NFL Week 10 Recap: The Patriots Can Beat The Giants & Other Things We Learned
The Patriots stayed unbeaten, while the Lions and Chiefs got rare wins. Here’s what we learned in Week 10 of the 2015 NFL season.
The Patriots Beat The Giants To Stay Undefeated
Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 54-yard field goal with one second left to play, and the New England Patriots beat the New York Giants, 27-26, on Sunday in New Jersey. New York (5-5) seemed to have once again found a way to beat Bill Belichick’s unbeatable Pats — Josh Brown’s fourth field goal of the game put them ahead with 1:47 remaining — but Tom Brady had enough time to drive New England (9-0) into position for Gostkowski’s game-winning kick. Brady finished with 334 yards passing and two touchdowns, including a 76-yarder to Rob Gronkowski.
Just as he did in the two Super Bowls between the teams, Giants quarterback Eli Manning had another great game against the Patriots defense, throwing for 362 yards and two scores. However, it wasn’t enough to keep Brady and New England from getting the win this time.
The only other undefeated team in action on Sunday, Carolina (9-0) had a much easier time staying perfect. The Panthers drubbed the Tennessee Titans, 27-10, behind dancing Cam Newton and their tenacious defense. The unbeaten Cincinnati Bengals host the Houston Texans on Monday night.
The Cardinals Are In Control Of The NFC West
The Cardinals blew a 19-point first-half lead, but they came back to beat the Seahawks, 39-32, on Sunday night. With the win, Arizona (7-2) took a commanding three-game lead over Seattle (4-5) in the NFC West.
Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer passed for 363 yards and three touchdowns, but he also committed three turnovers that helped the Seahawks storm back; Seattle took a 29-25 lead in the fourth quarter when Bobby Wagner returned a Palmer fumble 22 yards for a score.
Palmer shook off the miscue and led Arizona on an 83-yard touchdown drive on the ensuing possession. He and his Cardinals now sit in the same place they were last season before a late collapse cost them a division title.
Detroit Won At Green Bay For The First Time Since 1991
Matthew Stafford threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, and the Lions hung on to beat the Packers, 18-16, on Sunday, snapping a 24-game road losing streak to Green Bay (6-3). Detroit (2-7) secured its first win in Wisconsin since 1991 when Mason Crosby missed a 52-yard field goal as time expired.
The Packers lost their third consecutive game, though Aaron Rodgers completed 35 of 61 passes for 333 yards. The Lions gave Green Bay two chances to win: Matt Prater missed two extra-point attempts, the second coming after Detroit had taken an 18-10 lead late in the fourth quarter.
After Rodgers threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Justin Perillo on the ensuing drive, Lions’ defensive back Crezdon Butler slapped away a 2-point conversion pass attempt to Davante Adams that would have tied the game. Detroit’s Calvin Johnson then muffed the onside kick with about 30 seconds to play to help set up Crosby’s missed field goal attempt.
The Packers’ loss coupled with Minnesota’s 30-14 win over Oakland, means the Vikings are now alone in first place in the NFC North.
The Steelers ‘Backup’ Quarterback Was Great
Landry Jones started Sunday’s game for the Steelers after usual starter Ben Roethlisberger suffered a sprained foot at the end of last week’s win over Oakland. While Big Ben was not expected to suit up — much less play — on Sunday, he was forced into action after Jones hurt his left ankle midway through the first quarter against the Browns. Maybe Roethlisberger should always come off the bench. He threw for three touchdown passes and 379 yards, an NFL record for a quarterback in a relief role, as Pittsburgh routed Cleveland, 30-9.
Roethlisberger had 286 passing yards in the first half as the Steelers pulled away from the Browns. His performance came without a safety net: Mike Vick was inactive. Pittsburgh (6-4) moved to the head of the AFC Wild Card field, while Cleveland (2-6) fell six full games behind Cincinnati in the AFC North.
Peyton Manning Broke The NFL’s Record For Passing Yards, Then Was Benched
It was an interesting day for Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. He passed Brett Favre as the NFL’s all-time passing yardage leader in the first quarter against the Chiefs on Sunday, but he finished with just five completions in the game — and four interceptions — before being pulled for backup Brock Osweiler in Denver’s 29-13 loss to Kansas City.
Even with his league-high 15 interceptions this season, Manning was still proclaimed the starter by Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak after a game in which the Chiefs held him to 35 yards passing.
Kansas City (4-5) dominated play, holding the ball for 21 minutes in the first half, while beating Denver (7-2) and Manning for the first time in eight games. The Broncos remained in first place in the AFC West.
Other Scores
Thursday, November 12
Buffalo 22, N.Y. Jets 17
Sunday, November 15
Tampa Bay 10, Dallas 6
Carolina 27, Tennessee 10
Chicago 37, St. Louis 13
Washington 47. New Orleans 14
Miami 20, Philadelphia 19
Jacksonville 22, Baltimore 20
Minnesota 30, Oakland 14
Bye Week: Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego, San Francisco
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