Tom Brady-Mike Evans connection heating up

• Mike Evans and Tom Brady haven't had the best connection this season, but things are coming together at just the right time for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Evans had this to say about his QB: "Tom was just dropping dimes. Those were some really, really good balls. This was one of the best games I've seen Tom play since he's been here." The Bucs clinched the NFC South title this week and have a chance to continue the connection in the postseason.
  
  • With Week 18 being pretty meaningless for the Bucs, Brady says it would "bother" him if he did not play.
    

“We’re football players, it’s football season so we play football,” Tom Brady says. Would seem he plans to play at Atlanta Sunday. Todd Bowles will have he final say. Rest vs Rust? Bigger question is can you torpedo chance to win in playoffs with an injury for a meaningless game pic.twitter.com/nBwh33dLx8

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) January 2, 2023

more qb news:

• Once upon a time, the Green Bay Packers were 4-8, and injuries to quarterback Aaron Rodgers had people wondering whether he would be shut down for the season. But then, they won four in a row and currently control their playoff destiny. Rodgers spoke about the mindset of the team throughout the season. "Sometimes you've got to fool yourself a little bit into believing a little bit more. But I definitely had faith I was going down scrapping, for sure. I do believe in the power of manifestation, and I do believe in momentum, and I believe very strongly in the force of the mind." Sounds like a quote straight out of a Disney movie.
  

• San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy has been lighting it up lately, but Sunday's game was the first time he's had to play from behind. Nevertheless, he got the job done, and head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged being able to do that was good for the team moving forward. "To keep coming back and keep attacking, he never got gun-shy, made some real good decisions too, and fought it out throughout the whole game and found a way to win."
  

• The Philadelphia Eagles believe Jalen Hurts will be ready to play in Week 18. Hurts was ruled out the past two weeks with a shoulder injury but returned to practice during the week.
  

From @GMFB: The belief is that #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (SC joint sprain) will be ready to play in Week 18, while the #Dolphins QB situation is in flux, with Teddy Bridgewater dealing with a dislocated pinky on his throwing hand. He’ll get imaging today. pic.twitter.com/eo1ru3dFJb

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2023

• The Chicago Bears aren't playing for anything any longer, and they let Justin Fields stay in the game to get destroyed on Sunday, sparking the question of, well... why?!? Head coach Matt Eberflus said keeping Fields in the game was to get him experience. "I just go back to what I just kind of tried to state is in-game experience; there's nothing like it. We're not going to get that anywhere else." I understand, but I hope Eberflus crossed his fingers TIGHT that Fields wouldn't get seriously injured.
  
  • Despite this, Eberflus did not commit to Fields starting in Week 18. Something to keep an eye on.
    

• The New York Jets were happy to get Mike White back this week after dealing with a rib injury. But, unfortunately, it turns out they stink regardless of who is at the quarterback position. White talked about the disappointment of not meeting his teammates' expectations: "The guys in the locker room deserve a certain standard. I knew what I was signing up for. I practiced all week. There's a standard they deserve, and I didn't play to that standard today."
  
  • Robert Saleh said on Monday that White is dealing with some rib soreness, but should be ready to play in Week 18.
    

• Mike Vrabel announced QB Josh Dobbs will start at quarterback for the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 in a must-win game for the AFC South title. Vrabel explained Dobbs' strengths are what led to the decision.
  

Vrabel on what Dobbs has done: pic.twitter.com/FbQuODdA0a

— Teresa Walker (@TeresaMWalker) January 2, 2023

• Deshaun Watson has struggled since his return to the Cleveland Browns' lineup. While things are still shaky, and the team has been mathematically eliminated from the postseason, Watson saw his connection with his receivers on Sunday as something to build upon. "I know Amari [Cooper], he's still trying to get healthy,  but today was a good day to be able to, especially for the start of 2023 and what the future is going to hold for the Cleveland Browns, it was good to see that happen."
  

• Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater exited Sunday's game with a finger injury and is on his way to get x-rays on his throwing hand. If Bridgewater and starter Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) cannot play this week, it will be Skylar Thompson this week.
  
  • Mike McDaniel confirmed Tagovailoa will not be in the team's plans for Week 18.
    

• Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Heisman Trophy winner is projected to be one of the top picks in this year's draft.
  

• Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams put together about three plays on Sunday that could round out a highlight reel, including a one-hander. Quarterback Justin Herbert on Williams' catch: "I don't know anyone else does anything with that. He's about as special as it gets."
  

• Jeff Saturday announced Sam Ehlinger will start in Week 18 for the Indianapolis Colts after Nick Foles injured his ribs. Matt Ryan will be the backup.
  

• Ron Rivera says he has no decision on the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders as of right now. The team started Carson Wentz last week, and it did not go well.
  

• Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he doesn't know what Lamar Jackson's status will be this week.