Week Ten NFL Recaps

Cleveland Browns 24 vs. Cincinnati Bengals 3 (TNF on CBS)

In the Battle of Ohio, the Browns completely overwhelmed the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday night. Brian Hoyer completed 15 of 23 passes for 198-yards without an interception. The Browns rushed for a total of 170-yards and all three of their running backs, Terrance West, Isaiah Crowell, and Ben Tate, each found the end zone. West led the Browns in rushing; pounding his way to 94-yards on 26 carries. Meanwhile, the Bengals offense had no efficiency moving the ball. Cleveland’s defense intercepted Andy Dalton three times. Dalton completed just ten of 33 passes for 86-yards. The Browns collected a total of four takeaways while limiting Cincinnati to just 165-yards and a single field goal.

Kansas City Chiefs 17 @ Buffalo Bills 13

The Chiefs came back from a ten point deficit to obtain a road win in Buffalo on Sunday afternoon. Kyle Orton threw for 259-yards and a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Hogan in the first quarter. Buffalo led 13-3 in the third quarter, but the Chiefs mounted a pair of fourth quarter scoring drives to snatch victory. Jamaal Charles scored a rushing touchdown from 39-yards out to cap off an 80-yard drive. Charles ran for 98-yards on 15 carries and totaled 118-yards of total offense. Alex Smith refused to let six sacks diminish his confidence. Smith completed 17 of 29 passes for 177-yards and scored the game winning touchdown on an eight-yard run.

Detroit Lions 20 vs. Miami Dolphins 16

Calvin Johnson returned to the Lions starting lineup for the first time since the fifth week of the season. Johnson got back in the swing of things by catching seven passes for 113-yards and a 49-yard touchdown reception. Detroit built a ten-point lead, but the Dolphins came back with 13 unanswered points. When Ryan Tannehill threw a touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, the Dolphins took a three point lead. Trailing 16-13, the Lions got the ball with 3:13 remaining for one last chance to win the game. Stafford calmly directed an 11 play, 74-yard drive which ended with Theo Riddick’s 11-yard touchdown reception with 29 seconds left. This win marked Detroit’s third consecutive “come from behind” victory.

Dallas Cowboys 31 @ Jacksonville Jaguars 17 (Wembley Stadium-London, England)

In London, on Sunday afternoon, Tony Romo got the start for the Cowboys after a week layoff. Romo completed 20 of 27 passes for 246-yards and three touchdowns. Dez Bryant caught two of those scores while accumulating 158-yards on six catches. De’Marco Murray gained 100-yards on 19 carries and totaled 131-yards of offense. The Cowboys defense registered four sacks and forced a trio of turnovers. Both of the Jaguars touchdowns came courtesy of Denard Robinson, who rushed for 60-yards on 15 carries.

San Francisco 49ers 27 @ New Orleans Saints 24

The 49ers built a 21-10 first half lead. Running backs Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde each found the end zone, while Colin Kaepernick threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin. The Saints would come back to take a three point lead in the fourth quarter. Mark Ingram bolstered the running game by rushing for 120-yards on 27 carries. Drew Brees completed 28 of 47 passes for 292-yards and three touchdowns, including a pair to Jimmy Graham, who finished with ten receptions. Kaepernick, who completed 14 of 32 passes for 210-yards, got the 49ers into field goal range with a 51-yard completion to Michael Crabtree on fourth and ten. Phil Dawson made a 45-yarder to tie the score with 44 seconds left in regulation. Deep into overtime, San Francisco’s defense recovered a fumble in Saints territory. One play later, Dawson kicked the game winning field goal from 35-yards out.

Baltimore Ravens 21 vs. Tennessee Titans 7

Justin Forsett led the way for the Ravens, gliding to 112-yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns. Joe Flacco completed 16 of 27 passes for 169-yards and a 32-yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith. The Ravens spotted the Titans an early 7-0 lead, but rebounded with 21 unanswered points of their own. Baltimore’s defense sacked rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger five times while limiting Tennessee to a mere total of 210-yards.

New York Jets 20 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 13

At the Meadowlands, the Jets broke their eight game losing streak against the Steelers. Michael Vick led the Jets to 17 unanswered points in the first quarter. Vick completed 10 of 18 passes for 132-yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 67-yard scoring strike to wide receiver T.J. Graham. New York’s defense sacked Ben Roethlisberger four times and intercepted him twice. Late in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger hooked up with Martavis Bryant for an 80-yard touchdown reception to close the gap within seven. Bryant made four receptions for 143-yards and Roethlisberger finished the game completing 30 of 43 passes for 343-yards. The Jets would recover the ensuing onside kick to end Pittsburgh’s chances of a comeback.

Atlanta Falcons 27 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17

On a warm day in Tampa, the Falcons had some trouble with the lowly Buccaneers. Josh McCown completed 27 of 43 passes for 301-yards and two touchdowns. Mike Evans caught one score and racked up seven catches for 125-yards in the game. Trailing by one in the fourth quarter, Atlanta scored 11 unanswered points. A Matt Ryan touchdown pass to Roddy White capped off a ten play, 65-yard drive for the Falcons. Ryan completed 20 of 31 passes for 219-yards in the game.

Denver Broncos 41 @ Oakland Raiders 17

Out in Oakland, the Broncos feared offense was clicking on all cylinders. Peyton Manning completed 31 of 44 passes for 340-yards and five touchdowns. Emmanuel Sanders and Julius Thomas each caught a pair of touchdowns. Demaryius Thomas racked up 11 catches for 108-yards. Running back C.J. Anderson also scored on a 51-yard touchdown reception. Anderson caught four passes for 73-yards while rushing for 90 more on 13 carries. The Raiders were completely overmatched as Denver scored five unanswered touchdowns and totaled 471-yards of offense.

Arizona Cardinals 31 vs. St. Louis Rams 14

The Cardinals overcame a fourth quarter deficit, and the loss of Carson Palmer, to score three unanswered touchdowns. Drew Stanton replaced Palmer and threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to John Brown. Arizona’s defense sealed the Rams fate when both of their cornerbacks each registered a defensive touchdown. Patrick Peterson scored on a 30-yard interception return while Antonio Cromartie returned a fumble for a 14-yard touchdown to clinch the game. The win gave the Cardinals their first five-game winning streak since 1977.

Seattle Seahawks 38 vs. New York Giants 17

At rainy CenturyLink Field in Seattle, the Seahawks overcame a halftime deficit to score 24 unanswered points. The Seahawks set a franchise record by rushing for 350-yards. Marshawn Lynch led the way, rushing for 140-yards on 21 carries while scoring four touchdowns. Despite throwing two interceptions, Russell Wilson was efficient, completing ten of 17 passes for 172-yards. Wilson also ran for 107-yards on 14 carries while scoring a touchdown.

Green Bay Packers 55 vs. Chicago Bears 14 (SNF on NBC)

The oldest rivalry in the National Football League was showcased in prime time. Aaron Rodgers completed 18 of 27 passes for 315-yards and six touchdowns, all of which came in the first half. The last quarterback to throw for six first half touchdown passes was Daryle Lamonica, who reached that mark with the Oakland Raiders back in 1969. Jordy Nelson caught two scoring receptions while racking up 152-yards on six catches. Green Bay’s offense scored 45 unanswered points. Meanwhile, the Packers defense sacked Jay Cutler four times and intercepted two of his passes, including one for an 82-yard touchdown by cornerback Casey Hayward.

Philadelphia Eagles 45 vs. Carolina Panthers 21 (MNF on ESPN)

On Monday night, Mark Sanchez got his first start since 2012. Sanchez responded by completing 20 of 37 passes for 332-yards and two touchdowns, both of which went to Jordan Matthews. Matthews caught seven passes for 138-yards and tight end Brent Celek had his best game of the season, making five receptions for 116-yards. Darren Sproles scored twice, once on the ground and once on a 65-yard punt return. The Eagles defense completely battered Cam Newton, sacking him nine times and intercepting three of his passes, including one for a 34-yard touchdown by cornerback Bradley Fletcher. Philadelphia forced a total of five turnovers.

Byes: Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, and Houston Texans