The weather conditions were perfect, as far as Jay Cutler was concerned. Appearing hardly bothered by the steady rain and wind that whipped through the Meadowlands, Cutler threw for 357 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Denver Broncos to a 34-17 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. "He embraced throwing in the rain," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. Comments Off

It's all but over for the star-studded San Diego Chargers, who were done in Sunday by a rookie quarterback, a rookie head coach and a former teammate. Yes, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and the surprising Atlanta Falcons are very much alive in the NFC playoff picture, thanks to their 22-16 win over the collapsing Chargers. Comments Off

The Steelers snapped the Patriots' spell over them with a plan that has worked all season: knock 'em down, steal the ball and keep them from gaining yards. Pittsburgh's top-ranked defense got rolling in the second half, leading the Steelers to a 33-10 win on a cold and rainy Sunday, only their second victory in eight games against New England. Comments Off

On a cold, wet afternoon that turned fingertips numb, receiver Mark Clayton had the touch. Clayton put a little sizzle into Baltimore's evolving offense Sunday, throwing a touchdown pass and making a spectacular one-handed catch for another during a 34-3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals that kept the Ravens a game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. Comments Off

Peyton Manning stepped up to the podium for a postgame interview like he has done so many times following an Indianapolis win. But this time there were no touchdown passes to review, no career milestones to celebrate, no last-minute scoring drive for him to detail. The quarterback wasn't the star. The Colts had 11 on defense. Comments Off

The New York Giants have shoved every distraction aside, including a shooting incident involving their star receiver, to become as dominant as, say, a Chicago Bulls team with Michael Jordan. Perhaps that's no coincidence. At one of the first meetings of training camp, coach Tom Coughlin discussed the 1991-92 Bulls as a team for the Giants to emulate in the bid to repeat as Super Bowl champions. Comments Off

New Orleans put the game in Drew Brees' hands, and Tampa Bay took it right away. The relentless Buccaneers defense pressured the NFL's leading passer all afternoon, then intercepted him twice in the closing minutes Sunday to stay atop the NFC South with a 23-20 victory over the Saints. "You know you're going to get opportunities," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said after Brees threw on nine of New... Comments Off

Starting defensive ends Brett Keisel of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ty Warren of the New England Patriots were inactive for Sunday's game. Two players who had been listed as questionable with knee injuries, Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker and New England defensive end Richard Seymour, were active. Comments Off

Bills quarterback Trent Edwards was sidelined by a groin injury for the start of the second half of Buffalo's game against San Francisco on Sunday. Backup J.P. Losman took over, making his third appearance of the season, in what amounted to a must win for the Bills (6-5) in their bid to stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Comments Off

Browns tight end Kellen Winslow, already playing with a sprained right shoulder, left Sunday's game against Indianapolis with an injured ankle. Winslow was hurt on the first play of the second half while blocking on a running play. He was helped to his feet but walked to the sideline without assistance and was taken to the locker room for X-rays. Comments Off