TAMPA, Fla.
Rob Blake Jersey . -- Welcome to the NFC
South, where two games over .500 gives the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a share of first
place, and two under has the New Orleans Saints in position to make up ground in
a hurry.Talk about playing meaningful games in December.The surging Bucs (7-5),
and explosive, but inconsistent Saints (5-7) meet in a key divisional matchup
Sunday, then play again in New Orleans in two weeks.In between, the Bucs travel
to Dallas for a prime-time date against the NFL-best Cowboys (11-1). The Saints,
meanwhile, visit Arizona (5-6-1), which is trying to stay in playoff contention,
too.Tampa Bay closes the regular season against Carolina (4-8) and New Orleans
finishes at NFC South co-leader Atlanta (7-5), meaning the Bucs and Saints both
play three of their remaining four games within the division.The way our
division is so tight right now, these games are huge, Tampa Bay coach Dirk
Koetter said. Us and Atlanta sitting there at 7-5, New Orleans at 5-7. Just do
the math for New Orleans, and were not too far ahead. So, its going to be
huge.Part of the challenge for Koetter down the stretch will be keeping one of
the NFLs youngest rosters even-keeled.With second-year quarterback Jameis
Winston leading the way, the Bucs have won four straight -- six of eight overall
-- to overcome a slow start. Tampa Bay hasnt made the playoffs since 2007, and
the winning streak is the teams longest in four years.Koetter, whos in his first
year as a NFL head coach, said hes not 100 percent sure of the best approach to
helping the players cope with the mounting pressure of a playoff chase.Im
feeling my way through, the coach said, adding that he tries to tell it to them
straight.They know where they are, they know how important this game is. ... But
how you gauge the team and how you feel even-keeled, thats a hard thing to
figure exactly, Koetter said. I also count on the leadership of our players to
help out with that.The Saints relish the opportunity to get back in the race,
though it wont be easy playing three of their final four games on the road.
Coach Sean Payton feels its imperative New Orleans focus on Sunday -- nothing
beyond.We cant play all four Payton said. Weve just got to play this one.Some
things to know about the Saints and Bucs:PUT IT ALL OUT THERE: Payton and
Koetter both call offensive plays and insist they arent tempted to hold anything
back on Sunday.I dont think youd ever go into a game saying lets hold this for
the second game. Certainly were not in a position to save or hold anything,
Payton said.Koetter agreed: Ive never been like that, I dont believe in that.
Shoot. Who knows where were going to be in two weeks? Our most important game is
right now.BRINGING PRESSURE: The overlapping returns from injury of linebacker
Dannell Ellerbe and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins have resulted in
considerable improvement by the New Orleans defense in quarterback pressure.
Theyve combined for seven sacks in the past four games. Ellerbe, who has been
featured in blitz packages, has a sack in each of the Saints past four games.
Rankins, a rookie drafted 12th overall last spring, has three sacks in that
span.FAMOUS JAMEIS: Winstons steady progress has been a big part of Tampa Bays
surge. The first overall pick from last years draft has thrown 15 touchdown
passes versus four interceptions over his past eight games. Hes on pace to top
4,000 yards passing again, as well as set a franchise record for TD passes in a
season.CHEMISTRY QUESTIONS: New Orleans lack of rhythm on offense last weekend
against Detroit begged the question whether there was a carry-over from the
dissatisfaction receiver Brandin Cooks expressed after not having a pass thrown
to him during a Week 12 win over Los Angeles. Drew Brees threw to Cooks nine
times against the Lions, and the third-year receiver had seven catches for 73
yards. Nevertheless, New Orleans struggled to convert third downs -- and,
ultimately, to score in a 28-13 loss.GREAT BREES: Brees, who leads the NFL in
passing yards, completions, attempts, completion percentage and TD passes, is 87
yards shy of throwing for at least 4,000 yards in 11 consecutive seasons. The
Bucs, by comparison, have had just two 4,000-yard seasons (Winston 2015, Josh
Freeman 2012) in team history.---AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans
contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage:
http://www.pro32.ap.org and
http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL.
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. After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the
ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. NFL Nation reporters
predict what all 32 quarterback depth charts will look like if the regular
season started tomorrow. Each depth chart is listed in sequential order
(starter, then second-string, then third-string -- if applicable).AFC East | AFC
North| AFC South | AFC West NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC WestAFC
EASTBuffalo BillsTyrod Taylor, EJ Manuel, Cardale JonesIts a rarity as of late
in Buffalo, but the Bills dont have any questions as to their QB depth chart
this season. Taylor is the undisputed starter; Manuel will play out the final
season of his rookie deal as the primary backup and probably head elsewhere for
2017; and the Bills feel the No. 3 job is the ideal spot for Jones to develop as
a rookie. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsRyan Tannehill, Matt Moore, Brandon
DoughtyTannehill is the unquestioned starter despite four uneven seasons, but
coach Adam Gase is confident he can get Tannehill consistently playing his best
football. Moore is a longtime veteran and a solid backup. Doughty, a rookie
seventh-round pick, is pushing for a roster spot as the No. 3 quarterback. --
James WalkerNew England PatriotsTom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby BrissettWith
Brady suspended for the first four games of the season, some have wondered if
the club might add another signal-caller as an added layer of depth. But it
would hardly be surprising if the Patriots simply stick with Garoppolo (2014
second round) and Brissett (2016 third round) until Brady returns. -- Mike
ReissNew York JetsRyan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith, Bryce Petty, Christian
HackenbergIt might seem crazy, but the Jets are thinking about keeping four
quarterbacks on the final 53. Fitzpatrick, the undisputed starter, and
Hackenberg, a second-round pick, are locks. Smith probably will stick because
hes the only backup with NFL experience. Petty could be the odd-man out, but
only if he implodes in the preseason. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensJoe
Flacco, Ryan Mallett, Josh JohnsonFlacco is the unquestioned starter, especially
after he has answered all the questions about his surgically repaired left knee
in training camp. Despite not practicing this offseason, Flacco has put together
one of the best camps of his nine-year career. Mallett struggled mightily in
spring workouts and now in training camp, but Baltimore is committed to him as
its primary backup through this season. Johnson is a training camp arm who wont
be with the Ravens beyond the preseason. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati
BengalsAndy Dalton, AJ McCarron, Keith WenningDalton has held down the position
of starter since he was drafted in 2011, and hell remain there this season,
despite McCarrons strong play in relief of him late last year. McCarron was
forced to start the Bengals final four games of 2015 because Dalton was out with
a thumb injury. Its likely the Bengals take only two quarterbacks into the
regular season, but Wenning has proven to be a capable No. 3. -- Coley
HarveyCleveland BrownsRobert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Cody KesslerGriffin
remains coach Hue Jacksons personal reclamation project. He had to play his way
out of the job in preseason, and did not. McCown stays as the veteran backup and
insurance in case of injury. The third QB is a toss-up between Kessler and
Austin Davis, but the nod here goes to Kessler because he was Jacksons draft
pick. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersBen Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Bruce
GradkowskiJones has solidified the backup job, and with Roethlisberger getting
plenty of rest days this camp, Gradkowski is competing with project Dustin
Vaughan, who has a big arm but is a bit erratic. The Steelers like the
continuity a veteran such as Gradkowski brings to the quarterback room, so that
gives him an advantage. As for Jones, hes throwing with more confidence than a
year ago. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansBrock Osweiler, Brandon Weeden,
Tom SavageOsweiler will be the Texans starting quarterback (barring injury, of
course). Though Savage has been in Houston the longest, the Texans gave Weeden a
two-year contract in April after he led the Texans to two key victories to win
the AFC South last season. It is Weedens backup spot to lose. -- Sarah
BarshopIndianapolis ColtsAndrew Luck, Scott Tolzien, Stephen MorrisThe Colts
hope Luck will take every meaningful snap this season after he missed nine games
during the 2015 season. Tolzien replaces Matt Hasselbeck as Lucks backup after
spending the past two seasons as Aaron Rodgers backup in Green Bay. Morris will
be the third quarterback only if the Colts keep three. The Colts kept only two
quarterbacks in each of the past two seasons. -- Mike WellsJacksonville
JaguarsBlake Bortles, Chad Henne, Brandon AllenBortles established himself as
one of the leagues top young QBs last season by throwing for 35 TDs. Henne is
under contract through 2017, but the Jaguars really like Allen and will carry
three QBs on the active roster. They view Allen as Hennes eventual replacement,
possibly as early as next season. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansMarcus Mariota,
Matt Cassel, Alex TanneyCassel is connected to general manager Jon Robinson from
their time together in New England. The Titans dumped Zach Mettenberger after
the draft. Tanney was on the roster for the final two games of the 2015 season
and played in the finale. But coach Mike Mularkey wasnt into keeping a third
quarterback last year and it seems unlikely if Mariota and Cassel are healthy
that there will be room for Tanney. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosMark
Sanchez, Trevor Siemian, Paxton LynchThis isnt even written in pencil, let alone
etched in stone. Sanchez and Siemian are in a dead heat at the moment for the
starting job, and Broncos coach Gary Kubiak is in no hurry to make the decision.
He wants to see how the two react to game situations in the coming preseason
games as well as joint practices with the 49ers. Lynch has flashed his enormous
potential but has plenty of ground to cover on the learning curve before hes in
the conversation. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsAlex Smith, Nick Foles, Tyler
BraySmith is solid as the starter but otherwise the depth chart is subject to
change. Backup spots are in play for not only Foles and Bray but also the other
two quarterbacks in camp, Aaron Murray and rookie Kevin Hogan. The Chiefs will
depend heavily on results from the preseason games in making any future
decisions. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersDerek Carr, Matt McGloin, Connor
CookAny questions? There shouldnt be, not when Carr is the established franchise
QB. McGloin is entrenching himself as the backup, and Cook, who was drafted in
the fourth round to the surprise of many, got off to a slow start in training
camp but is starting to show more confidence. Any young player at that position
is going to come in, its a lot of volume, coach Jack Del Rio said. Its a lot of
information to process. I think you can see each and every day hes becoming more
and more comfortable, and hes doing a great job being a teammate, working within
the group ... we like the way hes working. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego
ChargersPhilip Rivers, Kellen Clemens, Zach Mettenberger, Mike BercoviciRivers
remains the unquestioned starter and leader of the Chargers. Clemens and
Mettenberger are battling for the No. 2 job, with the experienced veteran and
incumbent in Clemens leading the competition heading into the first preseason
game. Bercovici has flashed at times, but is still working to pick up the
nuances of offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunts system. -- Eric D. WilliamsNFC
EASTDallas CowboysTony Romo, Dak Prescott, Jameill ShowersThe broken fibula
suffered by Kellen Moore has put the Cowboys on the lookout for a veteran
backup, but they dont want to give up too much in either free agency or a trade.
The Cowboys know what they will get from Romo, but the added practice time for
Prescott and Showers is a plus. Under normal circumstances they would be
splitting third-team snaps, but the extra work can help their development.
Showers is a quicker decision-maker at the moment, but the Cowboys like
Prescotts development so far. They just dont want to see either guy in a game
right now, which makes the health of Romo even more paramount. -- Todd ArcherNew
York GiantsEli Manning, Ryan Nassib, Logan ThomasManning is the clear-cut
starter. Nassib, a free agent after this season who the Giants believe knows the
offense forward and backward, is undoubtedly the backkup.
Rogie Vachon Jersey. Hes going to receive a
majority of the playing time this preseason so they can see how he handles the
pressure of live game action. Thomas is the camp arm who gets to hang around for
the summer. There isnt much drama or controversy when it comes to the Giants
quarterback depth chart. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesSam Bradford, Chase
Daniel, Carson WentzDoug Pederson announced this would be his depth chart and
the first-year head coach hasnt wavered from that. From organized team
activities through minicamps to the first two weeks of training camp, Bradford
has taken the first-team reps. Pederson hasnt ruled out the possibility of
Wentz, the No. 2 pick in the draft, playing at some point this year. But,
barring injury, he will be the No. 3 QB going into the season. -- Phil
SheridanWashington RedskinsKirk Cousins, Colt McCoy, Nate SudfeldCousins strong
finish in 2015 earned him $19.95 million thanks to the franchise tag and
cemented his status for this season as the No. 1 guy. Theres a clear order after
him, too, as McCoy gives Washington an experienced backup well-versed in the
system; Sudfeld has looked every bit a rookie in camp and will need to improve
his accuracy to move up the depth chart in the future. -- John KeimNFC
NORTHChicago BearsJay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, David FalesCoach John Fox is sold on
Cutler, who finished the 2015 season with a career best 92.3 quarterback rating.
Hoyer signed with Chicago because he played for offensive coordinator Dowell
Loggains in Cleveland, and therefore knows the offense. Plus, the Bears paid
Hoyer $750,000 in guaranteed money to back up Cutler. Fales is impressive. He is
smart, accurate and reliable. Even if the Bears keep only two quarterbacks on
the active 53-man roster, the organization would prefer to have Fales around in
some capacity. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsMatthew Stafford, Dan Orlovsky,
Jake RudockNo change, really. Stafford is the entrenched starter. It would be
surprising to see coach Jim Caldwell go into a season without an experienced
backup and Orlovsky has had a strong enough camp where he is firmly the backup
quarterback. The question is whether Detroit keeps three quarterbacks or if the
Lions send Rudock through waivers to place him on the practice squad. Too early
to tell there. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersAaron Rodgers, Brett
Hundley, Joe Callahan, Marquise WilliamsTheres no reason to think the Packers
will carry any quarterbacks other than Rodgers and Hundley on the 53-man roster.
However, they still need a third quarterback to run the scout team, meaning
theres a practice-squad spot to be had. Callahan has shown some moxie standing
in the pocket, a solid grasp of the offense and the coaches say his footwork has
improved significantly since the spring. However, the NFL is a big jump for the
Division III standout from Wesley College. Williams has better size, athleticism
and arm strength -- and played far better competition at North Carolina -- but
he came aboard late in the offseason and remains behind Callahan on the depth
chart. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsTeddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill, Joel
StaveWith Taylor Heinicke, the Vikings promising second-year backup, possibly
out three months after severing a tendon in his foot, the Vikings could start
the season with only two quarterbacks (Bridgewater and Hill). Stave was signed
as an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin, and might not be ready to be on a
regular-season roster. Theres no doubt Bridgewater is the starter, but the
Vikings depth behind him is a bit of a question mark until Heinicke is healthy.
-- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsMatt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Sean Renfree,
Matt SimmsSchaub, who thrived in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahans system in
the past, gives the Falcons a veteran presence behind Ryan. The Falcons kept
only two QBs on the 53-man roster, so Renfree and Simms will have to either
outperform Schaub or showcase their skills for another team. Schaub, who was
originally drafted by the Falcons in the third round, led the NFL with 4,770
passing yards in 2009 while running Shanahans offense with the Texans. -- Vaughn
McClureCarolina PanthersCam Newton, Derek Anderson, Joe WebbIt has been this way
the past two seasons and wont change unless theres an injury. The Panthers like
having the veteran Anderson as Newtons backup. Hes good enough to start for at
least half the teams in the NFL, which is why the Panthers signed him last year
to a two-year extension through 2017 at a relatively low price ($5 million). He
won two games during the 2014 season while Newton was injured and runs some
portions -- short passing game -- of the offense more efficiently than the NFL
MVP. Carolina likes the versatility of Webb, a more athletic quarterback like
Newton, as the third stringer. General manager Dave Gettleman doesnt typically
like to keep three quarterbacks, but since Webb also can play special teams, hes
a keeper. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsDrew Brees, Luke McCown, Garrett
GraysonBrees has only one year left on his contract, but the Saints dont have a
succession plan in place yet. They drafted Grayson in the third round out of
Colorado State in 2015, then essentially redshirted him last year while his head
was still swimming in the playbook. Grayson has looked a little more comfortable
so far this summer, but hell need to develop rapidly to steal the backup job
away from McCown. The Saints have trusted the veteran McCown for several years
-- and he proved why when he filled in for an injured Brees last season and
nearly knocked off the Carolina Panthers on the road. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay
BuccaneersJameis Winston, Mike Glennon, Ryan GriffinGlennon had 18 starts under
his belt in two years, throwing 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions during that
span. That might be good enough to start on other teams, but hell continue to be
Winstons backup heading into the final year of his rookie contract, unless
general manager Jason Licht receives an offer he just cant pass up. -- Jenna
LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsCarson Palmer. Drew Stanton. Matt BarkleyTheres no
change to the Cardinals QB depth chart. Palmer is the established starter.
Stanton has been his backup since they both arrived in Arizona in 2013. And
Barkley has a better sense of the offense after spending an entire offseason in
the Cardinals system. Coach Bruce Arians wants (and needs) quarterbacks who have
been around a while because his scheme is so complex, so the more time a QB can
spend in it, the better it is for all parties. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles
RamsCase Keenum, Jared Goff, Sean Mannion, Dylan ThompsonAt the moment Keenum is
the designated starter, but its understood at some point this season Goff is
going to take over the starting spot. And probably soon. The Rams are trying to
be careful not to rush the 21-year-old Goff, but hes looking a little better
every day in camp. The days of pampering a first-round quarterback seem over.
The last five quarterbacks taken No. 1 overall -- Matthew Stafford, Sam
Bradford, Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and Jameis Winston -- have opened the season
as the teams starter. -- Steve DilbeckSan Francisco 49ersBlaine Gabbert, Colin
Kaepernick, Jeff DriskelThere are two simultaneous battles going on here, first
with Kaepernick and Gabbert for the starting job, then for Driskel and Thad
Lewis for the No. 3 spot. Gabbert and Kaepernick is really too close to call at
this early stage so well stick with the order of how things ended last season
for now. Driskel has flashed on occasion and his combination of youth and upside
would seem to give him a slight edge over Lewis. The preseason games will play a
big role in deciding both competitions. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksRussell
Wilson, Trevone Boykin, Jake HeapsThe Seahawks could still make a move to add a
veteran backup before the season starts, but they like what theyve seen from
Boykin during training camp. We will need to see him play in these games, and he
will have to log a bunch of snaps before we get to the point of where we have
enough background to understand what he is really going to do, coach Pete
Carroll said. If Boykin impresses in the preseason, he could be the No. 2 QB. If
not, the Seahawks will look elsewhere for Wilsons backup. -- Sheil Kapadia
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