NFL ROUNDUP

Miami 20 New England 10

Tom Brady was sacked twice and knocked down at least half a dozen times, and New England missed a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Brady watched New England’s final offensive series from the sideline. With the Patriots eager to protect his health, he threw a season-low 21 passes, but even so was lucky to make it through the game in one piece. New England (12-4) still had a chance at the No. 1 seed if Denver had lost.

Cincinnati 24 Baltimore 16

Quarterback A. J. McCarron overcame a rough start and threw a pair of touchdown passes. The Bengals ( 12- 4) matched the best record in franchise history — they also won 12 games during the 1981 and 1988 seasons when they reached the Super Bowl. Denver’s victory pushed them to the No. 3 seed in the AFC. The AFC North champions wasted a chance to clinch the No. 2 seed when they lost in Denver 20-17 on Monday night.

Kansas City 23 Oakland 17

Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes, Kansas City sacked Raiders quarterback Derek Carr six times, and the Chiefs held on for a franchisebest 10 straight wins entering the post- season. The Chiefs will be the No. 5 seed and play next week in Houston.

Seattle 36 Kansas City 6

Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes in a second- quarter outburst and the Seahawks emphatically snapped Arizona’s nine- game winning streak. Playing on the same field where they lost a Super Bowl heartbreaker last February, the Seahawks ( 10- 6) dominated from their opening possession and led 30- 6 at the half. It was a sour end to the regular season for the NFC West champion Cardinals ( 133), who already had clinched the NFC’s No. 2 seed and a bye.

Carolina 38 Tampa Bay 10

Cam Newton ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more, and the Panthers captured the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time in their history, capping off their 15-1 season. Newton tied Steve Young’s NFL record for most career TDs rushing by a quarterback with 43.