SUNDAY:
BRONCOS 27, CHARGERS 20
Peyton Manning replaced Brock Osweiler in the third quarter Sunday and led the Broncos a 27-20 win over the San Diego Chargers that clinched the top seed in the AFC playoffs for Denver.
Combined with New England's loss at Miami, the Broncos (12-4) secured the No. 1 seed even as they head into the playoffs with a quarterback quandary on their hands.
The Chargers (4-12) wrapped up what might have been their final season representing San Diego as ownership tries to move the team to L.A.
The Broncos were facing the possibility of tumbling into the wild-card round because of Kansas City's 10th consecutive win, 23-17 over Oakland, when Manning came to the rescue.
BILLS 22, JETS 17
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Ryan Fitzpatrick threw interceptions on each of New York's final three drives and the Jets' playoff hopes were dashed.
The Jets (10-6) would have made the postseason for the first time since 2010 with a win, but the defeat combined with Pittsburgh's win at Cleveland ended those hopes. New York had a five-game winning streak stopped, and the loss came against former Jets coach Rex Ryan — fired by New York and hired by the Bills (8-8) last January.
Fitzpatrick, who had thrown just one interception in the Jets' winning streak, was picked off by Leodis McKelvin in the end zone early in the fourth quarter with New York driving.
The game was decided when Fitzpatrick's side-arm pass over the middle was intercepted by A.J. Tarpley with 11 seconds remaining.
STEELERS 28, BROWNS 12
CLEVELAND (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdown passes, Pittsburgh's defense dominated and the Steelers slipped into the AFC playoffs with the win over Cleveland, which fired coach Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer after the game.
The Steelers (10-6) had to win and needed Buffalo to knock off the New York Jets to make the postseason. Pittsburgh did its part, then earned a wild-card berth when the Bills beat the 22-17. Pittsburgh will play at Cincinnati next weekend.
Roethlisberger threw for 349 yards, 187 to Antonio Brown, who had 13 catches and a TD.
The Browns finished 3-13.
DOLPHINS 20, PATRIOTS 10
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady was sacked twice and knocked down at least half a dozen times, and New England missed a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
Brady watched New England's final offensive series from the sideline. With the Patriots eager to protect his health, he threw a season-low 21 passes, but even so was lucky to make it through the game in one piece.
New England (12-4) ends up as a No. 2 seed after Denver defeated San Diego to earn the top seed.
The Dolphins (6-10) wrapped up a disappointing season and are expected to embark on a search for their ninth coach since 2004.
TEXANS 30, JAGUARS 6
HOUSTON (AP) — J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus led the defense and Jonathan Grimes scored twice to help the Texans clinch the AFC South.
Houston will host Kansas City next weekend in the a wild-card game.
Grimes had a 12-yard touchdown reception and added a 3-yard rushing score in the second quarter to help Houston take a 20-3 lead by halftime. Kareem Jackson added a score on an interception return in the fourth quarter to pad the lead.
Watt, playing without a cast for the first time since breaking his left hand Dec. 9, had had three sacks, forced a fumble and recovered another one to help the Texans (9-7) to their first division title and playoff berth since 2012.
Blake Bortles threw for 239 yards with two interceptions for the Jaguars (5-11)
BENGALS 24, RAVENS 16
CINCINNATI (AP) — AJ McCarron overcame a rough start and threw a pair of touchdown passes.
The Bengals (12-4) matched the best record in franchise history — they also won 12 games during the 1981 and 1988 seasons when they reached the Super Bowl.
Cincinnati will host Pittsburgh next weekend in a wild-card game.
The AFC North champions wasted a chance to clinch the No. 2 seed when they lost in Denver 20-17 on Monday night.
The Ravens finished 5-11.
PANTHERS 38, BUCCANEERS 10
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more, and Carolina captured the NFC's No. 1 seed for the first time.
Newton tied Steve Young's NFL record for most career TDs rushing by a quarterback with 43. Young took 15 seasons to reach that plateau; Newton did it in five.
Newton completed 21 of 26 passes for 293 yards as Carolina (15-1) overcame a slow start to build a 31-3 lead in the third quarter.
Rookie Devin Funchess had seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown and Cameron Artis-Payne ran for 44 yards and a score as Carolina won its 11th straight home game.
Jameis Winston was intercepted twice, and the Bucs (6-10) finished last in the NFC South for the fourth time in five years.
CHIEFS 23, RAIDERS 17
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes, Kansas City sacked Derek Carr six times, and the Chiefs collected a franchise-best 10th straight win.
The Chiefs are headed to Houston for a wild-card game next weekend after Denver won the AFC West with its win over San Diego.
Regardless, the Chiefs (11-5) are somehow in the dance after a 1-5 start.
The Raiders (7-9), who accounted for two of those victories, had the ball with 1:34 left. But Carr was sacked one last time, and the clock expired before they came close to a go-ahead touchdown.
SEAHAWKS 36, CARDINALS 6
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes in a second-quarter outburst and Seattle snapped Arizona's nine-game winning streak.
Seattle will play at either Washington or Minnesota in the wild card round next weekend, depending on the outcome of Sunday night's game between the Vikings and Green Bay.
The Seahawks (10-6) dominated from their opening possession and led 30-6 at the half.
It was a sour end to the regular season for the NFC West champion Cardinals (13-3), who already had clinched the NFC's No. 2 seed and a first-round playoff bye.
Tyler Lockett set up three of Seattle's four first-half touchdowns — with punt returns of 66 and 42 yards and a 36-yard reception.
EAGLES 35, GIANTS 30
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants suffered another tough loss in what may have been Tom Coughlin's final game.
Former Giant Walter Thurmond scored on an 83-yard fumble return in the third quarter and Philadelphia added to Coughlin's season-long frustrations.
It was the third straight loss for the Giants (6-10) and finished a third straight losing season and a fourth straight year out of the playoffs.
After meeting with Eagles interim coach Pat Shurmur at midfield, Coughlin walked off the field, waving to the crowd just before walking into the tunnel.
Coughlin, who led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles in his 12 seasons, has a year left on his contract. His future is expected to be decided soon by co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch.
The 69-year-old might retire and end his 20-year NFL head coaching career.
REDSKINS 34, COWBOYS 23
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw for three touchdowns before leaving late in the first half of a playoff tuneup.
Cousins broke Jay Shroeder's franchise record for yards passing in a season, finishing with 4,166. Had the game mattered, he might have threatened Sonny Jurgensen's 48-year-old team record of 31 touchdown passes, instead settling for 29.
The Redskins (9-7) won four straight to finish the season, their longest streak since winning the last seven the last time they made the playoffs in 2012. The NFC East champions will be the No. 4 seed on wild-card weekend.
Kellen Moore had 435 yards passing and three touchdowns after throwing an interception and losing a fumble on a snap to help dig a quick 21-0 hole for the Cowboys (4-12).
COLTS 30, TITANS 24
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Recently signed Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley each threw a touchdown pass in the first half and Jerrell Freeman scored on a 23-yard interception in the second for the Colts.
The Colts (8-8) won their last two games to avoid the first losing season since 2011, but didn't get the help they needed — a Houston loss and seven other games to go the right way — to make the postseason.
Josh Freeman was 15 of 28 for 149 yards and one interception while running Indy's regular offense. Lindley ran the 2-minute offense and gave Indy a 20-14 halftime lead with an 18-yard TD pass.
Tennessee (3-13) clinched the No. 1 draft pick by losing its fourth straight. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger fell to 0-10 as a starter.
———
SAINTS 20, FALCONS 17
ATLANTA (AP) — Jamarca Sanford's interception at the Atlanta 25 with less than two minutes remaining set up Kai Forbath's 30-yard field goal as time expired.
Sanford cut in front of Devonta Freeman for the interception with 1:47 remaining.
It was the Saints' sixth sweep of the season series with the Falcons in 10 years under coach Sean Payton. Payton is 15-5 against Atlanta.
The loss denied the Falcons (8-8) their chance to give first-year coach Dan Quinn a winning record. The Saints (7-9) avoided giving coach Sean Payton his first 10-loss season.
Drew Brees threw for 323 yards, including a touchdown pass to Ben Watson.
Julio Jones had nine catches for 149 yards for Atlanta.
———
LIONS 24, BEARS 20
CHICAGO (AP) — Matthew Stafford threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns, Calvin Johnson had 137 yards receiving for the Lions.
Detroit (7-9) avoided a last-place finish in the NFC North with its sixth win in eight games. Whether the Lions bring back coach Jim Caldwell for a third season remains to be seen.
He led them to a rare playoff appearance last year, but a 1-7 start put his future in doubt.
Caldwell survived a midseason purge that saw offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi get fired and ownership drop the ax on president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew the following week.
The Lions intercepted Jay Cutler three times.
———
49ERS 19, RAMS 16 (OT)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Phil Dawson kicked a 23-yard field goal 11:33 into overtime for his fourth of the game to lift San Francisco in what might have been Jim Tomsula's last game as coach.
Dawson came through after Greg Zuerlein's 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Dontae Johnson, giving San Francisco the ball back with 4:49 to play.
Blaine Gabbert passed for 354 yards and a 33-yard touchdown for the 49ers (5-11), who avoided their worst finish since 4-12 in 2005.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher finished 7-9 for his fourth straight losing season running the team.
Showing posts with label Weekly Notebook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weekly Notebook. Show all posts
Monday, January 4, 2016
Monday, December 28, 2015
WEEKLY NOTEBOOK: Week #16
THURSDAY:
RAIDERS 23, CHARGERS 20
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 31-yard field goal in overtime and the Raiders got a defensive stop to seal what might have been the final game ever in Oakland with a 23-20 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night.
Philip Rivers threw for 277 yards and a touchdown for the Chargers (4-11). They lost their seventh straight division game.
SATURDAY:
REDSKINS 38, EAGLES 24
PHILADELPHIA -- Kirk Cousins threw four touchdown passes and had a season-high 365 yards and the Washington Redskins beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-24 Saturday night to clinch the NFC East title.
Only 4-12 last season, the Redskins began their turnaround when Cousins rallied them from a 24-0 first-half deficit to a 31-30 win over Tampa Bay on October 25.
The Redskins have won three straight for the first time since a seven-game winning streak helped them secure the NFC East in 2012 in Robert Griffin III's rookie year.
The Eagles entered the game in control of their playoff hopes. They needed to beat the Redskins and Giants next week to win the East. Washington's win also eliminated the Giants.
SUNDAY:
FALCONS 20, PANTHERS 13
Carolina's bid for an undefeated season ended Sunday when Julio Jones' dramatic 70-yard touchdown reception powered the Atlanta Falcons to a 20-13 victory over Cam Newton and the Panthers.
Carolina (14-1) got the ball with 90 seconds left and no timeouts remaining. Newton completed a 19-yard pass to Corey Brown on first down but fumbled when stripped by Vic Beasley Jr. on the following play. Adrian Clayborn recovered for the Falcons, wrapping up the win.
Matt Ryan threw for 306 yards and one touchdown for the Falcons (8-7), and Devonta Freeman ran for 73 yards with a touchdown.
Newton threw for 142 yards and ran for 46 yards, including an 8-yard scoring run to cap the Panthers' opening drive.
JETS 26, PATRIOTS 20, OT
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Eric Decker's 6-yard touchdown catch on the first drive of overtime — after New England chose to kick off — lifted the Jets into position to make the playoffs.
A win next week at Buffalo gives the Jets a wild-card berth.
New England (12-3) won the OT coin toss and surprisingly elected to give the ball to the Jets (10-5). New York used a career-long 48-yard reception by Quincy Enunwa and a 20-yard pass to Brandon Marshall to move into scoring position. And then, Ryan Fitzpatrick hit Decker on a fade behind Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler for New York's fifth straight victory.
Marshall had two TD catches and also became the first NFL player with 100 receptions in six seasons.
Tom Brady hit James White for a 9-yard score with 1:55 to go, forcing OT.
CARDINALS 38, PACKERS 8
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona sacked Aaron Rodgers eight times and returned two of his fumbles for touchdowns to clinch a first-round playoff bye.
Carson Palmer threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns for Arizona (13-2).
In all, the Packers were sacked nine times in their most one-sided loss of the season. Dwight Freeney had three and Calais Campbell 2 1/2. Cory Redding rambled 36 yards with one of the fumbles for a score, Jerraud Powers took another 5 yards for a touchdown.
Green Bay (10-5) is home against Minnesota in its regular-season finale next Sunday night, with the NFC North title at stake.
VIKINGS 49, GIANTS 17
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Adrian Peterson ran for 104 yards and a touchdown over three quarters, Harrison Smith took one of Eli Manning's three interceptions into the end zone and Minnesota clinched a playoff spot with a victory over New York Giants on a frigid night.
Teddy Bridgewater turned in another sharp December performance, and Blair Walsh made five field goals for the Vikings.
With Peterson relaxing on the sideline, Jerick McKinnon rushed for two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 68-yard romp through a disinterested defense with the temperature down to 11 degrees.
The Giants (6-9) played with suspended receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
RAMS 23, SEAHAWKS 17
SEATTLE (AP) — Todd Gurley scored on a 2-yard TD run with 10:34 left, Akeem Ayers returned a fumble 45 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter as St Louis ended Seattle's five-game winning streak.
St. Louis swept the season series from the Seahawks (9-6) having won 34-31 in overtime in Week 1. The Rams (7-8) flustered quarterback Russell Wilson.
Gurley rushed for 85 yards on 19 carries. Case Keenum won his third straight start for the Rams, completing 14 of 23 passes for 103 yards and a 28-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt in the second quarter.
CHIEFS 17, BROWNS 13
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes for Kansas City, and the game clock finally stopped Johnny Manziel as the Chiefs won a team record-tying ninth consecutive game.
Smith threw for 125 yards and ran for 54, helping Kansas City (10-5) clinch a playoff berth when Pittsburgh lost to Baltimore moments later.
The Chiefs jumped to a 17-3 halftime lead, but the offense cooled off and Manziel pumped some life into the Browns (3-12).
The Heisman Trophy winner led Cleveland to 10 straight points, then took over at his 30 with 1:52 left and no timeouts. The Browns picked up three first downs, and Manziel hit Darius Jennings on fourth-and-10 from the Chiefs 32. But time expired before Manziel could get another snap off. He spiked his helmet in frustration.
RAVENS 20, STEELERS 17
BALTIMORE (AP) — Ryan Mallet threw for a career-high 274 yards in his first start with Baltimore in leading the Ravens to one of the biggest upsets of this contentious rivalry.
The Ravens (5-10) had lost three straight, the last two by a combined 69-20 score. In this one, however, they turned back a team riding a three-game winning streak and striving for a playoff berth.
Baltimore swept Pittsburgh (9-6) for the first time since 2011. The Steelers remain in playoff contention.
Making his seventh career start, Mallett went 28 for 41 with a touchdown and no interceptions. Signed by the Ravens on Dec. 15, he was the fourth quarterback to start for Baltimore in a span of six weeks.
Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger threw two interceptions and was sacked three times.
TEXANS 34, TITANS 6
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Brandon Weeden scored his first career rushing touchdown and threw for two more as Houston took a big step toward clinching the AFC South ,
Houston (8-7), which wraps up the regular season by hosting Jacksonville, couldn't clinch outright when Indianapolis beat Miami 18-12.
The Texans forced four turnovers and turned them into 17 points. Quintin Demps returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown less than two minutes into the game.
The Texans scored a season high in points despite starting their fourth different quarterback this season.
The Titans (3-12) did nothing to hurt their chances at the No. 1 pick in the draft.
COLTS 18, DOLPHINS 12
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst came off the bench again for Indianapolis, which made a last-minute defensive stand to keep alive their faint playoff hopes.
The Dolphins had a first-and-goal at the 5 with 40 seconds left, but after three consecutive incompletions, rookie center Jamil Douglas appeared to snap the ball prematurely, and Tannehill was sacked by three Colts.
Indy backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck departed with an injury for the fourth game in a row, and Whitehurst did just enough after entering in the second quarter, completing two scoring drives.
The Colts (7-8) would have been eliminated from the playoff race with a loss. The Dolphins (5-10) were eliminated two weeks ago.
BILLS 16, COWBOYS 6
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo rookie Mike Gillislee ran 50 yards for a touchdown with 2:25 remaining to secure the win for the Bills.
Gillislee finished with 93 yards rushing and led a ground attack that totaled 236 yards. Karlos Williams scored on a 1-yard run as the Bills overcame an injury-depleted offense playing without running back LeSean McCoy.
Rookie linebacker A.J. Tarpley had an interception and sealed the win by forcing Lucky Whitehead to fumble on the kickoff return that followed Gillislee's touchdown.
Buffalo (7-8) snapped a two-game skid and won for just the second time in six games. The Cowboys (4-11) lost in quarterback Kellen Moore's first career start.
BEARS 26, BUCCANEERS 21
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Ka'Deem Carey caught a touchdown pass from Jay Cutler and the third-string running back also scored on a 1-yard run to help Chicago Bears end a three-game losing streak.
Carey's 1-yard scoring reception put the Bears (6-9) ahead for good early in the fourth quarter. The second-year pro teamed with Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford to spearhead a rushing attack that produced 174 yards and kept Jameis Winston off the field for long stretches.
The victory was only the second in the past six games for the Bears. Tampa Bay (6-9) has lost four of five, including three straight after rebounding from a slow start.
LIONS 32, 49ERS 17
DETROIT (AP) — Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns, including one to Calvin Johnson early in the fourth quarter for Detroit.
The Lions (6-9) have won five of their last seven games, perhaps giving coach Jim Caldwell a chance to keep his job for a third season. The 49ers (4-11) have lost three straight and five of six under first-year coach Jim Tomsula.
Stafford's 1-yard TD pass to Johnson gave Detroit a 12-point lead one play after Tramaine Brock was called for pass interference in the end zone. During the drive, the 49ers were flagged for being offside or in the neutral zone for the seventh time to set a single-game high by an NFL team this year, according to STATS.
SAINTS 38, JAGUARS 27
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Drew Brees passed for 412 yards and three touchdowns despite his injured right foot.
Brees, who tore his plantar fascia ligament during a loss to Detroit last Monday, showed no ill effects of the normally painful injury while completing 25 of 36 passes.
Running back Tim Hightower, who missed the previous three seasons because of a knee injury and subsequent complications, consolidated his recent resurgence with 122 yards and two touchdowns rushing for New Orleans (6-9).
Blake Bortles passed for 368 yards and four TDs for Jacksonville (5-10).
MONDAY:
BRONCOS 20, BENGALS 17
DENVER -- DeMarcus Ware beat AJ McCarron to a fumbled snap in overtime, sending the Denver Broncos into the playoffs with a 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
Ware's recovery followed a 37-yard field goal by Brandon McManus, whose shanked 45-yarder at the end of regulation made necessary the extra drama.
The Broncos overcame a 14-0 first-half deficit in clinching their fifth consecutive playoff berth and denying the Bengals their first road win on a Monday night since 1990.
INJURIES:
1. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck left the game and did not return with a shoulder injury during the second quarter of an 18-12 win over the Dolphins.
2. Seahawks tight end Luke Willson (concussion) did not return to the 23-17 loss to the Rams.
3. Falcons defensive tackle Paul Soliai (calf) and wideout Eric Weems (concussion) did not return in the 20-13 victory over the Panthers. The Falcons gave the Panthers their first loss of the season.
4. Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan (concussion) and wide receiver Kendall Wright (knee) both did not return in the 34-6 loss to the Texans.
5. Bills wideout Marcus Easley was carted off the field with an apparent leg injury during the first half of their 16-6 win over the CowboyS.
Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (shoulder) and guard John Miller (ankle) both did not return.
6. Jaguars defensive end Jared Odrick (knee) did not return in the 38-27 loss to the Saints.
7. Steelers cornerback Antwon Blake (back) and fullback Roosevelt Nix (foot) both did not return in the 20-16 loss to the Ravens.
8. Browns running back Raheem Mostert (ankle) and wideout Marlon Moore (concussion) did not return in the 17-13 loss to the Chiefs.
9. Bears tackle Eddie Goldman suffered an ankle injury and did not return in the 26-21 victory over the Buccaneers.
10. Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker was carted to the locker room with a right ankle injury. He did not return in the 20-13 loss to the FalconS.
11. Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney suffered a foot injury in the 34-6 win against the Titans.
12. Jets wideout Kenbrell Thompkins was carted off the field with a leg injury and briefly returned in the 26-20 overtime victory against the Patriots.
13. Rams safety Mark Barron, tackle Ethan Westbrooks and tackle Nick Fairley all were evaluated for concussions and did not return to the 23-17 win over the Seahawks.
14. Packers tackle B.J. Raji (concussion) and tackle Bryan Bulaga (ankle) did not return to the 38-8 loss to the Cardinals.
15. Vikings offensive lineman Matt Kalil suffered a lower leg injury in Sunday's win over the Giants. Star defensive lineman Linval Joseph hurt his toe and did not return.
16. Patriots' Sebastian Vollmer was carted off in the first quarter of the Patriots' 26-20 overtime loss to the New York Jets and was almost immediately ruled out for the rest of the game.
RAIDERS 23, CHARGERS 20
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 31-yard field goal in overtime and the Raiders got a defensive stop to seal what might have been the final game ever in Oakland with a 23-20 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night.
Philip Rivers threw for 277 yards and a touchdown for the Chargers (4-11). They lost their seventh straight division game.
SATURDAY:
 |
| Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins (27) and Washington Redskins WR Pierre Garcon (88) get together after a Washington touchdown in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015. (Tim Hawk | For NJ.com) |
PHILADELPHIA -- Kirk Cousins threw four touchdown passes and had a season-high 365 yards and the Washington Redskins beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-24 Saturday night to clinch the NFC East title.
Only 4-12 last season, the Redskins began their turnaround when Cousins rallied them from a 24-0 first-half deficit to a 31-30 win over Tampa Bay on October 25.
The Redskins have won three straight for the first time since a seven-game winning streak helped them secure the NFC East in 2012 in Robert Griffin III's rookie year.
The Eagles entered the game in control of their playoff hopes. They needed to beat the Redskins and Giants next week to win the East. Washington's win also eliminated the Giants.
SUNDAY:
FALCONS 20, PANTHERS 13
Carolina's bid for an undefeated season ended Sunday when Julio Jones' dramatic 70-yard touchdown reception powered the Atlanta Falcons to a 20-13 victory over Cam Newton and the Panthers.
Carolina (14-1) got the ball with 90 seconds left and no timeouts remaining. Newton completed a 19-yard pass to Corey Brown on first down but fumbled when stripped by Vic Beasley Jr. on the following play. Adrian Clayborn recovered for the Falcons, wrapping up the win.
Matt Ryan threw for 306 yards and one touchdown for the Falcons (8-7), and Devonta Freeman ran for 73 yards with a touchdown.
Newton threw for 142 yards and ran for 46 yards, including an 8-yard scoring run to cap the Panthers' opening drive.
JETS 26, PATRIOTS 20, OT
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Eric Decker's 6-yard touchdown catch on the first drive of overtime — after New England chose to kick off — lifted the Jets into position to make the playoffs.
A win next week at Buffalo gives the Jets a wild-card berth.
New England (12-3) won the OT coin toss and surprisingly elected to give the ball to the Jets (10-5). New York used a career-long 48-yard reception by Quincy Enunwa and a 20-yard pass to Brandon Marshall to move into scoring position. And then, Ryan Fitzpatrick hit Decker on a fade behind Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler for New York's fifth straight victory.
Marshall had two TD catches and also became the first NFL player with 100 receptions in six seasons.
Tom Brady hit James White for a 9-yard score with 1:55 to go, forcing OT.
CARDINALS 38, PACKERS 8
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona sacked Aaron Rodgers eight times and returned two of his fumbles for touchdowns to clinch a first-round playoff bye.
Carson Palmer threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns for Arizona (13-2).
In all, the Packers were sacked nine times in their most one-sided loss of the season. Dwight Freeney had three and Calais Campbell 2 1/2. Cory Redding rambled 36 yards with one of the fumbles for a score, Jerraud Powers took another 5 yards for a touchdown.
Green Bay (10-5) is home against Minnesota in its regular-season finale next Sunday night, with the NFC North title at stake.
VIKINGS 49, GIANTS 17
 |
| The Vikings beat the Giants 49-17 on Sunday Night Football on Sunday night. |
Teddy Bridgewater turned in another sharp December performance, and Blair Walsh made five field goals for the Vikings.
With Peterson relaxing on the sideline, Jerick McKinnon rushed for two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 68-yard romp through a disinterested defense with the temperature down to 11 degrees.
The Giants (6-9) played with suspended receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
RAMS 23, SEAHAWKS 17
SEATTLE (AP) — Todd Gurley scored on a 2-yard TD run with 10:34 left, Akeem Ayers returned a fumble 45 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter as St Louis ended Seattle's five-game winning streak.
St. Louis swept the season series from the Seahawks (9-6) having won 34-31 in overtime in Week 1. The Rams (7-8) flustered quarterback Russell Wilson.
Gurley rushed for 85 yards on 19 carries. Case Keenum won his third straight start for the Rams, completing 14 of 23 passes for 103 yards and a 28-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt in the second quarter.
CHIEFS 17, BROWNS 13
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes for Kansas City, and the game clock finally stopped Johnny Manziel as the Chiefs won a team record-tying ninth consecutive game.
Smith threw for 125 yards and ran for 54, helping Kansas City (10-5) clinch a playoff berth when Pittsburgh lost to Baltimore moments later.
The Chiefs jumped to a 17-3 halftime lead, but the offense cooled off and Manziel pumped some life into the Browns (3-12).
The Heisman Trophy winner led Cleveland to 10 straight points, then took over at his 30 with 1:52 left and no timeouts. The Browns picked up three first downs, and Manziel hit Darius Jennings on fourth-and-10 from the Chiefs 32. But time expired before Manziel could get another snap off. He spiked his helmet in frustration.
RAVENS 20, STEELERS 17
BALTIMORE (AP) — Ryan Mallet threw for a career-high 274 yards in his first start with Baltimore in leading the Ravens to one of the biggest upsets of this contentious rivalry.
The Ravens (5-10) had lost three straight, the last two by a combined 69-20 score. In this one, however, they turned back a team riding a three-game winning streak and striving for a playoff berth.
Baltimore swept Pittsburgh (9-6) for the first time since 2011. The Steelers remain in playoff contention.
Making his seventh career start, Mallett went 28 for 41 with a touchdown and no interceptions. Signed by the Ravens on Dec. 15, he was the fourth quarterback to start for Baltimore in a span of six weeks.
Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger threw two interceptions and was sacked three times.
TEXANS 34, TITANS 6
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Brandon Weeden scored his first career rushing touchdown and threw for two more as Houston took a big step toward clinching the AFC South ,
Houston (8-7), which wraps up the regular season by hosting Jacksonville, couldn't clinch outright when Indianapolis beat Miami 18-12.
The Texans forced four turnovers and turned them into 17 points. Quintin Demps returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown less than two minutes into the game.
The Texans scored a season high in points despite starting their fourth different quarterback this season.
The Titans (3-12) did nothing to hurt their chances at the No. 1 pick in the draft.
COLTS 18, DOLPHINS 12
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst came off the bench again for Indianapolis, which made a last-minute defensive stand to keep alive their faint playoff hopes.
The Dolphins had a first-and-goal at the 5 with 40 seconds left, but after three consecutive incompletions, rookie center Jamil Douglas appeared to snap the ball prematurely, and Tannehill was sacked by three Colts.
Indy backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck departed with an injury for the fourth game in a row, and Whitehurst did just enough after entering in the second quarter, completing two scoring drives.
The Colts (7-8) would have been eliminated from the playoff race with a loss. The Dolphins (5-10) were eliminated two weeks ago.
BILLS 16, COWBOYS 6
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo rookie Mike Gillislee ran 50 yards for a touchdown with 2:25 remaining to secure the win for the Bills.
Gillislee finished with 93 yards rushing and led a ground attack that totaled 236 yards. Karlos Williams scored on a 1-yard run as the Bills overcame an injury-depleted offense playing without running back LeSean McCoy.
Rookie linebacker A.J. Tarpley had an interception and sealed the win by forcing Lucky Whitehead to fumble on the kickoff return that followed Gillislee's touchdown.
Buffalo (7-8) snapped a two-game skid and won for just the second time in six games. The Cowboys (4-11) lost in quarterback Kellen Moore's first career start.
BEARS 26, BUCCANEERS 21
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Ka'Deem Carey caught a touchdown pass from Jay Cutler and the third-string running back also scored on a 1-yard run to help Chicago Bears end a three-game losing streak.
Carey's 1-yard scoring reception put the Bears (6-9) ahead for good early in the fourth quarter. The second-year pro teamed with Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford to spearhead a rushing attack that produced 174 yards and kept Jameis Winston off the field for long stretches.
The victory was only the second in the past six games for the Bears. Tampa Bay (6-9) has lost four of five, including three straight after rebounding from a slow start.
LIONS 32, 49ERS 17
DETROIT (AP) — Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns, including one to Calvin Johnson early in the fourth quarter for Detroit.
The Lions (6-9) have won five of their last seven games, perhaps giving coach Jim Caldwell a chance to keep his job for a third season. The 49ers (4-11) have lost three straight and five of six under first-year coach Jim Tomsula.
Stafford's 1-yard TD pass to Johnson gave Detroit a 12-point lead one play after Tramaine Brock was called for pass interference in the end zone. During the drive, the 49ers were flagged for being offside or in the neutral zone for the seventh time to set a single-game high by an NFL team this year, according to STATS.
SAINTS 38, JAGUARS 27
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Drew Brees passed for 412 yards and three touchdowns despite his injured right foot.
Brees, who tore his plantar fascia ligament during a loss to Detroit last Monday, showed no ill effects of the normally painful injury while completing 25 of 36 passes.
Running back Tim Hightower, who missed the previous three seasons because of a knee injury and subsequent complications, consolidated his recent resurgence with 122 yards and two touchdowns rushing for New Orleans (6-9).
Blake Bortles passed for 368 yards and four TDs for Jacksonville (5-10).
MONDAY:
BRONCOS 20, BENGALS 17
DENVER -- DeMarcus Ware beat AJ McCarron to a fumbled snap in overtime, sending the Denver Broncos into the playoffs with a 20-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
Ware's recovery followed a 37-yard field goal by Brandon McManus, whose shanked 45-yarder at the end of regulation made necessary the extra drama.
The Broncos overcame a 14-0 first-half deficit in clinching their fifth consecutive playoff berth and denying the Bengals their first road win on a Monday night since 1990.
INJURIES:
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| Matt Hasselbeck |
2. Seahawks tight end Luke Willson (concussion) did not return to the 23-17 loss to the Rams.
3. Falcons defensive tackle Paul Soliai (calf) and wideout Eric Weems (concussion) did not return in the 20-13 victory over the Panthers. The Falcons gave the Panthers their first loss of the season.
4. Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan (concussion) and wide receiver Kendall Wright (knee) both did not return in the 34-6 loss to the Texans.
5. Bills wideout Marcus Easley was carted off the field with an apparent leg injury during the first half of their 16-6 win over the CowboyS.
Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (shoulder) and guard John Miller (ankle) both did not return.
6. Jaguars defensive end Jared Odrick (knee) did not return in the 38-27 loss to the Saints.
7. Steelers cornerback Antwon Blake (back) and fullback Roosevelt Nix (foot) both did not return in the 20-16 loss to the Ravens.
8. Browns running back Raheem Mostert (ankle) and wideout Marlon Moore (concussion) did not return in the 17-13 loss to the Chiefs.
9. Bears tackle Eddie Goldman suffered an ankle injury and did not return in the 26-21 victory over the Buccaneers.
10. Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker was carted to the locker room with a right ankle injury. He did not return in the 20-13 loss to the FalconS.
11. Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney suffered a foot injury in the 34-6 win against the Titans.
12. Jets wideout Kenbrell Thompkins was carted off the field with a leg injury and briefly returned in the 26-20 overtime victory against the Patriots.
13. Rams safety Mark Barron, tackle Ethan Westbrooks and tackle Nick Fairley all were evaluated for concussions and did not return to the 23-17 win over the Seahawks.
14. Packers tackle B.J. Raji (concussion) and tackle Bryan Bulaga (ankle) did not return to the 38-8 loss to the Cardinals.
15. Vikings offensive lineman Matt Kalil suffered a lower leg injury in Sunday's win over the Giants. Star defensive lineman Linval Joseph hurt his toe and did not return.
16. Patriots' Sebastian Vollmer was carted off in the first quarter of the Patriots' 26-20 overtime loss to the New York Jets and was almost immediately ruled out for the rest of the game.
Monday, December 21, 2015
WEEKLY NOTEBOOK: Week #15
THURSDAY
RAMS 31, BUCCANEERS 23
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Tavon Austin scored twice, Todd Gurley topped 1,000 yards rushing and the Rams beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 on Thursday night in what could be the franchise's final game in St. Louis.
The 31st-ranked offense had an inspired effort in front of another half-filled but spirited Edward Jones Dome crowd, rolling to a 21-3 halftime lead behind two touchdown passes by Case Keenum.
Fans chanted "Keep Our Rams! Keep Our Rams!" and carried signs, one of them reading "We Don't Need Kroenke, We Just Want our Rams."
SATURDAY
JETS 19, COWBOYS 16
ARLINGTON (AP) -- Randy Bullock kicked a 40-yard field goal with 36 seconds left and the New York Jets kept the pressure on Pittsburgh and Kansas City in the AFC wild-card race with a 19-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night.
Ryan Fitzpatrick's 43-yard pass to Kenbrell Thompkins put the Jets (9-5) in position for a win that moved them a half-game ahead of the Steelers and Chiefs in the race for two playoff spots.
SUNDAY
PANTHERS 38, GIANTS 35
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Graham Gano's 43-yard field goal as time expired kept Carolina perfect this season with a wild 38-35 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday.
Cam Newton threw for five touchdowns in building a 28-point lead before New York stormed back to tie it with 1:46 remaining. The rally tied the NFL record set by San Francisco against New Orleans in 1980. The big difference: The 49ers won their game; the Giants lost.
Newton led the Panthers (14-0) to their 18th straight regular-season victory. He has thrown for 19 touchdowns in the last five games and a career-best 33 in this so-far special season.
Carolina visits Atlanta and hosts Tampa Bay to finish the schedule. All three previous NFL teams to reach 14-0 — Miami in 1972, New England in 2007 and Indianapolis in 2009 — made the Super Bowl.
The Giants (6-8) fell one game behind Washington in the NFC East.
STEELERS 34, BRONCOS 27
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger passed for 380 yards and three touchdowns as the Steelers rallied.
Antonio Brown caught 16 passes for 189 yards and two scores as Pittsburgh (9-5) moved into the AFC's second wild-card spot by dominating the NFL's best defense after spotting the Broncos 17-point lead.
The Steelers controlled the second half, finally taking the lead when Ryan Shazier intercepted Brock Osweiler to set up a 23-yard dart from Roethlisberger to Brown with 3:34 to go.
Osweiler threw for 296 yards with three touchdowns passing and another on the ground but struggled in the second half as the Broncos (10-4) lost their second straight and failed to lock up the AFC West title.
CARDINALS 40, EAGLES 17
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — David Johnson ran for 187 yards and three touchdowns, Carson Palmer threw a TD pass and Arizona beat Philadelphia to clinch the NFC West title.
The Cardinals (12-2) will earn a first-round bye with a win over Green Bay next week. They still have a chance to secure the No. 1 seed if they win out and Carolina loses its last two games. The Eagles (6-8) would win the NFC East title if they beat Washington at home and the Giants on the road.
The Cardinals outclassed Philadelphia in every way on their way to their eighth straight win.
Johnson, a rookie filling in for injured backs Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington, had a pair of 1-yard TD runs and a 47-yarder. Palmer gave Cardinals fans a brief scare when he came out for one play after injuring his right index finger on a throw. But he returned to toss a 16-yard TD pass to John Brown and finished 20 of 32 for 274 yards. Deone Bucannon returned Sam Bradford's interception 39 yards for a touchdown to give Arizona a 37-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, sending fans to the exits.
SEAHAWKS 30, BROWNS 13
SEATTLE (AP) — Russell Wilson continued his record pace by throwing three touchdown passes, two to Doug Baldwin, and the Seahawks clinched a playoff spot for the fourth straight season.
Seattle (9-5) won its fifth straight and, thanks to losses this week by Tampa Bay and the New York Giants, wrapped up a postseason berth.
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Wilson was 21 of 30 for 249 yards. He found Baldwin on TDs of 6 and 3 yards in the first half, then hit Tyler Lockett on a 27-yard TD strike on the first play of the fourth quarter. Wilson became the first quarterback with three or more TD passes and no interceptions in five straight games.
Johnny Manziel threw a 7-yard TD to Gary Barnidge on the first drive for the Browns (3-11).
PACKERS 30, RAIDERS 20
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass and Damarious Randall returned an interception for another score to help Green Bay.
Green Bay (10-4) clinched a spot in the postseason in the first quarter when the New York Giants lost to Carolina. But the Packers still have their eyes set on a division title and remain one game ahead of Minnesota in the NFC North.
Derek Carr threw two early interceptions to put Oakland (6-8) in a hole but then had a pair of touchdown passes to Amari Cooper. It wasn't enough as the Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention for the 13th straight season.
BENGALS 24, 49ERS 14
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Jeremy Hill ran for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns to back AJ McCarron's first career start, and the Bengals clinched a fifth straight postseason berth,
As Andy Dalton watched from the sideline with a large cast over his broken right thumb, McCarron threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Kroft just before halftime as the Bengals (11-3) forced three second-quarter turnovers by San Francisco (4-10) to take command.
Vontaze Burfict and Adam "Pacman" Jones each made interceptions on balls that deflected off the hands of tight end Vance McDonald. Cincinnati capitalized with touchdowns on two of the turnovers, including Kroft's TD catch one play and five seconds after the second pick.
VIKINGS 38, BEARS 17
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Teddy Bridgewater threw a career-high four touchdowns and ran for another, and the Vikings took a big step toward clinching playoff spot.
Bridgewater completed 17 of 20 passes for 231 yards without a turnover, connecting twice with Stefon Diggs for scores. Jerick McKinnon and Zach Line had the other touchdown catches on a remarkably productive afternoon for all of Minnesota's running backs.
Adrian Peterson missed some time because of an injury to his left ankle, but finished with 63 yards to maintain his NFL rushing lead. The Vikings are 9-5. The Bears are 5-9.
CHARGERS 30, DOLPHINS 14
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Danny Woodhead had his first career four-touchdown game and Philip Rivers recovered a fumble on a play that began with him throwing an interception in what might have been the final NFL game in San Diego.
Woodhead caught TD passes of 20, 9 and 9 yards, and scored on a 2-yard run for the Chargers (4-10), who failed to score a touchdown in each of their previous two home games. Miami (5-9) lost for the fourth time in five games.
The Chargers Cannon went off. The disco ditty "San Diego Super Chargers" blared for what might be the final time.
It could all be over after 55 seasons if NFL owners allow Chargers Chairman Dean Spanos to move to an industrial suburb of Los Angeles and build a stadium with the rival Oakland Raiders.
REDSKINS 35, BILLS 25
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Kirk Cousins equaled his career high with four touchdown passes and ran 13 yards for another score, helping Washington win consecutive games for the first time in more than a year and stay atop the NFC East.
While the Redskins (7-7) moved closer to a playoff berth, the Bills (6-8) are now assured of missing the postseason for the 16th year in a row, the NFL's longest active drought.
Making first-year Bills head coach Rex Ryan's defense look inept, and helped by a key fourth-down encroachment penalty on Buffalo, the Redskins scored TDs on each of their first three possessions for the first time since September 1999, grabbing a 21-0 lead in the second quarter.
CHIEFS 34, RAVENS 14
BALTIMORE (AP) — Kansas City capitalized on a variety of miscues by Baltimore, extended its winning streak to eight games and remain in the thick of the playoff picture.
Tyvon Branch returned a fumble 73 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and Marcus Peters clinched the victory with a 90-yard interception return for a score with 4:36 left.
Kansas City (9-5) also scored touchdowns following a drive-extending penalty by Baltimore and a failed fake punt.
With the win, the Chiefs became the first NFL team to follow a five-game slide with eight successive wins in the same season.
Baltimore (4-10) is 2-5 at home — the first time in its 20-year history the team has lost five home games.
TEXANS 16, COLTS 10
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Brandon Weeden replaced injured quarterback T.J. Yates late in the first half and threw a go-ahead 8-yard TD pass to Jaelen Strong with 10:36 to play as Houston won at Indianapolis for the first time in 14 tries.
The Texans (7-7) took sole possession of the AFC South lead by snapping a two-game losing streak.
The Colts (6-8) have lost three straight and need help to make the playoffs.
The battle of backup quarterbacks didn't earn style points. Yates was 6 of 10 for 68 yards with one interception before hurting his left knee. Weeden went 11 of 18 with 105 yards, leading the Texans to three field goals and the decisive TD.
Hasselbeck was 17 of 30 with 147 yards and one interception and briefly gave way to Charlie Whitehurst in the fourth.
PATRIOTS 33, TITANS 16
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns to help New England hold onto the top spot in the AFC in a game that saw Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota knocked out of the game with a knee injury in the first half.
The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, Mariota left and did not return after being sacked to end consecutive second-quarter drives.
Brady completed 23 of 35 passes for 267 yards.
Delanie Walker caught two passes, both for touchdowns, for 64 yards for Tennessee. Zach Mettenberger completed 20 of 28 passes for 242 yards, two TD and two interceptions after replacing Mariota.
FALCONS 23, JAGUARS 17
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Julio Jones scored for the first time in seven weeks, and Atlanta ended a six-game losing streak.
Jones finished with nine receptions for 118 yards and set the franchise record for catches in a season. He has 118, breaking teammate Roddy White's mark of 115 set in 2010.
The Falcons (7-7) had lost six straight and even had some wondering whether they had given up after losing 38-0 last week at Carolina.
The Jaguars (5-9) lost ground in the muddled AFC South and were all but eliminated in the division race.
MONDAY:
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Matthew Stafford passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns, and the Detroit Lions held off a late surge by New Orleans to defeat the Saints 35-27 on Monday night.
Detroit (5-9) raced to a 28-3 lead, but Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes - one shortly after a Lions fumble - to help New Orleans (5-9) pull to 28-20 with about 10 minutes left.
Brees passed for 341 yards and three touchdowns, becoming only the fourth quarterback to surpass 60,000 yards in a career while also eclipsing the 4,000-yard mark for the 10th straight season.
KEY INJURIES:
BIGGEST LOSS: Bills Running back LeSean McCoy suffered a minor MCL sprain during the second half of the Bills' 35-25 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
McCoy is considered to be day-to-day.
1. The Texans feared quarterback T.J. Yates suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's 16-10 win over the Colts and they were right. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Yates indeed tore his ACL, per a source. Brandon Weeden will replace Yates at quarterback for Houston.
2. Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a knee injury. He did not return, and Zach Mettenberger finished the game in a 33-16 loss to the Patriots.
3. Cardinals running back David Johnson injured his right knee during Arizona's win over the Eagles. The rookie returned to the game in the second half. Tyrann Mathieu went down late in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury.
4. Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck left Sunday's loss briefly in the fourth quarter because of a back injury, but managed to return late in the contest. Rookie wideout Phillip Dorsett suffered an ankle injury and did not return.
5. Wideout Alshon Jeffery suffered a hamstring injury but later returned in the Bears' loss to the Vikings.
6. Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith suffered a first-half thigh injury in a 34-14 loss to the Chiefs.
7. Redskins right tackle Morgan Moses (left foot) made an early exit in the team's win over the Bills.
8. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) and safety Kam Chancellor (tailbone) did not suit up for Sunday's win over the Browns.
9. Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson suffered an ankle injury during the first half of Sunday's win over the Bears, but later returned.
10. Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola went down with a knee injury against the Titans and did not return. Linebacker Dont'a Hightower (knee) and safety Patrick Chung (hip) also made an early exit.
11. Raiders wideout Michael Crabtree underwent evaluation for a concussion during Sunday's loss to the Packers. Wideout Seth Roberts (abdomen) also made an early exit.
12. Running back Melvin Gordon did not return after suffering a knee injury during the Chargers' victory over the Dolphins.
13. Packers linebacker Jayrone Elliott has a quad injury and did not return in their win over the Raiders.
14. Niners running back Shaun Draughn did not return with a knee injury in the loss against the Bengals.
15. Steelers guard Mike Pouncey (foot) did not return to Pittsburgh's win over the Broncos.
16. Eagles safety Eric Rowe suffered a concussion against the Cardinals. Cornerback Byron Maxwell injured his shoulder.
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| Tavon Austin had two touchdowns on Thursday night. (PHOTO: Billy Hurst) |
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Tavon Austin scored twice, Todd Gurley topped 1,000 yards rushing and the Rams beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 on Thursday night in what could be the franchise's final game in St. Louis.
The 31st-ranked offense had an inspired effort in front of another half-filled but spirited Edward Jones Dome crowd, rolling to a 21-3 halftime lead behind two touchdown passes by Case Keenum.
Fans chanted "Keep Our Rams! Keep Our Rams!" and carried signs, one of them reading "We Don't Need Kroenke, We Just Want our Rams."
SATURDAY
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| Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chris Ivory celebrate a fourth quarter touchdown as Jets hang on to beat Cowboys. (PHOTO: Ronald Martines / Getty Images) |
ARLINGTON (AP) -- Randy Bullock kicked a 40-yard field goal with 36 seconds left and the New York Jets kept the pressure on Pittsburgh and Kansas City in the AFC wild-card race with a 19-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night.
Ryan Fitzpatrick's 43-yard pass to Kenbrell Thompkins put the Jets (9-5) in position for a win that moved them a half-game ahead of the Steelers and Chiefs in the race for two playoff spots.
SUNDAY
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| Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (PHOTO: Kathy Willens) |
PANTHERS 38, GIANTS 35
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Graham Gano's 43-yard field goal as time expired kept Carolina perfect this season with a wild 38-35 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday.
Cam Newton threw for five touchdowns in building a 28-point lead before New York stormed back to tie it with 1:46 remaining. The rally tied the NFL record set by San Francisco against New Orleans in 1980. The big difference: The 49ers won their game; the Giants lost.
Newton led the Panthers (14-0) to their 18th straight regular-season victory. He has thrown for 19 touchdowns in the last five games and a career-best 33 in this so-far special season.
Carolina visits Atlanta and hosts Tampa Bay to finish the schedule. All three previous NFL teams to reach 14-0 — Miami in 1972, New England in 2007 and Indianapolis in 2009 — made the Super Bowl.
The Giants (6-8) fell one game behind Washington in the NFC East.
STEELERS 34, BRONCOS 27
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger passed for 380 yards and three touchdowns as the Steelers rallied.
Antonio Brown caught 16 passes for 189 yards and two scores as Pittsburgh (9-5) moved into the AFC's second wild-card spot by dominating the NFL's best defense after spotting the Broncos 17-point lead.
The Steelers controlled the second half, finally taking the lead when Ryan Shazier intercepted Brock Osweiler to set up a 23-yard dart from Roethlisberger to Brown with 3:34 to go.
Osweiler threw for 296 yards with three touchdowns passing and another on the ground but struggled in the second half as the Broncos (10-4) lost their second straight and failed to lock up the AFC West title.
CARDINALS 40, EAGLES 17
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| Arizona Cardinals' David Johnson, left, breaks free of Philadelphia Eagles' E.J. Biggers on a touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in Philadelphia. (PHOTO: Michael Perez/AP) |
The Cardinals (12-2) will earn a first-round bye with a win over Green Bay next week. They still have a chance to secure the No. 1 seed if they win out and Carolina loses its last two games. The Eagles (6-8) would win the NFC East title if they beat Washington at home and the Giants on the road.
The Cardinals outclassed Philadelphia in every way on their way to their eighth straight win.
Johnson, a rookie filling in for injured backs Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington, had a pair of 1-yard TD runs and a 47-yarder. Palmer gave Cardinals fans a brief scare when he came out for one play after injuring his right index finger on a throw. But he returned to toss a 16-yard TD pass to John Brown and finished 20 of 32 for 274 yards. Deone Bucannon returned Sam Bradford's interception 39 yards for a touchdown to give Arizona a 37-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, sending fans to the exits.
SEAHAWKS 30, BROWNS 13
SEATTLE (AP) — Russell Wilson continued his record pace by throwing three touchdown passes, two to Doug Baldwin, and the Seahawks clinched a playoff spot for the fourth straight season.
Seattle (9-5) won its fifth straight and, thanks to losses this week by Tampa Bay and the New York Giants, wrapped up a postseason berth.
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Wilson was 21 of 30 for 249 yards. He found Baldwin on TDs of 6 and 3 yards in the first half, then hit Tyler Lockett on a 27-yard TD strike on the first play of the fourth quarter. Wilson became the first quarterback with three or more TD passes and no interceptions in five straight games.
Johnny Manziel threw a 7-yard TD to Gary Barnidge on the first drive for the Browns (3-11).
PACKERS 30, RAIDERS 20
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass and Damarious Randall returned an interception for another score to help Green Bay.
Green Bay (10-4) clinched a spot in the postseason in the first quarter when the New York Giants lost to Carolina. But the Packers still have their eyes set on a division title and remain one game ahead of Minnesota in the NFC North.
Derek Carr threw two early interceptions to put Oakland (6-8) in a hole but then had a pair of touchdown passes to Amari Cooper. It wasn't enough as the Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention for the 13th straight season.
BENGALS 24, 49ERS 14
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Jeremy Hill ran for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns to back AJ McCarron's first career start, and the Bengals clinched a fifth straight postseason berth,
As Andy Dalton watched from the sideline with a large cast over his broken right thumb, McCarron threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Kroft just before halftime as the Bengals (11-3) forced three second-quarter turnovers by San Francisco (4-10) to take command.
Vontaze Burfict and Adam "Pacman" Jones each made interceptions on balls that deflected off the hands of tight end Vance McDonald. Cincinnati capitalized with touchdowns on two of the turnovers, including Kroft's TD catch one play and five seconds after the second pick.
VIKINGS 38, BEARS 17
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Teddy Bridgewater threw a career-high four touchdowns and ran for another, and the Vikings took a big step toward clinching playoff spot.
Bridgewater completed 17 of 20 passes for 231 yards without a turnover, connecting twice with Stefon Diggs for scores. Jerick McKinnon and Zach Line had the other touchdown catches on a remarkably productive afternoon for all of Minnesota's running backs.
Adrian Peterson missed some time because of an injury to his left ankle, but finished with 63 yards to maintain his NFL rushing lead. The Vikings are 9-5. The Bears are 5-9.
CHARGERS 30, DOLPHINS 14
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Danny Woodhead had his first career four-touchdown game and Philip Rivers recovered a fumble on a play that began with him throwing an interception in what might have been the final NFL game in San Diego.
Woodhead caught TD passes of 20, 9 and 9 yards, and scored on a 2-yard run for the Chargers (4-10), who failed to score a touchdown in each of their previous two home games. Miami (5-9) lost for the fourth time in five games.
The Chargers Cannon went off. The disco ditty "San Diego Super Chargers" blared for what might be the final time.
It could all be over after 55 seasons if NFL owners allow Chargers Chairman Dean Spanos to move to an industrial suburb of Los Angeles and build a stadium with the rival Oakland Raiders.
REDSKINS 35, BILLS 25
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Kirk Cousins equaled his career high with four touchdown passes and ran 13 yards for another score, helping Washington win consecutive games for the first time in more than a year and stay atop the NFC East.
While the Redskins (7-7) moved closer to a playoff berth, the Bills (6-8) are now assured of missing the postseason for the 16th year in a row, the NFL's longest active drought.
Making first-year Bills head coach Rex Ryan's defense look inept, and helped by a key fourth-down encroachment penalty on Buffalo, the Redskins scored TDs on each of their first three possessions for the first time since September 1999, grabbing a 21-0 lead in the second quarter.
CHIEFS 34, RAVENS 14
BALTIMORE (AP) — Kansas City capitalized on a variety of miscues by Baltimore, extended its winning streak to eight games and remain in the thick of the playoff picture.
Tyvon Branch returned a fumble 73 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and Marcus Peters clinched the victory with a 90-yard interception return for a score with 4:36 left.
Kansas City (9-5) also scored touchdowns following a drive-extending penalty by Baltimore and a failed fake punt.
With the win, the Chiefs became the first NFL team to follow a five-game slide with eight successive wins in the same season.
Baltimore (4-10) is 2-5 at home — the first time in its 20-year history the team has lost five home games.
TEXANS 16, COLTS 10
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Brandon Weeden replaced injured quarterback T.J. Yates late in the first half and threw a go-ahead 8-yard TD pass to Jaelen Strong with 10:36 to play as Houston won at Indianapolis for the first time in 14 tries.
The Texans (7-7) took sole possession of the AFC South lead by snapping a two-game losing streak.
The Colts (6-8) have lost three straight and need help to make the playoffs.
The battle of backup quarterbacks didn't earn style points. Yates was 6 of 10 for 68 yards with one interception before hurting his left knee. Weeden went 11 of 18 with 105 yards, leading the Texans to three field goals and the decisive TD.
Hasselbeck was 17 of 30 with 147 yards and one interception and briefly gave way to Charlie Whitehurst in the fourth.
PATRIOTS 33, TITANS 16
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns to help New England hold onto the top spot in the AFC in a game that saw Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota knocked out of the game with a knee injury in the first half.
The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, Mariota left and did not return after being sacked to end consecutive second-quarter drives.
Brady completed 23 of 35 passes for 267 yards.
Delanie Walker caught two passes, both for touchdowns, for 64 yards for Tennessee. Zach Mettenberger completed 20 of 28 passes for 242 yards, two TD and two interceptions after replacing Mariota.
FALCONS 23, JAGUARS 17
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Julio Jones scored for the first time in seven weeks, and Atlanta ended a six-game losing streak.
Jones finished with nine receptions for 118 yards and set the franchise record for catches in a season. He has 118, breaking teammate Roddy White's mark of 115 set in 2010.
The Falcons (7-7) had lost six straight and even had some wondering whether they had given up after losing 38-0 last week at Carolina.
The Jaguars (5-9) lost ground in the muddled AFC South and were all but eliminated in the division race.
MONDAY:
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Matthew Stafford passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns, and the Detroit Lions held off a late surge by New Orleans to defeat the Saints 35-27 on Monday night.
Detroit (5-9) raced to a 28-3 lead, but Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes - one shortly after a Lions fumble - to help New Orleans (5-9) pull to 28-20 with about 10 minutes left.
Brees passed for 341 yards and three touchdowns, becoming only the fourth quarterback to surpass 60,000 yards in a career while also eclipsing the 4,000-yard mark for the 10th straight season.
KEY INJURIES:
 |
| LeSean McCoy |
McCoy is considered to be day-to-day.
1. The Texans feared quarterback T.J. Yates suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's 16-10 win over the Colts and they were right. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Yates indeed tore his ACL, per a source. Brandon Weeden will replace Yates at quarterback for Houston.
2. Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a knee injury. He did not return, and Zach Mettenberger finished the game in a 33-16 loss to the Patriots.
3. Cardinals running back David Johnson injured his right knee during Arizona's win over the Eagles. The rookie returned to the game in the second half. Tyrann Mathieu went down late in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury.
4. Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck left Sunday's loss briefly in the fourth quarter because of a back injury, but managed to return late in the contest. Rookie wideout Phillip Dorsett suffered an ankle injury and did not return.
5. Wideout Alshon Jeffery suffered a hamstring injury but later returned in the Bears' loss to the Vikings.
6. Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith suffered a first-half thigh injury in a 34-14 loss to the Chiefs.
7. Redskins right tackle Morgan Moses (left foot) made an early exit in the team's win over the Bills.
8. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) and safety Kam Chancellor (tailbone) did not suit up for Sunday's win over the Browns.
9. Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson suffered an ankle injury during the first half of Sunday's win over the Bears, but later returned.
10. Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola went down with a knee injury against the Titans and did not return. Linebacker Dont'a Hightower (knee) and safety Patrick Chung (hip) also made an early exit.
11. Raiders wideout Michael Crabtree underwent evaluation for a concussion during Sunday's loss to the Packers. Wideout Seth Roberts (abdomen) also made an early exit.
12. Running back Melvin Gordon did not return after suffering a knee injury during the Chargers' victory over the Dolphins.
13. Packers linebacker Jayrone Elliott has a quad injury and did not return in their win over the Raiders.
14. Niners running back Shaun Draughn did not return with a knee injury in the loss against the Bengals.
15. Steelers guard Mike Pouncey (foot) did not return to Pittsburgh's win over the Broncos.
16. Eagles safety Eric Rowe suffered a concussion against the Cardinals. Cornerback Byron Maxwell injured his shoulder.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
WEEKLY NOTEBOOK: Week #14
GAME RECAPS:
THURSDAY
VIKINGS 20, CARDINALS 23
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Dwight Freeney stripped the ball from Teddy Bridgewater with 5 seconds to play to deprive the Vikings a chance at the tying field goal and the Arizona Cardinals clinched a playoff berth with a 23-20 victory over Minnesota on Thursday night.
Bridgewater moved the Vikings to the 31-yard line, well within the range of Blair Walsh. But Freeney hit the quarterback's arm as Bridgewater tried to pass. The ball came loose and Calais Campbell recovered.
Chandler Catanzaro's 47-yard field goal with 1:23 for the winning score as Arizona (11-2) won its seventh in a row.
Bridgewater passed for 335 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (8-5), who were playing without four defensive starters.
Carson Palmer threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns for the Cardinals.
SUNDAY
FALCONS 0, PANTHERS 38
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton added to his MVP resume, completing 15 of 21 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns, and the unbeaten Carolina Panthers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 38-0 on Sunday to clinch a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.
Newton connected on scoring strikes of 74 and 46 yards to Ted Ginn Jr., and Jonathan Stewart ran for a touchdown as the Panthers (13-0) scored on their first three possessions.
Newton also threw a 4-yard TD pass to Ed Dickson in the final seconds of the first half before leaving for good at the end of the third quarter with Carolina up 38. He finished with a career-high quarterback rating of 153.3, and the Panthers won their 17th straight regular-season game.
Carolina's defense forced four turnovers and had five sacks, while limiting struggling Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to 224 yards passing. Atlanta is 6-7 and has dropped six in a row.
PATRIOTS 27, TEXANS 6
HOUSTON (AP) — Tom Brady threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns and the New England Patriots snapped a two-game skid to clinch a playoff spot.
Brady threw TD passes to Keshawn Martin and Rob Gronkowski in the first half to help New England build a 17-6 lead.
The Patriots (11-2) didn't move the ball as well in the second half, but the defense harassed Brian Hoyer into multiple mistakes. Jabaal Sheard had strip sacks on Hoyer twice after halftime. The Patriots recovered the second one early in the fourth, and James White made it 27-6 with a 2-yard run three plays later.
Hoyer was sacked five times and left the game to be evaluated for a concussion with about 9 minutes remaining for the Texans (6-7). The quarterback already missed a game this season after getting a concussion on Nov. 16.
STEELERS 33, BENGALS 20
CINCINNATI (AP) — Andy Dalton broke his right thumb while making a tackle on an interception, and the Steelers roughed up backup AJ McCarron while pulling away to a victory that left the AFC North up for grabs.
The Steelers (8-5) rumbled with the Bengals during pregame warmups and then led the whole way, sending Cincinnati (10-3) to its first lopsided loss of the season.
William Gay returned one of McCarron's passes 23 yards for a touchdown, and Ben Roethlisberger had another good day as Pittsburgh's resurgent offense kept rolling. Pittsburgh has scored 30 points in five straight games, a franchise record.
The game — and potentially Cincinnati's season — turned on one interception. Stephon Truitt picked off Dalton's shovel pass in the first quarter, and the quarterback broke his right thumb while making the tackle. It's unclear how many weeks he'll miss.
RAIDERS 15, BRONCOS 12
DENVER (AP) — Khalil Mack had five sacks of Brock Osweiler, including one in the end zone for a safety, and Derek Carr bounced back from an awful first half.
Carr threw two touchdown passes and the Raiders (6-7) beat the Broncos for the first time since Sept. 12, 2011, despite being held to minus-12 yards in the first half — the worst performance by a team heading into halftime in nearly a quarter-century.
The Broncos (10-3) failed to hold onto a 12-0 halftime lead or several on-target throws from Osweiler, including two big drops by Demaryius Thomas, one for a touchdown and another for a late first down.
The one that really stung was a drop by a wide-open Vernon Davis at the Oakland 42 on fourth-and-5 from the Denver 37 with 3:45 left.
Denver's Brandon McManus, who nailed four field goals in the first half, clanked a 49-yarder that would have tied it off the left upright with 10:22 remaining, however. Sebastian Janikowski then missed a 43-yarder with 5:07 remaining, giving the Broncos good field position at their 33, but Davis had his big drop on fourth down after that.
PACKERS 28, COWBOYS 7
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Eddie Lacy ran for 124 yards and a touchdown, while fellow running back James Starks added two scores.
The Packers (9-4) have a one-game lead in the NFC North over Minnesota after their second straight victory.
With 435 yards and 29 first downs, Green Bay got better production out of its inconsistent offense with coach Mike McCarthy assuming play-calling duties again.
The Packers were still hampered at times by penalties and problems in short-yardage situations.
But the defense and running game came up with big plays in the fourth quarter. Dallas' touchdown came on Robert Turbin's 7-yard run midway through the third quarter to make it 14-7.
The Cowboys (4-9) suffered a setback to their chances of winning the mediocre NFC East.
SEAHAWKS 35, RAVENS 6
BALTIMORE (AP) — Russell Wilson threw five touchdown passes, three to Doug Baldwin, against the injury-depleted Ravens.
Wilson went 23 for 32 for 292 yards. The five TD throws matched a career high — set earlier this season against Pittsburgh — and gave him 16 over his last four games.
Baldwin scored on passes of 14, 22 and 16 yards. Tyler Lockett caught TD throws of 8 and 49 yards.
Seattle's second-ranked defense backed Wilson by keeping the Ravens (4-9) out of the end zone, forcing two turnovers and allowing only 28 yards rushing.
The Seahawks (8-5) have won six of seven to move into position for an NFC wild card.
Baltimore's offense sputtered under the direction of Jimmy Clausen, who completed 23 of 40 passes for a career-high 274 yards and an interception.
EAGLES 23, BILLS 20
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Caleb Sturgis kicked a 30-yard field goal with 3:26 left, then Ed Reynolds intercepted Tyrod Taylor's pass in the final minutes.
LeSean McCoy had 74 yards rushing and 35 receiving in his return to Philadelphia. He kissed the Eagles logo at midfield before the coin toss, but ran off the field immediately after the game.
McCoy never approached Chip Kelly. He said last week he didn't want to shake Kelly's hand or talk to the man who traded him.
The Eagles (6-7) and Redskins (6-7) are tied atop the NFC East standings. The New York Giants (5-7) could make it a three-way tie with a win at Miami on Monday night.
The Bills (6-7) fell two games behind in the AFC wild-card race.
Taylor's streak of 222 passes without a pick ended when his deep pass went right to Reynolds with 1:16 remaining.
REDSKINS 24, BEARS 21
CHICAGO (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw for 300 yards and a touchdown and the Redskins hung on to beat the Bears after Chicago's Robbie Gould missed yet another late field goal.
Washington, which came in tied with Philadelphia and the Giants for the NFC East lead, went ahead early in the fourth quarter on Dustin Hopkins' 47-yard field goal. The Redskins (6-7) broke a nine-game road losing streak dating to last season.
The Bears (5-8) were in position to score after Jay Cutler hit Alshon Jeffery with a 50-yard pass that put the ball on the Washington 35. The usually reliable Gould, who missed the potential winner at the end of regulation in last week's overtime loss to San Francisco, got a chance to redeem himself.
His 50-yard attempt wasn't even close as it sailed wide right.
JAGUARS 51, COLTS 16
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Blake Bortles threw for three touchdowns and ran for a score — all in the second half — and the Jaguars ended the Colts' 16-game winning streak in the AFC South.
The Jaguars (5-8) scored on offense, defense and special teams in the same game for the first time since 2011, the franchise's most complete game under third-year coach Gus Bradley.
It helped Jacksonville gain ground in the muddled division, at least on the Colts (6-7).
Indianapolis' division streak was the longest in NFL history. The Colts' previous loss against the AFC South came on Dec. 16, 2012, at Houston.
CHIEFS 10, CHARGERS 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs kept San Diego out of the end zone twice in the final seconds for their seventh consecutive win.
Alex Smith threw for 191 yards and a touchdown, along with his first interception after a franchise-record 312 attempts. But it was a banged-up defense that held San Diego without a touchdown for the second time this season that allowed the Chiefs (8-5) to escape.
The Chargers (3-10) took over at their 11 with 5 minutes left and quickly moved into Kansas City territory, converting fourth down three times. But after San Diego was called for delay of game at the Chiefs 1 with 5 seconds left, Philip Rivers threw incomplete into the end zone.
San Diego still had 2 seconds left, and an incomplete pass that would have ended the game was blown dead for a false start. With the ball pushed back to the 11-yard line, Rivers scrambled to his right and threw to the end zone, where his pass final pass fell incomplete.
The Chiefs spilled onto the field to celebrate another big win in their playoff chase.
JETS 30, TITANS 8
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three touchdown passes and New York's stingy defense stifled Marcus Mariota and the Titans' offense for most of the game.
Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Bilal Powell each caught TD passes for the Jets (8-5), who stayed on track in the AFC playoff race with their first three-game winning streak since 2011.
Fitzpatrick, who has set a single-season career high with 25 touchdown throws, finished 21 of 36 for 263 yards. Chris Ivory ran for 101 yards on 22 carries, and Randy Bullock kicked three field goals. Muhammad Wilkerson had three sacks.
The lone highlight for the lowly Titans (3-10) came in the third quarter when Antonio Andrews took a direct snap and connected with Mariota for a 41-yard touchdown — the rookie quarterback's first career reception.
SAINTS 24, BUCCANEERS 17
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes to Marques Colston and the Saints stopped a four-game losing streak,
Brees completed 31 of 41 passes for 312 yards without an interception. Colston scored on receptions of 1 and 3 yards in the first half, and Tim Hightower added a 3-yard TD run in the third quarter for the Saints (5-8).
The loss was the second in three games for the Bucs (6-7), whose hopes to make a run at a NFC wild card took a hit.
Jameis Winston threw a fourth-quarter TD pass to Adam Humphries to trim a 14-point deficit to 24-17. The Bucs got the ball back with just over five minutes remaining, punted four plays later and then watched New Orleans grind out three first downs to end the game.
BROWNS 24, 49ERS 10
CLEVELAND (AP) — Johnny Manziel shook off a first-half interception and sideline meltdown by throwing a touchdown pass in his first start since being benched for off-field antics.
The Browns snapped a seven-game losing streak.
Manziel passed for 270 yards, delivering a quality performance the Browns (3-10) desperately needed. He tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Gary Barnidge late in the third quarter as the Browns won for the first time since Oct. 11.
Just before halftime, Manziel threw a pick and followed it with an angry outburst on the bench.
Isaiah Crowell rushed for 145 yards and had two short TD runs for Cleveland.
The 49ers (4-9) allowed nine sacks and managed just 127 yards on offense before a 94-yard drive in garbage time.
RAMS 21, LIONS 14
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Todd Gurley ran for 140 yards and two second-half touchdowns, and the Rams ended a five-game losing streak.
Trumaine Johnson's 58-yard interception return for St. Louis (5-8) was the only score in the first half, plus he did most of the work holding Calvin Johnson to a late 16-yard catch. Aaron Donald had three sacks of Matthew Stafford to further boost a defense that had sagged in recent weeks.
Golden Tate caught two touchdown passes for Detroit (4-9), which didn't have much to show for extra days off to regroup from a game-ending desperation TD pass by the Packers on Dec. 3.
MONDAY
GIANTS 31, DOLPHINS 24
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Odell Beckham made two touchdown catches, including an 84-yard reception to break a fourth-quarter tie, and the New York Giants forged a three-way tie atop the NFC East by beating the Miami Dolphins 31-24 on Monday night.
New York's Eli Manning went 27 for 31 for 337 yards and four scores. His passer rating of 151.5 was his highest since 2009.
The Giants (6-7) broke a three-game losing streak and are tied with the Redskins and Eagles for the lead in their woeful division. The Dolphins (5-8) were mathematically eliminated from the playoff race, extending their postseason drought to a franchise-record seven consecutive years.
Beckham had seven catches for 166 yards. The 100-yard game was his sixth in a row, a Giants record.
NEWS & NOTES:
Patriots Clinch 7th-Consecutive AFC East Title: The New England Patriots (11-2) won their seventh consecutive AFC East title with the Miami Dolphins' 31-24 loss to the New York Giants on Monday night. The Patriots already clinched a playoff berth Sunday with a 27-6 win over the Houston Texans. The loss mathematically eliminated the Dolphins from this season's playoffs. Since 2001, the Patriots have won 13 division titles, and five times from 1960 to 2000.
Dalton Will Not Need Surgery On Thumb: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton will not need surgery on the thumb he broke Sunday, coach Marvin Lewis said during a news conference Monday. Lewis revealed the findings following Dalton's visit earlier in the day with an area hand specialist.
DIVISION STANDINGS:
--- AFC ---
AFC EAST:
Patriots: 11-2-0
Jets: 8-5-0
Bills: 6-7-0
Dolphins: 5-8-0
AFC NORTH:
Bengals: 10-3-0
Steelers: 8-5-0
Ravens: 4-9-0
Browns: 3-10-0
AFC SOUTH:
Colts: 6-7-0
Texans: 6-7-0
Jaguars: 5-8-0
Titans: 3-10-0
AFC WEST:
Broncos: 10-3-0
Chiefs: 8-5-0
Raiders: 6-7-0
Chargers: 3-10-0
--- NFC ---
NFC EAST:
Redskins: 6-7-0
Eagles: 6-7-0
Giants: 6-7-0
Cowboys: 4-9-0
NFC NORTH:
Packers: 9-4-0
Vikings: 8-5-0
Bears: 5-8-0
Lions: 4-9-0
NFC SOUTH:
Panthers: 13-0-0
Buccaneers: 6-7-0
Falcons: 6-7-0
Saints: 5-8-0
NFC WEST:
Cardinals: 11-2-0
Seahawks: 8-5-0
Rams: 5-8-0
49ers: 4-9-0
 |
| The Carolina Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday to go 13-0 on the season. (AP Photo: Mike McCarn) |
VIKINGS 20, CARDINALS 23
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Dwight Freeney stripped the ball from Teddy Bridgewater with 5 seconds to play to deprive the Vikings a chance at the tying field goal and the Arizona Cardinals clinched a playoff berth with a 23-20 victory over Minnesota on Thursday night.
Bridgewater moved the Vikings to the 31-yard line, well within the range of Blair Walsh. But Freeney hit the quarterback's arm as Bridgewater tried to pass. The ball came loose and Calais Campbell recovered.
Chandler Catanzaro's 47-yard field goal with 1:23 for the winning score as Arizona (11-2) won its seventh in a row.
Bridgewater passed for 335 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (8-5), who were playing without four defensive starters.
Carson Palmer threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns for the Cardinals.
SUNDAY
FALCONS 0, PANTHERS 38
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton added to his MVP resume, completing 15 of 21 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns, and the unbeaten Carolina Panthers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 38-0 on Sunday to clinch a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.
Newton connected on scoring strikes of 74 and 46 yards to Ted Ginn Jr., and Jonathan Stewart ran for a touchdown as the Panthers (13-0) scored on their first three possessions.
Newton also threw a 4-yard TD pass to Ed Dickson in the final seconds of the first half before leaving for good at the end of the third quarter with Carolina up 38. He finished with a career-high quarterback rating of 153.3, and the Panthers won their 17th straight regular-season game.
Carolina's defense forced four turnovers and had five sacks, while limiting struggling Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to 224 yards passing. Atlanta is 6-7 and has dropped six in a row.
PATRIOTS 27, TEXANS 6
HOUSTON (AP) — Tom Brady threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns and the New England Patriots snapped a two-game skid to clinch a playoff spot.
Brady threw TD passes to Keshawn Martin and Rob Gronkowski in the first half to help New England build a 17-6 lead.
The Patriots (11-2) didn't move the ball as well in the second half, but the defense harassed Brian Hoyer into multiple mistakes. Jabaal Sheard had strip sacks on Hoyer twice after halftime. The Patriots recovered the second one early in the fourth, and James White made it 27-6 with a 2-yard run three plays later.
Hoyer was sacked five times and left the game to be evaluated for a concussion with about 9 minutes remaining for the Texans (6-7). The quarterback already missed a game this season after getting a concussion on Nov. 16.
STEELERS 33, BENGALS 20
CINCINNATI (AP) — Andy Dalton broke his right thumb while making a tackle on an interception, and the Steelers roughed up backup AJ McCarron while pulling away to a victory that left the AFC North up for grabs.
The Steelers (8-5) rumbled with the Bengals during pregame warmups and then led the whole way, sending Cincinnati (10-3) to its first lopsided loss of the season.
William Gay returned one of McCarron's passes 23 yards for a touchdown, and Ben Roethlisberger had another good day as Pittsburgh's resurgent offense kept rolling. Pittsburgh has scored 30 points in five straight games, a franchise record.
The game — and potentially Cincinnati's season — turned on one interception. Stephon Truitt picked off Dalton's shovel pass in the first quarter, and the quarterback broke his right thumb while making the tackle. It's unclear how many weeks he'll miss.
RAIDERS 15, BRONCOS 12
DENVER (AP) — Khalil Mack had five sacks of Brock Osweiler, including one in the end zone for a safety, and Derek Carr bounced back from an awful first half.
Carr threw two touchdown passes and the Raiders (6-7) beat the Broncos for the first time since Sept. 12, 2011, despite being held to minus-12 yards in the first half — the worst performance by a team heading into halftime in nearly a quarter-century.
The Broncos (10-3) failed to hold onto a 12-0 halftime lead or several on-target throws from Osweiler, including two big drops by Demaryius Thomas, one for a touchdown and another for a late first down.
The one that really stung was a drop by a wide-open Vernon Davis at the Oakland 42 on fourth-and-5 from the Denver 37 with 3:45 left.
Denver's Brandon McManus, who nailed four field goals in the first half, clanked a 49-yarder that would have tied it off the left upright with 10:22 remaining, however. Sebastian Janikowski then missed a 43-yarder with 5:07 remaining, giving the Broncos good field position at their 33, but Davis had his big drop on fourth down after that.
PACKERS 28, COWBOYS 7
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Eddie Lacy ran for 124 yards and a touchdown, while fellow running back James Starks added two scores.
The Packers (9-4) have a one-game lead in the NFC North over Minnesota after their second straight victory.
With 435 yards and 29 first downs, Green Bay got better production out of its inconsistent offense with coach Mike McCarthy assuming play-calling duties again.
The Packers were still hampered at times by penalties and problems in short-yardage situations.
But the defense and running game came up with big plays in the fourth quarter. Dallas' touchdown came on Robert Turbin's 7-yard run midway through the third quarter to make it 14-7.
The Cowboys (4-9) suffered a setback to their chances of winning the mediocre NFC East.
SEAHAWKS 35, RAVENS 6
BALTIMORE (AP) — Russell Wilson threw five touchdown passes, three to Doug Baldwin, against the injury-depleted Ravens.
Wilson went 23 for 32 for 292 yards. The five TD throws matched a career high — set earlier this season against Pittsburgh — and gave him 16 over his last four games.
Baldwin scored on passes of 14, 22 and 16 yards. Tyler Lockett caught TD throws of 8 and 49 yards.
Seattle's second-ranked defense backed Wilson by keeping the Ravens (4-9) out of the end zone, forcing two turnovers and allowing only 28 yards rushing.
The Seahawks (8-5) have won six of seven to move into position for an NFC wild card.
Baltimore's offense sputtered under the direction of Jimmy Clausen, who completed 23 of 40 passes for a career-high 274 yards and an interception.
EAGLES 23, BILLS 20
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Caleb Sturgis kicked a 30-yard field goal with 3:26 left, then Ed Reynolds intercepted Tyrod Taylor's pass in the final minutes.
LeSean McCoy had 74 yards rushing and 35 receiving in his return to Philadelphia. He kissed the Eagles logo at midfield before the coin toss, but ran off the field immediately after the game.
McCoy never approached Chip Kelly. He said last week he didn't want to shake Kelly's hand or talk to the man who traded him.
The Eagles (6-7) and Redskins (6-7) are tied atop the NFC East standings. The New York Giants (5-7) could make it a three-way tie with a win at Miami on Monday night.
The Bills (6-7) fell two games behind in the AFC wild-card race.
Taylor's streak of 222 passes without a pick ended when his deep pass went right to Reynolds with 1:16 remaining.
REDSKINS 24, BEARS 21
CHICAGO (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw for 300 yards and a touchdown and the Redskins hung on to beat the Bears after Chicago's Robbie Gould missed yet another late field goal.
Washington, which came in tied with Philadelphia and the Giants for the NFC East lead, went ahead early in the fourth quarter on Dustin Hopkins' 47-yard field goal. The Redskins (6-7) broke a nine-game road losing streak dating to last season.
The Bears (5-8) were in position to score after Jay Cutler hit Alshon Jeffery with a 50-yard pass that put the ball on the Washington 35. The usually reliable Gould, who missed the potential winner at the end of regulation in last week's overtime loss to San Francisco, got a chance to redeem himself.
His 50-yard attempt wasn't even close as it sailed wide right.
JAGUARS 51, COLTS 16
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Blake Bortles threw for three touchdowns and ran for a score — all in the second half — and the Jaguars ended the Colts' 16-game winning streak in the AFC South.
The Jaguars (5-8) scored on offense, defense and special teams in the same game for the first time since 2011, the franchise's most complete game under third-year coach Gus Bradley.
It helped Jacksonville gain ground in the muddled division, at least on the Colts (6-7).
Indianapolis' division streak was the longest in NFL history. The Colts' previous loss against the AFC South came on Dec. 16, 2012, at Houston.
CHIEFS 10, CHARGERS 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs kept San Diego out of the end zone twice in the final seconds for their seventh consecutive win.
Alex Smith threw for 191 yards and a touchdown, along with his first interception after a franchise-record 312 attempts. But it was a banged-up defense that held San Diego without a touchdown for the second time this season that allowed the Chiefs (8-5) to escape.
The Chargers (3-10) took over at their 11 with 5 minutes left and quickly moved into Kansas City territory, converting fourth down three times. But after San Diego was called for delay of game at the Chiefs 1 with 5 seconds left, Philip Rivers threw incomplete into the end zone.
San Diego still had 2 seconds left, and an incomplete pass that would have ended the game was blown dead for a false start. With the ball pushed back to the 11-yard line, Rivers scrambled to his right and threw to the end zone, where his pass final pass fell incomplete.
The Chiefs spilled onto the field to celebrate another big win in their playoff chase.
JETS 30, TITANS 8
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three touchdown passes and New York's stingy defense stifled Marcus Mariota and the Titans' offense for most of the game.
Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Bilal Powell each caught TD passes for the Jets (8-5), who stayed on track in the AFC playoff race with their first three-game winning streak since 2011.
Fitzpatrick, who has set a single-season career high with 25 touchdown throws, finished 21 of 36 for 263 yards. Chris Ivory ran for 101 yards on 22 carries, and Randy Bullock kicked three field goals. Muhammad Wilkerson had three sacks.
The lone highlight for the lowly Titans (3-10) came in the third quarter when Antonio Andrews took a direct snap and connected with Mariota for a 41-yard touchdown — the rookie quarterback's first career reception.
SAINTS 24, BUCCANEERS 17
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes to Marques Colston and the Saints stopped a four-game losing streak,
Brees completed 31 of 41 passes for 312 yards without an interception. Colston scored on receptions of 1 and 3 yards in the first half, and Tim Hightower added a 3-yard TD run in the third quarter for the Saints (5-8).
The loss was the second in three games for the Bucs (6-7), whose hopes to make a run at a NFC wild card took a hit.
Jameis Winston threw a fourth-quarter TD pass to Adam Humphries to trim a 14-point deficit to 24-17. The Bucs got the ball back with just over five minutes remaining, punted four plays later and then watched New Orleans grind out three first downs to end the game.
BROWNS 24, 49ERS 10
CLEVELAND (AP) — Johnny Manziel shook off a first-half interception and sideline meltdown by throwing a touchdown pass in his first start since being benched for off-field antics.
The Browns snapped a seven-game losing streak.
Manziel passed for 270 yards, delivering a quality performance the Browns (3-10) desperately needed. He tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Gary Barnidge late in the third quarter as the Browns won for the first time since Oct. 11.
Just before halftime, Manziel threw a pick and followed it with an angry outburst on the bench.
Isaiah Crowell rushed for 145 yards and had two short TD runs for Cleveland.
The 49ers (4-9) allowed nine sacks and managed just 127 yards on offense before a 94-yard drive in garbage time.
RAMS 21, LIONS 14
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Todd Gurley ran for 140 yards and two second-half touchdowns, and the Rams ended a five-game losing streak.
Trumaine Johnson's 58-yard interception return for St. Louis (5-8) was the only score in the first half, plus he did most of the work holding Calvin Johnson to a late 16-yard catch. Aaron Donald had three sacks of Matthew Stafford to further boost a defense that had sagged in recent weeks.
Golden Tate caught two touchdown passes for Detroit (4-9), which didn't have much to show for extra days off to regroup from a game-ending desperation TD pass by the Packers on Dec. 3.
MONDAY
GIANTS 31, DOLPHINS 24
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Odell Beckham made two touchdown catches, including an 84-yard reception to break a fourth-quarter tie, and the New York Giants forged a three-way tie atop the NFC East by beating the Miami Dolphins 31-24 on Monday night.
New York's Eli Manning went 27 for 31 for 337 yards and four scores. His passer rating of 151.5 was his highest since 2009.
The Giants (6-7) broke a three-game losing streak and are tied with the Redskins and Eagles for the lead in their woeful division. The Dolphins (5-8) were mathematically eliminated from the playoff race, extending their postseason drought to a franchise-record seven consecutive years.
Beckham had seven catches for 166 yards. The 100-yard game was his sixth in a row, a Giants record.
NEWS & NOTES:
 |
| Andy Dalton will not need surgery on the thumb he broke in Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. |
Dalton Will Not Need Surgery On Thumb: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton will not need surgery on the thumb he broke Sunday, coach Marvin Lewis said during a news conference Monday. Lewis revealed the findings following Dalton's visit earlier in the day with an area hand specialist.
DIVISION STANDINGS:
--- AFC ---
AFC EAST:
Patriots: 11-2-0
Jets: 8-5-0
Bills: 6-7-0
Dolphins: 5-8-0
AFC NORTH:
Bengals: 10-3-0
Steelers: 8-5-0
Ravens: 4-9-0
Browns: 3-10-0
AFC SOUTH:
Colts: 6-7-0
Texans: 6-7-0
Jaguars: 5-8-0
Titans: 3-10-0
AFC WEST:
Broncos: 10-3-0
Chiefs: 8-5-0
Raiders: 6-7-0
Chargers: 3-10-0
--- NFC ---
NFC EAST:
Redskins: 6-7-0
Eagles: 6-7-0
Giants: 6-7-0
Cowboys: 4-9-0
NFC NORTH:
Packers: 9-4-0
Vikings: 8-5-0
Bears: 5-8-0
Lions: 4-9-0
NFC SOUTH:
Panthers: 13-0-0
Buccaneers: 6-7-0
Falcons: 6-7-0
Saints: 5-8-0
NFC WEST:
Cardinals: 11-2-0
Seahawks: 8-5-0
Rams: 5-8-0
49ers: 4-9-0
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