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It’s not an overstatement to say that Sunday’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals was a make-or-break game for Justin Fields. After being benched the previous week against the Carolina Panthers due to poor play, it was unclear whether Fields would get another shot under center if the Jets fell to 0–8. With his back against the wall and major question marks surrounding his name, Fields answered his critics by delivering arguably his most efficient performance of the year, helping lead the Jets to a thrilling 39-38 victory to move to 1-7 on the season. “Fields gave a clinic on how an embattled athlete should handle adversity. Rebounding from two dismal performances, he completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, rallying the Jets from a 15-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter. He also ran for a 2-point conversion and made a brilliant, falling-down throw to Isaiah Davis on another 2-point play,” Rich Cimini of ESPN wrote on Sunday, October 26th.  “It has been a lot for me: emotionally [and] spiritually. When I was on the field, I was damn near about to start crying. Not because we won, but just because of the goodness of God. Just how everything worked for the greater good, and everything that I had been through this past week, everything that we have been through as a team these past seven weeks, it was a lot of ups and downs,” Fields said following the win on Sunday, October 26. Fields’ ability to persevere with an impressive performance despite criticism from fans, the media, and even Jets owner Woody Johnson was a true test of both his football skills and mental toughness. Teammates, Coaches Rally Behind Fields After Gutsy Performance: Following the victory against Cincinnati, Fields’ teammates and coaches had nothing, but great things to say about Field’s character and football abilities.  Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said, “Back against the wall and that’s what you do, that’s somebody that I want to play with. There’s a reason there’s a C on his chest” (SNYJets on X). Center Josh Myers added, “That’s who I’ve known him to be this whole time, is someone who bounces back like that. I just couldn’t be happier for him. What an amazing person” (SNYJets on X). Head Coach Aaron Glenn said, “I’m proud of him. I’m not shocked and I expect for him to continue living his life like that” (SNYJets on X). Jets safety Isaiah Oliver added,“It seemed like the world was kind of crashing in around him, and he just went out there with football in his mind, locked in, played a hell of a game and led us to the win.” (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini) How the Jets will Handle the QB Position Following the Win:   Even after Field’s bigtime performance, it is still unclear who the Jets will roll with at quarterback after the bye week when they host the Cleveland Browns in Week 10.  Glenn told reporters, “I think you know what my answer’s going to be on that. This is the bye week and we’re going to focus on us. I have time to make that decision” (SNYJets on X). Although it is a question mark if Justin Fields will get the start after the bye, it would be pretty hard to not give Fields another start after leading the team to their first win of the season.  The Jets posted 502 yards in total offense with Fields behind center. In the fourth quarter, the offense scored 23 points, proving that when the former Ohio State quarterback has a good game, the offense can really boom.  Another thing to note is that Fields was an efficient passer without two of his top targets, wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds. Due to these factors, it seems more likely than not that Fields has earned himself another start behind center. Fields seemed ready to continue to block out negative energy around his play. When asked about Woody Johonson’s comments about his poor performance Fields said, “That’s outside noise at the end of the day. I get that he’s the owner of the team but that’s…

The Boston Bruins have seemingly turned things around this season after a lackluster start. They’re on a six-game winning streak and looking for more. While the club has shown significant progress under Marco Sturm, there are gaps to fill.The most notable gap at the moment is the top-line center position. At the moment, Marat Khusnutdinov ranks as the Bruins’ number-one pivot. Of course, it’s great to see the 23-year-old Russian step up for Boston.But what if the Bruins could land a true number-one center?Enter Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. There is no hint of anything whatsoever indicating that Toronto would be willing to move its franchise player. But would that change if the Maple Leafs completely flamed out this season?After all, a playoff miss would be the worst thing that could happen to the organization this season. So, as a thought experiment, what if the Bruins mortgaged the farm to get Matthews?As far as thought experiments go, it’s one of the wildest ones. But then again, there aren’t very many teams that could offer the fit the Bruins do.Yes, there are various teams out there looking for top-line centers. But not all teams can offer a high-end, 100-point scorer to play with Matthews. Plus, the Bruins have one of the best blueliners in the NHL in Charlie McAvoy and a legit starting netminder in Jeremy Swayman.Those are two things the Toronto Maple Leafs can’t really offer at the moment. Furthermore, the Bruins have a decent prospect pipeline. When putting everything together, the Bruins could be the team that makes the most sense for Auston Matthews, should he ever leave Toronto.Bruins May Have to Wait Till Matthews Hits Free AgencyThe likelihood of the Maple Leafs trading Auston Matthews at this point is virtually null. The team still views itself as a contender despite the evident issues plaguing it. But if Toronto completely falls off the radar, chatter will surely pick up.Again, it’s unlikely the Maple Leafs trade Matthews at this point. He’s got two more years left on his current deal after this season. So, that would mean the Bruins might have to wait till 2028 to land Matthews in free agency.But then again, who knows where Toronto might be by then? The Leafs could be teetering on the edge of a rebuild. So, trading Matthews in the final year of his current deal could make the most sense for the team.Pastrnak, McAvoy, and Swayman could still be firing on all cylinders. So, it’s the type of deal that could make the most sense given the dynamics in two seasons or so.Price May Not Be as High as Some Might ThinkThe asking price in a trade for Auston Matthews could be sky-high. The Bruins, consequently, might have to mortgage the farm to make a deal work. But who’s to say that might be the case at all? Could it be that the Leafs, desperately trying to avoid a repeat of the Mitch Marner situation, move Matthews in the summer of 2027? Does the team preemptively get the best possible deal before officially tearing everything down?This entire discussion is merely speculation at this point. But judging by the way things are going, it’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion. It’s going to happen. The problem is anticipating the precise moment when it will actually occur. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Bruins Would Be Perfect Fit for Auston Matthews appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Ernest Jones IV sent Seahawks fans and media scrambling for clues Tuesday with a “Crunk Ain’t Dead” GIF on X – two days after a knee issue sidelined him for Seattle’s 44–22 win over the Cardinals. With the Rams looming on November 16, the timing lit up speculation on his status. pic.twitter.com/UDW73CnAX7 — Ernest Jones (@ernestjones) November 11, 2025 Jones exited Week 9 vs. Washington and was later ruled out, a situation previously covered by Heavy. He did not suit up in Week 10 against Arizona as Seattle leaned on depth to close out a four-game win streak. Ernest Jones Injury Update — What Does It Mean? For the uninitiated, the Duke Deuce “Crunk Ain’t Dead” meme shows friends “reviving” the rapper before he springs up and cuts loose. It’s become shorthand among athletes for “I’m back” or “I feel lively,” which explains why Tuesday’s post was read as a hint that Jones could be trending up for Rams week. The clip’s revival imagery makes it perfect for players signaling renewed energy without saying a word. TURN ME UP GOAT pic.twitter.com/k2sKjwOGcJ — Sammy🌎 (@TrapMoneySammy) November 11, 2025 About to go Zero Dark Thirty on his old team. — nicholas (@nckbnn) November 11, 2025 LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOO EJ BACK IN BIGGEST GAME OF THE YEAR My goat only missed one game 🥹 — John Smitty (@YourFriendJohn0) November 11, 2025 Social posts aren’t medical updates, though, and Seattle has remained cautious publicly. On Monday, head coach Mike Macdonald placed Jones in the day-to-day bucket, grouping him with other banged-up starters the team hopes to have for Week 11. Until the club releases an official practice report, the GIF is vibe, not verification. What We Know About Jones’ Injury & Seahawks–Rams Jones’ right knee flared during the Washington game, and team PR announced during the broadcast that he would not return. He then missed Week 10 as the Seahawks thumped the Cardinals, with the staff mixing personnel to get through the afternoon. The Seahawks listed Jones among Seattle’s inactives before kickoff. The next checkpoint is practice. If Jones logs limited work early in the week and progresses to full by Friday, that’s typically a positive indicator. Consecutive DNPs through Friday often point the other direction. Macdonald’s “day-to-day” phrasing keeps both doors open, which means Seattle will likely decide after seeing how Jones responds to on-field work and treatment. The matchup adds juice. Seattle visits Los Angeles on November 16, 4:05 p.m. EST at SoFi Stadium in a first-place NFC West showdown. It’s a reunion for Jones, who won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams before landing in Seattle. Beyond the personal angle, Seattle’s front seven usage changes when Jones is active; he wears the green dot as the defense’s on-field signal-caller, and his presence can free up rush and coverage packages that are harder to replicate with backups. Why the Meme Landed So Loudly Timing, stakes, and role all converged. Jones posted the “revive me” meme on the first news day after sitting out Week 10, right as fans turned their attention to the initial injury report. Seahawks–Rams carries real leverage for the division lead and playoff seeding, so any hint about a key defensive starter spreads fast. And because Jones is central to communication and alignment, supporters and teammates alike understand that his availability ripples through everything Seattle does on early downs and in sub packages. The “Crunk Ain’t Dead” imagery neatly captured the hope that he’s ready to rejoin the fray. What to Watch Next Keep an eye on the next few days of practice reports for a limited-to-full progression; that pattern often precedes a questionable designation with a real shot to play. If Jones remains DNP late into the week, Seattle may again prioritize rest and contingency planning. Weekend transactions can offer subtle clues – an elevation for a practice-squad linebacker…

The Houston Texans got another stellar performance from former first-round draft pick and starting cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has not shied away from it, and the NFL is the latest entity to weigh in. Stingley finished the contest with 2 total tackles and 2 pass deflections in the 36-29 comeback victory. He also had an eye-popping interception that made a tremendous difference. NFL Sends Message on Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans looks on before the snap against the Denver Broncos. The Texans selected Stingley with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 draft, and he earned his first Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro nods in 2024. Stingley signed a three-year, $90 million contract extension in March. Plays like his one-handed interception are why the Texans did not hesitate to extend him. “Derek Stingley’s one-handed interception flipped the momentum for the Texans [triumphant emoji],” the NFL’s X handle posted on November 11. Stingley is now up to 21 total stops, 10 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions this season. His pick came at a pivotal time, keeping the Jaguars from taking on more points to their 20-10 lead before halftime. The Jaguars scored 9 more points before the Texans got back on the scoreboard. However, thanks to Stingley – who Next Gen Stats credited with allowing 1 reception for 9 yards on four targets – the Jaguars did not score again. Derek Stingley Takes Victory Lap GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers. Stingley, who garnered Defensive Player of the Year attention and debuted at No. 18 on the NFL’s Top 100 list for 2025, was certainly proud of his performance in the Texans’ victory. He shared various messages from his NFL brethren in awe of his pick. “Holy F!” “Corner Suite Podcast” host former Texans DB Steven Nelson said in a post on X on November 9. “Sting man [checkmark emoji].” Another fellow NFL corner, Kelvin Joseph, posted a series of fire emojis, tagging Stingley. “There is nobody in Derek Stingley’s realm right now as a cornerback in the NFL,” Former Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko said in his post on X, also sharing the clip. “He has no peers.” According to Pro Football Reference, Stingley is allowing a career-best mark of 41.9% completion on 43 targets in his coverage this season. That is the best mark among all defenders to face at least as many targets, per Stathead. Derek Stingley Gets Honest About Head-Turning Interception GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stingley spoke candidly about the excitement of the moment while he and the Texans celebrated in front of the home crowd. The Texans exacted revenge for their Week 3 loss to the Jaguars with the win, and they were without C.J Stroud in the contest. Stingley’s play kept hope alive while the Texans’ offense sorted itself out. “I was just looking like, ‘Oh, my God!’” Stingley told Brian “Big Sarge” Barefield after the game on November 9. “The stadium, going crazy. Everybody screaming. Nah, it was crazy.” Teammate and fellow corner Kamari Lassiter told reporters postgame that Stingley is “one of the greatest players I ever played with. 1-of-1. Go out there, dive, undercut the route, one-hand snag it. I didn’t get to see it because I was covered on the other side. But once I saw the replay, I’m like, ‘Bro, you gotta chill out, bro. You gotta chill out.” To his credit, Lassiter was targeted once and did not allow a reception, getting one-up on Stingley in that regard. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post NFL Sends Notice About Texans’ All-Pro Playmaker Before Titans Game appeared first on Heavy Sports.