There was no fourth-quarter magic for J.J. McCarthy in his second NFL start, as the Atlanta Falcons handled the Minnesota Vikings on the road to win their first game of the season, 22-6.

McCarthy stole a victory in Chicago last Monday after orchestrating a thrilling fourth quarter against the Bears. But the Falcons had all the answers for the young quarterback on “Sunday Night Football” to get in the win column. 

McCarthy went 11-of-21 through the air for 158 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a game where he had some chances for big plays, but he just didn’t have the right touch on his passes. With the lack of a successful run game, the Falcons were sending all types of pressure and McCarthy went down for six sacks. 

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But McCarthy’s opponent, Michael Penix Jr., wasn’t having the best of games at the quarterback position either. Penix was just 13-of-21 for 135 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also missed some throws that could’ve led to a touchdown earlier than Tyler Allgeier’s late fourth-quarter score, which was the dagger for the Falcons. 

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Allgeier’s five-yard rush was the only touchdown for either team in this game, as it was a field goal battle throughout with both teams struggling to convert on red zone chances. Parker Romo, the Falcons’ new kicker as Younghoe Koo was benched after a rough week 1 performance, was up for the challenge as he knocked in all five of his field goal attempts, including his longest from 54 yards out. 

Though the pass game wasn’t efficient for Atlanta, star running back Bijan Robinson picked up the slack with 143 rushing yards on 22 carries to lead the game in that category. Drake London was the leading receiver for the Falcons with 49 yards on three receptions. 

For the Vikings, Justin Jefferson had 81 yards, though he caught just three passes. After McCarthy’s second interception of the game on the Vikings’ final drive, Jefferson was noticeably frustrated on the sideline, but who wouldn’t be when the offense truly clicked in the fourth quarter this past week? 

McCarthy and the Vikings will hope to be more consistent from start to finish next week when they face the Cincinnati Bengals, who are expected to be without quarterback Joe Burrow after he suffered a toe injury on Sunday. 

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Meanwhile, the Falcons hit the road again, but against an NFC South rival in the Carolina Panthers next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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The Indianapolis Colts are a surprising 2-0 team to start the 2025 NFL season, but that record wouldn’t be possible without an unusual play that went their way after the clock hit zero in the fourth quarter.

The Denver Broncos appeared to secure a road win when Spencer Shrader’s 60-yard field-goal attempt came up short and wide right. Denver led 28-26 and, despite failing to score in the fourth quarter, began celebrating what looked like a victory.

But officials threw a flag, calling a leverage penalty on the Broncos. It is illegal to use a teammate on the kicking line to elevate oneself and attempt to block a kick, which is what Denver was penalized for.

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That gave the Colts an untimed down despite the clock expiring. Shrader moved 15 yards closer, and from 45 yards out drilled the kick through the uprights as Lucas Oil Stadium erupted in celebration of an improbable 29-28 win.

The victory wasn’t just about the final play. Denver also made critical mistakes throughout, including kicker Wil Lutz clanking a 42-yard attempt off the right upright on the previous drive that would have extended the lead.

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Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, who went 22-of-30 for 206 yards and three touchdowns, also threw a costly interception in Colts territory early in the fourth quarter, taking points off the board.

Meanwhile, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones continued his hot start to the season with another efficient outing. He finished 23-of-34 for 316 yards and a touchdown, adding another score on a quarterback sneak. 

That followed his Week 1 performance against Miami, where he rushed for two touchdowns and threw for one in a 33-8 win.

Tight end Tyler Warren led Indianapolis with 79 receiving yards on four catches, while Alec Pierce added four receptions for 68 yards. Jonathan Taylor powered the ground game with 165 rushing yards and caught two passes, including Jones’ touchdown throw in the second quarter.

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The Colts now turn their attention to their first divisional matchup of the season, a Week 3 showdown against the Tennessee Titans.

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MADRID:

Record 15-time kings of Europe Real Madrid open their new Champions League campaign on Tuesday against Marseille hoping they now have the coach and squad to reconquer the throne.

Madrid refreshed their squad this summer with several new signings at a cost of around 170 million euros ($200 million) and hired former midfielder Xabi Alonso to replace veteran Carlo Ancelotti.

Los Blancos were dismantled 5-1 on aggregate by Arsenal in last season’s quarter-finals, underlining the need to take a step forward both tactically and in terms of personnel.

With a top-heavy attack as Ancelotti insisted on regularly lining up with a ‘fantastic four’ of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Jude Bellingham, Madrid’s defence was easily fractured.

Ancelotti could not find the right strategy to protect the team and although Mbappe hit top form in the second half of the season, star power alone was not enough against Europe’s elite.

Madrid suffered six defeats in the competition, including against Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan, ending the season without a major trophy and seeing bitter rivals Barcelona lift a domestic treble.

French superstar Mbappe has started the season in spectacular form with four goals in four La Liga matches, but Madrid fans are equally impressed by the solidity Alonso has installed so far.

Madrid have two clean sheets and survived playing for an hour with 10 men against Real Sociedad on Saturday to win and maintain their 100 percent start to their league campaign.

“The assessment, after playing for so long with one fewer player, is that we had some good phases, phases in which we knew how to dig deep,” said Alonso, pleased with his team’s collective hard work, which was not always evident last season.

“The players made a huge effort and dug deep for the benefit of the team.”

Unlike Ancelotti, Alonso has already shown flexibility, both in terms of his approach and selection.

Winger Vinicius Junior was dropped for the league match against Real Oviedo and brought off early as he struggled against Real Sociedad.

With the expanded Champions League format meaning teams play eight group matches, Alonso suggested he will be rotating his line-ups in the weeks ahead.

“We’re going to need everyone. We’re in a period with a lot of matches,” said the Basque coach.

“It’s important for everyone to be involved so that we can be competitive and consistent in our performance.”

That consistency was lacking last season as Madrid would flip-flop between superb and sorry in Ancelotti’s final year.

– Ancelotti, Zidane legacy –

Despite the disappointing ending Alonso has big shoes to fill at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti managed to win the Champions League three times with the club, equalling Zinedine Zidane’s trio of triumphs, all six coming in the past 12 seasons.

Nicknamed Mister Champions, Ancelotti has a record five trophies as a coach.

Alonso finished as a Europa League final runner-up with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and is at the start of his coaching career.

The Spaniard, who played in midfield for Liverpool and Real Madrid, won the Champions League with each of those clubs as a player.

Adding to those as a coach is the key for his longevity at Real Madrid, who value the Champions League above all other trophies.

Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras’ arrivals have bolstered Madrid’s defence, which was flagging last season, while starlet Franco Mastantuono adds guile in attack.

Bellingham has been sidelined for the start of the campaign after shoulder surgery and will add yet more options for Alonso when he returns in the next few weeks.

With Mbappe at his best and the team showing positive signs at the start of the season, Madrid supporters are optimistic they can hold their own against the continent’s best once more.