NFL 2025 Week 6 Recap
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants was the Thursday night game. The Eagles were an angry bunch after blowing a 14 point fourth quarter lead at home to drop from the unbeaten ranks. They ere expected to take out their frustrations on the hapless Giants. The opening kickoff landed short of the landing zone to set up the Eagles at their own 40. Jake Elliott hit a 42 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Eagles. A strong kickoff return had the Giants at their own 46. On 3rd and 12, Jaxson Dart went deep to Humphrey for 34. On 3rd and 8 from the Philadelphia 20, Dart ran for the touchdown as the Giants led 7-3. The Giants got it back at their own 34. Dart went deep to Robinson for 26 and again to Robinson for a 35 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Giants had the surprising 13-3 lead.
The Eagles took over at their own 25. Jalen Hurts went deep to AJ Brown for 30 and to Dallas Goedert for 23. Hurts went to Goedert for a 3 yard touchdown to have the Eagles within 13-10. The Eagles got it back in the second quarter at their own 26. On 3rd and 7 Hurts went to Devonta Smith for 16, to Brown for 16 more, to Dotson for 17, to Goedert for 10, and to Brown for 9. hurts got stopped on 3rd and 1 from the Giants 3, but Nick Sirianni went for it. The entire football world knew what was coming, yet the Giants defense still couldn’t stop it. Hurts took the tush push for 2 yards. hurts took another tush push for the final yard to cap the 13 play, 74 yard, 8 minute drive. Midway through the second quarter, the Eagles had the 17-13 lead.
The Giants took over at their own 33. On 3rd and 6, Dart went to Humphrey for 9. Dart ran for 9 and Skattebo added 6 more. On 3rd and 4 from the Philadelphia 33, Dart went to Hyatt for 5 and for 6 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Philadelphia 6, Dart gained 2. Skattebo ran for the 4 yard touchdown as the Giants took a 20-17 lead to the locker rooms. The Giants took over at their own 44 in the third quarter. On 3rd and 1, Skattebo gained 3. On 3rd and 3 from the Philadelphia 17, Dart gained 4. Skattebo gained 12 and then ran for the one yard touchdown to make it 27-17 Giants. In the fourth quarter the Eagles reached the Giants 15. Yet Hurts was intercepted by Flott, who returned the pick 68 yards to the Philly 23. Defensive pass interference meant a 20 yard gain down to the one. Skattebo got in as 21 unanswered points gave the Giants a surprising win and the Eagles their second straight loss. 34-17 Giants
Denver Broncos at New York Jets was the Sunday early morning game from London. The Broncos are good. The Jets are terrible. Yet this game was a street fight. An early Broncos fumble led to a 52 yard Nick Folk field goal for the Jets. Wil Lutz countered from 57 and Folk hit again from 41 for a 6-3 Jets lead. The Broncos took over from their own 31. Bo Nix went to Cortland Sutton for 17. Sean Payton gambled on 4th and 5 from the Jets 43. Nix went to Evan Engram for 11. On 3rd and 6 from the Jets 32, Nix went to Engram for 16 and to Adkins for the 16 yard touchdown. It would turn out to be the only touchdown for either team. The Jets led 10-6 after the first quarter. After a scoreless second quarter, Folk hit from 38 in the third quarter. Offensive holding in the end zone against Denver gave the Jets a safety and an 11-10 lead after three quarters. Lutz hit from 27 to have the Broncos up by a deuce with 5 minutes left in regulation. With 1:15 left on 4th and 8 from his own 44, one more first down would give the Jets a chance at the winning field goal. instead, Justin Fields was sacked as the Broncos survived an ugly one. 13-11 Broncos
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers — The Steelers are good. The Browns have a decent defense but overall are not very good. Chris Boswell hit field goals of 44 yards in the first quarter and from 50 and 48 in the second quarter to make it 9-0 Steelers. The Browns managed a field goal before the half but this game was never competitive. In the third quarter the Steelers took over at their own 21. On 4th and 4 the Steelers punted but a killer running into the kicker penalty meant 5 yards and a first down. Smith then gained 10 and Anderson added 11. Aaron Rodgers went to DK Metcalf for 25. Warren added 10. Rodgers went to Hayward for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 16-3 Steelers. The Browns added another field goal but in the fourth quarter the Steelers took over at their own 27 and put the game away. Gainwell gained 10. Rodgers hit Wilson for 12. Warren ran for 9 and one. Rodgers hit Washington for 14 and Metcalf for the 25 yard touchdown to make ti 23-6 Steelers. The Browns responded with an 18 play drive…and a third field goal. With Joe Flacco traded to rival Cincinnati a few days earlier, Dillon Gabriel did not offer an improvement. 23-9 Steelers
Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins — 34 years after a playoff thriller between Dan Fouts and Don Strock, a good Chargers team looked to rebound against a terrible Dolphins team. While this certainly lacked the significance of the Air Coryell vs Don Shula thriller, it was a very competitive football game. Tua Tagovailoa was immediately intercepted to start, leading to a 35 yard Cameron Dicker field goal and a 3-0 Chargers lead. The Chargers then fumbled to give the Dolphins a short field just past midfield. One play and 8 seconds was enough for Devon Achane to race for a 49 yard touchdown and a 7-3 Dolphins advantage. Then came a battle of field goals. Dicker hit from 23 to have the Chargers within 7-6 after the first quarter. In the second quarter Riley Patterson missed from 57. Dicker hit from 29 to have the Chargers up 9-7. Yet Patterson connected from 47 and 27 to have the Dolphins up 13-9 at recess.
The Chargers took over at their own 28 in the third quarter. Haskins ran for 10. On 3rd and 5 from their own 43, Justin Herbert hit Keenan Allen for 7. Herbert hit Ladd McConkey for 16 and Will Dissly for 14. On 3rd and 2 from the Miami 12, Herbert hit Allen for 6. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Herbert went to McConkey for the touchdown and the 16-13 Chargers advantage. Tagovailoa was then intercepted to give the Chargers a short field at the Miami 37. Herbert went to Gadsden for 21. On 3rd and 1 from the Miami 7, Herbert went to Vidal for the touchdown. Dicker tacked on a 35 yard field goal with 13 minutes left in regulation as 17 straight points had the Chargers up 26-13.
The Dolphins took over at their own 31. On 2nd and 16, a low block penalty on the defense gifted the Dolphins 15 yards. Tagovailoa went to Alec Ingold for 22. On 3rd and 3 from the Chargers 15, Tagovailoa went to Washington for 6 with roughing the passer adding 4 more. Achane ran for a 4 yard touchdown to have the Dolphins within 26-20 midway through the fourth quarter. The Dolphins got it back at their own 18. Tagovailoa went to Washington for 7. Achne ran for 15. Tagovailoa hit Achane for 8. Tagovailoa hit Waddle for 13 and Hill for 7 and 14. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Tagovailoa went to Darren Waller for the touchdown. The Dolphins led 27-26 with only 46 seconds left in the game.
A strong kickoff return had the Chargers at their own 41. Herbert connected with McConkey fora 42 yard gain. Dicker came in for a 33 yarder to give the Chargers the lead. Dicker was good. with 5 seconds left. The Dolphins took over at their own 35. Tagovailoa has the Hail Mary arm strength, but he instead tried the hook and laterals. Hey, it worked for the Dolphins in the 1981 season in that playoff game. This time Tagovailoa was intercepted. Kellen Winslow was resting comfortably at home. Once again, the Chargers beat the Dolphins in a close one. 29-27 Chargers
New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints — The Patriots have been improving under Mike Vrabel while the Saints have been a mess. Early on Blake Grupe hit a 34 yard field goal for the Saints. The Patriots took over at their own 35. On 3rd and 9 Drake Maye hit Bouette for 11. Maye then went deep to Douglas for a 59 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Patriots. Grupe hit again from 48, but the Patriots offense kept rolling. On 3rd and 12 from their own 29 after offensive pass interference wiped out a touchdown pass, this time defensive pass interference on an incompletion meant a 21 yard gain. Henderson ran for 9 and 4. Maye went to Boutte for a 25 yard touchdown to have the Patriots up 14-6 after the first quarter.
The ensuing kickoff failed to reach the landing zone, setting up the Saints at their own 40. Spencer Rattler hit Shaheed for 17. Runs and short passes led to a 3rd and goal at the one. Taysom Hill got in to have the Saints within 14-13. Mike Vrabel went for it on 4th and 7 from the New Orleans 39. Out of the shotgun, Maye fumbled the snap and the Saints recovered. Grupe hit a 38 yard field goal to have the Saints up 16-14. With 1:51 left in the half, The Patriots took over at their own 27. Maye went to Douglas for 12. On 3rd and 1 from their own 48, Maye went to Hunter Henry for 12 and to Stefan Diggs for 11. Maye went to Boutte for a 29 yard touchdown. Vrabel went for 2 and Maye took it up the gut successfully. The Patriots led 22-16 at the half.
The second half was all defense. Borregales hit a 24 yard third quarter field goal for the Patriots and Grupe hit from 54 one minute into the fourth quarter to get the Saints back within 6 points. The Saints got it back and fumbled. On their next drive they punted with 4 minutes left. On 3rd and 11 from their own 30 with 2:40 left, Maye went to Boutte for 21 as the Saints did not get the ball back. 25-19 Patriots
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens — Both of these teams have been so good for so long that it is tough to picture either one as bad. Yet the Ravens are an injured mess. In the first quarter Tyler Loop hit a 37 yard field goal for the Ravens and Joshua Karty doinked a 26 yard try off the right upright no good. The teams then exchanged turnovers. Karty hit from 36 for a hideous 3-3 tie at the half. The Rams began the third quarter at their own 24. Matthew Stafford went to Davantae Adams for 21. On 3rd and 3 from the Baltimore 48, Stafford went to Mumpfield for 7. Sean McVay gambled on 4th and 2 from the Baltimore 33. Stafford went deep to Kyren Williams for 30. Williams ran for the 3 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Rams. The Ravens quickly fumbled the ball away and the Rams recovered at the Baltimore 21. Stafford went to Whittington for 13 and to Tyler Higbee for an 8 yard touchdown. The Ravens fumbled the ball away again as the fourth quarter was scoreless. The Ravens are 1-5 while the Rams got to 4-2 the hard way with defense. 17-3 Rams
Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts — Last week the Cardinals blew a double digit fourth quarter lead against previously winless Tennessee. The Cardinals gave away the game with a play that combined the Holy Roller with Jim Marshall’s wrong way run. Now they had to take on a Colts team that was lighting up the scoreboard. Former Colts starter Jacoby Brissett is now with the Cardinals, and he started in place of the injured Kyler Murray. The Colts began at their own 35. Daniel Jones hit Downs for 9 and 11. Jones hit Warren for 23. On 3rd and 5 from the Arizona 14, Jones hit Warren for 6 and again for an 8 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Colts lead. Later in the first quarter the Cardinals took over at their own 44. Brissett hit Higgins for 10. On 3rd and 1 from the Indianapolis 30, Brissett gained 4. On 3rd and 17 from the Indianapolis 33, Brissett went to McBride for 26. On 3rd and goal at the one, Knight got in to tie the game 7-7.
In the second quarter the quarterbacks traded interceptions. The Colts took over at their own 13. Jonathan Taylor gained 14 and 5. Amir Abdullah added 7. Jones hit Mo Alie-Cox for 16. Taylor ripped off a 30 yard gain. Jones ran for a 3 yard touchdown and a 14-7 Colts lead. The Cardinals reached the red zone but on 3rd and 8 from the Indy 14, Brissett was sacked. Ryland hit a 40 yard field goal to get the Cardinals within 14-10 at the midpoint. In the third quarter the Cardinals took over at their own 39. Brissett hit Knight for 20, McBride for 10 and Wilson for 11. On 3rd and 1 from the Indianapolis 8, Brissett gained 3. On 3rd and goal at the one, Brissett hit McBride for the touchdown as the Cardinals had their first lead up 17-14. Mike Badgley hit a 45 yard field goal for a 17-17 tie with 4 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Cardinals took over at their own 34. Defensive unnecessary roughness gave the Cardinals 15 yards. Brissett went to Jones for 21 and again for 11. Brissett found Greg Dortch for a 12 yard touchdown to have the Cardinals up 24-17 after three quarters. The colts took over at their own 33. Jones ran for 17. Jones hit Warren for 12 and Pierce for 26. Jones went to Downs for a 5 yard touchdown. For the third time on the day, the game was deadlocked 24-24 with 13 minutes left in regulation. The ensuing kickoff was short of the landing zone, setting up the Cardinals at their own 40. Ryland hit a 44 yard field goal to have the Cardinals back on top 27-24 with 9 1/2 minutes left.
The Colts took over at their own 34. Jones went to Pierce for 22. A defensive facemask penalty added 15. Taylor ran for 5, 10, 2, 2, and then the one yard touchdown. With 4 1/2 minutes left, the Colts had the 4 point lead in this topsy-turvy game. The Cardinals took over at their own 13 and moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Indy 9 with 1:10 left. Brissett threw incomplete and then was taken down for no gain. Everything came down to 4th and 7. Brissett threw incomplete as the Cardinals suffered another agonizing loss. For those who still believe Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon are the same person, that may not be the case. The Sons of Sirianni are going in opposite directions. Gannon has a 2-4 team while Steichen has the Colts sitting pretty at 5-1 on the year. 31-27 Colts
Seattle Seahawks at Jacksonville Jaguars — A pair of 4-2 teams played in North Florida, not in the de facto Jacksonville home in London. The Jaguars began at their own 39. On 3rd and 11 Trevor Lawrence went to Munot for 14. On 3rd and 16 from their own 46, Lawrence went to Thomas for 19, to Hunter for 14, and to Thomas for a 21 yard touchdown. Little missed the extra point but the Jaguars led 6-0 after the first quarter. In the second quarter the Seahawks moved from their own 28 to a 2nd and goal at the 4. A run went nowhere and then lost 2 yards. Jason Myers hit the 24 yard field goal to have the Seahawks within 6-3. The Seahawks got it back at their own 39 and needed only one play and 8 seconds. Sam Dranold went deep to Jackson Smith-Nigba for a 61 yard touchdown to make it 10-6 Seahawks.
Little missed a 50 yard field goal try with one minute left in the half. That allowed Myers to hit form 53 for a 13-6 Seahawks halftime lead. The Seahawks began the third quarter at their own 23. Kenneth Walker ran for 10. Darnold went to Smith-Nigba for 13 and to Cooper Kupp for 29. On 3rd and 3 from the Jacksonville 11, Darnold went to Kupp for the touchdown and the 20-6 Seahawks lead. The Jaguars after giving up 20 straight points tried to make a game of it. They marched 82 yards in 14 plays and 7 minutes. Lawrence hit Patrick for a 26 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed as the Jaguars trailed by 8 points with 13 minutes left in regulation. Neither team could move the ball after that as each team punted thrice. With 3 minutes left the Seahawks took over at their own 27. Rather than go conservative, Darnold went deep to Barner for a 61 yard gain. At the 2 minute warning, Myers hit a 27 yard field goal. Yet defensive holding caused Mike McDonald to take the points off the board. Darnold then took 3 knees to end the game. 20-12 Seahawks
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers — The Panthers are a bad team fighting hard while the Cowboys are an underachieving team with a defense that cannot stop anyone. In the first quarter Fitzgerald hit a 31 yard field goal for the Panthers while Brandon Aubrey answered from 23 for a 3-3 game. An interception of Bryce Young gave the Cowboys gift field position at the Carolina 12. The second quarter began with the Cowboys facing 4th and 1 at the Carolina 3. Brian Schottenheimer went for it and Dak Prescott hit Luepke for the touchdown to make it 10-3 Cowboys. The Panthers took over at their own 35. Rico Dowdle, determined to get revenge against his former team, ran for 11. Young went to Leggett for 15. Dowdle gained 12. Young found McMillan for a 19 yard touchdown for a 10-10 game.
The Cowboys took over at their own 23. Prescott went to George Pickens for 11. On 3rd and 11 from their own 35, defensive pass interference on an incompletion meant a 12 yard gain. On 3rd and 5 from the Carolina 48, Prescott hit Pickens for 12. On 4th and 4 from the Carolina 30 with 4 minutes left in the half, Brian Schottenheimer passed up a very makable 48 yard field goal. The gamble paid off as Prescott hit Pickens for 8. Prescott went to Ferguson for a 19 yard touchdown to cap the 13 play, 77 yard, 8 minute drive and make it 17-10 Cowboys advantage with 3:40 left in the half. The Panthers moved from their own 34 to the Dallas 37. Fitzgerald nailed a 55 yard field goal to get the Panthers within 17-13 at the half.
The Panthers began the third quarter at their own 20. Young immediately went to Horn for 34. Young then went deep to Dowdle for a 36 yard touchdown to have the Panthers back on top 20-17. Later in the third quarter the Cowboys took over at their own 27. Prescott went to Flournoy for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Dallas 43, roughing the passer on an incompletion gifted the Cowboys 15 yards. On 3rd and 2 from the Dallas 34 Prescott connected with Pickens for the touchdown as the Cowboys retook the lead 24-20 in this see-saw game. The Panthers took over at their own 35. Dowdle ran for 7, 7, 15, 4 and 3. On 3rd and 3 from the Dallas 7, Trevor Etienne gained 5. Young went to McMillan for a 5 yard touchdown. The fourth lead change had the Panthers up 27-24 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Cowboys moved from their own 30 and moved to a 1st and goal at the 8. Looking for the lead, a fumbled snap meant a one yard loss. Prescott threw incomplete twice. Aubrey hit from 28 for a 27-27 tie with 9 1/2 minutes left. With 6 minutes left the Panthers took over at their own 14. They moved 71 yards in 15 plays and used the entire 6 minutes to do it. The Dallas defense could not stop the run. Yet the key play came with 2 1/2 minutes left. Rather than try a 58 yard field goal, Dave Canales gambled on 4th and 4 from the Dallas 40. Young hit Hunter Renfrow for 7. Dowdle then ran for 9 and Etienne added 11. With 3 seconds left, Fitzgerald came on for a 33 yard field goal try for the win. Fitzgerald was good as the Panthers got to 3-3 on the year. The Cowboys are a 2-3-1 mess. Jerrah was ready to burn the stadium down for the insurance money until being reminded that the Cowboys were playing a road game. 30-27 Panthers
Tennessee Titans at Las Vegas Raiders — The Raiders came in as one of the worst teams in the league having lost 4 straight. Yet they ere at home against perhaps the worst team. The Titans were giddy at being gifted their first win of the season the previous week on a miracle play. If the Raiders could not win this game, they would probably be the league’s worst team. In the first quarter the Raiders held the ball for nearly 9 minutes. Naturally, they settled for a 50 yard Daniel Carlson field goal to make it 3-0 Raiders. In the second quarter the Titans fumbled deep in their own territory and the Raiders took over at the Tennessee 2 yard line. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Geno Smith went to Mayer for the touchdown to make it 10-0 Raiders.
The Raiders began the third quarter at their own 30 and actually had a complete offensive drive. Ashton Jeanty caught a 9 yard pass from Smith and then ran for 5 and 7 himself. On 4th and 1 from the Tennessee 38, Pete Carroll gambled despite being stopped on 3rd and 1. Smith hit Mayer for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the Tennessee 15, Smith went to Meyers for 8. On 3rd and goal at the 7, a sack of Smith was wiped out by a defensive facemark. Jeanty ran for a 3 yard touchdown to have the Raiders up 17-3. The Titans got on the board with a 46 yard Wright field goal, but Carlson answered from 29 to have the Raiders up 20-3 midway through the fourth quarter. The Titans managed a touchdown with 3 minutes left and got the ball back, but a sack of Cam Ward resulted in a fumble. It was far from pretty, but the Raiders are not the worst team in the NFL. Just Win Baby. 20-10 Raiders
San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — A pair of very good 4-1 football teams squared off. Mac Jones again filled in for the injured Brock Purdy. An early interception of Jones gave the Buccaneers golden field position at the San Francisco 12 yard line. White Ran for 10 and then the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. Eddie Pineiro hit a 52 yard field goal for the 49ers. The 49ers took over at their own 16 and Jones was quickly sacked and fumbled. The 49ers retained possession, and on 2nd and 16 Jones went deep to Bourne for a 56 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the Tampa Bay 24, Jones gained 2. On 3rd and goal t the 2, Christian McCaffrey only gained one but the defense jumped offside. So on 3rd and goal at the one, this time McCaffrey got in. The 10 play, 84 yard drive had the 49ers up 10-7 in the second quarter.
The Buccaneers took over at their own 32. Baker Mayfield went to rookie sensation Egbuka for 17 and to Cade Otton for 23. On 3rd and 1 from the San Francisco 17, White gained 4. Tucker got around the end for a 9 yard touchdown to have the Buccaneers in front 14-10. The 49ers moved from their own 37 to a 4th and 6 at the Tampa Bay 26 just before the 2 minute warning. Pineiro nailed the 54 yard field goal to have the 49ers within 14-13. The Buccaneers took over at their own 28. White ran for 9 and caught an 18 yard pass from Mayfield. Mayfield then hit Otton for 11. Mayfield then went deep to Johnson for a 34 yard touchdown.Roughing the passer moved the ball to the one. so Todd Bowles went for 2. The run failed so they got 0 but the Buccaneers still led 20-13 with 44 seconds left in the half.
Yet that was enough time for Pineiro to hit from 42 to end the half. In the third quarter from their own 24 the 49ers moved 65 yards on 14 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the Tampa Bay 11, Jones threw incomplete. Pineiro hit again from 29 as the 49ers were within 20-19 midway through the third quarter. The Buccaneers took over at their own 34. White gained 6, 3, and one 3rd and 1, a key 2 yards. On 3rd and 14 from their own 41, Mayfield knifed through the defense and banged his way ahead for a 15 yard game that lit up the home crowd at the newer Big Sombrero. Mayfield then went deep to Johnson for a 45 yard touchdown to have the Buccaneers up 27-19 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter a 49 yard field goal try by McLaughlin to lock up the win was no good. The 49ers moved to a 4th and 1 at the Tampa Bay 29. Kyle Shanahan went for it but the 49ers suffered a killer false start. On 4th and 5, Shanahan went for it again with 6 minutes left in the game. Jones went deep and was intercepted. The Buccaneer moved from their own 35 to the Frisco 27 at the 2 minute warning. From 45 yards out, this McLaughlin was good. In desperation mode on 4th and 6 from their own 38, a completion by Jones gained only 3 yards. Dink, dunk, death. Meanwhile the Buccaneers are bringing back Pewter Power. However, this is not ugly Buc Ball. They have a high octane offense. 30-19 Buccaneers
Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers — With Joe Burrow injured, newly acquired Joe Flacco played Green Bay again. He was with Cleveland when they shocked Green Bay in an ugly defensive slugfest. This game was scoreless after the first quarter. The Packers moved from their own 4 yard line to a 3rd and 8 at they Cincinnati 27 to start the second quarter. Jordan Love gained only 2. Havrisik hit a 43 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Packers. The Packers got it back at their own 20. On 3rd and 6 Love went to Wicks for just enough. On 3rd and 10 from their own 30, Love went deep to Golden for 35 and to Josh Jacobs for 29. Jacobs ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Packers. With one second left in the half, Evan McPherson came in for a chance at NFL history. A 67 yard field goal try would be an NFL record, but the kick was blocked.
The Bengals began the third quarter at their own 22 and embarked on a mind-numbing 17 play drive that moved 78 yards and took over 10 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and 1 from their own 31, Samaji Perine gained 2. On 3rd and 4 from the Green Bay 44, Falco hit Tee Higgins for 9. Flacco went back to Higgins for 13. Zac Taylor went for it on 4th and goal at the 2. Flacco went to Hudson for the touchdown to have the Bengals back in the game down 10-7. The Packers took over at their own 34. Love went to Romeo Doubs for 8. Jacobs ran for 11. Love hit Doubs for 12. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Jacobs banged up the gut and dragged people into the end zone for a 14 yard touchdown run and a 17-7 Packers lead.
The Bengals tried to make a game of it. A 45 yard field goal by McPherson got the Bengals within 17-10. The Packers took over at their own 38. Love went to Doubs fo 15 and to Jacobs for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Cincinnati 38, Love ran for 3. Jacobs gained 16. Love went to Kraft for a 19 yard touchdown to have the Packers up 24-10 midway through the fourth quarter. The Bengals took over at their own 35. Flacco went to JaMarr Chase for 9 and to Fant for 7. Defensive pass interference added 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Green Bay 30, Flacco went to Chase for 6. On 4th and 5 from the Green Bay 19, the Bengals were down to their last gasp. Flacco went to Chase for the touchdown. Zac Taylor went for a completely unnecessary 2 point conversion. Flacco hit Brown as the Bengals were within 24-18 with 4 minutes left.
The Packers moved from their own 38 to a 4th and 2 at the Cincinnati 21. Havrisik hit 39 yard field goal to give the Packers breathing room up by 9 with 1:52 left. In desperation mode, the Bengals moved into position for McPherson to try a 56 yard field goal with 46 seconds left. McPherson’s kick was no good. The Bengals were game, but the results were the same. 27-18 Packers
Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs was the Sunday night game. 2 years ago the Lions put the entire football world on notice that they were a completely different football team. They went into Kansas City in the 2023 season opener and shocked the defending champion Chiefs 21-20. This time the Lions came in a confident 4-1 and winners of 4 straight while the Chiefs were hearing some doubters at 2-3. The Lions began the game at their own 29 and moved 61 yards in 15 plays in a drive that took over 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. On 4th and goal at the one, it was time for the first Dan Campbell gamble.
Campbell went to his big bag of trucks. David Montgomery took the wildcat snap and threw it to quarterback Jared Goff. Goff appeared stopped but followed a blocker into the end zone. Yet it was all for naught. Goff was called for illegal motion since he was not set before the snap of the ball. This is why he plays quarterback and not receiver. On 4th and goal at the 5, Campbell appeared to go for it again but it was just gamesmanship. After a delay of game, Jake Bates hit the 28 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Lions.
The Chiefs took over at their own 30. Patrick Mahomes went to Travis Kelce for 15 and to Juju Smith-Schuster for 30. Isaiah Pacheco ran for 11. On 4th and 3 at the Detroit 6, this time it was Walrus Andy Reid going big and bold. Passing up a 24 yard field goal try, Mahomes hit Xavier Worthy for the touchdown. Harrison Butker missed the extra point but the Chiefs led 6-3. The Lions took over at their own 29. Goff went to Sam LaPorta for 26. Montgomery ran for 13. On 3rd and 3 from the Kansas City 22, Goff went to Williams for the touchdown and the 10-6 Lions lead early in the second quarter.
The Chiefs took over at their own 31 and moved to a 4th and 1 at the Detroit 19. Walrus Andy Reid went for it again and this time Mahomes threw incomplete. The Lions moved from their own 20 to a 4th and 2 at the Kansas City 44. Dan Campbell with 2:45 left in the half gambled again. Goff threw incomplete as both teams turned it over on downs. With excellent field position, Mahomes went to Malcolm Hollywood Brown for 13. On 3rd and 10 from the Detroit 32, MAhomes threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 14 yards. Mahomes then hit Kelce for 17. Mahomes got the last yard as the Chiefs led 13-10 at the intermission.
The Chiefs took over in the third quarter at their own 19. Mahomes went to Smith for 9 and to Gray for 19. Mahoems hit Kelce for 13. Mahoems ran for 11 and hit Karim Hunt for 11 more. Mahomes found Brown for the 9 yard touchdown and the 20-10 Chiefs lead. The Lions also took over at their own 19 and Goff went to Montgomery for 23, to Amra St. Brown for gains of 12, 11 and 6. Goff hit Williams for 6 and to Montgomery for 14. The fourth quarter began with Goff hitting Brown for 5 and LaPorta for the 4 yard touchdown. Matching 81 yard drives came in different ways as Goff passed 8 straight times with 0 runs. The Lions were right back in it down 20-17. Goff and Mahomes a few years ago put on an aerial show that saw Goff outlast Mahomes 54-51. There was not enough time in this game for those astronomical numbers.
The Chiefs took over at their own 31. Roughing the passer gifted the chefs 15 yards. Mahomes went to Worthy for 14 and to Smith-Schuster for 10. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Mahomes went to Brown for the touchdown. With 9 1/2 minutes left, the Chiefs led 27-17. A 21 yard punt return gave the Chiefs the ball back just past midfield. Butker hit from 33 to have the Chiefs up by 13 with 2 1/2 minutes left. On 2nd and 1 from his own 36, Goff threw 3 straight incompletions. It was a decisive win, and a fight at the end of the game marred things. Dan Campbell apologized for his player who started the melee by throwing a punch. The Lions are still 4-2, while the Chiefs got to 3-3 to make Andy Reid a most relieved Walrus indeed. 30-17 Chiefs
Buffalo Bills at Atlanta Falcons was the early Monday night game. The Bills were expected to steamroll the overmatched and inconsistent Falcons. The Falcons took over at their own 31 and fumbled the ball on the first play from scrimmage but retained possession. The defense jumped offside on the play. Michael Penix went to London for 23 and again for 10. Bijan Robinson ran for 8 and Tyler Allgeier ran for a 2 1yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. The Bills took over at their own 27. Josh Allen went deep to Palmer for 45. On 3rd and 13 from the Atlanta 19, Allen went to Dawson Knox for the touchdown and a 7-7 ballgame.
The Falcons took over at their own 34. On 3rd and 3, Penix threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 5 yard gain. On 3rd and 7 just shy of midfield, Penix went to London for 20. Robinson gained 22. On 3rd and goal at the 9, Penix went to London for the touchdown and the 14-7 Falcons lead. The Falcons got it back at their own 19 and needed only one play. Robinson got through the line and raced for an 81 yard touchdown run as the Falcons had the surprising 21-7 lead at the half.
The Bills took over at their own 27 in the third quarter. Cook gained 8 and 7. Allen hit Shakir for 9 and Shavers for 8. Cook ran for 12 and 7. Allen went to Davis for a 16 yard touchdown. The Bills were within 21-14 and there were still nearly 25 minutes of football left. Late in the third quarter Sean McDermott gambled on 4th and 2 from the Atlanta 46. Allen threw incomplete. A 37 yard field goal try by Romo to give the Falcons breathing room was blocked. Yet midway through the fourth quarter the Falcons embarked on a 14 play, 68 yard drive that took 5 minutes off the clock. From 33 yards out with 1:43 left, this time Romo was good to lock up the surprising home win. 24-14 Falcons
Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders was the late Monday night game. Last year the Bears lost at Washington on a miracle Hai Mary that sent the Bears spiraling downward and launched the Commanders to the NFC Title Game. Last week the Bears overcame an 8 point road deficit late to win 25-24 by blocking a field goal on the final play. Marcus Mariota played well enough in relief, but the Commanders were glad to have Jayden Daniels back from injury. Jake Moody hit first quarter field goals of 47 and 48 to have the Bears up 6-0 rater the first quarter. The latter kick was set up by an interception of Daniels. On their next offensive series the Commanders fumbled the ball away. The Bears took over at the Washington 36. Deandre Swift ran for 5 and 12. The Bears began the second quarter with Williams running for a one yard touchdown for a surprising 13-0 Bears lead.
The Commanders took over at their own 35 and finally woke up. Daniels went to Moore for 11. On 3rd and 6 from the Chicago 48, Daniels threw incomplete but a defensive facemark gifted the Commanders 15 yards. Things got crazier from the Chicago 22. Daniels was sacked and fumbled and picked up his own fumble to save the drive. On the next play Daniels went to Moore for a 22 yard touchdown to have the Commanders within 13-7. The Bears moved from their own 26 to a 4th and 1 at the Washington 31. Ben Johnson passed up a 49 yard field goal try and went for it. Caleb Williams threw incomplete. Yet a 50 yard field goal try for the Commanders by Matt Gay doinked off the left upright good. Gay was not straight enough. In the third quarter from 53, Gay was straight as the Commanders got within 13-10.
Jake Moody responded from 41 to have the Bears back up 16-10. The Commanders took over at their own 16. Croskey-Merritt gained 8 and 3. Daniels ran for 18. On 3rd and 2 from the Chicago 47, Daniels went to McNichols for 13. Daniels went deep to McCaffrey for a 33 yard touchdown. The Commanders had their first lead up 17-16. The fourth quarter began with Moody attempting a 48 yard field goal try to give the Bears the lead. His kick was blocked. The Commanders took over at their own 27. Daniels went to sac hertz for 11.Daniels went deep to Lame for 37. Daniels went back to Ertz for a 6 yard touchdown for a 24-16 Commanders lead with 11 1/2 minutes left. The previous week the Bears overcame a 24-16 fourth quarter deficit. Now they would have to do it again.
The Bears took over at their own 39. On 3rd and 4 Williams went to Swift for a 55 yard touchdown. Ben Johnson went for the tying 2 point conversion but Williams threw incomplete. With a full 10 1/2 minutes left the Bears were within 24-22. With 6 minutes left the Commanders took over at their own 39. With 3:10 left, the Commanders faced 3rd and 1 at the Chicago 40. Another first down would have the Commanders closer to running out the clock. Rather than go smash mouth, Daniels was in the shotgun. Then all hell broke loose. The snap was horrible and low, and Daniels scrambled to recover the fumble. Instead, the Bears recovered at their own 44. From the Washington 33, Swift ripped off a key 15 yard gain. That allowed the Bears to take the clock down to nearly triple zeroes. With everything on the line, Moody came in for a 38 yard field goal try for the win. Moody’s kick was good as the Bears survived another harrowing win by the exact same score. 25-24 Bears