Packers pull one out in classic Rodgers style
While reaction to President Trump’s statements about NFL players dominated conversation around the league Sunday, there was rather compelling football being played on the field. Here are takeaways from the better games.
Green Bay Packers 27, Cin
cinnati Bengals 24: The good news is the Bengals finally reached the end zone for the first time this season. (Who would have thought throwing to A.J. Green would work?) The bad news? Aaron Rodgers led a tying touchdown drive at the end of the fourth quarter and, in classic Rodgers style, took advantage of a free play in overtime to hit a 72-yard pass to set up the winning field goal. Tennessee Titans 33, Seattle Seahawks 27: It’s time to sound the annual alarm after another slow start for the Seahawks, who allowed the Titans to rush for 195 yards. Seattle QB Russell Wilson had his best statistical performance this year (four TD throws, 373 passing yards) but got little support from his own run game. Chicago Bears 23, Pitts
burgh Steelers 17: The Bears had a huge day on the ground. The duo of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen rushed for 216 yards, including Howard’s 19yard winning touchdown in overtime.
Buffalo Bills 26, Denver
Broncos 16: Buffalo’s defense picked off Trevor Siemian twice while sending Denver to its first loss of the season. A late unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on linebacker Von Miller against Bills QB Tyrod Taylor (two TD passes) will draw plenty of questions to the league office. New England Patriots 36,
Houston Texans 33: Surely there are no moral victories in the NFL, but the Texans have to be pleased with rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson, who nearly orchestrated a massive upset with 301 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots escaped thanks to Tom Brady’s 25-yard touchdown throw to Brandin Cooks with 23 sec-
onds remaining, but New England’s issues were not obscured by this sloppy performance. Atlanta Falcons 30, Detroit
Lions 26: Officials overturned what appeared to be a gamewinning touchdown by Detroit’s Golden Tate and let the final 8 seconds of the clock expire as part of a mandated run-off. They got the play call right, but it still
has to feel like a complete gut punch for a Lions team that was inches away from a 3-0 start. Minnesota Vikings 34, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17:
The most stunning offensive performance of the day came from Case Keenum, the Vikings’ backup quarterback, who threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns.