Browns Edge 49ers 17-13 in Defensive Slugfest as Offenses Struggle
CLEVELAND (AP) — In a cold, physical grind that felt more like January than midseason, the San Francisco 49ers came up short Sunday, falling 17-13 to the Cleveland Browns in a defensive-heavy battle at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Neither offense found much rhythm, and explosive plays were nearly nonexistent. Jordan Love was kept in check throughout the afternoon, limited to just 157 passing yards as Cleveland’s defense consistently collapsed the pocket and took away deep options.
San Francisco managed to stay within striking distance all game thanks to its own defensive effort, but drives stalled repeatedly in Browns territory, turning potential momentum into punts and field goal attempts.
Kyle Shanahan acknowledged the grind afterward. “That was a fight,” he said. “We didn’t execute well enough offensively, and against a defense like that, every missed opportunity hurts.”
The loss drops the 49ers to 8-5, tightening the NFC West race and serving as a reminder that even one off day on offense can be costly when games turn into trench wars.
Raiders Slip Past Chargers 31-28 in Back-and-Forth Battle at SoFi
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — A seesaw affair at SoFi Stadium came down to the final minute Sunday, and this time the Las Vegas Raiders had the last word, edging the Los Angeles Chargers 31-28.
The two teams traded scores throughout the afternoon, with neither side able to build more than a one-possession lead. That changed late in the fourth quarter when the Raiders pieced together a clock-draining drive and connected on a go-ahead field goal with just over a minute remaining.
The Chargers had one last chance, but the Raiders’ defense clamped down, preventing Matthew Stafford and the offense from getting into scoring range before time expired.
The bright spot for Los Angeles was wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who turned in a strong performance with 107 receiving yards and a touchdown, repeatedly winning one-on-one matchups and keeping the Chargers within striking distance.
“That one stings,” Chargers coach Bobby Slowik said afterward. “We had opportunities, but in games like that, one or two plays make the difference — and they made them late.”
The loss drops the Chargers in the crowded AFC race, while the Raiders continue to play spoiler in divisional matchups that never seem to disappoint.
Lions Control Packers 36-24 as Green Bay Offense Stalls in Detroit
DETROIT (AP) — The Green Bay Packers never found their footing Thursday, falling 36-24 to the Detroit Lions in a game that was largely decided well before the final whistle.
Detroit’s defense dictated the tone from the opening drive, harassing Tua Tagovailoa and disrupting Green Bay’s normally efficient attack. Tagovailoa was intercepted twice and also lost a strip-sack fumble, as the Packers struggled to sustain drives and fell behind early.
While the final score suggests a competitive contest, the Lions controlled the game throughout, building a multi-score lead and forcing Green Bay to chase from behind — something it never looked comfortable doing.
“We didn’t execute,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. “You can’t turn the ball over like that on the road and expect to win, especially against a good team.”
The loss drops Green Bay to 10-2, still firmly atop the NFC standings but serving as a reminder that even contenders can be knocked off rhythm when protections break down and turnovers pile up. The Packers will look to regroup quickly as they head into a critical stretch of the season.
Texans Rally From Early Hole, Beat Colts 31-26 Behind Maye’s Four Touchdowns
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Houston Texans were rocked early but never rattled. After spotting the Indianapolis Colts a 14-0 lead in the game’s opening five minutes, Houston settled in and methodically rallied for a 31-26 road victory Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Quarterback Drake Maye delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, throwing for 279 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Calm after the early deficit, Maye spread the ball confidently and consistently punished Indy’s secondary as the game wore on.
The running game helped stabilize things as well, with Derrick Henry grinding out 103 rushing yards, keeping the Texans balanced and preventing the Colts from sitting on Maye in obvious passing situations.
One of the biggest storylines came from a familiar face in a new uniform. Brandin Cooks, playing his first game with Houston, made an immediate impact, hauling in 106 receiving yards and a touchdown, repeatedly beating coverage and giving Maye a reliable weapon in critical moments.
Indianapolis threatened late, but Houston’s defense tightened just enough to secure the win, forcing a turnover on downs in the final minutes to seal it.
Interim head coach Frank Ross praised his team’s resilience afterward. “A lot of teams fold after a start like that,” Ross said. “Our guys didn’t. That says a lot about the belief in that locker room.”
The win keeps the Texans firmly in the AFC playoff mix and reinforces a season-long trend — Houston may bend early, but they’re proving harder and harder to break.
