Defense carries Lions to rare road win vs. Vikes
Matthew Stafford threw a touchdown pass to Theo Riddick, Joique Bell had a short scoring run and the Detroit Lions intercepted rookie Teddy Bridgewater three times and sacked him eight times on their way to a 17- 3 victory Sunday against the host Minnesota Vikings.
The Lions ( 4- 2) played without receiver Calvin Johnson ( ankle) and running back Reggie Bush ( ankle), but they limited the Vikings ( 2- 4) to 212 yards and did just enough offensively to escape with only their second victory in their last 17 games in Minneapolis.
Bridgewater led the Vikings to victory in his first NFL start Sept. 28 against the Atlanta Falcons but sat out their game Oct. 2 against the Green Bay Packers with a sprained left ankle. He was under pressure all day against the Lions and finished 23- for- 37 for 188 yards with the three interceptions.
Cowboys stun Seahawks
DeMarco Murray scored the go- ahead touchdown on a 15- yard run with 3: 16 left and joined Jim Brown as the only running backs in NFL history to open the season with six consecutive 100- yard games, and the visiting Dallas Cowboys limited the Seattle Seahawks to 206 yards of offense to earn a surprising 30- 23 victory.
Tony Romo threw two touchdown passes and Dan Bailey kicked three field goals for the Cowboys, who improved to 5- 1 for the first time since 2007. Russell Wilson had a subpar game, throwing for only 126 yards with no touchdowns and an interception for the Seahawks ( 3- 2).
Eagles blank Giants
Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes to offset two interceptions, LeSean McCoy ran for a season- high 149 yards and the host Philadelphia Eagles ( 5- 1) notched eight sacks in a 27- 0 domination of the New York Giants ( 3- 3). It was the Eagles’ first shutout since Dec. 1, 1996, against the Giants.
In addition to losing the game, the Giants lost receiver Victor Cruz for the season to a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. Cruz was crying and holding his hands to his face as he was carted off the field in the third quarter.
Best of the rest
Joe Flacco passed for 306 yards and threw for touchdowns the first five times the visiting Baltimore Ravens ( 4- 2) had the ball in a 48- 17 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ( 1- 5). The Ravens opened a 38- 0 lead at the half and coasted from there.
Tom Brady threw for 361 yards and four touchdowns, and the New England Patriots ( 4- 2) earned a 37- 22 victory against the host Buffalo Bills ( 3- 3). Brady improved to 23- 2 against the Bills, who were playing their first game under new owners Terry and Kim Pegula.
Peyton Manning passed for three touchdowns, leaving him two short of Brett Favre’s record of 508, and Aqib Talib returned an interception 22 yards for another score to fuel the visiting Denver Broncos ( 4- 1) to a 31- 17 victory against the New York Jets ( 1- 5).
Carson Palmer returned from a damaged nerve in his right shoulder to throw two touchdown passes, and Rashad Johnson returned and interceptions 28 yards for a score to carry the host Arizona Cardinals ( 4- 1) to a 30- 20 victory against the Washington Redskins ( 1- 5).
Mike Nugent missed a 36- yard field goal as time expired in overtime, forcing the Cincinnati Bengals ( 3- 1- 1) to settle for a 37- 37 tie against the visiting Carolina Panthers ( 3- 2- 1). It was the highestscoring tie in NFL history.