Top NFL and College Football Highlights: Moody's Winning Kick and More

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It’s been a dramatic week across the gridiron. From last-second kicks to coaching firings, from rushing records to coaching vacancies — here are five must-know storylines lighting up the sports world.

1. Jake Moody’s 38-Yard Walk-Off: Bears Steal It in Final Seconds

In one of the most thrilling finishes of Week 6, Jake Moody, a kicker elevated from the practice squad just hours earlier, drilled a 38-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Chicago Bears over the Washington Commanders, 25–24. ESPN.com+3Reuters+3ESPN.com+3

Here’s what made it special:

  • Against all odds: Moody had been signed to the Bears’ practice squad earlier in the week, filling in for injured Cairo Santos. ESPN.com+1

  • Clutch composure: Under pressure and in poor weather, he nailed 4-of-5 attempts, including the game-winner. ESPN.com+2chicagobears.com+2

  • Turnover seal: The Commanders’ Jayden Daniels fumbled late, and the Bears pounced — converting that into the final drive. The Washington Post+2NFL.com+2

  • Redemption arc: Just last year, the Bears lost a similar game in dramatic fashion on a Hail Mary to the Commanders (nicknamed “Hail Maryland”) — this felt like payback. Wikipedia+2NFL.com+2

From a storytelling and momentum perspective, Moody’s kick is already being talked about as one of the NFL’s great “first-day hero” moments.

What It Means for Chicago & Washington

  • Chicago gains confidence: winning in dramatic fashion can be a catalytic moment for a rebuilding team. NFL.com+2Windy City Gridiron+2

  • Washington’s mistakes loom larger: a tight game slipped away through turnovers and missed execution. The Washington Post+1

  • For Moody, the moment is career-defining — and a statement to coaches, teammates, and fans that when his number is called, he can deliver.

2. Bills Fall to Falcons: The Bijan Robinson Effect & Buffalo's Woes

In Week 6, the Atlanta Falcons handed the Buffalo Bills a rough 24–14 defeat, and Bijan Robinson was the star. Reuters+2Buffalo Rumblings+2

Bijan’s Big Night

  • 170 rushing yards, including an 81-yard touchdown — the season’s longest run so far. Reuters+2The Times of India+2

  • He wasn’t alone: Drake London piled up big yardage too, giving the Falcons a balanced threat. Reuters+1

  • The Robinson-London combo gave Buffalo’s defense fits all night. ESPN.com+1

What’s wrong for Buffalo?

  • Two straight losses now following a strong start (4–0). Buffalo Rumblings+2Reuters+2

  • Offensive inconsistency: Josh Allen’s performance was solid (2 TD, 2 INT), but turnovers and pressure killed drives. Reuters+1

  • Defensive breakdowns: wide-open plays gave up chunk yardage, especially the long Robinson run. Buffalo Rumblings+1

  • Coaching pressure: Analysts are flagging the lack of adjustment and scheme vulnerabilities. (Buffalo observers have said the team needs to “start over” post-loss) Buffalo Rumblings

Bottom line: Robinson’s breakout helps cement his place among rushing elites, while Buffalo’s flaws are more exposed than ever.

3. College Coaching Carousel Bursts Open — Penn State Tops the List

If you thought midseason firings happened only in the NFL, think again. Penn State’s firing of James Franklin has sent shockwaves through college football, making PSU a marquee head coach opening this year. SI+3SB Nation+3ESPN.com+3

The Penn State Fallout

Broader Coaching Moves

  • PSU is just one of eight Power 4 openings already in 2025. 247Sports+1

  • Other notable firings include Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Sam Pittman (Arkansas), Brent Pry (Virginia Tech), DeShaun Foster (UCLA), and Trent Bray (Oregon State). SB Nation+1

  • The turnover underscores how volatile the coaching market is now — even for programs long thought stable or immune to midseason shakeups.

Why PSU’s job matters: It’s a blue-chip program with resources, recruiting reach, and expectations. Whoever lands it will arrive with both pressure and opportunity.

4. Bijan Robinson’s Record Run: A Season to Watch

Beyond just one game, Bijan Robinson is pacing himself for a breakout campaign — and potentially setting records in yards from scrimmage this season. Reuters+1

Why the buzz?

  • Without question, he’s showing elite explosiveness (that 81-yard run is a statement). The Times of India+1

  • He’s the centerpiece of a Falcons offense scaled around him, meaning the team will feed him and build drives with his presence. Reuters+1

  • If he stays healthy and the Falcons protect the ball, he has a path to challenge seasonal records for combined yards (rushing + receiving) — an enticing narrative for fans and fantasy watchers alike.

While it's early days, if Robinson keeps this up his ascent into elite running back discussion is inevitable.

5. Brian Callahan’s Firing: First NFL Coaching Casualty of 2025

In a sobering reminder that NFL success is relentless, Brian Callahan of the Tennessee Titans has become the first head coach fired in the 2025 season. AP News+3AP News+3Houston Chronicle+3

What led to the firing

  • The Titans began 1–5, following a dismal 4–19 overall mark in Callahan’s tenure. AP News+1

  • Offensive stagnation: the team averaged only ~3.94 yards per play and amassed just 83 points in six games. AP News

  • His handling of rookie quarterback Cam Ward came under fire — including public criticism and questions about development. New York Post+1

Interim head coach Mike McCoy takes over, likely inheriting a rebuild in progress. New York Post+1

Implications & Broader Trends

  • The threshold for patience is low: no coach is safe under 2025’s expectations. Houston Chronicle+1

  • Other coaches already under pressure might start feeling the ripple effects. (See ESPN’s “hot seat” list.) ESPN.com

  • For the Titans, it reflects a pivot — possibly toward younger voices or a fresh offensive identity.

🏈 Final Thoughts & Predictions

This week’s headlines remind us: in modern football, moments matter — and careers can hinge on a kick, a run, or a streak of losses. Here are a few predictions and talking points to watch in the coming days:

  1. Jake Moody’s legacy — Will Chicago keep him on as their primary kicker after this heroics?

  2. Robinson’s trajectory — Can he maintain this level across the entire season and break records?

  3. Buffalo’s response — Will they reset or spiral further with injuries and coaching doubts?

  4. PSU’s coaching search — Where will this hire land, and how quickly can the program recalibrate?

  5. NFL coaching dominoes — With Callahan gone, which teams will be the next to make a midseason change?

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