THE NEW ENGLAND Patriots squeezed past the New York Jets to give Tom Brady his 200th win on Sunday, and Cairo Santos’ kicked a 34-yard field goal with no time left as Kansas City stunned Denver.
Brady threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Malcolm Mitchell with 1:56 remaining as the Patriots rallied from an early 10-point deficit to edge the Jets 22-17.
Brady completed 30-of-40 passes for 286 yards, and became the fifth quarterback ever to surpass 60,000 passing yards with an 18-yard completion in the second quarter to Julian Edelman.
He also earned his 200th career win, which ties him with the retired all-star Peyton Manning for the record by a quarterback.
The Patriots improved to 9-2 on the season and clinched their 16th straight winning season, the longest such stretch in the NFL since the Dallas Cowboys had 20 straight from 1966 to 1985.
The Patriots all-pro tight end Rob Gronkowski left the game in the first quarter due to a back injury and did not return.
Mitchell and Brady also joined forces for a four-yard score in the second quarter, while kicker Stephen Gostkowski booted three field goals.
NFL kickers earned their keep on Sunday, and no one did it more dramatically than Kansas City, who beat the Broncos 30-27 in overtime on Santos’ field goal with no time remaining.
Two OT field goals
Santos’ second field goal of the overtime pinballed off the left upright and stayed in as the Chiefs gave their playoff hopes a huge boost.
Quarterback Alex Smith twice drove the Chiefs to within field-goal range in overtime and engineered the game-tying touchdown drive and two-point conversion in the final moments of regulation.
“None of these are gimmes, especially in a situation like that. It has been windy all night. I am just thankful it went through,” said Smith.
The Chiefs overcame a three-touchdown performance by Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian, including two scores in the fourth quarter, the last coming with three minutes left in regulation.
The win gives the Chiefs an advantage on Denver in the race for a playoff spot. Kansas City took over sole possession of second place and remains one game behind the AFC West-leading Oakland Raiders with five games on the season.
Denver attempted a 62-yard field goal in overtime that was well short, giving the Chiefs a final chance.
Kansas City took over at the Denver 48 with just over minute remaining in the overtime. Smith quickly drove the Chiefs down to the 16-yard line, setting up Santos’ winner.
“That kid has a big leg. They tried it. But it gave us an opportunity and we were able to capitalize,” Smith said of the failed 62 yard attempt.
In Oakland, Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 23-yard field goal with 1:45 left to lift the Raiders to a 35-32 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr had to overcome an injured pinky finger as he marched the Raiders 82 yards in 12 plays for Janikowski’s game-winner and Oakland’s fifth straight win.
Carr left the game at one point after injuring his right pinky while fumbling a snap.
His 49-yard pass to wide receiver Michael Crabtree set up the decisive field goal.
In Atlanta, Taylor Gabriel ran 35 and 25 yards for touchdowns on screen passes from Matt Ryan, and the Atlanta Falcons toppled the Arizona Cardinals 38-19.
Ryan completed 26-of-34 passes for 269 yards, and the Falcons maintained their hold on first place in the NFC South.
Congrats Leinster – well deserved and now officially the best Rugby province in Ireland :)
come on rte why can’t ye show this match hard to listen to Irish commentary drive u mad
watch it with radio commentary
Anthony
Will you ever stop complaining. Fair play to TG4
What’s the point having tmo when ye don’t use him??
Goes upstairs for other tries when they were clear tries and doesn’t bother when it’s marginal call
Thoroughly agree – perfect tries he goes upstairs and Laulala’s TRY he disallows it – no knock on by Earls – what a wan#er !
Come on Munster, Leinster are all mouth and no trousers. 20-15 win for the brave and the true. Tough luck ladyboys.
Not looking likely there
What type of idiot are you? Go back to your cave
What type of idiot are you? Go and buy a big bottle of cop-on. Dope.
breaking my bollix laughing Munster third best team in Ireland now
Your a bollix
enjoyed watching the Magpie. he had a great game in the back tonight
Bit worried about him for a a few moments in the second half, but good to see him to get back in the pitch to finish out an impressive debut.
Sing with Gusto
The Ref-er-ree iz uh bazturd
De Referee haz d last Wurd
Then recite the following twenty times:
No more & no less ye deserve
the Leinster lads held their nerve
And now ye give out, ye grumpy red lout
Ye sore losing whupped little sprout
Steven! Bit premature there dontchathink! Next time buddy.
2 against 1 isn’t fair the ref and Leinster on the same side
Kerry looks fairly bet into that Mack, it looks like he’s wearing a kids jacket!