Veteran quarterback Case Keenum starred on his first start for almost three years as the Chicago Bears handed the Philadelphia Eagles their first defeat of the season.

Starting his first NFL game since December 2023, the 38-year-old threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another as the Bears won 27-7 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

It is the first time he has thrown multiple touchdowns in a game since October 2019, while he is also the oldest player to score a rushing touchdown for the Bears.

Keenum, an NFL journeyman playing at his eighth franchise, was called into action because of a knee injury to Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent's concussion.

Wide receiver Kalif Raymond, who scored a touchdown, said: "He was like, 'I may not be a cowboy, but this is definitely not my first rodeo - a lot of confidence in him; a lot of confidence in himself.

"He practises, preps every week, but particularly this week. We didn't expect anything different from him."

Keenum's first drive resulted in a touchdown for Luther Burden III, and Cairo Santos added a 29-yard field goal before Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts rushed for a touchdown to cut the Bears' half-time lead to 10-7.

Santos added a second field goal early in the third quarter before the Bears scored two touchdowns among 17 unanswered points.

The Bears defence limited the Eagles to 248 yards and picked off an interception off Jalen Hurts and replacement Andy Dalton.

• Broncos deny Rams and Seahawks lose - five things from NFL week three
• NFL fixtures and results

Chicago Bears WR Kalif Raymond caught six passes for a game-high 90 yards and a touchdown versus the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. He was targeted seven times.

SOURCE: USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kalif Raymond shines on Monday night to continue hot start

The Chicago Bears handily beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, 27 to 7, bouncing back from last week’s stinker in the steady rain to move to 2-1 in a young season. Third-string quarterback Case Keenum led the Bears to the win in his first start since December 24, 2024. He had his first 2-touchdown passing game since January 9, 2022, and his first rushing touchdown since December 12, 2019.

With Caleb Williams likely out at least one more game, we’ll find out this week if the Bears stick with Keenum or turn to QB2 Tyson Bagent to start their Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets.

The Jets are 1-2 and coming off a 31 to 24 loss to the Detroit Lions where quarterback Geno Smith threw for 321 yards and 3 TDs. They narrowly lost their Week 2 game against the Packers, 20-17, so this Jets team under head coach Aaron Glenn is playing better football than they did in Glenn’s 3-win 2025.

Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn coached together in Detroit for 4 years, so they will be familiar with each other’s schemes. Through three weeks, the Jets have allowed the second-fewest yards in the NFL, and they are seventh with 8 sacks.

Our partners at FanDuel Sportsbook have the Bears as an early 3.5-point home favorite over the Jets, with the total over/under at 43.5.

Do you think the Bears can pull this one off, or could this be a trap game with the Green Bay Packers looming in Week 5?

Halloween is a little over a month away, but the Eagles certainly put on a good show in their version of Black Monday as Chicago Bears’ 38-year-old backup quarterback Case Keenum resurrected the ghosts of Eagles’ past like Joe Webb and Taylor Heinicke.

The Eagles’ defense did a fabulous job of disguising Keenum as the next coming of Joe Montana, John Elway and Tom Brady all wrapped up into one, when he completed 24 of 34 for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns in a thorough beating of the Eagles, 27-7, at Soldier Field on Monday night before a national TV audience.

It was Keenum’s first start since December 24, 2023. He scored his first rushing touchdown since December 22, 2019, against the New York Giants when many of the Eagles players were in high school.

It was a pure horror show for the Eagles punctuated by a lackluster offensive line, a listless effort, incompetent coaching and a lack of discipline, spearheaded by a season-high 10 penalties, which is more than what the Eagles incurred combined over their first two games, and a team that better begin to self-evaluate before this season spins out of control.

The Eagles had been getting away with many mistakes over their first two games against inferior teams because Jalen Hurts bailed them out.

There was little Hurts could do Monday night, except for run for his life again, after completing 16 of 25 for 153 yards and rushing TD.

Monday night could have been an Eagles’ showcase, a display of strength to the rest of the NFC that they are the team to beat after the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams fell this past weekend.

Instead, they blew it.

While the Delaware Valley was laughing over the amazing finish the Baltimore Ravens had over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, the rest of the country is having a big belly laugh over the Philadelphia Eagles losing to Case Keenum.

Actually, it was Bears’ coach Ben Johnson who beat the Eagles. He was always one million steps ahead of Vic Fangio, who it seems opposing teams have figured out, and Nick Sirianni, who has a very talented paper team that has done little in backing that ability on the field.

This game may be a portend. It proved the Eagles, at best, could be a 10-7 or 9-8 team that barely makes the playoffs. We’ll see. With the Rams, Jacksonville, Carolina and Dallas ahead, the Eagles’ five-year postseason streak may be coming to a screeching halt.

However, no worries.

It’s less than a month before LeBron James and the 76ers begin their season. Many of the Eagles will spend their winter courtside watching them.

There was very little good, a pile of bad and an Everest of festering ugly in the Eagles’ 27-7 loss to the Chicago Bears.  

The Good

Hurts’ first half, completing 10 of 13 for 111 yards, hitting six different receivers and scoring on the last play of the half.

Last drive of the first half. Hurts, as he has done throughout this season, carried the Eagles to the scoreboard, completing 5 of 6 for 66 yards, and capping the 8-play, 67-yard drive with a one-yard TD sneak on the final play of the half. It saved what had to that point been an ugly first half.

Hurts’ 30-yard rope to DeVonta Smith at the Bears’ 19 with 40 seconds left in the first half.

Britain Covey’s 26-yard kickoff return after the Bears went up 10-0.

Jalyx Hunt getting good penetration in shoving Kyle Monangai back two yards for Zack Baun andJihaad Campbell to clean it up at the Eagles’ nine on first-and-goal.

Corner Quinyon Mitchell deflecting a pass on Bears’ third drive on fourth-and-goal, and coming up pull down D’Andre Swift for a two-yard loss inside of two minutes on second-and-goal at the Eagles’ 11. Mitchell later deflected away another pass on the Bears’ first drive of the second half.

The Eagles’ goal-line stop on the Bears’ third possession. It came mixed with a little luck when Rome Odunze flubbed an easy TD catch in the corner of the end zone, but helped along greatly by a Quinyon Mitchell deflection on fourth-and-goal at the Eagles’ three.

Jalen Carter nailing D’Andre Swift for a two-yard loss on a second-and-goal on the Bears’ third drive.

A good start, that quickly went bad. Rookie Makai Lemon hauling in the first play of the game for a 19-yard gain. The Eagles’ first drive kind of fizzled after that.  

The Bad

Keenum completing 9 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown on his first 11 throws.   

Cooper DeJean continuing to have his problems. His missed tackle onLuther Burdenon the Bears’ third possession on a second-and-12 on the last play of the first quarter.

Hurts nailed for intentional grounding on the fourth play of the Eagles’ first drive. E.J. Jenkins looked like he was in the vicinity of the ball. He wasn’t, drawing a flag. The Eagles went from a third-and-six to a third-and-16 at midfield.  

Linebacker Zack Baun making a rare mistake, missing rookie tight end Sam Roush, who had no catches prior to Monday night, on a fourth-and-one at the Eagles’ 32. Roush came sliding down, Baun found him 16 yards later, after allowing Roush to slide wide open. Baun actually had a tough game. Time after time, it seemed, Keenum found the middle of the field wide open, where Baun patrols.

A sign of things to come.Safety Marcus Epps missing Luther Burden on the first play of the game for seven yards. Epps later blew a coverage when he was handed off by DeJean for a 22-yard reception to Rome Odunze late in the first half to the Eagles’ 33.

The Ugly

Sirianni and Fangio being systematically outcoached by the Bears’ Ben Johnson. The Bears picked up 24 first downs to the Eagles’ 14, 375 yards of total offense to the Eagles’ 248, and Keenum completed 24 of 34 for 247 yards alone.

The Eagles have turned the ball over five times and have no turnovers through the first three games for the first time in franchise history.

The Eagles third quarter offense. Of the 11 third-quarter drives the Eagles have had this season, they have gone three-and-out on eight of them. They have been outscored a combined 17-6 in the quarter, and have gained 95 yards and three first downs. Against Washington and Chicago, they went three-and-out on their first three drives and three-and-out on three of four drives. Against Tennessee, the Eagles went three-and-out on two of three drives. Against Chicago, the trend continued for 31 yards of offense and a first down.

Andrew Mukuba’s holding call with 9:07 to play, giving the Bears an automatic first down at the Eagles’ nine. It was the fourth time the Eagles’ secondary was flagged and the fourth time the Bears picked up a first down off an Eagles’ penalty.

The Eagles’ Moro Ojomo being coaxed offside on a fourth-and-two play with 12:48 left in the game at the Eagles’ 39. The play was typical of the night for the Eagles, who were on their way to 10 penalties. The flag gave the Bears a new set of downs, and allowed them to seal the victory on a Case Keenum 1-yard score.

The Eagles exceeded the 9 penalties combined (for 75 yards) over their first two games, with 10 flags for 61 yards against Chicago.

Mukuba, orcorners Cooper DeJean or Riq Woolen, who had a horrendous game, should have picked up Kalif Raymond down the middle of the field on the 41-yard touchdown with 5:47 left in the third quarter. Woolen lined up against Raymond, then was handed off to cover motion man Luther Burden. But both DeJean and Woolen stayed with Burden, allowing Raymond to run uncovered down the middle. DeJean may have been responsible for Raymond cutting inside, while Woolen picked up the outside motion receiver Burden. Mukuba was positioned halfway to Wisconsin and nowhere to be found.

The Eagles first quarter. The Bears had 7 first downs, had the ball for 11:35, converted 3 of 5 third and fourth downs, and had 105 yards of total offense to a scant 44 for the Eagles. Keenum was 9 of 11 for 70 yards, throwing for 6 of the Bears’ 7 first downs. The Eagles were also flagged three times for 25 yards.

Andy Dalton—not good. No great revelation there. On a third-and-goal, after the Eagles made a goal line stop and charged 97 yards up the field to the Bears’ 1, Dalton blew it by going backwards and then turning over the ball when Dalton threw the ball right to Bears’ safety Dillon Thieneman in the middle of the end zone. Dalton should be cut. He’s a rare Howie Roseman mistake.  

After two good games to open the season, the other side of Woolen made an appearance. He was flagged twice in the first half, a holding call and an illegal contact flag that came on a third-and-six, giving the Bears a first-and-goal at the Eagles’ six. With the exception of Mitchell, Woolen and the rest of the Eagles’ secondary also appeared to be 10 feet away from Bears’ receivers.

Right guard Tyler Steen flagged for holding on the Eagles’ second drive that wiped out Saquon Barkley’s 19-yard run. The play was to the left away from Steen, who did not have to do anything on the play but get out the way.

Ugly, ugly, ugly way to start any game. Johnson put on a classic coaching clinic over Fangio and Sirianni. It started bad, when safety Epps came up and missed Burden on the first play of the game for seven yards. Keenum went 5 for 6 for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Bears ran off 11 plays, covering 66 yards and it chewed up 6:13 off the clock. Johnson and Keenum shortened passing routes. Took everything the Eagles and Fangio gave them underneath and nibbled their way up field. The Bears converted one of two third downs and a fourth down. Keenum’s fast release on the Bears’ short routes baffled the Eagles.

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Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith caught six passes (on eight targets) for 65 yards during the team's Week 3 game against the Chicago Bears.

SOURCE: USA TODAY

Why It Matters: Philadelphia's passing game was pretty much a flop on Monday night, but Smith at least made a handful of plays while more than doubling anyone else on the team in terms of receiving yardage. He's off to a solid start in his role as the No. 1 receiver, averaging 6.3 receptions for 78.3 yards per game through three weeks. As new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion continues to grow comfortable in his role, we should see better overall results from Jalen Hurts and company. Continue to view Smith as a solid WR2.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DeVonta Smith catches six passes in Week 3

Forget Brian Burns for a moment. The focus here is, once again, on Jaxson Dart.

There is likely nothing the Giants can do to actually replace their starting quarterback. Their postseason dreams, as cruel as it sounds, evaporated that night in L.A.

But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do everything they can to try. Because they sit 2-1. There are 52 others on their roster. John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen owe it to them to do everything in their power to position the Giants to win games.

That’s marginally possible with Jameis Winston. It’s impossible if something were to happen to him.

So, they went and got J.J. McCarthy. The imperfect solution to a nightmare reality the Giants wish they could wake up from.

“We’ve been turning over every stone,” Harbaugh said. “Really glad, really happy, very excited to add J.J. McCarthy.”

It’s easy to poke holes in the decision. The Giants’ own history leads to a clear guide where to start.

McCarthy was there for them in the 2024 draft. They needed a quarterback, too. They wined and dined him, studied every fiber of his on-field play and off-field life. They did not believe he was a fit for them -- New York, the city and everything that comes in the nation’s media capital, would eat him alive.

Then there’s what McCarthy’s accomplished since the Vikings selected him 10th overall. He had the inside track to earning the starting job as a rookie, but a season-ending injury handed it instead to Sam Darnold.

As the veteran pieced together the best season of his career (4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns), McCarthy rubbed teammates the wrong way with an apparent jealousy. He had his chance to step up the next season, when Minnesota let Darnold walk.

He crashed and burned. McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter, throwing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He rushed for 181 yards and another four scores. Not horrible, but his erraticness on the field and immaturity off it overshadowed any potential worth developing.

The Vikings signed Kyler Murray this offseason. They brought back Carson Wentz. After a summer quarterback competition, McCarthy found himself third on the depth chart.

“This gives us the best chance to win,” coach Kevin O’Connell said.

The Giants gave Winston a two-year, $13-million extension earlier this month to be Dart’s backup. That’s a legitimate commitment. To now part with a fifth-round pick to get McCarthy is somewhat troubling and indicates the money was not well invested.

Winston was dreadful against the Rams, completing 11 of 27 passes (40.7 percent) for 111 yards and an interception. He was somewhat better against the lowly Titans but still left much to be desired in a 118-yard, zero-touchdown effort. He led the Giants to four field goals.

Schoen and Harbaugh could easily stick to their guns. Ride through with Winston no matter what. McCarthy seems to admittance they misvalued Winston’s worth. If they didn’t trust Jake Haener, elevated from the practice squad, as a backup, there were options in free agency (Jimmy Garoppolo) or practice squads (Josh Johnson) who were more than capable of riding out a game.

This aggression for McCarthy (the Vikings would not accept a sixth-round pick in compensation) is a two-fold covering: Both if Winston goes down, or if they’ve seen enough of the 32-year-old and believe they need a switch.

The expectation, talking to league sources, is that the Giants do not give up a fifth-round pick unless they plan to play McCarthy in the near future.

Minnesota was ready to move on. The Giants welcomed the chance to add a player they view as a competitor, gritty, mobile and has all the tools to be a plus passer in the NFL.

“He’s a very talented player and is going to make us a stronger football team,” Harbaugh said.

It wasn’t long ago the Giants’ crosstown rivals were dealt a similar blow. Aaron Rodgers went down four snaps into his debut season with the Jets. Behind him was Zach Wilson, the same quarterback Rodgers was brought in to replace.

In the days after Rodgers’ injury, the Jets began exploratory conversations with other quarterbacks. They had Super Bowl aspirations. They didn’t believe they were capable of accomplishing that with Wilson.

The player the front office settled on was Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill himself verbally agreed. For $10 million, he’d sign. That compensation wasn’t in the budget. The Jets had already spent on Rodgers. They’d invested the second overall pick in Wilson.

Higher-ups told the Jets to see it through with what they had -- no more resources would be given. The Jets finished 7-10 and missed the playoffs.

The Giants aren’t sacrificing this season because of their pride. Through three weeks, they sit tied with the Eagles and Cowboys atop the NFC East. Neither has shown any indication they’re going to separate from the pack.

If Winston isn’t it, the Giants now have another option. They didn’t before.

Winston will start against the Cardinals, Harbaugh said. Struggles there and McCarthy better start cramming.

It could be a short leash against the Commanders, although the Giants likely prefer to get through their Week 8 bye with their heads above water, then reevaluate things.

That would give McCarthy a month to get situated before the Giants gear up for their brutal final stretch.

“You know our situation,” Harbaugh said. “You want to go get the very best quarterback you could get. Which is what we did. That’s the thinking.”

New York gave itself a minute to grieve after Dart’s MRI revealed his season was over a week ago. The same was the case for Burns, whose MRI on Monday confirmed he tore his ACL against the Titans.

The initial diagnosis on each was positive -- the Giants believed they’d avoided the worst case. That optimism proved misplaced.

But no one outside the Giants building feels sorry for them. That sentiment is banned from inside, too. They aren’t blinking. They know they can’t. Certainly not Harbaugh or Schoen.

The Giants saw an opportunity on Monday to bring on a player who might be able to help them more than what they already had. So they did.

It might not work out. The Giants believe the chance it does is worth the risk.

Three weeks ago, Case Keenum was the Chicago Bears' emergency third option, a 38-year-old who hadn't taken a real NFL snap in two-plus years. On Monday night, he had his best game in years against Vic Fangio's defense and the unbeaten Eagles. 

In his first start since being benched on Christmas Eve in 2023, Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards — his most yards since 2019 — and two touchdown passes. He also called his own number on a TD sneak that put away the 27-7 Bears victory in the fourth quarter in his regular-season debut for Chicago.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson suddenly has a quarterback call he couldn't have imagined that long ago. With Caleb Williams out, Monday night was supposed to be the Tyson Bagent show, but because Bagent wasn't cleared from concussion protocol in time, the duty fell on Keenum.

"It was so fun working with Ben this week," Keenum told ESPN's Scott Van Pelt. "He is a magician. I mean, he was in his bag tonight. It was a lot of fun having him in my ear."

Keenum nailed the assignment. He outplayed Eagles QB Jalen Hurts by a clean margin. Fangio essentially dared Keenum to beat them at first, and Keenum did just that. When Fangio brought pressure, Keenum was outstanding vs. the blitz.

"He knows where everyone's supposed to be on every single play," Johnson said. "That's what you get when you're 15-plus years in this league. Coach Fangio threw a lot at him tonight. Case handled it really well."

Hurts appeared to be fine after the hit, which drew an unnecessary roughness penalty at Soldier Field, but officials still took him out of the game and sent him to the blue medial tent to get evaluated for a concussion.

Hurts was scrambling to the right side midway through the second quarter and made it to the first down marker when Bears linebacker D'Marco Jackson drilled him in the shoulder. Hurts had just barely stepped out of bounds before Jackson got to him, and he went down hard. 

Hurts remained on the ground briefly, but eventually got up and walked onto the field on his own. Jackson was called for a penalty, but it was negated by an earlier hold on the Eagles.

While Hurts got up on his own and appeared fine, officials still pulled him out to check for a concussion.

Andy Dalton came in to replace Hurts for the rest of the drive. Though the Eagles were just yards away from the end zone, the Bears stuffed them twice and then intercepted Dalton to force a turnover and maintain their lead.

Hurts, meanwhile, looked livid that he wasn't able to go back into the game right away.

While there's no guarantee Hurts would have finished off that drive with a touchdown, the hard hit out of bounds absolutely made things much more complicated for the Eagles' offense in the moment.

"Obviously frustrating, but the doctors have to do their job," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told ESPN at halftime. "They have to protect these guys. We had a hit on the sidelines that they looked at, and that's the way it goes."

Jalen Hurts returns, mounts TD drive immediately

Hurts was eventually cleared by team doctors and the independent evaluator, and he returned to the field on the next drive. But the Bears made it all the way down the field after the interception and extended their lead with a 29-yard field goal from Cairo Santos.

Given the ball again, Hurts wasted no time proving to Eagles fans that he was OK. He led the Eagles on a very quick touchdown drive, thanks in part to a huge 30-yard pass to DeVonta Smith. Hurts then capped the drive off with a 1-yard touchdown run himself as time expired. He just barely got the snap off, too.

Hurts went 10 of 13 for 111 yards in the first half. The final touchdown cut the Bears' lead to three points at the break.

But Chicago scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to blow the game open and take the convincing 20-point win with backup quarterback Case Keenum leading the way. Hurts finished throwing 16 of 25 for 153 yards in the loss, which was the Eagles' first of the season.

Sean McVay is over the controversial pass interference call late in their loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night. Playing "the victim card," the Los Angeles Rams head coach said, won't do any good.

Rams cornerback Josh Wallace appeared to intercept a pass from Broncos quarterback Bo Nix late on Sunday night in Denver. But Wallace was instead called for pass interference, which set up first-and-goal for the Broncos and eventually led to their go-ahead touchdown. 

In real time, it looked as if Wallace committed the penalty. But a closer look undoubtedly put that call into question. Even NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay thought it shouldn't have been called.

But a day later, McVay knows fighting about it won't do any good.

"[It] doesn't really matter," McVay said, via ESPN. "It is what it is. That was the call that was made and there was a lot of opportunities that we had to be able to close the door on that game. ... But I wouldn't have any additional coaching points for how Josh [Wallace] plays through the cycle of the snap. But I'm not going to make excuses either and we're not going to play the victim card."

The Rams were called for five penalties in the last two minutes of the game, which is tied for the most by any team in a game since 2000, according to ESPN. Had the penalty not been called, the Rams would have gotten the ball back at their own 8-yard line leading 26-23 with 69 seconds left in the contest. 

While the Broncos had three timeouts left and could have gotten the ball back, the Rams would have absolutely been in a position to seal the game. The Rams had one final look, too, but Matthew Stafford was intercepted on the final play of the game. 

"It's tough. But this is sports, you sign up for all of it," McVay said simply on Sunday night. "Love our group, just came up short. Give the Broncos credit, they found a way to get it done."

The Rams, now 1-2 on the season, will take on the Philadelphia Eagles next on Sunday.

Another week of the NFL season is in the books, and it was one that saw multiple former Arizona Wildcats excel in the pros. Here’s a roundup of how former Wildcats fared in Week 3.

Tyler Loop, K, Baltimore Ravens

Loop redeemed himself in the eyes of Ravens fans by kicking a game-winning 56-yard field goal to beat the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 in the NFL Rio Game.

Loop entered the season feeling the heat after missing a field goal in the Ravens’ 2025 season finale that would have sent the team to the playoffs.

The 25-year-old Loop maintained the Ravens’ starting job through fall camp, and on Sunday night he proved to the team that he deserves to be their kicker of the future. That the game-winner came against the Cowboys probably made it extra special for the north Texas native.

If you haven’t seen the Portuguese broadcast version of the kick, it’s worth checking out.

Genesis Smith, S, Los Angeles Chargers

The first weeks of the NFL season have been a nightmare for Chargers fans, but Smith has emerged as one of the few bright spots. The rookie safety popped on Sunday, recording not one but two interceptions off Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen in an eventual 24-16 Bills win.

The second interception was the result of a sensational play by Smith, who turned his body around just in time to come down with the pick.

Smith had the highest defensive grade among all safeties this week, according to Pro Football Focus.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers

NFL defenses are catching on to McMillan, as demonstrated by his lackluster performance against the Cleveland Browns: two receptions for 17 yards on five targets. Cleveland held on for a 21-18 win.

McMillan, who has yet to score a touchdown this season, just hasn’t been able to develop the kind of separation Arizona, and now Carolina fans, are accustomed of him. It doesn’t help that McMillan only had one of Carolina’s 28 second half targets on Sunday.

Jordan Morgan, OL, Green Bay Packers

Morgan played his best game of the season on Thursday Night Football, earning a 71.5 grade from PFF, the third-best on the Packers offense. Unfortunately for Green Bay, not a lot else went right offensively in a 35-14 loss to Atlanta.

Morgan has secured the left tackle position on Green Bay’s beaten up offensive line.

Nick Folk, K, Atlanta Falcons

Folk made a pair of field goals, including a long of 44 yards, in the Falcons’ win over Green Bay. Folk moved into a tie for 10th all time for most made field goals, matching Jason Elam and Sebastian Janikowski at 436.

Jacob Cowing, WR/ST, San Francisco 49ers

Cowing got a pair of targets in San Francisco’s 36-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The wide receiver’s biggest value for the Niners is on special teams, where he occasionally returns punts. Cowing had a seven yard return on Sunday.

Roy Lopez, DL, Arizona Cardinals

Lopez appeared in 34 snaps for the Cardinals in their loss to San Francisco. He earned a 65.7 PFF grade, fifth-best on the Cardinals defense.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders

Croskey-Merritt struggled to gain traction in Washington’s 33-31 win over Seattle, rushing for 36 yards on 19 carries. He also had one reception for seven yards.

Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Miami Dolphins

Big Jonah played all 73 offensive snaps for the Dolphins in their 24-10 loss to Kansas City. He recorded a 56.2 PFF grade.

Treydan Stukes, S, Las Vegas Raiders

Stukes missed the Raiders’ game against the New Orleans Saints due to a concussion he suffered in Week 2 vs. the Chargers. Stukes is expected to be back this week as the 3-0 Raiders host the 3-0 Chiefs in Las Vegas.

The Raiders have yet to use Stukes’ former college teammate Dalton Johnson.

Keenum, the Bears' third-string quarterback who was pressed into duty, was a fun story on Monday night. He won't be the story in Philadelphia on Tuesday morning. 

Being dominated 27-7 to a shorthanded Chicago Bears team will make for an interesting day on Philly sports talk radio, especially with how Hurts and the Eagles' offense failed repeatedly to move the ball. The Eagles had a shaky 2-0 start, and the loss to the Bears wasn't their finest moment. The offense that struggled belonged to the Eagles, not the team with a 38-year-old quarterback who hadn't taken an NFL snap since 2023. 

Keenum did play well. He was 24 of 34 for 247 yards, a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions. He made a case to keep the starting job until injured starter Caleb Williams returns. Normal backup Tyson Bagent didn't play Monday night after being in concussion protocol most of last week. 

"This Texas boy loves Chicago," the Texas-born Keenum told ESPN after the game. "This is a cool spot. We're going to celebrate this one tonight."

While Keenum was good, Hurts was not. He was 15 of 22 for just 140 yards by the time the Bears took a 20-point lead about midway through the fourth quarter. He padded his stats a bit after that but not much. Definitely not enough to match Keenum, who was appearing with his eighth NFL team on Monday night. Hurts finished 16 of 25 for 153 yards and a 64.2 passer rating. Keenum's rating was 110.8.

There will be plenty to talk about in Philly this week. 

Patrick McDermott via Getty Images

Eagles on wrong end of controversial sequence

The Eagles offense needed all the help it could get on Monday, and it missed out on a possible seven points due to Hurts being sent off to be evaluated for a concussion. 

Hurts was hit late as he was going out of bounds by Bears linebacker D'Marco Jackson, which was flagged. He was then forced to leave the game to go to the blue medical tent to be checked for a concussion. While Hurts was being evaluated, Saquon Barkley had a run down to the 1-yard line. That's when the Eagles usually run the tush push, which is just about automatic. But with Hurts in the tent, Andy Dalton wasn't an option to run it.

Right before Hurts walked out of the tent, Dalton threw a terrible interception to rookie safety Dillon Thieneman in the end zone. When Hurts saw it he screamed in frustration, as the Eagles were denied a touchdown due to a concussion evaluation when Hurts didn't have one — after a hit that was clearly illegal by Chicago. 

"Obviously frustrating," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told ESPN at halftime. "The doctors have to do their job. They've got to protect these guys." 

The Eagles offense, which could have used that touchdown, didn't score until a frenetic final play of the first half. The Eagles had to scramble when DeVonta Smith got stopped at the 1-yard line, barely getting the snap off with one second left and Hurts scoring on a quarterback sneak as time ran out in the half.

The Eagles trailed 10-7 at the half and had to feel like they should have led at halftime. It might not have mattered, because the Eagles offense never showed up in the second half. Had the snap at the end of the first half came about a half-second later, Philadelphia would have been shut out.

Eagles struggle to move ball

The Eagles got that clutch play right before halftime but couldn't build off it. The Bears came out as the better team in the third quarter. 

Keenum found Kalif Raymond wide open in the middle of the Eagles' secondary and he ran for a 41-yard touchdown. That gave Chicago a 20-7 lead. While the Eagles offense was not good on Monday, the defense wasn't stellar, either. 

The Eagles' first three possessions of the second half were all three-and-outs. On the fourth drive they went for it on a fourth down and Hurts threw a bad interception in which he seemed to not see linebacker T.J. Edwards underneath. That meant Hurts had as many interceptions in the third quarter as the Eagles had first downs. 

Hurts — in a new scheme this season and with A.J. Brown off to New England — didn't play with much confidence. He didn't throw it accurately and rarely made anything happen downfield, with just one completion of 20 yards or more. He didn't look much like the quarterback who won Super Bowl MVP two seasons ago.

After the interception, Keenum snuck in for a touchdown, his first rushing touchdown this decade. That put the Bears, who lost 9-3 last week at home to the Vikings, ahead by 20 points. 

The loss to the Bears reframes the Eagles' 2-0 start. They barely beat the Commanders at home, needing to stop a two-point conversion at the end. They barely beat a now 0-3 Titans team, needing a touchdown with nine seconds left to pull off a comeback win. Philadelphia isn't too far from being 0-3 to start the season. 

There is always some angst in Philadelphia, even when the Eagles are winning. After Monday night, Eagles fans have something legitimate to complain about.

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0:00 Week 4 Waiver Wire - Fantasy Football 2026

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0:50 Ollie Gordon II

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25:15 Jalon Daniels

26:24 J.J. McCarthy

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On a Monday night at Soldier Field that felt more like a statement than a surprise, the Chicago Bears took a 2-0 Philadelphia Eagles team that had been talking about unfinished business from last November and buried them 27-7, turning primetime into a Case Keenum clinic on old-man football, and a much-maligned defense with a statment to the NFL – all at once. Coming off a grim 9-3 Week 2 slog in Minnesota, Chicago controlled the ball for nearly 37 minutes, forced three turnovers, never coughed one up, and watched a 38-year-old backup quarterback throw for two scores, run for a third, and look every bit the veteran who still knows how to win a football game.

Luther Burden punched in the opener, Kalif Raymond took a 41-yard strike to the house, Cairo Santos did the rest, and by the time Keenum walked in from a yard out in the fourth, the only thing left for the Windy City was to enjoy a rare, clean, 20-point Monday night beatdown of a supposed NFC contender. Let’s get into it, Bears fans!

Box Score for Bears 27, Eagles 7 from ESPN.

1st Quarter

It is clear from the outset that Case Keenum has complete control of this offense as he makes efficient play after efficient play. The only deficiencies in his game are physical – he has the mental game on lock.

Swift, who struggled against the Vikings, including a fumble, comes out rejuvenated in this game. He is running with confidence and elusiveness.

Luther Burden has arrived in this game – as Keenum targets him multiple times and he shows his YAC superpower over and over again.

We get some 4th-and-1 redemption for Sam Roush, as Ben Johnson dials up a play for the tight end that gets the first down and more. Unfortunately, Roush gives back the redemption with a bad play on the Tory Taylor punt to the one where he foolishly covers it, and the ball comes out to the 20.

But Booker picks up the rookie with a big turnover as he Peanut Punches the ball out on the Eagles’ possession, and Xavier Woods recovers it for Bear ball within the Red Zone.

2nd Quarter

Colton Loveland appears to have the touchdown live, but upon review it is clear he is a few inches short of the touchdown. On the next play, Swift loses 2 yards, and then on 3rd down, it looks like Rome has an easy touchdown, but he takes the ball off of his facemask, and while he secures it on the second try, he doesn’t get both feet down. Come on, Rome. 4th down his a missed pass to Burden and Bears turn it over.

Gooch note: I really struggle to understand why these carries don’t go to Monangai on short-yardage and goal-to-go situations.

On the ensuing Bears possession, we commit a bad penalty that lets the Eagles out of the shadow of their end zone. They are running the ball down our throat on multiple downs. The Eagles get it deep into Bears territory. Then on a play where Sweat is clearly held (flag goes down) Hurts scrambles to his right and is running for the 1st down marker. D. Jackson comes with the big hit right at the marker – and the Striped Ones call it “unnecessary roughness” despite the fact that Hurts had a foot in bounds at contact and was clearly a runner. Penalties offset. Hurts has to leave the game as the overhead observers force a tent visit. Andy Dalton comes in for the Eagles.

Bears make a goal line stand. The Eagles are pushed back from the goal line when JVDB pushes his man 3 yards into the backfield, and Bush cleans up the play by tackling Barkley for a loss. And the drive then ends in a Thineman INTERCEPTION of Andy Dalton. Bears ball on the 20-yard line.

After the Bears punt, the Eagles drive the length of the field. On a pass play that should have ended the half, the Eagles, somehow, get set, and instead of a spike, Hurts does the Tush Push for a touchdown. Controversy ends the half. Clock showed zeros when Hurts got the ball. Questionable whether they got the snap off but it’s 10-7 Bears at the half.

HALFTIME

GOOCH Observations: Well, Case Keenum has been everything we could have hoped for in the first half. He has protected the ball. He has been efficient and an excellent decision-maker. He has put the Bears in good position executing BJ’s game plan. Frankly, the Bears dominated the first half and the 10-7 score doesn’t illustrate how well the Bears played. On defense, the Bears were opportunistic, but the Eagles and Barkley gashed them in the run game.

3rd Quarter

The Eagles start with the ball in the third quarter and the Bears earn their first three-and-out as TJ Edwards drops a sure interception on third down when Austin Booker’s pressure forces Hurts to throw the ball blind into the flat. Still – Eagles punt.

Bears drive the ball and get a field goal to move the score to 13-7.

On the next Eagles possession, the Bears defense again looks good. Perhaps Dennis Allen made some halftime adjustments that are coming into play. JJ avoids a blocker and spikes Makai Lemon for a three yard loss. And TJ Edwards (man, I have to apologize for my TJ hate don’t I) again shows up to force the Eagles again into a punting situation.

GOOCH Observation: It is clear that BJ came in with a plan of playing inverse to the Eagles’ expectations, given we had our 3rd QB starting the game. BJ correctly anticipated the Eagles would expect a run-heavy approach, so BJ has spammed the play action in pretty much every run down-distance scenario, and the Eagles haven’t had an answer.

The Bears with the ball and Monangai is finally getting his touches and making the most of them as the Bears get first down after first down. Then Case Keenum hits Kalif Raymond on the crosser and it is 41 yards and in! Touchdown! Touchdown Bears!

Cairo Santos continues to have kickoff problems as his kick hits short of the 20 and the Eagles start with great field position. They get it out almost to the 50. Bears shut them down and force a 4th and short. For some reason, Nick Sirano does NOT go for it on 4th down – instead tries to force the offsides and takes the delay of game and punts. From a win probability perspective, that’s an insanely dumb decision by the Eagles head coach.

As we go into the 4th quarter, the Bears lead the Eagles 20-7.

4th Quarter

My notes are rather sparse in the 4th quarter as I spent quite a bit of it high-fiving and dabbing up my son. Nonetheless, a few notes.

On the Eagles’ possession, TJ finally gets his interception on third down, and it’s a TJ kind of night, as he torches his former team on the defensive side of the ball!

As the Bears have the ball on the one foot line the clock is expiring – just as it was in the first half when Hurts got his tush push touchdown – and right as the clock goes to zeros – Keenum takes the snap and sneaks it into the endzone as the ultimate: “anything you can do, I can do better.” Bears go up 27-7 and the rout is on.

On the ensuing Eagles drive the Bears defense again shows up, and a MOTIVATED DAYO gets the sack on Hurts. Bears Ball. Bears Win.

William (my son) to WCG: “WILLY IS EXCITED!!!!”

Bear down, my guys. We are 2-1 on the season, and we have thirty-eight-year-old Case Keenum to thank for it. As Case said: Give glory to God.

Gooch out.

Chicago Bears cornerback Cam Lewis (leg) left the Week 3 game against the Philadelphia Eagles due to an apparent left leg injury, and he was unable to return. He was unable to put any weight on the leg while being assisted from the field.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune - Sean Hammond

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cam Lewis leaves MNF game with leg injury

When Jayden Daniels was ruled out ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, I was personally confident in Mariota and the Commanders offense despite the fact that, usually, facing an opportunistic defense with a backup quarterback under center can be a recipe for white-knuckle football in Washington.

As it turned out, I was right about veteran Marcus Mariota.

He stepped into the huddle and delivered the kind of poised, veteran leadership this coaching staff envisioned when they kept him aboard. The NFL recognized his efforts on Tuesday, officially naming him a nominee for the FedEx Air Player of the Week.

To my eye, Mariota’s command of offensive coordinator David Blough’s scheme was steady from the opening whistle. He finished Sunday’s 33–31 thriller completing 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards, three touchdowns, and crucially, zero turnovers—good for a sharp 110.0 passer rating. Along the way, he also surpassed 18,000 career passing yards, joining an exclusive club of active NFL signal-callers to reach that milestone.

It marked Mariota’s first three-touchdown outing since Week 8 of the 2022 season. Whether it was threading an 11-yard strike to Treylon Burks, flipping a screen out to Rachaad White, or improvising off-schedule to find Terry McLaurin for an acrobatic 30-yard score down the sideline, Mariota consistently took what the defense surrendered and protected the football in high-leverage spots. Blough kept the game plan balanced and in rhythm, and Mariota executed it to perfection.

We saw flashes of this caliber of play last season when Mariota stepped in against Carolina, completing 78% of his passes to preserve a blowout victory. On Sunday, however, Washington needed (almost) every single one of those 33 points to hold off Seattle.

Voting for the FedEx Air & Ground awards is open to fans online through Wednesday afternoon. Regardless of whether Mariota takes home the trophy over his fellow nominees, having a backup who can step onto the field and pilot a 30-plus point victory is a luxury few franchises enjoy.

But the “MNF” victory could mark an important waypoint in Chicago’s season as the team survived its first game without injured QB Caleb Williams (hamstring) since he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2024. It wasn’t necessarily pretty, but head coach Ben Johnson dug into his bag and his depth chart while helping engineer a win that prevented the reigning NFC North champions from falling off the divisional pace currently being set by the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. The victory also allows Williams to continue his rehab without any notion he needs to rush back into the lineup.

A look at the winners and losers of Week 3’s final game beyond the result on the scoreboard:

Detroit Lions center Cade Mays (wrist) is hopeful of returning in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers in his return from the reserve/injured list, as he makes his way back from a fractured wrist.

SOURCE: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cade Mays hopeful to return in Week 7

NFC East:Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commanders
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South:Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West:Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks

AFC East:Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North:Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South:Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West:Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers

The Las Vegas Raiders had little business hiring one of the hottest head coaching candidates on the market this past offseason. They were an aimless, unserious franchise that hadn't won a division title since 2002.

But Klint Kubiak, coming off helping the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl title as their offensive coordinator, saw the potential when few did.

"There's just a lot to love about this organization," Kubiak said at his introductory media conference in February, via the team's site. "You look around this building and the resources that we have, our meal room, the weight room, the fields outside, the coaches offices, it's as good as it gets in the NFL. Been in a lot of buildings for good reasons and bad reasons, been hired and fired, and the resources are here. We've just got to go put it all together."

In three games, Kubiak has changed the Raiders. Last season was an absolute mess. The team went 3-14 and barely looked like a professional franchise. That wasn't unusual for the Raiders because they had been a mess for years.

Everything looks different this season. Las Vegas made good, smart decisions in free agency. The Maxx Crosby trade famously didn't work out but that is helping the Raiders this season. They had a plan for top draft pick Fernando Mendoza, to sit him and let Kirk Cousins play. The Raiders look like a competent team on both sides of the ball, with a front office making sharp decisions. It has been decades since that was the case.

The Raiders started 2-0 and it was fine to be skeptical, but a 35-27 win at the Saints might be a turning point. The Raiders forced a turnover on all four Saints possessions in the fourth quarter as they came back to win. The 2025 Raiders probably don't win that game. Neither would the 2024 Raiders, 2023 Raiders, 2022 Raiders or most Raiders teams since the Jon Gruden days, when they won their last playoff game.

Las Vegas' defense is second in the NFL in EPA allowed per play, a stunning turnaround from last season. The offense is 16th in EPA per play but two of those games came without Brock Bowers, who reminded everyone Sunday, with 116 yards and a touchdown, that he's the NFL's best tight end. Cousins is running a clean operation and the Kubiak influence on the offense is evident.

Care to guess which one was the Super Bowl MVP two seasons ago and which one was the 38-year-old playing in his first regular-season NFL game since 2023?

Case Keenum put on one of the more masterful performances of his career on a night he and the Chicago Bears had every excuse to struggle. Pressed into service with Caleb Williams (hamstring) out and backup Tyson Bagent missing most of the week with a concussion, Keenum outplayed Jalen Hurts in the 27-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 28.

The Philadelphia Eagles are 2-1 after losing to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday. Final score: 27 to 7.

After getting bullied by the Bears in Philly last year, all eyes were on this Eagles defense to be better this time around. They were not. Vic Fangio’s group got owned by Ben Johnson. They got torched by 38-year-old Case Keenum, a third-string quarterback who hadn’t played in an NFL game since 2023. Keenum’s final numbers: 24/34, 247 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 110.8 passer rating. And one of those incompletions was Rome Odunze dropping a touchdown.

This loss isn’t JUST on the defense. The offense had a chance to take a lead to start the second half … and instead went three-and-out three times in a row. They ran nine plays for just seven yards. One of those drives ended with Nick Sirianni inexplicably deciding to punt from 4th-and-1 at the minus 49-yard line. Sirianni did not have a very good night in terms of strategy. Not to mention that his team didn’t exactly look ready to play on Monday night.

Pretty bad and concerning loss.

Next up for the Eagles: a home game against the Los Angeles Rams. LA has failed to live up to massive preseason hype but they could very well beat this team.

Read on for a recap and stay tuned for BGN’s postgame coverage.Also, check me out the PHLY Eagles postgame show.

FIRST QUARTER

• The Eagles won the coin toss and elected to defer, per usual. The Eagles had Braden Mann as a 12th man on the field for kickoff once again, this time holding the ball on a tee after that was a point of discussion coming out of Week 2.
• The Bears started at their own 32-yard line. Marcus Epps immediately missed a tackle on the first play from scrimmage. The Bears quickly picked up a first down with a tight end screen. Two straight passes before the Bears’ first running play. Then another Case Keenum completion for a first down into plus territory. The Bears went with a toss to old friend D’Andre Swift to set up 2nd-and-1. Another Keenum completion for another first down … before expedited review revealed the ball hit the ground between Cole Kmet’s legs. Facing 3rd-and-1, the Bears’ run was stopped short of the marker. But then Keenum found a wide open Sam Roush on fourth down for an easy first down. Ben Johnson in his bag early. Facing 3rd-and-2, Keenum flipped shorst to Luther Burden, who was initially stopped before he was pushed by his teammates into the end zone. Not the kind of start you wanted to see from an Eagles defense that got bullied by the Bears last year. Got outmuscled to give up a score. EAGLES 0, BEARS 7.

• The Eagles took over at their own 25-yard line. Jalen Hurts’ first pass was a first down to completion to an open crossing Makai Lemon. Another Lemon target that wasn’t doomed from the start! Nice to see. The Eagles picked up another first down with a Saquon Barkley run to the left edge. Facing 3rd-and-6, Hurts got called for intentional grounding after facing quick pressure. Facing 3rd-and-16, a Hurts dumpoff to … Johnny Mundt … picked up just five yards. Punt from the plus 46-yard line … that went out of bounds at the 16-yard line. Only a net of 30 yards. Bad stuff from Mann but Nick Sirianni might’ve wanted to be more aggressive there in no man’s land.

• The Bears took over at their own 16-yard line. They quickly moved just shy of midfield before Riq Woolen was flagged for defensive holding. Facing 3rd-and-6 around midfield, the Bears thought they had a free play with Moro Ojomo jumping early … but the refs clearly thought Ojomo didn’t jump offside. Keenum’s downfield pass was incomplete to bring up a punt. The Bears’ punt was downed nicely at the 2-yard line. Jonathan Jones could’ve tried to pick up the ball for a free return since the Bears touched it … but he just watched Chicago down it. Cool. Or not! The Bears actually touched the ball while a player’s foot was on the goal line for a touchback. Lucky break there.
• The Eagles took over at their own 20-yard line. Unnecessary Tyler Steen holding penalty wiped out a big Saquon Barkley run to the left for a first down and more. Hurts checked down to Tank Bigsby, who fumbled for a Bears recovery. Awesome.

• The Bears took over at the plus 15-yard line. They reached third down to bring up the end of the first quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

• Facing 3rd-and-6, Andrew Mukuba almost came up with a pick on a Keenum throw. But the Eagles’ third down stop was negated by another Woolen penalty that looked weak, just like his first. Next play, Keenum hit Colston Loveland for a score. Upon review, Loveland was just shy of the goal line. Jalen Carter came up with a big TFL to knock the Bears back. Facing 3rd-and-goal, Keenum’s pass to a wide open Rome Odunze was bobbled and incomplete as the receiver fell out of bounds with Nolan Smith in coverage. Phew. Johnson kept his offense on the field … and Keenum’s pass was knocked down by Quinyon Mitchell! Huge stop for a turnover on downs. If I’m getting greedy, a pick six could’ve been pretty nice there.

• The Eagles took over at their own 3-yard line and a false start knocked them back a yard. Facing 3rd-and-1, the Eagles lined up in the gun and Hurts hit a crossing DeVonta Smith who was schemed open. Then DeVonta drew a pass interference flag on the Bears to move the offense a little shy of midfield. Barkley broke off a run just shy of the red zone. A Lane Johnson holding penalty was wiped out by a late Bears hit on Hurts out of bounds. Hurts was pulled from the game by a concussion spotter and Andy Dalton came in. Barkley broke off a run to the 1-yard line. Facing 3rd-and-goal after Barkley was stuffed twice, Dalton threw a ball right to a Bears defender. Cool, man. Why the fuck are you passing the ball there?! Do not trust Dalton!!!

• The Bears took over at their own 20-yard line. Keenum got a big completion to Odunze despite facing quick pressure in his face from Jonathan Greenard. Keenum ripped off another 22-yard completion in a soft spot between Cooper DeJean and Marcus Epps. Facing 3rd-and-10, Keenum made a tight window throw for another first down. Back-to-back TFLs knocked the Bears back to 3rd-and-goal from the 11-yard line. Facing 3rd-and-goal, Keenum couldn’t connect with his target and the Bears had to settle for a field goal. EAGLES 0, BEARS 10.
• The Eagles took over at their own 33-yard line with 1:46 on the clock and two timeouts to work with. Hurts to Dontayvion Wicks picked up a first down. Hurts to DeVonta down the right sideline was complete with a great contested catch by the receiver. Then Hurts hit Zach Ertz (!) to set up 2nd-and-1. Facing 3rd-and-1, Hurts ran for a first down and the Eagles called their final timeout at 0:19. Lining up at the 9-yard line, the Eagles went with a screen and the time nearly ran out as DeVonta was stopped short of the goal line … but the Eagles were able to get a tush push off for a touchdown! PHEW. Zero margin for error there. Just barely got the snap off before the second quarter expired. 8-play, 67-yard touchdown drive. Much-needed. EAGLES 7, BEARS 10.

THIRD QUARTER

• The Eagles began the second half with a chance to take the lead as they took over at their own 20-yard line. Facing 3rd-and-5 after two Barkley touches, Hurts was nearly picked off by old friend T.J. Edwards as the Bears brought a blitz. Fortunate they were able to punt instead.

• The Bears took over at their own 32-yard line. It didn’t take long for the Bears to move past midfield. Keenum survived an unblocked Jalyx Hunt bearing down on him to float a pass to an open target for another first down. Just not a very inspiring performance against a third-string QB. Facing 3rd-and-5, Mitchell read Odunze’s route and knocked down Keenum’s pass for a big stop. The Bears settled for a 48-yard field goal make. EAGLES 7, BEARS 13.
• The Eagles took over at their own 35-yard line. After a one-yard run, the Eagles DID THAT STUPID SHIT WHERE THEY THROW THE BALL BACKWARDS TO LEMON AND THE DEFENSE IS NEVER FOOLED. LEMON GOT BLOWN UP FOR A THREE-YARD LOSS. Facing 3rd-and-12, Hurts to Will Shipley short of the sticks along the left sideline was incomplete. Incredibly stupid drive. So stupid. Infuriating!
• The Bears took over at their own 29-yard line. They moved past midfield and the Eagles busted a coverage as Keenum found Kalif Raymond for a 41-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Totally untouched. Very bad showing by Vic Fangio’s defense. EAGLES 7, BEARS 20.

• The Eagles took over at their own 40-yard line. Hurts slid for a sack and then Barkley was stopped for no gain. Facing 3rd-and-12, a Hurts dump off to Shipley picked up 11 yards. Facing 4th-and-1 (a long one, at that) at their own 49-yard line, the Eagles brought out their offense just to try to draw the defense offside. It predictably didn’t work and the Eagles took the delay of game penalty and punted. Real gutless stuff by Sirianni. Trusting your defense that’s getting gutted instead of the offense?

• The Bears took over at their own 15-yard line. Facing 4th-and-12, Keenum’s pass was broken up by Cooper DeJean. Well, good job by the defense to settle in and force a three-and-out.
• The Eagles took over at their own 30-yard line. Hurts hit Wicks for 19 yards and a first down. Facing 3rd-and-9 after Hurts was unable to keep the ball in bounds on a throw to DeVonta, Hurts hit DeVonta short of the sticks to set up a shorter fourth down. Facing 4th -and-5, Hurts’ pass was picked off by Edwards with the Bears entirely ready for him to throw to DeVonta Smith.

FOURTH QUARTER

• The Bears took over at their own 42-yard line. They reached a 4th-and-2 and got the Eagles to jump offside, Sirianni’s wet dream … used against him. The Bears slowly but surely moved into the red zone. Facing 3rd-and-6 after a false start, Keenum was sacked but Mukuba was called for holding to wipe out the stop. A few plays later, Keenum found the end zone to put the game out of reach. EAGLES 7, BEARS 27.
• The Eagles took over at their own 40-yard line. Facing 4th-and-22 in plus territory, Hurts’ throw went of bounds for a turnover on downs.
• Garbage time ensued.

FINAL SCORE: EAGLES 7, BEARS 27

EAGLES LINEUP NOTES

• Johnny Mundt, not Zach Ertz, was first up at tight end in 11 personnel (one tight end on the field).
• Michael Carter II rotated in at safety after Marcus Epps struggled on the Bears’ first drive. But then Epps came back in.

EAGLES INJURY NEWS

• Jalen Hurts took a late hit out of bounds. He was a little slow to get up but stayed in the game originally. But then he was pulled by the concussion spotters to bring Andy Dalton into the game. Hurts was cleared to return.

The Philadelphia Eagles are on the road again in Week 3 for a Monday Night Football matchup against the Chicago Bears.

All eyes will be on how well the Eagles defense can stop Chicago’s run game, not only because that’s the part they failed to stop in 2025, but also because the Bears are relying on QB3 Case Keenum as their starter. Not that Keenum can’t lead this offense, but he’s had only one week to prepare for the occasion, and his last regular season game was in December 2023 — it’s been awhile. Still, the veteran isn’t to be overlooked, and the Eagles defense needs to play more soundly than they’ve done through two games this season.

It will also be a big night for the Eagles offense, specifically for the guys up front. Cam Jurgens and Drew Kendall have one more week of reps under their belts in their new roles, and will hopefully continue to develop. New OC Sean Mannion has added some really exciting elements, but the run game still needs a boost to make it a more complete package. Saquon Barkley is going to play despite suffering a stinger last Sunday, and will try to eliminate the number of negative plays from the ground game.

Hang out here for updates and to chat, celebrate, vent, and argue in the comments! [You should also download the SB Nation app to make it even easier to follow along with the conversation!]

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Week 3 is here! LET’S GOOOOOOO!

SCORE UPDATES

Q4 [PHI 7 – CHI 27]: Case Keenum is making the Eagles defense look terrible — and it doesn’t help that Philadelphia keeps collecting penalties on both sides of the ball. The Bears offense took 13 plays to score, eating over eight minutes of the clock.

Q3 [PHI 7 – CHI 20]: Case Keenum has not been challenged much by the Eagles defense so far in this game, and managed another big drive that resulted in a touchdown by way of a 41-yard deep pass to Kalif Raymond.

Q3 [PHI 7 – CHI 13]: The Bears were able to extend their lead early in the third quarter thanks to a 48-yard field goal kick.

Q2 [PHI 7 – CHI 10]: The Eagles were able to get on the board right as the clock hit 0:00 heading into halftime. Jalen Hurts was able to get the ball with one second left and QB sneak it into the endzone for Philly’s first points on the night. Hurts was mad he missed the end of an earlier drive to be evaluated for a concussion, so he was motivated to get back into scoring position and was able to make the most of it.

Q2 [PHI 0 – CHI 10]: Chicago was forced to settle for a field goal to extend their lead to 10 points.

Q1 [PHI 0 – CHI 7]: The Bears were able to score on the first drive of the game, with QB Case Keenum leading them on an 11-play drive down the field.

TWITTER UPDATES

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Note: This is an open thread. Discuss the games in the comments below.

PHLY EAGLES WATCHALONG

BGN’s own Brandon Lee Gowton will be reacting to the game live along with Bo Wulf, Miles Johnson, and Vinny Curry (second half) on the PHLY Eagles Monday night watchalong:

As frustrating as the Bengals’ loss to the Steelers was, they have a chance to bounce back this week vs. the Jaguars at Paycor Stadium.

FanDuel Sportsbook has officially listed the Bengals as a 2.5-point favorite over Jacksonville, though they’ll need to figure quite a few things out with a red-hot Trevor Lawrence-led offense coming to town.

The Jags are now 2-1 on the season after a dominant win over the New England Patriots this afternoon. Jacksonville’s defense turned Drake Maye over three times and kept the New England offense out of the end zone.

The Bengals defense will have their hands full next Sunday looking to slow down a talented offensive unit led by head coach Liam Coen and Lawrence.

These two teams met last season for Cincinnati’s home opener when Burrow went down with the toe injury that sidelined him for nine games.

Despite the Burrow injury, the Bengals found a way to beat the Jags last season with Jake Browning leading the way. Will they find a way to make it two years in a row?

It’s never good when NFL coaches on struggling teams have to publicly reaffirm their faith in members of their staff before the calendar turns to October — and that’s what Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh did on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in the wake of a 24-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Harbaugh was asked if he would consider taking some control away from offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel if the offense doesn’t improve.

“No, we trust Mike. We believe in Mike,” Harbaugh said.

It would be odd for Harbaugh to publicly admit to anything else at this point, especially because he’s not in a good position to do much else to salvage the season. Harbaugh has never called plays at the NFL level and must hope McDaniel and Justin Herbert can fix the NFL’s No. 21-ranked offense (309 yards per game) if the Chargers have any chance of becoming the eighth team in NFL history to reach the postseason after an 0-3 start.

“We’re searching for every possible way to give ourselves an advantage,” Harbaugh said. “Every possible way to not beat ourselves.”

Although Harbaugh doesn’t see himself intervening on McDaniel’s turf, he does want to see improvement from Herbert. The quarterback struggled against the Bills, failing to capitalize on five takeaways from the Chargers’ defense. He passed for 226 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but four trips to the red zone — two of which were assisted by favorable field position off takeaways — resulted in only three field goals and a touchdown.

“To be better,” said Harbaugh, regarding Herbert’s decision-making. “That drives Justin, that drives me, that drives his position coach, that drives Mike [McDaniel]. ... I mean, drives us all.”

Herbert isn’t the only underperformer. Dropped passes from wide receiver Quentin Johnston and tight end Oronde Gadsden II were factors in the Bills becoming the first team since the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 season wild-card playoffs to win despite five turnovers.

The team the Jaguars beat that January? The Chargers.

Read more:Chargers fall to 0-3 after offense wastes five takeaways in loss to Bills

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Updating a previous report, New York Giants linebacker Brian Burns (knee) suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans, head coach John Harbaugh confirmed on Monday, Sept. 28. He will have surgery to repair the injury.

SOURCE: Giants.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brian Burns confirmed to have torn ACL

The New York Giants head coach was asked last week whether he would prefer that a quarterback joining his roster in the wake of Jaxson Dart's season-ending surgery be a veteran.

"A veteran?" Harbaugh repeated. "As opposed to a rookie like right now?"

The reporter clarified he was referring to the player's age and level of experience in the NFL.

"I would, probably, but you've kind of got to go with what's available as well," Harbaugh said. "And you never know, if a younger guy becomes available that's interesting that would fit … I think we're looking at all that."

Monday, that player became available. 

The Giants sent a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. The decision, even with multiple ties, including McCarthy's college career playing for John Harbaugh's brother, Jim, was surprising.

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / REUTERS

Is McCarthy, who fell from first- to third-string quarterback quickly in Minnesota, the answer for a Giants team that lost not only Dart but also its top pass rusher in All-Pro Brian Burns (season-ending ACL tear)? How quickly can McCarthy acclimate to a new offense, new terminology and new cast of supporting teammates?

McCarthy played and started 10 games in two-plus seasons as a Viking, winning an impressive six. But that record often reflected the talent around him and even moreso, the strength of the Vikings' defense.

McCarthy threw 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his 10 Vikings games. Since he was drafted in 2024, his 72.6 passer rating ranks 43rd out of 44 quarterbacks who have started at least 10 games. Only Anthony Richardson Sr., whom the Indianapolis Colts tried and failed to trade in the spring, has posted a lower mark.

So why are the Giants spending an asset to bring McCarthy in? 

Coaching and front-office sources from five NFL teams offered perspective in conversations with Yahoo Sports on Monday. Their intel circled around two key reasons.

Reason 1: The scheme

Just as Harbaugh offered choice words about the veteran he may or may not want to acquire, the coach similarly sent a message in how differently he describes McCarthy from Jameis Winston.

No doubt, Winston is a far more proven NFL player than his new teammate. Winston has started nine times as many games as McCarthy and played in 11 times as many. Winston's health has weathered the currents of the NFL better than McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie year due to a torn meniscus then seven more games last year due to a high-ankle sprain, concussion and hand injury.

But the Giants' schematic emphasis this spring and summer wasn't built to accentuate a quarterback like Winston, whom Harbaugh described last week as "a big, strong, passing quarterback. He can throw the ball."

Answering one question Monday, Harbaugh described McCarthy as a player who "can throw it. He can run it. He can make plays."

In his next answer, Harbaugh said in part: "He makes plays with his feet. He makes plays with his arm."

Sure, the Giants could continue on without a mobile quarterback that allows them to maximize their playbook. But that would limit not just their quarterback but also their run game. While Winston is likely more capable than the game plan the Giants asked of him amid Sunday's nor'easter conditions, he doesn't have near the mobility nor dual threat that Dart had. And while the Giants' playbook of course has enough volume that it could simply pivot, coaches around the league believe McCarthy will allow the Giants to better lean into a run-heavy offense with bootlegs and play action. 

One AFC assistant pointed out that the Giants' current scheme has similarities to what McCarthy ran at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh. 

"He's also fast," the assistant said of McCarthy, "so some of the zone-read and option stuff [senior offensive assistant Greg] Roman likes to do will fit."

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / REUTERS

McCarthy was effective as a runner in Minnesota, rushing for 181 yards on 37 carries (4.9 yards per attempt) last year. He scored four touchdowns by ground and netted 12 rushing first downs.

"They spent all offseason designing those QB runs," an NFC assistant told Yahoo Sports. "Will be interesting to see what he does with the change of scenery."

Neither the coaches nor the executives believed McCarthy was a sure fit or answer to the Giants' woes after McCarthy's surgery to repair his MCL and meniscus. 

McCarthy's accuracy and touch leave more to desire, they said, and his chance to work with the first team during weeks he's not starting will be limited. His injury history could also limit the return on investment. 

Harbaugh wasn't selling McCarthy as a done deal so much as a high-ceiling addition.

"There's a lot of things he could do better from what he did, obviously, and we're going to see where it goes from here …" Harbaugh said. "From a talent standpoint, I don't think anybody would deny that J.J. McCarthy is a very talented young quarterback."

When could he start?

Harbaugh confirmed Winston will start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals and insisted his focus remains there. "Our design is to win the next game," Harbaugh said. "Our design is to be 1-0 next week. And any other conversation — you could ask me who's going to be the starting quarterback next year or five years from now, I don't know. …

"Jameis will be the starter for as long as I can see into the future. But I don't know. Nobody knows."

Reason 2: The price

Given the range of outcomes for McCarthy's Giants tenure, will the Giants' bet pay off?

A high-ranking NFC executive laid out the cost-benefit analysis plainly.

"Fifth it's easy," the executive said, referring to the price. "How many top-10 picks can you get in Year 3 for a fifth?"

The Miami Dolphins spent a 2019 second and 2020 fifth-round pick in 2019 to acquire former 10th overall pick, Josh Rosen, from the Arizona Cardinals (who had drafted Kyler Murray) as he entered Year 2. The Carolina Panthers sent a 2021 sixth-round pick and 2022 second- and fourth-round picks to the New York Jets to acquire Sam Darnold entering his fourth year. The Denver Broncos acquired a fourth-year Zach Wilson and a 2024 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2024 sixth. 

Perhaps the cleanest recent parallel: The San Francisco 49ers trading a third-year Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick after he'd played in 16 games with six starts. (Lance did not see the field in his first season with Dallas.)

Consider Lance's price, after he'd won just two of six starts and thrown five touchdowns to five interceptions, and the Giants' 2027 fifth-round pick for McCarthy begins to make sense.

"First reaction [it] seems low given the first-round pedigree, but as I think more about it, given the production and the injury history, it is probably the best they could get," a high-ranking AFC executive said. "Especially since he wouldn't have played moving forward and therefore no opportunity to put better tape out for teams to want to give more."

Executives weren't surprised that the Vikings were willing to deal McCarthy after head coach and play-caller Kevin O'Connell no longer wanted him running the offense. Signing Murray for the veteran minimum $1.3 million this spring was the first sign O'Connell had pivoted. Promoting Carson Wentz over McCarthy to start in place of an injured Murray was the second. A stingier asking price might have prompted a situation like Richardson's Indianapolis Colts — with a player still on their roster whom they're minimally interested in building around. (The Colts don't have the quarterback depth that Minnesota has.)

Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley said in a Monday news conference that he makes decisions "in the best interest of the organization, of the Vikings, holistically."

Teasley spoke to the potential of McCarthy to find footing in New York even as he didn't beat out Murray and Wentz in Minnesota.

"Continue to believe that his story is not written in this league and that he has potential to continue to grow and develop and make a difference in the National Football League," Teasley said. "And that's really why I think you saw another team value him and have interest in bringing him on board."

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CHICAGO — The Eagles got their butts kicked on national television on Monday night.

They entered the Windy City to face a 38-year-old third-string quarterback who hadn’t played in three years and he tore them apart. And then their offense completely choked away momentum in the second half.

And we’ll eventually get into a horrific coaching performance.

This was bad.

Quarterback

Jalen Hurts: 16/25, 153 yards, 1 INT

The Eagles’ starting quarterback summed it up pretty well after the game: “Today we were not good enough and I was not good enough.” Jalen Hurts did some good things early and moved the football down the field in the second quarter before he got pulled from the game to get checked out for a concussion. And then he led a great 2-minute drive late in the first half that he capped by calling his own number on a Tush Push as time expired. But that was the end of the good stuff. Hurts was picked off by former Eagle T.J. Edwards once and nearly picked off by him a second time. Hurts was unable to get the Eagles out of their funk on Monday after willing them to wins in the first two weeks of the season. Oh yeah, and Andy Dalton finally got on the field and threw an awful interception on his only passing attempt. Brutal.

Grade: D

Running back

Saquon Barkley: 15 carries, 82 yards

It was a good first half for Barkley, who had 73 yards on 11 carries. But that means he had just 4 for 9 the rest of the way. Barkley also faulted himself for not getting in the end zone on the drive that ended with that Dalton interception. Tank Bigsby fumbled in the first quarter after catching a pass. Will Shipley has started to get some third-down work and caught a pass for 11 yards.

Grade: C-

Receiver

DeVonta Smith: 6 catches on 8 targets for 65 yards

The receivers weren’t the problem in this game. DeVonta Smith probably wasn’t featured enough but he still made his weekly spectacular play and also drew a DPI that moved the sticks. He was really good. Makai Lemon had 3 catches for 29 yards and can make things happen when he’s not getting victimized by play calls that put him in terrible positions. Dontayvion Wicks had just 2 catches on 5 targets for 32 yards and was unable to secure a low ball that was initially ruled a catch.

Grade: C

Tight end

Zach Ertz: 1 catch on 2 targets, 9 yards

The Eagles obviously missed Dallas Goedert in their first game without him. Goedert has an MCL sprain and is expected to miss a few weeks. Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins were the two remaining tight ends and then the Eagles brought in Zach Ertz, who played more than the team anticipated in this game. Ertz had a catch for 9 yards but also missed his block on a screen play for Makai Lemon. Ertz was beating himself up for that one.

Grade: D

Offensive line

Jalen Hurts was sacked just a couple of times in this game but the O-line didn’t play very well. They couldn’t get the ground game going in the second half and made far too many mistakes and committed too many penalties. Both guards are really struggling right now. This is still a major, major concern going forward.

Grade: D

Defensive line

Jalen Carter: 3 tackles, 1 TFL

The Eagles’ DL did a little better against the run in this game but it still wasn’t great. And they’re just not making big plays. Sure, Case Keenum was getting the ball out quickly but he was barely touched in this game and wasn’t sacked at all. Jalen Carter did have a big TFL to set up a field goal but he isn’t consistently dominating the way the Eagles need. Moro Ojomo had some good moments but was flagged for a costly neutral zone infraction. Jonathan Greenard was able to get on the field and will continue to ramp up.

Grade: D

Linebacker

Zack Baun: 9 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 PBU

While Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell each had nine tackles in this game, they weren’t difference-making tackles. A bunch were downfield after big gains. Jihaad Campbell isn’t playing very well right now and it’s hard to not miss Nakobe Dean, who has been balling out in Las Vegas. The Eagles were in a tough position but Campbell just isn’t as good as Dean right now.

Grade: D

Secondary

Quinyon Mitchell: 7 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 PBUs

Case Keenum hadn’t played in an NFL football game since 2023 and he absolutely carved the Eagles up on Monday night. Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns with a passer rating of 110.8. He seemed to have a receiver wide open on just about every play. There were coverage busts and bad tackle attempts all over the field. Quinyon Mitchell did have two big-time pass breakups. The safeties are struggling right now. Drew Mukuba isn’t playing well and Marcus Epps has played poorly enough that he’s now in a rotation with Michael Carter II, who just simply appears like the better option.

Grade: D-

Special teams

Braden Mann: 4 punts, 41.8 average, 2 inside 20

While Braden Mann has been very good so far this season he had a bad 30-yard punt that did get inside the 20 but could have been much better. Jake Elliott didn’t have to do much in this one. Kelee Ringo had a penalty that negated a nice punt return from Britain Covey.

Grade: C

Coaching

Record: 2-1

The Eagles were throughout out-coached by the Bears in every facet. Ben Johnson just seems to have Vic Fangio’s number. In the last meeting, Johnson called a brilliant game as the Bears ran all over the Birds. In this game, he did it with an efficient passing attack that kept the Eagles off-balance all night. Sean Mannion’s offense evaporated and some of his play calls, especially those swing passes to Lemon, are confounding. 

But let’s talk about Nick Sirianni’s decision to not go for it on 4th-and-1 late in the third quarter. It was awful and was even more confusing when the Eagles went for a 4th-and-5 a bit later. Sirianni needs to be aggressive there and the Eagles tried to draw the Bears off and then made the cowardly decision to punt. And while we’re talking about bad coaching, let’s not forget that the Eagles decided to make Andy Dalton their backup quarterback despite a summer’s worth of evidence he wasn’t the best candidate; that bit them on Monday. Oh yeah, and the Eagles committed 10 penalties on Monday. For a team that stresses doing the things that require no talent, this game wasn’t a good example.

Grade: F

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Week 3 game against the Denver Broncos.

Head coach Sean McVay said Monday, Sept. 28, that Watson will not go on the reserve/injured list, but the cornerback is likely to miss the Week 4 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jaylen Watson dislocated shoulder in Week 3

Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) suffered a medial ankle sprain in the Week 3 game against the Denver Broncos, and he appears likely to miss the Week 4 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Sean McVay said Monday, Sept. 28.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard

Why it Matters: The Rams dressed five tight ends for Sunday Night Football in Denver due to a shortage at wide receiver, so they have plenty of other options at the position. Veteran Tyler Higbee shined with eight receptions for 62 yards and a score, while Davis Allen and Colby Parkinson are also options. The latter suffered a shoulder injury, but it appears to be minor. Higbee is likely the best bet from a fantasy perspective, however.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Terrance Ferguson might miss Week 4 game

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are home once again Sunday as they welcome the Green Bay Packers to Raymond James Stadium. Both teams enter the matchup looking to get things turned around following rough starts to the season. So what are the oddsmakers thinking of the Week 4 matchup between the Bucs and Packers?

Per FanDuel, Tampa Bay opens as a 3.5-point underdog at home for the fourth week of the 2026 regular season.

Point spread: Bucs +3.5 (-110)
Point total: 39.5
Moneyline: Bucs +152, Packers -180

The Buccaneers are coming off a 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, dropping them to 0-3 on the season. Making matters worse, quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a dislocated right thumb in the loss and is expected to miss at least three weeks, leaving rookie Jalon Daniels in line to make his first NFL start against Green Bay.

The Packers have struggled themselves, falling to 1-2 following an ugly 35-14 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Green Bay’s offense has had difficulty finding consistency early in the season, but Tampa Bay’s quarterback situation has helped push the opening line in the Packers’ favor.

The Bucs will now try to avoid an 0-4 start while Daniels attempts to give Tampa Bay a spark with Mayfield sidelined.

The game between the Bucs and Packers is scheduled for Sunday with kickoff set for 1:00 PM ET.

Chicago Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman just came up big.

The first-round safety’s first career interception couldn’t have come on a more clutch occasion: swiping Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Andy Dalton in the red zone to take away a potential touchdown and maintain the Bears’ 7-0 lead in the second quarter.

(In case you’re wondering, starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was momentarily out of the game while being evaluated for a possible concussion after a late hit by linebacker D’Marco Jackson, which is why Dalton, the former Bears quarterback, was in the game.)

What a moment, on Monday Night Football, to make such a huge play. 

The young safety has quietly been one of the Bears’ most consistent players early in the season, which is simultaneously good and concerning. (Your safety shouldn’t be your leading tackler coming into Week 3 in an ideal world.) Still, it’s nice to know the guy brought in to be an immediate difference-maker has proven to be just that.

And now, he’s checked off a big box on his resume: “first career interception.” Thankfully, Dalton made it easy for him.

The nice part: this pick wasn’t just “a meatball sub,” in the words of Tom Brady from last week. It also helped the Bears maintain a lead not many people expected them to have at this point against the Eagles with Keenum at quarterback. In fact, funnily enough, it stole points off the board for the Eagles after the Bears had failed on 4th and goal with a chance to go up two touchdowns. 

As a safety, Thieneman probably won’t top too many people’s lists for Defensive Rookie of the Year, especially if the Bears continue being a largely “mid” defense.

But make no mistake: so far, the youngin has done his job on the back end of the defense.

Here’s to many more interceptions to come.

Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures. 

The Giants trading for J.J. McCarthy applies here. 

In need of a backup quarterback, the Giants on Monday sent a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the Vikings for McCarthy, who had been a colossal bust during his two-plus years in Minnesota. McCarthy joins a quarterback room devoid of Jaxson Dart — out for the season following knee surgery — and he will learn the playbook as Jameis Winston continues to start. 

“Really glad, really happy, very excited to add J.J. McCarthy,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “I think he’s a strong young quarterback … very talented player and he’s gonna make us a stronger football team. I think it makes us better.” 

Once Dart went down and out, the Giants knew they needed a better option behind Winston than Jake Haener, a 27-year-old with one NFL start. McCarthy has talent, but the Vikings being willing to give up on him so quickly after making him the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft indicates how swiftly he fell out of favor with head coach Kevin O’Connell, who is known for his ability to work with and improve quarterbacks. 

“He’s a talented guy,” Harbaugh said. “There’s just no doubt about it, he’s talented. He was a top 10 pick for a reason. I know he didn’t hold on to that job in Minnesota and that’s why he’s available.” 

Haener was waived and will re-sign to the practice squad. The team will determine later in the week whether McCarthy or Haener serves as the backup to Winston for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. 

There is no change at starting quarterback. 

“Jameis will be the starter for as long as I can see into the future but I don’t know,” Harbaugh said. “Nobody knows. 

“I know that I have complete confidence that Jameis is going to play a great football game on Sunday and our guys are going to play great around him.” 

McCarthy, 23, is four months older than Dart. He won a national championship at Michigan and went 27-1 as the starter, playing for Jim Harbaugh, John’s younger brother. John Harbaugh downplayed that connection, saying he paid special attention to Michigan while his brother was there and thus formed his own opinion of McCarthy. He said Jim “always had good things to say about J.J.” 

The Giants scouted McCarthy heavily leading into the 2024 draft, as they certainly were in the quarterback market. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye went first, second and third to the Bears, Commanders and Patriots, respectively. The Giants owned the No. 6 overall pick and could have taken McCarthy but they passed on him and opted for wide receiver Malik Nabers. 

It is believed the Giants had a second-round grade on McCarthy and they had reservations about his mental makeup and how he would fare playing in the fishbowl of the New York/New Jersey market. 

Conversations about adding a quarterback started soon after Dart went down in the Week 2 loss to the Rams. Harbaugh said general manager Joe Schoen and the team’s “high-level scouts” brought McCarthy’s name to the table. 

“They felt very strongly he was going to be a good option,” Harbaugh said. “That was interesting to me. 

“He can throw it, he can run it, he makes plays. There’s a lot of things he can do better from what he did, obviously and we’re going to see where it goes from here.” 

McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury while backing up Sam Darnold. Despite going 14-3, the Vikings traded Darnold to the Seahawks and named McCarthy their starting quarterback. It turned out to be a huge miscalculation. 

McCarthy won his NFL debut with a comeback victory over the Bears and was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. It went downhill rather rapidly from there. He missed five games with a high ankle sprain and one more with a fracture in his right hand. In 10 starts, he completed 57.4 percent of his passes, with 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions for a passer rating of 72.6. He went 6-4 as a starter and struggled mightily with ball placement and a general lack of maturity. 

The Vikings signed Kyler Murray in free agency and McCarthy dropped so low on the depth chart that he was the No. 3 quarterback, behind Murray and Carson Wentz. 

At 6-foot-3 and 219 pounds, the athletic McCarthy gives the Giants a much more mobile option. Winston, making his first start this season in place of Dart, played in the wind and rain this past Sunday and completed 14 of 22 passes for 118 yards, failing to get his team in the end zone in a 12-7 victory over the Titans. 

At this point, there is no expectation that Winston’s hold on the starting job is in jeopardy. That could change, of course, based on the results and how quickly McCarthy picks up the offensive system.

The Philadelphia Eagles briefly lost their starting quarterback halfway through the second quarter of "Monday Night Football."

Jalen Hurts took a big hit on the sideline after scrambling away from a couple of Chicago Bears defenders. He remained down on the ground for a moment after the hit, and he was pulled from the game for a medical check after a brief stoppage.

ESPN cameras caught Hurts peeking out of the Eagles' sideline blue medical tent a few moments later, but backup Andy Dalton remained in the game for the rest of Philadelphia's possession.

Dalton threw an interception in the end zone to end the drive.

Here's what we know:

EAGLES NEWS: Philly brings back veteran tight end with practice squad contract

From the very first play of the game, it felt like the Cincinnati Bengals defense might have been buying their own hype a bit too much after the win over the Houston Texans.

Going back to the first week of the season against Tampa Bay, this Bengals defense is still getting gashed when teams get the ball to a running back in the passing game. Making the linebackers and safeties tackle out in space so much is a concerning trend for this unit.

The Steelers immediately went to Jaylen Warren for a big gain to start the game by doing just that. Warren gashed the Bengals defense all game long. He finished with 127 yards rushing, going for 7.5 yards per carry on the game. He added 49 receiving yards on the day, including the big play below that started the game for Pittsburgh.

The first touchdown for the Steelers came on a deep pass to Roman Wilson. The Bengals defensive backs were lined up close together, and Dax Hill coming across off the snap appeared to confuse Jalen Davis a bit. It was like his controller was disconnected momentarily on a game of Madden, and he was cooked off the line for an easy touchdown for Pittsburgh.

There were a couple of bright spots for the Bengals defense on Sunday. One of those was the play of rookie edge rusher Cashius Howell. He was one of the only defensive ends to consistently generate pressure and make things uncomfortable at times for Aaron Rodgers throughout the game.

Howell also has been playing solid against the run. He was able to hold his ground on the edge for a stop near the line of scrimmage on a run during the first half. I don’t see how the Bengals keep him off the field. He is playing like their best edge rusher, even over veteran addition Boye Mafe. More snaps should continue coming his way as the season progresses.

One theme of the day for the Cincinnati defense was their inability to make the initial tackle, and that turned into a first down. Jordan Battle came in way too high on Darnell Washington during the first half of this one. Washington also powered through them later in the game, which we will get to. There is no reason to come in like this against the 300-pound tight end, and the results were as expected.

This is the second week in a row that I thought Barrett Carter struggled. The missed tackles continue to be an issue for Carter. He’s made some splash plays this year, but he has been way too inconsistent overall.

If this doesn’t get cleaned up, the Bengals should consider at least making a call to Bobby Wagner. Wagner isn’t going to give you a lot in coverage, but at least he has been a reliable tackler during his career.

It was another up-and-down performance from Dax Hill on Sunday. He did make a great play on third down to force a Steelers punt. Unfortunately, this was the play right before the muffed punt by Ke’Shawn Williams. This Hill play could have been a much bigger difference maker in the outcome of the game, but the special teams play let the defense down again.

The most inexcusable defensive play of the game came during the last drive for the Steelers. The game was tied 27-27, and the Bengals let Darnell Washington get loose down the sideline for a 47-yard catch-and-run. The initial missed tackle came once again from linebacker Barrett Carter.

Then, you saw a plethora of players decide they didn’t want to even make an attempt to truly bring down Washington in the open field. Tacario Davis couldn’t get around wide receiver Germie Bernard. DJ Turner just completely stopped running toward him as he got free down the sideline. Jordan Battle was doing who knows what on his attempt to make contact with Washington. Kyle Dugger eventually brought him down, but the damage was done.

The Bengals defense was able to get a stop and hold the Steelers to just 3 points on the possession. Dexter Lawrence recorded his second sack of the game and allowed the Bengals offense to take the field with over 2 minutes and a chance to tie or win the game.

Unfortunately, Joe Burrow and the offense would eventually fumble away their opportunity to pull out a win and a 3-0 start to the season.

A frustrating team loss 30-27 with all three phases contributing to it. This revamped Bengals defense will have to right the ship quickly for the Bengals to get a win during week 4 against Jacksonville. The Jaguars beat the defending AFC Champion New England Patriots 35-6 on Sunday.

How concerned are you about this defense after they allowed 411 total yards to a Pittsburgh Steelers offense that had been struggling prior to Sunday? Sound off in the comments.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins said he did not give the Department of Homeland Security permission to use his name or highlights in a recent social media video. 

Dawkins responded on Monday, one day after the DHS posted a highlight video of his with the caption "Our time has come" in reference to a purported migrant caravan headed to the southern border. The DHS said in a statement that it is actively tracking a group of migrants that left Honduras in recent days, and that it is "playing lockdown defense" at the border.

Dawkins, while not addressing the video specifically, made it known he had nothing to do with the post.

"Alright let's be clear, let's be clear. I didn't give permission for my name, image and likeness to be used by anybody, alright? By anybody," Dawkins said in a video. "Take a deep breath. Take a deep breath. Y'all be blessed."

The NFL asked the government to take down the video on Monday, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to The Associated Press. DHS general counsel James Percival responded to the request on social media with a "Bugs Bunny" meme that made it clear they wouldn't do so.

Dawkins spent 16 seasons in the league, mostly with the Philadelphia Eagles after they selected him in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. The nine-time Pro Bowler finished his career with 1,147 total tackles and 37 interceptions before he retired in 2012 after a three-year stint with the Denver Broncos. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

Sean McVay cleared the air about a bizarre incident that occurred after the Los Angeles Rams’ 30-26 loss to the Denver Broncos.

McVay left his postgame press conference after speaking for less than two minutes after the Rams’ controversial loss on Sunday. McVay received a lot of criticism for this, as it was seen as disrespectful for the media and reporters who didn’t get to ask questions.

McVay apologized about the incident and explained that it wasn’t everything it seemed during a press conference on Monday.

“I’m sorry that I missed you guys yesterday…it was never my intention to miss your questions. I’m sorry if there was a misunderstanding,” McVay said, per The California Post’s Michael Duarte.

Rams Vice President of Communications Artis Twyman already addressed what happened on social media Monday morning.

Nate Atkins of The Athletic wrote on X, “Sean McVay ducked out of his press conference before Rams media could get into it, only 10 minutes after the final whistle. Not sure I have ever seen that in this league before.”

Twyman replied to this, writing, “Again Nathan, I will not let you get on here and not represent the truth. In the press box, they announce that media that want to attend the post game news conference, leave at the five-minute mark. You chose to stay until the end of the game, which made you late.”

Regardless of the reasoning for McVay’s abrupt exit, he deserves credit for apologizing on Monday.

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and he must miss at least one more game before he is eligible to play. However, he is eligible to return to practice, opening a 21-day window where he could practice without counting toward the 53-man roster limit.

Head coach Mike Macdonald said Monday, Sept. 28, that a decision has not yet been made, but it is possible Charbonnet is able to return to practice this week.

"We're still working through that process, I'm sure we'll have an answer by sometime (Tuesday) on whether or not he'll start practicing this week," Macdonald said. "It's not out of the question yet, we just haven't had an update."

SOURCE: Seahawks.com - John Boyle

Why it Matters: The run game struggled badly in Sunday's game in Washington, totaling just 44 yards on 18 carries, good for 2.4 yards per attempt. Rookie Jadarian Price had five runs for just 15 yards, while Emanuel Wilson managed nines for only 14 yards. Nobody has impressed while Charbonnet has been sidelined, so when he is able to return, he'll likely have a rather sizable role in the offense.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zach Charbonnet might return to practice soon

Fantasy football can be a stressful game for all of us. Injuries and underperformance, bad weather and curious calls. Sometimes it's a struggle merely to get through an NFL Sunday.

We all need some consistent things we can hang our hats on. And with that, we present to you the 2026 Detroit Lions. They just want to make fantasy managers happy.

The Lions are now three games deep into the NFL season, and every match has been a fantasy bonanza. First came a narrow win over the Saints in Week 1, a 31-30 overtime affair. Not much defense was played in Week 2, when the Bills outraced the Lions, 41-31.

And you can add Sunday's Week 3 result to the positive side of the ledger. Detroit held on for a 31-24 win over the Jets, with both teams pushing over their projected scoring total.

Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (calf) missed the Week 3 game against the Washington Commanders due to a calf injury. He suffered the injury in practice Thursday, Sept. 24. Head coach Mike Macdonald said Love did "extensive work" in practice Monday, and he said Love is day to day. Safety AJ Finley made his first NFL start in place of Love.

Safety Ty Okada (hamstring) has missed all three games due to a hamstring injury, but there is a possibility the safety returns to practice this week. Safety Rodney Thomas II has started all three games in place of Okada.

SOURCE: Seahawks.com - John Boyle

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Julian Love, Ty Okada might practice soon

The Chicago Bears host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. The Bears will be without star quarterback Caleb Williams, who appeared to have suffered a life-threatening injury based on the way he reacted, but should only be out in the short term.

The San Francisco 49ers face the Philadelphia Eagles in January. It would not be surprising to see the Niners meet with the Bears later on in January, either.

The Eagles have been a league-average offense to date. Can a defense that struggles as much as the Bears have limit their output? The weather looks fine in Chicago. DeVonta Smith not practicing with a hamstring injury should help Chicago.

No Williams, or his backup, means Case Keenum will throw a pass for the first time in over a year. Luckily for him, Ben Johnson has set up a fantastic infrastructure for Keenum to succeed.

The Eagles’ shaky run defense is flying under the radar to start the season. I think D’Andre Swift runs wild, and Kyle Monangai follows suit en route to a Bears home upset.