THURSDAY NIGHT PREVIEW: NEW YORK GIANTS (0-1) AT WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (0-1) Week 2 of the 2021 NFL season gets underway on Thursday, September 16 (8:20 PM ET, NFL Network) as the Washington Football Team host the New York Giants in an early-season NFC East showdown. This marks the 177th regular-season meeting between the two franchises, with the Giants holding a 104-68-4 series advantage. New York has won each of the past five meetings between the two clubs, including their last matchup in Week 9 of the 2020 season, when New York quarterback DANIEL JONES passed for 212 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions for a 94.2 rating in the 23-20 win.
In Week 1, Jones passed for 267 yards and totaled two touchdowns (one passing, one receiving) against Denver. In four career starts against Washington, he has thrown eight touchdown passes against three interceptions for a 100.0 rating and aims for his third in a row at Washington with a passer rating of 90-or-higher. Running back SAQUON BARKLEY has totaled 587 scrimmage yards (195.7 per game) in three career games against Washington, including a career-high 279 scrimmage yards (career-best 189 rushing yards, 90 receiving yards) and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) in his last game against Washington (December 22, 2019). In his only career game on Thursday Night Football (October 11, 2018 vs. Philadelphia), Barkley registered 229 scrimmage yards (130 rushing, 99 receiving) and one rushing touchdown. Last week, wide receiver STERLING SHEPARD led the Giants with 113 receiving yards, his 10th-career 100-yard performance, and has recorded a touchdown catch in two of his past three games at Washington.
Last week, defensive back LOGAN RYAN led New York with 10 tackles and recorded both a forced fumble and fumble recovery. In three career games against Washington, he has totaled five passes defensed, two interceptions, one forced fumble and a sack. Linebacker BLAKE MARTINEZ recorded 10 tackles and an interception in the last meeting between the two clubs and aims for his fifth in a row against Washington with at least nine tackles. Rookie linebacker AZEEZ OJULARI recorded his first-career sack in Week 1.
In Week 1, Washington quarterback TAYLOR HEINICKE completed 11 of 15 pass attempts (73.3 percent) for 122 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions for a 119.3 rating. Thursday would mark his second-career regular season start, with his last NFL start coming in the 2020 NFC Wild Card round with Washington, where he passed for 306 yards and totaled two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing). Running back ANTONIO GIBSON registered 108 scrimmage yards (90 rushing, 18 receiving) last week and recorded a rushing touchdown in the last meeting between the two clubs. Wide receiver TERRY MCLAURIN registered seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown in the last meeting and aims for his fourth game in a row against the Giants with at least seven catches and 70 receiving yards. Tight end LOGAN THOMAS, who had a touchdown catch in Week 1, has six touchdown receptions in his last seven games against NFC East opponents.
The 2020 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year CHASE YOUNG has registered 4.5 sacks and five tackles for loss in six career games against the NFC East and aims for his fourth in a row against the division with a sack. Last week, defensive end MONTEZ SWEAT registered his fifth-career game with both a sack and forced fumble and has recorded three sacks in his past three home games against the NFC East. Making their Washington debuts in Week 1, cornerback WILLIAM JACKSON registered two passes defensed and his fourth-career interception, while cornerback BOBBY MCCAIN recorded a career-high 10 tackles. Linebacker COLE HOLCOMB led the team with 11 tackles last week, his fifth-career game with at least 10 tackles.
Thursday’s contest marks the first of eight games exclusively televised on NFL Network this season and will be produced by FOX. The game will feature Joe Buck, Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink on the call.
For the Week 2 New York Giants-Washington capsule, click here. NFL Films Emmy-Nominated Series 'A Football Life' Returns Friday, September 17 | Highly Acclaimed Series Returns for 10th Season on NFL Network Premieres Friday, September 17 at 9:00 PM ET with Nick Saban Calvin Johnson, James Harrison, John Lynch & Drew Pearson Featured The Emmy-nominated and highly acclaimed NFL Films-produced series A Football Life returns for a 10th season on NFL Network, beginning Friday, September 17 at 9:00 PM ET with a profile of seven-time National Champion head coach Nick Saban.
This season, new episodes of A Football Life air Friday at 9:00 PM ET and PT on NFL Network and profile the following subjects:
- Seven-time National Champion head coach Nick Saban
- Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson
- Two-time Super Bowl champion James Harrison
- Pro Football Hall of Fame safety and current San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch
- Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Drew Pearson
Emmy-nominated actor Josh Charles returns as narrator for the series.
Below is a broadcast schedule for A Football Life:
- September 17 – Nick Saban
- September 24 – James Harrison
- October 1 – Calvin Johnson
- December 3 – Drew Pearson
- December 24 – John Lynch
All NFL Network programming is available across multiple devices (smartphone, PC, tablet and connected TVs) through the NFL app and NFL Network app for subscribers of participating NFL Network providers. Visit NFL.com/watch for more information on how to watch.
| Week 2 NFL Preview |
KAMARA-MCCAFFREY, PRESCOTT-HERBERT, JACKSON-MAHOMES ON TAP IN ENCORE TO THRILLING KICKOFF WEEKEND The only certain aspect of the National Football League might be its electrifying uncertainty. Just ask the LAS VEGAS RAIDERS, who overcame a 14-point deficit to beat Baltimore, 33-27, in just the second Week 1 overtime game in the history of Monday Night Football. After tying the game three times in the fourth quarter, including a 55-yard DANIEL CARLSON field goal at the end of regulation, the Raiders did not hold an official lead until ZAY JONES caught a 31-yard touchdown from DEREK CARR to stamp an exclamation point on one of the most thrilling kickoff weekends in league annals. Or ask the PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-0), who host the Raiders (1-0) on Sunday at Heinz Field (1:00 PM ET, CBS). At Buffalo last week, the Steelers clawed back from a 10-0 halftime deficit to win, 23-16. And ask the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, who trailed by 12 at halftime before storming back to win, 33-29, over Cleveland. So, amid that uncertainty, also be certain of this: NFL teams are never out of games and no lead is safe. On Kickoff Weekend, nine games were within one score (eight points) in the fourth quarter, including the CINCINNATI BENGALS’ dramatic win over Minnesota, the first regular-season game in NFL history with a game-tying score with no time remaining in regulation and a game-winning score with no time remaining in overtime. The excitement is palpable. Stay tuned for the encore. Here comes Week 2. MVP vs. MVP: Two of the past three NFL MVPs – PATRICK MAHOMES (2018) and LAMAR JACKSON (2019) -- will battle on Sunday Night Football when the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-0) travel to play the BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-1) at M&T Bank Stadium (8:20 PM ET, NBC). The perennial AFC playoff teams are meeting for a fourth straight season, with Kansas City winning each of the past three. - Sunday’s game along with Jackson and Mahomes’ Week 3 meeting in 2020 represent the only two instances of former MVPs under age 27 meeting as starting quarterbacks in NFL history.
- The Ravens have won two of their last three games against teams that played in the Super Bowl the previous year. Baltimore knocked off both New England and the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 before losing to the Chiefs in 2020.
- Mahomes passed for 337 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a 131.4 rating on Kickoff Weekend. Mahomes now has 14,489 career passing yards in 47 NFL starts and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer KURT WARNER (14,372) for the most passing yards by a player in his first 50 career starts in NFL history.
- Mahomes also has 117 touchdown passes in those 47 starts and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (116) for the most touchdown passes by a player in his first 50 career starts in league annals.
- Also in the Chiefs' Kickoff Weekend win over Cleveland, tight end TRAVIS KELCE had 76 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. His second score was his 50th career touchdown reception in his 112th career game, allowing him to surpass VERNON DAVIS (115 games) as the fifth-fastest tight end to reach 50 touchdown receptions in NFL history.
- Chiefs head coach ANDY REID is 6-1 vs. the Ravens, including a 4-0 mark at the reins of Kansas City. Baltimore’s JOHN HARBAUGH served as an assistant under Reid in Philadelphia (1999-2007) and the two as head coaches have combined for 379 career regular-season and postseason wins, including two Super Bowl titles.
HOLDING ALL THE CARDS: On the heels of an impressive Kickoff Weekend win at Tennessee, the ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-0) open their home schedule on Sunday against the MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-1) at State Farm Stadium (4:05 PM ET, FOX). - In Week 1, Arizona quarterback KYLER MURRAY ran for a touchdown and threw for 289 yards with a career-high four touchdown passes, while linebacker CHANDLER JONES totaled a career-high five sacks with two forced fumbles.
- Murray now has four career games in which he’s scored at least one rushing touchdown and thrown for three-or-more touchdowns. That’s tied with JOSH ALLEN (four games) and JACK KEMP (four) for the most such games by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history.
- Jones is the third player to record at least five sacks in a Week 1 game since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer DERRICK THOMAS (six sacks in 1998) and BILL GAY (5.5 sacks in 1983). Jones also is the sixth player to record at least five sacks and two forced fumbles in any game since 2002.
- Jones, who had two games with four sacks during the 2019 season (Weeks 7 and 16), is the fourth player since 1982 with three career games of at least four sacks, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers DERRICK THOMAS (four games) and REGGIE WHITE (three), as well as LESLIE O'NEAL (four).
IMMEDIATE CONTRIBUTIONS: Last week, San Francisco’s TREY LANCE threw a 5-yard touchdown on his initial NFL pass attempt while Philadelphia’s DEVONTA SMITH registered an 18-yard touchdown on his first career reception. Then, on Sunday night, Chicago’s JUSTIN FIELDS marked his first NFL carry with a 3-yard touchdown run. - It marked the first time during any week in 37 years that rookies produced touchdowns on their first career carry, first career reception and first career pass.
- Two of those rookies, Lance and Smith, are in action at Lincoln Financial Field when the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-0) meet the PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0) on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX).
- The last weekend in which NFL rookies produced touchdowns on their first career carry, first career pass and first NFL reception was Week 2 in 1984. On that weekend, Vikings fullback ALFRED ANDERSON threw a 20-yard touchdown to quarterback Tommy Kramer, Saints running back TYRONE ANTHONY scored on his first rushing attempt, a 2-yard run, and two rookies – Packers tight end ED WEST (7-yard reception from Randy Wright) and Giants wide receiver LIONEL MANUEL (16-yard reception from Phil Simms) – scored on their first career catches.
- Smith, along with Cincinnati’s JA’MARR CHASE and Miami’s JAYLEN WADDLE, was one of three rookie wide receivers selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft to catch a touchdown pass on Kickoff Weekend, making this the first season in the common-draft era in which three rookie wide receivers that were each selected in the first round of the NFL Draft registered touchdown receptions in Week 1.
- Chase and Fields meet this week when the CHICAGO BEARS (0-1) host the CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-0) on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX). Chase’s teammate, rookie kicker EVAN MCPHERSON, converted a 33-yard field goal with no time remaining in overtime in the Bengals' 27-24 win over Minnesota. He became the second rookie kicker in NFL history to kick a game-winning field goal with no time remaining in overtime, joining JASON SANDERS (Oct. 14, 2018).
PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF: NFL teams in 2020 combined to score 12,692 total points and 1,473 total touchdowns, both the most ever in a single season. Last week, the league combined for 90 touchdowns, tied with 2019 for the most through the first weekend in NFL history. NOTHING COULD BE FINER THAN TO BE IN CAROLINA: A pair of NFC South rivals, the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) and CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-0), will clash at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX). The contest features two of the more exciting running backs in the league, ALVIN KAMARA of the Saints and CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY of the Panthers, each of whom entered the league in 2017. - The New Orleans defense, led by coordinator DENNIS ALLEN, has now played a starring role in a pair of 38-3 victories over MVPs during a stretch of 10 regular-season games. On Nov. 8 last season at Tampa Bay, the Saints held eventual Super Bowl MVP TOM BRADY and the Buccaneers under 200 net yards of offense. Then, last week in an impressive win over Green Bay, New Orleans held reigning NFL MVP AARON RODGERS and the Packers to one third-down conversion.
- Allen and the Saints have a significant test this week with McCaffrey, who recorded nine receptions and 187 scrimmage yards (98 rushing, 89 receiving) in the Panthers' Week 1 win over the New York Jets. McCaffrey now has seven career games with at least 75 rushing yards and 75 receiving yards, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON (six games) for the third-most such games in the Super Bowl era. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer MARSHALL FAULK (11 games) and PRIEST HOLMES (nine) have more.
The players with the most scrimmage yards since 2017: PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SCRIMMAGE YARDS | Ezekiel Elliott | Dallas | 6,386 | Alvin Kamara | New Orleans | 6,255 | Christian McCaffrey | Carolina | 6,004 | Derrick Henry | Tennessee | 6,002 | Todd Gurley | L.A. Rams/Atlanta | 5,830 |
YOUNG GUNS SQUARE OFF AT METLIFE: The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-1) have a date with the NEW YORK JETS (0-1) on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS) at MetLife Stadium. When the Patriots’ MAC JONES and the Jets’ ZACH WILSON go under center, it’ll mark the earliest in a season since 2015 – when JAMEIS WINSTON and the Buccaneers opened the season at home against MARCUS MARIOTA and the Titans – that rookie starting quarterbacks drafted in the first round will meet in a game. - Also in the division, the BUFFALO BILLS (0-1) travel to play the MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0) on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, FOX). With Buffalo’s JOSH ALLEN, Miami’s TUA TAGOVAILOA, Jones and Wilson, the AFC East last week became the first NFL division since 1985 with four quarterbacks under the age of 26 to start Week 1 games.
SPEAKING OF DIVISIONS: Both the AFC West and NFC West are unblemished after Week 1. It’s the first time since the 1970 merger that two divisions are undefeated after the first week. Since the league realigned to eight four-team divisions prior to the 2002 season, only the 2002 AFC West and 2015 AFC East had opened a season 4-0. DON’T JUDGE BOOKS BY COVERS: Seven of the past 20 Super Bowl winners lost their Week 1 games before going on to win the Lombardi Trophy, including the TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS in each of their championship seasons (2002 and 2020). Other teams in that span (2001-20) to lose on Kickoff Weekend before winning a Super Bowl were the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2001, 2003 and 2014) and the NEW YORK GIANTS (2007 and 2011). ROAD SUCCESS: Road teams won eight games in Week 1, continuing a trend that started in 2019. Last season, road teams were 128-127-1 (.502), the highest winning percentage since the 1970 league merger. In 2019, road teams were 123-132-1 (.482), the third-highest winning percentage in that span. PRESCOTT-HERBERT ANCHORS LATE-AFTERNOON WINDOW: A pair of former Associated Press Offensive Rookies of the Year, Dallas quarterback DAK PRESCOTT and Chargers quarterback JUSTIN HERBERT, square off Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS) when the Chargers host fans at SoFi Stadium for the first time in a regular-season game. Prescott has thrown for at least 400 yards in four of his past five starts while Herbert has guided the Chargers to five consecutive wins, dating back to last season. The nine quarterbacks to win Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year: PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | CMP | ATT | PCT | YDS | TD | INT | RATING | Dak Prescott | Dallas | 2016 | 311 | 459 | 67.8 | 3,667 | 23 | 4 | 104.9 | Robert Griffin III | Washington | 2012 | 258 | 393 | 65.6 | 3,200 | 20 | 5 | 102.4 | Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | 2020 | 396 | 595 | 66.6 | 4,336 | 31 | 10 | 98.3 | Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh | 2004 | 196 | 295 | 66.4 | 2,621 | 17 | 11 | 98.1 | Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 2008 | 265 | 434 | 61.1 | 3,440 | 16 | 11 | 87.7 | Kyler Murray | Arizona | 2019 | 349 | 542 | 64.4 | 3,722 | 20 | 12 | 87.4 | Cam Newton | Carolina | 2011 | 310 | 517 | 60.0 | 4,051 | 21 | 17 | 84.5 | Sam Bradford | St. Louis Rams | 2010 | 354 | 590 | 60.0 | 3,512 | 18 | 15 | 76.5 | Vince Young | Tennessee | 2006 | 184 | 357 | 51.5 | 2,199 | 12 | 13 | 66.7 |
THE WAY THEY ALL BECAME THE BRADY BUNCH: The TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-0) own a nine-game winning streak, including the postseason, entering Sunday’s game vs. the ATLANTA FALCONS (0-1) at Raymond James Stadium (4:05 PM ET, FOX). Over their last eight games in that streak, the Buccaneers are 8-0, scoring 30-or-more points in each game. Including the postseason, only two other teams in league history have won eight straight contests and scored at least 30 points in each, the 2007 and 2010 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS. Tampa Bay can establish the longest such streak in NFL history with a ninth straight win and 30-plus points on Sunday. - Quarterback TOM BRADY needs 417 passing yards to become the second player in NFL history to reach 80,000 career, trailing only DREW BREES (80,358). Brady opened his 22nd NFL season on Kickoff Weekend with his 300th regular-season start, his 100th career game of 300-or-more passing yards, and his 40th career fourth-quarter comeback victory.
SEATTLE’S BEST: The SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-0) host an interconference matchup against the TENNESSEE TITANS (0-1) on Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS). Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON is 99-45-1 in 145 regular-season starts and this week can become the second quarterback in NFL history to win 100 regular-season starts in his first 10 seasons. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer PEYTON MANNING (105 wins) has more. - Last week, Wilson recorded four touchdown passes with zero interceptions and a 152.3 rating in the Seahawks' win at Indianapolis on Kickoff Weekend. Wilson now has 11 career games with at least four touchdown passes and zero interceptions, surpassing TOM BRADY (10 games), Pro Football Hall of Famer PEYTON MANNING (10) and AARON RODGERS (10) for the most such games by a player in his first 10 seasons in league annals.
FIGHT FOR CALIFORNIA: The GREEN BAY PACKERS (0-1) host the DETROIT LIONS (0-1) on Monday Night Football (8:15 PM ET, ESPN). The last time the Packers opened their home schedule on a Monday night was Sept. 8, 2008, when quarterback AARON RODGERS made his first NFL start, a 24-19 victory over the Vikings. - Both Rodgers (selected No. 24 overall, 2005) and Lions quarterback JARED GOFF (No. 1, 2016) are former starting quarterbacks at the University of California. Both were drafted in the first round and both led their teams to a Super Bowl in their third seasons as an NFL starter (Rodgers in 2010, Goff with the Rams in 2018).
WEEK 2 NFL SCHEDULE (All times Eastern) Thursday, September 16 | New York Giants at Washington | NFLN | 8:20 | | | | | Sunday, September 19 | New Orleans at Carolina | FOX | 1:00 | | Cincinnati at Chicago | FOX | 1:00 | | Houston at Cleveland | CBS | 1:00 | | Los Angeles Rams at Indianapolis | FOX | 1:00 | | Denver at Jacksonville | CBS | 1:00 | | Buffalo at Miami | FOX | 1:00 | | New England at New York Jets | CBS | 1:00 | | San Francisco at Philadelphia | FOX | 1:00 | | Las Vegas at Pittsburgh | CBS | 1:00 | | Minnesota at Arizona | FOX | 4:05 | | Atlanta at Tampa Bay | FOX | 4:05 | | Dallas at Los Angeles Chargers | CBS | 4:25 | | Tennessee at Seattle | CBS | 4:25 | | Kansas City at Baltimore | NBC | 8:20 | | | | | Monday, September 20 | Detroit at Green Bay | ESPN | 8:15 |
| APPROXIMATELY 100 MILLION VIEWERS WATCH NFL FOOTBALL DURING WEEK 1 |
- Week 1 averaged 17.4M viewers, +7% YoY on TV+Digital and the 2nd-highest Week 1 viewership over the last 5 seasons (2017-2021, behind 2019)
- NFL games ranked as the top 6 telecasts for the Mon-Sun broadcast week
- 23.2 billion total minutes were consumed; largest Week 1 minutes total since 2016
- The two National windows on Sunday drew 6.3 billion total minutes, the highest on record for a Week 1 National window (records date back to 1988)
- Thursday Kickoff (DAL@TB) delivered 26.4M viewers, ranking as NBC's most-watched Kickoff game since 2015
- NBC averaged 22.8M viewers for its Thursday/Sunday games (driven by Kickoff), up +11% YoY
- MNF averaged 15.3M viewers on ABC+ESPN+E2, up +59% vs. last year's doubleheader on ESPN alone, and the most-watched Week 1 MNF game since 2013 (PHI@WAS, 16.5M)
Notas de la NFL de la segunda semana | KAMARA-MCCAFFREY, PRESCOTT-HERBERT, JACKSON-MAHOMES SIGUEN LUEGO DE UN EMOCIONANTE FIN DE SEMANA INAUGURAL Lo único cierto en la National Football League debe ser su electrizante incertidumbre. Simplemente pregúntenles a los LAS VEGAS RAIDERS, que se sobrepusieron a una desventaja de 14 puntos para derrotar a Baltimore 33-27 en apenas el segundo partido de primera semana definido en la prórroga en la historia del clásico de lunes en la noche Monday Night Football. Después de igualar el partido tres veces en el último período, incluyendo un gol de campo de 55 yardas de DANIEL CARLSON al final del tiempo regular, los Raiders no estuvieron al frente hasta que ZAY JONES atrapó un pase anotador de 31 yardas enviado por DEREK CARR para el punto culminante de uno de los fines de semana inaugurales más emocionantes en los anales de la liga. O pregúntenles a los PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-0), que reciben a los Raiders (1-0) el domingo en Heinz Field (1:00 PM, hora de New York, CBS). En Buffalo la semana pasada, los Steelers regresaron de una desventaja de 10-0 en el medio tiempo para terminar ganando 23-16. Y pregúntenles a los KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, que perdían por 12 en el medio tiempo antes de explotar en un resurgimiento que les dio la ventaja 33-29 definitiva sobre Cleveland. Así que, en medio de esa incertidumbre, también estense seguro de esto: los equipos de la NFL nunca quedan fuera de un partido y ninguna ventaja es definitiva. En el Fin de semana inaugural, nueve partidos estuvieron dentro de una anotación (ocho puntos) en el último período, incluyendo la dramática victoria de los CINCINNATI BENGALS sobre Minnesota, el primer partido de temporada regular en la historia de la NFL con una anotación que iguala el marcador sin tiempo en el reloj en el cuarto periodo y una anotación que define el pleito sin tiempo en el reloj en la prórroga.
La emoción es palpable. Estén atentos para los bises. Aquí llega segunda semana.
MVP vs. MVP. Dos de los últimos tres Jugadores más valiosos (MVP, por sus siglas en inglés) de la NFL –PATRICK MAHOMES (2018) y LAMAR JACKSON(2019) –estarán dándose batalla en el clásico de domingo en la noche Sunday Night Football, cuando los KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-0) viajen para enfrentar a los BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-1) en el M&T Bank Stadium (8:20 PM, hora de New York, NBC). Dos tradicionales equipos de la AFC equipos que alcanzaron la postemporada se encuentran por cuarta temporada seguida, con Kansas City ganando cada una de las últimas tres. - El partido del domingo, junto con el encuentro entre Jackson y Mahomes de la tercera semana de 2020 representan las únicas dos instancias en que dos ex MVP por debajo de la edad de 27 se ven las caras como mariscales de campo titulares en la historia de la NFL.
- Los Ravens ganaron dos de sus últimos tres partidos contra equipos que jugaron en el Super Bowl el año anterior. Baltimore derrotó tanto a New England como a Los Angeles Rams en 2019 antes de caer ante los Chiefs en 2020.
- Mahomes lanzó 337 yardas y tres anotaciones, sin intercepciones, para un índice de 131.4 en el Fin de semana inaugural. Mahomes ahora tiene 14,489 yardas aéreas en su carrera en 47 titularidades en la NFL y superó al miembro del Salón de la Fama KURT WARNER (14,372) para la mayor cantidad de yardas aéreas por un jugador en sus primeras 50 titularidades en una carrera en la historia de la NFL.
- Mahomes también tiene 117 pases anotadores en esas 47 titularidades y superó al miembro del Salón de la Fama DAN MARINO (116) para la mayor cantidad de pases anotadores por un jugador en sus primeras 50 titularidades en una carrera en los anales de la liga.
- También en triunfo de los Chiefs sobre Cleveland en el Fin de semana inaugural, el ala cerrada TRAVIS KELCE tuvo 76 yardas recibiendo y dos recepciones anotadoras. Su segunda anotación fue la 50ta recepción anotadora de su carrera en el 112do partido de su trayectoria, permitiéndole superar a VERNON DAVIS (115 partidos) como el quinto ala cerrada más veloz que llega a las 50 recepciones anotadoras en la historia de la NFL.
- El entrenador en jefe de los Chiefs ANDY REID está 6-1 contra los Ravens, incluyendo marca de 4-0 en los reinos de Kansas City. El de Baltimore JOHN HARBAUGH fungió como asistente bajo Reid en Philadelphia (1999-2007), y los dos, como entrenadores en jefe, se combinan para 379 triunfos de temporada regular y postemporada en sus carreras, incluyendo dos títulos de Super Bowl.
TODAS LAS CARTAS. Tras un impresionante triunfo en el Fin de semana inaugural en Tennessee, los ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-0) abren su cronograma en casa el domingo contra los MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-1), partido a celebrarse en el State Farm Stadium (4:05 PM, hora de New York, FOX).
- En la primera semana, el mariscal de campo de Arizona KYLER MURRAY acarreó una anotación y lanzó 289 yardas, con cuatro pases anotadores, un pico de carrera, mientras que el apoyador CHANDLER JONES totalizó cinco capturas, un pico de carrera, con dos balones sueltos forzados.
- Murray ahora tiene cuatro partidos en su carrera en lo que registró al menos un acarreo anotador y lanzó tres o más anotaciones. Eso lo empata con JOSH ALLEN (cuatro partidos) y JACK KEMP (cuatro) para la mayor cantidad de tales desempeños por un jugador en sus primeras tres temporadas en la historia de la NFL.
- Jones es el tercer jugador en registrar al menos cinco capturas en un partido de primera semana desde 1982, cuando la captura individual se convirtió en estadística oficial, uniéndose al miembro del Salón de la Fama DERRICK THOMAS (seis capturas en 1998) y BILL GAY (5.5 capturas en 1983). Jones también es el sexto jugador en conseguir al menos cinco capturas y dos balones sueltos forzados en cualquier partido desde 2002.
- Jones, que tuvo dos partidos con cuatro capturas durante la temporada 2019 (semanas 7 y 16), es el cuarto jugador desde 1982 con tres partidos en su carrera de al menos cuatro capturas, uniéndose a los miembros del Salón de la Fama DERRICK THOMAS (cuatro partidos) y REGGIE WHITE (tres), así como también a LESLIE O'NEAL (cuatro).
CONTRIBUCIONES INMEDIATAS. La semana pasada, el de San Francisco TREY LANCE lanzó un pase anotador de cinco yardas en su primer intento de pase en la NFL, mientras el de Philadelphia DEVONTA SMITH registró una anotación de 18 yardas en la primera recepción de su carrera. Luego, el domingo en la noche, el de Chicago JUSTIN FIELDS ejecutó su primer acarreo en la NFL en lo que a la postre fue un acarreo anotador de tres yardas.
- Marcó la primera vez durante cualquier semana en 37 años que novatos producen anotaciones en el primer acarreo, primera recepción y primer pase de sus carreras.
- Dos de esos novatos, Lance y Smith, estarán en acción en el Lincoln Financial Field cuando los SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-0) se enfrenten con los PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0) el domingo (1:00 PM, hora de New York, FOX).
- El último fin de semana en el que novatos de la NFL produjeron anotaciones en el primer acarreo de su carrera, el primer pase de su carrera y la primera recepción de su carrera fue en la segunda semana de 1984. En ese fin de semana, el corredor de fuerza de los Vikings ALFRED ANDERSON lanzó un pase anotador de 20 yardas al mariscal de campo Tommy Kramer, el corredor de los Saints TYRONE ANTHONY anotó en su primer intento por tierra, un acarreo anotador de dos yardas, y dos novatos –el ala cerrada de los Packers ED WEST (recepción de siete yardas de Randy Wright) y el receptor de los Giants LIONEL MANUEL (recepción anotadora de 16 yardas de Phil Simms)– anotaron en sus primeras recepciones en sus carreras.
- Smith, junto con el de Cincinnati JA'MARR CHASE y el de Miami JAYLEN WADDLE, fue uno de los tres receptores novatos seleccionados en la primera vuelta del Sorteo Universitario de la NFL 2021 que recibe un pase de anotación en el Fin de semana inaugural, haciendo que ésta sea la primera temporada en la era del Draft unificado en la que tres receptores novatos seleccionados en la primera vuelta del draft de la NFL registran recepciones anotadoras en la primera semana.
- Chase y Fields se ven esta semana, cuando los CHICAGO BEARS (0-1) reciban a los CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-0) el domingo (1:00 PM, hora de New York, FOX). El compañero de equipo de Chase, el pateador novato EVAN MCPHERSON, convirtió un gol de campo de 33 yardas sin tiempo en el reloj en la prórroga del triunfo de los Bengals 27-24 sobre Minnesota. Se convirtió en segundo pateador novato en la historia de la NFL en convertir un gol de campo que define el pleito sin tiempo en el reloj en la prórroga, uniéndose a JASON SANDERS (14 de octubre de 2018).
DESDE DONDE DEJARON. Los equipos de la NFL en 2020 se combinan para anotar 12,692 puntos totales y 1,473 anotaciones totales, ambas mayores cantidades en la historia en una misma temporada. La semana pasada, la liga se combinó para 90 anotaciones, empatando con 2019 para la mayor cantidad a lo largo del primer fin de semana en la historia de la NFL.
NADA MEJOR QUE ESTAR EN CAROLINA. Un par de rivales de la NFC Sur, los NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) y los CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-0), chocarán en el Bank of America Stadium, en Charlotte, el domingo (1:00 PM, hora de New York, FOX). El duelo promete a dos de los más emocionantes corredores en la liga, ALVIN KAMARA de los Saints y CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY de los Panthers, cada uno de los cuales llegó a la liga en 2017.
- La defensiva de New Orleans, liderada por el coordinador DENNIS ALLEN, tuvo un papel determinante en un par de victorias 38-3 sobre jugadores más valiosos durante un lapso de 10 partidos de temporada regular. El 8 de noviembre de la temporada pasada, en Tampa Bay, los Saints mantuvieron al eventual Jugador más valioso del Super Bowl TOM BRADY y a los Buccaneers bajo 200 yardas netas de ofensiva. La semana pasada, en tanto, en un triunfo destacado sobre Green Bay, New Orleans mantuvo al Jugador más valioso de la NFL reinante AARON RODGERS y a los Packers a una conversión de tercer down.
- Allen y los Saints tienen una prueba significativa esta semana con McCaffrey, que registró nueve recepciones y 187 yardas desde la línea de golpeo (98 acarreando, 89 recibiendo) en el triunfo de los Panthers de la primera semana sobre los New York Jets. McCaffrey ahora tiene siete partidos en su carrera con al menos 75 yardas por tierra y 75 yardas recibiendo, superando al miembro del Salón de la Fama WALTER PAYTON (seis partidos) para la tercera mayor cantidad de tales desempeños en la era del Super Bowl. Solamente el miembro del Salón de la Fama MARSHALL FAULK (11 partidos) y PRIEST HOLMES (nueve) tienen más.
Los jugadores con las mayores cantidades de yardas desde la línea de golpeo desde 2017:
JUGADOR | EQUIPO(S) | YARDAS DESDE LA LÍNEA DE GOLPEO | Ezekiel Elliott | Dallas | 6,386 | Alvin Kamara | New Orleans | 6,255 | Christian McCaffrey | Carolina | 6,004 | Derrick Henry | Tennessee | 6,002 | Todd Gurley | L.A. Rams/Atlanta | 5,830 |
JÓVENES ESTRELLAS CHOCAN EN METLIFE. Los NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-1) tienen cita con los NEW YORK JETS (0-1) el domingo (1:00 PM, hora de New York, CBS) en MetLife Stadium. Cuando el de los Patriots MAC JONES y el de los Jets ZACH WILSON estén bajo centro, marcará lo más temprano en una temporada desde 2015 –cuando JAMEIS WINSTON y los Buccaneers abrieron la temporada en casa contra MARCUS MARIOTA y los Titans– que mariscales de campo novatos seleccionados en primera vuelta se ven las caras. - También en la división, los BUFFALO BILLS (0-1) viajan para jugar contra los MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0) el domingo (1:00 PM, hora de New York, FOX). Con el de Buffalo JOSH ALLEN, el de Miami TUA TAGOVAILOA, Jones y Wilson, la AFC Este la semana pasada se convirtió en la primera división en la NFL desde 1985 con cuatro mariscales de campo con edad menor a 26 titularizando en partidos de la primera semana.
HABLANDO DE DIVISIONES. Tanto la AFC Oeste como la NFC Oeste están perfectas tras la primera semana. Es la primera vez desde la fusión de 1970 que dos divisiones están invicta tras la primera semana. Desde que la liga se realineó en ocho divisiones de cuatro equipos previo a la temporada 2002, solamente la AFC Oeste de 2002 y la AFC Este de 2015 abrieron una temporada 4-0.
A NO JUZGAR POR LA PORTADA. Siete de los últimos 20 ganadores de Super Bowl perdieron sus partidos de la primera semana antes de terminar ganando el Trofeo Lombardi, incluyendo a los TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS en cada una de sus temporadas de campeonato (2002 y 2020). Otros equipos en ese lapso (2001-20) que perdieron en el Fin de semana inaugural antes de ganar un Super Bowl fueron los NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2001, 2003 y 2014) y los NEW YORK GIANTS (2007 y 2011).
ÉXITO DE VISITA. Equipos visitantes ganaron ocho partidos en la primera semana, continuando una tendencia que arrancó en 2019. La temporada pasada, los equipos visitantes estuvieron 128-127-1 (.502), el porcentaje de triunfos más alto desde la fusión de 1970. En 2019, los equipos visitantes estuvieron 123-132-1 (.482), el tercer porcentaje de triunfos más alto en ese lapso.
PRESCOTT-HERBERT PROTAGONIZAN LA TARDE. Un par de ex Novatos ofensivos del año de Associated Press, el mariscal de campo de Dallas DAK PRESCOTT y el mariscal de campo de los Chargers JUSTIN HERBERT, se ven las caras el domingo (4:25 PM, hora de New York, CBS), cuando los Chargers reciban aficionados en SoFi Stadium por primera ocasión en un partido de temporada regular. Prescott lanzó al menos 400 yardas en cuatro de sus últimas cinco titularidades, mientras Herbert guió a los Chargers a cinco victorias consecutivas, remontándonos a la temporada pasada.
Los nueve mariscales de campo que ganaron premio de Novato ofensivo del año de Associated Press:
JUGADOR | EQUIPO | TEMPORADA | COMPL. | INT. | % | YDS | TD | INT | ÍNDICE | Dak Prescott | Dallas | 2016 | 311 | 459 | 67.8 | 3,667 | 23 | 4 | 104.9 | Robert Griffin III | Washington | 2012 | 258 | 393 | 65.6 | 3,200 | 20 | 5 | 102.4 | Justin Herbert | L.A. Chargers | 2020 | 396 | 595 | 66.6 | 4,336 | 31 | 10 | 98.3 | Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh | 2004 | 196 | 295 | 66.4 | 2,621 | 17 | 11 | 98.1 | Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 2008 | 265 | 434 | 61.1 | 3,440 | 16 | 11 | 87.7 | Kyler Murray | Arizona | 2019 | 349 | 542 | 64.4 | 3,722 | 20 | 12 | 87.4 | Cam Newton | Carolina | 2011 | 310 | 517 | 60.0 | 4,051 | 21 | 17 | 84.5 | Sam Bradford | St. Louis Rams | 2010 | 354 | 590 | 60.0 | 3,512 | 18 | 15 | 76.5 | Vince Young | Tennessee | 2006 | 184 | 357 | 51.5 | 2,199 | 12 | 13 | 66.7 |
TODO DE BRADY. Los TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-0) ostentan una racha ganadora de nueve partidos, incluyendo postemporada, llegando al juego del domingo contra los ATLANTA FALCONS (0-1) en Raymond James Stadium (4:05 PM, hora de New York, FOX). A lo largo de sus últimos ocho partidos en esa racha, los Buccaneers están 8-0, anotando 30 o más puntos en cada partido. Incluyendo la postemporada, apenas otros dos equipos en la historia de la liga ganaron ocho duelos seguidos y anotaron al menos 30 puntos en cada uno, los NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS de 2007 y 2010. Tampa Bay puede establecer la racha más larga de ese tipo en la historia de la NFL con un noveno triunfo consecutivo y 30 o más puntos el domingo. - El mariscal de campo TOM BRADY necesita 417 yardas aéreas para convertirse en el segundo jugador en la historia de la NFL que alcanza las 80,000 en su carrera, solamente detrás de DREW BREES (80,358). Brady abrió su 22da temporada en la NFL en el Fin de semana inaugural con su 300ma titularidad en temporada regular, el 100mo partido de su carrera con 300 o más yardas aéreas, y el 40mo resurgimiento ganador de cuarto periodo en su carrera.
LO MEJOR DE SEATTLE. Los SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-0) son anfitriones de un duelo interconferencia contra los TENNESSEE TITANS (0-1) el domingo (4:25 PM, hora de New York, CBS). El mariscal de campo de Seattle RUSSELL WILSON está 99-45-1 en 145 titularidades en temporada regular y esta semana puede convertirse en el segundo mariscal de campo en la historia de la NFL en ganar 100 titularidades en temporada regular en sus primeras 10 temporadas. Solamente el miembro del Salón de la Fama PEYTON MANNING (105 victorias) tiene más.
- La semana pasada, Wilson registró cuatro pases anotadores, sin intercepción alguna, y un índice de 152.3 en el triunfo de los Seahawks en Indianapolis en el Fin de semana inaugural. Wilson ahora tiene 11 partidos en su carrera con al menos cuatro pases anotadores y ninguna intercepción, superando a TOM BRADY (10 partidos), al miembro del Salón de la Fama PEYTON MANNING (10) y a AARON RODGERS (10) para la mayor cantidad de tales desempeños por un jugador en sus primeras 10 temporadas en los anales de la liga.
PELEA POR CALIFORNIA. Los GREEN BAY PACKERS (0-1) reciben a los DETROIT LIONS (0-1) en Monday Night Football (8:15 PM, hora de New York, ESPN). La última vez que los Packers abrieron su calendario en casa e una noche de lunes fue el 8 de septiembre de 2008, cuando el mariscal de campo AARON RODGERS realizó su primera titularidad en la NFL, una victoria 24-19 sobre los Vikings.
- Tanto Rodgers (seleccionado Nº 24 global, 2005) como el mariscal de campo de los Lions JARED GOFF (Nº 1, 2016) son ex mariscales de campo titulares en la universidad de California. Ambos fueron seleccionados en la primera vuelta y los dos llevaron a sus equipos al Super Bowl en sus terceras temporadas como titular en la NFL (Rodgers en 2010, Goff con the Rams en 2018).
Para más acerca de NFL Communication s, visite NFLCommunications.com y siga @NFL345.
| Seven-Time National Champion Head Coach Nick Saban Featured on NFL Network's 'A Football Life' | 'Nick Saban: A Football Life' Premieres Friday, September 17 at 9:00 PM ET & PT on NFL Network "There is nobody I respect more in football than Nick Saban." – Bill Belichick The 10th season of the Emmy-nominated and highly acclaimed NFL Films-produced series A Football Life premieres Friday, September 17 at 9:00 PM ET and PT on NFL Network with a profile of seven-time National Champion head coach Nick Saban. The one-hour show features sit-down interviews with Saban, his wife Ms. Terry Saban, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor and others.
Additionally, Nick Saban: A Football Life includes footage of Saban and Belichick spending time together, as well as archived interviews.
Among the topics discussed in Nick Saban: A Football Life include:
- Becoming the all-time leader in college football with seven National Championships won as a head coach
- The impact his father Nick Saban Sr. had and continues to have on his life
- His connection with current New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
- The decision to leave the Miami Dolphins for the University of Alabama head coaching job
Emmy-nominated actor Josh Charles narrates.
Nick Saban: A Football Life includes interviews with the following people:
- Nick Saban
- Ms. Terry Saban – Wife
- Kristen Saban Setas – Daughter
- Nicholas Saban – Son
- Bill Belichick – New England Patriots head coach
- Jason Taylor – Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end
- Carl Banks – Former Cleveland Browns player
Provided below are some select quotes from Nick Saban: A Football Life:
- "There is nobody I respect more in football than Nick Saban. I don't think there is anybody that is a better coach than Nick Saban because Nick, he does everything well." – Bill Belichick - "My Dad had such an impact on me growing up. The importance of doing things the right way, doing your best, work ethic – so many things that I go back to working at my Dad's service station." – Nick Saban on his father - "For us, it was a difficult decision. As much as we loved Bill and the lure of the NFL, the timing of leaving Nick's first head coaching job and really feeling bad about letting people down there in Toledo, it was tough." – Ms. Terry Saban on Nick Saban leaving the University of Toledo for the Cleveland Browns - "Nick was the first coach I hired and the best coach I hired. Nick was really my number one partner there and I relied on him so heavily on every level." – Bill Belichick on hiring Nick Saban with the Cleveland Browns - "It was one of the best experiences of my coaching career. It was one of the most difficult, but I learned a tremendous amount and it's really probably helped me as much as anything in my career." – Nick Saban on his time with the Cleveland Browns - "If you want to make a change, make a change. I'll forever love Nick Saban for what he did for me, and really for the team as a whole in Miami. I know people give him a hard time about it, but he didn't do anything but make a decision that is best for him and his family." – Jason Taylor - "I think we had a chance to fix the quarterback situation the year before. Drew Brees was a free agent, we were in the mix to get him, and I think when that didn't work out I was like, we worked our tail off and because of this one position that we have not been able to solve, I just felt like I couldn't control my own destiny." – Nick Saban on leaving the Miami Dolphins for the University of Alabama - "I've always loved what I do. My guilt comes from how it affects other people. It's an 'all or nothing' profession if you're a competitor." – Nick Saban on his coaching career All NFL Network programming – including episodes of A Football Life – is available across multiple devices (smartphone, PC, tablet and connected TVs) through the NFL app and NFL Network app for subscribers of participating NFL Network providers. Visit NFL.com/watch for more information on how to watch.
Below is a broadcast schedule for remaining episodes of A Football Life this season:
- September 24 – James Harrison
- October 1 – Calvin Johnson
- December 3 – Drew Pearson
- December 24 – John Lynch
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NFC Players of the Week - Week 1 | RAMS QB MATTHEW STAFFORD, CARDINALS LB CHANDLER JONES & BUCCANEERS P BRADLEY PINION NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 1 Quarterback MATTHEW STAFFORD of the Los Angeles Rams, linebacker CHANDLER JONES of the Arizona Cardinals and punter BRADLEY PINION of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played on Kickoff Weekend 2021 (September 9, 12-13). OFFENSE: QB MATTHEW STAFFORD, LOS ANGELES RAMS - Making his Rams debut, Stafford completed 20 of 26 pass attempts (76.9 pct.) for 321 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a 156.1 rating in Los Angeles’ Sunday Night Football victory over Chicago.
- This is Stafford’s second-career Offensive Player of the Week Award (2009, Week 11).
- He becomes the first former Georgia Bulldog quarterback to win the award multiple times.
DEFENSE: LB CHANDLER JONES, ARIZONA CARDINALS - Jones registered six tackles, five sacks, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in a historic Kickoff Weekend performance, becoming the third player since 1982 to record at least five sacks in Week 1.
- This is the fifth-career Player of the Week Award for Jones and fourth with the Cardinals:
- 2014: Week 2
- 2018: Week 5
- 2019: Weeks 7, 16
- 2021: Week 1
- Jones ties Adrian Wilson (four) for the most-ever Defensive Player of the Year Awards by a Cardinal.
- Jones joins Dwight Freeney (six) as the only former Syracuse players to earn Defensive Player of the Week five times.
SPECIAL TEAMS: P BRADLEY PINION, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - In the league’s annual primetime Kickoff game on Thursday against Dallas, Pinion’s four punts averaged 49.3 yards, with a net average of 45.8. Three of his four punts landed inside the 10-yard line.
- This is the second-career Player of the Week Award for Pinion (Week 9, 2018) and first with the Buccaneers.
- Pinion becomes the first Tampa Bay punter to earn the honor since Bryan Anger (Week 17, 2016).
- He joins Chris Gardocki (two) as the only former Clemson Tiger punters to earn the award multiple times.
2021 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
| Offense | Defense | Special Teams | Wk 1 | QB Matthew Stafford, L.A. Rams | LB Chandler Jones, Arizona | P Bradley Pinion, Tampa Bay | AFC Players of the Week - Week 1 | CHIEFS QB PATRICK MAHOMES, RAIDERS DE MAXX CROSBY & BENGALS K EVAN MCPHERSON NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 1 Quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES of the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive end MAXX CROSBY of the Las Vegas Raiders and kicker EVAN MCPHERSON of the Cincinnati Bengals are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played on Kickoff Weekend 2021 (September 9, 12-13). OFFENSE: QB PATRICK MAHOMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - Mahomes completed 27 of 36 pass attempts (75 pct.) for 337 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a 131.4 rating and added a rushing touchdown in Kansas City’s 33-29 comeback win against Cleveland.
- This is the sixth-career Offensive Player of the Week Award for Mahomes:
- 2018: Weeks 1-2
- 2019: Week 2
- 2020: Weeks 3, 8
- 2021: Week 1
- Mahomes has now won the most-ever Offensive Player of the Week Awards by a Chiefs quarterback, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana (five).
DEFENSE: DE MAXX CROSBY, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS - Crosby registered six tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss in the Las Vegas’ overtime comeback victory over Baltimore on Monday Night Football.
- This is the second-career Defensive Player of the Week Award for Crosby and third overall Player of the Week Award:
- 2019: Week 11 (Defense)
- 2020: Week 17 (Special Teams)
- 2021: Week 1 (Defense)
- Crosby’s three Defensive Player of the Week Awards are the most-ever by a former Eastern Michigan player.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K EVAN MCPHERSON, CINCINNATI BENGALS - In McPherson’s first-career game, he converted a 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, and then the game-winning 33-yard field goal as time expired in Cincinnati’s overtime victory over Minnesota.
- He became the second rookie kicker in NFL history to kick a game-winning field goal with no time remaining in overtime, joining Jason Sanders (October 14, 2018). At 22 years and 53 days old, he also became the youngest kicker in NFL history to kick a game-winner in overtime.
- McPherson becomes the first rookie kicker to win Special Teams Player of the Week since Indianapolis’ Rodrigo Blankenship in Week 11 of the 2020 season and joins Doug Pelfrey (Week 13, 1993) as the only Cincinnati rookie kickers to earn the honor.
2021 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
| Offense | Defense | Special Teams | Wk 1 | QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City | DE Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas | K Evan McPherson, Cincinnati
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