Phew what a funny old set of games. Quiet, quiet, quiet, LOUD. Those fourth quarters just burst into life. Except at Solidier Field when, just as Chicago looked like they would take a lead over Minnesota, Caleb Williams had to be carted off the field with a serious looking leg injury after falling without a defender touching him. Meanwhile the Vikings move to 2-0 with Carson Wentz at QB thanks to a massive day for their defense as they limited Chicago to just 163 passing yards and no touchdowns.
And with that all to chew over I will bid you goodnight. Here are the early results:
Carolina Panthers 34-3 Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints 24-17 Baltimore Ravens
Minnesota Vikings 9-3 Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals 20-6 Houston Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-20 New England Patriots
Philadelphia Eagles 24-20 Tennessee Titans
Green Bay Packers 20-17 New York Jets (OT)
Updated
PACKERS WIN in OT! Packers 20-17 Jets
T Smack 26 yard field goal
Trey Smack boots it through to give Green Bay the gritty comeback win in overtime. They were 10 points down in the fourth quarter and roared back for the win.
Packers 17-17 Jets 5:55, Overtime
A nifty swing pass takes Chris Brooks out wide and gives him room to run 15 yards and the Jets commit an unecessary roughness penalty by throwing Brooks to the ground after he went out of bounds. The Packers well inside field goal range as Jordan Love finds Matthew Golden who runs inside the Jets 10-yard line.
Packers 17-17 Jets 6:55, Overtime
Kaleb Johnson gets Green Bay going with an 11-yard run. About 55 yards to go for the touchdown so almost in field goal territory already.
SACK! Packers 17-17 Jets 8:23, Overtime
And Geno Smith is sacked for a six-yard loss on the first play. And AGAIN! The Jets look totally gassed. 3rd and forever and they false start. 3rd and forever plus another five yards. Head coach Aaron Glenn looks absolutely furious with his team. They are almost in their own endzone. Punt on its way.
A score of any kind wins it now for Green Bay.
Results
Carolina Panthers 34-3 Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints 24-17 Baltimore Ravens
Minnesota Vikings 9-3 Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals 20-6 Houston Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-20 New England Patriots
Philadelphia Eagles 24-20 Tennessee Titans
All the scores from the early games that are in the books. Packers and Jets going to OT and the Browns and Bucs are off the field in Tampa with 2min to play.
Packers 17-17 Jets 15:00, Overtime
Here we go then OT baby! The Jets win the toss and are receiving. Whaddya got Geno Smith?
Packers 17-17 Jets 0:02, 4th quarter
Packers punt and we are going to overtime at MetLife!
Browns 23-19 Buccaneers 2:00, 4th quarter
They have cleared the stadium and field due to lightning in the area of Tampa Bay.
Packers 17-17 Jets 0:18, 4th quarter
The Jets are going to work on defense and force 3rd and 10. On 4th and 5 they fake to go for it and will punt.
Bengals 20-6 Texans
Cincinnati complete a fantastic defensive effort with a sack of CJ Stroud to go 2-0 as Houston struggle at home and are 0-2.
Packers 17-17 Jets 1:30, 4th quarter
The Jets are going for it on 4th and 1 and … and DO NOT get it. The Packers have excellent field position to grab the win with a boot.
Packers 17-17 Jets 2:00, 4th quarter
The Jets have the ball at midfield at the two-minute warning.
Updated
Carolina wrap up their 34-3 win over Atlanta at their rivals’ house. Ouch.
Meanwhile Jacksonville v Denver has just kicked off. We will get there eventually.
It’s GOOD! Packers 17-17 Jets 2:59, 4th quarter
T Smack 34 yard field goal
Smack errr smacks it through to tie this one up. Green Bay were trailing by 10. Not anymore.
Philadelphia win the thriller in Tennessee 24-20 as the clock runs out on Cam Ward. That just burst into life in the final quarter.
SACK! Vikings win in Chicago
One second to go in Chicago. A touchdown from 12 yards out will win it for the Bears. But backup QB Tyson Bagent is sacked by Turner. Vikings win 9-3 on the road for their seventh successive victory at Soldier Field.
TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 24-20 Titans 0:09, 4th quarter
J Hurts to D Cooper for three yards
Insane finish in Tennessee. Hurts comes up big for Philadelphia to get them what surely will be a 2-0 start.
Eagles 17-20 Titans 0:20, 4th quarter
1st and Goal for Philadelphia after Jalen Hurts drives the Eagles down field and hits Devonta Smith with a 19-yard pass in the left corner. 20 seconds to win it!
Full time! Steelers 3-20 Patriots
New England’s defense dominated Pittsburgh from start to finish.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 14-17 Jets 7:58, 4th quarter
J Love to C Watson for three yards
Packers back in it with plenty of clock left.
PICK! New Orleans beat Baltimore!!
Lamar Jackson is picked off with 20 seconds to go and New Orleans win 24-17 over Baltimore after trailing 14-3. Incredible.
It’s GOOD! Vikings 9-3 Bears 1:09, 4th quarter
W Reichard 39 yard field goal
The kicker hits the upright but it goes through. Just.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 23-19 Buccaneers 4:03, 4th quarter
D Watson to D Boston for eight yards
Boston grabs his second score of the day as the Browns take the lead in what would be another upset if Cleveland win from here.
It's GOOD! Eagles 17-20 Titans 1:56, 4th quarter
J Slye 32 yard field goal
Jalen Hurts gets the ball for a two-minute drill to try and win this one. Another big upset on the cards along with the Jets and Saints.
TOUCHDOWN! Saints 24-17 Ravens 1:28, 4th quarter
T Shough 1 yard rush
Was that a touchdown? It really looked very unclear but the referees have decided to stick with their original call. Amazing comeback from the Saints who were 14-3 down and are now on top.
Caleb Williams leaves in tears
Tough to watch Chicago’s franchise QB leave the field by cart and have his head covered by a towel only to remove it to acknowledge his crowd as the tears flow. Hopefully we see him again this season.
It’s GOOD! Packers 7-17 Jets 11:04, 4th quarter
J Sanders 32 yard field goal
The Jets have a two-score lead over the Packers! Still plenty to go mind.
Eagles 17-17 Titans 2:44, 4th quarter
Unreal yards after the catch from Spears to get a 1st down with a 27-yard grab on 3rd and 22. The Titans have an even better shot at winning this one now.
It’s GOOD! Browns 16-19 Buccaneers 9:58, 4th quarter
C McLaughlin 31 yard field goal
The Bucs edge into the lead with what I think is McLaughlin’s fourth field goal. Nails.
Eagles 17-17 Titans 3:33, 4th quarter
Tennessee are in Philadelphia territory after a 41-yard strike from Ward to Elic Ayomanor. Some penalties send the Titans back though. 2nd and 28 on the way.
It's NO GOOD! Vikings 6-3 Bears 6:26, 4th quarter
C Santos 23 yard try blocked
Bad to worse for the Bears. The franchise QB is out of the game with a serious looking injury and the Vikings block the levelling kick.
It’s GOOD! Bengals 20-6 Texans 12:16, 4th quarter
E McPherson 57 yard field goal
Monster kick gives the Bengals a healthy lead as they eye a 2-0 start.
Vikings 6-3 Bears 7:42, 4th quarter
This is bad. Bears QB Caleb Williams screams in pain as he falls to the turf on a rush under his own steam. Let’s hope it isn’t as serious as it looks.
Updated
PICK! Eagles 17-17 Titans 6:08, 4th quarter
Jalen Hurts is picked off by Marcus Harris on a deep ball. Tennesse have it one their 17-yard line. Great chance to win it from here.
Vikings 6-3 Bears 10:06, 4th quarter
D’Andre Swift carries Chicago into field goal territory with a 32-yard rush. Caleb Williams then finds Rome Odunze for 15 to take them into the redzone. Ooof then Sam Roush drops what would have been a touchdown.
PICK SIX! Panthers 35-3 Falcons 2:59, 3rd quarter
J Dotson interception for 16 yards
Jack Strand comes into the game for the pick happy Cooper Rush and throws a pick six of his own. Horrible day for the Falcons and there is still so much left in this one.
It’s GOOD! Bengals 17-6 Texans 0:36, 3rd quarter
K Fairbairn 45 yard field goal
TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 3-20 Patriots 13:41, 4th quarter
Scoop and score! Pittsburgh QB Aaron Rodgers is sacked by Christian Barrmore and Elijah Ponder grabs it and runs it in from 19 yards out. Rodgers looks stunner. Steelers cooked in this one.
Panthers 27-3 Falcons 3:41, 3rd quarter
Cooper Rush has been benched at QB for Atlanta after throwing two picks and Jack Strand is in.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 16-16 Buccaneers 1:23, 3rd quarter
D Watson to D Boston for 55 yards
Boston redeems himself with a monster score after the drop in the endzone earlier.
TOUCHDOWN! Saints 17-17 Ravens 9:41, 4th quarter
T Shough to C Olave for 21 yards
They convert the two-point try thanks to a Travis Etienne rush. Tie game! Unbelievable comeback from New Orleans.
Updated
It’s GOOD! Steelers 3-13 Patriots 0:41, 3rd quarter
A Borregales 45 yard field goal
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 7-14 Jets 2:30, 3rd quarter
G Smith to G Wilson for five yards
Here we go then! The Jets are gunning for a 2-0 start as the Packers need a response to avoid losing a seventh game in a row dating back to last season. What has happened to the Pack?
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 17-3 Texans 3:03, 3rd quarter
J Burrow to J Chase for 18 yards
Another expert throw and catch between these two all stars. Cincinnati take a two touchdown lead. Can Houston catch them?
Fourth-quarter scores (almost)
Carolina Panthers 27-3 Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints 9-17 Baltimore Ravens
Minnesota Vikings 6-3 Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals 10-3 Houston Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-10 New England Patriots
Green Bay Packers 7-7 New York Jets
Cleveland Browns 9-16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Philadelphia Eagles 17-17 Tennessee Titans
Every game is a one-score affair, except the blowout in Atlanta as we approach the final quarters. Nail-biting!
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 27-3 Falcons 9:38, 3rd quarter
B Young to D Waller for 12 yards
The veteran tight end is having a day! Nightmare for the Falcons. 0-2 on the way for them.
It’s NO GOOD! Bengals 10-3 Texans 7:33, 3rd quarter
K Fairbairn misses 58 yard field goal
It would have been good from 57 yards. Ouch.
It’s GOOD! Browns 9-16 Buccaneers 5:48, 3rd quarter
A Szmyt 34 yard field goal
TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 17-17 Titans 0:57, 3rd quarter
C Ward one yard rush
After the goal line stop Cam Ward gets tricky on the keeper and rushes it wide left for the score. Tie game!
More excellent defense being played across these games as the Eagles stuff Tony Pollard on the goal line and the Browns receiver Denzel Boston is forced to drop a touchdown by Tampa corner Benjamin Morrison.
Vikings 6-3 Bears 4:20, 3rd quarter
Caleb Williams converts a crucial 3rd down after taking a sack deep in his own territory. Another 3rd down quickly follows. They can only grab seven yards and have to punt it back to the Vikings.
It’s GOOD! Bengals 10-3 Texans 12:29, 3rd quarter
E McPherson 51 yard field goal
Huge tackle from Rodrigo Blankenship forces a field goal try after the Bengals had a nice drive rolling. They make it though, huge boot.
It’s GOOD! Saints 9-17 Ravens 3:23, 3rd quarter
T Loop 49 yard field goal
Updated
It’s GOOD! Eagles 17-10 Titans 8:08, 3rd quarter
J Elliott 58 yard field goal
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 6-16 Buccaneers 9:33, 3rd quarter
B Mayfield to E Egbuka for five yards
Updated
FUMBLE! Vikings 6-3 Bears 9:42, 3rd quarter
On the very next play the wrecking ball Monangai rumbles for another 12 yards. Only 11 yards to go for Chicago. Caleb Williams can only run out of bounds for a loss of two yards.
The rain is hammering down at Soldier Field now. Real football conditions. On 3rd and 8 they throw short and come up to the goal line.
DeAndre Swift gets the call to smash it in but he coughs it up and Minnesota’s Isaiah Rodgers says thank you very much. Incredible stop on the goal line from the Vikings.
PICK! Steelers 3-10 Patriots 12:48, 3rd quarter
An under-thrown ball from New England’s Drake Maye is picked by Patrick Queen. Maye still struggling with accuracy after throwing three interceptions last week.
Vikings 6-3 Bears 12:45, 3rd quarter
Chicago advancing toward the redzone after Kyle Monangai rips off a 15-yard rush up the middle.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 20-3 Falcons 0:47, 2nd quarter
B Young to D Waller for seven yards
And we haven’t actually got to HT yet in Atlanta. Good news for Carolina who are whipping up a storm.
Updated
It’s GOOD! Saints 9-14 Ravens 11:00, 3rd quarter
We are back underway in Baltimore. New Orleans nudging into contention.
Half-time scores
Carolina Panthers 13-3 Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints 6-14 Baltimore Ravens
Minnesota Vikings 6-3 Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals 7-3 Houston Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-10 New England Patriots
Green Bay Packers 7-7 New York Jets
Cleveland Browns 6-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Philadelphia Eagles 14-10 Tennessee Titans
Right everyone has points on the board, just. Low scoring affairs mostly feels like a natural reaction to last week’s scoring explosion. Still time though.
It’s GOOD! Steelers 3-10 Patriots 0:00, 2nd quarter
C Boswell 56 yard field goal
It’s GOOD! Panthers 13-3 Falcons 1:05, 2nd quarter
N Folk 41 yard field goal
The 41-year-old scores from 41 yards. Nice.
It’s GOOD! Browns 6-9 Buccaneers 0:12, 2nd quarter
C McLaughlin 31 yard field goal
Kickers continue to dominate the contest in Tampa.
It’s GOOD! Bengals 7-3 Texans 2:14, 2nd quarter
K Fairbairn 37 yard field goal
And the Bengals knock them back to the 20-yard line as a short pass is swallowed up by Barrett Carter. They have to settle for the boot for three.
Bengals 7-0 Texans 2:34, 2nd quarter
Xavier Hutchinson makes an 18-yard grab to put Cincy in the redzone. They grab three yards on a short rush with Woody Marks. Timeout.
Updated
It’s GOOD! Eagles 14-10 Titans 0:00, 2nd quarter
J Slye 37 yard field goal
It’s GOOD! Saints 6-14 Ravens 0:00, 2nd quarter
D Carlson 47 yard field goal
At the half-time whistle New Orleans get back to one-score behind Baltimore.
It’s GOOD! Panthers 13-0 Falcons 5:54, 2nd quarter
R Fitzgerald 25 yard field goal
Carolina extend their lead over their division rivals. Too easy.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 7-7 Jets 6:04, 2nd quarter
B Allen six yard rush
Touchdowns flowing again as the Jets level it up at home. Lovely little scamper from the running back out to the right.
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Saints 3-14 Ravens 0:24, 2nd quarter
L Jackson to R Bateman for 22 yards
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 7-0 Texans 3:29, 2nd quarter
J Burrow to J Chase for 32 yards
Here we go then. Joe Burrow executes a naughty pump fake to find Tee Higgins wide open for a 23-yard pass. On the very next play Burrow goes deep and Ja’Marr chase gets his dancing shoes on and just taps his toes in the right corner by the pylon. Honestly you need to see how narrowly he gets his feet down as he spins out of bounds. Unbelievable touchdown.
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 7-0 Jets 9:34, 2nd quarter
J Love to M Lloyd for six yards
Only one scoreless game left now as Green Bay breathe a sigh of relief.
TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 14-7 Titans 1:49, 2nd quarter
J Hurts to D Smith for 22 yards
The speedy Smith races into the back corner of the endzone and Hurts waits just long enough to find him for the score. Exquisite timing.
Bengals 0-0 Texans 6:53, 2nd quarter
The Bengals match the Texans with a huge defensive stop on 4th and inches. They sent David Montgomery packing.
Steelers 0-10 Patriots 8:05, 2nd quarter
Clown car time for Pittsburgh as they go from chip shot territory to 4th and 43 after a huge hit on Aaron Rodgers dislodges the ball then a host of players keep pushing it further and further away from scoring territory. Patriots should have recovered a fumble.
Bengals 0-0 Texans 8:48, 2nd quarter
Beautiful little looped pass from CJ Stroud over the middle to Foster Moreau for 25-yards is followed up by an 11-yard strike to Dalton Schultz. Houston are marching down field.
It’s GOOD! Saints 3-7 Ravens 3:46, 2nd quarter
D Carlson 23 yard field goal
It’s GOOD! Vikings 6-3 Bears 8:18, 2nd quarter
W Reichard 49 yard field goal
Minnesota take a small lead as this one continues the trend across the slate today of big defensive showings. No team has scored two touchdowns yet.
Updated
Bengals 0-0 Texans 10:38, 2nd quarter
Ouch! Danielle Hunter drops Burrow like a sack of potatoes. Terrific sack brings up 3rd and 22. Another false start pings them back to 3rd and 26. Good luck! A shovel pass fails to get past the line of scrimmage. Punt. Houston swarming on defense, very impressive.
Bengals 0-0 Texans 12:28, 2nd quarter
Nice 21-yard completion from Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins gets the chains moving to near midfield for the Bengals. The next effort is just off the mark. Next Cincinnati make a false start and are forced back five yards.
It’s GOOD! Browns 6-6 Buccaneers 13:59, 2nd quarter
A Szmyt 34 yard field goal
The offenses keep spluttering but the kickers are solid gold. The Browns level it up.
Bengals 0-0 Texans 13:20, 2nd quarter
And their won’t be a score still as the Texans botch a snap for a chip shot field goal. Bengals ball.
It’s GOOD! Steelers 0-10 Patriots 14:14, 2nd quarter
A Borregales 30 yard field goal
Great stand by the Pittsburgh defense to stop the Patriots in the red zone. But can Aaron Rodgers and the offense respond?
Still scoreless between the Bengals and Texans and Packers and Jets. Helloooo?
It’s GOOD! Panthers 10-0 Falcons 4:29, 1st quarter
R Fitzgerald 37 yard field goal
Carolina take out a handy two-score lead in Atlanta.
PICK! Browns 3-6 Buccaneers 1:19, 1st quarter
Baker Mayfield’s turnover issues continure with an interception that Myles Harden takes to Tampa Bay’s 28-yard line.
PICK! Vikings 3-3 Bears 1:35, 1st quarter
Byron Murphy makes the interception of Chicago’s Caleb Williams who overthrows his receiver on the run. Minnesota take over at their 35-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 7-7 Titans 12:49, 2nd quarter
T Bigbsy two-yard rush
Tank finishes the drive off. No room for any interceptions from Jalen Hurts. This was all Bigsby.
Updated
Eagles 0-7 Titans 14:38, 2nd quarter
Philly are in the redzone and are almost 1st & Goal as they look to level this one up. Tank Bigsby gets a huge push up inside the five-yard line. Tank by name, tank by nature.
Packers 0-0 Jets 7:41, 1st quarter
Jets playing some nasty defense at MetLife Stadium. Maybe they have been studying Argentina’s performances at the World Cup. Packers are punting it away for the second time of the afternoon.
Eagles 0-7 Titans 1:00, 1st quarter
Tank Bigsby currently in as the Eagles starting running back with Saquon Barkley pacing the sidelines but questionable to return.
Updated
It’s GOOD! Browns 3-6 Buccaneers 4:10, 1st quarter
C McLaughlin 45 yard field goal
Kickers earning their corn in Tampa Bay.
It’s GOOD! Vikings 3-3 Bears 5:03, 1st quarter
C Santos 50 yard field goal
The kicker levels it up at Soldier Field.
TOUCHDOWN! Saints 0-7 Ravens 2:51, 1st quarter
D Henry 1-yard rush
They’re coming like London buses now. Derrick Henry takes the direct snap and powers over for Baltimore.
Updated
It’s GOOD! Browns 3-3 Buccaneers 7:12, 1st quarter
A Szmyt 50 yard field goal
TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 0-7 Titans 4:22, 1st quarter
C Ward 1-yard rush
Quarterback Cam Ward goes solo on 4th down to capitalise on the incredible pick return.
TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 0-7 Patriots 8:22, 1st quarter
T Henderson 39-yard rush
The Patriots backing up a rock solid defensive display so far with a storming rush down the middle to take the lead.
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 7-0 Falcons 10:48, 1st quarter
B Young to C Hubbard 3 yards
And the first TD of week two Sunday goes to the Panthers who capitalise on some lax defending by the Falcons. Hubbard wide open for the easiest of catches.
Updated
PICK! Eagles 0-0 Titans 5:15, 1st quarter
Jalen Hurts is picked off in the end zone by Amani Hooker who runs it back 92 yards for a 1st and Goal for Tennessee. Incredible play.
It’s GOOD! Browns 0-3 Buccaneers 11:10, 1st quarter
Chase McLaughlin 59 yard field goal
Bengals 0-0 Texans 13:20, 1st quarter
It is ruled as not a catch so the Bengals punt it away. Cincy bring up a quick 3rd down on the Texans. CJ Stroud backpedals finds his receiver but the ball is juggled and the Texans have a punt of their own.
It’s GOOD! Vikings 3-0 Bears 11:03, 1st quarter
Will Reichard 35 yard field goal
Wentz goes for it all but Justin Jefferson can’t hold on in the end zone.
Vikings 0-0 Bears 11:21, 1st quarter
Oh no! Chicago aren’t quite so hot on those turnovers this season. Carson Wentz throws a duck straight to a defender but he can’t hold on. Wentz then scrambles for five yards into the red zone for the Vikings. Knocking on the door.
Bengals 0-0 Texans 13:29, 1st quarter
DeMeco Ryans throws the challenge flag early as the Houston head coach believes Ja’Marr chase completed a catch with a bit of turf involved. Looks like he might be right too.
Updated
And here we go! Full steam ahead as the Texans boot it away to the Bengals to start the first half in Houston. The return was an excellent one until Dohnte Meyers tripped himself up at the 35-yard line. He might have made it over halfway had he not fallen under his own steam.
Houston blitz Joe Burrow and get to the quarterback who throws it away on the opening play.
Updated
Some breaking news regarding veteran star receiver Keenan Allen …
Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen is facing a minimum three-game suspension from the NFL after being formally charged with two misdemeanor counts of drunk driving stemming from his arrest in Indianapolis last month, ESPN reported Sunday morning.
The three-game ban is mandated through the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, however suspensions could be longer if a player’s blood-alcohol level is at a higher number.
Allen’s blood-alcohol level tested at 0.224 on 30 August, per court records obtained by ESPN. That triggered a more serious Class A misdemeanor charge. The OWI charge is a Class C misdemeanor.
Indianapolis police said Allen was parked in a no-parking zone and showed “signs of intoxication” at the time of his arrest.
The NFL is expected to wait for Allen’s legal case to conclude before any potential discipline is levied. The next date on the docket for his case is an 26 October attorney conference.
Allen signed a one-year contract with the Colts. He caught six passes for 32 yards during last Sunday’s season-opening 41-23 loss to the visiting Baltimore Ravens.
He ranks 13th in NFL history with 1,061 career receptions. The six-time Pro Bowl selection has 12,083 receiving yards and 70 touchdown catches in 172 games with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2013-23, 2025), Chicago Bears (2024) and Colts. Reuters
NFC East fans … Russell Wilson has just crowned the New York Giants as division champions this season. How do we feel about this? Strange to see Russ in a TV studio but annoyingly he seems fairly good. Imagine that.
What else are we looking forward to? I reckon Saints v Ravens could catch fire and also keen to see if the Jets can keep rolling with a big home win over the Packers. How the Patriots react after flopping in the season opener also intrigues.
Another potential cracker has another high-octane offense in the Cincinnati Bengals facing a mighty defense in the Houston Texans. Only will Cincy’s QB Joe Burrow be firing on all cylinders? He comes in not completely healthy with a back injury so expect Texans pass rusher Will Anderson Jr to be hungry to cause Burrow even more discomfort as Houston look to recover from a disappointing start last week.
Anderson has 93 quarterback pressures since the start of last season - second most in the league - with 40 happening in under 2.5sec. His explosive speed cause problems for a QB not exactly known for his mobility already.
Preamble
Hi and hello football fans! Firstly I must apologise for missing the opening Sunday’s action. I was busy beating Andy Burnham in a running race in Newcastle and am now officially three minutes faster than the PM over 13.1 miles.
Secondly, we’re baaaaaaaaack with a bumper slate of eight games at 11am CST/12pm EST/6pm BST (home teams listed second):
(0-1) Carolina Panthers v Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
(0-1) New Orleans Saints v Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
(1-0) Minnesota Vikings v Chicago Bears (1-0)
(1-0) Cincinnati Bengals v Houston Texans (0-1)
(1-0) Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots (0-1)
(0-1) Green Bay Packers v New York Jets (1-0)
(0-1) Cleveland Browns v Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)
(1-0) Philadelphia Eagles v Tennessee Titans (0-1)
There are some juicy matchups but by far the most enticing has to be Minnesota heading to Solider Field to take on Chicago for a little NFC North rivalry game. Both teams won impressively last week, the Bears maybe slightly more so as they shared the highest scoring shootout in week one history in their 59-37 win over the Panthers last week.
Look out for Chicago’s quarterback Caleb Williams, who threw for two scores and ran in a pair against Carolina, being hunted by the new face of Minnesota’s pass rush Dallas Turner. The linebacker was a nightmare last week recording one sack, 10 pressures, seven hits and forcing a fumble. The Vikings have won on their past six visits to Solider Field. Can their mighty defense chalk up a seventh? Let’s find out.
