NFL Sunday on Sky Sports: Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford
Written by News on 08/10/2017
We see six of the best this Sunday on Sky Sports!
Six of the best quarterbacks come to play with another triple-bill of NFL action – there’s the magician Aaron Rodgers, the sensation Dak Prescott, the undefeated Alex Smith and the next big thing Deshaun Watson.
But first, coverage kicks off with Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers travelling to Detroit to face the Matthew Stafford-led Lions, live on Sky Sports Action (407) from 5.30pm.
As well as all of that, NFL RedZone will be live on Sky Sports Mix (121) from 6pm. Here’s a look ahead to another super Sunday of NFL…
Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions, Sky Sports Action (407), 5.30pm
In 140 characters…
After a week of making headlines for the wrong reasons, Cam Newton and Carolina look to build on their super Week Four win over New England.
What’s the latest?
Newton has apologised for comments made to a female reporter, saying they were "extremely degrading and disrespectful". The Panthers quarterback faced mounting criticism after his dismissive response to a question from Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue this week, where he remarked that it was "funny to hear a female" ask a question about passing routes.
Stat attack
With his rushing TD in the win over the Patriots, Newton became the first quarterback in NFL history to reach 50 career rushing touchdowns. The performance also marked the sixth time he has had at least three passing touchdowns and a rushing score in the same game, tying Steve Young, Drew Brees, Jack Kemp, Tobin Rote and Billy Wade for the most in NFL history.
Key battle
All eyes will be on Newton, as much for his comments off the field as his improved displays on it this season. Can he follow up his stunning Week Four effort against New England with another of similar quality against a much-improved Detroit defence? In defeating the Minnesota Vikings 14-7 last week, the Lions limited their opponents to 284 total net yards and recovered three fumbles.
Game-changer
Ameer Abdullah. At long last, it appears Detroit have a reliable running game they can lean on, relieving the pressure on Stafford somewhat to lead the offence all by himself. Abdullah has been bothered by injuries since being drafted by the Lions in the second round in 2015, but he’s fit to start this campaign and notched his first touchdown of the year, and a 109-yard game from scrimmage, in the win over the Vikings last week.
Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys, Sky Sports Action (407), 9.25pm
In 140 characters…
A rematch of last season’s NFC Divisional game in the playoffs which Green Bay won 34-31. Can Dallas get revenge this time out?
What’s the latest?
Green Bay running back Ty Montgomery is listed as doubtful to play because of broken ribs after getting hurt in last week’s win over the Chicago Bears. Back-up back Jamaal Williams, who hurt his knee in the same game, is available to play in Dallas. Receiver Davante Adams is also listed as questionable – he remains in the concussion protocol following a helmet-to-helmet hit by Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan.
Stat attack
Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence leads the NFL with 7.5 sacks through the first four games of the season, recording at least one in each. Named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the quickest ever passer to 300 touchdowns in the NFL, and his 104.0 QB rating is the highest mark in league history. The GOAT?
Key battle
Rodgers versus Lawrence. The Green Bay quarterback threw for 355 yards and two touchdowns in the Divisional Round playoff meeting last year and already has 10 TDs on the season, including four in the win over Chicago, so Lawrence needs to get Rodgers on his back and disrupt his rhythm to avoid similar results.
Game-changer
Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t been quite as effective so far this season, with his yards per carry slipping from 5.1 in his rookie year to 3.6. He does, however, come into this one looking for a third straight 100-yard game against the Packers. Can Green Bay contain the running back this time round?
Kansas City Chiefs @ Houston Texans, Sky Sports Action (407), 1.20am
In 140 Characters…
The NFL’s last remaining unbeaten team, the Chiefs, roll into Houston to take on the red-hot Texans, who racked up 57 points last week.
What’s the latest?
Kansas City will be without centre Mitch Morse and right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif when they face J.J. Watt and the fearsome Houston defensive front on Sunday night. Morse remains sidelined after spraining his foot last month against the Philadelphia Eagles, while Duvernay-Tardif was ruled out Friday after spraining his left knee last week in the win over the Washington Redskins.
Stat attack
With 100 scrimmage yards at Houston, Kareem Hunt, would join Adrian Peterson (2007) as the only rookies in NFL history with at least 100 scrimmage yards in each of his team’s first five games of a season. If Hunt was to tally as many as 129 yards Hunt would surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (787 yards in 1983) for the most ever by a rookie in his team’s first five games.
Key battle
Given such stats, the key battle in this Sunday night fare will be between Hunt and that dominant Houston defensive front. Can the Texans bottle up the explosive rookie back? The injuries across the Chiefs offensive line certainly make that task a little bit easier.
Game-changer
Deshaun Watson. Since the QB took over as starter in Week Two, the Texans have the NFL’s No 1 scoring offence, averaging 34.3 points per game – their 57 points scored against the Titans last week were the most in a game by a team with a rookie starting QB since Seattle and Russell Wilson scored 58 points against the Arizona Cardinals in December, 2012.
Week Five continues on Sunday with three live games on Sky Sports Action, starting with Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions, from 5.30pm
Follow the 2017-18 NFL season with us on Sky Sports and through our website skysports.com/NFL also our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsNFL
(c) Sky News 2017: NFL Sunday on Sky Sports: Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott and Matthew Stafford
