USFFL Week 8 Recap

Week 8 delivered an overtime finish, a pair of statement road wins and several decisive performances as the regular season moved into its second half.

Week 8 Recap

Anthony Tangorra’s Los Angeles Chargers held off Pete Quaglierini’s Minnesota Vikings 26-20. Cameron Dicker kicked four field goals, including makes from 51 and 26 yards in the fourth quarter, and Minnesota’s late Hail Mary attempts could not connect.

Jess Geller’s Carolina Panthers defeated Zach Zalesne’s Buffalo Bills 30-24 despite playing through injuries. Bryce Young passed for 236 yards and a touchdown, Carolina converted 7 of 13 third downs and controlled the ball for 37:30; James Cook’s 156 rushing yards kept Buffalo within range.

Peter Shibley’s Pittsburgh Steelers jumped out early and beat Scott Mueller’s Green Bay Packers 38-16. Jalen Ramsey’s 72-yard interception return opened the scoring, and Aaron Rodgers added three touchdown passes as Pittsburgh rushed for 143 yards.

Jeff Wendlandt’s Cincinnati Bengals routed Donnie Hastings’s New York Jets 45-7. Joe Burrow threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns, while Cincinnati converted 8 of 12 third downs and held the Jets to 103 passing yards.

Rudy Gobin’s Houston Texans answered San Francisco’s opening kickoff return touchdown with a dominant 45-13 win over Rich Peers’ 49ers. C.J. Stroud threw three touchdown passes, and Houston out-rushed San Francisco 202-8.

Denis Ljung’s New England Patriots beat Dan Morin’s Cleveland Browns 35-13 behind Drake Maye’s two touchdown passes and a 14-0 first-quarter start. Dan Suhr’s New Orleans Saints defeated Vince Trivelpiece’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-17 after taking a 17-0 lead into the second half.

Tony Telleria’s Indianapolis Colts built a 28-3 lead and held off Paul Gilbert’s Tennessee Titans 28-18, with Jonathan Taylor rushing for 133 yards and a touchdown. Tim Ervin’s Kansas City Chiefs earned a 23-15 win over David Mugmon’s Washington Commanders as Marquise Brown caught nine passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

Jon Shoemaker’s Miami Dolphins beat Zack Kaplan’s Atlanta Falcons 30-17 behind De’Von Achane’s 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Scott Kaplan’s New York Giants pushed Tim Hay’s Philadelphia Eagles to the final minute before falling 30-28. David Kukafka’s Denver Broncos also beat Bruce Mogg’s Dallas Cowboys 24-17 as Bo Nix threw for 324 yards and Troy Franklin posted 111 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Game of the Week: Baltimore Ravens 30, Chicago Bears 27 (OT)

John Fries’ Baltimore Ravens won an overtime classic over Mike Martin’s Chicago Bears, ending Chicago’s four-game winning streak while extending Baltimore’s to four. The Ravens led 17-10 at halftime, but Chicago tied it in the third quarter and the teams traded late scores to reach overtime at 24-24.

Chicago struck first in overtime with Cairo Santos’ 39-yard field goal, but Baltimore answered. The two teams each converted a fourth down with the game on the line before Lamar Jackson found DeAndre Hopkins for the winning 28-yard touchdown with 45 seconds left. Derrick Henry paced Baltimore with 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Jackson threw for 217 yards and two scores.

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