARTERBACK TEAM YEAR RUSH TD Johnny Lujack 1950 10 Kyler Murray Arizona 2020 10 Cam Newton New England 2020 9 Cam Newton Carolina 2011 9 Green Bay 1956 9 Kordell Stewart Pittsburgh 1997 8 New England 1976 8

 Arizona wide receiver DEANDRE HOPKINS leads the NFL with 912 receiving yards this season. Last week, he became the youngest player to reach 700 career receptions and the fifth player in NFL history with 700 receptions in his first eight seasons. Earlier this season, he became the third player in NFL history with at least 800 receiving yards in each of his first eight seasons, joining GARY CLARK and Pro Football Hall of Famer .

DREAMERS OF THE DAY ARE DANGEROUS MEN: Quarterback is on the marquis this week (8:15 PM ET, ESPN) as the travel across the country to meet the .  In Week 11, Wilson earned his 93rd regular-season win as a starting quarterback, surpassing (92) for the most wins by a quarterback in his first nine seasons in NFL history. The victory also moved Wilson past TOM BRADY (101) for the most wins including postseason over a starting quarterback’s first nine seasons in NFL annals. Since entering the NFL as the Seahawks’ third-round selection (75th overall) in the 2012 draft, Wilson is 102-50-1 (.670), including postseason.  Wilson, who leads the league with 30 touchdown passes and ranks second in passing yards (2,986) this season, can join PEYTON MANNING as one of two quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20- or-more touchdown passes in each of their first nine seasons.

RODGERS NEARS 50,000: Quarterback and the are at home on Sunday Night Football against the CHICAGO BEARS (8:20 PM ET, NBC). Rodgers needs 165 passing yards to become the 11th quarterback in NFL history to reach 50,000. He enters the week with 49,835 career passing yards.  Green Bay wide receiver DAVANTE ADAMS had seven receptions for 106 yards and one touchdown against Indianapolis in Week 11. Adams is the fourth player in NFL history with at least seven receptions and a touchdown catch in five consecutive games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer CRIS CARTER (1999), T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH (2007) and ADAM THIELEN (2018).

RAMS RECEIVERS STANDING OUT: On Monday night in Tampa Bay, teammates COOPER KUPP and ROBERT WOODS helped the LOS ANGELES RAMS to a key NFC victory to close out Week 11. This week, the Rams host the on Sunday (4:05 PM ET, FOX) with an opportunity to improve their conference record to 8-1.  Kupp (11 receptions for 145 yards) and Woods (12 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown) became the first pair of NFL teammates in 10 years, and the fourth pair in NFL history, to each record at least 11 catches and 130- or-more receiving yards in the same game.

The teammates each with at least 11 receptions and 130 receiving yards in a game in NFL history:

TEAM DATE, OPPONENT PLAYER REC YARDS PLAYER REC YARDS Los Angeles Rams 11/23/2020, at Tampa Bay Cooper Kupp 11 145 Robert Woods 12 130 9/19/2010, vs. Washington 12 158 Kevin Walter 11 144 Washington 11/4/1990, at Detroit Art MonkHOF 13 168 Ricky Sanders 11 132 9/15/1985, at Detroit Doug Cosbie 11 159 Tony Hill 11 181

WEEK 12 NFL SCHEDULE THURSDAY, SUNDAY & MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 29-30 (All times Eastern)

Thursday, Thanksgiving, November 26 Houston Texans at 12:30 PM CBS at 4:30 PM FOX Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers 8:20 PM NBC

Sunday, November 29 Las Vegas Raiders at 1:00 PM CBS Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills 1:00 PM CBS New York Giants at 1:00 PM FOX Tennessee Titans at 1:00 PM CBS Cleveland Browns at 1:00 PM CBS at 1:00 PM FOX Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots 1:00 PM FOX at 1:00 PM CBS New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos 4:05 PM FOX San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams 4:05 PM FOX Kansas City Chiefs at 4:25 PM CBS Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers 8:20 PM NBC

Monday, November 30 Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles 8:15 PM ESPN