The calendar has officially flipped to November and the week that was in the NFL was complete with some tricks and also some treats. As the season nears its halfway point, every game becomes more critical. Divisional matchups either distance one team from another or close the gap between them. Teams that have struggled are running out of time to get things right and make that push for the postseason.
Cowardly Lions
The Winless Detroit Lions hosted the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Eagles have been one of the toughest teams to figure out week to week, which led to many believing this was a winnable game for Dan Campbell‘s team, who have been so close to getting their elusive first win of the season on a few occasions. That disappeared early, as the Eagles led 38-0 after three quarters and went on to win 44-6.
The King is Human, After All
The Tennessee Titans defeated their division rivals the Indianapolis Colts in overtime to further distance themselves in the AFC South. They now lead it by three games and have swept the season series with the Colts. The victory celebration was short-lived as MRI results on Monday revealed that reigning two-time NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry fractured a bone in his foot, will undergo surgery to repair. He will be out for six to ten weeks.
The Titans on Monday signed free agent running back, future Hall of Famer, Adrian Peterson to help fill the void. With the trade deadline set for Tuesday, general manager Jon Robinson will likely make a few calls in regards to acquiring another running back from around the league, who may or may not be on his current team’s trading block.
Mr. White
The New York Jets played another top team in the AFC, the Cincinnati Bengals. In their first of an expected handful of games without their starting quarterback and former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson. They turned their offense over to Mike White. White in his first NFL start, threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns. He also took a turn as a receiver, catching a pass on a successful two-point conversion in the Jets’ upset win.
Another Kupp of Coffee
The Los Angeles Rams offense once again was led by receiver Cooper Kupp. Kupp tallied 115 yards receiving on seven catches and scored a touchdown. Quarterback Matthew Stafford posted another 300-yard, three-touchdown performance, in the win against the Houston Texans. The Winless Texans made the score a little more respectable with 22 fourth-quarter points, albeit they still lost by two scores.
MVP Form
Thursday night’s potential game of the season was a matchup between the undefeated Arizona Cardinals and the 6-1 Green Bay Packers. The cards were stacked against reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers. Receiver Davante Adams and Allen Lazard were out because of Covid protocols. Tight end Robert Tonyan tore his ACL in the game as well. A late-game interception sealed the victory for the Packers.
Ill-Advised Trick
The Pittsburgh Steelers ran a fake field goal attempt. On the rollout for a pass attempt, kicker Chris Boswell was hit getting to the sidelines. Boswell was concussed on the hit and missed the second half. Mike Tomlin’s team overcame having no kicker in the second half and edged out a 15-10 victory over their division rivals the Cleveland Browns.
Magic on the Onside
In the Seattle Seahawks 31-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, everything went the Seahawks way. In a play right out of a Madden video game, on a late-game onside kick attempt, the ball was picked up by the Seahawks’ Travis Homer. Homer took it 44 yards to the end zone. The win by the Seahawks was a much-needed one, as they try and stay in the playoff hunt.
#Seahawks RB Travis Homer just returned an onside kick for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/3Bm9OlRwSX
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 31, 2021
Who’s That Guy
In the Carolina Panthers win over their division mates, the Atlanta Falcons. The back and forth matchup was decided on a late-game interception, as the Falcons were vying to take the lead. The late-game turnover landed in the hands of cornerback Stephon Gilmore who made his first start of the season and his first for the Panthers who acquired him from the New England Patriots.
Halloween Magic
In addition to the performance by Mike White for the Jets, he wasn’t the only player to have a magical day. After starter Jameis Winston went down with an injury, backup Trevor Siemian led the New OrleansSaints to the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not to be outdone, Dallas Cowboys backup Cooper Rush threw for 335 yards and a pair of touchdowns, in Sunday night’s win over the Minnesota Vikings, after Dak Prescott was a pregame scratch.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
