Stafford, defense lift Lions to 2-0
Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns, rookie Jamal Agnew broke the game open with an 88-yard punt return for a score in the fourth quarter and the Lions beat the Giants 24-10 on Monday night. The Lions (2-0) sacked
Eli Manning five times while sending the Giants (0-2) to a second straight disappointing performance. Giants All-Pro receiver
Odell Beckham Jr. returned from a sprained left ankle and had four catches for 32 yards in limited action. Stafford found Marvin
Jones for a 27-yard touchdown in the first quarter and passed to Eric Ebron for a go-ahead 7-yarder in the second. Matt Prater added a 56-yard field goal just before halftime, helping the Lions to a 17-7 lead at the break. Ezekiel Ansah had three sacks as the Lions joined the Falcons and the Panthers as the only unbeaten teams in the NFC through Week 2. Bradford back soon?: Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Monday he believes that quarterback
Sam Bradford’s left knee injury wouldn't be long term but gave no timeline for a return.
“I know you guys want to ask me about all these things,” Zimmer told reporters, “but I don't have a crystal ball. Wish I did. I'd call some games better.”
But NFL Network reported Monday the injury is believed to be a bone bruise rather than ligament damage, and that, pending how the quarterback responds to treatment, Bradford could be available Sunday against the Buccaneers.
Zimmer said the Vikings will not be looking to bring in another quarterbackwhile Bradford works his way back. That appears to eliminate any possibility that Colin Kaepernick could be brought in to try to give the Vikings a boost.
Case Keenum struggled in the 26-9 loss to the Steelers on Sunday, going 20-for-37 for 167 yards.
Luck still out: Andrew
Luck will miss his third consecutive game Sunday after being ruled out by Colts coach Chuck Pagano on Monday.
Pagano didn't rule out the possibility of Luck coming back Wednesday, but acknowledged that doctors have not cleared Luck to participate.
Luck had surgery in January on a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.
The Colts have used two starting quarterbacks,
Scott Tolzien and Jacoby Brissett, in two weeks. Both are 0-1, putting the Colts in a 0-2 hole for the fourth consecutive year. Extra points: Panthers
coach Ron Rivera said TE Greg Olsen had surgery Monday to repair a broken right foot . ... A federal judge in Texas denied the NFL's request to suspend his injunction that blocked a six-game ban for Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott . ... Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski said his groin injury isn't serious and that he's “day to day” for Sunday's game against the Texans . ... Falcons All-Pro edge rusher
Vic Beasley could be out for up to three weeks with a hamstring sprain . ... 49ers S
Eric Reid will miss at least Thursday night's game against the Rams with a left knee injury.