Yesterday’s NFL action provided the entire gambit of emotions to football fans. There was no shortage of awesome plays to keep everyone entertained, including some down-to-the-wire finishes, but there was also a high number of injuries that are going to impact teams for weeks to come. Without the ability to train properly ahead of the start of the season, thanks to COVID-19, players are taking the field in other than optimum condition, and this doesn’t bode well for several teams that are now scrambling to fill unexpected and key vacancies.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to stop a late resurgence by the Denver Broncos to hold on for the win. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was everything Steelers fans expected him to be, throwing for 311 yards and two touchdowns. A single interception was the only blemish on the day, but that didn’t prevent Pittsburgh from taking the 26-21 victory. Things looked a little dicey toward the end when the Broncos mounted a comeback with less than two minutes on the clock, but the Pittsburgh defense sacked quarterback Jeff Driskel on fourth down to seal the deal.
Driskel was only in the game because starting QB Drew Lock exited in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Driskel did what he could to give Denver the advantage, but wasn’t able to overcome a powerful defense. The Steelers were the -334 favorite heading into the game, and they proved why they were getting such good odds with their second win of the season.
The LA Rams didn’t find too much trouble in the Philadelphia Eagles, taking the win 37-19. That’s two in the W column for the Rams and two in the L column for the Eagles so far this season, and the Rams are starting to look sharp. Rams QB Jared Goff had 267 yards in the air with three touchdowns to lead his team to victory; however, he was left without the help of running back Cam Akers, who took a shot to the ribs and was sidelined for the rest of the game. Chalk one up for the underdogs, as the Eagles were the -128 favorite to win against the +110 Rams.