TREVOR LAWRENCE’S DRAMATIC LATE TD LIFTS JAGUARS OVER CHIEFS
Trevor Lawrence ran for a 1-yard touchdown with 23 seconds left to give Jacksonville a 31-28 win over the visiting Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, as the Jaguars improved to 4-1 for the first time since 2007.
Lawrence stumbled to the turf after receiving the snap when the right guard stepped on his foot, but he got to his feet before being touched, broke an ankle tackle and reached the end zone. That capped off a seven-play, 60-yard drive after the Chiefs grabbed a 28-24 lead with 1:45 left on a 2-yard Kareem Hunt touchdown run.
The fourth quarter featured three lead changes as the Jaguars defeated the Chiefs (2-3) for the first time since 2009, snapping an eight-game losing streak in the series.
Lawrence completed 18 of 25 passes for 221 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for a team-high 54 yards and his first two rushing touchdowns of the season.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 318 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for a team-high 60 yards and a score while Hunt had a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns and 49 rushing yards.
The Jaguars scored 21 consecutive points after falling behind 14-0. Devin Lloyd gave Jacksonville its first lead of the game with 2:19 left in the third quarter when he intercepted a Mahomes pass and returned it 99 yards for a TD, the longest interception return in franchise history.
Brian Thomas Jr. led Jacksonville with four receptions for 80 yards, and Travis Hunter had three catches for 64 yards.
Tyquan Thornton led the Chiefs with 90 receiving yards on three catches. Travis Kelce had a game-high seven receptions for 61 yards and a TD.
Kansas City opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Kelce for the Chiefs’ first first-quarter touchdown of the season.
The Jaguars nearly tied it up on the ensuing possession, but Lawrence had the ball knocked out of his hands by Nick Bolton while trying to reach across the goal line on fourth-and-1. George Karlaftis recovered the fumble.
Mahomes extended the lead to 14-0 on a 9-yard run with 10:44 left in the half.
Jacksonville finished its response the next time, capping off a 13-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence to Parker Washington late in the second quarter.
The Jaguars tied it at 14 early in the third quarter on a 10-yard Lawrence TD run to finish an 87-yard drive.
After the pick-six, Kansas City responded with an interception of Lawrence that set the offense up at the Jaguars 19. Two plays later, Hunt tied it up again with a 5-yard run with 12:20 left.
Jacksonville reclaimed the lead on the ensuing drive with a 52-yard field goal from Cam Little that made it 24-21 with 8:08 left.
FORMER NFL QUARTERBACK MARK SANCHEZ IS NOW FACING A FELONY CHARGE IN INDIANAPOLIS ALTERCATION
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez is now facing a felony charge of battery involving serious bodily injury in addition to the misdemeanor charges stemming from a weekend incident in Indianapolis that led to his arrest.
Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears made the announcement about the new charge, which carries a potential sentence of one to six years in prison, during a news conference Monday with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey. Mears said the investigation is ongoing.
“One of the challenges you have in a case like this is that you are dealing with individuals who are receiving medical care and that’s, obviously, the most important thing, that individuals are treated appropriately,” Mears said. “But once we were provided with additional information about the victim’s current medical condition, it became clear to us that additional charges needed to be filed.”
Sanchez had been scheduled for a court hearing Tuesday on the original charges but that was rescheduled to Nov. 4. Sanchez remains hospitalized and was listed in stable condition Monday morning.
One of Sanchez’s attorneys, James Voyles, declined to comment on the case.
The Fox Sports analyst was pepper-sprayed and stabbed multiple times during a late-night altercation in a downtown Indianapolis alley over the weekend, which resulted in criminal charges against him, according to court records filed Sunday.
A police affidavit alleges that Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted a 69-year-old truck driver who backed into a hotel’s loading docks, leading to a confrontation outside the vehicle that prompted the driver to pull out a knife to defend himself.
Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, the affidavit signed by a police detective said. The truck driver, identified as P.T., had a cut to his left cheek, it said.
Mears said his office received an amended probable cause affidavit Monday, which led to the additional charge because the truck driver suffered serious injuries.
Mears said police are still gathering information and have several outstanding warrants.
“The chief and his team continue to work on this matter, continue to track down additional details for us and really supplement that probable cause affidavit,” Mears said. “I cannot say enough good things about the work that took place at IMPD. There’s a ton of information to sift through and gather.”
MARK SANCHEZ, FOX SUED OVER INCIDENT WITH TRUCK DRIVER
A 69-year-old truck driver has filed a civil lawsuit against Mark Sanchez and the Fox Corporation in Indiana state court, alleging the former NFL quarterback, now a Fox Sports analyst, assaulted him during a downtown Indianapolis altercation last weekend.
Prosecutors upgraded the charges in Sanchez’s criminal case earlier Monday, adding a felony count of battery resulting in serious bodily injury to three prior misdemeanors.
The plaintiff, identified in filings as Perry Tole, accuses Sanchez of assault and battery and asserts Fox is liable for negligent hiring, retention and supervision. The complaint says Fox “knew or should have known about Defendant, Sanchez’s unfitness as an employee, propensity for drinking and/or harmful conduct,” and seeks compensatory and punitive damages, legal fees and other relief.
According to the suit and police affidavits, the confrontation unfolded around 12:30 a.m. Saturday in an alley between the Westin and Marriott hotels. Tole was parked to service restaurant grease collection when Sanchez, described as appearing intoxicated, approached, told Tole he could not be there, attempted to enter the vehicle and prevented him from using his phone.
The filing says the exchange escalated physically with Tole using pepper spray, but the struggle continued. Responding officers found Tole bleeding from the head and face, including a deep laceration through his left cheek, documented in hospital photographs.
Sanchez was stabbed during the incident and transported to nearby Eskenazi Hospital, where he was placed under arrest on misdemeanor charges of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication. Prosecutor Ryan Mears later added the Level 5 felony, which carries a potential one- to six-year sentence upon conviction.
Investigators cited multiple surveillance angles from the area and civilian witnesses with the truck driver telling police he stabbed Sanchez in self-defense.
Sanchez intends to plead not guilty, according to court records. He is represented by Indianapolis attorney James Voyles, with a pretrial hearing set for Nov. 4.
Fox did not issue a statement regarding Sanchez’s status. On Sunday’s pregame show, host Curt Menefee said the network was “still trying to wrap our heads around” the incident. Sanchez had been in Indianapolis for the Raiders-Colts broadcast assignment.
HAVING JAYDEN DANIELS BACK CHANGES EVERYTHING FOR THE WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jayden Daniels plopped his helmet on the sideline and turned to see general manager Adam Peters in a blazer. They slapped palms and hugged, both with big smiles. Yes, Daniels was back in action for the Washington Commanders — and back in a big way.
The exchange between the star QB and the guy who selected him second in last year’s NFL draft came after Daniels connected with Deebo Samuel on a fourth-down touchdown pass with a little more than a minute left Sunday, capping a 99-yard drive and a 27-10 victory at the Los Angeles Chargers and their seemingly elite defense.
The win was Washington’s first on the road this season, put the club back above .500 at 3-2 and made clear, yet again, that a healthy Daniels changes everything for coach Dan Quinn’s club.
“He just has an X factor about him on the third and fourth downs,” Quinn said. “He can go create and make some plays.”
Daniels went 15 of 26 for 231 yards and the scoring toss to Samuel. The reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year also ran eight times for 39 yards, including a designed run on the game’s second play, perhaps to show everyone — including Daniels himself — that the injured left knee that held him out for the previous two games, and was protected Sunday by a bulky brace, was just fine.
Asked afterward how he felt in his first action in 3 1/2 weeks, Daniels replied: “I mean, y’all tell me how the knee looked.”
Daniels and the Commanders face Caleb Williams and the visiting Chicago Bears next.
What’s working
The running game — specifically rookie back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt. Croskey-Merritt had a breakout performance, gaining 111 yards on 14 carries — a 7.9-yard average — and scoring twice. The one negative: He lost a fumble. “I showed,” Croskey-Merritt said, “I can just make plays when my name is called.” He got a chance to shine as the featured back after Washington rotated runners ever since Austin Ekeler was lost for the season. The Commanders lead the NFL with 156.4 yards rushing per game; the Bears’ defense allows 164.5 yards per game on the ground, 31st of 32 clubs.
What needs help
Starts on the road. For the third time in three away games, Washington fell behind. On Sunday, it trailed 10-0 in the first quarter — just like it did last week at Atlanta in a loss. And in Week 2, the Commanders fell behind 14-0 at Green Bay in a loss. At least this time, Quinn’s team recovered, scoring the game’s last 27 points.
Stock up
The defense. The Commanders turned in their most complete defensive performance of 2025 against Justin Herbert, sacking him five times, limiting him to 166 yards passing and shutting out the Chargers over the last three quarters. Sure, it helped that LA’s offensive line was depleted. The entire complexion of the game switched when Washington’s Quan Martin stripped Quentin Johnson in the second quarter, and Marshon Lattimore recovered the fumble. The hosts led 10-0 then; Washington turned the turnover into a TD and was on its way. “It gave us a breath of fresh air,” cornerback Mike Sainristil said. “From that point forward, we were where we needed to be all the time.”
Stock down
Chris Moore. The 10th-year receiver had one pass sent his way Sunday … and it went right through his hands in the end zone. Moore was targeted three times in Washington’s previous game — and had zero catches that day, too.
Injuries
Washington came out of a game this season without any significant new injuries, for a change, although WR Terry McLaurin sat out for the second consecutive week with a bad quadriceps muscle. Another starting receiver, Noah Brown, missed his third consecutive game with groin and knee issues.
Key stat
3 — Turnovers forced by Washington’s defense the past two games after collecting zero in the season’s first three games. Sainristil has two of the three, with an interception of Herbert at the goal line in the fourth quarter on Sunday following his pick of Michael Penix Jr. a week earlier in Atlanta.
Next steps
Hosting first-year head coach Ben Johnson and the Bears (2-2), who are coming off their bye following two wins in a row, next week means revisiting one of the signature plays of Daniels’ rookie season: The 52-yard Hail Mary TD throw to Brown to end Washington’s 18-15 victory on Oct. 27, 2024.
SAQUON BARKLEY STRUGGLES TO DUPLICATE HIS 2,000-YARD RUSHING SEASON FOR DEFENDING CHAMPION EAGLES
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Maybe Saquon Barkley should fire off a cryptic social media post in the next day or two if he wants to carry the ball more than six times.
What else would it take for the Philadelphia Eagles to remember they have a 2,000-yard rusher and the 2024 AP Offensive Player of the Year in the backfield?
Forget chasing history as the first running back to get consecutive 2,000-yard rushing seasons. Barkley might not even crack 1,000 yards at his paltry rate through five games for the Eagles (4-1). Barkley rushed for only 30 yards — he got 17 of them on one carry in his longest run of the season — in Sunday’s 21-17 loss to Denver and has only 267 yards total on the season.
For a quick refresher on just how dominant Barkley was last season, he ran for a franchise-record 255 yards and 205 yards in two games against the Rams.
Barkley returns to his first NFL home to play the New York Giants on Thursday night looking for any kind of spark to get his season going. Of course, he’s not the one calling the plays; that falls on first-year offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo (with game-planning input from coach Nick Sirianni) and he’s the one who decided to give Barkley a season-low six carries.
The Eagles tried to placate their receivers after Brown caused a minor stir last week with a post that seemed to indicate he was unhappy with his role. Brown later clarified his post was much ado about nothing, though it’s clear the Eagles listened. DeVonta Smith had his first 100-yard receiving game of the season and Brown was targeted eight times (with five catches).
Barkley actually topped Brown in receiving yards 58-43 thanks to a 47-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter that stretched the Eagles’ lead to 17-3.
Denver scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns as part of a comeback that saw the Eagles get shut out in the final frame.
“You always want to come out of that game with Saquon getting enough touches for the type of player he is,” Sirianni said. “We’ll look for solutions. We’re on a short week trying to get better to put ourselves in position to go play against another NFC opponent.”
Barkley — who in March signed a two-year contract extension with $36 million guaranteed — took the high road when pressed on his light workload.
“I’m not really going to get too caught up in that,” Barkley said. “At the end of the day, whether we ran the ball enough or not, we had an opportunity to win a football game. We didn’t.”
Barkley ran for 176 yards in his only game against the Giants last season and sat out the finale with nothing at stake for the Eagles except his shot at topping Eric Dickerson for the NFL season rushing record. Barkley’s postseason run did help him set the NFL total season rushing record with 2,504 yards. He ran for a modest 57 yards against Kansas City in the Super Bowl.
Who knew that number would be considered a breakout performance this season?
What’s working
Smith and Brown each flashed reminders of their value to the offense.
What needs help
Cleaning up penalties. The Broncos caught a huge break in their rally when the Eagles had a late fourth-down pass conversion called back on an illegal shift penalty whistled against Barkley. The Eagles were instead forced to punt.
“Saquon started the motion before we were set, so that’s on us,” Sirianni said. “We want to get up and get set as quick as we possibly can, so then you can go through all the different things that you need to go through at the line of scrimmage to help you execute the play. That’s something where we can’t make that mistake. That’s a mistake that’ll get you, and it obviously got us.”
Stock up
Smith didn’t raise the fuss that Brown did, but he also was unhappy with his lack of touches this season. He had a season-long 52-yard reception and a season-high 114 yards receiving.
Stock down
Jalen Hurts did throw for 280 yards and two touchdown passses. He also has seven passing TDs this season without an interception. But he took six sacks — and there were dropbacks where he could have thrown the ball away — and passed for only 68 yards on the Eagles’ final five possessions when the defending champions were in dire need of a comeback.
Injuries
The Eagles lost left guard Landon Dickerson to an ankle injury, and there was no immediate update on his availability for Thursday. The three-time Pro Bowl lineman appeared to get hurt when a teammate rolled over his leg on a block.
Dickerson needed meniscus surgery on his right knee during training camp but was still in the lineup on opening night only 22 days after the procedure. He later suffered a back injury.
Brett Toth filled in for Dickerson against the Broncos.
Key stat
Dallas Goedert has a touchdown catch in three straight games for the longest streak by an Eagles tight end since Zach Ertz had one in four straight games in 2017.
Next steps
The Eagles have a short week and a short road trip against the Giants to try to get things right and start playing like defending champions.
DOWDLE’S BIG RUNNING GAME MAY HELP PANTHERS FORGE IDENTITY THEY CAN HANG THEIR HAT ON MOVING FORWARD
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young called Sunday’s 27-24 come-from-behind victory over the Miami Dolphins a huge boost for the Carolina Panthers in terms of finding their identity.
And he may be right.
It wasn’t only that the Panthers proved they could overcome adversity by erasing a 17-point first-half deficit, but also the manner in which they did it.
Carolina (2-3) didn’t panic down 17-0 with 10:48 left in the second quarter, but it instead stuck with the running game and grinded out 237 yards on the ground behind Rico Dowdle to remain unbeaten at home. Despite missing three offensive linemen because of injury, the Panthers wore down the Dolphins in the second half, with Dowdle picking up gains of 53 and 43 yards.
Dowdle’s 206 yards rushing were tied for the second most in franchise history, and more than 200 of them came after Carolina fell behind 17-0 in the second quarter following two Young turnovers.
“It’s huge. When you are able to rush for that amount, be that productive in the run game … that makes your job easier as a quarterback,” Young said. “They have to respect that stuff. It’s something we know we’re capable of. It’s on us to continue to excel there.”
Granted the big outing on the ground came against the league’s 30th-ranked run defense, so it’s important to keep the victory in perspective.
Defensively, the Panthers were able to hold the Dolphins to 19 yards rushing.
There is no denying it was a huge for an organization that has been searching for an identity since well before Young’s arrival as the No. 1 draft pick in 2023. Carolina hasn’t been to the postseason since 2017 and hasn’t won a playoff game since making it to the Super Bowl 10 years ago.
But if the Panthers can play the type of football they did on Sunday, they will at least have a chance to compete in the NFC South.
The next step will be maintaining consistency.
Two weeks ago, the Panthers soundly defeated the Atlanta Falcons at home 30-0, only to go on the road last week and get blown out 42-13 by the New England Patriots.
If the Panthers can get Chuba Hubbard back from a calf injury — he is listed as day to day and will be reevaluated next week — then Carolina could have a solid one-two punch in the backfield. And while the Panthers may not have quite the talent to contend for a Super Bowl, it’s a good start for an organization that has been in dire need of something to hang its hat on.
What’s working
The Panthers are finally getting their tight ends more involved in the offense, if only in the red zone. Mitchell Evans’ go-ahead, 4-yard touchdown catch with 1:59 left in the game was his second score in two weeks. Tight end Tommy Tremble also scored last week. Now the challenge will be for that position group to assert itself outside of the red zone. Tremble and Evans combined Sunday for just two catches for 11 yards.
What needs help
Young has to take better care of the football after he spoiled the team’s first two drives with a fumble and interception in Miami territory. It marked the second time this season Young has turned the ball over on Carolina’s first two possessions. It happened in Week 2 against the Cardinals, a game in which the Panthers also bounced back before their comeback attempt fell short in Arizona.
Stock up
Dowdle exceeded expectations, finishing the game tied for the second-most rushing yards in a game in franchise history. He repeatedly got to the second level of defense and broke tackles by peeling off long runs, showing power and force.
After having to accept a backup role in Carolina after starting last season in Dallas, Dowdle ran like a player with a purpose.
And coach Dave Canales took notice.
“The attitude that he ran with, the violence that he ran with, finishing through arm tackles, it’s something that we’ve been challenging our guys on,” Canales said. “When we get you to the second level, have a plan for how you finish, and I saw a great finish today out of Rico.” Expect the big day to lead to more playing time for Dowdle, even after Hubbard returns to his starting role.
Stock down
Punt returns continue to be an adventure for the Panthers. On Sunday, returner DeeJay Dallas allowed one punt to hit the ground near the Carolina 20 and roll all the way to the 2 before it was downed by the Dolphins.
Injuries
The Panthers’ big numbers on the ground were even more impressive considering three of their offensive linemen are on injured reserve, including guard Robert Hunt. … Carolina emerged from Sunday’s win with no major new injuries.
Key number
3-117 — The Panthers’ record prior to Sunday in games in which they trailed by at least 17 points.
Next steps
The Panthers are back home on Sunday to face the Dallas Cowboys, looking to go 3-0 at Bank of America Stadium.
TURNOVER TROUBLE KEEPS PLAGUING THE GIANTS, WHO NEXT HOST THE EAGLES ON THURSDAY NIGHT
Jaxson Dart showed leadership beyond his two NFL starts when the rookie quarterback took responsibility for the New York Giants’ loss at previously winless New Orleans that dropped them to 1-4.
Dart’s two interceptions and lost fumble played a role, but the turnover trouble went beyond him. Fellow rookie Cam Skattebo and veteran receiver Darius Slayton also put the ball on the ground against the Saints, with those mistakes showing just how thin New York’s margin for error is after losing Malik Nabers to a season-ending knee injury.
“None of us did a good enough job,” coach Brian Daboll said.
Only three teams in the league have more giveaways than the Giants’ eight. And the task gets even tougher on a short week with the defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles in town Thursday night fresh off their first defeat of the season.
Dart, who will be playing his first NFC East game, told teammates in the visiting locker room at the Superdome that he is going to work harder and get better. He is no stranger to a quick turnaround, likening it to the Egg Bowl between Mississippi and Mississippi State in college, but this is an even tighter timeline — with the difficulty level ratcheting up.
“I understand the timing a little,” Dart said. “The good thing for me is that I have guys in the room who have done it for a really long time. I try to make a schedule, and it’s going to be a lighter week on our bodies, but the communication has to be at an all-time high to make sure that everybody is on the same page.”
What’s working
Before halftime, Dart and the offense moved the ball efficiently and effectively, especially involving tight ends. He threw a couple of touchdown passes to Theo Johnson and connected with Daniel Bellinger three times for 40 yards.
Something has to give with Nabers out, and a young QB using tall targets as a safety valve is a good place to start.
“(It) gives the defense something different to look at,” Johnson said of two-tight end sets. “We can run out of it, catch out of it. Me and Bellinger get more action in the passing game. It is tough to defend when you’ve got guys that can do everything at the tight end position.”
What needs help
The pass rush that gave Justin Herbert fits when the Giants beat the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4 did not record a single sack of Spencer Rattler, who entered 0-10 and left with his first professional victory.
“I don’t think we did not dominate,” nose tackle Dexter Lawrence. “They got the ball off quick a lot, most of the time. When they didn’t, that’s when we got pressure. But I wouldn’t say we didn’t dominate up front.”
Lawrence missed practice last week with an illness and was on the field for less than half of the defensive snaps. That’s a big factor given what he does to open lanes for edge rushers Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter.
“I wanted to be here for the guys and play as much as I could,” Lawrence said. “(Defensive line coach Andre Patterson) did a good job taking care of me out there and listening to me and letting me do what I could do.”
Stock up
When Dart was throwing to players on his own team, he was pretty good at it, completing 26 of 40 passes for 202 yards. Teammates jumped to his defense afterward.
“I don’t know that he struggled,” Slayton said. “Pretty much every mistake that he might have made, we probably could have helped him out. It was a tough day.”
Stock down
Cornerback Deonte Banks was flagged for pass interference in the first quarter and was used much more on special teams than defense the rest of the way, with Cor’Dale Flott getting the bulk of the work instead.
“(Banks has) done some good things, and I trust both of those guys,” Daboll said. “We have to keep working on our technique. I know (secondary coach Marquand Manuel) is out there with those guys every day working on technique and getting their head around what they need to get their head around and not being as handsy. We’ll continue to do that.”
Injuries
Running back Tyrone Tracy could return Thursday after missing the past two games because of a right shoulder injury. Defensive back Dru Phillips’ ankle injury bears watching with less practice time before facing Philadelphia.
Key number
32.3% — Conversion rate on third down this season, the third worst in the league, after being 3 of 10 against the Saints.
What’s next
Another prime-time challenge in the Eagles, who opened as 7-point road favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook. The Giants lost to Kansas City in their first home night game of the season, and that was on a Sunday.
“We just got to hydrate, do the things you do later in the week earlier in the week and get ready to play,” Lawrence said.
SILLY MISTAKES, COSTLY BLUNDERS AND HEAD-SCRATCHING DECISIONS LED TO SLOPPY FOOTBALL
Sunday was filled with sloppy football, silly mistakes and head-scratching decisions.
Another NFL player gave away a touchdown by carelessly dropping the ball before he crossed the goal line. A roughing-the-kicker penalty erased a touchdown return in a different game. The Super Bowl champions ignored their record-setting running back.
The most egregious play of Week 5 occurred when Cardinals running back Emari Demercado turned a 72-yard touchdown run into a touchback by slowing down near the goal line and releasing the ball as Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed swiped at his arm. Officials initially ruled it a touchdown but a video review showed Demercado didn’t have possession when he entered the end zone.
Instead of increasing Arizona’s 21-6 lead, Demercado’s gaffe kept Tennessee in the game. Teammate Dadrion Taylor-Demerson then gave the Titans a chance to win after he intercepted Cam Ward’s pass but fumbled while falling to the ground in a wild play that resulted in a touchdown for Tennessee. Receiver Tyler Lockett fell on the loose ball in the end zone, cutting the Cardinals’ lead to 21-19 with 4:51 left. Joey Slye made a 29-yard field goal as time expired and the Titans beat the Cardinals to snap a 10-game losing streak.
Last week, Colts receiver Adonai Mitchell committed the same costly miscue as Demercado, which makes the latest blunder even more inexcusable because it should have been on the forefront of every player’s mind. Mitchell held the ball out as he neared the goal line and lost control of it for a touchback, negating what would have been a spectacular 76-yard touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Rams in a 27-20 loss.
“I just made a mistake. Really no excuse,” Demercado told reporters. “Obviously emotional. Big play. I just got to be smarter.”
Penalty fest
A penalty flag wasn’t thrown on every big play this week, but it seemed that way in several games.
The worst may have been the roughing-the-kicker call on Chargers reserve linebacker Marlowe Wax that wiped out a 57-yard punt return touchdown by Ladd McConkey late in the second quarter. Los Angeles led Washington 10-7 at the time. The penalty allowed the Commanders to retain possession and they ended up with a tying field goal on the drive on the way to a 27-10 win.
The Chargers were one of 10 teams that had at least nine penalties. Those teams went 4-6.
“It’s on us to fix that,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said of the penalties. “You can’t expect to win games like that when you’re having penalties like that.”
The Patriots gave the Bills 30 yards on consecutive plays after taking a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter. After a roughing-the-passer penalty, James Cook was stopped for a 4-yard loss on an excellent play by Harold Landry. But Joshua Farmer inexplicably drilled him seconds after the whistle. Josh Allen tossed a touchdown pass a few plays later but the Patriots ended up handing Buffalo its first loss, 23-20.
Questionable decisions
Philadelphia’s play-calling again was curious. This time, it wasn’t because frustrated wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith weren’t involved in the offense in a 21-17 loss to Denver. Instead, the duo combined for 13 catches on 18 targets while Saquon Barkley got just six carries in a game in which the Eagles led 10-3 at halftime and 17-3 going into the fourth quarter.
The offense had two possessions with a 14-point lead. Barkley got a carry on one of the 10 plays and a false start stopped it. Jalen Hurts completed 2 of 6 passes, got sacked once and scrambled for 4 yards on another.
Barkley was the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 and set an NFL record by rushing for 2,504 yards in the regular season and playoffs. He’s struggled this season but had 30 yards on his six carries and also caught a 47-yard TD pass.
Coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo needed to open up the offense, stretch the field and utilize Brown and Smith more. But giving the ball to the running backs on just nine of 55 plays was surprising and uncharacteristic for a team that had won 20 of its previous 21 games.
“I just think we’re searching for improvement and so given what type of team we’re built to be, we have to be able to establish the run in some regard and that could look different,” Hurts said. “It may not be what it’s been, but ultimately being able to lean on the run game is important. So we just have to look into how we can improve in that area and go out there and take ownership of the things that we can control and grow from this opportunity.”
THE BILLS ARE UNDEFEATED NO MORE AFTER BEATING THEMSELVES IN LOSS TO RIVAL PATRIOTS
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — It was difficult enough for Josh Allen to watch helplessly on the sideline as New England quarterback Drake Maye marched the Patriots 37 yards to set up Andy Borregales’ decisive 52-yard field goal with 15 seconds left.
What was worse for the Bills’ quarterback is knowing how much of a hand he and his teammates played in the 23-20 loss on Sunday night.
As if three turnovers, two by Allen, were not enough: The offense came up short on a final drive that stalled at New England’s 27, leaving Buffalo settling for Matt Prater hitting a game-tying 45-yard field goal with 2:17 left.
“We just played sloppy,” Allen said. “Not gonna win a football game, turning the ball over three times … That’s just bad football and we just did not play good tonight.”
In dropping to 4-1, Buffalo joined the Philadelphia Eagles, who lost to Denver, in being the NFL’s final two unbeaten teams to lose on Sunday. The outcome also ended Buffalo’s regular-season home winning streak at 14, one short of matching the team record.
And suddenly the five-time defending AFC East champions find themselves in a divisional race that has the upstart Patriots (3-2) on their heels.
“Respect to them. They came in, they knew what they had to do. They took care of the football. We didn’t,” Allen said.
The first sign of trouble came on Buffalo’s opening drive, which ended with Allen losing a fumble on a botched handoff to Dawson Knox at midfield. Two series later, wide receiver Keon Coleman lost a fumble, which the Patriots recovered at Buffalo’s 11.
Credit the Bills’ defense for limiting the Patriots to a field goal off the first two turnovers.
The turning point, however, came with Allen’s interception in the third quarter. Trailing 13-10 and facing second-and-13 at New England’s 19, Allen forced a throw over the middle intended for Khalil Shakir, only to have defensive back Marcus Jones jump in front and pick it off.
Maye responded with an 11-play, 90-yard drive capped by Rhamondre Stevenson’s second touchdown run in building a 20-10 lead.
“I really don’t think that was a force. It was just a bad ball,” Allen said of the interception. “I saw Khalil and I just left it a little inside and the kid made a good play.”
Adding salt to the wound was having former Bills star receiver Stefon Diggs finish with 10 catches for 146 yards in his first trip back to Buffalo since being traded to Houston in April 2024. It was the type of outing the Bills were accustomed to seeing Diggs perform in a Buffalo uniform during his four-year stint with the team.
The sloppiness was uncharacteristic of a Bills team that had turned the ball over once this season — Allen throwing an interception in a 31-19 win over New Orleans last week. Before being picked off last week, Allen had committed just one turnover in his previous 12 starts, including playoffs.
The opening-drive turnover came after Buffalo scored touchdowns on the first possession in each of its first four outings this season — and 12 total, dating to the start of 2024.
The offense struggled overall with New England bottling up Buffalo’s running attack. James Cook was limited to 49 yards rushing and no catches, the first time he’s failed to crack 100 yards from scrimmage this season. Cook also had his franchise-record streak of scoring a touchdown rushing end at eight games.
Penalties didn’t help, with Buffalo flagged 11 times for 90 yards.
“Woulda, shoulda, coulda, right?” coach Sean McDermott said. “It wasn’t anything they did. But, again, all learning opportunities for us as a team, and that’s what we need to do.”
