Final scores
(2-6) Las Vegas Raiders 29-30 Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
(6-2) Los Angeles Rams 34-10 New Orleans Saints (1-8)
(6-2) Buffalo Bills 28-31 Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
OK now that the Mad Max dust storm has settled or rather is settling, I think the performance of the night has to be Buffalo’s defense stepping up in the biggest of all spots to keep Patrick Mahomes in check. The all-world QB finished 15/34 for 250 yards, zero touchdowns, one pick and a rating of 57.2. Mahomes led the NFL in passing scores going into this and he didn’t get to add to his tally. Huge!
Right, that is me done again for another week. But what a night it has been, easily the best Sunday of the season so far. So many lead changes, spills, thrills and even a few bellyaches. Here’s looking at you Cincinnati. Night!
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Final score: Raiders 29-30 Jaguars
In OT it comes down to a two-point conversion after Bowers completed his hat-trick from two yards. The pass is batted down at the line of scrimmage. The Raiders are gutted.
BILLS WIN!
Take a breath everyone, it’s over. Mahomes makes a miracle throw to Tyquan Thornton in the end zone who puts his hands on the ball but Bishop makes the play and breaks it up. 40 yards and three second. Mahomes hurls it again. Knocked down.
Bills 28-21 Chiefs
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IT's NO GOOD! Bills 28-21 Chiefs 0:22, 4th quarter
BONG! Matt Prater hits the upright from 52 yards. Mahomes has 22 seconds to save the day.
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TOUCHDOWN! Raiders 23-30 Jaguars 3:24, overtime
Trevor Lawrence bags his second rushing touchdown of the day! Helpful as he zero through the air. Your move, Raiders.
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Bills 28-21 Chiefs 2:00, 4th quarter
The Bills use running back par excellence James Cook to scuttle up to midfield and burn lots of clock and two of Kansas City’s timeouts. 3rd and 3, if Buffalo convert this then they will be close to winning. Cook comes up huge on the dash out wide as he catches one out to the right in the flat. The back then sits down to make sure the Chiefs burn their final timeout with 2min 31sec left.
1st and 10 at the 50-yard line. Cook gets a yard, the clock winds down to the two-minute warning. Tension is mounting. Mahomes looks desperate for a shot at winning it. The Chiefs need a stop to give him a chance.
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INTERCEPTION! Bills 28-21 Chiefs 4:27, 4th quarter
After forcing the Bills to punt as successive sacks stop Allen dead, the Chiefs take over. an unfortunate holding call is laughed at by Mahomes who instantly moves the chains on 2nd and long with a 13-yard shot to Kelce. Buffalo burn a second timeout as they fail to get set on the line of scrimmage. An incompletion on a screen pass brings out another 3rd down in a game of 3rd downs for the Chiefs.
Joey Bosa runs straight at Mahomes and the QB has to get rid of it downfield as he goes for all the marbles. It was too soon for the receiver. Mahomes is picked off by Maxwell Hairston. Tony Romo rather boringly but accurately points out it is just as if the Chiefs punted.
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It’s GOOD! Raiders 23-23 Jaguars, OVERTIME
This game has burst into life to the point the teams have decided to extend it into overtime. Cam Little just shades in a 48-yard field goal by the right upright. All square.
Final score: Rams 34-10 Saints
LA crush New Orleans thanks to another outstanding day from Matthew Stafford. Four touchdown passes and a QB rating of 140.8. The Rams are on a three-game winning streak and top of the NFC on 6-2. The Saints are 1-8.
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TOUCHDOWN! Raiders 23-20 Jaguars 1:52, 4th quarter
A fourth lead change in Vegas during the past four scores. Smith and Brock Bowers make it a double on the day as the QB finds his tight end for a 27-yard touchdown. Bowers completely changes the output of this offense, they were useless when he was out injured.
TOUCHDOWN! Bills 28-21 Chiefs 11:32, 4th quarter
Buffalo are balling. Joey Bosa gets home and rocks Mahomes for a nine-yard loss on the sack. The Bills have three sacks, four tackles for a loss and 11 QB hits. The Chiefs have one sack, one TFL and four hits. No contest.
On 3rd & 17 the pass is incomplete by the sticks. The chains stay put as Mahomes makes the throw but Xavier Worthy cannot hold on.
They go for it on 4th & 17. Buffalo get cute and ice the QB. Mahomes spins back … and … finds Rashee Rice WIDE open, in the middle of the field. Serious cojones, a 29-yard gain. Jim Nantz points out that is Mahomes’ longest 4th down play of his career.
Buffalo carve out another 3rd down near the goal line. Two tries for the TD incoming. 3rd and 1 and Hunt is stuffed. Last chance saloon? Well, it is for this drive. One yard needed. They go again with Hunt. Great call as the Bills expect pass, no one on hand to tackle Hunt, touchdown! Then they go for two to make it a one-score game, of course Mahomes hooks up with Kelce with ease. “Old reliable,” says Romo. Yessir.
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TOUCHDOWN! Raiders 16-20 Jaguars 8:51, 4th quarter
We have another lead change in Las Vegas. Running back Bhayshul Tuten punches it in on the goal line for a one yarder.
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Bills 28-13 Chiefs 15:00, 4th quarter
Mahomes is trying to force it now and gets BLASTED by AJ Epenesa on 2nd down out by the sideline. But does it affect him? Nope. The Bills blow the coverage on 3rd, AJ Brown sprints past them with Mahomes slinging it for 33 yards. Conveniently only 33 yards to go for a vital score as the third quarter ends. Plenty more twists and turns left in this one.
TOUCHDOWN! Bills 28-13 Chiefs 1:34, 3rd quarter
Buffalo are really piling the pressure on Kansas City. Josh Allen powers one to Elijah Moore to break the Bills deep into enemy territory for a 28-yard gain. A few plays later he sneaks one on the goal line.
Neil Reynolds in the Sky Sports studio offers “the Josh Mosh” as nomenclature for the play. We like, but can the Guardian do better, any ideas people?
The quarterback has been superb. He is 21/24 for 253 yards, one touchdown, zero picks and two rushing scores.
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Are eye in the sky in Las Vegas, Richard Woods helpfully points out …
“In case you missed it, Travon Walker of the Jaguars threw a punch after the Raiders’ go-ahead field goal and has been ejected.”
I had missed it. Exactly what a team struggling after some sloppy wins do not need.
Cheers, Richard!
TOUCHDOWN! Raiders 16-13 Jaguars 9:38, 4th quarter
Ashton Jeanty moves Las Vegas ahead once more. The running back makes a short catch at the line of scrimmage then motors home for a 15-yard score.
TOUCHDOWN! Rams 34-10 Saints 12:40, 4th quarter
LA are happy to use some clock. Kyren Williams gets touch after touch after touch after touch rumbling down field for almost every single play as the running back finishes off a 6min 22sec sequence with a one-yard punch. Game over.
Bills 21-13 Chiefs 6:22, 3rd quarter
Wow, wow, wow. Mahomes dances around close to his own end zone on 3rd down. Meanwhile Kelce finds a tiny pocket of space as the tandem connect for a 28-yard gain. That looked like either a sack or three and out. Not to be.
The Bills keep trucking on D. Another 3rd down is on the way. Or is it? Ouch intentional grounding called on Mahomes, who is not happy at all with the late consensus call flag from the referees. Colour commentator Tony Romo says it is the right call, there isn’t a receiver anywhere near the pass. But then very unhelpfully Romo changes his mind.
In a bid to change the referees minds, Andy Reid throws the challenge flag as the pass was tipped by a defender. Only the referees remind us after a long while the play is not reviewable. On 3rd and 16 the Bills get home and sack Mahomes. Buffalo’s defense is ruling the day so far.
TOUCHDOWN! Raiders 9-13 Jaguars 14:50, 4th quarter
Trevor Lawrence gets a design run play. The QB motors up the heart of the Raiders defense, well he would have if they hadn’t all been pedalling backwards into the end zone. The play call works beautifully to let Lawrence jog home from seven yards. Cam Little makes the extra point, boring work for the kicker’s nuclear foot.
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Bills 21-13 Chiefs 8:57, 3rd quarter
Josh Allen is carving Kansas City up as he makes his ninth pass in succession to move Buffalo into midfield with a 12-yard strike to Dalton Kincaid. Some wonderful body movement on 2nd down then keeps the defenders at bay. Allen bobs forward then back in the pocket to make the chasing pack hesitate just enough so he can scamper out right and throw it away. They miss on 3rd down. Punt.
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Bills 21-13 Chiefs 13:38, 3rd quarter
Cole Bishop is having the game of his young career. On 3rd down Mahomes shuffles out to the right, uncorks a throw, Hollywood Brown goes up for it but the second-year safety breaks it up. A Chiefs punt is like gold dust, brilliant.
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TOUCHDOWN! Rams 27-10 Saints 5:14, 3rd quarter
LA are into the red zone after an eight-yard catch from Puka Nacua. The receiver on the next play takes the handoff and almost punches in his seccond TD of the game. On the next play Davante Adams does grab his second after a four-yard pass from Matthew Stafford. The QB is playing himself into the MVP conversation. In his last game he had five touchdown passes, he has four already today.
It’s GOOD! Raiders 9-6 Jaguars 6:26, 3rd quarter
In the Field-Goal Bowl Daniel Carlson brushes one home from 24 yards out.
It’s GOOD! Raiders 6-6 Jaguars 9:53, 3rd quarter
Cam Little ties it up with a frankly pathetic 33-yard effort.
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Key event
It’s GOOD! Bills 21-10 Chiefs, half-time
Hollywood Brown hauls a long bomb from Mahomes for a 40-yard monster gain after another chunk of 20 yards to tight end Travis Kelce. They move the length of the field in under a minute. This quarterback is gonna go far, you know?
On the goal line the Bills force a 2nd down after stuffing the run. Mahomes can only throw it away. 3rd down and nine seconds, Mahomes rips one at Kelce. But Bishop makes a ridiculous play to stop the tight end from making the grab. Massive bend-but-don’t-break stand by the Bills to limit Kansas City to a 19-yard chip shot from Harrison Butker.
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TOUCHDOWN! Bills 21-7 Chiefs 1:33, 2nd quarter
James Cook scampers up the middle for 16 yards to get the drive rolling. Oooh then after some short gains Josh Allen hits Dawson Knox deep up the sideline for 30 yards to put them virtually on the goal line. Running back Cook then drops just shy of extending the lead, only a yard to go now. The Chiefs think they stuff Allen on the sneak but no he breaks the plain. Chunky lead for the Bills. Where are you Patrick? Let’s be ‘aving you.
TOUCHDOWN! Rams 20-10 Saints, half-time
Tyler Shough shovels one short to the left of Juwan Johnson to make it somewhat respecatable heading into half-time. The tight end finishes off the 11-yard touchdown grab with aplomb.
Cam Little kicks the longest field goal in NFL history!
It’s GOOD! Raiders 6-3 Jaguars, half-time
With everything else going on, I didn’t expect the Raiders-Jaguars game to stand out – but we’ve just witnessed history with Cam Little kicking a 68-yard field goal for Jacksonville to make it 6-3 at half time. He made it quite comfortably, too.
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TOUCHDOWN! Raiders 6-0 Jaguars, 0:35 second quarter
We were pretty close to a scoreless first half in Las Vegas, but the Raiders get on the board after Brock Bowers’ catch in the end zone – initially ruled incomplete – is given as a touchdown after replays show the tight end got his posterior down in bounds.
TOUCHDOWN! Bills 14-10 Chiefs, 6:39 second quarter
Buffalo hit back and retake the lead, Allen connecting with Dalton Kincaid for a big gain and Ty Johnson running in the touchdown from three yards.
Kansas City edge ahead, a 46-yard field goal putting them 10-7 ahead in Buffalo. The Saints also kick a field goal … and are immediately punished with Stafford finding Nacua for a 39-yard touchdown. Rams lead 20-3.
TOUCHDOWN! Bills 7-7 Chiefs, 15:00 second quarter
The Chiefs hit back in the heavyweight AFC matchup in Buffalo, Rashee Rice running it in from close range after a sweeping drive down the field.
TOUCHDOWN! Rams 13-0 Saints, 11:28 second quarter
It could be a long day for the 1-7 Saints, as Matthew Stafford finds Davante Adams for the Rams’ second touchdown. New Orleans are starting rookie QB Tyler Shough, who was introduced to the NFL with a hefty sack.
Hi everyone, Niall McVeigh here jumping in while Graham grabs some richly-deserved eye rest. And we have a touchdown to report …
TOUCHDOWN! Bills 7-0 Chiefs 7:00, 1st quarter
In all that madness I missed Buffalo taking the lead. I only have one pair of eyes sadly. Tight end Dalton Kincaid makes the 23-yard touchdown grab to put the Bills on top.
Full time
(3-6) Cincinnati Bengals 42-47 Chicago Bears (5-3)
(5-3) Detroit Lions 24-27 Minnesota Vikings (4-4)
(5-2-1) Green Bay Packers 13-16 Carolina Panthers (5-4)
(3-5) Houston Texans 15-18 Denver Broncos (7-2)
(7-2) New England Patriots 24-23 Atlanta Falcons (3-5)
(2-7) New York Giants 24-34 San Francisco 49ers (6-3)
(5-3) Pittsburgh Steelers 27-20 Indianapolis Colts (7-2)
(1-8) Tennessee Titans 20-27 Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)
An absolute thrilling set of games. If you can please make a special effort to watch the highlights of the Bears win over the Bengals, you will not be disappointed. Seven of these separated by one score with San Fran the only comfortable win on the slate. What can you say, football, bloody hell!
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TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 42-47 Bears 0:17, 4th quarter
I have run out of adjectives that mean amazing. The Bears say sod the field goal and go for the home run. Caleb Williams takes a giant cut down field and Colston Loveland makes the grab and sprints home for a 58-yard score to retake the lead with only 17 seconds remaining.
For the Bengals Joe Flacco has 457 passing yards and Chicago have almost 600 yards of offense. Numbers. Sheer numbers.
TOUCHDOWN! Rams 7-0 Saints 6:18, 1st quarter
Tyler Higbee gives LA the early lead with a one-yard grab. They will have wanted a hot start and they got it.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 42-41 Bears 0:54, 4th quarter
You have got to be kidding me. In the final game still playing the Bengals have just taken the lead over the Bears. I had taken my eye off the ball for the reason of Chicago holding a 14-point lead with two minutes remaining. Noah Fant put them within one score then they grab the onside kick (only the third converted by any team all season) and take the lead thanks to a Andrei Iosivas nine-yard grab.
Second week in a row the Bengals are involved in the game of the day. Defense, what defense? Stupendous shootout in Ohio.
Final scores: Texans 15-18 Broncos, Steelers 27-20 Colts
Denver force the punt then romp down the field to give Will Lutz a crack at the winner from 34 yards and he makes it! The Broncos had to dig deep to win with 11 unanswered points.
In Pittsburgh the Steelers come through with a thrilling upset for the home fans. Now they have to keep this momentum rolling on defense.
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Preamble 2.0
While the first set of games are approaching the end up next we have:
(2-5) Las Vegas Raiders v Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3)
(5-2) Los Angeles Rams v New Orleans Saints (1-7)
(5-2) Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs (5-3)
What a game we have in store: Josh Allen v Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes leads the head-to-head 5-4 but Allen has a 4-1 regular season record. We are in for a belter!
Final score: Lions 24-27 Vikings
Massive, massive win for the underdog Vikings in enemy territory. Huge day for Minnesota’s defense to limit Detroit’s formidable rushing attack to just 65 yards.
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Texans 15-15 Broncos 1:21, 4th quarter
And they get the stop! Broncos punt after Bo Nix runs for his life from a marauding defender on 3rd down and has to throw it away.
Can Davis Mills lead the Texans to victory?
Texans 15-15 Broncos 2:00, 4th quarter
OK so we have not talked much about this one today but Houston QB CJ Stroud exited in the first quarter and the Texans have been surviving in this one with Davis Mills under center. Doing an admirable job in the face of Denver’s vicious defense.
Moving into the 2-minute drill and the Broncos are at midfield. Very well placed to get the walk-off field goal. Houston gunning for a big play here.
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Final scores: Packers 13-16 Panthers, Patriots 24-23 Falcons
Another upset in week nine as Ryan Fitzgerald (Fitzmagic 2.0?) kicks the walkoff field goal from 49 yards while Atlanta suffer another stomach-churning defeat as the missed extra point costs them dearly. Ouch.
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INTERCEPTION! Steelers 27-17 Colts 2:51, 4th quarter
Joey Porter Jr picks off Jones for Indi’s six turnover of the game that pretty much ties a big, beautiful ribbon on a big upset for Pittsburgh. Before that the Colts had their tails up after Pittsburgh had turned it over themselves with a very avoidable fumble. They get away with it … and how!
Final scores: Giants 24-34 49ers, Titans 20-27 Chargers
Great effort from the Titans to make it close but the Chargers’ superior offensive might keeps them in front for the win while McCaffrey dominates the Giants as he does most teams.
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TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 27-41 Bears 4:57, 4th quarter
Cincinatti’s tiring defense continue to be shredded by Chicago. DJ Moore scores a very weird touchdown as the Bengals challenge a touchback the call is reversed and it blows up in there face! Chicago get the touchdown thanks to the challenge from the other team. Truly bizarre.
The Bears have over 500 yards of offense. 500! With 262 on the ground, backup rookie running back Kyle Monangai has 175 on 25 bruising carries.
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TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 27-17 Colts 4:30, 4th quarter
Jalen Ramey delivers a brutal, if not horrifying hit on Michael Pittman. Essentially delivers a diving head butt on the receiver. Ther personal foul penalty moves the Colts to just four yards out from scoring. Jones bounces back from a poor first three quarters and change with an easy lobbed toss out right to Josh Downs. The four-yard floater keeps the Colts in the fight.
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 24-34 49ers 1:21, 4th quarter
I would have waived the fight off but Jaxson Dart keeps fighting. The rookie hits a player I have to google owing to a complicated name for the 24-yard touchdown. Gunner Olszewski makes the grab.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 13-13 Panthers 2:01, 4th quarter
We now have two games levell as Josh Jacobs fires Green Bay’s equaliser in from one yard out. Game on. Can Bryce Young pull off a mighty win on the two-minute drill?
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TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 24-23 Falcons 4:40, 4th quarter
Is another upset on the cards? Well not missing the extra point would have helped. However … Michael Penix and Drake London complete a hat-trick of QB/WR touchdowns with an eight-yard grab. John Parker Romo misses wide right. Falcons are back in it after trailing by 14.
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TOUCHDOWN! Giants 17-34 49ers 4:13, 4th quarter
Christian McCaffrey slices through the heart of New York’s defense for a three-yard rushing touchdown. Curtains for the G-men.
Steelers 24-10 Colts 8:51, 4th quarter
Alex Highsmith take a bow, son! The Colts came into this with only four giveaways all season. The Steelers earn a fifth turnover of this game thanks to a Highsmith strip sack that is recovered by Pittsburgh. This is genuinely a stupendous effort from a talent-rich but completely out of form unit. Spectacular.
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So we’re in the fourth quarters now, and how are those upsets looking. The Steelers have just punted with a 24-10 lead after Indi nabbed a field goal, Carolina are shutting down Jordan Love with a 13-6 lead, the Vikings are sitting pretty 24-17 ahead of the Lions and plucky Houston were just on top of Denver who score the game tieing …
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 14-15 Broncos 8:51, 4th quarter
And go for two and GET IT! Big momentum shift in Houston as Bo Nix keeps his relationship with RJ Harvey rolling from last week with a 27-yard touchdown then hits Troy Franklin for the pair of points.
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 17-27 49ers 7:52, 4th quarter
Rookie QB Jaxson Dart gambols out to the right and makes it home to give the Giants some hope.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 27-31 Bears 1:57, 3rd quarter
Seriously!? The Bengals’ shocking defense now hands Brittain Brown a 22-yard rushing touchdown on his first carry as a Bear and of his career looking at ESPN. He suited up six times for the Raiders in 2022 but saw no action. Brown elevated off the practice squad owing to D’Andre Swift being out injured.
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TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 27-24 Bears 5:19, 3rd quarter
Cincinatti retake the lead in their weekly shootout with old-timer Joe Flacco at the controls of this offense. The AFC North legend hits Higgins again for their second score for two yards.
TOUCHDOWN! Lions 14-24 Vikings 6:04, 3rd quarter
JJ McCarthy puts the game on his back on 3rd down and rips off a nine-yard scramble to give Minnesota a commanding lead. The Vikings will be thrilled by their young QB is playing on the road here.
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 10-27 49ers 11:35, 4th quarter
Brian Robinson Jr deuptises for McCaffrey in style with an 18-yard rush for the score. Big lead now for San Fran again working well with Mac Jones under center.
TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 24-7 Colts 14:16, 4th quarter
The Colts just cannot slow down this varied Pittsburgh attack after forcing them to punt on their opening three drives. Rodgers moves the Steelers to the goal line and inches from taking out a big lead after a lovely 18-yard sideline scamper by Austin and a pass to his favourite target of the day the 6ft 6in Washington for 13 yards. Running back Jaylen Warren finishes it off. Pittsburgh playing excellent complimentary football to score of the interception.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 6-13 Panthers 2:12, 3rd quarter
Running back Rico Dowdle extends Carolina’s lead with a one-yard rumble.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 20-24 Bears 8:11, 3rd quarter
Rookie Colston Loveland puts the Bears back on top with a five-yard touchdown grab.
INTERCEPTION! Steelers 17-7 Colts 3:09, 3rd quarter
It just gets better and better for Pittsburgh!! The Colts go for it on 4th down again and our commentator handily points out they are the best in the NFL in this situation. Daniel Jones drops back and finds Michael Pittman in acres of space for a 16-yard gain and a fresh set of downs. Taylor then knifes ahead for nine. Indi appear to be building a head of steam until Jack Sawyer picks off Jones after Payton Wilson blocks the pass and it plops in Sawyers hands.
Four turnovers now for Pittsburgh!
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Steelers 17-7 Colts 6:09, 3rd quarter
If the plan was to stop Jonathan Taylor and put the ball in Daniel Jones’ hands then it is working. The star running back has only 24 yards so far on 10 carries.
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Steelers 17-7 Colts 7:03, 3rd quarter
Mountainous tight end Darnell Washington starts this drive with a wonderful catch reaching back behind him for a 12-yard gain then gathers another for seven. Two iffy running plays later we are on 4th down, Tomlin punts. Typical from the sage playcaller to stay conservative but could rue kicking it away there.
Steelers 17-7 Colts 13:38, 3rd quarter
Defense stays on top for the Steelers. Pittsburgh stuff Jonathan Taylor on 3rd down. The Colts go for it on 4th & 1 and Jones bundles it over for a fresh set. On the next play Jones is blown up in the backfield by Alex Highsmith. The home team force a 3 & 20 and Indi cannot find it. Punt! What a start for Pittsburgh, over to you Aaron.
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Half-time
Well quite the departure from last week thus far. We have six one-score games at present. We wanted drama, we got drama!
Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions 14-17 Minnesota Vikings
Green Bay Packers 6-7 Carolina Panthers
Houston Texans 12-7 Denver Broncos
New England Patriots 21-14 Atlanta Falcons
New York Giants 7-17 San Francisco 49ers
Pittsburgh Steelers 17-7 Indianapolis Colts
Tennessee Titans 17-20 Los Angeles Chargers
TOUCHDOWN & It’s NO good! Bengals 20-17 Bears, half-time
The Bengals take a shock lead thanks to a show-stopping catch from Tee Higgins. The receiver goes deep into the left side of the field and finishes it off for a 44-yard touchdown. Caleb Williams puts on his passing boots to find DJ Moore up the right sideline with a beautiful touch pass. The Bengals then come up with a HUGE block on the 47-yard try from Cairo Santos.
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It’s good! Steelers 17-7 Colts, half-time
Aaron Rodgers has only 12 yards to give the Steelers a commanding lead but he holds on to the ball, as he often does at this stage of his career. The end result, as it often is, sack. Only 10 seconds left in the half and a false start then moves them further out of range. 2 and 20 they earn a huge chunk of that back but Austin can’t quite reach the down marker. Pittsburgh finish it off with a chip shot from Chris Boswell. A very acceptable outcome. Is an upset in the making? If the defense can keep making plays then Pittsburgh could just pull it off.
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TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 21-14 Falcons 0:12, 2nd quarter
Michael Penix and Michael London hook up again for a two-yard score. Excellent timing for Atlanta who make an interception from Drake Maye count. MO-mentum.
It’s good! Packers 6-7 Panthers, half-time
What are we making of Green Bay’s helmets? If I have this right this is a metal helmet painted to look as if it is a leather one as part of their throwback uniforms. Very meta. Not playing like the mighty Packers of old though. Panthers defense holds firm to give a narrow lead. Green Bay’s Brandon McManus bangs in the 27-yarder after a fine stand from Carolina in the red zone.
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Steelers 14-7 Colts 3:33, 2nd quarter
Pittsburgh force the mighty Colts offense to punt after Alex Highsmith makes a brilliant breakup on third down. The Steelers are flying on defense, Mike Tomlin will be hoping Aaron Rodgers’s unit can make it pay and work this one methodically downfield for a two-score lead going into the half.
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 7-6 Broncos 4:52, 2nd quarter
Denver take the lead with a brilliant throw from Bo Nix to the left corner of the end zone finding Courtland Sutton. They go deep and Sutton fights for the contested ball, wins, and as such earns six points on the 30-yard grab. One of the best to do it with a defender in his face. Safe hands.
TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 14-7 Colts 4:34, 2nd quarter
Narrative developing alarm! The Steelers defense is good, today at least. Linebacker Payton Wilson picks off Daniel Jones for Pittsburgh’s third turnover of the day. The Steelers are knocking on the door with only 14 yards to go. Aaron Jones has the lead in the palm of his hand. He slings it to this tight end Pat Freiermuth who falls down and just breaks the plain of the goal for a 12-yard score. What a turnaround for Pittsburgh, they are on top but can they stay there?
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TOUCHDOWN! Titans 14-17 Chargers 8:37, 2nd quarter
LA take a lead on the road with a 19-yard pass from Justin Herbert to Quentin Johnston.
TOUCHDOWN! Packers 3-7 Panthers 2:22, 2nd quarter
All the twos 2:22. Running back Rico Dowdle bursts up the middle for a five-yarder and the lead.
TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 21-7 Falcons 5:11, 2nd quarter
Drake Maye bags his second passing touchdown of the day with an 11-yard strike to veteran Stefon Diggs. The QB has 157 yards at an average of 12.1 per pass, tasty
TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 7-7 Colts 6:09, 2nd quarter
The drive is sparked by a massive play on 3rd and 10. A fingertip cartch from Calvin Austin with a diving finish just puts him over the line to gain. Or did he?! The Colts aren’t so sure and challenge. Pittsburgh wait nervously. Challenge … ACCEPTED and the Steelers have a no-brainer on 4th and 1. They smash it forward to lineman Cam Heward who rumbles for four.
Next Rodgers hits Austin again for 11 yards and then, unbelievably almost finds the touchdown with a rush on 1st and goal but is just stopped short. That looked painful as he is bent violently down to the turf. Second try is an unsuccessful slant on the outside to DK Metcalf. The third try is the charm as Jaylen Warren bundles it over from a yard out. The old ways are the best. Great second effort from the running back to power it home.
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TOUCHDOWN! Lions 14-14 Vikings 9:39, 2nd quarter
Human wrecking ball David Montgomery puts the Lions level with a bruising two-yard run after some stiff defense from Minnesota. End to end stuff in Detroit.
TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 14-7 Falcons 8:51, 2nd quarter
Backup running back Terrell Jennings smashes in a three-yard score for his first in the NFL. Fantasy football gurus pleased with themselves if they started Jennings. Genius!
Steelers 0-7 Colts 11:27, 2nd quarter
HUGE play from TJ Watt. The edge battles through the offensive line and sneaks around the corner behind Daniel Jones and swats the ball out of the oblivious QB’s hand. Pittsburgh with another big leg up. They need to make it count. 62 yards to pay dirt.
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TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 10-14 Bears 14:54, 2nd quarter
Cincinatti’s defensive struggles continue as they allow Olamide Zaccheaus to sprint out to the right and dive into the end zone. One of a few players had a shot at stopping the receiver but he leaps home for a 15-yard touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 7-14 49ers 13:08, 2nd quarter
Jauan Jennings puts San Francisco ahead with an 11-yard touchdown from Mac Jones. The back-ups solid play for the 49ers continues with his second of the day.
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TOUCHDOWN! Titans 14-7 Chargers 1:55, 1st quarter
Tennessee have come to play. And it is the special teams who come up huge for the Titans. Rookie Chimere Dike races the punt return back 67 yards to give the home team something to shout about. This is not going as expected thus far for LA. They need to … ahem … titan up.
Packers o-0 Panthers 12:15, 2nd quarter
Interception master Xavier McKinney picks off Bryce Young to give the Packers the turnover. A floated ball is just too easy for the corner back to cruise over and take way in the end zone way before it would have arrived at the receiver. Can Green Bay capitalise?
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TOUCHDOWN! Lions 7-14 Vikings 4:08, 1st quarter
JJ McCarthy is cooking. A seven-yard pass to tight end TJ Hockenson gives the away side the lead and the young quarterback his second touchdown pass of the day.
TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 7-7 Falcons 0:24, 1st quarter
Michael Penix Jr gets it out quickly to Drake London on the goal line for a one-yard score. All square.
It’s good! Texans 3-0 Broncos 15:00, 2nd quarter
As expected in this battle of powerhouse defenses the scores are low. Houston take the lead but it is Denver who will be the happier coming out on offense. The Broncos stuff the Texans on the goalline then force a fourth down but when they go for the touchdown again they get caught offside and have to settle for 23-yard chip shot from Kai Faibairn.
Steelers 0-7 Colts 4:17, 1st quarter
The Steelers go out with a whimper again and again. Pittsburgh’s second punt goes deep, Josh Downs is there but spills it and the Steelers recover. Instant red zone for Pittsburgh. They edge closer but Indi’s defense forces a fourth down, they go for it and Rodgers fires a fastball at his tight end Darnell Washington. He would have had a walk-in touchdown if he had caught it. Colts take over with 95 yards to travel.
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TOUCHDOWN! Titans 7-7 Chargers 7:24, 1st quarter
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 7-7 49ers 6:34, 1st quarter
It is officially raining touchdowns and all of these are equalisers. Christian McAffrey does some Christian McAffrey things and catches the dump off pass and runs it in for a five-yarder for the 49ers. Justin Herbert then redeems himself quickly with a nifty two-yard strike to the fullback Scott Matlock. The big man’s only made two receptions in his career and this one puts the Chargers back on track.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 7-7 Bears 8:44, 1st quarter
They just keep on coming as Caleb Williams marches the Bears downfield and pops it to DJ Moore for a two-yard score.
TOUCHDOWN! Lions 7-7 Vikings 10:17, 1st quarter
TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 0-7 Colts 8:05, 1st quarter
Minnesota hit back immediately with a 10-yard touchdown from JJ McCarthy to Justin Jefferson while the Colts make a fast start against the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s defense come up huge on the goalline to force a fourth down but no matter for Indianapolis. They go for the QB sneak and Jones dives over. Cheeky!
PICK SIX! Titans 7-0 Chargers 11:19, 1st quarter
Oh no. Justin Herbert looks for Keenan Allen but can only find linebacker Cody Barton who returns the interception for a 24-yard touchdown.
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TOUCHDOWN! Giants 7-0 49ers 10:50, 1st quarter
TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 7-0 Falcons 5:53, 1st quarter
Jaxson Dart hits Theo Johnson for a 15-yard touchdown for the Giants while Drake Maye finds Pop Douglas with a 16-yard pass and a score. Cracking start for both.
TOUCHDOWN! Lions 7-0 Vikings 12:37, 1st quarter
Detriot dig into their bag of tricks with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta on fourth down. With four yards to go they risk it all for the score and the Jared Goff finds his man but the tight end has to battle tooth and nail through three defenders and only just falls into the endzone.
Steelers 0-0 Colts 12:43, 1st quarter
Disappointing start for Pittsburgh with a punt highlighted by a shocking drop from tight end Jonnu Smith.
The Colts come out on offense and Jonathan Taylor is stuffed on their first play behind the line of scrimmage. They’ll need a few more of them.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 7-0 Bears 14:49, 1st quarter
Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?!
Cincinnati’s Charlie Jones rips off a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown! Only the second return for a score this season. Wow.
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Preamble
Hello football fans, welcome to week nine of NFL action. After thrashageddon seven days ago the playoff contenders are emerging, however there is still enough rope left on the spool for the underdogs to plot a postseason course. So how about it Houston? What have you got Atlanta? The Ravens are flying, Pittsburgh, so can you take down the mighty Colts?
With a stup(id)endous eight games to track we want drama, nay, we DEMAND drama. So let’s, as they say, ‘ave it.
Your octet starting at 12pm CST/1pm EST/6pm (home teams listed first):
(3-5) Cincinnati Bengals v Chicago Bears (4-3)
(5-2) Detroit Lions v Minnesota Vikings (3-4)
(5-1-1) Green Bay Packers v Carolina Panthers (4-4)
(3-4) Houston Texans v Denver Broncos (6-2)
(6-2) New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons (3-4)
(2-6) New York Giants v San Francisco 49ers (5-3)
(4-3) Pittsburgh Steelers v Indianapolis Colts (7-1)
(1-7) Tennessee Titans v Los Angeles Chargers (5-3)
There are a number of potential upsets in the offing here but Pittsburgh seeing off Indianapolis would be the most spectacular. The game plan will likely revolve around stopping Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor. The back is enjoying a breathtaking year so far as he sits first in total rushing yards by almost 100 with 850, second (by a whole tenth of a yard) per carry at 5.9, and first in rushing touchdowns with 12. Slow him down and you have a foothold from which to build success, as the Rams found when they slapped the brakes on Taylor to the tune of 76 yards at 4.5 per carry and zero touchdowns during their 27-20 victory in September.
Pittsburgh’s defense has been solid enough against the run. Only five touchdowns conceded shows some promise with a middle of the road EPA per rush of -0.02 meaning that on average they perform, well, very averagely. So crucially not disastrous like their passing defense. What they haven’t yet faced is an offense as abundantly brilliant as the Colts that puts quarterback Daniel Jones and his receivers are firmly in the conversation for being one of the best passing attacks. They might even be on top if Taylor wasn’t hogging so much of the limelight.
The Steelers are in a bind. Head coach Mike Tomlin has to pick his poison, Jones is the likely choice so Pittsburgh may throw bodies into the box to force the Colts to pass. It is a gamble, but the risk could be worth the reward of a vital win in the race for the AFC North.
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