NFL 2024 Week 7 Recap
Denver Broncos at New Orleans Saints was the Thursday night game. The Broncos were embarrassed at home by the Chargers last week while the Saints gave up 51 points at home to Tampa Bay to cap their fourth straight loss. With Derek Carr still injured, Spencer Rattler started again. The Broncos started at their own 20 and moved to a 4th and 3 at the New Orleans 28. Wil Lutz hit the 46 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Broncos. Rattler got rattled and fumbled to settle Broncos up at their own 45. They moved to a 3rd and 1 at the New Orleans 8 early in the second quarter. Bo Nix threw incomplete. Sean Payton lined up to go for it but a delay of game penalty killed the drive. Lutz hit from 32 to make it 6-0 Broncos. The Broncos got the ball back at their own 14. Williams ran for 20. Nix hit Williams for 9 and Franklin for 30. Williams ran for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 13-0 Broncos. The Saints managed a second quarter field goal but Lutz answered from 52 to end the half and from 38 in the third quarter to make it 19-3 Broncos. The Broncos got it back at their own 31 and Nix hit Krull for 23 Nix ran for 32. Williams ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 26-3 Broncos. In the fourth quarter a New Orleans fumble was returned 52 yards by Cody Barton for a defensive touchdown and a 33-3 Broncos lead. The Saints managed one garage touchdown as their 5th straight loss had Dennis Allen’s hot seat white hot. 33-10 Broncos
New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars was the Sunday early morning game in London. While both teams are bad, the Jaguars have a quasi-home field advantage there. The Patriots began the game facing 3rd and 3 at thrown 39. Drake Maye hit Douglas for 9. Maye went to Hunter Henry for 18. On 3rd and 3 from the Jacksonville 27, Raimondre Stevenson gained 11. On 3rd and 10 from the Jacksonville 16, Maye hit Hasty for the touchdown. The 11 play, 68 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive made it 7-0 Patriots. The Patriots got it back at their own 15 and moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Jacksonville 22. A run went nowhere and Maye threw incomplete. Joey Slye hit the 41 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Patriots early in the second quarter.
The Jaguars took over at thrown 32. Trevor Lawrence hit Gabriel Davis for 13 and Christian Kirk for 24. Johnson ran for 10 and Bigsby gained 13. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Lawrence hit Thomas for the touchdown to get the Jaguars within 10-7. The Jaguars got the ball back at thrown 18. Lawrence went deep to Thomas for 58. Bugsby did the rest, running for 10, 7, and the one yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Jaguars. With 90 seconds left in the half the Patriots punted and Washington returned it 96 yards for another Jacksonville touchdown. Doug Pederson inexplicably went for 2 and Lawrence hit Thomas to make it 22-10 Jaguars. The second half was pointless. Chase little tacked on a 21 yard third quarter field goal as 25 unanswered points made it 25-10 Jaguars. In the fourth quarter the Jaguars capped a mind-numbing 17 play, 84 yard, 11 1/2 minute drive that led to 0 points. Yet the Jaguars did not need them. The Patriots managed one more touchdown with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation but Jerod Mayo also went for a pointless 2 point try that failed and kept it a 2 score game. At the 2 minute warning on 4th and 26 from their own 10, Maye threw incomplete. Bigsby ran for a 4 yard touchdown to give the Patriots their 6th straight loss. 32-16 Jaguars
Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons — The Seahawks came in having lost three straight while the Falcons had won three straight. The Seahawks began at their own 24 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Atlanta 13. Kenneth Walker ran for the touchdown, but offensive holding nullified the score and killed the drive. Jason Myers hit a 38 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Seahawks. Younghoe Koo missed a 54 yard try in the second quarter that would have tied the game. The Seahawks soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 47. Geno Smith went to Fant for 28. Walker ran for a 20 yard touchdown and this time it counted as the Seahawks led 10-0. After a touchback, Robinson gashed the Seattle defense for gains of 26, 5, 7 and 5. On 3rd and 2 from the Seattle 24, Kirk Cousins went to London for 12. Robinson did the rest, running for 5, 2, and on 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 5, the touchdown. The Falcons were within 10-7.
With one minute left the Seahawks took over at their own 32. Smith went to Tyler Lockett for gains of 15 and 16 and to Fant for 11. With 10 seconds left in the half, the Seahawks had 3rd and 15 at the Atlanta 31. Rather than a quick throw to set up short field goal, Smith went for it all. DK Metcalf came down with the ball in the end zone for a touchdown and a 17-7 Seahawks lead in front of a stunned Atlanta home crowd. The Falcons began the third quarter at their own 21. Cousins went to Robinson for 26. On 3rd and 4 from the Seattle 47, Cousins went to Mooney for 5. On 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 18, Cousins went to Mooney for 4. On 4th and 1 from the Seattle 5, Raheem Morris went for it and Robinson got the touchdown. Midway through the third quarter, the Falcons were within 17-14.
The Seahawks took over at their own 37. On 4th and 1 from the Atlanta 44, Mike MacDonald went for it. Charbonnet gained 7. On 3rd and 5 from the Atlanta 32, Smith threw incomplete but roughing the passer meant a 15 yard gain. On the next play Smith went to Walker for a 17 yard touchdown to make it 24-14 Seahawks. The Falcons began the fourth quarter at their own 23 and quickly moved to a 3rd and 9 at the Seattle 48. Cousins went back to pass and got blown up and fumbled the ball. Hall recovered the fumble and raced 36 yards for a defensive touchdown to put the game on ice. In desperation mode, Cousins was then intercepted twice. Three straight fourth quarter turnovers by Cousins doomed the Falcons. Jason Myers tacked on a 59 yard field goal to complete the scoring. 34-14 Seahawks
Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills — These teams have played a pair of epic playoff games, but this regular season game seemed to be David at Goliath. The Titans are awful and the Bills are good.Will Levis was out injured so longtime Pittsburgh backup Mason Rudolph started for the Titans. In the first quarter the Titans moved from their own 32 to a 4th and 3 at the Buffalo 7. Brian Callahan played it safe and Nick Folk hit a 25yard field goal for a 3-0 Titans lead. The Titans got it back at their own 25. Rudolph went to Okonkwo for 26. Pollard ran for 14 to have the Titans facing 2nd and 1 at the Buffalo 40 to start the second quarter. Rudolph went to Whyte for 12. On 3rd and 3 from the Buffalo 21, Rudolph threw incomplete but defensive unnecessary roughness gave the Titans 10 yards. On 3rd and 3 from the Buffalo 4, Rudolph hit Westbrook-Ikhine for the touchdown to make it 10-0 Titans. Then came the reality check.
The Bills took over at their own 39. On 2nd and 4, Josh Allen went deep to Coleman for a 44 yard gain. Cook ran for an 11 yard touchdown to get the Bills within 10-7. The Titans began the third quarter facing 3rd and 1 at their own 45. Pollard took the direct snap and lost a yard. Brian Callahan decided to gamble on 4th and 2 and Pollard got taken down for a 3 yard loss. With gift field position at the Tennessee 41, the Bills took advantage. Allen hit Coleman for 14. On 3rd and 12 from the Tennessee 29, Allen went to Kincaid for 17. Allen went to newly acquired Amari Cooper for the 12 yard touchdown. Fresh off the boat from Cleveland, Cooper’s touchdown put the Bills up for good at 14-10. The Bills got it back at their own 26 and moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Tennessee 10. Allen threw incomplete twice. Tyler Bass hit a 28 yard field goal to make it 17-10 Bills. In the fourth quarter the Bills turned out the lights.
A 14 yard punt return had the Bills taking over at their own 44. Allen went to Cooper for 27. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Allen hit Johnson for the touchdown to make it 24-10 Bills. The Bills got it back and moved from their own 29 to a 3rd and 3 at the Buffalo 12. Allen threw a touchdown but it was reversed to an incompletion. Bass hit a 30 yard field goal to make it 27-10 Bills. An interception of Rudolph had the Bills at their own 16. Allen went to Coleman for 57 yards. Davis ran for a 16 yard touchdown just past the 2 minute warning to complete the blowout. 34 unanswered points had the Bills 5-2 on the year and dropped the Titans to miserable 1-5 on the season. 34-10 Bills
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns — The Dawg Pound was rocking with the news that Nick Chubb was finally back on the field after a devastating knee injury a year ago. Yet 12 seconds into this game, the Bengals led 7-0 as Jones took the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Dustin Hopkins missed a 49 yard field goal try for the Browns. With about 4 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Browns faced 3rd and 1 at their own 31. Deshaun Watson gained 2. Watson hit David Njoku for 13, Moore for 8 and Akins for 21. Yet late in the first quarter, Watson went down to the ground without being touched, his leg being injured. He left the game injured, and it was the worst case scenario. For the second straight year, Watson will be on injured reserve out for the season. The Browns kicked Baker Mayfield out of town and gave Watson 230 million in guaranteed money. Dorian Thompson-Robinson entered the game on 3rd and 8 from the Cincinnati 23. He threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 22 yard gain down to the one. After Chubb got stopped on 3rd and goal at the one, Kevin Stefanski gambled. On 4th and goal at the one, Chubb got the carry again and this time got in. Yet Hopkins then missed the extra point as the Browns trailed 7-6.
In the third quarter the Browns moved from their own 8 to a 4th and 2 at the Cincinnati 35. A field goal try would be 53 yards to give the Browns the lead,, but Hopkins had already missed one field goal and an extra point. Kevin Stefanski went for it and Thompson-Robinson threw incomplete. Brown then got the Bengals going with a 27 yard run. Joe Burrow hit Moss for 19. Burrow went to JaMarr Chase for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 14-6 Bengals. A 15 yard penalty for lowering the head to initiate contact on a punt set up the Bengals up at midfield. Burrow hit Tee Higgins for 19. On 3rd and 4 from the Cleveland 25, Burrow hit Higgins for the touchdown. The Bengals led 21-6 after three quarters. After another interception by Thompson-Robinson, he was benched. third stringer Jameis Winston came in with 3:43 left in regulation and needing to lead 2 touchdown drives. Winston did throw an 8 yard touchdown pass to Njoku along with a successful 2 point conversion to get the Browns within 7 with 90 seconds left. Yet the onside kick failed. The Browns are an awful 1-6 and now are without Watson. The Bengals have won 2 straight after a 1-4 start. 21-14 Bengals
Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers — A pair of good football teams played an exciting game. Early on the Packers faced 3rd and 3 from midfield. Jordan Love was intercepted by Hewitt, who returned the pick 45 yards to the Green Bay 11. Yet on 3rd and 4, CJ Stroud threw incomplete. Kaimi Fairbairn hit the 23 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Texans. The Packers got it back at their own 8 yard line. Love hit Kraft for 11. Josh Jacobs ran for 13 and 3. Love went to Romeo Doubs for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Houston 45, Love hit Melton for 6. The second quarter began with the Packers facing 2nd and 14 from the Houston 41. A completion gained only 6, but defensive unnecessary roughness added 15 more. On 3rd and 4 from the Houston 14, Love hit Kraft for the touchdown to make it 7-3 Packers. The Texans got a big break when they punted, the Packers fumbled, and the Texans recovered at the Green Bay 11 yard line. Joe Mixon ran for 9 and then for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Texans.
The Packers after a touchback faced 3rd and 3 from their own 37. On 2nd and 11 from their 40, defensive pass interference on a deep incompletion added 30 yards. Love then went to Wicks for a 30 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Packers. A strong kickoff return by Damion Pierce had the Texans at their own 43. They moved to a 1st and 10 at the Green Bay 32. A pair of Stroud incompletions were sandwiched around a completion that lost yards. Fairbairn hit from 52 to get the Texans within 14-13. On the next play from scrimmage, Love was intercepted to set the Texans up at their own 45. Mixon broke off a 32 yard run. Mixon ran for 10 more. Mixon ran for a 4 yard touchdown, The 2 point try failed but the Texans led 19-14. After the teams combined for 30 points in the second quarter, the defenses dominated the second half.
In the third quarter the Packers took over at their own 29. Love went to Doubs for 11. Jacobs gained 2, 10, and 27. Love hit Doubs for 12. Love hit Jacobs for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 21-19 Texans. Despite a stellar running career with plenty of receptions, it was the very first touchdown reception for Jacobs. The defenses dug in. Midway through the fourth quarter the Texans began a drive at their own 38. They moved to a 1st and 10 at the Green Bay 12. Yet a pair of runs lost yards. Fairbairn hit a 35 yard field goal to make it 22-21 Texans with 1:44 left. Yet after a touchback, the Packers moved to the Houston 28 with 3 seconds left. McManus entered the game for a 46 yard try to win it. With everything on the line, McManus was good. Both teams are 5-2 on the year. 24-33 Packers
Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts — Tyler Huntley again started for the Dolphins in place of the injured Tua Tagovailoa. Yet Joe Flacco was back on the bench as Anthony Richardson returned from injury for the Colts. Early on the Dolphins faced 3rd and 3 just shy of midfield. Huntley threw incomplete but the defense jumped offside. On 3rd and 1 from the Indianapolis 37, Huntley gained 2. Huntley hit Smith for 18. On 3rd and goal at the 10, Huntley went to Smith for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Dolphins. The rest of the half was hideous. Jason Sanders hit a 33 yard field goal for the Colts with 22 seconds left. That was enough time for Richardson to complete a 33 yard pass to Pittman. Matt Gay hit from 52 to end the half with the Dolphins up 10-3. A third quarter fumble by Mostert was returned 18 yards to set up the Colts at the Miami 28. Richardson ran for 12. Dulin ran for 12 more. Goodson ran for a 7 yard touchdown to have the game deadlocked 10-10 after three quarters. The fourth quarter came down to the kickers as Huntley was benched in favor of Boyle. Gay hit from 22 for the Colts. From 54 to tie the game, Sanders was no good. Gay hit from 38 to put the Colts up by 6 with 1:51 left. After a touchback the Dolphins moved to a 2nd and 1 at the Indy 32. A completion lost a yard and then came a spike to stop the clock. On 4th and 2 with 11 seconds, Boyle threw incomplete. 16-10 Colts
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings — This was a heavyweight fight and one of t he most important regular season games ever bet ween these NFC North rivals. The 4-1 Lions were taking on the only unbeaten team in the NFC. Early in the game on 4th and 7 from his own 33, Dan Campbell tried a fake punt. It only gained one yard as the Vikings took over at the Detroit 34. From that spot, Aaron Jones ran for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Vikings. The Vikings got the ball back at their own 20 and moved to a 4th and 7 at the Detroit 39. Will Reichard nailed a 57 yard field goal to have the Vikings up 10-0 after the first quarter. The second quarter was a different game entirely.
The Lions took over at their own 31 and began the second quarter facing 1st and 10 at the Minnesota 45. Gibbs got around the end and all the way for the touchdown to get the Lions within 10-7. The Lions got the ball at their own 17. Jared Goff went to Amra St. Brown for 17 with 15 more tacked on for roughing the passer. Goff hit St. Brown again for 12. Goff then went deep to St. Brown for a 35 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Lions. An interception of Sam Darnold had the Lions at their own 28. Gibbs ran for 8, caught a pass from Goff for 19, and ran for 8 more. Goff went to Sam LaPorta for 25. On 3rd and 8 from the Minnesota 8, Gibbs ran for the touchdown with 26 seconds left in the half. 21 unanswered points had the Lions up 21-10 at the midpoint.
The Vikings began the third quarter at their own 20. Darnold hit Justin Jefferson for 15. On 3rd and 2 from their own 43, a pass from Darnold to Nailor was initially ruled a fumble and a defensive touchdown for Detroit. On further review it was reversed to an 11 yard gain. Jones ran for 9 and 10. On 3rd and 8 from the Detroit 25, Darnold went to Jefferson for the touchdown to get the Vikings within 21-17. After a touchback, Goff went to David Montgomery for 14. On 3rd and 9 from their own 46, Goff went to Raymond for 13. On 2nd and 15 from the Minnesota 47, Goff went to Patrick for 22. On 3rd and 6 from the Minnesota 21, Goff went to Raymond for the touchdown.to have the Lions top 28-17 after three quarters.
After a touchback, the Vikings moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Detroit 21. On the last play of the third quarter, Darnold was sacked. Reichard hit a 42 yard field goal to start the fourth quarter to get the Vikings within 28-20; The Vikings got the ball back at their own 9 and moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Detroit 29. Darnold got taken down for no gain and was then sacked. Reichard hit the 48 yard field goal to get the Vikings within 28-23. Two plays after a touchback, disaster struck the Lions. Montgomery fumbled and Pace returned the fumble for the defense 36 yards for a touchdown, The 2 point conversion try failed but the Vikings led 29-28 with 6 minutes left in regulation. With 2 1/2 minutes left, the Lions took over at their own 30. Gibbs ran for 14. Goff hit Gibbs for 16 and St. Brown for 14. The Lions took the clock down to 19 seconds. Bates came in for a 44 yard field goal try to give the Lions the lead. Bates was good. After a touchback, Darnold hit Nailor for 20. With one second left, the Vikings were at their own 45. Darnold never got the Hail Mary off as he was sacked. Both teams are 5-1. An NFC Title Game rematch would be a worthy follow up to this fine, fine football game. 31-29 Lions
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants — The Eagles have been winning ugly while the Giants have been losing ugly. After a scoreless first quarter, the Eagles in the second quarter took over at their own 26. Saquon Barkley raced for a 55 yard gain. Kenneth Gainwell gained 12. Barkley ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Eagles. The eagles got the ball back at their own 42. Jalen Hurts hit Gainwell for 11. On 4th and 3 from the Giants 41, Nick Sirianni decided to go for it. Rather than just move the chains, Hurts went for it all and hit AJ Brown for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Eagles. The Giants managed a field goal just before the half, but nothing else. NFL rules prohibited the cancellation of the second half. In the third quarter the Eagles moved 77 y yards. On 4th and 2 from the Giants 5, Sirianni gambled again and Hurts gained 4. Hurts got the last yard tush push style for a 21-3 Eagles lead. In the fourth quarter the Eagles embarked on a 10 play, 92 yard, 6 minute drive. On 4th and goal at the one, it was again tush push time. Hurts got in to complete the scoring. It was sweet revenge for Barkley against the team that let him go in free agency. to a division rival. 28-3 Eagles
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams — The Raiders play the same game every week. The offense scores one early touchdown, relies on field goals the rest of the way, and the exhausted defense bends until it finally breaks. This week against a wounded Rams team, the Raiders did not score a touchdown the whole game. A scoreless first quarter saw Aidan O’Connell go down with a fractured thumb. He will be out several weeks. Gardner Minshew played the rest of the way, Daniel Carlson hit a 38 yard field goal early in the second quarter to make it 3-0 Raiders. With 5 minutes left in the half the Raiders faced 3rd and 9 at their own 41. The offense had done nothing but they didn’t give the game away. Then they did. Minshew was intercepted to give the Rams a short field at the Raiders 47. Williams ran for 9 and 2. Matthew Stafford hit Parkinson for 23. Williams ran for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Rams. After a touchback on 2nd and 10 from his own 44, Minshew got blown up and fumbled the ball. Curl returned the fumble 33 yards for a defensive touchdown. Just like that the Rams led 14-3.
Carlson managed a 47 yard field goal to end the half to get the Raiders within 14-6, but on 3rd and 6 from his own 24, Minshew’s 3rd turnover was another interception. The Rams rook over at the Raiders 31. Smith ran for 24 and Williams ran for the 2 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Rams led 20-6. The Raiders are dumb, but the Rams are almost as dumb. Carlson 3rd field goal from 38 got the Raiders within 20-9. Then Stafford was intercepted by Nate Hobbs and returned 35 yards to give the Raiders 1st and 10 at the Rams 14. The fourth quarter began with Minshew throwing incomplete on 3rd and 5. Carlson hit his 4th field goal from 27 to get the Raiders within 20-12. With 10 minutes left in regulation Joshua Kary’s 35 yard field goal try was no good. The Raiders took over at their own 25 and mounted a 15 play, 66 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive. It’s fine to play ball control when you’re winning, but why grind out the clock when you’re losing? On 1st and goal at the 4, Minshew threw incomplete twice and completed a pass for no gain. Anthony Pierce decided to go for it but then came a false start. A disgusted Pierce opted for the field goal. Carlson’s 5th field goal got the Raiders with 5 points with 2:46 left. The Raiders got the ball back at their own 11 with 1:39 left. One touchdown would win the game. The defense did its job. Minshew offered his 4th turnover in the form of his 3rd interception. Just lose baby. 20-15 Rams
Carolina Panthers at Washington Commanders — Sometimes a really bad team can go on the road and shock a really good team in an upset for the ages. This was not that game. Goliath beat up David and stole his lunch money. Early on Red Rifle Andy Dalton on 3rd and 9 from the Washington 25 completed a pass to Dante Fowler. Problem: Fowler plays defense for the Commanders. Fowler returned the interception 67 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 7-0 Commanders. The Commanders got it back at their own 10 and moved to a 2nd and goal at the 5. A run lost 3 yards and killed the drive. Austin Seibert hit the 23 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Commanders. Dalton was intercepted again. Yet Daniels was injured on the previous series. In the second quarter the Commanders took over at their own 41 with Marcus Mariota under center. Robinson gained 8 and 7. Defensive pass interference added 29 yards. Robinson ran for 7 and then for the 8 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Commanders. The Panthers had 4th and 1 at their own 40. Dave Canales gambled and Chuba Hubbard got stopped for no gain. Seibert hit from 49 to make it 20-0 Commanders. With 2:22 left in the half, the Commanders got it back at their own 8. Mariota hit Terry Mclaurin for gains of 18 and 15. Mariota went to Brown for 23 and to Zac Ertz for a 12 yard touchdown with 10 seconds left t in the half. The Commanders led 27-0. For some reason the NFL refused to cancel the second half. Mariotta capped a 59 yard third quarter drive with a 3 yard touchdown toss to Sinnoff to make it 34-0 Commanders. Seibert tacked on a third quarter field goal from 31 and a 29 yarder in the fourth quarter. The Panthers managed one touchdown early in the fourth quarter to prevent the blowout from becoming a shutout. 40-7 Commanders
Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers — Twice Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers had double digit Super Bowl leads over Walrus Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. Twice the Chiefs won the Super Bowl and the 49ers lost. Anders Carlson did hit a 55 yard field goal to put the 49ers up 3-0 after the first quarter, but after that the Chiefs took over. After a touchback, Mahomes went to Gray for gains of 11 and 20 as the Chiefs began the second quarter at the San Francisco 39. Mecole Hardman gained 20. Kareem Hunt ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Chiefs. Hardman then returned a punt 55 yards to the San Francisco 30. On 3rd and 5, Mahomes went to Xavier Worthy for 8. On 3rd and 2 from the Frisco 9, Mahomes hit Hunt for 3. Hunt ran for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Chiefs.
The 49ers moved from their own 10 with 1:40 left in the half to a 2nd and 1 at the Kansas City 5. Brock Purdy threw incomplete and a run on 3rd and 1 lost a yard. Kyle Shanahan on 4th and 2 opted for the field goal. Carlson hit from 24 to get the 49ers within 14-6. The third quarter began with the Chiefs facing 3rd and 8 at their own 31. Mahomes was intercepted by Lenoir, who returned the pick 33 yards to the Kansas 23. On 4th and 1, Purdy got the yard. Purdy ran for a one yard touchdown. Kyle Shanahan decided against a 2 point conversion to tie the game. Yet Carlson missed the extra point as the 49ers trailed 14-12. The 49ers got it back at their own 20 and moved to a 3rd and 6 at the Kansas City 34. With a chance to take the lead, Purdy was intercepted and the 49ers still trailed after three quarters of football.
The Chiefs took over at their own 21. Hunt ran for 4 and 13. On 3rd and 6 from the San Francisco 47, Mahomes went to Travis Kelce for 7. Mahomes ran for 33. On 4th and goal at the one to start the fourth quarter, Walrus Andy Reid went for it. Mahoems got the yard to put the Chiefs up 21-12. After a touchback, the 49ers moved to a 2nd and goal at the 3. A run lost 2 yards. Then Purdy went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. Hunt ran for a pair of 6 yard gains. Steele ran for 7, 2, and on 3rd and 1 from his own 41, 2 more. On 3rd and 8 from their ow 45, Mahomes went to Gray for 9. On 3rd and 4 from the San Francisco 40, Mahomes went to Perine for 22. Hardman ran for an 18 yard touchdown to put the Chiefs up 28-12 with 3 minutes left. The 49ers got a garbage touchdown with one minute left, but the 2 point try and the onside kick both failed. The 49ers are 3-0 while the Chiefs are the NFL’s only unbeaten team at 6-0, making Andy Reid a most happy Walrus indeed. 28-18 Chiefs
New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers was the Sunday night game. With Robert Saleh out of the building and Davante Adams now in the building, the Jets were out of excuses. Meanwhile, Justin Fields went back to the bench as Russell Wilson overcame injury to start his first game of the year for the Steelers. After an opening touchback, the Steelers moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Jets 28. Wilson threw incomplete. Chris Boswell hit a 46 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Steelers. The Jets took over at their own 18. A run lost a yard but defensive unnecessary roughness meant a 15 yard gain. Aaron Rodgers went to Breece Hall for 18 and Adams for 9. On 3rd and 4 from the Pittsburgh 44, Rodgers went to Allen Lazard for just enough. Rodgers went to Hall for 13 and Wilson for 12. Hall ran for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Jets.
In the second quarter the Steelers moved from their own 31 to a 2nd and 5 at the Jets 6. A run lost 5 yards and Wilson threw incomplete. Boswell hit from 39 to get the Steelers within 7-6. The Jets took over at their own 28. Rodgers went to Adams for 11.Rodgers connected with Hall for a 57 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the one, Rodgers went to Conklin for the touchdown. Jeff Ulbrich inexplicably went for 2 and Rodgers hit Wilson to put the Jets up 15-6. The Jets got it back at their own 7 and with 1:15 left in the half faced 2nd and 4 at their own 36. The Jets were in total control. Rodgers then completed a pass to Bishop. Problem: Bishop plays defense for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers took over at their own 46. Wilson went to Van Jefferson for 11. Wilson went deep incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant a 29 yard gain. Wilson went to George Pickens for an 11 yard touchdown. With 27 seconds left in the half, the Steelers were within 15-13. In the third quarter the Steelers moved from their own 21 to a 1st and goal at the 3. A run went nowhere and Wilson threw incomplete twice. Boswell hit from 21 to put the Steelers in front 16-15. Rodgers then found Bishop, who still plays defense for Pittsburgh. This time Bishop returned the pick 41 yards down to the one. Wilson got the yard to make it 23-15 Steelers. Late in the third quarter the Jets had moved from their own 26 to a 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 17. With a chance to tie the game, Rodgers threw 3 straight incompletions. Greg Zuerlein’s 35 yard field goal try was blocked. The Steelers soon faced 3rd and 8 from their own 27. Wilson hit Jalen Warren for 11. The Steelers began the fourth quarter at midfield. Najee Harris ran for 34, 4 and 7. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Wilson hit Jefferson for the score. Harris tacked on a 10 yard touchdown with 26 seconds left to complete the blowout. 31 unanswered points had the Steelers at 5-2. Meanwhile, Adams lost to the same team in 2 straight weeks, before and after being traded. 37-15 Steelers
Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the early Monday night game. After an opening touchback, the Buccaneers faced 3rd and 3 at their own 37. Baker Mayfield hit White for 18. On 4th and 1 from the Baltimore 36, Todd Bowles went for it and McMillan gained 11. Mayfield went deep to Mike Evans for a 25 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. The Buccaneers got it back at their own 20 and moved to a 4th and goal at the 5. Chase McLaughlin hit the 23 yard field goal. The Buccaneers dominated the first quarter and led 10-0. After that the game drastically changed.
After a touchback, Lamar Jackson hit Kolar for 14. The second quarter began with Bay Flowers running for 19, Jackson adding 11, and Derrick Henry tacking on 7. Jackson hit Isaiah Likely for 10 and Mark Andrews for a 9 yard touchdown to get the Ravens within 10-7. The Buccaneers after a touchback moved to a 2nd and goal at the 3. Mayfield went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. Henry ran for 13 and Jackson went deep to Bateman for 59. On 2nd and goal from the 18, Jackson went to Justice Hill for the touchdown. Rather than trailing 17-7, the Ravens led 14-10. After a touchback on 3rd and 13 from his own 42, Mayfield was intercepted again. The Ravens moved from their own 40 to a 1st and goal at the 8. Consecutive offensive holding penalties killed the drive. Justin Tucker hit the 28 yard field goal to make it 17-10 Ravens.
Tucker hit a 52 yard third quarter field goal to make it 20-10 Ravens. From 55 yards out, McLaughlin doinked his kick off the upright no good. The Ravens took over at their own 45. Jackson went deep to Bateman for a 49 yard touchdown to make it 27-10 Ravens. The Ravens got it back at their own 8. Henry got around the end for an 81 yard gain. On 4th and 3 from the Tampa Bay 4, John Harbaugh decided to pour it on. Jackson hit Andrews for the touchdown. 34 unanswered points had the Ravens up 34-10 after three quarters.
The Buccaneers forced a Baltimore fumble in the fourth quarter and took over at the Baltimore 30. Mayfield hit White for an 11 yard touchdown and hit Shepard for the 2 point conversion to get the Buccaneers within 34-18. Yet there would be no rally. After a touchback, Henry ripped off a 39 yard gain. On 3rd and 6 from the Tampa Bay 24, Jackson went to Bateman for 8. On 3rd and 7 from the Tampa 13, Jackson hit Henry for the touchdown. The Ravens led 41-18 with 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Buccaneers managed a touchdown, a successful onside kick, and another touchdown. Yet they still trailed by 10 points at the 2 minute warning. The next onside kick try failed. The Buccaneers got it back at their own 25 and moved to a 3rd and 10 at the Baltimore 43 with 13 seconds left. Mayfield ran for 12 and the clock ran out. The Ravens won their 5th straight game as the man dubbed King Henry ran for 169 yards on 15 carries. As for the Buccaneers, it was a devastating loss. With 43 seconds left in the game, Chris Godwin suffered a broken ankle and is out for the rest of the season. 41-31 Ravens
Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals was the late Monday night game. Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert are exciting, but a game between 2 teams formerly coached by Don “Air” Coryell turned out to be a defensive slugfest. After a scoreless first quarter, Cameron Dicker hit a 59 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Chargers in the second quarter. The Cardinals soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 30. Tune gained 2. Murray went to James Conner for 18 and McBride for 11. Conner gained 14. Murray hit Dortch for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Cardinals. Dicker hit again from 50 to close the half with the Chargers within 7-6. Dicker hit again from 28 in the third quarter to make it 9-7 Chargers. After a touchback, Murray hit Wilson for 15. The fourth quarter began with Murray hitting Harrison for 10. Murray then ran for a 44 yard touchdown to make it 14-9 Cardinals. Dicker hit from 47 early in the fourth quarter and from 40 to put the Chargers up 15-14 with 1:54 left. After a touchback, a defensive unnecessary roughness penalty was a killer. Murray then hot Connor for 33 yard gain. Dicker made 5 field goals, but Ryland made the biggest one. His only field goal from 32 yards out on the last play of the game gave the Cardinals the win. 17-15 Cardinals