NFL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Bears: Back-to-back games at the Meadowlands followed by a trip to AFC East leader New England? This looked like trouble for the Chicago Bears. Instead, they beat the New York Jets 10-0 Sunday to complete a Meadowlands sweep. And they used an old formula: key defensive plays and a sound running game. Throw in Chris Harris' recovery of an onside kick by New York to start the second half that led to a field goal. Then, mix in one big touchdown by Mark Bradley, and it adds up to a 9-1 record for Chicago. "We knew it would be a tough task," coach Lovie Smith said Monday. A win next week and losses by Green Bay and Minnesota would give the Bears their second straight NFC North title, but they have bigger goals than that, starting with the conference championship. They put themselves in good position for the No. 1 seed when they beat the Giants Nov. 12.
Eagles: Without Donovan McNabb, the outlook seems bleak. The Eagles are getting too familiar with not having their star quarterback. For the third time in five years, McNabb has sustained a season-ending injury in mid-November. Now the Eagles (5-5) must find a way to win games with veteran Jeff Garcia or A.J. Feeley leading an offense that was ranked first in the NFL until Sunday's 31-13 loss to Tennessee. Coach Andy Reid wouldn't choose a starter for the upcoming game at Indianapolis, saying he needed to speak to his coaching staff first.
Bills: With just a handful of ticks on the clock, and the Bills needing a touchdown to win, J.P. Losman knew what he was -- and wasn't -- about to do. "In the huddle, J.P. said, 'I'm not throwing a check-down this time. I got to take a shot at the end zone, so guys, get open,"' said receiver Peerless Price, who did exactly what his quarterback said, hauling in Losman's 15-yard strike to give Buffalo a 24-21 comeback victory over Houston Sunday. The win was Losman's first fourth-quarter comeback of his two-year starting career, and perhaps the game that propels him to the next level in his bumpy NFL development. "This was my first time pulling through it," Losman said. "I've had chances before and didn't come through. It felt great."
Dolphins: Miami gained 7 yards rushing Monday, which is better than it did on any carry Sunday against Minnesota. Elias Sports Bureau reviewed a play in the first half of the game and changed a 7-yard loss by quarterback Joey Harrington from a rush to a sack. As a result, the Dolphins' net rushing total improved from minus-3 yards to plus-4 yards in 13 carries. That's still a franchise low, and a team defensive record for the Vikings. The Dolphins won 24-20, making them the first team to win with such a poor rushing total since 1986.
Titans: Tight end Ben Troupe will get a second opinion for his right ankle that he hurt on his 14-yard touchdown catch against Philadelphia. Troupe already has had X-rays, and coach Jeff Fisher said the ankle needs further studies. When asked if Troupe's ankle was broken, Fisher said, "We're going to send him out and get a second opinion."
Panthers: Coach John Fox has seem some bad films on Monday mornings this season. The latest tape is headed to his classics library, though. "I think it was as good of team defense as we've played this year," Fox said after reviewing the defensive film of the Panthers' 15-0 win over St. Louis. "There were times where the coverage made the quarterback hold the ball and it bought time for the rush. There were times when the rush broke free and might have covered up some problems in the coverage. ... It was definitely our best tackling game."
Buccaneers: Coach Jon Gruden didn't bother heading home to savor a victory over Washington. With another game only four days away, he headed to the office Sunday night to get an early start on preparing for Thursday's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys -- the Buccaneers' first appearance on Thanksgiving Day. Not only does Gruden face installing a game plan, but he has to determine how much of it he can reasonably cover in practice during a short week. The players were off Monday, meaning they'll have one full practice Tuesday and travel to Dallas after a walkthrough on Wednesday morning.
Falcons: Offensive guard Matt Lehr was added to the active roster Monday and Atlanta placed defensive end Patrick Kerney on injured reserve. The Kerney announcement was only a formality to clear a roster spot for Lehr. Kerney was lost for the season when he suffered a torn pectoral muscle against the Cleveland Browns Nov. 12. Kerney was leading the Falcons with five sacks when he suffered the injury.
Lions: Detroit couldn't even beat lowly Arizona, and now coach Rod Marinelli is trying to get his team to forget about the loss quickly because Joey Harrington-led Miami will be in town on Thanksgiving Day. "That was the first thing we talked about last night in the locker room," Marinelli said Monday. "I said, 'This is disappointing, tough pill, but we have to immediately lick the wounds and move on.' We have to wire in to do our job."
Texans: Many Texans thought last week's win over Jacksonville would be a turning point. Instead of building on the victory, the Texans followed up with a demoralizing loss to the Bills. Now they are back in the all-too-familiar place of trying to regroup after yet another tough defeat. "It's just frustrating because it is so hard to win in this league, and when you let one go you second-guess yourself," coach Gary Kubiak said. "I'm sitting there thinking about eight or 10 calls, not just one." Cornerback Dunta , who has spent his three-year career in Houston, said Sunday's loss was especially painful. "I feel terrible," he said. "I hate to say it, but I've lost a lot of games here, and this is the worst feeling out of all the games I've ever lost."
Associated Press
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