Some teams got huge efforts from big names. Others, were let down as their best players came up empty. All in all, another week in the wild, weird world of the NFL. Buffalo, Chicago, Indianapolis and Oakland are on byes.
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray
The Cardinals are 2-3-1 with victories over teams that are a combined 1-11. Matters not as they did what they had to do. Kyler Murray had a big game in the thriller over Atlanta, going 27-for-37, 340 yards and a trio of TDs.
Atlanta Falcons: Austin Hooper
The Falcons pick up a lot of fantasy points and not many victories. Austin Hooper made those who had him as a TE happy with eight catches for 117 yards and a TD in the loss to Arizona.
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson:
Lamar Jackson is simply having a brilliant season. The second-year QB from Louisville was good for 388 yards of total offense and a TD in the victory over the Bengals. He can throw, run and lead an offense to great success.
Carolina Panthers: Gerald McCoy, defense
Gerald McCoy and the Panthers’ defense turned Sunday into a miserable day against his former team in London. McCoy had 2.5 of Carolina’s seven sacks. They added five INTs and a pair of fumble recoveries as the Panthers won their second straight.
Cincinnati Bengals: Brandon Wilson
The Bengals got off to a hot start as Brandon Wilson took the opening kickoff back 92 yards for a TD against Baltimore. Wilson wound up averaging better than 47 yards per kick return as Cincy fell to 0-6.
Cleveland Browns: Nick Chubb
Nick Chubb had 25 touches for nearly 140 yards and a pair of TDs as Cleveland fell to Seattle. The RB from Georgia rushed for 122 yards on 20 carries.
Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott
It was a day the Dallas Cowboys want to forget. Amari Cooper went out early with a thigh injury and they lost to the previously winless New York Jets. Ezekiel Elliott had 105 yards and a TD on 28 carries and caught five more passes for another 47 yards.
Detroit Lions: Kenny Golladay
Kenny Golladay opened the game with a 50-plus yard play on a flea-flicker and wound up with a handful of catches for 121 yards in the Lions’ loss to the Packers.
Denver Broncos: Defense
Denver muzzled Tennessee big time. The Titans had to turn to Ryan Tannehill for an ineffective Marcus Mariota. Credit goes to Vic Fangio for the shutout. There were seven sacks and three picks by the Broncos’ defense in a complete effort.
Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson won the battle and war against Patrick Mahomes. The Texans’ QB scored twice on runs and threw a TD pass while going 30-of-42 for 280 yards in the air.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
Another page in a legendary career. The great Green Bay QB led the Packers to a 23-22 victory over the Lions with his 21st fourth-quarter comeback. Rodgers not only won the game with the final drive, but he made sure Detroit did not get the ball back, eliminating any dreams the Lions would have had about coming back. A maestro at work.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Logan Cooke
Punter Logan Cooke was a bright spot in a dull day for Jacksonville. He averaged 48.8 yards on five boots and left New Orleans inside the 20 twice.
Kansas City Chiefs: Tyreek Hill
Welcome back, Tyreek Hill, had to be how Patrick Mahomes felt. The fleet wideout caught a pair of TD passes and five balls overall for 80 yards in the loss to Houston.
Los Angeles Chargers: Hunter Henry
The Chargers are a dull 2-4. Philip Rivers can take solace in the strong play of oft-injured Hunter Henry against the Steelers. The TE had eight grabs for 100 yards and a pair of TDs as the rally fell short.
Los Angeles Rams: Johnny Hekker
Johnny Hekker had 269 yards punting on five kicks for the Rams, who managed a total of 157 yards of offense in the loss to the Niners.
Miami Dolphins: None
And the Dolphins manage to lose. They had a chance to erase the “0” but blew a two-point conversion late. They also removed their starter Josh Rosen days after anointing him. Foolish football.
Minnesota Vikings: Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs is out of the doghouse and in good graces, it would seem after a seven-catch, 167-yard, three-TD performance in the victory over the Eagles.
New England Patriots: Julian Edelman
Nine catches for 113 yards as the reigning Super Bowl MVP continues his fantastic career. The Patriots disposed of the Giants, 35-14, in a Thursday night game and now get the Jets a week from Monday.
New Orleans Saints: Teddy Bridgewater
Another road victory as Teddy Bridgewater more than capably fills in for the injured Drew Brees. What can’t get lost when Brees returns is how wonderful a story it is that Bridgewater has overcome such a horrific injury to thrive when he received his opportunity.
New York Giants: David Mayo
New York Giants LB David Mayo made some big hits en route to 13 tackles and a half-sack in the loss to New England. Mayo was a force.
New York Jets: Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold returned and so did the Jets’ offense. The second-year QB threw for 338 yards and a pair of TDs as the Jets stunned the Cowboys.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jake Elliott
Jake Elliott kicked a field goal from 53 yards as he went 2-for-2 in the loss to the Vikings. Tells you how meek the day was for Philly when a pair of field goals earns you a nod.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Devlin Hodges
A special performance on the road by Devlin Hodges, who once was considered a “camp arm.” The third-string QB from Samford led the Steelers to a 24-0 lead over the Chargers and they held on for the victory.
San Francisco 49ers: Defense
The Niners are for real and scary. They went into LA after whipping the Browns on Monday and suffocated the Rams. There were four sacks for 30 yards and they completely bottled up Jared Goff & Co.
Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson simply gets it done any way he has to get it done. The Seahawks’ QB went into Cleveland and was responsible for 300 yards and a trio of TDs in the victory.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin
Continuing to show why Bruce Arians glows over Chris Godwin. The wideout was a star in the loss to Carolina, catching 10 passes for 151 yards.
Tennessee Titans: None
A bland effort in being shutout by the Denver Broncos. No stars on offense for sure and the defense did what it could limiting Denver to 16 points.
Washington Redskins: Terry McLaurin
Terry McLaurin now has five TD catches among his 23 receptions in his rookie season. The Ohio State WR caught four passes for 100 yards and two TDs as Washington got its first victory of the season.
