Patriots Fall to Panthers on Late Field Goal
Believe it or not, just one month in to the season, the New England Patriots have two losses on the record, both of which have come on their home field. After rallying from a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit, Graham Gano's 48-yard field goal as time expired gave the Carolina Panthers a huge 33-30 victory on Sunday afternoon. Gano's game-winner helped him overcome missing an extra point attempt earlier in the game, which ended up playing a big role in the contest. The Patriots' defense continued to struggle, as they had given up an NFL-worst 461 yards and 31.7 points per game heading in to Sunday. Cam Newton was able to take advantage of that, finishing with 316 yards through the air on 22-of-29 passing. He had thrown just two touchdowns and four interceptions in the team's first three games. Meanwhile, on the ground, Jonathan Stewart ran for 68 yards to pass DeAngelo Williams as the Panthers' all-time franchise leader for rushing yards. The Panthers finished the game with 444 total yards, making it the fourth straight game that New England has given up at least 300 yards. The struggling defense spoiled Tom Brady's efforts, as he finished with 307 yards passing and two touchdowns. Both teams will be on the road next week, with the Pats going against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Panthers in Detroit to battle the Lions.
Raiders Lose Carr to Injury, Fall to Broncos
The Oakland Raiders' 2017 season has taken an unexpected, downhill turn within the past two weeks, and they sunk to a new low on Sunday. Starting quarterback Derek Carr left the game early due to a back injury, as the Raiders could not find a groove after that in a 16-10 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Broncos were able to shut down the Raiders' run game, as Marshawn Lynch had just 12 yards on nine carries, which made the Raiders' offense non-existent without their quarterback. Carr's injury occurred in the third quarter when he was hit from behind by Adam Gotsis while going down by a sack from Shelby Harris. The Raiders' QB finished the game 10-of-18 for 143 yards before being replaced by E.J. Manuel. The former Bills' QB finished 11-of-17 for 106 yards, but threw a game-ending interception to Justin Simmons late in the fourth quarter. Brandon McManus's foot was also key for the Broncos, as he hit field goals of 28, 36, and 46 yards in the victory. Denver will stay home next week while looking to improve their 3-1 record against the struggling, 0-4 New York Giants. Meanwhile, the Raiders may have to go without Carr as they play host to the Baltimore Ravens.
Watson Goes Off to Lead Texans Over Titans
Deshaun Watson may have sealed his spot as the Houston Texans' starting quarterback for the near future with the show he put on Sunday afternoon. The former Clemson Tiger tied an NFL rookie record with five touchdowns in total as Houston blew past the Tennessee Titans with ease, 57-14. Watson threw for four touchdowns, while running for another, helping Houston score the most points in a game in franchise history. That broke a previous franchise high of 45 points, which was done in 2014, also against the Titans. They are the first team to score 50 points in a game since the Jacksonville Jaguars did it in December of 2015. Watson did throw one interception, but it did not haunt him, as he helped the Texans score touchdowns in their first three possessions for the first time since October of 2008. The Titans did not have as much luck with their quarterback, as starter Marcus Mariota left the game at halftime with a hamstring injury. Matt Cassel struggled as the backup, throwing for 21 yards and two interceptions in the second half. Watson became the first rookie to throw four touchdowns and run for another since Fran Tarkenton did it in 1961. The suddenly stellar rookie and his Texans have a tough task next week when they host the Kansas City Chiefs, while the Titans look to get things together in Miami against the Dolphins.
Believe it or not, just one month in to the season, the New England Patriots have two losses on the record, both of which have come on their home field. After rallying from a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit, Graham Gano's 48-yard field goal as time expired gave the Carolina Panthers a huge 33-30 victory on Sunday afternoon. Gano's game-winner helped him overcome missing an extra point attempt earlier in the game, which ended up playing a big role in the contest. The Patriots' defense continued to struggle, as they had given up an NFL-worst 461 yards and 31.7 points per game heading in to Sunday. Cam Newton was able to take advantage of that, finishing with 316 yards through the air on 22-of-29 passing. He had thrown just two touchdowns and four interceptions in the team's first three games. Meanwhile, on the ground, Jonathan Stewart ran for 68 yards to pass DeAngelo Williams as the Panthers' all-time franchise leader for rushing yards. The Panthers finished the game with 444 total yards, making it the fourth straight game that New England has given up at least 300 yards. The struggling defense spoiled Tom Brady's efforts, as he finished with 307 yards passing and two touchdowns. Both teams will be on the road next week, with the Pats going against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Panthers in Detroit to battle the Lions.
Raiders Lose Carr to Injury, Fall to Broncos
The Oakland Raiders' 2017 season has taken an unexpected, downhill turn within the past two weeks, and they sunk to a new low on Sunday. Starting quarterback Derek Carr left the game early due to a back injury, as the Raiders could not find a groove after that in a 16-10 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Broncos were able to shut down the Raiders' run game, as Marshawn Lynch had just 12 yards on nine carries, which made the Raiders' offense non-existent without their quarterback. Carr's injury occurred in the third quarter when he was hit from behind by Adam Gotsis while going down by a sack from Shelby Harris. The Raiders' QB finished the game 10-of-18 for 143 yards before being replaced by E.J. Manuel. The former Bills' QB finished 11-of-17 for 106 yards, but threw a game-ending interception to Justin Simmons late in the fourth quarter. Brandon McManus's foot was also key for the Broncos, as he hit field goals of 28, 36, and 46 yards in the victory. Denver will stay home next week while looking to improve their 3-1 record against the struggling, 0-4 New York Giants. Meanwhile, the Raiders may have to go without Carr as they play host to the Baltimore Ravens.
Watson Goes Off to Lead Texans Over Titans
Deshaun Watson may have sealed his spot as the Houston Texans' starting quarterback for the near future with the show he put on Sunday afternoon. The former Clemson Tiger tied an NFL rookie record with five touchdowns in total as Houston blew past the Tennessee Titans with ease, 57-14. Watson threw for four touchdowns, while running for another, helping Houston score the most points in a game in franchise history. That broke a previous franchise high of 45 points, which was done in 2014, also against the Titans. They are the first team to score 50 points in a game since the Jacksonville Jaguars did it in December of 2015. Watson did throw one interception, but it did not haunt him, as he helped the Texans score touchdowns in their first three possessions for the first time since October of 2008. The Titans did not have as much luck with their quarterback, as starter Marcus Mariota left the game at halftime with a hamstring injury. Matt Cassel struggled as the backup, throwing for 21 yards and two interceptions in the second half. Watson became the first rookie to throw four touchdowns and run for another since Fran Tarkenton did it in 1961. The suddenly stellar rookie and his Texans have a tough task next week when they host the Kansas City Chiefs, while the Titans look to get things together in Miami against the Dolphins.
