Final scores
(6-2) Broncos 44-24 Cowboys (3-4-1)
(1-7) Saints 3-23 Buccaneers (6-2)
(7-1) Colts 38-14 Titans (1-7)
The whistle blows in Denver. What an impressive performance from the Bronos, after a very early error from Bo Nix they roar back and dominate Dallas’ injury-hit and very shaky defense. Punishing weaknesses in an opponent is a very useful trait to possess indeed. Nix finished 19/29 for 247 yards, four touchdowns and a pick. The running attack combined for 179 yards with JK Dobbins ripping 111 of them. The big takeaway for Denver has to be the rookies combining for four touchdowns.
And that is me done. What a night, see you next week! Oh and enjoy the ultimate revenge game next: Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers taking on the Green Bay Packers.
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Full time: Colts 38-14 Titans
Jonthan Taylor rules this one with two rushing touchdowns and one through the air. The running back finishes with 153 yards on 12 totes, 12! Unreal production. Indianapolis rise up to 7-1 and the Titans sink to 1-7. Another absolute thrashing on a day filled with them.
TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 44-24 Cowboys 4:44, 4th quarter
The Cowboys are kicking the tyres of their backup quarterback Joe Milton. Dallas came into this one with Dak Prescott leading the MVP conversation. He leaves not doing so anymore. As I muse on who it should be, Patrick Mahomes, Milton throws his name into the conversation and leans back then drops a bomb on Jalen Tolbert for a 35-yard score. That was completely out of nowhere. Pretty incredible throw right over the receiver’s shoulder and into his hands. The commentators are trying to manufacture some tension on whether it was a TD or not. Not a huge issue really, beautiful throw though. Who needs Dak?
I was just about to wax lyrical about Denver’s passing defense. The timing is poor but they have been brilliant to keep CeeDee Lamb quiet without Pat Surtain.
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TOUCHDOWN! Colts 38-14 Titans 2:36, 4th quarter
Good old garbage time. Tyjae Spears slaps a bit of lipstick on the pig with a three-yard run.
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TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 44-17 Cowboys 7:14, 4th quarter
Another Denver drive, another painful penalty for Dallas. Safety Markquese Bell interferes with the man he is marking and gifts 17 yards to the Broncos to move them to within 20 yards of the endzone. RJ Harvey then grabs a five-yard touchdown this time for a hat-trick of scores. Amazing for the rookie, he will be taking a game ball home with him for sure. Best thing about this incoming win for Denver is how varied this attack is, they might not have a huge star at the skill positions but they have a large cast of characters all able to contribute. Scary for the AFC.
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Full time: Saints 3-23 Buccaneers
Grim day in the big easy. Tampa never needed to get out of second gear as evidenced by Baker Mayfield’s 124 net passing yards and zero touchdowns being enough to get his team over the line. New Orleans are 1-7 and certainly in the running for the worst team in the league award while the Bucs rise to 6-2. Not one to rewatch on game pass.
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Broncos 37-17 Cowboys 10:31, 4th quarter
Oh dear, Dak. Dondrea Tillman snaffles up a reception and runs it back from around the 10-yard line and up to midfield. Fair play to Prescott for keep trying to push the ball downfield to CeeDee Lamb but he just plum hits the defender and Tillman is a very grateful recipient. Another touchdown here would tie a ribbon on another impressive win for the Broncos. They are really starting to build something great in Denver.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 38-7 Titans 14:22, 4th quarter
Jonathan Taylor just cannot stop scoring. What a season he is having. This time the running back takes a dump off from DJ and does the rest. He romps in for the 19-yard touchdown and completes his hat-trick. Not too shabby.
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TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 37-17 Cowboys 12:48, 4th quarter
Denver just keep moving at will against a Dallas defense struggling with a severley banged up secondary. A 39-yard pass to Courtland Sutton at the start of the 4th quarter puts them straight into the red zone. A few plays later Nix is scanning, scanning, scanning, target acquired. He nails a wide-open Troy Franklin for a seven-yard touchdown and his second of the game. Turns out Romo was right the Cowboys should have gone for it earlier on 4th down. This defense is just very, very weak but Sean Payton is seriously exploiting them.
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Saints 3-23 Buccaneers 3:47, 4th quarter
QB Spencer Rattler has been benched for New Orleans in this one. Replacement Tyler Shough has not been much better well to be brutally honest he has been worse. Back to the drawing board for the Saints in the offseason I think. They are moving to 1-7 shortly.
Broncos 30-17 Cowboys 15:00, 4th quarter
Cornerback Reddy Steward delivers a brutal hit on JK Dobbins but the back keeps on trucking and grinds for the first down on the following play. JK is a machine. Can the Cowboys pull of a comeback? The defense need a big play to spark something and sooner rather than later would be the time to do it.
Broncos 30-17 Cowboys 3:25, 3rd quarter
Dallas have to punt after KaVontae Turpin drops an easy ball on third down. Commentator Tony Romo wants his Cowboys to go for it owing to Denver’s efficiency on offense. He has a point but on fourth and five at midfield that feels a little too risky with so much of this one to go. No doubt Denver will score here then.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 31-7 Titans 5:12, 3rd quarter
Daniel Jones finds Josh Downs for a 10-yard score. Game over, not that it was ever really on for Tennessee. These teams couldn’t be much further apart if they tried.
It’s good! Broncos 30-17 Cowboys 8:10, 3rd quarter
Marvin Mims take a bow. The receiver blasts up field and puts the Broncos inside Cowboys territory on a 47-yard return from the kick off. JK Dobbins says “hold my beer”, finds the edge and tears off up the left for 25 yards. Denver are averaging an incredibly punchy 8.5 yards a carry. Sean Payton dials up the pass and it pays off for an easy touchdown to Courtland Sutton. Tight end Adam Trautman sadly has other ideas and commits an offensive pass interference penalty. They go for it again but Sutton cannot hang on this time and the ball bangs off his body. Will Lutz bags the 42-yard field goal.
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Week eight roundup
Here is your roundup of the games from earlier featuring some thrashings and an epic in Cincinatti.
TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 27-17 Cowboys 8:10, 3rd quarter
Is that John Cena’s music?!?!?!? The time is, indeed, now for the Cowboys. The drive is sparked into life by a 17-yard toe tapper on the sideline from George Pickens on 4th and 2 of all downs. Very brave to go for it but the risk pays off a huge reward and plonks them down on the Broncos 10-yard line. Javonte Williams then gouges out a five-yard run to put them within touching distance. CeeDee Lamb then pulls in the catch to set up a huge third down with a yard and change to go. The time is now. The throw is wild. Only the Broncos foul Lamb and they cough up the pass interference. Riley Moss getting very handsy. And gets even more handsy two plays later. Someone have a word. Williams finishes off the drive with his ninth overall touchdown of they year. Huge seven-minute drive.
On the Broncos front Pat Surtain II is out with an injury. The Broncos sure could have used him on that drive. Game on!
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 24-7 Titans 11:10, 3rd quarter
The muscle hamster starts spinning in his wheel and just does not stop. Jonathan Taylor takes off for an 80-yard home run and now has 152 yards on the ground from just nine carries. Averaging 17 yards a tote is definitely going to get the job done. What an excellent safety net the running back is for Daniel Jones. Not that he really needs one.
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Email from Rowan
Rowan Sweeney kindly points out my prediction the Jets would go winless was rather, well, embarrassing. Rowan says on the winless season that never was: Prediction: > 11 weeks Reality: < 55 minutes.
That’s me told. What a win for the Jets that was, so lovely they got the W on the day New York legend Nick Mangold died.
That ridiculous touchdown grab from Michael Pittman earlier. Doesn’t quite do it justice but you can see how the ball is sort of wedged in his arm that’s how he caught it. If you could even say he “caught” it. Oh and he is literally wearing a defender. Unbelievable, Jeff.
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Broncos 27-10 Cowboys, half-time
Prescott forces one deep and is picked off by Jahdae Barron. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer says “not a good half of football” and seems a little vexed. Denver have been better in every facet of this one. Great to see Bo Nix pick up from where he left off against the Giants last week he is 13/17 for 169 yards with two touchdowns and one pick. Performance of the game though is RJ Harvey’s, two touchdown runs on three carries. Efficient.
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TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 27-10 Cowboys 0:39, 2nd quarter
Denver are just shredding Dallas right now. Nix drops back and hurls it deep over rookie receiver Pat Bryant’s shoulder who makes the catch for a 24-yard touchdown, the first of his career.
Now I for one am very happy about this. So in my dynasty fantasy league I unfortunately accidentally drafted Pat Bryant with my first pick when I could have picked Travis Hunter. Unfortunately I tried to pre-draft as I was playing a tennis match but messed it up rather spectacularly. I must have the most stock in Bryant of anyone in the world. Even Pat Bryant wouldn’t draft Pat Bryant with his first-round pick.
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Half-time: Colts 17-7 Titans
It’s NO good! Joey Slye goes wide right from 58 yards to end the half and looks mighty beaten up about it for his troubles. The kicking game has changed so much, that length of try wouldn’t have even been attempted not so long ago. Now they look upset when they miss.
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TOUCHDOWN! Saints 7-14 Buccaneers 10:08, 3rd quarter
The first offensive score of the game comes from a Sean Tucker goal line carry straight down the middle on 4th and goal. Gutsy call pays off after three failed attempts.
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Broncos 20-10 Cowboys 2:00, 2nd quarter
Cowboys have to bring out the punt team as Jonathon Cooper almost picks off Dak Prescott. Bit of a shocker from Dak but Cooper will be disappointed that he couldn’t haul that one in after his giant leap to block the pass. That could have been a pick six. Denver take over at their 28-yard line for the two-minute drill. Huge if they can get a TD before the break.
Aaron Rodgers revenge game
The former Green Bay Packer is going through his pre-game warmup in Pittsburgh. He has a look in his eye. Not sure what it is, could be annoyed but also could be massively hungry for a win against his former team. He would complete the set of beating all 32 NFL teams in his career with a win for Pittsburgh tonight.
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Broncos 20-10 Cowboys 3:47, 2nd quarter
Ooh big error from the Cowboys. They cough up 32 yards from a very blatant pass interference call on Alijah Clark. That puts Denver on the goal line, Sean Payton says thank you very much. Not content with one mental error, they commit another with their fifth pre-snap penalty of the game and inch the Broncos even closer to the endzone after an encroachment flag. Second and goal, JK Dobbins bangs in the pile and he is pushed over the line. But wait the whistle blows! No score. OK Dallas, third and goal. Harvey gets the direct snap for his second touchdown!! Masterful bit of trickery opens up the lead again. Ah and then Dallas get all pissed off and Williams gets an unnecessary roughness penalty but Nix whiffs the two-point conversion. Really sloppy from Dallas but that is the story of their season on defense.
TOUCHDOWN! Broncos 10-14 Cowboys 7:29, 2nd quarter
Rookie running back Jaydon Blue is getting some action for Dallas. He bursts up the right for 14 yards to kick the drive off in style then follows it up with gritty runs for 5 yards apiece. The Cowboys then hit the pass button as Dak Prescott finds his tight end Luke Schoonmaker who falls down just shy of the endzone on a 14-yard catch. They hand it off to Javonte Williams who bangs in for the score.
Before that however colour commentator Tony Romo makes a big call to try and sing “money, money, money, mohnaaay … MUHnEy”. Huge swing, even bigger miss. Next time commit to the bit Tony, and maybe falsetto isn’t your thing.
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It’s good! Saints 3-7 Buccaneers, half-time
Blake Grupe smacks in a 48-yarder to get the Saints on the board. Defenses absolutely dominating in this one. Both running games are going nowhere and Baker Mayfield has only 50 yards passing. The only way is up!
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 17-7 Titans 7:44, 2nd quarter
Michael Pittman with his armpit?! It is tough to overstate how amazing that catch was. He is absolutely mobbed by the defender but somehow snags the ball with his arm rather than his hand. Unbelievable from Pittman for the 21-yard touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 10-7 Titans 11:14, 2nd quarter
Tennessee hit back with a one-yard touchdown catch from Gunnar Helm. Methodical drive from Cam Ward with three nice midrange passes and big old 41-yard scamper from Tyjae Spears.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 3-14 Broncos 3:04, 1st quarter
What a quick turnaround! From staring down a 7-0 deficit after the Bo Nix interception the Broncos have gone 14-3 up. Troy Franklin catches a deep ball from Nix for the second touchdown in two drives from 25 yards out. This Cowboys defense is being torn apart by Sean Payton’s playcalling. Your move Dallas.
Fun start to the late window, but my time is up. Graham is back to see out the rest of the action.
TOUCHDOWN! Titans 0-10 Colts 0:18, 1st quarter
Ooft. How strong is Jonathan Taylor? That is brute strength from Colts star running back as he breaks a tackle and bursts into corner of the end zone. He earned every one of those 18 yards.
TOUCHDOWN! Buccaneers 7-0 Saints 6:47, 1st quarter
I praised Rattler earlier but this is bad. Very bad. Anthony Nelson jumps the throw and makes the interception to run it in for a pick six. The Saints had just stopped the Buccs four times on the two-yard line so that has to sting to see the offence gift Tampa a touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 3-7 Broncos 8:21, 1st quarter
Nix hits Franklin for a 26-yard gain to get the Broncos into plus territory and two plays later RJ Harvey weaves his way out of the backfield, through traffic to get to the outside and sprints away for his firts ever rushing touchdown in the NFL! That is some score from the running back. Lutz hits the extra point and the Bronocs lead.
Cowboys 3-0 Broncos 10:35, 1st quater
Brandon Aubrey chips home a field goal after the Cowboys stall in the red zone. A huge CeeDee Lamb reception had got Dallas inside the Broncos’ five-yard line but they could not punch it in.
Titans 0-3 Colts 9:46, 1st quarter
It’s not a touchdown by Jones leads his team to another opening drive score. Michael Badgley kicks a 43 yard field goal to get the Colts on the board.
Interception! Broncos 0-0 Cowboys 13:35, 1st quarter
Not the start Bo Nix would have wanted. After moving the chains on the first two plays, the Broncos QB errs with a throw over the middle that is easily picked off by Trikweze Bridges.
Titans 0-0 Colts 14:05, 1st quarter
The Colts start with back-to-back first downs. Daniel ‘Indiana’ Jones is rolling already.
Saints 0-0 Buccaneers 3:38, 1st quarter
Uh oh, Rattler is sacked and from being in scoring position the Saints are back near halfway. On third and long, they can’t make up the ground and have to punt.
Saints 0-0 Buccaneers 7:28, 1st quarter
We pick up the action midway through the first quarter in the only game currently underway. You’ve not missed much. Saints QB Spencer Rattler fumbled on the very first drive but the Buccs could not take advatange as Baker Mayfield went three and out. Rattler, who has been better than expected since taking the starting job in New Orleans, has the team rolling on this drive. He’s yet to throw an incomplete pass and has got the Saints to the Tampa bay 39 yard-line.
Hello, while Graham takes a much-deserved lie down I’ll be guiding you through the early stages of the late window.
Right I need a lie down but instead we have three more for you!
(1-6) New Orleans Saints v Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)
(5-2) Denver Broncos v Dallas Cowboys (3-3-1)
(6-1) Indianapolis Colts v Tennessee Titans (1-6)
Denver v Dallas could be an absolute barn burner, lets go!
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Full time: JETS WIN!!!!
(3-4) Falcons 10-34 Dolphins (2-6)
(2-5) Ravens 30-16 Bears (4-3)
(4-4) Panthers 9-40 Bills (5-2)
(3-5) Bengals 38-39 Jets (1-7)
(3-4) Texans 26-15 49ers (5-3)
(6-2) Patriots 32-13 Browns (2-6)
(6-2) Eagles 38-20 Giants (2-6)
The Jets defense holds its ground for almost the first time tonight. Unbelievable. Justin Fields and Breece Hall have been excellent.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 38-39 Jets 1:54, 4th quarter
The Jets might win a game of football. Wow! Mason Taylor catches a four-yard pass from Breece Hall (What?!). Absolute scenes! Flacco has two minutes to save this one. Remember when I called it for the Bengals? Oops.
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Final score: Falcons 10-34 Dolphins, Panthers 9-40 Bills
Couple of pretty hefty no-shows from the home teams here. Moving very swiftly on …
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 30-16 Bears 3:23, 4th quarter
Well they lean on Derrick Henry but not to kill the game. The bulldozer in human form slams home from the one-yard line. With Lamar Jackson likely coming back next week things suddenly feel a little rosier in Baltimore.
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TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 38-20 Giants 2:44, 4th quarter
It is a rough one for the G-men but Jaxson Dart is still giving it everything out there which you love to see. He hangs out in the pocket for an age then starts moving as he wheels around away from three defenders who just miss him. The rookie dances some more then slings an 18-yarder for a first down. Oh and he follows that up with a cheeky quarterback sneak for a two-yard score. Showing tonnes of promise.
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TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 38-13 Giants 5:59, 4th quarter
Jahan Dotson snags a 40-yard strike from Jalen Hurts to put this out of sight for Philadelphia. Tough day for the Giants after losing Skattebo who has a dislocated ankle.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 38-32 Jets 7:52, 4th quarter
And in an instant the Jets hit back. Breece Hall is tormenting the Bengals who look absolutely knackered. The rusher sprints through them for a 27 yard score. Strangely the Jets go for two and get it on a pass to Isaiah Davis. Excellent high-tempo work there, a five play 2min 29sec drive.
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Ravens 23-16 Bears 5:06, 4th quarter
It’s good! Cairos Santos pulls the Bears back to within a touchdown with five minutes on the clock. Baltimore will be hoping Derrick Henry can kill off the game on this drive. Season saving W for the Ravens? They need to get it first.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 38-24 Jets 10:21, 4th quarter
This epic shootout just keeps firing. A lovely mix of run and pass makes swiss cheese of the Jets and on the one-yard line Chase Brown finishes his dinner for the touchdown. Looking like two wins from two for Flacco at the Bengals. What a trade by Cinci! The ageing superstar has 216 yards and two touchdown tosses and one on the ground. Vintage.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 9-40 Bills 5:46, 4th quarter
Ah garbage time, where blowouts get that little less disrespect-able. In incredible news for my fantasy team, Chuba Hubbard jogs in for a three-yard touchdown. How are your teams coping with the bye-pocalypse? Having Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St Brown is certainly taking its toll for me.
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TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 23-13 Bears 8:13, 4th quarter
TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 31-13 Giants 11:17, 4th quarter
Defenses are tiring now. Dallas Goedert grabs his second score of the day (he is a tight end!!) for Philadelphia while Charlie Kolar, OMG he is a tight end too, gives the Ravens a healthy, if not slightly shocking lead with a 10-yard catch. That Baltimore touchdown set up by a nifty interception from Nate Wiggins.
In slightly less good news I appear to have cursed the Eagles as Saquon Barkley leaves the field on that scoring drive with a leg injury. They don’t need him anymore so rest up, Saquads.
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TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 31-24 Jets 14:17, 4th quarter
While the Jets defense is incredibly ropey, the offense is humming along very nicely. Breece Hall bangs home from five yards and they pull off the two-point conversion thanks to the quick feet of quarterback Justin Fields.
Eagles 24-13 Giants 13:57, 4th quarter
The Giants defense cannot handle Philadelphia’s rushing attack. They are being torn apart to the tune of 219 yards on the ground. Saquon Barkley has 150 of them but he is being spotted very well by Tank Bigsby who has 54 on four carries. As a team they are averaging 10 yards per play on the ground. Unstoppable.
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 23-15 49ers 7:01, 3rd quarter
Did I mention it is national tight end day? Well it is national tight end day. And on this special day we can celebrate the other pass catching tight end in San Fran Jake Tonges grabbing a two-yard score for the Niners. They are still in the fight but need to slow down the Texans.
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TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 31-16 Jets 2:34, 3rd quarter
The Jets defense is really conspiring to make some fairly average Bengals players look like world beaters. First Flacco looking like prime Peyton Manning, now Samaje Perine aping Barry Sanders. The veteran rumbles for a 32-yard touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 30-7 Browns 0:10, 3rd quarter
Drake Maye is on fire! He hits Kayshon Boutte with a beautiful long spiral into the end zone for 39 yards and his third scoring pass of the game. Out of sight.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 3-33 Bills 4:59, 3rd quarter
James Cook is off to the races again. His second touchdown this time is a 21-yard scamper putting the rusher on a frankly insane 214 yards on 18 carries averaging 12 yards per rush. On pace for over 300, wow.
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 16-13 Bears 12:22, 4th quarter
And we have a close game people! Baltimore’s defense think they have the stop on third down on the goal line but D’Andre Swift just breaks in for the touchdown. Can the Ravens hold on for an unlikely win?
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 23-7 49ers 7:29, 3rd quarter
Apologies 49ers fans but I appear to have provoked CJ Stroud and the Texans. As soon as I say this was our closest game and they march downfield and the quarterback hits Xavier Hutchinson with a 30-yard strike for the touchdown. Sort of close game alert is now Baltimore’s 16-6 lead over Chicago.
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TOUCHDOWN! Falcons 3-24 Dolphins 6:05, 3rd quarter
Horrible showing by the Falcons at home today. Jaylen Waddle races through the heart of the field for a 43-yard score on a short pass from Tua. Atlanta are so inconsistent, this version very much the team that were nuked 30-0 by Carolina.
Some very lop-sided matches today, currently zero, I repeat zero of the seven are separated by one score. The closest we have is Houston’s 16-7 lead over San Fran. Beat downs across the board.
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TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 23-7 Browns 6:43, 3rd quarter
Drake Maye slings another touchdown, this time a one yarder to Stefon Diggs. Are the Pats officially back? Am I very late to the party with this line of enquiry? Yes and yes, that’s that settled then.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 3-26 Bills 12:38, 3rd quarter
This is getting ugly for Carolina. Bills quarterback Josh Allen finds Khalil Shakir for 54-yard touchdown. He races around to the right leaving defensive backs in his considerable wake. His QB says thank you very much.
Falcons 3-17 Dolphins 11:13, 3rd quarter
So Robinson has been very involved already this half. He pops a nice gain on a short pass for 17 yards, so far, so good. But next coughs up a costly fumble. That level of slop is making Miami’s day very easy indeed.
TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 15-7 Browns 9:10, 3rd quarter
Drake Maye is taking charge now after a slightly shaky first half. The quarterback finds his tight end (happy national tight ends day) Hunter Henry with a seven yard pass for the score. Great bit of trickery to show a jet sweep to the left but toss it the other way to a wide open Henry.
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Falcons 3-17 Dolphins 12:42, 3rd quarter
With Andy Dalton getting battered by Buffalo, let’s check in with Kirk Cousins for Atlanta. He is 6/9 for 53 yards, not exactly explosive. What is more alarming for the Falcons is their heavy hitter Bijan Robinson has 19 yards rushing on seven carries. Going down with a whimper to the benign 1-6 Miami Dolphins.
RIP Nick Mangold
Sad, sad news in the football world today as legendary New York Jets center Nick Mangold has died at the age of 41 while waiting for a kidney transplant. Some sweet words from his teammates and coaches here, getting a bit misty eyed.
Half-time
Your scores on the doors.
Falcons 3-17 Dolphins
Ravens 10-6 Bears
Panthers 3-19 Bills
Bengals 24-13 Jets
Texans 16-7 49ers
Patriots 9-7 Browns
Eagles 21-10 Giants
Defense on top thus far in a lot of these with the notable exception of the 49ers who have allowed CJ Stroud to show his class. The struggling Texans’ QB already has 235 yards and has completed 22 of 28 passes with a TD and just as the clock strikes half-time the Niners pick him off. Consequently that is their first interception since week 11 of last season, weird. Meanwhile his opposite number Mac Jones is 5/11 for 44 yards and a touchdown. San Francisco closed the half well but those half-time adjustments still need to be aggressive from coach Kyle Shanahan, let’s go!
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TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 21-10 Giants, half-time
One for UK fans to giggle at as Tom Brady describes Dallas Goedert’s six-yard scoring catch as a “tosser concept”. And precedes to say tosser three more times. Language, Thomas!
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 7-16 49ers 0:25, 2nd quarter
Merry national tight end day! The 49ers find some footing with a George Kittle with a 17-yard grab. Is there anything weirder in sport than national tight end day? Answers on a post card please.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 3-19 Bills 0:02, 2nd quarter
AJ Epenesa picks off Andy Dalton and runs it down to the one yard line. Quarterback Josh Allen does the rest with the sneak and score. Big lead for Buffalo with Carolina really struggling with the veteran at QB. He is 6/11 for 73 yards with a pick. As I type this he is sacked by Joey Bosa. Not good.
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TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 24-10 Jets 1:15, 2nd quarter
Isn’t the Jets defense supposed to be good? They are currently being vaporised by the Bengals. Chase Brown rumbles for a 19-yard score. Easy peasy.
TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 14-7 Giants 8:11, 2nd quarter
Oh man. This is a real shame as fun-loving speedster Cam Skattebo is carted off the field after a really nasty looking leg injury. That is almost definitely his season over. And what a young season he was having: 398 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Really tough luck for the Giants to lose such a talismanic figure.
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TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 17-10 Jets 5:27, 2nd quarter
Tyler Johnson with an unbelievable grab in the corner of the end zone on a 15-yard pass from Justin Fields.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 3-12 Bills 7:23, 2nd quarter
James Cook is having a huge day for the Bills. The running back breaks off a 64-yard sprint and score. He has 146 yards already today on 11 carries. Outrageous.
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 13-0 49ers 9:39, 2nd quarter
Houston take a commanding lead after Jayden Higgins snatches up his second touchdown of the season with a 12-yard pass from CJ Stroud.
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TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 14-7 Giants 11:38, 2nd quarter
Barkley just keeps on rolling with his second touchdown already today. Excellent response from Philadelphia as they mix it up and get the running back involved in the passing game. Barkley catches one short out to the left and jogs in for an easy nine-yard touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 17-3 Jets 10:45, 2nd quarter
Flacco is enjoying himself today. The 40-year-old unleashes a 44-yard bomb to Tee Higgins to put Cincinnati comfortably in the driving seat. Higgins ran an incredible route there with a little stutter to shake his defender enough to catch the ball on the goal line in space. Just the slightest twitch and Flacco does the rest with a perfect pass to seal the touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 7-6 Bears 8:15, 2nd quarter
Snoop Huntley is going well at QB for the Ravens going 6/6 for 59 yards so far. Running back Derrick Henry holds up his end of the bargain by finishing off the 12-play drive with a two-yard dive into the end zone. King Henry’s 111th career touchdown moving him to 5th in the all-time charts for rushers.
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Panthers 0-6 Bills 14:09, 2nd quarter
It’s good! But Carolina come out on top as Buffalo settle for a field goal. Josh Allen successfully scrambles around once but on the second effort is sacked on 3rd and 5. Not the end of the world but a cheap penalty forced Allen to put on his dancing shoes after an illegal formation penalty. Matt Prater knocks in the 43-yard field goal.
TOUCHDOWN! Falcons 0-7 Dolphins 2:33, 1st quarter
De’Von Achane catches a short pass from Tua for a three-yard score. Relief for Miami fans as the Dolphins take a lead as they try in their effort to snap a three game losing streak.
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TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 7-7 Giants 2:56, 1st quarter
The Giants respond. Cam Skattebo loves scoring against Philadelphia apparently. But I think Skattebo just loves scoring full stop. The rookie QB Jaxson Dart finds his rookie running back with an 18-yard strike for the touchdown. Game on!
Panthers 0-3 Bills 3:40, 1st quarter
On grizzled gunslinger watch Andy Dalton is enduring a rough start to this one. He scrambles to his right but is hunted down by Greg Rousseau who knocks him down. As he falls the ball comes loose with Christian Benford on hand to steal it for Buffalo. Coming off the bye the Bills will hope Josh Allen finds his spark after two successive losses. He is yet to do so going 3/7 for 38 yards. Early days though
TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 3-7 Browns 3:35 1st quarter
Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel shoots a 18-yard strike to Harold Fannin Jr for the score. Not enough Harolds in sport, are there?
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 10-0 Jets 5:35, 1st quarter
Maybe skip this post Jets fans. In their own half New York go for it on 4th and 1 and Breece Hall gets knocked back two yards. The Bengals are gifted excellent field position and Joe Flacco marches Cincinnati down field and he even nabs a rushing touchdown. Real head scratcher there. A winless season for the Jets might just be on the cards.
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Ravens 0-3 Bears 6:50, 1st quarter
It’s good! Baltimore summon some much-needed might on defense with a great stop in the red zone. Rookie second-round pick Mike Green sacks Caleb Williams on third down to force a 32-yard field goal. Bend but don’t break at its finest.
TOUCHDOWN! Eagles 7-0 Giants 14:51, 1st quarter
Hmmmm remember that time I said it was tough to know how Philadelphia’s offense would perform? Well, about that. After an incomplete pass Saquon Barkley cracks open the big one in the NFC East with a 65-yard touchdown run. The running back has been the missing piece so far this season for Philadelphia so they will be delighted with that start.
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Here we go! Lots of old faces in at QB tonight. A pair of 37-year-olds taking the field with Kirk Cousins back in for Atlanta and Andy Dalton subbing in for Carolina. Can the veterans get it done tonight?
Preamble
Good evening football fans, welcome to week eight of the NFL! By far my favourite week of the regular season as the clocks have spun back in the UK giving us a huge lineup of seven matches a whole hour early. What more could you ask for?
Here are the games starting at noon CST/1pm EST/5pm GMT (home teams listed first):
(3-3) Atlanta Falcons v Miami Dolphins (1-6)
(1-5) Baltimore Ravens v Chicago Bears (4-2)
(4-3) Carolina Panthers v Buffalo Bills (4-2)
(3-4) Cincinnati Bengals v New York Jets (0-7)
(2-4) Houston Texans v San Francisco 49ers (5-2)
(5-2) New England Patriots v Cleveland Browns (2-5)
(5-2) Philadelphia Eagles v New York Giants (2-5)
Some very intriguing matchups but it is a big shame Lamar Jackson won’t be suiting up for Baltimore tonight. Snoop Huntley will be deputising as they try and contend with a Chicago Bears team rampaging into town on a four-game winning streak.
Elsewhere top billing has to be over in the NFC East. The Giants whipped the Eagles a couple of weeks ago, thanks to a Cam Skattebo hat-trick, but endured a historic meltdown last week in Denver while Philadelphia finally found some offensive firepower to swat Minnesota aside. Expect a fast start from New York’s young guns to turn the page. For the Eagles it is tough to predict how the offense will look but the team have reportedly made a call on wide receiver AJ Brown’s future. He is staying put in Pennsylvania.
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