Mixed bag of games: good, bad, ugly. Some big performances, some key injuries, and some disappointments, as always. On to the recap.
Broncos versus Jets across the pond: In the running for the worst football game I've ever seen. As I write this, Aaron Glenn hasn't been fired, but I have to think that discussions are occurring. Denver basically did everything they could to lose this game, with offense, defense and special teams gaffes from the word go, but there was Glenn overseeing an offense that continually passed up points, squandered clock, and at the end moved into long field goal range but instead of staying there or getting closer with a couple of Breece Hall runs, called pass plays so that Justin Fields could take a couple more sacks (9 total) and lose the game. The Broncos should have won the Colts game and should have lost this one, so I guess things even out. And the less said about this eyesore the better.
Rams at Ravens: Wind probably a factor in this game, certainly for the Rams (Ravens passing game would have been bad anyway). But eventually the Rams did enough to get the lower-scoring win. Puka Nacua missed a chunk of the game with a foot/ankle injury on a missed connection in the end zone, returned to the game, we'll see if it's an issue that continues. Clearly his absence was a factor. Ravens had one goal-line series where Derrick Henry got stuffed (and they tried a couple of Tush Push plays with Mark Andrews) that was as close as they came to getting in the end zone. Henry wound up going over 100 yards, but it's fair to wonder he'll really get back to being King Henry. Ugly season for Baltimore, who needs to fix a lot of different things on their bye week.
Cowboys at Panthers: Entertaining game. George Pickens was huge, with a highlight reel play we'll be seeing a lot of I imagine. But Rico Dowdle was huger, with 239 total yards and a score. I am not sure when Chuba Hubbard is returning, but I am fairly sure Dowdle is still going to be playing quite a bit. Disappointing outings for Javonte (5 catches for 5 yards at least, helping in PPR), Ferguson (at least he scored), but Dak and Pickens were great. Three TDs for Bryce Young, props to him, 2 for Tetairoa McMillan, called his first TD so there's that.
Cardinals at Colts: Cardinals making losing close games an artform. This one they seemed to be outplayed by a pretty decent Colts team, but at the end they were near the end zone down 4 and probably could have pulled it out. Except Jacoby Brissett couldn't pull it off (a couple of weird scrambles, mobile he ain't), Cards didn't get an end-zone flag that Trey McBride felt he deserved (arguable). Colts win again. Touchdowns for Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor, and the TE I'm happy to have everywhere, Tyler Warren. Not much else doing for the Colts. Bam Knight and Michael Carter split carries, neither great, but Bam scored, congrats if you gambled on him. Marvin Harrison hurt.
Seahawks at Jaguars: Big game for Seattle passing it, not so much running it. Similar for Jacksonville, with Seattle secondary suspect at the moment. Jaxon Smith-Njigba looking like one of the very best early round wideout picks. Cooper Kupp even scored. Big game for Brian Thomas, hope you stuck with him, and it could have been even bigger -- a long touchdown wiped out by a penalty (Travis Hunter lined up offside, ouch). But good also for Trevor Lawrence. Nice to see for those of us stuck with him.
Chargers at Dolphins: There was a pregame report that said Hassan Haskins was expected to be the lead back. Someone was misled, or made a poor guess. Kimani Vidal and those who picked him up and started him are the big winners this week. I wasn't one who recommended him, so I'll take the L there. One game against a bad defense, or the start of something good? Guess we'll see. Dolphins offense did get some big numbers in this one, mostly DeVon Achane, and Darren Waller scored yet again. But unsurprisingly, their defense let them down. Big games for Ladd McConkey, and Oronde Gadsden where his Dad used to play.
Browns at Steelers: The Dillon Gabriel era doesn't look dramatically better than Joe Flacco, at least in terms of scoring and moving the ball. Pittsburgh defense has ironed out its early-season woes, or maybe the matchups got better. Bit of both, as Gabriel Byrne might have said. Quinshon Judkins had his first lesser game, Harold Fannin the best Cleveland receiver, Steelers passing game production and run game lousy, which has generally been the case against the Cleveland defense (and where the Pittsburgh offense has talent).
Patriots at Saints: Expected some scoring and it happened, with big numbers from Drake Maye and the passing game, but with Stefon Diggs taking a back seat to Kayshon Boutte (Louisiana guy) and also a DeMario Douglas touchdown. Saints offense did some good things (Chris Olave recommendation paid off), but not enough, and more of the scoring came before halftime. Pats 4-2 and looking like a playoff team in Mike Vrabel's first season.
Titans at Raiders: Raiders found an opponent their speed, getting a win without looking exactly great. But Ashton Jeanty was fine, Michael Mayer filled in for Brock Bowers quite well, and the Raiders did enough good things to beat a bad Titans team. Just when you thought maybe you could trust Calvin Ridley, he leaves with a hamstring injury that will probably cost him time. Rough day for that...
49ers at Bucs: ... because the game of two walking wounded teams lost Emeka Egbuka to a hamstring injury of his own. Didn't slow down Baker Mayfield, of course, who just threw touchdowns to 5th and 6th wideouts Kameron Johnson and Tez Johnson and hung 30 points on a 49ers defense that lost Fred Warner for the season halfway through. More big numbers from Christian McCaffrey, Kendrick Bourne and Jake Tonges. One catch from injured Jauan Jennings. Good fill-in game for Rachaad White, but it's Baker who's really impressing these days.
Bengals at Packers: Nobody is unhappy with Josh Jacobs these days, and nothing like a home game against the Bengals to cure whatever might ail an offense. Joe Flacco was indeed better than Jake Browning and the Bengals hung around until the end, with a sick Ja'Marr Chase touchdown and a decent game (and near touchdown) for Tee Higgins; so far so good for the Flacco era. Sort of breakout game for Matthew Golden, too, with a couple of nice plays early and a big grab late. Packers win, and only a Green Bay timeout prevented Evan McPherson from a record 67-yard field goal holding up.
Lions at Kansas City: Early in this one the Lions ran a trick play at the goal line where David Montgomery threw a touchdown to Jared Goff. I mention it in part because I was starting both and my opponent had the Lions kicker, so it was about a 17 point swing (6-point TD passes) when the killjoy refs ruled Goff didn't set himself and wiped out the play. The game actually wasn't as fun as it might have been, though both teams are pretty good, and Kansas City has clearly righted its ship. And they get Rashee Rice back next week, probably making the guy who just scored 2 TDs, Hollywood Brown, unusable. Disappointing numbers from most Lions stars, but that's a pretty tough KC defense. Post game incident where Brian Branch clocked JuJu Smith-Schuster that no one seemed to understand; Dan Campbell wasn't happy in his postgame presser.
Monday, Monday, times two: I know I've complained about them scheduling two Monday night games before, but who can get upset when they give us such timeless rivalries as Bears-Commanders and Bills-Falcons. There's some question apparently as to whether Deebo Samuel will play. I have a couple of matchups riding on him being in the lineup, so I hope it's not too uncertain. If he's out, I like Luke McCaffrey, and like him some either way. Bills-Falcons, oh, Bills are the better team and should be solid on offense, but I thought the same against the Patriots. Anyway, I'll go Commanders 24, Bears 23 and Bills 26, Falcons 17.