Starting at 1 p.m. today, follow all the NFL action with NFL RedZone on RDS.ca.
LIVE BROADCAST ON RDS
Four NFL games will be presented throughout the day on RDS and its platforms. Here is an overview, after the one held in the morning in Munich, Germany.
Steelers v. Commanders
1 p.m. | RDS, RDS.ca
PREMATCH
The odds were stacked against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders before the season started, for various reasons on each side.
Yet just past the halfway point of the season, they face off in a showdown of first-place teams that have exceeded expectations and even added players at the trade deadline to improve their chances.
The Steelers (6-2) acquired Mike Williams and Preston Smith to fill needs, while the Commanders (7-2) got Marshon Lattimore.
“It’s a tough game and another good test for us,” admitted Commanders receiver Noah Brown. We are delighted with this match. »
Although Lattimore’s status is uncertain due to a hamstring injury, Williams and Smith could play — and the Steelers are very excited about what they bring to a group that has already set high standards for that at what a successful season looks like.
“We know we have to win playoff games,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said. That was our goal for this year, so anytime management can add things that can help us win, it’s obviously nice. But we knew from the start that we were all in it to win (the Super Bowl) this year. »
The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016, but have reached the playoffs twice in the last three years and 11 times under head coach Mike Tomlin.
The Commanders have only made the playoffs once since 2016 and haven’t won a playoff game since 2005.
Everything pointed to a rebuilding season around rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Instead, Daniels has been one of the best players in the NFL thus far and is in the discussion for MVP.
General manager Adam Peters’ roster overhaul paid off immediately. This is Washington’s best start to a season since 1996.
Bobby Wagner, one of several newcomers, isn’t sure if playing against the Steelers is a measuring stick, but he can’t wait to jump on the field and find out.
“I think it will be a lot of fun,” said Wagner, who played with Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson for a decade in Seattle. The Steelers are a well-respected organization. Being able to play against someone like that (Wilson) and being able to play against a head coach like Mike Tomlin, I know it will be fun. »
The Steelers have outscored rookies at quarterback 25-6 over the years under Tomlin. But Daniels will have the Steelers pilot’s full attention.
“He knew how to make the most of the important moments this season while minimizing the worst,” analyzed Tomlin. I think that’s a testament to his expertise and experience. This guy was an elite quarterback at two different universities. »
Eagles c. Cowboys
Saquon Barkley
16 h 25 | RDS, RDS.ca
PREMATCH
The last of Cooper Rush’s five starts replacing injured Dak Prescott as the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback in 2022 came against Philadelphia.
The first of a longer streak this season begins against the same NFC East rival this afternoon, as Prescott’s season is officially over due to a hamstring injury that will require surgery.
Rush went 4-1 when Prescott was out with a broken thumb two years ago, which then allowed the Cowboys to finish the campaign with a 12-5 record that put them in the playoffs. playoffs.
“The more matches you play, the more repetitions you accumulate, you put that into your baggage of experience and you draw inspiration from it. So I have confidence in my means,” assured Rush.
The circumstances are a little different this time.
Two years ago, Prescott was injured in a loss in the season opener and Dallas had plenty of time to recover. This year, Prescott’s torn hamstring led to a third straight loss, 27-21 at Atlanta.
Dallas (3-5) hasn’t had such a long losing streak since 2020, when Prescott missed 11 games with a broken ankle. And Rush probably won’t have much help from the NFL’s second-to-last offense.
The Eagles (6-2), with running back Saquon Barkley on track to have the best season of his career and Jalen Hurts playing efficiently, have won four straight and are battling with Washington for the division lead. .
The Cowboys, the defending NFC East champions, are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, meaning the division will crown a new champion for a 20th straight season.
Lions c. Texans
Jared Goff
8 p.m. | RDS, RDS.ca
PREMATCH
Jared Goff is aware that many people in the NFL are thinking big for the Detroit Lions, who have won six straight games heading into Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
But that doesn’t matter to the quarterback.
“Who cares who thinks we’re good right now?,” Goff said. It doesn’t matter. You’re just trying to find a way to pile up the wins and I think sometimes you get caught up in the bad things, but also the good things. »
” It may be dangerous. »
With a 7-1 record, the Lions, leaders of the Northern section of the National Association, are off to their best start since 1956 and their winning streak is the longest since 1995.
They will now face a team that leads the AFC South, but is trying to get its act together after a disappointing loss to the New York Jets last week.
Texans quarterback CJ Stroud is also ignoring what people are saying about his team this week after it was heavily criticized for its lackluster performance against the Jets.
“We have a really good football team,” Stroud said. Now is not the time to give up. It’s not that bad. We will find a solution to bounce back, that’s for sure. »
The main issue the Texans (6-3) need to address is better protecting Stroud after suffering a season-high eight sacks from the Jets. Stroud has 30 sacks this season, which ranks second in the NFL behind Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns, who will miss the remainder of the season due to injury.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans did not provide details on how he hopes to resolve the issue. But he thinks his team has the right players in place and they just need to play better as a team.
“We just have to go out there and play the right way offensively,” he said.
The Texans’ offense could receive a huge boost this week as wide receiver Nico Collins is eligible to come off the injured list after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury.
Ryans said Collins was “doing well” but did not say whether he would play. His return would certainly help take some pressure off Stroud after he relied almost entirely on Tank Dell last week in the first game since Stefon Diggs suffered a serious knee injury.
Collins remains the Texans’ leading receiver this season with 567 yards and eight touchdowns despite his extended absence.
The Lions are also looking forward to the return of one of their top receivers, Jameson Williams, who will come into play after serving a two-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He is second on the team with 361 receiving yards.
“It’s a weapon, we know that, and teams across the league know that,” Goff said. They’re definitely going to include him in their game plan and so he’ll help us in a lot of ways, not just catching the ball, but blocking and everything he can do. »
