DENVER (AP) — Peyton Manning joined Brett Favre in the NFL’s most exclusive of clubs with his 500th touchdown pass as the Broncos beat the Cardinals 41-20 for Arizona’s first loss of the season.
Manning finished with four TD throws, moving him within five of Favre’s record 508. Manning found tight end Julius Thomas twice in the end zone, including the touchstone touchdown, a 7-yard dart in the first quarter.
Yet, it was wide receiver Demaryius Thomas who had the biggest day for the Broncos (3-1) with eight catches for a team-record 226 yards and two TDs. That beat Shannon Sharpe’s mark of 214 yards set against Kansas City in 2002.
Arizona (3-1) saw quarterback Drew Stanton leave with a possible concussion.
Browns 29, Titans 28
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Brian Hoyer threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin with 1:09 left, and the Browns rallied from a 25-point deficit for the biggest comeback in franchise history.
SEE ALSO: Andrew Luck, Colts hold off Ravens in fourth quarter
The Browns (2-2) had never rallied from more than 20 points, and easily topped the comeback on Dec. 4, 1966, when Cleveland trailed the Giants 34-14 and won 49-40, according to STATS. It was the biggest road comeback in NFL history.
They couldn’t have made it tougher on themselves as they fell behind 28-3 in the first half. They snapped a seven-game road skid scoring 26 unanswered points, including 16 in the fourth quarter.
The Titans (1-4) had a massive collapse — their biggest since moving to Tennessee in 1997.
Jake Locker didn’t return after hurting his right thumb in the second quarter, and backup Charlie Whitehurst couldn’t protect the big lead.
Saints 37, Buccaneers 31, OT
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Khiry Robinson’s tackle-breaking, 18-yard touchdown run in overtime lifted the Saints.
Pierre Thomas caught eight passes out of the backfield for 77 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 35 yards and a score to help New Orleans (2-3) overcome Drew Brees’ three interceptions — and an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Brees completed 35 of 57 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns, but two of his interceptions led directly to Buccaneers touchdowns. His third ended a potential winning drive in the final minute of regulation.
Making his second straight start for Tampa Bay (1-4), Mike Glennon was 19 for 32 for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once and sacked by Junior Galette for a safety in the fourth quarter.
Cowboys 20, Texans 17, OT
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dan Bailey kicked a 49-yard field goal in overtime after a miss at the end of regulation ended his franchise record streak of made kicks. Bailey’s kick was set up when Tony Romo threw off his back foot with pressure coming and Dez Bryant made a spectacular leaping catch for 37 yards.
The Cowboys (4-1) won their fourth straight for the first time since 2011 despite blowing a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.
The Texans (3-2) rallied behind Arian Foster, who had 157 yards rushing and a tying 1-yard score with 41 seconds left in regulation.
Bailey’s miss from 53 yards on the final play of regulation ended a franchise record streak of 30 straight made field goals.
Chargers 31, Jets 0
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes to Antonio Gates and rookie running back Branden Oliver’s big day included his first two NFL touchdowns.
The Chargers (4-1) heaped more pain on the Jets (1-4), who lost their fourth straight game and turned to Michael Vick. Vick replaced Geno Smith on New York’s first possession of the second half, but wasn’t any more effective.
Other than being sacked three times, Rivers had his way with the Jets. He was 20 of 28 for 288 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.
It was the first shutout in the NFL this season.
The Chargers’ last shutout victory was 31-0 against Kansas City on Dec. 12, 2010. The Jets were blanked for the first time since losing 34-0 against San Francisco on Sept. 30, 2012.
49ers 22, Chiefs 17
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Colin Kaepernick threw for 201 yards and a touchdown, Frank Gore ran for 107 yards and the 49ers converted a fake punt.
The 49ers (3-2) turned to a trick play on fourth-and-1 from their 29 early in the fourth quarter, giving a direct snap to Craig Dahl for a 3-yard run up the middle. Kaepernick directed the offense downfield, and Phil Dawson kicked a 27-yard field goal with 8:42 to play for the go-ahead score.
Dawson also connected from 55, 52, 35 and 30 yards.
The 49ers held off former franchise quarterback Alex Smith and the Chiefs (2-3) twice in the closing moments. Smith threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns, but Perrish Cox intercepted his overthrown pass to end any chance Kansas City had to rally.
Panthers 31, Bears 24
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton threw two touchdown passes to Greg Olsen and the Panthers’ defense forced four turnovers to overcome a 14-point deficit.
With the game tied at 24, Carolina’s Antoine Cason stripped Matt Forte of the ball and the Kawaan Short recovered at Chicago’s 23. Six plays later, Newton found Olsen on a slant route for a 6-yard touchdown with 2:18 left.
The Panthers sealed the win when Short sacked Jay Cutler and Charles Johnson recovered a fumble as the Panthers (3-2) snapped a two-game losing streak and reclaimed first place in the NFC South.
Newton was 19 of 35 for 255 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception. Olsen had six catches for 72 yards.
Cutler was 28 of 36 for 289 yards with two TDs, but turned over the ball tree times for the Bears (2-3).
Bills 17, Lions 14
DETROIT (AP) — Dan Carpenter hit a 58-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining to lift Buffalo.
Kyle Orton, making his debut as Bills starter, set up the decisive kick by completing a 20-yard pass over the middle to Sammy Watkins as Buffalo (3-2) overcame a 14-0 deficit. It was the eighth game Orton has won in overtime or when trailing in the fourth quarter.
Orton went 30 of 43 for 308 yards with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Chris Gragg.
The Lions (3-2) were undone by kicker Alex Henery missing all three field-goal attempts, including a 50-yarder wide left with 21 seconds left. Receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Reggie Bush both injured ankles in the loss.
Eagles 34, Rams 28
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes, while the defense and special teams each scored.
The Eagles (4-1) rebounded from a tough loss at San Francisco with a strong all-around performance until the end. Chris Maragos returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, Cedric Thornton recovered a fumble for a score and nearly took another one the distance.
But Austin Davis rallied the Rams (1-3) from a 34-7 deficit with three straight scores, including a 5-yard pass to Brian Quick that cut it to 34-28 with 4:41 left.
The Rams had a chance to win when they got the ball at their 7 with 1:47 left. Davis threw a 43-yard pass to Quick on first down, but Philadelphia’s defense finally made a stop.
Giants 30, Falcons 20
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — First-round draft pick Odell Beckham Jr. made his NFL debut a memorable one, catching a go-ahead 15-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning with 10:02 left.
Fellow rookie Andre Williams scored on a 3-yard run to ignite the second-half rally that saw the Giants (3-2) come from 10 points down to win their third straight game.
Manning threw for two touchdowns and Josh Brown added two late field goals.
Ryan threw for 316 yards and a touchdown playing behind a banged-up offensive line that held up until the very end. Atlanta (2-3) dropped its second straight.
Steelers 17, Jaguars 9
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Brice McCain returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown, helping the Steelers overcome a mediocre offensive performance.
McCain stepped in front of receiver Allen Hurns early in the fourth quarter, intercepted rookie Blake Bortles’ wobbly sideline pass and went untouched the other way.
It was just what the Steelers (3-2) needed to gain a little breathing room in a game much tighter than they probably expected.
The Jaguars (0-5) didn’t want a moral victory, but surely they will try to build on a close loss after dropping their past five games by double digits.
Bortles, making his first start at home, completed 22 of 36 passes for 191 yards. He was hampered by several dropped passes — three by Hurns — and a handful of untimely penalties.
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