Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – The New England Patriots inflicted Buffalo’s first defeat of the season as quarterback Drake Maye bounced back with three touchdowns in a 29-26 win, while the Los Angeles Rams surged late to win at Philadelphia. On a packed day of drama, the Dallas Cowboys edged a thrilling Texas showdown in Houston, while the Indianapolis Colts ran out as winners in the NFL’s latest foray to London.
New England’s Maye — who reached the Super Bowl last season, but endured a nightmare start to this campaign — grabbed victory against the AFC East rival Bills, with a late go-ahead touchdown pass to Efton Chism III for a superb one-handed take. That came after Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen appeared to have orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback with a 34-yard hurl to Keon Coleman that made it 26-21.
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“It’s relief a little bit,” said Maye. “Nobody blinked when we were down on the sideline and they scored and went up 26-21. We just did what we do,” said the quarterback. Maye ended the game with 269 passing yards and another 54 rushing. Romeo Doubs grabbed a pair of touchdown receptions. Even in defeat, Allen’s 88th career touchdown from scrimmage made him the leading touchdown scorer in Bills history. But he regretted attempting a final-minute deep pass on second down, which was picked, when a field goal would have forced overtime. “Should throw that one out of bounds, live (to fight) another day,” said Allen.
Philadelphia looked set to pile more misery on the Rams, the preseason Super Bowl favorites who were 1-2 after three games. Trailing 10-20 deep in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles’ underwhelming start looked likely to worsen. But two late Kyren Williams touchdowns sealed a 24-20 victory, made more painful for the Eagles by an early hamstring injury to star Saquon Barkley. “We coming back home with a win, baby. I know we probably stressed y’all out, but look, we got it done at the end,” said Williams.
At Houston, CeeDee Lamb capped a superb personal performance by snaffling his 17th reception for a touchdown to put the Cowboys ahead 34-30 with 40 seconds remaining. CJ Stroud attempted a 50-yard hail mary pass but could not salvage a game the Texans had largely led. Javonte Williams spearheaded the Cowboys’ comeback with three rushing touchdowns. In London, Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor ran for two touchdowns as the Colts defeated the injury-hit Washington Commanders 30-13. Taylor twice unveiled his London-themed celebration — miming sipping tea after finding the end zone — at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Commanders, missing star quarterback Jayden Daniels with a dislocated left elbow, saw veteran backup Marcus Mariota depart early with a right knee injury. He was replaced by rookie Athan Kaliakmanis. Elsewhere, Baltimore defeated hapless Tennessee 24-18. The victory was tarnished by an ankle injury for quarterback Lamar Jackson. The New York Giants sealed a 36-24 win over Arizona with a walk-off pick-six. With the Cardinals seeking a late go-ahead touchdown, Deonte Banks intercepted and raced 98 yards to score.
Jacksonville improved to 3-1 with victory over Cincinnati, Chicago eased past the New York Jets 23-12, and Green Bay edged Tampa Bay 17-14. Later Sunday, the Las Vegas Raiders hosted the Kansas City Chiefs in a battle of unbeaten AFC West division rivals. The Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers also put their perfect 3-0 records on the line, against Miami and Denver respectively.
© 2024 AFP
