Colts earn 19th straight victory
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The Associated Press - Published: November 23, 2009
BALTIMORE — The undefeated Indianapolis Colts found yet another way to win a close game, their 19th straight victory.
The 17-15 win secured on former Ravens kicker Matt Stover's go-ahead field goal gave Indianapolis (10-0), the second-longest streak in NFL history behind a 21-game run by the New England Patriots (2006-08). Indy received an inspired performance from the defense and overcame an uncharacteristic three turnovers.
Much to the dismay of the Ravens and their fans, Stover booted the decisive field goal with 7:02 left. Colts linebacker Gary Brackett then intercepted Joe Flacco's pass at the Indianapolis 13 with 2:42 remaining, and the Colts kept the ball until the closing seconds.
Baltimore's last gasp ended when Ed Reed fumbled on a punt return with 17 seconds left.
Indianapolis has won its last four games by a combined 10 points. The Colts usually rely on Peyton Manning, who fashioned a huge comeback against New England last week, but the credit for this victory belonged to a defense that did not allow a touchdown.
Saints 38, Buccaneers 7
TAMPA, Fla. — Drew Brees threw for three touchdowns and the Saints shrugged off a slow start defensively to remain unbeaten.
Robert Meacham caught touchdown passes of 4 and 6 yards in the first half. Third-string running back Mike Bell scored on runs of 3 and 1 yards in the second half, when New Orleans gained 147 of its 183 yards rushing. The Saints (10-0) have their first 10-game winning streak in franchise history.
A spate of turnovers made the Saints seem more vulnerable over the past month, but Brees didn't throw an interception for the first time in five games. The Saints also didn't allow a sack for the first time since Oct. 18 against the Giants.
Chiefs 27, Steelers 24, OT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ryan Succop kicked a 22-yard field goal with 8:28 left in overtime after Chris Chambers' 61-yard catch-and-run, and the Chiefs snapped a team-record 10-game home losing streak.
The Super Bowl champs, with Charlie Batch replacing a shaken-up Ben Roethlisberger in overtime, had to punt on their first possession. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger's injury was a "concussion-oriented thing."
The Chiefs faced third down when Matt Cassel connected with Chambers, who went 61 yards before he was pushed out of bounds at the 4. Succop, the final player drafted in April, kicked the game-winner for the Chiefs' first home victory in more than a year. Succop also had a 27-yarder that tied it 17-17 in the final seconds of the third quarter.
Chargers 32, Broncos 3
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Philip Rivers and a dominant defense led the Chargers into sole possession of first place, drubbing the Broncos, who couldn't move the ball effectively behind either of their quarterbacks.
The Chargers (7-3) have won five straight and the Broncos (6-4) have dropped four in a row, turning the division race upside-down. Just five weeks ago, the Chargers trailed the Broncos by 3-1/2 games.
The balance of power in the AFC West couldn't have shifted in a more dramatic fashion.
Rivers was a crisp 17 for 22 and led San Diego to scores on seven of 10 drives. Nate Kaeding kicked four field goals and the Chargers also recovered an onside kick, had three sacks and forced three turnovers.
Raiders 20, Raiders 17
OAKLAND, Calif. — Bruce Gradkowski threw a 29-yard tying touchdown pass to Louis Murphy with 33 seconds left and Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 33-yard field goal after Andre Caldwell fumbled the ensuing kickoff.
The Bengals (7-3) have lost all 10 games in Oakland, including one playoff game.
Vikings 35, Seahawks 9
MINNEAPOLIS — Brett Favre completed a career-high 88 percent of his passes for 213 yards and four touchdown passes and the Vikings delivered their most complete performance of the season.
Favre completed 22 of his 25 throws for the Vikings (9-1). His previous career high was 85.2 percent against Detroit on Sept. 20. But he has only completed at least 80 percent two other times in his previous 18 seasons in the league.
Favre threw touchdown passes to Percy Harvin, Visanthe Shiancoe and Bernard Berrian in a 21-point second quarter that got the Vikings rolling, then finished his day with a 7-yard pass to Sidney Rice with 4 minutes to play in the third quarter. It was his 22nd career game with at least four touchdown passes, surpassing Dan Marino.
Lions 38, Browns 37
DETROIT — An ailing Matthew Stafford threw his fifth touchdown pass from 1 yard to Brandon Pettigrew, and Jason Hanson's extra point with no time on the clock gave Detroit a thrilling victory.
Detroit was given the untimed play because safety Hank Poteat was called for pass interference in the end zone when Stafford heaved a desperation attempt. Stafford was hit after his throw to the end zone and appeared to hurt his left shoulder or chest area. He was replaced by Daunte Culpepper.
Giants 34, Falcons 31, OT
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Eli Manning and the offense bailed out the Giants' top-ranked defense.
Lawrence Tynes kicked a 36-yard field goal 3:54 into overtime to make up for an earlier miss after the defense blew a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter.
Manning threw for a career-high 384 yards and three touchdown passes, including two to Kevin Boss, to help the Giants (6-4) snap a four-game skid coming off their bye week. Manning set up Tynes' winner when he connected with Mario Manningham for a 29-yard pass.
Cardinals 21, Rams 13
ST. LOUIS — Kurt Warner spent the second half pacing the sideline after taking a blow to the head, still in uniform but shut down for the day. Warner threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns while building a 21-3 cushion.
Tim Hightower had 110 yards on 14 carries, the first 100-yard game of the season for a team ranked next to last in the NFL in rushing, helping the Cardinals (7-3) win for the sixth time in seven games and got 5-0 on the road.
Cowboys 7, Redskins 6
ARLINGTON, Texas — Tony Romo led a single scoring drive, hitting Patrick Crayton for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 2:41 left to preserve first place in the NFC East.
The Cowboys (7-3) avoided getting shut out the previous week by scoring with 38 seconds left at Green Bay, then almost saw it happen again at home.
Shaun Suisham put Washington ahead 6-0 with field goals of 45 and 31 yards. But he missed a 39-yard attempt shortly before halftime and a 50-yarder that would've made it 9-0 with 7:06 left. Suisham had been 13 of 13 this season before those misses.
Packers 30, 49ers 24
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers made San Francisco pay for a draft-day snub in 2005. Rodgers threw touchdowns to Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson, and Ryan Grant rushed for 129 yards and a score. The Packers (6-4) saw outside linebacker Aaron Kampman injure his left knee and cornerback Al Harris also injured a knee.
Rodgers was 32 of 45 for 344 yards, including 274 in the first half as the Packers took a 23-3 lead.
Jaguars 18, Bills 15
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — David Garrard's second game-winning drive in as many weeks gave the Jaguars their first three-game winning streak in nearly two years. Garrard threw a touchdown pass to Mike Sims-Walker with 56 seconds remaining, spoiling Perry Fewell's debut as interim coach of the Bills (3-7).
Buffalo bottled up Maurice Jones-Drew, pressured Garrard and managed 300 yards of offense for the first time in two months. But Garrard directed a 68-yard scoring drive when it mattered for the Jaguars (6-4).
Terrell Owens caught nine passes for 197 yards, including a team-record 98-yarder for a score. It was his best outing with the Bills, who have lost three straight and six of eight.
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