NFL 2023 Week 4 Recap
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers is the Thursday night game. “We’re not going to the playoffs, well there’s not going to the playoffs either!” With that pregame boast, Dan Campbell kicked off the last game of the 2022 NFL regular season. Despite having lost 28 of the last 30 times in Green Bay, the Lions backed up Campbell’s bravado. They hit the Packers in the mouth and sent Aaron Rodgers packing. The Packers came into this game thirsting for revenge against a Detroit team that has its highest expectations in 30 years. On the third play from scrimmage, Jared Goff was intercepted by Ford, who returned it 21 yards to the Detroit 16. Yet the Detroit defense held Green Bay to a 34 yard Carlson field goal and a 3-0 Packers lead.
The Lions soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 34. Montgomery gained 2. On 3rd and 5 from their own 41, Goff hit Laporta for 35 yards and St, Brown for a 24 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Lions. The Packers punted on 4th and 21 from their own 9 and the Lions took over with excellent field position. On 3rd and 3 from the Green Bay 48, Goff went to Reynolds for 23. Goff ran for 11 and Montgomery ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Lions. The Lions got it back at their own 25 and moved to a 3rd and goal at the 4. Offensive holding killed the drive but Riley Patterson hit from 33 to make it 17-3 Lions early in the second quarter. On the first play from scrimmage from his own 10, Jordan Love was intercepted by Nixon, who returned it 20 yards to the Green Bay 7. Montgomery ran for 5 and then for the 2 yard touchdown ti make it 24-3 Lions. Patterson tacked on a 37 yard field goal to end the half with the Lions up 27-3 in front of a shellshocked home crowd.
The Packers tried to make a game of it in the second half. They took over at their own 14 to start the third quarter and moved 86 yards in 12 plays and 7 minutes. On 3rd and 1 from their own 23, Love hit Romeni Doubs for 5 and watson for 24. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15 more. On 4th and 9 from the Detroit 17, the Packers were down to their last gasp. Love hit Doubs for 15. Love hit Watson for a one yard touchdown and Reed for a 2 point conversion. After three quarters the Packers were still down 27-11. The Packers got it back at their own 34. Love went to Doubs for 10 and deep to Reed for 44. The fourth quarter began with the Packers at the Detroit 9 yard line. Love ran it in himself. Love tried to get around the end for the 2 point conversion, but this time he was stopped. The Packers were within 27-17.
Rather than grind down clock, Dan Campbell stayed aggressive. Goff hit Montgomery for gains of 8 and 12. On 3rd and 2 from the Green Bay 45, Gibbs gained 6. Goff then went deep to Reynolds for 20. Midway through the fourth quarter the lions faced 4th and 3 at the Detroit 12. Dan Campbell played it safe and opted for the field goal. Yet a defensive penalty for leverage proved fatal, giving the Lions a new set of downs as Campbell took the field goal off the board. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Montgomery gained 6. With 6 minutes remaining, Campbell went for the jugular. On 4th and goal at the one, Montgomery got in for a 34-17 Lions lead. Love rapidly moved the Packers from their 17 to the Detroit 19, but was then intercepted. Carlson managed a 50 yard field goal to get the Packers within 14 with 3 minutes left. The onside kick failed. With 1:11 left, Campbell gambled again on 4th and 3 from the Green Bay 24. Goff hit St. Brown for 5 and then took a knee. For the second time in 9 months, the Lions went into Green Bay and hit the Packers in the mouth. Dan Campbell is for real and the Lions are good. 34-20 Lions
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars was the Sunday early morning game from London. The Jaguars got thumped at home by Houston, but this game in their other home of London saw them rebound. In the first quarter the Jaguars took over at their own 28. Trevor Lawrence scrambled for 22. On 4th and 1 from the Atlanta 38 after an incompletion Doug Pederson went for it. Lawrence hit Christian Kirk for 10. Lawrence went deep to Calvin Riley for a 30 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Jaguars. Brandon McManus tacked on a 55 yard field goal try to open the second quarter and make it 10-0 Jaguars. With 4 1/2 minutes left in the half, Desmond Ridder was intercepted by Williams, who raced 61 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 17-0 Jaguars. The Falcons began the third quarter with a 75 yard drive. Ridder hit London for a 15 yard touchdown to get the Falcons on the board. They would get nothing else. McManus hit fourth quarter field goals of 43 and 38 to lock up the win. 23-7 Jaguars
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills — Last week the Dolphins put 70…yes,70…points on the board against Denver. Buffalo is not Denver. After an opening touchback, the Bills soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 45. Latavius Murray gained 3. Josh Allen went to Stefan Diggs for 17 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 more. Allen then went to Gabriel Davis for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bills. The Dolphins took over at their own 23. Tua Tagovailoa went to Smythe for gains of 8 and 22, to Jalen Waddle for 11, and to Tyreek Hill for 19. Achane ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
The Bills soon faced 3rd and 2 from their own 28. Allen hit Sherfield for 9, Dawson Knox for 12, and Kincaid for 9. Murray ran for 29. On 3rd and 2 from the Miami 5, James Cook ran for 4 and then for the one yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Bills. The Dolphins got it back at their own 30. Tagovailoa hit Hill for 20. The second quarter began with Tagovailoa hitting Raheem Mostert for 22. On 3rd and 8 from the Buffalo 25, Tagovailoa hit Braxton Berrios for 15. Achane ran for a 10 yard touchdown. Both teams had the ball twice and both teams had 2 touchdowns. The game was tied 14-14. Yet soon the track meet would turn into a blowout.
From their own 21, Allen hit Diggs for 16. Defensive pass interference on a deep incompletion added 43. Allen hit Sherfield for 9. Allen hit Diggs for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 21-14 Bills. With 4 minutes left in the half the Bills took over at their own 41. Allen connected with Diggs for a 55 yard touchdown to make it 28-14 Bills. The Dolphins soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Mostert got tackled for a 2 yard loss and fumbled. The Bills recovered at the Miami 31. Tyler Bass hit a 53 yard field goal. 17 unanswered points made it 31-14 Bills at the break.
The Dolphins began the third quarter facing 3rd and 3 at their own 32. Tagovailoa ran for just enough. Achange gained 15 and hill added 14. Tagovailoa hit Waddle for 17. On 3rd and 6 from the Buffalo 11, Tagovailoa hit Berrios for the touchdown. A questionable 2 point conversion attempt by Mike McDaniel failed as the Dolphins trailed 31-20. They would get no closer. The Bills after a touchback moved to the Miami 15 The drive died there, but Bass hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 34-20 Bills. Tagovailoa was quickly intercepted by Micah Hyde, who returned the pick 23 yards to the Miami 25. Allen hit Davis for 9, Harty for 7, and Diggs for 13 to make it 41-20 Bills. The Dolphins went for it on 4th and 1 at the Buffalo 47 late in the third quarter. Tagovailoa was sacked. Allen went deep to Davis for 34. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Allen ran for an 11 yard touchdown to complete the blowout. 48-20 Bills
Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears — Sometimes a pair of bad teams can come together and play a great game. This actually was that game. The Broncos took over at their own 16. Russell Wilson hit Williams for 4, Manhertz for 10 and Jerry Jeudy for 18. On 2nd and 11 from their own 47, Wilson hit Adkins for 6 with a defensive penalty for lowering the head to initiate contact adding 15 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 23, Wilson gained 2. On 3rd and 7 from the Chicago 18, Wilson went to McLaughlin for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Broncos. In the second quarter, the Bears exploded.
After a touchback, Justin Fields hit Mooney for 16. On 4th and 1 from the Denver 47, Matt Eberflus gambled. Cole Kmet took the direct snap and got the yard. Fields went to Mooney for 14. On the first play of the second quarter, Fields went deep to Moore for the touchdown to make it 7-7. A 38 yard punt gave the Bears the ball back with a short field at the Denver 44. Fields went to Moore for 24 and to Kmet for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Bears. The Bears got it back at their own 15. Kenneth Herbert ran for 24. Fields went to St. Brown for 21 and to Kmet for 22. Defensive pass interference added 10. Fields hit Kmet for a 3 yard touchdown. 3 straight touchdown drives made it 21-7 Bears. In the third quarter the Bears went on a mind-numbing drive that went 66 yards in 15 plays and took 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Fields went to Herbert for the touchdown. 28 unanswered points had the Bears rolling 28-7 with only 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
After a touchback in desperation mode, the Broncos benefitted from a roughing the passer call. Mclaughlin then ran for 31. Wilson hit Perine for 11. On 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 6, Wilson gained 2. Wilson hit Johnson for a 4 yard touchdown to get the Broncos within 28-14 after three quarters. The Broncos got it right back early in the fourth quarter at their own 34. McLaughlin ran for 12. On 3rd and 5 just past midfield, Wilson went to Jeudy for 25. On 3rd and 11 from the Chicago 25, Wilson hit Humphrey for the exact 11. On 3rd and 9 from the Chicago 13, Wilson hit Cortland Sutton for the touchdown. The Bears had plenty of chances to ice the game. Instead the Broncos were within 28-21 with 9 1/2 minutes left. After a touchback, the Bears moved to a 1st and 10 at the Denver 48 midway through the fourth quarter. One more first down meant long field goal range and a chance to lock up the win. Instead, Fields was sacked and fumbled. Cooper picked it up and raced 35 yards for a defensive touchdown to tie the game 28-28 in front of a disbelieving home crowd.
The Bears after a touchback had a good sustained drive. With 2:52 to play, they faced 4th and 1 at the Denver 18. At home, the intelligent move was to kick the field goal and take the lead. Matt Eberflus did not make an intelligent decision. He gambled and lost as Herbert got stuffed for no gain. One play later, Wilson went deep to Mims for a 48 yard gain. With 1:46 left, Wil Lutz came in for a 51 yard field goal try to give the Broncos the lead instead. McManus was good. The Bears after a touchback still had time. They moved to a 1st and 10 at midfield with 44 seconds left. Fields was called for intentional grounding. On 3rd and 13, Fields was intercepted. 24 unanswered points the other way was a fitting way for the Stupor Bowl to end. One week after getting blasted by 50 in giving up 70, the Broncos got their first win. The Bears are winless and Eberflus is uber-flustered. To quote the late Dennis Green, the Bears are who we thought they were. 31-28 Broncos
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns — The Ravens are consistently better than the Browns and usually defeat them without much difficulty. Deshaun Watson was out with a shoulder injury. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson started his first NFL game, and the Ravens defense welcomed him to the NFL. In the first quarter Thompson-Robinson was intercepted by Stephens, who returned the pick 52 yards to the Cleveland 10. One play later, Lamar Jackson ran for a touchdown to make it 7-0 Ravens. The Browns after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Baltimore 19. An end around somehow turned into a 20 yard loss. Dustin Hopkins hit a 53 yard field goal for the closest thing resembling a Cleveland highlight all day. In the second quarter the Ravens put the game away, The Ravens took over at their own 7. From their 17, Jackson connected with Mark Andrews for 36. Hill ran for 15 and 7. Melvin Gordon added 22. Jackson ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Ravens. With 2:11 left in the half, the Ravens faced 1st and 20 at their own 16. Edwards gained 16. On 3rd and 6 from his own 42, Jackson went to Gordon for 23. On 2nd and 29 from his own 46, Jackson went deep to Zee Flowers for 43. On 3rd and 6 from the Cleveland 7 with 11 seconds left in the half, Jackson hit Andrews for the touchdown to make it 21-3 Ravens. The Baltimore defense suffocated Cleveland the whole game. In the fourth quarter another interception of Thompson-Robinson was returned by Stone 36 yards to the Cleveland 38. On 3rd and 5, Jackson hit Andrews for an 18 yard touchdown to complete the blowout. 28-3 Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans — The Texans won a surprising road game at Jacksonville, but now faced a Pittsburgh team that had found its footing. The Texans went to right to work from their own 31. Damion Pierce ran for 13. CJ Stroud ran for 11. Stroud hit Pierce for 27. On 3rd and 3 from the Pittsburgh 5, Stroud ran for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Texans. Kaimi Fairbairn did the rest, hitting from 36 in the first quarter and from 38 and 39 in the second quarter as the Texans took a 16-0 lead to the locker rooms. The Steelers drove to the red zone twice in the third quarter but had to settle for Chris Boswell field goals of 35 and 23 to trail 16-6. The Steelers moved from their own 24 to a 4th and 1 at the Houston 33 late in the third quarter. Mike Tomlin passed up a third field goal try and went for it. Kenny Pickett was sacked. The Texans salted the game away in the fourth quarter. On 2nd and 11 from their own 41, Stroud went deep to Collins for 24. On 3rd and 11 from the Pittsburgh 36, Stroud hit Collins for 14. Singletary took a handoff and threw the halfback option pass to Schultz for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 23-6 Texans. The texans got it back at their own 14 and moved 68 yards in 11 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 7 from their own 48, Stroud went deep to Collins for a 52 yard touchdown. Demeco Ryans has his team playing solid defense with 2 big wins in consecutive weeks against playoff teams from last year. Stroud looks like the real deal. 30-6 Texans
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers — This was also a Stupor Bowl battle between winless teams. Sometimes a pair of bad teams can come together and produce a thrilling game. This was not that game. The Vikings after an opening touchback benefitted from a 45 yard defensive pass interference penalty. On 2nd and goal at the 2, a touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Justin Jefferson was nullified by offensive pass interference. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Cousins found Franklin near the goal line. Problem: Franklin plays defense for the Carolina Panthers. Franklin raced 99 yards the other way for an interception touchdown make it 7-0 Panthers. The Panthers got it back at their own 31 and moved 61 yards in 10 plays and 8 1/2 minutes. Despite 1st and goal at the 3, a pair of runs went nowhere and a false start was followed by an incompletion on the first play of the second quarter. Eddie Pineiro hit the 26 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Panthers.
The Vikings were doing nothing on offense, and Kevin O’Connell took a big gamble to jolt his team. The Vikings went for it on 4th and 2 from their own 44. Out of the shotgun, Cousins hit Jefferson for 5. Cousins went to TJ Hockenson for 8 and Jefferson for 22. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 4, Cousins hit Jefferson for the touchdown to get the Vikings within 10-7. The Vikings got it back at their own 30 and moved to a 1st and 10 from the Carolina 21 with 46 seconds left in the half. Cousins completed a pass to Grugier-Hill. Problem: Grugier-Hill plays defense for the Carolina Panthers. He returned the interception 31 yards to his own 44. Pineiro leveled a 56 yard field goal to end the half with the Panthers up 13-7.
In the third quarter the Panthers moved from their own 13 to a 1st and 10 at the Minnesota 21. Given how the Carolina defense was playing, a field goal would put the Vikings in a deep hole. Bryce Young was on the verge of getting his first NFL win. Young hit Lance Shenault for a 13 yard gain to the Minnesota 8 yard line, but an ineligible man downfield negated the play. A run lost 2 yards. Young was then sacked and fumbled. Wonnum picked up the fumble and raced 51 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 14-13 Vikings. The Vikings got the ball back at their own 44. Cam Akers ran for 7 and 10 and caught a pass from Cousins for 9. Cousins went deep to Jefferson for a 30 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Panthers moved from their own 26 to a 1st and goal at the 9 at the 2 minute warning. After an incompletion, Young was sacked. After another incompletion left one minute to play, Young was sacked again. 5 sacks of Young were the difference, as the Panthers remained winless. 21-13 Vikings
Los Angeles Rams at Indianapolis Colts — This game was the craziest occurrence between these teams since Robert Irsay and Carroll Rosenbloom swapped franchises. Even Eric Dickerson couldn’t process this change of pace. After an opening touchback, Matthew Stafford went to phenom Nacua for 26. On 3rd and 11 from midfield, Stafford gained 6 but defensive unnecessary roughness added 15 more. Stafford went to Van Jefferson for 13. On 3rd and 4 from the Indianapolis 10, Stafford went to Nacua for 7. Williams ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Rams. The Rams got the ball back at their own 6. Williams ran for 10 and 4. Stafford went to Nacua for 26, On 4th and 3 from the Indy 32, Sean McVay went for it. Stafford went to Jefferson for 16. Williams ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Rams. Brett Maher padded the lead with field goals of 40 and 54 in the second quarter and from 51 in the third quarter to make it 23-0 Rams midway through the third quarter. Both kickers missed in the final 2 minutes of the first half.
Then the game drastically changed. After a touchback, Moss ran for gains of 20, 7 and 13. Anthony Richardson went to Mo Aliens-Cox for a 35 yard touchdown. Shane Steichen went for the 2 point conversion and Richardson hit Moss successfully to get the Colts within 23-8. The game got ugly as Stafford was intercepted, the Colts turned it over on downs, and Maher missed a second field goal from 48 that would have all but iced the game for the Rams. The Colts soon faced 2nd and 20 from their own 28. Richardson went deep to Pierce for 38 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 more. Richardson went to Pittman for 15. On 3rd and goal at the one, Richardson got in to get the Colts within 23-15 with 12 minutes left in regulation. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Colts took over at their own 17. Moss ran for 7 and 4. Richardson went to Ogletree for big gains of 21 and 22. With 3 minutes left, the Colts faced 4th and 4 at the Rams 21. Richardson went to Granson for 17. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Richardson went to Ogletree for the touchdown. Richardson hit Pittman for the 2 point conversion. The Rams had the first 23 points. The Colts had the next 23 points. Overtime would settle this. After a touchback, Stafford went to Nacua for 20 and Williams for 13. Rivers had gains of 7 and 6. Midway through overtime on 3rd and 4 from the Indy 22, Stafford found Nacua for the touchdown. The Colts never saw the ball in overtime. 29-23 Rams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints — Derek Carr was supposed to be out for the year. Instead, one week after getting belted to the ground and hurting his shoulder, Carr was still in the lineup. Last week the Saints blew a 17-0 second half lead once he exited the game. After an opening touchback, the Saints moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Tampa Bay 19. A swing pass lost 7 yards. The Saints settled for a 37 yard Grupe field goal to lead 3-0. In the second quarter the Buccaneers took over. Baker Mayfield hit Chris Godwin for 9. Thompins gained 11. Mayfield hit Mike Evans for 18. On 3rd and 7 from the Saints 33, Mayfield ran for just enough. On 3rd and 7 from the Saints 23, Mayfield threw incomplete but defensive pass interference added 8 yards. On 3rd and 8 from the New Orleans 13, Mayfield hit White for 11. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Mayfield hit Cade Otton for the touchdown. The staggering 17 play, 87 yard, 9 minute drive had the Buccaneers up 7-3. The Buccaneers got the ball back and Mayfield threw a deep ball that was intercepted by the Saints at their own one yard line with 45 seconds left in the half. Yet one play later the Saints, just trying to get to the half, fumbled the ball right back. The Buccaneers had 1st and goal at the 6. Mayfield hit Palmer for a one yard touchdown with 19 seconds left to make it 14-3 Buccaneers.
The second half was a defensive slog. Grupe managed a 32 yard field goal in the final minute of the third quarter. Chase McLaughlin hit from 51 early in the fourth quarter. Grupe hit from 44 to get the Saints within 17-9 with 8 1/2 minutes to play. The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 30. Mayfield hit Thompkins for 8 and Godwin for 12. On 3rd and 7 from the New Orleans 47, Mayfield went to Godwin for 42. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Mayfield went to Thompkins for the touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Buccaneers led 23-9 with less than 4 minutes to play. After a touchback, 3 incompletions was followed by Carr being sacked. McLaughlin hit a 28 yard field goal with 2 1/2 minutes left for insurance. 26-9 Buccaneers
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles — The undefeated Eagles faced a stiff test from a division rival that was not supposed to be good. After an opening touchback, Sam Howell hit Terry McLaurin for 15 and 14 and Samuel for 15. On 4th and 1 from the Philadelphia 15, Robinson gained 2. On 3rd and 12 from the Philly 15, Howell only gained 6 but defensive holding added 5 more and an automatic first down. Samuel ran for a one yard touchdown to cap the 14 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive and make it 7-0 Commanders. After a touchback, Jalen Hurts went to Deandre Swift for 9 and AJ Brown for 10. On 3rd and 8 from their own 46, Hurts went to Brown for 11. Hurts went to Swift for 7 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15. On 3rd and 6 from the Washington 17, Hurts went to Dallas Goedert for 8. Swift ran for 4 and then for a 5 yard touchdown to finish the 12 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-7.
After a touchback, Gibson gained 10. The second quarter began with the Commanders facing 3rd and 4 at their own 41. Howell went to McLaurin for 24 and to Logan Thomas for 27. From the one, Robinson got stopped and fumbled. Luckily for Washington, McLaurin recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown the hard way and a 14-7 Commanders lead. The Commanders got it back at their own 26 and moved to a 1st and goal at the 10. A sack of Howell killed the drive. Joey Slye hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Commanders with 1:39 left in the half.
With 1:05 left, Nick Sirianini took a major gamble on 4th and 1 from his own 34. Hurts gained 3. Hurts then went deep to Smith for 37. Jake Elliott hit a 41 yard field goal to end the half with the Eagles within 17-10. After a third quarter touchback, the Eagles moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Washington 30. Hurts threw incomplete. Elliott hit from 47 to get the Eagles within 17-13. The Eagles got it back at their own 26. From their own 41, Hurts went deep to Brown for a 59 yard touchdown. Roughing the passer on the play moved the extra point from the 2 to the one yard line, enabling Sirianni to try a 2 point conversion. Kenneth Gainwell ran it in to make it 21-17 Eagles. The Eagles got it back at their own 31 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Washington 15. The drive died there on an incompletion and a pair of failed runs. Elliott hit a 36 yard field goal to make it 24-17 Eagles.
The Commanders soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33 early in the fourth quarter. Howell went to Gibson for 7. On 3rd and 4 from their own 46, Howell gained just enough. On 3rd and 6 from the Philly 31, Howell hit Samuel for 7. Robinson ran for 9 and then for a 15 yard touchdown. The 11 play, 75 yard, 6 minute drive had the game tied 24-24 midway through the fourth quarter. A 20 yard punt return had the Eagles getting the ball back at their own 43 with 3 1/2 minutes left. On 3rd and 8, Hurts hit Zaccheaus for 11 and Brown for 10. Hurts went to Brown for a 28 yard touchdown. With 1:43 left, the Eagles led 31-24. The Commanders took over at their own 36. Howell went to Samuel for 11. With 41 seconds left on 4th and 2 from his own 45, Howell went to Brown for 16. On 3rd and 2 from the Philly 21, Howell went to McLaurin for 11. With 5 seconds to play, the Commanders had one chance from the Philly 10 yard line.
Howell went to Dotson for the touchdown. Riverboat Ron Rivera was not in a gambling mood. Rather than a 2 point conversion, the traditional extra point was good. This thriller was going to overtime. In overtime, the Commanders got the ball first but went 3 and out. A short 29 yard punt gave the Eagles excellent field position at their own 41. On 4th and 1 from midfield, Nic Sirianni decided to risk it all. Hurts gained 2. Swift ran for 11. With 4 minutes left in overtime, Elliott came in for a 54 yard field goal to try and win it knowing a miss would give the Commanders excellent field position. The kick was good as the Eagles got to 4-0 the hard way. 34-31 Eagles, OT
Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans — Two years ago the Bengals went into Tennessee and shocked the Titans in the Divisional round in a head-knocker of a game. This year both of these teams came in at surprising 1-2. Rumors are swirling that Joe Burrow is playing injured. After an opening touchback, the Bengals moved to a 4th and goal at the 3. Evan McPherson hit a 21 yard field goal. The Bengals led 3-0, but their offense took the next 54 minutes off. After a touchback, the Titans moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Cincinnati 24. Ryan Tannehill was sacked. Nick Folk nailed a 53 yard field goal for a 3-3 game. In the second quarter the Titans put the game away. On 3rd and 7 from their own 35, Tannehill went deep to Deandre Hopkins for 38., Whyte for 24, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Titans. The Titans got it back at their own 27. Tannehill fumbled a snap but Spears picked it up and ran for 26 yards. Tannehill then found Westbrook-Ikhine for 22. Derrick Henry ran for a 29 yard touchdown to make it 17-3 Titans. The Titans got it back at their own 20 with 1:20 left in the half. Henry ran for 16. Tannehill went deep to Moore for 44. On 3rd and 4 from the Cincy 14, Tannehill was sacked but defensive holding kept the drive going. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Henry took the direct snap and threw the halfback option to Whyte for the touchdown with 10 seconds left in the half. Folk tacked on a 35 yard field goal on the first drive of the third quarter that consumed 18 plays and 10 1/2 minutes of clock. This was Mike Vrabel football. The Bengals are a surprising 1-3 while the Titans showed the physicality that they are known for. 27-3 Titans
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers — The 2 dumbest coaches in football are Josh McDaniels and Brandon Staley. They have teams with talented players and coach them into the ground. McDaniels tries to outsmart everyone and play finesse. He refuses to play power football and run when running is the only sane move. He loves his dink and dunk West Coast offense passes. Last week the Raiders lost at home because he kicked a field goal rather than trust his offense to convert 4th and 4 from the Pittsburgh 8 yard line. Staley loses games because he repeatedly gambles on 4th down deep in his own territory rather than just punt the football. Both coaches give games away. Last week the Chargers won only because their defense came up with a deflected interception after trying to give the game away. McDaniels replaced Derek Carr with injury prone dink and dunker Jimmy Garoppolo, who lasted 3 games before being out injured. Rookie Aidan O’Connell started his first nFL game. O’Connell looked brilliant in the preseason. So did Matt McGloin.
The Chargers took over at their own 14. On the second play from scrimmage, Davis sliced through the supposedly improved Raiders defense for a 51 yard gain. Kelley gained 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Raiders 19, Herbert was sacked but the defense jumped offside. Herbert ran for a 12 yard touchdown as the Chargers led 7-0. On O’Connell’s very first pass attempt, he was sacked. The Raiders got it back at their own 36. Josh Jacobs caught a pass from O’Connell for 7 and ran for 5. O’Connell went deep to Jakobi Meyers for 25. Defensive pass interference added 9 more. Jacobs caught a pass from O’Connell for 6, ran for 5, and caught another pass from O’Connell for 8. O’Connell got the last yard. The game was tied 7-7 after the first quarter. In every game this season, the Raiders have managed one early touchdown followed by three quarters of mostly offensive ineptitude.
After a touchback, the Chargers began the second quarter faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. The Raiders defense had Herbert dead to rights but refused to wrap him up. Part of the problem was a fear of being called for roughing the passer. They clearly had Herbert in his grasp and just backed off. The other problems is the Raiders tackle badly. They hit guys and spin them around but do not wrap them up and finish the play. So rather than a sack, Herbert hit Johnston for 18. The Chargers moved to a 1st and goal at the 7, but this time Herbert finally was sacked. Cameron Dicker hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Chargers. The Raiders got the ball back at their own 37. Josh McDaniels could have run the ball. I stead he tried to make a hero out of a rookie quarterback who held the ball way too long and did not get effective offensive line protection. An incompletion and a short pass set up 3rd and 6.
O’Connell was sacked and fumbled. The Chargers took over at the Raiders 36. Herbert then scrambled and was hit out of bounds by jerry Tillery. In addition to a 15 yard defensive unnecessary roughness call, Tillery was ejected. Maxx Crosby threw his hands up in disgust, knowing Tillery was guilty. On 3rd and 3 from the Raiders 7, Herbert hit Keenan Allen for the touchdown to make it 17-7 Chargers. The Raiders after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 6 at their own 48. O’Connell was sacked and fumbled again. The Chargers took over at the Raiders 35. Defensive illegal use of hands added 5 yards. Herbert hit Palmer for 19. On 3rd and goal at the one, Herbert got stopped. Brandon Staley was right to go for it on 4th and goal. Herbert got in this time as the Chargers led 24-7 at the half.
This game should have been over, but both of these coaches are good at squandering safe leads. In the third quarter the Chargers punted on 4th and 12 from their own 3. The Raiders took over at their own 48. On 3rd and 19 from their own 39, a short give up pass from O’Connell to Jacobs gained 21. On 4th and 2 from the Chargers 32, a 50 yard field goal try would have been justified. Yet Josh McDaniels going for it was also justified. O’Connell hit Davante Adams for 12. On 3rd and goal at the 4, O’Connell threw incomplete. For the second straight week, McDaniels had zero confidence in his offense to get 4 yards. Nevertheless, kicking the 22 yard field goal was not crazy. Carlson delivered and the Raiders were within 24-10 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter.
An interception of Herbert could’ve gotten the Raiders right back in it. They moved from their own 24 to a 1st and 10 at the Chargers 18. Jacobs had just run for gains of 5 and 6. The running game was working. Yet Josh McDaniels refuses to stick to it, preferring to trust a rookie quarterback with multiple turnovers in his very first game over the defending rushing champion. After an incompletion can an offensive penalty for an illegal crackajack. On 2nd and 25, O’Connell was sacked. On 3rd and 34, rather than try a deep throw or run the ball, McDaniels called one of his pointless West Coast Offense dink and dunk passes that gained 4 yards. On 4th and 30, Carson still had the left to make a 56 yard field goal. Instead, McDaniels punted.
A sack of Herbert meant a punt and the Raiders getting the ball back midway through the fourth quarter at their own 40. Just shy of midfield, O’Connell hit Adams for 10 and Amir Abdullah for 10 more. O’Connell went back to Adams for gains of 13, 7 and 8. On 3rd and goal at the one, O’Connell got stopped. With 4 minutes left in regulation, going for it was a necessity. On 4th and goal, McDaniels actually made the right call. Jacobs banged it in. The Raiders were alive, only down by 7.
With 3 1/2 minutes left, the Chargers faced 4th and 1 at their own 34. Last week Brandon Staley nearly gave the game away by gambling in that situation, losing, and getting lucky when his defense bailed him out. Again, Staley crossed the line from boldness to idiotic recklessness. He went for it again. Herbert got stopped. The Raiders were very much alive with a short field. O’Connell went to the drastically underutilized Hunter Renfrow for 12. On 4th and 10 from the Chargers 22, O’Connell went deep to Adams for 19. With 2:38 to play, the Raiders had 1st and goal at the 3. The Chargers were trying to give the game away. All the Raiders had to do was take it. Staley was a bonehead. All Josh McDaniels had to do was not be a bigger bonehead. In this situation, the choice was obvious.
Hand the ball to Jacobs as many times as it takes. Ram it down the throats of the defense. The top running back can get 3 yards given 4 tries. That’s less than one yard per carry. McDaniels went with his rookie mistake prone quarterback with another dink and dunk West Coast Offense pass. For those wondering why McDaniels has his most recent Super Bowl ring as an offensive coordinator, it’s because the opposing team did not hand the ball to Marshawn Lynch. This time, it was McDaniels who did not hand the ball to Jacobs. O’Connell threw into traffic and was intercepted by Asante Samuel, who quickly went to the ground rather than risk fumbling the ball back. Again, the defense bailed out horrendous decisions by Brandon Staley. They won in spite of him. The Raiders again lost because of McDaniels. O’Connell was sacked 7 times, fumbled 3 times, lost 2 of those fumbles, and threw one interception. The Raiders are now tied for the AFC West cellar as the Raiders and Chargers players both wonder what it will take to get their coaches fired. 24-17 Chargers
New England Patriots at Dallas Cowboys — Talk of a Cowboys Super Bowl looked silly when they fell flat at Arizona. After a touchback, the Cowboys moved to a 3rd and goal at the one. Tony Pollard got blasted for a 4 yard loss. Aubrey hit the 23 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Cowboys. The Patriots after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Dallas 6. Mac Jones threw incomplete. Bill Belichick tried to go for it on 4th and 1 but a delay of game killed the try. Ryland hit the 29 yard field goal for a 3-3 game. That included all the Patriots highlights. After a touchback, Dak Prescott went to Brandon Cooks for 11. Ceedee Lamb gained 12. Prescott hit Dowdle for 8 and Michael Gallup for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 29, Pollard gained 4. Prescott went to Lamb for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Cowboys. In the second quarter Belichick gambled on 4th and 1 from the Dallas 41. Jones got stopped cold for no gain. The Patriots got it back and faced 2nd and 12 at their own 8. Jones was sacked. Layton Vander Esch recovered it and rumbled 11 yards for a defensive touchdown. Mike McCarthy went for a 2 point conversion and Anger hit Golston to make it 18-3 Cowboys. Aubrey tacked on a 23 yard field goal to make it 21-3. With one minute left in the half, Jones was intercepted by Bland, why raced 54 yards for another score. 2 defensive touchdowns made it 28-3 Cowboys at the half. A pointless second half saw Aubrey hit a 33 yard third quarter field goal and luepke run for a 3 yard fourth quarter touchdown. Any shred of dignity died when a New England field goal attempt with them down by 35 points was no good. Jerrah is back on the Super Bowl hype bandwagon. 38-3 Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers — After winning a stunner over Dallas last week, the Cardinals were expected to come back to earth and get demolished at unbeaten San Francisco. In the first quarter the 49ers faced 3rd and 1 at their own 47. Christian McCaffrey for 6. Brock Purdy hit Brandon Aiyuk for 16 and Christian McCaffrey for 12 and 10. McCaffrey ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 49ers. The 49ers for it back at their own 25. McCaffrey ran for 5 and 12. Purdy hit Mason for 13. On 4th and 4 from the Arizona 39, Kyle Shanahan passed up a 57 yard field goal try and went for it. Purdy went to George Kittle for 9 as the first quarter ended. The second quarter began with Purdy hitting McCaffrey for 12 and mcCaffrey out of the shotgun running for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 49ers. The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds to set up the Cardinals at their own 40. On 4th and 7 from the San Francisco 45, Jonathan Gannon went for it. Dobbs scrambled for 8. Matt Prater hit a 38 yard field goal to get the Cardinals on the board. After a touchback, Purdy hit Aiyuk for big gains of 11 and 42. Purdy went to McCloud for 14 and to McCaffrey for a 6 yard touchdown. With 5 minutes left in the half, the 49ers were cruising up 21-3.
Desperately needing to spark his team, Jonathan Gannon gambled on a fake punt on 4th and 2 from his own 21. Failure would pretty much end the game. Turner took the direct snap and barely got just enough. On 3rd and 3 from their own 44, Dobbs hit Malcolm Hollywood Brown for 6. On 3rd and 9 just past midfield, Dobbs went deep to Wilson for 33 and again for a 16 yard touchdown. With 23 seconds left in the half, the Cardinals were within 21-10. In the third quarter the Cardinals took over at their own one yard line. On 3rd and 1 from their 10, Dobbs gained 2. James Conner ran for 11. On 3rd and 1 from their own 32, Dobbs got the yard but defensive holding added 5. Dobbs went deep to Brown for 41. On 3rd and 2 from the San Francisco 14, Dobbs gained 6. Dobbs went to Michael Wilson for an 8 yard touchdown. Jonathan Gannon went for 2 and Conner got stopped cold. With 4 minutes left in the third quarter, the Cardinals were within 21-16 and smelling a second consecutive upset. After a touchback, Purdy went deep to Aiyuk for 34. Purdy ran for 7 and McCaffrey added 10. Purdy hit McCaffrey for 13. The fourth quarter began with McCaffrey running for a 2 yard touchdown and a 28-16 49ers lead. The 49ers got it back at their own 23 and pounded the Cardinals into dust. A 14 play, 77 yard, 7 minute drive ended with Purdy running for a one yard touchdown at the 2 minute warning. The 49ers are 4-0 and legitimate Super Bowl contenders. 35-16 Cardinals
Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets was the Sunday night game. Pop culture has nothing to do with football. Therefore this column does not discuss singers or dancing Tiktok stars, even if they are romantically linked to football players. Now on to football. After an opening touchback, the Chiefs moved to a 2nd and 2 at the Jets 17. A run lost a yard and Patrick Mahomes threw incomplete. Harrison Butker hit a 37 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Chiefs. The Chiefs got it back at their own 31. Mahoems ran for 12. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 48, Isiah Pacheco ran for the first down and the touchdown for a 10-0 Chiefs lead. The Chiefs got it back at their own 11. Mahomes went to Travis Kelce for 8 and Pacheco for 33. On 3rd and 2 from the Jets 34, Mahomes went to Noah Gray for the touchdown. The Chiefs led 17-0. This game was over, with 68-0 being a possibility. Then things got crazy.
The Jets offense was dead but a good punt pinned the Chiefs at their own 4. On 3rd and 7 from his own 7, Mahomes threw deep incomplete. Yet offensive holding int he end zone meant a safety. The Jets were on the board. The Jets took the free kick at their ow 25 and moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Kansas City 13. Zach Wilson threw incomplete. Greg Zuerlein hit a 31 yard field goal to get the Jets within 17-5. One play after a touchback, Mahomes went deep and was intercepted. The Jets had a short field at the Kansas City 41. After a false start, a defensive horse collar tackle penalty gave the Jets 15 yards. On 3rd and 5 from the Kansas City 24, Wilson hit Randall Cobb for just enough. Wilson hit Uzomah for a one yard touchdown. With 6 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Jets were within 17-12.
After a touchback, the Chiefs moved to a 2nd and 3 at the Jets 19. Mahomes threw incomplete twice. Butker hit a 37 yard field goal to make it 20-12 Chiefs. Late in the half, Zuerlein doinked a 52 yard field goal try off the upright no good. After a third quarter touchback, Wilson went deep to Conklin for 25 and Allen Lazard for 12. Wilson hit Ruckert for 23. On 3rd and 8 from the Chiefs 10, Wilson hit Lazard for the touchdown. Robert Saleh went for 2. Wilson ran it in. With most of the second half to play, the Metlife hoe crowd was rocking as the game was tied 20-20. The defenses then dug in as both teams punted twice.
The Chiefs took over at their own 12 and moved to a 2nd and 9 at the Jets 13. Mahomes threw incomplete and then threw a short pass that only gained 5. On 4th and 4 from the Jets 8, Butker hit the 26 yarder. The Chiefs led by 3 with 11 minutes left in regulation. After a touchback the Jets moved to just past midfield. Out of the shotgun, Wilson fumbled the snap and the Chiefs recovered at the Jets 47. 7 1/2 minutes still remained. With 6 1/2 minutes left, an offensive holding call had the Chiefs facing 3rd and 23 at their own 40. Mahomes broke the back of the defense with a 25 yard run and 5 more tacked on for illegal contact. With 4 4 1/2 minutes left, the Chiefs faced 3rd and 20 at the Jets 40. Mahomes was intercepted, but defensive holding was a killer. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 26, Kelce took the direct snap and handed it to Jerick McKinnon, who gained 2. At the 2 minute warning with the Jets out of timeouts, the Chiefs faced 3rd and 8 at the Jets 11. Mahomes scrambled for the first down and could have easily scored. Instead, he committed the ultimate act of unselfishness by sliding to the ground short of the goal. This was reminiscent of how the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. Mahomes took a couple knees as the Chiefs escaped. They have sole possession of first place in the AFC West, making Andy Reid a most happy Walrus indeed. 23-20 Chiefs
Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants was the Monday night game. The Giants after an opening touchback moved to a 4th and 1 at the Seattle 27. Brian Daboll went for it and Daniel Jones got stopped cold for no gain. Late in the first quarter Jones was sacked and fumbled, which he does. The Seahawks took over at the Giants 7 yard line. Geno Smith hit DK Metcalf for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Seahawks. The Giants did manage a 55 yard second quarter field goal by Graham Gano to avoid the shutout, but nothing more. After a touchback, Geno Smith was not on the field. He suffered a knee injury on a controversial hit. Drew Lock came in. Lock gained 11. Lock hit Metcalf for 12. On 3rd and 10 from his own 48, Lock connected with Fast for 51 yards down to the one. Kenneth Walker III ran it in to make it 14-3 Seahawks at the half. In the third quarter, Smith returned. The Seahawks turned it over on downs and missed a field goal, but it didn’t matter. The Giants moved from their own 43 to a 2nd and goal at the 5. Jones was intercepted by Witherspoon, who returned the pick 97 yards the other way for the exclamation point to make it 21-3 Seahawks. Another interception of Jones led to a 34 yard Jason Myers field goal with 5 1/2 minutes left in the game. The Seahawks are 3-1. Pete Carroll gets younger every year. 24-3 Seahawks