Panthers stay perfect, but need to hold off Packers
NEW YORK: Cam Newton threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as the Carolina Panthers remained unbeaten by holding off the Green Bay Packers 37-29. The Panthers (8-0) continued the best start in franchise history after nearly squandering a 23point fourth-quarter lead. Green Bay (6-2) lost consecutive games for the first time since November 2013. Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis intercepted Aaron Rodgers’ fourth-and-goal pass from the 4-yard line to seal the outcome.
Colts 27, Broncos 24
Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts spoiled the Denver Broncos’ perfect season and quarterback Peyton Manning’s potential record-setting day with a 27-24 victory. Adam Vinatieri kicked a 55-yard field goal with 6:13 for Indianapolis (4-5). Cornerback Darius Butler intercepted a Manning pass 13 seconds later, and Denver (7-1) never got the ball back.
Luck, who replaced Manning in Indianapolis following the 2011 season, completed 21 of 36 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Manning finished 21 of 36 for 281 yards and two touchdowns. He needed 284 yards to pass Brett Favre’s NFL career record and needed one victory for his 187th, which would break Favre’s NFL record.
Patriots 27, Redskins 10
The undefeated New England Patriots made it eight wins in a row, cruising to a 2710 victory over the mistaken-prone Washington Redskins. Quarterback Tom Brady threw two more touchdown passes and running back LeGarrette Blount ran for 129 yards and a touchdown as the Patriots scored 14 quick points before the Redskins ran their second play.
Brady was intercepted for only the second time this season, but rebounded with touchdown passes to wide receiver Julian Edelman and running back Brandon Bolden. Blount ran five yards for another score.
Vikings 21, Rams 18 (overtime)
Blair Walsh connected on a 40-yard field goal with 9:20 left in overtime to lift the Minnesota Vikings to a 21-18 win over the St Louis Rams.
The win lifted the Vikings (6-2) into a firstplace tie atop the NFC North with the Packers. Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein connected on a 53yard field goal to tie the score with 12 seconds left in regulation. Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley was limited to 89 yards and a touchdown, snapping a streak of four consecutive games of at least 100 yards.
Titans 34, Saints 28 (overtime)
Quarterback Marcus Mariota returned from a knee injury to throw four touchdown passes, including a 5-yarder in overtime, to spark the Tennessee Titans to a 34-28 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The win snapped the Titans’ six-game losing streak. Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 28 of 39 passes for 389 yards and three TDs, but they fell to 4-5.
Steelers 38, Raiders 35
Chris Boswell kicked an 18-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to give Pittsburgh a 38-35 victory over Oakland as the Steelers overcame the loss of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns before leaving in the fourth quarter with a foot injury. Antonio Brown’s 57-yard catch and run pass from backup quarterback Landry Jones got the Steelers (5-4) to the Raiders’ 15 in the final minute. Two plays later, Boswell kicked his third field goal of the day.
49ers 17, Falcons 16
Quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 17-16 victory against the Atlanta Falcons. Gabbert replaced Colin Kaepernick in the starting lineup for the 49ers (3-6) and completed 15 of 25 passes with two interceptions. Quarterback Matt Ryan completed 30 of 45 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown for the Falcons (6-3).
Giants 32, Buccaneers 18
Quarterback Eli Manning threw two touchdown passes, and the New York Giants earned a 32-18 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wide receiver Rueben Randle and running back Shane Vereen caught scoring passes for the Giants (5-4). The Bucs fell to 3-5.
Bills 33, Dolphins 17
Wide receiver Sammy Watkins and running back LeSean McCoy had their best games as Buffalo Bills in a 33-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo (4-4) ended a three-game home losing streak. Watkins caught eight passes for 163 yards and a 44-yard touchdown. McCoy rushed for 112 yards and scored on a 48-yard run before leaving with a shoulder injury. The Dolphins dropped to 3-5.
Jets 28, Jaguars 23
Running back Chris Ivory scored a pair of 1yard touchdowns and the New York Jets snapped a two-game losing streak by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-23. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was 21-of-34 for 272 yards and two touchdowns for the Jets (5-3). Quarterback Blake Bortles went 24-of-39 for 381 yards and two touchdowns for the Jaguars (2-6).
Eagles 33, Cowboys 27 (overtime)
Philadelphia quarterback Sam Bradford and wide receiver Jordan Matthews connected on a 41-yard touchdown on the first possession of overtime, lifting the Eagles to a 3327 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles not only avenged a Week 2 loss to Dallas but climbed back into the thick of the NFC East race at 4-4. Philadelphia trail the division-leading New York Giants (5-4) by a half-game. Bradford completed 25 of 36 passes for 295 yards with the one touchdown and no interceptions. Matthews had nine catches for 133 yards. —Reuters