Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Thanks to the nflFastR project and NFL NextGen Stats for the timely sources of data. For those of you new to this, I will publish key QB stats each week judging how well the upcoming opponent QB has performed. Yes, O-Line, receivers, and play-calling impact these numbers but they are primarily QB measures. I will probably modify the charts throughout the season. Commentary will be brief but feel free to let me know in the comments that stats aren’t everything. (click charts for larger view) DASHBOARD The last opposing QB article I wrote was C.J. Stroud in week 18 last year, so I guess its come full circle. Not much has changed since my last analysis, but I’ll update the numbers anyway. arsr, edp, opd, sg%, oz%, pr%, ttt, adot, ay/c, cmp%, cpoe, yac, yacoe, ypa, scr%, ta%, sck%, aa%, aay, ny/d, 1st%, td%, to%, epa/d, psr The Texans rushing has been horrible, yet they are a run-first team who does not utilize shotgun much (26th edp, 29th arsr, 28th sg%). I think they pass more this year (just a guess). Last year, Stroud faced harder than average opponent passing defenses (10th opd) who gave him a zone look on 78% of his snaps (5th highest). He holds the ball a long time even though he isn’t pressured that often (4th ttt, 19th pr%). With all the time in the world to throw, Stroud is attempting and completing long passes (2nd adot, 1st ay/c). His accuracy is just average (19th cpoe), yet his receivers are getting extraordinary yac (9th yac, 6th yacoe). That is very unusual with such long completions and extended time to throw. I think he regresses in YAC this year. He responded to pressure by taking more sacks than scrambles (9th sck%, 17th scr% ). That is a weakness for a mobile QB. Still, he has not been pressured a lot, so those abandoned attempts don’t drag his per dropback efficiency down much and he has the 3rd highest net yards per dropback. He’s good at throwing first downs and TDs and avoids turnovers which is the tri-fecta of a good QB (4th 1st%, 10th TD rate, 29th to%). He finished with the 7th best overall efficiency (7th epa/d), but his 15th ranked Passing Success Rate implies that a few high EPA events (e.g. explosive passes) are skewing his numbers. Removing 20+ yard attempts from the data causes his efficiency to fall to 15th. He’s sitting in the upper right quadrant which is where you want your QB to be. However, I think he regresses a bit this year and moves more towards the middle. HOW WELL? He’s had a lot of extreme highs and lows, but on the whole he has been good, especially in that last game against the . . .oh, right. HOW FAR? He consistently throws the ball far. TO WHO? It will be interesting to watch Tank Dell this year. I expect him to close that gap on Nico Collins. Upper right quadrant = receiver goodness. HOW ACCURATE? One of his weaknesses has been accuracy. On passes between 6 – 15 yards he has a below average completion rate. Yet, on passes over 20 yards he killed it. That’s not a picture of an accurate QB hitting guys deep. That is a not-so-accurate QB getting lucky on a few deep ones. HOW FAST? Even when adjusting for passing depth, Stroud holds the ball a long time. I don’t think that will serve him well. TO WHERE? Those deep passes are why his numbers overall efficiency was so good. Take that away and he’s just OK. . . . Can we take that away?
Week 1 Colts’ Opposing QB: An analysis of C.J. Stroud
Breaking news: Raiders place Malcolm Koonce on injured reserve
Malcolm Koonce | Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images Starting pass-rusher was hurt Thursday UPDATED:Saturday, the Las Vegas Raiders placed starting pass-rusher Malcolm Koonce on the injured reserve with a knee injury. He will miss, at least, four games. Pass-rusher Charles Snowden was signed to the active roster from the practice squad. They also elevated cornerback Sam Webb from the practice squad for Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Chargers. #Raiders roster moves: – Signed #49 DE Charles Snowden to the active roster – Placed DE Malcolm Koonce on the Reserve/Injured list – Activated #27 CB Sam Webb from the practice squad — Raiders PR (@RAIDERS_PR) September 7, 2024 PREVIOUSLY The Las Vegas Raiders were expected to be mostly healthy for Sunday’s season-opening game at the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium (1:05 p.m. PT Kickoff), but that changed Thursday afternoon. Friday, Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce announced starting defensive end Malcolm Koonce will not play because of a knee injury he sustained in practice Thursday. It is not known how long Koonce will be out. There has been some talk that the Raiders are being cautious, especially since the SoFi turf has played havoc with knees in the past. Either Janarius Robinson or 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson will start opposite Las Vegas star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby against a strong Chargers’ defensive front. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Raiders bring up defensive end Charles Snowden from the practice squad for the game since Robison and Wilson are the only backups behind Crosby and Koonce. Pierce expressed confidence in both Robinson and Wilson, even though both don’t have much NFL experience. Koonce has become a big part of the Raiders’ defense. The fourth-year player, who may be in line for a contract extension as he is a free agent after the season, had eight of his 10 career sacks last season. All of his last season came in the final game games when he was a terror on the field. UPDATE: The Raiders released their injury report Friday afternoon and joining Koonce as players not playing Sunday are rookies, second-round pick guard Jackson Johnson-Powers (he is ill) and cornerback, fourth-round pick Decamerion Richardson (hamstring). They were both expected to be backups in the game. With Richardson out, the Raiders’ thin depth at cornerback is taking another hit. Frist-round pick, tight end Brock Bowers is off the injury report and he will play. He was dealing with a foot injury They could elevate MJ Devonshire or Sam Webb from the practice squad. #Raiders injury report:– DE Malcolm Koonce (knee) – OUT– CB Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) – OUT– G Jackson Powers Johnson (illness) – OUT– LB Tommy Eichenberg (knee) – QUESTIONABLE — Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) September 6, 2024 For the Chargers, starting receiver DJ Chark is out and cornerback Asante Samuel is questionable. As expected, quarterback Justin Herbert is not on the final injury report. He was dealing with plantar fasciitis. Chargers injury report: WR DJ Chark (hip) is out for Sunday’s game. CB Tarheeb Still (hip) questionableCB Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder) questionable. — Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) September 6, 2024
3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Cardinals in Week 1
3 keys to a #Bills victory vs. the #Cardinals in Week 1: 3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Cardinals in Week 1 Nick Wojton The Buffalo Bills will hope to add a win to their record in 2024 in Week 1. The team will host the Arizona Cardinals at Highmark Stadium. As usual, it will never be a walk in the park in the NFL. If the Bills expect to beat the Cardinals, there will be few key things Buffalo will have to focus on against Arizona. It will have to be a full-team effort, make no mistake. But these factors could weigh heavy on whether or not Buffalo sends Arizona home with a win or loss. Here are three keys to the Bills pulling out a victory against the Cards: Play clean (Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports) We’re looking at you, Josh. We’re also not here to say he’s overrated by any means. But Allen does turn the ball over. In his last two season openers, he tossed five interceptions combined. That’s why Buffalo was upset by the New York Jets. On a positive: This game is at home and those two were not. Always a big boost for the Bills. Attack Kyler (Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports) While the Bills offense and starters barely got any playing time in the preseason (in part due to weather), the Cardinals’ first teamers got even less, including quarterback Kyler Murray. They did not play a single snap. To each their own, but Murray was held to only eight games in 2023 due to injury. He has not played for a long while. Buffalo defensive coordinator Bobby Babich should get getting the green light to put Murray under pressure early and often. Lean on Khalil (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) It’s simple. The only wide receiver to catch a pass from Allen in the regular season on the Bills roster? Khalil Shakir. Allen and offensive coordinator Joe Brady should be looking to jump on that Shakir wagon while the chemistry with other wideouts is built up. Read all the best Bills coverage at the Democrat and Chronicle and Bills Wire.
Zack Moss is exactly what the Cincinnati Bengals need at running back
Zack Moss | Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports “Steady Eddie” provides the perfect complement to Chase Brown. Don’t expect new Cincinnati Bengals’ running back Zack Moss to lead the league in rushing this year. In fact, NFL.com analyst Maurice Jones-Drew has Moss ranked 31st out of 32 potential starting running backs in the league. That ranking is no reflection of what Moss can do for a team. Last year, the former Utah Utes standout, who will be entering his fifth year in the league, rushed for 794 yards on 183 carries (an average of 4.3 yards per carry) and five touchdowns as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. He also caught 27 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps just as important as his individual stats was the fact that Moss went the entire season without a fumble. “I’ve never been one that’s all about personal goals and personal stats,” Moss said recently in an interview with Bengals.com. “I think all those things come with success. We do what we need to do as a collective team. We’ve got a lot of talent on offense. A lot of guys who do a lot of really good things. My job is to be consistent in a role and do my role at a high level. Whatever comes with that comes with that. But the main thing is always about winning.” The teams Moss has been a part of have done just that. The Buffalo Bills drafted Moss in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and finished with records of 13-3, 11-6 and 13-3 in the three years that Moss was a part of the team. Moss was traded to the Indianapolis Colts midway through the 2022 season and experienced his first losing season ever as the Colts struggled to a 4-12-1 record. But Indianapolis bounced back to go 9-8 last year, narrowly missing the playoffs. Cincinnati grabbed Moss in free agency this year, and running backs coach Justin Hill was one of the main reasons why – not just for his impact on the field but off of it as well. “Going into his fifth year in the league, he’s had an impact on the people he’s been around,” Hill said. “I talked to someone who said he’s one of his favorite guys he’s coached, and I can see why. “He’s a pro. He’s seen every look, every front. He understands what we’re trying to accomplish in the run game.” So does Bengals’ center Ted Karras, who won a pair of Super Bowl championships while with the New England Patriots. Moss is one of two running backs who is expected to see lots of action this season. “Chase Brown is the home-run hitter,” Karras said. “Zack is our Steady Eddie. Moss’ style of play is similar to a couple of running backs Karras saw in his time with the Patriots. James White never ran for more than 425 yards in his eight-year career with New England, but established himself as one of the best receiving backs in the NFL over that time. LeGarrette Blount spent parts of four seasons with the Patriots and only went over 1,000 yards one time. Both thrived on an offense that was built around a dynamic quarterback, and both were excellent blockers. “He’s got the perfect style for the running game that we deploy,” Karras said. “He’s an excellent pass blocker, which we need out of our backs. We’re a No.9 (Joe Burrow) driven team. We’ll throw the ball down the field. He does a fantastic job blocking. He brings a lot more than that, but that’s a nice aspect of his game.” Like Blount, Moss has what it takes to be a three-down back. “He’s played all three downs, caught the ball well out of the backfield, and held up in protection,” Hill noted. “He’s a reliable first-, second-, and third-down back, which is a big bonus to us. “The backs have to hold up in protection against this offense, and I’m very pleased with him there. He’s really an instinctive runner. He’s got a knack for turning nothing into something.” This is exactly the kind of knack the Bengals have been looking for.
Sam Darnold Doubters & Vikings vs Giants
Dive into the Vikings vs. Giants Week 1 matchup with Two Old Bloggers. Explore Sam Darnold’s pivotal role, key offensive strategies, and defensive challenges. Get expert analysis on this crucial season opener and what it means for the Vikings’ 2024 campaign. | Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images Explore six bold predictions for the Minnesota Vikings’ 2024 season, including Sam Darnold’s performance, Aaron Jones’ rushing potential, and Justin Jefferson’s record-breaking aspirations. Get updates on team captains and roster moves, plus an in-depth preview of the Vikings-Giants season opener. Join Two Old Bloggers for expert analysis and fan discussions as the NFL season kicks off. SKOL! The NFL season is kicking off, and for Minnesota Vikings fans, it promises to be an exciting ride. This weekend, the Vikings face the New York Giants, and the stakes are high as both teams seek to start their season on a positive note. Here at “Two Old Bloggers,” we’re breaking down everything you need to know about this critical matchup. The Quarterback Duel: Sam Darnold vs. Daniel Jones Quarterback performance is often the most crucial factor in determining the outcome of an NFL game. This week, the spotlight is on Sam Darnold of the Vikings and Daniel Jones of the Giants. As blogger Darren pointed out, “Jones and Darnold are at similar points in their careers, with both having something to prove this season.” Sam Darnold, who recently joined the Vikings, has a lot riding on his shoulders. Despite some skepticism, there are high hopes for his performance this season. “The biggest question for tomorrow and for the rest of the season is: Can Darnold handle the pressure?” Darren muses. Darnold’s ability to adapt to the Vikings’ system and leverage his new weapons, like Aaron Jones, will be pivotal. One major advantage for Darnold is the quality of his offensive line: “This is the best O-line he’s played behind his entire career,” says Dave. The Vikings’ O-line, bolstered by Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw, is expected to hold strong even against the Giants’ formidable defensive front led by Dexter Lawrence. Daniel Jones, on the other hand, has faced his share of struggles, notably being part of an offense that allowed Giants quarterbacks to be sacked 85 times last season. Darren remarks, “Eighty-five! That blew my mind! Let’s hope the Vikings can capitalize on that vulnerability.” Offensive Dynamics: Key Players and Strategies Aaron Jones is poised to be a game-changer for the Vikings. Known for his explosive plays with the Green Bay Packers, Jones can significantly relieve the pressure on Darnold by establishing a solid running game. “Jones can be Sam Darnold’s best friend if he can play the way we expect him to,” Darren comments. The Vikings will also benefit from the return of receivers Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor, who were both cleared from the injury report. Their presence alongside Justin Jefferson will provide Darnold with a versatile and dangerous receiving corps. Despite facing Dexter Lawrence, the Vikings’ offensive line is well-prepared. The battle against Lawrence will be crucial, with interior linemen Blake Brandel, Garrette Bradbury, and Ed Ingram needing to rise to the occasion. “They must keep Lawrence at bay to give Darnold the time he needs,” insists Darren. Defensive Strategy: Flores’ New Look Defense Defensively, the Vikings have made significant changes under coordinator Brian Flores. New faces like Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and rookie Dallas Turner are expected to play pivotal roles. After a shaky preseason, Vikings fans are eager to see the revamped defense in action. Darren is optimistic but cautious: “We need a strong showing from our defense tomorrow to mitigate Jones’ mobility and quick throws.” The secondary, featuring seasoned players like Shaq Griffin and Stephon Gilmore, will have their hands full with Giants’ standout rookie Malik Nabers. “We must contain Nabers and avoid giving up big plays,” warns Darren. The experience of the Vikings’ cornerbacks will be a test against the rookie’s athleticism and speed. Special Teams and Weather Conditions On special teams, the Vikings continue to show promise with reliable kicker “Big Leg” Bill Reichard. Given the predicted perfect football weather in New Jersey, with temperatures in the 60s and light winds, special teams are expected to perform without environmental hindrances. The Importance of a Strong Start Winning the season opener is crucial for setting a positive tone for the rest of the year. Historically, the Vikings have struggled to start strong, last season beginning with a 0-3 record. “A strong start can change the narrative and build momentum for the tough schedule ahead,” emphasizes Dave. With upcoming games against formidable opponents like the Packers, Jets, and 49ers, a win against the Giants is essential. “We’re favored on the road, and this is a game we must win,” insists Darren. Key Matchups to Watch Several key matchups will determine the outcome of this game: Vikings’ O-line vs. Dexter Lawrence: The Vikings’ interior linemen must keep Lawrence at bay to protect Darnold and establish the run game. Vikings’ Secondary vs. Malik Nabers: The seasoned cornerbacks of the Vikings must contain the explosive rookie to prevent big plays. Daniel Jones’ Mobility vs. Vikings’ Pass Rush: The Vikings’ defense must maintain strong pass-rushing discipline to keep Jones contained and prevent him from making plays with his legs. Aaron Jones vs. Giants’ Front Seven: Aaron Jones needs to establish the run game early to relieve pressure from Darnold and open up the passing game. Predictions and What’s at Stake The general consensus among fans and analysts alike is that this will be a close, hard-fought game. Darren and Dave both agree that the Vikings must seize this opportunity to start the season strong. “I see us winning 19-17,” Darren predicts, while Dave emphasizes the importance of the season opener: “This game is crucial. We have a tough schedule up ahead, and setting a positive tone with a win here is vital.” As Gary, a fan, aptly commented, “Let’s get the damn W!” Listen: Watch: Join Us Live Don’t miss out
Arrowheadlines: The Chiefs don’t dominate the NFL — they dissect it
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images Chiefs headlines for Saturday, September 7. The latest The Chiefs don’t dominate the NFL. They dissect it. | Washington Post A year ago, the Kansas City Chiefs were 9-6 on Christmas Day, and six weeks later, they outlasted the San Francisco 49ers in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII to become the ninth back-to-back champion in league history. They don’t dominate the NFL as much as they dissect it. Every minute detail carries meaning in the parity-based sport, and the best understand that greatness is deftly accumulated. Their small margins add up to an epochal run. All the while, teams that could challenge them can’t do math at their level. 2024-25 Kansas City Chiefs Odds: Odds to win Super Bowl, NFL Playoffs, Division | Fox Sports Currently the Kansas City Chiefs have the best odds in the league to win the Super Bowl, listed at +450. In their last outing on Sept. 5, the Chiefs took home a 27-20 win against the Baltimore Ravens. Patrick Mahomes threw for 291 yards, with one touchdown and one interception on 20-of-28 passing (71.4%). Isiah Pacheco took 15 carries for 45 yards (3.0 yards per carry) and one touchdown, while adding two receptions for 33 yards in the passing game. Rashee Rice had seven receptions for 103 yards (14.7 per catch). Ravens, Chiefs Already Eyeing Rematch | Si.com It was an absolutely thrilling start to the new season, as well as potential playoff preview. After the game, players on both teams seem confident about another showdown down the road. “There’s no excuses whatsoever,” Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith said. “Hats off to those guys. They won the game, but we’ll definitely see them again.” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, a first-team All-Pro in each of the past two seasons, gave credit to the Ravens for their resiliency on the final drive. His team escaped with a win this time, but they now know their margin for error against Baltimore is extremely thin. Kansas City Chiefs broke NFL rules in season opening win over Baltimore Ravens | Mirror As the first half was drawing to a close, Jackson and the Ravens were deep in Chiefs’ territory and looking to score a go-ahead touchdown. With nine seconds left until halftime, the Chiefs’ defence seemed disorganised as Jackson prepared to snap the ball. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, unhappy with the setup, ran down the sideline to call for a timeout. This didn’t go unnoticed by former NFL referee Terry McAulay, NBC’s rules expert, who highlighted that only head coach Andy Reid is permitted to call for a timeout from the Chiefs’ sideline During the game’s tense moments, an exasperated broadcast captured the essence of the controversy when McAulay remarked: “He can’t do that, it has to be the head coach that comes down. The assistant coach, nobody else can call a timeout on the sideline except the head coach.” Despite this, Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Spagnuolo’s fervent timeout request was mistakenly granted by the officials, even though rules state they should have turned a blind eye. But once a timeout is given, even if by mistake, the game stops, say the regulations. Why Patrick Mahomes knew Xavier Worthy was right for Chiefs | ESPN Mahomes liked the speed of this receiver, Xavier Worthy, and sent Veach a fire emoji after news of Worthy’s 40 at the combine. But he saw a complete player who could do more than run fast. “Just route running [and] a guy that played physical, too,’’ Mahomes said about what he liked about Worthy. “For him to not weigh a ton, he plays hard, he plays through stuff. He goes out there and competes, and then the speed, obviously it opens up the field, but he’s not just a fast receiver. “He plays hard, plays fast and you want those types of guys on your football team.’’ Around the NFL NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell aims to expand league’s international effort: ‘This game is destined to be global’ | NFL.com NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined Good Morning Football on Friday and said staging a game in South America was the next step in making the sport more accessible worldwide. “We feel like this game is destined to be global,” Goodell said when asked if Africa could be the next continent to host a game. “We expect to be in Asia soon. We expect to be in Australia soon. We’re going to make sure that our game is available around the globe. And I think the ownership has been great on that. They’ve passed a resolution where every team is obligated to play (outside the US). We’re going to have eight (international) games a year, minimum. And if we do get to an 18 and two (preseason) game season, we likely will see even more international games. And I hope someday we’ll be playing 16.” Packers’ Jordan Love helped off field after apparent leg injury | ESPN Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love could not finish Friday’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles after he suffered an apparent lower left leg injury with 6 seconds left in a 34-29 loss in São Paulo. Love needed help to get to the sideline, and while he appeared to be moving slightly better as he walked to the locker room after the game, he still needed assistance from head athletic trainer Nate Weir and running back Josh Jacobs under each one of his arms. Coach Matt LaFleur was twice asked about Love’s status in his postgame news conference and both times said: “I don’t know.” Jalen Hurts: Field was “definitely challenging” on Friday night | Yahoo Sports Players from both teams had trouble keeping their feet on the grass at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paolo. Barkley slipped and lost five yards on his first carry as an Eagle and Packers safety Xavier McKinney, Barkley’s former Giants teammate, said “there were some cases where I was slipping” as well. Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert compared the
Browns make roster moves ahead of season opener against Cowboys
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images Team adds Jaelon Darden, Mike Ford and Germain Ifedi to the active roster, and bring back a familiar face to the practice squad. The Cleveland Browns made a series of roster moves on Saturday in preparation for the season-opening game against the Dallas Cowboys. The club signed wide receiver Jaelon Darden to the active roster, and elevated cornerback Mike Ford Jr. and offensive tackle Germain Ifedi, all from the practice squad. In addition, the Browns signed wide receiver David Bell to the practice squad, just two days after releasing the third-year player. We’ve signed WR Jaelon Darden to the active roster and elevated CB Mike Ford Jr. and T Germain Ifedi » https://t.co/tYDwBzLBRt pic.twitter.com/bNvQUv1hqT — Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 7, 2024 Of the moves, the elevation of Ifedi, who saw action at left tackle in the preseason, is the one to keep a close eye on. The Browns announced on Friday that left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is out for Sunday’s game, and that Jack Conklin, who was the presumptive favorite to start at left tackle against the Cowboys, is questionable. It seems likely that Conklin will be a game-time decision, so if he can’t go or starts and can’t make it through the game, the Browns have protection with Ifedi on hand as a backup option along with James Hudson. Darden has played in 23 career games since being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2021 NFL Draft, including three games with the Browns between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He has primarily served as a kick returner, with 56 career punt returns for an average of 9.4 yards per return, and 23 kickoff returns for an average of 20.3 yards per return. Ford is also noted for his work on special teams. The Browns signed him as a free agent in 2023 and he played in 16 games last season, finishing second on the squad with nine tackles on special teams. Ford was also pressed into duty as a defensive back and recorded 19 tackles and an interception while playing 74 percent of the available snaps on special teams. Bell was originally a third-round selection by the Browns in the 2023 NFL Draft. He struggled to find his role the past two seasons but did have three touchdown receptions last season. All told, he has played in 31 games and has 38 career receptions for 381 yards and those three touchdowns.
Rams vs. Lions: How to watch on TV, livestream, listen on radio, bet, follow on social media and more
Rams take Lions on Sunday Night Football | Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Week 1 of NFL action is finally here! It’s Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season and the Los Angeles Rams will get a chance for retribution right away, traveling to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Lions. In L.A’s final game of 2023, the Lions eliminated them from the playoffs with a 24-23 win. This Sunday evening’s tilt is set to kickoff at 5:20 p.m. PST from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The biggest thing to watch for will be how the Rams rebuilt defense holds up against the Lions high-powered offense. Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s juggernaut starts with arguably the best offensive line in the NFL and Big Cats are equally dangerous running or passing the football behind them. Quarterback Jared Goff is playing well three-years into his second total franchise rebuild and wide receiver Amon Ra-St. Brown has emerged as his go-to guy with consecutive seasons of 100+ catches and 1000+ yards. The Lions run game has a thunder and lightening vibe with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs splitting duties. First-year L.A. defensive coordinator Chris Shula will try to mesh 14 newcomers into a defense that parted ways with over 500 of 654 total tackles from last season. After the Rams quickie divorce from Ernest Jones, the linebacker corps will be under the microscope. As will the cornerbacks after the decision to put starter Darious Williams on the Injured Reserve List. There’s still plenty or room for optimism, though. For 2024, L.A. used five of their top six draft picks on the defensive side of the ball and their Top 2, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske had strong rookie camps. The Rams have also added a handful of proven NFL veterans and sprinkled them strategically throughout the positional units, creating a nice balance of youthful spirit and veteran guile. The Rams put Darious Williams on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. This is significant – backup Cobie Durant was also dealing with a hamstring. I asked McVay yesterday after the walkthrough if Williams had a setback in hamstring recovery, FWIW, and he said this: pic.twitter.com/9cR46Hfn0X — Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) September 5, 2024 How to follow the game Date: Sunday, September 8 Kickoff: 5:20 p.m. PST Location: Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan Watch on TV Nationally: NBC Livestream There are numerous available streaming services including, but not limited to NFL+, Peacock, Sling TV, Fubo, ESPN+, Hulu+ Live TV, and Paramount+ Listen on the radio Local: ESPN LA 710 AM Regionally: ESPN affiliate stations KMET/1490 AM & 98.1 FM – Banning, CA KFIG/1430 AM & 790 FM – Fresno, CA KAVL/610 AM & 106.7 FM – Lancaster, CA KRHQ/102.3 FM – Palm Springs, CA KTIE/590 AM – Riverside, CA KGB/760 AM – San Diego, CA KXTK/1280 AM & 101.7 FM – San Luis Obispo, CA KSMA/1240 AM & 99.5 FM – Santa Maria, CA KSHP/1400 AM & 107.1 FM – Las Vegas, NV KVLI/1140 AM & 103.7 FM – Bakersfield, CA Local Spanish Radio coverage: Tu Liga Radio 1330 AM Tu Liga Radio’s affiliate radio stations KTMZ/1220 AM – Pomona, CA KCAL/1410 AM – San Bernardino and Riverside, CA KOXR 910 AM – Oxnard and Ventura, CA Follow the Rams on social media Instagram: @rams Facebook: /rams X (formerly known as Twitter): @RamsNFL TikTok: @rams Current betting odds @ Line: LA Rams +4.5 -114 / DET Lions -4.5 -106 Over/under total: over 52.5 -105 / under 52.5 -115 Money line: LA Rams +180 / DET Lions -215
Ex-Ravens RB coach Thomas Hammock leads Northern Illinois to upset win over Notre Dame
Ex-Ravens RB coach Thomas Hammock leads Northern Illinois to upset win over Notre Dame glenn erby A former Ravens running backs coach will spend the next calendar week in the news after leading a MAC program to a shocking upset over Notre Dame. A native of Jersey City, New Jersey, and graduate of Northern Illinois, Thomas Hammock was the Ravens’ running backs coach from 2014 to 2018. Still, on Saturday, the first African American head coach in Northern Illinois history led the Huskies to an upset win over Notre Dame, 16-14, in South Bend, Indiana. Northern Illinois quarterback Ethan Hampton was 10 of 19 passing, for 198 yards and one touchdown, while Huskies running back Antario Brown had 20 carries for 99 yards, as the Mid-America Conference favorite held Marcus Freeman’s Irish offense to 14 points on the afternoon. Former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard was 20 of 32 for 163 yards and two interceptions in a disappointing outing. Hammock began coaching at the University of Wisconsin, serving as a graduate assistant for the Badgers from 2003 to 2004. The following season, he was named the running backs coach at Northern Illinois, reuniting with his former head coach, Joe Novak. In Hammock’s first season as running backs coach, Garrett Wolfe logged 1,580 yards and 16 touchdowns in nine games as the Huskies won the MAC West Division and appeared in the MAC Championship Game for the first time in school history. Hammock spent three seasons at Minnesota as the Gophers running backs coach before spending his final season as co-offensive coordinator. In 2011, he was hired as running backs coach for Wisconsin, where he coached standouts like Montee Ball, James White, and Melvin Gordon until 2014 when the Baltimore Ravens hired Hammock as their new running backs coach. Hammock has been at Northern Illinois ever since.
Bengals elevate Kendric Pryor to gameday roster
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The Bengals could be down a pair of wide receivers on Sunday, so this move comes as no surprise. The Cincinnati Bengals have elevated wide receiver Kendric Pryor from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots, the team announced Saturday. Pryor is classified as standard elevation. As a practice squad player being elevated to the active roster for the game, he automatically will revert to the practice squad on Monday. This move comes as no surprise with Tee Higgins battling a hamstring injury that has him listed as doubtful to play this week. There’s also the possibility that Ja’Marr Chase will sit out if a long-term contract extension is not reached by tomorrow, so it was pretty much a lock that Cincinnati would elevate a wideout from the practice squad. If Chase were to sit out and Higgins also miss the game, then the Bengals would be down to Pryor, Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin, Charlie Jones, and Jermaine Burton.
