NFL Sunday Week Nine: Jets stun Bills as Aaron Rodgers loses again
The New York Jets pulled off one of their biggest victories in years as they stunned divisional rivals and Super Bowl favourites Buffalo Bills in an unlikely 20-17 win.
Buffalo’s five-game win streak came to an end at MetLife Stadium, as they were held to less than 20 points for only the second time this season by a brilliant Jets defense.
Offensively for New York, Zach Wilson, criticised during the week after a poor game against the New England Patriots led his team superbly, throwing for a touchdown and no interceptions.
The victory means that the Jets go into their bye week with an improbable 6-3 record, while the Bills stall at 6-2.
In the other shock of the day, Aaron Rodgers stunningly threw three interceptions as the Green Bay Packers were halted by the Detroit Lions in a 15-9 win.
Reigning MVP Rodgers was taking on statistically the worst defense in the NFL, but could not lead his team to victory.
The Green Bay run-game was once again poor in Detroit. AJ Dillion and Aaron Jones were restricted to less than 60 yards between them.
History for Brady and Fields, Mixon shines for Bengals
Another week, another piece of history for Tom Brady, who became the first quarterback to pass for 100,000 yards as his Tampa Bay Buccaneers overcame the Los Angeles Rams 16-13 in a clash between the last two Super Bowl champions.
Brady threw for 280 yards and a touchdown in the win, as Matt Stafford and the Rams struggled once again, leaving LA 3-5 after playing eight games.
The Cincinnati Bengals offense is finally finding its feet after Joe Mixon put in a career performance against the Carolina Panthers, scoring an incredible five touchdowns in the 42-21 victory.
Mixon outgained the entire Panthers offense by more than 100 yards in the first half, with the game as good as over by half-time as the hosts led 35-0.
Elsewhere, Tua Tagovailoa led the Miami Dolphins to a tight 35-32 victory over the Chicago Bears, despite being out-performed by opposite number Justin Fields.
Fields set a new NFL QB-record for most regular-season rushing yards with 178 yards on 15 carries in the game, which included a 61-yard touchdown. Only Colin Kaepernick’s 181 yards in a 2012 playoff game between the 49ers and the Packers is greater.
Jalen Waddle and Tyreek Hill once again starred for Miami, combining for 228 yards and a touchdown each to remain the league’s leading receiver. Hill’s 1,104 receiving yards through the first nine games of a season is the most ever for a player in the Super Bowl era.
Pressure on Reich and McDaniel, while Brady/LA continue to struggle
The New England Patriots dealt another setback to the Indianapolis Colts, as Bill Belichick’s men outclassed their opponents 26-3, putting huge pressure on Colts’ head coach Frank Reich.
The Colts were 0 for 14 on third downs and offered nothing of real substance to disrupt New England.
Poor quarterback play and a problematic offensive line, despite having star names such as Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly in the unit, are particular weaknesses for Indianapolis at the moment. Sam Ehlinger threw for just 103 yards and was sacked nine times, while the run game struggled throughout.
The defeat is the Colts’ third in a row, with many fans now calling for Reich to be sacked, just like offensive coordinator Marcus Brady lost his job after the loss to the Washington Commanders.
Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders let another double-digit lead slip as the Jacksonville Jaguars ended their losing streak with a 27-20 victory in Florida.
Two touchdowns from Davante Adams were not enough, with heat now growing on new head coach Josh McDaniel.
In the late game, Patrick Mahomes produced more magic for the Kansas City Chiefs as he lifted them to a 20-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
Mahomes became the first player to throw for 400 yards and a touchdown and 60 yards rushing and a touchdown, overshadowing two impressive touchdowns from rushing leader Derrick Henry.
Full results of Sunday 6th November games:
New England Patriots 26 – 3 Indianapolis Colts
Detroit Lions 15 – 9 Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons 17 – 20 Los Angeles Chargers
New York Jets 20 – 17 Buffalo Bills
Washington Commanders 17 – 20 Minnesota Vikings
Cincinnati Bengals 42 – 21 Carolina Panthers
Jacksonville Jaguars 27 – 20 Las Vegas Raiders
Chicago Bears 32 – 35 Miami Dolphins
Arizona Cardinals 21 – 31 Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16 – 13 Los Angeles Rams
Kansas City Chiefs 20 – 17 Tennessee Titans
