The Bucs were in the prime time spotlight for the second time in seven days as they clashed with the Saints for the second time this season. Wide receiver Antonio Brown would make his first appearance with the club but the story was the Saints’ defense that limited Tom Brady and company to 105 total yards and zero points in the first half. It didn’t get much better after intermission. Tampa was held without a TD and Brady was intercepted three times.
A 5-0 start was followed by two straight losses and the Titans looked to end their brief skid when the Bears came to town. Tennessee’s offense managed only 228 total yards but owned a 24-3 lead in the fourth quarter before Chicago managed a pair of touchdowns with just over five minutes to play. Derrick Henry was kept in check and ran for only 68 yards on 21 carries. Ryan Tannehill threw for only 158 but connected for a pair of touchdowns.
Matt LaFleur’s team still hasn’t lost two games in a row under his tenure and the Packers made convincing work of the 49ers at San Francisco on Thursday night. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit on 25-of-31 passes for 305 yards and four TDs and Green Bay played turnover-free ball for the sixth time in eight games. Mike Pettine’s defense totaled only one sack but kept the heat on Niners’ quarterback Nick Mullens, who committed a pair of crucial turnovers.