The NFL Regular season is now two-thirds complete, and let’s just say… there have been countless surprises. The Patriots and the Broncos have the best records in the NFL. Meanwhile, elite teams, like the Chiefs and Lions, have struggled. But without further delay, let’s begin our recap.
Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans
The Thursday Night Football matchup started the week off with an upset victory for the Texans over the Bills, 23-19. The dangerous Texans defense racked up eight sacks, recovered a fumble, and secured two interceptions. Houston’s victory makes them 6-5, while a suffering Buffalo team drops to 7-4.
Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants
It seems that we talk about the same problem for the Giants every week: they can’t win a close game. And this 34-27 loss to the Lions only adds to it. The game went into overtime, where Jahmyr Gibbs scored the winning touchdown. Speaking of Gibbs, he had an absolute monster week, with 219 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus eleven catches for 45 yards and another touchdown. New York falls to 2-10, while Detroit improves to 7-4.
Chicago Bears vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
It seems the Steelers don’t even want to win their division the way they have been playing. They have been unable to pull away from the other AFC North teams, and this 31-28 loss further damaged Pittsburgh. Caleb Williams led the Bears with 239 passing yards and three touchdowns. Chicago has been a big surprise, moving up to 8-3, while the Steelers sink to 6-5.
New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Speaking of surprises, who would have thought the New England Patriots would be the first team to ten wins this season? After their 26-20 win, they became 10-2, the best in the league. The skidding Bengals fall to 3-8.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Packers took care of business against the Vikings, winning 23-6. No Josh Jacobs, no problem, because RB2 Emanuel Wilson ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns for Green Bay. The Packers move up to 7-3-1, while Minnesota dips to 4-7.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans
The Seahawks got back on track with a 30-24 win over the worst team in the NFL. This game was all Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had 167 receiving yards and two touchdowns to bring him even closer to the all-time single-season receiving yards record. The Titans drop down to 1-10, and Seattle climbs to 8-3.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis Colts
In one of the closest games of the week, the Chiefs beat the Colts 23-20 in overtime. Kansas City scored eleven points to come back in the fourth quarter, then kicked a field goal in overtime to win the game. Harrison Butker was their man of the hour, kicking five field goals. This much-needed win for KC brings them up to 6-5, while Indianapolis becomes 8-3.
New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens took care of business against the Jets, winning 23-10. Baltimore stars Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson have struggled, but this is nonetheless the fifth straight win for the Ravens. New York sinks to 2-9, while the Ravens jump to 6-5.
Cleveland Browns vs. Las Vegas Raiders
In what will be seen as a battle for a top pick next year, the Browns won 24-10, but neither team should be focused on winning games at this point. Browns QB Shedeur Sanders’s highly anticipated NFL debut saw him throw for 209 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Regardless, Cleveland improves to 3-8, and the Raiders are now 2-9.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Jaguars have been one of the most pleasant surprises this year, beating the Cardinals 27-24. Trevor Lawrence threw for three touchdowns and 256 passing yards, and despite his three interceptions, he led the Jaguars to the victory. Jacksonville moves up to 7-4, while Arizona moves down to 3-8.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
In arguably the biggest upset of the week, the Cowboys rallied from down 21-0 to put up 24 unanswered points, going on to win 24-21. Dak Prescott had 354 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, adding a third touchdown on the ground. This crucial victory makes Dallas 5-5-1, and the Eagles go to 8-3.
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints
In an NFC South matchup, the Falcons would win this game 24-10. Atlanta was without some of their key players, but still managed to get the job done. They move up to 4-7, while the Saints drop to 2-9.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Rams manhandled the Bucs in this Sunday Night Football matchup, winning 34-7. Matthew Stafford continues to add to his MVP candidacy, this time putting up 273 yards and three passing touchdowns. Los Angeles is an NFC-best 9-2, while Tampa Bay falls to 6-5.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers
In a low-scoring Monday Night Football matchup, the 49ers came out on top 20-9. Christian McCaffrey had 143 total yards and a touchdown in the 49ers’ victory. After the game concluded, 49ers WR Jauan Jennings was seen fighting with Panthers DB Tre’Von Moehrig; Moehrig was suspended one game for the incident. San Francisco improves to 8-4, while the loss makes Carolina 6-6.
The season has only six weeks left, and the best teams are starting to ‘claim’ their playoff spots. The Patriots and Broncos both look like playoff locks in the AFC, as do the Colts. In the AFC North, it’s a battle between the Ravens and Steelers as usual. The other three playoff spots will come down to the Bills, Texans, Jaguars, Chiefs, and Chargers, as well as whoever doesn’t win the AFC North.
In the NFC, the Bears, Rams, and Eagles all look like they will make the Playoffs. Right behind them are the Packers, Lions, Seahawks, and 49ers, all fighting for spots. In the NFC South, it’s a battle between the Buccaneers and the Panthers.
Next week, some big games include the Lions vs. Packers, Bears vs. Eagles, Texans vs. Colts, and Steelers vs. Bills.
