A tremendous race to catch up and dire diagnoses outshone the events of early Sunday in the NFL. The Atlanta Falcons actually gambled away a 20-0 lead in Dallas, while stars of the 49ers and Giants were seriously injured. Tom Brady was smiling meanwhile.
Dramatic final chord: The Dallas Cowboys conquer an onside kick here – and win a little later.
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Cowboys once again punish neglectful Falcons
What a drama happened in Arlington, Texas this Sunday in the course of Week 2 – and, of course, reminded from the point of view of the afflicted Falcons fans that they had screwed up after 28: 3 lead. Because like back then against the Patriots, Atlanta started like the fire brigade and already led after the first quarter against weak cowboys like Mike McCarthy’s trained since this season with 20: 0, later also with 26: 7 or 39:24.
But various defensive mistakes broke the team around star quarterback Matt Ryan (four TDs), who, despite the disappointing win record of 0-2 in two games, threw the neck again for over 700 yards. And that, although Dallas in the meantime lost the balls after two fake punts and allowed itself a total of four fumbles (one recapture). So how could Atlanta lose this duel? Quite simply: Because Cowboys playmaker Dak Prescott became the first quarterback in NFL history with over 400 passing yards and three self-made touchdowns – and brought his team into the field goal position, including a late successful onside kick that was accurate to the millimeter. Kicker Greg Zuerlein then hit from 46 yards and thus completed the Texan feat of still winning, even though they had not led a single second over the entire 60 minutes. Something that Falcons fans know only too well – keyword Super Bowl LI in 2017.
Brady averts negative premiere
Six Super Bowl rings, known as “GOAT”, celebrated as a legend – and heavily criticized after his debut for the Buccaneers: Tom Brady had certainly imagined the start in Tampa Bay differently – and imagined before his home game against the Carolina Panthers faced starting 2-0 for the first time in his 21-year NFL career. But the 43-year-old averted this scenario despite an interception, leading his team with 217 yards and a touchdown pass to 31:17. Running back Leonard Fournette (103 yards, two TDs) also impressed with receiver Mike Evans (104 yards, one TD). “The execution of our moves was a little bit better this time,” said Brady at the subsequent press conference. Of course, the win was immensely important for the team and for him personally, “but we’re still a long way from where we actually want to be in terms of play.”
Rodgers and Jones initially tame wild Lions
Another future Hall of Famer got to do it at the local Lambeau Field after his gala against the Minnesota Vikings against the next NFC North rival: Aaron Rodgers. And against the troops from Detroit, the “Gunslinger” had a hard time with the Packers, after a quarter one was a surprising 3:14. But Rodgers turned the score into 17:14 with two touchdown passes (passing 240 yards at the end, no interception) before running back Aaron Jones did a great job. The runner, who had been strong for years, never got a grip on the tame Lions defense, so that in the end he conjured up 168 rushing, 68 receiving and a total of three touchdowns on the lawn in Green Bay – including a run into the end zone over a total of 75 yards. Just one week after Detroit had given away a 17-point lead over Chicago, “Motor City” lost again despite a clear lead. On the other hand, “The Pack” became only the eighth team of the Super Bowl era to start a season with two games over 40 points each.
Bad luck with injuries for the 49ers and Giants
Out of the season: Star professional Nick Bosa will miss the San Francisco 49ers this regular season.
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The second NFL Sunday conference of the season, packed with ten games, also offered plenty of grief, especially for two teams: The San Francisco 49ers, this year’s Super Bowl finalist, not only lost defensive tackle Solomon Thomas and star defensive end Nick Bosa each with cruciate ligament tears – quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo also had to go down. The former New England Patriot reached 131 yards and two touchdowns, but was no longer actively involved in the final and the final score of 31:13 against the already chronically weak New York Jets. It is believed that “Jimmy G” will have to be out for a few weeks with his ankle injury (Nick Mullens’ substitute). Tight end George Kittle is also working on his comeback, while the two runners Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman with knee problems also missed out late. “You obviously have mixed feelings about losing those guys,” said Head Coach Kyle Shanahan after the game. “Getting over that will take time.” Other players would have to jump in to carry the team on.
Giants lose their figurehead
The traditional New York City franchise, the Giants, also lost an immensely important man – their running back Saquon Barkley. The second overall pick of the 2018 draft overextended his left arm badly at 1:17 p.m. in Chicago, but probably defended a bad injury here with his muscles. But then the 23-year-old twisted his knee unhappily, which costs him the season. Here, too, a cruciate ligament tear is strongly assumed.
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