The San Francisco 49ers returned to form to record a 37-8 victory over the Green Bay Packers in a one-sided clash of the National Football Conference big guns.
The Niners had experienced close calls in their three previous matches and never looked back after forcing an Aaron Rodgers fumble deep in Packers territory early on to produce a turnover that turned into seven points one play later through a Tevin Coleman score.
Jimmy Garoppolo clocked up 253 yards and claimed two touchdowns, both of which went right down the middle of the field to open receivers – Deebo Samuel and George Kittle the scorers, with Raheem Mostert rushing for a fourth late in the fourth quarter after Davante Adams had got the Packers on the board.
A season-low return of eight points wiped out Green Bay’s lead in the NFC North and they are now level with the Minnesota Vikings with five games left. The Niners improved to 10-1.
The New England Patriots demonstrated why they have the best defence in the NFL with a 13-9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, who were restricted to just three field goals.
A New England blocked punt in the first quarter set up the game’s only touchdown as the Patriots stay top of the AFC, and they are also 10-1.
"We are going to ride with who we came with!" pic.twitter.com/lyy6lvBHvP
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) November 25, 2019
Will Lutz nailed a 33-yard field goal with time running out to help the New Orleans Saints fend off a comeback from the Carolina Panthers and secure a 34-31 win.
Lutz pounced after Carolina kicker Joey Slye crucially missed two extra points and a potential go-ahead 28-yard field goal with two minutes left.
The win could prove huge in New Orleans’ quest for home advantage in the play-offs. Sean Payton’s squad now hold a massive lead in the NFC South.
Baker Mayfield completed 24 of 34 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns to help the Cleveland Browns to a 41-24 win over the Miami Dolphins, while the Buffalo Bills maintained their play-off push as they saw off the Denver Broncos 20-3.
Sam Darnold produced an impressive return of 315 yards, three touchdowns and zero turnovers in the New York Jets’ 34-3 triumph over the Oakland Raiders.
According to NFL Research, New York’s three-game streak of scoring 34 or more points is their third such streak in franchise history and their first since 2008.
Rashaad Penny enjoyed the best game of his career to carry the Seattle Seahawks to a 17-9 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
FINAL: All Jets. All day.
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2019
The @nyjets get the Week 12 win! #OAKvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/o5ObOJvxzf
Showing power and balance throughout, the former first-round pick ripped off three runs of 20-plus yards and finished with 129 yards on only 14 carries.
Elsewhere, the Pittsburgh Steelers were 16-10 winners over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Chicago Bears held off a late rally to beat the New York Giants 19-14, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 35-22 against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Washington Redskins gained a 19-16 triumph over the Detroit Lions and the Tennessee Titans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 42-20.
