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SportsDecember 17, 2007

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs even though quarterback Tom Brady failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season during the Patriots' 20-10 victory Sunday over the New York Jets...

New England Patriots' Eugene Wilson (26) celebrates his interception return for a touchdown with teammate Asante Samuel (22) as Rodney Harrison, left, looks on during the first quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots' Eugene Wilson (26) celebrates his interception return for a touchdown with teammate Asante Samuel (22) as Rodney Harrison, left, looks on during the first quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs even though quarterback Tom Brady failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season during the Patriots' 20-10 victory Sunday over the New York Jets.

In rain and windy conditons, the Patriots (14-0) relied more on their running game. Laurence Maroney ran for 104 yards, just the fourth time this season a New England rusher surpassed 100.

On the second offensive play for the Jets (3-11), Richard Seymour slammed quarterback Kellen Clemens to the ground in New York's end zone, forcing a bad throw and an interception that Eugene Wilson returned 5 yards for a touchdown. Clemens left the game and did not return.

Chargers 51, Lions 14

SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers (9-5) repeated as AFC West champions by beating the punchless Lions for their fourth straight win and eighth in 10 games.

Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson slid through the snow in the end zone after the Browns beat the Buffalo Bills 8-0  on Sunday in Cleveland. (TONY DEJAK ~ Associated Press)
Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson slid through the snow in the end zone after the Browns beat the Buffalo Bills 8-0 on Sunday in Cleveland. (TONY DEJAK ~ Associated Press)

LaDainian Tomlinson had 116 yards and two scores on 15 carries; the rout was so complete that Tomlinson got the second half off, which allowed Darren Sproles to run for 122 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first time in Chargers history two backs rushed for more than 100 yards in the same game.

Detroit quarterback Jon Kitna tied his career-high with five interceptions. Three of them came in the span of six plays in the first half, leading to 17 points, as the Lions (6-8) lost their sixth in a row. Detroit had six turnovers, setting up 27 points.

Colts 21, Raiders 14

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Peyton Manning threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to rookie Anthony Gonzalez with 4:49 remaining for the Colts' first offensive touchdown of the game.

The Colts (12-2), who clinched a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs, trailed 14-13 after Justin Fargas' 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter. But Manning completed all seven passes on the ensuing drive of 91 yards for the go-ahead score. Joseph Addai ran in the 2-point conversion.

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward (86) pushes into the endzone between Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith, left, and safety Sammy Knight, right, for a fourth quarter touchdown in NFL football action in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. The Jaguars won 29-22. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward (86) pushes into the endzone between Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith, left, and safety Sammy Knight, right, for a fourth quarter touchdown in NFL football action in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. The Jaguars won 29-22. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The Raiders (4-10) now have their fifth straight double-digit loss season.

Eagles 10, Cowboys 6

IRVING, Texas -- Donovan McNabb wasn't his old self, but he was better than Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, who struggled throughout the game.

The Eagles (6-8), who had a three-game losing streak, ended a seven-game winning streak for the Cowboys (12-2).

Buccaneers 37, Falcons 3

TAMPA, Fla. -- Micheal Spurlock ran back a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, the first in the franchise's 32 seasons, and Tampa Bay (9-5) won the NFC South for the second time in three seasons.

It's the fifth straight season the team winning the NFC South finished last the previous season.

The loss was the fifth in a row for Atlanta (3-11).

Jaguars 29, Steelers 22

PITTSBURGH -- Fred Taylor scored a decisive touchdown on a 12-yard run in the final two minutes, part of his 147-yard game, as the Jaguars (10-4) withstood the bad weather and Pittsburgh's fourth-quarter comeback.

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The Steelers (9-5), losing at home for the first time in eight games, fell into a tie with the Browns for the AFC North lead. The Steelers own the tiebreaker.

Browns 8, Bills 0

CLEVELAND -- Jamal Lewis plowed for 163 yards and Phil Dawson somehow kicked two field goals through harsh, wintry winds for the Browns (9-5).

The Bills (7-7) were all but eliminated from making the postseason.

Panthers 13, Seahawks 10

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Rookie Matt Moore, the fourth starting quarterback for the Panthers this season, engineered three scoring drives in the fourth quarter.

Coming in with six losses in seven games and with coach John Fox sitting on the hot seat, the Panthers (6-8) turned in their best defensive performance of the season.

The NFC West champion Seahawks (9-5) had their five-game winning streak snapped.

Titans 26, Chiefs 17

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Vince Young passed for 191 yards and two touchdowns and Rob Bironas kicked four field goals as the Titans (8-6) stayed alive in the AFC wild-card chase.

With the stadium about half empty on the sunny, yet chilly afternoon, the Chiefs (4-10) lost their seventh in a row and closed out their most miserable home season in 30 years, going 2-6 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Saints 31, Cardinals 24

NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees connected on 87 percent of his throws for 315 yards and two touchdowns, capping his day with a 22-yard, third-down completion to Billy Miller that allowed the Saints (7-7) to run out the clock.

The Saints' Marques Colston finished with eight receptions for 114 yards.

New Orleans rushed for 114 yards, with third-stringer Aaron Stecker rushing for 95 yards and two touchdowns.

Arizona fell to 6-8.

Redskins 22, Giants 10

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Clinton Portis ran for 126 yards and a touchdown and Todd Collins led the Redskins on five scoring drives in his first start in 10 years.

The win was the second straight for the Redskins (7-7) and it moved them within a half-game of Minnesota for a wild-card berth. The Vikings (7-6) play the Chicago Bears tonight, before meeting the Redskins in Minnesota next week.

New Orleans also is 7-7 with two games to play.

The loss was the third straight at home for the Giants (9-5), and this one was costly as Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey was lost for the season with a broken left leg early in the second half.

-- AP

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