Carolina’s bid for an undefeated season ended on 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 1 minute, 30 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), while Devonta Freeman ran for 73 yards with a touchdown.
Photo: AFP
Newton threw for 142 yards and ran for 46 yards, including an eight-yard scoring run to cap the Panthers’ opening drive.
VIKINGS 49, GIANTS 17
Adrian Peterson ran for 104 yards and a touchdown over three quarters, while Harrison Smith took one of Eli Manning’s three interceptions into the end zone as Minnesota clinched a playoff spot with a victory over the New York Giants on a frigid night.
Teddy Bridgewater turned in another sharp performance, while 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 11oC.
The Giants (6-9) played with suspended receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
JETS 26, PATRIOTS 20, OT
Eric Decker’s six-yard touchdown catch on the first drive of overtime — after New England chose to kickoff — lifted the Jets into position to make the playoffs.
A win this week at Buffalo would give the Jets a wild-card berth.
New England (12-3) won the overtime coin toss and surprisingly elected to give the ball to the Jets (10-5). The Jets used a career-long 48-yard reception by Quincy Enunwa and a 20-yard pass to Brandon Marshall to move into scoring position. Then, Ryan Fitzpatrick hit Decker on a fade behind Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler for New York’s fifth straight victory.
Marshall had two touchdown catches and also became the first NFL player with 100 receptions in six seasons.
Tom Brady hit James White for a nine-yard score with 1 minute, 55 seconds to go, forcing overtime.
CARDINALS 38, PACKERS 8
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 two-and-a-half. Cory Redding rambled 36 yards with one of the fumbles for a score, while Jerraud Powers took another five yards for a touchdown.
Green Bay (10-5) are home against Minnesota in their regular-season finale on Sunday, with the NFC North title at stake.
In other games, it was:
‧ Rams 23, Seahawks 17
‧ Chiefs 17, Browns 13
‧ Ravens 20, Steelers 17
‧ Texans 34, Titans 6
‧ Colts 18, Dolphins 12
‧ Bills 16, Cowboys 6
‧ Bears 26, Buccaneers 21
‧ Lions 32, 49ers 17
‧ Saints 38, Jaguars 27
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