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Patriots set record with 19th win

Seahawks cornerback Ken Lucas, left, intercepts a pass intended for Rams wide receiver Torry Holt in the first quarter at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington on Sunday. PHOTO: AP

The New England Patriots set an NFL record for consecutive wins, counting playoffs, with plenty of help from the winless Miami Dolphins.

The Patriots won their 19th straight on Sunday, a 24-10 victory built on two touchdown passes by Tom Brady and two more turnovers by the offensively inept Dolphins.

This Miami team is nothing like the one that no longer shares the record. That team went 17-0 in 1972 and won its opener in 1973.

The Dolphins fell to 0-5, matching their worst start in history as an expansion team in 1966.

New England (4-0) surpassed the mark of 18 straight wins achieved by five other teams: Chicago in 1933-1934 and again in 1941-1942; Miami in 1972-1973; San Francisco in 1989-1990; and Denver in 1997-1998.

The Dolphins' problems began before the game when kicker Olindo Mare left the field on a cart with an injured right calf. They continued until the end when quarterback Jay Fiedler suffered a rib injury on a 12-yard sack that pushed the ball back to the New England 13. Two plays later, his replacement, A.J. Feeley, was shaken up when hit by Rosevelt Colvin as a fourth-down pass fell incomplete. Miami also added to its NFL-high 14 turnovers.

Lions 17, Falcons 10

In Atlanta, the Lions finally scored a touchdown rushing and harassed Michael Vick into three turnovers, preventing the Falcons from going 5-0 for the first time in franchise history.

Steelers 34, Browns 23

In Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger, becoming more comfortable and more productive with each start, confused Cleveland (2-3) with his running and creativity and the Steelers won their third in a row behind the rookie quarterback.

Duce Staley ran for 117 yards, his third consecutive 100-yard game, and scoring on a 25-yard run following rookie Richard Colclough's 59-yard return of the opening kickoff.

Colts 35, Raiders 14

In Indianapolis, Peyton Manning completed 16 of 26 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns, while Edgerrin James ran for 136 yards and a score to lead the Colts to their fourth straight win.

Giants 26, Cowboys 10

In Irving, Texas, five games into the season, the Giants already matched last year's win total.

Tiki Barber ran for 122 yards and a touchdown and Steve Christie kicked four field goals to give the Giants their fourth win in a row.

Vikings 34, Texans 28, OT

In Houston, the upstart Texans proved they're never out of any game. The Vikings and quarterback Daunte Culpepper showed them what it takes to close one out.

Culpepper threw five touchdown passes, the last a 50-yarder to Marcus Robinson on the Vikings' second possession in overtime.

Buccaneers 20, Saints 17

In New Orleans, it was not Chris Simms, son of 1987 Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms, who led the Buccaneers (1-4) to their first victory of the season.

Simms, making his first NFL start, hurt his throwing shoulder in the first quarter and was replaced by Brian Griese, son of Bob Griese, who played in three Super Bowls.

Rams 33, Seahawks 27, OT

In Seattle, Marc Bulger threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Shaun McDonald less than 3 minutes into overtime, ending Seattle's 10-game home winning streak.

Bulger led a 17-point rally by throwing two TD passes in the final 5:34 of regulation. Jeff Wilkins kicked a 36-yard field goal with 8 seconds left to force overtime. The Rams improved to 3-2.

Jets 16, Bills 14

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Doug Brien kicked a 38-yard field goal with 58 seconds remaining to move the Jets to 4-0 for the second time in franchise history.

Chad Pennington went 31-of-42 for 304 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

49ers 31, Cardinals 28, OT

In San Francisco, Tim Rattay threw two touchdown passes and got two 2-point conversions in the final 4:35, and Todd Peterson kicked a 32-yard field goal with 11:37 left in overtime for the 49ers' first victory of the season.
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