NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Senior writer jclombardi highlights Packers vs 49ers game review headlines.

Packers 34-49ers 16–QB Rodgers’ star shines brightest: The most wattage Sunday came from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. And after yet another impressive performance, 21 for 30, 298 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, 135.1 passer rating, to lead his team to its fifth victory in the last six games. If the Packers are only going to go as far as their quarterback takes them, then they should have a playoff berth, an NFC North division title and a Super Bowl berth. "We ask a lot of the guy. He does a lot of things out there for us," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "He makes a lot of adjustments; there's a lot on his plate. And he's really handled it extremely well. I really like the discipline that he's playing with. He's doing a good job." Try a great job. Over the past four games, victories over Minnesota, Dallas and San Francisco and Atlanta loss, Rodgers has completed 96 of 130 passes (73.8 percent) for 1,232 yards with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 131.3.  Rodgers has gone five games and 177 passes without throwing an interception, the longest such streaks since Hall of Famer Starr. "Aaron is playing sharp. He's really in a groove," said coach Mike McCarthy, whose Packers (8-4) rolled up 410 yards of offense, with Rodgers getting help from rookie James Starks' 73-yard NFL debut. "Aaron is in a very good rhythm. And really, offensively, our ball security is right where it needs to be and we need to keep it there. I think we've had one turnover in the last five games, so I am very pleased with the offense on that aspect."

Driver, Jennings deliver: Both made game-turning catches. The difference? One did it for the first time in awhile; the other while continuing the most productive stretch of his career during which the only people who've been feeling sick have been opposing defensive backs. The Packers saw vintage Donald Driver and Greg Jennings during Sunday's 34-16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field. They welcomed back Driver, who once again reminded everyone that he should never be counted out, even at age 35; and they saw more of the same from Jennings, who delivered his third consecutive 100-yard game and second multi-touchdown performance in three weeks. "You've got to have some big plays in the game to kind of make it a game-changing game," said Jennings, who caught six passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. "That's what happened. We had some big plays. I got 'em on my touchdown. Driver got 'em on his. Game-changing plays. Sudden change. The defense is back on their toes now, and you've got 'em where you want 'em." The Packers' offense and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have Driver and Jennings right where they want 'em too: Making plays and delivering the 1-2 punch in the passing game that has been absent largely because of Driver's decreased productivity. Jennings actually made the first game-turning play. With the Packers looking out of sorts offensively and trailing 6-0, 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks jumped offsides. As they're taught to do, Rodgers and Jennings recognized the free play and went deep, with Jennings beating cornerback Shawntae Spencer down the left sideline and making a terrific catch for the 57-yard score. But Driver’s 61-yard touchdown Sunday not only gave the Packers breathing room at 21-13 early in the third quarter, it also provided proof that the old man still can make plays when called upon.

Packers back to old winning ways: That it took a big play from their oldest player to get the Green Bay Packers going was fitting on a day the team sported throwback uniforms. For a few brilliant seconds Sunday, Donald Driver did some turning back the clock of his own. The 35-year-old wide receiver, whose production has slipped this season, caught a pass and refused to be tackled, willing his way to a touchdown that served as the spark the Packers needed to avoid a loss that would have severely damaged their run to the postseason. Driver’s 61-yard touchdown reception on the opening series of the third quarter began a dominant stretch that saw Green Bay turn a one-point halftime lead into a 34-16 rout of the San Francisco 49ers before a crowd of 70,575 at Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns as the Packers (8-4), whose uniform Sunday was a re-creation of the one worn by the organization’s first world championship team in 1929, remained one game behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North standings. Two of those scores belonged to red-hot wide receiver Greg Jennings, who caught six passes for 122 yards – his third consecutive game over the century mark – and upped his season touchdown total to 11. But it was Rodgers’ other touchdown pass – the one to Driver – that Packers coach Mike McCarthy called the “biggest play in the game” and Rodgers said was “the one of the best plays I’ve ever been part of.” Starting with that touchdown, the Green Bay offense scored on its first four possessions of the second half to break open a game it led 14-13 at the half. The Packers outgained the 49ers 220-95 in total yardage in the second half and held the ball more than 20 minutes during those two quarters to finish with an overwhelming 37:11 to 22:49 cushion in time of possession.

RB Starks hits the ground running in Packers debut–Packers running back James Starks has 73 yards in 18 carries and also returns two kickoffs for 25 yards in his first NFL action: James Starks sported a big, white bandage on his forehead and a big, wide grin on his face Sunday afternoon. Not only had he just suited up for his first NFL game, but he had played a key role in the Packers’ 34-16 victory over the 49ers. Rookie Starks had 18 carries for 73 yards. He was activated from the PUP list Nov. 9 but was inactive the last two games. According to Elias, Starks’ 73 rushing yards were the most by a Packers rookie running back in his first game since Ralph Earhart had 78 at Boston on Sept. 17, 1948. ”I was just anxious to get out there and play with my teammates, play with ‘A-Rod’ (Aaron Rodgers), play for the fans here at Lambeau,” Starks said. “It was an exciting moment for me. I just took it all in. I was like an excited little kid out there.” Whether Starks breathed some life into a struggling running game or the offensive line blocked better after a tough loss in Atlanta, the result was 136 yards on the ground for the Packers. ”We established the run today,” said receiver Greg Jennings. “I thought we ran the ball really well. We’re still not where we want to be. We’ve got a new kid on the block who is trying to step up and give us that power back. ”Our offensive line did an outstanding job opening holes for him, and he did a good job reading them.” With Starks shouldering most of the load, starter and Packers leading rusher Brandon Jackson got just four carries and gained 13 yards. He did catch four passes for 63 yards, including 37 on a beautifully executed screen. Starks is a big back at 6 foot 2 and 218 pounds. He might be more powerful than the 5-10, 216-pound Jackson, and he’s faster than backup John Kuhn (six carries for 13 yards).

Jenkins hopes for good news: Packers hoping they didn't suffer yet another body blow during Sunday's 34-16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field. After registering two sacks on 49ers quarterback Troy Smith – giving him a career-best seven on the season – veteran defensive end Cullen Jenkins reinjured his troublesome calf with 1 minute 59 seconds left in the game. Jenkins originally injured his calf during pregame warm-ups against Minnesota on Oct. 24, and he said after the game that it felt worse this time around. "I'm going to visit Doc (Pat McKenzie) to get it checked," Jenkins said. "We'll see how it is." Asked how serious he thought Jenkins' injury was, coach Mike McCarthy replied, "You really don't know until tomorrow. Anytime you have a strain, particularly of a muscle … it's the same one that he's strained in the past, so that's the concern there. We'll have more information for you tomorrow." Before going down, Jenkins made two colossal plays. His first sack on Smith came on second-and-goal from the Packers' 2 and the 49ers leading, 3-0. Smith initially eluded Jenkins, but Jenkins spun around and kept after him for the 8-yard loss. Two plays later, the 49ers settled for a field goal.

Ben Roethlisberger broke his nose. Heath Miller came out with a concussion. But through it all, the black and gold will take it.

Coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers needed a “signature win,” and Sunday night in hostile territory, the team got it, gutting out a hard-nosed 13-10 win over the Ravens. The win puts the Steelers in sole possession in first in the AFC North with a mark of 9-3, while the Ravens drop to 8-4.

It means that the Steelers control the division, and if they win out, they are assured at worst the two-seed in the AFC, a bye, and at least one home game in the playoffs. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.

As was expected, points were not easy to come by Sunday night, but it was the Steelers offense that finally found some rhythm in the second half, scoring 13 points as they got them when it counted, holding the Ravens to 3 points in the final 30 minutes.

Troy Polamalu made the biggest play of the night, and maybe the season, as he forced a fumble with a sack of Joe Flacco with 3:13 left, and the loose ball was taken 19 yards by Lamarr Woodley to the Baltimore 9, setting up the Steelers game winning score.

Roethlisberger after two incomplete passes, threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Redman with 2:51 for the difference. The Ravens drove to the Steelers 31, but on fourth-and-two, Ravens coach John Harbaugh declined to try a 49-yard field goal for kicker Billy Cundiff, and instead went for a pass play to try and get closer, and the pass to the flat was incomplete, saving the Steelers win.

Say what you want about Roethlisberger, but he hung in against a fierce defense, throwing for 253 yards, most of them coming after his nose was broken by a blow in the first quarter on the teams first possession. He went went 22 for 38 and has won six straight starts against Baltimore and is 8-2 lifetime against the Ravens.

Flacco was 17 for 33 for 266 yards, but his fumble was the most decisive play of the game.

The Steelers lost a couple key players during the game along with the TKO of Roethlisberger. Miller was hit with a cheap shot that should have been a personal foul, and suffered a concussion in the third quarter after the hit from Ravens cornerback Chris Carr. Right tackle Flozell Adams also limped off the field in the third quarter. Punter Daniel Sepulveda hurt his right knee in the second quarter, and placekicker Shaun Suisham was called upon to punt for the remainder of the game.

The Ravens could have taken control in the first half, as they went up 7-0 late in the first quarter. Flacco went 6 for 6 during a 92-yard drive, completing a 61-yarder to Anquan Boldin on a third-and-15 before connecting with Boldin for a 14-yard touchdown.

In the second quarter, Flacco connected with Donte' Stallworth for a 67-yard completion. The play took Baltimore to the Pittsburgh 27, but a third-down sack took the Ravens out of field goal range. The Steelers held the Ravens run game in check, as Baltimore had 11 yards rushing on 11 attempts in the first half.

The Steelers offense finally got going in the second half, as they got field goal drives to cut it to 10-6, and then Polamalu’s huge play late saved them, as the team finally got the play they needed to put them in a position to win the game.

Rashard Mendenhall had 19 rushes for 45 yards, and Mike Wallace had 5 grabs for 76 yards.

The Steelers start the first of three at home next Sunday, as they host the worst in the AFC North, the Bengals, who have lost 9 straight, including a Monday night loss to the Steelers four weeks ago 27-21.

Well, obviously you don't know much about football if you didn't see this coming. I mean, it didn't take a genius to figure out that not only would the Raiders beat the Chargers, but they would beat them up. Manhandle them, if you will.

Oh, yea, you might point to the fact that the Raiders were destroyed in Pittsburgh two weeks ago, and then embarrassed at home against the Miami Dolphins last week. Or you might point to the fact that the Chargers had won four straight, including a thoroughly convincing win in Indianapolis last Sunday night.

Or maybe you might think that because the Chargers had won 18 straight games in December that this game was a gimme. But it was obvious to anyone who really watches football that none of that mattered. The nuances all pointed to a Raiders victory. Didn't you see this coming? I did.

If you look at my preview piece on Thursday, I predicted a Raiders win in San Diego… hold on, where is that piece? I sent it into my editor. I wrote something about the Raiders sweeping the season series after their win on Sunday. I didn't say maybe either. I said. emphatically, a Raiders win! Notice the exclamation point for added effect.

Why is that not on the site? Who's in charge here? I know the Raiders came in as a 12.5 point underdog, but I didn't say the Raiders would cover, I said they'd win.

The Raiders had held Pittsburgh and Miami to 68 points the past two games since their 'bye' week and I knew they were just getting the cobwebs out with those two tough losses. Both of those games could have gone either way with a break or 10 going Oakland's way.

San Diego, meanwhile, seemed like they had peaked in November. You don't win championships by winning in November. If you did, the Jaguars and Jets would be perennial Super Bowl teams. The Chargers are a December team, but by reeling off 4 straight wins in November, they were prone to lay an egg. Usually Norv Turners teams wait until January to do so, but I knew.

All of this was so predictable… if I could just find that article I wrote a couple of days ago… here it is. No, that's the one calling the Raiders average. How did that one get here? And who wrote that? What an idiot. Average? Did you see this team today? They were a juggernaut. Average? Moron.

No, I said that if the Raiders could run the ball, get back to basics, they would control the clock and win this game. I'm looking in my 'sent' file and I can't find that e-mail.

You'll just have to take my word for it. I saw this one coming a mile away. Didn't you?

The Rams headed to Arizona to face off against an Arizona Cardinals team that they have not been able to beat in 8 games including a loss in Week 1 of 2010 in a game they should have won.  The Rams needed some revenge and to finally get a win on the road against a divisional foe.  The Cardinals were the perfect opponent to break those losing streaks as the Cardinals came into the game in disarray and the Rams were able to continue that misery for the Arizona squad.  The Rams started slowly, but were able to get their feet under them and dominate the 2^nd half.  The Rams and Cardinals showed what a difference a quality quarterback makes.  The Rams were lead by Sam Bradford and the Cardinals tried three different quarterbacks without success.

The Rams defense started off very slowly against Arizona as their blitzes did not get to Cardinals QB Derek Anderson, but the defense did not break and allowed 2 field goals in the first quarter.  The defense continued to struggle against the run in this game, allowing big chunks of yards to either of the Cardinals running backs.  The Rams utilized the blitz early and often and it finally paid off as Derek Anderson got more chances to throw the ball.  Craig Dahl was able to secure his first career interception on a wildly thrown ball inside the red zone.  The Rams were able to move the ball down the field and get 3 points from that turnover and head into halftime leading 9-6 in a battle of field goal kickers.  The Rams would have hoped to have more as they were stopped inside the 3 yard line and had to settle for a field goal.  Sam Bradford had Daniel Fells wide open on 3^rd and Goal, but Calais Campbell skied and knocked down the potential touch down.

The Rams played pretty badly for most of the first half, but had to be happy going into half time with a 3 point lead.  The defense especially had to be encouraged because they allowed chunks of yards to the Cardinals lightly-regarded rushing game.

The Rams opened the second half with the ball and Sam Bradford threw an uncharacteristic interception on the first 3^rd down they faced, but the Rams defense was able to hold and force a punt.  The Rams were finally able to convert a few first downs and deploy their no-huddle offense to wear down the Cardinals defense.  The Rams offensive line finally was able to open a big hole for Steven Jackson and number 39 did the rest, kicking it into 5^th gear and out running everyone for 27 yards and a touchdown.

The Cardinals were desperate for some production out of their quarterback position and turned to rookie QB Max Hall in the 3^rd, who promptly was sacked, threw a deflected incompletion and an interception in his first series.  Bradley Fletcher jumped in front of Larry Fitzgerald to secure the interception.  The best thing to happen to the Rams defense was the Rams offense finally scoring points and forcing the Cardinals to throw the ball and abandon the running game which was working so well in the first half.  The Rams were able to turn the Max Hall interception into a field goal and a 19-6 lead at the beginning of the 4^th quarter.

In the Cardinals next series, they went back to the run successfully, but Max Hall was sacked and fumbled and got injured on the play when he recovered the football, forcing the Cardinals to go with fellow rookie John Skelton.  Skelton was able to find holes in the Rams defense to pick up two first downs in a row, but the Cardinals offense self-destructed and the Rams forced them to punt.  The Rams stopped the Cardinals and finally got the ball back and salted the game away through high percentage passes and big Steven Jackson runs.  And in that way, the Rams secured their 6^th victory of the season which equals the win total in the Rams previous 3 seasons combined.  The Seattle Seahawks also won, so the Rams sit in 1^st place in the NFC West after 12 games at 6-6.  If I told you those last two sentences before the season, you would not have believed me, but the Rams have been able to get it done in a wide open NFC West.  The Rams took advantage of their opportunities against the Cardinals, just as they have all season.

Peyton Manning did it again. He threw a bunch of interceptions, just like last week. He threw four interceptions along with two touchdowns. Overall, he was 36-of-48 for 365 yards, finishing up with a 75.4 rating. It was way better than last week, however, the fourth pick would be the worst of it. With overtime in, the Colts made a great defensive stop on Dallas to force a punt. Indy was facing a crucial third down and four near midfield. Manning forced a throw in to Jacob Tamme with two Cowboy defenders around him, which forced a pick. Mike Jenkins tipped the pass which would result in linebacker's Sean Lee's hands for his second pick. He would take it back past midfield. Dallas would drive down the field to hit a 38-yard game-winner for a 38-35 win in overtime to improve to 4-8. Indianapolis now falls to 6-6.

But I loved the effort Indy put into this game. The Cowboys made an easy first drive, which resulted in a Tashard Choice twelve-yard touchdown to put Dallas up 7-0. Peyton Manning would go long and throw an interception for the first drive on Indy. Kicker David Buehler would then notch up three points for the 'Boys to put them up 10-0. Manning would throw another interception then in the second quarter to Orlando Scandrick, which would end up for a 40-yard return to the end zone to bring Dallas' lead up to 17-0. But Manning and the Colts would fight back, and Manning would hook up with Pierre Garcon for a 13-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 17-7 with about two minutes left in the first half.

Coming into the second half, Indy went out strong. Manning would find Reggie Wayne open for a long, 34-yard bomb to cut the deficit to 17-14. Dallas would march back, but Indy would make a great defensive stand. Dwight Freeney almost sacked quarterback Jon Kitna as he overthrew Miles Austin. If Austin knew the ball was coming to him, Dallas would be up 24-14 by now. Instead, another field-goal was in to put them up 20-14. Indy would struggle then. Piled on by penalties, Manning would struggle. There, he threw an interception to Sean Lee, as he took it 31 yards back for a touchdown. It was now 27-14, Cowboys. However, Indianapolis would come back and Manning would drive Indianapolis down the field. He would eventually hand it off to Javarris James for a one-yard score. Indy was now back in the game, 27-21. After a strong defensive stand, wide receiver Taj Smith made a huge play on special teams. Smith was on the team's practice squad for the past couple of years. Smith would block the punt and return for a touchdown to put Indy up, 28-27!

In the fourth, however, Dallas would take control. Dallas would reach the point to the goal-line. But that is where it changed the game. After three big run-stops with Indy's goal-line stand, Dallas had to kick a field gaol. Buehler made it, but the Cowboys were called for a false start. Buehler would make the kick again, as Dallas was now up 30-28. However, Eric Foster made an illegal move as he jumped over a Cowboys' offensive lineman so he could try to block the field goal. With this, it was a leverage penalty and Dallas would get first and goal with a new set of downs. Just think that the Colts could have won like 35-30, but Foster made a huge mistake. But Dallas would get a touchdown on third-and-goal with a Jason Witten catch. Dallas would go for the two-point conversion, finding an open Roy Williams for the successful conversion. It was now 35-28, Cowboys. With about two minutes to go, the Colts had to drive down the field. Manning would hook up with Reggie Wayne multiple times, showing how great of an All-Pro receiver he is. Manning would then hand it off to Javarris James at the goal-line for a touchdown to tie the game at 35. With 29 seconds left, the Cowboys' returner fumbled the ball thanks to no other than special teams warrior Taj Smith. But the Cowboys would miraculously recover. With 21 seconds left, Dallas would run down the clock to force overtime.

With overtime here, the Colts won the coin-toss. Indy would have a good drive, but they would fail on third-and-four as Wayne dropped the pass. Indy would punt and make a strong defensive stand on the Cowboys. Manning would throw an interception, which would end the game. During the pick, when you look at the replay. Wayne was clearly a lot more open than Tamme. Manning should have gone with Wayne on that play. But hey, I guess he will notice that when he looks at the film.

Something is wrong with Manning. I have never seen him play this game. This marks 13 interceptions in the last five games with eleven in the last three. That leads the league! Manning has 24 touchdowns and 15 picks for the year. Ouch. If Manning keeps this up, he'll be in for a 20-plus interception season, something he hasn't had since his rookie season when he had 26 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. Manning has to fix himself. But the Colts also have a problem with staying healthy. I suggest signing a good lineman or two and a receiver if they keep struggling. Manning can't keep throwing to Jacob Tamme, Reggie Wayne, and Pierre Garocn all the time. I suggest signing a guy like Antonio Bryant. Manning needs some targets. Next season, Indy needs to completely change their offensive line. It's terrible, and that is what is also leading to some of those interceptions. Other key free agents that are receivers include Kevin Curtis and Domenick Hixon.

Indianapolis still has a good chance of making the playoffs, but they have to win the rest of their games to do so. If they beat Tennessee next week, they stand at 7-6 as they head back home to host the Jacksonville Jaguars. If the Jags win or lose in Week 14, Week 15 between these two teams will be the battle for who wins the AFC South. And if Indianapolis wins and beats the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans there-after, they are in the playoffs. But at 6-6 and how they are playing right now, they could be out of the playoffs for the first time since 2001 when they went 6-10.

Indianapolis needs to fix themselves now.

No more excuses.

If they want to win, adjustments happen this instant.

The Falcons easily could have chalked up a loss Sunday in Tampa, but led by a huge Eric Weems 102-yard kickoff return, the Falcons rallied for a 28-24 win over the Bucs.

Matt Ryan threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins as the Falcons rallied from a 10-point deficit to beat the Buccaneers for their sixth straight victory.

Ryan led his sixth fourth-quarter comeback of the season for the NFC South leaders, keeping a 10-play, 67-yard march alive with a 25-yard completion to Roddy White on third-and-20. The Falcons (10-2) also benefited from a couple of costly penalties on the Bucs.

Rookie LeGarrette Blount rushed for 103 yards and fullback Earnest Graham threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to John Gilmore for Tampa Bay (7-5), which fell to 0-5 against teams with winning records.

Josh Freeman drove the Bucs into Falcons territory on the team's final possession, but Brent Grimes' interception ended the threat.

Michael Turner had 88 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries for the Falcons, who maintained their one-game lead in both the conference and division standings.

On an ugly December day at Lambeau Field, the 49ers had their shots early, but couldn’t stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers from the big plays, as they fell 34-16 to fall to 4-8 on the year.

Rodgers threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns, using three completions of 48 yards or more to help the Packers (8-4) remain one game behind the Bears in the NFC North.

Greg Jennings caught a 57-yard touchdown pass among six receptions for 122 yards and two scores, while Donald Driver had four catches for 73 yards and a score, including an incredible 61-yard TD that featured several missed tackles.

“It’s the fourth quarter (of our season), and that’s the way I’ve addressed the team,” said Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. “This is December football. We’re playing good football right now, but good isn’t good enough, as we know. So we want to be playing our best football.”

Troy Smith had a tough day, going just 10-of-25 passes for 194 yards with a touchdown and a pick for the 49ers, who fell two games behind St. Louis and Seattle in the NFC West.

Vernon Davis caught a 66-yard touchdown pass and finished with 126 yards on four catches in defeat. The Packers held a one-point lead at halftime and extended their advantage on the first drive of the second half.

With a 2nd-and-16 from the GB 39, Rodgers hit Driver on a throw to the right side about 25 yards downfield. Driver dodged several defenders in a spectacular run after the catch; one 49er nearly jumped on Driver’s back, but Driver ducked and waited for him to pass by, then he dragged two defenders into the end zone from about five yards away to complete the 61-yard touchdown for a 21-13 lead.

“That was one of the best plays I’ve ever been a part of,” Rodgers said. “It was incredible. Donald made one of the most amazing catch-and-runs I’ve ever seen.”

San Francisco answered with a 23-yard Jeff Reed field goal, but Rodgers threw a perfect pass in between two defenders to Jennings for a 48-yard gain to the SF 3. Three plays later, Jennings caught a one-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 28-16 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the third.

“They came out slinging the ball in the second half, and that’s a credit to them,” said 49ers head coach Mike Singletary. “We have to go back and look at the film to see exactly what the heck happened.”

After a failed 49ers drive, Mason Crosby drilled a 43-yard field goal for a 15-point lead with just under 14 minutes to play in the game.

Crosby’s 24-yard make with a bit over three minutes left increased the margin to 34-16 and accounted for the final score.

Reed capped San Francisco’s opening drive with a 44-yard field goal before Crosby attempted to tie the game with a 29-yard try at the other end. Crosby, however, hit the left upright to keep the 49ers ahead.

It became 6-0 in the early moments of the second quarter when Reed hit a 26- yard field goal, though the Packers’ offense finally got going with a big play.

With seven minutes left until halftime, Green Bay faced a 3rd-and-1 from its own 43. Rodgers drew the defense offsides, affording him an opportunity to throw deep; he hit Jennings in stride down the left sideline, and Jennings raced into the end zone for a 7-6 lead.

San Francisco went three-and-out on its next series, and the Packers extended their lead. Starting from midfield, Rodgers directed a six-play drive that ended on John Kuhn’s one-yard touchdown run. On the play before, Brandon Jackson took a short screen pass 37 yards to set up the score for a 14-6 lead with just under two minutes left.

On the second play from scrimmage of the ensuing 49ers drive, Smith found Davis on a crossing pattern to the right, and Davis avoided a safety en route to his 66-yard touchdown and 14-13 halftime score.

Steelers: QB Charlie Batch, RB Jonathan Dwyer, CB Crezdon Butler, OL Chris Scott, OL Tony Hills, DL Steve Mclendon, TE Matt Spaeth, DE Aaron Smith

Ravens: CB Cary Williams, FB Le’Ron McClain, FB Jason McKie, LB Jason Phillips, LB Dannell Ellerbe, OL Bryan Mattison, DL Arthur Jones, DL Lamar Divens

In December, a win is a win, and despite it being ugly, the Chiefs will take it Sunday, as they topped the Denver Broncos 10-6 at Arrowhead Stadium.

The win comes a few weeks after the team lost by 20 to the Broncos, and while they would have loved to have won by more, they will take the win to move to 8-4 on the season.

They also got a gift loss by the Chargers at home to the Raiders, meaning they are a full two games up in the AFC West with just four to play.

Jamaal Charles ran for 116 yards and Matt Cassel threw a 3-yard pass to Leonard Pope for the only touchdown as the Chiefs moved to to 6-0 at home.

The Chiefs defense did get some revenge on Kyle Orton, the Broncos QB who shredded them the last time out. Orton, at the top of the stat sheet for QB’s in the NFL, was 9-of-28 for a season-low 117 yards in the loss, Denver’s seventh in its past eight games.

Knowshon Moreno led the Broncos (3-9) with 161 yards on 23 carries. "There were some penalties and turnovers and different things that kind of swayed momentum a little bit," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "We just never could finish once we got down there in the red zone. They deserve a lot of credit, that's why they're where they're at. They played and coached well today. That's why they are on top of the division."

Denver, down 10-6, got the ball at its own 15-yard line with 3:56 remaining. Brandon Lloyd caught an 18-yard pass for a rare first down, but Orton threw incomplete on the next play, was sacked by Javier Arenas on second down, then came up four yards short on a dump pass to Moreno.

The Broncos opted to punt with 2 1/2 minutes remaining and just two timeouts left. Kansas City moved the chains once and was able to chew off a little more than two minutes while reaching its 33-yard line.

"It wasn't pretty, but at the same time I thought we came out and were able to overcome some adversity," said Cassel. "Our hats go off to the defense."

The Chiefs went up 7-0 late in the opening quarter thanks to an 11-play, 70- yard drive that featured a trio of third-down conversions. On 2nd-and-goal from the two, Cassel rolled to his right and found Pope at the 1:15 mark.

That would be just about it for the offense, but it was enough on a day that belonged to the Chiefs D.

The Chiefs, who have won three in a row, could really put the division in their back pocket next week as they play at San Diego.

After 15 minutes of play against the one-win Carolina Panthers, the Seahawks had run just eight offensive plays.  After 30 minutes, Seattle had managed three points.

The following nine minutes to start the second half? Twenty-one points, as Seattle erased an 11-point halftime deficit to defeat the visiting Panthers 31-14.

Starting the third quarter with the ball on their own four-yard line, Seattle (6-6) rode a 26-yard reception by tight end Cameron Morrah and a 31-yard run by Justin Forsett en route to the team's first touchdown of the game.  The drive, covering 96 yards in nine plays, was capped off by Marshawn Lynch's first of three scores in the game.

Carolina (1-11) would hold onto the ball for three plays before Seattle was in the end zone again.  Facing third-and-one from the his own 27-yard line, Jimmy Clausen attempted to connect with second-year fullback Tony Fiammetta, but found linebacker Lofa Tatupu instead.  Racing 26 yards down the field into the end zone, Tatupu gave Seattle a two-point lead prior to Olindo Mare's extra point that lengthened the advantage to 17-14.

Failing to prolong its ensuing drive, Carolina was forced to punt.  Bringing the football in at the Seattle 14-yard line, Leon Washington returned the kick 84 yards before the Panthers' punter, Jason Baker, tripped the first-year Seahawk up.

Two plays later, Marshawn Lynch was at it again, taking the football up the middle for a one-yard score.  An Olindo Mare extra point with a little over six minutes to go in the third quarter gave Seattle 24 unanswered points and a 24-14 advantage.

By the end of the game, Lynch accounted for 97 total yards of offense and three rushing touchdowns.  It was the first time in the running back's four-year professional career that he scored three times in a single contest.

With the win, Seattle remains atop the NFC West standings with the St. Louis Rams, who also won Sunday.

Prior to halftime, it appeared that Seattle was bound for defeat.  Behind a ground game of Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson, the Panthers had 93 rushing yards, two touchdowns and an 11-point lead.

Goodson scored on the game's first possession, taking a six-yard run into the end zone.

Returning to the Pacific Northwest for the first time as a professional, Stewart scored on a three-yard run with 8:09 remaining in the second quarter.  The Fort Lewis, Wash. and Timberline High School product finished the day with92 yards on 21 carries and the touchdown.

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