>>Ravens Hold Off Texans On “MNF”
(Baltimore, MD) — The Ravens forced three turnovers and held off the Texans 23-16 on “Monday Night Football” in Baltimore. Javorius Allen and Alex Collins each had rushing touchdowns for Baltimore, which has won three of its last four games to improve to 6-and-5. Tom Savage was picked off twice and also lost a fumble for Houston, which dropped to 4-and-7.
>>Browns Planning To Play WR Gordon Sunday Against Chargers
(Berea, OH) — The return of Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is slated for this weekend. Head coach Hue Jackson says he plans to play his star pass catcher as much as he can handle Sunday against the Chargers in Los Angeles. Gordon has been suspended each of the last two seasons for multiple drug infractions. He led the NFL in receiving yards in 2013.
>>Colts Prep For Jags
(Indianapolis, IN) – The Colts get back to work this week as they get set to visit the Jaguars. Indy sits at 3-and-8 and are looking to salvage what’s left of a disappointing season. The Jags are battling with the Titans for first in the division at 7-and-4. Jacksonville blanked the Colts 27-0 in the first meeting this season at Lucas Oil Stadium. In injury news, cornerback Rashaan Melvin will likely miss Sunday’s game with a hand injury and center Ryan Kelly is in the concussion protocol.
>>Bears Turn Attention To 49ers
(Lake Forest, IL) — Up next for the Bears are the 49ers on Sunday at Soldier Field. Chicago has lost four straight after a 31-3 defeat at the hands of the Eagles on Sunday. The Bears are last in the NFC North at 3-and-8. San Francisco is last in the entire NFC at 1-and-10. ‘Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan says he’ll announce whether C.J. Beathard or Jimmy Garoppolo will start at quarterback later this week.
>>New College Football Playoff Rankings Out Tonight
(Undated) — The second-to-last College Football Playoff rankings will be released tonight. Top-ranked Alabama will wait to see if it drops out of the top-four playoff spots following Saturday’s loss to Auburn. Clemson, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Auburn hold the top-four spots in the Coaches’ Poll. The College Football Playoff national semifinals will be revealed this Sunday.
>>UCLA, Florida Introduce New Football Coaches
(Undated) — UCLA and Florida have new head football coaches in place. The Bruins introduced former Oregon and NFL coach Chip Kelly on Monday. He signed a five-year contract to take over for the fired Jim Mora. Meanwhile, the Gators introduced former Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen. He replaces Jim McElwain, who was fired in October after a 3-and-4 start.
>>Illinois Hoop At Wake Forest Tonight In ACC/Big Ten Challenge
(Winston Salem, NC) — Illinois basketball is in enemy territory tonight taking on Wake Forest. It’s part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, with tip-off at 8 o’clock. The Fighting Illini will open Big Ten play Friday at Northwestern before hosting Maryland on Sunday. Illinois is a perfect 6-and-0 after beating North Carolina Central on Friday. The Demon Deacons are 2-and-4.
>>Bulls Host Suns
(Chicago, IL) — The Bulls will try to end their five-game losing streak against the Suns tonight at the United Center. Chicago’s 100-93 loss to the Heat on Sunday dropped the Bulls to 3-and-15. Phoenix is 7-and-14.
>>Blackhawks Roll Ducks
(Chicago, IL) — Alex DeBrincat’s hat trick helped the Blackhawks beat the Ducks 7-3 at the United Center. Chicago scored three goals apiece in the first and second periods. Corey Crawford turned away 25 shots for the Blackhawks, who have won four-of-five to improve to 12-8-and-3. They visit the Predators tonight.
>>Grizzlies Fire Fizdale Amid Eight-Game Skid
(Memphis, TN) — David Fizdale is out as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. He was let go on Monday with the team in the midst of an eight-game losing streak. Associate head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been named interim coach. Fizdale led the team to a 43-and-39 record and a Western Conference playoff berth last season, but Memphis is just 7-and-12 this season.