Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning fumbles as he is hit by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Tourek Williams during the third quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, in San Diego.
A wild Week 10 in the NFL brought some surprises as backup quarterbacks tried (and failed) to fill gaps, Peyton Manning got banged up in a win and the New Orleans Saints steamrolled the Cowboys to franchise and league records.
The Green Bay Packers were hoping to survive without starting quarterback and former league MVP Aaron Rodgers, who suffered a broken clavicle last week. But after backup Seneca Wallace injured his groin during the Packers’ first possession, they were forced to play third string QB Scott Tolzien. “I thought Scott Tolzien played as well as could be expected,” coach Mike McCarthy said after the team’s 27-13 loss. “We’re running plays he hasn’t even practiced yet.”
Out west, Peyton Manning led the Denver Broncos to a 28-20 victory in the team’s first game without coach John Fox, who is recovering from heart surgery. But Manning took some hard shots, including a low hit in the waning moments of the game. “I’m pretty sore. They got me twice in that lower area,” Manning said after the game. He will have an MRI on Monday.
Sunday wrapped up with the Dallas Cowboys visiting the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys lost linebacker Sean Lee to a hamstring injury early in the game, and Saints quarterback Drew Brees unleashed a torrent of passes that dissected the undermanned Dallas defense. The Saints romped to a 49-17 win, racking up a franchise record 625 yards and an NFL record 40 first downs in the victory.
Week 10 wraps up tonight with a Sunshine State showdown, as the Miami Dolphins head upstate to face the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 0 and 8 Bucs are still looking for their first victory, while the Dolphins are trying to move past a locker room controversy between involving alleged hazing by veteran lineman Richie Incognito.