Packers claim top spot in AP Pro32 poll after Patriots’ loss
Bucs to host Bears
NEW YORK, Sept 13, (Agencies): After the opening week of the NFL season, it’s so easy to overreact, given such a small sample.
That’s not an issue for the Green Bay Packers. They started the season last week at No. 2 in the first AP Pro32 poll and opened with a 17-9 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
And after the defending champion New England Patriots were routed in their opener, the Packers took advantage.
Green Bay grabbed the top spot in the latest AP Pro32 poll, which was released on Tuesday, receiving seven of 12 first-place votes for 376 points in balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL.
In all, six teams received a first-place vote.
The Kansas City Chiefs earned one of those firstplace votes to reach 367 points, jumping five places to No. 2 in the poll after opening the season with a 42-27 win against the Patriots.
Coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Reid coached the Eagles for 14 seasons and reached the playoffs nine times.
The Dallas Cowboys also earned a first-place vote and finished with 331 points, moving up five places to No. 3 after a 19-3 win over the rival New York Giants.
The Patriots fell from No. 1 to No. 4 and will look to rebound in New Orleans on Sunday against Drew Brees and the Saints.
New England also received a first-place vote and trails Dallas by only two points.
The Atlanta Falcons stayed at No. 5 and will open their new $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium when they host the Packers on Sunday night in a rematch of the NFC championship game.
The Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers were tied at No. 6. Both received a first-place vote and have 327 points, trailing Atlanta by one.
Seattle, which lost to the Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, dropped five spots to No. 8.
The Minnesota Vikings moved up six spots to No. 9 after opening with a win against the Saints. Minnesota faces a test this week when it goes on the road to take on the Steelers.
The Carolina Panthers gained
Reid
three spots to round out the top 10.
Officials approved Raymond James Stadium for Week 2 and the NFL agreed the game between the Buccaneers and Chicago Bears will be played as scheduled Sunday in Tampa, Fla. The Bucs were still working through a bunch of logistical problems Monday.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson will have surgery on his left wrist and is expected to be sidelined two to three months, multiple outlets reported on Tuesday.
The Cardinals placed Johnson on injured reserve, but with a chance to return this season.
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt isn’t going to let a little thing like a finger injury slow him down, even if that injury reportedly dealt with a bone breaking through the skin. When asked about his condition, Watt told the team’s website on Tuesday that he was fine.
“It’s inside my body, so it’s still attached,” the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year said.
The Los Angeles Rams signed punter Johnny Hekker to a twoyear contract extension, the team announced.
Hekker, who initially signed a six-year extension in 2014, will remain with the team through the 2022 season. The deal gives the 27-year-old $10 million guaranteed, the most ever for a punter, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
New Orleans right tackle Zach Strief is expected to be sidelined a few weeks after sustaining an MCL sprain in his left knee during Monday’s 29-19 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, according to multiple reports.
An MCL sprain typically is a four-week injury, which means Strief could be sidelined through the team’s Week 5 bye.
The Philadelphia Eagles will sign rookie Jake Elliott off the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad to replace fellow kicker Caleb Sturgis, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Tuesday.
Rapoport reported that Sturgis will be placed on injured reserve/ designation to return after the kicker sustained a hip flexor injury in Philadelphia’s season-opening 3017 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.