Sunday's NFL games 11/8/04

Steelers 27, Eagles 3

The Pittsburgh Steelers are doing things never seen before in the NFL, largely because of rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The Steelers combined their new quarterback's play with a touch of the old -- a Jerome Bettis of yesteryear and a defense that was Steel Curtain-tough -- to dominate the Philadelphia Eagles 27-3 Sunday and leave the NFL without an undefeated team.

The Steelers (7-1) are a major reason for that, halting the best start in Eagles history a week after ending New England's record 21-game winning streak with an equally impressive 34-20 victory. Pittsburgh is the only team in NFL history to beat unbeaten teams in consecutive weeks after each had won at least six games.

Roethlisberger, 6-0 as a starter, drove the Steelers to scores on their first three possessions with the help of Bettis' 55th career 100-yard game.

Chargers 43, Saints 17

Drew Brees, the quarterback the front office didn't want coming into this season, threw four more touchdown passes -- three to tight end Antonio Gates. It was San Diego's highest-scoring game since beating the Miami Dolphins 45-20 on Dec. 27, 1993. The Chargers (6-3) won for the fifth time in six games.

Brees has thrown 18 touchdowns against just three interceptions. Last year, he threw 15 interceptions and 11 touchdowns, was benched for five games and pulled from two others.

Broncos 31, Texans 13

Rod Smith became Denver's career leader in receptions and touchdown catches and Jake Plummer threw for four touchdowns with no interceptions to help the Broncos (6-3) snap a two-game losing streak.

In the first quarter, Smith caught his 676th career pass to surpass Shannon Sharpe on the team's receptions list. Later, Smith caught a 13-yard touchdown for his 56th score receiving, also passing Sharpe.

Seahawks 42, 49ers 27

Darrell Jackson caught two long touchdown passes from Matt Hasselbeck, and Shaun Alexander rushed for 160 yards and two scores.

Jackson had five catches for 114 yards, and Koren Robinson also caught a TD pass for the Seahawks (5-3), who stayed atop the NFC West with their second straight victory following three straight losses.

Bears 28, Giants 21

The Bears forced five turnovers, including three consecutive plays in a 20-point explosion late in the first half.

Rookie Craig Krenzel threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to ignite the rally and Anthony Thomas scored on runs of 4 and 41 yards as Chicago (3-5) won its second straight game and handed the Giants (5-3) their second straight embarrassing home loss.

Bills 22, Jets 17

Playing in the face of a 25-plus mph wind, Willis McGahee sparked Buffalo's ball-control offense. McGahee finished with a career-high 132 yards and a touchdown, his third 100-yard rushing game in his third career start.

Buffalo won its third game in four outings, and third straight at home -- all with McGahee as a starter.

Buccaneers 34, Chiefs 31

Michael Pittman scored one of his three touchdowns on a team-record 78-yard run, giving the Bucs (3-5) consecutive victories for just the second time since they won the Super Bowl two years ago.

The Chiefs (3-5) totaled 101 points and 1,130 yards in victories over Atlanta and Indianapolis the previous two weeks, and put up another big day statistically against Tampa Bay. Trent Green threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns, but was intercepted by Dwight Smith in the end zone with under six minutes to go. He was sacked on consecutive plays to end Kansas City's last threat near midfield.

Redskins 17, Lions 10

Clinton Portis beat the Lions with his legs and right arm. Portis ran for 147 yards on 34 carries and threw a tiebreaking touchdown pass.

Detroit (4-4) rallied late, but its hopes for a tying drive ended at the Washington 20 as time expired.

Cardinals 24, Dolphins 23

To end a 17-game road losing streak, Arizona merely needed to pay a visit to Miami.

The Cardinals met their match in ineptitude, benefited from two critical penalties and drove 70 yards in the final 2 minutes for a touchdown. Larry Fitzgerald caught the winning score on a 2-yard pass from Josh McCown with 19 seconds left after a holding penalty against Miami negated a sack and gave the Cardinals first-and-goal.

Bengals 26, Cowboys 3

Matt Schobel caught a down-the-middle pass from Carson Palmer and ran 76 yards for a touchdown, leading Cincinnati (3-5). Schobel's catch broke open a game of conservative play calling. The Bengals (3-5) also got four field goals from Shayne Graham.

Raiders 27, Panthers 24

Tyrone Wheatley and Amos Zereoue combined to run for three touchdowns, and Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 19-yard field goal with 6 seconds to play. Dante Wesley's 38-yard pass interference gave Oakland the ball at the 4, and Janikowski kicked the winner three plays later.

Tthe defending NFC champion Panthers (1-7) suffered their sixth consecutive loss.

-- From wire reports