With the results of today's games, the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS clinched the AFC East and homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, the PHILADELPHIA EAGLES claimed the NFC East, the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS won the AFC West, and the BALTIMORE RAVENS and NEW YORK JETS secured a playoff spot.
New England quarterback TOM BRADY passed for three touchdowns and did not throw an interception in 27 attempts in the Patriots' 34-3 win at Buffalo. Brady has now thrown 319 consecutive passes without an interception and passed BERNIE KOSAR (308¬) and Pro Football Hall of Famer BART STARR (294) for the most pass attempts in a row without an interception in NFL history. In addition, Brady extended his NFL-record streak to eight consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes and no interceptions.
Also in the win, New England's ROB GRONKOWSKI had two touchdown catches and tied JUNIOR MILLER (Atlanta, 1980) for the second-most touchdown receptions by a rookie tight end in NFL history with nine. Pro Football Hall of Famer MIKE DITKA holds the record with 12 touchdown receptions for the Chicago Bears in 1961.
St. Louis rookie quarterback SAM BRADFORD completed 28 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 25-17 win over San Francisco. Bradford has 335 completions and passed PEYTON MANNING (326 in 1998) for the most completions by a rookie in NFL history.
Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS passed for a career-high 404 yards and four touchdowns in the Packers' 45-17 victory over the New York Giants. Since becoming the starter in 2008, Rodgers has passed for 12,165 yards and joins KURT WARNER (12,612) and PEYTON MANNING (12,287) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to pass for at least 12,000 yards in the first three seasons as a starting quarterback.
The TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS defeated the Seattle Seahawks 38-15 to improve to 9-6 and guarantee a winning season. The Buccaneers, who have started 10 different rookies, are the first team since the 1970 merger (excluding the 1987 strike season) to start at least 10 different rookies in a single season and have a winning record.
Chicago running back MATT FORTÉ had 169 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 38-34 win over the New York Jets. Forté has 1,465 scrimmage yards and is the first player in franchise history with at least 1,400 scrimmage yards in each of his first three NFL seasons. Forté and Pro Football Hall of Famer GALE SAYERS are the only Bears to record at least 1,000 scrimmage yards in each of their first three NFL seasons.
Houston running back ARIAN FOSTER had 135 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in the Texans' 24-23 loss at Denver. Foster has 2,030 scrimmage yards and joins PRIEST HOLMES (three times, 2001-03) as the only undrafted players in NFL history to record at least 2,000 scrimmage yards in a season.
