It was a twice-in-a-3,679-game experience for those of us who stayed with the Giants-Broncos game Sunday when New York led 26-8 with less than six minutes left.
What happened next was nearly impossible and harkened back to the deeds of a Colts legend.
Teams that trailed by at least 18 points in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter have now won two of 3,679 NFL games since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
The only other time it happened was on Oct. 10, 2003, when Peyton Manning led the visiting Colts back from a 35-14 deficit to stun the Buccaneers with three touchdowns in the final 3:37 of regulation to force overtime, then won it on a Mike Vanderjagt field goal 38-35.
It’s been a wild first seven weeks with no real dominating teams, some truly surprising ones (Colts, Bears, Patriots) and some truly awful units (Jets, Dolphins, Titans, Saints).
On to Week 8 …
Today
Minnesota at L.A. Chargers
Time: 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video)
Records: Vikings 3-3; Chargers 4-3
The skinny: Minnesota doesn’t have a quarterback and its solid defense is hard-pressed to keep games winnable. Los Angeles has been ravaged by injuries, especially along the offensive line, and has cooled off, losing three of its past four game. QB Justin Herbert has the ability to keep the Chargers respectable.
Pick: Chargers
Sunday
Buffalo at Carolina
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Bills 4-2; Panthers 4-3
The skinny: Carolina will be without QB Bryce Young, meaning backup Andy Dalton will be facing a Buffalo team coming off a bye and looking to snap a two-game losing streak.
Pick: Bills
Chicago at Baltimore
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Bears 4-2; Ravens 1-5
The skinny: Chicago is on a four-game winning streak but it can’t afford to overlook a desperate Baltimore team coming off a bye and needing to start salvaging its season. It helps to have QB Lamar Jackson back.
Pick: Ravens
Cleveland at New England
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Browns 2-5; Patriots 5-2
The skinny: New England faces another rookie QB in Dillon Gabriel. Patriots QB Drake Maye (12 TDs, 2 INTs) has been on a tear during a four-game winning streak but must be aware of Browns edge Myles Garrett (5 sacks).
Pick: Patriots
Miami at Atlanta
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Dolphins 1-6; Falcons 3-3
The skinny: Miami is terrible, as evidenced by self-proclaimed team leader QB Tua Tagovailoa throwing three picks against Cleveland. Atlanta’s offense had a bad night against an undermanned San Francisco defense and needs to get running back Bijan Robinson back in the mix.
Pick: Falcons
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Giants 2-5; Eagles 5-2
The skinny: New York is still reeling from its aforementioned meltdown at Denver. Philadelphia’s offense seemed to find itself as QB Jalen Hurts threw for 326 yards and three TDs and receiver Devonta Smith had nine catches for 183 yards and a score. Besides, the Eagles remember losing to the Giants and their two hot-shot rookies, Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, two weeks ago.
Pick: Eagles
N.Y. Jets at Cincinnati
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: Jets 0-7; Bengals 3-4
The skinny: Cincinnati got a spark from well-traveled QB Joe Flacco, who threw for 342 yards and 3 TDs against the Steelers. New York might want Flacco back as Justin Fields was benched for Tyrod Taylor.
Pick: Bengals
San Francisco at Houston
Time: 1 p.m.
Records: 49ers 4-2; Texans 2-4
The skinny: San Francisco had a spirited defensive effort by its backups in beating Atlanta at home on Sunday night. Now comes the hard work, doing it week after week. It starts with a Houston team that has struggled on offense and uses its defense to stay competitive.
Pick: 49ers
Tampa Bay at New Orleans
Time: 4:05 p.m.
Records: Buccaneers 5-2; Saints 1-6
The skinny: Tampa Bay keeps losing key pieces (now receiver Mike Evans is injured again) but coach Todd Bowles and QB Baker Mayfield keep driving this team to wins with aggressive and relentless play. New Orleans tries hard, but its talent just doesn’t match up most weeks.
Pick: Buccaneers
Dallas at Denver
Time: 4:25 p.m.
Records: Cowboys 3-3-1; Broncos 5-2
The skinny: Dallas is second to Indianapolis in points scored (222 to the Colts’ 232) and that offense will be tested in the mile-high altitude of Denver, not to mention the Broncos’ stout defense. Denver showed its mental toughness in its comeback over New York. Quarterback Bo Nix is a gamer.
Pick: Broncos
Tennessee at Indianapolis
Time: 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Records: Titans 1-6; Colts 6-1
The skinny: Rich Man, Poor Man. The Colts are the cream of the league while the Titans’ season has curdled. Indianapolis can score with anyone and its defense if underrated. Tennessee just fired its coach and is trending for another top-3 draft pick.
Pick: Colts
Green Bay at Pittsburgh
Time: 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Records: Packers 4-1-1; Steelers 4-2
The skinny: A cool game to watch, with Pittsburgh QB Aaron Rodgers facing his former team. Green Bay looked lethargic against Arizona, although edge Micah Parsons saved his best pass rushing efforts for the fourth quarter. The Steelers’ defense was shredded by Flacco and the Bengals on Thursday and needs a bounce-back game.
Pick: Steelers
Monday
Washington at Kansas City
Time: 8:15 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)
Records: Commanders 3-4; Chiefs 4-3
The skinny: Things are falling apart in Washington while Kansas City is seeing a revival. The Commanders will probably be without QB Jayden Daniels (hamstring) for this game and maybe more. The Chiefs got receiver Rashee Rice back and quickly featured him (7 catches, 42 yards, 2 TDs) a 31-0 win over the Raiders. The offense is percolating and on Monday night it will be steaming.
Pick: Chiefs
Byes: Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Arizona, Detroit, L.A. Rams, Seattle
Last week: 12-3
Season: 66-41-1
Mark Jaworski is the Sports Editor of The Journal Gazette. He has been making NFL picks since 2015. He can be reached at mjaworski@jg.net