Tag: Week 1

Packers picked to play Eagles in Brazil to open 2024 season

The Packers will go to Brazil to play the Eagles in Week 1 to open the 2024 NFL season.

The Green Bay Packers will face the Philadelphia Eagles at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil to open the 2024 season, the NFL announced on Tuesday.

The international game — a potential battle of NFC heavyweights — will be the first NFL regular season game played in South America. It is scheduled for the Friday (September 6) night of Week 1, marking the first time the NFL has played a game on Friday night of the opening week since 1970. Official time for kickoff is TBD.

The Packers are one of the NFL’s most popular teams in Brazil.

While the Packers must now navigate an international trip to open the regular season, Green Bay will avoid playing the Eagles in Philadelphia. The game is designated as an Eagles home game, meaning the Packers will play nine home games, seven true road games and one neutral location game in 2024.

From Packers CEO Mark Murphy: “We’re looking forward to being a part of this historic matchup against the Eagles in São Paulo. We’re excited to play in front of our devoted fans in Brazil and help build upon the international popularity of the NFL and the Packers. We had a great experience playing internationally for the first time a couple of years ago and we’re proud to be part of the league’s continued global growth.”

From Mayor of São Paulo Ricardo Nunes: “The match-up between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles is an extremely exciting moment for the city of São Paulo. These two franchises will certainly play a historic game, bringing great global visibility to our city and assist in our efforts to generate jobs and economic impact.”

The game will be streamed exclusively on Peacock via NBC but will also be available on broadcast TV in local markets (Green Bay, Philadelphia).

The Packers last played an international game in 2022 when they lost to the New York Giants in London.

Ex-UFC title challenger Taila Santos confident entering PFL’s $1 million tournament: ‘I’m one of the favorites’

Former UFC title challenger Taila Santos likes her chances of winning this year’s PFL $1 million tournament.

[autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag] is eager to start a new chapter in her MMA career, as she believes she can be both a champion and a millionaire by the end of it.

Santos (19-3), a former UFC title challenger, makes her PFL debut this Thursday at 2024 PFL 1 in San Antonio. It’s her first fight since her unexpected exit from the UFC late last year. Santos debuts against Ilara Joanne (11-8) in the opening round of the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight season, where she’ll be competing for the PFL title and the $1 million prize that comes with it.

Ahead of such a big competition, Santos feels confident in her chances of going all the way.

“I feel like I’m one of the favorites entering the tournament,” Santos told MMA Junkie in Portuguese. “I already fought for the UFC title against Valentina (Shevchenko), and she’s a tough fighter, and before I fought her, she had big fights, and she’s a renowned athlete. I felt like that was an important fight and I felt I won it.

“So yeah, I feel like I’m one of the favorites and I come to this tournament with a big name.”

Santos took Valentina Shevchenko to the brink in a highly competitive UFC championship bout in 2022. Unfortunately for Santos, she lost a split decision, but many thought she did enough to get her hand raised.

Apart from the admirable showing against an all-time great, Santos had shining moments in the octagon, defeating veterans such as Roxanne Modafferi, Molly McCann, Gillian Robertson and Joanne Wood.

Santos doesn’t want to overlook any of her future opponents in the PFL, but her resume gives her confidence. She plans to take it step by step this season and not get ahead of herself.

“Fight by fight,” Santos said. “I’m focused on every objective and go step by step. Of course, the goal and mind are set on getting to the final, but you have to take it step by step.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2024, Week 1.

Former UFC title challenger Taila Santos breaks silence on unexpected promotion exit: ‘I wasn’t very happy’

Now signed with PFL, Taila Santos explains the reason behind her unexpected exit from the UFC.

[autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag] is on the verge of making her PFL debut, which is something most didn’t see coming just a few months back.

The former UFC title challenger unexpectedly exited late last year as one of the bigger names and top contenders in the women’s flyweight division. Neither the promotion nor Santos (19-3) gave much of an explanation regarding her surprise exit until now.

Ahead of 2024 PFL 1, which marks her first fight since departing from the UFC, Santos gave her side of the story and explained why she is no longer in the UFC.

“Yeah, I was in the UFC, but I wasn’t very happy,” Santos told MMA Junkie in Portuguese. “Everything started when I fought for the belt against Valentina (Shevchenko). I clearly won that fight, and it was one of the first tough fights Valentina had ever had in her career. No other fighter had done what I did against her.

“I was able to take her down to the ground and keep her there, while also blocking her attacks on the feet. So many people wanted to see the rematch, and the fans were asking for it. I believe I deserved the rematch, the opportunity, but it didn’t happen.”

Santos lost by split decision to Valentina Shevchenko in a UFC women’s flyweight championship bout in June 2022. It was a very competitive fight, and arguably Shevchenko’s toughest title defense at that time. Many thought the Brazilian had done enough to defeat the then-champion.

Not getting the rematch against Shevchenko didn’t sit well with Santos, but there was more than that.

“There were also some uncomfortable aspects around dates and the calendar,” Santos said. “I would fight once, and then there would be no dates, and I would have to wait, and there were just so many delays. There wasn’t a calendar. It was a lot of waiting after each fight, and I wasn’t happy. So I just chose to fight out my contract and not renew.”

Santos takes on Ilara Joanne (11-8) for her PFL debut at Boeing Center in San Antonio this Thursday. It’s part of the first round of fights of the 2024 women’s flyweight season.

The 30-year-old is excited to compete for the women’s flyweight title and the $1 million prize. She’s happy with her decision to transition from UFC to PFL.

“This is super cool,” Santos said. “Like I said, I was aware of PFL before, and they’re growing every day. It’s very cool, and they’re leveling up very well, it’s big.  I’m very happy to have received this contract and to be part of a great organization that’s growing each event. For sure, it’s going to keep growing every day.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2024, Week 1.

Broncos among candidates to play in NFL’s 2024 season opener

The Broncos are among eight candidates to face the Chiefs in the NFL’s 2024 season opener.

As the defending Super Bowl champions from the 2023 season, the Kansas City Chiefs are now set to host the NFL’s season opener in 2024.

The Chiefs’ list of eight home opponents in 2024 obviously includes the AFC West. That puts the Denver Broncos among the candidates to travel to Kansas City in Week 1.

The Broncos just snapped a 16-game losing streak to the Chiefs last season, defeating their division rival 24-9 in late October. But the NFL will probably view other opponents on KC’s schedule as more intriguing candidates for the opener.

In addition to the Justin Herbert-led Los Angeles Chargers, the Chiefs will also host teams including the Baltimore Ravens (and 2023 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson), the Houston Texans (and young star C.J. Stroud), and the Cincinnati Bengals (and Joe Burrow) in 2024. Burrow is 3-1 against Kansas City in his career, including a 1-1 record in the playoffs.

Russell Wilson is facing an uncertain future in Denver and the Broncos are unlikely to have a QB matchup more intriguing than Jackson, Burrow or Stroud to face off against Mahomes in Week 1. Denver is a candidate for the opener, but probably not a favorite. Here’s the full list of teams the Chiefs are set to host during the 2024 NFL season.

Packers’ De’Vondre Campbell, Rasul Douglas fined for Week 1 penalties

The NFL fined Packers LB De’Vondre Campbell and CB Rasul Douglas for Week 1 “gameday accountability” penalties.

The NFL fined Green Bay Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and cornerback Rasul Douglas for penalties in Week 1 that fall under the league’s “gameday accountability” umbrella.

Per the NFL, Campbell was fined $10,927 for an unnecessary roughness penalty in the third quarter, while Douglas was fined $13,659 for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the fourth quarter.

Penalties by Campbell and Douglas were among 32 fined by the NFL in Week 1.

Both players were penalized after big plays by the Packers defense. Campbell’s penalty came after the Packers recovered a Justin Fields fumble, while Douglas was penalized after Quay Walker’s game-sealing pick-six.

Any future unnecessary roughness penalty will cost Campbell $16,391. Any future unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will cost Douglas $19,123.

Douglas was fined for a pair of penalties in Week 18 last year as well.

The league is posting all fined penalties from the previous week on Saturdays this season.

From the NFL: “Players subject to accountability measures receive a letter informing them of what they did, a video of the play in question, why they are being fined and how much it will cost them. They also receive information on how to appeal the fine. If they choose not to appeal, the fine is withheld from their next game check.”

All appeals are handled appeals officers James Thrash and Derrick Brooks, two former players appointed by the NFL and NFLPA. Fines are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation.

Packers Wire will track the on-field penalties and resulting fines in recurring posts each week.

Week 1: LB De’Vondre Campbell ($10,927), CB Rasul Douglas ($13,659)

Skyy Moore reflects on Week 1 loss, goals moving forward

Receiver Skyy Moore reflected on the #Chiefs’ Week 1 loss and told reporters about his goals moving forward at a recent press conference

Week one was certainly a disappointment for the Kansas City Chiefs, especially the performance from the receivers.

The drops have been well-documented, but Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney — two players that have high expectations in 2023 — combined for one catch and one yard on eight targets.

The second-year wideout, Moore, spoke to the media yesterday, explaining why the receiver group’s performance was underwhelming last Thursday.

“I feel like it was a lack of focus in [the receiver room] and I feel like doing the little things consistently every day is going to keep your focus throughout the week, throughout the day,” Moore explained. “I feel like we were lacking in that area.”

Despite the struggles against the Lions, Moore feels like the receiver room is still trending in the right direction and is focused on the upcoming week.

“It’s been good. We had a good practice yesterday,” Moore said. “We got to watch the film as soon as we came in on Tuesday, and we are onto Jacksonville.”

Catching the ball was definitely an issue in week one, but Moore thinks it was not their best performance overall.

“Every aspect, we understand that wasn’t our best performance,” Moore continued. “It needs to get better.”

Although Moore feels like the receivers let Patrick Mahomes down, the 23-year-old receiver knows that Mahomes will continue to trust his weapons.

“Pat [Mahomes] is great with stuff like that – always making sure you’re in the right head space,” Moore told reporters. “You see it all the time – if you see somebody drop the ball in the game, he is coming right back [to] you, trying to get you to forget about it. I feel like the whole locker room has been doing good. It’s just flipping to the next page.”

Mahomes will require better output from his receivers, as the Chiefs head into a tough road game in Jacksonville.

Saints GM Mickey Loomis impressed after Derek Carr’s first start

Saints GM Mickey Loomis impressed after Derek Carr’s first start, saying the QB ‘made some plays that we haven’t seen made here for a while’

There weren’t many national analysts who were blown away by Derek Carr’s first start with the New Orleans Saints, but general manager Mickey Loomis was pleased by what he saw on Sunday.

Loomis spoke about Carr’s performance on the Saints Coaches Show with WWL Radio this week, where he made time to push back on the narrative that Carr just managed the game. He sees Carr as an asset who elevates the offense more than the quarterbacks who preceded him.

He explained his reasoning: “I mean, he made some plays that we haven’t seen made here for a while. Off-platform throws, plays breaking down, him solving problems. He did a lot of really good things.”

We’ve talked before about Carr’s effectiveness in this game, even if the Saints didn’t score a ton of touchdowns. He posted the highest net passing yards total (accounting for yards lost to sacks) in a win since Drew Brees was running the offense. He’s someone the coaching staff trusts more than Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, Trevor Siemian, and the other fill-ins to take the field post Brees.

Obviously a 16-15 score isn’t going to wow many people. But the Saints have a good foundation to build off of here. If Carr can continue to efficiently get the ball to his receivers and navigate pressure, they’ll make real strides once the offensive line and running game get up to speed. Having one of the league’s best defenses to lean on certainly helps.

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Patrick Mahomes not worried about other top AFC teams losing in Week 1

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes told reporters his thoughts on the Week 1 losses of top teams in the AFC.

For a short time after the Chiefs’ Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions, the sky was falling for some.

That is, until multiple top AFC teams lost their first games as well. Following Week 1, these teams were 0-1, among others: the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers.

All of those teams were expected to be 1-0 by most (or at least by sportsbooks setting betting lines) after Week 1. But with those top teams earning losses, maybe the pressure is off the Chiefs a little bit.

Or is it?

“Not really,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said during Wednesday’s press conference. “You never know what’s going to happen in this league. People lose every week. It’s parity, that’s what this NFL is about, and everybody can beat everybody. You have to come in with the mentality that you’re going to play your best football.

“I thought we lapsed in that this last week, and we were playing a good football team and they beat us. I don’t worry about those other teams around the league because you never know who’s going to be at the top at the end of the year whenever you are trying to find your seeding. You just try to go out there and be the best you can be and stack as many wins as possible.”

The NFL is unexpected, and Week 1 might be the most difficult week of the season to predict. Teams haven’t found their identities yet, many injuries have yet to occur, and several players haven’t had time to grow and break out.

So while the Chiefs, Bengals, and Bills — the consensus top three AFC teams prior to the season’s start — are all winless for now, don’t worry. Those three could easily be back on top by Week 18 (or even by Week 8).

Two former Crimson Tide quarterbacks rank in the Top five in NFL passing yards

Two former Alabama quarterbacks explode for massive Week 1 passing performances

After a long eight months without football, the NFL is back and quarterbacks, predictably, dominated the headlines in Week 1. Unfortunately, the leading story from the first week of the season is the ruptured Achilles of future Hall of Famer and New York Jets quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. While that is incredibly unfortunate, the season must go on and we can’t forget about some of the most stellar performances from Week 1.

On the field, the biggest story was Miami Dolphins quarterback [autotag]Tua Tagovaila[/autotag] who shredded the Los Angeles Chargers defense apart for 466 yards and three scores on Sunday. With a contract extension looming on the horizon, Tagovailoa will play some of the best football of his career this season and he couldn’t have sprinted out of the blocks any faster.

Tagovailoa led all NFL quarterbacks in passing yards in Week 1 with five quarterbacks going over the 300-yard mark. Of the top five quarterbacks in passing yards in Week 1, two of the signal callers were former Alabama stars. Below are the top five passers from the opening weekend of the 2023 season.

Sam Howell gives assessment of his play in Week 1

Howell breaks down his Week 1 performance.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell had an eventful Week 1. While Howell led the Commanders to a season-opening 20-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals, there were more than a few plays he’d like to have back.

Howell took six sacks in defeat and turned the ball over twice. Some of the sacks were preventable, as were the two turnovers. One of those turnovers, Howell was under heavy pressure and tried to spin away from the defender. In doing that, he had one hand on the football, allowing the Arizona pass rusher to poke the ball loose for an easy touchdown.

It was the Cardinals’ only touchdown in Week 1. Fortunately for Howell, he did enough, passing for one touchdown and rushing for another, to lead the Commanders to the win.

Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky had some advice for Howell this week.

It was fair criticism for Howell, who also had his share of positive moments in the season opener.

On Wednesday, Howell met with the media and reflected on his Week 1 performance in his typical humble manner.

“Yeah, definitely a lot of things to clean up,” Howell said. “I just think offensively we, there’s a lot of things that we learned on film and things that we expect and hope to do a better job of this week.”

What about some of the sacks Howell took against the Cardinals?

“Yeah, I mean I’m always gonna err on it was my fault just because I think I could’ve done a better job,” Howell said. “I mean, there were some of ’em where I just ran out of bounds at like a yard or two behind the line of scrimmage which is just dumb. You know, just throw the ball away.  And you know, obviously the strip sack for the touchdown, that was on me. I was just trying to do too much, especially down there backed up. Don’t try to reverse out and spin out of it. Just be smart.”

One of Howell’s best attributes is following up a negative play with a positive one. After his strip-sack for a touchdown, Howell led the Commanders to a field goal with less than one minute remaining in the first half. Below is one of Howell’s most impressive plays from Sunday to set up the score on this throw to Curtis Samuel.

Howell has two NFL starts on his resume. He has shown a lot of positives in those two starts and in the time between. For Howell, it’s all about not repeating the same mistakes, something offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has praised him for throughout the summer.

For all of the talk about Howell’s play, did anyone see Joe Burrow and Josh Allen in Week 1? No, we aren’t comparing Howell to either of those star quarterbacks, only emphasizing that every NFL team has played one game and too much is often made from Week 1 — good or bad.

Howell heads to Denver for his first NFL road start in Week 2.