NFL roundup: Patriots win AFC East title

The Patriots became the first team in NFL history with 11 division titles in 12 years when they beat the visiting Miami Dolphins, 41-13, yesterday. They missed only in 2008, when quarterback Tom Brady suffered a knee injury.

New England (11-3) scored on its four series of the third quarter and piled up 24 points, a team record for that period.

Miami (7-7) saw its slim postseason hopes dwindle as it gave up a touchdown on a blocked field goal and Ryan Tannehill threw two interceptions.

"We didn't play very well in the first half," New England coach Bill Belichick said. "We just took some not very good football and made it worse and then were able to do things a lot better in the second half."

Stephen Gostkowski kicked two field goals and five extra points to give him a team record 1,165 points, seven more than Adam Vinatieri.

Brady completed 21 of 35 passes for 287 yards and one interception. Tannehill was 29-for-47 passing for 346 yards.

Broncos 22, Chargers 10

Peyton Manning played through a thigh injury and flu-like symptoms and Connor Barth kicked five field goals to lead visiting Denver to a fourth straight AFC West title. The Broncos (11-3) won their fourth straight game. Denver's 12th straight division road win tied San Francisco's NFL record set from 1987-90. The Chargers (8-6), who saw their wild-card chances diminish, have lost two straight.

Colts 17, Texans 10

Andrew Luck threw two touchdown passes and host Indianapolis won its second straight AFC South title. The Colts (10-4) have won four straight. Luck was 18-for-34 passing for 187 yards and one interception on the same day Reggie Wayne passed Peyton Manning for the most games and wins in franchise history. Wayne has played in 209 games, winning 142. Houston (7-7) lost starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick with a left leg injury in the second quarter.

Lions 16, Vikings 14

Matt Prater's 33-yard field goal with 3:38 remaining lifted host Detroit into a tie for first place in the NFC North. The Lions (10-4) are now even atop the division with Green Bay, which lost to Buffalo.

Steelers 27, Falcons 20

Ben Roethlisberger was 27-for-35 passing for 360 yards and William Gay returned an interception for a TD as the Steelers (9-5) remained a half-game behind Cincinnati in the AFC North after their second straight win. Host Atlanta (5-9) ensured itself of a losing season and slipped out of first in the NFC South behind New Orleans (5-8) and Carolina.

Ravens 20, Jaguars 12

Host Baltimore sacked rookie Blake Bortles eight times and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. The Ravens (9-5) gained only 31 yards rushing but stayed in the thick of the AFC playoff chase.

Panthers 19, Bucs 17

Derek Anderson threw for 277 yards and a touchdown and Graham Gano kicked four field goals for host Carolina (5-8-1).

Chiefs 31, Raiders 13

Alex Smith was 18-for-30 passing for 297 yards and two scores and De'Anthony Thomas returned a punt 81 yards for another touchdown for host Kansas City (8-6). -- AP