Lions Tamed In Capital

The quarterback didn’t matter, nor did having Barry Sanders in the backfield. The Redskins defense was ready, leaving the Detroit Lions embarrassed and still winless at Washington.

The Redskins shut down three quarterbacks and the NFC’s top rusher and receiver Sunday, forcing four turnovers to beat Detroit for the 18th straight time, 30-7. Detroit has never won on the road against Washington, losing in all 19 visits since 1938.

The Lions couldn’t break that skid despite Sanders’ eighth consecutive 100-yard rushing game on the road, breaking Marcus Allen’s record.

Sanders, who had 105 yards, also became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards for nine consecutive seasons, plus he got the 17 yards he needed to overtake Tony Dorsett for third on the league’s career rushing list.

The Lions have lost three straight, putting the team’s playoff hopes in jeopardy in the top-heavy NFC Central. It was so quiet in the Lions locker room that the only voice heard at point was quarterback Scott Mitchell’s young son, Joshua.

“The way we played, we don’t even deserve to be thinking about the playoffs,” coach Bobby Ross said. “I’m embarrassed by it. They dominated us. They outplayed us. They outcoached us. If we have to make changes in the ball club, we are going to do that.”

Mitchell struggled, missing several open receivers, before leaving in the second quarter with a strained hamstring. His status for next week is uncertain. His replacement, Frank Reich, started 0 for 6 with an interception that led to a Washington touchdown.

Reich, seeing his first action of the season, was then knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter when he was sandwiched by Chris Mims and Rich Owens. Third quarterback Matt Blundin came in and was hit by Ken Harvey as he threw the ball on his first play. Darryl Pounds intercepted - his second of the game - and ran 22 yards for a touchdown.

Dolphins 24, Jets 17

Dan Marino, questionable before the game with a sore left ankle, again feasted on the Jets secondary, throwing for 186 yards and one score as host Miami beat New York.

The Dolphins have beaten the Jets seven consecutive times in games Marino starts.

Marino, who’s 67 touchdowns against the Jets are more than any quarterback has thrown against any team, reversed the momentum of the game at the end of the first half with a precise two-minute drill.

He completed six of eight passes on the 1:31 drive, including a 23-yard touchdown to Brett Perriman with five seconds remaining for a 14-10 lead at the half.

Broncos 34, Panthers 0

Darrien Gordon returned punts for 82- and 75-yard touchdowns in the first quarter as Denver handed Carolina its first shutout in its three-year existence.

Tyrone Braxton returned an interception 27 yards for another touchdown, and John Elway accounted for the lone touchdown by the Denver offense on a 20-yard pass to Rod Smith.

Patriots 31, Bills 10

Derrick Cullors returned a kickoff 86 yards for one touchdown, and linebacker Chris Slade deflected a pass to himself for another as visiting New England broke a three-game losing streak.

Packers 17, Rams 7

Antonio Freeman caught seven passes for 160 yards and a touchdown as Green Bay held off the last team to beat it at Lambeau Field.

The Rams, whose upset of the Packers in the 1995 opener is the only blemish in Green Bay’s last 35 home games, were done in by 15 penalties that cost them 110 yards.

Brett Favre had his first 300-yard passing game of the season.

Vikings 29, Bears 22

Leroy Hoard’s 1-yard run with 54 seconds left rallied host Minnesota to its sixth straight victory. It was the second time in four games the Bears have come up just short against a division leader.

Cowboys 24, Cardinals 6

At Irving, Texas, the Cowboys had nine sacks, two rare rushing touchdowns and a big play by Herschel Walker.

Walker caught an 11-yard TD pass from Troy Aikman to give the Cowboys a 10-3 lead in the second quarter. Sherman Williams and Emmitt Smith scored on 1-yard and 5-yard runs, respectively, in the second half. Dallas came into the game with only three rushing touchdowns this season.

Oilers 10, Giants 6

Eddie George ran 32 times for 113 yards and a touchdown and host Tennessee sacked Danny Kanell three times, ending New York’s five-game winning streak. Oilers safety Marcus Robertson ended the Giants’ last chance when he picked off Kanell’s pass at midfield with 1:46 left.

Bengals 28, Colts 13

Boomer Esiason, who replaced a shaken Jeff Blake midway through the third quarter, threw two touchdown passes and Corey Dillon ran 46 yards for another score as host Indianapolis became the first team since the Bengals in 1993 to start 0-10.

Kelly Holcomb was sacked seven times and intercepted three times, two of which led to touchdowns by the Bengals.

Steelers 37, Ravens 0

Host Pittsburgh took advantage of seven Baltimore turnovers and Jerome Bettis ran for 114 yards.

Kordell Stewart threw for one touchdown - a 52-yarder to Yancey Thigpen - and ran for another, but Pittsburgh’s offense had it so easy that the Steelers opened a 20-0 halftime lead despite totaling only 87 yards in the first half. Saints 13, Raiders 10 Doug Brien’s 44-yard field goal with 2:57 left gave visiting New Orleans, shut out in its previous two games, the victory.

Jaguars 24, Chiefs 10

Jacksonville won its 11th straight home game, picking off Rich Gannon twice, recovering his three fumbles and getting a team-record six sacks. Mark Brunell threw for 195 yards in the first half before leaving with a bruised hip.

Buccaneers 31, Falcons 10

Trent Dilfer threw two touchdowns passes and Mike Alstott had a 47-yard scoring run for visiting Tampa Bay.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SUNDAY’S BEST

Quarterbacks Glenn Foley 25-48-322-1-1 Rich Gannon 29-50-314-0-2 Brett Favre 18-37-306-1-2 Warren Moon 24-45-295-2-1

Running backs Eddie George 32-122-1 Jerome Bettis 24-114-1 Marshall Faulk 18-110-0

Receivers Shannon Sharpe 8-174-0 Antonio Freeman 7-160-1 Ricky Proeh l9-132-1