New England Patriots 31, Denver Broncos 21
For the third time this season, the Broncos found themselves down by at least three scores in a game, only to see a late rally fall short in a 31-21 loss to the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. In addition to New England, Denver (2-3) has lost to the Falcons and Texans, three teams who are considered strong contenders to make a deep postseason run.
Still, this game left a bad taste in the collective Bronco mouths. The Denver offense committed three turnovers at very inopportune times and also had a would-be first down pass completion dropped by Willis McGahee on a fourth-and-one late in the fourth quarter, preventing them from keeping alive a drive that could have brought Denver within one score.
The Bronco defense also struggled, giving up 252 rushing yards to a New England offense that has suddenly taken on a ground-and-pound mentality. Second year man Stevan Ridley went for 151 yards and a touchdown, while rookie Brandon Bolden added another 54. Coming into Sunday’s game, the Denver defense ranked 22nd in the NFL in stopping opposing teams’ third down conversion attempts. Their inability to get off the field proved detrimental again, as the Patriots converted four-of-five third down-and-greater-than-10 yard situations.
The Broncos offense moved the ball well enough, as Peyton Manning threw for 345 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, a lost fumble by Demaryius Thomas, following a 43-yard reception on Denver’s opening possession set the tone for what proved to be a frustrating day. In addition to his aforementioned fourth-and-one drop, McGahee also lost a fumble at the New England 14-yard line with just under four minutes remaining in regulation. A touchdown and point-after-conversion on that possession would have cut what was, at one point, a 31-7 Patriot lead to three.
However, instead of biting his proverbial nails at the conclusion of this one, Tom Brady would kneel three times to record his ninth win over a Manning-led team (against four losses). Brady turned in another impeccable performance, completing almost 74 percent of his passes for 223 yards and a touchdown, while also adding a score on the ground. Wes Welker led New England receivers with 13 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. Check out Jesus's take on this game in his AFC East review.
New Orleans Saints 31, San Diego Chargers 24
In his second meeting against his original team, Drew Brees made history, throwing a touchdown pass for the 48th consecutive game. The feat breaks a 52-year-old record set by Johnny Unitas. More importantly, the Saints won there first game of the season in a 31-24 victory over the Chargers.
Brees took to the air and effectively lit up the team with whom he spent his first five seasons, throwing for 370 yards and four touchdowns. His counterpart, and replacement in America’s self-proclaimed Finest City, Philip Rivers, had a strong night of his own, passing for 354 yards and two scores, both going to former Saint, Robert Meachem on plays of 15 and 44 yards, respectively.
AFC West leading San Diego (3-2) took an early lead in a back-and-forth first half that saw one tie and three lead changes. An opportunistic Chargers defense, which forced six turnovers the week prior against Kansas City, intercepted a Brees pass on the Saints’ opening possession of the second half. The Quentin Jammer INT set San Diego up with tremendous field position, and three plays and 25 yards later, Ryan Matthews went around left end for an 13-yard touchdown and a 24-14 Chargers lead.
It was the last time San Diego would score. Brees proceeded to direct the Saints on touchdown drives of 87 and 90 yards, both culminating on touchdown strikes to Marquis Colston, the second of which staked New Orleans to a 28-24 lead. The ensuing Charger possession was proving effective, until Rivers was intercepted by Saints safety Roman Harper, who returned the pic 41 yards, setting up a Garrett Hartley field goal and pushing the lead to a touchdown.
San Diego’s final possession, which began with 2:56 left in regulation, was entertaining, if nothing else. The Chargers moved the ball 30 yards in three plays. Then suffered a Rivers sack before committing penalties on the next two snaps, the first negating a 28-yard completion to Antonio Gates. Facing a second-and-37 (yes, that’s correct—a three followed by a seven), San Diego caught a huge break when Saints defensive lineman Martez Wilson was penalized for illegal hands to the face, resulting in an automatic Charger first down. The Bolts would move the ball to the New Orleans 33, but with 19 seconds remaining, Rivers lost a fumble that cemented a win for the Saints.
Baltimore Ravens 9, Kansas City Chiefs 6
In a game that pitted a strong Baltimore offense (scoring almost 31 points per game coming in) opposite a struggling Chiefs defense (they had surrendered an average of 34 through the season’s first four weeks), no one predicted the zero-touchdown affair that these two would produce in a 9-6 Ravens win at Arrowhead Stadium.
Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco was less than spectacular, completing fewer than half of his pass attempts for just 137 yards and an interception, while the Ravens struggled on third down, converting just three-of-11 opportunities. Running back Ray Rice broke the century mark, rushing for 102 yards on 17 carries, but the Ravens weren’t able to take full advantage of four KC turnovers, producing just three field goals off of two interceptions and a fumble by Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel.
The most noteworthy moment of the contest came with just over 10 minutes to play in regulation when Cassel was knocked to the ground following a short pass to Jamaal Charles. The injury of Cassel, who left the game and may not play this forthcoming week at Tampa Bay, was met with cheers by handful of Kansas City fans, drawing the ire of offensive tackle Eric Winston. During postgame comments, Winston chastised those in the crowd who felt compelled to applaud an injury to one of their own.
While Kansas City had difficulty scoring, Charles had another strong performance, running for 140 yards on 30 carries. The injured Cassel gave way to Brady Quinn, who completed all three of his passes for 32 yards.