Peterson Held in Check in Return to Minnesota
Adrian Peterson played his first game against the Minnesota Vikings in Monday's season opener, but it was a return he would like to forget. Peterson ran for just 18 yards in limited playing time, as the Vikings cruised to a 29-19 win over the New Orleans Saints. Sam Bradford led the way in his second year with the Vikings, as he threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns, while getting plenty of support from his teammates on offense. Stefon Diggs caught seven passes for 93 yards and two scores, while Adam Thielen had 157 yards receiving on nine receptions, as Bradford continues to make the Vikings forget about the injured Teddy Bridgewater. Rookie Dalvin Cook also came out to replace Peterson in the purple, as he rushed for 127 yards on 22 carries in his NFL debut. Saints head coach Sean Payton knew that neither of his running backs would be thrilled with their playing time, and that showed on the sidelines during Monday's game. Peterson was seen yelling and staring at Payton after a possession in the third quarter, which the Saints' coach seemed to just brush off. The former NFL MVP ran the ball just six times the entire night, as Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara got a majority of the playing time in the backfield. Quarterback Drew Brees also struggled with 291 passing yards on 27-for-37 passing, with Coby Fleener catching his only touchdown pass of the night. The Vikings now cruise in to Week 2 for a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Saints will have their home opener with the defending Super Bowl champs, the New England Patriots, as both teams battle for their first win of 2017.
Broncos Edge Chargers on Blocked Field Goal Attempt
After the Los Angeles Ram impressed in their L.A. debut on Sunday, the Los Angeles Chargers had something to prove on Monday night on the road. Although, the Chargers' recent struggles against the Denver Broncos continued in the season opener, as Younghoe Koo's 44-yard field goal attempt was blocked as time expired to seal the Broncos' 24-21 victory. The win was Denver's fifth consecutive season-opening victory, as Shelby Harris got a hand on the ball for the game-winning block in the fourth. Trevor Siemian threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns on the night, giving Vance Joseph the win in his NFL coaching debut. He also handed Chargers' coach Anthony Lynn a defeat in his debut, despite Los Angeles rallying from a 24-7 deficit to make things interesting late. Both of Siemian's touchdown passes went to Bennie Fowler, with the quarterback running in for the other touchdown to give the Broncos a big lead. Chargers veteran QB Phillip Rivers then found Kennan Allen and Travis Benjamin in the end zone in the second half, setting up Koo's potential game-winner. It was the second straight season that Denver won the opener on a missed field goal, as they defeated the Carolina Panthers on Graham Gano's missed 50-yard field goal to begin last season. They will now play host to the Dallas Cowboys for an interesting Week-2 game, while the Chargers will host the Miami Dolphins in their home opener.
Indians Crush Tigers for 19th Straight Win
The Cleveland Indians are making this win streak thing look way too easy, as they continue to inch closer and closer to the American League and baseball record for longest run. The AL Central leaders crushed the Detroit Tigers 11-0 on Monday night, extending their win streak to 19 games. Their next win will tie them with the 2002 Oakland Athletics for the longest streak in American League history. The 1916 New York Giants hold baseball's record at 26, which could be broken within the next week or so. Francisco Lindor led Monday's blowout with four RBIs, three of which came on a second-inning triple. Jose Ramirez added his 26th long ball of the season off of stater Myles Jaye, as the Indians hold the third-longest win streak since 1947. They haven't lost since August 23rd and have outscored their opponents 132-32 during that run, which has them 13.5 games above the Minnesota Twins for first place in the Central. Carlos Carrasco struck out nine over six innings in his 15th win, helping the Tribe cut their magic number to clinch the Central to just six. They have only trailed in four of the 171 innings in the past 19 contests, and look to tie the '02 A's streak when they send ace Corey Kluber to the hill for Game 2 against Detroit on Tuesday night.
Adrian Peterson played his first game against the Minnesota Vikings in Monday's season opener, but it was a return he would like to forget. Peterson ran for just 18 yards in limited playing time, as the Vikings cruised to a 29-19 win over the New Orleans Saints. Sam Bradford led the way in his second year with the Vikings, as he threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns, while getting plenty of support from his teammates on offense. Stefon Diggs caught seven passes for 93 yards and two scores, while Adam Thielen had 157 yards receiving on nine receptions, as Bradford continues to make the Vikings forget about the injured Teddy Bridgewater. Rookie Dalvin Cook also came out to replace Peterson in the purple, as he rushed for 127 yards on 22 carries in his NFL debut. Saints head coach Sean Payton knew that neither of his running backs would be thrilled with their playing time, and that showed on the sidelines during Monday's game. Peterson was seen yelling and staring at Payton after a possession in the third quarter, which the Saints' coach seemed to just brush off. The former NFL MVP ran the ball just six times the entire night, as Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara got a majority of the playing time in the backfield. Quarterback Drew Brees also struggled with 291 passing yards on 27-for-37 passing, with Coby Fleener catching his only touchdown pass of the night. The Vikings now cruise in to Week 2 for a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Saints will have their home opener with the defending Super Bowl champs, the New England Patriots, as both teams battle for their first win of 2017.
Broncos Edge Chargers on Blocked Field Goal Attempt
After the Los Angeles Ram impressed in their L.A. debut on Sunday, the Los Angeles Chargers had something to prove on Monday night on the road. Although, the Chargers' recent struggles against the Denver Broncos continued in the season opener, as Younghoe Koo's 44-yard field goal attempt was blocked as time expired to seal the Broncos' 24-21 victory. The win was Denver's fifth consecutive season-opening victory, as Shelby Harris got a hand on the ball for the game-winning block in the fourth. Trevor Siemian threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns on the night, giving Vance Joseph the win in his NFL coaching debut. He also handed Chargers' coach Anthony Lynn a defeat in his debut, despite Los Angeles rallying from a 24-7 deficit to make things interesting late. Both of Siemian's touchdown passes went to Bennie Fowler, with the quarterback running in for the other touchdown to give the Broncos a big lead. Chargers veteran QB Phillip Rivers then found Kennan Allen and Travis Benjamin in the end zone in the second half, setting up Koo's potential game-winner. It was the second straight season that Denver won the opener on a missed field goal, as they defeated the Carolina Panthers on Graham Gano's missed 50-yard field goal to begin last season. They will now play host to the Dallas Cowboys for an interesting Week-2 game, while the Chargers will host the Miami Dolphins in their home opener.
Indians Crush Tigers for 19th Straight Win
The Cleveland Indians are making this win streak thing look way too easy, as they continue to inch closer and closer to the American League and baseball record for longest run. The AL Central leaders crushed the Detroit Tigers 11-0 on Monday night, extending their win streak to 19 games. Their next win will tie them with the 2002 Oakland Athletics for the longest streak in American League history. The 1916 New York Giants hold baseball's record at 26, which could be broken within the next week or so. Francisco Lindor led Monday's blowout with four RBIs, three of which came on a second-inning triple. Jose Ramirez added his 26th long ball of the season off of stater Myles Jaye, as the Indians hold the third-longest win streak since 1947. They haven't lost since August 23rd and have outscored their opponents 132-32 during that run, which has them 13.5 games above the Minnesota Twins for first place in the Central. Carlos Carrasco struck out nine over six innings in his 15th win, helping the Tribe cut their magic number to clinch the Central to just six. They have only trailed in four of the 171 innings in the past 19 contests, and look to tie the '02 A's streak when they send ace Corey Kluber to the hill for Game 2 against Detroit on Tuesday night.
