Site last updated: Monday, October 5, 2026

Log In

Reset Password
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Ticket punchers

Anthony Gonzalez (11) outruns Baltimore defender David Pittman, right, for an Indianapolis touchdown during the Colts 44-20 victory Sunday night.
Indy, Dallas, Seattle, Green Bay join playoffs

Four more teams clinched playoff berths during NFLgames played Sunday.

Indianapolis qualified for the postseason, and Dallas, Seattle and Green Bay won their divisions Sunday.

The Colts routed Baltimore 44-20 to secure a playoff berth for the sixth consecutive year. The Cowboys rallied past Detroit 28-27 to win the NFC East, and the Seahawks beat Arizona 42-21 for the NFC West crown. The Packers' 38-7 victory over Oakland secured the NFC North title.

Miami remained winless by falling to Buffalo 38-17.

Colts 44, Ravens 20

At Baltimore, the Colts (11-2) strolled back into the playoffs for the sixth straight year. Peyton Manning threw four touchdown passes, including the 300th of his career.

Baltimore (4-9) has lost a franchise-record seven straight. Coming off an inspired effort in a 27-24 loss to the unbeaten Patriots, the Ravens committed five turnovers, had a punt blocked and managed only 57 yards of offense through the first 30 minutes.

Cowboys 28, Lions 27

At Detroit, Jason Witten caught a 16-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass with 18 seconds left after his fumble at the Lions 1 nearly cost Dallas (12-1) a chance to win. The tight end had career highs with 15 receptions and 138 yards.

"I was excited to have the ball back after thinking I lost the game for us," Witten said.

Tony Romo was 35-of-44 for 302 yards and two TDs, helping the Cowboys win 12 of their first 13 games for the first time in franchise history.

Detroit (6-7) has lost five straight. Kevin Jones ran for 92 yards and two scores.

Seahawks 42, Cardinals 21

At Seattle, Matt Hasselbeck threw four touchdown passes, his most this season, and the Seahawks (9-4) clinched their fourth consecutive NFC West title. Seattle led 24-0 midway through the second quarter and cruised to its fifth consecutive victory, its longest streak since a team-record 11 two seasons ago that helped the Seahawks reach their only Super Bowl.

Packers 38, Raiders 7

At Green Bay, the Packers (11-2) assured an end to their two-year absence from the postseason with three games left. Will Blackmon, a backup cornerback who has missed most of the season because of a broken foot, returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown and recovered a muffed punt by Raiders returner Tim Dwight in the end zone.

Bills 38, Dolphins 17

Rookie Trent Edwards' four touchdown passes, two each to Lee Evans and Robert Royal, led host Buffalo (7-6) over the woeful Dolphins.

Miami (0-13) is off to the third-worst start to a season in NFL history, joining Oakland (1962) and Indianapolis (1986). And the Dolphins, who host Baltimore next weekend, are one loss short of matching the 0-14 record set by Tampa Bay, as an expansion team in 1976, and New Orleans in 1980.

Chargers 23, Titans 17, OT

LaDainian Tomlinson scored on a 16-yard run in overtime after the Chargers rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter for their third straight victory and seventh in nine games.

Tennessee (7-6) had a chance to run out the clock in a game the Titans desperately needed to stay close to Cleveland and Jacksonville for the AFC's two wild-card berths. But they gave the ball back to San Diego (8-5) with 2:24 left in regulation and went three-and-out in overtime.

Texans 28, Buccaneers 14

At Houston, Sage Rosenfels threw for three touchdowns to lead the Texans (6-7) and has won both games he's started in place of the injured Matt Schaub. Rosenfels lost two fumbles, but Tampa Bay (8-5) was only able to convert one into points.

Giants 16, Eagles 13

At Philadelphia, Eli Manning threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress, Lawrence Tynes made three short field goals and the Giants moved closer to a wild-card berth.

Jaguars 37, Panthers 6

At Jacksonville, Fred Taylor ran for 132 yards and a touchdown and Jacksonville (9-4) had its most complete game on defense since consecutive wins at Denver and Kansas City early in the season.

Vikings 27, 49ers 7

At San Francisco, rookie sensation Adrian Peterson had his worst game, but Chester Taylor made up for it. So did 311-pound defensive lineman Kevin Williams, who returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown on the game's first play in the Vikings' fourth straight victory.

Browns 24, Jets 18

Derek Anderson threw two touchdown passes and Joe Jurevicius recovered two late onside kicks as Cleveland (8-5) strengthened its playoff chances.

Jamal Lewis had a touchdown catch and added a 31-yard TD run with 1:22 left, and the Browns moved a game in front of Tennessee and Buffalo in the wild-card race.

Broncos 41, Chiefs 7

At Denver, Jay Cutler threw a career-best four touchdown passes, Selvin Young rushed for a career-high 156 yards on 17 carries and Elvis Dumervil had three sacks and forced a fumble that led to a touchdown. Cutler completed 20 of 27 passes for 244 yards, no interceptions and a passer rating of 141.0.

Bengals 19, Rams 10

At Cincinnati, Rudi Johnson ran 1 yard for a touchdown, Shayne Graham kicked four field goals on a nasty day, and the Bengals took advantage of Brock Berlin, the novice quarterback starting for the injury-plagued Rams (3-10).

A steady, often driving rain on a 38-degree afternoon made it tough to throw or catch.

More in Professional

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS