NFL 2023 Week 5 Recap
Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders was the Thursday night game. Sometimes a football game is bigger than football. The New York Giants played inspired after 9/11. The New Orleans Saints rocked the Superdome in their first home game back after Hurricane Katrina. The Raiders came together the day after Al Davis died. On November 7th, 1999, the Bears were expected to get blown out on the road against the heavily favored Green Bay Packers. Yet there were larger forces at work. Earlier that week, legendary Bears running back Walter Payton had died at age 45 of cancer. It was the biggest gut punch the franchise since Brian Piccolo. Late in the fourth quarter, the inspired Bears led 14-13. Yet the Packers led by Brett Favre stormed down the field in the final moments. The Packers only needed to make a chip shot 28 yard field goal. Ryan Longwell’s kick was blocked by defensive lineman Bryan Robinson, and the Bears had the stunning upset. After the game, Robinson refused to be the hero. In answering a reporter’s question, Robinson agreed that an angel named Walter lifted him up to block the kick. As Robinson humbly insisted, “I can’t jump that high.”
24 years later, the focus of the Bears was supposed to be on the worst team in football blowing a 21 point lead late at home last week to the second worst team. The winless Bears were expected to get blown out on the road against an average Washington Commanders team. They were supposed to be worse than the Bad News Bears. Yet only hours before the game, legendary Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus died. This was no longer just a football game for the Bears. It was a rallying cry to win one for one of the greatest men to ever play for Papa Bear George Halas. This was bigger than football.
The Bears began facing 3rd and 9 at their own 26. Justin Fields went deep to Moore for 58 yards. On 3rd and 14 from the Washington 20, Fields went deep to Moore again for the touchdown. 3 minutes into the game, the Bears led 7-0. The Bears got it back and moved from their own 26 to a 4th and 1 at the Washington 4. Matt Eberflus was not in a gambling mood. Cairo Santos hit the 22 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Bears. The Bears got it back at their own 31. Fields went to Moore for 39 yards. Johnson ran for 5 and 10. The second quarter began with Fields hit Moore for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 in front of a stunned home crowd in DC.
The Commanders did manage a 51 yard Joey Slye field goal, but the Bears kept coming. After a touchback, a 13 play, 57 yard, 6 minute drive moved them to a 3rd and 4 at the Washington 18. Fields threw incomplete but santos hit from 36 to make it 20-3 Bears. One play after a touchback, Sam Howell was intercepted. The Bears took over at the Washington 36. On 3rd and 7, Khalil Herbert ran for 16 and 4. Fields ran for 9. With 24 seconds left in the half, Fields hit Cole Kmet for a 4 yard touchdown. The Bears were winning 27-3 at the half. Last week the Bears blew a 21 point second half lead at home. This time they were up by 24 points on the road.
After a third quarter touchback, the Commanders struck fairly quickly. Howell hit Robinson for 24 and 7, Logan Thomas for 5, and Gibson for 12. Defensive pass interference added 25 yards. Howell hit Thomas for a 2 yard touchdown. Howell ran in the 2 point conversion to get the Commanders within 27-11. The Commanders got it back at their own 17 and moved to a 4th and 2 at the Chicago 13. Riverboat Ron Rivera was not in a gambling mood. Slye hit from 32 to get the Commanders within 27-14.
The Bears after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Washington 25. Fields threw incomplete. Santos hit from 43 to start the fourth quarter to put the Bears up 30-14. After a touchback, Howell ran for 5 and hit Terry McLaurin and Byron Pringle for a pair of 10 yard gains. Howell hit Crowder for 11. On 3rd and 10 from the Chicago 39, Howell hit Brown for 11 and Curtis Samuel for 25. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Howell hit Samuel for the touchdown. With 11 minutes left, a 2 point conversion would make it a one score game. Yet this time, Howell was sacked. The Bears were within 30-20. The Commanders got it bak again at their own 20 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Chicago 23. A pair of incompletions were sandwiched around a swing pass that lost 5 yards. With 5 minutes left and needing 2 scores, Slye came in for a 46 yard field goal. There was plenty of time for the Bears to collapse. Yet Slye’s kick was no good.
The Bears soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 44. 4 minutes remained. Matt Eberflus has taken plenty of flack this year, but he won’t going to play it safe. Not in the game. He wanted it. The whole team needed this win. He went after it. Fields went to Moore for a first down and the 56 yard touchdown. The extra point had the Bears up 37-20 to put the game on ice. Santos hit a 37 yard field goal right after the 2 minute warning to complete the scoring. This was not the 1940 Monsters of the Midway Bears beating Washington 73-0, but this game mattered. This game was bigger than football. On this night, with Halas, Payton and Butkus watching in heaven, the Bears got it done. 40-20 Bears
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills was the Sunday early morning game in London. Although the Bills were technically the home game, London is the home away from home for the Jaguars, who were playing their second straight game there. Early on the Jaguars took over at their own 27. Calvin Ridley ran for 11. Trevor Lawrence went deep to Christian Kirk for 30. Travis Etienne ran for a pair of 9 yard gains. On 3rd and 6 from the Buffalo 10, Lawrence threw incomplete but defensive illegal use of hands meant a new set of downs On 3rd and goal at the 6, Lawrence went to Zee Jones for the touchdown. Doug Pederson arbitrarily decided on a 2 point conversion try. Etienne got in to make it 8-0 Jaguars. The Jaguars got it back at their own 30 and moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Buffalo 25. A run lost a yard. Brandon McManus hit a 44 yard field goal to make it 11-0 Jaguars.
With 5 minutes left in the half the Bills faced 3rd and 6 at their own 18. Josh Allen went to Hardy for 19 and Jared Cook for 18. On 3rd and 1 from the Jacksonville 36, Allen gained 5. On 3rd and 4 from the Jacksonville 25, Allen went to Gabriel Davis for 10 and to Stefan Diggs for a 15 yard touchdown. The Bills trailed 11-7 at the half. The third quarter was scoreless. Early in the fourth quarter an interception of Allen on a deep ball had the Jaguars taking over at their own 7 yard line.
Lawrence went to Ridley for 20. On 3rd and 5 from their own 32, Lawrence went to Etienne for 10. Defensive pass interference added 26. On 3rd and 5 from the Buffalo 27, Etienne ran for 10, 11, and a 6 yard touchdown to make 18-7 midway through the fourth quarter. On 1st and 20 from their own 15, Allen went deep to Gabriel for 24. Allen ran for 9 and hit Dawson Knox for 11, Cook for 7, and Diggs for 8. Roughing the passer added 15. On 3rd and 1 from the Jacksonville 18, a sack of Allen was wiped out by another roughing the passer. On 2nd and goal from the Jacksonville 19, Allen hit Davis for the touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Bills were within 18-13 with 4 minutes left in regulation.
The Jaguars soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 31. Lawrence were deep to Ridley for 32. After the Bills took their final timeout with 3 minutes left, Etienne broke the defense with a 35 yard touchdown run to make it 25-13 Jaguars. After a touchback, the Bills struck quickly. Allen went to Harty for 43 and to Davis for 29. Allen ran for a 3 yard touchdown. With 2:11 to play, the Bills were back within 5 points. By the time the Bills got the ball back at their own 6 yard line, only 30 seconds remained. The hook and laterals failed. One week after a big win over Miami, the Bills had lost again. 25-20 Jaguars
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts — Both of these teams have been uneven. The Titans moved from their own 16 on a tough 16 play, 75 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the Indianapolis 9, Ryan Tannehill threw incomplete. Nick Folk hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Titans. After a touchback, the Colts soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 44. Zack Moss did the rest, running up the middle for a 56 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Colts. Matt Gay hit a 43 yard second quarter field goal to extend the lead for the Colts, but Nick Folk hit again from 53 to get the Titans within 10-6 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter. On the first play after a touchback, Anthony Richardson ran for 4 yards and again left the game injured. Gardner Minshew played the rest of the way. Minshew moved the Colts to a 4th and 1 at the Tennessee 5 with 15 seconds left. Shane Steichen went for it, but the Colts were out of timeouts. Minshew’s pass fell incomplete.
After a third quarter touchback, the Titans struck quickly. Tannehill went to Deandre Hopkins for 16 and again for 36. Spears ran for a 19 yard touchdown to make it 13-10 Titans. After a touchback, Minshew went to Mo Alie-Cox for 17. Moss ran for 11. Defensive pass interference added 22. Moss ran for 3, 6, and on 3rd and 1 from Tennessee 9, 3 more. Moss then ran for the 3 yard touchdown to make it 17-13 Colts. It was back to the kickers as Folk hit from 34 to get the Titans within 17-16 after three quarters. Gay hit from 35 early in the fourth quarter to put the Colts up 20-16. After a touchback, the Titans moved to a 4th and 1 at the Indianapolis 5 midway through the fourth quarter. Mike Vrabel went for it and Derrick Henry got stopped cold. The Colts then moved 84 yards in 14 plays, taking 7 minutes off the clock. With one minute left on 4th and 2 from the Tennessee 10, Shane Steichen decided not to gamble. Gay hit the 28 yard field goal to put the Colts up by 7. After a touchback, the Titans soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 40 with 30 seconds left. Tannehill went deep and was intercepted. 23-16 Colts
New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots — Derek Carr and the Saints suffered a humiliating home loss last week to Tampa Bay, but the once proud Patriots are now a bad football team. Midway through the first quarter, the Patriots faced 3rd and 6 at their own 24. Mac Jones was intercepted by Terrence Mathieu, who returned the pick 27 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Saints lead. The closest the Patriots came to any offense was an early missed field goal. The Saints soon faced 3rd and 11 at their own 37. Carr went deep to Michael Thomas for 26. and to Shaheed for 25. The second quarter began with the saints facing 3rd and goal at the 2. Alvin Kamara got in to make it 14-0 Saints. The Saints got it back at their own 41. Carr went to Miller for 33. Taysom Hill ran for 12. Carr hit Chris Olave for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 21-0 Saints. The Patriots fumbled on their first series of the third quarter. Grupe hit a 54 yard field goal to make it 24-0 Saints. An interception of Jones gave the Saints defense a short field at the New England 31. Carr hit Kamara for 12 and Foster Moreau for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 31-0 Saints. Bill Belichick benched Jones in favor of Bailey Zappe. Grupe hit one more field goal from 53 to complete the scoring. Dennis Allen’s defense pitched a shutout, leaving the Evil Hoodie searching for answers. Carr with the Raiders beat the Patriots in a wild one last year. This time, with a great defense helping him, his squad won easily. 34-0 Saints
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers — This was a typical AFC North head-knocker between these hated rivals. A field position game early on had the Ravens taking over at their own 41. Lamar Jackson hit Nelson Agholor for gains of 12 and 14. Edwards ran for 6 and 11. Hill ran for a 14 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Ravens. The Ravens got it back at their own 32 and moved 64 yards in 15 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. On 1st and goal at the 4, Jackson completed a pass for no gain and then threw incomplete twice. Justin Tucker hit a 23 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Ravens early in the second quarter. The Ravens had all the momentum but fumbled the ball away with 5 1/2 minutes left in the half. Chris Boswell hit a 43 yard field goal to get the Steelers within 10-3. After a touchback, the Ravens moved to a 4th and 2 at the Pittsburgh 23 with 13 seconds left in the half. The choice seemed simple. Tucker can make a 41 yard field goal in his sleep with 20 yards to spare. John Harbaugh inexplicably went for it and Jackson threw deep incomplete.
The defense dominated and the third quarter was scoreless. Neither team had any offense going but one break on special teams changed the game. With 11 minutes left the the Ravens punted on 4th and 16 from their own 14. The punt was blocked by Killebrew out the back of the end zone for a safety. Down 10-5, the Steelers returned the free kick 24 yards to their own 44. They moved to a 1st and goal at the 5. A run lost 2 yards and Kenny Pickett threw incomplete twice. Boswell hit from 25 to get the Steelers within 10-8. The Ravens got a major break when the Steelers fumbled a punt with 5 1/2 minutes left and the Ravens recovered at the Pittsburgh 7 yard line. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 5, Jackson went to the end zone and was intercepted. On 3rd and 9 from their own 21, Pickett went to Robinson for 10. On 3rd and 4 from their own 37, Pickett went to George Pickens for 21. Pickett then went deep to Pickens for a 41 yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed, but with only 1:17 to play, the Steelers led 14-10. Two plays after a touchback, Jackson was sacked and fumbled the ball away. The Baltimore defense held but Boswell hit a 42 yard field goal to put the Steelers up by 7 with 49 seconds left. With 15 seconds left on 4th and 7 from his own 28, Jackson was sacked again. This was a slobber-knocker, and Mike Tomlin’s defense gutted out a win. 17-10 Steelers
Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons — The Falcons started out 2-0 but then lost two straight to return to earth. The Texans started 0-2 but then won big games against Jacksonville and Pittsburgh. A field position game had the Texans with a short field at the Atlanta 47. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 19, Damien Pierce got stopped for no gain. Demeco Ryans decided not to gamble. Kaimi Fairbairn hit the 38 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Texans. After a touchback, Desmond Ridder hit Smith for 13. Then London threw a pass to Smith for 22. Robinson gained 13. Ridder went to Pitts for 16. Ridder ran for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Falcons. The next two quarters belonged to Fairbairn. He hit from 43 early in the second quarter, from 28 to end the half, and from 42 in the third quarter as the Texans led 12-7.
Late in the third quarter from their own 26, Ridder hit Pitts for 13. On 3rd and 6 from their own 46, Ridder hit London for 8. The fourth quarter began with the Falcons facing 3rd and 1 at the Houston 37. Tyler Allgeier gained 3. On 3rd and 3 from the Houston 27, Ridder hit Pruitt for 22. Ridder hit Robinson for a 6 yard touchdown. Ridder went to Allgeier for the 2 point conversion to make it 15-12 Falcons. The Falcons got it back and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Houston 13. A run lost a yard and Ridder threw incomplete twice. Younghoe Koo hit from 33 to make it 18-12 Falcons midway through the fourth quarter.
After a touchback, Pierce ran for 13 CJ Stroud hit Pierce for 16. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 36, Stroud gained 2. Stroud hit Woods for 12. On 3rd and 9 from the Atlanta 18, Stroud hit Dalton Schultz for the touchdown. With 1:49 to play, the 11 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive had the Texans up 19-18. After a touchback, Ridder hit Robinson for 6, London for 5, London again for 6, and Pitts for 4. Ridder then went to London for 23 yards. The Falcons took the clock all the way down to 2 seconds left. Koo came in for the 37 yard try to win it. His kick was good. 21-19 Falcons
Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions — The Panthers came in winless while the Lions are playing good football. Sometimes a bad team goes on the road and shocks a good team in a major upset. This was not that game. The Lions took over at their own 19. Jared Goff went to Raymond for 23 and to Marvin Jones for 16. David Montgomery ran for a 42 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Lions. Bryce Young was soon intercepted to set up the Lions at the Carolina 20. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Goff went to Sam LaPorta for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Lions.
The Panthers tried to make a game of it. On 3rd and 4 from their own 31, Young went to Adam Thielen for 8. Young went back to Thielen for gains of 6 and 13. On 3rd and 1 from the Detroit 20, Dalton got the yard. Shenault gained 11. On 3rd and goal at the one, Young hit Tommy Tremble for the touchdown to get the Panthers within 14-7. The Panthers got it back at their own 37 but quickly fumbled the ball away. The Lions had another short field at the Carolina 38. On 4th and 1 from the Carolina 29, Dan Campbell went for it. Montgomery gained 3. On 3rd and 6 from the Carolina 22, Goff hit Montgomery for 11 and Raymond for 10 down to the one. Goff hit Reynolds for the touchdown to make it 21-7 Lions. On the next play from scrimmage, Young was intercepted. The Lions had another short field at the Carolina 31. One play and 8 seconds later, Goff hit Laporta for the touchdown to make it 28-7 Lions.
The Panthers managed a field goal before the half but this game was over. The third quarter was scoreless. The Lions got the ball back just shy of midfield. Goff hit Reynolds for 21.On 3rd and 6 from the Carolina 14, Montgomery ran for 10 and 3. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Goff snuck in to make it 35-10 Lions. Young did manage a 15 yard touchdown pass to DJ Shark but this game was over. After a touchback, the Lions kept coming. Goff hit Reynolds for 27. Reynolds ran for big gains of 17, 7, 19, and the 5 yard touchdown to make it 42-17 Lions. The Panthers managed one more garbage touchdown after the 2 minute warning but this game was never competitive. 42-24 Lions
New York Giants at Miami Dolphins — Again, sometimes a bad team can go on the road and shock a good team. Again, this was not that game. Goliath beat up David and took his lunch money. The Dolphins took over at their own 11. Achane ran for 24. Tua Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill for 6, Jalen Waddle for 20, Wilson for 23, Raheem Mostert for 5, Hill for 9, and Waddle for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Dolphins. The Giants missed a chance to get on the board when Graham Gano missed a 55 yard field goal try on the first play of the second quarter. The Dolphins got the ball back at their own 6 yard line and made it look easy. Tagovailoa hit Hill for 18. Achane raced for a 76 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Dolphins.
After a touchback, the Giants moved to a 3rd and 9 at the Miami 25. Daniel Jones was sacked. Gano hit a 49 yard field goal to get the Giants on the board. After a touchback, the Dolphins moved to a 3rd and goal at the 4. With 1:40 left in the half, the Dolphins had a chance to go up 21-3 and put the game away. Instead Tagovailoa was intercepted by Pinnock, who returned it 102 yards for a spectacular defensive touchdown. The Giants were only down 14-10.
Yet despite the 14 point swing, there was no change in momentum. The Dolphins quickly moved from their own 28 to the Giants 9 yard line with 4 seconds left. Jason Sanders hit the 40 yard field goal to make it 17-10 Dolphins at the half. The Dolphins quickly struck in the third quarter. On 3rd and 4 at their own 31, Tagovailoa went deep to Hill for a 69 yard touchdown to make it 24-10 Dolphins. After a third quarter field goal by the Giants, the Dolphins after a touchback moved to ice the game. Achane ran for 8 and caught a pass for 14 from Tagovailoa. Mostert ran for 11 and 23. Achane added 6 and 5. Mostert ran for 6 and then for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 31-13 Dolphins after three quarters. The Giants managed another field goal in the fourth quarter but nothing more. 31-16 Dolphins
Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals — Both of these teams came in with 1-3 records, but the Bengals were supposed to be good. The Bengals took over at their own 36. Joe Burrow hit Irwin for 9, JaMarr Chase for 13, Chase for 13, and Joe Mixon for 8. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Burrow went to Chase for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bengals. A 28 yard punt return gave the Bengals the ball back with a short field at the Arizona 48. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Burrow was sacked. Evan McPherson hit a 40 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Bengals.
After a touchback, Joshua Dobbs hit McBride for 13. On the first play of the second quarter, Dobbs went to Malcolm Hollywood Brown for 18 and to Swaim for 11. On 3rd and 9 from the Cincinnati 25, Dobbs went to Brown for the touchdown to get the Cardinals within 10-7. A defensive penalty on a punt return gave the Cardinals the ball back just past midfield. James Conner ran for 35. Dobbs hit Swaim for 11 and Zac Ertz for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Cardinals. Late in the half the Bengals moved from their own 29 to a 3rd and goal at the one. Mixon got stuffed. Zach Taylor went for it. On 4th and goal from the one, Mixon got stuffed again for no gain.
The Arizona defense had an inspired goal line stand, but their offense made it meaningless. Dobbs was quickly intercepted by Taylor-Britt, who returned it 11 yards for a touchdown to put the Bengals back up 17–14. The Bengals struck quickly in the third quarter after a touchback. On the third play from scrimmage, Burrow went bombs away to Chase for a 63 yard touchdown to make it 24-14 Bengals.
The Cardinals soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Dobbs gained 2. On 3rd and 4 from their own 42, Dobbs went to Moore for 19 and Brown for 10. Demercado gashed the defense for 8, 9, and the 11 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Cardinals were within 24-20. An interception of Burrow allowed the Cardinals move from their own 34 to a 4th and 1 at the Cincinnati 16 late in the third quarter. Jonathan Gannon went for it and Dobbs got blasted for a one yard loss.
Mixon gained 7 and 4 and Burrow added 10 and 4. On 3rd and 3 from their own 45, Burrow hit Chase for 5. On 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 41, Williams gained 5. On 2nd and 13 from the Arizona 26, Burrow hit Chase for 14. Defensive pass interference added 11 down to the one. After a loss, Burrow hit Chase for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 31-20 Bengals midway through the fourth quarter. One play after a touchback, Dobbs was sacked and fumbled. McPherson tacked on a 40 yard field goal to complete the scoring. Dobbs threw in one more interception for good measure. 34-20 Bengals
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams — The two most recent NFC champions squared off, but only the Eagles have Super Bowl aspirations. After an opening touchback, Jalen Hurts hit Quez Watkins for 5 and Dallas Goedert for 12 and 19. Hurts went to AJ Brown for 7 and Goedert for 8. Hurts ran for 10. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Hurts went to Goedert for the touchdown to wrap up the 12 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Eagles. The Rams soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 31 Matthew Stafford went to Cooper Kupp for 17. On 3rd and 8 from the Philadelphia 39, Stafford hit Kupp for just enough. On 3rd and 1 from the Philadelphia 22, Stafford threw incomplete. Sean McVay went for it on 4th and 1. Stafford hit Kupp for 12. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Stafford hit Atwell for the touchdown. The 14 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive made it 7-7.
In the second quarter the Eagles moved from their own 28 to a 3rd and 2 at the Rms 15. A completion lost a yard. Jake Elliott hit the 34 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Eagles. After a touchback, Stafford hit Tyler Higbee for 8, Nacua for 6, and Kupp for 39. On 3rd and 10 from the Philadelphia 22, Stafford went to Nacua for the touchdown. With only 32 seconds left in the half, the Rams led 14-10. With 17 seconds left, the Eagles faced 3rd and 1 from their own 34. Hurts went deep to Brown for 38 with 14more tacked on for a horse collar tackle. Defensive pass interference added 13 more down to the one. 2 seconds remained, time for one play. Nick Sirianni went for it all. Hurts took the quarterback sneak for the touchdown. The eagles led 17-14 at the half. The second half was all defense. Elliott hit a pair of 26 yard field goals in the fourth quarter to salt away the victory. 23-14 Eagles
New York Jets at Denver Broncos — Last week the Broncos overcame a 21 point second half deficit to finally get the first win in the Sean Payton era. Early on the Broncos fumbled a punt and the Jets took over at the Denver 20. The defense held. Greg Zuerlein hit a 30 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Jets.The Broncos soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 27. Russell Wilson ran for 16. McLaughlin got around the end for a 38 yard gain. On 1st and 20, illegal contact on an incompletion meant an automatic first down. On the next play, Wilson went to McLaughlin for the 22 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Broncos. The Broncos got it back at their own 6 yard line and disaster immediately struck. Wilson was called for intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety. The Jets got within 7-5 but self-destructed after the free kick.
The Jets punted on 4th and 34 from their own 9. The Broncos got it back at their own 43 and moved to a 1st and goal at the 5. A pass lost 2 yards. On 3rd and goal from the 5, Wilson was tackled for no gain. Wil Lutz hit the 23 yard field goal to make it 10-5 Broncos. After a touchback, the Jets moved to a 3rd and goal at the 8. Zach Wilson threw incomplete. Zuerlein hit from 28 to get the Jets within 10-8. After a touchback, consecutive defensive penalties gifted the Broncos offense 20 yards. McLaughlin ran for 21. Yet on 2nd and goal at the 5, a run lost 3 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 8, a completion gained only 4. Lutz hit from 22 to make it 13-8 Broncos.
Early in the third quarter the Jets took over at their own 28. One play and 10 seconds later the Jets had the 15-13 lead as Breece Hall ran for a 72 yard touchdown. The Jets got the ball back just past midfield. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Wilson was sacked. Zuerlein hit the 27 yard field goal to make it 18-13 Jets. The Jets fumbled a punt and the Broncos recovered, but two plays later the Broncos fumbled the ball right back. The Jets took over just shy of midfield. They settled for a 22 yard Zuerlein field goal to make it 21-13 Jets with 12 minutes left in regulation. The Jets got it back and moved from their own 28 to a 4th and 1 at the Denver 31. Robert Saleh was not in a gambling mood. Zuerlein hit the 49 yard field goal as 16 unanswered points had the Jets up 24-13 midway through the fourth quarter.
The ending became a battle of who wanted it least. The Broncos faced 3rd and 11 from their own 24. Wilson went deep to Jerry Jeudy for 23 with roughing the passer adding 15 more. Wilson then went to Perine for 29. Wilson hit Adam Trautman for a 3 yard touchdown. Sean Payton went for 2 and Burton ran it in. With 4:44 to play, the Broncos were within 24-21. After a touchback the Jets moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Denver 27. Wilson went deep and was intercepted by Patrick Surtain. With 2:14 to play, the Broncos were pinned at their own 3 yard line but needed only a field goal to tie the game. The Broncos moved to their own 41 with 30 seconds to play. Wilson was sacked and fumbled and Bay Hall returned it 39 yards for a defensive touchdown to ice the game. 31-21 Jets
Kansas City Chiefs at Minnesota Vikings — The Chiefs have been winning while the Vikings finally got their first win last week, but both of these teams have been playing close games. On the first play from scrimmage after a touchback, the Vikings fumbled the ball away and the Chiefs began with a short field. On 3rd and 2 at the Minnesota 37, Pacheco gained 5. On 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 12, Pacheco gained 11. Pacheco then got the last yard to make it 7-0 Chiefs. The kickers then got into the act as Greg Joseph hit from 40 to get the Vikings on the board. In the second quarter Harrison Butker hit from 38 for the 10-3 Chiefs advantage.
Joseph answered from 29 as the Vikings were within 10-6 midway through the second quarter. Fair catch interference on a punt gave the Vikings great field position at their own 44. On 4th and 2, Kevin O’Connell gambled on a fake punt. Metelius took the direct snap, handed it to Chandler, and saw Chandler get around the end for 15. On 3rd and 1 from the Kansas City 24, , Cousins gained 2. Cousins hit Addison for 15. Cousins hit Addison for a 5 yard touchdown. With 1:39 left in the half, the Vikings led 13-10.
After a touchback, the Chiefs quickly moved to the Minnesota 22. Butker hit from 40 for a 13-13 deadlock at the break. The Chiefs began the third quarter with a sack of Mahoems and 3rd and 18 at their own 17. Mahomes went to Watson for 33, Rice for 13, Ross for 8, and Marques Valdez-Scantling for 12, On 3rd and goal at the 8, Mahomes hit Rice for the touchdown to make it 20-13 Chiefs. The Chiefs got it back and faced 3rd and 7 at their own 29. Mahomes went to Travis Kelce for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 48, Pacheco got stopped. Walrus Andy Reid went for it on 4th and 1. Mahomes threw deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 31 yard gain. On 3rd and 8 from the Minnesota 15, Mahomes went to Kelce for 11 and again to Kelce for a 4 yard touchdown. Late in the third quarter, the Chiefs led 27-13.
After a touchback, Cousins went to KJ Osborn for 11 and TJ Hockenson for 19. On 3rd and 1 from the Kansas City 35, Cousins gained 2 as the third quarter ended. On 3rd and 1 at the Kansas City 24, Cousins got the yard. On 4th and 6 from the Kansas City 19, Cousins hit Addison for 10 and Mattison for the 9 yard touchdown. With 12 minutes left in regulation, the Vikings were within 7 points. The Vikings got it back at their own 20 and moved to a 4th and 7 at the Kansas City 19 with 5 minutes left. After a delay of game, on 4th and 12 Cousins threw incomplete. The Vikings got it back at their own 19 with 1:07 left. With 5 seconds left, the vikings had one Hail Mary chance form the Kansas City 38. Cousins was sacked. 27-20 Chiefs
Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers was the Sunday night game. The 49ers are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The Cowboys are repeatedly overhyped but were exposed as pretenders in an embarrassing loss at Arizona. This would be a real measuring stick. After an opening touchback, the Cowboys immediately committed a defensive facemark penalty. Brock Purdy went to Brandon Aiyuk for 9 and 11. Purdy went to George Kittle for a 19 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 49ers. Early in the second quarter the Cowboys punted on 4th and 8 from their own 4. A 14 yard return had the 49ers at the Dallas 38. One play and 10 seconds later, Purdy went to Kittle for the touchdown to make it 14-0 49ers.
The Cow boys did manage an 11 play, 78 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and a 26 yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to Turpin. After that the 49ers blasted them to pieces. After a touchback, Purdy went to Aiyuk for 15. On 3rd and 4 from their own 46, Purdy threw incomplete but defensive unnecessary roughness kept the drive going. On 2nd and 12 from the Dallas 41, Purdy went to McCaffrey for 19. Mason ran for 8 and 4.. Purdy went to Deebo Samuel for 9 down to the one. McCaffrey got in to make it 21-7 49ers. The Cowboys managed a third quarter field goal but nothing else.
On 1st and 15 from their own 20, Brady went to Aiyuk for 23. On 3rd and 33 from their own 40, Purdy went to Samuel for 42. On 3rd and 2 from the Dallas 10, Purdy went to Kittle for the touchdown to make it 28-10 Cowboys. An interception of Prescott set up the 49ers at their own 38. A 12 play, 62 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive led to Purdy hitting Kyle Juszczyk from one yard out to start the fourth quarter. Another Prescott interception was followed one play later by a 26 yard touchdown run by Mason to complete the blowout. Prescott then threw his third interception on his third consecutive drive. The Cowboys may be better than average, but the 49ers are the real deal. 42-10 49ers
Green Bay Packers at Las Vegas Raiders is the Monday night game. The Raiders lose games because Josh McDaniels has no confidence in his own offense. In the loss to Pittsburgh, he settled for a field goal late rather than try and make 4 yards in the red zone. This game exposed two teams trying to lose. The packers at least tried to run the ball. The Raiders kept setting for West Coast Offense dink and dunk passes. In the first quarter the Packers moved from their own 7 to a 3rd and 8 at the Raiders 18. Jordan Love threw incomplete but Anders Carlson hit a 37 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Packers.
The Raiders took over at their own 38 in the second quarter. Josh Jacobs gained 9. On 3rd and 11 just shy of midfield, Jimmy Garoppolo hit Amir Abdullah for just enough. On 3rd and 5 from the Green Bay 35, Garoppolo hit Jakobi Meyers for 10.on 3rd and 1 from the Green Bay 16, Josh Mcdaniels refused to plow ahead with Jacobs. Meyers took an end around and got stopped cold. McDaniels was right to go for it on 4th and 1 but was wrong in not just giving Jacobs the ball. Carter got around the end for 3. Garoppolo hit Meyers for the touchdown To cap the 14 play, 62 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive. The Raiders led 7-3 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half.
One play after a touchback, Love was immediately intercepted. The Raiders had gift field position with 1st and goal at the 7. Yetafter Jacobs got stopped on first down, Josh McDaniels immediately abandoned the run. Garoppolo threw incomplete twice. Daniel Carlson hit the 26 yard field goal. The raiders led 10-3, but it was a completely wasted opportunity. he Packers went 3 and out, but McDaniels inexplicably did not take a timeout before getting the ball back. With 55 seconds left in the half, the Raiders took over at their own 24. Yet they could have had as much as 1:40. They moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Green Bay 35. Garoppolo then threw incomplete. Carlson’s 53 yard field goal try was partially blocked as the Raiders wasted another opportunity.
After a third quarter touchback, the Raiders again refused to establish the ground game. On 2nd and 13 from their own 37, Garoppolo was intercepted by Ford at that spot. On 4th and 2 from the Raiders 29, Matt LaFleur went for it. AJ Dillon got 3 straight up the gut. These are the plays Josh McDaniels refuses to run. Dillon then gained 6, 11, 4, and the 5 yard touchdown. Pure power football had the game tied 10-10. The Packers got it back at their own 17. Love went deep to Watson for a 77 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 4, Love threw incomplete. Carlson hit the 22 yard field goal. With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, the Packers led 13-10.
After a touchback, this time Josh McDaniels ran the ball. Jacobs gained 24 and 6. On 3rd and 4 from the Green Bay 45, Garoppolo hit Meyers for 8. Garoppolo hit Davante Adams for 21. On 3rd and 2 from the Green Bay 9, Garoppolo hit Adams for 7. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Jacobs busted straight up the gut for a 2 yard touchdown. The Raiders led by 4 points but refused to put the game away. The Packers rater a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Raiders 40. Love was sacked. On the next play he was intercepted. The Raiders had gift field position but squandered it by refusing to run the ball.
With 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Raiders took over again at their own 33. They moved to a 4th and 1 at the Green Bay 34 at the 2 minute warning. One yard would end the game. The entire football world knows that you hand the ball to Jacobs. Josh McDaniels again refused to trust his offense to even gain one yard. He brought in Carlson for a 52 yard field goal try. Even if it was good, the Packers could still win. The kick doinked off the upright no good. McDaniels gives games away. The Packers took over at their own 42 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Raiders 35. After a pair of incompletions, 44 seconds still remained. Love went for it all to the end zone and was intercepted for the third time for a touchback. Amik Robertson was the hero. The entire defense led by Maxx Crosby got a desperately needed win. The Raiders bailed out their coach, but they shouldn’t have to do that. 17-13 Raiders