Hail Mary: Packers stun Cowboys, Chiefs run wild

If you like offence and plenty of points then Sunday nights late games served up a special course for you, with 368 points in the six games played. There were successful comebacks and some that fell just short.

Jets @ Panthers

Carolina kept up their drive to the playoffs with a 30-20 win over the New York Jets. The Panthers now 10-4 were never behind and even though the Jets hung with them a costly interception thrown by Geno Smith was run back for what was ultimately the game clincher. Cam Newton had a good day passing the ball, and the Panthers D stiffened when it had to. The loss virtually eliminates the Jets from seeing postseason play.

Packers @ Cowboys

If ever there is a definition of a game of two halves this was it as Green Bay came back from a 26-3 half time deficit to win 37-36. Once again the Cowboys threw away a commanding lead and missed an opportunity to edge ahead of the Eagles in the East. Matt Flynn couldn’t get anything going on offence early on, but engineered five touchdown drives in the second half. In contrast Tony Romo threw two costly interceptions inside the final three minutes. Both teams can still sneak into the playoffs.

Cardinals @ Titans

Arizona played this game as if it was a playoff match and they came out of it with a 37-34 overtime win in Tennessee that keeps their slim playoff hopes alive. It was a pulsating contest in which Ryan Fitzpatrick brought his Titans back from 17 points down with a little over three minutes left in the game, including the tying TD pass to Michael Preston with just ten seconds left. In the end it was Fitzpatrick’s second interception that swung the game and set up the Cardinals Jay Feely to boot a 41 yard field goal to win the game.

Chiefs @ Raiders

After losing three straight games Kansas City have rediscovered their form, and how. This 56-31 win showed that the Chiefs are no longer just a defensive ball club but can stack up the points too. Jamal Charles scored five touchdowns in this rout, and Alex Smith threw for five scores, from his 17 completed passes and 287 yards. Oakland stayed in the game for the majority of time, and were as close as 35-31 late in the third quarter and actually outgained their AFC West rivals 461-384 in total yards.

Saints @ Rams

In the shock of the day St.Louis jumped up early on New Orleans and ran out comfortable 27-10 winners. This really shakes things up in NFC playoff race as the Saints could now lose out on their number two seed. Kellen Clemens passed for two early scores and was steady throughout, but the Rams defence was the story of the day as they picked off Drew Brees twice and sacked him four times.

Bengals @ Steelers

Pittsburgh shocked Cincinnati with a 30-20 win. The Bengals could have made things very interesting as far as seedings in the AFC are concerned but failed to capitalise on the Patriots loss earlier in the day. Pittsburgh jumped up to an early 24-0 lead and held off a Bengals comeback. Antonio Brown caught a TD and ran back a punt 67 yards in the first quarter. Andy Dalton threw for two scores in the last period of play but the lead was too much for them to claw back.