Dreams of an undefeated National Football League season have ended for the Indianapolis Colts. The visiting San Diego Chargers won a hard fought battle Sunday, 26-17, highlighted by a tough defense that disrupted Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.
San Diego's win was crucial for their playoff hopes with nine wins and five losses in the 16-game regular season. At 13-1, the Colts will now focus on their Super Bowl title hopes. With the Indianapolis loss, the 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only NFL team to go undefeated throughout the season, playoffs and Super Bowl.
Elsewhere, the Seattle Seahawks remain the best team in the National Football Conference at 12-2 with a 28-24 win over the Tennessee Titans. The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to eye the postseason with an 18-3 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The Carolina Panthers picked up their tenth win of the season, 27-10, over the New Orleans Saints. Washington clobbered division rival Dallas, 35-7, as both the Redskins and Cowboys chase a playoff spot.
In Sunday's late game, the Chicago Bears contained quarterback Michael Vick to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 16-3, and move a step closer to towards a playoff berth.
Also Sunday:
Philadelphia Eagles 17 St. Louis Rams 16
Houston Texans 30 Arizona Cardinals 19
Miami Dolphins 24 New York Jets 20
Jacksonville Jaguars 10 San Francisco 49ers 9
Cincinnati Bengals 41 Detroit Lions 17
Cleveland Browns 9 Oakland Raiders 7
On Saturday:
New England Patriots 28 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0
New York Giants 27 Kansas City Chiefs 17
Denver Broncos 28 Buffalo Bills 17