The Falcons made their way to Charlotte for a Thursday night showdown with the Panthers, who knocked them off earlier this month at Atlanta. Matt Ryan and company trailed 14-6 in the second quarter but would limit the Panthers to a field goal the rest of the way.
Ryan did not throw a touchdown pass (1 interception) but found wide receiver Julio Jones seven times for 137 yards. Atlanta sacked Teddy Bridgewater three times and picked him once.
Of course, not having running back Saquon Barkley for the last five-plus games has certainly hurt Joe Judge’s club. But second-year quarterback Daniel Jones, who has shown what he can do with his legs as of late, continues to have his issues with ball security. He’s thrown for 1,410 yards and five scores this season but has been picked off seven times and he’s lost four of his five fumbles.
Meanwhile, a much-maligned defense is making some strides.
It was the Dalvin Cook Show at Lambeau Field as Mike Zimmer’s club surprised the rival Packers. The versatile running back carried 30 times for 163 yards and three touchdowns and also caught two passes, one of those going 50 yards for a score.
The Vikings also took care of the football and the defense came up big in the closing moments, sacking Aaron Rodgers and forcing a fumble on the last play of the game to secure a surprise victory.
The Broncos have had their share of success in recent seasons against the Chargers. But things didn’t look good in the third quarter as Vic Fangio’s club trailed by 21 points.
And the Broncos’ defense was struggling to stop a Los Angeles’ offense that would roll up 85 total yards. But second-year pro Drew Lock kept pitching and his one-yard TD toss to K.J. Hamler on the final play of the game (and Brandon McManus’ subsequent PAT) completed the rally.