New England Patriots star Tom Brady reached 3,000 yards passing for the 16th straight NFL season (AL BELLO)

Los Angeles (AFP) – Tom Brady threw two touchdowns to eclipse Peyton Manning as the National Football League all-time combined passing leader as the New England Patriots defeated the New York Jets 27-13 on Sunday.

Brady reached another milestone in his brilliant career as the 41-year-old became the league’s leader in regular season and playoff passing yards with a total of 79,416. Manning retired with 79,279 combined passing yards.

“You know this is the first time we have had a lot of guys healthier. It just helps everything out,” said Brady, who is also fourth all-time in regular season passing yards. “We weren’t great in the right areas but we made enough plays and we are happy we won.”

The five-time NFL champion Brady also reached 3,000 yards passing for the 16th straight season, tying Manning for second in NFL history behind Brett Favre’s 18.

The Patriots improved to 8-3 on the season with the win, which also assured them of their 18th consecutive season with a .500 record or better.

Brady had just one touchdown throw in his previous three games, but connected with Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman on Sunday. He finished 20 of 31 for 283 yards.

New England rebounded after a 34-10 loss to Tennessee two weeks ago. By beating the Jets, they avoided losing two straight twice in the same season for the first time since 2015.

Rookie Sony Michel ran for a season-best 133 yards and a touchdown.

“We were not great in the red area, but we made enough plays,” Brady said. “In every area, I think we can do a better job. We’re certainly not where we want to be and we’ll keep building for it. Hopefully, everyone can stay healthy.”

– ‘Efficient day’ –

Not to be outdone by Brady on Sunday, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Phil Rivers set a couple of records in what is turning out to be a career season for him.

Rivers completed his first 25 passes during Los Angeles’ 45-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals, breaking the previous mark of 22 straight, set by Mark Brunell in 2016.

It’s also the most completions at any point in a game.

“It was an efficient day to say the least. There were so many guys making catches but it was a fun day,” Rivers said.

Rivers record-setting play came on a four-yard touchdown toss to Keenan Allen.

Rivers finished 28 of 29 for 259 yards and three touchdowns in three quarters. It was also his 11th straight game with multiple touchdown passes.

He tied Ryan Tannehill’s mark of 25 straight completions, but the Miami quarterback did it over two games.

His only incompletion came midway through the third quarter when he failed to connect on a pass with Austin Ekeler.

Elsewhere, Kirk Cousins threw for three touchdowns and 342 passing yards as the Minnesota Vikings beat the shorthanded Green Bay Packers 24-17.

Cousins, who was coming off his worst game as a Viking, completed 29 of 38 passes and hooked up with Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen for scores as Minnesota improved to 6-4-1.

Sheldon Richardson led a rock solid Vikings defense which bottled up Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Davante Adams but Green Bay dropped to 4-6-1 on the season, putting them further behind in the NFC wild card race.

In Carolina, Sebastian Janikowski booted the game-winning 31 yard field goal as time expired as the Seattle Seahawks beat the Carolina Panthers 30-27 to move another step closer to a berth in the NFC playoffs. 

Quarterback Russell Wilson connected with David Moore to tie it 27-27 with 3:26 to go. Panthers kicker Graham Gano then missed a 52-yard field goal, setting the stage for Janikowski’s heroics.

Also, the Philadelphia Eagles kept their playoff hopes alive by rallying to beat the New York Giants 25-22 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Jake Elliott kicked the go ahead 43-yard field goal with 22 seconds left in the fourth to lift the Eagles to victory.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton threw for 256 yards and running back Christian McCaffrey finished with 236 total yards a runner and a receiver. 

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