Tulsa World: Around The NFL: Local star power

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Around The NFL: Local star power

Ryan Succop (left) hit a 22-yarder in OT, sending the Chiefs to a shocking 27-24 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers. CHARLIE RIEDEL / Associated Press

By Staff and Wire Reports
Published: 11/23/2009 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 11/23/2009 7:07 AM

Adrian Peterson as a "state standout" is pretty much a given every week. But rarely do we have a Sunday in which so many NFL players with local ties shine.

In fact, Peterson had a pedestrian day for the Vikings, rushing for 82 yards on 24 carries and catching four passes for 16 yards.

Among the locals in the spotlight:

Robert Meachem only caught two balls during Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, but the New Orleans receiver and former Booker T. Washington star made the most of them, scoring on receptions of 4 and 6 yards.

OKC Heritage Hall's Wes Welker continued a stellar season, establishing career highs in catches (15) and yards (192) as New England hammered the Jets 31-14.

"We play those guys straight up, but their one-two punch got the best of us," Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis said of Welker and Randy Moss. "On one play, (Welker) did a triple move that was crazy, man. He's great."

Welker has 80 catches despite missing two games.

Former Oklahoma State standout Brandon Pettigrew had another big game with 72 yards on six receptions. His 1-yard TD grab on the final play of the game was the biggest catch of his career and gave Detroit its second win.

That score was set up by a pass interference penalty on the previous play.

"I thought the game was over — we all did," Pettigrew said.

Despite Curtis Lofton's efforts, the Atlanta Falcons suffered a gut-wrenching 34-31 loss to the Giants in overtime.

The Falcons, struggling to stay in the chase for a playoff bid, rallied from a 31-17 deficit in the fourth quarter.

Lofton, a former Oklahoma star, had 11 tackles, including three for loss.

Cowboy spat: Campo vs. Newman

Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman and secondary coach Dave Campo had a short physical confrontation on the sideline. Coach Wade Phillips downplayed the incident after Dallas won.

Newman was coming off the field after a series in the first quarter Sunday against Washington when Campo tried to stop him. Newman pushed away from the coach and they exchanged words.

Phillips describes it as a "heated moment in the game." Campo says "it was between family" and there is no problem between him Newman.

When asked what happened, Newman refused to explain or even comment, other than saying, "I have no idea."

Charging to AFC West lead

Last season, Denver collapsed down the stretch, allowing San Diego to sneak into the playoffs.

This season, the Mile High Meltdown is under way at midseason.

The Broncos (6-4) had a commanding lead on the division not long ago, but the Chargers (7-3) surged into first place in the AFC West Sunday, hammering Denver 32-3 on the road.

Consider the Chris Simms experiment over, too. After an awful start, Simms went to the sideline, and a banged-up Kyle Orton took over.

"I thought it was a bit of a desperation tactic," San Diego's Shawne Merriman said. "Or they brought him in to move the ball."

Orton quickly drove the Broncos 60 yards on three completions. But on first-and-goal at the 4, rookie running back Knowshon Moreno fumbled away the ball.

While the Chargers celebrated safety Steve Gregory's recovery in the end zone, the Broncos let their frustrations get the better of them. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall got in Moreno's face and Moreno responded with a two-handed shove — the most fight the Broncos showed all afternoon.

Milestones

Matthew Stafford became the first rookie QB to throw five TDs in a game since Ray Buivid for the Bears in 1937, according to STATS LLC. ... The Vikings' Brett Favre had his 22nd career game with at least four touchdown passes, surpassing Dan Marino. ... Running back Steven Jackson became the first Rams player to post five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. ... Michael Crabtree made the first touchdown catch of his career for San Francisco. ... The Chiefs snapped a team-record 10-game home losing streak with a 27-24 victory over the Steelers.

STILL TWO UNBEATENS STANDING

SAINTS SLASH BUCCANEERS New Orleans is a perfect 10 after a workmanlike thrashing of Tampa Bay. The Saints scored the final 38 points, including a pair of scores from Booker T. Washington product Robert Meachem, in a 38-7 win. New Orleans is 10-0.

COLTS SURVIVE, STILL PERFECT Peyton Manning and Indianapolis struggled, but came away with a 17-15 win at Baltimore, thanks in large part to a terrible throw by the Ravens’ Joe Flacco in the closing minutes. That pass was picked off, and the Colts improved to 10-0.

SUPER SUNDAY: FRANTIC FINISHES ACROSS THE LEAGUE

Chiefs vs. Steelers. Raiders vs. Bengals. Lions vs. Browns. Chances are you didn’t adjust your schedule to see any of these games Sunday. In fact, the Week 11 schedule left plenty to be desired. There didn’t appear to be many compelling matchups. By the end of the day, though, Week 11 was one of the most riveting of the season. Several games ended in dramatic fashion, including a few stunning upsets and a shootout between arguably the worst teams in the league.

SUNDAY’S OTHER STARS

Quarterbacks

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Was 32 of 42 for 398 yards and three TDs.

Brady Quinn, Browns: Was 21 of 33 for 304 yards and four TDs.

Running backs

Bernard Scott, Bengals: Had 21 carries for 119 yards filling in for Cedric Benson.

Tim Hightower, Cardinals: Had 14 carries for 110 yards.

Receivers and tight ends

Calvin Johnson, Lions: Had seven catches for 161 yards and touchdown.

Derrick Mason, Ravens: Had nine catches for 142 yards.

Special Teams and defense

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs: Returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for TD.

Leigh Bodden, Patriots: Had three interceptions and returned one of them 53 yards for a touchdown.

By Staff and Wire Reports

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