ATLANTA FALCONS

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions claimed defensive end John Cominsky off waivers via the Atlanta Falcons. Detroit made room for Cominsky by releasing Aldrick Rosas, trimming its kicker competition from three to two. The 26-year-old had 67 tackles, 16.5 for loss with three sacks, two forced fumbles and 10 quarterback hits in 2018. Cominsky has 41 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and five quarterback hits across his three-year career. The defensive end is an intriguing athlete worth tracking this offseason on the push for a roster spot.

A baseball player punched an opponent following the 2A state championship game.

Desmond Ridder's drive to be first begins with an early start at his Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp apartment. “I told Desmond, ‘Don’t be so loud in the morning,'" FitzPatrick said after Saturday's session. Ridder, the Falcons' third-round pick from Cincinnati and the second quarterback selected in last month's NFL draft, says he knows no other way.

Atlanta Falcons player Grady Jarrett was turned away from Le Bilboquet while wearing a Gucci tracksuit worth thousand of dollars and a tennis chain.

ALLEN PARK -- Dean Marlowe has become the second Detroit Lions free agent to sign a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, joining former receiver KhaDarel Hodge. Marlowe signed with the new Lions regime last offseason, then went on to start nine games while playing a career-high 800 defensive snaps. Detroit has re-signed top safety Tracy Walker, but has serious needs everywhere else at the position. Fellow starter Will Harris is back, but he’s been a bottom-tier player throughout his three seasons in Detroit and is now entering a contract year. The Lions are expected to pursue a safety in this month’s draft, and some think they could take Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton with the No.

It was a 1-2 punch to the gut for Atlanta’s sports fans.

The Indianapolis Colts have acquired their new quarterback, Matt Ryan, in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the entire 2022 season after he bet on NFL games, including those involving his own team, according to reports.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season.

The NFL suspended Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley through the 2022 season for betting on games, Roger Goodell announced.

Dominic Williams proposed to his boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons cheerleader Benjamin Ajani, before the Falcons played their last game of the season.

The New Orleans Saints just missed making the playoffs on Sunday, despite beating the Atlanta Falcons 30-20.

Even with one game remaining in the regular season, the Atlanta Falcons can start thinking about the offseason. The Falcons are assured of missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. The Falcons had not suffered such a long string of losing records since 10 consecutive losing seasons from 1981-90.

Devin Singletary scored two touchdowns rushing in the second half to make up for Josh Allen’s sloppiness and the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills rallied to clinch their third consecutive playoff berth with a 29-15 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Former Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Reeves has died at the age of 77.

Dan Campbell has already shown himself to be an aggressive coach.

The Detroit Lions (2-12-1) hung tough with the Atlanta Falcons (7-8), losing 20-16 in Week 16 action. Boyle tracked Kalif Raymond every step of the way, saying he misdiagnosed the coverage as zone, throwing the ball into harm’s way over the middle. He also missed Josh Reynolds, not to mention Amon-Ra St. Brown during an earlier trip to the red zone. NFL Next Gen Stats had Boyle averaging a solid 7.3 intended air yards per attempt. Still, he averaged four air yards per completion, highlighting his inconsistency when looking downfield.

It was the kind of ending that Tim Boyle dreamed up many times in his quest to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

The Detroit Lions (2-12-1) brought another game into the final minutes, with quarterback Tim Boyle throwing a late interception in their 20-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons (7-8) in Week 16. Boyle started in place of quarterback Jared Goff, who could not clear COVID protocols after testing positive to start the week. Boyle and the Lions had their fair share of chances to take control of this one, or at least give themselves a better chance. When the Falcons took a 20-13 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Lions went down the field on a 17-play drive lasting 10 minutes, 26 seconds. Detroit took over at Atlanta’s 37-yard line, trailing 20-16 with a little more than two minutes on the clock.

The Lions had a chance to win another close, late game in Atlanta on Sunday but an interception thrown by backup quarterback Tim Boyle ended any hope of a win.

The Detroit Lions (2-11-2) are back on the road for a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) and veteran quarterback Matt Ryan in Week 16 action on the day after Christmas. This post will update with drive summaries, analysis, injury updates, photos and more throughout the game. Hit the refresh button to keep up and make sure to follow MLive’s Detroit Lions reporters on Twitter -- @BenjaminSRaven and @kmeinke. Also, head over to MLive’s Facebook account after the game for an immediate breakdown. 2021 Team stats:DVOA offensive ranking: Lions 29th | Falcons 30thDVOA defensive ranking: Lions 29th | Falcons 31stNet yards gained per passing attempt: Lions 5.4 (29th) | Falcons 6.0 (20th)Rushing yards per attempt: Lions 4.5 (9th) | Falcons 3.7 (29th)Points per game: Lions 17.4 (28th) | Falcons 18.4 (26th)Points allowed per game: Lions 26.1 (26th) | Falcons 27.4 (31st)Net yards allowed per passing attempt: Lions 7.2 (32nd) | Falcons 6.8 (27th)Rushing yards allowed per attempt: Lions 4.3 (18th) | Falcons 4.3 (15th)Takeaways: Lions 15 | Falcons 16

The Detroit Lions may enter Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons as underdogs, but those who’ve been paying attention this season know the Lions have proven they can overcome the odds for bettors. Following last week’s win over the Arizona Cardinals, oddsmakers have the Lions as a 6.5 to 7-point underdog against the Falcons. The odds reflected below were compiled Sunday morning and may have changed ahead of Sunday’s game. The odds only reflect for bets placed on the Lions as there are different odds for bets placed on the Falcons. SPREADFanDuel: +7 (-118)BetMGM: +6.5 (-105)Caesars Sportsbook: +7 (-115)DraftKings: +6.5 (-105)PointsBet: +7 (-110)OVER/UNDERFanDuel: 42 (Over -11/Under -108)BetMGM: 42.5 (-110)Caesars Sportsbook: 42.5 (-110)DraftKings: 42.5 (-110)PointsBet: 42.5 (-110)MONEYLINEFanDuel: +240BetMGM: +240Caesars Sportsbook: +240DraftKings: +230PointsBet: +240

The Detroit Lions (2-11-1) are looking to cap the holidays with their third win in four weeks, heading south to face the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) in Week 16 action. IN CASE YOU MISSED ITAmani Oruwariye’s breakout season ends with trip to injured reserve, surgery a possibilityThe Detroit Lions announced they’ve moving the third-year cornerback to injured reserve. Linebacker Tavante Beckett, tight end Shane Zylstra and linebacker Curtis Bolton have all been elevated to play against the Falcons. Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons: Matchups to watch, key questions heading into Week 16There are questions concerning quarterback Tim Boyle, running back Craig Reynolds and who is left for the defensive backfield. -- Biggest needs heading into the draft offensively and defensively-- Seriously, how badly do the Lions need a studly wide receiver?

Fresh off their second win of the season, the Detroit Lions look to take their spirited effort from last Sunday into the south when they take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. The win gave the Lions a win against a team five-or-more games above .500 in over 10 years. The Falcons and Lions have had some close battles over the last few years, but Detroit leads the all-time series, going 25-13 against Atlanta, including a dramatic comeback win in Atlanta last season. Check out more stories about the Detroit Lions here on MLive. What: NFL Football (Week 16)Who: Detroit Lions (2-11-1) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-8)When: Sunday, December 26Time: 1:00 p.m.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (2-11-1) are heading south for the holidays, drawing the Atlanta Falcons (6-8) in Week 16 action on the day after Christmas. Here is what kind of fires us up is Tim)’s been in it now four weeks,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “He’s been practicing and he was kind of fresh right back from the injury, really a week off the injury. Certainly, we’ll have a plan to where he can succeed as the offense will, but I don’t think we’re going to be hindered. See below for results from the previous five matchups:2020 -- Lions 23, Falcons 222017 -- Falcons 30, Lions 262014 -- Lions 22, Falcons 212012 -- Falcons 21, Lions 182011 -- Falcons 23, Lions 16

ALLEN PARK -- Bettors trust the Lions to cover the spread once more, with 60% of the early action going toward Detroit to keep it within six points against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. Detroit (2-11-1) remains one of the better teams in the league against the spread, going 9-5 in that department, trailing only the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys in the standings. They’re one of the worst against the spread, going 5-8 to this point. Last week, the Lions thrashed one of the NFC’s best, handling the Arizona Cardinals 30-12 from Ford Field. I don’t feel that way.”Related headlines:Tim Boyle’s first start was the worst-rated game by a Lions QB since 2009.

ALLEN PARK -- Charles Harris was a first-round pick in 2017, spending three seasons with the team that drafted him in the Miami Dolphins before his lone year with the Atlanta Falcons. The Detroit Lions happen to head to Atlanta for a matchup with the Falcons the day after Christmas in Week 16, with Harris playing the best football of his career. Harris had 3.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss across 41 games with the Dolphins. You tell me how many times has Charles Harris been in coverage the way we’ve put him in coverage. “My challenge for him is the same each week: You need to be better than you were the week before.

Jackson State was blown out in the Celebration Bowl by MEAC champ South Carolina State

Matt Ryan threw for 190 yards and a touchdown, Mykal Walker returned an interception of Cam Newton 66 yards for a touchdown and the Atlanta Falcons continued to play well on the road with a 29-21 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

10 overall pick in 2019, recorded two tackles in a 20-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The 2019 third-round pick has 46 tackles and six pass breakups in 2021. 49ers CB Ambry ThomasThe rookie third-round pick recorded three tackles on special teams against the Seahawks. Steelers DL Chris WormleyThe 2017 third-round pick had a career-high 2 ½ sacks in the win over Baltimore. Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

Tom Brady threw for 368 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the brink of an NFC South title with a 30-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey has died at the age of 77.

Mac Jones threw a 19-yard scoring pass to Nelson Agholor for the game’s only offensive touchdown and the New England defense took care of the rest.

Despite giving up the first score, New England rallied to score the next 45 points, en route to their four-straight win. Watch the NFL on FuboTV (7-day free trial)The Falcons have had a roller coaster of a season so far. They currently sit at the bottom of the AFC South, but are only 4-5 heading into Thursday. What: NFL Football (Week 11)Who: New England Patriots (6-4) vs. Atlanta Falcons (4-5)When: Thursday, November 18Time: 8:20 p.m. ETWhere: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.)Channel: NFL Network, FOXStream: FuboTV (7-day free trial), Sling, DirecTV StreamCheck out the NFL standings and results here

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys have answered their worst showing of the season with a 43-3 blowout of Atlanta.

Matt Ryan hit Cordarrelle Patterson for a 64-yard gain with a minute to go, setting up Younghoe Koo’s 29-yard field goal as time expired, and the Atlanta Falcons defeated the mistake-prone New Orleans Saints 27-25.

Ridley says he needs to take some time away from the game to focus on his own mental well-being.

Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley has missed his second game of the season and says he's dealing with mental health issues.

Alternative investing site Yieldstreet agreed to a sponsorship deal with the New York Giants in an effort to expand its customer base.

The NFL has selected the cities Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich to enter a final bidding stage to host a regular-season game in Germany.

Matt Ryan threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns including the first NFL score for Kyle Pitts and the Atlanta Falcons held on and closed out the New York Jets in a 27-20 victory in the NFL’s return to London.

In a special week five matchup, the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons will hop across the pond for a game in London as part of the NFL International Series. Sunday will mark the 29th time the NFL will host a game in England, as well as the third at Tottenham Hotspur Stadum. Watch the NFL on FuboTV (7-day free trial)This will be the Falcons’ second trip to London. What: NFL International Series (Week 5)Who: New York Jets (1-3) vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-3)When: Sunday, October 10Time: 9:30 a.m. ETWhere: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, England)Channel: NFL NetworkStream: FuboTV (7-day free trial), Sling, DirecTV StreamThere will also be a game next Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, when the Miami Dolphins will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jets are tied with the Patriots and Dolphins, while the Bills have jumped out to a 3-1 record and the AFC East lead.

Younghoe Koo kicked a 40-yard field goal on the final play and the Atlanta Falcons beat the New York Giants 17-14 to give coach Arthur Smith his first NFL win Sunday.

With only three wins in the division so far, will the NFC East once again start to look more like the NFC Least in Week 3?

Matt Ryan has watched Joe Montana, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady switch teams, so he knows there’s a possibility he won’t finish his career with the Atlanta Falcons.

Two games into the season, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is still trying to find a foundation for his struggling defense.

Tom Brady threw for 276 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers extend their winning streak to a franchise-record 10 consecutive games with a 48-25 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Just weeks before the start of the NFL season, the Falcons are the first and only team with a 100% vaccination rate.

The Atlanta Falcons have become the first NFL team to have all of its players complete COVID-19 vaccinations.

Logan Woodside and Matt Barkley each threw touchdown passes to open Tennessee’s backup quarterback competition and the Titans beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-3 in each team’s preseason opener.

The boy made an outcry of sexual abuse earlier this year to Arlington police.

Arlington police said they arrested linebacker Barkevious Mingo on suspicion of a sex crime against a child.

NFL linebacker Barkevious Mingo, who is currently with the Atlanta Falcons, has been arrested in Texas on a charge of indecency with a child-sexual contact, police said Saturday. Mingo, 30, was arrested on Thursday by police in the Dallas suburb of Arlington. Jail records listed an address for Mingo in West Monroe, Louisiana.

Arlington police arrested Barkevious Mingo Thursday night when he turned himself in, in consultation with his attorney.

The Atlanta Falcons have launched their mandatory minicamp.

The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Falcons for seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones.

The Atlanta Falcons began their offseason training program without longtime star receiver Julio Jones, who apparently has no intention of returning to a rebuilding team that is still struggling to get under the salary cap.

Summertime can be slow in the NFL, but there's reason to believe that things could be heating up in the near future for a few teams and players.

Amid rampant speculation about whether his 10-year run with the Falcons could be coming to an end, Julio Jones fueled rumors about a possible split.

Matt Ryan acknowledges his age has many wondering how long he’ll continue to lead the Atlanta Falcons offense.

Former Austin Peay defensive back Juantarius Bryant said he became the victim of an "embarrassing" NFL tryout hoax.

The NFL is returning to London in October and Tom Brady begins his pursuit of an eighth Super Bowl title against Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys when Tampa Bay hosts the league’s annual kickoff game on Sept. 9.

Former Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith learned to swim at the age of 25, fulfilling a promise to his grandmother.

As the 2021 NFL draft enters the home stretch, USA TODAY Sports will have live updates on every pick from Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.

The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft is in the books.

The Atlanta Falcons’ selection of tight end Kyle Pitts with the No. 4 pick of the NFL Draft on Thursday night made history.

Here is the round-by-round order for the 2021 NFL draft, which is scheduled to be held in Cleveland from April 29-May 1.

The NFL announced London-based data and technology firm Genius Sports would operate its rights, taking over for Sportradar.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions will host former Atlanta Falcons safety Damontae Kazee on a free-agent visit this week. ESPN reports Kazee will visit the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, then head to Detroit on Wednesday night. Kazee, 27, has spent his entire four-year career with the Falcons, leading the NFL with seven interceptions back in 2018. Detroit has safeties Tracy Walker, Will Harris, C..J. Moore and Bobby Price under contract, while Jalen Elliott and Godwin Igwebuike remain on futures deals. “I am excited to get my hands on these young guys.

Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater (5) celebrates a game-winning extra point against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Atlanta. The Detroit Lions won 23-22. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)The Detroit Lions will need a new kicker next season. Prater, 36, made two Pro Bowls as a Lions kicker, as well as a slew of clutch game-winning kicks for the team over the years. pic.twitter.com/ZVsiHz1y4D — Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 17, 2021The new Lions kicker could be on the roster already: The team signed Steelers kicker Matthew Wright to a futures contract in January.

Atlanta Falcons star defensive end Grady Jarrett and the NFL had a touching surprise for a 12-year-old football fan whose family recently died in a house fire. They gave Taeden Johnson tickets to go to the Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Florida on Sunday. "The NFL and the Falcons is going to take real good care of you this year," he said, leaving Johnson in shock. #SUPERBOWL SURPRISE: Watch as the @AtlantaFalcons' @GradyJarrett surprises this 12-year-old fan with tickets to the @NFL #SBLV after he recently lost 3 of his family members in a house fire. Last month, Johnson's mother, sister and grandmother were killed in a blaze in Athens, Georgia, CBS affiliate WSB-TV reported.

This photo provided by the New Orleans Saints shows Terry Fonetenot in an undated photo. The Atlanta Falcons named Terry Fontenot the teams general manager, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The 40-year-old Fontenot becomes Atlantas first Black general manager after spending 18 seasons with division rival New Orleans. (Photo courtesy of the New Orleans Saints via AP)ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday named Terry Fontenot the team's first Black general manager, finding new leadership from within their division. Fontenot helped build a consistent winner as the Saints’ vice president and assistant general manager in charge of pro personnel.

ALLEN PARK -- Brad Holmes once worked for Enterprise Rental Car because he couldn’t find a job in the NFL. Now 18 years later, he is set to become the next general manager of the Detroit Lions. The Lions also expanded the candidate pool, interviewing folks like Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds, former Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, former Texans general manager Rick Smith, former Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, Saints assistant general manager for pro personnel Terry Fontenot, Vikings assistant general manager George Paton, Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland, and internal candidates Rob Lohman, Lance Newmark and Kyle O’Brien. The Holmes hire was made independent of the head coach, and Sheila Ford Hamp, not Holmes, is expected to pick the next whistle. Other candidates who have served as head coaches include Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell (once the interim HC in Miami) and Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevell.

Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady is becoming a popular name for NFL teams seeking to fill head coaching vacancies. A person familiar with the situation says the Chargers, Falcons and Texans have all asked for and received permission from the Panthers to interview Brady for their head coaching jobs. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt, File)ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons have interviewed a pair of offensive coordinators, Nathaniel Hackett of the Green Bay Packers and Joe Brady of the Carolina Panthers, for their head coaching job. The Falcons conducted a virtual interview with Hackett on Thursday, one day after meeting virtually with Brady. “I think one of the (prerequisites) to being a good head coach is presence in front of a room," Rodgers said.

Below are the most notable performances involving ex-Michigan players in Week 17 of the NFL season. He completed 26 of 41 passes for 399 yards, four touchdowns and in interception in a 44-27 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Brady finishes the season with 40 touchdown passes while also adding three on the ground. 1 seed in Week 16, head coach Andy Reid rested Patrick Mahomes on Sunday, giving Chad Henne his first start since 2014. Gary finishes the season with 34 tackles and five sacks for the 13-3 Packers, who earned the No.

Brady threw touchdown passes of 29 and 4 yards to Chris Godwin. Ryan scored on a 1-yard sneak and also threw scoring passes of 19 yards to Russell Gage and 1 yard to Hayden Hurst. The latter trimmed Atlanta’s deficit to 30-27 before Brady put the game away with two late drives. Brown had his most productive day since joining the Bucs midway through the season with 11 catches for 138 yards. Godwin had five receptions for 133 yards, while Evans had three catches for 46 yards before leaving the game.

___7:07 p.m.Derrick Henry has become the eighth man in NFL history to run for at least 2,000 yards in a single season. Henry came into Sunday’s regular season finale needing 223 yards rushing to become the second man in franchise history to reach 2,000. Henry came in with 1,777 yards rushing this season, and he now is 88 yards away from becoming the eighth man in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards. The Titans lead Houston 17-9 at halftime with NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry running for 113 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The Green Bay Packers have set an NFL season record for second-quarter points.

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___A positive COVID-19 test and ensuing contact tracing at Temple have postponed the Owls’ next two basketball games. The reserve/COVID list was created for a player has tested positive test or has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person. The move came after the team stopped all in-person work at its practice facility and reported a positive COVID-19 test. ___Middle Tennessee has postponed a pair of basketball games at Florida Atlantic because of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within the Blue Raiders’ program. ___The Atlanta Falcons have stopped all in-person work at their practice facility after a positive COVID-19 test.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay (50) reacts next to Atlanta Falcons' Luke Stocker (88) after Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 39-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)NEW YORK – Despite winning 10 in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs have been just barely getting by in recent games. And the Chiefs' lead has also narrowed a bit atop the latest AP Pro32 poll. The Chiefs received 10 of 12 first-place votes for 381 points in balloting Tuesday by media members who regularly cover the NFL. “But winning in Kansas City, with or without a full house, is going to be difficult.”The Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills flipped spots again after routs in prime time.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is tackled by Atlanta Falcons Foyesade Oluokun during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City. The Chiefs had to watch as Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo missed a tying field-goal attempt with 9 seconds left to escape. The Falcons (4-11) took the lead when Matt Ryan hit Laquon Treadwell for a 5-yard touchdown with 4:33 to go. Kansas City finally took its first lead on Harrison Butker's 53-yard field goal with 14:08 left in the game. The Falcons squandered their first chance to match the points when Brandon Powell coughed up the ball deep in Kansas City territory.

(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)The Latest on Week 16 in the NFL (all times EST):___8 p.m.For the first time since 2014 there will be an NFL playoff team with a losing record. The winner will remain alive in the NFC East playoff race if Washington loses to Carolina. ___6:05 p.m.Washington is well on the way to blowing its first chance to clinch the NFC East. ___6 p.m.Eleven teams in the NFC are still harboring hopes of making a playoff run with Week 16 winding down. 1 seed in the NFC with a win Sunday night against the Titans and a Seattle loss or tie.

DETROIT – Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rolling into the Motor City with a chance to clinch a spot in the playoffs. The six-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and the Bucs (9-5) are a victory away from earning a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2007. “I call them `Hat and T-Shirt' games," Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said. He had five catches for a season-best 93 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown that capped last week’s comeback win over Atlanta. GRONK FANTampa Bay tight end Rob Gronkowski will have at least one request after the game.

Here are the top waiver wire adds for Week 16. That would be enough to warrant picking up Mayfield, but in Week 16, the Browns also get an incredibly appealing matchup against the Jets. RB Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys- Ezekiel Elliott missed the Cowboys’ Week 15 outing against the 49ers, leading to Pollard handling most of the backfield touches. Unless you have one of the top tight ends on your team, Hooper is worth a start in Week 16. With 9 total sacks over the last two weeks, the Buccaneers make a solid play in Week 16.

Here are the most notable performances involving ex-Michigan players in Week 15 of the NFL season. Brady is fifth in the NFL with 3,886 passing yards, while his 32 touchdown passes ranks fourth. Green Bay Packers OLB Rashan GaryGary had three tackles and a quarterback hit in Saturday’s 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers. The 2018 fifth-round pick had three tackles and a quarterback hit in a 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. Jacksonville Jaguars safety Jarrod WilsonWilson had a season-high 10 tackles in Sunday’s 40-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)DETROIT – The search for a new Detroit Lions general manager is heating up. ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Louis Riddick is interviewing today for the Houston Texans’ general manager job, sources tell @mortreport and me. Riddick then is scheduled to interview Friday for the Lions’ GM job. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Lions will interview former Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff next week. The #Lions plan to interview former #Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff next week for their GM job, per sources.

ALLEN PARK -- The Atlanta Falcons waived disgruntled edge defender Takk McKinley on Monday, putting a recent first-round pick on the wire. Detroit recently sent a sixth-round selection to Dallas for Everson Griffen, but it would be wise to kick the tires on McKinley with Trey Flowers out at least another two weeks. McKinley was Pick 26 out of UCLA back in 2017 to the Falcons. McKinley has some talent, and there is no reason a team like the Lions with sustained defensive struggles shouldn’t give him a serious look. Pro Football Focus ranked McKinley as the 54th best edge defender of the 120 with enough snaps to qualify in 2019.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (83) misses the catch against Denver Broncos defensive back Essang Bassey (34) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Matt Ryan took advantage of Denver's thin secondary to throw three touchdown passes and the Falcons turned back Drew Lock's bid for a second consecutive comeback to beat the Broncos 34-27 on Sunday. The Broncos' fourth-quarter comeback attempt gave Ryan and the Falcons a scary reminder of blown leads this season. Lock threw two touchdown passes and ran for a 10-yard score in the final quarter that made it 34-27. Lock answered with a 9-yard scoring pass to Tim Patrick with less than four minutes remaining. We'll get them next time.”CATCH THISZaccheaus beat Davontae Harris for a 51-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.

(CBS Denver) — The Kansas City Chiefs owned the AFC West last season. But until the third quarter, the game appeared to be a repeat of the throttling they took against the Chiefs the week before. Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert could do some damage against this Raiders team. SportsLine‘s Kenny White, the Wizard of Odds, breaks down AFC West matchups in Week 9. Carolina Panthers @ Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)Not only do the Chiefs have the inside track on another division title, they’re Super Bowl favorites.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan gets sacked by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)CHARLOTTE, N.C. – This time, the Atlanta Falcons finished. Carolina was driving late, but Atlanta stopped the rally when Blidi Wreh-Wilson intercepted Teddy Bridgewater near the Falcons' 10-yard line with 1:04 remaining. Moore on third and 18 to move the Panthers into Falcons territory. Bridgewater was limited to 176 yards passing as the Panthers (3-5) lost their third straight game without injured Christian McCaffrey. UP NEXTFalcons: Host the Broncos on Nov. 8Panthers: Open the second half of the season at the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Nov. 8.

The Atlanta Falcons had a short week and will head to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers. The two teams will kick off Week 8 on Thursday Night Football. All of the action will air on FOX or NFL Network and football fans can stream the game on fuboTV (free trial), Sling, Hulu or Amazon. The Panthers, like the Falcons, are looking to rebound from a Week 7 loss. What: Thursday Night Football - Week 8Who: Carolina Panthers (3-4) vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-6)When: Thursday, Oct. 29Time: 8:20 p.m.

In the disjointed football autumn that is 2020, it somehow makes perfect sense that defenders were left celebrating touchdowns by running backs who accidentally reached the end zone. “It’s very hard to see that end zone open up like that and just think to yourself, ‘Get down. As Gurley fell across the goal line, Lions linebacker Jamie Collins signaled touchdown as his teammates celebrated around him. It’s kind of crazy.”And so perfect for 2020. MORE FROM CBS DETROIT: Police Seek 2 Suspects In Connection To Armed Robbery On Detroit’s Southwest SideMORE FROM CBS DETROIT: Police: Roseville Drive By Shooting Leaves Woman With Fractured Skull© 2020 Associated Press.

Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers (90) celebrates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) makes the catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)ATLANTA – The Lions let the Falcons score a touchdown. Matthew Stafford connected with T.J. Hockenson on an 11-yard touchdown pass as time expired and Matt Prater booted a 48-yard extra point to give Detroit an improbable 23-22 victory over Atlanta on Sunday. The Lions (3-3) won their second in a row — their first winning streak since early in the 2019 season. Touchdown, Lions.

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons have had their share of mishaps in the fourth quarter lately, so it was no surprise when their game against each other was full of them. Ultimately, the Lions prevailed 23-22 on Matthew Stafford’s 11-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Hockenson with no time remaining, but the victory wasn’t secure until Matt Prater made the extra point, and he had to kick it from 15 yards further back because of a penalty. It looked like Detroit might not get the ball back at all, but Atlanta’s Todd Gurley scored a touchdown with 1:04 left when the Falcons could have run the clock all the way down for a winning field goal. Atlanta went ahead 22-16, but Stafford had the ball back and drove the Lions to victory. READ MORE: Local and national sports headlines

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons actually have a shot at a winning streak. “I stopped looking at the standings about three weeks ago,” Falcons running back Todd Gurley said with a chuckle. '”Coming off a bye week, the Lions (2-3) romped to a 34-16 victory at Jacksonville, finally showing they could hold a double-digit lead. The Lions haven't had a winning streak since Weeks 2 and 3 of the 2019 season. Now, they've got to face Gurley, who seems to be getting up to the speed in the Falcons offense.

Brady threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Gronkowski, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rolled to a 38-10 win over the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers. Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for a 12-yard touchdown with 1:02 left in the second quarter to cap the rally. It's been a tough afternoon so far for Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Dolphins had a 21-0 halftime lead after Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 147 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Board has movement in his limbs after suffering a concussion and neck injury in the team's win over Washington.

The Carolina Panthers have placed guard/center Tyler Larsen on the reserve/COVID-19 list, five days after he played against the Atlanta Falcons. Falcons defensive tackle Marlon Davidson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday after Carolina defeated Atlanta 23-16. Larsen did not start for the Panthers in that game, but did see action as a reserve. The Panthers still practiced on Friday in preparation for Sunday’s home game against the Bears. Seats for the Seahawks game will be available to those with season tickets based on order of account seniority.

The Patriots canceled practice Friday and later placed center James Ferentz on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He became the fifth player on the team to test positive for the virus. Newton missed New England’s loss at Kansas City on Oct. 5 after his Oct. 2 positive test. Rookie defensive tackle Marlon Davidson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday and a second person, who is not a player, subsequently tested positive. The Panthers have guard/center Tyler Larsen on the reserve/COVID-19 list, five days after he played against Atlanta.