MIAMI 40
CLEVELAND 17
A week after a disheartening division loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Miami Dolphins (8-3) put the Cleveland Browns (3-8) away late, 40-17, in northeast Ohio.
Baker Mayfield's club hung in until late in the 3rd quarter before the sophomore signal caller tossed a game-ending pick-six to CB Desmond King.
"I didn't see him," Mayfield said. "Good play, ended the game."
King and his defensive teammates controlled the game throughout with edge rusher Whitney Mercilus racking up 4.0 sacks as Mayfield was pressured all game.
"We are all admittedly frustrated with how last week went down," Mercilus said. "We don't need to talk about it anymore - It is what it is. But we think we can play with anybody and we want a chance to do more damage in the playoffs."
HB Leonard Fournette continued his torrid rushing pace with 175 rushing yards on 25 carries with a TD.
Tyrod Taylor, who most likely will give way to Jacoby Brissett next week, played well in stretches with a pair of TD passes while targeting All Pro George Kittle most of the game.
The Dolphins next play a strong Philadelphia Eagles team next Sunday.
OAKLAND 24
NEW YORK JETS 45
The New York Jets (7-4) stayed alive in their hunt for a playoff spot with a win Sunday over the Oakland Raiders (3-8).
The Jets offense was hard to stop amassing a whopping 526 total yards including 341 through the air against a weak Raiders secondary.
"Guys were just getting open. It was nice to have options out there today." Quarterback Sam Darnold said after the game.
After struggling to get things going earlier this season, running back David Montgomery had the breakout game New York had been waiting for. Montgomery only had 8 rushes, but he made them count, totaling 89 yards with a touchdown.
"It's been frustrating man. I knew I had this in me." Montgomery stated.
New York travels to Cincinnati next to take on the Bengals.
DENVER 10
BUFFALO 34
Buffalo's (11-0) playoff aspirations came one step closer to reality Sunday as they dismantled the slumping Denver Broncos (3-8) on a cold afternoon in upstate New York.
The Bills defense was the story today as they completely shut down Joe Flacco and the Bronco offense. On the first pass play from scrimmage, Budda Baker intercepted a Flacco attempt and got things rolling for the day. He would add another in a strong team defensive performance.
Geno Atkins thrust himself into the 3GML MVP conversation with an astounding five sacks on the afternoon. This brings him to 18.5 for the season and within a half sack of the NFL lead, currently held by teammate Myles Garrett.
"My job is to put pressure on the quarterback. That is what I tried to do today. I've been on this team for a while now and I think this is the best defense we have ever had." Atkins said.
Both Atkins and Garrett are on pace to break the NFL record of 22.5 held by Michael Strahan. Watching them down the stretch may be the NFL equivalent to teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle chase Babe Ruth's home run record in 1961. Who will end up on top? Only the last five games will tell.
Buffalo will next face one of their stiffest challenges on a short week, playing the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving day.
DALLAS 27
NEW ENGLAND 29
The Patriots (7-4) stretched their win streak to six in an impressive win over there Dallas Cowboys (7-4) on Sunday.
Things looked dire for the defending champs when they went down 21-10 late in the second quarter. That's when the ball game changed due to one man. That man was Derwin James. James forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown to get New England back into the game. Later, James broke up a Tom Brady pass that allowed Byron Murphy to intercept it in the endzone. Add to that a game high 11 tackles and you have a player sneaking his way into defensive player of the year conversation.
"I like our mentality lately. We don't give up and play hard every down." James said after the win.
The Patriots went up 29-21 late before Tom Brady led the Cowboys on a touchdown drive late in the 4th. However, they came up just short on the 2-point conversion and New England ran out the clock for the victory.
New England travels to Houston next to try and keep their playoff hopes alive.
