JuicyTalk
Green Bay Packers @ Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns hit a game-winning field goal as time expired to beat the Green Bay Packers 13-10. The field goal came just a few plays after the Browns blocked a Packers field goal attempt that would’ve given them a 13-10 lead with less than 30 seconds left in the game.
It took some time, but the scoring picked up in the second quarter. Green Bay hit a 39-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. That 13-play, 7:23 drive was the Packers’ longest of the season up to that point.
The Browns had a chance to attempt a Hail Mary on a 4th and 8 to end the first half. But Packers safety Xavier McKinney intercepted Joe Flacco’s pass, giving him his first INT of the season.
It took until the third quarter, but we finally got some offensive explosiveness in this game. Running back Josh Jacobs took a screen pass 31 yards to Cleveland’s side of the field. That eventually allowed quarterback Jordan Love to complete a pass to tight end John Fitzpatrick on a 3rd and goal for the game’s first touchdown and a 10-0 lead.
The Cleveland Browns wouldn’t go away, though, thanks to penalties by the Packers. Green Bay was penalized twice on third downs, which eventually allowed the Browns to kick a field goal from 35 yards out to cut the lead to 10-3 with 3:33 left in the final frame.
The Packers’ first turnover of the season couldn’t have come at a worse time. Quarterback Jordan Love threw a terrible interception, his first since November of 2024. That INT was returned to Green Bay’s four yard line. Following a defensive pass interference penalty in the end zone, the Browns tied the game 10-10 with 3:01 to go.
With 27 seconds left in the contest, the Cleveland Browns blocked what would have been a game-winning field goal, getting the ball back near midfield. That would be all the time they would need as kicker Andre Szmyt hit a 55-yard field goal to down the Packers.
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
The Indianapolis Colts moved to 3-0 on the season with a 41-20 win over the Tennessee Titans. This is the first time in 16 years that the Colts have won three straight games to open the year.
Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones continued to play like an MVP candidate. He threw for 228 yards, a passing touchdown, and had another 27 yards on the ground.
On Tennessee’s first possession, rookie quarterback Cam Ward threw his first career interception. That pick was returned 32 yards for a Colts touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Ward finished the day with 219 passing yards, an interception, a touchdown, and 12 rushing yards.
Indy running back Jonathan Taylor continued to build on a Pro Bowl-caliber season. He pounded the ball into the end zone from one yard out to extend the Colts’ lead to 17-3. That was Taylor’s first rushing TD since Week 18 of last season. He had 118 scrimmage yards and three rushing touchdowns in the game.
After these squads combined for three straight drives ending in missed field goals, Indy and Tennessee were able to break the schneid. Both teams hit field goals to make it 20-6 at the half.
Indianapolis had no problems keeping the offense going out of the break. The Colts picked up 67 yards in a little under four minutes, including a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Pittman to make it 27-6 in the third quarter.
Tennessee’s offense finally showed some life. They put together a seven-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a touchdown by Titans running back Tony Pollard to make it 27-13. However, the Colts clapped back with their own 80-yard TD drive to retake a 21-point lead.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings
In a battle of backup quarterbacks, the Minnesota Vikings were able to easily take care of the Cincinnati Bengals 48-10. The Vikings’ defense completely overwhelmed Cincy’s offense, which committed five turnovers, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Quarterback Carson Wentz orchestrated a seven-play, 64-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass, his first TD pass since January 7th, 2024. That gave the Vikes a 7-0 advantage. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, it was a tough day at the office for Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning. He threw an interception that was returned 87 yards for a touchdown to put the Vikings ahead 14-0. He only had 140 passing yards in the game.
The Vikings and Bengals exchanged field goals in the second quarter to make the score 17-3. Coming out of the two-minute warning, Cincinnati tight end Noah Fant fumbled the ball away, and it was picked up and returned 66 yards for a touchdown by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who also had the pick-six earlier in the game.
Running back Jordan Mason had 116 rushing yards and two TDs on the afternoon. His second touchdown put Minnesota ahead 41-3.
At one point, the Vikings scored another touchdown to go ahead 48-3. That was the largest deficit in the Cincinnati Bengals’ history.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots
The Pittsburgh Steelers used a late-game touchdown pass by quarterback Aaron Rodgers to defeat the New England Patriots 21-14. New England had two costly red zone turnovers that also led to the loss.
After recovering a fumble on the Patriots’ first series, the Steelers put together a 54-yard drive that was capped off with a one-yard touchdown run by running back Kenneth Gainwell. That gave Pittsburgh a 7-0 lead.
The Steelers kept the pedal to the metal on their next drive. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers found tight end Jonnu Smith for a 22-yard pickup. That eventually led to a 12-yard TD pass by Rodgers to wideout DK Metcalf for a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. With that touchdown pass, Aaron Rodgers passed Brett Favre and moved into sole possession of fourth place on the NFL’s all-time list.
After that, New England’s offense came to life. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye linked up with tight end Hunter Henry for a five-yard TD pass to make it 14-7. That was Henry’s first touchdown catch since December 22nd, 2024.
Maye was pretty good. He completed 28 of 37 passes for 268 yards, two passing TDs, and an interception. That INT came in the red zone on Pittsburgh’s two yard line, and kept the score 14-7 at halftime. The Pats were two for four in the red zone today.
There was a long break in the scoring, but the Patriots evened things up in the fourth quarter. Hunter Henry caught his second touchdown pass of the afternoon to make it 14-14.
After that, vintage Aaron Rodgers came to play. On a 3rd and 6, with 2:16 left in the game, Rodgers threw a 17-yard touchdown strike to wideout Calvin Austin III. That put the Steelers back on top 21-14 with a little over two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Pats were unable to tie the game on the ensuing drive. Their comeback attempt came up short due to a defensive stop by the Steelers on a 4th and 1.
Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles
The Rams’ game-winning field goal attempt was blocked by the Philadelphia Eagles as time expired, leading to a 33-26 win for the Birds. Philly rallied from a 19-point third-quarter deficit to earn the victory.
The beginning of this game couldn’t have been more in favor of the Eagles. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw an interception on the opening drive. Philly responded by marching down the field and scoring a touchdown on a one-yard tush push by quarterback Jalen Hurts to go up 7-0. That was Hurt’s first offensive touchdown of the season.
The Rams bounced back from the slow start. Following a 51-yard field goal and a punt by Philly, Matthew Stafford threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Davante Adams for their first lead of the day, 10-7. Adams finished the game with three receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown.
A good-looking Rams drive was derailed by an offensive holding penalty in the red zone. Instead of scoring a touchdown, LA had to settle for a field goal and a 13-7 advantage.
After Philly scored a touchdown on the opening drive, their next four consecutive series ended in punts. Two of those punts led to a pair of field goals for the Rams, who went into halftime ahead 19-7 on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions.
The Eagles did not look any better to start the second half. Jalen Hurts was sacked and lost the fumble, which was eventually recovered by LA. On the very next play, Rams running back Kyren Williams took a ten-yard screen pass into the end zone for a touchdown and a 26-7 lead.
That score was the kick in the pants Philly needed. On their next drive, Jalen Hurts completed a 38-yard pass to wideout A.J. Brown. One play later, Hurts connected with tight end Dallas Goedert for a 33-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 26-14.
A.J. Brown had his best game of the season, catching six passes for 109 yards. His fourth catch of the day, a nine-yard TD, brought the score to 26-21.
Wide receiver DeVonta Smith finished a 17-play, 91-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown catch to take the lead 27-26. That was Smith’s first touchdown reception since Super Bowl LIX.
The Rams got the ball into field goal range in 1:48. However, the field goal attempt was blocked and returned for a touchdown to secure the win for Philly.
New York Jets @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicked a field goal as time expired to defeat the New York Jets 29-27. The Buccaneers moved the ball 48 yards in 1:45 to set up the game-winning field goal.
Both the Jets and Buccaneers scored field goals to make it 3-3 heading into the second frame. However, the story of the first quarter was penalties. New York and Tampa Bay combined for 11 flags and 125 penalty yards in the first 15 minutes of this game.
After Gang Green retook the lead on a 42-yard field goal, the Buccaneers answered right back. Tampa quarterback Baker Mayfield hooked up with wide receiver Mike Evans for a five-yard TD, giving the Bucs their first lead of the afternoon, 10-6. That was Evans’ touchdown of the season.
Tampa connected on another field goal with less than two minutes to go in the second quarter. After both teams punted the ball, Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw an interception that was taken back 55 yards for a touchdown to take a 20-6 lead into the half.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Jets scored their first touchdown of the day on an 11-yard pass to wideout Garrett Wilson. That TD grab brought the score to 23-13. On their next drive, they would find the end zone again to make it 26-20 after another Buccaneers field goal.
The game took a turn in the fourth quarter. A 43-yard field goal attempt by the Buccaneers was blocked and returned for a touchdown, to give the Jets a 27-26 lead with 1:49.
That would be enough time for the Buccaneers, though. They made it all the way down the Jets’ 16 yard line, where they kicked the game-winning field goal with ease.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Washington Commanders
On a day when quarterback Jayden Daniels missed his first start at the pro level due to a knee injury, the Commanders had no problem moving the ball in their 41-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota threw for 207 yards, ran for 40 yards, and scored two touchdowns.
A 69-yard return on the opening kickoff set up the Commanders with excellent field position on their first drive of the day. A few plays later, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota rumbled into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown to put Washington ahead 7-0.
Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith answered back with a 45-yard pass to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. The Raiders’ drive stalled on Washington’s 19 yard line, forcing them to settle for a 37-yard field goal and a 7-3 deficit.
Ashton Jeanty had arguably his best game at the pro level, running for 63 yards. His 16-yard run in the second quarter allowed the Raiders to tie the game up 10-10 thanks to a ten-yard touchdown reception by wideout Tre Tucker.
Washington didn’t need much time to respond. Running back Jeremy McNichols took his first carry of the day 60 yards to the end zone to reclaim the lead 17-10. That was the longest play of McNichols’ nine-year career. However, the Commanders would get on the board one more time to go up 20-10.
Special teams played a big role in Washington’s win. Rookie wide receiver Jaylin Lane returned a punt 90 yards for his first career touchdown to extend the lead to 27-10.
Commanders running back Jacory Crosky-Merritt scored his second rushing TD of the season. That score put Washington ahead 34-10.
Geno Smith was much better this time around. He threw for 289 yards and three TDs. Unfortunately, he took five sacks, which hurt Vegas’ offensive output.
Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers surprised the NFL world and made light work of the Atlanta Falcons 30-0, bringing Atlanta’s record to 1-2 on the season.
After a pick-six in the third quarter, Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was benched in favor of backup Kirk Cousins. It wouldn’t make much of a difference, though, because the team only had 201 passing yards while averaging 4.7 yards per pass attempt.
Following a missed field goal by the Falcons on the game’s first offensive possession, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young completed five of seven passes for 51 yards and an eventual four-yard rushing touchdown to give the Panthers their first lead of the season, 7-0, in the first quarter.
The scoring picked up again in the second quarter. Carolina gained 48 yards on ten plays, which led to a 57-yard field goal. That put the Panthers ahead 10-0, which is how things stood at halftime.
After forcing a punt coming out of halftime, the Falcons made another costly mistake. A screen pass intended for running back Bijan Robinson was picked off and taken 13 yards for a touchdown to increase the lead to 17-0.
Michael Penix did not have his best day. He threw two picks while being held to just 172 passing yards.
Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars were able to force a late-game interception that ended a potential game-tying drive to defeat the Houston Texans 17-10. This is their worst start to a season since 2020.
This one had a slow offensive start. After back-to-back punts and a missed field goal by the Texans, the Jaguars struck first. A 58-yard drive ended with a one-yard touchdown run by rookie Bhayshul Tuten. That is the first career rushing touchdown for the former fourth-round pick.
Houston’s red zone struggles showed up again today. They had to settle for a field goal from Jacksonville’s nine yard line to make the score 7-3. The Texans are 0/4 in the red zone this year.
The Jags hit a field goal in the third quarter, but quarterback C.J. Stroud threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nico Collins to even things up at 10 points apiece in the fourth.
With 1:48 left in the game, Jaguars running back Travis Etienne ran for a 10-yard touchdown to go up 17-10. He had 56 rushing yards in this contest.
The Texans had a chance to tie things up with a little under two minutes to go in the game. However, C.J. Stroud threw an interception with 27 ticks left on the clock to give the Jaguars the win.
