Archives for October 16, 2023

Raiders Lose Garopollo But Defeat Pats

October 16, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

LAS VEGAS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Las Vegas QB Jimmy Garoppolo threw a touchdown pass before leaving with a back injury and Daniel Carlson kicked four field goals as the host Raiders defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 on Sunday afternoon.

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Garoppolo completed 14 of 22 passes for 162 yards and was intercepted once before Brian Hoyer replaced him to start the second half. Several reports said Garoppolo was taken to a local hospital for further testing.

Hoyer completed 6 of 10 for 102 yards as the Raiders (3-3) won their second straight after a three-game losing streak. Josh Jacobs ran 25 times for 77 yards for Las Vegas.

The Patriots (1-5) continued to struggle offensively, though they did end a 12-quarter touchdown drought. Mac Jones completed 24 of 33 for 200 yards and threw an interception.

New England coach Bill Belichick failed for the third consecutive week to join Don Shula and George Halas as the only NFL head coaches to win 300 regular-season games.

On the first possession of the third quarter, former Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott ran 2 yards for his first touchdown with his new team, providing New England’s first touchdown since the second quarter of a 15-10 victory against the New York Jets on Sept. 24.

Elliott’s touchdown trimmed the Las Vegas lead to 13-10 before Carlson kicked a 30-yard field goal that pushed lead to six points at the end of the third quarter.

Carlson added his fourth field goal, a 24-yarder, to increase the lead to 19-10 early in the fourth.

Rhamondre Stevenson’s 1-yard touchdown run pulled the Patriots within 19-17 with 3:33 remaining, but Jones was sacked for a safety with 1:47 remaining.

The Raiders received the opening kickoff and used 16 plays to drive 69 yards before Carlson kicked a 25-yard field goal that left the Raiders with a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

They extended the lead to 10-0 early in the second when Garoppolo threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers.

The Patriots closed within 10-3 when Chad Ryland kicked a 43-yard field goal midway through the quarter.

Carlson added a 37-yard field goal that extended the Raiders’ lead to 13-3 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Week Six Round-Up

October 16, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

CLEVELAND – (Wire Service Report) – Browns PK Dustin Hopkins kicked a go-ahead, 29-yard field goal with 1:40 left in the game and the host Cleveland spoiled the San Francisco 49ers’ chance at a perfect season with a 19-17 victory on Sunday afternoon.

Jake Moody had a golden opportunity to provide San Francisco (5-1) with the win, but he missed a 41-yard field-goal attempt wide right.

Jordan Mason had put the 49ers ahead 17-13 when he rushed for an 8-yard touchdown with 10:58 remaining. Hopkins made a 50-yard field goal just over seven minutes later to pull Cleveland (3-2) within one, and the Browns’ defense followed by forcing a three-and-out to set up the game-winning drive.

The 49ers lost star running back Christian McCaffrey (oblique) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) to injuries. Without those weapons, Brock Purdy struggled, completing just 12 of 27 passes for 125 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He took his first regular-season loss as a starter, falling to 10-1.

Cleveland quarterback P.J. Walker had 192 yards and two interceptions on 18-for-34 passing while starting in place of Deshaun Watson (shoulder).

Jets 20, Eagles 14

EAST RUTHERFORD – Tony Adams picked off Jalen Hurts on the first play after the two-minute warning and Breece Hall scored from 8 yards out on the next play for New York, which overcame an 11-point deficit to stun previously unbeaten Philadelphia in New Jersey.

The win was the Jets’ first-ever against the Eagles, who won the first 12 meetings between the franchises. Zach Wilson completed a two-point conversion pass to Randall Cobb following Hall’s TD. Wilson threw for 186 yards on 19-for-33 passing.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had 280 yards passing — including 131 to A.J. Brown — and one touchdown while getting picked off three times. Philadelphia (5-1) led 14-3 in the second quarter before three field goals from Greg Zuerlein pulled the Jets (3-3) within 14-12 late in the third.

Dolphins 42, Panthers 21

MIAMI – Tua Tagovailoa threw for three touchdowns after Miami fell behind by 14 points in a victory over Carolina in Florida.

The Dolphins (5-1) didn’t score in the first quarter, but the NFL’s highest-scoring team got rolling after that. Raheem Mostert, who ran for 115 yards on 17 carries, scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and NFL receiving leader Tyreek Hill racked up 163 receiving yards with one touchdown on six receptions.

The Panthers (0-6) remain the only winless team in the NFL despite going to the second quarter with a 14-0 lead. Rookie Bryce Young threw for 217 yards and one touchdown on 23-for-38 passing. Chuba Hubbard rushed for 88 yards on 19 carries and Adam Thielen had 11 catches for 115 yards.

Ravens 24, Titans 16

LONDON – Justin Tucker kicked six field goals and Baltimore held off a Tennessee rally in the second half to earn a win as the NFL continued its International Series of regular season games overseas.

After making four field goals in the first half to help Baltimore (4-2) open up a 15-point lead at the break, Tucker converted from 20 and 36 yards out in the fourth quarter to restore a two-score advantage. That became vital when the Titans (2-4) got a 38-yard field goal from Nick Folk with 38 seconds remaining.

Lamar Jackson completed 21 of 30 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown with an interception. He also led the Ravens in rushing with 62 yards on 13 carries. Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed 8 of 16 passes for 76 yards with an interception before leaving the game with an ankle injury.

Commanders 24, Falcons 16

ATLANTA – Behind Sam Howell’s three touchdown passes and key interceptions by Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste, visiting Washington earned a win over Atlanta.

Howell completed 14 of 23 passes for 151 yards, while Fuller added nine tackles in addition to his third-quarter pick. Terry McLaurin led the Commanders (3-3) in receptions (six) and yards (81). Running backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson added scoring receptions.

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns but threw three costly interceptions, including one in the end zone grabbed by St-Juste with 5:17 to play in the fourth quarter. Atlanta (3-3) has lost three of its past four games.

Vikings 19, Bears 13

CHICAGO – Jordan Hicks recovered a fumble and took it 42 yards for a touchdown in addition to grabbing an interception as Minnesota held on to beat the Chicago Bears.

Kirk Cousins completed 21 of 31 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota (2-4). Jordan Addison caught the Vikings’ lone touchdown pass as Minnesota emerged on the positive end of its sixth consecutive game decided by eight points or fewer.

Justin Fields completed 6 of 10 passes for 58 yards and one interception for Chicago (1-5) before leaving in the third quarter because of a right hand injury. It was later reported that he dislocated his right thumb. Fields was replaced by undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent, who completed 10 of 14 passes for 83 yards but threw a costly interception in the final two minutes.

Bengals 17, Seahawks 13

CINCINNATI – Joe Burrow tossed a pair of first-half touchdown passes and the Cincinnati defense had two interceptions in a victory over visiting Seattle.

The Bengals (3-3) sacked Geno Smith four times and stopped the Seahawks (3-2) twice inside the 10-yard line in the final three minutes to seal the win. Burrow finished 24-of-35 passing for 185 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while Smith finished 27-of-41 passing for 323 yards and the two picks.

Kenneth Walker III ran for 62 yards and a touchdown for the Seahawks. Bengals rookie Andrei Iosivas scored his first career touchdown on his 24th birthday.

Texans 20, Saints 13

HOUSTON – C.J. Stroud threw two touchdown passes and the Houston defense held New Orleans without a touchdown after the first quarter in the host Texans’ victory.

Stroud threw the first interception of his rookie season, but he and the Texans (3-3) overcame that as he threw for 199 yards and hit Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods for first-half TDs.

Derek Carr passed for 353 yards and a touchdown, but New Orleans (3-3) was scoreless in three trips deep into Houston territory in the fourth quarter.

Jaguars 37, Colts 20

JACKSONVILLE – Trevor Lawrence passed for two touchdowns and Travis Etienne Jr. added two scores on the ground to lead Jacksonville over visiting Indianapolis.

Lawrence, who sustained a left knee injury, was 20-of-30 passing for 181 yards and one interception as Jacksonville finished off a two-game, regular-season sweep of the Colts. Christian Kirk and Brenton Strange caught touchdown passes as Jacksonville (4-2) moved into first place in the AFC South.

Gardner Minshew completed 33 of 55 passes for 329 yards, one touchdown and a career-worst three interceptions for Indianapolis (3-3). The former Jacksonville quarterback was starting in place of Anthony Richardson, who was placed on injured reserve with a potentially season-ending shoulder injury. Zack Moss rushed for a touchdown for the Colts.

Raiders 21, Patriots 17

LAS VEGAS – QB Jimmy Garoppolo threw a touchdown pass before leaving with a back injury and Daniel Carlson kicked four field goals as host Las Vegas defeated New England.

Garoppolo completed 14 of 22 passes for 162 yards and was intercepted once before Brian Hoyer replaced him to start the second half. Several reports said Garoppolo was taken to a local hospital for further testing. The Raiders (3-3) have now won back-to-back games following a three-game losing streak.

The Patriots (1-5) continued to struggle offensively, though they did end a 12-quarter touchdown drought. Mac Jones threw for 200 yards and an interception on 24-for-33 passing. New England coach Bill Belichick failed for the third consecutive week to join Don Shula and George Halas as the only NFL head coaches to win 300 regular-season games.

Lions 20, Buccaneers 6

TAMPA-ST. PETE – QB Jared Goff passed for 353 yards and two touchdowns as visiting Detroit defeated Tampa Bay.

Goff completed 30 of 44 passes as Detroit (5-1) extended its lead in the NFC North to 2 1/2 games over idle Green Bay. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 12 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, while Jameson Williams added a 45-yard scoring grab. The Lions’ top rusher, David Montgomery, suffered a rib injury in the second quarter and did not return.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 19 of 37 passes for 206 yards and an interception. Chris Godwin made six receptions for 77 yards for Tampa Bay (3-2). The Buccaneers were limited to 46 rushing yards.

Rams 26, Cardinals 9

INGLEWOOD – WR Cooper Kupp had seven receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown and Los Angeles outscored Arizona 20-0 in the second half on the way to a victory in California

The Rams (3-3) rolled up 259 of their 382 total yards in the second half. Christian Rozeboom intercepted Cardinals quarterback Josh Dobbs on the first play of the fourth quarter, and Kyren Williams scored a 5-yard touchdown at the end of the ensuing 88-yard drive.

Williams finished with 158 rushing yards on 20 carries for Los Angeles. Dobbs went 21-for-41 passing for 235 yards and led the Cardinals (1-5) in rushing with 47 yards on seven carries.

–Field Level Media

Rangers Nip Astros in Battle of Texas

October 16, 2023 by Digital Sports Desk

HOUSTON — Outpitched by his counterpart of the Texas Rangers, left-hander Jordan Montgomery, Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander didn’t appear overly concerned in the aftermath of a 2-0 loss in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday.

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Participating in their seventh consecutive ALCS, the longest such streak in AL postseason history, the Astros have shown resilience plenty of times previously. Their inability to solve Montgomery made for a micro issue, but it didn’t leave the 2022 World Series champions feeling any sense of hopelessness despite falling into a 1-0 hole in the best-of-seven series.

Houston won’t have to wait long for a chance to even things, as it plays host to the Rangers today in Game 2 of the ALCS.

“We lost Game 1 in the World Series last year,” Verlander said. “We’ve lost Game 1 of some playoff series before. And that’s the great thing about this team.

“Obviously, nobody is sitting in the locker room right now happy. But it’s very matter of fact. We just got punched. How do you answer?”

Left-hander Framber Valdez (0-1, 10.38 ERA in postseason) is the scheduled starter for the Astros in Game 2. He allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings in a 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins in Game 2 of the AL Division Series.

The loss dropped Valdez, who finished 12-11 with a 3.45 ERA across 31 regular-season starts, to 7-3 with a 3.82 ERA over 14 career postseason appearances (13 starts).

Valdez is 7-5 with a 2.90 ERA over 16 career appearances (13 starts) against the Rangers. In three starts against Texas this season, Valdez finished 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA.

Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (2-0, 1.32) has the starting assignment for the Rangers on Monday. He has allowed one run in each of his two starts this postseason, with Texas clinching series against the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles with Eovaldi on the bump. Eovaldi has recorded 15 strikeouts against 11 hits and zero walks in 13 2/3 innings this postseason.

Eovaldi is 3-4 with a 4.42 ERA over 10 career regular-season starts against the Astros. He was the pitcher of record in a 14-1 loss to Houston on Sept. 5 after surrendering four runs on five hits — including two home runs — and one walk with one strikeout while recording only four outs.

Eovaldi finished 1-1 with a 4.32 ERA in two starts against the Astros this season, including a 5-2 win at Minute Maid Park after he tossed seven shutout innings while allowing two hits and issuing four walks.

The Rangers showcased a blueprint for how they plan to attack Astros left-handed slugger Yordan Alvarez, who recorded a 1.783 on-base-plus-slugging percentage with four home runs in the ALDS against the Twins.

Montgomery recorded three strikeouts of Alvarez by working inside with fastballs before finishing him off with curveballs. Alvarez produced an .892 OPS against left-handed pitching during the regular season but finished 0-for-4 against Montgomery and southpaw reliever Aroldis Chapman, who got Alvarez to roll a harmless ground ball to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to conclude the eighth.

“Yeah, obviously he’s a really good hitter, so you kind of have to do a little bit of everything to him,” Montgomery said. “But we kind of worked the fastball in and out and threw some curveballs for strikes and expanded and made some big pitches when we needed to.”