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A16 sports
Saturday 24 OctOber 2020
Perfection on display when Steelers visit Titans, both 5-0

By BARRY WILNER Player of the Year in 2019 lost two fumbles in the loss
AP Pro Football Writer after setting an NFL single- to the Cardinals for the first
Maybe all the delays in- season record with 159 time in his pro career. El-
volving the Titans and the catches, and he was an liott's five fumbles (four lost)
jumbled NFL schedule led All-Pro the past two sea- are two shy of his career
to the kind of showcase sons. high set two years ago.
game we all need. SAN FRANCISCO (3-3) at BUFFALO (4-2) at NEW YORK
Pittsburgh (5-0) at Tennes- NEW ENGLAND (2-3) JETS (0-6)
see (5-0). Another returning QB in Adam Gase has survived
Yes, the COVID-19 out- Jimmy Garoppolo, who, another week as coach of
break in Nashville provided like New England's Cam the Jets, though the pros-
some understandably ner- Newton, has had an up- pects of his beleaguered
vous and upsetting times. and-down 2020. Oddly, the team getting off the sch-
And it could be a harbinger Philadelphia Eagles' Boston Scott, left, catches a touchdown pass 49ers are 2-0 coming East, neid against Buffalo are
for a league attempting against New York Giants' Jabrill Peppers during the second half both wins at the New Jer- minimal. The Bills easily han-
to play a collision sport all of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Philadelphia. sey Meadowlands. dled the Jets in the season
across the nation during a Associated Press The Patriots come off losing opener, and Buffalo is com-
pandemic. No one should Carson Wentz's 18-yard the Browns. at home to Denver despite ing in with a bad mood af-
ever downplay that. pass to Boston Scott. Phila- Las Vegas comes off an not allowing a touchdown. ter two straight defeats.
Sports-wise, there's no delphia temporarily took impressive victory at Kan- Six field goals — and a bevy Third downs could be signif-
reason to downplay this the NFC East lead Thursday sas City. The Raiders had of errors by the offense and icant. The Bills lead the NFL
matchup. night and will maintain it if 24 QB pressures against the coaches — contributed in third-down conversions
Steelers-Titans will be the Washington defeats Dallas Chiefs, nearly equaling their mightily. "The best way to on offense at 56.2%. New
eighth time in league his- on Sunday. total of 26 from the first four play offense is for every- York, the only team shut out
tory undefeated and un- Off this week are Indianap- games. It was their most in body to contribute, to find this season, went 2 of 17 at
tied teams with at least five olis (4-2), Miami (3-3), Min- a single game since having ways for everybody to con- Miami and ranks last with a
wins have met in the regu- nesota (1-5) and Baltimore 25 vs. Denver in 2015. tribute. That's certainly my 30.23% conversion rate.
lar season, the sixth such (5-1). But the Raiders also had a job," offensive coordinator GREEN BAY (4-1) at HOUS-
game since the 1970 merg- SEATTLE (5-0) at ARIZONA mini-outbreak of the coro- Josh McDaniels said. "I'm TON (1-5)
er, and only the fifth in the (4-2) navirus this week. going to try to do my best Aaron Rodgers comes off
past 46 seasons. The Seahawks, whose de- KANSAS CITY (5-1) at DEN- to get (WR Julian Edelman) one of his worst perfor-
"We're humbled and excit- fense has been a sieve VER (2-3) involved, but also try to get mances in a 38-10 flop at
ed to be in these five-star despite the unblemished If new addition Le'Veon Bell production from all the skill Tampa Bay. The Packers
matchups," Steelers coach record, are 6-0-1 at Arizona plays, the Chiefs will be- positions on the field. " look to avoid losing two
Mike Tomlin says. "We will since a 2012 loss. come the first franchise to CLEVELAND (4-2) at CIN- straight games for the first
show that appreciation by They are scoring an NFL- have a quarterback (Pat- CINNATI (1-4-1) time since Matt LaFleur
how we prepare and ulti- high 33.8 points per game rick Mahomes), tight end Following another flop in took over in 2019. LaFleur
mately by how we play as and winning the close wins: (Travis Kelce), wide receiv- a statement game, the began his NFL coaching
we move into the week- Seattle has outscored op- er (Tyreek Hill) and running Browns can silence the career as an offensive as-
end." ponents by less than seven back (Bell) on the field who doubters some by beating sistant for the Texans from
The Steelers have played points a game. Arizona's at some point was an All- their Ohio rivals. They did 2008-09.
better nearly every week, defense is yielding 18.7 Pro. so in Week 2, though the Texans DE J.J. Watt, a three-
and come off their usual points per game, the sec- The Chiefs already have Bengals have gotten bet- time NFL Defensive Player
annihilation of Cleveland. ond-best mark in the NFL. established a dynamic run- ter since. Cincinnati also of the Year, had a sack and
Tennessee has romped A victory Sunday in a game ning game to go with Ma- has Cleveland-style turmoil forced a fumble at Tennes-
past Buffalo and needed switched to prime time homes' creative passing. in the locker room with vet- see. He needs one sack to
overtime to subdue Hous- would be Russell Wilson's Coach Andy Reid needs eran defenders Carlos Dun- become the first player in
ton since having its facility 92nd regular-season win, two wins to tie Curly Lam- lop and Geno Atkins com- franchise history with 100.
shut down amid the coro- tying Peyton Manning for beau (229) for fifth most in plaining about reduced JACKSONVILLE (1-5) at LOS
navirus issues. the most in a quarterback's NFL history. playing time. ANGELES CHARGERS (1-4)
"These are the type of first nine seasons. Kansas City is seeking a Browns DE Myles Garrett Jacksonville's first game in
games you look forward to, TAMPA BAY (4-2) at LAS VE- 10th consecutive win over has a sack in five consecu- Los Angeles, and the Jag-
man," says Titans lineback- GAS (3-2) the Broncos, who had won tive games and leads the uars enter it having lost five
er Rashaan Evans, "having For the first time, Raiders seven straight before the AFC with seven. He got in a row. But they are the
two undefeated teams go- coach Jon Gruden faces current skid. one of his three strip-sacks only team with three wide
ing against each other and the franchise he led to a CAROLINA (3-3) at NEW on Bengals QB Joe Burrow receivers with at least 25

having great players on Super Bowl (2002 season) ORLEANS (3-2) in the first matchup. receptions: Keelan Cole
display on Sunday. I think and that fired him (after Teddy Bridgewater was DALLAS (2-4) at WASHING- Sr. (27), rookie Laviska
it's going to be an exciting 2008). At least he doesn't very popular in the Big Easy TON (1-5) Shenault Jr. (26), and DJ
game, and I'm excited too have to worry about snow last year when he went 5-0 The other NFC Least game. Chark Jr. (25).
to be a part of it." and the Tuck Rule as he as the starter with Drew It was 2001 when these two The Chargers have dropped
It's only October, but it's fair takes on Tom Brady. Brees injured. He shouldn't archrivals met with a lower four in a row, mostly close
to surmise the winner of this Brady is 5-1 against the expect any good vibes winning percentage: They calls, and rookie Justin
game is a favorite for the Raiders and his team in his return. New Orleans both were 0-4 and were Herbert has impressed. He
lone postseason bye under comes off pitching a near- comes off a bye. Saints re- "featured" on Monday leads the league with a
the new playoff format. perfecto: The Bucs had no ceiver Michael Thomas is night. Dallas won 9-7. 140.9 passer rating on third
The action began with the penalties, sacks allowed or expected to return from a Given the Dallas defense downs. His 68.8% comple-
Eagles (2-4-1) edging the turnovers last week in rout- Week 1 ankle injury and his right now, holding any- tion rate and a 107.1 passer
Giants (1-6) 22-21 by scor- ing previously unbeaten one-game Week 5 team one to seven points in one rating are the highest by
ing two late touchdowns, Green Bay. They were the suspension stemming from quarter would be a major a rookie in league history
including the winner with first team to do that since a practice outburst. Thom- achievement. with a minimum of 100 pass
40 seconds remaining on the Colts in 1999 against as was the AP Offensive Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott attempts.q