Key events
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PICK! Broncos 6-6 Chiefs 10:04, 3rd quarter
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PICK! FUMBLE! Rams 14-9 Seahawks 13:56, 3rd quarter
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Early full time
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Preamble 2.0
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TOUCHDOWN! Bills 44-32 Buccaneers 2:35, 4th quarter
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TOUCHDOWN! Vikings 17-16 Bears 0:50, 4th quarter
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TOUCHDOWN! Bills 37-32 Buccaneers 9:06, 4th quarter
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TOUCHDOWN! Bills 31-32 Buccaneers 13:38, 4th quarter
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TOUCHDOWN! Bills 31-26 Buccaneers 3:48, 3rd quarter
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TOUCHDOWN! Bills 21-26 Buccaneers 7:26, 3rd quarter
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Half-time
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TOUCHDOWN! Bills 21-17 Buccaneers 0:36, 2nd quarter
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TOUCHDOWN! Bills 14-17 Buccaneers 5:37, 2nd quarter
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TOUCHDOWN! Bills 14-10 Buccaneers 8:52, 2nd quarter
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Preamble
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PICK! Bills 0-0 Buccaneers 9:51, 1st quarter
PICK! Broncos 6-6 Chiefs 10:04, 3rd quarter
Jaquan McMillian comes up big for Denver. Just. He makes the pick then fumbles the ball. It rolls harmlessly out of play and the Broncos take over of offense. Crucial play their with Kansas City knocking on the door in the redzone.
Rams 14-12 Seahawks 1:28, 3rd quarter
The Seahawks defense holds their end of the bargain forcing another punt out of the Rams.
It’s GOOD! Cardinals 10-28 49ers 7:51, 3rd quarter
It’s raining threes tonight. Eddie Pineiro completes his hat-trick with a 47-yard boot. The Niners are in total control in this NFC West clash. Crucial for them to get the W to move to 7-4 as one of the Rams or Seahawks are moving to 8-3.
Rams 14-12 Seahawks 3:39, 3rd quarter
After trading turnovers they trade punts. Are either going to score another touchdown?! The defenses are in control since LA’s two scores in the first quarter. Greg Olsen is unhappy in the booth as he thinks the Seahawks should have gone for it on 4th and 1 on their 40-yard line. You imagine Seattle have based the decision on how hard they are making life for Matt Stafford to move the ball. No need to risk it with lots of time left only trailing by two.
Half-time: Browns 16-10 Ravens, Broncos 6-6 Chiefs
One game I’ve missed so far is the other AFC North bust-up. And Pittsburgh will be thrilled with how it is going thus far. Cleveland’s defense is monstering Baltimore. Lamar Jackson is 6/12 for 104 yards, no TDs and a pick. That pick was returned for a touchdown by Devin Bush. Derrick Henry scored Baltimore’s only touchdown. If Cleveland pull this off then Pittsburgh would have a two-game lead at the top of the division.
It’s GOOD! Rams 14-12 Seahawks 8:02, 3rd quarter
Emmanuel Forbes, you beauty. The cornerback makes a one-handed dive in the end zone to keep Rashid Shaheed out from an easy touchdown grab. The Rams defense are just fantastic though a killer penalty also chalked off a touchdown on that drive for offensive holding.
The Rams get the stop in the redzone again and Myers kicks his fourth field goal of the day from 29 yards.
PICK! FUMBLE! Rams 14-9 Seahawks 13:56, 3rd quarter
Oooh it’s all got very messy as Seattle and LA Trade turnovers. First Cobie Durant jumps the route and picks off Sam Darnold. The Rams pass rush were coming for the QB and he fires it too early to Smith-Njigba.
Next Matt Stafford finds Puka Nacua. The receiver is hit by another Cobie, Cobie Bryant who knocks it loose. Drake Thomas snaffles it and the Seahawks are back in possession. The first fumble of Nacua’s career.
Broncos 6-6 Chiefs 1:46, 2nd quarter
First sack of the night for Denver and it is a big one. DJ Jones brings down Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City have to punt after they run a pass play on 3rd and 1 deep in their own territory. It gets blown up. Denver take over on their own 27-yard line.
Broncos 6-6 Chiefs 3:11, 2nd quarter
Denver driving now. Tony Romo gave an excellent dissection of Bo Nix who made a fine throw to the middle of the field. The point Romo was interested in one was how Nix went to his second read and was calm in the pocket rather than scrambling around as he often does. Rookie Pat Bryant was happy to take the pass for a 15-yard gain. Unfortunately it helps little as the drive quickly breaks down with a Troy Franklin drop.
It’s GOOD! Broncos 6-6 Chiefs 4:38, 2nd quarter
It’s a field goal FIESTA! Harrison Butker makes one from 31 yards. His second kick from 31 yards today. He likes this distance.
It’s GOOD! Rams 14-9 Seahawks, half-time
Field goal it is. Jason Myers gets his hat-trick as the half draws to a close with a 22-yard boot. The Rams defense is doing an excellent job of making sure Myers is the only scorer so far for the Seahawks. Bend but don’t break.
Rams 14-6 Seahawks 0:04, 2nd quarter
Seattle are being very careful with the clock to make sure LA can’t get it back. They bite off four yards with a short pass to Smith-Njigba. On 3rd down Darnold is pressured again and can only throw it away. 4th down now will they kick the field goal or go for it all?
Rams 14-6 Seahawks 0:33, 2nd quarter
The Rams force another 3rd down after two stopped runs. They have an age to think about the call on the two-minute warning timeout. Seattle run the ball but come up just short. The offense is of course staying out their in the redzone. Barner takes the direct snap piling over for another 1st down inside the 10-yard line. A touchdown just before half-time would be rather handy.
Rams 14-6 Seahawks 3:13, 2nd quarter
Jaxon Smith-Njigba gets the Seahawaks rolling with a beautiful one-handed catch up the left sideline for 28 yards. 3rd and six now with 30 yards to the end zone. Darnold throws his fastball at AJ Barner’s chest and the tight end hangs on for the 1st down.
Broncos 6-3 Chiefs 14:30, 2nd quarter
Denver have a big call go against them and will likely feel aggrieved. McLaughlin takes a pass wide left and is hit but doesn’t hit the deck. The refs call the play dead but the running back takes off up field. It has to come back but should it have? I don’t think so. Punt.
It’s GOOD! Broncos 6-3 Chiefs 0:49, 1st quarter
These two didn’t get the memo from the Bills/Bucs banger. We want touchdowns. Though quite possibly a lack of scores might be down to the fact that the Chiefs and Broncos have much, much better defenses. Anywho … Harrison Butker bangs it through from 31 yards to get the Chiefs on the board.
It’s GOOD! Rams 14-6 Seahawks 9:04, 2nd quarter
This scary Rams pass rush is winning at the line of scrimmage for LA and as such is keeping them ahead in the contest. Seattle have to settle for the 30-yard kick from Jason Myers after Sam Darnold feels the pressure and guns the ball out the back of the end zone.
TOUCHDOWN! Cardinals 7-19 49ers 13:30, 2nd quarter
Brock Purdy dials up his second touchdown throw with a nine-yard dump off to Christian McCarffrey. The QB has hit the ground running and is showing he is an apt upgrade on Mac Jones. He is 7/8 for 98 yards. Eddie Pineiro misses the extra point. Lot of that about today.
It’s GOOD! Broncos 6-0 Chiefs 4:51, 1st quarter
Alas. Denver have to settle for the field goal. Will Lutz makes it from 24 yards.
Broncos 3-0 Chiefs 5:51, 1st quarter
After a Chiefs punt the Broncos return it 70 yards to put Denver only 11 yards from scoring, what a start this will be if they can make it pay.
TOUCHDOWN! Rams 14-3 Seahawks 1:04, 1st quarter
Los Angeles are cooking. Davante Adams does his usual one-on-one goal line routine and makes it pay. His 1,000th catch int the NFL is a touchdown. Nice.
Final score
(3-7) Atlanta Falcons 27-30 Carolina Panthers (6-5)
Ouch. Another rough defeat for Atlanta who lose their fifth in succession. The Falcons held a 21-7 lead and could not make it pay. Carolina are just one game back now on the Bucs after their loss in Buffalo.
Rams 7-3 Seahawks 3:13, 1st quarter
Puka Nacua is just built different. He is so hard to bring down. Three defenders bounce off the receiver as he fights for a 10-yard gain. The Rams are marching with 37 yards to go to the end zone.
TOUCHDOWN! Cardinals 7-13 49ers 4:58, 1st quarter
Bam Knight gets Arizona on the board with a six-yard touchdown run.
TOUCHDOWN! Cardinals 0-13 49ers 9:51, 1st quarter
Brock Purdy is back with a bang for San Fran! He throws a 30-yard touchdown to George Kittle. Extra point is blocked. Chunky early lead for the Niners.
TOUCHDOWN! Rams 7-0 Seahawks 8:31, 1st quarter
The Seattle defense stops LA three times on the goal line. The Rams roll the dice. Kyren Williams punches through for a two-yard touchdown. Great work to capitalise on the Sam Darnold interception.
Early full time
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(7-3) Buffalo Bills 44-32 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4)
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(6-4) Jacksonville Jaguars 35-6 Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
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(4-6) Minnesota Vikings 17-19 Chicago Bears (7-3)
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(2-9) New York Giants 20-27 Green Bay Packers (6-3-1)
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(6-4) Pittsburgh Steelers 34-12 Cincinnati Bengals (3-7)
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(1-9) Tennessee Titans 13-16 Houston Texans (5-5)
We are going to overtime in Atlanta! 27-27.
TOUCHDOWN! Falcons 24-27 Panthers 1:08, 4th quarter
Huge comeback for Carolina! Tetairoa McMillan bags his second score with a 12-yard catch in the right corner of the endzone. The Panthers trailed 21-7 in the 2nd quarter and are now on top.
One minute for Atlanta to respond.
Final score: Steelers 34-12 Bengals
Big win for Pittsburgh who needed the win and got it despite Aaron Rodgers exiting the game with an injury.
Bills 44-32 Buccaneers 1:51, 4th quarter
Baker Mayfield is sacked by DaQuan Jones who recovers the fumble. If it wasn’t curtains before it is now. Tough finish for the Bucs but the Bills stiffened up on defense when it counted.
Final score: Titans 13-16 Texans
Another walk-off field goal. Matthew Wright kicks it through from 35 yards to edge Houston over the line. Very well done to get another win with backup QB Davis Mills starting.
Preamble 2.0
Now for today’s main event we have four more divisional duels starting from 3.05pm CST/4.05pm EST/9.05pm GMT (home teams listed first):
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(3-6) Arizona Cardinals v San Francisco 49ers (6-4)
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(7-2) Los Angeles Rams v Seattle Seahawks (7-2)
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(2-7) Cleveland Browns v Baltimore Ravens (4-5)
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(8-2) Denver Broncos v Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
The thick of the action comes from the mighty NFC West with an absolute humdinger in store between the LA Rams and Seattle Seahawks. The significance of victory could be huge to build momentum for taking the all-important No 1 seed playoff bye.
And the same goes for Denver as they attempt to knock Kansas City off their perch for the first time since 2015. What happened the last time the Broncos won the division? Yep, they won Super Bowl 50. Fittingly for head coach Sean Payton he has crafted a team much like those champions: a workmanlike offense backed up by a vicious defense that has generated a league leading 46 sacks, 14 more than the next best. Patrick Mahomes will need to be on his toes.
Final scores: Vikings 17-19 Bears, Giants 20-27 Packers
Chicago escape Minnesota with a walk-off field goal. They almost threw that one away but Cairos Santos bails them out with a 48-yard boot.
TOUCHDOWN! Bills 44-32 Buccaneers 2:35, 4th quarter
That could be the ballgame. Josh Allen is keen to hang on to his MVP title apparently. He scores his sixth total touchdown of the day with nine-yard run. Unbelievable. Tampa meanwhile look shattered.
TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 27-12 Bengals 3:40, 4th quarter
Backup QB puts the Steelers out of sight against their AFC North rivals with a five-yard pass to Kenneth Gainwell. Odd say for Pittsburgh’s receiving crew as the backup running back has two passing touchdowns.
TOUCHDOWN! Titans 13-13 Texans 1:35, 4th quarter
Cam Ward draws Tennessee level with a short four-yard pass to Van Jefferson.
TOUCHDOWN! Vikings 17-16 Bears 0:50, 4th quarter
They are doing it again! JJ McCarthy throws his first touchdown of the day with a 15-yard strike to Jordan Addison. Two scores down and now they lead just like week one.
Not much clock left for the Bears.
Bills 37-32 Buccaneers 7:51, 4th quarter
Big stop for Buffalo. They force the punt after Mayfield’s pass stings the fingers of Shephard at Tampa’s 39-yard line. Big opportunity now for the Bills to get some breathing room.
Final score: Jaguars 35-6 Chargers
Horrible day for the Chargers who benched Justin Herbert. They slip back to 7-4 and the Jaguars rise to 6-4. Jacksonville with a serious rebound after last week’s horroshow in Houston.
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 20-27 Packers 4:02, 4th quarter
Jordan Love hits Christian Watson with a pass right into the corner of the right corner in the end zone and somehow he hangs on with his feet tight-roping the right side of the sideline. Right! They then bag two points on the conversion.
TOUCHDOWN! Bills 37-32 Buccaneers 9:06, 4th quarter
Nine lead changes now. Allen fires another deep ball to put Buffalo five yards from scoring as Dawson Knox makes the 23-yard catch. Allen then keeps it and strolls home for his second rushing touchdown. Who else has whiplash?
Bills 31-32 Buccaneers 9:54, 4th quarter
Curtis Samuel gets away with one! On 3rd down around midfield the receiver juggles a pass high into the air and just brings it in. The referees say he was out of bounds only to change their minds moments later. Excellent presence of mind to haul it in. A 22-yard pass for Davis then moves them about 30 yards away from the end zone.
