10/31/22 Hometown Broadcasting Sports Monday
31 October 2022 Sports
Monday Sports
Stefon Diggs caught six passesfor 108 yards and a 26-yard touchdown to help lead the Buffalo BIllso to a 27-17 win Sunday night over the Packers, who are off to their worst start eight games into a season under Aaron Rodgers.
Diggs began by exchanging words before and after pregame warmups in the tunnel with Packers cornerback Jaire Alexande and then burned Green Bay the rest of the nightl.
The only time Diggs was stopped was late in the first half, when the NFL’s concussion spotter pulled him from the game after it appeared he might have sustained a head injury following a 53-yard catch. After being evaluated, Diggs emerged from the blue medical tent and could be seen mouthing to teammates that he bit his tongue.
Otherwise, the AFC-leading Bills (6-1) never trailed in winning their fourth straight and matching their best start to a season since 1993.
Josh Allen finished 13 of 25 for 218 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. He added 49 yards rushing, including powerful 20-yard gain on third-and-14 to set up his 1-yard TD pass to Dawson Knox that opened the scoring.
Diggs’ TD early in the second quarter made it 14-0, and the Bills led 24-7 at the half. Isaiah McKenzie scored on a 7-yard sweep, and Diggs had a 53-yard catch that set up Tyler Bass’ 42-yard field goal as time expired.
Rodgers, the four-time MVP, was unable to will the Packers to victory after he called out teammates, cited too many mental errors and shared the blame following a 23-21 loss at Washington.
The three-time defending NFC North champion Packers dropped to 3-5. The four-game skid is the second-longest under Rodgers and the team’s worst since 2016. Green Bay hasn’t been 3-5 since 2006, Brett Favre’s second-to-last season.
Rodgers finished 19 of 30 for 203 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He was limited by an injury-depleted group of receivers. Green Bay was already missing veterans Allen Lazard (shoulder) and Randall Cobb (ankle), and then lost Christian Watson to a concussion in the first quarter.
Rookie Romeo Doubs had a 19-yard TD catch in the second quarter, and fellow rookie Samori Toure caught a 37-yard TD pass — the second catch of his career — with 6:32 remaining.
The only thing Rodgers beat was the point spread. Green Bay came in as a 10 1/2-point underdog, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, the most in the quarterback’s 15 years as a starter.
Aaron Jones rushed for 143 yards as the Packers leaned on their running game and A.J. Dillon contributed 54.
Discipline continued being an issue for the Packers after they were penalized a season-high nine times against the Commanders. This time, they were flagged eight times for 58 yards, with linebacker Quay Walker ejected after he tumbled into the Bills’ sideline while making a tackle and then got up and shoved Buffalo’s practice squad tight end Zach Davidson in the second quarter.
On the injury front, Christ ian Watson, who returned after missing two games with a knee injury, was ruled out after sustaining a concussion midway through the first quarter. Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell did not return after hurting his knee in the first half. LT David Bakhtiari returned after missing one game with a knee injury. Starting LG Elgton Jenkins (knee) was out and replaced by rookie Zach Tom, who made his second career start after filling in for Bakhtiari last week.
The Packers close out three-game road stretch at Detroit next Sunday.
Elsewhere in the NFC North the Vikings held on at home to defeat Arizona 34-26 and improved to 6-1 to lead the division. In other games, Dallas routed Chicago 49-29 and Miami won at Detroit 31-27. The Packers and Bears are tied for second in the division at 3-5.
In Monday Night Football Cincinnati is at Cleveland in a battle for state bragging rights.
The World Series continues tonight as it shifts to Philadelphia for game three. The Astrps evemed the series up Friday night at home with a 5-2 win over the Phillies. Two right-handers square off as the Astros send Lance McCullers to the mound against the Phillies Noah Syndergaard.
In area college football action Saturday, Ripon College stayed unbeaten with a 55-14 rout at home over Beloit to improve to 8-0 and 7=0 in the conference.
UW-Oshkosh lost at home 38-35 to UW-Lacrosse. The Titans are 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference.
In the NBA tonight the Milwaukee Bucks host the Detroit Pistons. The Bucks are coming off a 119-108 home win over the New York Knicks.
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