NFL Today, Week 6

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SCOREBOARD

Monday, Oct. 19

Kansas City at Buffalo, 5 p.m. EDT. The game was rescheduled from Thursday night to Monday because the Bills (4-1) had to play last Tuesday at Tennessee due to a coronavirus outbreak on the Titans. Kansas City (4-1) had a game pushed back for the second time in three weeks. The Chiefs’ outing against COVID-19-affected New England two weeks ago was bumped back a day. Rather than playing three games in 11 days, the Chiefs are playing three times in 15 days, with two extra days of rest on Buffalo. Both teams are coming off uncharacteristic losses, with the Chiefs falling at home to Las Vegas and Buffalo blown out by Tennessee. The game will spotlight two star passers in Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, the 2018 MVP, and Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Allen came into Week 6 ranked second in the NFL with 1,589 yards passing, and Mahomes was fourth with 1,474.

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Arizona at Dallas, 8:15 p.m. EDT. Andy Dalton makes his first start for the Cowboys (2-3) since Dak Prescott was lost for the season with a broken and dislocated ankle. Dalton, a Houston-area native, had a standout college career at nearby TCU. For the Cardinals (3-2), quarterback Kyler Murray and coach Kliff Kingsbury will make their first NFL appearances in their home state of Texas. Kingsbury was a standout prep player in the late 1990s at a high school just north of San Antonio and later played and coached at Texas Tech. Murray has won four championships at AT&T Stadium — three straight state titles in high school football-obsessed Texas for nearby Allen, and a Big 12 crown with Oklahoma in a win over rival Texas two years ago.

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STARS

Passing

— Philip Rivers, Colts, threw for 371 yards and three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Indianapolis rallied from a 21-0 deficit to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 31-27.

— Matt Ryan, Falcons, threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns for the Falcons, who beat the Minnesota Vikings 40-23 for their first win of the season.

— Ryan Tannehill, Titans, passed for 364 yards and four touchdowns and led another fourth-quarter rally for Tennessee, which beat Houston 42-36 in overtime.

— Kirk Cousins, Vikings, threw for 343 yards and had three touchdown passes with his Vikings trailing badly against the Falcons in a 40-23 loss. He was intercepted three times.

— Deshaun Watson, Texans, threw for 335 yards and four touchdowns in Houston’s 42-36 overtime loss to Tennessee.

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Rushing

— Derrick Henry, Titans, ran for 212 yards and two touchdowns, including the winning score in overtime and a 94-yard TD run in the fourth quarter of unbeaten Tennessee’s 42-36 victory over the Houston Texans.

— Miles Sanders, Eagles, had 118 yards on nine carries, including a 74-yarder, in Philadelphia’s 30-28 loss to Baltimore.

— Rookie D’Andre Swift, Lions, ran for a career-high 116 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in Detroit’s 34-16 win over Jacksonville.

— Ronald Jones, Buccaneers, had 23 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s 38-10 rout of Green Bay.

— Lamar Jackon, Ravens. The elusive quarterback had 108 yards rushing and a touchdown on nine carries in Baltimore’s 30-28 win over Philadelphia.

— James Conner, Steelers, had 101 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in Pittsburgh’s 38-7 win over Cleveland.

— Phillip Lindsay, Broncos, had 23 carries for 101 yards in Denver’s 18-12 win at New England.

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Receiving

— Justin Jefferson, Vikings, caught nine passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, but most of his highlights came with Minnesota in catch-up mode in its 40-23 loss to Atlanta.

— Keelan Cole, Jaguars, had six receptions for 143 yards in Jacksonville’s 34-16 loss to Detroit.

— Julio Jones, Falcons, returned from a hamstring injury to catch eight passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns as Atlanta beat the Vikings 40-23.

— Will Fuller, Texans, had six receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown in Houston’s 42-36 overtime loss to Tennessee.

— Tee Higgins, Bengals, caught six passes for 125 yards in Cincinnati’s 31-27 loss to Indianapolis.

— Anthony Firkser, Titans. The third-year tight end had eight receptions for 113 yards, both career highs, and a touchdown in Tennessee’s 42-36 overtime win over Houston.

— Marcus Johnson, Colts, had five receptions for 108 yards in a 31-27 win over the Bengals.

— Kenny Golladay, Lions, finished with four receptions for 105 yards as Detroit beat Jacksonville 34-16.

— Tim Patrick, Broncos, caught four passes for 101 yards in Denver’s 18-12 victory over New England.

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Special Teams

— Brandon McManus, Broncos, made six field goals, including kicks of 54 and 52 yards, to account for all of Denver’s points in an 18-12 win over New England. It was McManus’ sixth game with multiple field goals of 50 yards or more, tying Baltimore’s Justin Tucker for the most in NFL history.

— Younghoe Koo, Falcons, went 4 for 4 on field goals, with a long of 50 yards, and made all four of his extra-point attempts in Atlanta’s 40-23 win at Minnesota.

— Justin Tucker, Ravens, was 3 for 3 on field goals, including a 55-yarder, and perfect on extra points in Baltimore’s 30-28 victory over Philadelphia.

— Cameron Johnston, Eagles, had a 49.2-yard average on his six punts, including a long of 66 yards, in Philadelphia’s 30-28 loss to Baltimore.

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Defense

— Calais Campbell, Ravens, had three sacks in Baltimore’s 30-28 win over Philadelphia.

— Jamel Dean, Buccaneers, broke on Aaron Rodgers’ sideline throw and returned the interception 32 yards to the end zone for a rare Pick-6 against Rodgers in Tampa Bay’s 38-10 win over Green Bay.

— Bud Dupree, Steelers, had two sacks in Pittsburgh’s 38-7 rout of Cleveland.

— Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers, returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown on the Browns’ first possession, one of Pittsburgh’s two picks of Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield.

— DeForest Buckner, Colts, had a sack, two tackles for loss and four quarterback hits in Indianapolis’ 31-27 win over Cincinnati.

— Tae Crowder, Giants. The rookie linebacker scooped up a fumble and ran 43 yards for a touchdown, giving the Giants a 20-13 lead against Washington, and New York hung on to win 20-19.

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MILESTONES

The Tennessee Titans finished with 601 yards of total offense, topping the franchise record set by the Warren Moon-led Houston Oilers in 1991. Tennessee also became the first team in NFL history to have a quarterback throw for 350 yards or more (Ryan Tannehill, 364) and a 200-plus-yard rusher (Derrick Henry, 212) in the same game. … With his 94-yard TD run, Henry became the fifth player in NFL history with two career scoring runs of 90 yards or more, joining Ahman Green, Bo Jackson, Chris Johnson and Lamar Miller. … Denver’s Brandon McManus had his sixth game with two field goals of 50 yards or more, tying Baltimore’s Justin Tucker for the most in NFL history. … Tom Brady threw a touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski, the duo’s first with Tampa Bay and 79th overall, tying Dan Marino to Mark Clayton for the fourth most by a duo in NFL history. … Vikings rookie Justin Jefferson has 537 receiving yards in his first five games, joining Billy Howton (543) as the only receivers in league history with at least 500 yards in their first five.

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STREAKS & STATS

The Ravens have forced a turnover in 19 straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL and second longest in franchise history. Baltimore has 33 takeaways during the 19-game stretch. … Baltimore has scored at least 20 points in 29 straight regular-season games, the second longest such streak in NFL history behind Denver, which did it 30 consecutive games from 2012-14. … The Jacksonville Jaguars allowed at least 30 points for a franchise-record fifth consecutive game. … Xavien Howard picked off the New York Jets’ Joe Flacco in the second quarter of Miami’s 24-0 victory, giving him an interception in four straight games, the second-longest streak in Dolphins history. Dick Westmoreland had a five-game streak in 1967.

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STARTS

The Patriots (2-3) are below .500 through five games for the first time since 2001, when Tom Brady led New England to the first of its six Super Bowl titles. … The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1978, when they went on to win the Super Bowl. … The Chicago Bears (5-1) opened the season 3-0 on the road for the first time since 2006, when they reached the Super Bowl. … The Baltimore Ravens are 5-1, matching their starts in 2000 and 2012. The team won the Super Bowl after both of those seasons. … The Jets (0-6) are the league’s only remaining winless team. New York has been outscored 185-75, with every loss by more than a touchdown in their worst start since 1996.

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2-POINT BLUNDERS

Washington coach Ron Rivera went for 2 points, and the win, after a late touchdown brought his team within 20-19 at the New York Giants, but Kyle Allen scrambled and threw incomplete under pressure. Rivera, whose penchant for risk-taking earned him the nickname “Riverboat Ron,” didn’t second-guess his decision but said “It’ll eat at me because we lost.” … Texans coach Romeo Crennel went for 2 and failed with 1:50 left in a bid for a nine-point lead against the Titans, allowing Tennessee to tie it with a touchdown and extra point. The Titans went on to win in overtime. … Eagles coach Doug Pederson went for 2 four times against the Ravens. Philadelphia was 2 for 3 on 2-point tries before it was stuffed on its final attempt, which would have tied the game with 1:16 remaining. Baltimore held on for a 30-28 win.

WOUNDED BIRDS

Six games in, Carson Wentz and Jason Kelce are the remaining healthy starters on offense for the Philadelphia Eagles, and they’re also beaten up. The Eagles came in missing offensive linemen Jason Peters, Lane Johnson, Matt Pryor and Isaac Seumalo; wide receivers DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery and Jalen Reagor; and tight end Dallas Goedert. Running back Miles Sanders and tight end Zach Ertz were injured in the second half. “I would say Kelce and Carson were banged-up, too,” coach Doug Pederson said. “Every healthy body that we had played in this game. It’s tough to win in the NFL and you know where we’re at health-wise. These guys battled their tails off and still had a chance to win against a healthy, healthy team. I’m proud of those guys.”

MOP-UP MEN

The Miami Dolphins put such a thorough beating on the winless New York Jets that rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was able to make his NFL debut in mop-up duty, replacing starter Ryan Fitzpatrick with 2:27 left. The Dolphins’ potential franchise quarterback ran onto the field to a big roar from the restricted-size crowd of 10,772, and a grinning Fitzpatrick waved to encourage more cheers. The Browns, meanwhile, pulled starter Baker Mayfield for the opposite reason — they were down by 24 points to the Steelers at the end of the third quarter. “I didn’t want him to get hit one more time,” coach Kevin Stefanski said.

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SIDELINED

Pittsburgh second-year inside linebacker Devin Bush sustained what coach Mike Tomlin called a “significant knee injury” in Pittsburgh’s 38-7 rout of the Browns on Sunday. Bush, who had not missed a defensive snap all season, injured his left knee in the second quarter when he took an awkward step while attempting to break up a pass. … Giants coach Joe Judge said receiver C.J. Board has movement in his limbs after suffering a concussion and neck injury in the team’s 20-19 win over Washington. Board was carted off the field and taken to a hospital after he was hit by safety Deshazor Everett while trying to catch a low pass on a crossing pattern in the third quarter of New York’s 20-19 win. … The Patriots lost right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor to an ankle injury in the first quarter of their loss to the Broncos, further scrambling their offensive line. … The already depleted Eagles lost running back Miles Sanders (knee) in the third quarter and tight end Zach Ertz (ankle) in the fourth in their loss to Baltimore.

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SPEAKING

“That was varsity ball today.” — Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said after the Steelers’ 38-7 blowout of the Browns.

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“I think we all have to get better. I’m going to acknowledge that. We’ve tried to do everything. We’ve done things. We’ve worked on them. We’ve changed things up. We’ve pressured. We’ve played defense. We need someone to step up and make plays.” — Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said after his team’s defense gave up at least 30 points for a franchise-record fifth consecutive game.

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More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Houston Texans strong safety Justin Reid (20) kneels on the field as Tennessee Titans players celebrate after the Titans won 42-36 in overtime at an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/10/web1_125645195-a4bd912e0fc9454fa88ada140a026afb.jpgHouston Texans strong safety Justin Reid (20) kneels on the field as Tennessee Titans players celebrate after the Titans won 42-36 in overtime at an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (83) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/10/web1_125645195-060aa92a84a84c28996f074c44021500.jpgAtlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (83) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) makes a 12-yard touchdown catch in front of Green Bay Packers strong safety Adrian Amos (31) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/10/web1_125645195-68ddf482a8234a719505e7179235f183.jpgTampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) makes a 12-yard touchdown catch in front of Green Bay Packers strong safety Adrian Amos (31) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)

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