BRONCOS BREEZE PAST BENGALS IN PENALTY-FILLED BATTLE
DENVER — Bo Nix took advantage of an undisciplined, penalty-riddled Cincinnati defense, throwing for a career-high 326 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Denver Broncos past the Bengals 28-3 on Monday.
Nix finished 29 of 42 on the night as the Broncos (2-2) won for the second time in as many home game and outgained the Bengals 512-159 on the night. The Bengals (2-2) lost their second straight without injured quarterback Joe Burrow.
J.K. Dobbins finished with 101 yards on 16 carries, snapping the Broncos’ string of 37 games without a 100-yard rusher.
Cincinnati QB Jake Browning completed 14 of 25 passes for 125 yards and led an offense that was incapable of managing a first down for much of the first half and into the third quarter.
The Bengals went from the 14:08 mark of the second quarter to 6:11 remaining in the third without a first down. After their first drive ended with a 26-yard Evan McPherson field goal, the Bengals punted on their remaining eight possessions (excluding a kneel-down at the end of the first half).
It was another nightmare first half for Cincinnati, which trailed 21-3 at the half. The Bengals have been outscored 55-6 in the first of their last two blowout losses.
The Bengals appeared to show some fight when rookie Demetrius Knight picked off Nix in the end zone to stop a red zone chance for the Broncos on four-and-goal from the Cincinnati 1. But after the Bengals went three-and-out, the Broncos answered.
With Denver facing a third-and-10 from and its 33, the Bengals could not get to Nix, and the Denver quarterback connected on a 28-yard completion to Marvin Mims to the Cincinnati 39.
Four plays later, Nix found Courtland Sutton over the middle for a 20-yard touchdown with eight seconds to go in the half and a 21-3 lead at the half.
The sloppy Bengals were flagged for 11 penalties (eight accepted) for 50 yards in the first half. Tee Higgins had a 37-yard completion wiped out due to an illegal-formation call against right tackle Amarius Mims.
The Broncos were able to take full advantage of several Cincinnati mistakes, starting with a 24-yard punt by Ryan Rehkow that set up Denver’s first touchdown drive of 64 yards in nine plays. Nix ran 6 yards up the middle on a scramble for the score in the last minute of the opening quarter.
Marvin Mims Jr. added a 16-yard touchdown run as Denver piled up 305 yards in the first half, highlighted by Nix’s 17-of-26 success for 217 yards. Cincinnati had 94 total yards before halftime.
The Bengals ended up losing 65 yards on 11 penalties. The Broncos were flagged seven times for 72 yards.
TUA TAGOVAILOA, DOLPHINS DOWN JETS DESPITE TYREEK HILL’S INJURY
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdown passes to Darren Waller and the Miami Dolphins are no longer winless after a 27-21 victory over the New York Jets on Monday night in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Miami overcame the loss of standout receiver Tyreek Hill to a potentially serious left knee injury. De’Von Achane rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown and Jordyn Brooks racked up a season-best 18 tackles for the Dolphins (1-3).
Justin Fields completed 20 of 27 passes for 226 yards and rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown to lead the Jets (0-4). Garrett Wilson caught six passes for 82 yards and a touchdown and Breece Hall had 111 scrimmage yards (81 rushing, 30 receiving) for New York.
Hill was carted off the field with 13:21 left in the third quarter. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection made a 10-yard catch near the New York sideline, twisted his leg awkwardly when landing and immediately grabbed his knee.
The Dolphins said Hill was taken to a local hospital to undergo imaging, evaluation and observation. Hill had six catches for 67 yards.
Tagovailoa connected on 17 of 25 passes for 177 yards for Miami.
New York’s Braelon Allen (26 yards on four rushes) exited with a knee injury in the second quarter. Allen lost a fumble near the Miami goal line in the opening period.
The Jets never led but closed the gap to six with 1:49 remaining after Fields tossed a 23-yard scoring pass to Wilson and then ran in the two-point conversion.
Waller recovered the ensuing onside kick, and New York didn’t get the ball again until two seconds left, remaining winless under new coach Aaron Glenn.
Miami led 10-3 at halftime before Tagovailoa threw a 9-yard scoring pass to Waller with 11:33 left in the third quarter.
The Jets responded on the next possession. Fields was under pressure, reversed field, headed left and ran down the sideline for a 43-yard touchdown with 9:23 left in the third quarter.
Just over four minutes later, Achane scored on a 9-yard run to give the Dolphins a 24-10 lead.
Miami scored the first 10 points of the game with a 47-yard field goal by Riley Patterson in the first quarter, followed by Waller’s 4-yard catch from Tagovailoa on fourth down with 9:20 remaining in the second quarter. The touchdown finished a 96-yard drive after Allen’s costly fumble.
Allen looked as if he was going to score on a 6-yard run, but Jack Jones punched it out at the Miami 1 and Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered at the 4.
The Jets got on the board when Nick Folk kicked a career-best 58-yard field goal as time expired in the half.
NEW YORK GIANTS OWNER JOHN MARA SAYS HE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Giants owner John Mara announced Monday he was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Mara said in a statement released by the team that he has been following a treatment plan recommended by doctors. He did not disclose what form of cancer he has and asked for privacy on the matter.
“I’m feeling strong and optimistic, and I’m committed to seeing this through to a positive outcome,” Mara said. “I’m fortunate to be surrounded by incredible support — personally, professionally and medically.”
Mara, 70, added that he expects to remain active with the team as president and CEO while being treated. He was at the Giants’ practice facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey, last week when coach Brian Daboll formally named rookie Jaxson Dart the starting quarterback.
The Mara family has owned the storied NFL franchise since its founding in 1925.
PACKERS HEAD INTO BYE WEEK SEEKING TO CORRECT COSTLY MISTAKES FROM THEIR PAST TWO GAMES
After they played as well as any team in the NFL through their first two games, the Green Bay Packers got a reality check the past two weeks.
Now they head into their bye week facing a crossroads after a 13-10 loss at Cleveland and a 40-40 tie at Dallas, causing them to fall behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.
“We can go home and put our heads down, and we are just blaming each other and point the finger,” said Micah Parsons, who made a potential touchdown-saving sack in overtime to highlight the former Cowboys’ pass rusher’s return to Dallas.
“Or we can be men and say, ‘This is where I’m coming from. This is where you are coming from. And how do we fix it?’ I think we have to be adults here. We have to be professionals. We have to find a way to be positive.”
There’s plenty of blame to go around for the Packers’ issues these past two Sundays.
The offense that struggled in Cleveland a week earlier was resurgent Sunday at Dallas. Green Bay scored on all five of its possessions after halftime.
But a defense that entered Sunday having given up the fewest points of any NFL team allowed Dallas to score touchdowns on five of its last seven drives, even though the Cowboys were missing two starting offensive linemen and four-time Pro Bowl receiver CeeDee Lamb because of injuries.
The Packers (2-1-1) hadn’t allowed as many as 40 points in a game since a 40-33 loss at Philadelphia in 2022.
“I take ownership,” Parsons said after the game. “Coach and them take ownership. But ownership is one thing, and doing something about it is another. Tomorrow, let’s all watch this film together as a team. Let’s break it down. Let’s talk about it. I think that’s the tough conversation that we have to have all together.”
The Packers will spend their bye week having those talks as they figure out how they can recapture the form they showed in their earlier victories over the Lions and Washington Commanders.
“There’s just a lot of little areas that if we clean them up and execute better, we’ll be the team we want to be,” quarterback Jordan Love said.
“I have no doubt. We’re still a really good team. But it comes down to Sundays, coming out here and performing, executing at a high level. Yeah, there’s some disappointment in these past two weeks. We’ve got some things to clean up and there’s a long season ahead of us.”
What’s working
One week after the Browns limited them to 81 yards on 31 carries, the Packers rushed for 164 yards on 35 attempts. … The Packers went 10 of 14 on third down and 1 of 1 on fourth down. … An offensive line missing two starters allowed only one sack, though it was a big one — a strip-sack that led to a Dallas touchdown just before halftime.
What needs help
The special teams breakdowns continued Sunday as an extra-point attempt got blocked and returned to the end zone. That three-point swing proved critical in a game that ended in a tie. … Green Bay’s poor clock management in overtime nearly prevented the Packers from attempting a tying field goal to end the game. There were about 22 seconds left when Emanuel Wilson was tackled for a 1-yard loss after making a catch. Green Bay snapped the ball with about 6 seconds left, and a single second remained after Love threw an incomplete pass to Matthew Golden in the end zone.
Stock up
Romeo Doubs had a career-high three touchdown catches. He has four touchdowns this season to match his 2024 season total. … Josh Jacobs rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns. … Brandon McManus kicked a tying 53-yard field goal at the end of regulation and a 34-yarder on the final play of the game. … Golden made a game-saving, 14-yard catch on fourth-and-6 late in the fourth quarter.
Stock down
LT Rasheed Walker appeared to get beaten on James Houston’s strip-sack late in the second quarter. … CB Carrington Valentine struggled in pass coverage.
Injuries
DT Devonte Wyatt left with a knee injury and CB Nate Hobbs was evaluated for a concussion. OT Zach Tom (quadriceps), G Aaron Banks (groin) and OT Anthony Belton (ankle) didn’t play.
Key number
6-0-1 — The Packers’ record at AT&T Stadium following Sunday’s tie. The Packers had won each of their first five meetings with the Cowboys at A&T Stadium. Their most recent Super Bowl victory also came in that stadium.
Next steps
The Packers don’t play again until an Oct. 12 home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Then they head back on the road to face Arizona and Pittsburgh.
49ERS QB BROCK PURDY HURTING AGAIN, COULD MISS TNF VS. RAMS
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s return to the starting role might be brief.
Purdy re-injured his toe in San Francisco’s 26-21 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday, leaving his availability up in the air on a short week, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday.
The 49ers (3-1) are set to visit the Los Angeles Rams (3-1) on Thursday night, a critical early test in the tightly packed NFC West.
Purdy played in the 26-21 defeat on Sunday afternoon and told reporters afterward that he felt fine. But Shanahan said Monday morning that Purdy had called him on Sunday night and said the injury, a form of turf toe, again was bothering him.
The quarterback is expected to be evaluated on Monday afternoon, Shanahan said.
“Hopefully, we’ll find out more later today, but any time guys are sore and hurting on a Monday, you usually don’t stress too much about it,” Shanahan said. “But anytime you have a Thursday game, it’s a totally different element. So, I’m concerned with anybody who’s not totally healthy at this moment, but we’ll have to get more information on that later today to really have a clue of what to speculate.”
Purdy was injured during the season-opening 17-13 road victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He passed for 277 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The 25-year-old sat out wins over the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals to rest his foot.
His replacement, Mac Jones, sustained a knee sprain and was limited in practice last week. Purdy went from limited early in the week to being cleared to play against Jacksonville.
Purdy was 22-of-38 passing for 309 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions and also lost a fumble. He said the toe wasn’t an issue, but Purdy acknowledged that his mechanics might have been off, resulting in a few high throws.
“I think just getting back out there and throwing and getting into a rhythm, being down two weeks, coming back and feeling out my body and everything, obviously how my toe feels,” he said.
“Honestly, I don’t know the answer to that,” he said of the toe injury’s impact. “But, obviously, I’m going to watch this film, look at my mechanics and be real with myself and try to fix that.”
Purdy is a combined 48 of 73 (65.8 percent) for 586 yards, four TDs and four interceptions with a 78.8 quarterback rating in his two games. For his career, he is a 67.5-percent passer, with 10,104 yards, 68 TDs and 31 picks in 42 regular-season games (38 starts) and a 24-14 record.
Shanahan also said that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall could miss the next game with an ailing right knee. He was hurt attempting to make a catch in bounds and left the game early on Sunday.
“I was testing out my knee,” Pearsall said. “I fell pretty hard on that play on the sideline, trying to keep my feet in bounds, and I fell pretty hard on my knee. I was just feeling pain and a little bit of instability. I wasn’t trying to mess with it.”
Shanahan does not think that Pearsall has a long-term injury from the initial evaluation but pointed to a possible sprain.
“They’re thinking more of a minor PCL or something like that is what our guess is, just landing on it hard,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully, it won’t be too bad. Obviously, a huge concern with the Thursday night game and stuff, but we’re not expecting it to be too bad.”
Pearsall, 25, has 20 receptions on 29 targets for 327 yards in starting all four games.
San Francisco wide receiver Jauan Jennings injured his ribs on Sunday in his return to the lineup from injury. He also will be further evaluated on Monday.
Jennings, 28, has played in three games this season — all starts — and has nine catches on 19 targets for 129 yards and one touchdown. He missed the Week 3 win over Arizona because of ankle and shoulder issues.
QB JOSH ALLEN LEADS BILLS TO 4-0 START, BUT CONCERNS LINGER AFTER CLOSE CALL IN WIN OVER SAINTS
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — High expectations have their price, leaving Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills unhappy, but relieved, following a close call against the winless New Orleans Saints.
“We want to go out there and score on every single drive,” Allen said. “Any time we stall or turn the ball over or punt for that matter, we feel like it’s a disappointment.”
Allen did enough with the 47th three-TD-or-better outing of his career in leading Buffalo to score 10 points in the final seven minutes of a 31-19 win on Sunday.
And the Bills defense held firm, holding the Saints to a field goal followed by two fourth down stops on their final three drives.
But it still begs the question of just how good these Bills are at 4-0?
Buffalo is in the driver’s seat in sitting alone atop the AFC and joining the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles as the NFL’s two remaining unbeaten teams.
The five-time defending AFC East champions already have a two-win edge on their division no matter the outcome of the New York Jets’ outing at Miami in a matchup of two 0-3 teams on Monday night. And the Bills can further build their division edge in preparing to host the New England Patriots (2-2) on Sunday night.
That said, a perfect record doesn’t reflect concerns that have cropped up over the opening month.
The Bills have benefitted from an easy schedule, with their first four opponents having a combined record of 1-13 entering Monday night. And that includes the underperforming Baltimore Ravens (1-3), a team the Bills beat by rallying from a 15-point deficit in the final four minutes of a 41-40 season-opening win.
Buffalo’s defense is still susceptible against the run, after allowing 189 yards against the Saints. Penalties became an issue on Sunday, with Buffalo flagged 11 times for 55 yards.
And the offense has endured notable lulls, highlighted in the second quarter on Sunday. After scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions, the Bills combined for minus-6 yards on their next three possessions, ending with two punts and Allen throwing his first interception of the season.
New Orleans failed to take advantage in being limited to a field goal. The rebuilding Saints have their issues under rookie coach Kellen Moore, but more established opponents could have fared better in similar circumstances.
“We didn’t play our best game, but we did enough to win,” linebacker Terrel Bernard said.
Laments aside, there were positives particularly on a defense missing two starters to injuries and two more regulars to suspensions.
Safety Cole Bishop had a leaping, one-handed interception of receiver Chris Olave’s pass on a trick play at the goal line. New Orleans was also limited to two field goals on four drives opening in Buffalo territory.
A week after allowing Miami to convert 10 of 15 third down opportunities, the Bills held the Saints to go 5 of 13, and 0 of 2 on fourth down.
Though the Bills failed to cover the more than two-touchdown spread, they’ve now scored 30 or more points in each of their first four games.
As this past weekend’s results showed, every NFL team has its flaws. The previously unbeaten Chargers lost to the winless Giants. Even the Eagles struggled in nearly squandering a 24-6 lead in a 31-25 win over Tampa Bay.
So just how good are the Bills?
“We’ll see,” coach Sean McDermott said. “I don’t think we really know that yet.”
What’s working
Home-field edge. Buffalo is one of four NFL teams to have won 14 straight home games and score 24 or more points each time. Only the 1997-98 Broncos and 2017-19 Patriots did so in 15 consecutive home outings.
What needs help
Third down offense. Buffalo finished 3 of 10 on third down and 0 of 1 on fourth down.
Stock up
Bishop. The second-year safety’s interception was the first of his career, and followed offseason questions as to whether he was ready to assume a starting role opposite Taylor Rapp.
Stock down
CB/Returner Brandon Codrington. The second-year player was inactive, and his time in Buffalo could be numbered with receivers Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir and running back Ty Johnson handling the return duties. The Bills face a roster crunch with rookie CB Hairston Maxwell (knee) eligible to be activated off IR as early as this week. Defensive lineman Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi have two games left to serve in their respective NFL suspensions.
Injuries
Punter Cameron Johnston’s status is being evaluated after being struck in his left leg in the fourth quarter.
Key number
8 — Consecutive games James Cook has scored a touchdown rushing to break the team record set three previous times.
Next steps
Close a three-game homestand by hosting New England. The Bills are 8-3 against the Patriots, including playoffs, since Tom Brady’s departure following the 2019 season.
LINEBACKER DEVIN LLOYD IS A DEFENSIVE CATALYST FOR THE JAGUARS’ SURPRISING START TO THE SEASON
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Devin Lloyd hasn’t enjoyed a month like this since his rookie season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker, the 27th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft who is in the final year of his contract, has three interceptions in four games and has been a defensive catalyst for the team’s best start since 2018.
Lloyd had a season-high eight tackles and two picks in a 26-21 victory at San Francisco on Sunday, the latest takeaway-fueled victory for the surprising Jaguars (3-1).
Jacksonville, which hosts defending AFC champion Kansas City (2-2) next Monday night, has notched three or more takeaways in every game this season. It’s the first time that’s happened in franchise history, and Lloyd has been a major contributor.
“I’m playing good football,” said Lloyd, who had a similar September in 2022 when he was named the AFC defensive rookie of the month. “I think as a team we’re all playing good football. Ultimately, I’m just focused on playing my best for the team so we can win. … We’re all playing off of each other.”
Jacksonville’s defense has been the team’s top storyline in September. The Jaguars rank fourth in the league in points allowed, giving up 18 a game, and have been stout at every level on that side of the ball. Takeaways have been critical to their success.
After recording nine total in 2024, the Jags have an NFL-leading 13 under first-year coordinator Anthony Campanile. His zone scheme allows defenders to keep their eyes on the ball, leading to turnovers on overthrows and tips.
“It’s in our DNA, man,” cornerback Jourdan Lewis said. “That’s what we preach every day and that’s what we go out there and do. We do presentations. We practice taking the ball away. And when it comes to the game, it looks easy for the guys.”
Lloyd could be the biggest beneficiary. The Jaguars declined to pick up the fifth-year option in his rookie deal, so he’s playing for a payday — whether it’s in Jacksonville or in free agency. He spent training camp vying with Ventrell Miller for a starting spot, and the two shared snaps in the season opener.
But Lloyd has pulled away with his recent play. He intercepted a pass in Week 2, recovered a fumble in Week 3 and then delivered the best outing of his career against the 49ers.
“They come in bunches, so let’s keep them bunches coming,” linebacker Foye Oluokun said. “We could really do something special here.”
What’s working
Running back Travis Etienne has Jacksonville’s ground game humming. Etienne ran for 124 yards and a touchdown against the Niners, his third consecutive game with a score. He now has 394 yards rushing in four games and has been the most consistent part of first-year coach Liam Coen’s offense.
The Jaguars rank third in the league in rushing, averaging 144 yards a game, and are doing it with little help from quarterback Trevor Lawrence. It’s a credit to Jacksonville’s revamped line and Coen’s commitment to the rushing attack.
What needs help
The Jaguars rank last in the league with 38 penalties, including 12 for 90 yards against San Francisco. They’ve had several more flags declined this season, with many of those being pre-snap procedure issues. It’s an area Coen needs to clean up as the season continues.
Stock up
Arik Armstead’s sack/fumble in the fourth quarter essentially ended the game. It was huge for Armstead, who spent the first nine years of his career with the Niners, and provided more proof that his move from edge to defensive tackle has been one of Jacksonville’s best decisions of 2025. The 31-year-old Armstead has 2 1/2 sacks.
Stock down
Two-way rookie Travis Hunter logged a season-low 47 snaps, with just nine of those coming on defense. He did have Jacksonville’s longest reception, a leaping catch for 28 yards on a third-and-15 play that was part of an 89-yard touchdown drive.
Coen said playing Hunter so little was “just a personal decision that had to do with a few things that we’ll keep in-house for now.”
Injuries
DE Travon Walker (wrist), S Eric Murray (neck), RG Patrick Mekari (knee) and RT Anton Harrison (elbow) were scheduled for further evaluations Monday.
Key number
9 — Number of losses in “Monday Night Football” for Jacksonville, with all of them coming in their last 12 showings. Jacksonville hosts Kansas City on Monday night.
Next steps
Beating the Chiefs in prime time would be a huge boost for the rebuilding Jags.
MRI CONFIRMS GIANTS RECEIVER MALIK NABERS HAS A TORN ACL, COACH BRIAN DABOLL SAYS
NEW YORK (AP) — An MRI confirmed that New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers has a torn ACL in his right knee and is expected to miss the rest of the season, coach Brian Daboll said Monday.
“He’s one of our better players — I think one of the better players at his position in the league,” Daboll said. “We’ll have a tremendous amount of support for him, his family. It’s obviously a tough loss for our football team, but we’ll regroup and we’ll get the guys ready to play that are here.”
Nabers was carted off the field during the second quarter of the Giants’ home game against the Los Angeles Chargers after his right knee buckled when he was trying to make a catch. His departure put a damper on New York’s first win this season as rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for a touchdown and ran for another in his first NFL start.
“Obviously, prayers to him,” Dart said after the 21-18 victory. “Malik’s one of one. So when you have a guy like that on the field, you have all the confidence in the world that he can just be a dominant game-changer.”
There were big expectations for Nabers after he caught a single-season franchise record 109 passes in his rookie year, finishing with 1,204 yards and seven TD receptions. And that came with a revolving rotation of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito at QB.
STEELERS HAVEN’T ALWAYS LOOKED GOOD DURING THEIR 3-1 START. THEY ALSO DON’T CARE
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin isn’t much on aesthetics.
The Pittsburgh Steelers coach knows his team hasn’t played particularly well over the first month of the season.
The offense remains a work in progress behind Aaron Rodgers, who has played steadily if not spectacularly. The defense is banged up and uncharacteristically gettable as a result.
Yet as the team flew back across the Atlantic on Sunday night following a closer-than-it-had-to-be 24-21 victory over Minnesota in the first regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland, Pittsburgh found itself atop an AFC North that doesn’t look as formidable as it did four weeks ago.
Cincinnati will be without Joe Burrow indefinitely. Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are reeling. Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns have yet to reach 20 points in a game.
So forgive Tomlin if he isn’t getting worked up over the fact that his first-place team hasn’t always looked the part.
“We’re 3-1, and that’s all that matters,” Tomlin said. “Would I like to be 4-0? Certainly. But we are what we are. I’ve learned not to kid myself. You are what your record says you are. So that’s what we are going into the bye, and I can take it.”
Tomlin talks frequently about the growth mindset that’s vital to the opening weeks of a given season. Teams don’t begin the season as finished products, particularly not ones that spent the spring and summer overhauling the roster the way the Steelers did.
What Tomlin wants to see above all else in September is progress, hopeful that the results will follow. And there were signs in front of the sea of twirling Terrible Towels at Croke Park that the club Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan and assistant general manager Andy Weidl assembled may be starting to figure things out.
DK Metcalf, held largely in check over the first three games, posted season highs in catches (five) and yards (126), including an 80-yard catch-and-run for a score that showcased the combination of strength and breakaway speed that attracted Pittsburgh to him in the first place.
The offensive line struggled to create running room over the first three games. The solution was to utilize reserve Spencer Anderson as a sixth lineman in certain packages and keep massive tight end Darnell Washington in to open up holes for Kenny Gainwell, who piled up a season-high 99 yards and scored twice against one of the league’s better defenses.
The defense continues to give up yards in chunks, but has also created the kind of “splash” that Tomlin so openly covets. A week after producing five turnovers in a road victory at New England, the Steelers followed it up by sacking Minnesota’s Carson Wentz six times and forcing him into a pair of interceptions.
“We’re getting there,” said defensive lineman Cam Heyward, who deflected a pass that turned into a pick for a third straight week. “We’re getting there. Week 4, we are not done, and we’ve got a lot of room to improve. I like the way we’re trending.”
It’s tempting coming out of a game in the Emerald Isle to say the Steelers have been blessed by a little bit of “luck of the Irish.”
Yet going two-plus decades without a losing season isn’t luck. Neither is being in the playoff chase far more often than not, even if the only place Pittsburgh consistently looks pretty is in the win column.
What’s working
Drafting linebackers from Wisconsin. The Steelers found a star in perennial All-Pro T.J. Watt near the end of the first round in 2017. In 2023, they used a fourth-round pick to select Nick Herbig, who led the Big Ten in sacks during his final year with the Badgers.
Early in his third season, Herbig appears ready to take flight. He’s been a force after missing the opener with a hamstring injury, racking up 2 1/2 sacks to go with an interception and eight quarterback hits while looking every bit the part of the next great outside linebacker for a franchise whose history is dotted with some of the best players ever at the position.
What needs help
The ability to protect a lead without drama. A week after letting an early 14-point lead evaporate against New England (though they eventually recovered), the Steelers made things way more interesting than was necessary late.
Stock up
Inside linebacker Peyton Wilson labeled himself “one of the best in the world” entering his training camp but spent the first three weeks looking far from it. Yet his No. 41 was regularly visible against the Vikings, nevermore so than when he chased down Minnesota’s Jordan Addison at the end of a long catch-and-run late in the fourth quarter. The tackle forced the Vikings to burn valuable time before scoring.
Stock down
The travel schedule. The Steelers didn’t leave for Dublin until late Thursday night and spent all of 2 1/2 days in Ireland. Shorter trips have become the norm now that international games have become more common, but perhaps there should have been an exception for the first regular-season game in Ireland, particularly considering the club’s close ties to the country.
Injuries
RB Jaylen Warren was a late scratch against the Vikings because of a knee injury. CB Joey Porter missed his third straight game with a hamstring injury. LB Alex Highsmith didn’t even make the trip overseas because of a sprained ankle. S Jalen Ramsey is dealing with a hamstring problem. WR Calvin Austin left early with a shoulder injury that could be serious.
Key number
91 — career completions of 50 yards or more by Rodgers, breaking a tie with Drew Brees for most in NFL history.
Next steps
Take the weekend off before heading into the brunt of their schedule, starting with a meeting with Cleveland at Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 12.
FALCONS’ OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: HOW THEY TURNED IT AROUND AGAINST THE COMMANDERS
ATLANTA (AP) — It took exactly one drive for the Atlanta Falcons to exceed their offensive production from Week 3.
The Falcons bounced back from their anemic showing in a 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers, gaining a season-high 435 yards in a 34-27 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. New kicker Parker Romo, who contributed to the shutout in Charlotte with two missed field goals, capped the opening possession with a 38-yard field goal and Atlanta was off and running.
The Falcons never trailed and evened their record to 2-2 heading into an early bye week. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was sharp throughout, and Bijan Robinson furthered his reputation as one of the league’s best running backs with a career-high 181 yards from scrimmage. The defense held a Commanders team missing quarterback Jayden Daniels and top receiver Terry McLaurin in check for most of the way.
“It puts us in a great mindset,” rookie edge Jalon Walker said. “My goal was to get the team a win and go into the bye week and feel confident. Now we get to roll into Monday night and face the Bills.”
What’s working
The Falcons made two changes after the disaster against the Panthers — they fired wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard and moved offensive coordinator Zac Robinson from the press box to the sideline on game day. It is hard to measure the impact of Hilliard’s dismissal, but Robinson’s move seemed to eliminate the issue of play calls getting in late to Penix. Coach Raheem Morris liked how Robinson could feel the flow of the game and have direct communication, and Penix said he liked talking to Robinson in person after a series.
“To be able to come to the sideline and to hear from him exactly what he’s seeing and the way he wants to set up the plays the next drive is awesome,” Penix said. “I feel like it was definitely a good thing for us.”
Penix had a career-high 313 passing yards and the Falcons were 6 for 12 on third down and 1 for 1 on fourth down.
What needs help
The Falcons’ kickoff coverage allowed Luke McCaffrey to average 33.2 yards on six returns, including a 58-yarder that went straight up the middle of the Falcons’ coverage. Washington did not start inside its own 29-yard-line after any kickoff until a holding call pushed it back to the 24-yard-line on the final drive of the game. McCaffrey’s 58-yard return led to a Commanders field goal.
Stock up
Wide receiver Drake London had his first 100-yard game of the season, hauling in eight passes on 10 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. His previous season high was 55 yards.
When London caught a five-yard pass from Penix in the first quarter, it was Atlanta’s first passing touchdown to a wide receiver or tight end this season. London also made a nice catch on a crucial third-down conversion in the fourth quarter as the Falcons were driving with a seven-point lead that eventually led to a field goal.
“(A win like this) can mean the world to a lot of people,” London said. “It meant the world to me today.”
Stock down
Washington rushed for 6.7 yards per carry, which was the highest allowed by the Falcons through four games and would rank last in the NFL if carried over for the full season. Chris Rodriguez Jr. had a 48-yard gain in the first quarter when he ran through a tackle attempt by rookie safety Xavier Watts. Quarterback Marcus Mariota had a 20-yard scramble and Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt had a 16-yard carry.
Injuries
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who missed the season opener with a shoulder injury, left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. He had one catch for 15 yards. CB Natron Brooks suffered a concussion in the second quarter after returning a kickoff. He walked off under his own power but did not return.
Key stat
Robinson has 10 straight games with at least 90 yards from scrimmage, which is the longest active streak in the NFL.
Next steps
The Falcons are one of four teams that have a bye in Week 5, the earliest bye week of the season. They host the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 13, their first Monday night home game since 2018.
COMMANDERS ARE STILL WAITING FOR DANIELS AND MCLAURIN TO RETURN AND NEED TO FIX THEIR DEFENSE
WASHINGTON (AP) — Missing the injured Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin is hardly ideal for the Washington Commanders’ offense, of course, yet the most glaring issue at the moment is their defense.
Coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. have work to do this week as the Commanders (2-2) prepare to face quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers (3-1) next Sunday following a 34-27 loss at the Atlanta Falcons.
“It’s very easy to beat a defense that you know isn’t out there focused and communicating the right way,” said cornerback Mike Sainristil, who did provide one highlight by intercepting Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for Washington’s first forced turnover of the season.
The Falcons (2-2) were coming off a 30-0 loss against the lowly Carolina Panthers — a performance Atlanta coach Raheem Morris said produced a “nasty, disgusting taste” — and Penix, running back Bijan Robinson and wideout Drake London looked like world-beaters against Washington, which is 0-2 on the road.
Penix went 20 of 26 for a career-best 313 yards passing with a pair of TDs. Robinson ran 17 times for 75 yards and caught four throws for 106 yards, including one that went for 69. London’s eight catches accounted for 110 yards and a score.
Robinson and London were the first running back and wideout teammates with 100 yards receiving apiece in any NFL game since November 2018.
In all, the Commanders allowed the Falcons to generate a season-high 435 yards.
“We’ve got to grow from it, man. That’s the message,” Quinn said. “We will get better. I’m certain of it.”
What’s working
The running game. Still using a committee of running backs, Washington gained 147 yards on 22 carries, an average of 6.7. Again, there was a huge play, this time a 48-yarder by Chris Rodriguez. He wound up with 59 yards on seven carries, while rookie seventh-round pick Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt ran for 47, quarterback Marcus Mariota — making his second consecutive start in place of Daniels — picked up 20 and three other players also had runs.
What needs work
The defense. Washington flopped on that side of the ball in just about every meaningful way. After leading the league in limiting opponents’ third-down conversions through Week 3, the Commanders allowed the Falcons to go 6 for 12. A week after getting five sacks, Washington managed just one. Atlanta had four plays that each went more than 20 yards, and a total of 15 that each gained more than 10. “The explosive plays, that was a big thing,” Quinn said. “And then not winning on third down enough.”
Stock up
WR Luke McCaffrey. Christian McCaffrey’s younger brother has a TD catch in two games in a row and he also accumulated 199 yards on kickoff returns Sunday, a single-game high in the NFL this season.
Stock down
CB Marshon Lattimore. Hard to point to one player on the defense after this game, but Lattimore continues to give up yards in chunks.
Injuries
The focus will remain on Daniels (knee) and McLaurin (quadriceps) until they return, but Washington is dealing with a lot of other injuries. DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (pectoral) left Sunday’s game; WR Noah Brown (groin, knee), TE John Bates (groin) and S Percy Butler (hip) all missed it. RB Austin Ekeler, DE Deatrich Wise, CB Jonathan Jones and S Will Harris are on injured reserve. Guard Sam Cosmi has been out all season after tearing a knee ligament in the playoffs; the team is waiting for him to be able to practice.
Key number
4 for 4 — PK Matt Gay’s success rate on field-goal attempts against Atlanta, making kicks from 41, 42, 43 and 52 yards. Gay now has made six straight field goals after going through a 1-for-4 patch that included a miss from 37 yards out. Quinn found the negative side to giving Gay that many opportunities on Sunday, though, saying: “Pleased Matt hit them, but I want to make sure (we) score some (more) touchdowns.”
Up next
The Commanders stay on the road and head out to California to face the Chargers, who are coming off their first loss of the season, 21-18 against rookie Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants. This starts a segment of the schedule in which Washington plays eight consecutive games that all start at times other than 1 p.m. Eastern.
EAGLES HAVE PLENTY OF UGLY PLAY, WORSE STATISTICS TO CLEAN UP EVEN AS SUPER BOWL CHAMPS SIT AT 4-0
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber had one question as the National League home run champion addressed a jam-packed Phillies crowd that came to celebrate a division crown and get pumped for Red October.
“Are the Birds winning?” Schwarber asked, as Phillies fans cheered.
Was that a rhetorical question?
Of course the Birds were winning. That’s what the reigning Super Bowl champions do.
The Eagles won again — for the 20th time in their last 21 games to the delight of Schwarber and all Philadelphia sports fans — even as their road to victory in Tampa Bay that gave them a 4-0 start was one of the ugliest of late for one of four undefeated teams in the NFL.
Not good enough!
“You guys may look at the record,” Hurts said of the Philly media, “and be a hound for negativity, in some regard.”
Woof.
Let’s hear some criticism.
“When we’re playing bad, we’re really playing bad.”
Philly media, just calling the Eagles really bad? Try iced running back Saquon Barkley, who understands as well as anyone this team has yet to play anything close to a complete game.
For example, the Eagles did not complete a pass in the second half against Tampa Bay, the first team since the Raiders on Christmas 2023 against the Chiefs to win a game without doing so. The eight pass attempts without a completion were the second most in the second half in the NFL since 1991.
The Eagles led 24-6 at halftime and failed again to put away a team — albeit, one that traditionally has been a thorn in their side — in the second half, much as they did most of last season on their way to the Super Bowl.
“Don’t let good get in the way of great,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “It’s a challenge to not settle for good. It’s a challenge to be critical of yourselves, as players, as coaches, everybody, and say, ’How can we be greater than what we are?’”
In other words, the Eagles know they’re not playing their best. What are they going to do about it?
What’s working
Special teams. Special teams got the Eagles started with another scoring play a week after Jordan Davis blocked a field goal for a scoop and score to seal a win.
Cameron Lafu broke through the offensive line up the middle and blocked Riley Dixon’s punt, and Sydney Brown picked it up and returned it 35 yards for a 7-0 lead.
“I think what we do great on this team, and what other teams don’t do, our special teams guys have roles,” Brown said. “Everybody has a role throughout the week and it’s not like we (mess) around. I think everybody goes out there, they play hard, they understand what we need to do to be successful.”
Davis blocked Joshua Karty’s potential game-winning 44-yarder as time expired last week and returned it 61 yards to seal a 33-26 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
On the previous possession, Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter blocked Karty’s 36-yard try.
What needs help
Running game. Barkley, a 2,005-yard rusher a season ago, has failed to crack 100 yards in any of the first four games and was held to 43 against Tampa Bay. He has just 237 yards rushing and is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry.
He averaged 2.6 yards last week against the Rams and just 2.3 yards on Sunday. Consider, Barkley had 435 yards rushing and averaged 6.0 yards a carry through four games last season. Only once last season was he held to less than 50 yards rushing in a game.
Yes, the offensive line is banged up and teams are primed to stack the box against him, and they also have a year of film and learned some tricks on how to slow Barkley.
But Barkley’s numbers shouldn’t be this bad.
Barkley took the heat for his slow start, simply saying it was his job to “get more yards.”
“If it’s a 0-yard gain, make it a 3-yard gain,” he said. “If it’s a 3-yard gain, make it a 6-yard gain. I just got to do a better job of that.”
Stock up
Moro Ojomo clinched the win for the Eagles with a clutch sack late in the fourth quarter.
Stock down
Wide receivers. Sure, maybe it’s not all their fault. But the Eagles receivers have made Barkley’s production look like an All-Pro’s this season. A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith had just four combined catches for 36 yards.
Brown and Smith, each with multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons on their resumes, have been nonfactors this season and the frustration has spilled over into (gasp!) social media.
Brown did not speak to reporters in Tampa Bay but did have time to post on social media. Brown wrote, “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders on be on your way.”
No, it wasn’t a passage from ” Inner Excellence. ” Rather, Brown quoted a Bible verse.
Injuries
Eagles: RT Lane Johnson (shoulder) left in the third quarter and DT Jalen Carter (shoulder) exited in the fourth.
Key number
10 — Philadelphia won its franchise record-tying 10th consecutive game (including playoffs) to improve to 4-0 for the eighth time in team history (also 1954, 1981, 1992, 1993, 2004, 2022 and 2023).
Next steps
Get the offense going for Sunday’s home game against Denver.
BROWNS WRS CEDRIC TILLMAN, DEANDRE CARTER OUT FOR WEEK 5
Cleveland Browns wide receivers Cedric Tillman and DeAndre Carter both could miss multiple weeks with injuries, head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday.
Tillman, who has started all four games at wide receiver this season, is dealing with a hamstring injury, while Carter, the team’s primary return man, has a knee injury.
Both players are at least ruled out through Sunday’s game in England against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Stefanski.
Tillman, 25, has 11 receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns this season. In three seasons with the Browns, he has 61 receptions for 669 yards and five TDs over 29 games (13 starts).
Carter, 32, has not played on offense this season. He has 11 kickoff returns for 274 yards, while also making six punt returns. In eight NFL seasons with seven different teams, he has 117 receptions for 1,331 yards and six TDs in 111 games (21 starts). He had a kickoff return for a touchdown in 2021 with the Washington Commanders.
