Sunday’s NFL games brought some unexpected twists, including a controversial call that wiped out a Jacksonville Jaguars touchdown and a fourth-quarter comeback by the Pittsburgh Steelers after trailing by 13 points. But those weren’t the only talking points, as an Atlanta Falcons player was stretchered off the field and Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy was seen limping toward the medical tent.

From a comeback that turned the game around to a worrying injury scare, the first eight games of Sunday’s NFL slate had several moments worth a closer look. Here’s what happened across the October 18, 2026, matchups.

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills

Sunday’s matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Las Vegas Raiders ended in a 33–30 victory for Buffalo. However, the game was overshadowed by a disciplinary incident involving safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a late push by the Raiders that kept the contest close.

Just before halftime, Gardner-Johnson exchanged words with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. According to the account of the incident, umpire Tra Blake saw Gardner-Johnson spit in the direction of Bowers and center Tyler Linderbaum.

Officials immediately assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and disqualified Gardner-Johnson from the game.

Afterward, Gardner-Johnson apologized publicly on social media and to his teammates.

“The gesture I made toward my opponent was inappropriate, unnecessary, and not a reflection of the respect I have for him or this game,” he wrote.

He also acknowledged that he could face a fine or further discipline from the league.

Bills head coach Joe Brady said he wanted Gardner-Johnson to apologize to his teammates, emphasizing the importance of discipline. Meanwhile, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said his team had entered the game expecting the possibility of taunting and confrontations. He had warned his players not to get drawn into retaliatory penalties.

Despite the controversy, quarterback Josh Allen delivered a strong performance for Buffalo. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception, finishing with a 112.6 passer rating.

Running back James Cook also played a key role in the win, rushing 22 times for 95 yards and a touchdown while adding three catches for 58 yards. It marked his fifth consecutive game with more than 75 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars were driving into Houston territory early in the second quarter when a holding call against tight end Brenton Strange wiped out a touchdown by running back Bhayshul Tuten. The Jaguars were trailing 7-0 with over 13 minutes remaining in the quarter when quarterback Trevor Lawrence pitched the ball to Tuten on a designed sweep.

Strange attempted to seal the edge against a Texans defender but lost his footing after making contact. Officials flagged him for offensive holding as Tuten crossed the goal line.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz criticized the decision on X, writing, “RB Bhayshul Tuten just lost a TD because the refs called Brenton Strange for holding on a play he didn’t hold.”

Despite the setback, Travis Hunter recorded four catches for 59 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. His end-zone interception stopped a Houston scoring opportunity and helped Jacksonville eventually tie the game with Cam Little’s 60-yard field goal. However, the Texans held on for a 34-31 win.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers 

Sunday’s AFC West matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the winless Los Angeles Chargers ended with a 22–6 victory for the Chiefs, extending their winning streak and improving their record to 5–0 on the season.

The game featured several notable moments, including a major milestone for Patrick Mahomes, a costly red-zone mistake, and plenty of discussion on social media.

First, Mahomes recorded his 100th regular-season win, reaching the milestone in his 131st start. That tied Tom Brady for the fewest starts needed by a quarterback to reach 100 wins in NFL history.

However, Mahomes also had a costly moment in the red zone. Leading 9–3, the Chiefs reached the Chargers’ 2-yard line and faced a third-and-goal situation. Under pressure, Mahomes scrambled and attempted a hurried pass toward Andrew Armstrong, but Chargers cornerback Cam Hart intercepted it.

The play quickly became a major talking point because Travis Kelce was wide open near the sideline in the end zone. Replays shared on social media highlighted the missed opportunity, with fans questioning Mahomes’ decision to force the throw. In his postgame press conference, Mahomes admitted that he had locked onto his target and tried to make the pass while being hit.

“You can’t throw like that,” he said.

Fortunately for Kansas City, the Chargers failed to capitalize on the turnover.

Kelce finished the game with 53 receiving yards, including a 24-yard catch in the second quarter. Xavier Worthy led the Chiefs’ receiving group with seven catches for 73 yards, while Noah Gray added 31 yards and Cyrus Allen contributed 27.

Mahomes completed 23 of 30 passes for 272 yards and one interception. It was also his first game of the season without a passing touchdown.

Despite the win, the Chiefs’ head coach was not pleased with the team’s struggles in short-yardage situations. Speaking after the game, Andy Reid said:

“We’ve spent time on the short yardage, and we didn’t do very good on it today. We’ve got to figure that out.” 

Meanwhile, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged that his team had plenty of work to do after another loss.

 “We have to address everything, and especially offensively,” he said.

The defeat dropped the Chargers to 0–6 for the first time since 2000, when they finished the season 1–15. The franchise had previously started 0–6 only once, in 1975.

Beyond the action on the field, the broadcast also became a talking point. Fans on X expressed frustration with CBS for repeatedly cutting to shots of Taylor Swift in the stands during the game.

At the same time, Mahomes’ red-zone interception continued to draw criticism. Fans and analysts examined the available replay angles, focusing on Kelce’s open position and questioning the quarterback’s decision-making under pressure.

Chicago Bears vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Chicago Bears earned a 31-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams making a strong return after missing three games with a hamstring injury.

Williams completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown, while running back D’Andre Swift added two rushing scores. Roschon Johnson also found the end zone as Chicago built a 31-7 lead before Atlanta’s late comeback.

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns, but Chicago held on to secure the win. After the game, Bears head coach Ben Johnson praised his team’s response on X and credited the defense for containing Bijan Robinson.

The game also brought a frightening moment when Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels was injured after his facemask collided with Colston Loveland’s knee during a tackle attempt. Daniels was ruled out with a neck injury and transported to a hospital for further evaluation. The Falcons said he was “alert and has movement in all his extremities.”

In an encouraging update, reporters later said Daniels returned to the stadium walking under his own power.

New England Patriots vs. New York Jets

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes to help his team secure a 26-19 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.

Maye completed 18 of 32 passes for 235 yards without an interception. His first touchdown came on a 42-yard pass to wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who suffered a shoulder injury on the play and was ruled out early in the third quarter. Maye also connected with DeMario Douglas for a touchdown, helping New England build a 17-3 halftime lead. He later found tight end Hunter Henry for a seven-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The Jets fought back after the break, with quarterback Geno Smith throwing a 42-yard touchdown pass to rookie Omar Cooper Jr. However, Smith’s first interception of the season, caught by cornerback Charles Woods in the fourth quarter, hurt New York’s comeback hopes.

The Patriots also lost three offensive linemen to injuries but held on to win 26-19, improving to 4-2, while the Jets fell to 2-4.

After missing four games on injured reserve, A.J. Brown was activated yesterday and returned to the starting lineup as quarterback Drake Maye’s top target.

Despite receiving 10 targets, Brown had a disappointing performance, finishing with just three catches for 27 yards. He also recorded a career-high three dropped passes, including one that could have resulted in a long touchdown and another on a crucial third-down slant.

After the game, Brown took full responsibility for his performance.

“My timing was off. I’m much better than what I put on display today. There’s no excuses. I’ll be better,” he said.

Despite Brown’s struggles, coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye expressed confidence in the star wide receiver. Both acknowledged that he might need time to shake off the rust after his extended absence, but emphasized their trust in him moving forward.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers stunned the Philadelphia Eagles with a 25-14 win on Sunday, leaving the home side with plenty to think about after an unexpected defeat. The result stood out among the day’s games, especially with several teams that had struggled earlier in the season picking up wins.

Philadelphia also faced concerns on the injury front. Defensive lineman Nolan Smith was ruled out with a concussion, while running back Carson Steele left with a shoulder injury.

And with Jordan Davis exiting due to an ankle injury, the Eagles had more than the scoreline to worry about. However, earlier in the game, Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean was called for a personal foul after a physical collision with Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans. Evans flipped backward over DeJean’s back, leading to a penalty that appeared to be a result of the contact.

Later in the game, Tommy Tremble caught his second touchdown pass to help seal Carolina’s win. While celebrating, Tremble turned toward DeJean and pointed at him in an apparent act of retaliation.

The officials immediately called a 15-yard taunting penalty on Tremble, putting Carolina in a worse field position for the ensuing kickoff.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Tremble admitted that his taunt was intentional. He said he was reacting to what he considered an “egregious” and unnecessary hit by DeJean on his teammate earlier in the game. However, Tremble also took responsibility for his actions, saying, “I shouldn’t have retaliated. That wasn’t cool of me to do.” 

Although his teammates may have appreciated him standing up for a fellow tight end, the penalty showed how quickly emotions can get the better of players on the field. Even during a celebration, retaliatory gestures can draw flags under the NFL’s taunting rules.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Late in the fourth quarter, with 1:38 remaining and the ball at Tampa Bay’s 3-yard line, the Steelers ran three plays, used only 15 seconds, and forced the Buccaneers to spend just one timeout before attempting a field goal. Chris Boswell’s 20-yard kick gave Pittsburgh a 19-16 lead with 1:21 remaining, but Tampa Bay answered with a field goal to force overtime.

In overtime, Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Germie Bernard before Pittsburgh’s defense forced a turnover on downs to seal the 26-19 victory. Interestingly, Aaron Rodgers reached a historic milestone on the NFL’s all-time passing touchdown leaderboard, moving past Hall of Famer Peyton Manning to claim sole possession of third place in combined regular-season and postseason passing touchdowns.

Rodgers entered the game tied with Manning at 579 career passing touchdowns across the regular season and playoffs. During his performance, Rodgers increased his career total to 582. With that achievement, he became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to reach the 500-touchdown mark in the regular season, joining Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre.

Meanwhile, Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy raised concerns after he was seen limping on the sideline before entering the blue medical tent for evaluation. The defeat dropped Tampa Bay to 1-5 overall, with the Buccaneers still winless at home at 0-4.

Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Cleveland Browns rallied late to beat the Baltimore Ravens 13-10 on Sunday, with Andre Szmyt delivering a 37-yard walk-off field goal. Cleveland’s defense forced a crucial fourth-quarter turnover, setting up the touchdown that tied the game with 8:33 remaining.

Baltimore led 10-0 early, but running back Derrick Henry’s fourth-quarter fumble gave the Browns possession at the Ravens’ 35-yard line. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger forced the turnover, and running back Audric Estime scored from two yards out to tie the game.

After Szmyt missed a 48-yard attempt, Cleveland got another chance when quarterback Deshaun Watson connected with wide receiver Jerry Jeudy for a 33-yard gain on third down, setting up the winning kick.

The victory moved Cleveland to 4-2 and atop the AFC North. The Ravens, playing without Lamar Jackson for a second straight game, also fell to 4-2 after failing to protect their late lead.

New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints beat the New York Giants 34-27 on Sunday after turning an early 10-0 deficit into a 34-10 lead in the fourth quarter. New York tried to fight back late, but its rally came up short.

Quarterback Tyler Shough threw three touchdown passes and added a rushing score. The Saints’ defense also recorded four sacks and two interceptions against Jameis Winston, who was eventually benched.

Giants backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy brought fresh energy to the offense, throwing for 243 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The Giants’ running game also raised questions, as running back Cam Skattebo did not record a single carry despite the team’s struggles. Malik Nabers finished with 12 catches for 165 yards, while Isaiah Likely had six receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown. The win moved New Orleans to 2-4, while New York fell to 3-2-1.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans overcame a 13-0 halftime deficit to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 26-20 on Sunday. The result also snapped Tennessee’s 11-game losing streak against AFC South opponents.

The Titans managed just 186 total yards compared with Indianapolis’ 399, but their defense forced three turnovers, two Daniel Jones interceptions and a Jonathan Taylor fumble, while Femi Oladejo scored on a 14-yard blocked-punt return. Quarterback Cam Ward finished with only 102 passing yards as Tennessee found a way to secure the win despite its offensive struggles.

Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, meanwhile, endured another difficult outing. He threw two interceptions against Tennessee, bringing his turnover total through six games to nine, including six interceptions and three lost fumbles.

Indianapolis had a chance to tie or win late, but turned the ball over on downs. Frustrated fans responded by chanting for general manager Chris Ballard to be fired.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals

Sunday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium ended in an 18–16 victory for Arizona, thanks to a standout performance by kicker Chad Ryland.

Ryland accounted for all 18 of the Cardinals’ points, making all six of his field-goal attempts. His biggest kick came as time expired, when he connected from 43 yards to seal the win.

Before that dramatic finish, the Rams appeared to have taken control. Trailing late in the game, Matthew Stafford led a clutch drive highlighted by a 42-yard pass to Puka Nacua. The play set up a 5-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with less than a minute remaining, putting Los Angeles ahead 16–15.

However, the Cardinals had one more opportunity. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett connected with Jalen Brooks to move the offense downfield, but the drive took a controversial turn when Rams cornerback Josh Wallace was penalized for unnecessary roughness.

The penalty added significant yardage and moved Arizona into field-goal range. Replays sparked debate, with rules analyst Mike Pereira questioning whether the hit met the criteria for forcible contact to a defenseless player’s head or neck area. The call drew criticism online, and Wallace could face further scrutiny or potential league discipline.

Brissett finished with 218 passing yards, while Zonovan “Bam” Knight led the ground game with 80 yards on 15 carries. Tight end Trey McBride also contributed seven catches for 53 yards.

Stafford threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns, but his performance wasn’t enough to prevent the Rams from falling to 2–4 on the season. Ryland’s perfect day proved decisive as the Cardinals escaped with a narrow win.

Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys

Sunday Night Football matchup between NFC rivals at Lambeau Field ended with the Green Bay Packers beating the Dallas Cowboys 23–13. The victory extended Green Bay’s winning streak to three games, while Dallas suffered another frustrating defeat.

The game got off to a difficult start for the Cowboys when All-Pro returner KaVontae Turpin took a hard hit while returning the opening kickoff to the Dallas 34-yard line. He was taken to the locker room and ruled out for the rest of the game with a rib injury, dealing an early blow to Dallas’ special teams.

Meanwhile, Jordan Love and the Packers quickly established control, building a 17–0 halftime lead. Love scored a rushing touchdown and connected with rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden for a 37-yard touchdown pass. Golden had an impressive night, leading Green Bay with six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.

The Packers’ defense also delivered a key play before halftime. With Dallas threatening inside Green Bay territory while trailing 17–0, pressure forced Dak Prescott into a hurried throw. Safety Evan Williams intercepted the pass, stopping the Cowboys from gaining any momentum before the break.

Prescott struggled against Green Bay’s defensive pressure, throwing two interceptions. He completed 34 of 54 passes for 258 yards, but Dallas had trouble turning its possessions into points. CeeDee Lamb finished with nine catches for 70 yards on 18 targets.

The Packers’ strong start, defensive pressure, and ability to capitalize on key opportunities proved too much for Dallas to overcome.

Sunday’s games ended with late comebacks, surprising results, and injury concerns across the league. As teams prepare for their next matchups, the focus will shift to bouncing back from defeats and keeping key players healthy.