Winless Lions at least get tie
PITTSBURGH >> Playing without star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who entered the COVID-19 protocol on Saturday night, the Steelers slogged their way to a 16-16 tie with the Detroit Lions on Sunday in an ugly nearly four-hour marathon that produced more comedy than highlights.
Mason Rudolph completed 30 of 50 passes for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but struggled with consistency while making a spot start. Najee Harris ran for 105 yards and at times appeared to be Pittsburgh’s only legitimate offensive weapon as the Steelers (53-1) saw their four-game winning streak halted in the dank mist at rainy Heinz Field.
De’Andre Swift ran for a career-high 130 yards for the Lions (0-8-1), who relied heavily on the run to avoid a ninth straight loss with quarterback Jared Goff rendered almost completely ineffective.
TITANS 23, SAINTS 21 >> Ryan Tannehill ran and threw for touchdowns as the Tennessee held off the Saints for their NFL-best sixth straight victory.
The Titans (8-2) also became the second team in NFL history to win five straight over playoff teams from the season before, joining the 2003 Philadelphia Eagles.
WASHINGTON 29, BUCCANEERS 19 >> Tom Brady threw two interceptions in the first quarter as part of an implosion by the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Washington lost Chase Young, last season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, to a potentially serious injury.
COWBOYS 43, FALCONS 3 >> Ezekiel Elliott ran for two touchdowns, Nahshon Wright recovered a blocked punt for a score a week after touching one kept Dallas from getting the ball, and the Cowboys routed the Falcons.
PATRIOTS 35, BROWNS 7 >> Mac Jones threw three touchdown passes, rookie Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for a career-high 100 yards and two scores, and the Browns lost quarterback Baker Mayfield to a knee injury.
COLTS 23, JAGUARS 17 >> Jonathan Taylor rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown and Indianapolis returned a blocked punt for a score.
BILLS 45, JETS 17 >> Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, Buffalo ran for four scores and the Bills’ topranked ranked defense intercepted Mike White four times.
PANTHERS 34, CARDINALS 10 >> Cam Newton provided a flashback to his Superman days in his second debut with the Panthers, throwing for one touchdown, running for another and sparking Carolina to a win over Arizona.
EAGLES 30, BRONCOS 13 >> Cornerback Darius Slay returned a fumble 82 yards for a touchdown and rookie DeVonta Smith hauled in two TD passes from Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia’s win over Denver.