The Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints pulled off stunning upsets over two NFC powerhouses as the highest tales from an exciting NFL Sunday.
DETROIT — It was one other nice NFL Sunday with some tight finishes and main upsets together with stunning losses by the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Bucs.
Within the early window, we had spectacular wins by the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Tennessee Titans to maintain their playoff hopes alive, whereas the Dallas Cowboys took care of enterprise towards the Giants to maneuver to 10-4. The Texans additionally picked up their third win of the 12 months, defeating the Jaguars of their first sport with out City Meyer.
Within the late window, the Bengals received a giant bounce again street win over the Denver Broncos and the Packers snuck out of Baltimore with a 31-30 win after the Ravens opted to go for 2 and the win and fail for the second time in three weeks.
Let’s try a number of the different prime storylines from Sunday’s NFL motion.
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Lions pull off upset of the 12 months?
The Detroit Lions could have pulled off the most important upset win within the NFL this season once they dominated the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Detroit 30-12.
It was the second win in three weeks for the Lions, who had been beginning their FIFTH-STRING operating again Craig Reynolds, who rushed 26 instances for 112 yards.
Jared Goff was with out his prime goal in T.J. Hockenson however he sliced by means of the Cardinals protection, finishing over 80% of his passes for 216 yards and three passing touchdowns.
It marked the primary time in NFL historical past {that a} staff with 1 win or fewer beat a ten+ win staff by double-digits.
With the loss, the Cardinals dropped their second-straight sport. A win would have clinched a playoff spot for Arizona and so they’re now 0-3 in playoff-clinching alternatives since final season.
The unhealthy information for Detroit followers is the loss meant they dropped from holding the No. 1 total decide in subsequent 12 months’s draft to the No. 3 decide.
However, the win actually feels good for Lions followers who’ve suffered by means of 5 one-score losses this season so far.
Arizona could have one other powerful sport subsequent week towards the surging Indianapolis Colts.
Colts making severe noise as AFC contender
The Indianapolis Colts defeated the New England Patriots within the first Saturday sport of the 12 months, beating them 27-17.
The Colts received it finished within the run sport and on the defensive facet of the ball, just like how the Patriots beat the Payments two weeks prior.
Carson Wentz was simply 5-for-12 with 57 yards by means of the air, however NFL dashing chief Jonathan Taylor went for 170 yards on the bottom and a landing.
The Colts protection intercepted Mac Jones twice and had a blocked punt landing within the sport.
Indianapolis is now on the prime of the AFC Wild Card and only one sport again of the Tennessee Titans for the AFC South lead.
That is now 5 wins in six video games for the Colts as they appear to show their case as a real Tremendous Bowl contender within the AFC.
Saints pull off gorgeous shutout in Tampa Bay
The second huge upset of the day got here on Sunday Evening Soccer because the New Orleans Saints went into Tampa Bay and shutout the highest offense in soccer 9-0.
With the win, the Bucs may have clinched the NFC South for the primary time since 2007, however the Saints had different plans.
The Bucs misplaced each Chris Godwin and Mike Evans to accidents within the first half and the offense could not get shifting after that.
Tom Brady accomplished simply 54% of his passes and had one interception in what was a irritating evening for him.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was standing in for Saints head coach Sean Payton, who missed the sport after testing optimistic for COVID-19. Allen’s protection ended Brady’s streak of 255 consecutive begins with out being shut out.
“This wasn’t in any manner a one-man present,” Allen stated. “This was a corporation that got here collectively and gained a sport.”
Since becoming a member of the Bucs, Tom Brady is now 0-4 towards the Saints within the common season.
“Only a powerful evening. Did not do a lot of something proper,” Brady stated after the sport. “I want it was only one factor. It was lots of issues. We simply did not play nicely sufficient. We’re not going to win scoring no factors.”
Miami Dolphins quietly win sixth-straight sport
There aren’t many individuals speaking concerning the pink sizzling Miami Dolphins.
With a 24-17 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, the Dolphins earned their sixth-straight win, shifting to 7-7 on the 12 months after beginning the season 1-7. The Dolphins turned the second staff in NFL historical past to get to 7-7 after beginning a season 1-7.
Tua Tagovailoa was with out prime goal Jaylen Waddle, however discovered a solution to get it finished with Devante Parker, Isaiah Ford and Mike Gesicki as he threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Duke Johnson began at operating again for a banged up Miami backfield and he rushed 22 instances for 107 yards and two touchdowns.
“It means so much,” Johnson stated after the sport. “Rising up within the space, simply with the ability to play soccer and play nicely right here, it meant so much nevertheless it meant much more as a result of we received the win. That helps.”
Now, the mission turns into tougher for the Dolphins as they end their season on the Saints, on the Titans and on the Patriots. The stay on the surface wanting in on the jam-packed AFC Wild Card with 4 groups at 8-6, plus Cleveland at 7-6 and Pittsburgh at 7-6-1 nonetheless forward of them within the Wild Card race.
It’ll probably take successful out for the Dolphins to have a shot on the playoffs.
