Wayne Gretzky is about as revered as professional athletes get. Nobody’s posted more goals, assists or points than him — in a career or a single season.

He owns the NHL’s longest point streak, has the most 100-point seasons, claimed the most scoring titles, scored the most shorthanded goals, was the quickest to 50 goals, won the Hart Trophy the most times.

On top of all that, it seems like nobody’s ever said a bad word about the guy.

But don’t mistake respect for concern. Nobody’s going to feel too bad for The Great One when The Great 8 inevitably breaks his once seemingly unbreakable career mark of 894 goals. Heck, the way Alex Ovechkin is going, it might even happen this season.

“Listen, Wayne’s got plenty of records that nobody will touch, so I think he’ll be OK giving that one up,” one NHL player told The Athletic. “Even though I never thought that one would be touched.”

In a sport in which fist fights are essentially legal, in a league built on rivalries and hatred, there are precious few topics that can approach near unanimity. After polling 161 NHL players, granting them anonymity so they could speak honestly, it’s clear that Ovechkin’s goal chase is one of them.

But what about expansion? What about gambling? What about the rulebook? There was plenty of disagreement to be found there.

Here are the results of our first player poll of the season, with a representative sampling of the best comments for each question.

Ninety-eight percent. Short of “would you like to have Leon Draisaitl’s contract?” there might not be another question that garners that many yeses.

Ovechkin is 39 years old, and the average NHL player is 28 years old. Macklin Celebrini was born two months after Ovechkin completed his spectacular 52-goal rookie season. So much of the league grew up watching and idolizing Ovechkin. No shock that the word “cool” appeared 40 times in the players’ responses.

“I think he’s proven how he’s probably the best goal scorer in history given the times. I think it would be cool to see. Nobody is ever going to get the other records, right? So if he breaks this one, I think that would be cool.”

“Yes, because I could say that I played against the greatest goal scorer to ever play. My first goal was in Washington and he scored in that game, too. It would be cool to have our names on the same game sheet.”

“It’s going to be cool playing in the era where you can say you played against Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and the best goal scorer of all time.”

“I wouldn’t even mind being on the ice for the goal against — as long as he doesn’t put it through my legs, go around me and go top corner.”

“I think it’s great for hockey, because it shows it’s attainable.”

Gretzky has made it clear he’s pulling for Ovechkin. The Capitals star even told NHL.com last month that Gretzky texts him little pep talks when he’s slumping.

“If Wayne is rooting him on, we should all be rooting him on, too.”

“Do I think it takes away from Wayne Gretzky’s greatness? No. Not in any way. But his record stood for so long and he’s still so far above the pack, it’s not even close. It’s like Tom Brady and whether he’s the greatest football player or quarterback. It’s kind of undisputed. If (Patrick) Mahomes keeps his pace up for another 10 years, then he might catch him. Right now, if Ovi catches him, it doesn’t take anything away from Wayne.”

“I think he already would have broken it if it wasn’t for COVID and lockouts. I think Gretzky has enough records.”

“Played against him so many times and scored a lot of goals on me; I’ll be a part of history because of that … the wrong way,” said Marc-Andre Fleury, agreeing to put his comment on the record after likely giving away his identity anyway. “But I think he’s been around for so long, he’s been such a good shooter for so many years — one-timer, on the power play — but he’s also got such a great release on his wrister coming down the wing or through the defenseman’s legs and stuff, so it would be cool.”

So just about everyone is rooting for Ovechkin to break the record. Mostly with one caveat:

“Just not against us.”

We all roll our eyes when a player skates off the ice with his left arm dangling and a stone-faced coach lies right to reporters’ faces and says, “lower-body injury” in the postgame presser. Here’s the thing: The players roll their eyes, too. But they insist it’s for a reason: “It’s not about leaving other people guessing. It’s about protecting us.”

It might not be the wild west of the 1970s anymore, but hockey players can still be utterly ruthless. Particularly in the playoffs.

“This anonymous? I mean, during the regular season, you’re not going to target a guy’s injury. But in the playoffs, you’re going to.”

“If you know a guy’s got a banged-up knee, it’s not hard for the other team to take a couple extra slashes or whack at that knee and actually hurt it even more.”

“I know guys would get targeted. I’d target people and hit his foot from the crease. But in the season, I think they could be more transparent. Sometimes it’s so stupid when they’re vague. You see them hit in the head and they say ‘upper body.’”

“As a player, I want less transparency. You don’t want people to know what’s wrong with you. I think it’s the same thing with the way it works in the playoffs. If someone knows that you have a bad wrist, we’re going to slash your wrist. Same thing you see in football. Last weekend or the week before, we all know Justin Herbert has a bad ankle, guys are rolling on it. We’re competitive. It’s violent out there. Everyone says they don’t try and hurt or injure people, but we all know you do.”

“Maybe they can do something where during the regular season it’s transparent, but in the playoffs it’s hush-hush.”

The NFL has a daily injury report that includes specific injuries and a classification from probable to questionable to doubtful to out. Given how much money is spent on fantasy football and football betting, the league has no choice. Some players feel it’s only a matter of time before the NHL reaches that point, too.

“I understand why they do it in the NFL, with fantasy and all of the money that goes into betting, but I don’t want other teams knowing my business.”

“If the betting market gets bigger in hockey, they’re going to have to do that. Ours is so vague which is nice for players, but if gambling gets bigger in hockey, they’ll have to do that because it wouldn’t be fair.”

“I don’t think it should be quite to the level of the NFL, but I think we could be a little more transparent. And, at a minimum, consistent among all the teams. Fans deserve to know when their favorite player is going to be back playing.”

Some players just want a little privacy.

“I don’t think you have to specify what the injury is. Who cares? If it’s upper body, it’s upper body. If it’s lower body, it’s lower.”

“I hate it. I don’t think anyone should know unless you want them to know.”

On the other hand …

“I could see how on the flip side, if you’re playing like s—, well, then people could understand that maybe there’s something that’s holding you back.”

There are more than 1.6 million registered hockey players in the world. Only 736 of them can be in the NHL at once. So, no, NHL players are not going to say no to another 46 NHL roster spots, thank you very much.

“More jobs for players is better. We can play longer. From an NHLPA player standpoint, more money in the system. More teams, more money for players. I’m on board for that, but keep it at 82 games and get rid of preseason.”

“Why not? That means more jobs.”

“Yeah, it’ll keep me in the league longer.”

“If it brings in more money, I’m all for it.”

“They’re going to. Did you see those valuations?”

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“As a fan, I would say no. As a player, I would say yes. More money, more jobs. I think that’s good.”

That said, plenty of players understand the argument against further expansion.

“We grinded to get to 32, and now all of a sudden we just want the buy-in money?”

“I kind of like where it’s at now. I think it’s perfect. Half the teams get in. So I’m a ‘no.’ The way the playoffs are, with half the teams getting in, I think it’s perfect. So I wouldn’t add just because of that.”

But with the sport becoming more and more global, the talent pool just keeps getting deeper. As one player put it, there are fourth-liners in the NHL right now who would skate circles around almost anyone from the Original Six era.

“I was worried when they expanded the last few that it would maybe dilute the product. But I think we are still getting exciting hockey. We still have exciting players. It’s worked. It’s more jobs. I’m in favor of it.”

So the obvious question then becomes where?

Arizona was the laughingstock of the sports world for years. But it was also seemingly every player’s favorite road trip. So while you might be tired of commissioner Gary Bettman’s endless experiment in the desert, there’s still a lot of support for another franchise in the Valley among the rank and file.

“Every player will tell you we love going to Arizona. It’s so nice there. If we could get a better owner in there this time and see what we can do, I think it would thrive there.”

With more than 7 million people in the metropolitan area, Houston has long been a potential target for the league. And players are on board with the idea.

“I’m gung-ho on Houston. I don’t want to see another Canadian team. I think Houston could be a really good spot.”

“Tax-free state. Tax-free. Sunshine states.”

“(Houston.) It’s the (fourth) largest city in the U.S. and they don’t have a team yet. We can’t go to another Canadian market right now, not with how the Canadian dollar is. You can’t go to Quebec City. The Canadian dollar is s—. You’d have to take the team out of Winnipeg.”

Ah, Quebec City. Bringing back the Nordiques is always a hot topic.

“I’d love to see Quebec City because, being French-Canadian, the fight between Montreal and Quebec is so good. But from a business standpoint, I don’t know if Quebec is the right call because it’s a smaller market. But I know they will fill the rink with fans and stuff. I’m not a business guy, but the big sponsors and the people that buy the suites, I don’t know if they could support. But I would love to see them back. People love hockey there.”

“I understand the exchange rate and all the finances that come with that, but I think it’d be cool to have another Canadian team to make it eight.”

“Get out of Canada, we need (hockey-related revenue). Houston. It’s five million people. Quebec’s a great city. I don’t think it’s big enough for an NHL team.”

Then, of course, there’s always a second Toronto team.

“It would do better than Atlanta or Houston or something.”

“They’d probably win a Cup before the Leafs.”

Some other thoughts:

“Definitely not Atlanta. We’ve already seen that one fail enough.”

“If Green Bay could get a team, I would like to see that. They go crazy for the Packers. I’ve played there in junior and it was pretty fun. I’d like to see another team in that area. Honestly, I’ll give Wisconsin a team. Whatever makes more sense numbers-wise and financially. It’s a hockey hotbed.”

“We played (in Austin, Texas) a bunch of times in the American League. Amazing city. Great hockey fans. They pack the barn every night. Great arena. Love it there.”

“San Diego would be pretty cool. Get another team on the West Coast.”

“I think the market (in Dubai) is great and it’d be cool to go there.”

“Is Miami too close to Fort Lauderdale?”

After the Major League Baseball uniform fiasco this past season, there was a lot of skepticism that Fanatics was up to the challenge of taking over the NHL’s jersey manufacturing. The jerseys are made in the same Montreal factory with the same specifications as the old ones, but the shoulder dimples were removed and some extra fabric was used in the forearms, which are prone to board burn.

Some players didn’t even notice. Some did. Some might have imagined some things.

“(A): I think they all look awesome. I’d say A. They look great. They did a good job.”

“(A): I actually like them. I can’t tell the difference. And I like our practice jerseys. I think they’re cool.”

“(C): I’m not a huge fan. I don’t think they’re that great. I find them a little uncomfortable and bulky.”

“(B): I don’t think they look as cool because the old ones had dimples on the shoulders.”

“(B): They’re a little smaller.”

“(B): They feel a little longer.”

“(B): They’re a little heavier, a little stiffer.”

“(B): The neck is a little bit different, but other than that they feel the same. I would still like Nike stuff.”

“(C): Don’t notice a difference but I prefer Adidas.”

“(B): You notice the difference. It’s not as thick, so it’s not what it was. But I was expecting way worse, so that’s a positive.”

“(A): They feel the exact same to me.”

Good luck making sense of all that, Fanatics quality-control team.

Some players were just relieved the jerseys didn’t change colors when sweat-soaked and didn’t have tiny letters on the back.

“(C): I thought they’d be worse after seeing the baseball ones. The baseball ones were see-through. I was like, ‘These are the worst jerseys ever.’ I don’t know what the ones the fans are getting. But the ones we’ve gotten are good material.”

“(B): They’re not as good as they used to be, so I’ll give them a B. Because if the old Adidas (jersey) was an A, then this is a B. I think, for me, it’s the fit and the sizing. And also a little bit of the material on its own. You know sometimes when you grab a hold of an old tool or an old machine, and you know this is sturdy, it’s never going to break? You don’t get the same thing nowadays. But also they’re made with different materials. You can just feel the difference.”

And then, of course, there were plenty of players who greeted the question with a quizzical look.

“(B): I didn’t actually know we were wearing Fanatics jerseys.”

If you’re sick of seeing people posting every little bet they make on social media, imagine being tagged in those posts. Or having those bettors demand you pay them back because you only had two shots on goal that night, when the over/under was 2.5.

“You get Venmo requests from fans,” one player said. “They’re demands, not requests. ‘You owe me $200 because you were on the ice when …’ and it’s insane. It’s really bad when you play against Toronto because it seems like everybody is betting on Leafs games. But that’s Toronto for you.”

We’re going to dive more deeply into this phenomenon later in the week, but here’s a quick sampling of responses:

“Yeah, that’s real. When you ruin a guy’s parlay or something? One hundred percent, that’s real. I got one last game where some guy bet on my number of shots or something and then he’s DM’ing me: ‘You f—ed my parlay!’ Pardon my language, but that’s what he said.”

“Oh, almost every day. Honestly, I’d say 75 percent of them are them being mad about something. ‘How did you let in that late goal? I had the under. Thanks a lot. You f—ing suck.’ Things like that constantly. I feel like, as a goalie, we’re a little bit more exposed to it, too.”

“Oh yeah. People on social media are way crazier now because they have more skin in the game. I think that’s for all sports.”

This is one instance in which it helps to be a fourth-liner or a third-pairing guy.

“I don’t think I’m the betting favorite.”

One rule change

We’ll dive deeper into this one later this week too, because when you ask 161 players an open-ended question like this, the answers are all over the hockey map. But there were some common answers.

“Continuous overtime; abolish the shootout.”

“Instead of shootouts, three-on-three, then two-on-two. … It could be kind of fun. But then it would be tough with the stats because it could change things.”

“Ten-minute overtimes. I just think overtime’s the best for the fans. I think for the players, it’s fun too.”

An overtime shot clock wasn’t popular, but there was plenty of support for an over-and-back rule, prohibiting players from regrouping beyond the red line in overtime.

Another popular area of discussion was power plays, including “two-minute majors” and “jailbreaks.”

“Power plays shouldn’t end if a goal is scored.”

“The PWHL jailbreak: A shorthanded goal results in the player leaving the box.”

“If you score shorthanded, the power play ends. In Europe, if you’re on the power play and you get scored on (shorthanded), the power play’s over. I like that.”

Some players got really specific with faceoffs and line changes. One just wanted to be able to sit on top of the boards while waiting to change again. And some players got a little wacky, with one suggesting getting rid of the blue line entirely and making the red line the offside line.

Lots of discussion about challenges and reviews, with some wanting more and some wanting none.

One player wanted to open up the ways in which a player could score. Hey, man, it’s tough to score in this league. If the puck goes in, it goes in, right?

“Allow kicking and head-butting the puck in. You’re going to the gritty area. If you can get a skate on it, that should be a goal. I also think you should be able to ‘head’ the puck in. The Andrew Shaw rule. I don’t know, if you could head the puck in, that’s pretty impressive.”

(Top graphic: Meech Robinson / The Athletic, with photos of Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky from Harry Scull Jr., Bruce Bennett and Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions have finally broken through and surged to the top of the Fox News Digital Sports NFL power rankings after Week 11.

The Lions demolished the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, putting up at least 50 points on their opponent for the second time this season. With the Kansas City Chiefs’ undefeated season coming to an end, the Lions have performed well enough to move up to the top spot.

There’s a lot more that had to shake out. The Buffalo Bills defeated the Chiefs, which could catapult them up the rankings. And just how far will the Chiefs fall?

Read below to find out the rest of the rankings.

1. Detroit Lions (9-1)

For the first time in the history of Fox News Digital’s NFL power rankings, and likely many others across the web, the Detroit Lions are the kings. With a loss by Kansas City and a day of dominance in Jacksonville, the Lions have as much momentum as they’ve ever had in the Super Bowl era.

Last week: 2

2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is congratulated by teammate Dawson Knox after scoring on a 26-yard run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

It wasn’t the AFC Championship, but it sure felt like it for Bills fans after Buffalo overpowered the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon to hand the back-to-back champions their first loss of the season. With most of the division in shambles, the Bills are primed to win the AFC East for the fifth straight season, but more importantly, they seem primed to make a serious run for the Super Bowl.

Last week: 3

3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is sacked by Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

It finally happened, for the first time since last Christmas, the Kansas City Chiefs lost a game. Any time the Buffalo Bills have matched up with the Chiefs over the past few seasons, the games have typically been thrillers. However, the Bills being able to knock off the Chiefs proved to be a noticeable difference from recent matchups. Even during the Chiefs first nine wins, much of the conversation has revolved around whether Kansas City was playing its best football. Patrick Mahomes has not looked like the best quarterback in the world this season. While he threw three touchdowns during the Nov. 17 game, he also finished the day with two interceptions, including a pick late in the fourth quarter to end any hopes of a Chiefs comeback. The 30-21 loss also meant the Chiefs will have to wait a bit longer for an opportunity to wrap up the top playoff seed in the AFC. But recent history suggests Kansas City is not reliant on the No. 1 seed as two of the three Super Bowl championships under head coach Andy Reid have been earned without the team holding the top seed.

Last week: 1

4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2)

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley scores during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Eagles had a “Thursday Night Football” matchup that everyone wanted to see, with Jayden Daniels and the Commanders heading into “The Linc” to play for first place in the division. Though Jalen Hurts didn’t really get going in the pass game, it was Saquon Barkley yet again stepping up when his team needed it, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns to cement the team’s sixth straight win. It seems like ages ago when questions about whether this highly talented team could really get going, as they are one of the hottest teams in the NFL.

Last week: 5

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts with teammates Najee Harris, left, and Darnell Washington at the end of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

They beat the Ravens without scoring a touchdown, which is hard to do in the NFL, but not in that matchup because the Steelers dominate the Ravens, having won eight out of the last nine games. 

Last week: 6

6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson speaks to reporters following an NFL football game against the Steelers, Nov. 17, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

We’re good. We’re middling. We’re good. We’re not so good. We’re good again. They need to make up their minds.

Last week: 4

7. Minnesota Vikings (8-2)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold runs off the field after an NFL football game against the Titans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The Vikings finished up their cupcake slate and looked just good enough to stay within striking distance of first place in the NFC North. Still, how the team looked in non-blowout wins against the lowly Titans and Jaguars shows that they are still a class below Detroit, especially after the Lions’ real blowout against Jacksonville this week.

Last week: 8

8. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert high-fives running back J.K. Dobbins before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

The Chargers put together arguably their best first half of the season when they hosted the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday night. But the second half was a different story. Nevertheless, Los Angeles held off a furious rally from the Bengals and secured their seventh win of the season. Cincinnati made it a 27-27 game after Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter. But Herbert later completed a pair of clutch passes to Ladd McConkey that helped set up J.K. Dobbins’ 29-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining. The Chargers welcome another high-powered offense this week when they host Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

Last week: 11

9. Green Bay Packers (7-3)

Green Bay Packers Jayden Reed (11) celebrates his touchdown catch with Christian Watson (9) and John FitzPatrick during the first half of an NFL football game against the Bears on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

It’s hard to judge how good this Packers team is after a win against the Bears. It is so expected that coming as close as they did to losing to Chicago is almost cause for an indictment on Green Bay. The Packers will be easier to judge after games against the 49ers and Lions in the next three weeks.

Last week: 9

10. Houston Texans (7-4)

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) and quarterback C.J. Stroud celebrate Mixon’s touchdown run against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

Joe Mixon is putting up the best season of his career, and now that Nico Collins is healthy, this team will only be getting better. C.J. Stroud has had a bit of a sophomore slump, but a light schedule coming up could get him back on track.

Last week: 12

11. Washington Commanders (7-4)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is sacked by Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham during the first half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

A true test came on Thursday night for Jayden Daniels & Co., and though it was close early, Saquon Barkley showed up late with two touchdowns to virtually ice it for the Eagles. Washington has now dropped two straight, falling to second place in the division. They have another divisional matchup this week with the Cowboys, a game that head coach Dan Quinn surely wants to win considering his ties to the organization last season as their defensive coordinator.

Last week: 7

12. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray greets fans after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

NFC West first place by itself coming out of the bye week is not a bad place to be for Arizona. Back-to-back road games in Seattle and Minnesota will tell us if Kyler Murray & Co. are for real.

Last week: 13

13. Denver Broncos (6-5)

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) runs as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Natrone Brooks pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

The Broncos completed their 4-0 sweep of the NFC South with a dominant 38-6 win over the Falcons. Bo Nix threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns as he continues to look better and better every week, firmly putting himself in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation. Sitting at 6-5 with their next three games coming against the Raiders, Browns and Colts, the Broncos have their eyes set on making a playoff push.

Last week: 16

14. San Francisco 49ers (5-5)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

You know what this banged up team doesn’t need? Back-to-back road trips to playoff-contending teams, uh-oh, at Green Bay and at Buffalo are coming right up.

Last week: 10

15. Seattle Seahawks (5-5)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith reacts after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

The roller-coaster ride that is Seattle this season continued last week. Stopping a six-game skid to San Francisco was a high point for sure. Can the Seahawks finally find consistency?

Last week: 19

16. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins runs off the field after an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Atlanta was destroyed in Week 11 by the Denver Broncos, and the team’s weak defense was badly exposed. They’re still in position to win the division due to their perfect record against NFC South opponents, but this is not a team that should be feared come playoff time.

Last week: 14

17. Los Angeles Rams (5-5)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) is congratulated after his touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Remember last year? The Rams started 3-6 before clawing back to .500 and rolling into the playoffs on a hot streak. This year’s version has a similar vibe, especially if they can get past the Eagles at home on Sunday night.

Last week: 18

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris OMeara)

The bye week came at a perfect time, and with Atlanta continuing to struggle, Tampa Bay must believe it is the best team in the NFC South despite being 1.5 games back. They have upcoming games against three of the worst teams in the league (Giants, Panthers, Raiders), and if they can win all three, the division race gets extremely interesting.

Last week: 17

19. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws as he is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

They are wasting an MVP season by Joe Burrow.

Last week: 15

20. Miami Dolphins (4-6)

Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith, center, celebrates his touchdown with wide receivers Tyreek Hill (10) and Jaylen Waddle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

The Dolphins’ biggest offensive stars haven’t been putting up numbers as expected, but Miami is still winning down the stretch, picking up their second-straight win with a dominant 34-19 win over the Raiders.

Last week: 20

21. Indianapolis Colts (5-6)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Maybe Anthony Richardson needed a break and take a good look in the mirror. And perhaps it was smart of the Colts to get him back against the lowly Jets, since nothing is going right for Gang Green. The fourth overall pick of the 2023 draft showed what he could be, but it’s too early to say he’s here to stay.

Last week: 22

22. Chicago Bears (4-6)

Bears Caleb Williams walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

It’s been a humbling stretch for a Bears team that started off with so much hope. A heartbreaking loss to the Packers could either be rock bottom or the straw that breaks their back into a losing streak that buries them, especially with games against the other playoff contenders in their division coming up.

Last week: 21

23. New Orleans Saints (4-7)

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill, left, celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Derek Carr in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The Saints followed their upset win over the Falcons with a 21-point victory over lowly Cleveland. Their hopes of getting the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft are probably dead, but the team is playing hard under interim coach Darren Rizzi, and the Saints could be a spoiler team come December.

Last week: 24

24. Dallas Cowboys (3-7)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

There’s not much else to say about Dallas as they’ve now lost five straight games after a beatdown by the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. The metal sheet falling from the dome hours before the game could be a metaphor for how this Cowboys season is crumbling around Jerry Jones & Co.

Last week: 25

25. New York Jets (3-8)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after the Jets lost an NFL football game to the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Another loss for the Jets has triggered yet another shakeup within the organization as owner Woody Johnson decided to call it quits with general manager Joe Douglas on Tuesday. At 3-8 and with their playoff aspirations all but gone, who’s on the chopping block next?

Last week: 23

26. New England Patriots (3-8)

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye scrambles against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Drake Maye put on a show, completing 30-of-40 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough for New England to overcome the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Poor execution and a nonexistent defense have the Patriots looking toward the draft for solutions.

Last week: 26

27. Cleveland Browns (2-8)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) is tackled by Saints defensive end Chase Young (99) and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Blown out by the Saints on Sunday, and then they get to play the division-leading Steelers on Thursday — not a wonderful week. 

Last week: 27

28. Carolina Panthers (3-7)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young celebrates after an overtime win in an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Munich. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)

The Panthers had a bye in Week 11 after back-to-back victories, but things get a lot tougher the rest of the way. Carolina has to play the Chiefs, Bucs and Eagles over the next three weeks. They are still in play for the top pick in the NFL Draft, which has to be the goal at this point, especially given their schedule down the stretch.

Last week: 28

29. Tennessee Titans (2-8)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Against a Sam Darnold who has been looking a bit like the old Sam Darnold in recent weeks, the Titans mustered up just 13 points. There are a lot of bad teams in the league this year, and Tennessee is right in the pack of them.

Last week: 30

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson talks to the media after an NFL football game against the Lions, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Allowing 52 points is unacceptable no matter what. A bad team with Trevor Lawrence only gets worse when he’s injured. Mac Jones has scored just one touchdown – a rushing score of his own – since he took over.

Last week: 29

31. New York Giants (2-8)

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Munich. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)

This bye week for New York was a true team evaluation, and what was already written on the walls was confirmed by head coach Brian Daboll. Daniel Jones’ time in New York is all but done as he was demoted to third string and Tommy DeVito, the fan favorite who won three games for New York last season, will be the starter moving into Week 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While that may get fans in seats for John Mara, the organization is already thinking to the future with their franchise quarterback being a bust.

Last week: 32

32. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Despite making a litany of changes to the offensive coaching staff over the bye week, the Raiders still lost 34-19 to the Dolphins. One of the few bright spots on the 2-8 Raiders is rookie tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers is already one of the best tight ends in the NFL, catching 13 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

Last week: 31

The Fox News Digital Sports college football winners and losers were compiled by the Fox News Digital Sports staff and the OutKick.com staff.

Wrexham captain James McClean will be allowed to leave the pitch using the shortest route to the tunnel in a bid to improve his safety due to the supporter abuse he receives.

The English Football League (EFL) has written to the safety officers at all 72 of its clubs to inform them of McClean’s exemption, and the same process can be introduced for other players should they face similar incidents of abuse.

Substituted players have been required to leave the field of play via the nearest touchline or goal line following a law change brought in ahead of the 2019-20 season in a bid to address time-wasting.

The 35-year-old former Republic of Ireland international has regularly been the subject of abuse from opposition supporters while playing in England since declining to wear a poppy on Remembrance Sunday in 2012.

Multiple teams have been charged by the Football Association (FA) for misconduct following behaviour towards him, and he has claimed to be the subject of “more abuse than any other player in England”.

The letter states it hopes the proposed substitution process will “help to reduce these incidents and also help to manage Mr McClean’s departure from the pitch without incident”.

In September, McClean appeared to have objects thrown at him from supporters situated in the home end at St Andrew’s as he left the pitch after being substituted in the 83rd minute of Wrexham’s defeat to Birmingham City.

The letter sent by the EFL and first reported by the Daily Mail reads: “You will be aware that James McClean is often on the receiving end of abuse from some sections of support. This has, in the past, resulted in FA sanctions against the club due to the chanting becoming racially, or religiously motivated and therefore, classed as a hate crime. Missiles have also been thrown.

“It has now been agreed that on occasions in the future when Mr McClean has to leave the field of play, for whatever reason, he will leave by the shortest route towards the tunnel.”

McClean was born and grew up in the Northern Ireland city of Derry, and does not wear a poppy on Remembrance Weekend because he feels it would be a mark of disrespect to his community over the Troubles and, in particular, Bloody Sunday, when 14 men, all Catholics, were shot dead by British soldiers during a protest march in 1972.

In June 2023, Millwall were charged with three cases of misconduct by the FA over anti-Catholic chants aimed at McClean, then at Wigan Athletic, from sections of supporters during their Championship fixture.

Blackpool faced similar charges during the 2022-23 season and were fined £35,000 by the FA, after supporters were deemed to have behaved in a way that was “improper, offensive, abusive, indecent, or insulting with either express or implied reference to religion”.

Barnsley were fined £20,000 and told to implement an action plan in 2020 after a section of their supporters aimed anti-Catholic and anti-Irish chants at McClean during his time at Stoke City.

Kirk Broadfoot, then a defender for Rotherham United, was banned for ten matches after an FA commission found him guilty of using “abusive and/or insulting words” towards McClean in 2015.

McClean joined Wrexham from Wigan in 2023 following spells with Stoke, West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland.

(Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)