Matt Ryan threw for 353 yards and overcame two big turnovers by leading another late touchdown drive to give the Falcons a 24-23 victory over the Buccaneers yesterday in Tampa.
Ryan teamed with Julio Jones on an 80-yard TD in the third quarter, but the NFC South leaders found themselves trailing 23-17 after the Bucs marched for a touchdown, then forced a fumble by Ryan to set up a field goal that put the Falcons (10-1) in catchup mode.
Michael Turner’s 1-yard TD run put Atlanta ahead for good with 7:55 left. Connor Barth missed a 56-yard goal in the closing minutes, and the Bucs (6-5) saw their four-game winning streak end when Josh Freeman’s last-ditch heave fell incomplete in the end zone.
Broncos 17, Chiefs 9
In Kansas City, Peyton Manning threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns, Brady Quinn couldn’t get Kansas City into the end zone for the second straight game, and the Broncos notched their sixth straight victory.
Jacob Tamme and Demaryius Thomas had the touchdown catches for the AFC West-leading Broncos (8-3), while Knowshon Moreno added 85 yards rushing in place of Willis McGahee. Jamaal Charles ran for 107 yards for the Chiefs (1-10).
Dolphins 24, Seahawks 21
In Miami, Ryan Tannehill moved his team 65 yards in six plays to set up a 43-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter at the final gun as the Dolphins (5-6) rallied.
Leon Washington returned a kickoff for a touchdown for the eighth time to tie the NFL record and put Seattle (6-5) ahead 21-14 with eight minutes left.
Bengals 24, Raiders 10
In Cincinnati, Andy Dalton threw three touchdown passes, and the Bengals (6-5) showed former franchise quarterback Carson Palmer that they’ve moved on without him.
A brawl broke out after a play was whistled dead because of a penalty, and Oakland’s Tommy Kelly and Lamarr Houston ended up on top of Cincinnati’s Andrew Whitworth and were ejected.
Colts 20, Bills 13
In Indianapolis, rookie receiver T.Y. Hilton returned a punt 75 yards for one touchdown and caught an 8-yard pass from Andrew Luck in the third quarter to lead the Colts (7-4) over the Bills (4-7). Ailing head coach Chuck Pagano received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Jaguars 24, Titans 19
In Jacksonville, Chad Henne, making his first start in more than 13 months, threw two touchdown passes as the Jaguars (2-9) snapped a seven-game losing streak by sneaking past the Titans (4-7).
Henne found Cecil Shorts IIIfor a 59-yard touchdown in the third quarter and hooked up with rookie Justin Blackmon for a 7-yard score in the fourth.
Rams 31, Cardinals 17
In Glendale, Ariz., rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins, returned two interceptions for touchdowns and the Rams (4-6-1) dominated the second half to hand the Cardinals (4-7) their seventh loss in a row.