NFL roundup: Patrick Mahomes limps off as flawless Jackson inspires Ravens
Kansas City Chiefs 21-7 Cleveland Browns
Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes before leaving with an ankle injury, Xavier Worthy ran for a score and for once the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t have to sweat out the final minutes in their victory over the error-prone Cleveland Browns. Mahomes connected for first-half touchdowns with Juju Smith-Schuster and Noah Gray as the Chiefs (13-1) built a 21-0 lead. The defending Super Bowl champions have 10 wins by seven points or less, six of which have come on the final play of the game. Mahomes left in the fourth quarter with a left ankle injury and was replaced by Carson Wentz. The Browns (3-11) had six turnovers. Jameis Winston threw three more interceptions.
Baltimore Ravens 35-14 New York Giants
Lamar Jackson tied his career high by throwing five touchdown passes in a near-perfect performance that led the Baltimore Ravens (9-5) to victory over the New York Giants (2-12). The Giants tied a franchise record with their ninth straight loss, falling to 0-8 at MetLife Stadium on the season. After a bye week, the win moved the Ravens closer to a playoff berth. Jackson finished 21 of 25 for 290 yards and had a quarterback rating of 154.6, just under the NFL maximum of 158.3. He threw two TD passes to Rashod Bateman.
Miami Dolphins 12-20 Houston Texans
Nico Collins had two touchdown receptions and Houston’s defense forced four turnovers, highlighted by two fourth-quarter interceptions by Derek Stingley, to help the Texans to a victory over the Miami Dolphins (6-8). It was the second straight win for the Texans (9-5), who can clinch the AFC South title for a second straight season with a loss to the Colts later on Sunday. Collins had a six-yard touchdown in the second quarter and his second six-yard scoring grab made it 20-6 in the third. That score was set up by a 35-yard run by Dare Ogunbowale on a fake punt.
Washington Commanders 20-19 New Orleans Saints
Jayden Daniels threw two first-half touchdown passes to Terry McLaurin, and the Washington Commanders (9-5) narrowly held off a rally by Spencer Rattler and the Saints to win when New Orleans (5-9) failed on a two-point conversion. out of time. Daniels, who returned to play at Louisiana a year after winning the Heisman Trophy with LSU, completed 25 of 31 passes for 226 yards. He also ran for 66 yards. But Washington couldn’t put New Orleans away after building a 17-0 lead in the third quarter. Rattler led four scoring drives, replacing fill-in starter Jake Haener. But he couldn’t complete the winning two-pointer to tight end Juwan Johnson.
Cincinnati Bengals 37-27 Tennessee Titans
Joe Burrow threw for 271 yards with three touchdowns for a franchise record of 36 this season and the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) improved their faint playoff hopes by beating the Tennessee Titans (3-11) in a sloppy game. The Bengals earned the 400th regular season win in franchise history. They still need to win to extend their streak of winning seasons to four consecutive seasons, regardless of where they end up in the AFC playoff chase. The Bengals turned six turnovers into 24 straight points, capped by a 39-yard pick-six in the third. Cincinnati also had four turnovers for the NFL’s first 10-turnover game since 2007.
New York Jets 32-25 Jacksonville Jaguars
Davante Adams caught nine passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns, all in the second half, and the New York Jets (4-10) rallied to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11) and end a four-game skid. Adams hauled in a 71-yard TD pass with 3:24 left and a 41-yarder that set up Breece Hall’s one-yard plunge with 1:05 to play. In between, he made a circus catch on the sideline for a first. It was vintage Adams, who became the 12th player in NFL history with 100 receiving touchdowns. And vintage Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 289 yards and three scores as the Jets topped the 30-point mark for the first time this season.