Halfway through week 6 and I realized that the last round of updates went a little bit too far. Possessions are down, but probably not quite enough. But scoring went up — way too far up.
The seven games averaged 54 points a contest, when it was 42 for the actual season and 37 for the actual week 6. Interceptions were also way down, though I’m not sure why. So, I took a break at the week’s halfway point to make some more changes.
Week 6 recaps:
Kansas City 41, Denver 17: All the rolls were going the Chiefs’ way for most of the contest. They scored the first 34 points and led 41-3 early in the fourth quarter before the Broncos scored a couple of consolation touchdowns. Patrick Mahomes threw five touchdown passes and Isiah Pacheco both caught and ran for a score. The Broncos lost three fumbles. (actual: Kansas City 19-8)
Baltimore 31, Tennessee 6: The Ravens’ defense forced four turnovers and Baltimore built a 24-0 lead in the third quarter before the Titans kicked a couple of field goals. Gus Edwards ran for two touchdowns. (actual: Baltimore 24-16)
Washington 20, Atlanta 13: The Commanders overcame three turnovers to win at the buzzer. A dreadful three quarters saw a total of four field goals and a 6-6 tie. The Commanders scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but it was immediately matched by the Falcons. On the final drive of the game, Sam Howell threw his second TD pass of the quarter, this one to Terry McLaurin, for the game-winner. (actual: Washington 24-16)
Minnesota 33, Chicago 27: Kirk Cousins threw four touchdown passes, three of them to Jordan Addison. His fourth TD pass, to K.J. Osborn, iced the contest as it put the Vikings up 33-20 late.
Seattle 43, Cincinnati 37: This game had it all. There were six lead changes, five in the second half. Both teams blew double-digit leads. Seattle returned a punt for a touchdown. Joe Burrow’s fourth touchdown pass gave the Bengals a 37-36 lead in the fourth quarter. Seattle was forced to go for a fourth down in their own territory but failed. The Bengals had a chance to ice the game but also failed trying to convert a fourth down. Seattle got the ball back for one last possession and marched down the field, winning it on Kenneth Walker III’s third rushing touchdown of the second half. (actual: Cincinnati 17-13)
Cleveland 33, San Francisco 30: The 49er defense gave up five touchdowns on 10 Cleveland possessions. Kareem Hunt ran three touchdowns. The first two turned a 13-7 deficit into a 20-13 Browns lead in the third quarter. Cleveland scored again to go up 26-13. Two Cleveland fumbles helped the 49ers score 17 fourth-quarter points, but Hunt put the game out of reach with his third touchdown run. (actual: Cleveland 19-17)
New Orleans 25, Houston 22: The Saints scored first with a safety, but the Texans scored a pair of touchdowns. A strong second quarter put New Orleans up 15-13 at the break. Houston went ahead 22-18 on C.J. Stroud’s touchdown run at the end of the third, but the Saints countered with a Taysom Hill TD run on the first possession of the fourth quarter that turned out to be the game-winner. (actual: Houston 20-13)
ROGER SPORTS & GAMES 