L. T. carries Chargers
Tomlinson racks up four TDs in win over the Jets Vermeil gambles big-time as Chiefs edge the Raiders
LaDainian Tomlinson and his Chargers teammates watched the Jets get one final chance to pull out an improbable victory. One thought must have crossed their minds: “Oh no. Not again.” No matter that Tomlinson was dazzling, with a career- high four touchdowns and one particularly impressive move that left Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law frozen in his tracks. Drew Brees fumbled with 3: 06 to go and a surprisingly effective Brooks Bollinger had 30 yards to lead the Jets to the winning score.
This was all too much for the Chargers, whose four losses all came in the closing minutes. But Quentin Jammer batted down a fade pass for Justin McCareins on fourth- and- goal, preserving a 31-26 victory at East Rutherford, N. J.
“ It was nice. So many times we’ve been on the losing end of games like this. I figured one game would have to go our way,” Tomlinson said. Tomlinson scored on three runs and one catch, becoming the first Charger since Chuck Muncie against Denver on Nov. 29, 1981, to have four touchdowns in one game. STEELERS at PACKERS:
Troy Polamalu returned Brett Favre’s fumble 77 yards for a touchdown and Tyrone Carter’s interception set up the offence’s only touchdown in Pittsburgh’s 20- 10 win over Green Bay. RAIDERS at CHIEFS:
Dick Vermeil was going to be the biggest fool or the shrewdest gambler. With five seconds left, Kansas City trailed by three and the ball was on the Oakland one- yard line. Kick a field goal to force overtime or go for the touchdown and risk losing? Vermeil went for the TD and Larry Johnson dived over the pile for a memorable 27- 23 victory. FALCONS at DOLPHINS:
With his best passing performance of the season, 22 of 31 for 228 yards, Michael Vick led four drives of more than 70 yards and Keion Carpenter’s interception stopped a scoring threat with less than three minutes left to help Atlanta beat Miami 17- 10. PANTHERS at BUCS:
Stephen Davis ran for two scores, Steve Smith caught his ninth TD pass of the season and Chris Gamble scored on a 61- yard interception return to lead surging Carolina to a 34- 14 rout of Tampa Bay. GIANTS at 49ERS:
Eli Manning passed for 251 yards and a TD while the New York defence yielded only 138 total yards in a 24- 6 victory over San Francisco. SEAHAWKS at CARDINALS: Shaun Alexander gained 173 yards on 23 carries, including TD runs of 88 and 14 yards, as Seattle won its fourth in a row by beating Arizona 33- 19. LIONS at VIKINGS:
Brad Johnson passed for 136 yards and two TDs in relief of the injured Daunte Culpepper, Michael Bennett rushed 18 times for 106 yards and Minnesota beat Detroit 27- 14. TITANS at BROWNS:
Reuben Droughns, who was arrested last week on a drunk-driving charge, rushed for 116 yards and caught a crucial third-down pass for 51 yards, powering Cleveland to a 20- 14 win over Tennessee. TEXANS at JAGUARS:
Byron Leftwich directed two long scoring drives in the fourth quarter to rally Jacksonville to a 21- 14 victory over Houston. BENGALS at RAVENS:
Carson Palmer threw two TD passes, Rudi Johnson ran for 97 yards and a score and Cincinnati kept Baltimore out of the end zone Sunday in a 21- 9 victory. BEARS at SAINTS:
Robbie Gould’s 28- yard field goal with six seconds left gave Chicago a 20- 17 win over New Orleans at Baton Rouge, La. Antowain Smith had 110 yards rushing for the Saints.