Read reports from Sunday’s NFL games.
The Cowboys stop the Vikings’ momentum by crushing them 40-3
Tony Pollard had two catches for a touchdown and the Dallas Cowboys crushed the Minnesota Vikings 40-3 on Sunday to end their winning streak to seven.
Pollard set a career-high 189 yards from the line of scrimmage and the Cowboys had seven sacks off Kirk Cousins, the highest total against him in a career.
“We kind of found our formula. Just run the ball, push the defense around and dominate in all phases of the game,” Pollard said.
Quarterback Dak Prescott was flawless, Ezekiel Elliott had two rushing touchdowns on his return and Brett Maher made four field goals, including one from 60 yards to end the first half. The Cowboys (7-3) didn’t clear the ball until their eighth possession.
Micah Parsons and Dorance Armstrong both had two sacks in the fifth-worst loss in Vikings history and the biggest road win in Cowboys history.
“This league has a way of humbling any team at any time if you’re not playing good football,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell insisted. .
The Vikings (8-2) had been the kings of comeback wins in the NFL this season and none had been more spectacular than last week’s against the Buffalo Bills. The Minnesota squad erased a 17-point deficit late in the third quarter to win in overtime.
Parsons promised Prescott and the offense that the Cowboys would never again let slip a 14-point fourth-quarter lead like they did for the first time in team history last week against the Green Bay Packers.
“I welcome any form of constructive criticism,” Parsons said. When you have that level of understanding, everything is fine, and also sharing constructive criticism, it can turn out well. »
The Cowboys defense laid out a near-perfect game plan with ease against a team that started the week tied for the best record in the NFL.
After giving up 200 yards rushing in two straight games for the first time since their inaugural season in 1960, the Cowboys rushed for 108 yards in the first half.
The epitome of that beating came shortly after halftime, as the Cowboys faced a third down and 14 yards to go. With no rush to fire a pass, Prescott spotted Pollard for a long 68-yard touchdown that gave the visitors a 30-3 lead.
“That touchdown is (offensive coordinator) Kellen Moore’s job,” Prescott said, praising his coach.
Cousins completed 12 of 23 passes for 105 yards and lost a fumble. Receiver Justin Jefferson, who was coming off a career-best 193 yards against the Bills, caught just three balls for 33 yards.
Pollard finished the game with six catches for 109 yards and 15 carries for 80 yards.
Kelce scores 3 touchdowns as Chiefs defeat Chargers 30-27
PHOTO KIRBY LEE, USA TODAY SPORTS
Keenan Allen (13) of the Los Angeles Chargers
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce combined for three touchdowns, including one with 31 seconds left in the game, and the Kansas City Chiefs saved themselves with a 30-27 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.
Mahomes spotted Kelce at the end zone gate to score a 17-yard major, capping a six-play, 75-yard streak that took just 75 seconds, to give the Chiefs the win. The Chargers had taken a 27-23 lead given a six-yard throw-in from Justin Herbert to Joshua Palmer with 1:46 remaining.
Herbert and the Chargers had one last chance, but Nick Bolton intercepted a deflected pass to confirm the Chiefs victory (8-2). The Kansas City team swept the series against the Chargers (5-5) and took a three-game lead at the top of the American West Division.
With a game lead over four teams in the AFC, the Chiefs are in position to gain home-court advantage in the playoffs.
Mahomes completed 20 of 34 passes for 329 yards, without two of his top receivers. He could, however, count on Kelce, who caught six balls for gains of 115 yards.
Kelce scored at least three touchdowns for the second time in his career. He had scored four in the win against the Las Vegas Raiders on October 10.
Chiefs rookie Isiah Pacheco rushed for a career-best 107 yards.
Herbert found takers on 23 of 30 passes for 280 yards, including two touchdowns. Palmer, author of two majors, gained 108 yards on eight catches.