18.11.2024
Pittsburgh Steelers 18 - 16 Baltimore Ravens
In a closely contested AFC North matchup, the Pittsburgh Steelers once again outmaneuvered the Baltimore Ravens, prevailing 18-16. Despite Lamar Jackson and the NFL's top-ranked offense, the Ravens struggled, hampered by 12 penalties and three turnovers, all leading to Steelers' kicker Chris Boswell tying a franchise record with six field goals. Jackson completed 16 of 33 passes for 207 yards, connecting with Zay Flowers for a late touchdown, but a failed two-point conversion sealed the Ravens' fate. The Steelers' defense, highlighted by Payton Wilson's critical fourth-quarter interception, effectively contained Jackson, who is now 1-4 against Pittsburgh. Derrick Henry scored his 15th rushing touchdown of the season but was limited to 65 yards, while costly mistakes, including missed field goals by Justin Tucker, added to Baltimore's woes.
Detroit Lions 52 - 6 Jacksonville Jaguars
The Detroit Lions delivered a commanding 52-6 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking their largest winning margin in franchise history and extending their NFC-best record to 9-1. Jared Goff excelled with a perfect passer rating, contributing 412 yards and four touchdown passes, two of which went to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who extended his franchise record with a touchdown catch in eight consecutive games. The Lions amassed a franchise-record 645 total yards and a 475-yard margin over the Jaguars, one of the largest in NFL history. Defensively, newly acquired Za'Darius Smith made an impact with a sack, while Kerby Joseph secured his seventh interception of the season. Jacksonville struggled in Trevor Lawrence's absence, with backup Mac Jones throwing for just 138 yards and an interception. The loss puts additional pressure on Jaguars' coach Doug Pederson, whose future with the team seems uncertain as they head into a bye week with a disappointing 2-9 record.
Buffalo Bills 30 - 21 Kansas City Chiefs
In a dramatic NFL showdown, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30-21, ending the Chiefs' hopes for a perfect season. The highlight of the game came late in the fourth quarter when Bills quarterback Josh Allen secured the victory with a stunning 26-yard rushing touchdown on fourth-and-2, giving Buffalo a decisive two-score lead. This win bolstered the Bills' bid for the AFC's top seed and extended their regular-season winning streak against the Chiefs, who had previously halted Buffalo's playoff runs. Allen's impressive performance, which included both passing and rushing touchdowns, was instrumental in the Bills' sixth consecutive victory, further solidifying their position as AFC East leaders. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, who had been unbeaten and had a 15-game winning streak, struggled to overcome Buffalo's pressure, marking their worst offensive output of the season. Despite the setback, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes remained optimistic, emphasizing the need to learn and improve moving forward.
Los Angeles Chargers 34 - 27 Cincinnati Bengals
The Los Angeles Chargers emerged victorious over the Cincinnati Bengals, 34-27, in a thrilling game marked by a dramatic ending. J.K. Dobbins clinched the win with a decisive 29-yard touchdown run with only 18 seconds remaining after the Chargers nearly lost a 21-point lead. Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert shone early, throwing for 297 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 65 yards. Despite the loss, Bengals' Joe Burrow impressed with 356 passing yards and three touchdowns, though his last efforts were thwarted by the Chargers’ defense, notably Derwin James Jr., who deflected a potential game-tying Hail Mary aimed at Tee Higgins. Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase both had standout performances for Cincinnati, with Higgins catching nine passes for 148 yards and Chase contributing 75 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals mounted a strong comeback from 27-6 down, scoring on three consecutive drives, but fell short as kicker Evan McPherson missed two crucial field goals in the fourth quarter. The game was marred by several injuries, including Bengals' CB DJ Turner II and Chargers' CB Cam Hart. The loss left the Bengals at 4-7, facing another narrow defeat, while the Chargers moved to 7-3, continuing their winning streak.
New England Patriots 22 - 28 Los Angeles Rams
In an exciting contest at Foxborough, Massachusetts, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the New England Patriots 28-22, largely thanks to Matthew Stafford's four touchdown passes, propelling him past Eli Manning to 10th on the NFL's all-time list with 370 career TDs. Stafford connected twice with Cooper Kupp, including a 69-yard score on the second play of the second half that helped the Rams extend their lead. Puka Nacua also played a pivotal role, catching seven passes for 123 yards and one touchdown after a fumble recovery. Despite the Patriots’ effort, highlighted by a surprising touchdown from offensive lineman Vederian Lowe, they couldn't capitalize on tighter opportunities, hindered by a missed extra-point block and a late-game interception. With the victory, the Rams improved to 5-5, having won four of their last five games, while the Patriots fell to 3-8, struggling to find consistency in their season.
New Orleans Saints 35 - 14 Cleveland Browns
In an eventful game, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Cleveland Browns 35-14, largely driven by Taysom Hill's standout performance. Despite two early turnovers, Hill rushed for a career-high 138 yards and three touchdowns, including a decisive 75-yard run that sealed the victory. Hill also showcased his versatility by gaining a combined 248 yards as a runner, passer, receiver, and returner, drawing comparisons to legendary football player Harold "Red" Grange. Derek Carr contributed with 248 passing yards and two touchdowns, reinforcing the team's offensive efforts alongside Alvin Kamara’s 67 rushing yards. On the other side, Jameis Winston passed for 395 yards and two touchdowns for the struggling Browns, who faltered in the fourth quarter. Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed crucial field goals, and the team's left tackle, Dawand Jones, suffered a season-ending leg injury, dealing another blow to their campaign. The game highlighted the Saints' adaptable strategy under interim coach Darren Rizzi, as they head into a bye week.
Denver Broncos 38 - 6 Atlanta Falcons
Bo Nix delivered an impressive performance in the Denver Broncos' 38-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, completing 85% of his passes for 307 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. The game was marked by Javonte Williams' notable 14-yard touchdown run, where he overcame former teammate Justin Simmons with the help of several Broncos teammates, encapsulating the team's determination after the previous week's loss to Kansas City. Nix joined the ranks of Peyton Manning and Dak Prescott as one of the only rookies to achieve specific passing milestones, underscoring his promising potential. Meanwhile, former Bronco Simmons had a challenging return to Denver as the Broncos ended a two-game losing streak and swept the NFC South with a cumulative 125-37 score. The Falcons, now on a two-game skid, suffered further setbacks with several player injuries throughout the game.
San Francisco 49ers 17 - 20 Seattle Seahawks
In an exhilarating finish, Geno Smith led the Seattle Seahawks to a 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers with a decisive 13-yard touchdown scramble in the final seconds. Smith's late heroics not only snapped the Seahawks' six-game losing streak against San Francisco but also helped keep their playoff hopes alive, improving their record to 5-5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba contributed with 10 receptions for 110 yards, while Kenneth Walker III added a 1-yard touchdown run. The 49ers, now tied with Seattle and the Rams for second in the NFC West, had previously secured a lead through Brock Purdy's 30-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings. However, the absence of injured star defender Nick Bosa proved costly as Seattle capitalized in the closing moments. Both teams now look to regroup for their upcoming games, with the Seahawks set to host the Cardinals and the 49ers visiting the Packers.
New York Jets 27 - 28 Indianapolis Colts
In a nail-biting finish, Anthony Richardson led the Indianapolis Colts to a 28-27 victory over Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, marking an impressive comeback after a two-game benching. Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the previous year's NFL draft, ran for two touchdowns, including the game-winning 4-yard run with 46 seconds left. Despite being forced to fumble earlier by Javon Kinlaw, Richardson showcased resilience, connecting with Alec Pierce and Josh Downs on critical plays leading to his decisive score. Meanwhile, Rodgers, battling under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, struggled despite his two touchdown passes, as the Jets dropped their seventh game in eight outings. Notably, Richardson, the NFL's second-youngest starting QB, outperformed Rodgers, the oldest at 40, displaying newfound poise that suggests his benching was a crucial learning moment. The win snapped the Colts' three-game losing streak and injected hope into their season as they prepare to host the Detroit Lions next.
Tennessee Titans 13 - 23 Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold overcame an early fumble to lead the Minnesota Vikings to a 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans, marking their third consecutive win and maintaining an undefeated record against AFC teams this season. Darnold threw for 246 yards, two touchdowns, and had a rushing score, bouncing back from previous turnover struggles. The Vikings never trailed after a 47-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison, building a 16-3 halftime lead. Notably, Andrew Van Ginkel and Pat Jones II each recorded two sacks for the Vikings, with Harrison Smith clinching the win with a late interception. The Titans' Will Levis made headlines with a 98-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, tying the longest TD pass in franchise history despite the team's loss. Tennessee's efforts were marred by 13 penalties, and they also suffered injuries to key players, adding to the challenging season under first-year coach Brian Callahan.
Miami Dolphins 34 - 19 Las Vegas Raiders
Tua Tagovailoa led the Miami Dolphins to a 34-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, marking Miami's second consecutive win. Tagovailoa threw three touchdown passes, including a notable 57-yard catch-and-run by Jonnu Smith due to the Raiders' busted coverage. Miami's offense was characterized by long, methodical drives, helping them score 30 points for the first time this season, with Tagovailoa completing 28 of 36 passes for 288 yards. Despite a resilient effort from the Raiders, who made significant coaching changes and saw Gardner Minshew throw for 282 yards with one touchdown, they couldn’t overcome their defensive errors. The Dolphins converted eight of 12 third downs and were effective in the red zone, while the Raiders extended their losing streak to six games.
Chicago Bears 19 - 20 Green Bay Packers
In a thrilling game that showcased resilience and last-minute heroics, the Green Bay Packers narrowly defeated the Chicago Bears 20-19. The victory was secured when Karl Brooks blocked Cairo Santos' 46-yard field goal attempt as time expired, capping off a dramatic sequence that saw Jordan Love score a go-ahead touchdown with under three minutes left. Christian Watson was instrumental, setting a career high with 150 receiving yards on just four catches, including a crucial 60-yard catch that led to Love's decisive touchdown. Despite throwing his league-leading 11th interception, Love completed 13 of 17 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown, helping the Packers extend their winning streak against Chicago to 11 games. The Bears, struggling offensively despite a change in coordinators, saw rookie Caleb Williams show promise, but ultimately fell short after Brooks' game-saving block.