Bucs seek to add to another strong start, take on Broncos

There are four undefeated teams in the NFC heading into Week 3 of the season and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stand out in the exclusive group.

Of the seven NFC playoff teams from last season, the Buccaneers are the only one to open 2-0 this season and will try to remain perfect when they play host to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

The Buccaneers earned a 20-16 road victory last weekend against the Detroit Lions, turning in just enough defense, and opportunistic offense behind quarterback Baker Mayfield, into a 2-0 record for the fourth consecutive season.

“We’re not out to prove everybody wrong, we’re out to prove ourselves right,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said. “We’re hungry, we’re trying to get to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl. The same people that are patting us on the back are the same people that were talking about us and expecting us to win none.”

The common denominator in those previous 2-0 starts is that none of them turned into a third consecutive victory, including a 25-11 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles during Week 3 last season. The last time Tampa Bay went 3-0 was in 2005.

The Buccaneers exacted a measure of revenge with their win Sunday over the Lions, who eliminated Tampa Bay in last year’s NFC Divisional round of the playoffs.

“We know it’s a long season,” Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum said. “We went 2-0 last year and you all saw what happened. So the leadership on this team has been keeping us together and keeping us grinding, staying humble and focusing on the Broncos.”

Humility is key, especially since Tampa Bay has the 28th-ranked defense in total yards allowed at 381 per game. They have offset that by allowing 18.0 points per game, tied for sixth best in the league.

Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix will try to expose a Buccaneers defense that is 29th overall in passing defense with 242.5 yards allowed per game.

Denver (0-2) gave up just 13 points to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week on 117 passing yards, but scored on just a pair of fourth-quarter field goals from Will Lutz.

Nix had 246 yards passing last week but threw two interceptions and now has four in two games, with no touchdowns. One of those interceptions came in the end zone in the third quarter after Denver had advanced to the Pittsburgh 6-yard line.

The empty drive was otherwise one to remember, with Nix connecting on passes of 26 and 49 yards. Wide receiver Josh Reynolds caught the 49-yarder on a trick play and has nine receptions for 138 of Nix’s 384 total yards.

“(I’m) pleased with what he’s doing,” Nix said of Reynolds. “He played really well down the stretch. He (made) catches and (found) zones in the defense and got us some key conversions.”

Denver is 29th in total offense at 263 yards per game and is one of 10 teams averaging fewer than 100 yards rushing per game. The Buccaneers also are on that list.

The Broncos will lean into a defense that is ninth in the NFL with 277.5 yards allowed per game. After Denver plays at Tampa Bay, it will stay on the road and head to West Virginia to prepare for the New York Jets in Week 4.

“It’s not a make-or-break, but we’re going to have a better idea of where this team is going to be after these next two weeks going on the road,” Denver head coach Sean Payton said. “… Sometimes that can work as a positive relative to your team being together the whole time.”

Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) went on injured reserve Wednesday, while injuries have impacted the defense. Linebacker Baron Browning (foot), defensive end John Franklin-Myers (concussion) and safeties Brandon Jones (foot) and JL Skinner (ankle) all missed practice Wednesday.

Players not practicing for the Buccaneers on Wednesday: defensive lineman William Gholston (knee), tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion), defensive back Josh Hayes (ankle), defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (calf), nose tackle Vita Vea (knee) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot).

–Field Level Media

Top scoring defenses clash as Chargers oppose Steelers

Points will likely come at a premium when the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome the visiting Los Angeles Chargers to town on Sunday afternoon.

Opponents have yet to figure out how to break through against either team, with Los Angeles (2-0) allowing the fewest points per game in the NFL (6.5) through the first two weeks of the season. Pittsburgh ranks second in that category, yielding an average of 8.0 points.

“Outstanding,” Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh said of the Steelers’ defense. “One of the best front sevens in football, and elite in the coverage area as well.”

Cutting through Pittsburgh’s secondary could be that much tougher for the Chargers if quarterback Justin Herbert isn’t able to play. Herbert is dealing with an ankle injury and did not practice on Wednesday.

Harbaugh expects Herbert to be good to go come Sunday, but if the 26-year-old can’t suit up, Easton Stick would start under center.

And Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin is keeping a close eye on Los Angeles’ injury report.

“I don’t speculate and read stuff on Tuesday, it’s a waste of time,” Tomlin said. “Participation, or lack thereof, is what gets my attention.”

Tomlin is more focused on his own quarterback room. Justin Fields was the Steelers’ field general for Weeks 1 and 2, and Pittsburgh (2-0) is preparing to start him once again on Sunday as Russell Wilson continues to work through a calf issue.

Wilson was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.

Fields most recently completed 13 of 20 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ 13-6 victory over the Denver Broncos last Sunday.

“He loves to compete,” Tomlin said of Fields. “He’s got a quiet confidence about him. He doesn’t change in environments. There’s a clarity in his communication, in his response to communication, that’s really comfortable.”

If Tomlin’s words ring true, Fields should be able to stay composed in front of a raucous crowd that is expected to be on hand for Pittsburgh’s home opener.

The Chargers fared well in a hostile environment last Sunday, crushing the Carolina Panthers 26-3 in Charlotte. J.K. Dobbins rushed for 131 yards and a score on 17 carries, while Herbert went for 130 yards, two TDs and a pick on 14-of-20 passing.

A lot of the success in the running game can be attributed to Los Angeles offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who frequently went up against the Steelers during his two stints on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff (2006-07 and 2017-22).

“Greg Roman’s gone against the Steelers, Steelers have gone against Greg Roman,” Harbaugh said. “There’s experience on both sides.”

Roman’s offense could be without wide receiver Joshua Palmer (elbow/calf) for the meeting with Pittsburgh, as Palmer didn’t practice on Wednesday. Linebackers Junior Colson (hamstring) and Bud Dupree (illness), a former Steeler, were also among those held out.

Three Chargers were limited with injury designations during Wednesday’s session, a group that included star linebacker Joey Bosa (hip).

Pittsburgh guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) and tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee) didn’t practice on Wednesday. Receiver Roman Wilson was a limited participant due to an ankle injury.

–Field Level Media

Surprising Saints hunting 3-0 start vs. Eagles

Arguably no team has been a bigger surprise during the first two weeks of the NFL season than the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints (2-0) are one of nine undefeated teams as they prepare to host the Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) on Sunday afternoon.

Expectations for New Orleans (9-8 last season), which has missed the playoffs three consecutive seasons, were average at best before the current campaign started.

The Saints have defied the doubters so far with a 47-10 home win over the Carolina Panthers and a 44-19 road rout of the Dallas Cowboys.

“I think everybody took offense to how we were viewed, on the outside and in our own city,” New Orleans third-year head coach Dennis Allen said. “And rightfully so. We haven’t performed the way that I think we’re capable of and so it was really incumbent on us to make some changes and play better and that’s what we’re in the process of doing.”

Saints quarterback Derek Carr and the offense have thrived under first-year coordinator Klint Kubiak. New Orleans leads the NFL in scoring with 91 points, 22 more than the next closest team, the Arizona Cardinals.

Carr paces the league in passer rating (142.4) and running back Alvin Kamara is tops in scoring (five touchdowns) and yards from scrimmage (290).

The Saints’ defense has more than held its own, ranking fourth in scoring (14.5 points allowed per game), tied for fourth in yards allowed per play (4.5) and seventh in total yards allowed (273 per game).

“The focus for us is let’s not start patting ourselves on the back,” Allen said. “The focus for us is how are we going to improve because this is a long season and we’re only two games into it.”

While Allen is trying to prevent his players from feeling overconfident after just two games, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is trying to keep his team from dwelling on a lost opportunity in its last contest against the visiting Atlanta Falcons.

Philadelphia had a chance to take a two-score lead with less than two minutes remaining, but running back Saquon Barkley dropped a third-down pass. The Eagles settled for a field goal and a six-point lead, and Atlanta needed just 65 seconds to score the winning touchdown in a 22-21 victory.

“My whole thing is, OK, we’ve got some adversity right now, but let’s have the right mindset and work hard and prepare the right way,” Sirianni said. “Have a positive mindset and know you’re going to get better from the things that you went through.

“What is in the past is in the past, and we can’t change that, but you can control your daily habits and the way you approach your process and put yourself in position to win the next game.”

The dropped pass marred what has otherwise been a strong start to Barkley’s first season in Philadelphia. The former New York Giant is seventh in yards from scrimmage (248) and has scored three touchdowns.

This will be the Eagles’ first Sunday game of the young season. They held off the Green Bay Packers, 34-29, on Sept. 6 in San Paolo, Brazil, then played their home opener on Monday night.

Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring), who did not play against the Falcons, didn’t participate in the team’s walk-through Wednesday and he has said he expects to miss multiple games.

New Orleans tight end Taysom Hill (chest) missed practice Wednesday and cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) was limited.

–Field Level Media

Looking to avoid 0-3 start, Giants shift focus to Browns

The New York Giants are already in must-win territory when they visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The Giants (0-2) lost their first two games of the season to the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders. If they lose to the Browns (1-1), things really get dicey. New York then has a short week before hosting the Dallas Cowboys next Thursday.

“I’m pissed because I hate losing with a passion,” Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II said Wednesday. “I take that hard — losing. I really don’t like it. For me, it’s just something that I’m not going to keep accepting.”

The anxiety is growing as only two teams (out of 32) that started 0-2 over the past four seasons made the playoffs.

That 6.3 success rate raises the urgency. But Giants coach Brian Daboll said he doesn’t think desperation has set in.

“I want to see consistency like we talk about every week,” Daboll said. “Go in, prepare the right way, come out, play a good football game, do good in situations, play together. Each week is its own week, and we’ll just focus on the Browns this week.”

Cleveland split its first two games, getting routed by the Cowboys in its opener before posting an 18-13 road win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

“It wasn’t perfect, wasn’t always pretty, but it was gritty,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said of the victory. “And I thought the guys found a way there. And it’s certainly a learning experience. I think win, lose or draw, you gotta learn from these things.”

One area the Browns need to improve is penalties. Cleveland has committed a league-worst 24 penalties.

“I’m not going to ignore the fact that we have the most called penalties against us in the league,” Stefanski said. “We watched every single one of them as a team. We’re going to correct the ones that we can correct and we’re just going to play really clean with our technique, but it’s something that we’ll continue to address.”

The Browns averaged 17.5 points over their first two games, while New York is posting 12 per game.

Still, Stefanski is surprised the Giants are winless.

“That 0-2 is very misleading to me,” Stefanski said. “They lost at home in Week 1, which obviously we lost at home in Week 1. And then they go on the road, and they play good enough to win, and had some extenuating circumstances with the kicker.”

Veteran Graham Gano entered the game against Washington with a sore groin and then injured a hamstring while trying to chase down Austin Ekeler on a 98-yard opening kickoff return for touchdown that was negated by a Commanders’ penalty. Punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra point after New York’s first touchdown and the Giants later missed on two two-point conversion passes in the 21-18 loss.

The loss of Gano hurt the most when New York faced fourth-and-4 from the Washington 22-yard line with the score tied. The Giants went for it and failed to convert when rookie Malik Nabers dropped a pass that would have resulted in a first down. The Commanders took over with 2:04 left and won on Austin Seibert’s 30-yard field goal as time expired.

“Once you look back on the record, you are going to feel like one of those losses was mine,” said Nabers, who has 15 receptions in two games. “I’m going to continue to move forward, get better and work on how I cannot drop that pass again.”

Gano was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday and New York signed Greg Joseph off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad to handle the kicking.

The only Giants’ player to miss practice Wednesday was cornerback Nick McCloud (knee).

Cleveland tight end David Njoku (ankle) is expected to miss his second straight game. Others to miss practice Wednesday were star defensive end Myles Garrett (foot), offensive tackle Dawand Jones (knee), receiver Jamari Thrash (illness) and running back Pierre Strong (hamstring).

Browns standout cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) played just 11 snaps against Jacksonville. He was a limited practice participant on Wednesday.

In the most recent meeting, the Browns recorded a 20-6 road win over the Giants in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Lions QB Jared Goff looks to be ‘better’ in visit to Arizona

Jared Goff signed a giant four-year extension during the offseason. But so far, the three-time Pro Bowler hasn’t played anything like a $212 million quarterback.

The Detroit Lions won their season opener in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams despite Goff being limited to 217 passing yards. Goff was intercepted twice and nearly got picked off twice more on Sunday, when the Lions lost to Tampa Bay 20-16.

The Lions will need their quarterback to be much sharper in their first road game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Goff says it’s “uncharacteristic” for the Lions’ offense to have difficulty finishing drives.

“We were able to move the ball. We had quite a few yards,” he said. “I have to do a better job of taking care of the ball on some of those situations and keep us on the field, not put the ball in harm’s way. But overall, we did move the ball pretty well and I think building off that will be the way we want to go this week.”

The Lions haven’t lost two straight since a five-game slide during the first half of their 2022 schedule. Goff expects the Lions to bounce back in similar fashion from their latest setback.

“I do think it’s part of our identity and part of who we are,” he said. “It starts with (head coach) Dan (Campbell) and hopefully trickles down through all the leaders and the captains, but we do respond. We always do, and you never hope to lose two in a row. I think what we’ve done over the last two years is respond in those situations and hopefully do it again this week.”

The Cardinals’ offense, with quarterback Kyler Murray fully recovered from the torn ACL he suffered in December 2022, has looked explosive. They’ve already had a dozen plays of 20 or more yards via the pass or rush. Arizona (1-1) is also No. 1 in the league in third-down conversions (58.3 percent).

Murray has thrown four touchdown passes without an interception. First-round draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr., who was held to one reception in his debut, erupted for four catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-10 romp over the Los Angeles Rams last week.

“He’s growing as he goes,” Campbell said of Harrison. “I think you just study what you see on tape, and we know what he is and, look, we’ve got — (CB Carlton Davis III) is an experienced corner. He’s long, he can run, so I like the matchup. And I like TA (CB Terrion Arnold), too. So, he’s getting better and hopefully he doesn’t catch fire against us.”

Keeping the pressure on Murray would help the Lions corners. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is coming off a monster performance in which he recorded 4 1/2 sacks.

“He is in a really good scheme; they give him some freedom and he’s got a skill set,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “Wherever he got drafted (No. 2 overall in 2022), you could tell why he got drafted that high.”

Murray isn’t worried about his team feeling content after thrashing the banged-up Rams.

“You can’t be hung over off the success we just had,” Murray said. “This league is ‘any given Sunday’ and we understand that.”

Detroit has a number of injury concerns. Linebacker Alex Anzalone (concussion), Arnold (illness) and guard Graham Glasgow (knee) didn’t practice on Wednesday. However, top wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (quad) was a full participant.

The Cardinals are in better shape. No one missed Wednesday’s practice, though defensive lineman Dante Stills (shoulder) was limited. Stills didn’t play against the Rams.

–Field Level Media

Bears, Colts eager to define identity growing pains for young QBs

If pressure makes diamonds, the Bears can speak in absolutes when referring to rookie quarterback Caleb Williams as a gem.

Williams and the Bears lick their wounds and take to the road for the second consecutive game with a short trek to Indianapolis on Sunday.

Chicago plans “no changes” to personnel protecting Williams, and head coach Matt Eberflus is confident the growing pains won’t be quite as literal moving forward. The Texans sacked Williams seven times Sunday night in Houston and hit him in the pocket on four other plays, not including the sideline blast at the chains by Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

“There’s some great learning moments there in terms of the pressure,” Eberflus said.

Depending on who fields the question, Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, has lacked either the protection or the patience to utilize the array of weapons the Bears proudly assembled around him in the offseason. He enters Week 3 as the team’s leading rusher with 59 yards and has only one completion over 20 yards, no touchdown passes and was sacked nine times in his first two NFL games. After going 5-for-5 on the opening drive at Houston, the Texans sent heavy pressure. On plays he was pressured, Williams’ completion percentage dipped below 35 percent for a total of 33 yards with two interceptions.

“I’m a little bruised up still. Body-wise, moving all of that, I feel good throwing and running around,” Williams said Wednesday.

The Bears rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat the Tennessee Titans in the opener with just 148 yards total offense. New coordinator Shane Waldron has a 44-66 run-pass ratio through two games and the Bears are converting 26.7 percent of third downs. No. 1 wide receiver DJ Moore vented in the loss but said Wednesday he showed “too much frustration” on the sideline.

He emphasized the importance of the Bears “honing in on our identity, whether it’s going to be running the ball or passing the ball.”

Moore was not listed on the injury report for Chicago on Wednesday but Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (knee) are not at full strength.

The Colts could be ripe for the picking on the ground. Packers running back Josh Jacobs gained 151 yards in Week 2 and Indianapolis defensive tackle DeForest Buckner landed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

“Obviously a huge blow,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said of Buckner’s injury. “Phenomenal teammate, phenomenal player for our football team, phenomenal player for the NFL. That guy is so freaking tough.”

With Buckner out, Indianapolis could lean more heavily on rookie defensive end Laiatu Latu to get to Williams. But Latu began the week sidelined by a hip injury.

Barring turnovers, the Bears are likely to test the Colts’ reconfigured defensive front. Indianapolis has been roasted for 474 rushing yards and 5.1 yards per carry this season.

Williams said the two “stupid mistakes,” referring to his interceptions last week, won’t happen again but admits he’s still adjusting to the NFL.

“Just getting used to getting hit again, it’s been a while. It’s been since Nov. 18 (his final game at USC) since the last time I got hit — like really hit,” Williams said.” Getting used to that, getting used to having games like that, there’s going to be games like that. It’s the NFL.”

The Bears’ health also would be a concern if guards Teven Jenkins (thigh) and Nate Davis (groin) miss the game.

Eberflus, who is 11-25 as the Bears head coach, returns to his old stomping grounds at Lucas Oil Stadium. Before being hired by Chicago, Eberflus was the defensive coordinator of the Colts.

Indianapolis (0-2) lost to Houston in Week 1 and then dropped a 16-10 rock fight at Green Bay last week. The Colts’ prized passer, 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson, threw three interceptions at Lambeau Field and has a passer rating of 63.1 (Williams is at 53). Richardson was drafted fourth overall but makes just his seventh career start on Sunday.

Steichen said Richardson is making the right reads and isn’t going to overreact to a turnover-heavy game, following the same progression he used to help Justin Herbert develop as a rookie with the Chargers.

“Four games into it, maybe five, he was rolling,” Steichen said of Herbert’s development. “That’s the thing, as long as the ball is going to the right spot — with anything, it just takes time. It’s a process going through this thing with young quarterbacks. But, shoot, he’s a helluva football player and we’re excited to have him.”

Steichen, 9-10 as a head coach and in his second season with the Colts, would like to see the offense start faster. Prior to the fourth quarter in the first two games, Indianapolis has scored 16 total points. Wide receiver Josh Downs practiced Wednesday and could make his 2024 debut as a valuable slot receiver and outlet for Richardson.

“They had a good connection last year, it will definitely help having him back,” Steichen said.

The Colts are averaging 6.1 yards per carry this season and the running game could help counter Chicago’s aggressive front seven. Richardson has 10 carries for 93 yards and Jonathan Taylor has 151 rushing yards.

“They fly around pretty good. Got a lot of respect for ‘Flus,” Steichen said, noting the Bears’ four takeaways and punt block. “They do a lot with movement. We’ve got to be ready for them.”

This is the first meeting between the teams since the Colts beat the Bears 19-11 in Chicago in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Raiders look to avoid ‘shocker’ vs. Andy Dalton-led Panthers

The Las Vegas Raiders will experience a role reversal Sunday as heavy favorites against a visiting Carolina Panthers squad that is making a major change to a key position.

“There are shockers each and every week,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “Last week, it was us (winning). We don’t want to be on that headline (this week).”

The Raiders (1-1) are fresh off a comeback victory at Baltimore last weekend after a frustration-filled Week 1 result against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“How do we follow that up?” Pierce said. “I want to be consistent each and every week.”

The Panthers (0-2) are changing quarterbacks, deciding to have veteran Andy Dalton as the starter. He’ll replace 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young, who hasn’t gained much traction two weeks into his second season.

Carolina has been outscored 73-13 by the New Orleans Saints and Chargers but doesn’t want to be defined by just a pair of games.

“We still don’t know who we are yet,” Dalton said. “It’s still early. … Hopefully, we can really put it together and see what we can be.”

The Panthers weren’t willing to wait any longer before making a move after seeing an offense that was ineffective for the second straight Sunday in a 26-3 loss to the Chargers in Week 2.

“Focusing on the details,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said of what his team must do to improve. “Focusing on being right where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there. Those are things we have to get better at as a whole group.”

Before facing the Panthers in their home opener, the Raiders showed the ability to bounce back on the road against the Ravens, despite entering the game as 8 1/2-point underdogs.

“Can we just do it for four quarters?” Pierce said. “Let’s see what that looks like in front of our home crowd.”

Las Vegas is led by well-traveled quarterback Gardner Minshew, who’s with his third team in as many seasons. He completed 30 of 38 throws for 276 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the 26-23 win at Baltimore.

With Dalton, 36, there could be a different vibe for Carolina’s offense.

“It’s nice to kind of be back in this position and affect the game,” he said. “I’m just thankful for an opportunity. I wasn’t sure I was going to get it again.”

Dalton is counting on his background to help him get through.

“I’ve been in this position before,” he said. “The experience I’ve had in this league for a long time.”

Canales was peppered with questions this week regarding what’s next for Young, 23, and what this move means in terms of his development.

“My concern is the football team,” Canales said. “My concern is that we push the whole group … and the focus is on the Raiders.”

Dalton has credentials as a three-time Pro Bowler, and the Panthers certainly hope that he’s the story this weekend rather than Young’s benching.

His only start as a Panther came a year ago in a Week 3 loss at Seattle, where he threw for 361 yards and two TDs. In his career, Dalton’s record is 83-78-2 as a starter, including 4-0 against the Raiders.

Carolina needs boosts in several areas. The Panthers began the week with only four healthy defensive linemen.

–Field Level Media