NFL 2025 Week 12 Recap
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans was the Thursday night game. A pair of good teams played a very good game. The Bills have the offense and the Texans have the defense. Davis Mills ws starting for the 3rd straight week in for an injured CJ Stroud. Last week the Texans trailed by 19 points after three quarters. Mills led a 26 point fourth quarter that stunned Jacksonville. While the game was expected to be a defensive struggle, the first half was a shootout. The Bills began facing 4th and 1 at their own 28. Sean McDermott lost his mind and went for it. Initially thought to be a bluff, Josh Allen snapped the ball and took the quarterback sneak for 3 yards. On 3rd and 8 from their own 33, Allen went to Johnson for 13. On 3rd and 1 from the Houston 45, James Cook raced for the touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Bills led 6-0. The Texans moved from their own 41 to a 2nd and goal at the 5. Mills threw incomplete twice. Kaimi Fairbairn hit from 24 to have the Texans within 6-3. In the second quarter the Bills took over at their own 5 and went on a 13 play, 69 yard, 7 minute drive. Yet upon reaching the Houston 14, a sack of Allen killed the drive. Matt Prater hit from 44 to make it 9-3 Bills.
Th Texans took over at their own 23. Mills went to Nico Collins for 24. A defensive facemaask added 15. Demeco Ryans went for it on 4th and 1 at the Buffalo 24. Marks gained 6. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 4, Marks gained 2. Mills went to Kirk for the touchdown as the Texans led 10-9. On the next play from scrimmage, Allen was intercepted. The Texans settled for a 43 yard Fairbairn field goal and a 13-9 Texans lead with 1:56 left in the half. 13 seconds later, the Bills had the lead as Davis returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to make it 16-13 Bills. The Texans took over at their own 25. Mills went to Kirk for 7, to Collins for 19, to Dalton Schultz for 8 and to Kirk for 33. Mills found Higgins for an 8 yard touchdown with 5 seconds left in the half for a 20-16 Texans lead. The second half was a defensive bonelock. A third quarter Buffalo fumble led to a 26 yard Fairbairn field goal to make it 23-16 Texans. Prater answered from 38 to get the Bills back within 4 points with 6 minutes left in regulation.
The Bills got it back with 2:48 to play at their own 18. On 3rd and 1 at the 2 minute warning, Allen hit Shakir for 8. Consecutive sacks of Allen had the Bills facing a whopping 4th and 27 at their own 30 with 51 seconds left. Then came what could have been the play of the year. The Bills needed a miracle. san McDermott went into the bag of tricks and went with a hook and ladder. Allen pass over the middle to Palmer, who executed a perfect lateral to Shakir. The play had gained 33 yards. This might have been the best hook and ladder since the 1981 season when Don Strock and Dan Fouts combined for 79 points in the playoffs. With 28 seconds left the Bills faced 3rd and 1 at the Houston 17. The early missed extra point loomed large, because it meant the Bills had to go for the touchdown. Allen threw incomplete. On 4th and 1 came a killer false start. On 4th and 6, Allen went over the middle and was intercepted by Bullock. After starting 0-3, the Texans are now 6-5 while the Bills dropped to 7-4. Mills returns to the bench next week but was 3-0 as a starter in relief. A playoff rematch between these teams would be worth the watch. This was a classy performance by both teams in a fine, fine football game. 23-19 Texans
New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens — The Ravens started 1-5 but have won 4 straight since Lamar Jackson returned from injury. The Jets started 0-7 and are still bad. Justin Fields was benched in favor f Tyrod Taylor. Both teams brought their defense as the first quarter was scoreless. The Jets faced 2nd and 12 at their own 19 in the second quarter. Taylor went to Metchie for 19. Taylor then went to Hall for 14 and to Metchie for 13. On 3rd and 10 from the Baltimore 13, Taylor went to Metchie for the touchdown. The Jets led 7-0. Their offense took most of the rest of the night off and relied on their defense to protect the lead.
A strong kickoff return had the Ravens at their own 42. Tyler Loop hit a 31 yard field goal to get on the board. The Ravens began the third quarter at their own 26. On 3rd and 15, Jackson threw deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 34 yards. On 3rd and 3 from the Jets 38, Jackson went to Deandre Hopkins for 9. Zay Flowers took an end around 11 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Derrick Henry got in to make it 10-7 Ravens. With 6:42 left in the third quarter, Aaron Glenn gambled on 4th and 2 at his own 42. Taylor threw incomplete. Jackson went to Henry for 19. On 3rd and 7 from the Jets 20, Jackson went deep incomplete but defensive pass interference again added 17. John Harbaugh gambled on 4th and goal at the 2. Henry got in up the gut to make it 17-7 Ravens. Nick Folk hit a 42 yard field goal for the Jets to start the fourth quarter, but Loop answered from 35 and again from 27 with less than one minute left to lock up the win. The Ravens have won 5 straight. 23-10 Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears — The 7-3 Bears came in having not beaten a team with a winning record. The 6-4 Steelers were starting backup Mason Crosby in place of the injured Aaron Rodgers. An early interception of Mason set up the Bears at their own 44. On 3rd and 1, Swift gained 4. Caleb williams hit Burden for 17. Williams found Moore for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bears. The Steelers took over at their own 5 yard line. Jalen Warren gained 12. Rudolph went to Skowronek for 21. On 3rd and 2 from the Chicago 31, Rudolph went to Kenneth Gainwell for 13. DK Metcalf got around the end for a 6 yard gain. Metcalf ran for a 6 yard touchdown for a 7-7 game.
In the second quarter Williams faced 2nd and 20 from his own 10. Williams was sacked by TJ Watt, forcing a fumble. Herbig recovered it in the Chicago end zone for a Steelers touchdown and a 14-7 Steelers lead. The Bears fumbled it away again on their next series but the Steelers turns dit over on downs. The Bears soon faced 4th and 1 at their own 39. Ben Johnson gambled. Williams ran for 8. Burden ran for 15. Williams went to Odunze for 22. On 3rd and 5 from the Pittsburgh 12, Williams went to Loveland for the touchdown for a 14 -14 ballgame.
The Steelers took over at their own 20. Warren ran for 9 and 6. Mike Tomlin gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 44 and went to his bag of tricks. Hayward took the direct snap, handed it to Gainwell, and Gainwell got around the end for a 55 yard gain down to the one. On the next carry Gainwell got in for the touchdown to make it 21-14 Steelers with 80 seconds left in the half. That was enough time for Cairo Santos to hit a 47 yard field goal to end the half with the Bears within 21-17.
The Bears got the ball in the third quarter at their own 40. Williams went to Odunze for big gains fo 17 and 14, to Swift for 14, and to Moore for a 25 yard touchdown to make it 24-21 Bears. The Steelers were driving and had 2nd and 12 at the Chicago 37. Rudolph was sacked and fumbled. Sweat recovered to set the Bears up at their own 46. Williams went deep to Moore for 20. On 3rd and 2 from the Pittsburgh 26, Monangai got the 2 yards up the middle. Monangai ran for 12 and 5 to end the third quarter. The fourth quarter began with the Bears facing 3rd and goal at the 2. Monangai again took it up the guts and got in for a 31-21 Beara advantage.
Steelers took over at their own 27. On 3rd and 6 from their own 41, Rudolph went to Austin for 19. Warren ran for 6, 3, and on 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 31, a tough 2. On 3rd and 7 from the Chicago 26, defensive pass interference on an incompletion meant 11 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 6, Rudolph gained 2. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Rudolph went to Pat Freiermuth for the touchdown. With 6 1/2 minutes left, the Steelers were within a field goal. With 90 seconds left the steelers began their last chance drive at their own 20. With 20 seconds left, the Steelers faced 4th and 6 at the Chicago 47. One first down would mean long field goal range. Rudolph threw incomplete as the Bears got to 8-3 on the year and the Steeler fell to 6-5 on the season. 31-28 Bears
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals — The 9-2 Patriots faced off against an injury-riddled Bengal squad. Evan McPherson hit an early 54 yard field goal for the only score of the first quarter and a 3-0 Bengals lead. In the second quarter, Drake Maye was intercepted by Geno Stone, who returned it 32 yards to pay dirt for a 10-0 Bengals lead. After that the Patriots woke up. Henderson ran for 9 and one. On 3rd and 3 from their own 47, Maye ran for 5. On 3rd and 2 from the Cincinnati 40, Maye went to Hunter Henry for 12 and again for a 28 yard touchdown to get the Patriots within 10-7. Joe Flacco was then intercepted by Jones, who returned it 33 yards for the score. Each team had a defensive touchdown as the Patriots had the 14-10 lead. Borregales hit a 41 yard field goal to have the Patriots up 17-10 with 28 seconds left in the half.
That was enough time for McPherson to bury a 63 yard field goal to end the half with the Bengals within 17-13. Borregales countered from 45 to have the Patriots up 20-13 after three quarters. Midway through the fourth quarter the Patriots reached 3rd and goal at the one with a chance to ice the game. Maye got stopped for no gain. On the road with a lead, Mike Vrabel played it safe. Borregales’s 19 yard field goal had the Patriots up 23-13 with 6 minutes left in regulation.
The Bengals took over at their own 29. Flacco went to Mike Gesicki for 13 and to Iosivas for 14. Defensive pass interference added 27 yards. Flacco went to Tinsley for a 17 yard touchdown to have the Bengals within 23-20 with 4:40 to play. The Patriots took over at their own 40. Borregales nailed a 52 yard field goal for a 6 point Patriots lead with 1:51 left. The Bengals took over at their own 28. A 39 yard completion from Flacco to Iosivas had the Bengals facing 2nd and 10 at the New England 26 with 33 seconds left after Flacco spiked the balls to stop the clock. Looking for the upset win, Flacco threw 3 straight incompletions. The Patriots got to 10-2 on the year. 26-20 Patriots
New York Giants at Detroit Lions — The Lions were an angry bunch at home. They were ready to take out their frustrations on a pathetic Giants team starting 3rd stringer Jameis Winston, known for completing passes to both teams. Cue ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman. “THAT’s why they PLAY the GAMES!” The Giants began the game at their own 30. Winston went to Darrius Slayton for 23. On 3rd and 2 from the Detroit 39 only 2 minutes into the game, Giants coach Mike Kafka immediately went to his bag of tricks. A perfectly executed flea flicker saw Winston go bombs away to Robinson for the touchdown and the 7-0 Giants lead. The Giants got it back and marched 87 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 3, Winston threw incomplete. Younghoe Koo hit the 21 yard field goal as the Giants had the surprising 10-0 lead after the first quarter.
The Lions began the second quarter at their own 35. Jared Goff went to Wright for 20, to Montgomery for 9, and to Amon-Ra St Brown for 18. Defensive pass interference added 14. On 3rd and goal at the 11, Goff went to St. Brown for the touchdown to have the Lions within 10-7. The Giants took over at their own 31. Winston immediately connected with Tracy for 42. Singletary ran for 13. On 3rd and 8 from the Detroit 12, Winston went to Hodgins for the touchdown and the 17-7 Giants lead.
The Lions took over at their own 39 with 4 minutes left in the half. On 2n and 1, Jahmyr Gibbs hashed the defense for a 49 yard run. Goff then went to Gibbs for a 3 yard touchdown to get the Lions within 17-14. Koo hit a 44 yard field goal with 38 seconds left in the half. That was enough time for Jake Bates to hit from 37 as the Lions were within 20-17. In the third quarter the Lions moved to a 3rd and 11 at the Giants 20. Goff was intercepted as the third quarter was scoreless. The Giants took over at their own 15. On 3rd and 3 Winston found Tracy for 20. The fourth quarter began with the Giants facing 3rd and 4 at they own 48. Tracy gained 8. Kafka again went to the bag of tricks. Winston lateraled to Olszewski, then threw across the field to Winston. The quarterback turned wide receiver caught the ball, juked the defender, dragged him, and escaped him for a fantastic 33 yard touchdown. For the third time in the game, The Giants led by 10 up 27-17 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
This time from their own 19 the Lions struck quickly. Goff went deep to St. Brown for 27. Gibbs broke free for a 49 yard touchdown to have the Lions right back in it down 27-24. Winston was then immediately intercepted but the Lions couldn’t capitalize. The Giants got the ball at their own 8 yard line and marched 86 yards in 14 plays and 7 minutes. Looking to turn out the lights and ice the game, a 2nd and goal at the 2 run went nowhere. On 3rd and goal a the 2, a run was blown up for a loss of 4. On 4th and goal at the 6, the only sane decision was to kick the field goal. Yet Mike Kafka turned into Dan Campbell and decided to go for it. Winston threw incomplete. Now with 3 minutes left, the Lions only needed a field goal to tie the game.
The Lions moved to a 1st and 5 at the Giants 36. Goff threw incomplete and then completed a pass that lost 5 yards. Another incompletion had the Lions with a touch decision. On 4th and 10 with 28 seconds left, Dan Campbell brought in Bates to try a 59 yard field goal. The kick was indoors but it was still long. The kick started inside, curved outside wide, and then somehow with 0 wind, found its was back just inside the right upright. It was harrowing, but this game was going to overtime tied 27-27. The Lions got the ball first in overtime and needed one play and 18 seconds to strike. Gibbs broke through and raced for a 69 yard touchdown. The lions led by 7 but the Giants had a chance with the ball at their own 30. Everything came down to 4th and 5 at the Detroit 27 with 4 1/2 minutes left in overtime. Winston was sacked. The Lions got to 7-4 the hard way. Sadly for the Giants, that’s why they play the ENTIRE game. 34-27 Lions, OT
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers — Throughout the years, the home team usually wins this game. Also, the Vikings have not been good this year. This game went as expected. Will Reichard hit an early 52 yard field goal for the Vikings, but little else. The Packers soon faced 3rd and 3 at their ow 37. Jordan Love went to Watson for 12. Defensive pass interference added 24. Love hit Wicks for 18 down to the one. Wilson got the yard to make it 7-3 Packers. In the second quarter Kevin O’Connell went for it on 4th and 1 at the Green Bay 17. Masori got blasted for a one yard loss. Brandon McManus capped off an 8 minute drive with a 32 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Packers. Reichard drilled a 59 yarder to end the half, but the Green Bay defense clamped down in the second half. A close game was broken open early in the third quarter when the Vikings fumbled a punt and the Packers recovered at the Minnesota 5. Wilson ran for 4 and then for the one yard touchdown to make it 17-6 Packers. McManus hit fourth quarter field goals of 30 and 40 to complete the scoring as McCarthy tossed a pair of late interceptions. 23-6 Packers.
Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs — The 8-2 Colts were looking to put the dagger into the 3 time defending AFC Champions. The Chiefs were 5-5 and desperate. An early interception of Patrick Mahoems deep in his own territory set the Colts up at the Kansas City 3 yard line. Daniel Jones went to Pittman for a 6 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Colts lead. The Chiefs embarked on a 17 play, 64 yard drive that took 8 1/2 minutes off the clock. Yet on 2nd and goal at the 4, a wildcat snap to Travis Kelce saw his touchdown get wiped out by an offensive facemask penalty. Harrison Butker hit a 28 yard field to start the second quarter. The Colts soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Jones ran for 4. On 3rd and 1 from his own 47, Jones connected with Dulin for 48. Jones went to Ogletree for a 4 yard touchdown and a 14-3 Colts lead. Butker hit field goals of 30 and 22 as the Chiefs only trailed 14-9 at the half. Yet Mike Badgley hit field goals of 32 and 23 to have the Colts up 20-9 after three quarters. In the third quarter the Chiefs reached the red zone but fumbled the ball away.
Yet the Chiefs got the ball back at their own 44. On 3rd and 2 Mahomes went to Rasheed Rice for 3. On 2nd and 10 from the Indianapolis 45, Mahomes ran for 13. Mahomes found Malcolm Hollywood Brown for 10. A defensive facemask added 12. Hunt ran for a 2 yard touchdown. Walrus Andy Reid went for 2 and Mahomes found Rice successfully to have the Chiefs within 20-17 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Chiefs got the ball back at their own 6 with under 5 minutes left. On 2nd and 13 from their own 3, Mahomes and Rice connected for 47. On 4th and 3 from the Indy 43, Mahoems found Rice for 19. On 3rd and 1 from the Indy 5, Hunt gained 3. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 3 with 20 seconds and looking for the win, Mahomes was sacked. Butker hit from 25 and this game was going to overtime.
The Colts got the ball first in overtime and soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 40. Jonathan Taylor got the carry and was blown up for a 2 yard loss. The Chiefs got it back at their own 10. At the 2 minute warning, Butker’s field goal try to win it was only a 27 yard chip shot. Butker was good. The Chiefs are a vampire, and the Colts failed to drive a stake through their hearts. The Colts fell to 8-3 while he Chiefs at 6-5 are still alive. 23-20 Chiefs, OT
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans — The Seahawks are a very good team coming off a tough road loss. The Titans are the worst team in football. League rules prevented the game from being canceled. The Titans began early with a 22 yard Joey Slye field goal but then reality set in. Jason Myers answered from 47 as the game was tied 3-3. In the second quarter the Seahawks faced 3rd and 6 at their own 37. Sam Darnold went bombs away to Jaxson Smith-Nigba for a 63 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Seahawks. Myers tacked on field goals of 30 and 36 to have the Seahawks up 16-3 at the midpoint. The Seahawks began the third quarter at their own 24. On the first play Darnold again went deep to Smith-Nigba for 56. Darnold hit Smith-Nigba for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 23-3 Seahawks.
The Titans finally got a break on special teams when Dike returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown. Yet they were delaying the inevitable. The Seahawks took over at their own 26 and kept rolling. Kenneth walker ran for 19 and 11 and caught a pass from Arnold for 29. Charbonnet ran for 6 and then for the 5 yard touchdown to have the Seahawks cruising 30-10. The Titans managed a pair of garbage touchdowns, one in the third quarter and one with only 43 seconds left in regulation. Yet the onside kick failed. The final score looked close but this game was never a contest as the Seahawks got to 8-3 on the year. 30-24 Seahawks
Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals — The Jaguars have been stumbling in recent weeks but the Cardinals are a mess. Early on the Jaguars took over at their own 3 and only needed 4 plays to go 97 yards. Trevor Lawrence went deep to Strange for 30. Travis Etienne ran for 45. Lawrence hit Etienne for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Jaguars. The Jaguars got it back again deep in their own territory. On 3rd and 6 from their own 12, Lawrence was sacked and fumbled. The ball was plucked out of the air by Nolen, who practically stumbled his way for a 7 yard defensive touchdown and a 7-7 game. Early in the second quarter Little hit a 52 yard field goal for a 10-7 Jaguars lead. The Cardinals soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 39. Jacoby Brissett threw incomplete but defensive illegal contact mean a new set of downs. Brissett went to Wilson for a pair of 11 yard gains with roughing the passer between them adding 15. Carter ran for 11. Brissett hit Carter for 9. Knight ran for a one yard touchdown as the Cardinals had the surprising 14-10 lead. It would have been bigger but their staggering 16 play, 72 yard, 6 minute drive was wasted when Ryland missed a chip shot 33 yard field goal try.
In the third quarter Lawrence was intercepted, but the Jaguars got it back after a 43 yard punt return all the way at the Arizona 27. On 3rd and 6 from the Arizona 10, Lawrence hit newly acquired Jakobi Meyers for a 10 yard touchdown to have the Jaguars up 17-14. Lawrence tossed another third quarter interception and yet another interception in the fourth quarter. The latter one set up the Cardinals at the Jacksonville 41. On 3rd and 8 Brissett hit Greg Dortch for a 39 yard touchdown to have the Cardinals back on top 21-17 midway through the fourth quarter. The Jaguars took over at their own 35. Lawrence went to Strange for 23 and to Meyers for 17. Lawrence found Strange for 10 and Washington for a 9 yard touchdown. With less than 4 minutes left, the Jaguars led 24-21. Yet the rest of this game was just crazy.
The Cardinals had to go for it on 4th and 12 from their own 28. Brissett threw incomplete at the 2 minute warning, which should have ended things. Yet the Jaguars soon faced 4th and 1 at the Arizona 19. A field goal would put the Jaguars up by 6 but Liam Cohen wanted it all. He rolled the dice and came up snake eyes as Lawrence threw incomplete. The Cardinals had 1:39 left needing only a field goal to tie the game. On 4th and 1 from their own 29, Carter gained 8. With 33 seconds left on 1st and 10 from the Jacksonville 42, insanity followed. Brissett found Wilson for a big 31 yard gain. The Cardinals were in easy field goal range but would have about 15 to 20 seconds left to go for the win. They needed to get up to the line and spike the ball to stop the clock.
Yet Wilson lost his mind. After the big catch, he started celebrating. He made a first down gesture and then spun the ball into he and zone after the play was over. He then realized what he did and went after the ball. The clock was running. His boneheaded “look at me” celebration killed any chance of the Cardinals going for the win. By the time the referees got the ball and everyone was set, only 6 seconds remained. Ryland hit the 29 yard field goal to tie the game 24-24, but Wilson’t stupid selfish play cost his team a chance to win in regulation. The Jaguars got the ball first in overtime and moved to the Arizona 34. Little nailed the 52 yard field goal to have the Jaguars up by 3. The Cardinals took over at their own 28. On 3rd and 4 from the Jacksonville 42, Brissett threw incomplete. A field goal try to tie would be 60 yards. With 4 minutes left in overtime, Jonathan Gannon went for it. Brissett threw incomplete. Just like that, the Jaguars got to 7-4 on the year. 27-24 Jaguars, OT
Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas Raiders — Both teams came in 2-8, but this was possibly the one remaining game the Raiders had a chance to win. Both teams had good defenses and miserable offenses. Yet the Browns were starting Shedeur Sanders, who had never started an NFL game before. Until last week, he had never even played in an NFL game. He looked awful. The Raiders defense could tee off on him, but even an average offense would be needed for a win. Every Raiders game is the same. The defense plays well, the offense does nothing, and the exhausted defense breaks. Early on, it was special teams that got the Browns going. A 44 yard punt return had the Browns taking over at the Raiders 13. Judkins ran for 5 and then for the 8 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Browns. Late in the first quarter the Browns took over at their own 27. Sanders went to Fanning for 17. On 3rd and 8 from his own 46, Sanders rolled out and went bombs away to Bond for a 52 yard gain. Judkins ran for the 2 yard touchdown as the Browns led 14-0 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter Daniel Carlson missed a 48 yard field goal try. Yet after an interception of Sanders, Carlson got another try from 41. He hit that one as the Raiders trailed 14-3. Yet the Raiders pathetic offense was useless. Szmyt hit a 53 yard field goal to have the Browns up 17-3 with 12 minutes left in regulation. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Raiders defense finally broke. On 3rd and 9 from their own 34, a swing pass from sanders to Sampson should have lost yards. Instead it turned into a 66 yard touchdown and a 24-3 Browns lead. The Raiders managed one garbage touchdown in a garbage season. Today truly was rock bottom. I’m not sure this Raiders squad could beat a high school team. The offensive line cannot block. Quarterback Geno Smith makes too many dumb decisions, such as holding on to the ball too long. This is one reason he was sacked 10…yes, 10…times in this game. Smith misses wide open receivers. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly stubbornly refuses to run the ball and play smash mouth despite having a stud running back in Ashton Jeanty. He insists on passing with a quarterback who can’t throw and a line that can’t block.
Even a great head coach like Pete Carroll cannot win with terrible players who are either too dumb or too untalented. At least Chip Kelly was fired after the game. 24-10 Browns
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys — The 8-2 Eagles needed to steamroll a Cowboys team with no defense. Brian Schotteheimer gambled early on 4th and 3 from midfield. Dak Prescott threw incomplete. Jalen Hurts went to AJ Brown for 6 and 10. Hurts found Saquon Barkley for 14. On 3rd and 6 from the Dallas 16, Hurts went to Brown for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Eagles. The Eagles got it back and punted on 4th and 10 from their own 24. Yet a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Eagles 15 yard and a new set of downs. Hurts went to Brown for 13. On 3rd and 10 from the Dallas 48, the defense jumped. In 3rd and 5 Hurts hit Brown for 22. On 3rd and 3 from the Dallas 14 Barkley gained 7. Hurts ran for the 7 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Eagles. In the second quarter the Cowboys fumbled and the Eagles recovered at their own 34. Hurts went to Barkley for 16. On 3rd and 12 from their own 48, Hurts went deep to Devonta Smith for 41 and again for 10. Hurts got the one yard tush push as touchdowns on their first 3 drives and the Eagles up 21-0. The Eagles offense took the remaining 42 minutes off but this game was over.
Prescott was intercepted but the Cowboys got the ball back at their own 28. Prescott went to Kevontae Turpin for 48. On 2nd and 15 from the Philadelphia 18, Prescott went to Ferguson for 17. Prescott found George Pickens for the one yard touchdown to have the Cowboys within 21-7 at halftime. In the third quarter normally reliable Brandon Aubrey missed a 51 yard field goal try for the cowboys. Yet the Cowboys got the ball back at their own 11. Williams ran for 12 and 5. On 3rd and 5 from their own 34, Prescott went deep to CeeDee Lamb for 48. Defensive pass interference added 10. Prescott hit Spann for a 4 yard touchdown to have the Cowboys within 21-14. Early in the fourth quarter the Eagles had a chance to get some breathing room but a 56 yard field goal try by Jake Elliott was no good. From their own 46, Prescott immediately went deep to Pickens for 43. Prescott ran for an 8 yard touchdown. With 11:40 still left to play, the game was now tied 21-21.
The Eagles moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Dallas 28, certainly in field goal range to take the lead. A 16 yard gain was wiped out by a 10 yard offensive illegal use of hands penalty. Then on the next play Barkley fumbled and the Cowboys recovered. The Cowboys had to punt but disaster struck the Eagles when Gipson got blasted on the return and fumbled. The Cowboys recovered to have 1st and goal at the 7. On 3rd and goal at the one, Prescott threw incomplete. With 3:45 left, a field goal would give the Cowboys the lead. Brian Schottenheimer instead went for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Prescott threw incomplete again. The Eagles moved from their own 2 to a 3rd and 2 at their own 37. A couple more first downs would mean long field goal range. Instead Hurts got belted for a 13 yard loss. The Cowboys got the ball back at their own 27 with 1:45 left. With 45 seconds left the Cowboys faced 2nd and 10 at their own 46. Hurts then connected with Pickens for a 24 yard gain. Aubrey came in for the winning field goal try from only 42 yards out. Aubrey was good and the Cowboys had the shocking walk off comeback win. For the Eagles it was a stunning choke job. 24-21 Cowboys
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints — Neither of these teams are any good. An early Shough fumble led to a 56 yard zane Gonzalez field goal to make it 3-0 Falcons. Tipton returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards to the Atlanta 16. Yet Blake Grupe missed a 38 yard field goal try. In the second quarter the Falcons took over at their own 23. Kirk Cousins went to Pitts for 23. The Falcons began the third quarter facing 3rd and 6 from midfield. Cousins hit Mooney for 9. Bijan Robinson ran for 32. Cousins hit Sills for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Falcons. Cousins di throw an interception that was returned 49 yards for s Saints defensive touchdown, but the Saints had no offense. Gonzalez made field goals of 41 and 54 sandwiched around another miss by Grupe from 47 as the Falcons led 16-7 at halftime. Grupe finally hit a 33 yard field goal to get the Saints within 16-10 with 12 minutes left in regulation. Yet from their own 32, the Falcons turned out the lights. On 2nd and 23 from their own 19, Cousins hit Robinson for 32. Cousins then went deep to Mooney for a 49 yard touchdown to salt it away. 24-10 Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Rams was the Sunday night game. The Buccaneers are a good team. The Rams are a great team. Both teams have solid offenses. The Rams took over early at their own 20. On 3rd and 7, Mathew Stafford went to Davantae Adam for 13. Stafford went to Puka Nacua for 31. On 3rd and 19 from the Tampa Bay 34, Stafford found Nacua for th exact 18 and Colby Parkinson for 15 down to the one. Stafford hit Adams for a on a yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Rams. Mayfield was then intercepted by Durant, who returned it 50 yards the other way for a defensive touchdown and a 14-0 Rams advantage. The Rams got it back in the second quarter at their own 28. On 3rd and 3 from their own 46, Stafford went to Mumpfield for 11 and to Adams for 14. Stafford found Parkinson for 14. On 3rd and goal at the 5, stafford went to Parkinson for the touchdown to make it 21-0 Rams. The Buccaneers managed one touchdown but this game was a blowout. After a touchback, Stafford hit Nacua for 24 and Adams for a 24 yard touchdown to make it 28-7 Rams. The Rams coasted from there as Mevis hit 40 yard field goal before the half and one more 52 yard fourth quart field goal to complete the scoring. More importantly for the Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield aggravated his throwing shoulder, The final play of the half was a Hail Mary that did not reach the 20 as Mayfield fell to the ground without being touched. He did not play the second half. The 9-2 Rams sit atop the conference. 34-7 Rams
Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers was the Monday night game. The Panthers have gotten much better since a slow start while the 49ers have been revitalized with Brock Purdy returning. The 49ers began the game with a 15 play, 72 yard drive that took nearly 9 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and 10 from their own 28, Purdy connected with Christian McCaffrey for 11. On 3rd and 3 from their own 46, Purdy hit Pearsall for 6. On 3rd and 3 from the Carolina 41, McCaffrey ran for 6,8 and 8. Purdy found Jennings for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 49ers. The rest of the half was ugly as Purdy was intercepted 3 times and Bryce Young was once. Fitzgerald managed a 25 yard second quarter field goal for the Panthers and May Gay answered from 47 to make it 10-7 49ers at the half. The 49ers began the third quarter at their own 20. Purdy went to McCaffrey for 12. On 3rd and 5 from their own 37, Purdy found George Kittle for a pair of 7 yard gains. On 3rd and 6 from the Carolina 29, Purdy hit Jennings for 10. McCaffrey ran for a 13 yard touchdown run to cap the 13 play, 80 yard, 8 minute drive to make it 17-3 49ers. The Panthers did get a 68 yard drive with Young throwing a 29 yard touchdown pass to McMillan. Yet on the fourth quarter the 49ers defense clamped down. Matt Gay hit a 29 yard field goal to give the 49ers breathing room. Fitzgerald’s 57 yard try to make it a one score game was no good. The 49ers got to 8-4 on the year. 20-9 49ers