When Jameis Winston speaks, everyone listens.

That was no different ahead of ‘Thursday Night Football’ as the Browns’ quarterback offered up some more words of wisdom ahead of the teams’ clash against the Steelers. The NFL on Prime crew was treated to not only a locker room hype speech, but another great pregame moment with Prime Video sideline reporter, Kaylee Hartung.

Sideline interviews are notoriously bland, but Winston has always been known to add his own flavor. Here’s the latest and greatest quotes from Winston.

Jameis Winston pregame speech

Winston must’ve been a speechwriter in a past life, or might be eyeing a future career in public speaking. The quarterback made headlines earlier in the season for his quoting of rapper Eminem following a win over the Ravens, his first since 2022.

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Now for an encore, he went for the two-for-one special on Thursday night. In the tunnel, Winston told his teammates it’s not about the lights or cameras, but the team’s individual actions.

The Winston-isms only continued when he met with Hartung. When asked about how he said you don’t become a Browns’ quarterback until you beat the Steelers, Winston responded in a way that only he can.

‘The horse is preparing for battle, but victory comes from the Lord,’ Winston said pregame. ‘So I’m depending on the Lord.’

But he didn’t stop there. Clearly excited about the idea of playing in a snow game, the Browns’ quarterback decided to once again thank a higher power.

‘I am so happy and grateful that the Lord has blessed me to play in some snow, to be in true football weather in Cleveland, Ohio at Huntington Bank Field today to give Him the glory,’ Winston added. ‘It’s a beautiful day.’

Depending on your definition of ‘beautiful,’ Winston was right. The snow falling on the Cleveland night made for one of the more picturesque scenes from this NFL season.

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Every week for the duration of the 2024 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the league’s ever-evolving playoff picture − starting after Sunday afternoon’s late games and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday’s and Thursday’s games or Saturday’s, if applicable).

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday night, Jan. 5.

Here’s where things stand with Week 12 of the 2024 season underway:

AFC playoff picture

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1), AFC West leaders: Their first loss of the year could be a significant one, the Bills now only needing to make up one more game on the reigning Super Bowl champs to take over the top spot. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, vs. Raiders, vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos

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2. Buffalo Bills (9-2), AFC East leaders: They’ve won six straight after toppling K.C. and a fifth consecutive division title is practically a foregone conclusion. And, with that potentially pivotal head-to-head tiebreaker in hand, the Bills could soon steer the road to Super Bowl 59 through Western New York. Remaining schedule: BYE, vs. 49ers, at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3), AFC North leaders: A win at Cleveland on Thursday night would have vaulted them ahead of the Bills and into the No. 2 seed. Instead, the Steelers suffered a damaging loss – and to a divisional opponent no less – that could greatly hinder their ability to compete for home-field advantage. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Browns, at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals

4. Houston Texans (7-4), AFC South leaders: They’ve still got a few issues to work through, primarily those that are injury related. But they should still cruise to a second straight division championship. Remaining schedule: vs. Titans, at Jaguars, BYE, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans

5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3), wild card No. 1: Their defense has been pretty tough. Their schedule has been anything but – though that began changing last Sunday against Cincinnati. Still, the Bolts are starting to build a nice pad between themselves and the clubs chasing them – and even moved ahead of this week’s opponent, Baltimore. Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, at Falcons, at Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders

6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4), wild card No. 2: Good as they (usually) are, losses to the wrong teams could well mean no home playoff games this season. Remaining schedule: at Chargers, vs. Eagles, BYE, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns

7. Denver Broncos (6-5), wild card No. 3: They didn’t take their hooves off the gas against Atlanta and can’t do so in a larger sense as they try to hang onto this spot. Remaining schedule: at Raiders, vs. Browns, BYE, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Indianapolis Colts (5-6), in the hunt: They’ll get what should be a key shot at the Broncos soon enough. Remaining schedule: vs. Lions, at Patriots, BYE, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars

9. Miami Dolphins (4-6), in the hunt: They’re building steam and jumped the Bengals with Sunday’s win. An apparently forgiving schedule gives Fins a shot. Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, at Packers, vs. Jets, at Texans, vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7), in the hunt: Crushing losses the last two weeks might be too much to overcome. Remaining schedule: BYE, vs. Steelers, at Cowboys, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers

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NFC playoff picture

1. Detroit Lions (9-1), NFC North leaders: After Sunday’s 52-6 walkover against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Lions’ biggest concern might be that they’re peaking too early. Remaining schedule: at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Packers, vs. Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings

2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2), NFC East leaders: Philly pulled away from Washington in Week 11 to solidify its hold on first place in the division – and might need that padding later in the process. However the Iggles are also now officially a clear and present danger to Detroit. Remaining schedule: at Rams, at Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

3. Arizona Cardinals (6-4), NFC West leaders: A bye week interrupted their four-game in streak. But Atlanta’s loss also moved Arizona up one spot in terms of seeding. The Cards’ 2-0 record in divisional games serves them well; their 3-3 mark in NFC games won’t help them in the tiebreaker department with Atlanta (6-2). Remaining schedule: at Seahawks, at Vikings, vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5), NFC South leaders: A season sweep of the Bucs effectively gives Atlanta a three-game lead in the division. The Falcons have no such edge on the suddenly surging Saints. Remaining schedule: BYE, vs. Chargers, at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers

5. Minnesota Vikings (8-2), wild card No. 1: They’ve won three in a row, all against AFC South competition, to maintain this spot – while staying a game back of Detroit in the NFC North. Remaining schedule: at Bears, vs. Cardinals, vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions

6. Green Bay Packers (7-3), wild card No. 2: They were fortunate to escape Chicago with a win … meaning they also remain relevant in the NFC North despite how dominant Detroit seems. Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Seahawks, vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears

7. Washington Commanders (7-4), wild card No. 3: The loss to Philly hurt, costing Washington seeding (for now) but should also be a learning experience. And the Commanders do seem to have an easier lineup than the Eagles to contend with the rest of the way, one that might keep them in contention for the NFC East throne. Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys, vs. Titans, BYE, at Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

8. Los Angeles Rams (5-5), in the hunt: Wins over the 49ers and Seahawks give them a tenuous advantage among the conference’s currently .500 lot. Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles, at Saints, vs. Bills, at 49ers, at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

9. Seattle Seahawks (5-5), in the hunt: They’re only 1-2 in the division, but that’s better than the Niners, whom Seattle just split its season series with. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, at Jets, at Cardinals, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams

10. San Francisco 49ers (5-5), in the hunt: They dropped to 1-3 in NFC West games, which pushed them down the conference table and could make it really tough to win the division if it continues to remain packed this tightly. Remaining schedule: at Packers, at Bills, vs. Bears, vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6), in the hunt: They actually made up a bit of ground on their week off. Now, with WR Mike Evans on the way back, the opportunity is there to have a strong finishing kick. Remaining schedule: at Giants, at Panthers, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

12. Chicago Bears (4-6), in the hunt: A four-game skid suggests they might not be in the hunt much longer – especially given what they’re about to face. Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings, at Lions, at 49ers, at Vikings, vs. Lions, vs. Seahawks, at Packers

13. New Orleans Saints (4-7), in the hunt: They’re 2-0 under interim HC Darren Rizzi. And given the way the NFC South is compressing, don’t count them out. Remaining schedule: BYE, vs. Rams, at Giants, vs. Commanders, at Packers, vs. Raiders, at Buccaneers

14. Carolina Panthers (3-7), in the hunt: Hey, they’ve still got like a 1% shot to make the playoff field. Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, at Eagles, vs. Cowboys, vs. Cardinals, at Buccaneers, at Falcons

15. Dallas Cowboys (3-7), in the hunt: Hey, they’ve still got like a 1% shot to make the playoff field following Monday’s latest embarrassing loss, their first of three games over an 11-day stretch. Remaining schedule: at Commanders, vs. Giants, vs. Bengals, at Panthers, vs. Buccaneers, at Eagles, vs. Commanders

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.

For the NFL’s worst teams, the most wonderful time of year is the NFL draft.

At that time, no one has won or lost. Every draft pick is believed to be a future star. Hopes are high before panic sets in.

The next crop of stars will be welcomed in across three days in April when the draft commences in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Fans of the Jaguars, Titans, Browns, Giants and Raiders enter Week 12 as the top contenders to make the first selection. It’s a pick that they’ll hope isn’t earned again in the near future, instead following in the footsteps of teams like the Lions, who went from rags to riches.

Whether there will be a franchise-changing player at the top of this year’s draft remains to be seen, but these teams will hope to have a chance at finding out for themselves when the order finalizes in six weeks. Here’s a look at how the 2025 NFL draft order stands in Week 12.

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2025 NFL Draft order

Here’s how the 2025 NFL draft order stacks up after Week 12’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ game, according to Tankathon.com:

Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-9 record; .494 strength of schedule
Tennessee Titans: 2-8; .514 SOS
New York Giants: 2-8; .520 SOS
Las Vegas Raiders: 2-8; .525 SOS
New England Patriots: 3-8; .472 SOS
New York Jets: 3-8; .508 SOS
Cleveland Browns: 3-8; .511 SOS
Carolina Panthers: 3-7; .486 SOS
Dallas Cowboys: 3-7; .525 SOS
New Orleans Saints: 4-7; .486 SOS
Cincinnati Bengals: 4-7; .492 SOS
Miami Dolphins: 4-6; .439 SOS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-6; .514 SOS
Chicago Bears: 4-6; .560 SOS
Indianapolis Colts: 5-6; .475 SOS
Seattle Seahawks: 5-5; .531 SOS
Los Angeles Rams: 5-5; .534 SOS
San Francisco 49ers: 5-5; .549 SOS
Denver Broncos: 6-5; .494 SOS
Atlanta Falcons: 6-5; .497 SOS
Arizona Cardinals: 6-4; .540 SOS
Washington Commanders: 7-4; .438 SOS
Houston Texans: 7-4; .472 SOS
Baltimore Ravens: 7-4; .522 SOS
Los Angeles Chargers: 7-3; .469 SOS
Green Bay Packers: 7-3; .546 SOS
Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-3; .475 SOS
Minnesota Vikings: 8-2; .503 SOS
Philadelphia Eagles: 8-2; .430 SOS
Buffalo Bills: 9-2; .461 SOS
Kansas City Chiefs: 9-1; .500 SOS
Detroit Lions: 9-1; .523 SOS

2025 NFL draft: No. 1 overall pick odds

According to BetMGM, the following college players are among the favorites to be the top pick in next year’s draft class.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: +190
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado: +350
Cameron Ward, QB, Miami (FL): +750
Will Campbell, OT, LSU: +2000
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss: +2000

Two weeks ahead of the early national signing day for college football, the dominos continue to fall.

The top overall player in the 2025 recruiting cycle made a shocking announcement, flipping his commitment from LSU to Michigan on Thursday evening. That was on the heels of four-star prospect JuJu Lewis committing to Deion Sanders and Colorado earlier in the day.

Underwood, who attends Belville High School in Belville, Michigan, is the highest-ranked commitment to the program since Rashan Gary signed as a defensive tackle in the 2016 recruiting cycle. Underwood had been committed to Brian Kelly and the Tigers since Jan. 6. However, he made the massive flip announcement with signing day just under two weeks away.

He is a five-star recruit in 247 Sports’ Composite rankings and the No. 1 player overall in the ON3 and ESPN rankings. Rivals has him as the No. 2 overall player behind Ohio State quarterback commit Tavien St. Clair. He is the first five-star QB commit for the Wolverines under head coach Sherrone Moore and the first since J.J. McCarthy in the 2021 class.

Underwood announced his commitment to the Wolverines on social media with the caption ‘Hometown. Hero. ‘

Here’s everything to know about Underwood:

Watch: Bryce Underwood commitment video to Michigan

Underwood announced his commitment to the home-state Wolverines on Thursday evening via his Instagram account. His video starts with the date March 18, 2016, and a voice then introduces him, proceeding to show his highlight video. The video then pans back to a younger Underwood announcing his commitment to Michigan with a graphic showing his five-star status and Michigan commitment at the 42-second mark.

Bryce Underwood 247 rating

Star rating: 5
National ranking: No. 1
Positional ranking: No. 1 QB
State ranking: No. 1 player from Michigan

According to 247 Sports’ Composite ranking, Underwood is a five-star recruit and the No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class. He’s the No. 1 quarterback and No. 1 player from Michigan.

Underwood is the highest-ranked signing under first-year coach Sherrone Moore and is the second-highest recruit to commit to Michigan, per its 247 Sports page, behind only 2016 signee Rashan Gary.

Bryce Underwood stats

2024: 113 of 151 passing for 2,095 yards with 29 touchdowns and three interceptions; 29 rushes for 489 yards and three touchdowns
2023: 168 of 252 passing for 3,165 yards with 40 touchdowns and two interceptions; 25 rushes for 160 yards and seven touchdowns
2022: 19 of 28 passing for 240 yards with two touchdowns and one interception; Three rushes for 17 yards and a touchdown

Michigan, LSU football 247 ratings

Underwood is Michigan’s 19th commit of its 2025 class, which ranked ninth nationally following the massive addition of the No. 1 overall player.

Meanwhile, Underwood’s commitment dropped LSU to No. 6 overall. The Tigers have 25 commitments, including five-star safety DJ Pickett.

The underdog Cleveland Browns were barking and will continue to do so late into the Cleveland night.

They took down the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-19, giving them something to smile about in what’s been a disappointing season. Cleveland earned their third win of the season on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ and their second against a bitter rival. As expected, the AFC North delivered a close, physical game on a snowy night by the lake.  

It started with another dramatic pregame speech from Jameis Winston and finished with an unanswered prayer from Russell Wilson. In between, snow blanketed the field, producing near white-out conditions at times.

The Browns appeared in control following a slow start, but managed to blow a 12-point lead in less than two minutes in the fourth quarter. However, Winston stepped up down the stretch, marching his team down the field for the go-ahead touchdown and they’d never look back.

While Cleveland’s draft stock took a hit, the Browns also delivered a hit to the Steelers’ chances of winning the AFC North, keeping the Baltimore Ravens in the hunt with six more games to go. Here’s a look at how things unfolded in the snow globe on Thursday night.

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USA TODAY Sports provided updates, highlights and analysis throughout Thursday night’s Browns vs. Steelers game.

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Browns vs. Steelers highlights

Russell Wilson Hail Mary attempt falls short, Browns hang on to win

The Steelers and Browns put on a show, but couldn’t deliver one final highlight as Russell Wilson’s prayer is batted down in the end zone. No one on the Steelers’ roster ever had a chance of collecting that ball, which sends the Browns home as winners, their third of the season.

Browns 24, Steelers 19: Nick Chubb gives Cleveland the lead with a minute to go

Following some hectic minutes after the Steelers took the lead, the Browns find some magic of their own to take a five-point lead with 57 seconds left. Nick Chubb scores his second touchdown of the night, but the two-point conversion fails. Russell Wilson and the Steelers have one last shot to win it. Pittsburgh has one timeout to work with.

Steelers 19, Browns 18: Calvin Austin III puts Pittsburgh in front

Two plays after George Pickens lost a touchdown in the snow, Calvin Austin III picks up his fellow receiver by hauling in a 23-yard touchdown from Russell Wilson. The Steelers fail to convert the two-point conversion, but have scored 13 points in less than two minutes to take a one-point lead.

Nick Herbig sacks Jameis Winston, Steelers recover the fumble

It has quickly slipped away from the Browns in less than a minute of game action. On the second play of the Cleveland drive, Nick Herbig drops Jameis Winston for the sack, knocking the ball loose. Pittsburgh pounces on it and gets a red zone opportunity minutes after cutting the deficit to five.

Browns 18, Steelers 13: Jaylen Warren gets Pittsburgh back in it

It seemed as if the Browns could coast to a win after Jameis Winston’s touchdown, but the Steelers aren’t going quietly into the night. Pittsburgh marches 69 yards with just seven plays before Jaylen Warren finds pay dirt. Leading by just five, Cleveland has some work to do with just under eight minutes to go.

Browns 18, Steelers 6: Jameis Winston rushes in for the score

On a fourth down play, Jameis Winston scampers into the end zone for the touchdown to put the Browns up by two scores. The quarterback is having the time of his life in the snow as the Browns try to get their third win of the season. They then decide to go for two, which they convert too. It’s Jameis’ world and we’re all living in it tonight.

Cedric Tillman injury update: Browns’ WR exits following big hit

Cedric Tillman was crushed at the end of the third quarter and was seen going into the blue medical tent at the start of the fourth. It would appear that he is likely being evaluated for a concussion, considering the nature of the hit.

End of the third quarter: The snow is taking over

Only one quarter remains in tonight’s game, but the snow is easily the best part of the action. The game has been entertaining, but navigating Mother Nature is arguably more fun.

Browns 10, Steelers 6: Boswell converts through the snowflakes

Cleveland has turned into a winter wonderland, except it’s still fall. Regardless, Mike Tomlin’s beard has turned to white and the situation in Cleveland resembles a snow globe shaken by an overly excited kid in the store. There is still a football game going on, however. For those interested, Chris Boswell put three more points on the board to inch the Steelers closer.

Steelers turn it over on downs

Pittsburgh can’t take advantage of the turnover, handing the ball back to the Browns after getting stuffed on fourth-and-1, once again. This time it’s Jaylen Warren that can’t get the job done and Cleveland takes over at the Pittsburgh 45.

Cedric Tillman loses a fumble to start the second half

After a slow start, Cleveland has done everything right. That was until Cedric Tillman coughed up the ball just over a minute into the half, following a hit from DeShon Elliott. Pittsburgh takes over at their own 34.

Flag or no?

George Pickens gets tangled up with Martin Emerson Jr., but the flag doesn’t come out. Pittsburgh could’ve had a shot at a field goal, but instead watch as Russell Wilson is sacked by Myles Garrett to put an end to the half. Garrett closes the half with four tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and maybe a partridge in a pear tree.

Browns 10, Steelers 3: Dustin Hopkins tacks on three more

Cleveland turns the Russell Wilson fumble into three, as Dustin Hopkins has no issues kicking through the snow. He’s good from 34 yards out and leaves just 40 seconds on the clock for the Steelers to operate.

Myles Garrett forces Russell Wilson fumble, Browns recover

Looking to answer the Browns’ touchdown drive, Russell Wilson ends the Pittsburgh drive quickly as Myles Garrett forces a fumble on second down. Cleveland is set up nicely with another scoring opportunity, taking over at the Steelers’ 31.

Browns 7, Steelers 3: Nick Chubb punches it in for the TD

The Browns have found their footing and cap off a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a touchdown courtesy of Nick Chubb. It’s the running back’s second of the season in his fifth game back. Jerry Jeudy did most of the work on this drive, hauling in three receptions for 39 yards. Jameis Winston looked more comfortable and Chubb also kept the series alive with a fourth down run.

Steelers 3, Browns 0: Chris Boswell gets Pittsburgh on the board

A 10-play, 89-yard drive ends with Chris Boswell knocking through a 48-yard field goal to give the Steelers the lead. The weather didn’t seem to be an issue on this attempt, or the 43-yarder he made before the team committed a false start that backed them up. Pittsburgh is undoubtedly handling the conditions better than Cleveland to start this game, as Russell Wilson connected with Calvin Austin III for the big play, a 46-yard catch-and-run to set them up.

End of the first quarter: No score in Cleveland

The AFC North brand is strong. After 15 minutes of action, the game remains scoreless. While many will be quick to blame it on the weather, this is just good, old-fashioned Steelers-Browns football.

Browns’ stuff Justin Fields on fourth down

The Browns knew it was coming. The fans in the stadium knew it was coming. Everyone at home knew it was coming. Regardless, the Steelers opted to try a run on fourth-and-2 with Justin Fields and he was, unsurprisingly, dropped behind the line for a turnover on downs. Arthur Smith won’t be winning many awards with that play call.

Browns start with a three-and-out

Unlike Jameis Winston’s speeches, this Browns drive lacked both excitement and imagination. A quick three-and-out saw Cleveland travel two yards in reverse, leading to our first Corey Bojorquez sighting of the night. The wind had its way with the punt, as Bojorquez shanked one that traveled just 12 yards. Pittsburgh’s Damontae Kazee must’ve felt bad for the punter, however, as he opted to block the Browns’ gunner into the bench, resulting in a 15-yard penalty. Had the bench not been there, Kazee would’ve sent the Browns’ player for a swim in the lake.

Steelers fail to score on opening drive

Pittsburgh was able to move the ball on the opening drive, but it ends abruptly as Myles Garrett buries Russell Wilson for a third down sack. Chris Boswell trots on for a 58-yard try and pushes it right, keeping the game scoreless as the flurries continue to fall.

Browns vs. Steelers start time 

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024 
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET 

The Browns and Steelers game will kick off Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season with ‘Thursday Night Football’ at 8:15 p.m. ET. 

Browns vs. Steelers TV channel 

Live stream: Amazon Prime Video 
TV channel: Pittsburgh market: KDKA-TV | Cleveland market: WEWS News 5

‘Thursday Night Football’ will exclusively stream on Amazon Prime Video. 

Watch’Thursday Night Football’with a Prime Video subscription

Who are the Thursday Night Football announcers for Amazon Prime Video? 

Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.  

The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.  

Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ coverage. Albert Breer provides reports and analysis. 

Steelers inactives vs Browns

QB Kyle Allen (emergency third QB)
WR Scott Miller
RB Jonathan Ward
LB Alex Highsmith
G Max Scharping

Browns inactives vs Steelers

QB Bailey Zappe (emergency third QB)
RB D’Onta Foreman
CB Chigozie Anusiem
OT Jedrick Willis, Jr.
TE Geoff Swaim

Browns vs Steelers picks, predictions 

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the Week 12 ‘TNF’ matchup between the Browns and Steelers will shape up: 

Lorenzo Reyes: Steelers 23, Browns 16
Tyler Dragon: Steelers 21, Browns 13
Richard Morin: Steelers 19, Browns 17
Jordan Mendoza: Steelers 23, Browns 13

Browns vs Steelers odds, moneyline, over/under 

The Steelers are favorites to defeat the Browns, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code. 

Spread: Steelers (-3.5) 
Moneyline: Steelers (-200); Browns (+165) 
Over/under: 36.5 

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Thursday Night Football odds and Monday Night Football odds. 

New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. 

FEELING LUCKY? Here are the best parlay bets and odds for NFL games this week 

Browns vs. Steelers weather update 

The Browns vs. Steelers game is expected to be played in less-than-favorable conditions at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Thursday night. Temperatures will drop as low as 36 degrees Fahrenheit during the game while there is a 90% chance of precipitation during the game, per Weather.com.

There will be snow early in Thursday’s game. There is a Winter Weather Advisory for Cuyahoga County, which lists possible accumulation of 3-5 inches of snow. The current forecast suggests that the heaviest snow will be falling in the 7 and 8 p.m. ET hours, right before and during the start of the game.

AFC North standings 

The Steelers enter the Week 12 “TNF” showdown in first place in the AFC North. They sit two games ahead of the Ravens in the loss column. Meanwhile, the Browns are in last place in the division. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-2 
Baltimore Ravens: 7-4 
Cincinnati Bengals: 4-7 
Cleveland Browns: 2-8 

How will Week 12 impact NFL playoff picture?

With seven weeks remaining in the 2024 NFL season, the playoff contenders are coming into sharp focus. At top, nine teams have 90% chances or better of earning one of the 14 playoff slots.

Two teams on opposite ends of the playoff spectrum kick off Week 12 schedule on Thursday night.

Here are all 32 teams’ chances of making the playoffs this season and how a win or loss this weekend would raise or lower those chances. — Jim Sergent

Browns vs. Steelers history 

These AFC North rival opponents have met 145 times, including three playoff matchups. Pittsburgh leads the all-time matchup with a 81-63-1 record. The Steelers have won two of the last three meetings. 

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins? 

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six. 

Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups. 

The Steelers’ last Super Bowl triumph came during the 2008 season, when they defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. The Browns are among four NFL teams that have never appeared in a Super Bowl.

NFL franchises with most Super Bowl wins:

New England Patriots — 6
Pittsburgh Steelers — 6
Dallas Cowboys — 5
San Francisco 49ers — 5
Green Bay Packers — 4
Kansas City Chiefs — 4
New York Giants — 4

What is Al Michaels’ salary for ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Amazon Prime? 

The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand initially reported that Michaels’ contract would be for three years and ‘north of $30 million,’ but that number may have gone up. About one week after that first report, in March 2022, Marchand shared that the Amazon deal would be ‘in the Joe Buck neighborhood.’ Buck signed a five-year, $75 million deal ($15 million annually) with ESPN earlier that same month. 

NFL draft 2025 order entering Week 12 

Here’s how the first round of the 2025 NFL draft stacks up entering Week 12: 

Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-9 record
Cleveland Browns: 2-8
New York Giants: 2-8
Las Vegas Raiders: 2-8
Tennessee Titans: 2-8
New England Patriots: 3-8
New York Jets: 3-8
Carolina Panthers: 3-7
Dallas Cowboys: 3-6
Cincinnati Bengals: 4-7 
New Orleans Saints: 4-7
Chicago Bears: 4-6
Miami Dolphins: 4-6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-6
Indianapolis Colts: 5-6 
San Francisco 49ers: 5-5
Seattle Seahawks: 5-5
Los Angeles Rams: 5-5
Denver Broncos: 6-5
Atlanta Falcons: 6-5
Houston Texans: 6-4 
Arizona Cardinals: 6-4 
Washington Commanders: 7-4
Baltimore Ravens: 7-4
Los Angeles Chargers: 7-3
Green Bay Packers: 7-3 
Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-2
Minnesota Vikings: 8-2 
Philadelphia Eagles: 8-2 
Buffalo Bills: 9-2
Kansas City Chiefs: 9-1
Detroit Lions: 9-1

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Colorado cornerback-receiver Travis Hunter told USA Sports Thursday that he is “for sure” going to enter the NFL draft after this season, when he is expected to be a top pick.

Hunter is a junior who has one year of college football eligibility remaining after this year but was widely expected to enter the draft. He still hadn’t publicly declared his intentions until being asked about it by USA TODAY Sports on a Zoom call with reporters Thursday.

“Oh yeah,” Hunter said with a laugh. “That’s definitely for sure.”

Hunter is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy Dec. 14 in New York and has helped lead his team to an 8-2 record in the second season of head coach Deion Sanders. He transferred to Colorado last year from Jackson State after Sanders took the job in Boulder in December 2022.

Hunter told reporters Thursday he wants to continue to play offense and defense in the NFL.

“They said I couldn’t do it in college,” Hunter said. “I ended up doing it in college. So a lot of people telling me I can’t do it in the NFL, but I’m gonna still do it in the NFL.”

NFL teams still might see it as ‘high risk’

NFL teams still will see it as a risk to let an expensive draft pick overextend himself. They don’t want to double his chances of injury when they have other top players available on both sides of the ball.

Hunter said he understands how NFL teams will view the proposition warily “because it’s never been done.”

“They don’t want me to be a high risk, you know, if I go top pick − they don’t want their top pick to go down too early…” Hunter said. “I believe I can do it. Nobody has stopped me from doing it this far. I believe I can keep doing it, and I like it when people can tell me I can’t do it because it just motivates me to continue to do what I want to do.”

Hunter rarely has come off the field this season on offense or defense and has his team in the hunt for the Big 12 Conference championship.

Last week, Hunter became the first NFL or major college football player to have 50 receiving yards, a rushing touchdown and an interception in the same game in the past 24 years since Champ Bailey did it in the NFL for Washington against Arizona on Dec. 24, 2000, according to CU.

Hunter now is the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman, according to BetMGM. His teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, ranks eighth on the same list of odds.

‘If it’s between me and him, I would want him to get it, because he does a lot of amazing thing and things that ain’t never been done before,’ Shedeur Sanders told reporters Thursday.

The next showcase for both players comes Saturday, when Colorado plays Kansas (4-6) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin will be out four to weeks with a fractured left fibula after being injured in Monday’s game, the team announced Thursday.

That’s a blow to the red-hot Capitals and will delay Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894 career goals.

Ovechkin, 39, had scored twice on Monday against the Utah Hockey Club to take the NHL lead in goals with 15. But he was injured on a leg-on-leg collision with Jack McBain in the third period and wasn’t able to return to the game. The original diagnosis was week-to-week and the new one was announced after he was examined by team doctors upon returning to Washington.

What Ovechkin’s latest prognosis means to the Capitals and his pursuit of Gretzky’s record:

What Alex Ovechkin’s injury means to the Capitals?

It is a big loss, considering he’s the Capitals’ captain, their leading goal scorer and is No. 2 in points. He’s also first in shots and second in hits. Though he has only four power play goals this season, the threat of his one-timer from the left faceoff circle opens up other opportunities on the man advantage.

But this could be the best year for the Capitals to miss Ovechkin for a while. They were busy in the offseason, adding offensive depth with Andrew Mangiapane and Pierre-Luc Dubois and defensive depth with Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy. New goaltender Logan Thompson is 8-0-1.

Returning players Dylan Strome, Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas have had strong starts this season. Tom Wilson, a future captain, provides leadership and offense. Managiapane will take Ovechkin’s place on the top line with Strome and Protas in Thursday’s game.

The Capitals called up left wing Ivan Miroshnichenko after the Ovechkin injury. He’s raw but plays a physical game and has a good shot.

Where does Alex Ovechkin stand in the Wayne Gretzky chase?

He has 868 career goals and needs 27 to pass Gretzky’s mark. Under the Capitals’ announced timeline, Ovechkin would miss between 13 and 19 games and would have 45 to 51 games left in the regular season.

He was at a 68-goal pace before the injury, averaging 0.83 goals a game. That pace probably wasn’t sustainable even if he were healthy. But if he can average a little more than a goal every other game after he returns, he has a shot to pass Gretzky by the end of the season.

If not, he’s under contract next season.

American golfer Brian Harman is opening up about a near-drowning incident that nearly took the life of his six-year-old son and left a family friend in a coma.

Harman, 37, revealed that family friend Cathy Dowdy was ‘injured really badly’ after she attempted to rescue his son from ‘an abnormally bad’ riptide as Dowdy and his family vacationed in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on Oct. 13. Harman was competing at a golf tournament in China at the time of the incident.

“My son was involved, he was out boogie boarding with one of his really good friends, got ripped out to sea by just a rip current,” Harman said Tuesday ahead of The RSM Classic in St. Simons Island, Georgia, where he’s currently tied for 80th place after shooting par in the first round on Thursday.

He continued: ‘(Cathy Dowdy) went in the water after my son. He’s 6. Couldn’t get to him… She’s been in a coma for going on six weeks now and so obviously our world down here was kind of turned on its head.”

Harman said his son was ultimately rescued by a man named Crane Cantrell, who was walking down to the beach at the time. A lifeguard was able to reach Dowdy, pull her to shore and perform CPR on her until emergency crews rushed her to a hospital, according to St. Johns Citizen.

Dowdy remains on a ventilator, as of Monday, according to the latest update shared on a GoFundMe fundraiser set up for Dowdy’s medical expenses.

The 2023 Open Championship winner applauded the bravery of Dowdy and Cantrell for selflessly jumping in the water to save his son, one of three children he shares with wife Kelly Van Slyke.

 “I wanted to use whatever platform I have to bring awareness to what Cathy did, what Crane did,” Harman said. “They disregarded their selves, went into the water, saved my son and how do you thank people like that? I don’t know other than to just say what you think. I think that bravery and doing something like that for people who aren’t your blood is just the most beautiful thing you can do in this life.

Harman continued: ‘We call ’em family friends but they’re family… We’re with ’em till the end, and I appreciate everybody that’s helped us out through all this. You know, prayers for Cathy.”

The GoFundMe for Dowdy has raised more than $84K as of Thursday afternoon.

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