Advertisement
Live

NFL Week 2 live: Rams and Chargers both fall at home

Share

Follow along with The TImes as we track all the action from Week 2.

Fans take in Chargers’ home opener at StubHub Center

Fans take in Chargers home opener at the StubHub Center

Share

Rams don’t have the magic in loss to Redskins, 27-20

Rams running back Todd Gurley runs for a touchdown against the Redskins in the second quarter on Sunday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Sean McVay’s familiarity with the Washington Redskins did not pay dividends Sunday.

The Rams coach watched from the sideline as Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins led a fourth-quarter drive and fired a touchdown pass that sent the Rams to a 27-20 defeat at the Coliseum.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff had a pass intercepted on the ensuing possession, sealing a loss that dropped the Rams’ record to 1-1.

After routing the Indianapolis Colts in their opener, the Rams could not stop the Redskins’ rushing attack or withstand the late-game mastery by Cousins, who helped his team improve to 1-1.

Goff completed 15 of 25 passes for 224 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Rams running back Todd Gurley rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.

But the Rams gave up 229 yards rushing. Ryan Kelley gained 78 yards, Chris Thompson 77 and Samaje Perine 67.

Cousins completed 18 of 27 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.

The Rams overcame an early 13-point deficit to tie the score, 20-20, on a Greg Zuerlein field goal with just over seven minutes left.

They trailed 20-10 at halftime before launching their comeback.

Receiver Sammy Watkins caught a call over the middle and then spun and reversed field for a 28-yard gain. On the next play, Goff connected with tight end Gerald Everett over the middle for 24 yards.

Gurley ran around left end for 18 yards, setting the stage for a highlight-reel play.

Gurley caught a pass in the left flat, hurdled a defender and dove for the pylon for an 18-yard touchdown that pulled the Rams to within three points.

The Rams caught a break when Dustin Hopkins’ field-goal attempt bounced off the right upright.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Rams appeared to be moving toward a possible go-ahead touchdown, especially after punter Johnny Hekker completed a pass to rookie Josh Reynolds for a first down. But the Rams committed multiple penalties that forced them to settle for Zuerlein’s game-tying 40-yard field goal.

Washington got the ball with 7:16 left and Cousins moved them down the field with several clutch passes to Terrelle Pryor and Jamison Crowder.

Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson left the field because of an injury during the drive. Cousins made the Rams pay, finding Grant for the touchdown.

Washington linebacker Mason Foster sealed the victory by intercepting a Goff pass.

Kelley and Thompson combined for 155 yards rushing in the first half as the Redskins built a 20-10 lead.

The Rams trailed, 13-0, in the second quarter before staging a run that gave them some momentum — but not enough to overtake Washington.

Washington took the early lead with a field goal.

The Rams went three and out on their second possession, giving Kelley a chance to get going with a 21-yard gain that helped set up Thompson’s short touchdown run for a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Gurley’s fumble on the first play of the ensuing possession gave the ball back to Washington. Cousins’ third-down pass to Thompson for 15 yards set up a field goal for a 13-0 lead.

Goff answered with an impressive play, avoiding the rush to keep the play alive before lofting a pass to Everett along the right sideline. Everett caught the ball and ran about 40 yards for a 69-yard gain.

Gurley’s short touchdown run pulled the Rams to within six points, and Zuerlein’s field goal cut the deficit to three.

But then Thompson broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown that pushed Washington’s lead back to 10 points.

Share
Advertisement

Redskins 27, Rams 20: Grant catches go-ahead touchdown late in fourth quarter

There is 1:49 left to play in the fourth quarter.

Share

Rams 20, Redskins 20: Zuerlein ties it up with a 40-yard field goal in fourth quarter

Which was made possible by this gem by punter Johnny Hekker.

Share
Advertisement

Chargers miss game-winning field goal in loss to Dolphins 19-17

The Chargers had bent and bent and bent and bent Sunday afternoon in their home opener in their new Los Angeles home, and with three minutes left, it was time to do it again.

Miami had moved the ball well all afternoon, amassing more than 300 yards, but the Chargers had rebuffed three trips deep into their territory, forcing the Dolphins to settle for field goals.

But with just a one-point lead, that wasn’t going to be good enough this time. A kick would win it -- a complete and total stop was the only thing that would do.

Unlike the Chargers, though, the Dolphins were equipped to grind out their yardage, using running back Jay Ajayi as a bulldozer, clearing a path down the field just far enough for kicker Cody Parkey to break the Chargers’ hearts.

Parkey’s 54-yard field goal put Miami up 19-17 with a minute left, a score that would hold as the Chargers suffered yet another special-teams error in the final moments.

After Philip Rivers authored a drive to get the Chargers into game-winning range, Younghoe Koo missed a 44-yard field goal right. It was Koo’s second miss of the day.

Parkey, on the other hand, made all four of his field goals.

Share

Dolphins 19, Chargers 17: Miami takes a late lead over L.A. with a field goal

The Dolphins took a 19-17 lead over the Chargers when Cody Parkey kicked a 54-yard field goal with 1:05 left in the game.

Share
Advertisement

Rams trail Redskins 20-17 after third quarter

Todd Gurley is coming alive.

As a receiver.

Gurley caught a short pass and went 18 yards for a touchdown, hurdling his second defender of the game. The touchdown reception was the first of Gurley’s career.

The Rams trail the Washington Redskins 20-17 at the end of the third quarter.

Share

Chargers 17, Dolphins 16: Miami cuts into L.A.’s lead with a field goal in the fourth quarter

The Dolphins pulled to within one point of the Chargers on Cody Parkey’s 35-yard field goal with 6:28 left in the fourth quarter.

Miami drove from its 19-yard line to the Chargers nine-yard line and had a first-and-goal, but the Dolphins were unable to punch the ball into the end zone for a go-ahead score. Jay Cutler threw an incomplete pass on first down, and a holding penalty pushed the Dolphins back to the 16.

Cutler passed to Jarvis Landry but for a loss of one yard, Hayes Pullard making the tackle. On third-and-goal from the 17, Chargers reserve defensive end Chris McCain, who was cut by Miami two years ago, chased down Cutler from behind and tackled him for no gain, forcing the field goal.

Share
Advertisement

Redskins 20, Rams 17: Gurley takes it to the house with an 18-yard catch in the third quarter

Share

Rams puts themselves in a hole, down 20-10 to the Redskins at halftime

The Rams finally woke up — and so did the sleepy Coliseum crowd — but still trail the Washington Redskins 20-10 at halftime.

This one, for the Rams, hasn’t exactly been pretty.

Redskins backup running back Chris Thompson has done the bulk of the damage.

Thompson started the second quarter taking a short pass seven yards for a touchdown and a 10-0 lead.

On the ensuing drive, the Rams’ running game continued to struggle as Todd Gurley fumbled on the 30-yard line, the Redskins recovered, and kicked a field goal to take a 13-0 lead.

With the Rams desperate to score, coach Sean McVay put together a few play-calls that worked. Jared Goff completed a 69-yard pass to rookie tight end Gerald Everett, then Gurley took a handoff three yards for a touchdown, and the Rams were finally on the board, 13-7, then managed a field goal on the next drive to make it 13-10.

But Thompson broke loose again — 61 yards up the middle — to give the Redskins a 20-10 lead going into halftime.

Share
Advertisement

Chargers 17, Dolphins 13: Miami cuts into L.A.’s lead with a field goal in the third quarter

The Dolphins pulled to within 17-13 of the Chargers on Cody Parkey’s 28-yard field goal with 2:43 left in the third quarter.

Miami drove from its own 23-yard line to the Chargers six-yard line, the big play a 31-yard Jay-Cutler-to-DeVante-Parker pass on which Parker outleaped Chargers cornerback Casey Hawyard for the ball down the right sideline. But Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram sacked Cutler for a five-yard loss on a third-and-goal play from the five-yard line, preventing Miami from scoring a game-tying touchdown.

Share

Redskins 20, Rams 10: Thompson goes 61 yards for the score in the third quarter

Share
Advertisement

Chargers 17, Dolphins 10: Antonio Gates sets tight end record with 112th touchdown catch in third quarter

Anthony Gates set the NFL’s all-time record for touchdown receptions by a tight end (112) when he caught a seven-yard scoring pass from Philip Rivers to give the Chargers a 17-10 lead over the Dolphins with 8:18 left in the third quarter.

The play capped an eight-play, 77-yard drive in which Rivers completed passes of 15 yards to Melvin Gordon, 12 yards to Tyrell Williams and 21 yards to Keenan Allen. Gates planted himself in the end zone and outjumped Dolphins defensive back Nate Allen for his 112th career touchdown pass, moving ahead of Tony Gonzalez for the all-time lead.

Share

Chargers 10, Dolphins 10: Stills ties it up with a 29-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter

Jay Cutler and the Dolphins took advantage of a Tre Boston personal foul, tying the game with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Stills on the first drive of the second half.

Share
Advertisement

Redskins 13, Rams 10: L.A. settles for a field goal in second quarter

Share

Injury alert: Redskins’ Rob Kelly suffers rib injury

Redskins running back Rob Kelley is questionable to return because of a rib injury.

Share
Advertisement

Redskins 13, Rams 7: Gurley scores on a one-yard carry in the second quarter

Share

Redskins 13, Rams 0: Gurley fumble turns into Redskins field goal in second quarter

Share
Advertisement

Dallas Cowboys-Denver Broncos game in a delay because of lightning

The Broncos currently lead the Cowboys 7-0 in the first quarter.

Share

Thompson flies into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter

Share
Advertisement

Rams trail Redskins 3-0 after first quarter

Call it the USC vs. Texas hangover at the Coliseum.

The Rams are off to a slow start. The offense punted in its first two possessions; meanwhile the Washington Redskins kicked a 41-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

Share

Chargers 10, Dolphins 3: Melvin Gordon dives in for touchdown in second quarter

Big gains through the air to Hunter Henry and Kennan Allen and a 26-yard run from Branden Oliver set up Melvin Gordon’s 1-yard rushing score. After the kick, the Chargers lead 10-3 with 5:01 left in the second quarter.

Share
Advertisement

Redskins 3, Rams 0: Hopkins makes a 41-yard FG in first quarter

Share

Chargers 3, Dolphins 3: Koo makes 41-yard FG in second quarter

The Chargers get crossed up on third down, forcing Younghoe Koo onto the field. The rookie kicker tied the game with a 41-yard field goal, the first points scored by the Chargers in StubHub Center.

Share
Advertisement

Chargers trail Dolphins 3-0 after first quarter

The Chargers trail Miami 3-0 after the first quarter, but thanks to a good punt return from Travis Benjamin and a nice completion to tight end Hunter Henry, the Chargers open the second deep on the Miami 29-yard line.

Share

Attendance at L.A. NFL games is...

Share
Advertisement

First quarter | Dolphins 3, Chargers 0: Miami strikes first

Miami gets on the board first with a 30-yard field goal by kicker Cody Parkey. The Dolphins’ drive stalled in the red zone after the Chargers went 3-and-out to open the game.

Share

Chargers open their first regular season game at StubHub Center with a three-and-out

Share
Advertisement

Chargers-Dolphins almost underway at StubHub Center

Share

How are the lines outside StubHub Center?

Share
Advertisement

Free Skittles for Raiders fans from Marshawn Lynch

Share

Dolphins’ Lawrence Timmons inactive after going AWOL

Linebacker Lawrence Timmons is inactive for the Miami Dolphins’ season opener after he unexpectedly left the team one day before the game.

The Dolphins got back in contact with Timmons on Sunday, but he wasn’t at their game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Dolphins coach Adam Gase will discuss Timmons’ situation after the game, team spokesman Jason Jenkins says.

Timmons was expected to start for Miami this season after signing a two-year, $12-million deal. He spent his first 10 seasons with Pittsburgh, winning a Super Bowl ring in February 2009 and making the Pro Bowl in 2014.

The Dolphins have been in California for nine days, leaving South Florida early to avoid Hurricane Irma. Their opener against Tampa Bay was postponed.

Share
Advertisement

Chiefs rookie Kareem Hunt has still got it, scores on 53-yard run

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt came out of nowhere last week to score three touchdowns against the New England Patriots in the opener.

Today, the third-round pick out of Toledo, broke off a 53-yard touchdown run against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Hunt later had the game-icing touchdown for the Chiefs with a two-yard run up the middle.

Hunt now leads the NFL with five total touchdowns.

In Week 1, Hunt had touchdown receptions of three and 78 yards and scored on a four-yard carry. He had 246 total yards, a record for a player in an NFL debut.

Share

Noteable injuries: Panthers’ Greg Olsen on crutches, Gronkowski suffers groin injury

Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots
Rob Gronkowski left a game against the New Orleans Saints in the third quarter after suffering a groin injury.

Greg Olsen, tight end, Carolina Panthers
Greg Olsen left a game against the Buffalo Bills with an apparent leg injury. He returned to the sideline on crutches and wearing a walking boot.

T.J. Watt, linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Watt suffered a groin injury during the second quarter of a game against the Minnesota Vikings.

DeShone Kizer, quarterback, Cleveland Browns
DeShone Kizer left a game against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter with a migrane.

Share
Advertisement

Oops: L.A. Chargers’ gameday magazine mentions ongoing stadium efforts in San Diego

Share

Catch of the week? Eagles’ Zach Ertz catches 53-yard pass off a Chiefs defender

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz just had what could be the catch of the week against the Kansas City Chiefs.

In the closing seconds of the first half, Ertz caught a 53-yard pass from Carson Wentz near the left sideline off a Chiefs defender.

The play set up the Eagles for a 30-yard, game-tying field goal with two seconds left in the half.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, kicker Caleb Sturgis was put on injured reserve this week with a hip flexor injury, forcing the team to sign rookie kicker Jake Elliott out of Memphis from the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad.

Elliott made a 34-yard field goal earlier in the game, but missed the tying kick left before halftime.

Share
Advertisement

USC in the NFL: Ravens’ Javorius ‘Buck’ Allen catches touchdown pass

Share

Browns’ Kevin Hogan leads scoring drive after Kizer leaves game with a migrane

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer is out with a migrane and is questionable to return against the Baltimore Ravens.

Kizer was six-of-11 passing for 81 yards with one intercepted pass, and the Browns trailed the Ravens 14-0 in the second quarter.

Kevin Hogan, who was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth-round of the 2016 draft, came in and threw a 49-yard pass to Seth DeValve to get into Ravens territory and then capped the Browns’ first scoring drive with a 23-yard touchdown toss to rookie tight end David Njoku.

Share
Advertisement

USC in the NFL: JuJu Smith-Schuster scores his first touchdown with the Steelers

Former USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has his first NFL points on his first career reception.

Smith-Schuster caught a pass behind the line of scrimmage from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and ran four yards for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings.

Smith-Schuster had 25 touchdowns in three years with the Trojans and 3,092 yards receiving on 213 catches.

The Steelers drafted Smith-Schuster with the No. 62 overall pick.

Share

Video: Previewing the Chargers’ home opener against the Dolphins

The Chargers lost their season opener against the Broncos, but have a chance for a win against the Dolphins in their first official game at the StubHub Center. Chargers beat writer Dan Woike and reporter Annie Heilbrunn discuss the top storylines le

Share
Advertisement

Watch Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski haul in a 53-yard touchdown reception against the Saints

Sometimes New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is just too much.

So far, against the New Orleans Saints, Gronkowski has two catches for 65 yards including this 53-yard touchdown reception.

Last week, Gronkowski was limited to just two total catches for 33 yards.

Share

Milestone alert: Browns left tackle Joe Thomas plays 10,000 straight snaps

Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas warms up before a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 17.
(Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

Who says there’s no glory on the offensive line?

Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas has now played more than 10,000 consecutive snaps.

He hit the mark four snaps into the Browns’ tilt Sunday with the Baltimore Ravens.

Thomas hasn’t missed an offensive snap for Cleveland since he was drafted with the No. 3 overall pick by the Browns in 2007.

Thomas is a 10-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All Pro for a team that has posted a record of 48-113 since he started playing.

Share
Advertisement

Video: Previewing the Rams’ matchup with the Redskins

Share

Fun fact: Tony Romo is younger than the quarterbacks of the game he’s broadcasting

Share
Advertisement

Colts starting Jacoby Brissett over Scott Tolzien against Cardinals

Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett looks to pass during the second half of a game against the Rams at the Coliseum on Sept. 10.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

Jacoby Brissett will start in place of Scott Tolzien at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday against Arizona.

The move was officially announced a little more than an hour before kickoff.

He replaces Tolzien, who had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in last week’s 46-9 loss. Indy also failed to convert a third down in the loss.

Andrew Luck still has not practiced since having surgery on his throwing shoulder in January.

Brissett was acquired in a Sept. 2 trade and has spent two weeks cramming to learn the playbook. He gave Indy (0-1) a spark in three series against the Los Angeles Rams.

Rookie cornerback Quincy Wilson and rookie safety Malik Hooker also will make their first career starts.

Share

Obligatory stadium pic: Rams vs. Washington

Share
Advertisement

Rams coach McVay downplays significance of playing his old team, the Redskins

Rams coach Sean McVay is seen during a game against the Colts at the Coliseum.
(Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)

I don’t think we’re going to be sharing our first 15 [plays] with each other.

— Rams coach Sean McVay

A few hours before Sunday’s kickoff, when their teams come onto the field to warm up, good friends Sean McVay and Jay Gruden will meet somewhere on the Coliseum turf.

McVay, the first-year coach of the Rams, worked the previous three seasons as offensive coordinator on Gruden’s Washington Redskins staff.

McVay anticipates that the coaches will talk as they normally do, with perhaps one exception.

“I don’t think we’re going to be sharing our first 15 [plays] with each other,” McVay said, grinning.

After directing the Rams to an impressive 46-9 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in his NFL head coaching debut, the 31-year-old McVay spent the last week playing down the personal significance of the matchup against the Redskins.

But not all players were buying it.

Read More

Share

Ravens’ plan to give out DNA tests at home opener get delayed as company faces questions from state officials

The Baltimore Ravens’ plan to give out DNA testing kits at their home opener has been rescheduled for later in the season.

Orig3n, the company behind the event, said Sunday that it must first address questions from officials from the state of Maryland.

The plan was to have fans get their genetic makeup by swabbing the inside of their cheek and placing the sample in a bin inside M&T Bank Stadium.

Orig3n says its tests can provide information about an individual’s genetic profile.

But the promotion drew criticism over the mass collection of DNA samples raising privacy concerns.

Share
Advertisement

Chargers hear a lot of noise about about the crowd at StubHub Center as Dolphins come to town

If we start winning games, people will start coming and it’ll be loud.

— Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers stood behind the podium in the guts of Sports Authority Field in Denver, a mile above sea level, unshowered, barefoot, eye black still painted on his face.

He’d just played a football game, one his team lost in the final seconds, but he couldn’t help but grin.

The atmosphere, the fans screaming on third down, the roar before kickoff ... it created an environment tailor-made for a competitor like Rivers. The noise rattled the glass windows around the stadium. It shook the floor.

It mattered.

“This is as loud as I can ever remember this place,” he said with a quick smile.

Noise from that many people, at least for the next three weeks, will have to stay a memory as the Chargers embark on a unique experiment in Los Angeles, playing in front of crowds of fewer than 30,000 at StubHub Center in Carson.

Energy should be at its peak Sunday when the Chargers re-enter Los Angeles’ crowded market, hosting the Miami Dolphins. For fans who have never been inside StubHub Center for an NFL game, they’ll surely be stunned at the intimacy and superior sightlines.

It’ll be unlike anywhere else.

But Chargers players know it won’t be like Denver. They know it can’t be that kind of a home-field advantage — at least not in the short term.

Read More

Share

Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford out, former Ram Case Keenum to start

Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford warms up before a game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sept. 17.
Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford warms up before a game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sept. 17.
(Keith Srakocic / Associated Press)

The Vikings made Sam Bradford inactive early Sunday, meaning Case Keenum will get the start at quarterback for Minnesota at Pittsburgh.

Bradford played spectacularly in a Week 1 victory over New Orleans but injured the knee during the game and was limited in practice all week.

Keenum will make his first start for Minnesota after signing as a free agent in March. Keenum is 9-15 as a starter in his career during stints with Houston and the Rams.

The Steelers will be without defensive end Stephon Tuitt, who injured his left bicep last week against Cleveland.

Share
Advertisement

Predicting what will happen in the NFL in Week 2 is no easy feat

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith outplayed Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in Week 1. Will that continue into Week 2?
(Steven Senne / Associated Press)

The hardest week to predict the outcome of NFL games isn’t the first week, it’s the second.

So many mirages. So many false impressions from Week 1. So much overreaction.

Look back to opening week of last season:

  • Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston threw four touchdown passes in a 31-24 victory over Atlanta, and the Buccaneers established themselves as the team to beat in the NFC South. (It was Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan who had the MVP season, with Atlanta reaching the Super Bowl and then suffering an epic meltdown after building a 28-3 lead against New England.)
  • Dallas rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott looked like, well, rookies in a 20-19 home loss to the New York Giants. (That first-year tandem would go on to have a tremendous season, with Elliott going from 2.6 yards a carry in the opener to 5.1 for the season to lead the league in rushing.)
  • San Francisco crushed the Rams 28-0, showing 49ers fans their team actually had a pulse. (Turns out, both teams were bad. The four-win Rams had no offense. The 49ers didn’t win another game … except for beating the Rams again on Christmas Eve.)

As NFL observers are reminded every season, you can’t believe everything you see. Earlier this week, I wrote about the 2014 Patriots bouncing back from a humiliating 41-14 loss to Kansas City in Week 4 to go on to win the Super Bowl. So their loss to the Chiefs in this season’s kickoff game should at least be tempered by the memory of that. Tom Brady and the rest of the defending Super Bowl champions aren’t going to curl up in a corner and call it a season.

For more Week 1 developments that should be viewed with at least a skeptical eye...

Read More

Share

AFC notes: From A to Z

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson scrambles with the ball during the second half of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.
(Joe Robbins / Getty Images)

Baltimore: The Ravens have won three straight against the Browns, and Joe Flacco is 15-2 lifetime against Cleveland, with four touchdowns and 11 intercepted passes.

Buffalo: The Bills are platooning left tackle Cordy Glenn with Dion Dawkins. Buffalo ran for 190 yards last week; the team had at least that many six times last season.

CHARGERS: Pass rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram each had 11/2 sacks in the opener. Bosa’s dad, John, was a first-round pick of Miami in 1987.

Cincinnati: The Bengals fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese following the team’s 13-9 loss to the Texans. Cincinnati has yet to score a touchdown.

Cleveland: Kenny Britt is 106 yards receiving short of 5,000. The Browns face a Ravens team coming off its first shutout since 2009, when they got the Browns.

Denver: Broncos linebacker Von Miller has 18 1/2 sacks, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and pick-six in 20 games against NFC opponents.

Houston: Deshaun Watson became the first rookie quarterback of 2017 to record a win. Carson Wentz of Philadelphia was the first in 2016.

Indianapolis: Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson and Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri are the only active NFL players who started their pro careers in the 1990s.

Jacksonville: The Jaguars had a franchise-record 10 sacks against the Texans in their opener and allowed the fewest total yards (203) in Week 1.

Kansas City: Running back Kareem Hunt set a debut record with 246 yards from scrimmage. He also had two receiving touchdowns and a rushing score.

Miami: Running back Jay Ajayi is coming off a 1,272-yard season. Jay Cutler will make his Dolphins debut after ending retirement to replace Ryan Tannehill.

New England: Patriots receiver Brandin Cooks was the Saints’ 2014 first-round draft choice. Cooks had 215 catches for 2,861 yards and 20 touchdowns.

N.Y. Jets: Josh McCown returns to Oakland for the first time since 2007, when he was Raiders’ starting quarterback. That year McCown finished 2-7 as a starter.

Oakland: Marshawn Lynch will play his first regular-season game for his hometown team in Oakland, against the Jets. He had 76 yards in 18 carries in Week 1.

Pittsburgh: Rookie T.J. Watt was the third player to have two sacks and an interception in his first game. The other two were Charles Glaze and Tommy Haynes in 1987.

Tennessee: Quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a broken leg in Jacksonville last year. The Titans are trying to avoid their first 0-2 start since the 2012 season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Share
Advertisement

NFC notes: From A to Z

Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon throws during the first half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 10.
(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Arizona: Carson Palmer needs three touchdown passes Sunday at Indianapolis to join Fran Tarkenton, Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning as the only quarterbacks to throw for 100 with two teams.

Atlanta: Weather permitting, the new $1.5-billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium will have its roof open Sunday vs. Green Bay. The Falcons’ last open-air home game was in December 1995.

Carolina: Running back Jonathan Stewart needs 144 yards vs. Buffalo to pass DeAngelo Williams (6,846) as the Panthers’ all-time leading rusher.

Chicago: Quarterback Mike Glennon returns to Tampa Bay, where he spent four seasons, including the last two as Jameis Winston’s backup.

Dallas: Linebacker Sean Lee leads the Cowboys into Denver. He had 16 combined tackles the last time the teams met, a 51-48 loss in 2013.

Detroit: Safety Glover Quin and the Lions visit the Giants on Monday. He had an interception in the opener, and his 17 picks since 2013 lead all NFC safeties.

Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers needs two touchdown passes to become 11th quarterback with 300. He has 19 in seven games against the Falcons.

Minnesota: The Vikings visit Pittsburgh, where they last won on Sept. 24, 1995. Stefon Diggs caught two scores in the opener, but quarterback Sam Bradford’s questionable.

New Orleans: Drew Brees, averaging 357.7 passing yards in his last 15 home games, hosts New England. Last week at Minnesota he was held to 291 yards in a 29-19 loss.

N.Y. Giants: Odell Beckham Jr. is likely to start after sitting out last week’s opener against the Cowboys with an ankle injury.

Philadelphia: Kicker Jake Elliott will make his NFL debut Sunday at Kansas City in replacing Caleb Sturgis, who was put on injured reserve after suffering a hip injury in the opener.

RAMS: The defense scored 16 points on two pick-sixes and a safety last week vs. the Colts to end a seven-game skid at the Coliseum.

San Francisco: Ray-Ray Armstrong is expected to start at Seattle as rookie linebacker Rueben Foster sits with an ankle injury. Seattle has won seven straight vs. San Francisco.

Seattle: Running back Thomas Rawls (ankle) is expected to play after sitting out last week, when Seattle’s running backs combined for 53 yards in 15 carries.

Tampa Bay: Running backs Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims and Peyton Barber are expected to carry the load with Doug Martin suspended until Week 4 for using performance-enhancing drugs.

Washington: The team visits L.A. for the first time since 1994, when the Redskins beat the Rams 24-21 in their final game in Anaheim.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Share

How they match up: Rams vs. Washington Redskins

Rams defensive ends Robert Quinn (94) celebrates his sack with Ethan Westbrooks (93) during a game against the Colts at the Coliseum on Sept. 10.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

RAMS (1-0) VS. REDSKINS(0-1)

When Rams have the ball

The Rams will try to build on their impressive Week 1 performance against Indianapolis, when quarterback Jared Goff played with efficiency and the rebuilt receiving corps showed its diverse skills. Goff aims to play with the same confidence that helped him complete 21 of 29 passes for 306 yards and a touchdown, without a turnover. Rookie Cooper Kupp was one of four Rams to gain 50 yards or more receiving. Sammy Watkins showed he can be as effective on short- and mid-range routes as he is on deep patterns. The offensive line — and coach-play caller Sean McVay — gave Goff plenty of time to throw. The challenge this week: opening holes for running back Todd Gurley. The second-year pro showed his receiving skills against the Colts, but had only 40 yards in 19 carries and has not eclipsed 100 yards rushing in a game since 2015. Washington gave up 356 yards in a season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Cornerback Josh Norman likes to talk and is one of the best at his position. Former USC standout Su’a Cravens will sit out what would have been a Coliseum homecoming because he is dealing with personal issues.

When Washington has the ball

The Rams got a break last week when journeyman quarterback Scott Tolzien played in place of Andrew Luck. No similar luck for the Rams on Sunday: They will face Kirk Cousins, who developed into one of the NFL’s top passers under the tutelage of McVay, Washington’s offensive coordinator for the previous three seasons. Cousins completed 23 of 40 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown, with one interception, against the Eagles. With DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon having left as free agents, Cousins is passing to Terrelle Pryor, Jamison Crowder, Ryan Grant and Josh Doctson, though Doctson was limited in practice this week and is questionable because of a hamstring injury. Running back Rob Kelley had 30 yards in 10 carries against the Eagles, and Chris Thompson caught four passes for 52 yards. Cousins also has reliable weapons in tight ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis. The Rams defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns and produced a safety against the Colts, and should be stronger with the return of lineman Aaron Donald, who ended his holdout last week. The plan, McVay said, is for Donald to start. Cornerback Kayvon Webster suffered a shoulder injury against the Colts and his status for Sunday is questionable. Nickell Robey-Coleman could move from slot corner to start opposite Trumaine Johnson.

When they kick

Johnny Hekker of the Rams probably will have an extra bounce in his step after signing an extension that included $10 million in guarantees and makes him the NFL’s highest-paid punter. The deal was announced a few days after Hekker put all five of his punts inside the 20-yard line against the Colts, including kicks to the six-, seven- and 10-yard lines. Greg Zuerlein made all three field-goal attempts and all extra-points tries. Tavon Austin looks to bounce back after muffing a punt last week. Dustin Hopkins is the Washington kicker, Tress Way the punter and Bashaud Breeland the kick returner.

Gary Klein’s prediction

If Cousins still had Jackson and Garcon as targets this might be a different story. But they moved on — as did McVay, Cousins’ quarterback whisperer. McVay knows Jay Gruden’s tendencies and Gruden knows McVay’s, but the advantage goes to a Rams team playing on its home turf.

Rams 30, Washington 20

Share
Advertisement

NFL Week 2: Scores and schedule

Today’s schedule

at Baltimore Ravens 24, Cleveland Browns 10

at Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills 3

Arizona Cardinals 16, at Indianapolis Colts 13, OT

Tennessee Titans 37, at Jacksonville Jaguars 16

at Kansas City Chiefs 27, Philadelphia Eagles 20

New England Patriots 36, at New Orleans Saints 20

at Pittsburgh Steelers 26, Minnesota Vikings 9

at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29, Chicago Bears 7

Miami Dolphins 19, at CHARGERS 17

at Oakland Raiders 45, New York Jets 20

at Denver Broncos 42, Dallas Cowboys 17

Washington Redskins 27, at RAMS 20

at Seattle Seahawks 12, San Francisco 49ers 9

at Atlanta Falcons 34, Green Bay Packers 23

Monday’s schedule

Detroit Lions at New York Giants, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday’s result

Houston Texas 13, Cincinnati Bengals 9

Share

How they match up: Chargers vs. Miami Dolphins

Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward runs with ball after receiving a fumble during the second half of a game against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 11.
(Dustin Bradford / Getty Images)

CHARGERS (0-1) VS. MIAMI (0-0)

When Chargers have the ball

Even though Philip Rivers passed for three touchdowns in the Chargers’ opener at Denver, the offense wasn’t close to reaching its potential. At their best, the Chargers will be humming with a mixture of Melvin Gordon in the running game and Rivers in the passing game. When they pass, the Chargers could look to get their tight ends involved after a quiet Monday night in Denver. Hunter Henry didn’t get a single target, and as coach Anthony Lynn said, he’s “too good” for that to happen. And, even more dramatic, Antonio Gates will break the NFL’s all-time record for tight ends with his next touchdown reception — a special way to christen the StubHub Center in its first NFL regular-season game. Gates and Henry caught touchdown passes against the Dolphins last season. Perennial All-Pro Ndamukong Suh and sack master Cameron Wake give the Dolphins talent up front, and they’ll have to win battles against the Chargers’ offensive line to take pressure off the Miami secondary. Wide receiver Tyrell Williams had a big game against Miami a year ago, and this time he’ll be flanked by Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin, stretching the Dolphins’ defensive backfield thin. Lynn, however, has spent most of the last week talking about getting the rushing attack going, which should be possible considering the Dolphins’ struggles with the run a year ago.

When Dolphins have the ball

Jay Cutler had walked away, flashing his backside on his wife’s Instagram account before beginning a second career in football as a broadcaster. Then, Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s knee quit on him, and Cutler was back in the NFL, reunited with Dolphins coach Adam Gase, formerly the quarterback’s offensive coordinator in Chicago. Cutler has a big arm and better-than-you-might-think athleticism, but he’s prone to mistakes, especially in crucial moments. Luckily for him, he’s not going at this alone. Running back Jay Ajayi is one of the best in the NFL, a physical runner who will test the Chargers. Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and Julius Thomas give Cutler some options when he throws, though no one knows what their timing will look like in their first game this season. As is the case every week, the Chargers will need rush ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram to disrupt Cutler and the passing game, something they were able to do late in the loss to Denver. If they can affect the game as they did Monday night, Cutler might wish he was behind a microphone instead of an offensive line.

When they kick

Miami kicker Andrew Franks would be best paired with imaginary punter “Benjamin Beans,” but sadly, the Dolphins lack a sense of humor and have Matt Darr handling punting duty. Franks studied biomedical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Darr made the SEC All-Academic team while at Tennessee. Smart guys. The Chargers’ special teams hope to rebound from a rough Week 1, when they allowed two long returns and a game-deciding blocked field goal. Fortunately for the Chargers, they’re only playing football, not taking on quantum physics. Still, if they can’t tackle in punt and kick coverage, Miami could steal a road win.

Dan Woike’s prediction

It’s difficult to know what the Dolphins will look like, displaced by Hurricane Irma and opening their season a week later than everyone else in the NFL. No one knows how Gase’s team will respond to a stressful few weeks. And speaking of things no one knows about, how will both teams handle playing in front of fewer than 30,000 fans? Ultimately, the Chargers rebound and grab their first win.

Chargers 31, Dolphins 24

Share
Advertisement