San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Packers travel to Bay Area for 4th time in 22 months
If it seems as if the Packers have transferred to the NFC West or the 49ers moved to the NFC North, blame the schedule makers at league headquarters.
When Green Bay (1-1) visits San Francisco (2-0) on Sunday, it will be the fourth trip to the Bay Area for the Cheeseheads in 22 months.
The Niners won the first two meetings in the 2019 regular season and the NFC title game. Green Bay won last year in the regular season.
This once was a great inter-division rivalry, particularly when the likes of Steve Young and Brett Favre were around. At one point, from 1995-2010, the Pack won 14 of 15 games.
“I think when you face a team twice in the playoffs, that’s always random, but they’ve been on our schedule the other two times. So, I feel like it’s almost been every year, I think every year but the first year,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Lambeau is a fun place to play. I’m glad that we haven’t had to go there in a while.”
Week 3 began Thursday with Carolina’s 24-9 victory over Houston. The Panthers got another efficient performance from Sam Darnold, and their topranked defense put the squeeze on Texans rookie Davis Mills, sacking him four times. But Carolina (3-0) has serious concerns because of a hamstring injury to star running back Christian McCaffrey.
Tampa Bay (2-0) at L.A. Rams (2-0)
This is a matchup of the AP Pro32’s top two, the Bucs at No. 1. Tom Brady, 44, is off to a brilliant start, leading the league with nine TD passes. But the Rams’ defense is a difficult test for anyone, even a seven-time Super Bowl winner.
Miami (1-1) at Las Vegas (2-0)
As if Las Vegas isn’t lively enough, the town is going wild over the undefeated Raiders. The most recent time they were 3-0, they represented Oakland and went to the Super Bowl.Miami is without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (ribs) and Jacoby Brissett will start.
Washington (1-1) at Buffalo (1-1)
Some weird stats here:
The Bills have won seven of the past eight meetings, with Washington’s only win during that stretch in 2015 at home. Before that, the previous time Washington beat Buffalo was the Super Bowl following the 1991 season. That was the second of four consecutive Super Bowl losses for the Bills and Washington’s most recent championship. Washington has not won at Buffalo since 1987.
Baltimore (1-1) at Detroit (0-2)
The camaraderie, emotional edge and coaching acumen of the Ravens was so evident last Sunday when they rallied to beat Kansas City. They must stay at that level against a weaker opponent.
Arizona (2-0) at Jacksonville (0-2)
Urban Meyer was a huge coaching success in college. Kliff Kingsbury had a so-so record. Judging by the early returns in 2021, Meyer’s move to Jacksonville has been a flop. Kingsbury, meanwhile, has one of the NFL’s most dynamic and exciting squads.
L.A. Chargers (1-1) at Kansas City (1-1)
Hard to believe the loser of this AFC West matchup will be last in the division.
The Chiefs fell 36-35 at Baltimore, blowing a late lead as Patrick Mahomes lost in September for the first time. It wasn’t much his fault, though he threw the first pick of his career in the month.
New Orleans (1-1) at New England (1-1)
One of several teams to
make a huge turnaround in Week 2 — and it was not a pretty change for the Saints. After routing Green Bay, New Orleans fell apart against Carolina. After being pressured three times in Week 1, Jameis Winston was pressured 16 times last week, sacked four times and hit an additional six. Winston had no TDs and two INTs.
Cincinnati (1-1) at Pittsburgh (1-1)
The first 2021 season matchup in the NFL’s most physical division, and the hosts come in with loads of injury concerns: quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral); 2020 All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt (groin); LBs Alex Highsmith (groin) and Devin Bush (groin); CB Joe Haden (groin); and WR Diontae Johnson (knee). DT Tyson Alualu went on injured reserve after breaking his right ankle.
Indianapolis (0-2) at Tennessee (1-1)
An early meeting between the likely AFC South contenders, though the Colts are off to a miserable, injury-riddled beginning. They lost twice at home and head to Music City with bad vibes and probably without quarterback Carson Wentz.
Tennessee’s comeback victory at Seattle last Sunday was exemplary. Having Derrick Henry toting the ball helped: The reigning Offensive Player of the Year ran for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
Seattle (1-1) at Minnesota (0-2)
Minnesota’s two defeats
came down to the final play, with mistakes hurting the Vikings, who have scored 57 points.
Russell Wilson is 7-0 against Minnesota, whose leaky defense must watch out for Tyler Lockett. He had TD receptions of 69 yards in Week 1 and 63 yards in Week 2, one of six receivers in history with TD catches of 60 or more yards in each of the first two games of a season.
Chicago (1-1) at Cleveland (1-1)
When George Halas and Paul Brown were coaching these teams, it was a pro football highlight going back to 1951.
Now, the most interest could be on rookie Justin Fields starting at quarterback for Chicago with Andy Dalton injured.
Cleveland’s pass rush led by 2020 All-Pro Myles Garrett could make the day miserable for Fields.
New York Jets (0-2) at Denver (2-0)
This could be the mismatch of the week as the Broncos continue their early easy ride; they have beaten the Giants and Jaguars thus far, both on the road.
Denver ranks third overall on defense and has a healthy Von Miller threatening offenses again.
Atlanta (0-2) at N.Y. Giants (0-2)
The only matchup of winless teams, with the Falcons a sieve on defense, the Giants inconsistent on both sides of the ball.
Atlanta’s Arthur Smith is looking for his first win as an NFL head coach.