If it appears as if the Packers have transferred to the NFC West or the 49ers moved to the NFC North, blame the schedule makers at league headquarters.
When Inexperienced Bay (1-1) visits San Francisco (2-0) on Sunday, it will likely be the fourth journey to the Bay Space for the Cheeseheads in 22 months.
The Niners received the primary two conferences within the 2019 common season and the NFC title recreation. Inexperienced Bay received final 12 months within the common season.
This as soon as was an incredible inter-division rivalry, notably when the likes of Steve Younger and Brett Favre have been round. At one level, from 1995-2010, the Pack received 14 of 15 video games.
“I think when you face a team twice in the playoffs, that’s always random, but they’ve been on our schedule the other two times. So, I feel like it’s almost been every year, I think every year but the first year,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan says. “Lambeau is a fun place to play. I’m glad that we haven’t had to go there in a while.
“It’s always a fun challenge when you go against one of the best quarterbacks to play and one of the best traditions. I know that Packers and 49ers go back a long ways. So, I think it’s really cool for the league and for our fans and their fans, when both teams are playing at high level.”
That quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, had a pleasant bounce-back recreation on Monday evening at Detroit after considered one of his worst performances in a season-opening rout by the hands of the Saints. He’s notably wanting to do properly in Northern California, having grown up in Chico cheering for the Niners.
“I have so many great memories watching those great teams from the late ‘80s and early ’90s — before many of my teammates were born — and still have a lot of love and affection for the area,” he says. “Went to college there, still keep in touch with many folks from Cal that I got to meet or play with, and that area will always be special to me for sure.”
Week 3 started Thursday evening with Carolina’s 24-9 victory over Houston. The Panthers received one other environment friendly efficiency from Sam Darnold, and their top-ranked protection put the squeeze on Texans rookie Davis Mills, sacking him 4 occasions. However Carolina (3-0) has critical issues going ahead due to a hamstring damage to star working again Christian McCaffrey.
Tampa Bay (2-0) at Los Angeles Rams (2-0)
A gathering of the 2 top-ranked school groups all the time attracts nationwide consideration. Nicely, it is a matchup of the AP Pro32’s prime two, the Bucs at No. 1.
Tom Brady, 44, is off to an excellent begin, main the league with 9 landing passes. However the Rams’ protection is a troublesome check for anybody, even a seven-time Tremendous Bowl winner.
Bucs coach Bruce Arians doesn’t appear anxious.
“I think he has a great grasp of it. That’s obvious. The way teams are trying to play us, he sees it early and they usually don’t break their pattern,” Arians says. “I mean, he didn’t know the plays last year. ... He knows them all now.”
The Rams have been simply as harmful within the passing recreation, with Cooper Kupp having two straight video games with not less than seven grabs for over 100 yards and a landing.
Miami (1-1) at Las Vegas (2-0)
As if Las Vegas isn’t energetic sufficient, the city goes wild over the undefeated Raiders. The newest time they have been 3-0, they represented Oakland and went to the Tremendous Bowl. After that, principally darkish occasions.
“I’m going to have a good time coaching. I like these players and I don’t give a damn about negativity,“ coach Jon Gruden says. ”There’s sufficient of it in politics, in our social world proper now, and we’re here to attempt to create a optimistic Las Vegas vibe and have some enjoyable here. That’s what we’re doing.”
Miami is with out quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (ribs) and Jacoby Brissett will begin.
Washington (1-1) at Buffalo (1-1)
Some bizarre stats here:
The Payments have received seven of the previous eight conferences, with Washington’s solely victory throughout that stretch in 2015 at residence. Earlier than that, the earlier time Washington beat Buffalo was the Tremendous Bowl following the 1991 season. That was the second of 4 consecutive Tremendous Bowl losses for the Payments and Washington’s most up-to-date championship. Washington has not received at Buffalo since 1987.
Some strong coaching ties, too. Payments coach Sean McDermott faces Washington’s Ron Rivera, who initially employed him as defensive coordinator in Carolina. Rivera and Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier have been teammates with the Bears for 2 seasons within the mid-Nineteen Eighties.
Baltimore (1-1) at Detroit (0-2)
The camaraderie, emotional edge and training acumen of the Ravens was so evident final Sunday evening once they rallied to beat Kansas Metropolis. They have to keep at that degree towards a weaker opponent.
“I didn’t get on a high horse or anything and be like, `We just won a championship,’ or something,” quarterback Lamar Jackson says. “None of that has happened yet. We still have a long season ahead of us.”
Detroit’s season already appears lengthy.
Arizona (2-0) at Jacksonville (0-2)
Urban Meyer was a huge coaching success in college. Kliff Kingsbury had a so-so record.
Judging by the early returns in 2021, Meyer’s transfer to Jacksonville has been a flop. Kingsbury, in the meantime, in his third professional season, has one of many NFL’s most dynamic and thrilling squads.
The Jags have misplaced their previous 17 video games and now face considered one of their nemeses. Former Houston receiver DeAndre Hopkins put up huge numbers towards the Jaguars when he performed them twice a 12 months: 79 receptions for 930 yards and 6 touchdowns in 14 video games. He additionally received 10 of his previous 12 video games towards the Jags.
Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) at Kansas Metropolis (1-1)
Laborious to imagine the loser of this AFC West matchup will likely be final within the division.
The Chiefs fell 36-35 at Baltimore, blowing a late lead as Patrick Mahomes misplaced in September for the primary time. It wasn’t a lot his fault, although he threw the primary decide of his profession within the month.
Kansas Metropolis is permitting greater than 200 yards per recreation on the bottom, and LA has a flexible offense. How working again Austin Ekeler fares towards the Chiefs might decide the winner.
New Orleans (1-1) at New England (1-1)
Certainly one of a number of groups to make an enormous turnaround in Week 2 — and it was not a fairly change for the Saints. After routing Inexperienced Bay, New Orleans fell aside towards a budding protection in Carolina. After being pressured 3 times in Week 1, Jameis Winston was pressured 16 occasions final week, sacked 4 occasions and hit a further six. Winston accomplished 11 of twenty-two passes for no TDs and two INTs.
One factor is definite: The Patriots received’t be waiting for Tom Brady’s return subsequent week. Their coach received’t permit it and doubtless hasn’t allowed the gamers to even take a look at the October schedule.
Cincinnati (1-1) at Pittsburgh (1-1)
The primary 2021 season matchup within the NFL’s most bodily division, and the hosts are available in with a great deal of damage issues: quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral); 2020 All-Professional edge rusher T.J. Watt (groin); LBs Alex Highsmith (groin) and Devin Bush (groin); CB Joe Haden (groin); and WR Diontae Johnson (knee). DT Tyson Alualu went on injured reserve after breaking his proper ankle.
Nonetheless, the Bengals are the Steelers’ punching bag. Pittsburgh has received 14 of the previous 16 conferences general and 5 straight towards the Bengals at Heinz Discipline.
Indianapolis (0-2) at Tennessee (1-1)
An early assembly between the probably AFC South contenders, although the Colts are off to a depressing, injury-riddled starting. They misplaced twice at residence and head to Music Metropolis with dangerous vibes and doubtless with out quarterback Carson Wentz.
Tennessee’s comeback victory at Seattle final Sunday was exemplary. Having Derrick Henry toting the ball helped: The reigning Offensive Participant of the Yr ran for 182 yards and three touchdowns. He additionally rushed for 178 yards and three TDs in his earlier recreation towards the Colts, who're giving up 120.5 yards dashing a recreation.
Seattle (1-1) at Minnesota (0-2)
Minnesota’s two defeats got here all the way down to the ultimate play, with errors hurting the Vikings, who've scored 57 factors.
“They are scoring points and they are doing it well,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says. “The quarterback (Kirk Cousins) is throwing 72% completion right now with five touchdowns and zero picks, so that’s pretty darn good. That’s a big part of it, but their running game has been solid as well.”
Russell Wilson is 7-0 towards Minnesota, whose leaky protection should be careful for Tyler Lockett. He had TD receptions of 69 yards in Week 1 and 63 yards in Week 2, considered one of six receivers in historical past with TD catches of 60 or more yards in every of the primary two video games of a season. No participant has completed so in three straight video games out of the gate, and Wilson throws the perfect deep ball in soccer.
Philadelphia (1-1) at Dallas (1-1), Monday evening
Whereas the networks love having the Cowboys in prime time — they're scheduled for 5 appearances — it’s Philly that has the shape at evening. The Eagles are 9-3 on Monday evening since 2013 and 13-6 in prime-time video games since 2017. They create a staunch protection, however misplaced standout Brandon Graham to a torn Achilles tendon.
Within the Cowboys’ favor: The house group has received 5 consecutive video games within the series, and these groups have performed 11 occasions on Monday evening, with Dallas holding a 7-4 edge.
Chicago (1-1) at Cleveland (1-1)
When George Halas and Paul Brown have been teaching these groups, it was a professional soccer spotlight going again to 1951.
Now, essentially the most curiosity may very well be on rookie Justin Fields beginning at quarterback for Chicago with Andy Dalton injured. Fields performed within the second half towards Cincinnati and the No. 11 general draft decide went 6 of 13 for 60 yards with a late interception that led to a landing. He added 31 yards dashing within the victory.
Cleveland’s cross rush led by 2020 All-Professional Myles Garrett might make the day depressing for Fields.
New York Jets (0-2) at Denver (2-0)
This may very well be the mismatch of the week because the Broncos proceed their early simple experience; they've overwhelmed the Giants and Jaguars so far, each on the highway. Denver ranks third general on protection and has a wholesome Von Miller threatening offenses once more.
The Jets have misplaced 11 straight video games within the month of September and are 0-2 for the third consecutive season. Rookie QB Zach Wilson comes off a four-interception recreation vs. New England.
Atlanta (0-2) at New York Giants (0-2)
The one matchup of winless groups, with the Falcons a sieve on protection, the Giants inconsistent on either side of the ball.
Atlanta’s Arthur Smith is on the lookout for his first win as an NFL head coach. It took Giants coach Joe Choose six video games to get his as a first-time head coach final 12 months.
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More AP NFL protection: https://sociallytrend.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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