NFL 2015 Week 9 Recap
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals was the Thursday night game. Johnny Manziel got the start over Josh McCown, which was a nice way of throwing Johnny football to the wolves. The unbeaten Bengal Tigers just devoured another opponent. Early on Red Rifle Andy Dalton led the Bengals 63 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. A 9 yard touchdown pass to Tyler Eifert made it 7-0 Bengals. Travis Coons hit a 27 yard field goal to get the Browns on the board.
In the second quarter dalton moved the Bengals 80 yards in 14 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. A 2 yard touchdown pass to Eifert made it 14-3 Bengals. Manuel did move the Browns 92 yards in 10 plays. A 12 yard touchdown pass to Johnson had the Browns only down 14-10 at halftime. In the second half the Bengald defense just clamped down. In the third quarter Mike Nugent hit a 28 yard field goal. The Bengals only led 17-10 after three quarters but in the fourth quarter Cincinnati put the game away.
The Bengals capped off a 91 yard drive when Mohammed san ran for a 25 yard touchdown. Then Dalton connected with Eifert for the third time on the day. The 19 yard touchdown pass ended the scoring. The Bengals are now 8-0 as Dalton finished a red hot 21 of 27 for 234 yards, 3 touchdown passes to Eifert, and 0 interceptions. 31-10 Bengals
Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers — This was not the 1970s, but these are a pair of 4-3 football teams that have potential. The Steelers moved from their 21 to a 3rd and 4 at the Oakland 34. After Ben Roethlisberger threw incomplete, Mike Tomlin decided to go for it. Big Ben threw incomplete again and the Raiders took over. On the first play from scrimmage Carr threw a ball that was batted in the air and almost intercepted. On the next play Latavius Murray burst through the middle and got to the sideline for a 44 yard gain. On the third play Carr fired to the end zone and Michael Crabtree came down with the 22 yard touchdown. Only 3 minutes into the game, the Raiders led 7-0.
Roethlisberger went for the bomb on 3rd and 3 and threw incomplete, but a good punt had the Raiders starting their next drive at their own 2 yard line. Oakland went 3 and out and the Steelers took over at their own 40. They moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Oakland 16 when a pass by Roethlisberger was incomplete as the receiver fell down. A 34 yard field goal had the Steelers within 7-3.
The Raiders gained a couple first downs but then Carr threw 3 straight incompletions near midfield. Twice the ball was caught by Andre Holmes and both times Holmes could not get his feet down inbounds. The Steelers took over at their own 17. Roethlisberger went deep to Antonio Brown for a 59 yard gain. The second quarter began with the Steelers facing 3rd and 9 at the Oakland 23. Big Ben found Brown for 11 and 9. Williams got the last 3 yards on the ground. Mike Tomlin goes for 2 frequently and Roethlisberger hit Williams for the 2 pointer to make it 11-7 Steelers.
The Raiders moved after a touchback to the Pittsburgh 48, but a perfect pass on 1st and 10 was dropped in a first half where the Raiders multiple dropped passes. Carr threw incomplete on 3rd and 5. A good punt pinned the steelers back to their own two yard line. The defense held and a short punt had the Raiders starting at the Pittsburgh 40. Murray gained 2, 7 and 3 more on 3rd and 1. On 3rd and 10 from the Pittsburgh 28, Carr found Amari Cooper for 13. On the next play a defensive breakdown left Cooper wide open by an Oakland mile. He immediately motioned for the ball and Carr sent him the easiest touchdown in either player’s history as the Raiders led 14-11 with 6 minutes left in the half.
The Steelers took over at their own 22. On 3rd and 6 from the Pittsburgh 47, Big Ben went deep to Brown again for a 41 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the 3, Williams got stopped cold as the clock reached the 2 minute warning. Tomlin decided to go for it. Out of the shotgun, Williams got the carry again and this time bulled his way just over the plane of the goal line for the touchdown and the 18-14 Steelers lead.
The Raiders did less than nothing on their next drive, giving the Steelers the ball back at their own 41 with one minute left. Defensive pass interference moved the ball to the Oakland 48. Roethlisberger then avoided a sack and found Brown for 19 yards. After just missing on the home run ball and then avoiding a sack for an incompletion, a 3rd and 10 pass came up one yard short of the sticks. This time Tomlin decided not to gamble as Chris Boswell hit the 38 yard field goal to make it 21-14 Steelers. Roethlisberger had over 240 yards passing by halftime, with Antonio Brown torching the Raiders for nearly 200 yards receiving.
Things went from bad to worse for the Raiders to start the third quarter. On 3rd and 12 from the Oakland 25 on a day when Raiders players kept slipping and falling down, a short completion was followed by another fall down. The receiver tried to get back up, was hit, fumbled, and had the ball returned 20 yards for a Pittsburgh touchdown. The Raiders were saved when the score was reviewed and reversed and ruled that the Pittsburgh player went out of bounds and came back in before touching the ball. It didn’t matter. The Raiders tried to punt, and Marquette King had his punt partially blocked. The Steelers took over at the Oakland 45 with all the momentum. The Raiders dodged another bullet when Roetholisberger threw incomplete on 3rd and 7. The Raiders took over at their own 10.
Carr found Cooper for 14. Murray gained 15 more. Carr hit Seth Roberts for 18 yards. On 3rd and 5 from the Pittsburgh 37, Carr found Clive Walford for a 36 yard gain down to the one. Carr went back to Walford for the touchdown pass to tie the game 21-21 midway through the third quarter. It was Carr’s third touchdown pass of the day. He became the first Raiders quarterback to have three straight games of at least three touchdown passes since Rich Gannon in 2001. The Steelers took over at their own 12.
Roetholisberger went bombs away again and threw another perfect pass. Yet this time the ball was juggled and eventually dropped. The Raiders had dodged another killer. On 3rd and 13 from the Pittsburgh 14, Big Ben went deep again. This time he was intercepted by Amerson at the Pittsburgh 32. The Raiders had been given a gift, and they refused to accept it. Murray got the carry and he fumbled the ball back to the Steelers at the Pittsburgh 25. After two weeks without a turnover the Raiders now had a big one. Yet again the Raiders survived when a 41 yard field goal try by Boswell to give Pittsburgh the lead was wide no good.
Carr immediately hit Cooper for a 21 yard gain to the Pittsburgh 48. On 3rd and 5 Carr threw a short pass over the middle to Walford that at first appeared for a first down. Walford got blasted and the ball popped in the air and then looked to be intercepted. Walford was on the ground for awhile but eventually got up and walked off under his own power. Meanwhile, the officials correctly ruled that the ball hit the ground incomplete. The Raiders punted and the steelers took over at their own 9 yard line.
Williams ripped off a 53 yard gain to the Oakland 37 as the third quarter came to an end. On 3rd and 1 from the 28, Williams gained 2. On 3rd and 1 from the 17, Roethlisberger found Brown, who broke a tackle to gain 3. On the next play a short pass to Bryant, followed by several mistackles, turned a play of no gain into a 14 yard touchdown to complete the 91 yard drive. With 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Steelers led 28-21.
The Raiders self-destructed as Taiwan Jones fumbled the ensuing kickoff. The Steelers recovered at the Oakland 6. Roethlisberger hit James for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 35-21 Steelers as 2 touchdowns in 60 seconds broke the game open. The Raiders got a break when the kickoff went out of bounds, giving Oakland the ball on their own 40. Carr quickly found Cooper for 12, Roberts for 19 and Smith for 10. From the Pittsburgh 19, Olawale burst through for a touchdown as the Raiders were within 35-28 with 9 1/2 minutes left.
The Raiders initially appeared to have no answers on defense as Pittsburgh moved from their 20 to the Oakland 43. A pair of incompletions set up a critical 3rd and 10. Roethlisberger had been avoiding sacks all day, but the Raiders finally got to him for an 11 yard loss. Big Ben had to be helped off the field. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Raiders got the ball back at their own 7 yard line. On 2nd and 6 Carr fired incomplete twice and the Raiders had to punt again.
Brown had been killing the Raiders all game receiving the ball, but he fumbled the punt and the Raiders recovered at the Pittsburgh 39 with 6 minutes left to play. Carr found Crabtree for 12. On 3rd and 6 from the Pittsburgh 23, Carr threw incomplete. However, he was hit low. The personal foul for roughing the passer meant 1st and 10 from the 11. The Steelers were sending the house on every play. On 2nd and 10 Carr fired to the end zone for Cooper. Cooper made a great grab but could not get both feet down inbounds. His second foot just hit the white chalk. On 3rd and 10 Carr made his only mistake of the game at the worst possible time. He was intercepted by Cockrell in the end zone. Cockrell returned it to the Pittsburgh 24. With 4 1/2 minutes left, an Oakland defense that had given up nearly 500 yards had to find a way to get a stop.
Roethlisberger was out, and Landry Jones came in. Jones found Brown for a 14 yard gain as the clock kept moving. With 2:36 to play, the Steelers after a false start faced 3rd and 11 from their own 39. Jones hit brown for a 17 yard gain and it appeared the game was over. Yet offensive pass interference instead meant 3rd and 21. After an incompletion, the Raiders had life. They got the ball back at their own 31.
Carr hit Cooper for 9 as the clock reached the 2 minute warning. Carr went back to cooper, who split the seam. Yet Cooper dropped it. On 3rd and 1 Carr found Rivera for 8. On 3rd and 10, Carr found Crabtree for 14 at the Pittsburgh 38. On the next play Carr went deep to Crabtree for the touchdown. With 1:15 to ply the game was tied 35-35. Sebastian Janikowski boomed the kickoff out of the end zone.
At that moment both quarterbacks Roethlisberger and Carr were exactly 24 of 44. Carr had 301 yards and 4 touchdown passes while Roethlisberger had 334 yards and two touchdowns. Each quarterback was intercepted once. Yet it was Landry Jones who had a chance to be the hero. Williams broke free for a big gain, but offensive holding negated most of it. On 3rd and 2 from the Pittsburgh 28, Jones hit Brown on a slant, and Brown broke free for a 57 yard gain to the Oakland 15 with 45 seconds left. With the Raiders out of timeouts, they needed a miracle. Williams gained 5 and then 9 more down to the one with four seconds left. A false start moved the ball back to the six. Boswell made the 25 yard field goal and the Raiders were done.
Antonio Brown had 284 yards receiving and DeAngelo Williams gashed the Raiders for 170 yards on the ground. The Raiders piled up 440 yards of offense but the defense gave up 608 yards. The Steelers are 5-3 and the Raiders are 4-4. However, the Steelers will be in big trouble if Roethlisberger is injured again. 38-35 Steelers
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets — A short punt had the Jaguars taking over at their own 44. Myers hit a 45 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Jaguars. Antonio Cromartie returned the ensuing kickoff all the way to midfield. From the Jags 32, Ryan Fitzpatrick for 25 yards and again for the 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Jets. Blake Bortles was then intercepted, giving the jets the ball on the Jacksonville 32. On 4th and 3 Todd Bowles decided to go for it and Fitzpatrick hit Decker for 15 yards. On 3rd and goal at the one, Chris Ivory got in to make it 14-3 Jets. The Jets dominated the first 29 1/2 minutes when a poor punt had the Jaguars at midfield. Bottles went deep to Hurns for 20 and again for the 30 yard touchdown as the Jaguars only trailed 14-10 at halftime.
A field position game had the Jaguars at the jets 43. Myers hit a 39 yard field goal to get the Jaguars within 14-13. The Jets finally showed some more life on offense in moving 73 yards. Ivory got the last yard to make it 21-13 Jets after three quarters. The Jaguars moved from their 10 to the Jets 17 but Bortles threw 3 straight incompletions. Myers hit a 35 yard field goal as the Jaguars trailed 21-16 with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Jaguars got it back at their own 10 and quickly moved to take the lead. Bottles found Marcedes Lewis for 27 yards and Yeldon ran around the end for a 45 yard gain to the Jets 10. Bortles got down to the 4, but holding moved the Jaguars back. Bottles was then sacked and fumbled as the Jets took over at their own 34 with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Jets had to punt, but the Jaguars fumbled it and the Jets took over at the Jags 25 with 3 1/2 minutes left. On 3rd and 5 from the 20, Fitzpatrick found Brandon Marshall for the touchdown to put the game out of reach at 28-16 Jets.
Yet the Jaguars kept fighting. Bortles needed only 3 plays and 25 seconds to move the Jaguars 72 yards. A 20 yard touchdown pass had the Jaguars back within 5 with 2:15 to play. The onside kick failed and the Jets took over at midfield. On 3rd and 4 with the Jags out of timeouts, the Jets fumbled the ball and were lucky to retain possession and punt. The Jaguars got it back at their own 8 yard line with 54 seconds left. Bortles was quickly intercepted as the Jets finally hung on to get to 5-3. Fitzpatrick was 21 of 34 for 272 yards while Bortles was 24 of 40 for 381 yards. Both quarterbacks threw two touchdown passes, but Bortles was intercepted twice while Fitzpatrick was not picked off. 28-23 Jets
St. Louis Rams at Minnesota Vikings — A 34 yard Blair Walsh field goal had the Vikings up 3-0 early. The Vikings got it back and moved 80 yards as a 6 yard Adrian Peterson run made it 10-0 Vikings. The Rams moved 80 yards and Todd Gurley got in from the one. The extra point failed but the Rams were within 10-6. In the second quarter Jeff fisher showed that he has plenty of confidence in Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein despite the missed extra point. He had Zuerlein try a 61 yard field goal. Zuerlein drilled it to get the Rams within 10-9. The Rams got it back and Zuerlein had much shorter field goal tries from 35 and 45. Again he was good as the Rams led 15-10 at intermission.
In the third quarter the Vikings moved 60 yards. Teddy Bridgewater ran for the 6 yard score and ran in the 2 point conversion himself to make it 18-15 Vikings. The defenses dominated as the Rams had one final chance at their own 39 with 1:14 to play. A 17 yard defensive pass interference penalty gave the Rams a chance to tie the game. With 17 seconds left, Zuerlein came in for a 53 yard try. He was good and the game went into overtime tied 18-18. 18 is a lucky number in Jewish culture, which has nothing to do with this game.
The Rams got the ball to start overtime and punted. Shekels returned the punt 26 yards just shy of midfield. On 3rd and 1, Peterson gained 11. With 9 1/2 minutes left in overtime, Walsh came in for a 40 yarder to win it. He was good, and the Vikings very quietly have become a 6-2 football team with a basic offense and a solid defense for Mike Zimmer. Jeff Fisher also has a defense, but quarterback play is the weak link on his team. 21-18 Vikings, OT
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills — An early Bills punt had the Dolphins on their own 6. On their first play from scrimmage, a fumbled snap out of the shotgun went out the back of the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 Bills lead. After the free kick, LeSean McCoy broke off a 48 yard touchdown run for a 9-0 Bills lead. The Dolphins got back in it when they moved 85 yards in the second quarter. Miller got the last yard to get the Dolphins within 9-7. Dan Carpenter would hit a 43 yard field goal to make it 12-7 Bills. Tyron Taylor then went deep to Sammy Watkins for a 63 yard gain to the Miami 11. On the next play Williams ran it in for the score to make it 19-7 Bills.
The Dolphins took the second half kickoff and marched 80 yards. Miller again got in from the one as the Dolphins trailed 19-14. Miami got it back and faced 3rd and 12 at the Buffalo 42. Ryan Tannehill was sacked and fumbled, as the Bills recovered. With the Bills facing 3rd and 14 at the Miami 44, Tyrod Taylor went deep to sammy Watkins for the touchdown and a 26-14 Bills lead. In the fourth quarter Buffalo moved 80 yards in 10 plays and 6 minutes. Williams broke off a 38 yard touchdown run to put the game away and give Buffalo a season sweep of Miami. The Dolphins would tack on a field goal during garbage time. 33-17 Bills
Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints — The Saints have quietly gotten to 4-4 if Drew Brees throwing 7 touchdown passes counts as quiet. Ken Whisenhunt was fired a few days ago as an interim coach was expected to win this game. Early on Brees found Josh Hill for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Saints. The Titans punted on 4th and 11 from their own 6, but the Saints fumbled it and the Titans took over at the Saints 42. On 2nd and 1, the Titans twice failed to get the yard. On 4th and 1 they went with the field goal and Ryan Succop hit from 51 to get the Titans within 7-3.
After a touchback Brees kept firing. On 3rd and 8 from the Saints 46, Brees found Marquis Colton for 16 and Cooks for a 38 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Saints. The Titans took over at their 25. On 3rd and 4 from their 41, Marcus Mariota went deep to Walker for a 59 yard touchdown to get the Titans within 14-10. The Saints then moved 79 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. Brees got the last yard to make it 21-10 Saints.
The Titans then managed to get the luckiest touchdown they will have all year. Mariota threw a duck that was destined to be intercepted. Two Saints were around the ball and no receiver was in the area. The two defenders bumped into each other and bobbled the ball in the air. It was plucked out of the air by receiver Melanie Walker, who raced 61 yards for a touchdown. This was hardly the Immaculate Reception, but it got the Titans within 21-17.
In the third quarter Succop hit a 29 yard field goal as the Titans only trailed 21-20. The Saints then held the ball for 6 minutes into the fourth quarter in moving 62 yards in 13 plays. From the one, Brees hit Hoomanawanui for the touchdown and the 28-20 Saints lead with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Dexter McCluster returned the ensuing kickoff 32 yards to the Tennessee 28 and a personal foul added 15 more yards. Mariota hit Hunter for an 8 yard touchdown and then found Walker for the 2 point conversion to tie the game 28-28 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Saints punted and the Titans had a chance to win it as Succop came in for a 55 yard field goal try at the 2 minute warning. The kick was straight enough and bounced off the crossbar no good. The Saints quickly moved from their 45 to the Tennessee 28. With one minute left, it was Kai Forbath from 46 trying to give the Saints the win. His kick was blocked.
The Titans got the ball first in overtime after a touchback. Mariota hit Green-Beckham for 14. Andrew gained 15 and Mariota found Stevens for 25. On 3rd and 2 from the 17, Mariota found Green-Beckham for 9. From the 5 yard line, five minutes into overtime, Mariota found Anthony Fasano for the touchdown and the win. Brees never saw the ball in overtime. Both quarterbacks finished exactly 28 of 39. Brees threw for 389 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception. Mariota was magnificent in piling up 371 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Had Mariota played last week, Ken Whisenhunt might still have his job. 34-28 Titans, OT
Washington Redskins at New England Patriots — In 1940 the Redskins lost 73-0. This game had the potential to be uglier. Tom Brady moved the Patriots 84 yards in 13 plays and 6 minutes. An 8 yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman made it 7-0 Patriots. Kirk Cousins was intercepted, setting up the Patriots at the Washington 28. LaGuarrette Blount ran it in from the 5 to make it 14-0 Patriots. In the second quarter the Patriots moved again but settled for a 21 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal to lead 17-0. The Redskins then held the ball for a 16 play, 75 yard, 8 minute drive. They settled for a 23 yard field goal to avoid the shutout and trail 17-3.
In the third quarter the Patriots looked to put the game away. On 3rd and goal at the one, a fumble cost New England a couple yards but they retained possession. Gostkowski again hit from 21 to make it 20-3 Patriots. In the fourth quarter Tom Brady moved the Patriots 88 yards in 14 plays, taking nearly 8 minutes off the clock. An 18 yard touchdown pass to Bolden meant the expected blowout had materialized. The Redskins did manage one garbage touchdown in their garbage season as the Patriots easily got to 8-0. This is not why they play the games. 27-10 Patriots
Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers — The Panthers moved from their 30 to a 3rd and goal at the 2. Cam Newton threw incomplete as the Panthers settled for a 20 yard Graham Gano field goal and a 3-0 lead. Aaron Rodgers moved the Packers 65 yards in 11 plays in 6 minutes. From the one, he fired a laser to his non-relative Richard Rodgers to make it 7-3 Packers. In the second quarter the Panthers moved 80 yards. On 3rd and 16 from the Carolina 26, Newton went deep to Jerricho Cotchery for a 59 yard gain. Newton got the last yard to make it 10-7 Panthers.
Carolina got it back and Newton went deep to Finches for a 52 yard gain. A 7 yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen made it 17-7 Panthers. Carolina got it back at their own 48, and Gano tacked on a 49 yard field goal to make it 20-7 Panthers. The Panthers got a gift when Eddie Lacy fumbled and the Panthers recovered at the Green Bay 24. Yet the Panthers lost a yard and Gano missed from 43. it didn’t matter as the Panthers got it back again and Newton threw a 39 yard touchdown pass to Brown to make it 27-7 Panthers.
One minute into the third quarter the Packers were within 27-14 as Rodgers connected with Randall Cobb for a 53 yard touchdown. The Panthers responded by moving 82 yards in 13 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. Inside the 5 the drive bogged down. Garo hit from 22 to make it 30-14 Panthers. Early in the fourth quarter the Panthers moved again from their own 26, aided by a 34 yard defensive pass interference penalty. On 3rd and 8 from the Green Bay 14, Newton found Finches for the touchdown. With 9 1/2 minutes to play, the Panthers led in a laugher 37-14. For the second straight week at home, they would not be laughing by the end of the game. Last week they blew a 17 point fourth quarter lead before winning an overtime thriller. This week was just as tough.
The Packers still had Aaron Rodgers, and he unleashed a flurry of passes. On 3rd and 10 from the Green Bay 21, Rodgers hit Adams for 13, James Starks for 30, and Starks again for the 29 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion to Adams had the Packers within 37-22 with 8 minutes left. Carolina went 3 and out as the Packers got it back at their own 28 with 6 1/2 minutes left. On 4th and 14 from the Green Bay 44 with 5 minutes left, Rodgers found James Jones for 36 yards, Starks for 17 more, and Richard Rodgers for the final 3 and another touchdown. With 3:43 to play, the Packers were within 8.
After a touchback, Newton was quickly intercepted. The call was controversial but stood. Green Bay took over at the Carolina 22. On 4th and 5 from the 17, Rodgers found Randall Cobb for 8. At the 2 minute warning, everything came down to 4th and goal at the 4. Rodgers fired to the end zone and was intercepted. This time the Panthers had held. Green Bay did get it back at their own 21 with 6 seconds left, but there were no laterals for miracles. The Packers lost their second straight road game to fall to 6-2, with both losses coming against unbeaten teams. The Panthers are this year’s Cardiac Cats. Newton finished 15 of 30 for 297 yards and 3 touchdowns. Rodgers was 25 of 48 for 369 yards and 4 touchdowns. Each quarterback was intercepted once, and Mike McCarthy and Ron Rivera may see each other again in the NFC Title Game. 37-29 Panthers
Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers — The Falcons are a 6-2 team playing badly, including a disgraceful home loss last week to Tampa Bay. The 49ers are a 2-6 mess in full meltdown mode. Vernon Davis was traded and Colin Kaepernick has been benched for Blaine Gabbert. Yes, that Blaine Gabbert. Early on Matt Bryant hit a 44 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Falcons. In the second quarter Blaine Gabbert led a 12 play, 84 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive. That Blaine Gabbert? A one yard touchdown pass to Celek made it 7-3 Eagles. Matt Bryant hit a 36 yard field goal for the Falcons and Phil Dawson responded with a 44 yarder to make it 10-6 49ers.
Gabbers came back again, needing only 5 plays and barely more than one minute. An 11 yard touchdown pass to Celek made it 17-6 49ers. One minute and three plays later the Falcons responded as Matt Ryan found Freeman for a 22 yard touchdown pass to get the Falcons within 17-13.
A hideous second half saw no action until late. The Falcons moved the San Francisco 4 yard line but a completion on 3rd and goal only got a couple yards. With 3 1/2 minutes left, Dan Quinn decided to kick the field goal and trust his defense. Bryant’s third kick from 20 had the Falcons within one point. on 3rd and 4 from their own 26, Gabbert scrambled for 5. The Falcons used their last timeout on defense with 1:52 to play and the 49ers facing 2nd and 2 from their 39. Gaskins got the deuce and the 49ers ran out the clock. Yes, Blaine Gabbert won a game. Meanwhile, consecutive losses to bad teams are why the Falcons are the least respected 6-3 team in some time. 17-16 49ers
New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — After a touchback, the Giants gave the ball away on the first play from scrimmage as Eli Manninh was quickly intercepted. Despite taking over at the Giants 13, the Bucs could not get in the end zone. Connor Barth hit from 25 to give the Buccaneers the lead. Josh Brown tied the game on a 35 yarder and Barth hit from 28 to make it 6-3 Buccaneers. Manning then led a 12 play, 80 yard drive that took over 7 minutes off the clock. An 8 yard pass to Reuben Randle made it 10-6 Giants.
On the first play of the second quarter, Doug Martin fumbled and the Giants recovered at the Tampa Bay 28. A 4 yard touchdown pass to Shane Vereen made it 17-6 Giants. The Bucs again drove deep but could not penetrate the end zone. Barth hit his third field goal from 21 to get the Buccaneers within 17-9.
In the third quarter the Buccaneers fumbled the ball at their own 44 and it was finally recovered by the Giants all the way at the Tampa 24. The Giants could not convert and settled for Brown from 35 to make it 20-9. Barth hit his fourth field goal from 53 to get the Buccaneers within 20-12. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation the Buccaneers got the ball back at their own 13. Sims took a handoff 59 yards and Jameis Winston hit Mike Evans for 18 more. On 3rd and goal at the 10, Winston took off running and leapt over the plane of the goal just before getting hit. The 2 point try failed but the Buccaneers were within 20-18 with 9 1/2 minutes left.
The Giants took over at their own 24. Manning found O’Dell Beckham for a 24 yard gain. On 3rd and 3 from the Tampa 34, Manning went deep just beyond the receiver’s reach incomplete. Brown hit the 53 yard field goal to make it 23-18 Giants midway through the fourth quarter. The Bucs moved after a touchback to just past midfield, but Winston threw 3 straight incompletions. With 5 minutes left, Lovie Smith decided to punt and trust his defense. After a touchback, the Giants tried to get rid of the rest of the clock.
On 3rd and 6 from the Giants 24, Manning found Beckham for 9 as the clock ticked down. With 1:11 to play and the Buccaneers out of timeouts, the Giants faced 3rd and 2 at the Bucs 25. Rashad Jennings lost a yard but the clock ticked down to 28 seconds. Brown came out for the 44 yard field goal. The kick was good. Now the Giants led 26-18. The Buccaneers took over at their own 6 with 18 seconds left. Attempting to lateral the ball for a miracle, it was picked up by a Giants defender and returned 2 yards for the touchdown. A very classy Tom Coughlin took a knee rather than try and kick the extra point as Big Blue got to 5-4 in the NFC Least. 32-18 Giants
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts — Yes, Peyton Manning was returning battle the team who traded him. Stifling defense has gotten Denver to 7-0. The Colts lost a gut-wrenching road game at unbeaten Carolina last week. Andrew Luck is injured and the front office is dysfunctional. Yet early on this game was all Colts. Early on the Colts moved 80 yards. frank Gore ran for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. In the second quarter Adam Vinatieri tacked on a 43 yard field goal. The Colts got it back again and Luck hit Doyle for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Colts.
The Colts had total control of the game. With 15 seconds left in the half, they punted from their own 31. Somebody should talk to another NFL Coach named Tom Coughlin what happens to teams who do not punt the ball out of bounds in these situations. Pat McAfee punted to Bolden, and Bolden returned it 83 yards for a touchdown as the half ended with the Broncos only down 17-7.
In the third quarter the Broncos got right back in it. With Denver facing 3rd and 14 at their own 36, Manning, who is supposed to be washed up, went deep to Emanuel Sanders for a 64 yard touchdown as Denver trailed 17-14. The Broncos got it back and soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 14. Manning found Denarius Thomas for 12. From the Denver 45, Manning, who is supposed to be washed up, went deep to Owen Daniels for a 37 yard gain. The defense held but Brad McManus hit the 29 yard field goal to tie the game 17-17 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Colts soon faced 3rd and 4 at their 26. Luck hit TY Hilton for 7. On 3rd and 1 from the Indy 42, Luck hit Whalen for 4. On 3rd and 7 just shy of midfield, Luck went deep to Whalen for a 38 yard gain as the third quarter ended. On 3rd and 5 from the 8, Luck fired over the middle to Ahmad Bradshaw. Bradshaw leapt over the goal line as the Colts regained the lead 24-17 one minute into the fourth quarter. Manning brought the Colts back 80 yards. On 3rd and 14 from the Indy 32, Manning found Thomas for 17. On 3rd and 1 from the 6 Manning threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference in the end zone meant 1st and goal at the one. On the next play Manning hit Daniels for the touchdown. With 9 minutes left the game was tied 24-24.
The Colts moved from their 30 to a 2nd and 2 at the Denver 37. Luck threw incomplete twice. With 6 minutes left, Chuck Pagano decided to have Vinatieri try a 55 yard field goal. Vinatieri has made the biggest kicks on the biggest stage, and he made this one to give the Colts the 3 point lead. Manning was quickly intercepted, giving the Colts the ball just past midfield and a chance to ice the game.
On 3rd and 1 from the Denver 40, Frank Gore got the carry and got the tough yard. On 3rd and 10 from the Denver 34, Luck fired to Whalen for 18 yards to the Denver 16. The Broncos took their last timeout with 2:35 to play and the Colts facing 2nd and 9. Chuck Pagano played it safe, and a run gained 2 yards. Yet a boneheaded defensive personal foul on Aqib Talib after the play was over was a killer. Instead of 3rd and 7, the Colts had 1st and goal at the 7 with 2:24 to play. The Broncos held on defense, but only 28 seconds remained when Vinatieri came in for a 23 yard field goal.
The kick was good and the Broncos needed a miracle. Instead, they never even got the ball. A defensive leverage penalty on the field goal meant an automatic first and goal at the two. Vinatieri’s field goal came off the board, but now Luck could just take a knee. Both quarterbacks were 21 of 36 with 2 touchdowns. Manning had the edge in yards 281-252, but Manning had two interceptions and Luck had none. The 4-5 Colts and their entire embattled team actually lead the pathetic AFC South. There are still three 8-0 teams this year, but the 7-1 Broncos are not one of them. 27-24 Colts
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys was the Sunday night game. In the first half Matt Cassel led an 11 play, 93 yard, 6 minute drive. A 5 yard touchdown pass to Cole Beasley made it 7-0 Cowboys. In the second quarter the Eagles went 80 yards in 13 plays. Chip Kelly decided to go for it on 4th and goal at the one. Former Dallas running back DeMarco Murray bulled in to tie the game 7-7 in a badly played NFC Least first half.
In the third quarter the Eagles quickly moved 95 yards. Ryan Mathews scored from 6 yards out to make it 14-7 Eagles. The Cowboys answered with a 10 play, 80 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive. Cassel hit Beasley for a 17 yard touchdown to make it 14-14.
Early in the fourth quarter the Cowboys were driving for the lead. Cassel was then intercepted by Jordan Hicks, who raced 68 yards the other way for a defensive touchdown and a 21-14 Eagles lead.
The Cowboys got right back in it when Whitehead returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to the Philly 24. On 3rd and 10 Cassel scrambled around like Fran Tarkenton and threw a Hail Mary to the end zone. Dez Bryant somehow came down with the ball for a touchdown and a 21-21 tie with 11 minutes left.
The Eagles moved down the field again as a defensive slugfest was turning into a shoutout. This time the drive bogged down in the red zone. Caleb Sturgis hit a 32 yard field goal to put the Eagles up 24-21 midway through the fourth quarter.
Dallas responded again. Cassel moved the chains until the drive stalled just outside the red zone. Dan Bailey hit a 41 yard field goal. At 24-24, the game was tied for the fourth time with 3 minutes left.
Cassel came right back as a 34 yard completion to Matthews set up Sturgis from 53 yards out. Sturgis just snuck it over the crossbar and inside the right upright. The Eagles had the lead but they may have scored too early. After a touchback the Cowboys had 1:46 left and 2 timeouts.
On 4th and 5 the Cowboys took their second timeout. Cassel found Terrence Williams for 10. Dallas caught a break when an injury to a Philly defender stopped the clock with 52 seconds left. Defensive pass interference with 48 seconds left had the Cowboys at midfield.
A deep ball to Dez Bryant was dropped. Then on 3rd and 6 Cassel through incomplete but defensive pass interference bailed out Dallas again. With 19 seconds left the Cowboys were at the Philly 38. After a false start Cassel found Bryant at the Philly 31 with 12 seconds left. The Cowboys took their last timeout.
Cassel threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a 44 yard field goal try. Bailey doinked the ball off the left upright but it caromed through good. For the fifth time the game was tied as the teams went to overtime tied 27-27.
The Eagles got the ball first and soon faced 3rd and 3 at the Dallas 43. A short pass gained only 2 yards. Chip Kelly decided to go for it on 4th and 1. Murray gained 2 but then fumbled and the Cowboys recovered. However on further review Murray’s knee was down and the call was reversed on the next play Sam Bradford zipped a pass to Jordan Matthews, who broke a tackle and raced for a 41 yard touchdown. Just like that the game was over as each team won in the other’s backyard. 33-27 Eagles
Chicago Bears at San Diego Chargers was the Monday night game. A pair of underachieving teams each tried to salvage this season. Robbie Gould has been a rare bright spot for the Bears, but early on he missed a 47 yard field goal. Philip Rivers then marched the Chargers 63 yards. A 14 yard touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead made it 7-0 Chargers.
The Bears then moved to the San Diego 10 before Jay Cutler was sacked and fumbled the ball away. Cutler can always be counted on to deliver touchdowns, often to both teams. This time in the second quarter Cutler was intercepted by Verrett, who returned it 68 yards for a touchdown and a 13-0 Chargers lead after the missed extra point.
Cutler came back and hit Jeffery for a 47 yard gain and again for gains of 12 and 14. A one yard touchdown pass to Bennett had the Bears within 13-7.
The Chargers got it back at their own 5 and Rivers worked the clock well. Josh Lambo hit a 31 yard field goal to end the half for a 16-7 Chargers lead.
In the third quarter the Bears missed a golden opportunity when Gould missed again from 34 yards out. Chicago got it back at their own 7 and Cutler led a 14 play, 93 yard, 8 minute drive. On 3rd and goal from the one, Langford banged in. One minute into the fourth quarter the Bears only trailed 16-14.
Rivers moved the Chargers down the field with a chance to put the game away. San Diego got to the Chicago 4 yard line but a penalty pushed them back. Then a touchdown pass was nullified by another offensive penalty. Lambo hit the 22 yard field goal but the Chargers only led 19-14 with 8 minutes left.
The Chargers left the door open and the Bears rumbled through it. Cutler moved them 80 yards. From the San Diego 25, Cutler fired a pass to the end zone that appeared to be overthrown. Zachary Miller made a diving catch for the touchdown. Langford got in for the 2 point conversion as the Bears led by 3 with 3:19 to play.
At the 2 minute warning the Chargers had moved to a 1st and 10 at the Chicago 46. Needing one more first down for long field goal range, consecutive sacks of Rivers followed by an incomplete pass meant 4th and 23 with 1:17 left. Rivers threw a bomb where the only three players anywhere near the ball were Chicago defenders. 22-19 Bears