The NFL is a game of inches, and this week was no exception. Misguided decisions and missed opportunities resulted in a number of heart-breaking losses. The biggest blunder came from the Baltimore Ravens, who lost to the Cincinnati Bengals after Tyler Huntley’s decision to go for a quarterback sneak instead of a lower option. On fourth-and-a-foot at midfield with 2 1/2 minutes left, Huntley’s ill-advised attempt failed and the Ravens had to turn the ball over.
The Miami Dolphins also suffered a heartbreaking loss, this time at the hands of their rookie head coach. On fourth-and-8 in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins opted to call a checkdown instead of a pass, and the result was a turnover on downs and a loss to the Bills.
In Jacksonville, the Los Angeles Chargers were on the brink of a comeback victory when Joey Bosa was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. The penalty moved the decisive 2-point conversion from the 2 to the 1, and the Chargers ultimately fell short.
Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings watched their game against the Giants slip away after Cousins opted for a checkdown to T.J. Hockenson on fourth-and-8 instead of throwing past the sticks. The Vikings had a chance to go ahead late in the fourth quarter, but they ultimately fell short.
Finally, the Dallas Cowboys dominated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the game will be remembered for kicker Brett Maher’s record-setting performance. Maher became the first kicker in NFL history to miss four extra points in a single game, a feat that will likely not be repeated anytime soon.