Jets 29 at Colts 15
The Indianapolis Colts won’t go undefeated this season.
The Colts (14-1) pulled Peyton Manning and a handful of other starters with a 15-10 lead and 5:36 left in the third quarter, and the New York Jets took advantage to rally for a 29-15 victory that ended the NFL’s longest regular-season winning streak at 23.
Brad Smith opened the second half with a 106-yard kickoff return to give New York (8-7) a 10-9 lead. The Colts regained the lead at 15-10 when Donald Brown scored on a one-yard run.
But after Manning left, Marques Douglas returned a fumble from Manning’s replacement, Curtis Painter, one yard for a score. The Jets sealed it with a 43-yard field goal and Thomas Jones’ one-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. They will make the playoffs if they beat Cincinnati next Sunday.
It was the Colts’ first loss since Oct. 27, 2008 at Tennessee, and it ended a franchise-record 13-game winning streak at home.
On the second series the starters sat out, fans started booing. The boos grew louder with each play, reaching a crescendo when Manning’s replacement was hit by Calvin Pace while setting to throw and lost the ball. Douglas fell on it and rolled into the end zone for the go-ahead score with 1:29 left in the third quarter.
During the rest of the game, players like Manning and Wayne could be seen with dejected looks.
Jaguars 7 at Patriots 35
Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes, three to Randy Moss, and the young defence put together its third straight solid game as New England beat Jacksonville.
Chiefs 10 at Bengals 17
Carson Palmer’s touchdown pass to Chad Ochocinco completed a 98-yard drive in the closing minutes, sending the Bengals to the AFC North championship at the end of a rough week.
Seahawks 10 at Packers 48
The Packers qualified for the playoffs, forcing four interceptions by Matt Hasselbeck, then getting a big boost from the Carolina Panthers.
Panthers 41 at Giants 9
Matt Moore threw three touchdown passes, Jonathan Stewart rushed for a career-best 206 yards and the Panthers (7-8) shredded New York’s defence with scores on six of their first seven possessions before a disgusted final sellout crowd Sunday.
Ravens 20 at Steelers 23
Jeff Reed’s 38-yard field goal put Pittsburgh ahead with 5:25 remaining and the Steelers finally managed to hold a fourth-quarter lead to remain in playoff contention and further jumble the AFC post-season race.
Buccaneers 20 at Saints 17 (OT)
Carnell Williams had 129 yards rushing and Connor Barth kicked a 47-yard field goal in overtime, lifting the Buccaneers to a stunning victory that prevented New Orleans from securing home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Texans 27 at Dolphins 20
Houston raced to an early 27-point lead Sunday, then held on to remain in the AFC playoff scramble.
Bills 3 at Falcons 31
Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes, including a 42-yarder to Roddy White on Atlanta’s first play from scrimmage.
The victory left the Falcons (8-7) in position to post back-to-back winning records for the first time in franchise history.
Raiders 9 at Browns 23
Jerome Harrison had 148 yards rushing and the Browns won their third straight, extending a surprising streak that Eric Mangini can use to strengthen his case to Mike Holmgren that he deserves to remain Cleveland’s coach.
Broncos 27 at Eagles 30
David Akers kicked a 28-yard field goal with four seconds remaining, lifting the Eagles.
Kyle Orton rallied the Broncos from a 27-10 deficit in the third quarter, but Donovan McNabb led the Eagles on a winning drive in the final minutes.
Rams 10 at Cardinals 31
Kurt Warner threw for 196 of his 313 yards in the second quarter and the Cardinals beat the Rams for the seventh time in a row.
Lions 6 at 49ers 20
Frank Gore scored on a one-yard run and topped the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth straight year.
Alex Smith threw a touchdown pass to Vernon Davis and the Niners (7-8) forced six turnovers to close out the home season with a victory.
Cowboys 17 at Redskins 0
The Dallas Cowboys returned to the playoffs Sunday night, dominating their 100th meeting with the Washington Redskins and setting up an NFC East title showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tony Romo threw for 286 yards, Jason Witten had a career-long 69-yard reception to set up a score, and the defence pitched the rivalry’s first shutout in six years in a 17-0 win over the Redskins.