KINGS OF THE HILL
Versatile Hill does it all as Saints clinch NFC South
ATLANTA — Taysom Hill blocked a punt to set up his 3-yard touchdown catch, later scored on a 30-yard run and the Saints clinched their third straight NFC South title by beating the Falcons 26-18 on Thursday night.
With Julio Jones inactive because of a shoulder injury, the Falcons had too little offense to keep pace with Drew Brees and the Saints. Atlanta recovered two onside kicks in the closing minutes, including one with 1:54 remaining, to make things interesting.
Matt Ryan was sacked by Cameron Jordan on a fourth-down play from the New Orleans 44 with 38 seconds remaining. Ryan was sacked nine times, including four by Jordan.
The Saints (10-2) atoned for their 26-9 home loss to the Falcons on Nov. 10. It was the Saints’ only loss in their last 10 games.
The versatile Hill blocked Ryan Allen’s punt to end Atlanta’s first possession. The Saints took over at the Falcons 30, and four plays later Hill scored his first touchdown on the short pass from Brees.
Hill took a direct snap and ran 30 yards for his first rushing touchdown of the season to give New Orleans a 17-6 lead late in the first half.
The disappointing Falcons (3-9) solidified their hold on last place in the division with their second straight home loss.
Atlanta running back Devonta Freeman returned after missing two games with a foot sprain. Freeman ran for 51 yards on 17 carries.
Ryan committed three secondhalf turnovers — two interceptions and a lost fumble. Saints nose tackle Shy Tuttle and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson had interceptions.
Bears 24, Lions 20
In Detroit, Mitchell Trubisky started and closed strong to overcome some shaky decisions and plays in between to keep the Bears in the NFC playoff picture.
Trubisky threw a go-ahead, 3-yard touchdown pass to David Montgomery with 2:17 left, lifting Chicago to a 24-20 win over the slumping Lions on Thursday.
The Bears took the lead on the nine-play, 90-yard drive in which Trubisky converted a pair of third downs with 35- and 32-yard passes Anthony Miller.
“He made special throws at special times,” coach Matt Nagy said.
Chicago sealed the victory on the ensuing possession with Eddie Jackson’s interception.
Rookie quarterback David
Blough led Detroit’s last drive to the Chicago 26 in the final minute before losing 13 yards on a sack to leave a desperation pass as the only option and Jackson picked off his heave.
The Bears (6-6) have won three of four games after losing four in a row, keeping their postseason hopes alive.
“We put ourselves in a good position to have another big game next week,” Trubisky said.
The Lions (3-8-1) have lost five straight for the first time under second-year coach Matt Patricia.
“It’s one of the toughest teams I’ve probably ever been around,” said Patricia, a former assistant coach with the Patriots. “This team fights like probably no other team I’ve ever seen.
“We’ve got to find a way to win.”