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A22 SPORTS
Saturday 6 OctOber 2018
Eagles, Vikings stage NFC championship rematch Sunday

By BARRY WILNER an offense that comes with active streak in the NFL. of at least 25 yards) faces Atlanta (1-3) at Pittsburgh
AP Pro Football Writer 10 days off and has three Baltimore (3-1) at Cleve- the league's best defense. (1-2-1)
When last they met, the Ea- wideouts who eclipsed 100 land (1-2-1) Jacksonville excels particu- Which of these supposed
gles and Vikings were vying yards receiving last game: Here's a matchup the for- larly in pass coverage, and contenders has been more
for a spot in the Super Bowl. Brandin Cooks, Cooper mer team from Cleveland the perspective match- disappointing? The Falcons
Now, they are searching for Kupp and Robert Woods. loves. Baltimore has won up of cornerback Jalen have been hammered by
consistency while looking Plus, the Rams are no five straight and 18 of the Ramsey vs. wideout Tyreek injuries on defense, down
up at other division leaders. slouches on defense. past 20 meetings under Hill is a juicy one. three starters already, plac-
"Each week — and (Eagles ing an extra burden on the
defensive coordinator) offense. Mostly, Matt Ryan,
Jim Schwartz mentioned Julio Jones and company
it and it's true," Philadel- have come through — At-
phia coach Doug Peder- lanta has scored 116 points
son says, "you're two plays but allowed 122; only Tam-
away from maybe being pa Bay and Oakland have
0-4 and two plays away been more generous.
from being 4-0. That's how Pittsburgh's issues seem to
tight this thing really is." run deeper than a porous
Coming off its champion- D and too many turnovers,
ship season Philly has won a league-worst nine (tied
twice at home and fallen with the Bucs). The Steel-
twice on the road, last ers are runaway leaders in
week blowing a 14-point penalties, are missing star
lead to lose in overtime at RB Le'Veon Bell in a con-
Tennessee. The defense tract dispute, and have far
remains stout much of the too much drama envelop-
time, but fell apart in key ing them.
spots at the Titans, espe- Oakland (1-3) at Los Ange-
cially in OT. les Chargers (2-2)
"Therefore, with that being Both teams can move the
said," Pederson adds, "as ball and are vulnerable
coaches we got to make on defense, so a shootout
sure we're doing our part might be in the offing.
to prepare our players and FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2018, file photo, New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, left, runs the ball during Derek Carr is fourth in the
get them ready for those the first half of the team's NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in East Rutherford, N.J. league in completions (120)
situations." Giants coach Pat Shurmur admits he didn't use Barkley enough in the loss to the Saints. The running and completion rate (71.0
Minnesota's dilemma is game was limited to 65 yards on 15 carries. Barkley had 44 yards on 10 carries. The Giants play percent), and the Raid-
deeper. While the Eagles the Carolina Panthers this week ers are one of three teams
are just a half-game out of Associated Press with a 100-yard receiver in
the NFC East lead, the Vi- every game this season.
kings are 1-2-1 and trail Chi- Seattle's season, despite coach John Harbaugh. The Jaguars haven't al- Los Angeles is more bal-
cago and Green Bay in the two straight wins, got more While defense always is lowed an opponent to anced. Melvin Gordon
NFC North. messy when it lost star safe- the calling card for the Ra- score on its opening posses- leads the AFC in yards from
Most importantly, Minne- ty Earl Thomas (broken leg) vens, Joe Flacco has eight sion this season. The Chiefs scrimmage (475) and first
sota must find a running and tight end Will Dissly (pa- TD passes, only two inter- have scored 52 points in downs (25), and backup RB
game, ranking last. If Dalvin tellar tendon) for the year. ceptions, and Justin Tucker first quarters. Austin Ekeler is averaging
Cook can get healthy, it Thomas's parting gesture to could make field goals Sun- Washington (2-1) at New 8.6 scrimmage yards, tops
would be a huge help. the Seahawks sideline was day kicking from Lake Erie. Orleans (3-1), Monday for his position. Philip Rivers
"It has been difficult," coach not quite complimentary. Oddly, this is the final in- night likes facing the Silver and
Mike Zimmer says. "We have Miami (3-1) at Cincinnati tradivision road game for A major test for the Red- Black having thrown 41 TDs
to be patient with it, No. (3-1) the Ravens, who beat Pitts- skins, coming off a bye and vs. the Raiders, tied with
1. Honestly, a little bit has Despite some awful statis- burgh and lost to Cincin- alone atop their division. Denver for his most against
been dictated with some tics including being out- nati. The Saints showed against any opponent.
of the scores throughout gained by 435 yards and Cleveland can play some the Giants that they can New York Giants (1-3) at
the last couple ballgames. outscored 90-82, Miami D, too. It has a league-high win without Drew Brees put- Carolina (2-1)
It's important for us to have leads the AFC East. Of 13 takeaways and DE Myl- ting on an aerial spectacu- Look for the Panthers to
balance. It keeps the de- course, it was routed in es Garrett, the top overall lar as Alvin Kamara scored get off to a running start
fensive line from pinning New England last week- choice in the 2017 draft, three TDs rushing, Wil Lutz coming off their bye. They
their ears back all the time. end. The Dolphins do lead has 4 1/2 sacks this season kicked four field goals, and are No. 1 in rushing offense
I think it helps the football the league with nine inter- and 11 1/2 in 15 games. He the defense mostly befud- and the Giants are No. 29
team overall. We just have ceptions. made a career-best nine dled New York. in run defense. Panthers RB
to do a better job." Also on top of their divi- tackles last week in an OT Washington's defense has Christian McCaffrey is com-
Off are Tampa Bay (2-2) sion, tied with Baltimore in loss in Oakland. been surprisingly effective, ing off a 28-carry, 184-yard
and Chicago (3-1). the AFC North, the Bengals Jacksonville (3-1) at Kansas ranking third overall. It must performance against Cin-
Los Angeles Rams (4-0) at are struggling on defense, City (4-0) slow Brees, who has 71,740 cinnati.
Seattle (2-2) too. They rank last on third A matchup of elite AFC yards passing, needing 201 New York doesn't score
The Seahawks' former Le- downs, allowing opponents teams in which Kansas to move ahead of Peyton much despite the presence
gion of Boom might have to convert 57 percent. But City's powerful offense led Manning for the career of two dynamic perform-
given LA's booming attack- the offense has sizzled, es- by emerging star quarter- lead. He's passed for eight ers, WR Odell Beckham Jr.,
ing fits. This group, while pecially in the red zone: back Patrick Mahomes touchdowns with no inter- and second overall draft
well coached and aggres- Cincinnati has scored in its (14 TD passes, no intercep- ceptions, and has rushed choice RB Saquon Barkley.
sive, figures to struggle with past 34 trips, the longest tions, NFL-best 15 passes for two TDs. q