Related: NFL roundup: Falcons spoil Niners’ undefeated start; Steelers win in Paris
Right then with the Giants taking a firm grip at the top of the NFC East on 4-2-1 it is time for me to wish you well and say goodnight. Enjoy the rest of the action!
GIANTS WIN!
Giants 27-21 Texans, overtime
Here we go then JJ McCarthy. Only been a Giant for 27 days but has a chance to lead them to an important victory with the NFC East in shambles. Cam Skattebo gets a huge gain on a 42 yard rush then Singletary smashes in from 30 yards to win it. No need for McCarthy then.
Giants 21-21 Texans 8:54, overtime
Woody Marks goes nowhere on the opening play of overtime. CJ Stroud then picks out a Giant but Kayvon Thibodeaux drops it. How? He had it. Or at least it seemed like he did. Giants decline a holding penalty and bring up a quicker than quick 4th down.
Final scores
(5-2) Pittsburgh Steelers 16-10 New Orleans Saints (2-5)
(6-1) San Francisco 49ers 20-29 Atlanta Falcons (3-4)
(4-2) Cincinnati Bengals 35-13 Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
(2-5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 43-13 Carolina Panthers (3-3)
(2-5) Indianapolis Colts 10-16 Minnesota Vikings (6-0)
(1-5) Miami Dolphins 28-25 New York Jets (2-5)
(5-2) Cleveland Browns 27-24 Tennessee Titans (1-6)
Confirmation of the finished games from today. High drama across the board as always. Overtime is just about to start in Houston.
Updated
Giants 21-21 Texans, overtime
And then there was one. We are heading to overtime in Houston!
FALCONS WIN!!!!
George Kittle fumbles the ball to the Falcons who will kneel on it for the victory. The 49ers are unbeaten no more as they lose 29-20. Turnovers proving very costly as the Niners cough the ball up four times in the game.
It’s GOOD! Browns 27-24 Titans, final score
A Szmyt 32 yard field goal
Cleveland win in at the death to retake top spot of the AFC North on 5-2!
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 21-21 Texans 0:51, 4th quarter
CJ Stroud to X Hutchinson for three yards
Another tie game late on! Drama!
It's GOOD! 49ers 20-29 Falcons 1:56, 4th quarter
N Folk 31 yard field goal
The 49ers need a miracle to stay unbeaten!
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 24-24 Titans 0:58, 4th quarter
T Pollard one yard rush
Tony Pollard finally gets his hat-trick after missing out earlier in the game thanks to some meddling officials.
Final scores: Bengals 35-13 Ravens, Buccaneers 43-13 Panthers, Colts 10-16 Vikings, Dolphins 28-25 Jets
Miami win their first game of the season and move to 1-5.
PICK! 49ers 20-26 Falcons 2:34, 4th quarter
Ouch. On 3rd and 4 San Fran false start!! Could be costly. AND IT IS! Brock Purdy throws an interception. Unbelievable play from rookie Kendal Daniels. That could be curtains for the 49ers who are defending their red zone.
49ers 20-26 Falcons 4:02, 4th quarter
Michael Penix goes for it all on 3rd and long and misses. Atlanta punt it away and it is short. Brock Purdy takes over at San Fran’s 40-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 24-17 Titans 4:34, 4th quarter
D Watson nine yard rush
The controversial QB bags his first rushing score of the season to give Cleveland an excellent platform for the W.
TOUCHDOWN! 49ers 20-26 Falcons 5:05, 4th quarter
B Purdy to K Juszczyk for one yard
Game ON!!! Brock Purdy leaves a stunning 10 play 82 yard drive to give the Niners a shot.
VIKINGS WIN!
Minnesota will stay unbeaten on 6-0!! Harrison Smith intercepts Daniel Jones to kill the game. Minnesota win 16-10.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 28-25 Jets 3:24, 4th quarter
G Smith to M Taylor for 12 yards
The Jets convert the two-point try to make it a field goal game.
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 35-13 Ravens 6:21, 4th quarter
J Burrow to D Sample for 16 yards
Wow. Five touchdowns in five drives. Absolute fireworks from Joe Burrow who has five scoring tosses this half.
It’s GOOD! Colts 10-16 Vikings 1:39, 4th quarter
W Reichard 52 yard field goal
Daniel Jones will get a shot at the two-minute drill to win it for Indy! Tough ask against this defense.
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 21-14 Texans 8:55, 4th quarter
C Skattebo 16 yard rush
New York score the first points of the second half and take the lead.
It’s GOOD! Browns 17-17 Titans 8:41, 4th quarter
J Slye 29 yard field goal
Tennessee tie it up!
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 28-17 Jets 4:44, 4th quarter
M Willis to C Douglas 63 yards
The QB finds the rookie receiver for his second touchdown grab of the day. And what a score! He takes it short and motors down the left sideline ducking and diving for the monster touchdown. Miami looking like ending their winless start to the season.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 28-13 Ravens 7:25, 4th quarter
J Burrow to J Chase for two yards
Too easy as Burrow finds his favourite target for a fourth touchdown from for drives for Cincinnati.
49ers 14-26 Falcons 9:33, 4th quarter
San Francisco force a quick stop and take over on offense.
Late score update!
San Francisco 49ers 14-26 Atlanta Falcons
Cincinnati Bengals 21-13 Baltimore Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 43-13 Carolina Panthers
New York Giants 14-14 Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts 10-13 Minnesota Vikings
Miami Dolphins 21-17 New York Jets
Cleveland Browns 17-14 Tennessee Titans
The Bengals are 1st and Goal on the one yard line. What a turnaround from 13-0 down for Cincinnati.
TOUCHDOWN! Buccaneers 43-13 Panthers 5:28, 4th quarter
A Tyus 12 yard rush
The backups are in for Carolina and doing a decent job.
It’s NO GOOD! Colts 10-13 Vikings 4:22, 4th quarter
Indy miss the chance to equalise from 48 yards. Shout out to Minnesota’s defense. Daniel Jones has 51 net yards passing.
DOWNS! 49ers 14-26 Falcons 11:30, 4th quarter
The Niners are forced to go for it on 4th and 10 and Purdy is SACKED!!!! Turnover on downs. Atlanta on their way to pulling off a mighty upset here.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 21-13 Ravens 9:41, 4th quarter
S Perine one yard rush
After going punt, punt, punt in the first half the Bengals are ahead with touchdown, touchdown, touchdown after the break.
49ers 14-26 Falcons 11:48, 4th quarter
The officials review a touchdown for age but reverse the call and the 49ers have to go back to work on offense at 2nd and 10 from Atlanta’s 23-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN! Buccaneers 43-6 Panthers 10:21, 4th quarter
S Tucker 46 yard rush
Call it off. It’s done.
49ers 14-26 Falcons 12:27, 4th quarter
Brock Purdy just never says die. He fires a 35-yard beauty on his first passing play putting the Niners on Atlanta’s 35. Sadly a hold on the next play pushes them back to 1st and 17. Purdy keeps firing with a crucial 11-yard strike on 4th down to move the chains. Boy did they need that.
TOUCHDOWN! 49ers 14-26 Falcons 14:55, 4th quarter
M Penix to D London for 21 yards
San Francisco in deep trouble now! Michael Penix drops back and finds Drake London in space. The giant receiver then gets some contact near the goal line and jumps over the tackle or rather through it to dive into the end zone for the score. Brilliant 90-yard drive from Atlanta.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 10-13 Vikings 14:36, 4th quarter
K Murray to TJ Hockenson for five yards
The mighty Vikings take the lead as Kyler Murray finds his safety net for the score.
Score updates
San Francisco 49ers 14-19 Atlanta Falcons
Cincinnati Bengals 14-13 Baltimore Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 36-6 Carolina Panthers
New York Giants 14-14 Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts 10-6 Minnesota Vikings
Miami Dolphins 21-14 New York Jets
Cleveland Browns 17-14 Tennessee Titans
Apologies, some technical difficulties in West Berkshire but here are your scores with fourth quarters either approaching or starting. Lots of tight games and an absolute demolition in the NFC South.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 21-14 Jets 5:51, 3rd quarter
G Smith to O Cooper for three yards
Omar Cooper Jr’s NFL career continues to blossom as he gets his second touchdown in two games.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 14-13 Ravens 4:29, 3rd quarter
J Burrow to T Higgins for 13 yards
After a stinker of a first half Burrow has come out firing with a second touchdown of the quarter to take the lead. Class is permanent.
49ers 14-19 Falcons 5:07, 3rd quarter
Bad news for the Falcons as star receiver Drake London exits the game after a hard hit to the head. Off for a concussion check no doubt. The Falcons have a 1st down around their 20-yard line.
PICK! 49ers 14-19 Falcons 5:34, 3rd quarter
That Falcons score has lit a fire under Brock Purdy. He hits George Kittle for a 20-yard strike then extends the play for an age out to the left sideline then finds Luke Farrell for 14 yards. The 49ers are in the red zone.
Well he was on fire until throwing a needless pick to Jessie Bates. Bates makes a stunning sideline grab while falling on to the sideline and just keeps his feet on the ground. The officials review for an age but the call stands. Advantage Atlanta!
49ers 14-19 Falcons 7:34, 3rd quarter
Christian McCaffrey is back for the 49ers! He is involved in the opening play for San Francisco after the Falcons TD as a dummy handoff allows Brock Purdy to find Jordan Watkins for 5 yards. He gets the handoff on the next play and loses two yards.
Bengals 7-13 Ravens 9:24, 3rd quarter
J Burrow to M Gesicki for six yards
Amazing throw and catch to the tight end who just drags his toe in the corner of the end zone. The Bengals have some life.
TOUCHDOWN! 49ers 14-19 Falcons 8:59, 3rd quarter
M Penix to K Pitts for five yards
Atlanta in the red zone now after some short passes to Kyle Pitts and Drake London. A 12-yard grab for London methodically moves them to 1st and Goal. Michael Penix fakes the hand off, wheels out to his left and makes an easy throw to Michael Pitts in the left side of the end zone. Falcons lead!!!
Bengals 0-13 Ravens 14:18, 3rd quarter
Joe Burrow is out on the field with a seven yard completion. In the first half the Bengals QB was 6/12 for 43 yards. Not ideal.
49ers 14-12 Falcons 13:51, 3rd quarter
Another cracking return from the Falcons has them taking over at their 40-yard line. Bijan Robinson knifes over on 2nd down to get them across midfield swiftly.
It’s GOOD! Browns 17-14 Titans, half-time
A Szmyt 28 yard field goal
Cleveland take a lead for the first time in a ding-dong first half from Tennessee.
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 14-14 Texans 0:34, 2nd quarter
CJ Stroud to M Harrison Jr for six yards
The Texans level it up as Marvin Harrison Jr scores his first touchdown as a Texan and then a two-point conversion. Nicely done to carry some momentum into the second half.
Half-time scores (mostly)
San Francisco 49ers 14-12 Atlanta Falcons
Cincinnati Bengals 0-13 Baltimore Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-6 Carolina Panthers
New York Giants 14-6 Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts 10-6 Minnesota Vikings
Miami Dolphins 21-7 New York Jets
Cleveland Browns 14-14 Tennessee Titans
Clock still running in Houston and Tennessee but these are the scores on the doors at the break. The Texans are knocking on the door at 3rd and Goal.
TOUCHDOWN! Buccaneers 33-6 Panthers, half-time
B Mayfield to T Johnson for 14 yards
Baker is back, baby! Tampa have been so impressive capitalising on numerous Carolina mistakes. Three turnovers lost are the big story for the Panthers.
It’s GOOD! 49ers 14-12 Falcons, half-time
N Folk 33 yard field goal
The 49ers defense do their job to avoid Atlanta taking the lead. The Falcons will still be feeling good if Christian McCaffrey doesn’t return after half-time.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 21-7 Jets, half-time
M Willis two yard rush
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 14-14 Titans 2:17, 2nd quarter
Q Judkins five yard rush
A pair of cracking games are keeping the touchdowns flowing. Winless Miami sitting very pretty in New York at half-time.
Updated
It’s GOOD! Bengals 0-13 Ravens 0:51, 2nd quarter
T Loop 24 yard field goal
49ers 14-9 Falcons 0:29, 2nd quarter
On 3rd down at midfield Michael Penix finds Jahan Dotson but the receiver lets the ball bounce off his paws. They fake to go for it on 4th down and the Niners JUMP. 1st down Atlanta. The Falcons very pleased with that outcome on 4th and 4.
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 14-6 Texans 3:32, 2nd quarter
J Winston one yard rush
JJ McCarthy’s 29-yard throw to Thomas Fidone put them on the goal line for the QB sneak.
PICK! Browns 7-14 Titans 7:01, 2nd quarter
The turnovers continue! Cam Ward is picked off on Tennessee’s first play of the drive. Denzel Ward with the play, he just gets ahead of the receiver and makes the grab.
Browns 7-14 Titans 7:15, 2nd quarter
It is all happening in Tennessee as Tony Adams (not that one) recovers a fumble for the Titans. Another shot incoming for Cam Ward and company to regain a two-score lead.
FUMBLE! 49ers 14-9 Falcons 4:15, 2nd quarter
San Fran struggling without Christian McCaffrey in the lineup as Kaelon Black fumbles twice on successive plays. The Niners recover the first but Falcons gather up the second. Chance to take the lead for Atlanta who are on their 30-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN! Buccaneers 26-6 Panthers 3:53, 2nd quarter
B Irving one yard rush
Bucky Irving doubles up as Tampa Bay’s onslaught in Carolina continues
Updated
Bengals 0-10 Ravens 5:23, 2nd quarter
Cincinnati seriously struggling on offense as they have punted three times in succession to start this one.
DOWNS! Browns 7-14 Titans 9:34, 1st quarter
Tony Pollard thinks he has a hat-trick but is ruled just short on review. On the next play quarterback Cam Ward is stopped short as he keeps it away from Pollard and is stopped again on 3rd down. They finally go back to Pollard … AND HE IS STOPPED! Turnover on downs. Amazing stand from Cleveland on the one-yard line.
Buccaneers 19-6 Panthers 9:09, 2nd quarter
Tampa Bay block the extra point attempt and run it back for two points of their own! Amazing special team play!!!!
TOUCHDOWN! 49ers 14-9 Falcons 8:47, 1st quarter
M Penix to N Muse for one yard
Atlanta hit back but the extra point is no good off as the kicker hits the post. Doink!
TOUCHDOWN! Buccaneers 17-6 Panthers 9:09, 2nd quarter
B Young to D Waller for 50 yards
Great response from Bryce Young after giving away a score on a sack/fumble. He drops back and throws a bomb to the veteran tight end marauding down field.
Updated
TOUCHDOWN! Buccaneers 17-0 Panthers 11:05, 2nd quarter
C Kancey fumble recovery for 32 yards
Last in the NFC South are demolishing first at the moment after a brilliant scoop and score by Calijah Kancey. Al-Quadin Muhammad got the sack/fumble from Panthers QB Bryce Young to set up the score.
49ers 14-3 Falcons 12:04, 2nd quarter
Another solid return followed by some heavy doses of Bijan Robinson puts Atalanta across midfield. On 3rd down the Falcons need three yards … they get five thanks to Drake London.
It’s GOOD! Colts 7-3 Vikings 14:52, 2nd quarter
W Reichard 28 yard field goal
Unbeaten Minnesota on the board.
TOUCHDOWN! 49ers 14-3 Falcons 14:54, 2nd quarter
K Black 30 yard rush
Kaelon Black deputising for McCaffrey quite nicely.
And the early scores on the doors with first quarters in the books …
San Francisco 49ers 14-3 Atlanta Falcons
Cincinnati Bengals 0-7 Baltimore Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-0 Carolina Panthers
New York Giants 7-3 Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts 7-0 Minnesota Vikings
Miami Dolphins 14-7 New York Jets
Cleveland Browns 7-14 Tennessee Titans
Updated
49ers 7-3 Falcons 0:00, 1st quarter
Good and bad news for San Francisco. They are moving the ball nicely on this drive with Kaelon Black taking them toward to the red zone. Black is getting the carries though because Christian McCaffrey is down with a knee injury. He is testing it with some cuts on the sideline so doesn’t look too serious.
49ers 7-3 Falcons 1:41, 1st quarter
Atlanta punting back to San Francisco after going three and out.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 14-7 Jets 0:58, 1st quarter
O Gordon one yard rush
Miami haven’t scored on their first two possessions since 2024 against the Jets. The bye week looks to have helped the Dolphins find some confidence to get their first win of the season today.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 7-14 Titans 5:32, 1st quarter
Q Judkins five yard rush
The running back returning from injury puts Cleveland on the board.
49ers 7-3 Falcons 4:00, 1st quarter
Brock Purdy takes a sack brining up a couple of downs to get 17 yards. They struggle to get two. Punt on the way to Atlanta.
49ers 7-3 Falcons 5:00, 1st quarter
San Francisco really going hard at establishing the run. Understandably considering the five injured receivers on their roster. On 3rd down they have to throw it and George Kittle shakes a defender to make an easy catch across midfield.
Oh by they way, it is national tight ends day!
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 7-3 Texans 6:26, 1st quarter
T Tracy two yard rush
JJ McCarthy sets that score up with a 42-yard pass to Malik Nabers.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 0-14 Titans 8:35, 1st quarter
T Pollard 10 yard rush
Wow. Tennessee have looked better than their 1-5 record in spots but are proving they are better than it emphatically right now. A big lead with less than seven minutes gone. Pressure on Cleveland with Pittsburgh moving top of the AFC North earlier.
It’s GOOD! 49ers 7-3 Falcons 7:06, 1st quarter
N Folk 39 yard field goal
Excellent field position for Atlanta after a 61-yard kick return from Zachariah Branch. On 3rd down in the red zone Bijan Robinson is stuffed. Dissapointing. Field goal is good.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 7-7 Jets 8:37, 1st quarter
G Smith to M Taylor for 13 yards
The Jets reply instantly with a four play drive as Geno Smith finishes it off with a perfect throw to the big tight end. Taylor goes up high and beats his man with ease.
TOUCHDOWN! Buccaneers 7-0 Panthers 7:22, 1st quarter
B Irving four yard rush
Buckie Irving bags his third rushing touchdown of the season.
TOUCHDOWN! 49ers 7-0 Falcons 9:22, 1st quarter
C McCaffrey one yard rush
Big play on 4th down as the running back goes aerial and dives over the big men to break the plane of the goal line.
TOUCHDOWN! Colts 7-0 Vikings 9:13, 1st quarter
J Taylor 38 yard rush
Lots of underdogs taking the lead across the NFL. The always impressive running back takes it the house from deep.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 0-7 Titans 12:57, 1st quarter
T Pollard 36 yard rush
Tennessee race ahead as Tony Pollard makes up for 60 yards of a 65 yard drive.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 7-0 Jets 10:53, 1st quarter
M Willis to C Douglas for seven yards
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 0-7 Ravens 13:36, 1st quarter
T Huntley to Z Flowers for 48 yards
The speedy receiver catches the short throw then sprints through the heart of Cincy’s defense for a massive 48-yard touchdown. First blood Baltimore!
DOWNS! Colts 0-0 Vikings 12:51, 1st quarter
Minnesota go for it on 4th and 1 rather thank kicking a field goal and don’t get it!
Bengals 0-0 Ravens 13:51, 1st quarter
Baltimore are across midfield already after a 16-yard catch for rookie tight end Josh Cuevas.
Updated
Here we go! Atlanta have kicked off and Brock Purdy and company will be on the field shortly as the 49ers looks to extend their perfect record to 7-0.
Report from the action in Paris as the Steelers win amid the protests …
“Aaron Rodgers threw one touchdown pass and Chris Boswell kicked three field goals in Pittsburgh’s 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in the NFL’s first regular-season game in France.
Jaylen Warren rushed for 101 yards and Rodgers completed 19 of 30 passes for 212 yards and scrambled for a key first down late in fourth quarter as the Steelers (5-2) won their third straight game.
Linebacker Payton Wilson had a red zone interception of Tyler Shough in the third quarter and the Saints (2-5) couldn’t recover. New Orleans rushed for just 18 yards.
With the Saints threatening on their opening drive of the second half, Wilson stepped in front of a short pass intended for Chris Olave. The Steelers got in field-goal position and Boswell was good from 39 yards for a 16-10 lead.
Patrick Queen sacked Shough on third down to stall a New Orleans with under seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Shough completed 30 of 38 passes for 278 yards, one touchdown and the interception.
Just before halftime, Rodgers was sacked by Carl Granderson on third down, and with 15 seconds left and no timeouts, the Steelers offense ran to the sideline. Boswell sprinted on and kicked a 47-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh a 13-10 lead at the half.
Rodgers’ 4-yard touchdown pass to 6-foot-7, 265-pound tight end Darnell Washington — with 5-foot-11 cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in coverage — put the Steelers up 10-3.
Earlier on the drive, Rodgers moved in the pocket and found DK Metcalf for a 51-yard completion to the New Orleans 4. NFL France called it “quel caviar d’Aaron Rodgers.”
The Saints then tied it at 10-10 on Tyler Shough’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Devaughn Vele on fourth-and-goal from the 1.” AP
Updated
Is second-year New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore on the hot seat? The Saints are 2-5 after a poor offensive display, they rushed for just 18 yards against the Steelers. Moore is 8-16 across his two seasons and finished last in the NFC South last year. They sit third at the moment but would be pushed into last place if Tampa Bay beat Carolina today. In a boost for the Buccaneers’ chances Baker Mayfield is back starting at quarterback after missing three games.
Updated
Speaking of divisional rivalries … today’s crunch matchup comes from the AFC North as the 3-2 Bengals face the 4-2 Ravens in Baltimore. Cincinnati will be happy Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson misses out again with an ankle injury as they aim to build on their best start since 2021 when they happened to make a visit to the Super Bowl. Baltimore are the underdogs then with Snoop Huntley at QB but if the Ravens get running back Derrick Henry going then all bets are off.
A win for either team is crucial in a congested division as the Pittsburgh Steelers have just moved top at 5-2 with a 16-10 win in Paris. The 4-2 Cleveland Browns are also gunning for top spot as they aim to keep a cracking start to the season going against the struggling 1-5 Tennessee Titans.
Updated
How about the NFL’s first encounter in France? It hasn’t been a vintage contest but the Steelers defense has won the day so far. With two minutes on the clock the 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers just rushed for a vital 1st down to get Pittsburgh in the red zone. New Orleans have two timeouts remaining trailing 16-10 and need a huge defensive play to have any hope of winning.
A likely win for the Steelers moves them to 5-2 and top of the AFC North at least until their divisional rivals all play in the next slate of games.
Preamble
Bonjour football fans! Ça va? Bien! Welcome to week seven on the NFL with a distinctly French feel as Pittsburgh lead New Orleans 16-10 in Paris with only a couple of minutes remaining. While American football’s global takeover shows no signs of stopping, neither does the action as we have a treat in two unbeaten teams featuring in seven games starting at 12pm CST/1pm EST/5pm GMT (home teams listed second):
(6-0) San Francisco 49ers v Atlanta Falcons (2-4)
(3-2) Cincinnati Bengals v Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
(1-5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Carolina Panthers (3-2)
(3-2-1) New York Giants v Houston Texans (2-4)
(2-4) Indianapolis Colts v Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
(0-5) Miami Dolphins v New York Jets (2-4)
(4-2) Cleveland Browns v Tennessee Titans (1-5)
The pair of perfect franchises are the 49ers and Vikings who face the Falcons and Colts respectively. Minnesota’s mighty defense will be confident of making light work of an iffy Indianapolis offense but Atlanta have looked better than their record suggests this season and could give San Francisco a serious test.
Why might the 49ers be a little underpowered? Well, they are missing their biggest weapon in receiver Mike Evans who joins a lengthy list of injured wideouts. Tight end George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey will be called on to fill the void.
