The Minnesota Vikings came from 17 points down to claim a thrilling 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills after a wild finish to the best game of the season so far.
The Vikings, who have a habit of comebacks and tight wins this season, did it again as they intercepted a Josh Allen pass in the end zone in overtime to move to 8-1 for the season.
The Green Bay Packers also produced a big comeback to save their season, while the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins kept their winning runs going.
The 10th NFL Sunday of the season started with a slice of history in Germany, but back in the United States even more mayhem ensued with both Aaron Rodgers and the Packers digging deep to erase a 14-point deficit to beat the Dallas Cowboys in overtime.
Elsewhere, the Detroit Lions won their first away game in two years with a late victory in Chicago against the Bears, while commanding wins by the Chiefs and Dolphins put them into the top two spots in the AFC play-off standings.
Comeback Vikings win game of the year contender
The Buffalo Bills went into the game as the Super Bowl favourites, but they ended it down in third place in their AFC East division at 6-3 after Minnesota pulled off the most improbable of comebacks.
Many had questioned if the Vikings were the real deal despite starting 7-1, but after coming back from 17 points down in the third quarter and coming out on top after a breathless finish, these questions look to have been answered.
This instant classic had it all – Dalvin Cook scored an incredible 81-yard rushing touchdown before their quarterback Kirk Cousins led what looked the game-winning drive, thanks to receiver Justin Jefferson producing some incredible catches in a dominant display.
Jefferson was stopped half a yard short of scoring before Cousins was also kept out as Minnesota’s hopes looked dashed, only for Buffalo QB Josh Allen to fumble on the very next play on his own goalline, enabling Eric Kendricks to gather and score for the Vikings to put them 30-27 ahead.
With just 41 second left, Allen made amends by driving his team downfield for a field goal that forced overtime. The Vikings kicked a field goal of their own to score first in overtime, and, with the Bills needing a touchdown to win, Allen was picked off by Patrick Petersen to finally end a pulsating contest.
Rodgers rescues Packers season, but struggling Rams look done
The Green Bay Packers were staring a sixth straight defeat in the face, for the first time since 1988 when they trailed the Cowboys 28-14 going into the fourth quarter – especially with Dallas having a 195-0 record with 14-point leads in the final quarter.
That remarkable streak was snapped though with Rodgers completing his second and third TD passes to rookie Christian Watson, before leading a 55-yard drive to set-up Mason Crosby’s game-winning kick in overtime.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has a street named after him in Green Bay after leading the Packers to Super Bowl glory, but ultimately he had his homecoming ruined by his former QB Rodgers – who gave everything to improve the Packers to 4-6 and keep their season alive.
But while the MVP saved himself, the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams lost again to slip to 3-6 and bottom of their division as their QB Matthew Stafford missed their 27-17 defeat by Arizona with concussion.
The Cardinals were also without their starting QB Kyler Murray, but their back-up Colt McCoy coped better to hand LA a fifth defeat in six, which got even worse when Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp left the game with what looked a serious ankle injury.
Mahomes and Miami continue hot streaks as AFC top dogs
While Josh Allen and Buffalo’s star has dimmed recently, Patrick Mahomes remains the shining light as he threw another four touchdowns to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a comfortable 27-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jags have not been blown out by anyone this season, but Mahomes excelled as his 16th four-touchdown game – only eight QBs have had more – moved the Chiefs to 7-2 and the best record in the AFC.
The Miami Dolphins sit just behind the Chiefs in the AFC but top of their division above Buffalo at 7-3 after a commanding 39-17 rout of the Cleveland Browns – with their QB Tua Tagovailoa throwing three TDs for the third game running as they won their fourth in a row.
A bumper crowd at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami chanted “MVP” for Tagovailoa, who had 285 passing yards and hit three different receivers in the end zone – but the presence of new running back Jeff Wilson, who had 119 yards and a score, gives this team a new dimension and balance that makes them a huge danger.
Fields proves the future is bright for rebuilding Bears
Justin Fields had another remarkable game but the Chicago Bears QB ended up on the losing side again as the Detroit Lions scored 21 fourth-quarter points to end their 13-game winless run on the road with a 31-30 success in the Windy City.
Chicago are in a rebuild after trading away their two best defenders, but they have a superstar to build around as Fields ran for 147 yards and two TDs, one an electrifying 67-yarder, just a week after a record 178-yard rushing performance.
The Indianapolis Colts won their first game since former player Jeff Saturday was controversially installed as interim head coach, with his inexperience not showing in a 25-20 win against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The New York Giants beat the Houston Texans 24-16 to go to a surprising 7-2 and are right in touch in the NFC, while the Tennessee Titans improved to 6-3 and a solid lead in the AFC South with a 17-10 success over the Denver Broncos.
