The Baltimore Ravens, down by 17 points in the fourth quarter, stormed back behind Anthony Wright and a surprisingly struggling defense to beat the Seattle Seahawks 44-41 on Sunday.
Matt Stover kicked a 42-yard field goal with 6:32 left in overtime, capping the amazing comeback.
PHOTO: AFP
Wright, the third-string quarterback just three weeks ago, brought Baltimore (6-5) back with the finest performance of his career. He went 20-for-37 for 319 yards and a personal-best four touchdowns -- all to Marcus Robinson.
"It was looking very, very dim. But we just let it all hang out," said Wright, 2-5 as an NFL starter. "Everything came together. It's unbelievable, for us to be down as much as were and to come back."
Matt Hasselbeck threw a career-high five touchdown passes for the Seahawks, going 23-for-41 for 333 yards.
"We just needed one more play," Hasselbeck said. "One more play and we could have won the game. We should have won the game, and we just didn't make it."
Patriots 23, Texans 20, OT
In Houston, Tom Brady's 4-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Graham forced overtime, where Adam Vinatieri had his 37-yard field goal attempt blocked. But Vinatieri kicked a 28-yard game-winner with 41 seconds left that extended New England's winning streak to seven games.
The Patriots (9-2) were ready to end overtime quickly when Mike Vrabel picked off Tony Banks' pass on the first play. But Ramon Walker gave the Texans a stay with the first field goal block in franchise history.
Cowboys 24, Panthers 20
In Irving, Texas, Quincy Carter threw two touchdown passes to revive Dallas' sputtering offense in a battle for the best record in the NFC.
The Panthers were within 6 yards of tying the game with about five minutes left, then ended up settling for a 34-yard field goal in hopes of getting the ball back and working their late magic. Carolina has won six times in the final two minutes or overtime.
Colts 17, Bills 14
In Orchard Park, New York, Edger-rin James carried Indianapolis' banged-up offense to a comeback victory. James scored twice, including the winner on a fourth-down plunge from inside the 1 with 1:38 remaining.
James, who also scored on a 14-yard run, had 28 carries for 108 yards, his fourth 100-yard performance of the season, and third since he missed three games with a back injury.
Packers 20, 49ers 10
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, Ahman Green ran through San Francisco's stingy defense for 154 yards on 27 carries. Green set franchise records with his fourth straight 100-yard game and his eighth of the season. He also surpassed John Brockington as the second-leading rusher in team history, trailing only Jim Taylor.
Overall, Green Bay gained 243 yards on 48 carries.
Vikings 24, Lions 14
In Minneapolis, Corey Chavous and Brian Williams each returned interceptions for touchdowns late in the game and the Vikings sent the Lions (3-8) to their 22nd straight road loss.
The Lions tied the Buffalo Bills (1983-86) for the second-longest road skid in NFL history. The Houston Oilers (1981-84) own this dubious league record with 23 consecutive losses away from home.
Eagles 33, Saints 20
In Philadelphia, Donovan McNabb completed 16 of 25 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown, leading the Eagles (8-3) to their sixth straight victory. David Akers added four field goals.
Deuce McAllister had 184 yards rushing, including TD runs of 76 and 22 yards, and Aaron Brooks threw for 287 yards for the Saints (5-6), who had won four of five.
Steelers 13, Browns 6
In Cleveland, Pittsburgh capitalized on five Cleveland turnovers, Jerome Bettis ran for a season-high 93 yards and the Steelers (4-7) did not look like a tired team.
Steelers coach Bill Cowher complained about playing a road game six days after a Monday night loss in San Francisco.
Jets 13, Jaguars 10
In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Chad Pennington threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss with 26 seconds remaining, capping a 94-yard drive.
Jacksonville (2-9) took a 10-6 lead with 4:24 remaining when Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala scored on fourth-and-goal from inside the 1. Pennington and the Jets (4-7) could not do much offensively all game, but put together a winning drive helped by a controversial pass interference call on Fernando Bryant.
Rams 30, Cardinals 27, OT
In Tempe, Arizona, Jeff Wilkins kicked a 49-yard field goal with 10:22 left in overtime to give the Rams (8-3) sole possession of first place in the NFC West. It was Wilkins' second winning kick in a row; his 31-yarder last week beat the Bears.
Jeff Blake threw two second-half touchdown passes to rookie sensation Anquan Boldin and the Cardinals (3-8) rallied from a 14-point third-quarter deficit to take a 27-24 lead.
Chiefs 27, Raiders 24
In Kansas City, Missouri, Trent Green hit Marc Boerigter for 16 yards on fourth-and-14, then Morten Andersen booted a 35-yard field goal with four seconds left.
The Chiefs (10-1), who took their first loss last week at Cincinnati, maintained their one-game lead for home-field advantage in the AFC and swept the Raiders (3-8) for the first time since 1998.
Titans 38, Falcons 31
In Atlanta, Billy Volek took over for Steve McNair and threw his second career touchdown pass, rallying the Titans from a 21-point deficit. McNair, the leading passer in the NFL, left in the second quarter when he hurt his right calf.
Volek finished 9-for-15 for 117 yards. Before this season, he hadn't thrown a pass since 2001.
Bears 19, Broncos 10
In Denver, Kordell Stewart scored on a 1-yard run after replacing Chris Chandler, and Paul Edinger kicked four field goals.
Chicago (4-7) had 217 total yards coming off two-point losses.
In other NFL games: Bengals 34, Chargers 27; Dolphins 24, Redskins 23
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping