The Blitz Read: Panthers prove they're for real on day when other contenders falter

Ron Clements

•
The Blitz Read: Panthers prove they're for real on day when other contenders falter image

One thing that is always predictable about the NFL is that it's unpredictable. Several teams favored to win Sunday lost, including one of the four remaining unbeatens. 

The Panthers were actually home underdogs against the Packers but managed to stay perfect thanks to a big halftime lead.

MORE: Best photos from Week 9

Carolina watched that 27-7 lead evaporate but held on for a 37-29 win to join the Bengals and Patriots as the NFL's remaining undefeated teams.

The Broncos were denied a shot at perfection — and Peyton Manning's quest to break a pair of NFL records was put on hold — after a surprising 27-24 loss to the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

The Colts weren't the only team to pull off a shocking upset Sunday as the Blaine Gabbert-led 49ers knocked off the visiting Falcons. Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota also returned to lead his team to an overtime win over the Saints at the Superdome. 

A couple of quarterbacks were also injured and face uncertain timetables for their return.

Injury report

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sprained his left foot and was carted to the locker room. He's expected to miss "a few weeks," according to an ESPN.com report.

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater left Sunday's 21-18 win over the Rams to be evaluated for a concussion. He was on the receiving end of a violent hit by Lamarcus Joyner that drew the ire of Vikings coach Mike Zimmer after the game.

Patriots running back Dion Lewis left the 27-10 win over the Redskins with a knee injury. The fear is he might have damaged the ACL in his left knee but he will have an MRI to confirm.

Raiders running back Latavius Murray took a helmet-to-helmet shot against the Steelers and suffered a concussion after rushing for 96 yards on 17 carries. 

Broncos pass rusher DeMarcus Ware is "expected to miss a week or two" after re-aggravating a lingering back injury during the third quarter of a 27-24 loss to the Colts.

Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee suffered a concussion — his second this season — in the third quarter during a 33-27 loss to the Eagles. Lee didn't return to the game, and his history with head injuries could make for an uncertain week of practice.

Angry Packers

The Packers' defense was seen arguing amongst itself on the sideline after getting shredded by Cam Newton and the Panthers.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wasn't pleased he missed a wide-open Randall Cobb in the end zone and was instead picked off by Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis to preserve Carolina's victory.

Obscure stat of the day

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns in Tennessee's 34-28 overtime win over the Saints to become the first rookie in NFL history to have two games with four touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Mariota also became the second player in NFL history to pass for at least 350 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions, including the game-winning TD pass in overtime. The only other player to do that was former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who accomplished the feat against the Texans in 2004. 

Obscure stat of the day No. 2

Highlight reel

Panthers tight end Greg Olsen had four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown, but his first catch of the day was his best.

Bills receiver Sammy Watkins had been out since spraining his ankle three weeks ago. He was back Sunday and had a huge impact for the Bills in their 33-17 win at Miami with eight catches for 168 yards. His first big play was a 63-yard juggling catch.

Watkins followed that with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill started as a receiver at Texas A&M. 

The Buccaneers lost to the Giants, but Tampa quarterback Jameis Winston can power through a tackle and then fly over another one for a touchdown.

Torrey Smith's ridiculous sideline catch against the Falcons was one of the reasons the 49ers were able to pull off the 17-16 upset. 

Sam Bradford hooked up with Jordan Matthews on this 41-yard touchdown pass and catch to walk off in overtime against the Cowboys. 

Sunday's games

Bills 33, Dolphins 17
Panthers 37, Packers 29
Vikings 21, Rams 18, OT
Patriots 27, Redskins 10
Titans 34, Saints 28, OT
Jets 28, Jaguars 23
Steelers 38, Raiders 35
49ers 17, Falcons 16
Giants 32, Buccaneers 18
Colts 27, Broncos 24
Eagles 33, Cowboys 27, OT

Monday's game

Bears at Chargers, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Ron Clements