HAWKS LIFT GIANTS, REACH PLAYOFFS
SEAHAWKS 20
WASHINGTON 15
LANDOVER, Md. — Russell Wilson asked Carlos Dunlap to make a play to get the Seahawks into the playoffs, and the veteran defensive end was all too eager to deliver.
Dunlap shook off a lingering foot injury and sacked Washington’s Dwayne Haskins to shore up a 20-15 victory Sunday that clinched a playoff spot. It’s Seattle’s ninth berth in 11 seasons under coach Pete Carroll but Dunlap’s first crack at the postseason since 2015 and safety Jamal Adams’ first in his NFL career.
“I know you guys are used to Seattle always going to the playoffs — I’m not used to this,” said Adams, who extended his single-season sacks record for a defensive back. Adams couldn’t contain his excitement after another game he played with two broken fingers. “I’m just excited. It feels good, man. This is what you dream of.”
Carroll called it a “sweet win,” brushing off a rough fourth quarter to celebrate another accomplishment. Wilson threw for a touchdown, Carlos Hyde ran 50 yards for a score, and the Seahawks (10-4) picked off Haskins twice before holding on with a defensive stop in the final minutes.
“The universe just wants me to win, and we’ve got an opportunity,” Dunlap said. “That’s all I want is an opportunity.”
Washington (6-8), battling the Giants for the NFC East lead, still has an opportunity to win its division, even though its winning streak was snapped at four with Alex Smith out because of a calf injury. Haskins finished 38 of 55 for 295 yards, a TD pass and the two interceptions.
BUCS 31, FALCONS 27
Tom Brady did it to the Falcons again. This time, he didn’t even need overtime.
Rallying Tampa Bay from a pair of 17-point deficits, Brady recreated his Super Bowl miracle by leading the visiting Buccaneers on five straight scoring drives in the second half for a victory over the stunned Falcons.
The stakes weren’t nearly as high and the deficit wasn’t quite as daunting, but Brady’s latest blow to Atlanta took the Bucs (9-5) to the verge of their first playoff berth since 2007.
COLTS 27, TEXANS 20
Philip Rivers threw a late, tiebreaking touchdown to Zach Pascal and Indianapolis’ defense recovered a fumble in the end zone with 19 seconds left to seal a victory over visiting Houston.
Indy (10-4) has won three straight to retain a share of the AFC South lead with Tennessee, a winner over Detroit. Houston (410) has lost three straight and five of six in this series.
TITANS 46, LIONS 25
In Nashville, Ryan Tannehill ran for two touchdowns and threw three more, and Derrick Henry ran for 147 yards and a score to move Tennessee closer to clinching its third playoff berth in four seasons as it routed Detroit.
The Titans (10-4) did their part with their second straight victory and fourth in five games to stay atop the AFC South. With Indianapolis beating Houston, the Titans still hold the tiebreaker in the division over the Colts with
two games remaining.
BEARS 33, VIKINGS 27
David Montgomery rushed for a career-high 146 yards and two touchdowns and Chicago trampled host Minnesota’s depleted defense and hung on for a victory to stay in the hunt for the expanded playoffs.
The Bears (7-7), , never trailed in winning at Minnesota for a third straight year. Coach Matt Nagy improved to 5-1 against the Vikings (6-8), whose postseason chances all but vanished.
COWBOYS 41, 49ERS 33
Tony Pollard ran for two touchdowns with Ezekiel Elliott sidelined by an injury for the first time in the two-time rushing champion’s career, and Dallas beat visiting San Francisco.
CARDS 33, EAGLES 26
DeAndre Hopkins fumbled early in Sunday’s game and immediately knew the problem. Arizona’s leading receiver usually wears gloves that are size 5 XL, but the ones he tried early in the game were only 4 XL.
Once that problem was rectified, the three-time All-Pro was back to filling up the highlight reel. Hopkins and his huge hands totaled a season-high 169 yards receiving — including a spectacular 20-yard touchdown catch for the go-ahead score — and the host Cardinals improved their playoff position by beating the Eagles 3326 on Sunday.
“I don’t even know why I tried to put them on,” Hopkins said, grinning about his 4 XL-glove experiment.
CHIEFS 32, SAINTS 29
Patrick Mahomes put his full repertoire of side-arm throws, basketball-style push passes and underhanded flips on display while passing for 254 yards and three touchdowns, and the visiting Chiefs extended their winning streak to nine games with a 32-29 victory over the Saints.
The Kansas City defense did its part to spoil Drew Brees’ return from rib fractures and a punctured lung.