Saints spoil Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay debut

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 7:46 PM EDT

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For much of the afternoon, the two old guys looked mostly like two old guys.

In the fourth quarter, the slightly less old one pulled away.

Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdowns to lead the Saints to a 34-23 win over the Buccaneers, in Tom Brady‘s first game outside of New England.

The 41-year-old Brees was 18-of-30 passing for 160 yards, and made way for more Taysom Hill experiments along the way. Running back Alvin Kamara celebrated his new contract with 67 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. It wasn’t a day of offensive explosions, and wide receiver Michael Thomas limped off late after getting his ankle rolled up, giving them something to worry about.

But Brady was uncharacteristically off in his debut. The 43-year-old threw a pair of interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, negating his two touchdowns. He was 23-of-36 for 239 yards, for a 78.4 passer rating.

The Bucs also had plenty of other problems, getting a field goal blocked and fumbling a kickoff, giving coach Bruce Arians plenty of things to yell about this week.

The Saints also had a lot to do with Brady’s off day, based on the way they were playing defense. When Brees was hurt last year and Teddy Bridgewater was tending to things, they won games with defense and special teams, and that was similar to what happened Sunday.

Tom Brady throws pick-six, then a quick touchdown

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 6:20 PM EDT

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The Buccaneers have a quarterback capable of big things — and bad ones — again.

Tom Brady plateaued after his first drive, and has gift-wrapped the Saints a 24-14 lead by throwing a pick-six to Saints cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

It was his second pick of the day, and while no one is going to confuse him with Jameis Winston, Brady struggled since the opening possession. He was 7-of-13 for 53 yards and two picks on his next five possessions.

But as he’s done so often in his career, he responded well, throwing a touchdown to tight end O.J. Howard the next time he had the ball. His stats aren’t going to look great today, and the Bucs have taken advantage of some big penalties for field position. But it’s clearly a work in progress in his first game away from Bill Belichick and the Patriots.

Matt Rhule takes the blame for late play call

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 5:31 PM EDT

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The Panthers had a chance late against the Raiders, but it ended when a fourth-and-1 run by Not Christian McCaffrey was stuffed for no gain.

But rookie head coach Matt Rhule stopped the buck on his desk, rather than passing the decision to not involve his star player onto rookie offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

Little-used fullback Alex Armah got the ball instead, a curious decision by any standard (though Armah converted a third-and-1 earlier in the game).

“That’s something I have to think about walking away from this,” Rhule said, via Joe Person of TheAthletic.com. “When you write up who to blame for that, the only person you can blame is the head coach.”

Not throwing his 30-year-old coordinator (or Armah) under the bus was noble, though it’s hard to justify not involving the guy they gave a $16 million a year contract extension to this offseason.

For his part, McCaffrey said it “doesn’t matter if I was surprised or not,” defending Armah. Armah has 17 career carries for 27 yards.

While the decision may have cost them a chance to win a game, eating it is still a smart move by Rhule from a leadership perspective. They’re building for the future, so creating trust and accountability will serve them better in years to come than any one game during a rebuilding season.

Drew Brees breaks career pass attempts record

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 5:15 PM EDT

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Drew Brees has another record, and got his team on the board.

The Saints quarterback broke Brett Favre’s record for pass attempts (10,169) early in the second quarter of their game against the Buccaneers.

Brees already owns the records for passing touchdowns and passing yards (among others), so this one’s a testament to longevity for the 41-year-old quarterback.

He tied the game with a screen pass for a touchdown to Alvin Kamara, and Kamara followed by rushing for his second touchdown of the day, as they took a 14-7 lead.

Tom Brady runs for touchdown to cap first Bucs drive

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 4:39 PM EDT

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This new guy the Buccaneers have at quarterback is pretty good.

Tom Brady, in his first drive as a non-Patriot, led the Buccaneers to a quick touchdown and a 7-0 lead over the Saints.

He ran for the touchdown himself (Take that, Cam Newton), after leading a nine-play, 57-yard drive.

Brady completed both his passes, and moved the Bucs efficiently downfield with the help of a few Saints penalties. He had 29-yard gain to Chris Godwin, and a long pass interference call to get them in position for his sneak.

It still looks strange seeing him in the Buccaneers uniform, but he’s doing many of the things we’re used to seeing from him.

Packers roll Vikings 43-34

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 4:15 PM EDT

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Once Aaron Rodgers got started, he was hard to stop.

The Packers blew past the Vikings after a slow start, taking a 43-34 win on the road after a sluggish beginning to the regular season.

Rodgers threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns to lead them to the win, with two of the touchdowns coming in the final minute of the first half.

Davante Adams caught 14 passes for 156 yards and two of the touchdowns, but Rodgers spread the ball to seven different receivers, and allowed backup Tim Boyle to take the knees to kill the clock.

It was the most points the Vikings have allowed under Mike Zimmer, as they were without defensive end Danielle Hunter, and Yannick Ngakoue was ineffective in his first game.

The Packers lost guards Lane Taylor and Lucas Patrick to injury, along with nose tackle Kenny Clark. So it was far from a perfect day.

But it was close.

Raiders hold off Panthers rally, win 34-30

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 4:04 PM EDT

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New Panthers coach Matt Rhule has experience in the Big 12, which is going to come in handy. If his team’s going to win games this year, they’re going to have to be shootouts.

The Raiders took an easier-than-it-looked 34-30 win over the Panthers, who are going to struggle to stop people all season.

Josh Jacobs ran for 93 yards and three touchdowns, as the Raiders held the Panthers at bay despite a fourth-quarter rally.

Derek Carr was 22-of-30 for 239 yards and a touchdown, playing an efficient if not spectacular game.

The biggest questions for the Raiders will be about injuries, as right tackle Trent Brown left with a calf injury early and didn’t return, and linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski left with a pectoral injury and didn’t return. Then backup right tackle Sam Young left with a groin injury, leaving them thin up front.

The Panthers’ defense was young and new to begin with, and cornerback Donte Jackson left with an early injury and didn’t return. That stretched thin a secondary that wasn’t great to begin with.

Teddy Bridgewater moved them efficiently at times, Christian McCaffrey had 134 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns (but didn’t get the ball on a late fourth-and-1 attempt which failed), and the Panthers showed they should be able to score points this year.

Stopping the other guys will remain the bigger issue.

Lane Taylor carted off for Packers

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 3:49 PM EDT

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The Packers were banged up on the offensive line entering Sunday’s game, and it keeps getting worse.

Right guard Lane Taylor was just carted off the field with a right knee injury and has already been ruled out.

They had previously lost left guard Lucas Patrick to a shoulder injury, and he didn’t return. They entered the game without right tackle Billy Turner, who was inactive after coming off a knee procedure during camp.

Rookie Jon Runyan, who was their last available active lineman, replaced Taylor in the fourth quarter.

Mike Evans active for Bucs

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 3:04 PM EDT

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The Buccaneers might not have a full-strength Mike Evans, but at least they’ll have Mike Evans.

Their star receiver is active for this afternoon’s game against the Saints, though he’s been bothered by a hamstring injury, and may be on some degree of pitch count.

The Buccaneers inactives Sunday are quarterback Ryan Griffin, wide receiver Cyril Grayson, wide receiver Tyler Johnson, cornerback Parnell Motley, outside linebacker Cam Gill, guard Aaron Stinnie, and defensive lineman Khalil Davis.

For the Saints, defensive end Marcus Davenport and guard Cesar Ruiz are inactive, along with wide receiver Marquez Callaway, cornerback PJ Williams, linebacker Zach Baun, and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle.

Kenny Clark out with groin injury

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 2:56 PM EDT

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The Packers are nursing a 22-10 lead over the Vikings, but they have some concerning injuries cropping up.

The team announced that defensive tackle Kenny Clark (groin) and guard Lucas Patrick (shoulder) were out for the rest of the game.

Clark’s absence in the middle ought to make it easier for the Vikings to run.

He walked off the field under his own power just before halftime.

Patrick’s injury has caused yet another shuffle on the line. He was starting at left guard, so Elgton Jenkins could start at right tackle for the injured Billy Turner. With Patrick’s injury, Jenkins went back to his normal spot and Rick Wagner came in at right tackle.

Packers up 22-10 at halftime on Vikings

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 2:35 PM EDT

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The Packers Offense hadn’t flashed in the red zone, but their defense did.

And then Aaron Rodgers woke up.

After failing to convert a fourth-and-goal from the Vikings’ 1, the Packers answered with a safety, which was a bit of a spark which led to a 22-7 lead at halftime.

While Jaire Alexander‘s sack of Kirk Cousins in the end zone was good for two points, the Packers were frustrated when drives stalled at they had to settle for field goals.

That didn’t last, as Rodgers threw a pair of touchdown passes in the final minute of the half, hitting Davante Adams for a 24-yard touchdown, and then Marquez Vades-Scantling from 45 yards out.

The Vikings did get an early touchdown by Dalvin Cook, but have otherwise been stymied, with just 97 total yards at the break. Kirk Cousins completed his first two passes, but was picked off by Alexander on his fourth attempt just before halftime — which tells you about the Minnesota game plan and the Packers Defense.

The Vikings have been without defensive end Yannick Ngakoue for stretches of the game, with an apparent ankle issue. The Fox broadcast said he was getting re-taped on the sidelines, but he hasn’t been particularly effective. In the absence of Danielle Hunter (on IR for at least another two weeks), they need the recent trade acquisition to create pressure.

Raiders up 17-15 at halftime over Panthers

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 2:32 PM EDT

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The Panthers have scored every time they touched the ball.

They still trail at halftime. It appears this is going to be a thing.

The Raiders are up 17-15 over Carolina at the break, able to get into the end zone while their opponent is settling for field goals.

Derek Carr‘s a clean 13-of-18 for 141 yards and a touchdown against a rebuilt Panthers secondary,which was without top corner Donte Jackson, who left with an early injury.

Raiders right tackle Trent Brown also left early with an ankle problem, and was replaced by Sam Young.

Teddy Bridgewater has moved the Panthers efficiently, but he’s going to be under pressure this season because it doesn’t appear they’re going to be able to stop people on a regular basis.

Dalvin Cook cashes in, then finds end zone

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 1:34 PM EDT

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The Vikings are already getting a return on their Dalvin Cook investment.

The newly rich running back just scored a short touchdown, giving the Vikings a 7-3 lead over the Packers.

Cook’s new five-year, $63 million extension came on Saturday, and he did what he’s done so often on Minnesota’s first possession.

Both teams are moving the ball in a strangely quiet U.S. Bank Stadium, with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hitting 10-of-12 passes int he first quarter, and driving as they went into the second quarter.

Raiders look deep for Henry Ruggs early, take lead

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 13, 2020, 1:26 PM EDT

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The Raiders used a first-round pick on Henry Ruggs because he possesses the ultimate Raiders quality — straight-line speed.

They didn’t wait to put it to use.

The Raiders have already taken a few deep shots to the rookie receiver, with Derek Carr hitting him for a 45-yard completion which set up Josh Jacobs‘ 1-yard touchdown run for a 7-3 lead over the Panthers.

Between Ruggs’ speed and a questionable Panthers secondary, he had plenty of space on the play that set up the score, something they’re clearly trying to exploit.

The Panthers moved the ball a bit themselves, with new quarterback Teddy Bridgewater looking efficient, but it appears they’re going to have to carry the load this season.

Cardinals put KeeSean Johnson on COVID-19 list

Posted by Darin Gantt on September 11, 2020, 4:52 PM EDT

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With daily testing protocols in place, the NFL has done a good job of keeping COVID-19 outbreaks at bay. But with the season about to start, there’s a reminder the work has to continue.

Via Darren Urban of the team’s official website, the Cardinals put wide receiver KeeSean Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The list is for players who either test positive, or who need to quarantine after being exposed to someone who did.

The 2019 sixth-rounder caught 21 passes for 187 yards and and touchdown as a rookie

He becomes the fifth player on an active roster to hit the list, along with Panthers offensive guard Chris Reed, Saints running back Dwayne Washington, Titans tackle Isaiah Wilson, and Jaguars running back Ryquell Armstead. Panthers practice squad defensive back Natrell Jamerson went on the list Wednesday.