Charlie Smyth tasted victory in his second start on the bounce for New Orleans Saints as they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-20 in the NFC South on Sunday.
The Saints were eliminated from play-off contention last weekend, going down 21-17 at the Miami Dolphins. However Smyth had a day to remember, with a successful onside kick and 56-yard field goal delighting those watching back in his native Mayobridge, Co Down.
Against Buccaneers, Smyth produced another good performance to strengthen his hopes of becoming the long-term kicker for the Louisiana outfit.
He missed a 48-yard field goal in the second quarter, but made a 30-yard field goal that tied the score at 17 each at the end of the third quarter. He also nailed all of his three extra point attempts.
Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough had two of New Orleans' three rushing touchdowns.
Shough passed for just 144 yards, but he rushed for 55 and fellow rookie Devin Neal contributed the third touchdown and 70 rushing yards on a rain-soaked field.
Baker Mayfield passed for 122 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Buccaneers (7-6), who dropped into a tie with idle Carolina for first place in the NFC South.
Charlie Smyth again through the driving rain in Tampa! 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/dAbAGH90PR
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) December 7, 2025
The Buffalo Bills overturned a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to claim a dramatic and crucial 39-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Quarterback Josh Allen began the fightback at a snowbound Highmark Stadium when he rushed for a 40-yard touchdown before two interceptions in quick succession put the Bills into a commanding lead.
Christian Benford returned the first interception 63 yards for a touchdown and AJ Epenesa then picked off Joe Burrow on the very next play. That led to Allen sending Jackson Hawes into the endzone with the third of his three touchdown passes.
Opposite number Burrow - who had not been intercepted all season - threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins to keep the Bengals in the contest, but the Bills held on.
Victory improved the Bills' record to 9-4 in the NFC East and strengthened their play-off hopes.
The Jacksonville Jaguars also moved to 9-4 as they claimed a 36-19 win in their key AFC South clash with the Indianapolis Colts.
Travis Etienne Jr rushed for two touchdowns and Trevor Lawrence threw for two more in the first half as the Jaguars opened up a 28-10 lead.
The Colts' hopes of getting back into the game were hampered by the loss of quarterback Daniel Jones to an injury that could keep him out for the remainder of the season.
Two Cam Little field goals and a safety, as Colts back-up quarterback Riley Leonard was sacked, wrapped up the win in the final quarter.
The Jaguars now stand alone at the top of the division with the Colts slipping to 8-5.
The Seattle Seahawks moved to 10-3 in NFC West as they scored 31 second-half points to thrash Atlanta 37-9. Sam Darnold threw three touchdown passes, two of them caught by Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) held on to beat AFC North rivals the Baltimore Ravens (6-7) 27-22 after a controversial finish at M&T Bank Stadium, where Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely had a late touchdown disallowed.
The Miami Dolphins defeated AFC East rivals the New York Jets with a 34-10 success and the Minnesota Vikings closed out the Washington Commanders in their 31-0 triumph, while the Tennessee Titans picked up only their second win of the season after edging out the Cleveland Browns 31-29.
Additional reporting: PA
