Texans creatively compensate for skills shortage
In the ninth game week of the NFL, Germany is looking ahead to the Frankfurt game. Of course. But what does the home of football have to offer? A field goal the likes of which has not been seen for 19 years, the back-up of a back-up is in demand just a few days after his trade - and subdued anticipation for the second Germany game.
Touchdown festival in Houston - one field goal stands out
No matter what the fans in Houston paid for their tickets to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they got it back twice and three times over. Because the Buccs and the Texans both know only one direction: forward. From the kick-off, one touchdown chases the next. It became historic in the fourth quarter. With the score at 30:30, the Texans are in a good position for a field goal, but their kicker is injured. So an outsider has to step in - and shines. Dare Ogunbowale, running back in his seventh NFL year, successfully kicks the egg through the yellow sticks. Even in the spectacular NFL, the scene is anything but everyday. The last field goal not made by a kicker was nineteen years ago. With just over eight minutes on the clock, the Texans take a 33-30 lead. When Baker Mayfield throws a touchdown pass to Cade Otton with 46 seconds left in the game, the Buccs look like the winners. But besides Ogunbowale, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud also makes a big play. With six seconds left, he throws his fifth touchdown - no rookie quarterback has ever scored more - and leads the Texans to a 39-37 victory.
Best team in the NFL only trembles briefly
The rivalry between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys has existed for 63 years, sometimes more, sometimes less intense. It even has its own Wikipedia page. The Cowboys narrowly won the last meeting on December 24 of last year. The favorites ahead of the first game this season are clear, the Eagles are at the top of the NFC and have only lost one game so far.
The Eagles victory falters when quarterback Jalen Hurts falters. Shortly before halftime, he goes down after a hit from DeMarcus Lawrence, and when he gets up again, he limps off the field. It's been a close game up to this point. Philadelphia holds its breath. But Hurts returns and continues to play as if nothing had happened. The Eagles score 14 points in the third quarter, the Cowboys fail to score. In the end, Philadelphia wins 28:23 and has the best record in the NFL. Eight wins. One defeat. "It takes what it takes," Hurts said after the game.
Bills on a roller coaster - Burrow finally back
Which letter continues the series logically? S, N, S, N, S...? Correct! N. The Buffalo Bills have been alternating between wins and losses since Week 4. Originally starting the season as one of the top favorites, the team led by quarterback Josh Allen has now slipped to ninth place in the AFC, meaning that even the playoffs are now out of reach. The Cincinnati Bengals are responsible for this painful defeat. Star quarterback Joe Burrow shone in the 24-18 win in front of his home crowd: 31 of 44 passes completed, 348 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals win their fourth game in a row and overtake the Bills in the AFC.
Back-up of the back-ups becomes match-winner after five days
Josh Dobbs probably has one thing above all else in his apartment at the moment: moving boxes. It's been five days since the quarterback was traded from the Arizona Cardinals to the Minnesota Vikings. He is scheduled as a backup behind rookie quarterback Jaren Hall, who in turn is on the field as a replacement for Kirk Cousins, who suffered a hamstring injury a week ago. In the game against the Atlanta Falcons, however, Jaren Hall also had to pull out early due to a concussion. The time has come for double replacement Dobbs. He throws two touchdowns and runs for one himself.
The Vikings win the game 31-28. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell calls Dobbs' performance "impressive" after the game, but also classifies the game as the "ultimate team victory". Despite the loss of Kirk Cousins, the Vikings remain in the playoff places for the time being. Only the Eagles and Detroit Lions have more wins in the AFC. With four wins and five defeats, the Falcons are now two places behind Minnesota.
Panthers and New England Patriots lose dress rehearsal in Germany
With the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins, Frankfurt will experience a real top game in its NFL premiere. When the Carolina Panthers meet the New England Patriots next weekend, the omens will be very different. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young had a night to forget against the Indianapolis Colts, throwing three interceptions as well as a touchdown. The game was lost 13:27, leaving the Panthers with just one win.
The Patriots, who a few years ago were a top candidate for the Super Bowl thanks to Tom Brady, have already won two games. And the Pats are not without a chance in the game against the Washington Commanders either. But with the score at 17:20, quarterback Mac Jones threw an interception in New England's last drive, the field goal that could have tied the game was missed and the game was lost. It will therefore be exciting to see which of the two crisis-ridden teams manages to break free in front of the Frankfurt crowd. It won't be about much more than that; the play-off chances for both are, if at all, only theoretical.
You can read all the NFL results at a glance here.
Historic moment in American Football
In a surprising turn of events during the NFL game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans, Dare Ogunbowale, a running back in his seventh NFL season, stepped up as the emergency kicker and successfully made a field goal, a feat last seen 19 years ago.
NFL's top teams face challenges
Despite their dominance in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills have been facing a series of challenges, alternating between wins and losses since Week 4, and currently sit in ninth place in the AFC. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals, led by the return of quarterback Joe Burrow, have been on a winning streak and overtook the Bills in the AFC standings.
Source: www.ntv.de
