Whether it be the longest play in Jets history, future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady passing a legend in career touchdown tosses, or even Calvin Johnson continuing his record pace of touchdown receptions, there was plenty of history made.
In addition, there were also a couple of teams that made strong finishes as the opposition failed to execute during the second half of play. Among those were the still unbeaten Detroit Lions, who improved to 4-0 on the season.
Comebacks
Detroit 34, Dallas 30
Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and the 'Boys' offense dominated the first half of play, scoring on four separate scoring drives as they went in to the half with a demanding 20-3 lead. But Matthew Stafford and the Lions came out in the third quarter and began the comeback with two Romo interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.
The improbable comeback was capped off in the fourth when Calvin Johnson caught two touchdown passes in Detroit's 17-point quarter. The questions swirling around Romo's ability to win games for Dallas will continue for at least another week as Dallas was held scoreless during the final quarter.
Cincinnati 23, Buffalo 20
Buffalo's Harvard graduate, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, seems as though he's on pace for a career-best season as the starter. Fitzpatrick got off to another solid start with two first half scoring drives. A Bryan Scott 43-yard interception return for a touchdown gave Buffalo a 17-3 first half lead.
The second half, similar to the previous two comebacks listed here, was a whole different story for the no-longer-unbeaten Bills. The only score was a 23-yard field goal off the foot of Rian Lindell early in the fourth quarter. Rookie Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton orchestrated four Cincy scoring drives in the final two quarters, one of which was capped by a 3-yard run himself.
In the final drive of the game Dalton led Cincinnati down the field in a 1:48, running seven plays for 55 yards. Kicker Mike Nugent kicked the game-winner through the uprights as time expired. Buffalo was handed its first loss of the season.
San Francisco 24, Philadelphia 23
Rather than talking about Alex Smith's near-perfect performance (21/33, 291 yards, 2 TD/0 INT; 112.1 QBR) against Philadelphia's defense yesterday, studio analysts and fans alike are continuing their bashing of the 1-3 Eagles.
While, yes, Philadelphia put up a dismal effort in the second half, scoring just three points after holding a 20-3 halftime lead, I would like to credit the underachieving Smith for his fourth quarter efforts. Smith's two third quarter touchdown tosses to Josh Morgan and Vernon Davis set them up in great position to steal the win. After a punt, two missed field goals and a fumble (last four drives) for Philadelphia, Smith led an eight-play, 77-yard game-winning drive capped by a 12-yard Frank Gore rushing touchdown.
How long will Philadelphia's struggles continue?
Record-breakers
Devin Hester
Hester further solidified his title as one of the best return men in the history of the game, and he's still only 28 years of age. In Chicago's five-point win over Carolina yesterday afternoon he passed Eric Metcalf on the list of all-time punt return touchdowns. Now at 11, Hester's 69-yard TD return in the second quarter puts him all by his lonesome on the tippy top of the list.
Michael Jordan isn't the only legend to wear No. 23 in Chicago, apparently.
Tom Brady
Brady threw two touchdown passes against the Oakland Raiders in the 31-19 victory. The first one tied legend Joe Montana for 10th all-time on the career touchdowns list. The second one surpassed Montana, putting Brady one behind Vinny Testaverde, at No. 9 all-time. At age 34, Brady still has a good four or five seasons ahead of him.
Joe McKnight
Although his Jets were trounced on national television last night, 34-17, there was one bright spot for New York last night. Special teams.
With the kickoffs being moved up five yards this year, we have seen a spike in deep kickoff returns. Right after Baltimore scored on a Mark Sanchez fumble early in the game, the second-year McKnight ran back a 107-yard kick, a New York franchise record for longest play.
Calvin Johnson
Megatron may not be the sole reason Detroit is 4-0 right now, but he is a major factor in the offenses recent success. His fourth consecutive game with two touchdown receptions tied future Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter for the NFL record.
Johnson wasn't the only one making history in this game, either. This was Detroit's current league-high eight consecutive victory dating back to late last season, and it was Detroit's fifth straight road win, a franchise-record.
Great day to be a Detroit fan I'd say.
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers have quietly been creeping up on the power rankings, and I would now put them as the league's best right now. Rodgers continues to prove he is an elite quarterback, adding on to his Super Bowl MVP performance in February.
In the Pack's 49-point performance against Denver, improving to 4-0 on the season, Rodgers set a career-high with 408 yards passing and added four touchdown tosses, tying his career-high. Next week's Sunday night matchup with the Falcons (rematch of NFC divisional playoff game last season) will be a great one, indeed.
Monday Night Preview
Bucs over Colts
**In Curtis Painter's first career start, facing a stout, young Buccaneers defense, Indy is doomed. There's no way around it. As long as Josh Freeman can avoid a long day against Indy's front four, led by Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, he shouldn't have any trouble leading Tampa to a large victory over Jim Caldwell's winless Colts.
Photo credit
Niners D: AP Photo/Michael Perez
Brandon Pettigrew: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
Joe McKnight: Getty Images/Larry French
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