NFL Sunday delivered a chaotic and electrifying slate of action defined by stunning upsets, historic individual performances, and mind-boggling fourth-quarter comebacks. The league turned completely upside down as the Miami Dolphins stunned the first-place Buffalo Bills, the Houston Texans executed a near-impossible 19-point rally in the final quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Colts running back Jonathan Taylor staked his claim for an MVP with a record-breaking 244-yard day in an overtime thriller in Germany. Meanwhile, the NFC West landscape shifted dramatically as the Los Angeles Rams delivered a blowout punch to the San Francisco 49ers, setting up an intriguing divisional race heading into the second half of the season.
Game-Wrecking Individual Performances
Game
Player (Team)
Key Stats
Noteworthy Achievement
Colts 31, Falcons 25 (OT)
Jonathan Taylor (IND), RB
32 Carries, 244 Rushing Yds, 3 TDs
Broke the Colts’ franchise record for career rushing touchdowns. His 83-yard TD run was a career-long. 228 of his 244 yards came after contact.
Rams 42, 49ers 26
Matthew Stafford (LAR), QB
4 TD Passes (including multiple to Davante Adams)
His 4th four-touchdown game of the season. Leads the NFL in passing yards/game and TD passes (25) with only 2 INTs all year.
Led the second-largest comeback in franchise history, scoring 26 points in the 4th quarter with the game-winning 14-yard scramble.
Chargers 25, Steelers 10
Justin Herbert (LAC), QB
20/33, 220 Passing Yds, 1 TD; 5 Sacks Taken
Outplayed Aaron Rodgers (16/31, 161 yds, 0 TDs, 2 INTs) in a crucial prime-time win, extending LA’s win streak to three.
Defensive & Special Teams Dominance
Game
Team (Key Playmakers)
Defensive/Special Teams Stats
Impact
Jets 27, Browns 20
Jets Special Teams & Defense
2 Special Teams TDs (Kick/Punt Return); 6 Sacks (4 by Will McDonald)
Kene Nwangwu (99-yard KO TD) and Isaiah Williams (74-yard Punt TD) scored 36 seconds apart. Defense recorded a season-high 6 sacks.
Seahawks 44, Cardinals 22
Seahawks Defense
2 Defensive TDs (Scoop-and-Scores)
Jumped out to a massive 28-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter thanks to two fumble recoveries for touchdowns by the defense.
Saints 17, Panthers 7
Saints Defense
Key 4th-Down Stops, FG Block, 1 INT
Endured a four-game losing streak with a strong defensive effort. Key plays included a blocked field goal and a 4th-down stop deep in their own territory.
Chargers 25, Steelers 10
Chargers Defense
3 Sacks, 2 INTs, 1 Safety
Held the Steelers to 10 points and shut down Aaron Rodgers, including a crucial red-zone stop on 4th-and-6 in the fourth quarter.
Key Rushing & Receiving Breakdown
Game
Team
Rushing Leaders
Receiving Leaders
Colts 31, Falcons 25 (OT)
Colts
Jonathan Taylor: 32 att, 244 yds, 3 TD
Tyler Warren (TE): Key clutch receptions
Rams 42, 49ers 26
49ers
Christian McCaffrey: Under 100 total yards
Mac Jones (QB): Completed 33/39 passes for 319 yds, 3 TDs (but in a losing effort)