The Minnesota Vikings (10-2) saved their best for last as they rallied back big time for a 23-22 win against the visiting Arizona Cardinals (6-6) when QB Sam Darnold threw a five-yard scoring pass to running back Aaron Jones with 1:13 left to play. The Cardinals built a 19-6 lead in the third quarter on a 15-yard TD pass from Kyler Murray to wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. From there, the Vikings finally got it going as Darnold threw the first of his two scoring passes and the defense limited the Cardinals to just a field goal the rest of the game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 9-3 with a 44-38 shootout win at Cincinnati as QB Russell Wilson had 414 passing yards with three touchdown passes and one interception to lead the effort. Pittsburgh gained 520 yards in total offense to offset a big play offense by the Bengals (4-8) and QB Joe Burrow, who had three TD passes along with 309 yards and one interception. The Steelers defense forced three turnovers and had four sacks in the win.
In Atlanta, the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) smacked the Falcons (6-6) around for a 17-13 win as their defense intercepted four passes, including two by rookie defensive back Tarheeb Still, one of which was a 61-yard "pick six" touchdown for a 17-10 lead late in the third quarter. The Falcons scored first when RB Bijan Robinson (102 rushing yards on 26 carries) scored a rushing touchdown. The Chargers only gained 187 total yards in offense, but the defense and kicker Cameron Dicker (three field goals) made the difference.
The New York Jets (3-9) were eliminated from playoff contention as they blew an early 14-point lead (21-7) as QB Aaron Rodgers (185 passing yards, two TD, one INT) threw a "pick six" interception that was taken back 92 yards by Leonard Williams to turn the tide for the Seattle Seahawks as they got the road win, 26-21 to improve to 7-5 and first place in the NFC West. Seattle RB Zach Charbonnet scored an eight-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter for the final outcome.
The Washington Commanders (8-5) snapped a three-game losing streak with a resounding 42-19 win against the visiting Tennessee Titans (3-9) as rookie QB Jayden Daniels threw for three touchdowns and also had a rushing score to pace the rout. Washington gained 463 yards in total offense, including 267 rushing yards while building a 28-0 lead in the first half.
In the Sunday night game in snowy Buffalo, the Buffalo Bills (10-2)
dominated the San Francisco 49ers, 35-10 to clinch the AFC East division
title. Bills QB Josh Allen (pictured right) threw two scoring passes and also scored two
more himself on a run and scoring reception off a lateral. The 49ers
(5-7) lost RB Christian McCaffrey to a knee injury as they turned the
ball over three times on fumbles. The Bills had balanced offense with
220 rushing yards and 152 passing yards while building a 21-3 halftime
lead, which included a 65-yard TD run by James Cook.
The Houston Texans (8-5) held off the host Jacksonville Jaguars, 23-20 after getting a 23-6 lead early in the fourth quarter when QB C.J. Stroud threw a 22-yard TD pass to tight end Dalton Schultz. Jags starting QB Trevor Lawrence was knocked out of the game with a concussion, so backup QB Mac Jones came in and made it close by throwing two TD passes, including the second one with 3:31 left to go as the Jaguars (2-10) battled back. But Houston RB Joe Mixon, who had a seven-yard TD run and went for 101 yards for the game, gained a big first down to help run out the clock.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) won in overtime, 26-23 against the host Carolina Panthers (3-9) when kicker Chase McLaughlin made a 30-yard field goal, which was set up after a fumble recovery by the defense and then a 38-yard run by Rachaad White. The Panthers went ahead 23-20 with just 30 seconds remaining when QB Bryce Young threw a 25-yard TD pass to WR Adam Thielen. But Bucs QB Baker Mayfield drove the team down the field for a game tying 51-yard field goal as time ran out. Bucky Irving rushed for 152 yards (on 25 carries) and scored a touchdown to help Tampa Bay in the winning effort.
The Indianapolis Colts (6-7) beat the host New England Patriots, 25-24 when QB Anthony Richardson (109 passing yards, two TD, two INT and 48 rushing yards) scored on a two-point conversion run with 12 seconds left in the game, which followed a three-yard scoring pass from Richardson to WR Alec Pierce. The Patriots (3-10) were eliminated from playoff contention as they blew the game even while amassing 422 total yards in offense.
The Los Angeles Rams improved to 6-6 this season with a hard fought 21-14 road win against the New Orleans Saints (4-8) as QB Matthew Stafford had two TD passes (including the game winner to WR Puka Nacua) and RB Kyren Williams scored a rushing touchdown and gained 104 yards on 15 carries. The Saints tied the game at 14-14 early in the fourth quarter when QB Derek Carr threw a 28-yard TD pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. New Orleans' do it all player (TE/QB) Taysom Hill was lost for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
A high scoring game in Denver on Monday Night Football as the Broncos beat the Cleveland Browns, 41-32 to get to 8-5 this season. The Broncos defense had two "pick six" interception return touchdowns in the win as Browns QB Jameis Winston (497 passing yards, four TD, three INT) saw a big effort go for naught as he was intercepted by Ja'Quan McMillian for a 44-yard TD score to put the game away. Denver led 34-32 with 1:48 remaining when that happened as the Browns dropped to 3-9 this season. Nik Bonitto took his interception back 71 yards for the other defensive score. The Browns racked up 552 yards in offense while the Broncos had 400 yards. Former Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy had a huge game for the Browns, getting nine receptions for 235 yards and one touchdown in the loss.
WEEK THIRTEEN RESULTS
Detroit 23, Chicago 20
Dallas 27, N.Y. Giants 20
Green Bay 30, Miami 17
Kansas City 19, Las Vegas 17
L.A. Chargers 17, Atlanta 13
Houston 23, Jacksonville 20
Washington 42, Tennessee 19
Pittsburgh 44, Cincinnati 38
Minnesota 23, Arizona 22
Seattle 26, N.Y. Jets 21
Indianapolis 25, New England 24
L.A. Rams 21, New Orleans 14
Philadelphia 24, Baltimore 19
Tampa Bay 26, Carolina 23 (OT)
Buffalo 35, San Francisco 10
Denver 41, Cleveland 32
