NFL 2021 Week 6 Recap
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia Eagles was the Thursday night game. This game was supposed to be a mismatch, and the Buccaneers came out firing after a touchback. Tim Brady hit Antonio Brown for 9 and Chris Godwin. On 3rd and 8 from the Philadelphia 16, Brady hit Godwin for 10 and OJ Howard for a 2 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 75 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive made it 7-0 Buccaneers. The Eagles soon faced 3rd and 12 from their own 23. A neutral zone infraction made it 3rd and 7. Jalen Hurts ran for 11. The Eagles then faced 3rd and 12 from their own 37. Hurts went deep to Watkins for 23. From midfield, a deep incompletion led to a 45 yard defensive pass interference penalty. Hurts then hit Zac Ertz for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 2 from their own 33. Brady hit Godwin for 8 and Leonard Fournette for 11. A 15 yard defensive penalty on the next play for lowering the head to initiate contact kept the drive going. Brady went to Jones for 9 and to Brown for a 23 yard touchdown. After the first quarter, the Buccaneers led 14-7. Midway through the second quarter, a interception of a Hurts deep ball had the Buccaneers at their own 28. brady went to Cameron Brate for 12, Brown for 14, Fournette for 18, Howard for 10 and Godwin for 6. On 3rd and 1 from the Philly 4, Fournette gained 2 as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. Fournette then ran for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Buccaneers.
In the third quarter the Buccaneers faced 3rd and 1 from their own 30. Fournette gained 20 to midfield. On 3rd and 1 from the Philly 41, Fournette gained 6. Brady hit Howard for 9 and 15. Fournette ran for 7 and then the one yard touchdown. The 12 play, 79 yard drive took over 7 1/2 minutes and had the Buccaneers up 28-7 with less than 6 minutes left in the third quarter.
After a touchback, defensive pass interference on a deep ball meant a 56 yard gain. On 3rd and 3 from the Tampa 18, Sanders gained 5. On 3rd and 3 from the Tampa 6, Hurts threw incomplete. Down by 3 scores and needing to go for it, on 4th and 3 Hurts ran for the touchdown. After three quarters, the Eagles were within 28-14. The Eagles got it back at their own 12 to start the fourth quarter and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Tampa 28. Hurts ran for no gain and threw incomplete twice. With 13 minutes left in regulation, Kevin Siriani opted for the field goal. From 46 yards out, Jake Elliott was no good. The Buccaneers moved from their ow 36 to a 4th and 3 at the Philly 46 with 9 minutes left. Bruce Arians decided to go for it and Brady went deep incomplete.
Sanders busted out gains of 23 and 14 and Hurts added 7. Hurts ran for a 2 yard touchdown. Kevin Siriani likes to go for random 2 point conversions for no reason. Hurts did hit Watkins for the conversion as the Eagles were within 6 with 6 minutes left. After a touchback, a taunting penalty on the Eagles defense was a killer. Brady then went to Brown for 10. On 3rd and 7 from the Philadelphia 45, Brady went deep to Brown for 27 and then to Brate for 10 as the Eagles took their last timeout with 2 1/2 minutes left. Everything came down to 3rd and 1 at the Philly 9. Brady gained 3 and then took 3 knees. The 12 play, 67 yard drive took the last 6 minutes off the clock. It was far from glamorous but the Buccaneers are 5-1 while the Eagles are 2-4 and sinking. 28-22 Buccaneers
Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars was the Sunday early morning London game. Two bad teams from Florida exported their miserable product to England. The Dolphins began facing 3rd and 9 at their own 26. Tua Tagovailoa was back in the lineup and he hit Jaylen Waddle for 10. On 3rd and 6 from the Jacksonville 48, Tagovailoa hit Gesicki for for 20. On 3rd and 4 from the Jags 22, Tagovailoa hit Waddle for 5 and again for a 6 yard touchdown. The 13 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive had the Dolphins up 7-0. The Jaguars moved from their own 25 to a 3rd and 5 at the Miami 22. Trevor Lawrence threw incomplete. Matthew Wright hit a 40 yard field goal to get the Jaguars within 7-3. The Dolphins moved form their own 19 to a 1st and goal at the 10. Ahmed ran for 9 down to the one, but offensive holding killed the drive. Jason Sanders hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Dolphins less than one minute into the second quarter. A shanked 27 yard punt gave the Dolphins a short field at the Jags 38. On 4th and 2 from the Jags 30, Brian Flores went for it and Tagovailoa hit Hollins for 20. Yet on 3rd and goal from the 6, Tagovailoa threw incomplete. Sanders hit from 24 to make it 13-3 Dolphins.
The Dolphins dominated the first 28 minutes. Then the game changed. A 37 yard punt had the Jaguars taking over just past midfield with 1:45 left in the half. Lawrence hit Shenault for 10. On 3rd and 6 from the Miami 35, Lawrence threw incomplete. Urban Meyer went for it and on 4th and 6, Lawrence hit Shenault for 7. Lawrence then went to Marvin Jones for a 28 yard touchdown to get the Jaguars within 13-10. After a touchback, the Dolphins had 40 seconds to work with. On the last play of the half, from 58 yards out, Sanders was no good. After a touchback to start the third quarter, Lawrence hit Manhertz for 11. On 2nd and 15 from their own 31, Lawrence hit Agnew for 29. Defensive unnecessary roughness on the next play added 15. James Robinson then ran for 24 and then for the one yard touchdown to put the Jaguars up 17-13. Ugly football followed, with a Jaguars fumble being given back by the Dolphins throwing an interception. The Jaguars moved from the Miami 39 to a 3rd and 1 at the Miami 9. Lawrence threw incomplete, Urban Meyer went for it, and on 4th and 1 Robinson got stopped. Instead of putting the game away, momentum shifted again.
The Dolphins took over less than one minute into the fourth quarter, Tagovailoa went deep to Gesicki for gains of 32 and 20. On 3rd and 6 from the Jacksonville 35, Tagovailoa hit Wilson for 12 and Smythe for 18. Waddle ran for a 2 yard touchdown to put the Dolphins back up 20-17 with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation. With 6 1/2 minutes left the Jaguars moved from their own 20 to a 3rd and 5 at the Miami 36. Lawrence threw incomplete. Wright buried a 54 yard field goal to tie the game 20-20 with 3:40 to play. After a touchback the Dolphins moved to a 4th and 1 at their own 46 with 1:49 left. Brian Flores risked the entire game and went for it in his own territory. Brown got the carry and got stopped. The Jaguars tried to screw things up. On 3rd and 20 from their own 44, Lawrence hit Shenault for 20. With 5 seconds left, Urban Mayer had to choose between a 62 yard field goal try or going for it on 4th and 8 from the Miami 44. The Jaguars still had their timeouts. Meyer called a quick pass and Lawrence fired to Shenault for 9 as the Jaguars called timeout with one second left. Now it was a 53 yard try. Wright was good. Urban Meyer and Matthew Lawrence had their first NFL win as coach and quarterback. they had to leave America to get it, but it counts. Meanwhile, Brian Flores will be roasted in the media for his decision that backfired. 23-20 Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Porkbarrels — The Chiefs took over at their own 5 yard line. Darrell Williams gained 7 and 6. Patrick Mahomes hit Travis Kelce for 30. On 3rd and 1 from their own 47, Mahomes got stopped. Walrus Andy Reid went for it and Williams gained 5. Mahomes then went deep to Tyreek Hill for 19 and Fortson for 27. Williams ran for the 2 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 95 yard, nearly 5 minute drive had the Chiefs up 7-0. After a touchback the No-Names moved to a 3rd and 9 at the Chiefs 32. Taylor Heinicke threw incomplete. Dustin Hopkins hit a 50 yard field goal to get the No-Names within 7-3. Early in the second quarter, a 29 yard punt return had the Chiefs at the Washington 41. That was enough for Harrison Butker to hit a 52 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Chiefs.
The No-Names took over at their own 28 and moved to a 3rd and 8 at the Kansas City 27. A completion gained only 3 yards. Hopkins hit from 43 to get the No-Names within 10-6. The Non-Redskins got it back and fumbled the ball, but the Chiefs fumbled it right back to set the No-Names up at their own 33 with 5 minutes left in the half. On 3rd and 5 from their own 38. Heinicke hit Terry McLaurin for 6. On 3rd and 10 from their own 38, Heinicke hit McKissic for 16. Heinicke went deep to Seals-Jones for a 39 yard touchdown to make it 13-10 No-Names with 1:18 left in the half. The Chiefs quickly moved from their own 8 to a 3rd and 1 at the Washington 20 with 23 seconds left. Yet Mahomes, rather than take a sack, tried to throw the ball while being dragged down. The floater was intercepted. For 2 years Mahoomes and the his offense dominated the NFL by not making mistakes. This year they have been turning the ball over far more often. The No-Names missed a chance to extend the lead in the third quarter when Hopkins missed a 42 yard field goal try. After that, the Chiefs took over.
From their own 32, Mahomes hit Damien Williams for 13 and Hill for 9. Mahomes went back to Hill for 12. On 3rd and 10 from the Washington 25, Mahomes threw incomplete but the defense jumped offsides. On 3rd and 5, Mahomes hit Hill for 13. Mahomes hit Hill for a 2 yard touchdown to put the Chiefs up 17-13 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. Mecole Hardman then returned a punt 25 yards, with 15 more tacked on for a rare low block penalty on the kicking team. This set up the Chiefs at the Washington 45. Williams gained 11. On 3rd and 1 from the Washington 25, Mahomes hit Kelce for 3. The Chiefs began the fourth quarter facing 3rd and 6 at the Washington 18. Mahomes hit Kelce for 11. Williams ran for a 3 yard touchdown to put the Chiefs up 24-13 one minute into the fourth quarter. The Chiefs got it back at their own 4 and soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 10. Mahomes ran for 10. On 3rd and 5 from their own 25, Mahomes hit Byron Pringle for 21. On 3rd and 5 just past midfield. Mahomes hit Hill for just enough. On 3rd and 8 from the Washington 41, Mahomes hit Robinson for 12. On 3rd and 5 from the Washington 24, Mahomes went deep to Robinson for the touchdown to put the dagger in with 3 minutes left. 21 unanswered points got the Chiefs the win, making Any Reid a most relieved Walrus indeed. 31-13 Chiefs
Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants — The Rams were expected to steamroll the Giants. The Giants began at their own 19 and Daniel Jones was immediately sacked. Yet on 3rd and 14 from his own 15, Jones hit Toney for 17. The Giants moved 73 yards in 11 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 7 from the Rams 8, Jones threw incomplete. Graham Gano hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Giants. That concluded all Giants highlights. In the second quarter the Rams took over at their own 34. On 2nd and 12, Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp for 28 and Tyler Higbee for 10. Sony Michel ran for 15. Stafford hit Robert Woods for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Rams. Jones fumbled again and the Rams took over at the Giants 12. On 3rd and 1 from the 3, Henderson got stopped. Sean McVay went for it and Stafford hit Kupp on 4th and 1 for the first down and the touchdown to make it 14-3 Rams. Jones then threw an interception to give the Rams the ball at the Giants 14. Henderson ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 21-3 Rams.
The Rams got it back with 2:16 left in the half but at least this time they were at their own 27 rather than starting in the red zone. It did not matter. Stafford went to Kupp for 25 yards, Higbee for 9, Kupp again for 16, and Henderson for 25 as the Rams led 28-3 at the intermission. In the third quarter the Rams moved from their own 19 to a 3rd and 2 at the Giants 14. Henderson only gained one. On 4th and 1, Sean McVay opted for the field goal, perhaps out of mercy. Matt Gay hit from 27 to cap the 13 play, 68 yard drive that took over 9 minutes off the clock. Jones was intercepted as league rules prevented the NFL from canceling the rest of this game. Stafford threw a 13 yard touchdown pass to Kupp early in the fourth quarter and then took the rest of the game off as Sean McVay taught Stafford how to hold a clipboard. The Giants got a garbage touchdown long after anyone cared. The Rams are 5-1 and the Giants are 1-5 and getting worse by the week. 38-11 Rams
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts — Last week Carson Wentz threw for over 400 yards but the Colts blew a 16 point fourth quarter lead in an agonizing overtime loss. With 5 minutes left in the opening quarter, the Colts were pinned at their own 8. Wentz hit Pittman for 17 and Jonathan Taylor for 13. On 3rd and 3 just shy of midfield, Wentz went deep to Campbell for a 51 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. The Colts got it back and faced 2nd and 8 at their own 20. Wentz went deep again to TY Hilton for a 52 yard gain. On 3rd and 5 from the Houston 23, Wentz threw incomplete. Mike Badgley hit a 41 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Colts early in the second quarter.
After a touchback, the Texans moved 62 yards in 11 plays and 6 minutes. On 2nd and 5 from the Indianapolis 13, a run went nowhere and Davis Mills threw an incompletion that should have been intercepted for a defensive touchdown. Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 31 yard field goal to get the Texans within 10-3 with 6 minutes left in the half. The Colts blew the game open in the third quarter. A quick interception of Mills set up the Colts at the Houston 28. Wentz went to Mo Alie-Cox for the touchdown to make it 17-3 Colts. The Colts got it back at their own 12 and Taylor got around the end for an 83 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Taylor ran for the touchdown to make it 24-3 Colts. This time they would not blow their big lead. A fourth quarter fumble by the Texans led to an 11 yard touchdown run by Taylor to complete the scoring. Mills threw another interception for good measure. 31-3 Colts
Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions —The Bengals came in 3-2 but suffered an overtime loss due to several missed field goals. The Lions were winless after another agonizing loss on the final play. The Bengals began facing 3rd and 9 at their own 40. Joe Burrow hit Tee Higgins for 14. Joe Mixon gained 9 and 8. On 3rd and 5 from the Detroit 24, Burrow went to Evans for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Bengals. Later on the quarterbacks traded interceptions. The Lions in the second quarter saw Dan Campbell go for it on 4th and 4 from the Cincinnati 38. Jared Goff threw incomplete. A desperate Campbell even went for it on 4th and 1 from his own 26. Williams got the yard but the Lions would soon punt anyway. With 1:21 left in the half the Bengals took over at their own 24. Burrow moved the Bengals into position for a 38 yard Evan McPherson field goal try to end the half. McPherson shook off his miserable game last week to hit this one and put the Bengals up 10-0.
After a touchback to start the third quarter, the Bengals broke the game open. Mixon gained 14 and 4. On 3rd and 3 from their own 46, Burrow gained 5. On 3rd and 2 from the Detroit 41, , Mixon only gained one. Zac Taylor went for it. On 4th and 1, a short completion to Mixon went for a 40 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Bengals. The Bengals got it back and moved from their own 20 to a 2nd and 8 at the Detroit 22. Burrow the incomplete twice. McPherson hit from 40 to make it 20-0 Bengals. The Bengals got it back at their own 5 and made it look easy. Burrow hit Evans for 11 and then went deep to Jamarr Chase for a 53 yard gain. Mixon gained 18. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Burrow hit Uzomah for the touchdown to make it 27-0 Bengals early in the fourth quarter.
Burrow took the rest of the night off and practiced his clipboard holding skills. It has been a long time since the Bengals had that luxury in a game. The Lions avoided the shutout with a field goal in the fourth quarter. Brandon Allen took over for Burrow and threw a 7 yard touchdown pass to Audun Tate to make it 34-3 Bengals. The Lions got a garbage touchdown and are now the NFL’s only winless team. Again. 34-11 Bengals
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears — The Bears took over at their own 20. Khalil Herbert gained 9 and 2. Justin Fields hit Ket for 15. On 3rd and 3 from the Green Bay 47, Fields hit Allen Robinson for 20. Defensive pass interference on the next play added 26 more. Bars got the last yard for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Bears. The bears got it back and late in the first quarter faced 3rd and 7 from the Green Bay 47, Fields went for it all and was intercepted for a touchback. Fields thought he had a free play but defensive offsides was not called. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the next play on the Chicago defense had the Packers at their own 35. On 3rd and 7 from their own 38, a completion from Aaron Rodgers to Robert Tonyan was initially ruled enough for the first down. Matt Nagy challenged the call and it was reversed to 4th and 1. Matt LaFleur gambled from his own 44 and Rodgers gained 2. Rodgers went to Devontae Adams for 32. On 3rd and goal from the one, Rodgers hit Lazard for the touchdown and the 7-7 game.
The Packers got it back at their own 42 and Dillon gained 35. Despite 1st and goal at the 9, a run lost 6 yards. On 3rd and goal from the 15, a touchdown pass was nullified by offensive pass interference. The Packers settled for a 39 yard Mason Crosby field goal try. Despite Crosby having a miserable game last week, this kick was good and the Packers led 10-7. The Packers took over in the third quarter at their own 10. Rodgers hit Adams for 11. Aaron Jones ran for 28. On 3rd and 4 from the Chicago 45, defensive pass interference gave the Packers the 4 yards. Rodgers hit Lewis for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 22, Rodgers hit Jones for 10 and again for a 12 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 90 yard, 7 minute drive had the Packers up 17-7.
The Bears began the fourth quarter at their own 20. On 3rd and 3 from their own 27, Fields hit Allen Robinson for 20 and Kmet for 21. On 3rd and 2 from the Green Bay 8, Herbert gained 3. Fields then fired over the middle to Mooney for a 5 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 80 yard, 6 minute drive had the Bears within 17-14 with 9 minutes left. After a touchback, Rodgers hit Lazard for 13. Rodgers then went deep to adams for 41. Desperately needing a stop, the Bears defense could not get one. Rodgers rolled out and ran for a 6 yard touchdown. In a classless move, Rodgers screamed at the Chicago crowd, “I own you! I still own you!” The Packers are 5-1, but Rodgers finds ways to play great and still be unlikable. 24-14 Packers
Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens — A pair of 4-1 teams faced off. Lamar Jackson last week racked up over 400 yards and multiple touchdowns, all after nearly three quarters had expired. The Ravens overcame a 16 point fourth quarter deficit for an electric overtime win. The Ravens remained red hot to start this game from their own 10. On 3rd and 4 from their own 31, Jackson hit Brown for just enough as Brandon Staley unsuccessfully challenged the call. Freeman then ran for 16. Duvernay ran for 11 and Latavius Murray ran for a 14 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 ravens after the 12 play, 90 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. The Ravens got it back at their own 26 and Jackson hit Mark Andrews for 16. On 1st and 20 from the Chargers 45, Jackson scrambled for 22 and hit Andrews for 21 down to the 2. LeVeon Bell carried it in for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Ravens only 90 seconds into the second quarter.
The Chargers moved from their own 14 to a 4th and 3 at their own 39 after an incompletion. Brandon Staley has been gambling all year and winning, but this time he went for it and lost as Justin Herbert threw incomplete again. The short field was enough for Justin Tucker to hit a 52 yard field goal to make it 17-0 Ravens. Herbert was then intercepted, but Jackson threw an interception right back. That gave the Chargers the ball at the Baltimore 27. Herbert went to Mike Williams for 26 down to the one. Herbert then hit Jared Cook for the touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Chargers trailed 17-6 at the break.
The Ravens blew the Chargers out in the third quarter. The second half kickoff was returned 47 yards to have the Ravens at their own 48. On 3rd and 3 from the Chargers 45, Jackson hit Bateman for 4. On 3rd and 1 from the Chargers 32, Murray got the yard. On 3rd and 1 from the Chargers 11, Jackson gained 2. Jackson hit Andrews for the 9 yard touchdown. The 12 play, 52 yard drive took 7 1/2 minutes off the clock and had the Ravens up 24-6. The Chargers took over at their own 10 and soon faced 4th and 1 from their own 19. It’s one thing to be bold, but now Brandon Staley was just recklessly stupid. He went for it and Herbert threw incomplete. The gift field position led to Tucker hitting from 39 to make it 27-6 Ravens. The Ravens got it back at their own 35 and kept running the ball. From the Chargers 42, Jackson found brown for 20. On 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 22, Jackson hit Andrews for 13. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Freeman ran for a 9 yard touchdown to complete the blowout and get the Ravens to 5-1 on the season. 34-6 Ravens
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers — On the first play of the game after a touchback, Sam Darnold was intercepted to set up the Vikings at the Carolina 22. On 3rd and 4 from the 6, Kirk Cousins threw incomplete. Greg Jospeh hit a 25 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Vikings. Later in the opening quarter the Vikings fumbled and Reddick returned it 22 yards to the Minnesota 18. Darnold hit Smith for 16 and Hubbard ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Panthers. Abdullah returned the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to the Minnesota 47. The Vikings moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Carolina 10. A completion only gained 3 yards and on 4th and 2 Mike Zimmer decided not to gamble. Joseph hit again from 25 to get the Vikings within 7-6.
The Vikings got it back in the second quarter at their own 15 and Dalvin Cook ran for 9, one and 3. Cousins went to Adam Thielen for 20 and 24 and to Osborn for 13. Cousins went to Herndon for the 2 yard touchdown. Mike Zimmer went for 2 and Cook got stopped as the Vikings led 12-7. The Panthers moved from their own 39 to a 3rd and 7 at the Minnesota 29. Darnold threw incomplete. Zane Gonzalez hit a 47 yard field goal to get the Panthers within 12-10. Midway through the third quarter the Vikings punted on 4th and 8 from their own 24. The punt was blocked and recovered by Robinson, who took it 4 yards for the special teams touchdown and the 17-12 Panthers lead.
The Vikings soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 30. Ham broke free for a 30 yard gain. Cousins hit Conklin for 24. Cook then ran for a 16 yard touchdown, stretching the ball over the pylon as he was going down. The 2 point try failed but the Vikings led 18-17 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter. One play after a touchback, the Panthers fumbled and the Vikings took over at the Carolina 39. Cousins went deep to Thielen for a 35 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Cousins hit Thielen again for the touchdown to have the Vikings up 25-17 after three quarters. The fourth quarter began with the Vikings facing 1st and 18 at their own 9. Cousins hit Justin Jefferson for 1 7. On 3rd and 2, Cousins hit Jefferson for 25. On 3rd and 5 from the Carolina 20, Cousins threw incomplete. Joseph hit a 38 yard field goal to put the Vikings up 28-17 with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation. With 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Darnold got sacked and fumbled and the Panthers took over at the Carolina 38. On 3rd and 4, Cousins threw incomplete. Joseph came in for a 50 yard field goal try for a 31-17 lead. Yet Joseph was no good.
The Panthers took over at their own 40 midway through the fourth quarter needing 2 scores. Despite 1st and goal at the 5, Darnold threw incomplete twice sandwiched around a run that went nowhere. With 4:44 to play, Matt Rhule opted for the field goal. Gonzalez hit the 23 yard field goal to get the Panthers within 28-20. After a touchback, a short completion from Cousins to Conklin gained 40 yards. Yet on 4th and 11 from the Carolina 36 with 3 minutes left, Mike Zimmer opted against a 54 yard field goal try to lock up the win. He punted and the Panthers were pinned at their own 4 yard line with 2:09 left.
3 straight incompletions had the Panthers down to their last gasp. On 4th and 10 from his own 4, Darnold went deep to Thomas for a 41 yard gain. Darnold then ran for a 13 yard gain. With 51 seconds left after an incompletion, the Panthers were again down to their last chance, facing 4th and 6 at the Minnesota 32. Darnold went deep to Moore for 25 and then hit Robby Anderson for a 7 yard touchdown with 42 seconds left. The Panthers still needed the 2 point try to tie the game, and Darnold hit Tommy Tremble for the conversion. After a touchback, Cousins quickly moved the Vikings into position for a 47 yard field goal try with 5 seconds left. Again, Joseph was no good. The Vikings won the coin toss in overtime. After a touchback, Cousins hit Thielen for 6 and Jefferson for 7. On 3rd and 3 from their own 43, Cousins hit Osborn for 13. Cook ran for gains of 4 and 16. The Panthers never saw the ball in overtime. On 2nd and 13 from the Carolina 27, Cousins went deep to Osborn, who stretched the ball over the pylon for the win. For the second straight week, the Vikings won on the final play. Both teams are 3-3 on the year. 34-28 Vikings, OT
Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns — The Cardinals at 5-0 came in the NFL’s lone unbeaten team, but they would be without Kliff Kingsbury this week. The coach tested positive for Covid. Yet the Cardinals came out red hot anyway. On 3rd and 6 from their own 30, Edmonds ran for a 40 yard gain. On 3rd and 7 from the Cleveland 27, Kyler Murray hit Kirk for 15. On 3rd and 19 from the Cleveland 21, Murray went to Kirk for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. The Browns after a touchback moved to a 4th and 3 at the Arizona 13. Kevin Stefanski went for it and Baker Mayfield was sacked. From their own 22, James Conner gained 9 and 4. Murray hit AJ Green for 10. Defensive pass interference added 8 more. On 3rd and 2 from the Cleveland 39, Murray threw deep incomplete but another defensive pass interference call meant 24 more yards. The second quarter began with the Cardinals facing 3rd and goal at the 13. Murray hit Deandre Hopkins for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Browns.
The Browns quickly fumbled to set up the Cardinals at the Cleveland 18. Yet the Cardinals gained no yards and settled for a 36 yard field goal by Matt Prater to lead 17-0. Baker Mayfield soon faced 3rd and 8 from his own 27 and was intercepted byAlford, who returned it 23 yards to the Cleveland 28. On 3rd and 2 from the Cleveland 20, Murray was sacked for a 13 yard loss. Prater nailed the 51 yard field goal to make it 20-0 Cardinals.
After a touchback, the Browns finally woke up. Mayfield hit Odell Beckham for 17 and Fallon for 10. Kareem Hunt ran for big gains of 17 and 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Arizona 11, Mayfield hit Donovan Peoples-Jones for the touchdown to get the Browns within 20-7 with 5 minutes left in the half. The Cardinals moved from their own 29 to a 1st and 10 at the Cleveland 11 with 90 seconds left in the half. Yet an incompletion followed by a fumbled snap and a loss and another incompletion killed the drive. Prater hit from 33 to make it 23-7 Cardinals with 45 seconds left in the half. The Browns faced 3rd and 5 from their own 30. Mayfield hit Johnson for 7 and Schwartz for 6. With 3 seconds left, the Browns were at their own 43. Mayfield threw the Hail Mary, and Peoples-Jones came down with it for a 57 yard touchdown. Despite being dominated, the Browns were only down 23-14 at the midpoint. There would be no more miracles as the Cardinals defense clamped down in the second half.
In the third quarter the Browns moved from their own 32 to a 2nd and 13 at the Arizona 45. Mayfield was sacked and fumbled and the Cardinals took over at their own 46. On 3rd and 10, Murray went deep to Green for 34. On 3rd and 1 from the Cleveland 11, Murray gained 4. Murray hit Hopkins for a 9 yard touchdown to put the Cardinals up 30-14 with 3 minutes left in the third quarter. The Browns took over at their own 36 and soon faced 4th and 1 at their own 45. Kevin Stefanski went for it and Mayfield hit Austin Hooper for 4. Yet on 3rd and 4 from the Arizona 7, Mayfield threw incomplete. Stefanski went for it again and Mayfield through incomplete. Making matters worse, Beckham left the game injured. Murray then went to Kirk for 20. On 2nd and 17 from their own 23, Murray threw incomplete but roughing the passer meant 15 yards and a new set of downs. Murray hit Kirk for 11. James Conner gained 9, 2 and 16. Murray hit Green for a 14 yard touchdown to cap the 11 play, 93 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and ice the game with 5 minutes left. Even without their coach, the Cardinals got to 6-0 with a big statement road win. 37-14 Cardinals
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos — 10 years ago, the 3-2 Raiders were rocked by the death of Al Davis. The Silver and Black went out and played inspired football and got a road win decided on the final play. A decade later, the 3-2 team was rocked again by the resignation of coach Jon Gruden. Special teams coach Rich Bisaccia had to hold the team together for owner Mark Davis. Both the Raiders and Broncos started 3-0 before losing 2 straight. After a touchback, Derek Carr hit Henry Ruggs for 9. On 2nd and 6 from his own 39, Carr threw deep incomplete but illegal contact on the defense meant an automatic first down. On 3rd and 2 from the Denver 48, Carr went bombs away to Ruggs, who ran away from 2 defenders for the touchdown. For the first time all season, the Raiders scored on their opening drive as they led 7-0.
The Broncos took over at their own 16, and they had not scored on their opening drive in 24 games. Teddy Bridgewater hit Patrick for 7. Melvin Gordon ran for 10. On 3rd and 12 from their own 31, Bridgewater hit Cortland Sutton for 14. Defensive pass interference on the next play added 20 more. Gordon ran for 9 and 3. Bridgewater then went to Patrick for a 23 yard touchdown and a 7-7 game. The Raiders soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. Carr hit Jalen Richard for 3 and then found Hunter Renfrow for a 25 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and 3 from the Denver 32, Carr threw incomplete. Daniel Carlson nailed a 50 yard field goal as the Raiders led 10-7.
The Broncos moved from their own 18 to a 4th and 2 at their own 37. Vic Fangio decided to go for it but Bridgewater was intercepted. The Raiders took over at the Denver 49 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Denver 24. Carr was tackled twice for no gain with an incompletion between those plays. Carlson’s 43 yard field goal try early in the second quarter doinked off the upright no good. The punters took over the game until the Raiders took over at their own 18 with one minute left in the half. Carr hit Kenyan Drake for 8 and Darren Waller for 10. Carr then went medieval, hitting Waller deep for 33 and Drake deep for the 31 yard touchdown. The Raiders needed only 30 seconds to score. The Raiders defense ended the half by belting Bridgewater for a sack to take a 17-7 lead to the locker rooms. The Broncos punted on their first drive of the third quarter and the Raiders took over at their own 44. Josh Jacobs ran for 5 and took a short pass from Carr another 29 yards. Drake ran for an 18 yard touchdown and the Raiders had a 24-7 lead.
The Broncos moved from their own 22 to a 3rd and 7 at the Raiders 14. Bridgewater fired to Noah Fant in the back of the end zone, but Fant’s tow was on the white chalk out of the end zone incomplete. Vic Fangio challenged the call and lost. Needing 3 scores and with 6 1/2 minutes still remaining in the third quarter, Fangio opted for the field goal. McManus hit from 32 to get the Broncos within 24-10. The Raiders went 3 and out and the Broncos got it back at their own 13. On 1st and 10 from their own 36, Bridgewater ran for 4 but was then hit and fumbled. It was a perfect helmet on the ball as the Raiders took over at the Denver 42. The Raiders immediately fumbled the snap but Carr fell on it. On 3rd and 12 from Denver 44, Carr went bombs away to Ruggs, who made an acrobatic catch for a 40 yard gain. Jacobs ran for one and then banged in for the 3 yard touchdown. After three quarters the Raiders had the comfortable 31-10 lead.
The Broncos tried to rally in the fourth quarter against a Raiders tea that still struggles to close out games. After a touchback, Bridgewater began the fourth quarter hitting Sutton for 10. On 3rd and 4 from their own 41, Bridgewater hit Kendall Hinton for 7. Bridgewater then went deep to Fant for 26. An illegal blindside block on the offense had the Broncos facing 3rd and 20 from the Raiders 36. Bridgewater hit Fant for 12. One defensive stop would ice the game. On 4th and 8, Bridgewater found Hinton for 13, but Hinton had it ripped out of his hands but Nate Hobbs for an interception. The Raiders celebrated, but on further review it was reversed to completed catch. Hinton’s knee was down before he lost the ball. Bridgewater went to Sutton for a 12 yard touchdown. With 11 minutes left in regulation, the Broncos were still alive down 31-17.
The Raiders after a false start faced 3rd and 5 from their own 30. Carr went bombs away to Bryan Edwards for a 51 yard gain. On 3rd and 2 from the Denver 11, Carr threw incomplete. Carlson nailed the 30 yard field goal to make it 34-17 Raiders midway through the fourth quarter. One minute later after a touchback and the Broncos facing 3rd and 10 from their own 37, Bridgewater went deep and was intercepted again. The Broncos would eventually get a garbage touchdown with 1:10 to play and even recovered an onside kick. Yet on 4th and 10 from his own 44 with 24 seconds left, Bridgewater tossed his final interception against Jonathan Abram. Bridgewater finished 35 of 49 for 334 yards and 3 touchdowns, but also with 4 turnovers including 3 interceptions and one fumble. Carr was 18 of 27 for 341 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. 10 years ago Mark Davis got his first win as an NFL owner. A decade later he got another big win. It came on the road against a hated rival lead by Rich Bisaccia in his very first NFL game. The entire team rallied together. Carr was magnificent and the defense got the job done.The Raiders at 4-2 are tied for the AFC West lead. The controversy is in the past. This team has character, heart and guts. 34-24 Raiders
Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots — The Cowboys began at their own 12 and soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Ezekiel Elliott got stopped and Mike McCarthy decided to go for it. Elliott got stopped again. With the short field, Harris gained 21 and then ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Patriots. After a touchback, Dak Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for 11, Schultz for 18, Amari Cooper for 17, Tony Pollard for 3, Schultz for 23, and Jarwin for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-7. After a touchback the Patriots struck quickly. Mac Jones hit Stevenson for 14 and again for 22. Defensive unnecessary roughness on the next play added 15. Jones then went to Hunter Henry for a 20 yard touchdown and a 14-7 Patriots advantage.
After that the game slowed considerably. due to a series of blunders. After a touchback the Cowboys moved to a 3rd and 9 at the New England 16. Prescott went to the end zone and was intercepted by Duggar, who returned it 29 yards to the New England 25. The Patriots moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Dallas 25. A touchdown pass was nullified. On 2nd and 17, Jones was sacked and fumbled. The Cowboys took over at their own 48 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the New England 11. A false start and a pair of incompletions killed the drive. Greg Zuerlein hit the 30 yard field goal to get the Cowboys within 14-10. The Patriots then punted on 4th and 1 from their own 35. The Cowboys blocked it to take over at the Pats 17. On 1st and goal at the one, Elliott got stopped twice. Then Prescott got stopped. With 90 seconds left in the half, Mike McCarthy went for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Prescott fumbled but was ruled to have gotten in. Yet on further review, Prescott was short of the plane of the goal when he lost the ball.
In the third quarter the Cowboys faced 1st and 14 at their own 5. Prescott hit Elliott for 18, Brown for 27, and Schultz for 20. On 3rd and 1 from the Pats 18, Lamb gained 2. Defensive pass interference on the next play meant 15 yards down to the one. Prescott hit Lamb for the touchdown as the Cowboys finally finished a drive to lead 17-14 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter. The Cowboys got it back at their own 12 and moved to a 1st and 10 t the New England 27. Prescott threw 3 straight incompletions. Zuerlein hit a 45 yard field goal to make it 20-14 Cowboys with 13 minutes left in regulation.
After a touchback and a penalty on the defense for 12 men on the field, Jones hit Meyers for 11. On 3rd and 3 from their own 48, Jones hit Bolden for just enough. On 3rd and 9 from the Dallas 48, Jones hit Meyers for 11. Harris did the rest, running for 21, 6, and on 3rd and 4 from the 10, 6 more. Harris ran for 3 more down to the one. Remondray Stevenson for the last yard. Th 13 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive had the Patriots up 21-20 with 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Cowboys took over at their own 27. Elliott ran for 21. On 3rd and 2 from the New England 44, Prescott hit Wilson for 3. On 3rd and 12 from the New England 43, Prescott ran for 10. On 4th and 2 from the New England 33 with 2:42 to play, Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein came in for a 51 yard try to give the Cowboys the lead. His kick was no good, way wide.
The Patriots needed to run the ball to take the final 2 1/2 minutes off the clock. Bill Belichick never does things the conventional way. A false start set up 2nd and 15 for the Patriots at their own 36. Jones threw a pass and disaster struck. It bounced off of Kendrick Bourne’s fingertips and was intercepted by Trayvon Diggs. Diggs returned the interception 42 yards for a defensive touchdown. In front of a shocked home crowd, the Cowboys led 26-21. The 2 point try failed. The Patriots took over at their own 25. One play and 15 seconds later they had the lead again. Jones went deep to Bourne, who redeemed himself in a major way by catching the bomb and racing for a 75 yard touchdown. Jones hit Meyers for the 2 point conversion as the Patriots led 29-26.
The Cowboys took over at their own 29 and at the 2 minute warning faced 3rd and 8 from their own 31. Prescott hit Cooper for 4. On 4th and 4 from their own 35 with 90 seconds left, Prescott hit Wilson for 13 and Schultz for 12. A mindless unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the offense had the Cowboys facing 3rd and 25 from their own 45 with 30 seconds left. Prescott went deep to Lamb for 24 yards as the Cowboys took a timeout. On 4th and 1 from the New England 31, Mike McCarthy opted for the field goal. From 49 yards out, this time Zuerlein delivered. The game was headed to overtime tied 29-29. The Patriots won the coin toss for overtime but punted. The Cowboys took over at their own 20. Prescott hit Lamb for 14, Schultz for 6, Cooper for 9 and Lamb for 7. A field goal would win it but that was unnecessary. Prescott went deep to Lamb, who coasted in for the 35 yard touchdown to end the game. The Cowboys are 5-1 and showing resiliency. Prescott played like a Hall of Fame, completing 36 of 51 passes for 445 yards, 3 touchdowns and on interception. 35-29 Cowboys
Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers was the Sunday night game. These teams met 16 years ago in the 2005 Super Bowl when Big Ben Roethlisberger was only in his second season. 16 years later, and he is still trying to fight off father time. Meanwhile, the Seahawks had to start Geno Smith given that Russell Wilson is out injured for a few weeks. After a scoreless opening quarter, a shanked 24 yard punt had the Steelers starting the second quarter at their own 46. On 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 47, Roethlisberger hit eric Hebron for 4 Johnson then got around the end for 25. Roethlisberger hit Freiermuth for 12 and Najee Harris for a 5 yard touchdown to make to 7-0 Steelers.
Midway through the second quarter the Steeles took over at their own 16. Roethlisberger hit Johnson for gains of 6 and 5, Harris for 12, and Freiermuth for 9. On 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 24, Roethlisberger threw incomplete but the defense jumped offsides. On 3rd and 2 from the Seattle 11 at the 2 minute warning, Roethlisberger hit Chase Claypool for 5. On 3rd and goal at the one with one minute left in the half, Ebron got in to make it 14-0 Steelers. The Steelers were dominating, but the second half was a different ballgame.
After a touchback, Alex Collins gashed the Pittsburgh defense for gains of 5, 11 and 21, 7, 7, 5 and 2. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Collins got in. The 10 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive featured only one pass and got the Seahawk within 14-7. After a touchback, the Seahawks moved to a 1st and 10 at the Seattle 17. An illegal block moved the Steelers back. On 3rd and 14, Roethlisberger hit freiermuth for only 12. On 4th and 2 from the 9, Mike Tomlin played it safe and took the points. Chris Boswell hit from 27 to make it 17-7 Steelers.
A strong kickoff had the Seahawks taking over at their own 40. Smith hit Tyler Lockett for 14. Smith then went deep to Everett for a 41 yard gain. Smith hit will Dissly for a one yard touchdown. With 3 minutes left in the third quarter, the Seahawks were within 17-14. A short 32 yard punt gave the Seahawks the ball back at their own 42. Collins ran for 14 and 8. On 3rd and 7 from the Pittsburgh 41, Homer ran for 26. The fourth quarter began with the Seahawks facing 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 15 and a chance to take the lead. On 3rd and 2 from the Pittsburgh 7, Smith was sacked for a 15 yard loss. Jason Myers hit a 40 yard field goal to tie the game 17-17 with 13 minutes to play in the game.
The Steelers took over at their own 17. On 1st and 10 from their own 38, Roethlisberger went back to pass and lost control of the ball without being touched. Big Ben pump faked and lost the ball when he was bringing the ball back to his body. This was the Tom Brady Tuck Rule that affected NFL history and turned a fumble into an incomplete pass. This time 20 years later the officials initially ruled it an incomplete pass. Pete Carroll challenged the call. On further review, it was reversed to a fumble. The Tuck Rule no longer exists. It was repealed a year after it first stole away Charles Woodson’s forced fumble. Despite starting at the Pittsburgh 35 already in one field goal range, the Seahawks could not capitalize. A 15 yard Collins run was wiped away by offensive holding. On 3rd and 10, Smith completed a pass for a 4 yard loss. Pete Carroll opted against a 57 yard field goal try for the lead. The Seahawks punted.
The Steelers took over at their own 25 with 5:19 to play. Harris had gains of 4, 9 and 3. With 3:10 to play, the clock stopped when defensive tackle Darrell Taylor stayed on the ground. In trying to make a routine tackle, he suffered an accidental blow to his head. Play stopped for several minutes as the stretcher was brought out. Taylor was loaded on to the stretcher. When play resumed and the clock restarted, the Steelers faced 1st and 10 just shy of midfield. With 3 minutes left, Harris got another carry and gained 10 more yards. Harris gained 5 more as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. On 2nd and 5 from the Seattle 36 in long field goal range, offensive pass interference pushed the Steelers back. Then came an incompletion that should have been intercepted. On 3rd and 15, Roethliberger avoided a sack and hit Harris for 12. Boswell came in for a 52 yard field goal try to give the Steelers the lead as the Seahawks took a timeout with 1:35 to play. Boswell’s kick was good.
After a touchback, the Seahawk had 90 seconds and 2 timeouts. Yet they would have to tie or win the game with Smith, not Wilson. The Seahawks got back in the game by hard running from Collins. Now Smith had to throw the ball. Smith hit Dissly for 7and Dallas gained 5. Smith hit Dallas for 7 more as the Seahawks called their 2nd timeout with 52 seconds left. Smith hit Dallas for a 2 yard gain that wasted plenty of precious seconds. On 3rd and 1 from their own 47, Smith hit Metcalf for 11 and got out of bounds with 22 seconds left. Smith went to Dallas for 7 as he got hit, fumbled, and recovered the ball himself. The Seahawks called their last timeout with 18 seconds left. A field goal would now be 53 yards. The Steelers called their first timeout. Chaos then broke out.
Smith found a wide open Metcalf at the sideline. Metcalf lost his mind and decided to try and gain a few more yards rather than go out of bounds. Smith had the ball punched out. Freddie Swain recovered the fumble for the Seahawks but the clock was still running. Swain ran to give the ball to the official to set as the Seahawks furiously got up to the line. Smith spiked the ball with one second left. The Steelers thought the game was over. Then after all of that, the officials decided that the previous play was under review. After a lengthy review, officials ruled a catch and a fumble and 3 seconds remaining. Mike Tomlin was red hot, but the Seahawks were allowed to spike the ball again. 2 seconds remained. From 43 yards out, Myers was good. The game was tied 20-20 and headed for overtime.
Russell Wilson had not missed a game in a decade. Yet he is so important to this franchise that he came out for the overtime coin toss despite being in street clothes. He called tails, and the Seahawks got the ball first in overtime at their own 27. Smith went to Lockett for 21. On 3rd and 4 from the Pittsburgh 45, Smith got buried from the blindside for a 13 yard loss. The Steelers took over at their own 20. Roethlisberger looked all around and found Freiermuth in the flat near the sticks,Trey Brown made a perfect tackle to knock Freiermuth short of the sticks. On 4th and 1 from his own 29, Mike Tomlin was not in a gambling mood. The Steelers punted. The Seahawks took over at their own 15 with 4 1/2 minutes left in overtime. Geno Smith then did what he has done his entire career. He avoided a sack and ran without tucking the ball away. TJ Watt forced the fumble and Devin Bush recovered at the Seattle 16. Mike Tomlin took no chances. He had Roethlisberger take a knee to center the ball for Boswell. Big Ben then took another knee to burn 40 more seconds off the clock. On 3rd down, Boswell came in for the 37 yard field goal try to win it. With 2:50 left in overtime, Boswell was good. 23-20 Steelers, OT
Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans was the Monday night game. This game started slow and turned into a shootout. The Bills moved from their own 21 on a drive that lasted 13 plays, went 74 yards, and took 6 1/2 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and 3 from the Tennessee 5, Josh Allen threw incomplete. Tyler Bass hit a 24 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bills. Late in the first quarter, the Bills punted and Mike Vrabel decided to take an old Buffalo wound and throw sale on it. 22 years ago the Titans defeated the Bills in an epic playoff game known as the Music City Miracle.Titans Coach Jeff fisher put in home run throwback, and Kevin Dyson returned a kickoff for a touchdown to shock the Bills.
Bills fans insist to this day that the play was illegal because it featured a forward pass on the return. Officials ruled it a lateral and a touchdown stood. In this game 22 years later, the Bills punted on 4th and 18 from their own 13. The punt turned into the sequel of Home Run Throwback. This time a 22 yard return had the Titans at the Buffalo 42. Yet this time officials ruled that the throw across the field was a forward pass and not a lateral. This was little comfort for Bills fans haunted by the 1999 game.
Nevertheless, the Titans took over at their own 29. On 3rd and 2 from their own 42, Ryan Tannehill went deep and was intercepted by Poyer, who returned it 17 yards to the Tennessee 48. Again the Bills drove to the 5 yard line but on 1st and goal, a touchdown was nullified by offensive holding. On 3rd and goal at the 10, Allen threw incomplete. Bass hit from 28 to make it 6-0 Bills in the second quarter.
The Bills were dominating, but one play and 16 seconds after a touchback, The Titans had the lead. Derrick Henry took it straight up the gut and broke free for a 76 yard touchdown run to make it 7-6 Titans. The Bills took over at their own 28. A sack of Allen was nullified by defensive unnecessary roughness. Allen then went to Emanuel sanders for big gains of 21 and 19, to Singletary for 2, and to Stefan Diggs for a 14 yard touchdown. Midway though the second quarter, the Bills led 13-7. The Titans soon faced 3r and 8 at their own 23. Tannehill went deep to Julio Jones for a 48 yard gain. On 3rd and 6 from the Buffalo 25, Tannehill threw incomplete. Randy Bullock hit 43 yard field goal to get the Titans within 13-10.
One play after a touchback, the Titans struck again. Allen got hit as threw, and the ball was plucked out of the air by Byard. Byard returned the interception 16 yards to the Buffalo 11. Tannehill ran for a 4 yard touchdown to put the Titans up 17-13 with 5 minutes left in the half. After a touchback, Allen responded. On 3rd and 5 from his own 42, Allen hit Diggs for 17 at the 2 minute warning. Allen hit Diggs again for 12. With 40 seconds left on 3rd and 12 from the Tennessee 29, Allen went to Cole Beasley for the touchdown. The Bills led 20-17 at the half, and the second half was just as exciting.
The Bills began the third quarter facing 3rd and 4 from their own 24. Allen hit Diggs for 9, Dawson Knox for 11 and Beasley for 18. Yet on 2nd and 6 from the Tennessee 34, Allen ran for no gain and then threw incomplete. Bass nailed the 52 yard field goal to extend the Bills lead to 23-17. The Titans took over at their own 33 and Tannehill hit AJ Brown for 8. Henry had gains of 3 and 19. On 3rd and 10 from the Buffalo 37, Tannehill hit Brown for 8. Sean McDermott gambled on 4th and 2 from the Buffalo 29.Tannehill hit Brown for 14 and Swain for 8. Henry ran for a 3 yard touchdown. With 4 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, the Titans led 24-23.
The Bills soon faced 3rd and 6 from their own 29 after a false start. Allen hit Beasley for 9 and Sanders for 15. On 3rd and 7 from the Titans 44, Allen went deep and drew a 39 yard defensive pass interference call. On 3rd and goal from the one, Allen hit Tommy Sweeney for the touchdown. For the 2 point conversion try, Sean McDermott went deep into the bag of tricks. Allen lateraled, followed by a second lateral to Knox, who then threw to a wide open Allen in the end zone. The quarterback made the reception as the Bills led 31-24 after three quarters.
The Titans began the fourth quarter at their own 35 and moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Buffalo 22. Henry gained 7, but offensive holding nullified the run. On 3rd and 11, Tannehill hit Jones for only 6. With a full 10 minutes to play, Sean McDermott opted for the field goal. Bullock hit from 38 but the Titans still trailed 31-27. The Titans got the ball back at their own 30. Tannehill hit Westbrook for 14 and Brown for 22. On 3rd and 6 from the Buffalo 30, Tannehill hit Westbrook for 8 and Henry for 9. Henry then ran for a 13 yard touchdown. The game’s 7th lead change had the Titans up by a field goal with 3 minutes left.
The Bills took over at their own 18. Allen immediately hit Sanders for 31 and Moss for 12 as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. Both teams had all 3 timeouts, but time was not a factor for either team. Allen hit Beasley for 7 and Davis for 20 down to the Tennessee 12 as Mike Vrabel decided not to take timeouts on defense to preserve time. Both teams were content to let this last drive be the final stand. On 3rd and 6 from the 8, Allen scrambled and dove in the air by the sideline. He came up short of the sticks by a yard. 22 seconds remained. The Bills still had 2 timeouts left. Surely Sean McDermott on 4th and 1 from the 3 would kick the field goal. Instead he risked it all and went for the win. Because he had 2 timeouts, a first down would give the Bills several more cracks at the end zone. This was high risk, high reward. With everything on the line, Allen took the quarterback sneak and ran into a Tennessee brick wall named Simmons. The home crowd erupted as Simmons stopped Allen short of the first down. Both teams are now 4-2. A playoff rematch of these teams cannot come soon enough. It was not the Music City Miracle, but it was a fine, fine football game. 34-31 Titans