Cowboys secure NFL postseason berth, while Chiefs and Dolphins win

Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Tua Tagovailoa of Miami led their teams to NFL victories on Sunday, with the Dallas Cowboys clinching a postseason berth before even taking the field.’

Mahomes, the defending champion Chiefs’ two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, completed 27-of-37 throws for 305 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-17 victory over the Patriots, despite two interceptions.

Miami blanked the visiting New York Jets 30-0 despite the absence of NFL receiving yards leader Tyreek Hill, with Raheem Mostert rushing for two scores and Tagovailoa completing 21-of-24 throws for 224 yards and a touchdown.

The Dolphins improved to 10-4 for the first time in 23 years, moving a half-game behind Baltimore for the AFC top seed and a first-round playoff bye, with Kansas City coming in second at 9-5.

With losses by the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, Dallas clinched a postseason berth for the third consecutive season.

The Cowboys entered a later game at Buffalo trailing San Francisco for the NFC top seed and a first-round playoff bye, chasing their first Super Bowl title since the 1995 season.

In other late-season games, the Baltimore Ravens (10-3) can earn a playoff spot with a win at Jacksonville (8-5) and San Francisco (10-3) can capture the NFC West division title with a win at Arizona (3-10).

Baker Mayfield led Tampa Bay to a 34-20 victory over Green Bay, completing 22-of-28 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns to keep the Buccaneers (7-7) atop the NFC South division on tiebreakers.

New Orleans tied the Bucs at 7-7 with a 24-6 victory over the New York Giants, with Derek Carr completing 23-of-28 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns.

Carolina’s Eddy Pineiro converted his third field goal, a 23-yarder on the final play, to bring the Panthers to a 9-7 victory over Atlanta.

Dustin Hopkins’ 34-yard field goal with 32 seconds left gave Cleveland a 20-17 home win over Chicago, maintaining the Browns in first place in the AFC wildcard playoffs at 9-5. Joe Flacco of the Cleveland Browns threw for 374 yards and two touchdowns but also had three interceptions.

Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked his fourth field goal, a 54-yarder on the final play, to earn the Texans a 19-16 overtime victory over Tennessee, keeping the Texans in contention for the AFC playoffs.