Monday, October 20, 2008
Rams 34, Cowboys 14
ST. LOUIS — Even on the road, the chorus of “Romo!, Romo!” from Dallas fans was easily audible at the start of the second half. But they were stuck with Brad Johnson, who couldn’t keep up with a suddenly potent, opportunistic St. Louis offense, throwing three interceptions. Steven Jackson ran for 160 yards on 25 carries with three touchdowns and the Rams looked like contenders instead of sad sacks for the second straight game under new coach Jim Haslett. St. Louis’ defense did its part, forcing four turnovers for the second straight game. The lone down note was a late injury to Jackson, who pulled a quadriceps muscle in the fourth quarter just before Haslett said he was going to take him out. He was to undergo an MRI. Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware tied an NFL record with a sack in his 10th straight game and enjoyed his first multiple sack game of the season with three, giving him nine on the season.
Bears 48, Vikings 41
CHICAGO — Kyle Orton threw two touchdown passes and Chicago’s special teams chipped in with two more. The Bears intercepted Gus Frerotte four times even though its injury-riddled secondary was missing starting cornerbacks Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman and nickel back Danieal Manning. The Bears also lost kick returner Devin Hester to a quad injury in the third quarter, yet Chicago still managed to put up its most points since beating Tampa Bay 48-14 at home Dec. 7, 1986. It was the most points the Bears allowed in a win. They survived a late push by Minnesota (3-4) after building a 17-point lead and won even though Adrian Peterson ran for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
Raiders 16, Jets 13, OT
OAKLAND, Calif. — Sebastian Janikowski bailed out Oakland coach Tom Cable in his home debut as Oakland’s coach. Janikowski’s team-record 57-yard field goal with 2:30 left in overtime won it. The game only went to overtime because Cable called a late timeout that negated Jay Feely’s missed field goal at the end of regulation. Feely made good on his second attempt, a 52-yarder with three seconds left that sent the game to overtime. In OT, the teams traded punts on the first five possessions before JaMarcus Russell hit Javon Walker for 16 yards and Zach Miller for 27 to move the Raiders into range. Thomas Jones ran for 159 yards, but the Jets were unable to overcome Brett Favre’s worst game with his new team. Only one of Favre’s first 17 completions went for more than 15 yards as he continually checked down to his underneath options. He also had two interceptions and 124 yards passing before the tying drive at the end of regulation.
Packers 34, Colts 14
GREEN BAY, Wis. — An undermanned defense returned two Peyton Manning passes for touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers gutted out his third straight game with a sprained right shoulder, going 21-for-28 for 186 yards and a touchdown despite 30 mph wind gusts at Lambeau Field. Ryan Grant had his first 100-yard game of the season, carrying 31 times for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Texans 28, Lions 21
HOUSTON — Owen Daniels scored two touchdowns and rookie Steve Slaton and Ahman Green added a touchdown each. Andre Johnson had 11 receptions for 141 yards for his third straight 100-yard game. The Texans scored touchdowns on their first three possessions for the first time in team history. They weren’t quite as sharp in the second half, punting on four of five possessions, and were outscored 17-7, allowing the Lions (0-6) to cut Houston’s lead to a touchdown with about four minutes left. The Texans (2-4) held the ball until there were just 20 seconds to go and Detroit’s last play ended in a fumble.
Bills 23, Chargers 14
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Trent Edwards went 25-of-30 for 261 yards and a touchdown, and Kawika Mitchell intercepted a pass from Philip Rivers at the goal line to thwart a potential go-ahead score. Mitchell’s interception allowed Edwards to engineer a seven-play, 43-yard drive to set up Rian Lindell’s 44-yard field goal with 3:17 remaining. Then Mitchell came through again, when he forced Rivers to fumble on San Diego’s next possession.
Titans 34, Chiefs 10
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — LenDale White rushed for three touchdowns and 149 yards, including an 80-yard sprint, and Chris Johnson unfurled a 66-yard gallop while rushing for 168 yards. The Titans, who had never even been 5-0 in their history, scored 10 points on their first two possessions and were never threatened by the Chiefs (1-5), who seem headed for an even worse season than last year’s 4-12. The Chiefs got more: quarterback Brodie Croyle’s knee injury will keep him out the rest of the season.
Panthers 30, Saints 7
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A week after giving up sole possession of first place in the NFC South with a woeful road performance, the Panthers were dominant again at home. Jake Delhomme threw for 195 yards and two touchdowns, Jonathan Stewart rushed for another score and the Panthers’ defense shut down the Saints. Drew Brees, who came in leading the NFL in completions and yards passing, was hounded all day and struggled with his accuracy. The Saints couldn’t overcome the loss of running back Reggie Bush to a left knee injury and were smothered by the Panthers’ improved defense.
Ravens 27, Dolphins 13
MIAMI — Cam Cameron’s play-calling worked better for Baltimore than it did last year in Miami. The Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator orchestrated four scoring drives against the team he coached to only one win last year. Joe Flacco threw for 232 yards and a touchdown.
Associated Press