Titans top seed in AFC
The Titans clinched the top seed in the AFC for the first time in 14 years, beating the Texans 28-25 on Sunday in Houston behind quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s career-high-tying four touchdown passes.
The 12-5 Titans, who secured their second straight AFC South title last week, have the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the third time since leaving Houston in 1997 and first since 2008.
Tannehill threw three TD passes in the second quarter to put the Titans up 21-0 at halftime.
But the Texans (4-13) came alive in the second half and twice cut the lead to 3 in the fourth quarter. Steelers 16, Ravens 13: Chris Boswell made a 36-yard FG with 1:56 remaining in OT to win the game for the visiting Steelers, who were positioned to make the playoffs as long as the Chargers-Raiders game Sunday night didn’t end in a tie. That game ended too late for this edition.
Bills 27, Jets 10: The host Bills clinched their second consecutive AFC East title after RB Devin Singletary scored twice in the final 8:21. Jaguars 26, Colts 11: The Colts botched a chance to secure an AFC wild-card spot by suffering their seventh consecutive road loss to the Jaguars. And they were eliminated from postseason contention when the Steelers won their game. Rushing champ Jonathan Taylor was held to 77 yards and Carson Wentz turned the ball over twice – leading to 10 points. Buccaneers 41, Panthers 17: Tom Brady topped 5,000 yards passing for the second time in his career, tossed three TDs and the host Bucs set a franchise record for regular-season victories (13) and secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.
49ers 27, Rams 24: Robbie Gould’s 24-yard FG with 2:45 left in OT and Ambry Thomas’ game-ending INT lifted the visiting 49ers over the NFC West champion Rams and into the playoffs. Seahawks 38, Cardinals 30: The Seahawks spoiled a shot at the NFC West title for the host Cardinals.
Saints 30, Falcons 20: The visiting Saints topped the Falcons but just missed making the playoffs after the 49ers’ win over the Rams. Lions 37, Packers 30: Aaron Rodgers tossed two TD passes and then sat out the second half with nothing at stake for the Packers as the Lions earned the win at home. The Packers had already clinched the top seed in the NFC.
21, Bengals 16: QB Case Keenum earned his second victory, filling in for Baker Mayfield as the Browns ended their dismal season with a victory over the AFC North champs, who left QB Joe Burrow at home and played their backups. Vikings 31, Bears 17: Kirk Cousins passed for 172 yards and three TDs in the second half to lead the host Vikings to the win.
Washington 22, Giants 7: Antonio Gibson ran for a career-high 146 yards, with a TD, and capped his first 1,000-yard rushing season by lifting WFT on the road. Dolphins 33, Patriots 24: Jaylen Waddle had a TD grab and set the NFL record for receptions in a rookie year with 104, Duke Johnson rushed for 117 yards and the host Dolphins finished their season by beating the playoff-bound Pats.