Sunday's NFL games 12/20/04

Sunday's games

CHARGERS 21, BROWNS 0

LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns, and San Diego captured the AFC West title on Sunday.

One season after they were a league-worst 4-12, the Chargers (11-3) won their eighth straight and earned their first postseason berth since 1995. They're also division champions for the first time since 1994, clinching the top spot when Denver lost in Kansas City.

The Browns (3-11) lost their eighth straight.

Eagles 12, Cowboys 7

Dorsey Levens' 2-yard touchdown run with 1:57 left helped Philadelphia clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The win was costly for Philadelphia, which lost star wide receiver Terrell Owens to an ankle injury. Owens didn't return after spraining his right ankle early in the third quarter.

The Eagles (13-1) set a franchise record for victories. Donovan McNabb threw for 223 yards and one TD, but was intercepted twice.

Vikings 28, Lions 27

Detroit botched an extra-point kick with eight seconds left that would've tied the game, allowing Minnesota to hang on for a victory.

The Lions drove 80 yards in 1:29 to pull within a point on Joey Harrington's second touchdown pass to Roy Williams. Then, Don Muhlbach's snap bounced to holder Nick Harris, who was tackled before he could get the football spotted for kicker Jason Hanson.

Minnesota (8-6) had lost five of its last seven, but still can win the NFC North. The Lions (5-9) suffered their seventh loss in eight games.

Daunte Culpepper was 25-of-35 for 404 yards with three TD passes.

Jets 37, Seahawks 14

Chad Pennington threw three touchdown passes and Curtis Martin had 134 yards and two touchdown runs, helping New York (10-4) keep its lead in the AFC wild-card standings.

The Seahawks (7-7) had another disappointing day in their bid to stay atop the NFC West, committing three turnovers. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck injured his right elbow later in the quarter, and Trent Dilfer came on in relief.

Bills 33, Bengals 17

Takeo Spikes returned an interception 62 yards for a pivotal touchdown against his former team, and Buffalo turned in another dominating defensive performance. Buffalo (8-6) bolstered its playoff chances with its eighth win in 10 games.

Chiefs 45, Broncos 17

Larry Johnson and Eddie Kennison each scored two touchdowns, and Dante Hall returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for another score in Kansas City's win over slumping Denver.

The Broncos (8-6) lost for the third time in four games.

Johnson rushed for 151 yards on 30 carries. Trent Green hit 16 of 19 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns.

Texans 24, Bears 5

Houston allowed the fewest points in its three-year history and took advantage of four turnovers to beat the Bears.

David Carr was 13-of-28 for 220 for Houston (6-8).

Chad Hutchinson finished 17-of-34 for 168 yards for the Bears (5-9).

Raiders 40, Titans 35

Kerry Collins threw for 371 yards and matched his career high with five touchdown passes, hitting Jerry Porter for three scores.

Billy Volek had the second-best passing day in Titans franchise history with 492 yards and four touchdowns.

Jaguars 28, Packers 25

Byron Leftwich threw two touchdown passes, Fred Taylor rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown and Rashean Mathis picked off Brett Favre twice, helping the Jaguars (8-6)stay in the AFC playoff race.

The Packers (8-6) became the ninth team in NFL history to reach the playoffs after a 1-4 start. They clinched before kickoff.

Saints 21, Buccaneers 17

Aaron Brooks threw two touchdown passes in the last four minutes, including a 7-yarder to Donte' Stallworth with 32 seconds left, to keep alive the Saints' playoff hopes. The victory lifted the Saints (6-8) into a tie with Carolina and St. Louis for the last wild-card spot in the weak NFC.

Falcons 34, Panthers 31, OT

Michael Vick scored the tying touchdown on a 12-yard run with less than two minutes to go in regulation, then Jay Feely kicked a 38-yard field goal in overtime on Saturday night, helping Atlanta snap Carolina's five-game winning streak.

-- AP