Ravens Hold Off Steelers

Vinny Testaverde and Bam Morris accomplished what no one had this season. As a result, the Baltimore Ravens avoided doing what they seemingly always do - blow a fourth-quarter lead.

Morris, playing against his former team for the first time, became the first running back to gain 100 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers this season, and Derrick Alexander shredded the NFL’s top-rated pass defense for 198 receiving yards as the Ravens ended a four-game losing streak with a 31-17 upset Sunday in Baltimore.

Playing in a driving rain, the Ravens prevented the Steelers from clinching at least a tie for their third straight AFC Central division crown. Testaverde, who was 17 for 24 for 259 yards, became the first quarterback to throw for three touchdowns against the Steelers this season.

Pittsburgh had won six straight regular-season games against Baltimore, dating back to when the franchise was in Cleveland. Testaverde had been involved in all of them, including a 31-17 loss earlier this season.

“They’ve been a thorn in our side the last couple of years. Even though we’re not looking at the playoffs this year, it’s still something to build on for the near future,” Testaverde said. “That team was in the Super Bowl last year, and looks like they could go again this year.”

Morris carried 28 times for an even 100 yards, including 10 times for 41 yards in the final 15 minutes. The Ravens held the ball for nearly 10 minutes of the final period, a big reason why they were able to avoid losing a fourth-quarter lead for the fifth time this year.

“No, it wasn’t just another win,” said Morris, released by Pittsburgh after being arrested on drug charges during the offseason. “It’s my first as a Raven, and it’s a good feeling.

“I’ve got no hard feelings against the Steelers. They made their decision. I’m a Raven now.”

Jerome Bettis had 105 yards on 24 carries for Pittsburgh, his 10th 100-yard game of the season. Mike Tomczak threw for two touchdowns, but he could only produce one scoring drive in the second half.

Patriots 45, Chargers 7

Jack Murphy Stadium has become a House of Horrors, threatening to swallow San Diego’s playoff hopes.

The Chargers self-destructed for the second straight at home, all but handing New England a victory that put the Patriots into a first-place tie with Buffalo in the AFC East.

Quarterback Stan Humphries was knocked out with a concussion in the third quarter, the second time in four home games he’s been hurt. It was the worst Chargers’ loss since a 48-10 defeat here by San Francisco on Nov. 27, 1988, a span of 142 games, including playoffs.

New England’s Drew Bledsoe matched his career-high with four touchdown passes, all to different receivers. Two of his scoring passes came in a run of 31 straight points set up by five Chargers turnovers.

Humphries had the first four turnovers, including three interceptions, in a span of 14:48. Coach Bobby Ross chastised Humphries on the sideline after his second interception, and the quarterback threw his helmet as he walked away.

About the only bright spot for the Chargers was Tony Martin’s 46-yard touchdown catch late in the first quarter that pulled the Chargers to 14-7. It was Martin’s 14th TD catch this season, tying Hall of Famer Lance Alworth’s club record set in 1965.

The Patriots can at least clinch a playoff berth with a victory next Sunday against the New York Jets in their final home game.

Colts 13, Bills 10 (OT)

At Indianapolis, Cary Blanchard, who missed two attempts earlier in the game, kicked a 49-yard field goal 8:14 into overtime as Indianapolis jolted Buffalo.

The victory kept the Colts in the race for an AFC wild-card spot, two games behind the Bills and Patriots. Blanchard also kicked a 25-yarder that tied the game in the fourth quarter. His winning kick, his 31st field goal this season, set a franchise record.

Packers 28, Bears 17

At Chicago, Antonio Freeman, back in the lineup after missing a month with a broken arm and playing with a cast, set career highs with 10 receptions for 156 yards in Green Bay’s victory over Chicago.

It was the sixth straight victory for the Packers over the Bears and 14th straight over Chicago at Lambeau Field. The Bears have not won a December road games during the regular season since 1987.

Panthers 24, Bucs 0

At Charlotte, Carolina won its fourth straight and ended a three-game Tampa Bay winning streak. The Panthers kept Trent Dilfer on the run, sacking him five times and knocking him down 13 times. The Panthers had two interceptions and a fumble that Shawn King turned into a 13-yard touchdown.

Eagles 24, Giants 0

At Philadelphia, the Eagles ended a three-game losing streak as Ty Detmer threw for three touchdowns and 284 yards. The win moved the Eagles into a first-place tie with Washington and Dallas in the NFC East and eliminated the Giants from playoff contention.

Vikings 41, Cardinals 17

At Minneapolis, Brad Johnson threw for a career-high four touchdowns and the Vikings stayed in the playoff hunt by drilling Arizona. It was a turnaround for Minnesota, which had lost six of its last eight games and not won at home since Oct. 6. Johnson, starting his third straight game in place of injured Warren Moon, finished 19 for 26 for 238 yards.

Jaguars 30, Bengals 27

At Jacksonville, Mark Brunell threw for 356 yards in a driving rain, and former Spokane high school and University of Idaho standout Mike Hollis kicked a team record five field goals as Jacksonville kept its wild-card hopes alive.

Brunell had his sixth 300-yard game this season.

Oilers 35, Jets 10

At East Rutherford, N.J., rookie Eddie George ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns and Houston stayed in the playoff hunt by battering the Jets, who dropped to 1-12 with their 10th straight home loss. There were 55,985 no-shows on a rainy, windy day.

Rams 26, Saints 10

At New Orleans, Harold Green scored two touchdowns and Chip Lohmiller kicked four field goals to lead St. Louis past New Orleans in a mostly empty Superdome. There were only 26,310 in the building where the Super Bowl will be played next month. The crowd was the smallest in the 30-year history of the Saints.

Raiders 17, Dolphins 7

At Oakland, Calif., the Raiders’ defense forced Dan Marino into three interceptions and a fumble and beat Miami.

Tim Brown caught a 22-yard scoring pass from Jeff Hostetler, Derrick Fenner ran 6 yards for a touchdown and Cole Ford added a 38-yard field goal for the Raiders, who had the Dolphins shut out until the last 3 minutes.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Sunday’s best Quarterbacks Mark Brunell 21-34-356-1-0 Jeff Blake 23-39-313-3-2 Ty Detmer 25-33-284-3-1

Running backs Eddie George 28-141-2 Anthony Johnson 26-111-1 Terrell Davis 26-106-1

Receivers Derrick Alexander 7-198-1 Antonio Freeman 10-156-0 Carl Pickens 7-109-3