Steelers throw No. 1 defense at Colts, young playmakers

When the Pittsburgh Steelers and host Indianapolis Colts meet Sunday, it’ll be a matchup of a young offense relying on an explosive rusher against the league’s top-ranked defense.

Critical to the Colts’ success is the 1-2 punch of sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor. Indianapolis’ 21-16 win over the Chicago Bears last week was led by Taylor, who ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Richardson threw for 167 yards with two interceptions.

“Our offensive line sets the tone for those guys up front,” said Colts head coach Shane Steichen. “JT’s running really good and he’s seeing it well, he’s being patient, he’s hitting the holes.”

The 2021 NFL rushing champion is seventh in the league this season with 261 yards. Behind him on the Colts is Richardson with 117 rushing yards.

“We’ve got a big challenge in Jonathan Taylor, and I think that challenge is intensified because of Richardson’s mobility and their willingness to use schematics regarding Richardson’s mobility,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “It is a big run game emphasis for us.”

If any team is up for the challenge of the Taylor and Richardson duo, it’s Pittsburgh (3-0), which is off to its best start since 2020 and rated the No. 1 defensive team in the NFL (229.0 yards per game).

The Steelers allow 71.3 rushing yards per game and travel to Indianapolis with three straight games holding opponents to 10 points or less. That’s without edge rusher Alex Highsmith, who is again out with a groin injury. In his absence, Nick Herbig had a career day in the 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers last week with two sacks, three tackles and a forced fumble.

Spearheading the defense is six-time Pro Bowler T.J. Watt, leading the Steelers with three sacks plus 10 tackles.

“We got to know where he’s going to line up and how he’s likely to align within their scheme, what his role is likely to be defensively each play and how we can go best attack the defense,” said Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. “How can we best attack the defense while also having an awareness to this great player out there and trying to limit his impact.”

Indianapolis’ defense was dealt a blow Sunday, losing two starters in the fourth quarter. Both cornerback Kenny Moore II (hip) and defensive end Kwity Paye (quadriceps) were ruled out for Sunday. Cornerback Chris Lammons (knee/ankle), center Ryan Kelly (neck) and offensive tackle Braden Smith (knee) are questionable.

Offensively for Pittsburgh, quarterback Justin Fields will start again in place of Russell Wilson. A calf injury continues to plague the former Super Bowl champion, leaving Tomlin uninterested in talking about any kind of quarterback competition until Wilson is able to return. He was limited in practice Wednesday through Friday and officially listed as questionable at Indianapolis.

Tomlin has had Fields under center for every game, with the former Chicago Bears quarterback averaging 172.7 passing yards and 30 rushing yards per game. Each is below career highs after three years in Chicago, but what isn’t hampering Fields in Pittsburgh are turnovers. Fields has only one interception, but none in the past two victories.

“I like his steady demeanor,” said Tomlin. “I like that in a leader. He doesn’t ride the emotional roller coaster when things are going bad. Guys can rally around that, he’s steady, he’s a competitor.”

Najee Harris received rest on Wednesday due to an arm injury sustained against the Chargers, but he’s ready to take the majority of carries for the Steelers with Jaylen Warren (knee) out.

Versatile receiver-running back Cordarrelle Patterson, who missed practice time this week, said he’ll be ready if “my number is called” in place of Warren. Patterson had four carries for 33 yards and three catches for 15 yards last week.

–Field Level Media

Will Levis, winless Titans seek more success against host Dolphins

Quarterback Will Levis’ most memorable moment of his brief NFL career occurred last season during a Monday night road game against the Miami Dolphins.

Levis will be seeking a repeat performance in the same setting on the same night of the week when the winless Tennessee Titans battle the Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Tennessee scored 15 points in 51 seconds last December to turn a 14-point deficit into a stunning 28-27 victory over the Dolphins. Levis, then a rookie, passed for a career-high 327 yards.

“It was a lot of fun,” Levis said of the comeback win. “But different team, different season for both of us. Any time you play on Monday night, the whole world is watching, and it gives a little bit of extra excitement, so we’ve got that. That was a good win for us, and we’re just hoping to go get another win down there at a point of the season where we really need one.”

The Titans (0-3) haven’t looked too stout this season while being outscored 78-48.

The Dolphins (1-2), of course, have different issues after standout quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. He is on injured reserve and the earliest he can return is Oct. 27 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Skylar Thompson started last week’s 24-3 road loss against the Seattle Seahawks and completed 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards and was sacked five times before exiting with a rib injury in the third quarter. Tim Boyle was 7 of 13 for 79 yards and sacked once as Miami finished with just 205 yards of total offense.

Thompson missed Wednesday’s practice and Miami coach Mike McDaniel said Thompson’s rib injury is “pretty painful.”

So the Dolphins appear to be deciding between starting Boyle and Tyler Huntley, who was just signed on Sept. 16.

Huntley is getting up to speed with McDaniel’s offense. McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier will be watching his practice performances closely.

“We targeted him for a reason,” McDaniel said Thursday of Huntley, who spent four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. “And it’s a player that we’re very familiar with from the opponent’s standpoint.”

The experience factor — Huntley has made 10 NFL starts, including one in the postseason — could have McDaniel leaning toward Huntley over Boyle.

“I have in my mind what I think, how it could play out,” McDaniel said. “However, it’s a little premature for a multitude of reasons. And the very last being the competitive advantage.”

Miami ranks last in the NFL with a scoring average of 11 points per game. It hasn’t scored a touchdown in its last seven quarters and has been outscored 55-13 during its two-game skid. Star wideout Tyreek Hill has just six catches for 64 yards and no scores in the two setbacks.

The Titans are 28th in scoring (16.0) and 29th in total offense (260.3 yards per game). Levis shares the NFL lead with eight individual turnovers (five interceptions, three lost fumbles). He has thrown four touchdown passes.

Veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins is confident Levis will work through the turnover issues.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else out there on the field the way he prepares and goes about his day,” Hopkins said. “I think he’s going to learn from his mistakes. He hasn’t even played a full season. It’s going to come with time.”

Levis is 3-9 as a starter entering Monday’s contest.

Tennessee will be without cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (groin) for multiple weeks after he was hurt in last Sunday’s 30-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Standout defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (elbow) also missed practice.

For Miami, McDaniel said that left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Kendall Fuller both remain in concussion protocol. Linebacker David Long and cornerback Siran Neal missed Thursday’s practice with hamstring injuries.

–Field Level Media

Lions tired of losing to Seahawks, their opponent on Monday night

The Detroit Lions haven’t moved to the NFC West. Their early-season schedule just makes it seem that way.

Detroit (2-1) edged the Los Angeles Rams in overtime in its opener. The Lions topped Arizona 20-13 in their first road test last weekend.

They’ll now host undefeated Seattle on Monday night.

Lions coach Dan Campbell knows full well how much of a challenge the Seahawks (3-0) present, even with a new coaching staff led by Mike Macdonald. Seattle has won the last six meetings, with Detroit’s last victory over the Seahawks coming in 2012.

“I would be lying though if I told you that I don’t know that we’ve lost to them three years in a row,” said Campbell, Detroit’s head coach since the 2021 season. “I do know that. So, you get tired of that. You get tired of that after one loss, much less three.”

Detroit didn’t score in the second half against the Cardinals, but its defense was stout and the offense was well-balanced. Quarterback Jared Goff completed 18 of 23 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Running backs David Montgomery (one TD) and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 188 yards.

Campbell anticipates that his offense will need to be more dynamic to head into a bye week on a winning note.

“We have to be very efficient, first and second down, and then, honestly, I think we have to win the explosive battle,” he said. “We have to get some explosives on offense, and we have to shut theirs down.”

Goff threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns last season against Seattle, but the Seahawks pulled out a 37-31 overtime win. However, Goff sees a lot of changes on film between last year’s Seahawks defense and this year’s group.

“It’s a completely different scheme,” he said. “I’m sure there’s a couple players that are still there, but as far as what you’re looking at schematically, it’s entirely different.”

Seattle quarterback Geno Smith passed for 328 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions last season.

Smith connected with DK Metcalf on a 71-yard scoring pass in last week’s 24-3 home victory over Miami. Zach Charbonnet, filling in for injured Kenneth Walker, rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.

Metcalf has produced two consecutive 100-yard games. He worked during the offseason on snagging more passes in traffic.

“That definitely was a focus for me this offseason,” he said. “Contested catches or 50/50 balls going up and attacking the ball, instead of trying to let it come down to me and catch it over my shoulder.”

One way the Lions can neutralize Seattle’s passing offense is to get pressure on Smith. Detroit’s top defensive player, Aidan Hutchinson, has already recorded 6.5 sacks.

“We’ve got to find 97. He’s off to a great start,” Smith said of Hutchinson. “Obviously, he’s a high draft pick and he’s a guy who they’re going to rely on. So if we can stalemate him, keep him from making big plays and getting in the backfield, getting (tackles for losses) and sacks, then we’ll make it hard on their defense.”

Detroit will be without starting center Frank Ragnow, who has a partially torn pectoral muscle. Tight end Sam LaPorta missed Thursday’s practice due to an ankle injury. Linebacker Alex Anzalone, who missed Sunday’s game due to a concussion, fully participated in practice.

Walker (oblique) was limited in Seattle’s practice on Thursday. Defensive starters Leonard Williams (ribs) and linebackers Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and Jerome Baker (hamstring) sat out.

–Field Level Media

Raiders, Browns look for better QB play

When the Cleveland Browns go on the road to meet the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, both starting quarterbacks will return to their posts, although Week 3 games gave reason to wonder.

Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew was benched for the final drive in a 36-22 home loss to the Carolina Panthers after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter. Aidan O’Connell took over and orchestrated a late 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive.

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to struggle amid a revamped offense and absorbed eight sacks during a 21-15 loss to the visiting New York Giants. Watson came out of the game fine physically, although the rough afternoon could bring about trust issues.

At the outset anyway on Sunday, it will be Minshew and the Raiders (1-2) against Watson and the Browns (1-2) as they face off in Las Vegas, a town known for embracing a risk or two.

“There’s no issue. Gardner Minshew is the quarterback,” Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday.

Yet, it isn’t as if the Raiders are issue free. The Panthers handled the Raiders’ offensive and defensive lines in Week 3, with a frustrated Pierce saying afterward, when asked about the team’s effort: “… There were definitely some players that made business decisions.”

The Raiders gave up 437 yards, including 306 passing, and allowed four touchdowns to a team that was in the midst of a change from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton at quarterback. On defense, Maxx Crosby played well on a high ankle sprain, but his teammates failed to follow his lead.

Crosby missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, as the Raiders work on a plan to keep their star defensive end healthy. Also sitting out practice: linebacker Divine Deablo (oblique), offensive tackle Thayer Munford (knee, ankle) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring).

“At 80 percent, (Crosby is) a lot better than any defensive end in the National Football League,” said Pierce, who added that the team will take input from Crosby before deciding the best course of action moving forward.

Las Vegas Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams, who has not previously appeared on an injury report this season, was limited in practice on Thursday because of a hamstring issue. Adams started the first three games and has 18 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown. Linebacker Kana’i Mauga (calf) also was limited, and tight end Michael Mayer was out for personal reasons.

Watson’s rough day for the Browns came as his offensive line was in flux all around him. Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller (knee) was just placed on injured reserve, while tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and James Hudson III (knee) left Sunday’s game with injuries.

Watson went 21 of 37 for 196 yards with two touchdowns in the loss to the Giants as the Browns finished with just 217 total yards. Watson’s eight sacks cost Cleveland 48 yards, while the Browns also lost two fumbles.

“When you’re talking about protection, it’s everybody,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “… Everybody has a job to do in order to keep the quarterback clean. So, I got to do my part (as coach). It’s no secret we can’t let him get hit that many times. That’s not good enough and that will get fixed.”

The Browns are 31st in the 32-team NFL in total offense at 248.0 yards per game and 30th in passing at 152.3 yards per game. They have scored just 16.7 points per contest.

On defense, Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett has been playing through foot, thigh and Achilles injuries, yet still has been good enough to record two sacks. forcing a fumble on both. Cleveland is 12th in total defense at 309.3 yards allowed per game.

Garrett missed practice Wednesday but was a limited participant on Thursday and is expected to play Sunday. Wills, offensive tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring), linebacker Jordan Hicks (ribs, elbow) and running back Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) didn’t practice for a second consecutive day.

Tight end David Njoku (ankle) and running back Jerome Ford (knee) sat out Wednesday and were limited on Thursday. Defensive back Mike Ford (knee) also was limited.

–Field Level Media

QBs get healthy, Aaron Jones leaps for Green Bay return with Vikings

Aaron Jones knows exactly what he will do if he scores a touchdown at Lambeau Field, where he spent the first seven years of his career.

“I’m definitely leaping up there,” Jones said this week.

Would Packers fans embrace him in his Lambeau Leap? Boo him? Maybe both?

Jones is in his first season with the rival Minnesota Vikings (3-0), who will visit the Green Bay Packers (2-1) on Sunday afternoon in an NFC North battle.

The Packers released Jones during the offseason and the Vikings wasted little time in adding him to their roster. He has responded with 325 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in his first three games for Minnesota, which is one of five remaining teams in the NFL that have yet to lose.

Green Bay has been nearly as impressive to start the season, particularly considering that it lost starting quarterback Jordan Love to a knee injury at the end of its season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Backup Malik Willis has stepped in and helped Green Bay do more than just stay competitive. The Packers beat the Indianapolis Colts 16-10 in Week 2 before following that up last week with a 30-14 road win against the Tennessee Titans.

This week, Love said that his knee is feeling better and he is moving without as many limitations. But his status remains uncertain for this week against the Vikings.

“I’m trying to push it, and I’ve been trying to get back as fast as I can no matter who the opponent was,” Love said. “But definitely, you look at this week — an NFC North opponent, 3-0 team, really good team — so definitely it would mean a lot to get back and push myself to get back for this game.”

Love practiced in full pads Wednesday and Thursday, a sign he’s closing on his targeted return.

Willis has proved to be a capable backup plan. He posted a 120.9 passer rating last week against Tennessee, against whom he completed 13 of 19 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown.

The Vikings also have benefited from a comeback story at their most important position. Sam Darnold has thrived in his first season with the team, completing 67.9 percent of his passes for 657 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions.

Darnold briefly left last week’s contest against the Houston Texans because of a knee injury but returned later in the game. He is expected to be able to play this weekend and was back at practice without limitations on Thursday.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said he was grateful that Darnold escaped serious injury.

“I’ve been very excited about the start that Sam has gotten off to,” O’Connell said. “I’m having an absolute blast coaching him. So when I saw him go down in the moment, there was the initial feeling. … And then he comes back in the game, and I’m holding the call sheet, so I can’t clap like everybody else did.”

Both teams also have benefited from playmakers on defense to start the season.

Patrick Jones II and Jonathan Greenard lead the Vikings with four sacks apiece. Teammate Andrew Van Ginkel has three sacks to go along with a pick-six.

Green Bay is led by Devonte Wyatt with three sacks. Safety Xavier McKinney also has shined in the secondary with an NFL-best three interceptions.

This will be the 128th all-time meeting between the rivals, including playoffs. Green Bay leads the series 66-58-3.

Jones cannot wait for the next matchup.

“I’m definitely excited to go back, that’s where it all started for me,” he said. “Just a moment of gratitude, a full-circle moment.”

–Field Level Media

Jaguars, facing Texans, look to rebound from ‘disaster’

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of three winless teams in the NFL and certainly the one in the most disarray.

The Jaguars (0-3) will attempt to halt their dysfunction and register that elusive first victory when they visit the Houston Texans in an AFC South battle on Sunday.

Jacksonville’s poor start includes being annihilated 47-10 by the host Buffalo Bills on the Monday night stage. The Jaguars trailed 34-3 at halftime after Buffalo scored touchdowns on all five first-half possessions.

“The game the other night was just a disaster on every level,” Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson is telling his team they can still turn things around.

“It’s not the end of anybody’s season, obviously it’s Week 4,” Pederson said. “We just got to figure out a way to play good football, and right now, the tape shows that we’re not and we’ve got to fix that.”

A win over the Texans (2-1) would be a step in the right direction. It would take some heat off Pederson and the underachieving Lawrence.

Jacksonville has lost the last eight times Lawrence has been the starting quarterback. The No. 1 overall draft pick in 2021 has completed just 52.8 percent of his passes this year while getting sacked 11 times.

“I’ve got to play really well for us to win,” Lawrence said. “That’s the NFL. The quarterback has to play well every week in order to give us a shot to win. I don’t feel like I’ve done that consistently enough. So I put that on myself.”

Lawrence has passed for 560 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for an offense that ranks 30th in scoring (13.3 points per game) and 27th in total yardage (276.3).

In the offseason, Jacksonville rewarded Lawrence with a five-year, $275 million extension that paid him like an elite quarterback. But in the wake of the Buffalo debacle, Pederson said pulling Lawrence in favor of backup Mac Jones is an option if things don’t improve.

The Texans don’t have a quarterback problem as second-year pro C.J. Stroud has stood out from the outset of his pro career.

Stroud led Houston to a 10-7 record as a rookie and guided the squad to a playoff victory. This season, he has completed 67.7 percent of his throws for 709 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.

However, Stroud and the Texans were whipped 34-7 by the host Minnesota Vikings last weekend. Stroud passed for 215 yards and a touchdown but also was intercepted twice and sacked four times. Houston also was flagged for 11 penalties.

“They kicked our butts, kudos to those guys,” Stroud said Wednesday. “It is Week 4 now. We are going to move on. We are going to play against the Jaguars, who are a good team and focus on that.”

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans views the Jaguars as a fierce foe. Though Houston has won 10 of the past 12 meetings between the teams, Jacksonville earned a split last season.

“We will have a division opponent coming into our house,” Ryans said. “It’s going to be a tough matchup. We both know each other very well and it’s going to be a fight, so we’re looking forward to the matchup.”

Running back Joe Mixon totaled 184 rushing yards over his first two games with the Texans but sat out the Minnesota game with an ankle injury. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and might not be available Sunday.

Texans receiver Tank Dell (chest), running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) and safety Jimmie Ward (groin) also sat out on Thursday.

For Jacksonville, standout linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (foot) was injured against Buffalo and is unlikely to play, according to Pederson. Tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) also sat out practices Wednesday and Thursday and could miss his third straight game.

–Field Level Media

Raiders, Browns look for better QB play

When the Cleveland Browns go on the road to meet the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, both starting quarterbacks will return to their posts, although Week 3 games gave reason to wonder.

Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew was benched for the final drive in a 36-22 home loss to the Carolina Panthers after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter. Aidan O’Connell took over and orchestrated a late 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive.

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to struggle amid a revamped offense and absorbed eight sacks during a 21-15 loss to the visiting New York Giants. Watson came out of the game fine physically, although the rough afternoon could bring about trust issues.

At the outset anyway on Sunday, it will be Minshew and the Raiders (1-2) against Watson and the Browns (1-2) as they face off in Las Vegas, a town known for embracing a risk or two.

“There’s no issue. Gardner Minshew is the quarterback,” Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said Wednesday.

Yet, it isn’t as if the Raiders are issue free. The Panthers handled the Raiders’ offensive and defensive lines in Week 3, with a frustrated Pierce saying afterward, when asked about the team’s effort: “… There were definitely some players that made business decisions.”

The Raiders gave up 437 yards, including 306 passing, and allowed four touchdowns to a team that was in the midst of a change from Bryce Young to Andy Dalton at quarterback. On defense, Maxx Crosby played well on a high ankle sprain, but his teammates failed to follow his lead.

Crosby missed practice Wednesday, as the Raiders work on a plan to keep their star defensive end healthy. Also sitting out practice: linebacker Divine Deablo (oblique), offensive tackle Thayer Munford (knee, ankle) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring).

“At 80 percent, (Crosby is) a lot better than any defensive end in the National Football League,” said Pierce, who added that the team will take input from Crosby before deciding the best course of action moving forward.

Watson’s rough day for the Browns came as his offensive line was in flux all around him. Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller (knee) was just placed on injured reserve, while tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and James Hudson III (knee) left Sunday’s game with injuries.

Watson went 21 of 37 for 196 yards with two touchdowns in the loss to the Giants as the Browns finished with just 217 total yards. Watson’s eight sacks cost Cleveland 48 yards, while the Browns also lost two fumbles.

“When you’re talking about protection, it’s everybody,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “… Everybody has a job to do in order to keep the quarterback clean. So, I got to do my part (as coach). It’s no secret we can’t let him get hit that many times. That’s not good enough and that will get fixed.”

The Browns are 31st in the 32-team NFL in total offense at 248.0 yards per game and 30th in passing at 152.3 yards per game. They have scored just 16.7 points per contest.

On defense, Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett has been playing through foot, thigh and Achilles injuries, yet still has been good enough to record two sacks. forcing a fumble on both. Cleveland is 12th in total defense at 309.3 yards allowed per game.

Garrett missed practice Wednesday but is expected to play Sunday. Also out: Wills, offensive tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring), tight end David Njoku (ankle), linebacker Jordan Hicks (ribs, elbow), and running backs Jerome Ford (knee) and Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring).

–Field Level Media