NFL 2026 Week 5 Recap
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys was the Thursday night game. The Cowboys came in with no defense, but at least they were at home against the winless Buccaneers playing a backup quarterback in place of injured Baker Mayfield. They easily took the opening kickoff and marched 70 yards. Wiliams ran for 21. Dan Prescott hit George Pickens for 21. Williams ran for a one yard touchdown. Barely 4 minutes into the game, the Cowboys led 7-0. The Buccaneers then embarked on an absolutely suffocating drive. 15 plays and 73 yards took an exhausting 11 minutes off the clock. Jason Daniels completed a 14 yard pass to Chris Godwin for the longest play on the drive. Daniels hit Irving for a 5 yard touchdown pass and a 7-7 game in the second quarter. Brandon Aubrey hit a 41 yard field goal to end the half as the Cowboys led 10-7.
On the first play of the third quarter form his own 14, Irving broke free for a 72 yard run. On the next play Egbuka ran for a 14 yard touchdown to have the Buccaneers up 14-10. he Cowboys quickly moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Tampa Bay 27. Prescott was then intercepted. The Buccaneers soon faced 2nd and 14 from their own 21. Daniels went bombs away to Johnson for a 64 yard gain. Irving did the rest, running for 9, 5, and the one yard touchdown to make it 21-10 Buccaneers. The Cowboys fumbled the ensuing kickoff, leading to a 41 yard field goal and a 24-10 Buccaneers lead after three quarters. Pinned at their own one yard line In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys moved 99 yards in 10 plays. After the touchdown with 5 1/2 minutes left, Brian Schottenheimer went for one of those unnecessary idiotic 2 point tries that only analytics guys like. It failed. Now the Cowboys had to chase points. They got the ball back at their own 24 with 3:42 left. They moved to a 2nd and 1 at the Tampa Bay 24 with 1:22 left. Prescott was intercepted as Jerry Jones contemplated burning down his stadium for the insurance money. 50 years after the 1976 Buccaneers made history by going winless, the 2026 Buccaneers failed to match that accomplishment. It took 5 weeks but they won. 24-16 Buccaneers
Philadelphia Eagle at Jacksonville Jaguars was the London Sunday morning game. This insane ending will be talked about for a very long time. Nobody runs the tush push like the Eagles, but in the first quarter on 4th and 1 from the Jacksonville 37, Nick Sirianni went for it and Will Shipley got stuffed for no gain. Three plays later Trevor Lawrence connected with Washington for a 51 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Jaguars. The game changed in the second quarter. The Eagles took over at their own 36. Jalen Hurts went to Lemon for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Jacksonville 37, Hurts hit Wicks for 10. On 3rd and 10 from the Jacksonville 27, Hurts found Wicks again for 18. On 3rd and goal from the 17, Hurts threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 14 yard gain and a new set of downs. Shipley ran for a 2 yard touchdown to cap the 13 play, 64 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-7. The Eagles got the ball back and soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 38. Hurts went bombs away to Darius Cooper for a 62 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Eagles.
The Jaguars took over at their own 25 and mounted a mind-numbing 17 play, 68 yard drive that ate up the last 5 1/2 minutes of the first half. With 15 seconds left the Jaguars had 1st and goal at the one. A run went nowhere and Lawrence threw incomplete twice, leaving one second. On 4th and goal at the one, Liam Coen went for it. Tuten tried the end around and got taken down for a 6 yard loss. Cam Little hit a 34 yard field goal for the only third quarter score as the Jaguars trailed 14-10. A field position game had the Eagles punting on 4th and 9 from their own 7 with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Jaguars took over just shy of midfield. Lawrence went to Jakobi Meyers for 19. On 4th and 5 from the Philadelphia 27 with 3:20 left, Coen had a big decision to make. They could kick a field goal to get within 14-13 and trust the defense to get them the ball back. Instead, Coen went for it. Rather than just move the chains, Lawrence went for it all. He hit Washington for the touchdown. Yet the extra point was no good wide left. The Jaguars led 16-14.
After an exchange of punts, the Eagles took over at their own 38 with 1:35 left. They moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Jacksonville 27 with 17 seconds left. Gaining a first down would let the Eagles take the clock down to about 4 seconds before kicking the game winning field goal. Yet Pierce lost 3 yards, allowing the Jaguars to take their final timeout with 12 seconds left. It seemed like a pointless endeavor. Jake Elliott hit the 48 yard field goal to make it 17-16 Eagles with 8 seconds left. Only 8 seconds. To put that in perspective, Tennessee had 16 seconds left when they came back with the Music City Miracle. Kansas City fell behind Buffalo in a playoff game with only 13 seconds left before pulling out a miracle overtime win. This was only 8 seconds left. All the Eagles needed to do was kick the ball out the back of the end zone and then defend a Hail Mary that would probably be 10 yards short of the end zone. Instead, a short kickoff was taken at the 8 yard line by Abdullah and returned 53 yards to the Philly 39. The Eagles thought the game was over but the officials determined that one second remained. From 57 yards out, with everything on the line, Little drilled his field goal try good. In a shocker, the Eagles led with 8 seconds left and somehow lost. 19-17 Jaguars
Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins — Joe Burrow and his high octane offense was expected to steamroll the hapless Dolphins. The steamrolling began when Meyers returned the opening kickoff 81 yards to the Miami 10 yard line. On 3rd and goal, Burrow found Mike Gesicki for the 4 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bengals. The Dolphins Wright fumbled the ensuing kickoff but picked up his own fumble and returned it 32 yards to the Miami 40. Washington ran for 18. On 3rd and 10 from the Cincinnati 40, A give-up run by Gordon gained 22. On 3rd and goal at the one, Wallace got in. The Dolphins tied the game 7-7, but the second quarter brought a dose of reality.
The Bengals took over at their own 42. On 3rd and 1, Samaji Perine gained 4. With 12 minutes left in the half on 3rd and goal at the 6, Burrow hit Perine for the touchdown to make it 14-7 Bengals. Malik Willis was intercepted, the Bengals fumbled the ball back, only for Willis to be intercepted again. The Bengals faced 3rd and 7 from midfield. Burrow went to Hudson for just enough and Ali for 14. Perine ran for 11, 5 and 3. On 3rd and 2 from the Miami 10, Burrow went to JaMarr Chase for 8. Burrow hit Hudson for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Bengals. With 9 seconds left in the half, the Dolphins had 4th and 1 at the Cincinnati 46. Willis found Dulcich for 13, but the clock ran out before the Dolphins could try a field goal. Winless teams make these errors. The Dolphins managed a third quarter field goal but the Bengals kept rolling. The Bengals took over at their own 23 and made it look easy. Burrow went deep to Chase for a 45 yard touchdown to make it 28-10 Bengals after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter the Dolpinhs embarked on a 14 play, 80 yard drive that took 8 1/2 minutes off the clock. This would have been impressive ball control but the Dolphins were down by 3 touchdowns. The touchdown and 2 point conversion got them within 28-18, but the Dolphins got the ball back only to fumble the ball away. The Bengals took over at the Miami 10 but settled for a 26 yard Evan McPherson field goal. The Bengals led 31-18 with 2:10 to play. The Dolphins managed another touchdown with 45 seconds left followed by a missed extra point. Yet the onside kick attempt went out of bounds as the winless Dolphins made the score look much closer than the actual game was. Burrow was lights out, with 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. 31-24 Bengals
Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots — These teams have played insane games over the decades, from the 1976 Sugar Bear Hamilton controversy to the 2001 Tuck Rule to the 2022 Chandler Jones interception return. In 2025, the Raiders went into New England in Week 1 and stuffed the Patriots 20-10. Yet the Raiders finished 3-14 and the Patriots 14-3 en route to the Super Bowl. This year the Raiders started 3-0 before losing a heartbreaker to unbeaten Kansas City. So they were a confident bunch. Yet on the second play of the game, a 24 yard defensive pass interference call had the Patriots on the move. Drake Maye went to Romeo Doubs for 16. Maye went deep to Douglas for a 35 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Patriots lead. he Raiders soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 28. Kirk Cousins went to Brock Bowers for 24. Cousins found White for 16 and defensive pass interference added 14. Cousins hit Bowers for a 13 yard touchdown and a 7-7 ballgame.
The Patriots took over at their own 16 and made it look easy. Henderson gained 11 and Maye hit Chism for 17. Mike Vrabel gambled on 4th and 2 from the Raiders 48. Maye hit Douglas for 6. Defensive pass interference on the next play gifted the Patriots 27 yards. Vrabel gambled again on 4th and 3 from the Raiders 8. Maye hit Hunter Henry for 7. Rhamondre Stevenson ran for a 5 yard touchdown to have the Patriots up 14-7 after the first quarter. The Raiders received a gift when their defense recovered a fumble at the New England 38. On 1st and 10 from the New England 27, a run attempt by receiver Tre Tucker lost 11 yards. Making matters worse, Matt Gay’s 49 yard field goal try doinked off the left upright no good. The Patriots took over at their own 39 with 1:52 left. Stevenson gashed the defense for gains of 7 and 20. Maye hit Henry for 26 and again for an 11 yard touchdown. Instead of only leading only 14-10, the Patriots had blown the game open up 21-7 at the half. The Patriots quickly put the game away in the third quarter. From their 32, Maye hit Raridon and Chism for 13 apiece. Defensive pass interference added 17. On 2nd and 19 from he Raiders 34, Maye went deep to Williams for the touchdown and a 28-7 Patriots advantage.
The Raiders managed a third quarter field goal, but the Patriots marched 71 yards. Maye from midfield hit Raridon for 31. Ob 3rd and 1 from the Raiders 3, Maye ggt in to make it 35-10 Patriots. A Raiders fumble led to a 28 yard fourth quarter Borregales field goal to make it 38-10 Patriots. The Raiders managed one garbage touchdown but a failed onside kick had the Patriots at the Raiders 44. Maye found Douglas for an 8 yard touchdown to complete the blowout. With 6 minutes left and down by 28, Klint Kubiak decided to let Kirk Cousins take a seat. This was not a benching so much as a chance just to give top draft pick Fernando Mendoza some garbage time reps. Mendoza did move the Raiders from their 35 to a 3rd and 4 at the New England 14. Yet he then threw incomplete. On 4th and 4 he tried to run but was taken down for a 3 yard loss. One year after beating the Patriots in New England, a supposedly better Raiders team was blasted to pieces. 45-17 Patriots
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints — The Vikings came in unbeaten while the saints have struggled. A 40 yard Will Reichard field goal had the Vikings up 3-0 after the first quarter. Late in the first quarter the Vikings moved to a 3rd and 1 at the New Orleans 10. Aaron Jones gained 3 but then fumbled the ball away. Young returned the fumble 27 yards to have the Saints at their own 34. Tyler Shough went to Chris Olave for 14. Runs and short passes led to a 4th and 1 at the Minnesota 27. Kellen Moore gambled and out of the shotgun Shough hit Vele for 4. Miller did the rest, running for 9, 7, 6, and the 2 yard touchdown. Instead of trailing 10-0, the 15 play, 66 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive had the Saints up 7-3 in the second quarter.
Reichard nailed a 54 yard field goal to end the half with the Vikings within 7-6. The Saints fumbled the second half kickoff. The Vikings took over at the New Orleans 37. Kyler Murray ran for 18. On 3rd and 6 from the New Orleans 15, Murray went to Justin Jefferson for the touchdown to have the Vikings up 13-7. Shough was intercepted, leading the Vikings to move to a 3rd and 15 at the New Orleans 19. Looking yo put the game away, Murray hit Price for 7. Yet Price fumbled and Sanker returned the fumblen87 yards for a defensive touchdown. Turnovers were killing the Vikings. Instead of leading 20-7, the game was tied 13-13 after three quarters. The Saints would have had the lead but the extra point was no good.
The Vikings took over late in the third quarter at their own 30. Murray went deep to Jones for 32. Jones ran for 19. Again, the Vikings had 3rd and 1 from the New Orleans 10. This time murray went to Bartholomew for 2. Jones ran for an 8 yard gain to put the Vikings up 20-13 one minute into the fourth quarter. The Minnesota defense did the rest. Reichard buried a 55 yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to lock up the win. 23-13 Vikings
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets — A pair of teams faced off in miserable weather. The Jets began at their own 20. Allen gained 13. Geno Smith went to Greg Wilson for 17 and 21. Allen ran for 10. Smith went deep to Wilson for a 32 yard touchdown. The Jets led 7-0, the only touchdown for either team through the first three quarters. Andre Szmyt hit field goals of 25 in the first quarter and 41 in the second quarter. The third quarter was scoreless ss the Browns trailed 7-6. Sanders nailed a 54 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to make it 10-6 Jets. The Browns soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 21. Deshaun Watson threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 14 yard gain. Watson ran for 20. On 3rd and 10 from the Jets 29, Watson went to Boston for the touchdown. The extra point doinked off the right upright no good, but the Browns had their first lead 12-10 with 6:15 left. The fumbled to set up the Browns at the Jets 43. Yet on 4th and 10 and trying to punt, the Browns fumbled the snap to gift the Jets the ball at the Cleveland 23 with 4 minutes left. On 3rd and 9, Allen ran for a 22 yard touchdown with 3 minutes left. On the Browns last gasp facing 4th and 11 from their own 19 with one minute left, Watson was taken down and fumbled the ball away. The game was hideous, but for Gang Green it was beautiful. 17-12 Jets
Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers — Shrader buried a 57 yard field goal to have the Colts up early 3-0. The Steelers needed one play and 12 seconds to take the lead. Aaron Rodgers connected with Jaylon Warren for an 80 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Steelers. Shrader nailed another 56 yard field goal to have the Colts within 7-6 after the first quarter. The Steelers took over at their own 20. Rodgers went to Bernard for 13. Rodgers went to Washington for 11. DK Metcalf ended the first quarter by running for 11. In the second quarter on 3rd and 4 from the Indianapolis 18, defensive pass interference meant a 17 yard gain. Rodgers hit Pat Freiermuth for the one yard touchdown to make it 14-6 Steelers. The Colts soon faced 1st and 15 at their own 24. Daniel Jones went deep to Downs for 42. After a 3rd and 1 incompletion, Shane Steichen gambled on 4th and 1 from the Pittsburgh 25. Jones gained 2. Jones found LaQuon Treadwell for 22. On 2nd and goal from the one, Jonathan Taylor got stopped. On 3rd and goal, Jones got stopped. Steichen went for it on 4th and goal at the one, and Warren got in up the gut to have the Colts within 14-13.
Chris Boswell hit a 48 yard field goal late in the half but Shrader answered from 22 to have the Colts within 17-16 in the third quarter. The ensuing kickoff was short of the landing zone to set up the Steelers at their own 40. Midway through the third quarter Mike McCarthy gambled on 4th and 1 just shy of midfield. Freiermuth took the direct snap and got the tough yard. On the next play Warren got around the end and raced for a 50 yard touchdown to make it 24-15 Steelers. Yet every time the Steelers tried to get breathing room, the Colts answered. Shrader hit field goals of 40 in the third quarter and 28 in the fourth quarter. His 5 field goals again had the Colts right back in it down 24-22 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Steelers soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 44. Rodgers went to Bernard for 25. Rodgers threw deep incomplete on 3rd and 1 from the Indy 22. Mike McCarthy went for it. Warren got the yard. On 3rd and 6 from the Indy 17, Rodgers went to Freiermuth with the touchdown. The Steelers finally had breathing room up 31-22 with 6 1/2 minutes left. The Colts were game, but too many field goals did them in. Now down by 2 scores, they turned it over on downs on their last 2 possessions. Boswell added a 54 yard field goal with under 4 minutes left to complete the scoring. 34-22 Steelers
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans — Both teams came in 0-4 but the Texans were seen s better than their record. Joey Slye kicked a 30 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Titans. The Titans then took the remaining 55 minutes off. he Txans could not reach the end zone in the first half, but they didn’t need to. Kaimi Fairbairn connected from 45 in the first quarter and from 35, 26 and 53 in the second quarter to make it 12-3 Texans. In the third quarter the Texans embarked on a mind-numbing 17 play, 74 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive. CJ Stroud ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 19-3 Texans. Another 74 yard drive in the fourth quarter was helped along by a 28 yard defensive pass interference call. On 3rd and 8 from the Tennessee 9, Stroud went to Noel for the final score. The Texans finally won, while the Titans remained winless, witless and worthless. 26-3 Texans
New York Giants at Washington at Commanders — If ever a game did not deserve a winner, this was it. Jayden Daniels returned from injury to give the Commanders some hope. Jason Dart is out for the season injured and Jameis Winston got the start for the Giants. The Commanders needed only 4 plays and 2 minutes to get on the board. Daniels hit Okonkwo for 23 and Croskey-Merritt ran for a 33 yard touchdown. The Commanders led 6-0 but the extra point was no good. Zvada missed a 50 yard field goal try but connected from 51 to get the Giants on the board. In the second quarter Stevens hit from 28 and 40 for a 12-3 Commanders lead. Zvada missed again from 57 but in the third quarter hit from 36 to get the Giants within 12-6. The Commanders took over at their own 23. Daniels went to Williams for 17. Daniels ran for a 38 yard touchdown to have the Commanders up 19-6.
The Giants took over at their own 37. John Harbaugh gambled on 4h and 4 from the Washington 43. Winston hit Tracy for 21. On 3rd and 9 from the Washington 10, Winston was intercepted. Yet defensive pass interference instead meant a 9 yard gain and 1st and goal at the one. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Winston hit Isaiah likely for the touchdown to get the Giants within 19-13. The Commanders took over in the fourth quarter at their own 19. Croskey-Merritt ran for 22. Daniels went to Terry McLaurin for 14. On 3rd and 7 from the Giants 42, Daniels went to Williams for 8. On 3rd and 2 from the Giants 26, Daniels scrambled for the first down and the touchdown. Dan Quinn went for 2 and Daniels hit McLaurin successfully to have the Commanders in command up 27-13 with 11 minutes left in regulation.
The Giants took over at their own 25. Winston hit Likely for 10, Johnson for 21 and Nabers for 12. Midway through the fourth quarter the Giants were down to their last gasp, facing 4th and 8 at the Washington 17. Winston hit Likely, who got belted at the goal line and fumbled. The Commanders recovered in he end zone for a touchback. On further review, Likely broke the plane of the goal before losing the ball. Instead of game over, the 17 yard touchdown had the Giants within 27-20. For the Commanders, this was their first failure to close out the game, FCO1. The Giants got the ball back at their own 28. On 3rd and 7 from their own 43, Winston hit Nabers for 16. Winston found Johnson for 14. Winston found Nabers for a 17 yard touchdown. With 1:43 left in regulation, the game was tied. Overtime was a fiasco.
Early in overtime, Zvada came in for a 46 yard field goal try for the stunning comeback win. His kick was no good. The Giants got the ball back and with 2 minutes left in overtime moved to a 1st and 10 at the Washington 24. Well within field goal range, Zvada never got his chance at redemption. Cam Skattebo fumbled and the Commanders recovered. The Commanders moved to a 1st and 10 at the Giants 26 with 55 seconds left, well within field goal range on they side. A safe run gained 2 yards as the clock ticked down to 12 seconds. The Commanders did everything right up to that point on this drive. They made sure the Giants would have no time left. Yet the Commanders then lost their minds. Jones was taken down for no gain. The Commanders did not have a timeout. The clock ran out before they could get the field goal team out. Dan Quinn blew it. Jayden Daniels blew it. Again, this was a game nobody deserved to win. So nobody did. 27—27 tie, OT
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers — The Packers have been struggling, while the newly improved Bears started Tyler Bagent in place of the injured Caleb Williams. The Packers started at their own 9 yard line. Jordan Love for Kraft for 13. Runs and short passes led to a 1st and 10 at the Chicago 42. Love went deep to Watson for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Packers. An interception of Bagent gave the Packers a short field at the Chicago 45. On the first play of the second quarter, Lloyd ran for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Packers. The Bears did manage a staggering 16 play, 78 yard drive that took 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. On 2nd and gal at the one, Swift got stopped and Bagent threw incomplete. Ben Johnson went for it on 4th and goal at the one. Swift got in to get the Bears within 14-7 with 1:53 left in the half.
Yet the second half was no contest. Own the first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, from his own 28, Love went deep to Watson for 31. A 43 yard touchdown pass by Love was nullified by an offensive penalty. Yet on the next play on 3rd and 22 from his own 47, Love went deep again to watson for a 53 yard touchdown pass. The extra point was no good but the Packers led 20-7. Cairo Santos missed a 43 yard field goal try for the Bears. Smack hit from 35 to make it 23-7 Packers. Late in the theird quarter Bagent was intercepted again to set up the Packers at their own 45. Love went to Golden for big gains of 36 and 15. On the first play of the fourth quarter Lloyd ran for a 4 yard touchdown. A useless 2 point conversion try was good to complete the blowout. 31-7 Packers
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers — The Broncos were only 2-2 but the Charges came in winless. The Chargers early on faced 3rd and 10 at their own 17. Justin Herbert hit Hufanga for 19, but Hufange coughed it up and the Broncos recovered the fumble at the Chargers 40. Bo Nix went to Evan Engram for 34. JK Dobbins ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Broncos. In the second quarter Cameron Dicker hit from 42 for the Chargers and Wil Lutz answered from 34 as the Broncos took a 10-3 lead to the locker rooms.
The Chargers began the third quarter facing 3rd and 15 at their own 22. Herbert went to Wease for 16. On 3rd and 3 from their own 45, Herbert went to Kolar for 8. On 3rd and 7 from the Denver 30, Herbert got around the end for 23. Herbert went to Rucci for a 7 yard touchdown. The
glacial 14 play, 73 yard drive took 9 1/2 minutes off the clock and tied the game 10-10 with 5 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. Late in the third quarter the Broncos took over at their own 40. On the first play, nix fumbled. The Chargers took over at the Denver 42. One play and 10 seconds later, Vidal had a touchdown run. The Chargers led 17-10 after three quarters and were smelling upset.
With 12 minutes left in regulation, Lutz missed a 42 yard field goal try. Jim Harbaugh then gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 41. His defense was playing well but rather than punt and play field position, he went bold. Herbert took the sneak into the teeth of the Denver defense and got stopped cold. Now the Broncos had the short field. Nix hit Cortland Sutton for 13, Jalen Waddle for 10, and Sutton again for the 5 yard touchdown to tie the game 17-17 with 9 minutes left. The Chargers then self-destructed. Herbert was sacked and fumbled, and the Broncos moved to a 4th and goal at the one. This time Sean Payton was taking on chances. Lutz hit form 19 to have the Broncos up 20-17. Herbert was then intercepted, leading to a 36 yard Lutz field goal. The Chargers were only down by 6 and had 1:08 left to pull out the win. Their defense kept them in the game. They moved from their own 31 to the Denver 39 with 3 seconds left. A relatively short Hail Mary never happened as Herbert was sacked to keep the Chargers winless. 23-17 Broncos
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals — The Lions have a potent offense. The Cardinals have nothing. The Cardinals actually began strong, moving 73 yards in 14 plays and 8 minutes. Jacob Brissett hit Bourne for a 22 yard gain. On 4th and 1 from the Detroit 9, Mike LaFleur gambled and went to his bag of tricks. Out of the shotgun it was Wilson taking the direct snap and Brissett catching rather than throwing a pass for a 7 yard gain. he next play was more conventional as Brissett threw a two yard touchdown to Quitoriario to make it 7-0 Cardinals. After one quarter, reality set in for the Cardinals.
In the second quarter the Lions faced 4th and 3 at the Arizona 47. It ws time for a Dan Campbell gamble. Jared Goff went to Sam La Porta for 12 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 more. Jahmyr Gibbs added 16, 3, and the one yard touchdown to make it 7-7.The Lions got the ball back with a short field and soon faced 4th and 1 at the Arizona 38. Another Campbell gamble would not feature a tush push or big wedge of beef up the gut. Goff went to Laporta, who raced for a 38 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Lions. The Lions got it back at their own 25. Goff went to Gibbs for 23. Goff hit Wright for 11. Gibbs ran for 18 and 3. On 4th and 4 from the Arizona 8, Campbell rolled the dice a 3rd time. A 3rd time he hit the jackpot as Goff hit Williams for the touchdown to make it 21-7 Lions. The Lions got it back and soon faced 4th and 7 at the Arizona 27. For once, Campbell played it safe. There were only 53 seconds left in the half anyway. Bates hit from 46 to make it 24-7 Cardinals. The Cardinals ended the half with Brissett getting intercepted and began the third quarter with Ryland missing a 53 yard field goal try. From their own 43, the Lions kept rolling. On 3rd and 10 from the Arizona 39, Goff went deep to Williams for the touchdown as 31 straight points had the Lions dominating up 31-7.
The Cardinals did manage a third quarter touchdown but the Lions continued carpet bombing the Cardinals into submission. A 74 yard drive had Goff going to Amra st Brown fro 36 and Gibbs running for 22. On 4th and goal at the one, did anyone think Dan Campbell would kick a field goal? Goff kept it and got in to make it 38-14 Lions. In the fourth quarter the Cardinals turned it over on down and the Lions moved 79 yards in 13 plays and 8 minutes. Gibbs ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 45-14 Lions. The Cardinals managed one garbage touchdown but the Lions showed the NFL that their high octane offense was not slowing down. 45-21 Lions
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks — In last year’s regular season finale, the Seahawks went into San Francisco and bullied the 49ers 13-3. In the playoff rematch in Seattle, the Seahawks blasted the 49ers to pieces en route to winning it all. The 49ers came in unbeaten while the Seahawks were once beaten. This heavyweight matchup lived up to its billing. Sam Darnold was quickly intercepted to give the 49ers gift field position at the Seattle 18. Brock Purdy went to Mike Evans for 13 and again for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 49ers. The Seahawks got the next big break when the 49ers fumbled a punt and the Seahawks recovered at the San Francisco 24. Wilson ran for a 2 yard touchdown and a 7-7 game after the first quarter.
Jason Myers hit a 49 yard second quarter field goal to make it 10-7 Seahawks. Yet the Seahawks got the ball back at their own 9 and quickly fumbled the ball away. The 49ers took over a the Seattle 11 yard line. One play and 6 seconds was enough for Christian McCaffrey to run it in to make it 14-10 49ers. The Seahawks moved 11 plays and held the ball for 6 1/2 minutes, but had to settle for a 50 yard Myers field goal to get the Seahawks within 14-13 with 1:56 left in the half. The Seahawks got the ball back at their own 4 with only 13 seconds left in the half. All they wanted to do was run out the clock. A run turned disastrous when Holani went backward 4 yards and fumbled. The 49ers recovered in the Seattle end zone for a gift touchdown and a 21-13 49ers lead.
The third quarter began with Darnold immediately being intercepted. It led ton nothing for the 49ers as Eddie Pineiro missed a 52 yard field goal try. Myers hit from 43 to have the Seahawks within 21-16. Purdy was then intercepted by Pritchard, who returned the pick 20 yards to the San Francisco 23. On 3rd and 3 Darnold Jot Jaxson Smith-Nigba for a 16 yard touchdown to have the Seahawks up 23-21. Two plays later Deebo Samuel fumbled and the Seahawks had yet another short field at the Frisco 35. The defense held but Myers hit a 48 yard field goal as 13 unanswered points had the Seahawks up 26-21 after three quarters in a game of big turnovers.
The 49ers took over at her own 26. Early in the fourth quarter on 3rd and 10 just shy of midfield, Purdy went to Evans for 23. On 2nd and 21 from the Seattle 37 after an offensive penalty, Purdy went back to Evans for 28. Purdy hit Cooks for a 7 yard touchdown. Kyle Shanahan went for 2 and Purdy went to Evans unsuccessfully. Yet defensive pass interference moved the ball to the one. This time Purdy hit Evans successfully as the 49ers led 29-26 with 11 minutes left in regulation. A 39 yard kickoff return had the Seahawks taking over at their own 45. On 3rd and 5 from the San Francisco 17 looking for the lead, Darnold was sacked. Myers hit from 40 to have the game tied 29-29 midway through the fourth quarter.
The 49ers took over at their own 32 and moved to a 4th and 2 at the Seattle 25 with 1:56 remaining. Kyle Shanahan was not in a gambling mood. Pineiro hit the 44 yard field goal t give the 49ers the 3 point lead again. The Seahawks took over at their own 15 nd immediately went to Smith-nigba for 35 to midfield. The Seahawks were one first down from the tying field goal try. Darnold threw incomplete thrice, setting up 4th and 10. Darnold went to Cooper Kupp, but officials after reviewing it called it a 9 yard gain just short of the sticks. Don’t let the many turnovers in this game make it less of a thriller. The 49ers win in the 1981 NFC Title Game that began their dynasty is remembered by Joe Montana to Dwight Clark for “the catch.” Most people forget that timeless classic had 10 turnovers. This was only a regular season game, but the many turnovers do not diminish a great football game between bitter division rivals. The rematch later in the year cannot come soon enough. For now, the 49ers remained unbeaten rather than tied atop their division. 32-29 49ers
Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons was the Sunday night game. The Falcons were clicking with Michael Penix back. he Ravens were without Lamar Jackson, with backup Tyler “Snoop” Huntley getting the nod. The Ravens began the game moving to a 2n and goal at the one. King Derrick Henry got the carry out of the shotgun and got crowned for a 2 yard loss. Hunter then threw incomplete. The Ravens settled for a 21 yard Tyler Loop field goal and a 3-0 lead. The next time the Ravens got the ball, they went backward. On 2nd and 19 from their own 34, Huntley hit Mark Andrews for 9, but Andrews fumbled the ball alway. Bates picked up the fumble and raced 36 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 7-3 Ravens lead. A field position game had the Ravens getting the ball back at their own 47. That was enough for Loop to hit a 51 yard field goal to get the Ravens within 7-6.
The Falcons soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 29. Penix went to London for 25. On 3rd and 6 from the Baltimore 42, Penix went to Dotson for 36. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Penix went to Kyle Pitts for the touchdown to make it 14-6 Falcons. Loop ended the half with his third field goal from 51, but Nick Folk hit from 23 to have the Falcons up 17-9 in the third quarter. The Ravens soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 35. Justice Hill ripped off a 47 yard gain. Huntley went to Henry for an 18 yard touchdown. Jesse Minter decided to go for 2 to tie the game. Huntley threw incomplete as the Ravens trailed 17-15 midway through the third quarter.
The Falcons in the fourth quarter mounted a glacial 16 play, 74 yard drive that ate up 8 1/2 minutes. Yet they had to settle for a 34 yard field goal to make it 20-15 Falcons. The Flacons got the ball back a their own 18 looking to ice the game. They moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Baltimore 30 with 2:38 left. Penix threw incomplete. Folk hit the 48 yard field goal. The Falcons led 23-15 but 2 1/2 minutes remained. The Ravens definitely had life. On 1st and 20 from their own 19 after an offensive penalty, a 23 yard defensive pass interference call had the Ravens moving. From their own 48, Huntley went to Bateman for 11 at the 2 minute warning. Huntley went to Bateman for 20. Huntley hit Walker for a 7 yard touchdown. On the 2 point conversion with everyone expecting a pass, Henry ran it in. The game was tied 23-23, but 40 seconds still remained.
With 13 seconds left, the Falcons faced 3rd and 6 from their own 45. There was enough time for a 20 yard completion and a field goal try for the win. Instead, Penix threw incomplete and the game went to overtime. The Ravens got the ball first at their own 32. Henry ran for 9 and 2. Penix went to Mark Andrews for 10. On 3rd and 6 from the Atlanta 47 out of the shotgun, Huntley went to bay Flowers for just enough. Henry ran for 11. Huntley himself got the last yard to cap the 14 play, 68 yard, 7 minute drive. Now the Ravens led by 7 but the Falcons still had 3 minutes left in overtime to tie or win he game. What hey did not have is Penix. He was injured on he last snap of regulation. Backup Tua Tagovailoa had to get the win. His repeated injuries got him sent packing from Miami. Now he had a chance to get a small measure of redemption in Atlanta. Tagovailoa’s first pass was a 20 yard completion. His second pass was intercepted to end the game that ended with one backup getting it done and the other one quickly flaming out. 30-23 Ravens, OT
Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams was the Monday night game. Four years earlier these teams kicked off the 2022 NFL Season. The Rams were the defending champions. The Bills went in to Los Angeles and thumped them 31-10. This time a battle of high octane offenses could not reach the end zone early on. Tyler Bass hit a 49 yard field goal for the Bills. Mevis missed from 50 for the Rams. Bass connected again from 23 for a 6-0 Bills lead. The Rams began the second quarter facing 3rd and 4 from their own 35. The defense jumped into he neutral zone. Matthew Stafford hit Blake Corum for 10. Corum ran for 3 and 10. Stafford hit Corum again for 9. On 3rd and 7 from the Buffalo 24, Stafford hit Puka Nacua for 8. Nacua ran for 9. Stafford hit Davantae Adams for a 4 yard touchdown to cap the 14 play, 71 yard, 7 minute drive and make it 7-6 Rams.
The Bills took over at their own 31. From their own 43, Allen went to Johnson for 40. James Cook ran for a 17 yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Bills. A 3 2yard kickoff return had the Rams at their own 40. Stafford went to Nacua for 14. Sean McVay went for it on 4th and 5 from the Buffalo 40. Stafford hit Tyler Higbee for 10. Stafford went to Nacua for 12. Defensive pass interference added 17 yards down to the one. Corum got the last yard to have the Rams back on top 14-13 in the third quarter.
The Bills too over at their own 39. Cook gained 11. Allen went to Johnson for 26. Defensive pass interference added 21 more. On 3rd and goal from the 13, Allen ran for only 9. Yet defensive holding added 2 yards and mean an automatic first down. After a false start, Allen hit Keelan Coleman for a 7 yard touchdown. Bass missed he extra point but the Bills led 19-14. he Rams took over at their own 17. Stafford went to Higbee for 28 and to Corum for 34. Stafford hit Nacua for 11. The fourth quarter began with Stafford hitting Nacua for a 2 yard touchdown. Sean McVay went for 2 and Stafford was sacked. Yet the 5th lead change of the game had the Rams up 20-19.
he Rams took over at their own 20. Cook ran for 7 and 18 and Allen scrambled for 22 more. Allen hit Davis for 31. Allen ran for a one yard touchdown. Joe Brady went for 2 and this time Allen hit Raton Kincaid successfully. The 6th lead change had the Bills up 27-20. The Rams took over at their own 29. Karen Williams ran for 12. Stafford went deep to Higbee for 30. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Stafford went to Adams for the touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the game was tied 27-27.
The Bills took over at their own 29. Allen scrambled for 15. Allen hit Shakir for 17. At he 2 minute warning, on 2nd and 17 from the Rams 26, Allen scrambled again for 21. Cook ran for the 5 yard touchdown. The Bills led 34-27, but there was still 1:40 left. The Rams took over at their own 37. Stafford went to Adams for 14, Nacua for 16, and back to Adams for 15. 30 seconds remained as the Rams faced 3rd and 7 from the Buffalo 10. Stafford wen to Williams 9. With 5 seconds left, Williams ran it in from the one. After 6 lead changes, the game was now tied for the second time and headed to overtime tied 34-34.
The fourth quarter saw an explosion of a combined 35 points, more than the first 3 quarters combined. Yet after all that offense, overtime was about defense. Allen connected with Shakir for a 57 yard gain to the Rams 22. In short field goal range, Cook fumbled the ball away. The Rams took over at their own 20 to a 3rd and 5 at the Buffalo 30. Sean McVay played it safe but Williams gained nothing. Mevis came in for a 48 yard field goal try for the win. Blocked! The kick was blocked. The Bills had life. Fro their own 38, they moved to a 1st and 10 from the Rams 27 at the 2 minute warning. At this point Joe Brady was taking no chances. Cook gained nothing but the ball was in the right spot. Bass came in for a 45 yard try for the win. Good! Bass was the hero, Cook was bailed out from being the scapegoat, and Mevis was the scapegoat. Mevis was cut the following day. A Super Bowl rematch between these teams would be well worth it after this fine, fine football game. 37-34 Bills