Key Plays Define Sunday NFL Action, Including Lamar Jackson Injury and Buccaneers Run-Heavy Win
Sunday's NFL games featured a thumb injury to Lamar Jackson that ended his return, a Buccaneers victory without completing a pass, and several other pivotal moments that impacted team fortunes.
Lamar Jackson returned to the field for the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday but suffered a thumb injury on his first snap after a hit by Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau. He was ruled out and placed on injured reserve, while backup Tyler Huntley also left the game, prompting rookie Joe Fagnano to make his NFL debut. The Ravens, now 4-4, fell to the Bills 36-10.
In Tampa Bay, quarterback Baker Mayfield completed no passes after a third-down attempt early in the second half, and the Buccaneers ran the ball on every subsequent play. The team won 9-0, becoming the first NFL squad since 1974 to win a game without a completed pass, finishing with negative passing yards after a sack.
The Arizona Cardinals rallied from a 14-point deficit to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in overtime. After a late drive capped by a Gardner Minshew pass to Michael Wilson for a touchdown, the Cardinals tied the game when kicker Chad Ryland missed the extra point. Ryland later converted a field goal in overtime to secure the win.
The Los Angeles Chargers struggled offensively against the Los Angeles Rams, settling for three field goals after failing to convert on multiple fourth-down situations. Coach Jim Harbaugh opted for the kicks rather than aggressive attempts, contributing to the Chargers' continued winless season.
In Denver, the Kansas City Chiefs missed a 54-yard field-goal attempt by Harrison Butker with 2:36 left while leading 24-21. The miss, Butker's sixth of the season, preceded a Broncos touchdown that gave Denver a four-point lead. The Chiefs later failed to score from the one-yard line after a false start and a sack.
These moments highlighted the impact of injuries, strategic decisions, and execution on the outcomes of Sunday’s NFL contests.