Cincinnati Bengals–Green Bay Packers: 19-36
Everyone talks about Aaron Rodgers in New York, to the point of forgetting that Jordan Love will also be a player to follow on the side of Green Bay. And for the moment, he reassures. In two series, Love (7/10, 70 yards, 1 TD) found the end zone on a pass for Romeo Doubs. He especially shone on short connections. In depth, his attempt towards Christian Watson was deflected by a good Dax Hill. The Packers pitcher then put too much power in looking for Luke Musgrave, who was nevertheless open. The other good news is that Love hasn’t been put under pressure once while David Bakhtiari has been rested.
The main thing happened before the game for Cincinnati. Joe Burrow was seen on the pitch throwing passes, with no special protection on his calf. If he was then benched for the match, the leader of the Bengals therefore seems to be back. It was Jake Browning (10/17, 95 yards, 1 TD) who started, before handing over to Trevor Siemian (15/28, 121 yards, 1 int). The runner Chris Evans (7 races, 49 yards) showed up with a ride of 33 lengths.
Arizona Cardinals-Denver Broncos: 18-17
The uncertainty continues around Russell Wilson (7/13, 93 yards, 1 TD). In any case, there was no great awakening. The veteran and his attack were roughed up in their first two series. They went a little further on the third, but not enough to avoid a missed field goal. Sean Payton therefore persisted, with a fourth offensive for Wilson and the holders. This time, the quarterback ended up finding Jerry Jeudy for a 21-yard touchdown on a fourth attempt. Behind a friable line, Wilson is gaining momentum. It will have to continue.
The Cardinals’ defense took the opportunity to look solid. On the offensive side, Colt McCoy (4/4, 17 yards) only needed a few minutes to keep hold of the quarterback position in the absence of Russell Wilson. Clayton Tune (13/23, 135 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) alternated good and bad (3 sacks, 1 int).
Cleveland Browns–Washington Commanders: 15-17
Despite rain and a 70-minute delay to start the game, the Browns gave Deshaun Watson a series. There was quite a bit about the 12 stocks in question, including a nice breakaway on what could have been a Chase Young sack. Watson completed all 3 passes he attempted, for a total of 12 yards. He added 20 yards on the ground on three carries. The league’s most expensive player seemed more comfortable with his picks than last season. He just missed the icing on the cake, since the offensive series was stopped one yard from the end zone on the fourth attempt.
After only 10 yards accumulated on the first two series, in particular because of a line in difficulty, Sam Howell showed a better face on his third and last offensive, with in particular a conversion on fourth attempt. He finishes with a 9/12 record for 77 yards. But beware, Jacoby Brissett (6/10, 75 yards, 1 int) has not said his last word, even if he threw an interception. The veteran still scored on the ground.
Tampa Bay Bucanneers-Pittsburgh Steelers: 17-27
Only one series for Kenny Pickett (6/7, 70 yards, 1 TD), but what a series! The second-year quarterback was surgical and, above all, decisive. On 3rd&10, he found Diontae Johnson for 11 yards. On 3rd & 8, it was for George Pickens, who picked up the ball 13 yards after the line of scrimmage and then slipped to the touchdown, for a total gain of 33 yards. A very encouraging first for the Pittsburgh attack. Mason Rudolph and Calvin Austin even made the show a little later with a touchdown from 67 yards.
Advantage Baker Mayfield (8/9, 63 yards, 1 TD) in the fight for the starting pitcher position in Tampa. In four series, the veteran has found the end zone only once, but he has not lost the ball. Kyle Trask (6/10, 99 yards, 1 int) was intercepted on his first offensive, which reinforced the contrast in favor of Mayfield. Both men weren’t helped by a struggling ground game, which scratched just 66 yards on 25 carries.
Miami Dolphins – Atlanta Falcons: 3-19
A match locked by the Falcons substitutes. Atlanta’s philosophy is clear, even without starters. The ground game is in the spotlight with 26 runs for 23 assists. And the defense is aggressive with 3 interceptions, 5 sacks and 9 quarterback hits. Impressive when the stars of the evening are called Godwin Igwebuike (13 races, 70 yards, 1 TD), Demarco Hellams (7 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 interception) or Breon Borders (1 int transformed into touchdown).
No holders either for Miami, which left Mike White (9/14, 85 yards, 1 int) and Skylar Thompson (10/16, 104 yards, 2 int) to fight for the number two position without really convincing.
We really turned the bottom of the bench on the New York side. Beginning cornerback Deonte Banks showed up deflecting a pass. Tre Hawkins, a sixth-round pick, deflected several. Still in defense, safety Jason Pinnock intercepted a ball and deflected a pass on a fourth attempt.
Detroit Lions–New York Giants: 21-16
Substitutes and rookies all over the place during this game. But also Jameson Williams, who had a lot of playing time before his 6-game suspension for betting on matches. A performance not necessarily convincing. Targeted 7 times, he only caught 2 balls for 18 yards. One of the passes thrown at him was intercepted, and he released another. On the side of the first round beginners, Jahmyr Gibbs (RB) carried 6 balls for 19 yards and caught a pass for 18 lengths. Jack Campbell had 4 tackles in one half.
