Seahawks, Broncos, Cowboys get potentially defining wins

Particularly after settling for three field goals, missing an extra point kick and a dubious 2-point conversion attempt.

[...] in one of the most bone-rattling games imaginable — look for Earl Thomas' hit on Rob Gronkowski for proof — Seattle re-established its credentials as an opponent to be reckoned with.

The Seahawks often come on in the second half of the schedule, and the way they punished the Patriots and also handled the hits they were given in return bodes very well for Pete Carroll's club.

Seattle (6-2-1) won on Russell Wilson's arm (348 yards, 124.6 passer rating), Doug Baldwin's mitts (three TD catches) and that fierce defense.

Justin Simmons leaped over the offensive line and blocked a potential go-ahead extra-point kick by Wil Lutz.

The significance of an eight-game winning streak powered by two other kids — quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott — is that Dallas is thinking big.

Elliott burst through a defense he said "parted like the Red Sea" and streaked to the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown to win it with 9 seconds remaining, and it might have been the most impressive act the fourth overall draft pick has delivered.