By Zachary McMahon-
Falcons vs. Giants: The Atlanta Falcons hosted the New York Giants in Michael Penix Jr.’s first career start for the Falcons. The Falcons had two interception returns for a touchdown, by former Pats defensive end Matthew Judon and Jessie Bates III. This was the first time that the Falcons had returned two picks for touchdowns since 1983 when Kenny Johnson did it by himself in a 47-41 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 27, 1983. Giants QB Drew Lock is the first Giants QB to have multiple picks returned for a touchdown since Eli Manning in 2007. Bijan Robinson had two rushing touchdowns to make it 10 for the season, which he’s the first Atlanta back to have 10 or more rushing touchdowns in a season since Devonta Freeman in the 2016 Super Bowl season.
Jets vs. Rams: The Jets opened up with a 99-yard drive which ended in a score to Davante Adams, in which it’s their first 99-yard drive since 2016, when they did the same against the Los Angeles Rams at Metlife, and their second time opening up with a 99-yard drive, as they had one in 1980 against the Miami Dolphins. Kyren Williams tied the game at six with a rushing touchdown on the goal line, with a missed PAT by Joshua Karty, and then Anders Carlson kicked a chip shot field goal, as the Jets had the lead entering halftime. The Jets did not score in the second half as Tyler Higbee had a touchdown reception from Matthew Stafford. The Jets blew their chances at a comeback as Carlson missed a field goal with 1:57 remaining, and Xavier Gipson muffing a punt and being recovered by Jordan Whittington. The Rams won 19-9 over the Jets and are leading the NFC West as they try to clinch the division away from the Seattle Seahawks.
Pats vs. Bills: The Patriots had multiple miscues throughout the game, including a crucial turnover, as Drake Maye threw a screen pass to Rhamondre Stevenson, but since it was a backward pass, it became a live ball and Taron Johnson recovered the ball in the end zone. In the Pats’ final offensive drive, where they had seven plays inside the 10-yard line, guided by a pass interference call on Kaiir Elam. Gibson was stopped on the goaline, and Maye lost yardage after fumbling on the drop back. Maye came back and threw to Hunter Henry for a nine-yard touchdown toss. The Bills recovered the onside kick, and the Bills close out the game with a 24-21 victory, as they race with the Kansas City Chiefs for the no. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs.
Commanders vs. Eagles: Jayden Daniels threw five touchdowns for the Washington Commanders including the game-winner to Jamison Crowder with six seconds left in the game. Jalen Hurts got injured with a concussion, and Kenny Pickett played the rest of the game for the Eagles where he had a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown in the first quarter. Daniels is the first Washington QB to pass for five touchdowns since the Super Bowl winning season of 1991 when Mark Rypien threw for six touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons. Daniels is the sixth Washington QB to throw for five or more touchdowns in a game, with legend Sammy Baugh being the only QB with multiple games for Washington with five or more touchdowns. Daniels is the first rookie and second player to have at least 250 passing yards, 75 rushing yards, and five touchdown passes in a game, joining Cam Newton, who did it on Dec. 20, 2015 against the Giants. The Commanders improved to 10-5 this season, which ties the most wins in a season since 1992, in which they have done it for the fourth time, with the last being Robert Griffin III’s rookie season in 2012.
Panthers vs. Cardinals: The Carolina Panthers hosted the Arizona Cardinals as the Cardinals are fighting for a playoff spot in the NFC Wild Card. Chuba Hubbard had two rushing touchdowns for the Panthers, including the game-winning touchdown for the Panthers in overtime. That was Hubbard’s second multi-touchdown game this season and the third of his career. He passed Stephen Davis for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns in Panthers history. Eddy Pineiro passed Mushin Muhammad for seventh-most points scored in Panthers history with a PAT after Hubbard’s first touchdown in the first touchdown, he has 308 points in his career.
Raiders vs. Jaguars: Aiden O’Connell and the Las Vegas Raiders ended their 10-game losing streak as they won 19-14 over the Jaguars. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had 11 catches for 99 yards. That leaves him 10 yards away from breaking Mike Ditka’s record of 1,076 yards in 1961. Bowers is one of three tight ends to have 1,000 receiving yards, joining Ditka and Kyle Pitts in 2021. Mac Jones had a 64-yard strike to Brian Thomas Jr. for a touchdown, which was one of his nine catches, which passed Justin Blackmon’s rookie record of 64 receptions in 2012. Isaiah Pola-Mao forces two fumbles, which made him the first Raider defensive back to create more than one fumble in the same game since Charles Woodson in 1999. This is the first game that the Raiders did not trail in double digits this season, which was the longest streak since a 16-game streak from the Indianapolis Colts in 1986. The 10-game losing streak was the longest since their 16-game losing streak from 2013-14.
Dolphins vs. 49ers: The Dolphins kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-17 victory over the 49ers, who are eliminated from the playoffs, who was the second Super Bowl participant in the last three seasons to not participate in the playoffs the following season (2022 Los Angeles Rams). Tua Tagovailoa passed for 215 yards with one touchdown pass, and Jason Sanders kicked five field goals, and Kader Kohou intercepted Brock Purdy to make it 7-8 on the season.
Cowboys vs. Buccaneers: The Bucs will need more help in the playoff picture as they lost 26-24 over the Dallas Cowboys after Da’Ron Bland ripped the ball out of Rachaad White to seal the victory for Dallas. Brandon Aubrey kicked two 58-yard field goals, and made another from 53, as he has made 14 50+ yard field goals, which is the NFL record for most in a season.
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