If Sunday was the final time we witnessed two of probably the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL historical past face off in opposition to one another, the sport might be remembered extra for stress than both man raging in opposition to the dying of the sunshine (though one in all them has been raging in opposition to electronics). With eight Tremendous Bowl victories (Tom Brady with seven) and 7 MVPs (Aaron Rodgers with 4) between them, the 2 have solidified themselves as one of the best quarterbacks of their technology (together with Peyton Manning who, it's straightforward to neglect, is just a yr older than Brady.)
However these anticipating an offensive explosion on Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Inexperienced Bay Packers met had been almost certainly disillusioned. Brady’s first half was one to neglect as he failed to steer the Bucs into the top zone and entered halftime down 14-3. Rodgers regarded sharper within the early moments of the sport, attaining some first-half success in opposition to the Bucs’ stingy protection by throwing two touchdowns. However each males had been largely nameless within the third quarter, the explosive performs and ruthlessness which have given them a lot success down the years largely missing.
Brady ultimately confirmed indicators of his previous self within the closing minutes of the sport, main the Bucs on a nailbiting 15-play, 89-yard drive that ended with a landing move to Russell Gage. However down 14-12, the Bucs had been known as for a delay of sport on the two-point conversion. 5 yards additional away from the top zone, Brady’s move try and tie the sport was deflected, resulting in the Packers’ victory.
It’s too quickly to declare the top for both man – it wouldn’t be a shock in the event that they met once more on this season’s NFC championship sport. In spite of everything, Rodgers has been the league MVP for the final two seasons and, at Rodgers’ age, Brady nonetheless had one other three Tremendous Bowl rings to return. Even when Rodgers is barely beneath his peak, it’s nonetheless a hell of a peak to return down from. Brady is extra of a priority: his timing has been off for a lot of the season, he has proven his frustration on the sidelines and, properly, he's 45. However there are caveats: he has been written off roughly 89 occasions earlier than; his offensive line and receiving corps have been hit by harm – three of the highest Bucs receivers (Julio Jones, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin) didn't take the sector on Sunday; and Brady himself performed with a finger harm on his throwing hand.
However for all that, and all their star energy, on Sunday it felt just like the precise on-the-field fireworks of the Brady v Rodgers rivalry could now be a factor of the previous. Mahomes v Herbert and Jackson v Allen are the battles we’ll be trying ahead to for the subsequent few years.
MVP of the week
Jalen Hurts, quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles. Hurts and the Eagles continued to soar throughout a 24-8 divisional victory in opposition to the Washington Commanders. Hurts put up spectacular numbers on Sunday, throwing for 340 yards and three touchdowns. His dominance in opposition to the Commanders stood out together with the play of his two huge weapons, DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown. Smith snagged a number of passes in awe-inspiring style on his approach to eight catches and 169 yards. Many believed Hurts wanted a standout season if he was to hold on as Philly’s starter. If the Eagles, who're at present 3-0, proceed with a profitable run within the NFC East, he may very well be a sleeper decide for MVP by season’s finish (simply don’t inform the fool who threw beer at him on Sunday).
DeVonta Smith is constructed totally different 🔥🔥#FlyEaglesFly #NFLTwitter
🎥: @NFL
pic.twitter.com/75o3zTMz1k
Lamar Jackson deserves an honorable point out on this class for his efficiency within the Baltimore Ravens’ 37-26 win in opposition to the New England Patriots. Jackson confused the Patriots’ protection with dazzling runs and well timed throws, ending the sport with 4 passing touchdowns, in addition to one landing and 107 yards on the bottom.
Video of the week
Payments followers rn 😬
pic.twitter.com/M8xnbV2Gfm
Down by two factors with lower than 20 seconds remaining, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Payments offense scrambled to line-up with the hopes of spiking the ball to cease the clock. Nevertheless, time would expire earlier than the Payments had been in a position to get set, resulting in a 21-19 victory for the Miami Dolphins. In response, the Payments offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey was captured slamming down his headset and pill. The clip of Dorsey’s tantrum quickly grew to become a meme on social media. It could additionally result in disciplinary motion. Following Brady’s pill abuse in Week 2, NFL officers despatched a memo to all 32 groups warning that such actions might finish with a nice. The sport additionally helped set up the unbeaten Dolphins as early contenders within the AFC East, a division many thought the Payments would run away with. And that was regardless of Miami managing to dam their very own punt.
Stat of the week
11. The Detroit Lions lastly personal an NFL report that won't dwell on in infamy. They scored a landing within the first three quarters in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, establishing an NFL report for many consecutive quarters with a landing to start out a season (11). The Lions would lose to the Vikings 28-24, however there are indicators Dan Campbell is constructing one thing in Detroit. Simply to stability issues out, in addition they maintain the NFL report for the longest interval since a playoff win (1992).
Quote of the week
“Iwas simply attempting my hardest to get again up and get the subsequent play and run it” – Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback, Miami Dolphins.
Again to the Payments-Dolphins sport. Within the first half, Tagovailoa was pushed to the sector by Payments linebacker Matt Milano. Tagovailoa’s head appeared to snap again viciously and make contact with the sector. Tagovailoa started wobbling as he took his first steps afterwards and was ultimately escorted off the sector by teammates and Dolphins officers. He returned to the sector, to assist the Dolphins seal victory, and his coach, Mike McDaniel, mentioned after the sport that the quarterback’s subject was along with his again fairly than a concussion. However ESPN reported on Sunday night time that the NFL Gamers Affiliation needs to request a assessment of the league’s concussion protocols. NFL guidelines state that if a participant reveals concussion signs, he have to be faraway from the sport and evaluated. The league is hyper-aware of the horrible publicity it has attracted round concussion – we’ll see how this one develops within the coming days.
Elsewhere across the league
-- It seems issues go loads higher for the Cincinnati Bengals in the event that they shield Joe Burrow. Final yr’s AFC champions obtained their first win of the season as they beat the New York Jets 27-12. Joe Burrow was solely sacked twice on Sunday after being taken down 12 occasions in his first two video games. He was 23 of 36 for 275 yards and three touchdowns. However although the sacks had been down, he was nonetheless hit 9 occasions by Jets defenders, one thing that raises issues within the long-term. And never all of it's the o-line’s fault: Burrow is commonly too eager to play hero ball and should be taught when to throw it away.
-- The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ particular groups allow them to down badly in an unsightly 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. They muffed a punt, missed a discipline objective and further level, and did not convert a pretend discipline objective throughout their first lack of the season. A Chris Jones private foul additionally prolonged a Colts’ drive that appeared to have fizzled out after a sack on third down. It gave the Colts a lifeline, after the early-season favorites for the AFC South regarded like they had been heading for a fifth consecutive defeat.
-- Bear in mind when the AFC West was going to be the hardest division in soccer? The Chiefs (2-1), Las Vegas Raiders (0-3) and Los Angeles Chargers (1-2) all misplaced on Sunday. The Chargers’ loss will be at the very least partly excused by Justin Herbert’s rib harm, whereas the Chiefs’ defeat was all the way down to sloppiness greater than anything. However the Raiders are off to their worst begin since 2018 and are winless after reaching the playoffs final season. Davante Adams could also be wishing he had stayed in Inexperienced Bay.
-- The one AFC West crew to win on Sunday was the Denver Broncos, who beat the San Francisco 49ers by the unlikely rating of 11-10 (simply the second such end in NFL historical past). Russell Wilson’s crew at the moment are 2-1 nevertheless it was one other disjointed efficiency by Denver who've scored 43 factors in three video games. Sunday’s victory owed a lot to Jimmy Garoppolo’s miscues, together with what turned out to be a game-deciding security when the quarterback stepped out of his personal finish zone. The Niners additionally misplaced arguably their most beneficial participant, nine-time Professional Bowl deal with Trent Williams, to harm.
-- Whisper it, however might the Jacksonville Jaguars truly be good? They began the season with a dispiriting loss to the Washington Commanders however since then they've crushed two highly-touted groups within the Colts and Chargers. And it seems to be like Trevor Lawrence is beginning to discover his toes within the NFL after a troublesome debut season. On Sunday, he was 28 of 39 for 262 yards and three touchdowns because the Jags simply noticed off the Chargers 38-10. The win additionally ended an 18-game dropping streak on the street for Jacksonville, and their protection is trying fairly good too.
-- Baker Mayfield obtained his first win as Carolina Panthers quarterback in their 22-14 over the New Orleans Saints. Carolina followers shouldn’t get too excited although: Saints quarterback Jameis Winston was enjoying via again and ankle accidents and Mayfield accomplished simply 12 of his 25 passes for 170 yards and a landing. His supporting forged is, admittedly, typically terrible usually however there are few indicators the Cleveland Browns had been improper to chop Mayfield (even when we are able to argue concerning the ethics of his alternative).
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