April 2019 - Football Wiretap

Saints-Cowboys Draws Biggest SNF Audience Since 2016

Sep 30, 2019 4:46 PM

The New Orleans Saints' Week 4 win over the Dallas Cowboys was the most-watched regular season game on NBC Sunday Night Football since 2016.

The game had an average of 24.7 million viewers compared to 26.7 million for Cowboys-New York Giants on Dec. 11, 2016.

Sunday Night Football is averaging 21.4 million viewers across all platforms this season, which is up five percent from the same point last season.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints

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Bradley Chubb Played Through Torn ACL In Week 4

Sep 30, 2019 2:52 PM

Bradley Chubb will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

Chubb initially left the Denver Broncos' Week 4 loss with a calf injury and then for the knee injury before returning to the field.

Vic Fangio said Chubb "had some calf issues and then I think he had another injury in his leg issue that he was able to come back from."

ESPN

Tags: Denver Broncos, Injury

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Chargers, Chiefs, Ravens Could Trade For Jalen Ramsey

Sep 30, 2019 11:20 AM

The Los Angeles Chargers could have interest in trading for Jalen Ramsey.

Ramsey is attempting to force a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens could also have interest in Ramsey.

Peter King/NBC Sports

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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NFL Estimates Two Percent Of British Population Watches Weekly

Sep 30, 2019 11:10 AM

The NFL believes approximately two percent of the population in Great Britain is watching their league each week.

The per-minute audience for the Red Zone channel in Britain has doubled since last year from an average of 70,000 viewers to 140,000. The approximately number for cumulative audience per week is 1.4 million.

The NFL has made a concerted effort to improve their presence in Britain over the past several seasons with both marketing and games played in London.

Peter King/NBC Sports

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Vontaze Burfict Suspended For Remainder Of 2019

Sep 30, 2019 12:25 PM

Vontaze Burfict has been banned for the remainder of the season for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Jack Doyle of the Indianapolis Colts.

Burfict was initially flagged for hitting Doyle in the head across the middle. But after the officials conferred, Burfict was thrown out.

Burfict has received 13 suspensions and fines in seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before signing with the Raiders as a free agent this offseason.

Chris Mortensen/ESPN

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Suspension

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Washington Uncertain Who Will Start At Quarterback In Week 5

Sep 30, 2019 9:55 AM

The Washington Redskins aren't sure who will start at quarterback against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Dwayne Haskins replaced Case Keenum late in the second quarter of this past Sunday's loss to the New York Giants.

Haskins, the 15th overall pick, completed 9 of 17 passes for 107 yards and three interceptions.

"He's got to earn that right first," Jay Gruden said. "I don't care where you're drafted, you have to earn that. He's got to come in here and perform when he's asked to perform, and if I feel he gives us the best chance to win against New England, I'll put him in."

Keenum had completed 6 of 11 passes for 37 yards in nearly two quarters of action.

John Keim/ESPN

Tags: Washington Football Team

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Todd Gurley Calls Thursday Night Games 'Dumbest Thing Ever'

Sep 30, 2019 8:38 AM

The Los Angeles Rams play the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.

Todd Gurley has never been a fan of international games or those played on a short week.

"You know how I feel about Thursday night games," Gurley said. "I feel like they are the dumbest thing ever."

Gurley rushed for 16 yards and two touchdowns on five carries against the Buccaneers. He caught seven passes for 54 yards.

"For the most part, if you aren't really battling injuries or stuff like that, Thursday is kind of like a day you usually feel good anyway," the running back said. "They played on Sunday, as well. ... We just have a quick turnaround to go up to Seattle."

Lindsey Thiry/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Rams

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Larry Fitzgerald Moves Into Second Place On Receptions List

Sep 30, 2019 8:35 AM

Larry Fitzgerald passed Tony Gonzalez for second place on the NFL's all-time list on a 15-yard catch with 1 minute, 41 seconds left in the Arizona Cardinals' 27-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Fitzgerald came into the game needing five catches to reach 1,326 for his career.

"I don't mean any disrespect to guys on the all-time list but it's hard to take anything good from losing two in a row at home, three home games out of four, and we don't come out with a win," the receiver said. "That's pretty depressing, so there's not much to really be happy about."

Jerry Rice sits in first place on the receptions list with 1,549.

Josh Weinfuss/ESPN

Tags: Stats

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Antonio Brown To File Up To Nine Grievances, Appeals

Sep 29, 2019 10:59 AM

Antonio Brown will file nine grievances and appeals simultaneously as he looks to recoup as much as the $61 million he believes he is still owed to him.

The grievances and appeals involve the following issues and sums of money:

• Fine appeals with the Oakland Raiders: $215,000

• Salary guarantees with Oakland: $29 million

• Signing bonus with Raiders: $1 million

• Oakland's unpaid Week 1 salary: $860,000

• New England Patriots' salary guarantee: $1 million

• Patriots signing bonus: $9 million

• Patriots' unpaid Week 3 salary: $64,000

• Patriots' option year in 2020: $20 million

Brown could also file an appeal if he is suspended by the NFL. Brown has been accused of sexual assault and sexual misconduct by two different women

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Legal, Misc Rumor, Suspension

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Dak Prescott, Cowboys Expected To Have Prolonged Extension Talks

Sep 30, 2019 10:40 AM

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys are not close to agreement on a contract extension at this time and a deal is not expected to be reached in the near future.

There is, however, motivation on both sides for a deal to eventually be reached.

There hasn't been a setback on the talks as they have not moved past the preliminary stages.

Prescott isn't considering moving off his demands, especially as he continues his strong start to 2019.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Cam Newton Hid Extent Of Foot Injury

David Newton/ESPN

Washington Could Fire Jay Gruden With Week 4 Loss

Les Carpenter/Washington Post

Davante Adams Not Expected To Miss Significant Time With Toe Injury

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Bill Belichick Doesn't Believe In Historical Analytics

Mike Reiss/ESPN

NBC Likely To Flex Rams-49ers To SNF For Week 6

Steve Berman/The Athletic

Matt LaFleur: I Don't Know What Pass Interference Is Anymore

Kevin Patra/NFL

Jalen Ramsey: My Trade Request Still Stands

Michael DiRocco/ESPN

Davante Adams Has Turf Toe Injury

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

Anthony Lynn: Melvin Gordon Will Be 'No. 1 Guy' When He's Ready

Eric D. Williams/ESPN

Jennifer Lopez, Shakira To Perform At Halftime Of Super Bowl LIV

RealGM Staff Report

Kraft Likely Overruled Brady, Belichick On Cutting Antonio Brown

Tom E. Curran/NBC Sports Boston

NFL Abandons Push For 18-Game Schedule, Focused On 17

Daniel Kaplan/The Athletic

Drew Brees Feels He 'Can Beat' Six-Week Injury Timetable

WWL Radio

Lamar Jackson: I Hate Running, I'd Rather Pass

Jamison Hensley/ESPN

NFL Chooses DraftKings As Daily Fantasy Partner

David Purdum/ESPN

Saquon Barley Advised Not To Undergo Surgery On Ankle

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Melvin Gordon To Report To Chargers On Thursday

Branson Wright/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Tom Brady Cites Age For Limited Practice Participation

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Jalen Ramsey Leaves Jaguars To Attend Birth Of Second Child

Michael DiRocco/ESPN

Drew Rosenhaus Believes Antonio Brown Wants To Play In NFL Again

ESPN