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New England Patriots Week 3 Game Release

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NFL

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September 24, 2021

New England Patriots Week 3 Game Release

GAME SUMMARY

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1) VS. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-1)
Sunday, September 26, 2021 • Gillette Stadium (65,878) • 1:00 p.m. ET
The New England Patriots return to the confines of Gillette Stadium and will begin a two-game stretch against the NFC South with home games against the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots are an NFL-best 59-17 (.776) against the NFC since realignment in 2002, the best inter-conference record in the NFL during that time.

SERIES HISTORY
Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft’s first game as owner of the team was a 1994 preseason game at Foxboro Stadium against the Saints. The Patriots won that game 24-6.

The two teams will meet this week in New Orleans in the 15th meeting ever and the first meeting since the Patriots 36-20 win at New Orleans on Sept. 17, 2017.

The Patriots lead the all-time series, 10-4. The Patriots are 5-3 against New Orleans in home games, including 2-0 at Gillette Stadium.

NEW ENGLAND 10, NEW ORLEANS 4
Date Result Score H/A Stadium
12/10/72 W 17-10 A Tulane Stadium
12/05/76 W 27-6 H Schaefer Stadium
12/21/80 W 38-27 A Louisiana Superdome
12/04/83 W 7-0 H Sullivan Stadium
11/30/86 W 21-20 A Louisiana Superdome
11/12/89 L 24-28 H Sullivan Stadium
11/08/92 L 14-31 H Foxboro Stadium
12/03/95 L 17-31 H Foxboro Stadium
10/04/98 W 30-27 A Louisiana Superdome
11/25/01 W 34-17 H Foxboro Stadium
11/20/05 W 24-17 H Gillette Stadium
11/30/09 L 17-38 A Louisiana Superdome
10/13/13 W 30-27 H Gillette Stadium
09/17/17 W 36-20 A Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Patriots What to look for this Week
IF THE PATRIOTS WIN…
• And a player eclipses 100 yards rushing, the team will improve to 54-4 since the 2000 regular season when a player rushes for at least 100 yards.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR…

• The New England Patriots own a 59-17 (.776) record vs. NFC teams since realignment in 2002, the best inter-conference record in the NFL during that time.

• The Patriots have gone 88 straight games (regular and postseason) scoring in the first half, an NFL record. The Patriots also own the second-longest streak at 82 games with a first-half score (2006-11). The last time the Patriots failed to score in the first half was a 16-0 loss at home against Buffalo on Oct. 2, 2016.

• If the Patriots record four interceptions against the Saints, it will be the first time ever that the Patriots have secured four picks in back-to-back games.

Minnesota Vikings Week 3 Game Release

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NFL

NFL Editor

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September 24, 2021

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Game Summary

The Minnesota Vikings (0-2) return to Minneapolis for their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks (1-1) with the game set for 3:25 p.m. CT at U.S. Bank Stadium. The contest marks the first time since the 2015 season that the Vikings will play the Seahawks at home after the two clubs have met in Seattle each of the last three seasons.

Seattle is coming off of a 33-30 overtime home loss at Tennessee. Minnesota returns home after beginning the season with two road losses by a combined four points.

At Arizona in Week 2, QB Kirk Cousins’ touchdown pass to WR K.J. Osborn – first NFL touchdown of Osborn’s career – is the 14th touchdown of at least 60 yards in Cousins’ career. RB Dalvin Cook rushed for more than 100 yards against the Cardinals, making it his 16th time in his career doing so. He is now one game short of tying former RB Chuck Foreman for third in Vikings Career 100-plus yard rushing games.

DE Danielle Hunter, who missed all of 2020 with an injury, currently ranks second in the NFL in total sacks with 4.0, sitting behind Arizona Cardinals DE Chandler Jones (5.0).

After posting back-to-back double-digit tackle games to start the season, LB Eric Kendricks ranks second in the NFL in total tackles with 26, only trailing Seattle’s Bobby Wagner.

Vikings-Seahawks 2021 regular season comparison

OFFENSE …………………..MIN (RK)…SEA (RK)……….Diff
Yards / Game………………………….. 411.0 (6) ……… 389.0 (11)………………….22
Yards / Play……………………………. 6.09 (12)………7.41 (1)…………………..-1.32
Rushing Yards / Game…………….. 122.0 (10) …….108.5 (19) ……………….13.5
Rushing Yards / Play……………….. 4.98 (6)……….4.82 (7)…………………. 0.16
Passing Yards / Game………………289.0 (8)……..280.5 (10)………………..8.5
Passing Yards / Play…………………7.05 (16) ………10.39 (2)………………-3.34
Interception Rate……………………. 0.0% (1t)……..0.0% (1t)………….. 0.00%
Sacks / Pass Attempt……………… 4.9% (14)…….11.1% (28)………… -6.23%
First Downs / Game…………………23.0 (7t)………17.5 (26)…………………..5.5
Punt Return Avg……………………… 8.3 (17)………..7.5 (19)…………………….0.8
Kickoff Return Avg…………………..21.5 (14)……….13.0 (20)………………….8.5
Field Goals Made……………………..75% (22t)…….100% (1t)………..-25.00%
3rd Down Pct………………………….. 30.8% (31)….. 38.1% (20)…………-7.33%
4th Down Pct………………………….. 100% (1t)…….0% (22t)………..100.00%
Red Zone Pct………………………….. 80% (7t)……..80% (7t)…………… 0.00%
Goal to Go%…………………………… 100% (1t)…….100% (1t)………….. 0.00%
Avg Possession Time………………..29:12 (21)……..22:29 (32)…………………….
Points / Game…………………………28.5 (11)……….29.0 (9)………………….-0.5
DEFENSE …………………..MIN (RK)…SEA (RK)……….Diff
Yards / Game………………………….. 420.0 (28)……434.0 (30)……………….-14
Yards / Play……………………………. 6.56 (26)…….. 5.64 (15)………………..0.92
Rushing Yards / Game…………….. 126.0 (21t)……162.5 (31)……………..-36.5
Rushing Yards / Play……………….. 4.42 (18)………4.64 (23)………………-0.22
Passing Yards / Game………………294.0 (26)……271.5 (22)……………….22.5
Passing Yards / Play………………… 9.33 (28) ……..6.96 (15)………………..2.37
Interception Rate……………………. 3.2% (10)……..0.0% (26t)………….3.17%
Sacks / Pass Attempt……………… 12.7% (2)……..7.7% (10) …………… 5.01%
First Downs / Game…………………20.5 (14t) …….28.0 (32)…………………-7.5
Punt Return Avg……………………… 9.0 (16t) ………9.8 (20)………………….-0.8
Kickoff Return Avg………………….. 15.3 (6)………..17.6 (10) ………………….-2.3
3rd Down Pct…………………………..26.1% (2)……..40.7% (17) ………-14.65%
4th Down Pct…………………………..75% (26)……..0.0% (1t)…………75.00%
Red Zone Pct…………………………..71.4% (20t)……40% (6t) …………..31.43%
Goal to Go%……………………………75% (15t)…….66.7% (12t)………..8.33%
Points / Game………………………… 30.5 (27) ……..24.5 (16)……………………..6

VIKINGS VS. SEAHAWKS ALL-TIME
Won 5, Lost 13; Tie: 0; Home 3-2, Away 2-8

VIKINGS VS. SEAHAWKS ALL-TIME
1976 …………………………………………………………………………..Minnesota ……………………………………………………… Minnesota 27-21
1978 ………………………………………………………………………………..Seattle …………………………………………………………..Seattle 29-28
1984…………………………………………………………………………..Minnesota ………………………………………………………….. Seattle 20-12
1987 ………………………………………………………………………………..Seattle ……………………………………………………………Seattle 28-17
1990………………………………………………………………………………..Seattle ………………………………………………………Minnesota 24-21
1996………………………………………………………………………………..Seattle …………………………………………………………..Seattle 42-23
2002……………………………………………………………………………….Seattle …………………………………………………………. Seattle 48-23
2003………………………………………………………………………….Minnesota ………………………………………………………. Minnesota 34-7
2004………………………………………………………………………….Minnesota ………………………………………………………….. Seattle 27-23
2006……………………………………………………………………………….Seattle ……………………………………………………….Minnesota 31-13
2009………………………………………………………………………….Minnesota ……………………………………………………….Minnesota 35-9
2012………………………………………………………………………………..Seattle …………………………………………………………. Seattle 30-20
2013………………………………………………………………………………..Seattle …………………………………………………………..Seattle 41-20
2015…………………………………………………………………………Minnesota* …………………………………………………………….Seattle 38-7
2015………………………………………………………………………Minnesota*# ……………………………………………………………. Seattle 10-9
2018………………………………………………………………………………..Seattle ……………………………………………………………..Seattle 21-7
2019………………………………………………………………………………..Seattle …………………………………………………………..Seattle 37-30
2020……………………………………………………………………………….Seattle ………………………………………………………….. Seattle 27-26

Vikings-Seahawks series notes
• The Vikings host Seattle at U.S. Bank Stadium for the 1st time in the history of the series.

• The Vikings and Seahawks met in the third-coldest game in NFL history on January 10, 2016, a Wild Card matchup that measured at -6 degrees Fahrenheit. The game was played outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The Seahawks won 10-9 in the only playoff game between the two franchises.

• Seattle’s first head coach in franchise history was former Vikings defensive line coach Jack Patera. Patera coached for the Vikings from 1969-75 and for the Seahawks from 1976-82.

• The first-ever game played in the Metrodome was a 1982 preseason matchup with Seattle.

• Pete Carroll coached for the Vikings from 1985-89

Vikings-Seahawks series by the numbers
Record vs. Seahawks…………………………………………………………………… 5-13
Last regular season game…………………………..Seahawks 27, Vikings 26 (2020)
Vikings largest winning margin ………………………………….27; Vikings 34, Seahawks 7 (2003)
Seahawks largest winning margin…………………………..31; Seahawks 38, Vikings 7 (2015)
Current series streak………………………………………………………..Seahawks 6
Vikings longest win streak……………………………………………..2 (2006-09)
Seahawks longest win streak ………………………………… 6 (2012-present)
Most Points, Vikings…………………………………………………………..35 (2009)
Most Points, Seahawks………………………………………………………48 (2002)
Most Points, both teams…………………………….71, Seahawks 48, Vikings 23 (2002)
Fewest Points, Vikings…………………………………………………7 (2015, 2018)
Fewest Points, Seahawks…………………………………………………….7 (2003)
Fewest Points, both teams…………………………..19; Seahawks 10, Vikings 9 (2015)

Los Angeles Chargers Week 3 Game Release

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NFL Editor

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September 24, 2021

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Los Angeles Chargers Week 3 Game Release

Chargers take on chiefs in divisional matchup

The Los Angeles Chargers travel to Kansas City for the team’s first AFC West matchup of the year, kicking off at 10:00 a.m. PT from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson have the call on CBS while Matt “Money” Smith, Daniel Jeremiah and Shannon Farren will broadcast on the Chargers Radio Network airwaves on ALT FM-98.7. Adrian Garcia-Marquez and Francisco Pinto will present the game in Spanish on Que Buena FM 105.5/94.3.

The Chargers won last season’s Week 17 matchup at Kansas City as Justin Herbert put the finishing touches on the best rookie campaign by a quarterback in history. The Chiefs own a 36-25 record in the all-time series at Kansas City, but the Bolts have won on the road in two of the last three years.

Through two games, Los Angeles boasts the best third-down offense in football. The team has converted 61.3 percent of its third-down attempts and Justin Herbert leads the NFL with 16 passes on third down to move the chains. The Los Angeles offense also features Keenan Allen — who has a pair of 100-yard games this year — and Mike Williams — who’s 15 receptions is tied for a conference-best. Rookie draft picks Rashawn Slater and Asante Samuel Jr., have each started both games this year.

Patrick Mahomes leads the Kansas City offense, having thrown for 680 yards and six touchdowns this year to post an AFC-best 131.4 passer rating. His targets include Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, who have a combined 27 catches for 396 yards and four touchdowns. Tyrann Mathieu leads the Chiefs defense with two interceptions.

The Chargers come back home in Week 4 for another divisional matchup. Los Angeles hosts the Las Vegas Raiders in its first prime-time game of the season. The bout from SoFi Stadium kicks off at 5:15 p.m. PT.

Notes

Six of the past 11 games at Kansas City have been decided by seven or fewer points. The Chargers have won nine of the past 17 home games against the Chiefs. The Bolts have played the Chiefs three times on Thursday, holding a 2-1 advantage in those games

Series Breakdown

All-Time Series Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57-64-1 (.471)
Regular Season Series Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56-64-1 (.467)
Chargers All-Time at Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-36 (.410)
Current Streak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W, One (1) game
Last Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 3, 2021 at K.C. — W, 38-21
Longest Chargers Win Streak . . . . . . . . . . . . Six games (1979-81)
Longest Chiefs Win Streak . . . . . . . . . . . . Nine games (2014-18)
Head Coach Brandon Staley vs. Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-0 (.000)
Staley All-Time vs. Chiefs* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-2 (.000)
Most Career GP vs. Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . CB Chris Harris Jr. (20)
*(Including years as assistant coach)

Chicago Bears Game 3 Release

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September 24, 2021

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FIRST AND 10

• Chicago is facing the Browns for the first time since the 2017 season, a 20-3 Bears victory at Soldier Field on Christmas Eve. The Bears are making their first trip to First Energy Stadium since 2013, a 38-31 Bears victory.

• Chicago is 7-9 all-time against the Browns, but have won the last three meetings in 2009, 2013 and 2017.

• The Bears have won their last nine games against AFC North opponents. They swept the division in 2017 and 2013 and defeated the Bengals last week at Soldier Field.

• Head coach MATT NAGY is 10-3 in September games in his three-plus seasons as head coach.

• QB ANDY DALTON has started 17 career games against the Browns, going 12-5 overall. He has passed for 3,546 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

• WR ALLEN ROBINSON II has recorded at least one catch in all 90 career games, the second-longest active streak in the NFL behind DeAndre Hopkins (128). Last week he recorded his 40th career touchdown in the 20-17 win over the Bengals.

• DB JAYLON JOHNSON leads the NFL with five passes defensed through two weeks. He had four in the Week 2 win over the Bengals, including his first career interception.

• DB EDDIE JACKSON recorded his eighth career forced fumble last week against the Bengals. He has seven since the start of 2018, the second most among NFL safeties (Malcolm Jenkins, 8) during that span.

• LB KHALIL MACK has recorded at least 1.0 sack in 24 games for the Bears, with the Bears going 17-6 in those games.

• K CAIRO SANTOS currently has a streak of 29 consecutive field goals made during the regular season, a Bears record, and a streak that started in Week 3 last year at the Falcons.

GAME NOTES

• Chicago is facing the Browns for the first time since the 2017 season, a 20-3 Bears victory at Soldier Field on Christmas Eve.

• The Bears are making their first trip to First Energy Stadium since 2013, a 38-31 Bears victory.

• Chicago is 7-9 all-time against the Browns, but have won the last three meetings in 2009, 2013 and 2017.

• The Bears have won their last nine games against AFC North opponents. They swept the division in 2017 and 2013 and defeated the Bengals last week at Soldier Field.

• In the Week 2 win over the Bengals, Chicago recorded three interceptions in the fourth quarter: DB JAYLON JOHNSON, LB ROQUAN SMITH and DL ANGELO BLACKSON. It marked the first time since 2018 (vs. TB) in which the Bears had a defensive back, linebacker and defensive lineman each record an interception. It also marked the first time for the Bears since 1991 in which it happened in the same quarter.

• The last time the Bears picked off an opposing quarterback 3+ times was Sept. 23, 2019, intercepting Washington quarterback Case Keenum three times on Monday Night Football.

• QB ANDY DALTON has started 17 career games against the Browns, going 12-5 overall. He has passed for 3,546 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

• Dalton also has 22 career rushing touchdowns, the fourth most in the NFL among quarterbacks since entering the league in 2011.

• QB JUSTIN FIELDS rushed for his first NFL touchdown with 4:14 left in the third quarter in Week 1 at the Rams. Dating to 1960, Fields is the first Bears rookie quarterback to rush for a touchdown in a season opener. He was the Bears seventh quarterback overall to score a rushing touchdown in Week 1.

• WR ALLEN ROBINSON II has recorded at least one catch in all 90 career games, the second-longest active streak in the NFL behind DeAndre Hopkins (128). Last week he recorded his 40th career touchdown in the 20-17 win over the Bengals.

Player Catches Timeline
DeAndre Hopkins, Hou-Ari 128 2013-active
Allen Robinson II, Jax-Chi 90 2014-active
Stefon Diggs, Min-Buf 88 2015-active
Jamison Crowder, Was-NYJ 84 2015-active
Michael Thomas, NO 70 2016-active

• Robinson ranks sixth in the NFL among wide receivers with 2,456 receiving yards since the start of the 2019 season (Diggs 2,794; Hopkins 2,709; Adams 2,548; Moore 2,527; Cooper 2,466).

• Robinson owns 16 games of 100+ receiving yards and has eight career multi-touchdown performances.

• Robinson is tied for first in Bears annals with five 10+ reception games with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

• WR DARNELL MOONEY leads the team with 11 catches and 92 yards on the season.

• Mooney set a Bears record for most receptions by a rookie wide receiver by snagging 61 in 2020. He also recorded 631 yards and had four touchdowns.

• RB DAVID MONTGOMERY had a streak of seven consecutive regular season games with a touchdown snapped in the Week 2 win over the Bengals.

• Montgomery ranks third in the NFC with 169 rushing yards over the first two weeks behind Christian McCaffrey (170) and Dalvin Cook (192).

• Montgomery rushed for 108 yards on 16 carries (6.8 avg) in Week 1 at the Rams. He became the first Bears RB to rush for 100+ yards in a season-opener since Matt Forte did so at Green Bay in 2015.

• Montgomery finished the 2020 season with 1,508 yards from scrimmage (1,070 rushing) and was one of five players in the NFL with over 1,500+ yards from scrimmage. Montgomery was also the only NFL running back with more than 1,000 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards.

• Montgomery tied for third among NFL running backs with the most games with at least 100 scrimmage yards in 2020: Derrick Henry, TEN – 10; Dalvin Cook, MIN – 9; Nick Chubb, CLE – 8; David Montgomery, CHI, 8.

• In Week 1 at the Rams, TE JIMMY GRAHAM became the sixth tight end in NFL history to record 700 career receptions. He joins the company of Hall of Fame tight ends Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates as the only three TEs to eclipse 700+ career receptions, 8,000+ yards and 80+ TDs.

• Graham ranks second among NFL tight ends since 2010 with 8,350 receiving yards, 700 receptions and 82 receiving TDs (Gronkowski 90). He also ranks fourth in NFL history among tight ends with his 82 career TD catches.

• Last season Graham ranked second in the NFC among tight ends with his eight TD catches and tied for fourth among all tight ends.

• LB KHALIL MACK notched his first sack of the season in Week 2 vs. the Bengals. He has recorded at least 1.0 sack in 24 games for the Bears, with the Bears going 17-6 in those games (7-2 in 2018, 5-2 in 2019, 4-3 in 2020 and 1-0 in 2021).

• Mack has 67.5 sacks since the start of 2015, the third most in the NFL in that span, and has 22.0 3rd-quarter sacks since the start of 2015, the most in the NFL.

• In 14 primetime games with the Bears, Mack has 11.0 sacks, eight forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions, one which was returned for a touchdown.

• Mack had a team-high nine sacks in 2020 and is one of two players in the NFL (Aaron Donald) with at least eight sacks in each of the last six seasons. Since entering the NFL in 2014, he is one of seven players with at least 70 sacks (71.5) and is second behind Chandler Jones (25) for the league lead with 23 forced fumbles during that span.

• In his first season with the Bears, LB ROBERT QUINN registered three forced fumbles, and his 27 career forced fumbles are second behind Chandler Jones (29) for the most among active players. He is the only player in the NFL with multiple forced fumbles in each of the past eight seasons.

• In Week 2 LB ROQUAN SMITH recorded eight tackles, 1.0 sack for minus-8 yards and his first career interception return for touchdown in the 20-17 win over the Bengals. With the Bears leading 10-3 in the fourth quarter, Smith intercepted QB Joe Burrow and ran it back 53 yards, shedding multiple tacklers along the way for his first career NFL touchdown, and his first touchdown since high school. Prior to that he also added a sack in the third quarter, forcing the Bengals to kick a field goal. Smith also led the team in tackles for the second consecutive game with eight. Smith is the first Bears player to record a sack and an interception in the same game since Nick Kwiatkoski on Nov. 10, 2019 against the Lions.

• DB JAYLON JOHNSON leads the NFL with five passes defensed through two weeks. He had four in the Week 2 win over the Bengals, including his first career interception.

• Johnson led all rookies and tied for sixth in the NFL with 15 passes defensed in 2020.

• DB EDDIE JACKSON recorded his eighth career forced fumble last week against the Bengals. He has seven since the start of 2018, the second most among NFL safeties (Malcolm Jenkins, 8) during that span.

• Jackson has six defensive touchdowns in his career, the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2017. The first two came in the same game vs. Carolina (10/22/17), a 75-yard fumble return and a 76-yard interception return. His third score was a 65-yard fumble return at Buffalo (11/4/18). His fourth was a 27-yard interception return vs. Minnesota (11/18/18) and the fifth was the very next week, a 41-yard interception return at Detroit on Thanksgiving (11/22/18). His sixth was an 8-yard fumble return at the Rams last season.

• K CAIRO SANTOS currently has a streak of 29 consecutive field goals made during the regular season, a Bears record, and a streak that started in Week 3 last year at the Falcons. Consecutive FG makes – active streaks: Jason Myers, Sea 36 11/11/2019 – active Graham Gano, NYG 35 9/20/2020 – active Nick Folk, NE 33 9/20/2020 – active Cairo Santos, Chi 29 9/27/2020 – active

• Head coach MATT NAGY is 11-7 against the NFC North in his head coaching career, including a 10-2 mark against the Lions and Vikings.

• Nagy finished the 2020 season one win behind former coach Lovie Smith (29) for the most wins by a Bears head coach through three seasons.

• Nagy has a 16-6 record when the Bears score more than 24+ points since 2018.

• Nagy is 10-3 in September games, the only losses were Week 1 in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Last year was the Bears first undefeated month of September since 2010.

• Only 50 games into his Bears’ coaching tenure, Matt Nagy has strung together six win streaks of three or more games, ranking fourth all-time among Chicago coaches.

Coach Games 3+ win streaks
1. George Halas 497 46
2. Mike Ditka 168 16
3. Lovie Smith 144 10
4. Matt Nagy 50 7
5. Dave Wannstedt 96 5

Toronto’s Borucki disciplined

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MLB Editor

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September 24, 2021

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Pitcher Ryan Borucki of the Toronto Blue Jays has received a three-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for intentionally hitting Kevin Kiermaier of the Tampa Bay Rays with a pitch during the bottom of the eighth inning of Wednesday’s game at Tropicana Field. Michael Hill, Senior Vice President of On-Field Operations for Major League Baseball, made the announcement.

In addition, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo has received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine as a result of Borucki’s intentional throwing. Montoyo will serve his suspension tonight, when the Blue Jays open their series against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

The suspension of Borucki had been scheduled to begin tonight. However, he has elected to appeal. Thus, Borucki’s discipline will be held in abeyance until the process is complete.

Arizona Cardinals Game 3 Release

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September 24, 2021

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THIS WEEK’S PREVIEW

The Cardinals and Jaguars meet up for a Week 3 showdown at TIAA Bank Field on Sunday as Arizona looks to improve to 3-0 and Jacksonville – behind rookie QB Trevor Lawrence – looks for its first win of the young season.

Arizona is coming off a one-point victory over the Vikings in the home-opener at State Farm Stadium last week. Jacksonville lost its home-opener to the visiting Broncos in Week 2.

The teams meet for just the sixth time dating back to their first matchup in 2000. The only franchise the Cardinals have faced fewer times in the regular season is Houston (4). Arizona has had success against the Jaguars, coming in with a 3-2 record and looking for its fourth consecutive victory, including its third straight on the road.

Jacksonville is led by Lawrence and first-year NFL head coach Urban Meyer. Like Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury – Meyer came to the NFL from the college ranks.

Two Cardinals players who are very familiar with the Jaguars are former Texans DL J.J. Watt and WR DeAndre Hopkins. During their Ɵ me in the AFC South, Watt (16) and Hopkins (14) played a combined 30 games against Jacksonville. Watt has 17.0 career sacks vs. Jaguars while Hopkins enters the contest with 79 receptions for 930 yards and six TDs against the Jaguars. Watt has had some of the biggest games of his career against Jacksonville, against whom Watt has three of his six career games with at least 3.0 sacks.

Playing alongside Watt on the Cardinals defense is LB Isaiah Simmons, who will face his former Clemson teammate Lawrence for the first time. The duo’s two seasons (2018-19) together at Clemson marked the most successful two-year run in program history. In those two campaigns, the Tigers posted a 29-1 record, appeared in two BCS National Championship Games and won a national title in 2018 to cap a perfect 15-0 season.

Following this week’s game, Arizona heads back West as they face the Rams at SoFi Stadium in the first NFC West showdown of the 2021 season for either team. Jacksonville will hit the road for a Week 4 matchup with the Bengals.

THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

The Cardinals travel to Jacksonville for the first-ever matchup between two of the seven active QBs who were taken #1 overall in the NFL draft: Kyler Murray (AZ in 2019) and Trevor Lawrence (JAX in 2021).

Murray is off to the best start of his young career, having accounted for nine TDs (7 passing, 2 rushing) through the first two games. Murray is the first player in NFL history with at least three passing TDs and a rushing TD in each of the first two games of a season.

For the second straight season, Kliff Kingsbury has Arizona off to a 2-0 start. He joins Bruce Arians (2014-15), Don Coryell (1973-74) and Arnie Horween (1923-24) as the only coaches in team history to start 2-0 in back-to-back years.

Arizona heads to Jacksonville looking to improve its record to 3-0 to start the season. DaƟ ng back to 1970, the Cardinals have started a season 3-0 four times
(2015, 2014, 2012, 1974).

Following a 25-point win in Week 1, the Cardinals are coming off a nail-biter last week in which they pulled out a 34-33 victory on a missed FG as Ɵ me expired. The win over Minnesota was a back-and-forth affair that featured eight lead changes.

Rookie WR Rondale Moore will look to continue his impressive start. The second-round pick (49Ǧǚ overall) leads the team – and all NFL rookies – with 182 receiving yards and 268 all-purpose yards through two games.

Another young player off to a hot start is second-year LB Isaiah Simmons. Through the first two weeks, Simmons has already recorded 17 tackles, an INT, two passes defensed and a forced fumble. He is the only defender in the NFL this season with 15+ tackles, an INT and a forced fumble.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR THIS WEEK

Arizona would start a season 3-0 for the first time since 2015 and for just the fifth time since the 1970 merger (2015, 2014, 2012, 1974).

The Cardinals would improve to 4-2 all-Ɵ me vs. Jacksonville and run their winning streak against the Jaguars to four straight dating back to 2009.

Arizona would improve to 3-1 all Ɵ me on the road against Jacksonville , including wins in its last three visits.

MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
LB Chandler Jones
With a sack, Jones would pass Freddie Joe Nunn (66.5) as the franchise all-time sacks leader.

With a sack, Jones would become the first player in Cardinals history with at least 6.0 sacks through the first three games of a season.

With 2.0 sacks, Jones would become the ninth player in NFL history with 7.0+ sacks through the first three games of a season. He would join Shaq Barrett (8.0 in 2019) as the only players in the last eight years to accomplish the feat.

QB Kyler Murray
With a passing and rushing TD, Murray would have 13 career games with both a passing and rushing TD. In NFL history only Cam Newton (20) and Josh Allen (16) would have more such outings in their first three NFL seasons.

With three passing TDs, Murray (10) would join Charley Johnson (10 in 1965) as the only players in franchise history with at least 10 TD passes through the first three games of a season.

WR DeAndre Hopkins
With a reception, Hopkins would extend his streak to 129 consecutive games with a catch. He would have at least one catch in every game of his NFL career.

With a TD reception, Hopkins would have at least four TD receptions through the first three games of a season for the first time in his career.

DL J.J. Watt
A sack of Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence would make him the 41ǥǦ different QB Watt has sacked in his career. It would also give Watt 18.0 career sacks against Jacksonville, tied with Tennessee for most against any opponent in his career.

WR Rondale Moore
With 100+ receiving yards, Moore would become the first rookie in franchise history to record 100+ receiving yards in back-to-back games. He would become just the eighth rookie in team history with multiple 100-yard games in a season and the first since Anquan Boldin (5) in 2003.

This Week in the CFL – Week 8

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September 24, 2021

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Hamilton at Ottawa will be on TSN, RDS2, ESPN+, BT Sport 1 and Yare
Montreal at Toronto will be on TSN, RDS, ESPN+, BT Sport 3 and Yare
Saskatchewan at BC will be on TSN, ESPN2, BT Sport 3 and Yare

Week 7 retrospective

Games last week averaged 47.5 points per game – the second-highest scoring week of the season
The Calgary vs. Hamilton game was completed in 2:36 – three minutes quicker than BC vs. Montreal. 2:36 stands as the quickest game of the season and is tied for the seventh-fastest game since 2014.
Two of the games were decided in the final three minutes.
Montreal’s William Stanback rushed for a season-high 139 yards – his league-leading third 100+ yard rushing game of the year.
Roughriders running back William Powell rushed for his first 100+ rushing yard game when he rushed for 122 yards against the Argonauts

Trends this season

Teams that have committed fewer or even turnovers are 23-4 (.852)
In the past seven games, each team that won took fewer penalties.
Teams with a better starting field position are 21-6 (.778).
Teams with a better completion percentage are 20-6 (.769).
Teams that have registered more ‘explosive plays’ are 15-8 (.652).
Teams with more or even sacks are 12-9 (.571).
2019 vs. 2021 CFL Standings through seven weeks:

Jones Returns

Tuesday morning, the Toronto Argonauts introduced Chris Jones as Defensive Consultant.
This will be his second stint with the Argonauts with his first coming in 2012-13 where he won a Grey Cup (2012).
Jones’s CFL resume:
- Montreal | 2002 | Defensive line coach
- Montreal | 2003-07 | Defensive Coordinator
- Calgary | 2008-11 | Defensive Coordinator
- Toronto | 2012-13 | Defensive Coordinator
- Edmonton | 2014-15 | Head Coach
- Saskatchewan | 2016-18 | Head Coach
In his 17 seasons in the CFL, Jones’s teams have compiled a 188-117-1 record with seven Grey Cup appearances and four championships (2002, 2008, 2012, 2015). and a Coach of the Year award in 2018.
In nine of his 17 seasons, his defences have finished Top-3 in net offence yards allowed.
In ten of the 17 seasons, his defences have finished Top-3 in points allowed.
Jones was named Coach of the Year in 2018 with Saskatchewan.

Quick Slants

Calgary’s Darnell Sankey recorded a career-high 12 tackles against Hamilton. He leads the league in defensive tackles (48) and defensive plays (53).
Hamilton’s Simoni Lawrence recorded his second pick-six of the season in Week 7. He is tied with Sean Thomas Erlington for the team-lead in touchdowns with two apiece.
Ottawa is coming off a Week 7 bye. In the past two seasons, the REDBLACKS were 1-5 following a bye week. Teams coming off a bye this year are 3-3.
Saskatchewan’s Cody Fajardo has 22 career starts and owns a record of 16-6 (.727).
Through six games with the BC Lions, Lucky Whitehead has already surpassed the 521 receiving yards he collected in 15 games with Winnipeg in 2019. Whitehead leads the league in receiving yards (554) yards and average yards per reception (18.5). Whitehead owns the two longest offensive touchdowns of the season – both 75-yard efforts.

CFL Preview: Lions, Riders Battle for Second in the West

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CFL Editor

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September 24, 2021

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CFL Preview: Lions, Riders Battle for Second in the West

VANCOUVER — Coming off their win against the Montreal Alouettes, the BC Lions welcome the Saskatchewan Roughriders to BC Place in a battle for second place in the West Division.

Riding high off a dominant performance by Michael Reilly (308 passing yards and two touchdowns) the Lions face a Riders’ defence that has looked a little different from the start of the season.

After surrendering 10 points or less in respective games against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa REDBLACKS earlier this season, Saskatchewan’s defence has given up a combined 72 points since their measuring-stick game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Labour Day.

The opposite can be said about the BC Lions, who have been hitting their stride and return back home in the midst of a three-game winning streak.

During the span of those three games, Reilly and the Lions’ offence have seemingly exploded, utilizing the passing game for a combined 928 yards and seven touchdowns. One of the players who have benefited the most from the Lions’ winning streak heading into their matchup against the Riders is Lucky Whitehead.

Whitehead, who has shown to be a threat in the return game, has made his name renowned with his efforts on the offensive side of the ball. Just last week, Whitehead caught 100% of his targets on the night hauling in 6/6 for 133 yards and a touchdown.

Friday will mark just the second time the Lions and the Riders will face off with their first meeting stemming all the way back to Week 1, where Reilly and Nathan Rourke took snaps under centre. With this in mind, Riders’ head coach Craig Dickenson is preparing for an entirely different Lions team this Friday.

“He [Reilly] looks very good,” said Dickenson. “He looks like he’s in a groove, he’s got great rhythm, you can tell his confidence is sky-high; it’ll be a challenge for us to slow him up. He’s a very good football player, tough as nails, just an outstanding guy…there’s a reason he’s got a ring, he’s a champ.

Looking at where his team is in the standings and the streak the Bombers are currently on, Dickenson is well aware of how important this divisional game will be.

“We’re tied with them (BC) for second,” said Dickenson. “Both of us have the same records and the team that wins will go to second alone. This is an important game, our guys know it. We had a decent day today, but not great, we need to have a better day tomorrow and get on that plane confident that we have a good plan.”

Lining up against the BC secondary this week, Kyran Moore is confident in his receiving core’s ability to find success.

“They (BC) play a lot of zone and some man,” said Moore. “I feel like once we get them in man or zone and have those one-on-one opportunities, we just have to make the plays.”

While Dickenson recognizes that the Lions are not the same team they faced in Week 1, Moore feels that his Riders are in the same boat.

“I know it feels different because we got a couple of games under our belt,” said Moore. “We’ve got a better understanding of the offence and a better understanding of how BC plays their defence.”

With the Riders now at the mid-way point of their schedule, their next few weeks will see them hit the road. After starting the 2021 campaign with five of their six games played at Mosaic Stadium, the Riders will face hostile environments on the road in their next six of eight games. Though, Dan Clark isn’t all too concerned about the travel his club has to do as it is business as usual for the Riders’ O-line.

“If you want to go play at the Thunder Field in 20 minutes, I’ll meet you there,” said Clark. “That’s kind of my mentality being 12 years with this team, it doesn’t matter where we play when we play or how we play, I’ll show up ready and focused to do my job.”

You can catch the second game of the Friday Night Football doubleheader at 10:30 p.m. ET on TSN and ESPN2 or follow along with CFL.ca’s Game Tracker.

CFL Preview: Bethel-Thompson leads the way as Argos host Alouettes

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September 24, 2021

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CFL Preview: Bethel-Thompson leads the way as Argos host Alouettes

TORONTO — With seeding in the East Division standings on the line, the Toronto Argonauts welcome the Montreal Alouettes to BMO Field for the first game of a Friday Night Football doubleheader.

Though it is mid-season, Friday night’s contest will have some true playoff implications as the Argos, who are coming off a loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, are looking to make up some ground in the East. The same can be said for the Als who, like the Argos, embark on a stretch of East Division opponents as both clubs look to make life uncomfortable for the division-leading Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

With how important the second half of the schedule will be for his club, Argos’ head coach Ryan Dinwiddie didn’t downplay how crucial this stretch will be for his team.

“It’s playoff season for us,” said Dinwiddie. “We got to start winning games, put some streaks together. If we don’t handle our business was going to be the odd-man-out when it comes to playoff time and that’s what no one wants in this building.”

He followed up by assessing how he feels his team has played thus far in the season and the mindset shared going into this important stretch.

“Seeing where we had to go play and who we’re playing early on, I think all of us would be pretty happy if we could be .500 coming out of it,” said Dinwiddie. “We’re in a favourable position we still control our own destiny, but I think everybody is a little bit disappointed we haven’t took that next step, we’re looking to do that this week.”

While Toronto’s defence has been stifling this year, giving up the third-least net yards (1,906) in the CFL and allowing the second-fewest rushing yards (510), the team decided to make some changes. In doing so, the league announced earlier this week that the Argos have hired long-time CFL coach, Chris Jones.

The Tennessee native brings with him over two decades of coaching experience, four Grey Cup titles and a Coach of The Year title from 2018. During his first practice with the Boatmen earlier this week, Jones was impressed with the group the Argos have put together with some familiar faces.

“There’s really a lot of good, long players,” said Jones. “We’ve got some length, we’ve got some speed, we’ve got some players who know how to play and got some people with some familiarity with what we do defensively.”

Jones will hit the ground running with this Argos’ defence with his first assignment to help mitigate turnovers and penalties as eight flags resulted in points the weeks prior.

“You’ve got to correct those types of things in order to win football games,” said Jones. “That’s part of where I come in. I’ve got to stress it enough and show them the importance of playing clean football.”

The Argos’ defence will be put to the test against an Alouette offence that sits atop the league in net yards averaged with 385.6 on the season.

Through eight weeks, the story of the Montreal Alouettes’ offence has been the lack of repeat performances. In some games, such as their 30-13 win over the Edmonton Elks or their 51-29 win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS, Vernon Adams Jr. and the offence can do no wrong. In other instances, such as their most recent Week 7 loss against the Lions, the offence seems to stall out and lean on the tandem of William Stanback and Adams to ignite drives.

With the next weeks being critical for the Als in their positioning in the standings, Eugene Lewis and the Als’ offence are hungry to rebound.

“I think every game is critical and we just take it one game at a time,” said Lewis. “I always feel like the east game are always big just because it plays a big part in the record. We can’t worry about down the line, we got to worry about right now. We can’t win the Grey Cup tomorrow, can’t win the Grey Cup this game…It’s a one-game season from here on out.”

Some good news for the Als ahead of Friday’s game is that the team is planning on getting Khari Jones back on the sidelines.

Jones has been a driving force in the development of Adams and the Alouettes as a whole. Having been by his side during the 2019 season, Jones is fully aware of the talent level that Adams has the level of play that he is capable of as during that season he threw for 3,942 yards, 24 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions.

While not at practice, Jones has been vocal in the team’s Zoom meetings and as Adams noted, Jones spoke to him about his play and what to work on ahead of their game against Toronto.

“I don’t need to force these throws. I know we got playmakers and everything, but we got playmakers underneath as well who can get the first down as well,” said Adams on Jones’ assessment of last week’s game.

“Just taking what they [defences] give me and obviously, just being more consistent. I was like a rollercoaster through that whole game, had some good plays and some not-so-good plays…It starts with me so just keep getting better.”

For the Argos, it’ll be McLeod Bethel-Thompson under centre as Nick Arbuckle deals with an injury. Defensively, the team will also be without two Canadian linebackers in Cameron Judge and Henoc Muamba.

You can catch the first game of the Friday Night Football doubleheader at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN, RDS and ESPN+ or follow along with CFL.ca’s Game Tracker.

Game Recap: Tiger-Cats take down Redblacks in rainy affair

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September 24, 2021

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Game Recap: Tiger-Cats take down Redblacks in rainy affair

OTTAWA — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Ottawa REDBLACKS on Wednesday night thanks to scores from their offence and defence.

The rain was coming down in sheets for the majority of the contest at TD Place, but that didn’t slow down the Ticats from notching their fourth win of the season with a 24-7 victory.

Steven Dunbar scored a touchdown for the Ticats on offence while Jumal Rolle scored on a pick-six on defence in their team’s winning effort. Dunbar finished his night with four catches for 27 yards while Rolle added a tackle on special teams.

Hamilton quarterback David Watford connected on 15 of 25 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. He also called his own number 11 times for 54 yards. For the REDBLACKS, Dominique Davis completed six of 14 pass attempts for 50 yards and an interception and Matt Nichols was good on seven of his 10 passes for 68 yards.

The REDBLACKS showed some life in the fourth quarter after DeVonte Dedmon scored on a punt return, but it wasn’t enough for the home team to begin a comeback.

With the rain coming down, the opening quarter began a little slow for both offences. After trading a few punts, the first point of the game came from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Ottawa punted the ball out of their own end zone, putting the Ticats in good field position to start their second possession of the night. Watford moved his team into field goal range but Taylor Bertolet missed his 34-yard attempt, adding a single point on the board for the visitors (1-0).

After the REDBLACKS turned the ball over on downs – Simoni Lawrence stopped Dominique Davis on the short yardage attempt (third and one) – the Ticats attempted their second field goal of the night (52 yards) but it was missed once again.

Bertolet had a third chance to connect on his first field goal of the evening, this one from 39 yards out, and he booted it through the uprights as the first quarter came to a close, adding to Hamilton’s lead (4-0).

On their opening drive of the second quarter, the Ticats found the end zone for the first time of the evening. The 11-yard major score courtesy of Steven Dunbar, along with the convert, extended Hamilton’s lead to 11-0. The drive was aided by a penalty – a 15-yard horse collar penalty called on Ottawa SAM linebacker Don Unamba – and featured a 36-yard catch and run from Jaelon Acklin to get the team into scoring position.

Ottawa’s second turnover of the night was a fumbled Davis handoff to Ryan Davis and Hamilton linebacker Kameron Kelly recovered the football. The Ticats capitalized with a field goal, as Bertolet booted and connected on his 50-yard attempt. That would extend Hamilton’s lead to 14-0.

Hamilton committed their first turnover with two minutes left in the first half, as they turned the ball over on downs following the REDBLACKS defence stuffing Watford’s third down QB sneak attempt. The home team wasn’t able to capitalize, however, as Hamilton’s defence held them to two-and-out.

After the teams traded two-and-outs to begin the second half, Davis and the REDBLACKS were starting to get some momentum, moving down the field. But just when things starting to go in the home team’s favour, Jumal Rolle intercepted Davis and returned it to the house for the pick-six. With the point after, Hamilton extended their lead to 21-0.

On the team’s next drive, it was Matt Nichols under centre for the REDBLACKS taking over for Davis.

In the early part of the fourth quarter, DeVonte Dedmon did what he does best on special teams and returned a punt 63 yards to the house to score the REDBLACKS first points of the ball game. Lewis Ward was good on his convert and Ottawa cut the Ticats lead to 21-7.

That score proved to be a momentum swing, as the REDBLACKS defence held the Ticats to a two-and-out once again on the next possession.

Nichols then started to get into a rhythm when Ottawa got the ball back but an awkward fall saw the REDBLACKS pivot leave the game. On third and one, it was receiver Nate Behar in at QB to try and get the first down. He was unsuccessful and turned the ball over on downs.

With about two minutes left in the game, the Tiger-Cats punted and the ball slipped through Dedmon’s hands and Hamilton recovered, bringing Watford and co. right back on the field. They settled for a field goal as Bertolet connected on his 14-yard attempt, increasing the Ticats’ lead to 24-7.

Behar was behind centre for the REDBLACKS final drive with under a minute to go for a few plays before time ran out.

Next up for the Tiger-Cats is a home game against the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday while the Ottawa REDBLACKS host the Edmonton Elks on Tuesday.

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This Week in the CFL – Week 8

CFL Preview: Lions, Riders Battle for Second in the West

CFL Preview: Bethel-Thompson leads the way as Argos host Alouettes

TORONTO — With seeding in the East Division standings on the line, the Toronto Argonauts welcome the Montreal Alouettes to BMO Field for the first game of a Friday Night Football doubleheader.

Game Recap: Tiger-Cats take down Redblacks in rainy affair

OTTAWA — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Ottawa REDBLACKS on Wednesday night thanks to scores from their offence and defence.

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