For the fifth and final time this season, the NFL schedule opened with an international game.
In Germany, it was the Patriots technically hosting the Colts, with Indianapolis winning 10–6. After the long trip overseas, New England and the Colts have byes next week, along with the Falcons and Saints.
In the early window, there were a few key games. In Baltimore, the Ravens and Browns tangled with Cleveland earning a season split on a last-second, 41-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins.
Meanwhile, San Francisco pummeled Jacksonville, 34–3, snapping both its three-game losing skid and the Jaguars’ five-game winning streak.
In the late window, the best game featured the Lions (7–2) and Chargers (4–5) at SoFi Stadium. In what was an offensive bonanza, Detroit found a way to win late, including a key fourth-down conversion before Riley Patterson won with a 41-yard field goal as time expired.
Finally, the Jets and Raiders renewed an old AFL rivalry Sunday night, with Las Vegas strengthening its playoff hopes with a 16–12 victory.
SUNDAY
Texans 30, Bengals 27
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- What it means for Texans: It’s time to look at Houston (5–4) as a playoff contender. C.J. Stroud is the clear Offensive Rookie of the Year and has put himself in the MVP conversation with 2,626 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. And behind Stroud, any game is possible for Houston. The Texans have five wins and a schedule including the Cardinals, Titans (twice), Broncos, Jets and Colts, along with the Browns at home. It’s all in front of Houston.
- What it means for Bengals: Cincinnati (5–4) is obviously a strong contender, but losing at home to the Texans before a huge game on Thursday night with the Ravens could be costly down the stretch. This is where Cincinnati’s slow start comes into play. Even contenders have off weeks, but the Bengals can’t afford them if they want to host a playoff game. Cincinnati is still a major threat in the AFC, but the path come January could be an extremely treacherous one.
Browns 33, Ravens 31
- What it means for Browns: The biggest takeaway? The Browns (6–3) can win even if the defense isn’t perfect. Cleveland did all it could to lose early, but then showed its strength as the game went on. The Browns are now within a half game of Baltimore, earning a split in their two AFC North divisional games. Deshaun Watson started 7-of-21 but finished 13-of-13, helping Cleveland overcome a 24–9 deficit.
- What it means for Ravens: Baltimore (7–3) must be sick. The Browns committed two turnovers, including a pick-six, missed an extra point, took nine penalties and went 2-of-5 in the red zone. Still, Cleveland won largely because the Ravens continuously made errors, allowing for their second hideous divisional loss of the year. Instead of a two-and-a-half-game lead in the division over the Bengals and Browns, the loss puts Baltimore even in the loss column with Cleveland and Pittsburgh, while Cincinnati can get within a half game on Thursday.
Lions 41, Chargers 38
- What it means for Lions: Dan Campbell is the right man for the job. This isn’t new information, but we saw confirmation on 4th-and-2 with 1:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. Instead of kicking a 44-yard field goal to potentially take the lead, Campbell gambled, the Lions (7–2) picked up the first down and it led to a game-winning kick with no time remaining. Campbell keeps showing how much he believes in his young, ascending team… and the Lions keep responding.
- What it means for Chargers: It’s another defensive disaster. The Chargers (4–5) entered Sunday allowing 375.8 yards per game, ranking 29th in the NFL. Against the Lions, Brandon Staley’s group surrendered 533 yards. While the road remains open to the postseason, it’s hard to see Los Angeles mounting much of a consistent challenge when the defense—time and again—can never get off the field.
49ers 34, Jaguars 3
- What it means for 49ers: San Francisco (6–3) is back. After losing three consecutive games while dealing with injuries to Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel, the Niners came off their bye week healthier and with a new look on defense. Allowing 31 points to the Bengals in its last game, San Francisco held Jacksonville to three, showing why the 49ers remain one of the NFL’s elite teams.
- What it means for Jaguars: Jacksonville (6–3) is still the best team in the AFC South, but the path to the conference’s top seed is now much tougher. The Jaguars are a game behind the Chiefs and already lost in Week 2 to Kansas City. They’re also one-and-half games behind the Ravens, who they’ll play in Jacksonville come Week 15. For any chance at home-field advantage, the Jaguars must win that game.
Seahawks 29, Commanders 26
- What it means for Commanders: Washington (4–6) is competitive against good teams, but has struggled to find ways to close games. The Commanders had two tight losses to the Eagles and on Sunday couldn’t make a few winning plays in Seattle. The issue speaks to both a lack of top-end talent but also focus, the latter shown by losses to the Bears and Giants. Lastly, the Commanders should feel good about Sam Howell, who drove Washington 71 yards on 10 plays to tie the game late in a hostile environment. He’s a legitimately intriguing talent.
- What it means for Seahawks: Seattle (6–3) is an adventure every week, but Pete Carroll should feel good about the way his team bounced back after being throttled in Baltimore last weekend. After three consecutive games with multiple turnovers, Geno Smith took care of the ball while throwing for 369 yards and two touchdowns. Tied with the 49ers atop the NFC West and seeing them twice in the next month, Seattle has everything ahead of it.
Vikings 27, Saints 19
- What it means for Saints: Nobody has been more inconsistent than the Saints (5–5). New Orleans has looked dominant at times, although its wins have come against the Titans, Panthers, Patriots, Colts and Bears. The good news? The Saints still have games against the Giants, Rams, Falcons (twice) and Carolina. If New Orleans handles its business there, it should be alright. Yet, it’s been a rollercoaster for the Saints, so predicting the future seems a waste.
- What it means for Vikings: Joshua Dobbs has become the story of the year in many respects. Minnesota (6–4) traded for Dobbs in an emergency, executing a late-round pick swap to acquire the 28-year-old after Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles two weeks ago. Since then, Dobbs has won two games against the Falcons and Saints without knowing most of the playbook or where the home locker room is at U.S. Bank Stadium. All told, he’s thrown for 426 yards and three touchdowns for Minnesota. Amazing.
Cowboys 49, Giants 17
- What it means for Giants: A long time ago, I was told not to say anything if I have nothing nice to say. One thing I will say: The Giants are starting to solidify their 2024 NFL draft position, and it looks like they could have a good shot at either USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
- What it means for Cowboys: This was supposed to be the proverbial free space on the bingo card, and the Cowboys handled business with ease. Dallas got a huge day from Dak Prescott and Brandin Cooks, with the former throwing for 404 yards, and the latter catching nine passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys have the Panthers and Commanders on deck, before seeing the Seahawks, Cowboys, Bills and Dolphins in consecutive weeks.
Raiders 16, Jets 12
- What it means for Jets: The playoffs are becoming more dream than reality with every passing week. The Jets (4–5) desperately needed to win at least one game against either the Raiders or Chargers over the past six days. Now, they’ll need to somehow find a victory against the Bills and Dolphins in the coming weeks, or they’ll be 4–7 and finished before Aaron Rodgers has any hope of playing a meaningful game.
- What it means for Raiders: Antonio Pierce is now 2–0 after a clean sweep of the New York teams as interim coach. Las Vegas (5–5) has plenty of issues, but for now the Raiders remain on the fringe of a playoff berth while having some momentum. While reality says that’s a tough ask with rookie Aidan O’Connell under center, Las Vegas now has hope, something it hasn’t enjoyed all year.
Steelers 23, Packers 19
- What it means for Packers: All season, Green Bay (3–6) has been gashed repeatedly on the ground, having multiple gamers with more than 200 rushing yards against. Facing the Steelers, Pittsburgh ran for 205 yards, consistently finding holes in the front seven despite little reason to fear the passing game. With playoff hopes slipping away, the Packers are in a tough spot with very few strong suits to rely on.
- What it means for Steelers: Pittsburgh (6–3) is giving the winning ugly mantra quite a run. The Steelers continue to get almost nothing from Kenny Pickett, who threw for 126 yards on 5.5 yards per attempt. And yet Pittsburgh found a way largely because the defense turned Green Bay over late on a Keanu Neal interception, with the unit allowing one touchdown in four red-zone attempts. The Steelers have a low ceiling, but they keep finding ways to win.
Colts 10, Patriots 6
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- What it means for Colts: Despite losing Anthony Richardson in October, the Colts (5–5) are hanging around the postseason chase. Why? Because Indianapolis has a legitimate coach in Shane Steichen, an excellent rookie receiver in Josh Downs and Jonathan Taylor playing great after coming off IR. If the Colts can shore up the defense, sign Michael Pittman Jr. and get Richardson healthy, they’re a fun team to consider in 2024.
- What it means for Patriots: For the love of football, it’s time to bench Mac Jones permanently. Forget the box score. Jones threw multiple balls into the hands of Colts’ defenders, and was fortunate to only be picked off once. However, that interception cost New England (2–8) its best chance to win, with Jones severely underthrowing Mike Gesicki. It’s impossible to think Jones has a bright future after the offense failed to score a touchdown in a game for the third time this season. New England also matched its worst start through 10 games since 2000.
Cardinals 25, Falcons 23
- What it means for Falcons: Arthur Smith’s seat is piping hot. The Falcons (4–6) are in a bad division and have a hoard of talent on both sides of the ball (albeit with quarterback issues). Yet, in the past two weeks, Atlanta has lost to Joshua Dobbs, who made his Vikings’ debut despite his being with Minnesota for less than a week. Then it was a defeat in Arizona facing a one-win team as Kyler Murray worked off a year’s worth of rust. The Falcons are flawed, but those games have to be wins. Instead, they’re infuriating losses.
- What it means for Cardinals: Forget the outcome. The most important takeaway is Murray looking solid in his first action since tearing his ACL in Week 14 of last season. Murray completed 19-of-32 for 249 yards and an interception. If Murray continues to get stronger throughout the season’s last two months, it will hurt Arizona’s draft position but provide hope that the Cardinals (2–8) don’t need to replace him.
Buccaneers 20, Titans 6
- What it means for Titans: Although it’s the right move to start rookie Will Levis, nobody said it would be an easy road. On Sunday, Levis threw for 199 yards on 5.1 yards per attempt, having a tough time stretching Tampa Bay’s defense. The Titans (3–6) are out of the AFC playoff race, so the rest of this season is dedicated to seeing whether Levis is the long-term answer or if general manager Ran Carthon needs to spend a first-round pick on a quarterback in next year’s class.
- What it means for Buccaneers: Somehow, Tampa Bay (4–5) is in a good spot for the NFC South crown. With the Saints getting beat in Minnesota, the Buccaneers are tied with them in the loss column and already beat New Orleans at the Superdome. Tampa Bay being feisty is also a credit to Baker Mayfield, who has 14 touchdowns against just five interceptions.
