NFL 2021 Week 7 Recap
Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns was the Thursday night game. Both teams were 3-3 and reeling in different ways. The Broncos 3-0 start was a mirage and Teddy Bridgewater was playing injured. Baker Mayfield was out and Case Keenum started. The Browns dominated at the start. From their own 25, Keenum hit Jarvis Landry for 7 and Austin Hooper for 34. Johnson did the rest, running for 20, 10, and the 10 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Browns right away. The Browns got it back at their own 23 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Denver 34. Offensive holding stalled the drive. Chase Mclaughlin hit a 52 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Browns. In the second quarter the Browns missed a chance to extend the lead when McLaughlin’s 41 yard try was blocked. The Browns dominated the entire half but only led 10-0.
The Broncos had no offense in the first half, but came alive in the third quarter from their own 21. Bridgewater hit Noah Fant for 9 and Cortland Sutton for 12 and 13. On 3rd and 2 from the Cleveland 34, Bridgwater hit Kendall Hinton for 4 and 11 and Fant for 9. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Bridgewater hit Melvin Gordon for the touchdown. midway through the third quarter, the 13 play, 79 yard, 7 minute drive had the Browns within 10-7. After a touchback, Keenum hit O’Dell Beckham for 17, Schwartz for 16 and Johnson for 18. On 3rd and 1 from the Denver 14, Keenum got the yard. On 3rd and 3 from the Denver 6, Keenum threw incomplete. Kevin Stefanski went very big and bold and gambled on 4th and 3 rather than kick the field goal. Keenum stretched past tacklers for 5 tough yards. Keenum then hit Stanton for the one yard touchdown. The 13 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive had the Browns up 17-7 after three quarters.
With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Browns faced 3rd and 7 from their own 38. Keenum hit Landry for 15. Vic Fangio, challenged the catch, and on further review it was ruled incomplete. Landry let it hit the ground. The Browns punted and the Broncos took over at their own 20. A defensive facemask was controversial because it appeared there was an offensive facemask on the play that was not called. On 3rd and 1 just shy of midfield, Bridgewater gained 2. On 3rd and 1 from the Cleveland 40, Bridgewater hit Sutton for 10, Saubert for 3, and Patrick for 7. On 3rd and 10 from the Cleveland 20, Bridgewater hit Fant for 9. On 4th and inches and needing 2 scores, Fangio decided to go for it knowing a stop would all but end the game. Bridgewater barely got the few inches needed. On 3rd and goal at the 10, Bridgewater threw a short pass to Williams, who somehow evaded everyone for the touchdown. The staggering 17 play, 80 yard, 6 minute drive had the Broncos back within a field goal with 5:17 to play.
After a touchback, Keenum hit Hooper for 8 and Johnson ran for 20 and 8 as the clock kept moving. Keenum hit Landry for 7 and another first down. On 2nd and 7 from the Denver 30, Johnson gained just enough. With 1:13 to play and the Broncos out of timeouts, the Browns faced 3rd and 2 at the Denver 15. Johnson gained 9 but an illegal motion penalty stopped the clock with 1:09 left. Now it was 3rd and 7. A stop would keep the Broncos alive, barely. Johnson ran for 8 more and Denver was done. Keenum took a knee as the Broncos lost for the 4th straight game. The Broncos were game but the Dawg Pound got the hard fought win. 17-14 Browns
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants — The Panthers won 3 straight and then lost 3 straight while the Giants remain a mess. The Panthers began with a 13 play, 6 1/2 min ute drive. Yet on 3rd and 8 from the Giants 48, a completion gained only one yard. Zane Gonzalez hit the 46 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Panthers. The Panthers got it back and punted, but a short 28 yard punt gave the Giants a short field at the Carolina 41. On 1st and goal at the 2, Daniel Jones threw a touchdown to Kyle Rudolph. Yet on further review it was reversed to a one yard gain short of the goal. On 3rd and goal at the one, Jones got stopped. Joe Judge decided to go for it. On 4th and goal from the one, Booker got blown up for a one yard loss.
Despite the goal line stand, the Panthers offense blundered. On 3rd and 9 from his own 3 under heavy pressure to start the second quarter, Sam Darnold threw a low ball that bounced off his own offensive lineman’s head incomplete. Officials ruled intentional grounding and a safety as the Giants only trailed 3-2. Don’t do the stupid baseball score joke. It’s never funny. The Giants took the free kick at their own 37 and moved to a 2nd and 6 at the Carolina 31. Jones threw incomplete twice. Graham Gano hit the 49 yard field goal early in the second quarter to make it 5-3 Giants. The baseball joke still isn’t funny.
After a touchback to start the third quarter, Jones hit Slayton for 15. On 3rd and 12 from his own 38, Jones hit Booker for 14. Joe Judge then went to the bag of tricks. Jones lateraled to Pettis, who threw it forward to Jones. The quarterback became a receiver and gained 16. Booker gained 11. On 3rd and 3 from the Carolina 5, Jones went to Pettis for the touchdown. The 11 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive had the Giants up 12-3 after three quarters. The Giants blew the game open in the fourth quarter. Matt Rhule benched Darnold in favor of XFL player PJ Walker. Gano hit field goals of 53 and 44. With 5 minutes left Matt Rhule had to go for it on 4th and 16 from his own 19. Walker threw incomplete. Booker ran for the 19 yard touchdown to complete the blowout. The Panthers have lost 4 straight since their 3-0 start. 25-3 Giants
New York Jets at New England Patriots — Bill Belichick never misses an opportunity to humiliate the Jets. The Patriots began at their own 35. Harris gained 12 yards with defensive holding adding 5. On 2nd and 15 from their own 47, Mac Jones threw a 28 yard completion to Jonnu Smith. Belichick then went to the bag of tricks. Jones lateraled to Kendrick Bourne, who threw the halfback option pass Nelson Agholor for the 25 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Patriots barely 2 minutes into the game. A 17 yard punt return had the patriots get the ball back at their own 47. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 44, Jones gained 2. Harris did the rest, casing the Jets for 32, for 5, and then for the one yard touchdown and the 14-0 Patriots lead. The Jets had a 12 play drive that took 5 1/2 minutes off the clock. The result was a 48 yard field goal try that was no good. The Patriots moved from their own 38 to a 3rd and 6 from the Jets 21. Jones threw incomplete. Nick Folk hit a 39 yard field goal one minute into the second quarter for a 17-0 Patriots advantage. League rules prevented the final three quarters from being canceled.
The Jets soon faced 3rd and 4 from their own 37. Zach Wilson hit Griffin for 15. From the New England 48, Zach Wilson went bombs away and got blasted as soon as the ball left his hand. The good news for the Jets was a defensive pass interference call and a 46 yard gain down to the 2. The bad news was that Wilson left the game injured. Mike White came in for Wilson. On 3rd and goal at the 3, White hit Davis for the touchdown to get the Jets within 17-7. The Patriots soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 27. Jones went to Meyers for 19 yards. Harris ripped off a pair of 10 yard gains. On 3rd and 10 from the Jets 31, Jones scrambled for 13. On 3rd and 7 from the Jets 15, Jones hit Brandon Bolden for the touchdown. The 12 play, 73 yard, 5 minute drive had the Patriots dominating 24-7 with 5 minutes left in the half.
The Jets after a touchback moved to a 4th and 1 at the New England 28 with 1:55 left in the half. Robert Saleh went for it and Johnson got stuffed for no gain. From his own 28, Jones went to Bolden for 28. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 35, a flea flicker resulted in an complete pass. Evil Hoodie Bill Belichick went for it on 4th and 1. Jones hit Meyers for 3. Jones went back to Meyers for 11 more. With 35 seconds left on 3rd and 3 from the Jets 5, Jones threw incomplete. Yet defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. Jones fired over the middle to the back of the end zone and Hunter Henry came down with it as the Patriots were blasting their hapless foe to pieces 31-7.
The Jets began the third quarter facing 3rd and 4 from their own 29. White hit Davis for 17, Johnson for 21, and Crowder for 8. On 3rd and 5 from the New England 28, White threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 19 yard gain. Moore then got around the end for a 19 yard touchdown. Robert sales went for 2 and the try failed.The Jets were within 31-13. After a touchback the Patriots moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Jets 24. Jones was sacked to end the drive. Folk hit from 50 to have the Patriots comfortably ahead 34-13 midway through the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Patriots turned the game from a blowout to an annihilation.
An interception of White gave the Patriots a short field at the Jets 43. Harris ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 41-13 Patriots. The Jets turned it over on downs and the Patriots took over at their own 47. Jones went deep to Bourne for 46 down to the one. JJ Taylor got in. The extra point failed but the Patriots led 47-13. With 6 1/2 minutes left Jones took a seat and Brian Hoyer finished up. Yet the usually classless Bill Belichick kept throwing. Hoyer went to Olszewski for 22, Johnson for 29 and Harry for 28 down to the one. Taylor got in to complete the carpet-bombing. The Jets offered up another fumble for good measure. 54-13 Patriots
Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans — The Chiefs appeared to right the ship last week while the Titans had a thrilling emotional home win over Buffalo. After a touchback, Ryan Tannehill hit AJ Brown for 10 and Julio Jones fo 18. Defensive pass interference added 18 more. On 3rd and 5 from the Chiefs 12, the defense jumped into the neutral zone but were still short. On 3rd and inches, Derrick Henry gained 3. Mike Vrabel then went into his bag of tricks. Henry took the snap, faked a run up the middle, and threw the halfback option pass to Mike Pruitt for the 5 yard touchdown and the 7-0 Titans lead.
A sack of Mahomes forced a fumble, leading the Chiefs to have to punt. The Titans got it back, but they were pinned at their own 3 yard line. On 3rd and 9, Tannehill hit Mcnichols for 10. On 1st and 10 from his own 14, Tannehill went bombs away to AJ Brown. It was ruled incomplete, but Mike Vrabel challenged the call. Replay clearly showed Brown caught it, took three steps, and only had the ball come out after he hit the ground. The call was reversed to a 46 yard gain. On 3rd and 7 from the Chiefs 24, Tannehill went deep to Brown again for the touchdown and the 14-0 Titans lead. The Titans began the second quarter at their own 24 and mounted a 12 play, 60 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive. On 3rd and 6 from the Chiefs 16, Tannehill threw incomplete. Randy Bullock hit a 34 yard field goal for a 17-0 Chiefs lead.
One play after a touchback, Mahomes went deep and was intercepted to give the Titans a short field at the Kansas City 46. On 3rd and 8, Tannehill threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. Henry ran for 11 and one. Tannehill hit Julio Jones for 20. On 3rd and goal from the 2, Tannehill got in for a 24-0 Titans lead. After a touchback, the Chiefs soon faced 2nd and 10 at their own 35. Mahomes ran for 13 but had the ball chopped out. The Titans took over just shy of midfield with 1:47 left in the half. Tannehill hit Brown for 12 and Anthony Firkser for 9. On 1st and 10 from the Chiefs 24 with 24 seconds left in the half, Tannehill got buried for a 9 yard loss. Bullock hit a 51 yard field goal to end the half with the Titans winning big 27-0.
Football fans have been accustomed to seeing the Chiefs overcome big deficits the last 2 years with an offense that can score at will. Yet the Chiefs have not been the same since losing both starting tackles in last year’s AFC Title Game. After a touchback to start the third quarter, the Chiefs moved to a 2nd and 9 at the Tennessee 24. Mahomes threw incomplete twice. Down by 27 but with plenty of time left, Walrus Andy Reid opted for the field goal. Harrison Butker hit from 42 to get the Chiefs on the board. They would get no closer. An interception of Tannehill led to another Butker field goal try from 57, but it was no good. In the fourth quarter the Chiefs faced 4th and 18 from their own 25. Mahomes got sandwiched between 2 defenders high and low and fumbled. The Titans recovered. Worse for the Chiefs, Mahomes left the game injured. Chade Henne played the rest of the game. Henne led a 17 play, 91 yard drive. Yet Mecole Hardman fumbled inside the 5 to kill the drive. The Titans on a short week won consecutive games at home to get to 5-2 in impressive fashion. The Chiefs fell to 3-4, but Walrus Andy Reid’s bigger concern is the health of Mahomes. 27-3 Titans
Washington Refugees at Green Bay Packers — After a touchback to start the game, Aaron Rodgers hit Devontae Adams for 15. On 3rd and 4 from his own 46, Rodgers hit Aaron Jones for just enough. Rodgers went to Lewis for 12. On 3rd and 11 from the Washington 39, Rodgers hit Washington for 15. On 3rd and 3 from the Washington 17, Rodgers hit Jones for no gain. Matt LaFleur went for it rather than take the field goal. Rodgers rolled all the way out to his right, then threw back cross the middle of the field. He found Adams, who did the rest for the touchdown and the 7-0 Packers lead. The Non-Redskins soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 26. Taylor Heinicke gained 8 yards. On 3rd and 1 from their own 43, Heinicke hit Gibson for 5. Heinicke hit Terry McLaurin for 12 and then went bombs away to McLaurin for a 48 yard touchdown and a 7-7 deadlock.
The second quarter featured malfunctions. The No-Names went for a 42 yard field goal try that was blocked. The Packers went for a 34 yard field goal try that was also blocked. From his own 28, Heinicke scrambled for a 38 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and 3 from the Green Bay 27, Heinicke threw incomplete. Riverboat Ron Rivera went for it on 4th and 3, and Heinicke threw incomplete again. The Packers took over at their own 28 with 3 minutes left in the half. Rodgers hit Lazard for 11. On 3rd and 2 from his own 47, Rodgers hit Lazard for 13, Robert Tonyan for 5, Lazard for 19, Adams for 5, and Randall Cobb for 8 as the Packers took their last timeout with 15 seconds left in the half. On 3rd and 5 from the Washington 10, Rodgers fired over the middle to Lazard for the touchdown as the Packers led 14-7 at the intermission.
The third quarter began with the No-Names facing 2nd and 4 from their own 29. Heinicke was sacked and fumbled. The Packers recovered at the Washington 27. On 3rd and 3, Rodgers hit Tonyan for the 20 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Packers. The Refugees took over at their own 23. Heinicke hit Seals-Jones for 14. On 2nd and 16 from his own 31, Heinicke hit Humphries for 17 and McLaurin for 28. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Heinicke rolled out and dove over the pylon for the touchdown. The 10 play, 77 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive had the No-Names within 21-14. Yet a very questionable call had the officials take the touchdown off the board and place it inside the one. Officials ruled that Heinicke gave himself up when he slid in the end zone untouched. Heinicke dove head first, which apparently no longer matters. Ron Rivera went for it on 4th and goal at the one, and more controversy ensued. Heinicke tried the sneak, fumbled, recovered his own fumble, and stretched the ball over the plane of the goal for the touchdown. Officials ruled he was short. The replay clearly showed that while Heinicke was initially stopped, he was never down. He was on top of bodies, meaning the play was still alive since no whistle had blown. Officials blew the call, and a touchdown instead became a goal line stand for the defense.
The No-Names got it back at their own 41 and Rivera called back to back trick plays. Carter got around the end for a 27 yard gain and Heinicke added 12. Gibson gained 6 and fumbled, but the No-Names retained possession. On 3rd and 2 from the green Bay 3, Heinicke threw incomplete. Ron Rivera went for it again and Heinicke threw incomplete again. 2 goal line stands in the third quarter kept the Packers up 21-7. The Packers got it back at their own 4 yard line. On 1st and 17 from their own 7, Rodgers hit Adams for 25 as the third quarter ended. On 3rd and 4 from their own 39, Rodgers went to Tonyan for 25. Defensive pass interference added 25 more Yet on 3rd and 10 from the Washington 11, offensive illegal use of hands killed the drive. Mason Crosby hit a 39 yard field goal for a 24-7 Packers lead with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Washington managed a field goal with 3 minutes left, but no more as the Packers got to 6-1 on the year. 24-10 Packers
Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins — A pair of bad teams played. The Dolphins began facing 3rd and 7 from their own 28. Tua Tagovailoa hit Jalen waddle for 9. On 3rd and 4 from the Miami 43, Tagovailoa hit Waddle for 17. On 3rd and 3 from the Atlanta 22, Tagovailoa hit Mike Gesicki for 10. On 3rd and 8 from the Atlanta 10, Tagovailoa hit Ford for the touchdown. The 14 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive had the Dolphins up 7-0. The Falcons moved from their own 17 to a 1st and 10 at the Miami 19. A sack of Matt Ryan killed the drive. Younghoe Koo hit a 33 yard field to start the second quarter to get the Falcons within 7-3. After a touchback the Dolphins moved to a 2nd and 3 at the Atlanta 31. Tagovailoa threw incomplete twice. Then Jason Sanders had his 49 yard field goal try blocked.
The Falcons soon faced 3rd and 9 at their own 40. Ryan hit Cordarelle Patterson for 12, Smith for 6, Zaccheaus for 13, and Hurst for 15. On 3rd and 3 from the Miami 5, Ryan hit Calvin Ridley for the touchdown to cap the 10 play, 61 yard, 5 minute drive and put the Falcons up 10-7 with 5 minutes left in the half. After a touchback, the Dolphins moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Atlanta 14. Tagovailoa went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. From their own 20 with 2 timeouts, the Falcons only had 36 seconds to work with. Arthur Smith went aggressive. Ryan went deep to Pitts for 39 yards. Koo hit a 36 yard field goal to end the half with the Falcons maintaining the 13-7 lead. The Falcons struck lightning quick in the third quarter. From his own 23, Matt Ryan went deep to Pitts for 26 and deep again to Gage for a 49 yard touchdown. The Falcons comfortably led 20-7.
A field position game had the Dolphins taking over at their own 42. Gaskin gained 16. Tagovailoa hit Waddle for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 14, Ahmed gained 6. Tagovailoa hit Gesicki for a 6 yard touchdown to get the Dolphins within 20-14. The fourth quarter began with the Falcons facing 3rd and 8 at their own 24. Ryan was intercepted to set up the Dolphins at the Atlanta 32. On the very next play with a chance to take the lead, Instead Tagovailoa gave the interception right back and Oluokun returned it 56 yards to the Miami 14. Patterson ran for a 3 yard touchdown to put the Falcons up 27-14 with 13 minutes left in regulation.
The Dolphins took over at their own 10. Tagovailoa went to Smythe for 18 and Gesicki for gains of 27 and 9. Tagovailoa hit Waddle for 11. On 3rd and 6 from the Atlanta 16, Tagovailoa ran for 9. Tagovailoa then hit Myles Gaskin for the 7 yard touchdown. The Dolphins were within 27-21 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Falcons took over at their own 9. On 3rd and 8 from his own 33, Matty Ice went ice cold. He ran for 2 yards and fumbled. With 6 minutes left in a battle of who wanted it least, the Dolphins had a short field at the Atlanta 40. On 1st and 19 after a penalty, Tagovailoa hit Ahmed for 17. Gaskin ran for 10. On 3rd and 15 from the Atlanta 24, Tagovailoa hit Gesicki for 16. Tagovailoa hit Hollins for a 4 yard touchdown. With 2 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Dolphins led 28-27.
After a touchback, Ryan hit Pitts for 23 and again for 28. On 3rd and 2 from the Miami 16, Patterson gained 3. The Dolphins were now out of timeouts. They would not get the ball back as Ryan took the clock down to 3 seconds. Koo came in for the 31 yard field goal for the win. A false start made it a 36 yard try. Koo was dead center as the Dolphins lost their 6th straight game. 30-28 Falcons
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens — The Bengals are for real but the Ravens would be a very tough test. A field position game had the Bengals taking over at their own 43. Zac Taylor gambled on 4th and 1 from the Baltimore 48. Joe Burrow hit Jamarr Chase for 9. On 3rd and 5 from the Baltimore 34, Burrow threw incomplete. Evan McPherson hit the 52 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bengals. The Ravens eventually moved from their own 23 to a 3rd and 11 at the Cincinnati 26. Lamar Jackson threw incomplete. Justin Tucker hit a 45 yard field goal one minute into the second quarter for a 3-3 game.
Midway through the second quarter, the Bengals took over at their own 20 in a game that was all defense. Burrow hit Tee Higgins for 9 with roughing the passer adding 15 more. Burrow then went deep to CJ Uzomah, who threw a defender away with a stiff-arm for a 55 yard touchdown and a 10-3 Bengals lead. After a touchback, Lamar Jackson hit Bateman for 20. On 3rd and 7 from their own 48, Jackson hit Brown for 18 and then 7 more. On 3rd and 2 from the Cincinnati 19, Jackson scrambled for 15 at the 2 minute warning. Devonta Freeman got the last yard for a 10-10 deadlock.
The Bengals took over at their own 25 with 1:51 left in the half. Burrow hit Higgins for 7, Uzomah for 4, and Chase for 6 and 13. Burrow went deep to Chase for 25. With 10 seconds left in the half the Bengals had 3rd and 3 at the Baltimore 12. Burrow threw incomplete. McPherson hit the 30 yard field goal as the Bengals took a 13-10 lead to the locker rooms. The Ravens made it look easy after a touchback to start the third quarter. Jackson went deep to Bateman for 35 and then deep again to Hollywood Brown for a 39 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Ravens led 17-13. Yet just like that, the game changed drastically and very unexpectedly.
After a touchback, Burrow hit Chase for 17 and 21. Burrow then went deep to Uzomah for a 32 yard touchdown. The Bengals led 20-17. The Bengals got it back and soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 18. Burrow threw a short pass to Chase, who literally spun around 3 separate defenders 3 different times and raced up the middle for an 82 yard touchdown and a 27-17 Bengals advantage. The Bengals got it back at their own 15 and moved to a 1st and goal at the 9 to start the fourth quarter. Burrow was sacked. On 3rd and goal at the 16, Burrow was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback. The Ravens moved from their 20 to a 2nd and 7 at their own 38. Jackson threw incomplete twice. Needing 2 scores, John Harbaugh went for it rather than try a 56 yard field goal. Jackson threw incomplete again.
With a short field, Mixon ran for 10 and then for the 21 yard touchdown to have the Bengals up big 34-17. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Ravens were forced to go for it again on 4th and 5 from their own 43. Consecutive false starts made it 4th and 15. Jackson hit Williams for only 11. With another short field, Perine ran for a 46 yard touchdown in front of a shellshocked home crowd. Burrow threw for 416 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Ravens had their 5 game win streak snapped. It is way too early to tell if this is a changing of the guard, but for the Bengals it was a statement win. The Bengals went on the road and hit the Ravens in the mouth as both teams are 5-2 on the year. 41-17 Bengals
Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams — These teams swapped quarterbacks in the offseason. Matthew Stafford had the Rams clicking at 5-1 while the Lions were a winless mess under Jared Goff. Yet early on it looked like Goff would get revenge on Sean McVay for getting rid of him. The Lions began facing 3rd and 3 at their own 32. Goff hit Swift for 4. On 3rd and 9 from his own 37, a short completion from Goff saw Swift weave through bad tackles for a 63 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Lions lead. Dan Campbell called a surprise onside kick that the Lions recovered at their own 47. On 4th and 7 from midfield after a pair of Goff incompletions, Campbell decided to gamble on a fake punt. It worked as Fox hit Price for 17. On 3rd and 8 from the Rams 18, Goff threw incomplete. Austin Siebert hit a 37 yard field goal as the Lions and the surprising 10-0 lead. The Rams moved from their own 18 to a 3rd and 4 at the Detroit 15. Stafford threw incomplete but Gay hit a 33 yard field goal to get the Rams on the board. After a touchback the Lions moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Rams 33. Offensive holding killed the drive but Seibert hit from 47 to make it 13-3 Lions early in the second quarter.
The Rams finally woke up. Facing 3rd and 5 from their own 21, Stafford went deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 32 yard gain. On 3rd and 5 from the Detroit 42, the defense jumped into the neutral zone for another first down. Darrell Henderson gained 10 and Stafford hit Cooper Kupp for 11. On 3rd and 7 from the Detroit 11, Stafford hit Van Jefferson for the touchdown. The 11 play, 84 yard, 6 minute drive had the Rams within 13-10. The Rams got it back at their own 26 midway through the second quarter. Stafford went deep to Kupp for 27. On 3rd and 6 from the Detroit 43, Stafford went to Robert Woods for 22On 3rd and 4 from the Detroit 15, Stafford hit Woods for just enough. On 3rd and 1 from the Detroit 2, Stafford hit Kupp for the touchdown. With 1:23 left in the half, the Rams led 17-13.
After a touchback, Goff hit Raymond for 15, Swift for 8, and Raymond for big gains of 20 and 14. With 18 seconds left in the half on 2nd and 10 from the Rams 18, a delay of game penalty followed by a pair of Goff incompletions left 4 seconds. Seibert hit from 41 to get the Lions within 17-16 at the break. In the third quarter the Lions took over at their own 21 and moved 61 yards in 11 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 1 from the Rams 18, Swift got stopped. Dan Campbell went for it and on 4th and 1 Swift got stopped again. The Rams moved from their own 18 to a 3rd and 1 at the Detroit 46. Sony Michel got stopped and Sean McVay went for it. On 4th and 1, Stafford threw incomplete. From his own 46, Goff went to Raymond for a 37 yard gain. On 2nd and 7 from the Rams 13, Goff threw incomplete twice. Seibert hit a 31 yard field goal as the Lions had the 19-17 lead after three quarters and were smelling upset.
The Rams rook over at their own 10. Stafford hit Kupp for 14. On 3rd and 12 from his own 22, Stafford went deep to Kupp for a 59 yard gain. On 3rd and 10 from the Detroit 19 to start the fourth quarter, Stafford hit Tyler Higbee for 14. Stafford went to Kupp for a 5 yard touchdown. Sean McVay went for 2 and Stafford hit Woods for the conversion to put the Rams up 25-19. After a touchback, the Lions moved 63 yards in 15 plays and took over 9 minutes off the clock. With 5 minutes left in regulation, on 2nd and 12 from the Rams 12, Goff went to the end zone for the lead and was intercepted. Jalen Ramsey returned the interception 25 yards to his own 23. On 3rd and 1 from their ow 32, Stafford gained Woods for 18. On 4th and 1 from the Detroit 29, Matt Gay came in for a 47 yard field goal try to lock up the win. Gay was good and the Lions remained winless. They fought hard, but lost again. As for Goff, he threw another interception to remind Sean McVay that trading for Stafford was the right move. The Rams are 6-1 and looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender. 28-19 Rams
Philadelphia Eagles at Las Vegas Raiders — The Raiders showed last week they could win through adversity. Rich Bisaccia got his first win, and the ugliness before him was in the rear view mirror. Now the 4-2 Raiders had to show they could handle prosperity. They faced a relatively weak Eagles team at home. The Raiders were without Darren Waller. The Raiders had to guard against a letdown. The Eagles began at their own 33. The Raiders immediately committed defensive holding. On 2nd and 5 from his own 46, Jalen Hurts hit Dallas Goedert for 24. Sanders ran for 9, 7 and one. Hurts hit Kenneth Gainwell for the 13 yard touchdown as the Eagles led 7-0 only 4 minutes into the game. After a touchback the Raiders moved 68 yards in 11 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. Yet on 3rd and 5 from the Philadelphia 9, Derek Carr threw a pass behind Jalen Richard that bounced off of Richard’s fingertips and was intercepted by Maddox.
After the first quarter Raiders settled down and dominated on both sides of the ball. From his own 28, Carr hit Henry Ruggs for 2, Hunter Renfrow for 8, and Josh Jacobs for 13. Kenyan Drake gashed the defense for gains of 12, 9 and 4. Carr fired to Foster Moreau for an 18 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. The Raiders got the ball back at their own 4 yard line with 6 minutes left in the half. Rich Bisaccia went aggressive. Carr hit Bryan Edwards for 18, Henry Ruggs for 8, Hunter Renfrow for 10, Ruggs for 10, Jacobs for 6 and Jacobs again for 20. Jacobs ran for an 8 yard touchdown to complete the 10 play, 96 yard drive. With 1:38 left in the half, the Raiders led 14-7. One play after a touchback, disaster struck the Eagles. Gainwell did not gain well as he fumbled and the Raiders recovered at the Philly 29. Although Carr completed 21 of his first 22 passes and 16 straight, on 3rd and 1 from the Philly 10 he threw incomplete. With 7 seconds left the half, Carlson hit the 28 yard field goal to lead 17-7 at the break.
Kevin Siriani tried to spark the Eagles by calling a surprise onside kick to start the second half. Jake Elliott kicked a good one straight ahead that had a chance, but Alec Ingold fielded it cleanly in traffic. The Raiders had a short field at the Philadelphia 41 but without Jacobs, who suffered a chest injury at the end of the first half. On 2nd and 12, Carr hit Moreau for 21 and Renfrow for 7. Drake ran for 11 and then for the 4 yard touchdown. In completing 24 of his first 26 passes, a lights out Carr had the Raiders up 24-7. The Eagles punted on 4th and 20 from their own 13 and the Raiders got it back at midfield. Carr hit Richard for 9, Moreau for 10, and Edwards for 24. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Carr went to Renfrow on the sideline for 5 yards to set up 4th and goal at the one. Bisaccia went for it and Carr fired a quick pass to Edwards over the middle for the touchdown. The extra point doinked off the upright no good but the Raiders were in command up 30-7.
The Eagles after a touchback moved to a 2nd and goal at the one. Hurts tried the quarterback sneak but Maxx crosby leapt over the top to stop him short. On 3rd and goal at the one out of the shotgun, Hurts fumbled the snap and the Raiders recovered at the 6 yard line. Yet the Raiders went nowhere and the Eagles got the ball back at their own 41 to start the fourth quarter. Hurts ran for 6 and 4 and then hit Goedert for 25. hurts ran for 16 more. On 3rd and goal at the one out of the shotgun again, this time Boston Scott took the handoff and got in. Elliott’s extra point doinked off the upright, but unlike Carlson, he got the favorable carom as it went through good. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Eagles were within 30-14.
Kevin Sirianni decided against an onside kick. After a touchback, rather than stay ultraconservative, Rich Bisaccia kept his foot on the gas. Carr went deep to Alec Ingold for 29. Drake ran for a pair of 7 yard gains. On 3rd and 2 from the Philly 22, Richard only gained one. Knowing a field would lock up the game, Bisaccia took no chances on 4th and 1. Carlson delivered from 39 to have the Raiders comfortably in front 33-14. After a touchback, the Raiders defense got soft. Hurts hit Gainwell for 15 and Smith for 20. On 3rd and 10 from the Raiders 17, Hurts scrambled for his life and threw into triple coverage just before getting belted. Somehow all 3 defenders, despite not being the Pennsylvania team, played Keystone Cops and collided into each other. Jalen Reagor caught the miracle pass, bounced off the defenders, and strolled in for the touchdown. Hurts hit Goedert for the 2 point conversion. With 3 minutes left the Eagles were within 11.
The onside kick failed and the Raiders played it very safe. With the Eagles taking their last timeout on defense, the Raiders ran 3 straight times and took the clock down. A perfect punt pinned the Eagles back at their own 9 yard line. On 1st and 10 from his own 34, Hurts threw 4 straight incompletions. Carr was lights out magnificent, finishing 31 of 34 for 323 yards and 2 touchdowns with the one fluke interception early on. The Silver and Black defense held Hurts to only 236 yards on 18 of 34 passing with 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Hurts also added 61 yards rushing on 13 carries. 30 unanswered points had the Raiders winning this game easily, with the score providing an illusion of a competitive game. The Raiders are 5-2 and have their bye week next week. For now, they lead the AFC West. Bisaccia is 2-0 as interim coach. 33-22 Raiders
Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals — The 1-5 Texans took on the NFL’s lone unbeaten Cardinals. Sometimes a really bad team can go on the road and shock a really good team in a stunning upset for the ages. This was not that game. With 3 minutes left in the first quarter a field position game had the Cardinals pinned at their own 2 yard line. Kyler Murray was tackled in the end zone for a safety as the Texans led 2-0. The Texans took the free kick at their own 40 and Davis Mills hit Collins for 22. On the first play of the second quarter, Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 53 yard field goal to make it 5-0 Texans. The baseball score joke will never ever be funny. This concluded all Texans highlights as reality set in and the Cardinals took over.
On 3rd and 6 from their own 29, Murray hit newly acquired Zac Ertz for 8. Murray then hit Hopkins for gains of 10 and 6. Edmonds ran for 11. On 3rd and 2 from the Houston 23, Murray threw incomplete. Kliff Kingsbury was back on the sideline after missing last week’s game due to the Covid protocol. Kingsbury was in his typical gambling mood and he went for it. Murray hit Kirk for 13. On 3rd and goal at the one, Murray hit Hopkins for the touchdown to put the Cardinals up 7-5. After a touchback, the Texans moved to a 1st and 10 at the Arizona 43. Mills was sacked and fumbled. The Cardinals had a short field just past midfield. James Conner ran for 17. On 3rd and 23 from the Houston 45 after a pair of offensive penalties, Murray went deep to AJ Green for 41 yards. That was the back-breaker as Murray hit kirk for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 14-5 Cardinals with 2:45 left in the half.
The Texans went 3 and out and the Cardinals took over at their own 26 with 1:37 left. Murray put on a clinic, hitting Kirk for 19, Hopkins for 15 and Moore for 16. Roughing the passer gave the Cardinals 1st and 10 at the Houston 11 with 18 seconds left. A sack of Murray followed by an incompletion left 9 seconds. On 3rd and 12 from the Houston 13 but without a timeout, Kliff Kingsbury went very conservative. Rather than risk another play, he kicked on 3rd down and settled for a 31 yard Matt Prater field goal for a 17-5 Cardinals lead at recess. The Cardinals took over at their own 12 in the third quarter. Murray hit Hopkins for 11, Green for 12, Kirk for 13, and Ertz for a 47 yard touchdown to make it 24-5 Cardinals. The fourth quarter began with he Texans going for it on 4th and 5 at the Arizona 37. Mills threw incomplete. Edmonds ran over the defense for gains of 16, 9 and 2. On 3rd and 1 from the Houston 18, Conner ran for the touchdown to have the Cardinals winning easily and remaining an unbeaten 7-0 team. 31-5 Cardinals
Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Aaron Rodgers screamed last week that he owned the Bears. Tom Brady congratulated Rodgers for becoming a shareholder of the Bears. Could the lowly Bears go on the road and shock the defending champions in an upset for the ages? No. The Bears immediately went 3 and out and a 43 yard punt return by Darden had the Buccaneers starting at the Chicago 32. Defensive pass interference moved the ball to the 17. Leonard Fournette ran for 15 and then the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. The Bears soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 40. Justin Fields was intercepted by Delaney, who returned it 26 yards to the Chicago 40. Brady hit Godwin for 6, again for 21, and once more on 3rd and goal at the 4 for the touchdown and the 14-0 Buccaneers lead. It was deja vu all over again as the Bears had another 3rd and 5 from their own 40. Fields was sacked and fumbled. The Buccaneers had another short field at the Chicago 35. Brady hit Mike Evans for 11. Jones gained 12. On 3rd and 7 from the Chicago 9, Brady hit Evans for the touchdown. The Buccaneers led 21-0 after the first quarter as Matt Nagy considered resigning rather than coaching the remaining three quarters.
In the second quarter the Bears fumbled again and the Buccaneers had yet another short field at the Chicago 25. This time Brady threw 3 straight incompletions and Ryan succor missed a 43 yard field goal. The Bears even moved from their own 33 to a 1st and goal at the 10. A run went nowhere and Fields threw incomplete twice. Cairo Santos hit the 28 yard field goal to help the Bears avoid the shutout. After a touchback, the Buccaneers put the game away. Darden ran for 11. Brady hit Godwin for 10, Evans for a 46 yard gain down to the 2, and then Evans again for the touchdown to make it 28-3 Buccaneers. A desperate Matt Nagy went for it on 4th and 4 just shy of midfield. Fields was sacked. Another short field made it easy. On 4th and 1 from the Chicago 11, Bruce Arians kept his foot on the gas. Fournette gained 3. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Brady hit Evans for the touchdown as the Buccaneers led 35-3 at the half. The totally pointless second half saw Fields throw 2 more interceptions and the Buccaneers just coast. Succop added a 22 yard fourth quarter field goal to complete the blowout and get to 6-1 on the year. Brady threw 4 touchdowns and became the only quarterback in NFL history to throw 600 touchdown passes. 38-3 Buccaneers
Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers was the Sunday night game. The bomb cyclone hit the Bay area as this game was played in pouring rain. The 49ers began at their own 22. Jimmy Garoppolo hit Deebo Samuel and Sherfield for a pair of 9 yard gains. Mitchellgasjed the defense for big gains of 20, 14, and then the 14 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the 49ers led 6-0. One play after a touchback, the Colts fumbled and the 49ers recovered at the Colts 28. On 1st and 10 from the Colts 16, Garoppolo threw one pass for no gain and a pair of incompletions. Joey Slye hit a 34 yard field goal to make it 9-0 49ers.
The Colts soon faced 3rd and 11 at their own 24. Carson went went deep and drew a 57 yard defensive pass interference call. On 3rd and 2 from the San Francisco 11, Wentz hit Mo Alie-Cox for the touchdown to get the Colts within 9-7. The 49ers took over at their own 24. Garoppolo connected with Samuel for 28. On 3rd and 5 from the Indy 37, Garoppolo threw deep incomplete. Kyle Shanahan decided to have Joey Slye try a 56 yard field goal in the rainstorm. Slye was dead center as the 49ers led 12-7. The Colts got it back after a touchback and moved to a 1st and goal at the 2. Taylor lost 2 yards as the first quarter ended. The second quarter began with Wentz trying to shovel pass in the rain with a man all over him. It led to disaster as Al-Shaiir intercepted Wentz and returned it 12 yards to the San Francisco 19.
With 3 minutes left in the half the 49ers faced 3rd and 12 at their own 18. Garoppolo hit Samuel for 10, but Samuel had the ball punched out. The Colts recovered the fumble at the San Francisco 28. Taylor gained 10. On 2nd and 12 from the San Francisco 20 at the 2 minute warning, Wentz threw deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. With one minute left in the half on 3rd and goal, Wentz fooled everybody by faking a handoff and taking a naked bootleg into the end zone. Frank Reich opted for a 2 point conversion. The try failed but the Colts led 13-12 at the half.
The Colts held the ball for 6 1/2 minutes to start the third quarter but ended up punting. The 49ers moved from their own 10 to a 3rd and 5 at their own 41. Garoppolo was hit and fumbled and Paye recovered for the Colts at the San Francisco 33. On 1st and 20 after offensive holding, Wentz again went deep incomplete and again drew defensive pass interference. The 38 yard gain meant 1st and goal at the 5. Taylor ran it up the middle for the touchdown as the Colts led 20-12 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. The 49ers took over at their own 30 to start the fourth quarter. Garoppolo hit Samuel for 29, Woerner for 27, and Samuel for a 14 yard touchdown. Kyle Shanahan went for 2 and Garoppolo had his pass batted down as the 49ers trailed 20-18.
The Colts soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 34. Wentz hit Pittman for 14 and Zach Pascal fo 13. On 2nd and 15 from the Frisco 44, Wentz scrambled up the middle for 17. On 3rd and 2 from the Frisco 19, Wentz gained 3. Yet offensive holding nullified the first down and killed the drive. Badgley hit from 42 to put the Colts up 23-18 midway through the fourth quarter. Thee plays later the 49ers faced 3rd and 3 at their own 38, Garoppolo threw into traffic and had the ball batted in the air and intercepted by Xavier Rhodes, who returned it 44 yards for a defensive touchdown. Officials ruled that Rhodes stepped out of bounds at the San Francisco 39, but the interception stood with 5:20 to play. On 3rd and 5, Wentz fired over the middle to Pittman. Pittman was short of the sticks while being tackled, but a second defender knocked into him and pushed him forward beyond the first down marker. Rather than run down clock, Frank Reich kept throwing. On 3rd and 10 from the San Fran 28, Wentz went for it all and Pittman out-jumped the defender for the touchdown with 2:50 left to lock up the win. Garoppolo threw an interception with 1:53 left to snuff out any hopes of a comeback. The 49ers lost their 4th straight while the Colts have won 3 of their last 4 games. 30-18 Colts
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks was the Monday night game. With rain coming down, this game was a defensive boneblack. 5 Minutes into the game, Geno Smith went bombs away to DK Metcalf for an 84 yard touchdown. In the second quarter the Saints from their own 12 had the mind-numbing drive of the year. 19 plays. 88 yards. Nearly 10 1/2 minutes off the clock. On 2nd and goal at the one, Alvin Kamara lost a yard. Then Winston threw incomplete. A disgusted Sean Payton opted for the field goal and Brian Johnson Hit from 21 to get the Saints within 7-3. The Saints got it back at their own 15 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. Winston hit Kamara for 14. On 3rd and 4 from his own 35, Winston ran for 6. Winston hit Kamara for 31, Trautman for 15, and Kamara for a 13 yard touchdown as the Saints led 10-7 at the half. In the third quarter Jason Myers missed a 44 yard field goal that would have tied the game. A Saints fumble set up the Seahawks at the Saints 32. The offense went nowhere but Myers hit from 50 for a 10-10 deadlock after three quarters. Midway through the fourth quarter from 53 yards out to give the Seahawks the lead, Myers was no good. At the 2 minute warning, Johnson came in for a 33 yard try to give the Saints the lead.Johnson, in his very first NFL game, was good. Russel Wilson has had many 2 minute drill heroics. Geno Smith, in place for the injured Wilson, has not. For the third straight week with a chance to be a hero, Smith failed. A pair of sacks led to one last Seattle gasp on 4th and 28 from their own 7. From his own end zone, his Hail Mary was incomplete as the Seahawks fell to 2-5 on the season. 13-10 Saints