Steelers win!!!
(3-3) Steelers 26-19 Buccaneers (1-5)
The Bucs stutter again. On 3rd and 8 Daniels finds his man but swarming defenders force the drop. Another HUGE 4th down now.
Here we go. Daniels drops back. Jalen Ramsey fires from the right edge and nails the quarterback. Sack. Game over.
Ramsey finishes with four tackles for a loss and two sacks. Player of the match right there.
And with that full stop on another climatic week in the NFL, I will say goodnight! Enjoy the rest of the night’s action if you are staying locked in.
Updated
Steelers 26-19 Buccaneers 1:20, overtime
And Daniels gets another set of downs with a strike to Chris Godwin. The Bucs are at midfield.
Steelers 26-19 Buccaneers 2:00, overtime
The Bucs take over and Buckie Irving is stuffed on 1st down. Then two incomplete passes bring up a very, very quick 4th down. This is the ball game. Jalon Daniels scrambles for 10 yards and the 1st down. WOW. We go on.
TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 26-19 Buccaneers 3:15, overtime
A Rodgers to G Bernard for six yards
What a time to score your first NFL touchdown. Take a bow that rookie!
A more complete set of final scores with only Pittsburgh v Tampa Bay remaining:
(2-4) Houston Texans 34-31 Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
(4-2) Chicago Bears 31-23 Atlanta Falcons (2-4)
(4-2) Baltimore Ravens 10-13 Cleveland Browns (4-2)
(1-5) Tennessee Titans 26-20 Indianapolis Colts (2-4)
(2-4) New York Jets 19-26 New England Patriots (4-2)
(2-4) New Orleans Saints 34-27 New York Giants (3-2-1)
(3-2) Carolina Panthers 25-14 Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)
Steelers 19-19 Buccaneers 7:39, overtime
We are still in the first possession in overtime in Tampa Bay. Whatever happens the Bucs will have a reply. Pittsburgh have just moved into field goal range.
Final score: Saints 34-27 Giants
JJ McCarthy slings it into the end zone and Isaiah Likely is in triple coverage but almost makes the grab. He begs for pass interference on the defense but nothing doing. Game over.
Saints 34-27 Giants 0:12, 4th quarter
The G-men have a 4th and 1 with 12 yards to go to try and tie the game. Amazing that JJ McCarthy has dragged the Giants back into this after Jameis Winstron was benched earlier. The Saints were 34-10 ahead.
Final scores (so far)
(4-2) Chicago Bears 31-23 Atlanta Falcons (2-4)
(4-2) Baltimore Ravens 10-13 Cleveland Browns (4-2)
(1-5) Tennessee Titans 26-20 Indianapolis Colts (2-4)
(2-4) New York Jets 19-26 New England Patriots (4-2)
Steelers 19-19 Buccaneers 0:08, 4th quarter
C McLaughlin 53 yard field goal
The Bucs deserve this. Overtime in Tampa Bay. Unless Pittsburgh pull off a Jacksonville.
Final score: Titans 26-20 Colts
Ouch. Indy led 13-0 at half-time and lose to a winless team. Tennessee are 1-5 and Indianapolis fall to 2-4.
Updated
It's GOOD! Steelers 19-16 Buccaneers 1:21, 4th quarter
C Boswell 20 yard field goal
Not pretty but the comeback is complete.
It’s GOOD! Titans 26-20 Colts 0:43, 4th quarter
J Slye 44 yard field goal
Tennessee dangerously close from winning their first game of the season.
PICK! Steelers 16-16 Buccaneers 1:38, 4th quarter
Jalon Daniels throws an interception to the former Buccaneer Jamel Dean. The corner runs it to Tampa’s goal line. Looking like a W for Pittsburgh. Man have they had to grind for this one.
It’s GOOD! Steelers 16-16 Buccaneers 12:51, 4th quarter
From down 16-3 at the top of the final quarter to 16-16. Better late than never.
TOUCHDOWN! Bears 31-23 Falcons 5:34, 4th quarter
M Penix to K Pitts for five yards
Kyle Pitts doubles up! What is happening in Atlanta. Chicago were 28-7 ahead and are now looking over their shoulder. Danger, Falcon approaching.
BROWNS WIN!!!
It’s GOOD! Ravens 10-13 Browns
A Szmyt 37 yard field goal
Cleveland move into 1st place in the AFC North. Amazing. A huge upset and all after huge drama as the first attempt from Szmyt was blocked. Blocked yes but the defender jumped the gun giving a shorter try to Szmyt on his next go. He nails it at the second attempt. It has been 12 years since Cleveland have been top of the AFC North this late in the season (awkward as its not that late really, but still).
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 19-14 Eagles 10:42, 4th quarter
T McKee to D Smith for 19 yards
Philadelphia have more than a sniff now after a lovely throw from the rookie.
Ravens 10-10 Browns 0:17, 4th quarter
A 33-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy puts Cleveland in field goal range. Can Andre Szmyt atone for his miss on their last drive?
Scores, so many scores
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 19-7 Eagles 13:34, 4th quarter
C Hubbard one yard rush
They fail on the two-point try but Carolina are in the box seat now.
TOUCHDOWN! Saints 34-10 Giants 10:34, 4th quarter
T Shough to C Olave for 18 yards
Goodnight, G-men.
TOUCHDOWN! Titans 20-20 Colts 5:32, 4th quarter
J Taylor four yard rush
The always brilliant Jonathan Taylor puts Indy level again. Very close to describing him as wick-edly talented … If you know, you know.
It’s GOOD! Steelers 13-16 Buccaneers 8:08, 4th quarter
C Boswell 39 yard field goal
Steelers settle for a field goal after a promising drive is killed by a penalty.
Jets 16-23 Patriots 7:20, 4th quarter
J Sanders 40 yard field goal
Game ON as the Jets boot the three points.
It’s NO GOOD! Ravens 10-10 Browns 3:01, 4th quarter
Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt misses from 48 yards. He hasn’t missed one all season. And what a time to miss. Baltimore have a huge advantage now.
Steelers 10-16 Buccaneers 10:12, 4th quarter
Vintage Aaron Rodgers gets Pittsburgh a 1st down on 3rd and 10 to put the Steelers just 12 yards from taking the lead with a touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN! Titans 20-13 Colts 10:17, 4th quarter
Blocked punt returned 14 yards for touchdown
Well, egg on my face. After suggesting the Titans were headed to 0-5 as the worst team in the league at 13-0 down in Indy they have roared back to lead 20-13. Anything can happen. Stunning block and return for Tennessee.
It’s GOOD! Bears 31-7 Falcons 14:56, 4th quarter
C Santos 50 yard field goal
Chicago snap up three points after the Branch fumble.
FUMBLE! Bears 28-7 Falcons 15:00, 4th quarter
A rough day for Falcons rookie Zachariah Branch gets even worse as he fumbles a kick return to Chicago. He has already muffed a punt return recovered by the Bears. Branch has thrown his helmet in frustration. Take the rook out of the game.
TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 10-16 Buccaneers 13:48, 4th quarter
A Rodgers to D Washington for five yards
Finally some life for Pittsburgh. The wily Aaron Rodgers will be feeling good about snatching the win from here.
It's raining scores!
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 13-24 Patriots 14:10, 4th quarter
D Maye to H Henry for seven yards
Extra point is no good but New England stamp their authority at Foxboro.
TOUCHDOWN! Titans 13-13 Colts 13:00, 4th quarter
C Ward to C Tate for eight yards
Tennessee scoring at will now and giving Indy a huge fright.
TOUCHDOWN! Bears 28-7 Falcons 1:48, 3rd quarter
R Johnson four yard rush
Chicago out of sight.
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 10-10 Browns 8:33, 4th quarter
A Estime two yard rush
We are level in Cleveland. The Browns make the Ravens pay for Derrick Henry’s fumble.
Fourth-quarter scores
The final qs are mostly unfolding, here are your scores on the doors.
Chicago Bears 21-7 Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens 10-3 Cleveland Browns
Tennessee Titans 6-13 Indianapolis Colts
New York Jets 13-17 New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints 24-10 New York Giants
Carolina Panthers 13-7 Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Some predictable things happening as Jameis Winston throws a pick for the Giants. And some less so as Derrick Henry fumbles the ball to Cleveland.
TOUCHDOWN! Saints 24-10 Giants 5:43, 3rd quarter
T Shough one yard rush
Bears 21-7 Falcons 7:40, 3rd quarter
A serious injury to Falcons linebacker Kenal Daniels had this game stopped for a long time. The rookie was taken off the field on a stretcher.
It’s GOOD! Titans 6-13 Colts 3:21, 3rd quarter
J Slye 56 yard field goal
Tennessee inch closer into contention at Indianapolis. Again capitalising on an Indy turnover this time a pick from Daniel Jones.
It’s GOOD! Steelers 3-16 Buccaneers 5:02, 3rd quarter
C McLaughlin 33 yard field goal
Tampa Bay extend their advantage and should be feeling confident of moving to 2-4 and keeping their season alive.
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 10-17 Patriots 10:24, 3rd quarter
G Smith to O Cooper for 48 yards
Woah. Geno Smith throws a huge arcing pass that was in the air forever but Omar Cooper Jr is underneath it. Game on.
History for Alvin Kamara!
TOUCHDOWN! Saints 17-10 Giants 12:21, 3rd quarter
T Shough to A Kamara for 31 yards
Alvin Kamara proves you just never lose it. The veteran running back takes the catch and speeds in to become the sixth player in NFL history with 5,000 career rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards. Brilliant. Just brilliant.
Updated
Steelers 3-13 Buccaneers 14:05, 3rd quarter
This slightly strange game has gotten even stranger as Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has injured himself trying to give his half-time interview. Rather than go into the locker room at half-time he spent it in the blue medical tent. He is currently hobbling up and down the sidelines so can’t be too bad. Will be funny if the Steelers win. No credit for you McCarthy.
It’s GOOD! Ravens 10-3 Browns 7:48, 3rd quarter
A Szmyt 48 yard field goal
Cleveland on the board but will be ruing a holding penalty that chalked off what would have been 1st and Goal on a 13-yard rush.
It’s GOOD! Titans 3-13 Colts 13:30, 3rd quarter
J Slye 29 yard field goal
Tennessee on the board thanks to a fumble from Jonathan Stewart. Oops.
Half-time scores (mostly)
Chicago Bears 21-7 Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens 10-0 Cleveland Browns
Tennessee Titans 0-13 Indianapolis Colts
New York Jets 3-17 New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints 10-10 New York Giants
Carolina Panthers 10-7 Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Still two minutes to go in the first half in Philadelphia. Elsewhere mostly everything is going as you might expect. Except in Tampa Bay with the struggling Bucs defense is handling the Steelers so far.
It’s GOOD! Steelers 3-13 Buccaneers, half-time
C Boswell 52 yard field goal
Pittsburgh narrowly avoid an embarrassing zero points scored in the first half.
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 3-17 Patriots, half-time
D Maye to D Douglas for 9 yards
New England looking likely to chalk up a third win in succession.
TOUCHDOWN! Saints 10-10 Giants 0:51, 2nd quarter
T Shough to B Lance for two yards
Trey’s younger brother ties this one up with his first career NFL touchdown. Nice.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 10-7 Eagles 2:42, 2nd quarter
D Pierce two yard rush
The injury ravages Eagles hit back and have some hope for an unlikely win with Tanner McKee at QB, no Saquon Barkley and no Devonta Smith.
TOUCHDOWN! Bears 21-7 Falcons 1:26, 2nd quarter
D Swift two yard rush
D’Andre Swift grabs his second score of the game. Chicago pounce on a gift from Atlanta after a muffed catch on a kick is recovered by the Bears in the red zone.
It’s GOOD! Titans 0-13 Colts 0:06, 2nd quarter
S Shrader 47 yard field goal
It’s GOOD! Saints 3-10 Giants 1:18, 2nd quarter
D Carlson 58 yard field goal
Jets 3-10 Patriots 1:43, 2nd quarter
A Borregales 32 yard field goal
Geno Smith gets the two-minute to try and tie this up for the Jets.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 10-0 Eagles 8:08, 2nd quarter
B Young to T Tremble for 12 yards
Another game and another 10-0 lead. Four games of the seven sit at that scoreline. Which makes one hope the second halves from today’s action get a bit spicier.
PICK! Titans 0-10 Colts 0:34, 2nd quarter
Tennessee on the way to confirming they are the worst team in the NFL as Cam Ward throws a horrible interception to Camryn Bynum. Tennessee’s drive chart: punt, punt, punt, pick.
Titans QB Cam Ward might be on the way to a benching. He is 4/7 for 37 yards and a pick.
Updated
It’s GOOD! Steelers 0-13 Buccaneers 4:08, 2nd quarter
C McLaughlin 47 yard field goal
So unlucky for the undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels who throws a peach of a deep ball to Egbuka but the ball is just out of reach brushing the receiver’s fingertips as it falls to the turf.
Saints 0-10 Giants 2:27, 2nd quarter
D Zvada 34 yard field goal
The G-men extend their comfy lead at home. A win keeps them top of the NFC East.
It’s GOOD! Titans 0-10 Colts 2:06, 2nd quarter
S Shrader 23 yard field goal
Don’t you just love a Daniel Jones scramble. The slightly goofy quarterback chases the markers on 3rd and 19 and gets 17. Unlucky to come up two shy of 1st and Goal. Indy still glad to take a commanding lead of the 0-5 Titans.
It’s NO GOOD! Steelers 0-10 Buccaneers 7:11, 2nd quarter
Pittsburgh’s day gets a little rougher. Chris Boswell misses wide left from 48 yards.
TOUCHDOWN! Bears 14-7 Falcons 5:46, 2nd quarter
M Penix to J Dotson for 13 yards
A dime from Michael Penix allows to Jahan Dotson go up for the contested ball in the end zone … and he comes down with it. Gamee on.
Jets 3-7 Patriots 6:43, 2nd quarter
The Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is calling the game very aggressively. Only it isn’t working. On two attempts on 4th and 1 the Jets have come up short. Punt the ball coach.
It’s NO GOOD! Bears 14-0 Falcons 7:19, 2nd quarter
Chicago’s Cairos Santos misses wide left from 56 yards. Some hope for Atlanta.
It’s NO GOOD! Saints 0-7 Giants 6:51, 2nd quarter
Daniel Carlson misses the 55-yard attempt wide right for New Orleans. As you were.
Updated
Steelers 0-10 Buccaneers 11:30, 2nd quarter
Pittsburgh’s defensive woes continue as they turn what could have been a safety or a stop on 3rd down by the Tampa goal line into a 1st down for the Bucs. Bucky Irving capitalises on the missed tackles to move the chains. They do eventually get the stop and force the punt.
Steelers 0-10 Buccaneers 13:02, 2nd quarter
Steelers go three and out. Pittsburgh’s drive chart reads: punt, pick, turnover on downs, punt. Yikes.
Titans 0-7 Colts 11:06, 2nd quarter
D Jones to M Alie-Cox for one yard
The tight end just scurries loose. Daniel Jones sees it and hits him. Boom.
TOUCHDOWN! Steelers 0-10 Buccaneers 14:52, 2nd quarter
J Daniels to E Egbuka for two yards
Remember when Pittsburgh had a good defense? Backup undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels leads the easiest of eight play 60 yard drives to give Tampa Bay a two-score lead.
Titans 0-0 Colts 14:01, 2nd quarter
The only scoreless game may not remain so for much longer as Daniel Jones dumps one short to Jonathan Taylor. The bruising back does the rest with a 38-yard rumble.
Bears 14-0 Falcons 11:56, 2nd quarter
Atlanta get a big stop on 3rd down as Caleb Williams finally misses a pass at his 13th attempt. Bears punt.
TOUCHDOWN! Jets 3-7 Patriots 4:10, 1st quarter
D Maye to R Doubs for 42 yards
New England take the lead with a spectacular long bomb. The throw leads Doubs to his right and he crouches low, falling to his right as he makes the diving grab. Awesome.
TOUCHDOWN! Bears 14-0 Falcons 1:07, 1st quarter
D Swift four yard rush
The big back finishes off another impressive drive for Chicago. Atlanta desperately need to avoid another three and out.
It’s GOOD! Ravens 10-0 Browns 12:51, 1st quarter
T Loop 34 yard field goal
Ravens capitalising on a horrible start to this one from Deshaun Watson. Browns fans not happy in Cleveland.
Bears 7-0 Falcons 3:09, 1st quarter
Caleb Williams is on fire to start this one. The Bears are knocking on the red zone after gains of eight, 23 and 28 through the air. Williams is 8/8 for 120 yards and a score.
It’s GOOD! Steelers 0-3 Buccaneers 7:51, 1st quarter
C McLaughlin 43 yard field goal
Deflected at the line and it makes it. Lucky boy.
TOUCHDOWN! Saints 0-7 Giants 5:14, 1st quarter
J Winston to T Tracy for 17 yards
A shocker of a missed tackle allows the running back to loop to the right after a catch at the line of scrimmage and waltz in. He should have been brought down about 10 yards shy of the end zone.
It’s GOOD! Jets 3-0 Patriots 8:12, 1st quarter
J Sanders 42 yard field goal
The Jets have a touchdown chalked off for pass interference and have to settle for three points.
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 7-0 Browns 8:11, 1st quarter
T Huntley to J Cuevas for two yards
Wow this Browns defense really is good. They stop Derrick Henry on the goal line on 3rd down. Massive.
No shame to then concede the touchdown. The Ravens fake a handoff and it works opening up an easy pass for Snoop Huntley.
TOUCHDOWN! Bears 7-0 Falcons 8:15, 1st quarter
C Williams to C Loveland for 14 yards
Caleb is back baby. 10 plays, 67 yards. Touchdown.
It’s GOOD! Panthers 3-0 Eagles 10:51, 1st quarter
R Fitzgerald 47 yard field goal
Carolina are on the board against Philadelphia. Tanner McKee about to take over at quarterback for the Eagles. His first drive. Three and out.
SACK! Steelers 0-0 Buccaneers 12:51, 1st quarter
Jalen Ramsay delivers a huge sack of Bucs QB Jalon Daniels to force an early punt in Tampa.
Right. No time to settle this lot are on the way in a couple of minutes:
(3-2) Chicago Bears v Atlanta Falcons (2-3)
(4-1) Baltimore Ravens v Cleveland Browns (3-2)
(0-5) Tennessee Titans v Indianapolis Colts (2-3)
(2-3) New York Jets v New England Patriots (3-2)
(1-4) New Orleans Saints v New York Giants (3-1-1)
(2-2) Carolina Panthers v Philadelphia Eagles (2-3)
(3-2) Pittsburgh Steelers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4)
Meanwhile Neil Reynolds handily points out on Sky Sports that all four of Houston’s defeats have been by five points or fewer. Good team but a little unlucky showing they still have it today.
(2-4) Houston Texans 34-31 Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
CJ Stroud’s excellent day at quarterback was key for a second win in succession for the Texans to give them some hope to make the playoffs. The Jaguars will live to fight another day and still sit comfortably at the top of the AFC South.
Stroud: 24/34 for 312 yards at 9.2 per attempt, three touchdowns, one interception.
Lawrence 24/41 for 206 yards at 7.5 per attempt, four touchdowns, interception.
What a game to sign off the London series. Amazing.
TEXANS WIN!!!!
IT’S GOOD! Texans 34-31 Jaguars 0:00, 4th quarter
Ka’imi Fairbairn nails it from 49 yards. TEXANS WIN! Houston keep their season alive!!! Wow, what a game. Jacksonville this time on the wrong end of game-ending field goal. Heartbreaking.
Texans 31-31 Jaguars 0:03, 4th quarter
This is it.
Texans 31-31 Jaguars 0:47, 4th quarter
Jawhar Jordan cuts back for a potentially game-winning seven yards to move Ka’imi Fairbairn just that little bit closer. Stover takes the direct snap but doesn’t get the 1st down. Not ideal for the kicker but he is coming out to grab a huge win for Houston’s season.
Texans 31-31 Jaguars 0:53, 4th quarter
Are we heading to overtime at Wembley? Houston need two yards on 3rd down to try and avoid it. Woody Marks collects the short pass without a defender in sight and he races for 19 yards out to the right.
Houston are very close to field goal range. Very close. Jaguars spend their second time out.
Will the Jaguars lose after a last second field goal this week? Brutal if they do.
IT'S GOOD! Texans 31-31 Jaguars 1:55, 4th quarter
C Little 60 yard field goal
Cam Little NAILS it from way down town. Would have been good from 67 yards. Unbelievable. TIE GAME!
Texans 31-28 Jaguars 2:00, 4th quarter
Ooooh. Calen Bullock reads a Trevor Lawrence pass perfectly and almost has his second interception of the game only to drop the ball. Parker Washington follows it up with a deep drop of his own leaving the Jags at 3rd and 10 at midfield. Blitz coming. It does the trick bringing up 4th down.
At the two-minute warning field goal hero Cam Little has a 60-yard try or they go for it on 4th and 4. Huge call on the way for Jaguars head coach Liam Coen.
Quick 6pm injury news
Caleb Williams is starting for the Chicago Bears. The star QB is back after three games out with a hamstring injury.
Browns running back Quinshon Judkins and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson are both inactive for the AFC North classic.
PICK! Texans 31-28 Jaguars 3:53, 4th quarter
Travis Hunter! He follows up scoring the Jaguars last touchdown with an interception in the end zone. Perfect coverage of a play action pass that was so good it even fooled the cameraman. We were watching Woody Marks run in for a touchdown without the ball while Hunter was giving the Jags another huge boost. Proving he can be a true two-way player when given the chance.
CJ Stroud’s first pick of the season could be pivotal.
Texans 31-28 Jaguars 4:45, 4th quarter
Woody Marks keeps rolling. A couple of lovely lead blocks lead the running back for a juicy 11-yard gain and into the red zone.
Nico Collins is proving an x-factor too as he catches the screen pass on the right. Hesitates then launches off while eluding an onrushing defender to gain 11 yards. He then rushes for five on an end around. Four yard to go for the score. 2nd down.
Texans 31-28 Jaguars 7:05, 4th quarter
Promising for Texans fans that Houston are now getting joy on the ground to bleed the clock while moving the ball. Woody Marks rushes for seven yards to midfield after a direct snap to Cade Stover moved the sticks on the previous play.
Marks undoes his good work quickly though with a trip that brings up 3rd and 11. Big moment for the Jaguars. Stroud steps back and finds his man with ease. Nico Collins makes himself available with a sly push on Travis Hunter. No call gives Houston the 1st down.
Texans 31-28 Jaguars 11:25, 4th quarter
T Lawrence to T Hunter for seven yards
Oof on 1st down Lawrence finds and open Parker Washington but the receiver can’t hold on to the fast ball.
No matter. Travis Hunter can. Fitting that the second year star finishes off a drive he helped spark into life with a sticky catch in the centre of the end zone on a ball that was really travelling.
Texans 31-21 Jaguars 12:05, 4th quarter
Travis Hunter keeps getting touches as he gets another short pass on a flat route. He ducks and dives through the Texans for seven yards. Tuten then gets wrapped up one yard shy of the 1st down. 3rd and 1 on Houston’s 10-yard line. Chris Rodriguez barrels over for 1st and Goal. Seven to go for the score.
Texans 31-21 Jaguars 14:05, 4th quarter
I am reliably informed the six passing touchdowns in today’s game are the most ever in London. Sounds surprising but considering the trash teams London usually gets and the difficulty making the trip it makes sense. Let’s hope for a few more.
Texans 31-21 Jaguars 0:00, 3rd quarter
Huge relief for Jacksonville as Ameer Abdullah appears to fumble the kick-off return but is ruled as down by contact on review.
Trevor Lawrence hits Travis Hunter on the short, sharp slant and the receiver bursts into life to break tackles and make defenders miss for a 26-yard gain.
We are perfectly poised heading into the final quarter. Great for London to have another high-quality game.
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 31-21 Jaguars 0:50, 3rd quarter
J Jordan 25 yard rush
Pass, pass, pass. The aerial display shows no signs of stopping as CJ Stroud guides the Texans to midfield with a 16-yard strike to Dalton Schultz.
A short pass almost gifts the ball to the Jags after Woody Marks has the ball punched from his grasp but he is ruled to have not had possession. Incomplete pass. Another short gain brings up 3rd down. Stroud looks for Nico Collins and the defender Jarrian Jones is all over him without looking at the ball. Easy pass interference call.
It goes from bad to worse for Jones who misses a tackle in the open field on Jawhar Jordan. He grabs fresh hair and Jordan races in for the touchdown. The rookie running back scores for the first time in his career.
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 24-21 Jaguars 2:34, 3rd quarter
T Lawrence to N Boerkircher for one yard
Incredible. Trevor Lawrence sells the QB run perfectly then jumps back from the line of scrimmage to loop a short pass to Nate Boerkircher for the score. The defense all piled in to stop the run leaving the big man open.
That is the rookie tight end’s first touchdown in the NFL. And what a way to get it on the perfectly designed trick play.
Updated
Texans 24-14 Jaguars 2:52, 3rd quarter
You can feel the urgency from the Jaguars who pick up the blitz on successive plays allowing Trevor Lawrence to find Jakobi Meyers on two passes for gains of 22 and 28 yards. Really impressive response to get back on track and into the red zone.
A couple of runs and we have 3rd down. Another screen pass to Tuten almost gives the running back his hat-trick but he is stopped just short. 1st and Goal
Texans 24-14 Jaguars 5:36, 3rd quarter
The chains are moving nicely after a 10-yard pass to Kayshon Boutte. The receiver delivers a perfect toe-tap grab. Houston have a 3rd and long and finally the pass rush get some pressure on Stroud. The QB is flushed from the pocket and he can’t scramble for the 1st down. Punt. Jags take over at their 30-yard line.
Texans 24-14 Jaguars 8:15, 3rd quarter
Stroud picked up where he left off on that drive. He is now 15/20 for 211 yards and three touchdowns. Sublime.
Meanwhile Tremon Smith breaks up a pass to force a Jaguars punt as they go three and out. Huge chance for Houston now to stamp their authority on the match. Stroud will have to travel 95 yards to do so after a holding penalty on the punt.
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 24-14 Jaguars 9:21, 3rd quarter
Third and five now up for the Texans after a tipped pass and a five-yard dash from Woody Marks. False start on the offense, ouch.
3rd and 10. Stroud drops back, surveys the scene and sees Jaylin Noel free in the right corner of the end zone. He throws a perfect rainbow and Noel doesn’t even have to jump. Catch. Touchdown. A perfect route run by Noel too. The second-year receiver has the first 100+ yard game of his career now with 107.
Brutal for the Jaguars to concede a touchdown after leaving too many men on the field for the punt.
Texans 17-14 Jaguars 10:10, 3rd quarter
Now some much-needed joy on the ground as Jawhar Jordan sprints for eight yards. On 3rd down Stroud finds his old mate Harrison Jr for another 1st down. About 13 yards to go now for the touchdown. Great to see Stroud’s instant chemistry with Harrison.
Texans 17-14 Jaguars 12:39, 3rd quarter
An ineffective drive for Houston leads to a punt. Only the Jaguars leave 12 men on the field and they have to gift the ball back to the Texans. CJ Stroud gets the ball back at midfield and finds Marvin Harrison Jr for 15 yards.
Half-time: Texans 17-14 Jaguars
Both quarterbacks are playing at a high level but Stroud has been a cut above so far going 9/13 on passes for 160 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. A very handy 12.3 yards per attempt is destroying the Jaguars secondary.
Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen will be searching for ways to slow down Stroud’s arm. If he can’t adjust then the Texans will come out on top.
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 17-14 Jaguars 0:08, 2nd quarter
CJ Stroud to F Moreau for one yard
An unbelievable throw gives the Texans the lead. Stroud loops the ball over one defender then past the hands of another into the right paw of Foster Moreau for a one-hander in the left corner of the end zone.
What a drive! Three plays for 63 yards in 47 seconds. The Jags have no idea what’s hit them.
Stroud is on fire.
Texans 10-14 Jaguars 0:12, 2nd quarter
Time is running out but the Texans get a huge hand from Travis Hunter. The defender interferes with the pass and puts the Texans on the goal line.
Updated
Texans 10-14 Jaguars 0:18, 2nd quarter
Wow, just wow. CJ Stroud is having an immense game. He lets everything fly with a defender on his neck and sends the pass 51 yards to Jaylin Noel. 13 yards to go for a touchdown and taking the lead back. Out of nowhere.
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 10-14 Jaguars 0:55, 2nd quarter
T Lawrence to B Tuten for two yards
Well that was a quick answer. Lawrence fakes the handoff to Tuten then rolls out to his right while the running back scampers into the end zone. Lawrence floats it and Tuten snaps it up for his second TD. Jaguars have the lead.
Texans 10-7 Jaguars 0;57, 2nd quarter
Another Texans starter on defense is headed to the locker room, this time safety Reed Blankenship.
Meanwhile on a big 2nd and lond Lawrence drops back, has a very clean pocket and picks out Travis Hunter for 19 yards. Hunter has barely featured on the offense but that is a key play to bring up 1st and Goal.
Can the Jags overcome red zone woes? In their past four trips they have no touchdowns since last weeks win against the Eagles.
Texans 10-7 Jaguars 2:00, 2nd quarter
Jacksonville keep pounding the run and inch their way to a 1st down with a bit of help from a defensive offside.
Clever tactics as they dial up play action on the next ball that Lawrence floats into the end zone for Parker Washington. The receiver dives. The ball bursts through his hands. So unlucky hat would have been a 35-yard touchdown from heaven.
Two-minute warning. You have been warned.
It’s GOOD! Texans 10-7 Jaguars 4:16, 2nd quarter
K Fairbairn 25 yard field goal
Third down up for Houston. The pass is tipped but the catch is made by Dalton Schultz only for the tight end to slip and fall a yard short of the 1st down. No. Bad luck. They settle for the 25 yard field goal.
Meamwhile Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is out of the game with a concussion.
Texans 7-7 Jaguars 5:39, 2nd quarter
Tackling Jacksonville? Jaylin Noel catches a short ball in the slot then gashes the Jags for 34 yards as he dashes through flailing arms. Next Marvin Harrison Jr gets the call for a 14-yard catch in traffic.
Stroud is looking great, especially as he hooks up with his old Ohio State teammate Harrison.
Texans move into the red zone after an illegal contact penalty from the Jags.
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 7-7 Jaguars 6:47, 2nd quarter
T Lawrence to B Tuten for 27 yards
The QB gets it out in the flat to Bhayshul Tuten who goes to work. The shifty running back gets an awesome block from Jakobi Meyers then has free space to run into up the right sideline. A defender rushes in for a tackle but he stops, steps inside and walks in to level the scores. Justice?
Texans 7-0 Jaguars 7:51, 2nd quarter
Another 3rd down for the Jags with four to get. The blitz comes but Lawrence sees Washington streaking down the left sideline. He drops it perfectly over the chasing defender into Washington’s hands for a 27-yard gain. Easy. 30 yards to go to level it up.
Texans 7-0 Jaguars 10:13, 2nd quarter
Lawrence continues to struggle as he misses an open receiver on 1st down from the Jaguars 20-yard line. Fortunately for him he has the escapologist in chief at receiver in Parker Washington. He catches it short in the slot and gets to work making multiple defenders miss as he dances out to the left for a 19-yard gain.
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Texans 7-0 Jaguars 11:13, 2nd quarter
Marvin Harrison is on the field for his Texans debut. Marks gets the tote on 3rd down but is short. Weird call almost daring the Jags to prove they have the muscle up front. Guess what? They do. Houston punt. Very strange playcalling, complete let off for the Lawrence interception.
PICK! Texans 7-0 Jaguars 13:24, 2nd quarter
Rodriguez breaks out the spin move as he seeks the game-levelling touchdown but he can only get a fresh set of downs.
On 1st and Goal Lawrence drops back but overcooks the throw to Jakobi Meyers. Tuten then strolls in for the score but the yellow flags are flying. Holding against the offense, tough call not sure the tight end Strange was holding just delivered a great block. On the repeat of 2nd down Lawrence feels the pressure and scrambles expertly back to the original line of scrimmage.
Five yards to go on 3rd down. Pass. IS PICKED. Lawrence picks out Houston’s Calen Bullock or rather Bullock reads the pass like a book and has the easiest interception. Takes the knee. Texans ball.
Jacksonville will feel very hard done by considering they had a touchdown chalked off for a phantom holding call.
Texans 7-0 Jaguars 0:00, 1st quarter
Rodriguez bites off another six yards leaving the Jags with 18 to go for the touchdown. Bhayshul Tuten then gets the change of pace run and moves the chains. Parker Washington has his first catch and may have had a score had he not slipped out on to the sideline at the end of the first quarter.
Texans 7-0 Jaguars 1:48, 1st quarter
Houston’s pass rush of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter almost get to Lawrence and he has to throw it away. Then Rodriguez rumbles for eight yards to Houston’s 30-yard line. A fifth 3rd down on the way. Rodriguez makes it and then some.
Texans 7-0 Jaguars 3:44, 1st quarter
With the pass struggling the Jags roll out big back Chris Rodriguez as they bid to level the scores. He rumbles for 14 yards then gets stuffed. The secondary knocks down another pass but Lawrence gets his first win on 3rd down with a 10 yard strike to Brenton Strange.
TOUCHDOWN! Texans 7-0 Jaguars 5:13, 1st quarter
CJ Stroud to F Moreau for six yards
Jacksonville’s running defense might be good but the pass seems to be being overlooked as two defenders cover Dalton Schultz but leave Foster Moreau stood alone in the end zone. Stroud loops an easy ball to the big tight end. Touchdown.
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Texans 0-0 Jaguars 5:59, 1st quarter
Houston have to keep Jacksonville honest and run it with Marks who grabs six yards. Next the blitz comes at light speed but CJ Stroud is up to the challenge and rips a fast ball to Xavier Hutchinson. Five yards and a fresh set of downs. That looked rehearsed.
His fast ball looked good. How about the deep ball? Well on the next play Stroud lets fly with a 42-yarder right into Nico Collins’ lap.
1st & Goal just like that.
Texans 0-0 Jaguars 8:14, 1st quarter
Only two drives but Jacksonville are struggling to throw the ball in the face of Houston’s fierce pass rush and coverage. Parker Washington has been targeted three times and has zero catches.
Texans 0-0 Jaguars 8:14, 1st quarter
Houston really squeezing early doors as they make Jacksonville throw on 3rd down now with four to get. The blitz comes and Lawrence can’t find his receiver. But the Jags are gambling. Lawrence tries to find Parker Washington but almost throws an interception. Awesome defense. Turnover on downs.
Texans 0-0 Jaguars 9:20, 1st quarter
And it is a non-contact injury for official Larry Smith who slipped when walking toward thee sideline. Poor bloke has had to be carted off the field into the locker room.
Meanwhile the Texans force another 3rd down with the Jags needing two yards. Bhayshul Tuten barges over to move the chains. Jags over midfield.
Texans 0-0 Jaguars 10:37, 1st quarter
Well this embarrassing. Injury timeout now … for … an official after Trevor Lawrence grabbed four yards on a scramble. The ref is down clutching his knee. Back to the adverts.
Speaking to how good they are against the run, the Jaguars have gone 22 games without allowing a rusher to go for more than 75 yards. Good luck, Woody.
Texans 0-0 Jaguars 11:08, 1st quarter
A historically good defense against the run meets Houston’s backup running back Woody Marks. On Marks’ first try he gets a couple of yards. Not bad all things considered. A couple of failed passes lead to a Texans punt. Jags take over at their 45-yard line. Good position for some points.
Texans 0-0 Jaguars 12:47, 1st quarter
That pass is where the good times begin and end as a stuffed run, a dropped catch and poor attempt at a screen pass mean the Jags punt. Houston take over at their six-yard line.
Here we go. Houston boot it away and Trevor Lawrence jogs out to lead Jacksonville’s opening drive in the teal and black. He drops back then slings a beautiful strike to the open tight end Brenton Strange for 24 yards. The Jaguars are over midfield just like that. Excellent start.
Anthems time … here is John Oliver with an all-timer alternative American national anthem. Ohhhh say can’t you seeeeee
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Five minutes to go until kick-off … the Jaguars are rumbling on to the hallowed Wembley turf. Lawrence is getting a lot of hype (from me) but their defense has been quietly very good too. Especially in stopping the run. No running back has gained more than 40 yards against the Jaguars this season.
So as Brighton (3-0 up after 10 minutes against Palace) are going to win the Premier League this season, who are your unlikely candidates to win the Super Bowl?
Why not the Jacksonville Jaguars. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the key to potentially challenging for real this season. He appears to be making the leap finally from good to great. After five games, Lawrence is fourth in rating (106.3), eighth in completion percentage (67.1) and fifth in yards per attempt (8.2), along with 1,174 yards (14th) and 10 TDs (tied fifth). Not the most amazing stats but he is certainly passing the eye test. Just watch his TD to Parker Washington in London last week.
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Was anyone at the Jaguars game last Sunday? Surely it must have been the best NFL game London has hosted. The lead swung this way and that wildly at the end to the point where the Eagles must have thought they had won it with eight seconds left on the clock and a 17-16 lead. An unbelievable, seven-second kick return later and Cam Little smashed through the game-winning field goal from 57 yards. Just incredible.
Then later on at midday CST/1pm EST/6pm GMT there is a seven-game slate to get stuck into with some real prove-it potential across the board with regard to playoff ambitions. A very tough set of matches to predict outcomes from …
(3-2) Chicago Bears v Atlanta Falcons (2-3)
(4-1) Baltimore Ravens v Cleveland Browns (3-2)
(0-5) Tennessee Titans v Indianapolis Colts (2-3)
(2-3) New York Jets v New England Patriots (3-2)
(1-4) New Orleans Saints v New York Giants (3-1-1)
(2-2) Carolina Panthers v Philadelphia Eagles (2-3)
(3-2) Pittsburgh Steelers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4)
The early injury news is Caleb Williams is set to return at quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Philadelphia’s QB Jalen Hurts has been put on injured reserve for the Eagles due to a blood clot while another star coming back today is wide receiver AJ Brown for the New England Patriots.
Preamble
Hello football fans! Week six of the NFL is here and we are coming straight outta Wembley as the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Houston Texans in an AFC South divisional battle beginning at 8.30am CST/9.30am EST/2.30pm GMT.
The Jaguars put on quite the show last week in Tottenham as they beat the Eagles with a last-second field goal as they moved to a 4-1 record. A fine start to the season that will have Trevor Lawrence and company feeling good about handling the 1-4 Texans.
The form book certainly would have you believe Houston will struggle and so does the injury list with running back David Montgomery (groin) and safety Jalen Pitre (shoulder) ruled out. There is hope though as the Texans boast four wins from their past five meetings with the Jags.
Houston’s quarterback CJ Stroud also has a new weapon to unleash with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr making his Texans debut today. An offense that has struggled thus far may get the spark it needs at exactly the right time as a defeat would not boot Houston out of playoff contention completely but barring a miracle they would surely miss out this year.
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