NFL 2024 Week 12 Recap
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns was the Thursday night game. All the 8-2 Steelers had to do is steamroll over the pathetic 2-8 Browns. After a big emotional win at Baltimore last week, the Steelers just had to avoid a letdown. For the first time all year, the NFL had a game played in snow. Chris Boswell was the hero last week by making 6 field goals in a gutty 18-16 win at Baltimore. Yet perhaps it was too much for Mike Tomlin to ask of Boswell to make a 58 yard try in bad weather. Boswell missed. Later in the first quarter Tomlin decided against a 56 yard try. So he gambled on 4th and 2 from the Cleveland 38. Out of the shotgun, Fields got the carry and lost 2 yards. In the second quarter from 48 yards out, Boswell was good and the Steelers had a 3-0 lead.
After a touchback, Jameis Winston hit Jerry Jeudy for big gains of 16, 8 and 15. Ford ran for 9. On 4th and 1 from the Pittsburgh 16, Kevin Stefanski went for it. Nick Chubb gained 5. Chubb ran for a 2 yard touchdown. The 12 play, 80 yard, 7 minute drive had the Browns up 7-3 with 4 minutes left in the half. Two plays after a touchback Russell Wilson was sacked and fumbled. The Browns recovered at the Pittsburgh 31. The drive stalled in the red zone. Dustin Hopkins hit from 34 as the Browns took a 10-3 lead to the locker rooms. After a third quarter touchback, the Browns fumbled on the third play from scrimmage. Yet Mike Tomlin went for it on 4th and 1 from his own 46. Jalen Warren lost a yard. Yet the Browns gained only 6 yards. On 4th and 4 from the Pittsburgh 39, Stefanski did not want to try a 57 yard field goal in bad weather. The Browns punted.
The Steelers moved from their own 20 to a 4th and 2 at the Cleveland 6. With points difficulty to come by, Mike Tomlin played it safe. Boswell hit from 24 as the only points of the third quarter had the Steelers within 10-6. The Browns took over at their own 35. Winston went to Whiteheart for a white hot 29 yard gain. The Browns began the fourth quarter facing 4th and 1 at the Pittsburgh 27. This time Kevin Stefanski gambled. Chubb gained 4. Winston then hit Akins for 18. On 4th and goal at the 2 with 12 minutes left in regulation, Stefanski gambled again. Winston got in the end zone. Stefanski then went for one of his pointless 2 point conversion tries. Winston hit David Njoku successfully as the Browns built an 18-6 lead.Yet teams do not start 2-8 for no reason.
The Steelers took over at their own 31. Fields got around the end for a 30 yard gain. Fields threw deep incomplete but roughing the passer added 15 yards. Wilson hit Najee Harris for 10. Warren ran for a 3 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Steelers were within 18-13. Two plays later, Winston was sacked and fumbled. The Steelers recovered at the Cleveland 27. On 3rd and 6, Wilson went to Austin for the 23 yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed bu the Steelers now led 19-18 with 6:15 to play. These are the Browns. The Browns moved from their own 33 to a 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 38 needing only a field goal to take the lead. After two incompletions, Winston’s 3rd and 10 pass was intercepted. These are the Browns.
Yet Cleveland held on defense. A special teams nightmare came in the form of a shanked 15 yard punt. With a full 3 1/2 minutes to go and 2 timeouts, the Browns had a short field at the Pittsburgh 45. The Steelers were giving the game away. The Browns had to just take it. Again, the Brown only needed a field goal. With 2 1/2 minutes left it came down to 4th and 3 from the Pittsburgh 38. A 56 yard field goal try in bad weather was not in the cards. Kevin Stefanski rolled the dice and went for it. Winston hit Jeudy for 5. With 1:55 left on 3rd and 6 from the Pittsburgh 29, Winston went to Jeudy for 15 with another 5 tacked on for a defensive delay of game. The Browns tried to milk the clock but the Steelers just let Chubb score. From 2 yards out, he did. The 2 point try failed. The Browns led by 5 but the Steelers got the ball back at their own 36 with 50 seconds, perhaps enough time to pull off a win. With 6 seconds left on 3rd and 1 from the Pittsburgh 35, Wilson went for the Hail Mary. It fell incomplete and the Browns had the shocking upset win. Far from a blowout, this was a typical brutal AFC North street fight. As ESPN Uber-announcer Chris Berman reminds us, “THAT’s why they PLAY the GAMES!” 24-19 Browns
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants — The Daniel Jones era is over. The Giants released him and now have Tommy “Cutlets” Devito starting. After an opening touchback on 3rd and 3 from their own 37, Baker Mayfield went to McMillan for 11. On 3rd and 2 from the Giants 44, White gained 7. On 3rd and 1 from the Giants 28, Tucker got stopped. Todd Bowles went for it on 4th and 1. This time Tucker gained 3. Mayfield went to Irving for 14 down to the one. Tucker got the last yard to cap the 14 play, 70 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Buccaneers. Brian Daboll decided to gamble on 4th and 1 from his own 37. Robinson got tackled for no gain as Daboll prepared for being an ex-coach. The Buccaneers in the second quarter took the short field and moved to a 3rd and goal at the one. Tucker got the carry and fumbled, but Mayfield saved the day by diving on it for a 3 yard loss rather than a turnover. Chase McLaughlin hit the 22 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers got it back at their own 18. Mayfield went to Durham for 26. On 3rd and 4 from midfield, Mayfield gained 9. Mayfield went to Cade Otton for 30. Irving ran for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Buccaneers. The Buccaneers got it back at their own 14 with 3 minutes left in the half. Mayfield went to Irving for 32. On 3rd and 3 from the Giants 47, Mayfield went to Palmer for 18. On 3rd and 6 from the Giants 25, Mayfield threw incomplete but defensive illegal contact meant a new set of downs. Mayfield went to White for 10. Mayfield ran for a 10 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Buccaneers led 23-0 at the intermission. For some reason, league rules prevented the second half from being canceled. After a third quarter touchback, the Giants moved to a 1st and goal at the 5. Out of the shotgun, Tracy got the carry and fumbled the ball away. On 3rd nd 8 from their own 7, Mayfield scrambled near his own goal line and gained 10. On 3rd and 11 from his own 16, Mayfield went to Miller for 14. Mayfield went to Jarrett for 30 and to Mike Evans for 15. On 3rd and 9 from the Giants 22, defensive pass interference meant a 21 yard gain down to the one. White got the yard to have the Buccaneers up 30-0. The Giants managed a fourth quarter touchdown to avoid the shutout. 30-7 Buccaneers
Kansas City Chiefs at Carolina Panthers — The Chiefs may be the best team in the NFL. The Panthers might be the worst. Perine returned the opening kickoff 56 yards to the Carolina 41. On the third play from scrimmage Patrick Mahomes found a wide open Travis Kelce for a 35 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chiefs. The Panthers after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Kansas City 7. A false start was followed by Bryce Young throwing incomplete. Eddie Pineiro hit a 30 yard field goal to get the Panthers on the board. The Chiefs moved from their own 25 to a 2nd and 4 at the Carolina 7. A run lost a yard and a Mahomes managed to run for only one yard. With Harrison Butker injured for a month, Spencer Schrader hit a 25 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Chiefs after the first quarter. After a touchback the Panthers began the second quarter with a 1st and 10 at the Kansas City 13. Young threw 3 straight incompletions. Pineiro hit from 32 to get the Panthers within 10-6.
The Chiefs after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 1 at the Carolina 5. Hunt gained 2 but offensive holding nullified the gain and killed the drive. Shrader hit a 41 yard field goal to put the Chiefs up 13-6. The Chiefs got it back at their own 8 with 5 minutes left in the half. Mahomes hit Deandre Hopkins for 8 and Watson fro 15. On 3rd and 13 from the Carolina 43, Mahomes ran for just enough. Mahomes went to Perine for 13. On 3rd and 4 from the Carolina 11, Mahomes went to Noah Gray for the touchdown. With 44 seconds left in the half, the Chiefs led 20-6.
After a touchback, the Panthers rapidly moved to a 1st and 10 at the Kansas City 11 with 20 seconds left. Young threw 3 straight incompletions. Pineiro hit from 29 to get the Panthers within 20-9. After a touchback on 2nd and 12, Young went to Moore for 13 and Leggett for 10. Chuba Hubbard gained 13. On 3rd and 10 from the Kansas City 36, Young went to Moore for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Kansas City 2, Young got stopped for no gain. David Canales went for it on 4th and 1. Hubbard with a great second effort barely got the tough yard. Young went to Moore for the one yard touchdown to culminate the 15 play, 70 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive and get the Panthers within 20-16.
The Chiefs took over at their own 25. A defensive facemark gave the Chiefs 15 yards. Mahomes went to Xavier Worthy for 19. On 4th and 1 from the Carolina 25, Walrus Andy Reid went for it. Karim Hunt gained 13. Mahomes went tp Hopkins for a 3 yard touchdown to have the Chiefs up 27-16. After a touchback the Panthers moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Kansas City 15. A false start was a killer. Needing 10, a completion gained only 5. needing 2 scores with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Dave Canales played it safe. Pineiro hit the 33 yard field goal to get the Panthers within 27-19.
With 3 1/2 minutes left, the Chiefs punted on 4th and 19 from their own1 6. A 10 yard return plus a 5 yard penalty on Kansas City gave the Panthers the ball jut past midfield. On 4th and 3, Young kept the Panthers alive by hitting Adam Thielen for 13. Young then threw deep incomplete and drew a 28 yard defensive pass interference call to put the ball on the one. Hubbard banged it in. The Panthers were a 2 point conversion away from tying the game. Young threw incomplete but a defensive penalty gave the Panthers another try from the one. Hubbard got the carry and willed his way into the end zone.
The game was tied 27-27, but the Panthers scored too early. They left 1:46 on the clock, a lifetime for Mahomes. On 3rd and 2, Mahomes went to Hopkins for 7. On the next play Mahomes escaped and scrambled for a 33 yard gain. The Chiefs took the clock down to 2 seconds. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 13, Schrader came in for a 31 yard chip shot for the win. There would be no overtime. Schrader was good. It was tougher than expected, but the Chiefs got to 10-1 the hard way, making Andy Reid a most happy Walrus indeed. 30-27 Chiefs
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders — The Cowboys came in having lost 5 straight while Dan Quinn sought a win against his former team. The Cowboys had a chance to score first but Brandon Aubrey’s 35 yard field goal try was blocked. Austin Seibert hit 41 yarder to have the Commanders up 3-0. Aubrey had another chance from 42. His kick was nearly blocked again, and he doinked it off the upright no good. With 46 seconds left in the half the Cowboys took over at their own 14. From their 23, Cooper Rush was intercepted by Igbinoghene, yet Ighbinogene fumbled the ball right back on the return rather than just go down. Big man with football lost football. The Cowboys now had the ball at their own 31 but only 14 seconds remained. Rush went deep to Brooks for a 41 yard gain. Aubrey came in for a 46 y yard try to end this hideously ugly first half. This time Aubrey was good for a 3-3 deadlock.
The second half kickoff was short of the landing zone, setting up the Commanders at their own 40. On 3rd and 1, Austin Ekeler gained 2. Jaden Daniels went to Brown for 14. On 3rd and 3 from the Dallas 17, Daniels ran for the game’s first touchdown. Yet the extra point was no good as the Commanders only led 9-3. The Cowboys took over at their own 20. Rush went to Tolbert for 16 and Spann-Ford for 18. On 3rd and 2 from the Washington 27, defensive pass interference on a deep ball meant a 24 yard gain. Rush went to Tolbert for a 6 yard touchdown to give the Cowboys the 10-9 lead. The first three quarters saw a combined 19 points scored. The fourth quarter was pure insanity.
A short 39 yard punt gave the Cowboys the ball at midfield with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. On 3rd and 9 from the Washington 35, a 17 yard completion from Rush to CeeDee Lamb was wiped out by an offensive illegal formation. Aubrey hit the 48 yard field goal to have the Cowboys up 13-9 midway through the fourth quarter. One play after a touchback, Daniels hit Bates for 13 but Bates fumbled and the Cowboys recovered at the Washington 44. Rico Dowdle had gains of 9 and 7 sandwiched around a Rush completion to Lamb for 9. On 3rd and 6 from the Washington 22, Rush went to Schoonmaker for the touchdown. With just over 5 minutes to play, the Cowboys had a 20-9 lead.
The Commanders took over at their own 31 in desperation mode needing 2 scores. Daniels went to Brown for 11 and again for 19. On 2nd and 16 from the Dallas 45 after a sack, Daniels went to Brown for 20. Daniels went to McCaffrey for 8 and Zac hertz for 7. Daniels hit Ertz for a 4 yard touchdown. Daniels ran in the 2 point conversion. With 3 minutes left the Commanders were within 20-17. Dan Quinn decided to kick it deep and trust his defense rather than go onside kick. Kevontae Turpin fumbled the ensuing kickoff and finally picked it up just beyond his own goal line. The speedster headed for a wall, put on a brutal 360 degree spin move, and raced for a 99 yard touchdown in front of a shellshocked home crowd. The Cowboys led 27-17 and again appeared to ice the game.
The Commanders after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Dallas 33. Daniels spiked the ball to stop the clock with 1:45 left. Again needing 2 scores, Dan Quinn opted to immediately go for the field goal. Seibert hit from 51 to get the Commanders within 27-20. By the time the Commanders got the ball back at their own 14 yard line, only 40 seconds remained. Their only hope was a completion near midfield to set up the Hail Mary. They needed a miracle. Daniels went deep to Terry McLaurin. Yet instead of going out of bounds, McLaurin weaved around people. By the time he was done, McLaurin was on the receiving end of an 86 yard touchdown. Are? You? Kidding? Me?????
The touchdown counted. There were no flags on the field. Dan Quinn was in no mood to try a 2 point conversion for the win. The Commanders got their miracle, so Quinn went with the extra point and overtime. The snap was low, the hold was late, and the extra point was no good! Again, Are? You? Kidding? Me????? Instead of overtime, the Commanders trailed 27-26 with 21 seconds left. Now it was time for an onside kick.
The onside kick was picked up by Thomas, who returned it 43 yards for another touchdown. For the third time in about 30 seconds, the question again was Are? You? Kidding? Me????? The Cowboys led by 8 points but Thomas would have been better off not scoring. Going to the ground short of the goal would have ended things. By scoring, the Commanders would get the ball back again. Only 14 seconds remained. A strong kickoff return had the Commanders at their own 36 with 9 seconds left. A 6 yard completion left 4 seconds. Daniels won on a miracle Hail Mary a few weeks ago. This time his Hail Mary was short of the goal line and intercepted. 19 points in 3 quarters was followed by 41 points in the fourth quarter, including a ridiculous 31 points in the final 3 minutes. 34-26 Cowboys
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins — The Dolphins are nothing special but the Patriots are worse. Tua Tagovailoa entered this game having never lost to the Patriots, a perfect 6-0. The Patriots missed a chance early on when Joey Slye’s 45 yard field goal try doinked off the upright no good. The Dolphins took over at their own 35. Tagovailoa hit Smith for 12, Jalen Waddle for 24 and Tyreek Hill for 10. On 3rd and 3 from the New England 12, the defense jumped into the neutral zone. The second quarter began with the Dolphins facing 3rd and goal at the 7. Tagovailoa hit Smith for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Dolphins. The Dolphins got it back at their own 34. Devon Achane had gains of 7 and 5 sandwiched around Tagovailoa hitting Smith for 13. Tagovailoa then found Waddle for 17. On 3rd and 9 from the New England 23, Tagovailoa went to Waddle for 14. Tagovailoa hit Achane for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Dolphins.
The Dolphins got it back with 6 minutes left in the half. On 3rd and 8 from their own 22, Tagovailoa went to Waddle for 15. Wright gained 10. Tagovailoa went to Waddle for 19 and Smith for 14. On 3rd and 3 from the New England 11, Tagovailoa went to Achane for the touchdown to make it 21-0 Dolphins with 1:50 left. The Dolphins got it back at their own 41 only 20 seconds later and moved to a 2nd and goal at the 3 with 14 seconds left. Tagovialoa threw incomplete twice. Jason Sanders hit from 21 to have the Dolphins up 24-0 to end the half. League rules prevented the second half from being canceled. In the third quarter the Patriots faced 3rd and 3 from midfield. Drake Maye was sacked and fumbled. Brook recovered for the defense and returned the fumble 12 yards to the New England 25. Tagovailoa went to Waddle for a 21 yard touchdown to make it 31-0 Dolphins. After Mike McDaniel pulled his starters, the Patriots managed a couple fourth quarter garbage touchdowns. The Dolphins managed one more field goal. 34-15 Dolphins
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans — The Titans are awful. The Texans lead the AFC South. Damien pierce returned the opening kickoff 80 yards. On the first play from scrimmage, CJ Stroud went to Cade Stover for a 19 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Texans only 18 seconds into the game. The Titans took over at their own 39 and moved to a 3rd and 6 at the Houston 31. Will Levis was sacked. Nick Folk hit the 51 yard field goal to get the Titans within 7-3. The Titans got it back at their own 11. Levis went to Calvin ridley for 6 and 9. Tony Pollard ran for 10 and 4. On 4th and 1 from the Houston 44, Brian Callahan went for it. Levis gained 6. On the next play Levis went deep to Westbrook-Ikhine for a 38 yard touchdown to cap the 10 play, 89 yard, 6 minute drive to make it 10-7 Titans. The Titans got it back at their own 5 yard line to start the second quarter. Pollard ran for 17. On 3rd and 11 from their own 21, Levis went deep to Ridley for a 63 yard gain. Pollard ran for a 10 yard touchdown as the Titans had the surprising 17-7 lead.
The Texans took over at their own 22. On 3rd and 1, Stroud went to Woods for 8. Stroud then went deep to Tank Dell for 39. On 3rd and 11 from the Tennessee 23, Stroud only gained 6 but defensive illegal contact meant an automatic first down. On 3rd and 3 from the Tennessee 5, Stroud out of the shotgun went high to the end zone and found Nico Collins for the touchdown to get the Texans within 17-14. The Titans after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Houston 32. Out of the shotgun Levis fumbled and the Texans recovered at their own 35. Stroud went to Collins for a 56 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 10, Stroud threw incomplete. Fairbairn hit from 28 for a 17-17 games with 1:47 left in the half.
The Texans got it back at their own 14 with 48 seconds left and Demeco Ryans decided to get aggressive. Stroud was intercepted to gift the Titans the ball at the Houston 20. Yet consecutive sacks of Levis had the Titans facing 4th and 28. On the last play of the half, Folk drilled a 56 yard field goal. Despite Levis being sacked 7 times in the first half, the Titans somehow led 20-17 at the break. In the third quarter the Titans moved from their own 27 to a 3rd and 7 at the Houston 29. Out of the shotgun Levis fumbled the snap and recovered it for a 3 yard loss, which counted as his 8th sack. Yet Folk again bailed Levis out with a 51 yard field goal to make it 23-17 Titans. Things got worse for the Texans late in the third quarter when an interception of Stroud set up the Titans at the Houston 39.
Yet on the last play of the third quarter, momentum shifted in the biggest way possible. On 3rd and 11 from the Houston 40 needing only a field goal to make it a two score game, Levis was intercepted by Ward. Ward was off to the races the other way for a 65 yard defensive touchdown. Just like that, the Texans led 24-23. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation the Titans fumbled a punt and the Texans recovered for a short field at the Tennessee 43. On 3rd and 3, Stroud threw incomplete. Fairbairn nailed a 54 yard field goal for a 27-23 Texans lead.
Yet one play and 11 seconds after a touchback, momentum swing again. Levis went to Okonkwo, who split the seams and raced for a 70 yard touchdown. With 9 1/2 minutes left, the Titans were on the verge of a stunning upset up 30-27. With 5 1/2 minutes left the Titans had to punt on 4th and 14 from their own 2. A shanked punt had the Texans taking over just past midfield. Stroud went to Dalton Schultz for 16 and then connected with Collins for a 33 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Texans were back on top…except they aren’t. An offensive illegal shift penalty nullified the score. At the 2 minute warning, the Texans faced 3rd and 9 at the Tennessee 10. Stroud threw incomplete, but all Fairbairn had to do was knock through a 28 yard chip shot to tie the game. No good! Fairbairn missed it.
The Houston defense held but a great punt pinned the Texans at their own 8 yard line with 90 seconds to play and one timeout. A sack of Stroud nearly forced a safety. The Texans took their final timeout as they faced 3rd and 17 from their own one yard line. On the next play, Stroud was sacked again, and this time it was a safety. The Texans needed to treat the free kick as an onside kick, but it went out of bounds. Levis took a couple knees. Cue ESPN uber-announcer Christ Berman: “THAT’s why they PLAY than GAMES!” 32-27 Titans
Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts — The Lions are Super Bowl favorites for the first time in their entire franchise history. The Colts have shown sparks under Anthony Richardson. After a touchback the Colts drove to a 2nd and 2 at the Detroit 4. A run went nowhere, and an ineligible man down field was followed by Richardson throwing incomplete. Matt Gay hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Colts. On the last play of the first quarter from their own 40, Jared Goff went deep to Patrick for 27. The second quieter began with the Lions facing 3rd and 8 from the Indianapolis 31. Jahmyr Gibbs gained 17. Gibbs ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Lions. The Colts moved from their own 24 to a 1st and 10 at the Detroit 11. A run went nowhere and Richardson threw incomplete twice. Gay hit from 29 to get the Colts within 7-6.
After a touchback, David Montgomery ran for 8. Goff hit Patrick for 10, Wright for 8 and Williams for 21. On 3rd and 6 from the Indianapolis 19, a perfectly executed draw play saw Montgomery gained 13. Montgomery then ran for the 6 yard touchdown to make it 14-6 Lions. The Lions in the third quarter took over at their own 21. Goff went to Williams for 15 and Am-ra St. Brown for 12. On 3rd and 9 just shy of midfield, Goff went to St. Brown for 12 and David Montgomery for 14. Gibbs gained 16. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Gibbs got in for the touchdown to make it 21-6 Lions. Bates nailed a 56 yard fourth quarter field goal for the Lions and their defense did the rest. 24-6 Lions
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears — The Bears came in having lost 4 straight, including one game on a Hail Mary and last week to Green Bay when Cairo Santos’s winning field goal try was blocked. The Vikings moved from their own 26 to a 2nd and goal at the one. Aaron Jones got the carry and fumbled. The Bears recovered at their own 2 yard line. Later on the Bears took over at their own 21. Calen Williams went deep to Allen for 40 and to Swift for 30 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 2, Johnson got the yard. On the next play Johnson got the other yard for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Bears. The Vikings took over at their own 33. Cam Akers gained 15. Darnold went bombs away to Jordan Addison for a 45 yard gain. On the first play of the second quarter, Darnold went to Addison for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. The Bears after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Minnesota 30. Williams went deep to Allen for 24, but Kevin O’Connell threw the challenge flag. On further review, Allen’s toe was on the white chalk as the pass was reversed to an incompletion. Things got worse for the Bears when Santos’s 48 yard field goal try was blocked, his second blocked field goal in a row.
The Vikings took over at their own 47. On 3rd and 1, Darnold got the yard. Defensive pass interference on an incompletion meant a 35 yard gain. Darnold went to Nailor for a 5 yard gain to make it 14-7 Vikings. The Bears took over at their own 20 and moved to a 4th and 6 at the Minnesota 31 with 3 seconds left in the half. Santos hit from 49 to have the Bears within 14-10. The Vikings began the third quarter at their own 23. On the first play from scrimmage, Darnold went deep to Jordan Addison for a 69 yard gain. A run lost 5 yards and Darnold was then sacked. Romo hit a 40 yard field goal to make it 17-10 Vikings. The Bears after a touchback moved to a 4th and 4 at the Minnesota 27. Matt Eberflus went for it and Williams threw incomplete. With 4 minutes left in the third quarter the Bears fumbled a punt and the Vikings recovered at the Chicago 15. On 3rd and 5, Darnold went to Addison for 7. Jones ran for a 2 yard touchdown to have the Bears up 24-10 after three quarters.
The Vikings began the fourth quarter at their own 35. They moved to a 4th and 1 at the Chicago 36. A 54 yard field goal would all but wrap up the game. Yet Kevin O’Connell gambled. Darnold threw incomplete. This was Failure to Close Out 1, FCO1. Williams ran for 10 and hit Cole Kmet for 20. On 4th and 4 from the Minnesota 20 with 8 1/2 minutes left, the Bears were down to their last gasp. Williams gained 7. This was FCO2. Williams hit Moore for a 10 yard touchdown. Matt Eberflus went for an utterly pointless 2 point try. Williams threw incomplete and the Bears trailed 24-16. After a touchback the Vikings moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Chicago 7. Jones got stopped. 2 1/2 minutes remained. This time O’Connell went conservative. Romo hit the 26 yard field goal to have the Vikings up 27-16. This was FCO3.
Only 1:56 remained. The Bears needed 2 scores. They needed a miracle. They got the first step with a 56 yard kickoff return to the Minnesota 40. With 90 seconds left, the Bears were down to 4th and 3. Williams went to Odunze for 14. This was FCO4. On 3rd and 2 from the Minnesota 11, Williams went to Johnson for 10. Williams went to Allen for a one yard touchdown. Williams went to Moore for the 2 point conversion. Only 22 seconds remained. Now the Bears needed an onside kick. They got it. This was FCO 5.
The Bears took over at their own 43. Williams went deep to Moore for 27. Williams spiked the ball to stop the clock with 4 seconds left. Santos came in for a 48 yard try. With everything on the line, Santos was good. This game was headed to overtime. The Bears got the ball first but Williams was sacked. The Vikings moved from their own 21 to the Chicago 38. Darnold went deep to TJ Hockenson for a 29 yard gain. With 2 minutes left in overtime on 2nd and goal from the 11, Kevin O’Connell was not taking any chances. Romo came in for the 29 yarder to win it. There would be no FCO 6. Romo was good. The Bears were game, but it was another gut-wreching loss for their 5th straight. The Vikings survived to get to 9-2 on the year. 30-27 Vikings, OT
Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders — The Raiders came in having lost 6 straight. Every Raiders game is the same. The Raiders score one early touchdown. Then they try to win the rest of the game only with field goals and defense. Their exhausted defense eventually breaks in the fourth quarter. The Raiders fall behind by 2 scores and the offense in desperation mode occasionally gets a garbage touchdown in a garbage season. They have no quarterback, no offensive line and no running game. Zamir White was injured, leaving what little running game to players nobody has ever heard of. The Raiders after an opening touchback actually moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Denver 42. Gardner Minshew threw incomplete. Antonio Pierce decided to punt.
The Broncos began at their own 33. McLaughlin gained 11. On 1st and 20 from their own 34 after offensive holding, Bo Nix went to Franklin for 26. Nix hit Burton for 8. McLaughlin gained 18. On 2nd and 7 from the Raiders 11, a run lost 4 yards followed by a false start to kill the drive. Wil Lutz hit a 38 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Broncos. The Raiders got a major jolt when Laube returned the ensuing kickoff 59 yard to the Denver 40. Sincere McCormick ran for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the Denver 22, Amir Abdullah gained just enough as the first quarter ended. On the first play of the second quarter from the Denver 19, Minshew went to Mayer for 9. Abdullah ran for 4 and caught a 6 yard touchdown pass from Minshew. The Raiders led 7-3. They had their touchdown for the day and were expected to kick field goals the rest of the way.
The rest of the half did belong to the field goal kickers. Lutz hit from 53. Despite 1st and 10 from the Denver 11, offensive holding killed the Raiders. Daniel Carlson hit from 34 to make it 10-6 Raiders. Lutz hit from 54 with 53 second left in the half. That was enough time for Carlson to hit again from 34 as the Raiders took a 13-9 lead to the locker rooms. The Raiders were hanging tough, but given that they only score one touchdown per game, they had to play perfectly. Any mistakes would cause them to fall behind, which for them meant a loss. The Raiders had a chance unless they just gave away the game.
The Raiders defense forced three and out to start the third quarter. The Raiders offense took over at their own 22 with the lead and all the momentum. If the Raiders could build a two score lead, they had a real chance. On 2nd and 14 from their own 34, Minshew threw a terrible pass right to Jones, who plays defense for Denver. Jones returned the interception 37 yards to the Raiders 18. From that spot, Nix went to Cortland Sutton for the touchdown. Now the Broncos led 16-13. After a touchback the Raiders moved to a 3rd and 8 at the Denver 43. One more first down or even a few more yards would mean long field goal range to tie the game. Minshew threw incomplete and the Raiders punted.
The Broncos moved from their own 48 to a 1st and 10 at the Raiders 21. Yet a pair of plays lsat yardage. Lutz hit a 45 yard field goal. With 12 minutes left in regulation, the Broncos led 19-13. After a touchback, the Raiders moved to a 1st and 10 at the Denver 35. Yet offensive pass interference killed the drive. Carlson nailed a 53 yard field goal. With 9 minutes left, the Raiders were within 19-16.
After a touchback, McLaughlin gained 8 and 7. Nix went to Vele for 11. With 6 1/2 minutes left the Broncos faced 3rd and 6 from the Raiders 39. One defensive stop was too much to ask for. Nix went to Mims for 37. Nix went to Sutton for the 2 yard touchdown. With 5 1/2 minutes left the Broncos led 26-16. Now it was a 2 score game. Once again, the Raiders had fallen apart. In desperation mode after a touchback, the Raiders moved to a 1st and goal at the 4. Yet the utter inability of the Raiders to run the football continues to be their undoing. They didn’t even try. Minshew threw 3 straight incompletions. Antonio Pierce had no confidence in his offense to gain 4 yards. Who could blame him? Carlson hit from 22. The Raiders were within 26-19 with a full 3:40 to play. They needed a defensive stop.
They got one in a big way. Rather than grind down clock, the Broncos after a touchback inexplicably went to the air. Nix threw incomplete twice. On 3rd and 10, a completion gained only 8. The Raiders got the ball back at their own 24 with a full 3:12 left. They had every chance to tie or win the game. Minshew was sacked hard as the defender came down on his shoulder. Minshew left the game and did not return. With Aidan O’Connell already out with an injured thumb, it was up to 3rd string quarterback Desmond Ridder, fresh off of the Jets practice squad, to try and be the hero.
On 3rd and 12, Ridder was sacked and fumbled. The Broncos recovered at the Raiders 17. The defense held. Lutz hit a 33 yard field goal. Again the Broncos were up by 10. After a touchback the Raiders had 1:58 to work with and 2 timeouts. The smart move would be to get in field goal range, cut the lead to 7, and then try to get the onside kick. Yet the Raiders are dumb. From the Denver 48, Ridder found Tucker for a big gain in field goal range. Yet Tucker refused to go out of bounds. He gained 24 yards but forced the Raiders to burn another timeout. On 4th and 1 from the Denver 11, Ridder went to Tucker for 10. Tucker was inches short of the goal line. Now the Raiders had only 20 seconds left and had to take their final timeout. Rather than kick a field goal, Ridder threw incomplete. Then he was sacked. The clock ran out.
The Raiders lost their 7th straight because they keep making the same dumb mistakes every week and learning nothing from it. Making matters worse, Minshew suffered a broken collarbone on that fourth quarter hit and will be out for the rest of the season. Now Ridder will be the starter going forward. The Raiders are a mess. Once again, they tried to beat a good team with one early touchdown and field goals the rest of the way. It doesn’t work. Onside kicks rarely succeed, but had the Raiders just kicked a 5th Carlson field goal, at least they would have had a chance. If they would have just run the ball, the worst that would have likely happened is punting. Yet by refusing to run and relying on an average quarterback behind a patchwork offensive line, the Raiders kept throwing when everyone knew they would throw. They had the lead and gave the game away. Again. 29-19 Broncos
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers — The 49ers have owned the Packers in recent years but this year the 49ers do not scare anyone. Brock Purdy missed this game with an injury, and backup Allen did not move the 49ers offense at all. The Packers began at their own 33. Josh Jacobs ran for 18 and 10. On 3rd and 4 from the San Francisco 31, Jordan Love hit Reed for 7. On 3rd and 1 from the San Francisco 15, Wilson got the yard. Love went to Kraft for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Packers. The Packers got it back at their own 19 and moved to a 2nd and 9 at the San Francisco 32. Love threw incomplete twice. Brandon McManus hit a 51 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Packers.
The Packers got it back in the second quarter and faced 3rd and 11 at their own 28. Love went to Romeo Doubs for 29. On 3rd and 5 from the Sn Francisco 38, Love went to Doubs for 10. On 3rd and 10 from the San Francisco 28, Love found Doubs for 15. An interception of Love was negated by offsetting penalties. Jacobs ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Packers.
The 49ers took over at their own 35. Allen hit Kyle Juszczyk for 16. On 3rd and 7 from the Green Bay 48, Allen went to Christian McCaffrey for 9 and Deebo Samuel for 21. On 3rd and 6 from the Green Bay 14, Allen hit George Kittle for 10. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Allen found Kittle for the touchdown. With one minute left in the half, the 49ers were finally on the board. Yet they got no closer. In the third quarter on 4th and 2 from the Green By 39, Kyle Shanahan gambled and Allen threw incomplete. Then on 3rd and 8 from the Green Bay 45, Allen was intercepted. McKinney returned the pick 48 yards to the San Francisco 26. On 3rd and 2, defensive pass interference meant 17 yards and the ball on the one. Jacobs got the yard to make it 24-7 Packers.
The 49ers managed a 48 yard Jake Moody field goal, but nothing more. I the fourth quarter the Packers turned the game into a rout. Allen was sacked and fumbled to set up the Packers at the San Francisco 16.
Jacobs ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 31-10 Packers.It was deja vu all over again on the very next play from scrimmage after a touchback. Allen went to McCaffrey for 23 but McCaffrey fumbled. the Packers took over at their own 44. Love threw a 3 yard touchdown to Heath to complete the blowout. The Packers are 8-3 on the year while the defending NFC Champion 49ers are a shocking 5-6 and running out of time. 38-10 Packers
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks — The Cardinals came in to this game at 6-4, one game ahead of everyone else in the division. This was an ugly game. In the second quarter Chris Ryland nailed a 55 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Cardinals. The Seahawks eventually took over at their own 39. Geno Smith went to Barner for 11. Smith connected with non-relative Jackson Smith-Nigba for 46. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Smith hit Smith-Nigba for the touchdown to make it 7-3 Seahawks at the half. In the third quarter the Cardinals moved from their own 18 to a 4th and 1 at the Seattle 40. Jonathan Gannon went for it. Kyler Murray was intercepted by Bryant, who returned the pick 69 yards to pay dirt the other way. The extra point was no good but the Seahawks led 13-3. Smith was later intercepted for a touchback, as the Cardinals moved to a 3rd and goal at the 4. Murray threw incomplete. Ryland hit from 22 to get the Cardinals within 13-6 with 10 minutes left in regulation. Jason Myers answered from 50 at the 2 minute warning to put the Seahawk back up by 10. Ryland missed from 47 with 15 seconds left to snuff out any hopes for a miracle comeback. 16-6 Seahawks
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams was the Sunday night game. The Eagles are flying high but winning close games. The Rams are struggling but have improved since getting key players back from injury. After an opening touchback, the Rams moved to a 1st and 10 at the Philadelphia 17. Williams got the carry and fumbled. The Eagles moved from that spot to a 3rd and goal at the 4. Jalen Hurts gained only one yard. Jake Elliott hit the 21 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Eagles.
After a touchback, Matthew Stafford went to Puka Nacua for 14. Williams gained 11. Stafford hit Robinson for 13 and Nakua for 18. Williams ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Rams. The Eagles moved from their own 36 to a 1st and 10 at the Rams 13. An offensive penalty for an ineligible man downfield killed the drive. Elliott hit from 31 to get the Eagles within 7-6 in the second quarter.
The Eagles got the ball back at their own 38. Saquon Barkley gashed the defense for gains of 9, 8 and 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Rams 25, Hurts gained just enough. Hurts hit Barkley for 13. Hurts found AJ Brown for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Eagles. On the first play of the third quarter after a touchback, Barkley broke free for a 70 yard touchdown run to have the Eagles up 20-7. After a touchback, Williams ran for a pair of 7 yard gains. Stafford hit Nacua for 16 and Parkinson for 10. On 3rd and 16 from the Philadelphia 34, defensive pass interference meant a 31 yard gain. Stafford hit Robinson for a 2 yard touchdown to get the Rams within 20-14. They would get no closer.
After a touchback Hurts went to Brown for 12. On 3rd and 1 just past midfield, Hurts gained 5. On 3rd and 10 from the Rams 44, Hurts went to Barkley for 31. Kenneth Gainwell ran for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 27-14 Eagles. Late in the third quarter Joshua Karty missed a 47 yard field goal try to for the Rams. The Eagles from their own 37 moved to a 1st and goal at the 7. A run lost a yard and Hurts threw incomplete twice. Yet Elliott hit from 26 to have the Eagles up 30-14 in the fourth quarter. With 5 minutes left in regulation the Eagles took over at their own9. On 3rd and 6 from their own 28, Barkley ripped off a 72 yard touchdown run to make it 37-14 Eagles. The Rams got one garbage touchdown. Barkley finished with a franchise record 255 yards on 26 carries with 47 more yards on 4 receptions. The Eagles are 9-2 while the Rams are 5-6 on the year. 37-20 Eagles
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers was the Monday night game. This was the 2024 Harbowl. While it was not a Super Bowl, both teams came in with winning records and jockeying for playoff position in tough divisions. After an opening touchback, Justin Herbert went to Ladd McConkey for 17. Edwards gained 8 and 4. JK Dobbins added 12. Herbert went to Will Dissly for 18. Herbert ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chargers. In the second quarter the Chargers moved from their own 36 to a 2nd and 7 at the Baltimore 24. Herbert threw incomplete twice. Cameron Dicker hit a 42 yard field goal for a 10-0 Chargers advantage.
After a touchback, Derrick Henry ran for 19 and 14. On 3rd and 5 from the Chargers 32, Lamar Jackson went to Mark Andrews for 16. Jackson ran for a 10 yard touchdown to get the Ravens within 10-7. The Ravens got the ball back at their own 7 yard line with 4 minutes left in the half. John Harbaugh gambled on a fake punt on 4th and 1 from his own 16. It was crazy, but Andrews took the direct snap 2 yards. Jackson went to Justice Hill for 9. On 3rd and 2 from their own 26, Jackson went to Zee Flowers for 22. Defensive pass interference added 12. Jackson then went deep to Bateman for a 40 yard touchdown. With 24 seconds left in the half, the Ravens led 14-10.
After a touchback, that was enough time for Herbert. He hit Jalen Reagor for 11 and Palmer for 17. Dicker nailed a 52 yard field goal to end the half with the Chargers only down 14-13. After a third quarter touchback, the Ravens moved to a 4th and 4 at the Chargers 27. Justin Tucker hit a 45 yard field goal to make it 17-13 Ravens. After a touchback the Chargers moved to a 1st and 10 at the Baltimore 33. Herbert was sacked and then threw incomplete twice. Dicker hit from 52 to have the Chargers down 17-16 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
After a touchback John Harbaugh decided to gamble on 4th and 1 from his own 39. Henry got the carry and burst through for a 27 yard gain. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Harbaugh gambled again on 4th and 1 from the Chargers 25. Henry gained 2. Henry added 9 and 4. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Jackson went to Andrews for the touchdown. Harbaugh then gambled again, this time on a 2 point conversion try to make it a 2 score game. Jackson thew incomplete. The Ravens led 23-16 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Ravens got it back and soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 37. Henry appeared stopped but bounced to the outside for 5. On 3rd and 3 just shy of midfield out of the shotgun, Justice Hill went outside, cut back inside, and outraced everyone for a 51 yard touchdown to ice the game midway through the fourth quarter. The Chargers managed a garbage touchdown with 45 seconds to play but the onside kick failed. 30-23 Ravens