Chargers Rally Past Raiders 31-28 in Vegas
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers stormed back with 21 fourth-quarter points to stun the Las Vegas Raiders 31-28 on Sunday, improving to 2-0 in division play.
After trailing 17-3 in the third quarter, Matthew Stafford steadied the offense and finished with 251 passing yards and two touchdowns. But once again, it was Christian McCaffrey who carried the load and fueled the comeback. The veteran running back shredded the Raiders’ defense with 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while also adding 68 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air.
“This team doesn’t panic,” McCaffrey said. “We knew if we kept grinding, the opportunities would come, and in the fourth quarter everything clicked.”
The Chargers’ offense roared to life late, controlling possession and piling up points while their defense forced key stops to give Stafford and company repeated chances.
The win moves Los Angeles to 2-0 overall and in AFC West play, setting up momentum for what looks like an early-season push toward the top of the division standings. The Raiders, meanwhile, fell to 0-2 and are left searching for answers after letting a double-digit lead slip away at home.
Texans Outscore Buccaneers 39-31, Move to 2-0
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans leaned on their offense once again Sunday, pulling out a 39-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to remain unbeaten at 2-0.
Houston’s defense was expected to be the hallmark of the season, but two weeks in, it’s the offense that’s carrying the load. The Texans have now given up 31 or more points in consecutive games, raising questions about their ability to hold up over the long haul. Still, timely turnovers made the difference in this one. Safety Jabrill Peppers and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed each came up with key interceptions that halted Buccaneers drives and kept Tampa Bay from closing the gap late.
On the other side of the ball, Houston continued to score at will. Quarterback Drake Maye spread the field and kept drives alive, while Derrick Henry bulldozed his way to 85 rushing yards and a touchdown, once again moving the chains and wearing down the defense.
“We’re not happy about giving up that many points,” Texans coach David Shaw said, “but winning is winning. And until the defense gets to where we want it, our offense has shown it can handle the pressure.”
With the win, Houston (2-0) keeps pace early in the AFC race, while Tampa Bay (0-2) leaves frustrated after another high-scoring defeat.
Packers Defense Smothers Commanders in 27-3 Win
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers leaned on a relentless defense and a powerful ground game to take down the Washington Commanders 27-3 at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
From the opening whistle, Green Bay’s front seven made life miserable for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Myles Garrett and Ernest Jones IV each came up with interceptions, and the Packers’ pass rush battered Washington’s offensive line, forcing Daniels into hurried throws and broken plays all afternoon.
On offense, it was the Isiah Pacheco show. The running back gashed the Commanders’ defense for 155 rushing yards and two touchdowns, consistently breaking into the second level and keeping the chains moving.
“This is exactly how we want to play — defense flying around and the run game setting the tone,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. “When we play complementary football like that, we’re tough to beat.”
With the win, Green Bay improved to 2-0 on the season, sending a message that their combination of defensive dominance and ground control could be the recipe for another deep run. The Commanders, meanwhile, dropped to 0-2 and will have to regroup quickly.
Saints Hand 49ers First Loss, 27-14 in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers came into Week 2 riding high off their opener, but left New Orleans humbled after a 27-14 defeat at the hands of the Saints.
Quarterback Jordan Love struggled from the start, looking out of rhythm against a Saints defense that disguised coverages and tightened up on key downs. Love completed just 45% of his passes, finishing with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but never able to establish a consistent rhythm for the offense.
On the other side, New Orleans leaned heavily on veteran running back Alvin Kamara, who shredded San Francisco’s interior defense for 104 rushing yards and a touchdown. His ability to find lanes inside kept the Saints ahead of the sticks and wore down the 49ers’ front seven as the game wore on.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t mince words postgame, visibly frustrated with his team’s lack of urgency.
“That wasn’t us out there. We got outplayed, outworked, and out-executed in every phase. If we want to be taken seriously this season, that effort can’t ever happen again,” Shanahan said.
The 49ers (1-1) will look to regroup quickly, while the Saints (1-1) walked away with a big win over one of the NFC’s contenders.
