This will be a weekly series where I will be looking at the box score and giving a summary/ my thoughts of how I felt each game went if I was able to watch it. This may change as the season goes on and the article progresses but for now this is how it is.
Cowboys 30 VS Giants 44
The Cowboys first loss of the season came against the best opponent they have faced so far this year. Does this point towards the Cowboys being frauds or the Giants being contenders? I can’t say for sure but the Giants knocking off the Cowboys without Lawrence shows they are a contender for the division. The Giants defense was able to rattle Dak into 7 yes 7 interceptions. It was so bad that Lance came into the game, only for him to throw an interception as well. If this is what the defense can do without Lawrence just wait till he is back. Jones played as a game manager but that was all that was needed in this game.
Saints 24 Vs Falcons 23
This game was the closest game the Falcons have had all year. By looking at the box score it was the cleanest game they’ve had in terms of interceptions with Cousins only throwing 1. The clue to this is the fact that Robinson an the ball 29 for 162 yards. This is a great approach for the Falcons. Slow down the game, and don’t force any turnovers. The problem comes to you, you have to play good defense with this sort of approach. They did force 2 interceptions but Carr was able to overcome it by throwing 4 touchdowns. What’s weird is that only 2 extra points were missed which means that the Saints went for 2 twice. If only the Falcons could have taken advantage of the points that were left on the field.
Rams 31 VS Bears 25
This has to be the upset of the week. The Bears have been playing outstanding football for the past three games. They looked like a team who could have been one of the first to get to double digit wins. The Bears have a unique 5 wide approach on offense, however, it looks like this was stopped at some point for an interception. I didn’t watch this game but if that interception came at the end that could have been the key play for the win. Will teams watch this game to see how to stop one of the best passing attacks in the league? We will see if any teams can duplicate the Rams success.
Vikings 35 Vs Packers 45
This is the type of winning that we are used to seeing from Wimmy. Giving the Vikings their first loss is just the type of thing that kick starts seasons for a struggling team. The Packers have been struggling for the start of the season, however, with back to back wins, could we see them go on a run? Love and the offense had a mixed game by throwing for 4 touchdowns and 4 inceptions. The defense was able to force Mullens to throw 4 interceptions which was key to winning.
Steelers 21 VS Colts 28
Ouch… This isn’t a good look for a coach that game into the league confident that he would take the league by storm. Being 1-3 in one of the easiest divisions has its positives and negatives. Good news is you are still in the division’s lead, bad news is does it matter? Is it a good thing to say that you won the worst division just to lose in the first round of the playoffs? Whatever happens going forward, the Steelers need to stop the interceptions and get back to winning. The Colts have been a mixed bag but this is a good win for them.
Broncos 34 VS Jets 21
Bo Nix is quietly putting together a good rookie season. He has been outplaying some big names this season, with this particular game being against Aaron Rodgers. Neither quarterback hurt their team with interceptions, however, the Jets punting twice is what cost them the game. When you never have to punt and you never throw an interception, unless you fumble every drive, then chances are you’re going to win and that’s exactly what the Broncos did.
Eagles 38 VS Buccaneers 42
I had this game in the bag up 17 but lost it due to a series of bad plays. After giving up a long drive to only go up 10, I threw a high ball bullet pass to Barkley who was in front of the linebacker on his angle route but Hurts couldn’t get enough on the ball and it was taken for 6. On the ensuing drive, I was sacked on third down near the Bucs 40 yard line, ruining any chance at a field goal try. The Bucs drove down the field and hit a comeback route where Rodgers attempted to intercept the ball behind the receiver, letting up the game winning touchdown. It’s always bad to lose the game but losing a big lead leaves a sour feeling especially going into the bye week.
Bengals 52 Vs Panthers 42
It’s a shame that one friend had to potentially end the season of another. Going 0-4 is generally a kill shot to a season in PML. The defense was non-existent in this game. Both teams had over 500 yards of offense and 5 touchdowns passing. The difference in the game was the fact that Young threw for two interceptions and Burrow threw none. In a close game like this, take those two interceptions and turn them into touchdowns and the Panthers would have won the game. For now, the Bengals have new life especially in their division.
Jaguars 12 VS Texans 41
This was Tbruh’s first game back and you could see that instantly by seeing that Lawrence threw 7 interceptions. That puts his total at 18 for the season in just 4 games. Some magic will need to be done to keep his development trait this season. Everyone’s first game is going to be a little rusty especially this madden where it’s easy to sling the ball for greater or worse. I feel things will change as he gets more used to the game. As for Ant, his season back after missing a cycle continues to go well.
Commanders 31 VS Cardinals 38
Oh man, we had some controversy in this game. I saw some of the games in which the Commanders had a big lead only to lose that lead near the end of the game. With the game tied up in the fourth, the Cardinals went for an illegal 4th and 9 which led to what seems to be the reason that they won and boy did it have Que upset. The attempt and conversion changed the game drastically and sparked the win at all cost debate in the chat. Was it the right call to go for it? With field goals now being much harder, should we relax on the fourth down rules? These will be things to talk about but I can forsure tell you that I am sure consequences will come from this. WHen we look back this season, will the one win be the difference in a playoff spot or not? It will be really interesting if that is the case.
Patriots 7 VS 49ers 27
Given the fact that Brock Purdy gives up free turnovers, I honestly thought that this game would be much closer. The team difference would be enough for the Niners to weather a 3-4 interception difference but that wasn’t the case. Purdy only threw 1 interception and the offense actually ran through Mccaffrey for a change. He had 23 rushes for 117 yards and 1 touchdown. It’s amazing what happens when you give him the ball. I hope they will continue to do this and run the team the way they are designed for. Not much to say about the Pats, they aren’t a good roster and they don’t have much going on for them aside from Maye. I see this season as a continuation of their rebuild.
Browns 24 VS Raiders 48
I didn’t see this game but I wasn’t anticipating this score. This one one of the matchups where rosters were clearly different and I thought that it could make a difference even with the skill gaps from the coaches. The Browns defense with two edge threat ends aren’t slouches, however, the Raiders threw 5 touchdowns between 4 different quarterbacks. I don’t know if that has ever been done in one game in PML but it has now. Codes has done well with the team he was given but I can’t say the same for HD. The Browns were stacked to start and goin 1-3 with them isn’t a good look. The only caveat to the 1-3 start, is the fact that everyone else in the division is also 1-3. Chubb should be back soon and I can still see HD taking this division crown.
Chiefs 48 VS Chargers 40
This could be a preview of the AFC CHampionship game. I didn’t watch this one but judging from the box score it was a great one. Defense was an afterthought in total however, the Chiefs intercepting Herbert three times was the reason they were able to win the game. When two big time coaches play, the difference will come down to who can score on offense while making that key turnover. KC did it this time, but good thing for the league is they have to play again in the regular season.
Bills 43 VS Ravens 42
The Bills are on a roll this season. Who would have predicted that they would start out 4-0 and Josh Allen would have a TD-INT ratio of 14-0. Allen clearly has a fast track towards the MVP at the moment and he is the reason for the Bills 4-0 start. The defense has been great at times but they did just enough in this game to help Allen win it. As for the Ravens, going 1-3 with Lamarr is a hit that most would think you couldn’t recover. Just like the other teams in the AFC North, the Ravens are blessed with a rare opportunity to be in first place while having a losing record. They need to clean up the defense if they want to win games.
Titans 30 VS Dolphins 29
Here come the Titans, the Mighty Mighty Titans!!!! Fresh of their first victory, the Titans are going to look to put up some wins. This win couldn’t have come in a better spot as they go into their bye with a win. This game could have been a legit game where no one would have been surprised with the quarterbacks throwing double digit interceptions. Each coach loves to throw the ball and do it without consequence. Ironically, just like the theme of this madden, the Titans didn’t throw any interceptions and they won. Moral of the story is, limit the turnovers and you have a great shot to win.
Seahawks 34 Lions 38
Sam Howell has ended with the same stat line of 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in back 2 back weeks and the result has been a loss for the Seahawks. This game was closer than the last but it didn’t matter in the long run. The interceptions were not even the reason for the loss as the Seahawks defense forced 3 fumbles and had a positive turnover ratio. The Lions defense just had no answer for Williams as he caught 4 passes for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns. When you’re playing a fast guy like Williams you have to keep everything in front of you and unfortunately when you give up a 93 yard touchdown pass you aren’t doing that and it costs you the game.
