NFL: ‘Overrated’ Williams leads Texans to win
Mario Williams dragged down Jay Cutler for the third time, jumped up and sashayed like a hula dancer.
Last year’s No. 1 pick had a career-high 3 1/2 sacks to lead the host Houston Texans to a 31-13 victory over the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.
With its seventh of the season, Houston tied the franchise record for victories.
Texans (7-7) fans yelled “overrated” when Williams was picked, but chanted his name Thursday as he posed Superman-like with his hands on his hips for several seconds after he took Cutler down for the second time.
Williams’ performance made him Houston’s career sack leader with 17 1/2 .
He’s had a sack in a team-record five straight games and has 13 for the season and nine in the last five games.
His sack of Cutler forced a fourth down and the Broncos (6-8) went for it, but the pass fell short, giving Houston the ball.
Ron Dayne, who didn’t start because of a sore ankle, scored on a 6-yard run on the ensuing drive to push Houston’s lead to 17-6. The Texans all seemed amped up for their first primetime game since 2005 and their first game with the roof open this season.
Vick’s letter released
Michael Vick declared “I am not the bad person or beast I’ve been made out to be” and asked for leniency in a letter to the federal judge who sentenced him to 23 months in prison for a dogfighting conspiracy.
Vick made his handwritten plea from jail as he awaited Monday’s sentencing by Judge Henry E. Hudson. His five-page letter and several others from Vick supporters were released by the U.S. District Court in Richmond on Thursday.
“I take full responsibility for my actions and am ashamed that my actions hurt animals and allowed animals to be hurt and killed,” Vick wrote. “… Your Honor, I just ask for a second chance.”
Rivers back at practice
Philip Rivers hobbled through half of San Diego’s practice, increasing the chances he’ll play in Sunday’s home game against Detroit.
Rivers said his sprained left knee is getting better. He took half his normal snaps a day after taking none.
Rivers was hurt in Sunday’s game at Tennessee, but returned to lead the AFC West-leading Chargers (8-5) to an overtime win.
Redman supports Petrino
Quarterback Chris Redman might be the only Atlanta Falcons player who supports Bobby Petrino, who abruptly resigned this week to take the coaching job at Arkansas.
“I appreciated everything he did,” Redman said. “Do I agree with the way he left? No, not really, but he left us a note in our locker saying he was doing what was best for him and his family to go ahead and resign.
“If he feels that way, I wish him the best of luck.”