The short version
- The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals after a late fumble by Joe Burrow sealed the victory, keeping both teams at a 2-1 record.
- Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota led his team to their first home win of the season, handing Seattle their first loss since last November and ending a twelve-game winning streak.
- The Buffalo Bills maintained a perfect 3-0 start despite committing five turnovers, while the New England Patriots fell to 1-2 as Drake Maye accumulated seven turnovers in three games.
The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a crucial victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, halting Cincinnati’s unbeaten start to the season. The contest featured a strong passing duel between Aaron Rodgers and Joe Burrow, with Rodgers completing 19 of 34 attempts for 292 yards and three touchdowns. Pittsburgh managed to blunt early momentum from the Bengals, setting up a decisive late-game sequence. With just over two minutes remaining, Rodgers connected with tight end Darnell Washington on a 47-yard catch-and-run, positioning kicker Chris Boswell for a go-ahead 33-yard field goal.
The game’s outcome hinged on a critical turnover in the final moments. Burrow fumbled after being sacked by Derrick Harmon, and Steelers rookie Sebastian Joseph-Day recovered the loose ball to seal the win. Both teams now sit at a 2-1 record following the matchup. The result marks a bounce-back performance for Pittsburgh, which had suffered a difficult loss to New England in the previous week.
In another significant shift in the standings, the Washington Commanders defeated the Seattle Seahawks, ending Seattle’s twelve-game winning streak that included their run to last season’s Super Bowl title. Marcus Mariota stepped in for the injured Jayden Daniels and performed effectively, throwing three touchdown passes. The Commanders capitalized on three crucial turnovers by Seattle to secure their home opener victory. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a standout for the Seahawks, recording ten receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns, including a completed short throw on a trick play in the final quarter.
The Buffalo Bills improved to a perfect 3-0 record despite a chaotic offensive performance that included five turnovers. Josh Allen contributed significantly with two rushing touchdowns, his second score coming on a one-yard plunge with seven minutes remaining to give Buffalo its first lead of the game. The defense forced an incompletion by Justin Herbert on fourth down near the end, allowing James Cook to run for a three-yard touchdown and seal the victory against the winless Los Angeles Chargers. Allen threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, while running back James Cook and tight end Dalton Kincaid also lost fumbles during the contest.
The Kansas City Chiefs maintained their undefeated 3-0 status with a win over the Miami Dolphins. Patrick Mahomes completed 20 of 24 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns, including an 11-yard strike to Travis Kelce that put the game out of reach. The Chiefs struggled to pull away early, averaging less than their usual offensive output, but managed to control the game after Miami lost Pro Bowler De’Von Achane to a knee injury on the opening drive. Kenneth Walker III contributed with a touchdown catch and a rushing score.
In Detroit, Jahmyr Gibbs delivered a decisive performance against the New York Jets. The running back recorded three touchdowns, including an 11-yard reception with just over two minutes left that gave the Lions the lead they would not relinquish. Gibbs finished with 99 rushing yards on 20 carries and 65 receiving yards on seven catches. The Jets had a chance to tie or win late in the game but lost possession when quarterback Aaron Smith fumbled after being sacked by safety Chuck Clark. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson was sidelined after taking a hard hit on the previous play.
The Cleveland Browns rallied for their second consecutive comeback victory, defeating the Carolina Panthers 2-1. Deshaun Watson threw two touchdown passes to Harold Fannin Jr., including a crucial 14-yard strike with under two minutes remaining. The Browns overcame a sluggish first three quarters, during which Watson completed only 10 of 21 passes for 67 yards. He found his rhythm in the final 15 minutes, completing 6 of 9 passes for 77 yards. The Panthers had taken an 18-13 lead late in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from Bryce Young to John Metchie III.
The New York Giants defeated the Tennessee Titans but suffered a significant injury blow. Star defensive player Brian Burns went down with a knee injury midway through the fourth quarter and required assistance leaving the field. The Giants relied heavily on their running game in their first contest without quarterback Jaxson Dart, who remains out for the remainder of the regular season. The loss drops Tennessee to 0-3, while New York improves to 2-1 under new head coach John Harbaugh.
The New England Patriots continued to struggle with ball security, falling to 1-2 after a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Quarterback Drake Maye recorded two interceptions and one lost fumble, bringing his total turnovers to seven in three games. This pace approaches the 11 turnovers he committed in 17 regular-season games last year. Trevor Lawrence led the Jaguars to a statement victory with three touchdown passes, connecting with Josh Cameron, Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington. The Jaguars won their sixth straight regular-season home game, improving to 2-1.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗NFL roundup: late Burrow fumble gives Steelers win over Bengals; Pats struggle again
