Close Calls - Week 2
By Joe Nelson
VegasInsider.com
Glancing at the scoreboard won’t tell you the whole story in most games. Here are some of the games that went down to the wire relative to the spread in the fourth quarter last week in Week 2 of the NFL regular season.
Tennessee Titans (+6) 16, Detroit Lions 15 (48): The Lions looked ready to be a surprise 2-0 squad with a 15-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Marcus Mariota found Delanie Walker for a touchdown pass to start the final frame, getting within the number with a five-point deficit for Tennessee. The Titans got two defensive stops to get the ball back and Mariota delivered with a long drive that ended with veteran Andre Johnson snagging the go-ahead touchdown catch on a fourth down play. The Lions moved to midfield, but the game ended with a Matthew Stafford interception.
New England Patriots (-6) 31, Miami Dolphins 24 (42): The Patriots had a big early lead, but lost Jimmy Garoppolo and the Dolphins rallied to within seven points with about six minutes to go. New England’s next drive lasted 13 plays and nearly got into the final minute of game clock, but a 39-yard field goal try was missed right. Miami threatened on its final possession reaching the New England 29-yard before failing on third and fourth down as New England held on for the win and narrow cover.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) 24, Cincinnati Bengals 16 (47½): The Steelers led 24-9, but Cincinnati scored a touchdown with under four minutes to go to get within eight points. The Bengals had a productive drive going again, but just after the two minute warning a fumble was lost in Pittsburgh territory as hope for the underdog and the ‘over’ faded away.
Dallas Cowboys (+3) 27, Washington Redskins 23 (47): Washington led 23-20 to sit even with the spread through three quarters with both NFC East squads looking for their first wins. With under five minutes to go, the Cowboys converted a touchdown drive to take a 27-23 lead, collecting for the ‘over’ in the process as well. Washington had a throw to the end zone at the end of the game but it was deflected out of the end zone.
New York Giants (-3½) 16, New Orleans Saints 13 (54): This game played out far lower scoring than anyone expected with a 10-3 New York edge heading into the fourth quarter and the only touchdown of the game coming on a blocked field goal return. That changed in the final frame with the Saints tying the game at 10-10 early and then an exchange of field goals left a 13-13 tie heading into the final minutes. New York was able to use the entire remaining clock to go 70 yards, kicking a field goal for the win as time expired, but leaving the narrow underdog cover for the Saints.
Carolina Panthers (-11½) 46, San Francisco 49ers 27 (44½): The Panthers took control in the middle quarters turning a 10-7 deficit into a 31-10 lead by the start of the fourth quarter. The spread result would be a toss-up in the final frame as the 49ers closed to within 11 points with scores within seven seconds of game clock following a fumbled kickoff catch. Carolina rallied to get a field goal going up by 14, but two plays later, the 49ers were in the end zone and within seven points as the outcome remained in doubt. The Panthers again were able to add three points, but the 10-point edge wasn’t going to be enough for those on the favorite. An interception gave Carolina another shot and the Panthers added a touchdown, although the extra-point was blocked in a potentially important play with the line hovering between -13 and -13½ most of the week. The 49ers had another interception from Blaine Gabbert and it was Carolina that added an additional three points to hang on for the heavy favorite cover.
Denver Broncos (-6) 34, Indianapolis Colts 20 (47): This AFC clash was tied 13-13 well into the third quarter with some missed opportunities on both sides. Denver added a field goal to lead by three heading into the final quarter and the Broncos cashed in with a 46-yard interception return touchdown to take a 10-point lead. Indianapolis answered posting an 80-yard touchdown drive to climb within three with four minutes to go in the game. The Broncos settled for a field goal just after the two-minute warning to lead 26-20, but those on Denver and the ‘over’ were bailed out as the spread and total results flipped on a 15-yard fumble return touchdown for the Broncos. Indianapolis did get past midfield as the clock wound down but another sack on Andrew Luck ended the final threat.
Atlanta Falcons (+4) 35, Oakland Raiders 28 (48 ): Atlanta led 21-14 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Raiders tied the game early in the fourth quarter. The Oakland defense couldn’t hold however as Atlanta would score two more touchdowns to lead by 14 while sealing the ‘over’ result. Oakland did add another touchdown, but Atlanta was able to pick up a first down to burn most of the clock and seal the win.
Minnesota Vikings (+1½) 17, Green Bay Packers 14 (43): The Vikings took control in the middle quarters behind great play from the defense and new quarterback Sam Bradford, leading 17-7. Green Bay was able to finish a 75-yard dive with much of the yardage coming on a pass interference penalty just as had been the case on the first Packers touchdown and it was a three-point game in the final frame. Green Bay got the ball back and had a new set of downs at the Minnesota 40-yard line with a touchdown capable of flipping the spread result, but Aaron Rodgers was sacked and fumbled. The Vikings picked up one first down, but couldn’t burn that much of the clock as the Packers drove near midfield again in the final two minutes. Another turnover ended the threat and the Vikings were just barely able to run out the remaining seconds to seal the win in their new stadium.
Philadelphia Eagles (+3) 29, Chicago Bears 14 (43): After a tight first half, the Eagles pulled away with two touchdowns in the final minute of the third quarter, the second of which came following a Jay Cutler interception. A fumble in the fourth quarter lined up another short field for the Eagles and with a 29-7 lead, all that was left to settle was the total. Behind Brian Hoyer, the Bears reached the Philadelphia 19-yard line, but those on the ‘over’ needing another score didn’t get it as the Eagles held on second, third, and fourth-and-1 plays. Philadelphia was forced to punt a few minutes later and Eddie Royal delivered a 65-yard return touchdown for the scoring to reach the closing number of 43 though depending on the timing ‘over’ and ‘under’ results were possible as the Eagles did not add points despite taking the ball well into Chicago territory on its final drive.