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A16 sports
Friday 16 OctOber 2020
Old man quarterbacks Brady and Rodgers face off Sunday

By BARRY WILNER Look for Derrick Henry tot-
AP Pro Football Writer ing the ball — often. He
Hey old-timer, what are you ranks third in the NFL with
still doing on an NFL field? 376 yards rushing and ran
Guaranteed no one is ask- for 211 yards and three
ing that question to the touchdowns in the previous
quarterbacks in the bays: meeting with Houston.
43-year-old Tom Brady in The Texans got their first
Tampa and 36-year-old takeaways last week on
Aaron Rodgers in Green two fumbles. They are the
Bay. The two future resi- only team in the NFL with-
dents of Canton, Ohio — at out an interception.
least their busts in the Pro Atlanta (0-5) at Minnesota
Football Hall of Fame, that (1-4)
is — spice up the Packers- Raheem Morris, like Cren-
Buccaneers game Sunday nel a former head coach
in Tampa. And who says now serving in an interim
these quarterbacks are role, gets his chance to
old? Certainly not Bucca- emulate Crennel. Morris
neers coach Bruce Arians, was promoted after the fir-
who has worked with some ing of Dan Quinn last Sun-
of the best — young or day. Minnesota, which has
old — throughout the de- played better than its re-
cades. "Barring major injury, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) yells at members of his offensive line as they cord, has lost four straight
I think these guys can play walk off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in at home. Running back
until they're 45, as long as Chicago, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. Associated Press Dalvin Cook leads the NFL
their arm holds up," he says. in rushing yards (489), but is
"With sports science and all burgh (4-0) Los Angeles Rams (4-1) at ton will make his first start dealing with a groin injury
the stuff that these guys are Here's a rarity: A matchup San Francisco (2-3) in place of the injured Dak that forced him out of a loss
doing to stay in shape and of these AFC North archri- Key (and weird) stats time: Prescott. The Houston-area in Seattle.
keeping their arms strong, I vals that draws headlines. —San Francisco is 2-0 at native will be playing down Baltimore (4-1) at Philadel-
don't see — unless their legs It's the first time they both the Meadowlands, 0-3 at the road from where he phia (1-3-1)
go —why they couldn't are at least three games home. starred at TCU. Philly begins a three-game
play until they're 45." over .500 when they meet —Los Angeles is 4-0 against The Cowboys are playing homestand against a team
Rodgers, whose Packers (4- since 1994. the NFC East. their third straight home that will not make things
0) have been the most fun- The Browns have won four —San Francisco has a game, and the Cardi- comfortable at the Linc —
damentally sound team in straight and are 4-1 for the league-low 38 catches and nals are playing their third even if the Ravens are 0-2
the NFL so far on both sides first time since that year, but 480 yards receiving from straight on the road. in Philadelphia. Baltimore
of the ball, is 1-1 against have lost 16 straight games wideouts. Denver (1-3) at New Eng- has won eight straight road
Brady. He's a big fan of at Heinz Field to the Steel- —The Rams are tied for the land (2-2) games. Lamar Jackson has
Brady's. "He's kind of always ers. "It is a great test for us," NFL lead with 20 sacks after Originally scheduled for last 18 TD passes and five inter-
been ahead of the field says Browns quarterback getting eight at Washing- Sunday and also affected ceptions during that streak.
with his footwork and just Baker Mayfield, who has ton. DT Aaron Donald tied a by the Titans' outbreak, And the Ravens have al-
his dedication to what he's been nursing sore ribs. "An- career high with four sacks both teams could benefit lowed an NFL-low 15.2
doing," Rodgers says. "He other great defense. They and also had a forced fum- from the one-week delay. points per game in 2020.
really cares about it obvi- bring a physical challenge. ble last week. Donald is the QBs Cam Newton (coro- The banged-up Eagles
ously. He cares about tak- They bring the muddied fifth player since 2000 with navirus) for the Patriots and seem to have found a No.
ing care of himself and try- pockets. They will hit you. multiple four-sack games Drew Lock (shoulder) for 1 wideout in Travis Fulgham.
ing to get to 45, it looks like. They try to impose their will. and he has a sack in six the Broncos figure to be He had 10 receptions for
And he's gonna get there." "That is what our division is straight games against San back on the field. Denver 152 yards and one TD last
The Packers have won all about. We have to play Francisco. also gets back top runner week after he made his first
their past nine regular- that ball, match that ener- — The Niners have allowed Phillip Lindsay after a three- career catch in Week 4. But
season games. They are gy and exceed it." five sacks i n back-to-back week absence. The Patriots star TE Zach Ertz has just five
the first team in NFL history Kansas City (4-1) at Buffalo games for the first time have won six of the past catches on 11 targets in
to score at least 150 points (4-1), Monday since 2014. seven meetings, including the past two games.
and commit no turnovers Much uncertainty surround- Arizona (3-2) at Dallas (2- four straight in New Eng- Detroit (1-3) at Jacksonville
through the first four games ed when this game would 3), Monday night land. Julian Edelman has (1-4)
of a season. Tampa (3- be played, not because of A Big D homecoming of 24 catches for 274 yards Even though Detroit has
2) is ranked No. 1 against anything the Bills or Chiefs sorts. Arizona quarterback and three touchdowns in scored on its opening drive

the run, No. 2 overall on had done but because Kyler Murray and coach his past three meetings with in each game this season, it
defense. The unit has held of Tennessee's COVID-19 Kliff Kingsbury will make Denver. can't stay in front. The Lions
opponents to less than 50 outbreak. Both come off their first NFL appearances Houston (1-4) at Tennessee are the first team in NFL his-
yards rushing the past three losses and displayed leaky in their home state. Both (4-0) tory to lose six consecutive
weeks. The 2016 Packers defenses in those defeats. are quite familiar with the Romeo Crennel replaced games in which they led by
were the last team to do That makes the prospect of home of the Cowboys: Bill O'Brien as Texans coach double digits. Jacksonville,
that in four consecutive slowing down Kansas City's Murray has a 6-0 record and the team promptly hoping to get back three
games. Off this week are Patrick Mahomes or Buf- at AT&T Stadium from his won for the first time. That defensive starters from in-
Seattle (5-0), New Orleans falo's Josh Allen not exactly high school and Oklahoma was against weak Jack- juries, has lost four straight
(3-2), the Los Angeles Char- enticing. Bills coach Sean days. Kingsbury coached sonville. The Titans, despite and allowed 30 or more
gers (1-4) and Las Vegas McDermott is 1-0 against there six times with Texas their COVID-19 issues in re- points in each of them. It's
(3-2). his mentor and former boss, Tech, going 2-4 vs. Baylor. cent weeks, are a much the third such streak in fran-
Cleveland (4-1) at Pitts- Kansas City's Andy Reid. Cowboys QB Andy Dal- more formidable foe. chise history.q