DE Bert Berry had his second sack of the season and SLB Calvin Pace had his first. WLB Karlos Dansby was all over the field. He led the team with 15 tackles (14 solo), 3x more than anyone else on the team.

Atlanta
It was a good start to the game when rookie DE Jamaal Anderson knocked the ball away from TEN RB LenDale White. CB DeAngelo Hall picked up the fumble and returned it 56 yards for a TD. From there, they mostly failed to significantly capitalize on the four other turnovers they forced. With less than three minutes to go, TEN was punting from deep in their territory. WLB Demorrio Williams came up the middle and when TEN P Craig Hentrich felt it would be blocked, he tried to scramble. With outstanding athleticism, Williams just caught his foot, resulting in an eight-yard loss. The offense took over inside the TEN 20 down by seven, but failed to force a tie. After being benched earlier in the game, it was the second of two huge plays by Williams. He also had a pick with less than five minutes to go. Williams, who had been rotating with rookie Stephen Nicholas the last few games before being benched on Sunday, was back in because Nicholas suffered a high ankle sprain. Nicholas is expected to miss two weeks, so Williams will get a chance to prove himself again.

SLB Michael Boley had his first pick of the season and led the team with 14 tackles (10 solo). Boley is third in the league in tackles with 46, along with 4 passes defended, a pick and a forced fumble.

DT Rod Coleman practiced most of last week, but was still inactive, as he has been every game this season. However, the current expectation is he’ll be back this week.

Baltimore
ILB Bart Scott got his first sack of the season, well off the pace of the 9.5 he had last season. After his career year in 2006, all his numbers have returned to earth. Scott also had 5 assists. MLB Ray Lewis had 6 tackles (4 solo). OLB Jarret Johnson had his second sack of the season, forcing a fumble on it. FS Ed Reed grabbed his third pick of the season.

DE Trevor Pryce (broken wrist) and CB Samari Rolle (illness) both remained inactive. DE Dwan Edwards and CB Corey Ivy remained starters in their place.

Buffalo
With Jim Leonhard out with a calf injury, the Bills simply found another next out-of-nowhere story, George Wilson. Instead of Bryan Scott, BUF gave Wilson his first career start in place of Leonhard at FS. The undrafted free agent out of Arkansas signed with Detroit in 2004 as a WR before coming to Buffalo in 2005. On Sunday night, after the running and kicking heroics of punter Brian Moorman pinned the Cowboys deep in their own territory on their first drive of the game, Wilson began an improbable chain of events on roller coaster night for the Bills. On the Cowboys third play from scrimmage, Wilson grabbed his first career pick at the DAL 25 and returned it for his first career score. Wilson also had 4 solo tackles. Leonhard is expected back after the bye this week.

On the second drive by Dallas, SLB Angelo Crowell got his first pick of the season. After Dallas pulled even at 7-7 in the second quarter and the offense failed to respond, the defense again swung the momentum. DE Chris Kelsay batted a pass by DAL QB Tony Romo and plucked it out of the air in the end zone for a TD. Kelsay also had 2 solo tackles. Before the quarter was over, CB Jabari Greer, who was starting in place of Ashton Youboty, got the fourth pick of the half. It was his second interception of the season in as many games. Greer broke up another pass and had 5 solo tackles.

With the offense failing to close the deal, CB Terrence McGee kept the TD scoring for the Bills to the IDPs when he returned a kickoff 103 yards in the second half. MLB John DiGiorgio had his first career pick, the fifth and final for the Bills. He also broke up another pass and led the team with 9 tackles (7 solo). WLB Keith Ellison returned from a high ankle sprain. He posted 5 tackles (4 solo).
DE Tony Hargrove returned from suspension and was in the DLine rotation.

Carolina
The future in the middle began on Sunday. With Dan Morgan missing a second straight game with a partially torn right Achilles’ tendon, rookie Jon Beason moved to the MLB spot. Beason, who won the WLB job in camp, was expected to be the post-Morgan solution in the middle, so it could be a sign Morgan will miss more time. James Anderson got the start there last week because HC John Fox felt Beason, who missed a week of training camp, needed another week to prepare. Reviews of his play were good and Beason led the team with 13 tackles (8 solo) and also broke up a pass. Na’il Diggs, nominally the starter at MLB in the Gamebook because of the package they were in, played WLB and Thomas Davis remained the SLB. James Anderson rotated in as a back-up. Adam Seward was inactive again with a calf injury, but after Beason’s performance, he doesn’t appear to be in the MLB equation.

DE Julius Peppers had his best game of the season and had a key play in blocking a FG in the fourth quarter. He also had 6 solo tackles and deflected 2 passes. Peppers is still seeking his first sack, as the team had none on Sunday. Pepper has not had a sack that counted (he had one in the Pro Bowl) since Christmas Eve last year. That is six games, the longest streak of his career without one. Nickel CB Richard Marshall recovered the blocked kick, which led to the only TD drive of the day for the Panthers. Marshall also had a pick. SS Chris Harris continues to thrive in Carolina. He had his first pick as a Panther, broke up another pass, and had 5 tackles (4 solo).

Chicago
The Chicago D allowed 341 yards in the first half, but some crucial turnovers they forced limited the Packers to just 17 points and a strong second half stand, with a couple more key turnovers, got them the victory on Sunday night. CB Charles Tillman forced two fumbles after catches by GB rookie WR James Jones on consecutive drives in the first quarter. The first was recovered by nickel CB Ricky Manning Jr. at the CHI five-yard line. The second was recovered by SS Adam Archuleta, who returned with a brace on his broken right hand after missing a game. Also back in the lineup was WLB Lance Briggs, who led the team with 16 solo tackles. MLB Brian Urlacher grabbed his first pick of the season deep in GB territory in the third quarter that led to a TD on the next play. FS Brandon McGowan sealed the victory with a pick in the end zone. On the Packers last play, McGowan wrestled the ball away from GB WR Donald Driver on a desperation final heave by GB QB Brett Favre. DT Tommie Harris had his fourth sack of the season among his 5 solo tackles. He already just one short of his career high set last year in just 12 games.

McGowan remained in the starting lineup as Nathan Vasher was still out with a groin injury. The normal starting FS Danieal Manning was moved to corner to replace Vasher. Manning was burned on a TD in the game. Vasher is expected to miss at least one more week. The team faced more injury problems as DT Darwin Walker left in the second quarter. He suffered a left knee sprain in the first, and briefly returned before leaving for good.

Cincinnati
The news was mixed for a banged up LB group coming off their bye. MLB Ahmad Brooks (groin), top reserve Caleb Miller (back), and SLB Rashad Jeanty (leg) did not practice on Monday, but WLB Landon Johnson (eye) did. Jeanty, expected to start on the strongside, has not been active yet this season, but the team was hoping he would be ready after the bye.

CB Johnathan Joseph was suspended a game for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. This goes back to an arrest in January where he was found in possession of marijuana.

Cleveland
ILB Leon Williams started in front of Andra Davis and saw more reps this week against the Pats frequent spread offense. Williams had 9 tackles (5 solo), while Davis had 4 (3 solo). ILB D’Qwell Jackson led the team with 14 tackles (9 solo). The team had no sacks and forced no turnovers.

FS Brodney Pool left in the third quarter with a leg bruise and didn’t return. He is expected to play this week. Mike Adams replaced him at FS. Pool’s absence appeared to be felt when NE TE Ben Watson caught a long TD, his second of the game, in the fourth quarter. Gary Baxter continues to rehab, but isn’t ready to return from his knee problems. He was inactive again. DE Orpheus Roye was back and had a solo tackle. On the other end, Robaire Smith had a strong game, although the box score shows only 6 solo tackles.

Ethan Kelley recently replaced NT Ted Washington in the starting lineup and now Washington was a coach’s decision (not injury-related) scratch on Sunday. The Cleveland media speculates the 39 year-old Washington could be done with the Browns.

Dallas
CB Anthony Henry was inactive with a high ankle sprain. CB Terence Newman, who was being eased back from his own plantar fascia tear and knee tendonitis, needed to return from the nickel to full-time duty. He grabbed his first pick of the season and had 5 tackles (4 solo). OLB Demarcus Ware had 1.5 sacks among his 6 tackles (5 solo). He leads the team with 4.5 so far this season. SS Roy Williams (7 solo) and ILB Bradie James (5 solo) led the team with 9 tackles.

Denver
The defense had little fight at home on Sunday as the Chargers handed Denver their worst home loss in over 40 years. They had no sacks and forced no turnovers. WLB Ian Gold led the team with 8 tackles (6 solo).

John Lynch returned to FS after missing the previous game due to a groin injury. CB Champ Bailey sat out most of the second half with a strained left quad. An MRI revealed no tear, which was good news. With a bye to rest this week, his outlook improves for Bailey to be available for their next game.

The team released DL Kenny Peterson, who returned from a four-game suspension this week.

Detroit
With the Redskins dominating time of possession, including two drives totaling 15 minutes of game time in the first half, and some of the Detroit D in questionable condition, there was a lot of rotating and a lot of tackle opportunities. Teddy Lehman got work at MLB on a drive in the first half and then replaced MLB Paris Lenon in the fourth quarter when Lenon limped off with a sprained left ankle. Lehman finished with 9 tackles (5 solo, including one on special teams) and also popped the ball out from behind to force a fumble on a punt return that the Redskins recovered further downfield. Lenon had 8 tackles (5 solo, including one on special teams) before leaving. He is questionable for this week. WLB Ernie Sims had 8 solo tackles. Rookie FS Gerald Alexander led the defense with 9 tackles (6 solo) and recovered a fumble forced by CB Fernando Bryant. Bryant left with an injury two plays after Lenon.

DE Kalimba Edwards returned after missing two games with an ankle injury and was back in the starting lineup. He and DT Shaun Rogers applied some of the scarce pressure on WAS QB Jason Campbell for the day, but the team had no sacks. Edwards mostly saw one-on-one blocking, getting beat by WAS OT Chris Samuels, while the Redskins focused double teams on the other Detroit linemen.

Green Bay
DE Cullen Jenkins returned to the starting lineup and had 4 tackles (2 solo), but you have to wonder if his rib soreness was still a problem, or if it was just exhaustion, when he appeared to run out of steam after nearing CHI QB Brian Griese on the decisive play-action TD pass in the fourth quarter. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila continued to rotate in, and shared a sack with MLB Nick Barnett. KGB now has 4 sacks on the season, all in the last three games. Barnett had another solo sack among his 9 tackles (6 solo). Another fine game for Barnett who is tied for fourth in the league in tackles and is having an outstanding all-around year.

FS Nick Collins played through a knee injury and had a rough time on the final drive. He gave up a deep pass to CHI TE Greg Olsen and then overcommitted to the play action on third-and-two, allowing CHI TE Desmond Clark to get behind him for the winning score. Collins had 4 tackles (3 solo) and broke up a pass.

SLB Brady Poppinga had the only turnover GB forced, grabbing his first pick of the season. CB Charles Woodson had one of five turnovers GB committed, losing the ball on a punt return. Woodson (hip, foot) and fellow corner Al Harris (back) remained banged up, but playing through the injuries.

Houston
After getting two sacks in the season opener, DE Mario Williams was shutout three straight games. He finally got his third sack, the only one for the Texans, on Sunday. Williams also had 2 assists. SS C.C. Brown led the team with 8 solo tackles and grabbed his first pick of the season. It was the only turnover Houston forced. MLB DeMeco Ryans had 8 tackles (7 solo).

CB DeMarcus Faggins kept his starting job, for at least another week. Reserve S Will Demps left the game with an apparent elbow injury, but returned.

DT Travis Johnson made no friends after taunting QB Trent Green lying motionless on the ground. Off a broken end round in which WR Ted Ginn Jr. muffed the handoff and then ran backwards, Green was trying to throw a block for him. Green cut Johnson, sending him ass over elbows, but took Johnson’s knee to his head. Johnson was upset at Green going after his knees, which led to the taunting and a 15-yard penalty. Johnson remained indignant and unapologetic to Green after the game, saying it was a cheap shot. He will undergo an MRI this week as the knee is bothering him, but expects to play.

Indianapolis
The defense was without SS Bob Sanders (ribs) and WLB Freddie Keiaho (dislocated right elbow), but their back-ups filled in well. Matt Giordano started for Sanders and had 3 tackles (2 solo). Tyjuan Hagler replaced Keiaho at WLB. Hagler and FS Antoine Bethea had 7 tackles (6 solo) to lead the team. Bethea also had his first pick of the season. Rocky Boiman was the new starting SLB with Rob Morris done for the season. Boiman had 3 tackles (2 solo).

DE Dwight Freeney faced double- and triple-teams, as usual, but managed to share a sack with Raheem Brock.

Jacksonville
The Jags lost a shutout on the final play of the game, just over the outstretched hand of a leaping CB Rashean Mathis, but dominated the Chiefs the rest of the way. They held Larry Johnson to 12 yards rushing and the team to a net 10 yards rushing, the second-lowest total in the history of the Chiefs. SS Sammy Knight and MLB Mike Peterson led the way, with 8 and 6 solo tackles, respectively. Rookie FS Reggie Knight had his first career pick.

Coming off the bye, OLB Clint Ingram’s ankle was good enough for him to play the first time this season. He was in the starting lineup and had a solo tackle.

Kansas City
DE Jared Allen had a solo sack and shared one with MLB Napoleon Harris. Allen now has 3.5 sacks in three games after serving a two-game suspension. Harris totaled 8 tackles (4 solo). WLB Donnie Edwards led the team with 9 tackles (6 solo). SLB Derrick Johnson (OLB, CB) had just 4 solo tackles.

SS Bernard Pollard had his first career sack among his 6 tackles (4 solo). CB Ty Law had 8 solo tackles.

Miami
MLB Zach Thomas returned from a concussion and had 9 tackles (8 solo). WLB Channing Crowder, who had replaced Thomas in the middle the last two games, was inactive after leaving the previous game with a left ankle sprain. Derrick Pope replaced Crowder and had 2 tackles (1 solo). Crowder won’t test his ankle until later this week, so watch for updates if you are looking to use him. Jason Taylor had a big game, posting 2 sacks among his 6 tackles (5 solo), including forcing a fumble on one. SLB Joey Porter remains useless as a Dolphin.

After a strong performance in his first start last week, Donovin Darius was unable to capitalize after a calf injury in practice. Darius sat out and Cameron Worrell got the start and led the team with 12 tackles (8 solo, including 1 on special teams). Darius expects to play and start this week.

DT Vonnie Holliday was inactive, as expected, with a slight fracture in his right ankle. The cast was removed, but he’s still in a walking boot and not yet cleared to practice. He’ll probably miss at least another week. Rodrique Wright started in his place, posting 3 tackles (2 solo), tipping a pass, and recovering a fumble.

Minnesota
The mystery of Erasmus James got some more light shed on it over the bye week. A week after saying he still considered James, who is coming back from a torn ACL and MCL last season, a starter, HC Brad Childress changed his tune. Now he says James’ knee is no longer the reason for his inactivity, James is just competing with everyone else on the line for playing time. He did mention some optimism at what James did in practice last week, but there is still no definite timetable for his return. DE Ray Edwards has indicated his bruised hip, which had him leave their last game early, is fine and he expects to play this week. So, even if James is active, it won’t be as a starter. His return becomes more necessary as Darrion Scott was placed on the IR after breaking his foot in practice this week.

New England
ILB Junior Seau got his first pick since 2002 off a ball tipped by CB Asante Samuel. On the next CLE drive, ILB Adalius Thomas tipped a ball that resulted in Samuel’s third pick in as many games. Seau would get another pick in the second quarter, on a play in which Thomas rolled his left ankle and had to be helped off the field. Thomas returned to the game and finished with 6 tackles (5 solo), in addition to the pass defensed on the tip. Seau had 6 tackles (4 solo), in addition to the picks. After getting beaten on both CLE TDs, once by CLE TE Kellen Winslow, nickel CB Randall Gay redeemed himself by stripping Winslow late in the fourth quarter and returning the fumble for a TD. ILB Tedy Bruschi had his first big game of the season. He tied a career-high for a game with two sacks. He also led the team with 7 tackles (4 solo).

SS Rodney Harrison returned from his four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Harrison had a solo tackle, broke up a pass, and got a QB pressure. James Sanders remained the starter, as the Pats ease Harrison back in. Sanders had 3 tackles (2 solo).

New Orleans
After a slow start to the season, DE Will Smith had the type of game his fantasy owners and Saints’ fans expected. He and DT Hollis Thomas led the team with 7 tackles (5 solo) and Smith got his first sack of the season, on which he forced a fumble. It was the only sack in the game for the Saints.

Despite resting his right ankle injury over the bye, SLB Scott Fujita still wasn’t ready. He was inactive and Brian Simmons replaced him in the starting lineup. Simmons had 3 tackles (1 solo). Fujita will be evaluated later this week, so watch for updates.

New York Giants
Rookie CB Aaron Ross recently wrestled a starting role away from Corey Webster, but he found himself benched for the first half Sunday for an unspecified violation of team rules. The team was happy to have him back in the second half, as he grabbed the first two picks of his career. The first was in the end zone with the Jets up by the three. The second sealed the victory, as he returned it 43 yards for his first career TD. Ross broke up another pass and had 2 solo tackles. CB Sam Madison also had a pick.

Despite continuing to battle knee pain from an MCL injury in the season opener, DE Osi Umenyiora started. His encore to his six-pack of sacks last Sunday night was 5 solo tackles, including his seventh sack of the season, the only one in the game for the Giants. He remains the NFL leader in sacks.

New York Jets
After making a name for himself as a playmaker in the secondary, SS Kerry Rhodes has had a quiet start to the season. He was back all over the field on Sunday, leading the team with 9 tackles (7 solo) and stripping NYG RB Brandon Jacobs, scooping the fumble up himself, and returning it for a score. FS Erik Coleman was inactive with a concussion. Eric Smith, playing through a hamstring injury. started in his place and had 8 tackles (5 solo), including an assist on special teams. Nickel CB Andre Dyson was embarrassed by a stiff arm from NYG WR Plaxico Burress, who took a short pass 53 yards for a score when Dyson failed to bring him down.

ILB Jonathan Vilma had his first pick of the season and 4 solo tackles. The team had no sacks.

Oakland
DE Derrick Burgess, who missed two straight games with a right calf injury before their bye, practiced on Monday. He is expected back this week and is still looking for his first sack of the season.

Philadelphia
The team has kept quiet on the injury front. No word on if FS Brian Dawkins and CB Lito Sheppard returned to practice after last week’s bye. Neither, nor any other player on the team, would comment on their status. Watch for the official announcement on Wednesday afternoon. Dawkins has been out since suffering a neck stinger in Week Two and Sheppard has been inactive since spraining his right MCL in the season opener. Quintin Mikell and Will James, at FS and CB respectively, would continue to start in place of either if they remain out.

Pittsburgh
Despite missing SS Troy Polamalu (rib cage cartilage) and NT Casey Hampton (hamstring), the Steelers shut down SEA RB Shaun Alexander and shutout the Seahawks. Chris Hoke started in place of Hampton and had an assist. Anthony Smith got the start in place of Polamalu and had a solo tackle. Smith played primarily at FS, which he is more familiar with, while the veteran Ryan Clark worked at Polamalu’s SS spot. Clark had 3 solo tackles and broke up a pass. Smith was limited to the base defense, with Tyrone Carter seeing significant work in place of Polamalu in other packages. Carter had 5 solo, including one on special teams, and shared a sack with LOLB Clark Haggans.

ILB James Farrior had 2 sacks among his 5 tackles (3 solo). He leads the team with 4 sacks on the season. ROLB James Harrison led the team with 7 tackles (5 solo, including one on special teams).

CB Ike Taylor had his second pick of the season on a nice break on the ball in the end zone to preserve the shutout the last play before halftime. Nickel CB Bryant McFadden was inactive, as expected, with a high ankle sprain.

St. Louis
CB Tye Hill remained inactive with fractures in his lower back, but he began practicing last week. He is expected to return this week. I open with Hill because Ronald Bartell, who continues to start in his place, had one of the dumbest plays of the year on Sunday. After the defense held at the one-yard line just before the half, the Cardinals futilely tried to lineup for another play as the clock was about to expire. Bartell, with obvious intention, kicked the ball as the Rams tried to line up. He was flagged for a delay of game penalty and since the half can’t end on a defensive penalty, AZ got a free play. They converted a TD and the Cardinals took a 17-13 lead in to the half. Bartell had 3 solo tackles. At the other corner, Fahkir Brown returned from a four-game suspension in top form. He had 9 solo tackles, grabbed 2 picks, and broke up 4 other passes. SS Corey Chavous was inactive with a strained left pec. Jerome Carter got the start in his place and broke his foot in the second half. He was placed on the IR. The next safety in line, Todd Johnson, suffered a neck sprain on punt coverage. Chavous is likely to miss another week or two. Johnson is expected to be back later this week, so he could get the start. With Hill returning, DC Jim Haslett said the team will begin practicing with Bartell at FS for now, so he could also start or see work there. FS O.J. Atogwe would then move to SS.

MLB Will Witherspoon solved the AZ QB situation during his big day on Sunday. Blitzing up the middle, Witherspoon sacked AZ QB Matt Leinart, who went down awkwardly on his left throwing shoulder and cracked his collarbone. Witherspoon also stopped AZ RB Edgerrin James twice at the goalline, forcing a fumble on one. Unfortunately, neither stop helped the team, because one was erased by Bartell’s penalty and the fumble was ruled a TD on a confusing challenge result. Witherspoon led the team with 14 tackles (11 solo).

San Diego
WILB Matt Wilhelm returned and had 6 solo tackles. Stephen Cooper returned to SILB and had his first sack of the season, the only one for the Chargers, among his 5 solo tackles.

FS Marlon McCree grabbed his third pick of the season and also forced a fumble that CB Quentin Jammer recovered. Jammer led the team with 7 tackles (6 solo) and also broke up a pass.

Reserve LB Carlos Polk forced a fumble on a kickoff return that rookie LB Brandon Siler grabbed while bouncing around and returned for his first career TD.

San Francisco
ILBs Derek Smith (4 solo) and rookie Patrick Willis (6 solo) tied for the team lead with 12 tackles. Willis is second in the league in tackles so far this season. OLB Hannibal Naives continues to see most of the work in the base 3-4 with Manny Lawson done.

SS Michael Lewis left the game in the fourth quarter with an Achilles’ tendon strain, but did return to finish. With reserve S Keith Lewis already sidelined with a hamstring injury, rookie Dashon Goldson, who saw his first NFL action. Lewis had 10 tackles (5 solo) before leaving. With a bye this week, he should be ready for the next game. Rookie DT Ray McDonald got his first game action, as well. He had a solo tackle. CB Walt Harris left the game in the third quarter with a wrist injury, but later returned.

Seattle
A poor offensive effort and their inability to force a turnover led to Pittsburgh having the ball over 40 minutes and plenty of opportunities for the Seahawks to tally stats. OLB Julian Peterson continues to be on pace to shatter his best season tackle and sack numbers. He led the team in tackles with 10 (6 solo), including his sixth sack of the season, good for second in the league. MLB Lofa Tatupu had his first sack of the season and 6 other assists.

Tampa Bay
Rookie FS Tanard Jackson made a big impression on Sunday. First he laid a vicious hit on TE Dallas Clark in the first quarter, then got his first career interception off IND QB Peyton Manning in the second quarter, with a nice return to boot. Jackson also broke up another pass and totaled 4 tackles (3 solo). With CB Brian Kelly nursing a sore groin, Phillip Buchanon started his fourth straight game and posted 10 solo tackles, as Manning went after him. Kelly played in their nickel packages, but left the game early after aggravating his groin injury. He should be questionable again this week. Reserve CB Torrie Cox returned from suspension, but played mostly on special teams.

Rookie DE Gaines Adams blocked a PAT and had 4 tackles (3 solo). He brought some good pressure (2 QB hurries), but is still looking for his first sack. He left the game with an undisclosed injury in the second quarter, but later returned.

WLB Derrick Brooks led the team with 12 tackles (11 solo). MLB Barrett Ruud returned to double-digit tackles after not achieving it for the first time this year in the previous game. Ruud had 11 tackles (9 solo) and still leads the league.

Tennessee
After failing to execute a punt deep in their own territory near the end of the game, the defense held tough on a first-and-goal at their own one-yard line. On the first play, DT Albert Haynesworth timed the snap perfectly and leaped over the line to drag down ATL QB Byron Leftwich as he tried to pitch the ball. The disruption in timing caused ATL RB Warrick Dunn to fumble the toss and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch fell on him for an eight-yard loss. The play before, Vanden Bosch made a game-saving tackle on Dunn after an 18-yard run. Two incomplete passes should have meant fourth down, but an offsides by DE Antwan Odom gave ATL and extra down, on which they weren’t able to complete another pass. On fourth down, Vanden Bosch sealed the victory with his second sack of the season. Vanden Bosch totaled 7 tackles (6 solo). Odom brought good pressure all day, getting his second sack of the season, as well as another solo tackle and batting down a pass.

Back-up S Vincent Fuller was an unlikely candidate to decide the game, but he did so when he took a ball thrown behind ATL WR Michael Jenkins right off Jenkins’ left hand and returned the pick 76 yards for the decisive TD in the third quarter. It was the second interception of the season for Fuller. SLB David Thornton also had a pick, his first as a Titan. Thornton broke up 2 other passes and had 5 tackles (3 solo). CB Cortland Finnegan had 7 solo tackles and a pass defensed.

Washington
Facing the top-rated NFL passing offense, the Redskins frequently dropped seven and left the front four to apply the pressure. They got the job done, as the Redskins gave up only 144 net yards to Detroit, the fewest yards an opponent has gained against them in 15 years, and a FG. They kept the Lions winless (0-21) against them at home. DE Andre Carter had his best game probably ever, at least since 2002, with two of the team’s five sacks, including his first career safety, among his team-high 8 tackles (5 solo). SLB Marcus Washington, who has been playing through a dislocated right elbow, had his first sack of the season before leaving with a left hamstring injury in the third quarter. Randall Godfrey replaced Washington, who said he should play next week. DE Phillip Daniels separated his right shoulder late in the first half, but returned after halftime and finished the game. He is likely questionable for this week.

Rookie WLB Rocky McIntosh was in the starting lineup, he left their last game before the bye with a pinched nerve. He had 7 tackles (6 solo).

CB Carlos Rogers put the cherry on top of the victory with a pick on late desperation drive by Detroit and returning it 61 yards for his first career TD. Rogers, fellow starting CB Shawn Springs, and nickel CB Fred Smoot did a great job in bump and run and keeping the Detroit WRs in check. Smoot left the game in the fourth quarter with a stinger in his right arm. He is expected to be OK for this week.