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Philip Rivers passed for 371 yards and a touchdown, rallying the Chargers from a 27-10 second-quarter deficit to force overtime. A 42-yard field goal from Josh Lambo sealed the win for San Diego, its first road victory in 2016. Atlanta allowed the Chargers to gain 426 total yards and convert 9 of 16 third downs. Worse yet, after a failed fourth and one in OT, the defense gave up an 11-yard pass play to Antonio Gates and then was called for defensive holding that put San Diego in field goal range for the game-winning kick.

The Falcons, once soaring high atop the NFC South at 4-1, hold the slimmest of leads over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3), who are on their bye week. The New Orleans Saints (2-4) and Carolina Panthers (1-5), bad as they have been, aren’t out of reach quite yet, either.

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The good news for Atlanta is that their defensive corps is young and Coach Dan Quinn, a veteran defensive coach in the league, has a talent for getting the most out of that side of the ball. If the defense improves, and Ryan and Co. keep scoring points, the Falcons will likely start winning games again — especially with a relatively soft schedule in the second half of the season.

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The NFL’s other high-octane offense, the Pittsburgh Steelers, also fell to 4-3 in a not-unexpected loss to the New England Patriots. Without franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers turned to Landry Jones, who acquitted himself admirably in a 27-16 loss. Jones was 29 of 47 for 281 yards and a touchdown, but tossed an interception. Tom Brady came back to earth after averaging 391 yards passing in his first two games since his suspension ended, finishing the day with 222 through the air and two touchdowns.

New England now sits atop the AFC East comfortably at 6-1 — the best record in the league ahead of the 5-1 Dallas Cowboys, who are on a bye.

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In Cleveland, the Indians are about to face the Chicago Cubs in the World Series. The Cleveland Cavaliers are world champions. Even the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters hoisted that hockey league’s championship trophy this past season.

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And then there are the Cleveland Browns — winless in six attempts this season, five different players all throwing passes while holding the eternally vexed title of Browns quarterback.

On the morning after the Cubs reached their first World Series in 71 years, the Browns are a reminder that not all sporting futility has been swept aside so easily in 2016. And whatever dark magic has afflicted their quarterback history seems like it may claim another victim. Rookie Cody Kessler left the Browns’ Week 7 game against the Bengals with an apparent concussion, giving way to Kevin Hogan — the sixth man to take a snap at quarterback for the Browns this season.

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Hogan would find no better result than his 2016 predecessors, as the Browns dropped to 0-7 after a 31-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Browns’ misery is one of several noteworthy story lines in Week 7, one of which got underway early on an entirely different continent when the New York Giants kicked off against the Los Angeles Rams in London’s Twickenham Stadium at 9:30 a.m. ET.

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The Giants have been weathering a media storm after their place kicker, Josh Brown — already suspended one game this season for a domestic violence incident involving his ex-wife — was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list following the revelation of multiple such incidents during an investigation by Seattle-area police. The team signed former Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould, who joined the team Saturday to take over for Brown.

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Gould started the scoring for the Giants with a field goal and later tacked on an extra-point following a stunning 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by Giants safety Landon Collins. Weaving through tacklers and utilizing his teammates-turned-blockers, Collins knotted the score at 10 late in the first half. The Giants pulled ahead 17-10 on a short touchdown run by Rashad Jennings following Collins’s second interception of the afternoon.

The Giants made that seven-point margin hold up for the win, thanks in large part to four total interceptions from Rams QB Case Keenum. The poor play from Keenum only reinforced calls for No. 1 overall draft pick Jared Goff to assume the starter’s role next week. Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher attempted to end the quarterback conversation before it began after the game, telling the assembled media he was planning to stick with Keenum.

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Back on this side of the Atlantic, the Minnesota Vikings started the season 5-0 in large part because of the solid play of quarterback Sam Bradford, acquired from their Week 7 opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles, by trade just before the start of the season. Bradford was anything but solid in his return to Philadelphia, throwing an interception and losing two fumbles as the Vikings lost for the first time this season, 21-10.

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The Vikings were the NFL’s last remaining undefeated team.

In the night game, a defensive battle between the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals was decided, not rather not decided, by a pair of kickers.

After ending regulation in a 3-3 tie, both teams were able to connect on field goals to start the extra frame. But then, after a 69-yard drive led by Carson Palmer stagnated at the Seattle 6-yard line, Chandler Catanzaro clanked a chip-shot off the left post, giving the Seahawks an opening with 3:26 remaining. Russell Wilson drove down to the Arizona 10 to set up a 28-yard field goal by Steven Hauschka, who, of course, missed it wide left.

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The game ended in the third 6-6 tie in NFL history. All three have involved the Cardinals, according to ESPN Stats and Info.



Top Story Lines

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The second-year running back is now just the fourth player in the Super Bowl era to post consecutive 200-yard performances. (Read More)

The veteran quarterback came off the bench to lead a comeback, then got salty about having lost his starting job to begin with. (Read More)

The former Philly QB struggled mightily in his return with the formerly undefeated Vikings. (Read More)

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If your veteran is going to throw game-deciding interceptions, why not go with the rookie? (Read More)

Case Keenum is giving them very little. (Read More)

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It really sounds like it though. (Read More)

The league again finds itself dogged by domestic violence. (Read More)

The Redskins defensive back isn’t on board with the league’s crackdown on celebrations. (Read More)

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Maybe NFL really does stand for the ‘no fun league.’ (Read More)

Geno Smith takes over for Ryan Fitzpatrick. For now. (Read More)

Andy Dalton has regressed? The Colts’ offensive line is bad? Not really, if you care to consider these key facts … (Read More)

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What is going on in Carolina? (Read More)



Injury News

Latest updates: 2:52 p.m.

Three significant injuries have marred the early action.

Just as soon as Geno Smith received his chance to reclaim the Jets’ starting quarterback job, it seems as though the opportunity is over. Smith has been ruled out following a knee injury. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who last week was replaced by Smith during a lopsided loss, has taken over for Smith.

Cody Kessler, who started the season third on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart, has been knocked out of the game as he’s evaluated for possible concussion. Former Stanford QB Kevin Hogan has come on to replace Kessler, scoring on an impressive touchdown run to keep the Browns in the game early.

Washington Redskins CB Josh Norman is also being evaluated for a concussion after leaving the game against the Detroit Lions.

Fantasy Football

Check back later for a full rundown of the day’s top fantasy developments from John Romero, but in the meantime here are some tips to help you set your lineup.

Keep rolling with Spencer Ware while you can. (Read More)

Owners have counted on stars like Allen Robinson to breathe life into their fantasy point totals. Instead they’ve been sucking like black holes. (Read More)

Steer clear of Drew Brees if you can. (Read More)

Can the Steelers’ fantasy stars stay strong without Big Ben? (Read More)

ATS Betting Tips/Picks

Divisional underdogs have performed well to date this season. (Read More)