Dolphins Drop Culpepper

36-year-old ex-Chief will become Miami's 11th QB since Marino, seven seasons ago

(NEWSER) - Prolific pretty-boy QB Trent Chief signed with Miami yesterday, escaping a youth movement in Kansas City that likely would have consigned him to the bench. The Dolphins will likely attempt to jettison last year's pricey signal-calling acquisition, Daunte Culpepper, who will make $5.5 million in 2007 and unsurprisingly would like to stay put. More»

Patriots top Bills, Saints crush Panthers, 49ers thump Rams

(NEWSER) - The New England Patriots overcame a 21-point deficit today with 49 unanswered points to rock the Buffalo Bills 49-21, the AP reports. The win earned the Pats home-field advantage and the AFC's top seed. Tom Brady threw for 338 yards and finished with the second-most passing yards in NFL history, 5,235—behind only Drew Brees, who threw for 5,486 this year with the New Orleans Saints. More»

Tennessee loses for the first time this season

(NEWSER) - In NFL action, it was an exciting day for the AFC East’s No. 1 and 2, the New York Jets and the New England Patriots, the AP reports:

• Brett Favre threw two TDs and the Jets took down the Tennessee Titans 34-13, breaking their 13-game winning streak. The Jets have won five straight for the first time in more than 4 years.
• The New York Giants held off the late-surging Arizona Cardinals for a 37-29 victory, improving to 10-1. Eli Manning made 26 of 33 passes for 240 yards and no INTs, USA Today reports.

Manning sparks Colts rally; Giants win 12th straight road game

(NEWSER) - Matt Cassel stepped in to lead the Tom Bradyless New England Patriots today, as Peyton Manning sparked a late Indianapolis Colts rally and Eli Manning showed why the New York Giants are champs:

• Tom who? In his first start since high school, Matt Cassel led the Patriots to a 19-10 victory over Brett Favre's New York Jets. Cassel went 16 for 23 for 165 yards but didn't toss a touchdown, the AP reports.
• Peyton Manning narrowly avoided his first 0-2 start since his rookie season 10 years ago, rallying the Colts from a 15-0 deficit in the third quarter to beat the Minnesota Vikings 18-15, USA Today reports.

Patriots' Brady limps off field; Brees gives Big Easy a smile

(NEWSER) - Brett Favre debuted in style with the New York Jets today and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees gave storm-weary fans something to celebrate—but New England Patriots' QB Tom Brady hobbled off the field in pain:

• The recently unretired Favre led the Jets to a 20-14 win over the Miami Dolphins, finishing 15-for-22 for 194 yards and two touchdowns, Newsday reports.