Patriots, Dolphins both looking to turn things around

Changes could be coming for the Miami Dolphins as they prepare to face the New England Patriots on Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.

Miami (1-3) has been feeling the loss of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa over the past two weeks, getting outscored 55-15 in losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans.

With Tagovailoa on injured reserve because of a concussion sustained in a Week 2 setback against the Buffalo Bills, Tyler Huntley started under center against Tennessee on Monday. He threw for just 96 yards on 14-of-22 passing as the Dolphins fell 31-12.

Even though Miami beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-17 in its season opener, it didn’t lead until Jason Sanders booted a 52-yard field goal as time expired. Since then, the Dolphins haven’t been able to get the upper hand on their opponent, making them the first team since the 2017 Cleveland Browns to never hold a lead through the first four games of a season.

“Everything’s on the table,” Miami coach Mike McDaniel said following the loss against the Titans. “You can’t argue that the offense is good. … In a situation like this, I hadn’t really been in one where we haven’t had production consecutively like this.

“So, you really have to open your mind to all things.”

Still, Huntley is expected to draw the start against New England (1-3).

The Dolphins will also have to adjust to life without linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during Monday’s game.

“I know that my purpose is to inspire people to never give up, no matter how many times you get knocked down,” Phillips said Wednesday in a social media post. “There is nothing in life that you can’t overcome as long as you don’t quit.”

Moving in a different direction offensively is also something that the Patriots are considering.

Lead back Rhamondre Stevenson, who started his season with a promising 120-yard performance on the ground against the Cincinnati Bengals, has been struggling to hang on to the ball. He has one fumble in each of his four games, two of which have been recovered by opposing defenses.

Because of those issues, Antonio Gibson could end up serving as RB1 on Sunday.

“That’s definitely under consideration,” New England coach Jerod Mayo said of moving Gibson up on the depth chart. “I’ve had multiple conversations with Rhamondre. But look, we can’t preach that ball security is job security and still have him out there the majority of the time.

“So, I think it sends a stronger message to the players that there are certain things that we just can’t do to win, especially with the team that we have today.”

Whoever starts at running back will have to get to work behind an offensive line that is now without center David Andrews. The nine-year veteran needs shoulder surgery that will sideline him for the rest of the season. Mayo said Friday that Andrews and right tackle Caedan Wallace (ankle) will go on injured reserve.

Like Miami, the Patriots have followed a season-opening victory with a three-game losing streak, most recently getting pounded by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, 30-13. Gibson was New England’s leading receiver, hauling in three catches for 67 yards.

Safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) and wide receiver K.J. Osborn (shoulder) didn’t practice for New England all week and are questionable. Receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee), safety Jabrill Peppers (shoulder), cornerback Jonathan Jones (shoulder) and guard/center Nick Leverett (ankle), Andrews’ replacement, were among those who remained limited at practice Friday and are listed as questionable. Linebacker Sione Takitaki (knee) is doubtful after three limited practices this week.

Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer missed practice all week due to a shin injury and was ruled out. Running back Raheem Mostert (chest) returned to full practice Friday and is expected to play Sunday. Backup QB Skylar Thompson (ribs) was limited all week and is questionable, as is corner Cam Smith (hamstring), who practiced all week.

Veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. had his first full practice with the Dolphins on Thursday and practiced in full again on Friday but is listed as questionable. The three-time Pro Bowl selection is eligible to play Sunday against the Patriots.

Beckham, 31, signed a one-year, $8.25 million deal with Miami in May, but he missed the first four games of the season after he was placed on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury.

–Field Level Media

Rookie Caleb Williams leads Bears vs. veteran Andy Dalton, Panthers

The Chicago Bears have found good footing with a rookie quarterback drafted first overall.

That could be another harsh reminder for the Carolina Panthers, who weren’t able to benefit from an overall No. 1 draft pick a year ago, when the teams meet Sunday afternoon in Chicago.

Caleb Williams is running the show for the Bears (2-2) fresh off a stellar college career during which he won the Heisman Trophy in 2022. Williams has given his teammates confidence in the way he has gone about his first month in the NFL.

“He’s doing a good job of just kind of taking what the defense is giving him,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “Having that awareness and knowing when to be aggressive.”

Williams, who has thrown three touchdowns and four interceptions thus far, said he has developed a better comfort level along with what he has described as regular learning moments. He’s not surprised that the Bears have experienced success after a tough start.

“We expected it and wanted it to happen faster, but that’s the process we’re in,” said Williams, who posted a 106.6 passer rating in last Sunday’s 24-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams (his first triple-digit rating as a pro). “When we get going, just finding that flow, keeping that flow.”

Chicago coach Matt Eberflus said Williams is displaying more patience and is willing to take shorter yardage pickups. For Carolina coach Dave Canales, it’s clear that Williams has been adjusting as it relates to Chicago’s offense.

“It takes time to figure out your identity and they’re working toward that,” Canales said. “They obviously have some skilled players and talent around him.”

The Bears are feeling good after improving to 2-0 at home following the win over the Rams.

The Panthers (1-3), on the other hand, are trying to bounce back from a 34-24 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. Even with that, however, they seemed to gain positive vibes behind quarterback Andy Dalton, who replaced Bryce Young as Carolina’s starter.

Young was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2023, but he didn’t generate the early success that has come for Williams. He was benched after two games this season.

Among Williams’ top targets is receiver DJ Moore, who’s in his second season with the Bears after five years with Carolina.

Dalton, a former starter with the Bengals, has thrown five touchdowns across the past two games. The Bears have noticed.

“They’re a team that is up and rising since he has taken over,” Kmet said. “It will be a good challenge for our defense.”

Canales praised the 14-year veteran Dalton’s approach.

“We’ve asked him to hit the first open guy, and he has done that well,” Canales said.

The Panthers also are benefiting from regular production from running back Chuba Hubbard, the first Carolina player with back-to-back games of 120 or more yards from scrimmage since Christian McCaffrey in 2021.

The Bears have been stingy on defense. When the Rams gained 322 yards of offense and racked up 21 first downs, those were the most allowed by Chicago in both categories this season.

“Everyone on our side of the ball is continuing to gel and we know what we’re trying to do defensively,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson said.

The Panthers have more questions on defense with the loss of veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson, who is done for the season with an Achilles injury. Linebacker Josey Jewell (hamstring, groin) is out after not practicing all week.

No. 1 wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ankle) returned for limited practices on Thursday and Friday and will play Sunday. Right guard Robert Hunt (hip), linebacker Charles Harris (shoulder), defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (foot) and tight end Ian Thomas (calf) are among the Panthers listed as questionable. Center Andrew Raym (concussion) is also out.

Carolina on Tuesday signed linebacker Chandler Wooten, who has previously played in 17 games for the Panthers.

For the Bears, defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) and cornerback Terell Smith (hip) are out while offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (ribs) and receiver DeAndre Carter (ribs) are questionable. Kmet (knee) and defensive end Montez Sweat (ankle) will play after being limited earlier in the week.

This is the second straight year that the Panthers visit Chicago, where they lost 16-13 last season. The Bears lead the series 8-3.

–Field Level Media

Unbeaten Chiefs enjoying better fortune than 2-2 Saints

The Kansas City Chiefs have played four one-score games, while the New Orleans Saints are tied for largest scoring margin in the NFL.

Yet the Chiefs are 4-0 and the Saints are 2-2 as these teams prepare to meet Monday night in Kansas City.

The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs keep finding ways to win games that go to the wire while the Saints have lost their last two games by squandering leads in the final moments.

The Chiefs have overcome a series of injuries to key skill players on offense. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has yet to play while on the non-football illness list, though he did return to practice Wednesday. Running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula) and wide receiver Hollywood Brown (back) are on injured reserve and were joined Wednesday by wide receiver Rashee Rice, who sustained a knee injury in a 17-10 victory against the Chargers last week.

“There’s not another Rashee,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said, “but there are other guys that are very good so we’ll be fine.”

First-round draft choice Xavier Worthy is averaging 17.1 yards per catch and has two touchdown receptions, tight end Travis Kelce is Kansas City’s leading healthy receiver and fellow veterans Justin Watson and JuJu Smith-Shuster give quarterback Patrick Mahomes confidence.

“Those guys do it the right way,” Mahomes said. “They’re always in the right position. They do what they’re supposed to do, and I think having those guys is a luxury because you know that they’re going to be there and they’re going to get open and they’re going to make plays when their numbers are called.”

The Chiefs have been one of the most productive offenses in the NFL since Mahomes became a starter in 2018, but this season they rank just 14th in scoring offense (23 points per game) and total offense (328.3 yards per game). Still, they’ve been productive enough to be undefeated, thanks in part to being No. 7 in scoring defense (18.0).

New Orleans, which is No. 1 in scoring (31.8) and No. 9 in yards (349.0), rolled to victories in its first two games, routing the Panthers 47-10 and the Cowboys 44-19.

But two weeks ago, after the Saints score a go-ahead touchdown with 2:03 left in the game, Philadelphia drove 69 yards on five plays to a touchdown with 1:01 left and prevailed 15-12. Then, last week, New Orleans scored a go-ahead touchdown with 1:00 left, but Atlanta drove to Younghoe Koo’s winning 58-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in a 26-24 victory.

“I’m encouraged that we’ve given ourselves an opportunity to win every single game,” Saints head coach Dennis Allen said. “We could be sitting here 4-0, but that’s not the case and that’s the discouraging thing.”

The loss to the Falcons was especially frustrating because the Saints defense didn’t allow a touchdown, but a series of mistakes cost them.

Rashid Shaheed muffed a punt that Atlanta recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, a deflected Derek Carr pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown and a 30-yard defensive pass interference penalty on Paulson Adebo gave the Falcons all the yardage they needed for Koo’s winning kick.

“When you want to be a good team you’re going to play in a lot of tightly contested games,” Allen said, “and we’ve got to find ways to win those things.”

Five Saints starters missed practice Wednesday — tight end Taysom Hill (ribs), guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), center Shane Lemieux (ankle), linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (hand) and kicker Blake Grupe (hip). No one on the Chiefs’ active roster missed practice.

–Field Level Media

With star rookie Malik Nabers in question, Giants ready for Seahawks

The New York Giants have had a couple of extra days to prepare for Sunday’s game in Seattle.

But that still might not be enough for Malik Nabers.

The rookie, who leads the NFL in receptions, missed practice this week because of a concussion suffered late in a 20-15 loss against the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 26.

Nabers had a career-high 12 catches for 115 yards before being hurt.

“We’ll just take it day by day with him,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said of Nabers, the sixth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of LSU. “Really, other than that, I have no update other than he’s in the protocol and just hope he continues to get better.”

Through four games, Nabers has 35 receptions — five more than Houston’s Nico Collins. Nabers also is second in the league with 386 receiving yards and tied for third with three touchdown catches.

“There’s no doubt he’s been a big part of our offense so far and someone who we’ve counted on in a lot of spots,” Giants quarterback Daniel Jones said. “So, it’ll change a little bit. But the guys we got out there, we have a lot of confidence in them winning their matchups and getting open. I know we’ll play well.”

The Giants (1-3) could use all their weapons against a banged-up Seattle defense that was without five injured starters — and lost a sixth during the first half in safety Julian Love (quad contusion) — in a 42-29 loss Monday night at Detroit.

Wan’Dale Robinson, who is second on the Giants in receptions with 26, was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday with a heel injury. Starting running back Devin Singletary (groin) didn’t practice either day. Cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree’ Jackson, both with calf injuries, sat out Wednesday and were limited on Thursday. Linebacker Brian Burns (groin) was limited both days.

Daboll said second-year receiver Jalin Hyatt will get more practice time with Nabers and Robinson ailing.

“I think we got a lot of guys who can make plays,” Jones said. “We’ll see what happens with Malik through the week, but confident in all our guys.”

The NFC West-leading Seahawks (3-1) couldn’t keep up with Detroit despite a big night from quarterback Geno Smith. The veteran broke a franchise record for pass attempts (56), had the second-most completions in a game (38) and set a career high with 395 yards passing.

“I have no problem with (coach Mike Macdonald) putting the game in my hand. I’m actually hoping for that every time I go out there, and so, whenever that’s the situation, I just got to do what I got to do to make the right plays,” Smith said.

Kenneth Walker III overcame a slow first half to rush for 80 yards and three TDs on 12 carries and DK Metcalf added seven receptions for 104 yards.

But Macdonald’s defense allowed the Lions’ Jared Goff to go 18-of-18 passing, the most attempts without an incompletion in NFL history. Goff also made a TD reception.

“We have time to grow as a football team, we have a short week, we have to have a sense of urgency about it, and we need to take the next step,” Macdonald said. “But (Monday) just wasn’t good enough, especially on the defensive side of the ball. So, we’ve got to make it right and move forward.”

Macdonald said he was optimistic about Love’s return Sunday. In addition, injured linebackers Boye Mafe (knee) and Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and defensive tackle Leonard Williams (ribs) all took part in practice this week, while defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (hamstring) remained out.

–Field Level Media

49ers look to pick up steam in clash vs. NFC West-rival Cards

The San Francisco 49ers will try to string two wins together for the first time this season on Sunday when they host the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif.

The 49ers (2-2) used a strong defensive performance to stop a two-game slide with a 30-13 victory over the New England Patriots last Sunday.

Arizona (1-3) played its past three games at home, following up a decisive victory over the Los Angeles Rams with losses to the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders.

The setback to the Commanders was a 42-14 rout at the hands of former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who now is Washington’s offensive coordinator.

“I told (the team), ‘You have a game like that and you think you’ve got to blow it all up, tear it all down and we’re so far away. We’re really not,'” Arizona second-year coach Jonathan Gannon said earlier this week. “We’re close but not there yet with how the last game went.”

Gannon mentioned two areas the Cardinals must correct: their third-down conversion attempts and stopping opponents on their third-down tries.

The Lions converted 50 percent of their third-down situations (6 for 12) in a 20-13 win over Arizona.

The Cardinals then allowed the Commanders a 75 percent success rate (9 for 12) on third down.

Arizona’s offense, conversely, went 1 for 9 (11.1 percent) on third-down attempts against the Lions and 4 for 11 (36.4 percent) versus the Commanders.

“I know that any offense — in Pop Warner to the NFL — has a better chance converting when it’s third-and-manageable, so we have to do a better job there,” Gannon said.

The promising news for the Cardinals is the 49ers’ defense is allowing the seventh-highest third-down conversion rate in the league at 46.0 percent.

Another encouraging development is rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. reeling in 14 receptions for 239 yards and four touchdowns over the past three weeks.

The 49ers had six players fail to participate in practice on Wednesday.

The list included tight end George Kittle (ribs), linebackers Fred Warner (ankle) and Dee Winters (ankle), wide receivers Jacob Cowing (shoulder) and Chris Conley (oblique), and defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (ribs).

Another four players were limited: defensive linemen Jordan Elliott (knee) and Kevin Givens (triceps), safety Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf).

Defensive lineman Kalia Davis (knee) finally might play for the 49ers this week after the team opened the practice window Wednesday for the 2022 sixth-round draft pick.

Davis sustained a knee injury that required surgery in the preseason opener at the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 10.

Defensive lineman Nick Bosa said the possibility of Davis playing against the Cardinals is “huge,” especially after the news of the 49ers likely not having defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (partially torn triceps) the rest of the season.

“We needed a little help with depth,” Bosa said of the defensive line. “Hopefully, (Davis) works in slow, but I think if his body is in good shape, then we already know what he can do as a player.”

The 49ers’ defensive line was a significant factor in the win over New England.

Givens recorded 2.5 sacks, Maliek Collins added 1.5, and Evan Anderson and Bosa each had one.

“I thought the defense as a whole, and especially the D-line, really rose to the occasion for that game,” San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said.

–Field Level Media

With star rookie Malik Nabers in question, Giants ready for Seahawks

The New York Giants have had a couple of extra days to prepare for Sunday’s game in Seattle.

But that still might not be enough for Malik Nabers.

The rookie, who leads the NFL in receptions, missed practice this week because of a concussion suffered late in a 20-15 loss against the visiting Dallas Cowboys last Thursday.

Nabers had a career-high 12 catches for 115 yards before being hurt.

“We’ll just take it day by day with him,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said of Nabers, the sixth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of LSU. “Really, other than that, I have no update other than he’s in the protocol and just hope he continues to get better.”

Through four games, Nabers has 35 receptions — five more than Houston’s Nico Collins. Nabers also is second in the league with 386 receiving yards and tied for third with three touchdown catches.

“There’s no doubt he’s been a big part of our offense so far and someone who we’ve counted on in a lot of spots,” Giants quarterback Daniel Jones said. “So, it’ll change a little bit. But the guys we got out there, we have a lot of confidence in them winning their matchups and getting open. I know we’ll play well.”

The Giants (1-3) could use all their weapons against a banged-up Seattle defense that was without five injured starters — and lost a sixth during the first half in safety Julian Love (quad contusion) — in a 42-29 loss Monday night at Detroit.

Wan’Dale Robinson, who is second on the Giants in receptions with 26, was limited in practice Wednesday with a heel injury. Starting running back Devin Singletary (groin) didn’t practice along with cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Adoree’ Jackson, both with calf injuries. Linebacker Brian Burns (groin) was limited.

Daboll said second-year receiver Jalin Hyatt will get more practice time with Nabers and Robinson ailing.

“I think we got a lot of guys who can make plays,” Jones said. “We’ll see what happens with Malik through the week, but confident in all our guys.”

The NFC West-leading Seahawks (3-1) couldn’t keep up with Detroit despite a big night from quarterback Geno Smith. The veteran broke a franchise record for pass attempts (56), had the second-most completions in a game (38) and set a career high with 395 yards passing.

“I have no problem with (coach Mike Macdonald) putting the game in my hand. I’m actually hoping for that every time I go out there, and so, whenever that’s the situation, I just got to do what I got to do to make the right plays,” Smith said.

Kenneth Walker III overcame a slow first half to rush for 80 yards and three TDs on 12 carries and DK Metcalf added seven receptions for 104 yards.

But Macdonald’s defense allowed the Lions’ Jared Goff to go 18-of-18 passing, the most attempts without an incompletion in NFL history. Goff also made a TD reception.

“We have time to grow as a football team, we have a short week, we have to have a sense of urgency about it, and we need to take the next step,” Macdonald said. “But (Monday) just wasn’t good enough, especially on the defensive side of the ball. So, we’ve got to make it right and move forward.”

Macdonald said he was optimistic about Love’s return Sunday. In addition, injured linebackers Boye Mafe (knee) and Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and defensive tackle Leonard Williams (ribs) all took part in practice this week, while defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (hamstring) remained out.

–Field Level Media

Dak Prescott, injury-riddled Cowboys take aim at Steelers

Quarterback Dak Prescott was midway through his 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign the last time Dallas played in Pittsburgh.

A once-classic rivalry that includes three Super Bowl showdowns renews in prime time in Week 5 as the Cowboys (2-2) visit the Steelers (3-1) on “Sunday Night Football.”

Prescott’s 35-30 victory eight years ago, which was part of an 11-game Dallas winning streak, is the only time he has faced Pittsburgh until now.

Prescott returns to the Steel City at age 31 as the NFL’s highest-paid player, directing an offense with the league’s worst rushing attack (75.3 yards per game) and no serious receiving threats beyond All-Pro CeeDee Lamb.

“I got a lot of respect for Dak Prescott,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said this week. “He’s got a steady demeanor, man. He utilizes his quarterback mobility in a very prudent way. He extends plays, he’ll run if given the opportunity. He’s got a real rapport obviously. … His work with CeeDee Lamb is real impressive.”

The Cowboys have had a few extra days of rest since leveling their record with a 20-15 Thursday night road win over the New York Giants in Week 4. Prescott posted his highest passer rating of the season (125.5) and threw touchdown passes to Lamb and running back Rico Dowdle.

Tomlin also had positive things to say about his own quarterback, Justin Fields, who remains the starter as Russell Wilson recovers from a calf injury.

The Steelers are coming off their first loss of the season, falling 27-24 at Indianapolis last weekend despite Fields throwing for 312 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 55 yards and two scores. Pittsburgh had a chance to drive for a tying field goal late but came up short.

“I didn’t feel any blinking,” Tomlin said of Fields’ effort. “Justin, we’ve talked about his steady demeanor in recent weeks in terms of the things that I’ve grown to know and understand about him. I think it’s really on display in moments like that.”

Fields won’t have to worry about Dallas pass-rushers Micah Parsons (ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (injured reserve) on Sunday.

“It’s definitely the unfortunate part of our game,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said of the injuries to two of his top defenders. “It takes a lot of players to win in this league, week in and week out. It creates a great opportunity for others. That’s really our approach.

“At the end of the day, it’s our job as coaches to make sure we got a heck of a game plan for our players to go to Pittsburgh and get the win.”

Fields has faced the Cowboys once before while with the Chicago Bears, completing 17 of 23 passes for 151 yards, two TDs and no picks in a 49-29 road loss on Oct. 30, 2022. He rushed eight times for 60 yards and a score and posted the third-highest passer rating (120.0) of his career to date.

Steelers left guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and could make his season debut Sunday. Running back Jaylen Warren (knee) and linebackers Nick Herbig (ankle) and Alex Highsmith (groin) did not participate in practice Wednesday.

Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks has been ruled out after developing an infection following a procedure on his right knee. Cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday’s session.

–Field Level Media