BENGALS COACH ZAC TAYLOR CONFIRMS JOE BURROW WILL HAVE SURGERY ON LEFT TOE. QB COULD MISS 3 MONTHS
CINCINNATI (AP) — Bengals coach Zac Taylor confirmed Monday that quarterback Joe Burrow will have surgery on his injured left toe.
“We are working through the details and timelines. We will go through the week and get all the information we can,” Taylor said during an afternoon news conference.
Taylor did not have a timeline for when Burrow will have surgery or how long the franchise quarterback might be out. The turf toe injury is expected to sideline Burrow a minimum of three months.
“I don’t know what a toe rehab looks like,” Taylor said. “I know Joe’s gonna give it everything he’s got. He’s gonna do everything he can to get onto the field.”
It is Burrow’s third major injury in his six seasons since being the top overall pick in the 2020 draft and a major blow to Cincinnati, which is off to its first 2-0 start since 2018 and has postseason aspirations after missing the playoffs the past two seasons.
Burrow left the Bengals’ locker room on crutches and wearing a boot on his left foot on Sunday after injuring his toe during the second quarter of Cincinnati’s 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Burrow was sacked by Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead for a 5-yard loss at the Bengals 35-yard line with 9:02 remaining in the first half. It was the second time Burrow had been sacked in the game.
Burrow went into the sideline medical tent. He came out and walked briefly with a limp before heading to the locker room.
“It’s tough right now. We’re going to be OK. He’s a strong guy,” wide receiver Tee Higgins said after the game. “We look forward to seeing what the results are.”
Burrow has been sacked 201 times in six seasons, the second most in the league since 2020. The latest injury again puts the Bengals’ front office in the spotlight for electing to give high-value contracts to Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase without properly addressing the offensive line.
“I don’t know how a turf toe injury fully happens, if you get hit or stepped on. I know that potentially he could have been clean for 99% of the game, and the one play is where this happens,” Taylor said.
“I get it. I understand where people are going to come from. They’re going to be very attacking of us. Our style of play got us to a Super Bowl, two AFC championship games and two division titles, and won a lot of games for us. We’re always evaluating how we can protect our players and put them in the best position possible.”
Burrow’s injury comes at an inopportune time for the Bengals, who play at Minnesota next week to begin a stretch of five straight opponents that made the playoffs last year.
“We’re 2-0 and we’ve got a lot of good energy right now,” Taylor said. “There are plenty of things to clean up. We haven’t put our best foot forward or put together our best football collectively.”
Jake Browning will be the starter in Burrow’s absence. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Browning also scored the go-ahead touchdown with 18 seconds remaining on a 1-yard leap.
“We have a ton of confidence in Jake. He proved that yesterday,” Taylor said. “We’re excited for Jake to go there and play. He’s earned the right to be in the spotlight.”
Browning has played 13 games for Cincinnati and went 4-3 as the starter two years ago when Burrow was sidelined.
Brett Rypien is likely to be called up from the practice squad when Burrow gets placed on injured reserve, but Taylor said they would look for another QB to add to the active roster or the practice squad.
Burrow led the league last season with 4,918 passing yards and 43 TD passes. A knee injury in his rookie season in 2020 cost him six games, and a wrist injury in 2023 kept him out for the final seven games.
COMMANDERS QB JAYDEN DANIELS HAS A KNEE INJURY AND HIS STATUS FOR GAME VS. RAIDERS IS UNKNOWN
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is dealing with a knee injury, and coach Dan Quinn said Monday the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year’s status for the team’s next game is up in the air.
The Commanders (1-1) host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
“He did have an MRI and he has already begun his return-to-play process with us. He is truly day to day. What does that mean for Sunday? I can’t tell you that now,” Quinn said during a video conference with reporters. “We’ll have more to share on that when we get to Wednesday.”
That’s when the Commanders have their next practice.
Daniels was hurt in Washington’s 27-18 loss at the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. The second-year QB was sacked four times and faced pressure throughout the game from a blitz-heavy Packers’ defense.
“It was good that he finished the game,” Quinn said.
The team “would have to see all of the steps” from Daniels during the coming week — in terms of strength, speed, stopping, movement, change of direction, pivoting — for him to be cleared to play against Las Vegas, Quinn said.
“We know how important he is,” the coach added, so the Commanders will “make sure that he can absolutely be himself.”
Against Green Bay, Daniels completed 24 of 42 passes for 200 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, while running for just 17 yards on seven carries.
Quinn said a decision on a starting QB against the Raiders might not come until Friday. Marcus Mariota is Washington’s backup at the position.
“Our confidence in him is through the roof,” Quinn said.
Tight end John Bates and wide receiver Noah Brown have groin injuries from the Packers game, and Quinn said they are long shots to play on Sunday, but “it’s too early to call it.”
Washington also came out of that defeat with season-ending injuries to two starters: running back Austin Ekeler and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., who both were placed on injured reserve on Monday.
Ekeler tore his right Achilles tendon; Wise needs surgery for a hurt quadriceps.
“They have made a tremendous impact on our team — on the field but also off the field,” Quinn said.
In other moves Monday, Washington signed running back Chase Edmonds to the practice squad, and signed defensive end Jalyn Holmes and wide receiver Chris Moore from its practice squad.
Edmonds has played for four clubs in six years in the NFL, but he missed all of last season with a knee injury.
VIKINGS QB MCCARTHY’S SPRAINED ANKLE WILL KEEP HIM OUT FOR NEXT GAME VS. BURROW-LESS BENGALS
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will likely miss the next game with a sprained ankle, coach Kevin O’Connell said on Monday, and running back Aaron Jones will also be out with a hamstring injury.
McCarthy didn’t miss any time during Minnesota’s 22-6 loss to Atlanta, passing an initial medical evaluation and getting his foot taped up for extra support after the injury occurred late in the third quarter at the end of a 16-yard run. The ankle pain predictably worsened overnight, O’Connell said, and the decision to sideline McCarthy for the game against Cincinnati this Sunday was not performance-related.
The Vikings weren’t planning to put McCarthy on short-term injured reserve, O’Connell said, so his injury status is considered week to week.
Carson Wentz, the 10th-year veteran who just joined the Vikings two weeks ago, will start against the Bengals, who will be without their starting quarterback, Joe Burrow.
McCarthy was under frequent pressure by the Falcons, taking six sacks and 11 hits while going just 11 for 21 for 158 yards, two interceptions and one lost fumble. But it was more by happenstance when he was hurt, on a second-and-20 scramble that netted 16 yards when linebacker Kaden Elliss chased him down with a hard tackle at the sideline as three Falcons converged on him.
McCarthy underthrew a wide-open Justin Jefferson on third-and-9 on the next play after a false start on the Vikings, and he was grimacing as he jogged gingerly off the field.
Wentz, who began his career with Philadelphia as the second overall pick in the 2016 draft, is already the only quarterback in NFL history to start at least one game for five different teams in a five-season span. He’s now on track to extend that record to six teams in six years.
Wentz won’t be the only backup in a critical role for the Vikings, who saw center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Justin Skule enter the concussion protocol during the game on Sunday. They already played Atlanta without edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and backup cornerback Jeff Okudah, who were out with concussions.
Skule has started both games in place of standout Christian Darrisaw, who’s still not cleared in his return from ACL and MCL surgery on his knee. Safety Harrison Smith has also missed the first two games while ramping his conditioning back up after a personal health matter sidelined him in the middle of training camp.
BEARS EVALUATING JAYLON JOHNSON AFTER CORNERBACK LEFT LOSS TO LIONS WITH GROIN INJURY
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears were still evaluating the extent of star cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s groin injury after he left their blowout loss at Detroit, and coach Ben Johnson had no details on how much time he might miss.
Ben Johnson said Monday it is a different groin injury than the one that sidelined Jaylon Johnson for training camp, the preseason and the season opener.
“It’s not related to what he had before,” he said. “So we’re still trying to gather a little bit more information before we’ll know for sure.”
Jaylon Johnson was hurt breaking up a pass intended for Amon-Ra St. Brown early in the second quarter of a 52-21 loss to the Lions on Sunday. He stayed on his stomach after lunging to make the play.
Johnson previously injured his groin while working with some receivers in Las Vegas over the summer. He did not start practicing until the week leading up to the season-opening loss to Minnesota.
Losing Johnson is obviously a huge issue for the Bears, who gave up 511 yards against Detroit. The 52 points allowed were three shy of the franchise record.
“I do see sticky coverage, I see coverability,” Ben Johnson said. “He certainly can anticipate and he knows what’s coming a majority of the time. He does a great job with the film study. He’s a good player. He’s a Pro Bowl player for a reason and a guy that you want on the field for you, particularly when you give up that many passing yards.”
Jaylon Johnson, in his sixth season, made the Pro Bowl the past two years. He has six of his seven career interceptions in that span.
The Bears could also be missing two more key players on defense when they host Dallas this week.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) also left the Detroit game after missing the opener, and cornerback Kyler Gordon sat out his second game because of a hamstring injury. Ben Johnson said both players are “week to week.”
NEW SEASON, SAME FRUSTRATIONS FOR GARRETT AND BROWNS AFTER ‘EMBARRASSING’ LOSS
Even though Myles Garrett signed a four-year contract extension worth $204.8 million with the Cleveland Browns instead of following through on his trade demand, his frustrations about the state of the franchise he has played for since being the first overall pick in 2017 haven’t subsided.
The All-Pro pass rusher did not contain his anger after Sunday’s 41-17 loss at Baltimore that dropped Cleveland to 0-2 for the first time since 2018.
“This (stuff’s) embarrassing,” Garrett said after the game. “We have to be better as a team. We slowly chipped away. We did a solid job of holding them to 3 (points) when we could, and then eventually, the dam broke. They just did whatever they wanted, and we have to continue to play a 60-minute game.”
The Browns have dropped eight straight going back to last season and have not scored more than 17 points in the past seven.
Coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t address Garrett’s comments and frustration directly when asked Monday, but with the next four games also against teams that made the playoffs last season, the chances of things spiraling into another lost year continue to increase.
“We obviously have come up short in these first two ballgames, and we’ll just keep our head down and get back to work. That’s really what we’ll do,” Stefanski said.
Even though the defense has allowed a league-low 191.5 yards per game, the offense continues to sputter and make mistakes when there is no room for error.
Joe Flacco was selected the starting quarterback because most thought the 19-year veteran would manage the game well and not do anything to make life difficult for the defense.
However, Flacco had a pair of turnovers for the second straight game, and the Ravens turned both mistakes into touchdowns.
Flacco’s two interceptions in the Week 1 loss to Cincinnati were due more to the passes going off his receiver’s hands.
On Sunday, his third-quarter interception was the result of not throwing the ball away. Nate Wiggins picked off the pass intended for David Njoku and returned it 61 yards to the Browns 5.
Flacco also fumbled after a sack, which was returned by Roquan Smith for a touchdown.
“I think in some respect, we’ve got to cut down on some of those things. In other ways, we have to do a better job of overcoming it, because we understand that’s a part of the game and a part of what’s going to happen every week,” Flacco said.
What’s working
Stopping the run. The Browns do lead the league in something positive — rush defense (2.07 yards per carry and 44.5 yards per game). Derrick Henry gained only 23 yards, the third time in the past seven meetings they have held the All-Pro running back to fewer than 30 yards when he has at least 11 carries.
What needs help
Special teams. After kicker Andre Szmyt had a missed extra point and field goal in the opener, the problems continued with Corey Bojorquez having a punt blocked at Baltimore. The Browns have also allowed a pair of 23-yard punt returns the first two weeks.
Stock up
TE Harold Fannin Jr. has 12 receptions, tied for second most by a rookie in league history. The third-round pick tied a team high in receptions against the Ravens with five for 48 yards.
Stock down
CB Cameron Mitchell ended up coming in after Denzel Ward left the game because of cramping. He allowed three touchdowns, all to different receivers.
Injuries
WR DeAndre Carter remains in concussion protocol and CB Denzel Ward (cramping) left the game because of injuries and did not return.
Key number
99: Receptions by Jerry Jeudy, the most by a Browns receiver in their first 19 games with the team.
Next steps
The Browns host Green Bay (2-0) next Sunday. Cleveland has dropped its past four to the Packers, with the most recent win coming in 2005.
TITANS’ YOUTH MOVEMENT SHOWS GLIMPSES OF PROMISE BUT NO WINS IN 0-2 START
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans’ youth movement means their rebuilding project is a mix of flashes of promise and frustrating missteps.
That’s why they are 0-2.
The Titans have been good enough to lead both games against Denver and the Los Angeles Rams — both playoff teams last January.
Yet their own mistakes have proved costly, and the latest 33-19 loss to the Rams means Tennessee is stuck in an eight-game skid going back to last season.
That isn’t helping coach Brian Callahan’s odds of keeping his job through his second season, and now AFC South rival Indianapolis (2-0) visits Sunday to conclude a two-game home stand.
“We got to find a way to go win a game,” Callahan said Monday.
The offense has managed to score all of one touchdown to start this season. Joey Slye has been their best offensive option, making all eight field goals.
The Titans took a 13-10 lead into halftime against the Rams only for several players to say they came out flat for the second half. They were outgained 133-40 in the third quarter, and Tennessee has been outscored 20-3 in the fourth quarter through two games.
“We’ve got to do a better job at finishing,” defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said.
What’s working
The Titans’ rookie class. Yes, Tennessee is starting quarterback Cam Ward and also wide receiver Elic Ayomanor. They’re getting contributions from several others as well.
Chimere Dike, their first pick in the fourth round, has been big on special teams with a 71-yard kickoff return in the opener. Only a late flag for a blindside block wiped out his 57-yard punt return for a TD against the Rams. Tight end Gunnar Helm has three catches, and five draft picks played.
“I just think we have to do it at a faster rate,” Ward said of the Titans trying to win games. “We’ve got to continue to have more urgency every day. We’ve got to get better every day. It is all a process. It’s all about patience. But at some point, it just comes to you just got to go take it.”
What needs help
The offense. Yes, Slye has been automatic so far joining Brandon Aubrey (2024), John Kasay (1996) and Nick Lowery (1985) as the only NFL players to make four field goals in each of the first two games of a season since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.
Yes, the Titans have played a pair of playoff teams from last season to start 2025. Winning NFL games usually requires touchdowns scored regularly.
Ward capped a 56-yard drive with his first touchdown pass. That’s the longest drive the Titans have managed offensively this season.
Stock up
Ayomanor. The Titans’ second selection in the fourth round out of Stanford has started the first two games, and he showed why against the Rams. He made an amazing one-handed catch down the sideline to give the Titans first-and-goal.
Then he ran left across the end zone with Ward scrambling and caught the first NFL touchdown for both rookies.
Ayomanor led the Titans with 56 yards receiving, catching four of six balls thrown to him. He is averaging 11 1/2 yards a catch.
Stock down
Callahan. Pick either Brian or his dad Bill. The head coach calling offensive plays is not getting the results that matter most. His dad is the offensive line guru whose NFL experience was expected to help the offensive line better protect the quarterback.
The Titans have allowed more sacks (11) through the first two games of 2025 than they did to start last season (seven) with Will Levis as quarterback.
The head coach said the sacks are on the offense as a whole: “The number in and of itself is concerning.”
Injuries
RT JC Latham missed his first NFL game with a strained hip that kept him out against the Rams. Veteran RG Kevin Zeitler missed the last 14 snaps with an injured elbow.
Key number
11. That’s how many sacks the Titans have allowed trying to protect the No. 1 overall draft pick with an offensive line revamped specifically to help Ward grow as a rookie. That ties him with four others sacked 11 times through his first two career games.
It’s not the most ever, but Ward is close. David Carr and David Norrie (15), David Klingler (14) and Archie Manning (13) were sacked more to start their careers.
Next steps
The Titans desperately need a win Sunday against the Colts before hitting the road again for a three-game road swing.
PAYTON ACCEPTS BLAME AFTER BRONCOS’ SPECIAL TEAMS MISCUES LEAD TO A LOSS AT INDIANAPOLIS
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Darren Rizzi is off to a rough start as the Denver Broncos’ new special teams coordinator.
The Broncos got away with a pair of big blunders in the opener when All-Pro Marvin Mims Jr. muffed a punt and the Broncos allowed a 71-yard kickoff return, but they paid dearly Sunday for a pair of special teams blemishes that cost them a win at Indianapolis.
Wil Lutz clanked a 42-yard field goal attempt off the right upright with 3:15 remaining and Denver (1-1) clinging to a 28-26 lead. That meant Indy needed only a field goal to win it, which they did on a do-over after a penalty on linebacker Dondrea Tillman negated a 60-yard miss as time expired and moved the ball well within Spencer Shrader’s range.
Coach Sean Payton absolved Rizzi and Tillman on Monday, saying he should have backed off the aggressive call to try to block the 60-yard attempt.
Payton explained that Tillman wasn’t supposed to both push down his opponent and try to leap over him, but there was a misalignment as the Colts switched up their field goal protection unit and Tillman was correctly called for pushing off another player to try to block the kick.
“Before any and all that, though, we should be working a normal rush, a normal interior rush with a 60-yard attempt,” Payton said.
“That’s on me. It’s not on Darren. It’s not on Tillman,” Payton said. “With a 60-yard field goal attempt, it’s different. The alignment got wrong and the call was correct. … But my big regret flying home was that’s more for a closer field goal. That’s more for a gimme than a 60-yard attempt, and that’s on me.”
Shrader nailed the 45-yard do-over to send Denver to another loss like the one last year at Kansas City when Lutz’s chip-shot attempt was blocked with no time remaining, allowing the Chiefs to escape with an improbable win after several Chiefs bowled over Broncos lineman Alex Forsyth.
Just like last year with Forsyth, Payton is making sure Tillman doesn’t take all the flack.
His teammates had his back after the game.
“He doesn’t have to be worried about it,” Nik Bonitto said. “I mean, at the end of the day, we’re all human. Everybody makes mistakes. He thought what he was trying to do was to make a play for the team, help us win the game. And if they call the flag, I mean, he had the right intent. It’s not like he went out there trying to lose the game.
“At the end of the day, it is what it is. They call what they call. We’ve got to move on.”
And clean things up, not only on special teams, either.
The offense sputtered with a chance to take control, committing a costly penalty and a turnover late in the game. The defense didn’t get its usual pressure and star cornerback Patrick Surtain II got way more work than usual as the Colts didn’t shy away from him like most teams do.
“There’s no way we should have lost that game,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “We had probably six or seven opportunities in the second half to end it, and we didn’t. Coach said it best right after the game — you’ve got to learn to win. But, in order to do that, you’ve got to stop losing, and we gave that game away.”
What’s working
Red zone efficiency. The Broncos scored touchdowns on all three of their trips inside the Colts’ 20-yard line.
What needs help
Finishing. The Broncos came up empty on their final three drives with golden opportunities to extend their lead and ice the win.
Stock up
Troy Franklin continues his rise as the Broncos’ No. 2 wide receiver with eight catches in nine targets for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Stock down
Special teams, for the second straight week. No matter who’s to blame, this unit needs to clean things up for the Broncos to bounce back and have the fast September start Payton has been preaching.
Injuries
Nothing significant, but getting ILB Dre Greenlaw back from a troublesome quad injury would certainly help.
Key number
1—Sack by Denver, which had a half-dozen sacks in the opener. This one came on a blitz from inside linebacker Justin Strnad.
Next steps
The Broncos visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
NO BAD WINS IN THE NFL? THE CARDINALS TESTED THAT THEORY IN A SHAKY VICTORY OVER THE PANTHERS
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — For a team that has a 2-0 record for the first time since 2021, the mood feels a little glum around the Arizona Cardinals.
Yes, the Cardinals won their second game of the season on Sunday by beating the Carolina Panthers 27-22, but that was after blowing most of a 27-3 lead. Also, the team’s group of young, promising cornerbacks was decimated during the contest, with Max Melton (knee), Garrett Williams (knee) and Will Johnson (groin) all leaving with injuries.
There’s a maxim in sports that no one is going to complain after a win.
The Cardinals are testing that theory.
“I don’t want to take their joy away and I’m glad we’re 2-0,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said on Sunday. “But we have a long way to go.”
Gannon had a slightly cheerier outlook 24 hours later.
“The positive that I feel better about today about than I did last night, honestly, is that it’s all correctable,” Gannon said Monday. “I told the team, I appreciate their effort. It’s not for a lack of trying, it’s not our energy, it’s not our mode of play, it’s not those things.
“It’s coaching and playing a little better.”
Arizona’s lack of late-game execution against Carolina was alarming, considering the same thing happened in Week 1 when the Cardinals had to hang on late in a 20-13 win over the Saints.
“Could always be worse, right?,” quarterback Kyler Murray said. “We could be 0-2, but we’re 2-0 with this issue. I don’t want to make it a thing, but at the same time, we have to finish games. That’s the bottom line.”
What’s working
The Cardinals continue to get big-time production from their tight ends. Trey McBride is one of the NFL’s elite and had six catches for 78 yards against the Panthers. Backup Elijah Higgins also had a couple of nice grabs, catching two balls for 45 yards.
A third tight end, Tip Reiman, missed Sunday’s game with a foot injury but has turned into an integral piece of the run game. The team hopes he’ll return soon.
What needs help
The Cardinals have been one of the NFL’s top rushing teams over the past two years, but haven’t been as effective this season. Arizona had just 82 yards rushing against the Panthers, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Starting center Hjalte Froholdt agreed that the run game hasn’t been up to its standard.
Froholdt said Arizona has gained the reputation for being a good rushing team and defenses are paying attention.
“Small details,” Froholdt said. “They had a good game plan against us. They did some stuff we didn’t expect, and you’ve got to make adjustments. I think we played hard. There’s just a couple small things.”
Stock up
Josh Sweat. The edge rusher made his first signature play with the Cardinals, a strip-sack of Carolina’s Bryce Young that led to a defensive touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Those kinds of plays are exactly why Arizona gave Sweat a $76.4 million, four-year deal during the offseason.
Stock down
Marvin Harrison Jr. The second-year receiver had a quiet afternoon against the Panthers with two catches for 27 yards. He was targeted five times. The Cardinals are hoping the No. 4 overall pick in 2024 can make a leap into stardom in Year 2 after an up-and-down rookie year, but his inconsistent production continues.
Injuries
The Cardinals’ cornerbacks were hit hard by injuries. It’s unclear how much time Melton, Williams and Johnson will miss, but there’s a chance that the group — which looked like a strength in the first game — has suddenly turned into a weakness.
Key number
112 1/2 — The number of career sacks for Calais Campbell, who had two against the Panthers, including one with 26 seconds left that put the game away. The 39-year-old Campbell is still making a big impact in his 18th NFL season. The six-time Pro Bowl selection has the 37th most sacks in NFL history.
Next steps
The Cardinals visit the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
THE 49ERS HAVE RELIED ON THEIR DEFENSE TO CLOSE OUT GAMES IN A 2-0 START
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — With a game on the line, the San Francisco defense delivered once again, providing a refreshing turnaround from last season’s late-game struggles.
Offseason acquisition Bryce Huff delivered a game-sealing strip-sack with less than a minute to play to close out a 26-21 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Huff delivered a week after Nick Bosa’s strip-sack in the red zone sealed a 17-13 win over Seattle in Week 1, and the Niners (2-0) are off to a strong start after tying for the league high with three blown leads in the final three minutes during last season’s 6-11 campaign.
“Just feels a lot better,” Bosa said. “In the past, seems like we would find a way to lose. Two games like this, dogfights to start the year, and just closing it on defense, there’s no better feeling.”
The 49ers have opened the season with back-to-back wins for the fourth time in the last six seasons, with the other three leading to long playoff runs.
They have managed to do that despite a string of injuries, including a toe injury that sidelined quarterback Brock Purdy on Sunday. Mac Jones threw three TD passes in his place and San Francisco became the first team since Minnesota in 2016 to open a season 2-0 with two starting quarterbacks.
San Francisco also lost star tight end George Kittle in the opener to a hamstring injury and is playing at least the first four games of the season without No. 1 receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is recovering from knee surgery.
Despite all of that, the Niners have still been able to bank two wins that could prove crucial later in the season.
“Obviously, we were down a lot of guys and had some adversity come up,” running back Christian McCaffrey said. “To close that game out the way that we did was awesome. There’s always room for improvement. Overall, the win column, being 2-0 right now is awesome.”
What’s working
Passing offense. The San Francisco passing game was sharp even without the injured Purdy, Kittle and Aiyuk. Jones looked like the player he was as a rookie in New England in 2021, completing 26 of 39 passes for 279 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. The one glaring mistake came when he held onto the ball too long on a strip-sack in the third quarter.
What needs help
Pass defense. Spencer Rattler was able to carve up the 49ers’ young secondary at times, completing 25 of 34 passes for 207 yards and 3 TDs. The situation could have been even worse except for two dropped passes by Juwan Johnson and a miscommunication between Rattler and Chris Olave that turned a sure touchdown on the Saints’ first drive into an incompletion.
Stock up
Fred Warner and Dee Winters. The 49ers linebackers have fueled the defense, with Winters doing a great job replacing the energy that was missing when Dre Greenlaw missed most of last season. Warner forced a fumble by Alvin Kamara and recovered it to thwart a second-half drive and finished with 11 tackles and a pass defensed. Winters had eight tackles and allowed only 21 yards receiving on five targets, according to Pro Football Focus.
Stock down
Depth receivers. The Niners added three receivers since the final week of training camp but haven’t gotten major contributions from any of them. Kendrick Bourne had three catches for 32 yards on Sunday in his first game, Marquez Valdes-Scantling has no catches and one target this season, and Skyy Moore has played only five offensive snaps and hasn’t gotten a target.
Injuries
LG Ben Bartch has a high ankle sprain and will be out for a while. … FB Kyle Juszcyzk and DB Siran Neal are both in the concussion protocol with coach Kyle Shanahan saying Neal had symptoms on Monday. … WR Jauan Jennings (ankle) and OL Spencer Burford (knee) will be evaluated this week.
Key stat
3 — Jones threw all three of his TD passes on third down, going 7 for 10 for 121 yards. He’s the first San Francisco QB to throw at least three TD passes on third down since Jimmy Garoppolo did it on Oct. 31, 2019, at Arizona.
Next steps
The 49ers will take on Arizona in their home opener on Sunday in search of their ninth 3-0 start in the Super Bowl era.
THE RAMS’ NEW RECEIVING DUO IS ALREADY POSTING PROLIFIC NUMBERS FOR AN UNBEATEN TEAM
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Davante Adams caught a touchdown pass during a 106-yard receiving performance, while Puka Nacua racked up eight catches and also rushed for a long score during a solid win for the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams (2-0) are already getting what they hoped to see this season from their dynamic receiving duo after just two games together.
The Rams beat the Tennessee Titans 33-19 with a resilient, effective effort from their revamped passing game. Matthew Stafford already looks comfortable throwing to Adams, and that hasn’t stopped Nacua from beginning another prolific season with an NFL-best 18 catches.
“They complement each other really well, (and) the cool thing is they cheer for each other,” said Stafford, who targeted the duo with 22 of 32 passes in Nashville.
“Nobody’s more excited when (Adams) scores a touchdown than Puka, and vice versa. So it’s just awesome to have two talented guys that complement each other so well out there.”
Nacua and Cooper Kupp had a strong partnership with Stafford for the past two seasons, but Kupp’s inability to stay healthy and his huge contract prompted the Rams to move on from the Super Bowl 56 MVP. They landed Adams as a replacement, and the 32-year-old has 10 catches for 157 yards and that TD in his first two games.
Nobody around the Rams thinks it’s important to identify a No. 1 receiver.
In Sean McVay’s offense, there are usually plenty of passes to go around.
“They’re two great players, and (with) their different skill sets, there’s a different way that they figure out how to separate, work edges,” McVay said Monday. “But ultimately as receivers, they get open, they catch the ball, and they can create after the catch, and that’s a big deal for us. … They’re complementary, but they’re both great players, and we can use them. It’s no different than two great runners where their skill sets complement one another.”
Adams had only 51 yards receiving in his Rams debut against Houston, but he impacted the game by occupying star Texans cornerback Derek Stingley, freeing up his teammates to make big plays in LA’s win.
Nacua racked up 130 yards against Houston, and he got 91 more against Tennessee along with a 45-yard TD jet sweep, giving him 267 total yards in just two games.
What’s working
The Rams’ defense remained impressive. LA has allowed three touchdowns in its past six regular-season games going back to last season’s late surge, and it overcame a midgame injury to CB Ahkello Witherspoon to continue shutting down Cam Ward and the Tennessee offense. Los Angeles is fourth in the NFL with 258.5 yards per game allowed so far.
What needs help
The running game got a statistical boost from Nacua’s TD run on fourth down on the opening series, but the Rams again struggled for series-to-series consistency on the ground. Kyren Williams needed a 15-yard carry and a 12-yard carry on the final series in Nashville just to finish with 66 yards rushing for the second straight game. The rushing attack also started slowly last season before picking up steam down the stretch.
Stock up
Byron Young is breaking out as an elite pass rusher with two strong games. He sacked Ward twice, including one that forced a fumble, and was constantly in the Titans’ backfield.
Stock down
The special teams units had a mediocre day. LA gave up a 57-yard TD punt return that was negated by a fortunate flag for an illegal blindside block. The Titans then blocked a late extra-point attempt, and only rookie Terrance Ferguson’s downfield hustle prevented it from being returned for two points.
Injuries
Witherspoon went on injured reserve with a broken collarbone, and he’ll be out for three months or more. Well-paid veteran Darious Williams filled in for Witherspoon in Tennessee after not getting a single snap in the season opener. The Rams will also bring in another defensive back, McVay said. … DL Braden Fiske didn’t play much in Tennessee after tweaking an oblique muscle in pregame warmups, and the Rams will monitor him this week.
Key number
Both receivers hit statistical milestones in Tennessee. Adams topped 12,000 yards receiving, while Nacua joined Odell Beckham Jr. as the only players in the past 55 years with more than 200 receptions in their first 30 games.
Next steps
A trip to Philadelphia to face the defending champion Eagles, who beat the Rams in the regular season and then eliminated them from the playoffs last season. It’s an early measuring stick on a schedule full of long, portentous road trips for LA.
BEN JOHNSON FACING CHALLENGES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL IN HIS FIRST YEAR AS BEARS COACH
CHICAGO (AP) — Ben Johnson’s return to Detroit turned into a nightmare for the Chicago Bears and their new coach.
A day after getting embarrassed 52-21 by the Lions, the Bears insisted Monday they can get themselves pointed in the right direction after two gut-punch losses to start the season.
“Go back to work, man, that’s what we have to do,” running back D’Andre Swift said. “Nobody’s walking around with their head down or anything like that.”
The Bears (0-2) have little reason to hold their heads high at the moment. After blowing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter of their opener against Minnesota at Soldier Field, they got embarrassed at Detroit.
Quarterback Caleb Williams cooled off after a strong start, and the offense went from scoring on its first drive for the second straight week to going nowhere. The defense got blown away by Jared Goff and the Lions, giving up more than 500 yards and nearly setting a franchise record for points allowed.
“We came into the game with a plan in how we want to contain these explosive athletes and we just didn’t do a good enough job at the end of the day,” said Johnson, who was hired by the Bears after a successful stint as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. “I think it starts with how we play, less so about the scheme or anything like that. But our play style really needs to stand out in a more positive fashion going forward.”
The Bears might have had a worse day in Detroit than they did on Thanksgiving last year, when former coach Matt Eberflus froze rather than call a timeout in the closing seconds. Chicago fired him the next day, the first time the founding NFL franchise let a coach go during a season.
The Bears will see Eberflus for the first time since then when they host Dallas on Sunday. He is the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
What’s working
The Bears involved their running backs more after getting little from them against Minnesota last week. Swift — the only running back to carry the ball in the opener — ran for 63 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts. Rookie Kyle Monangai had seven carries for 28 yards. Chicago had 134 yards rushing in all after finishing with 119 in the opener.
What needs help
The Bears have allowed 73 points over the past five quarters. The 52 points allowed against Detroit were three shy of the franchise record and the most since they were beaten 55-14 by Green Bay in Week 10 of the 2014 season. And now, Chicago could be without two-time Pro Bowl CB Jaylon Johnson (groin) and LB T.J. Edwards (hamstring).
Stock up
WR Rome Odunze. The second-year pro set career highs with seven receptions for 128 yards and matched one with two touchdowns. He is tied with Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown for the league lead with three TD catches after hauling in three in 17 games as a rookie.
Stock down
Williams. The Bears are counting on Williams to take big strides in his second season. So far, it’s looking like more of the same for last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick. Williams finished 19 of 30 for 207 yards with the two TDs to Odunze and was sacked four times. Williams completed 9 of 11 passes with a score in the first quarter, only to fade after a strong start for the second week in a row.
Injuries
The Bears were still evaluating Jaylon Johnson after he was hurt breaking up a pass intended for St. Brown early in the second quarter. Ben Johnson had no details on how much time he might miss, though he did say it’s a different groin injury than the one that caused him to miss training camp, the preseason and season opener. … Ben Johnson said Edwards and CB Kyler Gordon (hamstring) are week to week.
Key number
20 — The Bears committed eight penalties for 50 yards against Detroit, giving them 20 for 177 yards through two games. They’re tied for third in penalties and are third in the league in penalty yards.
Next steps
The Bears host Dak Prescott and the Cowboys on Sunday. Dallas bounced back from a wild loss to Philadelphia by beating the New York Giants in overtime, with Brandon Aubrey nailing a 64-yard field goal on the final play of regulation and then kicking a 46-yarder as time expired in OT.
LAMAR JACKSON IS NOW THE NFL’S CAREER LEADER IN PASSER RATING. RAVENS NEEDED HIS ARM VS. BROWNS
BALTIMORE (AP) — Never before had Baltimore’s running game been stopped like this with Lamar Jackson at quarterback.
In the end, the Ravens still had more than 40 points.
After a slow start against Cleveland on Sunday, Jackson finished with four touchdown passes, and the Ravens rolled to a 41-17 victory over the Browns. Cleveland held Derrick Henry to only 23 yards rushing, and Jackson himself didn’t do much running either. But the two-time MVP quarterback showed he can produce with his arm — even when nothing else is working.
He also avoided the big mistake, which was clearly a point of emphasis for the Ravens after they squandered a 15-point lead in a 41-40 loss at Buffalo the previous week.
“We can’t take back what happened last week,” Jackson said Sunday. “We have to move forward.”
Baltimore led 10-3 at halftime against Cleveland, but coach John Harbaugh said some of the biggest offensive drives of the game came before that. The Ravens started at their 11, 9 and 4 on three of their first-half possessions. They didn’t score on any of those, but they also didn’t give Cleveland’s defense a game-changing turnover.
“Our offense was backed up three times in the first half, all the way back inside the 10, even inside the 5-yard line and didn’t cave to that high-pressure defense,” Harbaugh said. “I think that’s probably the winning key to the game, especially offensively. You just keep pushing. You don’t make mistakes.”
Baltimore’s offense doesn’t deserve all the credit for the team’s scoring output. The Ravens scored a defensive touchdown and also had a blocked punt and a long interception return. Baltimore took advantage of those short fields.
At 102.6, Jackson is now the NFL’s career leader in passer rating, having inched ahead of Aaron Rodgers by a fraction of a point. After throwing for 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions last season, Jackson has six TD passes and no turnovers through Week 2 in 2025.
What’s working
Jackson is spreading the ball around to quite a variety of receivers. Tylan Wallace caught his second career touchdown pass, and Tez Walker caught his second and third TDs. Veteran newcomer DeAndre Hopkins has a TD catch in each of the first two weeks.
Zay Flowers and Rashod Batemen still received the most snaps among the wideouts, but Wallace, Walker and Hopkins combined for 51, and Jackson appears to trust them.
What needs work
Cleveland certainly had some success controlling the line of scrimmage on defense. That’s not usually an area of weakness for the Baltimore offense, but it’s something to keep in mind given the Ravens will have to face the Browns again.
Baltimore’s 45 yards rushing was the team’s fewest in a game with Jackson at quarterback.
“I would say they were quote-unquote ‘blitzing the run.’ It wasn’t a blitz call, but it’s a blitz reaction to the run, and those guys were coming downhill immediately,” Harbaugh said. “They were all close to the line of scrimmage to start with. That was the plan for them — make sure that the Ravens don’t run the ball. … That’s smart football, and they had success with that part of it.”
Stock up
The defense as a whole took a step forward after allowing 41 points to Buffalo. Linebacker Roquan Smith was a force, finishing with three tackles for loss and scoring on a 63-yard fumble return.
Stock down
With so many receivers now part of the offense, tight end Mark Andrews has only two catches through the first two games. He was unable to hold onto a pass in the end zone Sunday.
Injuries
LB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) and CB Marlon Humphrey (groin) went down with injuries against the Browns. Neither is expected to be out for the season, but Baltimore’s defense could be affected in the short term.
FB Patrick Ricard (calf) still hasn’t played this season.
“Pat is more disappointed than anybody that it hasn’t gotten there faster than what was expected when he first did it. So yes, it’s been slower than we hoped, that’s for sure,” Harbaugh said. “We’re kind of in that, I’d say probably week-to-week mode with Pat right now.”
Key stat
Jackson became the seventh quarterback in NFL history with at least 2 TD passes and a passer rating of 90 or higher in 10 consecutive games, including postseason. The others are Rodgers (14), Philip Rivers (13), Peyton Manning (13), Tom Brady (12), Patrick Mahomes (11) and Drew Brees (10).
Up next
The Ravens host Detroit on Monday night.
GIANTS SCORE MORE, BUT THEY ARE 0-2 GOING INTO THEIR HOME OPENER AGAINST THE CHIEFS
By midway through the second quarter Sunday, the New York Giants more than doubled their point total from their season-opening loss, and they finished with 37.
The problem? They allowed Dallas to score 40, blowing a late lead and losing in overtime.
Even though they looked like an entirely different team, from Russell Wilson down, an ill-timed interception marred an otherwise strong performance by the veteran quarterback and a series of mistakes on either side of the ball contributed to falling to 0-2.
“It’s never going to come down to one play,” coach Brian Daboll said Monday. “Not one player, not one side — it goes back to the team. We collectively had opportunities and fell short as a collective unit.”
Wilson threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns — after he and the offense scored none in Week 1 at Washington. His final pass was picked off with two minutes left in OT, setting the stage for Brandon Aubrey’s buzzer-beating 46-yard field goal to win it for the Cowboys.
Before that, New York’s defense let Dallas go a mere 21 yards in the final seconds of regulation to get Aubrey in range for the tying kick.
“It’s on us to really emphasize the details a little bit more,” said Jevon Holland, who along with fellow safety Tyler Nubin and cornerback Paulson Adebo played all 89 snaps on defense. “We left a lot on the table, especially as a defense. We had opportunities to close out the games.”
Patrick Mahomes and the also-winless Kansas City Chiefs are up next on Sunday night in the home opener.
What’s working
The offense put up 506 yards, including 45 on 11 carries from rookie running back Cam Skattebo. Jaxson Dart lost a few on his first NFL snap, but his teammates more than made up for that.
“It was just the explosiveness,” receiver Wan’Dale Robinson said. “At the end of the day, for plays to work, usually all 11 have to be working together and doing the right thing.”
What needs help
The red zone continues to be an area of concern. The Giants went 1 for 5, with Graham Gano kicking three field goals.
“It really just comes down to execution, negative plays, penalties, things like that,” Robinson said. “Just got to clean those things up and just be better down there.”
Stock up
Malik Nabers wasn’t the only receiver making a major impact. Robinson had eight catches for a career-high 142 yards and a TD.
“Just waiting for my opportunity to showcase (myself and) yesterday was that day,” Robinson said. “From the moment that Russ got here, he was like, ‘Dude, I know you can get down the field. I’ve seen it.’”
Nabers’ stock can’t get much higher, but he dazzled again with nine catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
Stock down
James Hudson, who has been starting at left tackle in Andrew Thomas’ absence, got benched after committing four penalties on 16 snaps. Rookie Marcus Mbow, a fifth-round pick out of Purdue, took over and could get the nod moving forward if Thomas is not ready to play for the first time since right foot surgery last October.
Injuries
Daboll had no updates Monday on guard Jon Runyan Jr. (back) or linebacker Darius Muasau, who left the Cowboys game because of a concussion. Thomas continues to rehab from foot surgery.
Key number
160 — Penalty yards against the Cowboys, the franchise’s most since 175 on Oct. 19, 1947, against the Boston Yanks.
What’s next
The Giants opened as 6-point underdogs on BetMGM Sportsbook against the Chiefs, who are coming off losing 20-17 at home to reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
PATRIOTS COACH MIKE VRABEL BELIEVES WIN OVER DOLPHINS CAN BE BLUEPRINT FOR REST OF SEASON
The New England Patriots got the bounce-back Week 2 win they were hoping for on Sunday.
It took responding to a 74-yard Miami punt return for a touchdown with a 90-yard kickoff return for a score, followed by a late defensive stand to secure it.
It’s exactly the kind of victory that Patriots coach Mike Vrabel wants to see his team emulate going forward: a group that finds a way to win games.
“It just takes one play,” Vrabel said of earning his first victory as Patriots coach. “I felt like we were willing to get into a street fight. We had a little lull, and we didn’t pack it up and quit.”
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for New England in Miami.
Quarterback Drake Maye said just as significant was winning a game decided by single digits. Last season the Patriots were just 3-6 in one-score games.
“That’s this league,” Maye said. “It’s close games, and you’ve got to come out in one-score games. You’ve got to come out on top.”
The win capped a game where Maye had three touchdowns — two passing and one rushing — while completing 19 of his 23 passing attempts.
What’s working
The offensive line did a much better job controlling the line of scrimmage. In New England’s Week 1 loss to Las Vegas the Patriots O-line allowed four sacks and 15 pressures, while struggling to open run lanes for an offense that managed only 4.9 yards per play. This week, the Patriots O-line allowed three sacks, but only two pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. For the game New England’s offense gained 6.1 yards per play.
What needs help
The Patriots were whistled for 12 penalties, costing 75 yards on Sunday. That’s up for Week 1 when they had eight penalties for 70 yards.
Stock up
Antonio Gibson. The Dolphins took a 27-23 lead midway through the fourth quarter after Malik Washington returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown. But Gibson’s ensuing 90-yard kick return for a TD put New England in front for good.
Stock down
Rookie kicker Andy Borregales. He missed each of his first two extra point attempts Sunday. The Patriots got some of the points back with a 2-point conversion in the third quarter. Borregales did go 2 for 2 on field-goal attempts, including a 53-yarder late in the fourth quarter to increase the lead to six points. But his extra point issues came a week after he missed a 40-yard field-goal attempt in New England’s season-opening loss to Las Vegas.
Vrabel said there’s been no discussion of making a change.
Injuries
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez missed his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Vrabel said there’s a chance he could play this week, adding he’s continuing to improve.
“It’s a chance. There’s a chance that a lot of things could happen,” Vrabel said. “We’ll see what he can do and have him do what he can do.”
Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams took a leave of absence from the team last week for an undisclosed health issue. Vrabel said Williams “will be around” this week.
“I don’t quite fully know in what capacity, but he will be around and involved,” Vrabel said. “So we’ll continue to just make sure that there’s a good place for everything that happens.”
Key number
3 of 4 — The Patriots’ success rate inside the red zone. They were just 1 of 3 in their Week 1 loss.
Next steps
New England hosts the Steelers (1-1) and 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh is coming off a loss to Seattle.
DOLPHINS PLAYERS BACK COACH MIKE MCDANIEL AS HE FACES MOUNTING PRESSURE AMID 0-2 START
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mike McDaniel knows the weight of Miami’s 0-2 start ultimately rests on his shoulders.
The Dolphins coach hasn’t shied away from that reality, nor has he dismissed the frustration building among fans. Boos echoed through Hard Rock Stadium during Sunday’s 33-27 loss to the Patriots, and a banner plane circled overhead, calling for his firing.
Even at what feels like a low point in his four-year tenure, McDaniel insisted he isn’t concerned about losing his job.
“I think if I worry about my job security, I won’t be doing my job,” McDaniel said. “And I think that inherently is against all things that I believe in. I’ve never felt entitled to this position, and it’s very important for me to spend all of my waking hours worrying about exactly how to do my job, and all the residual effects of that are there’s a lot of people affected.”
The Dolphins have appeared disjointed and confused at times this season, from operational miscues to breakdowns and missed assignments — things that both players and coaches have said were perfected in practice.
Still, McDaniel said he feels the team has remained connected, and he added that players have been receptive to his coaching.
“I think if there was anything that would lend me to believe that messages weren’t being received, then you address those things,” he said. “To me, I think I’ve seen a team that is trying to do everything they can to win and coming up short and pressing forward and trying to change that result.”
Dolphins players expressed confidence in their coach despite the mounting pressure.
Linebacker Chop Robinson, who lamented a defense that hasn’t been able to stop the run this season, said part of the blame should fall on the players for their lack of execution.
“At the end of the day, it’s not him out there on the field,” Robinson said. “It’s us out there playing the game, making the mistakes on the field and stuff like that. So at the end of the day, it may look bad for him, but it’s really on us. We’ve got to get it better.”
Added left tackle Patrick Paul: “He’s a players’ coach who believes in his players. He inspires us and speaks confidence into us and makes us go out there with a sense of urgency and confidence through the technique that all these coaches that he’s brought in for us. We love him.”
What’s working
There were blunders on offense, defense and special teams for the second straight week that make it hard to determine what’s working well for the Dolphins. But Tua Tagovailoa was able to get the ball to his top two receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, more successfully than in Week 1. Hill caught six passes for 109 yards. Waddle had five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.
What needs help
The Dolphins had multiple chances to take the lead on their final two possessions, but their late-game operation was sloppy. On those two drives, they committed two false starts and two delay-of-game penalties, surrendered three sacks and watched Tagovailoa throw an interception.
Confusion with substitutions added to the chaos, leaving the play clock winding down before Tagovailoa’s fourth-down interception on the penultimate drive. Afterward, McDaniel acknowledged the breakdowns and said the coaching staff has discussed ways to improve in-game communication.
Stock up
Malik Washington. After turning heads in the preseason, the second-year receiver has had a strong start as a returner. Washington returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown, giving the Dolphins a 27-23 fourth-quarter lead that they gave away on the next play, a kickoff return for a TD.
Stock down
Tight ends. Darren Waller, Miami’s big offseason addition who was supposed to replace the production of Jonnu Smith, has not played yet because of a hip strain. The Dolphins’ other two tight ends, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner, were on the field for about 50% of Miami’s offensive snaps on Sunday, but neither recorded a catch. Conner, who had two catches in Week 1, is the only Dolphins tight end with a reception this season.
Injuries
Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu suffered a calf injury. McDaniel said the team is still figuring out his availability on a short week. Robinson left on Sunday with a knee injury but said Monday that he’s fine. Waller’s Week 3 status isn’t known.
Key number
8 — The number of turnovers Tagovailoa has committed in his last four starts, including three interceptions and a fumble in two games this season.
Next steps
Asked how he stays sane as people call for his job, McDaniel had one word.
“Buffalo,” he said, referring to Thursday night’s matchup with the host Bills. The Dolphins have only beat Buffalo twice in their last 17 meetings.
EAGLES LAY DOWN THE SMACK TALK AND SILENCE TUSH-PUSH DOUBTERS ON WAY TO UNDEFEATED START
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts caught some smack talk from Kansas City’s Chris Jones in the waning seconds of another Eagles’ win — and second straight over the Chiefs, counting the Super Bowl — and essentially summed up his response in one word.
Scoreboard.
Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley and the rest of the offense helped Philadelphia move to 2-0 with another win where big plays and big stats have vanished from the game.
Jones, the star defensive lineman perhaps frustrated by Kansas City’s 0-2 start, was caught popping off at Hurts on the TV broadcast hot mic. Jones shouted at Hurts that the QB “didn’t even have 100 yards,” as the Eagles secured a 20-17 victory that was fueled more by their stingy and opportunistic defense.
Hurts barked back that the Super Bowl champion Eagles won the game and told Jones to shut up.
Well, with a few choice words tossed in the response.
Hurts was right. The Eagles won again, even though Hurts has only 253 yards passing and no touchdowns, Barkley has only 148 yards rushing and receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have a combined 13 receptions through the first two games.
“At times, it hasn’t looked pretty altogether, but we’ve found a way to win,” coach Nick Sirianni said Monday. “By no means are we a finished product.”
The Eagles already knocked off one postseason team from last season. On deck, an NFC postseason rematch Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams that should be played under a sunny sky rather than a snowstorm that hit Lincoln Financial Field in January.
What’s working
Love it or loathe it, the tush push is (mostly) unstoppable.
Hurts scored a touchdown on a tush push and the Eagles used the play seven times to help hand the Chiefs their first three-game losing streak with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and send them to their first 0-2 start since 2014.
“I think it always comes down to those guys up front and Jalen had a lot of success with that play,” Sirianni said. “We’ll continue to use it to our advantage.”
The NFL tried to ban to the tush push following a proposal from the Green Bay Packers in the offseason but fell two votes short of eliminating it.
“We know that we have to be perfect with it. With how we come off the football, timing it up, all those different things, because again, we know we have to be perfect with it,” Sirianni said.
What needs help
Hurts held on to the ball, handled pressure and thrived in the tush push.
Yet, he threw for just 101 yards and former 1,000-yard receivers in Brown and Smith seemingly have been nonfactors — especially as the Eagles try to stretch the ball — leading to Philly scrapping out wins instead of the blowouts that dotted last season’s schedule.
“We have to be more explosive,” Sirianni said Monday. “The players always have to go out and execute and I trust our players fully. You’re always looking to win the explosive play battle. The last two weeks, we haven’t won it. But we’ve protected the football.”
Stock up
Jalen Carter — Carter did not receive any more game punishment beyond his ejection in the season opener before a defensive snap for spitting on a player. Carter was on the field for the first defensive snap against the Chiefs and made it through the rest of the game without incident. Carter was fined $57,222 for the spitting infraction, the equivalent of his game check for Week 1 because the NFL considered the punishment a one-game suspension with time served.
“To me, I’m a week behind with everybody in the league,” Carter said. “I’ve got some catching up to do.”
Stock down
Grant Calcaterra — The Eagles are winning without Brown or Smith or Barkley lighting up the stat sheet. So with tight end Dallas Goedert out with a sprained knee, the Eagles turned to Calcaterra. He had just one catch for six yards.
“The production wasn’t as high as maybe when Dallas is in the game,” Sirianni said.
Injuries
DT Jordan Davis limped off in the second half but returned to the game.
Key number
The Eagles are 18-1 over their last 19 games (including playoffs), which marks the most wins over any 19-game stretch in franchise history.
Next steps
Is this week’s game against the Rams where Barkley breaks out? He has just 148 yards rushing through two games, far off his 2,000-yard pace from a year ago. Against the Rams in last season’s playoffs, Barkley had touchdown runs of 78 and 62 yards and finished with 205 yards rushing in a 28-22 win at the Linc.
