Steelers 52-21 over the Panthers: QB Ben Roethlisberger had more TDS than incompletions, a 5 to 3 ratio. QB Cam Newton had only 2 TDs with two turnovers with one being returned for a TD. Newton threw both TD passes to RB Christian McCaffery but after those TDs the Steelers went on a 45-14 run till Carolina scored in the 4th quarter with another McCaffery TD. RB James Connor did have a rushing TD but left the game with a concussion.
Bears 34-22 over the Lions: Like always QB Matthew Stafford is always behind trying to will his team with late TD passes but it wasn’t enough this time since he shot himself in the foot with two interceptions, was sacked 6 times and a fumble (1 of three for his team). He did have 2 TD passes and his RB Kerryon Johnson had a rushing TD and caught one of those TD passes but all were in the 2nd half. The real star of the game was his counterpart QB Mitchell Trubisky who had 355 yards passing with 3 TD passes and a rushing TD. Two of those TDs were caught by WR Allen Robinson who was back from injury with 133 yards receiving, and RB Tarik Cohen also had a rushing TD. The Bears may need to try out some kickers because you can’t go missing two extra points and two field goals in a game expecting the other team to turn the ball over like the Lions did. Since they missed two extra points they went for the harder player of two points on one of the TDs, which were not always a good risk either.
Saints 51-14 over the Bengals: The Saints put a beat down on the Bengals by being up 45-7 entering the 4th quarter. QB Andy Dalton had only 1 TD pass as he threw two interceptions and his run game wasn’t there for him. His backup QB had the other TD which was a rushing TD towards the end of the game. On the other side of the field QB Drew Brees threw 3 TD passes (two of them to WR Michael Thomas) plus a rushing TD of his own and RB Alvin Kamara had 2 rushing TDs. Brees passed Brett Favre for 2nd most TD passes in NFL history.
Browns 28-16 over the Falcons: QB Baker Mayfield outplayed QB Matt Ryan who had two fumbles, one of 4 which cancelled out his 2 TD passes. One of them of course went to WR Julio Jones who did have 107 yards receiving. Mayfield had 3 TD passes and rookie RB Nick Chubb caught one of those TD passes and added a rushing TD with 176 rushing yards.
Colts 29-26 over the Jaguars: Despite a no turnover game with 2 TD passes for QB Blake Bortles it wasn’t enough as the Colts put up 29 points in the 1st half. It was QB Andrew Luck who did throw an interception but he did throw 3 TD passes early, and TE Eric Ebron caught two of those plus added a rushing TD. Jacksonville tried whittling away at the lead as RB Leonard Fournette comeback from injury with a rushing and receiving TD. WR Donte Moncrief had a TD VS his former team. The Colts blocked an extra point.
Chiefs 26-14 over the Cardinals: Well QB Patrick Mahomes didn’t have to throw for 300 yards+ or throw 4 TD passes, as he only had to throw 2 TD passes which both went to WR Tyreek Hill and only had 249 yards passing. It was more about his counterpart QB Josh Rosen’s bad day with a fumble and two interceptions with only 1 TD pass, while RB David Johnson had the other TD pass.
Bills 41-10 over the Jets: This wasn’t an upset as both teams are bad and are divisional rivals but no one thought the Bills led by QB Nathan Peterman could do this and we were right as he didn’t start. QB Matt Barkley a USC product came off the streets and threw 2 TD passes with no interceptions with one to the LT. Also they got a blast from the past game from RB LeSean McCoy who had 2 rushing TDs and 113 yards rushing. While QB Josh McCown started in place of injured Sam Darnold and was not great with two interceptions and no TDs. The only TD they got was from Isaiah Crowell in the 2nd half.
Washington 16-3 over the Buccaneers: It was not a good day for the Buccaneers as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had 2 interceptions with a fumble and his team fumbled it three more times plus their kicker missed two field goals. QB Alex Smith didn’t have to do much as he had 1 TD pass to WR Josh Doctson and their kicker made all three field goals.
Titans 34-10 over the Patriots: QB Marcus Mariota outplayed QB Tom Brady by throwing 2 TD passes compared to 0 for Brady. RB Derek Henry had his best game of the season with rushing TDs. The only TD for New England was the FB James Develin and their kicker missed a field goal.
Chargers 20-6 over the Raiders: QB Phillip Rivers and RB Melvin Gordon crushed the Raiders defense. Rivers had 2 TD passes one that went to Gordon who had 165 total all purpose yards while leading his team in rushing and receiving yards. Plus their new kicker Michael Badgley made all of his extra points and field goals. QB Derek Carr had another bad game with 0 TD passes and a fumble.
Packers 31-12 over the Dolphins: QB Aaron Rodgers didn’t have to do much as his counterpart lost a fumble, an interception and had no TD passes. Miami is hoping QB Ryan Tannehill is back soon. Even though Rodgers had 2 TD passes that both went to WR Devante Adams it was the other Aaron who came to play. RB Aaron Jones had 147 all purpose yards with 2 rushing TDs. The Dolphins could only muster 4 field goals for their offense. Miami RB Frank Gore topped 500 yards rushing for a 14th straight season, an NFL record. Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton did so 13 straight seasons. Gore is now the record holder.
Rams 36-31 over the Seahawks: You can throw 3 TD passes, have under 100 yards rushing as QB and have your RB Rashaad Penny have a rushing TD with 108 yards, but you can’t turn the ball over as QB Russell Wilson fumbled the ball. Against good teams that have great offenses you cannot be giving the ball away. QB Jared Goff had no turnovers with 2 TD passes and RB Todd Gurley and WR Brandin Cooks both had rushing TDs.
Cowboys 27-20 over the Eagles: Despite a 2 TD performance from QB Carson Wentz which both went to TE Zach Ertz who had 145 yards receiving it wasn’t enough as both came in the 2nd half, plus he had an interception. Dallas had 13-3 lead entering the 2nd half and quieted the Eagles comeback with two of their own TDs by RB Ezekiel Elliot who had a rushing TD and caught a TD pass from QB Dak Prescott. Prescott also had a rushing TD in the 1st half.
Giants 27-23 over the 49ers: Eli Manning had a flashback game with 3 TD passes and no turnovers. Two of those TD passes went to WR Odell Beckham Jr and Sterling Sheppard had the other. The 49ers played catch-up most of the game as QB Nick Mullens came back down to earth with just 1 TD pass but two interceptions. What kept San Francisco in the game was RB Matt Breida who had 101 yards rushing with a rushing TD, plus he caught that 1 TD pass by Mullens.
Bye Week: Ravens Texans Vikings Broncos