Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles can’t even throw the ball away properly.
Under pressure and trying to ground it near covered running back T.J. Yeldon, Bortles hit Yeldon’s foot and the ball bounced into the air. Houston linebacker Whitney Mercilus picked it off, giving the Texans the ball at midfield. They missed a 49-yard field goal, but still led 14-7 in the second quarter.
It was Bortles’ second interception of the game and his sixth in the last five games. His first one was returned for a touchdown.
– Mark Long reporting from Jacksonville.
—
1:55 p.m.
So far, Denver’s No. 1 pass defense is owning New Orleans’ top-rated pass offense.
The Broncos made interceptions on two straight Drew Brees passes, both by Darian Stewart. The first ended a promising Saints drive at the Denver 7-yard line. When New Orleans regained possession, Brees’ next pass over the middle for rookie Mochael Thomas deflected by Bradley Roby and caught, once again, by Stewart. He returned it to the New Orleans 39, setting up a 50-yard field goal by Brandon McManus that put the Broncos up 10-0 in the second quarter.
– Brett Martel reporting from New Orleans.
—
1:50 p.m.
A difficult catch that was initially ruled incomplete has given Denver a 7-0 lead over the New Orleans Saints.
Receiver Jordan Taylor made a leaping 14-yard catch near the sideline, but was immediately hit by Saints safety Jairus Byrd, who tried to rip the ball out. Taylor momentarily lost his handle on the ball, but was able regather control as he landed on his side with one foot out of bounds.
However, video replay showed Taylor’s knee came down in bounds before the foot touched on the white line. That was enough evidence to overturn the call and give Denver an early lead in the Superdome.
-Brett Martel reporting from New Orleans.
—
1:40 p.m.
The Panthers have lost punter Andy Lee to a hamstring injury. Kicker Graham Gano was forced into punting duties in the first quarter and launched a 42-yard punt, his first attempt since 2010.
Lee’s return is listed as questionable.
—
1:35 p.m.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has become the first player in NFL history with 20,000 yards passing and 3,000 yards rushing in the first six NFL seasons.
Newton also passed Jake Delhomme for the most completions in franchise history with 1,581. Newton completed a 9-yard pass to tight end Greg Olsen in the first quarter to break the record.
—
1:30 p.m.
Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan has been ejected in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers after making contact with an official.
The Titans were lining up for just their second official play with a 7-0 lead when officials threw a handful of flags with Letroy Guion going unabated to quarterback Marcus Mariota. Lewan was arguing with Guion when back judge Steve Freeman was trying to break up the Titans and Packers.
Lewan appeared on replays to push away Freeman’s hand.
Officials talked over the penalties, and an angry Lewan headed to the locker room. He was replaced by Dennis Kelly.
The Titans capped the drive with running back DeMarco Murray throwing a 10-yard pass to Delanie Walker for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
– Teresa M. Walker reporting from Nashville, Tennessee.
—
1:25 p.m.
Tennessee running back DeMarco Murray needed only one carry Sunday to match a franchise record originally set by Earl Campbell.
Murray took his first handoff 75 yards for a touchdown Sunday against Green Bay, giving him his fifth straight game with at least one rushing touchdown. Campbell, now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, did that in 1979 for the then-Houston Oilers.
The Titans running back came into Sunday as the NFL’s second-leading rusher in his first season in Tennessee. Murray had been tied with LenDale White (2008), Eddie George (2000), Gary Brown (1993), Alonzo Highsmith (1989) and Campbell (1981) with four straight games with a rushing TD.
– Teresa M. Walker reporting from Nashville, Tenn.
—
1:15 p.m.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have failed once again to score a touchdown on their opening possession, extending the NFL’s longest current TD drought to open games.
Jacksonville’s streak is now at 23 games after Blake Bortles threw an interception against Houston on Sunday. Kareem Jackson stepped in front of Allen Hurns and returned it 42 yards for a score.
The Jaguars haven’t found the end zone on their opening drive since Week 2 of the 2015 season against Miami. Since then, they have 17 punts, three field goals and now three turnovers – all interceptions this season – in their initial possessions. Bortles also threw opening-drive picks against Green Bay and Chicago.
—
1:05 p.m.
The Tennessee Titans’ attempt to catch the Green Bay Packers by surprise on the opening kickoff with an onside kick failed.
The Titans won the toss, deferred and the Packers went back to receive the kickoff.
Kicker Ryan Succop dribbled the ball off the tee with teammates moving quickly to recover the ball. But the ball went right at Packers linebacker Joe Thomas, and he recovered at the Tennessee 49.
But the Titans forced the Packers to go three-and-out on the opening drive for a nice start against a Green Bay offense that came in having scored seven touchdowns in the first quarter of its first eight games.
– Teresa M. Walker reporting from Nashville, Tenn.
—
12:30 p.m.
The most-anticipated matchup of Week 10 of the NFL season is the Patriots hosting the Seahawks in primetime, the first meeting of the two teams since the 2015 Super Bowl.
Malcolm Butler made a championship-saving play for New England in that game. His goal-line interception robbed Seattle of a rare second straight NFL crown and gave Tom Brady his record-tying fourth title in the Super Bowl era.
Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers host the surging Cowboys. Dallas seeks an eighth straight victory, which would tie their 1977 team for the longest single-season winning streak in club history.
That team won the Super Bowl. This one has gained at least 400 yards in a franchise-record six consecutive games.
Dallas tight end Jason Witten needs five receptions to pass Andre Johnson for ninth on all-time list (1,062). Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is 12 receptions from passing Heath Miller for second on the franchise list (592).
—
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
25% Bonus via Western Union
