Buccaneers surprised by Washington
Tom Brady threw two interceptions in the first quarter as part of an implosion by the reigning Super Bowl champions, contributing to Washington upsetting the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29-19 on Sunday.
Tampa Bay (6-3) was dealt an extra blow in the last minute when nose tackle Vita Vea was carted off with an injury on the final play of a 19play, 80-yard drive over 10:26 that sealed the win for Washington (3-6).
Brady threw two picks just like the loss to New Orleans two weeks ago and finished 23 of 34 for 220 yards and two touchdowns.
Brady bounced back in the second half, throwing TD passes to Cameron Brate and Mike Evans. The 40-yard connection with Evans cut the Buccaneers’ deficit to 23-19.
That’s where the comeback bid faltered, when Tampa Bay’s defense could not stop Washington’s offense on the final, clock-draining drive, which was capped by Antonio Gibson’s second TD run of the game. LIONS 16, STEELERS 16, OT >> Playing without star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who entered the COVID-19 protocol Saturday, Pittsburgh slogged its way to a tie with Detroit.
Mason Rudolph completed 30 of 50 passes for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but struggled with consistency while making a spot start. Najee Harris ran for 105 yards as the Steelers (5-3-1) saw their four-game winning streak halted in the dank mist at rainy Heinz Field.
De’Andre Swift ran for a careerhigh 130 yards for the Lions (0-8-1), who relied heavily on the run to avoid a ninth straight loss.
PANTHERS 34, CARDINALS 10 >> Cam Newton provided a flashback to his Superman days in his second debut with the Panthers, throwing for one touchdown, running for another and sparking Carolina to a win at Arizona.
Newton — the 2015 NFL MVP who was signed by the quarterback-thin Panthers earlier in the week — made his presence felt on his first play of the game, entering on third down and screaming “I’m back!” after barreling into the right corner of the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown.
On Carolina’s next drive, Newton threw a 2-yard TD pass to Robby Anderson as the Panthers (5-5) built a stunning 17-0 lead in the first quarter and a 23-0 advantage by halftime.
The Cardinals (8-2) once again played without injured quarterback-Kyler Murray.
COWBOYS 43, FALCONS 3 >> Dak Prescott threw two TD passes to CeeDee Lamb and also rushed for a score, Ezekiel Elliott ran for two touchdowns, Nahshon Wright recovered a blocked punt for a score, and Dallas (7-2) routed visiting Atlanta. VIKINGS 27, CHARGERS 20 >> Kirk Cousins threw a pair of touchdown passes to Tyler Conklin, Dalvin Cook rushed for 94 yards and a score, and Minnesota (4-5) beat host Los Angeles (5-4). PATRIOTS 35, BROWNS 7 >> Mac Jones threw three touchdown passes, two to Hunter Henry, rookie Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 100 yards and two scores, and New England (6-4) rolled past Cleveland (5-5).
COLTS 23, JAGUARS 17 >> Jonathan Taylor rushed for 116 yards and a TD and Indianapolis (5-5) handed Jacksonville (2-7) its 12th straight road loss. BILLS 45, JETS 17 >> Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, Buffalo (6-3) ran for four scores and the Bills intercepted Mike White four times in the road win against New York (2-7). EAGLES 30, BRONCOS 13 >> Darius Slay returned a fumble 82 yards for a touchdown and rookie DeVonta Smith hauled in two TD passes from Jalen Hurts as Philadelphia (4-6) beat host Denver (5-5).