By The Associated Press
The Latest on Week 17 in the NFL (all times EST):
1:55 p.m.
The Panthers still can’t stop anyone on the ground and it’s helped the Saints build an early 14-0 lead.
Carolina allowed two first-quarter touchdown runs by New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara, bringing the Panthers’ season total to 31 touchdowns allowed on the ground.
That ties the most given up by an NFL team since the AFL-NFL merger, joining the 1980 Giants, 1986 Buccaneers and the 2008 Lions.
___
1:55 p.m.
The Chargers have ended the Chiefs’ streak of 10 consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown.
Kansas City had not allowed anybody to reach the end zone since New England in the third quarter of their game three weeks ago, holding the Broncos and Bears to only field goals the past two games. The Chiefs stretched the streak to 10 quarters when they forced Philip Rivers and Co. to punt on their opening possession Sunday.
The stretch finally ended when Rivers threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen with 11:44 left in the second quarter to give Los Angels a 7-3 lead. The scoring drive covered 74 yards in 11 plays and included a key third-down conversion.
The Chiefs need to win and hope New England loses to Miami to earn the No. 2 seed and a first-round playoff bye.
___
1:50 p.m.
Buffalo Bills starter Josh Allen completed 3 of 5 passes for 5 yards over two series against the New York Jets before being replaced by backup Matt Barkley.
Coach Sean McDermott said he wanted to be cautious in playing his starters, with the Bills already locked in as the AFC’s fifth-seeded team. Five starters, including receivers Cole Beasley and John Brown, were among Buffalo’s inactives.
The Bills did lose a player to injury with starting cornerback Levi Wallace being carted off the sideline after hurting his right ankle late in the first quarter.
Wallace’s foot appeared to get caught in the turf when he intercepted Sam Darnold’s pass that caromed off the back of Bills teammate Taron Johnson’s helmet.
The Bills announced Wallace is doubtful to return.
— John Wawrow reporting from Orchard Park, New York.
___
1:30 p.m.
The Detroit Lions will apparently be pulling out all the stops in their season finale against playoff-bound Green Bay.
Quarterback David Blough caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from receiver Danny Amendola on a trick play that gave the Lions an early 7-0 lead. Blough took a shotgun snap and gave the ball to Amendola on what looked like an end-around – but then Blough slipped into the secondary on the left side and was wide open when Amendola threw to him.
Last season, the Lions beat the Packers in a largely meaningless finale. Detroit kicker Matt Prater threw a touchdown pass in that game.
— Noah Trister reporting from Detroit
___
1:20 p.m.
With their spot in the playoffs secured, the Minnesota Vikings are giving Kirk Cousins the game off.
Sean Mannion started the opening series at quarterback against Chicago, ending Cousins’ streak of 79 straight starts. The Vikings also had both starting tackles, both starting wide receivers and their top two running backs on the sideline against the Bears.
Cousins has not missed a game since becoming a full-time starter in 2015 with Washington.
The Vikings also sent a backup-heavy lineup onto the field on defense, with their top two linebackers, top two cornerbacks, top two safeties and top two defensive tackles on the sideline.
— Dave Campbell reporting from Minneapolis.
___
1:10 p.m.
The Panthers held a moment of silence before their game against the New Orleans Saints to honor the memory of Carly McCord, who died in a plane crash on Saturday in Lafayette, Louisiana.
McCord had served as an in-game reporter for the Saints.
She was on a small plane en route to Atlanta for the college football game between LSU and Oklahoma. Her father-in-law is Steve Ensminger, who works as an offensive coordinator for LSU.
The Lions also held a moment of silence before their game for receiver Marvin Jones’ six-month old son, who recently died.
___
A handful of teams are still fighting for a spot in the NFL playoffs on Sunday during the final week of the regular season.
The Philadelphia Eagles have the edge for the NFC East title after beating Dallas last weekend. If the Eagles can beat the Giants on Sunday, they’re in. If the Eagles lose, the Cowboys could still make the playoffs and partially salvage their disappointing season by beating Washington.
In the AFC, the Tennessee Titans can clinch the final wild-card spot with a win over the Houston Texans. Pittsburgh and Oakland are still alive, but need Tennessee to lose to have a chance. Oakland’s situation is particularly dire, with several results needing to go its way.
Other teams that have already made the playoffs are fighting for positioning, including the right to have a first-round bye or host playoff games. San Francisco travels to Seattle with the NFC West on the line. The 49ers could clinch home-field advantage until the Super Bowl with a win.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL