Jimmy Johnson came to Giants Stadium worried that his Dallas Cowboys might have a letdown against the New York Giants after beating the Washington Redskins.
Johnson should have been more worried about a letup. The Cowboys suffered a big one Sunday after building a 34-0 lead against New York and they had to hang on for a 34-28 in East Rutherford, N.J., win to prevent the greatest comeback in NFL history.No team has ever won after trailing by 34 points. The Giants came within a series of becoming the first.
Many in Giants Stadium thought the game was over when Troy Aikman threw his second TD pass, hitting Michael Irvin on a 27-yard scoring toss 90 seconds into the third quarter.
The enjoyment didn't last long as Phil Simms woke up the Giants and led New York (0-2) on four straight touchdown drives. In just 17 minutes, the Dallas lead was six points, with the last score coming on a 2-yard TD toss from Simms to Howard Cross with 6:52 to go.
"I hate to think we let up," said Aikman, who hit 22 of 35 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. "But I don't think at least offensively, we felt the same sense of urgency in the second half. But then, we haven't been in the position of trying to protect big leads too often."
Tonight, Miami is at Cleveland.
Rams 14, Patriots 0
At Anaheim, Calif., the Rams reversed themselves with their first shutout in 60 games and first win in 12. After a 40-7 rout at the hands of Buffalo last week, the Rams got seven sacks - three by Kevin Greene - and two interceptions from Todd Lyght.
Gerald Robinson and Mike Piel each had two sacks. The Patriots never got inside the Rams' 20.
Buccaneers 31, Packers 3
At Tampa, the guy doing the Joe Montana imitation is none other than Vinny Testaverde, perhaps the most maligned quarterback in the league. But under new coach Sam Wyche's tutelage, Testaverde has revitalized his career as the Buccaneers moved to 2-0 for the first time in 12 years.
Testaverde became the Bucs' career passing leader, surpassing Doug Williams, by completing 22 of 25 attempts for 363 yards and two touchdowns despite a case of the flu. Testaverde also scored on a 2-yard run, spiking the ball in safety Adrian White's face after forcing his way into the end zone.
Bengals 24, Raiders 21, OT
At Cincinnati, Dan Land fumbled the overtime kickoff and Antoine Bennett recovered, setting up Jim Breech's 34-yard field goal. The Bengals are 2-0 under new coach Dave Shula.
The Bengals withstood a strong performance by Raiders quarterback Jay Schroeder (24 of 37 passes for 367 yards). Schroeder hit all five of his passes for 73 yards before Marcus Allen's 1-yard touchdown run with 1:56 left tied it.
Steelers 27, Jets 10
At Pittsburgh, Barry Foster rushed for 190 yards, the best showing by a Steeler runner in 22 years. He scored from 54 and 23 yards.
Pittsburgh also forced seven turnovers, giving it 12 through two victories. The Jets lost three fumbles and threw four interceptions, including Larry Griffin's 65-yard touchdown return of Ken O'Brien's pass late in the fourth quarter, and are 0-2 after a 5-0 preseason.
Eagles 31, Cardinals 14
At Phoenix, Herschel Walker had his second straight 100-yard rushing game, a first since 1987 for him. The high-priced free agent rushed for 115 yards on 28 carries.
Fred Barnett broke loose for two TDs, one a 71-yarder, and had a career-high 193 yards receiving.
Philadelphia's defense, No. 1 in the league last year, capped the victory in the fourth quarter. Seth Joyner knocked the ball loose from Phoenix quarterback Chris Chandler, and Reggie White caught it and went 37 yards to score with 2:02 left.
Lions 31, Vikings 17
At Pontiac, Mich., kick teams were extra special for the Lions, who have won 11 straight at home. Mel Gray scored on a 58-yard punt return and Melvin Jenkins on a 56-yard run with a blocked field goal. It was the first double-touchdown performance by the Lions' special teamers since 1977.
Jerry Ball ran back a fumble 21 yards for a TD for Detroit.
It was the first defeat for Minnesota under new coach Dennis Green.
Saints 28, Bears 6
At New Orleans, the defenses were in charge of the first half, then New Orleans erupted for four touchdowns, two by the defenders.
Bobby Hebert came back from a 3-for-14 showing in the first half for 23 yards to find Eric Martin on a 52-yard touchdown pass and Wesley Carroll for 72 yards.
With 3:29 to go, Rickey Jackson sacked Jim Harbaugh, who fumbled. Robert "Pig" Goff, a 270-pound nose tackle, scooped up the ball and rumbled 21 yards for a touchdown. Just 1:21 later, Reggie Jones picked off a tipped pass and returned it 71 yards for the Saints' final score.
Chiefs 26, Seahawks 7
At Kansas City, Christian Okoye became Kansas City's all-time leading rusher, passing Ed Podolak. Okoye wound up with 63 yards for 4,501.
Former Seahawks QB Dave Krieg had a 72-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Birden on the third play, and Lonnie Marts went 36 yards with an interception for another score. Krieg was 13 for 19 for 231 yards.
Broncos 21, Chargers 13
At Denver, it was John Elway threw a 32-yard TD pass to Mark Jackson just five minutes into the game, then accounted for two third-quarter scores, scrambling 8 yards for one and hitting Shannon Sharpe for 34 on the other.
The Broncos also had five sacks and two interceptions in beating San Diego for the sixth straight year at Mile High Stadium.
Oilers 20, Colts 10
At Indianapolis, running back Lorenzo White was Warren Moon's main weapon in the run-and-shoot. Sure, Moon found Curtis Duncan eight times for 94 yards and Haywood Jeffires six times for 59 and a score. But White had a career-high 106 yards on four catches, including a 69-yard TD.