Buccaneers scupper Falcons’ chances of division title
A Tampa Bay pass-rush led by Derrick Brooks and Simeon Rice pressured Falcons quarterback Michael Vick into a career-high four turnovers leading to 20 points, as the Buccaneers cruised to a 27-0 victory.
The defeat denied the 9-3 Falcons a chance to clinch the NFC South division title, although they still have a commanding four-game lead with four to play.
The Eagles have already clinched the NFC East title, but quarterback Donovan McNabb showed no signs of letting up as he threw a career high five touchdown passes in a 47-17 victory over Green Bay.
McNabb went 24-of-28 for 303 yards in the first half and finished 32-of-43 for a franchise-record 464 yards. He also set a career high in completions.
In Jacksonville, Pittsburgh's rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger calmly led his team into field goal range and Jeff Reed connected from 37 yards with 18 seconds left as the Steelers edged the Jaguars 17-16.
Roethlisberger, the 11th pick in April's draft, improved to 10-0 as a starter and led a comeback for the third time in his young career. The latest victory for the Steelers (11-1) kept them tied with New England and Philadelphia for the best record in the league. The Patriots gave Cleveland's new interim coach Terry Robiskie a rude welcome to the head coaching ranks, trouncing the Browns 42-15.
The St Louis Rams, already missing Marshall Faulk, lost Marc Bulger early but squeezed out a crucial home win, 16-6 over San Francisco, to keep the Rams within one-half game of first-place Seattle in the NFC West.
The resurgent Buffalo Bills kept themselves within striking distance of the playoffs as they outgunned Miami 42-32 in an unlikely shootout.
In Baltimore, Cincinnati's Carson Palmer threw three fourth-quarter touchdowns and engineered an impressive last-minute drive to set up the winning field goal in a 27-26 victory over AFC North rivals the Ravens. Peyton Manning continued his march toward history as AFC South leaders Indianapolis defeated division stragglers Tennessee 51-24.
The San Diego Chargers intercepted Jake Plummer four times and held Reuben Droughns to 24 yards rushing in a pivotal 20-17 victory over AFC West foes Denver.
In another AFC West battle, Trent Green shrugged off sore ribs to make his 60th straight start and lifted Kansas City to a 34-27 victory over Oakland.
The New York Jets welcomed Chad Pennington back at quarterback after two games missed with a shoulder injury.
Pennington showed no signs of rust, completing 20-of-27 for 155 yards and two touchdowns as the Jets beat Houston 29-7.
In New Orleans, John Kasay kicked a franchise-record six field goals and Nick Goings recorded his third straight 100-yard game as Carolina beat a listless New Orleans 32-21 for their fourth straight victory.
Detroit beat Arizona 26-12, Chicago defeated Minnesota 24-14 and Washington beat the Giants 31-7.
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