NFL 2024 Week 5 Recap
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons was the Thursday night game. In the first half, these division rivals put up the points early and often. After an opening touchback, Kirk Cousins went deep to Pitts for 32 yards. On 3rd and 7 from the Tampa Bay 33, Cousins hit London for 15. Cousins hit London again for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. The Buccaneers too over at their own 37. Baker Mayfield hit Mike Evans for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the Atlanta 43, Mayfield hit Evans for 9. On 3rd and 9 from the Atlanta 33, Mayfield went to Cade Otton for 15 and to Chris Godwin for 16. Mayfield hit Evans for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
After a touchback the Falcons moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Tampa Bay 19. Cousins was sacked. Last week’s hero Younghoe Koo missed a 41 yard field goal try that would have given the Falcons the lead. Chase Mclaughlin did hit a 53 yarder to put the Buccaneers up 10-7. After a touchback, the Falcons faced a 3rd and 3 at their own 37. Cousins hit Mooney for 7. The second quarter began with the Falcons at their own 44. defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. On 2nd and 12 from the Tampa 43, Cousins hit Hodge for 22. On 3rd and 13 from the Tampa 24, Cousins went to Mooney for the touchdown to make it 14-10 Falcons. A 53 yard kickoff return set up the Buccaneers at the Atlanta 44. Mayfield went to Otton for 22 and to Evans for a 23 yard touchdown to make it 17-14 Buccaneers. After a touchback the Falcons moved to a 4th and 6 at the Tampa Bay 36. Koo nailed a 54 yard field goal for a 17-17 tie.
The Buccaneers took over at their own 18. Irving gained 11. White then ripped off a 56 yard gain. Irving caught a pass from Mayfield for 9 and ran for 4. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Mayfield went to Shepard for a touchdown to make it 24-17 Buccaneers with 1:54 left in the half. After a touchback, the Falcons quickly moved to the Tampa Bay 31. Yet a sack of Cousins killed the drive. Raheem Morris opted against a 57 yard field goal try with 19 seconds left in the half, punting instead. In the third quarter the Falcons moved from their own 20 to a 1st and 10 at the Tampa Bay 18. Consecutive sacks killed the drive. Koo hit a 48 yard field goal to get the Falcons within 24-20. After a touchback the Buccaneers moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Atlanta 7. Mayfield was sacked. McLaughlin hit a 32 yard field goal to make it 27-20 Buccaneers.
After another touchback the Falcons soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 32 Cousins went to McCloud for 22. Robinson ran for 25. The Falcons began the fourth quarter at the Tampa 18 yard line. On 3rd and 2 from the 10, Tyler Allgeier lost 2 yards. With almost the entire fourth quarter left, a field goal on 4th and 4 would have been reasonable. Yet Raheem Morris wanted to tie the game now. He gambled, and Cousins hit Mooney for the 12 yard touchdown and a 27-27 ballgame.
After a touchback, the Buccaneers moved to a 4th and 6 at the Atlanta 35. McLaughlin nailed the 53 yard field goal to put the Buccaneers back in front 30-27 with a full 10 1/2 minutes still left in regulation. After a touchback the Falcons moved to a 3rd and 6 at the Tampa Bay 36. Cousins threw incomplete. With 6 1/2 minutes left to play, Koo came in for a 54 yard field goal try to tie the game yet again. It was not to be, as his kick was blocked.
The Buccaneers moved from their own 44 to a 1st and 10 at the Atlanta 32. A touchdown would lock up the win. Instead, the Buccaneers fumbled and the Falcons recovered at their own 25 with 2:50 left. Now they had a chance to win. Yet a run lost yards and Cousins was sacked. Forced to go for it on 4th and 15 from their own 20, Cousins was intercepted. The Buccaneers took over at the Atlanta 28 with 1:44 left and a golden chance to put the game away. Instead they also went backward thanks to a failed run and offensive holding. Rather than try a 60 yard field goal, Todd Bowles punted. The Falcons took over at their own 20 with 1:15 left. Cousins quickly moved them to a 1st and 10 at the Tampa Bay 29 and spiked the ball with 2 seconds left. The Falcons then suffered a mindless delay of game penalty. Instead of a 47 yard field goal to tie the game, Koo would have to try from 52. Koo was good and this fine, fine football game was headed to overtime.
After a touchback, the Falcons needed only 4 plays in overtime. On 3rd and 3 from their own 37, Cousins went to London for 18. On the next play, Cousins connected with Hodge, who outraced everyone for a 45 yard touchdown. Just like that, the game was over as the Buccaneers never saw the ball in overtime. Mayfield only threw for 180 yards on 24 passes, but he completed 19 of them with 3 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions. Cousins was simply insane, a lights out 42 of 58 for 509 yards passing, 4 touchdown passes and one interception. It may seem grating when he says it, but this time he has every right to say it. You like that? Yes. The home fans did very much. 36-30 Falcons, OT
New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings was the Sunday early morning game from London. The Vikings entered the game only one of two 4-0 teams. The overhyped Jets may have Aaron Rodgers, but Minnesota beat him plenty of times when he played for Green Bay. The Vikings in the first quarter moved from their own 11 to a 3rd and 2 at the Jets 24. Sam Darnold was sacked. Will Reichard hit a 54 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Vikings. On their next drive Darnold fumbled to give the Jets a short field at the Minnesota 42. Yet 3 plays later on 3rd and 6 from his own 38, Rodgers was intercepted by Van Ginkel. Van Ginkel returned the pick 63 yards to pay dirt to make it 10-0 Vikings. In the second quarter Kevin O’Connell and Matt LaFleur both gambled on 4th and 2 and both coaches lost. From his own 26, Darnold went to Justin Jefferson for 27. Darnold hit Gaskin for 11. Two defensive pass interference added 18 and 11. Ham ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Vikings.
Last week the Vikings nearly blew a 28 point lead to survive with a 2 point win. This week the Vikings again allowed an opponent to claw back into a game. After dominating the first 28 minutes, the Viking allowed a 31 yard punt return with 1:22 left in the half. The Jets took over at the Minnesota 31. Rodgers hit Wilson for 10. On 3rd and 10 from the Minnesota 14, Rodgers hit Allen Lazard for the touchdown to get the Jets within 17-7. In the third quarter the Jets took over at their own 3 yard line and embarked on a mind-numbing 17 play, 83 yard, 7 minute drive. Yet on 2nd and 8 from the Minnesota 14, Rodgers threw incomplete twice. Greg Zuerlein hit a 32 yard field goal to get the Jets within 17-10.
A field position game in the fourth quarter had the Jets punting on 4th and 13 from their own 4 yard line. The Vikings took over at the Jets 37. On 3rd and 8, Darnold threw incomplete. Reichard hit a 53 yard field goal to put the Vikings up 20-10 with 12 minutes left in regulation. The Vikings got it back and faced 3rd and 15 from their own 12. Darnold was intercepted to give the Jets the ball at the Minnesota 42. Rodgers went to Lazard for 7 and Wilson for 10. On 3rd and 10 from the Minnesota 25, Rodgers hit Williams for 18. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Rodgers threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. Rodgers hit Wilson for the touchdown. With 6 minutes left, the Jets were only down 20-17.
The Vikings after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 7 at the Jets 23. Darnold threw incomplete. Reichard hit the 41 yard field goal to put the Vikings up by 6, but they did not lose the door. The Jets after a touchback had 3 minutes to win the game, plenty of time for Rodgers. With one minute left the Jets had already moved to a 1st and 10 at the Minnesota 26. After Rodgers threw incomplete twice, his 3rd and 10 pass went for it all. Rodgers came up snake eyes as he was intercepted by Williams at the Minnesota 9 yard line. The Jets are 2-3 and Robert Saleh’s seat is getting white hot. As for the Vikings, it is way too soon to start talking about 1998, but they are really good. 23-17 Vikings
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals — Both teams were expected to be good this year. The Ravens started 0-2 before winning 2 straight while the Bengals began 0-3 before finally winning last week. After an opening touchback, the Ravens faced 3rd and 1 Cincinnati 48. Derrick Henry gained 4. On 3rd and 2 from the Cincinnati 26, Justice Hill gained 5. On 3rd and goal at the one, Henry got in to cap the 12 play, 70 yard, 6 minute drive to make it 7-0 Ravens. In the second quarter the Bengals took over at their own 14. Joe Burrow went to JaMarr Chase for 9, to Moss for 14, and to Mike Gesicki for 19. On 3rd and 8 from the Baltimore 11, Burrow went to Tee Higgins for the touchdown to finish the 10 play, 86 yard, nearly 5 minute drive to make it 7-7. A field position game gave the Ravens the ball back just shy of midfield. Lamar Jackson went to Bateman for 18. Henry ran for 5 and 7. On 3rd and 5 from the Cincinnati 16, Jackson went to Bateman for the touchdown to make it 14-7 Ravens.
Momentum changed with 6 minutes left in the half when a punt pinned the Ravens back at their own 2 yard line. Henry got the carry and got tackled in the end zone for a safety to get the Bengals within 14-9. With 34 seconds left in the half, the Bengals were pinned at their own 21. Zac Taylor got aggressive. Joe Burrow hit Higgins for 11, Moss for 9, Chase for 18, and Chase again for a 41 yard touchdown. The Bengals led 15-14 and decided to go for a 2 point conversion. Burrow’s pass was intercepted but defensive pass interference gave the Bengals another try. Brown ran it in to make it 17-14 Bengals. After a third quarter touchback, the Bengals faced 3rd and 14 from their own 26. Burrow went to Higgins for 17. On 3rd and 6 from their own 47, Burrow hit Chase for 12. On 3rd and 10 from the Baltimore 41, Burrow went deep to Iosivas for 39. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Burrow hit Higgins for the touchdown to wrap up the 12 play, 70 yard, 6 minute drive. 17 Unanswered points had the Bengals up 24-14.
The second half was a track meet as both offenses scored at will. every time the Ravens closed the gap, the Bengals opened it up again. From his own 26, Jackson went to Bay Flowers for 15 and deep to Kolar for 56 yards. Jackson hit Isaiah Likely for a one yard touchdown to get the Ravens within 24-21. After a touchback, the Bengals faced 3rd and 1 at their own 39. Burrow hit Chase for 4. On 3rd and 2 just past midfield, Burrow hit Chase for 16. On 3rd and 7 from the Baltimore 30, Burrow hit Gesicki for 12. The fourth quarter began with Burrow tossing a 4 yard touchdown to Brown to cap the 12 play, 70 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and make it 31-21 Bengals.
The Ravens took over at their own 8 yard line. Rather than grind down clock, John Harbaugh went aggressive. Jackson went deep to Mark Andrews for 27 yards. Jackson then ran for 18. After offensive holding meant 1st and 20, Jackson ran for 13 and hit Flowers for 13 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Cincinnati 22, Hill gained 3. Jackson hit Andrews for 13. Jackson went to Kolar for a 2 yard touchdown to finish the 10 play, 92, 5 minute drive and get the Ravens back within 31-28. After a touchback, the Bengals needed 11 seconds to get back up double digits. Burrow connected with Chase, and Chase outraced everyone for a 70 yard touchdown and a 38-28 Bengals lead with 9 minutes left in regulation.
After a touchback, Jackson went to Andrews for 11 and to Flowers for gains of 17 and 12. On 3rd and 10 from the Cincinnati 32, Jackson hit Wallace for 12 with roughing the passer adding 10 more. Then came the play straight from the elementary school sandlot. Jackson fumbled the ball, picked it back up, stiff-armed two defenders trying to sack him, rolled all the way to his right, and just before getting knocked out of bounds, threw across his body between defenders to Likely for a 6 yard touchdown. With 5 1/2 minutes left in the game, the Ravens were back within 38-35.
6 straight touchdown drives, 3 by each offense, had this game practically on full tilt. After a touchback, the Bengals moved to a 1st and 10 at the Baltimore 28 with 3:10 to play. Another Cincinnati touchdown would pretty much lock up the win. Instead, a run and a false start was followed by Burrow getting intercepted. Now the Ravens had 3 minutes to work with from their own 28. On 3rd and 6 from the Cincy 38, Jackson threw incomplete. With 1:35 to play, it was up to the best kicker in the history of the game to tie the game. Justin Tucker holds the NFL record of 66 yards, and this one while long was at 56 well within his range. Tucker was good and the game was tied 38-38. The Bengals had 90 seconds to work with but a sack of Burrow killed the drive. This thriller was headed to overtime.
After a touchback, the Ravens moved to a 1st and 10 at the Cincinnati 39. Well within Tucker’s range, this time he would not get the chance as Jackson fumbled and the Bengals recovered at the Baltimore 38. The Bengals now had a golden chance to win. The Bengals netted only 3 yards, but Evan McPherson had a chance from 53 to be the hero. McPherson was wide left no good. The Ravens took over at their own 43. One play was enough for Henry to bust through the defense for a 51 yard run down to the Cincy 6 yard line. At this point John Harbaugh was not taking any chances. On 1st and goal, Tucker came in for the 24 yard try to win it. He was good, and with 3 1/2 minutes left in overtime, the game was finally won. Both quarterbacks were magnificent. Jackson was 26 of 42 for 348 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Burrow was 30 of 39 for 392 yards, 5 touchdown passes, and the one killer interception late. Yet the Ravens have won 3 straight while the Bengals fell to a surprising 1-4 on the season. 41-38 Ravens, OT
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars — The Colts started Joe Flacco in place of the injured Anthony Richardson. Meanwhile, the Jaguars came as the only NFL winless team. The Colts began at their own 29 and old man Flacco went right to work. Flacco hit Downs for 13, Mo Alie-Cox for 19, and Downs again for 20. On 3rd and 6 from the Jacksonville 15, Flacco hit Downs for 10. On 2nd and goal at the one, Sermon got the carry twice and got stopped cold twice. Shane Steichen gambled. On 4th and goal at the one, Flacco hit Pittman for the touchdown. The 12 play, 71 yard, 6 minute drive made it 7-0 Colts.
The Jaguars after a touchback moved to a 4th and 2 at the Indianapolis 26. Doug Pederson went for it and Trevor Lawrence threw incomplete. The Jaguars got it back at their own 11 and moved 84 yards in 14 plays and 8 minutes. On 3rd and 1 from the Indianapolis 4 yard line, Bigsby lost a yard. An exasperated Peterson decided not to gamble again. Little hit the 23 yard field goal to get the Jaguars on the board midway through the second quarter. The Jaguars got the ball back at their own 15 and this time needed only one play and 10 seconds to take the lead. Lawrence went deep to Thomas for an 85 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Jaguars.
The Colts after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Jacksonville 12. The drive died with a run that went nowhere and a pair of Flacco incompletions. Matt Gay hit the 30 yard field goal for a 10-10 game with 1:44 left in the half. The Jaguars fumbled the ball away, but the Colts fumbled it back in a devastating way. From his own 46, Flacco was sacked and the Jaguars recovered the ball all the way back at the Indianapolis 12 yard line. Only 6 seconds remained in the half, so Doug Pederson played it safe and took the points. Little hit the 30 yard field goal to make it 13-10 Jaguars. In the third quarter the Colts were pinned at their own 2 yard line and punted from their 7. Devin Duvernay returned the punt 53 yards to the Indianapolis 19. Bigsby recovered a fumble for a 3 yard touchdown and a 20-10 Jaguars lead midway through the third quarter.
After a touchback, runs and short passes led to a 3rd and 4 at the Jacksonville 30. Flacco hit Downs for 6. On 3rd and 1 at the Jacksonville 15, Flacco kept it for 2 yards. The fourth quarter began with the Colts facing 3rd and 15 at the Jacksonville 18. Flacco went to Cox for the touchdown to finish the 16 play, 70 yard, 7 minute drive and get the Colts within 20-17. The Jaguars after a penalty faced 2nd and 24 from their own 16. Lawrence went deep to Christian Kirk for 61 yard gain. Lawrence went to Davis for 10. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Lawrence found Strange for a 4 yard touchdown to put the Jaguars up 27-17.
After a touchback, the Colts moved to a 3rd and 9 at the Jacksonville 19 yard line. Flacco threw incomplete. Needing 2 scores with only 6 minutes left in the game, Shane Steichen played it safe. Gay hit the 37 yard field goal to get the Colts within 27-20. Yet 2 plays after a touchback, the Jaguars were in the end zone again. Tank Bigsby ripped off a 65 yard touchdown run to make it 34-20 Jaguars with only 5 minutes left. Yet winless teams are winless for a reason. They find ways to lose games.
After a touchback, the Colts needed barely more than 30 seconds to score again. Flacco went to Pierce for 24 and again for 46 yards down to the one. Sermon got the yard to get the Colts within 34-27. The Colts defense forced a 3 and out and their offense got the ball back at their own 23 barely more than 30 seconds after they gave it up. Again they needed only 3 plays. Sermon gained 17. Flacco then went deep to Pierce for a 65 yard touchdown to tie the game 34-34 with 2:40 left in the game. After a touchback, the Jaguars moved to the Indy 31 with 21 seconds left. Little came in for a 49 yarder to give the Jaguars their first win of the season. Little came up big. His kick was good. After a touchback, Flacco had 17 seconds to go 70 yards. Instead, he was sacked as the Jaguars finally got a win. Flacco was sensational, going 33 of 44 for 359 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, but it was not enough. Lawrence was a lights out 28 of 34 for 371 yards, 2 touchdowns and one interception. 37-34 Jaguars
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots — Sometimes a pair of boring teams can come together and play a thrilling game for the ages. This was not that game. With Tyler Huntley starting for the injured Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins began at their own 26 and moved to the New England 36. Jason Sanders hit a 54 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Dolphins. An interception of Huntley then gave the Patriots a short field at the Miami 43. On 3rd and 1, Jacoby Brissett hit Raimondre Stevenson for just enough. On the next play Stevenson got around the end for a 33 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Patriots. On the last play of the first quarter, Sanders doinked a 41 yard try off the left upright no good. Then the Dolphins had a punt blocked as the Patriots took over at the Miami 23. Yet Joey Slye missed a 33 yard field goal try in this hideous game. In the third quarter Slye hit from 38 to make it 10-3 Patriots.
Sanders hit from 32 and 47 as the Dolphins only trailed 10-9 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Dolphins began with a penalty and 1st and 18 at their own 12. Huntley went to Tyreek Hill for 21. On 3rd and 5 from their own 38, Huntley went to Smith for 8. On 3rd and13 from their own 43, Huntley threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 5 yards and an automatic first down. Wright ran for 16. Mostert added 18. Alec Ingold ran for a 3 yard touchdown. The point conversion try failed but the Dolphins led by 5 points with 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Patriots after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Miami 12 with 1:08 left. After an incompletion, Brissett fired to the end zone to Polk for the touchdown as the home crowd in Foxboro erupted in celebration. Yet on further review, Polk did not get both feet down in bounds. It was reversed to an incompletion. After another incompletion and a false start, it came down to 4th and 15. Brissett threw incomplete. The Patriots lost their 4th straight after an opening day win. 15-10 Dolphins
Cleveland Browns at Washington Commanders — The Commanders have been surprisingly good thanks to the quality play of rookie Jayden Daniels. The Browns have been awful thanks to the terrible play of the regressing Deshaun Watson. After an opening touchback, Kevin Stefanski gambled on 4th and 1 from the Washington 47. Donta Foreman got stopped cold for no gain. Later on a punt pinned the Browns at their own one yard line. They punted from their 5 and a 15 yard return but Zaccheaus set up the Commanders at the Cleveland 34. Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for 12 On 4th and 2 from the Cleveland 14, Dan Quinn went for it. Austin Ekeler gained 10. Robinson ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Commanders. The Browns did manage a 51 yard Dustin Hopkins field goal early in the second quarter, but after that the Commanders exploded.
From their own 20, Zaccheaus ripped off a 50 yard gain, fumbled the ball, and saw his teammate recover for 7 more yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Cleveland 14, Daniels gained 2. yet on 3rd and 10, a completion gained only 3 yards. Austin Seibert hit the 27 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Commanders. The Commanders got it back at their own 26. On 3rd and 10, the defense got called for too many men on the field. On 3rd and 5, Daniels hit McCaffrey for 9. Daniels then ran for a pair of 13 yard gains. On 4th and 3 from the Cleveland 40, Dan Quinn gamble again. Daniels ran for a 34 yard gain with defensive holding tacked on. Robinson ran for the one yard touchdown to make it 17-3 Commanders with 3 minutes left in the half. The Commanders got it back at their own 38 with 1:35 left in the half. On 3rd and 3, Daniels hit McLaurin for 11. Daniels went deep to Brown for a 41 yard touchdown as the Commanders were dominating 24-3.
After a third quarter touchback, the Commanders fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. Yet despite reaching 1st and goal at the 2, the Browns offenses began with a false start and bungled their chance. Hopkins hit a 31 yard field goal, but after that the Commanders turned out the lights. From their own 20, Daniels went to McLaurin for 23 and ran for 23 more himself. On 3rd and 7 from the Cleveland 27, Daniels hit Brown for 16 .On 3rd and 2 from the Cleveland 3, McNichols ran for the touchdown to have the Commanders dominating 31-6. A Cleveland fumble set up one more Seibert field goal from 30 to make it 34-6 Commanders. In the fourth quarter the Browns got one garbage touchdown. The Browns are 1-4 and playing like it. The Commanders are 4-1 and playing like it. 34-13 Commanders
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans — A pair of good teams faced off as the Bills looked to rebound from being knocked from the unbeaten ranks last week. A field position game early on had the Bills taking over just past midfield. Despite 1st and goal at the 9, a run lost a yard followed by a sack of Josh Allen and a false start to kill the drive. Tyler Bass hit a 38 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bills. After that, the Texans exploded. After a touchback, the Texans faced 3rd and 5 at their own 35. CJ Stroud went to Ogunbowale 28 yards and Nicol Collins for 11 more. Cam Akers ran for 11 and then for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Texans. The Texans got it back at their own 33 and needed only one play and 9 seconds to strike again. Stroud went bombs away to Collins for a 67 yard touchdown and a 14-3 Texans advantage. Kaimi Fairbairn hit field goals of 50 to end the half and 47 early in the third quarter to have the Texans cruising up 20-3.
The Bills had plenty of time to rally, and they did. After a touchback, Johnson ran for 19. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15 more. Allen went to Kincaid for 26. Cook ran for a 5 yard touchdown to get the Bills within 20-10. The Bills got it back at their own 35. Cook ran for 11. On 3rd and 5 just past midfield, Allen completed a pass for no gain. Sean McDermott went for it. Allen went to Keon Coleman for the first down and the touchdown as the 49 yard connection had the Bills back in it down 20-17. There were still 4 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. The defenses dug in and the Texans turned the ball over on their next 2 drives with an interception and a fumble. The latter gave the Bills the ball at the Houston 15. Yet a run went nowhere and Allen threw incomplete twice. Bass hit a 33 yard field goal as 17 unanswered points tied the game 20-20 with 3:18 left.
The Texans had a chance to win it with 44 seconds left. On 3rd and 5 from the Buffalo 49, Stroud was called for intentional grounding to push the Texans out of field goal range. A great punt pinned the Bills back at their own 3 yard line with 32 seconds left. Rater than grind down clock, Sean McDermott went for it all. Allen threw deep incomplete 3 times. A 13 yard punt return gave the Texans the ball at the Buffalo 46 with 7 seconds left. Stroud hit Ogunbowale for 5 yards, leaving 2 seconds. Fairbairn came in for a 59 yard field goal try. Fairbairn leveled it for his longest kick ever. A playoff rematch between these teams would be well worth the price of admission but McDermott’s play-calling at the end of the game will be called into question. Meanwhile, Demeco Ryans has a 4-1 squad. 23-20 Texans
Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears — The Bears have very quietly been winning games at home, while the Panthers have been awful. Early in the game Dave Canales gambled on 4th and 1 from the Chicago 42. Johnson gained 4. Chuba Hubbard then ripped off a 38 yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 Panthers. After that, reality set in. After a touchback, Deandre Swift ran for 8 and 3. Caleb Williams hit Odunze for 11. Williams went deep to DJ Moore for a 34 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. The Bears got it back at their own 20.Williams went to Moore for 23 as the Bears began the second quarter at the Carolina 43. Swift gained 18. on 3rd and 5 from the Carolina 7, Swift gained 6. Johnson got the last yard to make it 14-7 Bears. A Carolina fumble set up the Bears at the Carolina 44. Williams went to Smith for 42. Swift got the last yard to make it 21-7 Bears. The Panthers turned it over on downs and the Bears took over at their own 38. On 3rd and 5 Williams went deep to Cole Kmet for 25. Williams went to Moore for a 30 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Bears were cruising up 27-7. A pointless second half saw the Bears kick a third quarter field goal and the Panthers answer with one of their own. Roschon Johnson ran in a one yard fourth quarter touchdown to end the scoring. 36-10 Bears
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos — Although the Raiders had beaten the Broncos 8 straight times, it is tough to win without an offensive line or running game. The Raiders have tried to win games by scoring one early touchdown and tacking on enough field goals. After an opening touchback, the Raiders made it look easy. On 3rd and 8 from their own 32, Gardner Minshew scrambled for 11. Minshew then went deep to Brock Bowers, who spun away from a defender and raced for a 57 yard touchdown. Barely 2 minutes into the game, the Raiders led 7-0. The Raiders got the ball back at their own 10 yard line and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Denver 22. A run went nowhere and a false start killed the drive. Daniel Carlson hit a 40 yard field goal. The Raiders led 10-0 after the first quarter and were in total control of the game.
A strong kickoff return had the Broncos taking over at their own 41. The Broncos began the second quarter with 1st and 10 at the Riders 22. Offensive pass interference, a sack of Bo Nix, and an illegal shift had the Broncos facing 2nd and 38. On 3rd and 34, a short pass from Nix to Williams gained 13. That was enough for Wil Lutz to hit a 51 yard field goal to get the Broncos within 10-3. The Raiders quickly moved from their own 31 as Amir Abdullah ripped off a 40 yard gain. With 9 minutes left in the half, the Raiders had 1st and goal at the 5. This was without the injured Davante Adams and Zamir White. Although the Raiders had long runs, they could not pick up one or two yards when it mattered. Yet the Raiders still had 3 chances to smash into the line and gain the yardage. A touchdown would put the Raiders up 17-3. Again, they were in total control.
Then came one of the worst play calls in the history of the franchise. Rather than even try and run the ball, the Raiders called a pass play. Whether the blame falls on Antonio Pierce or offensive coordinator Luke Goetzy is irrelevant. The entire football world knows that you run the ball near the goal line. Minshew threw into traffic and had his pass intercepted by Patrick Surtain II. Surtain lit up the home crowd by returning the interception 100 yards for a defensive touchdown. Instead of being down 17-3, the Broncos tied the game 10-10. The Raiders never recovered. The defense was keeping the Raiders in the game, and with 18 seconds left in the half of a tie game, the Broncos were facing 3rd and 7 at their own 39. One stop would let the Raiders get to the half and try and regroup. Instead, Nix hit Franklin for 20. At the end of the half, Lutz’s 59 yard field goal try was no good. Yet the Raiders were flagged 15 yards for a leverage penalty. From 44 yards out, Lutz was good. The Broncos only led 13-10, but this game was over. The Raiders continued to self-destruct.
In the third quarter, a 38 yard punt return set up the Broncos at midfield. Williams ran for 6 and 9. Nix hit Humphrey for 27. On 3rd and goal at the 4, the defense finally broke. Nix hit Jaleel McLaughlin for the touchdown. Midway through the third quarter, the Broncos led 20-10. After a touchback, the Raiders faced 3rd and 11 from their own 40. Minshew went deep and was intercepted. When the Raiders got the ball back, Minshew was on the bench. Aidan O’Connell was in the game, which meant the Raiders had waved the white flag of surrender. Minshew was not playing well, but it was not his fault that the offensive line and running game were awful. O’Connell is stiff, as immobile as it gets.
The Broncos got the ball back at their own 42 to start the fourth quarter. Nix ran for 11. On 2nd and 15 from the Raiders 40, Williams gained 17. Nix hit Adam Trautman for 19. Nix ran for a one yard touchdown with 10 minutes left in regulation for a 27-10 Broncos lead. The score would have been 34-10 had a perfectly thrown bomb by Nix not been dropped in the end zone by a wide open receiver. The Raiders got it back at their own 20 and O’Connell was immediately intercepted. The Broncos took over at the Raiders 39. On 3rd and 4, Nix went to Sutton for 24. Nix hit Reynolds for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 34-10 Broncos. The Raiders got one garbage time touchdown, but they are a bad team, especially on offense. After getting rid of Derek Carr and Josh Jacobs, now Davante Adams wants out. Nobody can blame him. 34-18 Broncos
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers — The 49ers were expected to easily take care of the Cardinals, but the Cardinals are a different team every week. From their own 28, Kyler Murray went to McBride for 22. Murray then ran for a 50 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals less than 2 minutes into the game. After a touchback Brock Purdy went to Brandon Aiyuk for 53 yards. Yet on 1st and goal at the 6, a run went nowhere, Purdy threw incomplete, and Purdy was then sacked. Jake Moody hit a 28 yard field goal to get the 49ers within 7-3. The 49ers got it back and faced 3rd and 6 at their own 28. Purdy went to Aiyuk for 16 and 9. On 3rd and 5 from the Arizona 30, Purdy went to Jennings for 13 and Aiyuk for 13 more. Purdy went to George Kittle for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 49ers. After a touchback the Cardinals moved to a 2nd and 7 at the San Francisco 12. Murray threw incomplete twice. Ryland hit the 30 yard field goal to make it 10-10 early in the second quarter.
The 49ers after a touchback moved to a 3rd and goal at the 2. Purdy threw incomplete. Kyle Shanahan decided not to gamble. Moody hit the 20 yard field goal to make it 13-10 49ers. The Cardinals after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 6 at the San Francisco 27. Murray threw incomplete. Ryland came in for a 45 yard field goal try to tie the game with 5 minutes left in the half. The kick was blocked and returned 61 yards for a touchdown the other way by Deommodore Lenoir to make it 20-10 49ers. 49ers kicker Jake Moody was injured on the ensuing kickoff. The Cardinals then moved from their own 38 to a 2nd and 6 at the San Francisco 24. At the 2 minute warning, Murray was intercepted by Nick Bosa, who returned the pick 30 yards to the Arizona 40. The 49ers moved to a 1st and goal at the 7 with 16 seconds left. With a chance to all but turn out the lights, Purdy threw incomplete three times. Wishnowsky hit the 26 yard field goal to have the 49ers dominating 23-10 at the break.
The second half was a completely different game. A third quarter interception of Purdy set up the Cardinals at the San Francisco 25. 3 plays netted only one total yard but Ryland hit a 42 yard field goal to get the Cardinals within 23-13. After a touchback, the 49ers embarked on a 7 minute drive. They reached a 2nd and 9 at the Arizona 13, again with a chance to turn out the lights. Then came a false start followed by a sack of Purdy. On 4th and 23 from the Arizona 27 and without a kicker, Kyle Shanahan decided to go for it. There was supposedly nobody else on the roster who could kick a 45 yard field goal. Purdy threw incomplete.
From that spot, James Conner gained 3, 8 and 10. The Cardinals began the fourth quarter facing 3rd and 6 at the San Francisco 41. Murray went to Wilson for 10 and 11. Conner gained 14. Murray threw a 2 yard touchdown to Higgins. Roughing the passer moved the extra point from the two to the one, so Jonathan Gannon went for what would normally be a pointless 2 conversion try. Conner ran it in to get the Cardinals within 23-21 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. After a touchback the 49ers moved to a 1st and goal at the 8. Again, a touchdown and extra point would all but ice the game with 6 1/2 minutes left.
Mason lost 4 yards and fumbled the ball away. The Cardinals took down the clock on a 14 play, 75 yard drive. On 4th and 3 from the Frisco 16 with 1:37 left, Gannon was not taking any chances. Ryland hit the field goal to give the Cardinals the one point lead. The 49ers took over at their own 27 needing only a touchdown to win it. Purdy hit Kittle for 15 yards. Then Purdy was intercepted. In a shocker, the 49ers offense was blanked in the second half while their defense melted down in the fourth quarter. The defending NFC champions are 2-3 on the year. Shanahan has blown 3 Super Bowl double digit leads. While this was not on that level, it is still a stunning collapse. 24-23 Cardinals
Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams — Both teams made the playoffs last year, but this year the Rams are struggling. In the first quarter the Packers took over at their own 4 yard line. Josh Jacobs had runs of 4, 7 and 11. On 2nd and 10 from the Green Bay 45, Jordan Love went deep to Reed for a 53 yard gain. Jacobs ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Packers. The Rams after a touchback moved to a 3rd and goal at the 4. Matthew Stafford threw incomplete. Sean McVay inexplicably decided to go for it. Stafford threw incomplete again. The Rams got it back at their own 45 and needed 13 plays and 7 minute to go 55 yards. Corum ran for 12. The second quarter began with Williams only gaining 2 yards on 3rd and 3. On 4th and 1 from the Green Bay 34, McVay gambled again. Williams gained 3. On 3rd and 3 from the Green Bay 24, Williams gained 8. Atwell added 7 and Corum ran for 5 and 3. On 3rd and goal from the one, Williams got in for a 7-7 game in the second quarter.
At the 2 minute warning, Jordan Love blundered. On 3rd and 12 from his own 8, Love faded back and was intercepted by Jaylen McCollough, who waltzed in for a 4 yard defensive touchdown. The extra point was blocked but the Rams led 13-7. After a touchback, the Packers moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Rams 19 with 37 seconds left. A sack of Love killed the drive. Narveson hit a 46 yard field goal to end the half with the Packers down 13-10. In the third quarter the Rams moved quickly from their own 29 to a 2nd and 6 at the Green Bay 27. Yet the Rams fumbled the ball away and the Packers took over at their own 30. Two plays later Love went deep to Tucker Kraft for a 66 yard touchdown to make it 17-13 Packers. The Rams moved from their own 27 to a 1st and 10 at the Green Bay 48. Stafford threw incomplete twice and then was intercepted by McKinney, who returned the pick 28 yards to his own 46. Reed gained 11. Love hit Jacobs for 21. Wilson gained 6 and 5. Love went to Kraft for a 7 yard touchdown as the Packers led 24-13 after three quarters.
The Packers began the fourth quarter at their own 7 yard line. They held the ball for over 8 minutes and ran 14 plays, yet somehow gained only 43 yards. On 1st and 10 from the Rams 36, A false start and a sack killed the drive. The Rams took over at their own 9 yard line with 6 minutes left in regulation needing 2 scores. The Rams got the 91 yard drive as Stafford hit Robinson for a one yard touchdown with 3 1/2 minutes left. The 2 point try failed but the Rams were within 5 points. The Rams got the stop on defense with only 30 seconds coming off the clock. They took over at their own 29 with a full 3 minutes left needing only a touchdown to win. With 1:05 left on 4th and 5 from the Green Bay 38, Stafford threw incomplete. The Rams fell to 1-4 as the Packers got the tough road win. 24-19 Packers
New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks were knocked from the unbeaten ranks last week, but all they needed to get back on track was win at home against a woeful Giants team. The Giants were not going to win anything with Daniel Jones, who seems to fumble the ball as often as he completes a pass. A sack of Jones forced a fumble that the Giants were lucky to retain possess of after a 15 yard loss. Yet on 2nd and 25 from their own 5, they dug their way out of it with Jones completing an 18 yard pass on 3rd and 17. After 16 plays and 79 yards, the Giants had held the ball for a whopping 10 minutes. Yet on 3rd and goal at the one, Gray got stopped short. Brian Daboll went for it on 4th and goal at the one. The Giants tried to break the plane of the goal. There was a touchdown, but it would not be by the Giants. They fumbled, and Rayshawn Jenkins returned it 102 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 7-0 Seahawks lead. These are the Giants.
In the second quarter the Giants took over at their own 19. On 3rd and 1, Jones gained 3. Tracy gained 27. Jones went to Johnson for 22. Jones ran for 11. Jones hit Robinson for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. The Giants got it back at their own 22 and moved 58 yards in 12 plays and 5 minutes. On 3rd and 2 from the Seattle 20, Jones threw incomplete. Greg Joseph hit the 38 yard field goal as the Giants actually led 10-7. After a touchback, the Seahawk only had 21 seconds to work with. Mike Macdonald went aggressive. Geno Smith hit Kenneth Walker for 17 and Tyler Lockett for 28. Jason Myers hit a 43 yard field goal for a 10-10 deadlock at the half.
In the third quarter the Seahawks quickly moved from their own 29 to a 2nd and 3 at the Giants 31. Smith went to DK Metcalf for 10, but Metcalf fumbled and the Giants recovered. The Giants took over at their own 23. Jones went to Derrius Slayton for 41 yards. Jones went to Slayton again for a 30 yard touchdown to make it 17-10 Giants. The Seahawks after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 7 at the Giants 29. Smith threw incomplete. Myers hit a 48 yard field goal to get the Seahawks within 17-13. The Giants had long drives all day that ate up clock. From their own 27, an 11 play, 80 yard, 6 minute drive led to a 1st and 10 at the Seattle 12. Jones was sacked and threw incomplete on 3rd and 11. Joseph hit the 31 yard field goal to make it 20-13 Giants after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter the Seahawks moved from their own 25 to a 4th and 1 at the Giants 35. Mike Macdonald went for it and Smith was sacked. The Giants took over at the Seattle 27 and moved to a 2nd and 3 at the Seattle 6. Rather than play power football, Brian Daboll had Jones throw the ball.. Jones threw incomplete twice. Joseph hit the 24 yard field goal to give the Giants breathing room up 23-13 with 12 minutes left in regulation. With 6 minutes left in regulation the Seahawks took over at their own 5 yard line. Smith went to Metcalf for 22 and Walker for 12. On 3rd and 2 from the Seattle 47, Smith hit Fant for 6. Smith went to Metcalf for 9 and non-relative Smith-Nigba for 15. On 3rd and 2 from the Giants 12, Smith hit Walker for 7. Smith again went to non-relative Smith-Nigba for a 5 yard score. The 14 play, 95 yard drive had the Seahawks within 23-20 with 2:09 left to play.
Mike Macdonald decided against an onside kick. He kicked it deep and trusted his defense. The move was paid off as the Seahawks got the ball back at their 34 with 1:40 left needing only a field goal to tie the game. Smith quickly ran for a 32 yard gain against his old team as the Seahawks got to a 2nd and 4 at the Giants 28 with 1:13 left. Smith threw incomplete twice. With 55 seconds left, Myers came in for a 46 yard try to tie the game and possibly force overtime. Instead, the Seahawks became a victim of a play that they made famous.
Bobby Wagner was known for blocking field goals by jumping over everyone and practically ramming the ball down the kicker’s throat. The NFL likes to punish players who do great things, so they started all but banning the practice. The rule is now that if you try to jump over people but don’t completely clear them without touching them, it’s a 15 yard personal foul. Very few athletes are as gifted as Bobby Wagner in terms of cleanly hurdling the offense, sticking the landing, and smothering the kicker. Well Isaiah Simmons did just that cleanly. He blocked the kick and it was returned 60 yards for a touchdown the other way by Bryce Ford-Wheaton. In front of a shell-shocked 12th man home crowd, the Giants led by 9 points. Although it was a 2 score game, Brian Daboll knew that if the extra point was blocked and returned, it would be a 7 point game. So Daboll smartly took a knee and refused to kick the extra point as the Giants got the stunning road win. 29-20 Giants
Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers was the Sunday night game. These longtime rivals with rich traditions saw their game delayed by 90 minute due to lightning. The first half was a slog. Brandon Aubrey leveled a 55 yard field goal for the Cowboys. Chris Boswell answered from 41. In the second quarter Aubrey hit from 33 as the Cowboys took a 6-3 lead to the locker rooms. In the third quarter the Steelers took over at their own 28. Justin Fields threw incomplete but roughing the passer gave the Steelers 15 yards. Rather than Fields, it was Allen who found Pat Freiermuth for a 19 yard gain. Fields hit Van Jefferson for 7 and 11. Fields went to Hayward for a 16 yard touchdown. 3 minutes into the third quarter, the Steelers led 10-6. The Cowboys after a touchback moved to a 4th and 9 at the Pittsburgh 20. Aubrey came in for a 38 yard field goal try, but his kick was blocked.
Midway through the third quarter, the Cowboys took over at their own 10. On 3rd and 1, Hunter Luepke. Prescott went to Ferguson for 13. Rico Dowdle gained 13. On 3rd and 5 from the Pittsburgh 48, Prescott went to Jalen Tolbert for a pair of 7 yard gains. On 3rd and 7 from the Pittsburgh 38, Prescott was sacked but defensive holding kept the drive going. The fourth quarter began with the Cowboys facing 3rd and 1 at the Pittsburgh 24. Dowdle gained 2. Prescott went to Dowdle for a 22 yard touchdown. The staggering 16 play, 90 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive had the Cowboys up 13-10. On the next Cowboys drive, Prescott was intercepted by Joey Porter, who returned it 16 yards to his own 37.
The Steelers soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 45. Fields gained just enough. On 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 44, Fields threw incomplete. Mike Tomlin went for it on 4th and 1 and Najee Harris got the tough yard. On 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 34, Fields went to George Pickens for 21. Fields hit Freiermuth for a 6 yard touchdown. The 12 play, 63 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive had the Steelers up 17-13 with 5 minutes left in regulation. After a touchback, Dowdle gained 5 and 8. On 3rd and 1 from the Pittsburgh 48, Ezekiel Elliott got the yard. At the 2 minute warning, the Cowboys and 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 33. On 3rd and 9, Prescott found Ferguson for 10 and Luepke for 18. With 35 seconds left, the Cowboys had 2nd and goal at the one. Dowdle tried to leap over the to and got blasted by Roberts, forcing a fumble. Prescott dove on the ball a millisecond before a defender did. After an incompletion, it came down to 4th and goal at the 4. Prescott found Tolbert for the touchdown with 20 seconds left. From his own 21 with 15 seconds left, Fields threw an incompletion followed by some failed hook and laterals. It was ugly, but the Cowboys got the tough road win for beleaguered head coach Mike McCarthy. 20-17 Cowboys
New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs was the Monday night game. Derek Carr has plenty of experience battling Patrick Mahomes, but this time Carr did it with his new team. The Saints had a good opening drive going but then Carr was intercepted. he Chiefs took over at their own 22. Mahomes ran for 9. On 3rd and 3 from their own 41, Mahomes found Travis Kelce for gains of 4, 21 and 8. Mahomes found Gray for 15. Hunt ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chiefs. A field position game had the Chiefs get the ball back at their own 40. They moved to a 3rd and 5 at the New Orleans 8 early in the second quarter. Mahomes threw incomplete. Harrison Butker hit the 26 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Chiefs.
The Saints soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 30. Carr went to Alvin Kamara for 10 and Rashad Shaheed for 15. Carr went deep to Shaheed for a 43 yard touchdown to get the Saints within 10–7. The Chiefs drove to the red zone on their next two drives. They did not reach the end zone but Butker hit field goals of 34 and 28 to put the Saints up 16-7 at the intermission. The Chiefs had chances to extend the lead in the third quarter but failed to do so. Butker’s 51 yard field goal try doinked off the right upright no good. The Chiefs then moved to a 2nd and goal at the 2 only to have Mahomes get intercepted in the end zone. Saunders returned the pick 37 yards to his own 35. Carr went to Shaheed for gains of 7 and 21 and to Kamara for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Kansas City 28, Kamara gained 4. Carr hit Kamara for 14 as the Saints began the fourth quarter with 1st and goal at the 9. Carr went to Foster Moreau for a 6 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Saints only trailed 16-13.
The Chiefs took over at her own 32. Mahomes connected with Juju Smith-Schuster for a 50 yard gain. On 1st and goal at the 3, Walrus Andy Reid went to his bag of tricks. Kelce took the direct snap and handed it to Xavier Worthy, who got around the end for the touchdown. With 12 minutes left in regulation, the Chiefs led 23-13. After a touchback, the Saints moved to a 4th and 8 at the Kansas City 42. Carr threw incomplete. The Chiefs took 6 1/2 minutes off the clock. Butker hit a 38 yard field goal with 3 minutes left to put the Chiefs up 13. At this point Carr was not in the game, having suffered an oblique injury on the previous drive. Jake Haener finished the game. The Saints moved from their own 20 to a 3rd and 8 at their own 48 at the 2 minute warning. Haener threw incomplete twice. The Chiefs are now 5-0, which makes Andy Reid a most happy Walrus indeed. 26-13 Chiefs