By: Sean Davis 11/10/2024
Carolina Panthers 20, New York Giants 17 (OT)
Eddy Pineiro kicked a 36-yard field goal in overtime to win the game for the Panthers. The Giants fumbled on their first play of overtime, giving the Panthers good field position. Chuba Hubbard had a strong game for Carolina, rushing for 153 yards and a touchdown. Bryce Young, the Panthers' quarterback, threw for 126 yards and a touchdown. This was Carolina's first back-to-back wins of the season, improving their record to 3-7.
Daniel Jones of the Giants struggled, throwing two interceptions. The Giants dropped to 2-8, putting more pressure on head coach Brian Daboll. The game was played at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena, marking the NFL's only game in Germany this season.
This result has implications for both teams' draft positions, with the Giants now potentially in line for a higher draft pick. The game showcased some promising play from the Panthers' young talent, while highlighting ongoing struggles for the Giants' offense.
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New England Patriots 19, Chicago Bears 3
Drake Maye out performed Caleb Williams in this matchup of rookie quarterbacks. Maye completed 15 of 25 passes for 184 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Williams struggled, going 16 of 30 for just 120 yards with no touchdowns. The Patriots' defense dominated, sacking Williams 9 times. This was their highest sack total since 2022.
Chicago's offense was ineffective, managing only 142 total yards and converting just 1 of 14 third downs. They had only one drive longer than 21 yards. New England led 13-3 at halftime after scoring 10 points in the final 1:46 of the second. Bears fans expressed frustration, booing the team's offensive performance throughout the game. Many left early as the Patriots extended their lead.
This was a crucial win for Patriots coach Jerod Mayo, whose defense had its best showing of the season. The loss ended Chicago's 8-game home winning streak and dealt a blow to their playoff hopes. The Patriots improved to 3-7, while the Bears dropped to 4-5. This game highlighted the Patriots' defensive strength and the ongoing struggles of the Bears' offense, particularly in protecting their rookie quarterback.
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Buffalo Bills 30, Indianapolis Colts 20
The Bills extended their winning streak to 5 games, improving to 8-2 on the season. This is their best start since their last Super Bowl-appearing season. Josh Allen had an up-and-down game but came through in the fourth quarter. He finished 22 of 37 for 280 yards, 2 interceptions, and ran for 50 yards and a touchdown.
Taron Johnson returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown on the Colts' first offensive play, setting the tone for the game. Joe Flacco struggled for the Colts, throwing 3 interceptions and losing a fumble. He finished 26 of 35 for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Jonathan Taylor was a bright spot for the Colts, rushing for 114 yards on 21 carries. The Bills' defense forced 4 turnovers and held strong in the second half, limiting Taylor to just 7 rushing yards after halftime. The Colts dropped to 4-6, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy and raising questions about another potential quarterback change. The Bills now look ahead to a crucial matchup against the undefeated Chiefs next week.
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Kansas City Chiefs 16, Denver Broncos 14
The Kansas City Chiefs narrowly defeated the Denver Broncos 16-14, maintaining their undefeated record at 9-0. The game-winning moment came when Leo Chenal blocked Wil Lutz's 35-yard field goal attempt as time expired, preserving the Chiefs' victory.
Patrick Mahomes completed 22 of 37 passes for 266 yards and one touchdown. Although he had a solid performance, he struggled at times, missing some key throws, including an open Travis Kelce in the end zone. On the other side, Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix played well, finishing with 22 completions on 30 attempts for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
The Broncos took an early lead, going up 14-3 in the second quarter after stringing together two efficient scoring drives. However, the Chiefs' defense made crucial adjustments in the second half, limiting Denver's offense to just 68 yards and preventing them from adding any points.
Kansas City's offense relied on long, methodical drives but faced challenges in the red zone. Despite this, they managed to take a 16-14 lead with two field goals in the second half. The pressure from the Broncos' defense was notable, as they recorded four sacks and maintained a pressure rate of 40.8%.
Travis Kelce was a key target for Mahomes, catching eight passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. This victory extends the Chiefs' winning streak to 15 games dating back to last season, marking the longest streak in the NFL since the Green Bay Packers won 19 straight from 2010 to 2011. The Chiefs will face a tough challenge next week against the Buffalo Bills, who hold an 8-2 record.
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New Orleans Saints 20, Atlanta Falcons 17
The New Orleans Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons 20-17, snapping a seven-game losing streak in interim head coach Darren Rizzi's first game. The Saints got off to a hot start, leading 17-7 at halftime, but their offense struggled in the second half. However, their defense stood tall late in the game to secure the win.
Derek Carr connected with Marquez Valdes-Scantling for two first-half touchdowns, while Alvin Kamara contributed 109 scrimmage yards. The Saints' special teams played a crucial role, blocking one field goal attempt by Younghoe Koo, who also missed two other attempts.
Kirk Cousins had a difficult day for the Falcons, struggling to find rhythm until the second half. Despite the Falcons generating 468 total yards, they struggled on third downs, converting only 5 of 14 attempts. Bijan Robinson was a bright spot for Atlanta, rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
The game came down to the wire, with Tyrann Mathieu intercepting Cousins late in the fourth quarter. A strip sack of Cousins on Atlanta's final drive pushed them back and forced them to use their last timeout. The game ended when a short pass to Ray-Ray McCloud on fourth down fell short of the first down marker.
Despite the loss, the Falcons still maintain a two-game lead in the NFC South division. For the Saints, this victory marks a positive start to Rizzi's tenure as interim head coach and provides a much-needed boost after a challenging season.
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San Francisco 49ers 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
Brock Purdy led the San Francisco 49ers to a 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an impressive performance. He threw for a season-high 353 yards and two touchdowns, overcoming constant pressure from the Buccaneers' defense. Purdy connected with five different receivers for three or more catches each, starting with a 46-yard touchdown to rookie Ricky Pearsall.
The game's pivotal moment came when Purdy scrambled for 8.62 seconds before finding George Kittle in the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown. Christian McCaffrey's return from injury provided a boost to the 49ers' offense, but Purdy's timely plays were crucial to the win.
Despite being outgained significantly, the Buccaneers kept the game close. Baker Mayfield led a late drive to tie the game, including a remarkable fourth-down conversion while fending off Nick Bosa. However, the Buccaneers' defense couldn't stop the 49ers' final drive, resulting in their second straight close loss.
The 49ers faced issues with their kicking game, as Jake Moody missed three field goals before hitting the game-winner. This led to a sideline confrontation involving Deebo Samuel, highlighting ongoing team chemistry concerns. While the 49ers secured the win, questions about their kicking unit's reliability remain.
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Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Washington Commanders 27
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Washington Commanders 28-27 in a tightly contested game that came down to the final minutes. Russell Wilson connected with trade deadline acquisition Mike Williams for a 32-yard touchdown with 2:27 remaining, helping the Steelers overcome a 10-point second-half deficit and secure the win. Wilson had an inconsistent day but made crucial plays when needed, including a spectacular touchdown throw to George Pickens in the first quarter. He finished the game with 14 completions on 28 attempts for 195 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
For the Commanders, Jayden Daniels struggled, completing only 50% of his passes (17 of 34) for 202 yards without any touchdowns. Despite his difficulties, Daniels managed the game effectively against a tough Steelers defense. The Commanders' offense was held to a season-low 242 total yards and had a season-high six punts. They started slowly but capitalized on a botched fake punt by the Steelers to score just before halftime.
On Washington's final drive, tight end Zach Ertz was ruled just short of the first down marker on a crucial fourth-and-nine play, ending their chances for a comeback. The Steelers' trade deadline acquisitions proved beneficial, with Williams catching the game-winning touchdown and Preston Smith contributing a sack along with multiple tackles.
Despite the loss, the Commanders demonstrated their competitiveness against strong teams, while the Steelers showed their ability to win close games with Wilson at quarterback.
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Los Angeles Chargers 27, Tennessee Titans 17 The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Tennessee Titans 27-17, extending their winning streak to three games. Justin Herbert played a key role, throwing for a touchdown and running for another. The game turned in the Chargers' favor late in the first half when a potential Titans defensive touchdown was overturned on replay review.
In the second half, the Chargers took control with two long touchdown drives. Herbert was perfect after halftime, completing all five of his passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. He also contributed crucial runs for first downs. Gus Edwards, returning from injury, bolstered the Chargers' ground game.
The Titans continued to struggle in the second half, a recurring issue for them this season. While Will Levis played well early, he was sacked five times after halftime. The Titans missed opportunities in the first half, including a red zone drive derailed by penalties.
The Chargers' pass rush was dominant, recording seven sacks. Tuli Tuipulotu stood out with two sacks, bringing his total to 5.5 over the last three games. This strong defensive performance allowed the Chargers to manage Joey Bosa's playing time as he deals with a hip injury.
Overall, the Chargers demonstrated a balanced attack and strong defensive play, particularly in the second half, to secure the victory and improve their record to 6-3.
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Arizona Cardinals 31, New York Jets 6
Kyler Murray had an outstanding performance, completing 22 of 24 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for two scores. He set a franchise record by completing 17 consecutive passes at one point. The Cardinals' offense was unstoppable, scoring on their first five drives and amassing 406 total yards and 28 first downs.
The Jets' playoff hopes took a significant hit with this loss. Their offense struggled, generating only 207 total yards and failing to score a touchdown. Aaron Rodgers and the offense looked disjointed, going 0-for-3 in the red zone and scoring a season-low six points.
Arizona's defense continued its impressive streak, not allowing a touchdown for the third consecutive home game. They applied consistent pressure, with 12 different players recording at least one quarterback pressure. Budda Baker was particularly impactful, recording nine tackles, a sack, three tackles for loss, and a pass defended.
This dominant win underscores the Cardinals' staying power in the NFC West race. They head into their bye week with a 6-4 record and momentum on their side. Meanwhile, the Jets fall to 3-7, facing an uphill battle to remain relevant in the playoff picture despite their relatively easy remaining schedule.
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Philadelphia Eagles 34, Dallas Cowboys 6
Jalen Hurts led the Eagles' offense, accounting for four touchdowns - two passing and two rushing. After a slow start, Hurts found his rhythm, connecting with Dallas Goedert and Johnny Wilson for touchdown passes. Hurts finished with 202 passing yards and 56 rushing yards before being replaced by Kenny Pickett in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles' defense was dominant, forcing five turnovers and holding the Cowboys to under 200 total yards of offense. Cooper Rush, starting in place of the injured Dak Prescott, struggled mightily, completing just 13 of 23 passes for 45 yards before being replaced by Trey Lance. Micah Parsons provided a boost for the Cowboys' defense, recording two sacks and five pressures. However, Dallas' offensive woes overshadowed any defensive improvements.
This win extends the Eagles' winning streak to five games and improves their record to 7-2. The Cowboys, now 3-6 and winless at home, face a challenging road ahead without Prescott, whose return this season is uncertain due to a hamstring injury that may require surgery.
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