Seahawks score 50 again, hammer Bills in Toronto

TORONTO -- It wasn't that long ago when Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was worried about overwhelming rookie quarterback Russell Wilson with too much information.

That's no longer a concern after Wilson and the surging Seahawks showed they're capable of piling up points north of the border, too.

A week after a 58-0 win at home against Arizona, Wilson ran for three touchdowns and threw for another in a 50-17 rout of the Bills in Buffalo's annual game in Toronto on Sunday.

"I'm just thrilled that he's been able to continue to grow," Carroll said. "For a time, we were just trying to get the offense going and not screw it up and make sure he could keep growing.

"Well, we're past that now."

Wilson was unstoppable during a first half in which he directed scoring drives on the Seahawks' first five possessions in building a 31-7 lead. It was a stretch in which he scored on 14-, 25- and 13-yard runs to become the NFL's first quarterback to run for three touchdowns in one half since Daunte Culpepper did it against Chicago on Sept. 3, 2000, according to STATS. And Wilson's 4-yard touchdown pass to Zach Miller was his 21st of the season, moving into a tie for second with Cam Newton among NFL rookies. Only Peyton Manning, with 26 in 1998, has more.

Then the Seahawks' opportunistic defense took over by forcing three consecutive turnovers to start the second half, including safety Earl Thomas scoring on 57-yard interception return.

"We're definitely clicking well," Wilson said, a third-round draft pick out of Wisconsin. "I've been on a couple of teams that have scored that many in college. But to do it in the National Football League, I mean that's really tough to do."

He's not kidding.

The Seahawks became the NFL's third team to score 50 points in consecutive weeks, joining the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants, who both did it in 1950, according to STATS. And the 108 combined points over two weeks matched the NFL's third-highest total. The New England Patriots also scored 108 points in consecutive games last month, according to STATS.

And it's happening with the Seahawks (9-5) mounting a playoff push. They've won for the fifth time in six games and still aren't out of the running to win the NFC West. They return home to host division-leading San Francisco in what has become a key showdown.

The Bills (5-9) find themselves in a familiar state of unraveling. They were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for a 13th season -- the NFL's longest active drought. And their performance further raises questions about coach Chan Gailey's job security.

"We played bad. We played poorly. And when you play poorly against a good football team you're going to look extremely bad," Gailey said. "You're angry at yourself because you didn't get the team ready to play at the level they needed to play."

The defense had a meltdown in giving up 45 or more points three times this season.

The offense sputtered for much of the first half before scoring 10 points in the final 1:10 cut the Seahawks' lead to 31-17.

And then things got ugly.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in turning the ball over on each of the Bills' first three possessions. The Seahawks capitalized by turning the three turnovers into 17 points.

"It went downhill from there fast," said Fitzpatrick, who was more upset about how the team's performance reflected on Gailey. "We played poorly and it reflects poorly on him. It eats me up."

Fitzpatrick went 21 of 38 for 217 yards with a 20-yard touchdown to Stevie Johnson. C.J. Spiller had 103 yards rushing and scored on a 14-yard run.

Wilson went 14 of 23 for 205 yards passing, and had 92 yards rushing.

It was an outing that came on an international stage on a day the NFL's two most talked about rookie quarterbacks were either hurt -- Washington's Robert Griffin III -- or lost -- Indianapolis' Andrew Luck.

"The kid is destined to be great," receiver Golden Tate said. "You didn't expect Russell Wilson to even be in the Rookie of the Year talk. The fact that he's responded and led this team this far, I think that says a lot."

Running back Marshawn Lynch had 113 yards rushing and scored on a 13-yard run in his first game against his former team. Defensive end Chris Clemons had 2 1/2 of Seattle's three sacks.

The Bills dropped to 1-4 in regular-season games at Toronto since the series began in 2008.

The Bills and Toronto-based Rogers Communications are closing in on a deal to extend the series, which expired after this game.

Torontonians might want to reconsider after this. With 5:20 left, fans in one end zone began chanting "Let's Go Blue Jays!"

At least they were entertained by both the Seahawks and at halftime by Korean pop star PSY performed his hit "Gangnam Style" at midfield.

The announced crowd of 40,770 was well below the downtown domed Rogers Centre's capacity of 54,000. And many who stuck around for the second half started rooting for the Seahawks.

That was fine for Carroll, who made his first trip to Toronto.

"This was exciting for us. We looked at it like a little bit of a bowl-game situation," Carroll said. "The 12th man north was there."

Notes

While there were numerous fans dressed in Bills and Seahawks colors, fans were spotted wearing a Steelers' Troy Polamalu jersey, and another wearing a Tom Brady No. 12 Patriots jersey. Spiller reached 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career, and needed only 154 carries to get there. That's the second-fewest behind only Chicago Bears Beattie Feathers, who reached 1,000 yards on 119 carries in 1934. The Seahawks wore their third uniforms -- "wolf grey" jerseys and pants with green numbers and names -- for the first time since introducing them this offseason.

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Jets CB Darrelle Revis again asked about possible hold out, again says 'I don't know'

Posted: 07:05 PM ET May 31, 2012

By Ryan Wilson | NFL Blogger

Apparently, nothing's changed since the last time the media asked Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis if he'd consider holding out for a new contract. Back in April, the 2007 first-round pick said he "doesn't know" and that "that time hasn't come," and now, some five weeks later, Revis has reiterated those sentiments.

When asked if he will definitely report to training camp on Day 1, Darrelle Revis said, "I don't know." #nyj

— Manish Mehta(@TheJetsStream) May 31, 2012

Revis had previously stated that "I just don't know. I'm not saying I'm going to hold out. … I'm not saying I won't. My agents are going to do what's best for me. … It's my career, and I'm in control of what I can do." And general manager Mike Tannenbaum, asked about the possibility last month, would only say “Darrelle is under contract. Darrelle is obviously a really important part of our team. We're really looking forward to the 2012 season and, hopefully, accomplishing a lot of great things together. … I've said all I'm going to say about his contract."

As to the specifics of Revis' contract, he signed an extension in September 2010 after a training camp holdout that was documented through the lens of HBO's Hard Knocks. But it's worth remembering two things (which we originally pointed out in April): First, that deal was front-loaded. So while he made $32.5 million combined in 2010 and 2011, Revis will see just $13.5 million in total for 2012 and 2013. And then there's what he said back in September 2010: “If I continue to play ball like I usually do, we'll probably be back at that same position we were this year.”

We're not there yet, but it certainly seems like a possibility. Revis thinks he should be paid what he's worth and there's nothing wrong with that, especially since he's considered the league's best cornerback. His detractors will say that Revis should honor the contract that he signed (the counterargument: since contract's aren't guaranteed, teams don't honor them either). And proponents will suggest that with cornerbacks like Brandon Carr and Corltand Finnegan having just signed $50 million deals, Revis is right to consider asking for a raise.

Now it becomes a matter of when he'd want it.

"I know things have come out, and that's that," Revis said last month. "But if anything does happen in the future of me being here or whatever, I have two years left. So if it's for my future to be here, then it is. If it's not, for me to be somewhere else, then it is. We'll address that when the time comes."

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our Pick-6 Podcast and NFL newsletter. You can follow Ryan Wilson on Twitter here: @ryanwilson_07.

Tags: Brandon Carr, Darrelle Revis, Ryan Wilson, New York Jets, NFL

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Former Boise QB Moore ready to prove himself all over again with Lions

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- By now, Kellen Moore is used to the doubters.

His Boise State team fought for respect throughout his college career, and after leading the Broncos to 50 victories -- a Football Bowl Subdivision record for a starting quarterback -- Moore still went undrafted last month.

He's in camp with the Detroit Lions this weekend after signing on with them as a free agent, and in a way, this is merely the latest chance for poised left-hander to prove himself.

"I think that's like a lot of us -- we like to kind of take an underdog approach," Moore said. "That's the way all sports teams try to take it. You always try and find a way to be the underdog in your mind, and get excited about opportunities."

Moore completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in four years at Boise State -- not bad, considering Idaho was the only other bowl school to offer a scholarship. Last season, he threw for 3,800 yards with 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Of course, those aren't the only numbers attached to Moore's profile. The 6-foot, 197-pound Moore will have to overcome concerns about his size and arm strength. He's 3 inches shorter than Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill, the top two quarterbacks on Detroit's depth chart.

That helps explain why pick after pick went by in the draft without Moore's name being called. By the time it was over, he was ready to put that experience behind him.

"I kind of quit watching toward the end," Moore said. "We were more doing phone conversations and just sorting it all out. ... Obviously, like any kid, your dream is certainly to be drafted. Things happen for a reason, and things come in goofy ways."

Drew Stanton, Detroit's No. 3 quarterback, left as a free agent this offseason, opening a potential spot for somebody such as Moore. Coach Jim Schwartz has been hesitant to read too much into anybody's performance during this three-day rookie minicamp, which started Friday.

"He's left-handed," Schwartz cracked when asked what he's noticed about Moore.

But the Lions brought him in for a reason, and they don't expect him to be overwhelmed by the adjustment to the pros.

"He's used to being a quarterback, he's used to being the center of attention," Schwartz said. "He's started a lot of football games, he's won a lot of football games, that shows through the most about him."

Only one quarterback under 6-foot-2 was drafted this year -- Wisconsin's 5-foot-11 Russell Wilson went to Seattle in the third round -- so the size issue is one Moore will have to face as he tries to forge a career in the NFL. And then there's the challenge of learning a new team's system with little time to waste.

"It's football, and there's a lot of different ways of running an offense," Moore said. "It's just a matter of getting out here, getting to understand the terminology, the way they do things."

If Moore does end up playing for the Lions, he may have a chance to toss a few more passes to Titus Young, one of his former college teammates. The Lions drafted the talkative Young in the second round last year, and he caught 48 passes as a rookie.

"I'm excited to see that kid again," Moore said. "He's a funny, funny guy. It's going to be a lot of fun to be around him again."

After Young's success last season, six more Boise State players were taken in the 2012 draft. Moore wasn't one of them, but the reputation he earned in college has followed him to Allen Park.

"Obviously he has [had] a lot of success -- I think 50 wins in college. And those weren't 50 wins against inferior opponents, he's gone on the road and beaten some big-time teams," Schwartz said. "His talent was there and he's got a good resume. We think he'll fit in well with us."

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Broncos, Tebow again stage late drama, tip Vikes

Broncos, Tebow again stage late drama CBSSports.com wire reports
Dec. 4, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS -- Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos came through again with a strong, determined finish after enduring another slow start.

This time, Tebow was in a groove the entire second half -- not just in the waning minutes -- and his teammates on defense were getting gobbled up. But there they were in the end, emulating Tebow's late-game touch.

Tebow passed for a season-best 202 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns to help the unflappable Broncos win their fifth straight game, 35-32 over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday on Matt Prater's 23-yard field goal as time expired.

"I know that I had a lot of help. Offensive line did a great job, and receivers stepped up and made me look a lot better than I really am," said Tebow, who completed 10 of 15 passes, his best percentage as an NFL starter, and posted a career-high passer rating of 149.3.

Prater kicked two field goals in the final 93 seconds for the Broncos (7-5), who forged a first-place tie in the AFC West with a loss by the Oakland Raiders. Christian Ponder set Minnesota's single-game rookie record with 381 yards passing, including a pair of long touchdowns to Percy Harvin, but his sideline throw with 1:33 remaining was intercepted by Andre Goodman and returned to the 15-yard line.

Lance Ball's first-down run for 11 yards made it first-and-goal at the 4 with 1:12 remaining, but the Vikings decided against letting them score right away and took their chances with a shank or a block instead. But the Broncos drained the clock for Prater's winner and raised their record to 6-1 with Tebow as the starter.

"Hard to argue. That guy wins games," Ponder said.

Harvin had a career-high 156 yards for the Vikings (2-10), who lost their fourth in a row.

"Too many times this year we've had leads and then had letdowns or missed assignments," Harvin said. "It's another game we feel we had control of, and to somehow let it slip away, that's disgusting."

In seven games with Tebow, the Broncos offense has 30 first-half points. They were blanked in this one, on the board only because of Mario Haggan's 16-yard interception return for a first-quarter score. Tebow's third turnover of the season, a sack by Jared Allen that forced a fumble with 39 seconds left before halftime, gave the Vikings three free points.

But they can't be counted out. Whether their unconventional quarterback is trying to complete a down-field pass or if they're flirting again with defeat, the Broncos haven't flinched.

"There were a lot of questions on the outside. Sometimes it gets built up like they were on the inside, but the one thing I will say is the guy wins," coach John Fox said. "He does it with his feet. He does it with his arm. He's young. He's just going to get better."

Harvin, a fellow former Florida star, said he was worried once Tebow got the ball late in the game.

"I was sure enough hoping we were going to get him, but I've been on his teams," Harvin said, adding: "He's a winner. He's a leader. All of the things you hear about, you may think it's too much, but that's what he is."

After serving as the backbone of Denver's resurgence, putting Tebow in position for all of those rallies, the Broncos gave up 489 yards. Toby Gerhart gained 91 yards on 21 carries. But they picked off Ponder twice, recovered his fumble and applied enough pressure to equalize the game.

"It's been fun, a fun ride," Haggan said. "This team is close, believes, has a lot of character, but we're not done."

Demaryius Thomas caught four passes for 144 yards and both touchdowns for the Broncos, who have won four games with Tebow by either four or three points. Thomas was wide open twice, with the coverage by Minnesota's depleted secondary breaking down often, but Tebow had to find him. Pushed out of the pocket with no one open, he ran left and delivered on on-target across-his-body throw to Thomas, who ran the rest of the way and dragged a couple of defenders into the end zone for a 41-yard score that cut the Minnesota lead to 22-21 late in the third.

"We put in a lot of work," Thomas said. "It's paid off. It's about that time."

During a dizzying display of back-and-forth touchdowns, with both Ponder and Tebow putting together their best games as pros. Ryan Longwell's third field goal, with 3:06 left, made it 32-29 Vikings, teeing another one up for Tebow.

He threw a wobbler that still landed on target, when Thomas hauled in a 40-yard completion. Thomas couldn't bring in the third-down pass at the goal line, but Prater tied the game with a 46-yarder before Ponder's second glaring mistake.

Harvin's second score, a 48-yard catch and run, was the first fourth-quarter touchdown given up by the Broncos in five games and made it 29-21 Minnesota. They averaged 15 points allowed over their previous four games.

But there went the Broncos again. Tebow hit Thomas for 42 yards, and Willis McGahee rumbled into the end zone from 24 yards out. Then Tebow took the snap on the 2-point conversion and rolled to his right and over the goal line to tie the game at 29.

Except for that play, he looked more like pocket passer on this afternoon, running only four times.

"It's crazy. Just try to do whatever they ask of me," Tebow said.

Notes Haggan, a ninth-year veteran who started in place of injured LB Von Miller, came up with the first interception of his career. He also led the team with 12 tackles, three for losses. Tebow's NFL career high is 308 yards passing, against Houston on Dec. 26, 2010. Allen tied an NFL record with his fourth career safety, stopping McGahee in the end zone on the Broncos' first play. McGahee had 111 yards on 20 attempts.. All three replay reviews, including a TD pass to Kyle Rudolph, went in favor of the Vikings.. Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.   Matt Prater, 46 Yd, 1:33. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards in 1:33.Matt Prater, 23 Yd, 0:00. Drive: 6 plays, 10 yards in 1:25.

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