Category: NFL (American Football)

The Kansas City Chiefs continued their remarkable season with a thrilling 16-14 win over the Denver Broncos, capped by a blocked field goal attempt in the final second. The Chiefs held Denver to a failed 35-yard field goal attempt, with linebacker Leo Chenal getting a crucial arm on the ball to prevent what would have been a game-winning kick by Broncos’ kicker Wil Lutz.

With this victory, the Chiefs remain undefeated at 9-0 and have now won 15 straight games, a streak dating back to last season. This streak ties the longest in the NFL since the Green Bay Packers’ 19-game streak from 2010 to 2011, showcasing Kansas City’s resilience and consistency in close games.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes led a comeback in the fourth quarter, setting up a go-ahead field goal by Harrison Butker that gave the Chiefs their first lead, 16-14, with under six minutes remaining. The Broncos, led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix, then mounted a drive that reached field-goal range.

Denver converted several critical third downs, giving them a chance to win the game as the clock wound down. However, Kansas City’s defense, stepping up under pressure, managed to block the kick and secure the win. Mahomes praised the defense’s performance, noting that the game’s ending was a testament to their preparation and teamwork.

The Chiefs’ offense struggled in the first half, trailing 14-3 before Mahomes connected with tight end Travis Kelce for a touchdown late in the second quarter. This marked Kelce’s 76th career touchdown, breaking Tony Gonzalez’s franchise record for touchdown receptions and making history in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, which included pop star Taylor Swift.

Kelce finished with eight receptions for 64 yards, a strong performance that helped boost Kansas City’s offense, which faced challenges for much of the game. Mahomes ended the game with 266 passing yards and one touchdown, continuing his impressive season and pushing the Chiefs to their best-ever start.

The Chiefs’ ability to win tight games has been a theme throughout the season, with several close finishes against tough opponents. In Week 1, they narrowly defeated the Baltimore Ravens after a last-second touchdown review went in their favor. The next week, a 51-yard field goal by Butker secured a one-point win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Last week, they edged out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime after Mahomes led a game-winning drive. These narrow wins reflect Kansas City’s resilience and Mahomes’ leadership in high-stakes moments, as the team remains focused on another Super Bowl bid.

Looking ahead, the Chiefs face a tough road game against the Buffalo Bills, who hold an impressive 8-2 record. This game on November 17 will pit two AFC heavyweights against each other in what promises to be a major test for Kansas City. As they push forward in their pursuit of a third consecutive Super Bowl title, the Chiefs continue to show a knack for overcoming adversity and winning close games, further solidifying their status as one of the league’s most formidable teams this season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a thrilling 28-27 victory over the Washington Commanders, highlighted by a game-winning touchdown from newly acquired wide receiver Mike Williams. Five days after joining the Steelers via trade from the Jets, Williams made a 32-yard touchdown catch on a critical third-and-9 play with just over two minutes remaining. This was his only reception of the game, but it showcased why Pittsburgh sought him out before the trade deadline. Quarterback Russell Wilson, who threw three touchdown passes, delivered the clutch pass to Williams despite completing only half of his 28 attempts.

Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels also faced accuracy challenges, connecting on only half of his 34 attempts. Daniels had some success, particularly with star receiver Terry McLaurin, whose 54-yard catch helped set up one of two touchdown runs by Austin Ekeler. These scores allowed Washington to build a 10-point lead in the second half. However, the Commanders’ defense struggled to contain Wilson and the Pittsburgh offense when it mattered most, allowing the Steelers to rally and take control in the final moments.

The Steelers’ victory extended their winning streak to four games, keeping them at the top of the AFC North standings. Washington, now with a 7-3 record, fell out of first place in the NFC East as they await the result of the Eagles-Cowboys game. Pittsburgh’s resilience and timely plays were central to this hard-fought win, reflecting their tenacity under head coach Mike Tomlin. The close matchup against a competitive Commanders team was a testament to the Steelers’ ability to perform in high-pressure situations.

Wilson’s performance was a mix of struggles and key moments. He rebounded from earlier errors, including an interception, to deliver crucial passes late in the game. When the Commanders extended their lead, Wilson responded with significant completions, setting up Najee Harris for a short touchdown run that reduced the deficit. The game-winning touchdown saw Wilson evade the pressure and find Williams in single coverage. Pittsburgh then effectively ran down the clock after drawing Washington offside on a fourth-and-1.

Mistakes were common for both teams, but the Steelers handled theirs more effectively. Pittsburgh’s defense stepped up after each turnover, including a critical stop on fourth down late in the game when Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee halted Washington’s Zach Ertz just short of a first down. Pittsburgh’s perseverance was also evident in their survival of an unsuccessful fake punt that led to a Commanders touchdown. Meanwhile, Washington’s muffed punt return helped set up another Pittsburgh touchdown, giving the Steelers an edge in capitalizing on errors.

For the Commanders, struggles in the run game and pass protection ultimately proved costly. With only 60 rushing yards, Daniels had to rely heavily on passing, making the offense one-dimensional. Though McLaurin and Jeremy Chinn provided standout performances, Washington’s defense could not contain Pittsburgh’s balanced attack. Wilson’s game-winning pass to Williams was the turning point, putting Pittsburgh ahead for good. Next, the Commanders face a pivotal division game against the Eagles, while the Steelers will host the Ravens in a crucial AFC North matchup.

NFL referee Shawn Hochuli surprised fans in Munich by announcing a false start penalty in German during the Carolina Panthers’ narrow 20-17 victory over the New York Giants. The unique call, mostly delivered in German, ended with Hochuli clarifying in English, “It’s by the center. It’s third down.” This bilingual announcement thrilled the crowd, adding a unique cultural touch to the international game.

Hochuli’s choice to announce in German holds sentimental value as he follows in the footsteps of his father, Ed Hochuli, a renowned NFL official who made a similar gesture in 2005 by announcing a penalty in Spanish during the league’s first regular-season game outside the United States, held in Mexico City. This call marked a memorable moment in NFL international history, echoing Shawn’s call nearly two decades later in Germany.

Since joining the NFL in 2014 and becoming a referee in 2018, Shawn Hochuli has been involved in notable officiating moments, including issuing Tom Brady the first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of his career during a playoff game in 2022. Shawn’s officiating career reflects his father’s legacy, blending notable calls with cross-cultural engagement as the league expands internationally.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently emphasized the NFL’s commitment to expanding its international presence, with plans to bring a game to Berlin after previous successful games in Munich and Frankfurt. This year, NFL games held in Germany have been incredibly popular, with the Giants-Panthers game selling out in just over 90 minutes when tickets became available in June, showing the strong German fan interest in American football.

In addition to Germany, the NFL’s 2023 international series has included its first game in Brazil and will expand to Spain next year with a game scheduled in Madrid. London, too, remains a key venue, hosting three games this season. The Panthers’ victory over the Giants concluded this year’s international games, with a thrilling overtime field goal following a Giants fumble, securing Carolina’s win and marking the end of a successful global NFL season.

Trevor Lawrence will not play in Sunday’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a left shoulder injury. The Jaguars’ quarterback was limited in practice this week, but reports from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini suggest his season could be at risk.

With Lawrence out, backup quarterback Mac Jones will have wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabriel Davis available. Thomas had been questionable due to a chest injury but will play, and Davis returns after missing last week’s loss to the Eagles.

The Jaguars’ inactive list also includes former Vikings offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland, defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo, defensive end Myles Cole, and defensive tackle Maason Smith.

For the Vikings, linebacker Blake Cashman is back after missing the past three games due to turf toe. Cashman is a key player for Minnesota, especially in stopping the run, and is responsible for communicating with the coaching staff during the game. He has 40 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack this season.

The Vikings will also have Ivan Pace Jr. available after he was listed as questionable with a knee injury. Pace was limited in practice earlier in the week but fully participated on Friday.

The Vikings’ inactives include quarterback Brett Rypien, cornerbacks Fabian Moreau and Dwight McGlothern, defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez, and offensive linemen Dan Feeney and Walter Rouse. The game will begin at noon CT at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into their bye week with a 6-2 record, sitting at the top of the AFC North. They’ll use this break to rest their players before a tough stretch of games against divisional rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the hot Washington Commanders.

This extra time will also allow the team to focus on improving and getting healthier, particularly by refining some new strategies that Steelers fans saw in the Week 8 win over the New York Giants.

In that game, the Steelers threw a curveball at the Giants by having TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith switch sides to confuse the offense, and it worked well. Highsmith explained how the idea came about, saying that it was a collaboration between the coaches and the players, including himself and Watt.

“Yeah, I mean, it was kind of both coaches and us,” Highsmith said. “We were kind of working at moving us around, and I think we were effective in throwing the offense off in that way. So, just something we are going to work on and get better at.”

Nick Herbig, another outside linebacker, was asked if he might be used in the same way when he returns from injury. He didn’t want to give too much away but smiled when the question was raised.

“Yeah, I mean I don’t want to give away too much information, but yeah, they did a great job in that last game,” Herbig said.

Both Highsmith and Herbig admitted that switching sides can be challenging since everything they do is opposite, but they are committed to practicing and getting better at it.

The Steelers are hopeful that Herbig will be back after the bye week, which would give their defense a stronger pass rush. Herbig has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts. Before the injury, he had a strong start to the season, with 8 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

The Steelers want to keep winning and maintain their position at the top of the AFC North. They will rely on their defense, especially in key late-game situations, to make big plays.

The bye week comes at a good time, allowing them to get players like Cam Sutton back from injury and suspension and giving outside linebackers more time to practice switching sides.

Steelers’ New Strategy Could Be Key for the Rest of the Season

The Steelers’ remaining schedule won’t be easy. With six divisional games, as well as matchups against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions and the strong Eagles and Commanders teams, they will need all the tricks they can use to keep winning.

Using their talented outside linebackers in new ways is a smart move, as it will give opposing offenses more to worry about. This is a classic example of coach Mike Tomlin using mind games to his advantage.

As the season goes on, it’s likely that Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig will continue to switch sides more often, putting more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and making it harder for offenses to adjust.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has been one of the best in the NFL during the 2024 season. They give up the second fewest points per game and have the fourth most takeaways with 15.

However, star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick hasn’t been able to make the big, exciting plays fans are used to seeing from him. His game-changing turnovers have dropped a lot in the last two seasons, but this could change now that Pittsburgh is getting back a key player in their secondary.

The Steelers brought Fitzpatrick in via a trade with the Miami Dolphins in 2019, and it turned out to be a smart move by the team. In his first four seasons with Pittsburgh, through 2022, Fitzpatrick totaled 17 interceptions, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and three defensive touchdowns.

But since the start of 2023, even with Fitzpatrick missing some games last season, his numbers have significantly dropped.

In the 18 games since, Fitzpatrick hasn’t recorded a single interception, forced fumble, or fumble recovery. As each game passes without a big play from him, fans are getting more concerned. But the coaching staff doesn’t seem too worried about the lack of splash plays from their star safety.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin discussed the importance of versatile players like Cam Sutton: “The great thing about Cam [Sutton] is his versatility, man. He’s a utility back. He’s played outside corner, he’s played inside corner.

He’s played safety, he’s played dime. And really I think that’s the value in him, particularly at the early stages of working him back into the fold. His ability to fit in wherever needed is really, really important to us.

It’s more about just positioning Cam to be effective, playing the jersey game, if you will. In the past he’s allowed Minkah [Fitzpatrick] to move around some because he’s an interchangeable part with Minkah.”

In his six seasons with the Steelers, Sutton has 8 interceptions and 6 forced fumbles. He only had one interception last season with Detroit, but he should feel more comfortable back in Pittsburgh’s defense.

The Steelers’ defense has already been effective at creating turnovers, even without Fitzpatrick making big plays. If he and Sutton can start making some big plays, the defense could help carry the team deep into the playoffs.

While Sutton was suspended in 2024, undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. has filled his role in the slot. Bishop has made some key plays already, with three interceptions, including two against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. Tomlin also mentioned that both Sutton and Bishop could end up on the field at the same time.

Steelers’ Unexpected Struggles on Defense

While the Steelers have excelled in stopping the run, limiting points, and ranking 11th in third down percentage, there’s one area where they’ve been surprisingly weak: getting to the quarterback. Despite their strong defense, Pittsburgh has only recorded 19 sacks, which is the 10th fewest in the league.

The Steelers led the NFL in sacks for five straight seasons from 2017 to 2021, but that changed after TJ Watt suffered a pectoral injury in 2022. Since then, the team hasn’t been able to generate as many sacks, even though it feels like the defense is always getting pressure on the quarterback.

The drop in sacks could also be because teams are getting the ball out faster to avoid Pittsburgh’s strong pass rush. With a group of talented pass rushers like Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and now Preston Smith, opponents are likely trying to make quicker throws to minimize the damage from Pittsburgh’s defense.

The Jaguars are getting some help this week. With a 2-7 record and sitting at the bottom of the AFC South, making a playoff push in 2024 seems unlikely.

However, with injuries affecting the team, Jacksonville will take all the reinforcements they can get. This week, safety Andrew Wingard and return specialist Devin Duvernay will be activated from injured reserve to provide a boost.

The team knew Wingard would be out for a while after he hurt his knee during training camp. At that time, the Jaguars were deciding between Antonio Johnson and Terrell Edmunds for the starting safety position next to Andre Cisco.

Edmunds ended up on the practice squad and was later re-signed by the Steelers, his former team. Johnson and Darnell Savage have since stepped in to fill the starting safety spot.

Wingard isn’t a full-time starter, but he has started 26 games in his five years with the Jaguars, including 15 games in 2021. While he’s not expected to change the game on his own, his return gives the defense some much-needed depth.

The Jaguars’ defense has struggled, ranking 29th in points allowed, 30th in yards allowed, and 31st in passing yards allowed, so any extra help is important.

Duvernay’s role is focused entirely on special teams. Although he contributed as a receiver in Baltimore, he has had limited involvement in the Jaguars’ offense in his first year with the team. Despite missing the last four games, Duvernay still leads the team in combined kickoff and punt returns, with 12 total returns.

While Duvernay has been out, the Jaguars may have found someone who can take on the return duties. Parker Washington, a sixth-round pick from last year, has impressed in the return game. He had a 96-yard punt return for a touchdown, which boosted his yardage and average per return above Duvernay’s numbers.

On kick returns, both Washington and running back Tank Bigsby are averaging more yards per return than Duvernay, though Bigsby might not be an option if Travis Etienne’s recent injuries keep him from playing.

The Jaguars have a lot of work ahead if they want to make a comeback this season. With injuries still a concern, having players return to health and add depth will be crucial for the team moving forward.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence might miss his team’s Week 10 game against the Vikings on Sunday. Ian Rapoport from NFL.com has confirmed that Lawrence will be out for the Minnesota game, and there’s a chance that the former No. 1 overall pick could be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Rapoport explains that Lawrence is dealing with a serious AC joint sprain in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. This injury can make it hard to throw or even perform basic tasks. The current plan is for Lawrence to rest and work on recovery, but surgery is also a possibility.

If surgery becomes necessary, Lawrence would likely miss the rest of the 2024 season. Dianna Russini from The Athletic reports that the 25-year-old quarterback is still looking at his options, including the possibility of ending his season early.

If Lawrence is unable to play again in 2024, it might not significantly affect Jacksonville’s short-term goals. The team’s 2-7 record means their chances of making the playoffs are very slim, so the Jaguars will likely be careful with their star quarterback, especially since he signed a five-year, $275 million extension in June.

However, if the losses continue to stack up, it increases the chances that head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke could lose their jobs.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan expressed his support for both men last month, but he also described this year’s roster as the best in the franchise’s history. Given the team’s struggles even with Lawrence on the field, it wouldn’t be surprising if Khan decided to make big changes within the organization.

With Lawrence out, Mac Jones will take over at quarterback. Jones, who was traded to the Jaguars this offseason, was originally drafted by the Patriots in the first round. He finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2021, but his second season in New England was hurt by coaching issues and changes to the team’s offense.

After the Patriots used their No. 3 overall pick this year and brought in a new coach and quarterback, Jones was traded to Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

Now 26 years old, Jones had to compete with C.J. Beathard for the backup quarterback spot during training camp (Beathard has since returned to the team after Jacksonville signed him from the Dolphins’ practice squad due to Lawrence’s injury).

Jones has only thrown nine passes this season, but with his contract up at the end of the year, he has a chance to make a strong case for a starting job somewhere in 2025.

The Miami Dolphins have had a tough time in 2024, and things aren’t looking better after a concerning injury update for wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

According to ESPN Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques, head coach Mike McDaniel shared that Hill (wrist) would only play in the “Monday Night Football” game against the Rams “if his body lets him.”

Hill’s wrist injury was described as “heating up,” and the team wanted to give it some time to “cool down,” Louis-Jacques reported.

Hill, who has the most receiving yards in the league since being traded to the Dolphins in 2022 with 3,955 yards, showed up on the injury report after missing Friday’s practice.

The Dolphins are lucky they play on Monday, which gives Hill an extra day to recover. If Hill doesn’t play, it would add to what has already been a tough season for Miami.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed four games after suffering a concussion in Week 2.

Miami (2-6) is currently 31st in scoring with only 15.5 points per game, a major drop from last season when they were second in scoring with 29.2 points per game. While the offense has improved since Tagovailoa returned in Week 8 against the Cardinals, the Dolphins lost both games by just four points, with a combined score of 58-54.

The Dolphins entered the season with high hopes, being one of the 10 teams predicted to win 10 or more games and ranking 12th in preseason Super Bowl odds at +2500.

Instead of being a Super Bowl contender, Miami is now 4.5 games behind the Bills (7-2) for first place in the AFC East and ranked 12th in the conference.

The situation could get worse if Hill isn’t able to play against the Rams (4-4).

Given how disappointing the season has been for the Dolphins so far, this latest setback might not be a huge surprise to them.

San Francisco 49ers fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The team announced on Saturday that star running back Christian McCaffrey has been activated from injured reserve and will play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

McCaffrey has missed all eight games this season due to tendinitis in both his Achilles.

The 49ers are currently 4-4 and sit third in the NFC West, which is a big drop from where they were with McCaffrey in the lineup in previous seasons.

The 2023 league Offensive Player of the Year hasn’t played since Super Bowl LVIII, but he may not play a huge role right away.

“We’ll see how it goes with Christian,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. “You don’t just sit there and split everything up just to do it. You keep the people out there who give you the best chance to win on each play.”

It seems McCaffrey will be eased back into the game rather than handling a full workload right away. Still, he feels confident in his health.

“I feel good now. I wouldn’t be out here if it was still bothering me. I feel great,” McCaffrey said on Friday.

In McCaffrey’s absence, backup running backs Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo have done well, combining for 912 yards and four touchdowns.

“It was amazing to see what those guys have done,” McCaffrey said. “[It’s] no shock … those guys did a hell of a job.”

Based on Shanahan’s comments, it seems all three rushers will be involved in the game plan, but McCaffrey is expected to take the majority of the carries.

Can backup quarterback Cooper Rush help save the Dallas Cowboys’ season?

The Cowboys are struggling after starting the season 3-5. Things got worse when executive vice president Stephen Jones mentioned in a Thursday interview with KTFM in San Antonio that starting QB Dak Prescott, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, might need surgery and could be placed on injured reserve.

In 2022, Rush stepped in for Prescott when he broke his thumb. Rush went 4-1 as a starter, and the Cowboys finished the season with a 12-5 record. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb believes Rush can step up again.

“We know what Coop can do,” Lamb said Thursday, according to Ed Werder of WFAA-TV in Dallas. “The confidence is still there. Just stand in there and deliver.”

Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons also supports Rush.

“I still believe we can make a run,” Parsons said on Wednesday. “I’ve seen what Cooper Rush can do. That’s a good boy right there. Cooper Rush has a lot of talent. He won games for us by just doing the basics, just playing good football. So it’s not like he can’t do it.”

However, Rush took over a much stronger Cowboys team in 2022. That year, Dallas ranked fourth in the league in points scored (27.5 per game) and tied for fifth in points allowed (20.1 per game). This season, the Cowboys are ranked 20th in points scored (21.4 per game) and second to last in points allowed (28.1 per game).

Dallas is about to face some of its toughest opponents. The Cowboys will host the Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) in Week 10 and the Houston Texans (6-3) in Week 11. They then have a road game against the Washington Commanders (7-2) in Week 12.

While Rush has shown he can be a reliable backup, it’s unlikely he will lead an unexpected turnaround. As of Thursday, ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Cowboys only a 3.6 percent chance of making the playoffs.

The Dallas Cowboys received more bad news recently about their starting quarterback, Dak Prescott.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that Prescott, who was the 2023 NFL MVP runner-up, is planning to have surgery for his partially torn hamstring, which will end his season.

Prescott seemed to injure his hamstring awkwardly during a throw in the Cowboys’ 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9.

Schefter mentioned that Prescott and the team are waiting for the opinion of another specialist, but the Cowboys’ medical staff expect that surgery will be necessary.

If surgery does happen, Prescott will be out for at least four months.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on Friday that Prescott “doesn’t want surgery” but admitted “there’s no question the injury is there.”

Jones added, “He wants to be on the field and go for it. He’s weighing that, and we’re weighing that. And we’ll just see how it goes here.”

It seems that a decision has been mostly made in the 24 hours since Jones’ comments.

With Prescott out, the Cowboys (3-5) will rely on backup quarterback Cooper Rush in Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Under Prescott, Dallas has a 9-8 record without him, but they’ve done much better with Rush, holding a 5-1 record when he starts. However, they’ve only won one of three games against Philadelphia without Prescott.