Pats break into win column by handing Colts first defeat

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Otis Smith and Ty Law returned interceptions for touchdowns and the New England Patriots got their first victory of the season, 44-13 Sunday over previously unbeaten Indianapolis.

The Colts (2-1) averaged 33 first-half points in their two victories as Peyton Manning threw six touchdown passes. But he also threw four interceptions, and that tendency continued against the Patriots, who led 20-0 at halftime.

Antowain Smith ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Smith's interception return was for 78 yards, and Law's was for 23.

Adam Vinatieri kicked three field goals as the Patriots (1-2) won without quarterback Drew Bledsoe.

CHARGERS 28, BENGALS 14

SAN DIEGO -- Rookie running back LaDainian Tomlinson broke loose for touchdowns on three straight second-half possessions, and San Diego won the showdown of surprising unbeaten teams.

Tomlinson turned a tie game into a blowout with his powerful runs, including scores of 4, 2 and 3 yards. He finished with 107 yards on 21 carries for his second 100-yard game in three starts.

The Chargers (3-0) forced four turnovers, including Jon Kitna's first three interceptions of the season. Cornerback Ryan McNeil had two pickoffs, giving him five this season.

Cincinnati fell to 2-1.

CHIEFS 45, REDSKINS 13

LANDOVER, Md. -- Kansas City scored more points in the second quarter than it managed in the first two games as Priest Holmes had 147 yards rushing and 78 yards receiving against Washington.

New Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil avoided his first 0-3 start, a record that new Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer now has for the first time in his 16-year career.

Holmes, who had only 51 yards rushing in the first two games, had 99 yards rushing and scored three times in the second quarter alone. The Chiefs (1-2), who scored 28 points in the quarter, had only 27 in losses to the Raiders and Giants.

Trent Green, whose quarterback rating was third from the bottom in the AFC entering the game, was 8-for-9 for 133 yards in the second quarter and finished 21-for-26 for 307 yards with three touchdowns.

PACKERS 28, PANTHERS 7

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Brett Favre passed for 308 yards and three touchdowns, two coming after Carolina fumbles by Steve Smith, as Green Bay remained undefeated.

The Packers also got two field goals from Ryan Longwell, 128 total yards from Ahman Green and a defense that held the Panthers (1-2) to 169 yards.

Favre, completely healthy for the first time in years, shook off two early interceptions to lead the Packers (3-0) to 28 consecutive points and their seventh straight victory dating back to last season.

GIANTS 21, SAINTS 13

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Michael Strahan had three sacks, and Ron Dayne and Tiki Barber set up their own second-quarter touchdown runs with big plays. New York (2-1) won the first game at Giants Stadium since the terrorist attacks.

Kerry Collins added a 46-yard touchdown pass to Joe Jurevicius with 6:05 to play for the Giants.

The game had a tight ending as Sam Garnes and rookie Will Peterson broke up passes in the end zone, giving New Orleans (1-1) one final shot from the New York 9 with 4 seconds to play.

Willie Jackson caught Aaron Brooks' pass after shoving cornerback Emmanuel McDaniel. Offensive pass interference was called, ending the game.

VIKINGS 20, BUCCANEERS 16

MINNEAPOLIS -- Daunte Culpepper scored from 8 yards with 1:03 left to cap a 96-yard drive that gave Minnesota its first victory after two losses.

Tampa Bay drove to the Minnesota 17 in the waning seconds, but Eric Kelly sealed the victory when he intercepted Brad Johnson's pass that glanced off Keyshawn Johnson's hands.

The Buccaneers (1-1) went ahead earlier in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard run by Warrick Dunn. They also got three field goals from Martin Gramatica.

Culpepper was 30-for-44 for 322 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

STEELERS 20, BILLS 3

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Cornerback Dewayne Washington ran Travis Henry's fumble 63 yards for a touchdown, carrying Pittsburgh past Buffalo, which opened a season 0-3 for only the second time since 1986.

While the Steelers offense sputtered, rusty in part from a 21-day break, Washington's play highlighted a strong defensive effort. Pittsburgh sacked Rob Johnson four times and held the Bills (0-3) to 172 yards.

Coming off a bye and after the NFL's Week 2 scheduled was postponed, the Steelers (1-1) hadn't played since their 21-3 loss to Jacksonville on Sept. 9.

BROWNS 23, JAGUARS 14

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Tim Couch led Cleveland (2-1) to the go-ahead field goal, and Daylon McCutcheon sealed the game with a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown to lead the Browns.

Seeking its first 3-0 start since 1998, Jacksonville started the game without Fred Taylor (groin injury) and Tony Boselli (shoulder). Mark Brunell quickly joined them on the bench after taking a hit in the head from Gerard Warren on Jacksonville's first offensive play.

RAVENS 20, BRONCOS 13

DENVER -- Baltimore held Denver to 228 yards total offense and Qadry Ismail and Travis Taylor each caught touchdown passes.

The Ravens (2-1) rebounded from a surprising loss to Cincinnati last week. The Broncos (2-1), who managed three points in the AFC wild card game at Baltimore last season, committed three turnovers and continually failed to take advantage of good field position.

RAIDERS 38, SEAHAWKS 14

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jerry Rice scored his first two touchdowns with Oakland as the Raiders (2-1) scored the first 38 points against Seattle (1-2).

Rich Gannon rushed for a score and also completed 19 of 28 passes for 217 yards and three TDs. Rice had five receptions for 91 yards.

FALCONS 34, CARDINALS 14

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Chris Chandler threw for three touchdowns, two to Terance Mathis, and rookie Jay Feely kicked field goals of 34 and 55 yards as Atlanta (2-1) beat Arizona (0-2).

Maurice Smith, playing in place of the injured Jamal Anderson, rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown in 21 carries. Smith, who didn't carry the ball in Atlanta's first two games, also went 79 yards for a touchdown on a short pass from Chandler, who was 20-for-33 for 286 yards with no interceptions.

EAGLES 40, COWBOYS 18

PHILADELPHIA -- Donovan McNabb threw for three touchdowns, and Correll Buckhalter ran for 99 yards and a touchdown, leading Philadelphia to a 40-18 rout of Dallas.

The Eagles (2-1) scored 26 points in the second quarter off four fumbles and a blocked punt after the Cowboys led 6-0.

Dallas (0-3) turned the ball over five times and couldn't generate anything on offense, getting just one first down and 11 yards in the first half.

-- From wire reports