NFL Week 4 a Backward Glance
Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.
Vince Lombardi
After Edgerrin James's three-yard touchdown run gave the Colts a 24-17 lead, Jacksonville drove into Indianapolis territory with less than two minutes to play. But Fred Taylor came up short on fourth-and-one, and the Colts ran out the clock.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, showing uncommon poise for a rookie not expected to play this season, twice rallied the Steelers and Duce Staley ran for 123 yards. Roethlisberger went 17-of-25 for 174 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions to easily better Cincinnati counterpart Carson Palmer in a duel that may be repeated for years in the AFC North.
Tiki Barber ran for a 52-yard touchdown and 182 yards overall, while Kurt Warner threw a touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey to lead the Giants. Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre was knocked from the game with a head injury.
David Akers kicked four field goals, and Donovan McNabb threw for 237 yards and a TD to lead Philadelphia as the Eagles improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1993.
It took 36 games, but the Texans have their first win streak. That means it's finally time for quarterback David Carr to get a haircut. Carr vowed last September he wouldn't cut his hair until Houston won consecutive games. Now, he can happily head to the barber.
Lee Suggs, who missed the Browns' first three games with a neck injury, rushed for 82 yards and scored on a three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Jeff Garcia went 14-of-21 for 195 yards and a TD for the Browns, who didn't secure the win until Washington's Laveranues Coles fumbled with two minutes left.
The Jets forced four turnovers, including an interception returned 66 yards for a touchdown, to improve to 3-0 for only the third time in franchise history. New York also won its first three games in 1966 and 2000. The Dolphins fell to 0-4 for the first time since their expansion season in 1966.
Emmitt Smith earned another NFL record with his 77th 100-yard rushing game, and threw the first pass of his 15-year pro career. It went for a touchdown. The NFL's career rushing leader gained 127 yards in 21 carries.
The Falcons improved to 4-0 to match the best start in franchise history. Atlanta last opened a season 4-0 in 1986
Drew Brees threw for three touchdowns, including a 58-yard toss to Reche Caldwell midway through the fourth quarter, and LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 147 yards and one TD for the Chargers.
Denver quarterback Jake Plummer threw a five-yard TD pass to Patrick Hape and Jason Elam kicked three field goals to help keep Tampa Bay (0-4) winless.
