Tom Brady says he is out to "do the best you can do" following a trying season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, ahead of this weekend's clash with the Los Angeles Rams.

The veteran seven-time Super Bowl winner, who originally called time on his career at the end of last season before reversing his decision, has endured a tough time on and off the field in recent months.

Brady has seen the Bucs fall to 3-5 following defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, while the 45-year-old has also been finalising his divorce from Gisele Bundchen over the past week.

But speaking ahead of Sunday's encounter with incumbent Super Bowl champions the Rams at Raymond James Stadium, he says he is focused on ensuring he is the strongest possible version of himself in all walks of life.

"I've always tried to do the best I could do here [at the Bucs' facility], and then when I leave here, I try to do the best I can do," he stated. "That's what we all try to do.

"I'm sure everyone sitting in this room, everyone sitting at home, is trying to wake up every day doing the best they could do for their families and their career.

"I'm no different. So just do the best you can do every day. We certainly try to do."

Brady is hoping the Bucs can gain revenge against the Rams, with the quarterback having gone 0-3 against them over the last two years, including an NFC divisional round exit last campaign.

He does not expect an easy campaign over the coming weeks, but insists the team do not want sympathy, adding: "It's not like it gets easier; it's not like it gets any less competitive.

"No one feels sorry for us, nor should they. They're trying to win those games. We're trying to win, and we just haven't done a good job the last six weeks doing that."

The Philadelphia Eagles reached 8-0 for the first time in franchise history with a 29-17 victory on the road over the under-manned Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Thursday.

Jalen Hurts claimed his 11th straight regular-season win, which is the longest streak in franchise history, completing 21 of 27 passes for two touchdowns and 243 yards with no interceptions.

Hurts has multiple touchdowns in three consecutive games for the first time in his career, but the Eagles also did damage with their rushing game.

Running backs Miles Sanders, 17 carries for 93 yards, and Kenneth Gainwell both scored touchdowns. The latter's TD was the Eagles' 16th rushing TD of the season, which is the franchise's most through eight games since 1949.

The Texans pushed the Eagles in the first half, with quarterback Davis Mills finding Teagan Quitoriano for their first opening drive score of the season, but the visitors hit back, with Sanders scoring after Hurts and tight end Dallas Goedert had combined for a 16-yard gain.

Sanders' 25-yard gain led to Gainwell's touchdown  in the second quarter, with a huge run by impressive Texans rookie running back Dameon Pierce, who made a career-high 139 yards on 27 carries, leading to Chris Moore squaring the game up at half-time with a TD.

Mills, who made 13 of 22 passes for 154 yards, threw one of two interceptions to C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the third quarter, leading to A.J. Brown's TD when wide open from Hurts' 17-yard pass.

Hurts and Goedert combined twice in the same drive leading to the latter's fourth-quarter TD. Goedert finished the game with 100 yards on eight receptions.

While the rest of his teammates should come back from a bye week refreshed, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is feeling anything but. 

Allen, who has only suited up for two of his team's seven games this season, experienced a setback with his injured left hamstring during a training session and may not be healthy enough to play on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. 

''I don't think it was a re-strain or anything. Just some more scar tissue is trying to break off,'' Allen said. ''Whenever it's ready to heal, just let it do its own thing.'' 

Allen injured his hamstring in the season opener and missed the next five games before returning for a Week 7 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. He played 23 first-half snaps against the Seahawks and finished with two catches for 11 yards. 

''I felt great. It wasn't like training camp,'' said Allen on how he felt during the game. ''I definitely felt ready to play.'' 

After missing practice on Monday and Wednesday, Allen is questionable for Sunday. He wouldn’t put a timetable on his return but said that he did not want to come back until there was absolute certainty in his health. 

"I definitely don’t want to do the halfway thing again," he said. "Just want to come back 100 percent and not be worried about it."

Allen’s absence Sunday would loom even larger because the Chargers could be without receivers Mike Williams (ankle) and Joshua Palmer (concussion protocol).  

With all the injuries to receivers, Austin Ekeler leads NFL running backs with 53 receptions. It is only the third time a running back has at least 50 catches through his team's first seven games.

Aaron Rodgers knows the Green Bay Packers need to win with what they have got following an unsuccessful push to strengthen their struggling offense.

The Packers were reportedly in the hunt for at least two offensive recruits before Tuesday's trade deadline – receiver Chase Claypool, who moved from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Chicago Bears and another unnamed player.

That left the Packers' offense without a fresh spark, but quarterback Rodgers has issued a rallying cry, highlighting how the returns of Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb can make a difference as Green Bay aim to snap a four-game losing streak when they face the Detroit Lions (1-6) on Sunday.

"That just sent the message to us that we've got to play with the guys we've got and win with the guys we've got," he said on Wednesday when asked in a press conference about the Packers' inability to conclude a trade deal.

"I think there's still a lot of confidence in the guys in the locker room. I do feel like we need to get healthy.

"We've got to hopefully get Sammy and Allen back this week, Cobb in a couple more weeks. We're hopeful that both Elgton [Jenkins] and David [Bakhtiari] will be able to go, and [that] there's no surprises on game day.

"I think that squad, when you put that together, I think we can win some football games with those guys.

"That's what we're all hoping for, is just to get a little bit healthier and then everybody play a little bit better."

The Packers (3-5) are second in the NFC North, though after taking on Detroit, Green Bay face three successive games against teams with a winning record.

The Buffalo Bills would be "crazy" to rule out a move for free agent Odell Beckham Jr., says general manager Brandon Beane.

Beckham Jr.'s future has been the subject of speculation, with the wide receiver still without a franchise after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the Los Angeles Rams' victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

The 29-year-old looks unlikely to sign for the Rams after he hit out at the franchise for offering him the "lowest of low" contracts last month, and Buffalo has been touted as an alternative destination.

Beane believes the opportunity to sign the three-time Pro Bowler upon his return to fitness would certainly be worthy of closer examination.

"OBJ's a heck of a talent," Beane told reporters on Wednesday. "You know where he was drafted, obviously he had the great catch and he might have been the MVP of that Super Bowl, does he not tear the ACL. 

"He's a heck of a player, everyone in this room knows who OBJ is. You know me, if we think he can help this team, we'd be crazy not to at least look into it."

The Bills moved to 6-1 for the season with an impressive 27-17 win against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Beckham Jr. was clearly impressed by Buffalo's performance in that game, tweeting "damn Buffalo" alongside a saluting emoji after they raced to a 24-7 half-time advantage, adding further fuel to speculation he could join the AFC East leaders.

Dan and Tanya Snyder, the co-owners of the Washington Commanders, have announced they are exploring a sale of the franchise.

Following a report by Forbes, the Commanders released a statement confirming ownership had hired BofA Securities to explore a potential sale.

The statement read: "Dan and Tanya Snyder and the Washington Commanders today announced that they have hired BofA Securities to consider potential transactions.

"The Snyders remain committed to the team, all of its employees and its countless fans to putting the best product on the field and continuing the work to set the gold standard for workplaces in the NFL."

It is unclear whether the Snyders are considering selling the entire team or a minority stake.

This decision follows comments from Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who last month said there was "merit to removing" Dan Snyder as an owner. Forcibly removing Snyder would require 24 votes from other owners.

Snyder is the subject of an investigation by the United States congress concerning the franchise's workplace culture under his ownership. The NFL is investigating Snyder following an allegation of sexual misconduct, while he is also being investigated by attorney generals in Washington, D.C. and Virginia over alleged financial improprieties, which the franchise denies.

Irsay's remarks were met with a response from the Commanders, the team releasing a statement insisting the team would not be sold.

"The Commanders have made remarkable progress over the past two years," the statement read in part.

"We are confident that, when he has an opportunity to see the actual evidence in this case, Mr. Irsay will conclude that there is no reason for the Snyders to consider selling the franchise. And they won't.'' 

It appears the Snyders have at least softened that stance, with the announcement perhaps signalling the end of their tenure.

Dan Snyder bought the Washington franchise in 1999 from the Jack Kent Cooke's estate.

Since then, the franchise has reached the postseason just six times, winning only two playoff games.

Deshaun Watson is set to take over as the Cleveland Browns' starter from Week 13, but the team do not expect the suspended quarterback to "shoulder everything" as they make a late playoff run.

Watson was handed an 11-game suspension and a $5million fine following sexual assault and misconduct allegations.

That means the QB is yet to debut for the Browns after his March trade from the Houston Texans, which was followed by a lucrative new contract in Cleveland.

But the Browns are already putting together plans to integrate Watson into their lineup, with the 27-year-old "back in the building" and "in great shape", according to general manager Andrew Berry.

"He's done everything and more that's been asked of him," Berry added.

While Watson has been sidelined, Jacoby Brissett has deputised as the starting QB for the 3-5 Browns.

"Jacoby has been everything that we hoped when we signed him," Berry said on Wednesday, but he confirmed when asked Watson would be in line to start as soon as he was available.

That would mean a Browns debut against his former team the Texans on December 4, by which point the team will hope they are not cut adrift in the AFC North.

The Browns are third now, already two games behind leaders the Baltimore Ravens, but Berry says they are not looking for Watson to perform a one-man rescue act.

"We spent a lot of time with Deshaun in the spring in camp and banked a lot of good reps during the time," he said.

"Our approach isn't really with any quarterback but certainly with the time that Deshaun has had off to expect him to shoulder everything.

"That's not necessarily how the team is designed or put together. I don't know that would be a fair ask for any quarterback.

"In a couple of weeks, we'll be in that world where we're getting him ready to play, and we'll handle it appropriately."

Watson last played in 2020, but Berry added: "I don't think that transition will be quite as challenging as maybe some are anticipating."

John McVay, an executive with the San Francisco 49ers who played a key role in building the franchise’s dynasty four decades ago, died Tuesday at age 91.

McVay joined the 49ers in 1979 and spent 22 seasons with the franchise, holding various jobs including general manager and director of football operations.

Under his direction, the 49ers won five Super Bowl titles in a 14-season span and McVay was named The Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year in 1989 after the team’s fourth Super Bowl championship.

The 49ers inducted McVay into the team Hall of Fame in 2013 and dedicated the draft room at the team’s headquarters in his honour in 2016.

''This is a very sad day for our organization and the entire football community,'' the team said in a statement. ''John McVay was a driving force in constructing teams for our five Super Bowl titles.

"Most importantly, John was a Hall of Fame person who built genuine and sincere relationships with front office staff, coaches and players. John's commitment and contributions to the 49ers created the standard and tradition we strive to carry on today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McVay family.''

McVay is the grandfather of current Rams coach Sean McVay.

The Buffalo Bills have traded for Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines, striking a last-minute deal on the NFL's trade deadline day.

On Monday, it was widely reported that several teams were interested in a move for Hines, with the Colts heading into the second half of the season with a disappointing 3-4-1 record.

Buffalo then confirmed the trade in the final minutes before Tuesday's deadline, adding another offensive weapon for quarterback Josh Allen following a stellar start that has them top of the AFC with a 6-1 record.

In exchange, they have sent running back Zack Moss — a third-round pick in the 2020 draft — and a conditional 2023 sixth-round pick to the Colts.

A fourth-round pick in 2018, Hines has so far tallied 1,205 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, as well as 235 receptions on 300 targets for 1,725 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his career.

Last season, Hines turned 15 of his 40 receptions into a first down while averaging seven yards after the catch per reception, and it is his receiving upside that the Bills will be looking to consistently harness as they aim to atone for the playoff heartbreak of the previous two seasons and end their wait for a first Super Bowl title.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have added a wide receiver but will not be able to field new recruit Calvin Ridley until 2023 at the earliest.

It emerged on Tuesday the Atlanta Falcons have traded the suspended Ridley to the Jaguars in exchange for a complex draft compensation.

The Falcons will receive two draft picks that will range from a maximum compensation of a 2023 fifth-round selection and a second-rounder in 2024.

Ridley, 27, is suspended through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season for betting on NFL games during the 2021 season.

His suspension was handed down in early March, and he may not apply for reinstatement until February 15, 2023.

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said: "We are excited to welcome Calvin Ridley to our organisation and the Duval community.

"This is an opportunity to add a proven playmaker to our already talented wide receiver room as we continue to build our roster for 2023 and beyond. We are looking forward to finishing strong this season and integrating Calvin into our programme at the appropriate time."

The intricate nature of the trade was reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. If Ridley gets reinstated by a certain date, the Falcons will receive a fifth-round pick in 2023. If not, it will be a sixth-rounder.

If he makes the Jaguars in 2024, the pick becomes at least a fourth-round selection. And if he reaches a certain playing-time milestone, the pick is a third, while if he signs a long-term deal with the Jaguars, the pick is a second-rounder.

Ridley placed his bets over a five-day span in November 2021, when he was away from the team to focus on his mental health and was on the reserve/NFI list. The league opened an investigation and concluded there was no insider information on the betting activity and none of the coaches or players on the Falcons were aware or involved.

Ridley, who is slated to make $11,116,000 in 2023 on the final year of his rookie contract, appeared in just five games in 2021, catching 31 passes for 281 yards with two touchdowns.

This came after he totted up 1,374 receiving yards in 2020 to finish tied for fifth in the NFL.

A first-round pick by the Falcons in 2018, Ridley had 217 catches for 3,061 yards and 26 TD receptions over his first three seasons. His TD reception total is tied for the 20th most in NFL history by a player through his first three pro seasons.

The Miami Dolphins have acquired edge rusher Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos, sending a package that includes a first-round pick in a blockbuster trade.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Miami parted with the 2023 first-round pick they received from the San Francisco 49ers in the trade that facilitated the Niners moving up in the 2021 draft to select quarterback Trey Lance third overall.

In addition, the Dolphins sent a 2024 fourth-round pick and running back Chase Edmonds in exchange for Chubb and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

The Dolphins will hope Chubb can provide a significant boost to a defense that has allowed 5.89 yards per play, the seventh-most in the NFL, and tallied 14 sacks for negative yardage, only good enough for a five-way tie for 20th.

Their pressure rate of 39.6 per cent is above the NFL average, but Chubb will be tasked with improving Miami's ability to convert those pressures.

This season the 2018 first-round pick has registered 5.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles for a stellar Denver defense, the efforts of which have been wasted by continued poor performances on offense.

Denver beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in London last Sunday to improve to 3-5, still a hugely disappointing record for a team that had hoped to make the leap after sending five picks, including two first-rounders, and three players to the Seattle Seahawks for nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson.

But the struggles of the Wilson-led attack created talk of them being sellers at the trade deadline. No team will be able to make trades after 16:00 EST on Tuesday.

Such speculation proved accurate, with the 5-3 Dolphins landing a pass rusher who is tied 10th in adjusted sack rate among players with at least 50 edge snaps, according to Stats Perform data.

Chubb figures to form an imposing duo with second-year edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, whose pressure rate of 27.6 per cent is the fifth-best in the NFL for edge rushers (minimum 50 snaps).

The Dolphins face the Chicago Bears in Week 9 at Soldier Field, where Chubb could make his debut.

Following the move for Chubb, the Dolphins also struck a deal with the 49ers for running back Jeff Wilson Jr, sending a fifth-round pick to San Francisco.

The Chicago Bears remained busy with the NFL trade deadline approaching on Tuesday, acquiring wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

The move comes after Chicago traded two-time All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday and pass-rusher Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles last Wednesday. 

The Bears (3-5) are sending a 2023 second-round draft pick to Pittsburgh (2-6) in exchange for Claypool, who has 32 catches for 311 yards and a touchdown reception in eight games this season. 

The Steelers selected Claypool in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, and he has totalled 153 catches for 2,044 yards and 12 TD grabs in 39 games. 

Claypool has run the ball 32 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns in his career, and he threw a one-yard TD pass to Pittsburgh running back Derek Watt in last week's 35-13 loss to the Eagles. 

The Minnesota Vikings acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from the NFC North rival the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. 

Minnesota are sending a 2023 second-round draft pick and a 2024 third-round selection to Detroit, and the Vikings will also receive a 2023 fourth-round pick along with a 2024 conditional fourth-round selection. 

The Vikings lead the NFC North with a 6-1 record, while Detroit is in last place at 1-6. 

It is a move which comes hours before the trade deadline after Minnesota lost tight end Irv Smith Jr. to a high ankle sprain in last week's 34-26 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Smith is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks. 

The Lions selected Hockenson with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He has 186 catches for 2,068 yards and 15 touchdowns in 47 career games. 

Hockenson was leading the Lions with 395 receiving yards and had a team high-tying three TD grabs this season.

He is under contract through 2023 after the Lions picked up his fifth-year option.

Cleveland Browns franchise player Myles Garrett enjoyed sticking it to Joe Burrow with a convincing 32-13 home win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Monday's AFC North showdown.

Garrett, Sione Takitaki, Deion Jones, Taven Bryan and Isaiah Thomas all collected sacks on Bengals quarterback Burrow, while A.J. Green intercepted one of his passes off a Garrett deflection, and Tommy Togiai recovered the ball when Burrow fumbled.

It was a stat-stuffing performance from the Browns defense, holding the Bengals scoreless through the first three quarters to snap a four-game losing streak.

Garrett said this was a game his team were taking personally, indicating they felt disrespected by preseason comments from the Bengals.

"Heck yeah, we really wanted to get after them," he said. "They definitely had this one circled, as well.

"We all wanted to get after them after what they said about our defense and what they were going to do. We can’t wait to see them again in their house."

On Burrow, Garrett said: "I don't know if it's him saying the sacks are underrated or the wide receivers talking about our defensive backs, but I guess they just light a fire in us and we are able to get after them a little differently.

"Burrow and I are cool off the field, but in between the goal line and me, he is going to have to take that L."

Tallying one and a half sacks, Garrett is now fifth in the NFL with seven and a half for the season, but he said the most enjoyable part of this game was that everybody was getting involved.

"That first tipped pass leading to an interception, and then that sack," he said. "It felt like everyone was like 'the bank is open – everyone grab something'.

"I was rushing to get to the passer to make a big play, but there were a lot of guys playing lights out – it was just beautiful to see.

"[We were] just confident, just liked the matchup. [Burrow] is a great quarterback, and it is difficult to get to him, especially with how quick they get the ball off, but if and when we make him bring the ball down, we are rushing and we are going to get there.

"We had enough time to get there and have an effect on the game."

Garrett went on to talk about how he feels this could be a turning point for the Browns (3-5) as they take their momentum into their bye week.

"I think we have what it takes," he said. "We have taken our lumps, but we will show what we have and our dedication to the game and what it takes to get wins in this league, because they don’t come easily.

"Right now, to get a win like this, and in a dominant fashion, it is showing the guys how good we can really be.

"I don’t want to say perfect – perfect would have been a shutout, but it was damn close. It was a fun one to play in because it felt like everything was clicking all over the field."

The Cleveland Browns were never in any trouble during their 32-13 home triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.

Things got off to a poor start for the visiting Bengals, with quarterback Joe Burrow throwing an interception on the opening drive of the game.

After a scoreless first quarter, Nick Chubb powered home a three-yard touchdown run early in the second period, also converting the two-point conversion, and a late field goal would give his Browns an 11-0 lead at the long break.

The Browns came out of halftime strongly, manufacturing an 11-play drive that culminated in a three-yard touchdown scamper from quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

A four-yard goal-line fade to Amari Cooper blew out the margin to 25-0, before a few late touchdowns finally put some Bengals points on the board.

Burrow ended up completing touchdown passes to Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins to salvage a respectable day, completing 25 of his 35 passes for 232 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Brissett was strong, completing 17-of-22 for 278 yards, one touchdown and one fumble, but Chubb was the engine that made the offense move.

Chubb ran the ball 23 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns, while through the air it was Cooper leading the way with five catches for 131 yards and a score.

With the win, the Browns snapped a four-game losing streak and moved to 3-5. They remain behind the Bengals (4-4) and the Baltimore Ravens (5-3) in the AFC North.

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