The Minnesota Vikings remained on seven straight wins and shared the NFL’s best record with Philadelphia. But Sunday, at home in addition, they exploded against the Dallas Cowboys (40-3). The Texas defense first inflicted seven sacks on Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. And Justin Jefferson, Minnesota’s star receiver, only gained 33 short yards. On offense, Dallas relied on Dak Prescott, his QB, author of 276 yards and two TD’s and Tony Pollard, his runner, who collected 189 yards, on the ground and on reception and scored twice.
Samaje Perine, unknown but decisive
Patrick Mahomes shone again with the Kansas City Chiefs. And Travis Kelce, his faithful sidekick, did the same. The two men combined three touchdown passes and the Missouri franchise won at the Los Angeles Chargers (30-27). It’s the Chiefs’ fourth straight win. It was a thrilling end to the game, with Joshua Palmer scoring for the Californians with less than two minutes left to play. But Kansas City immediately responded with a Mahomes-Kelce connection. And the Chiefs defense then intercepted Justin Herbert, the Chargers’ QB.
Joe Burrow also shone with the Cincinnati Bengals, winners in Pittsburgh (37-30). He threw four passes from TD’s, including three for the unknown Samaje Perine. The latter in fact replaced during the match the runner Joe Mixon, victim of a concussion. Cincinnati was still without Ja’Marr Chase with a hip injury.
The Detroit Lions keep winning. They won at the New York Giants (31-18), chaining a third success in a row. Detroit’s four touchdowns have all been rushed, including three for Jamaal Williams alone. The Lions defense contained Saquon Barkley, the Giants star runner. The latter has gained only 22 yards.
Adams wins Las Vegas
Super Bowl favourites, the Buffalo Bills had however lost their last two games. They responded by beating Cleveland (31-23). The Bills had to wait until the last seconds of the first period to score their first touchdown. They then escaped the score, notably leading 28-10, thanks to a very good ground game. Devin Singletary and James Cook each ran for 86 yards. The Browns reacted late in the game, but too late.
Defeated by Washington last Monday, the Philadelphia Eagles once again became the best team in the NFL, winning in Indianapolis (17-16). They now have nine wins to one loss. Success took shape in the dying minutes, on a touchdown from Jalen Hurts, the quarterback. The Eagles defense then stopped Indianapolis’ last ball possession. The Las Vegas Raiders won in Denver (22-16 ap). They equalized on a field goal 16 seconds from the end of regulation time, before Davante Adams scored the winning TD.
Los Angeles beaten, Stafford injured
Finally the Los Angeles Rams, outgoing champions, continue to suffer. They lost to New Orleans (27-20), recording a fourth consecutive loss. Recovered from a concussion, Matthew Stafford, the quarterback of LA, replayed but was again the victim of trauma and had to be replaced. The Rams were already without Cooper Kupp, their star receiver, injured in an ankle. New Orleans QB Andy Dalton threw three TD passes.
Four teams were off this weekend: Miami, Jacksonville, Seattle and Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 11th day will end on Monday with the trip from Arizona to San Francisco.
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