NFL 2024 Week 4 Recap
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants was the Thursday night game. The Cowboys suffered consecutive embarrassing home losses. A loss to the Giants could cause Jerry Jones to fire everyone immediately. The Giants moved from their own 15 to a 4th and 4 at the Dallas 34. Greg Joseph hit a 52 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Giants. The Cowboys soon faced 2nd and 5 at their own 30. Dak Prescott went to CeeDee Lamb for 11. On 3rd and 3 from their own 48, Prescott hit Luepke for 11. Lamb gained 10. Prescott hit Luepke for 7 and Lamb for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the Giants 23, Prescott hit Brandin Cooks for 16. On 3rd and goal from the 15 after offensive holding, Prescott hit Dowdle for the touchdown. The 12 play, 75 yard 7 minute drive made it 7-3 Cowboys. The Giants moved from their own 23 to a 4th and 6 at the Dallas 22. Joseph hit from 41 to get the Giants within 7-6 in the second quarter.
The Cowboys soon faced 4th and 1 at their own 39. Mike McCarthy, figuring Jerrah was going to fire him anyway, decided to go for it. Luepke gained 6. Prescott then went deep to Lamb for a 55 yard touchdown to make it 14-6 Cowboys. The Giants took over at their own 28 and moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Dallas 16 with one minute left in the half. Daniel Jones was sacked. Joseph hit from 38 to cap the 15 play, 52 yard, 8 minute drive. The Giants were kicking field goals and giving up touchdowns as the Cowboys led 14-9 at the break. The Giants in the third quarter moved from their own 28 to a 3rd and goal at the 8. Jones hit Robinson for only 5. Joseph finished the 11 play, 77 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive by hitting from 38 to get the Giants within 14-12.
After a touchback, the Cowboys moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Giant 32. Offensive holding was a killer, but the Dallas kicker has a cannon of a leg. Brandon Aubrey hit from 60 to make it 17-12 Cowboys. A field position game in the fourth quarter had the Giants taking over at their own 48 and moving to a 1st and 10 at the Dallas 20. Yet again the Giants failed to crack the end zone. A pass completion lost a yard and a run lost 3 more. Joseph hit his fifth field goal to get the Giants within 17-15 with exactly 11:11 left in regulation. The Cowboys after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 6 at the Giants 21. A run lost a yard and Prescott threw incomplete. Aubrey hit from 40 to put the Cowboys back up by 5 midway through the fourth quarter. Yet the Cowboys did not close the door. Far from it. The Giants had plenty of time to pull out the upset win.
After a touchback, the Giants soon faced 4th and 6 at their own 45. A run went nowhere and Jones threw incomplete. Brian Daboll went for it on 4th and 6 with 3 1/2 minutes left. Jones threw incomplete. The Cowboys took the clock down to 32 seconds but had to settle for a 51 yard field goal attempt by Aubrey. The kick was wide right no good. The Giants only had 28 seconds to work with, but they were at their own 41. After a pair of incompletions, Jones tried a Hail Mary on 3rd and 10. It was intercepted at the 4 yard line. The Giants were game, but they had another loss. As for the Cowboys, this win was more a sigh of relief than anything else. They are really struggling. 20-15 Cowboys
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons — Division rivals put on a good quality football game. Yet early on it was not quality as the Saints fumbled a punt and the Falcons recovered in the was zone for a gift touchdown and a 7-0 Falcons lead. After a touchback, Derek Carr went to Chris Olave for 18 yards. On 3rd and 2 from the Atlanta 44, Taysom Hill gained 5. Alvin Kamara gained 13. Rashad Shaheed added 13 more. Hill took the direct snap for the 2 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. An interception of Kirk Cousins gave the Saints great field position at their own 47. On 4th and 1 from the Atlanta 27, Dennis Allen went for it. Hill gained 7. The Saints began the second quarter facing 3rd and 5 at the Atlanta 15. Carr hit Tipton for 6. Hill ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Saints.
The Falcons moved from their own 23 to a 4th and 1 at the New Orleans 30. Raheem Morris decided to go for it but a false start killed the try. Younghoe Koo hit a 53 yard field goal to get the Falcons within 14-10. After a touchback, the Saints soon faced 2nd and 9 at their own 43. Carr found Anderson. Problem: Anderson plays defense for Atlanta. Anderson returned the interception47 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 17-14 Falcons lead midway through the second quarter. In the third quarter the Falcons moved from their own 10 to a 2nd and 4 at the New Orleans 22. Cousins threw incomplete and then completed a pass to Mooney that lost 4 yards. Koo hit a 44 yard field goal to make it 20-14 Falcons.
The Saints moved from their own 25 to a 4th and 5 at the Atlanta 25. Blake Grupe hit a 43 yard field goal to get the Saints within 20-17. The Falcons moved from their own 19 on a 57 yard, 11 play, 7 minute drive. On 1st and 10 from the New Orleans 19, Cousins hit Robinson for a touchdown. Yet offensive holding nullified the score and killed the drive. Koo hit from 42 to put the Falcons up 23-17 with 10 minutes left in regulation. The Saints after a touchback moved 63 yards in 12 plays and 6 minutes. On 1st and goal at the 5, a run went nowhere and Carr threw incomplete. On 3rd and goal Kamara got tackled for a 2 yard loss. With 4 m minutes left, a field goal would cut the game to 23-20. Yet Dennis Allen decided to go for it. Carr threw incomplete.
The Saints got a big defensive stand and a 17 yard punt return gave the Saints the ball back only 30 seconds later with 3 1/2 minutes left at their Atlanta 42. On 3rd and 6, Carr hit Olave for 13. On 3rd and 2 from the Atlanta 17, Carr hit Olave for 16 down to the one. On 3rd and goal, Kamara got the yard. With one minute left, the Saints had the 24-23 lead. After a touchback, Cousins threw deep incomplete with 30 seconds to play. A critical defensive pass interference call had the Falcons at the New Orleans 40. After a spike, Cousins threw incomplete twice. Koo came in with 2 seconds left for a mammoth 58 yard field goal try for the win. Koo had made 3 other field goals, but this was a big one. With everything on the line for both teams, Koss belted the ball through the uprights good. From South Korea to Atlanta, Koo had his fans beaming with pride. 26-24 Falcons
Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers — The Bengals came in a head-scratching 0-3 while the Panthers finally got a win last week when former Bengals quarterback Red Rifle Andy Dalton replaced Bryce Young. qThe Panthers after a touchback moved to a 2nd and goal at the one. Dalton threw incomplete and Chuba Hubbard got stopped for no gain. Dave Canales gambled on 4th and goal at the one. Hubbard got the carry again and got stopped cold again. The Panthers got the ball back at their own 20 and soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 34. Dalton was intercepted by Bell, who returned the pick 32 yards to the Carolina 16. Joe Burrow hit Tee Higgins for 12. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Brown took the carry up the gut for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Bengals.
After a touchback, the second quarter began with the Panthers on the move. On 4th and 3 from the Cincinnati 40, Dave Canales decided t go for it. Dalton hit Johnson for 4. Dalton hit Sanders for 11. Hubbard got around the end for a 17 yard gain. Hubbard barreled in from 3 yards out to cap the 11 play, 70 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-7.
The Bengals took over at their own 19. On 3rd and 3 from their own 37, Burrow connected with JaMarr Chase for a 63yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Bengals. The Panthers after a touchback soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 30. Dalton was intercepted, but defensive holding nullified the pick and kept the drive going. Runs and short passes led to 3rd and 3 at the Cincinnati 47. Dalton hit Johnson for 5. Dalton hit Xavier Leggett for 17. Sanders got around the end for 14. Dalton hit Leggett for an 8 yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14.
The Bengals took over at their own 34 with one minute left in the half. On 3rd and 5, Burrow hit Higgins for 11. Burrow then went deep to Iosivas for 29. Defensive pass interference added 17 more. On 3rd and goal at the one, Burrow hit Moss for the touchdown with one second left to make it 21-14 Bengals. The Bengals began the third quarter at their own 29. Burrow hit Alt for 10. Brown gained 8 and 20. Burrow added 10. Burrow hit Brown for 8 and Chase for 11 down to the one. Brown got the yard as a close game had been broken open for a 28-14 Bengals lead. With 5 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, Dave Canales gambled on a fake punt on 4th and 3 from his own 35. Punter Johnny Hekker played quarterback in college. This time his pass was incomplete. The Bengals with a short field lost 3 yards but Evan McPherson drilled a 56 yard field goal to make it 31-14 Bengals.
After a touchback, the Panthers tried to make a game of it. Hubbard ran for a 38 yard gain. On 3rd and 2 from the Cincinnati 24, Sanders gained 3. Dalton hit Johnson for a 21 yard touchdown to get the Panthers within 31-21. An interception of Burrow gave the Panthers great field position at their own 41. They moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Cincinnati 30. Dalton threw incomplete. Eddie Pineiro hit a 48 yard field goal to get the Panthers within 31-24 midway through the fourth quarter. With 4 1/2 minutes left the Bengals took over at their own 37. They moved to the Carolina 28. With 1:15 left in regulation, McPherson came in for a 46 yard field goal try to lock up the win. His kick was good. Dalton failed to get a win against the team that jettisoned him while the Bengals finally got their first win of the year. 34-24 Bengals
Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears — A pair of struggling teams faced off. The Rams in the first quarter took over at their own 5 yard line and moved 68 yards in 13 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. On 1st and 10 from the Chicago 30, a sack of Matthew Stafford killed the drive. Harty hit a 46 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Rams. In the seance quarter the Rams moved from their own 26 to aa 3rd and 3 at the Chicago 18. Stafford threw incomplete. Harty hit from 37 to make it 6-0 Rams.The Rams got the ball back at their own 20 and disaster immediately struck. Stafford was hit and fumbled, and the Bears recovered at the Rams 16. On 3rd and 9, defensive pass interference on an incompletion put the ball on the one. Johnson got the yard as the Bears led 7-6. The rams after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Chicago 15. Offensive pass interference killed the drive and Harty missed a 43 yard field goal try that would have given the Rams the lead again.
The Bears took over at their own 33 with one minute left in the half. They moved to a 1st and 10 at the Rams 17. A sack of Caleb Williams killed the drive, but Cairo Santos hit a 40 yard field goal to put the Bears up 10-6 at the break. After a touchback, the Rams moved to a 3rd and goal at the 7. Stafford threw incomplete. Krty hit from 25 to get the Rams within 10-9. The Bears took over at their own 26. Williams hit Cole Kmet for 10. Swift ran for 9 and caught a pass from Williams for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the Rams 33, Johnson gained 8. On 3rd and 5 from the Rams 9, Williams went to DJ Moore for the touchdown to make it 17-9 Bears. After a touchback, Stafford hitWhittington for 16 and Tutu Atwell for 25. Williams ran for 7, 14 and 5 to end the third quarter and for a 3 yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. The 2 point conversion try to tie the game saw Stafford throw incomplete as the Rams trailed 17-15.
After a touchback on 2nd and 10 from their own 42, Williams went deep to Kmet for 22. Swift then ran for a 36 yard touchdown to put the Bears up 24-15 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Rams after a touchback moved to a 4th and 8 at the Chicago 34. Needing 2 scores with a full 9 minutes left, the decision was easy. Harty hit from 52 to get the Rams within 6 points. The Rams began their final drive with one minute left at their own 8 yard line. Stafford was intercepted as the Bears got to 2-2 while the Rams were a surprising 1-3 on the year. 24-18 Bears
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers — The 1998 Vikings may be the best team to never win it all. They started 3-0 and went into Green Bay against a good Packers team. The Vikings manhandled the Packers, letting the league know they were very good. Randall Cunningham and Randy Moss are long retired, but this 2024 Vikings team started 3-0 and went into Green Bay against a good Packers team. Jordan Love was back from injury. This would test how good both teams really were. The Vikings went right to work from their own 27. Sam Darnold hit former Green Bay running back Aaron Jones for 12. On 3rd and 14 from their own 40, Darnold went deep to Naylor for 31. Darnold then went deep t Jordan Addison for a 33 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Vikings. After a touchback the Packers moved 51 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. On 3rd and 8 from the Minnesota 14 looking to tie the game a false start was followed by Love throwing incomplete. Then Narveson’s 37 yard field goal try doinked off the upright no good.
The Vikings again took over at their own 27. Jones gained 17 with a defensive facemask adding 15 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Green Bay 32, Darnold gained 9. On 3rd and 2 from the Green Bay 15, Darnold threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 12 yard gain. Darnold went to Josh Oliver for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Vikings. An interception of Love gave the Vikings a short field at the Green Bay 46 to start the second quarter. Darnold hit Mundt for 9 and Sherfield for 8. Darnold found Jones for 12. Addison ran for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 21-0 Vikings. The Packers saw Narvson miss a second field goal form 49 and Love throw another interception. Griffin returned the interception 28 yards to the Green Bay 4 yard line. After offensive holding, Darnold hit Justin Jefferson for a 14 yard touchdown. With 5 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Vikings were winning a blowout 28-0.
The Vikings were in complete control of the game when the Packers punted with 40 seconds left in the half. The Vikings fumbled the punt and the Packers recovered at the Minnesota 3 yard line. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur pushed the Packers back to the Minnesota 15. Love went to Reed for the touchdown. The Packers still trailed 28-7, but they had life. A scoreless third quarter saw the Packers take over late at their own 11. Love went to Reed for 12 and to Josh Jacobs for 8. The Packers began the fourth quarter after an incompletion facing 3rd and 2 at their own 31. Jacobs gained 11. Love went to Melton for 28. Love hit Heath and Jacobs for a pair of 9 yard gains. On 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 6, Love went to Wicks for the touchdown to get the Packers within 28-14 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Two plays after a touchback, Darnold was sacked and fumbled. The Packers took over at the Minnesota 20. Two plays later Love hit Kraft for a 13 yard touchdown. Matt LaFleur inexplicably went for a 2 point conversion. Love went to Kraft again. All of a sudden, the Packers were right back in it down 28-22.
The Viking were collapsing, but after a touchback they finally got going again. Darnold went to Jefferson for big gains of 17 and 27. On 2nd and 2 from the Green Bay 10, a run lost 5 yards and Darnold threw incomplete. Reichard hit a 33 yard field goal that was huge in terms of significance. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Vikings had breathing room up 31-22. The Packers cooled off, turning the ball over on consecutive possessions with Love throwing an interception followed by a Green Bay fumble. With 2:21 to play the Vikings faced 4th and 1 at the Green Bay 4 after getting stopped on third down. Kevin O’Connell went for it and Nailor got nailed for no gain. The Packers quickly went 96 yards, with Love hitting Wicks for a 17 yard touchdown. With 56 seconds left, a 28 point deficit had been whittled down to 2 points. Yet the onside kick failed. The Packers mounted a furious rally, but the Vikings survived to get to 4-0 on the year. 31-29 Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans — The Jaguars were in free fall since last season, starting 0-3. The Jaguars got a break early when the Texans fumbled a punt and the Jaguars recovered at the Houston 2 yard line. Trevor Lawrence hit Thomas for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Jaguars. The Texans after a touchback soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 36. CJ Stroud hit Nico Collins for big gains of 18, 12 and 19. On 3rd and 2 from the Jacksonville 6, Stefan Diggs ran for the touchdown and a 7-7 game. The Jaguars moved from their own 23 to a 1st and 10 at the Houston 24. A false start killed the drive. Chase Little hit a 41 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Jaguars.
In the second quarter the Texans faced 2nd and 16 at their own 20. Stroud went to Stover for 27 and to Woods for 10. On 3rd and 8 from the Jacksonville 41, Stroud hit Dare Ogunbowale for 9. Stroud went to Diggs for 20. On 3rd and 12 from the Jacksonville 14, Stroud threw incomplete but defensive holding meant 5 yards and 1st and goal. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Stroud found collins for the touchdown to cap the 12 play, 74 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and make it 14-10 Texans midway through the second quarter. The Jaguars moved from their own 27 to a 3r and 1 at the Houston 34. Lawrence threw incomplete. Doug Pederson decided not to gamble on 4th and 1. Little hit the 52 yard field goal to get the Jaguar within 14-13. After a touchback the Texans moved to a 1st and 10 from the Jacksonville 11 with 10 seconds left. An incompletion left 5 seconds. Kaimi Fairbairn hit the 30 yard field goal to make it 17-13 Texans.
In the third quarter the Jaguars took over at their own 26. Travis Etienne gained 12 and 3. Lawrence went deep to Thomas for 32. Thomas gained 13. On 3rd and 4 from the Houston 8, Lawrence went to Kirk for the touchdown. With 6 minutes left in the third quarter the Jaguars led 20-17. The Jaguars got it back and moved from their own 12 to a 3rd and goal at the one. On the last play of the third quarter, Lawrence threw incomplete. The fourth quarter began with Doug Pederson going for it on 4th and goal at the one. A touchdown would put the Jaguars up 27-17. Instead, Lawrence got stopped for no gain. After the goal line stand, both defenses dug in. With 3 minutes left the Texans began their final drive from their own 31. Stroud ra for 11. Stroud went deep to Collins for 26. With one minute left, the Texans had 3rd and 3 at the Jacksonville 8. Stroud hit Dalton Schultz for 6. With 18 seconds left in regulation, Stroud hit Ogunbowale for the touchdown. The Jaguars took over at their own 10 with 12 seconds left. The hook and laterals went backward as the Jacksonville season of misery continued. The Texans got to 3-1 on the year. 24-20 Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts — The Steelers came in 3-0 despite having scored only 3 total touchdowns in 3 games. After an opening touchback, Anthony Richardson on the first play from scrimmage found Pittman for a 32 yard gain. Jonathan Taylor gained 14. On 3rd and 6 from the Pittsburgh 20, Richardson gained 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Pittsburgh 2, Taylor ran it in for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. The Colts got it back at their own 14. Richardson went deep to Pittman for 28. Richardson hit Downs for 11. Richardson ran for 14 more but got hit and fumbled. The Colts retained possession but Richardson was injured on the play. Veteran Joe Flacco came in and hit Taylor for 10. Taylor then ran for 13. Richardson returned after 2 plays on the sideline. On 1st and goal at the 6, Richardson kept it himself, gained one yard and got injured again. The young quarterback has shown plenty of talent but his style of play got him injured for most of last year. He left the game after only 12 minutes of play and did not return. Flacco played the rest of the way. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Flacco hit Downs for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Colts. After a touchback, a desperate Mike Tomlin gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 39. Justin Fields got stopped for no gain. With the short field, Flacco moved the Colts to a 2nd and 7 at the Pittsburgh 14. Flacco threw incomplete twice. Matt Gay hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 17-0 Colts.
The Steelers took over at their own 4 yard line and moved 91 yards. On 1st and 10 from the Indianapolis 15, Fields hit George Pickens for 10, but Pickens fumbled and the Colts recovered at their own 3 yard line. The Steelers got it back at their own 25 and moved to Indianapolis 31 with 4 seconds left on the clock. Chris Boswell hit a 50 yard field goal to finally get the Steeler son the board. In the third quarter with the Steelers facing 3rd and 10 at the Indianapolis 33, Fields ran for his life, lost 20 yards, and fumbled the ball away.The Colts took over at the Pittsburgh 42 looking to deliver the knockout blow, but they gained only 6 yards. Gay’s 54 yard field goal try was no good. The Steelers took over at their own 44. Fields went deep to Pickens for 38. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Fields ran for the touchdown. Instead of being down 20-3, the Steelers were only down 17-10 with 3 minutes left in the third quarter.
After a touchback, the Colts faced 3rd and 10 from their own 30. Flacco hit Pittman for 12. Defensive unnecessary roughness on an incompletion added 15. On 3rd and 7 from the Pittsburgh 40, Flacco hit Downs for 25 as the third quarter ended. On 3rd and 10 from the Pittsburgh 15 to start the fourth quarter, Flacco hit Ogletree for the touchdown to make it 24-10 Colts. After a touchback from his own 43, Fields hit Najee Harris for 32 with 13 more added on for roughing the passer. On 3rd and 1 from the Indy 3, Harris got the yard. Fields ran for a 2 yard touchdown. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, The Steelers were back in it down 24-17.
After a touchback, the Colts moved 64 yards in 10 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 3 from the Pittsburgh 14, a run lost 2 yards. Gay hit the 35 yard field goal to put the Colts comfortably ahead 27-17 with 6 minutes left. Yet after a touchback, the Steelers kept coming. On 3rd and 2 from their own 38, Fields went to Pickens for 27 and to Jefferson for 12. On 3rd and 5 from the Indy 8, Fields went to Pat Freiermuth for the touchdown. With 3:40 to play, the Steelers had cut a 17 point deficit to a field goal. Pittsburgh held on defense and got the ball back at their own 17 with 2:40 left. The Steelers moved to a 1st and 10 at their own 42 with 1:43 to play. A couple of first downs would mean long field goal range and a chance at overtime. Yet after the shotgun, a Fields fumble meant a 12 yard loss. On 4th and 11 with 37 seconds left, Field threw deep incomplete. The valiant comeback fell short as the Steelers were knocked from the unbeaten ranks. It was a sweet win for old man Flacco, but the Colts know their season depends on Richardson being healthy. 27-24 Colts
Denver Broncos at New York Jets — The overhyped Jets had more to contend with than the media market this week as hard rain made the game a slog. On the 3rd play from scrimmage on 3rd and 18 from his own 22, a Jets fumble set up the Broncos at the Jets 30. The Broncos lost 14 yards and punted. Later on a Denver fumble set up the Jets at the Denver 34. a pair of runs went nowhere and Rodgers threw incomplete. Robert Saleh began the second quarter gambling on 4th and goal at the one. Yet a false start killed the attempt. Greg Zuerlein hit a 23 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Jets. Zuerlein hit again from 35 to make it 6-0 jets at the half. In the third quarter from their own 13, the Broncos moved 87 yards in 11 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 7 from the Jets 8, Bo nix went to Cortland Sutton for the game’s only touchdown and a 7-6 Broncos lead. The rest of this awful game saw Zuerlein hit from 40 less than 90 seconds into the fourth quarter to make it 907 Jets. Wil Lutz answered from 47 to put the Broncos back up 10-9. With 90 seconds left in regulation, a 50 yard attempt by Lutz to expand the lead was wide left no good. The Jets took over at their own 40 and moved to the Denver 32 with 47 seconds left. Zuerlein came in for a 50 yard try to win it. His kick was also no good in a game that deserves no further description. 10-9 Broncos
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Last year in Tampa the Buccaneers knocked the Eagles out of the playoffs. These longtime rivals both came in 2-1 on the year. The Buccaneers went right to work from their own 21. Baker Mayfield went to Mike Evans for 8. White ran for 17. On 3rd and 1 from the Philadelphia 46, Mayfield found Chris Godwin for 7. On 3rd and 2 from the Philadelphia 30, Mayfield went to White for 22. Mayfield found Evans for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. The Buccaneers got it back at their own 20. Mayfield hit Cade Otton for 16, Godwin for 28, Evans for 17, and Palmer for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Buccaneers. The Eagles then fumbled a punt, and the Buccaneers recovered at the Philadelphia 22. The second quarter began with Mayfield throwing incomplete on 3rd and goal at the one. Todd Bowles went for it and Mayfield got in to make it 21-0 Buccaneers. The Buccaneers got it back at their own 20 and moved 77 yards in 12 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 2nd and goal at the 3, Mayfield fumbled but the Buccaneers kept the ball at the same spot. On 3rd and goal Mayfield threw incomplete. Chase McLaughlin hit the 21 yard field goal. Midway through the second quarter, the Buccaneers were winning a laugher 24-0.
After a touchback the Eagles faced 3rd and 6 at their own 34. Jalen Hurt gained 7. Saquon Barkley gained 7 and 3. On 3rd and 1 from the Tampa Bay 35, Hurts gained 2. Hurts hit Dallas Goedert for gains of 9 and 18.
On 3rd and goal at the 2, Barkley got half if it as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. Nick Sirianni all but had to go for it on 4th and goal at the one. Hurts hit Campbell for the touchdown to get the Eagles on the board. After a third quarter touchback, Barkley on the first play from scrimmage ripped off a 59 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the Tampa Bay 2, Hurts got the yard. Hurts then got the last yard. Now the Eagles were only down 24-14.
After a touchback the Buccaneers faced 3rd and 7 from their own 33. Mayfield ran for 10. On 3rd and 11 from their own 42, Mayfield hit Godwin for 15. Irving ran for 8, 7, 5, one, and on 3rd and goal at the one, the last yard. An extra point would put the Buccaneers up 31-14. Instead, the extra point was blocked and returned all the way the other way for a two point defensive score. The Eagles only trailed 30-16. The Eagles moved from their own 27 to a 1st and 10 at the Tampa Bay 19. Hurts was sacked and fumbled. The Buccaneers moved from their own 24 to the Philadelphia 34. McLaughlin hit a 52 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to make it a 3 score game and lock up the win. 33-16 Buccaneers
Washington Commanders at Arizona Cardinals — A long opening kickoff return was fumbled by the Cardinals but they retained possession at their own 45. James Conner had runs of 6, 10 and 16. On 3rd and 1 from the Washington 2, Conner got stopped for no gain. Jonathan Gannon gambled and on 4th and 1, Kyler Murray hit Marvin Harrison Jr for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. After that the Commanders took over. After a touchback the Commanders faced 3rd and 4 at their own 36. Jayden Daniels hit Zaccheaus for 16. On 3rd and 2 from the Arizona 40, Robinson gained 17 and 9. Robinson ran for the 6 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. The Commanders got it back at their own 7 yard line. On 3rd and 4, Daniels hit Zaccheaus for 5. Daniels went to Terry McLaurin for 11. The Commanders began the second quarter facing 3rd and 2 at their own 37. Daniels hit McLaurin for 5. Daniels hit McLaurin for 5 and Zaccheaus for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 35, Robinson gained 2. McNichols ran for a 27 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Commanders.
The Cardinals moved from their own 30 to a 4th and 1 at the Washington 35 with 34 seconds left in the half. Jonathan Gannon passed up a 53 yard field goal try and went for it. Murray was sacked. The Commanders took over at their own 42 with 30 seconds left and moved to the Arizona 27 with 3 seconds left. Austin Seibert hit the 45 yard field goal. Instead of only being up 14-10, the Commanders led 17-7. After a third quarter touchback, Daniels went to Bates for 9. Defensive pass interference on a bomb meant a 47 yard gain. On the next play Daniels ran for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 24-7 Commanders. The Commanders got it back at their own 40 and moved to a 4th and 4 at the Arizona 19. Seibert hit from 38 as 27 unanswered points had the Commanders up 27-7. The Cardinals did manage one more touchdown in the third quarter, but the Commanders struck two more times in the fourth quarter to complete the blowout. Daniels hit McLaurin for a 10 yard score and McNichols ran for a 7 yard touchdown. It was sweet vindication for Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired as head coach of the Cardinals one year ago. He received the game ball from Washington head coach Dan Quinn, who has a long-suffering squad at 3-1. Meanwhile, Daniels has completed over 82% of his passes in his first 4 NFL starts, an NFL record for any quarterback in the history of the game. 42-14 Commanders
New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers — Both teams came in 1-2, which was a surprise for fans of the defending NFC champion 49ers. In the first quarter the 49ers moved from their own 7 to a 3rd and goal at the 3. Brock Purdy threw incomplete. Jake Moody hit from 22 to get the 49ers on the board. One play after a touchback, Raimondre Stevenson fumbled and the 49ers recovered at the New England 30. Mason gained 16 and 5. On 3rd and 4 from the New England 8, Purdy thew incomplete. Moody hit the 26 yard field goal to make it 6-0 49ers. The Patriot began the second quarter facing 3rd and 5 at their own 35. Jacoby Brissett was intercepted by Fred Warner, who returned the pick 46 yards to the house for a 13-0 49ers lead. The Patriots after a touchback moved to a 4th and 1 at the San Francisco 20. Jerod Mayo went for it and Stevenson got stuffed for no gain. Purdy went to George Kittle for 11 and Jennings for 32. Purdy hit Mason for 14 and Kyle Juszczyk for 12. On 3rd and 10 from the New England 12 after 2 touchdowns were nullified by penalty, Purdy hit Kittle for the touchdown that stood. With 3 minutes left in the half, the 49ers led 20-0.
The Patriots managed a field goal before the half and a touchdown set up by a third quarter San Francisco fumble to get within 20-10, but this game was over. After a touchback Purdy went deep to Deebo Samuel for 53 and Mason for 13. Mason ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 27-10 49ers. The final 25 minutes were all defense. New England managed a fourth quarter field goal and so did San Francisco to complete the scoring. 30-13 49ers.
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers — The 2 time defending champion and unbeaten Chiefs faced a tough test from the Chargers, who lost their first game last week. The Chiefs fumbled the ball away on their first possession and the Chargers took over at their own 26. On 3rd and 1, Gus Edwards gained 5. JK Dobbins gained 12. Herbert hit Will Dissly for 22 and mcConkey for 15. Herbert hit McConkey for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chargers. An interception of Patrick Mahomes set up the Chargers at the Kansas City 20. A pair of offensive penalties cost the Chargers 25 yards but Cameron Dicker hit the 50 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Chargers.
The Chargers defense was lights out for nearly the first 26 minutes. Then with 4 minutes left in the half, one play changed the game. Mahomes went bombs away to Xavier Worthy for a 54 yard touchdown to get the Chiefs within 10-7. Harrison Butker missed a 65 yard field goal try to end the half, but Dicker missed from 55 in the third quarter. Butker hit from 37 in the third quarter for a 10-10 deadlock. Early in the fourth quarter Jim Harbaugh gambled on 4th and 1 from the Kansas City 3 rather than kick the field goal and take the lead. Herbert threw incomplete. Midway through the fourth quarter the Chiefs took over at their own 40. Mahomes hit gray for 29. Perine ran for a 2 yard touchdown with 6 minutes left in regulation to give the Chiefs the 7 point lead. The Chargers punted with 3 1/2 minutes left, pinning the Chiefs at their own 4 yard line. On 3rd and 6, Mahomes hit Worthy for 15 and then took 3 knees. It was a street fight, but the Chiefs are 4-0, making Andy Reid a most happy Walrus indeed. 17-10 Chiefs
Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas Raiders — A pair of 1-2 teams with a history of being dumb had a contest to see who wanted to win least. The Raiders were without Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby. They were also humiliated at home last week by previously winless Carolina, and that was with Adams and Crosby playing. The Browns were playing badly, with Deshaun Watson in particular not living up to his potential, his previous play, or his contract. Yet nobody makes struggling players look like Hall of Famers like the Raiders. After an opening touchback, runs and short passes had the Browns facing 3rd and 10 at the Raiders 42. Watson hit Moore for 11 with roughing the passer adding 15 more. On 3rd and 2 from the Raiders 24, Watson hit former Raiders receiver Amari Cooper for just enough. On 3rd and 3 from the Raiders 5, Ford ran for 4. Watson hit Whiteheart for the one yard touchdown. The 15 play, 70 yard drive took 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. The Browns punched the Raiders in the mouth and led 7-0.
The Raiders began with a penalty on the ensuing kickoff to start out at their own 16. On the first play from scrimmage, Gardner Minshew found a wide open Brock Bowers for what would have been a big game. Bowers dropped the ball. Then came an offensive holding call. The Raiders punted and actually suffered an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and had to punt again on 4th and 21 from their own 5. These are the Raiders. The Browns had a short field at the Raiders 46. The defense held Cleveland to a 56 yard Dustin Hopkins field goal, but the Browns led 10-0.
After a touchback, Bowers took an end around 12 yards out. The second quarter began with the Raiders facing 3rd and 6 at their own 46. Minshew found Tre Tucker for 14 and then 14 more. Zamir White gained 8 and McAllister added 10. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Tucker took the end around and beat the defense to the corner pylon. The Raiders have struggled with conventional running, but the trick-lays were working as the Raiders were within 10-7. The Raiders got the ball back and moved from their own 21 to a 1st and 10 at the Cleveland 34. Offensive holding stalled the drive. Daniel Carlson nailed a 52 yard field goal for a 10-10 game with 3 minutes left in the half.
After a third quarter touchback, Minshew went to Jakobi Meyers for 19. On 3rd and 9 from midfield, Minhew threw incomplete but roughing the passer gifted the Raiders 15 yards. These are the Browns. On 3rd and 4 from the Cleveland 15, Minshew went to Meyers, who dropped it. These are the Raiders. Carlson hit the 34 yard field goal to put the Raiders up 13-10. The Browns from their own 26 to a 2nd and 8 at the Raiders 47. Then came a key play in the game. Watson went to Cooper for what should have been a big gain. The ball hit Cooper right in his chest. It bounced off his chest in the air and was intercepted by Moehring, who returned the interception 16 yards to his own 48. These are the Browns. Minshew hit Meyers for 13. On 3rd and 9 from the Cleveland 34, Mattison gained 16. DJ Turner then got around the end and dodged and weaved his way for an 18 yard touchdown. after three quarters, the Raiders led 20-10.
The Raiders began the fourth quarter with the ball, the lead, and all the momentum from 20 unanswered points. All they had to do was run down some clock. The Browns had little to no offense. The Raiders had 3rd and 1 at their own 33. They only needed one yard. At worst, if they again failed to gain a yard, they could punt. All the Raiders had to do was not give the game away. Rather than play power football because they can’t, a lateral run was blown up in the backfield. Worse, it forced a fumble. Far worse, the fumble was returned 25 yards for a defensive touchdown by Rodney McLeod. The Browns were right back in the game. These are the Raiders. Yet the usually reliable Hopkins missed the extra point. The Brown trailed by 4 points instead of 3. These are the Browns.
The Raiders moved from their own 26 to a 3rd and 2 just shy of midfield. Unable to effectively run the ball in critical short yardage situations, a pass play was called. Minshew was sacked. These are the Raiders. A great punt pinned the Browns at their own 5. From their own 18, Watson escaped a sack and found a wide open Cooper. There was no defense anywhere near him. Cooper raced for an 82 yard touchdown to give the Browns the lead. These are the Raiders. Yet the touchdown was nullified by offensive holding. These are the Browns.
With 3:17 left in regulation, the Browns began their final drive from their own 21. Helped along by a 35 yard Ford run, the Browns faced 1st and 10 at the Raiders 16 at the 2 minute warning. The Raiders defense was melting down. Watson then fumbled a snap. These are the Browns. The Browns were lucky to retain possession. With 40 seconds left, everything came down to the Browns facing 4th and 2 at the Raiders 9. The missed extra point loomed large. A field goal would not force overtime. With everything on the line for both teams, Watson rolled out and looked for an open receiver. The ball never left his hand as he was sacked. These are the Browns.
The Raiders won in the ugliest manner possible, but they did it without their best player on each side of the ball. They got to 2-2 the hard way and for now saved their season. If ever there was a game that represented Al Davis’s maxim, this was it. Just win baby. They did. 20-16 Raiders
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens was the Sunday night game. The Bills came in 3-0 while the Ravens won their first game last week after 2 agonizing losses. The Ravens took over at their own 13 yard line. Derrick Henry burst through the line for an 87 yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 Ravens. The Bills did get a 50 yard Tyler Bass field goal, but this game was not a contest. After a touchback, Lamar Jackson went to Zay Flowers for 10 and Justice Hill for 9. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. Jackson hit Hill for 14. On the first play of the second quarter, Jackson hit Henry for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Ravens. The Ravens got it back at their own 19. Jackson went to Likely for 26. On 3rd and 11 from their own 44, Jackson went to Nelson Agholor for 12. Hill ran for 11. On 3rd and 14 from the Buffalo 37, Jackson went to Hill for 15 and again for a 19 yard touchdown. Midway through the second quarter, the Ravens led 21-3.
The Bills briefly grabbed momentum when Josh Allen threw a 52 yard bomb to Shakir. Johnson ran for a 3 yard touchdown to get the Bills within 21-10. Yet on the next Buffalo drive, Allen got sacked and fumbled. Baltimore took over at their own 41. Henry ran for 5 and 25. On 3rd and 7 from the Buffalo 26, Jackson hit Hill for 17. Jackson ran for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 28-10 Ravens. Down 3 scores, Bass missed a 48 yard field goal try to start the fourth quarter. The Ravens took over at their own 38. Jackson ran for 19. Henry ripped off a 38 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the one, Henry fumbled but an offensive lineman fell on it in the end zone for a touchdown on a night when everything was going right. 35-10 Ravens
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins was the early Monday night game. The Titans came in winless while the Dolphins came in a mess after losing Tua Tagovailoa to a concussion. Tyler Huntley is the backup Dolphins quarterback who got the start in this game. Early on this game was ugly as Will Levis threw an interception and Huntley fumbled the ball back. Late in the first quarter Levis got hit and left the game injured. Mason Rudolph played the rest of the way in this battle of backups.
Nick Folk hit a 53 yard field goal early in the second quarter to make it 3-0 Titans. Mike MacDaniel gambled on 4th and 1 from the Tennessee 48. Speedster Tyreek Hill took the end around and got stopped cold for no gain. Folk hit again from 52 to make it 6-0 Titans. Jason Sanders hit a 44 yarder for the Dolphins, but Folk ended the half with a 47 yarder as the Titans took a 9-3 lead to the locker rooms. In the third quarter Sanders hit from 56 to get the Dolphins to within 9-6 in a game deserving no further elaboration.
After a touchback the Titans faced 3rd and 4 at their own 36. Rudolph threw incomplete but defensive pass interference added 15 yards. Pollard broke free for a 41 yard run. Spears ran for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 16-6 Titans. Folk hit a 51 yard field goal late in the third quarter to make it 19-6 Titans. Early in the fourth quarter Mike MacDaniel gambled on 4th and 1 form his own 39. Achane lost a yard. Folk hit his 5th field goal to make it 22-6 Titans. The Dolphins got a garbage touchdown with 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation and got the ball back one minute later. Yet offensive holding in the end zone gave the Titans a safety and the free kick. just trying to run out the clock, Tony Pollard scored on a 4 yard touchdown with 24 seconds left to complete the blowout. The Titans finally won. 31-12 Titans
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions was the late Monday night game. The Seahawks came in a surprising 3-0, but a tough game at Detroit would show how good they really are. The Lion took over at their own 7 yard line. David Montgomery ran for 11 and 4. Jared Goff hit Williams for 10. Goff went to Amra St Brown for 17.Gibbs gained 20. On 3rd and goal at the one, Montgomery got in to cap the 12 play, 93 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Lions. A fumble by DK Metcalf was picked up by Davis, who rumbled 49 yards the other way to the Seattle 14. Goff hit Wright for 10. On the first play of the second quarter, Gibbs ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Lions.
After a touchback the Seahawks soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 34. Geno Smith hit his non-relative Smith-Nigba for 10. On 3rd and 7 from their own 47, Smith only gained 2 but defensive holding meant 5 yards and a first down. Smith went to Kenneth Walker for 10. Smith went to Metcalf for 29 yards down to the one. Walker got the yard to get the Seahawks on the board. After a touchback, the Lions offense kept roaring. Goff hit St. Brown for 8 and Sam LaPorta for 9. Gibbs gained 3 and 9. On 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 19, Goff hit LaPorta for 13. Gibbs ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Seahawks. The Seahawks missed a field goal to end the first half.
In the third quarter Mike MacDonald gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 34. Smith gained 2. On 3rd and 6 from his own 38, Smith hit Metcalf for 10. Smith found Fant for 16. Defensive pass interference on an incompletion added 21. Smith hit Barner for a 9 yard touchdown to cap the 10 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive and get the Seahawks within 21-14. After a touchback, Goff went to Montgomery for 40 yards and t Patrick for 23 more. A trick play by Dan Campbell saw St. Brown throw a 7 yard touchdown pass to Goff to make it 28-14 Lions.
Every time the Seahawks tried to close the gap, the Lions opened it up again as the game was now a track meet. The Seahawks took over at their own 20. Walker ran for 28. On 3rd and 8 from midfield, Smith went to non-relative Smith-Nigba for 11. Smith found Tyler Lockett for 29. Smith hit Bobo for 10 down to the one. Walker got the yard. Mike MacDonald inexplicably went for a 2 point conversion and Smith threw incomplete as the Seahawks trailed 28-20. Yet one play and 11 seconds after a touchback, the Lions were in the end zone again. Goff went to Williams for a 70 yard touchdown that made it 35-20 Lions.
After a touchback, Smithbhit Walker for 7 and Lockett for 5. Walker ran for 23. Smith hit Shenault for 18 and the third quarter ended. The fourth quarter began with walker running for a 21 yard touchdown. 7 straight touchdown drives, 4 by the Seahawks and 3 by the Lions had the Seahawks within 35-27. The Seattle offense finally cooled down and was unable to tie the game. The Lions took over at their own 20 with 9 minutes left in regulation. Goff hit Patrick for 29. Gibbs gained 3 and 8. Goff hit Laporta for 30. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Goff hit St. Brown for the touchdown to make it 42-27 Lions with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Seahawks after a touchback moved to a 1st and goal at the 3 with 2 1/2 minutes left. A game with all offense finally saw some defense as Smith threw 4 straight incompletions. The Seattle defense forced a safety to get with 42-29, but wasted the free kick opportunity when Smith was intercepted again in the end zone for a touchback with one minute left. The Seahawks were game but the Lions at home were hungrier as both teams are 3-1 on the year. 42-29 Lions