A trans-Atlantic trip was just what Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints needed to get their season back on track.
Brees went 30-for-41 for 339 yards and three touchdown passes against his former team, leading the Saints to a 37-32 win over San Diego on Sunday at Wembley Stadium, putting New Orleans back at .500 and dropping the Chargers to 3-5.
The Saints (4-4) held off a late comeback by the Chargers, who came from 37-20 down early in the fourth quarter and were driving for the tying touchdown. But linebacker Jonathan Vilma picked off a pass by Philip Rivers with just over a minute to go. Brees took a safety in the final seconds to complete the scoring.
After last year's rain-soaked, error-filled 13-10 win by the New York Giants over the Miami Dolphins in London, the NFL was hoping for a high-scoring, offensive show in its return to the English capital. And that's just what the 83,226 fans at England's showcase venue got.
Brees, who came into the game leading the NFL with 2,224 yards passing, exploited the Chargers' vulnerable pass defense. But Philip Rivers, his former backup in San Diego, came up with big numbers too, completing 25 of 40 attempts for 343 yards and three touchdowns to bring his season total to 19 TDs. But while Brees went without an interception, Rivers' one pick on the final drive proved crucial.
Giants 21, Steelers 14
At Pittsburgh, The New York Giants did little with the exceptional field position the Steelers gave them. Finally, when it seemed Pittsburgh had too much depth and defense for the Super Bowl champs, the Steelers were tripped up by _ of all things _ a bad punt snap.
Eli Manning threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Boss with 3:11 remaining for the Giants' only touchdown after they tied it several minutes before on a bizarre safety. Linebacker James Harrison's high snap on the punt gave New York two points, and the Giants held off Pittsburgh for a 21-14 victory in a matchup of division leaders.
The resilient Steelers (5-2) playing with backups all over the field, tried to make up for Ben Roethlisberger's four interceptions by turning two big-play scores into a lead they preserved with a goal-line stand midway through the fourth quarter.
But the Giants (6-1) tied it with 6:48 remaining on the safety.
Pro Bowl linebacker Harrison, playing center due to long snapper Greg Warren's knee injury, snapped the ball over punter Mitch Berger's head and out of the end zone. It wasn't certain why Harrison was snapping rather than starting center Justin Hartwig or right guard Darnell Stapleton, a center at Rutgers.
John Carney kicked four field goals for New York.
Browns 23, Jaguars 17
At Jacksonville, Florida, Jamal Lewis ran for 81 yards and a touchdown and Derek Anderson completed three huge passes to give the Browns their second victory in as many games without Winslow, the outspoken Pro Bowl tight end who missed the game after criticizing the team following his staph infection.
The Browns (3-4) played their best game of the season two weeks ago while Winslow was in the hospital and beat the Giants.
They didn't miss him against the Jaguars (3-4), either.
Anderson finished 14-of-27 for 264 yards and a touchdown. He had 168 yards passing in the first half, including a 5-yard TD toss to Donte' Stallworth; a 51-yard completion to Winslow's replacement, Steve Heiden, on fourth down; and a 43-yarder to Braylon Edwards that set up a short field goal.
Seahawks 34, 49ers 13
At San Francisco, fullback Leonard Weaver made two lengthy touchdown catches, Josh Wilson returned an interception 75 yards for a score and the Seahawks snapped their three-game losing streak.
Texans 35, Bengals 6
At Houston, Kevin Walter scored two touchdowns. He scored one touchdown in three seasons with Cincinnati, but set a career high by getting his fourth and fifth touchdowns of the year against his old club.
The win gave Houston (3-4) three consecutive victories in a single season for the first time in franchise history, and dropped Cincinnati to 0-8 for the fourth time.
Dolphins 25, Bills 16
At Miami, Ted Ginn had a breakout game with seven catches for a career-high 175 yards, and the Dolphins overcame a nine-point third-quarter deficit. With Ginn's first 100-yard game, he made by far his biggest impact since Miami's much-mocked decision to take him with the ninth pick of last year's draft.
Cowboys 13, Buccaneers 9
At Irving, Texas, Brad Johnson made up for several missed chances at touchdowns by throwing one to newcomer Roy Williams at the end of a drive sustained by four defensive penalties. The maligned Dallas defense made it hold up.
Panthers 27, Cardinals 23
Kurt Warner put up the better numbers, but Jake Delhomme engineered the comeback that kept the Panthers unbeaten at home and atop the NFC South. Delhomme threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns, including a go-ahead 65-yard strike to Steve Smith.
The Panthers (6-2, 5-0 at home) rallied from a 17-3 third-quarter deficit despite Warner's big day. He threw for 381 yards _ by far the most given up by Carolina this season _ and two touchdowns to Anquan Boldin. But the Cardinals (4-3) continued their road woes in part thanks to a botched fake field goal and a missed extra point.
Patriots 23, Rams 16
At Foxborough, The Patriots got by the Rams on a fingertip touchdown catch by Kevin Faulk. The Patriots' best pass-catching running back hung onto Matt Cassel's 15-yard pass on the left edge of the end zone with 3:19 remaining.
Eagles 27, Falcons 14
At Philadelphia, Brian Westbrook returned to his All-Pro form and rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns as part of a dynamic all-around effort.
Redskins 25, Lions 17
At Detroit, Santana Moss dashed Detroit's hopes of finally winning a game.
Moss had a go-ahead touchdown reception in the third quarter and returned a punt for another score in the fourth.
Clinton Portis joined O.J. Simpson in the NFL record book with his fifth straight game with at least 120 yards rushing. He has 126 yards.
The Redskins allowed the Lions to go ahead with their first score in an opening quarter this season and trailed until Moss caught a 50-yard pass that capped a 95-yard drive with 4:42 left in the third quarter. He returned a punt 80 yards early in the fourth, giving Washington a 22-10 lead.
Jets 28, Chiefs 24
At East Rutherford, New Jersey, after struggling all game, Brett Favre connected with Laveranues Coles for a 15-yard touchdown pass with 1 minute left. The heavily favored Jets overcame three interceptions by Favre and an upset-minded Chiefs team using its third-string quarterback.
Ravens 29, Raiders 10
At Baltimore, On an afternoon that belonged to Rex Ryan and his tenacious Baltimore defense, the unquestionable highlight was a 43-yard pass from one Ravens quarterback to another.
Baltimore limited the Oakland Raiders to 35 yards while building a 19-point halftime lead, and the Ravens got a safety and four sacks. The win was particularly sweet for Ryan, whose twin brother Rob is defensive coordinator for the Raiders (2-5).
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