All the Sunday late-afternoon and night NFL games were decided by double digits. The fun, exciting matchups took place earlier in the day where there was an overtime, ejection, and several last-minute go-ahead scores. But every outcome matters, and while some teams are separating themselves from the competition, others are fighting for their playoff lives.
49ers (1-9) defeat Giants (1-8) 31-21
When bad meets bad, something good has to happen. After several one-possession losses this year, San Francisco notched their first win of the season at home over the Giants.
The 49ers jumped out to a 17-14 lead in the first half and extended that margin to 10 with an 11-play, 61-yard drive. Quarterback C.J. Beathard scored on an 11-yard run. Following a Giants three-and-out, the 49ers put the game out-of-reach on their next series with a 33-yard touchdown by running back Matt Breida. In addition to his rushing TD, Beathard threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns.
Falcons (5-4) defeat Cowboys (5-4) 27-7
The Cowboys struck first Sunday afternoon following a Matt Ryan interception. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott scampered in from 11 yards to take a 7-0 lead. But from there, it was all Atlanta. The Falcons scored 27 points unanswered. Atlanta defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn dominated the Cowboys' left tackle, Chaz Green, to sack Prescott six times.
That's right, six times! There’s a reason why Dallas owner Jerry Jones has been fighting so hard to keep running back Ezekiel Elliott on the field. Elliott served the first of his six-game suspension, and the Cowboys offense generated just 233 total yards.
Rams (7-2) defeat Texans (3-6) 33-7
The Texans are lost without rookie quarterback DeShaun Watson, who went down with a season-ending injury on November 2.
Down just 7-9, Houston kept it close in the first half, but the Rams exploded in the third quarter for three touchdowns. Los Angeles quarterback Jared Goff hit Robert Woods for a 94-yard touchdown pass to make the score 16-7. Goff then hit Sammy Watkins for a TD and Woods for the second time to put the game away. Woods hauled in eight passes for 171 yards, along with the two touchdowns.
Patriots (7-2) defeat Broncos (3-5) 41-16
The game was decided early, and it was decided by special teams. After the Denver defense forced the Patriots into a three-and-out on their first possession, the Broncos muffed the punt return. That fumble led to a Tom Brady 14-yard touchdown pass to Rex Burkhead. Following a Broncos field goal, Dion Lewis ran back the subsequent kickoff for a 103-yard touchdown. The two teams traded field goals and then with the score 17-6, New England blocked a Broncos punt. The Patriots held a 27-9 halftime lead and poured it on in the second half with another 14 points. Brady passed for 266 yards and three touchdowns.
