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NFL MNF: Bills at J-E-T-S

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EAST RUTHERFORD – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Underwhelming might suffice as a five-game summary of the New York Jets through five games of the 2024 regular season. Even so, the Jets can move into first place in the AFC East with a win on Monday night against the Bills.

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A 2-3 start resulted in Jets owner Woody Johnson firing head coach Robert Saleh and promoting Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets’ defensive coordinator, to take the reins as the interim coach. Ulbrich demoted offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, stripping his play-calling duties to hand the responsibility to quarterbacks coach Todd Downing.

It might not take long to determine if the changes are akin to putting lipstick on a pig, given how much deference the offensive coaching staff gives Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Can Buffalo’s offense get back on track?

The Bills had a much better start to their campaign. They rattled off three straight wins but have now lost back-to-back games.

In hindsight, Buffalo might have benefited from a soft schedule, as its three wins (Cardinals, Dolphins, and Jaguars) came against sub-.500 teams, with a combined record of 5-12.

Defensively, those opponents rank 25th or lower in FTN Fantasy’s comprehensive Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) metric.

Offensively, Bills quarterback Josh Allen is coming off a 9-for-30 (131 passing yards) performance on the road against the Houston Texans.

Allen and his receivers weren’t on the same page. He has the fourth-highest percentage (19.5%) of “bad throws” that don’t include spikes or throwaways. Buffalo receivers have the second-highest percentage of dropped passes per attempt (7.8%).

Things won’t get any easier against a Jets secondary that Pro Football Focus ranks first in pass coverage with an 86.5 grade.

Rodgers deserves blame for the Jets’ dysfunction

Trading for Rodgers also meant the Jets essentially would give him the keys to the franchise.

Even before his arrival, Saleh signed Hackett as the offensive coordinator, given his strong relationship and perhaps even friendship with Rodgers since working together in Green Bay.

Some think Rodgers was even working behind the scenes, prodding the Jets to sign wide receiver Allen Lazard, a former Packers teammate.

We know that Rodgers definitely played a part in the Jets signing another former teammate in wide receiver Randall Cobb.

Thus, Rodgers has been the puppet master, pulling the strings for quite some time now.

There are even reports that Rodgers contacted the Jets owner after learning that Saleh was considering firing Hackett as the coordinator.

The dismissal completely blindsided Saleh, which suggests that something must have changed radically over a short period of time for the Jets front office to make such a decision.

Interestingly, the first thing the Jets’ new play-caller addressed when meeting the media was the Jets’ rushing attack.

“First of all, this team does have a strong run game. We just haven’t seen it come to fruition consistently enough,” Downing said. “Secondly, I think there become times where you can find people pressing a little bit because there’s an expectation for production and when it’s not met, you can feel a sense of urgency.”

There was no mention of his underperforming quarterback, who ranks 25th in Total QBR.

Unless Downing is brave enough to add dramatic wrinkles, we’re bracing for more of the same: the Jets’ stagnant offense relying on a dominant defense.

–By Field Level Media

Texans Pummel Patriots, 41-21

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Houston’s QB C.J. Stroud threw for three touchdowns to lift the Texans to a 41-21 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon in Massachusetts.

Stroud completed 20 of 31 passes for 192 yards and was picked off once as Houston (5-1) spoiled Drake Maye’s first career start. Maye, selected third overall by New England in this year’s draft, finished with 243 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions on 20-of-33 passing.

Joe Mixon returned from a three-game absence to rack up 132 yards from scrimmage (102 rushing, 30 receiving) for the Texans. He rushed for a touchdown and caught another. Stefon Diggs was one of Stroud’s favorite targets, hauling in six catches for 77 yards and a score.

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After seeing its first five drives end in four punts and a pick, New England (1-5) came to life just before the break, pulling within 14-7 on Maye’s 40-yard scoring strike to Kayshon Boutte with 11 seconds left in the first half. It was Maye’s first career passing TD.

Momentum wasn’t on the Patriots’ side for long, though, as Maye fumbled on the first drive of the second half to set up Houston at the New England 10. Two plays later, Diggs hauled in a 10-yard touchdown to put the Texans up 21-7.

A 39-yard field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn extended the visitors’ advantage to 24-7 with 6:56 to go in the third quarter. Fairbairn drilled a 46-yarder just more than 1 1/2 minutes later.

Maye trimmed the Patriots’ deficit to 27-14 with one minute left in the third when he connected with Hunter Henry for a 6-yard TD.

Mixon (20 yards) and Dameon Pierce (54) sandwiched Maye’s 35-yard touchdown pass to DeMario Douglas with fourth-quarter scoring runs to forge the 41-21 final.

Douglas had six receptions for 92 yards and the TD.

Houston cut through the Patriots’ defense with ease on the game’s opening drive, an 11-play, 65-yard march that ended with Stroud’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Tank Dell.

Stroud made it 14-0 when he found Mixon for a 10-yard score with 3:13 left in the first quarter.

–Field Level Media

SF 49ers in Full Stride vs Seahawks

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SEATTLE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – SF QB Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes, two to George Kittle, and the San Francisco 49ers — after building a 20-point lead — held on to defeat the host Seattle Seahawks 36-24 on Thursday night.

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Purdy also threw a 76-yard scoring strike to Deebo Samuel Sr. as the 49ers (3-3) moved into a first-place tie with the Seahawks (3-3) in the NFC West.

Geno Smith threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett with 1:44 remaining to pull Seattle within 29-24.

San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk scored on a 6-yard run with 1:17 left to clinch the victory. That came two plays after rookie Isaac Guerendo broke free on a 76-yard run. Guerendo rushed for 99 yards on 10 attempts after Jordan Mason, who entered the game second in the NFL in rushing, left with an apparent left shoulder injury.

Mason gained 73 yards on nine carries. Purdy was 18 of 28 for 255 yards, and Samuel produced 102 yards on three receptions. Kittle had five catches for 58 yards.

The 49ers forced three turnovers and turned them into 12 points.

Smith connected on 30 of 52 passes for 312 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The Seahawks tried to establish the running game but gained just 52 yards on 20 carries.

Laviska Shenault Jr. scored on a 97-yard kickoff return for Seattle, which took its third consecutive loss.

Purdy’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Kittle with 10:07 left in the third quarter gave the 49ers a 23-3 lead.

The 49ers, who blew double-digit leads in divisional losses to the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals earlier this season, then saw Shenault return the ensuing kickoff to spark a Seattle comeback.

Kenneth Walker III scored on a 1-yard run with 1:24 left in the third to pull the Seahawks within 23-17.

Niners rookie Renardo Green stepped in front of DK Metcalf and picked off a Smith pass to set up Kittle’s second touchdown, a 9-yard reception with 6:20 remaining in the game, to make it 29-17.

The 49ers took a 16-3 halftime lead. San Francisco had a 244-133 edge in total offense, including 105-24 on the ground, and forced a pair of turnovers — an interception of a Smith pass near the goal line and a Shenault fumble on a kickoff return.

The lone touchdown of the half was the 76-yarder to Samuel down the left sideline with 13:30 remaining in the second quarter.

San Francisco kicker Matthew Wright, signed earlier in the week after Jake Moody sustained a high ankle sprain Sunday, converted all three of his field-goal attempts in the first half, from 25, 41 and 35 yards.

–Field Level Media

KC Chiefs Remain Unbeaten; Carr Hurt

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KANSAS CITY – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Kareem Hunt and Xavier Worthy of Kansas City rushed for touchdowns, Harrison Butker kicked four field goals, Patrick Mahomes passed for 331 yards and the host Chiefs defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-13 on Monday night.

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JuJu Smith-Schuster caught seven passes for 130 yards and Travis Kelce made nine receptions for 70 yards to help the Chiefs (5-0) overcome the absence of injured wide receivers Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice.

Hunt rushed for 102 yards, while Mahomes completed 28 of 39 passes with one interception.

New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr completed 18 of 28 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns with one interception before leaving the game because of an oblique injury in the fourth quarter.

Rashid Shaheed finished with four catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, but the Saints (2-3) lost their third consecutive game.

The Chiefs had an opportunity to extend their 16-7 halftime lead on the first possession of the third quarter, but Butker’s 51-yard field goal hit the right upright and caromed wide.

Kansas City drove to the New Orleans 2-yard line on its next possession, but a Mahomes pass was intercepted in the end zone by defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who returned to the New Orleans 35. Both teams went scoreless in the third quarter.

On the second play of the fourth quarter Carr threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Foster Moreau, pulling New Orleans within 16-13. Blake Grupe’s extra-point kick was no good.

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The Chiefs needed just five plays to answer as Mahomes connected with Smith-Schuster for a 50-yard gain and Kelce received a direct snap and handed to Worthy for a 3-yard touchdown run and a 23-13 lead.

Butker’s 38-yard field goal completed the scoring with 3:03 remaining.

On Kansas City’s first possession, Hunt ran 5 yards for a touchdown that gave the hosts a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Chiefs increased the lead on a 26-yard field goal from Butker before Carr threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Shaheed to pull New Orleans within 10-7.

Kansas City overcame a second-and-34 on its way to a 34-yard Butker field goal, and the kicker added a 28-yarder to increase the lead to nine points entering halftime.

–Field Level Media

Patriots Caught by Dolphins in OT

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Alec Ingold rushed for a go-ahead 3-yard touchdown with 4:24 remaining to lift the Miami Dolphins to a 15-10 win over the New England Patriots on a gorgeous football Sunday afternoon in Massachusetts.

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Miami (2-3) couldn’t cash in on a two-point conversion after Ingold scored, but it didn’t matter, as New England failed to find the end zone on its ensuing drive.

It looked like Jacoby Brissett threw a 12-yard touchdown pass with 1:03 to go, but Ja’Lynn Polk failed to get both feet down in bounds. The Patriots (1-4) then came up empty on a fourth-and-15.

New England ended up getting the ball back with 29 seconds left and worked down to the Miami 11, but the clock hit zeros as the offense was trying to scramble back to the line of scrimmage.

Jaylen Wright racked up 86 yards on 13 carries for the Dolphins, who totaled 193 rushing yards as a team. Wright took on a larger role in the backfield after the Dolphins lost De’Von Achane to a concussion in the first quarter.

Tyler Huntley completed 18 of 31 passes for 194 yards. He was picked off once. Tyreek Hill hauled in six catches for 69 yards.

Brissett finished with 160 yards on 18-of-34 passing. Rhamondre Stevenson collected 89 yards and a TD on 12 carries.

Joey Slye’s 38-yard field goal gave New England a 10-3 edge with 11:01 remaining in the third quarter. Jason Sanders answered with a pair of field goals — from 32 and 47 yards out — to make it a one-point game entering the fourth.

Sanders provided Miami with its first lead of the season when he capped the game’s opening drive with a 54-yard field goal.

New England later made the most of a Christian Gonzalez interception that set it up at the Dolphins 43. Four plays after the pick, Stevenson rushed for a 33-yard touchdown to put the Patriots ahead 7-3 with 3:55 left in the first quarter.

Points were nowhere to be found for the remainder of the first half, mainly due to the struggles of both sides’ special teams units.

Miami had a punt blocked, botched a snap on a field-goal attempt and watched Sanders miss a 41-yarder. Slye also missed the mark, pushing a 33-yard field-goal attempt wide right.

–Field Level Media

NFL SNF: Bills at Ravens

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BALTIMORE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Buffalo is one of five 3-0 teams in the NFL, while the Baltimore Ravens are hungry to prove they are still on par with teams like the Bills in the AFC.

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When the teams meet on Sunday night in Maryland, the Ravens will have at least one thing going for them: They are hosting their second annual “Darkness Falls” game, a college-style stadium blackout that has Lamar Jackson pumped.

“Hearing the ‘Flock,’ just seeing all black throughout the crowd, it’s like you can’t escape,” the quarterback said with a grin. “It’s something about it, man, I can’t really describe it. Like the dark side.”

The Ravens (1-2) didn’t need home cooking to defeat the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday, though they let a 22-point lead dwindle in the fourth quarter before winning 28-25. Baltimore has been outscored 32-7 in the fourth quarter of its past two games.

Derrick Henry racked up 151 of the Ravens’ 274 rushing yards vs. the Cowboys and scored the third and fourth touchdowns of his debut season in Baltimore. Jackson ran for 87 yards and a score, and Justice Hill added 33 yards on five carries.

“They are kind of a good 1-2 punch,” coach John Harbaugh said of Henry and Hill. “They play off each other really well. They run the same plays, too, but they also run different plays at times. I just think it’s a good change of pace for the defense.”

The Ravens continue to tweak their defense, adding pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue to their practice squad earlier this week. Ngakoue has totaled 69 career sacks for six teams, including nine games for Baltimore in 2020. Baltimore’s Kyle Van Noy is tied for third in the league with four sacks.

As for the Bills, there has been little to nitpick this year.

After creaming the Jacksonville Jaguars 47-10 on Monday night, the Bills have a plus-64 scoring differential, tops in the league. Their turnover differential is plus-5 — only Green Bay’s is better — and they rank in the top 10 in total defense (286.7 yards allowed per game), passing defense (168.3) and scoring defense (16 points per game).

Josh Allen leads an offense that is scoring 37.3 points per game, another league high. He picked apart the Jaguars for four passing touchdowns before halftime on Monday night.

Allen won AFC Offensive Player of the Week, one week after running back James Cook won the honor for his three-touchdown game against the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo’s Gregory Rousseau won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for a three-sack game in Week 1.

“It’s a shame our O-line can’t win Offensive Player of the Week,” Allen quipped, “because they play their tails off. And even going back to Week 2, James was able to win that because of what our O-line’s doing.”

Damar Hamlin grabbed his first career interception in the Jacksonville blowout. It was an emotional moment for Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals less than 20 months ago.

“We keep it simple and everybody’s keeping the team first,” Hamlin said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday. “Buffalo is a special place to be.”

The Bills have ruled out linebacker Terrel Bernard (pec) and cornerback Taron Johnson (forearm) for Sunday, and rookie offensive lineman Tylan Grable (groin) will be out for multiple weeks. Cornerback Kaiir Elam (neck) was limited in Wednesday’s walkthrough.

The Ravens are dealing with a banged-up offensive line. Center Tyler Linderbaum (knee), left guard Andrew Vorhees (ankle) and right tackle Patrick Mekari (neck) missed Wednesday’s practice after they played every snap of the Dallas game. Nose tackle Michael Pierce (shoulder) and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) also sat out Wednesday, while linebacker Roquan Smith (ankle) was limited.

The Bills have won two straight meetings with the Ravens, including a victory in the divisional round of the 2020-21 playoffs.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Stroud, Texans Face Vikings

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MINNEAPOLIS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is willing to improvise whenever necessary.

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“(I like) to stay in the pocket and deliver throws – that’s what I want to do,” Stroud said. “But at the same time, I feel like I am elite at scrambling and I can do it. I’ve put it on film. … I just try to make a play and have fun out there.”

Stroud and his teammates on Houston (2-0) might have to improvise part of their game plan when they visit the Minnesota Vikings (2-0) on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

The Texans could be without several injured players, including star running back Joe Mixon (ankle), star wide receiver Nico Collins (hip/foot), running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) and center Juice Scruggs (groin), who were among those who did not practice on Wednesday. Backup tight end Brevin Jordan (knee) was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.

Minnesota also is monitoring injuries to key contributors including star wideout Justin Jefferson, who left last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers because of a quadriceps injury and was limited on Wednesday. Starting running back Aaron Jones (hip) was also limited, while No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison is dealing with an ankle injury that forced him to miss the 49ers game and didn’t practice.

Starting outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (foot) was limited and his backup, Dallas Turner (knee), didn’t practice. Starting linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (quad) and starting center Garrett Bradbury (knee) were limited.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Jefferson took part in a walk-through to begin the week of practice and that he participated in limited drills.

“Hoping to get him a little bit more work throughout the week as we progress forward,” O’Connell said. “I know Justin is very much looking forward to getting an opportunity to play. So if we can avoid any setbacks or things like that throughout the week, you know, we’re hoping to have him. But a long way to go until Sunday.”

Meanwhile, O’Connell said Addison “is still in that day-to-day world where we just have to see how he responds. … Hopefully it progresses throughout the week.”

The Vikings will face a tough test against Houston, which is coming off back-to-back wins over the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears to start the season. The Texans have limited opponents to 20 points a game in 2024.

One reason for the Texans’ success on defense has been the addition of pass rusher Danielle Hunter, who signed with Houston after spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Vikings. Hunter has 1 1/2 sacks in his first two games with the Texans.

Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said Hunter would be extra motivated to go up against the Vikings in his old stadium this weekend.

“Everybody is hyped up to play against their old team,” Ryans said. “I speak from experience. (It happened) when I was with the Eagles and we came into Houston. It doesn’t change.”

Texans running back Cam Akers also will go up against one of his former teams, although he was with the Vikings for far shorter time than Hunter. Akers could step into a more prominent role this weekend if Mixon is ruled out with an ankle injury.

“I’m ready,” Akers said. “You don’t have to get ready when you stay ready. I’ve been preparing for this moment, and I’m ready for it. I’m ready to take advantage.”

As for the Vikings, quarterback Sam Darnold will try to maintain his impressive start to the season in his first year with the club. Darnold has posted a 111.7 passer rating while throwing for 476 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

Stroud also has lifted his team to a perfect start through two weeks. He has a 104.7 passer rating to go along with 494 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Vikings are 5-0 all-time against the Texans. This is their first meeting since 2020.

–Field Level Media

J-E-T-S Dominate P-A-T-S

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EAST RUTHERFORD –  (Staff and Wire Service Report) – NY Jets QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns as the New York Jets beat the New England Patriots 24-3 on Thursday night in New Jersey. Rodgers was playing at MetLife Stadium for the first time since tearing his left Achilles tendon in New York’s 2023 season opener. He was injured on the fourth snap in that contest before missing the rest of the campaign.
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     Jets fans had to be pleased with what they saw on Thursday, though, as the 40-year-old completed 27 of 35 passes and was constantly escaping pressure from New England’s front seven. Rodgers was sacked just twice.
     Tyler Conklin thrived in New York’s passing game, hauling in five catches for 93 yards. Breece Hall had 54 yards and a TD on 16 carries for the Jets (2-1), who outgained the Patriots 400-139 and controlled the ball for 40 minutes, four seconds. Hall added four receptions for 29 yards.
     The Patriots (1-2) struggled to get anything going offensively. Jacoby Brissett had 98 yards on 12-of-18 passing and got no help from the running game. New England did not have a rusher break the 30-yard mark.
    No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye made his NFL debut, taking over for Brissett late in the fourth quarter. Maye hit on 4 of 8 passes for 22 yards.
    New York virtually put the game away on its first possession of the second half.  After their defense forced a three-and-out to begin the half, the Jets ate 7:10 of clock during a drive that ended with a 2-yard scoring strike from Rodgers to Garrett Wilson.
    That provided the Jets with a commanding 21-3 lead and prompted the home crowd to get “Aaron Rodgers” chants going later in the third quarter.

Rodgers on Display vs Pats at Met Life

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EAST RUTHERFORD – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Jets fans are hoping to get a longer look at quarterback Aaron Rodgers when New York faces the New England Patriots tonight in New Jersey.

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The last time Rodgers stepped onto the turf at MetLife Stadium, he lasted just four plays, tearing his left Achillies tendon in the Jets’ 2023 season opener against the Buffalo Bills.

That injury put Rodgers on the shelf for the entirety of the campaign. He was still credited with the win against Buffalo, but it wasn’t until Sunday that Rodgers led the Jets (1-1) to victory while playing for a full game. The 40-year-old completed 18 of 30 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns as New York beat the Tennessee Titans 24-17.

Now that the Jets have their first real taste of success with Rodgers under center, New York coach Robert Saleh is banking on the home crowd giving his team a significant advantage on Thursday.

“I hope it’s off the chain,” Saleh said, referring to the type of atmosphere he expects. “I mean, shoot, it’s our home opener coming on a Thursday. I know our fans are some of the most passionate fans in all of football. … You want to play in the spotlight.”

The Jets will need all the help they can get as they try to crack a New England defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest points per game (16.5) through the first two weeks of the season.

After picking up a clean 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, the Patriots (1-1) faltered late to drop a 23-20 overtime decision against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Rhamondre Stevenson found the end zone from 1 yard out to put New England up 20-17 with 12:43 left in regulation, but the Patriots let Seattle march its way to Jason Myers’ 38-yard field goal that tied the game with 55 seconds to go.

Myers nailed a game-winning 31-yarder in overtime. New England got the ball to open the extra session but went three-and-out.

It marked the first career loss for Patriots first-year coach Jerod Mayo, who is now trying to effectively navigate a short week.

“I think the first thing is to recover. That’s the first thing,” Mayo said. “So in saying that, we’re going to bring the guys in late every day this week. … I think it’s important that those guys rest up. It also gives the coaches an opportunity to get the game plan put together. That’s the first thing.

“Secondly, it comes back to executing. When you’re sore, when you’re tired, that’s what it really comes back to.”

And leaning on the defense might not be an option for New England come Thursday.

Multiple media outlets reported Monday that Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley sustained a season-ending pectoral injury against the Seahawks, and fellow linebacker Anfernee Jennings (knee), defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (shoulder), safety Jabrill Peppers (shoulder) and cornerback Marcus Jones (knee) were all limited in practice on Tuesday.

New York turned in an estimated injury report, simply holding a walkthrough on Tuesday, but linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) would not have participated in practice. Linebacker Jermaine Johnson announced on Monday that he has a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon.

–Field Level Media

NFL’s Better Birds: Falcons Stun Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Atlanta QB Kirk Cousins threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Drake London with 34 seconds left and the Falcons rallied for a 22-21 win against the host Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.

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The Falcons (1-1) trailed by six with no timeouts and 1:39 remaining and drove 70 yards in six plays in just 65 seconds on the game-winning possession.

The Eagles (1-1) had squandered a chance to run out the clock when Saquon Barkley dropped a pass on third-and-3, and Philadelphia settled for Jake Elliott’s 28-yard field goal and a 21-15 lead.

Following a touchback, Cousins completed passes of 11 yards to Kyle Pitts, 21 yards to Darnell Mooney, 26 yards to Mooney and 5 yards to London to get to the Philadelphia 7-yard line with 43 seconds left.

After an incompletion, Cousins found a wide-open London in the end zone for a 21-21 tie with 34 seconds to go. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on London forced Younghoe Koo to convert the go-ahead extra point from 48 yards out.

Cousins passed for 241 yards and two TDs and Bijan Robinson rushed for 97 yards for the Falcons. It’s the first win for Cousins since signing a four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta in March and the first since he tore his Achilles tendon last October.

Jalen Hurts passed for 183 yards with a touchdown and a late interception while also rushing for 85 yards and a TD for Philadelphia. Barkley rushed for 95 yards in his home debut as an Eagle.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Falcons struck first on Koo’s 39-yard field goal early in the second.

The Eagles responded with Hurts’ 7-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith for a 7-3 lead with 5:15 left in the first half.

Atlanta answered with Koo’s 22-yarder to make it 7-6 just before halftime.

The third quarter began with an exchange of field goals, with Koo’s third of the game — from 34 yards out — followed by a 29-yarder by Elliott that put the Eagles up 10-9.

One play after converting a fourth-and-4, Cousins connected with Mooney for a 41-yard TD and a 15-10 lead with 1:21 left in the third quarter.

Hurts’ 1-yard TD run and Barkley’s two-point conversion scamper with 6:47 left in the game put the Eagles up 18-15.

–Field Level Media