Says Bills coach Chan Gailey of rookie LB Kelvin Sheppard, “Where he has got to continue to get better at is just understanding the whole concept of [the] defense and becoming a better communicator in there. Taking more charge, which is hard for a rookie, because he doesn’t know. So I think this experience will really help him develop as a player, to become what we hoped he would be when we drafted him.”
Dolphins LB Kevin Burnett credited “a bunch of good blocks” for his 34-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Hall of Famer Jackie Slater is happy to see his son Matthew Slater on the field with the Patriots.
Said Jets coach Rex Ryan, “Our first year here, we really struggled to make the playoffs, but we always believed that if we could get in there, we could do some damage. That’s what we plan on doing this year.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh thinks he put his kicker in a bad position by trying 34- and 41-yard field goals in the Cleveland wind on Sunday.
Ticket sales aren’t improving for the Bengals, even though they’re a much better team now than they were a year ago.
Browns QB Colt McCoy is running out of time to prove he deserves to be the franchise quarterback.
Steelers G Ramon Foster practiced Tuesday and expects to play Thursday against the Browns despite spraining his ankle Sunday against the Bengals.
The Texans appear to have a winning formula even if they’re down to their third-string quarterback.
Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star writes that the Colts have to dump Peyton Manning and pick Andrew Luck, and anything else would set the franchise back for years.
Asked what it would mean to him to win the NFL rushing title, Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew said, “nothing,” because he doesn’t play for individual accolades.
More than 40 percent of Titans RB Chris Johnson’s yardage for the entire season has been picked up in the last two games.
The Broncos think their defense is better than the stats suggest.
If the Chiefs are going to win, they’re going to need to lean on their defense.
The Raiders are playing at the same time as the 49ers on Sunday for the first time since 2009.
The Chargers think they’re still in the playoff hunt.
Eagles RB Ronnie Brown thinks his current team could learn something from the mentality of his old team.
Giants OT Stacy Andrews will miss the rest of the season with blood clots in his lungs, but he says he’s thankful it’s not worse.
The Cowboys’ offensive struggles won’t lead head coach Jason Garrett to give up play calling.
Redskins DE Ryan Kerrigan says he’s disappointed at the lack of a pass rush against the Jets on Sunday.
Said Bears coach Lovie Smith of the struggles on offense since Caleb Hanie became the starting quarterback, “Give us a little bit of time. Hopefully, we’ll see some improvements this week.”
The Lions claim wearing a glove on his injured hand didn’t affect QB Matthew Stafford, but he’s been throwing the ball a lot better without gloves than with them.
Packers TE Jermichael Finley creates plenty of matchup headaches for opposing defenses.
The Vikings need QB Christian Ponder to learn from his mistakes.
Falcons QB Matt Ryan had his lowest passer rating in 35 games on Sunday against the Texans.
Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski has been mentioned as a candidate for the head-coaching job in Jacksonville, but he says he’s not thinking about that.
In New Orleans, 69 percent of people watching TV on Sunday night were watching the Saints beat the Lions.
Some folks in Tampa are questioning whether Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris has lost his team.
Says Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett, “I don’t like the 49ers. I just don’t. They hate me, I hate them, and there’s nothing I would say to them. I’ll pay them the compliment that they’re playing great football. That’s what a man would say, because I’m not a hater that way. Just because I don’t like you doesn’t mean I don’t respect what you do.”
Rams RB Jerious Norwood explains what’s gone wrong this year: “I came down with the flu. I missed a couple days of work and when I came back I was dehydrated. I guess my muscles were just exhausted, and I went out to practice and ended up straining [my hamstring], and that kind of held me down for a little while. I honestly think if I never would’ve gotten sick, then my hamstring never would’ve been an issue.”
San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh thinks the 49ers should build a statue to honor RB Frank Gore.
The Seahawks are turning to Pat McQuistan at left tackle.
