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SPORTS Wednesday 29 august 2018
Eagles start on top of 1st AP Pro 32 poll of 2018 season

By SIMMI BUTTAR in Foxborough, the Pats will
AP Sports Writer loom as the team to beat,"
NEW YORK (AP) — The Ea- said Ira Kaufman of SB Na-
gles are looking for a Green tion Radio.
Repeat. The Minnesota Vikings, who
Led by Nick Foles, the Phila- lost to the Eagles in the NFC
delphia Eagles won their championship game, are
first Super Bowl last season No. 3. The Vikings added
with a 41-33 victory over quarterback Kirk Cousins
the New England Patriots. in the offseason to a team
Foles took over last season with high expectations.
when Carson Wentz tore "Is Kirk Cousins the answer?
the ACL and LCL in his left That's the only question
knee. Wentz is not expect- about this team," Pro Foot-
ed to be ready when the ball Talk's Charean Williams
Eagles begin defense of said.
their title on Sept. 6 by host- The Los Angeles Rams, who
ing the Atlanta Falcons to won the NFC West last sea-
open the NFL's regular sea- son, earned two first-place
son. votes and are No. 4.
The Patriots are the most re- "(Brandin) Cooks dynamite
cent team to win consecu- in new offense," Fox Sports' In this Feb. 4, 2018, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles' Chris Maragos, Brandon Graham, Fletcher
tive championships, win- John Czarnecki said of the Cox, Malcolm Jenkins and Carson Wentz, from left, walk to midfield before the NFL Super Bowl 52
ning Super Bowls 38 and 39. speedy wide receiver who football game against the New England Patriots in Minneapolis.
And the Eagles will start had 1,082 yards last season Associated Press
their quest as the top team in New England.
in the first AP Pro 32 poll of The Pittsburgh Steelers, who AFC title game, are No. 7. Rodgers broke his collar- two seasons, are fittingly
the 2018 season. have won three of the past The Jaguars will start the bone, will begin at No. 9. No. 31. The Browns will have
The Eagles received six of four AFC North titles, are season short-handed after And L.A.'s other team, the a tough opener as they
the 12 first-place votes and No. 5. they lost receiver Marqise Chargers, round out the host the Steelers.
367 points in balloting by Drew Brees and the Saints Lee for the season with a top 10. And the Jets, who could
media members who regu- received the other first- knee injury. He was hurt in At the bottom of the poll, start rookie Sam Darnold at
larly cover the NFL. place vote and will start a preseason game against the Colts will start at No. 30 QB, will begin in last place
The Patriots, who have the season at No. 6. the Falcons, who are No. 8 despite the return of fran- at No. 32. "The future may
been to eight Super Bowls "My projected Super Bowl in the poll. chise QB Andrew Luck. be bright with Sam Dar-
in the Tom Brady and Bill winner leads this list," said The Packers, who slumped The Browns, who have lost nold, but the present looks
Belichick era, were a close Alex Marvez of The Sporting to a 7-9 season after Aaron 31 of 32 games in the past brutal," Marvez said.q
second — just as they were News. "Tom Benson would
in the loss to the Eagles in have loved the Super Bowl
Minneapolis. The Patriots 53 post party."
received three first-place The Jacksonville Jaguars,
votes and finished with 366 who were in position to
points. reach the Super Bowl until
"As long as the Killer B's, blowing a fourth-quarter
Brady and Belichick, reside lead at New England in the