Week 5 of the 2015 NFL season was all about teams stealing away wins in overtime or the final seconds.
The Bengals and Browns both completed comebacks by kicking game-winning field goals in overtime, while the Falcons escaped a home upset by returning a Kirk Cousins’ interception for the game-winning score in the extra period. The Giants and Steelers also won in dramatic fashion, with Eli Manning’s late touchdown pass to Larry Donnell giving New York a win on Sunday night and Le’Veon Bell’s 1-yard plunge as time expired allowing Pittsburgh to escape San Diego victorious on Monday night.
Here are four other turning point moments from Week 5:
Chiefs lose Jamaal Charles
Jamaal Charles is out for the remainder of today’s game with a knee injury after this play. #CHIvsKC http://t.co/SI2WVXcx8C
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2015
Leading 17-3 in the third quarter, the Kansas City Chiefs looked well on their way to an easy win over the lowly Bears in Week 5. A cruel twist of fate followed. After running back Jamaal Charles crumbled to the turf after an awkward cut, Kansas City’s two-score lead soon evaporated. Chicago scored the final 15 points, including the go-ahead 7-yard touchdown from Jay Cutler to Matt Forte with 18 seconds left. The Chiefs managed just two first downs after losing Charles, while the offense’s final six drives finished in four punts and two failed field goal attempts. Kansas City is now 1-4 and missing its best offensive player for the season. Ouch.
Chris Harris saves the Broncos
The @Raiders were charging.
The @Broncos were on the ropes.
Chris Harris Jr. wanted none of it.
PICK SIX! #DENvsOAK http://t.co/duz9uwEoAH
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2015
The Broncos defense just continues to bail out Peyton Manning and the struggling Denver offense. With the Raiders down two points and Derek Carr marching midway through the fourth quarter, Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. jumped an underneath route and picked off Carr’s errant pass, then returned the interception 74 yards for the game-saving touchdown. Denver’s third defensive score in five weeks preserved the Broncos’ undefeated start and gave the team its eighth straight win over the Raiders.
Jacquies Smith’s scoop and score for Bucs
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 11: Defensive end Jacquies Smith #56 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a fumble recovery for a TD in the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Raymond James Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***Jacquies Smith
Tampa Bay snapped its 11-game home losing streak in typical Lovie Smith fashion, using a defensive touchdown in the second half to turn the game. After kicking a field goal to cut Jacksonville’s lead to just one point in the third quarter, Tampa Bay defensive end George Johnson stripped Jaguars running back Corey Grant on a sweep play—creating a live ball near the end zone that was picked up by Jacquies Smith for a touchdown. The score gave the Bucs a 31-24 lead. Tampa Bay wouldn’t trail again.
Tyrod’s scramble sparks Bills
The Titans missed their chance to squash the struggling Bills. Down 13-7 with a little over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, Buffalo faced a daunting 3rd-and-23 situation on its own 7-yard line. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor finally provided the much-needed spark, scrambling up the middle for 24 yards while also drawing a 15-yard horse collar penalty on Titans linebacker Zach Brown. Five plays later, Taylor threw a 2-yard touchdown to Chris Hogan—giving the Bills a 14-13 lead with 5:25 left. Tennessee punted and threw an interception on its next two possessions, and the Bills escaped with an ugly win.