Los Angeles Chargers @ San Francisco 49ers
SANTA CLARA - The NFC leading San Francisco 49ers couldn't overcome a litany of injuries in the defensive secondary and dropped their second game of the year 34-20 to the Los Angeles Chargers. The 49ers were down five defensive backs and Los Angeles (4-5) knew just where to attack, racking up 21 points on three touchdown passes by Justin Herbert in the first quarter. The 49ers were never able to get back in it and fell to 7-2 on the year.
Justin Fields continued his absolute tear rushing the football racking up another 138 yards on the ground including a 27 yard touchdown run. The Bears QB is now up to 990 yards on the season. At this pace, not only will Fields obliterate Lamar Jackson's rushing record for a quarterback (1206 yards), but a 2,000 yard season is not out of the question. Coach Kyle Shanahan has designed an offense around Fields ability to run the ball and its changing the game.
However, fields likely doesn't care about the stats today as the loss opens the door for a contested race to the number one seed in the NFC. San Francisco will look to get back on track next week when they take on division rival Arizona.
Houston Texans @ New York Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The Houston Texans held the visiting New York Giants to 13 total rushing yards earning them a 30-17 victory. With the win, Houston (7-2) currently sits as the number one AFC seed. However, there are a staggering eight teams right behind them at 6-3.
New York (6-3) couldn't get much going on the day and this one was lopsided the entire way. The news wasn't all great for the Texans, though. Star defensive back Donte Jackson, who had two interceptions in the game ruptured his Achilles and is out for the season. Jackson, who was anchoring this Houston defensive unit will surely be missed. It's next man up mentality for this defensive group and budding star Tariq Woolen will look to fill the void made by Jackson's injury.
Houston will head home to take on another NFC East opponent in the Washington Commanders.
Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY - In what seems to be a pattern, the Packers again found themselves in a 17 point deficit, only to once again climb out of it to tie the game. However, this time, the task was too tall as Dak Prescott lead the Dallas Cowboys (6-3) down the field for a game wining field goal.
Things were going very well for the Packers (6-3-1) early but three turnovers, two of them for defensive scores, in a matter of two and a half minutes proved too big of a hole. Up 14-13, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was strip-sacked leading to a Micah Parsons scoop and score. On the next drive, Tagovailoa threw an interception that lead to a Cowboy field goal. And finally right before the half, Trevon Diggs jumped an out route and picked off the Packers QB taking it back 88 yards for the touchdown. Before the Lambeau faithful could blink, it was 31-14.
"I'm sick of this s%!*," receiver Justin Jefferson (137 yards, TD) said. "We are playing in too many of these close whacky games. We are too talented and need to be blowing teams out."
Green Bay has a short week to lick its wounds as the Titans come to town for Thursday Night Football.
