NFL Player News

Few would have believed that Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford could throw four touchdown passes with a man they call Megatron at perhaps one-quarter efficiency. Especially against a Browns team that had yielded a league-best two passing scores all year.

But Stafford did just that and guided his team to a 24-0 second-half blitz in a 31-17 victory on Sunday. He finished 25 of 43 with four scores - three of them to tight end Joseph Fauria - and one interception. Not bad considering his receivers dropped six passes.

He frustrated the Browns by avoiding sacks - he was dumped just once for no gain - and completing passes with slick sidearm throws under pressure. He hit six different receivers in the first two possessions, then utilized running back Reggie Bush with skill and precision in the second half for all five of their hookups for 57 yards and a touchdown. He iced the win with a 10-yard scoring strike to Fauria with two minutes remaining.

Stafford will try to upend another AFC North foe next week when the Bengals come calling.

Bills quarterback Thad Lewis was able to force overtime with two fourth-quarter touchdowns Week 6 vs. Cincinnati. Unfortunately, he couldn't lead Buffalo to a comeback win, as Cincinnati escaped with a 27-24 win in overtime.

Lewis, who made his first start in place of the injured EJ Manuel (knee), got off to a great start, as his first completion went 47 yards and he led Buffalo to a score on its first drive of the game. Lewis capped a six-play, 73-yard scoring drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Unfortunately, Lewis cooled off quickly. He led just one more scoring drive in the first half and had thrown for just 67 yards by halftime.

Lewis remained held in check until he found Scott Chandler for a 22-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-8 play with 10:17 left in the fourth quarter. Lewis then shocked the Cincinnati defense when he connected with Marquise Goodwin on a 40-yard touchdown with 1:14 left to tie the game at 24.

Lewis completed 19 of 32 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 17 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked five times and also lost a fumble. 

"Overall, I was happy. Except for the turnover," coach Doug Marrone said.

Lewis' status for Week 7 at Miami could be in jeopardy after he needed X-rays on his right foot following the overtime loss. He was wearing a boot after the game.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers overcame the loss of two starting receivers -- James Jones and Randall Cobb -- to lead Green Bay to a 19-17 win Week 6 at Baltimore. Rodgers completed 17 of 32 passes for 315 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while rushing for 21 yards.

The Packers lost Jones early in the first quarter and Cobb late in the second quarter. Their absence in the passing game impacted Rodgers' first-half numbers. He completed 10 of 21 passes for 116 yards and was sacked three times in the first half.

Rodgers wasn't much better after halftime, completing just seven passes, but his biggest play was a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson late in the third quarter, which gave Green Bay a 16-3 lead. Rodgers also connected with Jermichael Finley for a 52-yard passing play on a key 3rd-and-3 conversion with 1:41 left, which basically sealed the win for Green Bay.

Rodgers has surpassed 300 yards three times in five games. Unfortunately, he has just one passing touchdown in each of his last three games. The Packers are back in action Week 7 vs. Cleveland.

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford didn't rack up a ton of yards in Week 6 against the Texans, but his three touchdowns went a long way in a 38-13 blowout win.

The Rams rarely needed to rely on Bradford in the game, but he made plays when needed. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 117 yards, while throwing all three of his touchdowns from within 5 yards. He found Cory Harkey for a 2-yard score in the first quarter, followed by another 2-yard score to Lance Kendricks, before capping off the day with a 4-yard pass to Brian Quick.

Though the yardage is by far his lowest total of the season, Bradford now has three games with three touchdown passes; that matches his total for the first three NFL seasons. Bradford has 1,432 yards on the season, with 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions in six games.

The Rams' next game is set for Week 7 against the Panthers next Sunday.

The 49ers listed seven players as inactive for the game against the Cardinals: quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, receivers Quinton Patton and Chris Harper, offensive lineman Joe Looney, linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, running back LaMichael James and cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert is inactive for Week 6 against the Broncos.

The move isn't a surprise, as Gabbert was ruled out on the team's final injury report. He'll be replaced by Chad Henne again. 

The Texans inactive list doesn't feature any surprises for Week 6 against the Rams: linebackers Tim Dobbins and  Sam Montgomery, quarterback Case Keenum, running back Cierre Wood, defensive lineman Tim Jamison, and offensive linemen Andrew Gardner and Cody White are all out of uniform for the game. 

The Browns have placed quarterback Brian Hoyer on injured reserve, the team's official site reports Saturday. He is done for the season.

Hoyer is set for knee surgery Friday. He led the team to victories in Weeks 3 and 4 and threw for 615 yards in three games with five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert (hamstring) is one of five players already officially ruled out for Week 6 against the Broncos, based on Friday's injury report. He is joined by wide receiver Stephen Burton (concussion), tight end Marcedes Lewis (calf), defensive back Dwayne Gratz (ankle) and defensive lineman Jeremy Mincey (concussion). 

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer will have knee surgery performed next Friday, the team has announced. He is out for the season after having led the team to successive victories in Weeks 3 and 4 and wresting the starting spot away from Brandon Weeden.