Chargers shut out Jets, 31-0; Cowboys beat Texans in OT, 20-17

Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes to Antonio Gates and rookie running back Branden Oliver’s big day included his first two NFL touchdowns as the San Diego Chargers beat the hapless New York Jets, 31-0, on Sunday in San Diego for their fourth straight win.

The Chargers (4-1) heaped more pain on the Jets (1-4), who lost their fourth straight game. New York turned to Michael Vick, who replaced Geno Smith on the first possession of the second half, but wasn’t any more effective.

Other than being sacked three times, Rivers had his way with the Jets. He was 20 of 28 for 288 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.

It was the first shutout in the NFL this season.

The Chargers’ last shutout victory was 31-0 against Kansas City on Dec. 12, 2010. The Jets were blanked for the first time since losing 34-0 against San Francisco on Sept. 30, 2012.

Cowboys 20, Texans 17

Dan Bailey kicked a 49-yard field goal in overtime after a miss at the end of regulation ended his franchise record streak of made kicks to help Dallas edge Houston in Arlington, Texas.

Bailey’s kick was set up when Tony Romo threw off his back foot while under pressure and Dez Bryant made a spectacular leaping catch for 37 yards.

The Cowboys (4-1) won their fourth consecutive game for the first time since 2011 despite blowing a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.

The Texans (3-2) rallied behind Arian Foster, who had 157 yards rushing and a tying 1-yard score with 41 seconds left in regulation.

Bailey’s miss from 53 yards on the final play of regulation ended a franchise record streak of 30 straight made field goals.

Broncos 41, Cardinals 20

Peyton Manning joined Brett Favre in the NFL’s most exclusive of clubs with his 500th touchdown pass when Denver handed visiting Arizona its first loss.

Manning finished with four TD throws, moving him within five of Favre’s record 508.

Manning found tight end Julius Thomas twice in the end zone, including the touchstone touchdown, a 7-yard dart in the first quarter.

Yet, it was wide receiver Demaryius Thomas who had the biggest day for the Broncos (3-1) with eight catches for a team-record 226 yards and two TDs. That beat Shannon Sharpe’s mark of 214 yards set against Kansas City in 2002.

Arizona (3-1) lost for the first time and saw quarterback Drew Stanton leave with a possible concussion.

Saints 37, Buccaneers 31 (OT)

Khiry Robinson’s tackle-breaking, 18-yard touchdown run in overtime lifted New Orleans to an overtime victory against visiting Tampa Bay.

Pierre Thomas caught eight passes out of the backfield for 77 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 35 yards and a score to help New Orleans (2-3) overcome Drew Brees’ three interceptions — and an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Brees completed 35 of 57 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns, but two of his interceptions led directly to Buccaneers touchdowns. His third ended a potential winning drive in the final minute of regulation.

Making his second straight start for Tampa Bay (1-4), Mike Glennon was 19 for 32 for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once and sacked by Junior Galette for a safety in the fourth quarter

49ers 22, Chiefs 17

Colin Kaepernick passed for 201 yards and a touchdown, Frank Gore ran for 107 yards and San Francisco converted a fake punt to beat Kansas City in Santa Clara, Calif.

The 49ers (3-2) turned to a trick play on fourth-and-1 from their own 29 early in the fourth quarter, giving a direct snap to Craig Dahl for a 3-yard run up the middle. Kaepernick directed the offense down field, and Phil Dawson kicked a 27-yard field goal with 8:42 to play for the go-ahead score.

Dawson also connected from 55, 52, 35 and 30 yards.

The 49ers held off former franchise quarterback Alex Smith and the Chiefs (2-3) twice in the closing moments. Smith threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns, but Perrish Cox intercepted his overthrown pass to end any chance Kansas City had to rally.

Giants 30, Falcons 20

First-round draft pick Odell Beckham Jr. made his NFL debut a memorable one, catching a go-ahead 15-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning with 10:02 left to lead New York to the victory at East Rutherford, N.J.

Fellow rookie Andre Williams scored on a 3-yard run to ignite the second-half rally that saw the Giants (3-2) come from 10 points down to win their third game in a row.

Manning threw two touchdowns and Josh Brown added two late field goals.

Ryan threw for 316 yards and a touchdown playing behind a banged-up offense line that held up until the very end. Atlanta (2-3) dropped its second straight.

Colts 20, Ravens 13

Andrew Luck threw one touchdown pass as well as ran for another score and the defense held on late as Indianapolis defeated visiting Baltimore.

Luck was 32 of 49 for 312 yards with two interceptions, but scored the decisive points on a nifty 13-yard scoring run with 8:56 left in the game.

Indianapolis (3-2) has won three straight. Baltimore (3-2) lost for the first time since Week 1.

It was a strange day. The teams combined for seven turnovers, and Joe Flacco was sacked four times — one more than he had been all season.

But Luck’s 6-yard TD pass to Dwayne Allen early in the third quarter made it 13-3, his fourth-quarter scoring run was good enough and the Colts defense stopped Baltimore’s last chance in the final minute.

Panthers 31, Bears 24

Cam Newton threw two touchdown passes to Greg Olsen and Carolina’s defense forced four turnovers to overcome a 14-point deficit and defeat Chicago at Charlotte, N.C.

With the score tied at 24, Carolina’s Antoine Cason stripped Matt Forte of the ball and the Panthers’ Kawaan Short recovered at Chicago’s 23. Six plays later, Newton found Olsen on a slant route for a 6-yard touchdown for the go-ahead score with 2:18 left.

The Panthers sealed the win when Short sacked Jay Cutler and Charles Johnson recovered as the Panthers (3-2) snapped a two-game losing streak and reclaimed first place in the NFC South.

Newton was 19 of 35 for 255 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception. Olsen had six catches for 72 yards.

Cutler was 28 of 36 for 289 yards with two TDs, but turned the ball over three times for the Bears (2-3)

Eagles 34, Rams 28

Nick Foles threw two touchdown passes, the defense and special teams each scored, and Philadelphia held on to defeat visiting St. Louis.

The Eagles (4-1) rebounded from a tough loss at San Francisco with a strong all-around performance until the end. Chris Maragos returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, Cedric Thornton recovered a fumble for a score and nearly took another one the distance.

But Austin Davis rallied the Rams (1-3) from a 34-7 deficit with three straight scores, including a 5-yard pass to Brian Quick that cut it to 34-28 with 4:41 left.

The Rams had a chance to win when they got the ball at their 7 with 1:47 left. Davis threw a 43-yard pass to Quick on first down, but Philadelphia’s defense finally made a stop.

Bills 17, Lions 14

Dan Carpenter made a 58-yard field goal with 4 seconds left to cap Buffalo’s come-from-behind victory at Detroit.

Kyle Orton, making his debut as the Bills starter, set up the decisive kick by completing a 20-yard pass over the middle to Sammy Watkins as Buffalo (3-2) overcame a 14-0 deficit. It was the eighth game that Orton has won in overtime or when trailing in the fourth quarter.

Orton went 30 of 43 for 308 yards with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Chris Gragg.

The Lions (3-2) were undone by kicker Alex Henery missing all three field-goal attempts, including a 50-yarder wide left with 21 seconds left. Receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Reggie Bush both injured ankles in the loss.

Browns 29, Titans 28

Brian Hoyer threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin with 1:09 left to help Cleveland finish a rally from a 25-point deficit to beat Tennessee at Nashville. It was the Browns’ first road win in more than a year.

The Browns (2-2) won a road game for the first time since Sept. 22, 2013, at Minnesota, and they couldn’t have made it tougher on themselves as they fell behind 28-3 in the first half. They snapped a seven-game road skid scoring 26 unanswered points, including 16 in the fourth quarter.

The Titans (1-4) had a massive collapse. Jake Locker didn’t return after hurting his right hand in the second quarter, and backup Charlie Whitehurst couldn’t protect the big lead.

Tennessee turned the ball over on downs at the Titans 42. Hoyer finished off the comeback with his second TD to Benjamin in the quarter for Cleveland’s first lead.

Steelers 17, Jaguars 9

Brice McCain returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown, helping the Pittsburgh Steelers overcome a mediocre offensive performance and beat the winless Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla.

McCain stepped in front of receiver Allen Hurns early in the fourth quarter, intercepted rookie Blake Bortles’ wobbly sideline pass and went untouched the other way.

It was just what the Steelers (3-2) needed to gain a little breathing room in a game much tighter than they probably expected.

The Jaguars (0-5) didn’t want a moral victory, but surely they will try to build on a close loss after dropping their past five games by double digits.

Jacksonville was in this one from start to finish.

Bortles, making his first start at home, completed 22 of 36 passes for 191 yards. He was hampered by several dropped passes — including three by Hurns — and a handful of untimely penalties.