Broncos hand Patriots first NFL season loss in OT

C.J. Anderson busted loose in driving snow flurries for a game-winning touchdown run Sunday as the Denver Broncos rallied to beat New England 30-24 in overtime, handing the Patriots their first loss of the season.

Denver's defense thwarted quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots on the first overtime possession, and running back Anderson broke free from a couple of Patriot defenders for the 48-yard winning run.

"This league is about overcoming adversity many, many, many times over. Not just once," said Denver coach Gary Kubiak.

Quarterback Brock Osweiler, making his second career start in place of injured future hall-of-famer Peyton Manning, was 23-of-42 for 270 yards, including a touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Caldwell in the final moments of regulation. Osweiler was intercepted once.
Brady completed 23-of-42 for 280 yards, connecting with running back Brandon Bolden and tight ends Scott Chandler and Rob Gronkowski for touchdowns.

Gronkowski took a hard hit trying to make a catch with just under three minutes remaining and was carted off the field with a knee injury. Gronkowski, who finished with six catches and 88 yards, is expected to see team doctors on Monday.

Osweiler gave Denver (9-2) its first lead of the night 24-21 when he completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Caldwell with 1:09 remaining in regulation.

That was enough time for Brady to drive the Patriots to Denver 29-yard line. With no time left, kicker Stephen Gostkowski drilled a 47-yard field goal amidst the snow flurries to send the game into overtime.

- Wilson throws five TDs -
Quarterback Russell Wilson passed for a season-high 345 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Seattle Seahawks to a 39-30 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Wilson's 80-yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin with 2:01 remaining gave Seattle a nine-point lead and essentially sealed the victory.

Baldwin caught six passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns, while teammate Jermaine Kearse added four receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns.

Seattle intercepted four passes as three of their five touchdowns came after interceptions.

The win could be costly for the Seahawks as tight end  Jimmy Graham is likely out for the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his right knee.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins passed to wide receiver DeSean Jackson for one touchdown and ran for another and the Washington Redskins held on to defeat the New York Giants 20-14 to pull into a tie atop the NFC East Division with five games to go in the season.

The Redskins' defense, ranked 28th in yards per game coming in, blanked New York for three quarters, and Washington led 20-0 before Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw a pair of touchdown passes.

- Palmer leads Cardinals over 49ers -

Quarterback Carson Palmer scored on a seven-yard scramble with 2:28 left to play, lifting the Arizona Cardinals to a 19-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.

Palmer's touchdown run finished off a 14-play, 85-yard drive for the Cardinals, who improved to 9-2.

Palmer completed 24-of-40 passes for 271 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught 10 passes for 66 yards.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed 25-of-36 passes for 318 yards for the 49ers. He had one touchdown pass and was intercepted once.

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin caught eight passes for 93 yards, and tight end Vance McDonald had six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Source: AFP