The Cleveland Browns didn’t just beat the Green Bay Packers — they dismantled the narrative that Green Bay still belongs among the NFL’s elite. In a rain-slicked, bone-chilling game at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, September 21, 2025, the Browns won 13-10 on a last-minute field goal by Justin Tucker, silencing doubters and sending shockwaves through the league. This wasn’t just an upset. It was a statement.
Detroit’s A+ Performance Ignites the Motor City
While Cleveland celebrated, Detroit Lions fans were dancing in the aisles of Ford Field. Their 38-30 Monday night demolition of the Baltimore Ravens earned an ‘A+’ from CBS Sports — the highest grade of the week. Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns, while rookie running back James Cook (not to be confused with the Bills’ James Cook) added 112 rushing yards and two scores. The defense forced three turnovers, including a 62-yard interception return by cornerback Darius Slay that turned a 24-20 game into a rout. This wasn’t just a win. It was a declaration: Detroit isn’t just back — they’re a contender.
Bills Extend Dominance Over Dolphins — Again
At Hard Rock Stadium, the Buffalo Bills made it 1-9 against the Miami Dolphins when Tua Tagovailoa starts. The 31-21 victory was sealed by a brutal interception with 3:06 left — Tua, under pressure, tried to force a throw to the end zone and was picked off by Derek Barnett. The play didn’t just end the game. It underscored a growing truth: when Tua’s on the field against Josh Allen, the Dolphins’ ceiling drops like a stone. Tight end Dalton Kincaid, the Bills’ 2023 first-round pick, led all receivers with 66 yards and a touchdown, his breakout season finally taking flight after a knee injury derailed his sophomore year.
Seahawks, Commanders, and Other Standouts
The Seattle Seahawks didn’t just beat the New Orleans Saints — they humiliated them. A 44-13 win at Lumen Field earned an ‘A+’ for their special teams alone: two punt return touchdowns, a blocked kick returned for a score, and a 98-yard kickoff return by Quentin Johnston. The Saints? They got an ‘F.’ CBS Sports called it “a disaster from start to finish.”
Meanwhile, Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota returned from a three-year absence to lead a 41-7 rout of the Las Vegas Raiders. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin didn’t just catch passes — he made history. His 90-yard punt return touchdown pushed his career receiving yards to 6,528, surpassing Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell for fifth all-time in franchise history. That’s not just a stat. That’s legacy.
Chiefs’ Halftime Magic and the Jets’ Third-Quarter Curse
Don’t sleep on the Kansas City Chiefs. They beat the New York Giants 22-9 at MetLife Stadium, but it wasn’t pretty. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed just 12 of 23 passes in the first half — 84 yards, no touchdowns. Then came halftime. Whatever Andy Reid said, it worked. The Chiefs scored 19 unanswered points in the second half. “Whatever Andy Reid said at halftime,” noted CBS, “he might want to bottle some of that up.” But here’s the worry: Can they do it again against the Buffalo Bills next week? Or the Philadelphia Eagles?
And the New York Jets? They’re in freefall. Over the past two weeks, they’ve scored exactly zero touchdowns in the first three quarters. Zero. Not one. Their offense looks lost, and their defense — once the league’s best — is crumbling.
What’s Next? The Real Story Behind the Stats
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-0, but every win has come by three points or fewer. That’s not luck. That’s desperation. They’re winning because Laviska Shenault makes impossible catches, and Tom Brady’s ghost still haunts the locker room. But they’re not a team that should be winning close games against Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers. Their schedule gets harder. Soon, they’ll face teams with real defenses.
The Arizona Cardinals lost 16-15 to the San Francisco 49ers despite two chances to win in the final five minutes. Kyler Murray couldn’t convert a single third down in the fourth quarter. The offense stalled. The defense gave up a 53-yard touchdown pass on a busted coverage. It wasn’t just a loss — it was a collapse.
And then there’s Tua. Again. He’s not bad. He’s just… limited. Against the Bills, he completed 21 of 31 passes — but only 10 of them went beyond 10 yards. He’s a game manager. Not a playmaker. And in a league where quarterbacks are expected to carry teams, that’s not enough.
Historic Moments and Quiet Breakouts
Don’t forget Christian McCaffrey. The San Francisco 49ers MVP had 27 touches for 140 yards in their 16-15 win over Arizona. He’s playing like a man who’s already won a ring — and wants another.
The Carolina Panthers finally won — 30-0 over the Atlanta Falcons — their first of the season. Bryce Young ran for a touchdown. Chau Smith-Wade returned an interception 11 yards. It was clean. It was ugly. It was perfect.
The Philadelphia Eagles won 33-26 over the Los Angeles Rams, thanks in large part to Zack Baun, whose 90.3 overall grade was the highest of any linebacker in the league this season. And Jordan Davis? He blocked a field goal — and ran it back for six. That’s not just a play. That’s a statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Cleveland Browns pull off the upset against the Packers?
The Browns won with defense and discipline. They held Green Bay to 3-of-12 on third downs and forced two turnovers, including a critical interception by safety Grant Delpit in the red zone late in the fourth quarter. Their offensive line, once a liability, held Aaron Rodgers to just 211 passing yards — his lowest since 2022. The win was fueled by a 48-yard field goal by Justin Tucker with 1:12 left, capping a 12-play, 78-yard drive that consumed over six minutes.
Why is Tua Tagovailoa’s record against the Bills so bad?
Tua has started nine games against Buffalo and lost them all. His average passer rating in those games is 76.3 — well below his career average of 94.1. The Bills’ defense, led by Derek Barnett and Greg Rousseau, consistently pressures him early and forces him into quick throws. He’s not a dual-threat quarterback, and when the pocket collapses, he can’t escape. Josh Allen’s presence amplifies the gap: Allen is a 2024 MVP candidate; Tua is a game manager with a ceiling.
What does Terry McLaurin’s record-breaking performance mean for Washington?
McLaurin’s 6,528 career receiving yards place him ahead of Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell, making him the fifth-leading receiver in Commanders history — behind only Art Monk, Gary Clark, Ricky Sanders, and Darrell Green. His 90-yard punt return touchdown was his first NFL score on special teams. This isn’t just a milestone — it’s validation. Washington’s offense, long criticized for being stagnant, now has a true playmaker who can change a game with one catch or return.
Why did the New Orleans Saints get an ‘F’ grade?
The Saints were abysmal across the board: quarterback Andy Dalton threw three interceptions, their offensive line allowed six sacks, and their special teams gave up two punt return touchdowns. They allowed 44 points — their most since 2020 — and managed just 13 first downs. ESPN’s analytics showed they ranked last in EPA per play (−0.41) and had the worst third-down conversion rate in the league this week (17%). It wasn’t just a loss. It was a systemic failure.
Can the Kansas City Chiefs still win the Super Bowl despite their slow starts?
Yes — but only if Andy Reid solves the first-half jitters. The Chiefs have now trailed at halftime in three of their last four games. Mahomes’ first-half completion rate this season is just 58%, down from 68% last year. Their offensive line is giving up more pressure, and the defense is struggling to stop early drives. If they don’t fix this before facing the Bills or Eagles, their playoff hopes could slip away — even with Mahomes’ magic.
Is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 3-0 start sustainable?
Probably not. All three wins came by three points or fewer, and their opponents — the Jets, Panthers, and Falcons — have a combined record of 1-8. Their defense ranks 28th in yards allowed, and their offense relies heavily on turnovers and short fields. If they face a team with a strong defense like the Eagles or 49ers, they’ll likely be exposed. Their streak is a miracle, not a formula.