The Philadelphia Eagles gave an already safe victory against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The New England Patriots had to survive a late moment of shock in Chicago, the Cleveland Browns went - again - in extra time. At the end of the mouths were open.
The Carolina Panthers were in the last quarter of Super Bowl champion Philadelphia with a 0-17 deficit - and started a furious recovery that had not really indicated anything. Touchdowns by Curtis Samuel and Devin Funchess brought the guests back up to a field goal. 2:17 minutes before the end, Cam Newton had to take full risk on a fourth attempt: The Panthers quarterback conceded a hit, but still managed a pass to Torrey Smith for a new first down after a short run. A little later, the Panthers were after a run from Newton to the 1-yard line at 3rd & Goal. Newton found tight end Greg Olsen - and Carolina was ahead 21:17.
But the Eagles were far from beaten. After Corner Back James Bradberry was able to help with just one pass interference following a 48-yard pass from Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz towards Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia was back on the 22-yard line in the Panthers half. But even if an interception by Eric Reid after video view was still revoked, it was not enough for the defending champion. At the last attempt Wentz was brought down and lost the ball - the decision.
The Panthers, who had never caught a 17-point deficit in franchise history, improved their record to 4-2. Newton posted 25 of 39 passes for 269 yards (2 TD) and ran another 49 yards. The Eagles are now 3: 4 and are only third in the NFC East.
Trubisky's Hail Mary only works almost
The New England Patriots (Tom Brady: three TD passes) made it to a 38:31 success at the Chicago Bears without their struggling star-tight end Rob Gronkowski. They almost came back with the last action of the game: Kevin White caught a quarterback Mitchell Trubisky's Hail Mary pass over 54 yards, then spun shortly before the end zone and was then knocked down by several defenders. The Patriots (5-2), however, also had to complain about the failure of rookie running back Sony Michel, who retired in the second quarter with a knee injury.
From Zero to Hero: Catanzaro shocks the Browns
Apparently Cleveland can not do without drama this season. For the fourth time the Browns had to overtime this season! In Tampa they could thank this time, however, at Buccaneers kicker Chandler Catanzaro. He set a field goal from 40 yards to the right with seconds to go, having missed an extra point before. At 23:23, it went into extra time. There, Catanzaro became a hero after all: his 59-yard field goal (!) - the longest ever in an overtime - still gave the Buccaneers victory. Brown quarterback Baker Mayfield (23/34, 215 yards, 2TD) stood open on the sidelike line in horror.
The courage of Titans is not rewarded in Wembley
The NFL day started in London's Wembley Stadium. There, the Tennessee Titans made a late comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers - and came close to 19:20 through a touchdown just before the end. Instead of going extra time with the extra point, the Titans went for victory with the two-point conversion - and failed. Chargers-Safety Adrian Phillips prevented the pass attempt by quarterback Marcus Mariota.
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