The Miami Dolphins turned two early turnovers into their only points and defeated the New York Jets, 10-6, yesterday at the rainy Meadowlands.
Much of the game was played in a downpour, which made for inept offense in the sloppy conditions. The Dolphins gained 132 yards, with Chad Henne passing for only 55, yet improved to 7-6.
The Jets (9-4) moved the ball better, picking up 286 yards. But Mark Sanchez's fumble led to the only touchdown, Brandon Marshall's 6-yard reception in the first quarter.
• Lions 7, Packers 3 -- In Detroit, Drew Stanton threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Will Heller midway through the fourth quarter, and Green Bay (8-5) couldn't come back without an injured Aaron Rodgers, who sustained a second-quarter concussion.
Detroit (3-10) snapped a five-game losing streak and a 19-game skid against the NFC North, the NFL's worst slump within a division since the merger four decades ago.
• Patriots, 36, Bears 7 -- Tom Brady was cool as ever on a snowy, blustery, bone-chilling day, unfazed by the elements as the New England Patriots locked up another playoff spot.
They're in it for the eighth time in 10 years after a 36-7 dismantling of the Chicago Bears yesterday in which Brady threw for 369 yards and two touchdowns despite the harsh conditions.
• Eagles 30, Cowboys 27 -- DeSean Jackson's go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter was among many big plays for him and the Philadelphia Eagles, sending them to a 30-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
Philadelphia (9-4) ended a three-game losing skid to its NFC East rival and moved a half-game ahead of the New York Giants in the division race. The Eagles will take a streak of five wins in six games to New York on Sunday for a showdown with the Giants.
Dallas (4-9) fell behind in the opening minutes, yet kept it close and even led 20-14. But Philadelphia was relentless, dropping the Cowboys to 3-2 under interim coach Jason Garrett. They are guaranteed their first losing season since 2004.
• Jaguars 38, Raiders 31 -- In Jacksonville, Fla., David Garrard threw three touchdown passes, and Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings each topped 100 yards rushing in a game filled with big plays.
Jacksonville (8-5) stayed a game ahead of Indianapolis and can clinch the division title next week with a victory and a loss by Houston. The Raiders (6-7) lost for the third time in four weeks and faded from postseason contention.
• Buccaneers 17, Redskins 16 -- In Landover, Md., a flubbed extra point attempt with 9 seconds to play kept Washington from tying the game.
The Redskins pulled within a point on Santana Moss' 6-yard touchdown catch, but Nick Sundberg's slightly high snap on a wet field went through holder Hunter Smith's hands.
The Buccaneers improved to 8-5 and broke a two-game losing streak.
• Bills 13, Browns 6 -- In Orchard Park, N.Y., Ryan Fitzpatrick threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to David Nelson, and Leodis McKelvin made a late interception for Buffalo.
Rian Lindell hit field goals of 30 and 19 yards to help the Bills (3-11) snap a three-game losing streak against Cleveland.
The Browns (5-8) were eliminated from playoff contention.
• Falcons 31, Panthers 10 -- In Charlotte, N.C., Michael Turner ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns, Matt Ryan threw for another, and Atlanta held onto the best record in the NFC.
The Falcons (11-2) built a 17-0 halftime lead, survived a brief hiccup to start the third quarter, and cruised to their seventh straight win.
The NFL-worst Panthers (1-12) dropped their seventh straight.
• 49ers 40, Seahawks 21 -- In San Francisco, Alex Smith threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns in a triumphant return to the starting lineup following a five-game absence, and San Francisco improved its playoff hopes.
The Niners muddled up the ugly West race even more with a surprisingly lopsided win.
San Francisco (5-8) moved within a game of division leaders Seattle (6-7) and St. Louis.
• Saints 31, Rams 13 -- In New Orleans, Drew Brees threw for three scores, Malcolm Jenkins returned one of his two interceptions 96 yards for his first career touchdown, and New Orleans won its sixth straight game.
Marques Colston had a pair of touchdown catches in traffic as New Orleans (10-3) raced to a 14-0 lead and never trailed. Lance Moore made a 31-yard touchdown catch.
Brees finished 25 of 40 for 221 yards and was intercepted twice.
• Chargers 31, Chiefs 0 -- In San Diego, Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes to Malcom Floyd, and San Diego remained alive in the AFC West race.
The Chiefs played without quarterback Matt Cassel, who didn't travel after having an emergency appendectomy Wednesday.
The four-time defending division champion Chargers (7-6) pulled within one game of the Chiefs (8-5).
• Cardinals 43, Broncos 13 -- In Glendale, Ariz., Jay Feely became the fourth kicker in 40 years to run for a touchdown and added a career-best five field goals to help Arizona end a seven-game losing streak.
The Broncos (3-10) had six turnovers, including three interceptions by Kyle Orton, in their eighth loss in nine games.
