American football: Panthers lead rush into playoffs

NEW YORK - Jake Delhomme threw two touchdown passes and DeShaun Foster ran for another as the Carolina Panthers thumped the Atlanta Falcons 44-11to clinch a playoff spot on their final game of the regular season.

Needing a win to secure an NFC wild card berth, the Panthers (11-5) put the contest out of reach quickly scoring on their first five possessions to take a 27-3 lead into the intermission.
The loss, in front of a quiet crowd at the Georgia Dome, completed a second half season collapse by the Falcons, who won just two of their final eight games after reaching the NFC championship game last season.

Already eliminated from post-season contention, the Falcons mustered little resistance against the inspired Panthers, who return to the playoffs for the first time since losing to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl two years ago.

The game was highlighted by a first quarter 70-yard touchdown run from Foster, which goes into the record books as the longest scoring run in Panthers history.

Foster finished with 165 yards on 18 carries while Delhomme had a steady afternoon completing 14-of-20 passes for 163 yards, including touchdown tosses to Ricky Proehl and Steve Smith.

Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick was 15-of-24 for just 115 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

In Tampa, Chris Simms tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Joey Galloway as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers topped the New Orleans Saints 27-13 to lock up the NFC South division title and a playoff spot.

Dewayne White's fumble recovery and 34 yard return for a score with two minutes remaining clinched the victory.

The loss marked the end of a long, difficult campaign for the Saints (3-13), who were left without a home after Hurricane Katrina roared across New Orleans severely damaging the Superdome and forcing them to play all their games on the road.

In Pittsburgh, Jerome Bettis rumbled for three touchdowns to lead the Steelers to a 35-21 win over the Detroit Lions to clinch an AFC playoff berth.

Bettis, the fifth leading rusher in NFL history, had just 10 carries for 41 yards but the punishing back known to Steelers fans as "the Bus" made each of them count charging into the end zone on one, four and five yard touchdown runs.

While there was nothing spectacular in Bettis's effort, Antwaan Randle El dazzled Pittsburgh supporters with an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown to open the scoring.

Winning return

In Indianapolis, back-up quarterback Jim Sorgi threw a pair of touchdown passes guiding the Colts past the Arizona Cardinals 17-13, as coach Tony Dungy made a winning return to his team just three days after burying his son.

Dungy, who missed last week's game in Seattle after his eldest son was found dead in his apartment, received a standing ovation from Colts fans and an inspired effort from his defence who produced a stirring goal line stand in the final minute to preserve the win.

In Green Bay, Brett Favre threw his first touchdown pass in five games leading the Packers to a 23-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks in what might have been the final game in the future Hall of Fame quarterback's career.

While the discussion after the game was on Favre's future on the field, the spotlight was firmly fixed on Seattle running back Shaun Alexander, who set an NFL single season touchdown record with his 28th and claimed the league rushing title after narrowly missing out on the honour last season.

Alexander's record touchdown came early in the second quarter when he powered over from the one to cap a 69 yard scoring drive, breaking the previous record of 27 set by Priest Holmes in 2003.

The Seattle running back carried the ball 20 times for 73 yards giving him the NFL rushing title ahead of New York Giants' Tiki Barber.

Favre ended a miserable season for the Packers (4-12) and their supporters on a winning note completing 21-of-37 pass attempts for 259 yards, a touchdown and his 29th interception of the season, the most since turning professional.

In Minneapolis, Brad Johnson tossed a pair of touchdowns as the Minnesota Vikings eased past the Chicago Bears 34-10.

The season-ending victory, however, was not enough to help Minnesota coach Mike Tice, who was sacked immediately following the game.

- REUTERS