DETROIT, 30 December 2003 — Joey Harrington threw three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat the St. Louis Rams 30-20 on the final weekend of the NFL regular season on Sunday.
The Rams (12-4), who had won their previous seven games, slipped to second seed in the NFC, overtaken for top spot by the Philadelphia Eagles who defeated Washington on Saturday.
Harrington hooked up with Bill Schroeder and Az-Zahir Hakim for a pair of 13-yard TDs and found Casey Fitzsimmons from two yards for a third. Jason Hanson added three field goals, the longest from 50 yards.
Marshall Faulk ran two yards for one St. Louis TD and Marc Bulger found Brandon Manumaleuna from eight yards for another.
Bulger was knocked out of the game in the final period, giving way to former MVP Kurt Warner, who failed to generate any points.
Browns 22 Bengals 14
In Cincinnati, Lee Suggs rambled for 186 yards, including 78 and 25-yard TDs, as the Cleveland Browns surprised the Bengals (8-8) 22-14 to end their season.
Cardinals 18 Vikings 17
In Tempe, Arizona, Josh McCown hooked up with Nate Poole from 28 yards with no time on the clock to give the Cardinals a stunning 18-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings (9-7) and deny them what seemed to be a sure playoff berth.
Packers 31 Broncos 3
In Green Bay, club record holder Ahman Green racked up 218 rush yards, scoring on two and 98-yard runs, as the Packers (10-6) trounced the playoff-bound Denver Broncos 31-3, also earning a playoff berth when the Vikings slipped in Arizona.
Panthers 37 Giants 24
In East Rutherford, N.J., Steve Smith’s 53-yard punt return for a TD just five minutes into the game started the Carolina Panthers (11-5) on their way to a 37-24 rout of the New York Giants and mistake-prone passer Jesse Palmer.
Chargers 21 Raiders 14
In San Diego, LaDainian Tomlinson rambled for 243 yards, scoring twice from two yards, as the Chargers dumped the Oakland Raiders 21-14. Oakland got its points from returners Phillip Buchanon, who scored on an 80-yard punt return, and Doug Gabriel, who took back a kick 85 yards.
Chiefs 31 Bears 3
In Kansas City, Priest Holmes raced a yard for his record-tying 26th TD of the season then went two more yards for his 27th and Trent Green passed six yards to Eddie Kennison for another score as the Chiefs (13-3) crushed the Bears.
Colts 20 Texans 17
In Houston, Mike Vanderjagt’s game-ending 43-yard field goal, his record 41st straight, gave the Colts (12-4) a come-from-behind win over the Texans and the AFC South title.
Saints 13 Cowboys 7
In New Orleans, Aaron Brooks passed 76 yards to Donte Stallworth to spark the Saints to victory over the playoff-bound Dallas Cowboys, the sixth seed in the NFC.
Titans 33 Buccaneers 13
In Nashville, Tennessee, with starter Steve McNair sidelined due to a variety of ailments, newly-signed Neil O’Donnell found Derrick Mason for 23 and 34-yard TDs as the Titans (12-4) thumped the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Falcons 21 Jaguars 14
In Atlanta, Michael Vick hooked up with Peerless Price and Justin Griffith for 44 and one-yard TDs and TJ Duckett ran for 96 yards and another score as the Falcons outlasted the Jacksonville Jaguars 21-14.
Dolphins 23 Jets 21
In Miami, Olindo Mare’s 22-yard field goal — his third of the day — with seconds on the clock gave the Dolphins a narrow win over the New York Jets. Jay Fiedler passed 20 yards to Chris Chambers for one Miami TD and Ricky Williams scored the other on a 16-yard scamper.
Ravens 13 Steelers 10 (OT)
In Baltimore, Matt Stover’s 47-yard field goal three and a half minutes into overtime gave the AFC North champions Ravens (10-6) a 13-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
