NFL-Vikings and Cowboys lose for second week in a row
Sun, 19 Sep 23:18:00 2010
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Quarterback Brett Favre fumbled the ball inside his own end zone to giftwrap the Miami Dolphins the game-winning touchdown as the Minnesota Vikings suffered their second straight loss of the NFL season on Sunday.
The Dolphins (2-0) held on to win the game 14-10 and leave the Vikings already playing catch-up after the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, who are in the same NFC North division, both improved to 2-0.
"I didn't envision starting off 0-2," said Favre, who spent the off-season deciding whether or not he would play this year. "But I knew it would be very difficult."
Favre, who led Minnesota to the NFC title game a year ago, completed 22 of 36 passes for 225 yards and was intercepted three times.
Linebacker Koa Misi recovered Favre's fumble after dropping back for a pass in the end zone to score with 6:29 left in the third quarter and give Miami a 14-0 lead.
The Packers thrashed the Buffalo Bills 34-7, despite being without starting tailback Ryan Grant and defensive end Justin Harrell, who were injured against Philadelphia last week.
Aaron Rodgers passed for two touchdowns and rushed another and finished with 255 yards through the air.
The Bears chalked up their second win of the season with a 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys (0-2) in Texas.
Jay Cutler threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns for the Bears while Dallas quarterback Tony Romo completed 35 of 51 passes for 374 yards and a touchdown but threw two first-half interceptions.
The Cowboys lost to the Washington Redskins last weekend, marking the first time since 2001 they have been beaten in their first two games of the season.
"Anytime you get in this position, it's very difficult," said Romo. "We've got to climb our way out of this."
VICK SHINES
Michael Vick completed 21 of 34 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns to lead the visiting Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) to a 35-32 victory over the Detroit Lions (0-2).
"You play the game over and over in your mind during the week, maybe 400 or 500 times," said Vick, who served time in prison and was suspended by the NFL for his involvement in an illegal dog-fighting ring.
"And when the game is finally there, you're in the moment. You just have to go out there and make the plays. And after the game you can assess your play to see how you did.
"It's just great to have this feeling that we won the game and I made a great contribution."
The Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) recovered from losing starting quarterback Dennis Dixon to a knee injury in the second quarter to beat the Tennessee Titans 19-11, while Ryan Succop booted his third field goal of the game with 7:41 left as the Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) held on for a 16-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) took advantage of two turnovers to beat the Carolina Panthers 20-7, while Mike Nugent kicked five field goals and the Cincinnati Bengals intercepted Joe Flacco four times in a 15-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Jason Snelling scored three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons thrashed the Arizona Cardinals 41-7 at the Georgia Dome.
(julian.linden@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646-552-9780. Reuters Messaging: julian.linden.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net; For the sports blog Left Field go to: blogs.reuters.com/sport/)