Cardinals beat Lions, improve to NFL-best 9-1

Drew Stanton was good enough, and Arizona's defense was excellent. That combination provided the streaking Cardinals with a 14-6 win over the Lions Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.

Stanton threw touchdown passes to Michael Floyd on Arizona's first two possessions, and the Cardinals held the Lions without a touchdown for the first time this season.

"When you score six points, you're not going to win a lot of ballgames," Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said.

The Cardinals (9-1) have the NFL's best record and lead the 49ers and Seahawks by three games in the NFC West. Arizona won its sixth in a row and has its best record through 10 games since 1948.

Detroit (7-3) had won four in a row.

Stanton, starting after Carson Palmer was lost for the season with a knee injury, threw for 306 yards. Stanton said he sent Palmer a text right before the game. "I'm stepping in for him," Stanton said, "but this is still his team."

Chiefs 24, Seahawks 20

Kansas City stopped Seattle on fourth down three times in the final six minutes at frigid Arrowhead Stadium. Jamaal Charles ran for 159 yards and two scores as the Chiefs (7-3) won their fifth straight and tied Denver atop the AFC West.

Marshawn Lynch ran for 124 yards for Seattle (6-4) but was stuffed twice with the outcome hanging in the balance.

"We're sitting there with three fourth-down plays late in the game," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, "and they stepped up and did a phenomenal job there getting off the field."

Patriots 42, Colts 20

Rookie Jonas Gray set a club record for a game by running for his first four touchdowns and gained 199 yards on 38 carries as New England (8-2) dominated the host Colts (6-4).

Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns in the Patriots' sixth consecutive win.

The Patriots, who have the AFC's best record, guaranteed themselves a 14th consecutive non-losing season.

Texans 23, Browns 7

J.J. Watt caught a 2-yard TD pass from Ryan Mallett and dominated on defense as Houston (5-5) knocked the host Browns (6-4) out of first place in the AFC North.

Watt also recorded a strip sack, made five tackles -- three for a loss -- recovered a fumble and hurried Brian Hoyer into several bad throws.

Mallett threw for two TDs in his first career start. Houston was without Arian Foster because of a groin injury, but rookie Alfred Blue gained 156 yards on a club-record 36 carries.

Bengals 27, Saints 10

Andy Dalton threw for three touchdowns as Cincinnati (6-3-1) handed New Orleans (4-6) its second straight home loss. It matched the Saints' lowest point total at the Superdome since 2006,

Bears 21, Vikings 13

Jay Cutler threw for 330 yards and three TDs as host Chicago (4-6) won for only the second time in seven games.

Ryan Mundy intercepted Teddy Bridgewater in the end zone in the closing minute, and the Bears hung on after allowing more than 50 points in each of their last two games. Minnesota is 4-6.

Falcons 19, Panthers 17

Matt Ryan threw for 268 yards and a TD as Atlanta (4-6) tied the struggling Saints for first in the lowly NFC South. Host Carolina (3-6-1) has lost five in a row.

Chargers 13, Raiders 6

Philip Rivers threw a 22-yard TD to Malcom Floyd as host San Diego (6-4) extended the skid of Oakland (0-10) to 16. Rivers hurt his right leg midway through the third quarter but stayed in the game even though the injury appeared to get progressively worse.

Bucs 27, Redskins 7

Rookie Mike Evans had 209 yards receiving and two TDs as Tampa Bay (2-8) broke a five-game skid. The host Redskins (3-7) committed three turnovers, and Robert Griffin III was sacked six times.