NFL Player News

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said he has not considered benching quarterback Matthew Stafford, even for a short time to get his mind right, reports the Detroit Free Press. "Matt's our quarterback and he's going to play well for us," Schwartz said.

Stafford has accounted for seven touchdowns and 11 turnovers the past four weeks after throwing three second-half interceptions in Monday's loss to Baltimore. Detroit hosts the Giants in Week 16.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who's missed six straight games with a broken collarbone, said he felt more like himself in practice last week. "I knew I was closer (to playing)," he said on his radio show, per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "We’re sitting here with another 4-5 days of rest.”

Added Rodgers: "My hope is that I practice tomorrow and experience no setbacks mentally or physically and then go from there."

Rodgers is trying to get medically cleared to play Sunday vs. the Steelers. Green Bay controls its destiny in the NFC North, a big motivator for Rodgers to return. Rodgers said "there has to be some level of risk-reward conversation."

Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith emerged with the starting quarterback job after a preseason competition with Mark Sanchez. Smith has had an up-and-down rookie campaign, which led Smith to acknowledge Monday he will probably be competing for the starting job again next season.

"Yes, I do," he said, per the New York Post. "I’m going to be in full competition with myself and every other guy who’s in camp."

Smith also admitted he hasn't lived up to expectations. He has completed just 55.3 percent of his passes and has twice as many interceptions (21) than touchdowns (10) through 14 games.

"I haven’t," he said of meeting expectations. "I think I could have played a lot better. I obviously understand there are growing pains you have to learn from and experiences you have to get better from. I set the bar high for myself, I always will. That’s the way I’ll improve, by setting that bar high and keep climbing."

The sloppiness continued Monday night for Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. He has 11 turnovers in his past four games after getting intercepted three times in the home loss to Baltimore.

Off target throughout the game but also victimized by two Calvin Johnson drops, Stafford finished 18 of 34 for 235 yards and a late touchdown.

In the third quarter, Ravens nose tackle Haloti Ngata deflected Stafford's late throw and defensive tackle DeAngelo Tyson picked it off. Stafford made a worse throw over the middle in the fourth quarter -- an easy interception for linebacker Daryl Smith. Stafford opened Detroit's final drive by sailing one to safety Matt Elam.

Stafford gave the Lions a brief lead when he hit tight end Joseph Fauria for a 14-yard score with 2:27 remaining. Stafford also surpassed 4,000 passing yards for a third straight season. But he continues to revert to bad habits, like throwing sidearm and off balance when he doesn't need to.

Stafford plays the Giants in Week 16.

The Texans might have to make a change at quarterback Week 16 vs. Denver, but it won't be a performance-based decision. Interim coach Wade Phillips revealed Monday quarterback Case Keenum underwent an MRI for a sprained right thumb, and the team will have to "wait and see" if Keenum will be able to start Sunday.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has missed the last six games with a collarbone injury, will be re-evaluated Tuesday and the team will set a plan on Wednesday. However, McCarthy added as of Monday the team is game planning for Matt Flynn to be under center Week 16 vs. Pittsburgh.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes Week 15 at Pittsburgh, salvaging his Fantasy performance. He completed 25 of 44 passes for 230 yards and the two scores, without an interception.

Dalton connected with tight end Tyler Eifert on a 1-yard touchdown, then found receiver Marvin Jones wide open from 13 yards out. Dalton's ensuing 2-point conversion pass was batted down. 

Dalton, who ran four times for 20 yards, has accounted for six touchdowns and no turnovers the past two weeks. He has an attractive matchup Week 16 vs. the Vikings.

Trying his best to stay upright on a day when the Colts sacked him four times, Texans quarterback Case Keenum struggled with his accuracy Week 15 at Indianapolis, completing 18 of 34 passes for 168 yards. It was his fourth game in five with less 200 passing yards. He has completed just 53.0 percent of his passes during that stretch.

For the third time in four games, Keenum went without a touchdown pass, and he hit a new low with two interceptions, getting picked twice by Darius Butler.

It was a stark contrast to the last time he faced the Colts in Week 9, when he threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns in what was arguably the best game of his young career. He'll look to get back on track Week 16 against the Broncos -- a team that has given up plenty of yards through the air this season.

The Raiders received minor contributions from several role players during Sunday's blowout loss to the Chiefs in Week 15.

In the running game, fullback Jamize Olawale rushed for two yards on one carry. In the passing game, Taiwan Jones, who converted to cornerback before the start of the season, came down with a short pass from Matt McGloin and took it up the field for a 52-yard gain for his only catch of the day. He also lost a fumble.

Chimdi Chekwa also caught one pass for a gain of 22 yards. Jeron Mastrud and Nick Kasa both received a target but finished the game without a grab.

Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin had some issues with his accuracy in an up-and-down performance during Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs in Week 15.

McGloin was picked off by Eric Berry twice in the first half, who returned the first interception back for an Oakland score in the opening quarter. McGloin also lost a fumble in the second quarter. McGloin bounced back in the third quarter with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Andre Holmes and a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mychal Rivera. He was then picked off twice more in the final quarter and was benched for Terrelle Pryor for the final eight minutes of the game.

McGloin completed 18 of 36 passes for 297 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He finished with a 57.1 passer rating in a 56-31 defeat.