NFL 2022 Week 2 Prequel
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs was the Thursday night game. The Chargers barely hung on at home last week while the Chiefs went on the road and demolished Arizona. Early on the Chargers managed a 31 yard dustin Hopkins field goal for a 3-0 lead, but the expected shootout had more defense than anticipated. A field position game had Brandon Staley gambling on 4th and 1 just past midfield. Justin Herbert gained 2 yards. Herbert then went deep to Mike Williams for a 39 yard gain down to the one. On the first play of the second quarter, Herbert hit Horvath for the touchdown as the Chargers had the surprising 10-0 lead.
After a touchback, the Chiefs offense finally got going. Patrick Mahomes went deep to Mycole Hardman for a 30 yard gain. On 3rd and 4 from the Chargers 39, Mahomes was intercepted. Yet defensive holding nullified the pick and kept the Chiefs going. On 3rd and 4 from the Chargers 28, Mahomes hit Travis Kelce for 19 and Jerick mcKinnon for the 9 yard touchdown to get the Chiefs within 10-7. The Chargers began the third quarter facing 3rd and 1 from their own 34. Austin Ekeler got around the end for 7 and caught a pass from Herbert for 18 more. Herbert then went to Williams for 14. On 4th and 1 from the Chiefs 18, Brandon Staley went for it gain. Ekeler again got around the end for 3. Herbert then hit Williams for a 15 yard touchdown to cap the 11 play, 78 yard, 6 minute drive and have the Chargers up 17-7.
After a touchback the chiefs again kept the game close. Again Mahomes was intercepted and again he escaped when officials reversed the call to an incompletion. Mahomes then hit Gray for 11 and Clyde Edwards-Helaire for 21. On 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 41, Mahomes went to Justin Watson for the touchdown to get the Chiefs within 17-14. The Chiefs got it back and moved from their own 36 to a 2nd and goal at the one. Mahomes threw incomplete, On 3rd and goal, Mahomes hit Kelce but for no gain. The fourth quarter began with Walrus Andy Reid having a major decision to make. The crowd didn’t like it, but on 4th and goal at the one, Reid played it safe. Ammendola hit the 19 yard field goal to tie the game 17-17.
Ammendola then hit the ensuing kickoff out of bounds to set up the Chargers at their own 40. The Chargers moved to a 1st and goal at the 3 with 1- 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation. Then came the play of the game. Herbert threw an innocent slant pass toward the end zone. Jaylen Watson jumped the route and raced 99 yards the other way. The defensive touchdown electrified the home crowd at Arrowhead and gave the Chiefs their first lead of the day up 24-17. With 4 minutes left, the Chiefs took over at their own 15. Edwards-Helaire immediately ripped off a 52 yard gain. Ammendola hit from 31 to give the Chiefs breathing room up 27-17 with 3 1/2 minutes left. Herbert managed a 7 yard touchdown pass on 4th and goal with 1:11 left, but the onside kick failed and the Chargers valiant effort fell short. 27-24 Chiefs
Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens — This game will be remembered forever. The Ravens were expected to easily dispatch with the overmatched Dolphins. From the start, it looked like the Ravens would do exactly that. Devin Duvernay returned the opening kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Ravens lead 13 seconds into the game. Tua Tagovailoa was then intercepted. The Ravens then mounted a staggering 18 play, 74 yard drive that took 11 minutes off the clock. Yet on 2n and goal from the one, Davis got stopped. The second quarter began with 3rd and goal. Lamar Jackson got in, but on further review officials reversed the call to short of the goal. John Harbaugh went for it on 4th and goal at the one. Jackson ran into a Mimi brick wall and fumbled the ball away. Momentum shifted with the goal line stand. On 2nd and 13 from their own 3, Tagovailoa found Jalen Waddle for a 59 yard gain. Tagovailoa then found Tyreek Hill for 15, Sheffield for 12, Smythe for 5, and Waddle again for a 6 yard touchdown. Instead of being down 14-0, the Dolphins tied the game 7-7.
Yet 10 seconds after a touchback, the Ravens had the lead again as Jackson went to Rashod Bateman for a 75 yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead. The Ravens got it back at their own 34. From midfield, Jackson ran for 19 and hit Mark Andrews for a 26 yard touchdown. Again it was reversed to being down at the one yard line. This time Jackson hit Andrews for the one yard touchdown and the 21-7 Ravens lead. Tagovailoa was intercepted again and the Ravens took over at their own 20. Jackson went deep to Likely for 34 and Hill ran for 13 more. Jackson hit Andrews for 10 and Robinson for a 12 yard touchdown with 30 seconds left in the half. The Ravens were up 28-7. The Dolphins began the third quarter with a 12 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive. On 3rd and 13 from the Baltimore 14, Tagovailoa hit Gesicki for the touchdown to get the Dolphins within 28-14. Yet late in the third quarter with the Ravens facing 3rd and 2 from their own 21, Jackson ran for a 79 yard touchdown. The Ravens were cruising 35-14 after three quarters. Then came the absolutely indescribable.
After a touchback, the fourth quarter began with Tagovailoa hitting Waddle for big gains of 33, 12 and 16. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Tagovailoa hit River Cracraft for the touchdown to get the Dolphins within 35-21 with 12 minutes left in regulation. After a touchback, the Ravens faced 4th and 1 at the Miami 40 with 9 minutes left. Despite having the greatest kicker in the game in Justin Tucker, John Harbaugh went for it. Jackson kept it and was stopped for a one yard loss. The dolphins struck quickly. On 3rd and 10 from the Baltimore 48, Tagovailoa went deep to Hill for a 48 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, The Dolphins were within 35-28. The Dolphins took over and again struck quickly. On 3rd and 6 from their own 40, Tagovailoa again went deep to Hill for a 60 yard touchdown. With 5:19 to play, the game was tied 35-35 and about to get even crazier.
After a touchback, Jackson went to Andrews and Duvernay for 16 yard gains with defensive pass interference between them adding 9 more. The drive stalled but Tucker nailed a 51 yard field goal. With 2:18 to play, the Ravens were back on top 38-35. An 18 yard kickoff return of a short kick had the Dolphins at their own 32. Tagovailoa hit Hill for 21 and then 09 more. Edmonds ran for a 28 yard gain. With 14 seconds left, Tagovailoa hit Waddle for a 7 yard touchdown. The Dolphins led by 4 in front of a shellshocked home crowd at the Big Crabcake. After a touchback, the Ravens still had 2 timeouts. With 4 seconds left, The Ravens had one final shot from their own 49. Tucker has the NFL record long 66 yard field goal, but that one hit the crossbar and bounced over. John Harbaugh decided against a 69 yard try. Jackson’t Hail Mary went to an area with only one receiver and one defender but fell incomplete. In an absolute shocker, Tagovailoa threw 6 touchdown passes, with 4 of them in the fourth quarter alone. He finished with 469 yards passing. Jackson had 318 yards passing and 3 touchdowns along with another touchdown and 119 yards rushing. Yet it was on the losing end of a shocking offset. ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman keeps telling us “THAT’S why they PLAY the GAMES!” That’s why they play the ENTIRE game. The kid coaching the Dolphins has a 2-0 football team. 42-38 Dolphins
New York Jets at Cleveland Browns — Sometimes a pair of very bad teams with a history of agonizing losses can come together and play a thriller. This was that game, as Jacoby Brissett and the supposedly washed up Joe Flacco put on a show in place of the highly paid starting quarterbacks not playing in this game. A decade ago Flacco won a Super Bowl with Baltimore and repeatedly beat the Browns. Yet he had never won a game with the Jets. Early in the first quarter the Browns moved 90 yards in 14 plays and 8 1/2 minutes. Jacoby Brissett hit Bryant for gains of 8 and 7 and ran for 13 himself. Brissett went to Njoku for 13 and Nick Chubb for 7. On 3rd and 2 from the Jets 4, Chubb ran it in to put the Browns up 7-0. Late in the first quarter The Jets faced 4th and 2 at their own 46. Robert Saleh gambled on a fake punt. Mann hit Smith for a 17 yard gain, The second quarter began with the Jets facing 3rd and 2 at the Cleveland 29. Hall gained 23. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Joe Flacco hit Garrett Wilson for the touchdown to make it a 7-7 game.
The Browns soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 46. Brissett hit Amari Cooper for 9 and 13. On 3rd and 6 from the Jets 28, Brissett hit Cooper for 20. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Brissett hit Cooper for the touchdown to cap the 10 play, 61 yard, nearly 5 minute drive and make it 14-7 Browns. The Jets got it back and moved to a 3rd and 8 at the Cleveland 12. Flacco was sacked and fumbled the ball away. The defense held and the Jets got it back at their own 46 with 1:05 left in the half. Flacco hit Moore for 18. On 3rd and 6 from the Cleveland 28, Flacco hit Wilson for 18 more. On 3rd and goal from the 10 with 11 seconds left in the half, Flacco hit Hall for the touchdown and a 14-14 tie. As crazy a the end of the half was, the end of the game was even crazier.
The Browns began the third quarter at their own 20 and moved 76 yards in 11 plays and 5 minutes. On 2nd and goal at the 4, Brissett threw incomplete twice. York hit the 22 yard field goal for the 17-14 Browns lead and the only score of the third quarter. A field position game Hd the Jets move from their own 10 to a 2nd and 5 at the Cleveland 29 to start the fourth quarter. A 24 yard gain was wiped out by holding. Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein leveled a 57 yard field goal for a 17-17 game.
After a touchback, the Browns faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. Brissett hit Cooper for 5 and Chubb then ran for 22 and 3 and caught a pass from Brissett for 15. Karim Hunt added 10 more. Chubb ran for a 7 yard touchdown to put the Browns up 24-17 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The defenses dug in and an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Jets gave the Browns golden field position with 2 1/2 minutes left at the Jets 42. Then came the accidental score. With 1:55 left and the Jets out of timeouts, Chubb got the carry. All he had to do was fall down and the clock would wind down. The Jets practically let him score, and he did. It is hard to argue with a touchdown, but falling to the ground would have ended the game with a couple of knees. Chubb’s score gave the Jets a shot, but they were down by 13 with 1:55 left. Even with the missed extra point, this game was over.
Someone forgot to tell Flacco, who still has a cannon of an arm. Two plays after a touchback, he unleashed a 66 yard touchdown pass to Corey Davis. With 1:22 left the Jets were within 30-24. The Dawg Pound then went into shellshocked when a perfectly executed onside kick was recovered by the Jets at their own 47. Flacco hit carter for 12 and Wilson for 12 more. With 22 seconds left, on 3rd and 10 from the Cleveland 15, Flacco hit Wilson for the touchdown. Now the missed extra point mattered as the Jets made their for a one point lead. 2 plays after a touchback from his own 46, Brissett went deep and was intercepted. 2 touchdowns in the final 90 seconds gave Flacco his first win leading the Jets and added to the pain that is being a Browns fan. That’s why they play the ENTIRE game. 40+ years after the Cardiac Kids, the new Browns version won on the final play and then lost on the final play. 31-30 Jets
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers — Bill Belichick usually gets the better of Mike Tomlin although both of these teams are less than their usual championship caliber. This was a gritty game. The Patriots from their 20 went on a 13 play, 71 yard, 7 minute drive. Yet on 4th and 2 from the Pittsburgh 9, Belichick decided not to gamble. Nick Folk hit the 28 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Patriots. The teams traded interceptions. The Steelers from their own 34 went on a 16 play, 7 minute drive, but only gained 48 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the New England 13, Mitchell Trubisky was sacked for a 5 yard loss. Chris Boswell hit from 36 for a 3-3 game in the second quarter.
The Patriots took over at their own 26 with 3 minutes left in the half. With 22 seconds left in the half the Patriots had 3rd and 3 at the Pittsburgh 44. One play changed the game. Mac Jones went to Nelson Agholor for the touchdown as the Patriots took a 10-3 lead to the locker rooms. In the third quarter Folk missed a 52 yard field goal that would have extended the lead. The excellent field position at their own 42 allowed the Steelers to set up for a 52 yard try by Boswell. He was good and the Steelers were within 10-6. The biggest play of the game came with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. The Steelers fumbled a punt and the Patriots recovered at the Pittsburgh 10. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Jones hit Damien Harris for the score to make it 17-6 Patriots.
After a touchback, Trubisky moved the Steelers 75 yards. He hit Harris for 14. Olszewski ran for 18. On the first play of the fourth quarter on 3rd and 4 from the New England 8, Trubisky hit Pat Freiermuth for the touchdown. Trubisky went to Johnson for the 2 point conversion to get the Steelers within a field goal. After that, the defenses dug in. With 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation the Patriots had 3rd and 2 at their own 38. Jones scrambled for 5. With 1:51 left the Patriots faced 3rd and 3 at the Pittsburgh 20. Harris gained 5 to seal the hard fought win as Jones took 3 knees. 17-14 Patriots
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars — Last year the Colts needed only to beat the 2-14 Jaguars to secure a playoff spot. The Jaguars humiliated the Colts and drove Carson Wentz out of town. Matt Ryan was supposed to be the upgrade. New year, new quarterback, same stunning result. On 3rd and 10 from the Jacksonville 40, Matty Ice was intercepted. The Jaguars took over at their own 32 and just hit the Colts in the mouth. On 3rd and 8, Trevor Lawrence hit Jones for 12. On 4th and 3 from the Colts 47, Doug Pederson gambled and Trevor Lawrence hit Zee Jones for 8. On 3rd and 4 from the Indianapolis 10, Lawrence hit Christian Kirk for the touchdown. The 15 play, 68 yard drive took over 9 minutes off the clock for the 7-0 Jaguars lead.
In the second quarter the Jaguars took over at their own 21. Lawrence hit Jones for 13. On 1st and 20 from their own 37 after offensive holding, Lawrence hit Kirk for 26. James Robinson then ran for a 37 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Jaguars. The Jaguars got it back at their own 25. Another 10 play drive was enough for a 52 yard Patterson field goal and a 17-0 Jaguars advantage. Midway through the third quarter the Jaguars took over at their own 8. Lawrence led a 12 play, 92 yard drive that took nearly 8 minutes. On 3rd and 1 from the Indy 5, Robinson got stopped. Doug Pederson wanted to make a statement. He went for it and Lawrence on 4th and 1 hit Kirk for the final touchdown. The Jacksonville defense was suffocated. Twice the Colts moved inside the 10 yard line without scoring. Ryan was intercepted on his final 2 drives as the defense preserved the shutout. 24-0 Jaguars
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants — The Panthers lost last week at home on the final play and the Giants won a shocking road game at Tennessee on the final play. The Panthers fumbled the opening kickoff to set up the Giants at the Carolina 22. The offense could only muster a 36 yard Graham Gano field goal to make it 3-0 Giants. The Panthers fumbled again and the Giants had another short field at the Carolina 40. Only the Giants could run 13 plays and take 8 minutes while only moving 25 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Daniel Jones was sacked. Gano hit from 33 to make it 6-0 Giants. In the second quarter it was the Panthers moving deep while being unable to reach the end zone. Eddie Pineiro hit from 31 and again from 32 as this hideously unwatchable game went to the half tied 6-6.
Early in the third quarter the Panthers took over at their own 33. Baker Mayfield went deep to DJ Moore for 29, scrambled for 17 more himself, and hit Moore for a 16 yard touchdown to make it 13-6 Panthers. The Giants soon faced 3rd and 9 from their own 26. Jones hit James for 15. Saquon Barkley ran for 16. Jones hit James for 12, Hudson for 15, and Daniel Bellinger for a 16 yard touchdown and a 13-13 tie.
The Giants took over at their own 9. Barkley ran for 15 and the Giants began the fourth quarter facing 2nd and 12 from their own 22. Jones went deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 13 yard gain. On 3rd and 10 from their own 35, Jones went to Sills for 24. On 4th and 2 from the Carolina 33, Brian Daboll decided not to gamble. Gano nailed the 51 yard field goal to make it 16-13 Giants with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. After a touchback, Christian McCaffrey ripped off a 49 yard run. Yet on 2nd and 4 from the Giants 15, an offensive penalty for motion was followed by a pair of incompletions. Pineiro hit from 38 for another tie at 16-16 with 11 minutes left.
After a touchback, Barkley ripped off gains of 10 and 8. On 3rd and 1 from their own 44, Brightwell gained 14. On 2nd and 9 from the Carolina 29, a run lost 4 yards followed by offensive holding. With 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Gano came in for 56 yard field goal try. 4 years ago Gano was playing for the Panthers. He nailed a 63 yard field goal to beat the Giants and send the Hispanic football announcer into a crazed yell of joy normally reserved for Hispanic soccer announcers. This time the teams were reversed but Gano did it again for a 3 point Giants lead.
After a touchback, the Panthers moved to a 3rd and 6 at their own 46 with 2:42 left. Mayfield was sacked and Matt Rhule decided to punt on 4th and 15. The Giants took over at their own 25. With 1:50 left on 3rd and 6 from their own 40, Jones scrambled for 11 yards. Jones then took a couple of knees. Raise your hands if you expected the Giants to be 2-0. Put your hands down. Stop lying. 19-16 Giants
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints — The one team that has vexed Tom Brady the last few years is the Saints. Even with Dennis Allen subbing for Sean Payton, the Saints defense suffocated Brady and beat him 9-0 in Tampa. Brady was seen throwing his helmet and his tablet on the sideline. This time in New Orleans, the Saints team again gave Brady fits and threw him into a rage. Yet Jameis Winston, the man Brady replaced in Tampa, also had a miserable game. This was a brutal defensive slugfest. Wil Lutz hit a 31 yard field goal for the Saints 6 minutes into the game. Ryan Succop answered from 47 in the third quarter as this game was tied 3-3 after three quarters.
With 12 minutes left in regulation, Jameis Winston went for it all and was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback. On 3rd and 10 from from his own 36, Brady hit Cameron Brate for only 9. Yet defensive unnecessary roughness tacked on 15 key yards. On 3rd and 5 from the Saints 28, Brady went deep to Perriman for the game’s first touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers led 10-3. Winston was then intercepted again, and Dean returned it 24 yards to the Saints 24. The Bucs offense went nowhere but Succop hit from 47 to make it 13-3 Buccaneers. Yet Winston’s final interception was a dagger. Edwards returned it 68 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 20-3 Buccaneers lead. Tempers flared on this day. Brady again threw his helmet and his tablet. Mike Evans was suspended one game for fighting. Yet this time it was the Bucs defense that got the job done. 20-10 Buccaneers
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions — The Lions went decades without beating the Redskins. Yet when the Redskins became the No-Names a couple years ago, the Lions beat them. Now the No-Names are the Commanders, who entered this matchup having never lost a game. The first half was all Lions. The Lions faced 3rd and 3 at their own 27 early on. Jared Goff went to St. Brown for a 49 yard gain. On 4th and 3 from the Washington 17, there would be no Dan Campbell gamble. Seibert hit the 35 yard field goal for a 3-0 Lions lead. The Lions got it back at their own 43 and Deandre Swift gained 50. This time on 4th and goal at the 3, there was a Dan Campbell gamble. Goff threw incomplete. Yet Carson Wentz was then sacked in the end zone for a safety and a 5-0 Lions lead. Raymond then returned the free kick 52 yards to the Washington 31.
Goff hit Reynolds for 13 and St. Brown for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 12-0 Lions after the first quarter. The Lions began the second quarter at their own 42 and kept dominating. Goff hit reynolds for 23. Seibert hit a 48 yard field goal to make it 15-0 Lions. The Lions got it back at their own 23. Goff hit Swift for 9. Williams ran for 12 and caught a pass from Goff for 7. Reynolds ran for 11. Goff hit St. Brown for 11. Williams ran for 8. Goff hit Reynolds for 12 and again for a 3 yard touchdown as the Lions dominated the first half 22-0.
The Commanders tried to make a game of it in the third quarter. On 2nd and 6 from their own 40, Wnts hit Jahan Dotson for 40. On 3rd and 5 from the Detroit 15, Wentz hit Curtis Samuel for the touchdown. On the next Commanders drive, Wentz was intercepted but the Lions did not capitalize. The Commanders got it back at their own 6. Wentz found Dotson for 9 and then went deep to Terry McLaurin for 35. wants then went deep to Samuel for 27. Wentz found Logan Thomas for a 20 yard touchdown. Wentz hit Dotson for the 2 point conversion. With 3 minute left in the third quarter, the Commanders were within 22-15.
Yet this time the Lions proved resilient. After a touchback, St. Brown got around the end for a 58 yard gain. On 3rd and 15 from the Washington 22, Goff hit Swift for the touchdown to put the Lions up 29-15 after three quarters. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Riverboat Ron Rivera gambled 4th and 1 from his own 26. McLaurin gained 7 yards. On 3rd and 3 from his own 40, Wentz hit McLaurin for 17. Samuel added 21 more. Wentz hit Antonio Gibson for 11 down to the one. For some reason Rivera went for 2. Wentz threw incomplete and the Commanders trailed 29-21 with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Lions took over at their own 30. Williams gained 8. Goff hit TJ Hockensen for 18. On 3rd and 2 from the Washington 36, Goff hit Wright for 25 and St. Brown for an 11 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Lions had a 36-21 lead. The Commanders got it back at their own 24 and moved 76 yards in 14 plays and 5 minutes. On 3rd and goal at the one with 1:56 to play, Wentz hit Dotson for the touchdown. This time Joey Slye missed the extra point. It was a killer because it kept the Commanders down 9. Yet with one minute left on 4th and 4 from their own 39, Wentz was sacked to snuff out any hope of a rally. The Lions have never lost to the Commanders. 36-27 Lions
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers — The game seemed like an afterthought compared to the soap opera subplot regarding the 49ers quarterbacks. Despite taking the 49ers to 2 NFC Title Games and one Super Bowl, the 49ers have always treated Jimmy Garoppolo as the weak link. They drafted Trey Lance, but Garoppolo had such a good run last year that Lance stayed on the sideline. 49ers faithful blame Garoppolo for blowing last year’s NFC Title Game, and this year Lance won the starting job. Yet in a totally strange turn of events, Garoppolo was kept on the roster as a backup rather than be released or traded. Oh yeah, and a football game was played and the Seahawks now have Geno Smith instead of Russell Wilson.
On the opening drive after a touchback, Lance led the 49ers 73 yards in 11 plays and 6 minutes. On 4th and goal at the 2, Kyle Shanahan deiced not to risk it. Robbie Gould hit the 20 yard field goal to make it 3-0 49ers. The 49ers got it back at their own 11 and moved to a 2nd and 8 at the Seattle 21. Lance gained 2 yards but total disaster struck. Lance suffered a broken ankle on the play. He will be out for the entire season. Just like that, Garoppolo was now the starter again. Gould hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 6-0 49ers.
The rest of the game seemed irrelevant. Garoppolo played well enough, winning in efficient if unspectacular fashion. In the second quarter Garoppolo hit Ross Dwelley for a 38 yard touchdown to cap a 78 yard touchdown drive. Smith was intercepted twice in the second quarter. At the 2 minute warning, the Seahawks fumbled a punt and the 49ers recovered at the Seattle 22. Garoppolo hit Kyle Juszczyk for a one yard touchdown to make it 20-0 49ers at halftime. The Seattle offense was lifeless, managing only a blocked field goal for an 86 yard touchdown to trail 20-7 in the third quarter. The 49ers defense clamped down and the offense managed a fourth quarter 13 play, 63 yard, 7 minute drive. On 4th and goal at the one, Garoppolo got in to complete the scoring. For at least one more year, like it or not, Jimmy G is the man in charge in the Bay Area. 27-7 49ers
Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams — Sometimes a bad team can go on the road and shock a very good team in an upset for the ages. Early on, this was not that game. After a touchback, the Falcons moved 49 yards in 13 plays and held the ball for 8 minutes. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the Rams 14, a false start was followed by Marcus Mariota getting sacked. Younghoe Koo surprisingly missed a 44 yard field goal try. After that the Rams took over. From their own 34, Matthew Stafford hit Allen Robinson for 15, Skowronek for 8, and Tyler Higbee for 18, Higbee for 5 down to the one, and Robinson for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Rams. The second quarter began with Arthur Smith, who apparently coaches the Falcons, gambling on 4th and 2 from midfield. Cordarelle Patterson got stopped for no gain. Stafford hit Higbee for 7, Cam Akers for 10, and Powell for 6. On 3rd and 2 from the Atlanta 11, Darrell Henderson gained 3 and then the 8 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Rams.
The Falcons after a touchback moved 67 yards in 11 plays and 7 minutes. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 8, Mariota threw incomplete. Koo hit from 26. Stafford threw an interception but Mariota gave it right back as Durant returned it 51 yards to set up the Rams at the Atlanta 9 yard line. Stafford hit Cooper Kupp for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 21-3 Rams. The Rams began the third quarter after a touchback with a 10 play, 75 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. Stafford hit Higbee for 15 and Kupp for 19.Stafford hit Akers for 8 and Kupp again for 12. On 3rd and 4 from the Atlanta 10, Stafford went to Kupp for the touchdown to have the Rams cruising 28-3. Now the Falcons are famous for one blowing a 28-3 lead, but the Rams nearly blew a 27-3 lead last year in the playoffs. This year, the Rams inexplicably could not put away a game they led by 25 points.
Another inexplicable scenario was Sean McVay throwing the ball rather than running it up by 25. An interception of Stafford was returned 21 yards to the Rams 20. Mariota hit Drake London for a 4 yard touchdown to get the Falcons within 28-10 after three quarters. The Rams took over at their own 21 and moved 78 yards in 13 plays and 6 minutes. On 3rd and 10, Stafford hit Robinson for 29. Yet on 2nd and goal at the one, rather than run the ball, McVay kept calling pass plays. Stafford threw incomplete twice. On 4th and goal at the one, McVay opted for the field goal. Matt Gay hit from 20. McVay’s decision was reasonable given that it put the Rams up 31-10 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
The Falcons took over at their own 28. Allgeier gained 9 and 2. Mariota hit Pitts for 6, London for 22, Hodge for 18, and Olimade Zaccheaus for an 11 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Falcons were within 31-17. With 5 minutes left, the Rams were punting on 4th and 8 from their own 41. The punt was blocked and returned for a touchdown by Lorenzo Carter. For some strange reason, Arthur Hill needlessly went for a 2 point conversion. Mariota hit London successfully as the Falcons were now only down 31-25. The Rams soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 31Stafford hit Kupp for 13 yards, but Kupp then fumbled. The Falcons recovered at the Rams 37. A 25 point Rams lead was down to 6 points. With 3 1/2 minutes left, the Falcons had a chance to win in shocking fashion.
The final 2 minutes were crazy. At the 2 minute warning, the Falcons had 2nd and 9 at the Rams 20. A run lost 4 yards. The clock ticked all the way down to 1:18 as the Rams took their 2nd timeout on defense. On 3rd and 13, Mariota went to the end zone and the win and was intercepted by Jalen Ramsey. The Rams needed a first down to close out the game. They didn’t get it as the Falconstook their timeouts on defense. With 13 seconds left the rams had to punt on 4th and 7 from their own 26. This time Sean McVay took no chances on another block or return. He instructed his punter to run out the back of his own end zone for an intentional safety. The free kick was kicked out of bounds. The Falcons had one chance from midfield. Mariota’s Hail Mary never had a chance. He was sacked and fumbled to end the game. The Rams nearly collapsed, but they survived. Again, that’s why they play the ENTIRE game. 31-27 Rams
Houston Texans at Denver Broncos — Last week the Texans blew a 20-3 lead and settled for a 20-20 tie. The Broncos lost by one point after fumbling the ball twice at the opponent’s one yard line. Something had to give in this ugly game. A hideous first half saw each team kick a field goal in each of the first two quarters. Despite 1st and goal at the 2, the Broncos had a touchdown pass reversed to an incompletion followed by 2 more incompletions. Brandon McManus hit from 20. Kaimi Fairbairn answered from 40 for the Texans. In the second quarter Fairbairn hit from 44. The Broncos reached 3rd and goal at the one as their nightmarish goal line experiences continued. Wilson threw incomplete and Nathaniel Hackett had seen enough. McManus hit from 24. A third quarter interception of Russell Wilson gave the Texans a short field. Despite 1st and goal at the 4, this time it was the Texans going backward. Fairbairn hit from 24 as the Texans led 9-6 after three quarters.
The fourth quarter began with the Broncos facing 3rd and 16 at their own 32. Then came the play of the game. Wilson found Sutton for 35 yards. Wilson then went to Eric Saubert for a 22 yard touchdown. With 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the end zone was finally reached as the Broncos led 13-9. The Broncos got it back at their own 14 and moved 54 yards in 12 plays and 6 minutes. Despite 1st and 10 at the Houston 26, a pair of incompletions was followed by Wilson getting sacked. McManus hit from 50 to put the Broncos up by 7 w with 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation. After a touchback, the Davis Mills quickly hit Collins for 20 and Cooks for 23. Yet on 1st and 10 from the Denver 32, Mills was sacked. On 4th and 15, Mills threw incomplete. Only 90 seconds remained, but the Texans had all 3 timeouts. Their defense held and they got the ball back at their own 25 with 53 seconds left. Yet a game that was virtually all defense ended with defense. A completion lost a yard as precious seconds ticked down. Mills then threw 3 incompletions as the game’s only touchdown was the difference. 16-9 Broncos
Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders — The relocation bowl saw the Chicago/St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals take on the Oakland/Los Angeles/Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders lost a heartbreaker on the road last week while the Cardinals were blown out at home. This game will be talked about for years. After a touchback, the Raiders exploded out of the gate. Josh Jacobs ran for 7. A sack of Derek Carr had the Raiders facing 3rd and 11. Carr went deep to Mack Hollins for 20. Jacobs gained 6, 3, and on 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 47, 2 big yards. Jacobs then gained 13 and 4. Another sack of Carr had the Raiders facing 2nd and 21 from the Arizona 38. Carr hit Hollins for 9 and on 3rd and 12 found Hollins again for 23. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Carr threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. Carr hit Davante Adams. The opening 15 play, 75 yard drive took over 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. The Raiders were just getting started.
The Raiders got it back at their own 20 and the Cardinals immediately jumped into the neutral zone. Carr then hit Darren Waller and Foster Moreau for a pair of 19 yard gains. The Raiders were rolling but on 3rd and 5 at the Arizona 14, Carr threw incomplete. Daniel Carlson hit a 32 yard field goal to put the Raiders up 10-0 in the second quarter. The Raiders got it back at their own 41. Carr went to Waller for 13 and Hunter Renfrow for 20. On 3rd and 10 from the Arizona 26, Carr hit Abdullah for 23. Carr went to Waller for the 3 yard touchdown. Kyler Murray was then intercepted to set the Raiders up at their own 27 with 1:51 left in the half. On 3rd and 6 from their own 48 with 17 seconds left, Carr went to Adams for 11. Carlson buried a 55 yard field goal at the gun to have the Raiders up 20-0.
The first half was complete domination by the Raiders. In their franchise history, they had never lost a game when leading by 20 points or more at the half. The Cardinals had never won a game when trailing by 20 points or more at halftime. The Raiders running game was key. Jacobs was running with brutal purpose. With a big lead, all the Raiders had to do in the second half was grind down the clock. Yet pass-happy Josh McDaniels loves his West Coast Offense dink and dunk passes The Cardinals in the third quarter soon faced 1st and 15 at their own 16. Murray then went to Greg Dortch for 29 and Zach Ertz for 13. On 3rd and 6 from the Raiders 26, Murray hit Ertz for 16. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Murray hit Dortch for the touchdown to get the Cardinals within 20-7. After a touchback, the Raiders quickly responded with help from a 47 yard defensive pass interference penalty. Yet on 1st and goal at the 7, a run went nowhere and Carr threw incomplete twice. Carlson hit from 25 to have the Raiders up 23-7 after three quarters. All the Raiders had to do was run the ball in the fourth quarter and go home.
After a touchback the Cardinals moved to a 2nd and 1 at the Raiders 11. A run went nowhere and on 3rd and 1 Murray threw incomplete. Kliff Kingsbury went for it and Murray threw incomplete again. The inspired Raiders defense had done their job. With 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation, all the Raiders needed was to run down some clock. For some bizarre reason, Josh McDaniels called 3 straight pass plays and Carr delivered 3 straight incompletions. The Raiders took only 24 seconds off the clock and forced their defense to go right back on the field. An 18 yard punt return had the Cardinals taking over at their own 46. Murray went to Dortch for 11 and Benjamin for 8. With 8:40 left, the Cardinals were down to their last gasp with 4th and 4 at the Raiders 25. This is when the Raiders gave new meaning to the concept of Failure to Close out games, or FCO for short.
Murray went deep to Brown for a 24 yard gain down to the one. That was FCO 1. Darrel Williams got in on the next play. A defensive stop on the 2 point conversion try would keep it a 2 score game. Murray then delivered the greatest 2 point conversion in NFL history. He ran laterally all over the field, unable to find a receiver. The play took nearly 21 seconds. Counting all the running around sideways, Murray ran 84 yards on the play. What mattered was his ability to run in the 2 point conversion. The Cardinals were now within 23-15. This was the Raiders FCO 2. After a touchback, Jacobs gained 7 and 3. Yet Jacobs then lost 4 yards. On 3rd and 10, Josh McDaniels called one of his beloved West Coast Offense dink and dunk passes despite having a quarterback capable of throwing further than 10 yards. Carr completed the pass for 4 yards. This was FCO 3. The Cardinals took over at their own 27 with 4:43 to play.
Murray hit AJ Green for 10 and Ertz for 11. On 3rd and 1 from the Raider 43, Williams got stopped inches short of the sticks. One more stop would pretty much end the game. On 4th and 1, Murray scrambled and gained 2. This was FCO 4. On the next play Murray was sacked, but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. With 30 seconds left in the game, everything came down to 4th and 4 at the Raiders 6 yard line. The defense was tired, but one stop would end things. Murray ran all over the place and threw incomplete. The Raiders celebrated as only 16 seconds remained. The game was over…but it wasn’t. Defensive holding meant 1st and goal at the 3. This was FCO 5. Murray threw 3 straight incompletions. With 4 seconds left, everything came down to 4th and goal at the 3. Out of the shotgun, Murray got in again for the touchdown. This was FCO 6. The staggering 18 play, 73 yard, nearly 5 minute drive had the Raiders defense completely spent. They were on the field most of the entire second half.
The clock was at double zeroes, but the Cardinals still needed to make the 2 point conversion to force overtime. Anyone who had ever watched a Raiders game knew what was coming. Murray fired to the back of the end zone and Green somehow caught the ball between 2 defenders. It appeared the ball hit the ground, but the completion stood. FCO 7 had the game tied 23-23. The Raiders defense was exhausted, and things went from bad to worse when the Cardinals won the overtime coin toss. The Cardinals moved after a touchback to a 4th and 1 at the Raiders 37. A field goal try would be 55 yards. Kliff Kingsbury went for it knowing that failing to convert would mean good field position for the Raiders. Everyone expected Murray to keep the ball since he had run over and around the Raiders the entire second half. Yet Kingsbury decided to go for it all. The play call had Murray finding a wide open Brown inside the red zone. Yet at the last moment, Brown was blasted by Harmon, knocking the ball out of his hands for an incompletion.
The Raiders defense had survived. On the brink of death, they made the play they had to make. Now the offense needed only a field goal to win. They needed to run the ball. Jacobs had barely been given the ball in the second half. Yet McDaniels stubbornly kept passing. Carr threw incomplete. Then he hit Hunter Renfrow for 7 yards to set up a critical 3rd and 3 at their own 44. Carr went back to Renfrow, one of Carr’s most reliable targets. He is so consistent that third down in Las Vegas is known as 3rd and Renfrow. This time Carr hit Renfrow for 11 yards, but Renfrow had the ball chopped out of his hands. After a wild scramble, the Raiders were bailed out when Moreau fell on it. The Raiders had dodged a bullet.
With 4 minutes left in overtime, the Raiders had 1st and 10 at the Arizona 39. A field goal from that distance would be 57 yards. Carlson is one of the best kickers in the game. All the Raiders had to do was run the ball, kick the field goal, and win the game. The time for passing was over. The Raiders won their regular season finale to make the playoffs because interim coach Rich Bisaccia trusted Jacobs to run the ball down the opponent’s throats when it mattered. Josh McDaniels kept calling passes. Carr went deep incomplete. On 2nd and 10, a run was still the right call. Then came FCO 8 and an epic disaster. Carr went to Renfrow, who as usual caught the ball. Renfrow then got blasted and fumbled again. the ball bounced around and Byron Murphy picked it up and raced 59 yards for a defensive touchdown in front of a shellshocked home crowd.
Just like that, the game was over. The Raiders lost due to an epic collapse, their worst second half meltdown since their birth in 1960. This was the biggest second half Cardinals comeback since their existence as a franchise in 1899. The Raiders are 0-2. Their 4-0 preseason was a mirage. Renfrow tried to take the blame, but this loss is squarely on boy genius McDaniels. He has to commit to the run, especially when the Raiders have a fourth quarter lead. McDaniels flamed out as a head coach 12 years ago because he refused to listen to others. Now the entire fan base is screaming at him to run the d@mn ball. He needs to listen right now. He did not inherit a rebuilding project. He inherited a team that made the playoffs by pounding the rock. Now the Raiders are run by a coach who makes play-calling decisions that are often dumb as a rock. This was a truly bitter pill for the Raider Nation to swallow. That’s why they play the ENTIRE game. The Raiders need someone willing to coach the entire game. 29-23 Cardinals, OT
Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys – Both teams lost their home opener. The defending AFC Champion Bengals were stunned on the last play of overtime by Pittsburgh. Joe Burrow was sacked 7 times and had 4 turnovers. The Cowboys managed only 3 points at home and lost Dak Prescott for several weeks to injury. Cooper Rush won his only start last year and now was starting his second NFL game. Early on Mike McCarthy showed tremendous confidence in Rush, going for it on 4th and 2 from his own 44. Out of the shotgun, Rush hit Noah Brown for 17 yards. Rush capped the 12 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive with a 9 yard touchdown pass to Brown for a 7-0 Cowboys lead.
The Bengals after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 6 at the Dallas 23. A false start and a sack killed the drive. Evan McPherson hit a 43 yard field goal to get the Bengals on the board. The Cowboys soon faced 3rd and 10 from their own 25. Rush went deep to Brown for 28 yards. Rush then connected with Tony Pollard for a 46 yard gain down to the one. Pollard got in on the next play to make it 14-3 Cowboys after the first quarter. The second quarter was quiet, but Maher nailed a 54 yard field goal to end the half with the Cowboys up 17-3.
The Bengals gradually clawed back in the third quarter with some luck. After a touchback to start the seance half, the Bengals had to punt on 4th and 4 from their own 41. Yet the Cowboys jumped into the neutral zone. Given new life, the Bengals moved into position for McPherson to hit a 50 yard field goal to get the Bengals within 17-6. A 20 yard punt return gave the Bengals the ball back at their own 41. McPherson hit another field goal from 46 as the Bengals trailed 17-9 after three quarters.
Early in the fourth quarter the Bengals took over at their own 17. On 3rd and 10, Burrow hit Tee Higgins for 16. and JaMarr Chase for 11. On 3rd and 7 from the Dallas 39, Burrow hit Hurst for 8. On 4th and 6 from the Dallas 27 with 6 minutes left in regulation, Zac Taylor decided to go for it. Burrow hit Chase for 8 and Higgins for 10. Burrow hit Higgins for a 5 yard touchdown. The mind-numbing 19 play, 83 yard drive took 9 minutes off the clock. Burrow hit Boyd for the 2 point conversion for a 17-17 tie with 3:45 left in the game.
An exchange of punts had the Cowboys taking over at their own 35 with one minute left. Rush hit Lamb for 8, Brown for 12, and Lamb for 10. The Cowboys took their final timeout with 24 seconds left. On 1st and 10 from the Cincinnati 35, Mike McMarthy took no chances. A safe run gained 3 yards and Rush spiked the ball to stop the clock with 4 seconds left. Maher came in for a 50 yard try to win it. The kick was good as the Bengals fell to a surprising 0-2 on the year. Meanwhile, Rush is 2-0 in his starting career. 20-17 Cowboys
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers was the Sunday night game. The Packers have owned the Bears for much of the last 30 years. Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears. He said so. After an opening touchback, the first play from scrimmage saw a defensive personal foul against the Bears for a low block. Mason Crosby hit a 40 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Packers. The Bears took over at their own 29 and David Montgomery ran for 4 and 12. Justin Fields fumbled the next snap but fell on it. On the following play Fields went deep to St. Brown for a 30 yard gain. Montgomery ran for 13 and 9. Fields ran for a 3 yard touchdown. The Bears led 7-3 after the first quarter, but then reality set in.
After a touchback, Dillon ran for 6 and 5. Rodgers ran for 7 and hit Watson for 9. Rodgers went to Watkins for 24. Aaron Jones ran for 15 yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to make it 10-7 Packers. The Packers got it back at their own 46. Jones ran for 5 and 8 and Dillon added 9. On 2nd and 28 from their own 42, Rodgers hit Doubs for 20 and on 3rd and 8 found Randall Cobb for 9. Rodgers hit Jones for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 17-7 Packers. The Packers got it back a their own 33. Jones ran for 14. Rodgers hit Jones for 15, Cobb for 20, Robert Tonyan for 9, and Allen Lazard for the 5 yard touchdown. The Packers led 24-7 at the half. A pointless second half saw the Bears kick a third quarter field goal and the Packers kick a fourth quarter field goal. George Halas’s heirs in the McCaskey family may not like it, but Rodgers still owns the Bears. 27-10 Packers
Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills was the early Monday night game. These teams have played some memorable games, but this one was forgettable. The Titans were the top seed in the AFC playoffs last year, but opened this season with a stunning home loss to the Giants. The Bills entered the season with serious Super Bowl aspirations and went on the road and throttled the defending champion Rams. After an opening touchback, Singletary ran for 16 yards. On 3rd and 9 from their own 46, Josh Allen ran for 10. On 3rd and 8 from the Tennessee 42, Allen hit Kumerow for 11. On 3rd and 2 from the Tennessee 23, Allen hit Dawon Knox for 12 and Gilliam for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bills. After a touchback the Titans moved to a 4th and 1 from the Buffalo 2. Mike Vrabel went for it and Derrick Henry banged into the end zone. The game was tied 7-7 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Bills moved from their own 18 to a 4th and 1 at the Tennessee 26. Sean McDermott went for it, but a false start killed the try. Tyler Bass hit a 49 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Bills. The Bills got it back and soon faced 2nd and 15 at their own 18. Allen hit Knox for 15 and Kumerow for 39. Allen then went to Diggs for 15 and 9. With one minute left in the half on 4th and 1 from the Tennessee 4, McDermott gambled again. This time Allen hit Diggs for the touchdown and a 17-7 Bills lead. Then came the avalanche.
In the third quarter the Bills faced 3rd and 14 from their own 16. Allen threw incomplete but defensive offsides meant 3rd and 9. Allen hit Crowder for 16 and Diggs for 9 and 8. Allen went deep to Diggs for a 46 yard touchdown to make it 24-7 Bills. The Titans failed in all 3 phases of the game by fumbling a punt. The Bills recovered at the Tennessee 20. The Bills settled for a 37 yard Bass field goal to lead 27-7. The Titans soon faced 2nd and 2 from their own 33. Ryan Tannehill was intercepted and the Bills took over just shy of midfield. Allen threw a 14 yard touchdown to Diggs to make it 34-7 Bills. Tannehill was then intercepted by Matt Milano, who returned it 43 yards for the game’s final points. A 24 point third quarter had the Titans at 0-2 and the Bills at 2-0. The pre-season Super Bowl hype in Buffalo is legitimate. 41-7 Bills
Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles was the late Monday night game. Both teams won their openers. The Vikings came in confident after beating up Green Bay last week. The Eagles began at their own 18. Jalen Hurts hit Smith for 5 and Dallas Goedert for 18. Miles Sanders ran for 12 and 2. On 3rd and 13 from midfield, Hurts hit Kenneth Gainwell for 19. On 3rd and 3 from the Minnesota 24, Hurts hit Zach Pascal for 8 and Goedert for 13. Hurts ran for the 3 yard touchdown to cap the 11 play, 82 yard, 6 minute drive and make it 7-0 Eagles. The Eagles again took over at their own 18 and it was deja vu all over again. On 3rd and 5, Hurts hit Smith for 8. On the first play of the second quarter, the Eagles faced 2nd and 8 from their own 47. Hurts went deep to Watkins for a 53 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Eagles.
The Vikings soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 34. Jalen Reagor got around the end for a 17 yard gain. Kirk Cousins hit Justin Jefferson for 11. On 3rd and 6 from the Philadelphia 34, Cousins hit Osborn for 15, Mundt for 17, and Irv Smith for a 2 yard touchdown to get the Vikings within 14-7. They got no closer. The Eagles took over at their own 15. Hurts hit Smith for gains of 19 and 16. Boston Scott ran for 16. On 3rd and 2 from the Minnesota 26, Hurts ran all the way for the touchdown to make it 21-7 Eagles at the 2 minute warning. The Eagles got it back at their own 5 yard line with 1:14 left. Hurts ran for 9. On 3rd and 6 from their own 21, Hurts hit Smith for 16 and Goedert for gains of 19 and 24. Jake Elliott hit a 38 yard field goal to end the half. The entire second half was scoreless as Cousins was intercepted 3 times and the Eagles suffered an interception and a blocked field goal. 24-7 Eagles
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