WITH SOME HELP, NINERS SECURE NO. 1 SEED IN NFC

Minutes after rolling to a 27-10 victory at Washington, the San Francisco 49ers watched the final minute of Philadelphia’s game at Arizona together in the visiting locker room.

A loud cheer erupted when the Eagles lost to Arizona in stunning fashion. After Brock Purdy threw two touchdown passes to bounce back from the worst game of his NFL career and results elsewhere fell their way, the Niners clinched the top seed in the NFC and the first-round bye and homefield advantage that comes with it.

“Thank you, Cardinals,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “Back in ’19, it took us winning in Seattle on the very last play of the game to secure the 1 seed, and the fact that we were able to get it with one game left in the season is big.”

Wrapping up the No. 1 seed before Week 18 could be a significant advantage for San Francisco (12-4) after losing Christian McCaffrey to a calf injury against the Commanders (4-12). The doit-all running back left the game in the third quarter after gaining 91 scrimmage yards on 18 touches, and coach Kyle Shanahan thinks it could be a strained calf muscle.

Chiefs 25, Bengals 17: Harrison Butker was a career-best 6 for 6 on field-goal attempts and host Kansas City clinched its eighth straight AFC West title.

Patrick Mahomes had 245 yards passing and a touchdown for Kansas City (10-6). The Bengals (8-8) were eliminated from playoff contention.

Bills 27, Patriots 21: Josh Allen ran for two touchdowns, cornerback Rasul Douglas returned one of his two interceptions for a score, and Buffalo (10-6) beat visiting New England, setting up a showdown at Miami for the AFC East title.

The Patriots (4-12) are in jeopardy of finishing with their fewest wins in coach Bill Belichick’s tenure.

Saints 23, Buccaneers 13: Derek Carr threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns, and New Orleans moved into a tie atop the NFC South by halting host Tampa Bay’s four-game winning streak.

Tampa Bay (8-8) can still repeat as NFC South champion by winning at division rival Carolina next week. The Saints (8-8) close with a division game at home against Atlanta.

Jaguars 26, Panthers 0: Travis Etienne scored twice, including a 62-yard TD for his longest run of the season, and Jacksonville blanked (9-7) visiting Carolina (2-14) to end a four-game skid.

Texans 26, Titans 3: C.J. Stroud threw for 213 yards and a touchdown in his return from a concussion, and host Houston rolled.

Houston (9-7), Indianapolis and Jacksonville all won Sunday to leave the three teams with identical records in the AFC South.

Tennessee (5-11) fell to Houston for the second time in three weeks.

Colts 23, Raiders 20: Gardner Minshew threw a touchdown pass, Jonathan Taylor ran for a score, and two late defensive penalties helped Indianapolis (9-7) beat visiting Las Vegas to stay in the AFC playoff chase.

The Raiders (7-9) had their two-game winning streak end and were eliminated from the postseason.

Bears 37, Falcons 17: Justin Fields threw for 268 yards with a touchdown pass and a rushing TD in what could be his final home game for host Chicago, which dealt Atlanta’s playoff hopes a big blow.

D.J. Moore finished with nine catches for 159 yards and a touchdown, and Khalil

Herbert ran for 124 yards and a score as the Bears (7-9) overwhelmed the Falcons (7-9).

Steelers 30, Seahawks 23: Najee Harris rushed for a season-high 122 yards and bullied his way into the end zone for a pair of touchdowns, and visiting Pittsburgh (9-7) kept its playoff hopes alive.

Seattle (8-8) had its twogame win streak snapped and while the Seahawks weren’t eliminated, they will need a victory and a lot of help in Week 18.