Another week of enthralling NFL action is in the books. There were shocks, injuries and a good old-fashioned shootout. It felt like protests took a back seat this time around, allowing us all to focus on the scintillating action that American Football can often deliver.
I devoured my Sunday roast, loosened my belt a little and slumped in front of the television with my final can of lager, before swiftly moving onto a cuppa to keep those tired British eyes awake.
Anyway, onto the important stuff… Here’s a round up of the action as we’re starting to figure out whom the real contenders are.
Philadelphia Eagles 28-23 Carolina Panthers
I’m glad I set a 1:30am alarm for this one, in what was a matchup between the two best teams in the NFC. Carson Wentz is the real deal, folks. He had limited opportunities, but when he was in the Red Zone, boy did he deliver. He picked up another three passing TDs; two to his main target Zach Ertz. Philadelphia moves to 5-1 on the season.
Carolina just couldn’t get it going offensively, with their run-game completely nullified. QB Cam Newton was their best rusher on the night, securing 71 yards with his legs. It was an off day for the Panthers, but they’ll bounce back when they travel to Chicago on Sunday.
Chicago Bears 27-24 Baltimore Ravens
Rookie Mitch Trubisky did just enough to secure his first win as an NFL player, despite only throwing for 113 yards with 1 TD. Jordan Howard was the Bears’ main threat, rushing for a huge 167 yards. Ravens QB Joe Flacco threw two interceptions, one of which went all the way for a pick six.
Cleveland Browns 17-33 Houston Texans
Cleveland had the opportunity to draft DeShaun Watson back in April, but passed up on the chance, allowing Houston to take the Clemson product at #12. The rookie QB threw another 3 TDs, moving his side to 3-3. Sorry, Browns fans, you’re still winless…
Green Bay Packers 10-23 Minnesota Vikings
Where else can we start but that injury to Aaron Rodgers? Personally, I didn’t think it was a dirty hit by Anthony Barr as A.Rod had left the pocket. However, this will hurt the NFL, badly. Green Bay’s #12 is the most exciting QB to watch, and the season won’t be the same without him.
Shout out to Minnesota, though. They picked up the W and join The Packers at 4-2 on the season. Case Keenum continued to get the job done, whereas Rodgers’ backup Brett Hundley struggled. It could be a long season for The Pack.
Detroit Lions 38-52 New Orleans Saints
The Saints made it three W’s in a row against Matt Stafford and The Lions. A total of 90(!) points were put up in this one, although Drew Brees wasn’t at his best (186 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs). Stafford threw for over 300 yards himself, but also threw three picks. New Orleans looks good at 3-2, whereas the bang-average Lions move to 3-3.
Miami Dolphins 20-17 Atlanta Falcons
Shout out to the Miami Dolphins. Going on the road and beating the current NFC Champions is no easy task. Jay Cutler’s crew found themselves in a 17-0 hole at the half, but they didn’t give up. Miami leaned heavily on Jay Ajayi in the running game, with the Falcons’ defensive frailties coming to the fore once again.
New England Patriots 24-17 New York Jets
Many hate the Patriots for one reason or another, but you gotta’ love Rob Gronkowski. The TE scored 2 TDs for NE in a close encounter. Josh McCown looked good for The Jets, passing for over 300 yards.
I’d also like to add that Austin Seferian-Jenkins was robbed of a TD late on. I still don’t understand the call from the officials!
San Francisco 49ers 24-26 Washington Redskins
The 49ers moved to 0-6 after another road loss, this time to Washington. The visitors just couldn’t get rolling offensively, whereas Redskins QB Kirk Cousins could move the ball effortlessly. He threw for 330 yards and a TD, with Washington improving to 3-2 in a notoriously tough divison.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-38 Arizona Cardinals
Well then, Adrian Peterson ran the show fresh off his move to Arizona. He was handed 26 carries, rushing for 2 TDs and 136 yards. Veteran Carson Palmer looked sharp, throwing to his main target Larry Fitzgerald for a pair of TDs. The bad news for Tampa Bay came in the first half, as QB Jameis Winston sprained an AC joint…
Los Angeles Rams 27-17 Jacksonville Jaguars
The Rams moved to 4-2 thanks to a nice win on the road. Jared Goff only threw for just over 100 yards, but that doesn’t matter when you can count on Todd Gurley to rush for 116 yards. After a quick start from The Jags, they just couldn’t get it going in the second half – that eventually cost them, now they’re 3-3.
Pittsburgh Steelers 19-13 Kansas City Chiefs
It’s official. There are no undefeated teams left in the NFL. Kansas City just hate playing against Pittsburgh, don’t they? Le’Veon Bell went nuts, rushing for 179 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs couldn’t get their rushing game going, with Kareem Hunt bottled up for just 21 yards. Alex Smith threw for 246 with 1 TD, in what was his weakest display of the season.
Los Angeles Chargers 17-16 Oakland Raiders
I expected big things from Oakland in 2017 but they’ve been terrible since week three. The Raiders have lost four on the spin and an injury to Derek Carr a couple of weeks ago certainly hasn’t helped. The #4 returned to face LA, but throwing for 171 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs just isn’t good enough.
New York Giants 23-10 Denver Broncos
The Giants finally have their first W of the year! Evan Engram, the 23rd pick in the NFL draft, seems to be a baller. He’s turned into Eli Manning’s main weapon following injuries to Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall. Although Denver’s Trevor Siemian threw for 376 yards, he wasn’t able to dig his side out of an early hole.
Indianapolis Colts 22-36 Tennessee Titans
The action finished with a returning Marcus Mariota downing Indianapolis. The Tennesee QB passed for over 300 yards, and having Derrick Henry in the backfield rushing for 131 yards helps, too. The Titans move to 3-3, whereas The Colts go to 2-4. It’s not all doom and gloom, though, as Jacoby Brissett looks pretty good in Andrew Luck’s absence.
I’d like to end this piece with my own personal tribute to Kevin Cadle. For many of us NFL fans across the pond, he became the voice of a game that we’ve grown to love. Thanks for keeping me awake, entertained and informed as those late Sunday night games kicked off. Rest in Peace.
