NFL 2023 Week 11 Recap
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Montreal Allouettes was the 110th Grey Cup from Canada. 28-24 Allouettes.
Now back to the National Football League.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens was the Thursday night game. Both of these good teams surprisingly lost at home last week. The Ravens went right to work after the opening touchback. Lamar Jackson hit Mark Andrews for 14 and Zee Flowers for 33. On 3rd and 4 from the Cincinnati 21, Jackson ran for 8. Edwards ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bengals. After a touchback the Bengals moved to a 3rd and 6 at the Baltimore 31. Joe Burrow threw incomplete. Evan Mcpherson hit a 50 yard field goal to get the Bengals on the board. The Bengals got it back at their own 42 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Baltimore 34. Burrow was sacked to kill the drive. On the first play of the second quarter, McPherson’s 53 yard field goal try was wide left no good. The Bengals got it back and soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 24. Burrow went to Hudson for 21 and Sample for 13. On 3rd and 4 from the Baltimore 33, Burrow went to Boyd for 13 and Joe Mixon for 9. Burrow hit Mixon for a 4 yard touchdown to cap the 12 play, 82 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and make it 10-7 Bengals with 6 minutes left in the half.
After that, momentum changed. On 3rd and 5 from their own 30, Jackson hit O’Dell Beckham for 29. On 3rd and 6 from the Cincinnati 37, Jackson went to Nelson Agholor for the touchdown to make it 14-10 Ravens with 2:20 left in the half. Burrow was out at this point with an injured wrist. Browning took his place. The Ravens got it back at their own 20 with 90 seconds left. On 3rd and 10, defensive pass interference on an incompletion meant 13 yards. On 1st and 20 from their own 38 after offensive holding, defensive pass interference again meant 28 yards. Jackson went to Beckham for 21. On 3rd and 7 from the Cincinnati 10, Jackson went to Bateman for the touchdown. With 23 seconds left in the half, the Ravens led 21-10.
After a third quarter touchback, the Bengals moved 67 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. On 3rd and 5 from the Baltimore 8, Browning threw incomplete. McPherson hit from 26 to get the Bengals within 21-13. After a touchback, the Ravens moved to a 4th and 4 at the Cincinnati 7. Justin Tucker hit a 25 yard field goal to make it 24-13 Ravens. The Ravens got it back at their own 44 and moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Cincinnati 29. Jackson threw incomplete twice. Tucker hit from 47 to make it 27-13 Ravens. In the fourth quarter the Ravens from their own 32 moved to salt the game away. Jackson went deep to Beckham for 51. On 3rd and 2 from the Cincinnati 8, Edwards ran for 5 and then the 3 yard touchdown for a 34-13 Ravens lead. The Bengals managed one garbage time touchdown with one minute left, but they have far bigger concerns. Burrow is out for the rest of the season. The Ravens did not escape unscathed either. Andrews was injured in the first quarter and is also out for the rest of the season. 34-20 Ravens
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers — A very good Dallas team traveled to take on a very bad Carolina team. The Cowboys took over at their own 17. Dak Prescott went to Tony Pollard for 12. Turpin ran for 13. On 3rd and 1 just past midfield, Pollard gained 3. On 3rd and 4 from the Carolina 40, Pollard gained 22. Prescott went to Schoonmaker for an 18 yard touchdown to cap the 10 play, 83 yard, 5 minute drive and make it 7-0 Cowboys. The Cowboys got it back at their own 20 and moved 69 yards in 12 plays and 5 minutes in the second quarter. On 2nd and 9 from the Carolina 11, Prescott threw incomplete twice. Aubrey hit a 30 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Cowboys. The Panthers took over at their own 26 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Dallas 13. A run lost yards and Bryce Young was sacked. Eddie Pineiro hit a 42 yard field goal to to get the Panthers on the board at the 2 minute warning.
Pineiro hit the ensuing kickoff out of bounds to set up the Cowboys at their own 40. Prescott went to Michael Gallup for 19. On 3rd and 10 from the Carolina 41, Prescott only gained 3 but defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. On 3rd and 16 from the Carolina 29 after a sack, Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for only 10 but another defensive unnecessary roughness penalty added 10 more yard. On 3rd and goal at the 5 with 24 seconds left in the half, Prescott hit Lamb for the touchdown and the 17-3 Cowboys lead. The Panthers got back in the game in the third quarter from their own 30. On 4th and 7 from their own 44, the Panthers punted but a running into the kicker penalty made it 4th and 2 just shy of midfield. Frank Reich decided to gamble. Young hit Adam Thielen for 16. On 4th and 3 from the Dallas 28, Reich gambled again and Young hit Thielen for just enough. On 4th and 1 from the Dallas 16, Reich gambled a 3rd time and Sanders gained 3. On 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 4, Young hit Tommy Tremble for the touchdown. The mind-numbing 17 play drive with three 4th own conversions went 70 yards and took 9 minutes off the clock. After three quarters, the Panthers only trailed 17-10.
The upset to be was not going to happen. The Cowboys turned out the lights in the fourth quarter. After a touchback, the Cowboys soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 40. Prescott went deep to Ferguson for 24 as the third quarter ended. One minute into the fourth quarter, Pollard ran for a 21 yard touchdown to make it 24-10 Cowboys. One play and 10 seconds after a touchback, the Cowboys were in the end zone again. Dalton Bland returned an interception of Young 30 yards for a touchdown to make it 30-10 Cowboys. The extra point was no good but it didn’t matter. A sack of Young forced a fumble that led to a 27 yard Aubrey field goal to complete the blowout. The Cowboys are 7-3 on the year while the Panthers have the worst record in the NFL. 33-10 Cowboys
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns — The Browns lost Deshaun Watson for the rest of the year and would have to win with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at the helm. Yet the Browns have a nasty defense, and the Dawg Pound is always geared up for Pittsburgh. This game was a typical AFC North barefooted slobberknocker. Early on the Steelers were pinned at their own one yard line and punted to set up the Browns at midfield. Thompson-Robinson went to David Njoku for 18. Ford gained 13. On 3rd and goal at the one, Ford was ruled short but Kevin Stefanski successfully challenged the call. Ford got in to make it 7-0 Browns. At the end of the half the Browns moved 17 plays and 77 yards in 5 1/2 minutes. Despite 2nd and goal at the Pittsburgh 6 with 16 seconds left, Thompson-Robinson threw incomplete twice. Dustin Hopkins hit the 25 yard field goal as the Browns took a 10-0 lead to the half.
The Cleveland defense had stymied Pittsburgh the entire first half, but that was about to change. On the second play from scrimmage after a third quarter touchback, Jaylen Warren broke free for a 74 yard touchdown run. Just like that, the Steelers were back within 10-7. Yet just like that, both defenses dug in again as neither team reached the end zone again. The Steelers began the fourth quarter at their own 28 and moved 62 yards in 13 plays and 7 minutes. The Steelers reached 1st and 10 at the Cleveland 15, but a run lost yards and Kenny Pickett was sacked. Chris Boswell hit a 28 yard field goal for a 10-10 deadlock midway through the fourth quarter. The defenses dug in again as the Browns took over at their own 35 with 1:18 to play in regulation. Thompson-Robinson hit Moore for 15, Kareem Hunt for 5, Amari Cooper for 8, and David Njoku for 11. With 5 seconds left, Hopkins came in for a 34 yard field goal try for the win. Hopkins was good and the 1980 Browns are witnessing the Cardiac Kids 43 years later. The Browns are 7-3 while the Steelers dropped to 6-4 on the year. 13-10 Browns
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions — A very bad Chicago team traveled to take on a very good Detroit team. After an opening touchback, Justin Fields ran for 11 and 7. Fields hit Moore for 14, Cole Kmet for 11, and St. Brown for 13. Fields ran for 10. Donta Foreman ran for a one yard touchdown to finish the 10 play, 75 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Bears. Jared Goff threw interceptions on his first 2 drives but the Bears did not capitalize. The bears fumbled the second pick right back to set up the Lions at the Chicago 34. On 3rd and 3, Gibbs gained 14. On 3rd and 5 from the Chicago 8, Goff hit St Brown for 6. Gibbs ran for a 2 yard touchdown for a 7-7 game in the second quarter. The Bears moved 62 yards in 15 plays and 7 1/2 minutes after a touchback. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the Detroit 13, Fields threw incomplete. Cairo Santos hit a 31 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Bears with 1:47 left in the half. After a touchback, Goff lit up the 2 minute drill. He hit St. Brown for 10 and 13 and Gibbs for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 43, Goff went to Williams for 12 and Gibbs for 8 and 14. On 3rd and goal at the 7 with 11 seconds left in the half, Goff went to St. Brown for the touchdown and a 14-10 Lions lead.
In the third quarter the Bears took over at their own 15. A 10 play, 50 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive led to a 53 yard Santos field goal to get the Bears within 14-13. The Lions fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set up the Bears at the Detroit 40. Fields ran for 12. On 2nd and 21 from the Detroit 39 after an offensive penalty, Fields went deep to Moore for the touchdown to put the Bears up 20-14 after three quarters. An interception of Goff led to Santos hitting a 40 yard field goal to extend the lead. The Bears got it back at their own 9 and moved 70 yards in 14 plays and nearly 9 minutes. On 3rd and 7 from the Detroit 23, a surprise run gained only 2 yards. Santos hit his 4th field goal from 39 as 16 unanswered points had the Bears up 26-14 with only 4:15 to play in regulation.
The Lions soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. Goff hit St Brown for 16, Sam LaPorta for 6, Gibbs for 13, and Williams deep for a 32 yard touchdown. The Lions were within 26-21 but only 3 minutes remained. A couple of first downs for the Bears would ice the game. Instead, a pair of runs netted only one yard as the Lions took a pair of timeouts on defense. On 3rd and 9 from his own 26 with 2:50 to play, Matt Eberflus went for the win rather than run the ball again. A first down would all but end it. Instead, Fields threw incomplete, allowing the Lions to preserve their last timeout. The Lions got it back at their own 27. Goff hit David Montgomery for 13 and 12 as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. Goff then went to Gibbs for 6, LaPorta for 8, and Montgomery for 9. Montgomery ran for 10. The Lions took their last timeout with 43 seconds left. On 3rd and 2 from the Chicago 7, Gibbs gained 6 as the Bears took their first timeout on defense. Montgomery ran it in to give the Lions the lead. Goff went to LaPorta for the 2 point conversion. The Lions led 29-26 with 30 seconds left. A short kickoff was fair caught, but pinned the Bears at their own 8 yard line. On the very first play fro scrimmage, disaster struck the Bears. Fields was sacked and fumbled. A member of the Bears offensive line accidentally kicked the ball out the back of the end zone for a safety to ice the game. 17 unanswered points left Eberflus uberflustered. Dan Campbell was his typical amped up self, but with his Lions at 8-2, he has a right to be. This was gritty, not pretty, but the Lions got it done. 31-26 Lions
Los Angeles Chargers at Green Bay Packers — The Chargers consistently underachieve while the Packers are just not as good as they were in past years. The Chargers from their own 14 moved 79 yards in 12 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 5 from the Green Bay 7, Justin Herbert threw incomplete. Cameron Dicker hit a 25 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Chargers. The Packers took over at their own 31. Reed ran for 15. On 3rd and 8 from their own 48, Jordan Love went to AJ Dillon for 20. On the first play of the second quarter, Reed ran for a 32 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Packers. The Chargers soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 30. Herbert went to Erickson for 12. On 3rd and 3 just shy of midfield, Herbert went deep to Smartt for a 51 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Chargers.
Anders Carlson missed a 52 yard field goal try that would have tied the game. Carlson did hit form 28 to tie the game 10-10 to end the half. The Chargers in the third quarter moved from their own 22 to a 2nd and goal at the 4. A completion lost yards and Herbert then threw incomplete. Dicker hit from 26 to make it 13-10 Chargers. The Packers got the ball back at their own 30. Love went deep to Wicks for 27 and to Kraft for 27 more. Love hit Watson for an 11 yard touchdown. The extra point by Anders was wide no good as the Packers led 16-13.
With 11 minutes left in regulation, the Chargers took over at their own 37. On 3rd and 8, Herbert went to Donald Parham for 12 and Keenan Allen for 11. On 1st and 20 from the Green Bay 48 after offensive pass interference, Herbert went to Allen for 17. Herbert ran for 9. Herbert added 11 more. On 3rd and 9 from the Green Bay 10, Herbert went to Allen for the touchdown. The 11 play, 63 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive had the Chargers up 20-16 with 5 1/2 minutes left to play. The Packers soon faced 3rd and 20 at their own 15. Love threw deep incomplete but the Packers were saved by a 24 yard defensive pass interference penalty. Love then went to Wicks for 35 yards. Love then went deep to Romeo Doubs for a 24 yard touchdown. With 2 1/2 minutes left, the Packers led by a field goal.
At the 2 minute warning, the Chargers faced 4th and 20 at their own 15. Brandon Staley is crazy, but this time at the 2 minute warning he decided to be sane. The Packers soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 45. Matt Lafleur took absolutely no chances. A short run forced the Chargers to take their last timeout. The Chargers got the ball back at their own 20 needing only a field goal to tie the game. They moved to a 4th and 1 at their own 35 with 23 seconds left. Rather than just move the chains, Herbert threw perfect deep ball to a wide open receiver. The receiver dropped it incomplete as the Chargers continued their recent history of losing close games. They also lost Joey Bosa on the 4th play of the game to a foot injury. His season might be over. 23-20 Packers
Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans — The Cardinals were an NFL bottom feeder without Kyler Murray but his return last week sparked the Cardinals to a win in the final seconds. After an opening touchback, the Cardinals struck quickly. Murray hit McBride for 13. James Conner ran for 9. Murray went deep to Moore for a 48 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. The Texans after a touchback moved to a 4th and 2 at the Arizona 15. Demeco Ryans went for it and Boone got stopped for no gain. Yet the Texans soon got the ball back at their own 39 and went right to work. CJ Stroud went deep to Dell for 20 and Woods for 17. On 3rd and 6 from the Arizona 20, Stroud went to Schultz for the touchdown and a 7-7 game. The Cardinals got another jolt when Matt Prater leveled a 57 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Cardinals.
The Texans soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. Stroud went to Woods for 14. as the first quarter ended. Singletary began the second quarter with big gains of 8 and 11. A sack of Stroud had the Texans facing 2nd and 20 from the Arizona 44. Stroud hit Sims for 23 and Collins for 10. Singletary ran for an 11 yard touchdown to cap the 10 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive and make it 14-10 Texans. One play after a touchback, Murray went deep and was intercepted. The Texans drove from their own 25 to the Arizona 11, but Stroud was intercepted for a touchback. The Texans got it back at their own 26 with 2:15 left in the half. On 3rd and 1, Stroud hit Dell for 6, Collins for 7, Schultz for 12, and Dell deep for a 40 yard touchdown with 26 seconds left. The Texans led 21-10.
The Texans held the ball for 6 minutes in the third quarter but Matt Amendola missed a 48 yard field goal that would have extended the lead. The Cardinals took over at their own 38. Conner ran for 11. Murray hit Swaim for 8 and McBride for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Houston 23, Murray gained just enough with a facemark adding 9 more yards. Murray on 3rd and goal at the 10 ran for 9 more. Jonathan Gannon went for it on 4th and goal at the one. Murray got in to finish the 12 play, 62 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and get the Cardinals within 21-16. Gannon went for 2 but Murray got stopped.
The Cardinals got it back at their own 32 and moved to a 4th and 3 at the Houston 23 early in the fourth quarter. Gannon went for it and Murray’s completion gained only 2 yards. The Texans got a break when the Cardinals fumbled a punt and the Texans recovered at the Arizona 25. Yet from the Arizona 13, Stroud was intercepted by Barnes, who returned the pick 46 yards to just shy of midfield. The Texans got it back at their own 25 and moved to the Arizona 25. Stroud was intercepted again. The Cardinals last chance moved them from their own 19 to a 3rd and 8 at the Houston 27 with 40 seconds left. Murray threw incomplete twice. The Cardinals were game, but fell just short. 21-16 Texans
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars — Last week the Jaguars were humiliated at home in a 31 point loss to San Francisco. The Titans have been ravaged by injuries. The Jaguars unleashed their defense. A first quarter fumble by Will Levis set up the Jaguars at their own 43. On 3rd and 3, Trevor Lawrence threw incomplete but defensive pass interference added 9. Lawrence went to Christian Kirk for 20 and Farrell for 7. Travis Etienne ran for 7. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Lawrence went to Calvin Ridlet for the touchdown and the 7-0 Jaguars lead. In the final 3 minutes of the half, the Jaguars twice faced 4th and 2 deep in the red zone. Both times, Doug Pederson played it safe as can be at home. Brandon McManus hit field goal of 30 and 25 as the Jaguars took a 13-0 lead to the locker rooms.
The Jaguars began the third quarter at their own 27 and immediately looked to put the game away. Johnson ran for 9. Lawrence hit Farrell for 14. On 4th and 4 the Tennessee 40, this time Doug Pederson gambled. Lawrence went to Johnson for a 34 yard gain. After a loss, Lawrence ran for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 20-0 Jaguars. The Jaguars got it back at their own 20. Etienne ran for 2 and 11. Lawrence went to Ridley for 26, to Christian Kirk for 18, and to Ridley for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 27-0 Jaguars. The Titans managed a touchdown, but this game was over. Early in the fourth quarter the Titans fumbled a punt and the Jaguars recovered at the Tennessee 36. On 3rd and 7, Lawrence went to Evan Engram for 13. On 4th and 1 from the Tennessee 11, Pederson moved to ice things. Bigsby gained 3. Lawrence ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 34-7 Jaguars. The Titans got one more garbage touchdown as the Jaguars rebounded to get to 7-3 on the season. 34-14 Jaguars.
Las Vegas Raiders at Miami Dolphins — The Raiders came in all smiles and cigars in winning their first 2 games since Antonio Pierce replaced Josh McDaniels. Yet those 2 wins came over the hapless Jets and Giants. Both of those wins were at home. Now the Raiders had a real test as they traveled to Miami to take on a Dolphins team that put up 70 points a few weeks ago. The Raiders got a break early when the Dolphins fumbled and the Raiders recovered at the Miami 30. On 3rd and 7, Aidan O’Connell went to Michael Mayer for 12. Yet offensive pass interference on the next play killed the drive. Daniel Carlson hit a 34 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Raiders. After a touchback, the Dolphins soon faced 3rd and 11 at their own 35. Tua Tagovailoa was sacked, but defensive holding gave the Dolphins an automatic first down. Tagovailoa made the defense pay, hitting Tyreek Hill for 18 and again for a 38 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Dolphins.
After a touchback, the Raiders shocked the football world by moving 75 yards easily. O’Connell went to Tucker for 17. On the last play of the first quarter, O’Connell went deep to Davante Adams for a 46 yard touchdown and a 10-7 Raiders lead. The Dolphins in the second quarter after a touchback moved 68 yards in 12 plays and 6 minutes. On 4th and 1 from the Raiders 3, Mike mcDaniel went for it. A swing pass from Tagovailoa to Hill was blown up for a 4 yard loss. Yet the valiant goal line stand was wasted as the Raiders offense went 3 and out and gave the Dolphins the ball back at their own 37. Tagovailoa went to Jalen Waddle for gains of 9, 12 and 15 and to Chosen for 9. On 3rd and 10 from the Raiders 11, Tagovailoa went to Salvon Ahmed for the touchdown. With 2 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Dolphins led 14-10. Neither team would reach the end zone as the game became a slugfest.
With one minute left in the half, the Raiders got another break when the Dolphins fumbled again and the Raiders recovered at the Miami 32. Yet O’Connell after a short run threw incomplete twice. Carlson hit a 47 yard field goal to end the half. The Raiders only trailed 14-13, but their offense was no match for the Miami defense. On the first play of the third quarter after a touchback, Tagovailoa went deep and was intercepted. The Raiders went 3 and out. The Dolphins moved from their own 21 to a 3rd and 7 at the Raiders 31. Tagovailoa threw incomplete and Jason Sanders then missed a 50 yard field goal try. Yet despite great field position at his own 40, O’Connell was immediately intercepted. Sanders hit a 41 yard field goal to make it 17-13 Dolphins. Sanders tacked on a 51 yard field goal for a 7 point lead after three quarters.
The Raiders defense was doing everything to keep the game close. Their defense gave up nothing in the fourth quarter. One touchdown from the offense would force overtime. They got 4 chances. The first time after a touchback, they moved to a 3rd and 3 at their own 43. Then O’Connell was sacked. A short 34 yard punt gave the Raiders the ball back at midfield. They moved to a 4th and 3 at the Miami 31. Rather than kick a field goal to get within 4 points, Antonio Pierce went for it. O’Connell threw deep incomplete. The Raiders got it back at their own 13 and moved to a 3rd and 6 at the Miami 24. An incompletion left 3:16 on the clock. Antonio Pierce again decided to go for it rather than kick a field goal and try and get the ball back. It was a perfectly reasonable call but O’Connell, on the verge of being sacked, threw an interception. The Raiders got it back one final time at their own 7 yard line with 0 timeouts at the 2 minute warning. They moved to a 1st and 10 at the Miami 39 with 36 seconds left. After an incompletion, O’Connell went for it all. He threw into double coverage and was intercepted in the end zone by Jalen Ramsey for a touchback. The Dolphins are 7-3 and playing fierce football. Despite losing, the Raiders culture really has changed. They went on the road against a Super Bowl contender and took them to the limit, falling just short. 20-13 Dolphins
New York Giants at Washington Commanders — The Commanders are nothing special, but the Giants are a horrendous team led by Danny Devito’s 3rd cousin Tommy. The Commanders turned the ball over on their first two possessions with an interception and a fumble. The latter set up the Giants at the Washington 45. On 3rd and 13, Devito went to Darrius Slayton for 24 and to Saquon Barkley for a 24 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Giants. The Commanders after a touchback moved to a 1st and goal at the 5. A run went nowhere and Sam Howell threw incomplete twice. Joey Slye hit from 23 to get the Commanders within 7-3. The Giants got it back in the second quarter at their own 38. On 3rd and 8, Devito hit Robinson for 11 On 3rd and 1 from the Washington 40, Devito went deep to Slayton for the touchdown and the 14-3 Giants lead.
After a touchback, Robinson gained 4 and 6. Howell hit McLaurin for 8. Rodriguez gained 9. Howell hit Bates for 8. Robinson gained 11. Howell ran for a 7 yard touchdown. Slye missed the extra point with 90 seconds left in the half, but the Commanders were within 14-9. The Commanders took over at their own 8 yard line in the third quarter. They moved 68 yards in 12 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. Slye hit a 42 yard field goal to get the Commanders within 14-12. The Commanders got it back at their own 23 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Giants 35. In field goal range to take the lead, the Commanders fumbled the ball away.
The Giants took over at their own 32. On the last play of the third quarter, Barkley got around the end for a 36 yard gain. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Devito went to Bellinger for 26. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Devito went to Barkley for the touchdown to make it 21-12 Giants. An interception of Howell set up the Giants at their own 36. They moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Washington 15 before a run was blown up for a 4 yard loss. Randy Bullock hit a 36 yard field goal to make it 24-12 Giants midway through the fourth quarter.
After a touchback, Howell went to Jahan Dotson for 12. On 4th and 10 from their own 40 with 4 minutes left, the Commanders were down to their last gasp. Howell hit Robinson for 21. The Commanders again were down to their last gasp on 4th and 1 from the Giants 30 with 3 minutes left. The defense jumped offside. Roughing the passer gave the Commanders 13 more yards. The Commanders fumbled, but maintained possession. Howell hit Dotson for an 8 yard touchdown. With 2:16 to play, the Commanders were within 24-19. The Commanders took 2 timeouts on defense and got the ball back at their own 19 with 1:49 left. With 30 seconds left they had reached 1st and 10 at the Giants 43. After a false start, Howell went to the sideline and Simmons jumped the route. Simmons took the interception back 54 yards for the clinching touchdown and a big win in an otherwise forgettable season. 31-19 Giants
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers — After throttling Jacksonville, the 49ers looked to take down overmatched Tampa Bay. The 49ers took over in the first quarter at their own 20. Brock Purdy hit Deebo Samuel for 15. On 3rd and 7 just past midfield, Purdy hit Christian McCaffrey for 11 McCaffrey ran for 14. Purdy hit Brandon Aiyuk for 14. McCaffrey ran for 9, 8 and 2 and then caught a 4 yard touchdown pass from Purdy. The 12 play, 80 yard, 7 minute drive made it 7-0 49ers. The Buccaneers held the ball 6 minutes in moving from their own 15 to a 1st and 5 at the San Francisco 33 in the second quarter. Baker Mayfield was sacked and fumbled. The 49ers took over at their own 35 and moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Tampa Bay 19. A sack of Purdy killed the drive. Moody hit a 37 yard field goal to make it 10-0 49ers.
After a touchback, Mayfield hit Durham for 8 and Palmer for 17. On 3rd and 2 from the San Francisco 39, Mayfield ran for 3. On 2nd and 19 from the San Francisco 45 after a sack, Mayfield went deep to Cade Otton for 27 at the 2 minute warning. Thompkins ran around the left end for 17 down to the one. Mayfield hit Mike Evans for the touchdown. The Buccaneers only trailed 10-7, but after that the 49ers turned out the lights. The 49ers moved from their own 29 in the final 1:43 of the half to a 3rd and 3 at the Tampa 10 with 24 seconds left. Purdy threw incomplete. Moody hit a 28 yard field goal to make it 13-7 49ers.
In the third quarter the 49ers took over at their own 2 yard line. Purdy went to George Kittle for 21. Purdy then went deep to Aiyuk for a 76 yard touchdown and a 20-7 49ers lead. The 49ers got it back at their own 21. McCaffrey ran for 12. Purdy went to Kittle for 11. Pn 2nd and 14 from their own 40, Purdy went deep to Samuel for 40. On 3rd and 1 from the Tampa 11, McCaffrey gained 5. Purdy went to Kittle for a 3 yard touchdown for a 27-7 49ers lead. The Buccaneers managed one more touchdown one minute into the fourth quarter but nothing else. With 6:45 left on 4th and 3 from the San Frisco 12, Mayfield threw incomplete. With 4 1/2 minutes left, a 51 yard punt return had the Buccaneers at the San Francisco 13. On 3rd and 6 from the Frisco 9, Mayfield was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback. The Buccaneers turned it over on downs with one minute left. They had their chances, but the 49ers clamped down when it had to as the 49ers got to 7-3 on the year. 27-14 San Francisco 49ers
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills — The Jets overcame a 10 point deficit to defeat the Bills in overtime in the season opener. The rematch in Buffalo was never a contest. The Jets fumbled the opening kickoff away. Their defense tried to keep is manageable. Tyler Bass hit field goals on the first 3 Buffalo drives of 48, 30, and in the second quarter, 33. The Bills led 9-0. An interception of Zach Wilson had the Bills at the Jets 23. The Jets defense finally broke. Cook ran for 12. Josh Allen went to Cook for a 5 yard touchdown for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 16-0 Bills. The Jets managed to move 84 yards in the final 3 minutes of the half, helped along by a fake punt and another fourth down conversion. The Jets were within 16-6 but the 2 point conversion try failed. The Bills clamped down in the second half. After a third quarter touchback, Allen went to Stefan Diggs for 10 with 15 more tacked on for defensive unnecessary roughness. Allen went to Cook for 15. On 4th and 1 from the Jets 28, Sean McDermott went for it. Allen went to Johnson for the first down and the touchdown as the Bills led 22-6. The Bills got it back at their own 14 and quickly ended things. Allen went deep to Shakir for an 81 yard touchdown and a 29-6 Bills lead. The Jets turned the ball over twice in the fourth quarter and the Bills added one more field goal to complete the blowout. 32-6 Bills
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams — The Seahawks began their first drive at their own 12 yard line. On 3rd and 6, Geno Smith went to Tyler Lockett for 9 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15. On 3rd and 1 just shy of midfield, Charbonnet gained 3. On 3rd and 5 from the Rams 43, Smith went to non-relative Smith-Nigba for 9. Smith went to DK Metcalf for 7, to Tyler Lockett for 11, and back to Metcalf for an 8 yard touchdown. The 14 play, 88 yard drive took 8 minutes off the clock and made it 7-0 Seahawks. The Rams after a touchback moved to a 2nd and goal at the 2. A pair of runs went nowhere. Sean McVay went for it and Matthew Stafford threw incomplete. The Seahawks moved 62 yards in 16 plays and 8 1/2 minutes. Jason Myers hit a 54 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Seahawks. The Seahawks got it back at their own 32. A 53 yard bomb from Smith to Metcalf led to 2nd and goal at the 5. A run lost 6 yards and intentional grounding killed the drive. Myer hit from 43. With 5 minutes left in the half, the Seahawks were dominating 13-0.
After a touchback, Freeman ran for 6 and 15. Stafford went to Trammell for 14 and 12 and to Tutu Atwell for 17. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Stafford hit Nacua for the touchdown with 9 seconds left. The Rams trailed 13-7. A 15 yard penalty in the third quarter on a punt return had the Seahawks with a short field at the Rams 46. Myers hit a 52 yard field goal to make it 16-7 Seahawks. An injury to Smith on the last play of the third quarter had Drew Lock starting the fourth quarter. The Rams took over at their own 32. Stafford went to Robinson for 23, to Darrell Henderson for 14, to Tyler Higbee for 17, and to Nacua for 11. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Stafford threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 4 yards down to the one. Henderson got in to have the Rams within 16-14 midway through the fourth quarter. Lock went deep and was intercepted. The Rams took over at their own 21 and moved 75 yards in 14 plays and 5 minutes. On 1st and goal at the 7 with 1:52 left, a run went nowhere, Stafford threw incomplete, and a completion gained only 3 yards. Havrisik hit a 22 yard field goal. With 90 seconds left, the Rams led by one point. After a touchback, the Seahawks moved to the Rams 37 with 3 seconds left. Myers came in for a 55 yard field goal try to give the Seahawks the win. His kick was wide right no good. 17-16 Rams
Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos was the Sunday night game. The Broncos came in having won 3 straight after a 1-5 start. The Vikings came in having won 5 straight after a 1-4 start. Joshua Dobbs has become a sensation. The Vikings on the third play from scrimmage fumbled the ball away and the Broncos recovered at the Minnesota 30. Yet both defenses played well on this night. The Broncos settled for plenty of field goals. A 31 yarder by Wil Lutz made it 3-0 Broncos. The Vikings took over at their own 35. Tyson Chandler had gains of 6, 7 and 7. On 3rd and 1 from the Denver 27, Alexander Mattison gained 15. 8 and one. On the first play of the second quarter on 3rd and 1 from the Denver 3, Dobbs went to Oliver for the touchdown to cap the 10 play, 65 yard, 5 minute drive and make it 7-3 Vikings. The Vikings got it back at their own 29 and moved to a 2nd and goal at the 3. Yet Mattison lost 2 yards and Dobbs was then sacked. Greg Joseph hit a 34 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Vikings.
The Broncos responded with Lutz field goals of 31 and 52 to end the half to get the Broncos within 10-9. The Vikings in the third quarter began at their own 31. Mattison gained 9. Dobbs went to Jordan Addison for 18. Mattison added a pair of 7 yard gains. On 3rd and 13 from the Denver 31, Dobbs was intercepted and Patrick Surtain returned it 70 yards to the Minnesota 15. Yet defensive pass interference on Surtain instead meant a 19 yard gain for Minnesota. On 3rd and 8 from the Minnesota 10, Dobbs ran for the touchdown to put the Vikings up 17-9 midway through the third quarter. The Vikings got it back at their own 20 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Denver 34. They were on the verge of putting the game away. Yet again they failed to build a 2 score lead as they fumbled the ball away.
The Broncos moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Minnesota 12. Then came an illegal formation followed by a sack of Russell Wilson. Lutz hit his 4th field goal from 37 yards out early in the fourth quarter. One play after a touchback, Dobbs was intercepted. McMillan returned the pic 9 yards to the Minnesota 9 yard line. Yet while the Vikings were self-destructing with turnovers, the Broncos could not reach the end zone. An offensive facemark killed the drive. Lutz hit his 5th field goal from 28 to get the Broncos within 17-15 with 10 1/2 minutes left. Yet while the Broncos could not reach the end zone, the Vikings could not put the game away. After a touchback, a 14 play, 63 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive propelled along by a fake punt led to a 1st and 10 at the Denver 12. A pair of runs went nowhere and Dobbs on 3rd and 10 threw incomplete. Joseph hit from 30 to make it 20-15 Vikings, but the Broncos still had 3:17 to work with.
The Broncos were down to their last gasp facing 4th and 3 at their own 32 with 2 1/2 minutes left. Wilson went to Cortland Sutton for 13 and to Perine for 10, 17 and 6. On 3rd and 4 from the Minnesota 22, Wilson went to Perine for 7. Wilson then went to Sutton for a 15 yard touchdown. It took 59 minutes, but the Broncos sole trip to the end zone had them up 21-20. The 2 point conversion try failed. After a touchback, the Vikings had one minute and all 3 timeouts needing only a field goal to win. Yet this time there was no Dobbs miracle magic. The Denver defense was stout all night, and from his own 36, Dobbs threw incomplete twice followed by an intentional grounding call. With 16 minutes left on 4th and 25 from his own 21, Dobbs went deep incomplete. 23-21 Broncos
Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs was the Monday night game. The Chiefs beat the Eagles 38-35 in a thrilling Super Bowl XLVII. Now it was time for the eagerly anticipated rematch between 2 teams that both had a very realistic chance of returning to the big game. The Eagles came in 8-1 and the Chiefs entered at 7-2. This was Ali-Frazier. Adding to the drama was a pouring rain that drenched the Arrowhead crowd. In the first quarter the Chiefs took over at their own 20. Pacheco ran for 3 and 24. Toney added 14. On 3rd and 7 from the Philadelphia 36, Patrick Mahomes went to Toney for just enough. Toney received a generous spot, and Nick Sirianni decided not to challenge the spot. Mahomes went to Rice for 14. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Mahomes went to Justin Watson for the touchdown to cap the 10 play, 80 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Chiefs. After a touchback, Jalen Hurts went to Devonta smith for 20. Deandre Swift ran for 7. Hurts added 6. Hurts hit Smith for 11. Swift ran for 17 and then for the 4 yard touchdown. The game was tied 7-7 after the first quarter.
The teams traded interceptions but a 21 yard punt return with 4 minutes left in the half set up the Chiefs at the Philadelphia 45. On 3rd and 7, Mahomes threw deep incomplete but the defense jumped offside. On 3rd and 2, Pacheco gained 12. Mahomes ran for 14. On 3rd and 3 from the Philadelphia 4, Mahomes went to Travis Kelce for the touchdown. With 1:45 left in the half, the Chiefs led 14-7. The Eagles punted again and a 16 yard return by Toney gave the Chiefs another short field at the Philly 46 with 44 seconds left. Harrison Butker hit a 43 yard field goal to end the half with the Chiefs up 17-7.
Midway through the third quarter, the Eagles faced 3rd and 1 at their own 48. Hurts gained 2. Swift then ripped off a 35 yard gain. On 3rd and 5 form the Kansas City 10, Hurts ran for the touchdown to get the Eagles within 17-14. The defenses dug in, and the Eagles took over at their own 20. Hurts went to Swift for 20. On 3rd and 5 from their own 45, Hurts went to Smith for 13. Hurts then went for a deep bomb to Smith. The ball was slightly under thrown but caught for a 41 yard gain down to the one. The entire football world knew the tush push was coming, and Hurts snuck in successfully. With 6:20 to play, the Eagles had the 21-17 lead.
The Eagles held on defense and got the ball back at their own 44 with a chance to put the game away. Yet the Chiefs held on defense. The Chiefs got it back at their own 9 yard line with 2:49 left. With 2:18 left the Chiefs faced 4th and 2 at their own 17. Mahomes hit Kelce for 4. Mahomes then went to Kelce for 13 with 15 more tacked on for roughing the passer at the 2 minute warning. The Chiefs had 1st and 10 just shy of midfield. After an incompletion by Mahomes, 2 plays offered the biggest swing of emotions possible. On 2nd and 10, Mahomes went for it all. Marquis Valdes-Scantling beat the defender. The bomb was perfectly thrown. Valdes-Scantling dropped it. On 3rd and 10, Mahomes was called for intentional grounding. On 4th and 25, a desperate Mahomes fired a pass that was beyond the first down marker and could have been caught. It was well-defended but went through the receiver’s hands incomplete. The Chiefs fell to 7-3 while the Eagles got to 9-1 after winning a fine, fine football game. 21-17 Eagles