When a successful quarterback goes down with an injury, he has every reason to expect his job back when he returns. Alex Smith, though, is riding the bench.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has earned himself a reputation in the NFL as a dirty player, but was his move on Thanksgiving intentional?
Cam Newton threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores, and the Carolina Panthers beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 30-22, in Philadelphia on Monday night.
#1 NOTRE DAME (11-0) AT SOUTHERN CAL (7-4)
[Saturday, 8 p.m. on ABC]
Notre Dame is 11-0 for the first time since 1989 and know they are just one game away from a national-title shot. The Fighting Irish have risen to the top thanks to a defense that is tied with Alabama for first in scoring defense, allowing just 10.1 points per game
Thursday, Nov. 22
Houston Texans at Detroit Lions — 12:30 P.M.
Ford Field, Detroit
Houston (9-1) has been dominant thanks in part to a defense that holds opponents to an AFC-low 18 points per game.
Colin Kaepernick threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns in his first NFL start, and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Chicago Bears, 32-7, in San Francisco on Monday night.