The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Battle of 5-0 teams highlights week
Maybe all the delays involving the Titans and the jumbled NFL schedule led to the kind of showcase game we all need.
Pittsburgh (5-0) at Tennessee (5-0).
Yes, the COVID-19 outbreak in Nashville provided some understandably nervous and upsetting times. And it could be a harbinger for a league attempting to play a collision sport all across the nation during a pandemic. No one should ever downplay that.
Sports-wise, there’s no reason to downplay this matchup.
Steelers-Titans will be the eighth time in league history undefeated and untied teams with at least five wins have met in the regular season, the sixth such game since the 1970 merger, and only the fifth in the past 46 seasons.
“We’re humbled and excited to be in these five-star matchups,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says. “We will show that appreciation by how we prepare and ultimately by how we play as we move into the weekend.”
The Steelers have played better nearly every week, and come off their usual annihilation of Cleveland. Tennessee has romped past Buffalo and needed overtime to subdue Houston since having its facility shut down amid the coronavirus issues.
“These are the type of games you look forward to, man,” says Titans linebacker Rashaan Evans, “having two undefeated teams going against each other and having great players on display on Sunday. I think it’s going to be an exciting game, and I’m excited too to be a part of it.”
It’s only October, but it’s fair to surmise the winner of this game is a favorite for the lone postseason bye under the new playoff format.
The action began with the Eagles (2-4-1) edging the Giants (1-6) 22-21 by scoring two late touchdowns, including the winner with 40 seconds remaining on Carson Wentz’s 18-yard pass to Boston Scott. Philadelphia temporarily took the NFC East lead Oct. 22 and will maintain it if Washington defeats Dallas on Oct. 25.
Treese’s effort surpassed a superlative effort by Keystone sophomore wide receiver Ryne Shackelford, who caught a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another score. Shackelford ended the night with 126 yards receiving on six catches. He caught touchdown passes of 60 and 28 yards from his childhood buddy and Keystone sophomore quarterback Konner Rodick. He also ran 31 yards for another score that allowed Keystone to close the Van Wert lead to 3227 in the fourth quarter.
But Treese would answer with a four-yard scoring run to seal the 38-27 win.
While disappointed with the loss, Keystone coach Don Griswold could find no fault in his team’s effort.
“That’s a gritty resilient group that’s chasing excellence,” Griswold said. “They’ve got thousands of fans that cheer them on, and they battled. “
All year long, Keystone has relied on the strong running of junior Gideon Lampron. Lampron, who rushed for more than 1,4000 yards in the Wildcats first seven games, was held to just 114 yards by Van Wert. Stopping Lampron was definitely a key to the win, said Cougars’ coach Keith Recker.
“Between him and Shackelford we knew we had our hands full, and if we didn’t take care of the run it wouldn’t matter what we did so we really pushed that all week,” said Recker.
Things looked bleak in the early going for Keystone as the Wildcats fell down 12-0 in the first quarter. Van Wert shocked Keystone with a 76-yard touchdown run by Nate Jackson late in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead. If new addition Le’Veon Treece, who threw for two Bell plays, the Chiefs will TDs in the first half, found become the first franchise Maddix Crutchfield on a to have a quarterback (Pat28-yard scoring pass to rick Mahomes), tight end make it 12-0 in the first (Travis Kelce), wide receiver quarter and Keystone ap(Tyreek Hill) and running peared to be reeling. back (Bell) on the field who But the Wildcats didn’t at some point was anAll-Pro. Another returning QB panic. Instead, they went
The Chiefs already have in Jimmy Garoppolo, who, 65 yards to score their The Seahawks, whose deestablished a dynamic runlike New England’s Cam first touchdown. Lamfense has been a sieve dening game to go with MaNewton, has had an uppron did the honors powspite the unblemished rehomes’ creative passing. and-down 2020. Oddly, the ering in from 15 yards cord, are 6-0-1 at Arizonaout.CoachAndyReidneedstwo49ersare2-0comingEast, since a 2012 loss. wins to tie Curly Lambeau both wins at the New Jersey Van Wert answered as
They are scoring an NFL(229) for fifth most in NFL Meadowlands. Treece connected with high 33.8 points per game history. The Patriots come off losNate Jackson on a 5-yard and winning the close wins: Kansas City is seeking a ing at home to Denver descoring play to put the Seattle has outscored op10th consecutive win over spite not allowing a touchCougars up 19-7. ponents by less than seven the Broncos, who had won down. Six field goals — and Keystone responded points a game. Arizona’s deseven straight before the a bevy of errors by the ofand Shackelford scored fense is yielding 18.7 points current skid. fense and coaches — conon receptions of 60 and per game, the second-best tributed mightily. 28 yards to put the Wildmark in the NFL. “The best way to play ofcats up 21-19 at the half.
A victory in a game fense is for everybody to But the lead wouldn’t switched to prime time contribute, to find ways for hold up as the Wildcats would be Russell Wilson’s everybody to contribute. turned the ball over twice 92nd regular-season win, That’s certainly my job,” in the second half. tying Peyton Manning for offensive coordinator Josh “They are a good footthe most in a quarterback’s McDaniels said. “I’m going ball team,” said Recker first nine seasons. to try to do my best to get of Keystone. “I just love (WR Julian Edelman) intheir coach and their attivolved, but also try to get tude. It was a great trip to production from all the skill come over here and play positions on the field. “these guys.”
Seattle (5-0) at Arizona (4-2) Tampa Bay (4-2) at Las Vegas (3-2)
For the first time, Raiders coach Jon Gruden faces the franchise he led to a Super Bowl (2002 season) and that fired him (after 2008). At least he doesn’t have to worry about snow and the Tuck Rule as he takes on Tom Brady.
Brady is 5-1 against the Raiders and his team comes off pitching a near-perfecto: The Bucs had no penalties, sacks allowed or turnovers last week in routing previously unbeaten Green Bay. They were the first team to do that since the Colts in 1999 against the Browns.
Las Vegas comes off an impressive victory at Kansas City. The Raiders had 24 QB pressures against the Chiefs, nearly equaling their total of 26 from the first four games. It was their most in a single game since having 25 vs. Denver in 2015.
But the Raiders also had a mini-outbreak of the coronavirus this week.
Kansas City (5-1) at Denver (2-3) Chicago (5-1) at Los Angeles Rams (4-2), Oct. 26
The NFC North-leading Bears have their best start since the 2012 team won seven of its first eight games on the way to a 10-6 record. Chicago is 5-0 against the NFC, and the Bears are 3-0 on the road for the first time
since the 2006 Super Bowl season.
Rams DT Aaron Donald is playing at a level that has earned him two Defensive Player of the Year honors. Donald plays his 101st game after getting the fourthmost sacks in NFL history through his first 100 (79 ½). He has 7 ½ sacks this season in the best six-game start of his career. Donald also has 3 ½ sacks against the Bears.
Carolina (3-3) at New Orleans (3-2)
Teddy Bridgewater was very popular in the Big Easy last year when he went 5-0 as the starter with Drew Brees injured. He shouldn’t expect any good vibes in his return.
New Orleans comes off a bye. Saints receiver Michael Thomas is expected to return from a Week 1 ankle injury and his one-game Week 5 team suspension stemming from a practice outburst. Thomas was the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after setting an NFL single-season record with 159 catches, and he was an All-Pro the past two seasons.
San Francisco (3-3) at New England (2-3) Browns (4-2) at Cincinnati (1-4-1)
Following another flop in a statement game, the Browns can silence the doubters some by beating their Ohio rivals. They did so in Week 2, though the Bengals have gotten better since.
Cincinnati also has Cleveland-style turmoil in the locker room with veteran defenders Carlos Dunlop and Geno Atkins complaining about reduced playing time.
Browns DE Myles Garrett has a sack in five consecutive games and leads the AFC with seven. He got one of his three strip-sacks on Bengals QB Joe Burrow in the first matchup.
Dallas (2-4) at Washington (1-5)
The other NFC Least game. It was 2001 when these two archrivals met with a lower winning percentage: They both were 0-4 andwere “featured” onMonday night. Dallas won 9-7.
Given the Dallas defense right now, holding anyone to seven points in one quarter would be a major achievement.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott lost two fumbles in the loss to the Cardinals for the first time in his pro career. Elliott’s five fumbles (four lost) are two shy of his career high set two years ago.
Buffalo (4-2) at New York Jets (0-6)
Adam Gase has survived another week as coach of the Jets, though the prospects of his beleaguered team getting off the schneid against Buffalo are minimal. The Bills easily handled the Jets in the season opener, and Buffalo is coming in with a bad mood after two straight defeats.
Third downs could be significant. The Bills lead the NFL in third- down conversions on offense at 56.2%. New York, the only team shut out this season, went 2 of 17 at Miami and ranks last with a 30.23% conversion rate.
Green Bay (4-1) at Houston (1-5)
Aaron Rodgers comes off one of his worst performances in a 38-10 flop at Tampa Bay. The Packers look to avoid losing two straight games for the first time since Matt LaFleur took over in 2019. LaFleur began his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant for the Texans from 2008-09. Texans DE J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, had a sack and forced a fumble at Tennessee. He needs one sack to become the first player in franchise history with 100.
Jacksonville (1-5) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-4)
Jacksonville’s first game in Los Angeles, and the Jaguars enter it having lost five in a row. But they are the only team with three wide receivers with at least 25 receptions: Keelan Cole Sr. (27), rookie Laviska Shenault Jr. (26), andDJCharkJr. (25).
The Chargers have dropped four in a row, mostly close calls, and rookie Justin Herbert has impressed. He leads the league with a 140.9 passer rating on third downs. His 68.8% completion rate and a 107.1 passer rating are the highest by a rookie in league history with a minimum of 100 pass attempts.
Detroit (2-3) at Atlanta (1-5)
Anice Bulldogs flavor visiting the ATL. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will playing in the state for the first time since he starred at the University of Georgia in 2008. Rookie RB D’Andre Swift and Stafford became the first former Georgia players to throw a TD pass and rush for a score as teammates in an NFL game since Charlie Trippi and Joe Geri in 1952 with the Chicago Cardinals.
Atlanta won its first game of the season by beating Minnesota as Raheem Morris took over for the fired Dan Quinn as coach.