Brady inspires Patriots

American Football: Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes — three to Randy Moss — as the New England Patriots clinched the AFC…

American Football:Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes — three to Randy Moss — as the New England Patriots clinched the AFC title with a 35-7 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Moss made only four receptions for 45 yards as Wes Welker accounted for the bulk — 138 — of Brady’s 267 passing yards, but the former made the most of his targets with a hat-trick.

Chris Baker and running back Sammy Morris were also on the scoresheet as the Patriots moved to a 10-5 record.

Chad Ochocinco’s fourth-quarter touchdown assured Cincinnati Bengals of the AFC North title after a 17-10 win over Kansas City.

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The teams mustered only a field-goal apiece in a cagey first half but Laveranues Coles’ touchdown gave the Bengals the upper hand.

Matt Cassel hit Tim Castille to level the scores — and with Cincinnati’s title rivals Baltimore Ravens also level with Pittsburgh Steelers, the division was in the balance.

But Carson Palmer’s six-yard pass to the colourful Ochocinco settled matters — and the Ravens slipped up for good measure.

Todd Heap’s two touchdowns kept them in the game after Pittsburgh had twice gone ahead through Rashard Mendenhall and Santonio Holmes, but Jeff Reed’s field-goal earned the Steelers a 23-20 win.

New Orleans Saints suffered a shock 20-17 overtime loss at home to Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Saints, until recently one of only two teams with perfect records, led 17-0 but Cadillac Williams and Micheal Spurlock helped the Buccs level matters and Connor Barth’s second field-goal settled the match in the extra period.

San Diego Chargers, already assured of top spot in the AFC West, trounced Tennessee Titans 42-17 as Darren Sproles ran in two touchdowns and caught another on a three-yard Philip Rivers pass. Fellow running back LaDainian

Tomlinson also crossed the whitewash twice.

Houston Texans boosted their outside chance of a play-off spot with a 27-20 win over Miami Dolphins, while Cleveland Browns beat Oakland Raiders 23-9 for their third successive win — despite Sebastian Janikowski landing a 61-yard field-goal for Oakland.

Green Bay Packers ran riot against Seattle Seahawks, three touchdowns from Brandon Jackson and two from Ryan Grant helping the hosts to a 48-10 win at Lambeau Field.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore threw three touchdown passes in a 41-9 hammering of New York Giants, while two touchdowns for wide receiver Roddy White helped Atlanta Falcons ease past Buffalo Bills 31-3.