Jonah Laulu's rise: From seventh-round pick to Raiders defensive standout By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer The Associated Press HENDERSON, Nev.
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Christian Wilkins' release early in training camp raised all sorts of questions about how the Raiders' interior defense would make up the difference.
Las Vegas' tackles have for the most part made those concerns moot.
That includes Jonah Laulu, who already has three sacks in two games. He had one in 17 games as a rookie last season.
“He has just blossomed," coach Pete Carroll said. "He had enough plays on film coming off of last year that he caught my eye like a potential guy that might really be a factor. So I was really excited about him in the offseason, and he did everything right.”
Carroll might not be all that shocked that Laulu is making a strong impact early this season, but outside of the Raiders facility, he wasn't on many radars.
Indianapolis drafted him in the seventh round in 2024 out of Oklahoma, and he made to the final cut before the Colts waived him on Aug. 27 of last year. Laulu's hometown Raiders picked him up the following day.
He showed enough promise to start seven games last season on a defense ravaged by injuries, and then he built on that experience in this summer's camp.
“He works hard,” star pass rusher Maxx Crosby said. “He's doing great. He's young. He's got a lot of good tools and he's just getting better. No one's surprised he's playing well. He's just got to keep building off what he started.”
For Laulu, the battle to become an impact player is as much mental as physical, and he has been open about his struggles with impostor syndrome. Though not considered a mental health disorder, many medical experts take the condition seriously that affects many people who doubt they are qualified for their work positions.
That includes Laulu and the NFL.
“I feel like it's really about coming every day to work to be that same person every day,” Laulu said. “You want to be consistent. You don't want to be an emotional person. Obviously, football is not an easy sport mentally or physically. I'm trying to be my best every day.”
His best has been pretty good this season.
Laulu sacked New England quarterback Drake Maye once in the 20-13 season-opening victory and then took down Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert twice in Monday night's 20-9 loss .
The Raiders as a team have six sacks this season, tied for eighth in the NFL.
They will face a mobile quarterback Sunday at Washington in either Jayden Daniels or former Las Vegas QB Marcus Mariota. Daniels will not practice until at least Friday because of a knee injury.
“We have a lot of background about Marcus on the staff, so we know what his capabilities are, we think," Carroll said. “So we’re planning for both guys, but primarily for Jayden.”
Laulu will be an integral part of that plan, which he began to earn in offseason and preseason practices, showing he could perform alongside fellow tackles Adam Butler and Thomas Butler IV. It's one thing to play well in practice, but transferring that to the season is the real test.
So far, so good.
But Laulu isn't one to think he's arrived. Each week is a proving ground, a chance to show himself that he belongs.
“I still feel like I haven't really done much,” Laulu said. “I made some plays here and there, but I'm still shooting for the sky and trying to make plays in the game and get better every day. I'm the type of person, I made plays, but I could've made more after watching the (Chargers) game a couple of times, seeing all the missed opportunities and what I can do.”
Geno Smith tries to bounce back
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith tied a career high with three interceptions in the loss to the Chargers. That came a week after he passed for 362 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots.
Smith said the video from the LA loss "was tough to watch.”
“You can never just flush that,” Smith said. “You got to learn from it, and that’s what I did. I watched it over 10 times and just tried to figure out what did I need to do to be better, which was a lot of things that were obvious — being more accurate, taking what they give me, not being so aggressive.”
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Bo Nix and Sean Payton downplay viral sideline exchange during Broncos' loss to Colts By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press ENGLEWOOD, Colo.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Bo Nix and Sean Payton downplayed their most recent sideline exchange as each presented his version of events.
The Denver Broncos quarterback maintained that what appeared to be a heated conversation Sunday at Indianapolis wasn't so much volatile as volume-related. His coach said it was simply a matter trying to get an explanation following a play.
“For whatever reason, we’re allowing conversations to become bigger than what they are,” Nix said Wednesday, three days after the moment between him and Payton went viral as the Broncos lost 29-28 to the Colts on a field goal as time expired.
Nix added the moment had more to do with not being able to hear over the noise.
“We oftentimes forget that it’s a big stadium and a lot of people are talking at same time," said Nix, the 12th overall pick out of Oregon in the 2024 NFL draft. “So you've got to be a little bit louder and more vocal.”
The kerfuffle happened late in the third quarter as Nix came off the field following an incomplete pass to Evan Engram to force a punt. Payton appeared to ask Nix something as his QB walked past him toward the bench. Payton then took a few steps in the direction of Nix, who turned around and uttered something to his coach while gesturing with his hands. Nix then walked away.
“That was just something as simple as he asked me what happened on a play,” Nix said. “I told him, I turned, he couldn’t quite hear, turned back and told him again. There were no issues. It’s just a quick conversation with the head coach. Nothing pressing.”
Payton minimized the situation, too.
“I saw what you guys saw. That wasn’t what it appeared, though,” Payton said. “It was an affirmation of, ‘This is what we’re wanting to do.’ ... I think it was more about excitement, but I saw it.
“I guess what I’m saying is I don’t think it was what it appeared. In fact, I know it wasn’t.”
Nix and Payton had a confrontation last October after the QB went off-script against the Los Vegas Raiders.
Payton was hot and Nix hollered back. After that particular dust-up, Payton said of his then rookie QB: “There is still a little bit of Ferris Bueller in him we are trying to get rid of. I love him to death. And sometimes (what you saw) is my love language.”
One thing Nix won't be toning down is his aggressive nature on the football field. He had two interceptions and a fumble in a season-opening win over Tennessee. He threw three TD passes against the Colts but also a costly interception in the fourth quarter with the team in field-goal range.
“For me, I’m always going to be aggressive, especially with our defense, knowing that they can go out there and get a stop,” Nix said. “You can’t play the game, you can’t play the position, soft. You have to go out there and be aggressive.
"If you’re scared to make a bad play, it’s usually when the bad plays happen.”
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McVay won't need surgery on injured foot while he prepares Rams to face Eagles By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer The Associated Press LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sean McVay had to smile when he was asked how he managed to tear the plantar fascia in his left foot while running to call a timeout.
“I’m telling you it was because of the pure twitch that I still have,” McVay said with a laugh Wednesday.. “It just snapped. ... I did have to hop down there. I got the damn timeout, even on one leg.”
The Los Angeles Rams' longtime boss got injured last Sunday during his team's 33-19 win at Tennessee , but he won't need surgery or a walking boot before he leads the Rams across the country to face defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia this weekend.
The 39-year-old McVay works out regularly, but his career as a receiver at Miami (Ohio) ended in 2007. He says he had felt previous pain in the band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot from heel to toes.
“It had been bothering me for a little bit where I was a little bit restricted, and then I went to just explode down the sidelines for a timeout, and that thing popped in my heel,” McVay said. “It was temporarily painful, but it actually feels a lot better now. It’s a positive that I tore my plantar fascia. That’s a good thing, because it accelerates the healing. There’s no issues for me.”
The Rams (2-0) know they have more than enough issues to address as they prepare to face the Eagles (2-0), who beat Los Angeles twice last season on the way to the title. McVay hesitates to label the matchup as a measuring-stick game because it's only Week 3, but he knows the importance of the moment.
“I think it’s a fun narrative,” McVay said. “Every week when you get out there and you go play in this competitive league, every opportunity you have is a measuring stick. Is this a great challenge? You’re damn right it is. I have tremendous respect for their coaches and their players. They’ve gotten after us. They’ve gotten the results that they wanted. You can see it’s a combination of a lot of great things that they have going there.”
NOTES: DT Braden Fiske (oblique) and OG Steve Avila (ankle) didn't practice, while TE Colby Parkinson (shoulder) was limited. None of the three has been ruled out for Sunday, McVay said.
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Can Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs defy history to make the playoffs? By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press
Each year after the second week of the NFL season, the long odds that teams face to make the playoffs after losing their first two games get bandied about.
The odds have hovered at just under 12% ever since the NFL expanded the season to 16 games and added a second wild-card team in 1978, with little fluctuation when additional playoff teams were added in 1990 and 2020.
None of those other teams have come off three straight Super Bowl appearances like Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs .
The oddsmakers at BetMGM Sportsbook have Kansas City as a favorite to make the postseason with an implied probability of about 65%, while some other projection models have it closer to a 50-50 proposition.
Since the playoffs expanded in 2020, only five of the 43 teams (11.6%) that started 0-2 made the postseason, but 31 of those teams missed the postseason the previous year. Out of the 12 returning playoff teams that started 0-2, three made the playoffs, with the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore doing it last season and Cincinnati in 2022.
But the goals for the Chiefs are much loftier than getting into the postseason with the team seeking a fourth Super Bowl title in the Mahomes-Andy Reid era. Only three teams — Dallas in 1993, New England in 2001 and the New York Giants in 2007 — have won a Super Bowl following a 0-2 start and only 5% of the teams that have done it since the 1970 merger won their division.
Kansas City has won nine straight division titles — two shy of New England's record set from 2009-19 — but now is two games behind the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West.
That has flipped the odds in the division at BetMGM, with the Chargers favored and the Chiefs at plus-250 odds to win the division. This is the first time since a three-week stretch midway through 2021 that Kansas City hasn't been favored to win the AFC West by BetMGM, and the current odds are the longest for the Chiefs since they were plus-275 before the opener in 2018 when Mahomes began his first season as starter.
The only other team that is 0-2 after making the playoffs in 2024 is the two-time defending AFC South champion Texans, with both Houston and Kansas City losing a pair of one-score games.
There are 10 teams that have started the season 2-0, including four that missed the playoffs last season: Arizona, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and San Francisco. This is the second straight season four teams began the season 2-0 after missing the playoffs, with Minnesota and the Chargers making it to the postseason, while New Orleans and Seattle missed out.
Jackson and Mahomes show off dual-threat abilities
Lamar Jackson already had established himself as the NFL’s best running quarterback ever when he passed Michael Vick as the career leading rusher at the position.
Now he’s the most efficient passer as well.
After throwing four TD passes and no interceptions in a win over Cleveland on Sunday, Jackson improved his career passer rating to 102.65, narrowly moving ahead of Aaron Rodgers at 102.6 for the best rating ever among quarterbacks with at least 1,500 attempts.
Mahomes ranks third on that list at 101.8 but has had to rely more than usual on his legs this season. He ran for 66 yards on Sunday — his most ever in the regular season — and has 123 yards on the ground through two games this season.
Mahomes has accounted for 56.2% of the Chiefs' yards on the ground this season, the third-highest share for any quarterback through two games in the Super Bowl era. Jackson has the highest mark at 62.4% in 2022 for Baltimore, with Colin Kaepernick the only other QB higher than Mahomes at 57.4% for San Francisco in 2013.
Aubrey's long range kicks
Long field goals are becoming almost routine, with kickers making 75% of their tries from at least 55 yards so far this season. The 12 makes in 16 tries from at least 55 yards in two weeks equals the entire total from the 2013 season.
Kickers made less than half (49.1%) of their tries from at least 55 yards as recently as 2020.
No one is better at the long-range kicks than Dallas' Brandon Aubrey, who kicked his second career 64-yarder on the final play of regulation against the Giants on Sunday before winning it with a 46-yarder with no time left in overtime. Aubrey became the first player to convert a tying field goal with no time remaining in the fourth quarter and a winning field goal with no time remaining in overtime in the same game.
Aubrey has half of the made field goals from at least 64 yards ever in the NFL, having also made a 65-yarder last season against Baltimore. Matt Prater was the first player to make a 64-yarder, doing so in 2013 at altitude in Denver, and Justin Tucker set the NFL record with a 66-yarder at Detroit in 2021.
His four field goals from at least 60 yards are tied for the most ever with Brett Maher.
Bumbling Bears
The optimism in Chicago brought on by the hiring of Ben Johnson as coach has dissipated quickly after a rough start to his first season.
The Bears blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter of the opener against Minnesota before falling 52-31 to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Only two other teams in NFL history started a season by allowing at least 50 points in one of the first two games and blowing a double-digit lead in the other.
The Jets did it in 1995 to start the Rich Kotite coaching era, losing their opener 52-14 to Miami and then squandering a 24-3 lead in Week 2 against Indianapolis before falling 27-24 in overtime. Kotite went 4-28 as Jets coach before getting fired.
Kotite and Johnson are the only coaches ever to begin a tenure with a team by doing it, according to Sportradar.
It happened one other time to start a season, with the Bears doing it in 1965 under Hall of Fame coach George Halas. Chicago lost the opener 52-24 to San Francisco and then blew a 19-point lead in Week 2 before losing 30-28 to the Rams.
Chicago recovered to go 9-5 that season but missed the playoffs.
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Inside the Numbers dives into NFL statistics, streaks and trends each week. For more Inside the Numbers, head here .
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Fantasy plays: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 3 By DORIAN COLBERT of RosterWatch The Associated Press
Week 3 of the NFL season is the sweet spot: enough games to see patterns, but still early enough to gain an edge by jumping on under-the-radar performers.
This week’s plays mix breakout opportunities with a few big-name fades. Here are the starts, locks and players to avoid that could swing your fantasy matchup.
Quarterbacks
Start: Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. Jets
Mayfield has quietly carried momentum from last season, throwing multiple touchdowns through two games while completing 60% of his passes. He’s shown continued chemistry with Mike Evans, who remains one of the league’s top playmakers, despite not having scored yet this season, and rookie Emeka Egbuka is a chain-moving, red zone asset. The Jets’ secondary has playmakers, but their pass rush hasn’t looked nearly as dominant without constant pressure, which should give Mayfield time in the pocket. With the Bucs’ offense leaning into a balanced approach, Mayfield has legitimate QB1 upside this week.
Other Locks:
—Daniel Jones vs. Titans
—Michael Penix Jr. vs. Panthers
—Trevor Lawrence vs. Texans
Avoid: Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. Broncos
Herbert is a fantasy mainstay, but this is not the week to expect huge stats. Denver has allowed the third-fewest passing yards through two weeks and has been excellent at eliminating deep chances. The Chargers’ offensive line has struggled with protection, meaning Herbert may be forced into shorter throws and fewer explosive plays. He’s still start-able, but think low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in this matchup — not the elite ceiling you want.
Running backs
Start: Isiah Pacheco at N.Y. Giants
Pacheco has flown a bit under the radar through the first two weeks, but Week 3 gives him the chance for a big game. The Giants have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing RBs so far, including big rushing totals and chunk plays. Pacheco’s role in Kansas City’s offense remains stable — he gets the early down work and adds receiving opportunities. If the Chiefs build a lead, the game script will favor him even more, and he has a good chance to find the end zone. He’s not a flashy pick, but he’s one of the safer RB2/flex plays this week with upside.
Other Locks:
—Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Steelers
—Jordan Mason vs. Bengals
—Javonte Williams vs. Bears
Avoid: Kyren Williams, Rams vs. Eagles
Williams is still the starter, but his grip on lead-back duties is weakening. Blake Corum had his workload grow in Week 2, including red zone carries, and that cuts directly into Williams’ fantasy value. He’s also been inefficient, averaging 3.8 yards per carry, and now faces an Eagles defense that has suffocated opposing RBs. Unless Williams finds the end zone, he’s a strong candidate to disappoint — better left on the bench if you have other options.
Wide receivers
Start: Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants vs. Chiefs
Robinson finally broke out in Week 2, with 10 targets and turning them into eight catches for 142 yards and a score. The Giants are scheming ways to get him the ball — whether in the slot, on designed screens or in motion — making him a most versatile option. Facing Kansas City, the game script could have another pass-heavy approach, which means Robinson should once again see double-digit opportunities. In PPR leagues, he has a safe floor and the potential to put up WR2 numbers.
Other Locks:
—Troy Franklin vs. Chargers
—Elic Ayomanor vs. Colts
—Rome Odunze vs. Cowboys
Avoid: DeAndre Hopkins, Ravens vs. Lions
Hopkins has managed to stay fantasy-relevant with touchdowns, but his usage is far from encouraging. Zay Flowers is clearly Lamar Jackson’s go-to wideout, leaving the rest of the group to fend for themselves. The Lions’ cornerbacks have also been physical and effective in limiting outside receivers. Hopkins could deliver a dud, making him a risky WR3 start this week.
Tight ends
Start: Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. Seahawks
Johnson has emerged as a key part of New Orleans’ red zone offense, already drawing multiple end zone looks this season. His athleticism and ability to stretch the field give Spencer Rattler a mismatch option on third downs as well. Seattle has allowed multiple tight end touchdowns through two weeks, making this a matchup to exploit. If you’re streaming the position, Johnson has legitimate TE1 upside in Week 3.
Other Locks:
—Jake Ferguson vs. Bears
—Tyler Warren vs. Titans
—Tucker Kraft vs. Browns
Avoid: David Njoku, Browns vs. Packers
Njoku’s role has lessened in Cleveland’s passing game with Harold Fannin Jr. earning a growing role. Njoku has failed to top 40 yards in either game this season, and he hasn’t been featured near the end zone. The Packers’ linebackers and safeties have been solid against tight ends, limiting their scoring chances. If he doesn’t find the end zone, Njoku is almost certain to disappoint this week.
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This column was provided to The Associated Press by RosterWatch, www.rosterwatch.com.
Jets quarterback Justin Fields ruled out with concussion, Tyrod Taylor to start against Buccaneers By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Justin Fields is out for at least one game and Tyrod Taylor is ready to step in for the New York Jets, just as he has done so many times during his multiple NFL stops.
Coach Aaron Glenn announced Wednesday that Fields was ruled out for the game at Tampa Bay with a concussion , and Taylor would start at quarterback against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
“I challenge myself each and every day to prepare like a starter because you never know when an opportunity will present itself,” the 36-year-old Taylor said after practice. "And the main thing is you don’t want to, obviously, let your team down. But you want to prove to yourself that you’re capable of doing what you know you can do.
“That’s been the mentality since Day 1 in my time in the NFL.”
Fields remains in the concussion protocol after being hurt late in the Jets’ 30-10 loss to Buffalo last Sunday.
“I just know how these things are,” Glenn said, declining to say whether Fields has improved while in the protocol. “Just to my knowledge, this will be a week he'll be out.”
Fields fell backward when he was sacked by Joey Bosa in the fourth quarter and the back of his helmet hit off the turf.
Taylor will start for the first time since doing so in five games for the Giants in 2023.
“I have competed against him a number of times and there's an element within him that we also have in Justin that I like a lot,” Glenn said, likely referring to how both are dual-threat quarterbacks.
“The fact that he's been in this league for a long time, there's no coverage, there's no pressure that he hasn't seen,” Glenn added. “That's why I have confidence in him. He's a very studious person, a good athlete. ... There's no better player that you would want as your backup quarterback than him at this point in time.”
Taylor missed the Jets’ three preseason games with a knee injury that required surgery, but neither he nor Glenn is concerned that Taylor will be compromised in any way.
“Obviously a lot of mental reps,” Taylor said. “I know you guys didn’t see me on the field, but I missed one day away from the facility after my surgery. Other than that, I was here every day. I sat in every meeting."
Taylor went 7 of 11 for 56 yards in place of Fields against the Bills, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Ruckert.
“He has over 14 years of reps,” Glenn said of Taylor. “So, he's not new to this.”
Taylor, who signed a two-year deal with the Jets last year to be Aaron Rodgers’ backup, has 58 career starts in the NFL. He also has been a popular teammate on teams for which he has played. Cornerback Sauce Gardner drew laughs after calling him a "cool guy, cool cat” who dresses nice and does well socially.
“He’s confident, for sure,” Gardner said. “He's a baller. We be calling him a ‘hooper.’ When he gets on the field, he be hooping, finds a way to march the offense up and down the field.”
Taylor began his career as a backup with Baltimore from 2011 through 2014 before going to Buffalo, where he started 43 games over three seasons.
Taylor later started games for Cleveland (three in 2018), the Los Angeles Chargers (one in 2020), Houston (six in 2021) and the Giants (five in 2023). He has thrown for 12,310 yards and 69 touchdowns with 29 interceptions in 95 games over 14-plus seasons. Taylor also has rushed for 2,302 yards and 19 TDs.
“I embrace it,” Taylor said of being mostly a backup during his career. “God has a plan for everyone. Obviously, you want to be out there playing, but there’s other ways that you can affect the team in a positive way. As I stay and await my time for the opportunity to present itself, I can’t be a bad teammate. I can't sulk in, ‘what if,’ or what should happen.
"The reality of it is that I have to be in the moment.”
It's a tough break for Fields, who had a standout debut against Pittsburgh with a touchdown pass and two TD runs in the loss. But he struggled mightily against the Bills, going just 3 of 11 for 27 yards and running for 49 yards on five carries before leaving the game with the concussion .
It's believed to be the first documented concussion for Fields in the NFL.
Fields isn't the only key Jets player dealing with an injury this week. Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson (ankle), safety Tony Adams (hip), nickel cornerback Michael Carter II (shoulder), defensive tackle Jay Tufele (illness), wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hamstring) and running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) all sat out practice Wednesday. Glenn did acknowledge that “a lot of those guys are trending in the right direction.”
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Dolphins travel to Buffalo, where they've lost nine straight and not beaten the Bills since 2016 By The Associated Press The Associated Press
Miami (0-2) at Buffalo (2-0)
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EDT, Amazon Prime Video.
BetMGM NFL odds: Bills by 12 1/2.
Against the spread: Bills 2-0; Dolphins 0-2.
Series record: Dolphins lead 62-60-1.
Last meeting: Bills beat Dolphins 30-27 on Nov. 3, 2024, in Orchard Park, New York.
Last week: Bills beat Jets 30-10; Dolphins lost to Patriots 33-27
Dolphins offense: overall (24t), rush (29), pass (15), scoring (25).
Dolphins defense: overall (26), rush (25), pass (24), scoring (31).
Bills offense: overall (1), rush (2), pass (2t), scoring (2).
Bills defense: overall (8), rush (31), pass (1), scoring (22).
Turnover differential: Dolphins minus-4; Bills plus-2.
Dolphins player to watch
RB De'Von Achane has been one of Miami's best players through the first two weeks of the season. The third-year running back had the Dolphins' only touchdown in Week 1, breaking several tackles on his way into the end zone. Achane again scored in Week 2 on a 29-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Bills player to watch
QB Josh Allen. After failing to throw, run or catch a touchdown for just the fifth full game of his career last weekend, Allen has a chance to get back on the board. His 37 touchdowns passing in 14 regular-season games against Miami are by far the most against any opponent, ahead of 19 versus New England.
Key matchup
Achane vs. Bills defense. The third-year player presents a dual-threat challenge to a defense missing two starters in defensive tackle Ed Oliver and linebacker Matt Milano. Though Buffalo limited the Jets to 154 total yards, New York still combined for 100 yards rushing. And this is a defense that allowed 432 total yards, including 238 rushing, in beating Baltimore in Week 1.
Key injuries
Dolphins: S Ifeatu Melifonwu is dealing with a calf injury and has not practiced this week. ... TE Darren Waller (hip), C Aaron Brewer (hip) and RB Jaylen Wright (knee) were limited in practice. Bills: Oliver and Milano have been ruled out. ... Nickel cornerback Taron Johnson (quadriceps) is trending toward returning after missing one game.
Series notes
The Bills have won 13 of the past 14 meetings, including playoffs, with their lone loss a 21-19 nail-biter in hot and humid conditions at Miami in September 2022. ... The Bills have won the past nine meetings at home, including playoffs, in a streak that began in 2017, Sean McDermott’s first season as coach. ... The Dolphins’ most recent win at Orchard Park was a 34-31 OT decision on Dec. 24, 2016, which led to Rex Ryan being fired as Bills coach a day later, with one week remaining in the season.
Stats and stuff
With the loss to New England, the Dolphins fell to 0-2 for the first time under Mike McDaniel. Tua Tagovailoa also fell to 0-2 for the first time in his career as a starter. ... The Dolphins have turned the ball over four times in the first two games of the season and are tied for the worst turnover margin in the NFL. ... Achane has 25 touchdowns (14 rushing and 11 receiving) since being drafted by Miami in 2023. He is one of only six active players to score 25-plus touchdowns in their first 30 games. ... Tyreek Hill's 47-yard reception in the third quarter against New England was his first catch of more than 30 yards since the 2024 opener. ... Miami's defense has allowed opponents to score on 13 of 17 possessions this season. ... Bradley Chubb is one of six linebackers with a sack in each of the first two weeks of the season. He's combined for seven sacks and two forced fumbles in three Thursday night appearances. ... Buffalo has won 12 straight regular-season home games, three short of matching the team record set spanning the 1990-91 seasons. ... Since 2020, the Bills are 12-7 in prime-time outings, including 5-1 in their past six. Overall, the Bills are 52-49 in night games, including a 41-40 season-opening win over Baltimore. ... The Bills lead the NFL in scoring 30 or more points 46 times since the start of the 2020 season. ... Allen has committed one turnover in his past 11 starts, including playoffs. His record is 39-10 when not throwing an interception or losing a fumble. ... With 78 regular-season wins, Allen moved one ahead of Joe Ferguson for second on the franchise list, behind only Hall of Famer Jim Kelly (101). ... RB James Cook has scored a TD rushing in six straight games, one short of matching O.J. Simpson’s team record run of seven in 1975. ... Cook’s 19 TDs rushing since the start of last season lead the NFL. ... Buffalo has won an NFL record 24 straight when winning the turnover margin. ... DT Joey Bosa earned his first sack with Buffalo, and 73rd of his career, moving into a tie for 99th with Robert Burnett on the NFL list. He’s one shy of moving into a tie for 94th with Mark Gastineau, Jevon Kearse and Cliff Avril. ... The 154 yards allowed against the Jets were the fewest by Buffalo since giving up 53 total yards in a 27-10 win over New York in the 2021 season finale.
Fantasy tip
This is likely a good week to bench Tagovailoa. The sixth-year player has had little success against the division rival Bills with a 1-8 record. Of the 47 interceptions he’s thrown, 10 have come against Buffalo — the most against any opponent.
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Commanders' Jayden Daniels will not practice earlier than Friday because of an injured knee By HOWARD FENDRICH AP National Writer The Associated Press ASHBURN, Va.
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will not practice earlier than Friday while recovering from an injured knee, coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday.
Daniels went through a rehabilitation session and threw on the field Wednesday but was not going to take part in that day's work with teammates, Quinn added.
The Commanders (1-1) host the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) on Sunday.
“As we get into Friday, I’ll give you an assessment where we’re at,” Quinn said.
Last season's AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was hurt in the fourth quarter of Washington's 27-18 loss at the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night and later had an MRI exam that revealed the injury. Daniels was sacked four times and faced pressure throughout the game from a blitz-heavy Packers’ defense.
“We recognize the importance of the person, the player, what he means to the franchise, so we’re also going to be smart, not just fast, with this assessment,” Quinn said about his starting quarterback. “This is a player that’s absolutely wanting to do everything, all the time.”
Quinn said Daniels' throwing and movement “looked good” while working on his own on Wednesday, while noting that it's important to see him on the field with the rest of the team before playing in a game.
“But it was a good first step,” Quinn said.
If Daniels is held out of Sunday's game, backup Marcus Mariota would be in line to make his first NFL start since 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons. Mariota appeared in relief of the starting QB in three games each in 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles and 2024 with Washington.
“We have the utmost confidence in him,” Quinn said.
Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at Oregon, worked with starters during practice on Wednesday.
He was rested during this year's training camp and preseason because of Achilles tendinitis and said that he's felt back to normal for a couple of weeks now.
“We do a great job of getting a bunch of walkthrough reps, so for me, from a mental standpoint, I felt like I was always engaged,” Mariota said, "and once I felt good physically, I could just kind of come back and roll with everybody.”
He had success in his three appearances last season coming on midgame to fill in for Daniels, completing 34 of 44 passes — 77.3% — for 364 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
“We communicate throughout the day, see how he’s feeling. I’m sure he is tired of everybody asking him how he’s feeling,” Mariota said about Daniels.
“I always try to approach it like I’m going to play,” Mariota said. “That way, if the scenario happens — or I’m given the opportunity to play — nothing changes for me on a week-to-week basis.”
Daniels was one of several Commanders players hurt against the Packers, and cornerback Jonathan Jones went on injured reserve Wednesday with a bad hamstring. Quinn said the team expects Jones to return to the roster at some point this season.
Running back Austin Ekeler and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. both were put on IR on Monday with season-ending injuries. Washington signed free-agent defensive end Preston Smith — who previously was with the club from 2015-18 — to replace Wise.
Quinn praised Smith's “proven pass-rush ability, and we liked his size, too. ... Felt like a good fit.”
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Vikings put RB Aaron Jones on IR with hamstring injury that will sideline him more than a month By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press EAGAN, Minn.
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The ailing Minnesota Vikings placed running back Aaron Jones Sr. on injured reserve on Wednesday, requiring him to miss a minimum of four games with a hamstring injury suffered during what has become a costly defeat in the home opener.
With quarterback J.J. McCarthy likely out for multiple weeks with a sprained ankle that occurred in that 22-6 loss to Atlanta, the Vikings also signed Desmond Ridder, the starter in 2023 for the Falcons, to the active roster for more depth behind Carson Wentz and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.
Jordan Mason, who was in an even share of the backfield load with the nine-year veteran Jones, will become the clear featured ball carrier with promising undrafted rookie Zavier Scott behind him on the depth chart. The Vikings also signed old friend Cam Akers to the practice squad, after acquiring the sixth-year running back in separate in-season trades in 2023 with the Los Angeles Rams and 2024 with the Houston Texans.
Mason, who was acquired in an offseason trade with San Francisco, rushed for 667 yards in the first seven games last season for the 49ers while stepping in for the injured Christian McCaffrey.
“Jordan clearly has already shown his ability to be a heavy runner with yards after contact and all those things,” coach Kevin O'Connell said. “I’m not sure we could have more confidence in Jordan as a potential bell-cow kind of back.”
Jones had a career-high 1,138 rushing yards last season while starting all 17 games in his first season with the Vikings.
Ty Chandler, who began last season as the second option in the backfield before Akers arrived, was placed on IR last week after injuring his knee in the opener on a kickoff return. Two-time Pro Bowl fullback C.J. Ham also started the season on IR with a knee injury and must sit out at least two more games.
Akers, who was released at the end of training camp by the New Orleans Saints, became a favorite of O'Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips during their time together with the Rams that ended with a Super Bowl trophy after the 2021 season.
In 12 regular-season games last year for the Vikings, Akers had 64 carries for 297 yards for a career-best average of 4.6 yards per attempt. He also had 10 catches for 52 yards and totaled three touchdowns.
Ridder was a third-round pick by the Falcons in 2022 out of Cincinnati, whom he helped lead to a College Football Playoff semifinal berth. He passed for 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 64.2% completion rate and 2,836 yards in 2023, plus five rushing scores. The following year, when the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins and drafted Michael Penix Jr., Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for wide receiver and return specialist Rondale Moore.
Ridder was eventually signed off the Cardinals’ practice squad by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 and made one start there. He was cut at the end of training camp last month by the Cincinnati Bengals, who visit the Vikings this Sunday.
McCarthy, who was not at practice on Wednesday, has been wearing a walking boot around the facility, along with his usual positive vibes, O'Connell said.
“When he’s not getting treatment, he's still heavily involved in meetings and installs with great energy and enthusiasm to attack it any way he can for now,” O'Connell said. “That’ll be able to build and progress from there.”
Neither center Ryan Kelly nor left tackle Justin Skule, who were both pulled from the Atlanta game and placed in the concussion protocol, was at practice on Wednesday. Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, wearing a red non-contact jersey, was back on the field, raising the possibility of the defense getting two key starters back to play the Bengals if 14th-year safety Harrison Smith can clear the final hurdle in his return from a personal health matter that set back his conditioning last month.
Then there's the unclear status of left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who has not yet completed his comeback from ACL and MCL surgery with Skule starting the first two games in his place. O'Connell didn't offer much of a hint on Wednesday when asked if Darrisaw would be able to make his season debut against the Bengals.
“Christian's expectations and desire to be out on the field is driving everything right now. He's continuing to try to get to a place where not only he's comfortable with that, but that he feels ready to go for what's out in front of him,” O'Connell said. “What that means for this weekend remains to be seen. It's an ongoing process, and one we all knew was coming and expected.”
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Pro Picks: Eagles will beat the Rams in a playoff rematch By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press
Saquon Barkley had to give the Los Angeles Rams nightmares throughout the offseason.
Barkley had 460 yards rushing and four touchdowns against the Rams in two victories for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, including a playoff game.
Three of the four TD runs were 70-plus yards and the other was a 62-yard scamper. He ran for 255 yards in Los Angeles in the regular season and 205 yards on a snowy field in Philly in January.
Yet, the Rams (2-0) came within 13 yards of eliminating the Eagles from the playoffs in the divisional round before Jalen Carter sacked Matthew Stafford on third down and forced him to throw incomplete on the next play to secure a 28-22 win.
The Eagles (2-0) hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy after two more lopsided victories.
The unbeaten teams meet Sunday at the Linc. The Eagles are 3 1/2-point favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
Stafford and Davante Adams have clicked but the Rams need a boost from the run game. Their defense continues to be impressive.
The defending Super Bowl champs keep winning despite a sluggish offense. Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown have responded whenever critics attacked the pass offense in the past.
The Rams are 5-0 against the spread in their past five games and 7-0 ATS in their past seven road games. The Eagles are 9-1 straight up and 8-2 ATS in their past 10 games against the Rams.
Pro Picks leans toward Philadelphia.
EAGLES: 27-23
Kansas City at New York Giants
Line: Chiefs minus 6 1/2
The Chiefs are 0-2 for the first time since 2014, Patrick Mahomes has the first three-game losing streak in his career and plenty of folks are proclaiming the end of Kansas City’s dynasty. Same people did that to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots several times before he led them to another three Super Bowls. Russell Wilson showed he indeed can still play last week, Malik Nabers is a stud and New York’s defensive line is disruptive.
BEST BET: CHIEFS: 30-17
Houston at Jacksonville
Line: Jaguars minus 1
The Texans (0-2) are struggling but they were in this position two years ago when DeMeco Ryans was a first-year coach and C.J. Stroud was a rookie and they still ended up winning the division. They have to protect Stroud and be more productive in the red zone. The Jaguars (1-1) missed an opportunity when the defense let Jake Browning drive the Bengals 92 yards for a comeback win. The Texans swept the series last season, but the Jaguars covered the spread in both games.
UPSET SPECIAL: TEXANS: 23-20
Miami at Buffalo
Line: Bills minus 12 1/2
Tua Tagovailoa got Miami’s offense going but the defense and special teams let the Dolphins (0-2) down. Josh Allen and the Bills (2-0) have a balanced offense thanks to James Cook, and their defense improved after a rough start. The Bills are 11-0 in their past 11 home games. The Dolphins are 3-7 in their past 10 road games.
BILLS: 34-16
Indianapolis at Tennessee
Line: Colts minus 3 1/2
The Colts (2-0) are off to their best start since 2009 behind Daniel Jones. “Danny Dimes” has led the offense to 14 scoring drives and no punts and Jonathan Taylor leads the league in rushing yards. The rebuilding Titans (0-2) have held second-half leads against the Broncos and Rams. They need to learn to finish. And, the offensive line needs to protect Cam Ward, who has been sacked 11 times. The Colts are 1-4 against the spread in their past five road games, but 5-1 ATS in their past six games vs. AFC South opponents. The Titans are 0-9 ATS in their past nine home games.
COLTS: 19-16
Cincinnati at Minnesota
Line: Vikings minus 3
It's Jake Browning vs. Carson Wentz in a battle of backups. Browning replaces Joe Burrow for the Bengals (2-0). Wentz takes over for J.J. McCarthy for the Vikings (1-1). Browning was 4-3 as a starter in 2023 and led a comeback win after Burrow got hurt vs. Jacksonville . Minnesota also won’t have running back Aaron Jones and could be down to its third-string left tackle if Justin Skule (concussion) can’t return. Wentz hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2022. The Bengals have lost six in a row in Minnesota. The Vikings are 5-1 ATS in their past six games played in September.
VIKINGS: 24-19
Green Bay at Cleveland
Line: Packers minus 8
Micah Parsons has energized the defense and Jordan Love is playing error-free, efficient football for the Packers (2-0). The Browns (0-2) are off to their worst start since 2018 and Myles Garrett is tired of losing. Cleveland's defense has stopped the run, though. The Packers are 7-3 ATS in their past 10 games. The Browns have lost eight straight games, going 1-7 ATS.
PACKERS: 27-17
Pittsburgh at New England
Line: Steelers minus 1 1/2
Aaron Rodgers needs better protection. On defense, the Steelers (1-1) have to improve against the run. Drake Maye and the Patriots (1-1) rallied to give Mike Vrabel his first win with New England. The Steelers are 1-4 ATS in their past five road games. The Patriots are 2-3 ATS in their past five home games.
STEELERS: 20-17
Atlanta at Carolina
Line: Falcons minus 6
The Falcons (1-1) got Bijan Robinson going in Week 2 and rookie edge rushers James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker made an impact. The Panthers (0-2) need to play the way they did in a second-half comeback that fell short last week. Protecting Bryce Young got harder, though, with injuries to two starters on the offensive line. The Falcons are 2-7-1 ATS in their past 10 games. The Panthers are 8-3 ATS in their past 11 games.
FALCONS: 24-20
New York Jets at Tampa Bay
Line: Buccaneers minus 7
The Jets (0-2) with Aaron Glenn haven’t looked any better than with any another coach. It's still too early. Justin Fields will miss the game because of a concussion, leaving Tyrod Taylor at quarterback for the Jets. Baker Mayfield has led the Buccaneers (2-0) to consecutive victories on go-ahead scores in the final two minutes. But the offensive line is banged up and the defense lost lineman Calijah Kancey for the season. The Jets have lost 11 straight games as underdogs in Florida. The Bucs are 15-1 at home against teams coming off a loss.
BUCCANEERS: 26-16
Las Vegas Raiders at Washington
Line: Commanders minus 3 1/2
Geno Smith said he has to be better after throwing three picks. He needs to be for the Raiders (1-1) to be competitive. The Commanders (1-1) could be turning to Marcus Mariota if Jayden Daniels can’t play because of a knee injury. That’s a drop-off. The Commanders are 7-2 against the spread as a home favorite under coach Dan Quinn.
COMMANDERS: 23-22
Denver at Los Angeles Chargers
Line: Chargers minus 3
Special teams cost the Broncos (1-1) last week in a game the offense couldn’t put away and the defense didn’t do enough to prevent it from slipping away. The Chargers (2-0) have been impressive and can make it three straight division wins to start the season. The Broncos are 4-4 ATS as road underdogs with Bo Nix. The Chargers are 9-1 ATS in the past 10 games as favorites vs. AFC opponents.
CHARGERS: 23-19
New Orleans at Seattle
Line: Seahawks minus 7 1/2
The rebuilding Saints (0-2) have kept it close, but have lost 14 of their past 17 games. A balanced offense and opportunistic defense helped the Seahawks (1-1) even their record. They were just 3-6 at home last season. The Saints are 1-4 ATS in their past five games. The Seahawks are 1-7 ATS in their past eight at home.
SEAHAWKS: 24-17
Arizona at San Francisco
Line: 49ers minus 1 1/2
The Cardinals (2-0) haven’t played their best football but are undefeated. They’ve got some injury concerns in the secondary. Mac Jones filled in for Brock Purdy and tossed three touchdown passes for the injury-depleted 49ers (2-0). The Cardinals are 9-4 ATS in their past 13 games. The 49ers are 4-12 ATS in their past 16 home games.
49ERS: 24-20
Dallas at Chicago
Line: Bears minus 1
Thanks to Brandon Aubrey and Dak Prescott, the Cowboys (1-1) overcame a pass defense that allowed 450 yards to Russell Wilson. They’ve got to generate a pass rush to help the secondary. Ben Johnson and the Bears (0-2) were embarrassed by his former team in a return to Detroit. Can he get Caleb Williams and the offensive playmakers on track this week? The Cowboys are 6-3 ATS in their past nine games. The Bears are 2-5 ATS in their past seven games and have lost six straight home games.
COWBOYS: 30-27
Detroit at Baltimore
Line: Ravens minus 5
The Lions (1-1) put up 52 points and 511 yards, silencing the critics who thought losing Ben Johnson as offensive coordinator would slow down the offense. The Ravens (1-1) only needed Lamar Jackson’s arm — not his legs or Derrick Henry’s — to rout Cleveland with help from a couple of defensive scores. Oddsmakers are disrespecting the Lions with this line, especially with linebacker Kyle Van Noy and cornerback Marlon Humphrey injured for Baltimore. Jackson has a passer rating of 124.3 with 1,949 yards and 22 touchdowns in nine games on "Monday Night Football."
RAVENS: 33-26
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Last week: Straight up: 12-4. Against spread: 10-6.
Overall: Straight up: 25-7. Against spread: 18-14.
Prime-time: Straight up: 6-2. Against spread: 4-4.
Best Bet: Straight up: 2-0. Against spread: 1-1.
Upset Special: Straight up: 2-0. Against spread: 2-0.
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Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here .
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