INSIDE THE NFC
Peterson gets start. Redskins running back Adrian Peterson debuted against the Broncos in last month’s third preseason game. He carried 11 times for 56 yards in the first half, enough for coach Jay Gruden to start Peterson at Arizona. Now 33 and a three-time NFL rushing champion (2008, ’12 and 15), Peterson is out to show he has something left. He averaged only 3.4 yards per carry on 156 attempts last year for New Orleans and the Cardinals.
Mack attack. Sunday nightap Chicago-Green Bay game picked up some juice when the Bears traded for pass rusher Khalil Mack last weekend. Mack had seasons of four, 15, 11 and 10 1/2 sacks for the Raiders. “Anytime you get a player of his ability, it helps make the players around him better,” Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. But don’t anoint the Bears into a playoff contender just yet. Mack put up terrific numbers with the Raiders and made the playoffs once. It does jump-start the Bears’ rebuilding effort.
Daunting challenge. Tampa Bay turns to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for Weeks 1-3 as Jameis Winston is suspended. The Buccaneers’ schedule is at New Orleans, vs. Philadelphia (which will have 10 days off) and vs. Pittsburgh on a Monday night (negating the Gulf Coast heat advantage). “We went 2-1 last year with Fitz as our quarterback,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “We’ve got to play well around him.”
Peters’ debut. Last weekend, the Bears did the Broncos a favor by getting Mack out of the AFC West. Earlier this offseason, the Rams acquired Kansas City cornerback Marcus Peters, benefiting the Broncos. In a Los Angeles Times story, Rams general manager Les Snead said Chiefs counterpart Brett Veach started the talks by reaching out to him. Peters debuts Monday night against Oakland.
Receiver by committee. Dallas released Dez Bryant during the offseason and are going the by-committee route, starting Sunday at Carolina. The Cowboys don’t have a No. 1, but believe a bunch of No. 2s will thrive. Allen Hurns (formerly of Jacksonville), Tavon Austin (formerly of the Rams) and Deonte Thompson (no catches last year for Dallas) are some of the candidates.
