NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Sam Darnold looks good in Carolina. Panthers taking it to the Saints. Panthers might have something to say as the season plays out.

 

Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt suffered a groin injury in the first half of today’s game against the Raiders.

The Steelers referred to Watt as questionable to return, but given the way he was standing on the sideline without his helmet nearby, he didn’t appear likely to get back into the game.

Pittsburgh also lost Tyson Alualu early in the game, so the Steelers’ defensive front is at much less than full strength.

The Raiders lead 9-7 at halftime.

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Raiders improve to 2-0 with big win at Steelers



The Raiders are making a statement early this season that we should view them as AFC contenders.

Las Vegas improved to 2-0 today by going to Pittsburgh and earning a hard-fought 26-17 win. After a short work week following their victory over the Ravens on Monday Night Football, the Raiders’ offense played well against a tough Steelers defense.

 

The Rams moved to 2-0 on Sunday, defeating the Colts 27-24. But worse than Indianapolis dropping each of its first two games is that quarterback Carson Wentz now has an injury concern.

As the quarterback was making a third-down throw in the fourth quarter, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald hit and twisted Wentz. The quarterback apparently rolled his ankle. Though he got it re-taped on the sideline, Wentz was unable to re-enter the game.

 

Patriots ride four Zach Wilson interceptions to a 25-6 win



The Patriots have made life miserable for many rookie quarterbacks since Bill Belichick became the team’s head coach and they added Zach Wilson to the list on Sunday.

Wilson threw interceptions on his first two passes of the game and added two more later in the game while the Patriots’ own rookie quarterback Mac Jones avoided turnovers altogether. That added up to a 25-6 win for the Patriots that extends their winning streak over the Jets to 11 games.

 

Joe Burrow can’t make up for second-half meltdown as Bears beat Bengals



The Bears saw Andy Dalton go down and Justin Fields take his place today in Chicago, but the real story was the quarterback on the other side of the field.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had a second-half meltdown, throwing interceptions on three consecutive pass attempts, then failed to complete a comeback attempt as the Bears’ defense led the way in a 20-17 win.

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Cardinals beat Vikings in a wild one



In what may have been the most entertaining game so far in this NFL season, the Vikings and Cardinals battled back and forth for 60 minutes until Minnesota missed a last-second field goal and Arizona escaped with a 34-33 win.

Kirk Cousins did everything in his power for the Vikings, completing 22 of 32 passes for 244 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. But it wasn’t enough, as Cousins marched the Vikings into field goal range in the final minute only to have Greg Joseph miss as time expired.

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Tom Brady throws five TDs, Mike Edwards scores two pick-sixes in 48-25 victory



Late in the third quarter, the Falcons scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion to cut the Buccaneers’ lead to 28-25. At that point, it looked like Atlanta had Tampa Bay on its heels.

But that feeling didn’t last long.

Quarterback Tom Brady threw his fifth touchdown pass of the day early in the fourth quarter. And then safety Mike Edwards recorded two pick-sixes to put the game out of reach, as the Bucs defeated the Falcons 48-25.

With the victory, Tampa Bay became the first team in league history to score at least 30 points in nine consecutive wins. Brady also tied a franchise record with five TD passes.

The Bucs built a 21-7 lead in the first half with a pair of touchdowns from tight end Rob Gronkowski and a 3-yard touchdown catch by receiver Mike Evans. Gronkowski now has four TDs on the year after a 20-yard score on the opening drive and a diving 1-yard catch early in the second quarter.

While the Falcons cut the deficit to 28-10 with a last-second field goal in the second quarter, Evans caught his second TD early in the third quarter.

Atlanta scored 15 straight points in the third quarter, but Tampa Bay proved to be too much in the final period.

Brady finished 24-of-36 passing for 276 yards with five touchdowns and no picks. Mike Evans had five catches for 72 yards, with Godwin making four catches for 62 yards. Leonard Fournette led the team with 11 carries for 52 yards.

Matt Ryan was 35-of-46 passing for 300 yards with two touchdowns and three picks. Josh Rosen finished the game at quarterback for Atlanta, throwing a pair of incomplete passes.

The Buccaneers will have their first road game of the year next week, taking on the Rams in Los Angeles.

Now at 0-2, the Falcons take on the 0-2 Giants on the road in Week Three.

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Titans beat Seahawks 33-30 in overtime



A stirring second half comeback and a field goal by the latest kicker on the Titans’ carousel in overtime have given Tennessee its first win of the 2021 season.

Randy Bullock hit a 36-yard field goal with under five minutes to go in the extra period to give the Titans a 33-30 win in Seattle. Bullock was signed to the active roster this week after the Titans cut Week One kicker Michael Badgley.

The Titans forced over time by erasing a 15-point halftime deficit with three Derrick Henry touchdown runs. The last one came with 29 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Bullock’s extra point put the game on a path to overtime.

Henry ran 35 times for 182 yards and caught six passes for 55 yards. He only had 13 carries for 35 yards and one catch for 15 yards at halftime, so the All-Pro back was a major reason why the Titans were able to get off the mat and back into the game.

Julio Jones had six catches for 128 yards to bounce back from a subpar opener and Ryan Tannehill finished with 347 passing yards. The defense struggled to keep the Seahawks in check in the first half, but limited Seattle to one touchdown after the break and nearly won the game with a safety in overtime. Ola Adeniyi appeared to either sack Russell Wilson or force an intentional grounding penalty, but officials ruled his forward progress stopped at the 1-yard-line. That call is not reviewable and the Titans won the game a short time later after returning Michael Dickson‘s punt to the 39-yard-line.

It’s the first time the Seahawks have lost a game after being up by as many as 15 points since 2004. It didn’t look like things would go that way when Wilson was throwing long touchdowns to Tyler Lockett and Freddie Swain, but they couldn’t sustain drives after halftime and that allowed the Titans to stick around long enough to pick up their first victory of the season.

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Sunday Night Football: Lamar Jackson scores three TDs, runs for 107 to defeat Chiefs 36-35



With 1:05 left in the game and fourth-and-1 upcoming, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh had a question for his quarterback, Lamar Jackson.

The Sunday Night Football broadcast showed Harbaugh on the sideline yelling, “Lamar! Do you want to go for this?”

Jackson apparently responded yes. So, the Ravens inserted Trystan Colon as an extra offensive lineman. Jackson fielded a shotgun snap and ran up the middle for 2 yards, getting past the sticks to defeat the Chiefs.

It was the final big run for Jackson in a game that featured many of them, as the Ravens came away with a 36-35 victory in Week Two.

Jackson ended up with 107 yards rushing with two rushing touchdowns on 16 carries. He also passed for 239 yards and a touchdown with two picks.

But the Ravens only had the chance to convert that fourth-and-1 because rookie outside linebacker Odafe Oweh created a key turnover.

After the Ravens scored to go up by one with just over three minutes in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs’ ensuing drive had entered Baltimore territory. And the Ravens only had one timeout remaining, so Kansas City could run down the clock before attempting a game-winning field goal.

But on second-and-3 from the Baltimore 32, Oweh poked the ball out from running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Oweh dove on the ground, recovering his own forced fumble to give his team the ball with an opportunity to ice the game.

Though the Chiefs had all three of their timeouts remaining, Baltimore’s offense did its job and got the needed first down.

The Ravens ran the hell out of the football all night, recording 251 yards on the ground, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt. Ty’Son Williams had 77 yards, Latavius Murray racked up 36 with a touchdown, Devonta Freeman had 29, and even fullback Patrick Ricard had 2 yards on a handoff.

But the Ravens’ receiving corps had a solid night, too, with Marquise Brown catching six passes for 113 yards with a 42-yard touchdown. Tight end Mark Andrews had five catches for 57 yards and Sammy Watkins caught four passes for 44 yards.

For the Chiefs, quarterback Patrick Mahomes played well but made a critical mistake for a third-quarter interception. With Oweh about to bring him down for a sack on third-and-12, Mahomes let go of an ill-advised pass to tight end Travis Kelce on the left side. But cornerback Tavon Young caught the ball instead for Mahomes’ first career September interception.

Mahomes finished 24-of-31 passing for 343 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Kelce caught seven passes for 109 yards with one of those TDs, becoming the fastest tight end to 8,000 career receiving yards in the process.

Safety Tyrann Mathieu also played his first game of the season, recording a pair of interceptions — one of which he returned for a touchdown.

But this night was about the Ravens, and Jackson recording his first career victory over Kansas City. The Chiefs had defeated the Ravens in three straight regular-season games since Mahomes and Jackson became the starters for their respective teams in 2018.

The Ravens head to Detroit next week to take on the Lions. The Chiefs will be back at home to face their division-rival Chargers.

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Report: Eagles Believe Brandon Graham Suffered Season-Ending Achilles Tear

The Eagles believe star defensive end Brandon Graham is done for the season after tearing his achilles tendon against the 49ers on Sunday, per multiple reports. The news was first reported by longtime NFL reporter Derrick Gunn and later confirmed by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

On a play in the second half, Graham attempted to get to 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo but wobbled and appeared to suffer a non-contact injury. He attempted to limp back to the sideline but was helped off the field and was eventually carted off back to the locker room.

SI

 

Browns five-time Pro Bowl WR Jarvis Landry week-to-week with MCL sprain

The Browns will be without Jarvis Landry for a little while. The wide receiver has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL and will be week-to-week, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).

Landry went down with a knee injury during the Browns’ opening drive on Sunday and did not return. The Browns still went on to win 31-21, thanks in part to Tyrod Taylor's early exit. Still, credit goes to the Browns offense, which managed to find pay dirt in each quarter.


The Browns will be without Landry when they face the Bears on Sunday. They may or may not also be without Odell Beckham Jr. — he’s yet to play this year as he recovers from knee surgery. Rashard Higgins, who replaced Landry in the lineup, figures to pick up more of Baker Mayfield's targets. Preseason standout Davion Davis — now eligible to return from suspension — could also be called upon to fill in.

There’s no word yet on whether the Browns will park Landry on short-term injured reserve to open up a roster spot. Given the week-to-week nature of the injury, it might make sense for them to leave him on the 53-man roster.

YARDBARKER

 

Aaron Jones caught three touchdown passes from Aaron Rodgers and added a fourth score on the ground as the Green Bay Packers avoided an 0-2 start to the season with a 35-17 victory over the Detroit Lions.

Jones caught six passes for 48 yards and his three scores along with 67 rushing yards for the Packers. Rodgers completed 22 of 26 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns despite rainy conditions at Lambeau Field.

 

Broncos' Bradley Chubb Will Undergo Procedure for Ankle Injury

Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb will undergo an arthroscopic procedure to remove a bone spur in his ankle on Wednesday, the team announced.

“I’m going to push everything I can to get back to these games and hopefully it’s sooner rather than later," Chubb via the team's tweet. "My mindset is just going to be attack it 100 percent every day."

Chubb aggravated the ankle in the first half of the Broncos' game against the Jaguars on Sunday. The 2020 Pro Bowler made his 2021 season debut on Sunday after missing the season opener.

When Chubb went down in Sunday's game, he pounded his fists on the ground before throwing his helmet in frustration on the sideline. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Chubb was on the field for 19 snaps before the injury.

"I was frustrated on the sideline on Sunday because I know this team is a special team," Chubb said in a team video. "I've been dealing with the bone spur I have in my ankle, some time when I try to turn the corner, it gets a little annoying, it feels like a stab type pain.

"I did everything I could to manage it to try to come back and play... now the thing is to go back in, clean it up and be right back."

With Chubb out, Malik Reed will replace him in the starting role. The Broncos also will be without inside linebacker Josey Jewell, who went down with a season-ending pectoral injury in Denver's 23-13 victory against Jacksonville.

The Broncos (2-0) will face the Jets (0-2) on Sunday.

SI

 

Panthers-Texans Preview

HOUSTON (AP) The Carolina Panthers will face a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start for the second time in three games Thursday night against Davis Mills and the Houston Texans.

Carolina (2-0) opened the season with a 19-14 victory over the New York Jets in the debut of Zach Wilson, the second overall pick in this year's draft.

Now they'll meet Mills, a third-round selection who's filling in for the Texans (1-1) indefinitely after Tyrod Taylor injured his hamstring last weekend and was placed on injured reserve.

Mills threw for 102 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the second half of a loss to the Browns after Taylor was injured.

Carolina picked off Wilson once and sacked him six times in the opener. But this defense wasn't only tough against the rookie, the Panthers had an even better performance against Jameis Winston and the Saints. Carolina intercepted him twice and sacked him four times in a 26-7 win a week after the seven-year veteran threw five TD passes.

''I wouldn't lie, right now we are exceeding where I thought we could be and it's surprising to me,'' Carolina outside linebacker Haason Reddick said. ''But it's just a testament to the work that we put in during training camp and OTAs. Getting here, jelling with each other, bonding, getting to know each other and everybody just committing to one goal out there.''

Carolina's defense leads the NFL in total yards (190), yards passing (143.5), yards rushing (46.5), points (10.5) allowed on average as well as sacks (10).

Houston offensive coordinator Tim Kelly interrupted a reporter before he could finish asking about the unit.

''They're fast,'' he said. ''They're fast and they run to the ball. At every level, they've got guys that can fly ... you feel their team speed when you watch them play.''

Kelly likes the progress Mills has made since joining the team and expects him to improve this week after practicing with the first team.

''Davis has done a good job since he got here coming in and putting himself in a position to go out and hopefully make that transition seamlessly,'' Kelly said. ''We're going to still do what we can to make sure we're putting him in a spot to be successful.''

RUN FOCUS

The Texans have made running the ball their top offensive priority this season after ranking 31st in the NFL in yards rushing last season. With Mills making his first start, Houston knows establishing the run will be even more important.

''We're going to try to help him out running the ball, making it a lot less stressful for him as a rookie,'' running back David Johnson said. ''I was there, everybody was there. The best thing that you can have is a great veteran group that we have, and then guys who you can lean on to talk to about it.''

The Texans ran for 160 yards in the opener, but will need to bounce back Thursday after running for just 82 yards Sunday.

SACK ATTACK

The Panthers added Reddick this offseason to help take some pressure off defensive end Brian Burns - and the strategy has worked. Reddick has three sacks and Burns has two as the Panthers have 10 sacks through two games.

Facing a rookie in Mills, expect defensive coordinator Phil Snow to bring some elaborate blitz packages. That plan worked against Wilson in the season opener.

REID LEADS

Safety Justin Reid is off to a great start to lead Houston's defense this season. The fourth-year player had an interception and forced a fumble against the Browns and is tied for the NFL lead with two interceptions this season after also getting one in Houston's win over Jacksonville in the opener.

''He can do a lot of things well,'' defensive coordinator Lovie Smith said.

BOUYE'S RETURN

The Panthers will get cornerback A.J. Bouye back from a two-game suspension. He will be used as a nickel back alongside starting cornerbacks Donte Jackson and rookie Jaycee Horn.

Cornerback was one of the team's biggest concerns last year as the Panthers struggled to get off the field on third downs. But Horn, the No. 8 pick in the draft, has been strong early and Jackson has taken his game to a different level, excelling at run defense as well as coverage. Bouye will only add more depth to a talented secondary.

FAST STARTS

Carolina has been dominant in the first half of games this season, outscoring its opponents 33-0 and outgaining them 572-172.

However, the Panthers have shown a tendency to let up in the second half, nearly wasting strong first-half showings by allowing the Jets and Saints back into the games.

''In the second half, offensively, we just continue to kind of have that lull, especially when we have a lead,'' Panthers coach Matt Rhule said. ''We just have to learn how to be aggressive but still be smart.''

SI/AP

 

Funny they made a big deal about Bouye without mentioning he started out with the Texans

 

Mccaffery ruled out of rest of game with a hamstring injury. Did all themteams gomwith discount trainers this year? 50% of the injuries are groinor hamstring. Okay maybe not but it sure seems that way.

 

Sam Darnold throws for 300 yards, rushes for 2 TDs as Panthers beat Texans 24-9



Sam Darnold completed 23 of 34 passes for 304 yards and rushed for two touchdowns as the Carolina Panthers improved to 3-0 with a 24-9 victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday night.

The Texans saw rookie Davis Mills make his first start at quarterback on a short week after Tyrod Taylor injured his hamstring last Sunday. While the Panthers saw several players go down with injuries on Thursday night, they were still too much for the Texans to handle in Mills’ first start.

Darnold scored on a 5-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead. He would add a 1-yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak to put the game away with four minutes remaining.

Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey left the game in the second quarter with a hamstring strain and first-round cornerback Jaycee Horn suffered a broken foot in the third quarter. Safety Juston Burris also left the game with a groin injury. Horn and Burris were injured on consecutive plays.

Mills completed 17 of 26 passes for 155 yards as Houston’s offense overall was held to just 193 total yards. Mills hit Anthony Miller for a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter that made it a 7-6 game after the extra point missed wide right.

Tight end Tommy Tremble added to the Panthers lead in the third quarter as he scored on a 1-yard touchdown on a jet sweep hand-off made it a 14-6 game. The teams would trade field goals before Darnold’s quarterback dive put the game away.

Darnold had just four 300-yard games during his three years spent with the New York Jets. He now has two 300-yard games in back-to-back weeks for the Panthers.

D.J. Moore caught eight passes for 126 yards for the Panthers.

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