Nick Roach #53 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with the Black Hole. Source: AFP

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 23 — SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 14

Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the San Diego Charger defence. Source: AFP

Tom Brady threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman midway through the fourth quarter as the Patriots (10-3) won for the eighth time in nine games. It clinched their 12th straight 10-win season for the second-longest such streak in NFL history.

The Patriots spent the week in San Diego following a loss at Green Bay in order to cut down on late-season travel. It certainly seemed to pay off for the defence: San Diego (8-5) was shut-out in the second half.

New England went ahead 16-14 on Stephen Gostkowski’s 38-yard field goal with 10:34 left. Brady faked a hand-off and hit Edelman on a slant at about the 45 on the touchdown. Edelman broke two tackles and was gone.

Brady completed 28 of 44 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns.

GREEN BAY PACKERS 43 — ATLANTA FALCONS 37

Eddie Lacy #27 of the Green Bay Packers. Source: AFP

Eddie Lacy ran for a touchdown and caught one of Aaron Rodgers’ three TD passes as the Green Bay Packers built a 24-point lead before holding on for a 43-37 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Monday.

The Packers (10-3) earned their fifth consecutive victory to stay a game up on Detroit in the NFC North. Atlanta dropped to 5-8, but remained in a first-place tie with New Orleans in the woeful NFC South.

Julio Jones had a career-best 259 yards receiving for the Falcons before leaving with a hip injury. Jones had a 22-yard touchdown catch in a 20-point fourth quarter that helped Atlanta cut into Green Bay’s big lead.

Lacy left in the fourth quarter with bruised hip. The Falcons did damage even with Jones hobbling on the sideline, appearing to favor his left side.

Ryan threw for 375 yards and four scores, including a 1-yard touchdown catch by Roddy White with 6:20 left that trimmed Green Bay’s lead to 40-30. Mason Crosby kicked a 53-yard field goal with 4:37 left, helping the Packers withstand Atlanta’s final punch.

Rodgers finished 24 of 36 for 327 yards. Lacy had 73 yards on 13 carries, and 33 yards on five catches.

OAKLAND RAIDERS 24 — SAN FRANCISCO 13

Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates beating the San Francisco 49ers. Source: AFP

Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes and the Oakland Raiders put a major dent into San Francisco’s dwindling playoff hopes with a 24-13 victory Sunday over the 49ers in the Battle of the Bay.

Carr completed 22 of 28 passes for 254 yards and completely outplayed counterpart Colin Kaepernick as the Raiders (2-11) won their second straight home game surrounding last week’s 52-0 loss at St. Louis.

With a second straight loss the 49ers (7-6) are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in coach Jim Harbaugh’s four-year tenure.

San Francisco is two games out of the second wildcard spot with three games remaining after making three straight NFC title games.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 24 — PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 14

Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a sack against Mark Sanchez #3. Source: AFP

Russell Wilson threw two touchdown passes, ran for another score and the Seattle Seahawks stifled Philadelphia’s high-powered offence in a 24-14 victory over the Eagles on Sunday.

Wilson had 263 yards passing and ran for 48 to help the Seahawks (9-4) win their third straight. The defending Super Bowl champions have victories over NFC West-leading Arizona (10-3), San Francisco (7-6) and Philadelphia (9-4) in the last three weeks.

The Eagles host Dallas (9-4) with first place in the NFC East at stake next week.

Richard Sherman and Co. held the Eagles to 139 total yards, the fewest under Chip Kelly.

Pete Carroll was the winner in his first NFL matchup against Kelly. In the coaches’ only other meeting, Kelly’s Oregon Ducks beat Carroll and USC 47-20 on Oct. 31, 2009.

ARIZONA CARDINALS 17 — KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 14

Quarterback Drew Stanton #5 of the Arizona Cardinals. Source: AFP

Kerwynn Williams rushed for 100 yards two days after being elevated from the Arizona practice squad and the Cardinals rallied.

The NFC West-leading Cardinals (10-3) took the lead when Drew Stanton threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jaron Brown in the third quarter.

Jamaal Charles scored two first-half touchdowns on a 63-yard run and 18-yard pass from Alex Smith, but the Chiefs (7-6) were shut-out in the second half.

Arizona won a crucial call reversal when it challenged that tight end Travis Kelce fumbled deep in Cardinals territory late in the fourth quarter.

DENVER BRONCOS 24 — BUFFALO BILLS 17

Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos rushes. Source: AFP

C.J. Anderson ran for three touchdowns and the Denver Broncos overcame a rare unsteady outing by Peyton Manning to beat the Buffalo Bills 24-17 Sunday.

Manning’s streak of 51 straight games with a touchdown throw — three shy of Drew Brees’ NFL record — ended on a sun-splashed, almost still afternoon in Denver, where the game-time temperature was a balmy 63 degrees.

Despite three turnovers, the Broncos (10-3) won their third straight game since changing from a pass-oriented attack to a run-heavy approach.

Manning finished 14 of 20 for 173 yards with two interceptions. His top receiver, Demaryius Thomas, was held to two catches for 11 yards, and tight end Julius Thomas (ankle) was active but didn’t play for the third straight week.

Buffalo is 7-6.

The Indianapolis Colts have rallied to beat the Cleveland Browns in the NFL, winning 25-24.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 25 — CLEVELAND BROWNS 24

T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates his game winning touchdown. Source: AFP

Andrew Luck threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to T.Y. Hilton with 32 seconds left, rallying Indianapolis to a 25-24 win on Sunday over the Browns.

Cleveland contained the Colts quarterback until the final minute, but couldn’t finish him off.

Before Luck connected with Hilton, Colts running back Daniel Herron picked up 2 yards on fourth down to keep the drive alive. Luck, who threw two interceptions and spent the day being harassed by an energised Browns defence, then fired his second TD pass to Hilton.

The Colts (9-4) trailed 21-7 in the third quarter, but stormed back behind Luck, who finished 24 of 53 for 294 yards.

The Browns (7-6) got two defensive touchdowns, but Cleveland’s offence, led by struggling quarterback Brian Hoyer, couldn’t do enough to keep the team’s playoff hopes from fading.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 42 — CINCINNATI BENGALS 21

Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is congratulated by Ben Roethlisberger #7. Source: AFP

Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdown passes, including a 94-yarder to rookie Martavis Bryant in the fourth quarter that was the longest play from scrimmage this season.

The win turned the AFC North into a wide-open race. In a game they had to win, the Steelers (8-5) caught up and ran away with 25 points in the fourth quarter.

For Cincinnati (8-4-1), it was a second straight lopsided at home loss to a division rival. The Bengals fell to Cleveland 24-3 before going on the road and winning three straight to take control of the division.

Now, it’s anyone’s title.

Le’Veon Bell had another big all-round game, running for 185 yards, catching six passes for 50 yards, and scoring three touchdowns.

BALTIMORE RAVENS 28 — MIAMI DOLPHINS 13

Wide receiver Jacoby Jones #12 of the Baltimore Ravens picks up second-half yardage. Source: AFP

The Baltimore Ravens played more than 17 minutes before picking up a first down, then overcame a 10-point deficit to win.

The Ravens rallied with consecutive touchdown drives of 97 and 75 yards, and added the clinching score after a favourable replay reversal.

A gamble by coach John Harbaugh in the third quarter helped. The Ravens made a first down on fourth-and-1 in their territory, jump-starting the TD drive that put them ahead.

The victory gave Baltimore (8-5) a significant edge over Miami (7-6) in the AFC’s scramble for a wildcard playoff berth. The Dolphins, who haven’t been to the postseason since 2008, are now a long shot with three games to go.

CAROLINA PANTHERS 41 — NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 10

Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers and Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints greet each other after the game. Source: AFP

Cam Newton passed for three touchdowns, appeared to incite a scuffle with frustrated New Orleans after he went over the pile for another score, and the Panthers ended a six-game skid.

Jonathan Stewart added a 69-yard touchdown as the Panthers (4-8-1) pulled closer to NFC South leader Atlanta (5-7), which plays at Green Bay on Monday night.

Newton’s jawing and “Superman” celebration of his 2-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter drew a shove from linebacker Curtis Lofton. That ignited a scrum that eventually went into a tunnel beyond the end zone.

Panthers tight end Brandon Williams was ejected for punching Cam Jordan, but Carolina kept rolling.

Newton’s scoring passes went to Kelvin Benjamin, Greg Olsen and Fozzy Whitaker.

New Orleans (5-8) lost its fourth straight home game to drop a half-game behind Atlanta.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have breezed past the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL, winning 42-21.

DETROIT LIONS 34 — TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 17

Joseph Fauria #80 of the Detroit Lions reacts after making a third quarter touchdown catch. Source: AFP

Matthew Stafford threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns — including one off a fluky deflection late in the game.

The Lions (9-4) trail first-place Green Bay by a half-game in the NFC North, with the Packers hosting Atlanta on Monday night.

Tampa Bay (2-11) was finally eliminated from playoff contention — the NFC South’s mediocrity could only keep the Bucs in it for so long. They turned over the ball three times in the second quarter against Detroit and never led.

Calvin Johnson had eight catches for 158 yards and a touchdown for Detroit, which snapped a nine-game losing streak in December.

ST LOUIS RAMS 24 — WASHINGTON 0

Quarterback Shaun Hill #14 of the St. Louis Rams celebrates with Tavon Austin #14. Source: AFP

The Rams have back-to-back shut-outs for the first time since 1945, giving them their first winning streak of the season.

Jared Cook caught two touchdown passes, Tavon Austin returned a punt 78 yards for a score, and the defence allowed 206 total yards.

The Rams (5-7) sacked Colt McCoy six times. He suffered a neck injury on the sixth sack just before the two-minute warning, so Robert Griffin III finished the game in his first appearance since getting benched two weeks ago. Griffin was sacked once during his brief stint.

St. Louis blanked Oakland 52-0 last Sunday.

The Redskins (3-10) dropped their fifth straight.

HOUSTON TEXANS 27 — JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 13

Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs past Aaron Calvin #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Source: AFP

Arian Foster ran for 127 yards and a touchdown, and the Texans won consecutive games for the first time since Week 2.

Foster’s 1-yard run on the second play of the fourth quarter gave Houston (7-6) a comfortable cushion in what had been a back-and-forth game.

After quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick got stuffed on third down, the Texans lined up for a field goal before calling time out and deciding to go. Foster started right and looked like he would be stopped for a loss, but he eluded a tackle, cut back the other way and high-stepped into the end zone.

The Jaguars (2-11) led 13-10 at half-time, but did little after the break.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 30 — NEW YORK JETS 24 (OT)

Charles Johnson #12 of the Minnesota Vikings stiff arms Marcus Williams #22 of the New York Jets. Source: AFP

Jarius Wright’s 87-yard touchdown reception from Teddy Bridgewater in overtime gave the Vikings the win.

After forcing the Jets to punt to start the extra period, the Vikings faced third-and-5. Bridgewater was blitzed and threw high on a bubble screen to his right. Wright jumped, made an off-balance grab, slipped by Jaiquawn Jarrett and outran defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson the rest of the way.

Former Vikings receiver Percy Harvin had a 35-yard touchdown reception and a 47-yard kick-off return while finishing with 124 yards on six catches. But he hurt his ankle on a hard hit by Josh Robinson late in the fourth quarter and didn’t return. This was his first game in Minnesota in more than two years after playing his first 3 1/2 seasons with the Vikings (6-7), who beat the Jets for the first time in eight match-ups since 1975.

Gerald Hodges returned an interception of Geno Smith for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, but the much-maligned second-year quarterback bounced back for the Jets (2-11) by going 18 for 29 for 254 yards and gaining 33 yards rushing on six attempts. Smith was just 7 of 13 for 49 yards against Miami in the last game.

Richardson had a safety among his three sacks. But Bridgewater finished 19 for 27 for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Charles Johnson caught the first one for 56 yards and totalled 103 yards on four receptions.

Nick Folk’s fifth field goal tied the game at 24 with 23 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

NEW YORK GIANTS 36 — TENNESSEE TITANS 7

Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants does a dance in the end zone after scoring a touchdown. Source: AFP

Eli Manning threw for 260 yards and a touchdown, and the Giants snapped a seven-game skid.

The Giants (4-9) won for the first time since Oct. 5 with two rookies having big games. Odell Beckham Jr. set a team rookie record with his fourth game with 100 yards receiving this season: 11 catches for 130 yards and a TD. Andre Williams ran for a season-high 131 yards, including a 50-yard TD.

Tennessee (2-11) lost its seventh straight and for the 11th time in 12 games with a performance that had fans booing and even a handful wearing paper bags over their heads. This is the franchise’s longest skid since losing 11 straight in 1994 as the then-Houston Oilers.

DALLAS COWBOYS 41 — CHICAGO BEARS 28

Joseph Randle #21 of the Dallas Cowboys (L) celebrates his touchdown. Source: AFP

DeMarco Murray ran for a season-high 179 yards and a touchdown, Tony Romo threw for three scores and the Dallas Cowboys beat the Chicago Bears 41-28 on Thursday night.

The Cowboys (9-4) made it look easy for most of the night against a struggling team that lost star receiver Brandon Marshall to a rib injury. Dallas clinched its first winning season since 2009, but is looking for more, with an NFC East title and first playoff appearance in five years in sight.

Led by Romo and Murray, Dallas rebounded from a blowout loss to the Eagles on Thanksgiving and pulled within a half-game of them with a showdown in Philadelphia next week.

The Cowboys took a 14-7 half-time lead and scored 21 unanswered in the third quarter before the Bears (5-8) rallied in the fourth.

Dallas have recorded their first winning season since 2009, scoring a thumping 41-28 win over Chicago Bears.