LANDOVER, Md. — Fred Smoot cried several times when he looked over to the safety position and Sean Taylor wasn't there. Santana Moss held up his fingers to represent Taylor's No. 21 after catching a pass. Clinton Portis revealed a T-shirt honoring Taylor after scoring the game's only touchdown.

Drained before they ever took the field, the Washington Redskins somehow steeled their fragile emotions and played to honor their fallen teammate in front of 85,000 fans waving their No. 21 towels.

Their resolve was shattered, replaced by more tears and disbelief, when Rian Lindell kicked a 36-yard field goal with 4 seconds left to give the Buffalo Bills a 17-16 victory.

"It makes your heart drop all the way to your feet," quarterback Jason Campbell said. "We wanted to come out here and win one for Sean."

Five days after Taylor died from a gunshot wound in Florida, the Redskins defense did Taylor proud by not allowing a touchdown. Buffalo's points came on five field goals and a safety.

But, on this of all days, a major gaffe by Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs played a key role in leaving Washington's players disconsolate at the final whistle.

Lindell made a 51-yard attempt that didn't count because Gibbs called timeout just as the ball was snapped. Gibbs then called another timeout as Lindell lined up a second time, but consecutive timeouts aren't allowed in the NFL — and they result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when specifically called to freeze the kicker.

The penalty gave Lindell a much easier kick in the rain. His game-winner extended his streak to 17 consecutive made field goals, tying the franchise record.

"I didn't show up to play this game," said Smoot, the Washington cornerback. "I showed up for a tribute for my friend, to send him out right, and we found a way to mess it up."

RAIDERS 34, BRONCOS 20

OAKLAND, Calif. — Josh McCown threw three touchdown passes for Oakland (4-8) despite missing two series when top overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell played for the first time in the win over Denver (5-7). Russell, the No. 1 overall draft pick, threw a 16-yard completion to Jerry Porter on his first play and moved Oakland downfield, but was unable to lead the Raiders to any points on his two drives.

BUCS 27, SAINTS 23

NEW ORLEANS — A botched trick play may have cost New Orleans its season. Devery Henderson fumbled a late, awkward toss from Reggie Bush, then backup quarterback Luke McCown drove Tampa Bay (8-4) for a touchdown with 17 seconds left to top New Orleans (5-7). The victory gave Tampa Bay a comfortable three-game lead in the NFC South, while the Saints probably have to win out to have a chance at a wild-card berth.

JETS 40, DOLPHINS 13

MIAMI — Rookie John Beck threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles, and Miami fell to 0-12 after losing to New York (3-9). Beck's turnovers led to a touchdown and three field goals.

GIANTS 21, BEARS 16

CHICAGO — Eli Manning led two late touchdown drives and Reuben Droughns scored on a 2-yard run with 1:33 remaining to lead New York (8-4) over Chicago (5-7).

CARDINALS 27, BROWNS 21

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Arizona (6-6) turned three of Cleveland's (7-5) four turnovers into touchdowns and Edgerrin James ran for 114 yards to top 100 for only the second time this season.

COLTS 28, JAGUARS 25

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning threw four touchdown passes, two after Indianapolis (10-2) won replay challenges, to top Jacksonville (8-4). It was the second victory by the Colts over the Jaguars this season, essentially giving them a three-game lead in the division with four games left.

SEAHAWKS 28, EAGLES 24

PHILADELPHIA — Lofa Tatupu set up Seattle's (8-4) first two touchdowns by intercepting A.J. Feeley twice in the first quarter, and he sealed victory with another pick at the Seahawks 4 in the final minute to top Philadelphia (5-7).

CHARGERS 24, CHIEFS 10

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 177 yards and San Diego (7-5) had eight sacks to beat Kansas City (4-8). Shawne Merriman had three of the sacks, which broke the Chiefs' record of seven allowed in a game.

STEELERS 24, BENGALS 10

PITTSBURGH — Hines Ward caught two touchdown passes from Ben Roethlisberger to break Pittsburgh's record for career scoring catches as the Steelers (9-3) beat Cincinnati (4-8).

VIKINGS 42, LIONS 10

MINNEAPOLIS — Adrian Peterson rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns in his return from a knee injury as Minnesota (6-6) beat Detroit (6-6).

TITANS 28, TEXANS 20

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vince Young threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns in rallying Tennessee (7-5) over Houston (5-7) and snapping a three-game skid.

RAMS 28, FALCONS 16

ST. LOUIS — Gus Frerotte threw three touchdown passes in the first half, then sweated out two second-half interceptions that fueled an Atlanta (3-9) comeback in St. Louis' (3-9) first home win this season.

PANTHERS 31, 49ERS 14

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Vinny Testaverde threw two touchdown passes and Carolina (5-7) snapped a five-game losing streak in beating San Francisco (3-9), which committed six turnovers.