#special-teams

#special-teams

The Cleveland Browns hit a game-winning field goal as time expired to beat the Green Bay Packers 13-10. The field goal came just a few plays after the Browns blocked a Packers field goal attempt that would've given them a 13-10 lead with less than 30 seconds left in the game. It took some time, but the scoring picked up in the second quarter. Green Bay hit a 39-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

Play of the Game: Tua Tagovailoa was sacked at the Patriots 37-yard line on fourth-and-12 with 53 seconds left. That completed a day where, again, the theme was lost opportunity. On the previous possession, Tua threw a fourth-down interception over the middle that was returned 20 yards to the Dolphins 38 with 2:12 left. Bottom-line: The Dolphins needed winning plays from their quarterback.

Sorry that that doesn't sound appealing to you folks, but I really don't care," Kelly said. "We're trying to win football games.

In the first week after I got the job, I spoke with every player on the team and I told them, 'I'm not tearing it down,'" Darche said in The Athletic.

The New Orleans Saints have released safety J.T.Gray, head coach Kellen Moore said on Monday. Gray, who joined the Saints in 2018 as an undrafted rookie free agent, was a special teams standout and team captain. He has been a first-team All-Pro Selection twice and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 as a special teamer.

"He's like a lightning bolt. I saw the crease, knew he was gone," Patriots quarterback Drake Maye told reporters. "Pretty cool, the first time he touches the football, it's a touchdown. Credit to the guys that did the blocking up front. That's special teams and all three phases. Special teams got a chance to be big for us this year."

"We need Marcus to be an elite punt returner and his ability to help the offense and be able to gain extra first downs," said coach Mike Vrabel.

Football training practices without pads are viewed as unengaging and less authentic experiences by both players like tight end George Kittle and coach Kyle Shanahan. Coach Shanahan specifically expressed his discomfort with non-padded practices, emphasizing the importance of pads for safety and preparation for actual gameplay. He mentioned the need for patience during this phase, hoping to ease into a productive practice session by the time pads are introduced after four designated days without them, in adherence to the NFLPA collective bargaining agreement.

The Rangers special teams construction and deployment will undergo an overhaul, including the need for a new net-front man on the power play.

After shutting out the Phantoms in Game 1, the Bears failed to win again, suffering a playoff defeat fueled by poor special teams, specifically relinquishing shorthanded goals.