Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the perennial doormats, claimed their third victory on the trot on Sunday in Minnesota sending shockwaves across the NFC landscape. Coach Tony Dungy's squad hammered Minnesota 28-14 in the Metrodome to move into sole possession of first place in the central division and remain one of three unbeaten teams in the league.
Trent Dilfer threw for two touchdowns while running back Warrick Dunn exploded for a 53yard score and full back Mike Alstott forced his way over from one yard.
The Green Bay Packers rebounded from a 10-9 defeat in Philadelphia with a 23-18 win at Lambeau Field over Miami. Brett Favre had two touchdown tosses and finished with 253 yards. The victory was the first against the Dolphins in nine games.
Two NFC Central teams battled at Soldiers Field with Detroit running away from Chicago 32-7. Barry Sanders shook off a lacklustre start to the season with 161 yards on the ground as the Bears lost Rashaan Salaam for the season with a broken right leg.
In the NFC West, Steve Young returned from a one-game absence due to a concussion and threw for 220 yards as San Francisco humiliated New Orleans 33-7. The 49ers are tied with Carolina Panthers at the top of the division. The Panthers, getting great special teams play and a solid show from quarter-back Kerry Collins, whipped Santiago at Jack Murphy Stadium 26-7, Collins, his first start since breaking his jaw in the pre-season, had two touchdown passes. St Louis, fell to unbeaten Denver 35-14 as John Elway had four touchdown throws.
Washington opened up Jack Kent Crooke Stadium with a 1913 overtime victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Gus Frerotte hit Michael Westbrook for a 40-yard touchdown on their first possession in the extra period for the winning points. Arizona had won seven of the previous eight meetings between the two teams.
Baltimore upset the New York Giants at the Meadowlands 24-23 thanks to Matt Stover's 37 yard field goal with just 34 seconds left in the game.
Kansas City won a sea-saw battle at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs got a long kick-off return for a touchdown from Tamarick Vanover, and a late one-yard touchdown pass to running back Tony Richardson from Elvis Grbac in a 22-16 victory over Buffalo.
Oakland fought back to win their first game of the season, 3631 in Atlanta with Napoleon Kaufman running for 140 yards. New England scored a stunning victory over the New York Jets, and former coach Bill Parcells, 2724 in overtime. Curtis Martin rushed for 199 yards on the night, and former World League kicker Adam Vinatieri booted a 34-yard field goal for the winners 6:57 into overtime.
National Football League: Atlanta 31 Oakland 36, Chicago 7 Detroit 32, Green Bay 23 Miami 18, Kansas City 22 Buffalo 16, Minnesota 14 Tampa Bay 28, New York Giants 23 Baltimore 24, Washington 19 Arizona 13, Denver 35 St Louis 14, Indianapolis 3 Seattle 31, San Diego 7 Carolina 26, San Francisco 33 New Orleans 7, New England 27 New York Jets 24.
