Saints’ streak should ring bell for Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TEXAS >> Drew Brees and the Saints have a chance to do something that should seem familiar to Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys. If it happens, New Orleans might even have the NFC South title already in hand by the end of the week.
The record-setting quarterback will go for an 11th straight win after a seasonopening loss in a visit to the Cowboys on Thursday night. That’s exactly what Dallas did when Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott were rookie sensations in 2016.
It won’t be a franchise record the way it was for Dallas. The Cowboys might remember when New Orleans started 13-0 on the way to a Super Bowl title nine years ago, because they won on the road to start the Saints’ season-ending three-game skid.
The Saints can’t afford a similar slump if they want the NFC’s top seed, which Dallas had with 13 wins two years ago. The Los Angeles Rams enter the week with the same 10-1 record. But New Orleans can wrap up the division title with four games remaining with a win and a Carolina loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
“You don’t begin to count, but then you start beginning to do the things that are necessary to win,” said Saints coach Sean Payton, architect of the two longest winning streaks in franchise history. “Generally, if you are going to have a decent team, you are going to win some games in a row. It is going to be hard not to if you aspire to get into the postseason.”
The Cowboys (6-5) have a modest three-game run, capped by a Thanksgiving win over Washington that vaulted them to a tie for the NFC East lead with the Redskins. Questions about the future of coach Jason Garrett have been replaced by talk of a second division title in three years.
“We have all the confidence in ourselves,” said Prescott, coming off a season-high 289 yards passing. “They put on their pants the same way we do. They’ve won 10, and I guess we’ve won three (in a row). As I’ve said, we’re going to take it one game at a time. That’s all that matters.”
Chiefs star safety Eric Berry gets back on practice field
KANSAS CITY, MO. >> Eric Berry was back on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice field Wednesday for the first time since early in training camp, though it remains unclear when the star safety will be ready for games.
Berry tore his Achilles’ tendon in last season’s opener, but was back on the practice field over the summer. He began training camp, but then was sidelined by a troublesome heel problem.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid has maintained all season that Berry was “day to day,” even as it stretched to week to week and month to month. And while Reid said Berry would work in a limited capacity Wednesday he made it clear that the Chiefs would be cautious in getting him up to speed.
The Chiefs (9-2) are coming off their bye week. They visit the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
Driskel gets longawaited chance when Bengals host Broncos
CINCINNATI >> Jeff Driskel headed directly from the practice field to the podium in the media room and headed for Andy Dalton’s usual seat. In countless ways, the third-year quarterback has entered a new frontier.
Until last Sunday, he’d never gotten into a game because of an injury. He’s practicing with the Bengals’ starting offense this week for the first time all season.
And on Sunday, he’ll make his first career start against the Broncos (5-6) at Paul Brown Stadium in a game the Bengals (5-6) need to win to maintain any hopes of reaching the playoffs.
“All right!” he said, settling into a chair behind the microphone.
He’s been waiting a long time for such a chance.
Driskel was hoping to lead the Florida Gators after Tim Tebow’s departure, but he broke his leg and wasn’t able to win the job. He transferred to Louisiana Tech for the 2015 season, threw for 4,033 yards and was drafted by San Francisco in the sixth round. The Bengals claimed him off waivers before the 2016 season.
They liked his arm, his mobility and how he responded in pressure situations, keeping him as the No. 3 behind Dalton and AJ McCarron. Last year, he broke his passing hand in the final preseason game and hurt his non-passing arm while playing the role of receiver during practice late in the season.
McCarron won a grievance and became a free agent after the season. Driskel competed with Matt Barkley for the backup job during training camp, getting it when Barkley hurt his left knee in the final preseason game.
Mayfield doesn’t regret actions, says not ‘cookie-cutter’ QB
BEREA, OHIO >> Baker Mayfield won’t change for anyone and refuses to be a “cookie-cutter quarterback.”
Cleveland’s outspoken rookie said Wednesday that he doesn’t regret calling former Browns coach Hue Jackson “fake” and he has no intention of changing his behavior. Following the Browns’ 35-20 win on Sunday in Cincinnati, Mayfield was cold toward Jackson and then said he was unhappy his first NFL coach accepted a job with the Bengals, a division rival.
Mayfield’s comments drew criticism and he fired back with a post on Instagram assailing Jackson. Mayfield declined to elaborate about their relationship.
The No. 1 overall draft pick said he’s entitled to his opinion, and “although I’m an athlete, I’m not a cookiecutter quarterback, never have been, never will be. I speak my mind. That’s just how I am, so I didn’t like the (Jackson) move and people don’t have to care. I’m not looking for anybody’s approval.”