Read the game reports from Sunday, December 31 in the NFL.
Lamar Jackson shined in what could be his final game of the season, throwing for 321 yards and five touchdowns on Sunday to give the Baltimore Ravens a 56-19 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
With the win, the Ravens (13-3) secured first place in the American Association, so Jackson could get a day off in the team’s final regular season game.
Isaiah Likely caught two touchdown passes for the Ravens, who won their first North Division title since 2019. That year, Jackson was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player.
The Dolphins (11-5) will also be in the playoffs, but this loss means their game against the Buffalo Bills next week will be decisive for the AFC East title.
Against the Ravens, the Dolphins had to make do without receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle) and running back Raheem Mostert (knee and ankle). They could now be without another important player as linebacker Bradley Chubb is out with a knee injury.
Carried by the crowd who at times chanted “MVP!” », Jackson completed 18 of his 21 passes. So he finished the game with more touchdown passes than incomplete passes. Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins also achieved the feat in a 70-20 win against the Denver Broncos in the third week of activities.
At the start of the game, the Dolphins seemed to want to gain the upper hand, scoring a touchdown on the first sequence of the game. Cedrick Wilson Jr. caught an eight-yard pass from Tagovailoa, but Jackson responded by connecting with Justice Hill 20 yards for the major.
The Dolphins almost scored on their second offensive series, but Tyreek Hill juggled the ball and they had to settle for a field goal.
The Ravens took the lead for good in the second quarter when Gus Edwards capped an 89-yard drive with a one-yard run across the goal line. After another Dolphins field goal, Jackson immediately found Zay Flowers for a 75-yard touchdown to make it 21-13.
The Maryland club added more 94 seconds later with two one-handed catches. The first was a Roquan Smith interception, then the second was a 35-yard play by Likely for the touchdown.
Justice Hill returned the second half’s kickoff 78 yards, setting the stage for a 35-yard pass from Jackson to Likely.
The Dolphins started the fourth quarter with a touchdown, but the Ravens finished the game strong with three more touchdowns.
Noah Trister, Associated Press
Cardinals overcome 15-point deficit and surprise Eagles
PHOTO BILL STREICHER, USA TODAY SPORTS
James Conner scores a touchdown.
James Conner scored a two-yard touchdown with 32 seconds on the clock, quarterback Kyler Murray completed three touchdown passes, and the Arizona Cardinals erased a 15-point deficit to topple the Eagles of Philadelphia 35-31, Sunday.
In doing so, the Cardinals disrupted the Eagles’ path to the upcoming National Football League playoffs.
Jonathan Gannon, a former defensive coordinator with the Eagles, returned to Philadelphia and collected his most impressive victory as head coach of the Cardinals (4-12), although it is true that he did not there weren’t many.
However, this fourth loss for the Eagles in December, and their second at home, could cost them dearly even if they are already qualified for the playoffs.
The Eagles (11-5) could have won the National Association Eastern Division title with victories against the Cardinals and the New York Giants next week.
However, the Dallas Cowboys will be able to win the sectional title if they win in Washington next week. Also, the 49ers of San Francisco are now assured of finishing atop the National Association’s overall standings and getting a week off.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who threw three touchdown passes, was the victim of an interception in the end zone in a last-ditch attempt to end the game.
The Cardinals overcame a 21-6 deficit after the first half thanks to two third-quarter touchdown passes from Murray that made it 21-21.
Hurts gave the Eagles the lead in the fourth quarter following a nine-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert.
Normally, that should have been enough to ensure the Eagles a victory on their home field. But the Eagles defense failed to hold up.
Cornerback Kelee Ringo was fouled for pass interference, and those 29 additional yards helped the Cardinals tie the game, 28-28, with 5:26 remaining.
Murray connected with Michael Wilson for a five-yard touchdown, giving the Cardinals three majors in as many offensive series in the second half.
Jake Elliott gave the Eagles their final lead of the game with a 43-yard field goal with 2:33 left in the fourth quarter.
But Murray had enough time to put the Cardinals in position to score points. He completed a 36-yard pass to Greg Dorch that took the Cardinals to the Eagles’ five-yard line and set up Conner’s game-clinching touchdown.
Dan Gelston, Associated Press