It's still too early in the NFL season for teams to secure division titles and lock-in playoff berths, but teams can certainly play themselves out of contention. Losses at home for both Dallas and Detroit will put them behind the eight ball heading into the final stretch of the year. After starting 0-4, the Chargers have climbed their way back into relevancy, while the Redskins still aren't out of it.
Vikings (9-2) defeat Lions (6-5) - 30-23
Detroit did what Detroit does in most games, dig themselves into an early hole. Vikings quarterback Case Keenum marched his offense on a 14-play, 80-yard drive on their first possession, hitting tight end Kyle Rudolph for a one-yard touchdown (the extra point was blocked).
While Thanksgiving, Christmas must have already been on Lions’ quarterback Matthew Stafford’s mind, because he fumbled on Detroit’s next series and gifted the ball right back to Minnesota. The score quickly turned 13-0 after Keenum ran the ball in from the nine-yard line.
The Lions put their first points on the board with a field goal in the second quarter. But another Keenum to Rudolph connection, this time from 22 yards, extended the Vikings' lead to 20-3. With time running out in the first half, Stafford finally turned on gunslinger mode. The Detroit quarterback threw deep to Kenny Golladay for an incredible 41-yard reception downfield. Two penalties moved Detroit to the six-yard, and a touchdown pass from Stafford to Marvin Jones Jr.
made it a 10-point game.
The Vikings answered that score immediately with one of their own after receiving the second-half kickoff. Minnesota clowned the Detroit defense with their rushing attack. Runs of 46, 16, 11, and two propelled the Vikings into the end zone. However, the Lions refused to go away. Detroit knocked in two field goals and then following a Vikings’ punt, a masterful touchdown throw and catch from Stafford to Jones Jr.
cut the deficit to four. But the celebration was short-lived as Stafford injured his right leg on the play, limping significantly to the sideline.
Stafford gutted out the rest of the game, but couldn’t lead the Lions to another score. Keenum passed for 282 yards and two touchdowns. Stafford finished with 250 yards, along with two touchdowns and a pick.
Chargers (5-6) defeat Cowboys (5-6) - 28-6
Heading into the matchup against the Chargers, the Cowboys had been reeling. Since running back Ezekiel Elliot began serving his six-game suspension, the Dallas offense had scored just one touchdown (first quarter against Atlanta on Nov. 12) in the two previous weeks. The Cowboys’ struggles needed to turn around on Thanksgiving, but Los Angeles absolutely punked them. Chargers’ quarterback Phillip Rivers moved the ball at will on the Dallas defense, but an injured kicker prevented Los Angeles from putting any more than three points on the board in the first-half.
It wasn't until after halftime that the Chargers began to pour on the points. Los Angeles scored touchdowns on their first three second-half possessions.
Phillip Rivers threw touchdowns to Hunter Henry, Tyrell Williams, and Keenan Allen. If the game wasn’t over already, the icing on the cake occurred when Desmond King picked-off a Dak Prescott pass and returned it 90 yards to the house for a score.
In addition to his three touchdowns, Rivers threw for 434 yards; Keenan Allen hauled in 179 of them.
Redskins (5-6) defeat Giants (2-9) - 20-10
This game certainly wasn’t the NFL dessert football fans had been waiting for all day. Both in terms of the matchup and gameplay, a lot was left to be desired. Nine punts, two field goals, and a turnover-on-downs perfectly sums up the 3-3 first-half. It wasn't until 6:32 left in the third quarter that the Redskins began a six-play, 50-yard touchdown drive.
Kirk Cousins found Jamison Crowder for a 15-yard score.
But while Washington found a bit of traction, the Giants' offense remained completely inept. New York was only able to tie the game 10-10 when defensive back Janoris Jenkins intercepted a Cousins’ pass and returned it for a 53-yard pick-six. Thankfully, the Redskins were able to summon another touchdown (and a field goal) in the fourth quarter, saving fans and gamblers alike from having to endure an overtime involving these two teams. Crowder finished with 141 yards receiving and a touchdown for Washington. The Giants had a total of 147 yards of offense.
