Bills rule Benjamin out against Chiefs
Suppose you were told the New Orleans Saints could run the ball and play defense, and Drew Brees was still their quarterback.
And you were informed that the Los Angeles Rams had a dynamic offense to go with a physical defense.
What you would have is a terrific matchup of division leaders. It happens Sunday at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
New Orleans (8-2) is showing more balance than at any time since Brees arrived in 2006 and began setting passing records.
Los Angeles Rams has made a swift and impressive turnaround under first-year coach Sean McVay, who has quarterback Jared Goff playing like a first overall draft selection should.
The Saints started with two losses and haven’t been on the short end of the score since.
“Specifically, we opened at Minnesota, which is obviously a good football team and a tough place to play, and didn’t play well enough,” coach Sean Payton says.
“And then the following week versus New England. I think we did as a team feel like those next two weeks on the road at Carolina and then on the road to London — we went right from Carolina to London — we felt that two-game stretch was going to be critical for this team if we were going to aspire to do something.
“I think Carolina was a good win for us ... and then carried it over to London for the second win before our bye. That two- game stretch would certainly be, not just because it was our first two wins, but it was building some confidence and that you can think it or wish it or hope to have it, but it generally just comes from demonstrated ability.”
The similar demonstrated ability has been present with the Rams. Except they didn’t struggle early, instead winning three of their first four. Wade Phillips’ defense has scored 84 points off 19 turnovers. Phillips was the Saints defensive coordinator from 1981-85, and interim head coach for four weeks after father Bum was fired.
In the three Thanksgiving games, the Los Angeles Chargers beat Dallas 28- 6, In this file photo, New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) intents a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in New Orleans. Right when it looked like Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had built one of the more stifling units in the league, injuries have begun taking a toll.
Minnesota topped Detroit 30-23, and Washington beat the New York Giants 20-10,
In Arlington, Texas, Philip Rivers threw for 434 yards and three touchdowns, and Desmond King returned an interception 90 yards for the punctuating touchdown for San Diego. The Chargers (5- 6) moved within 1 1/2 games of AFC West-leading Kansas City. The defending NFC East champion Cowboys (5- 6) lost their third straight by at least 20 points, all without star running back Ezekiel Elliott.
In Detroit, Case Keenum threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score — all in the first half — for Minnesota. The Vikings (9-2) won their seventh straight and took a three-game lead over second-place Detroit (6- 5) in the NFC North.
In Landover, Maryland, Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes to compensate for a pick- 6, and Washington beat New York,
Cousins led Washington (5- 6) on two TD drives in the second half, connecting with Jamison Crowder on a 15-yarder in the third quarter that broke a 3- all tie, and with Josh Doctson on a 14-yarder with 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the game.
TheGiants dropped to 2-9.
TAMPA BAY AT ATLANTA
The Falcons escaped in Seattle on Monday night, and now face one of Matt Ryan’s patsies. In the past seven home games against Tampa Bay, Ryan has 14 TDs and one interception.
The Bucs come off their best performance this season, routing Miami and forcing five turnovers while not having any. Mike Evans has prospered against Atlanta, with five TDs in his past five meetings. He won’t have Jameis Winston throwing to him, though, as Ryan Fitzpatrick, a winner in the past two games, goes again for the injured starter.
Fitz needs to look out for Adrian Clayborn. The DE has six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown in the past two games.
JACKSONVILLE (7-3) AT ARIZONA (4- 6) TENNESSEE (6-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS (3-7)
The AFC South’s leader and runner-up hit the road against teams they should handle.
Jacksonville handles everyone roughly with that sack-happy defense ranked No. 1 overall. Teams can run a bit on the Jaguars, so Adrian Peterson might be busy for Arizona.
But the Cardinals are down to their No. 3 quarterback, Blaine Gabbert, who had better know where former Cardinals DE Calais Campbell is at all times.
This is Jacksonville’s first appearance at University of Phoenix Stadium, which opened in 2006.
Winning at Indy has been problematic for the Titans. They have lost nine straight road games to the Colts and are still seeking first win at Lucas Oil Stadium. They will need better work from Marcus Mariota, who threw four picks
in last week’s loss to Pittsburgh. With the Colts ranking 30th in pass defense, Mariota should do well.
A big game by Indy RB Frank Gore will move him up the career rushing list. Gore needs 89 yards to pass Jerome Bettis (13,662) for sixth place, and 111 yards to pass LaDainian Tomlinson (13,684) for fifth.
GREEN BAY (5-5) AT PITTSBURGH (8-2)
Brett Hundley and the Packers took a Lambeau Leap backward in being blanked by Baltimore. Any playoff aspirations are fading fast on the tundra, and the Pack hasn’t won in Pittsburgh since 1970. That was even before the Steel Curtain emerged.
Pittsburgh has won five straight since a 3-2 start. This is the second of four straight prime-time games for the Steelers, who are 32-16 in prime time under coach Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh is 23-7 in night games at Heinz Field since it opened in 2001.
HOUSTON (4-6) AT BALTIMORE (5-5) MONDAY NIGHT
Even though this seems to have little attraction, the fact both of these squads are alive in playoff scenarios brings some interest.
Baltimore already has three shutout wins, including last weekend in Green Bay. The previous time the Ravens had such gaudy defensive stats, they were winning Super Bowls with Ray Lewis at inside linebacker. The Ravens are 11-1 in prime time under coach John Harbaugh. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. » Buffalo Bills receiver Kelvin Benjamin will not play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday because of an injured right knee.
The Bills say Benjamin did not travel with the team Saturday. He was hurt while being tackled on a 20-yard reception on Buffalo’s opening drive in a 54-24 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers last weekend.
He was playing only his rushing. While preparing their game plan this week, the Jets certainly took note of what the Panthers did to the Dolphins.
“They played a complete game obviously, in all phases,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “They were great on defense, they stopped the run, they stopped them from throwing the football. They ran the football, they threw the football. They made big plays. They played sound football. They played great on special teams.
“They’re a good football team.”
And that’s a bit of an understatement. Cam Newton is heating up, particularly in the rushing attack with 181 yards in his last two games. That makes for a dangerous matchup for the Jets, who have struggled at times against the run.
Carolina also has the No. 2 overall defense, ranking third against the run and fourth vs. the pass.
“We know it’s going to be a tough task because they’re playing at a high level,” Jets quarterback Josh McCown said. “But we’re excited about the opportunity to go against the best and see where we stack up.”
Here are some things to watch when the Panthers and Jets square off at MetLife Stadium on Sunday: second game with Buffalo since his trade from Carolina on Oct. 31.
The injury further thins Buffalo’s group of receivers. Jordan Matthews ( knee), Deonte Thompson (ankle) and tight end Charles Clay ( knee) are listed as questionable.
Tyrod Taylor returns as the starting quarterback. He had been replaced by rookie Nathan Peterman, who threw five interceptions against the Chargers.
Buffalo (5- 5) has lost three straight.
CAM’S THUMB
Keep an eye on Newton’s right thumb, particularly if it’s a cold day.
The 2015 league MVP has been wearing a compression glove on his throwing hand during practice, and it’s unclear if the problem will affect his grip on the ball and his accuracy. The 28-year- old quarterback is coming off one of his best passing games, completing 21 of 35 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions against Miami.
OLSEN’S RETURN
Carolina’s offense will get a big boost as threetime Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen returns after missing the last eight games with a broken foot.
Olsen was coming off three consecutive 1,000yard seasons before going down in Week 2. Newton doesn’t expect Olsen to have any problem assimilating into the offense. Olsen should help fill the void of starting wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who was lost to a season- ending ankle injury before the bye week .
“He brings a calming presence, not that anything has been a lack of production in that tight end room with him out,” Newton said of Olsen. “Greg is just a pro’s pro. ... It’s just an extra piece to the puzzle that we’ve long been missing.”