ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) The New England Patriots have been nearly unbeatable since Tom Brady stopped throwing interceptions more than two months ago.
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| Tom Terrific: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady attempts a pass as Bills defender Chris Kelsay bears down on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 34-3 to clinch the AFC East and the top seed in the AFC playoffs. AP PHOTO |
Now they'll probably be even tougher to stop when the playoffs begin after securing the AFC's top seed — and home-field advantage through the first three rounds — with a 34-3 win Sunday over a familiar pushover, the Buffalo Bills.
Brady threw three touchdown passes, including two to tight end Rob Gronkowski, and extended his streak of attempts without an interception to 319. That topped the NFL mark of 308 set by Bernie Kosar with Cleveland in the 1990-91 seasons.
"I guess I'm glad I'm not throwing interceptions," Brady said, shrugging off the record.
He was more pleased with helping the Patriots (13-2) finish first in the AFC for the third time since 2003, and clinch their eighth division title in 10 years.
"It never gets old," Brady said. "We never get tired of winning."
Brady finished 15 of 27 for 140 yards, and had his eighth straight game with two or more scores. Alge Crumpler had a 4-yard touchdown catch, Danny Woodhead scored on a 29-yard run and Shayne Graham kicked two field goals.
Vikings at Eagles — ppd: In Philadelphia, on a bizarre day when the Eagles were snowed out, they celebrated an NFC East championship.
The NFL moved the Minnesota Vikings at Eagles game from Sunday night to Tuesday because of a blizzard that could dump more than a foot of snow on Philadelphia. The game is the first on a Tuesday since 1946.
Sidelined by the storm, the Eagles went home and watched the Packers beat the Giants 45-17. That gave Philadelphia its first division title since 2006 and sixth in 12 seasons under coach Andy Reid.
Rams 25, 49ers 17: In St. Louis, Sam Bradford set an NFL record for completions in a rookie season and threw his first touchdown pass in four games to put St. Louis in position to earn a playoff berth next week.
Buccaneers 38, Seahawks 15: In Tampa, Josh Freeman threw for 237 yards and a career-best five touchdowns to help the Buccaneers keep their playoff hopes alive.
Ravens 20, Browns 10: In Cleveland, Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes and Baltimore's defense bottled up Cleveland's Peyton Hillis.
Bengals 34, Chargers 20: In Cincinnati, Carson Palmer threw four touchdown passes during a near-perfect performance in the swirling snow, ending the Chargers' run of four straight AFC West titles.
Chiefs 34, Titans 14: In Kansas City, Matt Cassel threw three touchdown passes and Eric Berry returned an interception 54 yards for another score for the Chiefs, who clinched the AFC West title after San Diego lost to Cincinnati.
Packers 45, Giants 17: In Green Bay, Wis., Aaron Rodgers threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns in his return from a concussion to lead the Packers.
Bears 38, Jets 34: In Chicago, Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes, Matt Forte ran for 113 yards and Chicago closed in on a first-round bye.
Colts 31, Raiders 26: In Oakland, the Colts (9-6) allowed Jacoby Ford to return the opening kick for a TD, overcame a pair of interceptions by Peyton Manning in the second half and survived four field goals from Sebastian Janikowski, to move within a win of clinching the AFC South.
Redskins 20, Jaguars 17 (OT): In Jacksonville, Kevin Barnes intercepted David Garrard's second pass in overtime, setting up Graham Gano's 31-yard field goal.
Lions 34, Dolphins 27: In Miami, Detroit took advantage of two interceptions to score 17 points in the final 4:37.
Broncos 24, Texans 23: In Denver, Tim Tebow scored on a 6-yard scramble with three minutes left in his first home start to cap Denver's comeback from a 17-0 halftime deficit.
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