MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-2) BUFFALO BILLS (2-0)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: MIA leads series, 61-56-1 (BUF won 12 of past 13)
Postseason: BUF leads series, 4-1 (Home team won past 3)
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/3/24: MIA 27 at BUF 30
Postseason: AFC-WC 1/15/23: MIA 31 at BUF 34
DOLPHINS NOTES:
QB TUA TAGOVAILOA completed 26 of 32 atts. (81.3 pct.) for 315 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT with 115.5 rating last week, 4th-career game with 80+ comp. pct. & 300+ pass yards, tied 3rd-most among active players. Has 70+ comp. pct. in 4 of his past 5 road starts. Completed 25 of 28 ats. (89.3 pct.) for 231 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 124.9 rating in last meeting. Aims for his 5th in row vs. division with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating. • RB DE’VON ACHANE led team with 122 scrimmage yards (career-high 92 rec., 30 rush) & had TD catch last week. Is 1 of 2 RBs (Chuba Hubbard) with rec. TD in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Aims for his 4th in row with 75+ scrimmage yards & TD. Has 467 scrimmage yards (116.8 per game) & 6 TDs (4 rush, 2 rec.) in 4 career games vs. Buf. Has TD catch in each of 2 career Thursday games. • WR TYREEK HILL had 6 catches for 109 yards in Week 2, 37th-career 100- yard game, 5th-most among active WRs. Had 80 rec. yards in last meeting & has 55+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 vs. Buf. Has 905 rec. yards (90.5 per game) & 7 rec. TDs in 10 career Thursday games. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE had 5 catches for 68 yards & 1st TD of season last week. Had TD catch in last meeting. • WR NICK WESTBROOK-IKHINE had TD catch in his last game vs. Buf. (10/20/24 w/ Ten.). • LB BRADLEY CHUBB is 1 of 6 LBs with sack in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Has 7 sacks & 2 FFs in 3 career Thursday games, with 2+ sacks in each game. • LB JORDYN BROOKS had 8 tackles & 1st sack of season last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 8+ tackles & TFL. Has TFL in 10 of his past 11. • LB CHOP ROBINSON had 1st sack of season in Week 2. Had sack in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Buf. with TFL. • LB TYREL DODSON led team with 9 tackles last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 9+ tackles. Had 7 tackles in his last game vs. Buf. (10/27/24 w/ Sea.). • S MINKAH FITZPATRICK aims for 3rd in row with 7+ tackles.
BILLS NOTES:
BILLS can begin 3-0 for 2nd-consecutive season & 4th time under HC Sean McDermott. Lead NFL with 450 yards/game & rank 2nd with 35.5 points/game. Have won 12 straight reg. season home games, 2nd-longest streak in Buf. history. • QB JOSH ALLEN totaled 207 yards (148 pass, 59 rush) with 0 INTs last week. Has 0 INTs in 10 of his past 11 starts, incl. playoffs. Has 2+ TD passes in 14 of 15 career starts vs. Mia., with 90+ rating in each of past 8, incl. playoffs. Is 7-0 with 107.4 rating in 7 career starts on Thursday. • RB JAMES COOK rushed for 132 yards & 2 TDs last week, 5th game with 2+ rush TDs since 2024, tied-most in NFL. Is only player in NFL with 100+ scrimmage yards & rush TD in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Has rush TD in 6 straight reg. season games, 2nd-longest active streak in NFL. Has 6 TDs (5 rush, 1 rec.) in his past 5 in primetime. Tied for NFL lead with 3 rush TDs in 2025. • WR JOSHUA PALMER led team with 47 rec. yards in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with 40+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 on Thursday. • WR KEON COLEMAN aims for his 3rd in row at home in reg. season with rec. TD. • WR ELIJAH MOORE had 2nd-career rush TD last week. • TE DALTON KINCAID has 4 catches in 4 of past 5. • DE JOEY BOSA had career-high 2 FFs & sack last week, only player with 2 FFs in a game this season & only player with FF in each of 1st 2 weeks. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 on Thursday. • DE GREG ROUSSEAU had PD & half sack last week. Aims for his 4th in row in reg. season with PD. Had 3 TFL & sack in last meeting & aims for his 5th in row vs. Mia. with TFL. • DT ED OLIVER aims for 3rd in row at home in reg. season with sack. Has sack in 3 of his past 4 on Thursday. • DT DAQUAN JONES had 18th-career sack in Week 2. • S COLE BISHOP had 5 tackles & 1st-career sack last week.
BILLS PRESENT DAUNTING CHALLENGE FOR DOLPHINS ON SHORT WEEK
Week 3 of the NFL season begins with a lopsided division rivalry, something the Buffalo Bills want to continue and the Miami Dolphins hope to rewrite when they face off Thursday in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Bills (2-0) have won six straight meetings with their AFC East counterparts, including a wild-card game after the 2022 season. Josh Allen is 12-2 against Miami in the regular season, his best winning percentage against any opponent he’s faced at least five times.
The winless Dolphins are 1-6 against the Bills under coach Mike McDaniel, whose seat is getting hotter after an ugly start to 2025. The franchise hasn’t won a game in Buffalo since 2016, which predates McDaniel, Allen and most everyone else involved in this week’s game.
“Thursday night games, after a loss, they can be a blessing because you have no time to think about anything else,” McDaniel said. “… I think it’s extremely important that the guys are solely focused as I am on the Bills and nothing else, because that’s all that does matter.”
It was a similar response to one the coach gave Sunday after the Dolphins (0-2) fell to the New England Patriots 33-27 while a plane flew a banner over the stadium calling for his firing. “If I worry about my job security,” McDaniel said then, “I won’t be doing my job.”
Dealing with Buffalo is no small task. The Bills have gained a league-high 450 yards per game and rank second in scoring offense at 35.5 points per game. They followed up a classic 41-40 comeback win over Baltimore by stomping the New York Jets 30-10. Miami’s defense ranks near the bottom of the league in average yards (375.5) and points (33.0) allowed.
While Allen, the reigning NFL MVP, remains the focal point of any scouting report, the Bills have become dangerous on the ground thanks to James Cook. The running back is fourth in the NFL with 176 rushing yards and tied for the league lead with three touchdowns.
Cook has scored a rushing touchdown in six straight games dating to last year, one shy of O.J. Simpson’s team record.
“He’s an absolute stud,” Allen said of Cook, before referencing the running back’s contract hold-in over the summer. “I’m just very proud of how he handled everything this offseason and didn’t let it become a distraction, because he’s looking as good as he ever has.”
Allen got his nose bloodied by a vicious hit during the Jets game and was knocked out for all of two plays. He plans to wear a visor this week to protect it.
After a 33-8 blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the opener, the Dolphins executed better in Week 2. Tua Tagovailoa went 26-for-32 passing for 315 yards and two touchdowns, leading Miami out of a 12-0 hole to take a 27-23 lead. But he threw a costly fourth-quarter interception between Patriots scoring drives to let the game get away.
Buffalo is plenty familiar with Miami receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane, each of whom had big days in the passing game last week.
“They do a lot of different things. I think Coach McDaniel is one of the better coaches in the league offensively and how he schemes things up,” McDermott said. “It’s hard to defend, explosive. It makes for a big challenge, and especially on a short week.”
Tagovailoa said he’s never been on a team that started 0-2. A loss Thursday would make the Dolphins 0-3 in a 12-day span, a daunting hole. But Tagovailoa compared the situation to 2021, when the Dolphins lost seven straight and responded with a seven-game winning streak.
“You just got to continue to stick to your process, stay even keel, trust the guys, continue to bring those guys along, and you go out there and continue to play,” Tagovailoa said. “Do your job, do the best that you can and the result will take care of itself.”
Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle) and linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) did not practice Monday or Tuesday. Linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring, hand) and defensive backs Cam Lewis (shoulder) and Taron Johnson (quad) have been limited.
For the Dolphins, eight players were limited on Tuesday, including Waddle (shoulder), tight end Darren Waller (hip) and running back Jaylen Wright (knee). Starting center Aaron Brewer is dealing with a hip injury as well, but McDaniel said he is confident Brewer will play.
Cornerback Storm Duck (ankle) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (calf) have not practiced this week.
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ATLANTA FALCONS (1-1) CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2)
Bank of America Stadium | Referee: Craig Wrolstad
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: ATL leads series, 37-23 (Home team has won 4 of past 6)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 1/5/25: CAR 44 at ATL 38 (OT)
Postseason: —
FALCONS NOTES:
QB MICHAEL PENIX aims for his 4th in row with 80+ rating. Has 200+ pass yards in 4 of his 5 career starts. • RB BIJAN ROBINSON had 168 scrimmage yards (143 rush, 25 rec.) in Week 2 & is 1 of 3 RBs (James Cook & Christian McCaffrey) with 100+ scrimmage yards in each of 1st 2 weeks. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 292 scrimmage yards in 2025. Aims for his 4th in row with 100+ scrimmage yards. Had 278 scrimmage yards (139 per game) & 4 rush TDs in 2 games vs. Car. last season. • WR TYLER ALLGEIER rushed for 76 yards & had 11th-career rush TD last week. Rushed for 105 yards & TD in last road meeting (10/13/24) & aims for his 5th in row vs. Car. with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR DRAKE LONDON has 50+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 on road. Had 10 catches for career-high 187 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Car. with TD catch. • TE KYLE PITTS aims for his 4th in row on road with 4+ catches. Had 70 rec. yards in last road meeting (10/13/24). • ED LEONARD FLOYD had 1st sack of season last week. • ED JALON WALKER (rookie) had 1st-career sack in Week 2. • ED JAMES PEARCE (rookie) had 1st-career half sack last week. • DL DAVID ONYEMATA aims for his 3rd in row on road with TFL. • DL ZACH HARRISON had 1.5 sacks & 1st-career FF last week. • DL BRANDON DORLUS had career-high 1.5 sacks in Week 2. • DB BILLY BOWMAN (rookie) had 2 PD & 1st-career INT last week. • LB KADEN ELLISS had 10 tackles in last meeting. • LB DIVINE DEABLO had 2nd-career FR last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S XAVIER WATTS (rookie) had 1st-career INT last week. Is 1 of 3 rookies (Trey Amos & Will Johnson) with PD in each of 1st 2 weeks. • S JESSIE BATES aims for his 5th in row vs. Car. with 5+ tackles.
PANTHERS NOTES:
QB BRYCE YOUNG set career highs in completions (35) & pass yards (328) & had his 3rd-career game with 3 TD passes last week. Has TD pass in 12 straight games, longest active streak among NFC QBs. Has 0 INTs in 4 of his past 5 home starts. Passed for 251 yards & had career-high 5 TDs (3 pass, 2 rush) vs. 0 INTs for career-high 123.5 rating in last meeting. • RB CHUBA HUBBARD had 5 catches, 77 scrimmage yards (39 rec., 38 rush) & rec. TD last week & is 1 of 2 RBs (De’Von Achane) with TD catch in each of 1st 2 weeks. Aims for his 4th in row with TD. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Atl. with 100+ scrimmage yards. • WR TETAIROA MCMILLAN led team with 6 catches for 100 yards last week, 1st. Car. rookie with 5+ catches & 100+ rec. yards since 2018 (DJ Moore). Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches & 65+ rec. yards. • WR HUNTER RENFROW had 7 catches for 48 yards & 2nd-career game with 2 rec. TDs last week. • TE JA’TAVION SANDERS had career-high 7 catches for 54 yards last week. Had 5 catches in last home meeting. • S TRE’VON MOEHRIG is 1 of 3 DBs (Chamarri Conner & Talanoa Hufanga) with 9+ tackles in each of 1st 2 weeks. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM aims for his 3rd in row with 7+ tackles. • LB D.J. WONNUM had TFL & 1st-career INT last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • LB PATRICK JONES had TFL & 1st-career PD in Week 2. • LB PRINCELY UMANMIELEN (rookie) had 1st-career sack last week. • DT DERRICK BROWN had 5th-career game with 2 PD last week, tied 2ndmost among DL since 2020. Has 7 TFL in his past 5 vs. Atl. • DE A’SHAWN ROBINSON had TFL in 3 of his final 4 home games last season. Since 2023, ranks 4th among DL with 149 tackles.
PANTHERS HOPE HOME OPENER VS. FALCONS CAN SPARK SLOW OFFENSIVE START
The Atlanta Falcons are looking at this week’s trip to take on the Carolina Panthers as just as big as other games that might come with a high-profile tag.
“The big part for us is teaching all the rookies, letting them guys know that every week in the National Football League is primetime,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “You got to always bring the energy.”
The teams meet Sunday afternoon in Charlotte.
The Falcons (1-1) are coming off Sunday night’s 22-6 victory at Minnesota.
“We haven’t played our best game yet,” Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said.
The Panthers (0-2) will be playing in their home opener after losses at Jacksonville and Arizona. There are no hints that the Panthers will bench quarterback Bryce Young like they did a year ago following two games.
“Obviously, there’s stuff Bryce would come up here and say he’d like to clean up from the first two games,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said about Young. “I’m fired up with where we’re headed.”
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has gained 167 yards on the ground across two games, while picking up another 125 yards on receptions.
Morris elevated Robinson’s stature this week by proclaiming him “definitely the best player in football.”
“It was great to be able to see the run game going,” Penix said. “I want to see this offense when we have the run and the pass going at the same time and see how electric we can be.”
While this will be the Panthers’ divisional opener, the Falcons have already taken a Week 1 home loss to Tampa Bay, making this game that much more important.
Penix threw for 312 yards against Carolina in last year’s regular-season finale, though the Panthers won 44-38 on a day that began with Falcons still holding hopes of reaching the postseason. He said he expects to see a variety of setups from the Panthers defense.
“They present a lot of different things,” Penix said. “They got playmakers. They will make plays. We just got to make more.”
Carolina racked up 537 yards in that game last January, and Young had the best game of his professional career, completing 73.5 percent of his passes for 251 yards with three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores.
There was little flow offensively last week for the Panthers in the loss to Arizona until late in the third quarter when facing a 27-3 deficit. The rushing attack stalled, managing just 49 rushing yards.
“I want to see that mix come alive,” Canales said.
The Falcons need a replacement for A.J. Terrell Jr., a cornerback who did not practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury suffered last weekend and is considered week-to-week, Morris said. Dee Alford filled in, but Morris wouldn’t commit to Alford’s role against the Panthers.
“We want to have those guys go out there and compete at a very high level this week in order to figure out who gets the best opportunity,” Morris said, pointing out that Clark Phillips III is trending up as he comes off a preseason rib injury.
Defensive end James Pierce Jr. (groin), tight end Charlie Woerner (ankle) and receiver Jamal Agnew (groin) also did not practice for Atlanta Wednesday. Receivers Darnell Mooney (shoulder) and Jamal Washington (concussion) were limited along with offensive lineman Jack Nelson (calf), linebacker Kaden Elliss (neck) and safety DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring).
The Panthers are retooling their offensive front with guard Robert Hunt and center Austin Corbett going on injured reserve. Cade Mays is shifting to center to take Corbett’s spot, while Chandler Zavala will start at right guard. Mays started eight games at that position last year.
Canales said Mays competed for the starting position this season, so should be well-suited to be back as a starter.
“Those reps are going to pay dividends for us,” he said.
Panthers linebacker Patrick Jones II and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton both were held out of Wednesday’s practice due to hamstring injuries. Receiver Xavier Legette (hamstring) was a limited participant.
The Falcons are 37-23 all-time against Carolina, with a 16-14 mark in Charlotte. The teams have split games in each of the past five seasons.
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GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-0) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-2)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: GB leads series, 13-7 (GB won 6 of past 7)
Postseason: GB leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/25/21: CLE 22 at GB 24
Postseason: NFL-C 1/2/66: CLE 12 at GB 23
PACKERS NOTES:
QB JORDAN LOVE passed for 292 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 113.9 rating in Week 2 & is 1 of 3 (Justin Herbert & Lamar Jackson) with 2+ TD passes & 110+ rating in each of 1st 2 weeks. Has TD pass in 15 of 17 career road starts. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 90+ rating. Since 2023, ranks tied-2nd among QBs with 9 games with 2+ TD passes & 0 INTs. • RB JOSH JACOBS can become 5th player ever & 1st player since 2004 (HOFer LaDainian Tomlinson) with rush TD in 12 straight games, incl. postseason. Has 223 scrimmage yards (111.5 per game) in 2 career games at Cle. Had 9 rush TDs in his final 6 road games last season. • TE TUCKER KRAFT led team with career high tying 6 catches for career-best 124 yards & rec. TD in Week 2, his 11th-career TD catch. Is 1 of 3 TEs with rec. TD in each of 1st 2 weeks. • WR ROMEO DOUBS had 16th-career TD catch in Week 2. • DL MICAH PARSONS aims for his 3rd in row with GB with 0.5+ sacks. Had sack in his only career game at Cle. (9/8/24 w/ Dal.). Aims for his 8th in row on road with TFL. • DL RASHAN GARY had sack in 3 of his final 4 road games last season & aims for his 5th in row on road with TFL. Aims for his 4th in row overall with sack & 5th in row overall with TFL. Had 2 sacks in last meeting. • DL DEVONTE WYATT had career-high 2 PD last week & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Has 5 TFL in his past 6. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER had 10 tackles & half sack last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 10+ tackles. Had 8 TFL in his final 5 road games last season. • LB QUAY WALKER has 5+ tackles in 17 of his 21 career road games. • CB KEISEAN NIXON had career-high 5 PD last week, 1st player with 5 PD in single game since Week 12, 2023 (James Bradberry). • S XAVIER MCKINNEY had 1st PD of season last week.
BROWNS NOTES:
QB JOE FLACCO passed for 199 yards & TD last week. Aims for his 9th in row in Cle. with 285+ pass yards. Has 90+ rating in 2 of his past 3 starts vs. GB. • QB DILLON GABRIEL (rookie) made NFL debut & had 1st-career TD pass last week. • RB QUINSHON JUDKINS (rookie) led team with 71 scrimmage yards (61 rush, 10 rec.) last week in NFL debut. • RB DYLAN SAMPSON (rookie) had 1st-career TD catch in Week 2. • RB JEROME FORD had 54 scrimmage yards (31 rush, 23 rec.) & 5 catches last week. • WR JERRY JEUDY led team with 51 rec. yards in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Aims for his 7th in row at home with 5+ catches & 65+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 64 yards in his last game vs. GB (10/22/23 w/ Den.). • WR CEDRIC TILLMAN is 1 of 6 WRs with TD catch in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 at home. • TE HAROLD FANNIN (rookie) had 5 catches last week. Ranks tied-3rd among TEs with 12 catches in 2025, tied with Keith Jackson for 2nd-most by TE in 1st 2 career games in NFL history. Can join Sam LaPorta as only TEs ever with 5+ catches in each of 1st 3 career games. • DE MYLES GARRETT is 1 of 2 in NFL (Carl Granderson) with 1.5+ sacks in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Leads NFL with 6 TFL in 2025 & tied for lead with 3.5 sacks. Has 2+ sacks in 4 of his past 5 at home. • DT MASON GRAHAM (rookie) had 5 tackles & 1st-career TFL last week. • LB CARSON SCHWESINGER ranks 2nd among rookie LBs with 12 tackles. • LB DEVIN BUSH had 8 tackles, 2 PD & 2nd-career sack last week. Aims for his 4th in row with TFL & 3rd in row with 7+ tackles & PD. Had 6 tackles & sack in only career game vs. GB (10/3/21 w/ Pit.). • CB DENZEL WARD had 2 PD in last meeting. • CB GREG NEWSOME had 7 tackles & TFL in Week 2.
PACKERS PRIME PASS RUSH WITH TARGET ON JOE FLACCO, BROWNS
The Green Bay Packers hit the road for the first time this season in search of their first 3-0 start since 2020 when they meet the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
The Packers (2-0) are coming off a 27-18 victory over the Washington Commanders in the Thursday night game, after opening with a statement-making 27-13 win over defending NFC North champion Detroit.
Cleveland (0-2) lost 41-17 at Baltimore last week after opening with a 17-16 loss to Cincinnati.
The Packers’ defense, bolstered by the acquisition of star edge rusher Micah Parsons from Dallas before the start of the regular season, has been dominant and yet to allow a first-half touchdown.
Green Bay led Washington 17-3 after three quarters before the Commanders connected on a pair of fourth-quarter scoring passes. The Packers kept Detroit out of the end zone until a touchdown pass in the final minute.
The Browns lead the NFL in total defense, allowing 191.5 yards per game, while the Packers are third at 238.0. Green Bay averages 335.0 yards per game total offense, while Cleveland averages 324.5.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said the “attack front” predicated on penetration is a chore for any offensive line. His anxiety is heightened with right tackle Zach Tom (oblique) and left guard Aaron Banks (groin) less than full strength after missing Week 2.
“They’re going to try to get eight guys in the box. There’s been a lot of ugly runs on tape when going against this defense,” LaFleur said Wednesday.
Parsons gives Green Bay an added dimension off the edge and a test for the Browns, who are still figuring out the pecking order at running back. Quarterback Joe Flacco is tied for the league lead with 90 pass attempts in two games. Green Bay is tied for second in the NFL with eight quarterback sacks.
“He’s one of the purest throwers I’ve ever seen,” said LaFleur. “You’ve got to be really dialed in in terms of your coverage. The big key is going to be get him off the spot, get pressure to him. As I tell our guys, our quarterback or anybody else, it’s hard to throw from your back.”
Flacco was hit nine times at Baltimore last week, when he committed two costly turnovers and buckled under the Ravens’ relentless pass rush.
The Browns finished the game with rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel at quarterback, but Flacco is set for this third consecutive start.
“We have to play better for Joe before we make any of those decisions,” Browns left guard Joel Bitonio said of sticking with Flacco.
Bitonio (back) did not practice Wednesday. Right tackle Jack Conklin (elbow), punter Corey Bojorquez (ankle), safety Grant Delpit (back) and defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (knee) were limited. Cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) was a full participant.
Cleveland is tied for last in turnover differential at minus-4, while the Packers are plus-1.
“They’re a really talented team. I’ll start with their defense, talent at all three levels,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday. “Bringing over Micah Parsons, bringing a great player to an already great defense. They play very fast.”
The Ravens scored 41 points last week, but Cleveland is controlling the line of scrimmage defensively. The Browns gave up 91 rushing yards on 44 carries (2.1-yard average) and one rushing touchdown through two weeks.
Packers running back Josh Jacobs was limited Wednesday with an ankle injury but it’s not considered serious. He has rushed for 150 yards and two scores this season and owns a TD carry in 10 consecutive games.
Cleveland’s stop-the-run focus highlights Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who leads the league with 12.5 average air yards per pass.
He has completed 66 percent of his passes for 480 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Tight end Tucker Kraft has eight catches with two scores. Love has spread the ball around to 11 different receivers and gone nine consecutive games without an interception.
Wide receiver Jayden Reed, who had 55 catches last season and 64 in 2023, had surgeries on his cracked clavicle and a foot injury on Wednesday.
Green Bay has won four straight against Cleveland and six of the last seven meetings.
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HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: HOU leads series, 31-15 (HOU won 12 of past 14)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/1/24: HOU 23 at JAX 20
Postseason: —
TEXANS NOTES:
QB C.J. STROUD totaled 234 yards (207 pass, 27 rush) & had TD pass & 0 INTs with 97 rating last week. Is 3-1 with 8 TDs (7 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 110.1 rating in 4 career starts vs. Jax. Has 19 TDs (18 pass, 1 rush) vs. 2 INTs with 107.9 rating in 11 career starts vs. division. • RB NICK CHUBB led team with 72 scrimmage yards (43 rush, 29 rec.) & had 1st rush TD of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 60+ scrimmage yards. Had 176 scrimmage yards (144 rush, 32 rec.) & rush TD in only career game vs. Jax. (11/29/20 w/ Cle.). • WR NICO COLLINS led team with 52 rec. yards & had 1st TD catch of season in Week 2. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Jax. with 7+ catches & 100+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 vs. Jax. Has 80+ rec. yards in 7 of his past 8 vs. division. • WR CHRISTIAN KIRK can make Hou. debut after spending past 3 seasons (2022-24) with Jax. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ had 5 catches for 61 yards & TD in last meeting. • DE DANIELLE HUNTER led team with 2 sacks & FF last week, 18th-career game with 2+ sacks. Has 101.5 career sacks, 7th-most among active players. • DE WILL ANDERSON has sack in each of 1st 2 games of season & aims for his 6th in row overall, inc. playoff, with 0.5+ sacks. • DT SHELDON RANKINS had 2 TFL & sack in Week 2. • LB HENRY TO’OTO’O led team with 11 tackles & had TFL last week. Has 5+ tackles in 9 of his past 10. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • LB AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR had 10 tackles & PD in Week 2. Aims for 3rd in row with 7+ tackles. • CB DEREK STINGLEY led team with 2 PD last week. Has 9 PD & 3 INTs in 4 career games vs. Jax., with 2+ PD in each game. • CB KAMARI LASSITER aims for 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Jax with 6+ tackles & TFL.
JAGS NOTES:
QB TREVOR LAWRENCE passed for 271 yards & 3 TDs last week, 7th-career game with 3+ TD passes & 1st since 12/10/23. Has 2 TD passes in 3 of his past 4 vs. division. Has 102.5 rating over his past 4 home starts vs. division. • RB TRAVIS ETIENNE led team with 89 scrimmage yards (71 rush, 18 rec.) & had 1st TD catch of season in Week 2. Aims for his 4th in row at home with 75+ scrimmage yards. Has 596 scrimmage yards (99.3 per game) in 6 career games vs. Hou. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 214 rush yards in 2025. • RB BHAYSHUL TUTEN (rookie) had 74 scrimmage yards (42 rush, 32 rec.) & 1st-career TD catch last week. • WR BRIAN THOMAS JR. had 49 rec. yards last week. Has 75+ rec. yards & TD catch in 3 of his past 4 at home. Had 75+ rec. yards & TD catch in both games vs. Hou. last season. Had 75+ rec. yards in each of 6 games vs. division last season. • WR PARKER WASHINGTON had 5 catches for team-high 76 rec. yards in Week 2. Had 6 catches for career-best 103 yards & TD in last meeting. • WR DYAMI BROWN had 5 catches for 57 yards & 1st TD of season last week. • WR/DB TRAVIS HUNTER (rookie) had 3 catches, 2 tackles & 1st-career PD last week, becoming 1st player since at least 2012 with 20+ snaps on both offense & defense. • DE JOSH HINES-ALLEN had 6 tackles in Week 2. Had sack in last meeting & has sack in 2 of his past 3 vs. Hou. Aims for his 5th in row vs. division with sack. • DT ARIK ARMSTEAD had 1st sack of season last week. Had PD in last meeting. • LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN had 7 tackles, 2 TFL & 1st sack of season last week. Had 2 PD in last meeting. Is only player in NFL with sack, FF & INT in 2025. • LB TRAVON WALKER had 5 tackles, sack & PD last week. Has sack in 3 of his past 4. Had sack in last meeting. • LB DEVIN LLOYD had 5th-career INT in Week 2. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Hou. with PD. • CB JOURDAN LEWIS led team with career-high 8 tackles & had 2 TFL & PD last week. • S ERIC MURRAY had 4th-career INT in Week 2. Spent past 5 seasons with Hou.
JAGUARS TAKE ON WINLESS TEXANS IN PURSUIT OF AFC SOUTH BREAKTHROUGH
Two-time reigning AFC South champions, the Houston Texans are headed to Jacksonville winless and wary of losing further ground.
Winners of the division eight of the last 14 years, Houston lost at the Rams in Week 1 and another tight one to Tampa Bay in their Texans’ home opener Monday night. At (0-2), they are moving further away from recent playoff showings and already two games back in the division.
Houston has a chance to start making up ground Sunday, opening division play at Jacksonville (1-1), a destination that has been all sunshine for the Texans in recent seasons. They’ve won their last seven games with 12 wins in the last 14 against the Jaguars.
“Our guys are eager to get going. That’s what I felt from our team meeting,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said. ” … They understand how small of a margin it is to win in this league.”
The Jaguars are looking to bounce back after a 2-0 start eluded them in late in last week’s loss at Cincinnati.
While they intercepted backup quarterback Jake Browning three times after Joe Burrow left the game with a toe injury, the Bengals threw the last punch. Browning marched the Bengals on a 92-yard drive and scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard run with 18 seconds left.
Even in a loss, there have been bright spots for Jacksonville. The Jaguars’ defense leads the league with six takeaways and five interceptions.
The Jaguars’ offense ranks fourth in yards per game (389.0), No. 1 in rushing yards per game (169.5) and Travis Etienne ranks second in rushing yards (214) behind only Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor.
Record-setting rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. hasn’t yet found his rhythm. On a team-high 19 targets, he has just five catches for 60 yards, a slow start after he racked up 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Thomas received online criticism for a perceived lack of effort and a few plays he missed in Sunday’s loss. Coen said Monday that Thomas has been playing through a sore wrist, which first showed up on Wednesday’s practice report although he was a full participant.
“We had some really good conversations,” Coen said of Thomas. “Everybody was frustrated. But at the end of the day, he’s got a great opportunity to bounce back, as does the rest of our team, and (I) feel really confident about that.”
Houston has lost its first two games by a combined six points.
It took a 19-14 lead over the Buccaneers with 2:10 left on Monday, but Tampa Bay responded with a touchdown drive of its own, taking the lead back with six seconds left to hand the Texans another loss.
While the defense has done enough, the offense isn’t clicking yet under first-time offensive coordinator Nick Caley. The Texans rank 28th in total yards (265.5 per game) and dead last in scoring offense (14 points per game).
C.J. Stroud, the 2023 offensive rookie of the year, has just 395 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.
He hasn’t been helped by a depleted receiver room with Tank Dell on injured reserve. Free agent acquisitions Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios were sidelined with hamstring injuries before participating in limited fashion Wednesday.
Stroud is optimistic the veterans will boost a relatively young receiving room.
“Kirk will help those guys as he’s in the room,” Stroud said. “On gamedays, they can see him, how he works.”
Cornerback Jaylin Smith (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday for the Texans. Center Jake Andrews (ankle), cornerback Kamari Lassiter (knee), safety Jalen Pitre (rib) and defensive end Darrell Taylor (hip) were all limited.
Jaguars offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland and tight end Hunter Long missed Wednesday’s practice with ankle injuries. Cornerback Jarrian Jones (back), offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (knee) and running back Bhayshul Tuten (shoulder) were limited participants.
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CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: CIN leads series, 8-7 (Home team won 14 of 15)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/16/23: MIN 24 at CIN 27
Postseason: —
BENGALS NOTES:
BENGALS are 2-0 for 1st time since 2018 & can begin 3-0 for 1st time since 2015. • QB JAKE BROWNING passed for 241 yards & had 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) last week. Can make 8th career start & 1st since 1/7/24. Passed for 324 yards & 2 TDs with 97.7 rating in last meeting. • RB CHASE BROWN had 65 scrimmage yards (47 rush, 18 rec.) in Week 2, his 10thstraight game with 50+ scrimmage yards. Aims for his 4th in row on road with TD. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had 14 catches for 165 yards & TD last week, 3rd-career game with 14+ catches, tied 3rd-most all-time. Has 6 games with 10+ catches, 150+ rec. yards & rec. TD, most-ever by player under age of 26. Has 75+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 on road. Has 165 rec. yards (82.5 per game) in 2 career games vs. Min. • WR TEE HIGGINS had 56 rec. yards & 1st TD catch of season in Week 2. Had 61 rec. yards & 2 rec. TDs in last meeting & has rec. TD in both career games vs. Min. • WR MITCHELL TINSLEY had 1st-career TD catch last week. • TE NOAH FANT has 50+ rec. yards in both career games vs. Min. • DE TREY HENDRICKSON had sack & PD last week & is 1 of 5 AFC DL with sack in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Aims for 8th in row with TFL & 6th in row with 0.5+ sacks. Had 1.5 sacks in last meeting. • LB LOGAN WILSON aims for his 14th in row with 7+ tackles & 3rd in row with PD. Had 7 tackles in each of 2 career games vs. Min. • LB DEMETRIUS KNIGHT is 1 of 5 rookies with 5+ tackles in each of 1st 2 weeks. • CB DAX HILL had 8 tackles & 3rd-career INT last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 8+ tackles. Had 6 tackles & PD in last meeting. • CB DJ TURNER is 1 of 2 with 2+ PD in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. • CB CAM TAYLOR-BRITT had 2 PD in Week 2. Has PD in 3 of his past 4 on road. • S JORDAN BATTLE is 1 of 2 in NFL (Cam Bynum) with INT in each of 1st 2 weeks. Had 10 tackles in last meeting. • S GENO STONE tied career high with 9 tackles last week.
VIKINGS NOTES:
QB CARSON WENTZ can make Min. debut. Has 22,410 pass yards & 164 TDs (153 pass, 11 rush) in 98 career games (94 starts). Has 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) in 2 career starts vs. Cin. • RB JORDAN MASON has 75+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3. Since 2022, is 1 of 3 RBs (De’Von Achane) with 5+ yards per rush att. (5.2), min. 250 rush atts. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON had 81 rec. yards last week. Has 502 receptions & tied Larry Fitzgerald (26 years, 90 days) as youngest player ever to reach 500 career catches. Aims for his 13th in row at home with 50+ rec. yards. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Cin. with 5+ catches & 70+ rec. yards. Jefferson (95.7 rec. yards per game) & CIN WR Ja’Marr Chase (87.8) rank 1st & 2nd all time in receiving avg., min. 50 career games. • WR ADAM THIELEN had 9 catches for 92 yards & 2 rec. TDs in his last game vs. Cin. (9/12/21 w/ Min.). • TE T.J. HOCKENSON had 6 catches for 63 yards in last meeting. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 at home. • LB JONATHAN GREENARD had 1st sack of season last week, his 36th-career sack. Had sack in his last game vs. Cin. (11/12/23 w/ Hou.). • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL had 7 TFL in 9 home games last season. • LB ERIC WILSON had 5 tackles & 3rd-career FF last week. • LB IVAN PACE had 8 tackles & 10th-career TFL in Week 2. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles. • LB DALLAS TURNER had career-high 5 tackles & 1st sack of season last week, his 4th-career sack. • CB BYRON MURPHY has 6 PD in his past 6 at home. Had FF in last meeting. • S JOSH METELLUS had sack in last meeting. • S THEO JACKSON led team with career-high 9 tackles & had 1st-career FR last week.
INJURIES PUSH BACKUP QBS INTO SPOTLIGHT FOR BENGALS, VIKINGS
As a kid growing up in Bismarck, N.D., Carson Wentz rooted for the Minnesota Vikings and occasionally made the trip with his family to see them play at the Metrodome.
On Sunday, Wentz will play quarterback for the organization he used to support from the stands. He will make his team debut in place of injured starter J.J. McCarthy when the Vikings (1-1) oppose the Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) in Minneapolis.
“Believe it or not, my family was already planning to come,” Wentz said. “Now, there’s even more coming. Everybody’s pretty excited. You never wish for injuries, but just the way this has happened to get a chance for the team I grew up cheering for, close to home, all those things.”
The Bengals also will turn to their No. 2 quarterback in a battle of the backups.
Cincinnati star Joe Burrow left last week’s game because of turf toe, an injury that is expected to sideline him for several months. Burrow’s absence means an extended opportunity for his top backup, Jake Browning, who has appeared in 13 games in parts of three seasons.
Browning made seven starts in place of an injured Burrow in 2023, posting a 4-3 record. This time, he said, he feels more comfortable with stepping away from the sideline and into the spotlight.
“I don’t think you really know until you know what it feels like (to start on short notice),” Browning said. “And so in 2023, I had no idea what all that was going to feel like. I kind of had to make some adjustments on the fly. …
“So I think just the experience, and I look at last year — I didn’t take a meaningful snap, but I had a good year, as far as watching my film in practice and stuff like that. So I feel like I made some improvements that I needed to. I’m excited for the opportunity to play.”
The Bengals opened the season with a 17-16 road win over the Cleveland Browns and a 31-27 home victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ja’Marr Chase leads the team with 16 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown, and Chase Brown has a team-high 90 rushing yards and a score.
Cincinnati likely will also be without first-round pick Shemar Stewart against the Vikings after the defensive end injured his right ankle during the fourth quarter against Jacksonville.
The Vikings earned a 27-24 win over the host Chicago Bears in McCarthy’s NFL debut in Week 1, but they lost 22-6 against the visiting Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. McCarthy struggled to move the ball on offense and was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain this week.
Wentz is no stranger to the NFL, having started for five other teams. He should benefit from the presence of All-Pro teammate Justin Jefferson, who has seven catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.
McCarthy is one of several Vikings players who have been sidelined by injuries the past couple of weeks. Starting running back Aaron Jones is out because of a hamstring injury, meaning backup Jordan Mason could figure prominently into the game plan. Wentz and Mason will work behind a line that may be without center Ryan Kelly and offensive tackle Justin Skule after both were held out of practice on Wednesday because of concussions.
Wentz started one game in each of the past two years, getting a win with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 and taking a loss with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. He owns a career 47-46-1 record as a starter.
“I’ve been staying ready behind the scenes, doing whatever I can,” Wentz said. “It’s been fast-paced trying to learn the offense and learn these guys.
“Physically, I feel great. Mentally, I feel I’m in a good spot. Coaches have done a great job helping me try to grasp this as quick as I can.”
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: Series is tied, 15-15 (NE won 7 of past 8)
Postseason: NE leads series, 4-1
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/7/23: NE 21 at PIT 18
Postseason: AFC-C 1/22/17: PIT 17 at NE 36
STEELERS NOTES:
QB AARON RODGERS passed for 203 yards & TD last week. Needs TD pass to surpass HOFer Brett Favre (508) for 4th-most & needs 42 pass yards to surpass Philip Rivers (63,440) for 6th-most in NFL history. Has 230+ pass yards & 2 TD passes in each of his past 5 starts vs. NE. • RB JAYLEN WARREN led team with 134 scrimmage yards (career-high 86 rec., 48 rush) in Week 2. • WR DK METCALF had TD catch last week. Has 90+ rec. yards & TD catch in both career games vs. NE, incl. 10 catches for 129 yards & TD in his only game at NE (9/15/24 w/ Sea.). • TE PAT FREIERMUTH had 3 catches for 31 yards in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with 25+ rec. yards. • TE JONNU SMITH co-led team with 4 catches last week. Has TD catch in 3 of his past 4. Had 9 catches for 87 yards & TD in his last game vs. NE (11/24/24 w/ Mia.). • LB T.J. WATT has 108 sacks in 123 games & can surpass HOFer DeMarcus Ware (110.5) for 2nd-most sacks in 1st 125 games since 1982. Aims for his 4th in row vs. NE with TFL. • DT CAMERON HEYWARD had 5 tackles & PD in Week 2. Has PD in each of his past 3, longest active streak by DT. Had 6 tackles & sack in last meeting. • LB NICK HERBIG co-led team with 2 TFL & had 1st-career INT last week. • LB PATRICK QUEEN had 6 tackles & TFL in Week 2. Aims for his 13th in row with 5+ tackles. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3. Has 5+ tackles & TFL in both career games vs. NE. • LB JACK SAWYER (rookie) had 5 tackles & 1st-career sack last week. • LB PAYTON WILSON led team with 9 tackles & had 1st-career sack in Week 2. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles & TFL. • CB JALEN RAMSEY led team with 2 PD & had 25th-career INT in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with PD. Has PD in each of his past 3 games vs. NE.
PATRIOTS NOTES:
QB DRAKE MAYE completed 19 of 23 atts. (82.6 pct.) for 230 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with career-high 137.3 rating & rushed for 31 yards & TD in Week 2. • RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON led team with 142 scrimmage yards (88 rec., 54 rush) & 5 catches in Week 2. Rushed for 47 yards in his last game vs. Pit. (9/18/22). • WR KAYSHON BOUTTE had 1st TD catch of season last week. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3. • WR STEFON DIGGS had 4 catches for 32 yards in Week 2. Has 55+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3. Has 8+ catches, 100+ rec. yards & TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. Pit. • WR MACK HOLLINS had 1st TD catch of season last week. • TE HUNTER HENRY had 2 TD catches in last meeting. • DE MILTON WILLIAMS led team with 2 sacks in Week 2. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Has PD in both career games vs. Pit. • LB K’LAVON CHAISSON had sack last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 0.5+ sack. Had sack in his last game vs. Pit. (10/13/24 w/ LV). • LB CHRISTIAN ELLISS had 5 tackles last week. Aims for his 7th in row with 5+ tackles. • LB HAROLD LANDRY had sack in Week 2. Has sack in each of his past 3, tied longest active streak (Rashan Gary & Trey Hendrickson). • LB MARTE MAPU had 1st INT of season last week. • LB ROBERT SPILLANE had 3 tackles, sack & PD in Week 2. Spent 4 seasons with Pit. (2019-22). Had 8 tackles & PD in his last game vs. Pit. (10/13/24 w/ LV). • S KYLE DUGGER had 7 tackles, PD & half sack in last meeting. • S JAYLINN HAWKINS led team with 8 tackles last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. Had 5 tackles in his last game vs. Pit. (12/4/22 w/ Atl.). • S CRAIG WOODSON (rookie) had 6 tackles in Week 2. Is 1 of 4 rookies with 5+ tackles in each of 1st 2 weeks of season.
RUN DEFENSE, INJURIES IN SPOTLIGHT AS STEELERS VISIT PATRIOTS
After each team split its first two games, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots will both be looking to climb over the .500 mark Sunday when they meet in Foxborough, Mass.
New England is coming off a 33-27 victory over Miami last week and will be attempting to win back-to-back games for the first time since the 2022 season, when the Patriots defeated Detroit (29-0) and Cleveland (38-15) in consecutive weeks.
“There’s a lot of stats here, guys, that I’m not familiar with, nor am I concerned with,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said during his weekly press conference. “The focus is trying to build some consistency, which would then lead to confidence, and continue to build on what we did, improve the things that we have to fix and then continue to eliminate some of the things that we feel like could get you beat.”
Run defense will be a key for Pittsburgh, which allowed 117 yards rushing on 29 attempts during last Sunday’s 31-17 loss to Seattle. The Steelers gave up 182 yards rushing in a 34-22 victory over the New York Jets in Week 1.
Pittsburgh has allowed at least 30 points in each of the season’s first two games for the first time since 2002. The Steelers gave up 30 points or more twice last season.
Cornerback Darius Slay (rest), cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), safety DeShon Elliott (knee), linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle), and linebacker T.J. Watt (rest) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Offensive lineman Max Scharping (knee) and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee) had limited participation, and linebacker Patrick Queen (oblique) was a full participant.
Harmon, a rookie out of Oregon, said Wednesday he’s ready to play after missing the first two games with a knee injury suffered in Pittsburgh’s final preseason game.
“I’m ready to go,” Harmon said. “If my number is called, I’m ready to go.”
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin cited attrition as one of the reasons the Seattle offense was able to have so much success last Sunday.
“I thought our defense wore down some, particularly as the game went on,” Tomlin said. “We had the desire to improve our run defense, and I thought, particularly initially, we did. But there’s an attrition component to the game, and our lines got a little thin at various points in the game.”
Defensive end Keion White (illness) did not practice for the Patriots on Wednesday. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (non-injury related), linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (hamstring), cornerback Carlton Davis III (Achilles), cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring), linebacker Harold Landry (foot), linebacker Marte Mapu (neck), offensive tackle Morgan Moses (foot), fullback Jack Westover (hamstring) and guard Jaren Wilson (thigh) had limited participation.
New England cornerback Christian Gonzalez practiced Wednesday for the first time since he sustained a hamstring injury July 28 in training camp, but it isn’t clear if he will play Sunday.
“Excited to be out there,” Gonzalez said. “I love football. This is what I do, so I mean it’s been very challenging to be out for so long.”
The Patriots would welcome Gonzalez’s return as they have allowed a league-high 630 passing yards this season, despite also leading the league in sacks (nine).
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LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-0) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: PHI leads series, 23-18-1 (PHI won 8 of past 9)
Postseason: Series is tied, 2-2 (Home team won past 2)
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/24/24: PHI 37 at LAR 20
Postseason: NFC-D 1/19/25: LAR 22 at PHI 28
RAMS NOTES:
QB MATTHEW STAFFORD passed for 298 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 105.4 rating in Week 2 & is 1 of 5 QBs with 100+ rating in each of 1st 2 weeks. Has 380 TD passes & can tie Matt Ryan (381) for 9th-most in NFL history. Passed for 324 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 97.2 rating in 2024 NFC-D at Phi. Has 17 TDs (16 pass, 1 rush) vs. INT for 98 rating in 8 career starts vs. Phi., incl. playoffs. • RB KYREN WILLIAMS had 80 scrimmage yards (66 rush, 14 rec.) in Week 2 & has 50+ scrimmage yards in 30 straight games, longest active streak in NFL. Rushed for 106 yards in 2024 NFC-D at Phi. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Phi. with 50+ rush yards, incl. postseason. • WR PUKA NACUA had 8 catches for 91 yards & 45-yard rush TD in Week 2, his 2nd-career rush TD. Has 2nd-most receptions (202) & 3rd-most rec. yards (2,697) by player in 1st 30 career games all-time. Aims for his 11th in row with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. Has 22 catches (7.3 per game) for 285 yards (95 per game) & rec. TD in 3 career games vs. Phi., incl. playoffs. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS had 33rd-career game with 100+ rec. yards & rec. TD in Week 2, tied 5th-most such games in NFL history. Has 5 rec. TDs in 4 career games vs. Phi. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Phi. with 10+ catches & 4th in row vs. Phi. with 100+ rec. yards. • TE DAVIS ALLEN is 1 of 3 TEs with rec. TD in each of 1st 2 weeks. • LB BYRON YOUNG had 2 sacks & 4th-career FF last week, his 2nd-career 2-sack game. Aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • LB NATE LANDMAN had 1st-career FR last week. • LB JARED VERSE had 2 sacks & 3 TFL in 2024 NFC-D at Phi. • DE KOBIE TURNER had 1st sack of season in Week 2. Had sack & 2 TFL in 2024 NFC-D at Phi. • DE BRADEN FISKE had sack in 2024 NFC-D at Phi. • S KAM CURL had 7th-career sack & 3rd-career game with 2 TFL in Week 2.
EAGLES NOTES:
QB JALEN HURTS had rush TD in Week 2 & has 45 career games with rush TD, incl. playoffs, 3rd-most by QB in NFL history. Had rush TD in 2024 NFC-D vs. LAR. Aims for his 6th in row with rush TD. Incl. postseason, is 9-0 in his past 9 home starts with 21 TDs (11 pass, 10 rush) vs. 0 INTs. • RB SAQUON BARKLEY rushed for 88 yards & TD in Week 2 & aims for his 3rd in row with rush TD. Had 232 scrimmage yards (205 rush, 27 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in 2024 NFC-D vs. LAR & 302 scrimmage yards (255 rush, 47 rec.) & 2 rush TDs at LAR in Week 12 last season. His 534 scrimmage yards vs. LAR in 2024 were most vs. single opponent in single season since 1953, incl. playoffs. • WR A.J. BROWN had 5 catches last week. Had 6 catches for 109 yards & rec. TD in last reg. season meeting (11/24/24). • WR DEVONTA SMITH had 53 rec. yards last week. Has 7 rec. TDs in his past 8 at home. • LB ZACK BAUN had TFL, PD & FR in 2024 NFC-D vs. LAR. • LB JIHAAD CAMPBELL (rookie) tied for team-lead with 7 tackles last week. • LB NOLAN SMITH had 1st FF of season last week. Had sack & FF in 2024 NFC-D vs. LAR. • DT JALEN CARTER had TFL last week. Had 2 sacks, 2 PD & FF in 2024 NFC-D vs. LAR. Had FF in last reg. season meeting (11/24/24). • DT JORDAN DAVIS had 1st-career game with 2 PD last week & aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • DE ZA’DARIUS SMITH had half sack in Phi. debut last week. • DB COOPER DEJEAN aims for his 3rd in row vs. LAR with PD, incl. playoffs. • CB QUINYON MITCHELL aims for his 3rd in row vs. LAR with PD, incl. playoffs. • CB ADOREE’ JACKSON aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S ANDREW MUKUBA (rookie) had 1st-career INT & 1st-career half sack in Week 2.
RAMS OUT TO STIFLE SAQUON BARKLEY, EAGLES IN BATTLE OF UNBEATENS
The Los Angeles Rams take another shot at stopping Saquon Barkley when they visit the Philadelphia Eagles for an early clash of unbeaten teams on Sunday.
The Eagles (2-0) knocked the Rams (2-0) out of the playoffs last season with a 38-22 divisional round win, with Barkley rushing for 205 yards and two touchdowns on a snowy January day in Philadelphia.
That came two months after his franchise-record 255-yard, two-TD effort in Philadelphia’s 37-20 road win against Los Angeles in Week 12 that supercharged Barkley’s historic 2,000-yard season.
Barkley broke off touchdown runs of 62, 70, 72 and 78 yards in those two meetings — by far the four longest TD runs allowed by the Rams all season.
“He’s great and they’re great,” Rams coach Sean McVay said of Barkley on this week’s “The Coach McVay Show.” “Football is the greatest team sport that there is and they’ve got legitimate threats across the board, whether that’s on the perimeter, at the tight ends. They’re excellent across the board with all five of their offensive linemen, and then obviously Jalen (Hurts) can beat you with his arm, his legs or his mind.
“But you know Saquon is so dynamic. He obviously had such a tremendous impact. Nobody had the production in the history of this game that he had when you combine his regular season and playoffs. And certainly he made his impact and his presence felt in the two games that we played them last year.”
The Rams responded this offseason by signing defensive tackle Poona Ford and linebacker Nate Landman. Results so far have been positive, as Landman was the Week 1 NFC Defensive Player of the Week and the Rams have not given up a TD run through two games.
Barkley, the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Year, has rushed for 148 yards and two scores this season and could be poised for a breakout on Sunday — along with the rest of Philadelphia’s 29th-ranked offense in yards per game (259.0).
All five of the Eagles’ touchdowns have been red-zone runs of 13 or fewer yards, three by quarterback Jalen Hurts, as critics claim the offense has been too predictable under first-year coordinator Sean Patullo.
“We’re constantly making sure that we’re not giving anything away to the defense,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Monday. “But there are times you’re going to have tendencies. You do your best to put a seed of doubt in the defense’s mind to break tendencies. But a lot of teams — good teams have tendencies. But that doesn’t mean you don’t fight like crazy to fight them and to, again, put seeds of doubt in the defense’s mind of what you’re doing.”
Barkley rushed for 88 yards and found the end zone for the second straight week in last weekend’s 20-17 victory at Kansas City, a rematch of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX win.
The Rams arrive with the NFL’s seventh-best offense, averaging 367.5 yards per game behind 37-year-old Matthew Stafford and wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Stafford threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns and Adams recorded his first 100-yard game and first score with L.A. in last week’s 33-19 triumph at Tennessee. Nacua caught eight passes for 91 yards to increase his team-leading totals to 18 and 221.
Rams guard Steve Avila (ankle), tight end Colby Parkinson (shoulder) and defensive end Braden Fiske (oblique) were considered questionable to begin the week. Avila and Fiske did not practice Wednesday while Parkinson was a limited participant.
For the Eagles, veteran tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) returned to practice Wednesday after missing Week 2 and was a limited participant along with star defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulder) and backup quarterback Tanner McKee (thumb). Backup running back Will Shipley (oblique) remains sidelined with the injury he suffered Week 1.
Including the postseason, the Eagles have won nine of the last 10 meetings. The exception was the Rams’ 37-19 win in Philadelphia in Week 2 of 2020.
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NEW YORK JETS (0-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: NYJ leads series, 10-3 (TB won past 2)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 1/2/22: TB 28 at NYJ 24
Postseason: —
JETS NOTES:
QB JUSTIN FIELDS rushed for 49 yards in Week 2. Passed for 211 yards & TD in his last start vs. TB (9/17/23 w/ Chi.). • QB TYROD TAYLOR had TD pass & 106.6 rating last week. Had 321 yards (268 pass, 53 rush) & TD pass vs. 0 INTs with 96.5 rating in his last start vs. TB (10/22/17 w/ Buf.). • RB BREECE HALL has 50+ scrimmage yards in 12 of his past 13. • WR GARRETT WILSON led team with 50 rec. yards in Week 2. Aims for his 8th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in each of his past 2 on road. • TE JEREMY RUCKERT had 1st-career TD catch last week. • DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • DL JOWON BRIGGS had 5 tackles & 1st-career sack & FF in Week 2. • DL HARRISON PHILLIPS had 8 tackles & PD in his last game vs. TB (9/10/23 w/ Min.). • LB JERMAINE JOHNSON had 4 tackles & PD last week. • LB JAMIEN SHERWOOD led team with 13 tackles & 2 TFL in Week 2. Aims for his 3rd in row with 6+ tackles & TFL. Has 9+ tackles in each of his past 8 on road. • LB QUINCY WILLIAMS had 5 tackles & PD in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 7 tackles in last meeting. • S TONY ADAMS aims for his 3rd in row with 5 tackles. • CB MICHAEL CARTER had PD last in Week 2. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. Had 8 tackles & sack in last meeting. • S ANDRE CISCO had 6 tackles & his 25th-career PD last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB SAUCE GARDNER had PD last week. Has PD in 5 of his past 6. • CB BRANDON STEPHENS has PD in 2 of his past 3.
BUCS NOTES:
TAMPA BAY is 1st team since 1970 with GW-TD in final minute of each of 1st 2 games of season. • QB BAKER MAYFIELD had 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for 98 rating in Week 2 & is 1 of 4 (Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson & Jordan Love) with 2+ TD passes & 0 INTs in each of 1st 2 weeks. Aims for his 8th in row with 2+ TD passes & 90+ rating. Since 2023, leads NFL with 74 TD passes. • RB BUCKY IRVING had 6 catches & 121 scrimmage yards (71 rush, 50 rec.) last week, his 6th-career 100-yard game. Had 50+ scrimmage yards in 8 of his 9 home games last season. • RB RACHAAD WHITE rushed for 65 yards & had GW-TD in Week 2, his 11thcareer rush TD. Had 6 TDs (5 rec, 1 rush) in his final 6 home games in 2024. • WR MIKE EVANS aims for his 7th in row with 5+ catches & 10th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Ranks 9th in NFL history with 105 career rec. TDs. Had TD catch in last meeting. • WR EMEKA EGBUKA is only rookie with TD catch in each of 1st 2 weeks & can become 1st rookie since 2021 (Ja’Marr Chase) with rec. TD in each of his team’s 1st 3 games. • LB LAVONTE DAVID aims for his 3rd in row vs. NYJ with 2+ TFL. • LB SIRVOCEA DENNIS aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • LB YAYA DIABY aims for his 3rd in row at home with sack. • LB HAASON REDDICK appeared in 10 games for NYJ last season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. NYJ with 1.5+ sacks. • CB ZYON MCCOLLUM aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. has 7+ tackles in 5 of his past 6 at home. Had 8 tackles in last meeting. • S TYKEE SMITH led team with 6 tackles & had career-high 2 TFL with 1stcareer sack in Week 2.
BUCCANEERS GEAR UP FOR STRUGGLING JETS WITH HOPES OF 3-0 START
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 2-0 for the fifth straight season, but they haven’t achieved a 3-0 start since 2005.
The Buccaneers will try to end a string of four consecutive Week 3 losses when they host the reeling New York Jets on Sunday afternoon.
Tampa Bay rallied for a 20-19 road victory over the host Houston Texans on Monday night. Rachaad White scored the winning points on a 2-yard run with six seconds remaining to cap a stellar 11-play, 80-yard drive.
The Buccaneers also staged a comeback in the fourth quarter of Week 1 to beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-20. The game-winning score was made with 59 seconds remaining.
“We’re always in the fight,” Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield said Wednesday. “Anytime we step on the field, we expect to win. We expect to play well and do our job at a high level. It’s just the mentality.”
Mayfield was the recipient of some blows while completing 25 of 38 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans. He also rushed for 33 yards on three attempts.
Mayfield (foot, toe) was a full participant at Wednesday’s walkthrough. He said his left leg was feeling “Good. Great.”
Mayfield has thrown five touchdown passes without an interception in 70 attempts this season.
The Jets (0-2) certainly would cherish some stability at quarterback as they aim to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2021.
Justin Fields (concussion) was ruled out on Wednesday and veteran Tyrod Taylor will make his 59th career regular-season start.
Fields sustained the concussion in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s 30-10 home loss against the Buffalo Bills.
Fields wasn’t even at the team complex Wednesday as he recovers from the injury.
First-year New York coach Aaron Glenn expressed confidence that Taylor can get the offense moving. The Jets are averaging just 274 yards per game, 26th in the NFL.
“There is no coverage, there is no pressure that he hasn’t seen,” Glenn said of Taylor. “So that’s why I have confidence in him and he’s a very studious person, good athlete. Again, been around this league for a long time. There is no better player you would want as your backup quarterback than him at this point of time.”
Taylor last started games in 2023 for the New York Giants — he started five — and has a 28-28-1 regular-season record.
He completed 7 of 11 passes for 56 yards and one touchdown against Buffalo after replacing the injured Fields.
“I can’t sulk in or what-if, or what should happen,” said Taylor of his role. “The reality is that you have to be in the moment, and I’ve learned to be more vocal over the years. I think as a quarterback, eyes are always on you, so how you are when you’re up, when you’re down, when things aren’t going your way, is a reflection of your character. So I’ve never been one to question why my time isn’t right then or right now, it’s more so just prepare myself for whenever it does happen and that I make the most of it.”
Undrafted rookie Brady Cook of Missouri will serve as the Jets’ No. 2 quarterback.
Fields was one of seven Jets to miss practice. The others were safety Tony Adams (hip), cornerback Michael Carter II (shoulder), pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II (ankle), defensive lineman Jay Tufele (illness), receiver Josh Reynolds (hamstring) and running back Kene Nwangwu (hamstring).
Tampa Bay formally placed standout defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (pectoral) on injured reserve on Wednesday. Kancey had a team-leading 7.5 sacks in just 12 games last season.
“Everybody has to step up,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said of replacing Kancey. “We can’t replicate what Kancey can do for us and some of them have to play the run and some of them have to be ready for the pass. Everybody has to do their job.”
Receiver Emeka Egbuka (hip/groin) missed the walkthrough, but star wideout Chris Godwin Jr. (ankle) and standout left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) were both limited and could possibly make their season debuts on Sunday. Offensive tackle Luke Goedeke (foot) didn’t participate and is expected to miss multiple weeks, while guard Cody Mauch (knee) also sat out.
The Jets lead the series 10-3, but Tampa Bay has won the past two meetings.
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-0) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (0-2)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: IND leads series, 39-21 (IND won past 4)
Postseason: TEN leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/22/24: TEN 30 at IND 38
Postseason: AFC-D 1/16/00: TEN 19 at IND 16
COLTS NOTES:
COLTS are 2-0 for 1st time since 2009. Became 1st team in SB era to not punt in either of 1st 2 games of season. • QB DANIEL JONES passed for 316 yards & had 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with 107 rating last week, 10th-career 300-yard game. Is only QB in NFL with TD pass, rush TD & 0 INTs in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Completed 17 of 21 atts. (career-high 81 pct.) for 188 yards & 2 TDs with 115.9 rating in only career start vs. Ten. (9/11/22 w/ NYG). Ranks 2nd in NFL with 588 pass yards in 2025. • RB JONATHAN TAYLOR had 215 scrimmage yards (165 rush, 50 rec.) with 6thcareer TD catch last week, 1st 200-yard game in NFL this season & 5th-career 200-yard game. Has 95+ scrimmage yards in 7 straight games, 2nd-longest active streak in NFL (Bijan Robinson – 8). Rushed for 218 yards & 3 TDs in last meeting. Leads NFL with 313 scrimmage yards & 236 rush yards in 2025. • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN had 4 catches for 40 yards last week. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 5+ catches. Aims for his 3rd in row at Ten. with rec. TD. • WR JOSH DOWNS led team with 6 catches & had 51 rec. yards in Week 2. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ten. with 60+ rec. yards & TD catch. • TE TYLER WARREN (rookie) is only TE in NFL with 75+ rec. yards in each of 1st 2 weeks of season & only TE in NFL history with 75+ rec. yards in each of 1st 2 career games. • DT DEFOREST BUCKNER had 6 tackles & team-high 2 TFL last week. Has TFL in 5 of his past 6 on road. Had 5 tackles, TFL & PD in last meeting. • DT GROVER STEWART had 7 tackles & TFL last week. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. • DE KWITY PAYE has TFL in 4 of his past 5. Had sack in last meeting & has sack in 3 of his past 4 vs. Ten. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 5 tackles & PD last week. Had 7 tackles in last meeting. • CB KENNY MOORE had TFL last week. Had 2 INTs in last meeting. • S CAM BYNUM is 1 of 2 in NFL (Jordan Battle) with INT in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. • S NICK CROSS had 7 tackles & PD in Week 2. Had PD in last meeting.
TITANS NOTES:
QB CAM WARD (rookie) passed for 175 yards & 1st-career TD with 0 INTs last week. Is 1st No. 1 overall pick QB ever with 0 INTs in each of 1st 2 career starts. • RB TONY POLLARD rushed for 92 yards last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 85+ scrimmage yards. Has rush TD in 2 of 3 career games vs. Ind. • WR CALVIN RIDLEY led team with 57 rec. yards last week. Has 55+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5. Had 78 rec. yards & TD catch in last meeting. Needs 5 catches for 400 career catches. • WR ELIC AYOMANOR (rookie) had 4 catches for 56 yards & 1st-career TD in Week 2. • WR TYLER LOCKETT had 100 rec. yards & 2 TD catches in his last game vs. Ind. (9/12/21 w/ Sea.). Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ind. with 65+ rec. yards. • TE CHIG OKONKWO had 4 catches last week. Set career highs in catches (9) & rec. yards (81) in last meeting. Has 60+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. Ind. • DT JEFFERY SIMMONS tied career high with 9 tackles & had sack in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ind. with TFL. • LB CODY BARTON had 5 tackles & 6th-career INT last week. Has 5+ tackles in 7 of his past 8. Had 8 tackles in his last game vs. Ind. (12/15/24 w/ Den.). • LB DRE’MONT JONES had TFL last week. Had half sack in his last game vs. Ind. (10/6/22 w/ Den.). • CB JARVIS BROWNLEE aims for 3rd in row with 8+ tackles. Had TFL in last meeting. • CB L’JARIUS SNEED led team with 2 PD last week & aims for his 3rd in row with PD. Had 8 tackles & TFL in last home meeting. • CB ROGER MCCREARY aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles & PD. • S AMANI HOOKER tied for team lead with 8 tackles & had 1st-career sack in Week 2. Aims for his 7th in row with 5+ tackles. Had INT in both games vs. Ind. last season & aims for his 4th in row vs. Ind. with PD. • S XAVIER WOODS had 6 tackles last week.
TITANS FOCUS ON PROTECTING CAM WARD VS. 2-0 COLTS
Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan can see why the Indianapolis Colts are off to a 2-0 start ahead of the teams’ meeting on Sunday in Nashville.
“I don’t think they’ve punted and they’ve been really, really good moving the ball,” Callahan said. “We have to go play well.”
Given that Tennessee enters the matchup with an 0-2 mark, even playing well might not result in a win. But to give the home crowd a victory and get rookie quarterback Cam Ward his first professional “W,” the Titans first will have to figure out a way to win the running game.
Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones, cast aside by the New York Giants midway through last year, suddenly looks like the guy the Giants gave a four-year, $160 million contract after he led the team to the playoffs in 2022.
Through two games for his new team, Jones is 45 of 63 for 588 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions. His passer rating is a pristine 111.1.
Part of that is the presence of Jonathan Taylor in his backfield. The reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week is coming off a 165-yard rushing effort last week in a 29-28 win over the Denver Broncos and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry so far.
Tennessee needs to find a way to neutralize Taylor while turning its top running back, Tony Pollard, loose on the Colts’ defense. Pollard is coming off a 92-yard performance last week in a 33-19 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Getting Pollard off the mark should give Ward better spots to throw and lessen the chances of Indianapolis’ pass rush swamping him in the backfield. The Titans have allowed a league-worst 11 sacks, and while a couple of those have been Ward holding the ball too long, the protection in front of the rookie simply breaks down too often.
With right tackle JC Latham (hip) perhaps out for a second straight game and right guard Kevin Zeitler (biceps) also sitting out practice on Wednesday, there is reason to wonder if Tennessee can adequately protect Ward. But Callahan is optimistic that John Ojukwu, Oli Udoh or both can do the job.
“We’ve got to do our part to help them, and they’ve got to do their part to play,” Callahan said.
Ward finished 19 of 33 for 175 yards last week against the Rams. He threw his first touchdown pass on a play that he kept alive for nearly eight seconds by scrambling right before flinging a 9-yard strike across his body to Elic Ayomanor.
“This guy’s a talented player,” Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said. “He’s played against two really good teams, so he’s seen a bunch of things thrown at him and kind of his feel for this is … you can see it growing week by week.”
Anarumo’s boss, third-year Colts head coach Shane Steichen, believes Indianapolis’ fast start has much to do with discipline and togetherness.
“I think they’re playing together,” he said. “I think everyone’s dialed in every play. The camaraderie is great.”
Indianapolis does have injury concerns, though. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren (toe) and wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) sat out practice on Wednesday. Warren is the team leader in receptions with 11, and Downs is third with eight.
Tennessee injuries to watch include corner L’Jarius Sneed (back) and nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat (ankle). The latter practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and said he would play Sunday if it were his decision.
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LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-1) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: Series is tied, 7-7 (WAS won 4 of past 5)
Postseason: LV leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/5/21: WAS 17 at LV 15
Postseason: SB XVIII 1/22/84: WAS 9 vs. LAA 38
RAIDERS NOTES:
QB GENO SMITH totaled 200 yards (180 pass, 20 rush) last week. Has 7 TDs vs. INT with 109.7 rating over his past 5 road starts. Passed for 369 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 103.9 rating in only career start vs. Was. (11/12/23 w/ Sea.). • RB ASHTON JEANTY (rookie) has 40+ scrimmage yards in each of 1st 2 games. • TE BROCK BOWERS is 1 of 5 TEs with 5+ catches in each of 1st 2 games of season. Has 5+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 on road. Has 1,335 rec. yards in 19 career games & needs 77 rec. yards to surpass HOFer Mike Ditka (1,411 rec. yards) for most-ever by TE in 1st 20 games. • WR JAKOBI MEYERS aims for his 5th in row with 5+ catches & 60+ rec. yards. Ranks tied-3rd in AFC with 14 catches this season. • WR TRE TUCKER aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD catch. • DE MAXX CROSBY had 5 tackles & TFL last week. Aims for his 6th in row with TFL. Has PD in 2 of his past 3. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had TFL & PD in last meeting. • DE MALCOLM KOONCE had sack in last meeting. • DE TYREE WILSON had 1st-career PD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 0.5+ sacks. • DT JONAH LAULU had career-high 3 TFL & 2 sacks in Week 2. Aims for 3rd in row with sack. • LB DEVIN WHITE is 1 of 4 in NFL with 8+ tackles & TFL in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Had career-high 18 tackles with 3 TFL & 2 sacks in only career game vs. Was. (11/14/21 w/ TB). • LB GERMAINE PRATT had 7 tackles & team-high 2 PD last week. Aims for his 11th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 9 tackles & FF in his last game vs. Was. (9/23/24 w/ Cin.). • CB KYU BLU KELLY had TFL & PD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S JEREMY CHINN had 6 tackles, TFL & PD in Week 2. Had 7 TFL & 5 PD in 2024 with Was. Had 13 tackles & TFL in his last game vs. Was. (11/21/21 w/ Car.).
COMMANDERS NOTES:
QB JAYDEN DANIELS passed for 200 yards & 2 TDs vs 0 INTs in Week 2, his 9th-career game with 2+ TD passes. Has 4,001 pass yards & 976 rush yards in 19 career games & can become 1st player ever with 4,000+ pass yards & 1,000+ rush yards in 1st 20 career games. Aims for his 4th in row at home with 65+ rush yards & 5th in row at home with 95+ rating. • RB JACORY CROSKEY-MERRITT rushed for 82 yards & TD in 1st home game in Week 1. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN had 5 catches last week. Set to appear in his 100th career game in Week 3. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL had 7 receptions & 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 23rd-career TD catch. Is 1 of 5 with 7+ catches in each of 1st 2 weeks. • TE ZACH ERTZ had 6 catches for team-high 64 rec. yards & 55th-career rec. TD in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with rec. TD. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Raiders with 8+ catches & 75+ rec. yards. • LB BOBBY WAGNER led team with 11 tackles last week & is 1 of 5 with 10+ tackles in each of 1st 2 weeks. • LB VON MILLER had half sack last week & leads all active players with 130 career sacks. Has 9 sacks in 17 career games vs. Raiders. • DT DARON PAYNE has TFL in 4 of his past 5 at home. • DE DORANCE ARMSTRONG aims for his 3rd in row with sack & 5th in row with TFL. • CB MARSHON LATTIMORE had 6 PD in his past 3 & aims for his 4th in row with PD. • CB MIKE SAINRISTIL had 6 tackles last week & has 5+ tackles in 12 of his 19 career games. • S QUAN MARTIN had 7 tackles & 1st PD of season last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles.
JAYDEN DANIELS’ STATUS UP IN THE AIR AS COMMANDERS PREP TO HOST RAIDERS
The vast majority of the buzz leading up to this week’s game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Washington Commanders surrounds who will be under center for the home team.
Jayden Daniels’ availability remains in question after he suffered a knee sprain in a 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday. Daniels did not practice Wednesday but did undergo a rehab session and do some throwing.
It remains to be seen if he’ll miss a start for the first time in his NFL career when the Commanders (1-1) take on the Raiders (1-1) Sunday afternoon in Landover, Md.
“We’re gonna be smart and not just fast in this assessment,” head coach Dan Quinn said on Wednesday. “This is a player that is absolutely wanting to do everything all the time. So, it was a good start to the week, for us — the throwing, the movements at the position.”
Daniels was sacked seven times in the first two games and the Commanders’ struggling pass protection faces another strong pass rush with Maxx Crosby and the Raiders coming to town. Las Vegas has six sacks in two games.
If Daniels can’t play, veteran Marcus Mariota will step in. Mariota, 31, played in three games off the bench last season for the Commanders. When Daniels exited the Week 7 game against the Carolina Panthers with a rib injury, Mariota led Washington to a 40-7 victory, completing 18 of 23 pass attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, he completed 34 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns.
The Raiders have some familiarity with Mariota from his time with the organization in 2020-21. However, head coach Pete Carroll is leaning towards Daniels being the starter based on his team’s preparation this week.
“We have a lot of background about Marcus on the staff, so we know what his capabilities are, we think,” Carroll said. “We’re preparing for both guys, but primarily for Jayden.”
The Commanders lost running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) and defensive end Deatrich Wise, Jr. (quad) for the season after both suffered injuries against the Packers. Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round rookie who impressed in preseason, is expected to start on Sunday.
The Raiders, 20-9 losers to the visiting San Diego Chargers Monday night, are looking to jump-start their offense. They are averaging 14.5 points per game, second fewest in the league.
Geno Smith finished 24-of-43 passing for 180 yards, threw three picks and was sacked three times against Los Angeles. Running back Ashton Jeanty has 81 yards on 30 carries (2.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown in two games.
Tight end Brock Bowers did not practice until last Saturday and had five catches for 38 yards against the Chargers. He was targeted eight times and should be more of a factor on Sunday.
“I think you see we were just trying to get him out there and get him playing and he looked okay,” Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said. “We got to him in the second half more, but we really need him. We need him being active throughout the game.”
Looking to boost their pass rush with Wise out, the Commanders added veteran edge rusher Preston Smith on Wednesday. A second-round pick in 2015, Smith spent four seasons in Washington before moving on to Green Bay. The 32-year-old, who played for the Packers and Steelers last season, has 70.5 sacks in his 10-year career.
“I’m a guy who knows how to get to the quarterback,” Smith said. “I’m a guy who’s versatile…who can be used in any way. I can be an asset to this defense and this team overall.”
One advantage Washington has Sunday is rest. The Commanders last played on Thursday, Sept. 11. The Raiders played the second game of Monday night’s NFL doubleheader and will travel across the country on short rest.
Washington cornerback Jonathan Jones, who suffered a hamstring injury against Green Bay, was placed on injured reserve this week and will miss a minimum of four games.
Among those not practicing Wednesday in addition to Daniels were wide receiver Noah Brown (groin/knee) and tight end John Bates (groin). Cornerback Trey Amos (shoulder), offensive lineman Brandon Coleman (shoulder), running back Jeremy McNichols (hamstring) and tight end Colson Yankoff (hip) were limited.
For the Raiders, Bowers, safety Jeremy Chinn (pectoral) and offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (concussion) were limited on Wednesday.
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DENVER BRONCOS (1-1) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-0)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: DEN leads series 72-57-1 (LAC won past 2)
Postseason: DEN leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/19/24: DEN 27 at LAC 34
Postseason: AFC-D 1/12/14: SD 17 at DEN 24
BRONCOS NOTES:
QB BO NIX completed 22 of 30 atts. (73.3 pct.) for 206 yards & 3 TDs vs. INT with 111.2 rating last week, 6th-career game with 3+ TD passes. Has 2+ TD passes in 5 of his past 6. Has 12 TDs vs. 2 INTs with 107.5 rating over past 5 road games. Had 2 TD passes in both games vs. LAC last season. Has 15 TDs (14 pass, 1 rush) vs. INT with 112.2 rating in 6 career games vs. division, with 2+ TD passes in each game. • RB J.K. DOBBINS rushed for 76 yards & TD last week & is 1 of 5 RBs with rush TD in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Totaled career-high 1,058 scrimmage yards (905 rush, 153 rec.) & had 9 rush TDs in 2024 with LAC. • WR COURTLAND SUTTON has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 on road. Has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 vs. LAC & in 4 of his past 5 vs. division. • WR TROY FRANKLIN led team with career highs in catches (8) & rec. yards (89) & had 3rd-career TD catch in Week 2. Aims for 3rd in row with 4+ catches. • WR MARVIN MIMS had 8th-career rec. TD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD catch. Had 62 rec. yards in last meeting. • TE ADAM TRAUTMAN had 10th-career TD catch in Week 2. • LB NIK BONITTO has TFL in 3 of his past 4 vs. LAC & in 8 of past 9 vs. division. • LB JONATHON COOPER aims for his 5th in row with TFL. Has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of his past 3 vs. LAC & in 5 of his past 6 vs. division. • LB JUSTIN STRNAD is 1 of 6 LBs with sack in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. • LB ALEX SINGLETON aims for his 9th in row with 6+ tackles. Has 57 tackles (14.3 per game) over his past 4 games vs. LAC, with 11+ tackles in each game. • DE ZACH ALLEN has 7 TFL in 5 career games vs. LAC. • CB PAT SURTAIN II led team with career-high 11 tackles & had PD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. Has PD in 2 of his past 3 vs. LAC. • CB RILEY MOSS aims for 3rd in row with 5+ tackles & PD. • S TALANOA HUFANGA is only DB in NFL with 10+ tackles in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Had INT in only career game vs. LAC (11/13/22 w/ SF).
CHARGERS NOTES:
CHARGERS are 2-0 for 2nd consecutive season & can begin 3-0 for 1st time since 2002. Rank 3rd in NFL in scoring defense (15 points per game allowed). • QB JUSTIN HERBERT completed 19 of 27 atts. (70.4 pct.) for 242 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 122.8 rating & had 31 rush yards last week. Is 1st QB since 2021 with 70+ comp. pct., 2+ TD passes & 0 INTs in each of team’s 1st 2 games of season. Aims 7th in row with 2+ TD passes, 6th in row with 110+ rating & 5th in row with 0 INTs. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Den. with 90+ rating. Has 13 TDs vs. INT with 109.3 rating over past 8 starts vs. division. • RB NAJEE HARRIS had 48 scrimmage yards (28 rush, 20 rec.) last week. Has 216 scrimmage yards (108 per game) & rush TD in 2 career games vs. Den. • WRs KEENAN ALLEN & QUENTIN JOHNSTON are only 2 players in NFL with 60+ rec. yards & TD catch in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Allen has 6+ catches & 65+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 vs. Den. Johnston aims for 4th in row overall with 70+ rec. yards. • WR LADD MCCONKEY has 5+ catches in 9 straight games, 3rd-longest active streak in NFL & longest active streak in AFC. Aims for his 8th in row at SoFi Stadium with 50+ rec. yards. Had 6 catches for 87 yards in last meeting. • LB DAIYAN HENLEY had 10 tackles, 2 PD, sack & 2nd-career INT last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 8+ tackles & sack. Had 10 tackles & TFL in last meeting. • LB TULI TUIPULOTU had 5 tackles, career-high 2 PD & TFL in Week 2. • DT JAMAREE CALDWELL (rookie) had 1st-career sack last week. • CB TARHEEB STILL had career-high 9 tackles with 2 PD & TFL last week. Has 7+ tackles & TFL in 2 of past 3. Had PD in both games vs. Den. last season. • S DERWIN JAMES had 7 tackles & 2 PD in Week 2. Aims for 3rd in row with 7+ tackles & has TFL in 3 of his past 4. Has PD in 4 of his past 5 vs. Den. • S TONY JEFFERSON had 5 tackles, 2 PD & 5th-career INT in season debut last week. Has 5+ tackles in each of 3 career games vs. Den.
AFTER 2-0 START VS. AFC WEST RIVALS, CHARGERS CLASH WITH BRONCOS
Perfect to start the season, the Los Angeles Chargers are out for a clean sweep of the AFC West through three games when they play host to the Denver Broncos on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.
The Chargers (2-0) took down another division opponent when a shorthanded defense stepped up to dominate a 20-9 road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. Los Angeles also won its season opener 27-21 over the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Quarterback Justin Herbert continues to grow into a steady veteran with the third-most passing yards through two games at 560 and the fifth-best completion percentage among starters at 72.1. He has five touchdown passes without an interception.
On Monday, the Chargers were without linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) and lost linebacker Khalil Mack (elbow) on the final play of the first quarter. Linebacker Daiyan Henley had been questionable with an illness before playing.
Henley ended the night with one of three interceptions for the Chargers against Raiders QB Geno Smith, along with a sack and 10 tackles. Mack, diagnosed with a dislocated left elbow, and Perryman will both miss at least the next four games after being placed on injured reserve.
The victory put the Chargers alone in first place for the first time since 2021.
“To be in the conversation to be competing for a spot like that is our goal,” Herbert said Wednesday.
That the 2-0 record has happened without the Chargers playing a home game provides more reason for optimism.
“I think it’s been great the past couple weeks for us to go play on the road,” Herbert said. “To be the team that we want to be, we need to go play and win games like that, but to (now) stay at home and lose some of the travel, it’s always good for us.”
In addition to Henley not practicing on Wednesday, wide receiver Ladd McConkey (biceps), tight end Will Dissly (knee), defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (foot) and safety Elijah Molden (hamstring) were also absent.
The Broncos (1-1) looked like winners in Week 2 when the Indianapolis Colts missed a field goal to end the game. But a leverage penalty against Denver gave Indianapolis another chance and Spencer Shrader delivered to give the Colts a 29-28 victory.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix completed 22 of 30 passes for 206 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Nix led Denver on a seven-play, 60-yard touchdown drive to open the second half, with J.K. Dobbins scoring on a 5-yard run.
But the Broncos had just 83 net yards the rest of the way, with Wil Lutz missing a 42-yard field goal attempt with 3:19 remaining to leave the door open for the Colts to win it.
“I felt like it slipped away from us,” Nix said. “Got away. We made errors at the end that cost us.”
One of those miscues was Nix’s interception with 11:25 remaining. Through two games, the second-year QB has thrown for 382 yards with a 67.1 completion percentage, four TDs and three interceptions.
“There will be a bitter taste in our mouth for a little bit, and it’s because we put ourselves in a position to control that game late — and then it slipped out of our hands,” Denver head coach Sean Payton said. “It’s hard.”
The Broncos practiced Wednesday without tight end Evan Engram (back), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) and linebacker Justin Strnad (foot).
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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: NO leads series, 10-6 (NO won 6 of past 7)
Postseason: SEA leads series, 2-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/9/22: SEA 32 at NO 39
Postseason: NFC-D 1/11/14: NO 15 at SEA 23
SAINTS NOTES:
• QB SPENCER RATTLER completed 25 of 34 atts. (career-high 73.5 pct.) for 207 yards & career-high 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for career-best 118.1 rating in Week 3, his 1st-career game with 2+ TD passes. Is 1 of 2 (Joe Flacco) with 25+ completions in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. • QB ALVIN KAMARA had 6 catches & 120 scrimmage yards (99 rush, 21 rec.) in Week 2. Has 581 career receptions & can surpass HOFer Marcus Allen (587) for 5th-most by RB in NFL history. Had 781 scrimmage yards (130.2 per game) & 5 TDs (4 rush, 1 rec.) in 6 road games last season. Has 25 receptions (8.3 per game), 534 scrimmage yards (178 per game) & 3 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush) in 3 career games vs. Sea., incl. 160+ scrimmage yards in each game. • WR CHRIS OLAVE had 6 catches for team-high 54 yards last week & aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. Had rec. TD in last meeting. • WR RASHID SHAHEED had 52 rec. yards & 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 11th-career TD catch. Has 70+ rec. yards in 4 of his last 5 road games & aims for his 4th in row on road with 80+ rec. yards. • WR DEVAUGH VELE had 1st rec. TD with NO last week. • TE JUWAN JOHNSON had 19th-career rec. TD last week. Is 1 of 5 TEs with 5+ catches in each of 1st 2 weeks & aims for his 5th in row with 5+ catches. • DE CARL GRANDERSON had 7 tackles & tied his career highs with 3 TFL & 2 sacks in Week 2. Is 1 of 2 (Myles Garrett) with 1.5+ sacks in each of 1st 2 weeks. • DE CAMERON JORDAN had 3 TFL & 2 sacks in last meeting. • DE CHRIS RUMPH had 4th-career sack last week, 1st since 12/26/22 with LAC. • DE BRYAN BRESEE had 10th-career PD in Week 2. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS led team with 11 tackles & had 9th-career FR last week. Had 10 tackles, 4 TFL & 2 sacks in last road meeting (10/25/21). • LB PETE WERNER had career-high 2 PD & 15th-career TFL last week. • CB ALONTAE TAYLOR had 2 PD & TFL last week & aims for his 3rd in row with TFL.
SEAHAWKS NOTES:
QB SAM DARNOLD passed for 295 yards & 2 TDs last week, his 30th-career game with 2+ TD passes. Has 100 career TD passes. Aims for his 3rd in row with 85+ rating. • RB KENNETH WALKER had 118 scrimmage yards (105 rush, 13 rec.) & 25thcareer rush TD in Week 2, his 8th-career game with 100+ rush yards. Rushed for 88 yards & had 1st-career rush TD in last meeting. • RB ZACH CHARBONNET has rush TD in 2 of his past 3 at home. • WR JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA had 8 catches for 103 yards in Week 2 & is 1 of 2 (CeeDee Lamb) with 100+ rec. yards in each of 1st 2 weeks. Can become 1st player since 2015 (Antonio Brown & Julio Jones) with 8+ catches & 100+ rec. yards in each of his team’s 1st 3 games of season. Aims for his 8th in row at home with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. • WR COOPER KUPP had 7 catches for 90 yards last week. Needs 119 rec. yards to reach 8,000 for his career. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his 5 career games vs. NO. • WR TORY HORTON (rookie) had 1st-career TD catch last week. • LB ERNEST JONES led team with 10 tackles in Week 2. Had 2 TFL, 2 PD & sack in his last game vs. NO (12/21/23 w/ LAR). • LB TYRICE KNIGHT aims for his 8th in row with 6+ tackles. • DT BYRON MURPHY had career-high 1.5 sacks last week. • NT JARRAN REED had 1st sack of season in Week 2. • DE LEONARD WILLIAMS had half sack in Week 2. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 at home. • CB JOSH JOBE aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • CB RIQ WOOLEN had 13 PD in his past 10 at home & aims for his 7th in row at home with PD. Had INT & FR in last meeting. • S JULIAN LOVE had 1st PD of season last week. • S COBY BRYANT had 4th-career INT last week. Had FF in last meeting.
KELLEN MOORE’S SEATTLE HOMECOMING HIGHLIGHTS SAINTS VS. SEAHAWKS
The New Orleans Saints’ first road game of the season will double as a homecoming of sorts for new coach Kellen Moore.
Moore, who grew up in Prosser, Wash., and the Saints (0-2) are heading to Seattle to face the Seahawks (1-1) on Sunday.
“It’ll be a lot of fun to be back up there,” Moore said. “It’s a really cool environment, really fun environment. There’s a lot of challenges with playing up there and the crowd noise. But it will be an awesome opportunity for our football team.”
The Saints opened the season with a pair of one-score defeats at home to Arizona (20-13) and San Francisco (26-21). They’ll get their third straight matchup with an NFC West opponent Sunday.
Last weekend’s loss to the 49ers wasn’t sealed until New Orleans’ Spencer Rattler was sacked on fourth down with 57 seconds left.
“We’re putting ourselves in position to win games,” said Moore, 37, who was the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles last season. “Ultimately, we have to take advantage of those opportunities.
“Through two games, we have a great group of guys that work their tail off. Their play style, you can’t take advantage there or assume those sorts of things. We’ve got everything we need, but we have to play cleaner football and we have to play and do what winning teams do in each and every moment. From the beginning of the game, all the way to the end, every play matters. We can’t take it for granted.”
Rattler threw for a career-high three touchdowns but still dropped to 0-8 as an NFL starter.
“Man, we’re close,” Rattler said. “These games come down to the wire and you’ve got to do what winning teams do.”
After losing their opener at home to San Francisco, the Seahawks rebounded with a 31-17 victory last weekend at Pittsburgh.
The Seahawks got their new-look offense on track, gaining 395 yards against the Steelers.
Sam Darnold threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns, while Kenneth Walker III rushed for 105 yards and a TD — his first 100-plus yard game on the ground since the 2024 season opener.
“This offense is designed to get everybody the ball,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “And I felt like it did that (Sunday). And we’re on our way on that front.”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a game-high eight receptions for 103 yards and Cooper Kupp added seven catches for 90 yards, with tight end AJ Barner making a TD grab.
“We put ourselves in good positions on first and second down to get us into good third downs, third and manageable,” Darnold said. “And we converted a lot of those third downs.”
The Seahawks could be short-handed in the secondary, with safeties Nick Emmanwori (ankle) and Julian Love (hamstring) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee) all missing practice time this week, as did running back Zach Charbonnet (foot). The Saints practiced without offensive linemen Taliese Fuaga (knee/back) and Dillon Radunz (toe) as well as defensive end Chase Young (calf).
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DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1) AT CHICAGO BEARS (0-2)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: DAL leads series, 14-12 (Home team won 4 of past 5)
Postseason: DAL leads series, 2-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/30/22: CHI 29 at DAL 49
Postseason: NFC-WC 12/29/91: DAL 17 at CHI 13
COWBOYS NOTES:
QB DAK PRESCOTT passed for 361 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 96.7 rating in Week 2. Has 18 career games with 350+ pass yards, 2nd-most in NFL since 2018 (Patrick Mahomes, 22). Passed for 334 yards & TD in his only career game at Chi. (12/5/19). Had 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) & 114.5 rating in last meeting. • RB JAVONTE WILLIAMS had 6 catches, 130 scrimmage yards (97 rush, 33 rec.) & rush TD in Week 2, his 8th-career game with 100+ scrimmage yards. Aims for his 3rd in row with rush TD. • RB MILES SANDERS had 24th-career rush TD last week. • WR CEEDEE LAMB had 9 catches for 112 yards in Week 2, his 4th-straight & 23rd-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 77 yards & rec. TD in last meeting. Aims for his 15th in row on road with 5+ catches. • WR GEORGE PICKENS had 5 catches for 68 yards & 1st rec. TD with Dal. last week. Needs 61 rec. yards to reach 3,000 career rec. yards. • WR KAVONTAE TURPIN had 6th-career TD catch last week. • TE JAKE FERGUSON had career-high 9 catches for 78 yards, his 5th-career game with 75+ rec. yards. Had rec. TD in last meeting. • DT KENNY CLARK had 1st sack with Dal. last week, his 36th-career sack. • LB JADEVEON CLOWNEY can make Dal. debut. Has 58 sacks & 108 TFL in 140 career games. Has 3 sacks & 5 TFL in 3 career games vs. Chi. • LB KENNETH MURRAY had 6th-career game with 2 TFL last week. • LB JACK SANBORN had 149 tackles, 14 TFL & 4.5 sacks in 48 games (2022- 24) with Chi. Aims for his 3rd in row in 2025 with 6+ tackles. • DE JAMES HOUSTON had 10th-career sack last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Had career-high 3 sacks, 2 TFL & FF in his only career game vs. Chi. (1/1/23 w/ Det.) • CB KAIIR ELAM led team with 9 tackles last week. • S DONOVAN WILSON had 7th-career INT in Week 2.
BEARS NOTES:
QB CALEB WILLIAMS passed for 2 TDs & 91.9 rating in Week 2, his 8th-career game with 2+ TD passes. Can make 20th career start in Week 3. Has 85+ rating in 4 of his past 5 home starts. • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT rushed for 63 yards & had 30th-career rush TD last week. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 15 of his past 16 & aims for his 10th in row at home with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR ROME ODUNZE led team & set career highs with 7 catches for 128 yards & had his 2nd-career game with 2 rec. TDs in Week 2. Aims for his 3rd in row with 6+ catches & rec. TD. Needs 101 rec. yards to reach 1,000 career rec. yards. • WR DJ MOORE had 5 catches last week. Aims for his 6th in row at home with 50+ rec. yards. Had 8 catches for 113 yards & 2 TDs in his last game vs. Dal. (10/3/21 w/ Car.). • TE COLE KMET had TD catch in last meeting. • LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS aims for his 11th in row with 5+ tackles. Has PD in 4 of his past 5. • LB T.J. EDWARDS had 4 tackles in season debut last week. Had TFL in 3 of his final 4 home games last season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Dal. with 14+ tackles. • DL MONTEZ SWEAT has 5 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 FF & INT-TD in 7 career games vs. Dal. Has 5 TFL in his past 4 at home. • DL GRADY JARRETT aims for his 4th in row vs. Dal. with TFL. • DL GERVON DEXTER aims for his 3rd in row in 2025 with TFL. • CB TYRIQUE STEVENSON had 7 tackles & 3rd-career TFL last week. • S JAQUAN BRISKER has 5+ tackles in 17 of his past 18 games & aims for his 11th in row at home with 5+ tackles. Had 9 tackles & sack in last meeting. • S KEVIN BYARD has 4 PD & 3 INTs in 4 career games vs. Dal. Aims for his 5th in row vs. Dal. with 5+ tackles.
BEARS WELCOME MATT EBERFLUS, COWBOYS, DISCOUNT INTEL ON CALEB WILLIAMS
Former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus will return to Chicago as defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, and not everyone is glad to see his unit.
“Make no mistake about it, (Dallas) was one of the more challenging defenses we faced when I was in Detroit,” first-year Bears head coach Ben Johnson said on Wednesday. “We struggled to run the ball at times. Really good red-zone defense. We’ve got to be on our stuff this week.”
The Bears (0-2) prepare for the Cowboys knowing there are few details about Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams that Eberflus doesn’t know. Johnson said the inside knowledge works both ways.
Eberflus is in his second stint with the Cowboys (1-1). He was a linebackers coach in Dallas before being hired as Colts defensive coordinator, which predated his hire as Chicago’s head coach in 2022. Eberflus was fired after seven months working closely with Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, when the team got off to a 4-8 start last year.
“I feel like we know what he knows. We’ll be just fine there,” Johnson said.
When it comes to slowing down the Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott, Johnson and the Bears might have major cause for concern. Dallas scored 30 points after halftime last week to escape an upset bid by the New York Giants, prevailing 40-37 in overtime.
“So many guys that we got, and it kind of got put on display in the last game,” wide receiver George Pickens said of the Dallas passing game. “You got so many guys and I feel like that’s how offense is supposed to be. I don’t want to say you can’t stop us, but we’re definitely going to come out and dominate.”
Chicago’s secondary is not at full strength. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson (groin) left last week’s game after missing Week 1, and defensive backs Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Jones did not practice on Wednesday due to hamstring injuries. Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (knee) are also banged up.
That’s tantalizing news for Prescott, who ranks fifth in the NFL with 549 passing yards, and an offensive line group that is performing well. The Cowboys are working with a new blend of bodies on the front five without center Cooper Beebe. He was placed on injured reserve with a foot and ankle injury on Monday. Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton (shoulder) was limited in practice on Wednesday.
Prescott has been challenged by a Dennis Allen-run defense four times in his career and is 2-2. Allen is Chicago’s defensive coordinator, and he designed the Saints’ defense that recorded two picks and three sacks of Prescott last season.
Getting Prescott behind the sticks is no guarantee of success. He leads the NFL with 15 third-down completions and a league-best 11 completions for first downs. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb shook off a drop-heavy opener and carries a streak of four consecutive 100-yard games into this week. Pickens has 98 yards and a TD catch in his first two games with the Cowboys.
“I think he’s playing how we would expect him to play. We have a high standard for Dak and the way he’s supposed to perform,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “I think there’s a confidence about him right now, which is great.”
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions tipped the Bears with an aggressive pass rush to keep Williams unsettled in the pocket. The Lions sacked him four times.
The Cowboys have four sacks in the first two games. Jadeveon Clowney, who has 58 career sacks, signed Monday and is expected to debut on Sunday as the Cowboys shake up a front seven still working through the loss of pass rusher Micah Parsons in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys are allowing quarterbacks to complete 76.6 percent of their passes and average 301 gross passing yards per game.
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson connected on completions of 48, 50 and 52 yards last week, but the Cowboys intercepted him in overtime to set up the winning field goal. Wilson’s final numbers: 30 completions, 450 yards, three TDs.
Cowboys cornerbacks DaRon Bland (foot) and Trevon Diggs (illness) were not available for practice Wednesday. To aid recovery and reward players for “70 minutes of kick-ass football,” Schottenheimer held a light walkthrough rather than a full practice and kept the attention on recovery with a goal of being fresh when kickoff comes at Chicago.
“I think we have a responsibility to kind of trust the numbers and see what they say,” he said. “I told the guys from Day 1, if they go all out for us, we’ll take care of them.”
A collective exhale for the Bears might be due following a 52-21 rout at Detroit. The Lions scored seven touchdowns and made a field goal on 12 total drives, averaging 8.8 yards per play.
Chicago has allowed an NFL-high 79 points in two games. Opposing quarterbacks are completing 75 percent of their passes with seven TDs.
Ben Johnson said the greater process doesn’t change despite dire results. He is not having any talk of light practices or tapping the brakes.
“I think our practice habits are yet to reflect a championship-caliber team,” Johnson said. “We should be going to the football, finishing hard. Our fundamentals, our finish and our technique.”
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ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-0) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-0)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: SF leads series, 36-31 (ARI won past 2)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 1/5/25: SF 24 at ARI 47
Postseason: —
CARDS NOTES:
QB KYLER MURRAY totaled 252 yards (220 pass, 32 rush) & had TD pass last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 90+ rating & 6th in row with TD pass. Passed for 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 128.5 rating in last meeting. Aims for his 4th in row at SF with rush TD. • RB JAMES CONNER had 60th-career rush TD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TD. Had 100 scrimmage yards (86 rush, 14 rec.) in last meeting & has 50+ scrimmage yards in 6 of his 7 career games vs. SF. • TE TREY MCBRIDE had 6 catches for 78 yards last week. Has 6+ catches in 8 of his past 9 & aims for his 5th in row with 6+ receptions. Had rec. TD in last meeting. Aims for his 4th in row vs. SF with 6+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. Since 2023, has 22 games with 5+ receptions, most among NFL TEs. • WR MARVIN HARRISON JR. aims for his 3rd in row on road with 5+ catches & 70+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 63 yards & rec. TD in last meeting. • WR MICHAEL WILSON had 1st rec. TD of season in Week 2. Had 5 catches for 78 yards in last road meeting (10/6/24). • DL CALAIS CAMPBELL became 4th player since 1982 with 2+ sacks in game at age 39-or-older in Week 2, joining James Harrison, Clay Matthews & HOFer Bruce Smith (3x). Has 15 TFL in 19 career games vs. SF. • LB JOSH SWEAT had 1st sack of season & 8th-career FF last week. • LB BARON BROWNING had 2nd-career INT last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • LB MACK WILSON aims for his 3rd in row with 8+ tackles & PD. Had INT in last road meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. SF with PD. • LB ZAVEN COLLINS had 1st-career FR-TD in Week 2. Had sack & FF in last meeting. • CB DENZEL BURKE (rookie) set career high with 3 PD in Week 2. • CB WILL JOHNSON (rookie) aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S BUDDA BAKER aims for his 13th in row vs. SF with 5+ tackles. • S JALEN THOMPSON led team with 10 tackles in Week 2.
49ERS NOTES:
QB MAC JONES passed for 279 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 113.1 rating in SF debut last week, his 2nd-career game with 275+ pass yards & 3+ TD passes. Has 20+ completions & 30+ pass atts. in 6 of his past 7 starts overall. • RB CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY had 6 catches, 107 scrimmage yards (55 rush, 52 rec.) & 30th-career TD catch in Week 2 & became 3rd player ever with 50+ career rush TDs (52) & 30+ career rec. TDs. Is 1 of 3 (James Cook & Bijan Robinson) with 100+ scrimmage yards in each of 1st 2 weeks. Can become 1st player since HOFer Marshall Faulk (2000) with 50+ rush yards & 50+ rec. yards in each of 1st 3 weeks of season. Has 1,609 scrimmage yards (107.3 per game) & 16 TDs (10 rush, 6 rec.) in 15 home games with SF since 2022. Aims for his 6th in row at home with 100+ scrimmage yards. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with 175+ scrimmage yards & 3+ TDs & has 100+ scrimmage yards in 6 of his 7 career games vs. Ari. • RB BRIAN ROBINSON aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with TD. • WR JAUAN JENNINGS had 5 catches for team-high 89 yards & 1st rec. TD of season in Week 2. Had 7 catches for 52 yards in last meeting. • WR RICKY PEARSALL aims for his 5th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Had TD catch in last meeting. • LB FRED WARNER led team with 11 tackles & had TFL, PD, FF & FR last week. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. & 5th in row overall with TFL. • DL NICK BOSA aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Has 35 sacks & 46 TFL in 42 career home games. Had 2 TFL & INT in last home meeting. • DL BRYCE HUFF had 1st sack of season & 3rd-career FF last week. • DL MYKEL WILLIAMS (rookie) had 1st 2 career TFL in Week 2. • CB UPTON STOUT (rookie) had 1st career sack last week. • CB RENARDO GREEN has PD in 10 of his past 11 & aims for his 6th in row with PD. Had career-high 3 PD in last meeting.
49ERS, CARDINALS DON’T WANT TO LEAVE IT LATE IN UNBEATEN MATCHUP
The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals meet on Sunday for at least a share of the lead in the NFC West, the only division with more than one undefeated team two weeks in.
Each 2-0 team understands its good fortune thus far.
Both of the Cardinals’ victories — on the road against the New Orleans Saints and at home against the Carolina Panthers — were decided in the final seconds on defensive stops in their territory.
“We could be 0-2, but we’re 2-0 with this issue,” Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray said.
Similarly, the 49ers’ wins — against the Seattle Seahawks and the Saints — were not decided until San Francisco recorded game-saving strip sacks in the final minute.
“A lot of positives,” 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa said. “And a lot to learn from.”
The 49ers opened the season with a pair of road wins for the fourth time since 2019, which history suggests could indicate a long playoff run. In two of those seasons, 2019 and 2023, they made the Super Bowl. In 2021, they reached the NFC Championship Game.
The Cardinals are 2-0 for the first time since 2021, when they won their first seven and made their latest playoff appearance.
The teams have split the past 10 meetings, and home field has not been a particular advantage.
The Cardinals have won on three of their past five visits to Santa Clara, Calif., the most recent a 24-23 victory last October on Chad Ryland’s 35-yard field goal in the final two minutes. Murray had 195 yards passing and 83 rushing, scoring each way.
“Any time you have a quarterback like Kyler, no regard to how the game is going or how well you are doing schematically, he can unlock something and get an off-schedule (play),” San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said.
The 49ers have won games with quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Mac Jones this year. Purdy missed the New Orleans game with turf toe, and Jones passed for 279 yards and three touchdowns.
Purdy “does have a chance to play” Sunday, Shanahan said on Wednesday.
The 49ers are eighth in the league in total offense, though they are just 22nd in the run game despite the return of Christian McCaffrey. The two-time All-Pro has been held to 124 yards and a 3.5 average per carry, although he has 15 receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown.
“You can’t get tackled, that’s on me,” McCaffrey said with a laugh. “We’re close. Being able to break those long ones comes from all 11 guys being on point.”
The Cardinals are 24th in total offense, 27th in passing, although they are limiting mistakes.
San Francisco All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner is the reigning NFC defensive player of the week after registering 11 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery against the Saints.
“The guy’s a freak, man,” McCaffrey said. “He’s a game-changer.”
Arizona’s top three cornerbacks got hurt against Carolina, and one of them, Garrett Williams, landed on injured reserve this week due a knee injury. Neither Max Milton (knee) nor Will Johnson (groin) practiced on Wednesday, meaning Denzel Burke and Kei’Trel Clark could more see time against San Francisco.
Niners tight end George Kittle will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who sustained a concussion against New Orleans, did not practice on Wednesday.
San Francisco guard Ben Bartch played only 10 snaps against New Orleans before sustaining a high ankle sprain, and he was placed on injured reserve this week. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle/shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday.
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KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-2) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (0-2)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: NYG leads series, 11-4 (Home team won 4 of past 5)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/1/21: NYG 17 at KC 20
Postseason: —
CHIEFS NOTES:
QB PATRICK MAHOMES totaled 253 yards (187 pass, 66 rush) & 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) last week. Is 1 of 2 in NFL (Daniel Jones) with TD pass & rush TD in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 0 INTs. Passed for 275 yards & TD in last meeting. Is 8-1 in his past 9 starts on SNF. Needs 3 TD passes to become fastest player ever (115 games) to reach 250 career TD passes. • RB ISIAH PACHECO has 90+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. NFC. Has 100+ rush yards in 3 of his past 4 on SNF. From Vineland, NJ & had 158 scrimmage yards (115 rush, 43 rec.) & rush TD in only career game at MetLife Stadium (10/1/23 vs. NYJ). • RB KAREEM HUNT has 80+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his past 5 vs. NFC. • TE TRAVIS KELCE led team with 61 rec. yards last week. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD catch. Had 8 catches for 109 yards in only career game at NYG (11/19/17). Has 2nd-most catches (150) & rec. yards (1,939) & tied 2ndmost rec. TDs (12) all-time among TEs on SNF. • WR HOLLYWOOD BROWN aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches. Has TD catch in each of 2 career games vs. NYG. Aims for his 4th in row on SNF with 50+ rec. yards. • WR TYQUAN THORNTON had 59 rec. yards & 3rd-career TD catch last week. • DT CHRIS JONES led team with 2 TFL in Week 2. Had sack in last meeting. • DT OMARR NORMAN-LOTT (rookie) had sack in NFL debut last week. • DE GEORGE KARLAFTIS has sack in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 4th in row on road with sack. • LB NICK BOLTON aims for his 4th in row with 6+ tackles. Has PD in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had 11 tackles in last meeting. • LB DRUE TRANQUILL aims for his 8th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB NOHL WILLIAMS (rookie) had 1st 2 career PD in Week 2. • CB TRENT MCDUFFIE aims for his 7th in row with PD. • CB JAYLEN WATSON had 9 tackles last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 6+ tackles. Has PD in 4 of his past 5 on road. • DB CHAMARRI CONNER aims for his 3rd in row with 9+ tackles.
GIANTS NOTES:
QB RUSSELL WILSON passed for 450 yards & 3 TDs vs. INT for 123 rating in Week 2, his 4th-career 400-yard game. Became 6th player ever with 400+ pass yards & 3+ TD passes in game for 3 different teams. Has 43 TDs (40 pass, 3 rush) vs. 13 INTs for 100.5 rating in 20 career SNF starts. Has 16 TDs (13 pass, 3 rush) in 7 career starts vs. KC. • RB TYRONE TRACY had 51 scrimmage yards (36 rec., 15 rush) in Week 2. Had 65+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his final 5 home games last season. Aims for his 3rd in row in primetime with 100+ scrimmage yards & rush TD. • RB CAM SKATTEBO (rookie) had 1st-career rush TD last week. • WR MALIK NABERS had 9 catches for 167 yards & 2 TDs last week, his 3rdcareer game with 2 rec. TDs & 4th-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 16 of his 17 career games. • WR WAN’DALE ROBINSON had 8 catches for career-high 142 yards & 6thcareer TD catch last week. Aims for his 6th in row overall & 7th in row in primetime with 5+ receptions. • LB BRIAN BURNS had sack, 2 TFL & PD last week. Can become 1st player since 2021 (Matt Milano) with 2+ TFl in each of his team’s 1st 3 games of season. Has 7 sacks & 8 TFL in 9 career primetime games. Aims for his 3rd in row in primetime & 3rd in row overall with sack. • LB KAYVON THIBODEAUX had sack last week. Aims for his 5th in row with 0.5+ sacks & TFL. Has 5.5 sacks & 7 TFL in 8 career primetime games. • LB BOBBY OKEREKE had 10 tackles last week & aims for his 8th in row with 9+ tackles. Aims for his 3rd in row in primetime with FF. • CB PAULSON ADEBO had career-high 13 tackles & 45th-career PD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • CB DRU PHILLIPS had 11 tackles, career-high 2 PD, TFL & 2nd-career INT last week, his 2nd-career game with 10+ tackles.
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DETROIT LIONS (1-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: BAL leads series, 6-1 (BAL won past 5)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/22/23: DET 6 at BAL 38
Postseason: —
LIONS NOTES:
QB JARED GOFF passed for 334 yards & 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 156 rating in Week 2, his 4th-career game with 5 TD passes & 5th-career game with 150+ rating. Became 5th player ever with 4 career games with 300+ pass yards, 3+ TD passes & 150+ rating. Became 5th QB ever to start 5 games in which his team scored 50+ points. Has 2+ TD passes & 95+ rating in 7 of 9 career MNF starts. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS rushed for 94 yards & 1st TD of season last week. Had 9 catches, 126 yards (68 rush, 58 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. Has 32 TDs (27 rush, 5 rec.) in 34 career reg. season games. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 16 of his 17 career road games. • RB DAVID MONTGOMERY had 1st rush TD of season last week & has 26 rush TDs in 30 reg. season games with Det. since 2023. Gibbs & Montgomery have both rushed for TD in 10 games as teammates, tied-most games by RB duo in NFL history. Aims for his 6th in row in primetime with rush TD. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN had 9 catches for 115 yards & career-high 3 rec. TDs last week, his 20th-career 100-yard game. Is 1 of 5 WRs with 15 games of 9+ catches since 2021. Had 13 catches for 102 yards in last meeting. Has 5+ catches in 11 of his 13 career primetime games. • WR JAMESON WILLIAMS had 108 rec. yards & 11th-career TD catch last week, his 4th-career 100-yard game. Since 2022, has 8 scrimmage TDs of 40+ yards, tied 3rd-most in NFL over span. • DE AIDAN HUTCHINSON had 1st sack of season last week. Had FR in last meeting. • LB JACK CAMPBELL led team with 7 tackles & had 1st-career FR last week. Aims for his 8th in row with 6+ tackles. • DB BRIAN BRANCH had 3rd-career sack, 2 TFL, PD & 3rd-career FF last week. Aims for his 3rd in row overall & 4th in row on road with TFL. • S KERBY JOSEPH had 18th-career INT last week, most in NFL since 2022. Has 6 INTs & 9 PD in 11 career primetime games.
RAVENS NOTES:
RAVENS are 6th team since 2000 to score 40+ points in each of 1st 2 games of season & can become 1st team ever to do so in each of 1st 3 games. • QB LAMAR JACKSON passed for 225 yards & 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 128.6 rating last week, 11th-career game with 4+ TD passes & 0 INTs, most-ever by QB in 1st 100 career starts. Can become 6th QB ever with 2+ TD passes & 90+ rating in 11 straight games, incl. playoffs. Totaled 393 yards (357 pass, 36 rush) & 4 TDs (3 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with 155.8 rating in last meeting. Is 7-2 with 25 TDs (22 pass, 3 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 124.3 rating in 9 career starts on MNF. • RB DERRICK HENRY has 135+ rush yards in 4 of his past 5 & rush TD in 3 of his past 4. Rushed for 147 yards & TD in his last game vs. Det. (12/20/20 w/ Ten.). Is 1 of 2 RBs (James Cook) with 200+ scrimmage yards (205) & 2+ rush TDs (2) in 2025. • WR ZAY FLOWERS is 1 of 4 in NFL with 7+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Had 75 rec. yards in last meeting. • WR DEANDRE HOPKINS had 64 rec. yards & rec. TD last week & is 1 of 6 WRs with TD catch in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Had 10 catches for 137 yards in his last game vs. Det. (9/27/20 w/ Ari.). • WR DEVONTEZ WALKER had career-high 2 rec. TDs in Week 2. • WR TYLAN WALLACE had 2nd-career TD catch last week. • LB ROQUAN SMITH had 15 tackles, 3 TFL & 63-yard FR-TD last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 10+ tackles. Has 85 tackles (9.4 per game) in 9 career games vs. Det., tied-most tackles vs. any opponent in career. • LB TAVIUS ROBINSON had 6 tackles, sack & 1st-career FF in Week 2. • DT NNAMDI MADUBUIKE is 1 of 5 AFC DL with sack in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Has 0.5+ sacks in 4 of his past 5. Had sack & FF in last meeting. • CB NATE WIGGINS had career-high 3 PD, TFL & 2nd-career INT last week, 5thcareer game with 2+ PD. Has PD in 3 of his past 4. • S KYLE HAMILTON had 5 tackles & TFL in Week 2. Had 7 tackles & TFL in last meeting.
