Saints, Falcons hunting early statement win in division showdown

Over the last two seasons, the NFC South has been less than impressive.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the division in 2022 despite going 8-9, then reclaimed their title with a 9-8 finish last season.

But the South has looked stronger so far this year, and the New Orleans Saints and host Atlanta Falcons will both aim to prove they’re a contender when they continue their longtime rivalry on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday’s matchup begins crucial three-game stretches for both the Saints (2-1) and the Falcons (1-2).

After playing Atlanta, New Orleans faces the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs before hosting Tampa Bay. The Falcons, meanwhile, gear up for three straight weeks of divisional opponents beginning Sunday.

But for now, all attention is fixed on the 111th meeting between the longtime rivals. Each team has 55 wins in the all-time series.

“The division is coming to town, and we better be ready to deal,” Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris said. “This will determine a lot about us at the end of it all, but right now we better focus on the New Orleans Saints.

“It is always a tough battle with those guys. They’ve got a lot of familiar faces that have been there over the years. It’s a built up rivalry when you get to play against these guys. It’s been special for a long time and hopefully it continues to be special.”

First-year Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will make his debut in the rivalry. Cousins has completed 66.7 percent of his passes and thrown for 626 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions so far this season.

An area of concern for Cousins and the Atlanta offense has been converting on third down. The Falcons have been successful on just 22.2 percent (6-for-27) of third downs faced this year, the league’s third-lowest rate.

Atlanta went 2-for-9 in Sunday night’s 22-17 home loss to the Chiefs.

“Our offense on third down has not been very good,” Morris said. “That has been an emphasis for us, to keep drives going so we can maintain and get through possessions. We need to have more time of possession, so we can have more plays and keep our defense off the grass more.”

The Falcons’ 16.3 points per game are tied for 26th in the league.

The Saints’ offense, meanwhile, was historically potent to open the season. New Orleans became just the fifth team all-time to score at least 44 points each in their first two games.

The Saints steamrolled the Carolina Panthers 47-10 in Week 1 before routing the Dallas Cowboys 44-19 in Week 2. New Orleans fell back to Earth last time out, dropping a 15-12 slugfest against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.

As he prepares for Sunday, Saints head coach Dennis Allen may know the rivalry better than anyone.

The son of former Falcons player Grady Allen, Dennis was a defensive assistant in Atlanta from 2002 to 2005 before two stints as a coach in New Orleans.

“It’s a fun game to be a part of,” Allen said. “Whether we play them in the Superdome or their stadium, it’s always been a great environment and it’s always been a lot of fun to compete against those guys.”

New Orleans, which pummeled Atlanta 48-17 in last year’s regular season finale, has seen its offensive success carry into 2024.

Much of that can be attributed to the play of running back Alvin Kamara. His 285 rushing yards rank fourth in the league, while his four rushing touchdowns are tied for the most.

Kamra missed practice Wednesday with a hip/ribs injury. Offensive guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), cornerback Alontae Taylor (illness) and linebacker Demario Davis (hamstring) were also no-shows at practice.

Atlanta center Drew Dalman was placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, while tackle Kaleb McGary didn’t practice Wednesday with a sprained MCL. Ryan Neuzil is expected to make his fifth career start in Dalman’s absence on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Winless Bengals face familiar face in matchup vs. Panthers

It could be all about Andy Dalton again this weekend when the Carolina Panthers meet the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dalton made a smooth transition to a starting role at quarterback for the Panthers, guiding the team to its first win of the season last weekend.

Next, he’ll be tasked with beating his former team Sunday afternoon in Charlotte, N.C.

“It’s always fun to get the opportunity to go against them,” said Dalton, who spent his first nine seasons with Cincinnati after being selected in the second round of the 2011 draft.

Given how the first two weeks went on top of last season for the Panthers (1-2), it’s hard to imagine that they’re entering a game with a better record than the opponent.

But they are, as the Bengals (0-3) are coming off Monday night’s 38-33 loss to the visiting Washington Commanders. Cincinnati’s three defeats have come by a total of 12 points.

Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said this isn’t the position the team expected to be in, but he isn’t panicking.

“A long season, things can always evolve,” Taylor said. “What we do is make sure we don’t overreact. Let’s really fine-tune how we can actually improve, and not just decide we have to make wholesale changes.”

Dalton replaced 2023 overall No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young as Carolina’s starter last week. He threw three touchdown passes without an interception in a 36-22 victory at Las Vegas.

“This is just one step, and we got to go back to work and just feel the urgency that the whole group has,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said.

Taylor coached Dalton in his first year as Cincinnati’s coach in 2019, and said he appreciated Dalton’s contributions for the Bengals.

“Always been grateful for Andy,” he said. “He led us through a very difficult time. I’m not surprised that he keeps getting opportunities and makes the most of them because of how he prepares and the talent that he has.”

The Bengals have concerns far beyond Dalton.

“A new opportunity for this team to prove themselves,” Taylor said. “This is a very humbling week. There are a lot of ebbs and flows and right now we’re on the downside of that.”

It’s not often Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks in recent years, enters a game overshadowed. Burrow has thrown five touchdowns without an interception but has been sacked eight times this season.

The Bengals need to shore up areas on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

“Offensively, you can’t waste any plays,” Taylor said. “… Defensively, I think things that can be improved is making plays in space when the opportunities are there.”

With a new mindset, Carolina might be able to open a larger playbook based on their first victory.

“We saw more opportunities that allowed guys to play aggressively and just be free and have fun,” Canales said. “We want to continue attacking.”

The Panthers will look for more weapons to complement Dalton after receiver Adam Thielen was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. He suffered a hamstring injury on a touchdown reception Sunday against the Raiders.

Left guard Damien Lewis (elbow) did not practice Wednesday, nor did defensive end A’Shawn Robinson (knee), defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (foot) and cornerback Lonnie Johnson (hip). Safety Nick Scott (quad) was limited.

The Bengals will be without offensive lineman Trent Brown, who left Monday’s game with a season-ending knee injury. Defensive linemen B.J. Hill (hamstring) and Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, along with defensive end Trey Hendrickson (illness). Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder), who reeled in two touchdown catches on Monday, was limited.

“We have got to make sure they’re in the right place before we get them back,” Taylor said of Hill and Rankins.

If there’s grumbling in Cincinnati, this might be an ideal time for the team’s second road trip of the season.

“The beauty of the pros is we know how to block that out and focus on what’s important,” Taylor said.

The all-time series is tied 3-3-1, with the Bengals winning the last matchup 42-21 at home in 2022.

–Field Level Media

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 has been limited by 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) didn’t practice Wednesday, but Steichen hasn’t ruled them out for Sunday. Cornerback Chris Lammons (knee/ankle) and offensive tackle Braden Smith (knee) also missed practice.

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.

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 Tomlin isn’t concerned about his return, adding he’s expected to be available for Sunday’s trip to the Colts. Running back Jaylen Warren is expected to miss the game with a knee injury. He did not practice Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Giants gaining confidence as Cowboys look for answers

The Dallas Cowboys whipped the New York Giants twice last season, including a 40-0 demolition in a primetime affair at the Meadowlands.

Dallas returns to the scene for another primetime contest against the Giants on Thursday night when the two NFC East teams meet at East Rutherford, N.J.

Dallas has won the past six meetings and 13 of the past 14 with New York, with last season’s trouncing of the Giants in the season opener the most one-sided of those contests.

The Cowboys led 26-0 before the middle of the second quarter as Giants fans booed their team all night long.

“I’m a person, every game I act like it’s the Super Bowl for me, for myself,” New York safety Jason Pinnock said Tuesday. “But, of course, you do remember. I think everybody will remember home opener being beat like that on primetime TV.”

Dallas (1-2) hasn’t been so fearsome to start this season. After defeating the Cleveland Browns in the opener, the Cowboys have been routed by the New Orleans Saints and then lost 28-25 in a misleading final score to the visiting Baltimore Ravens last weekend.

The Cowboys scored 19 unanswered fourth-quarter points to make it close, but the comeback didn’t mask the issues.

“We’ve got to get it right,” Dallas star linebacker Micah Parsons said. “You know what I’m saying? This is a winning organization. I’ll uphold that standard, but at the same time, everyone has to uphold the standard. And I think I’m confident in my faith, and I just think we’re being tested right now. I really believe we’re being tested. It has to come together. It’s humbling.”

Dallas defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence didn’t like seeing his squad trailing by 22 points at home.

“It doesn’t matter how much willpower you have at the end,” Lawrence said. “If you don’t start good, most likely you’re not gonna finish good, so the outcome is the outcome. Only thing we can do is go and review it and get better from it.”

New York (1-2) won 21-15 at Cleveland last Sunday for its first victory.

Daniel Jones threw for two touchdowns for the second straight game while passing for a season-high 236 yards.

The Giants suddenly have a chance to be .500 after opening with two losses. However, the dreaded Cowboys are back in town. In last season’s other meeting, host Dallas won 49-17.

“Yeah, we don’t like losing to anybody, especially a divisional game,” Jones said. “We understand what this game means, and we’ll be ready to go.”

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has passed for an NFL-best 851 yards as well as four touchdowns. He also has been intercepted twice and sacked nine times.

Dallas’ run game is sagging with Rico Dowdle leading the way with 88 yards and Ezekiel Elliott contributing 62. The Cowboys rank 30th in the NFL with an average of 73.7 rushing yards per game.

Parsons, the fourth-year star, has just 12 tackles and one sack. He had 40.5 sacks over his first three seasons.

New York ranks 29th in scoring offense at 15 points per game. Jones has passed for 600 yards with rookie wideout Malik Nabers (271 yards) accumulating 45 percent of the yardage. Nabers has three touchdown receptions.

“I have confidence in all our guys,” Jones said, “and Malik’s played well, but we’ve got a lot of good receivers.”

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is impressed with what he has seen of Nabers.

“He has the size and the speed and the body control,” McCarthy said. “I think he’s a very exciting player when the ball’s in the air. That’s what stands out to me.”

New York cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson and Dru Phillips both will miss the game to due calf injuries. Wide receiver Darius Slayton (thumb) is questionable.

Dallas cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder) and safety Markquese Bell (ankle) both are listed as doubtful, and McCarthy termed the duo game-time decisions.

–Field Level Media

Giants gaining confidence as Cowboys look for answers

The Dallas Cowboys whipped the New York Giants twice last season, including a 40-0 demolition in a primetime affair at the Meadowlands.

Dallas returns to the scene for another primetime contest against the Giants on Thursday night when the two NFC East teams meet at East Rutherford, N.J.

Dallas has won the past six meetings and 13 of the past 14 with New York, with last season’s trouncing of the Giants in the season opener the most one-sided of those contests.

The Cowboys led 26-0 before the middle of the second quarter as Giants fans booed their team all night long.

“I’m a person, every game I act like it’s the Super Bowl for me, for myself,” New York safety Jason Pinnock said Tuesday. “But, of course, you do remember. I think everybody will remember home opener being beat like that on primetime TV.”

Dallas (1-2) hasn’t been so fearsome to start this season. After defeating the Cleveland Browns in the opener, the Cowboys have been routed by the New Orleans Saints and then lost 28-25 in a misleading final score to the visiting Baltimore Ravens last weekend.

The Cowboys scored 19 unanswered fourth-quarter points to make it close, but the comeback didn’t mask the issues.

“We’ve got to get it right,” Dallas star linebacker Micah Parsons said. “You know what I’m saying? This is a winning organization. I’ll uphold that standard, but at the same time, everyone has to uphold the standard. And I think I’m confident in my faith, and I just think we’re being tested right now. I really believe we’re being tested. It has to come together. It’s humbling.”

Dallas defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence didn’t like seeing his squad trailing by 22 points at home.

“It doesn’t matter how much willpower you have at the end,” Lawrence said. “If you don’t start good, most likely you’re not gonna finish good, so the outcome is the outcome. Only thing we can do is go and review it and get better from it.”

New York (1-2) won 21-15 at Cleveland last Sunday for its first victory.

Daniel Jones threw for two touchdowns for the second straight game while passing for a season-high 236 yards.

The Giants suddenly have a chance to be .500 after opening with two losses. However, the dreaded Cowboys are back in town. In last season’s other meeting, host Dallas won 49-17.

“Yeah, we don’t like losing to anybody, especially a divisional game,” Jones said. “We understand what this game means, and we’ll be ready to go.”

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has passed for an NFL-best 851 yards as well as four touchdowns. He also has been intercepted twice and sacked nine times.

Dallas’ run game is sagging with Rico Dowdle leading the way with 88 yards and Ezekiel Elliott contributing 62. The Cowboys rank 30th in the NFL with an average of 73.7 rushing yards per game.

Parsons, the fourth-year star, has just 12 tackles and one sack. He had 40.5 sacks over his first three seasons.

New York ranks 29th in scoring offense at 15 points per game. Jones has passed for 600 yards with rookie wideout Malik Nabers (271 yards) accumulating 45 percent of the yardage. Nabers has three touchdown receptions.

“I have confidence in all our guys,” Jones said, “and Malik’s played well, but we’ve got a lot of good receivers.”

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is impressed with what he has seen of Nabers.

“He has the size and the speed and the body control,” McCarthy said. “I think he’s a very exciting player when the ball’s in the air. That’s what stands out to me.”

New York cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson and Dru Phillips both sat out practice on Tuesday due calf injuries. Star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (foot) was limited.

Dallas cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder) and safety Markquese Bell (ankle) both sat out Tuesday, and McCarthy termed the duo game-time decisions.

–Field Level Media

Bengals grapple with another 0-2 start, face Commanders on MNF

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals will try to snap out of yet another early-season slump when they host the Washington Commanders on “Monday Night Football.”

For the third straight year, the Bengals (0-2) have started the season by dropping their first two games.

In 2022, they rebounded to win 14 of their next 16 games (including 10 straight) before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC Championship, keeping them from appearing in a second straight Super Bowl.

Last week, the Bengals were on the verge of a road upset before defensive pass interference was called on rookie safety Daijahn Anthony on fourth-and-16 from the Kansas City 35. Four plays later, Harrison Butker kicked the game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Chiefs to a 26-25 win.

“I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated right now,” Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said. “I was frustrated on Sunday. That was a tough loss, but we’ve just got to go out and get a win. We’ve got to focus on getting better every day through our practice, and go out and execute when we have to execute on Monday. The rest will take care of itself.”

Burrow has completed 67.7 percent of his passes and has been sacked six times but has yet to throw an interception.

Burrow could get another passing weapon back for the game. Wide receiver Tee Higgins returned to practice Thursday after missing the first two games with a hamstring injury. He was a limited participant again on Friday and then declared he will play against Washington.

The Bengals have been hit hard with injuries on the defensive line, losing starters B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins to hamstring injuries last Sunday.

The Bengals have won six straight home prime-time games, including wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills.

Monday will also be a festive night in Cincinnati as Tim Krumrie, a nose tackle on the 1988 Super Bowl team, and the team’s all-time leading rusher Corey Dillon will be inducted into the club’s Ring of Honor at halftime.

The Commanders (1-1) enter Week 3 on a winning note after edging their NFC East rival New York Giants 21-18 on a last-second field goal, giving Dan Quinn his first win as head coach of the Commanders.

Washington’s offense is led by rookie quarterback and second overall draft pick Jayden Daniels, who is leading all rookies after two games with 132 rushing yards. Running bck Bucky Irving of Tampa Bay is next with 84. Daniels also leads all rookie quarterbacks in passing yardage with 410 yards through two games.

Daniels, in his first two career starts, has completed 40 of 53 pass attempts (75.5 percent) with a 97.2 passer rating.

“He’s a dynamic player. I really like his throwing motion,” said Burrow, who, like Daniels, won a Heisman Trophy while playing at LSU. “Seems like he can spin it and understands his fundamentals. I think he’s got a bright future. Obviously, he’s really fast and quick and dynamic. But I’m not sure he gets enough credit for the passer that he is.”

“It’s big for the whole state of Louisiana to see both of us go up against each other,” Daniels said.

Quinn has instilled a more aggressive defensive approach, bringing over his style and several players from his time as defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys.

“They’re a really good football team,” defensive tackle Jonathan Allen said of the Bengals. “When you have a quarterback like Joe Burrow and receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and the players that they have, it’s always going to be exciting to go against them.”

The two teams have never met on “Monday Night Football.”

–Mike Petraglia, Field Level Media

Packers hope Jordan Love can return to face Titans

The Green Bay Packers might get their starting quarterback back sooner than anticipated.

Jordan Love, who injured his knee Sept. 6 during the team’s season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, practiced for three consecutive days with his left leg in a brace. He could return to the lineup Sunday when Green Bay travels to Nashville to meet the winless Tennessee Titans. The Packers listed Love as questionable on Friday and head coach Matt LaFleur said the team plans to give the decision “right up until game time.”

LaFleur said Love would be involved in the decision and the Packers are working through medical clearance protocol.

“There’s definitely a lot that’s up to him,” LaFleur said. “You don’t want to put somebody in that position. But he’s doing everything in his power. He wants to be out there more than anybody.”

Originally expected to miss 3-6 weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee, Love practiced in a limited capacity with a compression sleeve on his leg Wednesday and a bulkier, metal-framed brace on Friday.

Making Love inactive because he’s not 100 percent would set up a matchup of backup Malik Willis opposing the franchise that drafted him in the third round in 2022. Traded to the Packers last month, Willis engineered last week’s 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts, hitting 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Willis also flashed his mobility, rushing for 41 yards on six carries, and he finished with a 126.8 passer rating — far above his career mark of 49.4 entering the game.

“Things happened,” Willis said of his new organization. “So I’m here now and grateful to coach (Matt LaFleur) and the GM and everybody who’s a part of this.”

Willis played in 11 games across parts of two seasons for Tennessee, completing 35 of 66 passes for 350 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. His time with the franchise was done from the moment coach Mike Vrabel made then-rookie Will Levis the starter last October.

Levis showed more than enough down the stretch, even though the Titans missed the playoffs, to earn the No. 1 job for this year. Now with his new team, Willis might be the quarterback tasked with getting the Packers to 2-1.

“I didn’t wake up thinking I was going to be traded,” he said after being dealt on Aug. 27. “So it definitely caught me by surprise. … It’s time to go.”

While Willis prepares in case he gets the start again, there is no question Levis is the guy in Tennessee. Still, first-year coach Brian Callahan wants to see Levis improve his decision-making, a problem area as the Titans started 0-2.

After tossing a game-changing pick-six in Tennessee’s season-opening loss at Chicago, Levis played better last week in the team’s second straight 24-17 defeat, this time to the New York Jets. He was 19 of 28 for 192 yards with a touchdown but also mixed in two turnovers.

One was an ill-advised lateral to Tony Pollard that turned a sack into a fumble that cost the Titans a chance to go up by two scores in the second quarter. The other was an interception that was cashed in for a tying touchdown just before halftime.

“I’m really pleased with how he played for the most part,” Callahan said of Levis. “I thought Will made a really nice improvement from Week 1 to Week 2.”

Look for Levis and Tennessee to get DeAndre Hopkins more involved in the passing game. Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro, caught a team-high 75 passes for 1,057 yards last year, his seventh 1,000-yard season, but has been limited to two grabs for 17 yards through this year’s first two games.

Tennessee running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) is questionable.

Green Bay ruled out tackle Jordan Morgan with an injury to the same shoulder he hurt in training camp.

Wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf) was removed from the injury report Friday after not practicing earlier in the week.

The Titans own an 8-6 lead in the all-time series with Green Bay, including a 3-0 mark in Nashville.

–Field Level Media