NFL 2025 Week 10 Recap
This was a week of sadness for the NFL family. Beloved former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue presided over a golden age with expansion and labor peace. He left this world at age 84.
In a shockingly tragic turn of events, the world also lost Dallas Cowboys defensive player Marshawn Kneeland. Last Monday, Kneeland recovered the football in the opposing end zone for his first and only NFL touchdown. Three days later on Thursday, he was dead by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Details are murky and wounds are raw.
Hug your loved ones. Football is not life and death, but it is an oasis away from pain. With that, the rest of this column will focus only on football.
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos was the Thursday night game. This was not the worst game ever played, but both teams would be well served by burning the tape of this game. The teams combined for barely 400 yards of total offense. A field position game had the Raiders taking over at the Denver 41 in the first quarter. On 3rd and 2 from the Denver 4, Ashton Jeanty ran for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Raiders. In the second quarter Pete Carroll gambled on 4th and 5 from the Denver 38. Geno Smith was sacked to set up the Broncos at their own 47. Bo Nix hit Franklin for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-7 at the half. In the third quarter Wil Lutz missed a 59 yard field goal try. With 3 minutes left in the third quarter, AJ Cole had his punt blocked. The Broncos took over at the Raiders 12 and went backward. Lutz hit from 32 to have the Broncos up by 3 after three quarters. An interception of Nix gave the Raiders a short field midway through the fourth quarter. With 4 1/2 minutes left from 48 yard out, Daniel Carlson’s field goal try to tie the game was no good. Carlson also missed an extra point last week in a one point loss. Given no help from the offense, the Raiders defense eventually broke and gave up the first downs that allowed the Broncos to run out the clock and end this miserable horrible awful game. The Raiders are 2-7 and getting worse. 10-7 Broncos
Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts was the Sunday early morning game from Berlin, Germany. An early Atlanta fumble set up the Colts at the Atlanta 23. Dulin ran for 22 and Jonathan Taylor got the last yard to make it 6-0 Colts. The extra point was no good. The Falcons took over at their own 19. Michael Penix went to Brooks for 30 and to London for 13. Defensive pass interference added 20. Tyler Allgeier ran for 13 and then for the one yard touchdown for a 7-6 Falcons lead. After a touchback, the Colts struck quickly. Taylor ran for 28 and Daniel Jones went to Pierce for a 37 yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Colts. Yet after the first quarter, the colts offense went ice cold.
In the second quarter Mike Badgley missed a 53 yard field goal try that would have put the Colts up 16-7. Instead, midway through the second quarter, the Falcons took o ver at their own 45. Penix went to Woerner for 14 and to London for 13. Penix found London for a 16 yard touchdown to make it 14-13 Falcons at the half. Zane Gonzalez hit a 43 yard field goal to have the Falcons up 17-13 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Colts finally woke up.
A 24 yard punt return to start the fourth quarter had the Colts with a short field at the Atlanta 47. Badgley hit a 34 yard field goal to get the Colts within 17-16. The Colts got it back at their own 9 yard line. On 2nd and 2, Taylor broke through the line and raced for an 83 yard touchdown. Shane Steichen went for 2 unsuccessfully but the Colts led 22-17 with 6 minutes left in regulation.
The Falcons took over at their own 29. Penix went to London for 15 and to Bijan Robinson for 8. Allgeier ran for a pair of 7 yard gains. Penix went to Pitts for 13. Allgeier gained 10, 8, and then the one yard touchdown. Raheem Morris went for 2 and Penix hit London to have the Falcons up 25-22 with 1:44 left in regulation. A 49 yard kickoff return by Amir Abdullah had the Colts taking over at the Atlanta 48.
A sack of Jones had the Colts facing 3rd and 21 from their own 41. Jones scrambled for a 19 yard gain. On 4th and 2 from the Atlanta 40, Shane Steichen didn’t want to try a 58 yard field goal. So he went for it. Jones hit Warren for 10. With 25 seconds left in regulation, Badgley came in for a 44 yard try. His kick was good and the game went to overtime tied 25-25.
The Falcons got the ball to start overtime but punted. The Colts took over at their own 43. Jones went to Warren for 23. Taylor did the rest, running for 7, one, and on 3rd and 2 from the Atlanta 25, 11. Taylor then ran for 6 and capped off the game with an 8 yard touchdown run. It was harrowing, but the Colts survived the very first NFL game in Berlin to get to 8-2 on the year. The Colts running game pounded the Falcons with 323 yards rushing on 41 carries, nearly 8 yards per carry. Jonathan Taylor had a whopping 244 rushing yards on 32 carries. 31-25 Colts, OT
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets — A pair of bad teams played. In the first quarter the Browns took over at their own 5 yard line. On 3rd and 4, defensive pass interference meant a 29 yard gain. Corley ran for 16 and Dillon Gabriel hit Jerry Jeudy for 13. On 3rd and 4 from the Jets 25, Gabriel gained 8 with defensive holding adding 5 more. Gabriel found David Nook for a 9 yard touchdown.
The Browns led 7-0, but 13 seconds later the game was tied. Nwangwu returned the ensuing kickoff for a 99 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. 3 plays and 36 seconds later, the Jets had the lead. Williams returned a punt 74 yards as 2 special teams touchdowns in one minute made it 14-7 Jets after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, an interception of Justin Fields was returned by Hickman 15 yards to the Jets 22. One play and 7 seconds later, the game was tied. Gabriel went to Jeudy for the touchdown and a 14-14 game. Nick Folk hit a 26 yard field goal to give the Jets the lead, but Szmyt hit from 45 to tie the game 17-17 at the half. The third quarter was scoreless.
The Jets faced 3rd and 4 at their own 48 late in the third quarter. Breece Hall gained 6. On 3rd and 2 from the Cleveland 38, Hall gained 3. The fourth quarter began with the Jets facing 2nd and 17 at the Cleveland 42. Fields connected with Hall for a touchdown and a 24-17 Jets lead. Kevin Stefanski gambled on 4th and 1 from the Jets 33. Gabriel was sacked. That led to a 37 y yard Nick Folk field goal to have the Jets up 27-17 with 6:13 to play.
Needing 2 scores, Szmyt hit from 29 to have the Browns within 7 with 3 minutes left. Kevin Stefanski decided to kick it deep and rely on his stout defense rather than go onside. With one minute left and the Browns out of timeouts, everything came down to the Jets facing 4th and 5 just shy of midfield. Rather than punt the ball Aaron Glenn decided to go for it. It was a ploy to get the Browns to jump into the neutral zone, and the defense bit. After starting 0-7, the Jets have won 2 straight. 27-20 Jets
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans — This was a crazy one. With CJ Stroud injured, Davis Mills began the game by throwing an interception. Cam Little hit a 3 2yard field goal for a 3-0 Jaguars lead. The Texans fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set up the Jaguars a the Houston 19. Trevor Lawrence hit Washington for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Jaguars. In the second quarter the Texans punted and Washington returned it 73 yards for a touchdown and a 17-0 Jaguars lead.
Matt Wright hit a 23 yard field goal to get the Texans on the board. Little answered from 53 to make it 20-3 Jaguars. After a touchback Mills hit Higgins for 11 and Nico Collins for 19. Roughing the passer added 15. Mills hit Collins for 16. Marks ran for a one yard touchdown. The Texans were within 20-10 but the Jaguars kept coming in the third quarter. Little hit from 33 to make it 23-10 Jaguars. The Texans turned it over on downs and the Jaguars took over at their own 42. Lawrence went to Meters for 11. On 3rd and 17 from their own 45, Lawrence went to Mundt for 21 and to Trammell for 18. Travis Etienne ran for a 6 yard touchdown for a 29-10 Jaguars lead after three quarters. Liam Cohen’s 2 point try failed, but this game was a blowout.
The Texans soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 40. Mills hit noel for just enough as the third quarter ended. With 13 minutes left in regulation, the Texans were down to their last gasp, facing 4th and 2 at the Jacksonville 17. Mills hit Noel for 5. For the Jaguar, this was Failure to Close Out 1, FCO1. Mills went to Higgins for a 12 yard touchdown and to Collins for the 2 point conversion. For the Jaguars, this was FCO2 but The Texans still trailed 29-18. The Jaguars punted and the Texans took over just shy of midfield. Mills went to Collins for 22. Marks ran for 10. On 3rd and 3 from the Jacksonville 7, Mills went to Dalton Schultz for then touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Texans were within 29-24 midway through the fourth quarter. For the Jaguars this was FCO3.
The Texans got the ball back with 6 minutes left but they were pinned at their own 7 yard line. On 3rd and 10, Mills went to Schultz for 20. This was FCO4. Nick Chubb ripped off gained of 12 and 7. On 3rd and 3 from the Jacksonville 31, Mills hit Marks for 6. Defensive pass interference added 23 yards. With 30 seconds left in regulation, the Texans faced 3rd and goal at the 14. Mills scrambled all the way for the touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Texans had come all the way back to lead 30-29. This was FCO5. Yet the game was not over.
Despite blowing a big lead, the Jaguars needed only a field goal to win. The Jaguars moved from their own 33 to their own 45. Lawrence went to Washington for 12 and very long field goal range. Little a few weeks ago set the NFL record with a 68 yard field goal. Yet this time the gain was wiped away by offensive illegal use of hands. On 1st and 20, Lawrence was sacked and fumbled. Rankins ripped it out of Lawrence’s hands and rumbled 32 yards the other way for a defensive touchdown as the clock ran out. No extra point was attempted. A shocking 26 point fourth quarter turned a 19 point deficit into a division win. 36-29 Texans
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins — The Bills are a legitimate Super Bowl contender coming of an emotional win over Kansas City. The Dolphins are a disaster. The Bills were going for the sweep. In the first quarter the Dolphins took over at their own 8 yard line. On 3rd and 1, Alec Ingold gained 6. Tua Tagovailoa found Devon Achane for 15. Achane ran for 7 and 15, with 15 more tacked on for defensive unnecessary roughness. Achane added 9 and 3. Tagovailoa hit Washington for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Dolphins. Sean McDermott gambled on 4th and 1 just past midfield. Josh Allen threw incomplete. Tagovailoa went to Jalen Waddle for 14. On the first play of the second quarter Tagovailoa went deep to Waddle for a 38 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Dolphins led 13-0. A Buffalo fumble led to a 46 yard Riley Patterson field goal. in a shocker, the Dolphins led 16-0 at the half and after a scoreless third quarter.
The Bills tried to get back into it in the fourth quarter. From their own 2 yard line, they mounted a 98 yard touchdown drive. Allen went to Coleman for a 35 yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed. The Bills were within 16-6 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Tagovailoa was then intercepted. Yet there would be no comeback as the Bills fumbled the ball back. Two plays later Achane ran for a 59 yard touchdown to make it 23-6 Dolphins. The Bills managed one more touchdown as Allen went Hawes for a 26 yard score, but they were still down 23-13 with only 3 1/2 minutes left. The onside kick failed. 3 plays later on 3rd and 8 from the Buffalo 35, Achane broke free for another touchdown to ice the game. Achane ran for 174 yards on 22 carries for nearly 8 yards per carry and 2 touchdowns as the Dolphins got the shocking blowout win. 30-13 Dolphins
New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Tom Brady played for both these teams, but this game was a big deal because both teams came in with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. The Buccaneers began at their own 35. Baker Mayfield went to Egbuka for 24. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 28, Tucker gained 7. Mayfield went to egbuka for a 2 1yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. The Tampa Bay defense was dominating until the last play of the first quarter. Drake Maye went bombs away to Williams for a 72 yard touchdown and a 7-7 tie. Chase McLaughlin hit a 36 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Buccaneers midway through the second quarter, but then the Patriots took over.
From their own 22. Maye went to Stefan Diggs for 19 and to Mack Hollins for 12. On 3rd and 7 from the Tampa Bay 40, Maye went to Douglas for 26. On 3rd and 2 from the Tampa Bay 6, Henderson gained 5. From the one, MAye got stopped and Henderson got taken down twice. Mike Vrabel went for it on 4th and goal at the one with 2 seconds left in the half. Maye went to Diggs for the touchdown to cap the 14 play, 78 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive as the bold gamble had the Patriots up 14-10. After a third quarter touchback, the Patriots struck quickly. Maye hit Hollins for 10. Henderson then ripped off a 55 yard touchdown. The Patriots were able to double up before and after the half for a 21-10 third quarter lead.
The Buccaneers took over at their own 8. On 3rd and 1, With gained 2. Defensive pass interference added 22. Mayfield found Egbuka for 11 and Cade Otton for 13. Johnson gained 11. On 3rd and goal at the 10, Mayfield went to Johnson for 10. Todd Bowles went for 2 unsuccessfully, but the Buccaneers were within 21-16 after three quarters. The defense dug in, but the dagger came with 90 seconds left. Looking to just run out the clock, Henderson ripped off a 69 yard touchdown run to make it 28-16 Patriots. Mayfield hit Johnson for an 11 yard touchdown with 33 seconds left, but the onside kick failed. The Patriots are 8-2 and the Buccaneers fell to 6-3 on the year. 28-23 Patriots
New York Giants at Chicago Bears — With light snow flurries coming down, these teams played a game that had ramifications after it ended. Both teams turned it over on downs on their first drive. With a short field, the Bears began at the Giants 47. On 3rd and 9, Caleb Williams was sacked but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. Williams went to Odunze for 15. On 3rd and 9 from the Giants 23, Williams found Odunze for 15 again. Monangai ran for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bears after the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Giants took over at their own 20. Jaxson Dart calmly went deep to Darrius Slayton for monster gains of 31 and 38. On 3rd and 2 from the Chicago 3, Dart ran it in to make it 7-7. Both teams turned it over on downs again, but newly acquired and former Atlanta kicker Younghoe Koo hit from 32 to make it 10-7 Giants at the half. A strong kickoff return had the Giants starting the third quarter at their own 44. On 3rd and 5, Dart went to Robinson for 7. Tracy ran for 16. Dart raced for a 24 yard touchdown for a 17-7 Giants lead. A Giants fumble led to a 22 yard field goal late in the third quarter, but the Giants moved to a 2nd and goal at the one in the fourth quarter. A run lost a yard and then another run gained the yard back. Russell Wilson was in for the injured Dart. On 4th and goal at the one, a touchdown would all but ice the game.
Brian Daboll opted for the field goal. Koo hit from 19. The Giants led 20-10 with 10 minutes left. A few weeks earlier they led at Denver 19-0 after three quarters and gave up 33 fourth quarter points. This time they needed to protect a 10 point lead. Things looked good when the Bears turned it over on downs yet again. The Giants moved to a 4th and 6 at the Chicago 39. A 57 yard field goal try would force the Bears to need to score 2 touchdowns. Going for it and converting would allow the Giants to grind down more clock. Instead, Daboll punted.
The Bears got it back at their own 9 with 6:13 to play. Williams ran for 7 and found Loveland for 10. On 3rd and 10 from their own 26, Williams found Loveland for 20. Williams found Odunze for 18. Williams then ran for 29. Williams hit Odinze for a 2 yard touchdown. The Bears were within 20-17 but only 4 minutes remained. After a touchback, Wilson was sacked. On 3rd and 7 needing a first down to really tighten the screws, Wilson was sacked again. A shanked 26 yard punt gave the Bears the ball with 3 minutes left at their own 47 needing only a field goal to tie.
Williams went deep to Burden for 27. Williams then scrambled for a 17 yard touchdown to give the Bears the 4 point lead with 1:47 left. After a touchback from their own 46, Wilson completed a pass for no gain and then threw 3 straight incompletions. The Bears are a surprising 6-3 on the year. The Giants had blown another fourth quarter double digit lead to drop to 2-8. Brian Daboll was fired the day after the game. Meanwhile, Dart needs to find a way to play less reckless or he will keep getting injured. 24-20 Bears
Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings — The Ravens have been revitalized since Lamar Jackson returned while the Vikings were coming off an emotional win at Detroit. The Vikings began facing 3rd and 6 at their own 18. JJ McCarthy hit Justin Jefferson for 10. On 3rd and 4 from their own 34, McCarthy went deep to Jalen Nailor for 62. Aaron Jones ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Vikings. After that came the field goal kickers. Tyler Loop hit from 44 in the first quarter to get the Ravens on the board. Will Reichard hit from 49 in the second quarter to make it 10-3 Vikings. Loop hit from 28 and 30 in the second quarter and from 22 in the third quarter to make it 12-10 Ravens. The fourth field goal was set up by an interception of McCarthy.
The Vikings self-destructed, fumbling on the ensuing kickoff to set up the Ravens at the Minnesota 23. Justice Hill ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 19-10 Ravens. The Vikings turned it over on downs, but Loop’s 5th field goal try from 56 was no good. Reichard hit from 43 to have the Vikings within 19-13. The Ravens took over at their own 33. Jackson hit Derrick Henry for 8 and Henry ran for 14. Jackson found Deandre Hopkins for 9. Henry ran for 5, 8, one, and on 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 22, 5 followed by 6. On 3rd and 2 from theMinnesota 9, Jackson ran for 7. Jackson hit Mark Andrews for the 2 yard touchdown. John Harbaugh went for 2 and Jackson hit Rashad Bateman successfully to make it 27-13 Ravens with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Vikings took over at their own 35 with 5 1/2 minutes left. McCarthy went to Jordan Addison for 26. For the Ravens, this was FCO1. Defensive pass interference added 9. On 4th and 10 from the Baltimore 35, McCarthy found Naylor for 28. On 4th and goal at the 10, McCarthy found Naylor for the touchdown. with 3 1/2 minutes left. This was FCO2. Kevin O’Connell went for a pointless 2 point try that failed. The Ravens fumbled the ensuing kickoff but were lucky to retain possession at their own 17. A couple of first downs would end it. On 3rd and 1 from their own 26, Picard gained 3. At the 2 minute warning on 3rd and 4 from their own 35, Jackson threw incomplete. This was FCO3. The Vikings got the ball back at their own 8 yard line with 1:44 left. With 21 seconds left on 4th and 4 from their own 40, McCarthy threw incomplete as the valiant comeback attempt came up short. Both teams are 4-5, but the Ravens have reason for optimism. They are 3-0 since Jackson returned from his injury. 27-19 Ravens
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers — The Panthers had been playing good football in recent weeks and were coming off an emotional win at Green Bay. All they had to do was defeat a horrendous Saints team utterly bereft of talent. The Panthers began at their own 33. On 3rd and 8 from their own 46, Bryce Young threw incomplete but the defense jumped offsides. On 3rd and 3, Young gained 6. Young hit Mcmillan for 11. On 3rd and 9 from the New Orleans 31, Young was intercepted but roughing the passer wiped out the pick and gave the Panthers 15 yards. Rico Dowdle ran for a 5 yard touchdown run. The Panthers led 7-0 but inexplicably took the remaining 52 minutes off.
On 4th and goal at the 2 after an incompletion, Kellen Moore played it safe. Blake Grupe hit the 21 yard field goal to get the Saints within 7-3. In the second quarter the Saints faced 4th and 1 at their own 34. This time Kellen Moore went for a ridiculously bold and dangerous gamble. Taysom Hill came in and gained 2. Shoulgh then went deep to Chris Olave for a 62 yard touchdown to have the Saints up 10-7 at the half. The third quarter was scoreless. In the third quarter Fitzgerald’s 48 yard field goal try to tie the game was blocked. Yet after it crossed the line of scrimmage it touched a Saints player, making it a live ball. Think Leon Lett. Yet despite the Panthers gifted a first down at the New Orleans 30, Young fumbled at the 15 and the Saints recovered.
The Saints moved to a 4th and 4 at the Carolina 32 early in the fourth quarter. Rather than try a 50 yard field goal, Dave Canales went for it and Shough was sacked. Yet 2 plays later, Young was intercepted. The Saints took over at the Carolina 43. Though hit Mitchell-Padsen for 14. On 3rd and 10 from the Carolina 30, Though went deep to Johnson for the touchdown. The Saints got their second win of the year and though got his first NFL win. 17-7 Saints
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks are very good. The Cardinals are quite bad. Sometimes a bad team can go on the road and shock a good team in a major upset. This was not that game. Goliath beat the daylights out of David. The Seahawks began facing 3rd and 5 at their own 40. Sam Darnold went to Cooper Kupp for 7. On 3rd and 1 from the arizona 44, Darnold went deep to Jackson Smith-Nigba for the touchdown and the 7-0 Seahawks lead. Jacoby Brissett was then sacked and fumbled. Lawrence returned the fumble 34 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 14-0 Seahawks. The Seahawks got it back at their own 19. Shaheed gained 10. Darnold went to Smith-Nigba for 17 and 14. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. Holani ran for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 21-0 Seahawks after the first quarter. It was deja vu all over again in the second quarter as Brissett was sacked and fumbled again. It was Lawrence again, this time for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 28-0 Seahawks. The Seahawks got it back and soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 30. Darnold connected with Smith-Nigba for 67 yards. Charbonnet ran for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 35-0 Seahawks. A few years ago the Seahawks blanked the Cardinals 58-0. This time they took mercy. Arizona eventually got 3 touchdowns. The Seahawks tacked on 3 field goals to complete the blowout and get to 7-2 on the season. 44-22 Seahawks
Detroit Lions at Washington Commanders — Last year the Commanders shocked the 15-2 Lions in Detroit in the playoffs. Yet this year the Lions are back to rolling on offense while the Commanders have severely regressed. Last year injuries did the Lions in. This year, the Commanders. The Lions began at their own 22. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 8 and 3. Jared Goff hit Amon-Ra St Brown for 16. On 3rd and 6 from the Washington 35, Goff hit Williams for 14. Goff went to Gibbs for a 14 yard touchdown for a 7-0 Lions lead. The Commanders managed a field goal but the Lions kept coming. After a touchback, Goff went to St. Brown for 16. David Montgomery ran for 12. Goff went to Sam Laporta for 14. On 3rd and 7 from the Washington 20, Goff hit Laporta for 8. On 3rd and 7 from the Washington 9, Goff went to St. Brown for the touchdown to make it 14-3 Lions. The Lions got it back from their own 13. Gibbs ran for 9 and 28. On 3rd and 2 from the Washington 34, Gibbs gained 3. Goff hit Raymond for 13. Gibbs ran for a 13 yard touchdown. A defensive personal foul resulted in a disqualification and led Dan Campbell to go for 2. Montgomery got in to make it 22-3 Lions in the second quarter.
The Commanders managed a touchdown before the half but the Lions just kept pounding. Jake Bates hit a 22 yard field goal to end the half with the Lions up 25-10. The Lions began the third quarter at their own 28. Williams ran for 22. Goff hit TeSlaa for 11. Gibbs ran for 14. Goff hit Williams for 11 and again for a 14 yard touchdown to make it 32-10 Lions. The Commanders would reach the end zone once in the third quarter and once in the fourth quarter, while the Lions tacked on one field goal in each of he final two quarters in addition to one more touchdown. Naturally, it was Gibbs racing for a 43 yard touchdown. Goff was a spectacular 25 of 33 for 320 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. The Lions gashed the Washington defense for 226 rushing yards on 33 carries, nearly 7 yards per carry. Gibbs led with 142 yards on 15 carries for nearly 10 yards per carry. One year after reaching the NFC Title Game, the Commanders are a 3-7 injured mess. 44-22 Lions
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers — Both of these teams started the year hot but the 49ers have struggled in recent weeks under a hail of injuries. Mac Jones has filled in adequately for Brock Purdy, including leading a win over the Rams in Los Angeles. Yet the road team often wins this game. Kyle Shanahan just seems to have Sean McVay’s number. Yet early on this game was all Rams. From their own 36, Matthew Stafford went to Davante Adams for 12 and to Puka Nacua for 10 more. Kyren Williams ran for 12. On 3rd and 3 from the San Francisco 23, Williams gained 4. Stafford hit Adams for 13. Williams ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Rams. The Rams got it back at their own 14. Corum ran for 15. Stafford hit Adams for 23, Smith for 14, and Nacua for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Rams. The 49ers then fumbled and the Rams took over at their own 41. Stafford went to Nacua for 15. Williams ran for 7 and 9. Stafford found Tyler Higbee for 15. Stafford hit Allen for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 21-0 Rams one minute into the second quarter.
In the second quarter the 49ers finally got a break when a 27 yard punt return set them up at the Rams 36. Jones went to Jennings for 11. Kyle Shanahan pretty much had to go for it on 4th and 2 at the Rams 17. Jones hit George Kittle for 11. Jones hit Jennings for a 6 yard touchdown to get the 49ers within 21-7. After a third quarter touchback, Jones hit McCaffrey for 19. On 3rd and 1 from the Rams 34, Robinson gained 6 and 13. Jones went to McCaffrey for 13. Robinson ran for a one yard touchdown to have the 49ers within 21-14. The Rams took over at their own 36. Corum gained 7 and 3. Sean McVay gambled on 4th and 3 from the San Francisco 28. Stafford hit Nacua for 4. Stafford hit Adams for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 28-14 Rams. The 49ers took over at their own 30. Jones went to McCaffrey for 9, to Farrell for 6, and to Bourne for 19. On 3rd and 1 from the Rams 12, Jones went to Farrell for the touchdown. The extra point was blocked, but with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation the 49ers were right back in it down 28-20.
The Rams took over at their own 36. Stafford went to Nacua for 13 and to Ferguson for 32. Stafford went to Parkinson for 12. Williams ran for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 35-20 Rams. With 8 1/2 minutes left on 4th and 4 from their own 41, Jones was intercepted. The Rams took over at the Frisco 38. Corum ran for 5 and 8. On 3rd and 7 from the Frisco 35, Stafford hit Higbee for 11. On 3rd and 2 from the Frisco 16, Stafford went to Parkinson for the touchdown to make it 42-20 Rams. The 49ers managed one more garbage touchdown but no more. The Rams stayed tied atop the NFC West at 7-2 while the 49ers fell to 6-4. Mac Jones had a great game, going 33 of 39 for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns, but that one late interception helped turn a close game into a blowout. Stafford was 24 of 36 for 280 yards and 4 touchdown with 0 interceptions. The Rams also pounded the ball on the ground for 126 yards on 30 carries, over 4 yards per carry. 42-26 Rams
Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers was the Sunday night game. Both teams have been inconsistent but the Chargers in recent weeks are trending in the right direction. In a battle of great coaches and great quarterbacks, it was defense that made the difference. Chris Boswell nailed a 59 yard field goal in the first quarter, but little else after that. Aaron Rodgers was sacked in his own end zone by Khalil Mack for a safety for the Chargers. In the second quarter Boswell missed from 45, and momentum swung. Cameron Dicker hit from 32 to make it 5-3 Chargers. A key play came when Rodgers was intercepted in his own territory with 2 1/2 minutes left n the half. The Chargers took over at the Pittsburgh 38. Vidal ran for 8 and 3. On 3rd and 1 from the Pittsburgh 18, Vidal gained 3. Justin Herbert found Ladd McConkey for a 15 yard touchdown to break open a tight game and make it 12-3 Chargers. In the third quarter Dicker drilled a 59 yard field goal but doinked a 55 yard try off the left upright no good. In the fourth quarter the Chargers delivered the dagger with a 90 yard drive. On 3rd and 6 from their own 29, Herbert connected with McConkey for 58. Vidal ran for 11 and then the 2 yard touchdown to make it 22-3 Chargers. Dicker hit a 42 yarder with 5 minutes left to make it 25-3 Chargers. The Steelers managed one late garbage touchdown but this was never competitive. The Steelers are 5-4 while the 7-3 Chargers are winning with great defense. 25-10 Chargers
Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers was the Monday night game. This was a battle royale between 2 legitimate Super Bowl contenders. It was all defense, a throwback classic that was scoreless at halftime. Jake Elliott finally hit a 39 yard third quarter field goal to make it 3-0 Eagles. Matt LaFleur gambled on 4th and 9 from the Philadelphia 41. Jordan Love threw incomplete. The Eagles faced 3rd and 7 at their own 23 in the fourth quarter. In a defensive boneblack, 2 plays changed the game.Jalen Hurts connected with Saquon Barkley for 41. Hurts went deep to Devonta Smith for a 36 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Eagles. The Packers finally mounted an 11 play, 75 yard drive. Josh Jacobs banged in a 6 yard touchdown to get the Packers back within 3 with 6 minutes left. The Packers got it back and moved to a 4th and 1 at the Philly 44 with 90 seconds left. Jacobs got the carry but this time was blown up for a 4 yard loss and a fumble. With 33 seconds left, the Eagles faced 4th and 6 at the Green Bay 35. Nick Sirianni opted to go for it. Hurts threw incomplete. The Packers moved to the Philly 46. Only 2 seconds remained. Rather than try the Hail Mary, LaFleur brought in Brandon McManus to try a 64 yard field goal. He has the leg, but this kick on this cold night was like kicking a brick. He shanked it wide by a mile. This was a bare-fisted slobberknocker that deserves a rematch, perhaps in the NFC Title Game. Until then, the Eagles are 7-2 and the Packers fell to 5-3 on the year. Somewhere in football heaven, Chuck Bednarik of 1960 Eagles championship fame was smiling. 10-7 Eagles