Tag: Highlights

Just how fast was Erik McCoy moving on Alvin Kamara’s long touchdown run?

New Orleans Saints big man Erik McCoy got out in front as a lead blocker for Alvin Kamara on a 52-yard touchdown, speeding past the Packers.

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All of the highlight reels were focused on Alvin Kamara during his 52-yard catch-and-run touchdown against the Green Bay Packers, but we’re going to focus on New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy on that play. McCoy disengaged a block and was able to join Kamara as his running back’s lead blocker in the open field, and both players appeared shocked by just how literal that description was. All that stood between them and the end zone was a long stretch of turf down the sideline and a handful of Packers defenders.

And while Kamara had the glory of scoring a timely touchdown — after cutting in between and sometimes running through several Packers opponents — this was a huge moment for McCoy and enthusiasts of offensive linemen the world over.

NFL Next Gen Stats uses microchips in players’ shoulder pads to track their movements on the field, and they clocked Kamara at a respectable 15.28 miles per hour. But McCoy stayed out in front of his teammate to toss a few Packers aside, and he recorded an ever faster time of 16.22 miles per hour while outweighing Kamara by nearly 90 pounds (McCoy is listed at 303 pounds, while Kamara’s official weight is 215).

That’s impressive, but it shouldn’t be unexpected. McCoy had the fastest time of all offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Combine, boasting a blazing 4.89-second sprint. He hit the 98th percentile among all guards and centers in combine history, per Mockdraftable. His speed is something the Saints really valued when drafting him, and it’s easy to see why.

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WATCH: Alvin Kamara sheds 5 tackles, sprints 52 yards for a TD

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara dodged tackles from five different Green Bay Packers defenders on his catch-and-run touchdown score.

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Don’t blink, or you’ll miss him. That’s what the entire Green Bay Packers defense learned when New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara caught a pass from Drew Brees around midfield before cutting past all 11 defenders for a score.

But that’s really, really simplifying it. The play has to be seen to be believed.

Kamara went streaking down the sideline following his blockers, including center Erik McCoy — who initially looked surprised to find himself and Kamara alone with so much space ahead of them to run through. And when the Packers defense did close in, Kamara bobbed and weaved between them with his usual unique ease.

It’s incredibly impressive. And it tied the game for the Saints and Packers at 27-27.

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WATCH: Demario Davis, Drew Brees lead Saints pregame huddle vs. Packers

New Orleans Saints captains Drew Brees and Demario Davis delivered a pregame speech to their teammates before kickoff against the Packers.

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How much is leadership worth? The New Orleans Saints roster is stocked with more respected veterans than maybe any other team in the league, so it’s no surprise to see linebacker Demario Davis and quarterback Drew Brees delivering a pregame speech to their huddled teammates before their “Sunday Night Football” game with the Green Bay Packers.

“The thing you feel in your stomach, the thing you feel in your chest, that’s greatness. That’s greatness,” Davis repeated. “You gotta pull that greatness out.”

Brees has given these sort of rah-rah speeches for a decade, usually capped off with a unifying chant. But when he wasn’t able to join the team after undergoing thumb surgery last season, Davis filled in. And the veteran linebacker did so well that he’s now the first voice teammates hear in the final minutes before kickoff.

We’re certainly fired up after listening to Davis and Brees hype up their squad. Let’s see whether it makes a difference against Green Bay.

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Watch: Jeff Okudah gets his first career INT on a great play

Okudah hasn’t had a great game but he did look great on this play

Jeff Okudah finally flashed why the Detroit Lions were so excited to draft him at No. 3 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. The rookie cornerback made a great play to notch his first career interception in the third quarter of the Lions Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Okudah made a great read on a Kyler Murray throw toward All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins. The rookie exhibited excellent closing speed and playmaking panache in diving for the interception in front of a surprised Hopkins.

It was the Lions’ third interception on the afternoon after failing to record a single takeaway in the first two games.

Okudah has not had himself a great start to the season, but it’s great to see him make a big play during the meaningful time of a game.

WATCH: Wilson first Cowboys WR to score in 2020, Prescott’s 100th TD

The Dallas Cowboys wideouts have finally registered on the scoreboard, only it’s not any of the expected guys. Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and rookie CeeDee Lamb have all had an impact this season, but none have been able to cross into the end zone …

The Dallas Cowboys wideouts have finally registered on the scoreboard, only it’s not any of the expected guys. Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and rookie CeeDee Lamb have all had an impact this season, but none have been able to cross into the end zone just yet. Though the attention paid to them has certainly paid off in other ways.

That includes the Cowboys second TD of the Week 3 tilt with the Seattle Seahawks, when fifth corner Cedrick Wilson was able to catch it across the middle and scamper for a 40-yard touchdown.

The touchdown was Dak Prescott’s 100th pass of his career, the third fastest in team history behind Tony Romo and Danny White.

Greg Zuerlein had his extra point blocked, his second miss of the first half, so the Cowboys still trail 16-15.

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WATCH: Back-to-back big gains by Lamb, Cooper leads to Cowboys score

The Cowboys didn’t allow their misfortunate string of plays to linger in their heads. Dallas, was able to stop the Seattle Seahawks thanks to Aldon Smith’s second sack of the first quarter, and trailing 7-3, the offense went right back to work. QB …

The Cowboys didn’t allow their misfortunate string of plays to linger in their heads. Dallas, was able to stop the Seattle Seahawks thanks to Aldon Smith’s second sack of the first quarter, and trailing 7-3, the offense went right back to work.

QB Dak Prescott got a free play when former Cowboys DE Benson Mayowa came across early, and found rookie WR CeeDee Lamb over the middle for a smooth 28-yard gain.

Two plays later he found Amari Cooper for his own, beautiful, diving 28-yard play.

Three Ezekiel Elliott carries later and Dallas was celebrating their first score of the game.

Unfortunately Week 2 hero Greg Zuerlein hit the upright on the extra point attempt, leaving the score tied 9-9 near the end of the first quarter.

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Falcons blow another 4th-quarter lead in 30-26 loss to Bears

The Atlanta Falcons were playing great against the Chicago Bears, until the fourth quarter. Then, right on cue, the Falcons crumbled.and let the Bears back in the game before losing, 30-26. 

The Atlanta Falcons were playing great against the Chicago Bears, until the fourth quarter. Then, right on cue, the Falcons crumbled and let the Bears back in the game before losing, 30-26.

Despite dealing with several injuries, this was the kind of loss that could — and probably should — get head coach Dan Quinn fired. Let’s recap all three phases from Sunday’s loss, which dropped Atlanta to 0-3 on the year.

Offense

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Calvin Ridley did it again for the Falcons on Sunday, finishing with five catches for 110 yards. Quarterback Matt Ryan was good in the first half but he threw eight straight incompletions and a late interception that sealed the win for Chicago.

The loss overshadowed what was an impressive performance from Atlanta’s offensive line for most of the game. RB Brian Hill got loose for a 35-yard touchdown run, and added a 22-yard gain on a screen pass. Todd Gurley seemed to get going in the second half.

He finished with 80 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Wide receiver Russell Gage left the game with a possible head injury and didn’t return.

Defense

Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Defense was shorthanded and should be commended for a gritty performance. Darqueze Dennard was solid but Isaiah Oliver struggled again. The Falcons again had trouble playing with a lead on defense and gave up some huge plays in predictable fashion.

The pass rush wasn’t great, but got the job done until the Falcons went into a more conservative defense in the second half. Pro-Bowl DT Grady Jarrett left the game early in the fourth quarter and didn’t return — which didn’t help Atlanta late in the game.

The secondary was decimated by injuries, but it was still a winnable game that the team couldn’t put away.

Special Teams

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Younghoe Koo went 2-for-3 on field goals, with a missed extra point that would prove costly. The Falcons lost by four points, which is exactly what Koo’s misses would have added up to. This game wasn’t decided by Atlanta’s special teams units, though.

Kick returner Brandon Powell consistently found space on his returns. Sterling Hofrichter averaged 38.8 yards per punt, with two pinned inside the Bears’ 20.

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WATCH: Todd Gurley’s TD run gives Falcons 23-10 lead over Bears

The Falcons are keeping their foot on the gas in the second half of today’s game against the Chicago Bears.

The Falcons are keeping their foot on the gas in the second half of today’s game against the Chicago Bears. Running back Todd Gurley capped off a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run.

Atlanta now leads Chicago, 26-10, midway through he third quarter. Watch Gurley’s second touchdown run of the season below:

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Falcons Highlights: Brian Hill runs for 35-yard TD

Falcons backup RB Brian Hill gave the team a 16-0 lead after his 35-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Falcons backup RB Brian Hill gave the team a 16-0 lead after his 35-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Check out the speed Hill shows as he runs through the Bears’ secondary below, as shared by the Atlanta’s Twitter account.

The Falcons lead, 16-3, with two minutes left in the first half.

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Falcons WR Russell Gage heads to locker room after big hit

The Atlanta Falcons are down another receiver after Russell Gage suffered a big hit in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears.

The Atlanta Falcons are down another receiver after Russell Gage suffered a big hit in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears. According to Jason Butt of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Gage was taken to the locker room for examination.

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