Quarterback Philip Rivers (17) of the San Diego Chargers drops back to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on Dec. 5, 2011 in Jacksonville. Rivers threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns, burning Jacksonville's depleted secondary early and often, and the Chargers beat the Jaguars 38-14 to snap a six-game losing streak.
Brees (3 TDs) leads Saints past Lions
Quarterback Drew Brees (9) of the New Orleans Saints looks to pass against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Dec. 4, 2011 in New Orleans. Brees made a little more history for New Orleans and kept mistake-prone Detroit struggling, passing for 342 yards and three touchdowns as the Saints won their fourth straight, 31-17.
49ers blank Rams, clinch playoff berth
San Francisco 49ers Aldon Smith celebrates after sacking quarterback A.J. Feeley (4) of the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park on Dec. 4, 2011 in San Francisco. The 49ers trounced the beat-up Rams 26-0 to become the NFL's second team to secure a playoff berth behind unbeaten Green Bay.
Packers survive Giant scare, go to 12-0
Greg Jennings (85), Vic So'oto (97) and Jordy Nelson (87) of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after Mason Crosby kicked a successful 30-yard game-winning field goal to beat the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 4, 2011 in East Rutherford. Aaron Rodgers completed passes of 24, 27 and 18 yards in a lightning-quick five-play drive to set up a 31-yard field goal by Crosby on the final play, and the Packers remained undefeated and clinched a playoff berth with a 38-35 victory.
Cards dodge late kick, beat 'Boys in OT
Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (36) runs for a game-winning 52-yard touchdown reception past cornerback Terence Newman (41) of the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Dec. 4, 2011 in Glendale. Stephens-Howling caught the short pass from Kevin Kolb in overtime to give the Cardinals a 19-13 victory, snapping the Cowboys' four-game winning streak.
Rice powers Ravens over Browns
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) breaks free for a 30-yard run against the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter, Dec. 4, 2011, in Cleveland. Trailing the play are Browns defensive tackle Phillip Taylor (98), linebacker Chris Gocong (51) and Ravens guard Marshal Yanda (73). The Ravens kept pace with Pittsburgh atop the AFC North by running roughshod over the Browns 24-10.
Pats up big early, drop Colts to 0-12
Rob Gronkowski (87) of the New England Patriots beats A.J. Edds (52) of the Indianapolis Colts for his third touch during the second half at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 4, 2011 in Foxboro. Gronkowski scored three touchdowns as the Patriots hold on to beat the Colts 31-24.
Broncos, Tebow again stage late drama
Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen loses his helmet while being blocked by the Denver Broncos Ryan Clady (78) as Tim Tebow (15) runs during the second half, Dec. 4, 2011, in Minneapolis. Tebow passed for a season-best 202 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns to help the unflappable Broncos win their fifth straight game, 35-32.
Sanchez again rallies Jets, 'Skins flop
New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes pulls in a touchdown pass during the second half against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Dec. 4, 2011. With the game was on the line, Mark Sanchez was able to lead his 10th career fourth-quarter or overtime comeback victory -- and his second in two weeks -- highlighted by his 30-yard pass to Holmes for the go-ahead touchdown with 4:49 to play in the Jets 34-19 win.
Newton powers Panthers over Bucs
Quarterback Cam Newton (1) of the Carolina Panthers scrambles as linebacker Dekoda Watson (56) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pursues during the game at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 4, 2011 in Tampa. The rookie ran for three more touchdowns to set the NFL single-season record for TDs rushing by a quarterback, pacing a 38-19 rout of the struggling Buccaneers with a dominating performance.
Steelers sweep sloppy Bengals with rout
Ben Roethlisberger (7) of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a third quarter pass while playing the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on Dec. 4, 2011 in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes to Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall ran for two more and the Steelers used an explosive second quarter to crush error-prone Cincinnati. Pittsburgh won the game 35-7.
Bush helps Dolphins beat Raiders
Reggie Bush (22) of the Miami Dolphins rushes during a game against the Oakland Raiders at Sun Life Stadium on Dec. 4, 2011 in Miami. Bush ran for 100 yards and a touchdown, Matt Moore had a hand in two TDs and Kevin Burnett returned an interception 34 yards for Miami's final score, beating Oakland 34-14.
Yates, Texans top Falcons for 6th in row
Quarterback T.J Yates (13) of the Houston Texans tries to rush for a touchdown before being tackled by outside linebacker Mike Peterson (53) of the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 4, 2011 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. Yates threw a touchdown pass in his first NFL start, Arian Foster rushed for 111 yards and Houston overcame another injury to Andre Johnson to beat the Atlanta Falcons 17-10.
Palko, Chiefs earn win; Bears' Forte hurt
Tyler Palko (4) of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Dec. 4, 2011 in Chicago. Palko shook off two miserable starts and threw for 157 yards and a touchdown even though he was briefly lifted for Kyle Orton, and the Chiefs beat Bears 10-3.
C.J., Titans keep Bills on skids
Chris Johnson (28) of the Tennessee Titans runs in the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Dec. 4, 2011 in Orchard Park. Johnson rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Titans to a 23-17 win over the slumping Bills.
Seattle cripples Philly's playoff hopes
Marshawn Lynch (24) of the Seattle Seahawks scores as he out runs Asante Samuel (22) of the Philadelphia Eagles at CenturyLink Field, Dec. 1, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle's hard-charging running back bulled through Philadelphia for 148 yards and a pair of first-half touchdowns and the Seahawks rolled to a 31-14 victory that only added to the Eagles' miserable season.