Blowout in Cleveland
Patriots 33 Browns 13
Tom Brady, looking razor-sharp at times after serving his four-game “Deflategate” suspension, passed for 406 yards and three touchdowns to Martellus Bennett in his hyped return and the New England Patriots thumped the Browns 33-13 in Cleveland. Brady sparkled against the Browns (0-5), throwing for 271 yards in the first half, as the Patriots (4-1) rebounded after being shut out last week at home by Buffalo.
Lions 24 Eagles 23
Matt Prater kicked a 29-yard field goal with 1:28 left and Darius Slay made an over-the-shoulder interception on the next snap, helping the Lions hand Carson Wentz his first loss. The Lions (2-3) had lost three straight. The visiting Eagles (3-1) turned the ball over for the first time this season with 2:34 remaining when Ryan Mathews fumbled on a hit by Slay. The loose football was recovered by Tyrunn Walker at the Philadelphia 45. Matthew Stafford set up the game-winning kick by converting a third-and-4 from the Eagles 39 with a perfectly placed pass to Golden Tate.
Vikings 31 Texans 13
Adam Thielen caught a touchdown pass to cap Minnesota’s opening drive and finished with a career-high 127 yards, while the Vikings defence flustered Brock Osweiler and the visiting Texans (3-2). Marcus Sherels returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown and Cordarelle Patterson scored on another sharp throw by Sam Bradford, who produced another turnover-free game and deftly guided the Vikings (5-0) into their bye week. Brock Osweiler was overmatched by Minnesota’s relentless rush and coverage, finishing 19-of42 for 184 yards, one interception and a late touchdown pass while taking four sacks.
Packers 23 Giants 16
Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdowns passes in an otherwise choppy night for the Green Bay offence, and the Packers’ defence rattled the New York Giants and limited Odell Beckham Jr. in their victory. Rodgers was 23-of-45 for 259 yards and also threw two interceptions. Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams each had highlight-reel touchdown catches for the Packers (3-1). But the Green Bay offence was mired by uncharacteristic drops, and a couple of big plays were called back by penalties. New York’s Eli Manning was 18 of 35 for 199 yards and was sacked three times.