NFL 2020 Week 4 Recap
Denver Broncos at New York Jets was the Thursday night game. Sometimes a pair of bad teams can come together and play a great game for the ages. This was not that game, but it was a pretty good football game. Sam Darnold looked like a Hall of Famer on the first Jets drive. On 3rd and 1 from his own 34, Darnold gained 3. On 3rd and 4 from his own 43, Darnold gained 8. On 3rd and 7 from the Denver 46, Darnold did make an NFL highlight reel. He somehow avoided a sack, scrambled up the middle, and briefly looked like he would slide for the first down. At the last moment he stopped his slide, kept running, and went all the way up the middle to the end zone for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Jets.
With Drew Lock out, Vic Fangio opted to start 3rd stringer Brett Rypien, son of Super Bowl winner Mark Rypien, over backup Jeff Driskel. The Broncos took over at their own 8 yard line and moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Jets 15. Then came a false start and a pass that lost a couple yards. 10 plays, 70 yards and over 6 1/2 minutes led to a 40 yard Brandon McManus field goal as the Broncos were within 7-3. The Broncos got it back and soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 37. Rypien threw incomplete, but roughing the passer kept the drive going. Rypien then went deep and an under thrown ball should have been intercepted. Instead the defender bobbled it, and rookie Jerry Jeudy ripped it out of his hands for a gift touchdown. Dumb luck had the Broncos up 10-7 early in the second quarter.
An interception of Rypien by Pierre Desir had the Jets taking over at their own 37. On 4th and 7 from the Denver 28, a 46 yard field goal try by Sam Ficken was no good. Yet unnecessary roughness on the defense meant a new set of downs. On 3rd and 4 at the Denver 8, Darnold threw incomplete. This time Ficken was good from 26 for a 10-10 game. The Broncos soon faced 3rd and 7 from their own 28. Rypien went deep to Patrick for a 40 yard gain. On 3rd and 6 from the Jets 28, Rypien hit Hamilton for 9. Driskel came in for one play and ran for 9 yards, with 5 more tacked on for another defensive unnecessary roughness. From the one, Melvin Gordon initially appeared stop, but reached the ball just over the plane of the goal for the score to make it 17-10 Broncos.
After a touchback, only 1:37 remained in the half. Yet Darnold hit Jermaine Crowder for 27 yards. On 3rd and 6 from the Denver 44, Darnold hit Crowder again for 10. With 33 seconds left the Jets had 1st and 10 at the Denver 20. Darnold threw 3 straight incompletions. Ficken connected from 38 as the Jets trailed 17-13 at the half. Early in the third quarter the Jets took over at their own 40. Defensive pass interference meant a 38 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and 4 from the Denver 14, Darnold threw incomplete. Ficken hit from 32 to get the Jets within 17-16.
The Broncos soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 31. Rypien hit Freeman for 8 yards. Gordon ran for 19. Rypien hit Nick Fant for 6 and Jeudy for 13. On 3rd and 8 from the Jets 20, Rypien hit Fant for 9. On 3rd and 6 from the Jets 7, Rypien hit Patrick for the touchdown. With 4 1/2 minutes in the third quarter, the 13 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive had the Broncos leading 24-16. A 41 yard punt return had the Broncos getting it back at the Jets 44. The defense held but McManus drilled a 54 yard field goal to start the fourth quarter and put the Broncos up 27-16.
After a touchback, Darnold went deep to Crowder for a 35 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and 4 from the Denver 23, Darnold went back to pass and tripped over himself without anyone else around him. The 13 yard loss ended the drive but Ficken bailed the Jets out again. His 4th field goal from 54 yards out had the Jets within 27-19 with 12 minutes left in regulation. Denver soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 25. Rypien was again intercepted by Desir, and again Desir made him pay. The 35 yard interception return got the Jets within 2 points. The 2 point conversion was no good but the Jets were only down 27-25 with plenty of time left. After another touchback, Denver soon faced 2nd and 8 at their own 39. Rypien went to the sideline and was intercepted for the third time. This time Brian Poole picked him off as the Jets took over at the Denver 44. Darnold hit Hogan for 5 and Smith for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Denver 23, Darnold hit Crowder for the first down. Yet Vic Fangio challenged the spot, and it was reversed to 4th and 1. Adam Gase decided not to go for it. Ficken hit his 5th field goal from 36 yards out. With 6 1/2 minutes left, it was now 28-27 Jets.
The Broncos soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 29 with 5 minutes left. Rypien got belted for a 10 yard loss. Yet a defensive facemask penalty made it all for naught and kept the Broncos offense on the field. On 2nd and 7 from the Denver 47, Rypien had a wide open receiver deep and threw the bomb. It was overthrown incomplete. On 3rd and 7 Rypien went deep again to the sideline and this time connected with Tim Patrick for a 31 yard gain. With 4 minutes left the Broncos were now in short field goal range. A dropped pass had the Broncos facing 3rd and 13 at the Jets 25. Under heavy pressure, Rypien was called for intentional grounding. On 4th and 23 with 3:13 left, McManus game in for a 53 yard field goal try. The kick was good and the Broncos led 30-28.
On 3rd and 2 from their own 33, Darnold hit Crowder for 10. On 3rd and 3 from midfield, Darnold was nearly intercepted. 2:05 remained. On 4th and 3, Darnold was sacked and the Broncos took over on downs at the 2 minute warning. The Jets still had all 3 timeouts. 12 seconds later, the Broncos delivered the dagger. Gordon went up the middle and was totally stopped for what appeared to be a loss. Somehow he bounced to the outside and with a key block from Rypien, got to the end zone for a 43 yard touchdown. At this point even Adam Gase had to wonder how on earth he was still employed. The Jets are winless, witless and worthless. J-E-T-S stands for Just End The Season. 37-28 Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans — Postponed due to COVID.
Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins — Ryan Fitzpatrick’s beard threw a ball that was batted in the air and intercepted. On 2nd and 5 from their own 48, Russell Wilson went deep to DK Metcalf for a 37 yard gain. Chris Carson ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Seahawks lead. The Dolp[hins moved the ball surprisingly well against the Seattle defense but kept settling for field goals. Sanders hit from 41 to get the Dolphins on the board but Myers leveled a 55 yarder to make it 10-3 Seahawks. In the second quarter Sanders hit from 29 and 45 to get the Dolphins within 10-9.
After a touchback, only 24 seconds remained in the half. That was enough time for Wilson, who hit Greg Olsen for 11 and Moore deep for a 57 yard gain. With 6 seconds left, the Seahawks were 3 yards away and still had a timeout. Wilson hit Homer for the touchdown as the Seahawks took a 17-9 lead to the locker rooms. An interception of Wilson in the third quarter led to Sanders hitting his fourth field goal from 43. The Dolphins got it back and moved 73 yards on a staggering 17 plays, taking 8 minutes off the clock. Yet on 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 9, a run lost 2 yards. For the 5th time on the day, Miami settled for a field goal. Sanders hit from 29 but the dolphins were down 17-15 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
After a touchback, Wilson went to Tyler Lockett for 9 and again for 30 more. Wilson found Dallas for 9 and Moore for a 17 yard touchdown. With 5 1/2 minutes left the Seahawks led 24-15. Fitzpatrick wa then intercepted, setting the Seahawks up at the Miami 33. Wilson went to DK Metcalf for 32 yards. Chris Carson got the last yard. With 4 minutes left the Seahawks led 31-15. Fitzpatrick led a furious rally. Fitzpatrick hit Ford for 11, Parker for 10, and Grand and Parker for a pair of 18 yard gains. Fitzpatrick hit Gaskin for 8. On 3rd and 2 from the Seattle 10, Fitzpatrick ran it in himself. Fitzpatrick went to Williams for the 2 point conversion as he Dolphin were within 8 with 1:50 to play. The onside kick failed and the Seahawks faced 3rd and 3 at midfield with 1:42 to play. Carson gained just enough and Wilson took 3 knees to end it. The Seahawks are 4-0 as Wilson was 24 of 34 for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns with one interception. Fitzpatrick was 29 of 45 for 315 yards but 0 touchdowns and 2 killer interceptions. 31-23 Seahawks
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals — Gardner Minshew’s mustache had a ball batted up in the air and picked off. The Bengals did not capitalize. The Jaguars had a field goal attempt from Aldrick Rosas. It was no good, as they did not capitalize. Randy Bullock would hit a 35 yard field goal to put the Bengals up 3-0. A touchback and defensive pass interference meant `17 yards and the Jaguars at their own 42. On 2nd and 11, a completion gained on 7 but a defensive facemask added 15 more. Minshew hit DJ Chark for 14 and defensive unnecessary roughness added 12 more. Minshew went back to Chark for the 11 yard touchdown as the Jaguars led 7-3 after the first quarter.
The Bengals began the second quarter at their own 11. The Bengals moved 88 yards in 11 plays and 6 minutes. On 2nd and goal from the one, Joe Mixon got stopped. On 3rd and goal, Burrow went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. The Jaguars moved 66 yards in 11 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. The Jaguars settled for a 32 yard Rosas field goal to lead 10-3. After a touchback, Burrow went to Sample for 23. Mixon gained 5 and Tee Higgins added 13 more. Burrow hit Bod for 14 and Sample for 8. On 3rd and 1 from the Jags 11, Nixon gained 2. Burrow threw a 9 yard touchdown pass to Mixon for a 10-10 game with one minute left in the half. After a touchback, Minshew ran for 7 and hit Shenault for 22 more. Minshew hit Cole for 7 and Shenault for 28 more. With 6 seconds left in the half the Jaguars had 3rd and 1 at the Cincy 2 but minshew had to spike the ball to stop the clock. On 4th and 1 from the 2, Doug Marrone decided not to gamble. Rosas hit the 20 yard field goal as the Jaguars led 13-10 at the intermission.
The Bengals took over in the third quarter. On 2nd and 6 from their own 29, Burrow hit Mixon for 14. Giovanni Bernard ran for 11. Burrow hit Boyd for 12. Mixon raced for a 34 yard touchdown to make it 17-13 Bengals. The Bengals got it back at their own 39. Burrow hit Boyd for 13. On 3rd and 1 from the Jags 23, Mixon ran all the way for the touchdown again as the Bengals led 24-13. The Bengals got it back at their own 41 and Burrow hit Carter for 24. Bullock hit a 40 yard field goal as the Bengals led 27-13 after three quarters.
The Jaguars moved from their own 25 to a 3rd and 7 at the Cincy 25 to start the fourth quarter. Minshew was sacked and the Jaguars settled for a 50 yard field goal to get within 27-16. The Bengals took 5 minutes off the clock and Bullock hit a 46 yard field goal. The Bengals led 30-16 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Jaguars soon faced 4th and 3 at their own 32. Minshew hit Chark for 22 and Conley for 33. Minshew hit Chark for the 2 yard touchdown and Robinson for the 2 point conversion. with 6:14 left, the Jaguars were within 30-22.
The Bengals kept grinding down the clock. A 10 play, 66 yard drive led to 3rd and 5 at the Jags 11. Mixon lost a yard but the Jaguars took their final timeout with 1:50 left. Bullock hit the 30 yard field goal to make it 33-22 Bengals. In desperation mode after a touchback, the Jaguars moved to a 1st and 10 at the Cincy 12 with 16 seconds remaining. After an incompletion and needing 2 scores, Rosas hit the 30 yard field goal to make it an 8 point game again. The onside kick failed and Burrow had his first NFL victory. 33-25 Bengals
Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans — A pair of winless teams started with punts. The Vikings took over at their own 44. Kirk Cousins went deep to Jefferson for a 29 yard gain and to Calvin Cook for 11 more. On 3rd and 2 from the Houston 7, Cook gained 2 and then ran for the 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Vikings. Late in the first quarter the Texans fumbled a punt and the Vikings recovered at the Houston 35. Early in the second quarter Dan Bailey hit a 31 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Vikings. The Texans after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 9 at the Minnesota 32. Deshaun Watson threw incomplete twice. Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 50 yard field goal to get the texans on the board. The Vikings moved 75 yards in 12 plays and 7 minutes. After a touchback, Cousins went to Kyle Rudolph for 8 and Jefferson for 26. On 4th and 2 from the Houston 30, Mike Zimmer decided to go for it. Cousins gained 5 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Houston 16, Ham gained 2. Cook ran for 7 and then at the 2 minute warning ran for a 7 yard touchdown as the Vikings led 17-3.
The Texans took over at their own 32 with 1:47 left in the half. From the Minnesota 46, Watson went to Akins for 26 with a personal foul on the defense adding 10 more and a disqualification. Despite 1st and goal at the 10 with a minute left, Watson gained nothing and then threw incomplete twice. Fairbairn hit from 28 as the Texans trailed 17-6 at the midpoint. Houston got it back in the third quarter at their own 27. Watson hit Randall Cobb for 13, Darren Fells for 7, and then ran for 5. On 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 39, Johnson gained 15. Watson went to Will Fuller for a 24 yard touchdown to get the Texans within 17-13. Midway through the third quarter, Mike Zimmer brought in Bailey for a 55 yard field goal try. The kick was no good. Houston took over at their own 45. From just shy of midfield, Watson went deep to Fuller for a 43 yard gain. Despite 1st and goal at the 8, Watson threw incomplete, a run gained one yard, and Watson threw incomplete again. Fairbairn hit from 25 and the Texan were within 17-16 with 5 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter.
After a touchback, Cook gained 13. On 3rd and 10 from their own 38, Cousins went to Jefferson for 23 and Kyle Rudolph for 19. Cook gained 6 and 5. Cousins hit Thielen for the 9 yard touchdown as the Vikings led 24-16 after three quarters. The Vikings began the fourth quarter getting the ball back at their own 27. On 3rd and 6 from their own 31, Cousins went to Cousins and Thielen for a pair of 25 yard gains. Cook ran for 15 and Alexander Mattison ran for the 4 yard touchdown. With 11 minutes left in regulation, the Vikings led 31-16. Yet this was a game of ebb and flow.
The Texans took over at their own 23. Johnson gained 7 and Watson hit Fells for 14 and Fuller for 19. On 3rd and 23 from the Minnesota 37, Watson hit Johnson for 13. With 6 minutes left in the game, on 4th and 10 from the Minnesota 24, one defensive stop would end it. Instead, Watson went to Kenny Stills for the touchdown as the Texans were within 31-23. The Texans got it back at their own 24 with 3 minutes left in regulation. On 3rd and 4 from their own 30, Watson threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant an 11 yard gain. Watson went to Cobb for 23, Stills for 15 and Johnson for 16. With 1:54 left, the Texans had 1st and goal at the 4. Johnson gained 3 but on 2nd and goal from the one got stopped. Rather than go smash mouth, on 3rd and goal at the one the Texans were in the shotgun. Watson fumbled but the Texans retained possession. The Vikings took their 2nd timeout on defense. With 1:15 left, it came down to 4th and goal at the 5. Watson threw to Fuller for the touchdown and the Texans prepared for the 2 point conversion to tie the game. Yet on further review, the play was reversed to an incomplete pass. The Vikings finally got a win while Bill O’Brien saw hit hot seat become an inferno for his 0-4 team. On Monday, O’Brien was fired and Romeo Crennel became interim coach. 31-23 Vikings
Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys — The Browns took over at their own 31 and Nuck Chubb immediately ran for 21 yards. Baker Mayfield then went to Austin Hooper for 11. The Browns went to the bag of tricks early on with a halfback option pass. Mayfield gave it to Jarvis Landry, who threw a 37 yard touchdown pass to O’Dell Beckham Jr to make it 7-0 Browns. The Cowboys took over at their own 12 and made it look easy. Dak Prescott hit Schultz for 25 yards and Ezekiel Elliott for 18 more. Prescott went deep to rookie Ceedee Lamb for a 43 yard touchdown and a 7-7 game. The Cowboys got it back at their own 16 and moved the ball easily again. Prescott hit Cooper for gains of 10 and 13, Brown for 9, and Lamb for 19. On 4th and 2 from the Cleveland 20, Mike McCarthy decided to go for it. Prescott fired a laser over the middle between 2 defenders that somehow was not intercepted. Instead, Lamb caught it in stride for the touchdown and the 14-7 Cowboys lead. Then Cleveland exploded.
After a touchback, Beckham took an end around 23 yards. On 1st and 20 from their own 38, a 5 yard completion was followed by a defensive facemask for 15 more. Karim Hunt ran for 8 and Mayfield went to Beckham for 16 more. On 3rd and 6 from the Dallas 14 early in the second quarter, Mayfield hit Landry for 10. Mayfield went to Beckham for the 4 yard touchdown to make it 14-14. Myles Garrett hit Prescott and forced a fumble to set up the Browns at the Dallas 34. Mayfield hit Beckham for 11. Hunt added gains of 10 and 12 down to the one. Mayfield hit Hooper for the touchdown to make it 21-14 Browns. After a touchback, Elliott ran for a 24 yard gain but had the ball ripped out of his hands and the Browns recovered just shy of midfield. Johnson ran for a 28 yard gain. On 3rd and 10 from the Dallas 23, Mayfield hit Landry for 11. Hilliard ran for 10 and Hunt ran for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 28-14 Browns. The Browns got it back with 4 minutes left in the half and moved 71 yards in 13 plays to the red zone. Cody Parkey hit a 37 yard field goal to end the half. 24 second quarter points had the Browns blasting the Cowboys 31-14 at halftime. The Browns were not done.
The Browns began the third quarter at their own 30. Hunt ran for 6 and Mayfield hit Bryant for 14 to midfield. From just past midfield, the Browns did not need another pass. Mayfield ran for 8 and a defensive facemask added 15 more. Hilliard ran for 9 and 3 and Hunt ran for the 14 yard touchdown as the Browns were up 38-14. The Cowboys moved from their own 37 to a 4th and 3 at the Cleveland 33. Prescott threw incomplete and the Browns moved to a 4th and 4 at the Dallas 26. Parkey hit a 44 yard field goal as the Browns were obliterating Dallas 41-14 after three quarters. The Cowboys have had spectacular comebacks in recent weeks, but a 27 point deficit was not going to be overcome.
The Cowboys began the fourth quarter at their own 23. Prescott hit Cooper for 10, Elliott for 11, Cooper for 14, Elliott for 13 and Brown for 18 and 7. On 3rd and goal at the 3 out of the shotgun, Pollard took the direct snap and got in for the touchdown. Prescott hit Elliott for the 2 point conversion as the Cowboys were within 41-22 only 90 seconds into the fourth quarter. The Cowboys got it back at their own 16 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Prescott hit Pollard for 16, Cooper for 11, Bell for 12, Brown for 9, and Schultz for a 26 yard touchdown. Prescott ran for the 2 point conversion. With 6 1/2 minutes left, the Cowboys were within 41-30. The Cowboys took 2 timeouts on defense and got the ball back at their own 20 only 30 seconds later. Prescott hit Wilson for 12, Elliott for 5, Schultz for 14, Cooper for 9 and 16, and Lamb for a 5 yard touchdown. Cooper took an end around for the 2 point conversion. 24 straight points had the Cowboys within 41-38 with 3:42 to play. The Browns were on the verge of a collapse for the ages and the Cowboys, a comeback for the ages.
The onside kick failed and the Browns took over at midfield. Rather than just run up the gut, the Browns went bold. Beckham took an end around, evaded a tackle in the backfield, and got around the edge and raced for a 50 yard touchdown to make it 47-38 Browns. The extra point was blocked, but one of the Cowboys tried to pick it up in the tradition of Leon Lett. Once it was touched by Dallas it became a live ball. The Browns recovered it in the end zone for a 2 point conversion and a 49-38 lead. With 3:25 left after a touchback, the Cowboys reached a 2nd and 4 at the Cleveland 35 at the 2 minute warning. With 1:42 left the Cowboys had 1st and goal at the 8. Needing 2 scores, Prescott threw a short pass and was intercepted at the 4 yard line to finally snuff out the rally. Prescott threw 58 passes, completing 41 of them for a staggering 502 yards with 4 touchdowns. Yet his lone interception at the end was a killer. Last week Prescott threw for 472 yards. Yet the Cowboys are 1-3 and Jerry Jones is not going to be happy at Happy Valley with flashy losses. Mayfield was only 19 of 30 for 165 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 0 interceptions. Yet it is the Browns that are a surprising 3-1 team. This because the Browns ran the ball 40 times for a whopping 307 yards. 49-38 Browns
Baltimore Ravens at Washington Redskins — An early Washington fumble had the Ravens taking over at the Washington 34. Lamar Jackson went to Brown for a 33 yard gain down to the one. Mark Ingram got the yard for a 7-0 Ravens lead. The Redskins missed a long field goal and the Ravens soon faced 3rd and 4 at midfield. Human video game highlight reel Jackson ran for the 50 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Ravens.
The non-Redskins tried to get back in the game after a touchback. Dwayne Haskins hit McLaurin for 11 and Dontrelle Inman for 13 to midfield. On 3rd and 11 Haskins connected with Gibson for a 40 yard gain. Gibson then ran for 9 and then the 2 yard touchdown as the Washington Deficits had a 14-7 deficit. After a touchback the Ravens had 4:41 left in the half. Jackson went deep to Brown for a 31 yard gain. On 4th and 9 from their own 43 with 3 minutes left in the half, John Harbaugh called a fake punt. Koch hit Boykin for a 15 yard gain. Jackson went to Andrews for a 25 yard touchdown with 1:49 left in the half to make it 21-7 Ravens.
With 30 seconds left in the half, rather than just go to the half, Jackson threw from his own 23 and was intercepted. The No-Names took over at the Baltimore 37 and managed a field goal before the half. They were only down 21-10, but there would be no comeback. The Ravens immediately turned out the lights in the third quarter with a 10 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive. Jackson went to Andrew for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 28-10 Ravens. The Non-Sentinels managed a 17 play, 82 yard, 8 minute drive that resulted in no points. The Ravens took over at their own 8 and moved 64 yards in 10 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. Justin Tucker hit a 46 yard fourth quarter field goal and the Baltimore defense did the rest for a 31-10 Ravens lead. Out of mercy, John Harbaugh let Jackson sit down and brought in Robert Griffin III to mop up. Instead RG3 was intercepted in his own territory and the Non-Redskins got a garbage touchdown. Nevertheless, the Ravens got to 3-1 with the win. 31-17 Ravens
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions — The Lions immediately faced 3rd and 10 from their own 23. Matthew Stafford ran for 12. On 3rd and 9 from their own 36, Stafford connected with Danny Amendola for a 50 yard gain. Stafford hit swift for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Lions. Drew Brees immediately had a pass deflected and intercepted to set up the Lions at the saints 18 yard line. on 3rd and 7, Stafford went to Kenny Golladay for the touchdown as the Lions had the shocking 14-0 lead. Then came reality.
After a touchback the Saints woke up. Brees hit Callaway for 16. On 3rd and 1 from midfield, Latavius Murray gained 2. On 3rd and 3 from the Detroit 41, Alvin Kamara gained 5. Brees went to Emanuel Sanders for 18. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Murray got in to get the Saints within 14-7. The 13 play, 75 yard drive took nearly 7 1/2 minutes off the clock. The Saints got it back at their own 20 and Murray gained 7 and 5. Brees went to Sanders for 19 and Kamala ran for 9. On 4th and 4 from the Detroit 43, Sean Payton decided to go for it. Brees went deep to Kamala for a 29 yard gain. Taysom Hill came in and fumbled but the Saints retained possession after a 6 yard loss. Brees hit Murray for 19 and Kamala got the last yard for a 14-14 tie in the second quarter.
This time the Saints moved 80 yards in 10 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. The Lions quickly after a touchback moved to the Saints 11. Stafford went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. On 3rd and 1 from their own 29, Brees went to Sanders for 25 yards and Harris for 10 more. Murray ran for 6 and Kamara added 12, 10 and 6. Brees went to Smith for the 2 yard touchdown as the Saints led 21-14. The Saints got it back just past midfield with 1:43 left in the half. On 3rd and 9, Brees hit Smith for 18 with roughing the passer adding 15 more. Brees then went to Smith for the 20 yard touchdown. The Saints led 28-14 as another blown double digit lead had Matt Patricia wondering how and why he was still employed. The Saints kept rolling in the third quarter after a touchback. Brees hit Sanders for 15. Murray ran for 2 and 9. On 3rd and 6 from the Detroit 21, Brees hit Sanders for 12. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Kamala went up the middle for the score and a 35-14 Saints lead.
The Lions tried to mount a comeback. On 3rd and 3 from their own 32, Stafford hit Jones for 9. On 3rd and 3 from their own 48, Stafford hit TJ Hockensen for 8. On 3rd and 2 from the Saints 36, Agnew gained enough. Defensive pass interference on a deep ball meant a 32 yard gain and 1st and goal at the 2. Stafford hit Hockensen for a 1 yard touchdown as the 11 play, 75 yard drive had the Lions within 35-21. Midway through the fourth quarter a shanked 28 yard punt allowed the Lions to take over at the Saints 43. On 4th and 2 from the Saints 35, Stafford hit Johnson for 3. On 4th and 11 from the Saints 33 with 5 minutes left, Stafford went to Golladay for 14 yards. Stafford went t the end zone and was intercepted, but illegal contact nullified the interception. On 4th and 1 from the Saints 5, Adrian Peterson ran for the touchdown. For some inexplicable reason Matt Patricia went for a 2 point conversion. Stafford hit Hockenson as the Lions were within 6 with 3:40 to play. Matt Patricia opted to kick it deep rather than go onside. The Saints took over at their own 22. On 3rd and 5 from their own 27, Brees hit Smith for 19. At the 2 minute warning on 3rd and 3 from the Detroit 47, Kamala gained 5 to seal the win. Brees took 3 knees as the Saints escaped. 35-29 Saints
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers — On 3rd and 7 from their own 37 to start the game, Teddy Bridgewater hit Robbie Anderson for 14. On 3rd and 19 from their own 42, Bridgewater hit Manhertz for 17. Matt Rhule gambled on 4th and 2 and Bridgewater ran for 6 on a naked bootleg. Bridgewater hit Moore for 12 and Davis ran for 21. Davis ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Panthers. The Panthers got it back at their own 20. Bridgewater went deep to Moore for 23 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 22, Armah gained 2. On 3rd and 8 from the Arizona 18, Bridgewater bobbed and weaved up the middle and faked out everyone for a touchdown and a 14-0 Panthers advantage.
A second quarter interception of Bridgewater set up the Cardinals at the Carolina 38. On 3rd and 7 form the Carolina 13, Murray hit Edmonds for just enough. Murray hit Thomas for the 3 3rd touchdown as the 10 play drive ate up 5 1/2 minutes and got the Cardinals within 14-7. After a touchback Bridgewater hit Samuel for 11, Seth Roberts for 10, and Anderson for gains of 16 and 17. Davis ran for a pair of 9 yard gains. With 1:55 left in the half, Bridgewater hit Bonnafon for a 3 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 75 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive gave meant a 21-7 Panthers advantage. In the third quarter the Cardinals moved from their own 14 to a 3r and 2 at the Carolina 38. Murray was then sacked and fumbled and the Panthers took over at their own 26. On 3rd and 8 from their own 28, Bridgewater hit Samuel for 24. Bonnafon then ran for 14. Bridgewater hit Anderson for 20. On 2nd and 13 from the Arizona 15, Bridgwater threw incomplete but defensive pass interference put the ball on the two. Bridgewater hit Thomas for the touchdown as the Panthers had a comfortable 28-7 lead with 5 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter.
After touchback, Murray scrambled for a 48 yard gain. Murray ran for another 8. In 2nd and 13 from the Carolina 20, Murray hit Hopkins for just enough. Murray hit Kirk for a 3 yard touchdown as the Cardinals trailed 28-14 after three quarters. The Panthers ground down the clock in the fourth quarter on a killer 15 play, 73 yard drive that consumed 8 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 3 from the Arizona 9, Bridgewater threw incomplete, but it didn’t matter. Joey Slye hit the 27 yard field goal to make it 31-14 Panthers midway through the fourth quarter. The Cardinals got a garbage touchdown with just over 2 minutes left, but the onside kick went out of bounds. 31-21 Panthers
Los Angeles Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Tom Brady has 20 years of experience. Justin Herbert has started 2 games. After a touchback, the Buccaneers moved easily. From the Chargers 48, Brady found Mike Evans for a 24 yard gain and again for 17 more. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Brady hit Cameron Brate for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. Ho hum. Then came the inexplicable. The Chargers came right back when Herbert threw a 53 yard touchdown bomb to Tyron Johnson for a 7-7 ballgame. The Buccaneers moved from their own 28 to the Chargers 32. Brady went to the sideline and Davis jumped the route for a 78 yard interception return touchdown and a surprising 14-7 Chargers lead. Brady was without Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette, and Mike Evans limped off but would return.
The Chargers began the second quarter at their own 3 yard line. On 3rd and 4 from their own 9, Herbert ran for 5 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 more. On 3rd and 1 from their own 38, Kelley gained 3. On 3rd and 8 from their own 43, Herbert threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 20 yard gain. On 3rd and 11 from the Tampa 38, Herbert hit Kelley for 17. Herbert hit Parham for a 19 yard touchdown and the Chargers had the shocking 21-7 lead. Things got worse for the Patriots when Ryan Succop missed a 44 yard field goal with 5 minutes left in the half. The Chargers took over from their own 34. From their 48, herbert hit Keenan Allen for 17. Mike Badgley nailed a 53 yard field goal as the Chargers led 24-7 with 1:41 left in the half.
The Chargers were dominating, and got the ball back at their own 9 yard line with 47 seconds left in the half. All they had to do was get to the half. Instead, Herbert fumbled and the Buccaneers recovered at the Chargers 6 yard line. On 3rd and goal, Brady hit Evans for the 6 yard line as the Patriots only trailed 24-14 at the intermission. In the third quarter the Patriots took over at their own 31. On 3rd and 4 from their own 48, Brady hit Watson for 10 and Evans for 12. Brady went deep to OJ Howard for a 26 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Patriots were within 24-21. Things got worse for the Chargers when Badly missed a 47 yard field goal to extend the lead. Then came the inevitable. From his own 37, Brady went deep to Sam Miller for a 44 yard gain. On the next play Brady went to Miller for a 19 yard touchdown as the Patriots had the 28-24 lead after three quarters.
Just when it looked like the Chargers collapse was complete, they struck again. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Herbert went bombs away to Jalen Guyton for a 72 yard touchdown and a 31-28 Chargers lead. After a touchback, Brady went to Miller for gains of 6 and 7 and to Howard for 17. On 2nd and 20 from their own 45, Brady went deep to Evans for a 48 yard gain. Brady hit Keshawn Vaughn for a 9 yard touchdown. With 11 minutes left in regulation the Buccaneers retook the lead 35-31. The Chargers went 3 and out and the Patriots got it back at their own 21. On 3rd and 4 from their own 37, Brady hit Vaughn for 13 to midfield and Rob Gronkowski for 29. The Patriots had a chance to put the game away with 2nd and 5 from the Chargers 7. A run went nowhere. On 3rd and 5, Brady threw incomplete. Succop hit the 26 yard field goal to put the Patriots up by 7 with 2:40 to play. Herbert went deep and was intercepted. The Chargers were game, but another close loss had them at 1-3 while the Buccaneers are 3-1 on the year thanks to Brady’s 5 touchdown passes. 38-31 Buccaneers
New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams — The Rams have an offense that can score at will while the Giants are 45 players short of a team. This should have been a blowout. To quote ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman, “That’s why they play the games.” The Rams made it look easy at the start from their own 35. Jared Goff hit Cooper Kupp for 9 and Henderson for 16. On 3rd and 8 from the Giants 36, Goff went to Brown for just enough. Everett ran for a 2 yard touchdown and the Rams quickly led 7-0. After that this game went to sleep. In the second quarter the Rams fumbled and Graham Gano kicked a 35 yard field goal for the Giants. The Rams mounted a 15 play drive that took over 7 minutes off the clock. Yet despite 1st and goal at the 4, a sack of Goff killed the drive. Sam Sloman hit a 32 yard field goal to put the Rams up 10-3. Gano hit again from 37 to end the half. The defenses dug in but the fourth quarter began with the Giants facing 3rd and 4 at the Rams 9. Daniel Jones threw incomplete and Gano hit from 27 as the Giants only trailed 10-9 with 10 minutes left in regulation.The Rams took over at their own 9. On 3rd and 1 from their own 18, Brown gained 4. Midway through the fourth quarter the Rams faced 3rd and 3 from their own 45. A defensive stop would give the Giants a chance at the upset of the year. Instead a short pass from Goff to Kupp went for a 55 yard touchdown. The defensive breakdown at the worst possible time had the Rams up by 8. The Giants anemic offense could not overcome a one score deficit. 17-9 Rams
Indianapolis Colts at Chicago Bears — Peyton Manning and Devon Hester are retired, removing interest from this game. Despite being 3-0, Mitch Trubisky was benched and Nick Foles took over. A shanked 18 yard punt gave the Colts the ball at their own 47. On 1st and 20 after offensive holding, defensive pass interference meant 8 yards and a new set of downs. On 3rd and 9 from their own 46, Philip Rivers went to Zach Pascal for 36 yards. On 3rd and 5 from the Chicago 13, Rivers went to Alie-Cox for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. The Bears took over at their own 7 and Foles went deep to Mooney for 33 yards, Robinson for 27, and Montgomery for 17. Despite 2nd and 5 from the Colts 9, Foles ran nowhere and on 3rd and 5 threw incomplete. Cairo santos hit from 27 to get the Bears on the board in the second quarter. The Colts moved from their 30 to a 1st and goal at the 4. A run gained nothing and Rivers threw incomplete twice. Blankenship hit a 21 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Colts. With 2:05 left the Colts got it back at their own 45 and had 1st and goal at the 10 with 1:07 left. On 3rd and goal from the 8, Rivers was sacked. Blankenship hit from 30 to end the half with the Colts up 13-3 in a hideous game. An even uglier second half saw Blankenship tack on field goals of 44 at the end of the third quarter and 30 late in the game to make it 19-3 Colts. Chicago finally got a garbage touchdown to end a garbage game. 19-11 Colts
Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders — The unbeaten Bills took on the 2-1 Raiders. The Raiders were still without rookie speedster Henry Ruggs. It was a typical Raiders game. The defense stopped nothing and the offense moved at will until it reached the red zone where it bogged down. There were no punts in the first half. The Raiders won the coin toss and for the second straight week decided to defer. Given their awful pass defense, that is questionable. The Bills faced 3rd and 11 from their own 24. Maxx Crosby entered the neutral zone. On 3rd and 6, Allen went to Stefan Diggs for 21 yards to midfield. Allen went back to Diggs for 15 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Raiders 26, Allen went deep to Davis for the touchdown and the 7-0 Bills lead.
The Raiders took over at their own 16. Derek Carr hit Zee Jones for 9. Josh Jacobs gained 2 and 8. On 3rd and 2 from their own 35, Jalen Richard added 6 more. On 3rd and 11 from the Raiders 40, Carr hit Jones for 16. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 35, Alec Ingold got blown up in the backfield for a one yard loss. Jon Gruden decided not to go for it. Daniel Carlson nailed a 54 yard field goal to get the Raiders within 7-3. The Bill soon faced 1st and 13 from their own 22. A completion gained 7 but roughing the passer added 15 more. Allen hit Diggs for 10. On 3rd and 13 from just past midfield, Allen hit McKenzie for 18 and Roberts for 6. The second quarter began with the Bills facing 3rd and 7 at the Raiders 11. Allen went to Beasley for the touchdown as the Bills led 14-3.
After a touchback the Raiders soon faced 3rd and 3 from their own 42. Carr hit Darren Waller for 9. Carr then went deep to Nelson Agholor for a 49 yard touchdown. Yet illegal motion sped out the score. On 3rd and 6 from the Buffalo 45, Carr went to Agholor for gains of 14 and 12. Yet despite 1st and 10 from the Buffalo 19, Jacobs lost 2 and Carr threw incomplete twice. Carlson hit from 39 and the Raiders were within 14-6. After a touchback Buffalo marched down the field. On 1st and 10 from the Raiders 24, Allen threw incomplete twice. On 3rd and 10 Allen was about to be sacked when he tried to shovel the ball. He managed an 8 yard completion but got sandwiched between 2 defenders and left the game for a bit. Bass hit the 34 yard field goal as the Bills led 17-6 with 4 minutes left in the half.
After a touchback, Carr hit Waller for 22 yards. On 3rd and 9 from their own 48, Carr hit Agholor for 11, Waller for 7 and Jason Witten for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the Buffalo 14, Carr hit Waller for 11 and then spiked the ball to stop the clock with 19 seconds left. From the 3 yard line, Carr hit Witten for the touchdown as the Raiders only trailed 17-13 at the half. After ending the half with 75 yards in 11 plays, the Raiders began the third quarter with 68 more yards and 11 more plays. Yet again the Raiders bogged down in the end zone. On 2nd and 8 from the Buffalo 13, Carr threw incomplete. On 3rd and 8 a completion to the sideline gained only 6 yards. On 4t and 2 from th Buffalo 7, Jon Gruden decided not to go for it. Carlson hit the 25 yard field goal, but it was a momentum killer Despite scoring the first 4 times they had the ball, the Raiders only had one touchdown and trailed 17-16.
The Raiders defense even finally got a stop, but after that the offense began malfunctioning. A 38 yard punt return had the Bills taking over at the Raiders 45. On 3rd and 6 from the Raiders 41, Allen hit Diggs for 12, Beasley for 14 and Brown for 14 down to the one as the third quarter ended. The fourth quarter began with Allen sneaking across to make it 23-16 Bills. The extra point dunked off the upright no good but it didn’t matter. The Raiders were in full self-destruction mode. The Raiders moved quickly from their own 38 to a 1st and 10 at the Buffalo 35. On 2nd and 11, a short completion to Waller led to him fumbling ant the Bills recovering at their own 40. Allen immediately went deep to Diggs for a 49 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the 2, Singletary got in to make it 30-16 Bills With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Raiders soon faced 4th and 1 from their own 34. Jon Gruden decided to go for it but for some unknown reason had Carr in the shotgun. Jacobs got the carry and got stopped cold.
The Raider appeared all but dead as the Bills took over needing only a field goal to lock up the win. Allen hit brown for 14 and the Bills had 1st and 10 at the Raiders 20. Then it was the Bills turn to self-destruct. An offensive holding penalty had the Bills facing 3rd and 18 from the Raiders 28. Allen had played flawlessly but this time he scrambled around and got belted between 2 defenders for a 14 yard loss. The mistake put the Bills out of field goal range and gave the Raiders a slim ray of hope. Carr hit Waller for 9 and Hunter Renfrow deep for 37 yards. Carr then hit Jacobs for 15, but offsetting penalties wiped out the gain. On 1st and 10 from the Buffalo 33, Carr had the ball stripped and the Bills recovered with 5 1/2 minutes left. Turnovers killed the Raiders. With 4 minutes left the Bills faced 3rd and 12 from their own 38. A conservative run was stopped and the Raiders took their first timeout with 3:47 left. They would get the ball back but still needed 2 scores.
They even fumbled on the punt return but were lucky enough to retain possession. They also had an illegal block on the return and took over at their own 20. A defensive pass interference call meant a 46 and gain. At the 2 minute warning the Raider had 1st and 10 at the Buffalo 16. The Raiders took their second timeout with 1:44 left and the Raiders facing 3rd and 1 at the Buffalo 7. Carr somehow avoided a sack, ran for his life, and threw a high pass out of the end zone incomplete. On 4th and 1, Carr was again out of the shotgun, not behind center. Carr backpedaled and threw a jump ball prayer that Agholor caught for the touchdown. With 90 seconds left the Raiders were clinging to life. The onside kick was a good one but it failed. The Bills got to 4-0 on the year. 30-23 Bills
Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers was the Sunday night game. Carson went threw an early interception but the 49ers did not capitalize. The Eagles got it back and faced 3rd and 9 at their own 23. Wentz threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 12 yard gain. On 3rd and 2 from his own 43, Wentz ran for 5 with defensive holing adding 5 more. Wentz hit Sanders for a 28 yard gain and ran for an 11 yard touchdown. Doug Pederson for some reason went for a 2 point conversion. Wentz hit Zac Ertz and the Eagles led 8-0. After a touchback, Nick Mullens hit George Kittle for 17 and 7. On 3rd and 7 from the Philadelphia 38, Brandon Aiyuk took an end around for the touchdown as the 49ers got within 8-7. Aiyuk hurdled a defender at the 5 and stuck the landing for the score. The second quarter was scoreless.
The 49ers began the third quarter facing 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Mullens went to Aiyuk for 4. Runs and short passes led to a 3rd and goal at the 5. Mullens hit Kittle for the touchdown. The 12 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive had the 49ers up 14-8. The Eagles took over at their own 21. Wentz hit Rodgers for 23 yards. On 3rd and 1 from their own 43, Wentz hit Rodgers for 3. On 4th and 1 at the San Francisco 31, Doug Pederson decided to go for it. Wentz got the yard. On 3rd and 1 from the San Francisco 21, Sanders got 2. On 3rd and 8 from the Frisco 17, Wentz threw incomplete. Elliott hit the 35 yard field goal as the Eagles trailed 14-11 after three quarters.
With 10 minutes left in regulation the 49ers faced 3rd and 10 at their own 45. Mullens got sacked and fumbled. The Eagles took over at the San Francisco 42. On 4th and 4 from the Frisco 36, Doug Pederson passed up a 54 yard field goal and decided to go for it. Wentz hit Hightower for 9. On the next play an end around was blown up in the backfield for a 12 yard loss. However, on the next play Wentz hit Scott for 17 and defensive holding added 5 more. Out of the shotgun, Wentz fumbled a bad snap and it was back to 2nd and 18 from the San Francisco 42. On the next play Wentz for it all and hit Fulgham for the touchdown. with 6 minutes left the Eagles led 18-14. Only 8 seconds later, the Eagles were in the end zone again. After a touchback, Mullens went to the sideline and was intercepted by Singleton, who returned it 30 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 25-14 Eagles lead.
With 5 1/2 minutes left, Kyle Shanahan benched Mullins and brought in 3rd stringer CJ Beathard. After a touchback, Beathard hit McKinnon for 8, Kittle for 7, McKinnon for 5, kendrick Bourne for 11, Kittle for 13 and Deebo Samuel for 4 and 14. On 1st and 10 from the Philly 13, Beathard was sacked for a 9 yard loss. 2nd and 19 became 2nd and 14 after the defense jumped offside. Beathard hit Aiyuk for the required 14. On 3rd and goal from the 1, McKinnon got banged short but sheer will got the ball over the plane of the goal. The 2 point dry failed when a short pass was just dropped. The 49ers were within 5 and 2:02 remained. The 49ers had all 3 timeouts, and a kickoff out the back of the end zone would also preserve the 2 minute warning. Kyle Shanahan opted for an onside kick. The kick failed, but only one second ticked off the clock. 2:01 left still gave the 49ers that extra timeout on defense. Doug Pederson played it very safe. The Eagles punted and the 49ers took over at their own 12 with 1:40 left and one timeout. A false start moved the 49ers back to their own 7. On 1st and 15, Beathard hit Bourne for 20, Kittle for 13, McKinnon for 5, Bourne for 10, Kittle for 12, and then spike the ball to stop the clock with 17 seconds left. From the Philly 33, twice Beathard was hit as he threw, resulting in incompletions. With 7 seconds left, it came down to 4th and 10 from the Philly 33. The Hail Mary was batted around and eventually fell incomplete. The Eagles won their first game of the year, but they now actually lead the horrendous NFC Least. 25-20 Eagles
New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs was an extra Monday night game that was delayed from Sunday due to COVID. Two years ago these teams played an AFC Title game for the ages with a combined 68 points. This year Evil Hoodie Bill Belichick and Walrus Andy Reid matched wits with the pandemic in the background. Cam Newton tested positive and is in quarantine. Brian Hoyer started for the Patriots. Patrick Mahomes remains superhuman, but if anyone can stymie him, it’s Belichick. The Chiefs managed first quarter field goals of 23 and 39 yards from Harrison Butker to lead 6-0. The latter kick was set up by an interception of Hoyer. In the second quarter Nick Folk hit from 43 to get the Patriots on the board. The Patriots missed two golden opportunities to tie the game. With 8 seconds left in the half, the Patriots faced 3rd and 9 at the Chiefs 13. Hoyer was sacked for a 13 yard loss and called a timeout he did not have. The clock ran out as a disgusted Bill Belichick looked on. That 13 play drive was followed in the third quarter by a 13 play, 69 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive. On 3rd and 8 from the Chiefs 10, Hoyer was sacked by Taco Charlton and fumbled. The Chiefs recovered.
Mahomes can only be contained for so long. From his own 15, Mahomes hit Treek Hill for 19 and then went deep to Travis Kelce for a 45 yard gain. On 3rd and goal from the 6, Mahomes found Hill, who dove for the pylon and hit it for the touchdown. The Chiefs led 13-3 after three quarters. Belichick benched Hoyer and brought in third string quarterback Jarrett Studham to start the fourth quarter. Harris rushed for 9 and then raced for a 41 yard gain. On 2nd and 9 from the Chiefs 24, Stidham went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. However, defensive pass interference instead meant a 16 yard gain and 1st and goal at the 8. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Stidham hit Harry for the touchdown. Only one minute into the fourth quarter, the Patriots were within 13-10.
The Chiefs soon faced 3rd and 10 from their own 25. Mahomes threw deep incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant an 18 yard gain. Mahomes then ran for 2 yards with 15 more tacked on for defensive unnecessary roughness. On 3rd and 9 from the Patriots 39, Mahomes ran for 18. Carl Edwards-Helaire ran for 9 and then caught a 6 yard touchdown pass from Mahomes. With 9 minutes left in regulation, the Chiefs led 19-10. Butker missed the extra point. On the first play after a touchback, Stidham threw a short pass to Julian Edelman. The ball bounced right off of Edelman’s hands and into Tyrone Matheiu, who returned it 26 yards for a defensive touchdown. 2 scores in 10 seconds turned a slugfest into a 16 point Chiefs lead. After a touchback, the Patriots converted a pair of fourth downs. Another 11 play drive and another 5 1/2 minutes of clock again meant nothing. From the Chiefs 37, Stidham went to the end zone and was intercepted with 3 1/2 minutes left. For the 4th year in a row, the Chiefs are 4-0, making Andy Reid a most happy Walrus indeed. 26-10 Chiefs
Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers is the Monday night game. The unbeaten Packers were expected to blow out the winless Falcons. The Packers started at their own 27 and made it look easy at the start. Aaron Rodgers hit Tonyan for 27 yards and Aaron Jones for 8 more. Jones gashed the Falcons for gains of 9 and 23. Rodgers threw a 6 yard touchdown pass to Jones to make it 7-0 Packers only 5 minutes into the game. Ho hum. The Packers got it back at their own 34 and rolled to a 2nd and goal at the 3. Jones got stopped. On 3rd and goal, Rodgers hit Shepherd for only 2. Matt Lafleur decided to got for it on 4th and goal at the one. Williams got the carry and got stopped cold. The beleaguered Atlanta defense celebrated the goal line stand. The offense then led the most frustrating drive of the year. 20…Yes, 20…plays. 94 yards. 10 1/2 minutes. Yet on 1st and goal at the 5, Todd Gurley lost 3 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Matt Ryan threw incomplete. After all of that, Elliott Fry kicked his first ever NFL field goal from 23 yards out to get the Falcons on the board.
After a touchback, Rodgers hit Marques Valdes-Scantling for 17 and Ervin for 8. On 3rd and 10 from the Atlanta 47, Rodgers threw incomplete but offsetting penalties gave the Packers another shot. Rodgers hit Valdes-Scantling for 14 and Williams for 15. On 3rd and 14 from the Atlanta 19, Rodgers went to Tonyan for the touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Packers led 13-3 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half after the 11 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive. A 10 yard punt return had the Packers taking over at midfield with 1:37 left in the half. On 3rd and 15 from the Atlanta 41, Rodgers hit Williams for 13. Matt Lafleur decided to go for it on 4th and 2 from the Atlanta 28. Rodgers hit Taylor for 20 and then went to Tonyan for the 8 yard touchdown as the Packers were cruising 20-3.
From their own 33, Ryan went to Hurst for 18. Then he threw a pass that could have been intercepted by 4 defenders but by dumb luck was deflected and caught by Zaccheaus for 16. On 3rd and 5 from the Green Bay 18, Gurley ran for 13 and then for the 5 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Falcons trailed 20-9. The Packers responded easily. A 34 yard kickoff return and a facemask on Atlanta had the Packers starting just shy of midfield. Rodgers went to Jones for 23. On 3rd and 3 from the Atlanta 21, Rodgers went deep to Tonyan for a 21 yard touchdown and a 27-9 Packers lead.
The Falcons soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 30. Ryan went to Zaccheaus for 6 and Smith for 11. On 4th and 6 from just past midfield, Ryan threw deep incomplete but roughing the passer kept the drive going and added 15 yards. Ryan then hit Smith for 4, Zaccheaus for 16 and Hill for 4 to start the fourth quarter. Gurley, with help from a key block by Ryan, ran for a 3 yard touchdown to get the Falcons within 27-16 with 13 minutes left in regulation. After a touchback the Packers moved to a 1st and 10 at the Atlanta 28. A pass lost 3 yards and Rodgers was sacked for a loss of 12. On 3rd and 25, Rodgers hit Williams for 13 to get the Packers back in field goal range. Crosby hit from 48 to put the Packers up by 14 with 6 minutes left. Needing 2 scores, the Falcons moved after a touchback to a 2nd and 6 at the Green Bay 22. Ryan’s pass was dropped inside the 5 yard line. Then Ryan was sacked. On 4th and 10, with 3 1/2 minutes left, Ryan’s pass to the end zone was broken up at the last moment. The loss got the Packers to 4-0 and extended the Falcons misery to 0-4. Dan Quinn is somehow still employed. 30-16 Packers