Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Stafford Throws Four TDs as Rams Rout Giants 28-6 on Monday Night Football
Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes and became the sixth player in NFL history to throw 426 career touchdowns Monday night as the Los Angeles Rams earned their first win of the season with a 28-6 rout of the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium. Davante Adams delivered his best performance as a Ram with eight catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Defensive end Aaron Donald, who unretired on August 30, made his 2026 NFL debut in the victory. The Giants lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart to a left knee injury on their first offensive series, with Jameis Winston taking over. Both teams now sit at 1-1.
Sources: CBS Sports
Caleb Williams Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury After Bears Fall to Vikings
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is week-to-week after suffering a right hamstring injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears received what head coach Ben Johnson called a “somewhat encouraging” MRI on Monday, adding that Williams may not practice this week but has not been ruled out for Monday Night Football in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams was visibly emotional after being carted off the field but was later seen walking with only a slight limp. Chicago fell to 1-1 on the season, and the quarterback’s availability for Week 3 remains uncertain.
Atlanta Names Michael Penix Jr. Week 3 Starting QB for TNF Matchup vs. Packers
The Atlanta Falcons have named Michael Penix Jr. their starting quarterback for Thursday Night Football in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers. Cooper Rush started Atlanta’s first two games — both losses — after the Falcons entered the season without Penix and Tua Tagovailoa, who has been sidelined with an oblique injury. Penix, the team’s second-year quarterback, underwent knee ligament surgery in November and was not cleared to fully practice until August 22. With the Falcons winless at 0-2, Thursday’s home game against the 1-1 Packers represents a critical moment in Atlanta’s early season.
Jaxson Dart Faces Up to Six-Week Absence With Suspected MCL Sprain
New York Giants starting quarterback Jaxson Dart is expected to miss up to six weeks with a suspected MCL sprain in his left knee, suffered during Monday night’s 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Dart was hurt on the Giants’ first offensive series at SoFi Stadium, with X-rays at the stadium returning negative. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday for a more precise diagnosis. Jameis Winston replaced Dart and finished the game. MCL sprains typically require one to six weeks of recovery depending on severity, meaning the Giants’ timeline for Dart’s return hinges on Tuesday’s imaging results. New York fell to 1-1.
Sources: CBS Sports
Chase Scores Twice as Bengals Stay Unbeaten With 20-6 Win Over Texans
The Cincinnati Bengals improved to 2-0 with a commanding 20-6 road victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday, powered by wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Chase finished with seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns, reminding the league why he ranks among the game’s elite receivers. Cincinnati’s revamped offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage and completely shut down the Texans’ rushing attack. The Bengals defense held Houston to two field goals across four quarters. Cincinnati leads the AFC North outright at 2-0 while Houston dropped to 0-2, the Texans’ worst start in recent memory.
Sources: Fox Sports
Prescott Breaks Romo’s Franchise TD Record in Cowboys’ 37-20 Win Over Commanders
Dak Prescott completed 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns while breaking Tony Romo’s Dallas Cowboys franchise record for career touchdown passes in a 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Prescott’s 249th career touchdown pass — a strike to CeeDee Lamb, who finished with 153 receiving yards — surpassed Romo’s franchise mark of 248. Tight end Jake Ferguson caught the other two scoring passes. Washington also lost starting quarterback Jayden Daniels to a dislocated left elbow — the same joint he injured twice last season — with Marcus Mariota entering in relief. Dallas improved to 1-1; Washington fell to 0-2.
Smith-Njigba’s Three TDs Power Defending-Champion Seahawks Past Cardinals 31-7
Backup quarterback Drew Lock threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns in a dominant performance for the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, who routed the Arizona Cardinals 31-7 on Sunday. All three scoring passes found wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who posted nine catches for 155 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Lock was making his first start since the final week of the 2024 season, filling in for Sam Darnold after Darnold suffered a glute injury in the Week 1 opener. The Seahawks have now won 10 consecutive games against Arizona dating to 2022. Seattle improved to 2-0; the Cardinals fell to 1-1.
Sources: CBS Sports
Eagles’ Dallas Goedert Out Several Weeks With MCL Sprain Suffered vs. Titans
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee while delivering a block in the third quarter of Sunday’s 24-20 win over the Tennessee Titans. An MRI confirmed the injury, and Goedert is expected to miss several weeks. The news adds to Philadelphia’s injury concerns: running back Saquon Barkley also exited Sunday’s game with a stinger — a nerve injury affecting the shoulder and neck — though Barkley’s condition is considered less serious. The Eagles are exploring tight end depth options, including potential free-agent additions, to cover Goedert’s absence during a critical stretch of games.
Sources: Philadelphia Inquirer
Eagles Survive Titans Scare 24-20, but Barkley and Goedert Exit With Injuries
The Philadelphia Eagles survived a fourth-quarter scare from the Tennessee Titans to win 24-20 on Sunday and improve to 2-0, but departed with significant injury concerns. Running back Saquon Barkley exited in the second half with a stinger after rushing for 72 yards, while tight end Dallas Goedert departed with a knee injury later confirmed as an MCL sprain. The Eagles’ offense slowed without both contributors, and Tennessee pulled to within four points in the closing minutes before Philadelphia held on. Barkley is considered day-to-day while Goedert faces a multi-week absence.
Sources: Philadelphia Inquirer
AFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC North | |||
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| AFC South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| AFC West | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 2 | 0 |
NFC Standings
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC East | |||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC North | |||
| Minnesota Vikings | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| NFC South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| NFC West | |||
| Seattle Seahawks | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency