Trick play, Allen spark Bills in win
Cole Beasley savored a little extra time on the field with his former teammates after what had to be one of the most satisfying days of the the Bills receiver’s career.
And to think he didn’t even have the most noteworthy play for the team’s pass-catchers.
John Brown became the first Bills receiver to throw a touchdown pass, Josh Allen set a franchise record by producing at least two touchdowns in an eighth consecutive game and the surging Bills beat the fading Cowboys 26-15 on Thursday in Arlington, Texas.
Allen’s TD pass was to Beasley, who had 110 yards receiving in the stadium where he spent his first seven seasons as the Bills (9-3) got their first Thanksgiving win since 1975 in their first appearance on the holiday in 25 years.
“It’ll be the most satisfying day when we win a Super Bowl,” said Beasley, who was critical of the Cowboys after leaving, then had six catches and finished 2 yards shy of his career high against them. “It’s just another win, another step in the right direction.”
The Cowboys (6-6) stumbled after scoring a touchdown on their opening drive, giving the Eagles a chance to rejoin them atop the NFC East after their fourth double-digit loss in the past six Thanksgiving games.
A lackluster showing for the Cowboys’ sixth loss in nine games came four days after owner Jerry Jones blasted the coaching staff following a loss to the Patriots from a team that entered the season with lofty expectations.
Jones remained supportive of embattled coach Jason Garrett, who’s in the final year of his contract in his ninth full season for a franchise that hasn’t been past the divisional round since the last of its five titles to finish the 1995 season.
“This is not the time for me,” said Jones, who made an in-season change when Garrett got the job in 2010. “I’m looking ahead at winning four or five straight. Every decision that I make over the next month will be with an eye in mind to get us in the Super Bowl now.”
Allen was 19 of 24 for 231 yards and a career-best 120.7 passer rating as the Bills won their third straight and solidified their hold on an AFC wild-card spot.
Trubisky rallies Bears: Mitch Trubisky threw a go-ahead, 3-yard touchdown pass to David Montgomery with 2:17 left, lifting the Bears to a 24-20 win over the slumping Lions in Detroit.
The Bears took the lead on the nine-play, 90-yard drive and sealed the victory on the ensuing possession with Eddie Jackson’s interception.
Rookie QB David Blough led the Lions’ last drive to the Bears 26 in the final minute before losing 13 yards on a sack to leave a desperation pass as the only option and Jackson picked it off.
The Bears (6-6) have won three of four games after losing four in a row to stay in the NFC playoff picture.
It was the fifth straight loss for the Lions (3-8-1).
The Lions led for much of the game despite starting a third-string quarterback, who they acquired from the Browns for a swap of seventh-round picks. Matthew Stafford was out for a fourth straight game with back and hip injuries and his backup, Jeff Driskel, was limited by a hamstring injury.
Blough, undrafted out of Purdue, threw a 75-yard TD on his first completion to Kenny Golladay to pull the Lions into a 7-7l tie. Blough threw an 8-yard TD pass to Marvin Jones late in the first quarter to put the Lions ahead 14-7.
Trubisky had an 18-yard TD pass to rookie tight end Jesper Horsted to make it 17-all late in the third quarter.
Trubisky finished 29 of 38 with three TDs, matching a season high he also equaled in a win over the Lions earlier this month, for 338 yards and a pick.
Blough was 22 of 38 for 280 yards with two TDs and an interception.
Colts WR Hilton out vs. Titans: The Colts will be without leading receiver T.Y. Hilton for Sunday’s key AFC South game against the Titans, GM Chris Ballard announced.
Hilton suffered a setback in practice Wednesday with the same calf injury that caused him to miss three games earlier this month. He leads the Colts in receptions (35), yards (378) and TDs (five) this season.