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Chiefs wrap up division crown

By News Dec 14, 2020 | 6:25 AM

UNDATED (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs turned the ball over four times, fell into an early 10-point hole and watched Patrick Mahomes taken down for a 30-yard sack. None of that stopped the Chiefs from clinching their fifth consecutive AFC West title.

Mahomes threw for 393 yards and two scores to help the 12-1 Chiefs earn their eighth consecutive victory, 33-27 at Miami. He shook off three interceptions and led Kansas City to its team-record 10th consecutive road win.

Travis Kelce had eight catches for 136 yards and a touchdown, and Mecole Hardman scored untouched on a 67-yard punt return.

Tua Tagovailoa passed for 316 yards and two scores to Mike Gesicki, but he also threw his first career interception as the 8-5 Dolphins lost for just the second time in nine games.

In other NFL action:

— The Packers wrapped up the NFC North as Aaron Rodgers tossed three TD passes and ran for the go-ahead score in a 31-24 downing of the Lions. The two-time MVP completed his first eight passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns before finishing 26 of 33 for 290 yards. The 10-3 Packers knocked Matthew Stafford out of the game with a rib injury in the fourth quarter and went on to win their third straight game and second straight division championship.

— The Eagles stunned the Saints behind Jalen Hurts, who ran for 106 yards and threw for 167 in Philadelphia’s 24-21 victory. Hurts was 17 of 30 with a TD in his first career start after replacing Carson Wentz. Miles Sanders had 115 yards rushing and a pair of scores as the Eagles ended a four-game losing streak while dropping the Saints to 10-3.

— Russell Wilson threw for 206 yards and four touchdowns before sitting out the fourth quarter of the Seahawks’ 40-3 laugher over the Jets. Wilson hit Freddie Swain, DK Metcalf, Will Dissly and David Moore, giving him a career-high 36 TD tosses this season. Seattle stayed tied with the Rams for the NFC lead and handed the Jets their team-record 13th consecutive loss.

— Josh Allen threw for two touchdowns, Taron Johnson returned an interception for a score and the Bills allowed just 47 yards rushing in dealing the Steelers their second straight loss since an 11-0 start, 26-15. Allen was 24 of 43 for 238 yards, including scoring tosses to Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Diggs had 10 receptions for 130 yards to help the 10-3 Bills inch closer to the AFC East title. Ben Roethlisberger had a tough night, completing just 21 of 37 passes for 187 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

— Derrick Henry ran for 215 yards and two touchdowns as the Titans dealt the Jaguars their 12th consecutive loss, 31-10. Henry topped 100 yards rushing for the 10th consecutive road game and became the first player in league history with four games of at least 200 yards and two TDs. Tennessee took control by scoring 17 points in less than four minutes spanning the second and third quarters.

— Tennessee and Indianapolis continue to share the AFC South lead after T.Y. Hilton caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in the Colts’ 44-27 shootout win against the Raiders. Jonathan Taylor rushed for a career-best 150 yards and two scores, including a 62-yard TD scamper. The Colts racked up 456 total yards while scoring on seven of their first eight drives in their fourth victory in five games. Las Vegas responded to the loss by firing defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.

— Tom Brady threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Buccaneers to the first win in their last three home games, 26-14 versus the Vikings. Ronald Jones had a 1-yard TD run and Ryan Succop kicked field goals of 18 and 48 yards for the 8-5 Bucs. Tampa Bay sacked Kirk Cousins six times, the last producing a fumble that ended any chance of a rally. Dalvin Cook rushed for 102 yards on 22 carries for the 6-7 Vikings.

— Rookies Chase Young and Kamren Curl scored defensive touchdowns as Washington beat the 49ers, 23-15 to take over first place in the NFC East at 6-7, one game ahead of New York. Young returned a fumble 47 yards and Curl provided a 76-yard interception return in Washington’s fourth win in a row. Washington’s offense was limited after Alex Smith’s right leg injury caused him to miss the second half.

— Haason Reddick had a franchise-record five sacks and three forced fumbles for the Cardinals in a 26-7 win against the Giants. Kyler Murray threw for 244 yards and a touchdown as Arizona ended a three-game skid and moved to 7-6. Mike Nugent came off the practice squad and added four field goals for the Cardinals, who recorded eight sacks against Daniel Jones and Colt McCoy. Jones lost two fumbles and was sacked six times in his first game since missing last weekend’s game with a hamstring injury.

— Mitchell Trubisky threw three touchdown passes and the Bears snapped a six-game losing streak with a 36-7 victory over the Texans. David Montgomery ran for an 80-yard touchdown on Chicago’s first play from scrimmage, helping the 6-7 Bears stop their worst skid since the 2002 team dropped a team record-tying eight in a row. Allen Robinson caught nine passes for 123 yards, matching a season high and giving him 1,027 for the season.

— The Broncos pulled out a 32-27 win at Carolina as Drew Lock threw for 280 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Lock connected on touchdown throws of 49 and 37 yards to rookie KJ Hamler. Denver’s Diontae Spencer returned a punt 83 yards for his first career score.

— Andy Dalton returned to Cincinnati and threw for two scores as the Cowboys ripped the Bengals, 30-7. Dalton was serviceable, going 16 for 23 for 185 yards as the 4-9 Cowboys stayed in contention in the weak NFC East. The Bengals fumbled the ball away on their first three drives, leading to 17 first-half points, including a fumble return for a touchdown.

— Michael Badgley hit a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Chargers past the Falcons, 20-17. Justin Herbert was 36 of 44 for 243 yards with two touchdowns and an interception to help Los Angeles move to 4-9. Austin Ekeler had 79 yars rushing and another 67 receiving as the Chargers stopped a two-game skid.