NFL 2022 Week 10 Recap
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers was the Thursday night game. Rainy conditions made for a less than exciting game. Eddie Pineiro hit a 46 yard first quarter field goal for the Panthers. A field position game in the second quarter had a short 31 yard punt giving the Panthers the ball at the Atlanta 43. Two plays later Shenault ran for a 41 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Panthers. Two plays later an interception of Marcus Mariota meant another short field for the Panthers at the Atlanta 45. Pineiro hit again from 49 to make it 13-0 Panthers with 1:47 left in the half.
The Falcons quickly moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Carolina 17 with 21 seconds left. Mariota completed a 2 yard pass and then had to spike the ball with 4 seconds left. That made it 4th down, so the Falcons settled for a 33 yard Younghoe Koo field goal to trail 13-3. A third quarter field position game had the Falcons taking over at the Carolina 42. Defensive pass interference added 11 yards. Tyler Allgeier ran for a pair of 6 yard gains. Huntley added 11 more. Mariota hit London for a 7 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Falcons trailed 13-9. The Panthers took over at their own 16. PJ Walker hit Marshall for a 43 yard gain. Walker went to Smith for 17. Foreman ran for the 12 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Panthers led 19-9 after three quarters. The Panthers got it back at their own 24 to st art the fourth quarter and moved to a 3rd and 8 at the Atlanta 22. Walker threw incomplete. Pineiro hit again from 40 to have the Panthers up 22-9 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
With under 5 1/2 minutes left the Falcons took over at their own 3 yard line. On 3rd and 3, Mariota scrambled for 14. On 2nd and 16 from their own 18, Mariota went to Byrd for 21 and 18, to Pitts for 18, and to Hodge for a 25 yard touchdown. The 97 yard drive had the Falcons within 22-15 with 3 minutes left. The extra point was again no good. The Panthers went 3 and out and the Falcons got it back at their own 34 with 2 1/2 minutes left. A pair of sacks of Mariota killed the drive and gave the Panthers the ball at the Atlanta 19 with 1:50 left. The Panthers took the clock down to 10 seconds and brought in Pineiro for a 37 yard field goal try to lock up the win. Despite a tough night for extra points and a rough season for Pineiro in general, this time he was good. 25-15 Panthers
Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the Sunday early morning game from Munich. Ryan Succop missed a 52 yard field goal for the Buccaneers as the first quarter was scoreless. The Buccaneers got it back at their own 12. White ran for 3, 10 and 4. On 3rd and 1 from their own 34, White gained 8. On 3rd and 2 from midfield, Leonard Fournette gained 7. The second quarter began with the Buccaneers at the Seattle 42. Tom Brady went to Mike Evans for 11. On 3rd and 10 from the Seattle 31, Brady went to Julio Jones for the touchdown to cap the 13 play, 88 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Buccaneers. The Buccaneers got it back and soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 22. Brady went to Evans for 5. Fournette had gains of 2, 10, 3 and 4. On 3rd and 3 just past midfield, Brady hit Miller for just enough. Brady then went to Chris Godwin for 19 and Miller for 22. Fournette ran for 4 and then got the one yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Buccaneers. The Seahawks could not get anything going on offense. Jason Myers hit a third quarter 55 yard field goal to get the Seahawks on the board. After an exchange of turnovers the Buccaneers took over at their own 13. On 3rd and 7, Brady went to Godwin for 12. White ran for 29. The fourth quarter began with Brady hitting Cade Otton for 25. On 3rd and 1 from the Seattle 7, White gained 3. Brady went to Godwin for a 4 yard touchdown as the Buccaneers led comfortably 21-3 with 11 minutes left.
The Seahawks mounted a furious rally. From their own 23, Geno Smith hit Kenneth Walker for 23, 13 and 7. Smith then went to Fant for 8. Smith hit Tyler Lockett for a 21 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Seahawks were within 21-9 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Buccaneers took over at there own 23. From their own 36, Brady was intercepted. The Seahawks took over with a short field at the Tampa 45. On 3rd and 3, Smith went to Lockett for 10. With 4 minutes left the Seahawks were down to their last gasp facing 4th and 1 at the Tampa 19. Smith went to Marquise Goodwin for the touchdown. Just like that, the Seahawks were within 21-16. They needed to get the ball back. The Buccaneers took over at their own 17. On 2nd and 9, Brady went to Godwin for 13. White ran for gains of 3 and 12. Brady went to Jones for 17 as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. White ripped off an 18 yard gain. Brady then took 3 knees as the Seahawks never got the ball back. Brady became the first quarterback to win games in the United States, Great Britain and Germany. 21-16 Buccaneers
Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills — Both of these teams have lost 4 Super Bowls, but they both entered this game as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The Vikings began at their own 26. On 3rd and 11, Kirk Cousins went deep to Justin Jefferson for 46 yards. On 3rd and 3 from the Buffalo 22, Cousins went to Jefferson for the touchdown and the 7-0 Vikings lead. Duke Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 43 yards to set the Bills up at the Minnesota 47. Josh Allen went to Stefan Diggs for 7 with a horse collar tackle adding 15. . Singletary added 21 and then ran for the 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
The Bills got it back at their own 30 and Allen hit Davis for 19. On 3rd and 3 from the Minnesota 44, Allen went to Isaiah McKenzie for 8 and Diggs for 16. On 3rd and 11 from the Minnesota 21, Allen ran for 12. Jared Cook ran for 8 and Singletary got the last yard to cap the 10 play, 70 yard, 5 minute drive and make it 14-7 Bills. Two plays after a touchback, Cousins went deep and was intercepted by Benford, who returned the pick 35 yards to the Minnesota 27. The second quarter had the Bills with 1st and 10 at the Minnesota 14. A run lost a yard and Allen threw incomplete twice. Tyler Bass hit the 34 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Bills.
A 39 yard kickoff return by Nwangwu had the Vikings taking over at their own 45. On 3rd and 7, Cousins went to Jefferson for 14. Mattison gained 9 and 7. On 3rd and 10 from the Buffalo 22, Cousins went to Osborn for 20. Yet 1st and goal at the 2 saw a run lose 5 yards followed by offensive pass interference costing 10 more. Greg Joseph hit a 27 yard field goal to get the Vikings within 17-10. The Bills took over at their own 10 and moved to a 2nd and 1 at the Minnesota 34. Singletary got the carry and gained 7 but then fumbled. Bynum returned the fumble 40 yards to the Buffalo 37. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 28 at the 2 minute warning, Cousins threw incomplete. Kevin O’Connell went for it. On 4th and 1, Cousins threw incomplete. Allen scrambled for 25. Allen went to Diggs for 14 and Gabe Davis for 15. Allen went to Diggs for 6 and Davis for the 11 yard touchdown as the Bills took a 24-10 lead to the locker rooms. In the third quarter the Bills moved from their own 27 to a 3rd and 2 at the Minnesota 22. Johnson got stopped. Bass hit a 45 yard field goal as the Bills led 27-10 late in the third quarter. The rest of this game was insane.
17 seconds later Dalvin Cook was in the end zone after an 81 yard touchdown run that got the Vikings within 27-17. The Bills took over at their own 26 and moved 67 yards in 13 plays and 6 minutes. On 2nd and 2 from the Minnesota 7, Allen threw the ball away incomplete. On 3rd and 2, Allen threw incomplete again. Sean McDermott decided to go for it. On 4th and 2, Allen went to the end zone and was intercepted by Patrick Peterson, who returned the interception 39 yards to the Minnesota 34. On 4th and 1 from his own 43 with 9 minutes left in regulation, Kevin O’Connell had to go for it. Osborn gained 2. On 4th and 6 just shy of midfield, the Vikings again stayed alive as Cousins went to TJ Hockenson for 12. Cousins went to Ada Thielen for 21 and ran for 15 himself. CJ Ham ran for a 3 yard touchdown. The Bills had every chance under the sun to put the game away. Instead the Vikings only trailed 27-23 with 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Joseph missed the extra point no good, a key miss.
The Bills went 3 and out and the Vikings got it back at their own 24 with 3 1/2 minutes left. Cousins hit Osborn for 5 and Thielen for 6. At the 2 minute warning after a sack, the Vikings were down to their last gasp facing 4th and 18 at their own 27. Cousins scrambled for his life and threw a deep prayer. Jefferson made a leaping one-handed grab with a defender draped all over him and somehow secured the reception for a 32 yard gain in front of a stunned Buffalo home crowd. Cousins then went to Thielen for 9 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 more. Cousins then went to Jefferson for 14 to set up 1st and goal at the 3 with 1:09 left. The Bills took a timeout on defense. Cousins tried to go up the middle but lost 3 yards as the Bills took another timeout. Cousins then threw incomplete to set up 3rd and goal at the 6 with one minute left. Then things got really crazy.
Cousins went to Jefferson near the goal line. Jefferson caught the ball, rolled over a defender, and got in the end zone for the touchdown. Yet on further review, Jefferson’s elbow was down short of the goal. The Bills took their last timeout with 57 seconds left. Now it was 4th and goal at the one. Cousins rolled out and had a wide open Cook. Cook dropped it. Yet this time the Bills had jumped offside. Again, it was still 4th and goal. The Vikings were inches short. Cousins took the quarterback sneak as all the bodies converged. At first Cousins appeared stopped, but a second effort got him closer. Yet was denied. The inspired goal line stand had the Buffalo defense celebrating. With 50 seconds remaining, the Bills had won. Normally at this point Allen could take a knee, but he was too close to his own goal line. He had to either sneak the ball or hand it off. Then this insane game went truly psychotic.
Allen fumbled the quarterback-center exchange. A mad scramble ensued in the Buffalo end zone. The Buffalo defense saved the game and the Buffalo offense gave it away. The Vikings recovered for the gift touchdown. 20 unanswered points had the Vikings up 30-27. Yet because of the missed extra point, the Bills needed only a field goal to force overtime. From their own 20, they had 35 seconds to work with. Allen went to Dawson Knox for 12 and 8, to Davis for 20, and to McKenzie for 15. With 11 seconds left, the Bills had 1st and 10 at the Minnesota 25. The Bills even had a chance to win in regulation. A deep ball was incomplete. Defensive pass interference added 14 yards down to the 11, but only 2 seconds remained. Bass came in for the 29 yard field goal try. The kick was good, and this spectacular game was headed to overtime tied 30-30.
In overtime, the Vikings after a touchback moved 60 yards in 12 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 2nd and 22 from their own 45, Cousins threw deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 19 yard gain and a new set of downs. On 3rd and 10 from the Buffalo 26, Cousins went to Jefferson for 24 yards. A touchdown would win the game but a field goal would still give the Bills a chance with the ball. On 1st and goal at the 2, a run lost 3 yards and Cousins was sacked. After another incompletion, Joseph came in to give the Vikings the lead. Joseph hit from 33 as the Vikings led by 3. Yet the Bills took over at their own 28 with a full 3 1/2 minutes left. Allen ran for big gains of 18 and 20. With 1:25 left in overtime, the Bills had 1st and 10 at the Minnesota 20. Time was no longer a factor. After an incompletion came the deciding play of the game. A field goal try would only be 38 yards. Allen wanted it all. He went to the end zone and again was intercepted by Peterson. A Super Bowl rematch of this epic game would be worth it. Meanwhile, the Bills fell to 6-3 and the Vikings are 8-1 on the year and winning big games in the biggest of ways. 33-30 Vikings, OT
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears — A pair of bad teams added to their storied but irrelevant rivalry. In the first quarter Cairo Santos hit a 33 yard field goal for the Bears and Mike Badly answered from 25 for a 3-3 game. The Lions began the second quarter facing 3rd and 14 at their own 16. Jared Goff went to Raymond for 21. On 2nd and 13 from their own 34, Goff hit St Brown for big gains of 14, 22 and 20. On 3rd and goal at the one, Deandre Swift lost a yard. Dan Campbell went for it. On 4th and goal at the 2, Goff hit Wright for the touchdown to make it 10-3 Lions. The Bears soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. Justin Fields ran for 8. On 3rd and 5 from their own 46, Fields went to Byron Pringle for 12. Khalil Herbert ran for 7. Fields added 6 and Herbert gained 11 more. Fields went to Mooney for 13. With 21 seconds left in the half, the Bears had 3rd and goal at the one. Out of the shotgun, Fields somehow avoided a sack, scrambled for his life, met 2 defenders at the goal line, and banged into them for the touchdown. The 15 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive had the game deadlocked 10-10 at the intermission.
The Bears took over at their 24 in the third quarter. Fields went to Mooney for 16. On 3rd and 5 from their own 45, Fields went to Mooney for 22. On 3rd and 1 from the Detroit 24, Pettis ran for 8. Fields hit Ket for a 6 yard touchdown to cap the 10 play, 76 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 17-10 Bears. The Bears got it back at their own 29. Herbert ran for 12 and 9. Fields then went deep to Kmet for a 50 yard touchdown to put the Bears up 24-10 after three quarters.
The Lions got the ball early in the fourth quarter at their own 45. Goff ran for 10 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 more. Goff hit Jackson for 8. On 1st and 10 from the Chicago 14, Goff was intercepted but Johnson was called for his 2nd straight defensive illegal use of hands penalty. On the next play, Swift ran for a 9 yard touchdown to get the lions within 24-17. The Bears soon faced 2nd and 18 from their own 17. Fields under heavy pressure threw an ill-advised pass into traffic that was intercepted by Okudah. Okudah returned the interception 20 yards for a touchdown and a 24-24 game with 10 1/2 minutes left.
Three plays after seeing the worst of Fields, we saw his best. On 3rd and 2 from his own 33, Fields ran around and took off for a 67 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Bears led 30-24 with 9 minutes left. After an exchange of punts, the Lions took over at their own 9 yard line with 5 1/2 minutes left. Jamaal Williams ran for 11. Goff went to Raymond for 20. On 3rd and 8 from their own 42, Goff hit Kennedy for a 44 yard gain. Goff went to St. Brown for 13 more down to the one. Williams got in. With 2:21 left, the missed extra point loomed large as the Lions led by a point. The Bears took over at their own 20 needing only a field goal to win against a terrible Detroit defense. With one minute left, on 4th and 8 from his own 32, Fields was sacked. For the first time in 2 years, the Lions won a road game. 31-30 Lions
Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs — Walrus Andy Reid faced off against Doug “Little Andy” Pederson. Pederson began with a successful surprise onside kick. Yet the Jaguars offense is a work in progress, and they did not take advantage of the good field position. The Chiefs drove deep but fumbled the ball away. The Chiefs got it back at their own 20 and got down to business. Patrick Mahomes went deep to Travis Kelce for a 46 yard gain. Mahoems hit Fortson for 6 and Pacheco ran for 9. Mahomes went to Toney for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chiefs. Riley Patterson in the second quarter missed a 51 yard field goal try for the Jaguars. The Chiefs took over at their own 41 and quickly capitalized. Toney ran for a 32 yard gain and Pacheco added 9. Mahomes went to Marques Valdes-Scantling for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Chiefs. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Chiefs took over at their own 14. On 3rd and 1, Mahomes threw incomplete but defensive holding kept the drive going. Mahomes went to Toney for 23 and McKinnon for 8. Mahomes ran for 12. Mahomes went to Noah Gray for a 13 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Chiefs led 20-0 with 46 seconds left in the half.
The Jaguars took over at their 39 with 39 seconds left. Trevor Lawrence went to Jones for 33. Lawrence then ran for 18. Lawrence hit Christian kirk for a 3 yard touchdown with 11 seconds left in the half to get the Jaguars within 20-7. The Jaguars then got a tremendous break when the Chiefs fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Yet Patterson missed again from 41 to end the half. His misses are why the Jaguars were not within 20-13. After a third quarter touchback, the Jaguars embarked on a staggering 17 play drive that went 58 yards and took over 9 minutes off the clock. On 2nd and goal at the 4, Lawrence went to Evan Engram for the touchdown. Yet an ineligible man downfield nullified the touchdown. On 3rd and goal at the 9 after an incompletion, Lawrence was sacked. This time Patterson hit from 35 to get the Jaguars within 20-10. The Chiefs soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. Mahomes went to McKinnon for 19. On 3rd and 6 from the Jags 44, Mahomes went to Kelce for 10, McKinnon for 8, and Toney for 22. Mahomes went to Kelce for a 7 yard touchdown. The Chiefs led 27-10 after three quarters and were never threatened. The Jaguars reached the end zone again with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation, but the Chiefs moved 61 yards in 11 plays and bled the entire clock. The teacher beat the student, getting the Chiefs to 7-2 and making Andy Reid a most happy Walrus indeed. 27-17 Chiefs
Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins — Ford returned the opening kickoff 48 yards to set up the Browns at their own 47. On the first play from scrimmage, Jacoby Brissett went deep to Donovan Peoples-Jones for 38. On 3rd and 4 from the Miami 9, the Dolphins jumped into the neutral zone. Brissett hit Bryant for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Browns. The Dolphins took over at their own 16. Raheem Mosetert had gained of 7 and 2. The Dolphins soon faced 4th and 1 at their own 36. Mike McDaniel is the young kid coaching the Dolphins who is too inexperienced to know he should punt in that situation and play field position. He went for it and Wilson gained 4 yards. Tua Tagovailoa went deep to Sherfield for 18. Wilson gained 18 and 11. Tagovailoa then went to Alec Ingold for a 13 yard touchdown to culminate the 10 play 84 yard, 6 minute drive and make it a 7-7 game.
The Browns after a touchback moved 44 yards in 12 plays and 6 minutes. On 2nd and 10 from the Miami 34, Nick Chubb gained 3 and then fumbled. The Dolphins took over at their own 29 as the second quarter began. On 1st and 10 from the Cleveland 25, a running play was blown up for a 6 yard loss to kill the drive. Jason Sanders hit a 39 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Dolphins. After a touchback. the Browns moved to a 3rd and 2 from the Miami 41. Kareem Hunt lost a yard but Kevin Stefanski gambled on 4th and 3, Kevin Stefanski went for it and on 4th and 3, Brissett threw incomplete. The Dolphins quickly moved from their own 42 to a 2nd and 1 at the Cleveland 14. Mostert got stopped up the middle. Smythe then got stopped up the middle. Mike McDaniel went for it. This time Wilson carried up the middle on 4th and 1 and lost a yard. The Dolphins got it back at their own 47 with 1:22 left in the half. Tagovailoa went to Mike Gesicki for 15. On 3rd and 7 from the Cleveland 30, Tagovailoa went to Jalen Waddle for just enough.Tagovailoa went to Sherfield for a 14 yard touchdown to make it 17-7 Dolphins at the half.
The Dolphins began the third quarter at their own 30 and moved quickly to put the game away. Tagovailoa hit Wilson for 14, Ingold for 9, and Gesicki for 16. Mostert ran for a 24 yard touchdown to make it 24-7 Dolphins. The Browns after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Miami 19. Brissett threw incomplete. Needing 3 scores, Kevin Stefanski opted for the field goal. York hit from 37 to get the Browns within 24-10. They got no closer. The Dolphins soon faced 3rd and 10 from their own 23. Tagovailoa went to Waddle for 15 and Tyreek Hill for 16. Wilson caught a pass from Tagovailoa for 7 and then ran for 5. Mostert added 10. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Tagovailoa went to Hill for the touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Dolphins led 30-10 after three quarters.
The Browns began the fourth quarter facing 3rd and 1 from their own 33. Hunt gained 2. Brissett went to Bell for 13 and Peoples-Jones for 19. Chubb ran for a 33 yard touchdown to get the Browns within 30-17 with 13 minutes left in regulation. Midway through the fourth quarter, Sanders tacked on a 33 yard field goal to make it 33-17 Dolphins. The Browns had to go for it on 4th and 7 at their own 28. Brissett was sacked. One play and 6 seconds later, Wilson had another touchdown. Despite a 2nd missed extra point, the Dolphins won easily to get to 7-3 on the year. 39-17 Dolphins
Houston Texans at New York Giants — Nobody plays down to the level of their competition like the Giants. On their first drive they faced 3rd and 2 from their own 40. Daniel Jones hit Robinson for 9 and Saquon Barkley for 8. On 3rd and 1 from the Houston 42, Barkley gained 2. Jones went to Darrius Slayton for 36. Jones went to Cager for a 9 yard touchdown to finish the 10 play, 68 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Giants. Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 38 yard second quarter field goal as the Texans only trailed 7-3 at the intermission. After a third quarter touchback, Barkley ran for 8 and 12. On 3rd and 9 from their own 46, Jones connected with Darrius Slayton for a 54 yard touchdown and a 14-3 Giants lead. After a touchback and a pair of 5 yard runs, Davis Mills hit Akins for 9, Moore for 23, and Akins for 17. Roughing the passer added 8 more. Mills went to Collins for a 12 yard touchdown to have the Texans right back in it down 14-10 midway through the third quarter.
The Giants soon faced 3rd and 7 from their own 29. Jones hit Robinson for 11. Barkley ran for 2 and 13. On 3rd and 7 from the Houston 42, Jones went to Hodgins for 26. Matt Breida ran for 9 Barkley ran for a 2 yard touchdown. The 12 play, 74 yard, 6 minute drive put the Giants up 21-10 after three quarters. The fourth quarter belonged to the field goal kickers. Fairbairn hit from 34 to get the Texans within 21-13 with 2:22 left in regulation. The onside kick failed. The Texans took their timeouts on defense. Graham Gano hit a 49 yard field goal with 1:55 left to make it 24-13 Giants. After a touchback, Mills hit Moore for 25, Rex Burkhead for 15, and Philip Dorsett for 18 to give the Texans 1st and 10 at the Giants 17. Yet they needed 2 scores and only 44 seconds remained. Mills was then sacked. By the time Fairbairn hit the 46 yard field goal, only 7 seconds remained. The onside kick again failed. The Giants may win ugly, but they are 7-2 on the year. 24-16 Giants
New Orleans Saints at Pittsburgh Steelers — A pair of bad teams met, although the Saints have a decent defense. A field position game had the Steelers taking over at their own 43. Najee Harris ran for 5 and 7. On 4th and 2 from the Saints 37, Mike Tomlin decided to go for it rather than try a 55 yard field goal. Kenny Pickett hit Warren for 7. Defensive pass interference added 11. On 3rd and goal at the one, George Pickens got in. The 12 play, 57 yard, 6 minute drive made it 7-0 Steelers. The Steelers got it back at their own 20 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Saints 20. A run lost a yard followed by an incompletion meant 3rd and 11. A completion only gained 6. Matt Wright hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Steelers in the second quarter.
The Saints moved from their own 34 to a 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 26. The drive died there but Wil Lutz hit a 44 yard field goal to get the Saints on the board. The Saints got it back at their own 29 with 1:53 left in the half. Red Rifle Andy Dalton went to Jarvis Landry for 17. On 3rd and 4 from the Pittsburgh 48, Dalton went to Johnson for 10 and 8. Unnecessary roughness added 15. Dalton went to Johnson for a 15 yard touchdown with 19 seconds left in the half for a 10-10 game. In the third quarter Wright missed a 39 yard field goal that would have given the Steelers the lead. The Steelers got it back at their own 2 yard line and moved 83 yards in 11 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. The fourth quarter began with the Steelers facing 3rd and 2 at the Saints 12. Pickett was sacked. Wright hit from 33 to put the Steelers up 13-10 one minute into the fourth quarter. The Saints soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 30. Dalton was intercepted to set the Steelers up at the New Orleans 44. Pickett went to Warren for 26. On 3rd and 6 from the Saints 12, Pickett went to Warren for 7. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Pickett threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. Pickett got in to lock up the win with 8 1/2 minutes left. 20-10 Steelers
Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans — Both teams have a great defense. The Titans play stone age football with Derrick Henry while the Broncos have no offense at all. Ryan Tannehill returned from injury. After a scoreless first quarter, the Broncos took over in the second quarter at their own 20. On 3rd and 6 from their 34, Russell Wilson went deep to Virgil for a 66 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Broncos lead. The Broncos got it back at their own 38 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Tennessee 22. A run gained only one yard and Wilson threw incomplete twice. Brandon McManus hit a 39 yard field goal to put the Broncos up 10-0 with 2:23 left in the half. The Broncos defense was dominating, but the 2 minute drill proved decisive.
At the 2 minute warning the Titans faced 3rd and 3 at their own 32. Tannehill went to Robert Woods for 6. Tannehill then went to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Tannehill went to Austin Hooper for 5, to Westbrook-Ikhine for 6, to Burks for 6, and to Woods for 4. Tannehill ran for 11. With 16 seconds left in the half, the Titans faced 3rd and goal at the 9. Tannehill went to Westbrook-Ikhine for the touchdown as the Titans trailed 10-7 at the half. Midway through the third quarter the Titans took over at their own 20. Tannehill went to Burks for 15. Mike Vrabel then went to the bag of tricks. A perfectly executed flea flicker saw Tannehill go deep to a wide open Westbrook-Ikhine for a 63 yard touchdown and a 14-10 Titans lead. Midway through the fourth quarter the Titans had moved from their own 42 to a 3rd and 2 at the Denver 34. Malik Willis came in for one play. Willis lost 4 yards and fumbled the ball away. The Titans got it back at their own 20 and moved 63 yards in 10 plays. On 3rd and 7 from the Denver 17, Tannehill threw incomplete. Randy Bullock hit a 35 yard field goal to put the Titans up by 7 with 3 minutes left. The Broncos after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Tennessee 21 with 41 seconds left in the game. An incompletion and a sack of Wilson meant 4th and 13. Then the defense jumped offside to set up a critical 4th and 8 with 20 seconds left. Wilson went deep and was intercepted at the goal line. The Titans bounced back from a brutal overtime loss last week to win for the 6th time in their last 7 games. 17-10 Titans
Indianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders — The Raiders were a 2-6 mess, but they were at home and facing the one team they should have been able to beat. After last week’s loss, the lifeless Colts fired Frank Reich. In an absolute shocker, owner Jim Irsay plucked former Colts center Jeff Saturday out of the ESPN booth and named him interim coach. Saturday has never coached an NFL or college game. Saturday named Parks Frazier the play-caller, despite the 30 year old Frazier having never called plays before. Saturday also made one other key decision. Reich’s last decision before he was fired was to bench Matt Ryan for the remainder of the season and elevate 2nd year Sam Ehlinger. Saturday named Matty Ice the starter. The Raiders were without the injured Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller, but the Raiders were playing against an organization that still had no idea who did what or why.
The Raiders immediately went 3 and out, as did the Colts. The Raiders under a hail of offensive penalties punted on 4th and 29. AJ Cole delivered a 67 yard punt, but the Colts took over at their own 30. Ryan hit Pittman for 9. On 3rd and 2 from midfield, Ryan hit Pittman for 6. Ryan went to Granson for 32. On 3rd and 4 from the Raiders 5, a swing pass from Ryan to Jonathan Taylor followed by several terrible attempts at tackling turned a loss into a 4 yard gain. Ryan got the last yard himself for a 7-0 Colts lead. The Colts got it back at their own 20 and moved 50 yards in 10 plays and nearly 5 minutes. On 2nd and 3 from the Raiders 30, Taylor got stopped for no gain. On 3rd and 3, Ryan threw incomplete. Chase McLaughlin hit from 48 to make it 10-0 Colts in the second quarter.
The Raiders after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Indianapolis 44. Josh Jacobs got stopped. Josh McDaniels gambled on 4th and 2. He properly called for Jacobs to get the ball, but went with a pitchout rather than bulldoze straight ahead. Jacobs got stopped for a 3 yard loss as the hapless Raiders were doing nothing right. The Colts had all the momentum from their own 47. From the Raiders 42, Ryan went to Coutee for a 20 yard gain. Yet Coutee had the ball chopped out of his hands and Brown recovered for the Raiders at their own 21.
Carr hit Jacobs for 9 and Foster Moreau for 21. On 4th and 1 from the Indianapolis 37, Josh McDaniels again went for it. This time Jacobs banged ahead for a tough 2 yards. Jacobs then ran for 22. On 3rd and 1 from the Indy 4, Carr went to Moreau for the touchdown. With one minute left in the half, the Raiders were within 10-7. Yet that was more than enough time for the Raiders defense to melt down. After a touchback, Ryan hit Granson for gains of 6, 6 and 13. With 8 seconds left, on 3rd and 4 from the Raiders 39, Taylor gained 9. That turned a 57 yard field goal try into a 48 yard try. McLaughlin delivered and the Colts led 13-7. After a third quarter touchback the Colts had a golden opportunity to double up and put the game away. An 11 play, 45 yard, 6 minute drive had the Colts facing 3rd and 1 from the Raiders 16. This time Ryan was sacked for a 14 yard loss. McLaughlin’s 48 yard field goal try doinked off the upright no good.
The Raiders took over at their own 38. Jacobs banged out a pair of 6 yard gains. Carr went to Adams for gains of 9 and 11. On 2nd and 12 from the Indianapolis 30, a completion gained only 3 yards but defensive illegal use of hands meant an automatic first down. On 2nd and 20 from the indy 35 after an offensive penalty, Carr went to Moreau for 18. On 3rd and 2 from the Indy 17, Carr went to Amir Abdullah for 14. Jacobs then banged ahead for 2 and then for the one yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Raiders led 14-13. Yet 2 plays later, the Colts had the lead again. On 2nd and 6 from their own 34, Taylor broke through a ginormous hole and easily raced for a 66 yard touchdown run. The 2 point try failed but the Colts were back in front 19-14 after three quarters. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Raiders faced 3rd and 10 from the Indy 48. Carr found Adams over the middle, and he outraced everyone for a 48 yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the quick strike had the Raiders up 20-19.
The Raiders even got a stop on defense and got the ball back at their own 25 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation and all the momentum. This is where Josh McDaniels is at his worst. His stubborn refusal to run the ball when it matters is his undoing. Jacobs gained only 2 yards on 1st and 10, but McDaniels should have handed Jacobs the ball again. Instead, McDaniels did what he has done far too often in this miserable season. He abandoned the run. After a Carr incompletion set up 3rd and 8, Carr was sacked. AJ Cole belted out another great punt of 62 yards, but now the Colts needed only a field goal to take the lead. They had over 8 minutes to work with from their own 18.
On 3rd and 3 from their own 25, the 37 year old Ryan had to pass the ball. He is not a running quarterback. He is a pure pocket passer who runs like a geriatric. His longest career run was 20 yards back in 2009. Yet somehow this AARP candidate Ryan broke through the pathetic Raiders defense for a 39 yard gain. The next play was even more awful for the Raiders defense. Ryan went to Pittman, who then got blasted and fumbled. The Raiders could have just fallen on the ball. Instead they ineptly tried to pick it up, allowing the Colts to maintain possession and turn a disaster into a one yard gain. On the next play, Ryan went to Parris Campbell for a 35 yard touchdown. The 2 point try again failed, but the Colts led by 5 with 5 minutes left.
That was still plenty of time for Carr, who has over 30 fourth quarter and overtime comebacks. After a touchback, Carr went to Mack Hollins for 12. An offensive penalty meant 1st and 20, but Carr calmly went to Hollins for 6, Adams for 6, and on 3rd and 8, to Adams again for 12. With 1:56 left on 3rd and 4 from the Indy 43, Carr went to Abdullah for 8. Carr then found Adams for 16. With 1:38 left, the Raiders had 1st and 10 at the Indy 19. They had the Colts defense reeling. With time not a factor, it would have been a perfect time for more running. Instead, Josh McDaniels kept passing and Carr threw incomplete. On 3rd and 7, Carr went to the end zone and Moreau dropped it. The defender was in good position to knock the ball away, but only after Moreau juggled it. It was well thrown and should have been the winning touchdown. On 4th and 7, Carr went to the end zone again for Adams. The ball fell incomplete as obvious defensive pass interference was ignored. 16 yards away from victory, the Raiders lost again and fell to 2-7 on the season. McDaniels lost to a coach who had never coached, a play-caller who had never called plays, and an immobile quarterback who had the longest run of his career by double his previous best run. A visibly emotional Carr after the game was not willing to call out McDaniels, but Carr led the Raiders to the playoffs last year. From 10-7 to 2-7, the only difference is the coach. McDaniels will still have a job on Monday, which should not be. 25-20 Colts
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers — These teams have played epic games over the years, but this game featured a good Cowboys team and a bad Packers team that had lost 5 straight. In a very classy move, the Packers as an organization welcomed back their former coaches on the jumbotron. Mike McCarthy sought revenge against Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback who got him fired. Matt LaFleur was McCarthy’s replacement. Mason Crosby missed a 54 yard field goal try for the Packers in a scoreless first quarter. The Cowboys late in the first quarter faced 2nd and 13 from their own 14. Tony Pollard gained 14. On 3rd and 1 from their own 37, Dak Prescott gained 2. Prescott went deep to CeeDee Lamb for 21. The Cowboys began the second quarter facing 4th and 1 at the Green Bay 31. Mike McCarthy went for it. Prescott kept it and got the yard. On 3rd and 1 from the Green Bay 21, Prescott gained 2. Prescott went to Lamb for a 3 yard touchdown to cap the staggering 17 play, 83 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Cowboys.
The Packers soon faced 3rd and 3 from their own 17. Rodgers was sacked and fumbled. Kearse recovered for the Cowboys at the Green Bay 10. Yet on 3rd and goal from the 11, Prescott was intercepted by Ford, who returned the pick 34 yards to the Green Bay 33. On 3rd and 1, Rodgers went to Christian Watson for a 58 yard touchdown. The Cowboys after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at their own 42. After a pair of incompletions, Prescott on 3rd and 10 was again intercepted by Ford. This time Ford returned the interception 34 yards to the Dallas 24. Aaron Jones ran for a 12 yard touchdown to put the Packers up 14-7 with 1:42 left in the half.
The Cowboys took over at their own 34. Prescott went to Lamb for 7 and 9 and Dalton Schultz for 13. On 3rd and 1 from the Green Bay 28, Prescott went to Michael Gallup for 23. With 8 seconds left in the half, Prescott went to Schultz for a 5 yard touchdown and a 14-14 game. In the third quarter, the Packers fumbled a punt and the Cowboys took over at the Green Bay 45. Prescott went to Lamb for 30. Pollard ran for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 21-14 Cowboys.The Cowboys got it back at their own 14. Davis ran for 5 and 17. On 3rd and 9 from his own 37, Prescott went to Lamb for 14. Davis gained 14. Prescott went to Lamb for a 35 yard touchdown. The Cowboys led 28-14 after three quarters. In the entire 62 year history of their franchise, the Cowboys had never lost a game where they led by 14 points in the fourth quarter.
The Packers soon faced 3rd and 3 from their own 31. Rodgers gained 7. Rodgers hit Sammy Watkins for 15. Only 90 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Packers faced 4th and 7 at the Dallas 39. Needing to go for it, Rodgers went deep to Christian Watson for the touchdown. The Cowboys could have turned out the lights, but instead the Packers were very much alive down 28-21. The Packers got it back at their own 11 with 9 minutes left. On 3rd and 2, Rodgers went to Watson for 3. Rodgers hit Allen Lazard for 9. AJ Dillon ran for 17. Jones ran for 23, fumbled the ball, and yet the Packers retained possession and gained another 7 yards. Rodgers hit Watkins for 9. Rodgers went to Watson again for the touchdown. When the Packers needed a prayer, they found a Christian. Watson’s 2 touchdowns tied the game up 28-28 with 2 1/2 minutes left.
The Packers got it back at their own 33 with 1:38 left. Jones gained 2 and 7 but Rodgers threw incomplete on 3rd and 1. With 22 seconds left on 4th and 1, an angry Rodgers screamed at Matt LaFleur on the sideline when LaFleur opted to punt. After a touchback to start overtime, the Cowboys marched down the field. On 3rd and 3 from the Green Bay 35, Prescott threw incomplete. Mike McCarthy decided to go for it rather than have Crosby try a 53 yard field goal. Prescott threw incomplete. Now the Packers had their shot with 6:15 left in overtime. On 3rd and 1, Rodgers fired over the middle to Lazard, who outraced the defense for a 36 yard gain. Jones gained 5 with a defensive facemask adding 8 more. At this point LaFleur was taking no chances. On 1st and goal at the 7, Rodgers took a knee just to center the ball. On 2nd and goal from the 10, Crosby came in. From 28 yard out, Crosby was dead center. McCarthy and Rodgers hugged before and after the game. A very classy LaFleur conveyed his enormous respect for McCarthy to him. 31-28 Packers
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams — These teams both won on the opposing team’s field during the regular season but the Rams won the rubber match at home in the playoffs. Meanwhile, both teams have fallen off a cliff this year. Kyler Murray and Matthew Stafford were both out injured as Colt McCoy got the start for the Cardinals and John Wolford led the Rams. The Rams began after an opening touchback on a 14 play, 57 yard drive that took nearly 9 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and 9 from the Arizona 24, Darrell Henderson gained only 6. Matt Gay hit a 36 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Rams. The Cardinals offered a mirror image after a touchback. They also moved 57 yards in 14 plays, taking 6 minutes. On 3rd and 4 from the Rams 19, James Conner gained only one yard. Vizcaino hit from 36 for a 3-3 game after the first quarter.
A field position game had the Cardinals taking over at their own 34. McCoy went to Deandre Hopkins for 14, 8 and 4. On 3rd and 2 from the Rams 18, McCoy gained 3. On 3rd and 6 from the Rams 11, McCoy hit Conner for 5. Kliff Kingsbury put faith in his backup quarterback and went for it. On 4th and 1 from the Rams 6, McCoy gained 2. Conner ran for a 4 yard touchdown to put the Cardinals up 10-3 with 1:56 left in the half. After a touchback, the Rams soon faced 1st and 10 at their own 44. Wolford was sacked and fumbled. JJ Watt recovered for the Cardinals at the Rams 30. McCoy went to Moore for 13 and 6. McCoy threw a 6 yard touchdown pass to AJ Green with 24 seconds left in the half for a 17-3 Cardinals lead.
A field position game had the Rams taking over at their own 41 midway through the third quarter. Wolford went to Tyler Higbee for 25, to Robinson for 13, and back to Higbee for 11 more. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Henderson got in to get the Rams within 17-10. Field position reversed in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals took over at their own 40. On 3rd and 1, Conner gained 3. On 4th and 3 from the Rams 41 midway through the fourth quarter, Kliff Kingsbury decided to go for it. McCoy went deep to Moore for 26, Conner ran for 6 and then for the 9 yard touchdown to make it 24-10 Cardinals. With 5 1/2 minutes left, Buddha Baker put the dagger in by returning an interception of Wolford 53 yards to the Rams 25. Vizcaino hit from 46 to make it 27-10 Cardinals with 3:45 left. The Rams got a garbage touchdown with 7 seconds left, but both teams have 6 losses on the year as the defending champs are 3-6 and on the ropes. 27-17 Cardinals
Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49ers was the Sunday night game. A pair of underachieving teams with legitimate playoff aspirations met. The Chargers began facing 3rd and 4 from their own 31. Justin Herbert hit Austin Ekeler for 14. On 3rd and 4 just past midfield, Herbert went to Everett for 17. Herbert then went deep to Carter for a 32 yard touchdown. The Chargers quickly led 7-0, but spent the next 56 1/2 minutes not reaching the end zone. The 49ers took over at their own 31 and moved 67 yards in 14 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Christian McCaffrey got stopped for no gain. The home crowd did not like the decision, but Kyle Shanahan opted not to gamble. Robbie Gould hit from 20 to get the 49ers within 7-3. A 49ers fumble gave the Chargers a short field at the San Francisco 32. Dicker hit a 47 yard field goal to open the second quarter and put the Chargers up 10-3. The 49ers then punted, and the Chargers partially blocked the punt to take over with a short field at the San Francisco 46. Despite 1st and goal at the 2, an incompletion followed by a false start killed the drive. Dicker hit again from 25. The Chargers led 13-3, but their reliance on field goals would come back to bite them.
The 49ers soon faced 3rd and 12 from their own 23. Jimmy Garoppolo went to George Kittle for 21 and to McCloud for 33. Garoppolo hit McCaffrey for gains of 6 and 12. On 3rd and goal at the one at the 2 minute warning, Garoppolo got in to get the 49ers within 13-10. After a touchback, the Chargers quickly moved 64 yard in 11 plays. On 3rd and 6 from the San Francisco 40, Herbert gained only 5. Yet a defensive personal foul added 15 more. Defender Greenlaw was also ejected from the game on the play. Yet Herbert was injured on the play and would miss the last 30 seconds of the half. Chase Daniel came in with the Chargers facing 1st and 10 at the Frisco 20. He threw incomplete twice and then was sacked. Dicker hit his third field goal of the second quarter from 40 as the Chargers took a 16-10 lead to the locker rooms. The second half belonged to the San Francisco defense.
After a third quarter touchback, the 49ers moved 67 yards in 12 plays and 6 minutes. Yet on 1st and goal at the 7, a run went nowhere, a short pass lost a yard, and Garoppolo then threw incomplete. Gould hit from 26 to get the 49ers within 16-13. The 49ers began the fourth quarter at their own 23. On 3rd and 5, Garoppolo hit Jennings for 11. On 3rd and 8 from the San Francisco 41, Garoppolo hit Jennings for 10. Mitchell ran for 9, 4, 7 and 3. On 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 26, Garoppolo went to Brandon Aiyuk for 24. McCaffrey ran for the 2 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good, but the 49ers led 19-16 midway through the fourth quarter. An exchange of punts pinned the Chargers at their own one yard line with 2:02 left. Forced to go for it on 4th and 3 from their own 8, Herbert threw incomplete. Only 1:17 remained, but the Chargers defense made a major stand.On 3rd and goal at the one, Mitchell lost a yard as the Chargers took their final timeout on defense. After pretending to go for it, Kyle Shanahan gave in to reality. Gould hit from 20. With one minute left the 49ers led by 6, but the missed extra point was looming large. The Chargers still had a chance to win. Yet one play after taking over at their own 23, the chance evaporated. Herbert went deep and was intercepted. 22-16 49ers
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles was the Monday night game. The up and down Commanders took on the undefeated Eagles. The Commanders fumbled 2 minutes into the game to give the Eagles gift field position at the Washington 18. Jalen Hurts ran for 12 and then for a one yard touchdown to quickly make it 7-0 Eagles. Robinson gained 3 and 6 as the Commanders soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Robinson then gained 4 more. On 3rd and 4 from their own 44, Antonio Gibson gained just enough. On 3rd and 2 from the Philadelphia 44, Taylor Heinecke went to Terry McLaurin for 26 yards. Heinecke hit Dotson for 14. Gibson gained 4 and then ran for the one yard touchdown to cap the 13 play, 75 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-7. The Eagles took over at their own 22. Hurts hit AJ Brown for 7, Stoll for 11, and Zach Pascal for 10. On 3rd and 10 from the Washington 44, Hurts went to Smith for 11. On 2nd and 13 from the Washington 36, defensive pass interference on an incompletion meant a 30 yard gain. Hurts hit Dallas Goedert for a 6 yard touchdown and a 14-7 Eagles lead.
After a touchback, the Commanders moved in the second quarter to a 3rd and 1 at the Washington 21. Robinson got stopped. Riverboat Ron Rivera was prepared to go for it, but it was gamesmanship. The defense failed to jump. After a delay of game penalty, Joey Slye hit a 44 yard field goal to cap the 12 play, 49 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and get the Commanders within 14-10. Four plays later, an interception of Hurts set up the Commanders at their own 14. On 3rd and 1, Robinson gained 2. On 3rd and 6 from their own 29, Heinecke hit Samuel for 23. On 3rd and 5 from the Philadelphia 43, Heinecke went to Terry McLaurin for 18. On 3rd and 10 from the Philly 25, Heinecke hit McLaurin for 9. This time Riverboat Ron did gamble on 4th and 1 and Robinson gained 11, 2, and the one yard touchdown. The staggering 16 play, 86 yard, 7 minute drive had the Commanders with the surprising 17-14 lead with 1:39 left in the half. The Commanders got it back at their own 30 with one minute left and moved to the Philly 40 with 2 seconds left. Slye drilled a 58 yard field goal to make it 20-14 Commanders. In the third quarter the Commanders moved 66 yards in 14 plays and 8 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and goal at the 3 after an incompletion, Heinecke was sacked. Yet Slye hit from 32 as 16 unanswered points had the Commanders up 23-14 after three quarters.
The Eagles took over at their own 20. Sanders ran for 6, 4 and 4. On 3rd and 6 from their own 34, Hurts went to Watkins for 16 and Goedert for 15. On 3rd and 1 from the Washington 26, Sanders gained 2, 6 and 7 as the third quarter ended. On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Eagles facing 1st and 10 at the Washington 11 saw Hurts hit Smith for the touchdown. The Eagles were within 23-21. The Commanders moved after a touchback to a 3rd and 3 at the Philadelphia 43. Heinecke then went deep and was intercepted. The Eagles moved from their own 7 to their own 31. A field goal would give them the lead and preserve their unbeaten season. Hurts hit Goedert, and he fumbled the ball away. The Commanders took over at the Philadelphia 34. They moved backward but Slye nailed a 55 yard field goal to make it 26-21 Commanders midway through the fourth quarter. With 6 minutes left came the play of the game. The Eagles were facing 1st and 20 from their own 27 after offensive holding. Hurts went deep to Watkins for a 50 yard gain. Yet Watkins then fumbled and the Commanders recovered. The Eagles got it back with 3:20 left at their own 20. A sack of Hurts meant 4th and 18 from their own 12. Kevin Sirianni opted to punt with 1:54 left. The key play of the game came with 1:45 left and the Commanders facing 3rd and 7 from midfield. Heinecke was sacked. The Eagles would get one more chance. Except they would not. Defensive unnecessary roughness on the sack meant a new set of downs for the Commanders and enraged the home crowd. By the times the Eagles got the ball back at their own 10, only 5 seconds remained.The hook and laterals were fumbled and recovered by the Commanders in the Philadelphia end zone. There would be no unbeaten team this year. The 1972 Dolphins popped the champagne corks. 32-21 Commanders