Roethlisberger returns as impressive Steelers crush Cincinnati

CINCINNATI’S hopes of underlining their authority as AFC North leaders were undone as Ben Roethlisberger returned to lead division rivals Pittsburgh to a 27-13 NFL victory.

Roethlisberger passed for two touchdowns while the Bengals' Carson Palmer was intercepted twice in a game that matched the NFL's highest-rated quarterbacks. The Steelers improved to 4-2 as Roethlisberger improved his regular-season record to 17-1, including three wins against Palmer and the Bengals.

But Roethlisberger returned after missing one game with a hyper-extended and bruised left knee and attempted just 14 passes and completed nine for 93 yards.

But he threw for two more scores than Palmer, hitting rookie tight end Heath Miller with a two-yard touchdown early in the second quarter and connecting with Hines Ward on a three-yard scoring play in the third quarter.

In Philadelphia, the Eagles rallied to beat the San Diego Chargers, and in the process denied San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson's bid to set the NFL record for consecutive games with a touchdown.

Matt Ware returned a blocked field goal 65 yards for a touchdown with 2:25 remaining and cornerback Sheldon Brown also made a huge play in the closing minutes as the Philadelphia Eagles posted a 20-17 victory.

Indianapolis remain the NFL's only unbeaten team, their 38-20 victory ensuring the Houston Texans remained the league's only winless club.

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning completed 21 of 27 passes for 237 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while Edgerrin James rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns his third straight 100-yard game of the season.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning was also a winner as Amani Toomer caught a two-yard touchdown pass with five seconds left to lift New York to a thrilling 24-23 triumph over Denver.

Denver squandered a 23-10 lead in the fourth quarter. Tiki Barber scored on a four-yard run with 9:07 left to pull New York within 23-17. Jason Elam, who earlier kicked field goals of 49, 42 and 27 yards, missed a 48-yard attempt on Denver's next possession.

The Broncos then forced a turnover when cornerback Champ Bailey made a diving interception at the Denver 42. But the Broncos went three-and-out and the Giants took over at their own 17 with 3:29 remaining.

That was enough time for Eli Manning to engineer the winning drive, completing 9-of-13 passes for 74 yards. Toomer caught four passes on the drive, the last one a leaping catch in the end zone.

Elsewhere, Paul Edinger's 56-yard field goal on the final play of the game lifted beleaguered Minnesota to a 23-20 victory over NFC North rivals Green Bay.

In other games, Chicago beat Baltimore 10-6, Oakland beat Buffalo 38-17 and Arizona defeated Tennessee 20-10.

In Seattle, Seahawks cornerback Jordan Babineaux intercepted Drew Bledsoe in the closing seconds to set up Josh Brown's 50-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Seahawks to a 13-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.