Goff shines as Rams stop Saints' win streak
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins scores on a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff (not pictured) in the first quarter of their NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 26, 2017. Saints cornerback De'Vante Harris makes the tackle too late. The Rams won 26-20.
Jared Goff threw for two touchdowns and kicker Greg Zuerlein booted four field goals as the Los Angeles Rams snapped the New Orleans Saints' win streak at eight games with a 26-20 victory on Sunday.
Los Angeles won for the fifth time in six contests to improve to 8-3 on the season.
Quarterback Drew Brees threw for just one TD for the Saints who dropped to 8-3 atop the NFC South Division.
Goff, who lost to the Saints last year in his rookie season, completed 28-of-43 attempts for 354 yards, connecting for TDs with Sammy Watkins and rookie Josh Reynolds.
"You can see Jared get better week in and week out," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "He was making good decisions, we got the running game going later and the offensive line played well.''
Zuerlein added 12 points, kicking three field goals from at least 46 yards.
New Orleans was smothered by the Rams' defense, which sacked Brees three times.
The Saints entered the game averaging 415 yards but were held to 346 in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Brees, who directs the National Football League's second-best passing offense, was 22 of 32 for 246 yards and a score.
"They put us in some tough situations at times," Brees said. "We were just unable to find a rhythm and maintain our drives."
In Philadelphia, Carson Wentz tossed three TD passes and the NFL-leading Eagles beat the Chicago Bears 31-3 for their ninth straight win.
The Eagles (10-1) reduced their magic number to clinch the NFC East to one with their fourth consecutive win by at least 23 points and third in a row by exactly 28. Philadelphia would secure its first division title since 2013 if the Cowboys (5-6) lose or tie Washington on Thursday night.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) and teammates perform a bowling celebration after a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter of their NFL game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on November 26, 2017.
Wentz had 227 yards passing, LeGarrette Blount ran for 97 yards and Zach Ertz caught 10 passes for 103 yards and one TD.
The defense dominated rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and the inept Bears (3-8), holding them to zero first downs in the first half and 140 total yards in the game.
The Bears won the turnover battle (3-2), but couldn't do anything with excellent field position.
In Foxborough, Massachusetts, Tom Brady threw four TD passes, two to tight end Rob Gronkowski, and the New England Patriots breezed to their seventh straight win with a 35-17 rout of the Miami Dolphins.
Running back Rex Burkhead also scored twice as the Patriots sent the Dolphins to their fifth straight defeat.
Brady had a streak of 189 straight passes without an interception snapped, but went on to complete his 83rd game with at least three TD passes.
The Patriots improved to 9-2 on the season as Sunday's win ensured their 17th straight winning season.
Brady grew up in the San Francisco area as a fan of the San Francisco 49ers, a team that racked up 16 straight winning seasons starting when he was just six years old.
"I was a kid growing up in San Mateo when the Niners were doing that, too," Brady said. "Winning seasons are great. Obviously, we're trying to win every game we play.
"We started 2-2 and to be 9-2 with seven straight wins is pretty good, but we know our biggest games are ahead of us."
Elsewhere on Sunday, it was: Raiders 21, Broncos 14; Steelers 31, Packers 28; Falcons 34, Buccaneers 20; Bengals 30, Browns 16; Cardinals 27, Jaguars 24; Seahawks 24, 49ers 13; Bills 16, Chiefs 10; Panthers 35, Jets 27; and Titans 20, Colts 16.
