Pats clinch AFC East; Bengals clinch North

For the Patriots (10-5), it was another encouraging outing in what had been an inconsistent season. They took the division after missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2002 despite an 11-5 record. And they did it in a one-sided manner, just like most of their games in the 2007 season when they lost the Super Bowl to the New York Giants 17-14 on a last-minute touchdown.

Brady bounced back after throwing for just 307 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in his previous two games. He completed 23 of 26 passes for 267 yards, reminiscent of his brilliance the last time the teams met: 26 of 28 for 262 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 31-20 divisional playoff win on Jan. 12, 2008.

Bengals 17, Chiefs 10

CINCINNATI — Carson Palmer’s touchdown pass to Chad Ochocinco completed a 98-yard drive in the closing minutes, sending Cincinnati to the AFC North championship at the end of a rough week.

The Bengals (10-5) moved into the playoffs for only the second time in the past 19 years after dealing with the death of receiver Chris Henry. The teary practices and locker-room grief seemed to show against the Chiefs (3-12), who stayed close in a mistake-filled game.

Packers 48, Seahawks 10

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers are going back to the playoffs, forcing four interceptions by Matt Hasselbeck, then getting a big boost from the Carolina Panthers.

Sunday’s victory, combined with the New York Giants’ blowout loss to Carolina, put the Packers (10-5) back in the postseason after going 6-10 last season and getting off to a disappointing 4-4 start this year.

It was Hasselbeck’s second straight four-interception game in what is shaping up as a miserable season for the Seahawks (5-10), who have scored a total of 24 points in three straight losses. Hasselbeck also was picked off four times in a loss to Tampa Bay last week.

Panthers 41, Giants 9

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Matt Moore and the Panthers turned the Giants’ farewell to Giants Stadium into one of their ugliest moments in franchise history.

Playing in front of Lawrence Taylor — possibly their greatest player — and knowing they still had a shot at a fifth straight playoff berth, the Giants (8-7) embarrassed themselves against the Panthers, a team with nothing at stake. Moore threw three touchdown passes, Jonathan Stewart rushed for a career-best 206 yards and the Panthers (7-8) shredded New York’s defense with scores on six of their first seven possessions before a disgusted final sellout crowd Sunday.

The Giants’ postseason chances are microscopic.

Eagles 30, Broncos 27

PHILADELPHIA — David Akers kicked a 28-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining, lifting the Eagles.

Kyle Orton rallied the Broncos from a 27-10 deficit in the third quarter, but Donovan McNabb led the Eagles on a winning drive in the final minutes.

Rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin set up Akers’ kick with an outstanding 27-yard catch along the sideline to the Broncos 13. The catch initially was ruled incomplete, but it was overturned after replays showed Maclin kept both feet in bounds while making a diving reception.

The Eagles (11-4) can clinch their sixth NFC East title this decade if Dallas loses at Washington in the Sunday night game. If the Cowboys beat the Redskins, the Eagles will play at Dallas for the division title next Sunday. A victory over the Cowboys coupled with one loss by Minnesota would give Philadelphia a first-round bye.

The Broncos (8-7) are trying to avoid a major collapse after starting 6-0.

Steelers 23, Ravens 20

PITTSBURGH — Jeff Reed’s 38-yard field goal put Pittsburgh ahead with 5:25 remaining and the Steelers finally managed to hold a fourth-quarter lead to remain in playoff contention and further jumble the AFC postseason race.

The Steelers (8-7), their season seemingly ended by a late-season five-game losing streak, won their second in a row. They go into the final weekend with a chance to sneak into the playoffs if they win at Miami and get some help.

Buccaneers 20, Saints 17

NEW ORLEANS — Carnell Williams had 129 yards rushing and Connor Barth kicked a 47-yard field goal in overtime, lifting the Buccaneers to a stunning victory that prevented New Orleans from securing home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

New Orleans was heavily favored, but instead dropped a second straight game at home after opening the season 13-0.

Williams had a 23-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and Michael Spurlock’s 77-yard punt return tied it, completing a comeback from 17 points down in the first half.

Texans 27, Dolphins 20

MIAMI — Houston raced to an early 27-point lead Sunday, then held on to remain in the AFC playoff scramble.

The Texans (8-7) scored on their first five possessions and won despite being outscored 20-0 in the final 31 minutes.

Houston kept alive its slim hopes of making the playoffs for the first time, while defending AFC East champion Miami (7-8) was all but eliminated.

Given the stakes, Miami seemed shockingly listless at the outset. The ball bounced off Dolphins receivers, Texans bounced off Miami tacklers, and Houston’s Matt Schaub repeatedly found receivers wide open.

Boos began midway through the first quarter, and the Texans made sure the jeers grew louder. At one point Houston enjoyed advantages of 15-2 in first downs and 307-46 in yards.

Miami linebacker Jason Taylor stood in front of the bench screaming at several teammates, and maybe the rant helped. The Dolphins rallied, and a field goal cut the deficit to 27-20 with 2:30 left before Houston recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.

Houston remained the only NFL team the Dolphins have never defeated. The Texans’ other four wins in the series were decided by a field goal or less.

Cardinals 31, Rams 10

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kurt Warner threw for 196 of his 313 yards in the second quarter and the Cardinals beat the Rams for the seventh time in a row.

The Cardinals (10-5) reached 10 regular-season wins for the first time since 1976, 12 years before the franchise moved from St. Louis to Arizona.

The Rams (1-14), ravaged by injuries all season, were without the league’s second-leading rusher Steven Jackson because of a sore lower back. It was the first game missed this season by Jackson, one of four St. Louis starters out because of injuries.

Although Kyle Boller was active, the Rams went with rookie Keith Null at quarterback for the third straight game. Null completed 20 of 31 for 171 yards and one touchdown. He was intercepted three times.

With his sack of Null with 1:52 to play, Adrian Wilson became the 10th player in NFL history to have 20 sacks and 20 interceptions in a career. He got his 23rd interception earlier in the game.

The Cardinals clinched their second straight NFC West title the previous week.

Falcons 31, Bills 3

ATLANTA — Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes, including a 42-yarder to Roddy White on Atlanta’s first play from scrimmage. The victory left the Falcons (8-7) in position to post back-to-back winning records for the first time in franchise history. The Falcons, in their 44th season and eliminated from the playoff chase last week, close at Tampa Bay.

Ryan was 18 of 35 passing for 250 yards. He is 13-1 as the starter at the Georgia Dome in his two seasons.

Buffalo’s Terrell Owens became the sixth player in NFL history with 1,000 career receptions. He reached the milestone with an 8-yard pass from Brian Brohm in the second quarter.

It was a rare highlight for the Bills (5-10), who were held to 178 total yards, including a season-low 40 yards rushing.