Football – Winnipeg Free Press

Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield are thriving with new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 3 minute read 5:02 AM CDT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may need another new offensive coordinator if the offense continues its success.

From Dave Canales to Liam Coen to Josh Grizzard, Mayfield keeps elevating his play. He turned Canales and Coen into head coaches after one-year stints as OCs. Now, it’s Grizzard’s turn and he’s doing it with a slew of injuries to key players, including star wide receiver Mike Evans and running back Bucky Irving.

“I have said this, all play-callers, the really good ones, great ones, whatever you want to say, adjust to their personnel,” Mayfield said. “We have had to do that with the rotation on the offensive line, injuries at receiver and skill groups. He has done that, has not flinched and that is a lot on his plate, but he has handled it really well.”

Grizzard spent one season as the team’s pass game coordinator. He was promoted after Coen left to coach Jacksonville.

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Panthers running back Rico Dowdle says Cowboys’ 32nd-ranked defense better ‘buckle up’ on Sunday

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Panthers running back Rico Dowdle says Cowboys’ 32nd-ranked defense better ‘buckle up’ on Sunday

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 6 minute read Yesterday at 5:49 PM CDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle had a message for his former team after rushing for a career-best 206 yards last Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

“Better buckle up,” Dowdle warned the Dallas Cowboys, who have the 32nd-ranked defense.

Dowdle didn't back down from that message this week, adding: "It’s going to be a very physical game. I take pride in that. Buckle your chinstraps up. I will be coming.″

The Cowboys insist they'll be ready.

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Yesterday at 5:49 PM CDT

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle celebrates after scoring against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Patriots-Saints clash features teams with new coaches who seem to be rebuilding at different speeds

Brett Martel, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Patriots-Saints clash features teams with new coaches who seem to be rebuilding at different speeds

Brett Martel, The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:55 PM CDT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints entered the 2025 season under similar circumstances.

Neither won more than five games last season and both have new coaches.

Heading into Week 6, coach Mike Vrabel's Patriots (3-2) — fresh off a victory at previously unbeaten Buffalo — appear farther along the road back to NFL relevance than Kellen Moore's Saints (1-4) as they prepare to meet in the Superdome on Sunday.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye doesn't want to hear it.

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Yesterday at 6:55 PM CDT

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Parity or poor football? NFL is providing plenty of close games with exciting finishes

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Parity or poor football? NFL is providing plenty of close games with exciting finishes

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 4 minute read 5:02 AM CDT

Some call it parity. Others consider it bad football.

No matter how it’s viewed, the NFL is providing plenty of close games, thrilling comebacks, big upsets and late-minute heroics. It keeps viewers entertained — or at least tuned in until the end.

Five weeks in, 24 games have featured a winning score in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime. That’s the most through Week 5 in league history. Seven teams did it last week, including Tampa Bay for the fourth time already this season. Six teams overcame double-digit deficits last week. Four of those teams trailed by 14 points or more.

“There’s a lot of parity in this league right now,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said, trying to explain all the comebacks. “Without a lot of people playing in training camp, these first five weeks are really preseason ball games as far as penalties and getting everybody on the same page and doing those types of things. Hopefully that calms down, and hopefully we can do the right things and cut down on the mistakes and stretch the games out a little bit and not win them at the end. It’s been like that all over the league and you see it every week.”

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5:02 AM CDT

New York Giants' Cam Skattebo reacts after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Jalen Hurts throws an interception among mistakes that lead to the Eagles’ 2nd consecutive loss

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Jalen Hurts throws an interception among mistakes that lead to the Eagles’ 2nd consecutive loss

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:36 PM CDT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Jalen Hurts overthrew DeVonta Smith when the receiver was wide open with the chance for an easy touchdown. That was one lowlight of the Philadelphia Eagles' second consecutive loss, but Hurts also had another Thursday night.

Hurts' pass was picked off early in the fourth quarter by Cor'Dale Flott, who returned it 68 yards to set up the New York Giants' fifth touchdown in a 34-17 rout. It was Hurts' first interception of the season and just the second — counting the Super Bowl he won as MVP — in 15 games over the past 11 months.

“Bad ball. Bad ball,” Hurts said. “I didn’t execute well enough situationally, and I obviously can't turn the ball over in the red zone. I’ll look into the tape, and I know our team will as a group and we’ll get critical of ourselves on that and learn from it.”

Plenty else went wrong. The Eagles' defense did them no favors, allowing New York to convert on 11 of 16 third-down chances, and Saquon Barkley's fumble with 6:50 left sent many fans to the exits.

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Updated: Yesterday at 11:36 PM CDT

Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Cam Skattebo runs for 3 TDs and Jaxson Dart shines as the Giants beat the Eagles 34-17

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Cam Skattebo runs for 3 TDs and Jaxson Dart shines as the Giants beat the Eagles 34-17

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:23 PM CDT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Cam Skattebo and Jaxson Dart sat next to each other on the flight home from New Orleans and lamented the turnovers they committed that caused the New York Giants to lose a game they felt they should have won.

The conversations continued this week, while Dart was listening to outsiders giving his team little chance to beat the Philadelphia Eagles. Then the rookies responded exactly like coach Brian Daboll expected to spark a prime-time upset of the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Skattebo ran for three touchdowns, Dart had one rushing and another passing and the Giants beat the Eagles 34-17 on Thursday night, handing what less than a week ago was one of the NFL's final unbeaten teams its second consecutive loss.

"Quite honestly, nobody really expected us to put up a performance like this," said Dart, who was 17 of 25 for 195 yards passing and had 13 carries for 58 yards. “We felt confident. We just tried to play hard for each other. We’re not trying to make statements. We’re just trying to play for each other and win games.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 11:23 PM CDT

New York Giants' Jaxson Dart, center, and Cam Skattebo celebrate after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Brock Purdy remains out and Mac Jones is limited for the 49ers

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Brock Purdy remains out and Mac Jones is limited for the 49ers

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 7:52 PM CDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers went through another day of preparation for their game against Tampa Bay without either of their top two quarterbacks healthy enough to throw the ball in practice.

Starter Brock Purdy remains sidelined by a toe injury and is expected to miss his fourth game this season on Sunday at Tampa Bay, while backup Mac Jones has been slowed by injuries to his knee and oblique.

Jones hurt his oblique on his final play of last week's overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams and said he is saving his arm for Sunday's game. He was listed as limited on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Just getting treatment every day and working,” he said. “We have a good plan in place, and I feel confident and just working through it day by day. That’s all you can do.”

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Yesterday at 7:52 PM CDT

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

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Next up for Baltimore’s decimated defense: a matchup with the high-octane Rams

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Next up for Baltimore’s decimated defense: a matchup with the high-octane Rams

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 7:10 PM CDT

Baltimore's beleaguered defense could desperately use a break.

What the Ravens have instead is a date with Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and the Los Angeles Rams, who rank second in the NFL in total offense.

After the Ravens gave up 44 points in last week's loss to Houston — and 177 through five games — it may seem like there's nothing they can do to slow down the Rams on Sunday. But Baltimore is going to try. The Ravens made a trade this week, acquiring safety Alohi Gilman. They also signed safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the practice squad.

Baltimore (1-4) might be without star quarterback Lamar Jackson for a second straight game. The Ravens did get safety Kyle Hamilton back practicing after he missed last weekend with a groin injury. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) returned to practice as well.

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Yesterday at 7:10 PM CDT

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass past San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins (95) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Rams’ confidence in their secondary is still high despite recent struggles

Dan Greenspan, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Rams’ confidence in their secondary is still high despite recent struggles

Dan Greenspan, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 7:06 PM CDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams remain confident in their secondary despite understanding its last impression was not a good one: allowing San Francisco backup quarterback Mac Jones to throw for 342 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-23 overtime loss last Thursday.

“There’s a lot of recency bias because of last game, but you look at, really, our first five games, like, guys have been getting their hands on balls,” safety Quentin Lake said. “I just reiterate all the time, as long as we’re locking in each and every snap, those plays are going to come.”

With a long weekend to process why the Rams (3-2) struggled in coverage, including allowing 49ers reserve wide receiver Kendrick Bourne to put up a career-high 142 yards, defensive coordinator Chris Shula expects a better showing at Baltimore on Sunday.

“I think each play, each game, is its own energy,” he said. “I think we can do a better job as coaches, putting them in some better positions. I think we’ve had some tough matchups, some isolations sometimes where whatever you’re doing on defense, you got to maybe win a one-on-one here and there. But we’re really happy with how they’re playing.”

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Yesterday at 7:06 PM CDT

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) runs in front of Los Angeles Rams linebacker Nate Landman during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

Vikings keep the development process for recovering J.J. McCarthy in motion during the bye week

Dave Campbell, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Vikings keep the development process for recovering J.J. McCarthy in motion during the bye week

Dave Campbell, The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:58 PM CDT

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings welcomed their time off from a much-needed bye week, following an unprecedented 10-day, two-game trip to Ireland and England amid an early season surge of injuries.

Not all of the players took a break. J.J. McCarthy had work to do.

After his progression as an NFL quarterback hit another snag with a sprained ankle that sidelined him for the last three games, McCarthy has been entrenched this week at the team's practice facility upon return from Europe in preparation for the resumption of the schedule.

Though Carson Wentz capably steered them to two victories with a veteran savvy and poise, the Vikings have a 22-year-old to develop in a win-now league. There's no reason to wait longer to bring McCarthy back if he's fully healthy. Doing so would be an admission of uncertainty around his ability to do the job.

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Yesterday at 6:58 PM CDT

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) passes the ball during the first half of the NFL game between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Ravens have won 5 of their last 6 against Rams, but Lamar Jackson appears unlikely to play this time

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Ravens have won 5 of their last 6 against Rams, but Lamar Jackson appears unlikely to play this time

The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 6:49 PM CDT

Los Angeles Rams (3-2) at Baltimore (1-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, FOX.

BetMGM NFL Odds: Rams by 7 1/2.

Against the spread: Rams 3-2, Ravens 1-4.

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Yesterday at 6:49 PM CDT

Seahawks welcome early kick at Jaguars, who have ‘some meat left on the bone’ amid 4-1 start

Mark Long, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Seahawks welcome early kick at Jaguars, who have ‘some meat left on the bone’ amid 4-1 start

Mark Long, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 6:30 PM CDT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Josh Hines-Allen and the Jacksonville Jaguars could be floating around the facility.

They beat three-time defending AFC champion Kansas City on Monday Night Football. They did it while playing first-year head coach Liam Coen’s “go take it” brand of football. And they won a third consecutive game to start 4-1 for the first time in nearly two decades.

Good vibes all around, right? Not even close.

“I’m not saying we played terrible,” said Hines-Allen, a veteran defensive end. “But it wasn’t up to the standard that we’ve set. We’re kind of (ticked) off about that.”

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Yesterday at 6:30 PM CDT

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Titans visit Raiders seeking back-to-back wins for first time since 2022

Mark Anderson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Titans visit Raiders seeking back-to-back wins for first time since 2022

Mark Anderson, The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:27 PM CDT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Tennessee Titans opened the season with four consecutive losses and were staring directly at a fifth last weekend before they rallied to beat Arizona.

Which puts them in the unusual situation of trying to win back-to-back games.

Should the Titans beat the Raiders on Sunday, that would be the first time they have posted consecutive victories since Nov. 17, 2022, when they beat Green Bay after topping Denver five days earlier.

“Hey, it has been a long time, and this is our opportunity to do it,” tight end Chig Okonkwo said. “Like we say over here, winning cures everything. So the vibe is high. So now we can just keep this momentum going forward and take it to Vegas.”

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Yesterday at 6:27 PM CDT

Tennessee Titans punter Johnny Hekker (3) congratulates place-kicker Joey Slye (6) after making a game winning field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter is not playing against the Giants because of a heel injury

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 1 minute read Preview

Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter is not playing against the Giants because of a heel injury

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 6:04 PM CDT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter is not playing in the reigning Super Bowl champions’ game at the New York Giants on Thursday night because of a heel injury.

Carter was made inactive for the prime-time game after showing up on the injury report with the heel ailment on Wednesday and being listed as questionable. He traveled with the team and had a discussion on the field two hours before kickoff with coaches and general manager Howie Roseman before walking off into the tunnel.

It's the latest twist in an eventful NFL season for Carter, who was ejected seconds into the opener for spitting on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. Ruled out before traveling for Philadelphia were left guard Landon Dickerson (ankle) and tight end Grant Calcaterra (oblique).

Linebacker Nakobe Dean is active for his first game since injuring his left knee Jan. 12 during the Eagles' first playoff game of their title run.

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Yesterday at 6:04 PM CDT

FILE - Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Carter walks off the field after being ejected from an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

NFL Inactive Report

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 5:55 PM CDT

The National Football League Inactive Report.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at NEW YORK GIANTS — PHILADELPHIA: CB Mac Mc Williams, G Landon Dickerson, TE Grant Calcaterra, DT Jalen Carter, QB Sam Howell. NEW YORK: WR Darius Slayton, LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, LB Swayze Bozeman, T James Hudson III, OL Evan Neal, DL Elijah Garcia, QB Jameis Winston.

Broncos dismiss notion of a trap game as they face winless Jets in London after emotional victory

Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Broncos dismiss notion of a trap game as they face winless Jets in London after emotional victory

Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 5:37 PM CDT

The Denver Broncos have left the thrill of a stunning victory far behind.

After all, their 21-17 win over the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles was last week — and a continent away.

“Yes, we definitely have to get back honed in, get back focused and move on to the next game,” Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper said as the team prepared to face the New York Jets on Sunday in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“You can’t live on this game and be like, ‘Wow, we beat the Eagles,’ and then just carry that into the week,” Cooper added. “No, it’s time to flush that one. Process it, review it, learn from it and then on to the next one.”

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Yesterday at 5:37 PM CDT

October 10, 2025

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