CNN
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The Buffalo Payments continued their electrical begin to the brand new season on Monday night time – beating the Tennessee Titans 41-7 – however the night was mired by a scary-looking harm to one in every of their defenders.
Payments cornerback Dane Jackson was taken to the hospital in an ambulance after struggling a neck harm throughout a collision with a teammate close to the tip of the primary half.
Jackson’s neck bent backwards awkwardly after colliding with Tremaine Edmunds whereas making a sort out late within the first half. He was positioned on a stretcher earlier than being loaded into an ambulance and brought to the hospital.
In a statement, the Payments mentioned Jackson was “taken to ECMC (Hospital) for analysis of a neck harm” the place he would get a CT scan and an X-ray. The group additionally mentioned he had “full motion in extremities.”
After the sport, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said he was “awaiting extra updates” about Jackson’s standing, however the group was “all sending our prayers for him.”
Jackson’s harm was one of many few negatives to what was a particularly fruitful Monday night time for the Payments as they thrashed the Titans.
Quarterback Josh Allen threw for 317 yards and 4 touchdowns – together with three to Stefon Diggs and one to Reggie Gilliam – as he dissected the Titans.
On the opposite aspect of the ball, the Payments protection managed to stifle Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry and the Titans offense.
Though Henry was capable of rating an opening-drive landing, the 2020 Offensive Participant of the Yr wasn’t capable of actually get going in opposition to a stout run protection.
Each Matt Milano and Jordan Poyer intercepted Tannehill – with Milano working his again 43 yards for a touchdown – as Buffalo compelled 4 turnovers to maintain their foot on the pedal.
Such was the extent of dominance, each groups launched their back-up quarterbacks close to the tip of the sport to keep away from injuring their starters.
The connection between Allen and Diggs has proved pivotal within the Payments’ rise to the highest as many individuals’s Tremendous Bowl favorites, with Diggs ending Monday night time with 12 receptions for 148 yards and the three TDs.
After a dynamic sport within the season-opening victory in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams final week, Diggs grew to become the primary NFL participant since Steve Smith in 2007 with at the very least 250 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns in his group’s first two video games of a season.
And Allen – who leads the NFL with eight touchdowns after two weeks – mentioned he’s loving taking part in with such a talented extensive receiver.
“It felt good getting him the ball early and sometimes. He did an amazing job getting open, making performs, making some nice catches,” Allen said after the sport.
“He’s what he’s: it’s Stefon Diggs. We all know he is among the biggest, if not the best, receivers within the sport proper now. I belief him implicitly.”
The Payments at the moment are 2-0 and nonetheless among the many favorites to problem for a Tremendous Bowl berth whereas the Titans – who have been the No. 1 seed within the AFC convention final 12 months – stay winless.
