|
 While Dallas had made a positive start to the season, their
victory in Seattle, their fifth consecutive win this year, was still
a surprise given the Seahawks (3-2) had lost just once in their
previous 18 home games.
Meanwhile, Joe Flacco threw five touchdown passes, four of them in a
remarkable first quarter, as the Baltimore Ravens crushed the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers 48-17 on a day when the league’s elite quarterbacks
came up big.
Tom Brady passed for four touchdowns as the New England Patriots
beat AFC East divisional rivals Buffalo 37-22 while Peyton Manning’s
three touchdown passes helped the Denver Broncos defeat the New York
Jets 31-17.
Aaron Rodgers’ third touchdown in Miami was a game-winner with three
seconds left on the clock as the Green Bay Packers beat the Dolphins
27-24 in a thriller.
In Seattle, the Seahawks' offense struggled against a Dallas defense
that has been transformed from one of the worst in the league last
season into a highly effective unit.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson managed to complete only 14 of
28 passes, throwing for 126 yards, no touchdowns and one
interception.
Wilson's opposite number Tony Romo linked up for two touchdowns and
threw for 250 yards in another accomplished display from the Cowboys
quarterback.
Dallas made sure of the win in the fourth quarter with some superb
work from their offensive line, creating space for DeMarco Murray to
exploit with a fine 15-yard touchdown run.
A Dan Bailey field goal from 31 yards wrapped up the deserved road
win for Dallas who now believe they have everything in place for a
run into the post-season.
QUICK TOUCHDOWNS
The Ravens move to 4-2 on the season after a one-sided victory in
Tampa where Flacco took full advantage of a depleted Bucs secondary.
Flacco found Torrey Smith with touchdown passes twice in the opening
six minutes and the game was over as a contest when Flacco found
Steve Smith on a 56-yard touchdown pass at the start of the second
quarter for the Ravens' fifth touchdown in 16:03 minutes -- the
fastest five-touchdown performance since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Flacco finished with 21 of 29 passes completed, throwing for 306
yards and the five scores as Lovie Smith’s troubled Tampa Bay fell
to 1-5.
Early season talk about the decline of the New England Patriots and
their quarterback looks a little premature after Bill Belichick’s
team took sole control of the AFC East, moving to 4-2, after their
win at Buffalo.
Brady sealed the victory with a 56-yard pass to Brandon LaFell, the
wide receivers' second touchdown reception in the fourth quarter,
and finished with 361 passing yards.
[to top of second column] |
Manning continues to close in on Brett Favre’s record of 508 NFL
career touchdowns with the Broncos quarterback now on 506. Manning
found Julius Thomas twice for scores as he threw for 237 yards.
Packers quarterback Rodgers showed his class throughout Green Bay’s
win at Miami but the Dolphins almost ran out winners after a
spirited second-half display.
Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill struggled in the first half,
throwing two interceptions, but touchdowns from receiver Jarvis
Landry, running back Lamar Miller and wide receiver Mike Wallace
gave Miami a 24-17 lead.
But a Mason Crosby field goal brought Green Bay in sight and some
poor clock management from Miami allowed the Packers a chance with
the final drive of the game which Rodgers accepted gleefully --
finding Andrew Quarless with a four-yard pass into the corner to win
the game.
Cincinnati kicker Mike Nugent missed a 36-yard field goal at the end
of overtime as the Bengals tied 37-37 with the Carolina Panthers.
Both teams had scored field goals in overtime.
The San Diego Chargers, the AFC West leaders, won their fifth
consecutive game, a 31-28 comeback triumph over Oakland, and the
Arizona Cardinals stay in front in the NFC West by defeating the
Washington Redskins 30-20.
The Steelers have dominated Cleveland during the Ben Roethlisberger
era but the Browns enjoyed just their second win over the Pittsburgh
quarterback thanks to their running game.
Ben Tate rushed for two touchdowns and Isaiah Crowell another as
Cleveland ran out a 31-10 win over their rivals.
(Reporting By Simon Evans in Miami, editing by Gene Cherry)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
