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Saturday 29 September 2018
Bucs, Bears in 1st place? Who would have thunk it?

There is no way anyone out- ticularly if Titans QB Mar-
side of Tampa or Chicago cus Mariota still is struggling
would have predicted the with a right elbow injury
Bucs and Bears would both that has affected his grip.
be first-place teams when The Eagles rank first in run
they square off in Week 4. defense after finishing first
Sure, it’s still plenty early in last season and also lead
the schedule. Yet there’s the NFL in time of posses-
no denying both teams are sion (36:03).
ahead of schedule. Cleveland (1-1-1) at Oak-
Although the Buccaneers land (0-3)
(2-1) come off a 30-27 There are good vibes by
home loss to Pittsburgh last Lake Erie and bad ones in
Monday night, their offense the Bay Area.
behind backup quarter- The Browns got their first win
back Ryan Fitzpatrick has in 18 games by beating the
been dynamic. Fitzpatrick Jets, and top overall draft
started the three games choice Baker Mayfield led
that starter Jameis Winston the way to take over as
was suspended and made starting quarterback. Their
a strong argument for defense has been relatively
keeping the job. Fitz leads stout, led by the No. pick in
the NFL with 1,230 yards the 2017 draft, Myles Gar-
passing and is second with In this Sept. 23, 2018, file photo, Indianapolis Colts' Adam Vinatieri kicks a field goal during the rett.
11 TD passes. He’s the only second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, in Philadelphia. Vinatieri Oakland’s decision to
player in league history to needs one field goal to break Morten Andersen's NFL record (565). Associated Press trade its best player, Mack,
throw for 400-plus yards in and then the 0-3 start has
three consecutive games. Classic NFL matchup, Part I. Chiefs have taken five III. worn thin any luster on Jon
Winston certainly has been The Steelers have won nine straight following seven Yes, the Patriots have so Gruden’s return. The Raid-
impressed and promises straight games on Sunday straight losses. The offense dominated the AFC East ers are last in the NFL with
not to make any waves. nights, twice over the Ra- is a buzzsaw: Kansas City is that we forget there are three sacks, and tied for
“It’s about the team’s suc- vens. But Baltimore has a the third NFL team to score other teams in the divi- last with one takeaway.
cess. I’m not a selfish play- rekindled offense, with Joe 38 or more points in its first sion. This is the one team They have been outscored
er, it’s about our team,” Flacco off to a sizzling start, three games (2007 Patriots, Tom Brady has fallen to the 37-3 in fourth quarters and
Winston said. “We’re out helped by a trio of new who were 16-0; 1967 Colts, most, 10 times. Of course, are the second team in
here doing big things, and receivers. Newcomer Mi- who went 11-1-2). he has beaten the Dolphins the last 20 years to start 0-3
we’ve got to continue do- chael Crabtree leads the Patrick Mahomes has es- 21 times. when leading all three at
ing that.” Ravens with 15 catches tablished an NFL record Indeed, the last time the halftime.
Chicago (2-1) is doing big and needs six to reach 600 with 13 TDs through three Dolphins won at New Eng- Detroit (1-2) at Dallas (1-2)
things on defense. The for his career. games and zero intercep- land was 2008, when Brady The Lions got off the sch-
trade with Oakland for Pittsburgh likely gets back tions to lead the league was sidelined by a knee in- neid with that surprisingly
Khalil Mack has made a top blocker David DeCas- with a 137.4 passer rating. jury. dominant win against New
huge impact in the Windy tro for Ben Roethlisberger, The second-year QB credits Miami already has seven England. They have the
City, making up for a me- whos is 21-3 in regular- the depth of talent around interceptions; it had nine all top-rated passing offense,
diocre offense. season prime-time games him. of last season. but they also are a sieve
Mack is tied for the league at home, throwing for 55 “Guys everywhere,” Ma- Meanwhile, the Patriots against the run on defense.
lead with four sacks, with touchdowns and 16 inter- homes said. “Knowing that have struggled to find any With Dallas struggling so
at least one in each game, ceptions. Roethlisberger I have those weapons, consistency. They ranks much throwing the ball,
and leads the NFL with has thrown a TD pass in 45 whenever someone has 25th on offense — other look for RB Ezekiel Elliott to
three forced fumbles. straight home games, the to get a break — we say if than Rob Gronkowski, be very busy in this one.
“What he has done is com- third-longest streak in NFL you’re tired, get a break, Brady has little comfort with Elliott is tied with the 49ers’
pletely elevated every- history. because I know I can trust any receivers — and 28th Matt Breida for the NFL
body else on defense,” If this comes down to kick- the next guy coming in.” on defense. Bill Belichick rushing lead with 274 yards.
coach Matt Nagy said. ing, Baltimore has a huge The Chiefs can be scored was outcoached by his for- San Francisco (1-2) at Los
“When that happens, that’s edge. The Ravens’ Justin on, though, and Denver mer defensive coordinator, Angeles Chargers (1-2)
rare, to have one guy af- Tucker has hit eight straight had the NFL’s third-ranked Matt Patricia, last Sunday Injuries probably have ru-
fect a team like that.” field goals from 50-plus rushing game with rookies night. ined the 49ers’ season.
Week 4 began with Jared yards and owns the best FG Royce Freeman and Phillip But the Patriots have start- After giving Jimmy Garop-
Goff throwing for 465 yards percentage (90.0) in NFL Lindsay, the first undrafted ed slowly before and then polo his big payday, they
and five touchdowns and history. Pittsburgh’s Chris player to eclipse 100 scrim- become unstoppable. will be without him for the
getting a perfect quarter- Boswell has hit just one of mage yards in his first two Philadelphia (2-1) at Ten- remainder of this year after
back rating in a 38-31 vic- four field goals; the three NFL games. nessee (2-1) he tore his ACL against KC.
tory over Minnesota. misses match his entire Plus, linebacker Von Miller Philly likes playing AFC C.J. Beathard, who was in
The Rams are 4-0, while 2017 total. , tied for the league lead South squads: The Eagles over his head last year in
the Vikings are 1-2-1 and Kansas City (3-0) at Denver with four sacks, is a Chiefs have won seven straight going 1-5, steps in.
haven’t won since opening (2-1), Monday night nemesis: Miller has eight games against them, the The Chargers have won
day. Classic NFL matchup, Part sacks, 11 tackles for loss team’s longest active win- the past four meetings and
On byes are Carolina and II. against Kansas City. ning streak against any di- have a dangerous offense
Washington. Another prime-time show- Miami (3-0) at New Eng- vision. behind QB Philip Rivers
Baltimore (2-1) at Pittsburgh case worth watching, this land (1-2) This could come down to and a ramped-up running
(1-1-1) is a series of streaks. The Classic NFL matchup, Part the running game, par- game. q