Jackson, Ravens halt Patriots’ unbeaten run
The Patriots’ unbeaten season crashed to an end under the weight of their own mistakes and inability to contain Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who ripped apart the NFL’s stingiest defense with his arm and legs in a 37-20 victory Sunday night in Baltimore.
The Ravens zipped to an early 17-0 lead and let the Patriots creep within striking distance before quelling the comeback with a 70-yard fumble return by Marlon Humphrey and a five-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Nick Boyle early in the fourth quarter.
That made it 30-20, and not even six-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady could bring the Patriots out of the hole. Brady, who went 30-for-46 for 285 yards, threw an interception with 12:47 left.
Jackson then led a methodical 9½-minute drive that ended with his thrust into the end zone from the 1-yard line.
Jackson ran for 61 yards and two touchdowns and went 17for-23 for 163 yards and a score. Mark Ingram ran for 115 yards, and the NFL’s leading rushing attack amassed 210 yards on the ground.
The defending Super Bowl champion Patriots picked up two fumbles, but they had two turnovers themselves and committed a costly penalty that contributed to the Ravens’ first touchdown.
The Patriots had won 12 in a row since last season, including the playoffs.
Seahawks 40, Bucs 34 (OT)
Russell Wilson hit Jacob Hollister with a 10-yard touchdown pass on the opening possession of overtime, and host Seattle rallied to beat Tampa Bay.
Wilson continued his brilliant season, tying his career high with five touchdown passes as Seattle overcame Jason Myers’ missed 40-yard field-goal attempt on the final play of regulation and never gave Tampa Bay a chance in the extra session. Wilson was 5-for-8 for 70 yards in overtime, capping the winning drive by hitting the reserve tight end across the middle for his second touchdown of the game.
Wilson finished 29-for-43 for 378 yards. It was his third career game with five TD passes and capped Seattle’s wild second half after trailing 21-7 midway through the second quarter.
Steelers 26, Colts 24
Adam Vinatieri missed a goahead 43-yard field goal with 1:14 remaining, helping host Pittsburgh escape with a victory.
Mason Rudolph threw for 191 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and Minkah Fitzpatrick returned an interception 96 yards for a score as the Steelers won their third consecutive game.
Colts starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett left in the second quarter with a left knee injury. Brian Hoyer came on and threw for three touchdowns in his absence.
Panthers 30, Titans 20
Christian McCaffrey had 166 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns, and host Carolina bounced back from an embarrassing defeat.
Kyle Allen threw touchdown passes of seven yards to McCaffrey and 12 yards to Curtis Samuel to improve to 5-1 this season as Carolina’s starting QB.