Chiefs - Patriots battle highlights the sixth Sunday of the NFL season

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It took a Herculean effort, but the Bears were able to give away Sunday’s game to the Dolphins 31-28 in overtime.  The Bears were down 7-0 at the half and then exploded for 21 points in the third quarter to go up 21-13 at the end of three quarters.  The Bears and Dolphins were both plagued by turnovers.

A comedy of errors

The Bears Jordan Howard fumbled on the Dolphins three yard line and Mitch Trubisky threw an interception in the red zone.  Of course the Dolphins Kenyan Drake fumbled at the Bears one yard line near the end of regulation to give the Bears a chance to again lose the game in overtime.

Why does the Bears defense stink in Miami?

The alleged lead good Bears defense was shredded by Brock Osweiler for 380 yards and three TDs.  The Bears defense recorded no sacks against a Dolphins offense line that looked inept last week.  It just seemed like they weren’t ready to play after a bye week, which seems to be an indictment of the coaching staff.

And why can the Bears never kick a clutch FG?

Bears place kicker, Cody Parkey missed a game winning field goal from 53 yards in the overtime to further frustrate Bears fans.  The Bears look better losing than they did last season, but they’re not reaching their potential.  The Dolphins are somehow 4-2 and just had Brock Osweiler out up a huge game for them.  It’s a strange year.

Just as I'd feared

I had a feeling I would hate myself for picking the Bengals to beat the Steelers, and I do.  The Bengals did what they always do, lose to the Steelers.  And like many of those losses, it came in excruciating fashion.  This time it was Ben Roethlisberger’s 31 yard TD pass to Antonio Brown that gave the Steelers the margin of victory in Pittsburgh’s 28-21 win.  Steelers RB, James Connor had a big game, running for 111 yards and two TDs.  How much of a difference would Le'Veon Bell make?

That was odd

The Atlanta Falcons took a step to reviving their season with a 34-29 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Matt Ryan threw for 351 yards and three TDs while Jameis Winston was good for 395 yards and four TDs.  Winston threw two interceptions however.  The Bucs made a last gasp attempt to win the game win Jameis Winston ran from the Falcons 21 yard line and attempted to lateral to Adam Humphries at the 10 yard line.   Humphries could corral the lateral and the ball ultimately skipped out of bounds.

Seahawks wreck Raiders Carr

In a game pretty much devoid of suspense, the Seahawks dispatched the Raiders 27-3.  It was a case of a decent team beating a really bad team.  Raiders QB, Derrick Carr, threw for only 142 yards and was sacked six times.

Back to game managing

The Washington Redskins got off to a 17-0 and hung on for a 23-17 win over the Carolina Panthers.  After a terrible game against the Saints, Alex Smith came back and threw for two TDs and no picks. The Panthers were hamstrung by three turnovers, including two Cam Newton interceptions.

Cardinals not getting any conversions

The Vikings rediscovered their ground game in a 27-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals.  The Vikings ran for 195 yards with Latavius Murray leading the way with 155 yards and one TD.  The Cardinals were 0-10 in third down conversions.  Vikings WR, Adam Thielen had another strong game, catching 11 passes for 123 yards and one TD.  

Jets press Colts Luck with a pick six

In a high scoring affair, the Jets evened their record at 3-3 with a 42-34 win over the Colts.  Colts QB, Andrew Luck, threw for four touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions, including a pick six.  Morris Claiborne got the Jets off to a fast start with a 17 yard interception return.  Jets rookie QB, Sam Darnold , had a strong game, going 24/30 for 280,yards and two TDs.  The loss drops the Colts record to 1-5.  The only thing stopped the Colts from being called “the woeful Colts” is Andrew Luck.  Even Luck might not be able to delay that from happening before long.

Chargers go with a changeup

The Browns have been improving, but suffered a 38-14 setback at the hands of the Chargers.  The Chargers, uncharacteristically, ran the ball 36 times for 246 yards.  They passed for 203 yards.  I can’t remember the last time the Chargers picked up more yards running than passing.  Melvin Gordon picked up 132 yards and three TDs on 18 rushing attempts. The win ups the Chargers record to 4-2 and puts them in good position for a playoff slot.  The Browns now sit at 2-3-1.  Not great, but reason enough to keep Browns fans interested.

Texans manage to win in regulation

After winning their last two games in overtime, the Houston Texans were able to pick up a win in regulation time, but just barely.  A 28 yard interception return by Jonathan Joseph of a Nathan Peterman pass provided the win in  the Texans 20-13 win over the Bills.  There was 1:23 left in the game at the time.  Texans QB, DeShaun Watson had a tough game, going 15/25 for 177 yards and two picks.  Watson has been banged up and seemed somewhat limited in his mobility.  As for Peterman, maybe someday he will be known for something besides throwing interceptions.

Broncos play Goff, while letting Gurley run wild

In what was a closer game than I expected, the Rams defeated the Broncos 23-20.  Todd Gurley picked up a career high 208 yards of the Rams of the team’s 270 rushing yards.  The Broncos sacked Rams QB, Jared Goff, five times and limited the Rams passing offense to 174 yards, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough.  The Rams remain undefeated and the Broncos season is slip sliding away.

Jaguars have no D in Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys were yet another team that ran for over 200 yards Sunday.  Ezekiel Elliott ran for 106 and Dak Prescott ran for another 82 as the Cowboys amassed 206 rushing yards in route to a 40-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars,  If the Jags keep playing like that the NFL may send them back to London.  The Cowboys still haven’t shown much of an air game, but they didn’t need Sunday.  Up until recently I thought the Jaguars were a good team with a limited offense.  I’m not so sure about that now. 

Forget the Titans, remember the Ravens

For fans who love defense, I refer you to the Baltimore Ravens 21-0 win over the Titans.  The Titans are limited offensively, but still the Ravens recorded a franchise record tying 11 sacks which is noteworthy.   The Ravens have quietly raised their record to 4-2.  The Titans are at 3-3 and I’m not quite sure how.

And in the main event....

Now, saving the best game for last, the Patriots out slugged the Chiefs 43-40.  Tom Brady led the Pats on a game winning drive in the final moments of the game.  The drive culminated with a 28 yard Stephen Gostkowski FG.  Chiefs young super QB, Patrick Mahomes, started off slowly, throwing two interceptions in the first half.  He was sensational, however, in the second half.

Mahomes finished 23/36 for 352 yards with four TDs and the two interceptions.  Some of his throws on the run were amazing.  Statistically, Tom Brady was excellent, but not as spectacular.  Of course, his team ultimately got the win.  That’s so Brady and Patriots.