It’s home opener, take 2, for Jets’ Aaron Rodgers vs. Pats

Jets fans are hoping to get a longer look at quarterback Aaron Rodgers when New York faces the New England Patriots on Thursday night in East Rutherford, N.J.

The last time Rodgers stepped onto the turf at MetLife Stadium, he lasted just four plays, tearing his left Achilles tendon in the Jets’ 2023 season opener against the Buffalo Bills.

That injury put Rodgers on the shelf for the entirety of the campaign. He was still credited with the win against Buffalo, but it wasn’t until Sunday that Rodgers led the Jets (1-1) to victory while playing for a full game. The 40-year-old completed 18 of 30 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns as New York beat the Tennessee Titans 24-17.

Now that the Jets have their first real taste of success with Rodgers under center, New York coach Robert Saleh is banking on the home crowd giving his team a significant advantage on Thursday.

“I hope it’s off the chain,” Saleh said, referring to the type of atmosphere he expects. “I mean, shoot, it’s our home opener coming on a Thursday. I know our fans are some of the most passionate fans in all of football. … You want to play in the spotlight.”

The Jets will need all the help they can get as they try to crack a New England defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest points per game (16.5) through the first two weeks of the season.

After picking up a clean 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, the Patriots (1-1) faltered late to drop a 23-20 overtime decision against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Rhamondre Stevenson found the end zone from 1 yard out to put New England up 20-17 with 12:43 left in regulation, but the Patriots let Seattle march its way to Jason Myers’ 38-yard field goal that tied the game with 55 seconds to go.

Myers nailed a game-winning 31-yarder in overtime. New England got the ball to open the extra session but went three-and-out.

It marked the first career loss for Patriots first-year coach Jerod Mayo, who is now trying to effectively navigate a short week.

“I think the first thing is to recover. That’s the first thing,” Mayo said. “So in saying that, we’re going to bring the guys in late every day this week. … I think it’s important that those guys rest up. It also gives the coaches an opportunity to get the game plan put together. That’s the first thing.

“Secondly, it comes back to executing. When you’re sore, when you’re tired, that’s what it really comes back to.”

And leaning on the defense might not be an option for New England come Thursday.

Multiple media outlets reported Monday that Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley sustained a season-ending pectoral injury against the Seahawks, and fellow linebacker Oshane Ximines (knee) also was ruled out in Wednesday’s injury report and went on injured reserve after not practicing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

New England guard Sidy Sow is dealing with an ankle issue and was ruled out along with offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (knee). Center David Andrews (hip), offensive lineman Mike Onwenu (wrist), defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (shoulder) and safety Jabrill Peppers (shoulder) are listed as questionable for the game.

Andrews expects to play, and linebacker Anfernee Jennings, cornerback Marcus Jones and guard Layden Robinson were removed from the final injury report.

The Jets listed linebacker Jermaine Johnson II, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn right Achilles tendon, as out, and linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) as questionable.

–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 on Wednesday for the first time since the injury. He could return to the lineup Sunday when Green Bay travels to Nashville to meet the winless Tennessee Titans.

However, if Love sits out again, it 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 had just one player miss the Wednesday practice due to an injury, running back Tyjae Spears (ankle). Green Bay was without four players on Wednesday: guard Elgton Jenkins (illness/glute), tackle Jordan Morgan (shoulder), wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf) and defensive back Carrington Valentine (ankle).

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

Texans, Vikings might be missing stars in matchup of 2-0 teams

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is willing to improvise whenever necessary.

“(I like) to stay in the pocket and deliver throws – that’s what I want to do,” Stroud said. “But at the same time, I feel like I am elite at scrambling and I can do it. I’ve put it on film. … I just try to make a play and have fun out there.”

Stroud and his teammates on Houston (2-0) might have to improvise part of their game plan when they visit the Minnesota Vikings (2-0) on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

The Texans could be without several injured players, including star running back Joe Mixon (ankle), star wide receiver Nico Collins (hip/foot), running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) and center Juice Scruggs (groin), who were among those who did not practice on Wednesday. Backup tight end Brevin Jordan (knee) was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.

Minnesota also is monitoring injuries to key contributors including star wideout Justin Jefferson, who left last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers because of a quadriceps injury and was limited on Wednesday. Starting running back Aaron Jones (hip) was also limited, while No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison is dealing with an ankle injury that forced him to miss the 49ers game and didn’t practice.

Starting outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (foot) was limited and his backup, Dallas Turner (knee), didn’t practice. Starting linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (quad) and starting center Garrett Bradbury (knee) were limited.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Jefferson took part in a walk-through to begin the week of practice and that he participated in limited drills.

“Hoping to get him a little bit more work throughout the week as we progress forward,” O’Connell said. “I know Justin is very much looking forward to getting an opportunity to play. So if we can avoid any setbacks or things like that throughout the week, you know, we’re hoping to have him. But a long way to go until Sunday.”

Meanwhile, O’Connell said Addison “is still in that day-to-day world where we just have to see how he responds. … Hopefully it progresses throughout the week.”

The Vikings will face a tough test against Houston, which is coming off back-to-back wins over the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears to start the season. The Texans have limited opponents to 20 points a game in 2024.

One reason for the Texans’ success on defense has been the addition of pass rusher Danielle Hunter, who signed with Houston after spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Vikings. Hunter has 1 1/2 sacks in his first two games with the Texans.

Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said Hunter would be extra motivated to go up against the Vikings in his old stadium this weekend.

“Everybody is hyped up to play against their old team,” Ryans said. “I speak from experience. (It happened) when I was with the Eagles and we came into Houston. It doesn’t change.”

Texans running back Cam Akers also will go up against one of his former teams, although he was with the Vikings for far shorter time than Hunter. Akers could step into a more prominent role this weekend if Mixon is ruled out with an ankle injury.

“I’m ready,” Akers said. “You don’t have to get ready when you stay ready. I’ve been preparing for this moment, and I’m ready for it. I’m ready to take advantage.”

As for the Vikings, quarterback Sam Darnold will try to maintain his impressive start to the season in his first year with the club. Darnold has posted a 111.7 passer rating while throwing for 476 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

Stroud also has lifted his team to a perfect start through two weeks. He has a 104.7 passer rating to go along with 494 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Vikings are 5-0 all-time against the Texans. This is their first meeting since 2020.

–Field Level Media

Falcons hope to ride Monday night magic to win vs. Chiefs

ATLANTA — Ahead of their Week 3 matchup on Sunday night, the Atlanta Falcons and visiting Kansas City Chiefs have already grown accustomed to playing in evenly matched games this season.

The two-time defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs (2-0) narrowly escaped the Baltimore Ravens on opening night, 27-20, before Harrison Butker’s 51-yard field goal with three seconds left saved the day in their one-point win over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday.

For the first time this season, the Chiefs hit the road as they visit Atlanta for the first time since 2016. They will face a Falcons team that was on the brink of hosting the mighty Chiefs with an 0-2 record. After an anemic offensive showing in an 18-10 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, the Falcons (1-1) stole a win in Philadelphia on Monday night, using a last-minute touchdown drive to beat the Eagles 22-21.

Trailing by six with 1:39 left, Kirk Cousins led the Falcons on a six-play, 70-yard game-winning drive, earning his first win for his new team following the signing of a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta. Head coach Raheem Morris, who also secured his first win as the Falcons’ head coach, wasn’t surprised by the way his veteran quarterback led the final drive.

“I know what that confidence looks like from practice. I know what his confidence looks like from every day walking down the hall with him and watching his process,” Morris added. “I didn’t need to look at him before that drive. Before the game, we said we’re going to do it for each other and that’s exactly what they did.”

The Falcons, who have returned to a state of relevance after several years of national apathy, are coming off their first “Monday Night Football” appearance since 2020. Now they prepare for their first “Sunday Night Football” game since 2019.

The Chiefs have won eight straight games (including the playoffs) since last year’s Christmas Day loss to the Raiders. Kansas City’s win streak will be put to the test on Sunday without leading rusher Isiah Pacheco.

Pacheco’s leg was caught under a defender in Sunday’s win, fracturing his right fibula. In his absence, the Chiefs signed former running back Kareem Hunt, who rushed for 2,151 yards with the team from 2017-18. Hunt had been in a primarily backup role with Cleveland from 2019 through last season.

“(Pacheco’s) been put on IR, he’s having surgery today,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday. “I can’t give you a time when he’s going to return. We’ll see if it’s this season or next season.”

Pacheco has run for 135 yards and a touchdown this season.

Turning the page to Sunday, Reid and company sound ready for their rare trip to Atlanta.

“Looking forward to the challenge of playing the Falcons,” Reid said. “That’s a great environment down there at their stadium. Raheem’s done a heck of a job with that group, which was obvious Monday night. Between Jimmy (Lake), Zac (Robinson) and Marquice (Williams), they’ve got great coordinators. … We need to have a good week of practice starting today and I know our guys are looking forward to the challenge of playing a good football team like this.”

Three-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes enters play vying for a better performance, following a rare lackluster showing on Sunday. Mahomes threw for a pair of touchdowns against Cincinnati but was also picked off twice. The two-time NFL MVP’s 151 passing yards were his fewest since throwing for a career-low 76 against Denver on Oct. 17, 2019 before dislocating his kneecap.

All time, Kansas City holds a 7-3 series lead over Atlanta. The Falcons will look for their first win over the Chiefs since Week 1 of the 2012 season.

On the injury front, everyone was a full participant in practice for the Chiefs on Wednesday while four Falcons were limited: running back Tyler Allgeier, cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr., and defensive linemen James Smith-Williams and Ta’Quon Graham.

–Jack Batten, Field Level Media

49ers look to jump-start offense vs. struggling Rams

After their offense went stagnant in Week 2 without one of their star performers, the San Francisco 49ers will look to recover Sunday when they visit their home away from home.

After a 23-17 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the 49ers (1-1) technically will stay on the road when they play the Los Angeles Rams at Inglewood, Calif. But the Rams’ home has been clad in plenty of red during recent seasons when San Francisco makes its annual visit.

San Francisco has won at Los Angeles in each of the past five seasons, although they lost on the Rams’ home turf in the 2022 NFC Championship Game. San Francisco had a nine-game winning streak against Los Angeles until the regular-season finale last season when the Rams won 21-20 as both teams rested starters in advance of the playoffs.

San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey did not play in the final meeting last season and won’t be available for this one either while on injured reserve with a calf strain. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is doubtful with his own calf issue and likely will miss the next two games.

Without two huge weapons on offense, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and his NFL-best 550 yards passing through two games take center stage. His 72.3 completion percentage is eighth in the league, but he has just one touchdown pass.

“We’ve got the players. We’ve got the scheme. We’ve got what it takes,” Purdy said. “It’s dropping back and executing, knowing where my answers are and getting the balls in the guys’ hands, drop-stepping and getting first down. It’s football, man.”

Purdy threw his first interception Sunday after he had 11 last season, while earning Pro Bowl honors. He also lost a fumble, while the 49ers had a punt blocked.

“It was too sloppy on our part,” San Francisco head coach Mike Shanahan said. “… It was disappointing.”

The Rams (0-2) are dealing with their own injury issues. Wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) was placed on injured reserve after Week 1 and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) is expected to miss extended time.

The Rams also have holes on the offensive line: Jonah Jackson (shoulder), Steve Avila (knee) and Joe Noteboom (ankle) are on IR. Even rookie kicker Joshua Karty (groin) is ailing.

Behind a makeshift line last week, even veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford looked rattled, and understandably so, as Los Angeles was never competitive in a 41-10 loss on the road to the Arizona Cardinals. Tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) returned in Week 2 and tackle Alaric Jackson (suspension) is set to come back Sunday.

“The amount of moving parts that we’ve had offensive line-wise has been wild, and that’s such an important spot to be able to get a rapport with the guy that you’re playing next to,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “It starts with me, putting guys in better spots.”

On defense, the Rams already were up against it after the retirement of star defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The revamped group has struggled to an NFL-worst 426 yards allowed per game.

“It’s definitely a little different,” Shanahan said about not having to account for Donald. “That’s been 99 percent of our brain power for a number of years and it’s kind of weird just not thinking that way.”

Against the run, Los Angeles has allowed 197 yards per game, third worst in the NFL. The Rams recently placed safety John Johnson II (shoulder) on IR.

“Trust the process,” Stafford said. “… You can’t think about this scenario, that scenario, whatever it is. Just continue to work. We’ll have next-man-up mentality in some spots, get some people back as well and it’ll be a fun challenge for us.”

In addition to Kupp and Karty not participating in practice for the Rams on Wednesday, tight end Davis Allen (back) and cornerback Cobie Durant (toe) also were out.

Samuel was the only member of the 49ers who did not practice. Safety Talanoa Hufanga is approaching his season debut after ACL surgery in November.

–Field Level Media

Skylar Thompson gets shot to lead Dolphins’ offense at Seattle

Skylar Thompson is kind of like the teenager who has been handed the keys to his father’s sports car.

Thompson will be behind the wheel of Miami’s high-octane offense when the Dolphins travel across country to face the host Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Thompson, a seventh-round pick in 2022 out of Kansas State, will be replacing Tua Tagovailoa, who was placed on injured reserve after sustaining his third concussion in two seasons last Thursday in a 31-10 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills.

Thompson plans to keep things simple.

“When tomorrow comes, I’ll focus on tomorrow,” Thompson said. “That’s my approach to everything. That’s been my approach since I’ve gotten here, and that’s led me to success.”

Thompson started three games in 2022 with Tagovailoa sidelined, including a playoff defeat to the Bills. Thompson completed 78 of 150 passes for 461 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in those three starts, going 1-2.

He served as the Dolphins’ No. 3 quarterback all of last season and didn’t get into a game.

“I felt like my rookie year I was doing things exactly by the book and viewing everything as I would see it in the playbook,” Thompson said. “The footwork and everything. And it was all new to me. I studied it so much — I felt I knew it so well that sometimes it slowed me down a little bit even.

“That’s just another progression of being in my third year and having this opportunity again. I feel like I have a very good understanding of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”

The Dolphins (1-1) signed former Pro Bowler Tyler Huntley off Baltimore’s practice squad for depth, but they appear ready to go with Thompson until Tagovailoa gets back. Thompson completed 8 of 14 passes for 80 yards off the bench last week.

“I have no doubts in my mind that Skylar is going to go out there and do the best he can in Seattle,” Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler said. “I’m super excited to see him play and work on this opportunity. Obviously, we’re praying for and sad about Tua, but I have no hesitation with Skylar going out there as QB1 this week.”

The Seahawks (2-0) are coming off a 23-20 overtime victory last Sunday at New England. With running back Kenneth Walker III sidelined due to an oblique injury, Geno Smith carried the offense by completing 33 of 44 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown.

“That was a heck of a performance, man,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “… There’s a little chip on his shoulder. I like it, because they just keep sleeping on this guy. He played at a super high level, so he deserves all the credit he’s getting right now.”

Smith drove the Seahawks down the field for a last-minute field goal in regulation to tie the score, then led the winning march in overtime.

“Whenever I’m in this situation and the game is on the line, I’m so happy and just excited for those opportunities. I look forward to them actually,” Smith said. “I know it’s going to happen more and more times throughout the season. The best quarterbacks always find ways to win. I want to be regarded in that light.”

The Dolphins had one player who missed practice on Wednesday due to an injury, offensive tackle Terron Armstead (shoulder). The Seahawks had eight: Walker, wide receiver DK Metcalf (hand), tight end Brady Russell (shoulder), defensive end Leonard Williams (knee), linebackers Jerome Baker (hamstring), Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and Boye Mafe (knee) and safety K’Von Wallace (shoulder).

–Field Level Media

Ravens, Cowboys chase critical bounce-back win

Deflated by Week 2 losses, the Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens meet Sunday at Dallas where only one can come away with a bounce-back victory.

Baltimore fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2015 with a 26-23 setback to the visiting Las Vegas Raiders and nears desperate times as fall arrives. Even with a win in Dallas, the Ravens are on a tightrope. They have a primetime visit to Buffalo (2-0) on deck next Sunday followed by a grudge match with AFC North rival Cincinnati (0-2).

Dallas was blown out 44-19 by the New Orleans Saints, snapping a 16-game home winning streak in the regular season. The Cowboys allowed 190 yards rushing and a bigger challenge arrives in the Ravens, who are seventh in the NFL with 168 yards rushing per game with dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson and four-time Pro-Bowl rusher Derrick Henry teaming as a formidable 1-2 punch.

“We made some technique adjustments that we need to be better at,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said about the run defense this week. “We can’t get gapped, and we were gapped time and time again. That puts more pressure on your second-level defenders, obviously your linebackers and our primary support element. But yeah, we have to. It’s that first step, the discipline, playing the technique, and making sure the fit behind them is in order. We definitely were not clean and we weren’t consistent.”

There are sharks in the water ahead on Dallas’ schedule, too, with the Steelers (2-0), 49ers (1-1) and Lions (1-1) comprising the Cowboys’ slate in October.

The Ravens have three new starters on the offensive line and left tackle Ronnie Stanley isn’t at full strength. He was on the injury report Wednesday with an ankle injury.

Pass and run blocking were both a struggle over the past two games. The mobile Jackson has been sacked three times. Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons was held without a sack against the Saints, but he should create matchup problems against the Ravens.

Baltimore, which leads the regular-season series 5-1 against the Cowboys, needs to get the running game revved up to set up the pass. After a slow start, Henry finished with 84 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown.

Jackson has thrown for 520 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in two games. He will likely test the Dallas pass defense, which is ranked 16th in the NFL allowing 189.5 yards passing per game.

Jackson is agitated by his team’s early struggles and is determined to get the season on track.

“(We’ve) just got to find a way to win,” Jackson said. “I’m not used to being 0-2. (We’ve) just got to catch our momentum and get it started right away.”

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott agreed to a four-year, $240 million contract with a record $231 million guaranteed earlier this month. Prescott had an uneven performance over the past two games, throwing for 472 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. As a veteran, Prescott understands the pressure to win as the Cowboys quarterback.

“That’s one thing that I’ve grown to realize, especially in this organization when you’re playing on national TV every week. You are the Cowboys and the attention that we get is, if you lose, you’re down here,” Prescott said. “If we win, you’re way up there. None of that really matters. It’s about for us to trust the process, trusting one another, responding each and every day to get better. I know that we have the guys in there that can do that.”

The Ravens’ pass rush has seven sacks in two games. However, the secondary appears vulnerable to big plays. Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb could be poised to have a huge game. In the season opener, Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice caught seven passes for 103 yards and often ran free in front of and behind Baltimore’s defense.

And Davante Adams finished with 110 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions last week.

Prescott likely will target Lamb and Jalen Tolbert early and often. However, Lamb landed on the injury report this week with an ankle issue and tight end Jake Ferguson (knee) didn’t play in Week 2. He was limited in Wednesday’s practice.

Ravens rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins missed the previous game and practice this week after he was involved in a car accident resulting in a concussion and neck injury.

One of the biggest challenges facing the Ravens is closing out games. Over the past five seasons, the Ravens have had 10 losses when leading by seven or more points in the fourth quarter — the most by any team.

Conversely, Prescott has led the Cowboys to 22 wins when they are tied or trailing in the fourth quarter or overtime since 2016 — second most in franchise history behind Tony Romo (24).

“Giving up a fourth-quarter lead is never OK — it’s not acceptable; it should never happen,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “You do it because you don’t play consistent football to get the stops that you need to get, and our guys know that — they’ll take accountability for it. Coaches will take accountability for it.

“When I say, ‘Us,’ I mean all of us — players and coaches together.”

–Field Level Media