Rams snap 17-game losing skid
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The Associated Press - Published: November 2, 2009
DETROIT — As expected of two teams that combined for one win entering the day, the Rams and Lions played an awful football game. St. Louis, though, loved the outcome — for the first time all season.
Steven Jackson's 25-yard touchdown run with 1:38 left triggered a 17-10 victory to snap the Rams'17-game losing streak.
The Rams (1-7) avoided matching their worst start in franchise history. They also ended talk about joining Detroit (1-6) as the only teams in NFL history to have an 0-16 season.
St. Louis' key score came on a trick play. It lined up to kick a field goal and had kicker Josh Brown throw a short pass to a wide-open Daniel Fells, whose 36-yard reception gave the Rams a 10-2 lead in the final minute of the first half.
Colts 18, 49ers 14
INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts won their 16th straight regular-season game, the equivalent of an undefeated season, and Jim Caldwell became the first rookie coach since the NFL merger to open his career with seven consecutive wins.
Peyton Manning topped 300 yards and got credit for another Colts rally, but it was Joseph Addai who won it. The fourth-year running back threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne early in the final quarter to give the Colts their only lead.
Ravens 30, Broncos 7
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens handed Denver its first loss by using the same blueprint the Broncos employed to win their first six games.
Rookie Lardarius Webb returned the second-half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, and the Ravens ended a three-game losing streak with a surprisingly easy victory.
It was Denver's first loss under rookie head coach Josh McDaniels. The Broncos (6-1) came in with the NFL's top-ranked defense, a plus-7 turnover differential and one of the league's best kick returners in Eddie Royal. Denver had also outscored the opposition 76-10 after halftime.
Titans 30, Jaguars 13
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans are no longer winless after a switch to Vince Young at quarterback.
He threw for a touchdown in his first start since the 2008 season opener, Chris Johnson set a franchise record by rushing for 228 yards, and the Titans (1-6) won their first game of the season. Tampa Bay, which had a bye this week, remains the only winless team. Tennessee's skid of eight straight went back to the end of last season.
Chargers 24, Raiders 16
SAN DIEGO — LaDainian Tomlinson scored twice, the first in the wildcat, and the Chargers took their 13th straight victory against the Raiders. It's the longest active NFL winning streak by one team over another.
The Chargers (4-3) have swept the series for the sixth straight season. Many Chargers, including quarterback Philip Rivers, have never lost to the Raiders (2-6). It was San Diego's seventh straight home win against the Raiders.
Panthers 34, Cardinals 21
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Carolina earned a measure of revenge in Arizona, even if the stakes weren't quite as high.
Jake Delhomme, whose downward spiral began with a playoff loss at home against Arizona last season, threw a 50-yard touchdown pass before leaving with a chest injury and Jonathan Stewart ran for two scores.
The Panthers (3-4), in a turnover-free performance, rolled up 270 yards on the ground against what had been the No. 1 rushing defense in the NFL.
Eagles 40, Giants 17
PHILADELPHIA — Donovan McNabb threw three touchdown passes and DeSean Jackson had another big TD catch for the Eagles. The game was just the appetizer in a marathon day in the NY-Philadelphia rivalry. The Yankees and Phillies were set for the first pitch of Game 4 of the World Series across the street only hours after the Eagles' rout ended.
The Eagles (5-2) remained undefeated in the division and host Dallas next week. Philly dominated without running back Brian Westbrook (concussion).
Cowboys 38, Seahawks 17
ARLINGTON, Texas — Miles Austin caught a touchdown pass for the third straight game and Patrick Crayton returned a punt for a score for the second consecutive week, sending Dallas into a share of first place in the NFC East.
Tony Romo went a third game in a row without an interception. Since a herky-jerky first month, the Cowboys (5-2) have found quite a groove, winning three straight.
Romo threw for 256 yards, with touchdowns to Austin, Sam Hurd and Roy Williams. Marion Barber added a TD run and Crayton broke open the game with an 82-yard punt return, one week after a game-breaking 73-yarder.
Dolphins 30, Jets 25
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Ted Ginn Jr. had two long kickoff returns for touchdowns in the third quarter. Miami (3-4) swept the two regular-season games after the teams met for the second time in 20 days, capping a week filled with trash talk from both sides in a reignited AFC East rivalry. The bad feelings were evident even before the game, when the Jets' Kerry Rhodes and a few Dolphins players got into a shoving match during warmups.
And, just like the last time these teams met, the game came down to the wire.
Facing a fourth-and-13 following a sack by Randy Starks with just over a minute remaining, Mark Sanchez scrambled before firing an incomplete pass over an outstretched Dustin Keller in the end zone to seal the loss for the Jets (4-4).
Texans 31, Bills 10
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Ryan Moats, taking over after starter Steve Slaton lost yet another fumble, scored three touchdowns on consecutive fourth-quarter drives to help the Texans (5-3) win their third straight game for their best start in franchise history. Matt Schaub bounced back from two first-half interceptions to lead six scoring drives on seven possessions.
Bears 30, Browns 6
CHICAGO — Jay Cutler threw for 225 yards, Matt Forte ran for two touchdowns and the Bears (4-3) easily beat the bumbling Browns (1-7).
Derek Anderson had another miserable day and was lifted for Brady Quinn, the man he replaced in Week 3, with about 3 minutes left in the game. Anderson completed just 6 of 17 passes for 76 yards and got intercepted twice.
That certainly didn't help a rating that was already a league-low 40.6 entering this game. And now, the Browns appear to be back in a familiar spot: deciding on a starting quarterback.
The Bears paid tribute to Walter Payton at halftime on the 10th anniversary of his death, then delivered a performance that was far from sweet. But it was effective enough.
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