NFL draft analysts: Michigan’s Kwity Paye is ‘terrific athlete’ but needs to be coached up by Colts
Kwity Paye is Michigan’s first prospect off the board in the 2021 NFL draft. Paye had only 16 tackles, four tackles for a loss and two sacks in four games during a shortened 2020 season. “I’m just concerned – can Kwity Paye do it right now?” ESPN analyst Booger McFarland said. “The one thing we all talked about for Kwity Paye – can he have the ability to come in and impact the game right now? Kwity Paye is a great story and he plays with tremendous effort, he plays with a spirit that all of us could learn from but he better have some moves.”
mlive.comColts' comeback bid falls short in 27-24 loss to Bills
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) reacts during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Colts coach Frank Reich couldn’t manufacture another comeback in Buffalo. We just didn’t get it done.”After squandering scoring opportunities through three quarters, the Colts finally mustered a response when trailing 24-10. Rivers engineered consecutive touchdown drives over a six-minute span before coming up empty on the Colts' final possession. The game ended with Rivers throwing three consecutive incompletions, including a 47-yard desperation pass intended for T.Y. “He exceeded expectations on what he brought to the team this year on and off the field,” Reich said.
Aaron Donald, Travis Kelce unanimous AP All-Pro Team choices
Donald was selected Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, to The Associated Press All-Pro Team. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)Dynamic defensive star Aaron Donald and unstoppable tight end Travis Kelce are unanimous choices Friday for The Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team. It is the sixth All-Pro selection for Donald, who has helped the Los Angeles Rams to the top-ranked defense in the NFL, and the third for Kansas City's record-setting Kelce. Rounding out the offense are Cleveland right tackle Jack Conklin (second selection), and Washington right guard Brandon Scherff (first). The long snapper position is new to the All-Pro Team in 2020, and Baltimore's Morgan Cox is the choice.
Cowboys' Elliott inactive; Stafford will start for Lions
(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott is inactive against San Francisco with a calf injury the two-time rushing championship has been battling for several weeks. Safety Deon Bush (foot) is also out after being listed questionable with Johnson. Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Malik Turner, CB Rashard Robinson, DE Bradlee Anae, LB Luke Gifford, DE Ron’Dell Carter. ___JACKSONVILLE AT BALTIMOREJaguars: CB Sidney Jones, CB Luq Barcoo, LB Quincy Williams, DT Daniel Ross, QB Jake Luton. Ravens: DE Calais Campbell, CB Jimmy Smith, CB Marcus Peters, RB Mark Ingram, LB Kristian Welch, DE Jihad Ward, C Trystan Colon-Castillo.
Looking ahead: Lions will have to go through mighty defense of the Colts in Week 8
Detroit’s defense also showed up for the second consecutive week, with more improved efforts against the run and even creating some pressure. With that said, let’s get to know the 2020 Colts a little better:Previous results:Jaguars 27, Colts 20Colts 28, Vikings 11Colts 36, Jets 7Colts 19, Bears 11Browns 32, Colts 23Colts 31, Bengals 27Team stats:Passing yards per game: Lions 245.7 (20th) | Colts 265.2 (10th)Rushing yards per game: Lions 108.5 (18th) | Colts 98 (28th)Points per game: Lions 26 (15th) | Colts 26.2 (14th)Points allowed per game: Lions 27.5 (20th) | Colts 19.2 (4th)Passing yards allowed per game: Lions 248.7 (20th) | Colts 199.7 (2nd)Rushing yards allowed per game: Lions 131.8 (26th) | Colts 88.3 (3rd)DVOA offensive ranking: Lions 18th | Colts 22ndDVOA defensive ranking: Lions 18th | Colts 4thSpotlight players for Indianapolis:We always start with the offensive side of the ball for this section. He’s got huge length, he can play the run, he’s extremely strong. So, I think he’s just solidified the inside part of that defense. See below for results from the previous five games, or click here for the full rundown:2016 -- Lions 39, Colts 352012 -- Colts 35, Lions 332008 -- Colts 31, Lions 212004 -- Colts 41, Lions 92000 -- Colts 30, Lions 18
mlive.comBrowns stay interested in Clowney while building solid line
The Browns remain interested in Clowney, the talented defensive end _ and former No. The Browns remain interested in Clowney, the talented defensive end and the No. During a Zoom meeting with reporters on Thursday, Woods praised Clowney but deferred any questions about the Browns' pursuit of the speedy edge rusher to general manager Andrew Berry. Obviously, he has been a really good player in this league, a great pass rusher when he was in Houston, in Seattle," Woods said. But until Clowney, who reportedly turned down an offer from the Browns already, decides what he wants to do, it's still in play.
Mistakes doom 49ers and create tight NFC West race
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan could have easily played for a tie at the end of overtime and protected the 49ers' safe lead in their division. Instead, his decision to put the ball in Jimmy Garoppolo's hands backfired, giving the Seattle Seahawks plenty of time to rally for a game-winning field goal that tightened the NFC West race significantly. San Francisco then drove down to the 29 before Raheem Mostert was stopped just short of a first down on third-and-2. San Francisco was unable to do much of anything offensively against a defense that has struggled in recent weeks. Garoppolo was also sacked five times as Jadeveon Clowney and the Seahawks' front dominated San Francisco even with starting tackles Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey back from injuries.