NFL Week 8: Chargers fall at finish to Ravens; Seahawks edge Cowboys

BALTIMORE -- Justin Tucker kicked a 39-yard field goal on the final play of the game, and the Baltimore Ravens overcame three touchdown passes by Philip Rivers to squeeze out a 29-26 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

Joe Flacco threw for 319 yards to help Baltimore (2-6) snap a three-game skid and hand the Chargers (2-6) their fourth straight defeat.

Tucker’s fifth field goal of the game came three plays after a third-down pass interference call against Steve Williams moved the ball 21 yards to the San Diego 22.

Rivers went 28 for 37 for 301 yards, his franchise-record fifth consecutive 300-yard game. Two of his touchdown passes went to Malcom Floyd, including a 70-yarder.

The Ravens lost leading receiver Steve Smith in the third quarter with what appeared to be a serious injury to his right foot.

Seahawks 13, Cowboys 12

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Russell Wilson had a scoring pass for the game’s only touchdown and directed a late drive to the winning field goal, leading Seattle to the win.

The defending NFC champions (4-4) are back to .500 after an 0-2 start. The Cowboys (2-5) lost their fifth straight without Tony Romo in Dez Bryant’s return from a five-game absence with a broken right foot.

The Seahawks started the decisive drive at their 15, with Wilson converting three third downs capped by a scramble that helped run the clock before Steven Hauschka’s 24-yard field goal with 1:06 remaining.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to tie the score late in the second half against the Giants.

(Butch Dill / Associated Press)

Seattle receiver Ricardo Lockette had an injury scare and came away with a concussion and was moving his extremities after a vicious block by Jeff Heath on a punt return. Lockette was carted off the field after a lengthy delay.

Bengals 16, Steelers 10

PITTSBURGH -- Andy Dalton threw a touchdown pass with 2:57 left in the fourth quarter, and Cincinnati picked off two Ben Roethlisberger passes in the fourth quarter while rallying for a win that kept the Bengals unbeaten and in command of the AFC North.

The Bengals are 7-0 for the first time in their history and have a comfortable lead in their division.

The defending AFC North champion Steelers (4-4) hoped that Roethlisberger’s return after missing four games with a sprained knee would kick-start them. After leading most of the game, they fall apart in the closing minutes.

Shawn Williams’ diving sideline interception at the Pittsburgh 45-yard line set up Dalton’s 9-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green. Reggie Nelson’s second interception set up Mike Nugent’s 44-yard field goal with 1:47 to go.

The Steelers also lost running back Le’Veon Bell indefinitely to a knee injury.

Rams 27, 49ers 6

ST. LOUIS -- Todd Gurley rushed for 133 yards on 20 carries, topping 100 yards for the fourth straight start to open his career, and the St. Louis Rams’ defense shut down the San Francisco 49ers and contributed a safety to a 27-6 victory on Sunday.

Gurley, who had a 71-yard touchdown run, is the first rookie to open his career with four consecutive 100-yard games according to STATS with data available since 1991.

Tavon Austin caught a 66-yard touchdown pass and ran for a 2-yard score, compensating for an early lost fumble.

The Rams (4-3) are 3-0 against the NFC West for the first time since 2004.

The 49ers (2-6) were hit hard by injuries, losing Reggie Bush early, and haven’t scored a touchdown in two games.

Saints 52, Giants 49

NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees passed for career highs of 511 yards and seven touchdowns, and recently signed Kai Forbath kicked a 50-yard field goal as time ran out to give New Orleans the victory in a game with a record 13 scoring passes.

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith scrambles for a big gain against the Lions on SUnday at Wembley Stadium.

(Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images)

Eli Manning connected on a career-high six touchdown passes, three to fellow New Orleans native Odell Beckham Jr., but New York (4-4) fell for the second time in three games.

Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead each had two touchdown catches for the Saints (4-4), who have won four of five after an 0-3 start. Brees’ other three touchdown passes went to Marques Colston, Ben Watson and C.J. Spiller, the last to tie the score at 49 with 36 seconds left.

The Saints’ defense then forced a Giants punt with 20 seconds to go. Marcus Murphy returned it across the 50 and fumbled, but Snead recovered. The Giants were flagged for a face mask penalty, setting up the winning kick.

Cardinals 34, Browns 20

CLEVELAND -- Carson Palmer threw for four touchdowns — three in the second half — and 374 yards as Arizona Cardinals rallied for a over Cleveland Browns, which lost two defensive starters with concussions.

Palmer had two TD passes in the third quarter when the Cardinals (6-2) overcame a 20-10 halftime deficit. His third TD of the second half, a 6-yarder to Larry Fitzgerald, gave Arizona a 31-20 lead.

Michael Floyd had a 60-yard TD catch and tight end Troy Niklas had two short TD receptions as the Cardinals overcame four turnovers and won in Cleveland for the first time since 1985.

The Browns (2-6) lost their third straight, and cornerback Joe Haden and safety Donte Whitner sustained concussions.

Quarterback Josh McCown had three TD passes. The 36-year-old also played much of the second half in pain after re-injuring his right shoulder.

Vikings 23, Bears 20

CHICAGO -- Adrian Peterson ran for 103 yards and Blair Walsh kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Minnesota Vikings to the win at Soldier Field.

The Vikings had dropped seven straight at Chicago, and it looked like the streak would reach eight when Jay Cutler rolled to his right and plowed over safety Harrison Smith for a 4-yard touchdown with just under five minutes remaining.

But two late scores lifted Minnesota (5-2) to its third straight win.

Stefon Diggs turned a short pass into a 40-yard TD when he spun around Sherrick McManis and went up the left side, tying it with 1:49 left.

After Chicago (2-5) punted, Teddy Bridgewater hit a leaping Charles Johnson for a 35-yard pass that put the ball on the 27. Two plays later Walsh booted the winner, pumping his right arm as the ball went through the uprights.

Chiefs 45, Lions 10

LONDON -- Alex Smith threw for 145 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 78 yards and another TD to lead Kansas City to the win at Wembley Stadium.

Smith scrambled his way through the Detroit defense for some big plays, including a career-high 49-yard run in the second quarter that set up his 12-yard touchdown run.

The Chiefs (3-5) were at Wembley for the first time, while the Lions (1-7) played in London for the second straight season.

De’Anthony Thomas, Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware also rushed for touchdowns for the Chiefs. Thomas ended up with 100 total yards, while West ran for 97. Travis Kelce and Jeremy Maclin caught TD passes in the second half.

The Lions were playing for the first time since offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter took over for the fired Joe Lombardi. And although the offense got moving on the opening possession, it stalled horribly after that.

Matthew Stafford threw for 217 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Also, Calvin Johnson had 85 receiving yards, while Joique Bell ran for 56. But after the Lions took a 3-0 lead on 35-yard field goal from Matt Prater, Detroit was hapless with the ball.

Buccaneers 23, Falcons 20

ATLANTA -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers bounced back after blowing a 17-point lead, getting a 31-yard field goal from Connor Barth in overtime to beat mistake-prone Atlanta.

Matt Ryan tied the game for the Falcons (6-2) on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones with 17 seconds left in regulation.

Having squandered a 24-point edge the previous week at Washington, the Bucs (3-4) faced another stunning defeat.

Instead, Jameis Winston led an impressive drive on the first possession of OT, converting three times on third down before the drive finally stalled when he short-hopped a pass in the end zone intended for an open Adam Humphries. Barth made his third field goal of the game.

Atlanta got the ball but didn’t even make it to midfield. On fourth down, Ryan was heavily pressured by Gerald McCoy and Howard Jones, forcing a desperation pass that wasn’t close to anyone.

Texans 20, Titans 6

HOUSTON -- Brian Hoyer threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns and Houston tied a franchise record with seven sacks to help the Texans to a 20-6 win over the mistake-prone Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

A 21-yard touchdown reception by DeAndre Hopkins put Houston on top in the second quarter and the Texans (3-5) didn’t trail after that. Nate Washington’s 42-yard TD catch extended the lead to 17-6 in the third.

Zach Mettenberger threw for 171 yards with an interception in his second straight start in place of rookie Marcus Mariota, who is out with a knee injury. Mettenberger was hurried and harassed all day to remain winless in eight career starts, with three against the Texans.

The Titans (1-6) had three turnovers in their sixth straight loss since a win over Tampa Bay in the opener.