Purdy also threw a 76-yard scoring strike to Deebo Samuel Sr. as the 49ers (3-3) moved into a first-place tie with the Seahawks (3-3) in the NFC West.

Geno Smith threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett with 1:44 remaining to pull Seattle within 29-24.

San Francisco's Kyle Juszczyk scored on a 6-yard run with 1:17 left to clinch the victory. That came two plays after rookie Isaac Guerendo broke free on a 76-yard run. Guerendo rushed for 99 yards on 10 attempts after Jordan Mason, who entered the game second in the NFL in rushing, left with an apparent left shoulder injury.

Mason gained 73 yards on nine carries. Purdy was 18 of 28 for 255 yards, and Samuel produced 102 yards on three receptions. Kittle had five catches for 58 yards.

The 49ers forced three turnovers and turned them into 12 points.

Smith connected on 30 of 52 passes for 312 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The Seahawks tried to establish the running game but gained just 52 yards on 20 carries.

Laviska Shenault Jr. scored on a 97-yard kickoff return for Seattle, which took its third consecutive loss.

Purdy's 10-yard touchdown pass to Kittle with 10:07 left in the third quarter gave the 49ers a 23-3 lead.

The 49ers, who blew double-digit leads in divisional losses to the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals earlier this season, then saw Shenault return the ensuing kickoff to spark a Seattle comeback.

Kenneth Walker III scored on a 1-yard run with 1:24 left in the third to pull the Seahawks within 23-17.

Niners rookie Renardo Green stepped in front of DK Metcalf and picked off a Smith pass to set up Kittle's second touchdown, a 9-yard reception with 6:20 remaining in the game, to make it 29-17.

The 49ers took a 16-3 halftime lead. San Francisco had a 244-133 edge in total offense, including 105-24 on the ground, and forced a pair of turnovers -- an interception of a Smith pass near the goal line and a Shenault fumble on a kickoff return.

The lone touchdown of the half was the 76-yarder to Samuel down the left sideline with 13:30 remaining in the second quarter.

San Francisco kicker Matthew Wright, signed earlier in the week after Jake Moody sustained a high ankle sprain Sunday, converted all three of his field-goal attempts in the first half, from 25, 41 and 35 yards.

Justin Fields, who became the starter when Wilson strained his calf in a Sept. 5 practice, remains QB1 for the Steelers (3-2) going into their Sunday road game against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-3).

Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, pledges to be ready whenever the time comes to see his first regular-season action since signing with the Steelers as a free agent in March. He practiced fully on Wednesday and Thursday, but his status for Sunday had not been determined.

"I've played a lot of football games, have been in a lot of moments," Wilson, 35, said on Thursday. "I don't fear them. Getting ready to go and rock and roll.

"I feel confident that I'll be ready to play ... and play at a high level. I think we're being really smart, too, and trying to understand exactly how I feel."

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that Wilson is healthy enough to practice without restrictions. How well the veteran QB practices and his ability to protect himself will determine what the Steelers do from here. Wilson was inactive for the first five games.

Wilson was named the starter following the final preseason game in August but was limited in practice before the Week 1 opener at Atlanta. His status did not change from there, with Fields leading the Steelers to three wins to open the season before the team dropped its past two games.

Fields, 25, has completed a career-high 67.6 percent of his passes for 961 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in five starts. He also has rushed for 172 yards and three scores.

Wilson last started a game on Christmas Eve before the Denver Broncos benched him for the final two 2023 regular-season games in a contract dispute that led to the former Super Bowl winner being released.

"For me, I'm preparing my mind to get ready to go," Wilson said. "That's my mentality and help us win, whatever that is. I'm just getting prepared for Friday.

"It's not like I haven't been out there. I've gotten a lot of reps over this time. I have a lot of confidence with our guys and who we are."

But the Jets weren't displaying enough signs to feel good about ending their 13-season playoff drought.

The dismal start led to Tuesday's dismissal of coach Robert Saleh. Now, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich will guide the team Monday night in a crucial AFC East contest against the visiting Buffalo Bills at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Jets (2-3) made the coaching change after back-to-back losses to the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett also had his playcalling duties taken away and passing game coordinator Todd Downing will call the plays against the Bills.

Rodgers acknowledged that he and his teammates are partly responsible for the coaching change.

"I think we need to do everything we can to maximize this opportunity," Rodgers said Thursday. "... We need to be accountable to each other. When something like this happens, it's a reset for everybody."

Rodgers, 40, certainly needs to raise his own level of play. He has completed just 61 percent of his passes and been sacked 13 times while passing for 1,093 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

Three of the interceptions came during last week's 23-17 loss to the Vikings.

The former four-time MVP with the Green Bay Packers is overseeing an offense that ranks 25th in scoring (18.6 points per game) and 27th in total offense (286.6 yards per game). New York also ranks last in rushing offense at 80.4 yards per game.

Rodgers said things need to improve immediately under Ulbrich, who is the team's defensive coordinator.

"I think the spotlight's on the players," Rodgers said. "Now, you can change coaches, but we're the ones out there on the field playing. So we got to play better, but we gotta stick together and get behind ‘Brick' and move forward."

Ulbrich, 47, spent 10 seasons as a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers in a career that ended in 2009. He went into coaching and has been with the Jets since 2021 and is in his fourth season as their defensive coordinator.

"We can't be afraid of mistakes and half-stepping," Ulbrich said. "We've got to play this game on our terms, and I'm very confident we're going to see that Monday night."

Buffalo (3-2) is having its own struggles with consecutive losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.

Star quarterback Josh Allen was an abysmal 9-for-30 passing for 131 yards and one touchdown in last weekend's 23-20 road loss to the Texans.

"I've got to be better," Allen said. "Ball placement, and a couple throws I wish I could have had back this last game.

"Just making sure we're on the same page, and it starts with the quarterback. That's on me. Just trying to find ways this next week of sustaining drives, being better on third down, staying out of some of these third-and-long situations."

Bills coach Sean McDermott is convinced Allen's problems are a short-term thing.

"You go through a season, it's never a straight line in terms of the path to success," McDermott said. "You've got to go through the ebbs and flows of the season and manage them.

"I know Josh is as competitive as there is, and we have full confidence in him, and I'm confident he'll get back to doing that, and that's important for us."

Buffalo ranks third in scoring at 28.4 points, but just 22nd in total offense (299.8). Khalil Shakir leads the Bills in both receptions (18) and receiving yardage (230) as a go-to receiver has yet to emerge.

Shakir (ankle) sat out Thursday's practice, as did running back James Cook (toe) and defensive tackle Ed Oliver (hamstring).

Jets cornerback Michael Carter II (back) did not practice Thursday. Rodgers (ankle), linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) and offensive tackle Morgan Moses (knee) were among the limited participants.

Buffalo has won six of the past eight meetings.

The move comes after Marcus Mariota, backup to rookie Jayden Daniels, dressed for his first game of the season Sunday. He missed the first four weeks while recovering from groin and pectoral injuries.

The Commanders kept Jeff Driskel as their No. 3 quarterback and released Hartman. However, Hartman could still land on the team's practice squad.

Hartman, 25, signed with the Commanders as an undrafted free agent this spring after a productive college career at Wake Forest (2018-22) and Notre Dame (2023).

He threw for an ACC-high 38 touchdowns for Wake in 2022 before transferring to South Bend. In his lone season for the Fighting Irish, he completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 2,689 yards, 24 TDs and eight interceptions.

Richardson is nursing hip and oblique injuries and was limited in practice every day last week before being ruled out for the Colts' game at Jacksonville, a 37-34 loss. The quarterback was limited again Wednesday before fully participating Thursday.

At the start of the week, Colts coach Shane Steichen said the QB1 job is Richardson's as soon as the former fourth overall draft pick is healthy, despite stellar play from veteran backup Joe Flacco.

Richardson, 22, has been limited to eight NFL games (all starts) due to injuries, including a throwing shoulder injury last season that led him to undergo AC joint surgery in October. In four games this year, he has completed 50.6 percent of his passes for 654 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions, while adding 141 rushing yards with one score.

The Colts (2-3) play at the Tennessee Titans (1-3) on Sunday.

Pickens added Thursday he hasn't received a message or certified mail -- official word from the NFL of an incoming fine -- in response to his eye black reading "Open F--ing Always" in the Steelers' loss to the Cowboys.

"Never seen it before," Pickens said Thursday. "Have you seen it before?"

The Steelers have seen it before. Defensive end Cam Heyward was fined for writing a tribute to his father, the late Craig "Ironhead" Heyward," in his eye black in 2015.

Drafted in 2022, Pickens turned 23 in March and was in eighth grade in 2015.

Playing time was a topic Pickens said would need to be discussed with coaches. Specifically, he pointed to first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith as the person who could answer questions about using Pickens for a career-low 34 snaps against the Cowboys.

"It's not on me," he said. "It's all up to Art."

Pickens leads the Steelers with 23 receptions and 36 targets in five games this season. Smith said he understands the topic arose because of a loss, but stressed the strategy of trying to beat the Cowboys -- or any other team -- is never about one player. He had specific memories of limiting the role of other prominent players in previous coaching stints.

"You're going into any game plan, certain players and how we package things you're trying to maximize snaps," Smith said. "Different lifetime, but certainly done it with other premium players. Done it with Derrick Henry. He wanted to be out there to play, and he wasn't out there in all the third downs and he got plenty of touches. Did it with A.J. Brown, early, certain things and trying to mix and match and maximize things or set things up. (Pickens) is still, I believe, depending on what metric you're using, seventh in targets in passing downs or passing opportunities in the league."

The Packers (3-2) reportedly will add FitzPatrick to the active roster for Sunday's game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals (2-3) with tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) practicing on a limited basis so far this week.

FitzPatrick, 24, was drafted in the sixth round by Atlanta in 2022. He has just one catch for 12 yards in nine games (zero starts), with all of those games coming in 2023. He has played 18 snaps on offense and 83 on special teams, recording three tackles.

Musgrave, 24, did not play in last weekend's 24-19 road win against the Los Angeles Rams. He has five catches for 22 yards in four games (two starts) this season.

Mixon has been sidelined since injuring his ankle during the Texans' 19-13 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sept. 15.

Mixon, 28, has rushed for 184 yards and a touchdown in two games this season.

A Pro Bowl selection in 2021, Mixon has rushed for 6,596 yards and 50 touchdowns to go along with 289 receptions for 2,183 yards and 13 scores in 99 career games (90 starts) with the Cincinnati Bengals (2017-23) and the Texans. He was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma.

Starting tackles Laremy Tunsil (ankle) and Tytus Howard (hamstring) and starting left guard Kenyon Green (knee) also returned to practice on Thursday.

Brady left the Patriots to hit the open market for the first time and previously referenced multiple suitors without directly disclosing any teams that finished as runners up to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Now retired and working for FOX as a color analyst, Brady said during a live broadcast of the Buccaneers and Eagles in Week 4 that the Bears ran a "stealth recruitment" with Mitchell Trubisky under contract.

"That seems like ancient history at this point," McCaskey said Thursday as Chicago prepares to play the Jacksonville Jaguars in England.

"Anytime you're in a situation like that you're not putting all of your eggs in one basket. You're looking at alternatives. It's the same in free agency, it's the same in the draft. If the person you're targeting isn't available, you want to make sure that you've done your due diligence on all other options. So that was one option that we were looking at."

The Bears kept Trubisky, the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft, and made a trade with the Jaguars to add backup quarterback Nick Foles.

McCaskey said he didn't have direct involvement with Brady and didn't disclose any behind-the-scenes knowledge of what might have been classified as stealth recruitment.

"I do remember we were interested in pursuing him. It didn't work out for us. Worked out great for him in Tampa," McCaskey said.

Brady won his record seventh Super Bowl in his first season with the Buccaneers.

The Bears started over at quarterback in 2021, trading up to draft Ohio State's Justin Fields 11th overall. They're amid another reset, drafting Caleb Williams with the top pick in April and trading Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think it's gone very well," McCaskey said of Williams' first five NFL games, which produced a 3-2 record. "We wanted to have a structure in place for him to succeed, and a lot of that was protecting him from the inevitable distractions when you're the starting quarterback of the Chicago Bears."

The Bears are not known for a rich history at the position. In 2018, Trubisky was the first Bears quarterback to earn a Pro Bowl selection since their last Super Bowl-winning QB -- Jim McMahon in 1985. The franchise hasn't had a first-team All-Pro quarterback since the AFL-NFL merger. The last Bears' quarterback named All-Pro was Johnny Lujack in 1950. He went 9-3 that season with four touchdown passes and 21 interceptions, dabbling in kicking and recording one interception while playing some defensive back.

Chicago's single-season passing records belong to Erik Kramer, who set the franchise marks with 3,838 yards and 29 touchdowns in 1995.

Jenkins was downgraded after being listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday because of an ankle injury. He has started all five games this season and recovered a fumble for the Bears (3-2).

Jenkins was not alone as defensive lineman Zacch Pickens (groin) and defensive backs Jaquan Brisker (concussion) and Terell Smith (hip) each sat out their second consecutive practice session. Veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis also sat out on Thursday, one day after he missed that session due to rest.

Cornerback Kyler Gordon was upgraded from limited to a full participant in practice as he deals with a heel injury. Defensive back Tyrique Stevenson was added as a limited participant with a calf injury.

With a win, the 49ers (2-3) would pull even with the Seahawks (3-2), who have dropped consecutive games following a 3-0 start.

ODDS & TRENDS

The 49ers are a 3.5-point favorite at BetRivers, where they have been backed by 77 percent of the money wagered on the spread line. Their -190 moneyline to win the game outright has been even more popular, drawing 76 percent of the total bets to go with 85 percent of the money.

The 49.5-point Over/Under has seen heavy action on the Over with 76 percent of the money. Six of Seattle's past eight home games have gone over the total points line, while the Seahawks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their past eight games.

PROP PICK

Jordan Mason Anytime TD (-220 at BetRivers): This has been the most popular player prop in terms of total bets at 2.8 percent, and is second with 1.5 percent of all player prop money wagered on the game. Mason has three rushing touchdowns but more importantly, the Seahawks' run defense has been carved up in consecutive losses to the Lions and Giants. Seattle is now allowing an average of 128 rushing yards per game.

KEY STAT

San Francisco has won each of the past five meetings, including one in the playoffs. The 49ers have also won the first half in seven consecutive games against NFC West rivals.

THE NEWS

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith leads the NFL in completions (143), pass attempts (199) and passing yards (1,466). He has also thrown for at least 284 yards in four consecutive games.

Seattle nearly rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final 2:09 against the Giants, but Jason Myers' potential tying 47-yard field-goal attempt with about one minute left was blocked and returned for a touchdown.

"Seems like when the game's on the line, we find ways to get things done," Smith said. "But that's got to be our mentality throughout the entire game. We can't wait until the end of the game to try and save it."

The Seahawks will look to establish the running game after Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet combined for just seven carries against the Giants. Seattle has thrown on a league-high 67.4 percent of its plays.

"We all know we need to run the ball more," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "Everybody knows that, our opponents know that. Our players in our locker room know that, (offensive coordinator Ryan) Grubb knows that, our coaches do, I do. We have to create more situations where we can run it as well."

The 49ers, who won 11 of 12 games the past two seasons against NFC West foes while capturing back-to-back division titles, have blown 10-point, fourth-quarter leads against both the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals this year.

The latter came at home Sunday, as the Cardinals rallied for a 24-23 victory.

"We don't have time to sit here and have a pity party," All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams said. "We've got another really good football team, another division opponent. Short week, so got to go."

Without running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles tendinitis), the 49ers have struggled offensively, especially when approaching the opponents' goal line. They rank 29th in the NFL with touchdowns on 40.9 percent of red-zone drives, after leading the league last season at about 68 percent. McCaffrey, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, had 18 red-zone TDs last season.

"It's early in the season and we're still trying to find our true identity as a team and we're getting there," 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy said. "It's a couple plays away and a couple drives away from gelling and gluing together. But I'm confident that we'll find it. We've just got to get into a rhythm and play complementary team football."

INJURY REPORT

The 49ers had several kickers in for tryouts this week after Jake Moody sustained a high right ankle sprain on Sunday, and they signed Matthew Wright before ruling out Moody for the Thursday game. Safety Talanoa Hufanga, who has torn wrist ligaments, was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday. Also ruled out were defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee) and linebacker Demtrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf).

San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward (knee) and wide receiver Chris Conley (oblique) were listed as questionable.

The Seahawks on Wednesday ruled out defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (hamstring) and cornerback Tariq Woolen (ankle), as well as linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (thigh), who eventually will be placed on injured reserve, according to Macdonald. Linebackers Boye Mafa (knee) and Derick Hall (foot) and safety Julian Love (hamstring) are questionable.

THEY SAID IT

"We've got a quick turnaround. Tough opponent Thursday night. Divisional opponent. It means everything to us. This is a big game. It's about as big of a game we've had this season. We better be ready." --Smith

PREDICTION

The Seahawks built their 3-0 start by beating a rookie quarterback (Bo Nix), a since-benched journeyman (Jacoby Brissett) and an injury replacement (Skylar Thompson). In consecutive losses since, the inability to run the ball consistently on offense or stop the run on defense have stood out. Seattle is also banged up across its defensive front, giving the 49ers the ability to control the line of scrimmage, field position and time of possession. --49ers 27, Seahawks 20

Downing replaces offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in the play-calling role.

Ulbrich, in turn, announced that he will remain the team's defensive coordinator and continue to call plays on defense.

Despite having four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the Jets rank 27th in total offense (286.6 yards per game) and 25th in scoring (18.6).

"This is more a byproduct of a different take on things," Ulbrich said. "I'm not saying it's a better or worse take on things by any means -- just a different take on things, a fresh approach. Ultimately Todd will have the full say on the gameplan and ultimately the plays that are called within the game."

Ulbrich said Thursday that Rodgers understood his decision. Rodgers and Hackett worked together with the Green Bay Packers from 2019-21 when the latter was the team's offensive coordinator.

"It was obviously -- not necessarily shocked, but we all are familiar with the relationship (Rodgers) has with Nathaniel. And they're very, very good friends that go back a long way," Ulbrich said. "He understood the decision and he was supportive of the decision. And I'm fortunate for that. So, I talked to him, I talked to a lot of offensive players -- and defensive players for that matter -- before making this decision."

Ulbrich was named the interim coach on Tuesday, the same day the Jets fired Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start.

Ulbrich, 47, was hired by Saleh as the Jets' defensive coordinator in January 2021. He was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 after coaching their linebackers from 2015-19. He played linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers from 2000-09.

Under Ulbrich this season, the Jets rank second in total defense (255.8 yards per game allowed), fourth in sacks (18) and tied for fifth in scoring defense (17.0 ppg).

The Jaguars called off an arrival press conference near the team hotel scheduled for Friday. The team is expected to land in England by Friday and play their NFL-high 12th regular-season game in London on Sunday. They'll play the Chicago Bears (3-2) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Jaguars are spending all of next week in the city with back-to-back games in London for the second consecutive season. Next week, the Jaguars play a "home" game against the New England Patriots (1-4) at Wembley Stadium the following Sunday.

London is comfortable territory for the Jaguars, who've played at least one game in the International Series since 2013 with the exception of the isolated 2020 season due to COVID-19. Jacksonville is 6-5 in London games.

"We still have to get over there and get acclimated quickly. The travel, all of that, is familiar to us," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said. "That does give you a peace of mind traveling over there. The bottom line is when you get there, you still have to get acclimated, keep the guys rolling Friday and Saturday, and get ready for the game on Sunday."

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said he shared with new teammates yet to make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean that the key is getting your body "on track" as soon as possible.

"That time change can get you if you're not careful," he said.

Considered the home team this week, Bears officials opted for an earlier departure and have been in London since Tuesday, affording players more time to rest and adjust to a six-hour time difference from Chicago. They held their first full-speed practice on Thursday after walk-through workouts on Wednesday.

"It doesn't seem like there's any numbers that tell you that one way or another," Bears coach Matt Eberflus said of the team heading to London days before the Jaguars. "But to me, it's about focusing on us. That's really all we can do."

Jacksonville (1-4) won for the first time this season last week.

The Bears previously have played twice in London, facing the Buccaneers in 2011 and Raiders in 2019.

The Giants (2-3) not only have the advantage of playing in their home stadium, but they are also coming off a 29-20 road win over the Seattle Seahawks and now return with a chance to get to .500 on the season.

The Bengals (1-4) hope to get past their most recent disappointment in a season full of them, as they lost 41-38 in overtime to the visiting Baltimore Ravens last week.

The Giants are dealing with injuries to key performers on both sides of the ball.

Coach Brian Daboll said outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux is week-to-week after undergoing surgery to address a wrist injury, while rookie star wide receiver Malik Nabers was improving midweek but still remained in the concussion protocol and was day-to-day.

New York running back Devin Singletary was a limited practice participant on Wednesday after sitting out last week with a groin injury. He is "trending in the right direction" toward a return Sunday night, according to Daboll.

In their win at Seattle, the Giants recorded a season-best 420 total yards. They held the Seahawks to their lowest point total of the season, and New York is allowing just 20.8 points per game.

Dexter Lawrence has fought through double and triple teams to record six sacks, the highest total by a New York player through five games since 2011, when Jason Pierre-Paul had 6.5.

"It's not an easy thing," Daboll said. "There were times last week where there were three guys on him. So, again, he understands that. When he gets his opportunities, he's got to make them go. Very thankful that he's on our football team."

The Bengals have little to be thankful for lately.

Against the Ravens, they built three different 10-point leads in the second half thanks to an impressive performance from quarterback Joe Burrow. However, the defense failed to protect the advantages, Burrow threw a late interception in regulation and the special teams failed in overtime when holder Ryan Rehkow bobbled the snap on a potential 53-yard game-winning field goal.

Burrow, who threw a career-high five touchdown passes, completed 30 of 39 attempts for 392 yards and a 137.0 passer rating. Burrow's top receivers -- Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins -- each had a pair of touchdown grabs.

Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor preached the importance of not looking beyond this week's matchup against the Giants.

"We're five games into the season," Taylor said. "I know what the noise is. We're 1-4, and so we're accountable for all of that. It's not good enough. We have too much talent on this team to be in the position we've found ourselves in right now.

"But all we can do focusing forward is (to ask ourselves), how do we beat the New York Giants? How do we have a great week, how do we get back on the winning track? You look around the AFC and there's plenty of opportunity there moving forward, and we just need to take advantage of it."

The Bengals have scored 30-plus points in each of their past three games. They enter Week 6 tied for fourth in the NFL in scoring (28 points per game), ninth in total offense (359 yards per game) and fifth in passing offense (263 yards per game).

The two teams are meeting for just the 12th time, with the Bengals leading the series 6-5. The Giants won the most recent meeting 19-17 in 2020 at Cincinnati, the only time the visiting team has prevailed in the past 11 encounters.

The Carolina Panthers are still trying to sort things out ahead of the Falcons' visit to Charlotte on Sunday.

The Falcons (3-2) own a one-point victory, a two-point triumph and an overtime win after trailing in the last minute of each of those games.

"The guys just don't blink," first-year coach Raheem Morris said. "All of our games have been locked and loaded as far as a (tight margin)."

Atlanta hasn't played since winning 36-30 in overtime against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 3. The quest to show gains continues because the margins have been so tight.

"It's a constant improvement all around," Morris said. "Every week will be something different."

The Panthers (1-4) have lost two games in a row, falling to 1-2 since Andy Dalton became the starting quarterback. Most recently, Carolina fell 36-10 to the Chicago Bears and rookie QB Caleb Williams.

"The players are ones who have to step up," Dalton said. "Regardless of what the record is and how things have gone, there are a lot of positive things with this team."

Other than winning on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 22 and producing some good stretches against the Cincinnati Bengals the next week, the Panthers haven't held up well.

"We have to keep trying to take those steps," first-year Carolina coach Dave Canales said. "We go into every game hopeful that this is the week. We've had some flashes the past couple of weeks, but can we be consistent and can we consistently execute our schemes."

The Panthers will try to slow quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has given the Falcons stability at quarterback. Cousins threw for a franchise-record 509 yards in the win over the Buccaneers. Drake London has caught 32 passes from Cousins, with three going for touchdowns.

The Falcons have lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers by eight points and to the Kansas City Chiefs by five points. They won their only road outing, against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 16.

"If you're a good football team, you put healthy pressure on everybody to perform," Morris said. "I think that's what we've got going on now, which is a lot of fun."

Dalton's veteran presence means the Falcons have to be prepared to adjust on defense.

"He has won a lot of games in this league," Morris said. "Nothing you give him is going to shock him."

Atlanta has been stingy on defense, and the Panthers have to be ready to deal with that. Dalton is familiar with the personnel on the other side.

"I was around (Falcons safety) Jessie Bates for a couple of years at Cincy, so I know what kind of player he is," Dalton said.

Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo is 5-for-6 on field-goal attempts of 50 or more yards.

Carolina lost center Austin Corbett for the season because of a biceps tear last week, and there are concerns about the availability of right tackle Taylor Moton, who didn't finish the Chicago game because of an elbow injury and missed practice time this week. Tight end Tommy Tremble has remained in concussion protocol.

The Panthers have been busy making moves. Among the roster shifts was promoting defensive end DeShawn Williams from the practice squad while signing offensive lineman Cade Mays, who previously played for Carolina, off the New York Giants' practice squad. Mays started seven games for the Panthers across the past two seasons.

Only one Atlanta player sat out practice on Wednesday, linebacker Troy Anderson (knee).

The Falcons lead the series with Carolina by 36-22, including 15-14 on the road. The teams split last year, with Atlanta taking the season opener at home 24-10 before the Panthers responded with a 9-7 home victory in December.

Fourth-year coach Nick Sirianni looks to improve to 4-0 after a bye week with the Eagles (2-2), who alternated wins and losses in September. Since losing six of their last seven games in last season's collapse, Philadelphia has yet to get back on track.

The Eagles are just 13-10 (including the postseason) since Sirianni and Jalen Hurts won the NFC Championship Game in their second season together in 2022. Hurts turned the ball over 28 times in those 23 games, including seven times (four interceptions, three fumbles) already this season.

Asked about the New York Jets' firing this week of head coach Robert Saleh, Sirianni said he isn't listening to the outside noise about his own job security.

"Anything out of your control or anything that consumes your mind that's not focused on not getting better is a waste of time," Sirianni said Wednesday. "It only clouds the process. ... If you're focused on things that you can't control, that's gonna cloud that hunger and drive to get better."

Philadelphia has been idle since a 33-16 defeat at Tampa Bay on Sept. 29. Playing without leading receivers A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) and All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson (concussion), the Eagles quickly fell behind 24-0 and were outgained 445-227 by the Buccaneers.

Brown, Smith and Johnson were full participants in Wednesday's practice session and are on track to return against the Browns (1-4), who are riding a three-game losing streak and playing their third consecutive road game.

The teams are meeting for the first time since 2020, a 22-17 home win by the Browns in head coach Kevin Stefanski's first season in Cleveland.

Stefanski is sticking with struggling signal-caller Deshaun Watson, who has more interceptions (12) than wins (nine) since the Browns gambled $230 million on a player who made three straight Pro Bowls with the Houston Texans from 2018-20.

"This is not a one-person type of deal," Stefanski said Monday. "When we're playing how we're playing on offense, we need everybody to do their job and do their job better. And I look at myself and how I can do that. But I believe in Deshaun, I believe in what he brings to this offense, and I believe he will play better."

In Watson's defense, he has been under constant pressure and sacked more times (26) than any other quarterback in the NFL this season. The Washington Commanders sacked him seven times in last weekend's 34-13 romp.

Stefanski bought more time in Cleveland with last season's late playoff push, engineered by 38-year-old backup Joe Flacco, but his overall record with the Browns is a middling 39-36 (including the postseason).

On Sunday, Watson takes aim at an Eagles defense that ranks 24th against the pass (237.0 yards per game) and has intercepted only one pass in its last 13 quarters.

Hurts and Saquon Barkley could find room to roam against a Browns defense that ranks 25th against the run (141.6 ypg) and has allowed eight rushing TDs.

The only limited participant on Wednesday's practice report for Philadelphia was linebacker Nakobe Dean (ankle).

Cleveland practiced Wednesday without running back D'Onta Foreman (ankle), defensive end Myles Garrett (Achilles), safeties Grant Delpit (concussion) and Ronnie Hickman Jr. (ankle), cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring), tight end David Njoku (knee, ankle), center Ethan Pocic (knee) and offensive tackle James Hudson (shoulder). Nine others were limited.

According to reports from Sports Business Journal and The Athletic on Wednesday, the NFL's financial committee will discuss Brady's bid to purchase a part of the Raiders on Tuesday at the NFL Fall League Meeting in Atlanta. A vote on whether to approve the bid reportedly could soon follow.

He would need at least 24 of the league's 32 owners to vote in favor of his bid in order to gain approval.

Brady and Knighthead Capital Management co-founder Tom Wagner in May 2023 agreed to purchase 10 percent of the Raiders from majority owner Mark Davis. Two main issues reportedly have held up the approval:

--Owners feared Davis had given too big a discount to Brady and Wagner. The Washington Post on Saturday reported that the pair had since altered their offer to make it more the owners' liking.

--With Brady in his first year of a 10-year, $375 million contract to be an analyst on Fox's No. 1 broadcast team, owners worried about a part-owner of one franchise getting access and insight to the coaches, players and game plans of other teams. The league has limited Brady's access relative to that afforded to other analysts, restricting him from accessing team's facilities and practices as well as broadcast production meetings, which usually include meetings with coaches and players ahead of games.

Brady's job as a broadcaster could also be impacted on-air should he be approved. According to ESPN in August, as an owner, Brady could not publicly criticize game officials and other clubs. Doing so at a level deemed excessive could result in a fine or suspension. He would also be subjected to anti-tampering policies, according to the report.

Should the bid not be voted upon next week, the next time a vote could take place would be at the NFL Special League Meeting from Dec. 10-11 in Irving, Texas.

Goff had extra time to reflect on his performance as Detroit's bye week came up early on its schedule. The Lions (3-1) next travel to Arlington, Texas, to face Dallas on Sunday.

For Goff, his NFL record-breaking performance in the 42-29 home victory over the Seahawks on Sept. 30 wasn't an all-time best.

"There are other games that I felt like I've played even better," he said. "We just had no incompletions, which is rare. I felt good, but I've had games where I feel even better, and things are clicking even more. I think we can get there. We can do even better and continue to improve."

The Lions' last trip to the Cowboys' home stadium, on Dec. 30, 2023, was memorable in a different way. Goff completed an apparent, go-ahead two-point conversion pass to lineman Taylor Decker in the closing seconds. However, Decker was deemed to be an ineligible receiver and Detroit lost 20-19. It was a controversial ruling that left the Lions fuming at the time.

Goff said there is a revenge factor but not because of the officials' call.

"I don't want to dwell on something that was eight months ago or whatever. I don't think we got screwed intentionally," he said. "I think it was just a mistake that the officials made, and it happens. That type of stuff happens, and you move on, but no, I don't think we take it personally. Yeah, of course I think it's more on the lines ... we haven't beaten these guys two years in a row and that's more in our heads of like, ‘All right, it's time to try and stop that.'"

The Cowboys (3-2) are still looking for their first home win. They bounced back from two consecutive home defeats with tight victories over the New York Giants (20-15) and Pittsburgh Steelers (20-17)

Slowing down Goff and the versatile Detroit offense will be the key to getting that elusive home win.

"As an offense, they're really in sync," Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. "Those guys have been together a couple of years now and they're playing with a lot of confidence."

Goff's counterpart, Dak Prescott, threw for 352 yards against the Steelers but he didn't rely on his top receiver, All-Pro CeeDee Lamb. Jalen Tolbert led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 87 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 20 seconds left in regulation.

Rico Dowdle sparked the running game with 87 yards on 20 carries.

"We've played five games and in two of them we've been out of balance," McCarthy said. "We want to play with balance. The run efficiency for the last two weeks has been 55 percent, which is where you want to live. We definitely want to build off of that."

Lamb has only two touchdown catches while averaging five receptions per game. Lions coach Dan Campbell doesn't expect that to last.

"He's a point of emphasis. Everything starts with this quarterback and with him," Campbell said. "That's what it starts with their offense, that's what it starts with their team. And so yeah, we have got to keep him in check."

The Lions came back from the bye week healthy. Center Frank Ragnow (pectoral), who missed the Seattle game, practiced in full on Wednesday. Defensive end Micah Parsons (ankle) and linebacker Eric Kendricks (calf, shoulder) were among the Cowboys players who didn't practice.

Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot), a first-team All-Pro in 2023 who has not played this season, was designated to return to practice and was a full participant, as was cornerback Trevon Diggs (ankle). Rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least four games.

As for their disgruntled star wideout? Same old, same old.

Davante Adams is likely to remain out and second-year signal-caller Aidan O'Connell will step in for veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew II when the Raiders (2-3) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.

This will be the third game in a row that Adams is expected to miss because of a hamstring injury. While he has been sidelined, trade rumors have swirled around the 11th-year veteran who has five 1,000-yard campaigns in his previous six seasons.

"We talked so everything's good," Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce said. "He is still a Raider. He has never not been a Raider. When he's healthy and can play, we'll play him."

Meanwhile, the Steelers are playing a similar game of wait-and-see when it comes to injury recovery with their own high-profile veteran.

Quarterback Russell Wilson, who has not played this season because of a calf injury, returned to practice this week. He took repetitions with the second team in practice and is expected to serve as a backup to Justin Fields this week against Las Vegas.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin sidestepped a specific answer when asked about Wilson's status for this weekend and the weeks ahead.

"Until [Wilson] gets to a point where we're comfortable with what we're looking at, we're going to continue to push forward with Justin until those things are legitimate, and then we'll make those decisions," Tomlin said.

Fields has posted a career-best 97.1 passer rating in his first season in Pittsburgh. He has passed for 961 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, and he has rushed for 172 yards and three scores.

Najee Harris is the Steelers' top running back with 270 yards but only 3.3 yards per carry. George Pickens leads the team's receivers with 23 catches for 310 yards.

As for the Raiders, O'Connell is set to make his first start of 2024 after starting 10 games as a rookie in 2023. The Purdue product has played in two games in backup duty this season, completing 19 of 32 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Pierce pulled Minshew after he threw two costly interceptions in last week's 34-18 loss against the Denver Broncos. He said O'Connell earned an opportunity to start but he left open the possibility that he could turn back to Minshew later in the season.

"I don't plan on making switches at any (specific) time," Pierce said. "When it's time to make a switch, we'll make a switch."

Pierce said he was impressed by O'Connell's maturity as a second-year player.

"(He's) out of that shell, not looking like a rookie no more," Pierce said. "Not acting like a rookie no more. He has a certain presence about himself. I love how he walks around the building.

"Really, what I respect the most, is when we named Gardner the starter, he said, 'All right, I'm going to be the best scout team quarterback possible.' And he was lighting our (defense) up. And every day he gives us the best look and he walks around with a smile on his face."

Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers will look to stay hot after scoring his first career touchdown last week against Denver. Bowers leads the team with 313 receiving yards.

Las Vegas also hopes to ignite its running game, which has sputtered this season. Zamir White leads the team with 152 rushing yards and Alexander Mattison is next with 125.

Both teams feature elite pass rushers.

The Steelers' T.J. Watt has 4.5 sacks in five games this season after tallying 19 sacks in 17 games last year. Watt surpassed 100 career sacks last week against the Cowboys.

Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby can also change the game on defense. Crosby has five sacks in four games after notching 14.5 in 2023.

Lamar Jackson, the NFL's reigning and a two-time MVP, has led the Ravens to three straight victories into first place in the AFC North with highlight-reel passes and runs after starting the season with two losses.

The Commanders are 4-1 for the first time since 2008 behind rookie Jayden Daniels, who is the first player in NFL history with more than 1,000 yards passing and 250 yards rushing in his first five career games.

There are obvious comparisons between Daniels and Jackson, who are both Heisman Trophy winners. Commanders coach Dan Quinn, however, said each player has his individual style.

"I think everybody knows how exceptional and remarkable Lamar is, and so I get why people would say that here's somebody who's got the athletic ability and can absolutely rip it as well," Quinn said at his weekly news conference this week. "But I've always wanted Jayden to be the best version of him and absolutely go for it in that way. They'll feature different ways in the offense than we do.

"But as far as a comparison, I didn't allow myself to kind of go down all that road. I just really wanted to kind of stay in all the things that he could do and how we would feature him in our offense with our guys."

Jackson, in his seventh NFL season, has thrown for 1,206 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception for a 107.3 passer rating. Jackson has also run for 363 yards with two scores.

In last week's 41-38 overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Jackson had one of the most iconic plays of his career. After a botched snap, Jackson picked up the ball from the turf, stiff-armed Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard deep in the backfield, and then threw a touchdown pass as he was getting pushed out of bounds to tight end Isaiah Likely.

Jackson was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for that overall performance.

"I knew what was going on," Jackson said on Sunday. "We just had to put points on the board. That's what was going through my mind, but without (making) a costly turnover. We were driving the ball down the field, trying to make something happen, because those guys, I think, (had) one play that went 80 yards, so it's like we have to respond back fast because time is running out, and time was on our side today because we were able to make something happen."

The Ravens have the NFL's No. 1 rushing offense, averaging 211.2 yards per game. Establishing the run could be the focal point for offensive coordinator Todd Monken because Washington is ranked 22nd against the run (130 ypg) and 13th against the pass (198 ypg).

Daniels has thrown for 1,135 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also run for 300 yards with four scores.

The Ravens' secondary has struggled this season and has allowed 280.2 yards passing per game -- ranked 31st in the league, ahead of only the Jacksonville Jaguars (287.8). As a result, Daniels could have opportunities to make plays downfield against Baltimore's cornerback and safeties.

The Commanders also have the NFL's top-scoring offense with 31 points per game under new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

"Jayden is playing at a high, high level," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. "Kliff has done a great job in terms of building the offense around Jayden. They have skill players, they have a really great running back, a veteran offensive line -- think they are doing a great job. You see it on tape. They have a lot of plays where there is all kinds of space out there that they've created. We have our hands full."

The Ravens lead the all-time regular-season series against the Washington franchise 4-3.