Patriots Shut Down Falcons in Super Bowl Rematch
The New England Patriots forced the same result Sunday night as we saw the last time they faced off with the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl last February. Although, they did it a completely different way, as the defending champs led the entire game in a 23-7 win in Foxborough on Sunday Night Football. Tom Brady threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, while his defense held an opposing quarterback under 300 passing yards for the first time this season. Matt Ryan had just 233 yards and a touchdown pass to Julio Jones late, as his Falcons dropped to 3-3 on the season. Both of Brady's touchdown passes came in the second quarter, as he found Brandin Cooks and James White in the end zone to give his team the early advantage. As we all know, the Pats needed to rally from a 28-point deficit against Atlanta to raise the Lombardi Trophy to end last season. They scored the final 31 points of that game, and then the first 23 points of Sunday's game, as they improved to 5-2 on the year. They will play host to the Los Angeles Chargers next week, while the Falcons hit the road to visit the New York Jets, as they look to move their record back above .500.
Packers Drop First Game Without Rodgers
Just one week after losing Aaron Rodgers to a broken collarbone, the Green Bay Packers had to play host to the a top-notch quarterback in Drew Brees, which made them miss their QB a little bit more. Brees threw for one touchdown and ran for another to lead his New Orleans Saints over the Rodgers-less Packers 26-17. Nick Hundley got his first career start with Green Bay, but finished with just 87 yards and one interception in the loss. Despite that, the Saints turned the ball over twice and was called for seven penalties for 80 yards during sloppy play, keeping Green Bay ahead until Will Lutz hit two second-half field goals to give his team the lead for good. Brees had 331 yards passing, while Mark Ingram ran for 105 yards on 22 carries, in the Saints' second straight win over an NFC North opponent, and fourth straight overall. The Packers got off to an early start on a 46-yard touchdown run by rookie Aaron Jones, who finished with 131 yards on 17 carries. Hundley's lone interception came late in the fourth, as Kenny Vaccaro did the honors to end Green Bay's hopes with 4:20 left. The Packers will look to snap their two-game slide when they host the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football next week. Meanwhile, Saints play host to another NFC North team in the Chicago Bears at the Superdome.
Elliott Breaks Out in Cowboys' Win
Ezekiel Elliott continues to go back and forth with the domestic violence suspension against the NFL, but that didn't seem to be on his mind on Sunday afternoon. The running back totaled 219 yards and three touchdowns, as the Dallas Cowboys cruised past the winless San Francisco 49ers, 40-10. The three scores and 219 yards from scrimmage tied a career high for the second-year tailback, as he had one reception for a 72-yard touchdown in the third quarter, while rushing for 147 yards and two scores (both in the first) in the win. Dak Prescott was sharp on the day, throwing for 234 yards and three touchdowns, as the Cowboys did not turn the ball over, while forcing three turnovers from the Niners. The 49ers started rookie C.J. Beathard at quarterback, as he threw 22-for-37 for 235 yards, but was sacked five times by the Cowboys' defense. San Francisco became the first team with five straight losses by three or more points this season, but they were never close against Dallas at home. They fell to 0-7 on the season and it doesn't get any easier, as they visit the 5-1 Philadelphia Eagles next week. The Cowboys will visit their division rivals, the Washington Redskins, on Sunday afternoon.
The New England Patriots forced the same result Sunday night as we saw the last time they faced off with the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl last February. Although, they did it a completely different way, as the defending champs led the entire game in a 23-7 win in Foxborough on Sunday Night Football. Tom Brady threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, while his defense held an opposing quarterback under 300 passing yards for the first time this season. Matt Ryan had just 233 yards and a touchdown pass to Julio Jones late, as his Falcons dropped to 3-3 on the season. Both of Brady's touchdown passes came in the second quarter, as he found Brandin Cooks and James White in the end zone to give his team the early advantage. As we all know, the Pats needed to rally from a 28-point deficit against Atlanta to raise the Lombardi Trophy to end last season. They scored the final 31 points of that game, and then the first 23 points of Sunday's game, as they improved to 5-2 on the year. They will play host to the Los Angeles Chargers next week, while the Falcons hit the road to visit the New York Jets, as they look to move their record back above .500.
Packers Drop First Game Without Rodgers
Just one week after losing Aaron Rodgers to a broken collarbone, the Green Bay Packers had to play host to the a top-notch quarterback in Drew Brees, which made them miss their QB a little bit more. Brees threw for one touchdown and ran for another to lead his New Orleans Saints over the Rodgers-less Packers 26-17. Nick Hundley got his first career start with Green Bay, but finished with just 87 yards and one interception in the loss. Despite that, the Saints turned the ball over twice and was called for seven penalties for 80 yards during sloppy play, keeping Green Bay ahead until Will Lutz hit two second-half field goals to give his team the lead for good. Brees had 331 yards passing, while Mark Ingram ran for 105 yards on 22 carries, in the Saints' second straight win over an NFC North opponent, and fourth straight overall. The Packers got off to an early start on a 46-yard touchdown run by rookie Aaron Jones, who finished with 131 yards on 17 carries. Hundley's lone interception came late in the fourth, as Kenny Vaccaro did the honors to end Green Bay's hopes with 4:20 left. The Packers will look to snap their two-game slide when they host the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football next week. Meanwhile, Saints play host to another NFC North team in the Chicago Bears at the Superdome.
Elliott Breaks Out in Cowboys' Win
Ezekiel Elliott continues to go back and forth with the domestic violence suspension against the NFL, but that didn't seem to be on his mind on Sunday afternoon. The running back totaled 219 yards and three touchdowns, as the Dallas Cowboys cruised past the winless San Francisco 49ers, 40-10. The three scores and 219 yards from scrimmage tied a career high for the second-year tailback, as he had one reception for a 72-yard touchdown in the third quarter, while rushing for 147 yards and two scores (both in the first) in the win. Dak Prescott was sharp on the day, throwing for 234 yards and three touchdowns, as the Cowboys did not turn the ball over, while forcing three turnovers from the Niners. The 49ers started rookie C.J. Beathard at quarterback, as he threw 22-for-37 for 235 yards, but was sacked five times by the Cowboys' defense. San Francisco became the first team with five straight losses by three or more points this season, but they were never close against Dallas at home. They fell to 0-7 on the season and it doesn't get any easier, as they visit the 5-1 Philadelphia Eagles next week. The Cowboys will visit their division rivals, the Washington Redskins, on Sunday afternoon.
