|
Eagles power into the playoffs
NFL ACTION:
Philadelphia and New England secured their places in the playoffs, but there is still everything to play for elsewhere during the season's closing weeks
AP, PHILADELPHIA
Tuesday, Dec 09, 2003, Page 19
|
Duce Staley of the Philadelphia Eagles reaches across the goal line for the touchdown as the Dallas Cowboys Roy Williams tries to stop him in the third quarter of their game on Sunday at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 36-10.
PHOTO: EPA
|
The Philadelphia Eagles became the first team in the playoffs when Donovan McNabb threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
The Eagles (10-3) got their eighth straight victory and can clinch their third straight division title with two more victories or one win and another loss by the Cowboys (8-5). Philadelphia hasn't lost since a 23-21 defeat in Dallas on Oct. 12, while Dallas is 3-4 after a 5-1 start under new coach Bill Parcells.
Correll Buckhalter ran for 115 yards, including a 64-yard TD run in the fourth quarter that capped the scoring.
Patriots 12, Dolphins 0
In Foxboro, Massachusetts, the New England Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 12-0 Sunday to become the first team to clinch a division title this season.
Tedy Bruschi returned an interception 5 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown.
The Patriots (11-2) won their ninth consecutive game, including two over division rival Miami (8-5), which would give them an edge in a tiebreaker. The shutout was New England's second in four games, both 12-0, and the first sustained by the Dolphins in 32 games.
Colts 29, Titans 27
In Nashville, Tennessee, Edgerrin James ran for two touchdowns and Mike Vanderjagt kicked five field goals as the Colts swept the defending AFC South champion Titans, taking control of the division with three games remaining.
The Colts (10-3) improved to 6-1 on the road by scoring 19 straight points and forcing four fumbles, which they turned into nine points.
Ravens 31, Bengals 13
In Baltimore, Jamal Lewis ran for 180 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, and the Ravens gained sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
Lewis, the league's leading rusher, scored on runs of 1, 3 and 13 yards. Baltimore (8-5) has won seven straight at home against Cincinnati (7-6).
Vikings 34, Seahawks 7
In Minneapolis, Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss connected on a pair of long touchdown passes. The Vikings (8-5) played the way they did in September and October, before five losses in six games wiped out a 6-0 start.
Culpepper was 21-for-33 for 274 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers. Moss had eight receptions for 133 yards, including scores of 47 and 45 yards.
Redskins 20, Giants 7
In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Bruce Smith set the career mark for sacks when he trapped Jesse Palmer in the fourth quarter.
Smith tackled Palmer for a 7-yard loss with 8:33 to play. The 40-year-old defensive end put an inside power move on tackle Ian Allen, grabbed Palmer around the left ankle and pulled him down for his 199th sack.
Buccaneers 14, Saints 7
In New Orleans, Tampa Bay scored two touchdowns in the final 1:25 of the first half, including one by Warren Sapp on a 1-yard reception.
Losers of four of their last five, the defending Super Bowl champions need to win all their games to just finish above .500. They were determined to start a run by beating the Saints (6-7), who had beaten them in their last three meetings.
Packers 34, Bears 21
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, Mike McKenzie, burned early for a 61-yard score, returned his second interception of the day 90 yards for a touchdown.
The Packers (7-6) were clinging to a 19-14 lead when McKenzie stepped in front of receiver Dez White and picked off Kordell Stewart's pass at his 10-yard line and ran it all the way back.
Jaguars 27, Texans 0
In Jacksonville, Florida, Tony Brackens had two sacks to help Jacksonville stifle Houston's undermanned offense.
Chargers 14, Lions 7
In Detroit, LaDainian Tomlinson's best game as a receiver was enough to beat the Lions.
Steelers 27, Raiders 7
In Pittsburgh, the Raiders' collapse a season after playing in the Super Bowl reached new depths as they fell to 3-10.
49ers 50, Cardinals 14
In San Francisco, Terrell Owens caught seven passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns on his 30th birthday, and Jeff Garcia threw four TD passes and ran for two more scores.
Bills 17, Jets 6
In Orchard Park, New York, Travis Henry, playing with a broken bone in his right leg and torn rib cartilage, ran for a career-high 169 yards and a touchdown for Buffalo (6-7).
Broncos 45, Chiefs 27
In Denver, Clinton Portis had 218 yards and a team-record five touchdowns, keeping the Broncos within reach of the playoffs.
Falcons 20, Panthers 14
In Atlanta, Michael Vick rushed for 145 yards -- the third-highest total by a quarterback in NFL history -- before Kevin Mathis scored on a 32-yard interception return in overtime.
This story has been viewed 2089 times.
|