Print

Mail

wiki links

NFL: Brady, Patriots hand Cowboys first defeat

A San Diego Chargers fan looks on in San Diego, California, on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots lived up to their reputation as big-game performers, handing the Dallas Cowboys their first defeat of the National Football League (NFL) season on Sunday.

In a rare clash of two 5-0 teams, and a duel between the league's two most prolific offenses, Brady threw for a career-high five touchdowns to lead the Pats to a 48-27 triumph.

Although they put up a valiant fight, the Cowboys ultimately couldn't stop the Patriots' dazzling offense.

New England have scored at least 34 points in each of their first six games, equalling a record set by the St. Louis Rams in 2000.

prolific

Brady also became the first quarterback to toss at least three touchdown passes in his first six games of the season.

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo bounced back from a career-worst five-interception performance against Buffalo yesterday to complete two touchdown passes with just one interception.

Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens had six receptions for a team-high 66 yards.

But the Patriots' numbers in the air dwarfed them. Donte Stallworth caught seven passes for 136 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Wes Welker had a career high 11 receptions for 124 yards, including two TDs.

Dallas trailed 21-17 at halftime, then took the lead 21-17 in the third.

But the Patriots responded immediately, taking the lead for good on their next possession.

"We really made the plays when we needed to," Brady said. "Down four in the third quarter, we responded and made some great plays. It was a great team win."

Super Bowl champions Indianapolis, the league's only other unbeaten team, had the week off.

The New Orleans Saints' wait for a first win of the season ended as they parlayed a a big first half into a 28-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Two other teams, St. Louis and Miami, remained winless.

The hapless Rams fell 22-3 to Baltimore, who set a franchise record with five interceptions.

The Rams 0-6 start matches the worst in franchise history, set in 1962 when they were based in Los Angeles.

The Cleveland Browns kept the Dolphins without a win with a 41-31 victory.

resilient

Vinny Testaverde, 43, became the oldest quarterback to win an NFL game as he led the Carolina Panthers to a 25-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Testaverde, a 20-year veteran, was out of a job although not officially retired when the injury-hit Panthers called him in last week.

"The hardest part aside from the mental part is the physical part," Testaverde said. "Just going from taking no reps, no practices, and not running around much was the toughest."

At 43 years and 335 days, Testaverde became the third-oldest quarterback to start an NFL regular-season game.

Steve DeBerg started at 44 years, 279 days on Oct. 25, 1998, and Warren Moon was 44 years, eight days when he started on Nov. 26, 2000.

The Philadelphia Eagles, seemingly energized by their bye week, defeated the New York Jets 16-9 in a game highlighted by quarterback Donovan McNabb's 75-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Curtis.

Long plays were the order of the day in Chicago, where Ryan Longwell's 55-yard field goal in the waning seconds lifted the Minnesota Vikings to a 34-31 victory over NFC North Rivals the Bears.

Adrian Peterson also notched touchdown runs of 73, 67, and 35 yards, setting the Vikings' single-game record with 224 rushing yards and equalling the club record of most touchdowns in a game.

In Green Bay, the Packers defense shut out the Washington Redskins in the second half and corner back Charles Woodson returned a fumble by Santana Moss 57 yards four a touchdown late in the third period to give the home team a 17-14 victory.

The sparkling defensive effort helped make up for a miscue by quarterback Brett Favre. Favre claimed yet another NFL record on Sunday, albeit a dubious one, breaking George Blanda's mark for career interceptions with his 248th.

The Jacksonville Jaguars pounced for their fourth victory in a row, downing AFC South division rivals Houston 37-17.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Tennessee Titans 13-10 thanks to a 43-yard field goal from Matt Bryant with 11 seconds remaining.

In other games, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Cincinnati Bengals 27-20 and San Diego defeated Oakland 28-14.
This story has been viewed 777 times.