NFL Week 15 Scores And Results: Eagles, Ravens, Colts, Chiefs, And Jets Win Critical Games

That is far more important than what some people think and that’s what they did, downing the Colts 29-17 to improve to 12-2 and claim the division.

Fantasy studs and duds

Tim Tebow made his first career NFL start for the Denver Broncos on Sunday, and got off to a very quick start. In the first quarter, Tebow scampered 40 yards on a quarterback draw for a touchdown, and then hit Brandon Lloyd on a gorgeous 33-yard touchdown pass in the back corner of the end zone as the Broncos opened up a 14-7 lead on the Oakland Raiders.

From that point forward, it was all Oakland.

Ben Roethlisberger drove the Pittsburgh Steelers down inside the ten-yard line with seconds remaining in regulation, but an incomplete pass as time expired preserved a huge 22-17 road win for the New York Jets.

Mark Sanchez threw for 170 yards and logged a seven-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, but his biggest contribution was a turnover-free game. The Jets got out to an early lead when Brad Smith returned the game’s opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.

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The Detroit Lions, losers of their last 26 road games, finally picked up a victory away from Ford Field, defeating the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime, 23-20. It was their first win on the road since October of 2007, when Rod Marinelli was still the team’s head coach.

Drew Stanton and Maurice Morris carried the day for the Lions; Stanton threw for 252 yards and a touchdown (152 of those yards going to Calvin Johnson), while Morris ran 15 times for 109 yards and a touchdown. Dave Rayner, signed as a street free agent earlier this season to replace the injured Jason Hanson, hit a 28-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 20, then nailed a 34-yarder in overtime to pick up the win.

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At one point in time this season, the Cincinnati Bengals were 2-1. Entering their Week 15 game against the Cleveland Browns, the Bengals were 2-11, having lost each of their last ten games. That streak came to an abrupt end on Sunday, however, as Cincinnati withstood a late-game Browns rally to hang on for a 19-17 win at home.

Trailing 16-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Browns cut the lead to 16-10 after a short Phil Dawson field goal, but promptly fell behind 19-10 after the Bengals kicked a field goal of their own. Colt McCoy then threw his second touchdown of the game - a 46-yard strike to Brian Robiskie - to cut the Cincy lead to 19-17, but the Bengals held on from that point.

It’s a good day to be a Carolina Panthers fan. The team knocked off the Arizona Cardinals, 19-12, to earn their second win of the season, but didn’t lose their spot atop the current 2011 NFL Draft order thanks to a key win from the Cincinnati Bengals. Double your win total and stay in the hunt for Andrew Luck? Good day, indeed!

Jonathan Stewart had a big day on the ground for Carolina, grinding out 137 yards on 27 carries for the Panthers. Jimmy Clausen was efficient at quarterback, completing 13 of 19 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown - a 16-yard strike to tight end Jeff King in the second quarter. More importantly, Clausen did not commit any turnovers on the day.

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In a game featuring two playoff-bound teams currently sitting in second place in their respective divisions, the Baltimore Ravens got two late field goals from Billy Cundiff to overcome a New Orleans Saints rally, winning 30-24 at home.

Ray Rice had a huge day for the Ravens, and the Saints had no answer for his dominance all afternoon. Rice rushed 31 times for 153 yards and a touchdown, and also added five receptions, another 80 yards and a second touchdown in the passing game. Both of Rice’s touchdowns came in the second quarter as the Ravens opened up a 21-7 first-half lead, and was instrumental as the Ravens put the game on ice late in the fourth quarter.

The Miami Dolphins needed a home win over the Buffalo Bills to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Home wins have been hard to come by for Miami this season, however, and after dropping a 17-14 decision to Buffalo, the Dolphins are now 1-6 at home and officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Dan Carpenter missed four field goals, including a 48-yard attempt late in the fourth quarter that would have tied the game, in the defeat. His misses - which included a likely-to-be-missed 61-yard attempt at the end of the first half - overshadowed a strong fourth-quarter performance from Chad Henne and Miami’s offense. Henne hit Brandon Marshall on a nine-yard TD with seven minutes remaining to make the score 17-14, but Buffalo was able to hold on from that point forward.

Vick was fantastic with both his arm and his feet, throwing for 242 yards and three touchdowns and running for another 130 yards and a score. But it was Jackson that ultimately won the game, taking a Matt Dodge punt 65 yards for a touchdown with no time remaining.

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