Kliff Kingsbury’s proteges face off as the Commanders head to Arizona

As the first-year head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2019, Kliff Kingsbury’s mission was to develop a rookie quarterback with a Heisman Trophy on his resume, Kyler Murray.

Five years later, in his first year as offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders, Kingsbury is doing the same with another Heisman Trophy-winning rookie quarterback in Jayden Daniels.

Sunday when the Cardinals (1-2) host the Commanders (2-1), it will be a look-in at Kingsbury pupils, past and present.

So far, the Kingsbury-Daniels collaboration has been a rousing success as Daniels has shown improvement each week, culminating with a brilliant breakout performance Monday night in Cincinnati in the Commanders’ 38-33 win over the Bengals.

Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, including a stunning 27-yard game-clincher to Terry McLaurin as he was absorbing a huge hit from Cincinnati safety Geno Stone.

“Sometimes the bigger the challenge, the bigger the smile,” Washington head coach Dan Quinn said of the poise Daniels has shown.

“He is the answer,” Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen added.

In hitting on 91.3 percent of his passes, Daniels had the highest completion rate ever in a game for a rookie quarterback.

In three games, Daniels has yet to commit a turnover. He has directed 17 straight drives that either ended in a score or a kneeldown, dating back to the last drive of the season opener. Pro Bowl punter Tress Way hasn’t had to kick since Week 1.

Daniels, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft, leads the high-flying Commanders to Arizona. The team flew directly there from Cincinnati because Quinn wanted “no outside voices,” to interfere with Washington’s preparation.

“One of the most challenging things for a young team to do is not to ride the roller coaster. It’s not easy because roller coasters are fun as hell,” Quinn said. “You can’t ride the highs and lows because both can be equally dangerous.”

A danger for Washington on Sunday is the Cardinals’ aerial combo of Murray and rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. Of Murray’s five touchdown passes, three have been to the former Ohio State standout.

Harrison had a touchdown catch on the opening drive in the Cardinals’ 20-13 loss at home to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. But on its next 10 possessions, Arizona produced only two field goals.

There should be more opportunities against Washington, which ranks last in the NFL in passer rating defense (127.6) and has surrendered more passing touchdowns (nine) than any team.

Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon expects the Commanders to be a tough challenge.

“Monday night, they played extremely well,” Gannon said. “They’re 2-1 for a reason. Big-time test coming in here.”

The Cardinals will not have to deal with Washington running back Austin Ekeler, who suffered a concussion on Monday night and has been ruled out, Quinn said on Wednesday. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell (knee) also will be out.

Other Commanders who did not practice on Wednesday include guard Sam Cosmi (Achilles).

Gannon reported on Wednesday that defensive lineman Justin Jones (triceps) will miss the season. Replacing him on the roster will be veteran Naquan Jones, who was with the Cardinals in the preseason before joining the practice roster of the Miami Dolphins.

Missing practice on Wednesday were tight end Trey McBride (concussion) and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (knee). Players who were limited were safety Budda Baker (quad), offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (hamstring), linebacker Dennis Gardeck (finger), defensive tackle Dante Stills (shoulder) and Harrison (quad).

– Field Level Media

Struggling on defense, 49ers meet offense-challenged Patriots

The New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers will each be looking to end a two-game losing streak when they meet Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.

After opening the season with a 16-10 victory at Cincinnati, New England (1-2) dropped a 23-20 decision to Seattle at home in Week 2 before losing to the New York Jets 24-3 on the road in Week 3.

The 49ers (1-2) began their season with a 32-19 home victory against the Jets, but they have since suffered losses at Minnesota (23-17) and at the Los Angeles Rams (27-24).

In addition to missing running back Christian McCaffrey, who is on injured reserve with Achilles tendinitis, the 49ers were without wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) against the Rams. Kittle was limited at practice on Wednesday, but Samuel did not take part in the workout. Offensive tackle Trent Williams (illness) also didn’t practice Wednesday.

The Patriots are averaging 13.0 points per game (31st) and their offense ranks 32nd in yards per game (246.3). New England’s biggest issue has come in the passing game, which is averaging 102.0 yards per contest (32nd). Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been operating behind an offensive line that has been plagued by injuries through the season’s first three weeks, and that may be the case again Sunday as offensive linemen Michael Jordan (ankle) and Vederian Lowe (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

“Obviously (the 49ers’) record is not reflective of the team that they are, and can be going forward because they’re dealing with injuries as well,” New England coach Jerod Mayo said. “What I will say is the challenge for us is just in the front — offensive line and defensive line. I don’t want to sound repetitive, but they are a do-what-they-do type of team. We know what they’re going to do (and) the fans know what they’re going to do, but you still have to stop it.”

Earlier this week, Mayo said Brissett will remain the team’s starting quarterback and rookie first-round pick Drake Maye will be No. 2 on the depth chart. Maye played in the final minutes of New England’s loss to the Jets. Mayo also said the team is not interested in signing a veteran quarterback at this time.

New England’s Rhamondre Stevenson (4.3 ypc) and Antonio Gibson (6.2 ypc) are both averaging more than 4.0 yards per carry, but Stevenson has fumbled the ball three times in three games.

Despite the injuries to some of their offensive stars, the 49ers are averaging 24.3 points per game (tied with Seattle for ninth) and rank third in yards per game (407.3) and second in passing yards per game (267.7). Wide receiver Jauan Jennings had 11 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns against the Rams.

The 49ers’ defense has been leaky, however. San Francisco is 30th among NFL teams in both yards allowed per play (6.1) and third-down conversion percentage (52.9 percent). The 49ers can no longer rely on defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who suffered a torn right triceps during last Sunday’s loss to the Rams and will miss the remainder of the season.

“I think all three levels (of the defense) have had an issue at times,” San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I think we’ve played good at times, too. … We’ve had some new guys in there. We’ve had moments where we’ve been strong, but we’re not playing up to how we usually do and we have to make sure to get back to playing that way.

“Every time you have injuries, everyone knows it makes it tougher, but people have injuries throughout the league. You have to be able to overcome those.”

Sunday’s game will be the first meeting between the teams since 2020, when the 49ers earned a 33-6 road victory.

“We’ll see what this team is made of going forward,” Mayo said. “We have a long trip out west and gotta be ready to play against a good solid football team.”

–Field Level Media

Pass rushes key as Eagles visit Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have surrendered 12 sacks while recording none of their own in their past two games.

Flipping that script could be critical to Sunday’s result as the Philadelphia Eagles visit Tampa, Fla., for a battle of 2-1 teams.

Baker Mayfield was sacked seven times in last weekend’s stunning 26-7 home loss to the previously winless Denver Broncos. For the second straight week, he threw for fewer than 200 yards and tossed an interception.

Tampa Bay enters Week 4 ranked 26th in the NFL in total offense and 27th in rushing, but Mayfield refused to place all the blame for his dirty uniform on the offensive line.

“There were a few pressures this week that were actually on me,” Mayfield said. “There’s a mindset of trying to fix the protections when they’re bringing some of these pressures, and there’s also a mindset to snap the ball and get it out of your hands.

“Not all of that is on the O-line.”

The last time Philadelphia visited Raymond James Stadium, Mayfield threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns in a 32-9 wild-card playoff victory on Jan. 15 of this year.

The Eagles sacked Mayfield four times in that loss — the same number their pass rush has generated through three games this year.

Philadelphia sacked Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins only once in a last-minute 22-21 loss at home in Week 2, then took down Derek Carr only once in a last-minute 15-12 win at New Orleans in Week 3.

Second-year Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter is still looking for his first sack of the season, but he shined against the Saints with four tackles (two for losses), two batted passes and a quarterback hit.

“Obviously, this past game was his best game by far,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “And hopefully that will set the trend moving forward. I don’t know what actually triggered it, other than he, and we as a D-Line unit, didn’t play good in the previous game. So I’m sure that had something to do with it.”

The headliners for this contest on offense include Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin.

Barkley leads the NFL in rushing (351 yards) and is tied for the lead in touchdowns from scrimmage (five) through his first three games with Philadelphia. Godwin already has 21 catches and has scored touchdowns in all three games.

Including the playoffs, Tampa Bay has won five of the past six meetings dating back to 2015.

Both teams are keeping an eye on injuries and the weather, with Tropical Storm Helene expected to reach hurricane strength before striking Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday night.

Eagles star receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) still wasn’t practicing Wednesday after missing the last two games. No. 2 wideout DeVonta Smith and right tackle Lane Johnson are both in concussion protocol, while right guard Mekhi Becton (finger) and left guard Landon Dickerson (wrist) were listed as limited participants.

Defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (calf) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) did not practice for the Buccaneers on Wednesday. Limited participants included defensive tackle Vita Vea (knee), left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee), rookie running back Bucky Irving (hamstring) and wideouts Godwin (neck) and Mike Evans (knee).

–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 might not be available Sunday.

Texans receiver Tank Dell (chest), running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (shoulder) also sat out on Wednesday.

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

–Field Level Media

Jets’ Aaron Rodgers focuses on field ahead of game vs. Broncos

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t getting caught up in “old news” ahead of New York’s meeting with the Denver Broncos in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday afternoon.

New York offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett coached the Broncos in 2022 but was fired during the season with the team sitting at 4-11.

Jerry Rosburg took over as interim head coach to finish off the campaign before Sean Payton landed the full-time gig in January 2023. That summer, Payton told USA Today Sports that Hackett’s work with the Broncos was “one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL.”

It didn’t take long for Payton to apologize, which is why Rodgers is leaving the past in the past come Sunday.

“That’s old news,” Rodgers said of Payton’s comments. “We’ve all said things that we’d like to take back. Some things have been said and taken out of context I’m sure from time to time, but I honestly haven’t thought about it.”

Hackett got a dose of revenge last season when New York downed the Broncos 31-21 in Week 5 last year. This season, his offense looked crisp on Sept. 19 in a 24-3 drubbing of the Patriots in the Jets’ most recent contest. Rodgers was surgical against New England, completing 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns as New York improved to 2-1.

Allen Lazard and Garrett Wilson were on the receiving end of Rodgers’ scoring strikes. Wilson, the Jets’ No. 1 wide receiver, has yet to exceed 60 yards in any of his three games this season, and now he has a matchup with star corner Pat Surtain II looming.

“We’d like to get the ball to (Wilson) early, but it’s just a process. He’s gotta be patient, and we’ve gotta be patient,” Rodgers said. “We can’t force it. Pat’s a phenomenal player, but Garrett is, too. So it’s gonna be a good matchup with those two guys.”

Surtain has headlined a Denver defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest points per game in the NFL (15.3). The Broncos (1-2) were especially stout last Sunday, slowing down Tampa Bay for a 26-7 road victory. The Buccaneers managed only 223 total yards.

The Broncos will try to maintain that momentum.

“You want to keep a routine as much as possible,” Denver quarterback Bo Nix said. “Kind of do the same things that you’ve been doing.”

Nix, the No. 12 overall pick in this year’s draft, had 216 yards on 25-for-36 passing to go along with 47 rushing yards and a TD against Tampa Bay for his first career win. However, on the season, he has thrown four interceptions and no touchdown passes.

Safety JL Skinner missed the Broncos’ practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. Tight end Nate Adkins (shoulder) and receiver Josh Reynolds (Achilles) were limited.

A knee issue kept Jets offensive tackle Morgan Moses out of practice on Wednesday. Linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) also missed that session.

–Field Level Media

Chiefs chasing sixth straight win over Chargers as Jim Harbaugh enters picture

Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are nemeses to many in the NFL based on the Chiefs’ track record of success approaching historic levels. Count the Chargers among the division rivals failing to live up to their end of the rivalry in recent years.

When they meet Sunday at Los Angeles, Kansas City (3-0) seeks a sixth consecutive win over the Chargers (2-1) as the home team introduces first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh to what has become a one-sided AFC West fight with Reid and Mahomes. Turning the tables won’t be easy.

“Multiple challenges,” Harbaugh said of facing the Chiefs before Los Angeles enters its bye week. “Really good run game, really good throwing game, explosive offense. I think everybody understands the challenge of playing a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes in every way. His ability to move the ball with his legs, with his arm, within the offense is elite.”

Modest statistical production to date is becoming a hot topic outside of the Chiefs’ locker room. Kansas City is 14th in the NFL in total offense (328 yards per game) and the usual lead receiver, perennial Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce, is off to an admittedly slow start with eight receptions for 69 yards and no touchdowns in three games.

He’s one reception from tying Tony Gonzalez for the franchise record with 916 catches, and Kelce’s next TD catch from Mahomes would break a tie on the NFL’s all-time list with Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham of the Saints for third-most QB-TE touchdown connections. But Reid said the narrative of Kelce being “old” or “distracted” is false.

“Defenses don’t think that,” Reid said. “We have another receiver who plays opposite him that has a lot of yards and catches. That’s how this thing goes. Travis is fine. He’s being Trav. He works his tail off. He hasn’t lost a step and all those things. He’s not distracted. People are making sure they have him taking care of, these defenses.”

Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is working through an ankle injury while starring as Mahomes’ featured target in September with an NFL-high 24 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Mahomes has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for 659 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions through three games.

The Chargers present a hefty challenge with a defense ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense (11 points per game, third), yards per game (267, sixth), run defense (91.7 per game, sixth) and pass defense (175.3 per game, 10th).

“It’s a physical football team, both sides of the ball,” said Reid, who has a record of 17-5 against the Chargers since taking over the Chiefs in 2013. “You’ve got to be ready for a complete game. Their defenses are going to give you a variety of looks. One of the top defenses in the NFL right now.”

Mahomes will look across the line at a defense with a few missing pieces. Pass rusher Joey Bosa (hip) and linebacker Junior Colson (hamstring) sat out Wednesday’s practice. Safety Derwin James Jr. was suspended for Week 4 after being penalized for unnecessary roughness at Pittsburgh.

Elijah Molden or A.J. Finley will get the start — along with Alohi Gilman — at safety against the Chiefs.

“He genuinely cares and does not want to hurt anybody,” Harbaugh said of James’ one-game ban from the NFL. “He wants to do it the way the league wants it done and the evidence is there.

“It will be next man-up mentality.”

The Chargers outscored the Raiders and host Panthers 48-13 before dropping their first game this season 20-10 to the host Steelers in Week 3.

Harbaugh spent last week crossing his fingers that Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert could answer the call to start at Pittsburgh. Herbert spent two days after the Week 2 win over Carolina in a walking boot to stabilize an ankle injury and did very light work on the field in practice leading up game day, but did play in the loss to the Steelers.

With offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (pectoral) and Joe Alt (knee) missing practice, the Chargers’ offense has injury concerns again.

But Herbert said on Wednesday he is well ahead of where he was physically last week, when his right ankle forced him to walk gingerly and avoid contact. He was limited in practice and the decision about playing against Mahomes and the Chiefs will not be entirely his to make on Sunday.

“It’s progressing,” Herbert said. “it was just really painful during the game with the buildup from the hits and the toll on it.”

Harbaugh knows the Chiefs have owned the recent series with the Chargers, building a stockpile of AFC West division titles that stands at eight in a row. With Sunday’s game on their home turf, the Chargers are hearing a lot about the importance of meeting the challenge the conference bully and two-time defending Super Bowll champion presents.

“In terms of opportunity, it’s how it feels,” Harbaugh said. “And we’re attacking it as such.”

The Chiefs return to Kansas City for their third primetime game of the season to face the Saints (2-1) on “Monday Night Football” in Week 5 before a bye week.

–Field Level Media

Caleb Williams, Bears aim to level record with win over Rams

The Chicago Bears unabashedly went all-in on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in the offseason.

While the top overall draft pick has produced mixed results through three games, the Bears (1-2) hope to stabilize their attack as other members of the offense return to health for a Sunday home game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Chicago received positive news Wednesday when veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen practiced in a limited role. Allen has missed the past two games, both road losses, due to plantar fasciitis.

“His special talent of getting open in a phone booth is gonna be great for us,” Williams said.

A known commodity in the middle of the field, Allen figures to provide security for Williams, who has remained under duress behind a transitioning offensive line.

Chicago yielded four sacks in a 21-16 loss at Indianapolis last week. Williams was sacked seven times the week before in Houston.

Right tackle Darnell Wright is day-to-day with a back injury, and his possible absence could mean further shuffling for Bears coach Matt Eberflus and Co.

“We’re looking at the best five (offensive linemen),” Eberflus said. “We don’t want musical chairs in there. It’s early in the season. We’re looking for that.”

The Bears struggled to run on a struggling Indianapolis rush defense. Williams passed for 363 yards and the first two touchdowns of his career but also was responsible for three turnovers — two interceptions and a strip sack.

Los Angeles avoided an 0-3 start by rallying from a 14-point, second-half deficit to edge the visiting San Francisco 49ers 27-24. Joshua Karty kicked the winning 37-yard field goal with two seconds remaining.

While the Rams (1-2) aspire to play from ahead on Sunday and throughout the season, they also find that reeling in opponents is made easier with quarterback Matthew Stafford under center.

Los Angeles defensive tackle Kobie Turner described Stafford’s calmness after the Rams forced a punt, giving the offense the ball back with 42 seconds to play in a tie game.

“Everybody’s hurrahing and everybody’s super excited and Matt is just still,” Turner said. “He’s just calm and he’s going on the field, it looks like it’s a normal day.

“And so when you kind of see that presence — never being too high, never being too low — and you see the fire that he plays with, you know and you have complete confidence in the fact that he’s going to put us in the best situations.”

Rams running back Kyren Williams rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns to go with a receiving score against San Francisco. Stafford passed for 221 yards and a touchdown even though top targets Cooper Kupp (ankle), Puka Nacua (knee) and Tyler Higbee (knee) were sidelined due to injury.

Nacua (injured reserve) and Higbee (physically unable to perform list) remain out. Rams coach Sean McVay said this week that while Kupp is “attacking every single day,” the former Super Bowl MVP won’t be able to play against Chicago.

Los Angeles tight end Davis Allen (back) was limited in practice on Wednesday.

Four Chicago players sat out the team’s Wednesday practice: Wright, defensive back Terell Smith (hip) and defensive linemen Zacch Pickens (groin) and Darrell Taylor (illness).

The Bears lead the all-time series with the Rams 54-39-3 and boast a three-game home winning streak in the series.

–Field Level Media