Backup quarterbacks securing large wins. An additional time thriller in Baltimore. And the tip of a ridiculously promising rookie season for Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow. Sunday was a reminder of how unpredictable the N.F.L. might be, in addition to how merciless it may be.
Right here’s what we realized:
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The Texans can beat a group that isn’t the Jaguars. Coming into the day, Houston was 2-0 in opposition to Jacksonville and 0-7 in opposition to everybody else. However Romeo Crennel, the Texans’ interim head coach, turned the uncommon former New England assistant to beat Coach Invoice Belichick by main the Texans to a 27-20 victory that began quick for Houston earlier than grinding out into a reasonably shut recreation. Deshaun Watson handed for 344 yards, ran for 36 and accounted for 3 touchdowns; J.J. Watt was a vastly disruptive pressure; and New England, regardless of a 365-yard passing day from Cam Newton, finds itself considering whether or not final week’s large win over Baltimore was a fluke.
One* Sentence About Sunday’s Video games
*Besides when it takes extra.
Steelers 27, Jaguars 3 Pittsburgh’s Chase Claypool caught a 31-yard scoring cross within the second quarter — his tenth complete landing of the season, which is essentially the most in a rookie vast receiver’s first 10 video games within the Tremendous Bowl period. Odell Beckham Jr. had 9 for the Giants in 2014.
Titans 30, Ravens 24 (additional time) Since Baltimore’s bye week, the Ravens have misplaced three of 4 video games, and Lamar Jackson has been a part of the issue with 4 interceptions in that span — he had solely six in 15 begins final season.
Colts 34, Packers 31 (additional time) Philip Rivers threw three landing passes and Jonathan Taylor rushed for 90 yards, however Indianapolis was practically undone by a sequence of penalties late within the fourth quarter that prevented it from working out the clock because it clung to a 3-point lead.
Chiefs 35, Raiders 31 Derek Carr hit tight finish Jason Witten for a 2-yard landing cross that gave Las Vegas a lead with simply 1 minute 48 seconds remaining, however that was far an excessive amount of time to depart for Kansas Metropolis. Patrick Mahomes took his group 75 yards on simply seven performs, retaking the lead with a 22-yard landing cross to Travis Kelce. Mahomes even left 28 seconds on the clock for good measure.
Texans 27, Patriots 20 A loss was unhealthy sufficient, however New England additionally presumably misplaced working again Rex Burkhead for the remainder of the season to a knee harm that was extreme sufficient that CBS selected to not present replays of it. The eight-year veteran had six touchdowns in 10 video games and was properly on his technique to surpassing his career-high of eight.
Saints 24, Falcons 9 Taysom Hill had a pleasant sufficient day, nevertheless it was the New Orleans protection that really shined, sacking Matt Ryan eight instances, intercepting him twice and permitting Atlanta to transform simply two of its 14 third-down alternatives.
Cowboys 31, Vikings 28 Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 103 yards and Dallas got here from behind to take the lead with lower than two minutes remaining because of Andy Dalton’s third landing cross of the day. Minnesota put up 430 complete yards, however its protection was as soon as once more its undoing.
Broncos 20, Dolphins 13 Tua Tagovailoa had simply 83 yards passing by three quarters and was benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who led the group to a discipline purpose but additionally threw an interception with simply over a minute remaining. Coach Brian Flores stated Tagovailoa will hold his job because the group’s beginning quarterback.
Chargers 34, Jets 28 Gang Inexperienced was down by 24-6 at halftime and was struggling to comprise quarterback Justin Herbert, however Coach Adam Gase appeared to take over play-calling duties and the Jets have been far simpler within the second half, with three landing drives that every went for greater than 70 yards.
Panthers 20, Lions 0 Detroit’s Matthew Stafford performed by an injured thumb on his throwing hand, and he most likely ought to have sat this one out because the Lions have been shut out for the primary time in Stafford’s 159 profession begins. It was the primary shutout for Carolina’s protection since 2015.
Browns 22, Eagles 17 Three straight dwelling video games for Cleveland have resulted in three consecutive ugly video games, however the Browns walked away with two wins by letting the group’s working recreation and protection do the majority of the work in antagonistic climate circumstances. At 7-3, the Browns have their finest 10-game begin since 1994.
Footballers 20, Bengals 9 Every thing was overshadowed by Joe Burrow’s harm, however Washington acquired strong efforts from Antonio Gibson (94 yards speeding, one landing) and Terry McLaurin (84 yards receiving) whereas inching nearer to Philadelphia on the prime of the N.F.C. East.
