AROUND THE NFL

PATRIOTS 26, BRONCOS 23

Chad Ryland made a career-long 56-yard field goal with 2 seconds left and the Patriots delivered a near-fatal blow to the Broncos’ playoff hopes with a stunner in Denver. The Patriots (4-11) scored a pair of touchdowns in a 6-second span of the third quarter, then fended off a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Broncos (7-8). Ryland’s kick capped a seven-play, 44-yard drive that began with 58 seconds left after the Broncos went three-and-out. Denver had tied it up with a pair of long TD drives and 2-point conversions on its previous two possessions.

BROWNS 36, TEXANS 22

Amari Cooper set a franchise record with 265 yards receiving and scored two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion as Cleveland won in Houston to move closer to a playoff berth. The Browns (10-5) 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, doing so in 2007 and 2020. Joe Flacco threw for 368 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in his fourth start for the Browns, who built a 22-7 halftime lead and cruised to their third straight victory. The Texans (8-7) saw their playoff chances diminish.

BUCCANEERS 30, JAGUARS 12

In Tampa, Fla., Baker Mayfield threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns to help the NFC South-leading Buccaneers beat Trevor Lawrence and the reeling Jaguars for their fourth straight victory. Lawrence started but struggled to find a rhythm after spending the past week in the NFL’s concussion protocol. The third-year quarterback threw a second-half TD pass to Calvin Ridley before spending the fourth quarter on the bench with what the Jaguars (8-7) announced was a shoulder injury. The victory, combined with New Orleans’ loss to the Rams last Thursday night, left the firstplace Bucs (8-7) alone atop the NFC South.

SEAHAWKS 20, TITANS 17

In Nashville, Tenn., Geno Smith threw his second touchdown pass of the fourth quarter, a 5-yarder to Colby Parkinson with 57 seconds left, and Seattle beat Tennessee to remain in playoff contention. The Seahawks (8-7) have won two straight but still need to win out and get some help to clinch their second playoff berth in three seasons. The Titans (5-10) lost consecutive games for the third time this season. Derrick Henry put Tennessee back up 17-13 with a 2-yard TD run with 3:21 left. Smith responded by driving the Seahawks 75 yards over 14 plays for the decisive score.

FALCONS 29, COLTS 10

Taylor Heinicke provided turnover-free leadership at quarterback, passing for 229 yards and a touchdown to lead host Atlanta past Indianapolis. The Falcons (7-8) benched Desmond Ridder this week for the second time this season following two straight losses. Heinicke delivered, completing 23 of 33 passes, including a 24-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts. The Colts (8-7), who had won five of six, struggled offensively after opening the game with a long drive capped by Jonathan Taylor’s 1-yard scoring run.

PACKERS 33, 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 survived a fourth-quarter rally by host Carolina. Aaron Jones became the first Packers player this season to exceed 100 yards rushing or receiving in a game, rushing for 127 yards on 21 carries. The Packers (7-8) remain one game behind the Seahawks and Rams in the NFC wild-card race.

BEARS 27, CARDINALS 16

Justin Fields threw for a touchdown and ran for another score, and the Bears beat the visiting Cardinals. Tight end Cole Kmet caught four passes for a career-high 107 yards despite missing the second half because of a knee injury. Khalil Herbert ran for a season-high 112 yards and a touchdown for the Bears (6-9).