NFL 2024 Week 3 Recap
New England Patriots at New York Jets was the Thursday night game. The Jets have been unimpressive so far. This game against a hated rival would see if they are just overhyped. The Jets in the first quarter moved from their own 27. Allen ran for 11 and 5. Aaron Rodgers hit Ruckert for 11. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. Breece Hall ran for 10. Rodgers hit Gipson for 11 and Allan Lazard for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Jets. The second quarter began with the Jets facing 3rd and 6 at their own 13. Rodgers went to Lazard for 27 and Hall for 14. On 3rd and 5 from the New England 30, Rodgers hit Wilson for 9. On 2nd and 17 from the New England 28, Rodgers hit Conklin for 22. On 3rd and goal at the one, Hall got in to make it 14-0 Jets. The Patriots managed a field goal while the Jets missed one. In the third quarter the Jets moved 66 yards in 11 plays and 7 minutes. Rodgers hit Wilson for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 21-3 Jets. This game was about the Gang Green defense. They forced a fumble to set up a 28 yard fourth quarter Greg Zuerlein field goal to complete the scoring. 24-3 Jets
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints — The Eagles blew a fourth quarter lead last week while Derek Carr has the Saints rolling like Drew Brees was still in the Big Easy. Dennis Allen knows defense, but over two weeks the Saints have had a high octane offense. Yet rather than a shootout, this game was a street fight. A 34 yard Blake Grupe field goal on the Saints first drive was all the scoring through three quarters as the Saints nursed a 3-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Saints had a chance to get in the end zone when they blocked a punt late in the third quarter. On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Saints faced 4th and 1 at the Philadelphia 16. Rather than kick the field goal and extend the lead, Allen gambled. Alvin Kamara got the carry and ran into a Philadelphia brick wall for no gain.
A few plays later, momentum drastically changed. Dennis Allen runs a high risk, high reward defense. When those aggressive defenses have a breakdown, they break down in the worst way. From their own 35, the Eagles handed the ball to Saquon Barkley, who found a seam off tackle and raced for a 65 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Eagles led 7-3. After a touchback, the Saints moved to a 4th and 6 at the philadelphia 20. Grupe hit from 38 to get the Saints within 7-6. The Eagles moved from their own 24 to the New Orleans 41. With 6:47 to play, rather than punt and play field position, Nick Sirianni brought in Jake Elliott to try a 60 yard field goal. The kick was wide right no good.
The Saints soon faced 3rd and 4 at the Philadelphia 44. Kamara gained 5 yards, but offensive unnecessary roughness after the play moved the Saints back 15. Carr went deep to Chris Olave for 29. Carr went to Olave for the touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed by the Saints led 12-7 with 2:03 to play. The Eagles took over at their own 31. With 1:15 to play the Eagles were facing desperation with a 3rd and 16 at their own 35. Yet again a very aggressive defensive call by Dennis Allen backfired. He was not wrong to make the call, but Jalen Hurts was ready. He found Dallas Goedert in the flat, and Goedert rumbled down the sideline for a 61 yard gain. Barkley ran for a 4 yard touchdown. Barkley then ran the 2 point conversion straight up the gut and in to give the Eagles a 3 point lead with one minute left. After a touchback, Carr threw deep over the middle into traffic and was intercepted. This was a bare knuckle bawl, and a playoff rematch would be worth it. 15-12 Eagles
Los Angeles Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers — Both teams came in unbeaten. A field position game for the first 10 minutes had the Chargers taking over at their own 41. Justin Herbert hit McConkey for 13. JK Dobbins ran for 5 and 13. Herbert went to Quentin Johnston for 27 yard gain. The Steelers soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 35.. Justin Fields went to George Pickens for just enough. The second quarter began with the Steelers at the Chargers 48. Fields went to Pat Freiermuth for 10. On 3rd and 4 from the Chargers 32, Fields went to Miller for 20. Fields ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-7 with 10 minutes left in the half.
After a touchback, the Chargers drove to a 2nd and 7 at the Pittsburgh 9. A run lost a yard and Herbert threw incomplete Cameron Dicker hit from 28 to make it 10-7 Chargers. Chris Boswell tried a 62 yarder on the last play of the half to tie it but was no good. Boswell did hit from 38 in the third quarter for a 10-10 deadlock. Less than one minute into the fourth quarter, Boswell hit again from 30 for a 13-10 Steelers lead. The Steelers got the ball back at their own 16 with 10 minutes left in regulation. Fields hit Pickens for 14. Harris ran for 10. Midway through the fourth quarter, Fields connected with Austin for a 55 yard touchdown to lock up the win. Jim Harbaugh lost his first game as chargers coach while Mike Tomlin has the Steelers unbeaten. 20-10 Steelers
New York Giants at Cleveland Browns — The Giants were trying to show that they are not the worst team in the league. The Browns wanted to show that the preseason hype around them was not a mirage. The Giants fumbled the opening kickoff and the Browns took over at the Giants 24. On the first play from scrimmage, Deshaun Watson went deep to Amari Cooper for the touchdown. Only 11 seconds into the game, the Browns led 7-0. The Giants took over at their own 19 and Daniel Jones was intercepted. Yet roughing the passer nullified the interception. Brian dabble, figuring he had nothing to lose, went for it on 4th and 1 at his own 43. Nabers gained 2. On 2nd and 16 from his ow 39, Jones went to Robinson for 20. Jones then hit Tracy for 12. On 3rd and 3 from the Cleveland 27, Jones went to Darrius Slayton for 7 and Devin Singletary for 23. Singletary then ran for 3 and finally for the one yard touchdown. The 13 play, 81 yard, 8 minute drive made it 7-7.
In the second quarter a punt pinned the Giants at their own 7 yard line. On 3rd and 2, Jones hit Robinson for 10. On 3rd and 5 from their own 43, Jones went to Nabers for 14. Jones went to Nabers again for 28 and back to Robinson for 10. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Jones went to Nabers for the touchdown. The 14 play, 93 yard, 7 minute drive made it 14-7 Giants with 1:44 left in the half. With 38 seconds left in the half, Watson was sacked and fumbled. The Giants recovered at the Cleveland 30. Jones hit Nabers for a 5 yard touchdown with 11 seconds left in the half. The Giants led 21-7.
After a scoreless third quarter that saw the Browns miss a 53 yard field goal try, a field position game had the Browns just past midfield one minute into the fourth quarter. Ford ran for 12 and Watson added 14. Watson hit Jerry Jeudy for 12. Watson went to Jeudy for a 6 yard touchdown. Kevin Stefanski went for a 2 point conversion try that was unnecessary. Watson hit Jeudy again as the Browns trailed by 6 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Browns had 3 more chances with the ball. On 1st and 10 from the Giants 44, Watson fumbled the ball away. On 4th and 1 from their own 29 with 4 minutes left, Watson was stopped short. That put Greg Joseph in position for a 48 yard field goal with 3 minutes left to ice the game. His kick was no good. The Browns then had a golden chance to win it with 2nd and 4 at their own 44. Watson threw 3 straight incompletions as the Giants finally got a win. 21-15 Giants
Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts — Caleb Williams is a rookie. Anthony Richardson is technically in his second year but missed most of last year injured. Cairo Santos missed a 56 yard field goal try for the Bears in a scoreless opening quarter. In the second quarter the quarterbacks traded interceptions. The Colts took over at their own 30. Richardson went deep to Granson for 40. Jonathan Taylor out of the shotgun raced for a 29 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. The Bears moved from their own 23 to a 3rd and goal at the one. Khalil Herbert got stopped for no gain. Matt Eberflus went for it. The Bears lined up in the shotgun. Every team that does this at the goal line should be hated until they stop doing it, line up behind the center, and play smash mouth. Anyway, on 4th and goal at the one, Deandre Swift lost 2 yards, leaving Matt Ebeerflustered and the Bears scoreless.
On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Richardson was intercepted. Santos hit a 53 yard field goal to get the Bears on the board. The Bears got it back, Williams was intercepted, and the Colts turned it over on downs when a 4th and 3 gamble only gained one yard. The Colts on their next drive had to punt on 4th and 2 from their own 28 when the Bears jumped into the neutral zone. That killer penalty was followed by Richardson hitting Taylor for 25. Taylor then ran for 21. Sermon gained 15. Sermon ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Colts after three quarters.
After a touchback, Williams hit Swift for 11 as the Bears began the fourth quarter at their own 41. On 3rd and 5 from the Indianapolis 42, Williams hit Odorize for 14. On 3rd and 7 from the Indy 25, Williams hit Cole Kmet for 10. On 3rd and 6 from the Indy 11, Williams went to Kmet for 8. Williams hit Odunze for the one yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Bears were within 14-9 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Bears quickly got the ball back and Williams was quickly sacked and fumbled. The Colts recovered at the Chicago 16. Richardson ran for 13. On 3rd and goal at the one, Taylor got in to make it 21-9 Colts with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Bears after a touchback moved to a 4th and 1 at the Indianapolis 6. Williams went to Kmet for the touchdown just before the 2 minute warning to get the Bears back within 5 points. Matt Eberflus decided to kick it deep and trust his defense rather than go onside. This was odd given that the Bears only had one timeout plus the 2 minute warning. Taylor broke off a 13 yard run and Richardson then took 3 knees as the Colts got their first win of the year. 21-16 Colts
Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings —Both of these teams came in unbeaten, but one of them showed they were in Super Bowl mode. On the second play from scrimmage, CJ Stroud was intercepted to set up the Vikings at the Houston 21. On 3rd and gal at the 6, Sam Darnold hit Justin Jefferson for the touchdown to make it 7 -0 Vikings. Kaimi Fairbairn missed a 54 yard field goal try for the Texans to give the Vikings excellent field position at their own 44. Darnold went to Jefferson for 28. On 3rd and 2 from the Houston 8, Darnold went to Aaron Jones for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Vikings. For some reason, the final three quarters were played. After a scoreless second quarter, the Vikings began the third quarter at their own 23 and moved to put the game away. Darnold went to Naylor for 18. Darnold was sacked and fumbled but Powell picked it up for the Vikings and turned a loss into an 18 yard gain. Defensive pass interference added 28 yards. Darnold threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Nailor to make it 21-0 Vikings. The Texans managed a third quarter touchdown to avoid the shutout but in the fourth quarter Reichard hit field goals of 35 and 58 sandwiched around Darnold’s fourth touchdown pass, a 2 yard toss to Mundt. 34-7 Vikings
Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — The Broncos came in winless and had tot ravel on the road cross country for an early morning game at the unbeaten Buccaneers. This was a blowout, but not what fans expected. After a touchdown, Bo Nix hit Cortland Sutton for 22, Adkins for 6, and Reynolds for 31. On 3rd and 2 from the Tampa Bay 3, Nix ran for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Broncos. An interception of Baker Mayfield was returned by Jones 37 yards to the Tampa Bay 9. On 3rd and goal at the one, Williams got stopped for no gain. Sean Payton went for it. On 4th and goal, McLaughlin got in to make it 14-0 Broncos. Wil Lutz hit a 43 yard second quarter field goal to make it 17-0 Broncos. The Buccaneers managed one touchdown just past the 2 minute warning, but after that the Denver defense turned out the lights. Lutz hit from 38 to end the half and from 53 and 43 in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring. On this day, the Broncos resembled the 1977 Orange Crush while the Buccaneers resembled the 1976 and 1977 Orange Creamsicles. 26-7 Broncos
Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans — With Jordan Love still out injured, Malik willis got the start against his former team. On the first play from scrimmage after a touchback, Willis went to Reed for 30 yards. On 3rd and 6 from the Tennessee 36, Willis went to Watson for 30 more. Willis ran for a 5 yard touchdown to quickly make it 7-0 Packers. After a touchback, Will Levis went to Whyte for 23. On 3rd and 9 from the Green Bay 35, Levis went to Boyd for 20. On 3rd and 8 from the Green Bay 13, Levis was sacked but the defense jumped offside. On 3rd and 3, Levis hit Whyte for 7. Levis went to Vannett for a one yard touchdown and a 7-7 ballgame. After that, the Packers took over.
After a touchback, the Packers moved to a 3rd and goal at the 3. Willis threw incomplete. Narveson hit a 21 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Packers. The Titans took over at their own 31. On the first play from scrimmage, Levis found Jaira Robinson. Problem: Robinson plays defense for the Packers. The 35 yard pick six had the Packers up 17-7. Narveson tacked on a 25 yard field goal to have the Packers coasting 20-7 at the midpoint. In the third quarter rookie coach Brian Callahan gambled on 4th and 2 from his own 37. Levis got taken down for no gain. With the short field, Willis hit Emanuel Wilson for a 30 yard touchdown to make it 27-7 Packers. The Titans managed one third quarter touchdown but nothing more. Narveson hit a 47 yard fourth quarter field goal to complete the scoring and keep the Titans winless. 30-14 Packers
Carolina Panthers at Las Vegas Raiders — The Raiders overcame a 10 point fourth quarter deficit to pull off an inspired road win at Baltimore. Now they could get to 2-1 on the year with a win at home against the worst team in the NFL. The Panthers benched Bryce Young in favor of veteran Red Rifle Andy Dalton, but the Raiders were still expected to beat up the lifeless Panthers. The Panthers began facing 3rd and 2 from their own 38. Dalton hit Adam Thielen for 5. Dalton went to Dio Johnson for 17. Chuba Hubbard ran for 8 and 5. Dalton went to Tremble for 20. Dalton went to Hubbard, who bowled over defenders for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Panthers. The Raiders after an exchange of punts took over at their own 3 yard line. On 3rd and 4, Gardner Minshew hit Mattison for 11. Mnshew went deep to Tre Tucker for 54. On 3rd and 4 from the Carolina 6, Minshew ran for just enough. Mattison ran for a 2 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. The 10 play, 97 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive was impressive, but after that the game changed.
The second quarter began with the Panthers at their own 25 and Hubbard gaining 3 and 8. On 3rd and 14 from their own 32, Dalton went to Johnson for 23 and Leggett for 35. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Dalton went to Johnson for the touchdown. The 10 play, 75 yard, 6 minute drive made it 14-7 Panthers. The Raiders moved from their own 40 to a 4th and 4 at the Carolina 39. Antonio Pierce gambled and Minshew threw incomplete. With 44 seconds left in the half, the Panthers were facing 3rd and 8 at their own 34 in a still close game. Dalton quickly went to Johnson for 35 and deep to Thielen for a 31 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Panthers led 21-7. A 57 yard Daniel Carlson field goal try to end the half was no good. Eddie Pineiro hit 5 field goals from 43 and 35 in the third quarter to make it 26-7 Panthers. The Panthers then moved 84 yards. Sanders ran for a one yard touchdown 90 seconds into the fourth quarter. 26 unanswered points made it 33-7 Panthers. The Raiders would get a pair of garbage touchdowns sandwiched around one more Pineiro field goal. with the game out of hand, Antonio Pierce had Minshew take a seat and let Aidan O’Connell get some mop up work. O’Connell led one touchdown drive. This was an embarrassment and Pierce lashed out at his team after the lifeless home effort. 36-22 Panthers
Miami Dolphins at Seattle Seahawks — With Tua Tagovailoa out concussed and Skylar Thompson replacing him, this game was never a contest. Jake Myers hit a 56 yard field goal to start things off for the Seahawks. A 57 yard try by Jason Sanders to tie the game was no good. The Seahawks took over at their own 47. Charbonnet gained 13. Geno Smith hit Fant for 11. Smith went to DK Metcalf for 22. Charbonnet ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Seahawks. An interception of Smith gave the Dolphins 1st and goal at the 6. They gained all of 2 yards and Sanders hit a 23 yard field goal. That concluded any semblance of offense for the Dolphins. The Seahawks took over at their own 29. One play and 11 seconds later, the Seahawks led 17-3. Smith hit Metcalf for the 71 yard touchdown to end the first quarter. The second and third quarters were scoreless. In the fourth quarter the Seahawks delivered a 98 yard drive for one final gut punch. Charbonnet ran for a 10 yard touchdown to complete the scoring. The Seahawks are a surprising 3-0 on the year under their rookie head coach. In the Mike Mac Bowl, Mike MacDonald defeated Mike McDaniel. 24-3 Seahawks
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals — After a surprising home loss, the Lions looked to right the ship against a Cardinals team that was no pushover. After an opening touchdown, Montgomery got the Lions going with runs of 11 and 6. On 3rd and 6 from their own 45, Jared Goff went to Sam LaPorta for 12. Montgomery broke off runs of 9 , 14 and the one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Lions. The Cardinals soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 38. Kyler Murray went to Wilson for 5 Murray then ran for 13 and found Harrison for 16 more. On 1st and 20 from the Detroit 38 after offensive holding, Murray ran for 21. Murray hit Harrison for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
The Lions soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 39. Jahmyr Gibbs gained 3. Goff went to Amon-Ra St. Brown for 11. On 2nd and 15 from midfield, Goff hit St. Brown for 20. The Lions began the second quarter facing 3rd and 3 at the Arizona 23. Gibbs gained 14 and 5. On 3rd and goal from the 5, Goff hit St. Brown for the touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Lions led 13-7. The Lions got it back at their own 28. Goff went to LaPorta for 24. On 3rd and 12 from midfield and the defense smelling pass, Gibbs ripped off a 14 yard run and then 6 more. With 30 seconds left in the half, Gibbs raced for a 21 yard touchdown to have the Lions up 20-7. The rest of the game was all defense. The Cardinals managed a field goal before the half and another one with 4 minutes left in regulation. With 2:20 left and the Arizona defense desperately needing a stop, on 3rd and 12 from their own 28, Goff went to St. Brown for 16. Goff scrambled for 8 more and took a pair of knees to lock up the win. 20-13 Lions
Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys — Both teams suffered stunning home losses las week. The Ravens blew a 10 point fourth quarter lead and lost to the Raiders. The Cowboys and their highest paid player quarterback Dan Prescott and highest paid receiver Ceedee Lamb got blasted by 25 points against New Orleans. The loser of this game would be indeed trouble early in the season. The Ravens took over at their own 29. Lamar Jackson ran for 12. Justice Hill added 17. Jackson went to Kolar for 30. Jackson ran for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Ravens. The Cowboys were desperate for points and Mike McCarthy was desperate to fire up his team. He brought in Brandon Aubrey to try a 65 yard field goal. The kick was good. The home crowd erupted as the Cowboys were down 7-3. Yet Aubrey’s kick was still one yard shy of the NFL record held by opposing kicker Justin Tucker.
The euphoria over Aubrey’s kick did not last long. On 3rd and 2 from their own 38, Jackson gained 3. Jackson then connected with Nelson Agholor for a 56 yard gain down to the Dallas 2. Derrick Henry gained one and then got the other yard for a 14-3 Ravens lead. The Cowboys moved down the field and began the second quarter facing 2nd and goal at the 9. Lamb caught a pass and fumbled the ball away. With 3 minutes left in the half the Ravens took over at their own 12. Henry bulldozed for gains of 12 and 13. Jackson went to Hill for 13 and Henry for 23. Jackson went to Bateman for a 14 yard touchdown to put the Ravens up 21-3 with 25 seconds left in the half. That was enough time for Aubrey to hit a 51 yard field goal to get the Cowboys within 21-6. The Ravens began the third quarter facing 3rd and 1 at their own 39. Henry ran for 29. On 1st and 20 from the Dallas 42 after offensive holding, Jackson ran for 16. Henry then ran for a 26 yard touchdown. The Ravens led 28-6 as Jerry Jones debated whether to blow up his stadium metropolis for the insurance money and fire everyone before the game ended.
With 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Tucker missed a 46 yard field goal. Yet with the Ravens up by 22, it did not seem to matter. Soon, it did. Prescott gets most of his yards and scores during garbage time. From his own 36, he found Ferguson for 16, Tolbert for 19 and Turpin for 23 down to the one. Prescott got the yard. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Cowboy were within 28-12 with 9 minutes left in regulation. The onside kick succeeded and the Cowboys took over at their own 44. On 3rd and 4 from the Baltimore 39, Prescott hit Brooks for 24. Prescott hit Tolbert for a 15 yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed again but the Cowboys were within 28-18 midway through the fourth quarter. The Cowboys got the ball back at their own 9 yard line with 5 1/2 minutes left. On 3rd and 2, Prescott hit Luepke for 24. On 3rd and 5 from his own 46, Prescott threw incomplete but defensive illegal contact meant a new set of downs.Roughing the passer added 15 more. Prescott hit Dowdle for 18. On 3rd and 10 from the Baltimore 16, Prescott hit Turpin for the touchdown. Now the Cowboys were within a field goal with 3 minutes left. One defensive stop would make this a comeback for the ages. With 2:18 left and the Ravens facing 3rd and 6 at their own 25, Jackson hit Bay Flowers for 9. Jackson then ran for 10 and took a couple knees to ice it. The Ravens will not be 0-3. Meanwhile, Jerrah will make sure nobody is happy at Happy Valley this week. and beyond. 28-25 Ravens
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams — The 49ers always seem to have the Rams number, and with the Rams losing Cooper Kupp, this was expected to be another 49ers win. The one big win the Rams got over the 49ers was in 2021 when the 49ers blew a 10 point fourth quarter lead. Sadly for the 49ers faithful, that was the NFC Title Game. The Rams won the Super Bowl in a year the 49ers felt was their year to win it all. After an opening touchback, Brock Purdy went to Brandon Aiyuk for 11. A defensive facemark added 15 more. On 3rd and 3 from the Rams 31, Mason gained 7 and 4 and then caught a pass from Purdy for 7. Purdy went to Jennings for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 49ers.
The 49ers got it back and faced 3rd and 8 at their own 25. Purdy went deep incomplete but defensive holding gave the 49ers a new set of downs. On 2nd and 15 from their own 25, Purdy went deep to Jennings for 34. On 3rd and 7 from the Rams 38, Purdy again went deep incomplete and again defensive illegal contact gifted the 49ers another first down. On 3rd and 4 from the Rams 27, Purdy again threw incomplete and this time defensive pass interference meant 14 more yards. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Purdy went to Jennings for the touchdown and the 14-0 49ers lead.
The Rams finally got going in the second quarter from their own 13. On 3rd and 8, Matthew Stafford hit Tutu Atwell for 24. The Rams had to punt on 4th and 6 from their own 43. Sean McVay desperately needed to spark his team and called a fake punt. Rivers took the direct snap and gained 7 yards to midfield. On 3rd and 2 from the San Francisco 21, Williams gained 5 Stafford went to Williams for a 15 yard touchdown to get the Rams within 14-7. In the third quarter the 49ers took over at their own 9 yard line. On 3rd and 1, Purdy gained 2. Mason gained 14. On 3rd and 1 from their own 46, Mason got around the end for 18. On 3rd and 5 from the Rams 31, Purdy went to Jennings for the touchdown. The 49ers led 21-7 midway through the third quarter.
After a touchback and a false start, Stafford went deep incomplete. Yet defensive pass interference meant a 48 yard gain. On 3rd and 9 from the San Francisco 26, Stafford went to Atwell for 11. On 3rd and 1 from the Frisco 6, Stafford threw incomplete but defensive holding meant 1st and goal at the 3. Williams ran it in one play later to get the Rams within 21-14. After a touchback, the 49ers moved 62 yards in 13 plays and 6 minutes. Early in the fourth quarter after one fourth down conversion, the 49ers faced 3rd and 1 at the Rams 7. A touchdown would all but ice this game. Mason got the carry and lost a yard. With 12 minutes left in regulation on 4th and 2 from the Rams 8, Kyle Shanahan decided not to gamble. Jake Moody hit the 26 yard field goal to have the 49ers up 24-14.
After a touchback, the Rams moved 55 yards in 13 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. After a successful fourth down conversion set up 1st and goal at the 8, Stafford threw a pair of incompletions sandwiched around him getting sacked. Harty hit from 33 to get the Rams within 24-17 with 6:15 to play. The 49ers after a touchback moved to a 4th and 5 at the Rams 37. With 2:47 left, Moody was brought in for a 55 yard field goal try to put the game in ice. Moody’s kick was no good. The Rams had life. From his own 45, Stafford quickly went bombs away to Atwell for 50. Williams ran for a 4 yard touchdown. With 1:51 left, the game was tied 24-24. The 49ers offense ended up punting and Xavier Smith raced up the sideline 38 yards to midfield. Stafford went deep incomplete and drew a 25 yard defensive pass interference call. The Rams took the clock down to 5 seconds. Harty came in for the 37 yard field goal try to win it. His kick was good and the Rams had another double digit fourth quarter comeback win over their hated rivals. The 49ers have won most of these matchups in recent years, but the Rams have a recent Super Bowl ring. The 49ers do not as Kyle Shanahan has lost several of the biggest games with a fourth quarter double digit lead. 27-24 Rams
Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons was the Sunday night game. The Chiefs came in unbeaten after winning a pair of games by razor thin margins. The Falcons started hot after a touchback as Kirk Cousins hit Mooney for gains of 9 and 26. Cousins went to McCloud for 15. On 3rd and 3 from the Kansas City 14, Cousins went to London for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. The Chiefs took over at their own 11 and embarked on a staggering 17 play, 75, 8 1/2 minute drive. Yet on 2nd and 8 from the Atlanta 14, Patrick Mahomes went to end zone and was intercepted by Simmons for a touchback. The Chiefs got the ball back and faced 3rd and 1 at their own 30. Mahomes went to Travis Kelce for 3. Mahomes went to Rice for 12. Perine ran for 9, 8 and 2. On 3rd and 8 from the Atlanta 33, Mahomes went to Watson for 13. On 3rd and 3 from the Atlanta 13, Mahomes went to Rice for the touchdown to cap the 13 play, 79 yard, 6 minute drive to make it a 7-7 ballgame in the second quarter. The Falcons soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 34. Cousins threw deep incomplete but roughing the passer kept the drive going. Cousins then went deep to Pitts for 50 yards down to the one. Robinson got the yard to put the Falcons up 14-7.
The Chiefs moved from their own 35 to a 3rd and 2 at the Atlanta 35. Perine got the carry and got stopped. Harrison Butker hit a 53 yard field goal to get the Chiefs within 14-10. The Falcons got aggressive with only 40 seconds left in the half and it cost them. oasis had a pass intercepted and returned 12 yards to put the Chiefs at the Atlanta 34. Butker hit from 44 to get the Chiefs within 14-13 at the intermission. After a third quarter touchback, the Chiefs moved to a 2nd and goal at the one. A run lost 2 yards and Mahomes then threw incomplete. Butker hit from 21 as the Chiefs now led 16-14. The Chiefs got it back and faced 3rd and 1 at their own 29. Steele gained 2. Mahomes went to Rice for 27. Mahomes ran for 15. Steele gained 8 and 2. On 3rd and 7 from the Atlanta 13, Mahomes went to Juju Smith-Schuster for the touchdown to cap the 11 play, 80 yard, 6 minute drive. The extra point was no good, keeping it a one score game. Yet 15 unanswered points had the Chiefs up 22-14 after three quarters.
The Falcons moved from their own 15 to a 2nd and 7 at the Kansas City 36 early in the fourth quarter. Cousins threw incomplete twice. Younghoe Koo hit the 54 yard field goal to get the Falcons within 5 points. The Falcons got it back at their own 11 and moved 93 yards in 15 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 5 from the Kansas City 6, Cousins threw incomplete. 4 minutes remained. Raheem Morris made the very questionable decision to go for it rather than kick the field goal and trust his defense. Cousins threw incomplete. The Falcons got the ball back with 2 1/2 minutes left t their own 35. They moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Kansas City 13 with one minute left. Had the Falcons kicked the earlier field goal, they could win it with another field goal. Yet they needed a touchdown. They had 2 plays to gain one yard. Tyler Allgeier got stopped for no gain. On 4th and 1, rather than try smash mouth again, the Falcons tried to run laterally and got blown up for a 3 yard loss. The Chiefs again barely survived, but they are 3-0, making Andy Reid a most happy Walrus indeed. 22-17 Chiefs
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills was the early Monday night game. The Bills came in unbeaten while the Jaguars came in winless. After an opening touchback, Josh Allen went to Cook for 19. On 4th and 3 from the Jacksonville 44, Sean McDermott gambled early. Allen went to Shakir for 12 and again for 12 more. On 3rd and 5 from the Jacksonville 15, Allen gained 9. Cook ran for a 6 yard touchdown to cap the 10 play, 70 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. The extra point was blocked but the Bills led 6-0. The Bills got it back at their own 35. Allen hit Samuel for 10. On 3rd and 3 from the Jacksonville 48, Allen went to Kincaid for 28. On 4th and 1 from the Jacksonville 11, McDermott gambled again. Allen gained 2. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Allen hit Kincaid for the touchdown to finish the 11 play, 65 yard, 5 minute drive to make it 13-0 Bills.
The Jaguars managed a second quarter field goal, but the Bills then blasted them to pieces. On 3rd and 1 from their own 41, Alen went to Cook for 8 and again for 17. On 3rd and 11 from the Jacksonville 35, Allen gained 11. Allen went to Coleman for a 24 yard touchdown to make it 20-3 Bills. An interception of Trevor Lawrence gave the Bills a short field at the Jacksonville 41. On 3rd and 9 from the Jacksonville 27, Allen went to Shakir for the touchdown to make it 27-3 Bills just before the 2 minute warning. The Bills got it back at their own 36 with 1:12 left. On 2nd and 5 from the Jacksonville 46, Allen hit Shakir for 6 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15. Allen went to Johnson for a 16 yard touchdown to have the Bills up 34-3. League rules prevented the cancellation of the second half. The Jaguars managed one third quarter touchdown. Tyler Bass hit field goals of 27 in the third quarter and 43 in the fourth quarter to make it 40-10 Bills. The Jaguars threw in a fourth quarter fumble for good measure that the Bills recovered at the Jacksonville 21. Davis ran for a 3 yard touchdown. The Bills are unbeaten and the Jaguars are still in the free fall that began down the stretch of last season. 47-10 Bills
Washington Commanders at Cincinnati Bengals was the late Monday night game. The Bengals again started 0-2 but then usually get their act together. A home game against the lowly Commanders was expected to be the tonic. The Bengals began facing 3rd and 1 at their own 38. Joe Burrow gained 4. Moss gained 15. Burrow went deep to JaMarr Chase for a 41 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bengals. The Commanders after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Cincinnati 31. Jayden Daniels was tackled for a one yard loss. Dan Quinn gambled on 4th and 2. Daniels hit McCaffrey for 30. Robinson ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-7. The Bengals moved from their own 23 to a 3rd and 11 at the Washington 30 to start the second quarter. Burrow threw incomplete. A 48 yard field goal try by Evan McPherson to give the Bengals the lead was no good.
The Commanders took over at their own 38. Daniels went to Brown for 16. Daniels hit McCaffrey for 11. Austin Ekeler ran for a 24 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Commanders. The Bengals after a touchback moved to a 1st and goal at the 8. Burrow was sacked to kill the drive. McPherson hit from 28 to get the Bengals within 14-10. The Commanders soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Robinson gained 2 Daniels went deep to Terry MLaurin for 55 yards. Daniels ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 21-10 Commanders just before the 2 minute warning. McPherson hit a 31 yard field goal before the half, but in the third quarter the Commanders kept coming. A 62 yard return of the second half kickoff by Ekeler set up the Commanders at the Cincinnati 33. Daniels hit Scott for a one yard touchdown to have the Commanders up 28-13. Every time the Bengals offense tried to get back in it, the Commanders would torch the Cincinnati defense.
The Bengals took over at their own 22. Brown gained 16. On 3rd and 10 from their own 38, Burrow hit Tee Higgins for 16. On 3rd and 1 from the Washington 37, Moss gained 6. Burrow hit Moss for 11. Brown gained 12. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Burrow threw incomplete. Zac Taylor had to go for it and on 4th and goal Burrow hit Iosivas for the touchdown. The Bengals ere within 28-20. After a touchback the Commanders moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Cincinnati 24. Daniels threw incomplete. Despite converting on 4th down earlier in the drive, this time Dan quinn was not about to gamble. Selbert hit a 42 yard field goal to make it 31-20 Commanders.
After a touchback, Burrow hit Mike Gesicki for 7, Iosivas for 16, Gesicki for 11, and Chase for a 31 yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Bengals were within 31-26 with 10 minutes left in regulation. After a touchback, Daniels hit Zac Ertz for 12. On 3rd and 2 just past midfield, Daniels hit McLaurin for 4. On 4th and 4 from the Cincinnati 39 with 4 1/2 minutes left, Dan Quinn passed up a 57 yard field goal try and a punt and decided to go big and bold. Daniels hit Ertz for 9. On 3rd and 7 from the Cincinnati 27, Daniels went to McLaurin for the touchdown. With 2:10 to play, the Commanders led 38-26. The Bengals quickly moved 70 yards, and Moss scored on a one yard touchdown run to get the Bengals back within 5 points with 40 seconds left. The onside kick failed. Daniels took one knee to end the game and the only second half drive not resulting in a score. There is no sugarcoating that the Bengals are 0-3 and in trouble. 38-33 Commanders