NFL 2026 Week 4 Recap
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns was the Thursday night game. The Browns may not be as bad as what fans are used to, but the Steelers are not as good as past years. The Steelers did get a tough home win last week over Cincinnati. The Steelers began this game with a staggering 17 play, 78 yard drive that took nearly 10 minutes off the clock. Mike McCarthy loves his 4 yard West Coast Offense dink and dunk passes. A 15 yard defensive penalty was twice as long as most of the completions on the drive. Rodgers finally hit Wilson for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Steelers.
The Steelers began the second quarter with Rodgers throwing an interception and the Browns taking over at their own 44. Deshaun Watson hit Fannin for 13 and Judkins for 12. McLaughlin ran for a 28 yard touchdown o tie the game 7-7. The Browns got it back at their own 26. Watson immediately went bombs away to Boston for a 60 yard gain. Judkins ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Browns. Chris Boswell then missed a 48 yard field goal try that would have tightened the game. The Browns soon faced 3rd an 6 at their own 42. Watson hit Boston for 9 and went deep to Concepcion for 25. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Watson hit Fannin for the touchdown to have the Browns up 21-7 with 1:22 left in he half.
The Steelers did manage a field goal before the half. The Browns moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Pittsburgh 38. Looking to try and put the game out of reach, the Browns instead fumbled the ball away. The Browns got it back. From their own 35 Watson threw a bomb into double coverage. The ball was intercepted, but officials initially ruled defensive pass interference and a 42 yard gain. Normally that is not reviewable but officials can review whether the ball was tipped. The officials eventually did rule the ball was tipped, negating pass interference and restoring the interception. This seemed to be a bad call. It seemed the ball went just over the defender’s fingertips. Also, tipped balls do not travel 42 yards. The ball did not seem to change trajectory. Nevertheless the interception stood. On 2nd and 8 form his own 25, Rodgers unleashed a bomb to Metcalf for 43 yards. Rodgers went to Warren for 13 and then fired a laser to Darnell Washington between defenders for a 21 yard touchdown. With 10 minutes still left in regulation, Mike McCarthy going for a 2 point conversion seemed unnecessary. His insistence on a sideways West Coast Offense dink and dunk pass saw his receiver get blown up at the line of scrimmage. The Steelers were within 21-16.
he Browns moved to a 4th and 2 at the Pittsburgh 25 midway through the fourth quarter. Todd Monken was not taking any chances. Szmyt hit the 44 yard field goal to have the Browns up 24-16. The Steelers with 3 1/2 minutes left took over at their own 20 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Cleveland 11 with 2:10 left. On 4th and 10 with 1:50 left, the Cleveland defense needed one more stop. Rodgers threw incomplete. Yet defensive pass interference instead meant an 8 yard gain.Rodgers went to Pat Freiermuth for the 3 yard touchdown. On the 2 point conversion try that would have been unnecessary had they not tried and failed earlier, the Browns jumped offsides. Now the 2 point try was on the one yard line. The 42 year old Rodgers kept the ball on the quarterback sneak successfully ton tie the game 24-24.
The Browns still had 1:36 to work with from their own 26. Watson fired to Jerry Judy to 17, to Fannin for 12 and back to Jeudy for 10. From 56 yards out, Szmyt drilled it home. With 10 seconds left, the Brows had the 3 point lead. Yet after a touchback, that was plenty of time for Rodgers, the King of the Hail Mary. He even had enough time for 2 tries. His first deep ball was intercepted. The Browns now have their first 3 game win streak in 3 years. The Browns are 3-1 on he year.The Browns have beaten the Steelers 5 straight times at home and are 8-0 on Thursday Night Football. 27-24 Browns
Indianapolis Colts at Washington Commanders in London. A pair of uneven teams left America and played in Europe. Marcus Mariota again started in place of the injured Jayden Daniels. Twice the Commanders entered the red zone in the first quarter, the first time set up by a Colts fumble. They settled for Stevens field goals of 31 and 29 for a 6-0 Commanders lead. Making matters worse, Mariota suffered a sprained knee in the first quarter. Third stringer rookie Athan Kaliakmanis played the rest of the way. In the second quarter the Colts suffered an interception only to have the Commanders turn it over on downs and waste another opportunity.
The Colts took over at the Washington 46. On 3rd and 2, Daniel Jones went to Warren for 12. On 3rd and 2 from the Washington 5, Jonathan Taylor got in around the end for a 7-6 Colts lead. Shrader hit a 48 yard field goal to end the half to make it 10-6 Colts. A third quarter interception of Kaliakmanis set up the Colts at the Washington 20. On 3rd and 6, Jones went to Laquon Treadwell for 11. Taylor ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 17-6 Colts.
Kaliakmanis did throw his first NFL touchdown pass, a 47 yarder to Burks to get the Commanders within 17-13. Shrader hit from 52 to have the Colts up 20-13. The Colts got it back at their own 48. Taylor began the fourth quarter running for 6, 12, 12 again, and one. On 3rd and 2 from the Washington 4, Jones ran it in to have the Colts up 27-13. SHrader hit from 44 with 6 minutes left to lock up the win. 30-13 Colts
Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants — Neither team is any good, but the game itself was. Jacoby Brissett and Jameis Winston got the respective starts. The Cardinals began at their own 42. Brissett hit Wilson for 13. Love got around the end for 16. Brussett hit Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. Zvada hit a 39 yard field goal for the Giants, but the Cardinals kept rolling early on. From his own 26, Brissett hit Wilson for 20. Love ran for a pair of 8 yard gains. Tyler Allgeier added 7, 9, and the 22 yard touchdown run as the Cardinals led 14-3 after one quarter.
Tracy returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to the Arizona 45. Yet despite great field position, the Giants settled for a 50 yard Zvada field goal to trail 14-6. The Giants got the ball back at their own 44. A defensive facemark gave them 15 yards. Cam Skattebo ran for 7, 6 and 3. On 3rd and 4 from the Arizona 12, Winton went to Fields for the touchdown. A totally unnecessary 2 point conversion try failed as the Giants were within 14-12. Brissett was then intercepted to set up the Giants at the Arizona 26. Two plays later Winston went to Nabers for a 25 yard touchdown and a 19-14 Giants lead.
Despite 16 straight points, the knock on Winston is that he completes too many passes to both teams. While driving into field goal range near the end of the half, Winston was intercepted. 24 seconds was just enough time for Ryland to drill a 60 yard field goal to get the Cardinals within 19-17 at the half. On the third play of the third quarter, Winston was intercepted again. Buddha Baker returned the interception 22 yards. The Cardinals took over at the Giants 37. Brissett hit Long for 10. It took 10 plays and 5 minutes to go only 37 yards, but Brissett hit Higgins for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 24-19 Cardinals.
The Giants took over at their own 24. Winston went deep to Nabers for 28. On 3rd and 20 from their own 42, Winston went deep to Fields for 40. On 4th and 8 from the Arizona 16, a field goal by the Giants to get them within 24-22 was good. Yet defensive holding caused John Harbaugh to take the points off the board in favor of a new set of downs. Winston hit Johnson for an 11 yard touchdown. Harbaugh went for 2 and Harris got in. Instead of trailing, the Giants led 27-24 after three quarters.
With 2:11 to play, Zvada hit a 52 yard field goal to make it 30-24 Giants. That was plenty of time for the Cardinals, who took over at their own 33. They moved to a 1st and goal at the 4 with 22 seconds left. Brissett threw incomplete twice, leaving 4th and goal and 11 seconds. Everything came down to one play. Brissett fred complete to Banks. Problem: Banks plays defense for the Giants. It was Brissett rather than Winston throwing the touchdown pass to the wrong team as Banks raced 98 yards the other way for the interception touchdown explanation point. On the verge of a 31-30 Cardinals win, instead it became less important than the Miracle at the Meadowland but still a fantastic finish worthy of Alcoa. 36-24 Giants.
Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans — The battle of Txas featured the winless Texans and a Cowboys team with no defense. The Texans began at their own 15. On the first play from scrimmage, CJ Stroud went bombs away to Nicol Collins for a 45 yard gain. Stroud hit Jordan for 13. On 3rd and 3 from the Dallas 7, Stroud went to Collins for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Texans. The rest of the half was a battle of kickers.
Brandon Aubrey hit from 39 for the Cowboys and Kaimi Fairbairn answered from 51 for a 10-3 Texans lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter Aubrey hit from 50. He was even a chance from 62 with 5 minutes left in the half but missed it. The resulting field position allowed Fairbairn to hit from 39. It was deja vu all over again as Aubrey had a chance from 66 with 30 seconds left. Again it was no good. Another short field let Fairbairn hit from 54 to have the Texans up 16-6 at the half.
The Cowboys began the third quarter by returning the second half kickoff 48 yards to just past midfield. Dan Prescott went to CeeDee Lamb for a 30 yard gain. Williams ran for an 8 yard gain to get the Cowboys within 16-13. Then it was Noel who returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to have the Texans starting at the Dallas 38. Stroud went to Collins for a 22 yard touchdown to have the Texans back up 23-13.
The Cowboys took over at their own 36. Prescott went deep to George Pickens for 53. On 3rd and 7 from the Houston 8, Prescott threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 7 yard and a new set of downs. On 4th and goal at the 3, Prescott threw incomplete again but defensive holding again gave the Cowboys new downs. Williams got the one yard touchdown to get the Cowboys within 23-20. The Cowboys got it back at their own 19. On 3rd and 1 form their own 39, Prescott went to Lamb for 16. On 2nd nd 18 from the Houston 41, Prescott went to Lamb for 21 and again for 17. Williams ran for a 2 yard touchdown to give the Cowboys their first lead up 27-23 with 11 minutes left in regulation.
Midway through the first quarter the Texans took over at their own 13 and moved backward to their own 8. Stroud then hit Hutchinson for 26. On 3rd and 2 form their own 42, Stroud went to Collins for 13 and Noel for 22. On 3rd and 14 from the Dallas 27, Demeco Ryans went to the bag of tricks with the hook and ladder. Stroud went to Schultz for 2 yards, but Schultz lateraled to Montgomery for 19 more. Marks ran for a 6 yard touchdown to put the Texans back on top 30-27 with 2:23 left.
The Cowboys took over at their own 26. They faced 4th and 4 at their own 32 with 90 seconds left. One stop would end the game. Prescott hit Ferguson for 7. Prescott then found Lamb for 15 and Pickens for 22. Prescott found Lamb for a 12 yard touchdown with 40 seconds left. The third lead change of the fourth quarter had the Cowboys up by 4 points. The Texans took over at their own 28 and moved to the Dallas 48 with 9 seconds left. Stroud’s Hail Mary fell incomplete as the Texans remained winless. 34-30 Cowboys
Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — When these teams were both awful, ESPN uber-announer Chris Berman called this game the “Bay of Pigs.” When they were both very good, he upgraded the game to “Baywatch.” This game was somewhere in between as a pair of barely mediocre teams played. With Baker Mayfield out injured, Jason Daniels started for the Buccaneers. Midway through the first quarter, Daniels was intercepted. The Packers took over at their own 32 and embarked on a staggering 16 play, 68 yard drive that took nearly 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. Brooks ran for 27. On 4th and 1 from the Tampa Bay 28, Matt LaFleur went for it and Love hit Kraft for 10. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Love threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a new set of downs. On 4th and goal at the 2, LaFleur gambled again. Love hit golden for the touchdown to have the Packers up 7-0 early in the second quarter.
The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 5 just past midfield. Daniels went to Hurst for 21. Todd Bowles gambled on 4th and 1 from the Green Bay 19. Tucker went up the gut for 8 yards. Tucker ran for a 2 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. With 40 seconds left in the half the Buccaneers had reached the Green Bay 41. Nearing long field goal range, Daniels was intercepted by Cooper, who returned it 18 yards to the Tampa Bay 44. Smack smacked a 58 yard field goal to end the half.Due to the miscue, rather than the Buccaneers it was the Packers up 10-7. he Packers began the third quarter at their own 20. Love immediately went to Redman for 25. Johnson ripped off a 31 yard run. Johnson went to Kraft for a 2 yard touchdown to have the Packers up 17-7.
The Buccaneers took over at their own 16. Daniels went to Chris Godwin for 13. On 3rd and 2 from his own 42, Daniels ran for 21. Johnson added 10 more. The fourth quarter began with the Buccaneers facing 3rd and 7 from the Green Bay 10. Daniels went to Kenneth Gainwell for the touchdown to have the Buccaneers within a field goal. The Packers moved to a 1st and goal at the 3. Looking to put the game away, instead the Packers fumbled the ball away. The Buccaneers tried to fumble the ball back with a miserable snap but were lucky to recover. They punted on 4th and 24 from their own one. The Packers took over at the Tampa Bay 33. Love was then intercepted. This game was becoming the Bay of Pigs. The Buccaneers took over at their own 15 with 4 1/2 minutes left. With 90 seconds left on 4th and 11 from the Green Bay 47, a 66 yard field goal try was not in the cards. Daniels threw incomplete. Neither Matt LaFleur or Todd Bowles were fired after the game. 17-14 Packers
Jacksonville Jaguars a Cincinnati Bengals — A pair of good football teams led by top overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow faced off. Little hit from 55 to have the Jaguars up 3-0 after the first quarter. In the second quarter Evan McPherson tied the game from 29 and Little answered from 28 to make it 6-3 Jaguars. The Bengals soon had 3rd and 6 from the Jacksonville 45. Burrow was intercepted by Lewis, who returned the interception 45 yards to the Cincinnati 18. Lawrence went to Thomas for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 13-3 Jaguars.
The Bengals began the third quarter facing 2nd and 13 from their own 30. Burrow went to Tee Higgins for 16 and again on the drive for 14 more. On 3rd and 7 from he Jacksonville 15, Burrow went to Mike Gesicki for the touchdown to get the Bengals within 13-10. Little hit again from 54 to have the Jaguars up 16-10 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Jaguars took over at their own 24. Lawrence went to Strange for 16. Rodriguez got around the end for a 25 yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Jaguars led 22-10 with 6 1/2 minutes left. Needing 2 scores, the Bengals quickly moved 71 yards. Burrow got the last yard to have the Bengals within 5 points with 3 1/2 minutes left. The Bengals got it back at their own 29 with 1:44 left. Burrow quickly went to Tinsley for 29, to Gesicki for 18, and to Meyers for 15. The Bengals had 1st and 10 from the Jacksonville 21 with 1:08 left. Burrow then threw 3 incompletions. On 4th and 10, a completion to Brown gained 9, leaving the Bengals one yard short. 22-17 Jaguars
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles — Both of these reams were expected to be very good, but have been wildly inconsistent. An early interception of Matthew Stafford led to a 29 yard Jake Elliott field goal and a 3-0 Eagles lead. Harrison Mevis answered from 40 to tie the game. In the second quarter Elliott hit from 56 to make it 6-3 Eagles. A special teams play had the Rams punting on 4th and 10 from their own 7 and the Eagles returning the punt 41 yards to the Rams 17. Two plays later Jalen Hurts went to Cooper for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 13-3 Eagles.
The Rams took over at their own 33. Stafford went to Karen Williams for 16. On 3rd and 6 from the Philadelphia 47, Stafford found Davantae Adams for 12. Stafford found Tyler Higbee for 19. Puka Nacua ran for a 2 yard touchdown to have the Rams within 13-10 with 1:55 left in the half. The Rams got the ball back a their own 21 with one minute left in the half. Sean McVay went aggressive and it backfired as Stafford was intercepted. Cooper Dejean returned the pick 25 yards to the Rams 35 with 34 seconds left. A deep incompletion by Hurts led to a 25 yard defensive pass interference penalty, leaving 9 seconds. Hurts went to Cooper for a 10 yard touchdown with 3 seconds left as the Eagles took a 20-10 lead to the locker rooms.
The third quarter was scoreless as Mevis missed a 48 yard field goal that would have closed the gap. Late in the third quarter Nick sirianni gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 38. This time Hurts’s tush push got rejected for no gain. Yet early in the fourth quarter Sean McVay gambled on 4th and 8 from the philly 36 rather than try a 54 yard field goal. Stafford threw incomplete. The Eagles then moved 62 yards in 11 plays, taking nearly 7 minutes off the clock. It’s one thing to do the tush push from the one yard line. The Eagles are better at it than anyone. Yet from the 2 yard line it’s much tougher. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Hurts got stopped for no gain. Sirianni decided to go for it, knowing a touchdown would ice the game at 27-10. The Eagles were 2 yards from locking up the win. On 4th and goal at the 2, Hurts threw incomplete. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Rams clung to life.
From their own 2, Sean McVay again went aggressive and Stafford from the shadow of his own goal line came out throwing. Stafford hit Williams for 2, Nacua for 9, Higbee for 20, and Nacua again for 32. On 3rd and 10 from the Philly 35, Stafford hit Williams for only 9. Yet instead fo 4th and 1, defensive unnecessary roughness added 13 yards and a new set of downs. With 4 minutes left, the Rams had reached the one yard line but still needed 2 scores. Williams got in to cap the 98 yard drive and get the Rams within 20-17. The Eagles went 3 and out and the Rams took over at their own 21 with 1:55 left. Stafford found Nacua for 7 and 16, Higbee for 13. Tutu Atwell for 8, and Nacua for 12. On 3rd and 2 from the Philly 11, Williams ran for 3, one, and the 7 yard touchdown. 2 touchdown in 4 minutes had the Rams up by 4 with 1:10 left. he Eagles took over at their own 27 and self-destructed. Two sacks and a fumble meant 4th and 25. With 15 seconds left, Hurts’s desperation Hail Mary fell incomplete. 24-20 Rams
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills — The Patriots dominated this division for nearly two decades. The Bills then dominated for the next 5 years. Last year the Patriots took the division back. This year it seemed like the Bills had the momentum back. Josh Allen was rolling as the Bills were unbeaten. Drake Maye was reeling under a hail of turnovers. The Bills went 3 and out and the Patriots took over at their own 3 yard line. Maye ran for 15 and hit Raridon for 12. Maye then fumbled but recovered his own fumble and hit Hunter Henry for 20. Mike Vrabel passed up a 47 yard field goal try and gambled on 4th and 3 from the Buffalo 29. Maye went to Romeo Doubs for 15 and again for the 14 yard touchdown. The 12 play, 97 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive made it 7-0 Patriots.
The Bills soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 40. Allen hit Moore for 11. Joe Brady gambled on 4th and 2 from the New England 41. Allen hit Johnson for 9. Allen found Keelan Coleman for 13. James Cook began the second quarter by running for an 8 yard touchdown. The 13 play, 62 yard, 8 minute drive tied the game 7-7. The Patriots reached the Buffalo 23 but Maye was sacked and fumbled the ball away. The Patriots got the ball back at their own 37. May was sacked again and fumbled again. This time Bishop picked up the fumble and returned it 27 yards for a defensive touchdown. Yet 25 years after the Tuck Rule, the Patriots were bailed out when the play was ruled an incomplete pass and not a fumble.
On the next play, Maye went to Mack Hollins for 26. Rhamondre Stevens ran for 10. May escaped for a 26 yard gain down to the one. Stevenson got the last yard as it was the Patriots rather than the Bills who led 14-7. The Bills took over at their own 33. Allen went deep to Shakir for a 51 yard gain. On 3rd and goal from the 16, Allen threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 2, Allen went up the gut for the touchdown to tie the game 14-14 with one minute left in the half.
Late in the half the Bills fumbled the ball away, but one play later Maye was intercepted. Alford returned the interception 37 yards to the New England 9. Only 5 seconds remained, so the Bills did not have a chance at the end zone. Tyler Bass hit the 27 yard field goal to have the Bills up 17-14 at halftime.
Th Patriots began the third quarter at their own 27. On 3rd and 1 Stevenson ran for 6 and Maye added 13. Maye hit Hollins for 19. mMaye fumbled at the one yard line but the Patriots were lucky enough to retain possession. May hit Doubs for a 2 yard touchdown to cap the 14 play, 73 yard, 7 minute drive and have the Patriots up 21-17 after three quarters.
Bass hit a 38 yard field goal to have the Bills within 21-20 with 11 minutes left in regulation. The Bills got it back at their own 20 and Cook burst free for gains of 16 and 6. On 3rd and 4 from their own 42, Allen went to Coleman for 24 and again for a 34 yard touchdown. 4 1/2 minutes remained in regulation, so Joe Brady went for 2. Allen threw incomplete but the Bills led 26-21.
The Patriots took over at their own 27. Maye hit Henry for 14 and Doubs for 12. Maye hit Chism for 19. On 3rd and 5 from the Buffalo 23, Maye went deep to Chism for the touchdown. Mike Vrabel went for 2 and Maye hit Stevenson successfully. The Patriots led by 3, but the Bills from their own 24 had 1:42 left to work with. That was plenty of time. On 2nd and 6 from their own 40 with 1:14 left, Allen went deep and was intercept. Both teams are 3-1 on the year. 29-26 Patriots
New York Jets at Chicago Bears — The Bears without Caleb Williams are not very good. Tyler Bagent is the backup. The Jets are not very good with anyone, in this case Geno Smith. The Bears began at their own 6 yard line and moved 93 yards in 14 plays and 6 minutes. On 3rd and goal at the one, Monanga got stopped. Ben Johnson gambled. on 4th and goal at the one, Monanga got in t make it 7-0 Bears. The Bears got the ball back only for Bagent to thrown an interception. Minkah Fitzpatrick returned the pick 27 yards to the Chicago 34. Sanders hit a 36 yard field goal to get the Jets within 7-3 in the second quarter. Cairo Santos responded with a pair of 30 yard field goals in the final 2 1.2 minutes of the half to have the Bears up 13-3.
A third quarter Chicago fumble led to another Jets field goal, but after that the Chicago defense clamped down. Runs and short passes moved the Bears from their own 28 to a 3rd and 1 at the Jets 20. Bagent hit Loveland for 12. Monanga ran for 3 and then for the 5 yard touchdown to make it 20-6 Bears. In the fourth quarter the Bears marched 77 yards in 11 plays and 6 minutes. Santos hit from 21 to lock up the win. The Jets managed one garbage touchdown with 9:16 left on the clock. The Bears then embarked on a monstrous 18 play, 76 yard drive that used up all of it. 23-12 Bears
Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens — These teams used to play epic playoff games early this century, but nowadays the Titans are a pathetic winless mess. Trading King Derrick Henry to Baltimore might have been a bad idea. Cam Ward was intercepted on the second play of the game by Simpson, who returned the pick 24 yards to the Tennessee 37. Lamar Jackson immediately went to Bay Flowers for 23. Jesse Minter gambled on 4th and one from the Tennessee 5. Henry got the first down and the touchdown to make it 7-0 Ravens. The Titans took over at their own 30. Tony Pollard ran for 5 and 7. Ward hit Robinson for 12 and Tate for 22. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Pollard got in as game was tied 7-7 after the first quarter. The second quarter brought the reality check.
The Ravens took over at their own 19. Henry ran for 4 and 14. Jackson found Hibner for 25. Henry ran for 11. Jackson went to Flowers for a 19 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Ravens. The Titans moved 73 yards in 10 plays to a 4th and goal at the 2. Robert Sales went for it. Pollard took the direct snap out of the shotgun and ran into a Baltimore brick wall for no gain. The goal line stand ended any chance of a competitive gain. Jackson found Bateman for 28 and Flowers for 52. Jackson hit Mark Andrews for a 3 yard touchdown as the 98 yard drive had the ravens up 21-7. With 12 seconds left in the half the Ravens had the ball again and faced 2nd and 10 from the Tennessee 41. Jackson was sacked for a 5 yard loss and left the game injured. The half ended on a wave of emotions for the Ravens. Tyler Loop levels a 64 yard field goal to have the Ravens up 24-7. Yet Jackson was done for the night with a bum ankle as backup Tyler Snoop Huntley played the second half.
With bad weather, a big lead, and a backup quarterback, the Ravens offense went into a shell and was scoreless in the second half. The plan was to revert to the 2000 team that won it all with no offense and great defense. The Titans managed a third quarter field goal to get within 24-10. With 3 1/2 minutes left, Loop did not need another 64 yard field goal to lock up the win. He only needed to hit a chip shot from 40. His kick was no good. The Titans quickly moved 70 yards. A senseless 2 point conversion try was good. Yet Only 12 seconds remained. The onside kick failed. While 27-10 would have looked prettier, this game was nowhere near as close as the garbage time touchdown made the score look. 24-18 Ravens
Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings — The Dolphins are winless and awful at everything related to football. The Vikings came in unbeaten with a tenacious defense but very little offense. 53 years after meeting in the Super Bowl, these teams played a far less important game. Will Reichard hit field goals of 47 in the first quarter and 56 and 33 in the second quarter for a 9-0 Vikings lead. In the third quarter Riley Patterson hit from 27 to get the Dolphins on the board and Reichard answered from 41 to make it 12-3 Vikings. Late in the third quarter the Dolphins took over at their own 45. Gordon’s 12 yard score was the only touchdown of the game as the Dolphins trailed 12-10. In the fourth quarter the Vikings moved 80 yards in 15 plays and 8 1/2 minutes. They settled for Reichard’s 5th field goal from 29 yards out to have the Vikings up by 5. The Vikings got the ball back with less than 6 minutes left and moved 74 yards in 11 plays as the Dolphins never got the ball back. The Dolphins remained winless while the Vikings remained unbeaten despite winning without scoring a touchdown. League officials vowed to burn the tape of this game to spare anyone from ever having to revisit such futility. 15-10 Vikings
Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers — 37 years after these teams met in the Super Bowl, both teams came in with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. The 49ers were unbeaten. Will Lutz hit a 52 yard first quarter field goal for the Broncos and Eddie Piniro answered from 24 with 90 seconds left in the half for a 3-3 slog. The 49ers quickly got the ball back but Pineiro’s 54 yard try to end the half was blocked. Yet a big special teams play in the third quarter played a much bigger role. The 49ers punted on 4th and 7 from their own 11. A 61 yard punt was fumbled by Marvin Mims to gift the 49ers field possession at the Denver 28. On 3rd and goal at the one, Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy hit Deebo Samuel for a 10-3 49ers lead after three quarters.
One minute into the fourth quarter, the Broncos faced 4th and 2 at the San Francisco 22. Despite having already moved 63 yards in 11 plays, Sean Payton surprisingly decided not to gamble. Lutz hit form 40 to get the Broncos within 10-6. The 49ers took over at heir own 26. Purdy went to Kyle Juszczyk for 16 and Mike Evans for 9. Christian McCaffrey ran for 14. Purdy hit Evans for 17 down to the one. McCaffrey got the yard to have the 49ers up 17-6 with 9 minutes left in regulation.
The Brconos fought hard from their own 30. Bo nix hit Harvey for 18. JK Dobbins had runs of 8, 2 and 2. Harvey added 9 and Dobbins tacked on 9 more. Nix hit Jalen waddle for a 13 yard touchdown. Sean Payton went for 2 and Badie got in to have the Broncos within 17-14 with 4 minutes left. The 49ers took over at their own 31. From their 44, a fort pass from Purdy to George Kittle went for a 56 yard touchdown with 2:15 left. Needing 2 scores in desperation mode, Payton brought in Lutz for a 58 yard field goal try with 1:18 left. His kick was no good. The Broncos were game but the 49ers remained unbeaten. 24-14 49ers
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders _ Both teams were 3-0, but with the Chiefs it was expected while the Rodney Dangerfield Raiders got no respect. The Raiders were 3-14 last year, and despite beating the Chiefs in last year’s regular season finale, the critics insisted this year’s Raiders were frauds. The 3 wins they had are against teams with a combined 1-8 record. A win over Kansas City would immediately silence the critics. The Raiders would have to play a perfect game to win. This game between hated rivals answered a lot of questions and led to many more. Throughout the game, the Chiefs called plays designed to show a complete lack of respect for the Raiders.
The Chiefs punted on 4th and 4 from their own 35. The return man inexplicably fielded the ball at his own one and returned it 15 yards to his own 16. An illegal formation penalty on the Chiefs led to Kling Kubiak calling for the Chiefs to punt again. The goal was to get better field position. Yet on 4th and 9, Walrus Andy Reid called a fake punt from his own 30. Araiza gained 12. On 4th and 2 from midfield, Reid went for it to send a message of invincibility and inevitability. Kenneth Walker III got stopped after a one yard gain.
From midfield, Kirk Cousins hit Mayer for 10 and Young for 9. Cousins went to Thomas for a 27 yard touchdown for a 7-0 Raiders lead. The Chiefs took over at their own 31. On 3rd and 10 from the Raiders 48, Patrick Mahomes went bombs away to Xavier Worthy for a 41 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Mahomes went to Thornton for the touchdown and a 7-7 game. In the second quarter the Raiders moved 75 yards in 15 plays and 8 minutes. Yet they settled for a 3 2yard Matt Gay field goal and a 10-7 Raiders lead with 3:20 left in the half. The Chiefs quickly moved 70 yards in 10 plays, but on 2nd and goal at the 3, Mahomes was sacked. Harrison Butker hit from 28 for a 10-10 game with 1:22 left. That was enough time for Gay to hit from 48 to end the half with the Raiders up 13-10.
In the third quarter the Raiders moved to a 4th and 7 at the Kansas City 23. Gay hit the 41 yard field goal for a 16-10 Raiders lead. Yet a defensive illegal formation caused Kling Kubiak to take the points off the board and gamble on 4th and 2. While it was a bold move by a coach who believed in his team, many fans wished he had just taken the points. The Raiders were not good enough to be taking such big risks in close games against great teams. Cousins threw incomplete. The game remained 13-10. Those 3 points taken off the board would loom large as the third quarter was scoreless.
One play changed the game. On the lsat play of the third quarter from his own 16, Walker broke free for a 76 yard gain. 10 seconds into the fourth quarter, Mahomes went to Thornton for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 17-13 Chiefs. Gay connected from 44 to have the Raiders within 17-16 with 11 minutes left. The Raiders got it back and moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Kansas City 30. Ashton Jeanty got stopped cold for no gain. This time Kling Kubiak was not in a gambling mood. His team may not have been good enough to convert 4th and 2, but this time making the field goal came with time risk. Gay was good from 48. The Raiders led 19-17 with just under 5 minutes left. Yet that was more than enough time for Mahomes. For 55 minutes the Raiders defense had done their best to contain Mahomes. Football games are not won after 55 minutes.
The Chiefs soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 40. Rather than move the chains, Mahomes went bombs away to Thornton for a 55 yard gain. Thornton was injured on the play but left in heroic fashion. Walker ran for a 2 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Chiefs led 23-19 with 3:20 left. The Raiders had every chance under the Las Vegas sun to win this game but Cousins didn’t get the start the drive. he Raiders perfect game died in the 57th minute as they fumbled the ensuing kickoff away. The Chiefs recovered at the Kansas City 22. One play and 5 seconds later, Walker was in the end zone. he Chiefs led 30-19 as 2 touchdowns in 19 seconds appeared to put the game away. The Raiders had self-destructed. Yet for those wanting to say these were the same old Raiders, that criticism was premature.
After a touchback and needing 2 scores in 3 minutes, Cousins led a furious rally. Cousins hit Brock Bowers for a 20 yard touchdown and White for a 2 point conversion. The Raiders were within a field goal with 1:46 left. The onside kick failed and the Raiders took their remaining 2 timeouts on defense. he Chiefs faced 3rd and 8 at their own 47. Taking a knee would take the clock down well below 50 seconds. A run would probably mean the Raiders would have 30 seconds and 0 timeouts. Yet Walrus Andy Reid wanted it all. There was no reason to ever pass the ball in this situation but pass happy Walrus Reid trusted Mahomes. That part was reasonable. Lining up in the shotgun made less sense. hen came a horrendous snap that sailed passed Mahomes. Mahomes finally picked up the ball at his own 38 and threw a hurried incomplete pass. That preserved 30 seconds.
Yet a great punt pinned the Raiders back at their own one yard line. They had 1:16 to work with and needed a field goal to force overtime. On 3rd and 6 from their own 5, Cousins hit Mayer for 11. On 4th and 10 from their own 16, Cousins hit Jeanty for 12. Cousins found Tucker for 23 and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 10 seconds left. The Raiders ere just past midfield. One more first down would mean long field goal range. This was doable. Two years earlier the Raiders had a chance to shock the Chiefs in Kansas City, but never got a chance a the winning field goal. Down by 2, they fumbled a routine snap. This time Cousins went over the middle into traffic and was intercepted at the Kansas City 36 to end any hopes of a comeback. It is hard to say whether the Raiders earned any respect in defeat. The game was winnable and they lost. The Chiefs remained undefeated, making Andy Reid a most Happy Walrus indeed. 30-27 Chiefs
Los Angles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks came in as he defending champions while the Chargers were surprisingly winless. Jim Harbaugh had plenty of epic battles against Seattle while he led San Francisco. Yet these Chargers are just bad. On the first play of the game, Justin Herbert was intercepted. Yet on the very next play, Sam Darnold was intercepted right back. That led to 40 yard Cameron Dicker field goal. The Chargers led 3-0, but after that reality set in.
The Chargers fumbled a punt and the Seahawks recovered at the Chargers 23. One pay and 8 seconds later, Darnold went to Wilson for the touchdown and the 7-3 Seahawks lead. In the second quarter the Seahawks faced 3rd and 16 at their own 29. Darnold went deep to Jaxon Smith-Nigba for 28. Shaheed ran for 28 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Seahawks led 13-3. An interception of Herbert by Jones was returned 20 yards to the Chargers 20 with 90 seconds left in the half. Wilson ran for an 8 yard touchdown to have the Seahawks cruising up 20-3.
The Chargers managed another field goal before the half but the Seahawks kept coming. In the third quarter The Seahawks took over at there own 32 and made it look easy. Darnold hit Smith-Nigba for 20. Darnold went to Cooper Kupp for 13. On 3rd and 1 from the Rams 6Darnold hit Horton for the touchdown to make it 27-6 Seahawks.
The Chargers managed to move 81 yards in 11 plays and 5 1/2 minutes, but ball control is not the best strategy when down by 3 touchdowns. Herbert hit Vidal for a 9 yard touchdown to get the Chargers within 27-13. Yet Jason Myers hit from 35 to have the Seahawks comfortably ahead 30-13 after three quarters.
The Chargers again embarked on a staggering 16 play, 85 yard drive that took 8 1/2 minutes off the clock. Again, ball control is not effective when down by 17. Hampton on 3rd and goal from the 2 ran it in, but the Chargers still trailed 30-20 midway through the fourth quarter. By the time the Chargers got the ball back, only 4 minutes remained. They were still down 10 and pinned at their own 7 yard line. With 2:14 left on 1st and 10 from the Seattle 19, Jim Harbaugh immediately brought in Dicker the kicker. The 36 yard field goal was good. The Chargers even got the ball back at their own 11 with 1:42 left with a chance to win it. Yet after all that effort to reduce a 21 point deficit to 7, Herbert was sacked and fumbled the ball away. The Dark Side did it again as the Chargers remained winless. 30-23 Seahawks
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers was the Sunday night game. The Lions have a high octane offense but not much defense. The Panthers and not the Lions made the playoffs last year. Jake Bates hit a 54 yard field goal for a 3-0 Lions lead early. The Panthers took over at their own 28. Runs and short passes led to a 2nd and 6 from the Detroit 43. Bryce Young went to McMillan for 21. Chuba Hubbard ran for a 15 yard touchdown and a 7-3 Panthers lead. Bates hit from 43 early in the second quarter to get the Lions within 7-6.
The Panthers soon faced 3rd and 9 at their own 26. Young went to McMillan for 26. Dave Canales gambled on 4th and 4 from the Detroit 42. Young hit Meltchie for 10. Young went tp McMillan for a 32 yard touchdown. The extra point doinked off the upright no good as the Panthers led 13-6. The lions soon faced 3rd and 10 at the Detroit 32. Jared Goff hit Vaki for 17. On 3rd and 8 from the Carolina 46, Goff hit Williams for 8 and Amra St Brown for 14. On 3rd and 3 from the Carolina 17, Goff hit Williams for 11. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for a one yard touchdown to tie the game 13-13 with 2:14 left in the half. That was enough time for Riley Patterson to hit a 47 yard field goal with 28 seconds left. Yet that was way too much time for Detroit. Jake Bates hit from 41 to tie the game 16-16 at the half.
The Panthers began the third quarter at their own 24. Young hit Tremaine for 11 and Meltchie for 9, with defensive pass interference adding 17 more. Young found Darren Waller for 11 and McMillan for a 10 yard touchdown. The 11 play, 76 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive had the Panthers up 22-16 as the extra point was again no good. After a touchback the Lions moved to a 2nd and 6 at the Carolina 8 looking for the lead, but Goff threw incomplete twice. Bates hit from 26 to get the Lions within 22-19.
The Panthers took over at their own 15. Young went to Tremayne for 21 and Meltchie for 18. Hubbard ran for 25 and then for the 2 yard touchdown to have the Panthers up 29-19. The Panthers began the fourth quarter at their own 14. A 13 play, 72 yard, 6 minute drive led to 1st and 10 at the Detroit 14. Looking to ice the game, Young instead threw incomplete thrice. Fitzgerald hit from 33 to have the Panthers up 32-19 with 9 minutes left in regulation.
Midway through the fourth quarter, a desperate Dan Campbell went for it on 4th and 20 from the Carolina 25. Yet a hook and ladder only gained 13 yards. The Lions got the ball back and marched 67 yards. Goff hi Sam Laporta for an 8 yard touchdown to get the Lions within six points with 3 1/2 minutes left. The Lions last gasp came with 90 seconds left. On 4th and 13 from their own 10. Goff went to Teslaa for 12, coming up one yard short. Young took a couple knees. 32-26 Panthers
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints was the Monday night game. The Superdome was overflowing with emotions. This was the 20 year anniversary of the first Saints game in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. Steve Gleason blocked the punt, and the “rebirth” of New Orleans had truly begun. We all know the stories of people using the Superdome as a homeless shelter. Thanks to Sean Payton, Drew Brees and Gleason, people in the Big Easy had a temporary respite from their pain. In 2015, another Superdome game between these teams featured another blocked punt. Twenty years since the original, the NFL and the Saints pulled out all of the stops. Brees was there. Gleason, afflicted with the cruel and debilitating ALS, was in his wheelchair at the game. Like 20 years ago, the Falcons were an afterthought.
Unlike 20 years ago, this time the Falcons came in as the better team. On the third play from scrimmage, Bijan Robinson ran for a 59 yard touchdown. The Saints need 90 seconds to go up 7-0 20 years ago. he Falcons needed only 86 seconds to go up 7-0 on this night. Daniel Carlson missed a 52 yard field goal that would have gotten the Saints on the board. The saints got it back at their own 20 and immediately fumbled he ball away. The Falcons took over at the New Orleans 22. Robinson ran for a 4 yard touchdown to have the Falcons up 14-0 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter Tyler Shough hit Chris Olave for a 44 yard gain to set up a 3 yard Alvin Kamara touchdown run, The Saints were within 14-7, but this game was never a contest. The Falcons moved 65 yards in 10 plays and 6 minutes. Penix went to London for 27. On 3rd and 2 from the New Orleans 4, Robinson got in again to make it 21-7 Falcons. Nick Folk hit a 29 yard field goal to have the Falcons up 24-7 at the break. The Saints managed a third quarter field goal but the Falcons kept coming. 74 yards came easily as Penix hit Dotson for 23. Robinson ran for 9, 10 and 2. Penix found London for 14. Robinson ran for 6 and then for the 8 yard touchdown to make it 31-10 Falcons.
The fourth quarter twice saw the Saints reach the end zone and twice saw the Falcons answer with touchdowns of their own. After the Saints got within 14, the Falcons easily moved 72 yards. Penix hit Pitts for 28 and Dotson for the 31 yard touchdown to make it 38-17 Falcons. The Saints turned it over on downs at their own 21. Robinson did the rest, running for 3, 7 and the 11 yard touchdown to make it 45-17 Falcons. The Saints managed one more garbage touchdown. The Falcons gashed the defense for 205 yards rushing, led by Robinson’s 145 yards on 19 carries. There would be no fairy tale ending on this night as the home team was obliterated. 45-24 Falcons