NFL Player News

Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who had thrown five interceptions in his previous two games, avoided mistakes in Sunday's overtime win at Tampa Bay. Bridgewater hit 24 of 42 throws for 241 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown to receiver Greg Jennings.

Bridgewater took one sack, committed zero turnovers and had a 3-yard rush. He finally showed some chemistry with wideout Cordarrelle Patterson, finding the second-year pro six times for 86 yards. Bridgewater, who's yet to produce multiple touchdowns in a game, will look to keep improving Week 9 against Washington.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill's performance in Week 8 against the Jaguars got the job done, but it still has to be viewed as a disappointment given how well he had been playing before this.

Tannehill entered Week 8 with three straight games of at least 20 Fantasy points under his belt, but stumbled to just 15 points Sunday. One promising sign, however, was the continued reliance on Tannehill's legs, as he racked up 49 yards on the ground. He had a long run of 30 yards, becoming the first quarterback since Michael Vick in 2004 to have runs of 30-plus yards in three straight games.

Tannehill is a strong athlete who has come into his own as a weapon in the running game in recent weeks, which is enough to continue making him a viable Fantasy option. He probably won't throw the ball well enough to be a must-start option, but Tannehill is worth owning at least in two-QB leagues. 

Wideout Vincent Brown (hamstring) is the most notable player among the Raiders inactives released for the Sunday game in Cleveland. Also hurt and out are cornerback Keith McGill (groin) and tight end David Ausberry (foot).

The healthy scratches are quarterback Matt McGloin, linebacker Bojay Filimoeatu and offensive linemen Matt McCants and Tony Bergstrom.

Eagles center Jason Kelce, who's coming back from sports hernia surgery, is among the team's inactives Sunday at Arizona. David Molk will continue to fill in.

Also sitting out are running back Darren Sproles (knee), wideout Brad Smith (groin), quarterback Matt Barkley, offensive lineman Dennis Kelly and defensive end Taylor Hart.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford hasn't been enjoying life without Calvin Johnson so far this season, and up until halftime Sunday, that trend looked like it was going to continue.

Stafford had just 2 Fantasy points at halftime in Week 8, as the Lions were being run off the field. However, he finally found his way in the second half, by leaning heavily on Golden Tate, his best receiver left. Stafford and Tate hooked up four times for 128 yards after the break, including a 59-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Stafford has usually found success in the past by leaning on Johnson heavily, so it is natural he might have trouble figuring out how to operate without him. Tate is no Johnson, but he has proven to be a pretty dependable No. 1 receiving option anyways, and someone Stafford needs to rely on moving forward, even when Johnson comes back. 

Sunday's game was a promising one for Stafford, since it is his first 20-plus Fantasy point effort since Week 4. With Johnson hopefully getting close to returning, this might be the perfect time to buy low on Stafford, who could be in line for a big second half after the team's Week 9 bye. 

The Jets have benched quarterback Geno Smith after four drives Sunday, turning to backup Michael Vick late in the first quarter of the team's Week 8 matchup with the Bills.

Smith began the game by going 1 for 2 for four yards on the first drive, and the Jets had to punt the ball after a three-and-out. He then fell apart, throwing interceptions on three successive drives, the last of which set the Bills up on the Jets' one-yard line. Barring an injury to Vick, Smith's day is poised to end with five yards on 2-of-8 passing with no touchdowns and the three picks.

Vick has seen extensive work in just one game this year, going 8 for 19 for just 47 yards in the team's 31-0 loss to San Diego in Week 5.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford led his team back from a 21-point halftime deficit in a last-second Week 8 victory over the Falcons in London.

Stafford surpassed Bobby Layne's record for most touchdown passes in a career with a 59-yard touchdown strike to Golden Tate in the third quarter. He found Theo Riddick for a short 5-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. The Lions got the ball back with 1:38 remaining and Stafford led his team to an 11-play, 63-yard drive which led to a game-winning 48-yard field goal by Matt Prater as time expired.

Stafford compiled 325 yards through the air while completing 24 of 47 passes, registering a 78.8 passer rating. He added two touchdowns and one interception. Stafford cracked the 300-yard mark for the first time since the opening week.

The Lions are on a bye Week 9 before returning Week 10 at home against the Dolphins.

Titans quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, running back Antonio Andrews, wide receiver Kris Durham, tight end Taylor Thompson, tackle Will Svitek, defensive lineman DaQuan Jones and cornerback Coty Sensabaugh were ruled inactive Week 8 vs. Houston.

Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, quarterback Tom Savage, wide receiver DeVier Posey, cornerback Darryl Morris, tackle Jeff Adams, linebacker Jeff Tarpinian and safety Josh Aubrey were among the team's inactives Week 8 at Tennessee.

Rams center Tim Barnes, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, cornerback Trumaine Johnson, quarterback Case Keenum, tight end Alex Bayer, defensive end Ethan Westbrooks and safety Maurice Alexander were all ruled inactive Week 8 at Kansas City.