Jackson, surging Ravens rout Jags
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens built a 26-point halftime lead against helpless Jacksonville and rolled to a 40-14 victory Sunday that boosted their playoff chances and extended the Jaguars’ losing streak to 13 games.
Lamar Jackson threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score to carry the Ravens (9-5) to their third straight win following a three-game skid. Hopeful of reaching the postseason for the third year in a row, Baltimore is among several AFC teams vying for three wild-card spots.
After Jackson returned from a bout with cramps to deliver a thrilling 47-42 win in Cleveland on Monday night, the Ravens had no desire for any drama at home against Jacksonville (1-13).
Rookie and OSU alum J.K. Dobbins ran for 64 yards and a score, and 32-year-old receiver Dez Bryant celebrated his first touchdown since 2017 late in the first half. It added up to the kind of confidence-building blowout the Ravens were looking for as they head into the final two weeks of a harrowing season in which they’ve fought through an outbreak of COVID-19 that forced two games to be rescheduled.
Dolphins 22, Patriots 12: Undrafted rookie Salvon Ahmed and veteran Matt Breida combined for 208 yards rushing to lead the Miami to a 22-12 victory over the New England, who were eliminated from playoff contention, ending their NFL-record run of 11 consecutive postseason appearances.
The Dolphins (9-5) bolstered their wild-card chances and are assured of a winning record for only the second time since 2008.
The Patriots (6-8) will finish at .500 or worse for the first time since 2000, the year they drafted Tom Brady. They fall one year short of matching the Dallas Cowboys’ NFL record of 20 consecutive winning seasons.
Colts 27, Texans 20: Philip Rivers threw a late, tiebreaking touchdown to Zach Pascal and the Indianapolis Colts defense recovered a fumble in the end zone with 19 seconds left to seal a 27-20 victory over the Houston Texans.
Indy (10-4) has won three straight to retain a share of the AFC South lead with Tennessee, winners over Detroit. Houston (4-10) has lost three straight and five of six in this series.
Titans 46, Lions 25: Ryan Tannehill ran for two touchdowns and threw three more, and Derrick Henry ran for 147 yards and a score to move the Tennessee Titans (10-4) closer to clinching their third playoff berth in four seasons routing the Detroit Lions (5-9) 46-25.
Buccaneers 31, Falcons 27: Tom Brady did it again to the Atlanta Falcons.
This time, he didn’t even need overtime.
Rallying Tampa Bay (9-5) from a pair of 17-point deficits, Brady recreated his Super Bowl miracle by leading the Buccaneers on five straight scoring drives in the second half for a 31-27 victory over the stunned Falcons (4-10).
Cowboys 41, 49ers 33: Tony Pollard ran for two touchdowns with Buckeyes alum Ezekiel Elliott sidelined by an injury for the first time in the two-time rushing champion’s career, and the Dallas Cowboys (5-9) beat the San Francisco 49ers (5-9) 41-33 on Sunday.
Bears 33, Vikings 27: David Montgomery rushed for a career-high 146 yards and two touchdowns as the Chicago Bears (7-7) trampled Minnesota’s (6-8) depleted defense and hung on for a 33-27 victory to stay in the hunt for the expanded playoffs.
Seahawks 20, Washington 15: Russell Wilson and the Seahawks (10-4) built a big lead, and Seattle’s suddenly opportunistic defense held on to beat Washington (6-8) 20-15 and clinch a playoff spot.