The NFL is shifting back into “No Fun League” mode, with the league’s competition committee deciding that taunting should be an emphasis from officiating crews entering the 2021 season. While taunting has always been on the books as a 15-yard penalty, this year we could see more flags fly for players talking a little smack to one another. What that means? Less taunting, less fun, more penalties. How annoying....

Not an athletic trainer or a team doctor, but a position coach. It was added affirmation for Ellenbogen, the co-chairman of the NFL’s head, neck and spine committee, that head injuries are being taken seriously. “Although he was fine, we kept him out for 15 minutes doing the exams, and we watched him and we examined him again,” Ellenbogen said from his Seattle office Wednesday. “I mean, could you imagine a position coach, he asked three times, ‘Is the guy OK?...

Here's why this is important: Zuttah will be given a chance to start at center for the Ravens. Deal specifics: Zuttah flies north for what The Baltimore Sun says it will be a middle-round choices in the 2015 NFL Draft. Color Zuttah excited. "This can be an outstanding change for me," Zuttah told The Sun. "It will be a great new start. I just want to win a championship." Draw this conclusion: He just might do it with his new team; he likely wouldn't with the Bucs, who are in the throes of a major rebuild....

The Ravens kept the Texans scoreless for over three quarters, forced two turnovers and recorded a season-high six sacks in their 41-7 demolition on Sunday, which improve their record for the season to 8-2. Jackson finished 17-of-24 for 222 yards and four touchdown passes, to which he added 86 rushing yards over nine carries. The second-year quarterback has rushed for at least 60 yards in seven consecutive games, the longest streak in NFL history and has surpassed Cam Newton as the quarterback with the most rushing yards in his first two seasons in the league....

Current spreads and totals: Updated Week 1 lines from Las Vegas Get ready for plenty more numbers from Nevada bet shops over the next few days and weeks. CG Technology is expected later this week to post odds on each team making the playoffs, as well as lines for Weeks 1 through 16 next week. The Westgate says it’ll have season win totals, odds to win each division and games of the year on Sunday, May 3....

Here are the early betting lines for the week’s slate. Point spreads are the Las Vegas consensus on Sunday night, and totals are from offshore shops. Check our odds page for updated lines. MORE: Monday Night Football: Short price on Pats? Thursday, Nov. 26 Eagles (-1, 46) at Lions The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook opened the contest a pick ’em. Within the first 30 minutes of trading, the line shifted to -1 in favor of the Eagles, pushed back to even, and returned to -1....

Before we break down the Week 13 forecast, here’s a reminder that if you have any questions about sports weather or how weather could impact play (and, potentially, your fantasy, DFS, and gambling decisions), don’t hesitate to reach out on Twitter @KevinRothWx or check our hourly NFL weather forecasts on RotoGrinders. To take your game to the next level, subscribe to RotoGrinders’ exclusive WeatherEdge tool and see how different weather conditions have impacted historical scoring....

Before we get into the Week 13 forecasts, here’s a reminder that if you have any questions about sports weather or how weather could impact play (and, potentially, your fantasy, DFS, and gambling decisions), don’t hesitate to reach out to Rotogrinders’ meteorologist Kevin Roth on Twitter (@KevinRothWx) or check out the hourly NFL weather forecasts on RotoGrinders. To take your game to the next level, subscribe to RotoGrinders’ exclusive WeatherEdge tool and see how different weather conditions have impacted historical scoring....

Before we get into the Week 18 forecasts, here’s a reminder that if you have any questions about sports weather or how weather could impact play (and, potentially, your fantasy, DFS, and gambling decisions), don’t hesitate to reach out to RotoGrinders’ meteorologist Kevin Roth on Twitter (@KevinRothWx) or check out the hourly NFL weather forecasts on RotoGrinders. To take your game to the next level, subscribe to RotoGrinders’ exclusive WeatherEdge tool and see how different weather conditions have impacted historical scoring....

It’s been a rough season for both organizations. The Dolphins are doing little to hide they are after Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Redskins decided to fire Gruden after the worst start of his career. As bad as his start this season was though, he fully admitted his time with the Redskins was never completely easy. “At the end of the day, if you’re not the GM, you have to accept the fact that you don’t get everything you want,” Gruden told ESPN....

Sentence 1 (via Bleacher Report) : “Two NFL owners, in the wake of the Tom Brady ruling on Monday, stated they would prefer Brady and the NFL to reach a settlement as soon as possible and erase the Deflategate issue from the public eye once and for all.” Sentence 2 (via Pro Football Talk) : “Per a league source, a sense has emerged among some owners that it’s time to put the football-inflation imbroglio in the rear-view mirror....

“Under REP Worldwide, the group licensing subsidiary of NFL Players, Inc., we will look to advance and market the group licensing rights of college athletes of all sports,” the statement from the NFLPA said. The statement by the NFLPA comes after California recently passed the Fair Pay to Play Act, which allowed student-athletes in the state to receive compensation for the name, image and likeness. The Bill, which was co-sponsored by the NCPA, led to several other states, including Florida, New York and Pennsylvania, to begin drafting similar legislation....

The 2021 season ended July 7 when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup; now, the 2021-22 season is just around the corner. As the preseason kicks into high gear and teams shake off the rust, all the key dates are starting to form. While the last two seasons were anything but normal, this season is shaping up to be not normal as well with an Olympic break in the middle of it....

“The National Hockey League is aware of the NBA’s decision (Wednesday) to indefinitely suspend its season due to a player testing positive for the coronavirus,” the statement read. “The NHL is continuing to consult with medical experts and is evaluating the options. We expect to have a further update (Thursday).” MORE: Blue Jackets, Sharks to play home games without fans The NHL Players’ Association announced Wednesday night that it will discuss next steps with the league on Thursday....

Joining Hedman as finalists are Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks and Mark Giordano of the Calgary Flames. The James Norris Memorial Trophy, first awarded in 1954, is given annually to the defenseman voted to have demonstrated the greatest all-around ability at the position throughout the season. Hedman once again lived up to those qualifications. The 28-year-old veteran led Tampa Bay defensemen in several categories, including goals (12), assists (42), points (54) and game-winning goals (four)....

The lawsuit seeks damages and court-approved, NHL-sponsored medical monitoring for the players' brain trauma and/or injuries, which they blame on their NHL careers. It was filed in federal court in Washington on behalf of players who retired on or before Feb. 14 of this year and have suffered such injuries. MORE: Details on the 10 players filing suit What are the players claiming? — The NHL waited too long to take action; the concussion program wasn’t created until 1997....

The Arizona-born Matthews made a name for himself while playing for Zurich of National League A in Switzerland. Matthews, who is from Scottsdale, scored 24 goals in his first professional season to tie for fourth in the league and was second in voting for MVP. MORE: NHL Draft in photos | NHL awards While introducing Las Vegas as the NHL’s newest expansion franchise, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman used Matthews as an example of how hockey can succeed in the desert....