Vikings and Rams close in on NFC divisional titles

Jeff George has the Vikings clicking on all cylinders as the quarterback led Minnesota to their fifth straight win on Sunday. George threw four touchdown passes, including three in a club record-tying 28-point second quarter, on the way to a 35-27 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

"We have the offence turned around. Jeff George has fit in perfectly. It's amazing," marvelled wide receiver Chris Carter. Carter had 11 receptions for 136 yards to join Jerry Rice, Art Monk and Andre Reed as the only players in NFL history with at least 900 career catches.

In St Louis, the Rams closed in on their first NFC West title in 14 years with a 43-12 win over the New Orleans Saints.

At Carolina, Steve Beuerlein tossed three touchdown passes and Tim Biakabutuka ran for another as the Panthers held on for a 34-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

In Baltimore, the Jacksonville Jaguars erupted for 23 fourth-quarter points in a 30-23 victory over the Ravens. Mark Brunell engineered a pair of fourth-quarter scoring drives and completed two two-point conversions.

In Buffalo, Doug Flutie threw touchdown passes of 54 and 31 yards as the Bills beat the New England Patriots 17-7 to move within a half-game of second-place Miami in the AFC East.

In Indianapolis, the Colts held the New York Jets to a pair of first-quarter field goals for a 13-6 victory that extended their winning streak to seven games.

In Washington, Brett Conway kicked a 27-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Redskins to a 20-17 victory over the Eagles.

In Cleveland, Eddie George rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns and Derrick Mason returned a punt for a score to lead the Tennessee Titans to a 33-21 win over the Browns.

In Seattle, a swarming Tampa Bay defence forced six turnovers, including five interceptions, as the Buccaneers posted a 16-3 victory over the Seahawks despite being forced to go with rookie quarterback Shaun King.

In Oakland, Chris Dishman scored a pair of defensive touchdowns and Pete Stoyanovich kicked a 44-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Kansas City Chiefs to a 37-34 victory over the Raiders.

In Pittsburgh, the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Steelers 27-20 to avoid a record-tying 107th loss of the decade.

At New York, Jake Plummer came in for an ineffective Dave Brown and engineered three second-half scoring drives to lead the Arizona Cardinals to 34-24 victory over the Giants.