September 20, 2024 4:36 am
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes in a superb homecoming performance, New York’s defense was dominant and the Jets rolled to a 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots. Rodgers started his first game at MetLife Stadium since leaving just over a year ago with a torn Achilles tendon in New York’s opener. He finished 27 of 35 for 281 yards with TD tosses to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard as the Jets ended an eight-game home losing streak against the Patriots. Breece Hall ran for a score for New York. Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in April, made his NFL debut late in the game.
September 20, 2024 4:34 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Los Angeles Chargers in a meeting of 2-0 teams. The Steelers have relied heavily on their defense through two games. Pittsburgh has given up just one touchdown so far while getting off to its best start since 2020. Justin Fields will make his third straight start at quarterback for Pittsburgh while Russell Wilson rehabs a calf injury. The Chargers are 2-0 for the first time since 2012 under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert has been slowed by an ankle injury in practice this week, but is expected to play.
September 19, 2024 4:28 am
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jordan Walker hit a bases-loaded double to highlight a six-run seventh inning, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 10-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in the third game of a four-game series. Brendan Donovan hit a two-run homer and Masyn Winn added a solo homer. Billy Cook, who was called up Sept. 8, hit his first big league homer, a three-run blast, for the Pirates. Rookie Michael McGreevy pitched three innings to pick up the win. David Bednar took the loss, giving up three runs in 1/3 inning in relief.
September 19, 2024 4:30 am
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Quarterback Justin Herbert did not practice on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Chargers began preparations for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Herbert’s right ankle got rolled up on during the third quarter of last Sunday’s 26-3 victory over the Carolina Panthers. He was not seen on the field at UNC Charlotte during the reporters’ viewing period, which occurred at the start of the two-hour session. The Chargers, 2-0 for the first time since 2012, remained in Charlotte this week with consecutive games in the Eastern time zone. Coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday that X-rays on Herbert’s ankle were negative. Before Wednesday’s practice Harbaugh said he expects the fifth-year quarterback to continue to get healthier as the week goes along.
September 19, 2024 4:32 am
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are ready to hit the reset button. Pittsburgh narrowly missed the playoffs each of the last two years after a stretch of 16 consecutive appearances. Crosby recently signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the club until at least 2027. The 37-year-old says he was encouraged by the way Pittsburgh fought down the stretch last spring before being eliminated. The Penguins made a series of moves during the offseason to rebuild the roster around Crosby and longtime teammates Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh opens the 2024-25 season on Oct. 9 at home against the New York Rangers.
September 18, 2024 4:28 am
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Lance Lynn threw six strong innings in his 100th appearance at Busch Stadium, Jordan Walker homered and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1. Lynn (7-4) allowed one run on four hits and struck out five. Lynn is 9-0 over his last 21 starts at Busch, where he pitched for the Cardinals from 2011-17 before rejoining St. Louis this season. His last loss in the Cardinals’ ballpark came on July 4, 2017, against Miami. The Pirates’ Bryan De La Cruz hit his 20th homer of the season, taking Lynn deep in the second inning.
September 18, 2024 2:54 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Justin Fields will likely make his third straight start at quarterback when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Los Angeles Chargers. Coach Mike Tomlin says that Fields will practice with the starters during the early portion of the week while Russell Wilson continues to rehab from a calf injury he aggravated a few days ahead of the season opener earlier this month. Tomlin praised Fields for his decision-making and his demeanor but stopped short of saying Fields would be the full-time starter whenever Wilson is cleared to play.
September 18, 2024 4:29 am
Most coaches and players would dread having to spend a week on the road. Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers are relishing it. With games in the Eastern time zone for two straight weeks, the Chargers are staying in Charlotte, North Carolina, this week before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in an AFC matchup of 2-0 teams. The Bolts began their extended road trip on a great note with a 26-3 victory against Carolina last Sunday. The Chargers have five road games in the Eastern time zone for the first time since 2005.
September 18, 2024 4:33 am
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins have placed Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve after the quarterback was diagnosed with his third concussion in two years. Tagovailoa will be sidelined for at least four games. He will be eligible to return in Week 8 when the Dolphins host Arizona, but has to complete a series of tests and assessments required by the NFL’s concussion protocol before he can return to the field. Coach Mike McDaniel has cautioned against speculation on the quarterback’s future, stressing that he’s more focused on Tagovailoa getting healthy than what this latest concussion means for the team or for his career.
September 17, 2024 4:38 am
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Andre Pallante outdueled rookie Paul Skenes, striking out a career-high nine over seven innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0. Pallante allowed four hits and one walk. Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Fernandez each pitched a perfect inning, finishing a four-hitter and the ninth shutout for the Cardinals this season. Skenes gave up one run and four hits in six innings with seven strikeouts and one walk, falling to 0-2 in three starts against St. Louis.
