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NFL Week 12 live: Rams hold on and beat the Saints 26-20

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The Rams (8-3) held off the New Orleans Saints (8-3) for a 26-20 victory today at the Coliseum.

Rams lock up Saints in win and stay atop the NFC West

The Rams gave up an early touchdown run and late touchdown pass. They did not force a turnover. And after sacking Drew Brees twice on the first series, they could not unnerve the future hall of famer the rest of the game.

But the Rams defense still proved stout on Sunday, neutralizing the NFL’s most productive offense en route to a 26-20 victory before an estimated crowd of 60,000 at the Coliseum.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff passed for two touchdowns and Greg Zuerlein kicked four field goals as the Rams ended the Saints’ eight-game winning streak and improved to 8-3.

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Rams 26, Saints 20: Kamara scores again to cut into L.A. lead

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Jimmy Garoppolo finally makes his 49ers debut and throws a touchdown pass

The San Francisco 49ers have some sort of plan for Jimmy Garoppolo, but so far it hasn’t involved throwing a pass.

But all that changed in the final seconds of the 49ers’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday as the veteran backup made his debut and completed two straight passes in the final 66 seconds.

Garoppolo came into the game after rookie start C.J. Beathard suffered an apparent knee injury in the red zone. Beathard walked off the field under his own power, which is a good sign going forward, but that forced San Francisco to play Garoppolofor the first time.

On his first snap, Garoppolo ran the ball for a four-yard gain. A false start by guard Erik Magnuson backed up the 49ers to the 19-yard line. Garoppolo then connected with receiver Aldrick Robinson for a nine-yard gain.

As the clock ticked, Garoppolo quickly gathered the offense and snapped the ball in the waning seconds before completing a 10-yard pass to receiver Louis Murphy for a touchdown.

The 49ers lost 24-13, but this should give rookie coach Kyle Shanahan and company plenty to think about.

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Rams 23, Saints 13: New Orleans settles for a field goal

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Rams 23, Saints 10: Zuerlein keeps it going with a 49-yarder

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Rams 20, Saints 10: Zuerlein makes a 46-yard field goal

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Rams 17, Saints 10: New Orleans settles for a field goal before halftime

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Rams 17, Saints 7: Josh Reynolds catches first career touchdown pass

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Raiders record their first interception of 2017 season in Week 12

It was bound to happen eventually.

The Raiders’ streak of games without an interception ended today when Oakland was the beneficiary of a few lucky bounces.

Denver Broncos second-year pro Paxton Lynch, making the third start of his career, threw a pass to tight end Virgil Green on second and goal from the 1-yard line and saw the ball carom off of his player, a defender and ultimately end up in the lap of linebacker Navarro Bowman, who was lying on the ground.

It was an unfortunate play for Lynch, and was set up by what appeared to be a 20-yard touchdown reception by running back Devontae Booker. Only a video replay determined Booker was down at the one.

The Raiders capitalized on the Broncos’ mistake, turning their first interception of the year into a nine-yard touchdown reception by receiver Amari Cooper.

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Rams 10, Saints 7: Kamara breaks off a huge 74-yard touchdown run

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Rams 10, Saints 0: Zuerlein makes a 50-yard field goal

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Raiders’ Michael Crabtree, Broncos’ Aqib Talib ejected after fight

Oakland Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree and Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib have been ejected for mixing it up during the first quarter of a game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum.

It’s not clear where the aggression started Sunday, but at one point, Crabtree was blocking Talib and ran the corner out of bounds and into the ground.

UPDATE: Upon further review, It appears Talib ripped a chain off of Crabtree’s neck for the second year in a row. He did the same last year in the teams’ regular-season finale.

Talib threw a punch. Crabtree threw a punch. Both players ended up getting ejected along with Raiders guard Gabe Jackson, who was thrown out for making contact with an official.

As Talib left the field, he made his way directly through the Raiders’ sideline, prompting Oakland running back Marshawn Lynch to run over to escort him off the field.

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Rams 7, Saints 0: Watkins catches a pass for a five-yard touchdown

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Panthers tight end Greg Olsen returns, only to reaggravate his foot injury

Panthers tight end Greg Olsen is tackled by Jets linebacker Demario Davis during the first quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium.
(Kathy Willens / Associated Press)

Greg Olsen hasn’t played since Week 2 because of a foot injury.

The Carolina Panthers tight end finally made his return Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers only to exit the game in the third quarter because of an injury to his foot.

Olsen had one catch for 10 yards on four targets. He’s had just four total catches for 38 yards this season.

Olsen has had more than 1,000 yards receiving in three straight seasons for the Panthers.

Last season, he had 80 catches — 54 for a first down — for 1,073 yards with three touchdowns.

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Who’s in, who’s out? Rams vs. Saints inactives

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Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain ejected for throwing ‘punch’

Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain was ejected for throwing a punch at Patriots receiver Danny Amendola during the third quarter of a game at Gillette Stadium.

The above gif isn’t that clear but it appears to be more of a common shove than a punch, but the officiating crew at the game felt otherwise.

McCain had an interception, two tackles and one pass breakup before he was ejected.

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Yikes alert: Bears get their first first down of the game in the third quarter

Bears running back Tarik Cohen carries the ball against the Eagles during the first half of a game at Lincoln Financial Field.
(Elsa Garrison / Getty Images)

The Eagles lead the Bears 24-0 at halftime. That’s to be expected.

The Bears have exactly zero first downs at the start of the third quarter. That’s … not good.

Chicago has punted on five of their six first possessions — they took a knee to get to halftime on the seventh.

The only time they tried something different was when they missed a 56-yard field goal after recovering an Eagles fumble near midfield.

Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky hasn’t been asked to do much so far. He’s completed six of his 11 passing attempts for 39 yards.

UPDATE: It happened!

Trubisky completed a 12-yard pass to tight end Daniel Brown on third and 10 for the team’s first first down of the game in the third quarter.

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Seven NFL players continue national anthem protests

Philadelphia's Malcolm Jenkins (27) and Rodney McLeod (23) raise their arms during the national anthem before a game against Chicago.
(Chris Szagola / Associated Press)

Seven NFL players have continued their protests during the national anthem before the league’s early games.

Eagles safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod continued raising their fists, while defensive lineman Chris Long put his arm around Jenkins.

Miami wide receiver Kenny Stills, tight end Julius Thomas and safety Michael Thomas all took a knee during the national anthem in New England.

Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters stayed in the locker room during the anthem, and Tennessee wide receiver Rishard Matthews stayed off the field as well until after the anthem ended. Matthews is inactive for the Titans with an injured hamstring. Most of the Indianapolis Colts locked arms on their sideline.

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Group of young, former USC receivers are performing above expectations in the NFL

Never mind Student Body Left, or Student Body Right.

When it comes to the NFL, USC has run a beautifully executed reverse.

After several highly-touted receivers from the Pete Carroll era failed to pan out in the pros — Mike Williams, Dwayne Jarrett, and Keary Colbert among them — a new wave of sure-handed stars is changing the way NFL evaluators look at wideouts from the school.

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Cowboys release veteran running back Darren McFadden

Running back Darren McFadden carries the ball against the Eagles during a game on Nov. 8.
(Michael Ainsworth / Associated Press)

The Dallas Cowboys have released running back Darren McFadden, their leading rusher two years ago but an expendable player even with the absence of suspended star Ezekiel Elliott.

McFadden was released Sunday along with kicker Mike Nugent, who filled in when Dan Bailey missed four games with a groin injury. Bailey returned for the 28-6 Thanksgiving loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas’ third straight without Elliott.

The Cowboys also signed defensive end Datone Jones and promoted running back Trey Williams from the practice squad. Jones was a first-round pick by Green Bay in 2013. He was released by San Francisco recently.

Alfred Morris was the lead back for the first three games of Elliott’s six-game suspension over alleged domestic violence. Rod Smith emerged as a third-down back and special teams player, pushing McFadden further down the depth chart.

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Play of the week? Atlanta receiver Mohamed Sanu throws 51-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones

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Tyrod Taylor reminding Bills why it was such a bad idea to start Nathan Peterman last week

Mistakes were made.

First-year coach Sean McDermott’s decided to start rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman over veteran Tyrod Taylor last week against the Chargers last week in a decision that backfired in spectacular fashion.

Peterman had five passes intercepted — two were pick-sixes — on 14 throws and was quickly replaced by Taylor in the second quarter, but the damage was irreversible.

This week, with Taylor back in the starting role the signal caller is eight-of-13 passing in the first quarter and has a touchdown pass giving Buffalo a 7-0 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs.

While he hasn’t been perfect, the Bills had to punt on their first three possessions, he hasn’t been intercepted or turned the ball over.

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Rams mailbag: Receivers, McVay, defense and holiday binge-watching suggestions

The Rams play the New Orleans Saints, winners of eight consecutive games, as they try to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Minnesota.

The Rams are 7-3, so a playoff spot is still within reach.

Now, on to your questions.

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Patriots use fake punt on first drive against Dolphins ... because why not?

Well, that didn’t go the way Miami drew it up.

After halting the Patriots with a three-and-out, the Dolphins sat back with their special teams unit and waited for New England to punt the ball.

Instead, safety Nate Ebner took a direct snap and ran it up the right side of the Patriots’ offensive line for a 14-yard gain on fourth and eight.

The play ultimately led to a two-yard touchdown run by running back Rex Burkhead to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead over the Dolphins.

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What a game: 28 years ago, Rams’ Flipper Anderson set the single-game receiving record vs. Saints

Rams receiver Flipper Anderson had 336 yards receiving on 15 catches in 1989 against the New Orleans Saints.

Since then, only the Detroit Lions’ Calvin Johnson has come close, picking up 309 yards on 14 catches during a game against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.

What may be most interesting about Anderson’s feat is that he had just one touchdown and the Rams won by a final score of 20-17.

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Rams’ Tavon Austin can trace road to NFL to childhood competitions

It was a thin strip of grass on the median of Tioga Parkway, a bustling West Baltimore thoroughfare.

They called it the Middle Piece.

Measuring perhaps 35 yards long and 15 yards wide, the urban patch served as a makeshift football field for generations of Tavon Austin’s relatives and neighborhood kids.

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Browns set to activate Josh Gordon next week against Chargers, report says

It’s been years since Josh Gordon played like an All-Pro and even longer since he touched the field in a regular-season game.

But Gordon could get back on the field for Cleveland as soon as next week when his team plays the Chargers at StubHub Center, according to an NFL.com report.

Gordon, 26, hasn’t played since 2014 because of multiple violations of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy which ultimately earned him an indefinite suspension from the league.

In an interview with GQ, Gordon recently admitted that he had taken some substance “probably every game of his career.”

Gordon was drafted by the Browns in the second round of the 2012 conditional draft out of Baylor. His rookie season he caught 96 passes for 805 yards and five touchdowns.

He bettered that mark in 2013, catching 159 passes for 1,646 and nine touchdowns after missing the first two games of the season for his first violation of the substance-abuse policy.

A second violation of the league policy earned him a 10-game ban in 2014. A subsequent violation cost him the entire 2015 season.

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Video preview: Rams vs. Saints

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Rams vs. New Orleans Saints: How they match up

RAMS (7-3) VS. NEW ORLEANS (8-2)

When Rams have the ball

A week after the Minnesota Vikings shut down his team’s high-scoring offense, Rams coach and play-caller Sean McVay will try to reboot. Quarterback Jared Goff did not turn over the ball against the Vikings, but he was held without a touchdown pass for the first time since a Week 7 victory over Arizona. Goff is completing 61% of his passes, 16 for touchdowns, with four interceptions. Last season against the Saints, in his second NFL start, Goff played well in the first half and then struggled. Goff faces a new challenge because the Rams are without leading receiver Robert Woods, who suffered a shoulder injury against the Vikings. Sammy Watkins is expected to play a larger role, and Tavon Austin finally could be utilized as a receiver. Pharoh Cooper, Mike Thomas and rookie Josh Reynolds also will get opportunities. Running back Todd Gurley has rushed for eight touchdowns and scored on three pass plays. He rushed for 20 yards in the first quarter against the Vikings but was limited to 17 the rest of the game. The Saints rank ninth in the NFL against the pass and 13th against the run. But they are without their two top cornerbacks and end Alex Okafor because of injuries. They still have end Cameron Jordan, who has eight sacks, and safety Vonn Bell, their leading tackler.

When Saints have the ball

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees leads the NFL’s most productive offense. The Saints are second in passing and third in rushing and scoring. Brees, in his 17th season, is completing 72% of his passes, 15 for touchdowns, with five interceptions. In last week’s 34-31 overtime victory over the Washington Redskins, Brees completed 29 of 41 passes for 385 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. His favorite receiver is Michael Thomas, the former Woodland Hills Taft High and Ohio State standout who has 65 catches, two for touchdowns. Rookie running back Alvin Kamara (48 catches), receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (35) and tight end Coby Fleener (21) are other top targets. Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner, has rushed for a team-best 806 yards and eight touchdowns. The Rams entered the week with questions at cornerback. Kayvon Webster was cleared from concussion protocol and will start opposite Trumaine Johnson. Slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman is doubtful, so safety Lamarcus Joyner could double as a slot corner in certain situations. Last week, the Rams got pressure on Case Keenum, but failed to sack the Vikings quarterback. Aaron Donald and other members of the Rams’ front seven cannot afford Brees the same luxury.

When they kick

Greg Zuerlein leads the NFL in scoring with 115 points. But after failing to get into field-goal range against the Vikings, the Rams must find a way to create opportunities for their most consistent scoring threat. Zuerlein has made 28 of 29 field-goal attempts. Punter Johnny Hekker is averaging 46.8 yards per kick. Pharoh Cooper averages 30.2 yards per kick return, which ranks ninth in the NFL. He averaged 10.4 yards per punt return. Saints kicker Wil Lutz has made 22 of 26 field goal attempts. Thomas Morstead averages 47.3 yards per kick.

Gary Klein’s prediction

This is the Rams’ second consecutive game against an NFC opponent that appears bound for the playoffs. The Saints have an eight-game winning streak, but it will be difficult to maintain after a long trip.

RAMS 30, SAINTS 27

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NFL Week 12 scores and schedule

Today’s schedule

New Orleans Saints at RAMS, 1:25 p.m.

at Atlanta Falcons 34, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20

at Cincinnati Bengals 30, Cleveland Browns 16

at Tennessee Titans 20, Indianapolis Colts 16

Buffalo Bills 16, at Kansas City Chiefs 10

at New England Patriots 35, Miami Dolphins 17

at Carolina Panthers 35, N.Y. Jets 27

at Philadelphia Eagles 31, Chicago Bears 3

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, 1:05 p.m.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders, 1:25 p.m.

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers, 5:30 p.m.

Monday’s schedule

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday’s results

CHARGERS 28, at Dallas Cowboys 6

Minnesota Vikings 30, at Detroit Lions 23

at Washington Redskins 20, N.Y. Giants 10

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AFC notes: From A to Z

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers reacts during his team's victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
(Tom Pennington / Getty Images)

Baltimore Ravens: Linebacker Terrell Suggs has six sacks in six career games against Houston. Baltimore is 70-29 when Suggs has at least half a sack.

Buffalo Bills: Nathan Peterman threw five interceptions last week before he was benched for Tyrod Taylor, who has had three picks all season.

Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green has 31 100-yard receiving games, tied with Chad Johnson for the Bengals team record. Cincinnati’s offense ranks last in the NFL.

CHARGERS: Philip Rivers’ 434 yards passing in a victory over the Cowboys on Thanksgiving was the first time he’s thrown for more than 425 yards and won.

Cleveland Browns: Duke Johnson Jr. leads the Browns with 46 catches and 414 yards receiving. He leads all running backs with 1,462 yards receiving since 2015.

Denver Broncos: The Broncos’ six straight losses are their most since 1990. Their last seven-game losing streak came in 1967, when they lost nine in a row.

Houston Texans: The Texans are 44-80 on the road since joining the NFL in 2002. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph is set to play in his 100th game with the Texans.

Indianapolis Colts: Jacoby Brissett, who is expected to start, needs one touchdown pass of 60 or more yards to tie John Unitas’ single-season franchise record (five).

Jacksonville Jaguars: End Calais Campbell played the previous nine seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, the Jaguars’ Week 12 opponent, and ranks second on the Cardinals franchise career sacks list with 56 1/2.

Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has made a catch in 58 straight games. Kansas City leads the league with 98 points in the fourth quarter.

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins have had the second-most penalties (84), including 17 last week in a loss to Tampa Bay, one shy of their franchise record.

New England Patriots: The Patriots have won six consecutive games and need one more victory to guarantee a winning record for the 17th straight season.

N.Y. Jets: Josh McCown leads the league in completion percentage on third down (74). Defensive end Leonard Williams has 11/2 sacks in the last two games.

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. this last week and replaced him with defensive assistant John Pagano.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers haven’t allowed a touchdown on an opponent’s opening drive in 27 straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Tennessee Titans: Rishard Matthews had the Titans’ first 100-yard receiving game of the season last week.

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NFC notes: From A to Z

Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert throws a pass during the first half of a game against the Texans last week.
(Eric Christian / Associated Press)

Arizona Cardinals: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert was taken with 10th pick by Jacksonville out of Missouri in 2010. He was 5-22 over two- plus seasons with his former team, which he now faces in Week 12.

Atlanta Falcons: Mohamed Sanu has grabbed a touchdown reception in three of the last four games and leads the Falcons with four in 37 catches for 388 yards.

Carolina Panthers: Tight end Greg Olsen (foot), out since Week 2, and center Ryan Kalil (neck), who has played just two games, are expected to play against the New York Jets.

Chicago Bears: Rookie Mitchell Trubisky hasn’t had a pass intercepted in consecutive games. The Bears have one win in regulation and two in overtime.

Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys have lost three straight games by at least 20 points for the first time since 2004, all since running back Ezekiel Elliott was suspended.

Detroit Lions: Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered a right ankle injury during Detroit’s 30-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving.

Green Bay Packers: The Packers haven’t won in Pittsburgh since 1970. Green Bay is 25-12 on Sunday night since 1990, before starter Brett Hundley was born (1993).

Minnesota Vikings: Quarterback Case Keenum has led the Vikings to a 7-2 record as the starter after going 9-15 during stints with the Texans and Rams.

New Orleans Saints: Cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (ankle) and Ken Crawley (abdomen) both missed practice this week and are questionable for the game against the Rams.

N.Y. Giants: Giants cornerback Eli Apple was a healthy scratch for the second straight week for the Giants’ 20-10 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Washington Redskins.

Philadelphia Eagles: Jay Ajayi has 168 yards rushing and one touchdown in two games since being traded from Miami. He had 465 yards in seven games with the Dolphins.

RAMS: The Rams will face all three fellow NFC division leaders over a four-week stretch (lost to Vikings last week, vs. Saints this week, vs. Eagles in Week 14).

San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers last won back-to- back games in 2014 under coach Jim Harbaugh. They have committed a turnover in nine of 10 games.

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks have won eight straight against the 49ers going back to the NFC Championship game in 2014, when they went on to win the Super Bowl.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rookie tight end O.J. Howard has three touchdowns in his last three road games. He has 17 catches for 279 yards but has also fumbled the ball twice.

Washington Redskins: Receiver Jamison Crowder has 27 catches for 412 yards over the last four games after totaling only 19 grabs for 149 yards over the first seven games.

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