By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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What a comeback! Derek Carr found Michael Crabtree in the end zone after time already expired in the fourth quarter to lead the Raiders to a spectacular 31-30 comeback win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football.

Here’s what we learned from the game:

1. Oakland was one wild final drive away from watching its season officially go up in flames. Thanks to a pair of Jared Cook catches and a great rollout and dart fired from Derek Carr to Michael Crabtree in the end zone after time had already expired in the fourth quarter, Oakland’s faithful can remain excited about this team’s playoff chances. The Raiders‘ final drive wasn’t pretty, but instead matched much of the night for its offense, which still has plenty of issues. Carr needed all four downs near midfield to keep the team alive on a completion to Cook, and then turned to the tight end to make another great catch on third-and-10 to put Oakland inside Kansas City’s 5. Unlike Detroit earlier this season, Oakland survived the 10-second runoff to get one more shot at the end zone, which turned into four thanks to penalties, with the final attempt being the one that tied the game. Giorgio Tavecchio then kicked the extra point to give the Raiders the win.

It was exciting, it made for great television, but it is far from encouraging for an Oakland team that still has plenty of kinks to work out in the coming week. Most important in this moment and time, though, is that it keeps the Raiders out of the wasteland that is 2-5, which keeps them alive. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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A fireworks-filled first half ground to a second-half slog in Jacksonville, with both teams combining to score just six points in the final two quarters of the Los Angeles Rams‘ 27-17 win over the Jaguars. Find out what we learned from Los Angeles’ emphatic road victory over Jacksonville and its ferocious defense:

1. The Rams are 4-2. The Rams are 4-2!! Who’d have thought, at the end of 2016’s miserable campaign, that we’d be stating this fact after six weeks? Los Angeles has found a way to combine a run-first offense on the back of Todd Gurley, branch out from there in an offense that is much more comfortable for second-year passer Jared Goff, and rely on its defense to do the rest. We got an extra wrinkle that proved to be a huge point in the game when the Rams‘ punt return unit pinched and overloaded a gap, with Cory Littleton breaking through for a textbook punt block recovered by Malcolm Brown, who was surrounded by a mob of Rams and pulled into the end zone for a touchdown. It brought a new meaning to the Mob Squad slogan the Rams have been riding for the last few years. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The latest on Sam Bradford doesn’t put him out for a long time. It also doesn’t quell concerns about his long-term standing as quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings.

Bradford underwent an MRI and hasn’t suffered a new injury, Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman told members of the local media on Tuesday, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Bradford is dealing with what Sugarman called knee wear and tear related to his two previous surgeries. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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It’s Week 6. There’s plenty of time for plenty of things to change in the NFL.

Just don’t tell that to Thomas Davis.

The Panthers linebacker is appropriately amped for his team’s Thursday game against the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles, who are soaring after dismantling the Arizona Cardinals last week and own a 4-1 record that matches Carolina’s mark after five contests. The game’s implications, though, might be a bit larger to him than they are in reality. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Cardinals called on Chris Johnson in a pinch. Now he’s been pinched.

Arizona released the veteran running back on Tuesday, the team announced, after acquiring Adrian Peterson in a trade with the New Orleans Saints.

Via the trade, Peterson has found freedom from the minimal carries and massive frustration that was his time in New Orleans, in which he shared a backfield with younger runners Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Nearly a month ago, it was evident to Johnson that Peterson deserved more chances to make plays for the Saints. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Hue Jackson went to his bullpen on Sunday. He’s not ready to announce if that change is permanent.

Jackson didn’t commit to incumbent starting quarterback DeShone Kizer or backup Kevin Hogan when speaking with media members on Monday afternoon in Berea, Ohio. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Hue Jackson turned to his bench for a spark.

The Browns coach replaced starting quarterback DeShone Kizer with backup Kevin Hogan to start the second half against the New York Jets. The Jets held a 3-0 lead at halftime and went on to beat the Browns 17-14. Continue reading →