Saints, Vikings, Buccaneers pull surprises; Bengals, Rams, Ravens collapse; Arch Manning thrives

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🏈 Soccer 5

1. Azeez Al-Shaair got away with a punch, the Bears got away with a hip-drop tackle, and the Texans obtained a penalty-filled 19-13 win over the Bears behind 4 Ka’imi Fairbairn area targets.
2. Aaron Rodgers is back in the win column after the Jets‘ 24-17 victory over the Titans. Rodgers threw touchdowns to operating backs Breece Corridor and Braelon Allen, and the protection obtained a late red-zone stand.
3. Malik Willis threw his first career touchdown in Green Bay’s 16-10 win over the Colts. And that is regardless of Packers middle Josh Myers puking on the ball.
4. The Giants misplaced partly as a result of kicker Graham Gano — who entered the sport with a groin situation — got hurt on the opening kickoff. Commanders kicker Austin Siebert, in the meantime, made a franchise-record seven area targets within the 21-18 win. It is an unprecedented way to lose for New York.
5. Over in school soccer, Colorado thumped Colorado State, 28-9, and is showing signs of progress, Dennis Dodd writes. It was all smiles on the press convention.

🏈 Good morning to all, however particularly to …

THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS, THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AND THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Who’re these guys, and what have they accomplished with Sam Darnold, Derek Carr and Baker Mayfield?! The Vikings, Saints and Buccaneers are all 2-0.

Let’s begin with Darnold and Minnesota, which stunned the 49ers, 23-17. Darnold threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns — highlighted by a 97-yarder to Justin Jefferson — in opposition to his former crew, and the Vikings sacked Brock Purdy six occasions and turned him over twice. The 49ers often play video games on their very own phrases, however the Vikings flipped that script, Cody Benjamin writes from Minneapolis.

All the higher, Jefferson, who exited early with bruised quadriceps, mentioned, “I’m not seriously injured.”

Swinging to the NFC South, the Saints are the league’s largest earliest shock after a 44-19 thrashing of the Cowboys, Scorigami-style. Carr threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for one more, however it was Alvin Kamara‘s 180 whole yards and 4 touchdowns that stole the present. Paulson Adebo and Tyrann Mathieu picked off Dak Prescott.

The Saints have had 21 possessions this season they usually’ve scored touchdowns on 12 of them, together with each of the first five against Dallas. The offensive line has been a vibrant spot, Carr has taken benefit, Kamara retains on chugging, and the secondary appears wonderful. Make sure to credit new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, too, Will Brinson writes.

To not be outdone, the Buccaneers additionally beat an NFC energy, topping the Lions, 20-16. Mayfield threw for a landing and ran for one more, and Christian Izien and Zyon McCollum picked off Jared Goff.

Each New Orleans and Tampa Bay are amongst Cody Benjamin’s Week 2 winners, and each earned robust marks in John Breech’s weekly grades

A yr in the past, Darnold was a backup, Carr was struggling in his first yr in New Orleans, and Mayfield was considered as a bridge quarterback. It is clear these three guys are having a second proper now.

😃 Honorable mentions

🏈 And never such a very good morning for …

THE CINCINNATI BENGALS, THE BALTIMORE RAVENS AND THE LOS ANGELES RAMS

Who’re these guys, and what have they accomplished with the Bengals, Ravens and Rams?! All three — projected playoff contenders, if not Tremendous Bowl contenders — are 0-2.

The Bengals snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Main 25-23 and having pinned the Chiefs to fourth and 16, Daijahn Anthony dedicated a go interference. 4 performs later, Harrison Butker kicked the back-to-back Tremendous Bowl champs to a 26-25 win. For all of the miracles Patrick Mahomes has pulled off, this was the primary time he is earned a primary down on fourth and 16 or longer.

Cincinnati’s offense was higher than in Week 1, however Ja’Marr Chase had one other quiet day — apart from when he got too loud asking for a flag and got flagged himself — and remains disgruntled about his contract. Yikes.

The Ravens dropped a 26-23 stunner to the Raiders after main by 10 early within the fourth quarter. Baltimore has blown 4 double-digit fourth-quarter leads since 2022, tied for many within the NFL, in order that’s not new. However Derrick Henry hasn’t gotten going, and the new-look offensive line hasn’t been nice. The protection is struggling. Even Justin Tucker is struggling.

However the “Who’re these guys?” line greatest applies to the Rams, who got their doors blown off, 41-10, by the Cardinals. Already without Puka Nacua and several other offensive linemen, the Rams additionally misplaced Cooper Kupp (ankle). Nevertheless it wasn’t simply the offense. The protection allowed 489 yards, its most since 2018. Even the Sean McVay/Matthew Stafford duo cannot overcome that, and Jeff Kerr says it could be a long season.

😕 Not so honorable mentions

🏈 Faculty soccer Week 3: Georgia survives, Arch Manning thrives, Florida State falls to 0-3

There is a motive they play the video games on the sector, not on paper. One week after being blown out by South Carolina, Kentucky pushed Georgia to the restrict, with the Bulldogs finally staving off an upset bid, 13-12. Forward of a big showdown with Alabama (which beat Wisconsin, 42-10), Georgia has legitimate concerns, David Cobb writes.

Texas, in the meantime, obtained a distinct type of scare with Quinn Ewers suffering a strained abdomen in opposition to UTSA. It did not take Arch Manning lengthy to assuage these fears. He had 5 touchdowns, together with a 67-yard run, and Heisman oddsmakers took notice. So, too, did AP Prime 25 voters: The Longhorns are atop the new AP Top 25 (and second within the Coaches Poll).

On the opposite finish of the spectrum, Florida State … goodness. The Seminoles are 0-3 after a 20-12 loss to Memphis, making them the primary preseason top-10 crew to begin a season with three straight losses to unranked opponents. Mike Norvell mentioned he is evaluating everything in a postgame press convention that was, fittingly, interrupted by fire alarms. However Will Backus says the crew has already punted on this season.

• Backus: “Florida State lacks an obvious chief to select the crew up when its again is in opposition to the wall. If such a participant, and even coach, existed, then the Seminoles would not be on this place. … That is Norvell’s fifth yr with this system. These issues aren’t early rising pains; they’re endemic in a culture that has spiraled out of control — or one that does not exist in any respect.”

Hilariously, Florida State already clinched the “under” on its projected wins.

If it makes Florida State followers really feel higher, things aren’t much better at Florida.

Here is extra from the weekend:

⚾ MLB Energy Rankings, standings, extra

We’re inside two weeks till the tip of the MLB season, and we’re in for some excessive drama with these wild card races. Here is a take a look at who’s vying for the three AL wild-card spots:

1. Orioles (+4.5 video games)
2. Royals (+2.5)
3. Twins (–)
4. Tigers (-2.5)
5. Mariners (-2.5)
6. Crimson Sox (-4.5)

And within the NL:

1. Padres (+3.5)
2. Diamondbacks (+2)
3. Mets (–)
4. Braves (–)

As for the perfect of the perfect, here is the highest 5 of Matt Snyder’s Power Rankings:

1. Phillies (earlier: 2)
2. Yankees (3)
3. Brewers (4)
4. Dodgers (1)
5. Guardians (5)

And here is extra from the weekend:

🏀 A’ja Wilson reaches 1,000 factors; career-high 35 for Caitlin Clark

The WNBA season is winding down, however its stars — and the drama — are ramping up. With the common season ending Thursday, here is what’s taking place across the league:

Listed here are Jack Maloney’s takeaways from a busy Sunday.

📺 What we’re watching Monday

🏈 Falcons at Eagles, 8:15 p.m. on ESPN