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NFL Sports Desk: Round-Up

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KANSAS CITY – (Staff and Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) – Buffalo QB Josh Allen threw the decisive 14-yard touchdown pass to TE Dawson Knox with 1:04 remaining and Taron Johnson sealed the contest with an interception 13 seconds later as the Bills notched a 24-20 victory over host Kansas City Chiefs Sunday.

Allen passed for 329 yards and three touchdowns for the Bills, who have the best record in the AFC. Stefon Diggs had 10 receptions for 148 yards and one touchdown, Gabe Davis had a scoring catch and Kaiir Elam also had an interception for Buffalo.

Patrick Mahomes passed for 338 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Chiefs (4-2). JuJu Smith-Schuster caught five passes for 113 yards and one touchdown, and Travis Kelce had eight catches for 108 yards. Kelce caught a pass for the 132nd consecutive regular-season game, breaking a tie with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez for the longest streak in Chiefs’ history. Harrison Butker kicked a franchise-record 62-yard field goal for the Chiefs.

Butker booted a 44-yard goal to give the Chiefs a 20-17 lead with 9:49 remaining in the fourth quarter. But Allen later guided the Bills on a 12-play, 76-yard drive and hit Knox for the go-ahead points. An 18-yard completion to Diggs and a 16-yard keeper by Allen were among the key plays on the excursion.

Eagles 26, Cowboys 17

Unbeaten host Philadelphia capped an electric sports weekend by ending NFC East rival Dallas’ four-game winning streak.

The Eagles (6-0) soared to a 20-0 lead late in the first half and held on. Dallas (4-2) slipped to third place in the division behind the New York Giants (5-1). Across the street, the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves on Friday and Saturday to advance to the National League Championship Series.

Jalen Hurts passed for 155 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles matched the 1981 team for the second-best start in franchise history. Hurts’ 7-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith with 7:02 remaining capped the scoring and helped to thwart a Cowboys comeback bid. Momentum shifted in the third quarter, as the Cowboys got within 20-10 on Ezekiel Elliott’s 14-yard run. Cooper Rush’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Jake Ferguson trimmed the Dallas deficit to 20-17 with 14:39 left in the game.

Falcons 28, 49ers 14

Marcus Mariota led a time-consuming offense with near-perfect accuracy, throwing two passing touchdowns and adding a rushing score to lead Atlanta over visiting San Francisco.

After a 13-for-13 start, Mariota finished 13-for-14 for 129 yards and the two scores. He also contributed 50 yards and a touchdown on six carries, helping the Falcons outrush the visitors 168-50 en route to a third win in their last four outings.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw two first-half touchdown passes to Brandon Aiyuk, but also mixed in a pair of interceptions on a 29-for-41, 296-yard day. George Kittle and Aiyuk each finished with eight catches for 83 yards for the 49ers.

Patriots 38, Browns 15

Bailey Zappe completed 24 of 34 passes for a career-high 309 yards and two touchdowns and visiting New England held on to a late lead to defeat Cleveland.

Rhamondre Stevenson finished with 76 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, and four receivers eclipsed the 60-yard mark for the Patriots. Rookie wide receiver Tyquan Thornton had a receiving touchdown and a 19-yard rushing score.

The Browns pulled within 24-15 thanks to a 51-yard field goal from Cade York and Amari Cooper’s 15-yard touchdown reception from Jacoby Brissett. The Browns then attempted an onside kick and recovered, but the call was overturned upon review. Brissett threw for 266 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions on 21-of-45 passing.

Jets 27, Packers 10

Rookie running back Breece Hall ran for 116 yards and a touchdown as New York toppled host Green Bay.

The Jets moved ahead with 8:11 remaining in the third quarter on a sweep to wide receiver Braxton Berrios for a 20-yard touchdown. Less than three minutes later, Jets defensive lineman Micheal Clemons blocked Pat O’Donnell’s punt. It was recovered by safety Will Parks, who ran 20 yards for a touchdown and a 17-3 lead.

Aaron Rodgers found Allen Lazard for a 25-yard touchdown for the Packers, but Hall broke off a 34-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter as the Jets won their third straight game.

Colts 34, Jaguars 27

Matt Ryan set a franchise record for completions with 42, including a game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass to rookie Alec Pierce with 17 seconds left as host Indianapolis rallied for a win over Jacksonville.

Ryan, who attempted 58 passes and threw for 389 yards with three scores, hit Pierce for his first NFL touchdown and prevented the Colts from needing to attempt a long field goal for the win.

Jacksonville took a 27-26 lead with 2:44 remaining when Trevor Lawrence found Christian Kirk for a 4-yard scoring strike. Lawrence enjoyed an efficient if not huge statistical day, hitting 20 of 22 attempts for 163 yards and adding a pair of short touchdown runs.

Vikings 24, Dolphins 16

Kirk Cousins completed 20 of 30 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns, Dalvin Cook capped his homecoming with a late 53-yard touchdown run and Minnesota extended its winning streak to four games by winning at Miami.

The Vikings dominated on defense most of the game, recording six sacks, led by two each for Za’Darius Smith and Pat Jones.

For the third consecutive game, the Dolphins were forced to switch quarterbacks. Teddy Bridgewater, just out of concussion protocol, followed Skylar Thompson (thumb) and completed 23 of 34 passes for 329 yards and two TDs, but was intercepted twice and sacked five times.

Bengals 30, Saints 26

Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes as visiting Cincinnati came from behind in the fourth quarter to defeat New Orleans.

Burrow completed 28 of 37 passes for 300 yards and connected with Ja’Marr Chase for two touchdowns in the second half as the Bengals took the lead for the first time with 1:57 remaining.

Former Bengal Andy Dalton, making his third consecutive start in place of the injured Jameis Winston, passed for 162 yards and a touchdown for the Saints.

Giants 24, Ravens 20

Julian Love’s interception set up Saquon Barkley’s go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown with 1:43 remaining to lift New York over Baltimore at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Giants rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final 12:54 after Lamar Jackson’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews gave the Ravens a 20-10 lead. Daniel Jones went 19-for-27 passing for 173 yards with two touchdowns, while Barkley rushed for 83 yards and a score on 22 carries.

Jackson went 17-for-32 passing for 210 yards with a touchdown and an interception, in addition to rushing for 77 yards on seven carries. He also fumbled on the Ravens’ final possession, sealing the loss. Kenyan Drake rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

Steelers 20, Buccaneers 18

Mitchell Trubisky tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chase Claypool early in the fourth quarter to lift host Pittsburgh to a victory over Tampa Bay.

In for an injured Kenny Pickett, Trubisky completed 9 of 12 passes for 144 yards and Claypool had seven receptions for 96 yards. The two connected on a scoring strike with 9:55 left in the fourth quarter to help the Steelers snap a four-game losing skid.

Tom Brady hooked up with Leonard Fournette on an 11-yard touchdown to bring Tampa Bay within two with 4:38 to play. Brady, however, was unable to connect with Chris Godwin on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt.

Rams 24, Panthers 10

Wide receiver Ben Skowronek scored on a 17-yard run in the final seconds of the third quarter to help lift Los Angeles past visiting Carolina.

Darrell Henderson Jr. scored on a 2-yard run midway through the fourth quarter as the Rams picked up 232 of their 360 total yards after halftime. The Panthers were brutal on offense in their first game under interim coach Steve Wilks after Monday’s firing of Matt Rhule. Their only touchdown came on an interception return.

Matthew Stafford threw for 253 yards on 26-for-33 passing with a touchdown and an interception for the Rams. Donte Jackson returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown that provided the Panthers with a 10-7 lead with 1:58 to play in the first half.

Seahawks 19, Cardinals 9

Rookie Kenneth Walker III, making his first career start, rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and Seattle kept Arizona’s offense out of the end zone to coast to victory.

Jason Myers kicked four field goals — from 39, 27, 34 and 32 yards — for the Seahawks, who pulled into a first-place tie with the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West while leaving the Cardinals alone in last.

With Seattle leading 12-3, the game’s first touchdown came via Arizona’s special teams with 54 seconds left in the third quarter. Michael Dickson stood just inside his own goal line ready to punt when the Cardinals’ Ezekiel Turner rushed untouched up the middle. Dickson, realizing he had no chance to get a kick away, tried to run but Turner forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Chris Banjo in the end zone. Matt Ammendola missed the extra point, leaving Seattle with a 12-9 lead.

–Field Level Media

Patriots to Sideline Agholor, Jones

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CLEVELAND – (Staff and Field Level Media Report) – New England Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor and defensive back Jonathan Jones have been downgraded from questionable to out for today’s game at Cleveland.

Agholor (hamstring) and Jones (ankle) were both limited participants in practice throughout the week.

Agholor, 29, has 14 catches for 225 yards and one touchdown in five games this season for the Patriots (2-3).

Jones, 29, has 19 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception while starting all five games in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Belichick Returns to Roots

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CLEVELAND – (Staff and Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) – Everybody starts somewhere. For New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, that start came in Cleveland.

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Belichick returns to the city where he landed his first head coaching job over 30 years ago when New England (2-3) visits the Browns on Sunday in search of back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Before he was a six-time Super Bowl champion and three-time Coach of the Year, Belichick was a 38-year-old simply trying to break into the head coaching ranks with a rebuilding Cleveland team. He led the Browns to a 36-44 regular-season record in his five seasons at the helm (1991-95) before eventually becoming head coach of the Patriots in 2000.

The rest is history.

Belichick won’t be the only one coming face-to-face with his roots on Sunday, though, as Cleveland quarterback Jacoby Brissett will also be feeling a sense of nostalgia.

Brissett was drafted by New England in the third round of the 2016 draft, spending the first season of his career with the Patriots. He appeared in just three games (two starts) but still managed to leave New England with a ring from Super Bowl LI.

“Jacoby looks like Jacoby. Big kid, strong arm,” Belichick said. “He does a nice job of running the offense and scoring whatever it is, 26 points a game. That’s part of the quarterback’s job — move the ball, score points.”

While it’s always fun to sit around and reminisce about the good old days, both teams are very much focused on the present.

The Browns (2-3) are suddenly in dire need of a win after dropping three of their past four games. They lost 30-28 to the Los Angeles Chargers last week in heartbreaking fashion, as Cade York’s 54-yard field goal attempt went wide right with 11 seconds left to play.

Cleveland will be looking to turn things around, and chances are it’ll be heavily relying on the services of running back Nick Chubb who leads the NFL in both rushing yards (593) and touchdowns (seven). He’s racked up at least 110 yards on the ground in each of the last three games and is poised to keep that streak going on Sunday, although he knows it might not be easy against the Patriots’ defense.

“They’re very disciplined. The guys up front stay in their gaps,” Chubb said. “They don’t mess up at all. … It’ll be a great challenge.”

Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe has quickly provided a much-needed spark for New England.

Zappe nearly ousted the Green Bay Packers when he took over for an injured Brian Hoyer in Week 4. He then drew his first career NFL start last week and completed 17 of 21 passes for 188 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 29-0 drubbing of the Detroit Lions.

However, starting quarterback Mac Jones could make his return against the Browns after he was limited in practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury.

Wide receivers Jakobi Meyers (knee) and Nelson Agholor (hamstring) were also limited, as was center David Andrews (back), running back Damien Harris (hamstring), and cornerbacks Jalen Mills (hamstring) and Jonathan Jones (ankle).

Cleveland will be without defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who missed Wednesday’s practice due to knee, ankle and elbow injuries. Fellow defensive end Myles Garrett was a limited participant with shoulder, bicep and hand injuries sustained in a car accident on Sept. 26. The star sacker has missed the past two games.

–Field Level Media

NFL Sports Desk: Browns Banged Up

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CLEVELAND – (Staff and wire Service Report by Field Level Media) – Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and cornerback Denzel Ward have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the visiting New England Patriots. Clowney is dealing with ankle, knee and elbow issues. Coach Kevin Stefanski said the three-time Pro Bowler didn’t feel ready to compete in this weekend’s game.

Ward, a two-time Pro Bowler, didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday after sustaining a concussion while making a tackle in the fourth quarter of last weekend’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He was replaced in the lineup by A.J. Green.

The Browns also ruled out backup offensive tackle Joe Haeg with a concussion, Stefanski said.

Ward, 25, has 21 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery for a touchdown in five games this season.

He has 207 tackles, 11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries in 57 career games (56 starts) since being selected by the Browns with the fourth overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Clowney, 29, has 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble in three games this season.

Clowney has 302 tackles, 42.5 sacks and 13 forced fumbles in 100 career games (91 starts) with the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans and Browns. Clowney was selected by the Texans with the top overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Patriots’ Harris to Miss Games

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report / Field Level Media) – New England Patriots starting running back Damien Harris is expected to miss multiple games with a hamstring injury. Harris is still undergoing tests to determine the severity, per the report.

Harris sustained the injury early New England’s 29-0 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He played just six snaps, rushing the ball four times for 11 yards.

Harris has 257 yards rushing and three touchdowns in five starts this season. He has rushed for 1,889 yards and 20 TDs in 32 career games (30 starts), all with the Patriots, who selected him in the third round of the 2019 draft.

Second-year RB Rhamondre Stevenson likely would start in Harris’ absence. He has 372 yards rushing and a TD, having played 59 percent of the snap counts in five combined games this season.

Rookie Pierre Strong Jr. is also on the active roster.

The Patriots (2-3) visit the Cleveland Browns (2-3) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Crosby, Hoyer, Zappe & Jones

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GREEN BAY – (Staff and Wire Service Report from Field Level Media) – Mason Crosby converted a 31-yard field goal as time expired in overtime Sunday, lifting the host Green Bay Packers to a 27-24 win over the New England Patriots.

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After both teams went three-and-out with their initial overtime possession, Green Bay (3-1) marched 77 yards in 12 plays, chewing up the final 6:47 of the game. The Packers converted a pair of third downs, including AJ Dillon’s 7-yard run inside the 2-minute warning that allowed them to run down the clock and tee up Crosby’s game-winner.

Green Bay forced overtime when Aaron Rodgers tossed his 500th career touchdown pass, a 13-yarder to Romeo Doubs with 6:14 left in regulation. But Doubs dropped a potential 40-yard game-winner in the end zone with 2:02 remaining.

Rodgers completed 21 of 35 passes for 251 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Aaron Jones rushed 16 times for 110 yards for the Packers and Allen Lazard caught six passes for 116 yards.

Brian Hoyer started at quarterback for New England (1-3), replacing the injured Mac Jones. But after leading the Patriots to a Nick Folk field goal on their opening drive, Hoyer sustained a head injury after being sacked by Rashan Gary.

Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe was forced into action and played reasonably well in his debut. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 99 yards and his first NFL touchdown, a 25-yard strike to DeVante Parker at the 4:52 mark of the third quarter.

With Zappe on the field, New England’s already conservative game plan leaned even heavier towards the run in an attempt to keep Rodgers and Green Bay’s offense off the field.

The Patriots’ defense did its part to help. After giving up a 15-yard touchdown run to rookie wide receiver Christian Watson two minutes into the second quarter, New England took a 10-7 lead into halftime when Jack Jones picked off Rodgers and loped 40 yards down the left sideline with 13 seconds remaining.

–Field Level Media

Hoyer Preparing for GB Packers

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FOXBORO – (Staff Report with Field Level Media Wire Services) – Reserve quarterback Brian Hoyer lined up under center with New England’s starters at Wednesday’s practice, but coach Bill Belichick is not ready to eliminate his starter Mac Jones from the Patriots’ game plan Sunday at Green Bay.

Belichick said Wednesday that Jones was a longshot to practice the next two days due to an ankle sprain suffered in the Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Belichick said he saw Jones before meeting the media at Noon ET on Wednesday and said the quarterback is “getting better” with noteworthy progress the past two days.

“We’ll take it day by day,” Belichick said.

Hoyer, 36, might take every practice rep this week and still not start against the Packers, Belichick said.

Perturbed by pressing questions about the nature of Jones’ injury and hypotheticals for the week, Belichick asked the room, “What do I look like, a doctor? An orthopedic surgeon? Do you want me to read the MRI?”

Quarterbacks coach Joe Judge said Hoyer prepares diligently and wouldn’t be surprised to be on the field this week for his 40th career start.

“He’s always ready to take that next snap when he’s called on,” Judge said.

Fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe would likely serve as the No. 2 quarterback if Hoyer is called upon.

Hoyer has appeared in 75 career games and started one game with the Patriots (2020). He is 16-23 as a starter and has thrown for 10,631 yards and 53 touchdowns with seven teams.

–Field Level Media

Report Confirms Severe Sprain for Jones

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FOXBORO – The day-after game day tests confirmed that New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones suffered a “pretty severe” high ankle sprain, multiple media outlets reported Monday. Jones is getting a second opinion but the hope is that the injury won’t require surgery.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had no update when he met with the media earlier Monday.

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“Just quickly on Mac, really no update on him. We’ll go through the process and see where things are this morning, but nothing definitive at this point,” Belichick told reporters. He added that he would not “speculate wildly” about the status of Jones ahead of Week 4.

After tossing an interception on the final play of the Pats’ 37-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Jones was brought to the ground by Calais Campbell and his ankle got caught under Campbell’s leg. Jones hopped off the field on one foot and was seen grimacing in pain on the sideline.

Jones had to be carried into the locker room and was in visible pain in the Gillette Stadium tunnel. He had completed 22 of 32 passes for 321 yards and three interceptions against the Ravens. He also rushed for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Brian Hoyer is the Patriots’ backup quarterback and 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe is also on the 53-man roster. New England (1-2) plays at Green Bay (2-1) on Sunday.

Jones Hurts Ankle in Loss: X-Rays Neg

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Initial X-rays on New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones‘ left ankle were negative, the NFL Network reported.

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The team will continue to evaluate the injury sustained on the Patriots’ final offensive play of Sunday’s 37-26 loss to the visiting Baltimore Ravens.

After tossing an interception, Jones was brought to the ground by Calais Campbell and his ankle got caught under Campbell’s leg. Jones hopped off the field on one foot and was seen grimacing in pain on the sideline.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick would not comment on Jones’ status after the game.

Jones completed 22 of 32 passes for 321 yards and three interceptions against the Ravens. He also rushed for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Brian Hoyer is the Patriots’ backup quarterback. New England (1-2) plays at Green Bay next Sunday.

–Field Level Media

NFL DESK: Patriots Downed by Ravens

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Lamar Jackson threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another as the Baltimore Ravens held off a late comeback attempt to defeat the New England Patriots 37-26 on Sunday at Foxboro.

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Jackson completed 18 of 29 passes for 218 yards and had 107 yards on the ground on just 11 carries. Mark Andrews had eight receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns for Baltimore (2-1).

New England cut its deficit to 31-26 after Rhamondre Stevenson’s 1-yard rushing touchdown with 12:39 left to play but the Patriots failed to convert a two-point conversion.

New England (1-2) then turned the ball over on its next three possessions. After throwing an interception on the last drive of the game, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones limped off the field with an apparent left leg injury.

Jones threw for 321 yards and three interceptions on 22-of-32 passing. He rushed for one touchdown. DeVante Parker led all receivers with five catches for 156 yards for New England, while Stevenson and Damien Harris each rushed for one score.

The Patriots burst out of halftime, driving 75 yards in seven plays in just under three minutes to go up 20-14. Harris finished off the march with a 2-yard rushing TD.

Baltimore’s Justice Hill rushed 34 yards to the New England 6 on the ensuing drive, setting up Jackson’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Josh Oliver for a 21-20 Ravens lead. It was Oliver’s first career touchdown.

In the first half, Jonathan Jones intercepted Jackson’s pass intended for Rashod Bateman with 8:12 left in the second quarter and returned it to the Baltimore 32. The Patriots took advantage of the short field as Jones walked untouched into the end zone from 3 yards out for a 10-7 lead.

However, Jackson’s 16-yard scoring strike to Andrews with 30 seconds left in the first half put the Ravens back on top. The Patriots pulled within 14-13 before the break, on Nick Folk’s 50-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter.

Jackson also connected with Andrews in the first quarter on a 5-yard shovel pass to get Baltimore on the board.

–Field Level Media