Colts rally from 17-0 hole, reach 11-0 mark
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Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning and the Colts bounced back from a 17-points deficit for the second time this season on Sunday. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS |
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The Associated Press - Published: November 30, 2009
HOUSTON — Peyton Manning threw for three touchdowns and the Colts rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit Sunday for a 35-27 win, their 20th straight regular-season victory. Indianapolis (11-0) is one win shy of the New England Patriots' NFL-record 21-game run from 2006-08. The Colts can tie the record if they beat Tennessee at home next weekend.
The Colts improved to 15-1 against Houston (5-6).
Manning threw two first-half interceptions, but had a pair of second-half TD passes, including a 4-yarder to Dallas Clark that gave the Colts a 21-20 lead with about nine minutes left.
Clint Session stretched the lead to 28-20 when he returned an interception by Matt Schaub 26 yards for a touchdown seconds later. Schaub fumbled on Houston's next possession and Chad Simpson's touchdown run put the game out of reach.
Source: Eli Manning
has stress reaction
NEW YORK — Giants quarterback Eli Manning has developed a stress reaction in his right foot that could eventually lead to further injuries which might sideline him indefinitely.
A person familiar with Manning's injury told The Associated Press about the latest problem Sunday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team has not officially confirmed the problem.
Manning has suffered from plantar fasciitis — an injury to the band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and inserts into the heel — since hurting the foot against Kansas City on Oct. 4. The stress reaction is not an unexpected development, but the team wants to prevent a stress fracture that could end Manning's year.
An aggressive treatment program has included bone stimulation and having Manning wear special shoes offering his foot more support. He has limped at times during games, but has denied his passing accuracy has been affected.
The Giants were 4-0 after their win at Kansas City, but now are 6-5 and Manning has struggled in recent weeks, even though the plantar fasciitis has healed.
The stress reaction was first reported by ESPN.com.
Bengals 16, Browns 7
CINCINNATI — Newcomer Larry Johnson rushed for 107 yards in Cincinnati's conservative approach, and the Bengals completed their first division sweep.
The Bengals (8-3) went 6-0 in the division with a retooled run-first offense and a stout defense that has carried them into first place. They rushed for 210 yards, with Johnson — signed less than two weeks ago as insurance — subbing for Cedric Benson, out for the second straight week with an injured hip.
The Browns (1-10) reached double-digit losses for the eighth time in their 11 years as an expansion team. Cincinnati now has the longest stretch of domination in the series' history, winning nine of the past 11 games.
Cincy scored with no time remaining in the second quarter. Carson Palmer was running toward the sideline with the clock running out when Shaun Rogers caught him from behind and made a horse-collar tackle, slamming the quarterback hard on his back. A dazed Palmer rolled over and lay face-down for several seconds, then got up and walked off slowly without assistance.
The penalty gave the Bengals an extra play with no time left, and Shayne Graham matched his career high with a 53-yard field goal that made it 13-0. It was the second week in a row that a Browns penalty resulted in an extra play and points. Safety Hank Poteat's interference in the end zone in Detroit set up an extra play last week, allowing Matthew Stafford to throw a touchdown pass for the Lions' 38-37 victory.
Eagles 27, Redskins 24
PHILADELPHIA — David Akers kicked a 32-yard field goal with 1:48 remaining and the Eagles rallied. A week ago, Donovan McNabb led the Eagles (7-4) to a late touchdown in a 24-20 win at Chicago. It was the first time Philadelphia came from behind in the final quarter and won since a 33-25 victory at Washington on Nov. 11, 2007.
Akers made all four of his field goals, extending his streak to 16. Asante Samuel had two interceptions and McNabb threw for 260 yards and one TD.
Jason Campbell had 231 yards passing and two TDs for Washington, which fell short at the end for the second straight week. The injury-depleted Redskins (3-8) lost 7-6 at Dallas last weekend.
Already playing without star running back Brian Westbrook, the Eagles lost big-play receiver DeSean Jackson in the second half to head and neck injuries.
Falcons 20, Buccaneers 17
ATLANTA — Chris Redman threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White with 23 seconds remaining, and the Falcons pulled out a victory after losing offensive stars Matt Ryan and Michael Turner to injuries.
The Falcons (6-5) were in deep trouble after Jason Elam missed another field goal try, from 43 yards, and the Bucs (1-10) drove into Atlanta territory.
But Connor Barth just missed on a 51-yard try with 2:30 left, giving the Falcons one more chance. Redman, who took over after Ryan injured his right big toe on Atlanta's first series, calmly directed a 59-yard drive that may have saved the season.
On fourth-and-goal at the 5, Redman hit White on a slant while cornerback Derrick Roberson made a futile swipe at the ball.
The Falcons lost Turner in the third quarter. He apparently reinjured his right ankle, a problem that kept him out of the previous game.
Bills 31, Dolphins 14
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — A 56-yard field goal by Rian Lindell and a 51-yard touchdown catch by Terrell Owens in the final minutes propelled the Bills, who scored 24 points in the fourth quarter. The win was the first for interim coach Perry Fewell, who replaced the fired Dick Jauron two games ago.
Lindell's career-best field goal with 3:35 left put the Bills (4-7) ahead for the first time at 17-14. Just 72 seconds later, Ryan Fitzpatrick teamed up with Owens on their scoring play and Fred Jackson's second TD of the game, a 7-yard run with 1:20 left, closed out the scoring as the Bills ended a three-game losing streak. Jackson ran for 73 yards and scored on a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
Ricky Williams had 115 yards rushing and a touchdown, but the Dolphins (5-6) couldn't overcome Chad Henne's three interceptions — on Miami's final three possessions.
Porter had two of the Dolphins' six sacks.
Jets 17, Panthers 6
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Darrelle Revis got the Jets' defense in the end zone for the first time this season. Revis returned one of the Jets' four interceptions 67 yards for a touchdown and New York overcame an injury scare to quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Thomas Jones had a 3-yard touchdown run as the Jets (5-6) won at home for the first time since beating Tennessee in Week 3, sending the Panthers (4-7) to their second straight loss.
Carolina had a chance late to make it a one-score game, but Dwayne Jarrett's 28-yard touchdown catch was wiped off the scoreboard when he was called for offensive pass interference. Kerry Rhodes, demoted in favor of Eric Smith, picked off Jake Delhomme on the next play for his second interception of the game.
With the Jets leading 14-3, Sanchez scrambled to the right sideline and was tackled out of bounds by Richard Marshall after an 8-yard gain. He stayed down for a few moments as the trainers checked out his left knee. Helped to the sideline, Sanchez put very little weight on the leg. He sat on a table, where he flexed his leg and then put a brace on. Sanchez was replaced by Kellen Clemens for four plays, but came back on the next offensive series.
Seahawks 27, Rams 17
ST. LOUIS — Justin Forsett set career highs with 130 yards and two touchdowns and the go-ahead score came on the Seahawks' third defensive touchdown of the season.
Seattle (4-7) had been 0-5 on the road but ended the drought against the Rams (1-10), who have lost 11 in a row at home.
Olindo Mare added field goals of 29 and 38 yards, tying the franchise record of 16 straight shared by Josh Brown, now with the Rams. The Seahawks had been outscored 161-73 during an 0-5 road start, and kept the Rams down by intercepting Kyle Boller twice and sacking him four times.
The announced attendance of 47,475 was the Rams' worst in 15 seasons in St. Louis.
Steven Jackson was the lone bright spot for the Rams with 89 yards rushing on 23 carries and a late score after missing three days of practice due to back spasms. He fell short of a fifth straight 100-yard game.
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