On a sunny day in Foxborough, Malcolm Jenkins and Marshon Lattimore shined bright to lead the New Orleans Saints to a victory.
The Saints’ stout defense held the New England Patriots to 47 rushing yards and intercepted Mac Jones three times. Four Buckeyes contributed in the 28-13 victory for New Orleans.
Jenkins nabs a pick-six
Veteran defensive back Malcolm Jenkins facing rookie quarterback Mac Jones isn't a fair battle on paper, and it wasn't fair on the field. To put the age disparity between Jenkins and Jones in perspective, Mac was 10 years old when Jenkins was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. By the time Jones was a freshman at Alabama, Jenkins was already a two-time Pro Bowl player, Super Bowl champion and eight-year NFL veteran.
So, how did the matchup play out? At the start of the third quarter, the visiting Saints were leading Bill Belichick's New England Patriots, 14-3. On the first offensive play of the half, the rookie signal-caller's pass was slightly wide and Jonnu Smith couldn't handle it. Jenkins plucked it from the air after Smith bobbled it and raced 34 yards for the pick-six. It was Jenkins' first interception return for a score since 2016 and the eighth defensive touchdown of his career.
PICK-6! @MalcolmJenkins TAKES IT TO THE HOUSE #Saints | : FOX pic.twitter.com/dS4PIWDnlp
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 26, 2021
Jenkins finished the day with seven tackles, broke up two passes and the pick-six above. For Jones, his bad day against Ohio State alums wasn't over.
Lattimore locks it down
The second half of the Saints/Patriots game ended like it began – with an Ohio State defender intercepting Jones. With New Orleans leading 28-13 and time running out on the Patriots, Jones threw for the end zone. This time, Marshon Lattimore was on the receiving end of the errant pass and gleefully sprinted down the sideline as he put the game on ice.
Marshon shut it down - SAINTS WIN!
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 26, 2021
: FOX | @shonrp2 pic.twitter.com/wCptn392MM
New England is 0–2 at home for the first time since 2000.
Fields' first start
The scene was set for a feel-good Hollywood movie. Local college football hero returns to lead his NFL team to a victory in his first start. What was supposed to be the great homecoming film turned into a horror movie.
The Chicago Bears' abysmal offensive line left Justin Fields little time and often running for his life. Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns' defense dismantled the makeshift Chicago offensive line and sacked Fields nine times for a loss of 67 yards.
Six different Cleveland defenders were credited with bringing Fields down, led by Garrett's franchise-record 4.5 sacks. The Bears' inept offense averaged 1.1 yards per play, which is the second worst this century.
Man, Justin Fields never even had a chance The average time for a qb to throw was 2.72 seconds in 2020. Baker Mayfield had 3.2 seconds. pic.twitter.com/qjXsFyX5DY
— Soldier Fields (@IBCB21) September 26, 2021
Seeing the ridiculously low time Fields had in the pocket, it's astonishing he finished the day being able to complete any of his 20 pass attempts. Despite the difficulties, Fields was able to complete six passes for 68 yards. However, when you subtract the 67 yards lost by the nine sacks, the Bears had one net yard passing in the 26-6 thrashing.
Justin Fields has been sacked 8 times today
— PFF (@PFF) September 26, 2021
He only has 5 completions
pic.twitter.com/KVJLBcclPA
The porous line might be a reason why Chicago's coach, Matt Nagy, wanted Andy Dalton to be the starter this season. It will be interesting to see how the quarterback situation plays out for the Monsters of the Midway for the rest of the season.
Jacksonville's remarkable return
Some of you want Urban Meyer updates. We'll oblige your requests with this sensational return by the Jaguars' Jamal Agnew.
A 68-YARD FG ATTEMPT TURNS INTO A 109-YARD RETURN TD.
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
MAYHEM IN JACKSONVILLE.
: #AZvsJAX on FOX
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/XrYPXpMiF1
The Jags promptly botched the extra point, but led at the half for the first time this season. The second half belonged to Kliff Kingsbury and the undefeated Cardinals, however, as Arizona outscored Jacksonville 24-6 in the final two quarters.
Meyer aided the Cardinals in the comeback as he dialed up a poorly time flea-flicker that was returned for a pick-six.
Flea Flicker to PICK-6!
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
And just like that, the @AZCardinals retake the lead. #RedSea
: #AZvsJAX on FOX
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/DL6Pth26nd
The Jaguars were up 19-17 late in the third quarter when the ill-fated play was called, but ended up losing 31-19.
How is Meyer's NFL venture into the NFL going?
Urban Meyer Losses:
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) September 26, 2021
Ohio State: 9 in 93 Games
Jaguars: 3 in 3 Games pic.twitter.com/zp5K1WrI2m
Jacksonville is now 0–3 and has lost 18 consecutive games. Urban and the Jaguars will try to end the streak Thursday night when they take on Joe Burrow and the Bengals in Cincinnati.
Sermon scores, Bosa gets bounced
What a difference a week makes. After getting knocked out of last week's win against the Eagles with a head injury on his very first NFL carry, Trey Sermon was called on 10 times in the 49ers' prime-time battle with the Green Bay Packers.
The sledding was tough for Ohio State's single-game rushing record holder, but he did find the end zone.
Trailing 24-14 at the halfway point of the fourth quarter, Sermon capped off a nine-play, 81 yard drive with a one-yard plunge into the end zone.
Sermon's score appeared to be the catalyst in the 49ers' comeback as Jimmy Garoppolo found Kyle Juszczyk for a 12-yard touchdown strike to give the home team a 28-27 lead with 0:37 remaining in the game. More on this later.
Trey Sermon's first career NFL TD! #FTTB
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2021
: #GBvsSF on NBC
: https://t.co/KgHDqDkg0d pic.twitter.com/V9NvIXsV76
Nick Bosa is an immensely talented football player. On Sunday night, Little Bear recorded four tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry. However, with the Packers driving deep in San Francisco territory, Bosa must have had blinders on as Green Bay's Robert Tonyan crashed down and knocked Nick into Monday Night Football.
Robert Tonyan put Nick Bosa down on this block pic.twitter.com/qSSWrcTg7Y
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 27, 2021
As hard as that shot was, Aaron Rodgers heroics and Mason Crosby's 51-yard field goal to win the game 30-28 as time expired probably hurt worse.
Saskatchewan scoop-and-score
Damon Webb's NFL dreams have yet to be fulfilled, but the former Ohio State safety is playing the game he loves in the Great White North.
On Friday, his Saskatchewan Roughriders had just scored to take a 25-24 lead on the host BC Lions. On the ensuing kickoff, the Lions' Lucky Whitehead secured the ball and began his attempt at a hero return. After a Saskatchewan defender knocked the ball free and into the waiting hands of Webb, though, Webb returned it to the opposing end zone for a game-sealing touchdown.
A wild finish: #CFLGameday | #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/MQ4YL0UvuQ
— CFL (@CFL) September 25, 2021
Webb's 43-yard scoop and score secured Saskatchewan's fifth victory of the season and second place in the CFL West standings.
Highlight Show
Need more Buckeye action from Week 3? Here are some more of the week's highs and lows from the NFL Buckeyes.
BIG BEAR. #BoltUp @jbbigbear
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
: #LACvsKC on CBS
: NFL app pic.twitter.com/RkO2H01BIc
Logan Wilson : Career-high 14 tackles & 2 INT's
— Lee Harvey (@AyeThatsLee) September 26, 2021
Sam Hubbard : 6 tackles, a sack & 2 QB hits pic.twitter.com/wStFyP99Nk
Seahawks announce Jamarco Jones has an upset stomach so that's why he's been in and out of the lineup.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) September 26, 2021
josh myers paving the way pic.twitter.com/W5W2eDYr2p
— packers clips (@packers_clips) September 27, 2021
What in the world is Norwell doing? pic.twitter.com/YFDt93s0Ar
— Matt Hayes (@MattHayesCFB) September 26, 2021
Isaiah Prince during the two plays on the drive he replaced Riley Reiff at right tackle. pic.twitter.com/zxrJjMas4D
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) September 26, 2021
| PLAYER | POS | TEAM | WEEK 3 STATS | SEASON STATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELI APPLE | CB | BENGALS | 7 tackles, 1 PBU | 16 tackles, 2 PBU, 1 TFL |
| DAMON ARNETTE | CB | RAIDERS | 1 tackle | 1 tackle, 1 PBU |
| JEROME BAKER | LB | DOLPHINS | 8 tackles | 23 tackles, 1 FF, 1 PBU |
| VONN BELL | S | BENGALS | 4 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 FF | 17 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PBU, 1 FF |
| TUF BORLAND | LB | VIKINGS | Practice squad | |
| JOEY BOSA | DE | CHARGERS | 3 tackles, 0.5 sack (4 yards), 2 QBH | 10 tackles, 0.5 sack (4 yards), 2 QBH |
| NICK BOSA | DE | 49ERS | 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QBH | 11 tackles, 3 sacks (21 yards), 5 TFL, 5 QBH, 1 FF |
| NOAH BROWN | WR | COWBOYS | 1 catch, 9 yards | 1 catch 9 yards |
| BARON BROWNING | LB | BRONCOS | Played at LB | 3 games played |
| PARRIS CAMPBELL | WR | COLTS | 2 catches, 9 yards | 3 catches, 33 yards |
| JONATHON COOPER | LB | BRONCOS | 1 tackle | 1 tackle |
| WYATT DAVIS | OG | VIKINGS | Played at OG | 3 games played |
| TAYLOR DECKER | OT | LIONS | IR (finger) | |
| J.K. DOBBINS | RB | RAVENS | IR (knee) | |
| NATE EBNER | DB | GIANTS | Inactive | 1 tackle |
| PAT ELFLEIN | OG | PANTHERS | IR (hamstring) | 2 starts |
| EZEKIEL ELLIOTT | RB | COWBOYS | 17 rushes, 95 yards, 2 TD; 3 catches, 21 yards | 44 rushes, 199 yards, 3 TD; 7 catches, 53 yards |
| LUKE FARRELL | TE | JAGUARS | 1 catch, -1 yard | 2 catches, 5 yards |
| JUSTIN FIELDS | QB | BEARS | 6/20 passing, 68 yards, 3 rushes, 12 yards | 14/35 passing, 138 yards, INT; 14 rushes, 46 yards |
| JORDAN FULLER | S | RAMS | 5 tackles | 21 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU |
| DaVON HAMILTON | DT | JAGUARS | 1 tackle | 10 tackles |
| JOHNATHAN HANKINS | DT | RAIDERS | 5 tackles, 1 QBH | 7 tackles, 1 QBH |
| MALIK HARRISON | LB | RAVENS | 2 tackles, 1 QBH | 7 tackles, 1 QBH |
| DWAYNE HASKINS | QB | STEELERS | Inactive | |
| JAKE HAUSMANN | TE | GIANTS | Practice squad | |
| CAMERON HEYWARD | DT | STEELERS | 5 tackles | 16 tackles, 1 sack (6 yards), 1 TFL, 1 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR |
| K.J. HILL | WR | CHARGERS | Played at WR | 3 catches, 30 yards; 1 PR, 6 yards |
| JUSTIN HILLIARD | LB | GIANTS | Inactive | |
| JALYN HOLMES | DE | SAINTS | Practice squad | 1 tackle |
| MALIK HOOKER | S | COWBOYS | 1 PBU | 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU |
| SAM HUBBARD | DE | BENGALS | 6 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 1 TFL, 2 QBH | 16 tackles, 1.5 sacks (12.5 yards), 1 TFL, 2 QBH |
| CARLOS HYDE | RB | JAGUARS | 8 rushes, 44 yards | 19 rushes, 95 yards; 2 catches, 14 yards |
| JONAH JACKSON | OG | LIONS | Started at LG | 3 starts |
| MALCOLM JENKINS | S | SAINTS | 7 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 TD | 16 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 TD |
| CAMERON JOHNSTON | P | TEXANS | 6 punts, 44.5 avg, 3 inside 20 | 16 punts, 46.4 avg, 7 inside 20 |
| DRE'MONT JONES | DT | BRONCOS | 1 tackle, 1 TFL | 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 QBH |
| JAMARCO JONES | OT | SEAHAWKS | Started at RT | 1 start, 3 games played |
| MICHAEL JORDAN | OG | PANTHERS | Inactive | |
| MARSHON LATTIMORE | CB | SAINTS | 10 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU | 13 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU |
| TYQUAN LEWIS | DT | COLTS | 3 tackles | 4 tackles, 1 QBH, 1 PBU |
| COREY LINSLEY | C | CHARGERS | Started at C | 3 starts |
| TERRY McLAURIN | WR | WFT | 4 catches, 62 yards | 19 catches, 231 yards, TD |
| RAEKWON McMILLAN | LB | PATRIOTS | IR (knee) | |
| JAKE McQUAIDE | LS | COWBOYS | Played at LS | 3 games played |
| JOSH MYERS | C | PACKERS | Started at C | 3 starts |
| ANDREW NORWELL | OL | JAGUARS | Started at LG | 3 starts |
| JEFF OKUDAH | CB | LIONS | IR (leg) | 4 tackles, 1 PBU |
| BILLY PRICE | C | GIANTS | Started at C | 2 starts |
| MALCOLM PRIDGEON | OG | STEELERS | Practice squad | |
| ISAIAH PRINCE | OT | BENGALS | Played at OT | 2 games played |
| BRADLEY ROBY | CB | SAINTS | Played at CB | 2 tackles, 1 sack (7 yards), 1 TFL, 1 QBH |
| CURTIS SAMUEL | WR | WFT | IR (groin) | |
| C.J. SAUNDERS | WR | PANTHERS | Practice squad | |
| TREY SERMON | RB | 49ERS | 10 rushes, 31 yards, 1 TD | 11 rush, 39 yards, 1 TD |
| KENDALL SHEFFIELD | CB | FALCONS | IR (foot) | |
| DEVIN SMITH | WR | JAGUARS | Practice squad | 1 target |
| MICHAEL THOMAS | WR | SAINTS | PUP (ankle) | |
| TOMMY TOGIA | DT | BROWNS | Inactive | |
| NICK VANNETT | TE | SAINTS | IR (knee) | |
| BINJIMEN VICTOR | WR | RAVENS | Practice squad | |
| SHAUN WADE | CB | PATRIOTS | Inactive | |
| DENZEL WARD | CB | BROWNS | 3 tackles, 1 PBU | 13 tackles, 2 PBU |
| PETE WERNER | LB | SAINTS | 2 tackles | 2 tackles |
| CHASE YOUNG | DE | WFT | 3 tackles, 1 QBH | 9 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 QBH |
