AROUND THE NFL Sunday's other games
AFC
Jets 30, Patriots 17
In Foxboro, Mass., Chad Pennington threw three touchdown passes and Curtis Martin became the second NFL player to rush for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first eight seasons. The Jets (8-7) avoided playoff elimination and improved to 7-4 since Pennington became the starter. Martin finished with 106 yards for a total of 1,011 this season. Barry Sanders ran for 1,000 yards in his first 10 seasons. If the Jets beat Green Bay, and New England (8-7) beats Miami next weekend, New York will win the division. If Miami beats the Patriots, the Dolphins win the division. New England wins if it beats the Dolphins, and the Jets lose.
Chiefs 24, Chargers 22
In Kansas City, Michael Husted kicked a 38-yard field goal with 1:08 left as the Chiefs clinched their first non-losing season in three years. Husted became Kansas City's kicker this week when Morten Andersen went on injured reserve with a knee injury. The Chiefs (8-7) played without star running back Priest Holmes, who has a knee injury. Trent Green connected with Mark Boerigter on a 99-yard touchdown pass, tying the NFL record for longest completion. The Chargers are 8-7 after opening 6-1.
INTERCONFERENCE
Giants 44, Colts 27
In Indianapolis, Amani Toomer caught three touchdown passes and Kerry Collins threw for 366 yards as the Giants won their third straight and took the inside track for a wild-card playoff berth. If the Giants (9-6) beat Philadelphia on Saturday, they make the playoffs. Toomer finished with 10 catches for 204 yards and tight end Jeremy Shockey had seven catches for 116 yards. Peyton Manning was 30-of-46 for 365 yards for Indianapolis (9-6) and became the first passer in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in four straight seasons. The Colts almost certainly must win next week against Jacksonville to make the playoffs.
Packers 10, Bills 0
In Green Bay, Vonnie Holliday sacked Drew Bledsoe five times, forcing fumbles on three, less than 24 hours after his 16-year-old cousin died of a congenital heart defect. Holliday's first forced fumble led to Green Bay's only touchdown and his last ended Buffalo's hopes with 1:13 left. The Packers (12-3) are the only NFL team to win all their home games this season. The Bills (7-8) were eliminated from the playoff race.
Redskins 26, Texans 10
In Landover, Md., the Redskins (6-9) broke a three-game losing streak as rookie Ladell Betts ran for 116 yards and Kenny Watson had 110 yards rushing filling in for Stephen Davis. Houston's David Carr was sacked an NFL-record 73rd time this season when Bruce Smith took him down late in the fourth quarter. Houston is 4-11.
NFC
Falcons 36, Lions 15
In Atlanta, Quentin McCord caught seven passes for 182 yards and scored the first touchdown of his career, and Michael Vick had a career-high 338 yards passing. If the Falcons (9-5-1) win at Cleveland on Sunday, they'll make the playoffs for the first time since 1998. Vick threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to McCord and a late 44-yarder to Brian Finneran. Jay Feely had five field goals and the Falcons gained 533 yards of offense. Mike McMahon, filling in for ailing Joey Harrington, completed 11 of 33 passes for 149 yards and threw three interceptions for Detroit (3-12).
Seahawks 30, Rams 10
In Seattle, Matt Hasselbeck threw for 303 yards and a touchdown as the Seahawks won for the second straight week. Hasselbeck notched his third 300-yard passing game since replacing the injured Trent Dilfer eight weeks ago. Since then, Seattle (6-9) is 5-4 since. Marc Bulger injured his back on the team's fourth play from scrimmage and didn't return as the Rams fell to 6-9. Marshall Faulk, who played despite a high ankle sprain, ran nine times for 13 yards.
Panthers 24, Bears 14
In Charlotte, Dee Brown scored two touchdowns as Carolina finished .500 at home after going 0-8 during last year's 1-15 season. Rodney Peete added another touchdown to lead the Panthers (6-9). Chicago (4-11) lost its seventh straight road game, extending a season-long slide from last year's 13-3 record.
-- Associated Press