Hail Mary, Full of Thrills👼🏈

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

Jayden Daniels stuns with heroic Hail Mary, the Jets are a tire fire (again), the Lions continue to carve up the competition, Anthony Richardson took himself out of the game on a crucial 3rd down, and a new study revealed that NFL players consume 80,000 Uncrustables per year 🤯 

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Jayden Daniels' walk-off Hail Mary TD stuns Bears (Bleacher Report)

• Lions demolish Titans, 52-14, despite Goff passing for 85 yards (PFT)

• 49ers survive, move to 4-4 with SNF win over Cowboys (NBC)

• Jameis Winston, Browns stun Ravens with game-winning touchdown bomb in first game since Deshaun Watson injury (Yahoo Sports)

• Kyler Murray throws 300+ yards, Cardinals win with late field goal over Dolphins (Cards Wire)

• Falcons escape with another last-second victory over Tampa Bay (Yahoo Sports)

• Ladd McConkey's 2 touchdowns propel Chargers to 26-8 victory over Saints (ESPN)

• Packers hold on for win over Jaguars, 30-27 on last-second field goal (Yahoo Sports)

• QB Bo Nix leads Broncos past 1-7 Panthers, 28-14 (SI.com)

• Eagles erase 10-point deficit, defeat Bengals 37-17 (Yahoo Sports)

• Buffalo throttles Seattle on the road 31-10 (Fox Sports)

• Jets flop again, vs. Patriots: ‘A moment of darkness’ (ESPN)

• Chiefs grind out win over Raiders to stay perfect (Yahoo Sports)

• QB Drake Maye leaves Patriots' win over Jets with concussion (NESN)

• Stefon Diggs' knee being evaluated after noncontact injury (PFT)

• Matt LaFleur has “high level of concern” about Jordan Love’s groin injury (PFT)

• Chiefs' Travis Kelce becomes fifth tight end with 75 career touchdown catches (NFL.com)

• Bears’ Tyrique Stevenson caught on video taunting Commanders fans before screwing up on Hail Mary (NY Post)

• RB Alvin Kamara agrees to two-year, $24.5 million contract extension with Saints (NFL.com)

• Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin to undergo surgery on dislocated ankle (NFL.com)

• Giants owner John Mara does not anticipate making coaching, GM changes after 2024 season (NFL.com)

• New study reveals NFL players eat ‘At Least 80,000 Uncrustables a year (suggest)

• Lawsuits aims to block Stan Kroenke from buying Rams’ former practice facility for $1 (PFT)

WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
The Detroit Lions. The Detroit Lions are a buzzsaw. The 6-1 Lions are the hottest team in the NFL and dismantled the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in a dominate 52-14 win. While the offensive numbers may not jump off the page, with Jared Goff throwing for just 85 yards, the Lions showed they can win in uniquely punishing fashion.

It was a complete team effort that had the Titans spinning from the opening kick. The special teams set the tone, with Kalif Raymond taking a punt 90 yards to the house and adding a receiving touchdown for good measure. Khalil Dorsey also got in on the act with a 72-yard kickoff return.

The defense feasted as well, forcing four turnovers including Kerby Joseph's fifth interception of the season. Even the running backs got creative, with David Montgomery throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Sam LaPorta.

"That's what champions do," beamed head coach Dan Campbell. "You come out and handle your business no matter what. All three units were humming today."

While the offense wasn't clicking at peak efficiency, the Lions showed their championship mettle by dominating in all phases. With the win, they improve to 6-1 and solidify their status as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Up next is a showdown with the Packers at Lambeau Field. If the Lions play with this level of complementary football, they'll be awfully tough to stop no matter the opponent or venue. The Motor City mayhem is only just beginning.

Lest we forget, the Lions were my pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Who’s down?
Anthony Richardson. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson had another head-scratching performance in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans. The second-year pro looked completely out of sorts, going just 10-of-32 for 175 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT for a paltry 48.3 passer rating.

At one point, Richardson was a comically bad 2-for-15 passing, with his lone completion being a long TD strike where the Texans defenders collided. His accuracy issues and poor decision-making were on full display, continuing a disturbing trend for the 2023 first-round pick.

Perhaps the most bizarre moment came in the third quarter when Richardson inexplicably subbed himself out of the game, telling coaches he was "out of breath." The stunning move immediately set social media ablaze with criticism of the young QB's conditioning and toughness.

"Just another critique," tweeted one fan, summing up the general sentiment surrounding Richardson's disappointing outing and overall erratic play this season.

Through 8 games, Richardson ranks dead last among qualified QBs in completion percentage at just 48.5%. His 6 interceptions are tied for the most in the NFL. Analyst Brad Gagnon bluntly stated "He's been generally awful as a passer" and questioned if Richardson will "wilt" against a daunting upcoming schedule.

With the Colts sitting at 4-4, the leash may be shortening for the inaccurate Richardson. Indianapolis has to decide if he's the long-term answer at QB or if a change is needed to salvage any hope for this season.

BEST LOOK 🔥 

‘Creamsicles’ were on full display Sunday. One of the best throwbacks in the league.

The Steelers all-blacks on Monday night football? Yes please.

STAT OF THE WEEK 📈 

Sunday’s game between the Commanders and the Bears was the first time since 1977 that both teams scored a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of regulation. The last time it happened, the Bears beat the Chiefs 28-27.

MEME OF THE WEEK

Did you know: On a per 100-play basis, penalties are UP 15.3% from 4.346 in 2023 to 5.013 in 2024.

A+ meme game from the Commanders social media team.

Aaron is running out of excuses ✈️ 

“All-in”

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