The Colts jumped out to a 21–0 lead and defeated the Denver Broncos (8–5) 28–16 while the Saints led 16–6 over the banged-up Atlanta Falcons (6–7) and wound up winning 26–23.
The Broncos–Colts game featured a couple of notable records being set. Indianapolis recorded their 22nd consecutive regular season win. And for the Broncos, wide receiver Brandon Marshall caught 21 passes to break Terrell Owens’s record of 20.
“I’ve always learned never to take winning for granted,” said Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. “You sure do appreciate all the hard work that’s gone into those wins.”
Manning threw four touchdown passes but he also had three passes picked off and completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes.
“We’re a very close-knit group of guys who know how to fight in big games, particularly when one phase of the game is not working,” said head coach Jim Caldwell.
The question now becomes, for the Colts, who have wrapped up first place in the AFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, how much to rest the star players.
The Colts face the Jacksonville Jaguars (7–6) on Thursday night in Florida. With the short week and first place already wrapped up, you can expect Peyton Manning to see limited action.
In Atlanta, the Saints faced a team without starting QB Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner. But division games are always tough and backup QB Chris Redman had a solid outing filling in.
For the Saints, Drew Brees had another stellar game, throwing three touchdown passes and passing for 296 yards. He also completed 31 of 40 passes.
The Saints have not yet clinched the NFC’s top seed, as the Minnesota Vikings (11–2) crushed the Cincinnati Bengals (9–4) and remained two games back with three games left in the regular season. The Saints have clinched a first round bye in the playoffs, however.
The Saints will host the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night. Although talk of going unbeaten in the regular season dogs coach Sean Payton, he responded, “We’re looking at the next goal. The next objective is to play against a good Dallas team. We’re not getting past that.”
Chargers and Cowboys in December
San Diego came up with a key goal line stand to stuff Marion Barber and the Dallas Cowboys. The Chargers stopped Barber three consecutive times from the 1-yard line and the Cowboys came away empty-handed.
With the win, San Diego has now won 16 consecutive December games while Dallas’s struggles continue in the last month of the year. Dallas is now 1–6 in their last seven games in December.
Dallas failed to make the most of their red zone opportunities. They only converted on one of eight third downs and kicker Nick Folk missed a 42-yard field goal.
“We need to do the little things better to get over the hump,” said QB Tony Romo in an interview for NBC’s Football Night in America.
The December trend continues for both teams.
Vikings Back on Track
Brett Favre and company put last week’s poor performance in the rearview mirror and hammered the Cincinnati Bengals 30–10. Adrian Peterson, who rushed for only 19 yards against Arizona last Sunday night, ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns against Cincinnati.
The Vikings welcomed back corner back Antoine Winfield, one of the best tackling DBs in the league. He had missed six games with a fractured foot.
Without rookie superstar Percy Harvin, Favre had a quiet day throwing the ball. He threw for less than 200 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
“I don’t feel like I’m falling apart in December like most people think. I feel fine,” said Favre.
The Bengals struggled in the passing game. Carson Palmer threw for only 94 yards with one TD pass to Chad Ochocinco, who did nothing special to celebrate.
Scores
Cleveland 13, Pittsburgh 6
New Orleans 26, Atlanta 23
Indianapolis 28, Denver 16
Houston 34, Seattle 7
New England 20, Carolina 10
Buffalo 16, Kansas City 10
Baltimore 48, Detroit 3
Minnesota 30, Cincinnati 10
NY Jets 26, Tampa Bay 3
Miami 14, Jacksonville 10
Green Bay 21, Chicago 14
Tennessee 47, St. Louis 7
Washington 34, Oakland 13
San Diego 20, Dallas 17
Philadelphia 45, NY Giants 38
Arizona at San Francisco (Monday)
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