NFL roundup: Bucs skewer Eagles as Bengals grab first win of season

By James On Sep 29, 2024

Philadelphia Eagles 16-33 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns, while Mike Evans became the Buccaneers’ scoring leader during Tampa Bay’s 33-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Mayfield completed 30 of 47 passes without an interception. He also ran for a TD in helping the Bucs dominate the rematch of a lopsided NFC wild-card game they won against the Eagles last January. Mayfield and the offense bounced back from a poor performance in a loss to Denver last week, scoring a touchdown for the first time in 21 games on their opening possession. Evans’ 2-yard scoring reception capped off a 10-play, 79-yard drive that set the tone for the Bucs who outscored the Eagles 254 yards to zero in building a 24-0 lead.

Minnesota Vikings 31-29 Green Bay Packers

Sam Darnold threw three touchdown passes and Jordan Addison scored twice as the Minnesota Vikings built a 28-point lead early and held on down the stretch to beat the Green Bay Packers (2-2). The Vikings are 4-0. That’s their best start since 2016, when they won their first five games before falling to an 8-8 finish. Minnesota spoiled the return of Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who returned after missing two games with an injured knee. He threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns, both career highs. But he also tied a career-high with three interceptions.

Pittsburgh Steelers 24-27 Indianapolis Colts

Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes in relief of injured Anthony Richardson, and the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) came up with a stop in the final minute to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Indy has won two in a row with back-to-back losses since opening the season — and two in a row against Pittsburgh (3-1). The Steelers battled back from a 17-0 deficit, but fell just short of extending their six-game regular season winning streak. Pittsburgh’s top-rated defense posted a season-high point total. Justin Fields had two scores in the second half and threw for another to cut the deficit to 27-24 with 3:40 to go, but the Steelers could get no closer.

Los Angeles Rams 18-24 Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams led four scoring drives, D’Andre Swift had 165 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, and the Chicago Bears held off the Los Angeles Rams (1-3). Jaquan Brisker intercepted Matthew Stafford with about a minute left after the Bears punted on the previous play, helping Chicago (2-2) end a two-game skid. Williams threw for 157 yards and a touchdown after setting a Bears rookie record by passing for 363 yards last week in Indianapolis. The No. 1 overall draft pick and former Heisman Trophy was 17 of 23 on a nine-yard TD pass to DJ Moore in the third quarter.

Denver Broncos 10-9 New York Jets

Bo Nix threw his first NFL touchdown and the Denver Broncos (2-2) overcame a miserable first half on offense and held on to beat Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets (2-2) in a defensive deadlock. Rodgers limped to his feet after a sack late in the fourth quarter but stayed in the game. Wil Lutz pushed a 50-yard wide left toward Denver to give Rodgers and the Jets another chance. But Greg Zuerlein’s 50-yarder banked right and Nix and the Broncos were able to kneel for the win.

Cincinnati Bengals 34-24 Carolina Panthers

Joe Burrow threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, Chase Brown ran for 80 yards and two scores and the Cincinnati Bengals held on to beat the Carolina Panthers for their first win of the season. Ja’Marr Chase had three catches for 85 yards, including a 63-yard catch-and-run touchdown as the Bengals (1-3) avoided a potentially disastrous fourth straight loss to open the season. Of the 155 teams that started 0-4 since the merger, only the 1992 Chargers were able to rebound and make the playoffs. Zack Moss had 78 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown reception for the Bengals. Andy Dalton threw for 220 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for the Panthers (1-3) against his former team.

Jacksonville Jaguars 20-24 Houston Texans

CJ Stroud threw for 345 yards and two touchdowns, capped by a one-yard pass to Dare Ogunbowale with 18 seconds left, giving the Houston Texans a 24–20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston forced a three-and-out to get the ball back with less than three minutes left. Stroud then led a nine-play, 69-yard drive to give the Texans (3-1) their first points of the second half and survive a scare from the winless Jaguars (0-4).

New Orleans Saints 24-26 Atlanta Falcons

Younghoe Koo kicked a 58-yard field goal with two seconds left and the Atlanta Falcons rallied for a win over the New Orleans Saints (2-2) without scoring an offensive touchdown. Koo made four total field goals and also connected from 53, 44 and 42 yards to give the 2-2 Falcons a much-needed home victory. They had lost their first two games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and appeared on the verge of falling to 0-3 in Atlanta when Alvin Kamara scored on a one-yard point with a minute left. A 30-yard pass interference penalty on Paulson Adebo gave the Falcons hope at the New Orleans 40. Kirk Cousins threw three straight incompletions, but it didn’t matter. Koo scored the longest field goal in the stadium’s seven-year history and still had plenty left.