NFL teams New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills pay tribute to Bondi and Brown University shooting victims

The New England Patriots held a moment of silence for the victims of two deadly shootings in the US and Bondi ahead of their hotly anticipated AFC showdown against the Buffalo Bills.

The Pats paid tribute to the lives lost in the Brown University shooting in Rhode Island, where two students were shot dead, and the anti-Semitic mass murder at Bondi on Sunday night, where at least 16 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl.

The Brown University logo and a map of Australia with a heart marking Sydney appeared on the Gillette Stadium video board before kick-off on Sunday.

Rhode Island is one of six states that are part of the New England region - one of the first areas of northern America settled by the English in the early 1600s.

“Before today’s game, the Patriots held a moment of silence to remember the victims of the tragic shootings yesterday at Brown University in nearby Providence as well as Bondi Beach in Australia this morning,” a message during the CBS broadcast said.

“We join the entire NFL community in keeping them and their loved ones in our thoughts.”

The solemn act came as Adelaide Oval ramped up its security ahead of the third Ashes Test starting there on Wednesday.

During the AFC showdown Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes, James Cook ran for two TDs and caught another as the Bills rallied from a 21-0 deficit to win 35-31, preventing the Patriots from clinching the division title.

Allen finished 19 of 28 for 193 yards. Cook ran 22 times for 107 yards, and Dawson Knox had two TD catches for Buffalo (10-4), who moved within one game of New England (11-3).

“No matter what the score is, if it’s in the third quarter, in the fourth quarter, whatever it is, if we’ve got a chance and we’ve got the ball, we feel like we like our chances,” Allen said.

The Bills overcame a double-digit deficit for the third time this year after previously rallying in their opener against Baltimore (down 15 points) and last week against Cincinnati (down 10).

The leading team in the entire AFC, Denver, clinched a playoff berth with a 34-26 win over Green Bay.

Bo Nix tied his career high with four touchdown throws as the Broncos recorded their NFL-best 11th consecutive victory to go 12-2.

It was the Packers’ (9-4-1) first loss this season by more than three points.

In Kansas City, the Los Angeles Chargers eliminated the reigning AFC champion Chiefs from playoff contention with a 16-13 victory.

Justin Herbert threw for 210 yards and a touchdown for LA (10-4), while Patrick Mahomes was held to 189 yards with no touchdowns and an interception for Kansas City (6-8).

Worse news was to follow for the Chiefs quarterback, who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee with 1:53 remaining and will require surgery.

“Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s ‌hurts,” Mahomes posted on social media.

“But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over ‍and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be back stronger than ever.”

The top two in the NFC were both at home and both recorded close victories.

Jason Myers kicked a franchise-record six field goals, including a 56-yarder with 29 seconds left, and Seattle (11-3) outlasted Indianapolis 18-16.

And Matthew Stafford passed for 368 yards and hit Colby Parkinson for two touchdowns as the LA Rams (11-3) clinched a playoff berth with a furious second-half rally for a 41-34 victory over Detroit.