Texans end three-game skid with win over Arizona
HOUSTON » DeAndre Hopkins admitted that Andre Johnson being at NRG Stadium on Sunday to become the inaugural member of the Houston Texans Ring of Honor gave him a little boost in a 31-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
“Andre is always inspiring,” Hopkins said. “Just his presence, being out there before the game ... for him to have this day, it definitely brought a spark to some people.”
Hopkins finished with four receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown as the Texans (4-6) scored two fourthquarter touchdowns to secure the victory to snap a three-game losing streak.
Johnson spent 12 seasons in Houston and is the team’s leader in yards receiving (13,597), receptions (1,012) and touchdown receptions (64). He was given a red jacket and feted with a halftime ceremony attended by dozens of former Texans.
The Texans won despite two turnovers by Tom Savage, who has lost six fumbles and thrown three interceptions in four starts this season. He finished 22 of 32 for 230 yards and two TDs in his third start since Deshaun Watson was injured. PATRIOTS 33, RAIDERS 8» Tom Brady felt right at home in his first appearance in Mexico by throwing for 339 yards and three touchdowns, to the delight of an adoring crowd, in New England’s victory over Oakland.
Brady completed his first 12 passes and picked apart Oakland’s suspect defense to chants of “Brady! Brady!” from an amped-up crowd at Azteca Stadium. The large contingent of Patriots fans in the well-divided crowd for a Raiders “home” game had plenty to cheer about as New England (8-2) dominated from start to finish.
After winning their debut trip to Mexico City last year against Houston, the Raiders (4-6) were completely overmatched in their return. VIKINGS 24, RAMS 7 » Latavius Murray rushed for 95 yards and two TDs, Adam Thielen turned a short catch into a 65-yard score and the Vikings smothered the NFL’s highest-scoring offense.
Case Keenum completed 27 of 38 passes for 280 yards and no turnovers against the team that benched him last season for No. 1 overall draft pick Jared Goff. He also guided the Vikings (8-2) to their sixth straight victory in a matchup of division leaders. RAVENS 23, PACKERS 0 » The Ravens forced five turnovers in their third shutout of the season. Baltimore last accomplished the feat when the Ray Lewis-led defense had four shutouts for the Super Bowl-winning team in 2000.
Jimmy Smith, Eric Weddle and Marlon Humphrey each picked off passes for Baltimore (5-5), which led the NFL in interceptions entering the weekend. CHARGERS 54, BILLS 24 » Casey Hayward made two of the Chargers’ five interceptions during a horrific first half by Buffalo rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman, and Los Angeles cruised over the slumping Bills. BENGALS 20, BRONCOS 17 » Andy Dalton threw three touchdown passes in Cincinnati’s win over the Broncos, their first win in Denver since 1975 when franchise founder Paul Brown was their head coach. LIONS 27, BEARS 24 » Matthew Stafford threw for 299 yards and two TDs, Matt Prater kicked a 52-yard field goal with 1:35 remaining. JAGUARS 19, BROWNS 7 » Blake Bortles threw a TD pass and Jacksonville linebacker Telvin Smith recovered a fumble for a TD with 1:14 remaining as the Jaguars won their fourth straight and moved into sole possession of first place in the AFC South. BUCS 30, DOLPHINS 20 » Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 275 yards and two TDs, Patrick Murray kicked a 35-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining and Tampa Bay snapped a sixgame road slide.