NFL 2018 Week 6 Recap
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants was the Thursday night game. Both teams are struggling, but the Eagles still have far more talent than the woeful Giants. This was expected to be a mismatch from the start, and it was. On the second play from scrimmage, Eli Manning was intercepted, and it was returned 24 yards to the Giants 16 yard line. On 3rd and 7, Carson Wentz hit Alshon Jeffery and the Eagles quickly led 7-0. The Giants did move after a touchback to a 2nd and 7 at the Philly 15, but Manning threw incomplete twice. Aldrick Rosas hit the 33 yard field goal. The Giants trailed 7-3, but the Eagles got going again. A 23 yard punt return had the Eagles taking over at the Giants 44. Wentz hit Jeffery for 17 and Clement gained 14. Clement got the last yard to make it 14-3 Eagles after the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Giants moved from their 32 to a 1st and goal at the 4. A run gained one yard and Manning threw incomplete twice. Rosas hit from 21 to get the Giants within 14-6. The Eagles quickly faced 3rd and 3 at their own 32. Wentz went deep to Nelson Agholor for a 58 yard gain and then to Zacc Ertz for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 21-6 Eagles. The Giants were kicking field goals but the eagles were scoring touchdowns. Josh Elliott tacked on a 33 yard field goal with 90 seconds left in the half to make it 24-6 Eagles. Rosas missed from 52 with less than 30 seconds left in the half, and Elliott missed from 54 to end the half.
In the third quarter the Eagles moved to put the game away. A 12 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive led to 3rd and goal at the one. Wentz hit Jeffery for the score as the Eagles were cruising 31-6. Saquon Barkley did race for a 50 yard touchdown, but the fourth quarter began with Elliott hitting a 30 yard field goal to close out the scoring. With just over 5 minutes left, the Giants faced 4th and 4 from the Philly 5. Manning threw incomplete. O’Dell Beckham screamed at the female official for pass interference that never came. Don’t blame sexism. Beckham screams at everybody. 34-13 Eagles
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons — The Bucs added after a 2-0 start and Jameis Winston is now starting again instead of Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Falcons are a head-scratching 1-4 and in desperation mode. Both quarterbacks threw 41 passes, with Matt Ryan completing 31 and Jameis Winston completing 30. Winston threw for 395 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Ryan threw for 354 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 touchdowns. This game went down to the final bizarre play. After a touchback, Winston put on a clinic to start the game. From the Tampa 41, Pierre Barber ran for 28 yards. Winston then hit Chris Godwin for 14. On 3rd and 8 from Atlanta 15, Winston hit Cameron Brate for the touchdown. The extra point failed but the Buccaneers led 6-0. After a touchback the Falcons responded. From the Atlanta 35, Ryan hit Ridley for 15, Julio Jones for 10, and Mohammed Sanu for a 35 yard touchdown to make it 7-6 Falcons.
In the second quarter the Falcons moved 86 yards in 14 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. From the Atlanta 14, Ryan it Ridley for 22. On 3rd and 10 from the Atlanta 36, Ryan hit Hooper for 14. On 3rd and 9 from the Tampa Bay 39, Ryan hit Jones for 10. On 3rd and 11 from the Tampa 19, Ryan threw incomplete but defensive illegal use of hands kept the drive going. Ito Smith ran for a 14 yard touchdown to make it 14-6 Falcons. A 14 yard punt return gave the Falcons the ball back at their own 42. On 3rd and 7 from the Tampa 37, Ryan went deep to Jones for 28 yards and then to Austin Hooper for a 9 yard touchdown as the Falcons were cruising 21-6. They would not be cruising for long.
With 3 minutes left in the half the Buccaneers took over at their own 48. Winston hit OJ Howard for a 10 yard touchdown to get the Buccaneers within 21-13. Only 19 seconds remained in the half after a touchback, but Matty Ice made the most of them. Ryan hit Hooper for for 14, Hardy for 17, and Jones for 16. Matt Bryant hit a 45 yard field goal to have the Falcons up 24-13 at halftime. The third quarter was fairly quiet. The Buccaneers moved from their 40 to a 3rd and 5 at the Atlanta 11. Winston was sacked and the Bucs settled for a 35 yard Chandler Catanzaro field goal to trail 24-16. The fourth quarter was a wild affair.
The Buccaneers took over at their own 15 to start the fourth quarter. Winston hit Humphries for 12 and DeSean Jackson for 21. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 9, Winston hit Godwin for the touchdown. The 2 point try failed as the Buccaneers trailed 24-22. After a touchback, Ryan went deep to Jones for a 32 yard gain. On 3rd and 9 at the Tampa 42, Ryan scrambled for 13 yards. Ryan hit Tevin Coleman for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 31-22 Falcons with 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Needing 2 scores after a touchback, Winston hit Jackson for 19 yards. On 3rd and 7 from the Tampa 47, Winston threw incomplete but defensive holding kept the drive going. On 3rd and 3 from the Atlanta 41, Winston hit Godwin for 7 and again for 14 and then hit Howard for 15. Winston went to Peyton Barber for the 5 yard touchdown. With 3 1/2 minutes left, the Buccaneers were within 31-29. They needed a defensive stop.
After a touchback, Ryan went to Jones for 18 yards. On 3rd and 8 from the Atlanta 45, Ryan went to Hooper for just enough. On 3rd and 2 from the Tampa 39 with 1:53 to play with the Buccaneers out of timeouts, Coleman got the carry. A first down would end it. Coleman got stopped cold. With 1:10 left, Dan Quinn had a big decision to make. A field goal would win the game for the Bucs and send the Falcons to 1-5. Rather than punt or go for it, Quinn had his kicker try a 57 yard field goal. While it is quarterback Ryan who carries the Matty Ice moniker, his kicker Bryant deserves it as well. Bryant leveled the field goal to put the Falcons up by 5.
With one minute left, the Bucs took over at their own 24. The missed extra point early in the game was the difference in the Buccaneers needing a field goal to tie things and instead needing to score a touchdown. Winston hit Jackson for 19, Evans fr 18 more, and Humphries for 19. Winston spiked the ball to stop the clock with 7 seconds left. From the Atlanta 21 without a timeout, Winston would have one or two plays at most. Then came the bizarre decision. Whether it was Winston or Dirk Koetter who made the decision, somebody needs to fess up. A pass to the end zone was the only rational decision. Winston decided to run with the ball. He ran up the middle for 13 yards, threw a wild lateral that was picked up at the Atlanta 5 yard line. Another lateral to a wide open Tampa player could have been the craziest finish since the Stanford marching band. Yet this lateral was fumbled out of bounds and the Buccaneers were done. It’s one thing to try the hook and laterals from your own 20, but from the opposing 20 a simple pass to the end zone is the way to go. 34-29 Falcons
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals — The Steelers always win and the Bengals always lose. Every time it seems times have changed, they have not. The Steelers are the big brother with 6 Super Bowl rings. The Bengals are the sad sack little brother with none. The Steelers came in having beaten the Bengals 6 straight times, including 5 straight times in Cincinnati. Mike Tomlin always outcoaches Marvin Lewis. The Bengals came in 4-1 while the Steelers were only 2-2-1. The Bengals had a chance to make a statement. A field position game and a 36 yard punt had the Bengals taking over at their own 46. On 3rd and 7 from the Pittsburgh 38, Red Rifle Andy Dalton hit Uzomah for 10 yards. On 3rd and 10 from the Pittsburgh 28, Dalton hit AJ Green for 19 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Dalton hit Tyler Boyd for the touchdown as the Bengals led 7-0 after the first quarter. The Steelers came back 75 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. On the last play of the first quarter, the Steelers faced 2nd and 21 from the Cincy 30. Ben Roethlisberger went to Juju Smith-Schuster for 22 yards. The second quarter began with James Conner running for 7 yards and then the final yard for the score and a 7-7 ballgame.
With 5 1/2 minutes left after a touchback, Roethlisberg connected with Vince McDonald for 26 yards. On 3rd and 6 from the Cincy 45, Roethlisberger hit McDonald for 11 yards. On 3rd and 6 from the Cincy 30, Roethlisberger went to Smith-Schuster for 29 yards. Conner again got the last yard to make it 14-7 Steelers with one minute left in the half. That was plenty of time for the Bengals when Erickson returned the kickoff 47 yards to just past midfield, with 5 more yards tacked on for an illegal formation on the kicking team. With 19 seconds left in the half, the Bengals were at the Pittsburgh 14. Dalton fired to the end zone to Boyd for the touchdown as the teams went to the locker room tied 14-14.
In the third quarter the Steelers moved 85 yards in 12 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 1st and goal at the one, Conner got stopped. Then Big Ben threw incomplete. On 3rd and goal from the one, Conner got rocked for a 2 yard loss. Chris Boswell hit the 21 yard field goal as the Steelers led 17-14 after three quarters. It was deja vu all over again in the fourth quarter as the Steelers moved 82 yards in 1 2plays and 6 minutes. On 3rd and 2 from the Cincinnati 6 yard line with 4 1/2 minutes left, a short pass from Roethlisberger to McDonald lost a yard and was fumbled. The Steelers were saved when Smith-Schuster fell on it. On 4th and 2 at the 6, Mike Tomlin again opted for the field goal. Boswell hit from 24 as the Steelers led 20-14 with 3 1/2 minutes remaining. Yet 2 defensive stands by the Bengals had them only down by 6 and gave the offense a chance to win it.
On 3rd and 4 from their own 31 with 3 minutes left, Dalton hit Uzomah for 5. A 14 yard defensive pass interference penalty moved the ball to midfield. Dalton hit Boyd for 16, Green for 23 and again for 7 more. Joe Mixon ran for the 4 yard touchdown The home crowd went crazy as the Bengals led 21-20 with only 1:18 to play. For those thinking the Bengals could close out the game, remember then history of these two franchises. Remember recent history. Remember the playoff game three years ago. The Bengals overcame a 15-0 deficit at home to lead 16-15 with one minute left. A defensive meltdown including 2 defensive personal fouls made Vontaze Burfect infamous as the Steelers by a score of 18-16 victorious.
This was a new year, right? From the Pittsburgh 23, we would soon know. On 3rd and 2 from the Pittsburgh 31, Roethlisberger hit Smith-Scuster for 10 yards with 36 seconds left. On 3rd and 10 from the Pittsburgh 41, Big Ben threw incomplete. Yet defensive holding kept the drive going with 22 seconds left. The Steelers were still at their own 46, not in field goal range. Big Ben hit Smith-Schuster for a 23 yard gain. The Steelers took their first timeout with 15 seconds left. Now they were at the Cincy 31. The winning field goal try would be 49 yards. Boswell never got the chance. Big Ben zipped a pass over the middle to Antonio Brown, who raced to the end zone for a touchdown in front of a shellshocked home crowd that should be used to this by now. With 10 seconds left, it happened again. The 2 point conversion was good. The responding Hail Mary was never close. New year. Same Steelers. Same Bengals. 28-21 Steelers
Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns — The Chargers are perpetual underachievers while the Browns are finally moving in the right direction. After going 1-15 with a win over the Chargers, the Browns went 0-16 by losing to them. This time the game was never close. A 32 yard punt return had the Chargers starting their first drive at their own 43. Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen ran for a pair of 16 yard gains. Gordon ran for the 4 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chargers. A field position game in the second quarter had the Browns starting a drive at the Chargers 33. Yet despite 2nd and 6 from the Chargers 15, Baker Mayfield threw incomplete twice. Greg Joseph hit the 33 yard field goal as the Browns trailed 7-3.
The Browns defense had been hanging tough, but Philip Rivers finally broke through midway through the second quarter. From the Chargers 11, Rivers needed only 2 plays to get the 89 yards. Sid Gillman and Don Coryell had to be smiling in different places as Rivers went deep to Williams for 44 yards and again to Williams for a 45 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Chargers. With 2:13 left in the half, the Chargers got it back at their own 23. Gordon gained 14. Rivers then hit Allen for 16 and Gordon for 14 more. On 3rd and 6 from the Cleveland 29, Rivers went to Williams for the touchdown. With 45 seconds left in the half, the Chargers led 21-3.
The Brown would get a field goal before the half but the Chargers put the game away in the third quarter. An interception of Mayfield was returned 33 yards to the Cleveland 10. One play later Gordon ran it in to make it 28-6 Chargers. The Chargers got it back at their own 19. On 1st and 25 from their own 20, Rivers went to Allen for 20 yards. Gordon would run for an 11 yard touchdown on a drive that never reached third down. The Chargers led 35-6 after three quarters and the fourth quarter was a formality. Cleveland would get a garbage touchdown and 2 point conversion and the Chargers tacked on a field goal to complete the scoring. Anthony Lynn has the Chargers at 4-2 while the 2-3-1 Browns are still improved under Hue Jackson despite this setback. 38-14 Chargers
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans — After a pair of tough overtime wins, this time the Texans had a game settled in regulation. The defenses controlled much of this game. DeShaun watson threw a 13 yard touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins in the first quarter. In the second quarter the Texans blocked a punt and took over at the Buffalo 21. The Texans settled for a 33 yard Kaimi Fairbairn field goal and took a 10-0 lead to the locker rooms. In the third quarter an interception of Watson set up the Bills at the Houston 30. Yet despite 2nd and goal at the 4, Allen threw incomplete twice. Stephen Hauschka hit the 23 yard field goal to get the Bills on the board. The Bills got it back and Allen completed a 39 yard pass. One play later Allen got knocked out of the game. World famous Nathan Peterman came in. Hauschka added a 52 yarder as the Bills trailed 10-6 after three quarters.
Late in the third quarter on 3rd and 1 from their own 34, Watson was sacked and fumbled. The Bills took over at the Houston 32. On 3rd and 11 from the Houston 16, Peterman went to Bay Jones for the touchdown. with 13 minutes left the Bills had the 13-10 lead. Buffalo got it back and held the ball for 6 1/2 minutes. Yet somehow they only moved 34 yards. With 4 minutes left the Texans took over at their own 8 yard line. Watson hit Fuller for 17 yards. On 2nd and 15 from the Houston 20, Watson found Hopkins for 24 and Alfred Blue for 14 more. From the Buffalo 42, defensive pass interference on a deep ball meant 1st and goal at the one at the 2 minute warning. A run lost a yard, a pass lost another yard, and a false start killed the drive. Fairbairn hit from 27 to tie the game 13-13 with 90 seconds to play.
Peterman is known as the guy who completes passes to the other team. Last year he threw 5 interceptions in only one half of football. He is not the worst quarterback to ever start a football game, but he made his case in this game. Peterman completed a pass to Jonathan Joseph, who plays defense for the Texans. The 28 yard interception return touchdown had the Texans up by 7. There was still 1:15 on the clock since Peterman only needed 18 seconds to turn a tie game into a losing one. With 35 seconds left, on 3rd and 6 at the Buffalo 30, Peterman was intercepted again. It is very important for those who care about this stuff to note that Nathan Peterman is absolutely not Jewish. 20-13 Texans
Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins — Ryan Tannehill is inconsistent and frequently injured. Today he was injured. So the Dolphins started Brock Osweiler, who is inconsistent. A horrendous first half saw a first quarter field position game that had the Dolphins facing 3rd and 5 just past midfield. Osweiler went deep to Grant for 25 yards. Osweiler hit Nick O’Leary for a 5 yard touchdown. The defenses took over as the Dolphins led 7-0 at halftime. The second half was as wild as the first half was boring.
The Bears started the third quarter at their own 25 and immediately were a different team. Mitch Trubisky ran for a 28 yard gain. Defensive pass interference added 32 more yards. Trubisky hit Trey Burton for a 9 yard touchdown and a 7-7 game. On 3rd and 7 from the Miami 40, Osweiler was intercepted by Fuller, who returned it 35 yards to the Miami 12. One play later Trubisky hit Allen Robinson for the touchdown to make it 14-7 Bears. The Dolphins would move after a touchback to a 3rd and 6 at the Chicago 32. Osweiler threw incomplete but Sanders nailed the 50 yard field goal to get the Dolphins within 14-10. After a touchback the Bears struck quickly. Trubisky went deep to Gabriel for 54 yards. Tariq Cohen then ran for a 21 yard touchdown to make it 21-10 Bears. Then the game changed again.
The Dolphins embarked on an 11 play, 68 yard drive that consumed 6 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 4 from the Chicago 7, Osweiler threw incomplete. Sanders hit the 25 yard field goal as the Dolphins trailed 21-13 after three quarters. On 2nd and 7 from the Chicago 28, Trubisky went to Cohen for a 50 yard gain and then to Robinson for 21 more to set up 1st and goal at the 3. Trubisky hit Cohen for the score and the Bears thought they had delivered the knockout blow. Yet offensive pass interference nullified the score. On the next play Trubisky was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback. It was a big momentum shift. On 3rd and 5 from the Miami 25, Osweiler went to Albert Wilson for 28 yards. On 3rd and 6 from the Chicago 43, Oswiler went to Wilson for the touchdown. Osweiler hit Kenny Stills for the 2 point try. With 9 minutes left in regulation, the game was tied 21-21. The action was barely getting started.
After a touchback the Bears moved 75 yards in 11 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 2 from their own 33, Trubisky threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant 6 yards and the drive continued. On 3rd and 3 from the Chicago 46, Trubisky hit Cohen for 11 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the Miami 29, Trubisky went to Allen Miller for the touchdown. With a little over 3 minutes to play, the Bears led 28-21. Only 16 seconds later, the game was tied 28-28. Osweiler connected with Wilson for a 75 yard touchdown to know the game up. At the 2 minute warning the Bears faced 2nd and 14 at their own 32. Trubisky hit Cohen for 11 yards, but Cohen fumbled and the Dolphins recovered at the Chicago 45. One first down would mean long field goal range. Yet on 4th and 6 from the Chicago 41, Adam Tase was not going to risk it all. 34 seconds still remained, so a missed kick or going for it would give the Bears a golden opportunity. Gase punted and the game went to overtime.
In overtime, the Dolphins moved from their 25 to a 3rd and goal at the one halfway through overtime. The Dolphins were inches short of the goal line. A quarterback sneak over the plane would have ended it. Unfortunately, today’s coaches all seem to emphasize strategy and charts and graphs over power and brute force. For future reference, any coach that lines up in the shotgun from inside the opponent one yard line should be shot. Being too cute by half is frustrating. Sometimes basic, textbook football works. Vince Lombardi did not win the Ice Bowl with cuteness. Anyway, out of the shotgun, Kenny Drake got the carry and fumbled. The Bears recovered in the end zone for a touchback.
On 2nd and 25, Howard gashed the Miami defense for gains of 19 and 15. On 3rd and 4 from the Miami 35, Matt Nagy played it very safe. A run up the middle gained nothing. At the 2 minute warning, Cody Parkey came in for a 53 yard field goal to beat his old team. The kick was no good and the game continued. From the Miami 43, Drake redeemed himself by running for 4 yards, taking a pass 15 more yards, and running for 3 more. Osweiler took the clock down to 3 seconds and spiked the ball. On 4th and 1 from the Chicago 29, Sanders came in for a 47 yard field goal to win it. Since overtime was invented in 1974, no NFL season has had more than 2 tie games. There have already been 2 ties in the first 5 weeks. Anyway, Sanders was good, Drake was redeemed, and Parkey was not. Osweiler had his best game as a pro, throwing for 380 yards by completing 28 of 44 passes with 2 interceptions. Trubisky was 22 of 31 for 316 yards and one interception. Both quarterbacks threw 3 touchdown passes. The Bears are 3-2 nd the Dolphins are a surprising 4-2, including 3-0 at home. 31-28 Dolphins, OT
Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings — Josh Rosen got his first win in the NFL last week, but at Minnesota and Mike Zimmer’s defense was a tougher test. Early on Zimmer decided to go for it on 4th and 2 from the Arizona 42. Kirk Cousins threw a pass that lost a yard. The great field position allowed the Cardinals to reach 2nd and 7 at the Minnesota 8. Rosen threw incomplete twice. Phil Dawson hit the 26 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Cardinals. After a touchback Latavius Murray torched the Cardinals. He ran for a 26 yard gain and then ran for a 21 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Vikings. On the next play from scrimmage David Johnson fumbled and the Vikings took over at the Arizona 32. The defense held but Dan Bailey hit a 37 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Vikings after the first quarter.
In the second quarter an interception of Cousins had the Cardinals taking over at the Minnesota 47. Rosen went deep to Seals-Jones for a 40 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the one, Rosen threw incomplete. Steve Wilks decided to go for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Johnson got the carry and ran into a purple Minnesota brick wall. The Vikings defense was suffocating the Arizona offense. With 4 minutes left in the half, the Vikings faced 3rd and 9 at their own 36. Disaster struck the Vikings fumbled and Budda Baker returned it 36 yards for a touchdown for a 10-10 game. After an exchange of punts, the Vikings faced 3rd and 3 at their own 41 with 55 seconds left in the half. Cousins found Kyle Rudolph and Adam Thielen for a pair of 17 yard gains. Bailey hit the 48 yard field goal as the Vikings led 13-10 at the break.
The third quarter belonged to Minnesota’s defense as they put the game away. The offense took the second half kickoff and moved 75 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. On 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 13, Cousins hit hielen for the score to make it 20-10 Vikings. Sherels then returned a punt 20 yards to have the Vikings get back at the Arizona 43. Murray ran for a 34 yard gain and Cousins ran for the 7 yard touchdown to have the Vikings in command up 27-10 after three quarters. Arizona did get a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, but went backward when they got the ball back again. With 3 1/2 minutes left on 4th and 25 from their own 42, Steve Wilks chose to punt. The Cardinals never got the ball back. 27-17 Vikings.
Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets — 50 years ago these teams played one of the most consequential games in NFL history. While this game was nowhere near as significant, it was still an exciting game worthy of the old AFL. On the second play of the game, Andrew Luck was intercepted by Morris Claiborne, who returned it 17 yards for a touchdown. 12 seconds into the game, the Jets led 7-0. The Colts soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 27. Luck hit Eric Ebron for 15 yards, Alie-Cox for 34 more, and Marcus Johnson for a 34 yard touchdown. With one touchdown pass to each team, Luck had tied the game 7-7.
The Jets then moved 69 yards in 13 plays, taking nearly 8 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and 2 from the Indy 9, Isaiah Crowell got the carry and lost 3 yard. Jason Myers hit the 30 yard field goal as the Jets led 10-7. The Jets soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 33. Darnold was intercepted by Hooker, who returned it 27 yards to the Jets 35. The second quarter began with the Colts reaching 1st and goal at the one. A pair of runs each lost a yard and Luck threw incomplete. Adam Vinatieri hit from 21 for a 10-10 deadlock. On the very next play from scrimmage, Quincy Enunwa fumbled and the Colts recovered at the Jets 41. On 3rd and 7 from the Jets 13, Luck threw incomplete. Vinatieri hit from 31 to make it 13-10 Colts, but after that momentum changed.
On the next Colts series on 3rd and 1 from their own 44, Robert Turbin got the carry and fumbled. The Jets took over at the Indy 43. On 3rd and 7 from the Indy 40, Darnold hit Kearse for 19 yards. On 3rd and 6 from the Indy 17, Darnold found Kearse again for 7 yards. Darnold went to Terrell Pryor for a 7 yard touchdown as the Jets led 17-13 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. 2 plays later Luck was intercepted by Williamson, setting the Jets up at the Colts 22 at the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 10 Darnold hit Powell for 12, but an ineligible receiver downfield killed the drive. Myers hit from 48 to make it 20-13 Jets with 1:25 left in the half. The Colts went 3 and out and the Jets got it back at their own 28 with 42 seconds left and 2 timeouts. Darnold hit Pryor for gains of 5 and 22, Anderson for 9, and Kearse for 22 more. Darnold spiked the ball with 3 seconds left. Myers hit the 32 yard field goal as the Jets led 23-13 at halftime. The Jets took over in the third quarter and faced 3rd and 5 at their own 33. Darnold hit Pryor for 19. Powell ran for 16. Darnold then found Chris Herndon for a 32 yard touchdown as 20 unanswered points had the Jets up 30-13.
The Colts tried to make a game of it, moving 75 yards. Luck hit Ebron for an 18 yard touchdown to get the Colts within 30-20. Yet the Colts defense had no answers. After a touchback the Jets moved to a 1st and 10 at the Indy 24. on 3rd and 10, a completion only gained half. Myers hit the 37 yard field goal as the Jets led 33-20 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. After a touchback, the Colts faced 1st and 19 at their own 36. Luck hit Carlos rogers for 21 yards. From the Indy 15, a pair of defensive penalties put the ball on the one yard line to start the fourth quarter. On 3rd and goal from the 2, Luck hit Erik Swoope for the touchdown. The Colts were now only down 33-27.
They got no closer. In the fourth quarter Myers hit from 45. After an interception of Luck, Myers hit from 37. After the Colts turned it over on downs, Myers hit his 5th field goal from 45 to make it 42-27 Jets. Luck did throw a 17 yard touchdown pass to Chester Rogers with 1:51 left, but the onside kick failed and Darnold took 3 knees to end it. Darnold finished 24 of 30 for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns with one interception. Luck finished 23 of 43 for 301 yards with 4 touchdowns but also 3 interceptions. The Colts are a 1-5 mess under rookie coach Frank Reich while the Jets have fought their way back to 3-3 for Todd Bowles. 42-34 Jets
Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders in London. In the United States, the Raiders lose in heartbreaking fashion. Overseas, they just get blown out. Derek Carr completed 23 of 31 passes but for only 142 yards. He was also sacked 6 times. The Raiders had every chance to make it a game early on and never did. The Seahawks just made it look easy from the start, moving 82 yards in 14 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 8 at the Oakland 25, Russell Wilson went to Swoopes for 23 yards. Wilson hit Jaron Brown for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Seahawks before Oakland ever saw the ball. As the first quarter was ending, the Raiders faced 3rd and 5 at their own 31. Carr was sacked and fumbled. The Seahawks soon aced 3rd and 5 at the Oakland 19. Wilson hit David Moore for the touchdown as the Seahawks started the second quarter by taking a 14-0 lead. The Raiders mounted a 14 play drive that consumed 8 minutes but only netted 45 yards. Matt McCrane missed a 48 yard field goal. With 43 seconds left in the half, the Raiders faced 4th and inches at the Seattle 41. Jon Gruden decided to go for it. The quarterback sneak was the right call, but it was badly executed. Carr got stopped. The resulting field position let Sebastian Janikowski put the dagger in against his old team. Seabass hit the 44 yard field goal to make it 17-0 Seahawks at halftime. For some reason, league rules and diplomatic relations involving Brexit forced the second half to be played.
The Raiders began the third quarter by facing 3rd and 16 at their own 19. Carr was sacked again and fumbled again. The Seahawks took over at the Oakland 11. The defense held but Seabass hit from 26 to make it 20-0 Seahawks. On the first play of the fourth quarter, facing 4th and 7 at the Oakland 10, Wilson hit Tyler Lockett for the touchdown to make it 27-0 Seahawks. The Raiders mounted a 12 play drive that consumed 7 minutes. Such ball control would be great if they were up by 3 rather than down by 27. After consecutive sacks of Carr, Jon Gruden decided just to avoid the shutout. McCrane hit a 43 yard field goal. Although 8 1/2 minutes remained, the Raiders never got the ball back as the Seahawks showed how to close out a game. The Raiders are a miserable 1-5, and every aspect of the team is fairly dreadful. The 3-3 Seahawks are still fighting hard for Pete Carroll, which is a lot more than the future Raiders of Las Vegas can say. 27-3 Seahawks
Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins — The Panthers have been playing well while the Redskins have not. This was a reversal of fortune. West Coast Offense dink and dunk game manager Alex Smith had his typical dink and dunk game, completing 21 of 36 passes for 163 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Cam Newton was 27 of 40 for 275 yards, 2 touchdowns and one interception. Yet it was the Redskins jumping all over the Panthers from the start. The Panthers fumbled a punt, and the Redskins took over at the Carolina 22. One play later San Francisco castoff Smith found San Francisco castoff Vernon Davis for a touchdown to make it 7-0 Redskins. Washington got it back and moved 64 yards in 12 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 4th and 1 at the Washington 45, Jay Gruden decided to go for it in his own territory. Smith got 2 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 44, San Francisco castoff Smith found San Francisco castoff Davis for 21 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Smith found Paul Richardson for the touchdown and the 14-0 Redskins lead. Newton was intercepted on the next Carolina series. After that series, the Panthers fumbled the ball away. Dustin Hopkins hit a 49 yard field goal in the second quarter to make it 17-0 Redskins.
Carolina tried to rally. From their own 25, Newton hit Christian McCaffrey for 8 and again for 13. Newton ran for 13 and hit Moore for 18. Newton found Devon Funchess for a 23 yard touchdown. Last week Graham Gano was the hero who nailed a 63 yard field goal at the gun for a win. This week he missed an extra point as the Panthers trailed 17-6 at intermission. Gano would hit a third quarter field goal to get the Panthers within 17-9. With 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Jay Gruden again took a bold gamble to spark his team. He brought in Hopkins to try a 56 yard field goal knowing a miss could lead to a tie game. Hopkins delivered and the Redskins led 20-9. Newton brought the Panthers 75 yards and threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith. Newton hit Smith for the 2 point conversion as the Panthers only trailed 20-17 with 8 1/2 minutes to play.
The Redskins moved 64 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. On 3rd and 6 at the Carolina 11, Smith threw incomplete. Hopkins hit the 29 yard field goal but the Redskins only led by 6 with over 3 minutes left. Newton had time to lead a stirring comeback. 12 plays and 68 yards later, the Panthers had moved from their own 16 to a 2nd and 5 at the Washington 16 with 47 seconds left. Newton threw 3 straight incompletions and the Redskins held on. Josh Norman got revenge against his old team. 23-17 Redskins
Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos — The unbeaten Rams took on a reeling Denver team in the first truly cold weather game of the season. Warm weather permeated much of the country, but it was 25 degrees in Denver with brief snow flurries. Nevertheless, the Rams offense remained red hot and Michelin Man Wade Phillips saw his new defense beat up his former team that he won a Super Bowl with. In the first quarter the Rams moved from their 29 to a 3rd and 6 at the Denver 8. Jared Goff threw incomplete. Cairo Santos hit the 26 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Rams. The Rams got it back and moved from their own 8 to a 3rd and 2 at the Denver 21. Goff threw incomplete and santos hit from 39. The Rams led 6-0, but Denver’s defense was keeping them in the game.
After a touchback, Denver moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Rams 44. Case Keenum went deep to Emanuel Sanders for the touchdown, but the celebration was short-lived. The Broncos were not in the lead. Sanders was ruled down at the one. Making matters worse a taunting penalty on Sanders moved the ball back to the 16. On 3rd and 4 from the 10, Keenum threw incomplete. Brandon McManus hit a 28 yard field goal on the final play of the opening quarter as the Broncos were within 6-3. The Rams finally got going from their own 34. Todd Gurley ran for gains of 29 and 5 and caught a pass for 13 more.On 4th and 1 from the Denver 10, Sean McVay made the decision of the game by deciding to go for it. Gurley got the carry, got the first down, and got the touchdown to make it 13-3 Rams at the half. In the third quarter the Rams faced 3rd and 10 at their own 42. Goff hit Robert Woods for 14 and Everett for 12. On 3rd and 1 from the Denver 23, Gurley ran for 21 yards and then for a one yard touchdown. With 6 minutes left in the third quarter, the Rams had a 20-3 stranglehold lead.
From the Rams 34, Keenum went deep and was intercepted. The Rams took over at their own 6. On 3rd and 6 from their 10, Goff had the ball intercepted right back. The Broncos took over at the Rams 12. From the 22 after offensive pass interference, Keenum went to Emanuel Sanders for the touchdown as the Broncos were within 20-10 after three quarters. The Rams missed a chance to extend the lead when Santos missed a 47 yard field goal try. Denver took over at their own 37 and Keenum went deep to Sutton for 41 yards. Yet despite 2nd and 5 from the Denver 6, Keenum threw incomplete twice. Needing 2 scores with 9 minutes left in regulation, Vance Joseph opted for the field goal. McManus hit from 24 as the Broncos were now only down 20-13.
The Rams went into pure power football mode, moving 72 yards in 13 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. Gurley ran for 9, 0, and then on 3rd and 1 got the yard. Woods gained 12. Gurley ran for 3 and then ripped off a 26 yard gain. Brown ran for 5. With the running game working perfectly, Sean McVay called a pass play. Goff was sacked for an 8 yard loss. McVay gets some latitude because the Rams are unbeaten, but too many coaches call high risk pass plays when running the ball is working. On 3rd and 13 at the Denver 27, McVay again went bold rather than run and kick a field goal. Goff hit Woods for a 19 yard gain. At this point from the 8 yard line, McVay kept it on the ground. Santos hit the 21 yard field goal as the Rams led 23-13 with only 3 minutes left. Keenum did lead the Broncos 77 yards and hit Demaryius Thomas for a one yard touchdown with 1:22 to play. The onside kick failed and the Rams remained unbeaten. They showed they can win flashy, but they can also play smash mouth when necessary. They are a complete team in every sense of the word. 23-20 Rams
Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys — The Jaguars are not that bad and the Cowboys are not that good. This was just one of those games. Brett Maher hit a 50 yard field goal for the Cowboys to start the deluge. Dallas got it back at the Jacksonville 48. On 3rd and 5 from the Jacksonville 43, Dak Prescott hit Cole Beasley for 15. Prescott ran for a 17 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Cowboys. Dallas got it back to start the second quarter at their own 16 and just kept running. Ezekiel Elliott gained 7, Prescott added 7, and Elliott ran for 20 more. From the Jags 31, Prescott hit Gathers for 14 and Beasley for the 17 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Cowboys. Dallas got it back and embarked on a staggering 16 play, 78 yard drive that consumed 7 1/2 minutes. The Cowboys were set up to punt on 4th and 1 just shy of midfield. Yet the Jaguars had too many men on the field so the Cowboys kept the ball. On 4th and 1 at the Jags 37, Jason Garrett this time decided to go for it. Elliott got 2 yards. On 3rd and 5 from the 30, Prescott hit Beasley for 18. On 3rd and 7 from the 9, Prescott hit Beasley for the touchdown and the 24-0 Cowboys lead at the half.
The second half was a formality. Blake Bortles did throw a 34 yard third quarter touchdown pass to Dede Westbrook to avoid the shutout, but this game was all Cowboys. Maher hit a 46 yard field goal in the third quarter. An interception of Bortles led to Maher hitting again from 32 in the fourth quarter. On the next play from scrimmage after a touchback, the Jaguars fumbled and the Cowboys took over at the Jags 31. Elliott ran for 21 and after a delay of game ran for a 15 yard touchdown to complete the blowout. Both teams are 3-3, but going in different directions. 40-7 Cowboys
Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans — These teams have played brutal defensive head-knocker football games over the years. These slugfests were often close games. Not this time. Despite Ray Lewis and Ed Reed long being retired, John Harbaugh’s defense belted Mariota. He was sacked 11 times, while only completing 10 passes. The Titans had 7 first downs. Everybody hit Mariota except Tony Siragusa. In the first quarter Baltimore mounted a suffocating 17 play, 94 yard, 9 minute drive. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Joe Flacco hit Michael Crabtree for the touchdown. In the second quarter the Ravens took over at their own 48. Alex Collins ran for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Ravens at halftime. The Ravens took the ball to start the third quarter and mounted a 12 play, 78 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive. Collins ran for the 2 yard touchdown. This was old-school Ravens football. Get a lead and unleash the defense. Steve McNair would not have survived this kind of beating. Mariota had no chance. 21-0 Ravens
Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots was the Sunday night game. The Chiefs came in 5-0 and having beaten the Patriots two straight times, including blasting them in New England in last year’s opener. Yet every time this century the Patriots are discounted, they respond with fury. After a touchback to start the game, the Patriots faced 3rd and 3 at the Chiefs 40. Tom Brady threw incomplete and Bill Belichick made the surprise decision to go for it only 2 1/2 minutes into the game. Brady threw incomplete again. The good field position allowed the Chiefs to score first when Harrison Butker hit a 42 yard field goal. After a touchback, the Patriots moved to the Chiefs 30. Stephen Gostkowski hit from 48 for a 3-3 game.
The Chiefs took over at their own 23 and the first big break in the game came. Patrick Mahomes was intercepted by Donta Hightower, who returned it 27 yards to the Chiefs 4 yard line. The Patriots scored the touchdown when Michel ran it in as New England led 10-3. A very short kickoff had the Chiefs taking over at their own 45. Mahomes went to Kareem Hunt for 25 yards. On 2nd and 4 from the Chiefs 24, rather than run the ball, pass-happy Walrus Lite Andy Reid kept passing. Mahomes threw incomplete twice. Butker hit from 42 to get the Chiefs within 10-6 after the first quarter.
The Patriots came back 75 yards in 10 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 10 from the Chiefs 17, Brady went to Julian Edelman for the touchdown. Edelman missed the first 4 games with a suspension, and his return has been important. The Patriots led 17-6. The Chiefs moved 69 yards in 11 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. Yet on 2nd and goal from the 4, pass-happy Walrus Lite Andy Reid kept passing. One pass lost 2 yards and on 3rd and goal Mahomes threw incomplete. Butker hit from 24 as the Chiefs trailed 17-9. The Patriots moved 75 yards late in the half. At the 2 minute warning on 3rd and goal from the one, Michel got in the end zone. The Chiefs were kicking field goals while the Patriots were scoring touchdowns. After a touchback the Chiefs quickly moved to a 1st and 10 at the Patriots 15 yard line with 4 seconds left in the half. Rather than try a 33 yard field goal with a kicker who was 3 for 3, pass-happy Walrus Lite Andy Reid kept passing. Mahomes went to the end zone and was intercepted by Harmon for a touchback. The Patriots led 24-9 at halftime. The game completely changed in the third quarter.
On the 3rd play of the third quarter with the Chiefs facing 3rd and 2 at their own 33, Mahomes went deep to Kareem Hunt for a 67 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Chiefs were within 24-16. The Patriots mounted a 12 play, 65 yard drive that took 6 minutes. Despite 1st and goal at the 6, a run gained one yard and Brady threw incomplete twice. Gostkowski hit from 24 as the Patriots led 27-16. The Chiefs had their turn and moved from their own 37 to a 3rd and 2 at the New England 12. Mahomes threw incomplete. Butker hit the 30 yarder as the Chiefs were within 27-19. After a touchback, a pair of Brady incompletions had the Patriots facing 3rd and 10 at their own 36. Brady was sacked and fumbled. The Chiefs took over at the New England 29. Mahomes hit Sammy Watkins for 15 and Tyreeq Hill for the 14 yard touchdown. Walrus Lite Andy Reid is frequently criticized for his decision-making, but he made a very important decision that was the right one. Rather than go for the 2 point try to tie the game, he kicked the extra point. The Chiefs trailed 27-26 after three quarters, but chasing points in the middle of a game is the wrong course of action
After a touchback, Brady hit Edelman for 21 yards as the Patriots began the fourth quarter at their own 47. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the Chiefs 21, Brady threw incomplete. Gostkowski hit from 39 as the Patriots led 30-26. Then came the Chiefs special team. From the goal line, Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards. He was caught from behind at the last moment but the Chiefs had 1st and goal at the 3. On 3rd and goal at the one, the entire world knew that pass-happy Walrus Lite Andy Reid was going to pass. Mahomes threw a fade pass that appeared overthrown, but a sliding Tyreeq Hill made the catch and kept his feet from touching the white chalk. Hill may not have been the primary receiver on the play, but a 24-6 second half run had the Chiefs up 33-30 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
After a touchback, Brady hit White for 9 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 34, Brady went deep to Chris Hogan for a 42 yard gain. Brady went back to Hogan on the next play for 19 more yards down to the 5. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Brady appeared to be sacked. Yet somehow he escaped, scrambled up the middle, and dove over the goal line for the touchdown. Now the Patriots had retaken the lead 37-33 with 5 1/2 minutes to play. Replay showed that rookie Braylon Speakes clearly had Brady dead to rights, but that he let go of Brady to avoid a penalty. Perhaps he thought Brady had thrown the ball already. It was another example of why trying to make the game safer is a delicate balance as fear of penalties leads to defensive errors.
On the next Chiefs series Mahomes threw a mom on third down off of his back foot. He was lucky his under thrown ball was not intercepted. The Chiefs had not punted all game, but with 4 minutes left in regulation they did. The Patriots took over at their own 21. Rather than run down the clock, now it was Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels getting aggressive. Brady went to Rob Gronkowski, and Gronk stiff-armed a defender and threw him out of the way for a 42 yard gain. The Chiefs took their first timeout on defense with 3 1/2 minutes left. On 3rd and 5 from the Chiefs 33, Brady threw incomplete. Edelman had it in his hands but dropped it. Belichick had Gostkowski try a 50 yard field goal knowing a miss would have the Chiefs in position for a win. Gostkowski delivered and the Patriots led 40-33 with 3:15 to play.
12 seconds later, the game was tied again. Are? You? Kissing? Me???!!!!!! On 1st and 10 after a touchback, Mahomes went bombs away to Hill for a 75 yard touchdown. With 3 minutes left, the NFL had a 40-40 game. At the 2 minute warning, the Patriots faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. A short un of 2 yards kept the drive going. With everything on the line, Brady went deep to Gronkowski for a 39 yard gain. The Chiefs only had one timeout left, so they were helpless on defense. With 3 seconds left, Gostkowski came in for a 28 yarder to win it. The kick was good and the game of the year had everything but overtime. The 41 year old Brady ran across the field to congratulate the 23 year old Mahomes, as the Chiefs were knocked from the rails of the unbeaten. Mahomes finished 23 of 36 for 352 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Brady went 24 of 35 for 340 yards, one touchdown, and 0 interceptions. After 2 straight losses to Andy Reid, Bill Belichick got the better of him this time. An AFC Title Game rematch would be well worth the price of admission. Brady is winding down but as good as ever. Mahomes is scary good and will be for quite some time. Last year the 5-0 Chiefs collapsed to 6-6. Don’t be fooled by this loss. The Chiefs even in defeat are for real. The Patriots barely survived them in New England. They would not want to face them in January in Kansas City. 43-40 Patriots
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers was the Monday night game. Both offenses shot out of the gate, with very little defense to be found. After a touchback, CJ Beathard found Goodwin for 17 yards, Juszczyk for 9, and Bourne for 22. Matt Breida ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 49ers only 4 minutes into the game. The Packers took over at their own 23 and on the first play from scrimmage, Aaron Rodgers went deep Valdes-Scantling for a 60 yard gain. Jones ran for 16 yards and Montgomery ran for a2 yard touchdown and a 7-7 ballgame. The 49ers fumbled the ensign kickoff and the Packers took over at the San Francisco 34. Despite 2nd and 9 from the 49ers 11, Rodgers threw incomplete twice. Mason Crosby shook off last week’s nightmarish performance to hit a 29 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Packers
The Packers took over at their own 21. From their 34, Rodgers went deep to Jimmy Graham for a 54 yard gain. Rodgers hit Devontae Adams for a 9 yard touchdown to male it 17-7 Packers. The 49ers took over at their 22 and came right back. From their 33, Beathard went bombs away to Goodwin for a 67 yard touchdown to get the 49ers within 17-14. All of this was still in the first quarter.
Green Bay returned the ensuing kickoff 66 yards to the San Francisco 28, but it was called back by a penalty. In the second quarter the 49ers took over at their 20. Beathard hit Juszczyk for 21 yards, but Juszczyk fumbled and the Packers recovered at the San Francisco 44. Despite 1st and 10 at the San Francisco 21, pass-happy Mike McCarthy kept passing. Rodgers threw 3 straight incompletions. Crosby hit the 39 yard field goal to make it 20-14 Packers. A 25 yard return on the kickoff had the 49ers at their own 35. Beathard hit Kittle for 9 yards. Mostert ran for a 26 yard gain. Beathard then went deep to a wide open Goodwin for a 30 yard touchdown. With 6 minutes left in the half, the 49ers had a 21-20 lead. The 49ers got it back at their own 40 and ended the half with Robbie Gould hitting a 46 yard field goal for a 24-20 49ers lead.
After a touchback to start the third quarter, the Packers soon faced 1st and 10 at their own 37. Rodgers rolled to his right, and with his feet off the ground found Valdes-Scantling for a 30 yard gain. The drive died there, but Crosby nailed a 51 yard field goal dead center to get the Packers within 24-23. The 49ers after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Green Bay 26. Beathard threw incomplete. Gould hit from 44 to make it 27-23 49ers. The 49ers got it back at their own 18 and moved 58 yards in 10 plays in 5 minutes. On 3rd and 4 from the Green Bay 24, Beathard threw incomplete. With 13 minutes left in regulation, Gould hit from 42 to make it 30-23 49ers.
After a touchback, the Packers moved to a 3rd and 10 at the San Francisco 11. Rodgers could not find anybody and scrambled for 7 yards. Mike McCarthy decided to go for it and Rodgers threw incomplete midway through the fourth quarter. The 49ers went 3 and out and the Packers got it back in excellent field position at their own 48 with 5 1/2 minutes left. A pass lost 3 yards and a sack of Rodgers meant 3 and out. With 4 minutes left, Mike McCarthy opted to punt and trust his defense in a game with very little defense. The 49ers took over at their own 19. Kyle Shanahan learned nothing from his Super Bowl loss with Atlanta a couple of years ago. He kept trying to pass the ball from deep in his own territory rather than run it. A sack of Beathard meant another 3 and out and the Packers getting the ball back at their own 42 with 3 minutes left. What could possibly go wrong?
Rodgers went deep to Adams for a 42 yard gain. At the 2 minute warning, the Packers faced 3rd and 6 at the Frisco 16. Rodgers floated a perfect pass just over the outstretched fingers of the defender into the arms of Adams for the touchdown. The teams were tied 30-30 as the 49ers took over at their own 47 with 1:49 left thanks to a personal foul call on the Packers. On 3rd and 3 at the Green Bay 46 with 1:13 left, a short completion and one more first down could have meant long field goal range. Instead Kyle Shanahan got greedy. A deep ball was intercepted by King at the Green Bay 10 yard line with 1:07 left.
Montgomery ran for 14 yards, but with 49 seconds left the Packers faced 3rd and 15 at their own 19. Overtime seemed almost certain. Rodgers was sacked, but a questionable illegal contact penalty on Richard sherman kept the drive going. Rodgers then scrambled up the middle for 21 yards as the clock ticked. The Packers had no timeouts so Rodgers spiked it with 20 seconds left. Rodgers went to Adams for 8 yards. with 15 seconds left, the Packers faced 3rd and 2 at the Frisco 47. Rodgers went to Brown for 19 yards. With 10 seconds left, a field goal try would have been 46 yards. Yes, Crosby was awful last week, but he was fine this week. McCarthy wanted it closer. Rodgers had to go sideline, and he hit Adams for 19 yards. Now from the 9 yard line with 6 seconds left, it was only a 27 yard try. For some mindless reason, McCarthy called one more play. Rodgers quickly threw it out of bounds to leave 3 seconds. Crosby came in, and the kick was good. Last week’s goat was this week’s hero. Beathard finished 16 of 23 for 245 yards 2 touchdowns, and one interception. Rodgers was 25 of 46 for 425 yards and 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. 33-30 Packers