Houston Texans

Dallas entered the game at 9-3, coming off a 54-19 pounding of the Indianapolis Colts, while the Texans were 1-10-1 and coasting towards the number one pick in the NFL Draft.

The Cowboys entered the game as 17-point favourites, but the game did not follow the script, with Houston hanging 20 points on one of the league's best defenses in just the first half.

They did it with a touchdown run from rookie Dameon Pierce, before backup quarterback Jeff Driskel came in and threw a 28-yard score to Amari Rodgers, and a pair of Ka'imi Fairbairn field goals gave them a 20-17 lead at the break.

Tony Pollard had both of the Cowboys' first-half trips to the end zone – one through the air and one on the ground – before the second half turned into a defensive struggle, with no touchdowns until the final 46 seconds.

Trailing by three, the Cowboys got the ball back on the two-yard line with 3:20 on the clock, marching 98 yards down the field in 11 plays, culminating in a two-yard, game-winning rushing touchdown from Ezekiel Elliott to spare his side any embarrassment.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ended up completing 24 of his 39 passes for 284 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while receiver Chris Moore was a standout for the Texans with 10 catches for 124 yards.

Eagles run up the score

The Philadelphia Eagles showed no mercy on their way to a dominant 48-22 demolition of the New York Giants, improving their league-best record to 12-1.

All of the Eagles' offensive stars got in on the act, starting with potential MVP Jalen Hurts, who threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown with his seven carries for 77 yards.

Running back Miles Sanders racked up 144 yards and two touchdowns from his 17 carries, while their two top receivers – A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith – were on the receiving end of both of Hurts' touchdown passes.

The Eagles' defense also collected seven sacks, with three to Brandon Graham, to leave the Giants (7-4-1) with three losses and a tie from their past four outings.

Lions keep their playoff hopes alive

The Detroit Lions have now won five of their past six after defeating the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings 34-23.

Jared Goff played arguably his best game of the season, taking no sacks and committing no turnovers while passing for 330 yards and three touchdowns, with D.J. Chark enjoying a terrific day on the outside for 94 yards and a touchdown from his six catches.

It was a day to remember for first-round draft pick Jameson Williams, as the first catch of his NFL career went for a 41-yard touchdown, having only made his debut last week after beginning the season with a torn ACL.

The Lions are now 6-7, and are well and truly in the NFC wildcard hunt, only one game off the pace.

Dallas were blown away by Washington in the second half of Thursday's showdown – the Cowboys outscored 24-3 after the visitors scored 21 unanswered points in the final period.

The Cowboys have now allowed at least 20 points in all 11 games this season, surpassing a pair of 10-game streaks (2013-14 and 1962-63) as the new longest run in the team's history, per NFL Research.

Dallas also suffered their second largest Thanksgiving defeat, following the 27-0 rout against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1989, via Stats Perform.

While it was a day to forget for the struggling Cowboys (3-8), Washington (4-7) gained sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

Antonio Gibson carried the offensive load for Washington, finishing with 115 yards and three touchdowns against the Cowboys in Dallas.

Gibson became the first rookie since at least 1948 to have three rushing TDs in a Thanksgiving game – joining DeMarco Murray, Emmitt Smith (twice) and Barry Sanders as the only players to do so in the past 40 years, per NFL Research.

The 22-year-old – the only rookie in Washington's history to have a rushing TD in five consecutive games – is also the first player with 100-plus rushing yards and three-plus rushing touchdowns on Thanksgiving since Sanders in 1997, according to Stats Perform.

Washington quarterback Alex Smith was 19-of-26 passing for 149 yards, one touchdown, an interception and three sacks, while Cowboys counterpart Andy Dalton finished 25 of 35 for 215 yards, a TD and one interception.

In the earlier game, the Houston Texans made light work of the Detroit Lions 41-25.

Texans QB DeShaun Watson made his first career start on Thanksgiving and tossed four touchdowns in the comprehensive victory.

Watson joined Tony Romo (2006) as the only quarterbacks with 300-plus passing yards, four-plus passing TDs and 0 interceptions in their first Thanksgiving starts since at least 1948, via NFL Research.

Houston's Watson was 17 of 25 for 318 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, helping the Texans improve to 4-7 as the Lions fell to the same record.

Lions signal-caller Matthew Stafford finished 28 of 42 for 295 yards, one touchdown, one interception and four sacks in Detroit.

Last month the Texans shipped their All-Pro wide receiver and a fourth-round pick to the Cardinals in exchange for running back David Johnson and a second-round pick.

Houston then sent a selection from that second round to the Los Angeles Rams to land Hopkins' replacement Brandin Cooks.

It was considered a perplexing move given Hopkins was coming off his third straight 1,000-yard receiving season and is under contract through 2022, even if there are rumblings about the 27-year-old wanting a new deal.

However, while the rest of the NFL tried to get their head around the trade, it did not come out of the blue for Hopkins.

"It wasn't a big surprise to me after the year," Hopkins told reporters on a conference call. "I was preparing for it.

"I was very excited, actually, about it because [of] what Arizona has been building, having a young quarterback, a young team and also having veterans."

The Cardinals have already discussed a new contract for their recently acquired asset and Hopkins is happy to leave his contract situation in the hands of his agent.

"That's between my agent and the organisation," he said.

"DeAndre Hopkins goes out and works out every day to prepare myself to get my team the opportunity to win a championship whenever that's possible.

"So, you know, everything behind closed doors, that's between my agent and the organisation."

Hopkins is going from one promising young quarterback in Deshaun Watson to another in Kyler Murray, the first overall pick in 2019 who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award last season.

"Both of those guys are able to get out of situations with their feet, so that's one of the things, and also, they both keep their head downfield and just trying to make their play, not just with their feet," Hopkins said of Watson and Murray.

"So a lot of similarities there. Obviously, they can run out the pocket and get away from things, but both of those guys also have a very strong arm."

All-Pro wide receiver Hopkins was traded from the Houston Texans to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday in a stunning move by O'Brien.

O'Brien, unlike most head coaches, operates without a general manager and has control over the roster.

He has received significant criticism in the wake of the trade, which saw the Texans net a meagre return of a second-round draft pick and running back David Johnson.

Reports of tension between Hopkins and O'Brien were expanded on by former Dallas Cowboys receiver and pundit Michael Irvin in an appearance on ESPN on Wednesday.

Irvin claimed a meeting between O'Brien and Hopkins led to their relationship deteriorating, and presented a range of allegations about what was said in their talks.

However, reacting in a post on Twitter, Hopkins wrote: "This is being blown way out of proportion.

"As I've said before, I enjoyed and am proud of my time with the Texans. I have the utmost respect for Coach O'Brien and that will not change.  

"Now, I'm ready to play for the Cardinals."

The Chiefs rallied from a 24-0 deficit for a 51-31 victory over the Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs in January.

Tom Brady's anticipated regular-season debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will come on the road against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on September 13 in the first matchup of 40-plus quarterbacks in league history.

Brady's Buccaneers will appear in five primetime games, including three consecutive weeks starting October 25 with a visit to the Las Vegas Raiders at the new Allegiant Stadium as the schedule was released on Thursday. Next is a Monday night road game against the New York Giants and new coach Joe Judge followed by another matchup with Brees and the Saints on November 8, this time in Tampa Bay.

The Week 3 Monday night game features the past two league MVPs, as Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens visit Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

The traditional opening weekend Monday night doubleheader has the Pittsburgh Steelers visiting the Giants and the Tennessee Titans facing the Broncos in Denver.

The Cincinnati Bengals and top overall draft pick Joe Burrow open their season at home against the Los Angeles Chargers, who used the sixth overall selection on Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert.

The deal contains $111m in guarantees and will keep the quarterback with the Texans through the 2025 season.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Watson will make an average of $39m in base salary over the next four years, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL in that timeframe.

Watson was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and has blossomed into one of the league's premier young quarterbacks.

After an exciting rookie season curtailed by injury, Watson has led the Texans to successive AFC South titles.

They reached the Divisional Round of the postseason last year and led the eventual Super Bowl-champion Chiefs 24-0 before being undone by an incredible comeback in a 51-31 loss.

Watson has thrown for 9,716 yards, 71 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in three seasons in the NFL. He also has 1,233 yards and six touchdowns rushing as well as one receiving score.

He and the Texans will look for revenge against the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who signed a 10-year, $501m extension this offseason, in the NFL season-opener at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday.

Watson had appeared to have narrowed his choices down to the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints in his search to find a new team as his time with the Texans comes to an end.

The Browns who, along with the Falcons, Saints and Carolina Panthers, had met with Watson, had previously been reported to be out of the running.

However, on Friday ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network each reported that Watson had changed his mind, instead electing to join the Browns, from whom he will receive a record-breaking new contract.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Browns have agreed to give Watson a fully guaranteed five-year, $230million contract. That figure is $80m more than the previous record for fully guaranteed money at signing.

The Texans, meanwhile, are set to receive five draft picks, including three first-rounders, in exchange for Watson.

Watson's arrival will clear the way for the Browns to move former first-round pick Baker Mayfield, the quarterback who himself this week requested a trade.

Another of the NFL's fine young quarterbacks got his big second contract on Saturday, with two-time Pro Bowler Watson agreeing terms on a four-year, $160million extension with a whopping $111m in guarantees.

A virtual news conference was arranged shortly after confirmation of the contract was made and key figures from Watson's journey so far came on the call to mark the occasion.

And seeing Michael Perry, his offensive coordinator at high school, his college coach Swinney and friend Verlander made Watson tear up.

"A lot of memories," Watson told reporters of seeing the familiar faces. 

"A lot of talks. A lot of sacrifice, discipline. All those people, even including JV [Verlander], had something to relate to me.

"They've had a big part of my career, so it's just flashbacks that continue to pile up with so many special moments. It's awesome."

The emotions continued for the 24-year-old when his family delivered a special congratulatory message too.

"I've been crying a little bit – a lot of bit, really," Watson added.

"It's just an amazing moment, for me to be able to extend my career in a location, in a place, in a home, I would say, that my family loves, that I love, that I want to continue to dive into the community most of all, and just continue to build my legacy, just build our legacy as a whole and do something that we've never done before."

Even after Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes signed a record 10-year, $503m contract extension earlier this offseason, Watson will make an average of $39m in base salary over the next four years, the most of any NFL player over that time.

"The money is amazing. It's life-changing. It's great," Watson said.

"But the biggest thing is for the McNair family, OB [head coach Bill O'Brien], Jack [Easterby], to just trust in me and believe in me, that I'm their guy, I'm their quarterback, is the biggest thing, and that really touches me.

"Growing up, from where I'm from, there's not too many people that make it out. For them to just trust me, man, it means the most."

Watson agreed to waive his no-trade clause to allow the Houston Texans to deal him to the Browns.

The 26-year-old seemed to have narrowed down his options to join either the Atlanta Falcons or the New Orleans Saints, but is instead bound for Cleveland. Houston will receive a first-round pick for this year, 2023 and 2024, along with a third-round pick for 2023 and a fourth-round selection for 2024.

A bidding war for Watson materialised when he was not charged by a grand jury earlier this month, after it considered evidence of sexual assault and misconduct allegations against him.

Watson faces 22 civil lawsuits, but the grand jury did not find enough evidence for criminal proceedings. He has strenuously denied the accusations since they emerged last year, overshadowing his previous request to be traded away from the Texans.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Browns have agreed to give Watson a fully guaranteed five-year, $230million contract. That figure is $80m more than the previous record for fully guaranteed money at signing.

Browns head coach Stefanski believes Watson will be a shrewd acquisition.

Stefanski said: "Our organisation did a tremendous amount of background on DeShaun.

"We understand the concerns and questions that exist but are confident in the extensive work Andrew [Berry, executive vice-president of football operations and general manager] and his staff have done to feel confident about him joining our organisation.

"It was important for us to meet with Deshaun in person as part of our team's evaluation process, we had a candid conversation regarding his approach to coming into our organisation and community.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to coach Deshaun, he is ready to put in the hard work needed to help our team improve and make a positive impact in our community."

The 26-year-old Watson did not play a single game in 2021, having led the NFL in passing yards in 2020.

The Browns also confirmed on Sunday that Case Keenum has been traded to the Buffalo Bills for a 2022 seventh-round pick.

Watson's arrival will clear the way for the Browns to move former first-round pick Baker Mayfield, who has requested a trade.

Scott Berkowitz spoke to Stats Perform as Watson prepares to make his Cleveland Browns debut.

Watson was handed an 11-game suspension and a $5million fine following sexual assault and misconduct allegations. The 27-year-old has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and is facing no criminal charges.

The ban has meant the star quarterback has yet to debut for the Browns after his March trade from the Houston Texans, which was followed by a lucrative new contract in Cleveland.

The NFL had initially hit Watson with a six-game ban before the punishment was extended. Berkowitz was happy to see that decision taken but says there is still work to be done.

"There's no length of suspension that would make up for the damage that he did to all those women. We initially advocated for a year suspension, which I think would have been appropriate," Berkowitz told Stats Perform.

"But 11's a whole lot better than six. So, it is what it is, and he'll be back on the field. And hopefully, with some different behaviour going forward.

"It [Watson's return] was bound to come eventually. But I certainly wished this suspension had been a little longer.

"But I just appreciate that the NFL added to the initial recommendation, at least, and made it longer than it initially looked like it was going to be."

Berkowitz said he can appreciate the need for second chances, but he claims Watson has not truly accepted any wrongdoing.

Watson has settled 23 of the 24 lawsuits against him.

"I understand second chances, I think that is something as a society we need to offer folks. But usually, there's a requirement that there's remorse and that they make things better," Berkowitz said.

"I think in this case, the day the suspension was announced, I recall he first put out a quote that had been written by the team that said the right things and then he immediately followed that up with what he really thought, which is that he doesn't think he did anything wrong.

"I don't know how you talk about forgiveness to someone who doesn't feel any remorse."

Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam said on August 1 that "Deshaun is remorseful that this situation has caused much heartache to many and he will continue the work needed to show who he is on and off the field".

In a remarkable coincidence, Watson – who has a fully guaranteed $230million five-year deal with Cleveland – is set to make his Browns bow against the Texans on Sunday.

During five years in Houston (the last of which in the 2021 season Watson did not make a single appearance), he twice helped the Texans to the playoffs and was a three-time Pro-Bowler.

Berkowitz does not expect Watson to receive an overly enthusiastic reaction from the home crowd.

"I suspect it won't be a hero's greeting, or I hope it won't. You never know when a star comes back to their hometown," Berkowitz said.

"But, you know, I hope that the reaction takes into account the terrible things he's done. It's hard to be enthusiastic for rooting for a guy who's done the things that he was accused of doing."

However, Berkowitz did acknowledge the reception from Browns fans moving forward will likely depend on Watson's performances on the field.

"I'd like it to be taken into account, his actions, but I'm realistic, that's once he gets going if he plays well, that the memory of that, unfortunately, is going to fade pretty quickly," he said.

"Most fans of most teams have learned to put personalities aside and put that behaviour aside, unfortunately, and, once they're playing well, they start cheering for the guy.

"And we're all guilty of that. So, there's always that tension, when your team is putting up people who you need to win but you don't feel comfortable rooting for personally."

The Cleveland Browns quarterback faces 22 civil lawsuits.

However, earlier in March, Harris County jurors did not find enough evidence for criminal proceedings, and Watson was again not indicted on Thursday after a Brazoria County grand jury also assessed the case.

"After a careful and thorough review of the facts and evidence documented in the reports prepared by the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office and the Houston Police Department, as well as hearing testimony from witnesses, the grand jury for Brazoria County has declined to charge Deshaun Watson with any crimes," Brazoria County District Attorney Tom Selleck said in a statement.

"Accordingly, this matter is closed."

Watson has strenuously denied the accusations since they emerged last year, overshadowing his attempts to push for a trade away from the Houston Texans.

He got his move to Cleveland after the first grand jury did not charge him.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said last week: "Our organisation did a tremendous amount of background on Deshaun.

"We understand the concerns and questions that exist but are confident in the extensive work Andrew [Berry, executive vice-president of football operations and general manager] and his staff have done to feel confident about him joining our organisation."

The Houston Texans quarterback faces 22 civil lawsuits, but jurors did not find enough evidence for criminal proceedings.

Watson had strenuously denied the accusations since they emerged last year, overshadowing talk of a trade away from the Texans.

The 26-year-old did not play a single game in 2021, having led the NFL in passing yards in 2020.

"After a Harris County grand jury was presented all the evidence and had the opportunity to hear from all witnesses, grand jurors declined to indict Deshaun Watson," Dane Schiller, spokesman for the Harris County District Attorney's Office, said in a statement released to Stats Perform.

"Grand jury proceedings are secret by law, so no information related to their inquiry may be disclosed."

A widely released statement from Rusty Hardin, Watson's attorney, said: "We are delighted that the grand jury has looked at the matter thoroughly and reached the same conclusion we did.

"Deshaun Watson did not commit any crimes and is not guilty of any offences.

"Now that the criminal investigations have been completed, we are happy to move forward with the civil case depositions. We will vigorously defend those cases with every ounce we have."

Watson has been the subject of an investigation from the NFL, and the league said: "We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy."

The disgruntled quarterback formally requested to be traded from the Texans, according to multiple reports. 

Watson reportedly asked to be traded more than a week ago. 

Reports that the 25-year-old was unhappy in Houston and wanted to be traded began to surface after Nick Caserio was hired as general manager on January 7.

Watson was upset that owner Cal McNair did not consult with him in the decision-making process in hiring a new GM. 

The report that Watson has officially requested a trade comes a day after the Texans hired former Baltimore Ravens assistant David Culley to be their new coach. 

According to reports, regardless of who the Texans hired to replace the fired Bill O'Brien as coach, Watson wanted out of Houston. 

The three-time Pro Bowler is signed through the 2025 season after agreeing to a four-year, $156million extension last September and has a no-trade clause, so he will need to approve any potential deal the Texans concoct. 

Watson led Houston to back-to-back AFC South titles in 2018 and 2019 but the team stumbled to a 4-12 mark this past season – the same record the team posted in Watson's 2017 rookie season. 

Despite the team struggles in 2020, Watson put together a season unlike any other in NFL history, becoming the first quarterback with a completion percentage of higher than 70 percent while throwing for more than 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns with fewer than 10 interceptions. 

He led the NFL in passing yards this past season, throwing for personal highs, as well as, single-season franchise records of 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also had a career-low seven interceptions and career-high 70.2 completion percentage – the 12th highest single-season mark in NFL history (minimum 300 attempts).

The Texans have been steadfast in their desire not to grant Watson's trade request, which came about as a result of frustration at the direction of the franchise and his lack of input in their search for a new head coach. David Culley eventually replaced Bill O'Brien.

However, the speculation has not died down and on Friday came reports that Watson has a list of teams by which he is intrigued.

The San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos are said to be on that list, along with the Miami Dolphins.

These latest reports came on the day that the Texans released three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, whom CEO McNair described as "unlike any player in our franchise’s history".

Asked about Watson by ESPN's Adam Schefter, McNair said: "There is a lot of misinformation out there, I'll leave it at that."

He added: "Today we want to focus on J.J. Deshaun. He is our quarterback, he is a Texan, and we expect him to remain a Texan. We'll leave it at that."

Watson, the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft, led the league in passing yards last season with 4,823.

He also averaged a league-high 8.9 yards-per-pass attempt, throwing a career-high 33 touchdowns and a career-low seven interceptions.

Watson requested a trade from the Texans back in January, with the team seemingly steadfast in their desire to retain the services of the 2020 season's passing yards leader.

Yet any trade talk was overshadowed in March by the emergence of sexual assault and misconduct allegations against Watson, who is the subject of investigations from the police and the NFL and faces 22 civil lawsuits.

He reported to the Texans' training camp on Sunday despite a lack of desire to continue playing for the team, who now appear to have had a change of heart.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Monday that the Texans are willing to listen to offers for Watson, though their asking price will be at least three first-round picks.

His off-field troubles may impact the willingness of potential suitors to give up such capital but, in terms of on-field production, there is no doubt he is worthy of that level of compensation.

Topping 4,000 yards for the second time in his career as he racked up 4,823 to lead the league, Watson threw for 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season.

Fifth in the NFL in air yards per attempt (9.27), according to Stats Perform data, Watson did an excellent job of balancing his aggressiveness with smart decision-making.

Indeed, he threw a pickable pass on just 2.28 per cent of his attempts, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL.

Yet the Texans still limped to a 4-12 record and frustration at his lack of involvement in the search for a new general manager and head coach led to Watson requesting a trade.

The Texans start their 2021 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 12, but it would be a surprise to see Watson facing off against number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence.

Watson is the subject of investigations by Houston police and the NFL and faces 22 civil lawsuits after a series of women accused him of assault or sexual misconduct. Watson has strenuously denied the accusations, and no charges have been filed against him.

The 25-year-old QB made it clear following last season that he wanted out of Houston, but the emergence of the allegations against him beginning in March threw his future into doubt mere months after he signed a four-year, $156million contract extension. 

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Flores did not directly address speculation about Watson, but he was asked about acquiring players who might bring off-the-field concerns. 

"There are a lot of things we weigh when we're making decisions – fit on the team, overall talent, salary cap," Flores said. "When we're talking about a player or players, we're always trying to do what is best for the Miami Dolphins.

"There are a lot of variables. We want a group that is tough, smart, competitive, loves to play and is team-first. Those are the types of guys we're looking for.

"We have a high standard for the people we have in the organisation. We want people with high character throughout the building."

Watson has mostly practiced on his own throughout Texans camp and has not appeared in any preseason games, but Tuesday's NFL deadline to reduce rosters from 80 to 53 players could spur action. 

That could mean allowing him to keep a precious roster spot and pay him his $10.5m salary even while he remains on the sidelines in hopes his legal issues are resolved, or Houston could trade him and let another team figure it out.

The Texans reportedly have sought a package that includes three first-round picks in any deal for Watson but are seen as unlikely to net a huge return given the questions surrounding his status. 

Watson is coming off a dominant season for a team that finished 4-12, as he led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards while compiling a career-best 70.2 completion percentage and 33 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. 

He also ran for 444 yards and three more touchdowns as he made the Pro Bowl for the third successive season. 

Topping 4,000 yards for the second time in his career as he racked up 4,823 to lead the league, Watson threw for 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season.

Fifth in the NFL in air yards per attempt (9.27), according to Stats Perform data, Watson did an excellent job of balancing his aggressiveness with smart decision-making.

Indeed, he threw a pickable pass on just 2.28 per cent of his attempts, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL.

Considering the opener against the New England Patriots looms less than two weeks away, Tua Tagovailoa figures to begin the season as Miami's starting quarterback regardless of any other moves the Dolphins might make. 

Flores is trying to keep his team's focus on the task at hand in the meantime. 

"There are always rumours, there's always speculation, there's always some form of distraction," he said. "As a team we've got to block that stuff out and play."

As Tagovailoa has been inconsistent since the Dolphins selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 draft, there had been talk Miami would be interested in bringing in a different quarterback. 

Miami did take the first steps towards acquiring Watson last year, with owner Stephen Ross being granted permission to talk to the Texans quarterback.

However, no trade was finalised for Watson, who is facing 22 civil lawsuits that remain unresolved as the NFL conducts its own investigation into sexual assault and misconduct allegations against him.

Mike McDaniel was hired as Miami's new coach early last month after five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, serving last season as the team's offensive coordinator. 

"I think the door is shut on Deshaun," Grier said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

"At the end of the day, Mike and the staff have come to do a lot of work and studied Tua and they feel good about his developmental upside, what he can be and then the fit in the offense. I think we're good with Tua."

There are questions about exactly how high a ceiling Tagovailoa has, and Grier was asked whether he thinks he can be an elite quarterback.

"I can't say he can't be," Grier said. "It's a situation now where this will be built around his skill set and what the offense can be and Mike's vision of how he fits.

"So, I wouldn't say he can't be. It's too early. He's played 20 games maybe. The first year was in and out and missing games this year, but I know he's won games even this last year, and it's hard to win games in this league.

"I know people want to say he doesn't throw the ball downfield, but he's incredibly accurate, and that's the real exciting part for Mike and the coaching staff, his accuracy."

Tagovailoa completed 67.8 per cent of his passes last season and threw 16 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. 

"I will say Mike and the offensive staff watched every game, every throw and put together this tape of the roster, and it was pretty cool," Grier said.

"Mike's vision for how Tua fits into this scheme and what he can do, they're all every excited about it.

"So, I think at the end of the day, probably Tua is going to have to come in and work with him and do it on the field, but right now there's a very good comfort level with how they feel he fits into what Mike wants to do with our offense."

Late comebacks were the name of the game last week and Week 3 promises to bring even more excitement.

Sunday sees the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins battle it out to remain undefeated, the Baltimore Ravens will aim to respond to a Week 2 defeat against the New England Patriots, while the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans fight to pick up a first win of the season.

There's plenty more on the agenda and Stats Perform has used Opta data to preview the action.

Buffalo Bills (2-0) @ Miami Dolphins (2-0)

The Bills travel to Florida having won their past seven games against the Dolphins, outscoring them by better than a two-to-one margin (258-123). That marks Buffalo's longest winning streak against Miami, beating a run of six consecutive victories from 1987 to 1989.

Buffalo have outscored their opponents 72-17 so far this season to stand 2-0, with the +55-point differential their second-best through the first two games of a season. In 1981, they won their opening two matches by a combined score of 66-3 (+63 points).

The Dolphins overcame a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit (35-14) in last week's 42-39 win at Baltimore, marking the sixth time since 1925 that an NFL team has won a game in regulation time after trailing by such a margin in the fourth quarter. The last such comeback win was in 2010, when the Eagles beat the Giants 38-31 in Week 16, having trailed 31-10.

Tua Tagovailoa threw six touchdown passes, including four in the fourth quarter, against the Ravens last week. Since 2001, the only other player to throw four touchdown passes in the fourth quarter of an NFL game was Sage Rosenfels for the Texans against the Titans in Week 7 of the 2007 season, though Houston lost 38-36.

Baltimore Ravens (1-1) @ New England Patriots (1-1)

The Patriots have a 9-2 record against the Ravens in the regular season, the best record by any team against Baltimore in their history – though they have split four postseason matches.

Lamar Jackson became the first player in NFL history to have a 75+ yard passing touchdown and a 75+ rushing touchdown in the same game during last weekend's defeat to the Dolphins.

In week 2, the Patriots beat the Steelers 17-14. Since Bill Belichick became head coach in 2000, the Patriots are 42-23 in games decided by three of fewer points, the best such record in the NFL.

Nelson Agholor recorded 110 receiving yards in Week 2, becoming the first Patriot with a 100-yard game since Jakobi Meyers in Week 15, 2020. That brought an end to a 20-game streak without a 100-yard receiver for the Patriots, which was the longest spell in the Belichick era.

Las Vegas Raiders (0-2) @ Tennessee Titans (0-2)

The Raiders have won their past three games on the road against the Titans. The last time the Raiders won four straight road games against a single opponent was a six-game streak against the Chiefs from 2007 to 2012.

An 29-23 overtime loss to the Cardinals in Week 2 came despite them holding a 23-7 lead in the fourth quarter, marking the biggest fourth-quarter blown lead for a loss in franchise history.

The Titans are 0-2 for the first time since 2012 and last started a season 0-3 in 2009. The 41-7 loss to the Bills last week was the largest defeat suffered by the Titans under Mike Vrabel.

Both the Raiders and Titans are 0-2 this season after making the playoffs a season ago. Neither franchise has ever started a season with two defeats and rallied to make the playoffs, while the last NFL teams to do so being the Texans and Seahawks in 2018.

Elsewhere…

Chicago host the Texans with just 432 offensive yards to their name so far this season, the worst in the NFL and the fewest yards the Bears have gained in the opening two weeks of a campaign since they had 335 net yards at the same stage in 2003.

Patrick Mahomes rallied the Chiefs offence to a 27-24 victory against the Chargers last week, overcoming a 17-7 second-half deficit, and are eyeing a third-straight win this season against the Colts. Since his first NFL season (2018), the Chiefs have more comeback victories after trailing in the second half (17) than any other NFL side.

The Saints travel to Carolina on the back of a 20-10 home defeat to the Buccaneers last week. Dating back to last season, New Orleans have scored 17 or fewer points in five of their past nine games (1-4). When they have scored 18 or more, they stand at 4-0.

The Cincinnati Bengals have plenty to do offensively against the Jets, with Joe Burrow having been sacked 13 times so far this season and thrown four interceptions. The last QB to be sacked that many times while throwing as many picks in the opening two weeks of a season was Danny White of the Cowboys in 1987.

The quarterback threw two touchdowns in his hometown of Houston for the visitors against the Texans to seal a 29-17 win at NRG Stadium.

Hurts has helped guide the team to their best season start in the franchise's 90-year history, silencing doubters who wondered if he would be their long-term starter.

But he said there is still work to be done, pointing to his own days playing college football with Alabama as proof that a superb start can come to nothing in the end.

"I know it's special for the city of Philadelphia," Hurts stated "[But], I mean, I've been 8-0 before and lost the national championship. [We've got to] just take it day by day.

"We haven't accomplished anything yet. It's a day-by-day thing of us controlling things we can, playing to our standard and trying to grow every day. I think that's truly what it's about."

Hurts dashed hopes for his hometown team with his impressive performance, but acknowledged it was a "special moment" to play in the city, while adding the Eagles still have room to grow.

"There's a lot to be grateful about," he added. "There's a lot to reflect on and look at the things that we did well. There's also a lot of things that we can improve on.

"Personally, playing in the city of Houston, being the first time playing back home, that's a special moment for me personally. I think the job is still not done."

The Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings all return after a bye week, as do the defending champion Los Angeles Rams, who will look to increase the pressure on the San Francisco 49ers.

The Eagles are aiming to maintain their 100 per cent record when the Pittsburgh Steelers come to town, while the Bills host Aaron Rodgers and his wobbling Green Bay Packers.

Stats Perform has taken a look at the numbers ahead of Sunday's games, starting in the city of brotherly love.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (6-0)

It promises to be a tricky trip for Pittsburgh, as the Eagles own a nine-game winning streak at home against them, a streak that started in 1966 (Pittsburgh's last win there was Week 6, 1965). It is the Eagles' longest home winning streak against a single opponent in franchise history.

The Steelers lost 16-10 at the Miami Dolphins last week, and are averaging just 15.3 points per game, the second fewest in the NFL (Denver Broncos, 14.3). The last time they finished in the bottom two of the NFL in scoring was 1969 (15.6 points per game, second worst).

The Eagles have held a lead of at least 14 points in each of their six games this season. The last team to do so in seven straight games to begin the season was the 2007 Patriots (eight straight).

Philadelphia have won Jalen Hurts' last nine starts, tied for the longest quarterback win streak in franchise history with Carson Wentz (2017), Donovan McNabb (2003) and Norm Van Brocklin (1960). The Eagles were 6-10 in Hurts' first 16 career starts in the NFL.

San Francisco 49ers (3-4) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-3)

Including a 24-9 home win in Week 4, the 49ers have won seven straight regular-season games against Los Angeles, their second-longest streak against the Rams all-time (17 straight from December 1990 to December 1998). However, the Rams beat the 49ers in last season's NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium.

San Francisco lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 44-23, at home last week. It was the first time they have lost back-to-back games by at least 14 points since Weeks 9-10 in 2020. They followed those games up with a 23-20 win against the Rams in Los Angeles.

Last week, Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 303 yards, the 11th game in his career with at least 300 yards. The 49ers won the first seven of those games but are just 1-3 in the last four. The only win in that span came on the road against the Rams in Week 18 last season.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford is 1-6 in his regular season career against the 49ers, his worst record against any NFC opponent. He has thrown four touchdown passes and five interceptions in his three games against them since joining the Rams, losing each one.

Green Bay Packers (3-4) @ Buffalo Bills (5-1)

The Packers have won their last four home games against the Bills, but are 0-6 all-time in Buffalo, most recently losing a 21-13 game there in Week 15, 2014. The Bills are the only active franchise the Packers have never beaten on the road.

Green Bay lost 23-21 to the Washington Commanders last week, and have lost three straight games for the first time since Weeks 11-13 in 2018. They have not lost four straight since Weeks 8-11 in 2016. The last time they lost four of their first seven games was in 2006 (also 3-4).

The Bills are coming off their bye week following a 24-20 win in Kansas City in Week 6. Since the Bills' last Super Bowl appearance in 1993, they have begun a season 5-1 four times – 1995, 2008, 2019, and this year.

Buffalo's offense has faced a blitz on 35.3 per cent of its passing plays this season, the fourth highest in the league. The Packers have faced a blitz just 20.2 per cent of the time, second lowest in the league (Miami, 18.2). The Bills have blitzed opponents just 12.9 per cent of the time, the lowest in the league.

Elsewhere…

Dak Prescott should face the Chicago Bears (3-4) after making his return in the Dallas Cowboys' (5-2) win over the Detroit Lions last week, moving his career record as a starter to 54-33 (.621). Since 2016. The Cowboys are 9-8 when Prescott does not start (.530) while averaging almost 60 total yards fewer per game when he is not the starter (382.3 with, 322.9 without).

The New York Jets (5-2) enter their clash with the New England Patriots (3-4) with a chance to break their current 12-game losing streak against them, which dates back to the 2016 season. With a loss, the streak would match Denver's 13-game losing streak to Kansas City as the longest active one in the NFL.

Saquon Barkley (110 rushing yards) and Daniel Jones (107) each ran for over 100 yards last week, the third time a New York Giants (6-1) duo has eclipsed that mark. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw did so in Week 14, 2010 and Week 16, 2007. The only other team with such a duo this season was the New Orleans Saints in Week 5 against the Giants' opponents for Week 8, the Seattle Seahawks (4-3).

The Tennessee Titans (4-2) own a four-game win streak after a 19-10 win at home against the Indianapolis Colts. This is the Titans' sixth-straight season with a winning streak of at least four games, and it could go to five with a win at the Houston Texans (1-4-1).