The Cincinnati Bengals dominated the Atlanta Falcons 34-17 in Madrid behind four total touchdowns from Joe Burrow. Ja'Marr Chase caught eight passes for 142 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone, finishing with 10 catches for 155 yards, while Tee Higgins added five catches for 47 yards and two scores. Burrow leads the NFL with a 74% completion percentage, 23 passing touchdowns, and 26 total touchdowns, becoming the first player ever with a 70% completion rate and four total touchdowns in four consecutive games.
MVP Race: Burrow vs. Love
Jordan Love has also made a strong case, leading the league with 2,618 passing yards and 40 completions of 20-plus yards, while throwing 19 touchdowns. Love has elevated Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, who became the first Packers receiver duo to each record 150-plus yards and a touchdown in a single game during Green Bay's win over New England. Both quarterbacks are considered front-runners for the first-half MVP, though the race remains wide open with Josh Allen and Brock Purdy also performing well.
Shedeur Sanders Earns Starting Role
In his first start for the Cleveland Browns, Shedeur Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions, averaging 9.6 yards per attempt. Despite taking five sacks, Sanders delivered three completions of 30-plus yards — more than Deshaun Watson has all season — and showed mobility with key third-down scrambles. The Browns lost 23-22 to the Saints, but Sanders' performance suggests he should remain the starter over Watson.
Stafford's Decline Hurts Rams
The Los Angeles Rams improved to 5-4 with a 20-13 win over Washington, but Matthew Stafford has thrown nine interceptions in nine games. His completion rate on throws 20-plus yards downfield has dropped from 43% last season to 24% this year, with a 1-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio on those attempts. The Rams' defense and running game have carried the team, but Stafford must return to form for a deep playoff run.
Eagles' Struggles Not Sirianni's Fault
Philadelphia lost its seventh straight game, falling 19-11 to the New York Giants to drop to 2-7. Third-string quarterback Joe Milton completed 18 of 34 passes for 169 yards. With Jalen Hurts out for the year, injuries across the offensive line, and a first-year offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion, firing Nick Sirianni now would only destabilize a team playing out the string.
NFC East Still Undecided
The Giants' win improved them to 5-2-1, but the Dallas Cowboys survived a mistake-filled game to beat Indianapolis 27-23 and sit at 4-5, just 2.5 games back. A Week 17 matchup between the two could decide the division, and Dallas may still pursue trades before the deadline.
Panthers Remain in NFC South Hunt
Carolina fell to 3-5 after a close loss to Denver, but outgained the Broncos 353-312. Bryce Young showed improvement, and with no team in the NFC South above .500, the Panthers remain in contention.
Highlight of the Week
Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins made a spectacular touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Chargers, an early candidate for Catch of the Year.
Trade Deadline Targets
Ahead of Tuesday's deadline, suggested moves include: the Kansas City Chiefs acquiring George Pickens from Dallas and Andrew Wylie from Washington; the New England Patriots adding offensive line help such as Wylie; the Minnesota Vikings trading for Jonathan Taylor from Indianapolis; the Jacksonville Jaguars acquiring run-stuffer Grover Stewart from the Colts; and the Detroit Lions pursuing cornerback Tariq Woolen from Philadelphia.
