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NFL round-up: New England Patriots make winning start as Cleveland Browns’ winless run goes on after tie

Zane Gonzalez had the chance to end Cleveland’s run of 634 days without a win, but saw his last-gasp field-goal blocked to force a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Monday 10 September 2018 08:16 BST
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Tom Brady is set to play in his ninth Superbowl
Tom Brady is set to play in his ninth Superbowl

Reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes as New England Patriots opened the season with a 27-20 win over Houston Texans.

Brady connected three times before half-time to give last season's losing Super Bowl finalists a 21-6 advantage at the interval with Rob Gronkowski finishing with seven catches for 123 yards, including a touchdown.

Cleveland Browns are still searching for their first win since 2016 after opening up with a tie against Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, they would have broken their winless run had Zane Gonzalez not had his field goal attempt blocked on the final play of over-time with the scores locked at 21-21.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick starred with a 417-yard four touchdown performance as Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat New Orleans Saints 48-40.

Baltimore Ravens were 47-3 winners over the Buffalo Bills, with the Jacksonville Jaguars edging out NY Giants 20-15.

Kirk Cousins helped secure victory on his Baltimore Ravens debut

Minnesota Vikings debutant Kirk Cousins passed for two touchdowns, with his side forcing four turnovers, in a 24-16 victory over San Francisco to inflict 49ers' quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's first defeat in eight games as a starter.

Cincinnati Bengals were not duly affected by safety Shawn Williams' ejection just 30 minutes into their 34-23 win over Indianapolis Colts.

Williams was the first player to transgress the new rule over the use of the helmet after his late hit on Colts' quarterback Andrew Luck.

Later, the Miami Dolphins overcame the Tennessee Titans 27-20 after two weather delays, with the game taking seven hours and 10 minutes overall to complete, Jakeem Grant breaking the tie with 14 minutes remaining.

Shawn Williams became the first player to fall foul of the NFL’s new rules for hitting with the helmet

New Redskins quarterback Alex Smith led Washington to a 24-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals, throwing for 255 yards and two touchdowns, while Cam Newton threw for 58 yards and one touchdown in the Carolina Panthers' 16-8 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

The Green Bay Packers rallied from a 20-point deficit to edge out the Chicago Bears 24-23, Aaron Rodgers returning from a knee injury in the first half for the go-ahead touchdown with just over two minutes left on the clock.

Case Keenum struggled on his debut with three interceptions but the Denver Broncos still beat the Seattle Seahawks

Patrick Mahomes became the Kansas City Chiefs' third ever player to throw for four touchdowns in an opening game, lifting the Chiefs to a 38-28 win.

Elsewhere, debutant Case Keenum had a night of mixed fortunes, throwing three interceptions and three touchdowns in the Denver Broncos' 27-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

National Football League:

Arizona Cardinals 6 Washington Redskins 24

Baltimore Ravens 47 Buffalo Bills 3

Carolina Panthers 16 Dallas Cowboys 8

Cleveland Browns 21 Pittsburgh Steelers 21

Denver Broncos 27 Seattle Seahawks 24

Indianapolis Colts 23 Cincinnati Bengals 34

Los Angeles Chargers 28 Kansas City Chiefs 38

Miami Dolphins 27 Tennessee Titans 20

Minnesota Vikings 24 San Francisco 49ers 16

New England Patriots 27 Houston Texans 20

New Orleans Saints 40 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48

New York Giants 15 Jacksonville Jaguars 20

Green Bay Packers 24 Chicago Bears 23

PA

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