Goff throws for 5 touchdowns in Rams’ win
Jared Goff passed for career highs of 465 yards and five touchdowns, winning a scintillating duel with Kirk Cousins and leading the unbeaten Los Angeles Rams to a 38-31 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.
Goff hit Cooper Kupp with two of his four TD throws during a 251-yard first half in which the third-year quarterback flawlessly executed coach Sean McVay's offense.
Todd Gurley then finished with 83 yards rushing and 73 yards receiving while the Rams (4-0) barely held off the Vikings (1-2-1) and Cousins, who passed for 422 yards and three touchdowns.
The Vikings got the ball back with 2:20 left, but rookie John Franklin-Myers stripped Cousins of the ball near midfield. The Rams recovered and ran out the clock.
Gruden impressed with Mayfield
The NFL has undergone quite a few changes since the time when Jon Gruden first walked the sideline as Oakland Raiders head coach.
One constant had been Cleveland searching for a legitimate starting quarterback. Now it looks as if the Browns might finally have found their man.
No. 1 overall draft pick Baker Mayfield is set to make his debut as an NFL starter on Sunday when the Browns (1-1-1) visit Gruden and the Raiders (0-3) a week after he led a comeback win in relief that snapped Cleveland's 19-game winless streak.
"I think that guy has the 'it' factor," Gruden said. "He has the charisma. He has the competitiveness. He has the feel. He has the ability to be great. What he did the other day coming off of the bench, down (14) and bringing his team back at home in front of his fans in his debut was awesome."
Mayfield will be the 30th starting quarterback for the Browns since they returned to NFL in 1999, a list that includes another former No. 1 overall pick in Tim Couch, first-round flameouts such as Johnny Manziel and journeymen such as Ken Dorsey and Luke McCown. Only Brian Hoyer has a winning record at 10-6 as the revolving door at quarterback has led to little success.
NFL defends roughing the passer emphasis
The NFL is sticking with its officiating emphasis on quarterback hits, including those in which the tackler uses all or most of his body weight when falling on the quarterback.
NFL football operations chief Troy Vincent said Thursday that the powerful competition committee has clarified to game officials the techniques used in such hits, which have been a source of debate through the first three weeks of the schedule. Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews has been called for three of them, two of which appeared to be normal tackles.
A lack of consistency on such calls also has been a source of contention throughout the league.
Jets having headset problems
New York Jets offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates says the team has experienced malfunctions with its sideline headsets in all three games this season.
Bates says Thursday that while he's not making excuses for on-field miscommunication in some instances, he acknowledges that the Jets have had to work around those issues at Detroit, at home against Miami and at Cleveland.
The Jets have come up with a signals system to use when the headsets go out and Bates can't communicate effectively with quarterback Sam Darnold.
Panthers sign free agent safety
Eric Reid is getting another shot in the NFL.
The Carolina Panthers on Thursday have signed the free agent safety to a oneyear contract.
Reid filed an official grievance letter with the NFL in May, alleging that team owners and the league colluded to prevent his employment due to his protest activities. Reid, along with quarterback Colin Kaepernick, participated in protests during the playing of the national anthem before NFL games to highlight social awareness and racial injustice.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said he wasn't concerned about Reid's past protests, telling The Associated Press it was a "football decision" — and one that was approved by new owner David Tepper.
Titans release top receiver
The Tennessee Titans now are without their top two receiving threats this season, releasing wide receiver Rishard Matthews after they couldn't trade the veteran.
General manager Jon Robinson said Thursday morning that Matthews talked with him last week about being unhappy, then came to him Monday requesting to be traded or released. The Titans talked with several teams, but Robinson said nothing came from those discussions with Matthews unhappy over his role in the offense.
The Titans currently are without three-time Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker who broke his right ankle in the season opener.