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NFL Christmas Day top plays: Brady, Bucs prevail in OT; Packers, Rams secure wins

Week 16 of the NFL season continues Sunday — and we’ve got you covered with all the action from the three-game Christmas Day slate! In the nightcap, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers overcame a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit before prevailing in overtime against the Trace McSorley-led Arizona Cardinals.

Earlier, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers upset Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins on the road at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. Trailing 20-13 at halftime, the Packers scored 16 unanswered points in the second half as Tagovailoa threw an interception on the Dolphins’ final three drives.

Elsewhere, Baker Mayfield and the Los Angeles Rams dominated the Denver Broncos at home in L.A. by 30-plus points.

Here are the top plays from Sunday’s slate!

Tampa Bay Buccanners at Arizona Cardinals

Trickery!

The Cardinals came up with a sneaky play on fourth-and-2, picking up a crucial first down early in the first quarter.

Going down

The Bucs defense sacked McSorley on third down, coming up with the ball near midfield after the Cardinals QB lost it.

Too tough

Tampa Bay ended up turning the ball over on downs after the turnover — thanks in large part to J.J. Watt.

Not how they drew it up

Late in the second quarter, Brady’s pass to Mike Evans was picked off at the Cardinals’ 2-yard line and returned 39 yards the opposite way. Just like that, things remained 6-3 headed into halftime, with the Bucs holding a slight advantage.

Intercepting the GOAT … again

Marco Wilson halted a promising Bucs’ drive in the third quarter by intercepting Brady for a second time.

Hollywood goes deep

McSorley showed off his arm strength with a deep strike to Marquise Brown for a 47-yard gain. The Cardinals would later kick a field goal to cap the drive, taking a 9-6 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Hurdling the punter?!

Pharoh Cooper just did that. The Cardinals punt returner went airborne over Jake Camarda in stylish fashion, much to the delight of his teammates. 

Rushing to success

The Cardinals took a 16-6 lead in the fourth quarter on this 22-yard scamper by James Conner.

Bucs not done yet

Brady pulled Tampa Bay back within 16-13 in the fourth quarter on his first TD strike of the game, a 3-yard out to Rachaad White. 

Tie game in the desert 

After forcing a Cardinals fumble, the Bucs would capitalize by evening the score at 16 on Ryan Succop’s 42-yard field goal ahead of the two-minute warning.

Bucs prevail in OT!

Succop came up clutch in overtime, knocking home his fourth field goal of the night to send the Bucs to a 19-16 victory.

Los Angeles Rams 51, Denver Broncos 14

There’s still a Durant playing on Christmas Day

Sure, Nets star Kevin Durant isn’t playing in a Christmas Day game for the first time since 2009 (when healthy), but another Durant is making plays. 

Rams rookie corner Cobie Durant made a diving interception to give his team good field position.

To the house!

Tyler Higbee made the reception right in front of the goal line and powered his way into the end zone to give Los Angeles a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.

Hey, former teammate!

Bobby Wagner got in on the fun, intercepting Russell Wilson his former teammate with the Seattle Seahawks, to give the Rams great field position on back-to-back drives.

Cam Akers adds to the lead

The Rams running back found his way into the end zone on a three-yard run to give L.A. a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.

Courtland Sutton keeps it cool

The Broncos receiver made a diving grab along the sideline that was initially ruled incomplete, but Denver challenged the play and the quick review determined Sutton made the grab.

The catch helped set the Broncos up for a field goal and make it 17-3.

The Santa Claus of TDs

Higbee scored his second touchdown in the second quarter to give the Rams a 24-3 lead early in the second quarter.

The Rams followed that up with a 2-yard touchdown rush from Akers to take a 31-6 lead into halftime.

For good measure

Denver added a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, courtesy of a sideline end zone grab from Greg Dulcich.

Chaos!

Durant sealed the deal for the Rams with an 85-yard interception-turned-touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Green Bay Packers 26, Miami Dolphins 20

Nearly running all the way

After the Dolphins went up 3-0 on the opening drive, Keisean Nixon put the Packers in great field position, returning the ensuing kick 94 yards to put Green Bay within Miami’s 10-yard line. The Packers weren’t able to fully take advantage, settling for a field goal.

Waddle your way for six!

Jaylen Waddle took Tagovailoa’s pass the distance, turning a 10-yard reception to an 84-yard touchdown to put Miami up 10-3.

Got a Marcedes for Christmas

Green Bay finally reached the end zone when Rodgers found Marcedes Lewis wide open to tie the game at 10-10.

Star power

Tagovailoa’s favorite gift this season has been Tyreek Hill, and he connected with him again on Christmas. The star receiver hauled in a 52-yard grab to put the Dolphins at the Packers’ 1-yard line.

Then, Jeff Wilson ran in for a touchdown on the ensuing play to give Miami a 17-10 lead.

Not on Miami’s watch

The Packers tried to keep their drive alive by running a fake punt on fourth down deep in their own territory. The Dolphins sniffed out the fake quicker than Santa sniffs cookies on Christmas Eve.

Big fourth-down conversion

Rodgers used the play-action to his advantage, finding Christian Watson open for a first down to help set the Packers up for a field goal to make it 20-13 before halftime.

Sliiiide to the left

Rodgers moved to his left and found Lewis again, but this time for a 30-plus yard completion to set the Packers up at the Dolphins’ 7-yard line.

Awesome AJ

AJ Dillon powered his way into the end zone just two plays after Rodgers’ deep pass to even the game early in the third quarter.

Dolphins defense gets the pick … but was there a PI?

Rodgers wanted it all on third-and-15, launching a pass to the end zone to Allen Lazard. Kader Kohou made the play to get the interception for the Dolphins though, but it appeared he might have gotten away with some contact.

“Ball Don’t Lie,” at least for Packers fans

On the play right after Rodgers’ interception, the Packers got the ball back when Tagovailoa threw the ball right at Jaire Alexander to give Green Bay great field position. 

A gift for De’Vondre Campbell

Tagovailoa threw another interception right at the Packers linebacker as the Dolphins were driving to either tie or take the lead.

Tua turnover

The Dolphins quarterback threw his third interception in his final three dries as his final pass of the game went straight to Rasul Douglas, sealing the 26-20 win for the Packers.


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Chiefs win again, Raiders prevail in OT

All 32 NFL teams are in action for a Thanksgiving Week slate of games. Epic divisional matchups and heavyweight fights headline Week 12 of the 2022 season.

Perhaps the most anticipated game of the week pits veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers against upstart signal-caller Jalen Hurts in a primetime bout between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. Which team will come out on top in the Sunday night showdown?

During the trio of Thanksgiving Day games, Mac Jones threw for over 380 yards but the New England Patriots fell short against the Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys emerged victorious from an NFC East duel against the New York Giants. The Buffalo Bills edged the Detroit Lions in the first game of the day.

In other games around the league, the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams battle in a game that was nearly the Super Bowl matchup last season. Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals engage in an intriguing West Coast game while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns also play one another Sunday.

Here’s a rundown of all the Week 12 action around the NFL.

Buffalo Bills 28, Detroit Lions 25

Briefly: The Lions gave the Bills all they could handle in the early Thanksgiving matchup, but kicker Tyler Bass scored the game-winner with just seconds left to help Buffalo keep pace in a loaded AFC East division. Bills QB Josh Allen, however, was just 24 of 42 passing to go along with an interception — although he did account for three total touchdowns. 

One highlight to know: Allen found WR Stefon Diggs for a five-yard touchdown with 2:40 left in the game to give Buffalo a late lead. Later, in the final seconds, Allen and Diggs connected down the middle of the field to set up Bass’ winner.

Next up: The Bills travel to face the New England Patriots in Week 13. The Lions host the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Dallas Cowboys 28, New York Giants 20

Briefly: Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz caught two touchdowns and WR CeeDee Lamb amassed 106 receiving yards on six catches to surge the Dallas offense past the Giants in a pivotal NFC East showdown Thanksgiving evening. The Cowboys’ defense also registered three sacks and held Giants star RB Saquon Barkley to just 39 yards on 11 carries.

One highlight to know: The Cowboys ran a red-zone jet sweep to TE Peyton Hendershot, who found paydirt to make it a 28-13 game in the fourth quarter. Hendershot celebrated with his fellow tight ends by jumping into the Salvation Army prop outside the end zone where they played Whac-A-Mole.

Next up: The Cowboys host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13. The Giants welcome the Washington Commanders.

Minnesota Vikings 33, New England Patriots 26

Briefly: A series of self-inflicted wounds felled the Patriots in a Thanksgiving night showdown with the Vikings, who went back to the well of QB Kirk Cousins connecting with WR Justin Jefferson en route to a statement victory. Meanwhile, Patriots QB Mac Jones threw for 382 yards and two touchdowns but New England was unable to take advantage.

One highlight to know: Patriots TE Hunter Henry had a touchdown called back after officials ruled the pass incomplete, a controversial decision that incited debate among NFL fans. New England would lose by one score.

Next up: The Vikings host the New York Jets in Week 13. The Patriots host the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.

Carolina Panthers 23, Denver Broncos 10

Briefly: The Carolina Panthers looked confident behind new quarterback Sam Darnold, who went 11-of-19 for 164 yards and two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. Running back D’Onta Foreman added 164 yards to the Panthers offense. The Denver Broncos didn’t have an answer as they were held to a field goal until 3:19 left in the game. A roughing the passer penalty on fourth down gave Russell Wilson, who was sacked three times, the opportunity to get his lone touchdown of the game.

One highlight to know: With 4:02 left in the first half, Brian Burns knocked down Russell Wilson as he attempted to throw the ball downfield. It was ruled a strip sack and was recovered by Yetur Gross-Matos. The play epitomized the day for the Broncos’ offense.

Next up: The Broncos travel to face the Baltimore Ravens while the Panthers are on their bye.

Cleveland Browns 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17

Briefly: The Cleveland Browns took Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to overtime and came out victorious. Their running game produced 189 yards and two touchdowns, led by Nick Chubb who had 26 carries for 116 of those yards and the winning score. There were seven total sacks in the game, which kept both Brady and Jacoby Brissett on their toes.

One highlight to know: With 32 seconds left in the game and down by a touchdown, Jacoby Brissett found tight end David Njoku, who arched back and made a one-handed catch to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Next up: The Browns travel to play the Houston Texans in what is expected to be Deshaun Watson’s return from suspension. The Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints in an NFC South matchup.

Jacksonville Jaguars 28, Baltimore Ravens 27

Briefly: The Jacksonville Jaguars clawed their way to victory over a Baltimore Ravens team that is much better on paper. Trevor Lawrence expertly executed a two-minute offense late in the fourth quarter that included converting a fourth-and-five and ended in a 10-yard touchdown to Marvin Jones Jr. Doug Pederson put all his chips on the table and went for a two-point conversion and the win. His bet paid off. Justin Tucker, the highest-paid kicker in the league, missed a 67-yard field goal to bury Baltimore for good. 

One highlight to know: Just Tucker sought to beat his NFL record with a 67-yard field goal on the last play of the game. The ball fell short, much to the relief of Doug Pederson and the Jaguars home crowd.

Next up: The Jaguars travel to take on the Detroit Lions while the Ravens seek to bounce back when they host the Denver Broncos.

Washington Commanders 19, Atlanta Falcons 13

Briefly: Commanders QB Taylor Heinecke didn’t have the greatest day (only 14 completions, 2 interceptions), but RB Brian Robinson Jr. amassed over 100 yards on the ground and Washington kept itself alive in the NFC playoff race. Meanwhile, the Falcons failed to pick up a win that would have helped them keep pace with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.

One highlight to know: Heinecke found John Bates for a 16-yard touchdown that gave the Commanders a one-score lead it would not relinquish.

Next up: The Commanders travel to take on the New York Giants. The Falcons host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Miami Dolphins 30, Houston Texans 15

Briefly: Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was unstoppable, leading Miami to a 30-0 lead before head coach Mike McDaniel sat him down due to the size of the lead. The Texans found some momentum in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to take down a Miami squad that leads a formidable AFC East division.

One highlight to know: Xavien Howard had a 16-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown that effectively put the game away in the second quarter.

Next up: The Dolphins travel to face the San Francisco 49ers. The Texans host the Cleveland Browns.

New York Jets 31, Chicago Bears 10

Briefly: Jets QB Mike White outdueled Bears signal-caller Trevor Siemian in a battle of backup quarterbacks that saw White throw for 315 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair to WR Garrett Wilson. The Bears were without QB Justin Fields, and it showed. The Chicago defense was leaky and the offense struggled to piece anything together.

One highlight to know: White and Wilson connected for a 54-yard touchdown that put the Jets ahead 14-10.

Next up: The Jets will travel to face the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears host the Green Bay Packers.

Cincinnati Bengals 20, Tennessee Titans 16

Briefly: Still without star WR Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals survived a tough matchup with the Titans. Tee Higgins caught seven passes for 114 yards in an impressive performance, and RB Samaje Perine found the end zone in relief of injured starter Joe Mixon. Meanwhile, the Bengals’ defense held the Titans without a single offensive touchdown.

One highlight to know: Burrow and Higgins connected for a 27-yard touchdown with 13:42 left to give the Bengals a lead it would not relinquish.

Next up: The Bengals host the Kansas City Chiefs. The Titans travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles.

Los Angeles Chargers 25, Arizona Cardinals 24

Briefly: Kyler Murray returned after missing two games with an injury and scored three total touchdowns, but he couldn’t lead the Arizona Cardinals to victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Justin Herbert ran a two-minute offense and notched a two-point conversion to put the birds to bed. He went 35-of-47 for 274 yards and three touchdowns despite being sacked four times.

One highlight to know: The Chargers capped off their game-winning drive with a fake handoff to Austin Ekeler who ran toward the corner of the end zone, caught Justin Herbert’s one-yard throw and dove forward for the score.

Next up: The Chargers travel to face the Las Vegas Raiders in an AFC West matchup. The Cardinals enter their bye week.

Las Vegas Raiders 40, Seattle Seahawks 34

Briefly: The Las Vegas Raiders survived yet another overtime game and crushed the Seattle Seahawks’ return from their bye week. It was a teeter-totter of a game that featured two turnovers for each team. But the Raiders’ 576 yards of total offense, 303 of which came from running back Josh Jacobs, helped propel them to the win.

One highlight to know: Last week, it was the Derek Carr-Davante Adams connection that saved the day for the Raiders. This time, Josh Jacobs was the hero with an 86-yard run to grab Las Vegas’ fourth win of the season.

Next up: The Raiders host the Los Angeles Chargers in their second divisional matchup in three weeks. The Seahawks travel to face the Los Angeles Rams in their own NFC West game.

Kansas City Chiefs 26, Los Angeles Rams 10

Briefly: The Kansas City Chiefs earned their 15th straight win against NFC teams. Harrison Butker nailed four field goals for the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes threw for 320 yards and a touchdown along with an interception, only his seventh of the year. It came in the second half where three of four consecutive possessions ended in an interception. The Los Angeles Rams were led by quarterback Bryce Perkins, who was making his NFL debut replacing an injured Matthew Stafford. The Virginia alum was 13-of-23 for 100 yards, a touchdown and he accounted for those two other interceptions.

One highlight to know: The Patrick Mahomes-Travis Kelce connection strikes yet again as the quarterback found his tight end for a 39-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The Chiefs didn’t look back.

Next up: The Chiefs travel to face the Cincinnati Bengals and the Rams take a five-game losing streak back to SoFi Stadium where they host the Seattle Seahawks.

San Francisco 49ers 13, New Orleans Saints 0

Briefly: Alvin Kamara fumbled on the game’s opening drive and it was all downhill for the New Orleans Saints. Jimmy Garoppolo went 26-of-37 for 222 yards and a touchdown in a performance that wasn’t necessarily glamorous, but got the job done as the San Francisco 49ers complete a four-game winning streak and hand the Saints their first shutout since 2001.

One highlight to know: Tyrann Mathieu tipped Jimmy Garoppolo’s pass intended for Jauan Jennings, but it wasn’t enough as the second-year player got his first touchdown of the season and the only trip to the end zone of the day.

Next up: The 49ers host the Miami Dolphins, who are on a five-game winning streak of their own. The Saints travel to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Monday night matchup.

Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles

Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET

TV: NBC

Betting info: Odds, moneyline and more

What to know: The last two weeks have been tough tests for the previously unbeaten Eagles, who have come back down to Earth. That doesn’t mean the Eagles aren’t still a top-tier team, but they’ll have to prove it against QB Aaron Rodgers and a Packers team that is figuring things out after a rough start. 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts

Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Betting info: Odds, moneyline and more

What to know: There’s no denying a renewed energy eminating from the Colts after the hiring of interim coach Jeff Saturday. It wasn’t enough to beat the Eagles last week, but Indianapolis came dangerously close to an upset. Meanwhile, the Steelers look like they’re in rebuilding mode but still boast enough individual talent to make things interested in this primetime matchup.

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Vikings vs. Bills score, takeaways: Justin Jefferson, Patrick Peterson help Minnesota prevail in wild OT game

Sunday’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills appeared to be won by each team in regulation at multiple points before the Vikings preserved a 33-30 overtime victory in Week 10. Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson, the eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro, flashed his pedigree in the clutch as the 32-year-old came through for his second end zone interception of Bills quarterback Josh Allen to end the game in overtime after the Vikings kicked a field goal on their opening extra time drive. 

It was a historic comeback as Minnesota became the first team to beat Buffalo in Highmark Stadium when trailing by at least 14 points at halftime as the Vikings fell behind 24-10 at the break. The last time the Bills lost a home game with a halftime lead of 14 or more was also in Week 10, but it occurred in the 1968 season at War Memorial Stadium.

Minnesota, improving to 8-1 with a seventh straight victory, won its third game this season when trailing by 10 or more points in the fourth quarter, tied for the third-most such comeback wins in a season in the 21st century, and the Vikings still have eight games left to play. They miraculously overcame double-digit, fourth-quarter deficits on the road for consecutive weeks. They beat the Washington Commanders in Week 9 – winning 20-17 on a game-winning field goal with no time left after trailing 17-7 — and on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. However, unlike Week 9, Minnesota’s rally wasn’t enough to decide the game in regulation. 

Trailing 27-10 at the start of the fourth quarter, Minnesota ripped off 20 consecutive points to take a 30-27 lead with 41 seconds remaining in regulation. Vikings running back Dalvin Cook got the rally started with an 81-yard scoring sprint down the left sideline that was the longest carry in his career and the longest rushing touchdown by a Vikings player since Adrian Peterson in Week 15 of the 2012 season (82 yards) against the Rams. A huge play from an expected source, unlike the next Vikings touchdown — a five-yard rush from fullback C.J. Ham — which marked just the second rushing touchdown of his career and first since his rookie year in 2017.  What ensued following a seemingly mundane score came back to have major implications on the outcome of this thriller: Vikings kicker Greg Joseph doinked his point after try off the right upright, preventing Minnesota from drawing within three as it then trailed 27-23 with 4:34 left to play.

Minnesota’s defense stiffened to force a Bills punt, giving the Vikings offense the ball back at their own 24 with 3:23, trailing 27-23. That’s when the drama began. After, Bills linebacker Von Miller came through for his first sack of the game to put the Vikings in a fourth-and-18 situation as the two-minute warning hit. However, wide receiver Justin Jefferson had plans to showcase his hypothesis as to why Minnesota won the 2020 trade of Stefon Diggs and a seventh-round pick to the Bills in exchange for four draft picks, one of which became Jefferson 22nd overall in the ensuing NFL Draft. The third-year wideout finished with 10 receptions, a career-high 193 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 10, including the game-extending 32-yard gain on fourth-and-18 that made Odell Beckham Jr.’s one-handed catch against the Dallas Cowboys years ago look like child’s play.

His performance on Sunday broke multiple NFL records as he totaled his 20th career game with 100 or more receiving yards as well as his seventh career game with 150 or more receiving yards. Both are the most such games through a player’s first three seasons in NFL history, and Jefferson has eight more games left to play this season. His 193 receiving yards were the most by any Viking since teammate Adam Thielen’s career-high of 202 yards in Week 16 of the 2016 season in a 38-25 loss at the Green Bay Packers. Jefferson made sure his career day wasn’t going to be in vain as he caught two more passes on the drive to get Minnesota down to the Buffalo one with a minute left. He momentarily had his second receiving touchdown and what appeared to be the game-winner before a replay review ruled he was a yard short. 

The Vikings appeared to have come up short in their effort to secure a win after quarterback Kirk Cousins’ sneak on fourth-and-goal was stuffed for no gain and a turnover on downs with 50 seconds left. 

The very next play the game turned around for the visitors in purple as Allen, backed up in his own end zone, fumbled an under-center snap on a sneak attempt of his own that linebacker Eric Kendricks recovered for the go-ahead touchdown, 30-27. 

The Bills regained possession on their own 32 with 36 seconds left and no timeouts trailing by three, an eerily similar scenario to what Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs faced against these Bills in the AFC divisional round last year. Allen pulled off his best impression of Mahomes’ back-against-the-wall performance, getting kicker Tyler Bass in range for a game-tying, 29-yard field goal with five seconds left in only five plays. However, it was a controversial possession as Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis bobbled what was ruled as a 20-yard completion down the left sideline. Allen displayed some veteran savvy, quickly snapping the ball before any replay review could be initiated by the referees. 

Heading into overtime, the Vikings won the coin toss and elected to receive with the potential to win the game on a touchdown, which would have left Allen and the Bills with the same feeling they had at the end of the 2021 playoffs. Jefferson made it appear as if that was the direction Minnesota’s opening possession was going as he secured a 24-yard deep ball to put the Vikings on the Bills’ two. However, the Vikings went backwards from there as Cook was stuffed on his first down run for a loss of five, followed by Cousins absorbing a 10-yard sack on second-and-goal. Minnesota settled for a 33-yard field goal, needing one last stop. 

After consecutive Allen scrambles gained a combined 38 yards, the quarterback hit Diggs for two straight seven yard gains, and all of the sudden the Bills were in the red zone at the Vikings 20. The former Viking tied his season-high with 12 catches to go along with 128 receiving yards. Two plays later, the game was over as Peterson intercepted a scrambling Allen in the end zone for a second time. 

In the end, it was a sloppy performance for both Cousins (30-of-50 passing for 357 yards, one passing touchdown, two interceptions) and Allen (29-of-43 passing for 330 passing yards, one passing touchdown, two interceptions). The win improves the Vikings to 8-1 overall as their seventh straight victory allows them to keep pace with the 8-0 Philadelphia Eagles, who play Monday night against the Washington Commanders. The Bills fall to 6-3 overall and out of first place in the AFC East after consecutive defeats. 

Here are some takeaways from the wild OT win.

Why the Vikings won

The Vikings are the NFL’s never-say-die team of the 2022 season. Three wins when trailing by double digits certifies their mental fortitude under first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell. However, it surely helps having a player who can make just about any catch in any moment, erasing complete failure on downs one through three like Jefferson can. His 32-yard catch on fourth-and-18 was the first of many Minnesota game-saving plays. Although the Vikings defense deserves plenty of credit as well, limiting the NFL’s third-ranked scoring offense to only three points in the fourth quarter and overtime, leaving the space for Jefferson’s heroics.

Minnesota went 6 of 8 in one-possession games a season ago in Mike Zimmer’s final campaign as head coach, losing the most such games in the league. Now, the Vikes are 7-0 when a game is decided by the same margin under O’Connell, tied for the most such wins in the NFL this season with the New York Giants. Those seven one-possession wins through the first nine games are tied for the most by any team through nine games since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger. New coaching staff, new season, new vibes. 

Why the Bills lost

One of Josh Allen’s biggest strengths is his ability to pull explosive plays out of thin air with both his arm and his legs. However, that same big-game hunting hurt the Bills in critical spots in their loss. Allen threw his first interception after Cook’s 81-yard score on fourth down when even an incompletion would’ve been beneficial as the Vikings offense would’ve taken the field on their own seven. Peterson returned his first pick for 39 yards, and the Vikings scored another touchdown to draw within four. The last one lost the game. First-year offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and Allen need to sit down to chat about a happy medium between hitting big plays and forcing the football into bad spots. The Bills quarterback now leads the NFL with 10 interceptions, six of which have come in the last three games.  

Turning point

After the Vikings came up short on fourth-and-goal down by four at the end of regulation, it appeared the Bills had the game won. Eric Kendricks’ fumble recovery of Allen’s bobbled snap changed the game, putting the Vikings in the lead for the first time since the opening position when they were ahead 7-0. This play turned the Vikings from surefire losers on Sunday to eventual winners. 

Play of the game 

The play of the game couldn’t be anything else besides Jefferson’s game-saving, 32-yard catch. Yes, it’s only a Week 10 game, but the degree of difficulty and the have-to-have-it nature of the play make the one-handed, arm wrestle of a catch immediately among some of the best the NFL has ever seen. 

What’s next

The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Vikings as they return home for a Week 11 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, one the NFL’s best defenses. The Bills remain at home to host the struggling 3-6 Cleveland Browns in front of Bills Mafia next week. 

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Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs prevail against Buffalo Bills, win wild AFC divisional game in overtime

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen someday might beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. But for now, Mahomes and the Chiefs have the solutions for Allen and the Bills in the postseason.

The Chiefs beat the Bills 42-36 in overtime on Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium in the divisional round of the playoffs. Mahomes also outdueled Allen in last season’s AFC Championship Game victory over the Bills, which sent the Chiefs to Super Bowl LV.

Mahomes will face another young quarterback challenger, Joe Burrow, next Sunday when the Chiefs face the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game, also at Arrowhead.

Mahomes’ 8-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce on the first possession of overtime won the game.

Mahomes beat the Bills using, in large part, Allen’s game. Mahomes’ running was as big a part of the Chiefs’ victory as his passing. Mahomes rushed for 69 yards and scored the Chiefs’ first touchdown on an 8-yard run.

The Chiefs quarterback also threw for 378 yards, and his first touchdown pass was pure Mahomes. He was chased by pass-rush pressure and seemingly unable to see into the end zone. But with defensive end Jerry Hughes bearing down on him, he jumped and threw into the end zone, and Byron Pringle was there to catch the 2-yard throw.

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Afghan Women Are Already Fading From Public View as Fear of the Taliban and Uncertainty Prevail

Dr. Zuhal used to drive herself to work.

This week, she started taking a taxi to avoid reprisals from the Taliban, who once banned women from driving. It didn’t help. On the second day of the Taliban takeover, a Taliban gunman dragged the doctor, who didn’t want to use her full name, out of the taxi and whipped her for filming the chaos surrounding the evacuations at the Kabul airport through her window.

“I cried the whole way home,” she said.

Since seizing control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have sought to portray themselves as more moderate than when they were last in power in the 1990s, when their hard-line interpretation of Sunni Islam and their treatment of women helped make them a pariah state.

While the Taliban have publicly pledged to respect women’s rights within the limits of Islam, the group hasn’t elaborated on their own reading of it, or made specific promises. Interpretations of Islamic law vary widely, and the possible range of restrictions are causing many inside and outside Afghanistan to fear the worst for women’s freedoms.

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Biden, Dems prevail as Senate OKs $1.9T virus relief bill

WASHINGTON — An exhausted Senate narrowly approved a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill Saturday as President Joe Biden and his Democratic allies notched a victory they called crucial for hoisting the country out of the pandemic and economic doldrums.

After laboring all night on a mountain of amendments — nearly all from Republicans and rejected — bleary-eyed senators approved the sprawling package on a 50-49 party-line vote. That sets up final congressional approval by the House next week so lawmakers can whisk it to Biden for his signature.

The huge measure — its total spending is nearly one-tenth the size of the entire U.S. economy — is Biden’s biggest early priority. It stands as his formula for addressing the deadly virus and a limping economy, twin crises that have afflicted the country for a year.

“This nation has suffered too much for much too long,” Biden told reporters at the White House after the vote. “And everything in this package is designed to relieve the suffering and to meet the most urgent needs of the nation, and put us in a better position to prevail.”

Saturday’s vote was also a crucial political moment for Biden and Democrats, who need nothing short of party unanimity in a 50-50 Senate they run with Vice President Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote. They have a slim 10-vote House edge.

Not a single Republican backed the bill in the Senate or when it initially passed the House, underscoring the barbed partisan environment that’s so far characterizing the early days of Biden’s presidency.

A small but pivotal band of moderate Democrats leveraged changes in the legislation that incensed progressives, not making it any easier for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to guide the measure through the House. But rejection of their first, signature bill was not an option for Democrats, who face two years of trying to run Congress with virtually no room for error.

“They feel like we do, we have to get this done,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said of the House. He said he’d spoken to Pelosi about the Senate’s changes and added, “It’s not going to be everything everyone wants. No bill is.”

In a written statement, Pelosi invited Republicans “to join us in recognition of the devastating reality of this vicious virus and economic crisis and of the need for decisive action.”

The bill provides direct payments of up to $1,400 for most Americans and extended emergency unemployment benefits. There are vast piles of spending for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, states and cities, schools and ailing industries, along with tax breaks to help lower-earning people, families with children and consumers buying health insurance.

Republicans call the measure a wasteful spending spree for Democrats’ liberal allies that ignores recent indications that the pandemic and economy could be turning the corner.

“The Senate has never spent $2 trillion in a more haphazard way,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Of Democrats, he said, “Their top priority wasn’t pandemic relief. It was their Washington wish list.”

The Senate commenced a dreaded “vote-a-thon” — a continuous series of votes on amendments — shortly before midnight Friday, and by its end around noon had dispensed with about three dozen. The Senate had been in session since 9 a.m. EST Friday.

Overnight, the chamber was like an experiment in the best techniques for staying awake. Several lawmakers appeared to rest their eyes or doze at their desks, often burying their faces in their hands. At one point, Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, at 48 one of the younger senators, trotted into the chamber and did a prolonged stretch.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, missed the votes to attend his father-in-law’s funeral.

The measure follows five earlier ones totaling about $4 trillion that Congress has enacted since last spring and comes amid signs of a potential turnaround.

Vaccine supplies are growing, deaths and caseloads have eased but remain frighteningly high, and hiring was surprisingly strong last month, though the economy remains 10 million jobs smaller than its pre-pandemic levels.

The Senate package was delayed repeatedly as Democrats made eleventh-hour changes aimed at balancing demands by their competing moderate and progressive factions.

Work on the bill ground to a halt Friday after an agreement among Democrats on extending emergency jobless benefits seemed to collapse. Nearly 12 hours later, top Democrats and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, perhaps the chamber’s most conservative Democrat, said they had a deal, and the Senate approved it on a party-line 50-49 vote.

Under their compromise, $300 weekly emergency unemployment checks — on top of regular state benefits — would be renewed, with a final payment made Sept. 6. There would also be tax breaks on some of those payments, helping people the pandemic abruptly tossed out of jobs and risked tax penalties on the benefits.

The House’s relief bill, largely similar to the Senate’s, provided $400 weekly benefits through August. The current $300 per week payments expire March 14, and Democrats want the bill on Biden’s desk by then to avert a lapse.

Manchin and Republicans have asserted that higher jobless benefits discourage people from returning to work, a rationale most Democrats and many economists reject.

The agreement on jobless benefits wasn’t the only move that showed moderates’ sway.

The Senate voted Friday to eject a House-approved boost in the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025, a major defeat for progressives. Eight Democrats opposed the increase, suggesting that Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and other liberals pledging to continue the effort in coming months will face a difficult fight.

Party leaders also agreed to restrict eligibility for the $1,400 stimulus checks that will go to most Americans. That amount would be gradually reduced until, under the Senate bill, it reaches zero for people earning $80,000 and couples making $160,000. Those amounts were higher in the House version.

Many of the rejected GOP amendments were either attempts to force Democrats to cast politically awkward votes or for Republicans to demonstrate their zeal for issues that appeal to their voters.

These included defeated efforts to bar the bill’s funds from going to schools closed for the pandemic that don’t reopen their doors, or that let transgender students born male to participate in female sports. One amendment would have blocked aid to so-called sanctuary cities, where local authorities balk at helping federal officials round up immigrants in the U.S. illegally.

___

Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.

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