Rookie QB keys Rams’ OT victory

The Houston Texans have sunk so low that St. Louis Rams rookie third-string quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick looked like a star against them.

In the first NFL action of his career, Fitzpatrick threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Curtis in overtime to cap an improbable comeback and give the visiting Rams a 33-27 win over Houston.

Houston got the ball first in overtime but had to punt it away when David Carr was sacked on third down.

St. Louis rallied from a 21-point halftime deficit and scored 10 points in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter to force overtime.

Isaac Bruce scored on a 43-yard pass with 26 seconds left and the Rams recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. Torry Holt caught a 19-yard pass that set up Jeff Wilkins’ 47-yard field goal that tied the game at 27 with 4 seconds left.

Fitzpatrick, a seventh-round draft pick out of Harvard, proved an able replacement after backup Jamie Martin left late in the first quarter with a blow to the head. Fitzpatrick was 19 of 30 for 310 yards and three touchdowns.

Bears 13, Buccaneers 10

Alex Brown sacked Chris Simms to force a fumble that set up Chicago’s only TD and the Bears kept Tampa Bay out of the end zone until the fourth quarter in a win in Tampa, Fla.

The Bears still needed some help to ensure their first seven-game winning streak since 1986, prevailing after Matt Bryant missed a potential game-tying 29-yard field goal attempt for the Bucs with 2:47 to go.

Panthers 13, Bills 9

Third-string tight end Michael Gaines caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme with 2:16 remaining in the game to send Carolina to a victory over Buffalo in Orchard Park, N.Y.

The Bills’ last chance ended when Chris Gamble intercepted J.P. Losman’s throw to Roscoe Parrish in the left flat in the final minute.

Eagles 19, Packers 14

David Akers kicked four field goals and backup quarterback Mike McMahon played an efficient, error-free game, leading Philadelphia to a victory over visiting Green Bay.

The reigning conference champion Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak with their first win since Oct. 23 against San Diego.

Vikings 24, Browns 12

Brad Johnson threw three TD passes to Marcus Robinson, each of them set up by Cleveland turnovers, and Minnesota beat the visiting Browns.

Rookie C.J. Mosley and Keith Newman both forced fumbles by Trent Dilfer with sacks, leading to Robinson’s first two scores. Dilfer, who hurt his right knee in the third quarter, was replaced early in the fourth by rookie Charlie Frye – who was intercepted by Darren Sharper on his first play.

Dolphins 33, Raiders 21

Jason Taylor had three of Miami’s seven sacks, including a key safety, Gus Frerotte threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns, and visiting Miami snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over Oakland.

Ricky Williams broke open for a 34-yard touchdown run with 3:50 to play, and Vonnie Holliday also had three sacks to give Miami its sixth straight win over the Raiders.

Bengals 42, Ravens 29

Carson Palmer took advantage of Baltimore’s generous turnovers by throwing three touchdown passes, leading Cincinnati past visiting Baltimore.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh caught nine passes for 147 yards and Rudi Johnson ran for 114 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Bengals.

Jaguars 24, Cardinals 17

Derrick Wimbush returned a kick 91 yards for a touchdown, backup quarterback David Garrard ran 16 yards for a score and Jacksonville held on for a win over Arizona in Tempe, Ariz.

Jacksonville played without two of its offensive stars – quarterback Byron Leftwich went down with a broken ankle on their first offensive series and running Fred Taylor didn’t even suit up because of an ankle injury.

Saints 21, Jets 19

Aaron Brooks threw three TD passes and New Orleans broke a six-game losing streak with a win over New York in East Rutherford, N.J.

Mike Nugent made a career-high four field goals for the Jets, but his 53-yard attempt with 15 seconds left was short.

Titans 33, 49ers 22

Steve McNair threw for 343 yards in the game and three touchdowns in the third quarter, including two within 80 seconds, and Tennessee snapped a five-game losing streak by beating San Francisco in Nashville, Tenn.