Charles runs for 159 yards as Chiefs reign
The Kansas City Chiefs stopped the Seattle Seahawks on fourth down three times late in the fourth quarter Sunday, holding on for a tense 24-20 victory in a matchup of playoff contenders.
Jamaal Charles ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns, and Knile Davis also ran for a score, as the Chiefs (7-3) won their fifth straight game and moved into a tie for first in the AFC West.
Russell Wilson threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns, and Marshawn Lynch had 124 yards rushing for Seattle (6-4).
RAMS DEFENCE HANDLES MANNING IN OT WIN
Shaun Hill was effective in his first start since regaining the quarterback job and the St. Louis Rams defence made life miserable for Peyton Manning in a 22-7 victory over the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Rookie Tre Mason had 113 yards, the most allowed by the Broncos’ top-ranked run defence.
Manning was 34 for 54 for 389 yards with two interceptions, but was held to a 42-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders, ending a streak of 15 consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes.
The Broncos (7-3) were held to 28 yards rushing and failed twice on fourth down deep in Rams territory.
WATT’S GREAT PLAYS TOO MUCH FOR BROWNS
J.J. Watt caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Mallett, dominated on defence and the Houston Texans climbed back to .500 with a 23-7 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Watt was all over the field. Along with his TD, he recorded a strip sack, made five tackles — three for a loss — recovered a fumble and hurried Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer into several bad throws. Watt provided more proof he’s the NFL’s best defensive player.
Mallett threw a pair of TD passes and finished with 211 yards in his first career start. The four-year veteran was promoted during the bye week after the Texans (5-5) benched Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The Texans played without star running back Arian Foster because of a groin injury, but rookie Alfred Blue stepped in and gained 156 yards on a franchise-record 36 carries.
The Browns (6-4) won’t spend a second straight week atop the AFC North. They lost for just the second time in seven games, and Watt is the main reason why.
DALTON, GRESHAM LEAD BENGALS TO VICTORY
Andy Dalton rebounded from one of the worst outings of his career by passing for three touchdowns, and the Cincinnati Bengals dropped the New Orleans Saints to a second straight loss, 27-10 on Sunday.
For Dalton, the game represented a dramatic reversal from a week ago, when he completed only 10 passes for 86 yards and had a passer rating of 2.0 in a 24-3 loss to Cleveland.
Against New Orleans (4-6), Dalton gave the Bengals (6-3-1) an early lead they never relinquished. He was 16 of 22 for 220 yards, did not throw an interception and finished with a passer rating of 143.9.
Two of Dalton’s touchdown passes went to tight end Jermaine Gresham and the other to A.J. Green on a pinpoint 24-yard pass along the sideline.
Drew Brees passed for 255 yards and one TD to Kenny Stills.
CUTLER REBOUNDS AS BEARS BEAT VIKINGS
Jay Cutler threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns, and the Chicago Bears won for just the second time in seven games, beating the Minne- sota Vikings 21-13 on Sunday.
Ryan Mundy intercepted Teddy Bridgewater’s 29-yard pass in the end zone in the closing minute, and the Bears hung on for the win after suffering two of the worst blowout losses in franchise history.
Alshon Jeffery had 135 yards receiving and a touchdown catch, Brandon Marshall added 90 yards and two TD receptions, and Matt Forte ran for 117 yards.
Jared Allen had a sack against his former team, and the Bears (4-6) prevailed after joining the 1923 Rochester Jeffersons as the only teams to give up 50 or more points in consecutive games with blowouts at New England and Green Bay. But it was a different story against the Vikings (4-6).