NFL | It was ugly, but Russell Wilson found the way

It wasn’t pretty, but Russell Wilson and the Broncos won, 11-10, to 49^ers from San Francisco on Sunday evening. And the final score represents very well the kind of game that was played in Denver.

Miguel Bujold
The Press

The Niners’ defense didn’t have much to be ashamed of with its four sacks and limiting the rushing game to an average of 3.1 yards per carry (101 for 33). Except for the series that led to the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter, it was a tough night for Wilson (20 for 33 for 184 yards) and the Broncos’ offense.

Still, the Broncos have managed to win their last two games thanks to their own defense and because Wilson was able to seek victory in crucial moments.

The fusion between the system of play of head coach Nathaniel Hackett, who leads the attack, and Wilson’s style of play is clearly slow to take place. The absence of a top tight end is also felt.

At least Hackett will be able to focus on the offense since the Broncos have hired an assistant coach, Jerry Rosburg, who will take care of making decisions that will affect time management during games. Very good idea…

Brady did what he could

The Packers went to defeat the Buccaneers in Tampa in what was possibly the last meeting between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. Both illustrious quarterbacks were pitted against excellent secondary and had to make do with limited receiving groups. Because that’s usually the case for Rodgers and because Brady was playing without his two best receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and Julio Jones.

Brady still completed 31 of 42 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown and the Bucs came within a two-point conversion of sending the game into overtime as the Packers dominated the first half.

Rodgers completed nearly 80 percent of his passes (27 for 35) for 255 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The best news in his case is that there is one of the freshman wide ends who stood out. Picked in the fourth round last April, Romeo Dobbs led his team with 8 catches for 73 yards and a major. Encouraging.

What came out of this matchup is that the Bucs and Packers both have defenses that are part of the elite. And we all know it, it’s a prerequisite to finish your season under the confetti in the NFL.

How long without Mac Jones?

Normally, Bill Belichick manages to contain the opponent’s best offensive player with his game plans. You have to believe that Lamar Jackson is unstoppable, because he beat the Patriots almost single-handedly on Sunday in New England. The Baltimore Ravens super star threw 4 touchdown passes and rushed for 107 yards.

Other than tight end Mark Andrews, who caught eight passes for 89 yards and scored two touchdowns, no Ravens player has caught more than two passes. Sooner or later, the Ravens will have to give in to Jackson’s salary demands if they want to keep winning.

The Pats not only lost the game, they may have lost their quarterback for at least a few weeks. Mac Jones suffered a sprained ankle and was due for further tests on Monday. Even though the second-year quarterback has avoided the worst, it’s hard to see how he could be in uniform next Sunday in Green Bay. It would then be Brian Hoyer or rookie Bailey Zappe who would replace him.

What was Herbert doing on the game?

Things are not looking up for Brandon Staley, the young head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Justin Herbert faced the Jacksonville Jaguars despite his rib injury, but why was he still playing when his team lost 38-10 in the fourth quarter?

Staley said Herbert wanted to keep playing… Isn’t it a manager’s job to step in and make decisions for the good of the club?

Despite having one of the most talented teams in the league, the Chargers are 1-2. They weren’t spared injury, sure, but a home loss by four touchdowns at the hands of the Jaguars, let’s just say it’s a little worrying.

The Chiefs fought themselves

If the Kansas City Chiefs lost 20-17 to the Colts in Indianapolis, it was largely due to the performance of their special teams.

They failed in their attempt to convert a fourth down with a match-fixed play; rookie Skyy Moore fumbled on a punt that allowed the Colts to start a series deep into Chiefs territory; and Matt Ammendola, replacing Harrison Butker (ankle), missed a 34-yard field goal.

Patrick Mahomes also criticized the offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, at the end of the first half. Mahomes said after the game that special teams errors wouldn’t have been a factor if the offense had done its job. Mahomes finished the game with 262 passing yards (20 for 35), one touchdown and one interception. The Chiefs’ three leading running backs, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco, meanwhile, totaled just 29 yards on 17 carries.

The Chiefs will have to find answers and quickly since they will be in Tampa Bay on Sunday night. This will be the first meeting between the Chiefs and the Buccaneers since the Super Bowl two years ago.