Quarterbacks take a pounding on Sunday
It was a rough day for NFL starting quarterbacks on Sunday, and not just Philadelphia’s Carson Wentz.
Houston’s Tom Savage, the New York Jets’ Josh McCown and Buffalo’s Nathan Peterman each left their respective games with injuries.
In Houston, Savage was cleared to re-enter the game against the San Francisco 49ers for one series after sustaining a concussion. He threw two incompletions on that drive, and Houston’s team doctor approached him after he returned to the sideline after that possession.
In snowy Buffalo, Peterman went 5 of 10 for 57 yards before being sidelined by a head injury late in the third quarter against Indianapolis.
McCown left the game against Denver twice because of hard hits, including a clean shot by Shane Ray in the third quarter that left McCown with a broken left hand.
MNF: Tom Brady and New England have won eight games in row and will clinch a ninth consecutive AFC East title tonight with a win. But they’ll have to do it without tight end Rob Gronkowski, who will serve a one-game suspension for a late hit against Buffalo last week. Meanwhile, Dolphins coach Adam Gase is 0-3 against the Patriots.
HE SAID IT: “My No. 1 thought going into it was to keep our hopes alive to make the playoffs. At the end of the day, whatever happens, happens. Whenever I’m called upon, I’ll be ready. In the meantime, we’re still in this.” — Green Bay quarterback Brett Hundley, who threw three touchdown passes in a win at Cleveland that kept the Packers’ playoff hopes alive with Aaron Rodgers poised to return next week.
MILESTONES: Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald had 44 yards receiving in a 12-7 win over Tennessee, giving him 15,311 for his career to surpass Randy Moss (15,292) for third place on the NFL’s career list. Only Jerry Rice (22,895) and Terrell Owens (15,934) have more.
Indianapolis’ Frank Gore finished with a career-high 36 carries for 130 yards in the Colts’ 13-7 overtime loss at Buffalo. It was his 42nd career 100-yard game, tying him with O.J. Simpson for 16th on the NFL list.