Top guns of 2016 face off in NFC duel
Rams’ Goff, Eagles’ Wentz in big game
The first showdown between Jared Goff and Carson Wentz is going to be a big one.
The top two picks in the 2016 draft have led their teams to the cusp of clinching playoff berths. On Sunday, Goff’s Los Angeles Rams (9-3) play host to Wentz’s Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) in a crucial matchup of division leaders.
Besides an impact on playoff seedings, the matchup will show just how far the two young quarterbacks have brought their teams.
“Obviously we’ll be forever linked because of the draft and everything, and I think we’re both excited for this game and just for those matchups in the future,” Wentz said. “But at the end of the day they’re a great football team and so are we right now, so there’s a lot riding on this one just because we’ve got two good NFC opponents.
“So there’s a lot more at stake than just me versus Jared and everything. But, at the same time it’s definitely exciting.”
Because of poor air quality from a large wildfire not far from their Ventura County headquarters, the Rams held a walk-through rather than a normal practice Wednesday.
The Eagles were also out of their routine, but perhaps in a good way. Rather than making cross-country flights in consecutive weekends, they spent the week in Orange County after losing at Seattle on Sunday night, which snapped their ninegame winning streak.
49ers
While the addition of Jimmy Garoppolo under center dramatically changed the look of the San Francisco offense Sunday, it had a huge impact on the defense as well. Garoppolo helped the 49ers control the game by nearly doubling up the Bears in time of possession, 38:47 to 21:13, which meant the defense played a seasonlow 36 snaps while putting together one of its best performances of the year. “I honestly felt like I could play another full game after that game,” defensive lineman DeForest Buckner said.
Jets
Wide receiver Robby Anderson was limited at practice after tweaking a hamstring, and his status for the game against the Denver Broncos is uncertain. Coach Todd Bowles said the second-year receiver had a setback Thursday, but hopes it isn’t serious. The Jets offense would take a big hit if Anderson is unable to play. He’s having a breakout season with 49 catches for a team-leading 821 yards and seven touchdowns. Anderson and Jermaine Kearse are the first pair of Jets receivers to have consecutive games with 100 yards receiving since Don Maynard and George Sauer in 1967.
Chiefs
Kansas City probably didn’t expect to be tied atop the AFC West and fighting for the playoffs a month and a half ago, when they were off to the hottest start in the NFL. Then again, the Oakland Raiders also probably didn’t expect to be here either when they were off to a scuffling start. But they are both 6-6 and tied with the Chargers for the division lead, ready for a four-game sprint to the finish line. “It’s that time of the year you’ve got to come out, you’ve got to play well,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, whose team has lost six of its past seven. “This league is so competitive and every week is an important week. No different than this week here. Very, very important.”
Giants
Seeing Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese fired, being elevated to interim head coach, thrust into the position of choosing a quarterback, then getting New York ready for Dallas is all Steve Spagnuolo has dealt with this week. The 57year-old did the job for the St. Louis Rams from 2009-11. “It’s a difficult thing to go through because there’s emotions, and there’s people involved and it’s real, and yet we know we’re in a big business.”
Bills
Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott still isn’t ready to name his starter against Indianapolis this weekend after quarterback Tyrod Taylor had limited mobility in his bruised left knee upon returning to practice Thursday. “We’re still taking it day by day,” McDermott said.