Patriots come from behind to deprive Chiefs in overtime
Adam Vinatieri won it for the Pats on a 35-yard field goal, but Tom Brady again had the hot hand for New England, going 39 for 54 for a career high 410 yards and four touchdowns.
The Chiefs’ Priest Holmes, who was the player of the week a year ago this week, rallied the Chiefs with two late touchdowns, the second with time running out, to force extra time.
Elsewhere, in the battle between two of the National Conference’s three undefeated teams, New Orleans Saints hit back from an early 20-0 disadvantage to stun the host Bears 29-23.
The Bears took advantage of three Saints' turnovers to grab the early lead. Then Aaron Brooks went to work, throwing for three Saints' scores and running seven yards for another. He hit rookie Donte’ Stallworth from 29 yards for the decisive touchdown with just over a minute to play.
In Houston, Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning - who was drafted first overall in 1998 - won the clash of No. 1 picks, as he steered heavily favoured Indianapolis to a 23-3 win over the Texans and quarterback David Carr, last April’s initial selection.
The Miami Dolphins made it 17 straight at Pro Player Stadium in September as they downed the New York Jets 30-3. Ricky Williams carried the load for Miami, now 3-0, running 24 times for 151 yards; he raced 53 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown to clinch it.
The Carolina Panthers, who wound up 1-15 a year ago, improved to 3-0 with a 21-14 conquest of the still winless Vikings. Dolphin reject Lamar Smith ran for 154 yards and two Carolina scores and veteran passer Rodney Peete threw for the other.
In Philadelphia, the Dallas Cowboys put an early scare in the Eagles when Reggie Swinton returned a kick-off 100 yards for a touchdown, but they struggled the rest of the way, the hosts romping 44-13. Donovan McNabb, who bulked up over the off season, passed for three touchdowns and ran for another to pace the Eagles in their home opener. Running back Brian Westbrook also threw for a score. Cleveland’s Tim Couch made his 2002 debut one to remember in Nashville when he threw for two late touchdowns to force overtime, then directed a 65-yard drive to set up Phil Dawson’s 35-yard field goal to give the Browns a 31-28 victory over the Titans.
The Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson had a pair of second quarter touchdown plunges to lead undefeated San Diego to a 23-15 win over the Cardinals. Arizona’s Jake Plummer tossed an interception - one of two on the day - to hand the Chargers their final points.
In Denver, the Broncos (3-0) opened up an early 14-0 lead, capitalising on a Travis Henry turnover for their first score, then hung on to defeat the Buffalo Bills 28-23.
Detroit’s highly regarded rookie quarterback Joey Harrington of Oregon marked his first start by tossing two touchdowns but also gave up one on an interception as the Green Bay Packers spoiled the Lions’ debut at Ford Field, winning 37-31.
Brett Favre threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns to pace the Packers, who led by as many as 17 points early in the final quarter.
The Giants’ Matt Bryant won the battle of kickers in East Rutherford, getting three field goals to two for Seattle’s Rian Lindell to give New York a 9 6 victory and leave the Seahawks at 0 3. Bryant’s third, from a career best 47 yards, came with just over two minutes remaining.
In San Francisco, the 49ers exacted revenge for a 38-7 pre-season loss to the Washington Redskins, opening up a 14-3 second quarter lead and coasting to a 20-10 victory.
Michael Vick completed 16 of 26 passes for 174 yards with touchdown passes of 20 and 13 yards to Brian Finneran as the Falcons handed the Cincinnati Bengals their latest embarrassing loss, 30-3.
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