THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS continued their domination of AFC North divisional rivals Baltimore, enjoying an 18-16 win on Sunday.
The Steelers survived a late Baltimore rally as they moved to 8-2 on the season while the Ravens fall to 7-4 with what was their eighth loss in nine games against Pittsburgh.
The Steelers managed the win without scoring a touchdown thanks to six field goals from Chris Boswell.
Boswell’s successful 50-yard kick late in the fourth quarter gave the Steelers an 18-10 lead but Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson found Zay Flowers with a 16-yard pass in the end zone with 1:06 remaining.
Jackson, however, was unable to make the two-point conversion attempt and the Steelers were able to close out the game.
Jared Goff threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns as the Detroit Lions crushed the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars 52-6.
Running back David Montgomery rushed for two scores for the Lions and put up 75 yards on the ground in what became a rout.
The Jacksonville defense was ineffective against on the ground and in the air with Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown scoring twice and putting up 161 yards receiving.
Sam Darnold threw for two touchdowns and 246 yards as Detroit’s NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, beat the Tennessee Titans 23-13.
The outcome was settled when Titans quarterback Will Levis attempted a deep pass to Calvin Ridley on Tennessee’s final possession but Harrison Smith showed great agility to make the interception.
Quarterback Jordan Love ran in the go-ahead touchdown for the Green Bay Packers against NFC North rivals Chicago.
Love’s rush made it 20-19, after the two point attempt failed, leaving the Bears knowing a field goal would win the game.
Chicago advanced 42 yards in seven plays to leave Cairo Santos with a 46-yard chance for a walk-off winner.
But the Brazilian’s kick was brilliantly blocked by Karl Brooks to give the Packers a win, sending them to 7-3 on the season.
Aaron Rodgers’s disappointing season continued as his New York Jets fell to 3-8 with a 28-27 loss at home to the Indianapolis Colts.
Anthony Richardson ran in a 4-yard touchdown, his second score of the game, to give the Colts the victory.
Later on Sunday, the unbeaten, defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs faced the Bills in Buffalo.
For all the bluster from Murphy, Wilkins was right in saying Murphy didn’t put his best hand forward against Bulls, and had this match in mind. Definitely a stronger Ulster line up. Some interesting choices for Connacht – Carty had a good first half last week, but faded out before being subbed last week. Think he still offers a lot, but probably Forde is the better bench option. Aki/POC midfield hasn’t been tried before, so I’m curious to see how that goes. Josh Murphy mostly played at lock two seasons ago, so probably makes sense for him to return there, albeit I do think back row is his more natural position. Still, should be a good match. Ulster will be desperate for a win at home, and have picked a really strong side, so they’ll be a very stern test. Match of the weekend
@JoeVlogs: match of the weekend? 82.5k people beg to differ!!!
@Kevin: As in this match could go either way, and the recent history of the tie is that usually the home side win it, but only just. Looking at the Leinster v Munster sides, despite Leo insisting on selecting two tens on the bench, it is still Leinster’s to lose. Don’t get me wrong, I’d still want to attend it if I was in Dublin – Croke Park, world cup winners, internationals, etc. But as a contest goes, I expect a tighter, more exciting game from the later match.
@Kevin: well in fairness this game should be close and competitive. The other game has a strong likelihood of Leinster running out big winners. Hopefully not and it’s competitive too
@JoeVlogs: that’s fair enough alright. The game should be a cracker too.
@JoeVlogs: yeah Josh is an absolutely savage 6
Thought Cordero was very poor at full back against the Scarlets! For me he looks like an out and out winger! I’m surprised Mack isn’t the one being tried there as his style would be more suited, we could do with more options there internationally too! Interested to see how Paul Boyle goes, at times he looks like the best ball carrier in Ireland. but has rarely been picked to start in the past 2 years right when he was banging on the Irish door!
@Attacki Acki: Agree, I’d nearly put O Connor on the wing and Hansen to full back with Forde in midfield. Send Cordero packing. Boyle was unfortunate with injuries, but on his day he’s probably strongest ball carrying backrow on the island.
@Ray Ridge: not even the best 8 on the pitch Saturday. Timoney will outplay him in every facet. As for the best 8 the future lions captain is that
Hard place to go, would never bet against Ulster at Ravenhill. Connacht have only won twice (not double checked that) in the last 10 years. Team looks decent tho, may be the best shot they’ve had in a while.
@Thesaltyurchin: Three times including the Rainbow Cup. Not just 10 years though. It’s about 75.
How Cordero continues to be selected is beyond me, considering he hasn’t completed a tackle in the opening 3 games of the season. Not even offering a whole lot in an attacking sense either to make up for it. Hopefully he will manage to catch the ball this weekend without dropping it and nail a few tackles. Not much between the sides otherwise, maybe home advantage will be the difference.
@Ray Ridge: I would genuinely love it if he had a stormer tomorrow for no reason other than for you to be shown up for the clown that you are.
@Patrick Kennedy: I’d love it too, but he’ll have to improve quite a bit on the evidence of the first 3 games.
@Ray Ridge: he missed a whole season through injury. give the lad a break.
@Niall English: Ah Stop, a professional Rugby player out for a few months is no excuse for not being able to catch the ball and make a simple tackle. He’s being back long enough now. I’m expecting a much improved performance from this guy otherwise……. See more
@Ray Ridge: A few months? He played one game last season after doing his ACL. Ignorance on show again, well done
@Patrick Kennedy: yes he was out for a few months, besides you don’t catch the ball with your ACL. He’s had a long pre-season and 3 URC games. Long enough to be able catch a ball and make a tackle. The time for excuses is over.
@Ray Ridge: So August to June is “a few months”? Last time I checked it was 11 months.
@Patrick Kennedy: End of August to middle of May is around 9 months.
@Ray Ridge: Did his ACL during preseason at the beginning of August, played his first game the end of May. But don’t let facts get in the way of your nonsense.
@Patrick Kennedy: The 22nd of August is not the beginning of August and the 18th of May is not the end of May. Besides that’s not the point. The point is he should still be able to catch the ball. I haven’t been on a bicycle for about 20 years but I can still bloody cycle.
Another mouth watering game to look forward to