Mahomes returns to form
Patrick Mahomes threw for 406 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Chiefs to a 41-14 victory against the Raiders on Sunday in Las Vegas. It was his third career game with 400 yards and five touchdowns, tying him with Peyton Manning, Dan Marino and Joe Montana for most such games.
Mahomes completed three short touchdown passes before flashing his playmaking brilliance early in the fourth quarter after the Chiefs converted a fake punt on a 16-yard pass from Tommy Townsend to Marcus Kemp. Two plays later, Mahomes scrambled away from pressure and just before crossing the line of scrimmage lofted a deep pass across his body that Darrel Williams caught for a 38-yard touchdown that made it 34-14.
Two of his touchdowns went to Tyreek Hill and one each to Byron Pringle and Noah Gray.
Panthers 34, Cardinals 10
Cam Newton provided a flashback to his Superman days in his return with the Panthers, throwing for one touchdown and running for another.
Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP who was signed earlier in the week, made his presence felt on his first play of the game, entering on third down and screaming “I’m back!” after barreling into the right corner of the end zone for a two-yard touchdown.
On Carolina’s next drive, Newton threw a twoyard touchdown pass to Robby Anderson as the Panthers built a stunning 17-0 lead in the first quarter and a 23-0 advantage by halftime.
It was Newton’s 43rd game with a passing and rushing touchdown, extending his NFL record.
The Cardinals played without quarterback
Kyler Murray (ankle) and receiver DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring).
Titans 23, Saints 21
Ryan Tannehill ran and threw for touchdowns as the Titans held on for their NFL-best sixth consecutive victory. The host Titans also became the second team in NFL history to win five straight over playoff teams from the season before, joining the 2003 Eagles. The Titans improved to 7-0 overall against 2020 playoff teams this season.
Playing their second game since losing quarterback Jameis Winston (ACL tear), the Saints still had a chance to tie late. Trevor Siemian threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Marquez Callaway with 1:16 left, pulling the Saints within 23-21. But Adam Trautman was flagged for a false start, pushing the Saints back to the Titans’ 7 on the two-point attempt. Siemian’s pass to Mark Ingram was incomplete.
Patriots 45, Browns 7
Mac Jones threw for 198 yards and three touchdowns and rookie Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for a career-high 100 yards and two scores to lead the Patriots.
The Browns, who lost quarterback Baker Mayfield to a knee injury in the third quarter, have dropped four of their last six and haven’t won at New England since 1992, when Bill Belichick was their coach. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Mayfield could’ve finished the game had the game been close. Mayfield later said he had X-rays on the bruised knee, which revealed “no structural damage.”