AMERICAN FOOTBALL NEWS:THE INDIANAPOLIS Colts stayed unbeaten and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got their first win in almost a year in early week-nine games in the National Football League. Peyton Manning became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass 40,000 yards in one decade as he led the Colts to an eighth straight victory of the season.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE RESULTS: New Orleans Saints 30, Carolina Panthers 20; New York Giants 20, San Diego Chargers 21; San Francisco 49ers 27, Tennessee Titans 34; Seattle Seahawks 32, Detroit Lions 20; New Orleans Saints 35, Atlanta Falcons 27.
Manning needed to complete just 19 passing yards against the Houston Texans to break the barrier. Dan Marino had managed 33,508 yards in the 1990s, while Joe Montana completed 30,958 yards in the 1980s.
Manning totalled 318 yards and passed for a first-quarter touchdown in a 20-17 home win as the Colts held off a late Texans charge, having led the visitors 13-3 at half-time.
Texans quarterback Matt Schaunb passed to Ryan Moats for an unanswered third-quarter touchdown and running back Steve Slaton edged Houston in front with a one-yard rush for a fourth-quarter touchdown with six minutes and 41 seconds remaining.
Indianapolis, though, stayed perfect when Joseph Addai rushed for two yards into the end zone and sealed victory as the Texans slipped to 5-4.
The Buccaneers had not won since November 30th, 2008, and came into their home game against the Green Bay Packers with an 0-7 record for the current campaign.
Tampa Bay trailed the visitors 28-17 at Raymond James Stadium with just 3:36 remaining, but stormed into the lead with touchdowns from Kelln Winslow and Sammie Stroughter.
Then Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers saw his fourth-down pass picked off by Tanard Jackson, who ran 35 yards for a third touchdown of the quarter with 35 seconds left on the clock as Tampa won 38-28 and Green Bay slipped to 4-4.
Elsewhere, the Washington Redskins’ troubles continued as the Atlanta Falcons handed them a fourth straight defeat this season with a 31-17 loss at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons moved to 5-3 for 2009, while the Redskins are now 2-5.
The New England Patriots (6-2) strengthened their grip on the AFC East with a 27-17 home win over divisional rivals the Miami Dolphins (3-5), while the Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) did likewise with a 17-7 win over visiting AFC North rivals the Baltimore Ravens (4-4).
The Arizona Cardinals boosted theirs hopes of winning the NFC West as they won 41-21 at the inconsistent Chicago Bears.
Arizona are now 5-3, while the Bears now have a losing 4-5 record in an NFC North division, led by the 7-1 Minnesota Vikings, who had a bye week.
The Kansas City Chiefs still only have one win this season after they lost on the road in Florida, going down 24-21 at the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4).
Sunday’s late-night NFC East showdown that sent the Dallas Cowboys to the Philadelphia Eagles saw the visitors come away with a crucial 20-16 victory that sees them move ahead of their rivals in the race for the divisional title.
Both teams had gone into the game with 5-2 records for the season and the game was a close-run contest to underline the match-up.
The Eagles had begun the second half trailing 10-6, but Ellis Hobbs got the home crowd cheering with a 96-yard punt return into the end zone from the kick-off.
The joy was shortlived, however, as a referee’s flag brought attention to some holding by Philadelphia rookie Moise Fokou and the touchdown was ruled out.
McNabb gave his side some points soon after though, his 11-yard touchdown pass for Brent Selek finally edging the Eagles in front as the home side took a 13-10 lead into the final quarter.
The final quarter saw the Cowboys get their noses in front once again as Tony Romo threw a 49-yard pass for wide receiver Miles Austin, who cut inside from the sideline to score the decisive touchdown.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE:
NFC East
PWLTPctFAPts
Dallas C8620.75021715225
Philadelphia 8530.62521915324
New York G9540.55623220425
Washington R8260.25011315412
NFC North
PWLTPctFAPtsMinnesota 8710.87524417429
Green Bay P8440.50021517225Chicago B8440.50018019121
Detroit Lions8170.12513323714
NFC South
PWLTPctFAPts
New Orleans 88001.0030317439
Atlanta F8530.62520216626
Carolina P8350.37514819617
Tampa Bay B8170.12513423118
NFC West
PWLTPctFAPts
Arizona Card8530.62519816424
San F 49ers8350.37517417421
Seattle Sea8350.37516716718
St Louis R8170.125772218
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
AFC East
PWLTPctFAPts
New Eng Pat8620.75022511525
New York J8440.50017713420
Miami Dolp8350.37519320423
Buffalo Bills8350.37512316912
AFC North
PWLTPctFAPts
Cincinnati B8620.75018013523
Pittsburgh St8520.71416712920
Baltimore R8440.50020615426
Cleveland B8170.125782097
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
AFC South
PWLTPctFAPts
Indianapolis 88001.0021710826
Houston Tex9540.55621518826
Jacksonville 8440.50015719819
Tennessee T8260.25014823816
AFC West
PWLTPctFAPts
Denver Bronc7610.8571409615
San Diego Ch8530.62520617923
Oakland Raid8260.250782016
Kansas C C8170.12512620513
