Just open the bomb-bay doors and pull that lever. There were several big-time beat downs where the opponent was never remotely in the game and seven games were won by at least 14 points. We had a 200-yard rusher and a 200-yard receiver. And the Dolphins went nuclear on the Broncos, still throwing points on the scoreboard while the first team wore baseball caps and laughed on the sideline.
It ends up that the Cowboys are not that good but the Bears really are that bad. Check out the games from a wild weekend.
Indianapolis 22, Baltimore 19
So, no one get comfortable with the NFL yet, m’kay? The Colts were without Anthony Richardson, but Gardner Minshew was just good enough to get the win thanks to back-to-back 53-yard field goals by Matt Gay at the end of the fourth quarter and then in overtime. Minshew passed for 227 yards and one score with no turnovers. Michael Pittman (9-77) and Josh Downs (8-57) were the top receivers, but Zack Moss gets the game ball. He ran for 122 yards on 30 carries and caught two passes for 23 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown catch. The Colts offense wasn’t anything special but made no mistakes and ran the ball well. They take their surprising 2-1 record back home to face the Rams.
The Ravens fell behind 13-7 but then battled back and led 19-16 after recording a safety with only 2:03 left to play but allowed the Colts to score the next six points for the win. Lamar Jackson threw for 202 yards and then ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 14 rushes. No one else did much. The backfield split between Gus Edwards (11-51) and Melvin Gordon (10-32), who also caught two passes for 23 yards. Zay Flowers caught eight passes but only gained 48 yards. Even Mark Andrews was held to only 35 yards on four receptions. The surprising loss drops the Ravens to 2-1, and they head to Cleveland for an important and challenging AFC North matchup.
Tennessee 3, Cleveland 27
The Browns defense was dominating throughout this matchup. The Titans only managed a second-quarter field goal, but a shutout would have been more representative of how this game went. Derrick Henry only ran for 20 yards on 11 carries and was never thrown a pass. Ryan Tannehill served up a buffet to his critics when he only completed 13 of 25 for 104 yards. DeAndre Hopkins (3-48) was the leading receiver, but the Titans were never remotely in this one. They fall to 1-2 and host the Bengals this week.
The Browns won with masterful defense, but the offense threw in more points than usual. Deshaun Watson passed for 289 yards and two touchdowns that included Amari Cooper’s (7-116, TD) 43-yard score in the fourth quarter. Jerome Ford’s first start resulted in just 18 yards on 10 carries but he scored once as a rusher and then again as a receiver with his two catches for 33 yards. Elijah Moore turned in a nice performance with nine catches for 49 yards but there wasn’t much needed to secure the win. Seven players recorded a rushing attempt, including Kareem Hunt, who ran for 13 yards on five carries and caught two passes for 22 more yards. Aside from Cooper, no Browns’ offensive player did much but they didn’t need to. The Browns rise to 2-1 and host the Ravens this week.
Atlanta 6, Detroit 20
Where were the points? Just two offensive touchdowns in the game and the rest were field goals. The Falcons passed for only 201 yards and Kyle Pitts (5-41) was the top receiver, while Drake London was left with only two receptions for 31 yards. Bijan Robinson (10-33) had his worst game so far but added four catches for 27 yards. Very little worked in this offense, but at least Pitts led the team with nine targets and is getting more involved. The Falcons drop to 2-1 and head to Jacksonville this weekend.
The Lions won, but not much in the way of fireworks. Jared Goff threw for only 243 yards and one touchdown but ran in the rare ground score. Jahmyr Gibbs got the start with David Montgomery out. He rushed for 80 yards on 17 carries but only caught one pass for two yards. Amon-Ra St. Brown was questionable to play and had a bad toe but still reeled in nine passes for 102 yards, while Sam LaPorta caught the lone touchdown pass during his eight receptions for 84 yards. The 2-1 Lions recorded a win, but it was their defense that did the heavy lifting in this game. They head to Green Bay on Thursday for a critical NFC North meeting.
New Orleans 17, Green Bay 18
Another low-scoring matchup that went stingy on fantasy points. Derek Carr injured his shoulder and gave way to Jameis Winston, but they combined for just 204 yards and one score to Jimmy Graham on his only catch. Chris Olave (8-104) and Michael Thomas (6-50) accounted for most of the yardage. Kendre Miller finally saw the field and ran for 34 yards on nine carries and caught one pass for no gain. There wasn’t much happening on the offense that gets Alvin Kamara back next week – but could be without Derek Carr. The 2-1 Saints host the Buccaneers on Sunday.
The Packers trailed 17-0 but posted 18 fourth-quarter points to sneak past the Saints. Jordan Love threw for 259 yar4ds and one touchdown to Romeo Doubs (5-73, TD) but they were playing without Aaron Jones and Christian Watson again. Jayden Reed gained 63 yards on his three receptions. AJ Dillon led the backfield with 33 yards on 11 rushes, but Love was the best rusher with his 39 yards on nine runs with a rushing touchdown. The offense misses Jones and still hasn’t seen Watson in uniform this year. The 2-1 Packers host the Lions on Thursday night this week.
Houston 37, Jacksonville 17
Not sure what this game really says about either team. Are the Texans this good? Are the Jaguars this bad? Neither makes sense. C.J. Stroud continues his impressive rookie season with 280 yards and two touchdown passes. Tank Dell (5-145, TD) and Robert Woods (3-34) were the top receivers while Nico Collins was left with only two catches for 34 yards. Dameon Pierce ran for only 31 yards on 14 carries but scored a touchdown. Devin Singletary (9-41) was the more effective rusher on this day. There’s no denying that Stroud is the real deal. The 1-2 Texans host the Steelers for Week 4.
Trevor Lawrence’s season is starting slowly. He passed for 279 yards but only one touchdown and an interception. Evan Engram (7-67) was the top receiver and Christian Kirk (4-54, TD) caught the lone touchdown pass but Calvin Ridley only managed 40 yards on three receptions. Travis Etienne (18-88) did not score but caught four passes for 50 and turned in a decent fantasy performance. The Jaguars were one of the young teams expected to step up into the upper echelon of teams this year but it hasn’t happened yet. The 1-2 team seems to be in reverse and will host the Falcons.
Los Angeles Chargers 28, Minnesota 24
Here’s an upset by a team that still doesn’t have Austin Ekeler back. The Chargers notch their first win thanks to the passing offense. Justin Herbert threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns, and Keenan Allen even passed to Mike Williams on a 49-yard touchdown. Allen caught an astounding 18 passes for 215 yards while Williams ended with 121 yards and a score on his seven catches. Even Joshua Palmer scored on his four receptions for 66 yards. The rushing game has been nonexistent without Ekeler. Joshua Kelley only gained 12 yards on 11 runs. It was good that the Chargers could finally win without Ekeler but the offense is far more balanced with him active. The 1-2 Chargers host the Raiders on Sunday.
The Vikings slip to 0-3 and that’s all on their defense. Kirk Cousins passed for 367 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Jefferson (7-149, TD) and T.J. Hockerson (8-78) led the receivers while Jordan Addison managed six catches for 52 yards. The Vikes added Cam Akers last week but he was inactive and Alexander Mattison was inspired to run for 93 yards on 20 carries and add 32 yards on five receptions. The offense was enough to win this game but the defense continues to undermine what their offense cam do. The winless Vikings head to Carolina for Week 4.
New England 15, New York Jets 10
Standard meeting between these teams. No points, Pats win (15th in a row). This game was a yawner with one touchdown per team. Mac Jones passed for 201 yards and the one score to Pharoah Brown (2-71, TD) on a 58-yard completion. No other receiver gained more than 46 yards or scored. Rhamondre Stevenson (19-59) was outrushed by Ezekiel Elliott (16-80) which doesn’t help alter the split backfield. Neither team had a turnover and the difference was an extra field goal and a safety by the Pats. They rise to 1-2 and head to Dallas on Sunday.
The Jets only had 29 passing yards by halftime. Zach Wilson ended with 157 yards and no score and Garrett Wilson (5-48) was the top receiver. Breece Hall only ran for 18 yards on 12 carries and Dalton Cook only needed eight rushes to gain his 18 yards. The Jets offense outside of Garrett Wilson was abysmal and even Breece Hall was rendered ineffective. The Jets drop to 1-2 and may not be any better hosting the Chiefs this week.
Bills 37, Washington 3
These were the Bills we expected to see this year. The offense didn’t do that much but didn’t have the need. Josh Allen passed for 218 yards and one score with Stefon Diggs (8-111) handing the yardage and Gabriel Davis (1-35) snaring the touchdown. Allen also ran for a score on his three scrambles for 46 yards. James Cook (15-98) was solid, though they let Latavius Murray score. The Bills defense came through and held the Commanders to no points until the final 46 seconds in the game. The 2-1 Bills are looking good again and they’ll need that since they host the Dolphins this weekend.
The Commanders never got on track. Sam Howell passed for 170 yards and four interceptions. Curtis Samuel (2-54) and Terry McLaurin (6-41) were as good as it got in Washington. Brian Robinson ran for 70 yards on ten carries but was denied enough volume to matter. This was a forgettable performance and the first loss for the 2-1 Commanders. They’ll play in Philadelphia this week, and that may not be pretty.
Carolina 27, Seattle 37
What a great game. Sixty-four total points and even more fantasy points. Andy Dalton stepped in to cover for Bryce Young and threw for 361 yards and two scores. That mostly benefitted Adam Thielen (11-145, TD) and DJ Chark (4-86, TD), with no other receivers gaining more than 35 yards. Miles Sanders only ran for 24 yards but scored once and caught five passes for 38 yards. The passing offense was better with Dalton at the helm but still needs Young to gain experience for the future. The loss drops the Panthers to 0-3 and they host the Vikings for Week 4.
Geno Smith threw for 296 yards and one score. DK Metcalf led the team with six catches for 122 yards but Tyler Lockett was held to only three catches for 34 yards. The star of the game was Kenneth Walker, who ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns, plus gained 59 yards on three receptions. This was as close as 22-20 in the fourth quarter before the Seahawks pulled away for good. Zach Charbonnet ran for 46 yards on nine rushes, and this offense is hard to beat when the backfield can gain over five yards per carry. The 2-1 Seahawks play at the Giants this week.
Dallas 16, Arizona 28
So maybe OC Kellen Moore wasn’t the problem last year. The Cowboys demolished their first two opponents without any need for offense. This week, when they turned to Dak Prescott and company to win a game, it just wasn’t there. He only threw for 249 yards and one score with his first interception of the year. Michael Gallup (6-92) and CeeDee Lamb (4-53) were the best receivers, but the Cowboys offense only punched in one touchdown on the day. Tony Pollard (23-122) was effective as a rusher but lost a net one yard on his three catches. This game was everything the Cowboys did not need. With their star cornerback Trevon Diggs on IR, the defense wasn’t as good. It seemed the Cowboys had read their press clippings and were underprepared to play the Cardinals. The 2-1 Cowboys host the Patriots this week.
The Cardinals didn’t have any real stars but made no mistakes. Joshua Dobbs threw for 189 yards and one score to Marquise Brown (5-61, TD) and the rookie Michael Wilson (2-86) caught a 69-yard completion. Dobbs only threw 17-of-21 because the rushing effort saw surprising success, including 55 yards on six runs by Dobbs. James Conner ran for 98 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and caught two passes for 18 yards. The difference maker was that the Cardinals defense played tough and held the Cowboys to field goal attempts and a failed fourth-down attempt in the red zone. That sends the 1-2 Cardinals to San Francisco this week.
Chicago 10, Kansas City 41
The Bears continue to have problems, and Justin Fields was really poorly coached again because he only threw for 99 yards and one score, with an interception. The meaningless DJ Moore (3-41, TD) score was the final in the blowout loss. The Chiefs led 41-0 in the third quarter before they started substituting hot dog vendors and security staff to finish the game. Fields was the leading rusher with 47 yards on 11 carries, so he did contribute something. Roschon Johnson (8-38) and Khalil Herbert (7-31) ran well, but never had the volume to total up many fantasy points. That will likely repeat in most weeks. The Bears drop to 0-3 and host the Broncos this week.
The Chiefs looked back to form this week and the starters mostly left by the fourth quarter. Patrick Mahomes threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns, but as usual, he used 11 different receivers. Travis Kelce (7-69, TD) and Rashee Rice (5-59) were tops, though Jerick McKinnon scored twice on his three catches for 19 yards. Isiah Pacheco ran for 62 yards and a score on 15 rushes, but Clyde Edwards-Helaire also ran 15 times for 55 yards and a touchdown. This was the way that the Chiefs offense is designed to operate. The 2-1 Chiefs play at the Jets.
And yes. SHE was there!
Pittsburgh 23, Las Vegas 18
The Steelers rolled up a 23-7 lead by the end of the third quarter and then held off a Raider’s comeback that fell just short when they couldn’t punch it in the end zone for a touchdown. Kenny Pickett threw two touchdowns and 235 yards with no turnovers. He was sacked just once. George Pickens (4-75) was the top receiver but the scores ended up with Calvin Austin (2-72, TD) and Pat Freiermuth (3-41, TD). The rushing effort wasn’t anything special with Najee Harris (19-65) and Jaylen Warren (8-29) unable to break 3.6 yards per carry or score. But the Steelers held on for the win and rise to 2-1. Week 4 is in Houston.
The Raiders mostly lost because of turnovers – Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 324 yards and two scores but had three interceptions. Davante Adams (13-172, 2 TD) and Jakobi Meyers (7-85) consumed almost all of the passing targets and catches. Josh Jacobs faced a great situation to get on track rushing but only gained 62 yards on 17 carries and added three receptions for 18 yards. The offense goes through the two wideouts and Jacobs, but that’s not enough when they give the ball away three times. The Raiders fall to 1-2 and play at the Chargers this week.
GAME-O-THE-WEEK: Denver 20, Miami 70
70 Points? 70 Points? 70 Points!
This wasn’t ever close, but it was the sort of game made of fantasy football dreams. Not sure who it was that wore the lucky shirt or included the Miami Dolphins in their bedside prayers, but wow. That worked.
The Broncos were already reeling after two losses, but this one will leave a mark. Russell Wilson threw for 306 yards and a score to Courtland Sutton (8-91, TD). Jerry Jeudy (5-81) and the rookie Marvin Mims (3-73) showed that Wilson tried to connect with his wideouts. Javonte Williams gained 42 yards on 11 rushes and caught two passes for 23 yards, but that’s all woefully short when a team loses by 50 points, even after the Dolphins downshifted into their second team and still kept rolling up second-half points. This was bad enough that the Fins have to at least consider changing something. They are 0-3 and play in, YES!, in Chicago this week. Oh man, what if they los… shudder…
This was the sort of offensive performance that spawns songs, movies, and tee-shirts. ” September 24th – marked safe from the Miami Dolphins” or “Where were you when the Fins scored 70 points?”
Tua Tagovailoa passed for 309 yards and four touchdowns and never bothered with running. After he was yanked from the game, Mike White threw for a 68-yard touchdown to Robbie Chosen on his only catch. Tyreek Hill threw for nine yards and 157 yards with one score. This was a memorable game because the backfield scored eight touchdowns. Raheem Mostert ran for 82 yards on 13 carries and three scores, plus caught seven passes for 60 yards and a fourth touchdown. Devon Achane logged 203 yards on 18 rushes with two scores and caught four passes for 30 yards and two more scores. The Dolphins led 35-13 at the half and the only other scoring by the Broncos came from a kick return. They handled ten kickoffs, so it was bound to happen eventually. The 3-0 Dolphins head to Buffalo for their biggest challenge so far.
