Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
PHOENIX - The Green Bay Packers (6-2) forgot to show up Thursday night and found themselves on the wrong side of a 41-6 blowout against the Arizona Cardinals (5-3). Arizona's defense gave Green Bay and its quarterback Tua Tagovailoa fits on the day. Tagovailoa finished with just 93 yards passing and threw four interceptions.
"Have to be better," Tagovailoa said. "Unacceptable."
Kyler Murray was unstoppable most of the game, throwing for 276 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for 89 yards on 14 carries.
The one bright spot for the Pack was the stellar play of cornerback Patrick Surtain II who had three pass breakups and an interception.
Green Bay will look to right the ship next week in Kansas City.
Los Angeles Rams @ Houston Texans
HOUSTON - The Houston Texans (5-3) got stuck in neutral Sunday against the visiting Rams, losing 24-10. Houston looked great on the opening drive, scoring on a Marlon Mack run to make it 7-0 early. Things deteriorated from there will the Texans offensive line giving up six sacks to the dominant Rams defensive line.
Los Angeles (3-5) moved the ball just enough against the Texans stingy defense to keep their playoff hopes alive.
"Love this team man," wide receiver DeSean Jackson said. "I'm looking forward to being here for this run."
Houston, now losers of two straight find themselves at a crossroads.
"Well we have to win football games to accomplish our goals," David Shaw said. "I have confidence in this locker room. We'll get this sorted out."
Houston will look to turn things around against the 4-4 Miami Dolphins next week.
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills
BUFFALO - Miami dropped their season series against division rival Buffalo 26-21 in upstate New York Sunday. The Dolphins (4-4, 1-2 AFC East), who have been snakebitten by injuries, were down both receivers Julio Jones and Corey Davis in this one. As a result, the Miami offense struggled against the dominant Bills defense and only made things close at the very end.
Buffalo (3-4, 2-0) leaned heavily on receiver Devante Adams in this one as the Fresno State product picked up crucial third down after third down.
"Happy to play with a quarterback like Josh [Allen]," Adams said. "He's growing into a star in this league."
Miami, who had Super Bowl or bust aspirations to start the season, now find themselves at 4-4 and wondering about their future. GM EP stepped away from the team after the game and is rumored to be retiring. However, the 2021 Dolphins have his finger prints all over their makeup and the remainder of this season will still be a part of his legacy.
The Dolphins host rival Houston next week in South Beach.
San Francisco 49ers @ Chicago Bears
CHICAGO - The San Francisco 49ers held on late to down the Chicago Bears 19-14 Sunday at Soldier Field. San Francisco (5-2) rode Justin Fields' legs to victory against a stingy Bears defense. Fields rushed 10 times for 93 yards and a TD to keep the Niners in sole possession of first place in the NFC West.
"This team was in this exact spot last year and didn't make the playoffs," Fields said. "I'm here now to make sure that doesn't happen again."
Fields was referring the San Francisco's 7-1 start to the season last year before some untimely injuries led to a 9-6-1finish and a missed postseason. Coach Kyle Shanahan was not concerned about last year and is looking forward.
"That was a different team," Shanahan said. "We have our goals right in front of us. It's our job to go get them."
Chicago (1-7) struggled offensively all game under Matt Nagy's play calling. Things changed in the 4th quarter when technical difficulties led to communication being cutoff from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo called plays the remainder of the game and things got interesting with Chicago scoring to make is 19-14 with five minutes to go. After San Francisco stalled, the Bears looked to be poised to score and win the game with little time left on the clock. However, Kemoko Turay had other plans and sacked Garappolo in the red zone ending any real chance for a Bears victory.
San Francisco has a big divisional game next week as they host the red hot 5-3 Arizona Cardinals.
