UNDATED (AP) β The New England Patriots claimed their sixth straight AFC East title as Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes in a 41-13 pounding of Miami. The AFC West crown belongs to Denver after newcomer Connor Barth drilled five field goals in the Broncos’ 22-10 triumph over San Diego. The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the AFC South crown as Andrew Luck had 187 passing yards and threw both of his scoring passes in the second quarter of a 17-10 win over Houston.
CLEVELAND (AP) β Johnny Manziel (man-ZEHL’) was silenced in his first NFL start as Cincinnati clobbered Cleveland 30-0 to stay a half-game ahead of Pittsburgh and Baltimore for the AFC North lead. Manziel was just 10 of 18 for 80 yards and two interceptions, while gaining just 13 yards on five carries. The Bengals held the Browns to 107 total yards and got a big day from Jeremy Hill, who carried 25 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) β Aaron Rodgers completed just 17 of his 42 passes for 185 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions as Green Bay lost 21-13 to Buffalo, leaving the Packers in a tie with Detroit for the NFC North lead. The Bills’ offense produced only four field goals by Dan Carpenter, but Marcus Thigpen’s 75-yard punt return provided Buffalo’s lone touchdown. Mario Williams helped seal the victory when he forced Rodgers to fumble with 1:51 left, causing a safety.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) β The Dallas Cowboys lead the NFC East by one game over Philadelphia after DeMarco Murray ran for two touchdowns and Tony Romo threw for three others in a 38-27 win over the Eagles. Murray had just 81 yards on 31 carries but scored on a pair of short runs. The Eagles managed to take the lead after the Cowboys went ahead 21-0 while outgaining Philadelphia 167-0.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Carolina will own the NFC South lead at just 5-8-1 if New Orleans loses in Chicago on Monday. The Panthers bolstered their playoff hopes as Derek Anderson threw for 277 yards and a touchdown in Carolina’s 19-17 win over Tampa Bay. Anderson completed 25 of 40 passes and improved to 2-0 as a starter in place of Cam Newton, who missed the game while recovering from a car accident that left him with two fractures in his lower back.
