The Blitz Read: Special teams on the uptick past the NFL midway point

Ron Clements

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The Blitz Read: Special teams on the uptick past the NFL midway point image

Sunday was a special kind of day in the NFL.

That was either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the team.

There were two kick returns for touchdowns, two missed extra points, 10 missed field goals and three blocked kicks on Sunday. Most of those plays proved instrumental in the results of Sunday's games. 

The Miami Dolphins beat the New York Jets thanks to a 96-yard kickoff return by Kenyan Drake. The deciding score in Baltimore's 21-14 victory over Pittsburgh was a blocked punt returned for a score. The Steelers also had perhaps the worst onside kick attempt in history following a late touchdown. 

Even Darren Sproles had a 66-yard punt return for the Philadelphia Eagles in their 28-23 loss to the New York Giants as rookie quarterback Carson Wentz struggled. Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis also had a 40-yard field goal attempt blocked by Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. 

The player who had perhaps the worst day was Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh, who missed an extra point and had a field goal blocked in regulation before the Vikings fell in overtime to the Detroit Lions.

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Injury report

Steelers receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was carted off the field after injuring his right foot and ankle in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Ravens. The Steelers also saw center Maurkice Pouncey leave with an injured thumb. 

Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn was taken to the locker room to get X-rays and his right ankle and knee and did not return. Fellow cornerback Marcus Sherels also didn't return after suffering an ankle injury. Munnerlyn will have an MRI on Monday

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Jeremy Maclin aggravated his groin injury and had to leave Sunday's 19-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack didn't return after suffering a hip injury. Wideout Allen Hurns was ruled out with a concussion.

Dolphins linebacker Jelani Jenkins suffered a concussion and injured his hand in the win over the visiting Jets. 

New Orleans Saints left tackle Terron Armstead was forced to leave Sunday's 41-23 win at San Francisco with a left leg injury and did not return.

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By the numbers

Mike Wallace's 95-yard touchdown reception was the longest play from scrimmage the Ravens ever had during the regular season. Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe scored on a 96-yard pass during the 2000 playoffs. It was also the longest pass play allowed by the Steelers since 1966. 

San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon had himself quite the day. He ran for 196 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries and caught four passes for 65 yards in San Diego's 43-35 win over the Tennessee Titans. Gordon's 261 yards from scrimmage is the second-most in franchise history, behind only a 271-yard performance by LaDainian Tomlinson in 2002.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott went 21 of 27 for 247 yards with three touchdowns in the 35-10 victory at Cleveland. He posted a passer rating of 141.8 and has a 104.2 rating on the season. He is the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to have six starts with a 100-plus passer rating in his team’s first eight games of a season. Prescott is also the first rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to go 7-1 as a starter to open the season. 

Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore caught two passes in Indy's 31-26 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Gore now has 400 career receptions and joins Pro Football Hall of Famers Curtis Martin, Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith and Tomlinson as the only running backs with over 12,500 rushing yards and at least 400 receptions. 

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Highlights

Wallace got things going for the Ravens early with his explosive catch and run.

It wasn't the only big play of the game for the Ravens, who also got a blocked punt from Buck Allen. Chris Moore scooped up the loose ball and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown. 

Things have been so bad for the Vikings offense, Sam Bradford had to complete a 5-yard pass to himself.

Lions receiver Golden Tate had the game-winner in overtime to beat the Vikings.

Kenyan Drake's 96-yard kickoff return lifted the Dolphins to a 27-23 win over the Jets. Coupled with Jakeem Grant's 74-yard punt return in Week 5, the Dolphins are the only team this season to return both a punt and kick for touchdowns.

Jordan Todman got the late games going with a spark, returning the opening kickoff at Lambeau Field 99 yards to set the tone for the Colts' victory over the Packers. 

Saints running back Mark Ingram ran for 158 yards against the 49ers, including a 75-yard run in the second quarter to give the Saints a 28-10 lead.

It was a Sunday night to forgot for the Denver Broncos, but backup running back Kapri Bibbs may have earned himself more playing time for turning a fourth-quarter screen pass into an elongated 69-yard touchdown scamper in the 30-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Quotables

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on getting ejected: "I can’t throw my flag at the ref. He can throw his all day though."

Ravens receiver Steve Smith on Steelers safety Mike Mitchell: "He's not on my level. He's not even on my kids level. I'm a foundation builder. He's a cabinet."

Thursday's game

Falcons 43, Buccaneers 28

Sunday's games

Ravens 21, Steelers 14
Cowboys 35, Browns 10
Chiefs 19, Jaguars 14
Dolphins 27, Jets 23
Lions 22, Vikings 16, OT
Giants 28, Eagles 23
Panthers 13, Rams 10
Saints 41, 49ers 23
Colts 31, Packers 26
Chargers 43, Titans 35
Raiders 30, Broncos 20

MORE: NFL scoreboard

Monday's game

Bills at Seahawks, 8:30 p.m. ET

Bye weeks

Cardinals, Bears, Bengals, Texans, Patriots, Redskins

Ron Clements