NFL 2024 Week 9 Recap
Houston Texans at New York Jets was the Thursday night game. The Texans came in 6-2 while the Jets were a 2-6 mess. The first half was an embarrassment to humanity. The Jets gave away a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter when the running back pulled a Leon Lett and let go of the ball just before crossing the goal line. Instead of a touchdown, it was a touchback. The Texans mounted a 14 play, 98 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive in the second quarter. Joe Mixon ran for a 3 yard touchdown as the Texans took a 7-0 lead to the locker rooms. After halftime the Jets took their heads out of their hides. In the third quarter on 3rd and 1 from their own 39, Allen gained 4. Aaron Rodgers hit Wilson for 8 and Davante Adams for 12. Rodgers hit Garrett Wilson for a 21 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. The Texans moved from their own 44 to a 1st and 10 at the Jets 24. A run lost a yard. On 3rd and 11, CJ Stroud was sacked. Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 54 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Texans.
The Jets after a touchback came back with a 12 play, 70 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive. Rodgers hit Breece Hall for 13. Jeff Ulbrich gambled on 4th and 1 from the Houston 48. Rodgers hit Adams for 17. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Ulbrich gambled again on 4th and 1 from the Houston 22. Rodgers threw incomplete but defensive illegal contact meant 5 yards and a first down. On 3rd and 19 from the Houston 26, Rodgers went to Wilson for the touchdown to make it 14-10 Jets. Midway through the third quarter the Texans blew an opportunity. On 2nd and 7 from the Jets 9, a run went nowhere and Stroud threw incomplete. Fairbairn’s 27 yard field goal try doinked off the left upright no good. From their 20, Hall ran for 2 and 13. On 3rd and 1 from their own 44, Rodgers hit Yeboah for 12. On 3rd and 3 from the Houston 37, Rodgers went to Adams for the touchdown to make it 21-10 Jets with 3 minutes left in regulation. Needing 2 scores, the Texans moved to a 1st and goal at the 3 with 52 seconds left. Yet Stroud was sacked. On 3rd and goal from the 11, the decision was made to kick the field goal right away. Fairbairn hit from 29 but the onside kick failed. The Jest may have saved their season but they still have a big hole to climb out of. 21-13 Jets
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills — The Bills on paper came in as the much better team. The return of Tua Tagovailoa briefly sparked the Dolphins last week, but they lost anyway. The Bills were looking to put a stranglehold on the division while the Dolphins were just trying to save their season. In the first quarter Tyler Bass hit a 40 yard field goal for the Dolphins. Jason Sanders responded from 39 for the Bills for a 3-3 game. After a touchback, the Bills in the second quarter moved to a 1st and 10 at the Miami 11. Josh Allen was intercepted by Jalen Ramsey at the 3 yard line. Raheem Mostert ran for big gains of 16 and 12. Tagovailoa hit Smith for 10. Devon Achane ran for 10. Tagovailoa hit O’Dell Beckham Jr for 6 and Achane for 8. On 3rd and 2 from the Buffalo 14, Achane gained 5. Tagovailoa hit Achane for a 14 yard touchdown to cap the 14 play, 97 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive to make it 10-3 Dolphins.
After a touchback, the Bills moved to a 1st and 10 at the Miami 11 with 41 seconds left in the half. Yet consecutive holding penalties killed the drive, especially the latter which wiped out a 21 yard touchdown run by Allen. On 1st and 30, Allen threw 3 straight incompletions. Bass hit from 49 to end the half with the Bills within 10-6. The Dolphins fumbled in the third quarter and the Bills took over at their own 36. Cook ran for gains of 8 and 2. Johnson added 17. Allen hit Shakir for 13. On 3rd and goal at the one, Allen threw incomplete. Sean McDermott went for it. On 4th and goal, Allen hit Mack Hollins for the touchdown to put the Bills up 12-10, Bass missed the extra point.
After a touchback, the Dolphins moved to a 4th and 4 at the Buffalo 5. Sanders hit the 23 yard field goal to make it 13-12 Dolphins. After a touchback, the Bills struck quickly. Allen went to Ray Davis for a 63 yard touchdown. Allen hit Coleman for the 2 point conversion to wash away the earlier missed extra point and put the Bills up 20-13. After a touchback, Wright ran for 5 and 7. Tagovailoa went to Tyreek Hill for 27 as the third quarter ended. The fourth quarter began with Mike MacDaniel gambling on 4th and 4 from the Buffalo 25. Tagovailoa ran for just barely enough. Tagovailoa hit Smith for 13. Achane ran for an 8 yard touchdown to have the game tied 20-20 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
After a touchback, Allen hit Cook for 11, Coleman for 21, and Shakir for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Miami 15, Johnson gained 4. On 3rd and 6 from the Miami 7, Allen threw incomplete but defensive holding meant 4 yards and an automatic first down. Allen went to Morris for a 2 yard touchdown. With nearly 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Bills led 27-20. The Dolphins took over at their own 19. Achane gained 12. Tagovailoa hit Hill for 19 and Achane for 9. On 3rd and 7 from the Buffalo 35, Tagovailoa hit Jalen Waddle for 12. Tagovailoa went to Achane for 18. With 1:38 left in the game, Tagovailoa hit Waddel for the 7 yard touchdown to tie the game 27-27.
After a touchback, the Bills faced 3rd and 14 from their own 26. The Miami defense jumped into the neutral zone. On 3rd and 9, Allen threw incomplete but defensive unnecessary roughness meant 15 yards and another first down. These consecutive penalties gifted the Bills 20 yards. On 3rd and 3 from the Miami 47, Allen went to Hollins for 4 and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 21 seconds left. Yet Allen then threw a pair of incompletions. On 4th and 10 from the Miami 43, a field goal try would be 61 yards. Allen had the arm for a relatively short Hail Mary. Both came with risks. An incomplete Hail Mary would leave the Dolphins enough time to perhaps try their own Hail Mary or even one short pass to try a long field goal. McDermott sent out Bass to try the field goal knowing a miss would also give the Dolphins a few seconds to try and win. From 61 yards out, Bass nailed the field goal good. The Dolphins are 2-6 and the Bills are 7-2, but this one was a nail-biter that ended in spectacular fashion. 30-27 Bills
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens — Both teams came in 5-3 but the Ravens were an angry bunch after seeing their five game win streak snapped by lowly Cleveland. On the second play from scrimmage after a touchback, Bo Nix was intercepted. The Ravens took over at the Denver 36. Yet on 3rd and 5, Lamar Jackson was sacked for an 11 yard loss to push them out of field goal range. Technically, 60 yards well within Justin Tucker’s range, but John Harbaugh decided to punt and play field position. The Broncos from their own 2 moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Baltimore 44. Nix got stopped short. Sean Payton gambled on 4th and 1. Williams got the yard, but Harbaugh challenged the spot. Officials reversed it to short of the sticks and a turnover on downs.
On 2nd and 12 from their own 41, Lamar Jackson hit Nelson Agholor for 29 and Bateman for 15. Derrick Henry did the rest, running for 7 and then for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Ravens. The second quarter began with Sean Payton passing up a 51 yard field goal try to gamble on 4th and 4 from the Baltimore 33. Nix threw incomplete. Justin Tucker would hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Ravens.
after a touchback from their own 40, Nix hit Franklin for 19. On 3rd and 5 from the Baltimore 36, Nix ran for 15. Nix then hit Cortland Sutton for 10. Defensive pass interference added 10 more. On 4th and goal form the 2, Sean Payton not only went for it but went to his bag of tricks. It was Bo Nix as the receiver and Cortland Sutton as the passer, and it went for the touchdown to get the Broncos within 10-7. The Ravens took over at their own 37 and Jackson hit Bay Flowers for 23 and Justice Hill for 24. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Jackson went to Flowers for the touchdown to make it 17-7 Ravens. The Broncos after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Baltimore 9. A touchdown was nullified by offensive holding and the drive was dead. Wil Lutz hit a 37 yard field goal to get the Broncos within 17-10 with one minute left in the half, but after that the Ravens turned out the lights.
After a touchback, the Ravens had only 16 seconds left from their own 47. Jackson went deep to Flowers for a 53 yard Hail Mary bomb to make it 24-10 Ravens. That broke the Broncos backs, as the second half was just icing. After a third quarter touchback, Jackson went to Mark Andrews for 10. On 3rd and 10 from the Denver 47, Jackson ran for 11. Henry added 20. Henry ran for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 31-10 Ravens. The Ravens got it back and moved 79 yards for another score. Jackson hit Ricard for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 38-10 Ravens. Tucker added a 37 yard fourth quarter field goal to complete things. 41-10 Ravens
Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns — The Browns got a stunning victory over Baltimore, so a letdown was expected. Early on a 53 yard punt return set up the Chargers at the Cleveland 30. On 3rd and 7 Justin Herbert went to Ladd McConkey for 10. On 3rd and 21 from the Cleveland 28, Herbert went to Palmer for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Chargers. Dustin Hopkins hit a 38 yard field goal for Cleveland in the second quarter, but this game was never close. The Chargers after a touchback soon faced 3rd and 6 from their own 34. Herbert went to Quentin Johnston for a 66 yard touchdown to make it 13-3 Chargers after the missed extra point. The Chargers got it back and soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 44. Herbert hit Johnston for 21 and McConkey for 19. JK Dobbins ran for a 16 yard touchdown to make it 20-3 Chargers. Jameis Winston threw 3 second half interceptions and the Chargers blocked a field goal. Dobbins ran for a 7 yard touchdown with 4 minutes left in regulation to make it 27-3 Chargers. The Browns got a garbage touchdown to close the scoring. 27-3 Chargers
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers — The Saints came in losers of 6 straight but Derek Carr was back from injury. They were playing the lowly Panthers. The Saints moved into the red zone twice in the first quarter and settled for 29 and 33 yard Blake Grupe field goals to lead 6-0. The second quarter began with a shanked Saints punt that set up the Panthers at the New Orleans 40. On 3rd and 5 Bryce Young hit Moore for 11. On 3rd and 7 at the New Orleans 21, Young hit Coker for 18. Young hit Leggett for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-6 Panthers.
The Saints took over at their own 22 and defensive pass interference added 15. On 2nd and 11 just shy of midfield, Carr went to Taysom Hill for 15 and to Wilson for 18. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 9, Hill gained 2. Hill ran for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Saints. A 14 yard punt return with 15 more yards tacked on for unnecessary roughness had the Panthers taking over at the New Orleans 28 with 1:17 left in the half. On 3rd and 7, Young was sacked. Eddie Pineiro hit a 48 yard field goal to get the Panthers within 13-10. The Panthers began the third quarter at their own 14. Young went to Sanders for 46. On 3rd and 4 from the New Orleans 33, Young went to Sanders for 21. Young ran for 9 and Chuba Hubbard got the last yard for a 17-13 Panthers lead.
After a touchback the Saints faced 4th and 1 from their own 39. Dennis Allen gambled on a fake punt. Hayball gained 11. On 4th and 1 from the Carolina 41, Allen gambled again and out of the shotgun Hill gained 3. On 3rd and 5 from the Carolina 33, Hill threw incomplete. This time Allen played it safe. Grupe hit a 51 yard field goal to get the Saints within 17-16. The Saints got it back and soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 38. Carr went to Alvin Kamara for 20. The fourth quarter began with the Saints facing 3rd and 7 at the Carolina 39. Carr hit Hill for 9. On 3rd and 7 from the Carolina 17, Carr went to Foster Moreau for the touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Saints led 22-17 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
With 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Panthers took over at their own 36. On 3rd and 10, Young went to Leggett for 26. Defensive pass interference on the next play added 22. Hubbard ran for a 16 yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Panthers reclaimed a one point lead with 2:18 left. With 1:09 left the Saints faced 4th and 4 at their own 46. Carr threw deep incomplete. The Saints lost their 7th straight game. The day after on Monday, ownership fired Dennis Allen. 23-22 Panthers
Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals — The 2021 Raiders made the playoffs and on the road took the eventual AFC Champion Bengals to the limit. Then Mark Davis got rid of a good interim coach for a horrendous coach who gutted the team. The Raiders jettisoned their quarterback, their running back and their top receiver all for inferior players. Every Raider game is the same. The offense scores an early touchdown. Then they try to win the rest of the way with field goals and defense. The exhausted defense eventually breaks. If the game is completely out of hand, the offense gets a garbage touchdown. Every single week, exactly the same. After an opening touchback, on 3rd and 10, Gardner Minshew threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 16 yard gain. Minshew went to Brock Bowers for 9 and Jakobi Meyers for 22. On 3rd and 3 from the Cincinnati 5, Mattison gained 3. Zamir White ran for a one yard touchdown. The 11 play, 70 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive had the Raiders up 7-0, but for the umpteenth week in a row the offense decided to take much of the rest of the day off.
After a touchback Brown ran for a pair of 5 yard gains. Joe Burrow went to Brown for 13. On 4th and 3 from the Raiders 20, Zac Taylor passed up a 38 yard field goal try and went for it. Burrow hit Hudson for 11. On 3rd and goal at the one, Burrow hit Brown for the touchdown. The 13 play, 70 yard, 8 minute drive tied the game 7-7. The Bengals got it back at their own 10 in the second quarter and moved 64 yards in 14 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 1st and 10 from the Raiders 26, Burrow threw 3 incompletions. Evan McPherson hit a 44 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Bengals. The Raiders after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Cincinnati 26. A completion lost yards and then Minshew was sacked to kill the drive. Daniel Carlson hit a 46 yard field goal to tie the game 10-10. With 3 minutes left in the half, the Raiders had a chance.
On 1st and 15 from their own 25, Burrow went to Mike Gesicki for 24. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 14. Brown ran for 12. Burrow hit JaMarr chase for 11. Burrow went to Iosivas for a 10 yard touchdown to put the Bengals up 17-10 with 30 seconds left in the half. After a third quarter touchback, Burrow ran for 10. Brown ran for 21. Burrow went to Pryor for 9 and Chase for 6. Defensive pass interference added 17. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Burrow went to Sample for the touchdown to make it 24-10 Bengals. After a touchback the Raiders moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Cincinnati 45. Minshew fumbled a shotgun snap and the Bengals recovered it and returned it 10 yards all the way to the Raiders 21 yard line. On 3rd and 1, Burrow gained 2. Burrow went to Gesicki for an 11 yard touchdown. 21 unanswered points had the Bengals cruising 31-10. Now the game was out of reach. Now the Raiders could get their garbage points. Minshew was benched again. With Aidan O’Connell injured, it was newly acquired 3rd stringer Desmond Ridder who played the rest of the way.
Early in the fourth quarter Burrow was intercepted by Jack Jones, who returned the pick 29 yards for a touchdown to get the Raiders within 31-17. The Raiders got it back at their own 33 and moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Cincinnati 28. Ridder was sacked. On 4th and 12, Ridder threw incomplete. On 4th and 2 from their own 44, the Bengals set up to punt. The Raiders jumped into the neutral zone. On 3rd and 6 from the Raiders 47, Burrow went to Gesicki for the touchdown to make it 38-17 Bengals. One play after a touchback, Ridder was sacked and fumbled. The Bengals recovered at the Raiders 13. McPherson hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 41-17 Bengals. The Raiders got one more garbage touchdown in a garbage season. The Raiders lost their 5th straight game. After the game. Antonio Pierce fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and two other offensive assistants. Norvelous Norv Turner was brought out of retirement to be an offensive consultant to the team. His first advice should be to hire offensive talent. 41-24 Bengals
Washington Commanders at New York Giants — After winning on a miracle Hail Mary last week, the Commanders were expected to easily steamroll the lifeless Giants. Daniel Jones got sacked and fumbled early on, setting up the Commanders at the Giants 31. Defensive pass interference added 22 yards. Jaydon Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Commanders. The Giants soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 36. Singletary got the yard. On 3rd and 1 from their own 46, Jones got the yard. On 3rd and 2 from the Washington 45, Singletary gained 6. On 3rd and 5 from the Washington 34, Washington jumped into the neutral zone as the first quarter ended. The second quarter began with the Giants facing 3rd and 1 from the Washington 30. Jones gained 2. Jones then gained 12. Slayton ran for 11. Jones went to Manhertz for a 2 yard touchdown. The staggering 16 play, 73 yard drive took 10 minutes off the clock and tied the game 7-7.
After a touchback, Daniels ran for 9. Daniels went tp Brown for 16. Austin Ekeler ran for 20. On 4th and 1 from the Giants 12, Dan Quinn gambled and Daniels gained 6. Ekeler gained 5 and then got the last yard to make it 14-7 Commanders. The Commanders got it back at their own 13. On 2nd and 11 from their own 25, Daniels went to Brown for 31. On 4th and 1 from the Giants 35, Dan Quinn went for it again. Ekeler barely got the yard. On 3rd and 18 from the Giants 42, Daniels hit Brown for 24. Daniels found McLaurin for an 18 yard touchdown with 6 seconds left in the half to make it 21-7 Commanders. The Giants began the third quarter at their own 21 and embarked on another mind-numbing drive of 16 plays, 66 yards and 8 1/2 minutes. On 4th and 1 from the Washington 3 a touchdown pass by Jones was nullified by offensive pass interference, killing the drive. McAtamney hit the 31 yard field goal to get the Giants within 21-10. Yet the Commanders after a touchback moved 57 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. On 3rd and 4 from the Giants 13, Daniels threw incomplete. Austin Seibert hit the 31 yard field goal to make it 24-10 Commanders.
The Giants began the fourth quarter facing 3rd and 9 from their own 32. Jones went to Nabers for 13. On 3rd and 5 from midfield, Jones threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant an 8 yard gain. On 3rd and 9 from the Washington 41, Jones went to Nabers for 10. Jones went to Slayton for 23. Jones ran for a 2 yard touchdown. Brian Daboll went for a pointless 2 point conversion that failed, keeping the Giants down 24-16 with 9 1/2 minutes left. The Commanders moved from their own 35 to a 3rd and goal at the 2. Daniels threw incomplete. Seibert hit the 20 yard field goal to give the Commanders breathing room up 27-16 with 3:45 left. It took only one minute for the Giants to move 74 yards. Jones hit Theo Johnson for a 35 yard touchdown. Another failed 2 point conversion had the Giants down by 5. Rather than grind down clock, Daniels went to Zaccheaus for 42. With 1:41 left, the Commanders faced 3rd and 1 from the Giants 2 yard line. Rodriguez got the carry and one yard. On 1st and goal at the one and the Giants out of timeouts, Dan Quinn decided not to run up the score or risk a fumble. Daniel took 3 knees to get the Commanders to 7-2 on the year. 27-22 Commanders
Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons — The Falcons are rising and the Cowboys are sinking. Brandon Aubrey did hit a 34 yard first quarter field goal to make it 3-0 Cowboys, but the Falcons were resilient. From their own 22, Kirk Cousins hit Mooney for 22. Robinson gained 16. Cousins hit London for 18. On 3rd and 4 from the Dallas 16, Cousins went to Robinson for 7 and to London for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Falcons. The Falcons fumbled in the second quarter and the Cowboys gambled on 4th and 1 from the Atlanta 44. Ceedee Lamb got blown up for a 3 yard loss. From their own 47, Cousins went to Robinson for 10. On 4th and 3 from the Dallas 36, Raheem Morris went for it rather than try a 54 yard field goal. Cousins went to Mooney for the first down and the touchdown as the Falcons led 14-3.
After a touchback, Dowdle gained 2 and 11. Lamb gained 18. On 2nd and 15 from the Atlanta 39, Dak Prescott ran for 22. Dowdle ran for 15. Prescott ran for a 3 yard touchdown to get the Cowboys within 14-10. In the third quarter Mike McCarthy gambled on a fake punt on 4th and 2 from his own 38. Anger threw incomplete. With the short field, Robinson gashed the defense for gains of 8, 7 and 14. Cousins found McCloud for an 11yard touchdown to make it 21-10 Falcons. The Cowboys moved from their own 39 to a 1st and 10 at the Atlanta 39. Offensive holding killed the drive but Aubrey drilled a 57 yard field goal on the last play of the third quarter to get the Cowboys within 21-13. The Falcons began the fourth quarter at their own 34. Cousins went to Robinson for big gains of 11 and 29. On 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 6, Tyler Allgeier ran it in for the touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Falcons led 27-13 with 11 minutes left in regulation. Dak Prescott went out injured and Cooper Rush finished the game. Rush hit Jalen Tolbert for a 4 yard touchdown with 90 seconds left, but the onside kick failed. The Falcons quietly got to 6-3 while the Cowboys are 3-5. Worse for them, Prescott was placed on injured reserve Monday and will miss 4 weeks. 27-20 Falcons
New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans — A pair of bad teams played an inconsequential game. The Titans began at their own 25. Mason Rudolph went to Westbrok-Ikhine for 10. On 3rd and 12 from their own 34, Rudolph ran for 13. Rudolph hit Whyte for 12. Pollard ran for 32. Rudolph went to Vannett for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Titans. Joey Slye missed a 56 yard field goal for the Patriots. In the second quarter Slye hit from 52 to get the Patriots within 7-3 after an ugly first half. The Patriots began the third quarter facing 3rd and 15 from their own 25. Drake Maye ran for 22. Maye went deep to Douglas for 21. On 2nd and 16 from the Tennessee 38, Maye ran for 13 with defensive holding adding 5. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Maye threw incomplete but a defensive facemark meant 3 yards and a new set of downs. Raimondre Stevenson ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Patriots midway through the third quarter. After a touchback the Titans moved to a 4th and goal at the 3. Nick Folk hit the 21 yard field goal as the third quarter ended with a 10-10 deadlock.
The Patriots moved from their own 9 to a 3rd and 13 at their own 32. Maye was sacked and fumbled. The Titans recovered at the New England 26. Pollard ran for 11. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Rudolph went to Westbrook-Ikhine for the touchdown. With 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Titans led 17-10. A 25 yard punt return at the 2 minute warning gave the Patriots hope at midfield. Maye hit Boutte for 11 and Stevenson for 9. Maye ran for 7. With 21 seconds left the Patriots were down to their last gasp facing 4th and 2 at the Tennessee 15. Maye went to Hunter Henry for 10 and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 8 seconds left. An incompletion left 4 seconds. On 3rd and goal at the 5 as the clock hit double zeroes, Maye hit Stevenson for the touchdown. The game was headed to overtime tied 17-17. The Titans got the ball first at their own 22 and moved 72 yards in 13 plays, eating up 7 1/2 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and 2 from the New England 7, Rudolph fumbled the snap but averted disaster by recovering it. On 4th and 1 at the 6, Brian Callahan was not in a gambling mood. Folk hit the 25 yard field goal. The Titans and the lead, but the Patriots had 2 1/2 minutes to tie or win. After a touchback from his own 41, Maye went for a deep bomb and was intercepted. 20-17 Titans, OT
Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals — Dennis Green is gone, but the words of the late Arizona Cardinals coach will live forever. “The Bears are who we thought they were! Crown their @ss! We let ‘em off the hook!” The Bears lost a heartbreaker at Washington last week on a Hail Mary while the Cardinals each week are a mystery as to which team will show up. A 27 yard punt return in the first quarter had the Cardinals with a short field at the Chicago 41. James Conner ran for 15. On 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 17. Murray went to McBride for 15. McBride ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. Cairo Santos hit second quarter field goals of 29 and 53, the latter said up by an Arizona fumble to get the Bears within 7-6.
After a touchback, Benson ran for 17. Conner was a one man wrecking crew, catching a pass from Kyler Murray for 8 and running for gains of 9, 16, 4, 6 and 4. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Murray was sacked. Ryland made the 32 yard field goal, but a leverage penalty on the defense caused Jonathan Gannon to take the points off the board. It was now 1st and goal at the 7. Conner ran for 6 and Benon got the last yard. The killer penalty had the Cardinals up 14-6 instead of 10-6. Santos made a 53 yard field goal to have the Bears within 14-9 with only 26 seconds left in the half. Yet for the second straight week, the Bears defense melted down in that situation, After a touchback, The Cardinals faced 3rd and 5 from their own 47 with 15 seconds left. Emari Demarcado ripped off a 53 yard touchdown run to make it 21-9 Cardinals at the intermission. The second half belonged to the Arizona defense. Ryland hit field goals of 29 in the third quarter and 55 in the fourth quarter extended the lead and a safety completed the scoring. 29-9 Cardinals
Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles — Doug Pederson helped the Eagles win their first and only Super Bowl. Yet for some reason he was fired. He started hot with the Jaguars but this season has been rough. A fumbled punt in the first quarter set up the Eagles at the Jacksonville 20. Jalen Hurts from that spot went to Saquon Barkley for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Eagles. The Eagles in the second quarter moved from their own 7 yard line and moved 68 yards in 15 plays while taking 9 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and 6 from the Jacksonville 16, Hurts was sacked. Jake Elliott hit a 43 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Eagles. An interception of Lawrence gave the Eagles a short field at the Jacksonville 42. On 3rd and 17 from the Jacksonville 19, Barkley ran for the touchdown. Nick Sirianni likes pointless 2 point conversion tries. This one failed but the Eagles led 16-0 at the half. The Eagles took over at their own 22 in the third quarter. On 3rd and 1, Hurts got the yard. Hurts went deep to Dotson for 36. Hurts ran for an 18 yard touchdown. Another 2 point conversion try failed but the Eagles were cruising 22-0 in the third quarter. Yet the Eagles never seem to win big. Close games are their thing.
The Jaguars took over at their own 39. Travis Etienne ran for 16. Trevor Lawrence went to Trammell for 18. On 3rd and 12 from the Philadelphia 27, Lawrence went to Washington for the 12 needed. Lawrence went to Evan engram for 14 down to the one. Lawrence got the yard. Lawrence went to Thomas for the 2 point conversion to get the Jaguars within 22-8. One play after a touchback, Barkley fumbled and Walker returned it 35 yards for a defensive touchdown. Lawrence hit Engram for another 2 point conversion. Just like that the Jaguars were within 22-16. In the fourth quarter the Eagles took over at their own 9. Barkley gained 21. On 3rd and 6 from their own 34, Hurts hit Smith for 7. Hurts went deep to Smith for 46. On 3rd and 22 from the Jacksonville 25, Hurts went to Smith for the touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Eagles led 28-16 midway through the fourth quarter. After a touchback Lawrence went to Washington for 18. Bigsby ran for 10. On 4th and 12 from the Philly 44, Lawrence went to Thomas for 16. and Engram for 24. Lawrence ran for a 5 yard touchdown to get the Jaguars back within 5 points with 4 minutes left in the game. With 2:16 left, a 57 yard field goal try by Elliott to extend the lead was no good. The Jaguars moved from their own 47 to a 1st and 10 at the Philly 13 with 1:42 left. An epic comeback for the Jaguars and an epic collapse for the Eagles was on the horizon. Lawrence went to the end zone for the lead and was intercepted for a touchback. Again, the Eagles hung on for a win that was tougher than necessary. 28-23 Eagles
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers — This was a big one. Earlier in the year the Lions went into previously unbeaten Minnesota and got a win. Now the 6-1 Lions were at the 6-2 Packers. For 30 years, playing the Lions at home in Green Bay was practically an automatic win for the Packers. Then in the 2022 regular season finale, the Lions went into Green Bay and hit the Packers in the mouth. The Lions came in having won two straight in Green Bay. The Packers moved from their own 25 to a 3rd and 5 at the Detroit 12. Jordan Love threw incomplete. Brandon McManus hit a 30 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Packers.After that the Lions took over.
After a touchback, David Montgomery ran for 8, 4 and 11. On 2nd and 5 from the Green Bay 41, Jared Goff hit Sam LaPorta for 19. On 3rd and 5 from the Green Bay 17, Montgomery ran for 9. The second quarter began with a Dan Campbell gamble. The Lions had 4th and goal at the 5. A field goal was the obvious choice but Campbell had the Lions line up to go for it. It may have been a bluff, but it worked. The defense encroached. On 4th and goal at the 3, Campbell did go for it for real. Goff hit Amra St. Brown for the touchdown toecap the 13 play, 70 yard, 7 minute drive and make it 7-3 Lions. The Packers missed a chance to get closer when McManus missed a 46 yard try. The Lions moved from their own 36 to a 2nd and goal at the 7. A run lost a couple yards and Goff threw incomplete. Bates hit from 27 to make it 10-3 Lions. After a touchback, Love was intercepted by Karl Joseph. Joseph returned the pick 27 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 17-3 Lions with 30 seconds left in the half. The Lions began the third quarter at their own 29. Goff went to St. Brown for 11. On 3rd and 6 from their own 44, Goff threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. Goff went to LaPorta for 9. Gibbs gained 18. On 4th and 1 from the Green Bay 15, Campbell went for it again. Gibbs got the first down and the touchdown to make it 24-3 Lions. The Lions coasted from there. The Packers managed a third quarter field goal and a garbage touchdown with 4 minutes left to make the game seem closer than it really was. This was a statement win. The Lions are 7-1 for the first time since the 1950s. 24-14 Lions
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks — After a scoreless first quarter, the Rams in the second quarter took over at their own 37 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Seattle 18. Matthew Stafford threw a pair of incompletions and then fumbled a snap that he recovered for a loss. Harty hit a 38 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Rams. After a touchback Geno Smith went to Tyler Lockett for 13. At the 2 minute warning the Seahawks faced 3rd and 2 at the Rams 37. Kenneth Walker gained 4. On 3rd and 7 from the Rams 30, Smith went deep to Lockett for the touchdown to make it 6-3 Seahawks. An interception of Stafford set up the Seahawks at their own 40. On 1st and 20, Smith went deep to non-relative Smith-Nigba for 46. Smith went back to Smith-Nigba for a 24 yard touchdown to make it 13-3 Seahawks with 5 seconds left in the half.
The Rams began the third quarter at their own 25. From their own 41, Stafford hit Robinson for 21. On 3rd and 1 from the Seattle 29, Williams gained 2. On 2nd and goal from the 15, defensive pass interference meant a 13 yard gain and a new set of downs. Stafford went to Robinson for a one yard touchdown to get the Rams within 13-10. The Rams got it back at their own 35 and moved to a 2nd and goal at the one. A run lost 2 yards and Stafford then threw incomplete. Harty hit a 21 yard field goal to tie the game 13-13 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter the Seahawks moved from their own 31 to a 1st and goal at the 6 with 11 minutes left in regulation. Smith went to the end zone and found Kamren Kinchens. Problem: Kinchens plays defense for the Rams. kitchens went coast to coast for a 103 yard interception return touchdown. The score was 20-13, but it was the Rams in the lead. The Rams got it back and had to punt. The punt was blocked and the Seahawks took over at the Rams 19. Yet on 2nd and goal at the 4, Smith was intercepted again by Kinchens. The Seahawks got it back at their own 27 with 1:54 left. After a sack set up 2nd and 24, Smith went to White for 28. Smith ran for 11. On 4th and 5 from the Rams 43 with one minute left, Smith went to Smith-Nigba for 29. Smith then went back to Smith-Nigba for a 14 yard touchdown and a 20-20 game.
The Seahawks got the ball first in overtime. After a touchback they moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Rams 16. Walker got stopped for no gain. Mike Macdonald could have gone for the 34 yard field goal try to give the Seahawks the lead, but the Rams would get a chance with the ball. So instead, Macdonald went for it in the hopes that a touchdown would end it. On 4th and 1, Walker got stopped again for no gain. From that spot, Stafford quickly went to Johnson for 24 and to Tutu Atwell for 16. Stafford then went deep to Robinson for a 39 yard touchdown. Just like that, the game was over and the Seahawks lost for the 5th time in 6 games after a 3-0 start. Meanwhile, the Rams after a miserable start now have their key pieces back healthy and are winning games. 26-20 Rams, OT
Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings was the Sunday night game. The Vikings were coming off 2 losses after a 5-0 start. Joe Flacco started for the Colts again as Anthony Richardson was injured again. The first half was hideous as neither offense scored. The teams exchanged turnovers in a scoreless first quarter. In the second quarter from his own 47, Sam Darnold was sacked and fumbled.vMoore picked up the fumble and returned it 38 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. Will Reichard missed a 53 yard field goal try for the Vikings. Matt Gay from 53 missed for the Colts. With 17 seconds left in the half, Reichard from 31 doinked it off the upright no good.
After a third quarter touchback, Darnold went to Justin Jefferson for 21 and TJ Hockenson for 19.. On 3rd and 9 from the Indianapolis 14, Darnold went to Jordan Addison for 10. Darnold went back to Addison for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. The Vikings took over at their own 20. Darnold went to Oliver for 11. Darnold ran for 11. On 3rd and 2 from the Indianapolis 42, Darnold went deep to Jefferson for 41 down to the one. On 3rd and goal from the 7, Darnold went to Nailor for the touchdown to make it 14-7 Vikings after three quarters.
Both quarterbacks threw fourth quarter interceptions, with Cross returning his pick of Darnold 20 yards to the Minnesota 25. On 3rd and 8, Flacco threw incomplete. Gay hit from 42 to get the Colts within 14-10. The Colts got it back at their own 21 and moved to a 4th and 2 at the Minnesota 40 with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Jonathan Gannon did not want to try a 58 yard field goal. He went for it and Flacco threw incomplete. Darnold from that spot went to Addison for 21. Aaron Jones gained 10. On 3rd and 1 from the Indy 19, Jones gained 6. Darnold went tom Oliver for a 14 yard touchdown to have the Vikings up 21-10 with 2:05 left. The Colts after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Minnesota 36 but only 30 seconds remained. Needing 2 scores, Gannon immediately went for the 54 yard field goal try. Gay delivered the field goal but not the onside kick. 21-13 Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs was the Monday night game. The Chiefs looked to stay unbeaten but have been winning close games. This one was played in a driving rain. A 30 yard punt return by Mecole Hardman set up the Chiefs at their own 45. They moved to a 1st and 10 at the Tampa Bay 20. An end around by Xavier Worthy was blown up for a 10 yard loss to kill the drive. Harrison Butker hit a 40 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Chiefs. After a touchback the Buccaneers faced 3rd and 6 at their own 34. Baker Mayfield was sacked but defensive holding meant 5 yards and a first down. The Buccaneers began the second quarter facing 3rd and 1 at their own 48. Shepard got around the end for 19. On 3rd and 9 from the Kansas City 20, Mayfield went to Shepard for 13. White ran for a 7 yard touchdown to cap the 11 play, 70 yard, 7 minute drive and make it 7-3 Buccaneers. After a touchback the Chiefs faced 2nd and 11 from their own 29. Patrick Mahomes went to Watson for 12. On 3rd and 10 from the Kansas City 41, Mahomes went to Watson for 19. On 3rd and 8 from the Tampa Bay 38, Mahomes went deep to Hopkins for 35. On 3rd and goal at the one, Mahomes went to Hopkins for the touchdown to make it 10-7 Chiefs.
A strong second half kickoff return had the Buccaneers in the third quarter just shy of midfield. On 3rd and 1, Tucker gained 5 with 15 tacked on for a horse collar penalty. Mayfield went to Jarrett for 9 and Cade Otton for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Buccaneers. A field position game had the Buccaneers with excellent field position at the Kansas City 41. Yet on 1st and 10 from the Kansas City 28, an offensive facemark penalty killed the drive. Chase McLaughlin hit a 47 yard field goal with make it 17-10 Buccaneers. After a touchback, Karim Hunt ripped off gains of 7, 9 and 4. On 3rd and 6 from midfield, Mahomes went to Hardman for 7. Hunt ran for 15, 8 and 4. The fourth quarter began with then Chiefs facing 3rd and goal at the 7. Mahomes went to Perine for the touchdown. The 12 play, 70 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive had the game tied 17-17.
The Chiefs got it back and soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 30. Mahomes went to Travis Kelce for 7. Despite getting stopped on 3rd and 1 from his own 46, Walrus Andy Reid gambled in his own territory with 9 minutes left in regulation. Hunt gained 3. On 3rd and 5 from the Tampa Bay 34, Mahoems went to Watson for 12. Hunt ran for 13. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Mahomes went to Hopkins for a 5 yard touchdown. The 15 play, 78 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive put the Chiefs up 24-17 with 4:17 left in regulation. With 2:08 left the Buccaneers faced 1st and 20 at their own 29. Mayfield went to Palmer for 14 and Shepard for 18. On 3rd and 1 from the Kansas City 40, White gained 9. Mayfield went to Shepard for 8 and Palmer for 19 down to the one. With 27 seconds left in regulation, Mayfield went to Miller for the one yard touchdown. With the weather bad, Todd Bowles was not going to try a 2 point conversion on the road. The game went into overtime tied 24-24.
After an opening touchback, Mahomes went to Hunt for 11. Mahomes went to Hopkins for 15. and Kelce for 15 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Tampa Bay 2, Hunt got the first down and the touchdown. The Buccaneers never saw the ball in overtime. The Chiefs got to 8-0 the hard way to make the Chiefs the only unbeaten NFL team in their quest for a three-peat. This makes Andy Reid a most happy Walrus indeed. 30-24 Chiefs, OT