Peyton Manning threw for three touchdowns and the Colts rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit yesterday for a 35-27 victory to clinch the AFC South. It was their 20th straight win in the regular season. Indianapolis (11-0) is one win shy of the New England Patriots' NFL-record 21-game run from 2006-08. The Colts can tie the record if they beat Tennessee at home next weekend.
The Colts improved to 15-1 against Houston (5-6).
Manning threw two first-half interceptions, but had a pair of second-half TD passes, including a 4-yarder to Dallas Clark that gave the Colts a 21-20 lead with about nine minutes left.
Clint Session stretched the lead to 28-20 when he returned an interception by Matt Schaub 26 yards for a touchdown seconds later. Schaub fumbled on Houston's next possession and Chad Simpson's touchdown run put the game out of reach.
The loss makes Houston's chances of earning its first playoff berth more dim after losing three straight. The Texans scored on their first four possessions, then fell apart.
Bengals 16, Browns 7
Newcomer Larry Johnson rushed for 107 yards in Cincinnati's conservative approach, and the Bengals completed their first division sweep.
The Bengals (8-3) went 6-0 in the division with a retooled run-first offense and a stout defense that has carried them into first place. They rushed for 210 yards, with Johnson - signed less than two weeks ago as insurance - subbing for Cedric Benson, out for the second straight week with an injured hip.
The Browns (1-10) reached double-digit losses for the eighth time in their 11 years as an expansion team. Cincinnati now has the longest stretch of domination in the series' history, winning nine of the past 11 games.
Cincy scored with no time remaining in the second quarter. Carson Palmer was running toward the sideline with the clock running out when Shaun Rogers caught him from behind and made a horse-collar tackle, slamming the quarterback hard on his back. A dazed Palmer rolled over and lay face-down for several seconds, then got up and walked off slowly without assistance.
The penalty gave the Bengals an extra play with no time left, and Shayne Graham matched his career high with a 53-yard field goal that made it 13-0. It was the second week in a row that a Browns penalty resulted in an extra play and points. Safety Hank Poteat's interference in the end zone in Detroit set up an extra play last week, allowing Matthew Stafford to throw a touchdown pass for the Lions' 38-37 victory.
Eagles 27, Redskins 24
David Akers kicked a 32-yard field goal with 1:48 remaining and the Eagles rallied. A week ago, Donovan McNabb led the Eagles (7-4) to a late touchdown in a 24-20 win at Chicago. It was the first time Philadelphia came from behind in the final quarter and won since a 33-25 victory at Washington on Nov. 11, 2007.
Akers made all four of his field goals, extending his streak to 16. Asante Samuel had two interceptions and McNabb threw for 260 yards and one TD.
Jason Campbell had 231 yards passing and two TDs for Washington, which fell short at the end for the second straight week. The injury-depleted Redskins (3-8) lost 7-6 at Dallas last weekend.
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