Jonas Gray was on the New England Patriots’ practice squad early last week. Now he’s a sensation.

The little-known running back rushed for 199 yards on 38 carries and scored four touchdowns as the Patriots went into Indianapolis and hammered the Colts 42-20 on Sunday night. Gray was undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2012 and spent some time with the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens before winding up in New England. The victory was the fifth in a row for the Patriots.

He stole a bit of the Arizona Cardinals’ thunder. The Cards improved to an NFL-best 9-1 by beating the Detroit Lions 14-6. The Cardinals last had a 9-1 record 66 years ago when they were still playing in Chicago. Arizona allowed only two field goals and held Detroit’s Matthew Stafford to a season-low 183 passing yards.

Elsewhere in the NFL: The San Francisco 49ers intercepted Eli Manning five times in a 16-10 win over the New York Giants. … The Green Bay Packers torched the Philadelphia Eagles 53-20. … Jamaal Charles ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs won their fifth consecutive game, beating the Seattle Seahawks 24-20.

NASCAR

 
Kevin Harvick won the Chase for the Sprint Cup, moving from 12^th place to first in the decisive race on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s his first NASCAR championship.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

 
Florida fired coach Will Muschamp, effective at the end of the season. … Florida State regained the top spot in the AP poll after coming from behind to beat Miami 30-26. That win, coupled with Alabama’s victory over former No. 1 Mississippi State, put the unbeaten Seminoles at the top of the chart. The College Football Playoff rankings, which will eventually determine a four-team championship field, come out on Tuesday night.

Today’s Question

Who will be No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings?

Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .