Ravens send Big Ben to the sidelines
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left Sunday’s game against visiting Baltimore with an unspecified rib injury not long after being leveled while throwing a touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Roethlisberger had just released a 2-yard scoring pass to tight end Jerame Tuman and was looking to his left when defensive end Terrell Suggs blindsided him.
A shaken-up Roethlisberger was assisted off the field, a large clump of grass sticking out of the left side of his face mask.
Roethlisberger returned for the next offensive series and completed throws of 26 yards to Plaxico Burress and 9 to Jerome Bettis, but was replaced by Tommy Maddox after 2-yard run by Bettis early in the fourth quarter.
“He felt he could still throw it, but after the one pass to Plaxico, it really bothered him,” coach Bill Cowher said. “But before we were able to get another running play called, we got the screen (pass) called.”
It was the first time Maddox played since injuring an elbow Sept. 19 against Baltimore. Roethlisberger replaced Maddox as the starter a week later and has yet to lose in 13 NFL starts.
Colts receivers set records
Brandon Stokley caught his 10th TD pass of the season with 56 seconds left in the fourth quarter Sunday in Indianapolis, giving the Colts the first receiving trio in NFL history to each have 10 TD receptions and 1,000 yards in a season.
Earlier in the game, the Colts became only the fourth team in league history with three 1,000-yard receivers. Harrison gave the Colts that accomplishment with a 29-yard reception in the third quarter.
Pair of Chargers in record book
LaDainian Tomlinson ran 16 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter in Indianapolis, making it 12 straight games with a rushing TD to break the NFL’s single-season record.
The previous single-season NFL record was 11 set by Dallas’ Emmitt Smith in 1995 and tied by Kansas City’s Priest Holmes in 2002.
Teammate Antonio Gates caught his 13th touchdown of the season, breaking the NFL’s single-season record for a tight end.
Chicago’s Mike Ditka (1961), Washington’s Jerry Smith (1967), Oakland’s Todd Christensen (1983) and Carolina’s Wesley Walls (1999) all had 12 TDs in a single season.
McNabb still looking for payback
For three straight years, the Philadelphia Eagles have finished their season one victory shy of the Super Bowl. The trend began in January 2002, a 29-24 loss at St. Louis where Donovan McNabb remembers jealously watching the celebration on the field.
“I still have that in the back of my mind, and that continues to drive me,” the Eagles’ quarterback said.
That’s why McNabb has plenty of motivation heading into tonight’s game at St. Louis.
“I’d love to play the whole game,” McNabb said. “We have opportunities to get better. We’re in a position where we can obviously improve going into the playoffs, and I’m looking forward to it.”
The Rams (6-8) remain in the playoff picture, a game behind Seattle in the NFC West and holding the tiebreaker.