By Around the NFL staff
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Another Motor City Miracle! Matthew Stafford led yet another fourth-quarter comeback, Matt Prater kicked a 58-yard field goal to tie and Golden Tate topped Detroit’s win off with a game-winning touchdown catch-and-run in overtime. Also on this episode of football: Doug Pederson refuses to kick field goals; the Jets and Dolphins play flag-happy football; and the Browns lose. Here’s what we’ve learned from Week 9:

Kansas City Chiefs 19, Jacksonville Jaguars 14

1. If we were looking for an example of high-flying, aesthetically pleasing football, we failed miserably in Kansas City. The CBS broadcast team’s first postgame question for Chiefs quarterback Nick Folesbegan with “Nick, we know it wasn’t pretty at times …” and that ugliness didn’t spare Foles, who was making his first start as a Chief in place of the injured Alex Smith. Instead of appearing as the calm, cool and collected Foles from last week in Indianapolis, the quarterback was frequently inaccurate, coming up short on some and narrowly avoiding what should have been an interception, if it wasn’t for Jacksonville’s Tashaun Gipson and Prince Amukamara colliding in pursuit of the same pass. TheChiefs are better with Smith, and with Spencer Ware, whom they also missed dearly in the running game. Continue reading →

By Around the NFL staff
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It’s time for another round of bold predictions, but this week’s edition of fearless prognostications includes a macho helping of audaciousness and abandon. Instead of simply making seemingly reckless predictions about this week’s games, the ATNFL crew is forecasting what will happen by the end of the regular season. Warning: these predictions are not for the faint of heart.

Browns finish winless

I’ve written about the Browns a handful of times in the bold predictions this season, and for good reason: I learned football through the Browns. Starting with their first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings in 1999 at the then Cleveland Browns Stadium, I spent every Sunday with Tim Couch, Kevin Johnson, Darrin Chiaverini and the lovable losers. It has been in my family for decades and continues — my niece attended her first Browns game (a 21-7 loss to the Chicago Bears) at six weeks old. Continue reading →

By Around the NFL staff
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These are the ties that bind us to football. For the second week in a row, we saw a draw — this time in England! After tying the Patriots‘ TD record, Rob Gronkowski broke it on Sunday with his 69th touchdown grab. The Raiders and Bucs were heading toward a scoreless overtime period before Derek Carr pulled off some “Black Jack” magic. Here’s what we’ve learned so far:

Kansas City Chiefs 30, Indianapolis Colts 14

1. Whether it was Alex Smith or Nick Foles, the Chiefs repeatedly found ways to extend drives deep into Colts territory. Smith was efficient as usual but not as effective at sliding, twice being knocked out of the game after getting hit while attempting to give himself up. Foles stepped in and proved why his joining Kansas City in the preseason made sense. He looked familiar with and comfortable in the Chiefs‘ offense, completing 16 of 22 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Kansas City didn’t miss a beat. Continue reading →

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Week 8 of the NFL season is upon us, and that means it’s time for another round of bold predictions. As always, this week’s edition of fearless prognostications includes a macho helping of audaciousness and abandon as we head into Sunday and Monday’s contests. Warning: these predictions aren’t for the faint of heart.

Browns win

I have taken Marc Sessler’s dose of sobering reality. It was bitter and definitely not bubble gum-flavored. And I have come out an optimistic, and more importantly, bolder man. Which is good, because I’ll need it for this selection. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Darrelle Revis‘ sudden decline grabbed headlines and hot takes in every corner of America after two weeks.

He was burned by A.J. Green off the line in Week 1. He was torched on Thursday Night Footballagainst the Bills in Week 2. Wikipedia pages were altered to designate receivers as new occupants of Revis Island (which I’m not sure works that way but … whatever). The 30-year-old wall had expanded from running back to cornerback.

Revis didn’t deny that last part on Thursday. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Are you toying with us, Steelers?

Ben Roethlisberger missed Sunday’s 27-16 loss to New England after having knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus suffered in Week 6 against Miami. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the team hadn’t set a timetable for Roethlisberger’s return, but was confident the injury wasn’t long-term. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Ryan Mathews is in a tough spot.

The Eagles running back suddenly seems to have a bit of a fumbling issue — two in the waning moments of his last three games. We’re one more coughed up ball from a trend.

“It’s definitely a concern, and we don’t want to see that especially in those situations, those four-minute situations there at the end of the game,” head coach Doug Pederson told reporters Monday. “We have to find out if he’s tired, where he’s at, at the end of the game, if we need to put Wendell (Smallwood) in there, or put Darren (Sproles) in there. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Dud. Stalemate. Disaster. Describe Sunday night’s Cardinals-Seahawks game however you want.

Tyrann Mathieu will make sure you know that it wasn’t the defense’s fault neither team came away with a win.

“It’s a team sport,” Mathieu said following the 6-6 tie, via ESPN. “When the defense is playing well, the offense has to complement us, special teams has to complement everybody, (and) vice versa.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Browns are the only winless team in the NFL. They’ve held leads and have been competitive at times. They’ve also been downright unwatchable.

Hue Jackson was so fed up with his team’s play on Sunday, he took his headset off with just over two minutes left to play. No more play calls, no more strategic discussion, and no more communication with rookie quarterback Kevin Hogan, brought to you by Bose.

To make matters worse, the defeat came at the hands of his former team and boss in Marvin Lewis and the Cincinnati Bengals. This one had to sting a little bit more. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Stephen Gostkowski isn’t himself — at least, not on the football field.

Signs of a potential problem first appeared in the preseason, but hey, it’s just the preseason. Everyone’s working out the kinks.

Now, after two straight weeks that included missed point-after attempts, there is real cause for concern. No one is more aware of this than Gostkowski.

“I’m not happy with the way I’m playing,” Gostkowski said, via CSN New England. “Mechanically, I need to be better. Just not playing good enough for this team right now. Keep my head down and keep working. I’m putting the work in. I’m trying the best I can. Need to figure out how to switch it up so I can be more consistent.” Continue reading →