Surging Lions up next for unbeaten Vikings

The top spot in the NFC North will be on the line when the Minnesota Vikings tangle with the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Minnesota (5-0) is off to its best start since 2016 and will be well rested coming off a bye last week. Detroit (4-1) has reeled off three straight wins, including a 47-9 thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on Oct. 13.

Everyone understands the stakes as two hot teams prepare to go head-to-head.

“If we want to go to the places that we want to go, it starts with our division,” Vikings safety Josh Metellus said. “If we can handle our division, which is playing so well, we’re setting ourselves up nicely for the rest (of the season).”

Both teams are dealing with injuries to key players, both for this weekend and beyond.

The Lions lost one of their defensive leaders, pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, late in the blowout over the Cowboys. Hutchinson broke his left leg and needed to be carted off the field as his teammates watched somberly.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said Hutchinson was expected to miss four to six months. That timeline leaves open the possibility of the 24-year-old returning for a postseason run, but nothing is guaranteed.

“It kind of brings it back to reality, like, ‘Hey man, that’s part of this game,’ and that’s hard,” Campbell said. “But I think they also understand that we are a team, and everybody is here for a reason, and it takes every one of us.

“That’s why we play with 11 on defense, 11 on offense, 11 on special teams. And we play together. If we need help in one area, we’ll get it from one of the other groups. That’s how we complement each other. They believe it’s next man up.”

Lions cornerback Carlton Davis (quad) and left tackle Dan Skinner (ribs) did not practice Wednesday while safety Brian Branch (knee) was limited.

The Vikings likely will be without starting running back Aaron Jones, who is dealing with a hip injury and did not practice Wednesday. Ty Chandler could see more action in Jones’ absence, and the Vikings added depth in the backfield this week when they reacquired Cam Akers from the Houston Texans.

Akers appeared in six games with the Vikings last season and is familiar with the offensive playbook. He had 147 rushing yards and one touchdown in five games with the Texans this season.

Minnesota tight end T.J. Hockenson, who is trying to return from surgery after tearing both the ACL and MCL in his right knee last season, was limited in practice on Wednesday. Linebackers Blake Cashman (toe) and Patrick Jones II (shoulder), cornerback Akayleb Evans (hip) and defensdve tackle Harrison Phillips (shoulder) did not practice.

Sam Darnold aims to bounce back from his bumpiest performance of the season as Vikings quarterback. He has thrown for 1,111 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions on the season, but against the New York Jets in London on Oct. 6, he had a season-low 179 yards on 14 of 31 passing.

Darnold’s top target is Justin Jefferson, who has 26 catches for 450 yards and four touchdowns. Jalen Nailor ranks second on the team with three touchdown receptions.

The Lions are led by Jared Goff, who has passed for 1,330 yards and eight touchdowns with four interceptions. He has benefited from a pair of talented receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown (31 catches, 289 yards, three TDs) and Jameson Williams (16 catches, 365 yards, three TDs).

Detroit also features a one-two punch at running back. David Montgomery leads the team with 351 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and Jahmyr Gibbs has rushed for 348 yards and three scores.

This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. The second encounter in Detroit will close out the regular season.

Detroit won both matchups last season, 30-24 in Minneapolis on Dec. 24 and 30-20 on its home field on Jan. 7.

–Field Level Media

Giants’ stout defense out to stifle Saquon Barkley, Eagles

The Giants’ version of the “New York Sack Exchange” will take aim at Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

The Giants (2-4) enter the NFC East divisional contest against the Eagles (3-2) with a league-leading 26 sacks, just eight fewer than they recorded in the entire 2023 season. It’s their highest total through six games since Lawrence Taylor and Co. had 30 in 1985.

A different Lawrence drives the Big Blue pass rush these days: Two-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence leads the way with seven sacks. Three teammates have three sacks apiece and 11 Giants have at least one.

The Giants sacked Joe Burrow four times in Sunday night’s 17-7 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, including two by linebacker Azeez Ojulari.

It was the fifth consecutive game New York’s defense has allowed 21 or fewer points, but also the fifth time this season that the New York offense has scored 21 or fewer points.

No NFC team is putting fewer points on the board this year than the Giants with 16.0 per game.

“There’s things that are improving in areas, but the ultimate goal is to score points and finish drives and take care of the ball,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said this week. “Our inability … to generate explosive plays, whether that’s through the run or through the air, is not where I want it to be right now.”

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones will be facing a Philadelphia defense with two rookie starters in the secondary in first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell and second-rounder Cooper DeJean.

They were targeted a combined eight times in last weekend’s 20-16 home win against Cleveland and allowed just three completions for 23 yards and no first downs.

It was the fifth start for Mitchell at cornerback and the first start of his career for DeJean, who suited up at nickel corner. They helped to limit the Browns to just 144 yards through the air and combined for nine tackles, plus a half-sack by DeJean.

“I felt prepared,” DeJean said of his first NFL start. “There were no nerves — a little bit of butterflies and excitement building up to this. Once you get out there and make that first hit, it all slows down for you and it felt good.”

After finishing 31st in the league in passing defense last season (252.7 yards per game), Philadelphia has improved to 21st (218.4) through five games this season.

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft by the Giants, makes his return to MetLife Stadium, where he spent his first six seasons. He has 574 yards from scrimmage with five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) in five games this season.

“I don’t expect a great reaction,” Barkley said. “I don’t expect to be booed; I look at it like this: The Philadelphia Eagles and New York football Giants probably played in over 200 games. This rivalry was there before me, and it’s going to be there after me.”

Three Eagles starters missed practice on Wednesday: tight end Dallas Goedert (hamstring), left tackle Jordan Mailata (hamstring) and defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle). Mailata is expected to miss multiple weeks. Cornerback Darius Slay (knee) was limited.

Rookie receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) was a limited participant for the Giants on Wednesday. Linebacker Brian Burns (groin), punter Jamie Gillan (hamstring) and Lawrence (hip) did not practice, but Lawrence told reporters, “I’m playing.” Burns also indicated he expects to play Sunday.

New York confirmed Wednesday that left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot) is out for the season.

–Field Level Media

Streaking Texans expect challenge from Packers

The Houston Texans boast a two-game lead in the AFC South and the second-best record in the conference entering a Sunday road game against the Green Bay Packers.

Still, various injuries and inconsistency on offense have Houston wide receiver Tank Dell eager for the team to fire on all cylinders.

“Once we get everybody back and everyone clicking at once,” Dell said, “I feel like the sky’s the limit.”

Houston (5-1) still looked plenty potent last week during a 41-21 runaway at New England that stretched the Texans’ winning streak to three games.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud sparked the attack once again, passing for three touchdowns, including one to Joe Mixon, who rushed for 102 yards and a TD.

Stefon Diggs and Dell also caught scoring passes from Stroud, who has 10 touchdown tosses against four interceptions this season to go with a 68.3 percent completion rate.

“I think he’s super talented,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “Obviously, he’s got the ability where the moment is not too big for him. He can process very fast, and he’s a very good anticipatory thrower, which I think is a bit of a lost art.”

Green Bay (4-2) figures to challenge that poise on Sunday.

The Packers’ defense is tops in the NFL with a plus-9 turnover differential. Safety Xavier McKinney leads the league with five interceptions.

“Very good defensive back group. Very physical. We know that coming in,” Dell said. “They’re ready to make plays. (McKinney) is leading the NFL in interceptions, so we know he wants to make a play on the ball. It’s a very good group going in, and we’re feeling confident. I know they’re going to feel confident, so it’s going to be a good battle.”

Green Bay rolled to a season-high point total last week in a 34-13 home win against the Arizona Cardinals.

Jordan Love matched his career best of four touchdown passes in the rout. Romeo Doubs snagged a pair of TDs, his first two of the season, after serving a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

Doubs said after the game that he “was able to get back to my regular self.”

That’s a standing to which new Packers kicker Brandon McManus aspires, as well.

Green Bay this week signed the veteran after releasing rookie Brayden Narveson, who missed five of 17 field-goal attempts this season.

McManus spent 2023 with the Jacksonville Jaguars after kicking for the Denver Broncos from 2014-22. He has connected on 81.4 percent of his career field-goal tries, with a long of 61 yards.

“Every single day you have to prove yourself,” McManus said. “Kicker is such a black-and-white position.”

Mixon (ankle) and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (ankle) were limited in practice for Houston on Wednesday.

For the Packers, offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (knee) and defensive linemen Colby Wooden (knee) and Devonte Wyatt (ankle) didn’t practice on Wednesday.

Houston’s depth on the D-line is fluctuating, too. Mario Edwards Jr. this week was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, but Denico Autry is set to return from a six-game suspension for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Green Bay leads the all-time series 4-1, including a 1-1 mark at home.

The Packers have won three straight against the Texans, with two of those games decided by at least 15 points.

LaFleur began his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant with the Texans in 2008 and ’09.

–Field Level Media

Aiming for 4th straight win, Falcons welcome Seahawks

A pair of NFC teams trending in opposite directions will meet Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons host the Seattle Seahawks.

The Falcons (4-2) are riding a three-game winning streak, the team’s longest since winning the last four games of the 2019 season. Seattle (3-3) opened the season by winning its first three games before dropping three straight.

Atlanta is looking for its first winning season and playoff appearance since 2017, but thanks to a new-look roster that is loaded with offensive weapons, it is tied atop the NFC South. The Falcons are fresh off a three-game sweep of divisional opponents, most recently drubbing the host Carolina Panthers 38-20.

In the last two games, Atlanta has shown different facets of its potent offense.

Facing visiting Tampa Bay on Oct. 3, newcomer Kirk Cousins set the franchise’s single-game passing total with 509 yards and four touchdowns in a 36-30 win.

Then the run game took over against Carolina. Backup running back Tyler Allgeier led the team with 105 rushing yards and one score, while Bijan Robinson ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns.

First-year head coach Raheem Morris has been impressed with the work of offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who is also in his first year.

“It’s been great for me to have a front-row seat to watch Zac develop into what he’s doing,” Morris said. “I really love the maturation of Zac Robinson from a play-calling standpoint. Obviously, this being his first year, really watching him mesh with Kirk and the other guys. … It’s gone really well for us.”

Zac Robinson, who spent the last two seasons as the pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Los Angeles Rams, has Atlanta averaging 24.8 points per game, up from 18.9 last season.

The Falcons will be facing a Seattle defense that has been gutted of late. The Seahawks defense allowed just 14.3 points per game through three weeks, but has surrendered just under 36 points per contest since then.

Most recently, Seattle fell at home to the San Francisco 49ers 36-24 on Oct. 10, and Mike Macdonald, who is in his first season as a head coach, wants his players to experience a sense of urgency.

“We’re six games into the season and there is a lot of football to be played,” said Macdonald, who is the youngest head coach in the league at age 37. “But just like the message was last week, we’ve got to get better in a hurry. We’re finding new ways to lose games right now, and that’s no good. But we’ve got the right guys for the job, guys that are in it.”

A problem through Seattle’s skid has been turnovers. The Seahawks have given the ball away six times, three to the 49ers, while forcing just one in the three games combined.

“When you play against good teams, well-coached teams, you can’t shoot yourself in the foot,” Seattle quarterback Geno Smith said. “Those are the things we’re doing right now. … Just getting in our own way. We’ve got to stop doing that.”

Smith’s inconsistency has been an issue. While his 1,778 passing yards lead the league, he has six interceptions, one shy of the NFL high.

Seattle’s run game hasn’t been of much help either; its 96.5 rushing yards per game are 29th of 32 teams.

The Falcons could be thin at linebacker on Sunday, with Troy Andersen (knee) and Lorenzo Carter (concussion) nonparticipants in practice on Wednesday. Matthew Judon (rest) and Nate Landman (calf) were limited in practice. Elsewhere, safety Justin Simmons did not practice, and Bijan Robinson (rest) and cornerback Antonio Hamilton (back) were limited participants.

For Seattle, defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (hand) landed on injured reserve Wednesday. Jenkins hasn’t missed a defensive snap this year, although he did wear a club on his hand in the last two games.

–Field Level Media

Bills punch up offense with Amari Cooper trade, face Titans

Although they presently enjoy a comfortable 1 ½-game lead in the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills have shown a weakness at wide receiver in the first six games of the season.

They hope Amari Cooper, who was acquired Tuesday, can change that, perhaps starting with Sunday’s visit from the Tennessee Titans at Orchard Park, N.Y.

Coming off a career-high 1,250 yards last year for Cleveland, Cooper has experienced a frustrating start to his 2024 season. In six games, he has 24 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns. His per-catch average of 10.4 yards is on pace for a career low and seven yards under last year’s career-best average.

However, Cooper is looking forward to bigger and better things in his fourth NFL home. Not only did he gain three games in the standings, but he’s now the target of Josh Allen instead of Deshaun Watson.

Allen has thrown 156 passes this year without an interception and Watson has endured a poor season.

“As far as playing with Josh, I’ve always been (a) fan of his game,” Cooper said. “I’m sure to see it up close and personal and play alongside him. I’m sure it’s going to be great. I’m just excited to turn a new chapter and to be able to contribute.”

The Bills haven’t had a go-to receiver this season after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in the offseason.

Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said Wednesday that Cooper’s status for this game is undecided. However, the Bills might have the services of running back James Cook (toe) and defensive tackle Ed Oliver (hamstring).

Cook wasn’t missed in Monday night’s 23-20 win at the New York Jets as rookie Ray Davis accumulated 152 total yards (97 rushing, 55 receiving) on 23 touches. But adding Cook and potentially Oliver, one of the league’s most disruptive interior linemen when healthy, only makes Buffalo (4-2) a tougher task. Oliver missed the past two games.

Meanwhile, Tennessee (1-4) squandered a 17-10 fourth-quarter lead last week in a 20-17 home loss to AFC South rival Indianapolis. The Titans’ sputtering offense managed only 239 total yards as quarterback Will Levis struggled again, completing only 16 of 27 passes for 93 yards.

Of more importance to Tennessee is Levis’ continued turnover troubles. His fourth-quarter interception last week was his seventh in five games and his 10th turnover overall. Levis has been playing with a shoulder injury that he sustained Sept. 30 at Miami.

None of Levis’ completions last week went to veteran receiver Calvin Ridley, who let his frustrations out with a profanity-laced postgame interview that hit social media quickly. Ridley apologized for his comments Wednesday and first-year coach Brian Callahan said he understood Ridley’s feelings.

“My message to him was simple,” said Callahan. “I’m doing everything I can to continue to keep you going and get you active early in games, late in games. … I sure as heck want him to be a huge part of what we’re doing.”

The Titans’ problems offensively are obscuring the solid work of their defense, which is ranked No. 1 in the league in total defense (248.8 yards per game) and against the pass (137.0).

Tennessee owns a 30-20 lead in the all-time series, including the postseason, which dates back to the American Football League when the Titans were known as the Houston Oilers. The Bills won the last matchup 41-7 at home two years ago.

–Field Level Media