RG3 returns from injuries but can’t help winless Browns
CLEVELAND — Robert Griffin III returned from injury, but couldn’t keep Cleveland (0-13) from falling closer to infamy as the Cincinnati Bengals built a big early lead and held off the winless Browns 23-10 Sunday in the snow as the Bengals (5-7-1) kept their playoff hopes alive. Griffin started for the first time since getting hurt in the opener. The Browns have three games left to avoid joining the 2008 Detroit Lions as the NFL’s only 0-16 team. They are making history with every loss. They are the seventh team since 1962 to start 0-13, joining the ’08 Lions, 1980 Saints, 1976 Buccaneers, 2011 Colts, 2007 Dolphins and 1962 Raiders.
BUCS 16, SAINTS 11
TAMPA — Streaking Tampa Bay bolstered its playoff hopes by building an early lead and holding off Drew Brees and New Orleans for its fifth straight victory. Drew Brees was intercepted three times and the NFL passing leader was held without a TD pass.
TITANS 13, BRONCOS 10
NASHVILLE — DeMarco Murray ran for 92 yards and a touchdown, and the Titans held on to and keep a piece of first place in the AFC South. With the win, the Titans (7-6) climbed above .500 for the first time all season.
PACKERS 38, SEATTLE 10
GREEN BAY, WIS. — Aaron Rodgers passed for 246 yards and three touchdowns and Green Bay routed Seattle to keep their playoff hopes alive.
REDSKINS 27, EAGLES 22
PHILADELPHIA — Chris Thompson’s 25-yard touchdown run with 1:54 remaining lifted Washington over the Eagles (5-8) who have lost four in a row and eight of 10 after a 3-0 start.
FALCONS 42, RAMS 14
LOS ANGELES — Matt Ryan passed for 237 yards and three touchdowns and Atlanta forced five turnovers to beat LA.
VIKINGS 25, JAGUARS 16
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Matt Asiata scored on a short touchdown run, Kai Forbath kicked four field goals and the Vikings won for just the second time in nine weeks.
TEXANS 22, COLTS 17
INDIANAPOLIS — Lamar Miller scored Houston’s only TD and the Texans defence stopped Andrew Luck on Indy’s final drive. Houston (7-6) kept a share of the AFC South lead with Tennessee.
PANTHERS 28, CHARGERS 16
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina’s defence forced five turnovers by Philip Rivers and had five sacks and a safety.
DOLPHINS 26, CARDS 23
MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. — Ryan Tannehill threw three touchdown passes before being sidelined with a knee injury, and Andrew Franks kicked a 21-yard field goal as time expired. The Dolphins (8-5) won for the seventh time in the past eight games and helped their bid to end an eight-year playoff drought. The Cardinals (5-7-1) fell further behind in the race for the final NFC wildcard berth.
LIONS 20, BEARS 17
DETROIT — Matthew Stafford ran for a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown with 3:17 left after throwing two interceptions in the fourth quarter, one that was returned for a score on the previous possession.
Matt Barkley completed two passes that put the Bears in a position to at least attempt a tying field goal in the final minute, but both were negated by penalties, before Chicago turned over the ball on downs from the Detroit 44.
The NFC North-leading Lions (9-4) have won five straight and eight of nine, moving them a step closer to winning a division title for the first time in 23 years.
Chicago (3-10) has lost four of five.
JETS 23, 49ERS 17, OT
SANTA CLARA, CALIF. — Bilal Powell ran for 145 yards, including the game-ending 19-yard touchdown in overtime, to help Bryce Petty and New York rally from 14 points down.
Petty threw an interception on his first pass of the game and the Jets (4-9) trailed 14-0 less than 5 minutes into the game. San Francisco (1-12) led 17-3 at halftime, but fell flat after that and lost a franchise-worst 12th straight game.
Powell took over from there and scored his second TD of the game on New York’s first possession of overtime after Petty’s scramble and 26-yard pass to Robby Anderson put the Jets in field goal range.