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SPORTS Saturday 3 November 2018
Rodgers-Brady a spicy prime-time matchup in NFL’s Week 9

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. team in the NFL yet to lose ing for 599 yards and nine (5-2) at SEATTLE (4-3) quarterback for the Buc-
AP Pro Football Writer — on the line in a game touchdowns this season. Philip Rivers and the Char- caneers — who rank No. 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron that features the squads It might be tougher sled- gers are well-rested after in the NFL in total offense
Rodgers vs. Tom Brady. with the NFC’s best records. ding this week, though, as their bye-week break, look- — in place of the benched
Green Bay vs. New Eng- Los Angeles boasts the No. the Steelers face a Ravens ing to keep things going af- Jameis Winston. He’ll look
land. Talk about one spicy 2 overall offense with the defense that ranks No. 1 ter a solid start to the sea- to recapture some of the
prime-time matchup. success he had during
Sure, the Packers are hov- his four-game stint as the
ering around the .500 mark starter at the beginning of
and the Patriots don’t ap- the season. The 35-year-old
pear as invincible as they Fitzpatrick threw for over
sometimes — well, often — 400 yards in each of the first
are. But the matchup be- three games, and had 11
tween these two quarter- touchdowns in that span
backs features lots of wins, with four interceptions be-
even more touchdown fore giving way to Winston.
tosses — and plenty of mu- While the Buccaneers have
tual admiration. instability at the quarter-
“I love watching him play,” back spot, Cam Newton
Brady said of Rodgers. “To is firmly entrenched as the
see him up close is great. I guy in Carolina and has the
watch him play whenever Panthers looking for their
he’s out there. I study a lot 10th straight home win with
of the Packers’ offense, I him under center. Newton
study Aaron as a player has 17 combined touch-
and he just does an incred- downs and just four inter-
ible job.” ceptions this season.
The two will meet for just NEW YORK JETS (3-5) at MI-
the second time in their AMI (4-4)
careers, when the Packers In this Sept. 23, 2018, file photo, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) warms up Sam Darnold faces the Dol-
with the team before the NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md.
(3-3-1) and Patriots (6-2) Associated Press phins for the second time,
square off Sunday night. looking for a much better
Rodgers and the Packers top-ranked running game overall in the NFL and is al- son. He’ll face a Seahawks outing than the one he had
won the only other show- in the league, led by the lowing a league-low 17.1 team that has won four of in Week 2 when New York
down, 26-21 at Green Bay, versatile and electric Todd points and 293.8 yards per five and begins a stretch of lost 20-12. The rookie threw
in 2014. Gurley. But the Saints have game. six of nine games at home for 334 yards — still a per-
“I loved going to Lambeau the No. 1 run defense in the KANSAS CITY (7-1) at to close the regular sea- sonal best — but also had
Field and playing him four NFL, so something’s got to CLEVELAND (2-5-1) son. Russell Wilson has 11 TD two interceptions.
years ago,” Brady said. give, right? Just what the struggling throws and no interceptions This also begins a three-
“It’ll be great to play him One thing the Rams have Browns need: a matchup in his last five home games, game stretch in which New
at home this time. I’m really working in their favor: quar- against the team that has and will look to build off last York takes on AFC East op-
looking forward to it.” terback Jared Goff has the best record in the AFC week’s performance when ponents.
Off are: Indianapolis (3-5), won his past seven starts as well as the NFL’s most he became the first player The Jets will see a different
Arizona (2-6), New York Gi- on the road with 13 touch- potent offense. in franchise history to post a face running the offense on
ants (1-7), Jacksonville (3- downs and five intercep- The Chiefs average a perfect quarterback rating. the other side, with Brock
5), Philadelphia (4-4), Cin- tions in that span. league-high 36.3 points HOUSTON (5-3) at DENVER Osweiler getting the start
cinnati (5-3). Meanwhile, Drew Brees per game and Patrick Ma- (3-5) for the Dolphins in place of
Football fans will have to has been sensational at homes has been putting up Hey, that guy looks familiar, the injured Ryan Tannehill.
wait until Sunday night for home lately, with 1,045 eye-popping numbers. He huh? Osweiler has played well
the Packers and Patriots to yards passing with eight TDs has a league-leading 26 Wide receiver Demaryius with six touchdown throws
kick off, but they could be and no INTs in his last three TD passes, just four shy of Thomas will make his de- and three interceptions
treated to plenty of pass- games at the Superdome. the franchise record set by but with the Broncos on in his three starts, during
ing. PITTSBURGH (4-2-1) at BAL- Len Dawson in 1964, and Sunday against the team which Miami is 1-2.
Rodgers (24 of 38 for 368 TIMORE (4-4) has thrown for 300 yards with which he spent his first ATLANTA (3-4) at WASH-
yards, two touchdowns) Joe Flacco and the Ra- or more in a Chiefs-record eight-plus NFL seasons be- INGTON (5-2)
and Brady (22 of 35 for 245 vens won the first meeting seven straight games. Ma- fore being traded to the The ageless Adrian Peter-
yards, two TDs) combined this season, 26-14 on Sept. homes also leads the NFL in Texans on Tuesday. He’ll son and the Redskins will try
for 613 yards passing the 30, and Baltimore will try yards passing (2,526) and be counted on by Houston to go two games up on Phil-
last time they faced each to complete its first series TD-to-INT rate (plus-20). right away to replace the adelphia in the NFC East.
other. Rodgers (103.6) and sweep since 2015. The Browns are coming off injured Will Fuller and keep They’ll have to get past the
Brady (97.6) also rank first That game, by the way, another turbulent week fol- the DeShaun Watson-led Falcons first, though, and
and third, respectively, in was the last Ben Roeth- lowing the firings of coach offense humming. Atlanta has won each of
NFL history in career passer lisberger and the surging Hue Jackson and offensive The Broncos will also try to the last five meetings.
rating. Steelers have lost. coordinator Todd Haley. change the Texans’ for- Peterson, by the way,
“I enjoy competing against Big Ben & Co. are looking Defensive coordinator tunes. Houston is the fifth rushed for 149 yards and
great players,” Rodgers for their fourth straight victo- Gregg Williams will make team since the 1970 merg- a TD last week against the
said, “and obviously Tom is ry, and that’s despite all the his debut as the Browns’ er to win five consecutive Giants. He has some past
right at the top.” drama — will he show up or interim coach against Kan- games following an 0-3 success when facing At-
LOS ANGELES RAMS (8-0) at not? — surrounding the still sas City’s Andy Reid, who start. lanta, with 442 yards from
NEW ORLEANS (6-1) absent Le’Veon Bell. James is 6-0 in his career against B scrimmage and three TDs
The Rams put their unde- Conner has done just fine Cleveland. Fitzmagic is back. Again. in three games against the
feated mark — the only in his place, though, rush- LOS ANGELES CHARGERS Ryan Fitzpatrick will start at Falcons.q