The Miami Dolphins spoiled Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson’s NFL record-setting day on Sunday, erasing a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Ravens 42-38.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, intercepted twice in the first half, threw four fourth-quarter touchdowns to take his tally to six for the game as Miami roared back from trailing 35-14.
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It was just one of the highlights of the day’s early games, which saw the New York Jets conjure some last-minute magic in a 31-30 victory over the Cleveland Browns while Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally solved the riddle of the New Orleans Saints with an emotional 20-10 triumph.
In New Orleans, Brady threw a tie-breaking 28-yard touchdown pass to Breshad Perriman in the fourth quarter and cornerback Jamel Dean intercepted Jameis Winston twice as the Bucs broke a seven-game regular-season losing streak against the Saints.
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady had been 0-4 against the Saints in the regular season since joining the Buccaneers, and he was plenty frustrated as Tampa Bay again struggled to get the offense going against the NFC South division rivals.
And the superstar’s anger was on show for all to see as he hurled a tablet on to the ground, surprisingly not the first time he has had a tablet-related meltdown.
The Bucs trailed 3-0 at halftime, wasting two scoring opportunities with mistakes in short-yardage situations, but as in their season-opening win at Dallas, they were buoyed by their defence, which finished with six sacks.
Early in the fourth, frustrations boiled over on both sides as Bucs receiver Mike Evans and Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore were ejected after their shoving match sparked a brawl at midfield.
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Brady helped incite the incident when he complained about a non-call on what he thought was pass interference. But he put the uproar behind him to throw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Breshad Perriman that put the Bucs on the path to a win.
Tampa Bay intercepted Winston three times in the last 12 minutes and safety Mike Edwards returned an interception 68 yards for a touchdown to put the Bucs up 20-3.
The Dolphins’ win in Baltimore marked the first time since 2005 that they came back from as many as 21 down in the fourth quarter to win.
Jackson and the Ravens had dominated for three quarters, Jackson throwing three touchdowns and rushing for 119 yards on nine carries.
That included Jackson’s career-long 79-yard rushing touchdown, which saw him top 100 yards on the ground for the 11th time in his career — topping the NFL record for most 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback he had shared with Michael Vick.
Tagovailoa, meanwhile, finished 36-of-50 for 469 yards.
His sixth touchdown pass was a seven-yarder to Jaylen Waddle with 14 seconds remaining, set up by a 28-yard run by Chase Edmonds.
Waddle caught two touchdowns and Tyreek Hall had 11 catches with two touchdowns for the Dolphins, who came away the victors after Baltimore’s last-gasp pass in the waning seconds came up short.
Although the Ravens tasted defeat, it was a special day for Australian offensive tackle Daniel Faalele, who made his debut for Baltimore.
There were even calls for the hulking 172kg Aussie to receive the ball when the Ravens were 4th and goal.
In Cleveland, the Jets looked headed to a second straight defeat, but quarterback Joe Flacco had other ideas.
Flacco hit rookie Garrett Wilson with a 15-yard TD pass up the middle with 22 seconds remaining and Greg Zuerlein booted the deciding extra point.
The Browns had taken a 13-point lead with 1:55 remaining on Nick Chubb’s third rushing touchdown, which was followed by a missed extra-point attempt.
Flacco connected with Corey Davis for a 66-yard score with 1:22 remaining and, after the Jets recovered the ensuing onside kick, Flacco — filling in for injured Zach Johnson, piloted the drive capped by his pass to Wilson.
Cleveland had a final chance, but quarterback Jacoby Brissett was intercepted by Ashtyn Davis with six seconds to play.
FULL RESULTS
Steelers 14-17 Patriots
Giants 19-16 Panthers
Browns 30-31 Jets
Jaguars 24-0 Colts
Ravens 38-42 Dolphins
Saints 10-20 Buccaneers
Lions 36-27 Commanders
49ers 27-7 Seahawks
Rams 31-27 Falcons
Raiders v Cardinals
Broncos v Texans
Cowboys v Bengals
Packers v Bears
