NFL 2024 Week 11 Recap
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles was the Thursday night game. A pair of good teams played an important NFC East rivalry game. The eagles missed an opportunity on their opening possession when Jake Elliott missed a 44 yard field goal try. A short 38 yard punt had the Commanders taking over at their own 42. Jaydon Daniels went ti Austin Ekeler for 34. Robinson ran for 18 and then got the last yard for the touchdown. The Commanders led 7-0 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, Elliott missed again from 51. The Eagles got it back at their own 10 and moved 87 yards in 15 plays to a 3rd and goal at the 3 with 30 seconds left in the half. Jalen Hurts threw incomplete. Elliott finally connected from 21. yet instead of leading 9-7 at the intermission, the Eagles trailed 7-3. The Commanders began the third quarter at their own 31 and moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Philadelphia 22. Daniels threw incomplete. After a delay of game, Zane Gonzalez hit a 45 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Commanders. Then the game changed.
The Eagles took over at their own 13 and moved 74 yards in 10 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 6 from the Washington 13, Hurts threw incomplete. Elliott hit from 31 to get the Eagles within 10-6. The Eagles got it back at their own 24. Saquon Barkley gained 9. Hurts went to AJ Brown for 17. The fourth quarter began with the Eagles facing 3rd and 7 at the Washington 45. Hurts ran for just enough. Gainwell then ran for big gains of 14, 13 and 7. Hurts ran for a one yard touchdown. Elliott missed the extra point but the Eagles led 12-10 with 12 minutes left in regulation. The Commanders moved from their own 29 to a 3rd and 1 at the Philadelphia 25. Robinson got the carry and lost a yard. A 44 yard field goal would have given the Commanders the lead, so it seemed odd that Dan Quinn gambled on 4th and 2. Daniels kept it and got stopped for no gain.
The Eagles moved quickly as Hurts went deep to Dallas Goedert for a 32 yard gain. On 3rd and 3 from the Washington 23, Barkley ran all the way for the touchdown to have the Eagles up 19-10 with 5 minutes left. One play after a touchback, Daniels was immediately intercepted by Rod Blankenship at the Washington 46. Barkley did the rest, running for 7 and then for the 39 yard touchdown. With 4 1/2 minutes left, 23 unanswered points had the Eagles up 26-10. Yet the Eagles only seem to win close games. After a touchback, the Commanders did move 70 yards, but it took them 16 plays to do it. Daniels hit Zac Ertz for a 5 yard touchdown and again for the 2 point conversion. The Commanders were within 8 points, but only 28 seconds remained. The onside kick failed. The Eagles are 7-2 and the Commander are 7-3. A playoff rematch would be worth it. 26-18 Eagles
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers — These bitter AFC North enemies played another defensive street fight. The 7-3 Ravens and the 7-2 Steelers are mirror images of each other. On the second play from scrimmage, Derrick Henry fumbled and the Steelers recovered at the Baltimore 42. On 2nd and 8 from the Baltimore 14, Russell Wilson threw incomplete twice. Chris Boswell hit a 32 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Steelers. Justin Tucker may be the best kicker to ever play the game, but he has struggled tis year. From 47 yards out, he was wide left no good. Mike Tomlin gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 46. Najee Harris got stopped cold for no gain. Yet from 50 yards out, Tucker was wide left no good again. Boswell hit again from 52 to make it 6-0 Steelers.
The Ravens took over at there own 20 with 5 minutes left in the half. Jackson went to Bateman for 19. Henry ran for 31. Jackson went to Isaiah Likely for 18 at the 2 minute warning. Henry ran for 3 and then for the one yard touchdown. Despite being outplayed the entire half, the Ravens led 7-6 with 1:16 left. The Ravens got it back at their own 9 with 38 seconds left. Rather than just run the ball, the Ravens tried to get more. A short completion was fumbled, gifting the Steelers the ball at the Baltimore 19 with 30 seconds left. On 2nd and 5 from the Baltimore 9, Wilson threw a pair of incompletions sandwiched around a false start. Boswell hit from 32 to have the Steelers up 9-7 at the half. In the third quarter Boswell drilled a 57 yarder to have the Steelers up 12-7.
Tucker finally got on the board with a 54 yarder. The Steelers after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 6 at the Baltimore 8. Yet a run lost a yard and Wilson threw incomplete. Boswell hit from 27 to have the Steelers up 15-10 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Steelers moved from their own 32 to a 1st and goal at the 5 and a chance to put the game away. A run went nowhere, Wilson threw incomplete, and on 3rd and goal, Wilson went to the end zone and was intercepted by Marlon Humphrey. From his own 20, Jackson ran for 25 as one touchdown would give the Ravens the lead. Yet then Jackson was intercepted. The Steelers moved from their own 36 to a 2nd and 9 at the Baltimore 31. A completion lost a yard and Wilson then threw incomplete. Boswell hit his 6th field goal to have the Steelers up 18-10 with 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Ravens soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 31. Jackson went to Bateman and Likely for a pair of 11 yard gains. On 3rd and 9 from the Pittsburgh 46, Jackson went to Justice Hill for 22, to Wallace for 8, and to Bay Flowers for a 16 yard touchdown. Now the Ravens were a 2 point conversion from tying the game. Jackson scrambled for his life but shovel-passed the ball to nobody in particular incomplete. With only 1:06 left, John Harbaugh surprised everyone by not trying an onside kick. He decided to kick it deep since the Ravens had all 3 timeouts. On 3rd and 1 from their own 39, Harris got the carry. The pileup was big, but a final second effort allowed Harris to get the tough yard. This was a Pittsburgh-Baltimore barefisted slobberknocker, and this time Mike Tomlin power football was one yard better. The Steelers have won 5 straight and a playoff rematch cannot come soon enough. 18-16 Steelers
Jacksonville Jaguars at Detroit Lions — Sometimes a terrible team can go on the road and shock a great team in an upset for the ages. This was not that game. The 8-1 Lions were expected to easily steamroll the 2-8 Jaguars. The Jaguars got an early lift when Chase Little drilled a 59 yard field goal, but after that reality set in. After a touchback, Jared Goff went to Zylstra for 22. David Montgomery had gains of 5 and 9. Goff went to Am-ra St. Brown for 11. Montgomery did the rest, running for 5 and then for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Lions. The Lions got it back at their own 7 yard line. On 3rd and 3, Goff went to St. Brown for 5. Goff went back to St. Brown for 18. The second quarter began with the Lions facing 3rd and 1 at their own 46. Goff threw incomplete. Now it was time for a Dan Campbell gamble. On 4th and 1, Goff gained 3. Goff went to Williams for 24. Gibbs gained 23, then another 3, and finally the one yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Lions.
The Lions took over at their own 36. A hook and lateral from Goff to St. Brown to Williamson went for 11. Montgomery gashed the defense for gains of 11, 8 and 5. Goff went to St. Brown for 12. Montgomery ran for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 21-3 Lions. The Lions got it back at their own 16 and made it look easy. Goff went to Gibbs for 54 and then to St. Brown for a 27 yard touchdown to make it 28-3 Lions. The Jaguars got another field goal to end the half, but the Lions kept rolling in the third quarter. The Lions began at their own 20. From their own 36, Goff found Williams, who outraced everybody for a 64 yard touchdown to make it 35-6 Lions. The Lions got it back at their own 17. Goff went to St. Brown for 26. On 3rd and 9 from their own 44, Goff went t Williams for 22. On 4th and 2 from the Jacksonville 14, Dan Campbell kept his foot on the gas. Goff hit Patrick for 9 and went to Wright for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 42-6 Lions.
In the fourth quarter the Lions intercepted Lawrence to take over at their own 4 yard line. 96 yards came easy as Goff hit St. Brown for the touchdown. The Lions scored a touchdown on their first 7 drives, absolute perfection. Goff had a perfect passer rating of 158.3 through 50 minutes, which would mean more if anyone knew what that meant. The Lions led 49-6 with a full 10 minutes left in regulation. Yet Goff’s day was done. There was no reason for Dan Campbell to risk an injury up by 43 points. Hendon Hooker came in. Hooker did not lead a touchdown drive but Bates’s 54 yard field goal meant an 8th straight scoring drive. The Lions got it back and were in field goal range for a 9th scoring drive, but Dan Campbell called off the dogs. Hooker took a couple of knees to complete the carpet-bombing. 52-6 Lions
Los Angeles Rams at New England Patriots — These teams played in 2 Super Bowls together, but this was just a pair of bad teams trying to survive. In the first quarter the Patriots took over at their own 23. Drake Maye went to Douglas for 14. On 3rd and 7 from their own 40, Maye went to Douglas for 28 and to Austin Hooper for 19. Maye went to Kendrick Bourne for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Patriots. In the second quarter the Rams took over at their own 20. Matthew Stafford went to Puka Nacua for 25, to Corum for 7, and to Robinson for 10. Corum gained 5, 6 and 10. Stafford hit Nacua for 12. Stafford hit Cooper Kupp for a 5 yard touchdown and a 7-7 game midway through the second quarter.
The Patriots soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 27. Maye was sacked and fumbled. The Rams took over at the New England 12 yard line. One play later, Stafford hit Nacua for the touchdown to make it 14-7 Rams. After a touchback the Patriots moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Rams 13 at the 2 minute warning. Maye threw incomplete. Joey Slye hit a 32 yard field goal to get the Patriots within 14-10. After a touchback, the Rams moved to a 1st and goal at the 8 with 11 seconds left in the half. Stafford threw incomplete twice. On 3rd and goal with 3 seconds left, Sean McVay was not taking any chances. Karty came in for the 26 yard field try. He doinked it off the right upright no good.
Yet while the Rams went to the locker rooms deflated, they came out elated to start the third quarter. On the second play from scrimmage from their own 31, Stafford went deep to Kupp for a 69 yard touchdown. Just like that the Rams led 21-10. The Patriots after a touchback moved to a 3rd and goal at the 2. Raimondre Stevenson got the carry and got stopped cold for no gain. After a delay of game, Slye hit the 25 yard field goal to get the Patriots within 21-13. The Rams took over at their own 28. Williams ran for gains of 12 and 9. On 3rd and 1 just shy of midfield, Stafford gained 3. Stafford then went to Tutu Atwell for 21. Stafford hit Parkinson for a 19 yard touchdown to have the Rams up big 28-13 after three quarters.
After a touchback the Patriots soon faced 3rd and 11 at their own 29. A completion and fumble lost a yard, but defensive unnecessary roughness gave the Patriots 15 yards. A defensive facemark added 15 more. Maye ran for 16 as the third quarter ended. With 12:45 left in regulation, Maye hit Lowe for a 4 yard touchdown. Yet Slye’s critical extra point attempt was blocked. The Patriots still trailed 28-19. The Patriots got it back and moved to a 4th and 1 at the Rams 19 with 5 minutes left to play. Jerod Mayo went for it but a false start killed the try. Needing 2 scores, Mayo opted for the field goal. Slye hit from 42 to get the Patriots within 6. The Patriots got it back at their own 10 with 2:14 to play. On 3rd and 13 from their own 25, Mayo was intercepted. The Rams have quietly gotten to 5-5 on the year. 28-22 Rams
Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints — Both teams are and but the Saints snapped their 7 game losing streak last week to get a win for interim coach Darren Rizzi in his very first game. After an opening touchback, Kevin Stefanski gambled on 4th and 1 just past midfield. Nick Chubb got the carry and got blown up for a 2 yard loss. With a short field Alvin Kamara ran for 13. Taysom Hill came in and hit Austin for 18. Hill got around the end for a 19 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Saints. Late in the first quarter the Browns took over at their own 11. One play and 15 seconds was all the Browns needed as Jameis Winston went deep to Jerry Jeudy for an 89 yard touchdown. Stefanski went for a pointless 2 point try that failed as the Browns trailed 7-6. Hill was then intercepted on a deep ball, but the Browns did not capitalize.
The Saints soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 29 in the second quarter. Derek Carr hit Marques Valdez-Scantling, who outraced everyone for a 71 yard touchdown to make it 14-6 Saints. The rest of the half was ugly. Dustin Hopkins missed a 51 yard field goal try for th Browns. The Saints moved from their own 41 to a 3rd and 3 at the Cleveland 11. Carr hit Hill for 6, but Hill fumbled the ball away. The Browns moved from their own 7 to a 1st and goal at the 9 with 11 seconds left in the half. Winston threw incomplete, leaving 3 seconds. On 3rd and goal, Kevin Stefanski took no chances. Yet Hopkins missed the 27 yard field goal. In the third quarter the Browns took over at their own 8. Winston hit Tillman for 20. Chubb gashed the defense for 14, 5 and 8. Winston hit Jeudy for 11 and then went to Moore for a 30 yard touchdown, Stefanski went for 2 again. This time, Winston hit David Njoku. After 36 minutes of football the game was tied 14-14. The game would still be tied entering the fourth quarter.
Late in the third quarter the Saints faced 3rd and 13 at their own 20. Carr hit Hill for 14 and Foster Moreau for 22. Early in the fourth quarter the Saints faced 4th and 1 at the Cleveland 33. Darren Rizzi went for it and brought in Hill. Hill took the direct snap and ran all the way for the touchdown to make it 21-14 Saints. Bettis then returned a punt 53 yards to set up the Saints at the Cleveland 35. Kamara ran for 18. Hill added 6, then Kamara gained another 5. Carr threw a one yard touchdown pass to Johnson to make it 28-14 Saints with 6 minutes left. The Browns last gasp fell flat when Winston threw incomplete on 4th and 6 from the New Orleans 22 with 2:48 left. 3 plays later Hill got around the end for a 79 yard touchdown. 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter turned a close game into a blowout. Darren Rizzi is 2-0 as a head coach. 35-14 Saints
Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets — Neither team is any good, but the Jets find new ways to ridicule those who believed they were a serious contender. In the first quarter the Colts moved from their own 20 to a 3rd and 4 at the Jets 23. Anthony Richardson threw incomplete. Matt Gay hit a 41 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Colts. The Colts got it back at their own 34. Richardson went to Pittman for 16. On 3rd and 4 from the Jets 34, Richardson went to Mitchell for 33 down to the one. The second quarter began with Richardson getting around the end for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Colts. Jets interim coach Brian Ulbrich gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 39. Conklin took the direct snap and gained nothing. The Colts moved to a 3rd and 6 at the Jets 13. Richardson was sacked for a 16 yard loss. Gay hit a 47 yard field goal to make it 13-0 Colts.
With 2:17 left in the half, the Jets took over at their own 24. Rodgers went to Wilson for 6, Conklin for 7, and Davante Adams for 24. On 3rd and 6 from the Indianapolis 29, Rodgers went to Breece Hall for the touchdown. With 40 seconds left in the half, the Jets were right back in it down 13-7. The third quarter began with Richardson getting sacked and fumbling. The Jets took over at the Indianapolis 25. Hall did the rest, running for 7 and then for the 18 yard touchdown to have the Jets up 14-13. The Colts moved from their own 21 to a 3rd and 9 at the Jets 39. Richardson threw incomplete. Gay nailed a 56 yard field goal to put the Colts up 16-14. Later in the third quarter the Colts punted on 4th and 16 from their own 10. A fair catch interference penalty on the kicking team gave the Jets gift field position at the Indianapolis 38. Yet the Jets ran 3 plays and lost 2 yards. Anders Carlson leveled a 58 yard field goal to have the Jets back up 17-16.
The Jets got the bay back at their own 41. Rodgers went to Adams for 24. The fourth quarter began with the Jets facing 3rd and 2 at the Indy 27. Hall ran for 16. Rodgers went to Yeboah for an 11 yard touchdown to have the Jets up 24-16. After a touchback Richardson went to Pittman for 20. On 3rd and 2 from the Jets 42, Richardson went to Mo Alie-Cox for 12. Richardson went to Pierce for 19 and to downs or a 10 yard touchdown. The 2 point try to tie the game failed. The Colts trailed 24-22 with 10 minutes left in regulation. The Jets after a touchback moved 53 yards in 13 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 10 from the Indy 25, Rodgers hit Hall for only 8. With 2:45 to play, Jeff Ulbrich had a big decision to make. On 4th and 2 from the Indy 17, he opted for the field goal. Carlson hit from 35. The Jets led 27-22 but they did not close the door. After a touchback, Richardson went deep to Pierce for 39. Richardson went to Downs for 17. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Richardson got around the end for the touchdown. After a touchback, 46 seconds remained. The Jets needed only a field goal. On 3rd and 7 with 13 seconds left, Rodgers was sacked. The clock ran out. 28-27 Colts
Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans — The Vikings are a good team. The Titans are a bad team. An early fumble by Sam Darnold gave the Titans the ball at their own 45. They moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Minnesota 6. Will Levis was sacked. Nick Folk hit a 30 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Titans. After a touchback the Vikings soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 37. Darnold threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 16 yards. On the next play Darnold found Jordan addison, who split the seams and outraced everyone for a 47 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Vikings. The Vikings got it back and faced 3rd and 6 at their own 15. Darnold hit Sherfield for 16 as the first quarter ended. The second quarter began with the Vikings facing 3rd and 6 at their own 35. Darnold went to Justin Jefferson for 31. On 3rd and 1 from the Tennessee 25, Darnold went to TJ Hockenson for 4. On 4th and 1 from the Tennessee 12, Kevin O’Connell went for it. Darnold got stopped but the defense jumped offside. On 2nd and goal at the one, Darnold threw incomplete and a run got stopped. O’Connell gambled again. On 4th and goal at the one, Darnold threw incomplete but defensive unnecessary roughness meant a new set of downs. On the next play, Darnold finally got the yard to make it 13-3 Vikings. The extra point doinked off the upright no good.
Romo did hit a 40 yard field goal to have the Vikings up 16-3 at the break. In the third quarter the Titans faced 3rd and 10 at their own 2. Rather than run and punt, Levis went deep to Westbrook-Ikhine for a shocking 98 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Titans were within 16-10. The vikings took over at their own 35. Darnld went to Jefferson for 25. On 3rd and 11 from the Tennessee 41, Darnold was sacked and fumbled but defensive illegal contact meant 5 yards and an automatic first down. Darnold went to Oliver for 21. Darnold hit Jefferson for 10. Darnold went to Cam Akers for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 23-10 Vikings. The Titans managed a 43 yard field goal one minute into the fourth quarter but nothing else. With 8 1/2 minutes left, on 4th and 4 from the Minnesota 43, Levis was sacked. With 2 1/2 minutes left on 4th and 7 from the Minnesota 48, Levis threw incomplete. The Titans got it back with 1:57 left at their own 16 needing 2 scores. Levis was quickly intercepted. The Vikings got to 8-2 on the year while the Titans are a 2-8 mess. 23-13 Vikings
Las Vegas Raiders at Miami Dolphins — 1974 brought the legendary “Sea of Hands” catch by Clarence Davis as the Raiders ended the reign of the 2 time defending champion Miami Dolphins. 1984 brought Mike Haynes returning an interception of Dan Marino 97 yards for the first touchdown and Marcus Allen sealing the win with the last touchdown in the Raiders 45-34 win. 2024 brought a battle for a good Draft pick. The Dolphins are a bad team and the Raiders are worse. Early on the Dolphins faced 3rd and 7 from their own 33. Tua Tagovailoa went to Devon Achane for 17 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 more. Tagovailoa went to Tyreek Hill for 16. A sack of Tagovailoa forced fumble but the Dolphins retained possession. On 3rd and 20 from the Raiders 22, a completion from Tagovailoa to Mostert only gained 12 but a mindless defensive holding penalty meant an automatic first down. On 3rd and 3 from the Raiders 10, Tagovailoa went to Hill for 6. On 3rd and goal at the one, Tagovailoa threw incomplete. Mike McDaniel went for it. On 4th and goal, Tagovialoa went to Smith for the touchdown. The 14 play, 70 yard, 8 minute drive made it 7-0 Dolphins.
The Raiders after a touchback went 3 and out but received a break due to a running into the kicker penalty on the punt. The Raiders moved all the way to the Miami 10 before a sack of Minshew killed the drive. Daniel Carlson hit a 27 yard field goal as the first quarter ended. Each team had one drive in the first quarter as the Dolphins led 7-3. The Dolphins took over at their own 35 and launched another staggering 16 play, 52 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Tagovailoa was sacked. Jason Sanders hit the 31 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Dolphins. The Raiders after a touchback moved to a 1st and goal at the 8. A run went nowhere and Minshew was taken down for a one yard loss. On 3rd and goal at the 9, Minshew had Mayer over the middle. An accurate throw would have been the tying touchdown. The ball was slightly overthrown. Myaer made a the diving catch but only for a gain of 5. On 4th and goal at the 4, the decision was easy. Carlson hit the 22 yard field goal to get the Raiders within 10-6 at the intermission.
In the third quarter the Raiders had a chance to take the lead. They punted. A great punt had the Dolphins pinned at their own 3 yard line. On 3rd and 4, Tagovailoa hit Hill for 6. Tagovailoa went to Achane for 6, to Smith for 7, to Jalen Waddle for 13, and to Hill for 11. Achane ran for 30. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Tagovailoa went to Hill for the touchdown. The 14 play, 97 yard, 8 minute drive had the Dolphins up 17-6. After a touchback the Raiders faced 4th and 1 at their own 39. Antonio Pierce went for it and Mattison banged up the middle for 6. Minshew went to Mattison for 31. On 3rd and 9 from the Miami 23, Minshew went to Brock Bowers for the touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Raiders were within 17-12 after three quarters.
The ensuing kickoff failed to reach the landing zone, setting up the Dolphins at their own 40. On 3rd and 8, Tagovailoa went to Hill for 18. The fourth quarter had the Dolphins facing 3rd and 4 at the Raiders 34. Tagovailoa went to Smith for 13 and Hill for 17. Achane ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 24-12 Dolphins with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Raiders after a touchback soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 36. Minshew went to Bowers for 6. On 4th and 3 just shy of midfield, Antonio Pierce had to go for it midway through the fourth quarter. Minshew hit Bowers for 7. Minshew went to Tre Tucker for 22, to Amir Abdullah for 5, and to Bowers for 6. On 3rd and goal at the 10, Minshew went t Abdullah for the touchdown. The Raiders were within 24-19 with 4 1/2 minutes left. All they needed was one defensive stop for a chance to win.
Yet the defense failed to get a stop all game. After a touchback on 3rd and 5 from their own 35, Tagovailoa threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 9 yards. Tagovailoa then found a wide open Waddle for an easy 57 yard touchdown to make it 31-19 Dolphins with 3:20 to play. One play after a touchback, Minshew was intercepted. Sanders tacked on a 46 yard field goal with 1:55 left. The Raiders after a touchback faced a 3rd and 1 at the Miami 35 with 42 seconds left. Minshew hit Abdullah for one yard, taking 28 seconds. Minshew then completed a 4 yard pass to the Miami 28 as the final 14 seconds ticked away. The Raiders had 2 weeks to prepare for this game. They lost their 6th straight game anyway to fall to 2-8. The Dolphins scored on every single possession except at the very end of the half. The Raiders are bad at everything and getting worse. 34-19 Dolphins
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears — The Packers usually defeat the Bears, wherever the game is played. After an opening touchback, Josh Jacobs ran for 10. Jordan Love went to Romeo Doubs for 17. Jacobs ran for 8 and 6. Wilson added 13. Love went to Reed for 15 for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Packers. The Bears moved from their own 31 to a 2nd and 7 at the Green Bay 32. A run lost 3 yards and Caleb Williams threw incomplete. Cairo Santos hit a 53 yard field goal to get the Bears within 7-3. In the second quarter the Packers moved from their own 24 to a 2nd and 1 at the Chicago 5. Then came an ineligible man down field penalty followed by a run that lost 5 yards. On 3rd and 11, Love was intercepted by Smith at the one. Smith returned the pick 23 yards to have the Bears at their own 24. Williams hit Cole Kmet for 11. On 3rd and 5 from their own 42, Williams gained 13. On 3rd and 1 from the Green Bay 36, Williams gained 7 and 12. Williams went to Monroe for 12. On 3rd and goal at the one with 7 seconds left in the half, Johnson got in. the 13 play, 76 yard, 6 minute drive had the Bears up 10-7.
After a third quarter touchback, the Bears moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Green Bay 9. A run went nowhere and Williams threw incomplete. Santos hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 13-7 Bears. After a touchback, Love went to Jacobs for 21. Love went to Watson for 25. Jacobs ran for a 7 yard touchdown to have the Packers up 14-13. The Bears soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 28. Williams went to Odunze for 8. Johnson ran for 7 and 5. On 4th and 1 from the Green Bay 43, Matt Eberflus went for it and Williams gained 4. Swift got around the end for a 39 yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Bears led 19-14 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter the Packers moved from their own 24 to a 4th and goal at the 6. With a full 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the field goal made perfect sense. Matt LaFleur for some inexplicable reason went for it. Love only gained 5, coming up one yard short. The Bears took 7 minutes off the clock and moved from their own one to a 4th and 3 just past midfield. Matt Eberflus tried the bluff but the Packers didn’t jump. The Bears punted. The Packers took over at their own 22. Love went bombs away to Watson for a 60 yard gain. Love ran for 13 and then got the last yard himself. The 2 point try failed but the Packers again had the one point lead. After a touchback the Bear moved to a 2nd and 8 at the Green Bay 28 with 3 seconds left. Santos came in for the 46 yard field goal try to give the Bears the win. Blocked! The kick was partially blocked. The Packers survived to get to 7-3 while the 4-6 Bears again left Matt Eberflustered. 20-19 Packers
Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos — A pair of average teams played, but only one of them showed up. The Broncos began after a touchback facing 3rd and 9 from their own 31. Bo Nix went to Cortland Sutton for 16. Williams ran for 10 and 5. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 34, Burton gained 2. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. Nix went to Adkins for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Broncos. After a touchback the Falcons moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Denver 10. Robinson gained 9 down to the one, but offensive holding nullified the run and killed the drive. Younghoe Koo hit a 41 yard field goal to get the Falcons on the board. In the second quarter the Broncos took over at their own 23. On 3rd and 10 from their own 33, Nix went to Mims for 37. On 2nd and 15 from the Atlanta 35, Nix hit Williams for 15. Williams ran for a 14 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Broncos. Koo hit another field goal from 51 to get the Falcons within 14-6, but this game was over by halftime.
After a touchback, Nix went to Vele for 33. On 3rd and 2 from the Atlanta 26, Nixon went to Sutton for 7. On 3rd and goal from the 12, Nix went to Mims for the touchdown. With 25 seconds left in the half, the Broncos led 21-6. The second half was a formality. A 37 yard third quarter punt return gave the Broncos a short field at the Atlanta 45. On 4th and 3 from the Atlanta 38, Sean Payton went for it rather than try a 56 yard field goal. Nix hit Humphrey for 8. Williams ran for 12. On 3rd and 8 from the Atlanta 16, Nix hit Vele for 11. Nix went to Franklin for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 28-6 Broncos. Early in the fourth quarter Lutz hit a 45 yard field goal to make it 31-6 Broncos. Nix went to Humphrey for a 41 yard touchdown to complete the blowout. 38-6 Broncos
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers — This once hostile rivalry was reduced to a battle of average teams. In the first quarter the Seahawks moved from their own 22 to a 3rd and 9 at the San Francisco 27. Geno Smith was sacked. Jason Myers hit a 52 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Seahawks. The 49ers took over at their own 29. Brock Purdy ran for 9 and went to Jennings for 22. On 3rd and 5 from the Seattle 33, Purdy went to Jennings for just enough. Mason gained 8 and 5. Purdy ran for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 49ers. In the second quarter an interception of Purdy set up the Seahawks at the San Francisco 29. Smith was sacked to kill the drive. Myers buried a 57 yard field goal to get the Seahawks within 7-6.
A third quarter interception of Smith was returned 11 yards to set up the 49ers at the Seattle 27. On 1st and 10 from the Seattle 16, a pair of offensive penalties killed the drive. Jake Moody hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 10-6 49ers. After a touchback the Seahawks faced 3rd and 12 at their own 28. Smith went to DK Metcalf for 26. On 3rd and 4 from the San Francisco 40, Smith went to non-relative Smith-Nigba for 9. Smith again went to Smith-Nigba for 17. Kenneth Walker ran for 3 and then for the one yard touchdown. The 11 play, 70 yard, 6 minute drive had the Seahawks up 13-10 after three quarters.
After a touchback, Purdy went to Jennings for 12 and to Christian Mcaffrey for 10. The fourth quarter began with the 49ers facing 3rd and 5 at the Seattle 40. McCaffrey ran for 7. On 3rd and 11 from the Seattle 34, Purdy went to Jennings for 14. On 3rd and 11 from the Seattle 21, Purdy went to Jennings for 13. Purdy went to Jennings for a 3 yard touchdown. The 14 play, 70 yard drive took 9 minutes off the clock. With 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the 49ers led 17-13.
After a touchback the Seahawks moved to a 3rd and 1 at the San Francisco 37. Smith got stopped. On 4th and 1 with 5 minutes left, Mike McDonald went for it and Charbonnet also got stopped for no gain. The Seahawks got it back at their own 20 with 2 1/2 minutes left. Smith went to DK Metcalf for 11. On 3rd and 5 from their own 36, Smith went to Smith-Nigba for 8. On 3rd and 3 just past midfield, Smith went to Smith-Nigba for 15. Smith ran for 16 as the Seahawks took their 3rd and final timeout with 39 seconds left. Smith went to Smith-nigba for 8 as the clock ticked down. Smith then scrambled around the end all the way for a 13 yard touchdown. The Seahawks had the lead with only 12 seconds left. The hook and laterals after the touchback went nowhere. The Seahawks had the thrilling win. The 4th lead change of the game had both teams at 5-5 on the year. 20-17 Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills — This is why we watch football. The game of the year had the NFL’s lone unbeaten 9-0 Chiefs at the 8-2 Bills. Last year the Chiefs went into Buffalo and got a 27-24 win when Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass missed the tying field goal on the final play of regulation. The Bills suffered their second straight home playoff exit while the Chiefs went on to win their second straight Super Bowl. This was more than a revenge game for the Bills. It was about the early edge for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. On the second play from scrimmage, Patrick Mahoems went deep and was intercepted. The Bills soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 39. Josh Allen went deep to Amari Cooper for 30. Allen went to Shakir for 11. On 3rd and 8 from the Kansas City 18, Allen went to Samuel for 15. Cook ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 6-0 Bills. Bass’s quest for redemption got off to a rough start when he missed the extra point.
The Chiefs took over at their own 12. On 3rd and 1 from their own 21, Karim Hunt gained 4. Mahomes went deep to Xavier Worthy for 31. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 35, Mahomes went to Caliendo for 5. On 3rd and 4 from the Buffalo 24, Mahomes went to Worthy for 14. On the first play of the second quarter, Mahomes went to Worthy for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 7-6 Chiefs. After a touchback the Bills faced 3rd and 9 at their own 31. Allen hit Shakir for only 8, but defensive holding meant an automatic first down. On 3rd and 2 from their own 44, Allen got just enough. Allen went to Dawson Knox for 24 and to Cooper for 25. Cook ran for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Bills.
A 25 yard punt return had the Bills starting with a short field at the Kansas City 41 and a chance to do real damage. On 4th and 3 from the Kansas City 24, a 42 yard field goal try would make it 16-7 Bills. Yet Sean McDermott decided to go for it. Allen was intercepted by Conner, who returned the pick 29 yards to the Buffalo 40. Mahomes went to Gray for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 15, Steele gained 2. Mahomes went to Hendershot for 11. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Mahomes went to Gray for the touchdown. With 2:50 left in the half, the Chiefs led 14-13.
The Bills took over at their own 23 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Kansas City 14 with 20 seconds left in the half. Allen threw incomplete twice sandwiched around a completion that lost a yard. Bass hit a 33 yard field to goal to end the half. The fourth lead change of the half had the Bills up 16-14. The defenses dug in as each team punted twice in the third quarter. Late in the third quarter, the Bills faced 3rd and 9 from their own 18. Allen went deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 22 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 just shy of midfield, Allen gained 2. Allen went to Shakir for 22. The Fourth quarter began with the Bills at the Kansas City 27. Allen went to Samuel for 9 and again for a 12 yard touchdown. Bass hit the key extra point to give the Bills breathing room up 23-14 with 13 minutes left to play.
After a touchback, Mahomes hit Steele for 5 and Gray for 6. Hunt ran for 17. Mahomes went to Deandre Hopkins for 11 and to Watson for 16. Mahomes went to Gray for a one yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Chiefs were right back in it down 23-21.After a touchback, Allen hit Mack Hollins for 15. On 3rd and 1 from the Kansas City 47, Allen gained 2. On 3rd and 9 from the Kansas City 44, Allen went to Shakir for 10. On 3rd and 2 from the Kansas City 26, a run went nowhere. The Chiefs took their first timeout with 2 1/2 minutes left. Sean McDermott had a major decision to make. A field goal would still give the ball back to Mahomes with over 2 minutes left and a chance to win. McDermott went for the win. Allen scrambled, found an opening, and ran all the way for the touchdown. Bass hit the critical extra point to make it a 2 score game again.
In desperation mode after a touchback, on 4th and 3 from their own 48, Mahomes gained 18. Yet offensive holding wiped out the gain and made it 4th and 13. Mahomes was then interception. The Chiefs are 9-1 and the Bills are 9-2. The Chiefs are still in a strong position for a three-peat, but another aspect of football immortality has slipped away forever. The Chiefs may still be the best team of 2024, but they will not be the best team of all time. The 1972 Miami Dolphins have lost several key cogs in recent years, but their ghosts are still popping champagne corks in heaven. The last unbeaten of 2024 has fallen. As for the Chiefs, they may not even be the best team of 2024 anymore either. Home field will be critical if these teams meet again in a rematch. The Chiefs lost, making Andy Reid a most concerned furrow-browed Walrus indeed. 30-21 Bills
Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Chargers was the Sunday night game. Early on the Bengals moved from their own 36 to a 1st and goal at the 3. After an incompletion came an offensive illegal shift and an intentional grounding penalty. Evan McPherson hit a 26 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bengals. After a touchback, Justin Herbert ran for 20. Herbert went to Fisk for 6 and to Ladd McConkey for 20. Herbert went to Will Dissly for a 29 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Chargers. The Bengals moved from their own 34 to a 3rd and 2 at the Chargers 9 early in the second quarter. Burrow threw incomplete. Zac Taylor decided not to gamble. McPherson hit from 27 to get the Bengals within 7-6.
The Chargers took over at their own 29. Herbert went to Johnston for 22 and to Dissly for 20. Herbert went back to Johnston for a 26 yard touchdown to make it 14-6 Chargers. The Chargers got it back at their own 34. Herbert ran for a 30 yard gain. Herbert went to Davis for 14. On 3rd and goal at the one, Haskins got stopped cold. Jim Harbaugh gambled on 4th and goal at the one. JK Dobbins got in to make it 21-6 Chargers. The Chargers got it back at their own 21 and moved to a 1st and goal at the 5 with 14 seconds left in the half. Herbert threw incomplete 3 straight times but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one with time for only one play. With a big lead, Jim Harbaugh took no chances. Cameron Dicker hit the 19 yard field goal to have the Chargers up 24-6 at the half. In the third quarter Dicker hit from 53 to have the Chargers cruising up 27-6.
After a touchback, the Bengals faced 3rd and 6 from their own 34. Joe Burrow went to Tee Higgins for 23. Brown gained 27. On 3rd and 1 from the Chargers 7, Brown gained 2. On 1st and goal at the 2, Burrow was sacked and a run lost yards. Yet on 4th and goal at the 4, Burrow went to JaMarr Chase for the touchdown to get the Bengals within 27-13. The Bengals got the ball back at midfield, and soon faced 4th and 2. Rather than move the chains, Burrow went deep to Higgins for a 42 yard touchdown to get the Bengals within 27-20. On the first play of the fourth quarter from the Cincinnati 31, Herbert scrambled and then fumbled. The Bengals took over at their own 29. Burrow went deep to Brown for 34. Brown ran for 12. On 3rd and 4 from the Chargers 31, Burrow went to Brown for 14. Burrow went to Chase for a 17 yard touchdown. With 12 1/2 minutes left to play, just like that it was 27-27. The Chargers were having another epic meltdown in their inglorious franchise history.
The Bengals got it back at their own 14 and moved to a 2nd and 6 at the Chargers 30. Burrow threw incomplete twice. McPherson came in for the 48 yard field goal try to give the Bengals the lead. McPherson was no good. The Bengals got it back at their own 21 and moved to a 2nd and 8 at the Chargers 33. Burrow threw incomplete twice. With 1:52 left, McPherson came in for the 51 yard field goal try for redemption and to give the Bengals the lead. Again, McPherson was no good. With 45 seconds left, the Chargers had the ball at their own 16 yard line. Overtime seemed certain. instead Jim Harbaugh went bold aggressive. Herbert found McConkey for 28 and again for 27. With 26 seconds left, the Chargers were now in field goal range. They never got a chance to kick. Dobbins took the handoff and broke free for a 29 yard touchdown. After a touchback, the Bengals had 18 seconds left. Burrow found Iosivas for 27 but then threw incomplete, leaving 3 seconds. Burrow’s Hail Mary reached the goal line but was batted down incomplete. 34-27 Chargers
Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys was the Monday night game. The Texans are good. The Cowboys are bad. Cooper Rush again filled in for the injured Dak Prescott. One the first play from scrimmage, CJ Stroud went to Nico Collins for a 77 yard touchdown. It was wiped away by an offensive ineligible man downfield, but a few plays later Joe Mixon ran for a 45 yard touchdown. This time it stood and the Texans led 7-0. Mike McCarthy then gambled on a fake punt on 4th and 9 from his own 33. Anger completed a pass for 4 yards. Stroud threw an interception, but then Rush threw an interception right back. The Texans took over at their own 37. On 3rd and 3 Stroud hit Collins for 11 and Tank Dell for 26. On 4th and 1 from the Dallas 10, Demeco Ryans went for it and Mixon gained 9. Mixon got the last yard to cap the 10 play, 63 yard, 6 minute drive and make it 14-0 Texans.
The Cowboys began the second quarter facing 3rd and 10 at their own 36. Rush found Turpin for a 64 yard touchdown to get the Cowboys within 14-7. The Texans moved from their own 8 to a 3rd and 3 at the Dallas 9. A run lost a yard. After a delay of game, Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Texans. The Cowboys after a touchback moved to a 3rtd and 9 at the Houston 35. Rush threw incomplete. Brandon Aubrey hit a 53 yard field goal to get the Cowboys within 17-10. With one minute left in the half Aubrey doinked a 40 yard try off the right upright no good. In the third quarter the Texans moved from their own 25 to a 2nd and 8 at the Dallas 10. Offensive holding killed the drive and Stroud threw incomplete on 3rd and 8. Fairbairn hit from 29 to make it 20-10 Texans midway through the third quarter.
After a touchback the Cowboys moved to a 1st and 10 at the Houston 36. Offensive pass interference killed the drive. Yet on 4th and 20 Mike McCarthy brought Aubrey in to try a 64 yard field goal. Aubrey drilled it. It might have been good from 70. Yet a defensive personal foul for leverage caused McCarthy to take the points off the board and give the Cowboys 15 yards and a new set of downs. On 3rd and 15 from the Houston 21, Rush went to CeeDee Lamb for 13. McCarthy gambled on 4th and 2 from the Houston 8. Rush threw incomplete as the Cowboys came up snake eyes. In the fourth quarter Rush was sacked and fumbled. Barnett returned the fumble 28 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 27-10 Texans. The final dagger came with the Cowboys facing 4th and 16 from their own 41. Rush was sacked back at his own 35. Mixon ran for a one yard touchdown with just over 3 minutes left to complete the blowout. No word on if Jerry Jones would blow up his Jerrahworld Metropolis for the insurance money. 34-10 Texans