Steelers 23, Bengals 20 (additional time): This was a story of two Steelers models. On protection, Pittsburgh seemed as suffocating because it ever has within the Mike Tomlin period. On the opposite facet of the ball, the offense utterly ran out of steam after discovering some success with screens, flea sparkles, and different low-cost nonsense regardless of being gifted the ball time and time once more. Joe Burrow’s late-game magic fell in need of 2021’s normal by way of no fault of his personal as kicker Evan McPherson whiffed a possible game-winner in additional time.
Eagles 38, Lions 35: It took the Lions a very long time to make this a sport. Quarterback Jared Goff was 3-for-10 with 6 yards passing and a pick-6 early, however received a lift within the second half from D’Andre Swift, who ripped off quite a lot of chunk good points to maintain the offense forward of the sticks. It wasn’t sufficient, although, because the Eagles rode A.J. Brown’s 155 receiving yards to a win.
Dolphins 20, Patriots 7: Each offenses got here into this sport with questions on their new schemes and younger quarterbacks. Solely the Dolphins left it feeling optimistic about their makeover. Even with a ineffective Miami operating sport, Tua Tagovailoa rattled off 23-of-33 passing for 270 yards, a landing, and no picks, discovering Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for 163 of these yards. New England’s Mac Jones wasn’t so lucky as he was continuously beneath siege, making it tough to do something however get the ball out shortly to the flat or throw up hope-and-a-prayer go balls.
Ravens 24, Jets 9: The Jets determined that making backup quarterback Joe Flacco throw 59 passes was the best way to win a sport. Within the yr two thousand twenty two. In opposition to Lamar Jackson. The Ravens quarterback discovered his stride on vertical passes, connecting with Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay for touchdowns of greater than 25 yards. Jackson’s contract marketing campaign is off to a superb begin.
Commanders 28, Jaguars 22: Carson Wentz had a particularly Carson Wentz sport, tossing 4 touchdowns (a few which required wonderful contact) and showing to attempt to throw the sport away within the second half. His two interceptions led to 10 Jaguars factors and jolted Trevor Lawrence again to life. Ultimately, Wentz led Washington on a 13-play landing drive to place this one away.
Browns 26, Panthers 24: Baker Mayfield led a valiant 17-point fourth quarter, however the shock was how a lot the Carolina offense struggled to run in opposition to Cleveland’s unproven inside defensive position. Christian McCaffrey earned simply 33 yards on 10 carries and watched because the Browns’ Nick Chubb trucked alongside by way of the Panthers entrance for 141 yards on 22 carries. With the group enjoying behind backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, Chubb’s output gave the Browns’ offense simply sufficient stability for a win.
Colts 20, Texans 20 (additional time): It took the Colts’ protection three quarters to cease Davis Mills from placing up M.V.P. numbers. For portion of the sport, Mills had over eight yards per try, recurrently discovering his tight ends down the seams for explosive performs. Jonathan Taylor wore down the Texans protection, plowing by way of for 161 yards and a rating on 31 carries, however Indianapolis nonetheless left with a tie due to a 42-yard missed area purpose try from the goggle-god, Rodrigo Blankenship, with two minutes remaining in additional time.