NFL 2023 Week 14 Recap
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers was the Thursday night game. The Patriots came in 2-10, but their last 3 losses all saw the defense give up 10 points or less. The Patriots were without anyone at quarterback or injured running back Raimondre Stevenson. The Steelers lost last week at home to lowly Arizona after Mitchell Trubisky replaced the injured Kenny Pickett. After an opening touchback, Bailey Zappe hit Ezekiel Elliott for 12 and Juju Smith-Schuster for 25. On 3rd and 9 from the Pittsburgh 25, Zappe ran for 11. Zappe hit Elliott for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Patriots.The Steelers moved from their own 31 to a 3rd and 8 at the New England 37. Trubisky was sacked for a slight loss. Chris Boswell hit a 56 yard field goal to get the Steelers within 7-3.
The Steelers got it back at their own1 15 and began the second quarter facing 3rd and 10 at their own 27. Trubisky was intercepted by Jabrill Peppers, who returned the pick 32 yards to the Pittsburgh 11. Two plays later Zappe hit Hunter Hen ry for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Patriots. A short 34 yard punt gave the Patriots the ball back at their own 41. On 3rd and 3, Zappe went to Smith-Schuster for 28 and to Henry for a 24 yard touchdown to make it 21-3 Patriots.
After a touchback, Trubisky went to Warren for 12. Austin ran for 12. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 42, Trubisky gained 2. Trubisky went to Johnson for a 25 yard touchdown to get the Steelers within 21-10 with 3 minutes left in the half. The defenses dug in. After a scoreless third quarter, a shanked 11 yard punt early in the fourth quarter gave the Steelers gift field position at the New England 26. Trubisky hit Washington for 12. Defensive pass interference added 7 down to the one. Trubisky got in. Mike Tomlin went for 2 and Trubisky hit Pat Freiermuth successfully. The Steelers were within 3 points with 12 minutes left in regulation. With 2:44 left the Steelers took over at their own 27. On 3rd and 2 just shy of midfield just before the 2 minute warning, Trubisky threw incomplete twice. The Steelers took their final timeout on defense with 1:51 left. The Patriots faced 3rd and 1 at the Pittsburgh 39. Zappe got stopped short. The Patriots punted and the Steelers got the ball back at their own 13 with 15 seconds left. The Steelers needed to go 87 yards. A pair of long completions got the Steelers to the New England 41, but the clock hit zeroes before the Patriots could try a 59 yard field goal or a Hail Mary. 21-18 Patriots
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons — After an opening touchback, the Buccaneers moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Atlanta 39. Baker Mayfield gained only 2. Chase McLaughlin nailed a 55 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Buccaneers. The Falcons after a touchback moved to a 3rd and goal at the 2. Desmond Ridder threw incomplete. Younghoe Koo hit from 20 to make it 3-3. An interception of Ridder gave the Buccaneers gift field position at the Atlanta 8 yard lien to start the seance quarter. Mayfield ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Buccaneers. The Falcons soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. Brian Robinson gained 8. Ridder then went to London for 22. Ridder went to Pitts for a 36 yard touchdown to make it 10-10.
A 50 yard field goal try by Koo to give the Buccaneers the lead doinked off the upright no good. With 2 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Falconstook over at their own 8 yard line. Ridder was sacked in the end zone and fumbled. The Falcons fell on it but the safety put the Buccaneers up 12-10. The Falcons missed a chance to take the lead on the last play of the half but Koo missed again from 52. Koo entered the game with a 90% make rate, the highest in NFL history. The Buccaneers in the third quarter faced 3rd and 1 at their own 43. White gained 12. On 3rd and 5 at the Atlanta 40, Mayfield went to Evans for 8. On 3rd and 9 from the Atlanta 31, Mayfield went to White for the touchdown and the 19-10 Buccaneers lead. The Falcons faced 3rd and 7 from their own 36. Defensive pass interference on a Ridder incompletion added 11 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the Tampa Bay 36, Ridder went to Robinson for 33. Robinson ran for a 3 yard touchdown to get the Falcons within 19-17 with 11 minutes left in regulation.
After a touchback the Buccaneers moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Atlanta 20. Mayfield threw deep incomplete. McLaughlin hit from 38 to make it 22-17 Buccaneers with 6 minutes left. After a touchback, Ridder went deep to London for 45 yards. Tyler Allgeier ran for 9, 9 and 6. Ridder ran for a 6 yard touchdown. Ridder hit London for the 2 point conversion. With 3 1/2 minutes left, the Falcons led 25-22. After a touchback, the Buccaneers moved to a 4th and 1 at their own 45 at the 2 minute warning. White got just enough, fumbled the ball, but kept possession of it. The key play came on 3rd and 10 from the Atlanta 47 with 1:16 left. Mayfield went to Chris Godwin for 32. Mayfield hit Cade Otton for an 11 yard touchdown with 30 seconds left. After a touchback, the Falcons quickly moved to the Tampa 31 with 4 seconds remaining. Ridder went deep to London for a 28 yard gain but London got tackled at the Atlanta 3 yard win as the clock ran out. Both teams are 6-7 in the division nobody wants to win. 29-25 Buccaneers.
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals — The Colts came in having won 4 straight to get to 7-5 against the 6-6 Bengals. The Bengals took over at their own 8 yard line. Jake Browning was sensational in his debut last week and this week started with a 17 yard completion to Boyd. Browning hit JaMarr Chase for 14. A short dum-off pass from Browning to Brown went for a 54 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Bengals lead. The Colts failed to get on the board when Matt Gay’s 38 yard field goal try doinked off the upright no good. After a touchback, the Bengals began the second quarter facing 3d and 2 at their own 36. Browning hit Sample for 3. Browning threw a short pass to Joe Mixon that went for a 45 yard gain. On 4th and 9 from the Indianapolis 15, Evan McPherson hit a 33 yard field goal. Yet a defensive personal foul for leverage on the kick led Zac Taylor to take the points off the board. On 3rd and goal at the one to start the second quarter, Mixon appeared stopped but with a great second effort got in the end zone for a 14-0 Bengals advantage.
The Colts soon faced 3rd and 14 at their own 17. Gardner Minshew hit Granson for only 9 but a defensive unnecessary roughness penalty kept the drive going. Minshew went to Mallory for 16. On 3rd and 11 from the Cincinnati 44, Minshew went to Pierce for 12. On 3rd and 6 from the Cincinnati 28, Minshew gained just enough. On 3rd and 1 from the Cincy 13, Moss gained 2. On 3rd and 1 at the Cincinnati 2, a run up the middle got stopped stone cold for no gain as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. Minshew went play action pass and lofted a high pass to Mo Alie-Cox that was caught for the touchdown. Gay missed the extra point as the Colts trailed 14-6. The Bengals quickly faced 2nd and 4 at their own 31. Browning was intercepted by Harrison who returned the pick 36 yards for a defensive touchdown Minshew went to Pittman for the 2 point conversion for a 14-14 game with 90 seconds left in the half.
After a touchback, Browning quickly went to Tee Higgins for 26 and to Chase for 14 more. Browning went to Hudson for an 11 yard touchdown as the Bengals reclaimed the lead up 21-14. The Bengals got it back at their own 29. Browning went deep to Higgins for 46 yards. On 3rd and 9 from he Indy 23, Browning went to Hudson for 10. Zac Taylor gambled on 4th and 1 from the indy 4. Mixon gained 3. Browning got the last yard to make it 28-14 Bengals. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Browning left the game injured The 3rd string quarterback was the starter briefly a few years ago. That’s right, Miss Alabama’s husband AJ McCarron is back. The Bengals failed to move the ball but the Colts fumbled the punt. The Bengals took over at the indy 12, lost yards, saw a touchdown nullified by offensive pass interference, and settled for a 32 yard McPherson field goal for a 31-14 Bengals lead with 11 minutes left in regulation. McPherson connected again from 35 at the 2 minute warning to finish the scoring. Both teams are 7-6 on the year. 34-14 Bengals
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns — Only 6 days after suffering a high ankle sprain, Trevor Lawrence started for the 8-4 Jaguars against the 7-5 Browns. After an opening touchback, Ford ran for 8 and caught a pass form Joe Flacco for 10. Flacco went to Tillman for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Jacksonville 34, Flacco found a wide open David Njoku for an easy touchdown and a 7-0 Browns lead. The Browns began the second quarter at their own 28. Flacco went to Amari Cooper for 17, to Moore for 20, and to Njoku for a 35 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Browns. The Browns had all the momentum until Cooper fumble was returned 12 yards to set up the Jaguars at the Cleveland 12. Lawrence hit Evan Engram for a 10 yard touchdown to get the Jaguars within 14-7.
The Jaguars began the third quarter facing 3rd and 21 at their own 14. A short completion was fumbled and the Browns took over at the Jacksonville 22. After Kareem Hunt got stopped on 3rd and 1 from the Jags 13, Kevin Stefanski went for it. On 4th and 1, Flacco gained 2. On 3rd and 3 from the Jags 4, Hunt took the direct snap and banged it in with some help to make it 21-7 Browns. A Browns fumble prevented them from putting the game away and gave the Jaguars gift field position at the Cleveland 25. Lawrence hit Engram for 10. On 3rd and 12 from the Cleveland 17, Lawrence hit Calvin Ridley for 16 down to the one. Travis Etienne stretched the ball of the plane of the goal to get the Jaguars within 21-14 .
Early in the fourth quarter an interception of Lawrence gave the Browns a short field at the Jacksonville 48. On 4th and 3, Kevin Stefanski opted not to punt or try a 59 yard field goal. He went for it. Doug Pederson’ defense brought the house and Flacco fired over the middle to a wide open Bell. Bell coasted for a 41 yard touchdown to make it 28-14 Browns with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. After a touchback and defensive unnecessary roughness, the Jaguars faced 3rd and 4 at the Cleveland 48. Lawrence went to Ridley for 9 and 12. On 3rd and 6 from the Cleveland 19, Lawrence went to Parker Washington for the touchdown. With 9 minutes left, the Jaguars were within 28-21. The Jaguars got it back and with 3 1/2 minutes left went for it on 4th and 3 at their own 38. Lawrence threw incomplete. 20 seconds later Dustin Hopkins leveled a 55 yard field goal to give the Browns breathing room up 31-21. The Jaguars quickly came back 75 yards and Lawrence hit Engram for a 2 yard touchdown with 90 seconds left. A pointless 2 point conversion try failed, and so did the onside kick. Both teams are 8-5 on the year. 31-27 Browns
Houston Texans at New York Jets — The scoreless first half need never be discussed. After being benched a few weeks ago, Zach Wilson finally produced some offense after a third quarter touchback. Wilson hit Ruckert for 7 and non-relative Wilson for 14 and 16. On 3rd and 12 form the Houston 40, Wilson went deep to non-relative Wilson for 25. Wilson went to Randall Cobb for a 15 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Jets lead. The Jets got it back and faced 3rd and 9 at their own 32. Wilson went to Conklin for 24. Roughing the passer added 15. On 3rd and 1 at the Houston 20, Wilson went to non-relative Wilson for 11. Gipson ran for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Jets. The Jets were on the move again about to put the game away when Wilson fumbled and the Texans recovered at their own 43. CJ Stroud went to Beck for 26 and to Jordan for 23. Defensive pass interference added 7 yards down to the one. Singletary got in. Matt Amendola missed the extra point but rather than trail 21-0 or even 17-0, the Texans were within 14-6. The Jets soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 32. Wilson went to Breece Hall for 6 and again for 27. Hall ran for 15. After a sack, Wilson went to Ruckert for 19. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Wilson went to Hall for the touchdown and the 21-6 Jets lead. Stroud left the game in the fourth quarter with a possible concussion as the Jets tacked on three more field goals. This was a statement by Robert Saleh’s defense and a very brief reprieve for Wilson. 30-6 Jets
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens — 9 straight runs out of the gate moved the Rams from their own 24 to a 1st and goal at the 9. Matthew Stafford then threw 3 straight incompletions. Havrisik hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Rams. Late in the first quarter, the Ravens took over at their own 34. After Mitchell ran for a pair of 6 yard gains, Lamar Jackson went deep to Isaiah Likely for a 54 yard touchdown for a 7-3 Ravens lead. After a touchback, the Rams began the second quarter facing 3rd and 2 and 2 at their own 33. Stafford went to Robinson for 22 with defensive unnecessary roughness for 15. Stafford went to Cooper Kupp for 27. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Stafford went to Kupp for the touchdown to make it 10-7 Rams. After a touchback, Jackson scrambled for 11. On 3rd and 7 from their own 39, Jackson hit Zee Flowers for 15. Jackson then found a wide open O’Dell Beckham Jr, who made a diving catch for a touchdown and a 14-10 Ravens lead.
The Rams punted on 4th and 5 at their own 30. Yet the defense jumped offside and the Rams kept the ball. On 3rd and 4 from their own 41, Stafford connected with Nacua for 34. Defensive pass interference added 15 more. Stafford went to Allen for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 17-14 Rams with 5 minutes left in the half. Jackson was immediately intercepted on a deep ball that was intercepted and returned 17 yards to set the Rams up just shy of midfield. Hvrisik hit from 51 to make it 20-14 Rams with 1:45 left n the half. After a touchback, the Ravens quickly moved to a 3rd and 9 at the Rams 17 with 12 seconds left in the half. A completion gained only 4 yards. Justin Tucker hit from 31 to get the Ravens within 20-17. In the third quarter the Ravens moved from their own 23 to a 3rd and 2 at the Rams 28. Jackson threw incomplete. Tucker hit from 47 for a 20-20 game.
The Ravens got the ball back at their own 10. On 3rd and 5, a shotgun snap went horribly wrong. The Ravens ended up fumbling the ball out of the back of their own end zone for a safety and a 22-20 Rams lead.The Ravens got it back at their own 20 and moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Rams 20. After an incompletion, Jackson gained only 5. John Harbaugh decided not to gamble on 4th and 2. Tucker hit from 33 for a 23-22 Ravens lead with 11 minutes left in regulation. The Rams took over at their own 15. Williams ran for 7 and 14. Stafford went to Allen for 21 and Nacua for 23. Stafford hit Kupp for 12. Stafford hit Robinson for a 5 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Rams led 28-23 with 4:40 to play.
After a touchback, Lackson went to Hill for 12. Jackson ran for 9. Jackson went to Flowers for 4 and 11. Jackson went to Beckham for 14. On 3rd and 4 from the Rams 19, Jackson hit Nelson Agholor for 5. On 3rd and 17 from the Rams 21, Jackson went to Flowers for the touchdown. The 13 play, 75 yard drive was followed by Jackson hitting Flowers for the 2 point conversion. With 1:15 left, the Ravens led 31-28. After a touchback the Rams quickly went to a 2nd and 6 at the Baltimore 18 with 22 seconds left. Stafford threw inoomplete twice. Havrisik hit a 36 yard field goal for a 31-31 game. Yet in a game with a lot of offense and little defense, former special teams coach John Harbaugh saw special teams be the difference. Inovertime, each team got the ball once and went nowhere. Yet Wallace took a punt at his own 24 and returned it 76 yards for the touchdown to end the game barely more than 2 minutes into overtime. The Rams saw their 3 game win streak snapped to fall to 6-7 while the Ravens got to 10-3 the hard way. 37-31 Ravens, OT
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears — The Bears outplayed the Lions a few weeks ago but collapsed against Detroit in the final minutes. The Bears began facing 3rd and 3 at their own 38. Justin Fields ran for 13 and again for 11. A wildcat snap to Moore went for a 16 yard touchdown as the Bears led 7-0. The Bears got it back at their own 9 yard line and moved to a 2nd and 9 at the Detroit 15. Fields threw incomplete and then was sacked. Cairo Santos hit a 46 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Bears. The Lions took over in the second quarter at their own 39. David Montgomery gained 13 and 7. Dan Campbell gambled on 4th and 3 from the Detroit 38. Goff hit Donovan Peoples-Jones for 17. On 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 12, Gibbs ran for the touchdown to get the Lions within 10-6. Riley Patterson missed the extra point. A short punt gave the Lions the ball back just past midfield. On 3rd and 2, Jared Goff hit Sam LaPorta for 10. On 3rd and 3 from the Chicago 28 at the 2 minute warning, Gibbs got just enough. On 3rd and 4 from the Chicago 19, Goff hit Gibbs for 6. Goff hit Reynolds for an 8 yard touchdown. The Lions led 13-10 with 26 seconds left. In the third quarter the Bears moved from their own 28 to a 1st and goal at the 7. Khalil Herbert got stopped for nothing and Fields threw incomplete twice. Santos hit from 25 to make it a 13-13 game.
A field position game had the Bears taking over midfield. On 3rd and 3, Fields hit Cole Kmet for 8. On 4th and 13 from the Detroit 38, Matt Eberflus had nothing to lose. Rather than punt or try a 56 yard field goal, he went for it. Fields went deep to Moore for the touchdown. The extra point was blocked but the Bears led 19-13. Goff then fumbled and the Bears recovered at the Detroit 29. Fields went to Donta Foreman for 16. On 3rd and goal at the 11, Fields ran it in. The 2 point try failed but the Bears led 25-13. Last time a 12 point lead late in the fourth quarter collapsed. Not this time. Dan Campbell gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 34. Gibbs got blasted for a 4 yard loss. Santos hit a 28 yard field goal with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation to complete the scoring. Chicago’s defense did the rest. The Lions are still 9-4, but this game was a stumble. 28-13 Bears
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints — Derek Carr cleared concussion protocol but played tis game with a rib injury. Blake Grupe shanked a 29 yard field goal try as the Saints came up empty on their opening drive. Bryce Young got belted as he tried to throw and the ball was plucked out of the air for an interception. The Saints took over at the Carolina 36. The Saints squandered the opportunity when Carr was called for intentional grounding but soon got the ball back at the Carolina 44. Kamara ran for a pair of 7 yard gains. Williams added 12. On the first play of the second quarter, Kamara ran for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Saints. Eddie Pineiro responded with a 47 yard field goal to get the Panthers on the board.
bedlam ensued when the Panthers punted from their own 26. Sewell blocked the punt and Jackson returned it 8 yards for a special team touchdown. Every time the Saints block a punt for a touchdown, Steve Gleason God willing gets to live another few years. Meanwhile, the Saints led 14-3. In the third quarter the Panthers moved from their own 14 to a 1st and goal at the one. Yet the worst team in the league saw a run lose a yard and Young then get sacked. Pineiro hit a 29 yard field goal to get the Panthers within 14-6. The Panthers got it back at their own 30 and moved to a 3rd and 8 at the New Orleans 17. Young was sacked and Pineiro’s 41 yard field goal try doinked off the upright no good 90 seconds into the fourth quarter. The Panthers got it back at their own 24 and moved to a 4th and 1 at the New Orleans 36. Young threw incomplete.
Carr then quickly moved to put the game away. A deep ball to Perry gained 43 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the Carolina 19, Carr went to Jimmy Graham for 12 and Chris Olave for the 7 yard touchdown to ice things at 21-6 Saints. The Panthers turned it over on downs at their own 24 and Carr hit Graham for a 4 yard touchdown. Dennis Allen’s defense was tenacious all game. 28-6 Saints
Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders — This was not the very worst game ever played. After 58 minutes, the game was still 0-0. Greg Joseph missed a first half field goal for the Vikings. The Raiders reached the red zone and fumbled the ball away. After 51 minutes, Joshua Dobbs was replaced with Nick Mullens. At the 2 minute warning, Joseph came in again for a 36 yard try. This time he was good. Aidan O’Connell had a chance to be the hero and immediately completed a pass to Pace, who plays defense for the Vikings. The Raiders lost their 3rd straight to fall to 5-8 and pretty much end their season. League officials burned the tape of this game. 3-0 Vikings
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers — The 49ers looked to pretty much put away the NFC West. On the first play from scrimmage after a touchback, Christian McCaffrey broke free for a 72 yard run. On the next play Mason got the last 3 yards to make it 7-0 49ers. After a touchback, Drew Lock started in place of the injured Geno Smith. Lock hit Smith-Nigba for 7 and DK Metcalf for gains of 21 and 7. On 3rd and 6 from the San Francisco 40, Lock hit Tyler Lockett for 9. Lock then went deep to Metcalf for a 31 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. The Seahawks got it back at their own 29 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the San Francisco 14. A run lost yards and a false start killed the drive. Jason Myers hit a 40 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Seahawks. Brock Purdy was intercepted, but the Seahawks failed to capitalize.
The 49ers took over in the second quarter at their own 17. Purdy hit Brandon Aiyuk for 10. McCaffrey out of the shotgun ran for 20. On 3rd and 11 from his own 46, Purdy went deep to Deebo Samuel for a 54 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 49ers. The defenses dug in and with 6 minutes left in the third quarter the 49ers took over at their own 25. Purdy went deep to Aiyuk for 45 yards. McCaffrey ran for 12. On 3rd and 6 from the Seattle 14, Purdy hit Samuel for 13 down to the one. Samuel got the last yard to make it 21-10 49ers. The Seahawks came back rapidly from their own 22. Lock hit Walker for 27, Fant for 26, and Colby Parkinson for a 25 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Seahawks were within 21-16 after three quarters. Yet after a touchback, the 49ers quickly struck again to start the fourth quarter. Purdy went to Samuel for 30 and to George Kittle for a 44 yard touchdown one minute into the fourth quarter. The 49ers defense clamped down the rest of the way, interception Lock twice. The 49ers got to 10-3 on the year. 28-16 49ers
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs — The 6-6 Bills came in fighting for their playoff lives against the 8—4 Chiefs. After an opening touchback, the Chiefs moved to the Buffalo 30. Patrick Mahomes was intercepted. The Bills took over at their own 47. Josh Allen ran for 4 and 8 sandwiched around an 11 yard completion to Dawson Knox. Allen went to Cook for a 25 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bills. The Bills got it back at their own 27. Cook ran for 12. Johnson gained 5 and 6. From midfield, Allen went to Cook for 27 and the Bills began the second quarter at the Kansas City 23. On 4th and 1 from the Kansas City 14, Sean McDermott went for it. Allen went to Kincaid for 4. Cook ran for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Bills.
The Bills got it back and moved from their own 7 yard line to the Kansas City 48. The Bills had all the momentum with 3 1/2 minutes left in the half but Allen was then intercepted at that spot. Mahomes went to Toney for 8 and Travis Kelce for 12. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 17, Mahomes hit James for 4. On 3rd and 4 from the Buffalo 7 and everyone expecting a pass, Walrus Andy Reid called a run. Jerock McKinnon ran it in for the touchdown to get the Chiefs within 14-7. The Bills after a second half touchback moved 67 yards in 15 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 8 from the Kansas City 14, Allen gained only one yard. Tyler Bass hit a 31 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Bills.
After a touchback, Mahomes hit Mrques Valdes-Scantling for 15 and Kelce for 11. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 40, McKinnon gained 7. Mahomes hit Kelce for 22. On 3rd and 3 from the Buffalo 4, Mahomes hit Rice for the touchdown. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, the Chiefs were within 17=14. The Chiefs fumbled on their next series but the Bills did not capitalize. A 25 yard punt return gave the Chiefs the ball back at their own 41 to start the fourth quarter. They moved to a 2nd and 8 at the Buffalo 10. After an incompletion, Mahomes was sacked and fumbled and the Bills recovered. Yet on further review it was just another incomplete pass. Harrison Butker hit a 27 yard field goal for a 17-17 game with 11 1/2 minutes left regulation.
Midway through the fourth quarter the Bills took over at their own 31. They moved to a 3rd and 10 at the Kansas City 22 just before the 2 minute warning. A completion gained only one yard. Bass hit a 39 yard field goal. The Bills led by 3, but the Chiefs had the ball. In the playoff a few years ago, the Chiefs trailed by 3 with only 13 seconds left and pulled out a miracle. This time they have 1:54 left, an eternity. After a touchback, came absolute craziness. On 2nd and 10 just past midfield, Mahomes went to Kelce for 25, and Kelce lateraled the ball to Toney who took it the other 24 yards for a spectacular 49 yard touchdown miracle with 1:12 to play. Yet officials ruled that the offense had lineup offside, negating the score. An enraged Mahomes had to be physically restrained by his teammates from going after the officials Instead of the lead, the Chiefs had 2nd and 15. Mahomes threw 3 straight incompletions. The Bills are alive with the sound of music at 7-6. The Chiefs are 8-5, but have lost 3 of 4 and 4 of their last 6, making Andy Reid a most concerned Walrus indeed. 20-17 Bills
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers — The Broncos saw their 5 game win streak snapped last week. This week their defense unleashed on the hapless Chargers. An early interception of Russell Wilson gave the Chargers gift field position at the Denver 13 yard line. On 4th and 3 from the 6 after an incompletion, Brandon Staley did his best to finally get fired by going for it rather than taking the 24 yard field goal. Justin Herbert threw incomplete again. Herbert was then intercepted on his next series to give the Broncos the ball at the Chargers 3 yard line. Williams ran it in on the next play to make it 7-0 Broncos. Stalet gambled again on 4th and 2 from the Denver 29 and Herbert threw incomplete again. The Broncos moved from their own 30 to a 1st and goal at the 5. Wilson threw 3 straight incompletions. Unlike Staley, Sean Payton is sane. Wil Lutz hit the 23 yard second quarter field goal to make it 10-0 Broncos. In the third quarter with a backup quarterback replacing the injured Herbert, Staley gambled again on 4th and 1 from the Denver 40. A run went nowhere. On 3rd and 2, Wilson hit Williams for 6. Wilson went deep to Cortland Sutton for a 46 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Broncos. The Chargers avoided the shutout with a fourth quarter touchdown, but Wilson hit Adam Trautman for a 10 yard touchdown to complete the scoring. The Broncos at 7-6 have gone 6-1 in their last 7 games. 24-7 Broncos
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys is the Sunday night game. Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is Jewish. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is not. If the Eagles score first, expect the UN and the Squad to demand an immediate ceasefire until the Cowboys catch up. The Eagles barely survived at home 28-23 against the Cowboys a few weeks ago. Last week the Eagles were throttled at home against San Francisco. The 10-2 Eagles and the 9-3 Cowboys were playing for the NFC East lead. The Cowboys began facing 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Kevontae Turpin ran for 22. Tony Pollard added 11. On 3rd and 1 from the Philadelphia 24, Dak Prescott gained 3. On 3rd and 2 from the Philadelphia 13, Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for the touchdown to cp the 10 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive and make it 7-0 Cowboys. The Eagles after a touchback moved to the Dallas 21. A 14 yard completion from Jalen Hurts to Dallas Goedert was nullified by offensive pass interference on AJ Brown. Instead of 1st and goal at the 7, it was 1st and 20. Hurts then gained 11 but fumbled the ball away. The Cowboys moved from their own 21 to a 1st and 10 at the Philadelphia 32. Offensive holding appeared to kill the drive but mike McCarthy went big and bold. He had his appendix removed on Wednesday and was already on the sideline for this game. Rather than punt on 4th and 20, he had rookie kicker Aubrey try a 60 yard field goal. Aubrey nailed it to make it 10-0 Cowboys.
Jake Elliott hit a 52 yard field goal early in the second quarter to get the Eagles on the board. After a touchback, Prescott went to Ferguson for 27. Dowdle ran for 4, caught a pass from Prescott for 6, and ran for 9. Prescott hit Lamb for 10. On 3rd and 2 from the Philadelphia 8, Prescott gained 4. On 3rd and goal at the one, Dowdle got the carry and ran into a brick wall. Yet Mike McCarthy challenged the spot. After a review, officials somehow saw between all of the bodies to rule that Edrogan broke the plane of the goal. instead of 4th and goal at the one, it was 17-3 Cowboys with 6 minutes left in the half. The Eagles moved after a touchback to a 1st and 10 at the Dallas 18. A run lost a yard and Hurts was sacked. Elliott hit from 44 to get the Eagles within 17-6 with 1:48 left in the half. That was more than enough time for the Cowboys. After a touchback, On 3rd and 6 from their own 40, the Eagles committed 2 defensive penalties on one lay. Defensive pass interference added 10 yards and a facemark added another 15. Prescott went deep to Cooks for 30 down to the one. Prescott rifled a pass to Michael Gallup for the touchdown with 20 seconds left to make it 24-6 Cowboys.
The Eagles got a break in the third quarter. On 3rd and 10 from his own 45, Prescott was sacked and fumbled. Carter returned the fumble 42 yards for a defensive touchdown to get the Eagles within 24-13. It didn’t matter. Mike McCarthy brought out Aubrey again for a 59 yard field goal and in the fourth quarter for a more normal 45 yarder and finally a 50 yarder with just over one minute to play. Both teams are 10-3 on the year tied atop the division and the conference. The Eagles have lost 2 straight. 33-13 Cowboys
Green Bay Packers at New York Giants was one of two Monday night games. Randy Bullock missed a 48 yard field goal that would have given the Giants the lead. The Packers soon faced 4th and 1 at their own 47. Matt LaFleur went for it and Jordan Love hit Wicks for barely just enough. Love then went to AJ Dillon for 35 yards. Reed ran for a 16 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Packers. The Giants soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Tommy Devito hit Saquon Barkley for 5. Devito went to Hodgins for 14. Devito ran for 10. Robinson took a direct snap 32 yards. Barkley ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
The Packers turned it over twice but the Giants did not capitalize. The Packers got it back at their own 17 with 2:45 left in the half and moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Giants 18 with 20 seconds left. Love threw incomplete. Anders Carlson hit a 36 yard field goal as the Packers took a 10-7 lead to the locker rooms. Early in the third quarter the Packers fumbled a punt and the Giants recovered at the Green Bay 31. Devito ran for 26 yards down to the one. Barkley got the last yard to put the Giants back on top 14-10. Then the Giants fumbled a punt and the Packers recovered at the Giants 14. A sack of Love killed the drive. Carlson hit a 32 yard field goal to get the Packers within 14-13. The Giants soon faced 3rd and 9 at their own 26. Devito hit Bellinger for just enough. Devito ran for 13. Matt Breida ran for 7 and 9. Devito hit Robinson for 25. On 3rd and 7 from the Green Bay 8, Devito hit Hodgins for the touchdown to cap the 10 play, 75 yard, 6 minute drive and make it 21-13 Giants after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter Anders missed a 45 yard field goal but hit one from 48 to get the Packers within 21-16 with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation. With 4 minutes left one play brought a major momentum swing. From his own 48, Barkley ripped off a a 33 yard gain to the Green Bay 19 but then fumbled the ball. Valentine picked it up at his own 14 and returned it the other way 50 yards to the Giants 36. At the 2 minute warning the Packers were in prime position to win with a 2nd and 4 at the Giants 16. On 3rd and 4, Love hit Reed for 8. The Giants began taking their timeouts on defense. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Love went to Heath for the touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Packers had the one point lead with 90 seconds left. After a touchback, Danny Devito’s cousin Tommy tried to be the hero. Devito hit Robinson for 5, Barkley for 7, Darrius Slayton for 9, and Robinson again for a 32 yard gain. At this point the Packers began taking their timeouts on defense. thE giants took the clock down to 2 seconds and Bullock came in for the 37 yard try to win it. Bullock was good. 24-22 Giants
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins was one of two Monday night games. The Titans played the game with heavy hearts after hearing about the death of Music City Miracle Hero Frank Wychek at age 52. The Dolphins fumbled the ball away early but the Titans soon faced 3rd and 11 at their own 6. Will Levis was intercepted by Sieler, who returned the interception 5 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 7-0 Dolphins lead. Yet the Titans defense clamped down the entire first half. In the second quarter the Titans took over at their own 14. The Titans soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 38. Levis hit Spears for 10 and Moore for 22. On 3rd and 10 from the Miami 30, Levis only gained 5 but a mindless defensive unsportsmanlike conduct penalty meant 15 more yards and a first down. Levis gained 11 down to the one. Derrick Henry got the last yard to cap the 14 play, 68 yard, 7 minute drive and make it 7-7.
At the 2 minute warning, Jason Sanders had a 44 yard field gal try to give the Dolphins the lead. His kick was blocked. The Titans took over at their own 21 with 28 seconds left. Levis went to Deandre Hopkins for 24 and again for 45. The Titans had 1st and goal at the 10 with 10 seconds left. Levis threw incomplete twice. Nick Folk hit from 28 to put the Titans up 10-7 at the midpoint. In the third quarter the Dolphins moved from their own 21 on an 11 play, 77 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Tua Tagovailoa threw incomplete. Sanders hit the 20 yarder for a 10-10 deadlock. The Titans took over at their own 35 and moved to a 2nd and goal at the 5. Levis threw incomplete twice, including a 3rd down pass that was initially ruled a touchdown and then reversed. Folk hit from 23 to make it 13-10 Titans. The Dolphins moved from their own 28 to a 2nd and goal at the 3. Tagovailoa threw incomplete and then was sacked as both defenses came up big in the red zone. Sanders hit from 31 as the game was tied for the third time 13-13 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
A key play in this hard fought game came with 6 minutes left. The Dolphins punted and the Titans fumbled the punt. The Dolphins recovered with gift field position at the Tennessee 7 yard line. Raheem Mostert ran for 4 and then for the 3 yard touchdown to put the Dolphins up 20-13 with 5 1/2 minutes left. One play after a touchback, Levis fumbled the shotgun snap. The Dolphins recovered at the Tennessee 12. Mostert ran for 3 and then for the 5 yard touchdown to make it 27-13 Dolphins. For 54 minutes, this was a brutally tough game. Then the Titans just self-destructed. Yet this game was not over.
The Titans tried to rally. On 3rd and 4 from their own 31, Levis hit Okonkwo for 7 and Spears for 12. On 2nd and 15 from their own 45, Levis went to Spears for 21 and 8 and Westbrook-Ikhine for 23. Levis hit Hopkins for a 3 yard touchdown. Mike Vrabel went for a 2 point conversion and Levis hit Westbrook-Ikhine. With 2:40 to play, Vrabel opted to kick it deep and trust his defense rather than go onside kick. The Titans took a pair of timeouts on defense. On 3rd and 6 from his own 29, Tagovailoa only gained 4. Offensive holding stopped the clock and allowed the Titans to save their last timeout. The Titans took over at their own 36 with 2:15 left. Levis went deep to Hopkins for 36 and to Okonkwo for 15. At the 2 minute warning, the Titans already had 1st and 10 at the Miami 13. Henry ran for a 4 yard touchdown. Now it was the Dolphins who self-destructed as the Titans led by one point. Yet 1:49 still remained, plenty of time for the Dolphins. On 4th and 1 from his own 44, Tagovailoa stumbled and was taken down for a loss with 20 seconds left.In an absolute shocker, the Titans went on the road and out-muscled one of the best teams in the league to drop the Dolphins to 9-4 on the year. 28-27 Titans
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