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SPORTS Saturday 4 November 2017
Rams-Giants: 2 teams headed in opposite directions

By BARRY WILNER Watson had 402 yards
AP Pro Football Writer passing with four TDs and
The Giants and Rams face ran for 67 yards last week
off Sunday following their to become the first player
bye week. in NFL history with at least
While the Giants desper- 400 yards passing, four
ately needed some time passing touchdowns and
off to figure out why they 50 or more yards rushing in
have been the NFL’s big- a game. He’s the first rook-
gest disappointment, the ie to have three or more
Rams probably could have touchdown passes in four
skipped the hiatus after straight games, and his 19
becoming the league’s TD passes are the most in
most pleasant surprise. NFL history through a play-
Not helping New York one er’s first seven games.
bit is turmoil in the sec- Atlanta (4-3) at Carolina
ondary and locker room. (5-3)
For the second time in a At last, Atlanta plays a di-
month, coach Ben McA- vision game. Carolina has
doo suspended a corner- played only one, beat-
back for breaking team ing Tampa Bay last week.
rules. First it was Dominique The Falcons come off a
Rodgers-Cromartie, who strange stretch in which
missed one game. Now, In this Oct. 22, 2017, file photo, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks with quar- they played all four AFC
it’s Janoris Jenkins. terback Jared Goff (16) during the first half of an NFL football game against Arizona Cardinals at East teams in a row, going
Considering the Giants Twickenham Stadium, in London. 1-3. So they are unbeaten,
are 1-6 and the Rams (5-2) Associated Press if underwhelming so far, in
have shown plenty of fire- “This league is so competi- one sack in each of the first and two interceptions with the NFC.
power on offense, that’s a tive that every single week, eight games this season. a 106.7 passer rating in his Carolina has succeeded
bad omen for New York. if you don’t bring it, like Tampa Bay (2-5) at New past eight home games, at hogging the ball, sec-
Asked if McAdoo, who last we said, you get exposed, Orleans (5-2) and is likely to take off ond in time of possession.
season led the team to especially against a very Teams headed in opposite when necessary. And its defense hasn’t al-
its first playoff berth since good team like this.” directions. Cincinnati (3-4) at Jackson- lowed a touchdown in four
winning the NFL title in the The action began Thursday New Orleans has won five ville (4-3) games this season, includ-
2011 season, had lost con- night with the New York straight and is showing a Bengals QB Andy Dalton ing the past two.
trol, standout safety Land- Jets’ 34-21 home victory staunch defense that was is 3-0 against the Jaguars, These teams need to avoid
on Collins said: over the Buffalo Bills. totally unexpected. Rookie completing 65 percent of turning over the ball, which
“We continue growing Matt Forte ran for two CB Marshon Lattimore has his passes. In A.J. Green, he has been a problem. The
with him and trying to be touchdowns four days after been particularly stout, has one of the top targets Falcons are minus-5 in
a great team and stay to- complaining the Jets (4-5) along with end Cameron in football, and Green likes takeaway/giveaway mar-
gether because our back is didn’t run the ball enough, Jordan. facing Jacksonville; he has gin, and the Panthers are
against the wall right now,” and an overwhelming de- Plus, the Saints have lots of 14 receptions for 251 yards minus-7.
Collins said. “We can’t fight fense sacked Tyrod Tay- balance on offense with and three TDs vs. the Jags. Denver (3-4) at Philadel-
against each other. If we lor seven times. The Bills Drew Brees throwing to If Jacksonville truly is going phia (7-1)
fight against each other, dropped to 5-3. Michael Thomas and Ted to be a contender in the Struggling Denver is mak-
things are definitely going Off this week are New Eng- Ginn Jr., and handing off to up-for-grabs AFC South, it ing a quarterback change,
to go bad.” land, Cleveland, Chicago, Mark Ingram and Alvin Ka- must find some home wins. from Trevor Siemian to
Things have definitely gone the Los Angeles Chargers, mara, who both can catch The Jags have an NFL- Brock Osweiler. Yep, that
well for L.A., which is tied for Pittsburgh and Minnesota. the ball well. worst 9-29 record at home Osweiler, the guy who
the NFC West lead with Se- Kansas City (6-2) at Dallas Tampa, one of the league’s (not including five London backed up (and started
attle, is 3-0 on the road and (4-3) biggest disappointments, games) since 2011. They for) Peyton Manning dur-
is averaging more than 30 The big story line here is how has dropped four straight. have dropped nine of 10 at ing the 2015 champion-
points a game. Second- the Cowboys fare without Having lost five of the past EverBank Field. They come ship season, then left as a
year quarterback Jared the suspended Ezekiel El- six in the Big Easy makes its off a 27-0 victory at India- free agent in Houston. He
Goff has taken nicely to liott. They couldn’t have chore more difficult. napolis. flopped there, was traded
new coach Sean McVay’s picked a more difficult task Baltimore (4-4) at Tennes- Indianapolis (2-6) at Hous- to Cleveland and cut by
schemes, Todd Gurley is to begin finding out. see (4-3) ton (3-4) the QB-starved Browns.
having a strong rebound The Chiefs can set a fran- Two teams with severe As for those Colts, the de- The Broncos re-signed him
season, and placekicker chise record with a 10th passing ills: Baltimore ranks bacle of Andrew Luck’s and, guess what ... he’ll
Greg Zuerlein leads the NFL straight road win going dead last, Tennessee is shoulder woes — he’s now be behind center Sunday
with 84 points, including 21 back to Oct. 16, 2016, at 26th. on injured reserve — dam- in Philly, where the team is
of 22 on field goals. Oakland. They have plen- Defense is more palatable. aged the season. They’ve 1-5.
The vibes are all positive. ty of weapons on offense, The Ravens have two shut- lost three straight, and with Philadelphia has no such
Still, McVay is being cau- and LB Justin Houston is outs this season and have the 31st-ranked defense, issues, with Carson Wentz
tious. beginning to resemble the playmakers in C.J. Mosley, get a break because they developing in his second
“I think the one thing that dynamic game chang- Terrell Suggs and Brandon won’t be facing Deshaun season into a premier pass-
you appreciate about this er he was before injuries Carr. Watson, who had the high- er and leader. He will face
league is that every single slowed him.Dallas also has The Titans figure to keep it powered Texans offense a fierce defense, but the
team on any given week a sackmaster in end De- on the ground as much as humming. way the Eagles are rolling
can win,” he said, “and Marcus Lawrence, the NFL they can with DeMarco Watson tore a knee liga- and the Broncos are reel-
if you’re not ready to go, leader with 10½ sacks. He Murray and Derrick Henry. ment in practice Thursday ing, that might not matter.
you get exposed and you can join Minnesota’s Ever- Marcus Mariota has thrown and is gone for the season; Detroit (3-4) at Green Bay
get humbled very quickly. son Griffen with at least for 1,956 yards with 14 TDs Tom Savage will start. (4-3), Monday nightq