Red-hot Rodgers outshines Brady in QB showdown

 Quarterback Aaron Rodgers delivered a precision passing game as the Green Bay Packers remained perfect at home with a 26-21 victory over Tom Brady's New England Patriots on Sunday.
Rodgers was 24-of-38 for 368 yards, threw two touchdown passes and kept two NFL record streaks alive in front of a rowdy crowd of 78,431 at Lambeau Field.
The 30-year-old has thrown 360 consecutive passes with 31 touchdowns since his last interception at home, extending both records.
"We got big goals and we are going into December right now with a chance and everything right in front of us," Rodgers said.
Green Bay improved to 6-0 at home this season, tying the NFL's best mark shared by New England and three other teams. They are now 9-3 on the season.
The Patriots had a seven-game winning streak halted as they suffered their first loss in more than two months.
Eddie Lacy ran 21 times for 98 yards and caught two passes for another 17 yards, extending his Packers running back record to four consecutive games with at least 100 yards.
Receiver Davante Adams hauled in six passes for 121 yards and Randall Cobb made seven catches for 85 yards.
"We've been great at home," said Rodgers. "The fans have been excellent with the noise and we've got a good advantage with it. We've just got to keep rolling."
Brady was 22-of-35 for 245 yards and two touchdown passes to Brandon LaFell in the loss, which was the Patriot's first defeat since losing 41-14 to Kansas City in September.
"I just wish we won this one. I think we put a lot into it," said Brady. "It was a great test for us and I think the guys knew how important it was for our season."
The Packers seized a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and hung on down the stretch after Brady threw his second touchdown pass to LaFell to cut the Packers lead to 23-21 early in the fourth quarter.
Mason Crosby then kicked his fourth field goal of the game for Green Bay to make it 26-21 with 8:41 remaining.
The Packers earned their final first down when Rodgers hit Cobb for a seven-yard gain. The Patriots were left without any timeouts and Rodgers kneeled out the remaining two minutes.
- 'I really don't care' -
Meanwhile, Drew Brees threw five touchdown passes to five different receivers to power the New Orleans Saints to a 35-32 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Brees finished with 257 yards on 19-of-27 attempts for the Saints, who halted a three-game losing streak and are now tied atop the NFC South with Atlanta.
"My process doesn't change regardless of whether people are singing my praises or telling me I can't play anymore. I really don't care," said Brees.
In Baltimore, Eddie Royal's one-yard touchdown catch with 38 seconds remaining lifted the San Diego Chargers over the Baltimore Ravens 34-33.
In other games: Houston 45 Tennessee 21, St. Louis 52 Oakland 0, Minnesota 31 Carolina 13, Indianapolis 49 Washington 27, Buffalo 26 Cleveland 10, Jacksonville 25 New York Giants 24, Cincinnati 14 Tampa Bay 13, Atlanta 29 Arizona 18, Denver 29 Kansas City 16.
Source: AFP