DETROIT — Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes and David Montgomery was the first of five players to score in the first half for the Detroit Lions, who romped past the Tennessee Titans 52-14 on Sunday.
The NFC North-leading Lions (6-1) have the conference’s best record after winning five straight games, averaging 40-plus points over the last four.
I feel the need, the need for speed. @jahmyr_gibbs1#TENvsDET ???? FOX pic.twitter.com/3uBlQJaDL6
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 27, 2024
Detroit had its highest-scoring game since a 55-point performance against Chicago in 1997, and scored at least 50 for the fourth time in franchise history.
The Titans (1-6) were routed for a second straight week and have already signaled this is a rebuilding year by trading veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins and starting linebacker Ernest Jones Jr.
The first player in @NFL history to throw 2 TD passes and complete at least 72.0% of his passes while posting a passer rating of 110.0 in five consecutive games:
- @Lions QB @JaredGoff16 (2024)#OnePridepic.twitter.com/cfnJ4jltNl
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) October 27, 2024
Detroit has been on a roll lately by leaning on Goff, but it had more points (42) than he had passing yards (28) early in the third quarter. He finished 12 of 15 for 85 yards.
Cardinals 28, Dolphins 27
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Kyler Murray drove the Cardinals into position for a game-winning field goal by Chad Ryland as time expired for the second straight week, and Arizona spoiled Tua Tagovailoa’s return from a concussion, beating Miami.
Murray led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to rally the Cardinals from a nine-point deficit. The first concluded with a 2-yard touchdown run by James Conner that got Arizona (4-4) within 27-25. The second was a methodical 13-play, 71-yard march that ended with Ryland’s 34-yard kick. A week earlier, Ryland was good from 32 yards on the final play to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 17-15.
Tagovailoa threw for 234 yards and the Dolphins (2-5) had their best offensive performance of the season in his first start since he was diagnosed with the third known concussion of his career against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 12. He was designated to return on Monday after doctors deemed it safe for him to play. He cleared the concussion protocol Friday following an examination by an independent neurological consultant.
Tagovailoa was mostly sharp, completing 28 of 38 passes. He lost a fumble on the opening drive that Miami recovered, and a snap went over his head in the third quarter, resulting in a safety.
Packers 30, Jaguars 27
JACKSONVILLE — Backup Malik Willis completed a 51-yard pass to Jayden Reed that set up Brandon McManus’ second winning kick in as many weeks, a 24-yarder that lifted Green Bay to a victory at Jacksonville.
Willis rallied the Packers (6-2) to their fourth consecutive win, this one with Jordan Love watching from the sideline. Willis completed 4 of 5 passes for 56 yards, with a touchdown and the biggest completion of the day.
Willis found Reed wide open down the left sideline after safety Andre Cisco fell down in coverage. It was all the Packers needed to rebound from Trevor Lawrence’s perfectly placed, 14-yard touchdown pass to Evan Engram that helped tie the game.
Engram caught the ball between three defenders and gave the Jaguars (2-6) all the momentum. But Packers coach Matt LaFleur dialed up a gut-punch to Jacksonville on second down.
Patriots 25, Jets 22
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Rhamondre Stevenson plunged into the end zone with 22 seconds left and New England recovered after first-round draft pick Drake Maye left with a concussion early to beat Aaron Rodgers and New York.
Starter-turned-backup Jacoby Brissett replaced the quarterback who replaced him and led the Patriots (2-6) on two fourth-quarter scoring drives to snap a six-game losing streak and send the Jets (2-6) to their fifth loss in a row.
Stevenson scored two touchdowns and also caught the 2-point conversion that made it 25-22. Rodgers took over at his own 30 with no timeouts and missed one deep pass before connecting with Davante Adams for 16 yards, but far from the sideline.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Patriots defense leapt for joy on the field. It was their first win at home in more than a year — since week 7 of last season. Instead of being alone in the AFC East cellar, they are now tied with New York for last.
Texans 23, Colts 20
HOUSTON — C.J. Stroud threw for 285 yards and a touchdown and Joe Mixon ran for 102 yards with a score to help Houston to a win over Indianapolis.
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Stroud bounced back after he had a career-worst 86 yards passing in a loss to the Packers last week to allow the Texans (6-2) to extend their lead atop the AFC South.
Houston’s defense intercepted Anthony Richardson once and hurried and harassed him all game as the Texans swept their season series with Indianapolis (4-4) for just the second time in franchise history.
The Colts appeared to have taken the lead with about three minutes left when Mixon fumbled and it was recovered by defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo.
FALCONS 31, BUCCANEERS 26
Falcons 31, Buccaneers 26
TAMPA, Fla. — Kirk Cousins threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns to help Atlanta take sole possession of first place of the NFC South with a victory over Tampa Bay.
Kyle Pitts scored on receptions of 36 and 49 yards and Cousins also tossed TD passes of 30 yards to Darnell Mooney and 7 yards to Bijan Robinson to give the Falcons (5-3) a two-game sweep of the season series between the division rivals.
Baker Mayfield threw for 330 yards and three TDs, but also tossed a pair of costly interceptions. The Bucs had a chance to win it after driving to the Atlanta 33 in the closing seconds, however Mayfield’s Hail Mary throw from the 38 was caught by Rakim Jarrett behind the end zone as time expired.
The Falcons improved to 4-0 within the NFC South. The Bucs (4-4) also lost 36-30 in overtime at Atlanta on Oct. 3, when Cousins threw for a career-high 509 yards with four TDs.