NFL Notes: Titan, Texan tangle includes fistfight
Andre Johnson finally had enough from Cortland Finnegan, sparking a fistfight for which both were ejected, and that could lead to further discipline from the NFL.
Finnegan set it off by pushing up Johnson’s face mask at the line of scrimmage. Johnson ripped off Finnegan’s helmet and landed at least two punches to Finnegan’s head and neck. Finnegan tore off Johnson’s helmet before players and referees intervened.
The game was halted for more than five minutes as officials sorted out the chaos. Johnson received a standing ovation as security guards escorted him off the field. Finnegan taunted booing fans as he exited out the opposite tunnel.
Vick throws first pick in four years
Michael Vick has thrown his first interception in four years.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback had gone 238 passes without one when he was picked off by Chicago’s Chris Harris late in the first half against the Bears.
Vick previous interception was on Dec. 24, 2006, when he threw one for Atlanta against Carolina.
The streak came to an end on his 21st attempt of the game and 212th of the season.
With the Eagles at the Chicago 4 and trailing by one, Chris Harris picked off a pass in the end zone that teammate Tommie Harris tipped and ran it back to the 37.
Vick spent 1 1/2 years in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring and was a backup last season.
Harrison penalized for roughing QB
Pittsburgh Steelers hard-hitting linebacker James Harrison has incurred a costly roughing-the-passer penalty against Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick on Sunday.
With 4:45 to go in the third quarter, Harrison came untouched up the middle of the line on a Pittsburgh blitz. The linebacker drove Fitzpatrick into the ground, and he was flagged for leading with his helmet.
Jackson’s return doesn’t last long
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson injured a calf in the first quarter of his game against the Indianapolis Colts and did not return.
Jackson was playing for the first time this season after a protracted holdout. He had served a three-game suspension imposed by the team because of the holdout. He did not have a catch.