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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, September 14, 2009

'Miracle' lifts Denver


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Denver's Brandon Stokley scored on an 87-yard deflected pass with 11 seconds left in a 12-7 win over Cincinnati.

AL BEHRMAN | Associated Press

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NFL TODAY

Buffalo at New England (1 p.m. Hawai'i time) Terrell Owens takes the spotlight in his first regular-season game with Buffalo against a Patriots defense that wants to prove it's just as strong missing five veteran starters.

San Diego at Oakland (4:15 p.m.) The Raiders, an NFL-worst 24-72 the past six seasons, try to show they're headed in the right direction against LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers. Oakland has lost its past 10 appearances on Monday night.

MILESTONES

Carolina's seven turnovers in a 38-10 loss to Philadelphia matched a team record. ... Baltimore amassed a franchise-record 501 yards in its 38-24 win over Kansas City.

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CINCINNATI — Brandon Stokley caught the deflected pass, turned and looked upfield. Nobody stood between him and the end zone.

Unbelievable!

In the time it takes to sprint the length of the field, Stokley ran Denver out of a crushing loss and into franchise lore. His 87-yard touchdown with 11 seconds left yesterday provided a 12-7 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

It was the longest game-winning play from scrimmage in the final minute of the fourth quarter in NFL history, according to the league.

"You know you need a miracle, and that's basically what we got," Stokley said. "When I scored, I just remember it being quiet, and that was a good feeling."

The Broncos felt sick after Cedric Benson's 1-yard run put the Bengals up 7-6 with 38 seconds left.

On the winning play, Denver's Kyle Orton threw to the left sideline for Brandon Marshall, who was blanketed. Cornerback Leon Hall cut in front, went up for the ball and tipped it into the air.

The carom went to Stokley, who couldn't believe his luck as he headed for the end zone, running sideways a few steps to kill time before finally crossing in.

JETS 24, TEXANS 7

HOUSTON — As good as Mark Sanchez was in his NFL debut, the Jets' defense was better.

Sanchez, the fifth overall pick in this year's draft, threw for 272 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut.

Houston's offense was outgained 462-183.

RAVENS 38, CHIEFS 24

BALTIMORE — Joe Flacco went 26 for 43 for 307 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs, for Baltimore.

The Ravens amassed a franchise-record 501 yards, yet needed a 31-yard touchdown catch by Mark Clayton with 2:06 left to break a tie.

Willis McGahee scored from the 1 with 31 seconds left to clinch it.

COLTS 14, JAGUARS 12

INDIANAPOLIS — Peyton Manning threw for one touchdown, and Joseph Addai ran for another for Indianapolis.

Manning tied John Unitas' franchise record for career wins with 118, and Reggie Wayne finished with 10 catches for 162 yards and a TD.

Indy allowed only 228 yards.

NFC

SAINTS 45, LIONS 27

NEW ORLEANS — Drew Brees looked even better than last year, which was bad news for a Detroit team trying to win for the first time since 2007.

Brees tied a Saints record with six touchdown passes and threw for 358 yards in a victory that extended the Lions' regular-season losing streak to 18.

Detroit rookie Matthew Stafford was 16 of 37 for 205 yards with three interceptions.

GIANTS 23, REDSKINS 17

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Eli Manning threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham, and defensive end Osi Umenyiora ran back a fumble 37 yards in his return from a knee injury for the Giants.

Washington drew within 23-17 with 1:30 to play on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jason Campbell to Chris Cooley, but Steve Smith recovered the onside kick and New York ran out the clock.

49ERS 20, CARDINALS 16

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shaun Hill and the rest of San Francisco's offense had an awful second half, except for one magnificent possession.

Hill directed a 15-play, 80-yard drive for the winning touchdown on a 3-yard pass to Frank Gore.

Arizona went up 16-13 with 14:52 left, but the 49ers regained control with the drive that used up nearly half of the final quarter.

SEAHAWKS 28, RAMS 0

SEATTLE — Matt Hasselbeck, playing his first game since Thanksgiving Day, overcame two interceptions in his first three throws to connect with John Carlson for two touchdowns.

Hasselbeck finished 25 of 36 for 279 yards for Seattle.

The Rams gained just 247 yards.

EAGLES 38, PANTHERS 10

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Philadelphia won thanks in large part to turnover-prone Jake Delhomme.

Victor Abiamiri picked up Delhomme's fumble, caused by Trent Cole's sack, and plunged 2 yards for the go-ahead touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.

Delhomme also was intercepted four times.

PACKERS 21, BEARS 15

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers brought the Packers back late in the fourth quarter, heaving a 50-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings with 1:11 remaining.

Facing third-and-1 at the 50-yard line, Rodgers heaved a rainbow of a throw deep to Jennings, who ran in for the go-ahead score.

The Bears' Jay Cutler threw a career-worst four interceptions.

COWBOYS 34, BUCCANEERS 21

TAMPA, Fla. — Tony Romo threw for 353 yards and three long touchdowns, spoiling Tampa Bay's debut under coach Raheem Morris.

Miles Austin avoided two tacklers on the sideline to score on a 42-yard reception just before halftime; Roy Williams streaked through a mistake-prone secondary on a 66-yard TD play early in the third quarter; and Patrick Crayton caught an 80-yard scoring pass in the fourth.

INTERLEAGUE

FALCONS 19, DOLPHINS 7

ATLANTA — Tony Gonzalez hauled in a touchdown pass and became the 21st player in NFL history with 11,000 yards receiving in Atlanta's victory.

Mike Peterson forced a fumble and picked off a pass for Atlanta.

Gonzalez hauled in five passes for a team-high 73 yards.