■ Panthers ruin Rodgers’ return in defeating Packers,
Jaguars win, reach postseason for first time in 10 years.
Cam Newton threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns, and the Carolina Panthers spoiled Aaron Rodgers’ return from a broken collarbone with a 31-24 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Damiere Byrd had two touchdown catches, and Christian McCaffrey had 136 yards from scrimmage, including a 7-yard touchdown reception as the Panthers (10-4) won their fourth straight home game.
Greg Olsen had his most productive game since returning from a broken foot, catching nine passes for 116 yards and a TD, and the Panthers kept pace with the first-place New Orleans Saints in the NFC South.
Rodgers, making his first appearance since Oct. 15, threw for 290 yards with three touchdowns but was intercepted three times as the 7-7 Packers’ playoff hopes took a potentially critical blow.
Jaguars 45, Texans 7: The Jaguars are returning to the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
Once the NFL’s poster child for futility and a punchline for potential relocation, the Jaguars (10-4) are now one of the league’s top turnaround stories.
Blake Bortles threw three touchdowns passes, including two to a reserve receiver, Jaydon Mickens. The Jaguars won for the seventh time in eight games to clinch a postseason berth for the first time since 2007.
Bortles finished with a season-high 326 yards and the best QB rating (143.8) of his career, including 186 yards and a touchdown to rookie Keelan Cole. Mickens, who stepped in for injured starter Marqise Lee in the first quarter, caught four passes for 61 yards and two scores against the Texans (4-10).
Eagles 34, Giants 29: Nick Foles threw four touchdown passes in his first start replacing the injured Carson Wentz, and the Eagles (12-2) secured a first-round playoff bye, rallying from an early 14-point deficit. Eli Manning threw for a season-high 434 yards and three touchdowns for the Giants (2-12).
Bills 24, Dolphins 16: LeSean McCoy scored twice and surpassed 10,000 careeryards rushing, while helping the Bills (8-6) stay in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt
Tyrod Taylor also scored on a 9-yard touchdown run, and Shareece Wright and Jordan Poyer intercepted Miami’s Jay Cutler on consecutive drives to start the second half in a game Buffalo never trailed. Rookie Tre’Davious White sealed the win by intercepting Cutler with 28 seconds remaining. The Dolphins slipped to 5-8.
Redskins 20, Cardinals 15: Anthony Lanier sacked Blaine Gabbert and forced a fumble that Preston Smith recovered and the Redskins survived a comedy of errors for each team.
Smith also intercepted Gabbert and Lanier batted down three passes and had two sacks as they gave the Redskins (6-8) a glimpse of their potential as significant pieces of the defense for years to come. The Cardinals are also 6-8.
Saints 31, Jets 19: Mark Ingram ran for two touchdowns and gained 151 yards from scrimmage, including a late 50-yard TD run, for the Saints (10-4).
Bryce Petty made his first start at quarterback this season for the Jets (5-9), who were eliminated from playoff contentions.
Petty completed 19 of 39 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice — once on a tipped pass and once on a long, inconsequential throw as the game ended.