SUNDAY’S GAMES
Packers 24, Jaguars 20
Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score as the host Green Bay Packers overcame numerous mistakes to rally for a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rodgers put the Packers (7-2) ahead for good with 9:11 left by throwing a 6-yard TD pass to Davante Adams, who had left with an ankle injury earlier in the second half. Rodgers also had a 5-yard touchdown run and a 78-yard scoring strike to Marquez ValdesScantling, who caught four passes for a career-high 149 yards.
Keelan Cole scored on a franchise-record 91-yard punt return and a 12-yard reception for Jacksonville (1-8), which lost its eighth straight. Jacksonville’s James Robinson rushed for 109 yards on 23 carries.
Cole became the first Jaguar ever to score on a punt return and a reception in the same game, as well as the first player from any team ever to accomplish that feat against the Packers.
Jacksonville’s first drive after Adams’ touchdown stalled at midfield, but Jacksonville got the ball back on its 46 with 2:25 left after a 30-yard punt by JK Scott that followed a third-and-1 stop of Aaron Jones.
The Jaguars got as far as Green Bay’s 36, but back-to-back sacks by Rashan Gary and Preston Smith pushed them back to their own side of the field before Jake Luton threw incomplete on fourth-and-26 to seal Jacksonville’s fate.
Lions 30, Washington 27
Matt Prater made a 59-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the host Detroit Lions to a win over Washington.
Matthew Stafford threw two of his three touchdown passes in the first half and directed the winning drive with just 16 seconds left. Rookie defensive end Chase Young was called for roughing the passer, giving Detroit the ball at midfield. Stafford threw a 9-yard pass to Marvin Jones to set up the kick.
The Lions (4-5) won at home for the first time in more than a year after building a 14-point lead at halftime and going ahead 24-3 midway through the third quarter.
Washington (2-7) pulled into a tie by scoring touchdowns on three straight series in the second half in Alex Smith’s first start in nearly two years. But its defense could not stop Stafford when it mattered most.
Prater made a go-ahead, 37-yard field goal with 2:42 remaining.
Buccaneers 46, Panthers 23
Tom Brady threw for 341 yards and was involved in four touchdowns, Ronald Jones had a franchise-record 98-yard touchdown run, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bounced back from a dreadful defeat with a resounding win over the host Carolina Panthers.
Coming off the most lopsided loss of his illustrious career – a 38-3 defeat to the Saints – Brady threw touchdown passes to Cameron Brate, Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski, then ran for another score in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
Jones’ run in the third quarter broke open a tight game. He raced up the middle behind left guard, shook off safety Tre Boston and was gone. Jones finished with a career-high 181 yards and became the fourth NFL player with a TD run of 98 yards or longer, joining Tony Dorsett, Derrick Henry and Ahman Green.
Chris Godwin had 92 yards receiving for the Buccaneers (7-3), who swept the season series and handed the Panthers (3-7) their fifth straight loss.