NFL Week 15 roundup: Packers, Ravens, Texans win in thrillers

Here’s what happened in Week 15 action as several teams desperatelysought wins to help playoff positioning.

Green Bay 30, Chicago 27

Mason Crosby’s field goal as time expired made sure the Packers (8-6) survived a comeback scare by the Bears (3-11). After going down 27-10 thanks to the play of Ty Montgomery (16 carries, 162 yards, two rushing touchdowns for Green Bay) and four Matt Barkley turnovers, the Bears scored 17 straight points to tie the game. On the next drive however, Jordy Nelson got behind the defense and was finally brought down at the Chicago 14 after a 60-yard gain. The Packers spiked the ball with three seconds left and Crosby nailed his field goal to bring the Packers within one game of the Lions.

Baltimore 27, Philadelphia 26

A beaten Tavon Young grabbed Nelson Agholor’s ankles to prevent the wideout from reaching Carson Wentz’ (22-for-42, 170 yards, INT) endzone pass, but on the ensuing play following the penalty Wentz rolled left and dove into the endzone to put the Eagles (5-9) within one with four seconds left. They went for two and didn’t convert, and the Ravens (8-6)) stayed within reach of the Steelers in the AFC North. Ryan Mathews had 128 yards rushing for the Eagles but the Ravens had the big plays: four plays of 34-plus yards.

New York Giants 17, Detroit 6

Two teams that had won 15 of their last 17 games met in the Meadowlands, and the Giants (10-4) jumped on top early, never looked back, and walked away the victor. The Lions (9-5) settled for two Matt Prater field goals, went 0-for-3 in red zone visits and turned the ball over twice. Eli Manning (20-for-28, 201 yards, 2 TD) found Sterling Shepard and Odell Beckham Jr for touchdowns. Beckham’s was his tenth receiving touchdown this season.

Indianapolis 34, Minnesota 6

The Colts (7-7) showed they haven’t given up on their season shellacking the Vikings (7-7) and ruining Adrian Peterson’s return. In his first game action since week 1 Peterson finished with six carries for 22 yards and lost one fumble. Minnesota had little use for the run game after falling behind 27-0 by halftime. Their seventh loss in nine games seriously jeopardizes the Vikings’ chances for a postseason birth.

Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 20

After kicking six field goals, the Steelers (9-5) finally broke through into the end zone when Ben Roethlisberger (21-for-36, 281 yards, TD) found Eli Rogers in the end zone in the fourth quarter. Le’Veon Bell ground his way to 131 total yards against the team that has injured him twice. The Bengals (5-8-1) first winning streak of the season ended almost as quickly as it began after they blew a 20-6 first half lead.

Houston 21, Jacksonville 20

Down 13-0, the Texans (8-6) benched Brock Osweiler following his second interception. Tom Savage (23-for-36, 260 yards) entered and led the Houston comeback for a victory Houston desperately needed while the Colts and Titans were notching upsets. His 260 yards in relief is a total Osweiler hasn’t matched since he threw for 269 in their week 6 victory against the Colts. Marqise Lee returned a kickoff 100-yards for the Jaguars’ (2-12) last score.

Tennessee 19, Kansas City 17

The Titans (8-6) got a huge upset on Ryan Succop’s 53-yard field goal as time expired. The Chiefs (10-4) led 17-7 at the half in general Chiefs fashion: Tyreek Hill had a 68-yard touchdown run, the defense had forced three turnovers, and the offense hadn’t done much else. But the Titans turned it on in the second half and when Derrick Henry nabbed his second touchdown run of the day they were within one before opting to go for two and failing. Amazingly, they got a second shot against this defense and Succop was true.

Buffalo 33, Cleveland 13

LeSean McCoy led the way for Buffalo with 153 yards and two touchdowns rushing as the Bills (7-7) piled up 280 rushing yards. On the other hand, Robert Griffin III (17-for-28, 196 yards, 48 rush yards, RUSH TD) was the leading rusher for the Browns (0-14), who lost their 17th straight game dating back to 2015 in one of the few contests of the day decided early.