Giants take lead in NFC East
Not even another missed field goal by Jay Feely could derail the New York Giants this time.
A week after blowing three potential game-winning kicks against Seattle, Feely clanged a 33-yard attempt off the crossbar with 5:18 left in the game Sunday that would have given the Giants a 10-point lead against Dallas. But New York’s defense held on, and the Giants beat the Cowboys 17-10 in East Rutherford, N.J., to take sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
The Giants had four sacks, forced two fumbles – including one that was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Antonio Pierce – and intercepted Drew Bledsoe twice. The second interception, by Brent Alexander, came with 1:47 left in the game. Dallas got the ball back one more time at its own 4-yard line, but lost the ball on downs after moving to the Giants 44.
Panthers 23, Falcons 6
DeShaun Foster scored two touchdowns and became the first Carolina back to go over 100 yards this season to help the Panthers beat Atlanta in Charlotte, N.C., snapping a three-game losing streak against the Falcons.
Colts 35, Titans 3
Peyton Manning tossed three touchdown passes, Larry Tripplett returned a fumble 60 yards for a score and Indianapolis remained unbeaten with a romp over Tennessee in Indianapolis.
Bears 19, Packers 7
Charles Tillman returned one interception of Brett Favre 95 yards to set up a field goal, and Nathan Vasher carried a fourth-quarter pick 45 yards for a clinching touchdown as Chicago beat visiting Green Bay and ended the Packers’ domination at Soldier Field.
The Bears got their first home victory against the Packers since 1993 and kept Favre from throwing a touchdown pass against them. Favre had thrown a TD pass against the Bears in 26 straight games – an NFL record.
Chargers 34, Raiders 10
Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes and the Chargers won their fifth straight game, beating Oakland in San Diego to pull within a game of AFC West-leading Denver.
Chargers wide receiver Keenan McCardell became the 13th player in NFL history with 800 catches, reaching the milestone with an 8-yard reception late in the second quarter.
Patriots 16, Jets 3
Corey Dillon scored on a 1-yard run and Kevin Faulk made three big third-down catches, leading New England past New York in Foxborough, Mass.
Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri set a club record for points. He kicked three field goals to give him 1,134 points, four more than Gino Cappelletti.
Redskins 24, Rams 9
Clinton Portis ran for 136 yards on 27 carries with a pair of touchdowns and Washington cruised to a victory in St. Louis to snap a three-game losing streak.
Jaguars 20, Browns 14
David Garrard, making his fourth career start, threw two TD passes in the second half and made a crucial scramble for a first down in the final minutes as Jacksonville won at Cleveland for its fifth straight victory.
Garrard was filling in for Byron Leftwich, who is out at least four weeks with a broken ankle.
Buccaneers 10, Saints 3
Ronde Barber intercepted Aaron Brooks three times and Chris Simms hit Joey Galloway for the only touchdown of the game as Tampa Bay beat New Orleans in Baton Rouge, La.
Vikings 21, Lions 16
Brad Johnson threw two touchdown passes, Michael Bennett scored twice and visiting Minnesota held on to beat Detroit for its fifth straight victory.
Dolphins 24, Bills 23
Chris Chambers leaped in the end zone to make one last grab with 6 seconds left, capping a frantic fourth-quarter comeback as Miami rallied to beat visiting Buffalo.
Lee Evans caught three touchdown passes to put the Bills ahead 21-0 less than 13 minutes into the game.
Cardinals 17, 49ers 10
Kurt Warner was 29 of 45 for 354 yards, and Anquan Boldin turned one of his 11 catches for 156 yards into the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter as Arizona won at San Francisco.
Ravens 16, Texans 15
Matt Stover kicked a 38-yard field goal with 6 seconds left, giving the Baltimore a victory over visiting Houston.