NFL roundup: Falcons beat Bucs, put stranglehold on NFC South
Matt Ryan threw for 353 yards and the Atlanta Falcons scored a 24-23 victory over the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay, Fla.
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.
Michael Turner’s 1-yard TD run put Atlanta ahead for good with 7:55 left. Connor Barth missed a 56-yard goal for Tampa Bay (6-5) in the closing minutes. The win let the Falcons (10-1) keep pace with Houston for the NFL’s best record.
49ers 31, Saints 21: Ahmad Brooks and Donte Whitner returned interceptions for touchdowns in New Orleans, the 49ers sacked Drew Brees five times, and San Francisco ended New Orleans’ three-game winning streak.
In his second career starts, 49ers (8-2-1) quarterback Colin Kaepernick passed for 231 yards, including a short touchdown to Frank Gore. He also ran for a 7-yard score.
Brees finished with 267 yards and three TDs for the Saints (5-6).
Broncos 17, Chiefs 9: Peyton Manning threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns, and Denver rallied for its sixth straight win in Kansas City, Mo.
Manning hit tight end Jacob Tamme late in the first half and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in the third quarter, and that was enough to overcome three Ryan Succop field goals.
Kansas City (1-10) lost its eighth straight game. Knowshon Moreno added 85 yards rushing for the Broncos (8-3).
Bengals 34, Raiders 10: In Cincinnati, Andy Dalton threw three touchdown passes and the Bengals showed their former quarterback, Carson Palmer, that they’ve moved on without him.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 129 yards and a touchdown for Cincinnati (6-5) against the NFL’s most generous defense.
Browns 20, Steelers 14: Chris Rainey’s fumble with 2:25 left – Pittsburgh’s seventh of eight turnovers – was recovered by Cleveland’s Phil Taylor and the Browns handed their hated rivals a potentially devastating loss in Cleveland.
Charlie Batch was picked off three times, and the Steelers (6-5) lost five fumbles, the last on the final play of the game to help the Browns (3-8) beat Pittsburgh for just the second time in 18 games.
Colts 20, Bills 13: T.Y. Hilton scored on a 75-yard punt return and caught an 8-yard TD pass in Indy.
Indy improved to 7-4. Andrew Luck was 20-for-37 for 240 yards with a TD and an interception.
Jaguars 24, Titans 19: Chad Henne threw two touchdown passes, sparking the NFL’s worst offense for the second consecutive week in Jacksonville, Fla.
The Jaguars (2-9) snapped a seven-game losing streak.
Dolphins 24, Seahawks 21: Dan Carpenter kicked a 43-yard field goal on the final play, and the Dolphins scored 17 points in the last 8:08 in Miami.
Rookie Ryan Tannehill drove Miami (5-6) 65 yards in the final 92 seconds to set up the winning kick. He finished 18 for 26 for 253 yards and a score.
The Seahawks (6-5), who are unbeaten at home this year, lost for the fifth time in six road games.
