NEW ORLEANS — Only days after joining New Orleans for his 23rd season as an NFL kicker, 46-year-old John Carney drilled three crucial field goals for the defending Super Bowl champions Sunday.
The Saints signed Carney on Tuesday, two days after Garrett Hartley missed a 29-yard field goal in overtime in a 27-24 loss to Atlanta.
While the Saints were able to manage only one touchdown on a screen pass to Lance Moore, Carney hit twice from 32 yards and again from 25 with 3:55 to go to put New Orleans ahead to stay.
“He’s just a pro. That’s all you can say,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. “It’s just ingrained in him. He’s one of these very focused, very regimented guys.”
Wearing a knee brace in a game for the first time since high school, Brees was 33-of-48 for 275 yards passing and the TD to Moore.
Chargers 41, Cardinals 10
SAN DIEGO — Antonio Gates caught two touchdown passes and rookie running back Ryan Mathews scored his first NFL touchdown — on a 15-yard run late in the third quarter — as the four-time defending AFC West champions dominated the two-time defending NFC West champs.
San Diego’s defense came up big with nine sacks and three takeaways. Linebacker Shaun Phillips had a career-high four sacks and also returned an interception of Derek Anderson 31 yards for a TD late in the second quarter.
Rams 20, Seahawks 3
ST. LOUIS — Two-time Pro Bowler Steven Jackson had 124 yards rushing and receiving, complementing another strong game by No. 1 pick Sam Bradford and a stout defense in a victory that gave St. Louis consecutive wins for the first time in two seasons.
Bradford completed 23-of-41 passes for 289 yards with two touchdowns and one interception as the Rams (2-2) ended a 10-game losing streak against Seattle and topped their win total from last year.
Jets 38, Bills 14
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — LaDainian Tomlinson had his best game in nearly two years, rushing for 133 yards and two touchdowns, and tight end Dustin Keller had two TD catches to lead New York.
Keller’s two catches came 1:33 apart to put the Jets up 31-7 with 4:36 left in the third quarter. Tomlinson completed the rout by scoring 1:56 later on a 26-yard run in helping the Jets win their third game in a row, all against AFC East opponents.
Texans 31, Raiders 24
OAKLAND, Calif. — Arian Foster, who was held out until midway through the second quarter in what the team called a “coach’s decision,” scored on a 74-yard run and an 10-yard catch in the second half before Troy Nolan’s second interception sealed Houston’s win.
Falcons 16, 49ers 14
ATLANTA — Matt Bryant kicked a 42-yard field goal with two seconds left to give Atlanta the win. Atlanta got a big break to set up the winning points when receiver Roddy White forced the 49ers’ Nate Clements to fumble away an interception and keep the drive alive.
Browns 23, Bengals 20
CLEVELAND — Peyton Hillis rumbled for 102 yards and a touchdown, and Phil Dawson kicked three field goals as Cleveland survived a big day by Cincinnati’s Terrell Owens (10 catches for 222 yards) for its first win.
Packers 28, Lions 26
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Charles Woodson returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown for Green Bay, which narrowly held off a Detroit comeback.
The Associated Press
