With their head coach, Chuck Pagano, absent while he undergoes treatment for leukemia, the Indianapolis Colts rallied from 21-3 down at half-time in their game against the Packers to win the game 30-27.  Rookie QB, and number 1 draft pick, Andrew Luck, led the team down the field in the final four minutes to set up the crucial touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne with just 35 seconds to go in the game.  Green Bay had the opportunity to tie it up with a 51-yard field goal as time expired, but kicker Mason Crosby shanked his attempt well wide.  The Colts are now at .500 after four games, while the Packers slipped to 2-3, two wins behind the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears in the NFC North, who beat the Titans and Jaguars respectively.

Drew Brees overtook former Colts’ Quarterback, Johnny Unitas for the record number of consecutive games in which he had thrown a touchdown, taking his tally to 48 in a come-from-behind 31-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers.  More importantly for Brees and the Saints, it was New Orleans’ first win of a season in which they are dealing with having a head coach suspended, with his replacement also banned until next week.  There is just one winless team remaining, the Cleveland Browns, who took an early lead against the Giants on Sunday, but it did not last and they ultimately lost, 41-27.  By contrast, two teams are still perfect – the Atlanta Falcons, who won in Washington against the Redskins, 24-17; and the Houston Texans, who beat the NY Jets, 23-17 on Monday night, with Sanchez putting in another poor display for the home side, completing less than 50% of his passes for the fourth straight week.  Arizona lost their 100% record in St. Louis, as the Rams held their offense to just a field goal in their 17-3 triumph.  

The San Francisco 49ers became the first team in NFL history to have 300 yards passing and rushing in the same game, achieving that feat in a 45-3 demolition of the Buffalo Bills in California.  Coupled with their previous week’s annihalation of the Jets, the 49ers have outscored their opponents 79-3 in their last two fixtures and look capable of going deep into the playoffs again this season.  Baltimore and the Chiefs played out a forgettable encounter in Kansas City, with the Ravens edging a touchdown-less game 9-6; Miami recorded an impressive 17-13 win in Cincinnati; the Seahawks overcame Cam Newton and the Panthers in Carolina, 16-12; the Steelers won the battle of Pennsylvania, as Pittsburgh squeaked past the Eagles, 16-14; and Tom Brady emerged from his latest duel with Peyton Manning on top, as the Patriots defeated the Broncos, 31-21 in Boston.

This weekend sees the struggling Packers travel to Houston to take on the 5-0 Texans; there is a rematch of January’s NFC Championship game as the Giants are in San Francisco to face the 49ers; the Redskins host the – surprisingly good – Minnesota Vikings; Dallas come off their bye week with a tough trip to Baltimore; Seattle are home against the Patriots; and Detroit are at Philadelphia.  Pittsburgh plays on Thursday night in Tennessee; the Falcons will try to move to 6-0 versus the Raiders in Atlanta; Cincinnati and Cleveland meet for the second battle of Ohio of the season; Indianapolis will try to put a final nail in the coffin of the Mark Sanchez era for the NY Jets when they play at MetLife Stadium; and the Bills face the Cardinals in Arizona.  Two teams who have performed above pre-season expectations, the Rams and Dolphins, meet in Miami; the Buccaneers entertain the Chiefs; while Monday Night sees Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos go to San Diego to take on their division rivals, the Chargers.

Predictions

Last week, 4-10; Season 40-37

Home teams in bold

Steelers -5.5 over Titans

Falcons -8.5 over Raiders

Bengals -2.5 over Browns

Rams +3.5 over Dolphins

Colts +3.5 over Jets

Lions +5.5 over Eagles

Buccaneers -3.5 over Chiefs

Cowboys +3.5 over Ravens

Bills +4.5 over Cardinals

Seahawks +3.5 over Patriots

49ers -5.5 over Giants

Redskins -2.5 over Vikings

Packers +3.5 over Texans

Chargers -2.5 over Broncos