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.
Vikings 38 VS Rams 24
Only 3 total turnovers and one punt seemed strange for a game that wasn’t too high scoring. The box score does not indicate why, but I did see some of this game. This win for the Vikings came from Tannehill motioning out his guys and ensuring they get open versus the multiple man coverage looks that the Rams defense was showing them. Motions have a way of messing with man coverage so you have to be able to adjust. Fallen couldn’t and that combined with the interceptions ensured that his offense couldn’t keep up with the Viking offense.
Ravens 31 VS Browns 37
The Ravens have a tendency to keep losing close games at the end of the game. In this one they were up by three with less than a minute to go. I believe the Browns either had no or just time out. The Ravens played a prevent defense which allowed the Browns to hit the sidelines, getting into range to try for a 50 plus field goal. Hopkins was clutch and made it even while being iced. The Browns got the ball first and were able to easily drive down the field and score a touchdown. On the final play of the game, Benny took away the player who could have made a stop. It was a motion play that had Cooper coming across the field on a crossing route. Benny completely missed the route and Cooper scored the touchdown easily. This was the game to see who could potentially win the AFC North. HD was pretty clutch to end this game.
Titans 23 VS Lions 31
Man if Miles could have completed this upset, it would have been one for the PML history books. Miles was up for some part of this game, however, at some point he lost the lead and eventually lost the game. This game ended up being whose quarterback can lose them the game? To be honest you could go with either quarterback in this situation but I am going with the losing quarterback. Levis threw for 330 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions while Goff threw for 247 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions. Levis did have one more touchdown, however, without watching the game I am assuming that the 1 more interception is the reason that the game was lost. Miles has come a long way from the start of the season and if he can play defense like in this game and clean up those interceptions, he will be on the up and coming.
Cardinals 12 VS Dolphins 27
The Dolphins get off that nasty losing streak by beating a quality opponent in the Cardinals. This is impressive as this isn’t the Cardinals team that was decimated by injuries like earlier in the season. Both defenses were impressive, but the Dolphins ability to limit Murray to under 200 yards rushing and passing is an impressive feat. As for the Cardinals this was one of those wins that looked good for them on paper and could come back to haunt them if they are a game out of the playoffs.
Jets 31 VS Patriots 10
Just when you thought the Patriots might actually make some noise this season, something like this game happens and it brings them back down to earth. Rodgers schooled the rookie Maye in this one. He had three 3 touchdowns while Maye threw 3 interceptions. Maye has been more of a game manager this season and when he isnt turning the ball over is when the Pats have a shot in games. They don’t have the firepower on offense or defense to let their opponent get up big. They need some impact players who can make a difference in these games. The offense just can’t get it done running or passing. It got so bad this game that even the offensive line had problems by giving up 7 sacks and multiple pressures. Nothing went right for the Patriots. It was a big win for the Jets to keep their season alive.
Falcons 10 VS Buccaneers 45
The Falcons had no chance in this game whatsoever. Anything that could have gone wrong for them went wrong. 6 interceptions thrown between Cousins and Penix, mixed with Robinson being held under 50 yards rushing. It was just a miserable game for the Falcons. On the flip side, this is the type of trap games that Casper of the past would have lost. He is truly playing well with this Bucs team and showing the league that he can be a contender with them. Baker did throw 2 interceptions, however, that’s nothing when your defense is forcing six. Also, the run game has been playing well lately and got going quickly in this one. They ran for 219 yards between three running backs. If this balanced approach from the Bucs continues then it will take them a long way late in the season.
Bears 14 VS Commanders 21
This game was a mess from both offenses, however, the defenses played extremely well. The Commanders played the 5 wide offense of the Bears very well, forcing Williams to throw 5 interceptions. I watched some of this game, including near the end. It seemed that KE was getting frustrated by the Commanders defense and just throwing interceptions when there was no need to. The Bears had a chance at the end, however, on a 5 wide streak, Williams tried to force it to a man covered receiver, who stepped in front to pick it off and seal the game. The Bears have been struggling as of late and it’s a wonder if teams have figured out this offense. As for the Commanders, they showed in this one that they can play defense. If this keeps up, along with the impressive offensive showing they normally have then this exam will be atop of the NFC East.
Packers 48 VS Jaguars 13
The Cinderella story of the Jaguars from a desolate team left for nothing to division leader has come to a screeching halt for the moment. The Jags have been playing well for the last few weeks but something about this game turned all that progress around. They did have a few turnovers from Lawrence but nothing major that would lead to a blow out. They just weren’t able to do much on offense mixed with not being able to stop the running game of the Packers. The team had 160 yards rushing but Jacobs did the most damage rushing for 60 yards and 4 touchdowns. Both these teams have different competition in their respective divisions so the Jags could take a loss here and still be fine. The Packers on the other hand need to continue to win and performances like this will help along the way.
Eagles 7 Bengals 29
A.J Brown wanted the game plan to be focused on him in this one and the result was met for him but for the team it was a disaster. Hurts force fed him the ball resulting in him catching 10 passes for 89 yards mixed with 3 rushes for 35 yards. In between all of these Hurts threw 3 interceptions, one for a pick 6 right out of halftime that changed the game dramatically. It was 13-7 Bengals at the half, however, an underthrown sideline pass was taken to for 6 by the Bengals. Hurts and the Eagles couldn’t recover as he threw another interception after a bad miss out of frustration. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles defense provided stops and the offense found themselves in the redzone 3 times but couldn’t convert it into points. This was a bad loss for a team that has a good roster. The Bengals are no slouches but this was the type of game that the Eagles needed to win.
Panther 42 VS Broncos 35
This was a computer game that was narrowly won by the Panthers. Computer BO Nix is showing out and if this continues, he may be well on his way to rookie of the year even though the team has no coach.
Chiefs 43 VS Raiders 26
The team difference here was to much for the Raiders to overcome. So far they have 2 losses to elite rosters and maybe this is a pattern that will continue to play out for the rest of the season. They have played well despite the roster but sometimes the differences get to be to much. Duggans historical run has come to an end as he threw 5 interceptions in this one. The Chiefs defense mixed with their balanced offensive approach is what is making them the Super Bowl favorite at the moment. Mahomes only had to throw 19 times in this game. If he is only throwing under 20 attempts a game, you know that your running game is doing well and that is a huge problem for opposing teams.
Cowboys 38 VS 49ers 43
The Cowboys have been playing very well and despite the two rosters being close, they were predicted to win this game due to the turnover tendency of Purdy. Well, not only did Purdy not turnover the ball in this game, he only threw it 22 times, with 2 touchdowns added. The 49ers relied on their running game to win and racked up 176 yards with most of them coming from Mccaffrey. This is the approach I talked about last time with the 49ers. If they give the ball to Mccaffery then good things will happen. They knocked off a good opponent and kept themselves in the NFC West race.
Giants 35 VS Steelers 27
This game was a lot closer than most people expected. The Steelers have not been playing well aside from that week 1 win and I think that it’s gotten to their coach. The offense had almost 500 yards of offense and the defense limited one of the league’s leading running backs to only 9 yards and 1 touchdown. The problem and the reason for the loss was the 4 interceptions that Fields threw. The Steelers showed that they have the skills to stay in and play close games with good opponents but I don’t think they can take that next step if they don’t cut down the turnovers. Good opponents will take advantage and that’s exactly what the Giants did in this one.
