Kick-off – US football newspaper of the week
Weekly edition of september 27, 2021
Overview of the news of the last 7 days, mainly in the NFL this week. Like every Sunday, we give you the program of the evening’s matches, and we come back to the announcement of the players of the month and some transfers. A quick word also on the 5-star cast of the Super Bowl halftime show, and the future of the Saints franchise.
NFL
Your NFL Sunday Schedule
7 p.m.
- Atlanta Falcons vs Washington Football Team
- Buffalo Bills vs Houston Texans
- Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions
- Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers
- Miami Dolphins vs Indianapolis Colts
- Minnesota Vikings vs Cleveland Browns
- New Orleans Saints vs New York Giants
- New York Jets vs Tennessee Titans
- Philadelphia Eagles vs Kansas City Chiefs
10:05 p.m.
- Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks
22:25
- Denver Broncos vs Baltimore Ravens
- Green Bay Packers vs Pittsburgh Steelers
2h20
- New England Patriots vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Like every week, the multiplex Redzone will be to follow on BeIn Sports from 7 p.m.
The game between the Cowboys and the Panthers will be broadcast live and unencrypted on L’Equipe at 7 p.m.
Update on injuries
The latest info for each team, to help you build your fantasy roster.
They won’t play
- Deshaun Watson (QB, Houston)
- Christian McCaffrey (RB, Carolina): Rookie Chuba Hubbard will be RB number 1.
- Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton (WR, NY Giants): Two of the Giants’ three starting WRs are on the sidelines.
- AJ Brown and Julio Jones (WR, Tennessee): The Titans will have to do without their two star receivers today.
- Chase Claypool (WR, Pittsburgh): Injured with ischios, ile will be absent against Green Bay.
- Rob Gronkowski (TE, Tampa): Affected in the odds against the Rams, Gronk did not make the trip to New England.
They are still uncertain
- Antonio Gibson (RB, Washington): He’s been limited to training all week.
- Dalvin Cook (RB, Minnesota): He resumed light training during the week.
- From Andre Swift (RB, Detroit): Affected in the groin, he is currently uncertain.
- Andy Dalton (QB, Chicago): Matt Nagy has announced that Justin Fields will start.
- Carson Wentz (QB, Indianapolis): He played despite the injury last week, but still has pain in both ankles.
- Jonathan Taylor (RB, Indianapolis): He’s listed but should play. It may be limited.
- Darrell Henderson (RB, Rams): Sean McVay has said he should play.
- Tyler Lockett (WR, Seattle): He was back in training on Friday, a good sign.
- Melvin Gordon (RB, Denver): He’s hit in the odds and in the leg. In case of absence, Javonte Williams will be RB number 1.
NFL reveals players of the month for September
The month of October has just started, and the NFL has thus rewarded the players who distinguished themselves in each conference during the first month of the season.
In attack, Derek Carr is voted best player in the AFC. The Raiders’ QB led his team to 3 wins in 3 games, averaging over 400 yards per game in the air. After the first month of competition, he is the leader of the NFL with 1,203 yards (6 TD – 2 INT). In the NFC, WR Cooper Kupp receives the honor. The Rams player has established a great connection with Matthew Stafford, and he leads the NFL in receptions (25), yards (367) and touchdowns (5).
In defense, Von Miller is rewarded in the AFC conference. Leader of the defense of the Broncos, he helped his team to win its first three games of the season. The pass-rusher shows 8 tackles and 4 sacks in 3 games. On the NFC side, it is Trevon Diggs the lucky winner, thanks in particular to his 3 interceptions in 3 games, including a pick-6.
For special teams, it is not surprising to find Jamal Agnew in the AFC. The Jaguars player is illustrated with 2 touchdowns on returns, one from 102 yards and the other from 109 yards (NFL record tied). In the NFC conference, 49ers punter Mitch Wishnowsky is rewarded. He averages 46.8 yards per punts, and placed 8 of his 11 clearances in the opposing 20 yards.
Josh Gordon signs with the Chiefs. Richard Sherman joins Tampa.
Two well-known players made headlines this week, finding new teams, and both are Super Bowl contenders.
Suspended for the umpteenth time by the NFL, Josh Gordon was reinstated by the league this week. WR quickly found a new club, and they announced they were joining the Chiefs. Kansas City is already well armed in this sector, and it is rather the defense that would need reinforcements … Since his first two years in the NFL (2012 – 2013), Gordon has chained the suspensions and he has never been able to confirm the promises.
For his part, Richard Sherman was still a free agent and waiting for the right project. He had made it clear his desire to join a team that could play the Superbowl, and he ultimately chose the defending champion. The former CB of the Seahawks and 49ers admitted to being contacted by Tom Brady, and this recruitment makes sense for the Bucs who have many absent behind. Sherman was still Pro Bowler in 2019 with San Francisco, and his experience can help stabilize Tampa’s branch lines. He signs a contract for 1 year and $ 2.25 million.
Marlon Mack on the go
The Colts are currently looking for a way out for Marlon Mack. Both sides agree, and that’s why the running back was absent in the last game.
Above 1,000 yards in the 2019 season, Mack seemed to have settled down as the number 1 RB for the Colts. But due to injuries, his 2020 season was almost blank, and he lost his place. The rookie Jonathan Taylor quickly established himself last year, with more than 1000 yards on the ground, and he is now the leader on the backfield of Indianapolis. Nyheim Hines has also taken an important place in the attack, and he has just extended for 3 years with the Colts.
Among the possible destinations for Marlon Mack, several teams make sense. It could be a struggling team in that industry, like Atlanta, or it could be franchises that face injury, like San Francisco or Baltimore. The Colts have until November 2 to find a partner for a « trade ».
LeSean McCoy announces his retirement
There will be no further returns for LeSean McCoy, who announced his retirement on Thursday. The RB will sign a 1 day contract with the Eagles, to retire as a member of the franchise with which he played the most (6 years).
Selected by Philadelphia at 2th Round of the 2009 Draft, LeSean McCoy played a total of 12 seasons in the NFL, half of which with the Eagles. During these first 6 years, he gained 6,792 yards on the ground, a franchise record. He then left for Buffalo for 4 seasons, where he continued to shine. During the last two years, he « chased » the title that was missing, and won 2 Super Bowls, with the Chiefs and then with the Bucs, with a very limited role.
In total during his NFL career, McCoy gained 11,102 yards and scored 73 touchdowns on the ground, to which we can add 3,898 yards and 16 touchdowns in the air. He finished once the NFL leader in yards rushing (1,607 in 2013) and once in ground touchdowns (17 in 2011), and has signed 6 seasons with more than 1,000 yards rushing. He was also 2 times All-Pro and 6 times Pro Bowler.
Super Bowl LVI Halftime Fire Casting
Like every year, a show will host the Super Bowl halftime. For the third in a row, Pepsi, the NFL and Roc Nation are collaborating. And for this edition in Los Angeles, the stars will be at the rendezvous. Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige and Eminem will all be on hand for a show that promises to be exceptional at SoFi Stadium. Three of the artists are from the Los Angeles area, Compton for Dr Dre and Kendrick Lamar, and Long Beach for Snoop Dogg.
Last year, The Weeknd had the honor of performing at the halftime of Super Bowl LV in Tampa.
Gayle Benson prepares her succession in New Orleans
The owner of the Saints and Pelicans (NBA) said this week that both franchises will be sold after her death, with the proceeds going to charities in New Orleans (sources: NOLA.com).
At 74, native of New Orleans, without descendants, and widowed since 2018, Gayle Benson is preparing the future of the two franchises she owns, and in particular the Saints. His main job is to make sure the next owner keeps both teams in New Orleans. And there is a short-term risk, as the Superdome lease ends in 2025, and these are known to be key dates for franchise moves.
“When my husband bought this team, we didn’t have a lot of money. Everything has been put in. I want her to stay in New Orleans forever ”.
Dennis Lauchsa, the president of the Saints, revealed that he « Regularly received calls from interested investors. »
