AROUND THE NFL
■ Chiefs 32, Saints 29: Patrick Mahomes threw for 254 yards and three TDs, and the Chiefs extended their winning streak to ninegames. TheChiefs defense did its part to spoil Drew Brees’ return from rib fractures and a punctured lung that had kept the record-setting passer out four games. Brees passed for 234 yards and three TDs, but the 41-year-old completed less than half of his passes and was intercepted for just the fourth time this season. The road win kept the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (13-1) in pole position to capture the AFC’s lone playoff bye as a No. 1 seed. The Saints missed a chance to clinch the NFCSouth for a second straight week and now are longshots to capture the NFC’s top seed. Chiefs RB Clyde EdwardsHelaire suffered an apparent left leg injury during the fourth quarter and didn’t return.
■ Seahawks 20, Washington 15:
Russell Wilson threw for a TD, Carlos Hyde ran 50 yards for a score and the Seahawks picked off Washington QB Dwayne Haskins twice to hold on for the road victory and clinch a playoff berth.
■ Titans 46, Lions 25: Ryan Tannehill ran for two TDs and threw three more and Derrick Henry ran for 147 yards and a score to help the host Titans cruise to their fourth win in five games.
■ Colts 27, Texans 20: Philip Rivers threw a late, tiebreaking TDto Zach Pascal and the Colts defense recovered a fumble in the end zone with 19 seconds left to seal the victory at home. The Colts won their third straight game. Rookie RB JonathanTaylor had 16 carries for 83 yards and a score in the win.
■ Dolphins 22, Patriots 12:
Undrafted rookie Salvon Ahmed and veteran Matt Breida combined for 208 yards rushing to lead the Dolphins to the win at home. Ahmed became the Dolphins’ first 100-yard rusher since 2018, totaling 122 yards and scoring a 2-point conversion on a trick play. The Patriots were eliminated from playoff contention, ending their NFLrecord run of 11 consecutive postseason appearances.
■ Ravens40, Jaguars 14: The Ravens built a 26-point halftime lead and rolled to the victory at home. Lamar Jackson threw three TD passes and ran for a score for the Ravens, who won their third straight following a three-game skid. The Jags lost their 13th in a row.
■ Buccaneers 31, Falcons 27:
Tom Brady did it again to the Falcons. This time, he didn’t even needOT. Rallying the Bucs from a pair of 17-point deficits, Brady recreated his Super Bowl LI miracle by leading the Bucs on five straight scoring drives in the second half for the victory on the road.
■ Cardinals 33, Eagles 26:
Kyler Murray threw for a career-high 406 yards, DeAndre Hopkins had 169 yards receiving and a stellar TD catch, and the host Cardinals improved their position inthe playoff race. The Cardinals, who haven’t made the postseason since 2015, currently hold the final wildcard berth in theNFC.
■ Bears 33, Vikings 27: David Montgomery rushed for a career-high 146 yards and two scores and the Bears never trailed in the road victory.
■ Cowboys 41, 49ers 33:
Tony Pollard ran for two TDs with Ezekiel Elliott sidelined by an injury for the first time in the two-time rushing champ’s career, and the Cowboys earned the win at home. Four of the seven Cowboys scores were set up by turnovers from the 49ers, who became just the second Super Bowl runner-up in the last 13 seasons to finish with a losing record the next year.