The New England Patriots didn’t have one more miracle finish in their repertoire.

They came close Sunday, but reserve safety Michael Thomas, playing in his first NFL game, intercepted Tom Brady’s fourth-down pass in the end zone with 2 seconds left and Miami held on to win 24-20, improving its playoff chances.

“We came up on the short end of the stick,” said Brady, whose Patriots are 10-4 and two games in front of Miami in the AFC East. “It wasn’t a good day. Just couldn’t make enough plays.”

The Patriots have made those plays throughout the season, including in tight victories over Denver, Cleveland, New Orleans, Houston and the New York Jets. This time, it was the Dolphins (8-6) who came through, snapping a seven-game losing streak against New England.

Miami is 5-2 since tackle Jonathan Martin left the team in a bullying scandal.

Packers 37, Cowboys 36

Matt Flynn threw four touchdown passes in the second half, Eddie Lacy had the winning score on a 1-yard plunge after Tony Romo threw an interception, and Green Bay rallied from 23 points down at halftime.

Playing on the same field where they won the 2011 Super Bowl, the visiting Packers (7-6-1) stayed in the NFC North race and matched the 1982 team, which rallied past the Rams after trailing by 23.

“Most guys would pack it in: `Guys, it’s not our season. Let’s go home and get ready for next year,”’ said Green Bay cornerback Tramon Williams, who had an interception overturned on review before a clinching pick that was ruled incomplete and reversed on replay. “It’s not that vibe here.”

Vikings 48, Eagles 30

At Minneapolis, the Eagles (8-6) saw their five-game winning streak snapped, endangering their playoff hopes. Matt Cassel passed for 382 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score to lead the injury-depleted Vikings.

Seahawks 23, Giants 0

Richard Sherman had two interceptions, Marshawn Lynch scored on a twisting, triple-effort 2-yard run, and Steven Hauschka kicked three field goals as Seattle (12-2) manhandled the Giants (5-9) for its franchise-record sixth road win.

Russell Wilson toyed with New York’s defense, running for 50 yards and throwing for 206 and a touchdown before sitting out the last few minutes. Wilson has 23 wins, the most for a quarterback in his first two seasons in the Super Bowl era.

49ers 33, Bucs 14

At Tampa, the 49ers stayed in range of Seattle in the division as Vernon Davis caught a touchdown pass for the fifth straight game and Michael Crabtree scored his first TD since returning from injury.

The victory was the fourth straight for the 49ers (10-4). Phil Dawson kicked four field goals, extending his franchise-record streak of consecutive successful attempts to 24.

Panthers 30, Jets 20

Cam Newton threw for 273 yards and a touchdown, Captain Munnerlyn had two sacks and returned an interception for a score against the visiting Jets.

With New Orleans losing, the Panthers (10-4) pulled even with the Saints in the NFC South with their rematch set for next Sunday in Charlotte.

Rams 27, Saints 16

At St. Louis, Drew Brees threw interceptions that led to touchdowns on New Orleans’ first two possessions.

Robert Quinn had two sacks, giving him an NFC-leading 15, and his hit on the Saints’ first snap of the game altered the flight of the ball on T.J. McDonald’s interception.

Chiefs 56, Raiders 31

At Oakland, Calif., Jamaal Charles tied a franchise record with five touchdowns in a game and gained 215 yards from scrimmage as the Chiefs beat the Raiders and clinched at least a wild-card spot. Charles is the first player in NFL history with at least four touchdown receptions and one touchdown run in a single game.

Alex Smith threw five TD passes, going 17 for 20 for 287 yards to make the Chiefs the fourth team ever to make the playoffs a year after losing at least 14 games.

Bears 38, Browns 31

At Cleveland, Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes in his first start since missing four games with a sprained left ankle. His 4-yard TD pass to Earl Bennett with 5:41 left won it for the Bears (8-6), who are alone atop the NFC North pending Monday night’s Baltimore-Detroit game.

Michael Bush’s 40-yard TD run with 2:17 left sealed it for the Bears, who completed a four-game sweep of the AFC North.

Cardinals 37, Titans 34

At Nashville, Tenn., Jay Feely’s 41-yard field goal in overtime won it after Arizona (9-5) blew a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals won their sixth in seven games to remain in the NFC wild-card chase.

The Titans scored 17 points in the final 3:12 of regulation, with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing two of his four TD passes to Michael Preston. They also recovered an onside kick to set up the tying TD with 10 seconds left.

Colts 25, Texans 3

At Indianapolis, Andrew Luck threw two touchdown passes, and Robert Mathis broke the Colts’ single-season and career sacks records by forcing a second-half safety.

Falcons 27, Redskins 26

At Atlanta, Desmond Trufant deflected Kirk Cousins’ pass on a 2-point conversion with 18 seconds remaining. Cousins’ touchdown pass to Santana Moss gave Washington a chance to force overtime by kicking the extra point.

Bills 27, Jaguars 20

At Jacksonville, rookie EJ Manuel threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score.