Daniels has been dealing with a rib injury. He suffered the injury early last week against the Carolina Panthers. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota finished the 40-7 Commanders win in relief. Quinn previously said that Daniels was considered a game-time decision against Chicago.
Daniels’ availability ensures a highly anticipated matchup featuring the top two picks in this year’s NFL Draft. The Bears selected Williams first overall, and Washington took Daniels with the No. 2 pick.
Both players have experienced early success in their careers and led their teams to winning records. Washington enters Sunday’s game at 5-2 and in first place in the NFC East. Daniels is a big reason for Washington’s success as one of the league’s best quarterbacks early in the season.
In seven games, Daniels has completed a league-best 75.6% of his passes for 8.4 yards per attempt with six touchdowns and two interceptions. The Commanders rank fourth in the NFL with 384.1 yards per game and are tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the league lead with 31.1 points per game.
Williams has led the Bears to a 4-2 record. He’s completed 65.3% of his passes for 6.6 yards per attempt with nine touchdowns and five interceptions in six starts.
The Atlanta Falcons look to sweep their NFC South Division rivals this season as they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. The Falcons (4-3) lost at home to the Seahawks in Week 7, 34-14, while the Buccaneers (4-3) lost to the Ravens at home on Monday night, 41-31. The teams most recently met in Week 5, a thrilling come-from-behind 36-30 Atlanta home victory. The Buccaneers are 4-3 against the spread, while the Falcons are 3-4 ATS in 2024.
Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET. Atlanta is a 2.5-point favorite in the latest Falcons vs. Buccaneers odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points is 45.5. The Falcons are -135 money line favorites (risk $135 to win $100), while the Buccaneers are +115 underdogs. Before making any Buccaneers vs. Falcons picks, you need to see the NFL predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season on an incredible 12-5 betting hot streak on top-rated NFL picks this year. Longer term, it is on a 193-134 roll on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season and a 47-27 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of 2022.
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Falcons vs. Buccaneers streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Falcons can cover
Three weeks ago, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns in a stunning comeback effort by Atlanta against Tampa Bay. Top wide receiver Drake London had 12 catches for 154 yards and a score while No. 2 WR Darnell Mooney caught nine passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. While it’s unlikely that this week’s matchup will be as high scoring as we saw earlier this month, the Falcons definitely had their way with Tampa through the air.
A key for the Falcons going forward will be the success of top running back Bijan Robinson. Over the last two games, he has rushed for a combined 198 yards and three touchdowns, achieving two of his best performances this season to date. On the season, the second-year phenom has 684 combined yards and four touchdowns, and it would be to Atlanta’s benefit if they utilized their most elusive weapon more often going forward. See which team to pick here.
Why the Buccaneers can cover
Tampa Bay has an uphill battle after losing both of its top receivers to serious injuries on Monday night. Future Hall of Famer Mike Evans was lost to a hamstring injury in the second quarter vs. Baltimore and will miss at least the next three games. Chris Godwin, who led the team with 50 receptions and 576 yards, sustained a nasty ankle injury on the team’s final series in garbage time and will likely miss the rest of the 2024 season. But quarterback Baker Mayfield is playing well enough to overcome these crucial losses.
On the season, Mayfield has thrown for 1,859 yards and 18 touchdowns, which ranks second and first respectively in the league. Tampa Bay will utilize top running back Rachaad White as a receiving threat out of the backfield considering he had 549 yards through the air in 2023 and already 198 this season. Tight end Cade Otton, who ranks third on the team with 41 targets and 263 yards, should also expect to see more utilization at least until Evans returns. See which team to pick here.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks to quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A dominant defense. An offense heavily reliant on a running game. A steady start to a season brimming with promise tinged by uncertainty at quarterback.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been here before. Even if Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson haven’t.
Fifty years ago, the original “Steel Curtain” defense led by Joe Greene was in its prime. Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier provided a one-two punch in the backfield. Rookie wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth were the downfield threats the passing game so desperately lacked.
Yet something was off. Coach Chuck Noll could feel it even as Pittsburgh went 4-1-1 over the opening six weeks. Joe Gilliam, who started in Week 1 after Terry Bradshaw was injured late in the preseason, threw four touchdowns against eight interceptions across those first half-dozen games, leading Noll to turn back to Bradshaw and even take a glimpse at third-stringer Terry Hanratty.
The constant jockeying at the game’s most important position could have divided the team. In some ways, it did. Greene grew so frustrated late in the season following a loss to the Houston Oilers that he cleaned out his locker in a huff only to have wide receivers coach Lionel Taylor talk him out of quitting.
Bradshaw eventually settled in and the season ended with the Steelers winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl.
Looking back, Swann doesn’t linger on the bumpy road Pittsburgh took to the top, only the destination. Asked during a 50th-anniversary celebration of the 1974 team on Sunday night just hours before Wilson guided the Steelers to a surprisingly easy 37-15 win over the New York Jets that pushed Pittsburgh to 5-2 what he remembers about the turbulent season five decades ago, the Hall of Famer just smiled.
“Chuck was going to do what Chuck was going to do,” Swann said. “As players, we knew we just had to do our jobs for whoever the quarterback was. I caught my first career touchdown pass from Joe. I was with Joe just like I was fine with Terry or (Hanratty).”
Standing inside the Acrisure Stadium locker room just after Sunday night turned to early Monday morning, inside linebacker Patrick Queen echoed a similar thought when talking about Wilson and backup-turned-starter-turned backup Justin Fields.
“We have got a lot of faith in both of those guys,” Queen said. “Justin did a great job and now Russ has come in and done a great job. We know whoever we have back there, they’re going to give us a chance to win.”
Maybe, but Wilson’s performance in his first regular-season game in 10 months showed a glimpse of what Tomlin and first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith believe the Steelers can be.
Wilson completed 16 of 29 passes for 264 yards, throwing for two scores and running for another. Wide receiver George Pickens finished with five receptions for 111 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Running back Najee Harris topped 100 yards for a second straight week and the Steelers went over 30 points in consecutive games for the first time since 2020.
Suddenly, all the external angst about Wilson’s return from a calf injury disrupting whatever the Steelers believed they were building with Fields disappeared.
Funny how winning convincingly does that.
“We’re having fun playing ball,” Wilson said. “We’re having fun going to practice. We’re having fun being around one another and Coach Tomlin believes in all of us.”
His 35-year-old quarterback perhaps most of all.
What’s working
Developing what Tomlin calls a “block culture.”
The Steelers got their hands on a kick for a third straight game when defensive tackle Dean Lowry deflected Greg Zeurlein’s 35-yard field-goal attempt late in the third quarter that would have drawn the Jets within five. The offense drove 75 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing possession to put the game out of reach.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who put a lot of efforts into the techniques that are required to deliver (blocked kicks),” Tomlin said. “So I am appreciative of that, it’s pretty awesome, and it’s significant.”
What needs help
The slow starts remain an issue. The Steelers have one first-quarter touchdown through seven games. For a team that prefers to jump out in front and let the defense do the rest, falling behind regularly against teams with playoff aspirations — such as most of their opponents in the second half of the season — is playing with fire.
Stock up
Beanie Bishop was supposed to be a fill-in at slot corner until Cam Sutton comes off the suspended list in early November. The undrafted rookie free agent’s fearlessness and playmaking in Sutton’s absence — capped by the first two interceptions of Bishop’s career on Sunday night against Aaron Rodgers, both of which set up touchdowns — means he has likely carved out a role for himself in some capacity even after Sutton returns.
Stock down
Tomlin’s critics. The NFL’s longest-tenured coach could have played it safe and stuck with Fields considering how solidly the Fields had performed while filling in.
Yet Tomlin understands his offense needs to reach another gear if it wants to be a legitimate contender in the AFC.
While plenty of work remains to be done, the victory over the Jets provided a solid foundation Tomlin expects his team to build on.
Injuries
Defensive tackle Montravius Adams left in the first half with a knee injury. Cornerback Donte Jackson injured his shoulder in the second quarter.
Key number
201 — games played by longtime defensive tackle Cam Heyward, tied with Hall of Fame cornerback Donnie Shell for the most by a defensive player in franchise history.
Next steps
Try to complete their sweep of the Big Apple (OK, northern New Jersey) when the struggling New York Giants (2-5) visit for “Monday Night Football” on Oct. 28.
FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas football team could not recreate home-field magic against a top-10 team Saturday night.
Eighth-ranked LSU never trailed and pulled away late to defeat the Razorbacks 34-10 in front of an announced attendance of 75,893 at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The fourth-largest attendance in stadium history was reduced to mostly a smattering of visiting fans in purple and gold by game’s end.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was efficient with a 22-of-33, 224-yard passing performance and running back Caden Durham ran for 3 touchdowns to lead the Tigers (6-1, 3-0 SEC) to their sixth consecutive victory. LSU won its third game in a row over Arkansas and won in Fayetteville for the fifth consecutive trip.
The Razorbacks have not defeated the Tigers on their home field since 2014.
LSU coach Brian Kelly was pleased with the performance that left the Tigers as one of two undefeated teams in conference play. They will play the other undefeated team next week, 14th-ranked Texas A&M.
“These games have always been close games, but to come down here and play the kind of football we did today, which was controlling the line of scrimmage — [Arkansas] had 38 yards rushing — and for us to run the football and close out the game with [a long drive], those are the things you look for in a football team that is emerging as a contender,” Kelly said.
Arkansas (4-3, 2-2) failed to win after an open week for the first time since 2020. The Razorbacks were playing their first game since a 19-14 victory over then-No. 4 Tennessee on Oct. 5.
Like the Volunteers coming off an open date two weeks ago, the Razorbacks staggered out of the gate Saturday.
LSU outgained Arkansas 384-277 in total offensive yards, including 158-38 on the ground. Running back Ja’Quinden Jackson was held to a season-low 26 yards on 5 attempts for the Razorbacks while battling an ankle injury, but he was the team’s leading rusher on a night when Arkansas only had 19 rushing attempts.
“We got handled physically from the start,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said on the Razorback Sports Network postgame show.
Durham’s 22-yard touchdown run capped the game’s opening drive. The possession was aided by a pass interference and roughing the passer penalty against Arkansas, but an offensive pass interference penalty nullified a 2-yard touchdown catch by tight end Mason Taylor. The Tigers were whistled for their first of seven false starts before they could get off another snap.
Facing second-and-goal from the 22, Durham broke three tackle attempts and dove to the pylon in the front-left corner of the end zone. He finished the game with 101 yards on 21 carries and scored all of his team’s touchdowns.
Damian Ramos added field goals of 33, 48 and 33 yards in the first half to help LSU build a 16-7 halftime lead. Ramos also made a 47-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to put the Tigers ahead 27-10.
Ramos received a game ball and was clutch against the Razorbacks for the second year in a row. His 20-yard field goal with 5 seconds remaining gave LSU a 34-31 victory in the teams’ meeting last season in Baton Rouge, La.
“I thought the field goal kicks, while the game was still in balance, helped us stay ahead of it and keep the momentum,” Kelly said.
Arkansas cut the Tigers’ lead to 13-7 when Taylen Green threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Armstrong with 8:25 remaining before halftime. That capped a 9-play, 75-yard drive in which Green completed 5 of 5 passes for 59 yards and scrambled twice for 9 yards.
Green did not appear slowed by a bruised left knee that caused him to leave the Tennessee game early in the fourth quarter. But he was not dynamic (21-of-31 passing for 239 yards) and threw a devastating interception late in the third quarter that essentially ended Arkansas’ chances for a comeback.
After Matt Shipley’s 51-yard field goal pulled Arkansas within 16-10 on the first possession after halftime, the Razorbacks forced LSU’s only punt and took possession at their own 14 late in the third quarter.
Green’s first-down pass was deflected and intercepted by linebacker Whit Weeks, the reigning SEC player of the week who returned the ball to the Arkansas 2. Durham ran for a touchdown on the next play and Nussmeier’s 2-point pass to tight end Trey’Dez Green put the Tigers ahead 24-10.
LSU won the turnover battle 3-0 and scored 11 points off of the Razorbacks’ miscues.
“Fifty offensive snaps and three turnovers,” Pittman said. “We have to do better there.”
The Tigers put a punctuation mark on the performance with a 14-play, 80-yard drive that took 8:22 off the clock in the fourth quarter. Durham’s 1-yard touchdown run set the final score with 2:20 remaining.
Nussmeier converted a pair of third downs through the air on the final scoring drive. LSU finished 8 of 14 (57.1%) on third down against an Arkansas defense that allowed a 33.3% conversion rate entering the game.
The 24-point margin of victory was the largest in the series since LSU’s national championship team won 56-20 in 2019 as the Razorbacks played in their first game under interim head coach Barry Lunney Jr., following Chad Morris’ firing two weeks earlier.
The previous four games in the series had been decided by a field goal, with LSU winning three times.
Why Arkansas Lost
The Razorbacks could not run the ball and could not get off the field on third down.
Player of the Game: LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier
The junior did not throw a touchdown pass, but he kept the team moving down the field all night. Excluding an end-of-half scenario, LSU only punted once.
Nussmeier completed 9 of 12 passes for 72 yards on third down, successfully converting 7 during the game.
“Nussmeier was really good,” Pittman said.
Boot data
LSU improved to 20-9 against Arkansas since the teams began playing for “The Boot” trophy in 1996.
The Tigers have won 8 of 9 games against the Razorbacks since 2016, and LSU has won 6 of 7 games at Arkansas since the Razorbacks’ home games in the series were moved away from Little Rock.
Up Next
Arkansas is scheduled to play at Mississippi State (1-6, 0-4) next Saturday beginning at 11:45 a.m.
Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined indefinitely to begin the NBA season as he rehabilitates from inflammation in his right knee, head coach Ty Lue confirmed ahead of Thursday’s game.
The Clippers and Leonard are in the midst of a rehab process for the two-time NBA Finals MVP that is aimed at bringing sustainability for him on the court through the season, and the franchise will be diligent and cautious to ensure his fitness long term.
“[There is] no timeline,” Lue said of Leonard’s timetable to return before the Clippers faced the Kings at Intuit Dome. “Like we said from day one, it is going take some time. He’s going to progress, he’s doing all the right things, he’s working hard and he’s looking good.”
Leonard, 33, has neither played during the Clippers’ entire preseason — which concludes Thursday against the Sacramento Kings — nor participated in any activity involving on-court contact during training camp.
Lue said Leonard suffered a “setback” after participating in USA Basketball camp in Las Vegas back in July.
“He felt good,” Lue, who also was an assistant coach on the gold-medal-winning USA Basketball team, said before the Clippers faced the Kings. “He looked good. The swelling was down, everything was going in the right direction. He had worked hard to get to that point, and then once you start playing, you never know what’s going to happen.
“But he was in position, we thought in the right position to go forward, and it was a setback, so that was unfortunate.”
Lue said Leonard has not suffered any new setbacks during training camp or this preseason. He said Leonard is feeling good and progressing.
In Leonard’s absence, James Harden, who said he feels more comfortable this season after having a full training camp, will be relied upon to shoulder much of the offensive load and be the team leader. He joined the franchise last year during an early-season trade from Philadelphia and had to adapt alongside Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook.
With George now in Philadelphia and Westbrook in Denver, Harden will try to be a playmaker for the likes of Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell and Terance Mann.
Harden has said Leonard needs to take all the time he needs to return and be healthy for late in the season.
Leonard began to experience inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee following a win at Charlotte on March 31. He missed the final eight games of the regular season and was limited to two games in the six-game loss to Dallas in the first round of the playoffs.
Leonard and the Clippers have gone through a variety of medical treatments to control the inflammation since the end of last season. Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said at the start of training camp that the inflammation had gone down significantly since last postseason but that the team wanted to get the franchise star’s knee to 100% and would take every precaution.
When asked whether he could have to deal with the inflammation coming up for the rest of his career, Leonard said that that is a possibility but that the medical staff has got a better handle on it and is trying to ensure that isn’t the case.
Leonard, who sat out the entire 2021-22 season because of a torn ACL in his right knee, has missed 179 of a possible 435 games since joining the Clippers in 2019.
He played in 52 regular-season games in 2022-23. After he tore his right meniscus during the 2023 first-round playoff series against Phoenix, Leonard played in 68 regular-season games last season — his most since the 2016-17 season — and averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals while earning his sixth All-Star nod.
The Clippers play the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 23 in the Intuit Dome’s first regular-season basketball game.
“[Russell Wilson] is in consideration this week. We’ll see where that leads us,” he said.
Tomlin later added: “I’ll acknowledge that Russ proved his health last week, and we’re looking hard at him this week. It is up for consideration.”
Fields has started the first six games of the season, helping the Steelers to a 4-2 start but the offense has been inconsistent, particularly through the air. In the past two weeks, Fields has thrown for fewer than 150 yards and completed fewer than 60 percent of his passes. The dual-threat has done most of his damage with his legs, including two touchdowns in Sunday’s win over Las Vegas.
“Justin has been really good, and we’ve been good at times, but not to be confused with great,” Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday when asked why Fields had not done enough to be named starter despite a 4-2 record.
“This is a competitive league, man. We’re trying to position ourselves to be that team, and we’ve got a player with talent, who hadn’t have an opportunity to play, so we’re going to explore those things. Sometimes it doesn’t have anything to do with what Justin has done or has not done. Justin has been an asset to us. Last week, for example, his ability to utilize his legs by design and by ad lib was a significant component of that game. He rushed for 50-plus yards and two touchdowns. … We’re appreciative of that. We’re appreciative of how he’s taken care of the ball. But we’re just looking at all of the people at our disposal. The same way we do at any position.”
The question for Tomlin is whether he believes losing the dynamic rushing element Fields provides might be worth it if Wilson can bring more to the passing attack. It’s also possible the Steelers could utilize both QBs Sunday night against the Jets, something that Tomlin did not rule out on Tuesday.
MAYE THROWS FIRST NFL TOUCHDOWN Maye completed his first touchdown on a 40-yard pass to WR Kayshon Boutte in the second quarter. It is the longest pass for the Patriots since a 48-yard pass play from QB Bailey Zappe to RB Kevin Harris in the second quarter at Buffalo on Dec. 31, 2023. It is the longest touchdown pass for New England since QB Mac Jones completed a 58-yard touchdown pass to TE Pharaoh Brown in the first quarter at the New York Jets on Sept. 24, 2023.
MAYE’S 40-YARD TD ON FIRST TD PASS IS SECOND LONGEST ON FIRST TD PASS BY A ROOKIE QB Maye’s 40-yard touchdown pass on his first career touchdown pass is the longest for a rookie Patriots quarterback on his first career touchdown pass since QB Drew Bledsoe’s first career touchdown pass resulted in a 54-yard touchdown to TE Ben Coates on Sept. 5, 1993 vs. Buffalo.
MAYE BECOMES FOURTH PATRIOTS ROOKIE QB TO THROW 3 TDS IN A GAME Maye became the fourth Patriots rookie quarterback to throw at least 3 touchdown passes in a single game, joining Drew Bledsoe, Jim Plunkett and Mac Jones.
PATRIOT ROOKIE QBS TO THROW AT LEAST 3 TOUCHDOWN PASSES IN A GAME
4 TDs Jim Plunkett vs. Buffalo (11/14/1971)
4 TDs Drew Bledsoe vs. Miami (1/2/1994)
3 TDs Mac Jones vs. Cleveland (11/14/2021)
3 TDs Mac Jones vs. Jacksonville (1/2/2022)
3 TDs Drake Maye vs. Houston (10/13/2024)
MAYE IS THE 14TH ROOKIE QB TO THROW FOR AT LEAST 3 TDS IN FIRST CAREER START Maye became the 14th rookie quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least three touchdowns in his first-career start, joining M.C. Reynolds (3), Jacky Lee (3), Dan Marino (3), Kevin Sweeney (3), Ed Rubbert (3), Todd Marinovich (3), Tony Banks (3), John Stofa (4), Josh Freeman (3), Matt McGloin (3), Marcus Mariota (4), Trevor Lawrence (3) and Will Levis (4) as the only rookie quarterbacks to accomplish the feat in their first-career start.
PATRIOTS QUARTERBACKS ARE 9-9 IN THEIR FIRST STARTS SINCE 1970 Since 1970, Patriots quarterbacks are 9-9 in their first career starts. Of those 18 quarterbacks, Jim Plunkett, Steve Grogan, Tony Eason, Bob Bleier, Tommy Hodson, Drew Bledsoe, Jacoby Brissett, Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Drake Maye made their first starts in their rookie seasons. QB Game Score Jim Plunkett Patriots vs. Oakland (9/19/71) 20-6 (W) Neil Graff Patriots vs. Houston (9/21/75) 0-7 (L) Steve Grogan Patriots at St Louis (11/2/75) 17-24 (L) Matt Cavanaugh Patriots vs. Baltimore (11/23/80) 47-21 (W) Tony Eason Patriots at N.Y. Jets (11/27/83) 3-26 (L) Tom Ramsey Patriots vs. Indianapolis (11/22/87) 24-0 (W) Bob Bleier Patriots vs. Cleveland (10/4/87) 10-20 (L) Tommy Hodson Patriots at Phoenix (11/25/90) 14-34 (L) Scott Zolak Patriots at Indianapolis (11/15/92) 37-24 (W) (OT) Drew Bledsoe Patriots at Buffalo (9/5/93) 14-38 (L) Scott Secules Patriots vs. Houston (10/17/93) 14-28 (L) Tom Brady Patriots vs. Indianapolis (9/30/01) 44-13 (W) Matt Cassel Patriots at NY Jets (9/14/08) 19-10 (W) Jimmy Garoppolo Patriots at Arizona (9/11/16) 23-21 (W) Jacoby Brissett Patriots vs. Houston (9/22/16) 27-0 (W) Mac Jones Patriots vs. Miami (9/12/21) 16-17 (L) Bailey Zappe Patriots vs. Detroit (10/9/22) 29-0 (W) Drake Maye Patriots vs. Houston (10/13/24) 21-41 (L)
FIRST TO THROW AT LEAST 3 TDS AND LEAD HIS TEAM IN RUSHING IN FIRST START SINCE AT LEAST 1950 Maye threw 3 touchdowns and led his team in rushing with 38 yards. He is the first quarterback to lead his team in rushing and throw for at least 3 touchdown passes in his first career start since at least 1950.
BOUTTE HAS FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION WR Kayshon Boutte caught his first NFL touchdown when he was on the receiving end of a 40-yard touchdown pass from QB Drake Maye in the second quarter.
FOXBORO — Drake Maye made his first career start, but the results were the same for the New England Patriots in their Week 6 clash with the Houston Texans. The Patriots lost their fifth straight game, 41-21, to fall to 1-5 on the season.
Despite the loss, there were a lot of signs of hope for the future as Maye threw three touchdown passes (giving him the team-lead for the season) and the Patriots scored more points on Sunday than they had in any of their previous five games. With Maye now starting, the Patriots are at least building toward something with their young QB.
But the Texans were too much for New England to handle on Sunday. Houston found the end zone on each of their first two possessions, and then turned three second-half turnovers by the Patriots into 17 points. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud threw three touchdown passes of his own on 20-for-31 passing while running back Joe Mixon rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown in his return.
New England turned the ball over four times overall: Two interceptions and a fumble by Maye and a fumble by tight end Austin Hooper. The Patriots’ run game was also non-existent without Rhamondre Stevenson, as New England averaged just 3.2 yards on 26 carries for just 82 rushing yards.
“Drake made some good decisions out there. I thought he had some good reads, I thought he tried to get the ball out of his hands, I thought he did a good job extending plays with his legs to get first downs. We just gotta be better,” New England head coach Jerod Mayo said after the loss. “We let him down. I feel like I let him down.”
Drake Maye makes first career start for Patriots
Drake Maye did a bit of everything in his debut. He threw a lovely touchdown. He threw a bad pick. He scrambled for some yards and he fumbled. He even recorded his first career tackle.
Maye was up and down in his first career start, which is expected from a 22-year-old rookie. The Patriots had a quick three-and-out on their first possession and Maye threw a bad interception to end New England’s second possession. However, the Texans didn’t turn that gift of a possession into any points.
Maye threw a lovely deep ball to Kayshon Boutte just before halftime, connecting with the receiver down the right sideline for a 40-yard touchdown strike to cut the Houston lead to 14-7.
Drake Maye DIME for his first career touchdown pass!
The Patriots had momentum on their side as the second half got underway, but that vanished when Maye was strip-sacked by Danielle Hunter and Houston recovered at the New England 10-yard line. The Texans turned that fumble into a quick touchdown when Stroud hit Stefon Diggs in the end zone to give Houston a 21-7 lead.
Maye led the Patriots on another touchdown drive late in the third quarter, throwing for 64 yards and capping off the drive with a six-yard touchdown to Hunter Henry to make it a 27-14 game.
He had another solid drive early in the fourth quarter. Maye scrambled for 15 yards on a second-and-5, and then hit DeMario Douglas over the middle on a third-and-5, which the speedy receiver turned into a 35-yard touchdown for New England to make it a 34-21 game with 9:24 left. But the Texans answered with a four-play touchdown drive, capped off by a 54-yard touchdown run by Dameon Pierce to put the game out of reach.
The Pats didn’t win, but the offense looked functional for the majority of the game. The deep threat is back with Maye at quarterback, and he also made the Texans pay a few times with his legs.
Overall, Maye was 20-for-33 for 243 yards, three touchdowns, a pair of interceptions, and a lost fumble. He also ran for 38 yards on five carries to finish as New England’s leading rusher.
Turnovers crushed New England’s chances in Week 6
The Patriots turned the ball over four times on Sunday, leading to 17 points for the Texans. Houston could have had more too but Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 40-yard field goal attempt after Maye’s first pick.
Maye’s fumble turned into a Houston touchdown out of the break, and the Pats fumbled away their third possession of the second half as well. Maye felt the pressure on first down and threw a short pass to Hooper, but Houston linebacker Henry To’oTo’o knocked the ball out of the tight end’s hands and Bullock recovered at the New England 31. Houston turned that into a field goal.
The Texans got another turnover when they deflected a short attempt by Maye to Antonio Gibson, and it went right into the hands of Anderson at the New England 26. Joe Mixon broke off a 20-yard touchdown run two plays later to give the Texans a 34-14 lead.
The Texans had a minus-three turnover differential heading into Week 6, but were plus-three in that department on Sunday.
Patriots will face Jaguars in London in Week 7
Up next for the Patriots is a trip across the pond for a matchup against the 1-5 Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. The Jags are already overseas, having lost to the Chicago Bears, 35-16, on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw four touchdown passes against the Jacksonville defense in Week 6, while Trevor Lawrence was sacked three times and picked off once for the Jaguars. Chicago running backs ran for 152 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry against Jacksonville on Sunday.
Matt Geagan
Matthew Geagan is a sports producer for CBS Boston. He has been part of the WBZ sports team for nearly 20 years. He moved over to the web in 2012 and has covered all the highs (and a few lows) in Boston sports.
The Carolina Panthers look to match their win total from 2023 as they host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. Carolina (1-4) fell in Chicago last week, 36-10, while Atlanta (3-2) staged a dramatic comeback to beat Tampa Bay in overtime, 36-30. The Panthers have won two of the last three meetings, including a 9-7 low-scoring affair last December. Atlanta is 2-3 against the spread, while Carolina is 1-4 ATS in 2024.
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Falcons vs. Panthers streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Falcons can cover
The Falcons continue to find ways to win close games, with victories of one, two, and six points this season. Their offense continues to play at a high level, as evidenced by last week’s win over Tampa Bay. Quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 42 passes for a career-high 509 yards and four touchdowns in the team’s win over the Buccaneers last Thursday. Wide receiver Drake London has been nearly impossible to guard of late, catching 12 passes for 154 yards and a score in the Week 5 thrilling victory. Fellow WR Darnell Mooney caught nine passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns and has been a solid complement to London this season.
If Atlanta is going to make a legitimate run at the division title, they need improved play from running back Bijan Robinson. The second year pro hasn’t lived up to his potential in 2024, rushing for only 285 yards and generating 151 yards through the air, while finding the end zone only one time. Against a Panthers defense surrendering the fifth most total yards to their opponents (371.2), this would be a prime spot for Robinson to explode for a big performance. See which team to pick here.
Why the Panthers can cover
Though Carolina had been more competitive in veteran quarterback Andy Dalton’s first two starts, the Panthers bottomed out last week in Chicago, with the veteran only throwing for 136 yards and an interception. The Panthers could go back to last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Bryce Young, as the team falls further out of playoff contention, so Dalton has a limited time to turn around the team’s fate. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson caught a combined 15 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns in Dalton’s first two starts and should look to find success against a beatable Atlanta secondary.
The Panthers’ best player on offense this season has been running back Chuba Hubbard, who has 97 or more yards rushing in each of his last three games. Since Week 1, Hubbard is averaging 115 all purpose yards per game and has scored three times. Even with running back Jonathon Brooks (ACL) set to be activated in the near future, Hubbard will be tough to remove from the starting role considering his success thus far in 2024. See which team to pick here.
One of the biggest fights of the year takes place on Saturday when WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev meets WBA champion Dmitry Bivol in a long-awaited clash to crown an undisputed champion. The fight takes place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
For years, Bivol and Beterbiev have dominated the 175-pound division, with a bout between the two seemingly inevitable, though failing to come together until the two sides finally reached an agreement to meet on June 1. That fight ended up getting delayed to Saturday after Beterbiev suffered a training camp injury.
Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KO) is the only current champion in boxing with a 100% stoppage rate. That power suggests Beterbiev is a pure brawler, and his mauling style backs up that assumption. Beterbiev is, however, a talented technician who was a successful amateur who won European and world championships before turning professional.
In 2017, Beterbiev stopped Enrico Kolling to win the IBF title, his first world championship as a professional. Interestingly, Beterbiev stopped Kolling with just 27 seconds remaining in the 12th and final round, the closest he’s come to reaching the judges’ scorecards.
Beterbiev stopped Oleksandr Gvozdyk in a much-anticipated 2019 unification bout to add the WBC title to his collection. Three fights later, Beterbiev thumped Joe Smith Jr. in the second round to capture the WBO title. He has gone on to defend his three world titles against Anthony Yarde and Callum Smith.
“I don’t know about it but if [Alalshikh] helped for this fight to happen, I think we know that man. He helped us for this fight. But we never know if it wouldn’t have happened [without him],” Beterbiev said. “Every good boxer wants to have an opportunity like this. I’m really happy. I’ve been working toward this goal everyday.”
Like Beterbiev, Bivol (23-0, 12 KO) transitioned from a successful amateur career to the professional ranks. His path to becoming the WBA “super” champion was a fairly confusing one.
Bivol defeated Felix Valera in 2016 to win the WBA interim title. He would fight four times, twice defending the interim title, before being elevated to “regular” champion in late 2017 after a chain of events that saw Andre Ward retiring as “super” champion and Badou Jack vacating the “regular” title.
Bivol would defend the “regular” version of the title five times before finally being elevated to the true world championship “super” champion status in 2019.
While already recognized as one of the best boxers in the world, Bivol finally got exposure in the larger boxing world when he was selected by generational superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez as an opponent in Alvarez’s attempt to move up to light heavyweight and become a 175-pound champion for the second time in his career.
Against Alvarez, Bivol put on a boxing masterclass, using effective defense and technique to score a massive upset and hand Alvarez just the second defeat of his professional career.
“Just like how a soldier wants to be a general, [becoming undisputed champion] is the same,” Bivol told TNT Sports this week during his “Face-Off” with Beterbiev. “This is the final step for all of pro boxers. What are you going to achieve more in this weight class if we talk about trophies and belts? Everything was for this.”
With Bivol and Beterbiev cemented as the best light heavyweights in the world, the wills preventing their meeting have finally been broken down and the pair now meet with an upcoming bout between David Morrell and David Benavidez establishing an immediate “next man up” for the winner.
Elsewhere on the card, IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia is back when he puts his strap on the line against Jack Massey. Opetaia, the 29-year-old Aussie, has looked tremendous in recent outings. He bested the veteran and former cruiserweight titleholder Mairis Briedis in May to claim the vacant IBF title. Opetaia has stopped 19 of the 25 opponents he’s faced in the ring.
“I don’t think it’s going to be an easy fight. I’ve prepared for a hard 12 rounds, he’s very durable, he’s been in the ring with some great fighters,” Opetaia told iFL TV. “I’m going to adapt in the ring, find it and capitalize on it. We’re comfortable being uncomfortable. We’re always chasing pain in the gym. This is just another day in the office for us.”
Plus, there’s some more international flair to the rest of the undercard. Heavyweights Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke are set to square off. Wardley is 17-0-1 with 16 knockouts on his resume. There’s also Chris Eubank Jr. set to return when he takes on Kamil Szeremeta in a middleweight contest. And women’s WBC featherweight champion Skye Nicholson is set to defend her crown against Raven Chapman in an intriguing contest.
Let’s take a closer look at the complete fight card with the latest odds before getting to predictions and expert picks on the main event.
Bivol vs. Beterbiev fight card, odds
Dmitry Bivol (c) -125 vs. Artur Beterbiev (c) +110, undisputed light heavyweight championship
Jai Opetaia (c) -2000 vs. Jack Massey +900, IBF cruiserweight title
Fabio Wardley -140 vs. Frazer Clarke +125, heavyweights
Chris Eubank Jr. -2500 vs. Kamil Szeremeta +1000, middleweights
Skye Nicolson (c) -600 vs. Raven Chapman +400, WBC featherweight title
Ben Whittaker -2000 vs. Liam Cameron +900, light heavyweights
Where to watch Bivol vs. Beterbiev
Date: Oct. 12
Location: Kingdom Arena — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Start time: 6 p.m. ET (main event
Streaming: ESPN+ for main event, DAZN PPV for undercard fights ($19.99)
Prediction
Brian Campbell: In what can only be described as a true, 50/50 matchup between future Hall of Famers, this light heavyweight summit comes down to whether Bivol can handle the power of Beterbiev in the second half, particularly into the championship rounds when Beterbiev typically is at his best. Bivol has never been knocked down as a professional and a large part of that is due to his quickness, defense and ability to dart in and out of trouble. But to win a fight against a boxer as talented as the power-punching Beterbiev, it will require Bivol taking more chances than ever before. Look for Bivol to claim the majority of the first six rounds as he establishes his rhythm as the younger and busier boxer. But even Bivol is bound to find out what all 20 of Beterbiev’s opponents already have: no one lasts 12 full rounds against this absolute destroyer. Beterbiev via KO10
Brent Brookhouse: On a surface level, this fight would appear to be a battle between Bivol’s technical prowess and Beterbiev’s brute power. That overlooks that Bivol — while not as powerful as Beterbiev — has enough power that it must be respected, and Beterbiev — while not a ring tactician like Bivol — is only able to apply his power because he has phenomenal technique.
The odds shading slightly Bivol’s way make sense considering Beterbiev, 39, is starting to see his body break down a bit. He has had a plethora of injuries in recent years and has only fought three times since the start of 2022. Beterbiev has been dominant in those fights, mind you, but in a fight as competitive as Bivol vs. Beterbiev, you’re looking for the little things that could determine a fight and Beterbiev’s age may be that “little thing.”
Even so, Bivol’s chin is going to have to hold up because Beterbiev is going to land, and when he lands, it hurts. Ultimately, the fight comes down to whether or not Bivol can use his ring IQ to stay off the ropes and out of corners where Beterbiev can best ply his trade. Given how well Bivol navigated the dangers of his fight with Alvarez, there’s reason to think he’ll be able to do so against an even more dangerous opponent in Beterbiev. Pick: Dmitry Bivol via UD
