Maybe the Green Bay Packers' defense will get some credit now.
The Packers intercepted Stan Humphries three times, and Tony Bennett and Johnny Holland stopped fourth-down attempts by the San Diego Chargers to help Green Bay to a 20-13 victory Sunday night."We went into Chicago last week and (pre-game talk) was all about Chicago's defense," Reggie White said. "Coming in here this week it was all about San Diego's defense. Nothing about ours. We're No. 4 in the league in total defense. Yet we don't get any credit."
"But we're not trying to please anybody. The only thing we're trying to do is win."
Edgar Bennett and Darrell Thompson scored on short runs and Chris Jacke kicked two field goals as the Packers (8-5) remained in a tie with Detroit for the NFC Central lead. San Diego, the defending AFC West champion, fell to 6-7.
The Packers never trailed, and their defense was particularly impressive in the second half.
Trailing 13-6, the Chargers went for it on fourth-and-4 from the Green Bay 34 on the first drive of the second half. Bennett threw Humphries for an 11-yard loss, giving the Packers the ball on their 45.
That set up a 12-play, 55-yard drive capped by Thompson's 5-yard run. On the drive, Sterling Sharpe caught a 14-yard pass from Brett Favre to post the fourth 1,000-yard season of his six-year career.
With 4:42 to play in the game, Bryce Paup slowed Natrone Means and Johnny Holland held the San Diego back for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the Green Bay 37.
The Packers weren't finished.
The Chargers, who have scored only six touchdowns in seven home games, had the ball at the Green Bay 43 approaching the two-minute warning. Terrell Buckley picked off Humphries' pass intended for Nate Lewis and returned it 31 yards to the Chargers' 48.
White had only three tackles and didn't get a sack for the third straight game. But the Packers proved their defense is deeper than their star end.
Favre completed 13 of 23 passes for 146 yards, with one interception. Sharpe caught seven passes for 65 yards, giving him 1,016 for the season.
Giants 20, Colts 6
The Giants have been steady if not spectacular all year with a dose of good fortune. That often leads to the playoffs, as it has for the Giants (10-3).
New York won its fifth straight as Rodney Hampton rushed for a career-high 173 yards and a TD.
The Giants were 8-8 and 6-10 under Ray Handley, who was replaced by Dan Reeves. Now, they have the best record in the league.
The Colts (4-9) have not scored a touchdown in 17 quarters.
Lions 21, Cardinals 14
Lions coach Wayne Fontes sure looks smart.
Fontes elevated Erik Kramer from third string and Kramer threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns against host Phoenix (4-9).
Still, Detroit (8-5) needed a goal-line stand to snap a three-game slide and stay tied with Green Bay for first place in the NFC Central.
The Lions had three interceptions and four sacks. Derrick Moore, subbing for injured Barry Sanders, gained 107 yards.
Raiders 27, Seahawks 23
At Los Angeles, the Raiders (8-5) had their biggest scoring output of the season, including a 17-point spree in the third quarter, when they have outscored opponents 64-26.
Tim Brown returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown to start that scoring burst.
Seattle (5-8) lost its eighth in a row to the Raiders.
Buccaneers 13, Bears 10
For host Tampa Bay (4-9), Mazio Royster scored on a 4-yard run, while Michael Husted had field goals of 38 and 42 yards set up by a fumble recovery and a 24-yard punt by Chicago's Chris Gardocki. The Bears (7-6) fell out of a share of first place in the NFC Central and played the second half without quarterback Jim Harbaugh (bruised right hand).
Bills 10, Eagles 7
At Philadelphia, the Bills (9-4) struggled all day, then got two breaks and used them to hand Philadelphia (5-8) its eighth loss in nine games.
Heath Sherman fumbled to Mickey Washington on the Bills' 29 to set up Frank Reich's touchdown pass to Pete Metzelaars with 3:44 left. Then Vai Sikahema fumbled the kickoff to set up Steve Christie's 34-yard field goal to win it. It was Sikahema's second fumble of the game.
Reich replaced Jim Kelly (sprained ankle) late in the third quarter.
Oilers 19, Browns 17
The Oilers (9-4) hadn't won eight straight in 32 years. If they make it nine with a victory at Pittsburgh next Sunday, they would clinch the AFC Central title.
Al Del Greco kicked four field goals and Cris Dishman got his fourth interception in as many games.
Houston also had to overcome the loss of free safety Marcus Robertson with a season-ending ruptured tendon in his left knee.
Cleveland (6-7) led 10-0 as Vinny Testaverde, in his first start since recovering from a shoulder separation, threw two touchdown passes.
Rams 23, Saints 20
Jerome Bettis made sure New Orleans (7-6) continued its slide. Bettis became the first rookie since Bo Jackson six years ago to rush for 200 yards in a game, running for 212, including a 71-yard touchdown, for Los Angeles (4-9). He also went over 1,000 yards for the season.
The Saints (7-6) have lost six of eight after starting with five straight wins.
Patriots 7, Bengals 2
One team was going to win its second game, no matter how much both seemed to try not to. The Patriots (2-11) did it by stopping Eric Ball on a fourth down at the New England 1 with 1:16 left.
The Patriots have allowed 74 points in the last seven games. They scored on Drew Bledsoe's 8-yard pass to Ben Coates with 25 seconds left in the first half and took an intentional safety on their final possession.
Cincinnati (1-12) now has the inside track for the first pick in the draft.