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SPORTS Thursday 13 sepTember 2018

Patriots, Eagles switch places in latest AP Pro32 poll

By SIMMI BUTTAR the top matchups of Week
AP Sports Writer 2.
NEW YORK (AP) — Well that “Aaron Rodgers and the
didn’t take long. Packers were impressive in
The Philadelphia Eagles the second half Sunday,
and New England Patriots, but let’s be honest, the real
who met in the Super Bowl, test comes against the Vi-
switched places on Tues- kings,” said Charean Wil-
day in the latest AP Pro32 liams of Pro Football Talk.
poll . The Kansas City Chiefs
The defending champion moved up six spots to No. 7
Eagles opened the season after beating the AFC West
on top, with the Patriots a rival Los Angeles Chargers
close second. 38-28. The Chiefs will get
After the first week of the another road challenge
regular season, it’s the Pa- this week as they head to
triots on top with three of Heinz Field to face the Pitts-
the 12 first-place votes and burgh Steelers.
367 points in balloting by The Carolina Panthers rose
media members who regu- three spots to No. 8 after
larly cover the NFL. topping the Dallas Cow-
The Patriots opened the boys 16-8.
season with a 27-20 win The Baltimore Ravens
over the Houston Texans. leaped five places to No. 9
Tom Brady threw for 277 New England Patriots defensive back Stephon Gilmore, center, celebrates his interception with after routing the Buffalo Bills
yards and three touch- Dont’a Hightower, left, and Eric Rowe, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the 47-3.
downs. Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. The Ravens will open Week
“Tom Brady and Rob Associated Press 2 when they head to Cin-
Gronkowski put away any mained at No. 3 with 363 Rams put on a clinic against “The Jags have waited cinnati to face the Bengals
offseason speculation points. In his first start with the overmatched Raid- almost eight months to on Thursday night.
about their futures in New the Vikings, Kirk Cousins ers and show that (coach) avenge a bitter loss in Fox- “(The Ravens) look like AFC
England by picking up had 244 yards and two Sean McVay’s team looks borough that cost them a North favorites,” Fox Sports’
where they left off,” said touchdowns in a 24-16 vic- ready to live up to the Su- Super Bowl berth,” said Ira John Czarnecki said.
Jenny Vrentas of The Mon- tory over the San Francisco per Bowl hype,” Newsday’s Kaufman of Fox 13 in Tam- The Falcons fell two spots to
day Morning Quarterback. 49ers. Bob Glauber said of the pa, Florida. No. 10. They are scheduled
“Just as notable was the “Solid start for Kirk Cousins Rams’ opening 33-13 rout The Green Bay Packers to host the Panthers on Sun-
much improved perfor- at quarterback,” said John of the Raiders on Monday jumped three spots to No. day in their home opener
mance by the Patriots’ de- Clayton of 710 ESPN in Se- night. 6 after Aaron Rodgers led at Mercedes-Benz Stadium,
fense.” attle. The Jacksonville Jaguars a remarkable comeback site of the next Super Bowl.
The Eagles received six first- The L.A. Rams are close moved up two spots to No. from a 20-0 deficit to a 24- The New York Jets, who
place votes for 366 points behind again at No. 4. The 5 and face a big test on 23 victory on Sunday night opened the season in last
despite their sluggish 18-12 Rams earned the other Sunday when they host the after briefly leaving the place, soared to No. 17
win over the Atlanta Fal- three first-place votes for Patriots in a rematch of last game with a knee injury. after their 48-17 rout of the
cons. 360 points. season’s AFC champion- The Packers will host the Vi- Detroit Lions, who fell from
The Minnesota Vikings re- “After a shaky first half, ship game. kings on Sunday in one of No. 19 to No. 30.q

Foles to start for Eagles vs Bucs;

Wentz not cleared to play

By ROB MAADDI hind Wentz instead of go- tz tore two knee ligaments
AP Pro Football Writer ing to the Buccaneers to in Week 14 last year. That
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick be the backup for Jameis record includes playoffs
Foles made the right choice Winston. “My wife and I and the final regular-sea-
when he picked the Eagles were weighing all options. son game, in which Foles
over the Buccaneers last She was pregnant. We de- played only one quarter.
season. cided Philly was our home Wentz had surgery to re-
Foles has a Super Bowl MVP once before, we loved it, pair a torn ACL and LCL last
award to show for a tough we loved the people, we Dec. 13 and hasn’t been In this Sept. 6, 2018 photo, Philadelphia Eagles’ Nick Foles throws
decision that came down loved the city, and what medically cleared to play. a pass during the first half of the team’s NFL football game
to familiarity. Now he’ll get better place to bring our “As training camp pro- against the Atlanta Falcons, in Philadelphia.
a chance to play against daughter into the world.” gressed, his strength, lower Associated Press
Tampa Bay on Sunday be- Foles had committed to body strength, his upper ren Sproles (hamstring) was released among the
cause Carson Wentz still Arizona State in high school body strength, all trend- and WR Shelton Gibson final cuts. Pederson said:
isn’t ready to return from when Buccaneers coach ing in the right direction,” (knee) were limited in “Kamar gives us depth.
knee surgery. Dirk Koetter was the coach coach Doug Pederson Wednesday’s practice. ... He gives us experience.
“It was close,” Foles said of the Sun Devils. But the said. The Eagles signed WR Ka- He gives us some special
about choosing to return Philly connection won out. Notes: Wentz, WR Alshon mar Aiken and release WR teams availability. It’s a
to Philadelphia to play be- He is 6-1 filling in since Wen- Jeffery (shoulder), RB Dar- Markus Wheaton. Aiken good fit.”q