Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
PITTSBURGH -- Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers have been around each other a long time.
So much so that when the Pittsburgh Steelers coach told Rodgers and the rest of the offense it was time to "cut it loose" before Sunday's early-season litmus test against Cincinnati, it didn't really register with the quarterback he's known for 20 years.
"I feel like he says that every week," Rodgers said, then added with a laugh, "It's not like, 'Hey, this week ...' "
The message was not new. The results were another matter.
Rodgers bounced back from a nightmarish performance in a loss to New England by throwing for 292 yards and three touchdowns to outouchdownuel Joe Burrow as the Steelers pulled out a 30-27 thriller.
"I think resilience is critical to any, any type of success, whether it's playing one division game (or) overcoming a loss last week," McCarthy said.
Pittsburgh (2-1) did both by showcasing the kind of explosiveness Rodgers has said was possible if everyone just settled down and did their jobs.
Rodgers completed 19 of 34 passes, including a 47-yard catch-and-run to massive tight end Darnell Washington that helped set up Chris Boswell's go-ahead, 33-yard field goal with 2:18 remaining.
The Steelers (2-1) rolled up 411 yards on a revamped Cincinnati defense that had fueled the Bengals' promising start. Jaylen Warren, dealing with a shoulder injury that limited him in practice, had 176 total yards (127 rushing, 49 receiving), numbers that could have been a little bit higher if he hadn't tripped over his own feet while running free inside the Cincinnati 10 in the late going.
Pittsburgh was forced to settle for Boswell's third field goal, giving Burrow and the Bengals plenty of time to respond.
Cincinnati made its way into Steelers territory in the final minute and was on the fringe of kicker Evan McPherson's range when Steelers defensive lineman Derrick Harmon crashed into Burrow. The ball squirted free, and Pittsburgh's Sebastian Joseph-Day fell on it to spoil the Bengals' chances at the franchise's first 3-0 start since 2015.
"Trying to take a shot at the end zone, trying not to take the sack, trying to get the ball out, (and I) fumbled it," Burrow said.
The Bengals' opportunity to stamp themselves as front-runners in the AFC North disappeared with some self-inflicted wounds.
A roughing-the-punter penalty in the third quarter extended a Pittsburgh drive that ended with a touchdown pass from Rodgers to DK Metcalf. Cincinnati's Ke'Shawn Williams later muffed a punt deep in Bengals territory to set up the second of Boswell's three field goals that tied the game at 27 with 8:45 remaining.
"Some games, you just go get your butt kicked and there's not much to say about it," Bengals Coach Zac Taylor said. "This one, we had our chances. Pittsburgh took advantage of theirs. We didn't take advantage of ours."
Cincinnati backed up Pittsburgh deep in its territory late in the fourth, but the Steelers responded even after a run of 80-plus yards by Warren was wiped out by a holding penalty on Metcalf.
Rodgers, playing behind a new-look offensive line that included rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor at right tackle, guided the Steelers 77 yards anyway. Boswell's winner helped Pittsburgh improve to 10-2 in its last 12 games following a loss of 15 points or more.
It also gave the Steelers a dose of belief following an ugly performance against the Patriots in which Rodgers was sacked four times and the line struggled to protect him.
The 42-year-old four-time MVP insisted it was not time to panic. Iheanachor's promotion added a dose of physicality on the line, and Pittsburgh was dynamic. Rodgers hit nine receivers and Warren cut loose for field-flipping runs that were hard to come by during the opening two weeks.
Warren's shoulder was so tender on Saturday that McCarthy advised Rodgers not to throw it to him during a walkthrough. There were no such issues 24 hours later, when Warren's punishing approach helped ignite the Steelers on a day the offense needed to pick up the slack for a defense that let Burrow play pitch-and-catch with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Yet with the clock ticking down, Harmon provided Pittsburgh's only sack. He wasn't trying to strip Burrow. It just kind of happened, and Joseph-Day fell on it.
McCarthy had jotted down in his notes this week that Pittsburgh would need 31 points to win. The Steelers fell one shy, not that it mattered.
"We've got to play more sound football than we did today to beat a team like that," Burrow said.
GIANTS 12, TITANS 7
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Relying on running the ball in their first game without quarterback Jaxson Dart, New York held on to beat Tennessee but lost its most important defensive player, Brian Burns, to a knee injury.
Burns went down grabbing at his right knee midway through the fourth quarter and had to be helped off the field by offensive linemen Andrew Thomas and Aaron Stinnie. Burns played six days after spraining his left ankle in a defeat at the Los Angeles Rams, despite not practicing all week.
If it is significant like Dart's injury, which has him out for at least the remainder of the regular season, it is another blow to the Giants (2-1) after John Harbaugh's tenure as coach got off to a promising start. Burns ranked second in the NFL in sacks last season behind record-setter Myles Garrett.
In his first start in place of Dart, Jameis Winston did what he needed to do, completing 12 of 18 passes for 117 yards and scrambling 15 yards for a first down. With a nor'easter pounding the region, Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy kept the ball on the ground on a rainy, windy afternoon, piling up 141 yards rushing and getting four field goals from rookie kicker Dominic Zvada (Arkansas State).
JAGUARS 35, PATRIOTS 6
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes, including one on which Parker Washington made a fingertip catch in the end zone, and Jacksonville bounced back from its worst offensive performance in nearly a year to dominate New England.
Lawrence also strangely gave himself up at the 1-yard line with nearly 9 minutes to play. It created countless laughs on the sideline. Bhayshul Tuten scored on the next play, which surely will cause angst in the fantasy football world.
Regardless, the Jaguars (2-1) won their sixth consecutive regular-season game at home and raised more questions about Drake Maye's regression for the Patriots.
Maye fumbled twice, losing one, and threw two more interceptions before getting pulled in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach. He now has one touchdown pass and six interceptions in three games. He threw 31 touchdowns and eight picks last season for the AFC champion Patriots (1-2).
BILLS 24, CHARGERS 16
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Josh Allen scored two touchdowns rushing and Buffalo overcame a five-turnover outing to pull off a victory over winless Los Angeles.
Allen's second score, a 1-yard plunge with 7:35 left, gave Buffalo its first lead. The Bills then sealed the win on James Cook's 3-yard run four minutes later, and after Buffalo's defense forced Justin Herbert's incompletion on fourth down at the Chargers 45.
Buffalo improved to 3-0 despite Allen's two interceptions and lost fumble. Cook and tight end Dalton Kincaid also lost fumbles.
The problem for the Chargers was their inability to take advantage -- with three of Buffalo's turnovers occurring in Bills' territory.
Los Angeles opened the scoring on Herbert's 1-yard shovel pass to Keaton Mitchell on a drive set up after Cook lost a fumble on Buffalo's first snap from scrimmage. And the Chargers built a 10-0 first-quarter lead on Cameron Dicker's 31-yard field goal that followed Allen's first interception.
LIONS 31, JETS 24
DETROIT -- Jahmyr Gibbs had a go-ahead 11-yard reception with 2:25 left for his third touchdown of the game and Detroit held on to beat New York.
The Lions (2-1) leaned on Gibbs a lot -- on the ground and through the year -- and he delivered another fantastic performance. The dynamic running back had 20 carries for 99 yards with 17- and 1-yard touchdown runs in the second half, along with seven receptions for 65 yards and score.
The Jets (1-2) overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter with Geno Smith's 4-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Ruckert, a 23-yard throw to Garrett Wilson and a 2-point conversion pass to Sterling Shepard to make it 24-all.
New York's defense -- led by Coach Aaron Glenn, Detroit's former defensive coordinator -- then had two blown coverages as Goff and Gibbs marched the Lions down the field to quickly regain the lead.
With a chance to tie or perhaps go for the win, the Jets were on the Detroit 28 when Smith lost a fumble after blitzing safety Chuck Clark sacked him. That sealed it for the Lions.
BROWNS 21, PANTHERS 18
CLEVELAND -- Deshaun Watson threw two touchdown passes to Harold Fannin Jr., including a 14-yard strike with 1:48 remaining, and Cleveland rallied for a victory over Carolina.
The Panthers went in front 18-13 with 4:25 remaining when John Metchie III hauled in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young. But the Browns (2-1) went 65 yards in eight plays for their second straight comeback win.
Watson was 10 of 21 for 67 yards during the first three quarters but 6 of 9 for 77 yards over the final 15 minutes.
Watson and teammates feared that the 10-year veteran would be showered with boos after he got a negative reception during a preseason game against Buffalo on Aug. 22. But Watson was cheered by most of the fans during the fourth quarter when he came back into the game after taking a hard hit.
It appeared as if the Browns' chances for a comeback were dashed when Akayleb Evans picked off Watson's pass intended for KC Concepcion in the end zone with 2:29 remaining. But Carolina linebacker Bobby Okereke was called for roughing the passer to nullify the play. Three plays later, Watson gave the Browns the lead. Watson then connected with Denzel Boston for a 2-point conversion to push the margin to a field goal.
COLTS 19, TEXANS 17
INDIANAPOLIS -- Spencer Shrader fought through a groin injury to make four field goals, including a 43-yarder with 16 seconds to go, and Indianapolis' beleaguered defense barely held up long enough to close out a victory over Houston.
The Colts (1-2) snapped a nine-game losing streak, the longest active skid in the NFL, and won its first game since Nov. 2 at Berlin. It was the Colts' first victory on American soil since Oct. 26, 2025.
Daniel Jones was 24 of 36 for 235 yards and one touchdown, but also fumbled three times and lost two. The second set up Houston's late go-ahead touchdown.
Jonathan Taylor had 23 carries for 68 yards for Indianapolis. Keenan Allen hauled in six passes for 63 yards and his first touchdown with the Colts, while Josh Downs caught five passes for 77 yards.
Houston is off to its second straight 0-3 start and it was a rugged day for the offense. C.J. Stroud was 16 of 27 for 167 yards with one touchdown as the Texans finished with just 70 yards on 21 carries and had 223 total yards against a defense that allowed more than 500 yards in each of its first two games. The loss was Houston's first in the last six games of this series.
VIKINGS 23, BUCANEERS 16
TAMPA, Fla. -- Myles Price returned a punt 86 yards for a score, Kyler Murray threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison and Minnesota beat Tampa Bay.
It was a costly game for both teams.
Baker Mayfield hurt his thumb on a desperation pass late in the fourth quarter. He was screaming in pain on the ground before walking off and was replaced by rookie Jalon Daniels in the final minute.
Two-time All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson didn't return for Minnesota after injuring his right ankle in the first quarter.
The Vikings are 3-0 for the second time in three years. The Buccaneers are 0-3 for the first time since 2014, when they finished 2-14 and got the No. 1 overall draft pick, taking Jameis Winston.
Murray was 15 of 29 for 168 yards with 1 touchdown pass and 1 interception in his first full game with the Vikings. He sustained a concussion in the first quarter of the season opener and Carson Wentz led Minnesota to consecutive wins.
49ERS 36, CARDINALS 30
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Brock Purdy threw four touchdown passes, with the first coming on a trick play, and the injury-depleted San Francisco held on for a victory over Arizona.
San Francisco lost wide receiver Mike Evans to a rib injury in the first half and left tackle Trent Williams to a stinger in the second half, but still managed to hold on to start 3-0 for the third time in the last four seasons.
The game began well for the Niners before the injuries started mounting and they found themselves in a tight game against the Cardinals (1-2), who have lost 22 of their last 26 games in the division.
Purdy helped ice it when he threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to George Kittle with 1:31 to play. The Cardinals added a late field goal, but Deebo Samuel recovered an onside kick to seal the win.
Coach Kyle Shanahan dialed up a hook-and-ladder call on San Francisco's third play from scrimmage to turn a precarious third-and-12 from deep in 49ers territory into an 82-yard score. Purdy threw a quick 6-yard pass to Evans, who flipped it back 4 yards to a sprinting Samuel as he was being tackled well short of the first down. Samuel then sprinted down the sideline, broke a tackle near midfield and scored to make it 7-0 on an 82-yard play.
Purdy then connected on a 23-yard touchdown pass to Evans on the second drive and the Niners built the lead to 23-6 when Christian McCaffrey scored on a 1-yard run on the opening drive of the second half.
BRONCOS 30, RAMS 26
DENVER -- Bo Nix's keeper from inches outside the goal line with 47 seconds left powered Denver past Los Angeles, capping a wild final five minutes that included a 66-yard pick-six by the Broncos and a quick touchdown response by the Rams.
After Nix put the Broncos (2-1) in front, Matthew Stafford drove the Rams (1-2) to the Denver 14, where he spiked the ball with 2 seconds left. A false start moved the ball back to the 19. The Rams sent out five receivers but safety Talanoa Hufanga secured his second interception, this one in the end zone.
"Obviously a gutsy win," Broncos Coach Sean Payton said.
Hufanga's 66-yard pick-6 with 4:49 left gave Denver its first lead at 23-19. Hufanga jumped in front of running back Kyren Williams, cradled Stafford's pass and weaved his way down the field and into the end zone.
Just four plays later, Stafford hit Konata Mumpfield from 48 yards out when cornerback Riley Moss fell down, restoring the Rams' lead at 26-23.
Nix drove Denver 65 yards in 10 plays with the aid of three defensive penalties and, with the ball nearly touching the goal line, leaped over the pile for the go-ahead TD. Nix had completions of 39 and 21 yards on that drive.
The Broncos trailed 16-0 at halftime but it was tied going into the fourth after Nix threw a pair of touchdown passes and made two 2-point conversion throws.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, left, throws as he is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, left, throws as he is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, left, throws as he is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, right, catches a pass for a touchdown as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., left, tries to defend during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, right, catches a pass for a touchdown as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., left, tries to defend during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, right, catches a pass for a touchdown as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., left, tries to defend during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is strip-sacked Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) by during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is strip-sacked Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) by during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is strip-sacked Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) by during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)