NFL Roundup: Week 13
Pats still clinch AFC East after inefficient outing by Brady
Even with a poor outing by Tom Brady, which included him being sacked four times, the New England Patriots defeated Miami and captured their fourth consecutive AFC East title. (Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports)
Despite Tom Brady having potentially his worst outing of the season, the New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 23-16, allowing the Pats to clinch their fourth straight AFC East title and guarantee their 12th consecutive winning season.
Brady struggled on Sunday, finishing 24-of-40 passing for 238 yards. The quarterback was also sacked four times during the course of the game. Nonetheless, New England still managed to take advantage of several botched plays by the Dolphins.
Seventeen of the Patriots 23 points came thanks to Miami mistakes, including a flubbed punt, a roughing-the-punter penalty and a fumble by the Dolphins. Miami also had a touchdown negated during the game.
Bills overcome floundering Jaguars
Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick sparked an injury-plagued offense during the Bills win over the Jaguars on Sunday. (Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)
In a game that kept the Buffalo Bills slim hopes of a playoff berth alive, Bills’ quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick helped his team defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-18 on Sunday. Fitzpatrick had five straight scoring drives in the win.
The Bills’ injury-plagued offense was forced to play parts of the game without two of its top receivers as Stevie Johnson left the game with an injury to his left hamstring in the third and Donald Jones missed the entire game with a calf injury. Nonetheless, Fitzpatrick provided a spark for his team as he threw two touchdown passes and scored on a 1-yard run.
The loss served as the 10th of the season for the Jaguars, who won just their second game of the season last weekend after suffering through a seven-game losing streak.
Third-string QB helps Jets in low-scoring contest
Jets starting and second-string quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow congratulate third-stringer Greg McElroy after he led to the Jets only points during Sunday’s win over the Cardinals. (John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports)
After nearly three ineffective quarters of play from his struggling starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, New York Jets coach Rex Ryan put in third-string quarterback Greg McElroy on Sunday, leading to a 7-6 Jets win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Sanchez went a meager 10-of-21 passing for 91 yards with three interceptions before McElroy took over, leading to a burst of cheers from fans at MetLife Stadium, who had been chanting “Mc-El-roy!” throughout the first three quarters of the game. McElroy helped the Jets get their only points of the game on a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Cumberland.
Second-string QB Tim Tebow was inactive for Sunday’s game as he is recovering from two broken ribs.
The Cardinals also struggled with their quarterback situation on Sunday as Ryan Lindley struggled throughout his second NFL start, bringing Arizona its eighth-straight loss.
Last second TD yields ‘Luck-y’ Colts comeback over Lions
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck completed a last-second touchdown throw to give the Colts a comeback win over the Lions on Sunday. (John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports)
With no time left in the contest, Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Donnie Avery, giving the Colts a 35-33 comeback win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The touchdown, one of four that Luck finished the game with, erased what had been a 12-point lead for the Lions midway through fourth quarter.
With the win, Indianapolis held onto its lead in the AFC Wild Card race, and forced Detroit into dealing with its fourth consecutive loss.
Chiefs earn emotional win over Panthers
Just one day after experiencing tragedy, the Kansas City Chiefs snapped an eight-game losing streak, defeating the Carolina Panthers. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
Just one day after Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher allegedly killed his girlfriend and then took his own life in front of Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel, the Chiefs broke an eight-game losing streak, defeating the Carolina Panthers 27-21.
Running back Jamaal Charles lead the way for the Chiefs as he ran for 127 yards. Meanwhile, quarterback Brady Quinn also found success as he threw for 201 yards and had two touchdown passes.
Rookie kicker’s overtime field goal leads to Rams win
Rookie kicker Greg Zuerlein is congratulated after kicking the game-winning field goal against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. (Photo by Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports)
After botching a 53-yard field goal as time ended in regulation, rookie Greg Zuerlein kicked a 54-yard field goal with 26 seconds left in overtime to lead the St. Louis Rams to a 16-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
The Rams tied the game during the fourth quarter when they scored twice during the final 3:04 of regulation play. The quarter included their only touchdown of the game, which was scored by rookie Janoris Jenkins.
With the win, the Rams won their second straight after going 0-4-1.
