GREEN BAY KEEPS BROWNS WINLESS
CLEVELAND» The Packers saved their season just in time for their star quarterback’s return.
Brett Hundley threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams in overtime Sunday as the Packers rallied from a two-TD deficit in the fourth quarter for a 27-21 victory over the Browns, who dropped to 0-13.
Hundley pulled out his third win — and second straight in OT — since replacing Aaron Rodgers, and now the Packers (7-6) will get back their star QB after their season appeared doomed when he broke his collarbone in October.
“My No. 1 thought going into it was to keep our hopes alive to make the playoffs,” said Hundley, who had three touchdown passes. “Whenever I’m called upon, I’ll be ready. In the meantime, we’re still in this.”
Rodgers returned to practice last week, and if he’s cleared to play by Green Bay’s medical staff, he will be back on the field next Sunday when the Packers face Carolina in a big NFC game.
SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
After paying tribute to hospitalized linebacker Ryan Shazier by wearing black T-shirts with the No. 50 on them during pregame warm-ups, the Steelers improved to 11-2 and wrapped up the AFC North title by beating the Ravens in a 39-38 shootout. Chris Boswell’s 46-yard field goal with 42 seconds left dropped Baltimore to 7-6. Pittsburgh outscored the Ravens 19-7 in the fourth quarter after it was outscored 17-0 in the third. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 506 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to top 500 yards passing three times . ... Matthew Stafford passed for 381 yards with an injured throwing hand and set up Matt Prater for a 46-yard field goal in the closing seconds, helping the Lions remain in playoff contention with a 24-21 victory over the Buccaneers. Stafford made his 109th consecutive start despite being limited in practice after his right hand was stepped on during the previous week’s game at Baltimore. He completed 36-of44 passes against the Bucs (4-9), and the Lions (7-6) overcame two interceptions and a fumble to stop their two-game losing streak . ... Jimmy Garoppolo threw for a career-high 334 yards and a touchdown to help the 49ers post their second straight win, 26-16 over the Texans. Garoppolo again showed that he could be the answer for the 49ers (3-10) at quarterback, going 20-of-33 in his second start for them. Acquired before the trade deadline from New England, Garoppolo threw for 293 yards in his debut with the 49ers last week to help them post a 15-14 win at Chicago. The Texans (4-9) lost their third in a row and sixth in seven games . ... Mitchell Trubisky threw for a touchdown and ran for a TD in his best showing, and the Bears ended a five-game losing streak by routing the Bengals 33-7. It was Chicago’s most lopsided victory in five years. Jordan Howard ran for 147 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Bears (4-9) dominated. Their rookie QB took full advantage of an injury-depleted Cincinnati defense, completing 25-of-32 passes for 271 yards. The Bengals (5-8) were coming off a 23-20 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday night that crushed their playoff hopes and gutted their defense. The Bears piled up a season-high 482 yards in Cincinnati’s worst home drubbing since a 34-3 loss to Baltimore in 2008 . ... Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes as the Cowboys beat the Giants 3010, spoiling the return of quarterback Eli Manning to New York’s starting lineup. Prescott finished 20-of-30 passing for 332 yards as Dallas (7-6) stayed in the playoff hunt with three games left. The Cowboys dropped the Giants to 2-11 . ... Blake Bortles threw two perfect passes for touchdowns and Jaydon Mickens set up another TD with a 72-yard punt return as the Jaguars (9-4) pinned a 30-24 loss on the Seahawks (8-5) . ... Phil Dawson kicked four second-half field goals for the Cardinals, who improved to 6-7 with a 12-7 victory over the Titans (8-5). Tennessee was held to 65 yards rushing, one week after burying Houston with 198 yards on the ground.