Tag: NFL Week 2

Patriots Week 2 inactives: Javon Baker IN, Kayshon Boutte OUT

Here are the Patriots’ inactives for Week 2

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Javon Baker could get his first taste of regular season action in the NFL on Sunday. The rookie receiver is officially active for the home opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

Coach Jerod Mayo explained that Baker’s need to progress and develop was the reason for him being inactive in Week 1. That decision followed Baker’s controversial social media post, which Mayo claimed the team had punished him for.

New England could use some explosiveness at the wide receiver position, and coming out of college, Baker was looked at as a potential X option for the team. He cooled significantly during the preseason and the latter half of training camp.

So we’ll see if he can regain some of that momentum on the field against Seattle. Here is the full list of inactives for both teams on Sunday.

Sidy Sow still being inactive isn’t good news for a Patriots’ offensive line that has continued to struggle. But it is good news that the team will have safety and team captain Jabrill Peppers active for the game.

The veteran defensive back has been dealing with a hip injury.

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Spencer Rattler is the Saints’ emergency QB again in Week 2

Saints rookie Spencer Rattler is the team’s emergency third quarterback again in Week 2. Jake Haener is still Derek Carr’s primary backup:

The New Orleans Saints decided to name Jake Haener the initial backup quarterback for their Week 1 game against the Carolina Panthers. That will remain the same in Week 2, as Spencer Rattler is technically inactive, but he will remain in the “emergency” QB3 role for the Saints. He won’t get into the game unless both Haener and Derek Caarr are incapacitated.

This comes after a preseason where Rattler showed flashes of impressive play, but maybe not enough to lift himself over Haener, who had an extra season of experience with the team to work with Carr. If Carr goes down the coaches would rather put Haener into a game than the rookie.

Rattler joins six other Saints on the inactive list including Marshon Lattimore, A.T. Perry, Khalen Saunders, D’Marco Jackson, Jaylan Ford, and Dallin Holker, many of whom were on this week’s injury report. Lattimore is somewhat surprising given he played Week 1, but also not too shocking as he did not practice throughout the course of the week and was listed as questionable. He was pushing to play but the coaches want him to fully recover after pulling his hamstring last Sunday.

We will see how things progress for Rattler as the season goes along, and maybe he can win the QB2 spot from Haener at some point, but for now he will remain as the emergency backup.

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Taliese Fuaga will play vs. Cowboys in Week 2

Taliese Fuaga continued to deal with back tightness throughout the week. After testing it out pregame, the rookie will play in Saints vs. Cowboys:

Taliese Fuaga played every snap in the New Orleans Saints’ season opener with the Carolina Panthers, and they’ll have in the lineup again for Sunday’s Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Fuaga was a limited participant during the first day of practice this week and it was the last time he practiced at all. He was out the ensuing two days and listed was seen as a game-time decision.

Fuaga is dealing with back tightness similar to what he managing during training camp. Saints head coach Dennis Allen doesn’t believe the injury is a major issue, and Fuaga was cleared to play after testing out his back before the game.

With Micah Parsons playing host, Trevor Penning will have to be on top of things Sunday. Parsons likes to rush against the right tackle but he’ll get reps against Fuaga, too. Penning may get the brunt of the high-profile matchup, but Fuaga doesn’t have it easy. Parsons is a dynamic pass rusher, and the rookie will still have to deal with Parsons at times. Even when Parsons is in front of Penning, DeMarcus Lawrence is a formidable threat.

Lawrence is a strong run defender who can derail the Saints’ main objective to dominate the run game. The Saints offensive tackles will have their hands full on both sides.

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Saints announce inactive players for Week 2 game vs. Cowboys

The New Orleans Saints announced their list of inactive players for Week 2’s game with the Dallas Cowboys:

The New Orleans Saints are looking for their second victory in a row and start 2-0 for the second consecutive season. After knocking off the Carolina Panthers, the Saints take on a bigger challenge in the Dallas Cowboys.

Bryan Bresee, Taliese Fuaga and Marshon Lattimore were prominent players who were listed as questionable. Bresee and Fuaga will play but Lattimore is inactive. The Saints ruled out two other players for the contest earlier in the week

Spencer Rattler will continue to be the third emergency quarterback. He’ll be dressed out, but he won’t count as an active player. He only comes into the game if Derek Carr and Jake Haener are injured.

Here are the inactive list from each team:

New Orleans Saints inactive players:

  • LB D’Marco Jackson (calf)
  • LB Jaylan Ford (hamstring)
  • DT Khalen Saunders (calf)
  • QB Spencer Rattler (emergency third quarterback)
  • LB Jaylan Ford (hamstring)
  • TE Dallin Holker (ankle)
  • WR A.T. Perry (hand)

Dallas Cowboys inactive players:

  • TE John Stephens (hamstring)
  • TE Jake Ferguson (knee)
  • QB Trey Lance (emergency third quarterback)
  • CB Andrew Booth
  • LB Buddy Johnson
  • WR Ryan Flournoy
  • OT Matt Waletzko

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How to watch, listen, stream, wager Chargers vs. Panthers

To get you prepared for Week 2, here is everything you need to know about the matchup between the Chargers and Panthers.

The Los Angeles Chargers look to improve to 2-0 when they meet the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Week 2 matchup:

Game Information

Who: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Carolina Panthers

When: Sunday, Sept. 15 at 10:00 a.m. PT

Where: Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC

Television

Those in the yellow area will get the game on CBS.

Tom McCarthy and Jay Feely will have the call.

Radio

ALT 98.7 FM

KBUA 105.5 / KBUE 94.3 FM

Streaming

fuboTV (try it free)

Betting

Lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook

  • Moneyline (ML): Chargers -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Panthers +200 (bet $100 to win $200)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Chargers -5.5 (-110) | Panthers +5.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 39 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Here are our best bets.

Social Media

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Report: Marshon Lattimore is OUT vs. Cowboys

Marshon Lattimore was a game-time decision ahead of Saints vs. Cowboys. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to go on Sunday:

https://twitter.com/josinaanderson/status/1835336487061139546?s=46&t=BGVU6QtA–q5wEiol6W64A

The New Orleans Saints will have to stop the Dallas Cowboys passing attack without Marshon Lattimore this week. He wasn’t spotted warming up before the game, and NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that he will be inactive at kickoff.

The Saints lead corner went down with a hamstring injury versus the Panthers in Week 1. This injury left him unable to practice the entire week and being a game-time decision on Sunday.

Because of his absence, Kool-Aid McKinstry will join the starting secondary alongside Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor. This was the combination that saw the field when Lattimore departed Week 1.

The Saints have to deal with the elite connection of CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott.

Lamb works out of the slot frequently, so this will primarily be Taylor’s matchup. Taylor’s season debut wasn’t just great, it was historic. The day stood out because of his ability to rush the quarterback.

Taylor needs to have an equally strong performance against the Cowboys. This time he’ll need to do it coverage against Lamb and the rest of the receiving corps.

It’ll be interesting if the Cowboys change tendencies because there’s a rookie on the outside. McKinstry’s inexperience could lead to the Cowboys targeting him with their best wideout.

McKinstry was drafted for this exact situation. The Saints knew he may have to step in for someone, and that is already true after the first game. This provides a huge opportunity for McKinstry to get game reps and show he’s prepared to take this job on next year.

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Report: Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) pushing to play vs. Cowboys

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is pushing to play against the Cowboys in Week 2:

It doesn’t sound like the New Orleans Saints plan on Marshon Lattimore playing against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, but never say never. And if it were up to Lattimore he’d be out there.

That’s what NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported overnight, saying that Lattimore is “pushing to play, but it’s a long season and him being healthy is paramount. He’ll workout this morning to see.”

The Saints traded up to pick Kool-Aid McKinstry in this year’s NFL draft because of Lattimore’s injury history. And then he pulled his hamstring last week against the Carolina Panthers after missing most of training camp with a hip flexor injury.

There aren’t many tougher assignments a rookie could ask for than being thrown into a game with CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and the rest of the Cowboys receiving corps, but a trial by fire would tell the coaches what they have in McKinstry.

And it’s worth remembering the other corners on the 53-man roster include a rising star in Paulson Adebo and Defensive Player of the Week snub Alontae Taylor, as well as preseason fan-favorite Rico Payton. They have quality depth at the position. If giving Lattimore another week to rest his injuries helps him endure the next 15 games, going without him in Dallas might be worth it. But we won’t know if he’s able to go for sure until he tests his leg in pregame warmups.

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Final score predictions for Bengals vs. Chiefs in Week 2

A final prediction for Bengals vs. Chiefs in Week 2.

Things are going to go one of two ways when the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in one of the marquee Week 2 matchups.

One: Joe Burrow is back. Or two: Joe Burrow is not back.

Burrow admitted he struggled with sped-up timing in the season opener, the upset loss at the hands of New England. That much was apparent as he threw for just 164 yards and didn’t push the ball down the field.

We can debate about an overturned apparent touchdown catch by a tight end and a fumble while scoring a touchdown by another tight end, sure — but it’s really all about Burrow.

It’s no wonder Burrow struggled in his debut after coming back from yet another season-ending injury, especially when right tackle Trent Brown put in a bad showing, Tee Higgins was out and Ja’Marr Chase hadn’t repped all summer.

Still, even a struggling Burrow with missing weapons and such tends to beat teams like the Patriots that seem headed for a top-10 draft pick.

But they need him near-perfect to overcome Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Those Chiefs started the season with a win over Baltimore as Mahomes threw for 291 yards with one score and interception. First-round wideout Xavier Worthy caught a score and the running backs were as bruising as ever.

In past years, the second game of the season has very much looked like the second preseason game for the Bengals. Dobule-digit missed tackles for 80-plus yards didn’t help against the Patriots.

As things stand now, Cincinnati has to do some dramatic course-correcting on both sides of the ball just to be considered a team that might be able to knock off the Chiefs at Arrowhead. They need Burrow in midseason form, virtually zero offensive mistakes, proper angles and tackling and managing to limit a two-time MVP.

The good news? An 0-2 start wouldn’t doom the season given the remainder of the schedule. But while it feels like the Bengals will improve on many of the issues from the opener, it won’t be enough against a Super Bowl favorite already in stride.

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Bengals 21

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Lions vs. Buccaneers: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction

Lions vs. Buccaneers: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction for the Week 2 matchup in Ford Field

It’s Week 2 of the NFL season, yet it still feels very much like summer around the upper Midwest. As I sit with my Sunday morning coffee just before 7 a.m., it’s already 62 degrees on the way to near 90.

The unseasonably hot weather reminds many folks around Michigan of Florida. That’s a fitting sentiment as the Detroit Lions welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Ford Field later this afternoon. The fans packing the rafters in the home of the Lions will not give the visitors from Florida a warm welcome as the two teams renew a rekindling rivalry.

Detroit beat the Bucs in the NFC Divisional Round, 31-23. Both teams are gunning to go 2-0 and maintain their supremacy in their respective NFC divisions. It’s a big game for the early season.

Why I think the Lions will win

It’s normally considered trite to lead with injuries to the opponent, but the loss of safety Antoine Winfield Jr. in the middle of the Buccaneers defense cannot be overstated. He’s their best player and Winfield plays a position that is hypercritical to stopping Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta from exploiting the middle of the field in the passing game.

Pair that with injuries at outside cornerback, where the Bucs will be quite shorthanded even if Zyon McCollum is cleared from his brain injury to play. Tampa’s secondary might remind some Lions fans of Detroit’s own inadequate patchwork in the early Dan Campbell years. Tyrek Funderburk and Tavierre Thomas each playing significant roles against a Lions passing attack that is looking to bounce back from a subpar overall Week 1 is a recipe for Goff and St. Brown to get right quickly.

I also like the scheduling quirk. After playing the Rams last week, the Lions draw a Bucs team with new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. He’s a progeny of the Sean McVay/Rams offensive system. A familiar system, one the Lions played against just last week.

Tampa Bay is very talented, no doubt about it. But the basic scheme and style of play the Bucs bring isn’t much different from what the Lions played in Week 1. No radical changes of approach, no real divergent attack. Both offenses are based on having two very skilled primary outside wide receivers, a quarterback who makes quick, good decisions, and a run game that is meant to be a good complementary weapon, not a feature. Game prep for Aaron Glenn and the Lions defense was fairly easy this week.

Contrast that with Tampa Bay. Last week the Bucs played Washington, a team led by rookie QB Jayden Daniels operating Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Daniels was a bigger threat with his legs, taking off 16 times out of the pocket and almost topping 100 yards on the ground. He only threw for 184. Washington’s leading receiver amongst wide receivers was rookie Luke McCaffrey, who caught three passes for 18 yards.

Now they’ve got to play Goff, St. Brown, LaPorta, Week 1 star Jameson Williams and an offensive line that shines in pass protection. That’s not even bringing the lethal power ground game of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs into the equation. Tampa Bay is a very well-coached defense between head coach Todd Bowles and co-DCs in Kacy Rogers and Larry Foote, but having to uproot everything they did in Week 1 to prep for Week 2, and doing it without several key pieces, yeah–that’s a very difficult assignment.

What worries me about the Bucs

Let’s go back to the Bucs offense. Baker Mayfield leads the NFL in touchdown passes, and he looked very sharp last Sunday. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are as good of a 1-2 wideout tandem as the Lions will see all year, and that includes Kupp and Nacua. It’s great that Lions CB Carlton Davis has years of experience practicing against those guys, but there’s only so much that can help.

The Lions pass rush has to impact Mayfield. He’s more mobile than Matthew Stafford last week, but he’s also prone to lapses of judgment when he’s pressured. Losing Marcus Davenport is a rough break for the Lions, and someone else must step up to help Aidan Hutchinson, who draws perhaps his toughest assignment of the year in Tristan Wirfs. Mayfield, with those receivers, with a more promising run game that the Bucs showed in Week 1, that’s an offense that can win this game.

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The middle-of-the-field defense in Tampa Bay is designed to stuff the run. Nose Vita Vea is one of the best at it, and LB Lavonte David is still great. Even without Winfield, David and his fellow LBs are swift and savvy in the middle of the field and can complicate the intermediate passing game like the Rams did so effectively against the Lions in Week 1.

Final thought and score prediction

During the week, I predicted the Lions to win 31-25. I still like that basic margin of victory, but I do see how the score could wind up being a little lower–even with the defensive injuries on both teams.

Lions 27, Buccaneers 21

Lions vs. Buccaneers: How to watch, listen and stream the Week 2 matchup

Lions vs. Buccaneers: How to watch, listen and stream the Week 2 matchup

A rematch of the NFC Divisional Round matchup returns to Ford Field when the Detroit Lions host the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams are looking to improve to 2-0 on the young season.

Detroit Lions (1-0) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)

Sunday, September 15, 1 p.m. ET

Ford Field, Detroit

Watch

This week’s game will be broadcast as part of FOX Sports early-afternoon package. It is available in the markets in orange in the map below (courtesy 506 Sports). The local FOX affiliates will air the game in those markets. Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston will have the broadcast call.

Listen

The Lions radio broadcast team of Dan Miller, Lomas Brown and T.J. Lang returns for another year. Their call of the game can be heard on the 45 affiliates of the Detroit Lions Radio Network across Michigan, including the flagship station, 97.1 the Ticket in Detroit.

Outside of Michigan, the game will be broadcast on the syndicated Westwood One Network. Check your local listings. The Lions call will be broadcast on Sirius XM Radio channel 225, and the game will be the national game on channel 88.

Stream

The FOX broadcast of the game is available to stream on several streaming platforms.

FUBO Sports will stream the game as well. They’re offering a free trial available for this game.

The NFL+ app will also stream the game for out-of-market fans on mobile devices.

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