The Dallas Cowboys earned a troublesome win on Sunday evening in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a clutch go from Dak Prescott.
Prescott threw his second landing of the day with 20 seconds left to offer the Cowboys a 20-17 win. Prescott accounted for 3 turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble) however salvaged the day with 352 yards and two touchdowns.
Operating again Rico Dowdle additionally added 87 yards on 20 carries. Steelers quarterback Justin Fields completed 15-for-27 for 131 yards and two passing touchdowns. He additionally had 27 yards speeding.
After the primary half, it felt as if the Cowboys ought to have led by greater than three. Prescott and Co. have moved the ball effectively within the first two quarters, tallying 202 whole yards. Prescott was 15-for-20 for 188 passing yards, however the story popping out of the primary half is his fumble and inexcusable interception that ended two promising possessions for Dallas.
WATCH THE COWBOYS WITH A FUBO FREE TRIAL
The Cowboys’ protection held up on their finish, holding the Steelers to 89 whole yards and three factors regardless of coming into the matchup with a number of accidents to key gamers.
Listed below are every of the scores on Sunday Evening Soccer:
Cowboys vs. Steelers
This fall, :20 — Prescott connects with Tolbert for go-ahead rating
Whereas having three timeouts and needing a landing to take the lead, Prescott and the Cowboys offense drove down the sector for a 15-play, 70-yard go-ahead drive. On fourth and objective from the four-yard line, Prescott discovered Jalen Tolbert to offer them a three-point lead within the remaining seconds of the sport.
This fall, 4:56 — Steelers take again lead late
Aided by well timed conversions on third and fourth down and dear Cowboys penalties, the Steelers flip a 12-play 63-yard drive right into a go-ahead landing from Fields to tight finish Pat Freiermuth, 17-13.
This fall, 13:41 — Cowboys discover rhythm to regain lead
The Cowboys went three quarters with out discovering the top zone, however on the second play of the fourth, cashed of their first landing of the sport to regain the lead. From Prescott to working again Rico Dowdle from 22 yards out, Dallas end off a 16-play 90-yard drive to go up 13-10.
Q3, 11:50 — Steelers come out of half and take the lead
The Steelers began the second half with the soccer and got here out firing to take their first lead of the evening. Following quarterback Justin Fields taking an enormous hit that required him to get checked out for a concussion, Pittsburgh continued to orchestrate a six-play 72-yard drive that ended with Fields hitting tight finish Connor Heyward for a 16-yard landing go to go up 10-6.
A sloppy half of soccer that noticed Dak Prescott flip the soccer over twice in plus-territory goes into the intermission with Dallas holding a slim three-point lead. The Cowboys’ protection has been holding up their finish of the cut price by conserving the Steelers to 3 factors.
Q2, 8:51 — Cowboys bounce again out in entrance
It has been a defensive battle for each groups tonight, with little scoring or huge performs to talk of. Nevertheless, the Cowboys pushed a second-quarter possession deep into Steelers territory earlier than settling for a 33-yard discipline objective by Aubrey to take a 6-3 lead.
Q1, 7:33 — Steelers reply again
After watching the Cowboys string collectively a methodical drive to take a lead, the Steelers reply again with three factors of their very own. Pittsburgh’s drive went for 11 performs and 52 yards earlier than kicker Chris Boswell hit the 41-yard discipline objective to tie the sport.
Q1, 12:35 — Cowboys add three on opening drive
It was clear Dallas was attempting to get the ball out rapidly to neutralize T.J. Watt and the remainder of the Steelers’ go rush, permitting them to seek out some opening possession rhythm. In the end, the drive stalled out, and the Cowboys settled for a 55-yard Brandon Aubrey discipline objective to take a 3-0 lead.
What time is the Cowboys vs. Steelers sport immediately?
Date: Oct. 6.
Time: 7:15 p.m.
The place: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
What channel is the Cowboys vs. Steelers game Sunday?
TV channel: NBC
Streaming live: Peacock
Radio: ESPN 102.7, 105.3 FM
Who is announcing the Cowboys vs. Steelers game?
Play-by-play: Mike Tirico
Analyst: Cris Collinsworth
Sideline reporter: Melissa Stark
Cowboys vs. Steelers predictions
ESPN: Seven of the 11 paneled experts at ESPN are picking the Cowboys to pull off the road upset on primetime. Despite injuries and the uncertainty surrounding Dallas, some feel that they have enough talent to overcome in the Week 5 matchup.
USA Today: The experts at USA Today are less convinced Dallas can overcome their challenges, as only two of the six picks were in the Cowboys’ favor.
Tony Catalina, Austin American-Statesman: A lot seems to be going against the Cowboys heading into Week 6. With many impactful injuries to contend with, and a rocky start to the season, the feelings around Dallas are not overly positive. That being said, the Cowboys find a way to rise to the occasion in the regular season when their backs are against the wall. Although it may be ugly, Dallas finds a way to pull out a win on Sunday Night Football, 27-23.
Cowboys vs Steelers betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM, per Oct. 5:
Spread: Cowboys +2.5
Over/under: 44
Moneyline: Cowboys +115, Steelers -135
Cowboys vs Steelers injury report
Cowboys Inactives:
Deuce Vaughn, RB
Micah Parsons, DE
Caelen Carson, CB
KJ Henry, DL
Matt Waletzko, OT
John Stephens Jr., TE
Trey Lance, QB
Steelers Inactives
Russell Wilson, QB
Roman Wilson, WR
Jaylen Warren, RB
Alex Highsmith, OLB
Max Scharping, G
Mycole Pruitt, TE
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB/KR
Cowboys vs. Steelers weather
Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 60s for kickoff, with a brief moment of rain potentially in the forecast.
Sept. 15: New Orleans Saints 44, Dallas Cowboys 19
Sept. 22: Baltimore Ravens 28, Dallas Cowboys 25
Sept. 26: Dallas Cowboys 20, New York Giants 15
Oct. 6: at Pittsburgh Steelers | 7:20 p.m.
Oct. 13: vs Detroit Lions | 3:25 p.m.
Oct. 27: at San Francisco 49ers | 7:20 p.m.
Nov. 3: at Atlanta Falcons | 12:00 p.m.
Nov. 10: vs. Philadelphia Eagles | 3:25 p.m.
Nov. 18: vs. Houston Texans | 7:20 p.m.
Nov. 24: at Washington Commanders | 12:00 p.m.
Nov. 28: vs New York Giants | 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 9: vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 7:15 p.m.
Dec. 15: at Carolina Panthers | 12:00 p.m.
Dec. 22: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7:20 p.m.
Dec. 29: at Philadelphia Eagles | 3:25 p.m.
TBD: vs Washington Commanders
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Nation music star Garth Brooks has been accused of sexual assault and battery in a lawsuit from a “Jane Roe” who says she labored as a hairstylist and make-up artist for the award-winning singer.
The criticism, filed in a state courtroom in California on Thursday and obtained by CNN, states the alleged incidents occurred in 2019. She claims she was as soon as raped by Brooks throughout a piece journey.
In an announcement to CNN in a while Thursday, Brooks stated, “For the final two months, I’ve been hassled to no finish with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future could be if I didn’t write a examine for a lot of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}.”
“Hush cash, regardless of how a lot or how little, continues to be hush cash. In my thoughts, meaning I’m admitting to habits I’m incapable of — ugly acts no human ought to ever do to a different,” he added. “We filed swimsuit towards this particular person practically a month in the past to talk out towards extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of households on each side.”
Previous to Roe’s submitting and as first reported by CNN, an nameless superstar plaintiff – now disclosed to be Brooks – had tried to dam Roe from publicly repeating her allegations and fiercely denied the claims, in keeping with a earlier criticism he had filed as a “John Doe.”
Roe started dealing with hair and make-up providers for Brooks in 2017, in keeping with her swimsuit, which states that she was first employed to do hair and make-up for his spouse, Trisha Yearwood, in 1999.
CNN has reached out to representatives for Yearwood for remark.
“I can not get into settlement discussions, however the suggestion made by Brooks that he was unwilling to pay hundreds of thousands is solely not true,” Douglas H. Wigdor, an legal professional representing Roe, stated in an announcement to CNN Friday. “We’re very assured in our case and over time the general public will see his true character fairly than his extremely curated persona.”
Along with sexual assault and battery, the swimsuit accuses Brooks of repeatedly exposing his genitals and buttocks; speaking about intercourse and sharing sexual fantasies with Roe; recurrently altering his clothes in entrance of Roe; and sending sexually specific textual content messages.
In her submitting, Roe claims that in one alleged incident in 2019, when she was at Brooks’ dwelling for work, he walked out of the bathe bare, “grabbed her arms and compelled them” onto his genitals, whereas talking to her with sexually specific and vulgar language.
In one other alleged incident in Might 2019, the swimsuit alleges that Brooks raped Roe in a lodge room throughout a piece journey to Los Angeles the place Brooks was taping a Grammy tribute efficiency.
In response to the swimsuit, Brooks and Roe traveled to Los Angeles on Brooks’ personal jet.
“Normally there have been others on Brooks’ personal jet however this time, Ms. Roe and Brooks have been the one two passengers,” the criticism states. “As soon as in Los Angeles on the lodge, Ms. Roe couldn’t imagine that Brooks had booked a lodge suite with one bed room and he or she didn’t have a separate room.”
As soon as they arrived on the lodge suite, Roe alleges the nation singer “appeared within the doorway to the bed room, utterly bare.” Roe’s criticism states she felt “trapped within the room alone with Brooks.”
After the alleged rape, Roe claims that Brooks continued to inform her his sexual fantasies with extra frequency and bodily groped her. The criticism states Brooks “repeated remarks” about “having a threesome” together with his spouse.
In his criticism asplaintiff John Doe, Brooks claims defendant Roe’s legal professional despatched him a “confidential” demandletter alleging sexual misconduct after he declined Roe’s request for “salaried employment and medical advantages.”
“Defendant’s allegations will not be true,” Brooks’ earlier lawsuit states. “Defendant is nicely conscious, nevertheless, of the substantial, irreparable injury such false allegations would do to Plaintiff’s well-earned status as a good and caring particular person, together with the unavoidable injury to his household and the irreparable injury to his profession and livelihood that may end result if she made good on her menace to ‘publicly file’ her fabricated lawsuit.”
Roe’s attorneys instructed CNN that Brooks’ “efforts to silence our shopper by means of the submitting of a preemptive criticism in Mississippi was nothing apart from an act of desperation and tried intimidation.”
“We’re assured that Brooks can be held accountable for his actions,” attorneys Wigdor, Jeanne M. Christensen and Hayley Baker stated in an announcement to CNN. “We applaud our shopper’s braveness in shifting ahead together with her criticism towards Garth Brooks. The criticism filed at present demonstrates that sexual predators exist not solely in company America, Hollywood and within the rap and rock and roll industries but in addition on the planet of nation music.”
This can be a creating story and can be up to date.
Chaka Khan attended the American Music Awards fiftieth Anniversary Particular held in Los Angeles tonight.
Though they had been exhausting to see beneath the hem of her trousers, the “By the Hearth” singer sported a pair of black Ryder boots hailing from Stella McCartney. The stretch bootie model was ankle size, crafted of shiny black materials and featured distinctive sq. molded toes made to resemble hooves.
Chaka Khan arrives on the American Music Awards fiftieth Anniversary Particular at LA Middle Studios in Los Angeles.
Grungy silver studs lined the soles whereas zip-up closures and skinny 3-inch stiletto heels neatly completed issues out. Khan wore the identical model whereas on the Nordoff and Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards 2024 held again in July of this yr.
As the autumn season approaches, it’s probably celebrities will start to mud off their leather-based boots. Khan’s model supplied her look a grungy twist, livening up her ensemble whereas offering a contact of youthfulness. Retailing for $273.75 through Nordstrom, the Ryder bootie can be out there in a impartial beige colorway. McCartney’s footwear, equipment and attire are all made with sustainable practices in thoughts and eco-friendly supplies. It’s probably the Ryder bootie is not any exception.
Partnered along with her studded footwear, Khan sported bronzy leather-based trousers mounted with tassel detailing on the hips. On high, the musician donned a bronze-toned long-sleeve turtleneck crafted of sheer lace dotted with sequins.
A more in-depth take a look at Chaka Khan’s sneakers.
The American Music Awards fiftieth Anniversary Particular will air on CBS on Sunday, October 6, at 8 p.m. ET within the US. 6:21 Created by Dick Clark in 1974, the AMAs have grow to be one of many largest fan-voted music awards exhibits.
Whereas the awards present has been off-air since its 2022 installment and received’t come again formally till 2025, high popular culture figures will collect this Sunday to have a good time the AMAs’ fiftieth Anniversary in model. The 2-hour particular is shaping as much as be a star-studded occasion, with appearances and performances from Cedric The Entertainer, Kate Hudson, Reba McEntire, Samuel L. Jackson, Gladys Knight, Inexperienced Day, Nelly, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, and plenty of extra.
On this picture launched on October 6, 2024, Chaka Khan, Kate Hudson arrives on the American Music Awards fiftieth Anniversary Particular at LA Middle Studios in Los Angeles, California.
American Music Awards fiftieth Anniversary Particular
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Launch Gallery: American Music Awards fiftieth Anniversary Particular
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In an offensive shootout, the Atlanta Falcons beat The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in time beyond regulation, 36-30. The Falcons scored on their opening drive, courtesy of a 32-yard achieve by Kyle Pitts down the seam on the crew’s second play from scrimmage. Following a 15-yard achieve by Drake London, who exploited a comfortable spot in zone, the Atlanta receiver crossed the aim line on an 18-yard landing. The seven-play, 70-yard drive supplied the Falcons with an early 7-0 lead at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. On the Bucs’ ensuing drive, Baker Mayfield’s first go went to Mike Evans for a achieve of 15 and he turned the go-to goal for Mayfield a number of performs later over the center of the sector. Evans boxed out the defender on a slant for a achieve of 9 yards, which arrange a primary down. After a achieve of 15 for Cade Otton down the suitable sideline from third-and-nine and a bodily seize by Chris Godwin to convey the Bucs to first-and-goal, Evans scored. Bucky Irving served because the decoy, drawing the protection’s eyes whereas Evans went uncovered at the back of the tip zone, night the rating at seven.
On the Falcons’ subsequent drive, Bucs’ nostril deal with Vita Vea stalled their development with a third-down sack. Todd Bowles loaded the road with seven rushers and Vea received dwelling by way of the center, forcing a Younghoe Koo kick. Koo missed a 41-yarder, protecting the rating tied at seven. The Bucs adopted go well with with a six-play drive that culminated in a Chase McLaughlin 53-yard area aim following an incompletion on third down.
The Falcons closely focused the center of the sector on the next drive, which was capped off by a Darnell Mooney 25-yard landing. Lavonte David broke up a go meant for Pitts on second down, however the Falcons scored from third-and-14, giving the house crew a four-point lead. The Bucs instantly answered with a landing on a three-play, 44-yard drive. Mayfield linked with Evans on a nook route and the Bucs handed their NFC South rival for a 17-14 lead in Atlanta.
On the following possession for Atlanta, Jordan Whitehead flew off the sting on a blitz and Cousins shortly removed the go and was flagged for intentional grounding, which arrange second-and-20. After Bijan Robinson got here up wanting the sticks on third down, Koo kicked a 54-yard area aim to make it a tied ballgame, 17-17. For the Bucs, Rachaad White turned the catalyst on the next drive. Off a counter-schemed run, White exploded for a achieve of 56 yards with Tristan Wirfs and Otton paving the best way. He set the Bucs up on the Atlanta 15-yard line, marking the longest run of his profession. From third-and-goal, Mayfield linked together with his former Sooner teammate for a landing. No.6 threaded the needle, placing the ball out in entrance for Sterling Shepard within the again nook of the tip zone. The Bucs took a 24-17 lead off the seven-play, 82-yard scoring drive.
The Bucs’ protection killed the Falcons’ momentum on the next drive. On first down, Jordan Whitehead sunk in bracket protection and broke up a go meant for London and on the following play, Logan Corridor dropped Cousins for a lack of eight yards. An incompletion to Mooney on third down compelled a Falcons’ punt.
Mayfield accomplished 12-of-15 go makes an attempt for 131 yards, three landing and 0 interceptions for a 142.6 ranking within the first half. Along with his two receiving touchdowns within the opening half, Evans notched his twenty second profession multi-touchdown efficiency, surpassing Antonio Gates for the seventh-most such video games in NFL historical past.
Out of the half, the Bucs’ offense stalled, and the Falcons various their tempo and moved down the sector. The tide shifted on second down. Jamel Dean supplied nice protection downfield on Mooney and didn’t take the bait off his double transfer. Cousins held onto the ball and Anthony Nelson took benefit with an eight-yard sack, which arrange third-and-22. Koo kicked a 48-yard area aim, making it a 24-20 sport.
Mayfield turned the X-Issue on the next drive, scrambling on second all the way down to convey up third-and-short. Chris Godwin received the primary down off a sweep and an pointless roughness penalty on the Falcons’ tacked on extra yardage for Tampa Bay. Nevertheless, from third-and-short, Mayfield was sacked by David Onyemata, which resulted in a McLaughlin 32-yard area aim. The Bucs needed to accept three, making it a one-possession, 27-20 sport.
Proper earlier than the tip of the third body, two back-to-back features for Atlanta set the Falcons up on the Tampa Bay 18-yard line (22 by Ray Ray McCloud, 29 by Bijan Robinson). On fourth down, Cousins linked with Mooney, who shook off a defender, for a 12-yard rating. The Falcons’ evened the rating at 27 on the eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive. The Bucs had been unable to attain on the next drive and settled for 3. McLaughlin drilled a 53-yarder to provide the visiting crew a three-point benefit. The Falcons’ nearly tied the sport on the subsequent drive with a Koo 54-yard try after a drop by Mooney on third down, however Bucs’ Tavierre Thomas lunged by way of the air to dam the kick, protecting Tampa Bay within the driver’s seat.
The Bucs’ drive was lower brief with a fumble compelled by Jessie Bates III. The ball was recovered by Kaden Ellis on the Atlanta 25-yard line, however the Tampa Bay protection stepped up. Yaya Diaby introduced stress on a twist, forcing the ball out of Cousins’ fingers. Lavonte David sat at centerfield, learn the quarterback’s eyes and broke, undercutting the go for an interception on the Atlanta 35-yard line. He returned it seven yards to the 28, shifting the momentum. The Bucs weren’t capable of money in with factors and the Falcons took over. A 17-yard achieve by Mooney over the center of the sector introduced Atlanta throughout midfield. Just a few performs later, Cousins spiked the ball with one second left. A delay of sport penalty pushed the Falcons to a 52-yard area aim try and Koo drilled it, sending the sport into time beyond regulation.
The Falcons received the ball first on offense and London traveled 18 yards to the 45-yard line on an choice route. Hodge scored from 45 yards out, giving the Falcons a 36-30 win.
The Cleveland Browns fell to 1-4 with a loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday after one more dispiriting efficiency by quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The embattled Browns sign caller handed for under 125 yards within the loss, the fewest he has thrown for in both of the final two seasons (not together with a sport he left due to harm). Watson threw for one landing within the 34-13 defeat — however it got here within the fourth quarter with Cleveland already trailing by 28 factors.
Watson has been one of many worst quarterbacks within the NFL getting into Week 5.
Observe alongside for dwell protection of ‘Sunday Night time Soccer’
He started Sunday with a 23.6 quarterback score, final amongst all qualifying quarterbacks. His 181.8 yards per sport passing by way of 4 weeks was sixth worst amongst quarterbacks who performed at the least 4 video games.
After 5 video games, Watson has thrown for under 5 touchdowns whereas tossing three interceptions.
It has been a downward pattern for Watson ever since he started enjoying for the Browns towards the tip of the 2022 season. His QBR in every of the final two seasons would have been within the backside third of the league, however he didn’t qualify in both season as a result of he didn’t play sufficient snaps.
Watson’s poor efficiency is one thing of a triple whammy for Cleveland: The crew is shedding video games, his contract is onerous, and former Browns quarterbacks are thriving with different groups.
Watson is just 9-8 in 17 video games as a starter over three seasons with Cleveland and has but to look in a playoff sport.
In the meantime, he’s second amongst all quarterbacks in assured cash, with an rigid contract. If the Browns reduce him earlier than June 1, they’d owe him $92 million whereas taking almost a $173 million hit in opposition to their wage cap. If Cleveland cuts Watson after that date, it will nonetheless incur over $86 million in penalties in every of the following two seasons.
So as to add insult to harm, quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Joe Flacco have discovered success elsewhere.
Mayfield, the No. 1 general choose by Cleveland within the 2018 draft, received a playoff sport for the franchise earlier than he was solid apart in favor of Watson. Mayfield received a playoff sport with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers final season, and he has led them to a 3-2 report this yr, accounting for 13 touchdowns with solely two interceptions.
Even Watson’s former backup Flacco — who threw extra landing passes than Watson in fewer video games with the Browns final yr — is enjoying higher. Flacco has 5 touchdowns and no interceptions in two video games with the Indianapolis Colts. Flacco’s 359 yards Sunday had been greater than Watson has thrown in any sport with Cleveland.
The entire struggles for the Browns and Watson have come within the wake of his sexual assault scandal, which successfully value him the 2021 season, in addition to the primary 11 video games of 2022.
In March and April 2021, 22 ladies sued Watson claiming sexual misconduct to assault.
Cleveland nonetheless traded three first-round picks and two different draft picks for Watson in March 2022 and signed him on the time to what was the biggest contract — with essentially the most assured cash — in NFL historical past.
On Sept. 9, a brand new accuser sued Watson alleging sexual assault and battery.
After Sunday’s loss, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski stood by Watson.
The Atlanta Falcons don’t imagine in making issues simple, however they do imagine placing on one hell of a grand finale. For the second straight week in a row and the third time this 12 months, the Falcons had been seemingly left for useless earlier than a jaw-dropping final minute comeback sealed the win. By some means, this was the craziest one but.
Why? The Falcons allowed 24 factors within the first half, and had been down 24-17 at halftime. They had been down 27-20 in heading into the fourth quarter, threw an interception on a fourth and lengthy try, handled a number of missed or blocked Younghoe Koo area aim makes an attempt, and noticed penalties, drops, and execution errors crop up far too continuously. But they managed to drive into area aim vary, the place—regardless of an unreal delay of sport penalty that backed them up 5 yards—Koo drilled one from 52 yards out to ship the sport to additional time. A lucky coin flip, a few good passes, and a forty five yard KhaDarel Hodge landing catch-and-run later, that they had received 36-30.
This wasn’t simply the primary sport the place the Falcons allowed greater than 24 factors on the day; it was additionally the primary one the place they scored greater than 30. The truth that two issues occurred on the identical night time made for a extra anxious night, sure, however in addition they set the stage for the completely bonkers end to the sport. It additionally informed us one thing in regards to the adaptability and tenacity of this crew, one thing we noticed glimpses of within the Arthur Smith period and late Dan Quinn period, however by no means with any consistency.
This successful is changing into a development, although, and the way in which the Falcons had been in a position to shut down the Bucs offense after the half and hold the passing sport buzzing is a testomony to enchancment from gamers and coaches alike. The flexibility to hold in till the very finish when you have got playmakers like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts, and heroic Hodge backed by a quarterback like Kirk Cousins isn’t any small factor. The flexibility to take an offense that’s bludgeoning you to dying and commerce their membership for a pillow midgame isn’t a small factor, both. It added as much as an inconceivable win towards the Saints every week in the past, and it created a possibility for a win towards the division-leading Buccaneers this week. First half defensive weak point and a weak floor sport put aside, this Falcons crew seemed a lot better than they did only a week in the past towards New Orleans, too.
A crew as mistake-prone because the Falcons isn’t going to win these sorts of video games on a regular basis—they tried to present this one away in a half-dozen fascinating and infuriating methods—however a crew that stops making these errors whereas enjoying like this might be among the many NFC’s greatest. I say that understanding full nicely that this crew’s largest points, from the shortage of cross rush to the regarding lack of ability to seek out constant success on the bottom, will not be simple or imminent fixes. There’s only a lot to love right here, and the Falcons popping out of an early stretch that options two AFC contenders and three NFC contenders at 3-2 underscores that they’ve one thing to construct on. The massive if is whether or not the Falcons can cease taking pictures themselves within the foot so continuously; if they’ll even make modest strides there and tinker with their lineup to reinforce the cross rush, optimism feels fairly warranted.
However I’m waiting for an unsure tomorrow, and actually, we should have fun right now. Now atop the NFC South with an undefeated 2-0 report towards the division and an opportunity to run that to 3-0 towards the Panthers subsequent week, Atlanta’s sitting in a great spot for the remainder of the season. That they did so towards a Bucs crew they’ve absorbed some tough losses towards lately makes it a little bit sweeter, and that they did that in such thrilling vogue is price its personal celebration. The Falcons are enjoyable once more, and the Falcons may even be good once more. That’s a thought that should put a spring in your step on this Friday morning.
On to the complete recap.
The Good
Kirk Cousins was simply sharper than he had been to a jaw-dropping diploma, and all of the discuss of regular enchancment for the passing sport actually appears true after Week 5 in what can solely be described as a breakout sport. By the point the mud settled on his day, he had damaged the franchise report for passing yards in a single sport with 509 (Matt Ryan had 503 again in 2016 towards the Panthers, with 4 touchdowns towards a single interception on a 4th and lengthy. Cousins additionally managed to flee strain a few occasions, and even when he needed to throw it away, it was an excellent signal for his admittedly restricted mobility. Towards a lesser offense, Cousins’ effort would have been sufficient to assist the Falcons cruise to a victory; towards the Buccaneers, it was nonetheless sufficient to earn Atlanta the win. If Cousins goes to begin cooking like this on a weekly foundation, the Falcons at the moment are one of many NFL’s most harmful groups.
Drake London is actually cooking, though he briefly exited the sport with a concussion scare after taking a name that earned an pointless roughness penalty for Tampa Bay and leaving the sport on the ultimate play with one other harm. His landing noticed him bowl over a number of defenders after the catch, and he was each sure-footed and sure-handed all night lengthy, serving as the massive, dependable goal Cousins wants. The variety of enormous catches he remodeled the center for first downs was not a small quantity, and he completed with a preposterous 154 yards and a landing on 12 grabs. That is the sort of manufacturing London has lengthy been able to, and he lastly has the quarterback and offense he wants to attain it.
Kyle Pitts is alive and nicely. Working downfield and turning upfield with the ball, Pitts seemed extra assured and extra succesful towards the Buccaneers, and Cousins seemed his means continuously with high quality outcomes. He completed with 7 receptions for 88 yards, practically doubling his season complete in each marks, and must be extra concerned going ahead as this passing assault finds its footing.
Darnell Mooney has been an ideal addition to this Falcons offense, although we’ll have to say him under, as nicely. Along with moonlighting as a defensive again within the third quarter, when he knocked out a would-be interception, Mooney made a spectacular landing seize early on, added a landing within the fourth quarter the place he put one defender within the filth and outran a few others, and persistently received unfastened to supply a downfield goal for Cousins. He even drew a serious cross interference flag within the ofurth quarter that stored the Falcons cooking. By way of the primary 5 weeks of the season, he has confirmed himself to be the sort of harmful downfield risk who can pop open seemingly at will, and extra monster video games are forward given his robust rapport with Cousins. He completed his night time with 9 grabs for 105 yards and a pair of touchdowns, serving because the second receiver this offense has lacked since Calvin Ridley left.
Whereas these different receivers had been extra productive and Cousins’ stellar flip will earn headlines, KhaDarel Hodge is a hero for this sport. The core particular teamer has a knack for developing with huge catches on these uncommon events his quantity is known as, and he had a pleasant seize for 22 yards earlier on this one. It was the additional time seize that was legendary, although, as Hodge caught one, received unfastened from a lunging, overcommitted defender, and turned on the jets to run it in for the 45 yard, game-winning rating with a little bit assist from a pleasant Ray-Ray McCloud block. Once they wanted him final night time, Hodge got here up huge, and that’s the sort of A++ effort that Hodge has turn out to be identified for after additionally choosing up a muffed punt for a landing in Week 4.
Jessie Bates had not one, however two pressured fumbles brought on by punching out the ball. The primary was a sideline knockout that gave the Falcons an opportunity to fall on the ball, however the Buccaneers recovered. The second was extra vital, as Bates knocked it out of Bucky Irving’s palms late within the fourth quarter and Kaden Elliss fell on it, giving the Falcons an opportunity to take the lead that they’d sadly squander. On a protection missing huge play potential, Bates continues to ship these alternatives for Atlanta.
The second half noticed the Falcons really getting strain after a woeful first half, and it made an enormous distinction within the sport. Whereas David Onyemata was the one one to get a sack—and it’s good to see him ramping up—Matthew Judon received shut and swatted down a cross, Kaden Elliss had a few good rushes, and the Falcons had been in a position to hold Baker Mayfield from getting overly snug later within the sport.
Younghoe Koo can be on the ugly listing under, on condition that he missed a area aim and had one blocked. It will probably’t be overstated how phenomenal he’s within the clutch, nonetheless, because the Falcons earned a delay of sport penalty that was nearly jaw-droppingly silly, backing up a 47 yard attempt with one second on the clock to a 52 yarder….and Koo simply nailed it in any case to ship the sport to additional time and provides the Falcons their likelihood to win. In a pressure-packed state of affairs on the finish of the sport, I’m placing my hopes and goals on his legs each day out.
The way in which you possibly can see this crew adjusting and studying is placing. After a primary half the place Baker Mayfield carved them up and the Falcons actually received zero pressures, Jimmy Lake and Raheem Morris managed to prepare dinner up a successful sport plan within the second half that strangled the life out of the Bucs. They settled for a pair of area targets after that. On offense, Zac Robinson has spent the previous 4 weeks tinkering with issues with regularly improved outcomes, and whereas the bottom sport as soon as once more went nowhere, he had this passing assault rolling for Cousins. The shortage of in-game enchancment and enchancment over time was one thing we bemoaned with previous teaching staffs, so for all of the hiccups they nonetheless must do away with, I’ll give these coaches kudos for getting higher on the fly.
The previous two weeks, the Falcons have overcome errors which may’ve sunk a special model of this crew, or certainly many groups across the NFL. Their potential to climb out of holes and switch hanging round late right into a last-second victory is now a behavior, as they’ve received all three of their video games in that vogue, and it’s price remembering they had been in it till practically the top towards the Chiefs. That augurs nicely for this crew’s future with the schedule lightening up within the coming weeks, and it suggests that when they clear up the errors which are so irritating within the second, they might be one thing particular.
The Ugly
Mike Evans ought to by no means be extensive open, but on the primary drive he had loads of room on three separate catches, together with one the place a number of defenders seemingly misplaced observe of him in the long run zone. If you’re probably the greatest receivers of your period and a constant bother spot to your opponent, it’s a nasty signal if you happen to’re getting unfastened that continuously. The Falcons repeatedly misplaced observe of each Evans and Chris Godwin within the first half, which allowed Mayfield to pop off for 3 touchdowns.
That was only a signal of a dysfunctional protection, and that protection was horrendous within the first half on Thursday night time. The Falcons allowed 24 factors within the first half alone, which equaled their season excessive allowed in a whole sport, they usually suffered protection breakdowns, missed tackles, and 0 push up entrance towards the run alongside the way in which to make that attainable. The convenience with which the Bucs picked up first downs and scored was placing, and underscored the extent to which the Falcons should be excellent due to their lack of massive play and cross rush potential on that aspect of the ball. The second half enchancment rinsed away loads of that stink, however the Falcons should be higher on this aspect of the ball by means of 4 quarters to keep away from the sort of gap this offense received’t climb out of each single week.
The run protection was an issue all sport, although clearly much less of 1 after the half. In complete, Atlanta allowed over 150 yards on the bottom, together with a frustratingly lengthy scamper for Rachaad White after he had been meh all 12 months and some uncontested Baker Mayfield runs. Whereas Ruke Orhorhoro was a optimistic addition on this sport, the run protection nonetheless wants assist, and the return of Troy Andersen and Nate Landman ought to present that.
The Falcons had their first dangerous night time towards opposing returners, together with a doozy of a 53 yard return for Sean Tucker that gave the Bucs nice area place, organising a too-easy landing drive. That should enhance, however hey, it’s a blip till confirmed in any other case.
Younghoe Koo hit a 50-plus yarder and a 48 yarder, so no one’s panicking, however on his first try of the sport he missed left…after which an offsides penalty moved him 5 yards nearer for a re-do that he missed in precisely the identical means. Koo was going to overlook one sooner or later this season, however why it has to proceed to be the Buccaneers he’s lacking towards I have no idea.
Atlanta’s received to knock out the dumb errors, which hold proving expensive. On this one, the Falcons had been hit with a number of inopportune penalties that prolonged Tampa Bay drives or (extra fatally) killed their very own drives, forcing them to accept area targets once they might need had touchdowns. That, missed tackles, easy errors of execution from receivers (the Mooney drops, particularly the second), Cousins (lacking low and practically throwing a decide to a blanketed receiver that Mooney needed to knock down), and others mix with penalties to wipe out the nice work being completed by this crew as they drive down the sphere and provide you with hard-fought stops. It didn’t price them this sport and it didn’t price them the Saints sport, but when they hold the behavior up, sadly it will result in a loss down the road.
A few of these errors come from the teaching workers, which made some nightmare selections on Thursday night time. The primary was going for it on 4th and a mile, the sort of extraordinarily unlikely to transform state of affairs within the fourth quarter that simply appears unwise. Certain sufficient, Cousins threw an interception, and whereas the Falcons received the cease after that, they needed to begin from their very own 20 relatively than, say, a lot nearer than that had they merely punted with three timeouts. Then, unbelievably, the Falcons received a delay of sport penalty on Younghoe Koo’s last kick of regulation, in some way anticipating a clock reset that didn’t come (Raheem Morris was clearly in search of a proof he didn’t get from the officiating crew) and backing Koo up 5 yards unnecessarily. He hit that attempt, so technically you can say each these conditions labored out alright, however that they had the potential to result in Atlanta shedding the sport. As we speak about this crew getting tighter throughout the board and making fewer errors, we have to embody a workers that also must get higher at decision-making and consciousness in vital conditions, though their in-game enhancements in different areas have been genuinely encouraging.
The Recap
Sport MVP
It’s Cousins, who broke a franchise report for passing yardage in a single sport, stored firing when the protection was falling aside, and was dealing at a better degree than at any level this 12 months.
One Takeaway
This crew is an unfinished product with loads of mess and stress, however they’re additionally very clearly good and getting higher. Chances are you’ll begin daydreaming about the place this season is headed now.
Subsequent Week
The Carolina Panthers are up after a longer-than-usual layoff for the Falcons, and Atlanta will hope to smoke them to earn one other NFC South win. Try Cat Scratch Reader for extra.
The Washington Commanders are doing lots of issues nicely this season, however enjoying protection hasn’t been certainly one of them. The Commanders had been close to the underside of the NFL in most defensive classes via 4 weeks: twenty fifth in factors allowed, twenty sixth in yards allowed, thirtieth in defensive DVOA, thirty first in yards per play allowed and thirty second in EPA allowed per play.
And Deshaun Watson could not do something in opposition to that protection.
When the Commanders took a 24-3 lead late within the second quarter, Watson’s line in opposition to one of many worst defenses within the NFL was 6 of 14 for 37 yards. And it appeared even worse than that.
You’d assume that sooner or later the Cleveland Browns would quit the concept that it is smarter to cater to the sentiments of a quarterback who has sunk their franchise than really attempting to win video games, nevertheless it hasn’t occurred but. The Browns fell to 1-4 with an uncompetitive 34-13 loss to the Commanders. It is price questioning how dangerous Watson must be for the Browns to lastly take into account a quarterback change. Watson, who was taken out very late with the sport fully out of attain, completed with 125 passing yards in opposition to one of many NFL’s worst defenses.
It was one other tough outing for Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson. (AP Picture/Nick Wass)
Watson is among the NFL’s worst beginning quarterbacks and has been for some time. It is virtually exceptional for a quarterback to be nearly as good as Watson was with the Houston Texans after which grow to be one of many NFL’s worst by the age of 30, nevertheless it has occurred. And Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski refuses to acknowledge it.
The Browns have grow to be an meeting line of excuses for Watson, attempting to guard the quarterback from any criticism. And sure, the Browns have points like offensive line accidents, however when a QB makes $230 million he has to beat some obstacles. He cannot play like one of many worst starters within the NFL week after week and anticipate to maintain his job, except he performs for the Browns it appears.
Don’t be concerned, they will have an excuse for his poor play this week, too. Watson hasn’t been held accountable for his play up up to now, so why begin now?
Stefanski stated after the sport that Watson remains to be his quarterback. That should not be a shock primarily based on how the Browns have coddled Watson, nevertheless it nonetheless must be disheartening for Browns followers and doubtless Browns gamers too.
The Browns’ solely hope to make Sunday’s recreation aggressive got here early within the third quarter. They recovered a fumble deep in Washington territory. Then Watson was sacked, threw incomplete on second down, threw it away on third down, the Browns took a delay of recreation after that and despatched on the field-goal staff for a largely ineffective three factors. The previous saying is quarterbacks make their cash close to the purpose line and on third downs, and Watson did neither. Cleveland went 0-for-12 on third downs when he was within the recreation. Apparently $230 million does not get you what it used to.
After the failure close to the purpose line, the Commanders took a 31-6 lead and the Browns nonetheless refused to strive one other quarterback. Then Watson held the ball too lengthy, was hit from behind and a free ball was intercepted. And nonetheless there was no QB change. Watson is perhaps one of many worst quarterbacks within the NFL however he is perhaps among the many league leaders in job safety.
It is long gone time for the Browns to throw within the towel and admit defeat on Watson. They made arguably the worst commerce in NFL historical past and compounded that by giving Watson arguably the worst contract, from a staff’s standpoint, in NFL historical past. It is onerous to really feel sympathetic for the staff, because it was conscious of Watson’s off-field points and figured it could blow over after a bit little bit of criticism. The Browns turned themselves into probably the most unlikeable staff within the NFL and proceed to dig a deeper gap by performing like Watson remains to be a viable possibility and the offense’s points are everybody else’s fault.
Listed here are the remainder of the winners and losers from Week 5 of the NFL season:
WINNERS
Defensive Participant of the Yr candidate Patrick Surtain II: T.J. Watt has been good, Xavier McKinney has been an excellent addition for the Packers, however sooner or later Surtain goes to get his rightful consideration as the very best defensive participant within the NFL up to now this season.
Surtain has been shutting down opposing receivers and on Sunday he received a few interceptions. His 100-yard interception return for a landing gave the Broncos some a lot wanted momentum and so they cruised after that to a 34-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. It was Denver’s first win over the Raiders since 2019.
Surtain has been one of many NFL’s greatest cornerbacks for some time, and he appears to be hitting his peak this season. After Sunday, extra folks will begin to take discover of the 12 months he’s having.
Inexperienced Bay Packers: The season did not begin because the Packers wished it to.
They misplaced to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil to open the season and close to the tip of the sport Jordan Love injured his knee. It appeared Inexperienced Bay could possibly be in some bother.
They are not the place they’d wish to be but, however we are able to see the seeds of an excellent staff.
The Packers overcame a horrible pick-6 from Love and held on on the finish to beat the Los Angeles Rams 24-19. The Packers gifted the Rams six factors and nonetheless win on the highway is an efficient signal.
Love performed nicely apart from a pick-6 by which he flipped it wildly earlier than he hit the bottom for a security. He threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Tight finish Tucker Kraft continues to emerge as one other weapon; he caught each of Love’s touchdowns on Sunday. The Packers nonetheless want the remainder of the NFC North to cease successful nearly each week, however they need to be again on monitor after Sunday’s highway win.
Jesse Luketa: Luketa isn’t a family title across the NFL, however he might need saved the Arizona Cardinals’ season.
Luketa, a third-year linebacker enjoying in his first recreation of this season, had a large pressured fumble in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers. With the Cardinals trailing 23-21 within the fourth quarter and the 49ers contained in the 10-yard line, Luketa had an excellent punch out on 49ers working again Jordan Mason, knocking the ball free. The Cardinals recovered, went on a protracted drive after that and kicked the go-ahead discipline purpose with lower than two minutes remaining. As an alternative of going to 1-4 with a loss, the Cardinals are 2-3 after the 24-23 win.
The 49ers are 2-3 after the loss, and that’s the larger story across the NFL. However because of an enormous playby a former seventh-round choose at linebacker, the Cardinals ought to really feel their season remains to be alive.
Sport of the 12 months?: It is barely October, however the Baltimore Ravens’ recreation in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals will likely be robust to high this season.
Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson had been each unimaginable, combining for greater than 700 yards passing and 9 touchdowns, and a key AFC North recreation went to time beyond regulation on Justin Tucker’s late discipline purpose. In time beyond regulation, the Ravens seemingly gave the sport away on a fumbled shotgun snap that was recovered by Cincinnati. However a foul maintain on Evan McPherson’s game-winning discipline purpose strive led to a miss. Derrick Henry, who’s having an enormous constructive impression for the Ravens in his first season with the staff, had a future downfield and Tucker received it with a discipline purpose. The Ravens had a 41-38 win.
The Bengals wanted a win badly after a 1-3 begin. However they blew a fourth-quarter lead and a field-goal snap and are all the way down to 1-4. The Ravens are 3-2 after an exhilarating win. There will not be many extra video games this season as thrilling as that Ravens’ win.
Jaguars offense, lastly: When the Indianapolis Colts, who did not have Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor or DeForest Buckner on Sunday, took a 7-0 lead, it appeared like Jacksonville won’t make it to London subsequent week with its teaching employees intact.
However the Jaguars snapped out of it, no less than on offense. Trevor Lawrence had his greatest recreation of the season, first-round draft choose Brian Thomas Jr. and Tank Bigsby had lengthy touchdowns and the Jaguars lastly received their first win of the season, beating the Colts. The Colts tied it within the fourth quarter however the Jaguars responded with a protracted drive and a discipline purpose with 17 seconds left. They received 37-34.
That win does not imply the Jaguars are going to get on a successful streak. Indianapolis’ protection is dangerous and the largest purpose for the Jaguars’ offensive output. Jacksonville’s protection received shredded by Joe Flacco and Trey Sermon. However a loss would have been inexcusable, and no less than Jacksonville averted that.
LOSERS
Seattle Seahawks: The San Francisco 49ers are struggling. And the Seahawks aren’t taking benefit.
Seattle suffered a brutal loss on Sunday, dropping a recreation to a shorthanded New York Giants staff. When Seattle had an opportunity to tie the sport with lower than two minutes to go, Giants linebacker Isaiah Simmons leaped over the road and blocked a discipline purpose, which was returned for a landing. The Giants received a 29-20 win, which was particularly shocking to the 40.3% of Yahoo Survival Soccer gamers who picked Seattle to win on Sunday.
Seattle’s legitimacy was questioned throughout its 3-0 begin as a result of it hadn’t beat anybody of notice. The Giants had been one other beatable opponent. However Seattle, which fell to 3-2, took a loss it’ll remorse for some time.
Sean McDermott: It’s going to be a protracted, lengthy week for the Buffalo Payments and their head coach.
The Payments appeared to have despatched Sunday’s recreation to time beyond regulation, getting back from a 20-3 deficit and forcing a punt after a C.J. Stroud intentional grounding penalty. The Texans’ punt was downed on the Buffalo 3-yard line with 32 seconds left.
What occurred subsequent was inexplicable. As an alternative of working and sure taking the sport to time beyond regulation, the Payments threw the ball incomplete thrice. Buffalo needed to punt. The Texans accomplished a brief go and since that they had all their timeouts left — that was a purpose Buffalo was passing, however not an excellent one — they referred to as a timeout and Ka’imi Fairbairn hit a 59-yard discipline purpose as time expired for a 23-20 Texans win.
The Texans most likely should not have had that likelihood on the finish of the sport, however they did because of the Payments being aggressive from their very own 3. After such an excellent comeback to tie it, that is a deflating loss.
Viewers of Dolphins-Patriots: Should you watched the Miami Dolphins-New England Patriots recreation in its entirety, try to be recommended. That wasn’t simple to take a seat via.
The Patriots and Dolphins is perhaps the 2 most unwatchable groups within the NFL. The Patriots had been anticipated to be one of many NFL’s worst groups coming into the season. The Dolphins received there after Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion. It ended fittingly, with the Patriots finishing a go downfield however in need of the tip zone, and time ran out after Hunter Henry was tackled in bounds. The Dolphins received 15-10.
Quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett (R) and Tyler Huntley change pleasantries after Sunday’s recreation that Miami received, 15-10. (Picture by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Photographs)
The Dolphins did nearly the whole lot to present Sunday’s recreation away. That they had a punt blocked. That they had a horrible snap on a field-goal try and could not get the kick off. They misplaced 22 yards on a foul shotgun snap, knocking them out of field-goal vary. Each sloppy play you’ll be able to think about, the Dolphins pulled it off. However Miami wanted only one landing within the fourth quarter, then a key cease late within the recreation that was aided by Patriots receiver Ja’Lynn Polk’s heel being simply out of bounds on what appeared like a landing catch.
The Dolphins received, nevertheless it wasn’t fairly.
Carolina Panthers: How dangerous had been the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3?
It appeared that day just like the Panthers is perhaps a viable staff after a quarterback change as they beat the Raiders. It seems, that was simply the Raiders trying dangerous.
The Panthers proceed to be one of many NFL’s worst groups regardless of who their quarterback is. On Sunday they received blown out 36-10 by the Chicago Bears. Caleb Williams appeared nice, with 200 yards and two touchdowns within the first half, however that has extra to do with the play of the Panthers’ protection than anything. Williams completed with 304 yards.
The Panthers are a misplaced trigger this season. The offense is healthier with Andy Dalton changing Bryce Younger, nevertheless it’s not ok to beat a horrible protection or win many video games. No less than they’ve that one win on the board.
Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers is not the primary quarterback whom Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has confounded this season. He will not be the final both.
However the New York Jets signed up for greater than a 2-3 report with a Sunday of 4.5 yards per try and three interceptions in a 23-17 loss to the 5-0 Vikings. Rodgers tried 54 passes and had simply 244 yards, an interception returned for a pick-6 early and within the closing minute he threw a game-clinching interception with the Jets needing a landing to win.
Rodgers nonetheless does not seem like he has a lot cohesion along with his receivers and he has missed extra throws than ordinary. He has additionally been hobbling round, together with through the second half Sunday after his knee received twisted beneath him. He’s 40 years previous, and it has proven at occasions.
The schedule does not clear up both. They host the Buffalo Payments on Monday night time in Week 6, then play on the Pittsburgh Steelers. A 2-3 begin may get rather a lot worse. There could possibly be stress to make main adjustments if the Jets go on a protracted dropping streak. This was the Jets’ all-in season with Rodgers, and so they had been hoping for a lot better.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers misplaced in time beyond regulation to their NFC South rivals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 36-30. Each groups are actually tied atop the division with 3-2 data. Within the Thursday Evening Soccer shootout, Kirk Cousins managed to spike the ball with one second to spare for a Younghoe Koo 52-yard discipline objective that tied the sport on the finish of regulation. Atlanta received the ball first in time beyond regulation and KhaDarel Hodge scored from 45 yards out, offering the house crew with a 36-30 victory.
“Simply received to learn to shut out video games,” stated Head Coach Todd Bowles. “We had alternatives on either side of the ball. We did not end. Did some good issues. We did a whole lot of dangerous issues to lose the ball sport. So, we’ll get some relaxation, we’ll some guys wholesome, and we’ll prepare for subsequent week. We have a very good soccer crew. We did not end the sport.”
Offensive Outlook
Tampa Bay’s offense began out firing on all cylinders, with three touchdowns and a discipline objective on the crew’s first 4 possessions. Baker Mayfield had one other stellar outing in Atlanta, throwing three landing passes to simply three incompletions within the first half. He threaded the needle and scrambled when vital to select up yardage to maintain drives. Total, Mayfield accomplished 19 of 24 makes an attempt for 180 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 137.5 passer score. He rallied the crew and threw two touchdowns to Mike Evans within the first half, offering the Bucs’ with a 17-14 lead.
Earlier than halftime, Mayfield related with Sterling Shepard, placing the ball out in entrance the place solely his receiver may haul within the catch. Evans’ second landing seize off a nook route marked his a centesimal profession landing. His 100 whole touchdowns make him the twenty sixth participant in league historical past to perform that feat. He tied Frank Gore in addition to Corridor of Famers Franco Harris and Curtis Martin (100) for the Twenty third-most whole touchdowns in NFL historical past.
The Bucs’ floor sport took strides in Atlanta, as Rachaad White posted 72 yards on 10 carries and Bucky Irving added 44 yards on 9 carries. White hit a career-long 56-yard run. Off a counter scheme, White took off with Tristan Wirfs and Cade Otton paving the way in which on drive blocks. He set the Bucs up on the Atlanta 15-yard line, resulting in Shepard’s landing.
“Not ideally suited for us,” stated Mayfield. “Get again to the fundamentals and simply execute. I believe that offensively, we’ll look again on the tape and notice that we did not precisely execute within the second half.”
Defensive Rundown
Tampa Bay’s protection couldn’t cease Kirk Cousins and the Falcons’ offense, a unit that completed the TNF matchup with 550 whole yards. The veteran signal-caller accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 touchdowns and one interception. The Falcons’ weapons had been in a position to benefit from free entry off the road and Cousins usually discovered targets over the center of the sector with area to select up RAC-yards.
“It wasn’t excellent is all I can say,” famous Bowles’ of the protection’s tackling. “A whole lot of catch and run, five-yard catch and runs. We made these tackles in opposition to Detroit, [and] we missed them on this sport.”
Following a multi-sack day in opposition to the Eagles in Week 4, Lavonte David continued his dominance in Atlanta. He accrued eight tackles, two passes defensed and an interception within the fourth quarter. Within the final body, Yaya Diaby introduced stress on a twist, forcing the ball out of Cousins’ arms. David sat in the course of the sector in protection, learn the quarterback’s eyes, recognized and drove, undercutting the move for an interception on the Atlanta 35-yard line. He returned it seven yards to the 28, shifting the momentum to Tampa Bay. As well as, Logan Corridor recorded two sacks for the primary time in his profession and tallied 5 quarterback hits.
Vita Vea and Anthony Nelson each tallied sacks, whereas Zyon McCollum snagged two passes defensed. On Nelson’s knockdown, Jamel Dean had nice protection on Darnell Mooney down the sector, and didn’t take the chew off the Atlanta receiver’s double transfer. The sticky protection on the again finish pressured Cousins to carry onto the ball for a tick longer and Nelson capitalized with an eight-yard sack. Earlier than exiting the sport with a groin damage, Jordan Whitehead posted a move defensed, 5 tackles and a quarterback hit. Out of a double-A-gap-blitz look, Whitehead flew off the sting on a security blitz, taking Cousins unexpectedly. The Atlanta quarterback threw it away and was flagged for intentional grounding. Regardless of the splash performs, too many miscues sealed the crew’s destiny at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Helene “was devastating…Not simply because it was my household, as a result of all these folks really feel like my folks,” she stated.
Tennessee native Dolly Parton has pledged a $1 million donation to Hurricane Helene victims.
“These are my mountains … these are my rivers,” she informed group members gathered in a Newport, Tennessee, Walmart parking zone on Friday.
HOW TO HELP: Charities, organizations supporting Hurricane Helene reduction efforts
Helene “was devastating,” Parton stated. “Not simply because it was my household, as a result of all these folks really feel like my folks. All of us really feel associated, and we’re in some form of manner. So it simply devastated me, simply to know that we had struggling like that. So something we are able to do to assist.”
Parton’s companies in east Tennessee — Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Present — in addition to The Dollywood Basis are combining efforts to match Parton’s donation with their very own $1 million contribution.
“You simply attempt to step up. God has been good to me and so has the general public. And I really feel like something I can do to provide again and do what I can, I am all the time prepared to do this,” Parton stated as the gang applauded.
SEE ALSO: Hurricane Helene’s victims embrace first responders who died serving to others
“We’re with you, we love you, we hope that issues get higher actual quickly, and we’re gonna do our half,” she stated.
Walmart additionally introduced a $10 million donation to reduction efforts.
Assist folks affected by Hurricane Helene. Your donation permits the Crimson Cross to organize for, reply to and assist folks recuperate from this catastrophe. Donate now at redcross.org/abc.
Particles is seen within the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.
AP Photograph/Mike Stewart, File
The video within the media participant above is from associated protection.
ABC Information’ Jianna Cousin contributed to this report.
Over the previous two seasons, Heartstopper has gained followers over with its whimsy and feel-good romance. The primary centered on the beginnings of Nicholas Nelson (Equipment Connor) and Charlie Spring’s (Joe Locke) dreamy love story, and the second centered on the pressures of popping out, all with the Netflix present’s signature allure. This season, nonetheless, undergoes a seismic shift, highlighting real-world points like consuming problems, psychological well being, asexuality, and intercourse, with a extra critical lens. Whereas this casts a gloom on the beforehand sunny present, it felt extra actual, sincere, and true to a contemporary teen’s expertise. It would really feel just a little completely different this time round, however Heartstopper doesn’t cease offering a beacon for teenagers scuffling with the identical issues.
As season 3 unfolds, the significance of group is evident, whether or not it’s by way of organic or chosen household. A few of the heavier subjects get resolved when a personality leans on these round them. Charlie, with Nick’s encouragement, bought assist for his consuming dysfunction and psychological well being struggles; Tao (William Gao) and Elle (Yasmin Finney) navigated intercourse expertly after having a vital dialogue (plus, the conversations this seasons surrounding Elle’s gender identification had been poignant and glorious); and Tara (Corinna Brown) confronted tutorial stress and made it by way of an nervousness assault with the assistance of her associates.
Samuel Dore/Netflix
The finale, titled “Aside,” additional emphasizes the group theme, addressing the significance of these we select to encompass ourselves with. For a lot of LGBTQ+ people, a powerful assist system will be tough to seek out. Heartstopper proves that our supporters are literally throughout us; we simply have to seek out them.
ELLE Editors’ October Prime Day Picks
We open with Nick and Charlie in mattress, speaking about their first time sleeping collectively. The final episode concluded with them lastly having intercourse, with Charlie conserving his shirt on. Nick doesn’t thoughts, and mentions that the boys solely touched, alluding to the truth that they didn’t have penetrative intercourse. The 2 have a dialog about how intercourse will be a whole lot of issues—there isn’t one definition. Charlie asks Nick if he’s been researching how one can have intercourse correctly, and Charlie pulls up Nick’s laptop computer and search historical past. Right here, Charlie discovers that Nick has been taking a look at universities that aren’t fairly native. Nick says he’s apprehensive about being away from Charlie, so he’ll most likely go to highschool someplace close by. Personally, I don’t consider it for a second and am already bracing myself for what seems to be a presumably heartbreaking plot level.
Charlie then returns house and has a dialog together with his mother (Georgina Wealthy), who, within the final episode, snapped and mentioned Charlie couldn’t sleep over at Nick’s home. Charlie’s mother apologizes, understanding she will be overbearing and fast to anger, however she thinks boyfriend sleepovers are so much emotionally. She asks Charlie to compromise and wait till exams are over. Charlie agrees. (I, nonetheless, am left shocked that boyfriend sleepovers are even allowed. Possibly I’m geriatric, however this is able to have by no means slid in my teen years.)
Samuel Dore/Netflix
Later, Nick joins Tara, Imogen (Rhea Norwood), and Elle on a university highway journey (somebody name Raven Symoné) to take a look at universities. They go to locations close to and much, and even spend an evening on the highway, the place Imogen and Nick keep in the identical room. Imogen famously had a crush on Nick for some time, and he or she admits she simply wished consideration. Maybe, she hasn’t even ever favored a boy. Nick comforts her.
The following day, Elle reveals she is aware of Nick and Charlie had intercourse, after Tao instructed her. Nick doesn’t reveal the small print, however the ladies then take him to a pharmacy to purchase condoms and lube. It’s a real ceremony of passage for a newly sexually lively excessive schooler. The vacationers then hit London to go to Leeds. Nick shortly falls in love with the queer group, alternative to play rugby, and campus. However there’s a slight downside: The college is 4 hours away from house. Nick, within the automotive house, talks about how a lot he doesn’t need to date lengthy distance. Elle mentions that he has to place his happiness first.
Charlie, in the meantime, decides to make his remedy classes much less frequent. He says he has individuals who may help him between visits. “I feel I noticed that though I really like Nick, I would like different individuals,” Charlie says, which is additional proof that every one we’d like is group. He additionally decides to use for head boy of Truham.
Samuel Dore/Netflix
His complete household then heads to a Love, Simon-level carnival, the place he’s performing with Sahar (Leila Khan)’s band, Queer Intentions.
Michael (Darragh Hand) then comes over and asks Charlie for recommendation on Tori (Jenny Walser). Michael requested Tori to be his girlfriend, and Tori freaked out. Charlie then joins Tori on the ferris wheel, the place she reveals that she’s jealous of Charlie’s hope. Charlie lastly admits how a lot Tori’s helped him within the final yr. She has a lot love to offer, she can provide some to Michael as nicely. Put up trip, Tori approaches Michael, leaving their relationship standing unknown. Tori spinoff, when?
Tara then Instagram DMs the pal group (which appears to be everybody’s fundamental type of communication) that the highway trippers are caught in a site visitors jam; they could not make it to the carnival and miss the band. Nick feels that Charlie wants him to be there when he performs. After some ticket-worthy dashing, they arrive mid-performance. Charlie was nonetheless in a position to carry out with out Nick there, one thing he doubtless wouldn’t have been in a position to do in the beginning of the season.
Following the efficiency, Charlie’s mother agrees to let him sleep over at Nick’s. The season then concludes with a dreamy carnival sequence, the place Elle reveals that she’s going to go to artwork faculty in Europe. Tao is worked up, not apprehensive for her. This clearly provides Nick some nerves about his impending determination.
Charlie and Nick head house and start to have intercourse. Charlie lastly takes his shirt off, a giant step. Nick says, “I really like you, and you might be so fucking sizzling,” and Charlie instantly responds with a hug. The season ends with an affirmation of Charlie’s physique, displaying that whereas we do have to work to seek out self love and acceptance, typically, the phrases of others could make a profound and optimistic affect. Roll credit.
Samuel is the Affiliate Editor at ELLE Journal. Previous to this position, he was the Assistant to ELLE’s Editor-in-Chief, Nina Garcia. At ELLE, Samuel writes about music, style, arts, and tradition, interviewing Normani, Lola Tung, Sara Bareilles, Kelli O’Hara, Nicholas Galitzine, Tate McRae, and extra. Raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Samuel attended Northwestern College and presently resides in New York Metropolis.
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