Lions clinch first division title in 30 years
The Detroit Lions clinched their first division title in 30 years, using two rushing touchdowns from Jahmyr Gibbs, and 106 receiving yards and a thirdquarter, go-ahead score by Amon-Ra St. Brown to overtake the injury-ravaged Minnesota Vikings 30-24 on Sunday at Minneapolis.
Ifeatu Melifonwu picked off Minnesota’s Nick Mullens at the five-yard line on an off-target pass to an open Justin Jefferson with 49 seconds left to seal the win. Mullens threw four interceptions.
“I’m proud of all the Lions fans out there who’ve been dying for this for years,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. “That was for you too.”
Jared Goff passed for 257 yards without a turnover and David Montgomery had a rushing touchdown for the Lions (11-4). Detroit secured a home playoff game for the first time in 22 seasons at Ford Field, where an NFC North champions banner soon will hang. The last one was for winning the NFC Central in 1993.
Mullens threw for two scores, a diving 26-yard catch by Jefferson with 29 seconds left in the first half and a six-yard toss to K.J. Osborn that gave the Vikings (7-8) a 21-17 lead early in the third quarter, one play after a 47-yard heave to Osborn.
The Vikings lost two more important offensive players as tight end T.J. Hockenson and receiver Jordan Addison left the game because of injuries.
Packers 33, at Panthers
30: Jordan Love threw for two touchdowns, ran for one and made two big completions to set up Anders Carlson’s 32-yard field goal with 19 seconds left, and Green Bay (7-8) survived a late rally by Carolina (2-13).
Love threw touchdown passes of 21 yards to rookie Dontayvion Wicks and five yards to Romeo Dobbs and scored on a quarterback sneak as the Packers ended a two-game losing streak. Aaron Jones became the first Packers player this season to exceed 100 yards rushing or receiving in a game with 127 yards in 21 carries.
The Packers remain one game behind the Seattle Seahawks and Rams in the NFC wild-card race.
Seahawks 20, at Titans 17: Geno Smith threw his second touchdown pass of the fourth quarter, a fiveyarder to Colby Parkinson with 57 seconds left, and Seattle (8-7) beat Tennessee (510) to remain in playoff contention.
Smith, who sat out the previous two games because of a groin injury, gave the Seahawks their first lead at 13-10 when he found DK Metcalf in the left corner for an 11yard touchdown with 12:10 left.
Derrick Henry put Tennessee back up 17-13 with a two-yard touchdown run with 3:21 left.
Smith responded by driving the Seahawks 75 yards over 14 plays for the decisive score.
at Miami 22, Dallas 20: Jason Sanders kicked his fifth field goal, a 29-yarder as time expired, and Miami (11-4) secured a playoff berth by beating Dallas (10-5).
Tua Tagovailoa threw for 293 yards and a touchdown for the AFC East-leading Dolphins, who beat a team with a winning record for the first time. He connected with Tyreek Hill twice on the decisive drive, which covered 64 yards and took the final 3:27 off the clock.
Dak Prescott went 20 for 32 for 253 yards and two touchdowns for the Cowboys.
Browns 36, at Texans 22: Amari Cooper set a franchise record with 265 yards receiving and scored two touchdowns and a two-point conversion as Cleveland (10-5) beat Houston (8-7).
The Browns are all but guaranteed to secure their second postseason appearance since 2002. It’s the third time since 1999 that they’ve reached double-digit wins, also doing so in 2007 and 2020.
Cooper broke the Browns record previously held by Josh Gordon, who had 261 yards receiving against Jacksonville on Dec. 1, 2013. Cooper has 1,250 yards receiving, making him the first receiver in team history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
at Buccaneers 30, Jaguars 12: Baker Mayfield threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns to help NFC South-leading Tampa Bay (8-7) beat Jacksonville (8-7) for its fourth straight win.
The Jaguars lost their fourth game in a row, this time with Trevor Lawrence starting but struggling to find a rhythm after spending the past week in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Lawrence threw a second-half touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley before spending the fourth quarter on the bench with what the Jaguars announced was a shoulder injury.
Mike Evans finished with seven receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns for Tampa Bay.
at Falcons 29, Colts 10: Taylor Heinicke provided turnover-free leadership at quarterback, passing for 229 yards and a touchdown to lead Atlanta (7-8) past Indianapolis (8-7). Heinicke completed 23 of 33 passes, including a 24-yard touchdown to Kyle Pitts.
at Bears 27, Cardinals 16: Justin Fields threw for a touchdown and ran for another score, and Chicago (6-9) beat Arizona (3-12). Tight end Cole Kmet caught four passes for a career-high 107 yards despite missing the second half because of a knee injury.
at Jets 30 Commanders 28: Greg Zuerlein kicked a 54-yard field goal with five seconds left, and New York (6-9) beat Washington (4-11) after blowing a 20-point, third-quarter lead. Trailing 28-27, the Jets got the ball back with 1:41 left, and Trevor Siemian marched New York into range.
Etc.
Kareem Jackson could get cut on Christmas Day after Denver chose not to activate the 14th-year safety for Sunday night’s late game against New England following his return from his second suspension.