NFL 2020 Week 2 Recap
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns is the Thursday night game. Sometimes a pair of bad teams can come together and play an exciting game. This actually was that game, which was exciting throughout. Wilson returned the opening kickoff 42 yards to the Cincinnati 39. On the first play from scrimmage Joe Burrow went deep for a 35 yard completion. Yet the call was challenged and reversed incomplete. The Bengals did move to a 3rd and 2 at the Cleveland 31. When a run lost 2 yards, Zac Parsons decided to go for it. On 4th and 4, Burrow hit Trevor Boyd for 7 yards. Yet on 3rd and 5 from the Cleveland 9, Burrow was sacked for an 11 yard loss. Randy Bullock was last week’s goat, but this week he hit the 38 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bengals.
After a touchback, Baker Mayfield came out firing. He hit Jarvis Landry for 9, Hodge for 26 more, and Austin Hooper for 11. On 3rd and 7 from the Cincinnati 25, Mayfield scrambled for 8. Nick Chubb ran for 6 and then for the 11 yard touchdown to cap the 10 play, 75 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive to make it 7-3 Browns. The Bengals soon faced 3rd and 6 from their own 42. Burrow fumbled the snap out of the shotgun and a mad scramble meant a 22 yard loss. The Browns got it back at their own 43 and struck quickly. Chubb ran for 13 and Mayfield went to Odell Beckham Jr for a 43 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Browns with 12 minutes left in the half.
Wilson retuned the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to the Cincinnati 43. Burrow hit Joe Mixon for gains of 4 and 5. On 3rd and 1 from the Cleveland 48, Burrow hit Sample for 7, Mixon for 18, and CJ Uzomah for a 23 yard touchdown to get the Bengals back within 14-10. Cleveland took over at their own 37 with 5 1/2 minutes left in the half. On 2nd and 11 from their own 36, Mayfield hit Beckham for 18. On 3rd and 4 from their own 40 out of the shotgun, Karim Hunt gained 6. Mayfield hit Hunt for 9 and Hodge for 13. With 90 seconds left in the half on 3rd and goal from the 6, Mayfield went to Hunt for the touchdown. The 12 play, 63 yard drive gave the Browns a 21-10 lead. After a touchback, Burrow hit Boyd for 11, Uzomah for 6, and Higgins for 18. On 3rd and 10 from midfield, Burrow threw incomplete but the defense jumped offside. On 3rd an 5, Burrow went to AJ Green for 6. On 3rd and 10 from the Cleveland 39, Burrow hit Thomas for 14. Bullock hit from 43 to end the half with the Bengals down 21-13.
After a touchback to start the second half, the Browns moved 74 yards in 13 plays and 7 minutes. On 4th and 2 from the Cincy 44, Kevin Stefanski decided to go for it. Mayfield hit Landry for 21 yards. On the next play Chubb ran for a 23 yard touchdown. Yet on further review, Chubb was ruled down at the one yard line. On 1st and goal Chubb was stopped and on 2nd and goal he lost a yard. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Mayfield threw incomplete. Stefanski went for it again on 4th and goal at the 2, and Chubb was stopped after one yard. The goal line stand fired up the Bengals defense. Sadly, their offense gave the ball right back. On 3rd and 9 from their own 12, Burrow was sacked and fumbled. The Browns recovered at the Bengals one yard line. Mayfield threw incomplete, but on 2nd and goal Chubb finally got in to make it 28-13 Browns.
Cody Parkey kicked the ensuing kickoff out of bounds to set up the Bengals at their own 40 yard line. The Bengals moved 51 yards in 14 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. On 4th and 5 from the Cleveland 20, Parsons again decided to go for it in a game of big gambles. Burrow ran for 7 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the 4, Giovanni Bernard ran for the touchdown. Yet in a game of big reversals, it was ruled that Bernard was down at the one. On first and goal, Mixon lost 4 yards. Burrow threw incomplete, but defensive holding meant 1st and goal at the 2. After throwing incomplete, Burrow was sacked for a 7 yard loss. On 3rd and goal Burrow threw incomplete. Bullock hit from 27 as the Bengals trailed 28-16 after three quarters.
After a touchback, the Browns moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Cincy 26. Mayfield went deep and was intercepted at the 2 yard line. The Bengals took over at their own 17. Mixon ran for 9 and 8. Burrow hit Higgins for 12 and Sample for 5. After throwing incomplete on 3rd and 5 from their own 48, Parsons again went for it on 4th and 5. Burrow hit Boyd for 13, ran for 5 and hit Uzomah for 5. A sack of Burrow was nullified by a defensive facemark. On 3rd and 1 from the Cleveland 5, Burrow got the yard. On the next play Burrow hit Mike Thomas for the 4 yard touchdown. With 6 minutes left in regulation, the Bengals were within 28-23.
After a touchback, Chubb ran for 4 and then 26 more. Hunt ripped off a 33 yard gain. Hunt gained one, ten, and then the one yard touchdown. Without a single pass play, the browns and quickly built a 35-23 lead with 4 minutes left. Burrow tried to lead a furious rally, but he needed 16 plays to go the 75 yards. On 4th and 5 from his own 30, Burrow hit Boyd for 17. On 3rd and 1 from the Cleveland 44, Burrow hit Sample for 6. On 4th and 1 from the Cleveland 29, Burrow hit Thomas for 10. On 3rd and goal from the 9, Burrow hit Boyd for the touchdown. The Bengals were within 5, but only 43 seconds remained. The game was exciting, but the onside kick failed. 35-30 Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans — On the first play from scrimmage, Ryan Tannehill executed a perfect play fake and found a wide open Smith for a 63 yard gain. Two plays later Tannehill connected with Smith for the 13 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Titans. After a touchback the Jaguars moved to a 4th and 3 at the Tennessee 39. Doug Marrone decided to go for it. Gardner Minshew somehow escaped a sack and ran for the first down. Yet on the next play a Minshew pass was high, deflected and intercepted. Christian Fulton returned the interception 45 yards to the Jacksonville 30. On 3rd and 6 from the Jags 26, Tannehill hit Firkser for 14. Tannehill hit Davis for the 9 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Titans.
This time the Jaguars responded. On 2nd and 8 from their own 27, Minshew hit Tyler Eifert for 9 and then went deep to DJ Chark for a 45 yard gain. On 3rd and 10 from the Tennessee 19, Minshew went to Eifert for the touchdown to get the Jaguars within 14-7. Midway through the second quarter the Titans took over at their own 15. On 3rd and 3 from their own 22, Tannehill hit Humphries for 5. On 3rd and 4 from their own 33, Tannehill threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 22 yard gain. Derrick Henry gained 7 and 14. On 3rd and 3 from the Jags 17, Henry gained 7 and 4 more. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Tannehill hit Smith for the touchdown as the Titans led 21-7 with 1:47 left in the half.
The Jaguars moved after a touchback to a 1st and 10 at the Tennessee 17 with 30 seconds left in the half. Minshew threw 3 straight incompletions. Josh Lambo hit the 35 yard field goal to get the Jaguars within 21-10 with only 15 seconds left in the half. Yet a terrible squib kick by Lambo gave the Titans the ball just past midfield with 10 seconds left. Tannehill hit Firkser for 16. Stephen Gostkowski had a miserable week last week, missing 3 field goals and an extra point before hitting the winning field goal. This week Gostkowski ended the half by hitting a 51 yard field goal to make it 24-10 Titans.
The Jaguars began the second half at their own 11 yard line. on 3rd and 1 from their 20, Robinson got the yard. On 3rd and 2 from their own 29, Thompson gained 5. From their own 48, Minshew hit O’Shaughnessy for 13 and Shenault for 9. Robinson ran for a 17 yard touchdown as the Jaguars were within 24-17 after the 14 play, 89 yard, 8 minute drive. After a touchback, the Jaguars defense was immediately called for defensive holding. Henry ran for 2, 14 and 4. On 2nd and 6 from midfield, Tannehill hit Davis for 17. On 3rd and 9 from the Jags 18, Tannehill went to Humphries for the touchdown. Gostkowski doinked the extra point off the upright no good as the Titans led 30-17.
After a touchback, Minshew hit Chark for 10 and Robinson for 6. Robinson then ran for a 39 yard gain. Minshew hit O’shaunghnessy for 12 as the fourth quarter began with the Jaguars facing 1st and goal at the 8. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Minshew hit Cole for the touchdown. This time it was Lambo drinking the extra point off the upright no good as the Jaguars trailed 30-23. Tennessee quickly went 3 and out and the Jaguars got it back at their own 14. A defensive facemark gave the Jaguars 15 yards. Shenault gained 12 and Robinson added 9 more. On 3rd and 5 from their own 46, Minshew hit Conley for 24 yards. Robinson gained 5 and Minshew hit Conley for 8 more. On 3rd and 7 from the Tennessee 14, Minshew hit Thompson for the touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the game was tied 30-30.
With 3 1/2 minutes left a short punt gave the Titans great field position at their own 40 yard line. Henry gained 9 and 2. On 3rd and 5 from the Jags 44, Tannehill threw incomplete but a killer defensive pass interference penalty meant 8 yards and a first down. On 3rd and 10 from the Jags 36 out of the shotgun, Tannehill hit Firkser for 5 yards. With 1:41 left, Gostkowski came in for a 49 yard field goal try to give the Titans the lead. Gostkowski was good. Despite a nightmarish season, he hit the big field goal in both games. After a touchback, the Jaguars had 1:36 to work with. With 51 seconds left on 2nd and 1 from the Jaguars 45, Minshew was intercepted. It was a great football game, and another sigh of relief for Gostkowski. 33-30 Titans
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Teddy Bridgewater got off to a rough start while Tom Brady atoned for last week by starting red hot. The Panthers moved from their own 29 to a 1st and 10 at the Tampa Bay 22. Bridgwater was then intercepted at that spot. On 3rd and 6 from their own 26, Brady hit LeSean McCoy for 7, then 2 more, and then enough 16. Brady then went deep to Mike Evans for a 50 yard gain. On 3rd and 9 from the Carolina 20, Brady hit McCoy for only 6, but unnecessary roughness added 7 more yards and an automatic first down. On the next play Jones ran for the 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. 2 plays after a touchback, Bridgewater got hit and fumbled. The Buccaneers took over at the Carolina 23. One play later Brady went deep to Evans for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Buccaneers. In the second quarter the Panthers recovered a fumble and moved from their 41 to a 4th and 2 at the Tampa 36. Matt Rhule passed up a 54 yard field goal try and gambled on a fake punt that did not work. The Buccaneers took over at their own 35. Brady went to Evans for 8 and then went deep to Watson for a 36 yard gain. On 3rd and 6 from the Carolina 13, Brady went to Leonard Fournette for 12. Fournette got the last yard and the Buccaneers had a comfortable 21-0 halftime lead.
An exchange of turnovers in the third quarter had the Panthers with a short field at the Tampa 47. On 3rd and 6, Bridgewater hit Moore for 15. On 3rd and 2 from the Tampa 8, Bridgewater threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. McCaffrey got the yard and the Panthers were within 21-7. The Panthers got it back at their own 7. On 3rd and 6 from their 11, Bridgewater hit Samuel for 10, Robbie Anderson for 11, and Moore for a 30 yard gain. On 3rd and 2 from the Tampa 7, Bridgewater threw incomplete. On 4th and 2, Matt Rhule decided to go for it. A perfect option pitchout to McCaffrey had him get around the end for the touchdown. 90 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Panthers were within 21-14.
Carolina got it back at their own 12 and Bridgewater went deep to Anderson for 39 yards. Offensive holding moved the Panthers back and then Bridgewater was intercepted. The Buccaneers took over at their own 40. Brady hit Evans for 8 and Fournette ran for gains of 25, 6, 4 and 3. On 3rd and 8 from the Carolina 15, Brady threw incomplete. Ryan Succop hot a 33 yard field goal to give the Buccaneers breathing room up 24-14 with 6:18 to play. After a touchback, Bridgewater hit Davis for 16, Moore for 18, Davis for 8 and 7, Moore for 5 and Bridgewater for 12. On 3rd and goal from the 7, Bridgewater threw incomplete. Needing 2 scores with 2:22 to play, Matt Rhule opted for the field goal. Joey Slye hit from 23 to get the Panthers within 24-17. The onside kick failed and the Buccaneers took over at the carolina 46. One play later Fournette was racing all the way to the end zone to lock up the game. Tom Brady in 20 years has never started 0-2. After going 5-0 last year, Bridgewater is 0-2 this year. 31-17 Buccaneers
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers — Midway through the first quarter the Broncos faced 3rd and 7 from their own 25. DJ Lock had the ball chopped out of his hand and the Steelers took over at their own 41. Making matters worse for Denver, Lock had his elbow injured on the play. Ben Roethlisberger hit Eric Ebron for 15, Juju Smith-Schuster for 8, and Washington for 5. On 3rd and 10 from the Denver 20, Big Ben went to Smith—Schuster for 18. James Conner ran for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Steelers. The Steelers got it back but were forced to punt on 4th and 18 from their own 9. The Broncos began the second quarter at the Pittsburgh 36 with Jeff Driskel in at quarterback. The Broncos wasted the prime field position but Brandon McManus drilled a 49 yard field goal to get the Broncos within 7-3. The Steelers took over at their own 16. Roethlisberger went deep to Chase Claypool for an 84 yard touchdown bomb and a 14-3 Steelers lead. Desperate to give the Broncos a spark, Vic Fangio had McManus try a 58 yard field goal. The kick was no good. With 1:58 left in the half, the Broncos got it back at their own 20. Jeff Driskel was quarterbacking the Broncos, and he was intercepted by Joe Haden. Haden returned the interception 24 yards to the Denver 11. On 3rd and 1 from the 2, Conner lost a yard. Mike Tomlin opted for the field goal. Chris Boswell hit from 21 and the Steelers led 17-3 at the intermission.
The Steelers have a tendency to play down to their competition and let teams back in games. McCloud returned the second half kickoff 49 yards and the Steelers took over at their own 47. Yet on 3rd and 16 from the Denver 48, Roethlisberger was intercepted. The Broncos took over at the Pittsburgh 41. On 3rd and 8 Driskel hit Hammier for 13. On 3rd and 6 from the Pittsburgh 22, Driskel hit Noah Fant for 14 with a defensive horsecollar tackle setting up 1st and goal at the 4. Driskel was sacked and then threw incomplete twice. McManus hit from 28 and the Broncos were down 17-6. The Steelers moved from their 25 to a 4th and 2 at the Denver 35. Rather than try a 53 yard field goal, Mike Tomlin opted to go for it. Roethlisberger threw incomplete. On 3rd and 2 from their own 43, Driskel threw incomplete but defensive pass interference on Minkah Fitzpatrick kept the drive going. Freeman ran for 4 and 13. From the Pittsburgh 35, a roughing the passer call moved the Broncos to the Pittsburgh 20. Driskel went to Fast for the touchdown and again to the 2 point conversion. After three quarters, the Broncos were only down 17-14.
After a touchback, Roethlisberger went to Ebron for 21. On 4th and 2 from the Denver 35, Mike Tomlin again went for it. Roethlisberger hit Smith-Schuster for 3 yards. Roethlisberger went to Diontae Johnson for a 28 yard touchdown to put the Steelers up 24-14 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Broncos had to punt on 4th and 11 from their own 12. The snap was fumbled in the end zone and a mad scramble led to a safety. With 10 minutes left the Steelers led 26-14. With the free kick being returned by Johnson 24 yards to the Denver, the Steelers had a chance to put the game away.
Instead, Bennie Snell fumbled and the Broncos recovered at their own 46. On 2nd and 19 from their own 37, Driskel hit Hamler for 18. Defensive pass interference on the next play added 9 more. On 3rd and 7 from the Pittsburgh 33, Driskel hit Patrick for 17 and Melvin Gordon for a 16 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Broncos were within 5 points. The Broncos got it back at their own 18 with 6 minutes left. Gordon ran for 10 and 2. On 3rd and 1 from their own 37, Driskel gained 2. On 3rd and 11 from their own 38, Driskel threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 17 yard gain. Driskel then went to Fant for a 22 yard gain. At the 2 minute warning, on 3rd and 2 from the Pittsburgh 18, Driskel threw incomplete. With everything on the line, on 4th and 2, Driskel got rocked for an 11 yard loss. The Broncos still had all 3 timeouts. On 2nd and 5 from the pittsburgh 31, Connor broke free for a 59 yard gain. That allowed Pittsburgh to run out the clock. 26-21 Steelers
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles — The Eagles fumbled on the third play from scrimmage and the Rams began with a short field at the Philadelphia 41 yard line. Jared Goff hit Cooper Kupp for a 24 yard gain and Tyler Higbee for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Rams. The Eagles did move from their own 30 to a 3rd and 6 at the Rams 22. Carson Wentz then threw a West Coast Offense dink and dunk pass that gained only 2 yards. Elliott hit the 38 yard field goal to get the Eagles on the board, but after that the Rams took over. On 3rd and 2 from their own 33, Goff hit Jefferson for gains of 10 and 8. On 3rd and 3 from midfield, Goff hit Kupp for 5 and then 19 more and then found Jefferson for 21. Robert Woods ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Rams. In the second quarter the Rams got it back at their own 20. Goff hit Higbee for 13, Henderson for 12 and Higbee again for 6. Kupp took an end around for 15 yards and Goff hit Reynolds for 20. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Goff hit Higbee for the touchdown to make it 21-3 Rams.
The Eagles tried to get back in the game after a touchback. went hit Reagor for 16 and ran for 7 more. Runs and short passes led to 2nd and goal at the 7. Wentz threw incomplete but unnecessary roughness on the defense meant 1st and goal at the 3. Wentz snuck for a one yard touchdown to get the Eagles within 21-9. Doug Pederson went for the 2 point conversion and it didn’t work. With one minute left in the half and the Rams in total control, the Eagles punted on 4th and 5 from their own 38. Kupp fumbled the punt and the Eagles recovered at the Rams 11. Miles Sanders ran for 6 and then for the 5 yard touchdown as the Eagles only trailed by 21-16 at halftime. In the third quarter the Eagles moved from their own 14 on a 12 play, 63 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive. On 1st and 10 from the Rams 21, Wentz went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. With the Rams facing 4th and 1 at their own 29, Sean McVay went crazy and decided to go for it. Goff gained 2 yards. The Rams moved all the way to a 2nd and goal at the 2, but an offensive holding penalty killed the drive. Sam Sloman hit a 30 yard field goal to put the Rams up 24-16. After a touchback, the Eagles moved 60 yards in 13 plays and minutes. Looking to tie the game on 2nd and 8 from the Rams 15, Wentz threw incomplete twice. Eliott hit from 33 as the Eagles were within 24-19.
After a touchback, Henderson ran for a 40 yard gain. Goff then hit Higbee for a 28 yard touchdown. With 11 minutes left in regulation he Rams led 31-19. The Eagles moved from their own 12 to a 4th and 2 at the Rams 36. Wentz threw incomplete. Henderson gained 2 and 11. Woods and Brown both added 5 more. Goff ran for 10. On 3rd and 9 from the Philly 30, Goff went deep to Henderson for a 28 yard gain. Darrell Henderson ran for a 2 yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked but it didn’t matter. Wentz was soon intercepted and Philaldephia was now an 0-2 team. 37-19 Rams
San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets — On the firs play from scrimmage, Raheem Mostert raced for an 80 yard touchdown. 17 seconds into the game, and the 49ers led 7-0. The Jets eventually moved from their own 39 to a 1st and 10 at the San Francisco 49ers 18. Former 49ers standout Frank Gore is now with the Jets, and he lost 2 yards. Then Sam Dranold was sacked for a 6 yard loss. On 3rd and 18, Adam Gase inspired the entire football world by calling for a running play that gained 3 yards. Sam Ficken hit the 41 yard field goal to get the Jets on the board. The drive came at a heavy cost for the 49ers defense. Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas left the game injured. Bosa was carted off on a stretcher and the injury to his leg looked bad. He might be out for the season.
The 49ers offense kept moving. Mostert had a 67 yard touchdown run called back by offensive holding, but it didn’t matter. On 2nd and 16 from their own 27, Garoppolo hit Coleman for 18. The second quarter began with the 49ers facing 3rd and 9 at the Jets 42. Garoppolo hit Jordan Reed for 11 and Mostert for 10. On 3rd and 8 from the Jets 20, Garoppolo hit Reed for the score to make it 14-3 49ers .The 14 play, 67 yard drive took almost 9 minutes off the clock. The Jets took over at their own 25 and embarked on an 11 play, 55 yard drive that took over 6 minutes. On 3rd and 1 from the San Francisco 20, Gore got stopped. Adam Gase went for it on 4th and 1 and Adams got stopped. With 3 minutes left in the half, the 49ers faced 3rd and 3 from their own 27. Gaoppolo hit Kevin Bourne for 18 and Reed for 8. On 3rd and 2 from the Jets 47, Garoppolo hit Taylor for 9. With one minute left in the half on 3rd and 8 from the Jets 36, Garoppolo threw incomplete. However, roughing the passer kept the drive going. With 11 seconds left, the 49ers faced 3rd and goal at the 4. Garoppolo hit Reed for the touchdown. The 13 play, 80 yard drive had the 49ers up 21-3 at halftime.
The second half was a formality. In the third quarter Robbie Gould hit a 46 yard field goal to make it 24-3 49ers. An interception of Garoppolo set up the Jets at the Frisco 22. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Darnold threw incomplete. Needing 3 touchdowns, Adam Gase surrendered an went with a field goal. Sam Ficken hit from 25 and the Jets trailed 24-6. In the fourth quarter from their own 25, Garoppolo was out of the gam injured. Nick Mullens hit Bourne for 24and Aiyuk for 13. after a roughing the passer penalty, Jerick McKinnon ran for a 16 yard touchdown to make it 31-6 49ers. The Jets did get a garbage touchdown very late. Despite the win, Kyle Shanahan had to figure out how to salvage the rest of the season with injuries devastating his team. 31-13 49ers
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins — A heavy rain made for horrendous conditions for the few fans allowed to attend. After an exchange of punts the Bills took over at their own 3 yard line. Josh Allen went to Stefan Diggs for 25 yards. On 3rd and 10 from their own 29, Allen hit John Brown for 15 and then ran for 16 more. Allen then went deep to Cole Beasley for 26 and back to Diggs for 8 more. On 3rd and 2 from the Miami 6, Allen hit Beasley for 5 and then went to Gilliam for the one yard touchdown. The 11 play, 97 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive made it 7-0 Bills. After a touchback, Ryan Fitzpatrick’s beard hit Ford and Gaskin for a pair of 13 yard gains. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 37, Matt Breida ran for 9 yards. Fitzpatrick went deep to Williams for 26 yards down to the 2 yard line. Fitzpatrick then went to Parker for the score and a 7-7 ballgame.
One play after a touchback, Allen connected with Knox for a 38 yard gain. However, Knox fumbled and the Dolphins took over. The Bills got it back at their own 16 as the rain ended and the sun came out. On 3rd and 5 from their own 21, Allen hit Beasley for 11 and then went deep to McKenzie for a 46 yard gain. Allen then went deep to Diggs for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Bills. Buffalo got it back at their own 6 yard line and carved up the Miami defense. Moss gained 3, 14, 6 and 4. Allen went to Diggs for 16 and Singletary gained 18. The drive stalled at the Miami 28, but Bass hit a 39 yard field goal. The 13 play, 73 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive had the Bills up 17-7 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half.
With 33 seconds left in the half, the Dolphins took over at their own 25. Gaskin ran for 14 and Fitzpatrick hit Matt Gesicki for 27. Jason Sanders nailed a 52 yard field goal to get the Dolphins within 17-10 at halftime. After a lengthy delay due to a lightning storm, the Dolphins took over after a touchback. Fitzpatrick hit Gesicki for 12 and Parker for 20. On 2nd and 1 from the Buffalo 19, Gaskin gained 13 but an illegal block killed the drive. Sanders hit a 45 yard field goal to get the Dolphins within 17-13. The Dolphins got it back at their own 14 and moved 85 yards in 12 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 1st and goal at the one, Jordan Howard got stopped. Then Fitzpatrick got stopped. Then Fitzpatrick threw incomplete. Brian Flores decided to go for it on 4th and goal at the one. Fitzpatrick threw incomplete. The goal line stand fired up the Bills defense, but the offense would not help them. A short punt gave it right back to the Dolphins at the Buffalo 44 to start the fourth quarter. Fitzpatrick hit Ford for 11. On 3rd and 2 from the Buffalo 21, Fitzpatrick hit Ford for 3. Gaskin ran for 9 and 2. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Howard got in. With 10 minutes left in regulation, the Dolphins had come all the way back to lead 20-17.
After a touchback, Allen went deep to Digs for a 47 yard gain. Anoffensive penalty and a sack had the Bills facing 2nd and 24 at the Miami 42. Allen went deep to Beasley for the 24 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Allen hit Gabriel Davis for the score. With 6 minutes left, the Bills led 24-20. The Dolphins went 3 and out and the Bills got it back at their own 29. On 2nd and 7, Allen went deep to Diggs for 21 yards. With 3 minutes left, on 3rd and 9 from the Miami 46, Allen went to Brown for the touchdown. The extra point had the Bills up 31-20. Fitzpatrick did throw an 8 yard touchdown to Gesicki and a 2 point conversion to Williams with 49 seconds left. Yet the insides kick failed and the Dolphins had another loss. 31-28 Bills
Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts — The Vikings began at their own 22 and embarked on a 13 play, 75 yard, 6 minute drive. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 3, Kirk Cousins threw high over the middle and out of the end zone. Dan Bailey hit the 21 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Vikings. The second quarter was all Colts. The Vikings punted on 4th and 5 from their own 10. A short punt had the Colts taking over at the Minnesota 35. Philip Rivers hit Pittman for 16 and 9. Taylor ran for 5 and then 5 more for the touchdown to make it 7-3 Colts. With 5 minutes left in the half and facing 3rd and 7 from their own 5, Kirk Cousins was sacked in the end zone for a safety and a 9-3 Colts lead. After the free kick the Colts took over at their own 32. On 3rd and 5 from their own 37, Rivers hit Alie-Cox for 14 and again for 33 more. TY Hilton dropped a touchdown bomb. On 3rd and 4 from the Minnesota 10, Rivers threw incomplete. Blankenship hit the 28 yard field goal to make it 12-3 Colts. With 45 seconds left in the half on 3rd and 10 from their own 25, Cousins was intercepted. Willis returned the intercepted 43 yards to the Minnesota 29. On 4th and 1 from the 20, Frank Reich decided not to gamble. Blankenship hit from 38 as the Colts took a 15-3 lead to the locker rooms.
The second half was pointless. An interception of Cousins in the third quarter set up the Colts a the Minnesota 22. Blankenship hit his fourth field goal from 38 yards out to make it 18-3 Colts. The Colts got it back and moved 65 yards in 1- plays and 6 1/2 minutes. One minute into the fourth quarter, Rivers hit Zach Pascal for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 25-3 Colts. Blankenship hit his fifth field goal from 44 yards out to make it 28-3 Colts. Minnesota did get a garbage touchdown, but the Vikings are un uncharacteristic 0-2. Mike Zimmer teams are not used to getting pushed around on both sides of the ball. Philip Rivers got his first win leading the Colts. 28-11 Colts
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers — After last week’s epic fourth quarter collapse, the Lions were expected to get blown out by the Packers. On the opening drive from their own 25, the Lions moved the ball easily. Matthew Stafford hit MARVIN jones for 5 yards and TJ Hockenson for 29 more. A defensive facemark had the lions at the Green Bay 22. Johnson ripped off gains of 4, 7 and 4 down to the one and then got the last yard to make it 7-0 Lions. The Packers went on a 12 plat, 50 yard, 5 minute drive. Yet on 2nd and 3 from the Detroit 25, Aaron Rodgers threw incomplete twice. Mason Crosby hit from 43 to get the Packers within 7-3. The Lions soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 34 and Adrian Peterson gained 5. On 3rd and 2 from their own 47, Stafford gained 4. Stafford hit swift for 14 and Petrson gained 25. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Stafford hit Jones for the touchdown to end the first quarter with the Lions up 14-3.
The game changed in the second quarter. On 2nd and 6 from their own 29, Rodgers threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. Jones ran for 5 and caught a pass from Rodgers for 22 more. Rodgers then went to Devontae Adams for 11, Ervin for 4 and Lazard for 10. Jones ran for 5 and 2. on 3rd and 3 from the Detroit 7, Rodgers went to Jones for the score tog et the Packers within 14-10. With one minute left in the half, the Packers took over at their own 38. Rodgers threw incomplete but unnecessary roughness gave the Packers 15 yards. Rodgers then went to Adams for 8, and another defensive personal foul for a horsecollar tackle meant 15 more free yards. Rodgers then went to Tonyan for the 11 yard touchdown with 14 seconds left in the half to make it 17-14 Packers. 14 seconds was enough time for the Lions to get in position for a 57 yard Matt Prater field goal try, but it was no good. On the first play of the third quarter after a touchback, Jones ran up the gut for a 75 yard touchdown. The Packers led 24-14. The Lions took over at their own 5 yard line. Stafford threw a short pass that was intercepted by Sullivan for a 7 touchdown. The Packers led 31-14 as Matt Patricia contemplated whether to clean out his desk before or after the game ended. The Packers got it back and moved 69 yards in 12 plays and 6 minutes. On 1st and 10 from the Detroit 17, Rodgers threw 3 straight incompletions. Crosby hit from 35 as 31 straight points had the Packers cruising 34-14. Stafford did hit Hall for a 24 yard touchdown with 13 minutes remaining, but it was too little, too late. Jones ran for a 14 yard touchdown and Williams added a 2 point conversion to complete the blowout. 42-21 Packers
Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys — Dak Prescott got hit and fumbled and the Falcons recovered at the Dallas 22. One play later Matt Ryan went deep to Calvin Ridley for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. The Cowboys moved from their own 13 to a 1st and 10 at the Atlanta 46. Then Ezekiel Elliott fumbled and the Falcons recovered at their own 48. On 3rd and 5 from the Dallas 47, Matty Ice got just enough. On the next play Ryan went deep to Hurst for a 42 yard touchdown and a 14-0 Falcons lead. Mike McCarthy then on 4th and 4 from his own 29 gambled on a fake punt that didn’t work. The Cowboys defense held but Koo kicked a 42 yard field goal to make it 17-0 Falcons. The Cowboys got it back at their own 32 and immediately fumbled the ball away again. This time it was receiver Sschultz who coughed it up. The Falcons had another short field at the Dallas 40. Koo would hit a 27 yard field goal as the Falcons had a shocking 20-0 first quarter lead on the road. The Mike McCarthy era was off to a miserable start as Jerry Jones again contemplated blowing up Jerryworld for the insurance money.
The Cowboys tried to make a game of it in the second quarter. Prescott hit Amari Cooper for 11 and See Dee Lamb for 9. Elliott ran for 10. On 3rd and 3 from the Atlanta 9, Elliott gained 7, one more, and then the last yard to get the Cowboys on the board down 20-7. Yet after moving 75 yards in 11 plays, the Falcons responded 75 yards in 12 plays. Ryan went to Calvin Ridley for 25 yards to midfield. On 4th and 1 from the Dallas 41, Dan Quinn decided to go for it. Smith gained 2. A defensive penalty for lowering the head to initiate contact had the Falcons in the red zone. On 3rd and 2 from the Dallas 11, Ryan hit gage for 4. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Ryan hit Ridley for the score. A questionable decision to go for 2 failed, but the Falcons led 26-7 with 6 minutes left in the half.
The Cowboys after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Atlanta 17. Yet penalties for offensive holding and a false start killed the drive. Greg Zuerlein hit a 33 yard field goal to get the Cowboys within 26-10 with 1:48 left in the half. Yet the Falcons from their own 21 responded again. Ryan hit Gage for 14 and Ridley for 11. On 1st and 5 from the Dallas 47, Ryan went deep to Ridley for 24 yards. With 16 seconds left in the half from the Dallas 23, Ryan threw incomplete twice. Koo hit his third field goal from 41 yards out to put the Falcons up 29-10 at halftime.
The Cowboys again tried to close the gap in the third quarter. From their own 26, Elliott ran for 10. On 3rd and 6 from their own 40, Prescott went deep to Lamb for 37 yards. and to Schultz for 18 more. Prescott ran for the 2 yard touchdown to get the Cowboys within 29-17. Dan Quinn went to his bag of tricks and called a halfback option pass to an open Julio Jones in the end zone. Jones dropped it. Instead of a 36-17 Falcons lead, the Cowboys got it back at their own 17. Prescott hit Elliott for 8 and then went deep to Cooper for a 58 yard gain. Elliott ran for 9 and one. On 1st and goal at the 7, Prescott got rocked. The roughing the passer call made it 1st and goal at the one, but Prescott left the game. The fans held their breath as Jerry Jones aged to 150 before our eyes. Red Rifle Andy Dalton came in for a couple plays. Jones was back to being in his 70s when Prescott returned to the game. On 3rd and goal at the one, he snuck it over himself to get the Cowboys within 29-24 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Falcons soon faced 3rd and 6 from their own 30. Ryan hit Hurst for 22 yards. On 4th and 2 from the Dallas 40, Dan Quinn decided to go for it. Ryan hit Julio Jones for 19. Ryan hit Gage for an 8 yard touchdown as the Falcons led 36-24 less than one minute into the fourth quarter. The Cowboys moved from their 24 to a 4th and 5 at their own 40. Again Mike McCarthy called a fake punt and again it didn’t work. The Falcons took over at the Dallas 43. On 3rd and 8, Ryan hit Gage for 12. On 3rd and 7 from the Dallas 26, Ryan hit Ridley for 14. On 3rd and 6 from the Dallas 8, Ryan threw incomplete. A touchdown would have certainly put the game away. Instead Koo hit a 32 yard field field goal. Midway through the fourth quarter the Falcons led 39-24. The game was basically over barring an epic collapse.
The Cowboys soon faced 3rd and 4 from their own 31. Prescott hit Bell for 24 yards. On 3rd and 7 from the Atlanta 42, Prescott hit Lamb for 12. With 5 minutes left in regulation, Prescott hit Schultz for a 10 yard touchdown. Mike McCarthy inexplicably went for a 2 point conversion. It failed. The Cowboys were down 39-30 and basically dead in the water. The Cowboys got it bucket their own 24 with 2:52 to play and needing 2 scores. Prescott hit Cooper for 11. On 3rd and 2 from their own 43, Prescott hit Lamb for 14. Prescott then went deep to Michael Gallup for a 38 yard gain. Prescott ran for a one yard touchdown. The Cowboys were within 39-37 but only 1:49 remained. All the Falcons had to do was recover the onside kick. A perfectly executed onside kick had the Cowboys recover at their own 46. Prescott went to Lamb for 24 yards. With 5 seconds left, Zuerlein came in for a 46 yard field goal try to win it. Zuerlein was good. The Falcons led the entire 59 minutes and 55 seconds of the game. Then they lost in a comeback for the ages. This was not as bad as he Falcons 28-3 meltdown in the Super Bowl or even their fourth quarter collapse in the 1980 playoffs against Danny White’s Cowboys, but it was still another maddening loss in a franchise used to losing. Last week Ryan threw for 450 yards in a loss. This week he was 24 of 36 for 273 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in another loss. Mike McCarthy go his first win as Cowboys coach despite himself. Prescott was 34 of 47 for 450 yards, one touchdown and 0 interceptions. 40-39 Cowboys
New York Giants at Chicago Bears — Saquon Barkley left the game early with an injury, turning the Giants from a team lacking in talent to completely lacking in talent. From their own 18 to start, the Bears made it look easy. On 3rd and 5, Mitchell Trubisky hit Allen Robinson for 17. On 2nd and 16 from their own 34, Trubisky hit Tariq Cohen for 15. On 3rd and 1, Cohen out of the shotgun, gained 5. On 3rd and 2 from the Giants 38, Montgomery gained 7. On 3rd and 7 from the Giants 28, Trubisky went to Montgomery for the touchdown. The 12 play, 82 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive had the Bears up 7-0. On 3rd and 6 from their own 25, Daniel Jones was sacked, and as he often does, fumbled. The Bears recovered at the Giants 20. The Giants defense held but Cairo Santos hit a 34 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Bears. The Giants moved from their own 23 to a 3rd and 8 from the Bears 29 in the second quarter. Jones was then intercepted. The Bears got it back at their own 20 and Trubisky hit Robinson for 14, Mooney for 16 and Kmet for 12. On 3rd and 7 from the Giants 29, Trubisky hit Wims for 12. On 3rd and 8 from the Giants 15, Trubisky hit Mooney for the touchdown. With only 14 seconds left in the half, the Bears led 17-0. 14 seconds was enough time for the Giants to move from their 25 to the Chicago 39, but Graham Gano’s 57 yard field goal try was no good.
The Bears are not that good, but the Giants are that bad. Yet an interception of Trubisky set up the Giants at the Chicago 25. The Giants offense did nothing with the ball, but Gano hit from 39 to get the Giants within 17-3. Late in the third quarter the Giants took over at their own 5 yard line. On 3rd and 3 from their 12, Jones hit Lewis for 11, Golden Tate for 20, and Board for 12. Unnecessary roughness added 15 more. The fourth quarter began with the Giants facing 3rd and goal at the one. Jones threw incomplete and Joe Judge decided to go for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Lewis got in to get the Giants within 17-10. An interception of Trubisky set up the Giants at heir own 34. Jones had an interception returned for a Chicago touchdown, but defensive pass interference saved the Giants. Midway through the fourth quarter the Giants had 1st and 10 at the Chicago 19. Jones threw incomplete 3 straight times. Gano hit the 37 yard field goal and the Giants were within 4 points.
The Bears took over at their own 24 and bled much of the clock. With 2:02 to play Santos came in for a 50 yard field goal to extend the lead. The kick was no good. The Giants faced 3rd and 10 from their own 40. Jones hit Engram for 22. With 45 seconds left, the Giants faced 4th and 4 at the Chicago 32. Jones hit Lewis for 6 yards. With 21 seconds left the Giants faced 4th and 1 at the Chicago 17. Jones hit Slayton for 3. With 8 seconds left on 2nd and 10 from the Chicago 14, the Giants had 2 shots to win it. Rather than throw to the end zone, Jones inexplicably threw a 4 yard pass. With 4 seconds left on 3rd and 6 from the Chicago 10, Jones threw to the end zone incomplete. The Giants thought it was defensive pass interference, but it was actually offensive pass interference. There was defensive pass interference as well, but that was not called. The game was over as the Bears became the worst 2-0 team in some time. 17-13 Bears
Washington Riveras at Arizona Cardinals — Both teams had come from behind wins last week. This one was a blowout from the start. A field position game had the Cardinals taking over at the Washington 48 only 90 seconds into the game. On 3rd and 2 from the Washington 40, Kyler Murray gained 13. On 3rd and 3 from the Washington 20, Murray hit Deandre Hopkins for 12. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Murray hit Hopkins for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. Late in the first quarter the Cardinals had another short field at the Washington 40. Murray ran for 7 and hit Hopkins for 8. On 3rd and 4 from the Washigon 19, Murray hit Larry Fitzgerald for 5 and then ran for a 14 yard touchdown on the last play of the first quarter to make it 14-0 Cardinals. Zane Gonzalez hit field goals of 49 and 33 in the second quarter as the Cardinals led 20-0 at halftime and coasted the rest of the way.
The No-Names managed a field goal late in the third quarter, but this game was never in doubt. A 12 play, 75 yard drive was capped with the Cardinals facing 2nd and 19 from the Washington 21. Murray raced all over the defense like a pinball and scored to make it 27-3 Cardinals. The No-Names did manage a pair of touchdowns and failed 2 point conversions to get within 27-15 with 6 1/2 minutes remaining, but no closer. An 11 play, 74 yard drive killed the clock. By the time Gonzalez hit a 28 yard field goal, only 26 seconds remained. The Cardinals are a 2-0 football team, and they are for real. 30-15 Cardinals
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers — Tyrod Taylor was supposed to start as rookie Justin Herbert would watch and learn from the sideline. The Chargers won last week but in pregame warmups, Taylor somehow suffered an injury. Herbert started his very first NFL game. From their own 21, Austin Ekeler ran for a pair of 9 yard gains. Herbert then found Kelley for 35 yards. Herbert went to Ekeler for 16 and then ran for the 4 yard touchdown himself as the Chargers had the surprising 7-0 lead. The Chargers defense was surprisingly good against the defending champions. In the second quarter the Chiefs finally moved the ball for their own 27. Patrick Mahomes hit Williams for 12. Thompson ran for 14 and 3. On 3rd and 7 from the Chargers 44, Mahomes scrambled for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the Chargers 24, Mahomes ran for 10. Mahomes hit Travis Kelce for a 10 yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked as the Chiefs trailed 7-6.
The Chargers took over at their own 29. Ekeler ran for 13. On 3rd and 2 from midfield, Herbert only gained one. With a rookie quarterback in his very first NFL game, Anthony Lynn decided t go for it on 4th and 1 just past midfield. Kelley got the yard. Herbert then hit Ekeler for 22. Ekeler gained 7 and 9 on the ground. On 3rd and goal from the 14, Herbert hit Jalen Guyton for the touchdown. Herbert became the first quarterback since 1954 to run for a touchdown and throw for a touchdown in the first half of his first NFL start. The Chargers led 14-6. In the third quarter from their own 20, the Chargers moved 57 yards in 12 plays. On 3rd and 7 from the Chiefs 23, Herbert threw incomplete. Michael Badgley hit the 41 yard field goal. Midway through the third quarter, the Chargers led 17-6 and trying to close out the upset of the year.
Mahomes moved the Chiefs after a touchback to a 2nd and 7 at the Chargers 32. A false start was followed b a 13 yard sack of Mahomes. On 4th and 15 from the Chargers 40, Walrus Andy Reid brought in Harrison Butker for a 58 yard field goal try. With 3 minutes left in the third quarter, Butker leveled it and the Chiefs were within 17-9. The Chargers moved from their own 16 to a 2nd and 2 at the Chiefs 39 as the third quarter was ending. Herbert was playing very well, but he finally blundered. Again, this was his very first NFL game. He had a running lane and would have easily picked up another first down. Instead he went for it all and threw into triple coverage and was intercepted. The Chiefs took over at their own 5 yard line to stat the fourth quarter. On 3rd and 4 from their 11, Mahomes hit Sammy Watkins for 11 and Mike Hardman for 22. Mahomes went to Tyreek Hill for a 54 yard touchdown bomb. Mahomes then went to Hardman for the 2 point conversion. With 13 minutes left in regulation, the game was tied 17-17.
Those expecting the Chargers to fold were stunned as Herbert led the drive of the year. From the Chargers 13, Herbert hit keeper for 7. Ekeler ran for 7 more. On 3rd and 1 from their own 36, Herbert gained 2. A completion to Hunter Henry gained 19. Pm 3rd and 8 from the Chiefs 31, Herber threw incomplete but roughing the passer meant 15 more yards. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 4, Herbert threw incomplete. After a staggering 17 plays, 82 yard and 10 1/2 minutes, the Chargers settled for a 23 yard Badly field goal and a 20-17 lead. Yet 2 1/2 minutes still remained. After a touchback, Mahomes went to Kelce for 11 and Hill for 16. On 3rd and 20 from the Chargers 45, Mahomes ran for 21 yards. With 10 seconds left the Chiefs had 1st and 10 a he Chargers 13. Yet h defense held. Butker hit the 30 yard field goal and the gam went to overtime tied 20-20.
The Chargers won the toss but on 3rd and 7 from their own 28, Herbert hit Williams for only 6. On 4th and 1 from his own 34, Anthony Lynn decided not to go for it. The Chiefs took over at their own 21 but the rest was inevitable. On 3rd and 8 from their own 36, Mahomes threw incomplete but the defense jumped offside. On 3rd and 3, Mahomes ran for 4. On 4th and 1 from the Chargers 46, Andy Reid went for it. Thompson gained 2. On 4th and 1 from the Chargers 35 at the 2 minute warning, Butker came in for a 53 yard field goal to win it. The kick was good but a false start now made it a 58 yard try. He made it again but the Chargers called timeout before the kick. On his third attempt from 58, Butker was good again. It was a gut wrenching loss for the Chargers and another tough win for the champions, making Andy Reid a most happy and relieve Walrus indeed. 23-20 Chiefs, OT
Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans — Baltimore jumped all over Houston from the start. In the first quarter the Ravens moved from their 13 to a 1st and 10 at the Houston 19. On 3rd and 9, Lamar Jackson hit Mark Ingram for only 4 yards. Justin Tucker hit the 32 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Ravens. On the last play of the first quarter, Bill O’Brien decided to go for it on 4th and 1 from his own 34. Deshaun watson threw incomplete. With the short field to start the second quarter, Jackson hit Ingram for 18, and Boyle for 11, and Patrick Ricard for a one yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Ravens.
After a touchback, Watson hit Akins and Coutee for a pair of 6 yard gains. On 2nd and 8 from their own 39, Watson hit Darren Fells for 13 and Brandon Cooks for 38 yards. Watson hit Fells for the 10 yard touchdown to get the Texans within 10-7. From the Baltimore 21, Jackson hit Duvernay for 19. On 3rd and 9 just past midfield, Jackson went to Brown for 25. On 2n and 7 from the Houston 21, Jackson threw incomplete twice. Tucker hit from 39 as the Ravens led 13-7. The Texans took over at their own 17 and disaster struck immediately. A fumble was returned by LJ Fort for a 22 yard defensive touchdown and a 20-7 Ravens lead. Kaimi Fairbairn did hit a 44 yard field goal for the Texans to end the half, but Tucker responded from 47 to make it 23-10 Ravens with 6 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. The 14 play, 60 yard drive to set up Tucker took 8 1/2 minutes off of the clock.
After a touchback, the Texans moved 58 yards in 14 plays and took 6 1/2 minutes off of the clock. Yet ball control is not helpful when you’re losing, especially when you don’t finish the drive. Fairbairn began the fourth quarter hitting a 35 yard field goal, but the Texans still trailed 23-13. After a touchback Baltimore quickly turned out the lights. Jackson ran for 14 and hit Willie Snead for 22. On 4th and 1 from the Houston 30, John Harbaugh decided to go for it. Ingram did the rest, getting the first down and the touchdown for a 30-13 ravens lead with 12 minutes left in regulation. Fairbairn managed a third field goal from 45 yards out, but it was not nearly enough. With 6 1/2 minutes left, John Harbaugh gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 36. Jackson gained 2. Tucker hit a 20 yard field goal to put the game out of reach. 33-16 Ravens
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks is the Sunday night game. These teams will always be linked by their Super Bowl 6 years ago. Yet recent events loomed large for the Patriots. Running back James White was inactive for the game after receiving a phone call the day before about a tragic car accident. His father was killed and his mother was in the hospital. Robert Kraft offered to immediately fly White on his private jet to see his mother, but White refused. He wanted to fly back with the entire team to help with the grieving process. Bill Belichick was also grieving the loss of his 98 year old mother earlier in the week. Yet as Belichick constantly says, next man up. This was also the first game since Kraft bought the team in 1994 that he was not at the game. After 465 games, he stayed home in New England rather than travel to Seattle as a precaution in the era of COVID. Also, Kraft is Jewish and most likely did not travel because of Rosh Hashanah.
The Seahawks got the ball first and disaster struck almost immediately. A short pass from Russell Wilson caromed right off of the receiver’s hands and was intercepted by Devin McCourty. McCourty strolled untouched for a 42 yard interception return touchdown and a 7-0 Patriots lead 80 seconds into the game. On Seattle next series they suffered an illegal blindside block penalty that had them facing 1st and 25 at their own 43. Wilson then found Tyler Lockett for 16 and on 3rd and 9 ran for a 23 yard gain down to the New England 18. On 3rd and 1 from the 9, Chris Carson gained 5. Wilson scrambled and fired over the middle to Lockett for a 3 yard touchdown to cap the 13 play, 75 yard, 8 minute drive. The game was tied 7-7, and the Patriots would finally get a chance to receive the ball on offense.
The Patriots moved to a 4th and 3 at the Seattle 30. Bill Belichick decided to go for it. Cam Newton fired over the middle to Harry, who got blasted by Diggs. Harry somehow held onto the ball for a first down. Meanwhile, Diggs was called for a flagrant personal foul for a helmet to helmet hit and disqualified from the game. The second quarter began with the Patriots facing 2nd and goal at the 6. Newton ran for a 5 yard gain. Out of the shotgun on 3rd and goal at the one, Newton ran it in to make it 14-7 Patriots. Homer returned the kickoff from the goal line all the way to the Seattle 43. Wilson threw a 54 yard touchdown bomb to DK Metcalf for a 14-14 game. With 3:45 left in the half, a Nick Folk 51 yard field goal try for the Patriots was no good.
In the third quarter the Patriots moved to a 3rd and goal inside the 10. Cam Newton scrambled but was caught from behind. Folk hit the 25 yard chip shot to make it 17-14 Patriots. Wilson came back and went bombs away to David Moore for a 50 yard touchdown to make it 21-17 Seahawks midway through the third quarter. Early in the game Newton threw a sideline route that Quentin Dunbar should have intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Yet Dunbar couldn’t haul it in and it fell incomplete. In the third quarter Dunbar again jumped a sideline route and this time intercepted Newton. Had he gotten up quickly enough he would have scored the other way, but the Seahawks settled for starting at their own 48 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. Wilson found Freddie Swain for a 21 yard touchdown as the Seahawks built a 28-17 lead with 2 minutes left in the third quarter.
Newton after a touchback went deep to Julian Edelman for a 49 yard gain. Newton then fired over the middle to Ryan Izzo for a 14 yard gain as the Patriots had 1st and 10 at the Seattle 12. The Patriots began the fourth quarter with 3rd and 1 at the Seattle 3. Newton gained 2. Newton went to Yakov Johnson for a one yard touchdown. 45 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Patriots were within 28-23. Newton’s attempt to run in the 2 point conversion failed. The Seahawks faced a 3rd and 7 New England 35. The Patriots sent an all out blitz and Wilson found his receiver for a 10 yard gain. Now for the Seahawks it was all about bleeding the clock. Again with a man in his face Wilson floated a pass to a wide open Chris Carson in the end zone for an 18 yard touchdown. With 4 1/2 minutes left, the Seahawks had a 35-23 cushion. Newton came back quickly with a deep bomb to Julian Edelman down to the Seattle one yard line. Newton ran it in as the Patriots got back to within 5 points with 2:16 to play. Both teams had all 3 timeouts.
Belichick opted to kick it deep rather than go onside. The Seahawks took over with 2:09 left at their own 22. Carson gained 6 and purposely slid down in bounds to get the clock to wind down to the 2 minute warning. Carson gained 3 more for a critical 3rd and 1 at the Seattle 31 as the Patriots took their first timeout with 1:55 left. Before the play, Seattle took a timeout on offense. Rather than run a conservative play, Pete Carroll went with a bomb that was just overthrown. The Seahawks punted and the Patriots took over at their own 19 with 1:42 left. Newton went to Harry for 13 and 17 more to the Seattle 48 as the clock ticked down to one minute. Newton ran for 13 and the Patriots took their second timeout with 39 seconds left. Newton threw a deep bomb incomplete but illegal contact on the defense kept the drive going. The Seahawks were lucky it was not defensive pass interference. Newton found Edelman for an 18 yard gain but Edelman was tackled inbounds. Newton did not call timeout or spike the ball. He set up and fired to the end zone to Edelman, but it was well defended incomplete with 9 seconds left. The Seahawks took their second timeout on defense as both teams had one left. Newton fired to Edelman for a 12 yard gain. The Patriots took their final timeout with 3 seconds left.
The ball was on the one yard line. The only thing we knew was that Marshawn Lynch was not getting the ball and Malcolm Butler was not intercepting it. Everyone was expecting Newton to run it as the Seahawks took their final timeout. One play. One yard. Out of the shotgun, Newton ran for it and tried to leap in the air. He was blown up in the backfield. The goal line stand was the difference. Newton finished 30 of 44 for 397 yards and one touchdown in addition to 47 yards rushing and 2 more touchdowns on the ground. Wilson was 21 of 28 for 288 yards and 5 touchdown passes. Wilson also ran for 39 yards. Both quarterbacks threw one interception. A Super Bowl rematch would be a blockbuster. 35-30 Seahawks
New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas Raiders was the Monday night game. The very first game at Allegiant Stadium, known as the Death Star, was played without fans. Mark Davis missed his first Raiders game since 1963 out of COVID concerns. Carol Davis lit the Al Davis torch. Then it was time for football. As expected, the Saints jumped all over the Raiders as Sean Payton and Drew Brees took advantage of the Raiders secondary. The Saints moved 62 yards in 11 plays. However, on 3rd and 3 from the Raiders 13, Brees threw incomplete. Wil Lutz hit the 31 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Saints. The Raiders went backward and the Saints took over at their own 22. Latavius Murray ran for 4 and Alvin Kamala gashed the Raiders for gains of 13 and 21. On 3rd and 8 from the Raiders 33, Brees hit Smith for 29 yards. On 3rd and goal at the one, Kamala got in to make it 10-0 Saints.
The Raiders offense finally got going in the second quarter from their own 37. Carr hit Josh Jacobs for 9. On 3rd and 1 from their 46, Carr hit Jason Witten for 3. On 3rd and 1 from the Saints 42, Carr hit Darren Waller for 9. On 2nd and 12 from the Saints 35, Carr threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. Carr then hit Waller for a pair of 13 yard gains and Alec Ingold for a 3 yard touchdown to get the Raiders on the board down 10-7. The Saints got it back at their own 24. Brees hit Kamala for 16, murray for 10, Smith for 25 and Trautman for 17. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Brees hit Jared Cook for the touchdown. The Saints led 17-7, and appeared on their way to an easy win.
The Raiders soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 30. Carr found nelson Agholor for 19 and Hunter Renfrow for 15 more. On 3rd and 10 from the Saints 36, Carr hit Edwards for 20. On 3rd and 9 from the Saints 15, Carr hit Jones for the touchdown. With 1:44 left in the half, the Raiders were within 17-14. The offense was doing well, but the defense had let Brees torch them. The Saints took over at their own 25 and faced 1st and 10 at their own 38 with 45 seconds left in the half. Brees threw over the middle and was intercepted by Morrow. The Raiders took over at the Saints 40. On 3rd and 1 from the Saints 31, Carr hit Ingold for 2 and Waller for 12. With 9 seconds left in the half, the Raiders faced 3rd and 2 at the Saints 9. Carr threw incomplete. Daniel Carlson hit the 28 yard field goal and the game was tied 17-17 at the break.
The Raiders began the third quarter facing 3rd and 6 at their own 29. Carr threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 20 yard gain. Carr hit Waller for 10 and went deep to Foster Moreau for a 31 yard gain. On 2nd and goal at the one, Jacobs got stopped. He even briefly lost the ball and was lucky to get it back. On 3rd and goal at the one, Carr fumbled the snap. The Raiders were saved when Ingold fell on it. Jon Gruden decided to go for it on 4th and goal at the one. With everyone expecting a run up the gut, Carr found a wide open Waller in the flat for the touchdown. The Raiders had the stunning 24-17 lead. The Raiders were winning the time of possession battle and Jon Gruden’s decision to defer at the start of the game was looking less crazy than at the start of the game. Long drives by the Raiders to end the first half and start the second half kept Brees cooling his heels on the sideline and tired out the Saints defense.
The Saints after a touchback came out firing as Brees hit Kamala for 20 and hill for 16. Yet then the Saints self-destructed under a hail of penalties that had them facing 2nd and 31. They punted and the Raiders got the ball back. The Raiders mounted another long drive. On 3rd and 3 from their own 20, Carr hit Waller for 6. Roughing the passer added 15 more and Jacobs added 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Saints 44, Jacobs got stopped. Jon Gruden decided to go for it on 4th and 1 and Jacobs gained 2 as the third quarter ended. The Raiders had all the momentum. They began the fourth quarter facing 3rd and 2 at the Saints 34. They were in long field goal range. The question was if they could finally put a game away. Las week they gave up a 12 point fourth quarter lead. This time, driving to extend the lead, Jalen Richard fumbled a pitchout and the Saints recovered at their own 40.
Raider fans have seen this nightmare before, but Paul Guenther’s much maligned defense showed a ton of heart. On 3rd and 7 from the Raiders 47, Brees threw incomplete. The Raiders took over at their own 11. Carr went to waller for 18 and 2. Jacobs was pulled down by a horsecollar tackle to give the Raiders 15 more yards. On 3rd and 9 from midfield, Carr found renfrow for 17 yards. sean Payton unsuccessfully challenged the catch. Jacobs ran for 13. On 3rd and 10 from the Saints 20, with the entire defense expecting a pass, Richard took another pitchout. He more than atoned for his previous fumble by getting the first down, breaking through tackles, and racing for the touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, 24 unanswered points had the Raiders leading in a shocker 31-17.
The question would be if the Raiders defense could finally close out a game. The Saints still had the pinball wizard on the other side. Harris returned the kickoff 35 yards to the Saints 33. Brees went to Harris for 9. Kamala ran for 8. On 3rd and 1 from the Raiders 41, Brees hit Harris for 9, Montgomery for 17 and Kamala for 12. Kamala ran for a 3 yard touchdown. The Saints were within 31-24, and a full 4 1/2 minutes remained. The defense did not close it out. It was up to the offense to finish the game.
The Raiders took over at their own 18 and Jacobs ripped off gains of 12, 2 and 3. With 2:14 to play, the Raiders faced 3rd and 5 at their own 35. A run would have been perfectly understandable. Instead Jon Gruden went high risk, high reward. A deep pass was incomplete and stopped the clock, but flags were everywhere. Defensive pass interference meant a 29 yard gain. Now their was 2:08 to play and the Saints were down to one timeout and the 2 minute warning. Three straight runs actually lost three yards but forced the Saints to use their timeouts. The Raiders took their last timeout on offense with 1:07 to play. The Raiders faced 4th and 10 at the Saints 36. A 54 yard field goal try was way too risky. A miss would give the Saints the ball at their own 44. At least a punt could force them to go the length of the field. Jon Gruden has a brass pair, and he brought out Carlson for the field goal try. Playing the conservative not to lose strategy in the very first game ever in Las Vegas was not in the cards for Gruden. Carlson came in.
He drilled it. Later tonight Carlson’s child will be born. So he now has 2 reasons to be given cigars. Both Brees and Carr threw 38 passes, with Brees completing 26 and Carr 28. Brees threw one touchdown and one interception. Carr threw 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Jacobs was a battering ram with 88 yards on 27 carries. In a stunner from past years, the Raiders had only 3 penalties for 13 yards. The Saints had 10 penalties for 129 yards. The Raiders held the ball for over 36 minutes to less than 24 minutes for the Saints. The Raiders are 2-0, and they just beat perhaps the best team in the league. 34-24 Raiders