The San Diego Chargers continued their domination over Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts with a crushing 36-14 victory on Sunday.
The Chargers (6-5) intercepted Manning four times, returning two for touchdowns, as they defeated the Colts for the fifth time in their last six meetings.
“It has that same feeling when we play the Colts, it’s like a playoff game,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers told reporters after throwing for 185 yards and not committing any turnovers.
San Diego’s fourth straight victory overall kept the team one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West Division lead, while Indianapolis (6-5) remained tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars at the top of the AFC South.
The Chargers took a 16-14 halftime lead thanks in part to Kevin Burnett’s 29-yard interception return in the first quarter and completely controlled the second half.
Eric Weddle picked off Manning and went 41 yards for a score in the third quarter as the Chargers stormed ahead 26-14, while Mike Tolbert added a three-yard -touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Nate Kaeding converted five field-goals for the Chargers.
The struggles continued for Manning, who now has seven interceptions in his last two games — the most over any two-week span in his career.
Manning threw for 285 yards and two scores, but it was another forgettable game against San Diego for one of the NFL’s most decorated players.
The Colts lost for the third time in four games as they played without injured running back Joseph Addai (shoulder), wide receiver Austin Collie (concussion) and tight end Dallas Clark (wrist), who is out for the season.
BEARS 31, EAGLES 26
In Chicago, Jay Cutler tied a career high with four touchdown passes as Chicago took sole possession of first place in the NFC North.
The win was the Bears (8-3) fourth straight and put them a game ahead of Green Bay.
FALCONS 20, PACKERS 17
In Atlanta, Georgia, Matt Bryant kicked a 47-yard field-goal with nine seconds remaining to give the NFC-leading Falcons their fifth straight win.
The Falcons (9-2) have their longest winning streak since 1998 and assured themselves of a third straight winning season. Of course, they have much higher aspirations sitting atop the conference standings with five weeks to go.
STEELERS 19, BILLS 16 OT
In Orchard Park, New York, Shaun Suisham kicked a 41-yard field-goal with 2 minutes,14 seconds left in overtime to lift the Steelers over the BuffaloBills.
Buffalo (2-9) blew an opportunity to win it with 10 minutes, 30 seconds left in overtime. Wide receiver Stevie Johnson got in behind the Steelers secondary, but dropped a 40-yard pass on the run, while he was two yards into the end zone.
VIKINGS 17, REDSKINS 13
In Landover, Maryland, Brett Favre was perfect on two scoring drives as Minnesota won Leslie Frazier’s NFL head coaching debut, despite Adrian Peterson’s early injury.
Favre went three-for-three on the Vikings’ opening possession, which ended with a -five--yard touchdown run by Peterson.
The 41-year-old quarterback was five-for-five on the first drive of the second half, capped by a five-yard TD from rookie Toby Gerhart, who took over after Peterson left in the second quarter with a bad right ankle.
GIANTS 24, JAGUARS 20
In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Eli Manning threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Boss with 3 minutes, 15 seconds to play as the Giants rallied to snap a two-game losing streak and end the Jaguars’ three-game winning streak.
Manning also threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham, Lawrence Tynes kicked three field-goals and the defense came up with three consecutive sacks and a late turnover with 1 minute, 25 seconds to go as the Giants (7-4) rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit.
In Sunday’s other action, it was:
‧ Browns 24, Panthers 23
‧ Dolphins 33, Raiders 17
‧ Chiefs 42, Seahawks 24
‧ Rams 36, Broncos 33
‧ Ravens 17, Buccaneers 10
‧ Texans 20, Titans 0
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