The New York Giants pulled the plug, letting all of the Detroit Lions' magic drain from the Silverdone. Not even the Majik Man could get it back.
Led by the sparkling play of defensive backs Tito Wooten and Maurice Douglass, the Giants routed Detroit 35-7 Sunday, snapping the Lions' 10-game home winning streak.The one-sided loss, which included six turnovers, is almost certain to produce another "Wayne Watch" for coach Wayne Fontes, who has been under fire from owner William Clay Ford for not winning more playoff games.
"I'm sure the owner will be at my locker," Fontes said. "We'll talk. I don't expect I'll be fired tomorrow. But, if you want to call it the `Wayne Watch,' put it down. We've been in this situation before."
Last year, the Lions needed to win their last seven games to get into the playoffs with a wild-card berth.
In addition to the good defense, the Giants (3-5) also had a creative offensive game plan against the Lions (4-4). Dave Brown shredded the secondary, completing 15 of 27 for 221 yards, with one interception. Rodney Hampton ran effectively, gaining 76 yards on 27 carries.
But it was the defense, which had only five interceptions in the Giants' first seven games, that won this contest. The secondary picked off five passes and helped hold Barry Sanders to 47 yards on 16 carries. The Giants also recovered one fumble and the punt team blocked a kick for a safety.
"At one point, I talked to a cornerback on the way off the field," said Herman Moore, held to four receptions for 49 yards. "I asked him, `Are we that predictable?' And he said, `Honestly, yes.' "
That domination was so complete that quarterback Scott Mitchell was benched in the second quarter for backup Don Majkowski. Mitchell shouted something as he walked past Fontes, throwing his helmet toward the bench.
"I was disappointed and upset about it," Mitchell said. "I've been in games before where I've thrown three interceptions and stayed in the game. I felt there was a lot of football to be played yet."
Mitchell got in for one third-quarter play, after Majkowski was shaken up on a tackle. The crowd of 63,501 booed as Mitchell walked out on the field, and cheered when he left.
That struck even the visitors as hard.
"This is always a tough business, but that was really tough," Giants coach Dan Reeves said. "The fans have the right to do whatever they want, but it hurts me to see them get on a player that early in the game, especially one who has done so much for the team."
Mitchell hit 9 of 19 for 71 yards, with three interceptions. Majkowski was 11-for-28 for 126 yards, with two interceptions.
Packers 13, Buccaneers 7
Brett Favre, who leads the NFL with 21 touchdown passes, didn't throw for a touchdown for the first time since Nov. 5, 1995, a span of 17 games, including the playoffs. He was just 19-of-31 for 178 yards and an interception.
But Edgar Bennett rushed 20 times for 93 yards and Dorsey Levens ran seven times for 21 yards and a touchdown for the Packers (7-1).
The Bucs (1-7) closed to 13-7 when Trent Dilfer hit tight end Dave Moore with an 11-yard touchdown pass.
Jets 31, Cardinals 21
Adrian Murrell rushed for 191 yards, including a 78-yarder to the 2 that set up the clinching touchdown as New York won for the first time in nine tries this season.
The Jets, who had lost 12 straight overall, also got a strong game from rookie Keyshawn Johnson, who had seven catches, including a 34-yard scoring reception. Arizona fell to 3-5.
Ravens 37, Rams 31
Vinny Testaverde threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jackson with 10 seconds left in overtime as Baltimore avoided the first NFL tie in seven years.
The Ravens (3-5) won despite committing four turnovers and missing two field goals and a conversion. The Rams (2-6) also had four turnovers, blew a 14-point lead in the second half and botched a field-goal try in overtime.
Steelers 20, Falcons 17
For the second straight week, Atlanta came close to knocking off one of the best teams in the NFL, only to fall short in the fourth quarter.
Norm Johnson kicked a 20-yard field as time ran out, giving Pittsburgh (6-2) the victory and sending the winless Falcons to their eighth straight loss.
Bengals 28, Jaguars 21
Jeff Blake threw a touchdown pass and Ki-Jana Carter ran for two scores in Bruce Coslet's coaching debut for Cincinnati.
The Bengals (2-6) broke their season-long pattern of folding at the end, scoring 21 fourth-quarter points to get Coslet a win in his first game since replacing Dave Shula.
Jacksonville (3-6) tied its franchise record with five sacks of Jeff Blake.
Seahawks 32, Chargers 13
Seattle, which had eight takeaways in the first seven games, intercepted four passes from Sean Salisbury and recovered a fumble. The five turnovers resulted in 23 points for the Seahawks (3-5), who won for the first time in four home games.
San Diego (4-4) couldn't overcome playing without injured stars Junior Seau and Stan Humphries.
Patriots 28, Bills 25
New England (5-3) scored two touchdowns in the last 1:25 to defeat Buffalo (5-3), which made it close with a TD of its own with 24 seconds left.
Curtis Martin got the go-ahead touchdown on a 10-yard run. Then, with Jim Kelly trying to lead his 24th successful fourth-quarter comeback, Willie McGinest returned the first interception of his career 46 yards for another touchdown with 41 seconds remaining.