Pats tip Steelers, lead for home field
Tom Brady hit Rob Gronkowski repeatedly to set up Dion Lewis’ go-ahead 8-yard TD with 56 seconds left and Ben Roethlisberger was intercepted in the end zone with 5 seconds to go as the visiting Patriots rallied Sunday to beat the Steelers 27-24 in Pittsburgh.
The Patriots gained the inside track for home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs by ending the Steelers’ eight-game winning streak. Brady threw for 298 yards with two TDs and an INT. Gronkowski caught nine passes for 168 yards, including four on the game-winning drive.
The Steelers lost wide receiver Antonio Brown to a partly torn calf muscle in the second quarter. The NFL Network reported Brown won’t need surgery and the Steelers hope he’ll return for the playoffs.
The Steelers appeared to take the lead when Roethlisberger connected with tight end Jesse James for a 10-yard TD with 28 seconds to left.
But the play was overturned review, with James ruled not have control of the ball.
Seconds later, Roethlisberger’s pass to Eli Rogers was batted into the air, and the Patriots’ Duron Harmon came down with it. on to Rams 42, Seahawks 7: Todd Gurley scored four times as the Rams scored on six of seven first-half drives and moved to the cusp of their first division title since 2003. Jaguars 45, Texans 7: Blake Bortles threw three TD passes as the Jaguars clinched their first playoff berth since 2007. Bortles posted a season-high 326 yards and a careerbest 143.8 QB rating. Saints 31, Jets 19: Mark Ingram ran for two TDs and Michael Thomas caught nine passes for 93 yards. The Saints overcame three turnovers. Panthers 31, Packers 24: Cam Newton threw four scoring passes as the Panthers spoiled Aaron Rodgers’ return from a broken collarbone. Rodgers threw three TD passes but also had three INTs. Redskins 20, Cardinals 15: Kirk Cousins threw two TD passes as the Cardinals were eliminated. Vikings 34, Bengals 7: Case Keenum passed for two TDs and the Vikings clinched the NFC North. Keenum completed seven passes to Jerick McKinnon for 114 yards in the first 100-yard receiving game for a Vikings RB since 2004. Eagles 34, Giants 29: Nick Foles fired four TD passes in his first start for the injured Carson Wentz. The Eagles rallied from 14 down to secure a first-round bye. Bills 24, Dolphins 16: LeSean McCoy became the 30th player to surpass 10,000 career rushing yards and scored twice. McCoy ran for 50 yards to raise his total to 10,011. 49ers 25, Titans 23: Jimmy Garoppolo threw for a career-high 381 yards and a TD to give the 49ers a three-game winning streak. Ravens 27, Browns 10: Joe Flacco threw a 33-yard TD pass to Benjamin Watson and ran for a score. Cowboys at Raiders: The Cowboys had only a wild-card spot to fight for. The Raiders had to win to stay a game off the AFC West lead.