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49ers cornerback Ward trashes Cardinals receiver Hopkins, calling him 'steroid boy'

The 49ers won the contest convincingly 38-10 as the Cardinals were without starting quarterback Kyler Murray, missing his second consecutive game through injury.

Despite the Cardinals' struggles, Hopkins managed a productive outing, catching nine passes for 91 yards from his 12 targets. Since his return from a six-week suspension for traces of performance enhancing drugs in his system, Hopkins leads the NFL in both targets and catches.

However, speaking to the 49ers' radio broadcast after the win, Ward took the opportunity to trash the five-time All-Pro, calling him "steroid boy".

"D-Hop, he think he a tough guy," he said. "He think he still one of the best receivers in the league, and he really not.

"He was getting locked up. He was doing some dirty things. He tried to clip me, he grabbed me by the throat. He grabbed my facemask on one play, so I don’t respect his game. That’s steroid boy."

Ward, who arrived as a key free agent signing in the offseason from the Kansas City Chiefs, led the 49ers in total tackles in the game, tying his season-high with 10.

It was the third consecutive week the 49ers' defense have not allowed a single point in the second half, leading to three wins on the trot to climb atop the NFC West with a 6-4 record.

A. J. Green signing for Cardinals after 10 years with Bengals

Wide receiver Green, 32, has made it to seven Pro Bowls since the Bengals selected him at number four overall in 2011.

According to widespread reports, he is poised to join the Cardinals on a one-year deal worth up to $8.5million.

Green has been one of the NFL's top wide receivers over the course of his career and is second in Bengals history for catches (649), receiving yards (9,430) and receiving touchdowns (65), behind only Chad Johnson in all categories.

His threat has diminished somewhat of late, though, with his last Pro Bowl appearance coming in 2017.

Green had 47 catches for 523 yards and two touchdowns in 2020, playing in every game after missing the entire 2019 campaign through a serious ankle injury.

The Cardinals are hoping some key veteran additions to join promising young quarterback Kyler Murray can power them to a Super Bowl run.

Green joins a receiving corps that contains five-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins and, if he opts to continue playing, Larry Fitzgerald.

They also signed three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt on a two-year, $28m pact following his Houston Texans departure.

After a promising start, the Cardinals slowed to finish last season at 8-8 and have not had a winning record at the end of a campaign since reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2015.

Arizona Cardinals acquire disgruntled Carolina Panthers WR Robbie Anderson

Draft compensation was undisclosed as Anderson's career with the Panthers ended on a sour note.

The seven-year veteran was sent to the locker room by interim coach Steve Wilks in the second half of Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Earlier in the game, Anderson got into a heated argument with position coach Joe Dailey before being separated by teammates.

Later in the third quarter, he again exchanged words with Dailey before Wilks, who was coaching his first game after Matt Rhule was fired last week, sent him off.

He now joins a 2-4 Cardinals team that could be without leading receiver Marquise Brown after he suffered a left ankle injury late in Sunday's 19-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

In fact, Kyler Murray will have a pair of new weapons at his disposal for Arizona's Thursday night game against the New Orleans Saints with DeAndre Hopkins set to rejoin the team with his six-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs now over.

Hopkins had 42 catches and eight touchdowns last season in only 10 games.

Anderson caught five passes for 102 yards with a touchdown in the season opener for Carolina but was limited to just eight receptions for 104 yards without a score in the next five games.

He was not targeted a single time in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Signed to a two-year, $29.5million extension through 2023 prior to last season, the 29-year-old Anderson was upset about being taken out on third down when he believed he should be on the field.

"It's third down, it's a money down. I don't think I should be okay with that [being taken out],'' Anderson said.

"So I made a comment on why I was taken out.

"Honestly, I was confused because I have never been told get out of the game. And, you know, upset by that. Nobody that is a true competitor would be OK with that.''

Competitor or not, Wilks said his behaviour was unacceptable.

"No one is bigger than the team," Wilks told reporters. "I'm not going to focus and put a lot of attention on one individual… I'm not putting a lot of energy into one individual."

Prior to joining the Panthers in 2020, Anderson spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the New York Jets.

Arizona Cardinals cancel meetings so players can honour George Floyd

Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis last week, sparking protests at police brutality and racial injustice across the United States and beyond.

The Cardinals issued a statement on Monday saying they were "committed" to being part of a "meaningful societal change".

Three days later running back Kenyan Drake revealed players of the NFC West franchise had been given the day off meetings in order to honour Floyd.

"Cardinals have granted us the day off from meetings to honour George Floyd's memorial," he wrote on Twitter.

"We are but a small cog in a big machine but gestures like these create dialogue and expands the vision to help take the next steps for a better tomorrow. Peace and love."

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jeff Gladney dies in car accident

The Dallas County Sheriff's Office announced that at 2:28am, first-responders attended a scene where two cars collided.

One other person died in the crash. The second victim has not been identified as the incident remains under investigation.

The Cardinals confirmed Gladney's death in a brief statement.

"We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney's passing. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and all who are mourning this tremendous loss," the statement read.

Gladney, 25, was a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings after a glittering college career at TCU, where he became close friends with Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jalen Reagor.

Responding to the news, Reagor tweeted out: "Lost my brother, my best friend, my right hand man… ain't too much more I can take man damn! R.I.P Jeff Gladney, brother watch over me please."

J.J. Watt was one of several of Gladney's Cardinals teammates to also pay their respects, saying: "Horrifying news to hear this morning. Just tragic. Rest in peace Jeff."

Gladney's former team, the Vikings, also offered their condolences.

"We are saddened by the tragic death of former Viking Jeff Gladney," the franchise said. "Our hearts go out to his family and friends, as well as the Arizona Cardinals organisation and Jeff’s current and former teammates and coaches who are mourning his life lost much too soon."

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim taking leave of absence

Keim is in his 10th year as the Cardinals' GM and has been with the team in some capacity since 1999, when he was hired as a regional scout.

He was signed to a contract extension through 2027 in March after Arizona finished last season 11-6 before a wild card loss to the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams.

"Out of respect for privacy - which is required by law - the team will refrain from commenting further," the Cardinals said in a statement.

Keim's duties will be handled on an interim basis by VP of Personnel Quentin Harris and VP of Pro Personnel Adrian Wilson.

At 4-9, the Cardinals will miss the playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons, and will remain without a postseason victory since 2016.

Star quarterback Kyler Murray was lost to an ACL tear in Monday night's defeat to the New England Patriots and is expected to have surgery after Christmas.

In 2018, Keim was suspended for five weeks and fined $200,000 by the team following a guilty plea to extreme DUI.

Arizona Cardinals hire Eagles' Jonathan Gannon as head coach

Gannon makes the move to Arizona two days after the Eagles lost the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Cardinals.

The deal, which was announced on Tuesday, is for five years. Forty-year-old Gannon becomes Arizona’s fourth coach in seven years and replaces Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired after the team ended the 2022 season on a seven-game losing streak to finish 4-13.

"I am super excited about the opportunity," Gannon said in a statement. "I look forward to getting my hands on the players and putting a winning product on the field."

Serving as the Eagles' defensive coordinator in the past two seasons, Gannon helped Philadelphia to an NFC title behind a relentless defence.

This past season, the Eagles ranked second in total defence (301.5 yards per game) and led the NFL with 70 sacks – 15 more than the next-closest team.

The defense registered eight more sacks while yielding just 14 total points in their first two playoff wins before struggling to stop the high-powered Chiefs in the Super Bowl, surrendering 24 second-half points in blowing a 10-point halftime lead while failing to sack Patrick Mahomes.

Gannon now takes over a Cardinals team in transition with approximately 30 unrestricted free agents.

With his hiring, Gannon became the second Philadelphia coordinator to be named a head coach within hours after offensive coordinator Shane Steichen was hired by the Indianapolis Colts earlier on Tuesday.

Arizona Cardinals to play 2020 home game in Mexico City

The franchise described giving up a game at their State Farm Stadium home as a "necessary move" after Arizona was awarded the hosting rights to Super Bowl LVII.

An opponent and a date for the fixture have yet to be confirmed.

Arizona played the league's first game in Mexico City back in 2005, beating the San Francisco 49ers 31-14 in front of a then NFL-record crowd of 103,467.

In Friday's announcement, Cardinals chairman and president Michael Bidwill said; "Two years ago when the NFL awarded Super Bowl LVII to Arizona and State Farm Stadium, we understood the requirement of hosting an international game before 2023.

"We are thrilled to learn that this game will take place at Estadio Azteca where we received such an enthusiastic reception in 2005.

"We are extremely grateful for the support we receive from fans in Mexico and look forward to an incredible experience"

After that 2005 fixture, Estadio Azteca has played host to three further NFL games. Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers in Mexico City in the 2019 season.

The Cardinals finished last in the NFC West with a 5-10-1 record in 2019, but the rapid development of quarterback Kyler Murray, the first overall pick in last year's draft, offered hope of a quick turnaround for Arizona.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown to miss at least a month with foot injury

Coach Kliff Kingsbury gave the injury update Wednesday, and although he admitted he didn’t know the exact nature of the injury, he said it won’t require surgery.

"It looks like it’ll be indefinite. I think at least a month, I would say," he said via video from Bo Brack of PHNX Cardinals podcast. "We’ll evaluate it and go from there."

It was originally being reported that Brown would be sidelined at least six weeks after he was injured in Sunday’s 19-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Brown ranks fifth in the NFL with 43 receptions and has the seventh-most receiving yards with 485, while his three receiving touchdowns account for half of Kyler Murray’s TD passes.

Murray, though, will have a pair of new weapons at his disposal for Arizona’s Thursday night game against the New Orleans Saints.

Robbie Anderson will make his Cardinals debut after being acquired from the Carolina Panthers on Monday, and DeAndre Hopkins will rejoin the team with his six-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs now over.

Arizona Cardinals: Secondary help & support for Kyler next on the list after J.J. Watt lands in desert

For the second year running, the Cardinals took advantage of the dysfunction enveloping the Houston Texans to land a star player whom they hope will push them towards the playoffs.

J.J. Watt has linked up with former Texans team-mate DeAndre Hopkins, signing a two-year deal to provide a significant boost to the Cardinals' defense.

While Watt should unquestionably improve the Cardinals' odds of stopping opposing attacks, Arizona will need to take several other steps this offseason to have a chance of emerging from a hyper-competitive NFC West and progressing to the playoffs.

The Cardinals looked ready to make such a leap in 2020 in the second year of the Kliff Kingsbury-Kyler Murray experience.

But an ugly finish to an 8-8 season suggested this is still a team some way from true championship contention.

Using Stats Perform data, we look at what was learned from that campaign and what the Cardinals must do in 2021 to ensure they have a winning record and are playing postseason football next season.

Offense

The Arizona offense was in the top half of the NFL in terms of yards per play, their average of 5.68 putting them 14th.

However, the lack of progression from the passing game, even after the addition of Hopkins, held the Cardinals back from becoming one of the league's elite offenses.

Arizona finished the year 18th in pass yards per play (6.48) but were ninth in rushing average (4.67).

The Cardinals' underperformance in the passing game was not for lack of effort on Murray's part.

Indeed, his completion percentage jumped from 64.4 in 2019 to 67.2, his passing yardage improved from 3,722 to 3,971 and he threw 26 touchdowns compared to 20 a year earlier.

Yet his yards per attempt average of 7.12 was still only good enough for 22nd in the NFL, while his interception percentage of 2.2 was the third-most among quarterbacks to have started all 16 games.

Given Kingsbury's expertise in the Air Raid offense, a system renowned for its reliance on downfield passing concepts, Murray's tally of 44 completions of 20 yards or more - tied for 15th in the NFL - was disappointing.

But the Cardinals should continue to be excited about the offense's potential when they fully harness Murray's upside as a deep-ball thrower. Among the quarterbacks with at least 25 attempts of 21 or more air yards, his passer rating of 127.4 on such throws was the third-best.

One of the most exciting dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL, Murray again added significant value as a runner, rushing for 819 yards and 11 touchdowns. With 419 of those yards on scrambles, Murray continues to be one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league when the pocket breaks down.

Hopkins enjoyed a monster first season in Arizona - his 1,407 receiving yards were the third-most in the NFL - but the numbers suggest he could use more help.

Deep threat Christian Kirk had six touchdowns but esteemed veteran Larry Fitzgerald's yards per catch average of 7.6 was the lowest of his remarkable career, indicating he may be reaching the limits of his longevity and that a more dynamic third option is required.

Defense

Watt joins a defense that performed at a high level in 2020.

The Cardinals allowed 5.34 yards per play, the eighth-least in the NFL, while their average of 5.86 yards per pass play allowed ranked sixth in the league.

Their success in that regard came despite losing star edge rusher Chandler Jones to a torn bicep, the three-time Pro Bowler denied the chance to maintain his streak of having double-digit sacks in every season of his Cardinals career.

Stepping up in Jones' absence was Haason Reddick, who posted a career-high 12.5 sacks - including five in one game against the New York Giants - and 15 tackles for loss along with 16 quarterback hits.

His contributions down the stretch helped the Cardinals produce 109 negative plays from their opponents for a total of minus 477 yards, the fourth-best mark in the league.

Taking that into account, their takeaway tally of 21 may be seen as disappointing, though it was in line with the league average.

Arizona's inability to trouble the upper echelon in terms of takeaways could be partially attributed to the play of veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Peterson had a burn percentage of 64.1 in 2020. A burn occurs when a receiver is open for a number of yards that take up a certain percentage of yards to go for a first down, depending on the down. The yardage is attributed to the defender regardless of whether the receiver catches the pass.

He gave up 590 burn yards and had six burns for touchdowns, both team highs.

The Cardinals have added a veteran presence to the front seven in Watt but, as with Fitzgerald in the receiving corps, a more youthful talent may be required to take on Peterson's role and help Arizona make key improvements in the secondary.

Offseason

Fitzgerald and Peterson make up two of Arizona's 23 unrestricted free agents this offseason, though if the former is not back it will likely be because he has decided to hang up the cleats.

Peterson appears set to play his football elsewhere, with the Cardinals lacking the resources and perhaps the appetite to re-sign him based on his 2020 performance.

The Cardinals are projected to have a little over $17.5million in cap space, assuming a salary cap of $185m, just above the league average.

Arizona's addition of Watt to bolster the pass rush may mean Reddick and Markus Golden, who also helped fill the void in Jones' 2020 absence, are allowed to walk in free agency. Running back Kenyan Drake appears another likely departure.

The draft is the likely avenue on which the Cardinals will focus most of their attention as they attempt to further supplement a roster that fell just shy of the postseason.

Picking 16th in the first round, Arizona will be in a decent spot to address the cornerback position and find a replacement for Peterson who can help them better defend three NFC West rivals who all possess explosive offenses when at their best.

Watt's arrival should improve their odds of keeping their division rivals in check but, after a strong showing on defense last year, this Cardinals offseason is one that will also be defined by what they do in terms of making life easier for Murray.

Stronger depth at receiver and more dynamism at tight end, something which the Cardinals have long since lacked, should be on Arizona's wishlist.

If they can check off those items and put a support system around Murray that allows him to have a breakout year three, the Cardinals will be in a good spot to celebrate a first playoff berth since the 2015 season. Should they fail, Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim's jobs may come under severe scrutiny.

At least six teams gauging the Cardinals' interest in trading third pick of NFL Draft

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, at least six teams have contacted the Cardinals to gauge their asking price.

Arizona are believed to be open to trading the pick due to the fact that they content with Kyler Murray as their franchise quarterback going forward, and with the top two picks almost assuredly going to be used on quarterback prospects, pick three is viewed as the only chance to trade up and get one of the class' best arms.

The Carolina Panthers recently traded up from pick nine to the Chicago Bears' top overall selection with the clear goal to select their quarterback of the future, and in addition to pick nine they sent away pick 61, a 2024 first-rounder, a 2025 second-rounder, and their top wide receiver D.J. Moore.

It has the potential to be a franchise-altering haul for the Bears, and while the package for what is essentially the third-best quarterback prospect in the class will be significantly less than the price to have your pick of the bunch, a bidding war could be just what the Cardinals need.

If they were to stay put at three and make a selection, the Cardinals would likely take the best non-quarterback on the board, and the consensus there is Alabama edge-rusher Will Anderson.

Anderson would immediately become one of the Cardinals' most valuable players, but a roster with so many holes needs more than one defensive player to get things back on track.

Arizona also hold three more top-100 picks – at 34, 66 and 96 – and four more in the later rounds, so a strong return for their top selection could set the franchise up for a quick turnaround.

Bears WR Javon Wims gets two-game ban for punching Gardner-Johnson

Wims was ejected in the third quarter of the Bears' 23-26 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday after he approached Gardner-Johnson and twice struck him on the helmet, sparking a brawl between the teams.

Gardner-Johnson denied a report that Wims' actions came in response to the Saints safety spitting at him, telling ESPN: "It ain't got nothing to do with me."

The wideout, who can appeal against the decision, is set to miss games against the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings.

An NFL statement read: "Javon Wims of the Chicago Bears has been suspended without pay for two games for violations of unsportsmanlike conduct rules in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.

"NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan issued the suspension for a violation of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 14(c) which prohibits striking, swinging at, or clubbing the head, neck, or face of an opponent with the wrist(s), arm(s), elbow(s), or hand(s), as well as Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 which prohibits any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship."

The Bears' NFC North rivals the Green Bay Packers announced on Monday that running back A.J. Dillon had had tested positive for COVID-19 and was self-isolating.

Marlon Humphrey also confirmed he had contracted coronavirus following Baltimore's 28-24 loss to the Pittsburgh, though the Steelers announced all their players were negative following the clash with the Ravens.

Linebacker Devon Kennard revealed he was one of two Arizona Cardinals players to test positive in the wake of their 37-34 win against the Seattle Seahawks.

Bengals place franchise tag on A.J. Green, Cardinals give Drake transition tag

The Bengals icon was scheduled to be a free agent when the new league year begins on Wednesday but will now move into a 10th season with the team.

Green, 31, will earn around $18million in 2020 if he opts to sign the tag, with the team having until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal before the new season.

Amid a stellar career that has seen him earn seven Pro Bowl selections, the wide receiver sits second in Bengals history when it comes to receptions (602), receiving yards (8,907) and receiving touchdowns (63).

Green has been the subject of trade rumours after missing all of last season due to an ankle injury suffered in training camp, having only played nine games in 2018, with the team struggling in his absence.

But the franchise tag means Green remains under the control of the Bengals, who hold the number one overall pick in April's NFL Draft which they are expected to use on LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.

"A.J. has been a big part of this team for a long time," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said after the franchise tag decision was announced on Monday.

"Now that he's healthy, I am excited to see what he will add to our offense this year."

With the legal tampering period for NFL free agents beginning on Monday, teams have been making key roster moves.

The Arizona Cardinals opted to hand the transition tag to running back Kenyan Drake, who they acquired in a trade with the Miami Dolphins last season.

Drake will initially be contracted for one year at around $8.4m but is free to negotiate with other teams. If he signs an offer sheet elsewhere, the Cardinals will have the opportunity to match the deal under the terms of the tag.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots are reportedly applying the franchise tag to guard Joe Thuney at an estimated cost of $14m.

Thuney had looked poised to become one of the top offensive linemen hitting the open market but will now stay in New England, where the future of QB Tom Brady is dominating the agenda.

Bill O'Brien defends DeAndre Hopkins trade

Three-time All-Pro Hopkins is one of the NFL's finest wide receivers having amassed 8,602 receiving yards and 54 touchdowns in the seven seasons since Houston selected him in the first round of the 2013 draft.

However, in a stunning trade last month, he was moved to the Cardinals along with a fourth-round draft pick this year in exchange for running back David Johnson and two selections in the second and fourth rounds over the next two years.

O'Brien explained that Hopkins, who is under contract for the next three years, wanted an improved deal that the Texans were unwilling to offer.

"I would say the deal with Arizona was a deal that we felt was in the best interest of our team," O'Brien said on a conference call with Texans season-ticket holders.

"DeAndre Hopkins was a great football player here. He made so many plays for us. We love DeAndre Hopkins. But he had three years left on his deal and he wanted a raise. And we weren't going to be able to go in that direction.

"We felt like we had a great offer from Arizona that involved picks. That involved an excellent three-down running back who is hungry and humble and just can't wait to get started. David Johnson is going to be a great addition to our football team.

"There's a lot of things that go into trades. Lot of thoughts that go in. How much are you going to take on contractually? How much does it take to buy that second-round pick, that number 40 pick?

"What type of player are you bringing in? What type of player are you losing and what is in the best interest of the team?"

It is not the first time O'Brien, who also acts as the general manager in Houston, has been involved in a blockbuster trade.

Three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney was shipped to the Seattle Seahawks last year while the Texans have no first-round picks in the next two drafts due to the package O'Brien sent to the Miami Dolphins to land left tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Kenny Stills.

"Capital T capital E capital A capital M - everything that we do is made with the team in mind," O'Brien added.

"We don't think about one player; we think about the future."

Bills place quartet on reserve/COVID-19 list after Josh Norman tests positive

Norman's test result means he has not travelled with the team for Sunday's clash with the Arizona Cardinals, as the in-form Bills aim to stretch their unbeaten run to four games.

The AFC East leaders will also be without another cornerback in Levi Wallace, as well as safety Dean Marlowe, leaving them with a depleted secondary against Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

Tight end Tyler Kroft is the other player added to the list, as per the NFL's protocols with regards close contact amid the ongoing pandemic.

"The Bills were informed this morning that CB Josh Norman has tested positive for COVID-19," Buffalo said in a statement on Saturday.

"Norman was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will not travel and play in Sunday's game at Arizona.

"Per NFL contact tracing protocols, three others players – TE Tyler Kroft, CB Levi Wallace and S Dean Marlowe – have been defined to have been in close contact and have been placed on reserve/COVID-19 list. They will not travel for Sunday's game.

"Defensive assistant coach Leonard Johnson will not travel to Arizona as well."

The Bills sit at 7-2 for the season, the franchise's best start through nine games since 1993, a campaign that saw them go on to make their fourth straight Super Bowl appearance.

Brady hits milestone in Bucs rout as Stafford's Rams survive Lions scare

With a nine-yard strike to Mike Evans in the closing seconds of the first quarter, Brady became the first NFL quarterback to throw 600 touchdown passes.

The 44-year-old – 20-of-36 passing for 211 yards – would finish the game with 602 for his career, all four of his TD tosses going for fewer than 10 yards and three of them landing in Evans' hands.

Blaine Gabbert took over at quarterback for Brady midway through the fourth quarter with the game well in hand as the Buccaneers improved to 6-1.

Brady's opposite number, Bears rookie QB Justin Fields, had a brutal day as he was sacked four times and threw three interceptions as Chicago failed to find the end zone.

Stafford, Rams survive Lions scare

The matchup between Super Bowl contenders the Los Angeles Rams and the winless Detroit Lions finished with the expected result, but the Rams' 28-19 win was much closer than anticipated.

The Rams (6-1) trailed 19-17 entering the fourth quarter and needed a five-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp early in the period to take the lead and a 47-yard Matt Gay field goal with just over a minute to play to seal the win.

Stafford completed 28 of 41 passes for 334 yards and three TDs against the team he played for in the first 12 years of his career, while former Rams QB Jared Goff threw a pair of costly interceptions for the Lions (0-7).

Kupp became the first player in the Super Bowl era to have 800-plus receiving yards and nine-plus receiving touchdowns in his team's first seven games of a season.

While the Lions remained the only winless team in the league after Week 7, the Arizona Cardinals (7-0) maintained their status as the lone team with a perfect record, routing the Houston Texans 31-5 behind three TD passes by Kyler Murray.

Brady lauds 'comfortable' Buccaneers in pressure situations after overtime win

The Bucs rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 19-16 and keep a one-game lead atop the NFC South.

Brady completed 26 of 42 passes in regular time, with one touchdown pass to Rachaad White with eight minutes remaining, before throwing six from six to complete all of his passes in overtime.

It helped set up Ryan Succop's game-winning 40-yard field goal on the back of a nine-play 66-yard drive, and Brady acknowledged he and his team-mates believe they can thrive in pressure scenarios.

"If we keep it close in the fourth quarter, we know we've got a shot,” he said. "I think we’re all comfortable in those situations."

Leonard Fournette – who had nine receptions for 90 yards – was quick to pay tribute to Brady afterwards, suggesting their comeback was simply a by-product of what the seven-time Super Bowl champion brings to the field.

"That's just who he is," Fournette said. "He's been doing it for years. We're just playing a part in his greatness.

"[We] give him what he wants. He wants certain routes run certain ways. We're just here to try and make his job easier."

The Bucs have endured a tough year, with a 7-8 losing record, but they remain in with a postseason shot as they sit at the summit of NFC South ahead of the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints.

Brady leads Bucs rally with OT victory to move within one win of clinching NFC South

Ryan Succop kicked a 40-yard field goal with 3:41 remaining in overtime as the Bucs scored the final 13 points to put themselves in a position to win the NFC South with a victory next week against the Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay are now 7-8 ahead of the 6-9 Panthers in that division.

The Cardinals had led 16-6 with 10:47 remaining after running back James Conner ran into the endzone for a 22-yard touchdown.

But the Bucs responded when it mattered after an uninspired first half, with Leonard Fournette's 44-yard run leading to Brady finding Rachaad White to cut the margin to 16-13.

Tampa Bay won the ball back when Cardinals third-string QB Trace McSorley tried a quick pitch on a third-and-one to rookie Keaontay Ingram whose fumble fell kindly to Bucs defensive end William Gholston.

That allowed Succop to kick a 42-yard attempt to square the game up, eventually going to overtime with McSorley attempting a hail Mary pass as the clock expired.

In the first half, both sides had scored field goals in each quarter, while Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt's three tackles were a feature. Brady threw a third-quarter interception for Marco Wilson, his second of the game.

Brady completed 32 of 48 passes for 281 yards with one TD and two interceptions, while Fournette had 72 rushing yards from 20 carries along with 90 yards on nine receptions.

McSorley threw 24 of 45 passes for 217 yards, including a 47-yard gain for Marquise Brown, setting up Matt Prater's third field goal to give them the lead for the first time in the third quarter.

Brady leads Bucs rally with OT win to move within one win of clinching NFC South