SPORTS> North America
Indy capitalizes on QB Rosenfels' fumbles
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-07 09:00

HOUSTON: Peyton Manning turned a colossal collapse by the Houston Texans into a stunning 31-27 victory for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) sacks Houston Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels during the second half as the Colts defeated the Texans in their NFL football game in Houston October 5, 2008.  [Agencies]

The Colts scored 21 points in a late span of 2:10 - two touchdowns thanks to fumbles by Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels - then intercepted Rosenfels' last-ditch comeback attempt to seal one of the worst meltdowns in Houston's young history.

Backup Rosenfels, playing for the ill Matt Schaub, had the winless Texans ahead by 17 points before losing two fumbles and throwing an interception. Texans fans had wanted to see Schaub replaced all season, and Rosenfels was nearly flawless for three quarters.

Manning connected with rookie Tom Santi to make it 27-17 with 4:04 to go. Then Rosenfels was upended, fumbled, and linebacker Gary Brackett returned it 68 yards for 27-24. Rosenfels was stripped of the ball on the next drive, and Manning connected with Reggie Wayne on a 5-yarder with 1:54 remaining for the decisive points.

Dolphins 17, Chargers 10

In Miami, running back Ronnie Brown scored the decisive touchdown from the single-wing formation Miami revived two weeks ago as the Dolphins pulled off consecutive wins for the first time since November 2006.

Brown took a direct snap 11 times on running plays that netted 49 yards and Miami's second touchdown. He ran for 125, while Miami held San Diego star LaDainian Tomlinson to 35 yards on 12 carries. The Dolphins were nursing a seven-point lead when they stopped Tomlinson for no gain on fourth-and-goal at the 1 in the first minute of the final period.

Titans 13, Ravens 10

At Baltimore, Tennessee remained unbeaten thanks to a late touchdown drive and a defense that outperformed Baltimore's top-ranked unit.

Kerry Collins threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler with 1:56 left. The Titans trailed 10-6 before Collins directed an 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive. The march was aided by a penalty against Baltimore's Terrell Suggs, who was flagged for a blow to Collins' helmet - although the hit appeared to be little more than incidental contact.

Giants 44, Seahawks 6

At East Rutherford, New Jersey, Eli Manning threw two touchdowns in a nearly flawless performance, Brandon Jacobs ran for two more and the unbeaten New York Giants scored on their first five possessions in embarrassing Seattle.

The win was the eighth straight for the Giants dating to last year's playoffs, and it gave the Super Bowl champions their best start since 1990, when they also won the NFL title. The Giants rolled up 523 yards in total offense, their most since collecting 524 against Green Bay in 2002.

Falcons 27, Packers 24

At Green Bay, Wisconsin, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers played hurt and played hard but he was upstaged by Atlanta rookie Matt Ryan, who completed 16 of 26 passes for 194 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against the banged-up Packers.

Falcons receiver Roddy White caught eight passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, while Michael Turner ran for 121 yards and a touchdown as the new-look Falcons earned their first road win of the season and handed the Packers a third straight defeat.

Redskins 23, Eagles 17

At Philadelphia, Clinton Portis ran for 145 yards and one touchdown and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El threw a touchdown pass as Washington made it through the first five games under new coach Jim Zorn better than anyone expected at 4-1.

Shaun Suisham kicked three field goals beyond 40 yards, helping the Redskins overcome a 14-0 deficit against Philadelphia, which couldn't generate much on offense. Brian Westbrook, back after missing a game with an ankle injury, had just 84 total yards.

Panthers 34, Chiefs 0

At Charlotte, North Carolina, DeAngelo Williams had 123 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns as Carolina handed Kansas City its first whitewash in nearly six years.

Kansas City's only highlight in a miserable day was a personal milestone. Tony Gonzalez caught a 6-yard pass from Damon Huard late in the first quarter to move past Shannon Sharpe as the NFL's career leader for yards receiving for a tight end.