Bryce Young threw two touchdown passes and the Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 on Sunday to take first place in the National Association South Division.
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Panthers 23 – Buccaneers 20
PHOTO JACOB KUPFERMAN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bryce Young (9) had 191 air yards
The Carolina Panthers were happy when they left their locker room Sunday, but they weren’t satisfied.
The Panthers finally found a way to beat Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as their 23-20 victory vaulted them into first place in the National Association South Division.
The North Carolina troop is aware, however, that they may have to accomplish the feat again in two weeks.
The Panthers (8-7) could secure the section title next Sunday, with a victory against the Seattle Seahawks and a defeat of the Buccaneers (7-8) at the hands of the Miami Dolphins. However, if both teams win or lose, they will have to beat the Buccaneers again in the final week of activities.
The Panthers are looking to end a drought of seven years without making the playoffs and 10 years without a section title.
Their head coach, Dave Canales, said the club’s locker room was filled with “hope and belief” that things are about to change.
“Everything is still ahead of us,” he said. The guys deserved to have the opportunity to play important matches at this time of year. They deserved it because they worked and they were accountable to their teammates. »
The Buccaneers were moving down the field with a chance to attempt a game-tying field goal or take the lead with a touchdown, but Mayfield and Mike Evans miscommunicated leading to Ransom’s interception.
They suffered a third loss in a row and have won only one of their last seven outings after starting the campaign with a 6-2 record.
“The most important thing is that our trust and camaraderie is good,” said head coach Todd Bowles. However, this is not enough at the moment. We lack execution here and there. Hope to see them again in two weeks and play for a stake. »
Steve Reed, Associated Press
Chargers 34 – Cowboys 17
PHOTO KEVIN JAIRAJ, IMAGN IMAGES PROVIDED BY REUTERS CONNECT
Justin Herbert (10)
Justin Herbert threw two touchdown passes and added a rushing touchdown to help the Los Angeles Chargers defeat the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 on Sunday.
The Chargers (11-4), who won a fourth straight game, will have the chance to punch their ticket to the playoffs later today or tomorrow. They need a loss or a draw from the Indianapolis Colts or Houston Texans.
This would be the Chargers’ second playoff appearance in as many seasons since Jim Harbaugh became the team’s head coach.
Dak Prescott threw two touchdown passes in the first two possessions for the Cowboys (6-8-1), but he did not find the end zone for the rest of the game.
The Dallas team has lost its last three games and it will not be in the playoffs for a second year in a row.
In his third full game with a broken left hand, Herbert led the Chargers to a major in each of their three offensive series in the first half. Omarion Hampton had a five-yard rushing touchdown in the second half.
A 23-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston was followed by a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ladd McConkey. Herbert then crossed the last yard which separated him from the end zone to add a major.
Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press
Bills 23 – Browns 20
PHOTO BRIAN FLUHARTY, IMAGN IMAGES PROVIDED BY REUTERS CONNECT
James Cook
James Cook rushed for 117 yards and scored two touchdowns, Josh Allen stayed in the game despite a foot injury, and the Buffalo Bills moved closer to making the NFL playoffs with a 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Ty Johnson also scored a rushing touchdown for the Bills (11-4), who earned their fourth straight victory and fifth in their last six outings.
Allen played in the second half even though he injured his right foot during the second quarter.
Allen tried to favor his foot after he was the victim of a quarterback sack, carried out jointly by Myles Garrett and Alex Wright for a loss of 22 yards, to the Bills one-yard line, with 60 seconds remaining in the first half.
Garrett has 22 sacks in 2025 and he only needs one in the Browns’ last two games (3-12) to pass Michael Strahan and TJ Watt for the most sacks in a single season.
Allen completed 12 passes in 19 attempts for 130 yards. He added 17 yards on the ground, on seven carries.
Cook, who had at least 100 rushing yards in his ninth game this season, crossed the goal line on runs of 44 yards and three yards.
Michael Badgley added a 41-yard field goal in the third quarter for the Bills.
In the defeat, quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 20 of his 29 passes for gains of 157 yards and a touchdown. He was also the most prolific on the ground for the Browns with four rushes for gains of 49 yards.
Sanders, however, was the victim of two interceptions which allowed the Bills to score 10 points.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. scored both of the Browns’ touchdowns, including one on a 1-yard run in the third quarter that cut the Bills’ lead to 23-17.
Joe Reedy, Associated Press
Jaguars 34 – Broncos 20
PHOTO RON CHENOY, IMAGN IMAGES PROVIDED BY REUTERS CONNECT
Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes and scored a rushing touchdown, leading the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 34-20 victory that ended the Denver Broncos’ 11-game winning streak on Sunday.
The Jaguars (11-4), leaders of the South section of the American, won their sixth game in a row and inflicted on the Broncos (12-3) their first defeat since the third week of the season.
It was also the Broncos’ first home loss since October 13, 2024, ending their 12-game home winning streak.
The Broncos’ lead over the Los Angeles Chargers in the American West was reduced to just one game. The two teams will face each other in the 18e week.
Parker caught six passes for a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown.
The Broncos advanced after reducing the gap to 34-20, but on a fourth down 41 yards from the Florida end zone, Nix threw a too predictable pass to Pat Bryant, easily intercepted by Jarrian Jones midway through the fourth quarter.
Later, Bryant was taken off on a stretcher after a violent tackle in the final minute of play.
This game opposed the two most penalized teams in the NFL, and the Broncos suffered two big fouls during this offensive series concluded by a touchdown from Lawrence one yard from the goal line.
Malcolm Roach was penalized for tackling Lawrence with his full weight, and rookie Jahdae Barron was penalized for a questionable pass interference in the end zone.
Lawrence, who is having his best moments in the NFL, suffered five sacks from the best defense in the league, but it did not impact his performance. He threw for 279 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Nix threw for a career-high 353 yards, but he wasn’t as accurate as usual, which explains the two turnovers and an over-high pass that led to Bryant’s injury with 31 seconds remaining.
Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press
Steelers 29 – Lions 24
PHOTO LON HORWEDEL, IMAGN IMAGES PROVIDED BY REUTERS CONNECT
Jaylen Warren
The Pittsburgh Steelers pushed the Detroit Lions to the brink of elimination by winning 29-24 on Sunday.
The Lions thought they had the victory on the last play of the game, but Jared Goff’s touchdown pass was nullified due to an offensive interference penalty on Amon-Ra St. Brown.
On fourth down, Goff threw a pass to St. Brown short of the end zone. The receiver pushed Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey to get free and before being knocked to the ground, St. Brown threw a lateral to his quarterback for what appeared to be a touchdown.
Officials consulted on the field for some time before announcing their decision, much to the dismay of Lions fans.
Jaylen Warren had two 45-yard rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter and finished the game with a career-high 143 rushing yards for the Steelers (9-6).
The Pittsburgh team, which leads the Northern section of the National Association, has won its last three outings to put itself back in the lead with two games remaining.
The Lions (8-7) suffered two losses in a row for the first time in more than three years, ending their hopes of winning the Northern section title of the National for a third year in a row. They’re not eliminated yet, but their chances are pretty slim.
The Lions had two majors overturned due to penalties in the final minute of play. Goff threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to St. Brown with 22 seconds left, but rookie Isaac TeSlaa was penalized for an offensive obstruction.
Larry Lage, Associated Press
